Augstawne Girene Dzirta
From Elanthipedia
| Note that the following article is not necessarily accurate due to their status as a player-run organization. Because these types of articles are maintained by players about players there is always the risk of alteration due to malice or desire for anonymity. This page will be monitored by the staff, and should it become a battleground, it will be locked down and risk deletion. -The Elanthipedia Moderators |
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| Area: Velaka |
| Currency: Lirum |
| Population: ~25-50 |
| Established: ~100 AV |
| Alternate Names: Highland Pack, Highland Families |
| Dominant Race/Guild: Rakash |
| Governing Individual: Alexii |
Contents |
Augstawne Girene Dzirta
Known as the "Highland Family Pack" in common-speak, the Augstawne Girene Dzirta has maintained their existence since the beginning of recorded time among the Rakash peoples. While much of the history and lore has been lost to time, a few of the most influential tales still circulate among the members of the pack. The structure of the Augstawne Girene Dzirta is one of family hierarchy, where the Augstawne House resides over the other houses which make up the pack.
For many years since the migration to the East, the Augstawne Girene Dzirta had been disbanded without a leader to follow. It was not until recent years that the last survivor of House Augstawne took the mantle of his forefathers and claimed Alpha of the pack. With the blessing of King Raenilar of the Outcast Tribes of the Velaka Desert, the pack was allowed to make home on tribal land holdings.
In the homelands the pack laid claim to a vast territory occupying three tops of a wide mountain range. Inside of these mountains, they located cave systems which they transformed into shelters and homes. The majority of the pack lived inside of these caves, but one group was allowed to occupy a small village in the valley which acted as an outpost for trading.
Since coming to the East, the pack has chosen a small territory atop and around a shallow mesa in the Velaka Desert. This mesa rests on Outcast Tribal lands but due to the nomadic nature of the tribes their King has allowed the pack to install a permanent dwelling atop the sandy highland.
Siksraja
Several of the Asini of the Augstawne Girene Dzirta have recently moved to Siksraja, the Rakash village in Therengia in order to promote the spirit of community within the small establishment. You can find Chinoa and Naea's house in the most Northeasterly residential area, and they always have an open door for visiting Rakash. Others have also claimed homes and residence in the village, serving to strengthen the lines of communication between those in the desert and those in the forests. This newfound opportunity has allowed both groups to benefit from increased availability of goods.
Girene Asini
Literally translated into "family blood," Girene Asini can also be loosely translated into "family house" for those who speak common-speak. Girene Asini are what the members of the Rakash call their "house" in the pack hierarchy. There are several houses which have been in existence and once made up the Dzirta. However, due to various circumstances they have either been destroyed or have fallen into a state of disrepair. Most of the former houses from the West did not survive the migration into the East and their members were absorbed by the Asini Augstawne. While some of them have had their names lost to time, a select few have been kept alive through tales passed to the entire pack by their membership.
Other houses such as the Asini Verdan and Asini Ragana, have special conditions applied to them. In the case of the Asini Ragana, they have been exiled from the pack since the homelands due to betrayal and shadowy dealings. Unlike the Asini Verdan, who have been placed on hold due to their leader having taken a holy quest to the barrier.
Holding leadership over one's own Girene Asini is an honor which must be bestowed upon an individual or a couple who have been proven as deserving. The conditions to which one can earn leadership of an Asini differs from person to person, but common factors include: promoting the pack in an honorable fashion, instructing wayward Rakash on the ideals of the Augstawne Girene Dzirta, providing invaluable skill or resource to the other members of the pack, or providing the membership with an indisposable asset.
When a member of the pack has reached a level where their knowledge and experience have become invaluable and irreplaceable, one can generally guarantee they will be given the honor of an Asini in order for them to pass on what they can to others of the membership. Since the reformation of the pack, this honor has been given to very few.
Asini Augstawne
The house of the Alpha.
All members of the pack belong to the Asini Augstawne. Even when gifted with a house, that house is still under the banner of the Asini Augstawne. Hence it is named the house of the alpha to reflect its status in the pack. The Asini Augstawne resides in the Velaka Desert, choosing to work towards establishing a strong presence in the Northern sands.
Current Membership: Alexii, Malakye, Malfrien, Draxlis, Euphoriah, Sausras, Lualla, Porram, Kaput, Franleah, Ayamae, Heplythea, Azmina,
Asini Tal Veda
The house of distant sorrow.
