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 Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 4:53 pm
 Let's face it. I've been planning doing something with Indian religions and the Hill Folk in this shop for over a year, and since packs are getting off the ground splendidly...it's time for us to find Nirvana, a road traveled together by characters from across the spectrum of GD in search of something special that makes life complete, be it love, family, friends, past, future, or enlightenment. Whatever your caste, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, species, appearance, history, or beliefs are, you're welcome to the pack known as Nirvana, the first GD pack that will be in regular contact with humans. Nirvana is a pack where the only requirement is to believe in Jainism, Hinduism, Buddhism, or Sikhism; it is a pack that travels with a caravan of Hill Folk (feel free to apply for a human and join the caravan!) ; and it is a pack that will help move all of us forward. Lamostek to everyone!
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Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 4:59 pm
 In the early days of GD, a young female fell in love with an obscenely arrogant male dragon who wanted to start a pack of dragons and rule the Godar dragons as their king. This sadly is a dream that has yet to come to fruition, but this king and queen had a son they named Siddhartha, and with their son and daughter they raised a son of their dear friend Ithnan, named Naiosalas. Naiosalas and Siddhartha were never at home in the little monarchy, even though Siddhartha was the heir apparent and Naiosalas was considered a prince. The two left to find peace and enlightenment away from the greed, ambition, and power struggles of the monarchy. They found a couple other females who shared similar beliefs, Parvati and Charity. The four traveled together until they came upon a caravan of Hill Folk headed by the Savitri family. The caravan welcomed the little pack as members of the caravan for as long as they wished, an offer the four took up rather quickly....
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Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 5:07 pm
 The culture of Nirvana is very similar to the culture of the Hill Folk, which is a happy coincidence for all involved. For in-depth details, see the encyclopedia page on the Hill Folk. Crafts and the arts as well as tolerance play a very large role in the lives of the Nirvana dragons; some dragons even swear to such complete nonviolence that they wouldn't hurt a flea if it was biting them. Even more so than the Hill Folk, the culture of the Nirvana dragons is very much based on Indian culture. Water, lotus flowers, and rain are very important to the Nirvana dragons, as they view those things as gifts from heaven, so "to share one's water with you" is to accept that person as a very important person to you. Exchanging objects incorporating the image of a lotus is an offer to be a lifemate and one of the most valued expressions of affection in Nirvana. The associated phrase is "exchanging lotuses." As you can tell, there are a lot of references to water, the rain, and the lotus flower in more ceremonial speech.
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Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 5:15 pm
 The only major stipulation in joining is that the dragon must believe in Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, or Hinduism. How explicit one gets in describing that dragon's faith is up to you. Even practicing the religion's about morality qualifies as following that religion, I'm not picky. xd For example, Parvati is a devout Hindu, she's even familiar with the Kama Sutra (no, I don't know how that transpired). Siddhartha, on the other hand, if you couldn't guess, is Godar Dragons' equivalent of the Buddha, which Parvati won't entirely get or accept, but she'll just consider him an enlightened prince and move on. Charity, duty, enlightenment, and doing what you perceive to be the right thing is common throughout the pack, and following these principles matters the most at the end of the day, as well as getting along, learning from each other, and the well-being of the pack and the caravan that hosts the pack. The Hill Folk, btw, follow a worn-down version of Hinduism that relies almost not at all on ceremony and the caste system. It doesn't make sense when everyone is expected to care for the horses and drive the wagons equally on a daily basis. The only requirements to join the caravan half of Nirvana is to get an approved Hill Folk character. Yes, you'll still be getting approval from me. xd
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Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 5:35 pm
 Rank is not a big thing in the Nirvana pack. The Hindu dragons take rank rather more seriously, and what follows is their interpretation of the caste system: Enlightened ones, priests, teachers, gurus, magic-users Warriors, hunters, royalty (anyone from the leading family of a pack) Artists, crafters, performers Average dragons (nannies and jacks-of-all-trades), traders, merchants Lazy sloboniks (pardon my family's butchered Slavic for slobs) If there's any hierarchy or rank assigned, it's for the sake of division of labor. The fluidity of the caste system in the earliest days of Hinduism will be maintained...which means that the kids of Siddhartha could end up on the bottom if they don't work. oO There are no limits on joining any of these ranks, but to be a brahmin, please be ready to prove it through RP. Siddhartha is an exception because he is considered the enlightened leader. ^^; Sorreh, I'm using the Hindu terms for these "castes", though fortunately the pack doesn't take the system seriously by-and-large: Brahmins: The most educated or enlightened draggies. Alternately, those who teach the young. Kshatriyas: The draggies who hunt and protect the pack and the caravan. Also draggies who come from the family of a leader of another pack fall into this category. Vaisas: The traders, the merchants, the craftsman, the artists, and the performers. The Hindu draggies further subdivide these draggies, but they're weird like that. xd Sudras: Anyone doing something else, like nannies and those who can do anything asked of them. The untouchables will not appear in this pack, as everyone has objected to them. The pack is run by a council of brahmins, but if there's only one brahmin currently, that brahmin makes the decisions alone.
