Species: This is a lion and lion hybrid dominated pride, but other feline species and hybrids are welcomed to live in the lands
Familiars: All familiars are allowed, but if they are not bonded to a regular pride member they'll have to fend for themselves
Owner: Big Hobbit
Who They Are
The Indlovukati is a well guarded sanctuary hidden deep within the vast rainforest they call home. Lead by their Queen, the pride is ruled by powerful female warriors who protect everyone and ensure the tranquility and prosperity of the lands. Everyone lives in peace and unity amidst the vines and trees.
Striving to be in harmony with their environment, they are mindful of what they take from the rainforest and are careful not to over hunt prey animals. Pride members spend much of their time meditating, training their bodies and minds, and building strong bonds with one another. Due to their spiritual nature and their value for life, the warriors will only engage in battle if they are threatened. Though they prefer not to kill, they will do whatever it takes to protect their home.
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Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2019 8:34 pm
The home of the Indlovukati is hidden deep in a beautiful rainforest surrounded by tall trees. The pride lives along the Congo river that flows through the main land and provides them with fresh drinking water and fish. During the day, the bright rays of the sun shine down on the lands through the canopy. At night, the moon illuminates the surface of the river.
Locations
Village Circle A large open area surrounded by trees that serves as a communal space for the pride. It is also where everyone gathers together for ceremonies and events.
Two Dens These two dens are small caves that lie side by side and sit upon a lowly elevated hill that looks over the Village Circle. They are both spacious and deep with smaller shallow caves lining the inside of the walls. With the peace that the pride had maintained, both dens now allow females and males to sleep where they choose.
Training Grounds On the opposite side of the Village Circle from the dens, there is a path that leads down through dense trees to a large area where the ground is cleared. This is where the warriors of the pride train, spar, and learn valuable lessons about self discipline and inner strength. This is also where the Masters teach young cubs about living harmoniously and train civilians in self defense.
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2019 8:34 pm
Original History
Anansi was once a princess in her homeland, until one day everything that she knew and loved was lost. Her home, her family, her people, everything was gone. Distraught, she ran away from the only place she'd ever known. She traveled east for days and sought refuge deep into parts of the rainforest that she never knew existed, far from her home, in hopes of finding a safe place to live for a while. Unfortunately, there was untold danger lurking in the trees. The area where the Indlovukati currently resides was controlled by a violent gang of males who kept lionesses as slaves. Females were only allowed to hunt and bear cubs for the dominant males, they were otherwise kept guarded in dark caves. Any female that stepped too far out of line was at risk of being injured or killed. The lionesses feared the males and were mostly meek and subservient to them.
One day, Anansi was discovered on her own and was captured and enslaved by the males that controlled the area. When she was brought to their home, she was horrified by the way the lionesses were treated having come from an all female pride. Anansi knew she had to fight back against her captors or she would live the rest of her life as a slave, and being a princess at heart, she couldn't have that. Anansi tried to teach the lionesses that they were strong and could defeat the slavers by working together. Some of the lionesses still cowered in fear, but many felt empowered by Anansi's words of encouragement. She managed to gather together all of the lionesses who were willing to fight against the males alongside her and started a rebellion.
Many lionesses died during the chaos that ensued once the females began to fight for their freedom. Nonetheless, the lionesses won the battle and defeated the males under Anansi's leadership. Afterward, the lionesses claimed the lands where they were once enslaved as their home. The males that were not killed in battle ran from the land in shock of the collective strength of the females that had once been subservient to them. Afterwards, Anansi took the time to teach the lionesses how to fight and defend themselves so that they could protect each other from harm. She also taught them not to fear males, for they were weak minded and sought to control females because of this weakness.
The lionesses asked if Anansi would stay and continue to lead them and teach them to harness their abilities. Having developed a deep sisterly bond with them, Anansi was happy to find a new home in the rainforest with her new family. Still, she hoped to one day find her original family from the Amazons. Over time, Anansi developed the warrior way of life so that the females would never have to fear for their lives, and their new home would forever be protected and safe from harm.
Overtime, Anansi came to understand that in order to attain true harmony, males and females would need to find a way to coexist peacefully. She was initially reluctant about this as she had never lived with males willingly and it would be a huge change in her original philosophies. However, she believed that if males were trained correctly by their mothers and if they experienced an abundance of love from females during their vulnerable years, then they would grow up to become respectable adult males who did not desire conflict. Anansi believed that it was possible to raise boys who fundamentally respected females and would not cause them harm. She wanted to make a place where females and males lived together on one accord without conflict. Though she knew that she would never truly trust males with leadership and power, she still believed that they could be productive members of society.