Originaly known as Asini Tal Notis (the house of distant music) and responcible for spreading the collected tales and wisdom of the Augustawne Rakash through poetry, song and story this small house was all but wiped out during a ferocious rearguard action during the migration eastwards. The two young girls that remained bore two children before they passed, and Chinoa, the eldest by one and Naea, the youngest by another, were taken in by human families and raised in relative peace. When they were told of the passing of their house, Naea and Chinoa took the decision to change its name to reflect their feelings of loss. This family of the pack once choose to operate in and around Zoluren, but have since relocated to the Rakash village Siksraja in Therengia.
Current Membership: Chinoa, Naea, Agalea
Asini Daemonhart
The house of setting moons.
This house was established under the leadership of Malykai Daemonhart. He had so impressed Alexii with his constant dedication to the studies of the moons and their impact on Rakash society that the Alpha offered him leadership of a house within the pack. Upon his acceptance of membership, he took leadership of the Asini Daemonhart. He travels through many regions as he persues his stuides.
Current Membership: Malykai, Evalaut
Asini Resheph
The house of welcome shores.
This house was established under the leadership of Zaslamel and Sajuta Resheph. Longtime friends of the Alpha Alexii, the couple had always been highly respected by him and his people. When they came to him seeking acceptance into the Dzirta he gifted them with their own Asini to house their family. This family operates out of Riverhaven in an attempt to guide young Rakash.
Current Membership: Zaslamel, Sajuta, Rasarele
Asini Sudrazive
The House of the Silver Stag.
Dedicated to new life, communication, and understanding amongst the Rakash people; the Asini Sudrazive operates in the dzirta as a family concerned with the social developments of our race. The house of the silver stag, stands as a chance for a new begining for all Rakash with support from its membership. They have hope, that in that same oppertunity you may grow into a stronger, healthier and more balanced person for yourself and those around you. A home when all doors have been closed.
Status: Currently building and open for the molding.
Symbol: The color silver and the stag.
The common badge of belonging for the Sudrazive family is to bear a shield argent bearing a stag sable statant.
Black is the color for leadership while white is usually reserved for those considered initiates.
Current Membership: Lanita
Asini Aizstavet
The house of the honorbound.
Lead by Penderrinn Aizstavet, the Girene Alpha for this Asini, the members of the house serve the dzirta as protectors and teachers of the ways of honor. Focusing their talents to aide in the instruction of defense and combat, the Asini Aizstavet work along with each member of the dzirta to promote positive morale and mutual respect. A second goal of studying the effects of corruption on the lands has brought many of this Asini to reside in Illithi among Corik's Wall. As brothers in the Emerald Knight's, Alexii and Penderrinn both support these actions as they hope it will lead to a new understanding of what may await all Rakash once the homelands are made available once more.
Current Membership: Penderrinn, Narkonis, Ticrit
Asini Lacaedomian
The house of the people's shield.
Established with the sole purpose of providing a defense against those who would harm the Rakash people, the Asini Lacaedomian is also often known as the Girene Variog or "family shield." This title was taken by the Girene Alpha Achkilles upon the establishment of the Asini due to their aspirations to guard the pack and its members. Operating in the Northern Province of Therengia, the Asini Lacaedomian works to protect any Rakash, who request it, traveling in those areas.
Current Membership: Achkilles
Asini Verdan
The house of the Shaman - HOLD
This house was established under the leadership of Cleric Bambina Verdan. Currently it is on hold due to Bambina taking up a holy quest to inspect the barrier.
Current Membership: Bambina
Asini Ragana
The Asini Ragna once held another title but was retitled due to betrayal against other Dzirta (Pack) members. They were stripped of thier ties to the Asini Augstawne and now stand alone. The last known surviving member was seen in the company of the Necromancer Lyras as the pack left the homeland. Nothing is known of her fate since the migration. Her name was taken from her by the former Alpha, Rakus Augstawne, and he took it to the grave with him when he died.
The house of the Witch - EXILED
Current Membership: EXILED
Former Asini
<former house> The house of Spring, Hunters - KIA
This house was established to honor members of the Dzirta who took place in the hunt described in "The Tale of the Twisted Beast"
<former house>
The house of Winter, Hunters - KIA
This house was established to honor members of the Dzirta who took place in the hunt described in "The Tale of the Twisted Beast"
<former house>
The house of Autumn, Harvesters and Healers - MIA
This house was established to provide the membership with a dedicated group of herbalists and harvesters who would continue to monitor the pack gardens while others pursued other endeavors.
<former house>
The house of Summer, Alchemists and Healers - KIA
This house was established to provide the membership with a dedicated group of potion masters and apothecaries who would continue to provide the pack with remedies made from the herbal garden harvests.
