There is a lot of information concerning the Kitwana'antara. For those of you who'd like the full scoop, please peruse the Pride Subforum
here.
*Brief Summery of the Pride*
The Kitwana'antara have never been large or dominating. They are located in a quiet valley with hills and more mountainous terrain to the east, and a larger lake to the west. They tend to be isolated and their numbers small due to a plague that keeps their lion count rather small.
The plague is contagious only to lions and lion-hybrids. For lions who contract the disease it is always fatal, though some can fight it off or keep it at bay for many, many years. There are a small few who will become carriers of the disease, safe from its torment but a danger to other lions; and an even smaller few that are naturally immune.
Because of this, the Kitwana'antara frequently rely on leopards, cheetahs, hyena's and any outsider help they can find. Familiars and non-lion species are welcome members to the pride - they are often nurses, hunters, nannies and protectors for those too sick. Furthermore, there is often a ban on lion-members leaving the borders. . . . Their disease is far too risky and to spread it would be horrible. To cause others to suffer from such an illness is not something the pride would ever do and as such only on rare occasion are lions allowed to leave the borders.
Currently the pride has just gotten over a slew of hard times. A secondary plague hit
all pride members, cuttng their numbers down significantly. On top of that, a war with a neighboring pride cut their numbers further, causing much distress and chaos in the lands. The old queen sacrificed herself in hopes of healing the God of Plagues wrath against her kind. This left her very young successor, Nawiri'chiwa to begin anew and lead the Kitwana'antara to renewed prosperity.
*Brief Summery of the Family*
The Father: -
Nyeusi - played by Pinchmonster
He willingly helped Elera when she asked for his help to provide more healthy members for her pride, but he was a drifter. He never found out if his help came to any fruition.
The Mother: -
Elera'plova - played by Talencia
Elera is not the stereotypical mother. She has never sought out true love, never dreamed of having fluffy balls of fur curled up close to her. Just the opposite, in fact. She is a stalwart and confident loner, pessimistic and slightly grouchy on a daily basis. She tends to be antisocial and sarcastic when she feels scorned or looked down upon. Despite these traits, though, she has a good heart. Kitwana'antara earned her respect and allegiance by facing adversity with such patience and good spirit. She joined the pride because they were the first she'd ever met that deserved her devotion.
It was this devotion that drove her to choose to birth cubs. Though she had absolutely no desire to be a mother, she knew that the pride would benefit from more young creatures that were immune to the ravaging disease. Thus she chose to seek a male to father cubs for her. She saw no dishonor in it, and feels the cubs are treasures to the pirde.
That does not negate her lack of mothering skills, however. She knows she is unfit to be a proper mother, and thus will likely leave the parenting to minders. She will be involved, will show affection once in a while, and will probably have more to do with the cubs as they get older and more independant, but as cubs they may not see much of her.
(This could give you easy license to get to know others in the pride, since she would not insist on being with them at all times!) Auntie Bird -
Piera - Played by Talencia
Elera tends to call Piera "momma bird", but refers to her as "auntie bird" to the cubs. While Elera might not be around much, Piera is much likely to be present for the cubs, emotionally as well as physically. She is a much gentler, motherly sort. She listens well, scolds and reprimands in a loving way, and cares deeply for her little charges. It will not be uncommon for her to swoop out of the blue sky to see what is wrong if tears or raised voices occur. She is a good friend and surrogate parent, and will always be reassuring the cubs that their mother loves them as well.
A Sister: - Haravana - Played by Lorne_Sionn
As an adult: Haravana is a bright female, and is generally even tempered. She can be a bear however if the healer she is working with isn't listening to her. In which case she has no problem voicing her opinion, loudly. It probably comes from being marginalized by her mother, but as a grown up, she makes sure she is heard when she knows she has something to contribute, and if she doesn't, she listens so she knows for later. She is a tireless worker, and if a herb is needed, she will find it, no mater how far she has to travel or dig. As a cub: Friendly, and kind, with a deep compassionate nature that will later lead her to be an Apothecary for the Pride.
Another Sister: - Keiko - Played by Soarin'
She's a sweet friendly leopard that has love and affection for everyone she meets. She's playfully and often looks at life with a bubbly mood. Nothing gets her down, not even water which she generally hates. She just wants to be the center of attention- be that good or bad. Though she doesn't try to get into trouble it sometimes follows her just because of her carefree look on life.
