Chevalin Wanderlust
The Bachelor Herd
Barbarian, Loyal, Fearless, Powerful
The Bachelor herd is feared throughout the land of Chevalin. This group of misogynistic stallions has reigned over the Eastern Island for the last 200 years. Nothing can come in their way. This herd is not to be reckoned with and if you're caught on their land, its most like run or die.
Founded in year 200 (Chevalin time starts with the founding of the Old herd)
Herd History
It was not long after the Great Judgment Day that created the Exile herd, where the Bachelor’s history began.The exile of the criminals brought upon a new era for the horses of Chevalin. For so long, the mortal equine had lived unquestioning of the Great Compromiser and his unicorns for they had provided them with security, compassion, and leadership. Now, not all were so sure. It made them ask a question: if the Great Compromiser had sent away the criminals, what would stop them from doing the same to others who misplaced their hooves? A young stallion named Horod was one of those who had his doubts. Once an unquestioning follower, the tall stallion had served the Great Leaders every need. Yet he saw the unicorns scorn of the criminals as unjust and unnecessary; for banishment surely meant death to them all.
Still wanting to think the best of the unicorns, Horod confronted the Great Compromiser with his concerns. He pleaded with him to allow them to return and repent their sins once again. Yet the anger the now exiled horses had stirred within the Great Unicorn Leader was far too great and he accused Horod of blasphemy, challenging his leadership. In what is said to be a crazed fit, the Great compromiser marked an X on Horod head, and claimed that this mark would forever label him a traitor. So Horod left the Isle of Olde.. seeking refuge in new lands. Several stallions followed Horod, looking up to him as a mentor and powerful role model, in hopes that they too would not be subject to the unicorns rule. In celebration of their breakaway they marked eachother's heads with the infamous X.
Over the course of Horods life, he and the stallions traveled the two south most isles sharing the land with the banished criminals. The days were tough, fighting for food and land with those who refused to band together to survive. Yet slowly, the group of stallions began to grow; their skills ever improving. The fighting made them strong, young warriors and their noble deeds were well known among the nomads.
It was Horod’s successor and son, Rehmal, that set the band of horses apart from the exiled. A much stricter and more demanding stallion, Rehmal was revered for his great power. Yet among his herd, he was known for his kind heart; especially his softness for his daughter. His rule changed drastically after his daughter was found murdered. Fueled by grief, Rehmal lead his horses across the land in an attempt to find his daughter’s killer and nomads who did not belong to his band were often driven off or killed. The band of mostly stallions spread fear in their wake and few began to whisper the name of the small group: bachelors. The name stuck to the horses that traveled with Rehmal and his successors; the Bachelor Herd. Still, the group was small in number and as Rehmal died, so did his desires. Timed passed, and a few generations later a stallion named Ghangis was named leader.
It was Ghangis’ rule that changed the whole of the Bachelor herd. Far from noble, he seized control from Rehmal’s son, driving him off. A power hungry Ghangis leading his new band of ever growing horses to war with a desire to rule the Eastern Isle. His conquest was swift and cruel, taking in slave mares to do his bidding. They were subject to his every desire yet none barred him any sons to succeed his throne. That is until he lead a raid to capture an Olde herd queen. Her first foal was indeed a colt who would grow up to instil the most lasting and well known tradition of the Bachelor herd.
Ghangis’ son was raised under the laurels of his father but still he was always inadequate to the power hungry stallion. A sickly foal from birth, Fungus struggled to live up to the expectations. Thrown into power after his father’s sudden death, the well spoken stallion made a point of enforcing the laws his heritage laid down but drought crippled the land, sending the herd into starvation. Desperate, Fungus took it upon himself to weed out all those who were not strong enough, marking each foal that dropped with an X shaped scar the founder Horod once bore across their face. If the foal was strong enough to survive, they were worthy of living within the herd. Noticing that fillies often died after the marking, Fungus called a halt to the tradition deeming the mares too weak and casting them to the outskirts of the herd. Those that followed Fungus's rule kept the tradition, even as the drought ended, creating the Bachelor herd that is well known today.
Important Historical and NPC characters
(Hover your mouse over the gallery to read up on the selected character)
 Horod the Magic Eater |  Lead Stallion Ghangis |  Lady Gadriel |
|---|---|---|
 Lead Stallion Fungus |
Bachelor Ranks
Below is a list of ranks available to members of the Bachelor herd. Please note that the following ranks are not open to new members: Leader and Elite. Read carefully, and make sure to choose the rank you truely want. Please ignore the "privilages" section unless you've read the tier section on how to join. It might overwhelm or confuse you otherwise - and we dont want that!
Leader
"This horse is often seen as the strongest of his herd, whether it be through physical or mental abilities. There is no doubting the Bachelor Leader's commands. His word is law."
