Rankings
Please note the below all was in standing before the Sterne Revival.
Changelings went on a ranking system based on their birth period. It placed them into a role within the society based on the natural abilities, and it was not used to treat a changeling as inferior or superior to any other changeling. A changeling started in its birth rank, but as changelings believe in adaptability, a changeling would rise or fall in their standings. There are twelve levels of rankings, categorized as High, Mid, and Low Teirs. Capricorn is the lowest rank and Aquarius is the highest. It was known for a Changeling of Aquarius birth to fall to the rank Capricorn. This would be by natural ability, or by bad choices and being deranked by the Chieftain and council. Of course one of a Capricorn birth could rise to the standing of an Aquarius.
There were 12 tribal ranks, and one rank that is treated as inferior, Outcasts. Once a person is made into an Outcast they cannot redeem themselves. The Outcast rank is used for historical lore purposes only. As in current time period tribes no loner exist neither do Outcasts. The exception of this is Pryde, which you can read about in the Lore portion of the website.
Fun fact, the ranks in the time before written history the birth ranks were a form of blood rank. The Primal monstrous changelings did treat one another as superior and inferior based on their time of birth, but by the time of of nomads and clans this had fallen completely out of practice due to the belief of adapatation and change.
All of these have different personality traits with flaws and strengths. The idea is that a birth rank dictates their destiny based on the stars, but that as a changeling they can change their destiny and can earn a new rank based on their natural skills. This can help them find the correct role to make them a better member of the changeling race, and/or tribe.
~High Teir~
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Aquarius
Highest rank and the only rank that once earned can become a chieftain. Physically these ranks are strong and elegantly formed. They tend to think broader than the here and now, which helps them to be good leaders.These changelings tend to be well-liked and extremely accepting of their other tribe-mates and other races. As a side note though loyal, and very welcoming, they tend to be found in solitude among themselves and their own minds. Next to the chieftain themself, Aquarius earned changelings tend to be Healers.
Pisces
Second to highest rank Pisces earned changelings tend to be very creative, and work well in the background of a situation. Instead of being the face of an operation they commonly do the groundwork. They tend to be willing to help others and give of themselves for what they love, especially their tribe. Their intuitive nature unfortunately keeps them away from logic detouring them from the highest rank of leadership. This does tend to make them great Sky-watchers.
Aries
Tend to be highly energetic, and a little rash in their movements. This rank has a huge need for adventure and learning, leading them to be great historians. The third highest rank is very versatile and has a high tendency to go with the flow of the world around them. Another flaw noticed in this rank is that they don’t follow through with projects and this tends to make them work more in collaborative groups.
Taurus
The lowest of the high tier ranks that tends to make choices for the better whole of the tribe. They are the most competitive of the ranks, and commonly are the physically strongest as a result of training. These changelings tend to be very down-to-earth and dedicated to a single task at a time. This tends to make them Guardian Generals.
~Mid Teir~
Gemini
Highest of the mid-teirs changelings of this earned rank tend to have the easiest time morphing from one race to the next. Their ability to adapt is higher than those of other ranks. These changelings tend to not be head historians, but do tend to be historians due to their soft-spoken and intellectual nature. Like Aries, those who earn this rank tend to work in collab groups due to having a hard time finalizing a project and decision.
Cancer
The mid of the ranks tends to be the most family/tribe-oriented earned rank. They are naturally more nurturing than other ranks, but also much more realistic. This tends to place them as healers, but they are very prone to honesty. Maybe too much honesty. It is their big brother/sister get up that makes them protective. Healers are expected to give all their energy into the better of the tribe, and Cancer ranked changelings tend to have the easiest time with that.
Leo
Though not high ranked and very much the middle-child syndrome changelings these changelings hold themselves to high standards. This earned rank likes to be admired, and glorified. Making them great guardians for better or worse. They tend to be overly optimistic, but this keeps moral high within the rank. Their abundant energy keeps them physically fit, but they tend to need more guidance from high ranks to help them when their strong-will gets the better of them.
