UPDATE So as many of your know; I love making pride concepts. I have three currently + a few other small ones and I can't do them all (duh~). So I'm trying to slim em down and pick a few. Below are three options. The rain pride, the sunlanders and the tar-walkers (which has Meep's approval). Based on the first poll, the rain pride is the most widely accepted of the three. Now it's time to see how many people actually have something for it or would actually want to join. <3
Please keep in mind that the Sunlanders and the Tar-walkers will likely be made regardless, thought not by me but rather my friends. I'll still be involved though.
As for the poll, whichever really gets the most votes by the time I close it will have the four free SoA I have given away towards it.
If you would like to voice that one of your SoA would have the intent of joining one of the three prides if it was made, please do so! I could be a huge decision maker. Or maybe you just wanna tell me who voted for which? :>
The Rain Pride
Name: Mvuaiko, means "The Rain Falls" Species: Lions dominated but the pride will accept anything and everyone into their ranks. Special Things: Pride has a constant drizzling rain and tattoos on their front legs. God?: The pride worships the goddess of rain, a child domain of the god of storms. She lives among them from time to time.
History:
"We live in the northern part of the Wetu-Nyumba, Our Home as it is in our tongue. Or the Ngorongoro Crater as it is sometimes called. It is steep and densely forested but it is our home and we protect it as it protects us. We give thanks to the goddess of rain who saved us from our doom. That, children, is why our paws are dyed and tattooed, to give reverence to she who aided us in our darkest hour. Gather around and listen as I tell you the tale of our past."
This is being reworked at this point. In summary; a drought threatened their lands, someone saved them somehow (who and how is still being decided) and the goddess of rain came to them, bringing a constant rain with her.
Ranks: The ranks of the pride are subject to change as well.
"Our pride is a simple one. We have never had a reason to need any defenses as the entire pride defends their home if called to do so. There are four ranks; the youth which is all of you, the hunters and the waterspeaker and their aqualytes who aid them in basically everything from tending the herbs and flowers around the Sacred Pool to even helping to shake dust off of the den furs. Now as you know everyone aids in hunting, even the waterspeaker, just as everyone helps in taking care of the cubs. Just because there aren't many special ranks doesn't mean you can't specialize in something like healing or crafting. You're just expected to help feed the pride as wells. Haha, who knows, maybe I'm speaking to our next waterspeaker right now."
Aeon
The aeons are any gods that dwell and live within the northern forests with the rest of the pride, or at least visit enough to be considered members. They are to be respected though Nyesha, the goddess of rain, is the most revered of all the current gods the pride has come in contact with.
Waterspeaker
Waterspeakers are the closest thing the pride has to a leader. They are almost always a seer unless the individual in incredibly good at faking visions, but being a seer does not automatically qualify them for this role within the pride. They must also be wise enough to aid in leading the pride. Typically they are also the elderly, but this is not always the case. The rank is not inherited but rather earned by gaining the trust of everyone else within the pride. Most importantly they must pass a test made by the goddess of rain herself to obtain this role.
Aqualyte
Aqualytes assist the current waterspeaker in everything they do, from overseeing any ceremony that occurs to event tending to the plants that blossom around the sacred spring where the waterspeaker lives. They act as the messengers for the waterspeaker as well as the healers among the pride. During hunts, they also join the hunting parties.
Hunter/Huntress
Default adolescent and adult rank. The hunters provide food for the pride but this role is not the only one they can take. Hunters, while catching and returning prey is their main objective, can also pursue other careers such as crafting trinkets, making perfume, patrolling the borders in a pseudo-guard or scout fashion. Some even act as healers but do not want to be bound to help the waterspeaker at all times.
Youth
The cubs and the juveniles of the pride are well looked after, not only by their parents but by the watchful eyes of the entire pride.
