[OOC] Pride Information

[Sikukuu Pride]

Come closer child! Why, you look like you could enjoy a good party! The tales I could tell you of the festivals we have thrown! What, you've never been to a celebration thrown by the Sikukuu?! Oh child, come and see! We have them so regularly! Surely something will be to your taste! Come, come and see! We offer only enjoyment and feasting! Here, let me tell you more about us!


(Pride owners: Talencia, Annchen)

 

[Sikukuu Pride]

History of the Sikukuu

Many generations ago, the Sikukuu lived in a river valley. Theirs was the life of plenty. The water drew the prey animals, and kept their lands lush and cool. The Sikukuu felt grateful, content, and serene as a pride. But all was not to remain in such optimal conditions.

One by one, trials and tragedies struck. A blight wilted a large portion of the growing things, driving the larger prey away. The pride suffered the loss of some members leaving, and as a whole grew weaker on the lesser meat. Soon drought began to dry up the two large rivers that flowed into the valley. They were reduced to streams, and eventually one dried up completely. The rest of the vegitation died, and what few prey animals had remained either fled or starved. If this was not enough, a fierce pride that had lived downstream came upriver, attacking viciously in an attempt to overtake the land that at least had some water left in it.

The current King and Queen were killed in the attack, leaving the straggling remnants of the pride leaderless. The younger ones that were left alive banded together, helping the weak and wounded along. It was decided that it was time to let the old lands go, to find themselves a new place and new hope. With lighter hearts filled with an innocent desire for happiness, the small group traveled for many months, skirting known territories and being driven out of new ones they had not been aware of. But still they did not lose hope.

One autumn evening, a scout came back with joyous news. Far ahead there was a place, nestled between the feet of a mountain, where there were no lions, but much water, prey, and shelter. The small, roving pride continued on with rising spirits. The chill of coming winter was in the air as they came beneath the spreading, brilliant boughs of the forest. The soil was rich under their paws, the forest trees tall and broad. The air was filled with falling leaves of crimson, yellow, and orange.

They walked as ones entranced, moving through the forest and up, ever up. They came finally to where the two arms of the mountain met, a small but high plain free of trees. The strongest, merriest of the males bounded forward to face his fellow pilgrims. "Brothers and sisters!" he called, joy pouring from his throat in rich tones. "I say we have come home! And from this day, we shall not let our past harry us or pull us into sorrow. Here, now, today we make our own future! We choose our own ways! Let this be known as the time for giving thanks, for I say to you that we have much to be grateful for!"

There was a hearty roar of approval from the gathered band of lions, and so the new pride of Sikukuu was born. Over the years, they set aside the ways of the old pride and made new ones for themselves. With each new season, they found new things to celebrate and be joyful over. The pilgrim generation taught the next why it was that they chose celebration over sorrow, feasting over fretting. Each new generation was taught, along with the changing, developing traditions that came with these celebrations. It wasn't long before it was determined to have two ruling couples, so that they would be unlikely to lose them all should travail come upon them again.

Year by year, more and more festivals were added, and the pride found itself naturally falling into groups associated with the seasons. Each ruling monarch took charge of a group, and so came the ranks and mannerisms of the clans that exist today.

Life was now good, and the Sikukuu seek to share this joy in life with all.  

[Sikukuu Pride]

About Sikukuu
The Seasonal Party Pride

The Sikukuu are divided into four seasonal clans. Each clan oversees the preperations and execution of all the celebrations that occur within their designated time period. Sometimes such preperations take months and months, so there is always something to do, even on the off-season!

All members are included in every festival celebration, and visitors from the roguelands or other prides are freely welcomed to join in the fun! Those of the current season take turns serving or running the games, while everyone else is free to join in or take their ease as they will. These celebrations often include food, games, contests, and much merriness!

The pride is ruled by a single ruling couple. The King presides over the clans of Summer and Winter. The Queen rules over the clans of Spring and Fall. They are aided in each clan's needs by one Royal Assistant, who represents their clan.

