The Old Laws of the First Herd

[Red of the Wolf]

   Here are the laws set by the First Herd. Though they are only legends now, much of their influence still holds within the Herds of the Island. All Herds have adopted some, if not all, of the Old Laws in their own interpretation to accompany their own rules.

"The eyes of the Old have seen much, the eyes of the Wise have seen more."

The Old Laws


One must give respect to their elders, for they have given their life and happiness to the Herd.

A stallion must defend his family with his Life's Blood. He is not to expect his mares to raise hoof in defense of themselves.

A family is to raise young together. Sisters help sisters, brothers to brothers.

A mare who is with milk is to take her sister's foal along side her own if the mother is absent in life. To deny a needy foal is to accept one's own foal's denial if it should become needy.

If he is no longer providing for his family, the mare may choose her next stallion and foals' sire. She is no longer bound to the previous stallion if he has failed to meet her standards.

A son is to follow in his father's words. To rebel is to accept exile.

A horse who has willingly and without reason drawn the blood of another is to be punished by either exile or banishment with, or without, terms of return. One who has willingly and without reason drawn the Life's Blood of another is to be punished by equal means; Death is imminent.

Foals born as cripples with little chance for adequate survival are to be culled. It is the sire's duty to insure a healthy foal lives, and an ill foal dies.

Any horse who produces ill offspring many seasons is to be exiled from the herd. A horse who is ill of body or mind is to be exiled form the herd. Bad blood breeds bad blood.


Right of Contest
The right to challenge another to a test of strengths in which either side may draw the blood of their opponent. Often an event to prove the challenger's worth to a superior authority. Killing is not allowed. Any herd member may challenge and be challenged.


Right of Challenge
The right to challenge another to a dual. Either party may draw the blood of their opponent with the intent of killing and/or laying claim to the before-hand agreed upon terms. The superior may choose to end his opponent's life if he wishes. Any herd member may challenge and be challenged. The winner of a challenge must wait until the close of a season before they can challenge or be challenged again.


Right of Life
If the mother of an ill born foal does not agree in the culling, she may take the blow for her foal. Though death will not be ensued upon her, she may be permanently marred by the strike.


Right of Trial
A horse not born within the herd may call for acceptance by trial. He must demonstrate that the herd will benefit from his presence and fortify a place for him within the herd body. To fail means to be marked for permanent exile, or death.

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