Beliefs:
No eating fish & Hunting Laws
"We give thanks to the water that saved and sustains us to this very day. The constant rain in our lands has allowed the forests and the plains below to become incredibly fertile which in turn attracted herds of prey beasts. They gorge themselves on the leafy grass and we in turn eat without worry. Do not be fooled though, we do not take more then we need to survive. We do not hunt the young, the pregnant or the nursing for it is cruel to end a life that has barely begun. In some similar ways, we, as an entire pride, do not devour the fish that live in the lakes, rivers, ponds and even the ocean in the great distance out of reverence for our goddess' mate; he who is the god of fish. To eat any, even in the most dire of situations, is a crime."
Rite of Passage
"Your rite of passage. Ah yes, of course you want to know about it. Well where to start...I suppose the beginning is best. One you boys and girls start maturing and filling out in various places you'll be taken by the aqualytes to the Sacred Spring where the waterspeaker lives. Our dear waterspeaker will be expecting you. There you will stand before the spring and the waterspeaker will first explain what will happen. If you accept, they will dip their paw into the paw, wiping it onto your forehead. You are then led back to the pride where you receive your tattoos as we all have after becoming one with the water and showing our devotion to our goddess. Do you have to get the tattoos? Not at all, but you must show your devotion in other ways, just as wearing a necklace or bracelet in her honor. If you decline your rite, you will be led by the aqualytes to the border of the pride's lands and after some warm wishes, you will be left there. You can always return when ready or you can leave the pride and their way of life. But of course you can visit though."
The Kipawa & Remembrance Festival
"I'm sure you've noticed the small bags that lay scattered throughout our forests. They have a name and we call them the kipawa or gift. They are for Nyesha'Densi, the goddess of rain who blesses the lands with her eternal rain in thanks. Inside of them are gifts of varying sorts. Once a year on the anniversary of the day we gave up our only heir and prince, the entire pride employs the native vervet monkeys to help in tying the bundles closed with vines in exchange for the lions protection for the next moon as well as weekly fruit offerings. Of course you can offer them any time, it's just the one time that we all give a little sacrifice as our prince made so many years ago. To not give in the festival of his remembrance is to wish ill-will to our home. I can't actually remember the last time someone did this but I assume we would cast them out to keep the rains from stopping."
Live and let love
"Why you don't have to worry about this for quite a while but I suppose you should know something about how courting and mating works within our pride. Truth is; we don't really care. With our numbers so small, we strive to boost them of course but not at the sacrifice of love. Love who you will regardless of species without worry."
A Rain based pride! (worships the goddess of rain) 58% [ 10 ]
The Tar-walkers! 23% [ 4 ]
The Sunlanders; a pride that worships the sun. 17% [ 3 ]
Total Votes : 17
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 9:02 am
Traditions and Beliefs of the Iami-Jisajili
[»] Birth: A tradition melded with the original birthing tradition and one that their queen will introduce. Such as the birth of a litter will be a very private matter left only to the lionesses of the pride. It is up to the expecting mother to go out into the swamps and locate a secure location, usually mist covered with a relatively easy way back to the center of the pride. Many have taken refuge in a moss covered cave that is a little off the thin pathways that crisscross the murky waters of their swamplands. In years passed, males were permitted to join this joyous event but with their new queen coming from the Jini-msemi, the actual events have been altered slightly.
Many have also asked for the company of a shaman or some even two or more if the litter is large enough, it is their first litter, they are elderly or weak. Others often ask for the company, support and assistance of the other lionesses of the pride. Often the elderly hum or chant, hoping to gain the acceptance and protection of the Ancestors the moment the cubs enter the world. They are bathed once immediately in the swamp water after birth. While speaking is not prohibited during and after the birth, no male is to speak within all of the pride before they are presented to their father.
Once the children are brought back to the pride, they are presented to their father to receive their name. Often he and the mother have talked about possible names, but ultimately it is up to him to decide them. In the absence of a father within the pride, they are taken before the king preferably but the queen will do as well. The males are thought to have a stronger voice so that all of the Ancestors hear of their name and know they are one of the Tar-Walkers now. In older times, cubs were brought before the head of the noble house the parent(s) favored to receive their name in the father is absent for whatever reason.
