Herd Structure

Normally once every 4 or 5 years, a stag may challenge for Lordship.

#### Outriders

The Outriders are elite stags chosen for their strength and courage, and are usually natural loners. They are scouts and fighters, who look for new pastures and patrol for predators. The most important of the Outriders are styled Captain.  Captains lead and meet as equals.

#### Corps Members

The binding principle among the stags is the Corps (corps members), which every male deer must enter, paying allegiance to the Lord of the Herd.

#### Lead Hind

Fourleaf is said to be the lead hind of the Home Herd.

#### Hinds

The female deer of the herd. They seem to have little control in the herd. During the Rut, the stags fight to claim their hinds for the season. Very occasionally, a brave hind will attempt to choose a mate for herself, but risks being gored in the process.

### Herd Behaviour

#### Size

There may be up to 200-300 deer in a large herd, grouped together in loose associations through family ties and friendships.

* Deer made up mostly of hinds. Much further up the valley, the stags are set well apart in stag parties or grazing alone in the glen. Older stags are higher up the hill.
* Unless it is the Rut, males and females in a red deer herd live apart, often at some distance.
* A deer herd is most vulnerable after fawns are born, as there is constant threat of attack, and a fox is fully capable of taking a young fawn. With their newborn calves, the hinds are easily frightened, and the Outriders fear a stampede as well as the loss of a fawn. At this time, the herd tends to bunker down in a shaded valley, and rely on the Outriders to protect them.

#### Fathers

* According to Brechin, it is only right for a father to be distant while their calf is still with its mother, sometimes not even knowing its name. When the calf grows and carries his second or third head of antlers, Brechin will get to know him properly and start to teach him the ways of the Outrider.

## Events

### The Rut

The Rut takes place at Anlach. It is the most important event of the deer's year . This is when the stags fight for hinds, establishing their harems.  At this time, scores between stags can be settled. It is also the only time when a stag may challenge for Lordship, which normally happens once every 4-5 years.

The stags fight for their hinds. After the victorious deer have chosen their mates, one or two of the younger deer may step in to claim the remaining hinds. But very occasionally, a brave hind will come forward and attempt to choose a mate for herself, though she risks being gored in the process. She is expected to lower her head while doing so.

Apart from predators, starvation, and disease, the main causes of harm to a deer herd are wounds inflicted during the rut. But their battles are mostly for show and their encounters rarely result in serious damage.

### Council Meetings

* The Herla may only stand in council when all captains of the Outriders are present.

## References

1. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 14
2. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 14
3. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 31
4. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 14
5. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 29
6. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 10
7. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 14
8. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 7
9. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 9
10. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 8
11. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 14
12. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 8
13. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 14
14. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 11
15. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 17
16. ↑ Fire Bringer, page 31