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 Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2019 9:31 pm
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This had been a long time coming and finally, Queen Kimondo was ready to make her vision a reality. She wasn't sure it would work out for the better but she had to do something, had to find a way to fix the broken system the Great Lion had left them with. Had the pride never prospered before now? Had they never had numbers such that the low class could pose a threat if only they questioned their lot? If they were going to survive as they were without a tyrant manipulating those the system left behind, something had to change and there was only one change that hadn't been tried yet.
So under the full moon, instead of hosting a celebration with the priests, Kimondo called together all of the high class for an announcement. The other classes were not invited but they were allowed to observe in the crowd. With her she had the Shaman, High Priests and Knights. She needed their support, though only Lailah knew what she was planning to say tonight.
"It's been years since we ended the rule of Shangyue, but his ghost still haunts our pride," she said, standing before the highest ranking members of the pride, "We have not dealt with the weaknesses he exploited, we have not addressed the skepticism and doubt he created. I have not fixed this, but tonight I am taking the first step."
She took a deep breath, knowing not all of them would agree with her but glad that so many younger faces stared back at her. She hoped they would be more open-minded, though the traditionalists had large, loyal families they could lean on.. it wouldn't matter to some of them that she shared their blood.
"From tonight, I am dissolving our nobility as it stands," Kimondo said, "Our pride is too large to survive with so many who take but do not give back. Our slaves do not need more power, the high class needs less."
A pause for effect and another deep breath. Now that she was finally here, she was more confident than ever before. They would have to fight her to put a stop to this, and she wasn't sure the high class could muster the way the low class had before.
"We should be supporting and guiding our pride. Those of you without jobs will find one, if you can't fight then you can hunt. Our Head Guard and Hunter will help you find what you are suited for, our Patrol and Hunt Leaders will guide you. And a few of you will be chosen to help create a new kind of nobility that will assist me in leading our pride, I am one lioness standing for so many. We will find a better way together."
OOC - What is happening?!
All current Lords & Ladies have been ICly demoted and must choose between becoming Hunters or Guards, period. This change is being made in an effort to balance the power within the pride and to move the conflict from the burdened low class to the carefree high class.
The rank will continue to exist but it will become the intermediate rank between Monarch and the rest of the pride: Just as the Head Hunter has Hunt Leaders to help manage their Hunters, the Queen will have Lords & Ladies to help manage her subjects.
Applications for this are not open yet, but they will be in the new year!
This ORP is for IC reactions from the pride and will close December 31st @ 00:01 AST. |
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Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2019 7:47 am
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Dareia, kind and curious, was very interested to see with Kimondo had called a meeting. By definition in her role as lady within the pride, she really didn't do much. So it felt quite unusual indeed to be called forth in such a manner.
And then the queen addressed the gathered crowd of nobility and Dareia fought to suck in a quick gasp. No more nobility?! I mean, it made sense practically - the slaves, for some time now, had outnumbered those in the cushy high class positions - someone needed to be providing for the pride. But her? It seemed almost blasphemous.
Granted, Dareia was a nice lioness. She didn't have anything against hard work or contributing, that was to to be sure. But you had to understand: Dareia was born into nobility. Not as a Mwezi. No, this went far beyond the bounds of the Mwezi'Johari, back to what almost felt like an ancient pride now: the Ukuucha'Wafalme. Great Lion, she fought to steady herself, she was getting old. She shook her head in an effort to rid itself of the swirling vortex of thoughts on how far life had taken her. In reality, none of it mattered. What mattered now was that she was expected to... to hunt or guard. Never before had she used her claws for anything but sharpening. Well, that was all over now.
Unless, of course, she was a part of the queen's chosen entourage to lead the pride. She almost snorted at that idea: she wasn't well-known enough in the pride for something like that, and she was still "new" blood. Some within the Mwezi didn't care, but others held their nose high at the sight of someone like herself, not born within the pridal lands, reaping benefits she had not been born into. Well, now none of them were to reap those benefits. Served those snooty lions right.
