[OOC] About the Pack

[Fairy Snails]

 

[Fairy Snails]

Lore/Religion:

The Great Hunter: The great hunter was a creature that existed before lions and wild dogs. They contained characteristics of both species. At one point the great one realized that it could increase their hunting by splitting apart and becoming two beings. The lioness half, with a golden pelt and tail would hunt during the day, while the wild dog with the silver pelt would hunt at night. Even though they became separate being, the two halves of the great one would stay connected, greeting each other at sunset and sunrise.

Those who believe in the great one, who aspire to become great hunters themselves, follow in their ways.

The pack believes that to become whole again that they must find their partner. For lions there partner is always a wild dog and vise versa. This relationship is seen as the closest a pack member can have, closer than even mates. The two will always share a den, food and resources. They will raise their families together as well.

A lion/wild dog cannot raise past the rank of hunter until they have found their partner.

Views on gods: They do not worship any gods. They celebrate ‘The great hunter’. However they do accept the existence of gods and see them as non-lions. Because of this they are seen as the greatest prey.

 

[Fairy Snails]

Celebrations:

Becoming Whole: The biggest celebration is when a lion and wild dog become one. It is a union ship that is for life and cannot be broken. A string is tied to the two. After the celebration the two are expected to stay by each other's side, marking sure the string does not break. They must stay awake either from sunrise to sunrise or sunset to sunset. If the string breaks during this, the couple must try again. It is usually seen as the two rushing in without really thinking about what they are getting themselves into and should take some time and work things out. When a couple completes the challenge the two are seen as a singular being. They are given gifts by the other pack members.

Coming of Age: When a pack member becomes an adolescent, they are expected to go out on a hunt and bring back the biggest game that they can. If they have not found their lion/wd partner they are encouraged to spend time looking in the rogue lands for their partner.

Proving your Worth: An outsider wishing to join the pack must go on a hunt and bring back something impressive. If the pack agrees that the outsider has shown their skills as a hunter, the outsider may join. If not they must try again till they bring in something that proves themselves as a hunter.

Solar Eclipse: When a solar eclipse happens, it means a new leader will be decided. For the next week the pack members will travel near the boarder and outside the pack lands in search of the strongest creature they can fight and kill to bring back to the pack. Once the time limit is finished the pack decides who the winner is. The winner partners become the new pack leader. Only pack members that have found their partner can participate.

Those who cannot participate are allowed to participate in a smaller event that is similar but they cannot leave the pack lands. There are prizes for all who win.

 

[Fairy Snails]

Beliefs/Views/Traditions:

Mates: Having a mate in the pride is fine. Usually if a lion/wild dog already found their partner they will seek approval from their partner before anything gets too serious. Mates though do not share dens as this is reserved for partnered pairs. Members of the pack can take on multiple mates.

Flings: Flinging outside of the pack is fairly common. It is acceptable to fling within the pack as well, though this is less common.

Non-lions/wild dogs: Leopards, Cheetahs, Hyenas, Hybrids and familiars cannot join the pack and are seen as prey to be hunted.

Hunting: Hunting is taken very seriously in the pride. The stronger the prey the better. Anything is fair game except for lions and wild dogs. Training to hunt is started at a young age.

They also never let any of their catch go to waste. They use the bones and pelts from their catches in their jewelry and decorations.

Pelts Colors: The pack is accepting of wild dogs and lions with a variety of pelts. That said, some older pack members see it as a lucky sign to have a pelt design with a sun and/or moon on it.

 

[Fairy Snails]

Ranks:

Kupatwa: (means eclipse in Swahili) This rank is held by the lion and wild dog who are partnered and were able to bring back the most impressive catch after the solar eclipse.

Guard: Guards patrol the borders. They greet those who are interested in joining while scare away (or fight) those who are not welcome.

Watcher: Watchers tend to the pups/cubs and take care of the sick and elderly. While some pack members see them as weaker members, the watchers still must prove themselves capable hunters, while at the same time learning a little about healing. They also teach any orphaned pups/cubs how to hunt.

Scouts: Scouts go out into the rogue lands to search out larger/impressive prey to hunt. They go in pairs (always with their partner) and when they find something they report back to the pack. Later they go back out with a hunting party to bring down the prey.

Hunter: (default rank for adols and adults) The majority of the pride. They typically hunt within the pack lands. The rank is a sign of maturity and strength. Usually they go in groups, but some choose to go in pairs or by themselves.

Youth: Generic title for cubs/pups of the pride