[M-ORP] Earth and Hellfire [Open!]

[Aegnorhini]

The Dvergr have been steadfast allies of the Aegnor for many seasons now, the keepers of the underground paths and providers of many of the gems and rocks the Aegnor have used in their lives. But there were whispers of trouble. Of not enough cubs born, of fear of the earth collapsing on their homes, of sorrow at those still lost.

It was at the height of these whispers of fear that the Aegnor'hini was called together.

And standing on the Speaker's Stone with the Eska'Shelerana and Eska'Sheleran were the King and Queen of the Dvergr. exhaustion and sorrow in their eyes.

What's the Deal?
The Dvergr, what remains of them, will be merging with the Aegnor'hini! Of course, some Dvergr won't be at all comfy with this, and they are more than welcome to join another pride [The Coileani Draiochta are more than welcoming their Dvergr brothers and sisters!]. Dvergr of a 'proper' coloring are more than welcome to take up regular Aegnor ranks. Those that are not or have no demon in their soul will have a special addition to their chosen rank: Jötunn. This indicates their Dvergr blood and that though they have no demon in their soul, or are pale and not of demon blood, they are still connected to the land, connected to the pride, and that they are not Sador. This rank addition will also be available to descendants of these original Jötunn.

This RP will introduce this information, and give the new members a chance to mingle with the old!

Wait...there's a prize?!
At the end of the RP, everyone that isn't an Aegnor'hini leader who posted in the ORP has a chance to win a beautiful little cub, a new addition to the pride who will arrive with Lel.

 

[Das Tor]

Aanga stood before the gathering Aegnor'hini, nervous and glancing at her people from her place on the 'Speaker's Stone'. This was going to be a large change, and those who were not so fond of their Aegnor'hini allies were...not going to be happy. But it was a needed change, one that would keep her people alive. Moricorm next to her gave a slight nudge, indicating the once-Queen had her support. Had the support of all the Aegnor'hini leaders. Looking to Thorin, she nodded. They could do this. They had to do this.

Moricorm knew the poor Dvergr had been through so much. Even she had sympathy for them. Fire, earthshakes, cave-ins, simple dwindling membership...Such a strong pride had been laid low. And now that strength would be added to the Aegnor'hini's.

"Welcome, brothers and sisters of the hellfires. You may have noticed we have guests, our valued allies of the Dvergr. I bring news regarding them that is both joyous and grave. As of tonight, the Dvergr are no longer guests. Our allies of the earth become children of the hellfires tonight! Our strength is now theirs, and theirs is ours." Moricorm looked to Nyota and nodded. "Your Eska'Sheleran shall explain more."  

[Eos Galvus]

Thorin was so tired and couldn't find so many clan leaders for this. So, he'd pled his brother come - a repast from his litter and mate, a duty to their people. Still, the dwarf-king was quiet and worn, leaning into his mate wearily ad Oin listened to the demon leaders speak. He looked to his brother, whom nodded, and the younger male sighed.

"There is another concern. We bear leopard - the hobbits. They must not be turned back, but we know their kind is... Not welcome as full members, while to our people they were. Can there be aught done for the Shire?"

Thorin nodded, as he closed his eyes. Was he truly the last King? It felt so heavy, so tiring...  

[Seaki]

Koin hung back a bit, wary of the newcomers despite the former alliance. He'd never really had to deal with any of the former Dverger members and didn't know what to expect. Koin was old, though, much older than he thought he'd ever get. He would, of course, give them a chance.

Most of the Dvergr were light pelted, and didn't seem so bad, and Koin relaxed a bit. He knew the feeling of losing a home, and he felt for the former-Dvergr members. He rolled his shoulders and stayed largely silent, watching the meeting for now to watch the proceedings. Koin tilted his head at the new title to be given to the newcomers, wondering briefly how it would change the pride.

For the better, he hoped. He knew his roll, but he'd seen his fair share of pale-pelted cubs being brought into the pride. It had been changing before them too. He shook his head discreetly, turning his attention back to those speaking.  

[Tanakako]

Caedes stood silently towards the back of the gathering. The Dina'gurtha was rarely seen out in the open like this, more used to slinking about in the shadows and going mostly unnoticed by the majority of the pride. He wasn't antisocial... ok so maybe he was, but it was more than just an aversion to others. He was a lone wolf, a solitary creature whose natural tendencies had only been exacerbated by the job he did. He was a Dina'gurtha. One of the pride's assassins, and he wore the title like a cloak.

