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Announcements & Updates
8/19 started setting up the thread.
8/20 Lorne_Sionn and Tanakako on staff!
8/27 New mule-hosted interest thread!
8/28 Five members reached!
11/02 The pride has officially opened!!!!

History of the Mazunguko
Written by Lorne_Sionn

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 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 an honourable 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 there were others such as he, males who knew bitterness or fear caused by sisters, mothers or mates, and other 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, which grew into a Pride. And 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 suffer 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 Wachunga (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 an 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 travelled 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 Chimba (Diggers), others were clever in their weaving and fashioned nets to capture more of the fireflies that had been their saviours, becoming the Kamata (Catchers). Those who could not dig or weave, brought meat and water for the pride, becoming the Msako (Hunters) and there were still those who watched and waited, keeping vigil over the others, keeping them safe as they worked. Mwana's loyal Wachunga (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 heavy 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 Wachunga (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 Wachunga (Guards), on the backs of his council... deep in the earth, in the maze of the labyrinth, is 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 importantly, 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 the pride owners 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

SoA's Name: Nahasi
Owner's Name: Club Snails
Born in pride: Yes
Rank: King
Personality: Nahasi is a people pleasure. He wants to make the members of the pride proud to call him king. He is still ignorant, but he is slowly learning what it means to be king.
Short Bio: Nahasi is one of the youngest kings in Mazunguko history. His father left the pride without teaching Nahasi how to be king. He has never left the caves, finding the caves far more interesting than the outside world.


SoA's Name: Basa-Juan | Uncert
Owner's Name: Tanakako
Born in pride: No
Rank: Elite Guard / Consort
Personality: Juan comes across as a rather cold and aloof male. Never one to be seen 'goofing off' or otherwise engaged in foolery, it is said to be a rare day that he even smiles.
Short Bio: No one knows what happened in the grey leopard's past, though a few things are very clear merely by his mannerisms and habits. He was once a warrior of great renown, unsurpassed both in the ring and on the battlefield. Something happened, something that utterly destroyed the leopard, though he has never spoke of it. It tore him from his pride, broke his spirit and sent him out into the roguelands. His time as a rogue finished what his training had begun, honing him into a silent, deadly warrior, one who showed little passion for the plight of others. The only thing that kept him on the right path was his devotion to his own Creed, a creed of honor and justice, of protecting the weak and vanquishing the damned. He came to possess the reputation of a stone cold killer, and yet his honor and calm, quiet manners make him all the more mysterious.
One day he turned up at the entrance of the Mazunguko's cave and requested a position within their ranks. No one has ever found out why he has suddenly decided to leave the life of a rogue behind and find a new pride to live among, but those few who have tried to get close to the male have been politely but unconditionally turned away. He won his present rank the very first time he fought in front of the pride members and has never lost a battle to date.
Anything else? Figured he joined during the last king's reign so he has been around the pride a while.


SoA's Name: Arancion | Uncert
Owner's Name: Tanakako
Born in pride: No - Arrived during the last King's reign
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. Arancion and his mate came during Aina's time, so they would have the necessary experience to aid Nahasi once he makes the throne.
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.


SoA's Name: Arathien
Owner's Name: Lorne_Sionn
Born in pride: no
Rank: Council
Personality: Lively and full of enthusiasm for life, he often gives his partner grey hairs with his antics. However he is just as a skilled a warrior as Arancion and just as feared on the field of war. While apparently lighter of heart than his companion, Arathien can easily drop the mask and is in fact as hard working and realistic as his mate, though he is considerable more social and at ease in other's company.
Short Bio: to come
Anything else: Mate to Arancion


