Grey = Abandoned C = Completed NC = Not Completed TS [#] = Too Short [word count] Strike = Used for breeding
Quaji Crew
Noble Cub
Offline
Quaji Crew
Noble Cub
Offline
Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 8:48 pm
.: Extra :.
part I
[ Basic Information ]
IC Owners ; ? (xxx) OOC Owners ;
allowed species: Any feline. pride symbol: x pride cert background: x default rank: Mdogo (for cub > juve) > Mtoa (adol/adult females) or Erkek (adol/adult males)
[ Our History ]
The Lucani is a collective of many lions who have wandered south in search of the spirits know what. Why exactly they came to the desert in the first place has been lost to time. The common reason is that the original lionesses the arrived were enslaved by a male dominated pride where females were essentially worthless. Seeking their freedom, they prayed to the only thing around them: the sun. Their prayers were answered as the sun looked down at them to see why so many voices suddenly whispered so frequently. Angered by what she saw, she took the form of a warrior goddess and descended to the earth to exact vengeance for her mortal sisters. Those she freed from the tyranny of male rule became followers of the powerful goddess and became the first of the Lucani. The very first of those saved by the fiery spirit became the first of the kichwa, Mfuasi Nabbarun.
At first, Mfuasi was a kind and just ruler, ushering in a time of prosperity for her newly freed sisters. It was a time of learning, exploring their world around them that had been previously off-limits, as well as open reverence towards the goddess that saved them from their slavery in their previous pride. In time though, the male population began to grow within the pride and around them despite their seclusion. Males grew restless along their borders as the Lucani was primarily female at the time with the exception of male cubs born into them. It would have been a male lion's dream to overlook the pride of lionesses. That is if Mfuasi would give them any choice. In her own paranoia of returning to slavery under a masculine paw, she sent out her pride-sisters to chase away any male that came too close to their borders.
The death of Mfuasi followed soon afterwards. Her paranoia had grown to the point when she fell ill from the stress it put upon her body. In her paranoia, she feared her pride-sisters were plotting against her, to put her back into slavery. Because of this she would not allow any of their healers even an attempt to aid her. Her death came slow, her body giving up during a fitful rest after far too many days of not eating or drinking. Luckily for the pride, this was not their end.
It was in the pride's favor that she had born children before their freedom, leaving behind a legacy that would rule the pride until another was ready to take up the mantle. In the time of Mfuasi's daughter's rule, the pride openly allowed rogue males into their ranks, bestowing upon them the rank of erkek. In this rank, they are protected inside of the pride from those who still hold grudges against the other sex. They became helpers of all and are respected for it within the pride.
They now continue to stay in their arid homeland out of respect for the goddess that freed them, keeping and protecting their home.
[ In Recent Times ]
The attack came at night by one of the male dominated prides that lived along their borders. Sisters fled or died defending their homeland. This battle decimated the numbers of the Lucani and those left are few and fearful. Especially now that Otrera, their kichwa, has gone missing! With no leader in sight, the pride must adopt a new kichwa to survive the harsh climate of the Kalahari.
New faces are seen everywhere as old beliefs are thrown aside to openly allow cheetah, leopards and hybrids in-between into their ranks in hopes that they will survive with this new blood. Of course the ndae are not pleased about this. The stubborn old lionesses would much rather die clinging to their beliefs then adapt to survive. Though they are not alone in this belief. Others share their disdain towards the non-lions.
part II
[ Our Lands ]
Our lands are trying. The Kalahari Desert is a harsh mistress, but a giving one. While red sands surround us, there are small plants and fruits that grow and give life to the prey and to the predators. In this testing land dwells the Lucani. From their rocky den they look over their kingdom. As far as their eyes can see and their sun goddess' rays do touch is their's.
With no permanent natural water sources within these dunes, it is a time of joy when rain falls. The rainfall within the Kalahari is erratic at best and sparse even in the best of times. Because of these conditions, water is a precious thing to the pride. As they struggle to survive, they must constantly be on the look-out for water. The heat is an enemy within these sands despite their reverence to the sun. The acacia trees are one of the few comforts in this hot and relatively barren land, providing shade during the hot afternoons if a lioness is caught away from the dens. With it and the small shrubs that continue to grow in defiance to what nature may say where to grow and where not to grow, are some of the only pockets of shade and relief from the sun.
