Songs

Songs are the most common Samanayr social structure. They are family units of one stallion and generally no more than four mares, and any foals that are not yet old enough to leave the Song.

For in-game information about Songs, please see Breeding Information – Songs.

History

Prior to the creation of Songs, Samanayrs generally remained loners or traveled together in small groups of related individuals. Mares were responsible for the raising of foals, with the father remaining with the mare just long enough to ensure that she had conceived by him. Occasionally mares with young foals would group together to assist and protect each other, but these alliances usually dissolved when the foals reached maturity.

The stallions spent much of their time in battles among themselves, fighting for dominance and the title of First Stallion of their particular area. The First had his pick of the mares during the annual Summer Gathering, when mares and stallions came together for brief meetings to conceive foals. Lower ranked stallions had a lesser chance of winning a mare and competition outside of the Gathering time was fierce. Severe injuries and even fatalities were common.

The first formally-organized Song, the Song of the Mystic Sky, was formed over a thousand years ago. The stallion, Mystic of the Endless Sun, and the mare, Wanderer of Winter Rains, had decided to publicly declare their devotion to each other by pledging themselves only to each other. Mystic refused to participate in the battles for rank and the pair were always together, not just during the time of the Summer Gathering. When Wanderer bore foals, they raised them together to yearlinghood.

Life was not always easy for the new Song. Other stallions were jealous that Mystic didn’t need to endanger himself in the battles, and occasionally he was challenged by a stallion or group of stallions to fight. Much to their surprise, Wanderer, their foals, and the other mares that later joined their Song assisted Mystic in driving the other stallions off.

In time other pairs and groups of Samanayrs began to see the wisdom of this arrangement. Other Songs were formed, and as the years passed fewer and fewer Samanayrs participated in the battles and Summer Gathering. Several generations after the first Songs were formed, the Gathering died out entirely.

Song Creation

A Song is created when a stallion and mare formally pledge their devotion to each other, promising to always remain together and raise any foals they may produce together. There are many reasons why two Samanayrs may decide to start a Song together, including:

• Romantic love
  
• Pressure from parents to continue on a particular family line (Mystics in particular are likely to help arranging their foal’s pairing choices)
  
• Mutual desire to produce foals, usually based on compatible markings, traits, other features
  
• Coercion (fortunately not common)
  

Once they’ve decided to create a Song, the new lead mare and stallion need to design on a name and the basic melodies for the Song. The majority of Songs are founded by just the lead pair, but it’s not unheard of for secondary mares to be included in the founding decisions too.

New Songs are formally recognized at the seasonal festivals, when Samanayrs and Songs gather together to celebrate the changing of the seasons. Time is set aside for the Song Foundings, when all of the Samanayrs present for the festival take time from the celebrations to witness the pledging of the new lead pairs. Each pair sings the ancient Founding Song together, and then makes a formal announcement of their Song name. They then introduce their Song melodies to the gathered assembly, at which point the Song is considered officially created.

For the remainder of the festival, strains of these melodies are hummed and sung by all of the Samanayrs as they make themselves familiar with the new Songs.

Once the festival has ended, the new Songs often travel to visit the birth-Songs of the mare and stallion. Introductions are made and the birth-Songs usually host a party for the new Song at which traditional gifts are given. The specific items always depend on the region the Songs are in, but the general items are:

• First Food for First Meal – A feast of local delicacies presented by the birth-Song for everyone’s first meal together.
  
• First Song for First Night – The birth-Song shares one of their special songs with the pair, usually about a notable event in the birth-Song’s past.
  
• First Name for First Foal – Name ideas for the Song’s first foal, often humerous but sometimes very, very serious.
  

Different Song Structures

Traditional Songs are made up of a lead stallion, a lead mare, and usually no more than three secondary mares. Most commonly the lead pair take on leadership of the Song, although many decisions are up for discussion by all Song members. Foals are raised collectively by all Song members and mares produce foals as they wish. Most of the information on this page – foals, song expansion, disputes – pertains to traditional Songs, as this is the most common Song structure.

Ranked Songs adopt further rankings among the other mares, with the second mare subordinate to the lead, the third mare subordinate to the first two, and the fourth mare subordinate to the other three. This is a less common structure and most frequently seen in Songs with particularly controlling leads. The higher-ranked mares produce more foals than the lower-ranked ones, and the third and fourth mares are expected to take on the lion’s share of the foal-raising duties.

Dominant Songs are led by a single mare or stallion, rather than with the input of both. The single leader makes the majority of the Song’s decisions without input from the other members. This has the advantage of allowing decisions to be made quickly but can also breed resentment from the other Song members as their opinions are less likely to be heard. Most Songs are open about this arrangement when courting new members but some more deceitful Songs may not let their structure be known until the new mare has been formally added.