Well, Dareia looked around, taking in the astonished faces of those around her, at least she knew she would be alright. Her mate, Ki'jivu - who recently found himself in the high class but still worked as a guard - was back in their den, and he would be more than happy to show her the ropes of being a working lion. He didn't attend this meeting, as he was newly a member of the high class and still didn't feel quite right gathered around others of the same status. It was strange for him, which she barely approached understanding. He was likely to agree very much with the queen's decision, which made her feel even better about things. Ki'jivu was a very sensible lion. If he approved, then it must be a good decision - although she liked to think she trusted Kimondo wholeheartedly, she had trouble trusting anyone that much.
As murmurs began around her, Dareia ducked her head and moved to the back of the crowd. She would dip out soon - going to report this news to her mate - but first she wanted to see the outcome of all of this. She understood, sure - but many were sure to be in an uproar over this decision. |
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Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2019 11:45 am
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Lailah was standing near the Queen as was her right and duty, but had no intention of speaking unless she was directly addressed. This was Kimondo’s decision and even now the Shaman was still conscious that some might see her as having more influence than acceptable over the younger lioness. Of course they’d discussed the matter and probable reactions. Lailah K’chol did support the decision. But it wasn’t hers. All Kimondo really needed was the Shaman’s show of support, not her voice in front of the rest of the Class.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Halili was not standing behind the Queen like her mate, but still fairly close so that she had a good view of both Kimondo and Orion. She’d had only a vague curiosity about the upcoming announcement...until she actually heard it. Then the lioness couldn’t help giving a self-satisfied snort of amusement. Oh no. Pwecious widdle Lords and Ladies were going to have to get their paws dirty and work for a living. Boo-hoo-hoo.
If any one of the coddled elite gathered here started to complain, there was a former Slave who’d happily give them what-for.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was hard to remember that he was a lot older than many of the lions gathered here. Even the Queen herself. But there were plenty of lions older than him, so Gealach Scath always pictured himself as being a young adult, new-come to that stature and utterly unsure of what he was expected to do with his full growth.
This was why he’d gone ahead and just become a Lord. He had no idea what to do with his life, he had no idea if he was even good at anything, and he was maybe, possibly, a little scared of the possibilities.
He was very tempted to hide behind his mother but he knew Caritas would swat him for it. |
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Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2019 1:09 pm
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Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2019 2:25 pm
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The gathering of the Lords and Ladies was an interesting one, to be sure. Jioni couldn't recall a time when just those specific ranks had been called to gather with the Queen and she, along with the rest of her rank, had come with curiosity. Some with apprehension, some with delight. She found herself among the latter group as she'd always been quite willing to do whatever it took to see the pride thrive. For a potential special task to be given to the high class was a thrill even she could allow to excite her. Jioni still remained quiet and just a bit stoic as she waited for the announcement though if one looked close enough it was easy to see the spark of anticipation in her eye.
When Kimondo finally spoke there was a mix of silence and gasps all around her. Jioni was surprised to be certain, but a small smile bloomed on her muzzle. She had been born and raised to be a Lady, quiet and demure and always well groomed, soaking in the light of the Great Lion every night. But that had never been her true desire in life and now it seemed she would finally be able to explore a new side of life. Her mate was a Guard, perhaps he could show her the ropes.
---
Jens had come with the others as well, not nearly as nervous as some of the older members seemed. He was a fairly easy going male, not afraid to get his paws dirty, and had taken the rank of Lord because it seemed like the thing To Do after being welcomed into the pride. He'd gone out when the Firekin had come to help them despite his rank and he tried to get his brother who had been brought in as a Slave to perk up a bit, but so far Jens was unsuccessful. Perhaps being born a Prince in his home pride had somehow readied him for the rank here.
But in a moment that rank was stripped away. Jens wasn't terribly phased, just as nothing seemed to bother him. He'd been given the rank seemingly randomly in his mind - the Great Lion had selected him for it, yadda yadda - and now again, randomly removed. He wondered which rank he'd like to take up, thinking back to battling the Nergui. Perhaps the guards would welcome him among their numbers.
---
Ancalagon, however, was not so easily swayed. He drew in a sharp breath of surprise as Kimondo removed his birthright, his Great Lion given rank with just a few words. Anger replaced the surprise, dark eyes narrowing and white teeth bared. He wouldn't stand for this! None of the other Lords and Ladies were speaking up, so he would!
"This is madness!" he said, pushing his way a bit closer to the Queen. Not in a threatening way, oh no. Ancalagon wasn't the type to fight physically. The slightest physical pain left him den-ridden until it passed. But threaten his soft, cushy lifestyle and you'd certainly feel the bite of his words.