The clans are as follows:

Mrao
Those of the Winter

The Mrao are hardy souls that oversee the celebrations that occur during the cold months of winter. Often these have thicker coats and broader paws for dealing with the snows. They see beauty in the snowflakes, cherish the light thrown by icicles, and enjoy the more limited colore palette provided during this time of year. They are quite proud to be the ones who end the old year and bring in the new.

Demani
Those of the Spring

The Demani are bright-eyed, hopeful folk. Theirs is the time of new life, of the world remade and bursting with joy. These individuals are often effusive, energetic, and talkative. They tend to the celebrations within the months of spring, and find much joy in doing so. They often have a great love of growing things, and delight in the many bright, pure colors that spring from the ground. Though they enjoy this mildest time of year, they are not adverse to the many rainshowers that drench the lands, and always make sure to plan accordingly!

Kaskazi
Those of the Summer

The Kaskazi tend to the celebrations of the summer months. They enjoy the heat and long days brought by this time of year, and revel in the dryness. The heat may affect each individual in its own way, but to them it is a joy. Plenty of sunshine and sunny skies provide the perfect backdrop to this cheerful clan.

Vuli
Those of the Autumn

The Vuli are changable, bold characters in charge of the celebrations during the autumn months. These individuals savor the rising winds, the falling leaves, the bite of chill that creeps into the air. They thrive on the colors, smells, and sounds of the dying year, and strive to share that enthusiasm with all.

LOCATION

The pride currently lives at the foot of a mountain. They are high enough to attain snows in the winter aplenty, but low enough and with thick enough forest that the summer months are indeed quite hot and stifling, if summer is not your type of season! Their main living area is nestled between two arms of the foot of the mountain, where dens are scattered heaviest in the forest. Some dens are found along a ridge of low hills to the west of the forest. Above this, up a steep trail, is the Upper Meadow, where a trickle of a stream begins, forming a small pond before trailing down into the valley below. This area is barren of trees and often gets strong winds and the heaviest rain or snow, causing the pond to reliably freeze solid every winter. Below, in the midst of the dens, is the Meeting Meadow, where official announcements are often made on a large chunk of rock. Across the small river is a lake, fed by a tributary. The trees are more sparse around the water, and a large open meadow called the Field of Games is visible to the south of the lake. The wide, open spaces to the south of the dens leads to the roguelands, and is often used for the tamer portions of the celebrations.  

[Sikukuu Pride]

Sikukuu Policies

Pride-Specific Rules

- There must always be a mated pair of lions that rule the pride. The King rules over the clans of Kaskazi and Mrao, and the Queen rules over the clans of Demani and Vuli. Should one die, the surviving partner must rule until a suitable couple are chosen to take on the position, at which time he or she will step down.

- Noone is turned aside from either celebration or from membership. All species, genders, characters, and kinds of folk are welcomed at face value. Should any of the pride refuse another creature entrance, the matter shall be brought before the pride as a serious matter that must be dealt sternly with.

- While all are welcomed, not all actions are acceptable at the pride's festivals. Courtesy is in order, with unkind words or gestures being frowned upon. However, only violence or continued threat thereof will result in the individual being removed from the pride's lands. They shall be banned from the territory for the remainder of that season. Despite this, they will be welcomed back again in the next season, and given the chance to prove themselves changed. Should any individual be removed from four seasons in a row, it it the sorrow of the pride that that individual will no longer be welcomed to the festiavls for the rest of their days.

- All members are expected to assist with preperation and/or execution of the festivals their clan is responsible for. Laziness and callous denial of such responsibilities will be dealt with on an individual basis, but is overall to be hghly discouraged. Punishment shall be meted out as is determined suitable.

- Any member of a clan is welcome to celebrate in their own way. New ideas and concepts are welcome to the celebrations Noone is too lowly to present a new thought or idea to the Royal Assistants or Entertainers for use.

- Members may take mates from other clans, or help as they wish with the preperations of other clans. No clan is exclusive from another. A Mrao (winter) may take a Kaskazi (summer) as mate. A Demani may help his or her Vuli mate with their celebration. All activities and associations are open to every member of the pride.


Species

All species are welcome to be part of the pride! This includes all felines, hybrids, canines, and familiars.