Once the cubs have their names and introduced to the tar, they are bathed again in swamp water from a sacred pool in the very center of the pride to wash the tar off before the entire pride feasts. The larger the feast, the more Ancestors are thought to gather and the better protected the cubs will be.
For a father to see his cubs before they are properly brought back to the pride is a horrid event and results in the cubs being thought to be unknown to the Ancestors, because of this, they are in danger if they stay in the swamps. Often families opt to leave the pride in favor of safety but some choose to stay.
[»] Obtaining a Spirit Name: Those who are born in and those who join the pride either as a cub or an juvenile make this journey when they hit adolescence for any younger and the swamp gases they inhale to take their spiritual journey would give them horrible side effects or possibly kill them. Joining adults make this journey as well, but it is usually more solitary, going by themselves rather then as a group and then splitting up like the teen lions. It is a sacred journey that every member of the pride must go on to be considered a full member of the pride.
In the middle of the night after the males start growing their mane out and the females start hitting maturity, the shamans go to the dens and gather all of those who are fit to make their spiritual journey to make contact with the Ancestors. During the rest of the night, they sit in the middle of the pride, spending time with siblings, family and friends not making the journey with them. As dawn breaks the still growing lions begin their journey.
Journeying into the mist, the adolescents make their way towards the renowned tar pits that the Iami-Jisajili are known for. After a small prayer and a blessing from a shaman who lives near them and they journey onward towards a uninhabited section of the swamps. Once there they search for a tar pit or a secluded area, typically the thicker the mist, the more likely they are to connect with the Ancestors. Once they find their spot, they sit and meditate.
During this meditation the swamp gases around them cause the lion to suffer minor hallucinations without any other side effects. The visions they experience vary from lion to lion and each is unique to them. In this vision, they are given their Spirit Name, usually by a figure that acts as a representation of a Ancestor.
Once they have their Spirit Name, they return to the outskirts of the pride where the shamans are waiting for them. After relaying their new name to the shamans, their Spirit Name is roared for all to hear and they are reintroduced to everyone within the pride. From then on they are referred to by this name and their first name is now used solely to speak to outsiders of the pride. To speak your Spirit Name to anyone not of the Iami-Jisajili is to wish misfortune and the Ancestor's wrath upon yourself.
In the event a lion is not given a Spirit Name they return to the pride after two weeks and are sent out again, usually by themselves. During the two weeks prior to leaving, they spend that time with the shamans, looking to appease the Ancestors and hopefully get their Spirit Name the next time around. If they fail once again, the process repeats two more times before the current monarch pleads to any Ancestor that will listen to give the cub their name. If still they do not receive a name, they are sent out of the pride into the roguelands after intense training from the head hunters, captains and shamans on survival in the roguelands as well as a feast to fill their belly. They are not cast out because the pride wants them gone, but because they fear what the child may do in the future that keeps them from appeasing the Ancestors. They are welcomed back time to time and are not treated unkindly by any of the pride though some may look on them with pity.
[»] Rank Markings: A common practice in the pride and one that has existed since the olden days is that of dyeing the fur along the pelt of a member of the pride to show, at a glance, what rank they have obtained and to identify them as one of their own. The list of the markings are as follows:
Ruling Monarch - a face mask and a ring around their neck, in white. Consort - a ring around their neck, in black. Prince or Princess - a face mask, in white.
Noble - 'tears' down their face and a chin strip, in grey. Councilman -
Shaman - a rune marking of choice on their shoulder or hip, in their choice of color. Head Hunter or Huntress - add a pawprint under their existing marking. Captain - add a pawprint under their existing marking.
Guard - a 'X' on their shoulder, in red. Warrior - a sideways 'X' on their shoulder, in red. Hunter or Huntress - four claw marks on the shoulder, in yellow. Nameless - lines over their mouth, in green Youth - a line starting at the nose and ending at the forehead, in green.