There are other animals that call the Kalahari home, such as meerkats, giraffes, warthogs, jackals, chacma baboons, and several species of antelope (including the eland, gemsbok, springbok, hartebeest, steenbok, kudu, and duiker). Wild dogs and hyenas also live in these sands, as well as other lions.
[ Out Traditions ]
Sun Marked
Those descended from the line of Mfuasi Nabbarun are said to possess a tribal sun marking somewhere on their body. This trait has managed to survive through the generations though the blood is thin now and only a few lions now possess it and can trace their family back to Mfuasi Nabbarun. Any member of the pride in this marking is automatically looked on with more prestige by more traditional members. The sun marked are usually seen somewhere close to the kichwa, usually acting as an adviser if not as the kichwa herself.
Snakes
The snakes of the Kalahari are seen as allies to the Lucani and aid them in their day-to-day routines. They are personal guards, assistants and friends to their bonded feline. In older times any males within the pride could not possess their own snakes as they were seen as the living blood of their warrior goddess. The males of the pride were thought that they could not control or appreciate the deadly grace of the serpents.
The specific snakes bred by the Lucani are known for their paralytic venom used by the hunters during patrols for stray rogues seeking to do them harm or in ambushes during hunts. These snakes were often used to trade for drinking rights when water was scarce. This practice is still in place today.
The Great Race
Do de do.
[ Information ]
A Dying Language
In older times, the Lucani had a much harder time communicating with any creature from the north due to the difference in language. Most lions in the old Lucani speak a very broken 'common'; or the language spoken by the creatures of the River Valley. During the recent attack though, a majority of those who fluently spoke this language either died or fled. Those that remain are skeptical to the idea of teaching it to the new rogue blood. Because of this, the language is dying out and is not available to be used in roleplay except in rare, approved instances. An example of the language being used can be seen here.
Hyenas and Wild Dogs
Both are competitors for the limited resources in the Kalahari and if seen in the Lucani lands they should be chased out, no questions asked. Some females may choose to give the canine one warning, or allow them to pass on the borders with escort, but not all are as forgiving. Skirmishes along the border are common as well as while out hunting. Because of this, hyenas and wild dogs are not welcome as members of the Lucani. There has been talk of this law being revoked and to allow all species of the desert into the Lucani. As they are all brothers and sisters of the sands, there is no reason for them to compete, rather work together for their continued survival.
Males of Any Species
Due to the history of the pride, males, regardless of species, are generally seen as less; as if making up for mistakes for their sex's wrongs to the Lucani in the past, than their female counterparts. Despite this they are not treated unkindly. They may be bossed around but they are not abused, treated as slaves or forced into doing anything. A male member of the pride may leave if they so choose to with no consequence to themselves. Though a male who refuses to aid a female is subject to possibly being thrown out (assuming there is not a valid reason why he did not help, such as being sick, tending to a birthing mother, etc.) of the pride simply because in the harsh terrain, there is no room for selfishness.
There has been whispers of Adrestia changing this and allowing males to become more than just Erkek, but allow them the option of Mtoa. Due to their history in the pride though, it is unlikely males will ever be allowed to rise any higher in the ranks then that. But these whispers are just that; whispers. Rumors spread around by gossiping old women who have nothing else to do.
Breeding
Within this pride, the survival of one's line is immensely important. Despite this, the Lucani do not shun those who decide for themselves to take a partner that would make them an infertile couple. All are welcome in the Lucani if they can pull their own weight. To make up for this allowance of all, there are no restrictions placed on a male or female breeding in or outside of the pride and what with. Being that hybrids are allowed, breedings between different feline species is possible.
Bottom Line: • Hyrbid breedings are OK! • Mix-N-Match is OK! • Rogue-breedings are OK! • Flings are OK! • Life-mates are OK! • No permission is needed for breedings. Period.
