All you could want to know to make a backstory for your Pridelander custom!
First, a little history leasson for those of you who may not know:
First, a little history leasson for those of you who may not know:
The Pride Land pride believes in the circle of life: life, death, and ressurection. They believe that all things have a balance, and frown upon any excess of anything; they take only what they need from the hunts, careful not to overcultivate the herds. They also believe that souls live on; their royalty turn to stars when the rulers die, looking over all.
The Pride Lands have always been a place of plenty for those that have ruled and lived there. As long as anyone can remember, there have been a pride of lions at Pride Rock; some cruel and cold, but most kind and just, allowing the lands to flourish and prosper.
Ahadi, the former King, was old when his Queen finally produced two heirs; Taka, the firstborn, and Mufasa, the secondborn. Taka took after his mother, Uru, while Mufasa had inherited his father's robust looks. Taka, as was custom, was betrothed at birth to one of the newborn females in the pride: Sarabi.
The cubs grew. The two brothers were great friends; Mufasa did not begrudge Taka his position, nor did he particularly seem to want it. They flourished into juveniles...always off on some adventure or getting into mischief, perhaps a little more spoiled than most, but both still retained the innocence of childhood.
But nothing is meant to last. Ahadi was getting old, and weakening, and his sons were not yet strong enough to reign. In the dark of the night, a coalition of two males came in and killed the King, taking over the lands. That same night, Taka and Mufasa had to flee for their lives, Taka taking with him the 'scar' that would brand him for the rest of his life. They disappeared into Umande'mfuni territory, largely ignored because the pride, at the time, were having troubles of their own.
Months passed. Taka and Mufasa grew into adolescents, both nursing their hurts. Taka - always the intelligent one of the twain - thought it best to wait until they had gained their full strength before returning to the lands and challenging the rogue Kings. But Mufasa, impetuous and headstrong, disappeared one night to challenge them of his own accord. By lucky coincidence, one of the rogue males was out on patrol when Mufasa arrived. The young former prince, with the rage and untapped raw strength of adolescence, drove the other rogue out, before setting the rest of the pride - who were only too happy to get rid of the tyrants - out to drive out the patrolling rogue male.
When Taka arrived the next day, it was to find that, in gratitude, the pride had given Mufasa the throne.
Bitter and shocked, he protested...but to no end. Mufasa felt, rightly, that he had earned the position by avenging their father's death. Nothing Taka said would sway him or the lionesses. In the end, he had to accept defeat, nursing the wound to his dignity. He's had a lot of time to think about his past...a past that could well shape the rest of his and the pride's future.
~.:This is where rp in the shop started:.~
Simba was born right on schedule, the only child of the litter and the rightful heir to the Pride Lands throne. Several rogue cubs entered the territory, and were accepted into the pride; but they have since dispersed again. Sarafina, Sarabi's longtime childhood friend, briefly returned from her wanderings with a new daughter, Nala.
Then disaster struck. The plague which had struck the Umande'mfuni seems to have lingered for awhile before striking again, this time into the very heart of the Pridelanders. Many of the lionesses fell to it; as did Simba, the prince, and his uncle Taka.
But life goes on. The former Motoujamii prince, Mwali, was accepted into the pride, and to the surprise of all, fell in love with Koho, the pride's nanny. Bakhti and Mahiri, a mated pair, were also recently accepted into the pride shortly after Mwali and Koho, the latter heavy with cubs, left to go discover what was left of Mwali's kin.
Mufasa and Sarabi had their second litter...one of six didn't survive; and Bakhti had her first, two beautiful little cubs.
Months later:
The Pride Lands just keep giving and giving...life is flourishing for the pride. Mufasa and Sarabi's cubs have reached middle-age. One of the boys, Uumikaji, has left the pride...it's darkly rumored that he's now, even at this young age, a father. Bakhti's cubs have also grown, but only Mchele remains...Kiburi has wandered off, and nobody is quite certin of her whereabouts.
Maawio has grown into a fine huntress, and now has a little cub in tow. It seems to be the season for cubs...Koho and Jasiri have had their litters, and Bakhti is expecting once more. With all the mouths to feed, it's lucky that there have been several new members in the pride, including Danzi, the son of the late Lord Taka.
The Present:
The Pride just keeps growing, both in new rogue members and in cubs by current members. Mwali has returned with Koho and their litter. Bahkti has had her litter, and the Queen's cubs have finally become adults in their own right. Both Uumikaji and Rehani had cubs in their adolescence, by a brother and sister of the Kusini'Mwezi lands. Mufasa and Kamilika have returned from her lessons on ruling, and are now touring the Pridelands to let the subjects meet the heir. Kiuma has disappeared into the lands beyond on a journey, and no one has had word of her whereabouts, not even her twin. Among the new rogue arrivals is Shomoro. She is the daughter of Dini, a former lioness of the pride, and one of the rogue brothers that had taken over in Sarabi's childhood.
Change is in the wind. The old queen's condition worsens with every passing day, and its obvious that soon she will join the ancestors in the stars.