"What brought this about? The Great Lion has returned to watch over us after the long darkness, surely he didn't demand for those he has already given favor to to be stripped of that right?" His gaze flicked between Kimondo and Lailah, expecting an answer from at least one of them.
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Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2019 4:12 pm
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Surprise Post 2/5 - Kimondo
Kimondo watched in stoic silence as the crowd around her reacted. While the mood of the murmuring was not unified in one direction or the other, it did look like the majority of them were accepting of what she was telling them. She wasn't the least bit surprised when it was a youngster who came barging forward to demand a better explanation.
"It is unacceptable that the only answer for our low class is to accept their lot or leave behind their home and family," she said, repeating back the words from Kumbha that had stuck the most with her, "There are many members of this pride, many members of our own families, who work diligently to earn a small share of the favour the Great Lion has shown us and we act like it is an honor for them to serve us."
She stared down her young uncle with a stern look on her face. Ancalagon might be too young and his family too old and spread out for him to realize how close to home this issue was.
"We do not just exist to be served, we serve Him and this pride as much as the rest," she continued, "Bring your blessings with you to the hunts and patrols. Your status has not changed, just your job."
Post 3/5 - Mhina
Mhina was shocked when the first lion to speak up was a dark youngster that had markings not unlike the queen. He couldn't place him exactly, he was never very good with gossip, but he recognized that they were family. The look on Kimondo's face when she responded said as much, too.
He was fascinated by her answer, too. It was hard not to think about how the queen was the first in living memory to release slaves who wished to depart and that her own children were slaves. He wondered how much either of those factored into it.. he had often wondered if she ought to be releasing slaves the Great Lion said they should be protecting. Did this mean that would stop..?
He started moving slowly toward the front of the crowd to make sure he could keep up with the goings-on.
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Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2019 4:31 pm
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Well, Gealach Scath might not know what he was good at (if anything) but he was far more afraid of confrontation than being bad at a job. And as the Queen verbally flayed Analagon, he decided that having a job he was bad at was much better than drawing Kimondo’s ire. After all, if the High Class was blessed by the Great Lion, then surely the Queen was most blessed of all. That’s why the Shaman had chosen her.
The black lion edged towards his parents even so. He might be far too large to hide behind his mother, but the instinct was deeply ingrained.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Halili’s attention had been peaked when the young brown idiot started railing against the Queen’s decision. She’d expected at least one lion to do this, and had been about to speak out herself when she saw Orion’s expression. Very well, she wouldn’t take the pride’s attention on herself again. Or at least not yet tonight.
Fortunately for all involved, Kimondo was not afraid to answer back and defend her decision. And it was, as far as Halili was concerned, a good answer. It addressed many of the concerns that had been raised over the years, from when her own Nyeusi verbally accosted her sister Iki’renkli, or when Shangyue was able to utilize disaffected Slaves as his bully boys...the list could go on and on.
Not to mention how little Haili herself had thought of the numerous Lords and Ladies who sat on their tails and accomplished nothing all day, save the occasional contribution to the pride’s population. Oh and the Priests. She supposed those lions were good for something.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lailah hadn’t moved her position once, confident that Kimondo would address any questions or complaints about her decree. The Queen had been uncertain of how the pride would take it...not about the necessity of the change. And she’d shown herself to be a strong ruler before, so the older lioness doubted her will would crumble at this point.
The question was how deep Ancalagon wanted to dig his hole.
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Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2019 6:17 pm
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Jioni closed her eyes as she heard the youthful and indignant tone of one of the Lords somewhere behind her in the crowd. Ah, there always had to be one or two that didn't care for change enough to speak up about it. It was odd that it was a lion so young, though she supposed he hadn't lived through the rocky history of the Mwezi's not so distant past. His life had been all roses and moonshine excluding the darkness that had descended over the lands.
Still, she didn't speak. She knew Kimondo would answer any questions, no matter how rudely they were posed. Hopefully the young male wouldn't press too hard and be satisfied with what she gave him.
---
Jens, as nonplussed as ever, turned to watch the dark male push his way through the other Lords and Ladies. He tilted his head just a bit, curious as to why he was so upset. He understood the belief system of the Mwezi very well, but he couldn't understand why taking part - even just a bit! - in helping the pride rather than being a burden would upset anyone.
