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 Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 7:18 pm
The Great Mountain is massive in size, housing the lions of the Jua'nuru and Mwezi'kivuli with plenty of room to spare. A large network of tiny caves dot the surface of the mountain, spanning from the base to the very top, with underground springs from the melting snow flowing through to the bottom. The mountain is so immense that it is thought that the peak touches the heavens themselves. No lion has ever ventured to the very top; if not for the intense cold, for the fact that they believe it is sacred ground and no one but the most worthy shall venture there. The upper-half of the mountain is blanketed with snow and covered in jagged rocks, with few trees and grasses that often die from the climate's harsh winter. At the base of the mountain, more grasses grow and the temperature is much warmer. There are still many caves and rock faces, and easy hiding places for both hunter and prey. To the east is a large crater, and to the west are the lands of the Ela'wadiyi, a large group of lions which the pride has never had much contact with.
[x] Current Weather:
(not sure if I'm supposed to write this or Dust but, I'll give it a shot. XD)
It's coooooold on the mountain. And snow is a common sight at higher altitudes, with the occasional rainfall near the bottom.
[x] History:
It all began with the Ardhi'bedui (Earth Pilgrims), a nomadic pride of lions who walked the lands in search of paradise, a land they could call their own. Many great kings entered and left the earth before this land was found. Soon, the lions began to forget where it was they came from. Some of the Ardhi'bedui were born with dark fur, some with white. Those born with white were trained to hunt during the day and those with dark fur to hunt at night. This created a symbiotic circle and kept everyone healthy and fed. But it also kept them segregated and discrimination began to arise. Eventually the tension started to drive the groups apart. The day hunters considered themselves blessed by the Sun and more worthy than the night hunters, and the night hunters thought the same, toting themselves the children of the Moon.
As a final blow to the unity of the tribe, the Maliki passed on from illness as they began crossing the great mountain, leaving his Kipenzi with child. The pride sought shelter for the time when the Queen would give birth, and at the very break of dawn, when both the sun and moon were peeking through the sky, the pride was greeted with not one, but two heirs. Murmurs filled the cave when the mewling cubs, a black son and a white daughter, opened their eyes for the first time. The daughter's eyes were gold and shone like the sun, and the son's eyes were a silvery blue that glowed like the moon. A day hunter shouted, "It's a sign! The girl is meant to rule in the name of the Sun!"
And a night hunter replied, "The boy clearly carries the mark of the Moon! We cannot think to defy our god!"
Soon the pride erupted into argument over the two children, and as they stood bickering, the mother of the cubs quietly passed on.
When all was said and done, the pride split, the day hunters taking young princess higher up the mountain and calling themselves the Jua'nuru, and the night hunters taking the prince to the caves at the base of the great mountain, adopting the name Mwezi'kivuli. As the two groups began their new, separated lives, they reached many troubles. The Mwezi'kivuli found themselves thwarted during their attempts to hunt in the day, the sun's light shining brightly against their dark coats and sabotaging their attempts to remain hidden. The Jua'nuru found it too difficult to see in the dark of night; the moon was surely dimming itself to impair them! Many of the original pride members died out from the famine as food became scarce and they became exhausted from their failed attempts, all the while blaming each other for their shortcomings. The hatred and prejudice between the two new prides secured the fate of both. Whether or not they might be able to look past their differences to find the common bond they share is unknown..
[x] Religion:
The Ardhi'bedui were a pride of harmony, they believed that all life is connected in a symbiotic cycle, like night and day. Their ideal was to exist in unity and harmony much like the sun and the moon did as they shared their sky. Thus, the pride praised not one, but two gods.
Eventually, as pride politics began to arise, the day hunters adopted the Sun god as their own, while the night hunters naturally considered themselves the favorites of the Moon. Before every hunt there would be words spoken by the Kahini, the one chosen by the sun or moon, to grant the lions safe passage in the god's domain.
The Kahini is a revered position in the pride, almost as much as the Maliki. A Maliki's word is law, but a Kahini tells him what words might be best suited. The Kahini hears the voice of the gods and advises the Maliki to the best of their ability. Because of the worthiness of such a position, the pride thought it fit to let the gods choose their own servants. If a cub is born with a fresh scar on his newborn skin in the shape of a sun or crescent moon, he or she has been touched (and subsequently, burned) by the light of the heavens. There has only ever been one Kahini of each god at a time, but that is not to say that there haven't been others marked by divination. One of the first Maliki of the pride was born with a magnificent coat of black and white, and eyes of silver and gold. He lived to a ripe old age and brought much prosperity to his people. Just recently, the last Kipenzi of the Ardhi'bedui gave birth to twins, each bearing the mark of the heavens.
After the prides split, they kept many of their religious traditions, but the Jua'nuru renounced the Moon god, as did the Mwezi'kivuli renounce the god of the Sun; neither had a reason to continue praising the god of their enemy. The Kahini still live and advise their new Maliki with the wisdom of the gods, but one has not been born since the separation. Whether or not they still hold enough favor with the gods to be blessed again with a Kahini is unknown..
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Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 7:20 pm
 Jua'nuru
Safi'theluji
Meaning: Pure Snow
Title: Maliki
Parents: Tukufu'wadi x Tuli'ua
Owned by: Aris Ravenstar
Description: Safi'theluji is daughter of the last Maliki of the Ardhi'bedui and was appointed Maliki of the new Jua'nuru. She has never met her twin brother Ausi'jabali, but is convinced that he is not worthy of rule; his fall from grace proves it so. Because of her elevation to Maliki at such an early age, Safi has been forced to abandon any hope of a carefree childhood and learn to be a strong, competent leader. She has yet to find a mate although it has been made painfully clear that reproduction is her only hope for the survival of her clan. She seems cold and distant at first, but hidden inside her is a curious child, wanting desperately for some comfort and freedom.
Chaka'alasiri
Meaning: Blazing Sun's Prayer
Title: Kahini
Parents: Baridi'Shemshi x Watoto'Abudu
Owned by: Naita
Description: Born into the conflict between the splitting prides, Chaka'Alasiri's mother imprinted on her daughter an impenetrable belief in the Sun God. On the death of her parents through the natural course of time, Chaka began honing the gift blessed her upon birth, that of translating the whispers of her god. On her appointment to Kahini, her religious fervor was formed. Known for her mesmerising eyes, it has been rumoured she uses them in her attempts to seduce others into following her beliefs.
Kisiri'hiana
Meaning: Secret Betrayal
Title: Mwandani
Offspring: Zari'radi
Owned by: TormentedAngie
Description: Who knew, when Kisiri was made the Mwandani of the Jua'nunu, how sinister her true intentions would be? Born to cousins of Tukufu'wadi, Kisiri had always tasted the bitter coppery taste of being second best. It was HER family line that should've been ruler of the prides, not Tuku's. But while the light colored lioness stewed and fumed on it on the inside, outwardly she remained the pleasant soul, always willing to help and advise. Secret meetings between the Moon Kahini and herself started before the fall of the Ardhi'bedui, and thus far haven't stopped. Plans continue to be laid, covered in gentle new fallen snow to rest until the time is right. Even the best laid of plans have their drawbacks however, some that would cripple any other lion's plots, but Kisiri is a born deciever, like her name entails. This lioness seems comfortable enough to lay low and advice Safi in matters of the pride, especially when concerning the Mwezi'kivuli. But when will she strike? When will she deem the time right for her plan to come into motion? Or maybe...just maybe it already is...
Chuju'mja
Meaning: Pale Stranger
Title: Mwindaji
Owned by: Meepfur
Description: Chuju'mja was originally called Samawati (Sky), born to day hunters of the Ardhi'bedui. But he had a wandering mind and wandering feet, that as an adolescent carried him away from his birth pride, down the mountains and east, into the Swamplands. There he found the Jini-misemi, and a tender-hearted lioness who stilled his restless paws. Her people called him the Pale Stranger, and accepted him as he accepted their beliefs. When the Swamplands were flooded, wiping out most of the Jini-misemi, Chuju'mja was unable to find his mate or daughters, and so, believing them dead, he returned to the Ardhi'bedui -- to find the pride split. With nowhere else to go, weary now in mind and feet, he stayed with the Jua'nuru, whose young, orphaned queen tugged at his fatherly heart.
Takatifu'nyota
Meaning: Glorious Star
Title: Mwindaji
Parents: Sharifu'wadi x Siku'ini
Siblings: Ajabu'uchao, Tukufu'leli
Owned by: Artsywolven
Mwenzangu
Meaning: My Companion
Title: Mwindaji
Owned by: Safaia
Description: Mwenzangu was born a time away, in a place unknown, forgotten, and most likely dead. If you ever asked Zangu, he probably wouldn't be able to tell you, for he has forgotten it all himself. A sweet soul, Zangu wanders aimlessly looking for a fun time, and others that will accept him. He's not the brightest lion around, and far from ever telling lies, let alone crossing the path of deciet. He has a soft heart, and knows how to have a good time.
Zari'radi
Meaning: Gold Lightning
Title: Mwindaji
Parents: ? x Kisiri'hiana
Owned by: Shiromaru
Description: Growing up the child of Kisiri'hiana was not an easy thing to do -- Kisiri had some rather more 'respectable' goals in mind for her daughter -- but somehow Zari'radi managed to not only survive, but thrive. Bright-natured, sweet, occasionally painfully dense, and possessed of a never-ending desire to have some fun, Zari nevertheless lives for the hunt, putting her lightning-fast speed to good use. Not as fast a cheetah, Zari nevertheless likes to think she's one of the fastest lionesses out there -- and she's perfectly willing to indulge in a few light-hearted races to prove it. Zari isn't aware of her mother's schemes, believing Kisiri incapable of that sort of Mwezi'kivuli-like evilness and scheming, much like Zari herself.
Jibwa
Meaning: Large Dog
Title: Mwindaji
Parents: ? x Jahina'moyo
Owned by: Aris Ravenstar
Description: Jibwa was born of a Mwezi'kivuli and Jua'nuru after the prides were torn apart. The affair was found out and promptly stopped, and he was raised a Jua'nuru like his mother. Unfortunately, she didn't survive the famine, opting instead to keep her cub fed at the expense of herself. Safi'theluji has since taken him as her charge, treating him as the brother she never had.
Deceased/Dispersed Members
Jahina'moyo
Title: Mwindaji
Offspring: Jibwa
Description:
Deceased
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Mwezi'kivuli
Ausi'jabali
Meaning: Black Rock
Title: Maliki
Parents: Tukufu'wadi x Tuli'ua
Owned by: Vashtya
Description: Ausi'jabali is the son of the last king of the Ardhi'bedui, and twin brother to Safi'theluji. Ausi was born second, and seems to have a chip on his shoulder when it comes to his sister. Why is it the Jua'nuru live above, dancing in the sky with the gods? Why did the Sun choose her over him?.. He is content knowing that the Moon protects his kin, but even that is not enough when his clan is starving. Like Safi, responsibility was thrust onto Ausi at a dangerously early age, many looked to him for guidance, believing that the Moon would give him the answers and make him wise. Although still very young, the pressure of ruling has turned him bitter and cold. He hides his fears behind a wall, showing his subjects only strength and perseverance. But this can only last so long; his kin are starving, and one day he will make a fatal mistake. On that day, the wall will crumble..
Siri'bakunja
Meaning: Secret Deceit
Title: Kahini
Owned by: Aris Ravenstar
Description: Siri has lived his life as a prophet, an avatar of the Moon, ever since the scar in the shape of a crescent moon was discovered on the newborn's upper right thigh. He advises his charge Ausi'jabali, the boy king whom he has raised as a cub, in the secrets and will of the Moon. The life of a Kahini is never easy, and interpreting the will of the gods is a difficult task indeed. But Siri's most difficult task is keeping some dark secrets to himself. Siri is a fake, a false prophet who was assigned this lot in life by an ambitious father, who wanted above all to sire the servant to the Moon. The mark on Siri's thigh is a fraud, a forgery created by his father (much to Siri's disdain). The lion took the mewling Kahini out into the woods and abandoned it, vowing to do the same with any other Kahini who should emerge. His son would be the one to commune with the gods, and no one else would. Unfortunately (or fortunately, perhaps), the gods didn't agree. Siri'bakunja never had the gift he claims, and never will. As the years went on, Siri's father died, and there hadn't seemed to be any rise of a new Kahini. But Siri was only mildly believable as a prophet, and a few were beginning to wonder.. By the time of (King)'s death, Siri found a way to keep a handle on the power he had been losing. He was the one to suggest the disbandment, calling it the will of the Moon. With this young, impressionable mind to mold, he could start anew. The Maliki of the Ardhi'bedui may have stopped believing in him long ago, but the Maliki of the Mwezi'kivuli would depend on his wisdom and trust in his judgement completely. Just as if he were the child's father..
