Pride of Neve lore

T 02

Within the Plains of Neve are many natural resources, some difficult to find, others easier. Many medicinal plants are found in the region, with snow fungus and snow flowers being rather difficult to obtain from Heaven’s Peak, which is a dangerous terrain for a lion to navigate. Only highly specialized gatherers are allowed to travel up to Heaven’s Peak to gather the resources found there. Within the Forest, are also numerous plants, although with the threat of bears, wolves and the vengeful spirits of the forest, the evening primrose, milk thistle, echinacea, timber, feathers and bones that are found there are only for the bravest lions to obtain. Some of the safer resources are found by the Beach, and the River of Life. The resources found in these locations include beach bean, pemphis, sand, clay, lemongrass, turmeric, and a safer source of evening primrose. Within the Village and the Ruins, man-made resources such as cloth, baskets, and hides are found along with access to fire. Access to the Village is also dangerous and restricted to only a small group of trusted gatherers. All these resources are highly sought after and used in traditional medicines and construction within the den.

T 03

The natural formations found within the Plains of Neve and the prides surrounding territory both provide assistance and challenge to the pride from a day-to-day basis. The Den is positioned halfway up the mountain, something that keeps most threats away, especially from the cave, which only has one entrance point and is well hidden. The Den was chosen, primarily for its security, to keep the young, old, and sick safe and is responsible for a low infant mortality rate and a low rate of illness related deaths. Although the mountain provides security, the steep slopes can be a danger to young cubs, so the pride appoints nursers to watch the cubs when the pride is doing work. The River of Life also impacts the pride as it separates the pride from the Village and keeps the humans mostly away. It also supplies fresh water, food, and supplies; however, many lions are unable to cross the river unassisted, meaning the pride must stay mostly on their side of the river unless for a reason approved by Vice. The Forest is more of a danger, as the trees can hide large threats until too late and, for lions daring enough to go into the forest, the abundance of trees and uneven soil results in the threat of falling trees.

T 04

In the Plains of Neve, the climate fluctuates dramatically with the seasons. Summer typically brings a stream of water trickling down from the melted snow and ice from Heaven’s Peak. The pride had learnt to adapt their way of living to incorporate the seasonal stream, often using it to grow resources that would otherwise die in the summer, such as turmeric. Pride members frequent the Beach during summer when the heat becomes too unbearable for most. When Autumn comes around, all the leaves from the trees in the Forest fall, this results in a lack of cover in the forest. The lack of cover makes tree dwelling animals easy to spot, however, it makes the lions just as easy to spot. The pride had learnt to use fallen leaves as bedding material and typically cart baskets full of leaves back to the den. During winter, the fruit growing plants stop producing fruit and medicinal plants are harder to find. Many animals hibernate so food is scarce. Snow occasionally falls during winter and, as a result, snow fungus and snow flowers are increasingly common in areas other than Heaven’s Peak. Winter is harsh and many lions spend most of the season huddled amongst each other in the Den. In spring, the population of prey animal booms, making spring the season of hunting training for the cubs. Medicinal plants and fruits are also readily available, alongside the abundance of prey animals around.