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 Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 4:34 pm
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Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2018 5:01 pm
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◈ Government and Structure ◈
The pride is very strict about the progression of their members from cub to adult and they take great lengths to train and teach them in all aspects of what it means to belong to The Outlands. Their lions are meant to be as tough as the canyon rocks, as unforgiving as the shifting sands, and as regal as the towers that loom above them. The pridal structure itself is broken up into three categories: The Royal Family, the Three-Fold-System, and the Unsorted roles
I. The first, and arguably most important category, is the Royal Family. This consists of the current Monarch, their heir, and any of their cubs. If an heir is old enough to produce cubs before they take the throne, their litters will be included in this category and their eldest will be named 'Heir Apparent'. Once a litter has reached adolescence they will be entered into the three-fold-system (although generally still referred to as a prince or princess) unless they are the eldest and named heir. In addition to the Monarch, Heir and Cubs is the Monarch's mate - the Consort. Although they are not forbidden to hold any ranks within the pride, the Consort is not required to participate in the three-fold-system while their mate is alive if they do not wish to.
If a Monarch dies, their Heir will inherit the throne immediately and all royal cubs of their predecessor and the Consort will be demoted to regular pride members.
II. The second category is the Three-Fold-System. This is their tried and true method for sorting all members into their most useful roles within the pride. Each branch of the system is led by a Vizier that is considered to be a living, physical extension of the current monarch - The Monarch's Claw, The Monarch's Soul, and The Monarch's Mind. Each Vizier may only ever serve a single Monarch and will lose their position as soon as the throne is passed on; generally this means they will retire to a position called 'Wise One' unless they otherwise choose to devote themselves to the pride and opt back into the Three-Fold-System.
- Military: These lions are the battle-hungry warriors who do anything from training and hunting to guarding and battling. They are the most physical and the greatest assets to the pride's offense and defense. Every adolescent and new pride member (who does not show prior battle experience) will be required to serve a three month term at the beginner's level of the Military, no matter what branch of the system they eventually choose. For adolescents, they will graduate out once they grow to adult.
- Clergy: These are the religious members of the pride whose job it is to interpret and pass on the will of the ancestors through a study of the stars and general astronomy. It also includes tried and true seers but never, ever gods (because they do not recognize their authority). In addition to interpretation of the ancestor's will, certain ranks will also sit trial with the Monarch and the Monarch's Soul to determine the fate of those who trespass against pride tradition.
- Academy: The studied, thoughtful members of the pride who are responsible for anything in the realm of study. This includes, but is not limited to, teachers, strategists, and record keepers. They are the primary source of information for the entire pride and spend a great deal of their time educating cubs for the future to ensure that ignorance does not rum rampant.
III. The third and final category is for the Unsorted Roles. This is the category that all cubs will begin in and, when it is necessary, the category that disgraced pride members may temporarily or permanently end back up in.
◈ Day-to-Day Life ◈
Beyond religion, the Outlands has a very particular culture based in respect, renown and the physical being. They are very battle oriented due to their belief in pushing the physicality of the mortal being AND being ready to eliminate threats to their throne and way of life. More than that, and perhaps due to Mufasa's traitorous theft of the throne, they have a peculiar sense of honor that extends to their family and pride above all others. This means that within the pride they do not believe in crossing one another or sabotaging their pride's way of life in any way that could be deemed disrespectful.
Their behavior outside of the pride towards non-members is an entirely different and unregulated story. Outsiders, and particularly Pridelanders, may find them to be a surly, aggressive type of lion. Whatever they do and whatever fights they pick beyond pride borders with non-members is no concern of their pride - other creatures should know how to take care of themselves and if not, well, they'd better learn.
Absolute Oaths
Due to their devotion to one another, it is not uncommon for pride members to swear oaths to one another. These oaths should not be taken lightly - they are considered unbreakable once they are made and violating them may be as serious as being taken to court and having one's soul judged by the Clergy.
Oaths can take many forms and be spoken for many reasons, but all absolute oaths will be sealed with the phrase: By blood and bone.
Some common oaths are as follows:
Marriage
Repayment of debt (being saved or aided by another pride member)
Repayment of honor (in instances where accidental dishonor has been incurred)
Attempts to incite trust/prove loyalty
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Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2018 5:02 pm
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◈ Religion and Death ◈
Religion in the Outlands is a bit a of misnomer. It comes in two parts - the circle of life and a particular sort of faith termed ancestor worship. They do not believe in gods in any form and take comfort only from the will and wisdom of those that have come before them. Unlike the Pridelands who once claimed that only the kings and queens of their realm would gain membership, the Outlands have always and will always believe that any lion that lives a respectful, dutiful life will be rewarded with their place among the stars.
Due to their belief of ancestors among the stars, the Outlands often names stars after their deceased ancestors and large constellations will often be named after their most renowned warriors and monarchs. Typically the greater a lion's ranking, the larger their star tribute. It is the job of the Clergy (and somewhat the Academy) to memorize these tributes so that they are not forgotten and all ancestors are remembered with the proper honor.
Not uncommonly, specific lines and families may look up to their own family ancestors with greater reverence than those of other lineages and often will reuse the names of the deceased for new Broodlings. However, if a lion was renowned for something specific in life (ie: killing a great threat, saving an important member of the pride, or being particularly fertile) then a lion of any family may seek their wisdom and guidance.
