Welcome to Gaia! ::

Navigation:
1 - Welcome post
2 - Important Pride Info
3 - Pride Positions
4 - Pride Traditions and Practices
5 - Pride thoughts on...
6 - Pride History
7 - Pride Members
8 - Concept Pride Members
9 - Tournaments: in Depth
10 - FAQ & ORI
11 - Official Pride Form
12-15 -Just in case

~ This Pride is an Equal Opportunity Pride. Any gender or species may join any rank, this includes familiars. The only rank that would be difficult for a familiar to rise to is Dà Shī although it is still possible.~

Pride Leader(s): Dà Shī (great master)
Info: This is an honorable term given to the leader of the pride, the abbot if you will. This is normally a lifetime position once granted, and is normally given to only one.

Pride Masters: Shī Fu (master)
Info: This is the term given to the best of the best. One of the Shi Fu will become the Da Shi in the event that a new leader must be chosen. These commonly become the teachers for the next generation when their traveling days are done. These are the head of each skilled group; for example the head of the hunters would be called Shi Fu while all the other hunters would be Liè Rén or Sēng Ní/Sēng.

Adult Pride Members: Sēng (Monk(males)) Sēng Ní (Nun(females))
Info: Those who are called Sēng or Sēng Ní are just common members of the pride. They are adults who have all the necessary skills to become a working member of the pride. These are the hunters, guards, scholars, nannies, crafters, and general teachers. Every adult member is decent at fighting although most are quite proficient.

Specific Adult Positions below

Juvie and Adol Pride Members: Xué Yuán (Student)
Info: These are young of the pride. Juvie stage is a mix of studies in all fields as well as general cub playfulness but Adol stage is primarily the study of fighting, meditation, and their specified fields. All youths are taught to fight.

Cub Pride Members: Bái Shuǐ (Clear Water)
Info: Cubs will be cubs. The adults do not expect much of the cubs other then general obedience for example, 'do not stray from Lín Sì'. If they wish to get a jump start on their training simple exercises in meditation and body stamina is provided, but only under the supervision of a Sēng/Sēng Ní.

~Specific Adult Positions

Wanderers: Lǚ Kè (Traveler)
Info: The adults that feel the urge to wander take the official name of Lǚ Kè and leave the pride with their blessing. It is hoped that each Lǚ Kè will return but all are aware of the dangers of the Rouge Lands. Lǚ Kè also bring back others, cubs and adults alike, to join the pride. They will act as a sponsor for those they bring back, at least until another will act as a general pride guide.

Priests: Xīng Dào (Star Path)
Info: These adults are the 'priests' of the pride. Once they take the name of Xīng Dào they are expected to remain celibate and to focus on the gods' teachings and on teaching the rest of pride about the gods. These are the adults that teach meditation. They have also been known to teach other scholarly information such as healing but they are not considered healers. They are more 'healers' of the soul. Meditation and contemplation about the universe is common for these adults. They also help in any major religious event the pride might have.

Guards: Bǎo Hù Zhě (Protector)
Info: These adults tend to roam the edges of the pride. Since outsiders are welcome the guards allow them to pass but they do and will act as guides to the main pride area, for the outsider's protection of course. The guards rotate positions every so often so no one guard will remain on the border indefinitely.

Hunters: Liè Rén (Hunter)
Info: These adults are the primary meat gatherers. They are also a very odd group of pride members. Because life is precious to the pride in general, intentionally taking a life that is not done in self defense is, well lets just say disliked. These adults though, must take life on a daily bases which can put a strain on their mind and souls so they can often be found in the company of a Xīng Dào or on their own meditating. To balance this a bit when a hunting kill happens asking the dead creatures forgiveness as well as thanks for nourishment, and a blessing for a better reincarnation is always given. Hunters tend to 'retire' a lot sooner then other pride members, they end up teaching the next generation or in quite contemplation of the universe.

Nannies: Kān (To Take Care Of)
Info: These lions are given the most important task; caring for the young. They are those who watch over the youngest members of the pride and are the first to begin instilling prides rules and beliefs into the young.

Healers: Shǎng Mìng (Give Life)
Info: These adults specialize in healing. (There isn't much more I can say about that)

Elders: Jī Xué Wèn (To Accumulate Knowledge)
Info: These are the old members or seriously injured of the pride. Their bodies prevent them from preforming their tasks and so they now help as they can. They are to be respected because of their great age and/or because of the skill they once possessed.

Pride thoughts on...