It then became Anansi's goal to create a home where everyone lived in love and trusted each other with one another's lives.
The Indlovukati lived quietly in their pridal lands, staying hidden amongst the tall trees and lush foliage. Anansi had successfully achieved a harmonic way of life between females and males and everyone was thriving because of it. The guardians kept a sharp eye on the borders to make sure they stayed safe from the outside world while the warriors maintained civility between pride members.
The Indlovukati was in a state of peace. Warriors were spending more time in meditation, honing their mental and spiritual strength and less time training their physical bodies. A state that distracted them and lowered their collective guard long enough to be completely unaware of the fact that they had been discovered.
A traveling rogue band of lions and leopards had stumbled upon their lands after a few of their members trailed some of the younger males who'd been out hunting. They were many and they were hungry and desperate. What they lacked in finesse and technique they made up for in speed, brute strength, and shear numbers. They launched their attack quickly without planning or lingering long enough to be found out by the pride's guardians who had been spending more and more time within the lands as opposed to at the borders.
The warriors put up a strong and brave fight and ultimately defeated the invaders after a long and hard battle, but the pride was still left ravaged in the end. There were those who were killed defending the pride, and there were many who fled in order to save their own lives. Families were broken apart and lands were devastated.
Anansi's heart could not have been more heavy after all they had worked for. Still, having been through terrible times before, she persisted. Anansi would not give up their home. Gathering the few that were left, she dedicated herself to the task of rebuilding the pride.
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Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2019 8:35 pm
Ceremonies & Traditions
Warrior Ceremony When an adolescent daughter or a sage decides to walk the path of the warrior, a celebration and ceremony is held in her honor for her willingness to to give her life for her pride. Being a warrior is seen as making a great sacrifice of yourself for the sake of others.
Spirit Quest When guardians are ready, they will embark upon a quest to hone their minds and seek enlightenment. They will leave the company of others and either travel to deeper parts of the rainforest or they will travel into the rogue lands to set themselves apart. During this time, the guardian will learn about the inner parts of herself and maybe even find her purpose in life.
Sparring Tournament Every year, the pride holds a massive tournament that all members are invited to participate in. Members are divided based on skill and age and ranked against one another in a pride wide competition event.
Soul Bonding When two individuals decide to become mates for the rest of their lives and bond their souls, they will inform a Master of their intentions. The Master will then set up a bonding ceremony between the couple and the Queen. The two will speak their oaths to one another before the Queen and will meditate together to connect their minds.
During this meditation, the couple is instructed to dive deep into themselves and find the other one there. They believe that this is when their souls come together and merge and neither can tell one from another. Afterwards the Queen will declare that the two be recognized as Soulmates. Once a couple is recognized as soulmates, it is frowned upon for either of them to dissolve their relationship without good reason.
Joining the Ancestors Upon the death of a pride member, a celebration of life is held for them before they are taken to a beautiful grave site in the forest. Those who have come and gone are buried at the base of large trees so that they may provide for the forest as the forest provided for them in their life.
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2019 8:37 pm
Beliefs
Spirituality The spirituality of the Indlovukati revolves around feminine energy as they believe that it is the source of all life. They believe strongly in the gods and look to them for aid and guidance when in need. They particularly look to goddesses because they believe that their essence helps to strengthen the pride as a whole.
The Spirit Guides of the pride are primarily responsible for having knowledge of the gods and knowing which of the goddesses' help they will need for any given trouble they may face. Seers are looked highly upon and are considered to be blessed with special spiritual abilities. These members have the potential to become powerful Spirit Guides or Warriors.
The Moon The Indlovukati believe that the moon is a strong source of feminine energy and that the females of the pride draw strength from her. The Queen, Masters, and Spirit Guides work together to study the movement of the moon to gain information regarding time and to predict the near future of the pride. They believe that the position of the moon in the sky can affect the personalities, behaviors, and lives of females. If the moon is in a strong position, then females will in turn feel stronger during that time and may be able to achieve more goals.
It is believed that if female cubs are born on the night of a full moon they will have the ability to become very powerful as adults. Females born on the night of a lunar eclipse are thought to have great destinies ahead of them. It is also believed that if a warrior spends time training under the moon's light, her strength and ability will increase with twice the speed than when she trains during the day under the masculine sun.
Water Water is seen as a female element as it is necessary for all life to exist. The Indlovukati believe that all life was originally born from the water and that water exists within every life form. Mothers will often take their cubs to the shallow areas of the river to play because it is believed that water is cleansing. The water will take away any spiritual impurities and leave behind the true essence of self. The river that runs through the lands is seen as a symbol of the pride's life force.
