|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 9:03 pm
 |
|
|
 |
 "Rahala - to depart, travel, journey, trip, and destination."The descendents of a mighty golden age, fallen far but having learned much. The Rahala are a nomadic pride, constantly traveling together through the ruins of their desert. They are peaceful but reclusive, devoted wholly to their way of life and not falling into the temptation of war again. Their lives are cyclical, and focused on family and journeys both physical and spiritual as they annually circle the mountain at the heart of their home.
Pathfinder: Nenam - ShinosBee
Wayleader: Msafiri - ShinosBee
Song: I Was Born For This and Apotheosis by Austin Wintory and Lisbeth Scott
Background Cert Image: Final Version
Cert Symbol: Maybe?
Pride Formation RP:
----- - http://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?t=24714665 (includes Gwalchmei and Sahar)
----- - http://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?t=24713979 (includes Gwalchmei)
----- - http://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?t=24714077 (includes Msafiri)
----- - http://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?t=24714263 (includes Zapalito)
----- - http://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?t=24714627 (includes Zapalito and Kianzi)
Please note, I'm still working on nearly all aspects of this. History, info, it's all being tweaked constantly as I refine the idea(s). |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 9:07 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 9:08 pm
|
|
|
|
The Rahala are a solely lion pride. This is not out of disfavor for any other species - they are simply the remains of a much larger all-lion pride, and it is part of their traditions. They are not unkind to other species, but neither do they feel obligated to take them into the pride or to show them where any of their resources lie around the mountain. They understand that others live differently, and try to be accepting, but incoming rogues might want to take note that not everyone exactly agrees on things like hybrids or canines. In general though, all are welcome to visit, even though only lions are welcome to stay.
They do allow some familiars to accompany them through the lands. Birds especially are very useful for moving messages from the main of the pride to the adolescent outpost, or in case of an emergency to get messages to someone in the ruins or keep watch. Snakes are more cautiously allowed - historically they are companions of the pride, but they were also used in the war times to poison and attack other pride mates. Owners of said serpents are expected to take full responsibility for any accidents. Other familiars are usually seen as either too valuable as food or too likely to compete for food, and are not typically allowed to join the pride.
The pride had a language of its own long ago, but it was lost with the crumbling of their pride. Today they speak a standard tongue, so no rogues will be unable to understand them. They have no naming conventions, but usually families tend to take last names, if only to help avoid confusion in the throng of the nomadic people. Typically a newly mated couple will choose which of their two last names will become the family last name - there is no bias or gender related issue relating to this. Names can be of any lingual origin except English.
Additionally there are no color restrictions within the pride. Lions with any color pelt are welcome if they can hack the heat of the desert. The pride was large before and contained lions of all sorts of hues; traditionally reds, whites, and golds were favored, but it's little more than personal preference these days. Some markings, celestial figures like the sun, the moon, or other marks may bring general favor with the pride, but no one is judged entirely on looks. It's what's inside that matters.
On Migration
The Rahala are nomadic. That is to say, they rarely stay more than a day or two in any one place, and they are perpetually wandering in a large ring around the base of their sacred mountain. They do not stick to strict schedules, but typically they will arrive at a specific location within about a week of when they arrived the year before. As a pride they are careful to never overuse an area, thus their constant moving. Often to an outsider or new member most places look entirely untouched, as if the pride was new there - instead they will tell you they've stopped at this clump of ruins every year for the last five generations.
Cubs are taught early on how to find their way by the stars or the location of the mountain related to the sun's rise and fall. By adulthood most could safely travel the entire way around the mountain without guidance, though some would be nervous about it. There is a common saying in the pride, "Leave only footprints" - this is a mainstay of their life, and aside from the remains of the pride's long gone ancestors they often will depart from an area with no sign they'd ever been there.
This does make it hard for incoming rogues to find the pride when they come to the region. It also means that attacking prides or lions would never find them where they think they might be. The loss of potential members is something the pride accepts as a way of life - those who couldn't last the desert until finding the pride probably wouldn't survive, or even enjoy life how they live it, and a rogue turning away to look elsewhere might be for the best.
