Savante
Disclaimer: This family is based on the family from the Dark series by Christine Feehan, a few of the ideas are inspired by things that happen within the books. I don't claim to own any of these ideas, just their adjustments for this family.
The Savante family is one built on tradition and strength. Tight knit, proud, bestial - they believe that the Earth empowers them and gives them life. They are much like Dark Druids, if you had to compare them to anything - with a hint of vampiracy. Blood is important to them, as it is believed to connect them intimately to one another, deeper than any biological relation. There are multiple traditions and rituals that this family performs that may be looked down upon by others. The process of these rituals are closely kept secrets.
The Savante family and those in their close-knit circle all speak the Carpathian language, which is an ancient language that outsiders may find hard to articulate. Their chants closely resemble throat singing. The language itself can be difficult to mimic, but not impossible. An abridged dictionary can be found here: Carpathian Language Dictionary.
The men in this family are said to have fertility issues, and women who are directly related seem to as well. The Savante family believe they have been cursed, and the only way to counteract said curse is to reproduce with those who are more closely connected to the Earth and Spirits ( so medics and clerics ).
The women in their family are often seen as delicate, but it is not done so in a manner that is hateful. The Savante men simply believe women are ones to be protected at all costs, as they bring life into the world and nurture the future. They are aware that some women are capable of being revered as warriors and encourage such a path should they seek it.
While the women are often viewed as the light, the men of this family are the darkness. Borderline evil, they will do what they must to ensure their family succeeds and survives. They are warriors born of the dark and are usually only released when they find their lifemate.
It is not uncommon for a Savante male to take on multiple lovers, or wives/husbands, but a lifemate is an entirely different thing. They are the ones that give a Savante warrior their will to live, their family - they are worshiped almost. However, it is rare for a warrior to find his lifemate, and even more so for a Savante woman to find a suitable lifemate - as most are not of the Savante line. If for whatever reason a lifemate is found in someone who is already committed to another, the Savante will do whatever it takes to claim them for themselves.
A lifemate is determined by many factors, but the main one is that the lifemate saves the life of his/her chosen in some way. Whether it be literally, emotionally or figuratively. Other factors are solely determined on the warrior whether they be male or female.
The following rituals are important to the Savante family and must continue to be practiced. Get ready people, there’s a lot of dirt involved.
The Savante family and those in their close-knit circle all speak the Carpathian language, which is an ancient language that outsiders may find hard to articulate. Their chants closely resemble throat singing. The language itself can be difficult to mimic, but not impossible. An abridged dictionary can be found here: Carpathian Language Dictionary.
The men in this family are said to have fertility issues, and women who are directly related seem to as well. The Savante family believe they have been cursed, and the only way to counteract said curse is to reproduce with those who are more closely connected to the Earth and Spirits ( so medics and clerics ).
The women in their family are often seen as delicate, but it is not done so in a manner that is hateful. The Savante men simply believe women are ones to be protected at all costs, as they bring life into the world and nurture the future. They are aware that some women are capable of being revered as warriors and encourage such a path should they seek it.
While the women are often viewed as the light, the men of this family are the darkness. Borderline evil, they will do what they must to ensure their family succeeds and survives. They are warriors born of the dark and are usually only released when they find their lifemate.
It is not uncommon for a Savante male to take on multiple lovers, or wives/husbands, but a lifemate is an entirely different thing. They are the ones that give a Savante warrior their will to live, their family - they are worshiped almost. However, it is rare for a warrior to find his lifemate, and even more so for a Savante woman to find a suitable lifemate - as most are not of the Savante line. If for whatever reason a lifemate is found in someone who is already committed to another, the Savante will do whatever it takes to claim them for themselves.
A lifemate is determined by many factors, but the main one is that the lifemate saves the life of his/her chosen in some way. Whether it be literally, emotionally or figuratively. Other factors are solely determined on the warrior whether they be male or female.
The following rituals are important to the Savante family and must continue to be practiced. Get ready people, there’s a lot of dirt involved.
