#brooding caverns

CAVERNS AND BLOODLINES!!!

I imagine that caverns determine the name and sign of a troll by keeping tabs on every troll that has donated genetic material to their mother grub, organized by caste and a description of horn number and type (ie curled, pointy, angled)

In the past, this was done with massive archives full of filing cabinets. Some very old Matrons/Patrons probably still use this method (COUGH redivi COUGH)

Now, though, the majority of record keeping is done digitally, which is a LOT easier to parse through.

Anyways. I just like to imagine cavern workers being stumped by a baby so generic it’s impossible to describe.

Oterland is a town located in the northeast, near a mountainous region. Within and underneath these mountains are the Oterland Caverns. It’s a mildly successful cavern, pretty average, though it has had its fair share of controversy surrounding the disappearances of Jadebloods and grubs. Due to the Empire’s influential indifference, this isn’t really looked into proper, but rumors do spread from cavern to cavern and affects the politics of the Oterland Caverns.

There are few key places within these stone walls. In the lowest levels lie the Grub Mother’s chamber and the temple that is dedicated to the goddesses of the moons and the god of the sun. The Grub Mother is also revered as a goddess in her own right, but to a lesser scale. Only a select few Jadebloods are consecrated to work directly with the Mother Grub and provide for its needs. In the upper levels are the lusii breeding and care taking caverns, and even high up nearer to the surface are the Trial chambers.

Pupated Trolls must fight and navigate their way through these intricate systems of dangerous tunnels in order to “graduate” and be seen as fit for survival. Then, they leave with their new lusii and meet a stationed Memorand in order to get their name, symbol, funds, and carpenter drones. After that, the world is their oyster. However, most mutants and limes are killed on sight at any stage during their hatching, pupation, trial-going, and recording.

The Oterland Caverns follow a hierarchical social system. The leading patron/matron of the cavern is known as the Overseer. They’re in charge of what’s happening at all hours of the night. Next to the Overseer is the second-in-command, typically referred to with the title of “Mistress” or “Master.” They deal with everything that the Overseer is too busy to see to, and works more directly with the temple and its priestesses.

The priestesses of the temple hold the next highest prestige, tough they lack the ability to make executive decisions. They are present for spiritual, emotional, and physical guidance with their chief duties lying in worship and care taking the temple. Jadebloods who are chosen to care for the Grub Mother are usually priestesses. The main infirmary is located within the temple.

Jadebloods who have lived long past their expected lifespans are considered Elders. They have some say in the bigger decisions and represent the cavern as a whole. Their counsel isn’t often needed, however. They are treated with some respect, but outside of the celebratory “wow you’re old” they’re just as often dismissed as anyone else. Being an elder is more of a passive role than it is an active one.

Auxiliatrixes would be a role with average social respect and little executive or political power. They take care of the Grub Mother’s clutches and the grubs that hatch from them. There are also Auxiliatrixes that specialize in lusii care. Auxiliatrixes make up most of the cavern’s population.

Memorands are in charge of archiving, record keeping, and recording new information for the caverns. There are different types of Memorands; one that records lusii, one that records executive decisions and important documents, one that records and maintains the history of the cavern, and one that records graduating Trolls. Even though each has their respective specialization, each Memorand can be stationed interchangeably. They have about the same amount of social respect and political power as an Auxiliatrix.

Guards have some respect since they keep the caverns safe. Many are often stationed near entrances and exits and can be seen patrolling the caverns, though are often dismissed socially.

Any other position not listed barely gets an eye bat in their direction.

Some roles are not concrete, allowing the Troll in question to be flexible with their work and schedule. For example, Avonis is a Memorand but sometimes is expected or requested to do other jobs such as cleaning the caverns or raising grubs.

And I am recovering from a colossal sun rash from helping a hot brown-blooded babe get her dog mom back from some rustlers.

Oh, prior to that, some blue-blooded kid had me locked in her highrise as her muse.

THEORY TIME!