The Tākuta Tama-nui-te-rā are a branch of the Kotahitanga-Unity Defense Force in House Odan-Urr.
History
Origins
The Tākuta Tama-nui-te-rā originated on New Tython as two separate factions who came together in later years as wider communication across the planet was established. The Shamans and The Witch Doctors. Both the Shamans and The Witch Doctors were and still are revered by the Harakoans. The standard practice was for every village to contain no more than two Witch Doctors at a time, The Witch Doctors were the medical leaders of the villages, their words heeded exactly to the letter. Their practice was widely regarded by the Harakoans as the "Vakh-Tulu" or "The Great Cure" and it was said that Witch Doctors could heal a sick Harakoan just by using the dirt beneath his feet. The Shamans were the spiritual leaders of the Villages; however The Shamans themselves did not reside within the Villages and would wander the lands communing with Spirits or "Ukuli" - The Lost. The Shamans would all return to their Villages at set times to help guide the Harakoans and often taking away a young child to become a new Shaman. Many people assumed that The Witch Doctors and The Shamans would act with aggression toward one another out of spite of jealous for the other party, however this was not the case. There was a profound level of mutual respect between both factions, eventually leading to the Shamans and the Witch Doctors collecting together and founding a joint society in which willing adolescents would go to, to receive training in one of the paths and becoming a witch doctor or a Shaman.
The Joining
After Many years the Shamans and the Witch Doctors formed together to create a union. Both factions were happy to comply; after all they were both in existence to guide their people. The Joining is recorded as one of the great events to the Harakoans, two of their most revered factions joining together and becoming an unshakeable unit for their people. Those who could heal with the path of the Great Cure and those who could find The Lost. From this the community saw the numbers of Witch Doctors and Shamans Swell. To a point where there were too many to have in each village.
The Spirit Lodge
A year after the joining it was decided that a building needed to be built to house those who were not assigned and therefore had nowhere to go. This was when the "Ukuli-Hittu" or the Spirit Lodge was founded. Once built it was believed to be a hub for The Lost to gather. Resulting in many pilgrimages being made to the Lodge itself; causing an expansion of living quarters for the Pilgrims.
The Spirit Lodge
When the Kotahitanga-Unity Defense Force was created The Elders of the Spirit Lodge were happy to offer their Shamans as Witch Doctors as a militia unit. They were offer in the hopes to keep the Militia healthy and to offer guidance when asked for.
Roles
Shamans
The Shamans are the finders of the unit, being able to move quickly with their understanding of nature they can collect the required Herbs and plants for the witch doctors to perform their healing on wounded militia members.
When desperate the Shamans could also double up as scouts as they are masters of their terrain.
Witch Doctors
The Witch Doctors are the main healers of the unit, being able to quickly identify the problem with a wounded or sick soldier, they are masters at dulling the pain and symptoms of their ailments. If they are unable to cure them they will almost always be able to keep the battle-worthy.
The Witch Doctors have uses out of combat and keeping others healthy, their knowledge of Harakoan rituals provides a calming atmosphere to those around and even is often used in celebration, Keeping morale up.
Leadership
Council
The Witch Doctors and Shamans are governed by a council of seven, three shamans and three witch doctors. The seventh council member is an elder who has mastered both The Great Cure and the Shamanistic ways. The Seventh Elder is given final say in undecided disputes and is considered a beacon and an inspiration for other Witch Doctors and Shamans.
The council itself does not join the militia as they are far too valuable to lose, they are the teachers of the Spirit Lodge and to lose them would break the very system they protect. Instead the Council appoint one to be their "Baluali" or Guide in commanding the militia. Often this is one of the Seventh elder’s students; this is to prevent biased decisions.
The Baluali
- Name: A'amakualenalena
- Equipment: Standard Herbalist Pack, Medical Bag and Large Sickle.
- Motto: "Even the Lost do not have to stay dead"
- Biography:
A'amakualenalena is widely recognised as the first student of the current Seventh Elder, he is strong willed and intakes his studies like no other student. His very presence inspires fellow Shamans and Witch Doctors to work their best. The approval of A'amakualenalena is a great thing to have as he is the most likely candidate for the next Seventh Elder. A'amakualenalena is renowned for not having to wander the land to find The Lost, but they come to him and grant him visions of events to come.