<former house>
The house of the Blood Tree, Healers - ABSORBED
<former house>
The house of the Black Axe, Hunters and Smiths - ABSORBED
<former house
The house of the Pure Soul, Shamans and Healers - ABSORBED
Symbols of the Augstawne
In the homeland, the membership of the pack prided themselves on being capable metalsmiths and gemsmiths. Their close proximity to deposits deep in the mountains where they made their home allowed for many to develop the skill, if only for a hobby. Due to this, silver and emerald (commonly found in the mines) was favored by the membership. Partly due to the frequency, but mostly due to the ease of working with the material. The largest emeralds were often saved for the most skilled carvers to shape into strong symbols and placed in a setting to gain the most attention from onlookers.
In addition to working with metals and gems, the membership of the pack were also skilled weavers. They commonly used both spidersilk and steelsilk to create a durable mesh for containers of all sizes.
The original pack attire consisted of, but was not limited to: silver, bronze, emeralds, wolves, wolf paws, moons, Black Katamba, Gold Katamba, mountains, spears, and frosty or icy winter forest tones.
Those who have decided to remain in the desert and make a new home (including the members of Asini Agustawne) have adopted much of the local attire, such as: animite, glacier emeralds, zenith spinels, and frosty of icy winter desert tones.
Also, those of the membership who have also placed themselves in service to the King of the Outcast Tribes can also be seen incorporating much of their culture into their house. They can be seen wearing items using materials like: Elven silver, flame-kissed gold, desert palmwood, nightsilk, and yeehar hide.
Mark of the Alpha
This is worn by the leader of the pack. It has been passed down from Alpha to Alpha through the many years. Upon joining with the Outcast Tribes it was given a "once over" by the tribe metalsmiths who not only repaired the item, but also improved upon it using fine materials chosen by the current Alpha.
TAP
a chieftain's ivory and animite bracer set with a crested glacier emerald
LOOK Wide ivory panels etched with a haphazard pile of spears are inlaid into a supple animite frame, designed to encircle the wearer's wrist completely. Most of the weapons have no adornment, but a few have feathered tufts or bands of color. In the center, a detailed animite setting shaped like wolf claws viscously grasps a glacier emerald. Carved onto the gem's face is a crest depicting a pair of crossed spears overlapped by a wolf's paw. A line of silver text spans the lower edge. There appears to be something written on it.
READ An animite bracer reads: Augstawne
Mark of the Member
All members of the Augstawne Girene Dzirta wear this pendant.
TAP
a moon-shaped emerald pendant on a braided silver chain
Customs of the Augstawne
The Augstawne view of the Gods
While many Rakash like to credit the gods with many actions and events, we of the Augstawne know that the gods gift us with the ability to do the things they wish to see done. It is this which has spawned the thinking that the Rakash gods do not force us on a path. Instead, they choose to guide and empower us in whatever we endevor to accomplish.
Dizens Dzivnawk Gars
The Dizens Dzivnawk Gars, the great animal spirits, are creatures which have been inspired by our gods to inspire us. The gods' own animal images stand as the lead for the group joined with wolf, bear, falcon, and coyote. Other packs may have other animals which they feel offer them power, but these were the creatures which shared the territory of the Augstawne in the homeland. The Dizens Dzivnawk Gars were considered messengers of our ancestors who had taken form in order to share something with us. Each was considered to carry a different type of message.
Wolf: This was the standard messenger. It was often seen when a person had failed to take notice of an opportunity. The color of the wolf's coat would change depending on the situation. Black is a common sight. However, silver is considered to be a message of the most importance.
Bear: The bear was considered to be a message of prosperity. When sighted, it was assumed to mean that things were right and the ancestors' spirits were pleased.
Falcon: The image of the falcon was thought to be a warning sign that danger was looming on the horizon just out of view. It was said that the louder the falcon's call, the closer the danger.
Coyote: The sight of a coyote was considered to be about the worst messenger to receive. The coyote was considered to be a messenger of death, either for you or one you loved. If the animal came to sit next to you, it was believed you were marked for death and would be joining the ancestors soon.
Honored Guests of the Dzirta
Every so often, an outsider comes who has gained a great amount of respect from the membership. Sometimes this is due to their own actions, but often it is caused by their unwavering support for one of the membership. While in the homelands this practice was not commonplace, it has become far more frequent since coming to the East and becoming more social with the peoples here. Guests of the pack are not members, and have no vote or say in the affairs of the pack. However, they are free to move among the membership and assist with any pack endeavor. In the homelands, outsiders were not welcome among the people of the packs unless they wore the mark of honored guest. Likewise, we still observe this tradition here in the East, despite the increased number of honored guests.
Mark of the Honored Guest
All honored guests of the Augstawne Girene Dzirta wear this ring when traveling among our people.
TAP
a braided silver friendship ring with paired green glass beads
