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Pack/Pride Name: Xù Shù-lín
Current IC Owner(s): TBA
Current OOC Owner(s): Fiction1119
Default ranks: Sēng (Males) Sēng Ní (Females)
Current Pride/Pack Members, and Rankings of Each:
Links to at least five current RPs: (These RPs must have been done in the last month. At least one must have included the current ruler.)
Brief Description of your Pride/Pack: (Do not exceed 175 words, it has to fit in our layout!)
Cert Background Large Image: (Cert colors are now ultimately up to the cert maker)
Pride Symbol for Cert: Transparent PNG, please, and not already on a cert!circle.
Where is this pride located on the SoA map?
Any Extra Information: If you want to include a place for alternate names or clans, please say so here - we will not allow you to change the cert afterward.
Pride/Pack History:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaolin_Kung_Fu
http://www.pier55.com/careers-money/unusual-jobs/how-to-become-a-shaolin-monk/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaolin_Monastery
http://www.mandarintools.com/cgi-bin/wordlook.pl?word=Master&searchtype=chinese&where=whole&audio=on

~ This Pride is an Equal Opportunity Pride. Any gender or species may join any rank, this includes familiars. The only rank that would be difficult for a familiar to rise to is Dà Shī although it is still possible.~

Pride Leader(s): Dà Shī (great master)
Info: This is an honorable term given to the leader of the pride, the abbot if you will. This is normally a lifetime position once granted, and is normally given to only one.

Pride Masters: Shī Fu (master)
Info: This is the term given to the best of the best. One of the Shi Fu will become the Da Shi in the event that a new leader must be chosen. These commonly become the teachers for the next generation when their traveling days are done. These are the head of each skilled group; for example the head of the hunters would be called Shi Fu while all the other hunters would be Liè Rén or Sēng Ní/Sēng.

Adult Pride Members: Sēng (Monk(males)) Sēng Ní (Nun(females))
Info: Those who are called Sēng or Sēng Ní are just common members of the pride. They are adults who have all the necessary skills to become a working member of the pride. These are the hunters, guards, scholars, nannies, crafters, and general teachers. Every adult member is decent at fighting although most are quite proficient.

Specific Adult Positions below

Juvie and Adol Pride Members: Xué Yuán (Student)
Info: These are young of the pride. Juvie stage is a mix of studies in all fields as well as general cub playfulness but Adol stage is primarily the study of fighting, meditation, and their specified fields. All youths are taught to fight.

Cub Pride Members: Bái Shuǐ (Clear Water)
Info: Cubs will be cubs. The adults do not expect much of the cubs other then general obedience for example, 'do not stray from Lín Sì'. If they wish to get a jump start on their training simple exercises in meditation and body stamina is provided, but only under the supervision of a Sēng/Sēng Ní.

~Specific Adult Positions

Wanderers: Lǚ Kè (Traveler)
Info: The adults that feel the urge to wander take the official name of Lǚ Kè and leave the pride with their blessing. It is hoped that each Lǚ Kè will return but all are aware of the dangers of the Rouge Lands. Lǚ Kè also bring back others, cubs and adults alike, to join the pride. They will act as a sponsor for those they bring back, at least until another will act as a general pride guide.

Priests: Xīng Dào (Star Path)
Info: These adults are the 'priests' of the pride. Once they take the name of Xīng Dào they are expected to remain celibate and to focus on the gods' teachings and on teaching the rest of pride about the gods. These are the adults that teach meditation. They have also been known to teach other scholarly information such as healing but they are not considered healers. They are more 'healers' of the soul. Meditation and contemplation about the universe is common for these adults. They also help in any major religious event the pride might have.

Guards: Bǎo Hù Zhě (Protector)
Info: These adults tend to roam the edges of the pride. Since outsiders are welcome the guards allow them to pass but they do and will act as guides to the main pride area, for the outsider's protection of course. The guards rotate positions every so often so no one guard will remain on the border indefinitely.

Hunters: Liè Rén (Hunter)
Info: These adults are the primary meat gatherers. They are also a very odd group of pride members. Because life is precious to the pride in general, intentionally taking a life that is not done in self defense is, well lets just say disliked. These adults though, must take life on a daily bases which can put a strain on their mind and souls so they can often be found in the company of a Xīng Dào or on their own meditating. To balance this a bit when a hunting kill happens asking the dead creatures forgiveness as well as thanks for nourishment, and a blessing for a better reincarnation is always given. Hunters tend to 'retire' a lot sooner then other pride members, they end up teaching the next generation or in quite contemplation of the universe.

Nannies: Kān (to take care of)
Info: These lions are given the most important task; caring for the young. They are those who watch over the youngest members of the pride and are the first to begin instilling prides rules and beliefs into the young.

Healers: Shǎng Mìng (Give Life)
Info: These adults specialize in healing. (There isn't much more I can say about that)

Pride thoughts on...

Outsiders: They are welcome, either as pilgrims, those who just came to learn, or those who wish to join the pride. Those who come just to learn to fight better are soon corrected in their thoughts or sent on their way. The pride believes that peace is the way but one must know how to defend oneself. Any outsider who causes problems within the pride will be asked to leave, one way or another.

Marriages: To be mated for life is an important step and is one that the pride sees as a blessing. -one does not have to be married to have cubs although it is preferred-

Familiars: Little brothers and sisters, familiars in other words, are just as worthy to be in this pride as anyone else. They are no one's pet and 'belong' to no one. The only concession to them being a familiar is being introduced to the Shī Fu of the hunters so no accidents will arise.

Hybrids: They are like any other productive member of the pride and will be treated as such.

Gods: The gods are known and respected by all in the pride. Since the belief of balance is quite prevalent one can not believe in the good gods without at least acknowledge the bad gods but this does not mean that they warship the evil gods. To learn all they can and to be the best they can on the path of the light is what pride members strive for.
~Important gods: must get owners ok first
Peace - Li Wei (Thalion)
Balance - Griffith (Amon Larethian)
Rebirth - Na'lra (Felyn)

Rebirth: Every living thing can be reborn, from the lowliest worm to the gods themselves. The general belief in the pride is that someone who is kind of heart, clear of mind, and generous of soul will be reborn into a higher life form when their old mortal life comes to an end. For instance, a generally good serval will either be reborn as a lion or something better, depending on personality of course, while a generally bad lion would be reborn as something like a worm or a beetle. The pride also believes that this is not an instantaneous process so if something is born right as another dies it does not mean that it is the same soul being reborn.