He shifted his weight from paw to paw, hopeful that the other Lord wouldn't cause a ruckus. He'd help diffuse it if possible but he truly hoped it wouldn't come to that. He remained staring at the other male, eyes unblinking, ready to move if need be.
---
Ancalagon stopped once he reached the front of the crowd, keeping a respectable distance between himself and Kimondo. He could feel all the eyes of those gathered on him and it did cow him a bit, his ears drooping and tail tucking between his legs, but he kept his head high and his gaze firm. He wanted to know why this was being done and who the Queen thought she was to decree this new law. Yes, she was the Queen, but she was not the Great Lion. Unless the idea had somehow come from him, Ancalagon wouldn't be satisfied.
"But it is," he said, not understanding what the problem was. "The Great Lion chose us - all of us! - to be in his favor. Those in lower classes need to earn it. That is the way of things, isn't it? Unless the Great Lion told either of you that this should be the new way of things, I can't say I agree." Ancalagon liked his cushy lifestyle, but he also liked being in favor of the Great Lion. To go against him would surely bring misfortune to the pride...wouldn't it?
He swallowed thickly as he stood his ground. To go up against the Queen, one selected by the Shaman herself as the favored one, was terrifying, even if they were related through his mother. But he had to do it! To him, this was blasphemy.
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AstoriaFallen
AstoriaFallen
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Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2019 6:41 pm
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Quietly he stood towards the back and listened. He was good at listening, his brother on the other paw, he was not. Listening to how he spoke and passion in his voice, he could tell his brother was taking this news quite hard.
Vervain looked over at Tarenoth and then towards the direction of his brother and frowned, she hoped that nothing bad came of his outburst. "Do you think he is going to be okay?" She wondered if perhaps he should approach his brother and say something to him, but Kimondo seemed to have her opinions about his outburst.
Tarenoth shook his head, "Let him get it out. I'm sure there are more than just him with similiar feelings, if it's out now then perhaps no one else will react the same way." He was being hopeful, his brothers anger about the whole thing was a little unsettling but he could see where he was coming from.
"If you say so..." There was some good to come of this though, "You can hunt with me now." She said with a laugh as she nudged his shoulder playfully.
"I might become a guard, you don't know that yet." He said with a wink.
Akela was relieved to hear about the changes, perhaps that would mean less strife between the ranks. He knew firstpaw how it could affect the members of the pride, his relationship with Tawi had been on the fence for a long time because of their ranks they had been born into. Now they'd be the same rank, after having spending time in each other's rank. He knew it wouldn't be widely accepted to many of those within the pride but for him, and for his children, he was thankful for this change. He spotted his daughter not far away, his son at his side.
"This is an interesting change of things, isn't it?" He said with a sideways glance. He was aware of where his sister was, he wondered what was going to end up happening to the pride because of this news. It seemed to be taken with a grain of salt, not widely accepted by a few, but others seemed okay with the idea. He was curious to see how this would turn out.
 I don't think I ever got him recert rofl
He hadn't been in the pride long, and had been accepted into the High Class and had been thrilled to know that his brother and sister were also in the pride. One of which wasn't far from where he stood now. "I see someone has a chip on their shoulder." The ex-prince and now ex-lord said to his sibling as he listened to the outburst of the younger lion.
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Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2019 7:32 pm
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Post 3/5 - Kimondo
"The Mwezi'Johari serve the Great Lion and blessed though the high class may be, we are not His equal," she said, narrowing her eyes are the persistent lord before her, "It's time to acknowledge that the Slaves are not serving Him when we live like this, they are serving us. Our pride has not known lasting stability in generations. We won't survive like this much longer."
Kimondo straightened herself up, feeling the weight of her role in this pride most keenly tonight, sparing a glance up to the stars where her predecessors were said to rest with the Great Lion. She had outlasted several rulers by now, evaded an untimely demise at the paws of a vengeful enemy or ambitious relative.. she wasn't even sure how but she feared less and less for her safety every day.
"Our most blessed carry the greatest burdens of responsibility here, not the least," she went on, "The Shaman speaks on His behalf, carrying the weight of our spiritual safety with her. She must come from the high class. The priests act as intermediates between us and Him, facilitating our celebrations and carrying our thanks to Him. They must be from the higher classes. The Queen keeps His pride peaceful and maintains His legacy in the mortal world. My position is hereditary and yet, my heir must be from the high class."