Outsiders: They are welcome, either as pilgrims, those who just came to learn, or those who wish to join the pride. Those who come just to learn to fight better are soon corrected in their thoughts or sent on their way. The pride believes that peace is the way but one must know how to defend oneself. Any outsider who causes problems within the pride will be asked to leave, one way or another.

Marriages: To be mated for life is an important step and is one that the pride sees as a blessing. -one does not have to be married to have cubs although it is preferred-

Unwed Mothers/Fathers: Sadly this does occur. No cubs are to be looked upon as accidents but rather surprises from the gods. The parents are not shunned, disliked, or condemned by the pride in general but some members believe in marriage more then others.

Orphans: Young without parents are accepted into the pride with open arms. They become the ward of the Kan in general or a adult if it wished. They are treated no differently then any other member of the pride.

Hybrids: They are like any other productive member of the pride and will be treated as such.

Familiars: Little brothers and sisters, familiars in other words, are just as worthy to be in this pride as anyone else. They are no one's pet and 'belong' to no one. The only concession to them being a familiar is being introduced to the Shī Fu of the hunters so no accidents will arise.

Gods: The gods are known and respected by all in the pride. Since the belief of balance is quite prevalent one can not believe in the good gods without at least acknowledge the bad gods but this does not mean that they warship the evil gods. To learn all they can and to be the best they can on the path of the light is what pride members strive for.
The Three Main Gods: (>.>)
Li Wei - God of Peace - (Thalion)
Griffith - Balance - (Amon Larethian)

Rebirth: Every living thing can be reborn, from the lowliest worm to the gods themselves. The general belief in the pride is that someone who is kind of heart, clear of mind, and generous of soul will be reborn into a higher life form when their old mortal life comes to an end. For instance, a generally good serval will either be reborn as a lion or something better, depending on personality of course, while a generally bad lion would be reborn as something like a worm or a beetle. The pride also believes that this is not an instantaneous process so if something is born right as another dies it does not mean that it is the same soul being reborn.

Pride Members:

Dà Shī (great master):(1/1) Moriko - She was the Shī Fu of the Bǎo Hù Zhě class before the old Dà Shī chose her to succeed him when he rejoined the earth for his time of rest. She has lead the pride proudly and with skill.

Shī Fu (master):(3/6)
Lǚ Kè Shī Fu -
Xīng Dào Shī Fu - Shu'Jiang - Shu'Jiang is like her name sake; she is kind and caring to those around her, but is firm in her decisions and often lets little say her choices. She is strictly unbiased and fair, which may cause her to come off as uncaring to those close to her.
Bǎo Hù Zhě Shī Fu -
Liè Rén Shī Fu - Haracha - She's a bee-otch and extremely gruff, but that's just her. Haracha takes pride in her position, and though she detests killing, she knows it's what must be done. So, in that aspect, she'll do her job without complaint and respect all parties involved.
Kān Shī Fu -
Shǎng Mìng Shī Fu -Lalika - She's traveled all over and has acquired quite a wide knowledge of herbs and healing arts. Her experience in patching up rogue warriors -one in particular- have made her a solid, firm healer who knows her duty and does so without hesitation. She may be soft-spoken, but don't be fooled her tongue is sharp and she never is afraid to speak her mind.

-Common Pride Members-
Sēng & Sēng Ní (Adult):(0/?) All positions are open
Kān - Chozi - Gentle and caring, very calm and soft spoken. He does have a temper, but it's hard to provoke and quick to die down.

Xué Yuán (Juvie-Adol):

Bái Shuǐ (Cub):

(This is subject to change at just about any time i feel like it)

Every so often the pride will hold a tournament, all but cubs and juvie's are welcome to participate. The prizes are most often bragging rights and or an odd trinket or two to proclaim your skills but occasionally the best fighters are appointed to the Shī Fu position of their respective jobs, if the position needs someone.

IC you will be given a month to prepare for the tournament after 'signing up'.
OOC there will be around two weeks to sign up your character for the tournament. the actual tournament will be over a two to four week process depending on the number of participants.

The tournament will proceed in a bracket like formation; fighter vs fighter. With the winner advancing to the next round. Five four-sided dice will be used to determine the winner of each bout. The best of five 'rounds' will win the fight. The first post consisting of entering the fighting 'ring', bowing, and rolling the dice. The rest of the fight will be rped out with the dice results in mind.

For example;
player 1 rolls - 1, 4, 1, 4, 1
player 2 rolls - 4, 3, 1, 1, 1

so it would be... 'round 1' = player two (1<4), 'round 2' = player one (4>3), 'round 3' = draw (1=1), etc

I have tested this, you are more then welcome to check it out, and it adds to 14 posts for the fighters and one final post for the judge declaring the winner. This means if you fulfill the word count requirements you should be able to use each bout for breeding purposes.

