[INFO] The Compendium

[The Al-Siq]

 

[The Al-Siq]

Government, the Legal System and Foreign Policy

The Government

The government is made up by the elected Politico; these individuals are elected annually by the entire nation and their responsibility is to voice the concerns and wishes of their respective constituents. These Politicos are voted in based on rough locations and tend to represent 'districts' or townships.

When there is no monarch on the throne the government has the power to make laws to protect and serve the pride; however, any attempts to remove democracy as a right of the nation are swiftly put down. It is not uncommon for the most power hungry Politicos to be discovered dead during the night when they take one step too far.

The Politico should know their place, and generally know that any attempts to steal the freedoms of the nation will be met with the swift judgement of a Justicar.

When a Monarch is present the Politico act as an advisory council, often bringing the concerns of their constituents to the Monarch. No matter how small the issue might be, they're likely to complain about it. In short, if the Politico wants to complain about chickens then the Monarch will most likely have to listen to it.

...And so will everyone else.

They do however serve an invaluable role in ensuring that the Monarch is aware of the desires and concerns of the general populace as he simply can't communicate with all of them at once, it's simply impossible.


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The Legal System

The pride has a legal system, one that ensures that all civilians are accountable. This means that everything you would expect in a legal system is present - Judges, law enforcement and even legal aid!

All individual lions are expected to follow the laws of the land; those who have broken it will be arrested by the peacekeepers. Depending on the severity of the crime one might be warned, or they may be brought before a Judge to stand trial with varying degrees of punishment.

During the course of a legal hearing the accused will come up against a judge who will listen to the case put forward by the Peacekeepers, and also to the defence put forward by the accused's representative. The Judge may then decide upon an appropriate punishment if they find the accused guilty.

Be aware, the pride does have a gaol!
(There will be no executions, these are performed by Justicars only.)


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Foreign Policy & Alliances

The pride has been isolationist for a very long time, this is courtesy of the vast amounts of protection they have been granted by the landmarks around them. For the most part, the vast majority of prides and other lifeforms in the regions nearby simply haven't been aware that they existed...

They have a natural border compromising of very thorny and very poisonous plant life around the 'gates' to their home which generally discourage the vast majority of individuals from traveling through them. That does not mean that the pride leaves its borders exposed though, on the contrary these are heavily guarded.

Due to recent events the existence of this pride has been revealed to those beyond their borders and as a consequence, they have been forced to recognise the possibility that more than just the very occasional straggler might attempt to pass through the gates.

...Generally speaking the pride are not happy with this, especially those who are wary of outsiders, but there are opportunists among the more accepting the civilian ranks who see the potential for a very lucrative set of deals!

- Alliances

The government will be very cautiously open to these.

- Visitors

All Visitors will be required to register at the 'gates' of the pride where they will receive their necklace. This necklace helps to identify them as an outsider which ensures they can be watched, but also assisted if neccessary. If you are found within the gates without one of these necklaces you will be removed.

 

[The Al-Siq]

Religion and Mythos

Religion

The Pride is inclined towards religion in a manner of speaking, though it is rare that they would congregate in one spot to pay homage to any particular deity.

Rather than following a specific set of feline deities, this particular pride lends their faith towards draconic entities.

Consequently the church that exists within this pride is compromised of religions figures that preach the old mythos of the dragon gods. The leading figure within this organisation is the Dragon Priest and he is the bane of the Justicar's existence.

The power of the Dragon Priest's prophecies are steeped in tradition and as a consequence, these prophecies (though rare) command an incredible amount of respect. It should come at no surprise that the nation is waiting with bated breath for the time in which the current Dragon Priest's prophecy comes to pass and a new Monarch is returned to the throne...


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The Mythos

It is believed that the land in which the pride reside is blessed by dragons of many colours. They live within the land of many coloured clouds and have long since returned to these heavens.

However, long ago it is said, that a mighty battle occurred between these great dragons and their corrupted brother. He was said to be an individual who inspired great hatred and violence among the mortal races. During these dark periods, great swathes of death and destruction occurred until the great serpents took their stand.

It was during this period in which the Red, Green, Yellow, Blue and White serpents waged war against the Black Dragon. The battle was long and arduous, and yet finally they managed to defeat their brother and cast him in to the abyss. It is said that he is sealed in the depths of the deepest canyon within the pride's territory and that the shrine is hidden from the eyes of mortals.

...And yet, while the Black Dragon had finally been placed in to an eternal slumber, it seemed that his followers would not rest. Thus the dragons blessed the purest among the ancient lions so that they might battle for them. United under one monarch, these twelve noble souls became the original Justicars and sought to wipe out the scourge that the Black Dragon had left upon the land.

They were victorious and peace came to the region.