On Religion
The pride believes in all gods - they once worshiped a full pantheon of them. Now though they focus their beliefs on some certain gods and goddesses, though they would never gainsay any god if he or she came calling and asking for their interest. The primary goddess they follow is Journeys. She lives atop their mountain, and will share her wisdom with mortals who make the trip to her, though not all are called. She is the one who sends the Walking Dreams, the call to travel up to her peak to meet her. They go out to a select few, whom she thinks the pride needs or those of purest heart.
Other gods they are fond of are the gods of Sand, the god of Epics, and the goddess of Rebirth. All these things are critical to their lives, especially as they also believe in rebirth.
To the Rahala, life is about learning, and reaching. Personal growth that extends through the soul beyond the duration of the body's time here. When a Rahala dies, they believe their spirits complete the journey to the peak of the mountain, where the gods decided either to scatter them back into the sand to be born again, or fling them into the heavens to hang as stars to guide those left behind. It is nothing shameful to be reborn - after all, anyone who might think so has obviously been reborn too! And as only the gods know what makes a lion worthy of rising to the skies, there are no classes or ranks based on number of rebirths or the status of the spirit.
Typically the general belief is that every spirit spends time in all the ranks. Everyone has a chance to lead and be led, to seek and to find, to talk and to listen. And no one can complete the journey of their spirit without the help of the others around them and the wisdom of their ancestors.
Adornments*
At birth, every Rahala is gifted with a strip of woven fabric plucked from certain ruins in the lands, and a shard of bone from one of their ancestors. The bone is to represent their past, both in terms of their actual ancestors and their previous lives. It is a lucky token of sorts, and usually worn on a strip of hide or hair, though some hang them in their manes or as earrings, depending on their sizes. Most bones are not from an actual ancestor, but they ARE from past pride members. They are collected when a lion takes a Journey, and said lion usually brings back several shards to gift to any expecting mother on behalf of her cubs. They are only taken from long-dry skeletons as well, never the newly fallen.
The cloth is man-made, and the remnant of a long, long gone city that makes up the ruins all around the mountain. It is durable and somewhat rough to the touch, and usually Seekers will be highly praised for finding pieces of it within the ruins. The piece given at birth is usually only long enough to wrap around the cub's neck and head to hide them from the sun. As they grow and achieve their adulthood, they are gifted another section to make it fit better on their larger frames. Various life achievements - taking a mate, having children, typically results in gifts of fabric from others in the pride. Longer scarves typically belong to older members, or especially accomplished ones.
Unlike the bone shards, scarves ARE taken from the fallen. If a lion dies within the pride they are buried, and the original section of cloth is cut free of the rest form its crudely sewn stitches. That piece is tied to a paw or the tail, left to flap about as a sort of short-term gravestone. The remainder is broken again into pieces and given back to the family of the fallen lion. This signifies the knowledge and experience the fallen lion had gained returning to the people, not being wasted or forgotten.
About Rituals
Joining Member
The joining of a rogue is a thing to be celebrated. All newly met rogues, regardless of species, will be served as great a feast as can be mustered, and treated to a night of shared stories, gracious smiles, and probably more attention than they care for. The only exception is for mean or evil interlopers, who will instead find a vacant desert with not a soul to be seen.
'Having Company' will cause an immediate halt to the day's travel, and the pride as a whole will pitch in to find food and set the visitor up for a good time. It is essentially like a mini festival, the pride eagerly soaking in any new ideas or news of other lands, and sharing in turn what riches they have. Those of non lion blood, or those not wishing to join will be seen on their way come morning, given rough directions out of the desert, and left to watch the throng move on. Repeat guests are accepted, but if they show up more than two or three times within a moon they may be asked just to stay.
Those who chose to stay will be expected to be on their feet, ready to go by daybreak. Even lessons are taught in motion, the newcomer will learn, and the pride will take it somewhat easy for them for a week or two, but any stragglers after a half moon will either have to keep up or be advised to seek a home elsewhere. They are not cruel, but this probably really isn't the life for someone who's slow. Being turned down is more a gesture of concern and kindness than any sort of superiority on the part of the pride.
