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Reply [IC] Væringjar Lands [IC]
[OOC] About the Pride

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Vaeringjar

PostPosted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 3:15 pm
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History

At the very beginning…
They were nomads. A small group of eclectic lions and lionesses that learned from one another and their travels. They shared everything together, their grief and happiness and fears. They learned from each other, sharing ideas and religion.

It took time - generations, and many hardships before they began to settle. The land they settled in had water and prey aplenty, and they made the choice to take the land for themselves. With the new water filled land, the lions began to learn new skills - fishing the water. More surprisingly, they learned how to keep the herds near them. Combined with the abundance of water and new found knowledge of controlling the more docile of hers, they thrived.

With each new leader came ups and downs, some worse than others.


In the more recent past…

Jarl Hemskt was one a great Jarl, but a violent lord with a hunger to take over more lands, but never doing the work himself. He grew old, and even lazier - sending all those that remained loyal to him to their deaths in attempts to expand his powers.

The pride’s numbers diminished greatly, many simply leaving in attempt to keep away from the harsh Jarl, or finding their deaths with the Jarl’s orders.

But one Jordbukare thought enough was enough. He challenged the Jarl to combat, taking on the lazy Jarl. While the battle was expected to be simple, Hemskt had a lot of life left in him. They fought hard against one another, though eventually a new Jarl emerged as the victor.

Currently…

The new Jarl and his wife are regathering the pride. While it’s still small, they hope it will flourish in the future.

Festivals & Ceremonies

Yule: Yule is a twelve-day long festival that ends in gift giving. It starts on the day of the winter solstice. When it ends, a new year begins.

Midsummer: this is a short festival that promotes rebirth and protection. Bonds between members are renewed. Certain flowers are collected on the night of Midsummer’s Eve and are said the have healing powers. Celebrations on this day are said to drive off evil spirits.

Marriage Ceremonies: Marriage is a special occasion within the pride. A bride will join her husband’s family after a large ceremony directed between the two. The bride is crowned with circlet of flowers and the male must present her with a family heirloom (which she will keep). It is customary to have a feast after.

Funeral Ceremonies: when a lion dies, they must be buried so that their ghost will not rise to haunt the pride. They are often buried with items of value since it is believe any items they have will be taken into the afterlife.

Naming Ceremonies: This is a very important ceremony within the pride. Nine days after the cubs are born, they are to be claimed by any male in the family. This legitimizes the cubs and ensures they cannot be killed without consequences. All born cubs go through this process or otherwise exposed to the elements and left to die. (see NAMES)
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 3:33 pm
Religion

Gods and Goddesses The Gods are regarded as living, breathing beings who could bless or curse anyone they saw fit and each had their own role. The gods be known in the pride by the names seen here.

Norns Also known as Fates, these beings control the lives of all things, mortals and gods. Everything that happens in life is the work of the Norns, and everything comes down to destiny.

Sacrifices Sacrifices are often made to please the gods and hope to gain favor with the gods. Sacrifices can be anything from blood sacrifices (see BLÒTS) to trinkets.

Blóts blood sacrifices used to worship or appease the gods. There are many blóts for different occasions.

Afterlife
===Valhalla: When a member dies in battle, they go to either here or to Fólkvagnr. It is an area that is said to be able to house all fallen warriors who will fight in Ragnarok. This is Odin’s ‘hall’
===Hel: While not considered wholly awful, no member ever wants to end up here. It is viewed as a punishment rather than a reward. This is headed by the goddess Hel with the same name.
===Helgafjell: Those who do not die in battle end up in Helgafjell. It is thought to be a mountain and a peaceful place where members will continue what they were doing in this life.
===Fólkvagnr: while this place is very much like Valhalla, Fólkvagnr is not only for warriors, but for anyone who has died a noble death (ie. Childbirth). This is headed by the goddess Freya.


Ghosts are very much believed within the pride. If a body of a pride member is not disposed of properly, it is thought that they may still exist on this plane. In some cases in the past, ghosts were created (via sacrifice and burial) to protect a place, but it is not a common practice.
Ragnarök.It is foretold that a battle will occur that will wipe out most of the earth and a good chunk of the gods. It’s seen as an apocalypse. Read more about Ragnarök here
History  

Vaeringjar


Vaeringjar

PostPosted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 3:37 pm
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Appearance & Species

Appearance: There is no bias on pelt color or size, though small lions may be seen as potentially weak. Each lion has their own personal view, but appearance wise, no one is barred from joining.

Species: This is a lion-only pride. The pride will never have other species within it, even as thralls or slaves. They may take on allies and house allies of other species, but they will never be apart of the pride. Note that other species may be chased off if they are not of the pride or their allies. Any species that commit a heinous crime might be put to death.

Familiars


Canines: canine familiars may aid your SoA in their duties, be it farming, hunting or tracking. They are seen very much as pets.
Felines: While less common, felines may be used to chase away small vermin - like mousing cats.

*Avians: Mixed reactions to different avians may occur. Some see them as signs from the Gods, some see them as food. No one really owns avians, however, though some may become fond of certain individuals. (Your SoA may be certed with an avian familiar!) They can sometimes be used to deliver messages.

Special Circumstances: any other familiars must be approved by the pride owners, you may post about it in the joining thread or PM Seaki personally.


