Welcome to Gaia! ::

There is a lot of information concerning the Kitwana'antara. For those of you who'd like the full scoop, please peruse the Pride Subforum here.



The Kitwana'antara have never been large or dominating. They are located in a quiet valley with hills and more mountainous terrain to the east, and a larger lake to the west. They tend to be isolated and their numbers small due to a plague that keeps their lion count rather small.

The plague is contagious only to lions and lion-hybrids. For lions who contract the disease it is always fatal, though some can fight it off or keep it at bay for many, many years. There are a small few who will become carriers of the disease, safe from its torment but a danger to other lions; and an even smaller few that are naturally immune.

Because of this, the Kitwana'antara frequently rely on leopards, cheetahs, hyena's and any outsider help they can find. Familiars and non-lion species are welcome members to the pride - they are often nurses, hunters, nannies and protectors for those too sick. Furthermore, there is often a ban on lion-members leaving the borders. . . . Their disease is far too risky and to spread it would be horrible. To cause others to suffer from such an illness is not something the pride would ever do and as such only on rare occasion are lions allowed to leave the borders.

Currently the pride has just gotten over a slew of hard times. A secondary plague hit all pride members, cuttng their numbers down significantly. On top of that, a war with a neighboring pride cut their numbers further, causing much distress and chaos in the lands. The old queen sacrificed herself in hopes of healing the God of Plagues wrath against her kind. This left her very young successor, Nawiri'chiwa to begin anew and lead the Kitwana'antara to renewed prosperity.

If you're interested in trying for the ex-King, here's all the information you need!

1. There is no minimum or maximum length to respond to the prompts/questions. Be as wordy or brief as you like!
2. You may write Nawiri'chiwa, so long as you try to keep her in character, but no others please. If you want to make up a generic NPC to briefly guide the plots that's fine too, but they won't be noted in the owners/members list or anything like that.
3. Please keep the rules and traditions and pride guidelines in mind. We'll know if you read up on the K'A . . . we know eeeeeeverrrrything. . .
4. Questions, concerns etc. can be PMed here at the mule or posted in this thread or the interest thread. . . we don't bite!

Considering that this lioness is being rehomed, we'd like to keep her as close to character as possible. First and foremost, here is the actual entry that Kairi wrote, which should give you an idea of what her personality, history & relationship with Nawiri'chiwa is like.

SoA Name & Meaning (if applicable): Eva’raja, meaning ’New Hope’, a name given to her by her mother to describe the new hope brought to the pride after her litter’s birth. Eva was her first daughter, and thus always had a special place in her mother’s heart.
Desired Rank and Why: Master Healer – after only a few months at adulthood, with the title of Duchess, Eva’raja began to grow bored. Just sitting around, doing nothing, watching others suffer before her eyes. As she was raised by her mother to become the future queen, she hadn’t been apprenticed in any of the commoner arts, such as healing or hunting, and as such her knowledge was only basic. Consulting her mother, it was suggested she take the path of a healer, as their numbers were low at the time and her naturally curious, impatient mind wouldn’t suit many other professions. With nothing else to spend her time on, her mother preoccupied with a second litter (Nawiri’s litter), Eva’raja worked hard. Her promotion to Master Healer was one of the last ceremonies her mother performed before her sacrifice. Due to her relation, Eva’raja in particular cares for the royal family, and always seems to be fretting about her sister.
Is she diseased (and if so what stage?), a carrier or immune? It was discovered at adolescence that Eva’raja is a carrier of the disease.

Personality: Eva’raja is a passionate lioness. She inherited her mother’s kind, caring, gentle nature, and is always willing to help another creature in need. She cares deeply for those she cares about, and that’s practically everyone – even if she’s only met you once, you’re in Eva’s prayers. She takes it upon herself to mourn each and every death separately, feeling that each and every death deserves to be acknowledged. They were all someone’s child, someone’s friend. She’s A naturally fussy lioness, and those close to her in particular will often find themselves cast over by her searching sea-blue eyes, and the slightest sign of distress or illness worse she previously knew will set the dark female upon you, and she won’t back off until she herself is completely satisfied that she has fixed your problem, or done her best to do so. She’s determined and stubborn – Eva will always complete a task to the best of her ability, and finds herself disappointed if she fails to reach her own high expectations.

