[OOC] General Information: Read This First!

[Kitwana Antara]

 

[Kitwana Antara]

This pride is a diseased lion pride. Yes, that's right, diseased. Many of its members are either affected by or carriers of a particular plague. It is carried through their saliva or blood and, should the pride members scatter and roam, there's a chance of infecting others. The current rulers, not wanting to blemish the pride's name and rumors associated with it any further, rule with a firm paw that lions born within or those that become members are disallowed to roam. They keep themselves self-quarantined, if you will, and only certain members are free to come and go as they choose.

Despite the strict rules, bonds are tight within the pride and they DO welcome strangers and visitors. In fact, they rather relish the idea because it's another way to gain information on happenings outside their pride.

Though visitors are welcome, there are rules about where a visitor can roam without becoming a member. Safety first, of course. . . Thankfully though, because this disease isn't passed on unless you're mobbed by infected members OR groom each other daily/eat from the kills of the carriers and infected members you'll be safe.

Furthermore, some lions harbor either a natural immunity to the disease and never become infected OR wind up fighting off the disease and ultimately shed it from their system and are merely a carrier of it.

See? Just because you have a lion enter this pride does NOT mean it's ultimately a death sentence, nor does it mean they have to die or get sick or anything of that nature. For the most part, every person has a choice when it comes to how the virus effects their character(s).

NOTE: The disease is spread through blood and saliva only. When using the term 'bodily fluid' we are using it conservatively. A lion can mate with another and not risk spreading the disease, provided they don't share kills or do a lot of heavy grooming. Rogues can interact with pridal members on the border, and are encouraged to do so!

Basic Information

1. The disease itself does not pass on to any other felines other than lions. Therefore, they depend heavily on assistance from familiars and other feline/canine sorts.

Leopards and cheetahs tend to be the most numerous non-lion species within the pride. They are frequently given hunter positions to help kill prey for those too sick to hunt or visiting guests that do not wish to hunt on their own and not risk getting infected.

Non-lions can be given other positions and titles outside of the hunter and huntress role. Sometimes they act as personal adviser's to ranking members, or nannies and nurses to the families within the Kitwana'antara. Nurses/healer-sorts are particularly cherished within this pride as well, and those with soft hearts and compassion are encouraged to apply.

Wild dogs and hyena's also have places within the pride, though perhaps its a more rare sight. Along with vultures, the scavenger sorts are good for getting rid of excess infected meat. Assuming they're trusted members, they can also play the role as scouts and guards or warriors. . . And should one be particularly loyal to a family and caring, could also be a nurse-sort too or assistant teacher to the young.

Honestly, as far as this pride is concerned, they welcome just about any species. Having suffered rejection from neighboring prides or rejection from lions who find out they're invalids. . . well. . . . they just can't afford to judge help when it does arrive.

2. Hybrids are welcome. Note that lion-bred hybrids will be affected by the disease~! Regardless if they're born in to the pride or are new members, they have a chance of getting ill. Given, they've a greater chance to be naturally immune to the illness but that will be up to the players discretion.

3. Let me note and stress again - just because you have a member in this pride, it does not mean the have to get sick - nor does it mean they have to die should you play them as ill. Just like in real life, sometimes people get horrible terminal disease and yet live for years and years and years. . . .Unless you choose to win/write a certain rank that has stipulations on their health, there are ways around the disease.

The same applies to others outside the pride! Just because you get in a fight with one of these infected lions, it does not mean you have to get sick. Outsiders in other prides may have a better chance of resistance. . . Sure, others outside the pride can choose to have their lions infected or whatever, but it's all personal choice.

Just note, for outsiders, if you DO choose to get a lion infected: please know that it is eventually terminal. I mean, maybe a god could heal you but outside of that I just request that not magical cure is found. :3 You don't have to even write your lion sick (perhaps the disease is dormant for all the time you RP them) but just no instant cures.

Overall, please don't feel having a member in this pride is restrictive. I promise we play nice with all.

4. For the most part, writing out the disease or having a character be naturally immune (it's rare, mind) or a carrier (also fairly rare) is up to the writers discretion. Unless EVERY SINGLE LION MEMBER that comes in shows no sign of illness or is dubbed a carrier or immune, only then will there be restrictions.

5. Kitwana'antara basically means 'a pledge to live with disease'.

6. Breedings are always open in the Kitwana'antara. Trust me, they couldn't be restricted even if they wanted to be! There is a restrictive quarantine on lions and lion-hybrids. . . please keep this in mind. Unless you have been given permission by the Queen to leave the borders, you will have to find other ways to fling.

I.e. . . a visiting rogue. . . a friendship that develops on the borders. . . .

There is trust and faith that those of you with infected lions and lion-hybrids will play by the rules and remember the quarantine. If this rule continues to get broken, things will become much more restrictive. But for now. . carry on, so long as it fits with the pride and their rules and belief.