Post by Saadarshan on Sept 14, 2010 16:58:45 GMT -7
With my plans to introduce a crocodile character, I decided to do up a possible societal idea for the big reptiles to give some other players (hopefully) some incentive and inspiration to make one! If you got ideas to add or critiques, post them here!
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While crocodiles aren’t considered particularly social, they do hold to a strong core of inner belief and structured culture that guides them from the egg to death. From social situations to spiritual belief, it’s a deep seated tradition born of ancient instinct and inborn ancestral memory.
The hatching of a nest is marked carefully, the Janam, or birth, considered the first of guiding factors that will direct a hatchling’s life. Hatchlings emerging by day are considered to be Sundar, or bright ones, the light of the sun illuminating them with wisdom and courage. Those born by night are named Raaz, or secret ones, the depth of night hiding them behind a veil of shadows and mysteries. Sundar are looked to as the warriors, the most fierce of crocodiles who drive off challengers and forge new rivers. Raaz are the keepers of mysteries and memories, those who keep the traditions alive.
The second deciding factor of a crocodile’s identity is it’s species, also referred to a scale or Taraazu. The rank among crocodiles is directly figured on size – the bigger the better, the bigger the more renowned. The Saltwater Crocodiles are on top, referred to as Kuleen, or royal. They are seen as the natural-born leaders and most dominant and powerful. When a Kuleen commands, other crocodiles listen. If they don’t care to listen, they get out of the way. They are the ones who keep order and reason among the crocodiles and are most in-tune with the ancestral memories. In times of dispute, they are looked upon to judge and mediate. Kuleens are the rarest of the taraazu. The Mugger Crocodiles are called Shikaari, or hunters, those most familiar with prowling and hiding in the dense marshlands. Fierce and savage, they are among the most aggressive of the tide children and are well-known for their fighting skills. They are the most common of the taraazu. The least physically imposing are the Gharial. They are named Khaang, or tooth, for their long needle-like snout. They are considered the seekers of secrets, ferreting out lost wisdoms keepers of the traditions. Secretive and cunning, these crocodiles renowned as masters of the mind and deeply enjoy puzzles and riddles.
The naming of a crocodile varies – usually having some sort of meaning behind it (like Sakhtkhaal, or iron hide), but, it can just as soon be a distinguishing characteristic like Brokentooth or just a simply made-up name that sounded appealing to the mother. Each hatchling is named shortly after hatching, when the mother delivers her hatchlings to the water for the first time. Like a christening, as she sets each into the water she bestows upon them their name and declares their janam and taraazu.
Social life among the crocodiles is a transitory thing, the main gatherings occurring during the monsoon when prey is plentiful the the rivers swollen and easy to travel and trailing off during the dryer seasons. Universal, though, is the idea a young crocodile must prove themselves to be worthy of notice. A hatchling away from its mother risks much more than predators – it risks its own kind. Until a crocodile has proven themselves a true predator and master of the water, it is seen as a lesser thing, a Beenayash, or one without glory. It is treated as little more than prey and crocodiles do not recognize any wrong in cannibalism. Until a young crocodile has earned their Kritya, or deed name, they are not acknowledged by the bask (or group of crocodiles) as a member. A kritya is a descriptive nickname added on to the birth name, describing the deed of the crocodile – ie: Sakhtkhaal Guards-the-Hundred-Eggs. A kritya may change throughout a croc’s life as greater acts of renown are performed. Once they are acknowledged as Bahutyash, or with glory, a crocodile is welcomed among the bask as a full member. A newcomer from a different bask who has a kritya is generally welcomed if there is space to accommodate them. Rank among crocodiles is largely influenced by size and age, the strength and number of mates among males a prime boasting point whereas the strongest mate, best nesting place, and largest clutches are those of females.
The three most respected members of each taraazu, generally the largest and oldest as crocodile ranking goes, are called Vakta, or speakers. In matters of argument or ruling among the crocodiles, they are seen as advisors and arbitrators and will generally speak for their taraazu in matters of the bask as a whole. Not unlike betas of a wolfpack, they will be highest in the order if the proper leader is either absent or unnamed, but as a whole serve more as advisors as opposed to true leaders. The true ruler of the bask, however, is the most dominant male and female among the bask, the Pavitr, or divine ones. Unless none are present, the role always falls to a Kuleen. Should a crocodile reach their hundredth year, then they are given the honorary title of Manayeena, or ancient one, and are looked upon with a reverent respect and a station as near living ancestors and sources of great wisdom. The rarest of all ranks is a Chamak, or shining one, and crocodiles may go several generations before seeing one. These are crocodiles born white, and are regarded as the returned spirit of great crocodiles that have lived in the past, usually ones who were seen as wicked and traitorous to their own kind and who have been returned to the water to earn their honor back. Often, it is not unusual for a mother to consume a Chamak if she catches one among her nest so as to avoid the shame of being associated with such a creature.