Gaining an insatiable curiosity from her father, Eva always wants to know what that technique is that she’s never seen before, or who that new leopard is patrolling the borders. Some call it nosy, but Eva just likes knowing things. It makes her feel more prepared, more ready for anything the Gods may throw at her. She tries to make it known that if she is unintentionally prying a little too much, just to say and shell step away. Eva’raja tries to respect each pride member as an individual, and realizes that she can’t know everything about everyone. She just gets carried away sometimes. Impatience runs deep within the lioness’ veins, and she won’t wait, not for much. She’s always shuffling her feet, fidgeting, doing something, unable to just sit still and do nothing.

History: Surya’nontle’s first mate was quickly slain by the vicious disease that gripped the Kitwana’antara lands, and the young queen found herself forced to choose another. Kuwat was a young hunter in the pride, and was showing promise – he was expected to soon take up the rank of warrior, and join the pride’s strongest and bravest fighters. Surya was urged by her Vizier’s to accept him as her King, and she agreed. Their relationship was awkward at first, but the pair soon grew to tolerate each other, a friendship soon blooming. But that was all they were – friends. It wasn’t until Surya suddenly seemed to get much worse that anything happened. Breathing became difficult, and nosebleeds became more frequent. Terrified of the prospect of dying without having been a mother, Surya begged Kuwat. He agreed, and the lioness was soon pregnant.

Beginning to fall for Kuwat, Surya’s symptoms seemed to improve as her pregnancy progressed – healers told her it had just been a particularly bad spell, and that she still had time. Surya gave birth to a litter of five cubs – Eva’raja was her first born daughter, her first child. Out of the litter, she was the only one to survive to adulthood. Eva grew up watching her siblings die – the two youngest died within days of being born, so their death didn’t affect the lioness as badly. A younger brother died as a juvenile, having been struck with a separate disease which tore at his immune system, allowing the pride’s disease to finish the job. Her younger sister survived with Eva to adolescence, but she too succumbed to the disease.

Even when her other children were still alive, Surya’nontle doted on Eva’raja. She saw a lot of herself in her daughter – she was caring and gentle, with a beautiful smile. But at the same time, there was a lot of Kuwat in her – her impatience and curiosity only ever got her into trouble. Surya herself was beginning to fall for the warrior, beginning to see his more passionate, loving side. But just as Eva reached adolescence, more tragedy struck. Kuwat, Surya’s mate and Eva’s father, passed away. Panicking once again, Surya turned to her aging daughter. Eva had just begun to exhibit symptoms of the disease, and was officially named as Surya’nontle’s heir. The ceremony was held, and the pride was in high spirit despite the King’s death – Eva’raja was the only surviving child of the queen, this showed she was a strong lioness. Stronger, apparently, than they all thought – a week after the ceremony, she recovered completely. She wasn’t infected, she was a carrier. Eva’raja couldn’t be the heir.

Both mother and daughter were distraught. By this time, Surya’nontle had found herself a third mate, and was soon pregnant again. She gave birth to a smaller litter this time, only three, but all survived past the first week. One girl, two boys. It was at this time the Eva’raja began to feel she was destined for something more – not just sitting around, being a ‘Duchess’. She couldn’t be Queen, but she could still make a different. Consulting her mother, the lioness immersed herself in the healing profession, getting in much experience within her only family, her younger siblings proving to be good practice when her two brothers began to exhibit symptoms in their early childhood. Both died within days of each other, leaving only the Eva’s younger sister. Times were tough – Eva’raja’s abilities were pushed to the test with a particularly lethal sweep of disease through the Kitwana’antara lands, followed by an attack by a nearby pride. She was kept busy caring for her mother and sister, both ill with the disease, as well as fallen pride members. Her hard work and devotion earned her the title of Master Healer – Surya herself performed the ceremony, whispering into Eva’s ear as she stepped up to receive the title. ”Look after your sister.”

Eva didn’t understand then – but she soon did. Nawiri’chiwa was named as heir, and Eva’raja stood strong beside her sister, providing her with a shoulder to cry on as they watched their mother sacrificed to the Goddess of Pestilence.
What is her relationship like with Nawiri'chiwa?: Eva’raja tries her hardest to take over from where her mother left off. Surya’nontle asked her eldest daughter to look after her younger daughter, and Eva doesn’t plan to break the promise she made. Eva tries to be a leading role, whilst at the same time taking a step back and letting Nawiri make her own decisions. She likes to think of herself as the guiding paw; putting her sister on the right path and then letting her wander her way to the end. There was a reason Eva was originally chosen as heir – she’s a smart cookie, and easy to get on with, approachable. She tries to help her sister be the same, and almost acts as an advisor of sorts, the role she likes to think her mother would have played, were she still alive. Sure, Eva occasionally gets a little too bossy, and Nawiri will need to remind her sister that they’re her mistakes to make.

