Hydra totem beast cult

[xXCrystal_Rose]

Dirty wild savages often band a tribe around a totem animal. The Uthgardt, Rashemi, and Wild Elves are very prominent and well known examples of this practice. These beast cults far more often than not revolve around birds or mammals though, so I introduce to you: The Hydra.


Tribe founding: Crushed by an orc raid the remains of the tundra tribe moved north into the Frozenfar to recover. A stalwart people that would not move south for winter while most did, the snow and ice of the glacier was home, and here they would find the totem animal that gave them the strength needed to survive. A Hydra was discovered frozen in ice, which would become the ancestor mound of the newly reformed tribe. Never growing beyond 20 people, children, and slaves their influence would never spread, locked away forever in the snow like their idol.

Origin story (not canon, just primal savage beliefs): In the beginning the old gods created the world. It was a place of warmth and fertility, of life and verdancy and eternal sunlight and peace. It was filled with plants and flowers, streams and mountains, and fruit was in abundance. There was no life though and the gods grew lonely.

The Hydra was the firstborn beast. It had many heads to enjoy the world and hear the many gods. It could breathe acid to corrode a lair, it could breathe fire to warm it home and frost to cool it. Its wounds healed should it fall and it was massive as a mountain. Death grew jealous of all the creation though. Shar stole the light from the sky to blind the gods while Death attacked their child.

The battle was so fierce that when the gods pierced the dark they were too afraid to get caught between it. Each blow Death made would sever a head, but from it two more would grow, and it infuriated him. The Earthmother cried for the suffering of her child, and her tears mixed with each severed head. The first bore wolves, the second bore bears, the third bore the great stag, and with each head severed a new beast was given life.

Death realized he would never claim the Hydra, and that by fighting he was creating life instead, so he froze the Great Hydra instead. The whole north of the land became one of snow and ice, a massive cap to keep the Great Hydra forever locked away. New gods would be born in the south and the world would forget about the Hydra that fathered the many beasts and people, but Death would not. He would seek his vengeance eternally, and when he does, the chill of the glacier replaces the warmth of life in the corpse; the presence of the Great Hydra forgiving his offspring who had forgotten them and welcoming them to the afterlife.

Religion: The religion of the tribe is mixed and no different than other beast cults. To them all dieties are allied into a central religion, and it is secondary to the totem animal. Foreign gods are mostly excluded completely unless there is something particularly important that is offered, then it can be tolerated.

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Most anyone is welcome to embrace the Hydra, though clerics may find a hard time of it unless their god is one that is close to nature and would approve of beast cults. Followers of beast gods such as Malar, Uthgar, Chauntea, Silvanus and others may find it easier to adapt, though all may accept the Hydra as their totem. Patron diety is secondary to the totem.

Preferred classes are barbarian, sorcerer, ranger, druid, and bard. Paladins wouldn't fit in, and conventional wizards may have problems as well, with exceptions (such as a Rashemi Witch). The Hydra is True Neutral, but given the nature of the people ultra-lawful or ultra-good may also have problems adapting to custom.

It should be a rough and crude bunch. If you're interested in primal spiritualism feel free to get involved. There will be heavy emphasis on combat, rituals, and spirituality. Can't spoil everything ooc'ly on the forums! Hook up with one IC to learn and become initiated if desired. All sorts of cool stuff comes with the theme of the Hydra and I can promise an interesting experience for any wishing to delve into barbarian culture.

[Spiffy Has]

This is a motherfucking Hydra, in case you were wondering.

Join this concept, fuckers.

[Random_White_Guy]

CUT OFF ONE HEAD, TWO SHALL TAKE ITS PLACE

HEIL HYRDA!

\o/

[Gotham]

HEIL HYDRA

[granny]

viveka, from the fugue plane
"ohohohohhoh, so beautiful, so beautiful... I will need a bigger basket for this babe, ohohoh, I will need for sure!"

[Knight Of Pentacles]

Yes....

[xXCrystal_Rose]

My partner that was going to start this up with me dropped out, but I'm ready to rock and roll. See you all IG. Should be easy to spot!

[xXCrystal_Rose]

Druid, barbarian, ranger, bard. Still some space for all four or any other class that might be fitting for the concept! Come on over to the wild side and let's chase the trash out.

[Jasede]

How many do you have and what times do you play?
I wanna play with bros that are around when I am. It gets lonely in my timezone, and this sounds p. cool.

I can be a kickass Ranger/Wizard/SECRET or a Ranger. But wilds alone is the boring to me so, timezone!

[prestonhunt]

lol Bob, Agent of Hydra.

[xXCrystal_Rose]

Wilds alone really is boring. I know I play at.... whenever I'm awake and don't have imminent projects, since I work at home mostly. Like 4pm GMT untillll 10am GMT or something is when I'm about usually! Can't say about anyone else. There has certainly been lots of interest from many but still building IC.

[granny]

Wilds alone really is boring.

yep... I know the feeling. even with the nature side of ymph growing in action, I still feel lonely around after my decision to stay away from mistlocke.

a pity that our characters didn't have a good chance to interact properly. every time it happened, something messy made it hard for it to be fruitful.

[Annabelle Thunderfist]

oh my!

*eyes wide*

Oh my! That's a big beast!

*Tags along after Simphiwe*




:twisted: