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Peace Time and War Time
The Peponi-pya operate in two separate modes-- depending upon if they are in a calm state, or preparing for a fight. The traditional, preferred state is the calmest-- operating as a normal pride, although they will occasionally entertain a visiting dignitary or those seeking refuge. Peace time is extremely valuable, since all pride members are able to rest, relax, and hunt or pursue leisurely activities. Food and drink is plenty, and cubs may even be somewhat unsupervised in play. Celebrations are not uncommon and even encouraged.

War time situations occur when the pride is threatened -- a cub napping may even set the pride into this mode. When this occurs, the Guards take on duties much like the old Matembezi'wasakaji Warriors and Navigators, and other pride members are encouraged to remain in the dens or close to the center of the pridal lands. Cubs are kept from sight or heavily guarded, and food and drink is rationed carefully to keep both the Guards at full strength and the civilians healthy. Civilians may engage some normal functions, typically hunting for food, ETC, but are warned of the dangers and to identify themselves with the Guards left at the borders when nearing the main dens as a pride member. In extremely severe cases, when invasion is imminent, the non-Guard and non-Leader members are even evacuated to a 'safe' portion of the lands.

Leadership
The Pride does not function as a monarchy, nor a democracy, but rather, based on intelligence. A pride member showing keen levels of understanding, leadership, and capability may become a Guardian when a Guardian steps down, or not at all. There are always 4 Guardians, to ensure that if ones cracks, the other three can keep him or her from destroying the pride.

Below the Guardians is the Chief Healer, whom leads the healers in caring for the sick and injured, and the Captain, who leads the Guards.

Should a Guardian be killed before choosing a successor, the most intelligent lion present will assume this rank during war time instead of going through and selecting the next-- so a Chief Medic or Captain may assume this position to keep the pride together, as the Guardians have responsibility for all lives in the pride or under pridal protection. Only adults may be Guardians, except in certain circumstances.

Beliefs
The pride itself has no set religion, instead, encouraging freedom to practice one's own religion. Tolerance is encouraged, and finding neighbors whom worship two opposite gods may occur and no one's going to care unless fighting occurs. If enough believe in certain festivals and celebrations, that festival or celebration will be proposed to the pride and even accepted as general practice. You could even find a vampire or demon welcomed, as long as they aren't trying to kill everybody.

Murder, Theft, Rape, and things of that ilk are NOT tolerated in the pride beyond prey-- harming or tormenting pridal members is looked down upon and depending upon severity, the offender will be placed on trial for his crimes before a group of peers. However, the culprit is innocent until proven guilty, and you cannot be accused of the same crime twice without substantial evidence against you (such examples are being accused of killing your mate; if you are acquitted, even if their really alive and you DO kill them, you can't be charged publicly again unless you are caught red-pawed by a Guard). Punishment is decided upon the Guardians, and ranges from community service such as hunting or cubsitting for weaker crimes to exile or execution for stronger ones. Treason is always treated with exile or execution.

All species are welcome, however, for Captains and so forth, strength is extremely valued. Weaker species, however, are very much welcomed and encouraged to join support positions or even welcomed as refugees. No species is turned away, not even vampires or demons, so long as they obey the law.

The pride does have set practices when certain events occur. These are subject to change upon pridal selection, save the treatment of foreign dignitaries.

Visiting Dignitaries
Should a royal from another pride visit, they will be treated with respect expected for royalty. They will receive an escort at all times for protection and are invited to join local traditions, or, if it is a time for a festival from their pride, the pride will find out what is required, and hold a festival for them to promote good will. The Guardians will also speak with the dignitary on the purpose of their visit and encourage strong allegiances.

Promotion
When a pride member is promoted to any of the higher ranks, a large ceremony will be held. The Hunters will bring prey and any Crafters in the pride will fetch what they need to produce an object to mark their rank. The Guardians, or retiring Guardian, will then present this object to the newly promoted lion, and a speech may be given about their service before the pride settles to celebrating. This lasts for an evening, and the newly promoted will begin duties the following day-- meeting their advisers or those working under them, and getting to feel out the job.

Life Mates/Tying the Knot
Life mating is a very important ceremony. By showing a desire to be mates, they are pledging loyalty and fidelity only to one another. The Guardians will join the two, often with a speech to family and friends present about the two, and tie a rope around their forepaws in a literal form of "Tying the Knot". The families of the mates are expected to bring them food and gifts of good fortune. Upon mating, a thread or string may be tied around each mate's paws to show they are mated. These threads may or may not have precious stones or feathers. Severing the threads is a sign you wish to no longer be mated and a mate severing their thread will be treated as single.

Child Birth
When a female gives birth, the healers will remain close by to assist birthing and tending the newborns, ensuring health. If the female is in the Guards, she will be given a reprieve from her duties to tend her cubs until weaned, even in war time unless the pride is invaded. The father, if known, is given a shorter reprieve to spend time with his new family, although if the mother dies in birth, the father will be given as long as needed to mourn and to tend his children.

Death
In the pridal lands is a small ravine barren of life. When a pride member dies, if the body is recovered, the body is taken to this valley and laid to rest, the family and friends coming together to remember the dead. The body is then left there, away from the pride. If killed in combat or a Guard member, the Guardians or Captain may be present to give a few words.