[»] Ancestors: While the pride has no real religion or true patron gods they do have an immense respect towards their Ancestors. With the old concentration on the strength of the bloodlines, a lot of older members revere their Ancestors more then some of the newer generations though their respect is still expected of them for upsetting the Ancestors is to wish harm upon yourself.
It is thought the Ancestors give their blessing and protect those who respect them from the swamp harming them so giving them gifts and meals is typical for the pride to do at least once a month as a whole and many time individually throughout the month.
[»] Dinosaurs and their Fossils: The large lizard skeletons found in the tar pits and around the swamps generations ago has sparked many ideas about what they truly are and why they are dead. The accepted theory is that their kin of old that lived in the swamps fought the great tyrants and threw their bodies into the tar and into the swamps to prevent them from rising again as rebirth was a concern. Afterwards, they settled further into the area and called the swamps their home. With the possible threat of the lizards rising again the concern of weak blood became more and more a growing problem. Thus the focus on making the blood stronger surfaced.
The fossils of these beasts are worn by the king, queen, the heir and the older, more respected shaman of the pride. Some are awarded to the warriors of the pride for acts of valor. No matter who receives them though, they are only for formal use to help better connect with their ancestors. One recovered partial saber-tooth cat (that cost several lives to get) is used solely by the ruling member who is related to the original royal family. To even touch it is punishable by exile or death.
For common uses, many used crocodile skeletons to mimic the appeal of the large, lizard fossils. These can be used by anyone for any occasion though they are typically used by the shamans and distinguished warriors.
[»] Death: Need to elaborate: Toss bodies into the tar to join the Ancestors.
[»] Seers:
[»] Nobility:
Quaji Crew
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Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 9:03 am
The Pridelands
« - ☼ - »
Pride Dens
In the center
(Safe) Watering Hole
With most of the water filled with algae and various other unwanted disease it is a wonder that any drinking water exists in these bug-infested swamps. Towards the outskirts of the pride though, a watering hole that is fed by the raining seasons. While lions can drink any of the water in the swamp, this is the safest water to drink from.
The Tar Pits
In the northeastern corner of the swamps there are several sudden black masses that appear as sores in the murky landscape. These are the tar pits of the . Here various skeletons can be seen bubbling towards the surface and along the shores. Some of these belong to the 'large lizards' of old that the pride believes their ancestors fought off. These lands are considered sacred by many of the older members of the pride. They are also extremely dangerous and one wrong step could spell disaster for a wandering lion.
The Shaman Dens
Stuff here.
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 9:04 am
Ranks
Royal Ranks
Ancestors This is a rank held only by the gods that reside in the swamps. They are respected by the entire pride and in some cases, their word is on par with the word of the King and Queen. They hold no true responsibilities but seeing one is thought to be a sign of immense luck.
King or Queen The current ruler in the pride. They are a single lion, spawned from the royal line of the Iami-Jisajili. They are held in high regard as they lead the pride on a day-to-day basis as well as leading them in times of war and leading larger hunts. In times of need they also go out in search of game to hunt and alliances to make instead of sending another.
Consort The mate to the current ruler. There can be many of these. While they can hold some amount of respect, they are not considered part of the royal family unless invited to live within the monarch's den. If they are not, they are expected to take a profession, such as acting as a guard as well as acting as a companion for their ruler.
Prince/Princess The rank given to the children of the ruler and their consort(s). When the time arises, one of these will be chosen to become the next ruler. Until then, none are given any special treatment over the others, thus all need to be at their best if they want to become king or queen.
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Rare Ranks
Noble This is a honorary title given to those who are born to the King and Queen after stepping down, the Prince and Princesses or those who have distinguished themselves from the others within the pride. While they still have other roles within the pride, they have a little more relaxed lifestyle.
