[ OOC ] En Gedi Pride

[Thalion]

Pride Name: En Gedi
Meaning: Named after the ruins that stand beside the dead sea, a ruin from the early centuries. It once served as a haven for King David.

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God/Goddess:

To them we serve.

| Le-Wei: God of Peace | (waiting for a slot)
'It was peace that brought us into the prosperous and rich lifestyle we now enjoy. The tranquility that he grants us allows us to find our totems and give us the clarity of mind that allows us to keep them close to use through our lives.'


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Religion:

When faith is strong...peace and life will come.

The pride believes in maintaining peace among themselves and living in harmony with the life around them. While still hunters, not shy to red meat in the least, they don’t believe in over-hunting or killing without cause.

The god of their worship is Lewe, the god of peace. Unbeknownst to the pride, however, the god passed away and was reincarnated as Li-Wei who bears little resemblance to the god who was rumored to have appeared to their ancestors.

As a tribute to peace itself, every member of the pride is required to tame a familiar of their own. Herd beast, avian, or fellow predator, the pride member is expected to learn to understand and trust another creature apart from its own species.

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Location: The Ruins of En Gedi

'The jungle of birth at our backs, water of life through our hearts, the sea of death ahead of us always.'

| Visuals |
( * ) ( * ) ( * ) ( * ) ( * ) ( * ) ( * ) ( * )
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| History of the Region |

'You cannot see where you are going to unless you know where you are coming from.'

The architecture in Mombassa and Zanzibar is better known, but the Gedi Ruins, a 12th Century Swahili village just outside the town of Watamu, mysteriously abandoned in the 1600s, is a remarkable insight into the Afro-Arab civilization that thrived on the East African coast 800 years ago. Enter the outer walls and you find yourself among glorious stone ruins covered by bush, trees and earth. Here stands a mosque; there sprawls a stone palace; and shaded by baobab and tamarind trees are scores of ornate rock built houses where the residents once lived. Monkeys play on pillar-like tombs that have been uncovered in the earth and you feel you have stumbled into a magnificent lost world.
- Thelife.com
- Further Info
- Wikipedia Dead Sea Article



| Maps of the Area |
- Location
- Off the coast of the dead sea

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Pride History:

'Through the strongest hearts, the purest blood flows.'

In ancient times, lions, cheetahs, leopards, and other big cats were often trapped and brought into the courts of the kings and lords. Either as exotic pets (If they were caught at a young age and tamed into a more gentle life) or kept as a form of punishment for prisoners of war. Lion pits were a common form of punishment for the condemned. A collection of lions would be kept in an underground pit sealed over with a large stone, into which those unfortunate prisoners would be cast into. When the cities fell, the animals that had been kept in such a way eventually found their way out.

The current pride are descendants of such beasts. In the older days, those kept as court pets often associated with other big cats that were kept in the same manner, so the rivalry between the different species was weakened. To the modern day, leopards, cheetahs, and various other predators that descended from such pets have come to be accepted as part of the pride as well.

The pride fell into the worship of the god of peace shortly after their release from the lion’s pit. Their leader, a headstrong lioness, claimed the territory as her own, seeking to drive those that had lived a life of comfort from the lands. It’s rumored that the god appeared to them and settled their hearts, unifying the pride regardless of species. Over time, lions became the dominant species though they began to form a special bond with creatures of other species.

By the fourth generation following the appearance of the god, the belief that every lion had a totem creature began to influence their religion. Every creature had a counter part that was a physical representation of their soul. The belief was founded when their king at the time stayed his paw from slaying an ibex during a hunt. The lion kept the young grazer at his side for many years, much to the pride’s confusion.

One day the lion found himself trapped in a pit that had been set generations past in order to add to the collection of the lion’s pits, long abandoned but functional. The ibex returned to the pride and alerted them of their king’s plight. With efforts of the pride, the king was freed. Since then, it became tradition for the lions of the pride to tame with a familiar of their own. It became a belief that the nature of the familiar was the true nature of the one that had tamed it as theirs.

The tradition still stands, and often times the type of familiar will determine the tasks given to the tamer. For instance, those bonded with a swift beast such as a cheetah or a gazelle are given the task of hunters or scouts. Those bonded with more powerful creatures such as hyenas or wildebeest are warriors. To the pride, the taming of a familiar is a significant event, a passage into adulthood, and a tribute to peace itself.



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Friends/Foes:

Those who rise against us, and those who fall before us.

---

More Reference Sites:
BiblePlaces.Com - The biblical roots of the En Gedi area  

[Thalion]

The Lions of the Dead Sea...

General Appearance:

'We carry the blood of kings.'

