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 Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2016 11:29 am
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Having looked at the old pride info ... I think that I want to do something new. No offense at all to the original pride, but I feel like limiting the species to lion only doesn't follow the concept of the game. In the game, you can get randomly paired with literally anyone from anywhere. And because there is no speech/language in the game - only wordless communication - you can understand anyone else. I don't feel like a limited-species pride fits that idea of having everyone be able to meet/communicate.
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History
Long ago, a great civilization rose from the desert sands near a large mountain. It was made up of all species - not only animals but also humans. The humans received wisdom from their gods and built many great monuments and temples. They even created some ancient forms of technology, though the way these things worked is now lost to time.
The mountain was a sacred place to everyone - representing the home of the gods and a place one could go to receive inspiration. Many also traveled to the mountain when they felt their life had come to a close, falling upon the slopes on their way to the top. No matter whether the people died upon the mountain or in the deserts, their bodies would soon be covered by sand or snow and a stone marker raised to show where they had fallen. No one knew exactly who put up the markers - whether it was the gods themselves or a secret sect of priests.
The mark of someone who belonged to this civilization was a Glyph from their language, tattooed upon some part of the body. Some took the tradition farther and began to create long pieces of cloth that started with their personal Glyph and then continued with others, telling the tale of their lives to any who could read the Glyphs. This tradition soon became the norm for both people and animals, and a longer piece of cloth represented a full and rich life.
The animals were considered equals to them - not kept as mere pets, praised for their own form of intelligence and cunning. The animals had their own gods that they followed but it was generally thought that all the gods worked in harmony to teach their chosen creatures how to live. They learned how to harness the elements of the desert - wind, sand, and water - creating a utopia of greenery and peace.
But it wasn't to last. Like every good thing, some found reasons to be upset and began to war among themselves. They used the skills they had learned to build machines of war rather than peace and many people and animals were killed as the fighting consumed everyone in the area. Eventually, the gods of both humans and animals deemed that enough was enough and sent a great sandstorm to erase the once-great civilization. Only some of the great monuments remained - towering from the desert sands in mute testimony to what had once been.
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Now
Recently, wanderers have been seen in the deserts surrounding the sacred mountain. It is not known if they are actually the descendants of the original animals who lived in the area but all feel called in some way to this place. They feel as if this is where they belong, where their own personal journeys have led them to be.
One of the first to be called, Nima'baha, has had a long journey in his own life. Once he saw the remains of the monuments, he felt somehow as if he had come home and started to dig in the sands - finding more and more pieces of the lost civilization. Many of the stone grave markers still stood, with the faded remains of Life-Cloths tied to them. Though he couldn't read the Glyphs upon the cloth, Nima felt that a certain Glyph called to him, and took it as his own mark.
Slowly, he began rebuilding the traditions and ideals of the lost people - following his instincts and whatever pieces he could find. Until now, he has been alone in his quest, but others have started to appear recently. They come from all areas, some not even speaking the same language. But all seem to have an odd ability to speak in simple sounds called out across the desert - further supporting the idea that maybe they are the long-lost descendants of the original animals that lived in the area. This dialect of sounds has become the language of the pride, where anyone can easily communicate with anyone else, though they may not know each others birth language at all.
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Allowed to Join
Literally any species/color/etc is allowed to join the pride. Predominately red, gold, and white colorations are considered to be closer to the original descendants, as various drawings that have been found show these three colors over and over again in the animals depicted.
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Traditions
Wandering
The pride as a whole wanders from place to place surrounding the mountain, mainly so they don't completely use up the resources in a particular place. The original crops and green areas have all dried up, leaving only the stone monuments and a few scattered oases to support the pride. Wandering is also considered to by a physical representation of the Journey of personal growth for each pride member. Every pride member is expected to be able to move with the group, even young cubs and pups. Normally, everyone will help the very young and very old if needed. However, eventually a pride member - normally an elderly one - feels that they cannot continue on their Journey and intentionally falls behind. Mated pairs will usually decide on this together and end their Journey as one.
Shared Fate
Just as the original civilization lived and eventually was destroyed together, the pride believes in sharing all resources with each other. This includes food and water, as well as the responsibilities of raising and teaching the young. Every pride member will care for every cub and pup equally, whether they are related by blood or not. Young pride members will normally return to their blood families at the end of the day to sleep, but not always. And they are often seen wandering randomly as they please among the pride and forming lasting relationships with others who may not even be of their own species.