But wait there is more.....

To those who are a bit more skilled then others we do have a special incentive for you XD.
If you rp practice bouts at any time you will be that much closer to adding two sides to your dice. This means that the more you practice your skills the more likely you will win during tournaments although this is not a guarantee. For right now the maximum side any one's dice can have is eight. In order to receive the larger dice you must complete and prove via links a certain amount of practice bouts.

The dice info:
Four sided - what every average pride member can roll
Six sided - what certain pride members can roll after ?#?#? practice bouts
Eight sided - what only a few pride members can roll after ?#?#? practice bouts
10 through 100 - no pride members can roll these dice

Official Pride Form

Pack/Pride Name: Xù Shù-lín
Current IC Owner(s): Moriko
Current OOC Owner(s): Fiction1119
Default ranks: Sēng (Males) Sēng Ní (Females)
Current Pride/Pack Members, and Rankings of Each:
Moriko, Dà Shī
Haracha, Liè Rén Shī Fu
Lalika, Shǎng Mìng Shī Fu
Chozi, Kān
Shu'Jiang, Xīng Dào Shī Fu
Links to at least five current RPs: (These RPs must have been done in the last month. At least one must have included the current ruler.)
Brief Description of your Pride/Pack: (Do not exceed 175 words, it has to fit in our layout!)
Cert Background Large Image: (Cert colors are now ultimately up to the cert maker)
Pride Symbol for Cert: Transparent PNG, please, and not already on a cert!circle.
Where is this pride located on the SoA map? General Location Map
Any Extra Information: If you want to include a place for alternate names or clans, please say so here - we will not allow you to change the cert afterward.
Pride/Pack History:
There once was a group of two legged males who came from far away. They looked nothing like the dark skinned two legers that were native to the area, they were pale and had slanting eyes. They settled near the yellow lake deep in the woods that grew on it's borders and there they built wooden dens and surrounded them with a rock wall.

The local wildlife watched as these intruders made a home and they were surprised when these odd creatures showed great skill in fighting, it was almost like dancing. These two legers did not show any harm in them towards others and the first Dà Shī loved what he was seeing and decided that he would take this idea and make it better. He left his home and traveled learning how to fight to the best of his ability but keeping to the though that violence never solved anything. He met many on his journey, helped and taught most of them, until one day when he realized that the end of his life was soon so he returned home. His disciples, those that believed in what the lion was teaching, returned with him.

The Dà Shī and his disciples returned to find the two leger's den calm as before, but it was empty as the sky on a clear day. Nothing lived in the dilapidated wooden dens, mother nature could be quite cruel if one did not care for such flimsy dens. There was no reason the strange creatures should have left but still the Dà Shī was on alert... something was not right.

Unable to shake the feeling that something was wrong there was nothing that the Dà Shī could do other then train and care for his disciples. As time passed and nothing happened there was nothing that the Dà Shī could do but relax. Then one day when all seemed quite, months after they returned, a group of lions came strutting. It is reported that they were quite rude and basically called all of disciples 'Wussies'.

The Dà Shī and the disciples did not take the bait since these 'gentleman' were just looking for a fight. It was when the leader took a swing at the youngest of the group that the Dà Shī stepped in. Rather then letting these rouges try to harm his people he decided to fight, something he would much rather not do. It didn't take long for the well trained Dà Shī to beat the other lion but keeping with his own philosophies he did not kill the interloper, rather told him to leave.

The rouge did not like being beaten by a old fart and struck back when the Dà Shī's back was turned. The wound was mortal but still the Dà Shī turned to fight, he told his followers to stay out of it but once he began to fight the other rouge lions got tired of waiting around. The joined the fight and the disciples could not let this go any farther, they too joined the fight. It was soon over, the rouges were ether dead or had run when it seemed this group of pacifists weren't such pushovers as they seemed.

When the dust settled two of the least skilled disciples were dead, the others injured in some way, and the Dà Shī was on death's door. His students gathered around and with his last few breaths the Dà Shī said, "There will always be those who believe that if they have the strength they have the right to everything. Remember my teachings and never become that which we fought today. Remember your fallen brothers and create a haven were might doesn't equal right. This is not the end for us, it is only just the beginning." With a smile on his face he closed his eyes and went to the great beyond to wait to be reborn.

The disciples buried the Dà Shī and their fallen brothers. They kept their promise and built on it. Never would they forget the sacrifice that one good lion gave to show others the right path.

ninja

ninja