The spirituality of crocodiles is based around the passage of time and the eb and flow of the tides. They feel the pull of the sun and moon as guides in one’s life and will often travel miles upon miles just to follow the subtle tug of a current or the pull of the earth’s invisible forces in hopes of discovering some great mystery at it’s end. As long-lived creatures, crocodiles put great stock in the gaining of knowledge and discovery of lost wisdom, and many will spend hours on the bottom of the rivers and seas in a half-dreaming state called Badhkar Nazar, or far seeing, in which they might contemplate the ripples or the foam of waves, or even the rays of sun or moonlight cast through the water or the flow of sand to discern hidden visions and prophecy. Most treasured are those who experience Poorvaj Yaad, or ancestral memory. This is the belief that a crocodile can channel the ancient living memories of their former lives and those of their ancestors. Their appearances unchanged for millenia, crocodiles believe strongly in the blood-deep passing of memories from grandparent to parent to child. Even deeper, those crocodiles who manifest not just physical and behavioral characteristics but deeply personal, private memories are considered direct reincarnations of former lives. The idea of reincarnation is a strong one, and with their unchanging nature, for crocodiles it is very easy to believe that a single croc can live through many lives. Some of the oldest lived and most powerful of crocodiles even claim to remember a time when their kin reigned over the earth. Crocodiles take this gift more seriously than all others, and to use this sacred birthright falsely or for personal gain is reason for a crocodile to be torn apart by the bask. Most Chamaks are considered to be crocodiles who abused and falsified this most ancient gift in a past and, in truth, very few Chamaks show a penchant for this ability which further enforces the belief the chain of their past lives has been broken by their misdeeds. Non-crocodiles often regard this as hogwash, no more than a blending of instinct, old stories, and creatures who live too long and spend too much time contemplating. This is mostly the case, the crocodiles not truly beings of magic ability, but they believe in it so strongly to them it is a very real and very revered ability.
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While crocodiles aren’t considered particularly social, they do hold to a strong core of inner belief and structured culture that guides them from the egg to death. From social situations to spiritual belief, it’s a deep seated tradition born of ancient instinct and inborn ancestral memory.
The hatching of a nest is marked carefully, the Janam, or birth, considered the first of guiding factors that will direct a hatchling’s life. Hatchlings emerging by day are considered to be Sundar, or bright ones, the light of the sun illuminating them with wisdom and courage. Those born by night are named Raaz, or secret ones, the depth of night hiding them behind a veil of shadows and mysteries. Sundar are looked to as the warriors, the most fierce of crocodiles who drive off challengers and forge new rivers. Raaz are the keepers of mysteries and memories, those who keep the traditions alive.
The second deciding factor of a crocodile’s identity is it’s species, also referred to a scale or Taraazu. The rank among crocodiles is directly figured on size – the bigger the better, the bigger the more renowned. The Saltwater Crocodiles are on top, referred to as Kuleen, or royal. They are seen as the natural-born leaders and most dominant and powerful. When a Kuleen commands, other crocodiles listen. If they don’t care to listen, they get out of the way. They are the ones who keep order and reason among the crocodiles and are most in-tune with the ancestral memories. In times of dispute, they are looked upon to judge and mediate. Kuleens are the rarest of the taraazu. The Mugger Crocodiles are called Shikaari, or hunters, those most familiar with prowling and hiding in the dense marshlands. Fierce and savage, they are among the most aggressive of the tide children and are well-known for their fighting skills. They are the most common of the taraazu. The least physically imposing are the Gharial. They are named Khaang, or tooth, for their long needle-like snout. They are considered the seekers of secrets, ferreting out lost wisdoms keepers of the traditions. Secretive and cunning, these crocodiles renowned as masters of the mind and deeply enjoy puzzles and riddles.
The naming of a crocodile varies – usually having some sort of meaning behind it (like Sakhtkhaal, or iron hide), but, it can just as soon be a distinguishing characteristic like Brokentooth or just a simply made-up name that sounded appealing to the mother. Each hatchling is named shortly after hatching, when the mother delivers her hatchlings to the water for the first time. Like a christening, as she sets each into the water she bestows upon them their name and declares their janam and taraazu.
