Marn wrote of a Matriarch Vacae in his journal. This is Aquila’s mother. I tried to make that clear through, his words, but I just thought I’d make it crystal. Her name is pronounced [vah-KAY]. She is noted as Matriarch because she was once the Shaman. That honor was passed to Aquila, removing the title from Vacae. When Aquila was chosen for the bonding year, the Kalim’ Dor was left without a shaman. She still leads the tribe just as she did before, but she is no longer Kiefieh’s chosen. The reason for this is not known to any, save herself. Even Aquila doesn’t know why his mother was removed of her status. The removal is blatant though. Her silver tattoo has vanished from her neck. But, she is still as wise as any Tauren Elder (as Marn pointed out), and she leads the tribe because she has gained the respect of everyone in it. She’s taken to teaching Jathan as much as she knows. Jathan was Aquila’s best friend (with Marn close to both of them), and he was not ever any good in a battle, and has been given the permanent task of guarding the camp. He spends most of his time learning from the Matriarch. She loves teaching him all she can. He has an especially voracious appetite for Power Words, which she is more than happy to sate. She sees much of herself in him, and hopes he’ll take over her position as leader someday. She’ll outlive him, of course, but maybe she’ll get a break for a bit.

Marn himself is a Tauren. He’s larger than the average Tauren, standing 6′6″ tall. He has a mighty set of horns that point downward at an angle, kind of framing his face. He’s very strong and a decent fighter. He’s been recognized as such by the elders, and has been put on as many patrols and hunts as there are hours in the day. He squeezes time in with the Matriarch when he can to learn, but it isn’t much time. I tried to show this in his journal entry, but I think it came across weirder than I’d hoped. He’s by no means dumb. Just illiterate. But he is learning and is making great strides, considering that most Tauren can’t read at all. He’s very in-tune with nature, and loves to take time to study it. He doesn’t get nearly as much time as he’d like. He’s sort of a gentle giant. But he isn’t a pansy. He carries a giant stone axe, which is rare, even for Tauren. He’s really strong.

The Windtotem Marn spoke of is a Tauren “artifact”. Whether it has any mystical powers or not is unknown. But, it definitely has spiritual significance to the Tauren. It is a wooden log about 6 feet long. The log forms a “Y” shape, with the top three feet being split apart. The split is natural, like a tree trunk. The entire length is carved on all sides with intricate runes, and the tops of the “Y” are tied together with a deep red ribbon. It essentially looks like a big wooden slingshot The elders pray at the totem when they seek guidance. They believe the ancestors speak to them on the wind, when it blows around the ribbon. It has such significance for them that when the Kalim’ Dor make camp, the Tauren always erect the totem first on a mound of earth and then set up their camp around it.

Random facts, you think? Well… Yeah they kind of are. But I am bored at work and thought I’d write.

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