Breeding and Mates

- Rogue breedings and flings are permitted
- Hybrid breedings and feline cross-species couples are permitted.
- Homosexual mates are not acknowledged. The pride is based on the fertility and strength of a heterosexual family. Please respect this.
- Cubs from fling breedings are not required to remain with the Sikukuu parent, but we'd love for them to stay!
- Cross-clan mates are acceptable and encouraged!


Naming

Sikukuu has no naming policies beyond those of the shop. Go crazy!

Visitors

The borders are never closed to visitors, whether there is a festival going on or not. All strangers are welcomed. More information on rules for guests can be found here!

Gods and Seers

Sikukuu currently has one resident god, and one patron goddess! The adoration of the pride dose not take the form of any formal worship. Each will be celebrated within appropriate festivals, likely being made much of during those time periods. Outside these celebrations, patron gods and any others who stop by should be treated with respect and honor (if a little amazement).

Seers have no specific role to fill within the pride. While they would be welcome to set up as resident paw-readers or fortunetellers, they are by no means required to do so.  

[Sikukuu Pride]

Limited ranks

Queen - presides over Spring and Autumn months and festivals.
King - presides over Summer and Winter months and festivals.

Royal Assistant - The Royal Assistant is the King or Queen's right-paw man or woman and they oversee the details of each celebration. They receive delegated tasks directly from their ruler, and keep them up to date with the happenings of their clan. In short, they are the directors of the play that is Sikukuu! RP required! (1/4 slots filled)

Quote:

To become a Royal Assistant your SoA needs 5 RPs in the pride, and they also need to be a member of the clan they wish to apply for. They must have a cert and be on the member list to show membership of the clan in question. 2 of the RPs can be replaced by OOCarrots. Please note that staff might deny your request if we don't think that the SoA shows RP proof of qualities suitable for a Royal Assistant. After approval from staff you will need an additional RP with the King or Queen making it official. This last RP can't be replaced by OOCarrots. To keep the position you'll need 1 RP per year where they carry out their task.

Medic - The Medics of the pride make sure that the pride members and party goers stay healthy during the celebrations. There aren't a lot of Medics in the pride, but they do a very important job. RP required! (1/? medics in the pride)

Quote:

To become a Medic your SoA needs 2 RPs working or apprenticing as a Medic. These RPs do not have to take place in Sikukuu, ie. a new member who used to work as some type of Medic before can theoretically get the rank when they join.

You may replace ONE of these work RPs with 2 RPs on any topic taking place in Sikukuu lands. You may use 1 OOCarrot to replace a general RP.

Open ranks

These ranks are open to anyone. There are no RP requirements or limitations for species.

Entertainer -These folk are the creative geniuses who invent the games and activities for the celebrations. They not only invent them, but create the required materials (with help if they request it), then organize and run their activity during the celebrations.

Performer - These members like to show off their skills to amuse others! They might dance, sing or just be really good at telling jokes. They often work closely with the entertainers of the pride.

Crafter - From baubles to toys, accessories to body-painting, these are the imaginative members who express themselves via objects or services. They open stalls or booths during the festivals to offer their wares to partiers.

Bouncer - These hardy members are the muscle of the pride. They deal with disputes, handle unsavory conduct, and enforce the rules of the pride, as well as the decrees of the rulers. They do not, however, patrol the borders. Such protection is unnecessary for Sikukuu.

Crier - These are the fastest of the pride, or those with the greatest wanderlust. During their clan's season, they spend most of their time outside the pride, spreading the word about the celebrations, inviting strangers to participate in the parties, and approaching neighboring prides about entertainment exchanges.

Celebrant - This is the default rank for adolescents and adults. While this means they have no set responsibilities, they are not at all without tasks to do. Celebrants do the hunting for those to busy to hunt for themselves. They assist Crafters and Entertainers in gathering materials, setting up booths, and running games. Usually it is those of their own clan that they help, but they are not restricted to those only.

Minor - This rank is reserved for the precious young ones who must remain with their mothers and fathers. They are not old enough to choose a clan yet for themselves, and so will be in their mother's clan. If it is only their father that is in the pride, they will take their father's rank. At adolescence, they may choose a rank and clan of their own. Cub only.