Natales

Religion
On Vesanus, there are two types of equine. The first are the standard claim a mare and start a herd types. The second are much less common and significantly different. The Natales inhabit Musco forest on Vesanus. They have a very strong tie to nature and base much of their lives around these natural occurrences. They use the lunar cycle to keep time alongside the changes in season. Time is measured differently for them than any others and they are very structured.

Moon Phases


 * Inanis - New
 * Viridis - Young
 * Aliquam - Waxing
 * Candesco - Full
 * Relicto - Waning
 * Pereo - Old

A character might be born on the 3rd Pereo of the Rains. Or the last Viridis of the Sun which makes their year less consistent each year. This is simply a habit on the island of Vesanus and not necessarily continued once they have left though some might. Typically a band will have a specific location where they will mark the time. There are special violet pebbles that can be found in the river and each band will use their own to keep track. They often make an event out of it, particularly for foals. Young ones love being the one who gets to mark a Candesco. In addition, if a daughter is leaving her family band, both her father and her mother will often times gift her with one of the stones each for her to use with her new band.

The Gods of the Natales are not referred to in any specific fashion and they do not pray in a traditional sense but rather will often talk to the trees or the wildlife, usually in private. Trees are considered very sacred with some more important than others. Just before the Palus is a very large and old tree referred to as Sophia. This tree, usually referred to as she, is heavily consulted in times of strife. Another important tree grows near the edge of the forest to the east and has been named Reatus. Reatus is often visited when a horse feels they have done something to warrant punishment and to absolve themselves of their guilt. Another, Votum, is spoken to as the Tree of Dreams, where horses go to confess their deepest hopes and wishes.

Sons are very important as they ensure the band will live on. Despite this, families are usually kept relatively small. Stallions typically keep one mare, rarely two, and there is no competition to speak of. As a result, some daughters will remain within their family band for many years until they have found a proper fit in another band. The eldest son maintains the family's position in the community and others are free to begin their own bands. They are considered connected but not technically a part of one another's band.

The Natales have a deep love of water. The Amnis Sereno is a hotspot for activity during the warmest months of the year. The Musco is also home to numerous ponds including the Ignavum as well as a large bog called the Palus. The Palus is avoided except in death. When members of the Natales are close to death, they make their way towards the dangerous swamp and never return. Many foals have a game amongst them where they are dared to enter into the Palus but very rarely does anyone actually do so. By the time they are grown it is believed to be inconsiderate to breach the final resting place of so many.

Each year on to celebrate the life of a horse, the band will make a journey to the shore, to the Somnium Pelvim with one of the violet pebbles from the river to cast a wish for the year. It was considered bad form to share your wish with anyone and even worse to wish for selfish things.

Catervas
A Natales horse may claim up to 2 other Natales horses that they plan on spending their future with. Once at least one other horse has been claimed, both of those horses have the option to claim another or to remain as just a pair. They form a traditional harem until they reach a point where the relationships established between all members reaches at least 50%. Once this has been achieved, any member can select the option to form a Caterva from the Control Panel on the horse page.

Catervas cannot be dissolved once formed and none of the members may leave. Children that grow up in the Caterva without leaving to join the Sylvanum will remain as adult members until they choose to leave on their own unlike with a herd where the characters would be forced out.

Ranks

Before full formation


 * 1-3 Bonding Natales Stallion(s)
 * 1-3 Bonding Natales Mare(s)

After full formation


 * 1-3 Caterva Stallion(s)
 * 1-3 Caterva Mare(s)

Catervalas
Formation

Once a Caterva has been formed, each of the adult members in the group have the chance to send a request to another related Caterva in an attempt to being forming a larger family unit. There must be a close family tie between the two, so either sibling to sibling, or parent to child connections can form a Catervala. There is no limit on the amount of horses that may be in a Catervela though it becomes somewhat impractical to maintain such a large group.

Members of a Catervela can raise all foals within the Catervela at a slight bonus over standard raising. They also receive a small bonus when interacting with one another.

Sociums
As when forming a Caterva, the lead horse (mare or stallion) must have reached a relationship value of at least 50% with his or her faction mate(s). In addition to this, the two leads that are choosing to form a Socium are required to have a relationship value of at least 50% as well. Once they have reached these levels, the option will appear in the Control Panel on the horse page as with a caterva. Socius cannot be formed by two Catervas joining and must be created before either lead has formed a group of his own. Unlike Catervas, Socius cannot join up with other groups like themselves though they can have affiliation with a particular Catervela to reap the benefits provided in that situation. Socius cannot be dissolved once formed and none of the members may leave.

Ranks

Before full formation


 * 1-6 Bonding Natales Stallion(s)
 * 1-6 Bonding Natales Mare(s)

After full formation


 * 1-6 Caterva Stallion(s)
 * 1-6 Caterva Mare(s)