Birth
A wondrous time! The Rahala welcome any birth, and the whole pride will chip in to help the new parents. Cubs are named promptly, less they feel disconnected from the pride, and draped in their bones and scarves. Often these will be carried by a family member until the cubs can manage them if needed. Also, obviously cubs can't walk, so for the first few weeks the cubs are ferried along by their parents. For large litters, other family members may help transport the cubs, or friends, or just anyone in the pride. It takes a village to raise a child, after all. Once babies can walk they spend a month or two learning and walking with their parents, keeping up when they can and being carried when they can't. After that, they walk by day with the lions designated to teach them about the pride or about a chosen role in society. Usually the cubs are allowed to walk with whomever they want - no one is allowed to teach a cub bad behavior!
Growing Up
When cubs become ready to be full adults, they are sent away from the main of a pride to undertake a time of personal growth. They are usually sent in a large group - anyone who would become an adult in that year will go, so some may be a bit younger or older. They are accompanied by one Speaker, and they are given two choices. Regardless of their choice, they are usually gone for one IC year, or about that long.
The first choice is to live alone save for their fellow youths in a corner of the desert. For a whole year they have to learn to get along, provide for themselves, and not ruin their little mini pride's land. The idea of this is to teach young adults why the pride lives how it does, the value of order over chaos, and to trust their pride mates utterly. The Speaker will stay on the fringes of this group, but unless there is a serious injury or major issue like an attack by rogues, he will not interfere at all.
The second choice is perhaps more thrilling, but also more dangerous. Young adult lions are turned out of the desert into the rogue lands. They are expected to take this time to visit other prides, see other way of life, and make a choice. They can return to the pride, of course, or chose to leave. Typically most young lions opt to return - their way of life is too different from others, and they are awarded great honor for their journey. Some though make the call to move on from their birth lands. If they take this option, they are mourned the following year as if they had died, and it should be noted that any obvious descendants of those who opt to leave the pride in this way will probably be very eagerly asked to stay - for the parents back home, it is the only sign that their child lived on, and wasn't simply killed off where their spirit might be unable to return to the mountain.
Mates and Breeding
Because the pride is all lions, it's safe to say hybrid breeding is not going to happen. Rogue breedings do happen, but the only time a 'yes' on an MnM form would apply is if a lion was on their coming of age. Any other time, there is no hybrid breeding within the Rahala. Adolescent breeding is also frowned upon, but it does happen, and since any returning young adults are technically considered full adults after their trials, there's nothing anyone can say against a female finding herself with cubs following either trial of adulthood.
Any pair of lions who breeds is considered informally mated. There is no special ceremony, and some mates only last as long as it takes to rear up the cubs. Others are lifelong and devoted. More or less, the pride considers itself all one big family - they work so closely together that they already share all they have. Sharing lovers is not uncommon, and any jealous spats arising out of a male or female choosing another to mate or make den time with is unhealthy for the pride as a whole. Usually such selfish displays are disciplined, and the lions in question are advised to spend a lap of the mountain apart to learn to accept that they are, in fact, not joined at the hip.
Same-sex pairings are also rare, but not unheard of. It is somewhat unusual to NOT pass on one's genes and wisdom, so if a pair chooses a same-sex partner, they would not be looked down on, but they might be questioned about their choice at some point, or generally expected to play part in bringing cubs into the world. If the pair does not want cubs, they can give them to a foster family to raise, or simply opt not to have any, though again it will be seen as very slightly odd. Usually two same-sex pairs, one of two males and one of two females, will pair off to create a joint litter they will raise together. Combination families, with one male and two females, or one female and two males, are also accepted as long as all parties can get along and create harmony, not strife in the pride.
Death
When a lion nears the end of his days, he is expected to leave the pride and begin his Journey to the peak of the mountain. This does differ from The Journey, in that he or she is not expected to return, and it is not brought on by a Walking Dream. The lion bids his family farewell, and does his best to ascend to the peak before he passes. Lions lay where they fall, and their bones are not buried but for the natural heaping of sand around them. The next time someone on The Journey comes by, they will strip the lion of his scarf to return it to the pride, and some day long from then a shard of his bones may be taken to a newborn in the pride.