Pair Songs are Songs made up only of the lead pair, with no additional mares. There is much discussion about whether a Song made up of only two members should even be considered a Song, and many feel that this is a selfish arrangement as there are much fewer stallions than mares to go around. Pairs pledged to each other in this way are adamant often feel a great deal of pressure to allow other mares into the Song, although it’s very rare that they give in.

Song Expansion

Expansion occurs when new mares are courted and formally join the Song. Some Songs actively seek out new mares and others may wait until they happen across a mare that they feel would be a good fit.

When a suitable mare has been located, courtship begins. The whole Song usually joins in, getting to know the new mare and introducing themselves as they all work to see if they would be a good fit. The stallion spends time with the group and also alone with the mare. Gifts are exchanged, such as food, accessories, trinkets, and stories.

If the mare decides to join the Song, her tune is woven in with the melody of the Song and she is considered a member. A small celebration with relatives and friendly Songs may be held, although nothing on the scale as when the Song is first formed.

Although not required, many Songs still follow the traditional Courting Ritual in one form or another:

• Introduction – The mare meets all members of the Song, names are exchanged.
  
• First Talk – The mares converse and begin to get acquainted.
  
• First Walk – The new mare travels with the stallion as he shows her the Song’s territory. At the end of the Walk, a gift of food for the mare is expected as proof that the stallion can provide for the Song.
  
• Second Talk – The mares go over practicalities, such as Song structure, duties, and expectations, while they all discuss whether the new mare would be a good fit.
  
• Second Walk – This journey with the stallion is either more romantic or more practical, depending on the nature of the courtship. At the end of the Walk, a gift of a ‘treasure’ for the mare as proof of the stallion’s serious intentions. A ‘treasure’ is usually a verbal gift, such as a story or information, but could also be something like an accessory or pet.
  
• Proposal – If the mare is deemed a good fit, the stallion and lead mare will formally invite her to join the Song. If she agrees she becomes a Song member.
  

Matchmaker Samanayrs are available to actively assist Songs who are looking for new mares or help individual mares who are looking for a new Song. They travel widely with lists of available mares and seeking Songs, matching the two together based on the criteria each is looking for, everything from species to temperament to traits.

Species and Songs

There are some traditional rules and expectations regarding certain species and Songs.

Mystics were originally limited to one Mystic per Song and it was more common that they didn’t join Songs at all. Having more than one Mystic in a Song was seen to be hoarding their magic when it could be shared with other Songs. These days it is more common to see multiple Mystics in a Song as there are more Mystics overall, but there are still some who feel that they should be limited.

It is unusual to see a Misery in a Song. They’re not known for their social graces and mostly prefer to make their way through life alone. Those that do form Songs tend to follow the dominant Song structure, with themselves in charge. Multiple Miseries will never join the same Song.

Sa’kriens are more likely than Miseries to join a Song, although it can be difficult to find a Song that is willing to accept them. Some are fiercely loyal to their Song and will protect it at all costs, while others like to torment the other Song members once the ‘honeymoon’ period is over.

Aquatic species are willing to join Songs with land-based members, but the entire Song will then dwell near the shore. This is a very uncommon occurrence.

Healers do not join Songs. Unlike Mystics, Healers are still quite rare and they all feel the urge to travel from Song to Song, helping and healing where they can.

Kodylas will only form Songs with other Kodylas, not wishing to ‘taint’ their bloodline. No exceptions.

Song Ranks

Songs are ranked by several factors including the fame or notoriety of the members, the Song’s deeds, notable foals produced by the Song, and whether the Song wants to take an active role in politics or not. Rank is important to some and not at all important to others, but can influence things such as territory or the ability of the stallion to attract new mares.

The different ranks, from highest to lowest:

• Song of the Rainbow – The leading Song of the Samanayr world. This Song resides at the Song of the Rainbow Hotsprings and works closely with the Sharians. The position had been dormant for sometime and was recently claimed by Glint of the Ice Prism, and it is not yet known what will happen to the Song of the Rainbow when he steps down.
  
• Lead Song – The leading Song of a particular region. The Lead Song answers to the Song of the Rainbow and is chosen by the Samanayrs of the region. A new Lead Song can be chosen when the current one steps down or if the population is unhappy with the decisions made by the current Lead. Prime territory is reserved for the Lead Song and stallions usually find themselves inundated with unattached mares.
  
• Song of Note – A notable Song that is not yet, or doesn’t wish to become, a Lead. They often act as liaisons between different regions and races and interact frequently with the Sharians.
  
• Elder Song – A Song made up of older Samanayrs that are past breeding age. Elder Songs don’t travel as widely as other Songs and are often sought out by younger Samanayrs for their wisdom.
  
• Song – The majority of Songs are just typical Songs. Mosts Song can become a Song of Note or Lead if they have aspirations to do so, or they may find themselves unexpectedly raised to that level.
  
• Disgraced Song – A Song whose members have committed such atrocities that interaction with it is strongly discouraged. It is very rare for a Song to become Disgraced.