Anga'njiwa
Meaning: Night Dove
Title: Mwindaji
Owned by: TormentedAngie
Description: Unknown lineage surrounds poor Anga'njiwa. Whispers haunt her thoughts, taunting her, asking her if she knows who her true father is. Anga's mother has long since perished, her demise not a surprise to the adolescent lioness. Her mother always had been kind of weak, fond of strange males, and it was this fondness that got her killed. A true Mwezi'kivuli to the core, Anga has her own plans for the path of the pride, and much of it conflicts with the ideas of the current Kahini, not that there's any love lost there. She's got her work cut out for her, to gain the Maliki's trust... Aspirations of becoming Ausi's Kipenzi keep the young lioness going, for she knows if she can just secure that position, even out of convience, she will have secured her ability to turn the tide with the Mwezi'kivuli. But what's this? An unseen force drives Anga, possibly harder than she herself would. Could it be that the moon god works through her, using her own deceptive intentions as a springboard for His/Her own? Only time will tell what exactly drives this lioness on.
Ajabu'uchao
Meaning: Amazing Dawn
Title: Mwindaji
Parents: Sharifu'wadi x Siku'ini
Siblings: Takatifu'nyota, Tukufu'leli
Owned by: Meepfur
Description: One of the two daughters of Sharifu'bedui, the young huntress grew up among the Mwezi'kivuli, but is old enough to remember her parents, and the time before the split. Old enough to remember her father's fight to keep the pride together; although she accepts, to an extent, the way things are. Her only real quarrel with the system is that it separates her from her pale sister, Takatifu'nyota...now and then, the sisters manage to sneak off and meet with each other, but rarely, and they tell no one of their clandestine meetings. Ajabu'uchao has a bit of a rebellious, mischievous streak, and in addition to pulling the occasional (mostly) harmless prank, she has an irreverent disrespect for Siri'bakunja, although she's got enough brains not to do anything more then aggravate him now and then.
Renji
Title: Mtoto
Owned by: Safaia
Nasibu
Meaning: Destiny/Fate
Title: Mtoto
Owned by: Khomi
Description: Nasibu was born in the Mwezi'kivuli after the seperation. However, her mother, who had her daughter with a travelling rogue, soon after fell prey to the famine, leaving her parent-less. Being very quiet, solemn, and melancholy, Nasibu turned to a series of beliefs to occupy her time. Namely, the belief of destiny, fate, and them being the reason of many occurences. Being very dedicated to her beliefs and religion, Nasibu continued to grow up with the Mwezi'kivuli.
Tandabui
Meaning: Spider's Web
Title: Mtoto
Owned by: Purrasha
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Ardhi'bedui
Sharifu'bedui
Meaning: Noble Pilgrim
Title: Mwandani
Parents: Kindakindaki x Sabili'bi
Siblings: Tkufu'wadi
Owned by: Meepfur
Description: Thwarted and scorned in his efforts to persuade the Ardhi'bedui to stay together, the frustrated Sharifu'wadi simply up and left; first openly changing his name to include, permanently, the name of the old pride. No longer the Noble Son, the Noble Pilgrim abandoned the split prides, unable to bring himself to follow the other night hunters -- and Siri'bakunja -- into what he was convinced was folly. But Sharifu'bedui left not only his newly-born niece and nephew, but also his two juvenile daughters, Takafitu'nyota and Ajabu'uchao. Though it broke his heart to leave them behind, he felt that they stood a better chance of surviving in a pride than with a rogue father, as his mate, a day huntress by the name of Siku'ini, had died in a hunting accident a few months prior. Though he took his son, Tukufu'leli, with him, he did not long survive the wandering journey of his father. Now, alone and bitter, but ever noble, Sharifu'bedui will return to the split prides in a last attempt to heal the rift, for his brother's sake...but he can only guess what sort of reception might await.