For the time being he stood off to one side, unnoticed and ignored while he listened. if he had an opinion, it didn't show in his expression which remained as serious and unreadable as always.

 

[Kieko]

Seraphim stood toward the back of the gathering with her golden eyes locked on the forms of the Aegnor'hini Matriarch and the Dvergr leader. Having observed her own pride, the Aikanaro'hini, crumble before her eyes, she was unsurprised that other groups would suffer similar fates. And while they shared some form of alliance with one another, the younger lioness remained startled by the generosity extended to the pale and foreign lions who were in their home.

The strength of the Dvergr were now theirs, but what strength did the dismantled pride have left to offer? They would be permitted to live within their territory regardless of whether they found their own demons? Golden eyes narrowed with uncertainty. Regardless of her own personal thoughts on the matter, Seraphim understood that it would be dangerous to underestimate their new peers.

Briefly she cast a glance to her fellow Dina'gurtha, as though attempting to gauge his own thoughts on the matter. For the moment, she would remain silent on the subject.  

[Das Tor]

Beleger watched the proceedings with narrowed eyes. He'd never liked the Dvergr alliance, and now...now they were bringing them into the Aegnor. Not as guests, but as full-fledged members. The far wasn't sure what to think of it, truly. He would need to speak with a certain pair of someones when day came, however. There was new blood, and new blood meant...Hm. Perhaps this would be good! Yes, yes, this would be very good! Oh, now he was excited! So very excited! He met eyes with one of the Dvergr, a strange lion of black and gold that he flashed a friendly grin at.

And the grin was returned. Dahabu-ausi was rather excited, for all that his pride had gone through. He knew about the Aegnor more than most Dvergr. Had known about them when they had been the Aikanaro'hini. He was, after all, Mwana-a'lela by birth. The children of the night banded together. And in truth, he was excited to be coming 'home' in a way. Back into the arms of Mother Night, back into rituals that were a bit more familiar to him than so many other things had been. And Jasiri....ah, Jasiri would certainly thrive in the night once more!

Aanga took a deep breathe, then spoke. "It is an honor to be among you all as a sister. While I was once Queen of the Dvergr, I shall now serve as a Jötunn-noldo'ravenne, helping to consul in regards to the Jötunn." Oin's words made her blink, and she nodded. "That...is a matter that needs discussed, yes. What of the hobbits?" Aanga looked to Moricorm and Nyota, curious.

Moricorm looked thoughtful. "That is something that must be pondered. We had not thought of that, I shall admit." She looked out towards those gathered. "Perhaps it is something that should be discussed. Ideas brought to the fore. Our Jötunn siblings did not practice the keeping of sadors as we did. Those non-lions among them, their leopard hobbits, would not be suited to the lifestyle of a sador. And yet...hm. Any ideas, my pride-sibs?" How she had grown from the bloodthirsty, conniving little cub she had once been.
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[[OOC: WHAT'S THIS? There's a possible change coming bigger than the Jötunn...and it's time to weigh in on it! The outcome has been decided, and it will become obvious what the tipping point will be soon, but it's time for the pride to pipe up!]]  

[Kieko]

Das Tor

Seraphim carefully watched each interaction unfold before her. The subtle shifts in comfort and the developing excitement as some lions came to realize what good this could mean for them. There were many questions left without answers and though Moricorm spoke of hobbits, Seraphim silently questioned the original arrangement. Had everything been settled and decided on that subject already?

Stepping forward, the younger lioness dipped her head respectfully to her queen. Even if her heart and demon were filled with doubt, there would be a time and place for assurances. This was the opportunity to gain clarification and for their pride to grow.

"For what reason would the leopards be unsuited to the role of sador?" The young lioness felt her demon flicker with anticipation. They could not possibly be discussing recruiting non-lions into their ranks?  

[Truth.Be.Told]

They had stayed quiet. Lingering in the back and listening. Watching.

Ringwe'naur frowned, curious. Leopards? If they were not to be sador, then what did his brother's mate, their Eska'Shelerana, think was to be done with them? They certainly couldn't be demons themselves. It just...would not work. He wrinkled his nose in his thoughts. "They cannot be demons." He let his voice be heard, something he didn't normally like to do. He preferred to not draw any attention to himself. "While our...allies-turned-pridemates may hold the blood suitable to house a demon, leopards cannot. There are but two places in the pride for them, and sador is a far better one than that of a nat. Perhaps the Coileani Draiochta could house them?"

