[OOC] Ranks and Hierarchy [OOC]

[Mwezi_Johari]

 

[Mwezi_Johari]

General Information

Classes

The pride is made up of five classes, each determined by when the member was born and each entitled to different ranks.

The phases of the moon and their associated classes are as follows:

• Full Moon - High Class
  
• Waxing and Waning Gibbous - Upper-middle Class
  
• First and Last Quarter - Middle Class
  
• Waxing and Waning Crescent - Lower-middle Class
  
• New Moon - Low Class

Open Ranks

Default Rank (Cubs): Youth
Default Rank (above Low Class): Hunter
Default Rank (Low Class): Slave

Open Ranks: Hunter, Guard, Lord & Lady, depending on class.

Limited Ranks are not open for public first come, first serve claiming.
Closed Ranks have IC and OOC requirements and can only be awarded by the Pride Owner/Monarch.

Simplified Hierarchy

• Monarch, Shaman
  
• Monarch's Consort
  
• Clerics, High Priests, Knights
  
• Nobles, Priests
  
• Hunters, Guards
  
• Youth
  
• Slaves

Religious standing always comes before social standing.

Because Priests serve the Great Lion directly, all are as good as High Class, even those in the Upper-middle. On the other hand, the Head Hunter and Head Guard have authority in their respective fields but still must exercise caution and respect in dealing with higher classes because their work is entirely social.

Monarchs, while technically filling a mainly social role, are the only exception. They are traditionally a favorite of the Great Lion and play a big part in enforcing religious rules, rites and traditions.  

[Mwezi_Johari]

Overview of Ranks

Royal Ranks

• King & Queen - Closed Rank, High Class only
  
  
  • The social leaders of the pride, one is born into the position and the other is their chosen consort. They are both expected to be knowledgeable about all aspects of the pride, being responsible for keeping the peace and being able to competently step in should the Shaman or any Priest be absent. Their knowledge is limited by a lack of experience but they are trusted authorities on all aspects of pride life.
  
  
  
• Heir - Closed Rank, High Class only
  
  
  • The eldest high class child of the King & Queen, they are trained to be able to take the throne when the ruling monarch passes away or steps down. It is considered most fortunate when a female heir is born since her place cannot easily be taken from her. A male heir, because he must remain in the high class, is often subject to an arranged marriage.
  
  
  
• Princes, Princesses - Closed Rank, High Class only
  
  
  • Other children of the King & Queen, similar to the Lord and Lady ranks. All cubs born to a King & Queen are given this title at birth but if they are not in the high class, they lose it at adolescence (with occasional exceptions).

Religious Ranks

• Shaman - Closed Rank, High Class Female only
  
  
  • The religious leader of the pride, the shaman is considered the most direct link they have to the Great Lion. She is the primary authority on all religious knowledge and tradition in the pride and she is a knowledgeable herbalist. Because of this, she directs the majority of religious ceremonies even if her apparent place is on the sidelines. She is the only lion within the pride with the power to initiate new pride members, often having a final say in the judgement of a rogue's intentions and sincerity.
  
  
  
• Clerics - Limited Rank (3/3), High Class Female only
  
  
  • The official title of those being trained by the Shaman as potential successors. They study the pride's religion and traditions and attend many ceremonies at the side of the Shaman, and are generally capable of acting in her stead when necessary.
    
    
  • Promotion to Shaman is unaffected by seniority within this rank. A successor is chosen from the Clerics by the Shaman prior to retirement or death (if possible), or by the Monarch (if the Shaman dies or disappears unexpectedly).
  
  
  
• High Priests - Limited Rank (4/4), High and Upper-middle Classes only
  
  
  • These Priests are the most senior representatives of each subcategory of priests and act as leaders of their respective groups, though they may decide individually what kind of leader they are. They are more likely to be called upon in high profile, strange or dangerous situations.
  
  
  
• Priests - High and Upper-middle Classes only
  
  
  
  • Midwife - Limited Rank (4/4), Female Only
    
    
    • This Priest is responsible for attending to the birth of new pride members. Her job is to draw the attention of the Great Lion to the new cubs and to act as a reliable observer of the class they are born into. As the pride continues to grow, this is one of the Priest ranks most likely to take on extra apprentices.
    
    
    
  • Nurse - Limited Rank (1/2)
    
    
    • This Priest is responsible for the safety and well-being of new members as they are being initiated. They work closely with the Shaman, often training with her, and are knowledgeable on the possible complications that may arise during initiation. They are also the first priests to officially welcome new members into the pride when they awake.
    
    
    
  • Host - Limited Rank (3/4)
    
    
    • This Priest is responsible for many traditional ceremonies, ranging from the New Moon ceremony once every four weeks to the Coming of Age ceremony welcoming adolescents into their proper classes and adulthood. They are often guided by the Shaman, though they are the active leaders of the majority of ceremonies. They will often, but not always, work together.
    
    
    
  • Historian - Limited Rank (5/5)
    
    
    • These Priests are responsible for knowing the name and rank of every member of the pride as part of a system designed to help make sure everybody stays in line with tradition. They tend to have excellent memories and know a great deal about the pride as a whole and what it has gone through. As the pride continues to grow, this is one of the Priest ranks most likely to take on extra apprentices.
    
    
    
  • Apprentices Limited Rank, availability depends on openings in Priesthood
    
    
    • Cubs and adolescents who have been chosen to train in religious ranks take the title of Apprentice until adulthood, when their master will decide if they are capable of taking on the duties of a proper Priest or Cleric.