The lions are a bit smaller than a common pride-lander but larger than a mistweaver. Many of them have a thicker build sporting broad, deep chests and thicker legs. Their coats are a common length, normally in dusty blond, brown, and cream tones. Gray and off-white along with a darker tan and a stormy gray aren’t uncommon either. However, unnatural colors such as green, pink, etc. are unheard of. The lions have no contact with the outside prides, and haven’t for generations, so their genetics look very similar to one another. They often paint tribal markings on themselves to signify their given or earned rank. Some families have heirlooms of items that were one placed on their later ancestors by the humans. Others find man’s crafts to wear for themselves among the ruins.

The only 'trademark feature' of the pride is that the manes tend to be much finer and longer rather than thick and fluffy as is typical for most lions.

Color Sheets:
+ Male
+ Female
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Names:

'Every name carries with it a message.'

Most, if not all names, will be deprived from Hebrew, Islamic, Arabic, or Egyption origin. If you're wanting to custom into the pride, please take that into consideration.

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Markings:

'For all to see.'

The markings are painted onto each of the members by an elder. They resemble the Hebrew alphabet. While the lions cannot read the Hebrew language, the markings are seen among some of the ruins. OCC, choose a word, phrase, etc. that you'd like painted on. We've located a translator. They normally have no more than three sets of markings.

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Ranks:
King:

'Proud, strong, and wise.'

The king serves as the head of the pride. All decisions are final through him. It is the job of the king to lead, to protect, and govern the family that is his pride. While it is more common for the king to have been from the old royal line, there have been occasions where a ruler sees a cub that is not of his own as more worthy of the rank than his own offspring. The oldest offspring doesn’t necessarily win the throne by birthright either, while all royals are considered as such, it’s the most skilled and most powerful of the litter that succeeds his father. The rite of succession begins with trails chosen from the king and his advisers to test the candidate’s power, strength, and endurance. The one who accomplishes them all to the satisfactory of the king and his advisers succeeds.

The king’s role is to protect the pride. He is in charge of the warriors and establishes rank among them, often times having a significant role in the training of the young.

A good king will take council from his queen and from the elders of the pride. And while he may take their council, a wise king will make his own decisions in the end, whether or not the source(s) of his council agree.

Queen:

'Fierce, clever, and loving.'

It’s the duty of the queen to maintain social order under her mate. She overhears any of the concerns that the pride presents and does her best to find a peaceful and equal resolve for both parties. The queen is more of a diplomatic figure, more praised for her wisdom and tact than power. It’s also the duty of the queen to head and organize the hunts of the pride. She will often select a lead huntress under her to serve in her place if she is unable to attend a hunt. She also selects nannies to raise the cubs of the top huntresses.

A queen is selected by the pride and betrothed to the successor. Queens are normally selected by their performance during hunts, their manners within the pride, and sometimes by their bloodline. A queen is often time selected during her adolescent period and must wait until a male successor is selected before she is mated.

Prince:

(Successor /Royal Warrior) 'Carry with you our hope.'

The princes are any male cubs birthed from the king and the queen. Like all the other cubs, they are raised by a nanny lioness rather than constantly by their mother. The royals are marked from birth to identify them apart from the others. From a young age, the princelings are brought into the warrior’s training. The king will often pay special attention to his offspring’s performance. Even if a prince does not manage succession, he bears the responsibility of defending the pride as a royal warrior.

Princess:

(Royal Huntress) 'Grow with grace and ability.'

The princesses are any female cubs birthed from the queen and the king. Like the princes, they are marked to identify their rank above the other cubs, and like the princes, they are raised by a nanny rather than by their mother. Similar to the upbringing of a prince, the princesses will join the hunts for observation at cub hood, left with a nanny lioness to observe the hunt and learn the formations. While all females will grow under the same conditions, the queen will often put more attention in the development of her offspring’s skills than a common cub’s.

Warrior Chief:

'Forge the fires of our future.'

The warrior chief is in charge of the warriors. Under the king, he’s the most accomplished fighter and answers only to the king’s orders. It’s the chief that determines rank among the warriors, unless otherwise instructed by the king.

Head Huntress:

'Bring to us a bounty.'

The head huntress is in charge of the huntresses under the queen, often times a sister to the queen. In the queen’s absence, she organizes the hunts and oversees the development of the young lionesses, often assigning them their positions within the hunting party.

Sage:

'Bless us with your wisdom.'

Sages are often times the elder lions of the pride, or the lions born with disabilities that prevent them from carrying out their expected duties. Sages are put in charge of learning the stories, history, and songs of the pride and passing them on to the younger generations. Sages often times serve as advisors to the king and queen.