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Farming: the pride is made up, uniquely, of farmers. While this isn’t a normal thing outside the pride, many of the members within keep herds of flightless animals near them to feed their family and barter with. Those with larger herds are considered wealthy and strong (farms usually consists of small hoofed animals like klipspringers, but also occasionally flightless birds or hares)

Trading: Some lions may not be farmers and make their living elsewhere. For example, they may be particularly skilled in crafting items (such as furs), tending herbs, fishing, etc. and can be paid for in with whatever they may accept personally. Some even leave the pride to trade their wares. Slaves can be an acceptable form of payment to some.


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Things: Things are somewhat like pride meetings. Anyone who wishes to come to the Thing are allowed to do so. Often trials are held and punishment is carried out. However it can also be to discuss the weather and farming, as well as raids, land, marriage, as well as any other events that may happen within the pride. The leader of the pride presides over the Thing and leads the discussion. Anyone may bring up problems to be resolved and issues they may have with the leader at this time.

Blóts: There are often blots for different occasions. Any ceremony or festival that takes place. Sacrifices are used primarily to please the gods or as a simple worship. Sometimes a member of the pride will be sacrificed, but only in special cases and only those who wish it. Being Sacrificed is considered a high honor.

Raids: Raids are a common occurrence within the pride. A party will be formed to overtake a land and steal their goods, including (but not limited to), thralls, furs, and food. Where to raid is decided by the Jarl. Raiding parties consist of anyone who volunteers, no matter their rank.
===Warriors: There is no warrior rank in the pride due to the pride being comprised of members who can fight their own battles. All members are warriors, as well as their rank, and are expected to fight when attacked.
===”Berserkers”: In the heat of battle, some warriors may lose their wits and attack anything (aka going berserk). While helpful in battle, it can cause fatigue after this period ends.
===”Shield Maidens”: while not technically toting around shields, females in the pride have the same abilities as their male counterparts when it comes to battle.


Single Combat: In some cases, to solve disputes, a member may challenge another to single combat. This must be done before an audience or it can be counted as murder or dishonorable. Rules of single-combat vary. For the most part, it is until second blood (or two injuries to one combatant) and occasionally until death. Dying in Single-combat is said to grant the member into Valhalla.


Laws

Law: Text
Law: Text


Trials

Criminal Trial: Criminal trials are judged during a Thing. The verdict is based on the testimony of those involved and the decision must be unanimously all the members that show up at the Thing. Punishments are based on the severity of the crime.
Civil Trial: Civil cases are normally solved between the two families and never brought in a Thing. However, if the dispute cannot be settled, it is brought up and decided similar to a criminal trial.

Punishment

Punishment depends on the severity of the crime. If the member commits a petty theft, he may just get roughed up a little. However, crimes more serious (like murder) can result in banishment or death.  
PostPosted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 3:42 pm
Marriage & Breeding

Marriage: Marriages are normally arranged by the family or parents of the female, though the female usually has a lot of say for High-Middle and Middle Classes. It normally depends on the family choosing the groom if they allow their child a say in the decision. High Class Marriages may often be arranged to make political alliances or gain wealth or a higher standing and have less say, but again it depends on who is currently standing in high class.

Breeding: Married couples are normally expected to have a litter within their first year of being married, but in case of infertility, low food supplies, and age, sometimes distance.

In other cases, males often have more litters than females simply because they don’t have a waiting time. Married couples are expected to stay faithful and cubs outside of that (if they are known about) may be grounds for divorce. The only exception is if the cubs are believed to be born or sired by a god/dess. This is often decided by the leader on which to do.

Again, this choice is often made by a family or individual. If the family is okay with the ordeal - flings and breedings outside of a marriage - go for it! Legitimacy of children are based on marriage, usually, unless the father wishes to claim the children and have them named within his family. (See NAMES and NAMING CEREMONY)


Names: Names can often symbolize family and clans. Cubs are usually named with part of their ancestors’ names or the name of a god or goddess. Something unique (letters or words) are often added to make the child’s name their own. Exceptions can be made, however, as it is often up to an individual.

Family: Family is a hugely important part of the pride. A member’s entire life pretty much revolves around their family and their families standing. The head of a family is largely responsible for the entire bloodline and can dish out their own punishments for minor crimes within the family. Members live and die by their families.

Thralls: Thralls are are a physically important part of the pride as much of the pride demands high labour. A thrall cannot hold land within the pride. However, they are allowed to have possessions and to marry (though they could only marry other thralls and their children would also hold the rank.) Mistreatment of thralls is not seen as a favorable trait, but each lion has their own views on the matter. Over time a slave may buy his freedom or released. Thralls who kill to protect their master’s family are expected to be freed.  

Vaeringjar


Vaeringjar

PostPosted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 3:44 pm
Location

Information
Lay of the Land

Information
Weather & Climate

Weather: Text
Climate: Text

Fauna & Flora

Fauna: Text
Flora: Text  
PostPosted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 3:56 pm
Alliances

None so far!

Neutral Allies

Nil’nocere: Nil’nocere is a small pride of healers that lives closer to the coast. While they don’t really approve of the pride, they wouldn’t begrudge any their aid.

Enemies

None so far!Allies and Enemies  

Vaeringjar

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[IC] Væringjar Lands [IC]

 
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