Beliefs
Gods
There are three gods that are paid tribute to: the god of the sky (Kweupe, played by Felinxis, approval needed), the goddess of the earth (Ardhi-haia, played by Meepfur, approval needed), and the goddess of horizons (Mbali, played by Hanyousblood, approval needed). While each god matches up with the three different titles lions in the pride can have, any lion from any faction can pay tribute to any of the three gods. They are aware of other gods existing and it is not looked down upon to worship other gods on the side, but these three are the main trio that every lion in the pride would know of and give thanks to.
Seers
Any lion that has children from a god is considered lucky, as are the seers themselves. God-born seers are approached often for council, as the lions believe the god-born seers to have a better understanding of life and how to live it. Seers that are not god-born are not approached for advice, but are still considered lucky. There is no special treatment towards any seer beyond what is mentioned above. There is no roll for a seer, so they must take up whatever title they have the option of picking from. In times of trouble, all the seers are gathered together from every faction to try to use their powers to see a way out or a way to stop whatever is happening.
Naming
First NamesAs this pride is based around the German language, those born in the pride generally have Germanic names. This can include names like Jens or Helga or can be based off of words, like Regen or Schlaufen. In the case of nouns being used as names, dropping the article (der, die, das) is required. For example, if you wanted to name your lion 'house' and went to put that into a translator, it might pop up with 'das Haus'. Just drop 'das' and there you go! If there's any question about a name, just send SilverLutz a PM or tag her in the main thread. Rouges are not required to change their first name, but are more than welcome to. They are, however, required to take on their faction name.
Faction NameThe lion's faction name comes from their pelt color and serves as a last name, as well as an indicator for their place in the pride. If they are of unnatural colors, their faction name is 'von dem Himmel'. If they are of natural colors, their faction name is 'von der Erde'. If they are of mixed colors, their faction name is 'von dem Horizont'. Let's use good ol' Jens as an example. Jens is a lion with a mostly blue coat, but he has some brown spots and a dark grey mane. As he has both unnatural and natural colors, his name would be Jens von dem Horizont. More info about faction titles and pelt colors can be found below.
Pelt Colors
The colors of the lions pelts determines their faction, or group. There are three groups as stated below, each with their own roles and special names. One faction is not higher than the other, as the lions believe everyone is needed to succeed.
von dem HimmelAny lion with a unnatural color pelt is considered 'von dem Himmel', or 'from the sky'. This includes the colors of the rainbow - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet - as well as various shades and tints of those main seven colors (i.e. pink, teal, lavender). For a lion to be considered 'von dem Himmel', their entire body must consist of only unnatural colors. White and black are not acceptable as they are found on animals with natural colors. Eye color does not count.
von der ErdeAny lion with a natural color pelt is considered 'von der Erde' or 'from the Earth'. The colors included here are anything you'd see on an animal. Brown, beige, white, black, grey, and muted tones of reds, yellows, and oranges are considered natural. This isn't going to be terribly strict, but if a lion is neon orange and you try to pass it off as von der Erde...yeah, that's not gonna fly. If you have questions, PM or tag SilverLutz. The entire lion must be natural colors, excluding eye color.
von dem HorizontAny lion with a mixed pelt of natural and unnatural color is considered 'von dem Horizont' or 'from the horizon', since that is where the sky and the earth meet. Any lion with a pelt consisting of a mix of the other two factions falls into this category, even if it is the tiniest speck of bright blue on an otherwise black pelt.
Other Species
Leopards, cheetahs, hybrids, wild dogs, and hyenas are not viewed with hostility. The pride is very welcoming to weary travelers of any species, so long as they are not destructive. Travelers are welcome to stay for a full cycle of the moon before being asked to move on or, if they are a lion, to consider staying with them. While hybrids are not allowed to stay within the pride, it's not unheard of for a lioness to fling with a passing rouge leopard or cheetah. The hybrid cubs are taken care of until adolescence, at which point they are asked to move on. Hybrid cubs do not take a faction name.
Familiars
All familiars are welcome in the pride. They don't take a faction name and can be with any lion they wish, regardless of color. A blue lion could have a natural-colored hare for a familiar and no one would raise a brow at it. The rank of the familiar is 'Freund' for a male and 'Freundin' for a female, both of which mean friend.
Talismans
Good luck is something that is called upon often from the lions and bad luck is avoided at all costs. To assist in the drawing of good energy and repulsing the negative, the lions wear talismans. As balance is something that is also sought by the pride, the lions generally wear something that is not from their faction. For example, a lioness that is von dem Himmel might find a pretty gem to have worked into a necklace. On the other hand, a lion that is von die Erde might weave fathers into his mane. A lion that is von dem Horizont will usually wear whatever is the opposite of what dominates his body as far as color goes. If he has more unnatural than natural colors, he would perhaps have a bracelet of teeth to balance his 'sky' pelt with an 'earth' talisman. If he is perfectly balanced, then he may choose whatever sort of talisman he'd like.
Flings and Mates
There are no set rules to having a mate or not. In fact, it's not uncommon for a lion or lioness to take on multiple mates and even have a few flings on the side. Mates are for those lions that make an emotional connection to another, regardless of gender or faction. While Lion A and Lioness B might be mates, they may never have children together. Lioness B may fling with Lion C, and Lion A might fling with Lioness D, and no one would say a word against them. There are those mates that are loyal to each other, though. Basically, anything goes. A lion or lioness might even fling with a passing rouge and no one would mind, so long as any hybrid cubs are ushered out once they're of age. Adolescents are not barred from breeding, nor selecting a mate if they so wish.
Cubs
New cubs are always something to celebrate, no matter if they're lions or hybrids. The hybrids will have to be sent away eventually, but that doesn't make them unwanted or unloved. There are, however, a few cases that differ.
Twins/Triplets/etcWhen two or more cubs are born with the same markings but with slight variations or color difference, they consider it to be a blessing from the gods. Twins are looked upon as being lucky for both their families and themselves.
Identical Twins/Triplets/etcWhen two or more cubs that are born
exactly the same as far as markings, gender, and colors go, however, it is considered to be a curse from the gods. Why would you need two of the exact same lion? The mother and father, if he is involved in raising the cubs, must decide on which cub will be forced to leave the pride when they reach adolescence. This cub will not take on a faction name, like a hybrid, and once they leave they can never return to the pride, not even to visit. That isn't to say they can't see family, as lions are free to roam into the rouge lands when they wish, but once they leave, they're generally never seen nor heard from again.
All-Gender LitterWhen a mother gives birth to all boys or all girls, she is considered lucky. The more in the litter, the more lucky she is. This can conflict with the identical twins belief, though. If there are identical twins in the litter, the luck is null and void. Regular twins, with variation in color and slight markings, double the luck brought on by the gods.
