[OOC] ~Culture & Beliefs~

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Peacemakers

Female Ruled Martial Arts Pride


Name: Indlovukati {She-Elephant; Queen Mother}

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 in the rainforest as they may be hunted, otherwise pride members will not attack bonded familiars

 

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Who They Are

The Indlovukati are a pride ruled by powerful female warriors. Together, they protect everyone in the pride and do their best to ensure the harmony and prosperity of the lands. Lead by their Queen, the Indlovukati is meant to be a safe haven for females and males alike to live their lives however they choose under the protection of the warriors.

Everyone lives happy and peaceful lives due to their collective strength. Males are responsible for providing food and resources to the pride and supporting and caring for the females and cubs. Females build strong bonds of trust between each other and will protect one another at any cost. The warriors are a fierce bunch but rarely do they go to war as they value life and prefer not to kill. They do their best to remain hidden deep in the area of the rainforest they live in.
 

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The home of the Indlovukati is hidden in a beautiful rainforest surrounded by tall trees. The pride lives near a river that flows through the main land that 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.

Locations


Village Circle
A large area surrounded by trees with a where everyone gathers together for activities or just to hang out


Two Dens
These two dens lie side by side and sit upon a lowly elevated hill that looks over the Village Circle. The den to the right is smaller and only allows females and cubs to sleep inside. The den to the left is coed and allows anyone to sleep inside. This is where the males in the pride sleep.


Training Grounds
On the opposite side of the Village Circle from the dens where everyone sleeps, there is a path that leads a little ways down to another 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.

 

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Anansi was once a princess in her homeland, until one day everything that she knew was lost. Her home, her family, her people, everything was gone. Distraught, she sought refuge deep into parts of the rainforest that she had never been before, 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 reside was controlled by a violent gang of males who kept all the lionesses in the area 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 hurt or killed. The lionesses there feared the males, and were mostly meek and subservient to them.

One day, Anansi was discovered on her own and she was captured and enslaved by the males that dominated 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 the captors who kept them in bondage 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 began to lose some of their fear at 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. Those that were not killed in battle ran from the land in terror 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 be strong, and 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 never dream of causing them harm.

She wanted to make a place where females and males lived together on one accord without conflict. Although, she knew that she would never truly trust males with leadership and power, but still believed that they could be important members of society. Anansi also knew that there were fundamental differences between males and females, but believed that with collective consideration and knowledge of each other they could all come to a compromise.

It then became Anansi's goal to create a home where everyone considered each other family and loved and trusted each other with one another's lives.  

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Beliefs

Matron Goddess
Boudica Goddess of Amazons {Excited Apathy}


Spirituality
The Indlovukati believe strongly in the gods and look to them for aid and guidance when in need. They particularly look to goddesses for assistance because they believe that the feminine energy of goddesses helps to strengthen the pride as a whole. The spirit guides of the pride are primarily responsible for knowing which of the goddesses' help they will need for any given trouble they may face.


The Moon
The Indlovukati believe that the moon is the 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 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.


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 impurities and leave behind the true essence of self.


Untiy
The general mood of the pride is light a jovial, as has been since the lionesses claimed their home for themselves. 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 move as one.  

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Ceremonies & Traditions

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 ideally connect their minds.

During this meditation, the couple is instructed to dive deep into themselves and find the other one there. 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 highly frowned upon for either of them to dissolve their relationship unless for a very good reason such as betrayal. Soul bonding is considered to be a very serious act that must be deeply thought over before acting out.


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.  

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Pride Life

Females

The females are the backbone of the pride and hold everything together. Females are considered to be wise, responsible, nurturing, patient, mentally strong, and fearless beings. 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 lioness warriors are the main source of strength and protection in the pride. As they train ans climb the ranks, they become the teachers and peacekeepers of the pride. They are highly respected by everyone and 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 powers lie dormant when they are pregnant, as their bodies are using their energy to grow the babies. 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 sustainers 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 to start them off.

Female cubs are seen as the future of the pride. They are taught to be strong and wise. They are often allowed on the warrior's training grounds to play and observe the warriors. 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. Otherwise they are just as spoiled as the girls. As adolescents, they will begin to transition from sleeping in the female only den to the co-ed den if they do not already sleep there. They will also begin their basic training to prepare them for life going in and out of the pride to make sure they can protect themselves and each other.

 

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Pride Life

Mating

Love and mating is considered a beautiful thing and something to celebrate when one chooses. Females and males are free to take on male or female mates and lovers 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 and encouraged as it brings in new blood to the pride via the mother. The Indlovukati celebrate cubs above all other things and see them as gifts from the heavens.


Rogues

Rogues are allowed to join the pride and take on positions just like any other pride member. New males especially will be watched closely for their initial time period there.


Rogue Lands

Pride members are allowed to travel outside of the lands for short journeys, missions, or hunting trips so long as they keep the location of their home a secret from others. The warriors of the pride are strong, but they prefer to avoid fighting others if it can be avoided. Males are out in the rogue lands most often in hunting parties or in pairs if they are searching for something specific. Females will leave the pride from time to time for miscellaneous reasons. Cubs are not allowed out of the pride.