{Minimum Requirement 150 Words or 1 flat fullbody drawing }
>>NOTE, All these prompts will be awnsered via Ar Ramlah, Aki and Onyesha's perspective<<<
C 01: What is the central value in your group? What do they prize above all else?
Ar Ramlah sits down, tail curled neatly around his front paws. His voice was calm, strong and confident with a strong hint of passion. "If you mean what we value above all else then my awnser whould be water" He takes a moment to pause before the sandy dune coloured male continues. "But if you mean by faith then my awnser whould be devotion. Just like the land is devoted to provide for its residents. Pride devotion, devotion to your Goddesses" He smiled slightly as he continued. "With devotion at the center of your awareness, you don't have to refer to your past in order to make a choice of how to respond or react in any given situation" His eyes seemed to be gazeing far away to a distant place. The smile still on his face as he bowed his head slightly. "My pride is my devotion, and i will do anything for them all"
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C 02: What sort of faith does your group have? Do they worship ancestors, gods, ect?
Ar Ramlah chuckled when a lioness shoved her way trough to stand next to him. His voice a low rumble as he spoke. "I believe my seer may awnser that question at best. Onyesha want to take the floor?" Onyesha smiled brightly and nodded gently and playfully shoveing him aside. "Thank you you're highness" she responded to which Ar Ramlah waved a paw. "Please no need for formalities i-" Onyesha shushed him and quickly chased him away. Once out of earshot she smiled brightly. "We do indeed worship! Namely our Goddesses, yet there has been a rumor that a new god had risen. Being the very son of nature herself! Most of our Goddesses symbolizes themselves with a mortal being or object. Safiyah Dione symbolizes herself as a giraffe. These creatures are considered sacred as she aided us to shape our landscape. I whould love to tell you more, but there is so mutch history behind our devine beings"
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C 03: What is the group's greatest strength, and greatest weakness (as a whole?)
Aki the pride warrior pressed his way trough the crowd. He bowed his head as his eyes flamed with great passion. "Pardon me my lady, but I shall take the liberty to awnser this question" He sat down as he spoke, voice clear and audible. "The Pride of the sacred sands greatest strength whould be our ability to adapt to new situations quite quickly. We are durable, our paws and legacy is imprinted within these sandy sea of endless dunes" He seemed to smile brightly. But upon hearing the second his ears pinned back, the light within his eyes dimming rather quickly. "Our greatest weakness...well we struggle with relations. Especially new allies since our landscape is quite hard to survive on, not to mention the difficulties to travel to our home. It's a harsh, unpredictable landscape and this often scares away new potential allies." His tail flicked as he shut hus eyes. "We are thankful for those who had chosen to side with us"
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C 04: How does the group respond to outsiders?
Ar Ramlah took the lead on this one as he bowed his head in thanks to Aki. "We are a curious bunch. Usually we'll respond quite curiously to newcomers. Especially since it isn't often that you find any other lions wandering the Bone Dry Emptiness. We're quite excited to meet new souls who wanders into our territory. However.." his eyes grew serious. "Please don't mistake our kindless and eagerness to meet outsiders as an sign of acceptance. As we have encountered those with ill intent before. And I do not take any threats kindly towards my family." He beared his teeth in a snarl. His claws sinking into the earth beneath. "This is why since that incident...we take the necessary productions. We are more cautious then we were before. Usually when we find someone we won't allow them futher into the territory once we know their intent. Unless of course they made an appointment."
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C 05: What is the group's 'Rite of passage' for their young to be considered capable/adults?
"The rite of passage..." began the beutiful brown and white patched lionness. Onyesha raised her head as she spoke. "Once a young cub reaches the start of adulthood it is my cue to take the young lion or lioness on the sacred route to the meeting place if our Goddesses. During the time on the devils stretch he or she will encounter various obstacles. Our route changes every single season with the Goddesses presenting new challenges then the season before" she used her claw to draw something in the sand. It looked like landmarks. "Each landmark along the sacred route presents a challenge. Unfortunately i can't share any information regarding those obstacles. But what i can share however is that they focus on both physical, emotional and spiritual aspects. They need to pass every one of the tasks to become a individual of the sands." She took a moment to breath when she continued again. "Once the godesses approve and they had received their blessing at the endless depths, are they to stay overnight within the desert. Burying themselves within the sands before they rise the next dawn as one with the landscape..."
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C 06: What is the group's biggest taboo?
