Stonewind Tribe

The Stonewind Tribe
The Stonewind Standard
Primary Race	Shu'halo
Base	Mulgore
Focus	Tauren Tribal RP
Population (IC)	100 (estimate)
Guild Type	Small, mostly casual guild for older(ish) players
Website	Stonewind.shivtr.com
Status	Active, but more casual than pre-BfA

The Stonewind Tribe is a peaceful, spiritual, and brave tribal community living in the foothills of Mulgore. With their previous home, Stonetalon Mountains, still recovering after the events of the World Wound, the tribe took the offer from Thunder Bluff to migrate southeast to yet fertile lands. While ostensibly a neutral faction, their new proximity to Thunder Bluff has resulted in some mixed politics, especially when it comes to matters of faction conflict.

While the the tribe's numbers are predominantly Shu'halo, Stonewind also occasionally welcomes other races, provided that they respect and abide by the Shu'halo way of life.

Rankings

Chief

Chieftess Taeana Palehorn

Chieftess Taeana Palehorn manages the tribe's wellbeing, leads ceremonies and battles, and lays fair judgment for the Tribe. As the leader of one of the many minor tribes allied with the Bluffs, Taeana is privy to the meetings held by the High Chieftain, but holds little sway in politic matters beyond Mulgore.

Council

The Stonewind Council is made up of trusted, longtime tribe members who act as agents of Stonewind's Chieftess. Each Council member manages a different service on her behalf.

For more information about specific members of the Council, and other notable members, see the guild website here: https://stonewind.shivtr.com/forums/2027801.

Roles and Ranks

With the move to Mulgore, many duties once handled by the different members of the Tribe were made much less of a burden than they once were. Defence of the village, for instance, is now a joint task between the Stonewind Braves and Thunder Bluff itself. In line with this, many roles have been changed to reflect the new needs of the village going forward.

The tribe totem in the center of Stonewind village, celebrating the diversity of Tauren culture.

• Braves: While not needed in the same numbers to defend Stonetalon, Stonewind still maintains a small regiment of experienced fighters. Braves stationed in the village act as peacekeepers, moderating disputes and keeping a watchful eye on visitors. Other Braves may volunteer their skill set to the Bluffs themselves, assisting in patrols around Mulgore and serving as guards should the land come under threat.
• Provisioners are the life blood of the Tribe, gathering food and materials that keep the village fed and well. They may be hunters, gatherers, anglers, and more.
• Trackers are the skilled hunters of the tribe. Unlike a provisioner, a tracker focuses their talents on the pursuit of a target of interest. They can serve as scouts and watchers for the tribe, tending to focus less on hunting game and more on keeping tabs on potentially dangerous situations.
• Traders barter their wares for coin and goods that the Provisioners normally cannot obtain in Mulgore. They may craft or collect their wares, but generally focus on using them to trade for other resources rather than using them directly.
• Menders are the healers of the Tribe. Some are gifted with natural magics to speed healing and prevent corruption, while other use the less flashy techniques of poultices and potions to cure the ill. They may also work to repair wounds beyond the physical. A shaman may soothe a troubled spirit or cleanse a polluted river. A counselor may provide guidance to quiet a troubled mind. All work to repair that which has been broken, and strive to protect the health and well being of the land and the people who inhabit it.
• Tribemates are Stonewind members that are either newly joined or are still searching for their place among the Shu'halo. Many come to Stonewind without direction or purpose, or are otherwise grappling with personal challenges that makes the way unclear. Non-tauren (Oathsworn) especially may need more time to immerse themselves in the tribal way of life, learning and discovering what speaks to them as they go. Stonewind stands to support those still finding their way, and will walk alongside any that wish to make the Stonewind way of life theirs.
• Visitors are individuals that have taken an interest in the Tribe, but may or may not choose to join depending on their circumstances.

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Current Affairs

In moving to Mulgore, Stonewind's activities have shifted to that of maintaining the newly established village and offering support to Thunder Bluff. As a minor tribe, it provides modest assistance through trade, crafting, hunting, and the contribution of its own set of Braves where appropriate. Being a neutral tribe on Horde lands, Stonewind does not participate in all Thunder Bluff matters, and will generally only get involved in conflicts if it will directly impact Mulgore (though individuals may opt to assist the Horde if they so choose). Some common interests between Thunder Bluff and Stonewind include:

Stonewind diplomacy at its finest.

• The protection of Mulgore and all that inhabit it
• Peaceful diplomacy between adversaries
• The settling of disrupted elementals that may require purification
• Spiritual inbalances requiring the attention of shamans
• Scouting beyond and aiding those affected by current world affairs
• Participating in conflicts where in Stonewind values are met

History

Stonewind was once strong and prosperous for countless generations, migrating between the Desolace plains and the Stonetalons. Though one day a shadow fell upon the tribe. The Centaur waged war and decimated the tribe's numbers.

Some Stonewind found refuge with their Kaldorei neighbors. Others fled to Thunder Bluff and found refuge in the Horde's ranks. But a few remaining members found refuge in the old, sacred caves of Stonetalon and dedicated themselves to continuing the traditions of their ancestors.

Paukala Ravenscall

A leader stepped forward among them: Paukala Ravenscall. For years she sought to unite the splintered Stonewind and other Shu'halo of the world as Stonewind's new Chieftess. But following a trying campaign of inspired diplomacy, Paukala could no longer be Stonewind's Chief.

Then a seer of the tribe, Taeana Palehorn, was met with a vision that she may lead. With the ancestor's grace and Paukala's consent, Taeana became Stonewind's new Chieftess.

Mythology

Long ago before the world was shattered in the Sundering there lived a village of Shu'halo in the mountains of Stonetalon. The youngest daughter of its famous hunter, named Nayati, was very beautiful, with fur like honey and eyes the color of the sky.

One day a raven came to the hunter. Perched on the hunter's tent as he skinned the day's kill, the creature spoke:

Hau, mighty hunter. I would that you give me your youngest and most beautiful daughter to be my wife. If you do, I promise that you shall become the mightiest hunter in the land.

The raven is a major symbol in Stonewind mythology

To the distress of the daughter, the hunter agreed, and so Nayati left the village to marry the raven. The raven led Nayati to a valley between the red mountains to a dwelling nestled between the dark pines.

When An'she set and the world became dark, the raven took her into his bed. There he shed his form and became Shu'halo, though Nayati could not see his face. When An'she rose again, Nayati looked to her husband and saw that he was a raven once again.

And so it went for many weeks: The raven taking the form of Shu'halo at night, but Nayati never seeing his face.

When Nayati was with child, she worried what the child would look like. But the raven reassured her that all would be well. When months passed, Nayati delivered a calf with a beautiful round face, fur of golden honey, and strong of body. Nayati showed her child to the raven, and when his gaze fell upon the babe, he smiled.

As An'she's rays shone down upon him he shed his raven form and grew to a Shu'halo of great physique. The most handsome Shu'halo Nayati had ever seen. He smiled at his mate and child and said:

Thank you. For you have broken the curse laid upon me. Together we have made life. And together we shall start a family, and a tribe of our own.

And thus was the beginning of the Stonewind Tribe. From that day forward the spirit of the raven watched over them, guiding them as they proliferated in the Stonetalon Mountains, where Nayati, the raven, and their ancestors live and protect to this day.