History
The Sûzat has been around for as long as anyone can remember. Its origins are lost to time, but the story of its founding always talks of two brothers leading a nomadic group of lions to settle in the lands now inhabited by the pride. The names and faces change, but the bones of the story always remain the same. The roaming group of lions became quite adept at living in one place, learning how to use the land to their advantage. Various talented lions were called upon to teach others the skills they had learned, whether it was farming, enticing plants and vegetation to be used to lure in large herds, growing the special plant the lions themselves enjoying chewing, or showing others how to speak the language of the prey animals to fend off other predators and gain their trust while still taking what the pride needed for food.
Originally the pride was run by a council of clan chiefs, the heads of the various families within the Sûzat. The two brothers established this form of government from the start, thinking it would take into consideration everyone's wants and needs. Unfortunately, as the pride grew, more and more clan chiefs were being added to the council until it became too overwhelming to hold meetings and make decisions. Finally it was decided that there would be one ruler that the clan chiefs selected, and from then on the Sûzat were ruled by one leader called the Thain.
A peaceful pride, the Sûzat were always welcoming to those passing by. They were - and still are - wonderful hosts that ensure their guests are comfortable and happy at all times. They are fond of food and drink, but also merriment, parties, and stories from times gone by.
Pride Lands
The pride is divided into four different sections called Farthings. Only two - West and East - house the lions that live there. The North and South Farthings are either too swampy or too open to allow anyone to make a permanent home, and are instead used for farming, both of plants and of animals. Below the four Farthings are described in further detail.
Northfarthing: Moorland. This is the area of land where the herds come to and from the pride. The gently rolling hills of the moors are full of wild grasses and shrubs as well as the cultivated plants from the East, drawing in the herds on their migrations. It is the largest of the four sections of Sûzat but the least inhabited. Generally only Herders are found here, but there's no restriction on traveling to the North.
Southfarthing: Marshes. One of the two farming districts of Sûzat, this area is known for the production of iboga, the plant the lions like to chew after a good meal to relax. During the rainy season this area floods easily so there are no permanent dens in the area. The marshes stretch further than anyone cares to venture.
Eastfarthing: Baranduin River. The second of the farming districts, this is also an area where dens are made. The farming lands are closer to the water while the dens are closer to the center of the pride. The river is too wide and deep to ford safely and creates a nice border.
Westfarthing: White Downs Mountains. This district is primarily where the dens are kept and the parties are held. The gently rolling foothills of the mountains are fertile and lush, making a beautiful setting for the lions of the pride. The mountains turn quite steep and dangerous very quickly, the tops even getting snow, and no one has been known to cross them and return to tell the tale.
Holidays
Yule: Celebrated at the start of the dry season, Yule consists of two days: 1 Yule and 2 Yule. 1 Yule signifies the end of one year and 2 Yule is the start of the new one. This is a time for feasting, stories, and reflecting on the year that has gone by. While still a merry celebration, it is the lesser of the two holidays. It is time to spend with loved ones and to relax from the daily workload before preparations begin for dealing with the dry season.
Lithe: Celebrated at the start of the rainy season, Lithe consists of three days: 1 Lithe, Midyear's Day, and 2 Lithe. Every four years there is a fourth day that is added. It is called Overlithe and falls between Midyear's Day and 2 Lithe. The three (or on occasion, four) days celebrate the return of the rains which flood the river and rejuvenate the farming lands and the swamp. The influx of water draws large herds as well. During Lithe, everyone ceases working to feast, party, and trade or sell goods in a large bazaar. Visitors are known to journey simply for Lithe and are welcome to bring their own goods for trading.
Size
The original lions of the Sûzat were quite small thanks to the poor conditions in which they lived originally. Being nomadic required lots of energy for little reward. Lions with original Sûzat blood are generally smaller than the average lion, but with the influx of rogues that joined over the many years it is more common to see averaged sized lions. Large lions are few and far between and generally feel a little out of place. Those that have lived in the Sûzat all their life - or for a decent amount of time - become very round around the middle due to their diet of well-fed preybeasts and Brew.
Iboga
Iboga is the only plant cultivated in the marshes in the South. This is the one plant the lions grow for themselves and for trading. It is a hallucinogenic plant to creatures of lesser fortitude, but for the experienced Sûzat lion, does nothing more than relax them and put them in a good mood. Taking in high doses it can be lethal so it is always measured out carefully when being given to adolescents or strangers. Cubs are not allowed to chew Iboga. It can be chewed any time of the day but after meals is a favorite of the Sûzat. Lions that are new to the treat sometime chew more than they should at parties which is always fun entertainment for the adults.
Brew
Brew is the fermented beverage created in the West by the Brewers. Taking the wheat grown in the East, it is mixed with water and a few other secret ingredients known only to the Brewers to create the drink that is so dear to the Sûzat. Brew is only served on special occasions as it takes a while to make and is not for cubs. Drinking too much will make a younger lion sick, but older ones with bellies to prove their stamina can drink their fill and only be mildly drunk. Occasionally fermented fruits will be added to the Brew to create different flavors.
Beliefs
Coloration: The Sûzat don't discriminate against any shade or tone. Natural colors dominated the pride in its early years so there's a bit of assumption that there is old blood within a lion if they are of natural coloration, but beyond that there is nothing associated with any hue. That being said, yellows and greens are favored colors, considered lucky and that they bring the lion luck or good fortune. It's common for a lion without these colors to wear something yellow or green, like a feather or a scrap of cloth as a good luck charm. If there's even a hint of green or yellow on a lion's pelt you can bet they'll be the apple of quiet a few eyes.
Other Species: Sûzat lions are about as hospitable as you can get. They are willing to open their dens to any weary traveler, be they hyena or badger. The pride itself is lion-only* as far as living is concerned but it's very common to see visiting cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, wild dogs, and even hybrids. So long as no disturbance is made, anyone is welcome for a stay.
*A recent change has been made allowing non-lions to live within the pride as full Suzat members if the SoA is an ambassador from another pride/pack/coalition/etc. They can pick any unlimited rank.
Breeding/Sexuality: As the pride is lion-only, the Sûzat believe that lions should mate with lions alone. They aren't rude to rogue hybrids passing through, but if a female happens to give birth to cheetons or leopons you bet there will be talk. The cubs would be allowed to stay until they were old enough to fend for themselves, at which point they would be led out of the pride. They would be welcome to return to visit, but not to stay. OOCly there is nothing against hybrid breeding, there would just be IC consequences. They are more than welcome to participate in Mix and Match months with the option of hybrid cubs as long as you, the owner, are willing to deal with the IC repercussions.
Sûzat lions love life and being happy. The pride as a whole has no rules against same sex couples, although they do encourage surrogate parents if both parties agree, or adopting orphaned cubs should the couple want to raise a family.
Familiars: Predator familiars are welcome, prey familiars not so much. There is nothing that says a lion can't have a prey familiar but they will be teased about it constantly. Generally, if a lion doesn't want to be bothered on a daily basis, they will select a familiar that doesn't eat plants. All familiars must be bonded with a lion and do not receive their own rank.
Honored Members: If a lion from an allied pride comes to live with the Suzat, whatever rank they take will have 'Honored' in front of it to denote their allied status. If they take a mate from the Suzat that lion will also adopt the 'Honored' title. The honorific does not pass to children.
