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Culture

The Houses

Any leopard who joins the pride has the right to form a house around their bloodline. The largest houses are obviously the oldest bloodlines, as they've had plenty of time to grow. There can only be one head of any house, and the head of the house represents the family in the Senate. The head of the household is the law of the house, determining who lives, who dies, and who they will offer patronage to.

The Senate

The Senate votes on all important issues in the pride, and every Household has one Senator to represent their interests. The Head of the House and the Senator are one in the same. While the Heads of the Household determine the law within their own house, the Senate determines the Law of the Pride, which takes precedence over any individual house's rules.

Patronage

When a leopard joins the pride, they may choose not to form their own house right away, and instead find a more established house to act as their Patron. Often they will take a mate from their Patron's house and be considered a part of the family.

At any time this leopard may choose to leave and found their own house, or anyone from their bloodline may choose to leave the patronage to form their own house. However, as there may only be ONE House per bloodline, once a new House is founded other members of the bloodline may either join the new house, or remain under the patronage. Two siblings, for example, may not form two houses, only one may do so. If two siblings wish to form a house and do not agree who the Senator will be, the leader of the house will be determined by their patron.

Mates

Once a mate is taken, it is considered to be "for life" as it bonds two houses together. Divorce is allowed in extreme circumstances, however whether or not this is allowed will be determined by the Head of the Household. The Head of the House does not need the permission of anyone under their banner to perform a divorce. Including the mated pair.

Mated pairs are preferred to be heterosexual, but this is not considered "necessary" if the head of the household determines it to be so. Arranged marriages are fairly common, but mainly for the Head of the House and their heir.

If two leopards from different houses are to become a mated pair, the Heads of the House will determine which leopard will leave which household.

While cubs from non-mated pairs are regarded as fairly common and "not a big deal", if a mated leopard who is NOT living with their family has cubs with another leopard, the Head of the House has the right to execute them, and will then send the cubs to live with the executed mate's family.

Cubs

Cubs are considered to be under the care of their entire House, but mainly their parents, their nanny, and ESPECIALLY the head of the house. Cubs have little say in what their future position will be, it is determined by those listed above, who can determine what the cub's strengths are, and where they should be directed. That said, their training doesn't really start until their Juv stage.

Servants

Servants are not, generally speaking, treated with any disrespect. They are a part of the family, and are as loyal as any of the family's members. Poorly treated servants, after all, are likely to grumble, complain... and sometimes trade secrets with a House's enemies for a favor.

An excellent servant is the House Head's right hand, and a good, trustworthy member of the House which is sought out by everyone in Carthage.

Colors

Not considered to be relevant in the pride.

Religion

The Gods are worshiped as a Pantheon, and Priests/Priestesses fall outside their Houses, and choices on their behalf can only be made by a Senate Vote.