SoA's Name:Luaith Link
Owner's Name: Lorne_Sionn
Born in pride: No
Desired Rank: Kipto ( or maybe the new rank of priest if it gets created, since he is a Seer)
Personality: Luaith, due to his visions, tends to keep to himself more then anything else. When he is not plagued by them, or when a creature takes the time to get past the barriers he has placed around himself, they will find a quiet, but well spoken young lion. He is intelligent and observant, but has learned that unless asked, it is better not to speak. Like the male that raised him, Luaith is extremely polite, and treats all with equal respect. However, he lacks the mischievous and playful nature that Alasiri tried to impart onto him. Perhaps with time, and the fuller understanding, or perhaps removal of his visions all together, it may show itself.
Short Bio: All his life Luaith has had visions, only they have never been ones that have been of good fortune. They have always been dark prophecies, that spell of disaster. When he was young they were the small, never more then a hurt a paw or a tiny rock slide, but they were still frighting to the young cub and often his mother(Kibaasi) or adoptive father (Alasiri) stayed up well into the night to ease his fear for the visions were never clear, just blood and pain, or dirt and darkness, and always as if happening to him. As he grew so did they in scale and detail. They've tormented him, because they have always been frequent, and he has always had this need to warn the animal its going to happen to, or prevent the event. Only it is almost never easy as for the most part Luaith suffers from the Casandra syndrome, to always see true, but to never be believed.
Anything else? Truly a tormented soul Luaith is looking for a place to escape his visions when he can and a safe haven to rest between them. He will be called out by them until he can find a way to stop them. Perhaps someone in the Pride will be able to help him, perhaps not.


SoA's Name: Zuberi
Owner's Name: Peppermint Coffee
Born in pride: Nope
Desired Rank: Wachunga
Personality: He was born into the Ukuucha'Wafalme. Zuberi has always been sarcastic and not very approachable. It's because he realized when his hormones kicked in, he doesn't find females sexually attractive. Sure, they have nice coats, and some have good personalities, but that's as far as his feelings went. Nothing beyond friends. However, he could never voice that to his parents or anyone in the pride. That is why he has yet to return to the pride with a female. Maybe he'll be more approachable and finally feel good in his own skin.
Short Bio: He has a ton of siblings in the U'W, some are Beybanu, some are Banu, but all are well taken care of. He had no real friends in his old pride because he snapped at someone or just wasn't very good company. When he hit adolescents, he left like his brother, Guberi, to see which one could get a woman first.
Ever since then, he's been wandering around the rogue lands.
Anything else? He comes from Scar and Mufasa's line. His mother is a descent of Scar, his dad is a descent of Mufasa.


SoA's Name: Hikaru
Owner's Name: Club Snails
Born in pride: No
Desired Rank: Kamata
Personality: Hikaru is very sweet and innocent, very child like. He often gets himself very hyper, to the point where no one understand what he is saying, than he goes off and either has quiet time or a nap. Also he is very loud.
Short Bio: Hika could never find a place he felt like he could call home. Since he was a cub he never fit in anywhere. Others would find him annoying and others just plain weird. He is hoping that Mazunguko will be his perfect home. heart
Anything else? Hika might just be crazy to an extend (still thinking about this). He believes everything that he is told.


SoA's Name: [ Jemmnu ]
Owner's Name: Chi Sohma
Born in pride: Born Mazunguko
Desired Rank: Kamata Possibly changing later down the road to Missionary
Personality: A desire to be observed, considered, esteemed, praised, beloved, and admired by his fellows is one of the earliest as well as the keenest dispositions discovered in the heart of man. - John Adams"
Short Bio: He was put to the test by his father when he was just a juv hitting almost the age ripe to learn to hunt. A 'if you are my son'- test and that lasted only but a few days before he was announced dead at the cliff. His body didn't move for days but something happened down there while he hit almost every ridge down the cliff. When he awoke, something was different. Jemmnu climbed his way up the cliff and something was just off. His father was dead before the clan had the chance to wake and Jemmu was gone. Now that life is better and heard that a new leader had taken over. He has come back to see for himself.
Anything else? He may change professions later.