But most of all, Eva’raja is a sister to Nawiri. A shoulder to cry on, a warm body to sit beside and spill your heart out too. She not only tries to help Nawiri manage her duties to the pride, but tries to ensure her sister stays healthy and happy. She’s endlessly fussy, and will always be worrying over the smallest of things – in truth, Eva’s afraid of losing the last of her family. Nawiri’s all she has left.

I like to think that the two would have a very close sisterly bond, Eva being the older, more confident sister who likes to be the boss, whereas Nawiri is the younger, quieter sister that thinks things through before jumping in. Eva will occasionally go a bit too far however, and perhaps be a bit too motherly – the two won’t be without their arguments, Eva reluctant to give Nawiri the independence to rule the Kitwana’antara completely alone. But in the end, Nawiri’s queen, and Eva accepts that. And of course, all arguments will end with adorable cuddles and apologies <3 <3


And this bit of information has to do with Sliabh (played by Tanakako) and what their plots had entailed.

.: About Sliabh :.
Stoic and steady, Sliabh can sometimes be mistaken for being a little dim or slow. But in reality he is an intelligent and swift-minded individual. The main reason he is mistaken as less able than he is, is the fact that he has a reserved and quiet personality, rarely speaking outside of what is required, though when he does he is as polite and as soft-spoken as can be. A true gentle giant, his secret pleasure is watching the cubs at play, and when he gets a few hours off-duty, he will go down and sit among the cubs, letting them crawl all over him and chase his tail or bite his ears. Having his own cubs has fulfilled one of Sliabh’s biggest dreams, whether they are adopted, born of a rogue or when he eventually has his own litter with his to-be mate Eva’raja, he loves them all. Sliabh is devoted to his pride, but even more so to his secret love Eva'raja. Shy and adorably awkward around her he nevertheless would move the sun and the moon if she asked him to.

.: The situation :.
Sliabh adopted three young cubs who had been abandoned by their mother on the boarder of the land. He met Haruma when he went to watch the cubs playing on one of his breaks and as the pair got to know each other and formed a bond, the young female decided he was to be their new father. She asked and he accepted. From that day forward he has considered all three youngsters as his own.

Shortly after he took the cubs under his wing, his Queen asked him to go out into the rogue lands and procure cubs for the pride. It was that night, as he was getting ready to leave the pride that his long-time crush, Eva’raja, told him that she loved him. Overjoyed he confessed his own feelings to her but their celebration was short and bitter sweet as Sliabh still had to leave for the rogue lands. He stayed long enough to settle his adopted children in with Eva, needing them to be together and safe before he could even think of leaving.

Sliabh set out with a heavy heart but a clear mind, despite the pain that the thought of being away from his new family gave him. He knew what he had to do and would not fail his Queen or his pride. His first rogue litter was something of an accident (Mix & match pairing) but resulted in three healthy and robust baby girls. His second litter with a lovely pale lioness named Zenobia who gave him 7 cubs, 4 boys and 3 girls. Six of the seven would return with him to the K’A.

Each time he stayed with the mother while she carried his cubs, hunted for her and protected her. Once the cubs were born he continued to do so, providing for the small family until the cubs were old enough to travail the long distance back with him. Each female had the option to keep one or two cub with her but the majority always returns with him.

He has been back to the K’A twice now, bringing back two litters to be brought up by the pride nannies. Each time he visits he checks up on his eldest cubs, spending as much time with them as he can, playing with them and making sure they are growing up as healthy and as happily as possible. However much of his time is spent with Eva, reaffirming their newly established bond and just spending what time they can together. He stays with his family for about a month each visit, and hates to leave but knows he has to. He has two more trips planned (two breedings oocly arranged) before he intends to go back home. He misses Eva, and Haruma and her siblings and worries desperately that he is missing out on the young cubs growing up.

Once home he fully intends to ask Eva to become his mate publicly, and to bring all his children together in one big family den, so long as Eva agrees. He will take up his elder cubs education and resume his duties as Guard to the pride.