Deceased/Dispersed Members
Tukufu'wadi
Title: Maliki
Siblings: Sharifu'wadi
Offspring: Safi'theluji, Ausi'jabali
Description: Tukufu'wadi was the last Maliki of the Ardhi'bedui. He died of a mysterious illness, mixed with the freezing cold as the pride passed over the great mountain, leaving his mate with child. Although he tried his hardest to keep the pride in harmony, his illness made it increasingly difficult. He sought counsel from his Kahini, but the Sun Kahini had just recently died, and the words of Siri'bakunja were more confusing than comforting. As he lay dying in an ice-covered cave, he whispered a prayer to the gods to keep his family together...
Deceased
Tuli'ua
Title: Kipenzi
Offspring: Safi'theluji, Ausi'jabali
Description: Tuli'ua died in childbirth shortly after bearing the twin heirs. She had just lost her mate to illness, and despite complications with the birth, kept herself strong enough to save both of her cubs. As her name suggests, she was a lioness of few words, and left the world as she came into it; silently, against a roar of voices.
Deceased
Tukufu'leli
Title: Mwindaji
Parents: Sharifu'wadi x Siku'ini
Siblings: Takatifu'nyota, Ajabu'uchao
Description: Son of Sharifu'bedui, coat equally as dark as it was light, who accompanied his father when he departed from the pride. Did not survive life as a rogue.
Deceased
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Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 7:21 pm
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Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 11:23 pm
Maliki (meaning: monarch), King/Queen - The Maliki is born the first son (or in rare occasions, if a cub has a mark of divination they might be chosen instead) from the royal bloodline, and the family which has held the ruling position has shifted only twice since the forming of the original pride. The Maliki can be male or female, although generally males are preferred. When a Maliki chooses a mate, the mate becomes his or her Kipenzi, or consort. Kipenzi (meaning: darling, favorite), Consort - The Kipenzi is the mate of the Maliki, and the only lion or lioness fit to take part in the creation of an heir. Whether it be a relationship of love or convenience, the Kipenzi is respected for their elevated and highly prestigious position. A Kipenzi has about as much social clout as a Mwandani, falling just short of the Maliki and Kahini. Warithi (meaning: heir), High Prince or Princess - A Warithi is the son or daughter of the Maliki, chosen as successor of the pride. Both the Maliki and his/her mate choose the Warithi, and the Kahini may give some advice on the matter as well (strictly from the gods' point of view), but only if there is some grave warning about one of the children; otherwise it is considered rude to interfere in the Maliki's personal affairs. Kahini (meaning: priest, prophet), Priest/Seer - The position of Kahini is almost as respected if not as respected as the Maliki. Although the Kahini does not have the power to take the throne for himself (as no Kahini may ever be Maliki), he is instrumental in expressing the will of the gods. The Kahini is the Maliki's most trusted advisor, and the ambassador to the heavens, as it were. Those who misuse their power sometimes find that they have fallen out of favor, and the voices begin to fade.. For some, however, this isn't a problem. Their influence has made it so that their word is the undisputable truth; whether it actually is or not.. Mwandani (meaning: companion, ally), Lieutenant/Lead Hunter - The Mwandani is like a general in battle. He supervises strategies and is responsible for the results of the hunt. The Maliki decides this position, much like the position of Kipenzi, and as such, both the Mwandani and Kipenzi are considered favorites of the Maliki and should be respected. Whereas the Kahini gives the Maliki counsel from the heavens, the Mwandani advises them in situations that concern the realistic needs of the pride. Mwindaji (meaning: hunter) - A Mwindaji is any lion from the age of Adolescent to Adult who has not been appointed to the position of Kahini, Maliki, Kipenzi or Mwandani. They are the pride members; the hunters. Mtoto (meaning: infant, child) - A Mtoto is any lion from the age of Cub to Juvenile, that has not been appointed to the position of Kahini, Maliki, or Warithi (a cub or juvenile is not allowed to be Mwandani or Kipenzi). Being a Mtoto means to be in training, awaiting the day of adulthood. Many juveniles contempt sharing a title with mewling infants, and impatiently wait until they are considered worthy to be Mwindaji.
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