◘ [ Info ] ◘ || Basic Information ||

[Mandate 0f Heaven]

◘ Thalion ◘ Dark Fire Angel ◘ Alpaca Chobi ◘


”Our story begins with two gods in a land far away by the great sea.

A large, powerful god swept over the land, surveying all below him as a king would his kingdom. To him, all the world was created for his own glory. His wings were large, his body strong, and his proud ebony fur shone like the finest obsidian in the sunlight. During his flight one morning, he spotted one of his kin, a small god, basking by the waters of the sea.

The god was small, wingless, and kind. The larger god questioned the god’s domain, humoring the young one. The small god responded “I am the god of Peace”, to which the larger god simply laughed, “That would explain your small stature.” The small god, confused by the larger god’s words, questioned why he was making light of his stature.

You see, so far from mortals have the gods become that they have forgotten that it is the praise of the mortals that sustains them as the flesh of an antelope sustains us. The larger god knew that and informed the small god that he was large, powerful, and respected because the mortals knew him. They praised him and held his domain close to their hearts. Peace, however, was becoming rare, so peace was small and weak, unable to tolerate even the sight and smell of blood.

This troubled peace well beyond the departure of the larger god, and for many nights he laid by the sea, his heart heavy. He took refuge within a pride and soon conflict erupted from within. Mortals spat on his name and blasphemed his existence. Feeling ill at spirit, the small god departed to seek answers. With him came his protector, his mate, and his future executioner.

They two sought the council of an older and wiser god, one who held dominion over the domain of Karma. This god understood the balance, fragile as it was, that maintained peace and gave away so easily to chaos. For days they listened, learning from his own experiences and past lives. As he concluded, the gods entered into a discussion.

Mortals lived such short lives. The stories of the truly noble were few and far between. The most virtuous of lions would still eventually pass away and those that replaced them weren't always as noble. Eventually, like everything else, morals and values would decay and rot. Chaos was much stronger than peace and far more seductive to the hearts of the mortals. If peace was to last- the gods themselves would have to bring it about.

The three gods sought out three seers- a triad of siblings fathered by innocence himself . These seers were the first Taiho. They were tasked with bridging the world of the mortals and the gods, and of using their powers to seek out rulers who could serve the gods as well as the mortals they served. The seers agreed to this and the three spread out into the world.

The first sought out a golden lion who had shown him kindness after he had fallen from exhaustion. The second sought out a lion who had known only hardship but sought to rise above it and better the lives of those around him, regardless of their origin. The third sought out a lion who, by all means, was the embodiment of evil deeds. He knew too well the temptation of the darkness and while he resisted, the third Taiho decided that she could, and would, reform him so a king could stand as proof that evil could be defeated within one's self.

Their tasks complete, the three Taiho returned to the gods and presented their rulers. Karma made it so the Taiho were unable to bow to any mortals but those they named kings and gave them the name "Saiho". The land was divided into four- three kingdoms for the first three kings and a fourth kingdom where the gods and the Taiho of the future would reside and oversee the land. ”

 

[Mandate 0f Heaven]

xxx► The Three Kingdoms
There are three kingdoms currently, each founded by the very first Taiho. These seers were personally sought out and selected by the founding gods of peace, karma, and psychopathy. The seers were tasked with locating noble souls befitting a throne. The three separated for many months and returned not only with noble spirits, but those willing to follow them as their rulers. With the authority of the gods, the three seers were given the title of “Saiho” and given the task of advising the three rulers. The rulers were each given a territory to call their own and the task of governing those within their territory in a merciful, just, and fear manner.

This was to be the law of the land. The three kingdoms remain separate, the kings are forbidden from invading each other’s territory with malice, and to each ruler a seer stands as their voice of reason. The Saiho represents the voice of the gods, and thanks to their powerful visions, they also serve as the will of the people. They are to be merciful, wise, and gentle.

The rulers must be mindful, at all times, of the balance of karma. If they are good, fair, and just, karma will smile on them and send forth peace to bless their land. The Saiho will remain healthy and true so long as the ruler lives. However, if the ruler becomes corrupted, full of malice and cruelty karma will be returned not only on them, but upon their entire kingdom. First the Saiho will grow gravely ill, their health fading faster with every corrupted action and every life taken. If the ruler does not right their ways, the Saiho will perish. At this point, Karma will unleash psychopathy on the land. Within a years’ time, the corrupted ruler will be dead and his people will suffer horribly.