Leader Privileges:
0 tier | Achieve their gift early, and for free as a symbol of their power as leaders.
25 Tier | +1 stamina, speed, strength & tactics.
50 tier | Can obtain a level two companion for half the Witch Glass.
75 tier | Gains level three companion.
100 tier | Has the ability to come back to life only once if killed.
Infantry
"These horses are the standing army of the Bachelor herd. They are trained well by the way of battle, and if they have it, know how to use their gift defensively. Their duties include patrolling the herd, guarding the herd, and acting like an army in times of war."
Infantry Privileges:
25 Tier | +2 stregth.
50 tier | Increases battle knowledge (+2 tactics)
75 tier | Ease of overpowering others & knowledge of the Bachelor predators.
100 tier | Access to a level 2 companion early or gifted a level 1 buzzard.
Broodmares
"There are two types of broods within the herd, Slaves and Ladies. While both mare ranks can be of any age over 16 years, they are very different. Slaves are slightly lower than the “Lady” rank, and are allotted absolutely no respect. They are to be seen and not heard, and often are asked to do more than just bare children, they will be caught doing various chores for their Stallions. The Ladies however, are horses that are born from high ranking stallions: Elites. Ladies born from an elite (present or past) are treated with a sliver of respect and are only asked to bare children and care for fillies and colts. If they are not bearing a foal of their own, often they will be given a Slave’s colt or filly to deal with."
Broodmare Privileges:
25 Tier | +1 stamina and tactics.
50 tier | Increased knowledge of plant life equivalent to that of a level one herbologist.
75 tier | Slaves: Access to Level 1 companions and Gifted a level one hare. Ladies: Acess to level 2 companions and gifted a level two red panda.
100 tier | Slaves: Gain the right to take part in herd discussions, opinions are valued. Ladies: Gain the right to refuse a stallion without being reprimanded
Elites
"These horses are the best of their kind, half hail from the Scavenger Rank, and half from the Infantry rank. They’ve always been the best of the best, and hold the most power under the leader. These horses conspire directly with the leader and each other. Their duties are to enact punishment on those below, and also to carry out the orders of the leader."
Elites Privileges:
25 Tier | + 2 Stamina + 2 Strength
50 tier | Gain an extra item slot.
75 tier | Increased Battle Tactics (+ 3 Tactics)
100 tier | Access to level 3 companions early OR gifted a level 2 Jackal.
Scavengers
"If the Infantry is on the defensive, Scavengers are on the offensive. These lads are cutthroat and down right ready to plunder the herds and land around them. Their duties include searching out other mares, leading or taking part in raids, stealing, and collecting intell from the herds around."
Scavenger Privileges:
25 Tier | +2 speed.
50 tier | Increased knowledge of land layout.
75 tier | Increased ability to move without being heard. (Equal to a level one stealth ability)
100 tier | Access to level 2 companions early OR gifted a level one vulture.
Younglings
"Younglings are Colts under 17 years, and Fillies under sixteen years "
Youngling Privileges:
25 Tier | + 2 Stamina
50 tier | Increased knowledge of geography and lore of the Bachelor herd.
75 tier | Colts: Choose a mentor, and a path to train under (Aged to 13 if not already) Fillies: Ages to 13 years if not already, and gains early acess to item packs!
100 tier | Colts: Automatically aged to 17, user’s tier is reset to 50 tier, colt chooses their rank Fillies: Automatically aged to 16, user’s tier resets to 50 tier, filly becomes a Lady or Slave depending on heritage.
Captives
"Captives are horses from other herds that have not been assimilated - notably kept for some sort of knowledge or perhaps ransom by the ruler Cain. They are not to be treated as part of the Bachelor herd and interacting with them in any way brings consequences. This rank is only open to horses that have reached at least 25 tier in their old herd rank, and have an ongoing storyline which would make them prized by the Bachelor leader"
**note the group with the title "Pony-Bones : Captive" if you wish to learn more
Captive Privileges:
0 Tier | Old privileges earned in former herd are retained - treated as an Untouchable by the Bachelors. They can speak to one another, their Elite guards, and Cain, but no-one else without punishment. ***
25 Tier | Allowed now to speak to Broods of Bachelor Herd, as well as other remaining permissions. Other stallions of the herd remain off limits, as do younglings ***
50 Tier | Mingling with the entire herd is now allowed, though one must remain on the 'fringe'
75 Tier | Gifted a level 2 aquatic or avian companion of their choice
100 Tier | Through patience and diligence you have learned much about the Bachelors, you can now decide your loyalty, become a Bachelor in earnest and hand over your secrets, or return to your old herd with improved knowledge of Bachelor inner workings (equal to either level 2 lore knowledge or level 2 nature knowledge).
