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History of the Mazunguko
Written by Lorne_Sionn heart
So our story begins....

It begins as all stories must, with a cub, a young male, the only one in a litter of six. His mother named him, Tu'Mwana, Only Son. Mwana knew nothing but love from his mother, and pride from his father, for he was strong and clever cub. However, from his sisters, from his sisters Mwana knew nothing but envy. For they were neither as strong as Mwana nor as clever, but what they were, were cunning, and in that cunning they found ways to torment Mwana when their parents were not present. Mwana accepted their torments for he was a honorable male, as his father taught him to be, but in his heart he grew bitter and sought a way to escape his sisters.

As he grew into his mane, he discovered that their were others such as he, males who knew bitterness or fear caused by sisters, mothers, or mates and males who cared not for female company, but felt more at ease among their own gender. Mwana brought these males into his confidence, and they began to hunt and roam together, forming a bond that became a Brotherhood, that grew into a Pride. Once again earning the respect and love of his parents, and the ever present envy and hate of his sisters.

Understanding that those who had come to his paws seeking safety would not know it if his sisters betrayed them to the lionesses they hid from, Mwana entrusted them to those of the newly formed Mazunguko who could and would fight to defend them, those who would later become the Mazunguko's first( Guards). Ranging far and wide Mwana searched for a place of safety, a place well hidden, a place where they could be free of the females who had troubled and injured so many of the males he had gathered to him. It seemed hopeless, and Mwana lost heart as another day came to a end and his Pride still had no land to claim as theirs.

And then he saw it...the tiny bead of light, floating lazily above an opening, hidden well by the jungle's leaves. It was a firefly, that small light, and it lead him to the cave that the Mazunguko would claim as theirs.

Mwana returned to his Brothers, and together they traveled to the entrance he had been brought to. For weeks he and his took turns creating the labyrinth of their new home. Some were suited to digging, becoming the first of the (Diggers), others were clever in their weaving and fashioned nets to capture more of the fireflies that had been their saviors, becoming the (Catchers), those who could not dig or weave, brought meat and water for those who could, becoming the (Hunters) and there were still those who watched and waited, keeping vigil over the others, keeping them safe as they worked. Mwana's loyal (Guards).

As time passed, the Mazunguko grew. Brothers of the Pride bringing those like them to their lands, feline and canine both. For to them species did not matter, only that they shared the bond of Brotherhood. Mwana himself, ranged far to find others who needed the sanctuary and companionship of his unique Pride. A council was formed, laws were created, rituals and celebrations born, a legacy ready to pass on...save for the fact Mwana had none to pass it to. The cub had grown into a lion, the lion into a leader, but the leader had not sired an heir.

Not wishing his Brothers to be left alone once Death came for him, Mwana made a choice. One that weighed heave on his heart, but one he knew he must make. He once more ranged from their labyrinth home and brought to their cave a female, one to bear him a son. Her name was Mbeba.

Mwana treated her with the same kindness his father had shown his mother, nothing more, nothing less , for there was no love in his heart for her. Yet no cruelty either. The lioness was confined to one den in the labyrinth of the Mazunguko caves, with her (Guards) always beside her. Once her duty was done, and a male cub lay in Mwana's paws, Mbeba was free to go. She was escorted from the caves and seen past the borderlands safely.

Mwana raised his son as his father had him, with pride and love, and Mrithi, the heir, grew.


Yet the story does not end here.....

For legacies continue well past those who have left them, and Mwana's Pride has endured in the labyrinth caves that it calls home..

It is now Nahasi's story, for it is he who wears the crown of the Mazunguko. A young lion, a even younger king. Unsure of his rule, relying on his council. A council left by Nahasi's father, Aina, for a female he loved more then they, the Mazunguko.

A King who had treated the females like guests, Aina, kind and compassionate, a fool, he had let the females roam as they would, love as they would. The opposite of his own father, Kikatili, Nahasi's Grandsire, cruel and cold, worthless, Kikatili. Who had spread misery and tears among the females within the Pride. Slavery was to kind a word for what Kikatili had done...Mwana's sisters would have been proud of their many time's over great grand nephew, for he was like they. Kikatili had found death by the paw of his slave, and Nahasi's father, Aina, had come to the throne, and just as easily left it as soon as Nahasi came of age.

So here our story lays..

In the paws of a young king, on the claws of his loyal (Guards), on the backs of his council...deep in the earth, in the maze of the labyrinth, in the Pride of the Mazunguko.

Beliefs

Rogue Males: Are welcomed into the pride as a guest and offered the hospitality of the Mazunguko. Very few are turned away outright. They are free to roam around as they wish, but are assigned a guide. This serves two purposes. First, it keeps the guest from getting lost within the underground labyrinth of the Mazunguko's home, secondly it allows the pride to keep a weather eye on them to be sure that they mean no harm to the Brotherhood.

Rogue Females: Depending on the Mazunguko male who finds her, the Brother will either chase her from the pride's territory, or bring her back to the labyrinth to become a Brotherhood mother. Under the rule of Kikatili she was brought forcefully, under the rule of Aina, she was asked, now under the rule of Nahasi, it is unknown, so the male often brings her if he fancies her. Once in the caves, females who are willing to stay are brought to the King and council and then judged to see if they are worthy of staying and giving birth to real males.