Warrior:

'Defend the peace that brings us life.'

Warriors are male lions between the adolescent and adult age. From their juvenile years they’re trained by older warriors how to fight and defend their territories. While the pride is not particularly war-like, they are very aware of the fact that peace sometimes is something that must be earned and protected. The primary goal of a warrior is to protect the pride.

** Warriors are not restricted to only lions. Leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, etc. within the pride can become warriors. It is restricted to males, however, unless permission is granted by the royals.**

Huntress:

'Dance the sacred dance of death that brings life.'

The huntresses are female lions between adolescent and adult age. From their juvenile years they’re trained by older huntresses how to hunt. They learn to work in formations and are often assigned positions based on their individual talents.

**Huntresses are not restricted to only lions. Leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, etc. within the pride can become huntresses. It is restricted to females, however.**

Scouts:

'Eyes ever on the distance.'

Scouts are normally non-lions. Hyenas, wild dogs, leopards, and cheetahs mainly. They’re in charge of keeping watch on the pride’s boarders and informing the royals of any significant change in weather, migration patterns of nearby herds, and of any incoming threats.

Youths:

'Life's gift to our future.'

The younglings of the pride.

Totems:

(Familiars) 'By our sides, serve as our guides.'

Totems are the creatures that pride members ‘tame’ to themselves. They serve as constant companions and normally serve within the same rank as them. Totems are often times obtained in the form of a pact between the two. Grazers, for instance, offer their service in exchange from protection from hunts. Predators often receive parts of the kills for their loyalty, as do winged creatures. All totems are protected from the hunt. To kill a totem will result in severe punishment ranging between exile and death.


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Society:
--Coming soon--  

[Thalion]

Characters...


Featured Characters:

Pride King | Played by Thalion

Quest Complete!

Rotem is only two years on the throne. He was the youngest of his father's second litter but gained quick favor in his father's eyes, eventually rising to the rank of warrior chief by the time he reached adulthood. He was betrothed to Adara as soon as she proved herself a worthy lioness. Prior to his actual succession the lioness was impregnated. However, three of the cubs didn't survive the premature birth. Only Jaron lived. After his father passed on, Rotem became the new king. Once more, Adara bore a litter for him, this time each of the cubs survived.

He has a brutish build, a strong jaw, and piercing silver eyes. A proud warrior and a strong leader for the pride. His chosen totem was an eagle by the name of Adi. A female.

Personality-wise he's reserved to speak and slow to anger. He cares for the pride like he would if each of the member was directly related to him. Thus far, he shows no particular favor towards any of his offspring, and thus has paid no special attention to any of their upbringing.

Adara - Pride Queen | Played by _______

350k/350k Funds

(-Image coming soon-)
Adara was always a small lioness. She was the only cub born to her young parents. The strain of her birth removed her mother from the world and left her in her father's care. While, like the other cubs of the pride, she was primarily mothered by a nanny lioness, her father paid special attention to her development. As she grew, she became more and more determined to reward her father's devotion.

She was a fierce competitor for the rank of head huntress. While smaller than most of the lionesses in the hunting party, she was swift and aggressive with her strikes. It left her coat dotted with scars from her hunts, but as a reward for her efforts, she became the youngest lioness to make head huntress.

Jaron - Prince | Played by Thalion

500k/500k Funds

Jaron is the oldest offspring of Rotem and Adar and the only cub to survive their first litter, perhaps because he was the largest. Now a juvenile, he eagerly trains with those of his age for the honor of becoming the warrior-chief. He's very aware that he may not become the successor of the pride but works hard to gain an upper hand over his younger siblings. While headstrong in his ambitions, he's furiously protective of his siblings, allowing only himself to torment them.

Chayim - Prince | Played by Unaru

500k/500k Funds

--coming soon--

Prince | Played by iPao v2 |

Quest Complete!

Character Sheet
He‘s the youngest of Rotem and Adara, born blind, he‘s dependent on his siblings when it comes to everyday living.

Miu - Princess | Played by Happy Squid

0/500k Funds

The daughter and second youngest of her littermates has always been gentle since birth, her helpful nature has been greatly rewarding and she is always eager to help others. She is sometimes very much the mother hen. She believes strongly that the closeness of her siblings and the pride could get them through anything, and therefore won't isolate herself often.

Warrior Chief | Played by Randy2love

Quest Complete!

Color Guide
Eyal became Warrior Chief after his best friend Rotem had moved to King The two had actually fought for the privilege to be the chief but Eyal lost, though it was a close match. The male was hoping to win Adara's attention. However, even when his best friend married and bore children with Adara, he remained beside Rotem, supporting him. He often lends his advice to the King. Eyal thinks there's no greater honor then to die in battle or during a hunt. He takes pride in his work and won't let any warrior slack off.

