Hello and welcome to the first opportunity to join the N'ezi-Ozu of 2020! Generally speaking the N'ezi-Ozu only have openings twice a year, however, as we missed the second on in 2019 we're allowing you to submit two lions in the first half of this year and both will be accepted.
Joining is open for an extended period of time to allow you and myself/Ded to make the necessary arrangements and role for the appropriate houses in ample time.
If you have any questions/concerns, you can hit us up and we'll try our best to answer them but for now, there are just a couple of rules that you'll need to be aware of in an IC environment...
As always, N'ezi members are encouraged to come and say hello to anyone who is new and make them feel welcomed!
The Basics of the N'ezi-Ozu
There are a few things that you'll need to know when joining the N'ezi-Ozu and we hope you'll take the time to read all the information that is already available to you. BUT for ease of reading we've compiled the key rules that you must follow if you want your lion to join.
There can be no evil lions. The N'ezi-Ozu have a gifted seer in the form of Nche who can detect the truth within a lions heart. Those who are cruel, evil, or will otherwise cause harm will be rejected from the pride.
There can be no pregnant females. It is impossible for Nche, the seer, to detect the intentions of an unborn child. All families and the children within them must be adolescent or older.
You may normally only apply for one lion to join per year, we are making an exception in 2020 as we missed the second joining date in 2019. You may have two lions in 2020 if you apply in this joining. You will not be able to have two if you wait until the second half of the year to apply.
Certain ranks are restricted, you will not be able to choose these i.e. Amusu/Onyeisi
If you have a lion plotted to be with another who is already in the pride, then you cannot join the same family as they belong to when you first enter the pride; doing so would make them your sibling!
Nezi-ozu
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Nezi-ozu
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Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2020 2:22 am
Joining Process Joining during this particular event will be a little different to enable Ded to have a little breathing space; while ICly you can assume that your lion has formally encountered Nche and had their heart read, only the Onyeisi (Itiri) will be guaranteed to give you a reply.
In terms of the IC protocol the order of events for your lion would be...
They request to join. Nche looks into their heart and sees their true intentions. A house/family is revealed to them. As Onyeisi, Itiri observes these and would therefore know which family they will be joining.
The OOC Joining request process is below...
Make sure the initial joining request has been made in the Joining Thread. Please post the form below and make your first IC post with your lion. Assume that the above has happened and Nche has spoken (Ded may reply if she has time). The Onyeisi, Itiri, will then greet your character and address them directly. He will welcome them formally to their new family. This is the point where Epine will roll in her post for the house that this new lion will be part of OR state which house they were part of. You may then continue to introduce yourself to any onlookers who have come to watch the proceedings. Once you have followed these steps you can post for your cert and link the approvals. Make sure you update your ownerlist post too!
[spoiler][size=10][b]Name/Cert of Lion:[/b] [b]Is this Lion Joining to be a N'ezi mate?[/b] Yes/No [b]What Family is that N'ezi In?[/b] [/size][/spoiler]
[size=10]Your IC Post here, it can be as long or short as you would like![/size]
Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2020 6:06 pm
Name/Cert of Lion: Alulame Is this Lion Joining to be a N'ezi mate? No What Family is that N'ezi In? N/A
Alulame let out a slow breath as he took in his new surroundings. This was home now, he reminded himself. The lands weren't nearly as lush and green as they had been in the pride he'd grown up in, but the bonds here were close and he was a part of a new family. He would always have his blood relatives, of course, but he hoped this new life would fill in the hole being prideless had left him with.
Turning his gaze to his new ruler, Alulame gave a little inclination of his head in greeting. He'd always been a bit quiet but even if he hadn't been, he felt it was best to let the Onyeisi speak first.
Name/Cert of Lion: Inira Is this Lion Joining to be a N'ezi mate? No What Family is that N'ezi In? N/A
Name/Cert of Lion: Paco Is this Lion Joining to be a N'ezi mate? No What Family is that N'ezi In? N/A
While most lions might have been nervous, Inira was excited. Next to her, Paco pressed close. It wasn't out of fear, or him being nervous, himself, it was because of their joint wonder and excitement. "There's so many lions here, I've never been anywhere with so many!" The joy was evident in Inira's face and eyes, in the lilt of her voice. She drew in a breath, watching the already-present lions. She took in the bones they wore, the feathers. Her gaze returned to Paco, wiggling a bit. "Who do we go talk to first?"
