Hooran, thank you for your opinion! And I agree with you.
Personally I'm not against herding itself (during the rutting season, as you said, or a particular event, or even just for fun).
What I'm trying to say is that, in my opinion, it would go against the goal of the game if herds were created on the analogy of guilds in other MMORPGs (with admission requirements to their members, like, for example, a certain age, in-game activity, nationality, or even a pelt/mask/antlers combination every deer-member sould wear ^_^ etc.). I believe any restrictions would kill the relaxing and peaceful TEF atmosphere. That's my point of view.
But as far as I know there's only one guild-like herd in TEF (I've mentioned it before) and I hope it doesn't affect much the life in the forest ^_^.

I believe it's generally agreed upon that herds would be detrimental to the game concept itself, yes.
You're basically mentioning the main issue with herds: that it would split up players. The reason herds are generally frowned upon is because there's a risk of it turning into group and clique-forming and making other deer feel excluded or not welcome. And because not everyone visits the community and not everyone will know about the herd they may just want to interact with somebody without knowing they're interfering into something.

There used to be a now inactive group called The Endless Herd, but it was treated carefully and was not a herd in the common sense of "exclusive group of players". Rather, they would simulate a realistic herd where it would not matter who was who, and it was.

The 'russian' herd? -shrug- If anything, I believe it is organized off-site. I haven't seen it have much of an effect in-game so as long as they're not shunning anybody else there's not much of a problem. If that's what they believe is right and if it's not hurting anybody? The forest shouldn't be policed.
[e]: I think FaunGrae is very much right with them having their own plots etc. Many seem to know each other and don't visit the community much. Partly also due to the language barrier. From what I've seen, they have their own stuff going on and that's not really a problem.

Here is my take on it: I am still very new to TEF having only been playing for a week now but I have noticed that a few deer always seem to be in the same place with the same group. Could this be the herd you were talking about? I agree that the game sould not be grouped that way since the game creators wanted to create the calm equal ground you stated. However, temporary herds for like a screen shot of a large group of dear looking similer running in a group would make for a cool screenshot or wall paper since deer -do- travil in herds at least some of the time or that they -can-. BUT like why gender is not stated and your a stag no mater what, finding a herd or creating one should not be your focas! :3 enjoy the calm forest and try to make friends instead. If you feel the need to lead a group try playing Feralheart or even other mmorpgs that allow and are built for with options into creating thinks like packs,prides, or guilds. Either way im behind you Kami-Kirin! Maybe I will run across you in-game sometime?

How many thoughts arise only from one word - herd. But it not only a small group of deer. It is a family. They are connected with each other. They don't cause you harm, don't attack you.

It agree, it not that founders wanted. But, it seems they interaction of players, dialogue wanted?

Or, for example, we take deer real. They have herds. They have that isn't present here. And players try to keep more close to a reality. At them deer "are born", the family is created. And it doesn't prevent to continue to players game. It is them doesn't disturb.

Guys - Hooran, FaunGrae, Unplugged, Iaurdagnire, Zarinthya, Aimina - thank you all so much for sharing your thoughts and opinions and clearing the whole situation with herds up for me and other players!!! (I'm sorry for not answering you sooner (((().

FaunGrae - you are absolutely right about my worries but now I've got it - there is nothing to worry about! Aimina, thank you for explaining that russian herd is "a big family" and has nothing to do with guild-like organisations and such.

Unplugged, yeah, you understood me right, I was afraid that grouping into guild-like close-knit herds could lead to splitting up players , and those deers who might not want to join any herd would feel excluded, not welcome, lonely, out of place etc. and in the end may even leave the game (Now I see it won't happen). That's why I started this topic.
it's a pity the group "The Endless Herd" is not active anymore ((, their idea was brilliant!!! I bet it added much realism to the game (((.

Iaurdagnire, I agree with you: herding is ok unless players in a herd display a prejudice to other players in forest and make it about a personal exclusivity

Zarinthya, I support your thought as well: BUT like why gender is not stated and your a stag no mater what, finding a herd or creating one should not be your focas! :3 enjoy the calm forest and try to make friends instead. By the way, I tried playing Feralheart ) creating characters was fun, but then after running nonstop through several portals I got lost somewhere XDDDD. Dunno maybe I'm wrong but my first impression was that many Feralheart-players just sat there chattering in the chat room all the time and doing nothing else ^_^ (I'm so happy we have no chat in TEF!! Otherwise we would end up like players of Feralheart XDDDD). So I didn't understand the goal of the game completely and logged out )) (shame on meeee ). I know that FAQ will help me ))) maybe one day I'll talk myself into reading it ^_^.

P.S.: just wanted to add that I'm also Russian but prefer beeing with the English-speaking TEF community. First of all, I had no idea there was the Russian-speaking one . Still the main reason is the following: it's so exciting to talk to people from all around the world ! I believe that exchanging our opinions, emotions, experiences, artworks, ideas etc help us to broaden our outlook and horizons. In some way it may help us to change our attitude towards something dramatically and view things from another perspective (Actually I've changed my opinion on herding ^_^). I also hope to improve my knowledge of English here with you, guys, as well as my drawing/Photoshop skills (*don't want to sound selfish*) and I simply enjoy being part of the TEF community, 'cause all the artworks here are immensely inspiring

Sorry about the long text post