[OOC] Pride Information

[Kwa Kikombe Lands]

He staggered towards his opponent, ignoring the blood and sweat that ran down his face. One last goal, one last shot and it will be theirs. He gritted his teeth against the pain as his front leg pulled back for the strike. A giant roar erupted from his chest as he catapulted the shell forward, blazing past the goalie. His teammates gathered around him as they supported his exhausted body. As one they shouted, "For the cup!"

What will YOU do for the cup?

This is a sports based pride that welcomes competitive soa who like to win. Everybody is welcomed to join regardless of sport knowledge. We're looking for passionate creatures who like to have a good time by playing or just watching their favorite teams.

 

[Kwa Kikombe Lands]

[Current Situation]

A pale lioness paid the pride a visit, warning Taji of a great danger that will befall the pride in the not so distant future. It was on the heels of this warning that the god of games and patron of the pride, Haddi, brought news that their ally, the Sikukuu, had fallen upon hard times and had been ousted from their lands by vicious stinging bugs. It was without hesitation that Taji decided to welcome the group into the Kwa Kikombe as brothers and sisters, as the prides shared a love of games and celebrations and held many of the same views and beliefs. He and others kept the warning in mind as the two prides became one, but seeing that the new additions to the Kwa Kikombe got comfortable and settled have taken priority.

[History]

Many dry seasons have passed since the pride came into foundation. It all started with a rogue lion by the name of Shauku who enjoyed living life on the edge. He would constantly press his luck by sneaking around herds of elephants and other large animals, tugging on their tails or scaring them just to get a laugh. Shauku had a love for adrenaline and games, and being chased by a herd of angry elephants certainly was the best game of chase he could think of playing.

One day, a particularly infuriated patriarch of a herd kicked an empty tortoise shell as she ran. It hit Shauku square in the hindquarters, giving him quite the scare himself. He later found the shell nestled between two trees, almost as if the elephant had tried to get it to land there. What fun, he thought to himself! He batted the shell around for a while after that, finding it both fun and difficult to recreate the results the elephant had accidentally achieved. Finally Shauku got the shell back in the little hole, and the satisfaction he gained was so great that he wanted others to try and see if they could achieve the same success as he could.

And thus the game was born. Using the same tortoise shell, Shauku began creating rules and regulations. Other animals enjoyed watching Shauku and the other lions playing and asked to join in. Soon enough, there were teams and some serious rivalries going on. Rather than pit the hyenas against the cheetahs and the leopards against the wild dogs, Shauku realized that each animal had its own special talent. Each team could allow whomever they pleased on the field. There would be no discrimination: if you loved the game, then you were a part of their growing family.

Shauku realized, seasons later, that the animals that had come to play had never left. He talked with a few of the captains and decided to keep the game a central part of this new band of animals. The Kwa Kikombe was born.
 

[Kwa Kikombe Lands]

↣ LOW DOWN ↢

Kwa Kikombe is located on a grassy plain, with a river cutting through the landscape bordered by lush forests. Tree and rock clusters dot the area that creatures turn into their homes if they don't find the forest very inviting. The terrain accommodates a variety of species with the cheetah and lions finding comfort in the plains and the leopards enjoying the tree canopies.
Before the pride was established, humans found the area nice to inhabit at one point before moving on during a harsh dry season. They left behind litter which the animals gather as trinkets and awards. Every now and then a new group of humans will camp in the area, but well enough away from the pride. Some of the recruiters like to sneak into the camps at night and snag a treasure or two.

[Inspired landscape: Moremi Game Reserve]

✖ Species
Every critter is welcomed into the pride.

✖ Familiars
Familiars are welcomed, but cannot be used in a game because it will be seen as an unfair advantage. They also cannot hold any of the player ranks.

✖ Pelt Colors
Any color is welcomed. but some coaches may only allow a certain pelt color on their team.

✖ Sexuality
We don't care who your soa love as long as they procreate when the survival of the pride is in danger.

✖ Mating/Flings
Rogue breedings are encouraged to increase members as well as stronger players. Your soa must be posted in this thread in order to breed, but otherwise no permission is needed.

✖ Adolescent Breeding
There are no rules against adol breeding, however, it is frowned upon since the chances of offspring are lowered. The young couple is seen as foolish and inexperienced since they haven’t fully developed.

✖ Seers
They are welcomed in the pride, but are not allowed to influence the game with their powers. Totally an unfair advantage. Doesn't mean they can't play, but no predicting the move. Where's the fun in that?

✖ Names
There are no restrictions with names as long as they fit within shop rules. However, it is common for teammates to give each other nicknames. (these will not go on certs)

✖ Birthing
It's a time for great celebration when a female finally gives birth! The cubs are protected by every member or the pride regardless of species.  

[Kwa Kikombe Lands]

↣ RANKS ↢

✖ Leaders
Not species or gender specific. As long as the animal is qualified, then they have a shot at gaining the titles. These positions are also not handed down through blood.

Game Overseer

In charge of taking care of the game and making sure everything is working out. He/she may come up with new content and events, but keeps the integrity of the game intact.

Player Overseer

Voice of the players, settles disputes between them. He/she makes sure all of the players' needs are being met.

Master of Ceremonies

An honorary title given to the King and Queen of the Sikukuu. They don’t have a true leadership position within the Kwa Kikombe in a traditional sense, but as they were royalty in their pride, it is equal to the Game and Player Overseer in terms of respect given. All are expected to treat them as they do the Overseers. They are in charge of the quarterly celebrations that the Sikukuu brought with them and make sure they run smoothly. This position is the birthright of one of the MC’s offspring.

