The Herds of Vertevē Valley
Scalâra
Scalâra is mostly made up of sea creatures. However, they prefer to be in their human forms, living by the beach in domed glass houses that the all-too-willing eiffels made for them. Their motto is: "Your animal form is only as strong as your human form." And so they train hard in both areas. ​Symbol: Whale ​Color: Red Song: "In the Deep Where Our Ancestors Sleep", a moody ballad noted by its deep booming rhythm and low brass instruments echoing like a whale's haunting call ​Strengths: Strategic, bold, and Innovative ​Weakness: Tend to become power-hungry, will step on others, sometimes, to fulfill their plans ​Friendships: Lânī is their closest herd ally. Scalâra doesn't have friends--only allies whom they keep at arm's length. Family--blood--is what they are loyal to.
LÅ«na
Lūna is mostly made up of four-legged animals. They prefer to be in their animal forms, living their private lives as animals, only transforming into humans when they must communicate. Their motto is: "Honor the leader and honor each other." ​Symbol: Lioness ​Color: Blue Song: "Silver", was created when the herds first formed and eventually was adopted as Vertevē Valley's anthem for the way that it retold their tragic origin ​Strengths: Loyal, brave, and dedicated to structure ​Weakness: Their dedication to structure can cause them to act cold at times, following rules rather than the heart. ​Friendships: Quillô is their closest herd ally and friend. Free-spirited Quillô can soften the hard edges of Lūna and help them to let loose every once in a while.
Quillô
Quillô is mostly made up of birds. They often remain in their human forms, only transforming to access their tree homes in the highest branches of grizzly oaks and cedars. Their motto is: "Birds of a feather, flock wherever." A saying that reflects their frequent visiting of other herds. ​Symbol: Owl ​Color: Green Song: "A Band of Feathers Make Wings", a simple, yet catchy song that the eîffels of Quillô Forest made for their neighborly herd. ​Strengths: Outgoing, friendly, and kind ​Weakness: They will sometimes remain silent and not pick sides for fear of upsetting anyone ​Friendships: Quillô would say they are friends with everyone, but their dearest herd is Luna, as they admire their bravery and talent for structure (which Quillô sadly lacks).
Ârrabô
Arrabô is mostly made up of felines. They use their animal forms mostly as a formality for their banquets and balls, rarely transforming for anything practical (unless they are spying). Their motto is: "Curiosity calls the cat." For all their aloof ways, they have a heightened awareness of emotions, which allows them to read a room the moment they step paw in one. This ability has won them cautioned respect from the other herds. ​Symbol: Jaguar ​Color: Purple Song: "Eyes That Glow Like Stars at Night", a halting melody that sends a shiver down one's spine, leaving all who hear, wondering if Arrabô means it as a threat or a simple dramatic tease. ​Strengths: Intelligent, Emotionally Aware, and Just ​Weakness: Their offish demeanor and aristocratic ways tend to make some believe that they are selfish or apathetic--but far be it from the truth. Their ability to understand emotions and their intensely introspective nature weighs them down in social settings, distracting them from behaving with proper social norms. ​Friendships: They keep all herds at arm's length, making them more accurate judges. If they admired any herd, however, it would be Scalâra, for their natural leadership ability. Yet, it does not mean Arrabô agrees with their values. (Have you ever heard the saying, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?")
LânÄ«
Lânī is mostly made up of meadow creatures. Lânī herd members transform back and forth in their animal forms, normally transforming in order to explore small caverns and burrows that stretch like veins through the meadow. Their motto is: "Never too much, only too little." ​Symbol: Boar ​Color: Gold Song: "A Diamond in the Mire", the most dramatic song of all the herds, requires at least 12 instrumentalists (7 of which are wimble flutists), and eight dancers. ​Strengths: Persistent, Eager, and Resourceful ​Weakness: What they have in loyalty and all other strengths, they lack in discernment. They can be taken advantage of for their wealth and eagerness to be accepted. ​Friendships: Scalâra is their closest herd. Lânī needs to feel needed and Scalâra seems to need them a lot, calling on their strengths to help with their plans.
Berilla
Berilla is mostly made up of old people. Their bones are too brittle to transform easily anymore. Their motto is: "Keep the past alive till' it outlives our life." They remember vividly the tales of their ancestors--the tragic making of Vertevē Valley--and they want to ensure that the younger generation will not forget, and will not repeat. ​Symbol: Wolf, who was the founder of Berilla, the first herd of Vertevē Valley ​Color: Bronze Song: "E'e We Look to Evôr", a hymn-like song with beautiful, old lines ​Strengths: Wise, Orderly, and Ancient ​Weakness: Their fear of the tragic past can debilitate their strengths, and keep them from making wise decisions. ​Friendships: They would not pick a favorite, however, they do feel safe around Lūna who never pushes the envelope and stays within the bounds--even better--upholds the bounds.
WôlÄ«
Wôlī is mostly made up of mountainous creatures and mostly stays in their animal forms, rarely transforming. This causes their human looks to appear ghastly and frightening to the other herds, and are treated as outcasts in fear. Their motto is: "argg uf oooo!" (Meet life strong). They live in the roughest and most wild part of Vertevē on the wild Wôlī Mountain that rises from the Vertevē cliffs. ​Symbol: Bear ​Color: Wôlī doesn't have something as "useless" as a color. Song: "Dark as the Mountain's Shadow", a song as soft and gray as the mist that covers their mountain ​Strengths: Strong, Daring, and Loyal ​Weakness: Their pride in strength and their apathy towards what others think have earned them a bad rap for being scary and intimidating ​Friendships: They don't typically have friends outside of their own herd, however, in the few encounters they had with Arrabô, (as it is bound to happen with neighbors), Wôlī has been pleasantly surprised with the respectful way Arrabô treats them. The insightful herd can see past Wôlī's gruff exterior and remain unintimidated enough to offer formal greetings.