Spirit Journey
The pride as a whole believe in rebirth, partly because having seen how quickly the original civilization was destroyed, it seems like an obvious way to explain why they have been called to the area. They are the reborn members of the original animals, finally called back to their homeland. However, this isn't the end of their spiritual journey - that end only comes after many, many lifetimes of learning and wandering. Often a newborn cub will feel called to the same personal Glyph as a member who recently chose to end their Journey with the pride.
The Mountain
The mountain at the center of the pride lands is still considered a sacred place. The only members who visit the Mountain on a regular basis are the pride's combination historian/priests - the Scribes. They search the ruins and gravestones near and upon the mountain for clues to the original civilization. They also bring back any pieces of Life-Cloth they find that belonged to a fallen member of the pride.Other than this, those who feel that their Journey with the pride is complete will normally turn their steps toward the Mountain, usually falling somewhere on its slopes. The closer one gets to the top of the Mountain, the closer they are to completing their Spirit Journey.
The Life-Cloth
This is one of the first traditions that was rediscovered and embraced by the pride. Every pride member beings their Journey as a cub with no Glyph of their own. As they grow, they are expected to try to find what Glyph calls to them in their own way and their own time. Usually, this happens between Juvenile and Adolescent stage, but it can easily be earlier or later depending upon each member. New Adult members of the pride will also be called to a Glyph after some time has passed. Once a member finds their Glyph, they are expected to visit the Scribes to have the Glyph tattooed upon them, as well as search through Life-Cloth remnants. The pieces of Life-Cloth that the Scribes bring back from the Mountain are kept in common until a young pride member feels called to a matching personal Glyph. Then the Scribes cut this Glyph from the appropriate Life-Cloth and give it to the member, scattering the rest of the Life-Cloth to the sands. If a young member feels called to a Glyph that has not appeared before, they will receive a new Life-Cloth from the Weavers. Each member is expected to visit the Weavers anytime some significant happens in their life to have the event added to their Life-Cloth as a new Glyph. The longer a Life-Cloth is, the more experienced the member is in their life and their own personal Journey. Life-Clothes are always gold with either red markings and white Glyphs, or white markings and brighter white Glyphs. These color differences help to mark ranks in the pride as well.
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2016 11:30 am
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Head Scribe (limited to 2 at a time)
This is a rank that can be held by both male and female pride leaders. There can be a single leader, or two. The leaders do not have to be a mated pair, but often are. They perform the same duties as the normal Scribes but are also chosen to lead the way for the other Scribes and the pride as a whole. Head Scribes are normally promoted from within the ranks of the normal Scribes.
Scribe (limited, often Seers but not required -- OOC application + RP)
The combination historian/priests of the pride. They are the members who do the most digging in the sands for signs of the old civilization. They keep the records of the pride and often travel to the Mountain for research and to gather any pieces of Life-Cloth left by members who have ended their Journey. The Life-Clothes of previous members are bestowed upon young or new members who feel called to the same personal Glyph. The Scribes also tattoo any pride member who has discovered their personal Glyph. They lead the way in ceremonies and festivals and are the go-to members for any religious concerns.
Wayfinder (limited, RP obtained)
These members collaborate with each other to lead the pride in their wanderings. They pass down knowledge of the best routes through the desert and where water and food can be found.
Weaver (limited, RP obtained)
The artisans of the pride, these members perform two major tasks. Harking back to the original civilization, they try to create lasting works of art to stand as monuments to their traditions and beliefs to any who may come after they have gone. They also are in charge of adding to the Life-Cloths. Along with these duties, they also create smaller works of art and any jewelry and items the pride may need or want.
Gatherer (unlimited)
This refers to the gathering of any kind of food for the pride. Not all members eat meat, so finding plant life is also important.
Protector (unlimited)
Though the pride itself is peaceful, there are always dangers in the world. These members are the guards of the pride, driving away any who might wish to harm them.
Wanderer (unlimited)
The default adult rank of the pride, anyone can fill this rank.
Seeker (unlimited)
These members are those who are seeking their personal Glyph. This covers all Juvenile through Adolescent stages, as well as new pride members who are adults that have not yet found their Glyph.
Youth (unlimited)
All cubs of the pride hold this rank by default.
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2016 11:32 am
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2016 12:58 pm
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Reply