The same is true of those who die suddenly or before they can begin their last Journey. They lie where they fall, and their scarves are immediately taken to give to the pride. There is no fear of death, for once the body fails the spirit lives on. The spirit begins or completes the journey of the body in life, and is judged at the peak as worthy of ascending or being reborn again to grow and learn more. Those left behind usually celebrate the life and the lessons learned by the fallen, telling stories for a few days of their accomplishments and trials.
The Journey
The Journey is a specific task undertaken by future leaders, Speakers, or anyone who is called. The goddess of Journeys sends Walking Dreams to those chosen, and they are then permitted to scale the great mountain. Their goal is to meet the goddess, pass through the crack at the top of the mountain, and climb down the other side. The Journey takes anywhere from six months to a year, and any who complete it are revered and praised. Lions take The Journey singly, or very, very rarely in pairs.
*Please note - I will happily and eagerly pay for any and all pride-related item edits for ALL pride members at ALL stages.
I can't get slots for you, but if you get a slot, just let me know the cost and I will cover it 100%.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 9:09 pm
|
|
|
|
Pathfinder - 1/1
The Pathfinder is one of the current coleaders of the pride. His or her word is heard above all others, and though he or she usually works paw in paw with the Wayleader, in times of great difficulty even the other leader will look to the Pathfinder for guidance. Usually the Pathfinder is a seer, but occasionally not - they are the lone pridemember that is in regular communication with their patron goddess.
Wayleader - 1/1
The Wayleader is the second half of the leadership pair. Male or female, they have proven themselves in several ways. No Wayleader has NOT completed The Journey, and most are known as excellent scouts, survivalists, and all around examples of what it is to live this style of life. They lead each day's migration, decide where and when to stop, and generally make most day to day choices on the pride's behalf. They typically work with the Pathfinder to determine routes and pace of travel, as well as when to host ceremonies, etc., and most also take advice from the Pilgrims and Speakers.
Pilgrim - 0/Limited
Pilgrims are the pride's seers. Most of them have completed The Journey, but it is not something pressed upon them. They are considered blessed by the goddess, able to travel within their own minds. Pilgrims are well protected, and usually looked to for advice or guidance. Otherwise they lead typically normal lives, hunting and living and loving like everyone else.
Mender - 1/2
The Menders are a special, RP-only earned rank. They typically stay within one bloodline, handed down over the many years. Menders have completed The Journey, but rather than gaining spiritual insight, are blessed with the ability to weave and mend scarves. In essence, they take from The Journey the ability to tether the pride's ancestors into the cloth they wear to help guide the next generation - at least that is what the pride believes. They work understandably close with the seekers, from whom they are given recovered lengths of cloth.
Speaker - 0/~5
Speakers are figures of wisdom and authority. Each of them has completed The Journey, and they server as teachers and lore keepers for the pride. They are typically well-liked, and held up to be examples of ideal pridal living. Often they are charged with teaching new pride members and young cubs, and many choose to oversee the expedition of adolescents as they pass their trials into adulthood.
Shepherd - 2/Unlimited
Simply put, Shepherds are the muscle of the pride. They usually travel on the fringes of the group when it moves, and are always on the lookout for rogues or other threats. They typically take watch shifts at night, and occasionally will range up to two days' travel behind the pride if there is suspicion of being followed. They are trained to lose pursuers in the ruins rather than fight them openly.
Seeker - 3/Unlimited
Seekers are lions who usually roam a day or two ahead of the pride as it moves, making sure that ruins are cleared and water has been found again, etc. They know the land best of all standard members, and are usually very good at reading tracks or bird flight to get their bearings or the location of potential food. They also are those picked most often to go scavenge for trinkets or materials for crafts or items, and they're usually on the slim side to better slip through the ruins.
Wanderer - 4/Unlimited
The vast majority of the pride fall into this rank. They are the crafters, the hunters, the every day lions. Some might roam to look for items in the ruins, some might volunteer to help guide the upbringing of youth - basically an umbrella rank, all pride members who do not specialize one way or the other are Wanderers.
