Ranks
The Upper Ranks
The Voice: This role is reserved for the leader of the clan. While currently Grimmthorne is the conceiver of the warren and the one considered to have the closest connection to the spirits, when his time passes another will take his place. Such a rabbit will usually already be chosen as next in line, having been ordained by a Sign interpreted by the Voice themselves. Should the death of the Voice happen without a chosen Ascended, then the Speaker will gather the Devout and perform an Ascension ritual to determine who the Emliah chose as their next Voice. (1/1)
The Ascended: This role is, for lack of a better words, the general of the warren. They are expected to know of all the Walker's whereabouts and is in constant training with the Voice for their eventual ascension to leadership. A good Voice will always have an appointed Ascended, for the warren caught without one should the Voice die would be in chaos for long enough that the Emliah may not be well-serviced and could rain their wrath down upon the lands. (0/1)
The Speaker: Not below, but alongside the Ascended stands the Speaker. This rabbit is well-versed in communication with the spirits and the rituals and offerings required to appease them. They are the leader of the Devout and know a great deal about various Emliah's preferences. This rabbit should know everything from herbalism to dissection, spell-weaving to dream-walking. If the voice is not available, rabbits can defer to the Speaker for spiritual guidance and stronger blessings. (2/1)
The Stone: This rabbit is the leader of the guardian sub-group. They are appointed by the Voice to organize the Stonehearts and be constantly aware of all comings and goings from their lands. They have the ear of the Voice and the Ascended and have the authority to dole out punishments when absolutely necessary. After all, who knows what evil lurks in the tall grass... (1/1)
The Heart: This is the main storyteller of the warren and the one who is tasked to pass on the history of the warren and the stories of the Emliah. They are generally an older rabbit who has seen and heard much of the spirits and exist solely to make sure that no knowledge is lost through the passing of generations. They keep records painted on the walls of the Heartden, a stone-lined burrow covered in berry-dye doodles meant to capture these stories. (0/1)
The Spirited
Spirit-Walkers: These rabbits have earned the most freedom in the warren. Spirit-Walkers are generally Devout who have proven their worth by completing a pilgrimage and returning with a powerful offering for the Emliah or a new recruit. Rabbits are not generally allowed to stray far from the warren lands, and very young Collectors are required to have the company of a Spirit-Walker should they wish to venture any further than expected. Spirit-Walkers can be expected to go for Walks at the request of the Voice/Ascended/Speaker and should know the more intimate workings of spirit communication. (1/3) <-- this number may increase depending on interest and availability of other roles
The Devout: These rabbits are the general spell-casters and potion-makers of the warren. They have moved up from being Collectors and are taught the ways of communicating with the spirits. They can be entreated for simple herbal remedies and blessings, as well as some Sign interpretation skills. (1/5) <-- this number may increase depending on interest and availability of other roles
Collectors: These rabbits are essentially the bulk of those attempting to gain the power or freedom of the Spirit-Walkers. They are expected to roam the lands around the warren-proper in search of offerings for the spirits, or signs of their pleasure/wrath. Most rabbits in this rank are expected to obey an order or request from any of the ranks listed above. This position is not for the squeamish or the faint of heart, should they also happen to be ambitious. Sometimes the Emliah will request living sacrifices, and it is the highest honor for a Collector to be recognized for bringing a good offering to the Speaker. (2/Unlimited)
The Guardians
The Stonehearts: These rabbits are an elite force tasked by the Voice to patrol the borders of the warrenlands. It is not quite sure whether they are keeping something out... or in. Nevertheless, they are expected to approach all other rabbits with words before brawn. Outsiders are generally accepted into the warrenlands if they can state their purpose and pass a Seeing by one of the Devout or higher, who will entreat the spirits to ascertain if the outsider's intentions are pure. Outsiders who refuse to participate in a Seeing are kindly but forcefully escorted out of the warrenlands. Warren members without authorization to leave the warrenlands are highly scrutinized and will be reported to the Voice. If a trail is found without any notice of leaving at all, the member will be hunted down by a Stonefang (see below). (3/10) <-- this number may increase depending on interest and availability of other roles
The Stonefang: This subgroup is basically a myth. No one really knows if they actually exist because no one has actually tried to defy the Voice yet. Some say they are secretly chosen by the Stone to hunt down deserters. Others say that Outsiders who have seen too much simply disappear... (1/3)
The Creative
The Larks: This subgroup exists under the Heart; rabbits with a knack for storytelling and remembering tales are tapped relatively young and spend their lives training to become the Heart. Should the Heart pass, the Voice will pick their replacements from amongst the Larks. These rabbits are expected to go from Collectors to Spirit-Walkers to Devout and collect stories, spin tales, and even compose songs. (1/Unlimited)
The Burrowers: This group is for rabbits less interested in the lofty goals of spirit-walking, who feel more in touch with the earth. They are well-respected for their ability to create new tunnels to add to the labyrinth-like warren. The are tasked with maintaining the dye-markings on the walls, changing the colors regularly in order to deterred foreign rabbits from ever learning its secrets. Particularly clever and strong Burrowers will be expected to expand and maintain the Heart's Heartden with stones brought from the nearby hills. They report directly to either the Voice, the Ascended, or the Heart, but can be given tasks by the Stone, should defensive burrowing be necessary. (1/Unlimited)
The Makers: Artistry is encouraged in those who have aesthetic ability. Rabbits with talent for dyes or jewelry creation or general beautification are well-liked and given free rein of their days in the warren. They are, however, expected to continuously practice their trade by doing just about anything artistic. Build a spiritly effigy, paint on a rabbit, string some bones together into a crown... the Makers should never be idle, lest they be given other chores to do. (1/Unlimited)
The Future
Denmothers: Not all does can afford to cease their warren duties to care for their kits. A subgroup of does (and the occasionally nurturing buck) exists to care for kits that cannot be cared for by their birth parents. (1/3) <-- this number may increase depending on interest and availability of other roles
The Youth: All kits fall into this category. They can begin to be tapped even at this young of an age, but they will not officially join a rank until they are adult-sized. (0/Unlimited)