SoA's Name: Tsuyoshi'Yuudai Image
Owner's Name: Pink Myth
Born in pride: He's gonna stumble onto it. (I would like for it to have happened when he was young but I'm not picky.)
Desired Rank: Mwana
Personality: Tsu is well know to brood over things important or not. He has major trust issue's even with males*. He is usually quite though when he dose speak his voice is quite deep and is known to grunt and growl more then speak.
*He will learn quickly that the pride will not betray him and its his true home.
Short Bio: His mother was killed short after his birth. His father not knowing he was still alive fled the sight of his mates death. He was picked up by a rouge lioness not wanting to see the young cub die she tended to him till he was old enough. He grew attached to her only to have her turn on him. She had gotten pregnant and wanted nothing to do with him now that he was old enough more worried about her own cubs she chased him out of the den. He's been on his own ever since.
Anything else? n/a


SoA's Name: Ijara image
Owner's Name: Innocent_Hybrid
Born in pride: Yes
Rank: Council
Personality: Despite his youth, Ijara is very calm and collected, some say even to the point of being dispassionate. This qualities make him very useful when it comes to being a third party to an argument. He can look at the situation by the facts and not let emotions interfere, this ability is one of the reasons he was chosen for the Council. Where as he would rather he civil and talk through a disagreement, he still can hold his own in a fight.
Short Bio: Ijara is the newest, and youngest addition to the Council, having been given a seat near the end of Aina's rule. He was born into a litter as the only male and started helping the pride by catching fireflies as soon as he was able. He shifted through a few different positions, the time as a digger and guide giving him extensive knowledge of the caves and their inner workings, before a chance encounter with King Aina. Even though he was young, the King eventually gave him a seat upon the Council near the end of his reign.
Anything else: Nothing ATM.


SoA's Name: Nocni Mura
Owner's Name: Club Snails
Born in pride: Yes
Desired Rank: Brotherhood Mother
Personality: Mura is larger than your average lioness and tends to be a bit intimidating. However she is actually a huge softy. She loves cubs more than anything and dreams about having a cub or two of her own someday. Mazu is her home and she cares a lot about it and has pride in being a brotherhood mother. She is willing to help when any of the males need help. She is a good listener and tends to be motherly toward most of the pride members.
Short Bio: Mura was the only daughter of one of the old council members. He was disappointed that he did not have a son, but he never blamed Mura. In fact he spoiled her with stories of the outside world and bringing her gifts when ever he could. Once, with the premission of the king, he took her outside the tunnels into the outside world and she spent the day enjoying it. He gave her a choice to either stay there or return with him to Mazu and she choose to go back with him.
Anything else?


SoA's Name: Makani Uncert
Owner's Name:Lorne_Sionn
Born in pride:Nope
Desired Rank:Scout
Personality: Makani was a good leader, or the best he could be as young as he was, using his brain instead of is brawn. He did his best not to be goaded into a fight by the female. Keeping his head to keep them alive. He thought thinks through as best he could, and despite exchanging harsh words with her, he never lifted a paw to her.
Short Bio: Makani was once the leader of a very small pack, his pup hood friend who he had feelings for he did not under stand until a female came into the picture. Durring a long drought in the Bone Lands that female showed her true colors and ran off Makani's friend, who had been courting her, and betrayed Makani to the lions, leaving him with a horrific injury that nearly killed him.
Anything else? He is sure she also murdered his best friend and perhaps a hyena who could have become more. He is resentful for what happened to him and has turned bitter. He will need more then just the healing of his leg if he is to regain his tractable personality again.


Concept Characters

Credits:

Lorne_Sionn for writing and rewriting pretty much everything and coming up with some of the ideas. heart
Tanakako for editing, cert, graphics and coming up with some of the ideas. heart



And open! heart

Lookin awsome already guys <3

Hmm... edited a little bit here and there. If anyone has suggestions or ideas for the pride, we would love to hear them. There is a meta already in the works for the future.