Beside her, Paco was a bit more restrained, though no less excited. While the culture was different, at the very basis of it all, it reminded him of home - Kind lions, who were a fairly close-knit community. Ears twitching to and fro, Paco smiled broadly, "Let's start with that lion over there." He nodded his chin toward Itiri. "It would do to start with the..." He paused, ears going back for a moment as his tongue poked out. What was the word in the local dialect..? "The... The noskam?" He looked at Inira, feeling a bit of helplessness. "The one in charge.
Licking between Paco's eyes, Inira smiled, "Do you mean the king?" When he nodded, she nodded in turn. "Okay, he seems a good one to start with. Then we can go from there and find the lions we'll be in a group with!"
Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2020 9:36 am
Name/Cert of Lion:Erkan Is this Lion Joining to be a N'ezi mate? No What Family is that N'ezi In? N/A
Erkan had no expected to end up in this pride he didn't really remember anything about his past, or his family it was just a blank in his mind. It might have had something to do with why he only had one eye. He might never know thou since he did not know where his family was or why he had been wandering on his own since he was a cub. He had gotten lucky and managed to hunt lizards and small creatures till he grew large enough to hunt zebras and antelope. Here he found himself joining a pride the idea of actually being social with others was strange to him. He moved forward to the seer and waited for the seer to tell him something. "I am Erkan" He said his voice gravely.
Zuru was happy and ready to welcome all the new members. He waited off to the side so he could answer any questions the new members might have and show new members of his family around the dens and anywhere else they might want to go. Perhaps to hunt anything that would make them feel welcome and help them settle into the pride.
Dia smiled as she watched more lions joining the pride, she admired the Nezi for opening themselves to change. She knew in every way that a pride without new blood was a dying pride and it was a shame. The new members brought new blood and that new blood would bring strong cubs. She waited readily to welcome new members and help them get settled in.
(Zuru and Dia are open for interaction and welcoming party members XD )
MiddyGlow
Sparkly Fairy
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SSBrosB
Springtime Noob
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Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2020 6:30 pm
As one of the protectors of the pride Khwezi stayed off to the side and eyed all of the "new" pride members that had just joined, making sure that they didn't try anything funny or do something that they weren't supposed to. He didn't mind newcomers, but he wanted to make sure that none of them were here to cause trouble.
So far, he hadn't found any of them to be the type that would do something funny, but they did look strong. Usually he would have driven out rogues, but the fact that they were willing to join the Pride and follow their traditions, it piqued his interest, but he made sure to keep it to himself for now. He only watched and waited. He was quite tired after staying out near the borders for so long, and after this he would be going back and driving any outsiders away again, even if it meant he had to get into some fights.
((Khwezi is open for interaction))
Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2020 6:35 am
Name/Cert of Lion:Aphelios Is this Lion Joining to be a N'ezi mate? Yes What Family is that N'ezi In? Akaraaka
Name/Cert of Lion:Yuánshou Is this Lion Joining to be a N'ezi mate? No What Family is that N'ezi In? N/A
She'd stumbled upon this grand adventure and hadn't been entirely prepared for where it might take her. She'd come with the very bright and boisterous gold lioness who had declared that she was pursuing a higher calling. What that 'higher calling' might be had so far alluded Aphelios's understanding, but the lioness was friendly enough that the smaller individual hadn't thought to challenge her.
Instead, she had merely wandered alongside her as Yuanshou had allowed her paws to lead her towards her final destination. Days, weeks and then months had passed until they had finally drawn near the caldera. By then, Aphelios was both exceedingly far from home and very tired. She was fortunate not to suffer from home sickness, but in the given circumstances she could be forgiven for being a touch disgruntled.
They hadn't eaten properly in days.
Alas, Yuanshou had taken one look at the seemingly towering 'walls' of the caldera and declared that this was the place. How she intended to scale the walls had been on the tip of the young lioness's tongue, but just as the golden lioness had declared she'd received her 'calling'...she also seemed to receive her answer.