Councilman To keep the monarch in check after the destruction of both the old royal line and the noble houses, a council has been put into play. Consisting of three members: one chosen by the current monarch, one chosen by the pridemembers and one chosen by an Ancestor, these felines make up the council. Any major decision must go through these three felines before being acted upon. Such as banning a certain color of feline from joining or changing where they live. Minor ones, such as requiring all members to wear a particular accessory to identify themselves, would not need approval.
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Uncommon Ranks
Shaman This rank is reserved primarily for seers or those who have proven themselves to be in tune with the Ancestors. They act as midwives, healers and spiritual leaders for the pride. They are often revered for their knowledge in such things and sometimes offer counsel to the royal family because of it.
Head Hunter/Huntress For every seven hunters within the pride there is a available slot for a head hunter. This rank simply allows a more streamline approach to keeping the hunters organized and the word of game spread. While it is seen as a step above the first rank, it's not by much.
Captain
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Common Ranks
Guardian Guardians are in charge of patrolling the borders of the pride. Some are expected to make their rounds during the early morning all the way to some wandering the lines of their lands well after the sun has gone down. The pride has no formal scouts so they act in this role as well.
They are not warriors and while they are trained from a young age about how to defend themselves, they are also trained to evade and to make the most of their surroundings to get back to the pride and alert the warriors of the pride should the need arise.
Hunter/Huntress Default rank to all lions who have been given their spirit name.
Nameless Nameless is a commonly referred to rank of an adolescent or adult who had not received their spirit name from the ancestors yet. There is no shame it as they are just not ready or worthy to receive their name just yet, but they are not considered full members of the pride without it so they are not allowed to breed.
[size=11][b][color=olive]Glory to the Ancestors![/color][/b] [b]Username:[/b] [b]Name:[/b] [b]Spirit Name:[/b] [Only adolescents and adults have this. Cubs and juveniles can put one, but won't use it until adol.] [b]Rank:[/b] [Seers are automatically available for shaman, non-seers can apply but are not guaranteed.] [b]Image:[/b] [b]Extra:[/b] [Any relevant information goes here.] [/size]
Quaji Crew
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Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 2:14 pm
Okay, maybe one more.
Still under construction, but alright for posting if people want.
Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 5:14 pm
Oh my, this is really well thought out Quaji.. bt I do have one question... what happens if they never find their spirit name?
Eranas
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Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 5:19 pm
Eranas
Oh my, this is really well thought out Quaji.. bt I do have one question... what happens if they never find their spirit name?
That was gonna be added~ They'll probably have to go looking for an Ancestor (the godly kind) and get one from them or possibly be given one by a royal family with ties to the original monarchy. c: Still thinking on this, but it'll be in there eventually.
Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 5:25 pm
Quaji
That was gonna be added~ They'll probably have to go looking for an Ancestor (the godly kind) and get one from them or possibly be given one by a royal family with ties to the original monarchy. c: Still thinking on this, but it'll be in there eventually.
Okay xD I was just wondering whether it would be something like that, or perhaps they'd get exiled-- if the worse case would they owo?
I really like this idea though xD Very Native-American ish ... if I'm not mistaken?
Eranas
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Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 5:37 pm
Nah, they wouldn't be exiled, not for something like that, unless they were literally chased back or something by one of the gods, I doubt the pride would do anything drastic for not getting a Spirit Name. They'd just be given one by someone, but they'd probably be a little shunned and also need to be wary of the swamps since they don't have the actual spiritual Ancestor's blessing. c: Worst case scenario, they'd need to upset a god, be chased back and have the god demand their removal. In which case, they'd likely be exiled but that's very, very unlikely since neither of the resident gods really care about mortal affairs.
I'm glad you like it! It actually wasn't inspired by much other then a few back-logged RPs that Mia Sharra and I did, but I can definitely see the Native American-ish in it.
Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 5:39 pm
Edit: PMed as per request.
Kaelyndra
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Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 5:45 pm
Thank you for your concern Kaelyndra, but that really should have been something to be PM'd to me rather then posted.
Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 6:58 pm
- claims a permanent corner of the thread and flings out some love-