Bachelor Customs and Traditions
The bachelors have always been known as brutish, but despite this they to have a dense culture. They follow tradition and law just as heavily as the old herd, and do so quite blindly. Most horses in the Bachelor herd don't give the ways of their culture a second thought, despite how other herds feel about it.
Day of the Golden Mare (Tadition): Once , After the night before the first moon risen rolic per a leader's reign, the first mare to give birth is given a special opportunity. If she gives birth to a filly she will not be immediately banished. Rather foal will be marked as a colt would. If the filly survives, the mother is allowed to stay in the herd. The filly is also given the chance to train as a scavenger or infantry horse. This is a very rare occurrence as the first mare has to not only give birth to a filly, but the filly must also survive the marking.
** note an admin if you would like your mare character to be this mare (0/1)
Moon Risen Rolic (Holiday) This is a day where the bachelor horses raid the other Islands by the light of the full moon. Parties are organized days before, and this is day is usually looked forward to all year. While it regularly devastates the other two herds, it is a day for the Bachelor herd to replenish itself. Takes place on the first full moon of every year.
17th Year Ceremony (Holiday) For mares, this is the day that they officially become a brood. The mares usually spend the day with them, and they are allowed that day to venture out with two mares and one stallion of their choice to any place of their choice to spend the day. The mare is usually given gifts and flower laces from her peers, tokens of luck that when she does bear a foal, he is male. For Stallions, this is the day they officially become a stallion. They spend the day sparring with other stallions, and officially choose their place as either a Scavenger or Infantrystallion. He is also supposed to mount his first mare, and may choose any unclaimed mare of his choosing.
The Marking of the Colts (Custom): When a colt is born the the Bachelor herd, he is marked with an X on his head. This does not have to be directly on the forehead though that is traditional, the cheek, over the eye, and on the nose are also acceptable forms of the X. ALL colts born in the bachelor herd must have the scar of their herd. Loners who join the herd later on do not have to have this mark.
**** Unbreakable Bond (Custom): Occasionally, bachelor horses will fall in love and secretly wish to be bonded eternally to one another, such as in traditional marriage. To complete this ritual, the two horses in question must leave the herd for a secluded location, and have obtained the necessary tools of obsidian and feathers, as well as the very rare artifact of a human skull, with its skull cap removed. Upon arriving at their meaningful spot, the horses must in turn scar one another with a carat "^" mark anywhere that they wish. It is said that the larger and more prominent the carat is, the more willing they are to suffer for each other's love, both the pain of the scar but also the ostracization from the herd. Once the wounds are opened, they must both navigate the dripping of their blood into the skull, where it mixes together. Both parties dip feathers in the blood, painting each other with their shared lifeforce, and thus the ritual is complete. While this ritual is available to both heterosexual and homosexual couples, it is forbidden to all and any horse that returns to the herd with a carat will face severe consequences.
The Bachelor Rule
** 1. Do not defy or question your leader, he is the strongest of the herd and is to be respected no matter the situation.
*** 2. Bachelors must ask permission from their leader to claim a mare, If the leader accepts a bachelor can claim a mare to himself for a full year cycle.
* 3. Brood mares are not allowed to leave the confinement of the herd unless escorted by a stallion, any attempt at escape is punishable and force may be used to bring the mare back even those higher ranked than slaves.
** 4. A Bachelor cannot refuse to take part in a raid, it is considered a privilege to pillage another herd.
**** 5. All colts born into the bachelor herd are marked with a an X shaped wound on their foreheads within 3 days of birth. Not marking a colt with the iconic X after birth is forbidden and seen as disrespectful towards the brotherhood it stands for. Fillies are exempt from the X marking.
*** 6. A Bachelor must make it known if he is the father of a filly, a mare who gives birth to a filly without the father to claim it may be allowed in the herd.
*-*** 7. Broodmares are to accept and obey orders without objections, no matter what is asked of them.
* 8. A stallion who challenges another stallion must decide the rules of the battle before he asks. A challenge between stallions must have a winner. This is not to be confused with playful sparring. It is also considered disrespectful to shy from a challenge from the leader.
**** 9. A mare who gives birth to a filly is banished from the herd without resources, and her filly stays within the herd. This is not true for lady's who give birth to fillies - however their filly is demoted to the slave rank.
**** 10. A stallion must attempt to serve his duty of procreation for the herd, no matter what his personal sexual preference may be, or what his current relationships are - for the health and continuation of the herd is of utmost importance.
**** 11. While close bonds of friendship between males is encouraged, sexual relationships between stallions are strictly forbidden and looked down upon. The stallion that takes the role of the 'mare' during such activities will be met with even more severe scorn and will have their 'x' marking turned into four diamonds to bear their shame.