Names: Name as you please, but African names are preferred for cubs born into the Mazunguko or SoA having always 'been' within the Pride.

Species: All species are welcomed here and treated like Brothers, hybrids included. No species is better than the other in the Pride.

Flings: Flings are encouraged. They bring new life to the Mazunguko . When the female has her cubs, the Brother is expected to bring the healthy, strong, male cubs back to the Pride.

Life Mating: Life mating with another male is almost expected. Close bonds are formed within the Brotherhood between the males that are part of the pride that survive in the harsh environment of their labyrinth home. There are dangers deep in the earth, as well as the intolerance from Prides above, and many who come to the Mazunguko are fleeing persecution or other such hostilities from their once homes. Warriors, friends, family. It is not unexpected that the Mazunguko find love among themselves. Once they have committed to a lifemate, they are bound to each other by Pride law, to betray that law means death to the betrayer's lover and banishment to the betrayer. (OOC breeding/flinging with a female is fine as long as both males agree to it.)

Life mating with a female is rare, but it happens and is not forbidden, for the Mazunguko understand the love is a gift and should be treasured. Should this occur, the female is brought before the King and council and they listen to the male's reasons for choosing the female, but more impotently, they listen to the female's case. Should they rule in her favor, she stays and is welcomed into the pride as a Brother, and allowed from the Mbeba Den, if she is ruled against she and the Brother are banished together, unless he refutes his Lifemating with her and returns to the Brotherhood.

Cubs: If they are male they know only love and pride from the Mazunguko, if they are female the Pride treats them decently, but distantly. How cubs are treated individually depends on their sire and dam. All cubs and pups are usually watched by the Brotherhood Mothers in the Mbeba Den, and are usually watched by the females until they are old enough to leave them. Male cubs/pups are then raised by their fathers and the other Brothers, and apprenticed out in their trades at juveniles. Female cubs will stay with their mother until adolescence when they are given the choice to stay and be Brotherhood Mothers or leave. At juvenile however they are taught basic survival skills for the outside world, such as hunting, healing, tracking, and jungle survival. They leave skilled warriors and hunters. (Note This has been the case since the beginning, but changed for a short time during Kikatili's reign, Aini brought the practice back and so far Nahasi has kept it)



Ceremonies and Events

New Moon: Every new cycle of the moon the saviours of the Mazunguko are remembered, and let free within the caves to celebrate the light that is given to them by the scared insects. Fireflies are very important to the Pride and are treated with great reverence, for without them there would be no light in the deeper sections of their labyrinth home where light from the natural openings does not reach. To harm a firefly is considered a crime, and is punished harshly. A few days before the celebrations the (Catchers) and their apprentices spend most of their days weaving nets and capturing the fireflies for the occasion.

Life Mating: Marked by a celebration that lasts for days with large kills brought in and fermented fruit that has been prepared for months. Speeches are given, stories told about the couple as cubs, songs are sung, and much laughter and embarrassment follows. The union is sealed at the end by a blessing from the King that makes the bond official, and presents from the Pride are presented to the newly mated pair whether they be both male, both female, male and female, both feline or canine, hybrid or pure bred, canine and feline, or both rocks.. it is a time of joy for all.

Day of Fang and Fury: Once in a while when there is time, (and he is slightly bored) the King will host a martial tournament that all may enter. Those who enter compete for a coveted position on the King's Personal Guard. Those who sign up will have a chance to become one of these elite warriors who are charged with the safety of the royal born family. None are as close to the royals as they are, none as trusted, none as loyal. The fighting takes place in a large circler cavern deep within the caves.

Tournament of the Crown: Princes born of the King who may sire offspring (fertile hybrids included) compete in a competition to be crowned the Mazunguko heir. This competition always consists of three tasks. Each set of tasks are different for each brother. The current ruling King, the past King (if he is still living) and the council will decide the three task they face. (OOC tasks will be chosen by Club Snails and Lorne_Sionn, from a predetermined list and dice rolls in the Pride Forum)

Pride members and Joining
Want to join? Post the form below if you have a SoA and you what them to join.



Post this form if you have an idea for the character but you don't have them colored yet!


If you need help paying for a concept please shoot me a pm. I wouldn't mind helping fund some of these characters.


Members





Concept Characters

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There are usually several freebee events and games around where you can get a pet for no gold. Just hang around the shop thread or keep checking out the event forum.

There is currently a raffle for newbies (3 soa or less) in the events area now. 5 new-line leopards (like the grey boy in my siggy) are up for grabs.

I have a character who will someday be a firefly!
Character's Name: Arancion
Born in pride: No?
Desired Rank: Council (?- Hes the type to be helpful and lend a paw when needed and since the pride lacks members, he'd likely wind up on the council due to his heavy level of experience of the outside world)
Personality: Calm and soft-spoken he is a level-headed male. A warrior from his original pride he has seen the worst that battle can produce, and the best. From the blood and death to the loyalty and comradeship of the battlefield. Though he is not of old age, his soul has aged far more than those who would call him peer, for his life has been the path of the warrior since cubhood.
Short Bio: to come. XD
Anything else: Has a male lover with whom he wishes to settle down and live a peaceful life. They are running to escape the prejudice found in their home pride against ss couples.

I love you guys! Obviously both are accepted. heart