"Oh, I like that idea!" Dorielle piped up from the little...rock formation she'd claimed as a 'seat'. "Let them dwell with the...magickers." She'd almost said 'weak-willed cubs', but Ringwe's look to her had stopped that. Yeesh. Stick in the mud!

"If you think a leopard isn't as strong as a lion, you've seen nothing, cub." Jasiri had mingled into the crowd, scars on her pelt, elongated canines and sleek form marking her as once having been part of the Mwana-a'lela, and gems and metals and cleverly crafted bits drapped on her showing that she'd been one of the displaced Dvergr. "I know of a female who was rendered nigh incapable of speech because of a leopard. There was once a hybrid who walked among you all as an equal, as a demon. Your Ettelan'Shelerana was killed by a leopard, only to raise up, or have you all forgotten?" She snorted. "I remember this pride as it once was. The demons in the savanna beyond Death's Cradle. Our dark cousins, during my cubhood as one of the Coven. One such as you wouldn't have been allowed to raise to the rank of silent killer." She snarled in the direction of Dorielle. "Brown and pale pelt, forever doomed to be a hunter. Don't forget that."

Anameleth chuckled. "She is quite right. Much has changed since the beginning. And I was there for the very beginning. On the other paw...this is a topic that needs handled carefully, our dear Sheleran and Shelerana. While the integration of our former allies seems set in stone, this matter...do remember to listen to the pride, hm?"

Kaiu just watched from his place, Estirdae and Gwaedh nearby, all three of them cautious. This...was different. Very different. How their birth pride was changing, even in recent seasons.  

[Eos Galvus]

Afon had been listening, watching, and finally rose her voice, shaking, almost quivering in a nervous start before becoming more surre.

"Leopards are no weaker than we." She said, and swallowed. "Our sador would be proof alone -- they are among our strongest. And please do not forget the leopard that laid Hakuna low. Uhm... I know I wasn't born but... They can be terribly strong..."
Quiet, before a stronger voice rose as Noh sauntered forwards, snorting.

"I can attest to that. Of the nats even, the leopard is strong enough to hold. Most seem to be. I see no reason to discount them. The Dvergr may be unlike us in many ways, but in others, they remain strong, and healthy - at least in physical health, and they treat their leopards as equals. They may know something we do not."

Noh sat, observing around hr as she contemplated her next words. She caughgt sight of Nullpunkt and her daughters whispering to one another, and she looked to her fathe. The Shalori seemed deep in tought.

And he was. Kohrisu looked from Noh with pride, to Thorin, over the demons assembled to Moricorm, and leaned slightly on the female fondly. He was the only voice for the sador -- at least, in terms of any sway, even if just a small bit. He glanced to Thorin, and then to Ri, and the demons at large, before nodding to Thorin.

Kohrisu was often the quiet male. The male whom was seen and not heard. A Shalori for his love with Moricorm, but yet he knew this was important and he knew love did funny things.

Like give the male the strength to speak.

"It may yet be possible some with proper pelts are in fact of the proper strength." Kohrisu said, voice shaking, but loud. Clear. "I do not think we ought offer special privelege to the pale ones - even if they are beautiful. They may be sador, they may join our allies as thry see fit. But those of appropriate coloring - might we offer them the same chance as the Jotunns? The leopard sador we have, our Nat -- both kinds have promise, but not the pelts. Not the very blood. But these leopards - they are not born here. And they may yet have Dvergr lion blood. Achance, is all they deserve. If it fails, then we know."

The male looked to Moricorm quietly, and squared his shoulders, trying to look firm.

"Or need we forget, when the numbers scattered, that the Peponi came to rebolster our numbers? And they bore leopards and their mixed-blooded kin. They shared strength. We can yet benefit."

Noh grunted, surprised by her father, but settled, wincing.

"Who CARES?" And there was Meenah. "Let them be sador. They're not like us, no better either. In the end let those bastards kneel. Let us remain pure and beautiful." Meenah snorted, "Gods know that leopards SNELL."  

[Ctrl F Greenie]

Upon his return to the Demons lands Angra had come across a few changes, changes he would never have expected to be made among these dark individuals - though his opinion would mean little, of course. He had seen a few paler individuals, some of whom he assumed were born to ranks that they had and so he thought nothing of them, but to hear what they were speaking about here he was astonished.