.: The Family :.
Adopted: (Eldest litter)
Haruma [Talencia]
Ndale [Uta]
Faraa [SSBrosM]

Out of Maile: (first rogue litter)
Sorcha [Neon Fly]
Beag`bás [Spazzy the wolfy]
Caoilainn [Tanakako]


Out of Zenobia: (currently the youngest litter)
Rian [Lorne_Sionn]
Malaya [magnadearel]
Saoirse [Tanakako]
Athair Scáthán [Neon_Fly]
Bila [Kaimi Kalani]
Ruko`yauwazo [Talencia]
Zanoba [Revel1984] (only one not going to the K'A so wont be part of rp.)

Yeah, that's right. This is open!

Sorry this is so long redface

How does Eva'raja feel about Sliabh being asked to sire children to return to the pride?
Eva has always been a strong lioness for the Pride, from her role as the Queen's sister to that of Master Healer. She saw her own mother take more then just her father to mate, and understands the practical need for it. After all, siring cubs is far more peaceful then cubnapping them. However, she is a passionate creature as well, and there are days that she wishes she could keep the stoic male to herself. Eva knows that her deep feelings for him are returned, but she misses her mate and the time they have not had together, but she stands by her sister's choices for him and the Pride and is proud that Sliabh has met his duty with his usual calm and stoic nature.

Does she have any doubts or fears when it comes to her future with Sliabh?  Especially knowing he's out there fraternizing (for the good of the pride, of course!)...
What lioness wouldn't? Of course the doubts set in as the days pass and there are more miles between them then there are stars in the sky. Apart day after day and she is slowly going insane. She has pangs of jealousy knowing that other lionesses have known a side of him she hasn't yet. There are also the small jealousies, like just being able to sit with him and watch a sunset, or share a meal. Eva truly loves him, and while they have managed this time apart, stealing the moments they can for the few weeks they can be with one another, she longs for the day when she can wake up to him every morning, and fall asleep next to him every night.

How does she feel about Haruma, Faraa, and Ndale? They are cubs, and precious to Sliabh. Every life is important to the Pride, these three are important to her. They are a part of Sliabh that she may be close to, and being able to share embarrassing memories of him as a cub with his adopted children...what better way to tease him? Especially when he is not there to confirm or deny any of her stories.

Has her relationship with Nawiri'chiwa changed at all over the past few months?
There are days she wishes she could tie her sister down with some vines and MAKE her rest. Eva is torn sometimes between wanting them to be just Eva and Nawiri, sisters and friends and them having to be Queen and a Master Healer. As a royal she knows the Queen's work is never done, after all she was to have the job, but as a sister and Healer she knows that rest is needed. So sometimes she gets a little heavy pawed with Nawiri, but its all done out of love. If that's strained their relationship at all, Eva tries to make it up to her sister, but in all truth she loves her dearly and is worried sick about her. She also knows Nawiri is Queen, and must stand on her own four paws, but she still offers advice, an ear, a shoulder and always her love.

Describe a typical day for Eva'raja.
Up a little before sunrise to make the first round of the critically sick in her care. Then back to the den to check on Haruma, who she trusts to get her siblings going. Eats a quick meal with them, (usually her only full meal of the day) and back to the den where her patients are. More rounds, assessments, consultations with the apothecary, and more often then not with the Secret Keepers for those whom she could not save. If it is before mid afternoon when she gets all this done, she grabs a snack, if not she goes to see the other healers to compile the daily report she then takes to her sister. This allows her time with Nawiri that she uses not only to keep her informed of the Pride's sick, but to also fuss over her. If her sis has not eaten, she uses the excuse that she hasn't and sits down with her, though often she eats very little, spending more time listening to and supporting Nawiri. After the audience is over, its back to the healer's den to do late afternoon rounds. Once finished, she goes and makes her dencalls, checking on those patients whom she has not had to bring to her healer's den. Then it is to the apothecary to pick up the medicine for the next day. By now it is early evening. Eva attends any services she has to, standing beside her sister as the Secret Keepers lay that day's dead to rest. Evening rounds come next, and a final visit to her sister to be sure she doesn't need anything. If she does, then she stays and listens, helps, hold, cuddles or argues with her. If she is lucky she gets another meal. Before her final rounds she slips into her den to check on the cubs, listen to their day, help them with anything they need and tuck them in. Eva then goes to final rounds. Somewhere close to deep night (midnight) she returns to her den, manages a quick grooming, and passes out for the five hours before she has to be up again. ( Yes this is a residences, hospitalists, or any other ER medical persons life shudders at memories)(and yes passionate people usually overwork themselves >< )