Social life among the crocodiles is a transitory thing, the main gatherings occurring during the monsoon when prey is plentiful the the rivers swollen and easy to travel and trailing off during the dryer seasons. Universal, though, is the idea a young crocodile must prove themselves to be worthy of notice. A hatchling away from its mother risks much more than predators – it risks its own kind. Until a crocodile has proven themselves a true predator and master of the water, it is seen as a lesser thing, a Beenayash, or one without glory. It is treated as little more than prey and crocodiles do not recognize any wrong in cannibalism. Until a young crocodile has earned their Kritya, or deed name, they are not acknowledged by the bask (or group of crocodiles) as a member. A kritya is a descriptive nickname added on to the birth name, describing the deed of the crocodile – ie: Sakhtkhaal Guards-the-Hundred-Eggs. A kritya may change throughout a croc’s life as greater acts of renown are performed. Once they are acknowledged as Bahutyash, or with glory, a crocodile is welcomed among the bask as a full member. A newcomer from a different bask who has a kritya is generally welcomed if there is space to accommodate them. Rank among crocodiles is largely influenced by size and age, the strength and number of mates among males a prime boasting point whereas the strongest mate, best nesting place, and largest clutches are those of females.
The three most respected members of each taraazu, generally the largest and oldest as crocodile ranking goes, are called Vakta, or speakers. In matters of argument or ruling among the crocodiles, they are seen as advisors and arbitrators and will generally speak for their taraazu in matters of the bask as a whole. Not unlike betas of a wolfpack, they will be highest in the order if the proper leader is either absent or unnamed, but as a whole serve more as advisors as opposed to true leaders. The true ruler of the bask, however, is the most dominant male and female among the bask, the Pavitr, or divine ones. Unless none are present, the role always falls to a Kuleen. Should a crocodile reach their hundredth year, then they are given the honorary title of Manayeena, or ancient one, and are looked upon with a reverent respect and a station as near living ancestors and sources of great wisdom. The rarest of all ranks is a Chamak, or shining one, and crocodiles may go several generations before seeing one. These are crocodiles born white, and are regarded as the returned spirit of great crocodiles that have lived in the past, usually ones who were seen as wicked and traitorous to their own kind and who have been returned to the water to earn their honor back. Often, it is not unusual for a mother to consume a Chamak if she catches one among her nest so as to avoid the shame of being associated with such a creature.
The spirituality of crocodiles is based around the passage of time and the eb and flow of the tides. They feel the pull of the sun and moon as guides in one’s life and will often travel miles upon miles just to follow the subtle tug of a current or the pull of the earth’s invisible forces in hopes of discovering some great mystery at it’s end. As long-lived creatures, crocodiles put great stock in the gaining of knowledge and discovery of lost wisdom, and many will spend hours on the bottom of the rivers and seas in a half-dreaming state called Badhkar Nazar, or far seeing, in which they might contemplate the ripples or the foam of waves, or even the rays of sun or moonlight cast through the water or the flow of sand to discern hidden visions and prophecy. Most treasured are those who experience Poorvaj Yaad, or ancestral memory. This is the belief that a crocodile can channel the ancient living memories of their former lives and those of their ancestors. Their appearances unchanged for millenia, crocodiles believe strongly in the blood-deep passing of memories from grandparent to parent to child. Even deeper, those crocodiles who manifest not just physical and behavioral characteristics but deeply personal, private memories are considered direct reincarnations of former lives. The idea of reincarnation is a strong one, and with their unchanging nature, for crocodiles it is very easy to believe that a single croc can live through many lives. Some of the oldest lived and most powerful of crocodiles even claim to remember a time when their kin reigned over the earth. Crocodiles take this gift more seriously than all others, and to use this sacred birthright falsely or for personal gain is reason for a crocodile to be torn apart by the bask. Most Chamaks are considered to be crocodiles who abused and falsified this most ancient gift in a past and, in truth, very few Chamaks show a penchant for this ability which further enforces the belief the chain of their past lives has been broken by their misdeeds. Non-crocodiles often regard this as hogwash, no more than a blending of instinct, old stories, and creatures who live too long and spend too much time contemplating. This is mostly the case, the crocodiles not truly beings of magic ability, but they believe in it so strongly to them it is a very real and very revered ability.