Virgo
By far the most introverted of the ranks, changelings of this rank tend to like their solitude. They are meticulous in their work, keeping a dedication to anything they do even if they are bound to fail. This ironically makes them great assets to the historians who tend to need a driving voice to keep going when they get side-tracked. Unlike the showier mid-ranks this rank does not feel a need to be showy or take credit for everything they do. They are generous in nature and ask for very little in return.
~High Teir~
Libra
Highest of the low tier this rank ironically has an enormous amounts of mysticism. They enjoy peace and meditation. Changelings of this earned rank tend to be very empathetic and are very attuned with others’ emotions. Unfortunately though being very balanced in nature they are a little too superficial and nieve. These ranks have a good spot within the Sky-watchers though.
Scorpio
First and foremost these changelings are head-strong and brave. They get envious quickly, and are quick to challenge others due to their competitive nature. Though intuitive they are too ambitious normally to be sky-watchers or healers. Instead they tend to be placed in guardian roles to help them settle down.
Sagittarius
Second from lowest rank this earned rank is first and foremost adventurous. They tend to not be able to stay in one place, but are very philosophical and enjoy the mystical world around them. This rank tends to have a big heart, and is incredibly strong-willed. The main reason changelings get placed in this rank is their lack of central direction and being unable to be truly placed in one of the main roles, while also having small likenesses of multiple higher ranks.
Capricorn
Ironically the lowest rank tends to have a high degree of self-knowledge. They are physically and mentally strong-willed, but tend to be self-absorbed. This causes this earned rank to make decisions that would tend to be seen as damaging to the tribe as a whole, but not to the changeling themself. These changelings are the most patient and ambitious of the ranks, but tend to be the least trusting of all changelings, and even more so when dealing with other races. They tend to be placed as guardians in order to give them a sense of loyalty to the tribe.
Outcast
This is the lowest of low of all changelings. These changelings earn their place outside of all tribes. They are self-centered and untrusting of others to an extreme degree. To become an outcast you must be denounced first to rank of Capricorn. Tribes will do their best to keep their tribemates from becoming outcasts, so it is seen that if one becomes an outcast that they did it of their own accord. A changeling on the verge of outcast will first be warned by the tribe council. If the problems continue there will be a trial. This trial is not by combat, but a judgement overseen by the council. Any changeling can stand up to defend the integrity of the possible outcast. And the changeling on trial may also speak on their own behalf. If the changeling is judged to be a huge liability and harmful being for the tribe they will be banished. This means they are kicked out of the tribe and cursed to live a solitary life outside of the Cennad’s guidance. They are marked with a slash to the face from a heated up sword scaring them even when they change forms.
Outcasts cannot come back to tribe grounds, and can only speak with other outcasts or tribeless. Tribe members are also forbidden from associating with Outcasts. Children of Outcasts can be brought back into tribe society through the Trials of Sterne after their puberty years. Tribes do not treat Outcast children as Outcasts only after they have completed their Trial of Sterne. There is also a loophole. Outcasts were welcomed to compete and denounce their Outcast title once a year if they wish to compete in the Trials of Sterne in Grundar. After the Massacre Grundar was destroyed tribes no longer existed so this is mute. In current day there are no outcasts, because there technically are no existing tribes. Except Pryde, which are of course descendants of Outcasts.
For in game purposes Tribes no longer exist, and as such Outcasts no longer exist. There are however decedents of outcasts, but they will not be treated like Outcasts were in the days of tribe. If someone wishes to play an Outcast as if they were tribal they will not speak to other changelings unless they are marked with the Outcast mark as well. Tribe Pryde is completely made up of Outcast decedents so it may be best to look at that tribe in more detail when making a kit. Those who choose to be like Outcasts will be able to participate in events that may be similar to the Trials.