General Pride Structure
- What is the Ela'wadiyi pride structure?
The pride is broken up into 6 clans: Bird, Earth, Mantis, Shadow, Sky & Wolf.
Each clan migrates around the pride lands, never staying in one place for more than 2 weeks.
Once a year, the clans gather together for the Sky Festival, otherwise they tend to function independently.
Who leads the Ela'wadiyi?
The wanidatsi functions as the ultimate leader of the pride.
Each clan has an alu'nadi (clan mother) that leads them and a nvwati (medicine man) for spiritual guidance.
- The alu'nadi and nvwati are responsible for all tattooing done in their clan, though the wanidatsi may do tattoos on any pride member in special circumstances.
Is everybody a hunter?
For the most part yes, all regular members are hunters.
Some members have other ranks (nanny, guard, etc) that were assigned during Festivals, they are not generally open to everybody.
Can my lion switch clans?
No, only males can switch clans and only when they get married.
Joining
- Is joining open?
Check this thread to find out.
Why was my application turned down?
Was your applicant a non-lion?
Did you apply more than one character in a limited intake?
Does your character sound like they can handle strict marriage laws?
There are lots of reasons a joining application may be rejected, you will usually get an explanation if this happens.
How are Clans decided?
When a rogue joins, their clan is determined by the wanidatsi. OOCly, it is randomized.
Specific requests may be taken into consideration.
Marriage
- Does my boy have to move to his mate's clan?
Yes. No exceptions.
Can't my girl please move to her mate's clan?
No. No exceptions.
Important Note! Breaking, ignoring or unofficially-officially "working around" these rules will get you kicked out of the pride.
NEW Divorce
- The owner of my lion's mate isn't active/hates me/I hate them, can they please break up?
Yes, your Ela'wadiyi lions may now get divorced! But there are consequences.
Exception: If a married couple currently has offspring that are cubs, they must wait for them to grow before getting a divorce. A couple must remain together to raise their children.
How do we get divorced?
Post in the Member Update Thread. Only one partner needs to post.
What are the consequences of divorce?
Lions may not remarry or breed in the first 12 months following a divorce. This OOC restriction reflects the IC severity of the situation.
The male may or may not change clans following a divorce.
If the male is the same clan... he stays in the clan.
If the male is from a different clan and the couple did not have cubs... he returns to his home clan.
If the male is from a different clan and the couple did have cubs... he may choose to return to his home clan OR stay with his childrens' clan.
So, is marriage still that big of a deal, then?
Yes! Read about how this happened here.
Breeding
- Does my lion need to be married to breed?
Technically no, but once two lions breed they are considered married and are together forever. No exceptions.
There is no rogue breeding in this pride.
Where do I post for permission to breed?
You don't, but if you don't have a surname approved you should get one before making cub names official.
If the mother has a surname..
the cubs take her surname.
e.g. Kiger x Amagada Atadiusti cubs have the surname Atadiusti.
e.g. Abeytu Kalisetsi x Atsina Atadiusti cubs have the surname Atadiusti.
If the mother does not have a surname, but the father does..
the cubs take the father's surname.
e.g. Skan Kanati x Muujiza cubs have the surname Kanati.
If neither parent has a surname..
the cubs are given a new surname, which you can apply for here.
e.g. Dongo x Huong cubs have the surname Kalisetsi.
Familiars
- What Familiars are allowed in the Ela'wadiyi?
All familiars are welcome in the pride, though most often attached to a regular member.
Birds are most common and typically come from the Bird Clan!
Any familiar that lives in the pride may be tattooed in small amounts.