Yuanshou had found the 'entrance' and had already padded her way into the depths of the jungle when Aphelios picked her way after her. What they were greeted with seemed to come at no surprise to the golden lioness, but when it came to Aphelios...
There was something beautiful about the region even if she could quite figure out why, something peaceful and largely unassuming.
She should have expected other lions to be here of course, that was the whole point of this 'calling' her accidental companion had been chittering about, but to stumble upon them still came as a bit of a shock. What they were, who they were and what they tended to, came as an even greater surprise to the pink lioness.
...While she had been under no obligation to join them, she had been afforded the courtesy to settle and rest while they made their preparations for an upcoming celebration. By the time she might have been ready to move on the festivities were upon them and Yuanshou had already thoroughly engrossed herself in learning about the more nuanced aspects of their society. Unsurprisingly, Yuanshou had chosen to join them but when it came to Aphelios she hadn't been entirely sure.
Perhaps it was the lack of expectation that came from them that led her to make her decision. With no obligation to do anything, she'd been afforded the rare opportunity to simply observe and something had clicked, even if she wasn't quite sure what that was just yet.
Now, much like Yuanshou, she waited for her moment to be regarded by the seer and provided all went well, she would receive her formal welcome from the darker lion behind him.
While they both waited though, it seemed that the lionesses had had similar ideas. They might have to stay roughly where they were, that didn't stop them gazing towards both new and local faces alike. There were those like Zuru, Dia and Khewzi who seemed to be locales and perfectly comfortable with the on-going festivities...
Then there were others like them who waited in line, lions such as Erkan who had already approached the seer and were awaiting judgement; those like Alulame who had already passed the first of the tests... And then there were others like Paco and Inira, similar to Yuanshou and Aphelios, as they waited patiently for their turn.
They made for an interesting bunch but if there was one thing for sure it was that some of the 'newer' faces were decidedly more colourful than their new family were... And some of those awaiting family members were a touch more uncomfortable than they seemed inclined to admit.
In those moments Aphelios had to wonder why, even if Yuanshou seemed largely unconcerned with it herself.
Epine de Rose
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Nezi-ozu generated a random number between
1 and 13 ...
6!
Nezi-ozu
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Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2020 7:07 am
Epine de Rose
Rolling for Yuanshou. Akaraaka (fate) Agadi (old age) Agha (war) Aghugo (treachery) Aguu (famine) Ahuojoo (sickness) Elo (venom) Odachi (disaster) Mberede (accident) N'anya (love) Nganga (pride) Nkunwu (apathy) Uju (grief)
"Ahuojoo?" Itiri uttered, as if to confirm the family that had been determined by the Death Priest. He didn't seem surprised, it just appeared that on this occasion he had been momentarily distracted and hadn't, at first, heard the words that had been uttered. Nevertheless with the family line confirmed Itiri returned his gaze to Yuanshou and smiled, holding out the pieces of the necklace that she would have to put together herself.
Fortunately, this task wouldn't be a difficult one and all the lioness would need to do was slip the twine through the bone and fit it around her neck according to her own tastes.
"I bid you welcome and look forward to the journey you take with us," he offered and so as not to suffer the same issue as before, quickly turned his gaze back towards Nche so he didn't miss the next of their new blood's chosen families!
Nezi-ozu generated a random number between
1 and 13 ...
13!
Alulame was next, a lion of natural white fur that would settle within the N'ezi with little drama or controversy. In some respects, Itiri was relieved...While he might be open to more extravagant colours as of late he still held respect for those who regarded them with suspicion. Wounds ran deep and to have someone that would slot comfortably in to their ranks would prove to be refreshing.
Consequently, Itiri's smile was full of warmth as he caught the name and swept up the appropriate totem that his assistant had presented him with. It was a bone from within the Uju family, and today, it would become Alulame's as a testament to his new found connections.
"The Uju will treat you well," he held out the components for the lions necklace and glanced towards the curious faces of the very family he would be joining. "May you return the favour and find what you are looking for here..."
Nezi-ozu
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Nezi-ozu generated a random number between
1 and 13 ...