  Foals

  A foal is a victory and celebration for the entire Song. Mares will often try to time their foals so that they are born around the same time and are able to grow together. Friendly Songs often try to have a mass foaling season together, providing an even greater number of playmates for the foals and assistance for the parents.

  Although a foal is dependant on its mother’s milk for the first year, the stallion and other mares of the Song all care for it together. Many foals see all of the mares of the Song as their mother and may even become particularly close to a mare who isn’t their biological mother. Some mares are so worried about this occurring that they discourage their foals from becoming too close to the others.

  The mares of a Song don’t necessarily produce the same number of foals over the course of the lifetime of the Song. They may be unable to, or don’t want to have as many foals, or the stallion may prefer to have foals with a different mare. Some Songs may want to produce as many foals as they can while others may decide to have none at all. It’s a very personal decision for each Song.

  Foals remain with the Song for their first year of life, learning the ways of the world. When they become yearlings they leave their birth-Song to either join a bachelor Song or wander the world alone. In time they may found or join a Song, and the cycle continues. Most foals remain in contact with their birth-Song and visit often.

  Songless Breedings

  In most cases it is considered unusual and quite scandalous to have a foal while not in a Song. Most often such foals are produced by two Samanayrs not in a Song, but in truly shocking situations at least one of the parents is in a Song.

  Foals born out-of-Song, or out-Song, are considered very unlucky and, by some groups, even to be a vessel for demons. If the mother is in a Song the foal may be driven away, and sometimes the mother with it. It is difficult for the resulting foal to disguise the fact that it was born out-Song as it will not have a birth-Song to return to when it forms its own Song. An out-Song foal can try to try ‘adopt’ a birth-Song but most are forced to live with the stigma of being born out-Song.

  There are a few types of Samanayrs for whom Songless breedings are a fact of life, and foals produced by them are considered lucky. The mother may or may not be in a Song, and some stallions will even encourage an interested mare in an effort to bring prestige to the Song.

  • Healers – It is a tremendous honor to sire a foal with a Healer. Healer mares are quite particular and only choose the kindest, most honorable stallions. Each foal usually has a different father.
    
  • Storytellers/Wandering Mystics – Samanayrs who take these professions do not join Songs and will produce foals with partners who they deem worthy. If the other parent is in or joins a Song, the foal is adopted without question by the Song. Often foals from a Storyteller or Wandering Mystic will take an interest in that profession when they are grown.
    

  Bachelor Songs

  Samanayrs are considered full adults at five years of age and usually do not join or form Songs before then. In the period between foalhood and adulthood a young adult can join a bachelor Song, a temporary group of unattached mares and stallions who live and travel together. The temporary Songs takes on a name for itself, although these names don’t necessarily have to follow traditional Song naming conventions. Some examples include Song of the Dancers ’til Dawn and Song of the Summer Sun in Far Lands.

  The structure of these Songs is quite informal and members may come and go as they please. A single Samanayr can decide to found a bachelor Song, gaining and losing followers over the years as young adults age out or lose interest, and may pass leadership and the name on or let the Song die out when they become an adult.

  The focus of bachelor Songs varies. Some are interested in exploration and adventure, others in learning and study, others in magic or training for a profession or a little of everything. A young Samanayr may remain with one bachelor Song or move between several, depending on their interests.

  Some bachelor Songs are segregated by gender, but most are mixed. Many mares and stallions meet during their time in bachelor Songs and form true Songs together when they are adults.

  Disputes

  Most disputes within a Song are resolved by the lead mare and/or stallion. If they cannot resolve the issue or if it involves them directly, they seek out an impartial Wandering Mystic to assist them. If the dispute is particularly serious or cannot be resolved by a Wandering Mystic, the region’s Lead Song becomes involved.

  The resolution of the dispute depends on the nature of the issue in question and the decision of the Samanayr that resolved it. Most often the Samanayrs with the grievances are ordered to discuss it and find a resolution for themselves. A disgruntled member may be asked to leave the Song and journey alone for a few days as a cooling down period before discussions continue. Particularly serious offenses could result in a mare being removed from the Song or the entire Song being disbanded, although this is extremely rare.

  Song’s End

  Songs usually last until the death of the stallion, or if all of the mares predecease the stallion. Lead Songs and Songs of Note may be remembered in songs and stories by many Samanayrs, but typical Songs are usually just remembered by their descendants and close companions.

  The melodies of Songs that have passed on are incorporated into the tunes of the Songs of their foals and grandfoals, and foals are frequently given names that include parts of their ancestor’s names. Most Samanayrs believe that by keeping these parts of the Song with them that the deceased Song will continue to watch over them from the Far Fields.

  Songs that have been dissolved due to a dispute are not remembered in the same way. This can be a particularly complex situation, especially if the former Song members go on to join or form new Songs, but it’s also quite uncommon.