Discover the Center Tree
Each tribe follows the teachings of six ancient beings. Although the animal forms they take can vary depending on where a tribe is found, their teachings are always the same. For the Calm Waters Tribe, The likenesses of the six Ancients are carved into the trunk of an apple tree that has stood in the center of the tall grasses since the first sun rose over the Calm Waters!
The Ancients depicted on the tree are as follows:
Akela: Caribou of Courage
Akela is known as the spirit of courage, but in truth his gift and teachings are more about facing the changes in the world around us with courage. Every slight change in wind or tide can have vast consequences for the tribes, and Akela’s call focuses on learning not only how to read those changes, but to have the courage to face them.
Celeste: Fox of Wisdom
Celeste’s gift is that of wisdom, taking from the knowledge of the old, and the new perspectives of the young. The elders pass on all they’ve learned to each new generation, from how to read the skies, to the best ways to hunt different prey. They pass on all they have learned to give us a strong foundation, but each new voice can change the tribe in tremendous ways! When a new way to hunt or forage is discovered, or a young cat stumbles across a new prey trail, the whole of the tribe benefits, and so Celeste’s call is that no voice, young or old, be ignored.
Suni: Orca of Compassion
Suni is known as the spirit of compassion. Suni’s teachings focus on how we interact with the world around us. In the words of Shark’s Fang, “When we prey upon a rabbit, we do so with precision and care.” Suni’s call is that all creatures, even prey, be treated with respect, and calls us to thank each rabbit and fish we catch for their sacrifice, that the tribe may live on.
Amaiyu: Mother Lynx
Amaiyu is known as the Mother lynx, or the spirit of a mother’s love. Amaiyu’s call is that all creatures are equal, no matter how great and small. All living beings, whether predator or prey, are part of the mother’s creation, and therefore equal in her eyes. The mother’s gift is mercy to those even outside of your own.
Koa: Raven of Inner Knowing
Koa is the most revered of the Ancients to the Calm Waters Tribe. Koa’s teachings can be described as using our instincts, as well as all we’ve learned, to discern what might happen in the world around us. Koa’s gift is the most difficult to explain. At any given time, multiple paths lay ahead of us, but there are times when, by using Koa’s call and teachings, we can glimpse more clearly where a given path might lead. Although the future is never set in stone, the tribe has always held that when Koa shows a cat a path, it must be taken no matter the cost.
His influence and call have saved the tribe many times in the past. His gift to Juniper’s Call, delivered to the dying leader’s son during the time of great sickness, saved the tribe from desolation.
Kaiyu: Wolf of Judgement
Kaiyu’s teachings are simple. All creatures must take only what they need. From the tiny flea, to the mighty whales, to take, or kill without need is seen by the Ancients as an abomination, an unforgivable cruelty.
While Koa may be the most revered, Kaiyu is the most feared, not only among the Calm Waters Tribe, but all creatures who follow the Ancient’s teachings. Throughout all of Vaahl, all creatures under the Ancient’s protection follow one law, and to defy that is to be cast out from their guidance. Kaiyu’s call is simple. You do not take a life, without need. If you must take prey, take only that which you need to survive. If you must defend yourself, only take life as a last resort, and never take the life of your own kind.
Lost-Pelts: Fallen Ancient
Once known as Croans, these beings had pelts made of beautiful, luxurious feathers, and to glimpse them was seen as a sign of good fortune for generations to come! There was a darkness inside the Croan’s hearts however, and the Ancients of fortune were disturbed to see a young species known as Humes, grow so near to their own intelligence. With a fear of the young species outgrowing the Ancients themselves, the Croans defied the others, and waged a vicious war against the humes, wiping them from the face of Vaahl in its entirety.
The other Ancients in fury and devastation, used their combined strength to strip the Croans of their abilities, and rank as Ancients, and cast them out of the eternal forests. Many times since that day, Koa wondered if they should have simply eradicated the lost-pelts, as the creatures destroyed tribe after tribe across Vaahl… but to do so, would have made them guilty of the very same crime for which the Croans were cast down. With heavy heart, the Raven of inner knowing, the Ancient cursed to see and know all paths, past, present, and that which may yet come, hardened his heart against the creatures who had once been a cousin to his own kind, and swore a vow to protect all within their realm from the cruelty and madness of the fallen ancients… The lost-pelt.