Do you have any future plots or plans for Eva'raja down the road? She'd like a family, and wants to find an apprentice she relies on and pass on what she has learned. It would end up being a very close relationship, a mix of mother/child/mentor/student/ friend. It would also give her someone she can share her work day with and leave her a little more time for her mate and cubs. I think deep down, since she is so passionate, she wants to find a way to control the plague. Not kill it, she knows that will not happen, but a way to manage the pain and give those who have it a better quality of life...for that she would need her apprentice so they can work on the solution together, maybe along with an apothecary.
Are you interested in keeping her relationship with Sliabh? I would love for them to continue on as Mates.
Any additional comments, questions, concerns? None at the moment, if I have any I will PM the Pride Mule.
Prompt Response:
( I choose to write in the first person so you can see how her thoughts run and the emotions she feels. I hope this is ok to do)

It will be a long night, I think to myself as I place the back of my paw over young Ndale's forehead. He is burning up, yet it is far to soon to give him anymore feverfew. He is not an adult yet, for all he thinks he is, and another dose so close to the first could do more harm then good. If he weighed closer to a full grown male...I would consider it, but the disease has left him thin, far too thin. Pursing my lips, I take a deep breath, and tuck the edges of the spring buck pelt Sliabh brought home last time more closely around him.

Silabh...I close my eyes against the familiar ache thoughts of him bring, Where are you beloved? Ndale is so very sick. He needs you...I need you. The thought of having to give the young lion to the Secret Keepers without his calm and gentle nature beside me makes the pain in my chest tighten. I will have to buy him..us, and Ndale a little more time, somehow. Tomorrow I will go to the Master Apothecary, perhaps between the two of us, we may come up with something. I can hope.

Opening my eyes, I gaze down on Ndale, and gently push some of his new mane back out of his eyes, we may not have always gotten along and his crabby demeanor could be off putting at times, but he was still the child of my heart, as he was Sliabh's. Seeing him this way tore at the part of me that was simply Eva, and not a Master Healer or a Royal of a Pride cursed by such a sickness. I knew the worry showed on my face, but I was to worn to try and hide it behind my 'healer's mask'.

“ Eva, you need to rest,” a gentle, but insistent voice comes from behind me and I know its Janel. As fussy as I am with Nawiri, she is with me. For a moment I am irritated and almost tell her I will rest when I am damn good and ready to..but stop myself as a chuckle tries to escape. The irony, I wonder if Nawiri ever wants to say the same thing to me. Yes, I must be tired.. for I find that the trickle of amusement still tickling my throat, and I struggle not to let it slip past. Merely nodding, I turn toward her.

“ You are right Janel, will you please watch him for a little while?” I asked quietly, not wishing to wake the cubs. I've surprised her, her expressive golden eyes widening, the arguments she was going to present me with fading on her lips, for some reason I find this amusing also. Gods above, there is no [i'must be', I am tired. Tired of all the struggling, of all the death, of the hopelessness...and of being so very lonely. If it were not for Nawiri and the cubs I would have nothing more then my work. Was I always this way?I can't remember.

“Of course I will,” she answers back in her sweet voice, moving to his other side, careful not to wake Haruma and Faraa who are laying beside their brother like sentinels. Guarding him the only way siblings know how. I remember doing so with Nawiri, truth is, I still do sometimes. If Ndale succumbs to the illness, what will they do? Will they blame me for losing him? Will I blame myself? What good is a Master Healer if they can not save one cub just becoming a male?

“Eva, go..I will send Benti to get you if he gets worse.” I'd all but forgotten the little avian that usually was tucked up in the healer's bag she wore over her shoulder. “ Where will you be, so I can send him directly?”Janel asks as she settles herself down to watch the boy.

“ Beo's Bench,” I find myself answering automatically. It is high up, above the dens, a small meadow he often takes the cubs to. Though its not that that makes me answer such, no it is the view from there and its solace that does. You can see for endless miles, and tonight I want to see the horizon and the stars. They are as close to Silabh as I can be right now, at least we can share the same night sky and gaze up into the same stars. I don't let my thoughts take me to where he is...or with who. It is just one burden to many for me to bare as just me. Janel nods, and I take my leave.