Scar is the one lion whose star tribute is honored by all and the one lion whose name may not be used in future Broodling litters - there will never be another Taka.
Prayer
Lions may seek to pray alone or may ask a member of the Clergy for their guidance. There are no idols and no physical manifestations of worship ever allowed - the ancestors are beings without physical boundaries and to assume they want anything of the mortal world is to deny them their right as a being beyond mortal concept.
Prayer is typically done in a wide open field, over a large watering hole, or atop a tall cliff. The point is simply that it is somewhere that a lion feels they can be at peace with the stars and those that came before, uninterrupted.
Death
When a lion dies, there is a seven day period of mourning over the deceased. The day-to-day schedule varies between families but there are several rules that may not be broken during this period:
No duels can be initiated by or against a member of the family.
The pride will provide food for the family.
Any member of the family will be excused from duties.
Any trial against a member of the family will be postponed.
If there is an exiled member of the family, they may return to the pride for that seven days (if they make it in time).
On the first day of death, the family member is taken to an isolated cliff that overlooks the river. At last light on the seventh day, the body is left alone and no one may return to the cliff until the next pride member passes away. This cliff is where the bodies of ancestors are consumed by the circle of life (vultures and scavengers mostly) in full view of the ancestors that have passed before them so that they may be inducted properly into the stars beyond.
◈ Military Service ◈
As previously mentioned, all adolescents and SOME new members will be required to serve in the military for a period of (3) Months. For adolescents, this is the time it would take for them to age up to their adult stage. For new members, there are TWO ways that they can opt out of this if they so choose and the opportunity is applicable to them:
Scars - If they have proof of battle scars, it is enough to skip both the military service and duel requirement. These scars MUST be present on their official lineart (obtained through the shop or an official mini-shop) at the time of their joining. Scars are seen as badges of honor among pride members and are proof that a lion has gone to battle and survived.
Duel - A joining lion may use the duel system and fight a basic level member (ie: a member with no accrued bonuses) but they must win. Losing will not prevent membership, it will simply necessitate that they serve three months as an Unbranded.
**These Duels DO count toward the dueling point system.**
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Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2018 5:05 pm
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◈ || The Binding Laws || ◈
our obedience
Crimes come in all shapes and sizes in the Outlands but are generally categorized as either a matter of dishonor or a matter of treason. Punishment can vary depending on the type and severity of the crime but the one constant in any matter is the Court and the necessity for a lion to have his or her honor weighed by the Clergy and (in serious instances) the leaders.
Each Court hearing is done in the presence of several Clergy members, always including at least (1) Justice and/or The Monarch's Soul. In instances of great dishonor or treason, this will also include the Monarch themselves. Generally, however, The Monarch's Soul is accepted as an extension of the Monarch and thus capable of making the decision that the Monarch would themselves. If you find out your hearing is to take place with the Monarch in attendance, you have royally fudged up.
If you wish to have your lion stand trial as part of a plot device, please contact one of the Pride Owners or the owner of an appropriately ranked Clergy member.
Hearings and Punishment
As previously stated, punishment varies depending on the type of crime that has been committed, as does the lion that will preside over the judgement.
Minor Crimes - Reviewed by at least (1) Justice
These are the most common types of crimes among Outlands. Minor crimes include, but are not limited to: Minor disrespect toward other pride members, failure to perform parental duties, or failure to perform pridal duties. Repeated minor crime offenders may find themselves judged more harshly.
If found guilty for a minor crime, a lion can expect a variety of small punishments such as fighting a duel against the lion they have disrespected (or their chosen champion in instances where they are no longer capable) or losing their hard-earned battle ranks (points).
Intermediate Crimes - Reviewed by at least (1) Justice and The Monarch's Soul
These are less common in the Outlands and are where things start to get serious for pride members. Intermediate Crimes include, but are not limited to: Major disrespect toward other pride members, cheating in battle, or breaking small absolute oaths. Repeated intermediate crime offenders may find themselves judged more harshly.
If found guilty for an intermediate crime, a lion can expect a variety of medium punishments such as fighting a duel against the lion they have disrespected (or their chosen champion in instances where they are no longer capable), being stripped of hard-earned battle ranks (points), or being temporarily demoted to the rank of Tarnished.
If a lion breaks a Marriage vow they will always be demoted to at least (3) months as a Tarnished and may be awarded a more unique punishment equivalent to the vow they have broken if the presiding Clergy member sees fit.
Major Crimes - Reviewed by at least (1) Justice, The Monarch's Soul and the Monarch themselves.
These are really the sorts of crimes your lion does not want to commit. These include, but are not limited to: Major disrespect to the royal family, willing creation of hybrids, endangering the pride or another pride member, and all acts of determined treason. It may also include very serious breaches of an absolute oath (such as those made to a royal family member or sworn upon the ancestors). A lion will not get a chance to be a repeated major crime offender.
If a lion commits a Major Crime, the punishment is always severe. This includes but is not limited to exile (temporary or permanent), a lengthy or permanent term as a Tarnished, or possibly even a death sentence. Do not commit a major crime lightly.
The Tarnished
The tarnished is a very specific but (usually) temporary ranking among Outlanders. It is reserved almost specifically for those that commit crimes against the pride and will always be doled out after an official hearing witnessed by the Clergy.
Tarnished pride members are used as work mules by other members of the pride and may not utter a single word during the duration of their sentencing. Refusing a task or speaking may lengthen the term OR cause a member to be exiled from the lands.
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