✖ Coaches

Each team needs a coach to guide them to victory. They are in charge of running the players and getting new blood on the team. Every team needs a coach in order to play, however, you don't lose your coaching rank if your team disbands.
Availability: Open

✖ Players
The hotshots of the pride that make up the teams. They are the warriors on and off the field. In times of war, they turn their gaming skills to the battle field. This rank is unlimited with different types of players. For simplicity sake, the certed rank will be player.
Availability: Unlimited

Captain

Each team need a captain to lead them on the field. A captain can hold any position, but each team needs to declare a captain to formulate.
Availability: Open (1 Position per team)

Offense

The scorers, they are a goalie’s worst nightmare.
Availability: Unlimited

Defense

Big and tough, defensemen take hits and sacrifice their bodies to control the shell.
Availability: Unlimited

Goalie

Agile and strong a goalie needs to be able to protect the goal line and keep his team afloat when things start to fall apart.
Availability: Unlimited

✖ Referees

The law enforcer. They make sure the players don’t really hurt each other. They have the authority to kick players out of a game. Even coaches have to follow their orders. Off the field, they also act as the police force.
Availability: Unlimited

✖ Trainers

Makes sure the players are in peak physical and mental shape. Well, the mental not so much. Depends on the trainer....
Availability: Unlimited

✖ Coordinators

Manages the team and makes sure everything is in order before the players arrives for the game. They definitely have good time management skills... unless they suck.
Availability: Unlimited

✖ Announcers

Very knowledgeable about the game and an entertainer. They yell out the play by plays for the spectators.
Availability: Unlimited

✖ Recruiters

Crafty creatures that know how to drag an animal to a team. Some do it in more honest ways. They also steal prizes and treasures for the winning team from abandoned camps.
Availability: Unlimited

✖ Medics

The games are tough and players get hurt all the time. The medics help injured animals get back in shape.
Availability: Unlimited

✖ Celebrants

These are the ones best suited for planning and carrying out the events that surround Kikombe, be it a pre-game show, halftime entertainment, or the quarterly festivals brought by the Sikukuu. They are the behind the scenes creatures that make everything tick and run smoothly. They also can take a more niche role, focusing specifically on what suits their talents. Some are big and brawny and help keep the more enthusiastic fans in line, others are more delicate and are skilled in making memorabilia and souvenirs.
Availability: Unlimited

✖ Spectators

Fans of the teams. Their loyalty is fierce and unmatched!
Default for adults

✖ Juniors

Adolescent default rank. They help out anybody within the pride to complete their duties. They are also old enough to join a team, but won't be full players until adulthood.
Default for adolescents

✖ Squirts

The youngin’s of the pride. Cubs claim this rank until adulthood.
Default for cubs/pups.

 

[Kwa Kikombe Lands]

↣ SEASONAL CELEBRATIONS ↢

With the arrival of the Sikukuu, a few new traditions have been adopted by the Kwa Kikombe both to make their new companions feel more at home and because who doesn’t love a party? Each celebration takes place in the middle of each season, even though the weather in the Kwa Kikombe doesn’t match up with the weather where the Sikukuu are from. Still, the seasons are marked diligently by the Masters of Ceremonies and by the pride as a whole. During the week-long parties games are played and food is plentiful.

✖ Demani
The Demani celebration occurs OOCly in April. It celebrates life and the rejuvenation of the land as the rainy season begins. During this time, any cubs or pups that were born after last year’s Demani celebration are brought in front of the pride for a proper welcome. This can be quite humerous as some cubs and pups may now be adults! Plants are woven together to form beautiful wreaths and chains that are draped over the dens and worn as crowns by the youth of the pride through the week. A favorite game during the celebration is a relay race.

✖ Kaskazi
The Kaskazi celebration occurs OOCly in July. It always begins on the day of the championship match of the Kikombe season. After the champions are crowned the entire pride celebrates with them with huge feasts and retellings of the match. Throughout the week the members of the pride party long and hard, both during the day and at night. Fireflies are caught from the wooded areas of the pride and brought out to light up the field for nighttime games of Kikombe, allowing the youth and those that don’t normally play to try their skills and have a laugh in the process. The celebration ends on the final night of the week by releasing all the captured fireflies at once.

✖ Vuli
The Vuli celebration occurs OOCly in October. This is a time of great feasting as the rainy season comes to a close, and it also marks the beginning of the new Kikombe year. Teams are looking for new recruits and the young Players have to show their skills. There are games and trials specifically for those looking to be recruited onto a team that test their endurance, speed, and power, and the rest of the pride enjoy watching their favorites strut their stuff. At the end of the week there are new teams that are formed and older teams recruit new players. There is one massive feast on that last day to celebrate before the Kikombe season officially begins.

✖ Mrao
The Mrao celebration occurs OOCly in January. While the Sikukuu had to endure chilly winters, this season is quite mild and enjoyable for the Kwa Kikombe. The week revolves around giving gifts and showing thanks for friends, family, and even rivals. Bones from the feasting in Vuli are carved into baubles and trinkets by some of the more gifted Celebrants and are a favorite present to give to a loved one. It is a week to remember the good times from the previous year and to look forward to what the new one has in store. It is common for the non-Players of the pride to begin to place bets on which team they think will be the new champions. During the celebration there are no official Kikombe matches, although there are two days during which the most talented players perform trick shots and show off their talents just for fun. There is a scrimmage on the last day of the celebration between the all-star players, generally resulting in hilarity and a cheerful way to head into the new year.