The climb is easy if you are well, the trail a gentle incline, and it takes me only a few minutes to crest the top. My small effort is rewarded as my eyes drink in the sight. Its silent here, the sounds from below unable to reach. It becomes its own world, a peaceful place. Tonight I need that peace. Walking to the edge, I sit down and let my gaze wander.

I've never regretted anything in my life, not really. I've done my best at every task or duty given to me, and I have stayed beside my beloved sister, but now staring out across the night, I know I have one. I should have told Silabh how I felt long ago, I should not have waited. It was foolish of me, and a mistake. I'd always thought we'd have time. We both were not ill. I contented myself with seeing him daily around the Pride, told myself that I had to see my promise to my mother through, to care for my sister, to help her become a good Queen. I had to become a Master Healer, to help the Pride. I had to learn, to understand, I let all my other passions rule me, save for the one I should have.

Blinking back the wetness on my lashes, I swallowed past the pain in my heart. When Nawiri charged him with this duty, I knew I had run out of the endless time. I did the only thing I could think of, and I told him. Now..now there could be another, one he was with right now. A lioness who was not so driven, who did not have so much responsibility. A lioness who could just be herself, as I could not just be Eva. Please, do not let it be so...

Closing my eyes, I whisper to the wind, hoping the Gods have compassion and carry my prayers to him somehow.

“ I miss you so very much beloved. Please, come home. Ndale needs you, the girls need you....I need you. Please come home to us Silabh...come home to me.”

Never Give Up! Never Surrender!
Username: MoonRazor
SoA Name & Meaning (if applicable): Veran (“Peacemaker”)
Possible Age? Middle-aged seems about right
What was his rank before he was chose by Surya'nontle to be King?: Priest (very devout)
Personality:
Veran is a notoriously non-confrontational lion, whose objectives lie more in keeping peace than anything else. He worries little about the general attitudes of others, focusing instead on methods with which to bring them together in a cooperative, harmonious environment. His belief is that harmony is paramount to the health of individuals, as well as the pride as a whole, and seeks to maintain that collaborative energy in all those around him, for it is this energy, he believes, that allows bodies to heal and become right.

Because of his unyielding belief in peacekeeping, Veran is able to formulate his life and his own policies around this goal. There is little else that he has to consider when making decisions, other than the effects they will have on the peaceful energy around him, allowing him the ability to remain decisive. It was this ideal that gave him strength as a King, although he was not entirely ready for the position.

His desire to instill harmony into the pride, as well as a strong sense of duty, can, at times, lead him to take on duties that are beyond him. He will fight valiantly to accomplish any task he shoulders, but although his intentions can only be good, there are times when his inherent inability to complete it ultimately results in more problems than solutions. The failures that occur because of his decisions tend to instill in Veran a deep sense of guilt, and everywhere, he sees traces of his poor choices.
What's his history?:
Veran was born into the pride to a litter of four. Two of his siblings were taken by the disease before they were juveniles, and the last grew up sickly, too weak to indulge in the joys of being a child. Veran became his parents’ last hope. He showed no signs of the illness, and by adolescence, he had begun to feel invincible, to believe that he would escape the effects of the plague. The thought empowered him to become something he had never thought to become, and he grew reckless, wanting always to push the boundaries set for him by the pride’s rules.

Late into his adolescence, Veran fell ill. It came as a shock, for the threat of the disease had all but vanished from his mind. He sank into a deep depression, and for many months, he remained as much in his home as possible, relinquishing his physical activities for a more sedentary way of life. Through his depression, a sense of peace enveloped the young lion, a zen-like state of nothingness, and slowly, his symptoms began to fade. His health improved, and for a while, the disease laid dormant.

After this episode, he began to delve deeper into the idea of peaceful energies, eventually become a strong believer and advocator of harmony and cooperation, which he theorized would help the pride become better as a whole. To aid his new-found desire to heal the pride, he took up a position as a priest, devoting himself to Pestilence.