Special Ranks

• Knights, Dames - Special Rank (Event only), Unlimited
  
  
  • Knights and Dames are the heroes of the Mwezi'Johari. They are knighted by the Monarch and blessed by the Shaman on behalf of the Great Lion in acknowledgement of a great service done for the pride. Regardless of birth class, these lions become the top of the High Class and are treated with great respect. This honor extends to their mate, regardless of gender, and is the only exception to the rule where males take the rank of their wives.
    
    
    • Order of the Moon
      
      
      • This Knightly Order is reserved for those who put their lives on the line in order to secure the future of the pride. These recognized feats usually involved long term commitment and leadership, if not true danger to one's longevity.
      
      
    • Order of the Stars
      
      
      • This Knightly Order is reserved for who performed a great service to the pride at great personal risk. These recognized feats are usually less dangerous and/or happen suddenly or over a shorter period of time. A single heroic act in a time of great need may qualify one for entry into this order.

Noble Ranks

• Lords, Ladies - Unlimited, High Class only
  
  
  • Any High Class member of the pride may opt for the easy life of a Lord or Lady thanks to their strong connection to the Great Lion. They may choose to contribute, on occasion, but they are not obligated to and generally focus on the social side of life in the pride. This is also an honorary title given to retired Priests, regardless of class.
    
    
  • The entire high class is considered part of the Nobility, regardless of official rank.

Defense Ranks

• Head Guard - Limited Rank (1/1), Middle Class or higher
  
  
  • The official leader of the Guards, he is responsible for organizing patrols, rallying the guards when necessary, and making sure everybody is doing their job.
  
  
  
• Patrol Leaders - Limited Rank (4/4), Middle Class or higher
  
  
  • Patrol Leaders are second-in-command to the Head Guard and are responsible for keeping groups of about 20 guards each organized and busy. They coordinate regular patrols with other Patrol Leaders and lead their groups if the Guards should be required to gather to face some unusual danger.
  
  
  
• Rogue Guard - Limited Rank (4/4), Middle Class or higher
  
  
  • A special rank of Guard that is responsible for monitoring new members of the pride and accompanying the Nurse Priests when initiation time comes around. They are especially vigilant as the New Moon approaches if any initiates look like they may wake to find they have become Slaves.
  
  
  
• Guards - Unlimited, Middle Class or higher
  
  
  • Guards are responsible for keeping the pride safe. There are always guards on patrol around the borders and they are expected to respond quickly if the pride is threatened. The duty of minding slaves and unruly pride members often falls to them.

Hunting Ranks

• Head Hunter - Limited Rank (1/1), Middle Class or higher
  
  
  • The official leader of the Hunters, she is responsible for organizing the hunting parties, making sure everybody is doing their job and assuring the fair distribution of food.
  
  
  
• Hunt Leaders - Limited Rank (7/10), Lower-middle Class or higher
  
  
  • Hunt Leaders are second-in-command to the Head Hunter and are responsible for keeping groups of about 25 hunters each organized and busy. They coordinate regular hunts with other Hunt Leaders and make sure that the pride stays fed.
  
  
  
• Hunters, Huntresses - Unlimited, Lower-middle Class or higher
  
  
  • Hunters are responsible for keeping the pride fed. They hunt and help distribute the food appropriately.

Youth Ranks

• Youth - Unlimited, Any Class
  
  
  • The default rank for cubs, they are responsible for nothing except learning the ways of the pride. They are typically treated equally, regardless of class. They are welcomed into their proper class and take an official rank at adolescence.
  
  
  
• Apprentices - see Religious Ranks (above).

Low Class Ranks

• Slave Mother & Slave Father - Limited (2/2), Low Class only
  
  
  • A recent, somewhat controversial rank first assigned during Shangyue's rule in an effort to give the slaves something they have never had: a leader and a voice. The Slave Mother & Father are a married couple in the Low Class that help keep the slaves organized and, when necessary speak on their behalf - as a group or individually.
  
  
  
• Slaves - Unlimited, all Low Class members
  
  
  • The lowest rank in the pride, these lions are born with no spiritual protection from the Great Lion. They are most commonly assigned to regular hunts but may be employed for other individual tasks around the pride. By serving the pride and offering help to those in higher ranks, they earn the physical protection of the pride and a share of the spiritual protection of their superiors.
    
    
  • They are generally not mistreated and needless abuse of slaves is not tolerated.
    
    
  • While generally not allowed to leave the pride for their own safety, Queen Kimondo has already shown to be softer on this front. If you have a Low Class lion who would not be able to adjust, please PM Ecavi to discuss options.

Retired Ranks

• Royal Nanny - Unavailable
  
  
  • A special rank of Guard responsible for making sure the cubs of the King and Queen are kept safe and in line when their parents are not around. Their primary focus is often the heir and during times of peace, there is often no call for a dedicated guard to take on this responsibility.
  
  
  
• Royal Guard - Unavailable
  
  
  • A special rank for members of the Low Class founded by King Shangyue early in his reign. These lions served the King directly, protecting him and, when necessary, performing morally questionable tasks that might threaten the ruler's spiritual status should he do them himself. By using their low spiritual status to benefit the King, their social status was considering the highest of non-ruling lions. This rank was discontinued after King Shangyue was overthrown for being manipulative and absolutely not for the benefit of the pride as a whole.