Birthing & Growing Up in the Lucani
The birthing is attended by the Watu and the Ndae. Occasionally one or two Erkek will be present as well. During this time, singing occurs, to welcome the cub into the world. Each song is different for each cub and these are the first words they hear. The song usually stays with the cub as a tune stuck in their head, a comfort, as it is repeated at time of great joy during their growing into adulthood. As they grow, the cubs are taught of the dangers of the desert. Snakes, scorpions, and the sun. Dehydration is the largest known killer of cubs and because of this, they are all taught how to retrieve water from the melons that grow naturally in the Kalahari.
Once a cub reaches their juvenile stage they join a Skyn-Jag, or a mock hunt. This a group of cubs headed by one Mtoa, usually a parent of one or more of the cubs and who is only there is protect and watch over the cubs. The cubs must then hunt small game, such as hare and mice as a team, preparing them for the life of hunting that awaits them.
At the beginning of adolescence, the cubs go on their first hunt as a rite of passage. They must do this hunt by themselves or with one sibling of similar age. The rite is complete with they bring home a kill. The family of the cub rejoices, feasts on the kill and welcomes the cub into adulthood and a full member of the pride.
Rain-Watering Holes
Because of the rarity of water in the Kalahari, when rain clouds appears in the sky the entire pride makes keeping their large basins in the harder sands to hold the rain water clean of too much loose sand. These basins are temporary and need to be re-dug almost constantly to keep sand from filling back in. It is a daily duty for the entire pride to ensure that these holes are open and ready in case rain falls. During the dry season, this is halted as rainfall is so much rarer.
Melons
In this barren land there is a salvation and it comes in the form of a fruit. The tsamma melon is native to the Kalahari and grows frequently after a good rain. Smaller cousins to the watermelon we are all familiar with, they look nearly identical. Most varieties of this melon are bitter and hard to eat but some sweeter ones exist. Regardless of they taste, they are edible and can be eaten raw for a boost of liquid! To read more information about the tsamma melons click here.
Another kind of melon exists that is referred to as a the horned melon which grows similarly to the tsamma in that they grow on a long, sprawling vine but is considerably much smaller. In fact, they're just a small oval shape with small, dull spines growing all of it. This means that it would likely fit in a human hand, this also meaning they are much easier for the lions of the Kalahari to deal with. Inside the fruit is a jelly-like, green flesh with a mild tart taste though with the consistency of a cucumber. During the Kalahari's dry season this fruit is the only source of water. To read more information about the horned melon click here.
The Calur
The most well known pride in the area aside from the Lucani is the Caldur. The members of the Caldur are known to the Lucani as the Caldurem. They consist of lions that are thinner and lighter in color than their cousins up north. The males in the pride also seem to sport black manes. Since others have not been seen differing manes, they can only assume the males that do not have a black mane are removed from the pride. This pride functions with three or four males in it and around a dozen lionesses. No other feline species have been observed living in the pride. They are hostile to the Lucani as they are competitors for every resource in the Kalahari.
Intentional interactions with them are strictly forbidden as the Kichwa from generations past have been trying to form and alliance with them, all attempts have failed and they are left with a tentative peace that acts more as if they ignore one another. Despite this peace, the Caldurem still chase and sometimes injure members of the Lucani, but each Kichwa has been unwilling to risk war and possible re-enslavement or death of her brothers and sisters of the sand.
[ Joining Us ]
Your Pelt Color
The color of one's pelt does matter only slightly. While all are accepted, some of the more traditional members may have a hard time accepting them right off the bat.
Normal colors include black, white, browns; including tan for the typical coloring for old blood Lucani. Red, grey, yellow and "hot" variants of red such as orange are fairly common as well, but less so then the colors above. "Unnatural" colors, any that are not listed above, can be the color of markings, but they must take up no more then 35% of the lion to not be considered abnormal by old blood. "Unnatural" colors such as blue, green, pink and purple as the base color are allowed, but are often times seen as extremely strange to the more traditional members.
Your Name
There are no naming standards when it comes to born-in felines, though the old blood and more traditional members usually have Persian, Swahili, Arabic and Egyptian style names.