Youth - x/Unlimited
From newborns until adulthood, Youth are the future of the pride. They spend their time learning about their home, their beliefs, and how to live. At adolescence they are cut off from the pride, sent to a small side valley to pass their trial into adulthood - a trip alone into the rogue lands, or isolation with only other 'graduating' age-mates, to learn how to live on their own if they have to.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 9:12 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 9:33 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 9:37 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:12 pm
|
|
|
|
I Will Take The Journey!
Username: Thalion
SoA Name: Ardavan
Desired Rank: Wanderer ----> Speaker (eventually)
Personality Blurb:
Ardavan was originally the heir to his father's legacy. He was groomed as the eldest, having nearly all of his sire's attentions during his upbringing. He was forged into a hardened warrior with a stern, sensible head, a sharp wit, and a trained talent for leadership. Ardavan was his father's strong right paw as the lion grew into his elder years and became unable to perform all the duties expected of him. On a raid into enemy territory, Ardavan was ambushed and over-whelmed by enemy soldiers. Much of those that had accompanied him lost their lives and those that managed to return to their pride were badly wounded. Ardavan was terribly mauled in the attack and as he began to heal it became clear that he would be crippled for the rest of his life.
His front right paw healed wrong and as a result he bears a terrible limp and a stiffness that limits his mobility. This crippling blow disqualified him for the position of leadership and Ardavan was removed from power. His younger brother, Ali Baba, was given the title. Unfortunately for the brothers, their father had only a few months left in him and was unable to impress his teachings into Ali Baba before passing away. The mantle of mentor fell onto Ardavan's shoulders.
While bitter over his injury and the loss of his power at such a young age, Ardavan fully supports his brother and will not suffer to hear a word of discouragement or insult directed Ali's way. He's a wise lion with a sharp wit and a gruff manner. While he is crippled, he can still hold his own better than most would expect and he hates being pitied by anyone. He's not dead yet and he'll be damned if he's treated like he is.
However, his advice was often ignored in exchange for Ali's freedom of choice. While he cared for his brother, he felt that he was slowly becoming a burden on the pride as a whole. He left the lands in the night and began wandering, searching for a new purpose in life.
Original or New: Incoming Member
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2014 11:51 am
|
|
|
|
Did somebody say MOAR FEMALES? emotion_awesome
I Will Take The Journey!
Username: Andranis
SoA Name: Cera
Desired Rank: Shephard
Personality Blurb: Cera is a tough lion, taking no s**t from anybody. She's head-strong and sometimes arrogant, and can be quite distrustful of others. Life in her old pride didn't help this much, as she'd been in a band of thieves. One of the few she DOES trust is her constant companion, Petrie, with whom she has a working bond - He acts as her eyes in the sky, she keeps him safe from larger birds and other lions, and provides him with shelter during sandstorms. The only other so far she's shown trust in is Ardavan, even though they both came from the same pride, as he's at least a famiiar face. One could amost say she's somewhat protective of him.
Original or New: New
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2014 12:02 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2014 5:25 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:08 pm
|
|
|
|
I Will Take The Journey!
Username: Talencia
SoA Name: Rimma'hazat
Desired Rank: Wanderer
Personality Blurb: Rimma is a born traveler. She left on her pilgrimage and never looked back, though for a long while she did believe she would eventually go 'home'. But as she searched for her father, she realized that wandering was too interesting, that she had little desire to settle down to a boring routine in the same place every day. The world was a much wider, much more wondrous place. So she has meandered about, dabbling here and there in the lives of others as she saw fit. But now that she has discovered the Rahalans, she thinks she has finally found a place to belong. Or rather, a people to belong to. The place, to her delight, will always change, even the next time around, for the sands will provide new wonders to behold, and hide old ones for another time, when they can be new again. She is pregmatic, plain-speaking, easy to laugh and resistant to tears. She can have a temper, but it doesn't flare easily. The Rahala way of life appeals to her in its steady pace towards one's inner future, rather than one's physical destination. Now she can travel and not worry that her journey, and her life, will come to a halt, mired in boredom. Now she can remain free!
Original or New: New
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