A new nation was born, and when the dragons were satisfied that their mortal children were safe, they once again returned to their heavily seats.

However, their lessons were never forgotten and continue to be preached this day...Or so they say.

While the Dragon Priesthood might preach the glory and might of the many coloured serpents, there are others within the depths of the nation, deep in underground warrens, who tell a very different tale.

A tale in which the Black Dragon is awoken, and with renewed strength, will strike down the cowardly serpents in heaven that could only defeat him as one, rather than on their own...


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Foreign Deities

This nation of lions do not regard the standard deities of the world as legitimate, in fact, they don't even know they exist. Consequently, a standard deity would find they are not regarded as anything of note, even if they were to appear in all their winged glory. Generally speaking a lion within the pride would acknowledge them as being unusual, but typically 'foreign'.

Based on their isolationist tendencies but awareness that certain regions of their own land promote different physical strengths, they would simply assume these winged beings had adapted to wherever they may have came from.

 

[The Al-Siq]

Castes & Ranks

The castes within the pride are traditionally determined by two factors - birth, and wealth.

This means that at each Caste (Rank if you prefer), there are individuals who have varying degrees of influence and wealth. Generally speaking the more well off a family is, the more influential and high ranking they are...

Nobles

For nobles, this means that the richest ranks might have the largest businesses and the largest number of employees. Arguably they might also have a large amount of land, though it should be noted that the Justicars ultimately own this land and the nobles are no more than caretakers. A poorer noble might be a recently promoted Civilian who has received a stipend and is slowly making their way towards establishing themselves.

Nobles place a lot of value on their wealth and social status, as such, they may look down on those who are slightly well off with disdain.

The richer will generally be found with the wealthier nobles, and the less fortunate nobles are typically found with those of a similar status.


Civilians

Good news, Civilians are typically much more relaxed when it comes to their social status!

The only thing you might notice is that a civilians manners might...decline slightly, as their wealth decreases. Civilians are much more inclined towards getting things done as opposed to pretending to be well bred all of the time. If they want to swear, and do so loudly, then it's not uncommon for a farmhand or trader to do so.

Unsurprisingly, those of the middling classes who are trying to rise into the ranks through good marriages and connections will generally attempt to fit in to the noble ranks' expectations of good breeding.

In short, Civilians are very flexible and their mannerisms and behaviour can vary considerably.

 

[The Al-Siq]

Education and Professions

Education

Education within the pride is generally flexible for cubs when they first enter the system. They are given enough of an education to understand the very basics of each and every profession, this ensures that they have a rough idea of exactly what they might want to do as they grow up.

From Adolescence a child will then be required to consider where they would like to go. When they have made a career path they will be given a more tailored education to suit their needs.

Given the nature of the pride, they have a fairly advanced understanding of a variety of subjects, so it is assumed that those who enter fields such as the military or medicine will be well taught in the ways of strategy or herbalism as an example.

An individual may choose to continue their education in to later life, this is not uncommon for those who may ultimately realise they may have wished to pursue another career path entirely.

Cubs are traditionally educated while their parents work to keep them out of harm's way, and to ensure their parents can continue about their business undisturbed.


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Professions

Professions within the pride are so varied that you can safely assume that a lion can be anything. Yes, this means you can even go so far as to say that your lion works in the red light district (though the consequences of that are on your own head).

A lion within the pride may change professions once or twice until they find their true calling but it is typically looked down upon to change professions constantly. If you are identified as a jack of all trades, but a master of none, then you'll be of no use to anyone and won't be terribly well respected.

Unique professions and their requirements are listed in the ranks thread - no profession will appear on a cert.

 

[The Al-Siq]

General Attire and Appearance

Attire and Jewellery

It is generally considered standard for those in the pride to be wearing some form of bangle, bracelet, necklaces or beading. These are usually minimalistic in appearance but still distinct.

Civilians will generally select colours that correspond with the region they live in. For example, those who live within the region protected by the green Justicar will typically wear green beading.

Nobles tend to prefer more neutral colours, this is due to their desire to be on equal standing with the Justicars though they are still subservient to them. However, the overall style of the jewellery remains the same despite the difference in colour.

Foreigners and Jewellery

Those who are foreigners will have a very simple necklace while in the pride territory. They won't be able to acquire any of the standard jewellery the pride use as this is considered unique; they will be able to buy 'tourist' trinkets though.


Colouration and Markings

Most of the pride have some form of marking, the most common markings are face masks and freckles. However, any form distinctive marking is usually expected.

Pure and unblemished coats of any colour are very rare and are regarded with curiosity. Depending on the colour, they might also find they are regarded with suspicion and fear (black) or revered (white). This is due to the dragon god mythos. Given their rarity, if it's noted that more and more unblemished individuals are continuing to appear, this will often gain the unwanted attention of the Justicars...