Still, not knowing the full history of the pride, perhaps this was for the best politically? Blue eyes sought out faces he could recognize among the Aegnor, even though he was new blood he could recognize the old blooded lines - his cherished Balia was of old blood and so was his second litter. The litter had been born and raised as Demons, a fact that ultimately made him very proud. Nothing like his first litter who had accomplished nothing with their menial lives except to 'settle down'. He could have spat with that thought.

Instead he remained where he was, silent, burly and nearly unapproachable - these meetings weren't any of his business, but with most any gathering, they were very public. The red lion wouldn't miss a chance to see what was going on - knowledge was power in this case.  

[Das Tor]

Moricorm looked thoughtful, listening to all the feedback coming in. This...would be a delicate issue. One that required more thought than could be done at that moment. Before she could say as much, however, a familiar voice broke through her thoughts.

"Leopards are as capable of having demons as they are of being a sador. Let them chose, and prove themselves." Hakuna'jina approached from the edges of the crowd, wings tucked close to her body...and a leopard bearing the marks of her bloodline following her. She looked to the gathered crowd once she reached in front of the Speaker's Stone. "You know who I am. And I know many of you do not like what I propose, especially after the announcement of the Dvergr coming into our ranks. And so I say give it thought, weigh it in your minds as you would any other decision of import. And take into account all that goes with it. That we have had a halfblood equal among our numbers before. That, as the Coven-blooded said, I was killed by a leopard before I gained my wings. And that the son who stands next to me now, Efes, is a leopard, and I can guarantee that if he was to enter the tunnels, he would emerge with the name of his demon on his maw." She looked to the other leaders. "As said, give them time to think. Reconvene when you believe they've had enough time to mull over their decision."

Moricorm sighed, nodding. She would speak with Hakuna'jina later about the...leopard she had apparently borne. "The Ettelen'Shelerana is correct. This is a large thing we speak of. While Dvergr and Aegnor blood will one day become one, integrated into a whole, allowing leopards in as more than sador will change the pride in a way none of us can see. Thoughts and decisions must be made with time, and so time we shall give you all. Until a decision is made, the hobbits shall have an area made for them in the old lands of the Mwako'bi'giza, where they shared a border with us."
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[[OOC: There will be one more post tomorrow from me before this is considered completely wrapped up, and a roll will be made. Sorry for how long it took, and be ready for some more ORPs and events in the near future!]]  

[Wylde Roses]

Filou didn't have a strong opinion on the matters at hand, either the absorption of the Dvergr or the larger, more contentious idea of... whatever was going to happen with leopards. Really, he didn't particularly care - and Forneus? Well, his demon simply saw opportunity in how divisive the issues at paw were, and they were both keeping a careful eye on those with the loudest responses - and those who seemed like they had a lot to say, but kept their tongues still.

Oh yes. This could be fun, indeed.

--
Suzu wasn't certain she should be here, listening to this conversation. She wasn't a demon, wasn't even a lion, and her father... well. She loved her papa, that would never change, but she understood now why he had been made a nat - it was an act of justice, not cruelty.

But the leopardess sador was still horribly timid and easily frightened, so even as she listened to what was going on, she tried to make herself small and inconspicuous. Whatever was going to happen to other leopards would not affect her - her pelt too pale, her demeanor too timid to be anything but what she was, even were she a lion - but she was nonetheless curious about what was going on. Curious... and frankly, more than a little scared. Making note of those protesting the most vocally and viciously, Suzu decided to steer clear of them as much as she could. She wasn't nat, she was sador, which was something of a safety net - but the angrier voices were still scary, and they might take out their rage on her father, which was even worse....  

[Kieko]

"There is no question to the physical strength of the leopards. But do they belong here, in our home? Ringwe'naur is correct. Despite their strengths, they can not carry with them the spirit of one of our demons. And for that reason, I must ask, what reason do they have here if not sador?" Shetani maintained a courteous tone when speaking among the leaders, though her body language suggested that she felt strongly about the subject.

"For mixed-blood leopards born from lion parents..." Her lip curled back with disgust. "I could understand then... how it may be possible for them to carry the spark of a demon inside. But the leopards themselves? I believe it imperative to heed the concerns of the pride. Much has changed, but without holding true to our ancient traditions, will we lose the entirety of what we once were?"

When the leopard with marks of the royal bloodline was presented, a deep throated growl sounded in the lioness' throat. "In a time of vulnerability, will we risk fracturing our remains with such egregious insults to our ancestors?"