His garnet, Silglit was found during his rigorous training that he began once he'd lost the match. The small mammal, though frightened, was quick to notice that Eyal had worn himself completely ragged and into dehydration. Unable to leave him in such a mess, the garnet began to bring him water and the two befriended each other quickly. They both agreed that Silglit was his totem and they stuck together ever since. Silglit acts as a counter to Eyal's sometimes over bearing nature.

Eyal's personality is strict. He demands perfection in his warriors but becomes close friends with all of them. He understands jokes pertaining to war and even instigates some himself, while other jokes may escape him. He's all about the battle and even likes to try assisting on the hunt. Rotem is the only lion to ever see him as a true lion rather then a fighter. His kind and compassionate nature are hidden away in order to make him flawless in battle. He will defend his position with his life.

Pride Members:

Sage | Played by Andranis

Quest Complete!

The son of a mighty warrior and a skilled huntress, Kingu proved a disappointment when he failed his first six hunts as an adolescent. He showed more skill in trying to analyze everything left behind by the humans that inhabited the ruins before the pride. As he grew older, he became more intrigued, until he one day left to see if any still even roamed the lands. He returned, as an adult, with stories of humans far different from the ones passed down in stories. He never spoke of his home pride to other animals in his travels.


Characters Quest Threads:

--coming soon--


Quest Funds: 1,599,070/(We'll post up a total when we get a solid goal. XD)
+ Steel-Plated Ninja Band | 1,560,070 Gold | Donated by Unaru
+ 7,000 Pure | Donated by Randy2Love
+ x2 January 2008 Donation Letters | Randy2Love | 32,000 Value ( 1/26/08 )

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Outside Members Joining:


Outsider wanting in!
Name of Character: (Their name) Rajua
Species: (Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Hyena, Wild Dog, etc.) Lion
Gender: (Male or Female) Female
Age of Character: (Youth, juvenile, adolescent, adult) Adult
Desired Rank: (You may or may not be qualified for it, but don't be afraid to ask!) Nanny
Backstory: (A little history. Doesn't have to be huge.) Rajua was born sired by an unknown male to a female in a rogue of brown lions-- the darker your pelt, the better. Her father had alot of white, this Rajua was born with white markings, forever sealing her in hir pride of birth as a half 'ghost' lion. As a cub she
befriended one such white lion, and was happy until caught. His family was killed, and like her father, Rajua's mother was killed for raising a 'dangerious' cub. Rajua was beaten-- badly, and many times after that, and was no better than a slave. She finally left-- a timid, shaken lioness with nowhere to go, too afraid to go home. She's settled to showing subserviance to strange lions, which while it gained her a protector as she wanders, it also garnered her a night with a rogue, much as her mother-- and lives to tend to with it. Currently Rajua is wandering, making friends, and simply looking for a place that is safe. Aside hunting, Rajua knows no combat ability. Hence, Sairin currently travels with her until he's sure she's safe.
Appearence: (Picture of your SOA)

Outsider wanting in!
Name of Character: (Their name) Aveil
Species: (Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Hyena, Wild Dog, etc.) Lion
Gender: (Male or Female) Female
Age of Character: (Youth, juvenile, adolescent, adult) Cub
Desired Rank: (You may or may not be qualified for it, but don't be afraid to ask!) Youth. XD She'll earn her rank as an adol. <3
Backstory: (A little history. Doesn't have to be huge.) Aveil was born to Rajua after a one night stand. The little cub is very self concious of her appearance, both physical and social. Still, she's not easy to antagonize-- prefering words and a warning swat to fighting. She knows not her mother's history, only that when mother is scared, there might not be a reason.
Appearence: (Picture of your SOA)


I figured it out, yeyz.


Outsider wanting in!
Name of Character: Huan Ju
Species: Lion
Gender: Female
Age of Character: Youth
Desired Rank: Youth? But as an adol/adult, huntress <3
Backstory: One of Rajua's daughters, Huan looks more like a 'ghost' than the rest of her family. This doesn't appear to bother her, though, and she follows her mother without question. She shows no fear of those around her, greeting any stranger she meets as if she's known them her whole life.
Appearence:

Teh Angel Yuna

Outsider wanting in!
Name of Character: (Their name) Zoran
Species: (Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Hyena, Wild Dog, etc.) Lion
Gender: (Male or Female) Male
Age of Character: (Youth, juvenile, adolescent, adult) Youth
Desired Rank: (You may or may not be qualified for it, but don't be afraid to ask!) Right now, he'd be a youth. He'd probably fit the Warrior rank, when he comes of age to fit said rank.
Backstory: (A little history. Doesn't have to be huge.)Zoran is the son of a Rogue(mother) and Pridelander(father). He's a bright, hapy go lucky, rambonctious cub, who is quite adventurous, and it is in being so, he has strayed from his beloved family.
Appearence: (Picture of your SOA)

Zoran's picture should be changing as soon as the paint/item order for him is completed.