Her expression was stern but her tone was measured. She was prepared for these questions, she had just taken far too long to make this change. She had the Shaman behind her and prayed she did not need to step in, this was Kimondo's duty as monarch. She would see it through.
"The Great Lion wants us to flourish under his watchful eye," she said, "Imagine the kind of impact you can have, taking an active role in our society instead of just existing."
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Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2019 7:51 pm
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The more the young male pushed, the more murmurs were heard in the crowd. Jioni opened her eyes once more though they remained half-lidded, her expression one of total calmness and acceptance. Her senses were sharp, though, and she kept tabs on the topics of those around her. Thankfully most seemed to be speaking with distaste towards Ancalagon rather than approval. The last thing they needed now was another uprising.
Though, she thought to herself as she turned her gaze towards the young male, he didn't really seem the type to spearhead a rebellion. She could see him trembling from here.
---
The Queen's words resonated within Jens. Yes, he was high class, but that didn't mean he couldn't help. His mother had walked through her lands every day to check on her pride, his father had fished in the lake to feed them all. He grew up knowing hard work made a pride whole and that those who stood out usually grew distant and split the bond only those within a group could have.
A familiar voice drew his attention to his side and he gave a little nod to his brother, Kiviuq. He shrugged slightly, unsure of how to take the outburst of the younger male.
"Change can be hard," he said, even the lion of few but meaningful words. He fell silent after that, curious to hear what the Lord had to say in return to the Queen's words.
---
The murmurs from behind him were drowned out as Kimondo spoke. Though her tone was firm she wasn't shouting nor berating him, but it was still clear this wasn't up for debate. Ancalagon felt his limbs trembling as he tried to keep his ground, but it was becoming more and more apparent he was standing alone before her, before the Shaman, before the whole pride. If others thought the same way as him they were staying quiet. He too looked up at the sky, seeing some sort of sign, some sort of message from the Great Lion, but the stars only twinkled merrily in the night.
"Then I am to answer to a lower class lion should I take on the roles being forced upon me?" he asked. If this was something the Great Lion decreed, if this was truly what he wanted, why was it turning everything Ancalagon knew on its head? How was the Head Hunter or Guard going to show him due respect if they were middle class lions and he was technically under them in rank, but not class? It was a headache he didn't want to deal with at all.
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Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2019 11:08 am
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AstoriaFallen
AstoriaFallen
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Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2019 8:58 pm
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Post 4/5 - Kimondo & Mhina
Mhina was front and center for the confrontation between the young lord and the queen after a few careful pushes through the crowd. While they had some space around them, it looked like everybody really wanted to see this. Ancalagon was an interesting young lion. He looked both familiar and foreign, and though he was plainly afraid, he was willing to push back. He had a lot of potential, Mhina thought, if only he could see past his entitlement..
Hopefully the queen was not blind to it.
He, too, looked up at the sky and wondered if the Great Lion might intervene somehow. It was a clear night and they were all in full view of the moon right now, there could be no doubt that He was watching them as they fought, though silently. Was it truly what He wanted for them, or would He simply trust His favorite lioness to lead them? It ultimately didn't matter which is was to Mhina.
"We should all be willing to defer to the expertise of someone with the experience we lack," Kimondo answered, managing to stifle a heavy sigh as the fight seemed to be dying down, "If you choose to hunt, you should accept the guidance of your Head Huntress and Hunt Leaders and offer them your support."
It would not be easy for all of the Lords and Ladies who had thus far been able to keep themselves above all others with the notion that they did not need to work. They would cling to it. It would be even harder for the older nobles. Anca would adapt.
"A blessed birthday is not the only way to gain respect here," she said, "Every hunter and guard in this pride works hard to keep us safe and fed. Our slaves work endlessly to make themselves a home under a god who does not notice them. There are may things worthy of respect. They do it for all of us and for the Great Lion, bring His blessing with you when you work with them. Help them get closer to Him, as He has asked us to do."
It was difficult question he had posed and there was no right answer that would not make someone unhappy. Perhaps her answer would make nobody happy.
"Ancalagon," Kimondo said, looking back down at her young uncle with sympathy and lowering her voice so she could address him more personally, "Give it some time, you'll understand."
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