At this point, a new Taiho will be selected by the gods and sent out into the kingdoms to seek out the next ruler.

xxx► The Three Gods
• Karma
The god of karma is the head god, the authority of the pride, and the ordained of judgment. He sits as the balance between peace and psychopathy and can command either god to go forth to judge the kingdoms accordingly. He’s a fair god, observant, but stern. His word is final.
• Peace
Peace is a gentle soul and perhaps the smallest of all gods. He can bring prosperity and good fortune to the land but he cannot tolerate even the scent or sight of blood. Being near it makes him ill and being touched by it can put him down for days. Because of this, he is extremely rare to be seen, well-guarded, and rarely descends.
• Psychopathy
Psychopathy is large, unforgiving, and vengeful. When she is ordered on the land, she leaves the one thing that grants her peace of mind and becomes a terrible blight on the land. She guards peace with a jealous fury because he grants her peace and clarity of mind. To cause harm to peace means to upset this dangerous goddess. Most hope never to see this ebony goddess.


xxx► The Taiho
Seers born into the pride are announced by their fellow seers dwelling within Kasai, the holy island at the center of the pride. When a seer is born, a Nyosen comes to retrieve them. The cub is removed from the family, the family given a blessing, and the young one is taken away to the island of Kasai to be raised by other Nyosen. From that point on, the only family that the Taiho will know is the Nyosen, the other Taiho, and the gods. They are raised to be wise, to embrace their visions and apply them for the benefit of the pride, to abhor violence, detest the sight and smell of blood, and to carry themselves with dignity.

The Taiho live a very peaceful existence, each of them awaiting the day when one of them is chosen to seek out a ruler to serve.

Presently, only three Saiho can exist at any one time. The Taiho look forward to this day though they are fully aware that their hope may also become their doom, for a corrupted ruler will eventually lead to their death. Regardless, the Taiho learn how to judge the quality of character and to watch over the people. They are seen as above mortals but just below gods. They are holy creatures, and as such, to harm one is seen as an unforgivable sin. To defy the word of the Taiho in regards to their choice in a ruler is seen as blasphemy.

When a Taiho ascends to Saiho, they must take on bodyguards to protect themselves. In their upbringing, they learn that to touch blood is to touch impurity. They cannot fight, even to defend themselves. Their bodyguards are creatures that they choose that will carry the honorable title of Shirei. The Shirei are the defenders of the Taiho and answer only to them and their ruler.

When a Taiho dies, their body is carried back to Kasai and laid to rest.

xxx► Life within the Kingdoms
There are many trades. Hunters, gatherers, crafters, bards, historians, story-tellers, caretakers, everything that is required to run a thriving pride are considered trades rather than ranks. All citizens carry the title of their kingdom along with the title ‘Roh’. A Roh is a native born citizen and will take on a trade of their own choosing. Most would follow in their family’s line of work, but it’s not always a requirement. So long as they work for the kingdom of their birth, they will be considered a Roh and an honorable member of their land.

Taika are individuals who, for whatever reason, have left their kingdom for another. They carry this title until the day of their death so that those around them know that they are not a native to the kingdom and thus, they have no say in the public affairs. This title can also be given to those born within the pride, who left, and returned for whatever reason.


xxx► Species
All species are welcome within the kingdoms. The ranks are non exclusive, even the ruling ranks. A Taiho will make no distinction between lion, cheetah, hyena, wild dog, and leopard. They look into the heart of an individual and a good ruler can come from anywhere.

The only race that will ever carry a different title are the hybrids. Every kingdom, every ruler, every era will have a different view of the hybrids, but regardless they will carry the title Hanjyuu. The Hanjyuu live in a state of uncertainty for their fates are tied into the kingdoms more than anyone. Even at times of peace, a ruler who looks down on the mixed blood of the Hanjyuu may restrict them severely within society. Because of this, it’s not uncommon for Hanjyuu to continually relocate between kingdoms.


xxx► Love and Mating
• While every ruler has his or her own way of ordaining what is pure and what is not, it’s generally accepted that pairs should remain exclusive between two individuals of the same sort. Felines with felines, canines with canines.
• Regarding same-sex attractions, this is a ‘do it at your own risk’ sort of a deal. The pride is founded on the ideals of karma, of balance, of yin and yang. Balance is found when a male and female come together, the two halves, to form a new life. Couplings that share a gender are frowned upon and if they are publicly witnessed, both parties can very well find themselves cast out of the pride.
• Marriage is a very big deal and seen as a sacred bond. This is exclusive to one male and one female and is generally a bond for life with the exception of very extreme cases. Marriages typically occur between two Rho but it is not unheard of for romance between kingdoms to blossom. One individual must move to their partner’s kingdom before they are wed officially.
• Mating between blood relations and adults/minors are strictly forbidden.

xxx► Cultural Taboos
• A relationship with the Taiho. Taiho are considered holy and something above the mortals within the pride. Even rulers are forbidden from courting with a Taiho. They are meant to be seen as speakers for the gods, pure and largely innocent by n ature. When a Taiho seeks to start a family, they are encouraged to take a god or goddess lover or, if no god or goddess is willing to mate with a Taiho, they can start a family with a Nyosen or another Taiho. However, any non-seer offspring will be returned to the mainland and put into the care of a family in one of the kingdoms. A Nyosen will seek out a married pair and place the cubs personally. After this point, the cubs are considered to be part of their new family. They will likely have no knowledge or contact with their birth parents. Because of this, Taiho rarely actively seek out mates.


xxx→ Saiho are able to travel freely within their Ou’s kingdom, so they will be able to visit with their offspring.
xxx→ Offspring of the Taiho and Saiho are not considered any more special or holy than other children. Only those blessed with the seer abilities are considered holy in any way.