Each feline must take a surname when joining. Any cub born into the pride takes their mother's surname, never their father's. A male's surname will never pass under any circumstance. If the mother lacks a surname because the father bred with a rogue outside of the pride, the litter will be given one ICly by the kichwa, OOCly by the owners of the father and mother or by the OOC owners of the pride.
Your Species
Any feline species is allowed within the pride.
Lions are the dominant species within the pride as the Lucani were strictly lionesses prior the recent attack. Since then, they opened their ranks up to non-lions to help fill them out. From the stance of a traditional Lucani, lion hybrids are the ones looked upon with the most acceptance. Then leopards, leopard hybrids, and then cheetahs.
part III
[ Our Structure ]
"Structure is the basis for everything in our world. It keeps the balance in all things and through it we survive. We are not warriors. We are survivors."
Mungu
The divine. Any god that lives within these sands receives this rank a gift from the pride. They are respected and revered highly, especially with domains that fit more to their everyday life such as rain or the sun. Sacrifices, feasts and gifts are common when a god first arrives within their pride territory. Regardless, no god is higher than the goddess that saved them from captivity under a male paw.
Current Mungu: None
Kichwa
The matriarch. Her word is law and her voice unquestioned except by those she would consider her equal or greater then herself. Her rank is one of great prestige and great responsibility. Every triumph the pride has she celebrates and every failure she burdens. She is their warrior-queen in times of war, lead huntress in times of great feasting and grand-mother to all of the pride.
The elders. These lionesses are those who can no longer perform their previous duties on the pride for any reason; age, injury, mental state and illness are just a few of the reasons. They then become the official cub-sitters of the pride, the teachers, the storytellers and assist the watu in births. They are the holders of all the traditions within the pride and as such respected by the pride as a whole. In fact, they are usually brought to the kichwa to help decide on matters of importance.
Current Ndae: xxx
Nyoka
The snake tamers. The pride lives with the desert and the desert lives with them. Through this they share a symbiotic relationship with the serpents of the desert. The Nyoka tend to these reptiles and make sure they are well cared for. Their daily duties consist of hunting mice and other small rodents as well as birds, cleaning and removing shed skin from nesting areas and moving flat stones into the sun to bake during the afternoon to keep the reptiles warm through the night. Each of these elite members of a long standing tradition must have at least one snake to prove themselves capable of the rank.
The healers. In this harsh, unforgiving world, there is a kindness to be found in the healing paws of the watu in the Lucani. These felines have devoted their life to the study of the medicinal remedies around them in the form of brush, crushed snake skin, the juice from a tsamma melon and more. They are alchemists, healers and are trusted by the entire pride as they are the ones to who tend to the wounded and who help birth litters. Their art is a dying one as many watu perished in the recent attack, including the eldest one. Many of the current watu are novices, struggling to keep this practice alive each and every day. Because of this, there is only one watu for every six members of the pride, not including them.
The head huntresses. They organize the daily hunts and there is usually one hunting party at any time of the day. They are respected for their skills with stalking and the deadliness of their claws and jaws. There is one leta mtoa for every five mota in the pride. They command five huntresses, two in one hunting party and the other three in another. This allows them to flank a herd and cause confusion.
The huntresses. This is the default rank every female feline in the pride takes at adolescence and the rank most joining adults take when joining the pride. They are responsible for hunting and patrolling their borders on a day-to-day basis. Their duties also include scouting for rain clouds when not tasked with anything else.
The youth. The future of the pride. All cubs hold this rank regardless of gender until their first hunt. Every cub is taught to hunt and survive within their harsh home. During their cubhood, all cubs are formed into small hunting parties, headed by a mother of one of the cubs. Within this hunting party the cubs will learn to work as a coherent group and practice their hunting skills on rodents and birds until they can hunt prey a little larger.
Erkek
The men. Every adolescent and adult male within the pride is known as an erkek. It is a protective rank, not an oppressive one that was bestowed to the other sex by the second kichwa to allow males back inside of the pride after her mother chased them all away. The erkek of the Lucani may do whatever they please within reason. Though they are expected to aid in whatever task a female needs help with as a payment for the protection the rank gives.