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[Thalion]

Interested in Joining?
We're looking for members of the pride. Either old members of the pride or newcomers. The pride isn't yet established, many of the primary characters will be customed once funds and slots allow to fit with the appearence of the pride. Thalion will be funding as much of it as she can, any customs she can manage for the 'featured characters' will be given away via rp contest.

We're not going to be overly-formal about joining the plot/pride development. So post any interest in the pride, any ideas, comments, or concerns you might have. The only thing we'll be a bit strict on is coloration. A blinding neon pink lion just wouldn't fit in too well. XD

Questing for an established member of the pride:
If you're interested in customing yourself into the pride, just let me know! There's several ranks that will be open for consideration. More cubs in the royal family, warriors, huntresses, etc. I'll throw out a form for organization's sake. I'll create a separate spot for tracking questing in-pride members. We'll also see about making a quest pot. :3


ZOMG Color pages?
For anyone that's questing for a pre-existing member of the En Gedi I'm creating lineart that anyone's free to use to color their concept on. :3 I've drawn up the male adult so far to show off their body and mane type. Feel free to edit the lines, color, and shade as you see fit. There's no charge for using it.

+ Male Adult Warrior

I'm an Insider!
Name of Character: (Their name)
Species: (Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Hyena, Wild Dog, etc.)
Gender: (Male or Female)
Age of Character: (Youth, juvenile, adolescent, adult)
Desired Rank: (You may or may not be qualified for it, but don't be afraid to ask!)
Desired Relations: (Parents, litter mates, totem, etc.)
Backstory: (A little history. Doesn't have to be huge.)
Appearence: (Visual or Descriptions)

[color=blue][b]I'm an Insider![/b][/color]
[size=9][b]Name of Character:[/b][/size] [size=7](Their name)[/size]
[size=9][b]Species:[/b][/size] [size=7](Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Hyena, Wild Dog, etc.)[/size]
[size=9][b]Gender:[/b][/size] [size=7](Male or Female)[/size]
[size=9][b]Age of Character:[/b][/size] [size=7](Youth, juvenile, adolescent, adult)[/size]
[size=9][b]Desired Rank:[/b][/size] [size=7](You may or may not be qualified for it, but don't be afraid to ask!)[/size]
[size=9][b]Desired Relations:[/b][/size] [size=7](Parents, litter mates, totem, etc.)[/size]
[size=9][b]Backstory:[/b][/size] [size=7](A little history. Doesn't have to be huge.)[/size]
[size=9][b]Appearence:[/b][/size] [size=7](Visual or Descriptions)[/size]

Joining Outside Characters:
Feel free to request an existent SOA join the pride! They're pretty far away from all the other prides so it'd be quite the journey, but they're relatively open to new blood. I'll keep a list of the outsiders coming in here. The only limit we have is crazy colorations.

Outsider wanting in!
Name of Character: (Their name)
Species: (Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Hyena, Wild Dog, etc.)
Gender: (Male or Female)
Age of Character: (Youth, juvenile, adolescent, adult)
Desired Rank: (You may or may not be qualified for it, but don't be afraid to ask!)
Backstory: (A little history. Doesn't have to be huge.)
Appearence: (Picture of your SOA)

[color=green][b]Outsider wanting in![/b][/color]
[size=9][b]Name of Character:[/b][/size] [size=7](Their name)[/size]
[size=9][b]Species:[/b][/size] [size=7](Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Hyena, Wild Dog, etc.)[/size]
[size=9][b]Gender:[/b][/size] [size=7](Male or Female)[/size]
[size=9][b]Age of Character:[/b][/size] [size=7](Youth, juvenile, adolescent, adult)[/size]
[size=9][b]Desired Rank:[/b][/size] [size=7](You may or may not be qualified for it, but don't be afraid to ask!)[/size]
[size=9][b]Backstory:[/b][/size] [size=7](A little history. Doesn't have to be huge.)[/size]
[size=9][b]Appearence:[/b][/size] [size=7](Picture of your SOA)[/size]

We're looking for...
Any species that's interested in joining. If you want them to be pre-existing members please provide background information and desired rank. Familiars are welcome as well, mention whether or not you'd like them to be a totem or available to become a totem for someone. :3