Untiy The general mood of the pride is light and jovial. They believe that they can survive by staying strong and working together. They believe that togetherness comes from each individual doing what they love and do best and being who they truly are. The community is a very important aspect of the pride. The warriors believe that they are strongest when they trust each other and act as one unified force.
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Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2019 8:37 pm
Pride Life
Females
The females are the backbone of the pride and hold everything and everyone together. Females are considered to be wise, responsible, nurturing, patient, mentally strong, and fearless. Females are also thought to have a stronger connection to the gods, the Earth, and spiritual matters. Both female cubs that are born in and rogue females that join the pride have the option of being trained as warriors by the pride's masters. Otherwise, they live out peaceful lives in the pride in whatever way that brings them happiness.
The warriors are the main source of strength and protection in the pride. As they train and climb the ranks, they become the teachers and peacekeepers. They do their best to help where and when they are needed by others.
Mothers are also highly respected members of the pride and are referred to as Life Givers for their ability to bring forth new life. Pregnant females are fawned over and doted on from the moment they find out they are carrying. Females believe that their strength and abilities lie dormant when they are pregnant, as their bodies are using their energy to help the cubs grow. So, the expectant mothers can expect to be checked on and helped by every other member of the pride to the point of annoyance.
When they are not training or doing other jobs, they spend much of their their time bonding with one another and building relationships. For fun, warriors and civilians can participate in sparring games on the training grounds.
Males
The males are the providers of the pride, they are responsible for hunting and feeding everyone, gathering anything the pride might need from the rogue lands, and generally caring for the pride and making sure everyone has what they need. Even males that take on other positions will help out if needed. Males build strong bonds of brotherhood between one another and see each other as being part of one force.
Males in this pride are more gentle and peaceful than the average male. They spend their time training their minds and are encouraged to express their emotions so as not to build up negative feelings and intent inside of them, which is believed to be the main cause of males going berserk. A berserk male is any male that has allowed hatred and rage to cloud their heart to the point that they act violently and uncontrollable toward others.
Males that are raised in the pride are more trusted than joining rogues because they have spent their childhoods being loved and taught respect by all the of the females around them, they also have mothers and other female relatives living there. The only physical training males receive is self defense and general basic training by the masters. They are primarily taught to hone their mental and intellectual skills.
In the worst case scenario, if any male in the pride, even adolescents, prove themselves to be berserk, showing clearly violent behavior toward others within the homelands, they will be immediately chased from the lands or killed depending on the severity of their crimes. It is a mother's worst nightmare for her son to go berserk and be condemned. Due to the pride's history, the warriors have no tolerance for violent males.
Cubs
Cubs are considered a blessing from the gods. All cubs are cared for by all females alike, but cubs can generally be found sticking close to their mothers when they're not romping around the pride. The cubs live a spoiled and carefree life loved by everyone. In the early parts of the day, masters will bring the cubs to the training grounds to teach them the culture of the pride and give them basic instruction on self defense and mental discipline to start them off.
Female cubs are seen as the future of the pride. They are taught to be strong, skilled, and wise. They are often allowed on the warrior's training grounds to play and observe the warriors outside of their general instruction. As adolescents, they begin to prepare for whatever paths they choose to follow into their adulthood.
Male cubs are taught to respect females and help out where they can. As adolescents, they will begin training to prepare them for life going in and out of the pride to make sure they can protect themselves and each other.
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2019 8:38 pm
Pride Life
Mating
Love and mating is considered a beautiful thing and something to celebrate when one chooses. Pride members are allowed to take on mates and lovers of either sex as they please. When two members decide to mate for life, they take an oath before the Queen and are considered Soulmates from then on.
Breeding
Breeding is something that is always encouraged within the pride. Rogue breeding is allowed as it brings in new blood to the pride. Adolescents are discouraged from breeding as they are believed to be too young to take on the responsibility of nurturing new life. At this age pride members are expected to spend their time learning and developing themselves.
Rogues
Rogues are allowed to join the pride and take on positions just like any other pride member but will go through a screening process by the prides' Masters. New males will be watched closely for their initial time there and are expected to acclimate to the pride's ways.
Rogue Lands
Pride members are allowed to travel outside of the lands for personal journeys, missions, or hunting trips. In general, the location of the pride should not be disclosed to strangers. The warriors prefer to reduce the risk of conflict with others. Males are out in the rogue lands most often in pairs or hunting groups. Females will occasionally leave the pride for miscellaneous purposes but generally stay within the boundaries. Cubs are not allowed out of the pride.
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