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Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 5:41 pm
 So I gather you're liking this. Excellent. The form here is for dragons and Hill Folk alike, but please, please, PLEASE only submit an application for a Hill Folk member of the caravan IF your Hill Folk character has been approved. [color=orange][size=18]I've found a place in Nirvana, so far across the foam! 8D[/size][/color]
[b]Username:[/b]
[b]Character:[/b]
[b]Cert:[/b] Only fill this in if this is a dragon you're submitting
[b]Approved for RP?:[/b] Only fill this in if this is a Hill Folk human you're submitting
[b]Belief:[/b] Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, or Sikhism (again, dragon only)
[b]Personality:[/b]
[b]Requested Rank:[/b]
[b]History:[/b] i.e., why do you want to join the group on the way to find personal Nirvana? ^^
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Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 5:43 pm
Current Rankings.
Brahmins
- Siddhartha
Kshatriyas
- Naiosalas
- Rygor
- Lalan
Vaisas
- Labana - jeweler
- Lobias - merchant
Sudras
- Parvati
- Charity
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Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 5:44 pm
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Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 7:43 pm
I've found a place in Nirvana, so far across the foam! 8DUsername: Celestial Requiem, Painted Moose Character: Rygor, Labana, Lobias, Lalan Cert: Lobias Lalan Labana RygorApproved for RP?: - Belief: They don't really have a belief, but they'd be willing to go along with any of them. Personality: Rygor: He's a bit stiff, but only because he takes the safety of his family very seriously. He only wants what's best for them, though his "sister" has pretty much turned into a rebel and rejected him. Labana: A weak willed female who seeks only to make others happy, often times ignoring her own needs. She lives for her family, her mate, and by extension, those closest to her. Lobias: He's the baby of the family and he acts like it. He's pretty much a suck up and wants everyone to like him. Lalan: "Thinks he's a badass. :B He's a fighter, but not a p***k; the boy definately has his family in mind and wants nothing more than a warm place to snuggle up at night." Requested Rank: Rygor: Kshatriyas Labana: Vaisas Lobias/Lalan: uhh...youngins? XD Do non-adults need to take on a rank? History: Rygor and Labana ran into each other one night, had a little fun and unexpectedly had kids. Now they're determined to make it work and decided that becoming a part of a pack would be best for their family. They both like the non-violence and over all peaceful atmosphere of the pack. The kids are just going along with it. TOO LAZY TO PUT THEM IN DIFFERENT FORMS! 8U
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Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 12:40 pm
Siddhartha smiled. "We will share our water with you, Rygor, Labana, Lalan, and Lobias. May the waters of heaven fall upon you and may the sun guide and protect your life and your growth," he said formally.
Parvati laughed. "Which would mean, 'Welcome to the pack.' Come, Labana, I would much like to speak to you about children and the pack."
"We will introduce you to the caravan later. They are good two-leggers, and very welcoming and supportive," Siddhartha said warmly. "It is good to have another Kshatriya, it is good to have a Vaisa, and it is good to have two young ones--though I would like to know what talents your lady Labana has as a Vaisa," he added curiously.
I'll work on a pack background when I can and generally arrange things for the pack. 8D But I would definitely like to know what Labana's skill is, since it's a skilled group she's starting and she'll be working more frequently than some with the caravan. ^^
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