Rituals
Birthing Ritual - When a female gives birth, she is put in the Earth with her newborns and temporarily buried alive. This is done to allow the ground and Earth to ‘heal’ her and her children and bless their new beginnings. They are covered pieces of bark and dirt and left there for an hour.
Healing Ritual - Much like when a female gives birth, when a warrior is severely wounded, they are put to the Earth and buried alive for healing. This is done for much longer, three hours - five max. This is an important ritual for warriors.
Lifemate Ritual - When a Savante family finds their lifemate, she/he will need to perform the ritual in order to be accepted by the family and given the title lifemate. Much like previous rituals, the lifemate in question must be buried alive - thankfully their chosen is buried with them. Bark covers the hole first, giving the couple room to move, then it is covered by Earth. Oftentimes it is not uncommon for this ritual to involve intimacy and be the conception time for cubs. You can find the ritual words here: Ritual Words.
Death Ritual - When a warrior, or Savante family member has died or feels their life has come to it’s chosen end, they are buried. A very simple ritual, not much different than a funeral. However, sometimes lifemates will choose to die with their chosen rather than live life without them.
Warrior's Ritual - When warrior’s need guidance they will find solace in the earth, usually a deep cave of some kind with crystals, or someplace with heated waters. They will gather and discuss war strategies, important family matters. Before a meeting can begin they will often call for their ancestor spirits to join them. You can find the Warrior’s Chant here: Warrior's Chant.
Blood Bonding - When a Savante feels particularly close to another, they can request to share a blood bond with them. This is purely something they believe in and does not require a conversion. This entails the Savante taking blood from a chosen part of the body, the one giving has the option to also take by drinking from the Savante in question as well. This is an intimate ritual, so not to be taken lightly.
Conversion - If an individual wishes to become a Savante they must endure the conversion. This is a lot like a blood bonding, but more blood is taken and the character in question is left on the brink of death. They are given an herb that will cause them to hallucinate and if they come out of the ordeal alive, then they are crowned a Savante.
Healing Ritual - Much like when a female gives birth, when a warrior is severely wounded, they are put to the Earth and buried alive for healing. This is done for much longer, three hours - five max. This is an important ritual for warriors.
Lifemate Ritual - When a Savante family finds their lifemate, she/he will need to perform the ritual in order to be accepted by the family and given the title lifemate. Much like previous rituals, the lifemate in question must be buried alive - thankfully their chosen is buried with them. Bark covers the hole first, giving the couple room to move, then it is covered by Earth. Oftentimes it is not uncommon for this ritual to involve intimacy and be the conception time for cubs. You can find the ritual words here: Ritual Words.
Death Ritual - When a warrior, or Savante family member has died or feels their life has come to it’s chosen end, they are buried. A very simple ritual, not much different than a funeral. However, sometimes lifemates will choose to die with their chosen rather than live life without them.
Warrior's Ritual - When warrior’s need guidance they will find solace in the earth, usually a deep cave of some kind with crystals, or someplace with heated waters. They will gather and discuss war strategies, important family matters. Before a meeting can begin they will often call for their ancestor spirits to join them. You can find the Warrior’s Chant here: Warrior's Chant.
Blood Bonding - When a Savante feels particularly close to another, they can request to share a blood bond with them. This is purely something they believe in and does not require a conversion. This entails the Savante taking blood from a chosen part of the body, the one giving has the option to also take by drinking from the Savante in question as well. This is an intimate ritual, so not to be taken lightly.
Conversion - If an individual wishes to become a Savante they must endure the conversion. This is a lot like a blood bonding, but more blood is taken and the character in question is left on the brink of death. They are given an herb that will cause them to hallucinate and if they come out of the ordeal alive, then they are crowned a Savante.
Adoptables
Please note that I reserve the right to retrieve these characters/designs should they fall inactive without much development. This goes for all Savante adoptables.
Make your own!
If you have a character that might fit into this family, feel free to let me know. They do NOT need to have the Savante surname as this group/family makes up a large family that has built over generations. They will still be close knit! If you want to be biologically related to Alexander - or a Savante, the general theme they have going is piebaldism/leucism, splotches/spots and brown or blue eyes, red being a rare color. Below are some available designs!
