Leaf Clan
The Clans of Dappled Shadows of Treetops at Midday
Preface
Bloodkeepers that live within forests, valleys, and in general, mild temperature regions have the moniker of both Leaf Clan and Forest bloodkeeper. The two are often used interchangeably; most beings who aren't well versed in their culture, or using slang will simply refer to them as Forest bloodkeepers. The name 'Leaf Clan' is the closest Common translation of what the Clan calls themselves, some bloodkeepers say that it's far more eloquent in their own language than its translation. The direct translation with corrected Common syntax is along the lines of << The Clans of Dappled Shadows of Treetops at Midday >>.Magic
Forest Clan bloodkeepers are adept at dark Elemental Magic while suffering reduced aptitude for direct opposing magic, such as light. They can learn the other Clans' specialties and other elemental magic but require training and magical aid. It isn't strange to see them wearing jewelry or items to help them with other types of magic. It is believed in their culture that all creatures have Mana within them, and drinking some of a beings blood gives them a bit of the target's magic ability. It is not bizarre for Bloodkeepers to consume a portion of blood from respected peers in an attempt to have some of their innate skill in magic. Forest bloodkeepers are far less restrained in their blood consumption and will even take part in consensual biting ceremonies to drink directly from the being if they're close to one another.Bloodkeeper Magic Affinity
| Species | Earth | Air | Fire | Water | Light | Dark | Lightn. | Ice | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloodkeeper | 2 | 2 | 0/1 | 2 | 4 | 0/1 | 3 | 0/1 |
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
All bloodkeepers speak a similar subset of Demonic; one that is full of guttural growls and snarls. Leaf Clan members don't have to cover themselves like the Frost Clan so they don't rely on hand signals, and instead different clans have their own setting of chirping vocalizations used as basic communication while hunting.
Culture and cultural heritage
The Esteemed Ones
An important rank among bloodkeepers of all Clans, the Esteemed One is a rank in which a single bloodkeeper is viewed as the leader of their respective Clan. This event doesn't occur very often, and the rules rarely change. Typically Leaf Clan Esteemed Ones are chosen by the darkest fur colour. The community will take into account how the demon contributes to the group but if a vote occurs and the losing party doesn't approve they may attempt a trial by combat, where the first to yield is the loser.
Shared customary codes and values
Fur Colour
While it is known that all bloodkeepers are born with white fur, the culture around tinting their pelts varies. Forest Clan members value dark fur, due to the fact that they have to blend into the forest and often hunt in darkness. A light coloured coat could either be a young bloodkeeper, or one that is sickly and cannot consume blood for some reason or another. A dark coat is linked to health, and old age, and indirectly most bloodkeepers assume that a peer with darker fur is more wise. The only counterpoint to this is if a young bloodkeeper's fur darkens quickly. If a young bloodkeeper's fur darkens and becomes near pitch black, or is black, it is considered a sign of gluttony and they will often be chastised, as it's similar behaviour to some of bloodkeepers that took part in the The Bloodkeeper-Human War.Fur Colour as Related to Religion
While the other clans, Frost Clan and Sand Clan attempt to keep their fur as light as possible and consider dark fur a bad omen, it is the opposite for Leaf Clan members. Dark fur puts them closer to the appearance of their god, Silence.Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Markings
Markings are an important cultural symbol to bloodkeepers, as it allows other tribes to know family relations at a glance. To obtain these markings, bloodkeepers's fur is stained with heavy dye, which is re-applied every year in a celebration of their birth. Each community displays the marking in a different area.
Leaf Clan
Leaf Clan bloodkeepers mark their face in varying degrees of complexity, but lean toward intricate. Most of the markings are placed under the eyes, as eye contact is an important part of forest bloodkeeper communication. Due to the size of their canvas, their family markings tend to get intricate as families come together via marriage.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
Birthday Celebrations
Blood Drinking
Leaf Clan bloodkeepers celebrate their birthdays in a lax manner compared to their desert and tundra counterparts; while the other bloodkeepers will consume small drips or full sips of blood, forest bloodkeepers allow themselves to drink a full goblet. Leaf Clan bloodkeepers wear dark fur with pride. The blood is often taken from hunts close to the bloodkeeper's birthday, or from beings close to them personally.Family Marking Application and Renewal
When a bloodkeeper is first born, as well as every birthday after, the familial marking on the bloodkeeper's body is renewed with a combination of berry dye and other dark liquids; the combination varies Clan to Clan. The marking will be the same as their father if they are male, and the same as their mother if female though there are circumstances where this may be changed. The mark will be applied by The Esteemed One or a different member of the community if the individual being celebrated requests so.
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