5!
Now this next lion held the appearance of one who could potentially invoke more than just curiosity within the N'ezi-Ozu. With some of the most striking markings, even Itiri was forced to double-take the lion's appearance at first just to make sure that he didn't need medical assistance. Fortunately, Erkan was perfectly healthy and as a consequence the pride could be afforded a small moment to ponder over how he had attained such birthmarks.
...Had he had an immense battle in a former life?
Had his ancestors?
"Aguu," Itiri gave a nod and took another of the charms from those that had been selected within the catacombs. The Death Priests had taken care to select particular bones that they felt would be suitable for each new member and while they might not look special, to the N'ezi (and particularly the Death Priests) they held great significance.
"Welcome, Erkan," he smiled as he presented the components of the necklace to their new member. "I have no doubt you will be welcome here, there is already quite a bit of curiosity," he mentioned with a soft chuckle.
Nezi-ozu generated a random number between
1 and 13 ...
9!
I'll roll both separately so they're forced into separate families, this will allow you to marry/mate them officially without issue.
Did his eyes deceive him or had they joined a a pair? Itiri smiled pleasantly as not one, but two lions stood before him. They were striking to say the least, and more importantly, they seemed to fit. It seemed on this occasion there might be more 'natural' new blood on this occasion than controversial and he certainly wasn't unhappy with that!
Still, there were some things that did need to be done correctly and if the pair had joined as one then hopefully Nche's sight would acknowledge such things, and more importantly the ancestors, would recognise that this was a bond that should not be broken.
It was Inira that the ancestors first claimed, and no sooner had they done so than Itiri had already held out a necklace towards her.
"The Mberede welcome you with open arms," he smiled warmly, he wouldn't jest in regards to their union, but he had no doubt that the Mberede wouldn't have long with their new member before she was embraced by another. This was not his business however, and he would simply look forward to whatever came to pass in the future.
With Inira addressed, Nche had already turned his attention to her companion...
Nezi-ozu
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Nezi-ozu generated a random number between
1 and 12 ...
8!
"Odachi!" Itiri sounded a little more delighted than he probably should have and to an outsider it might have come across as a touch strange. He meant no offence of course, he was simply ecstatic that new blood hadn't just been welcomed, but that their union had been respected and recognised as well. Whatever came to pass from this point forward would be considered blessed and both sets of ancestors wouldn't be inclined to stand in the way!
As someone who truly embraced the idea of the circle of life, the beginning of anything excited him, just as much as the necessity for his kin to move on to the next step of their journey with Death's blessing when they were ready.
"We are delighted to have you," he confirmed with a firm not and a poffering of his paw, a paw that contained his necklace.
Nezi-ozu generated a random number between
1 and 12 ...
7!
Now for Aphelios, there seemed to be an uncomfortable pause.
An answer was not forthcoming, or rather it hadn't been quite as quick as the others and Itiri had cast a quick glance towards Nche for confirmation that the lioness that now faced them was not here for nefarious purposes. After all, Nche possessed the ability to see another's true intentions and if she were to have any ill will towards the pride then it would not escape him. While she didn't seem dangerous to Itiri, the most dangerous of villains could often hide behind a mask of serenity and this did give him some cause for concern.
Fortunately, it seemed that on this occasion nefarious intent was not the reason for the delay. Nche may not necessarily have chosen to go in to detail in relation to it and Itiri might not have been sure if he should even press the matter, but in the grand scheme of things it Aphelios didn't appear to be there to destroy them.
"Odachi, hm?" he smiled, another for the family that hadn't had quite as many join their ranks in recent years.
"Welcome to the N'ezi," he added as he handed her the pieces of her necklace.
Reply
Zuru was happy and ready to welcome all the new members. He waited off to the side so he could answer any questions the new members might have and show new members of his family around the dens and anywhere else they might want to go. Perhaps to hunt anything that would make them feel welcome and help them settle into the pride.
As one of the protectors of the pride Khwezi stayed off to the side and eyed all of the "new" pride members that had just joined, making sure that they didn't try anything funny or do something that they weren't supposed to. He didn't mind newcomers, but he wanted to make sure that none of them were here to cause trouble.