He had just settled into his new position when news of Surya’s second mate swept the pride. He had just entered adulthood when Eva’raja’s litter was born, and watched as the lioness grew into adolescence. It was then that Surya’s mate, Kuwat, began to feel the worst effects of the illness, and in desperation, Surya approached Veran and asked him to pray for Kuwat’s strength and survival. Veran promised to do so, and instructed Surya in the healing powers of the peaceful energies he believed in so strongly. They seemed to have some effect, for Kuwat’s symptoms lessened for several days. But without warning, they returned, striking harder than they had before and ultimately taking the lion’s life.

Veran aided with Kuwat’s passing, and Surya came to him again for advice regarding his energy theories, which he gave her willingly. Eventually, the two grew closer, and because Surya was in need of a new King, their marriage was approved.
Any future goals now that he's 'retired'?
Now that Veran has relinquished the rank of King, there is nothing he wants to do but help his daughter rectify all the wrongs that transpired under his rule. He recognizes the war, and perhaps even the secondary plague, as direct consequences of his decisions and actions as King. Although he seeks no excuse and fully accepts the blame, which gnaws on him day in and day out, he does seek atonement for his poor decisions and has decided that the only way he will absolve himself from his past deeds is to devote himself to aiding Nawiri.
What sort of relationship did he have with Surya'nontle?:
He very much loved Surya, which was one of the key contributing factors to his initial agreement to become King. He felt that his love for Surya bound him to her side, no matter what that required of him, and was willing to give everything he had in order to fulfill the duties required of him should he stay by her side.
What sort of relationship does he have with Nawiri'chiwa?
As his only-surviving child, Nawiri means the world and more to Veran. He wants nothing more than to see her succeed where he failed, and with Surya gone, there is nothing preventing him from pledging himself to helping his daughter, to the point where he would willing give his life if it meant her success, whether as Queen of the Kitwana or otherwise.
Does he have any sort of relationship with Eva'raja?
He is fond of Eva’raja, if for no other reason than that Surya did as well and that she was there when Nawiri needed her the most. He deeply appreciates the support she has lent to Nawiri through the pride’s recent troubled times, and often seeks her out to discuss matters of the pride.

Because Eva’s father passed away before Veran’s appearance into Surya’s life, he also feels responsible for the lioness, and thinks of her as his own daughter. He does his best to fill in as a father if ever Eva requires it, and he considers himself quite close to the dark lioness, in whom he feels comfortable confiding his worries.
Link to one or two completed or current RPs - Just to get a sense of your writing style!
One! (SRP)
Two!

Prompt Letter & Response: Thoughtful
Terrible times called for terrible consequences, and that was very much what Veran had suffered. The pride didn’t quite understand, and for that, he didn’t blame them, though he knew they blamed him. Even that was indirect, for they had chosen Surya as their scapegoat, the poor soul at which judgment and anger were to be directed, but Veran knew better: the blame lay in them all. Deep down, he knew, they all understood that, but somehow, despite that, he had lost everything. His love, his confidence, his reign.

He had been more than willing to relinquish his throne, to hand the draining the responsibilities to somebody better suited for them. It was a shame that it had to be his daughter, who was young still and whose life was in no way prepared to take on such a hefty burden, yet, he had felt such relief when it had happened, such joy at the idea that never again would he be the direct cause of hardship, of pain, of heartbreak. Never again would he have to face the crippling guilt that came with making a wrong decision. But who was he trying to fool? The burden was off his shoulders, but he could still see remnants of his past mistakes everywhere he went. The guilt that he had felt all throughout his reign would never fade; never would he stop being the one who had brought such suffering to his people. Never would he be anyone else.

For his mistakes had changed the course of his people’s history, the course of his pride’s history in a way that none of them had foreseen, and no matter what course had now been set for the Kitwana’antara, there was no denying that he had had a hand in it. And regardless of whether that change had been for better or for worse, neither was there denying that he had brought this pain and suffering upon his pride. It had been a crushing realization, one that had threatened the very core of what he believed, one that had nearly broken his faith in the energies that had healed him and turned him into a stronger creature than he had been before.

That, perhaps, would have been the last straw. If he had lost his faith in those energies, perhaps he would have died – spiritually, if not physically, and nothing would have been left but an empty shell of a lion – and he had come so close, so unthinkably close to do exactly that.

And yet, for all his regrets, for all his self-blame, he could see change on the horizon. Good was coming, and their darkest days would, at least for a while, fade. Already, it was becoming better, and a brighter dawn was coming under Nawiri’s rule. She would be it: she would be the pride’s salvation. Veran would make sure of that.