• Ou of two kingdoms forming a romantic bond. Ou are generally expected to take mates from within their own kingdom. Starting a romance from across the border is rare enough, but two rulers falling for each other is unheard of.

• Flinging. Those that produce offspring outside of marriage are often frowned upon. However, when a kingdom is in chaos this would become more normal as the moral fiber of the kingdom begins to break down. Flings are allowed- but bear in mind that a character that engages in a fling, or heavens forbid, multiple flings will quickly loose respect within the kingdom and that may pass down to their offspring.
 

[Mandate 0f Heaven]

◘ OOC Info ◘
”Too long, didn’t read.”

► This pride is loosely based on the novels and anime “The 12 Kingdoms”. You don’t have to have read the novels or seen the anime to understand anything, we’ve really crunched everything down and made it simple. The info we have provided is all you really need to know.

► This pride was formed from in character development, rp, and actual played out events. It’s not one of those prides that we assume has been around the whole time, it’s slowly forming. It’s a young pride that can expand in kingdoms, rulers, and Saiho as we get a larger member base and the plot moves in that direction. We wanted to make a pride that was built on actual rp and depends on plot and development to become something large.

► This pride is open to all species! You can have any SoA lined species if you like! Even familiars have a rank and a place within the pride, it makes no difference. Any species can obtain any rank through the proper rp situations. Seers of all races become Taiho, any race can become an Ou, all races are seen as equal. This is a pride founded by Karma, blessed by peace, and enforced by a psychopath after all!

► The pride has a traditional Oriental mentality. Think Chinese and Japanese culture kind of blended together. A lot of the culture reflects this. Bowing is a humbling gesture, faces are hidden away from nobility and the holy creatures, honor is an enormous deal, and cultural taboos are set based on what is pure, proper, and balanced.

► This pride is not to participate in mix and match month UNLESS you get prior approval from the owners. Flings are looked down upon and can lead to in character trouble. If you want the drama and have a decent plot, we can make an exception.

► There is an official 'cert rank' but there are a ton of trades. One thing that we decided to do was streamline what could be a very long 'ranks' list into just a few. Only the higher-up positions (which are limited by authority, birth, and rp requirements) hold actual 'named cert ranks'. Roh and the unaligned are ranks that essentially could be anything. If you have a Roh he or she can be a guard, a merchant, a healer, a bard, a beggar, etc. Whatever trade or 'job' is open! Positions like those within the military will be 'officially unofficial'. These will be organized by the ruler of each kingdom and will not be reflected on the cert itself, but rather on that kingdom's member list.

► Each kingdom will be run differently. For now, we have three kingdoms. Each ruler is unique to the other and was chosen for their qualities- both good and bad. Each ruler will dictate how the culture is within their own kingdom so there may be culture shock between kingdoms and, eventually, maybe even hostility. For example, it may be a mandate that everyone bows in the presence of a noble, hiding their face away close to the ground. In another, bowing may be optional. Each kingdom's rulers are in charge of maintaining an informational page regarding life in their own kingdoms.

► Unaligned are essentially troupers or gypsies. Depending on the sort of unaligned you own, they may be famous or infamous. Some are thieves and vagabonds, some are exiles, some are just part of troupes that may or may not cause some trouble. Other times, unaligned are troupers that put on performances, plays, and other forms of entertainment between lines of kingdoms. They owe no king their loyalties but it's generally understood that you respect nobles or get in trouble.


► Have a question or concern? Let us know! We want to help.

◘ In Depth Questions ◘
question If I have a seer join, do they have to be a Taiho? I don't like the complications of breeding...
► Actually there is a small loop hole to this! Seers can be born seers but sometimes their abilities don't actually manifest, they remain dormant. If your seer has never used his or her abilities, had visions, or anything relating to them being a seer, the seers in Kasai have no way of sensing them and thus, they can enter and live as common citizens. The moment they do manifest, a Taiho will sense the seer and a Nyosen will be sent to fetch the seer. If the seer refuses, there will be IC repercussions!

question Can we build more kingdoms eventually? I want a Saiho and/or a king!
► Yes! We will be expanding eventually. We ask that the future king or queen has at least 10 rp's and the Saiho has at least 5 and has lived as a Taiho for at least 5 months irl time. We also want you to recruit at least 10 new citizens. This shows that you will be dedicated to the pride, understand how things work, and your kingdom won't go idle.

question What happens if a kingdom goes idle?
► If there's no activity for 6 months, we'll contact the owner of that kingdom. If there is no response, you can assume that the Saiho of that kingdom has fallen ill. While we have no IC power to kill off a Saiho, if there is no activity in a year then the kingdom will automatically fall to ruin and Maua will be unleashed. It can be assumed that the Saiho and king have vanished. At this point a new Saiho will be chosen and they will select a new ruler.

question Wait... so if I make a new kingdom and it gets purged, someone else gets it?
► Unfortunately, we cannot allow a kingdom to idle. The new kingdom will likely change policy and traditions with the new ruler. Even the owners' kingdoms will be subject to this. If you want your kingdom to be restored, you can try with a different ruler/Saiho and create a new kingdom.