Ar Ramlah once again took the reigns as he spoke. "Before i begin to explain what our biggest taboo is, im sure there are some not aware what it means. Namely social or religious custom prohibiting or restricting a particular practice or forbidding association with a particular person, place, or thing." He leaned back on his haunches. As his gaze shifted skywards, "We forbid hunting upon any creatures that resembles our Goddesses. Unsure of what i speak of?" He seemed to chuckle as he used his claw to draw in the sand, not the most prettiest art but at least its understandable. "Like our Goddess Safiyah Dione. She favors Giraffes. And thus we forbid hunting sutch creatures as this is an direct threat towards her." He blinked a few times when he went on. "This goes for Elephants, Kudu's and Bush bucks. Those who break this rule whould be punished"
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C 07: What is the group's tradition to prepare for battle? War paint? A battle dance? Roaring at the sun?
Aki grinned proudly as he rose to his paws. Eyes gleaming fiercely. "We often try not to engage in battle, we give our enemies a chance to flee. But if they bother us a second time we do not shy away from a fight!" He sat down as beraised his head with pride and continued. "Two days before the battle our chosen warriors are sent into the devils stretch. Where we pay tribute, by carveing our names into a large wale ribcage that litters the landscape. This is so that we can imprint our legacy within the landscape. After that we are to bury ourselves into the sand and spend the night burried. The next morning we rise as we roar our praises to the Goddesses. Asking them for their protection and their guidance trough the comeing battle. Before we leave we pay another small tribute in blood. By piercing our pawpads with sharp piece of bone, we allow a small droplet of blood to soak into the landscape. Mergeing ourselves fully with our legacy. The Pride of the sacred sands!"
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C 08: What events/holidays does the group celebrate?
Ar Ramlah smiled as he lead you trough the kingdom. Strideing into a large pyramid like structure, on the walls paintings of lions, fire, the sun moon and stars and what seemed like giraffes, Kudu's and other animals. The king's voice broke trough the silence as he paused in front of a single large painting. "We have many events and holidays we celebrate. The Dawn of the Subsiding Tide, this had recently become a new event. After Chiku was born from the sky, land and sea she rose to become a new deity. We celebrate this day remembering the defeat of the titan, and how Chiku was born to keep the peace. This day the whole pride gathers on the very cliff we once stood before we faced the titan. There we each bring three elements, water, a feather and a pawful of sand. I want to go into detail but alas we are quite secretive of our ways. We also celebrate Dusk of the fallen, for our lost loved ones. The Dance of the skies, where our passed ones come down to visit us. And the Ever Winding Vines, that is dedicated to family. The shareing of the gifts and so mutch more..."
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C 09: What is the greatest internal conflict within the group?
The king seemed ttroubled as he shut his eyes what seemed like pain. "The royal bloodline has always caused conflict within the pride. Especially under my two daughters, and im afraid that the situation is about to get more worse. With my son on the way. Im...torn at chosing an heir, as i always wanted a son. But my eldest daugter Inithia is by birth right the chosen one to accend the throne. Her sister...well she is the root of the problem. I...blame myself for causing sutch an upstir. But the word of the pride is far greater then my own, especially when it comes to their future, their future ruler...their future is my priority. And they know that, I want to provide them with a strong leader. A king or a queen. Inithia is kind hearted, but she isn't as strong as her sister. Her sister is well suited for dealing with conflict if she isn't the cause of it. I...still need to decide and im afraid that I have hit a wall. Im not sure as who to chose...Perhaps...no i do not know..."
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C 10: What is the groups relationship or view of magic/supernatural occurences?
Onyesha sat down as she began to explain. "Our views are different. We differ from time to time, as some are rather afraid of the unknown. But our king highly treasures those toutched by the Godesses , or who are rather Godesses or Gods themselves. Our culture is build on our religion and beliefs. As for our relationship..I have been conversing with a few of our ancestors and so far we are on good terms. However there was some talk about a deity who wishes to turn. Who they are im not certain, but I have my faith and my beliefs thus I trust in our deties." A voice intrupted as a sandy coloured female pushed past the water guide with a scowl. "The supernatural? I'll tell you what I think about them. They are nothing but liars and decievers-" "Kibibi please watch yo-"
"This whole pride is foolish trusting creatures we can't even see"
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C 11: What sort of tools has your group created to help them in their day to day lives?
The Pride of the Sacred Sands have created many tools to aid them in their daily routines. Useing pelts and wringing them out to created tight and sturdy ropes, useing them to move large objects like rocks and to aid in their construction by building large structures like piramids and homes. They also use pelts as bedding. Things like horns and hooves are used as weapons by the warriors of the pride. Wrapping them around their heads or body. Even something as deadly as snake venom and scorpion venom are used. Often makeing a mixture of both and covering their claws with it. This is however only used when necessary, as the pride lives according to a rule that the king had placed down for all to follow. 'Allow our enemies to flee, but if they bother us a second time then they will be destroyed' The pride also uses things like metal, gold and sometimes even diamond. Often useing this as a currency to trade with other prides and to develop stronger more durable weapons.
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C 12: Does the sun, moon, or stars have special meaning within your group?
The Sun symbolizes the supreme cosmic power – the life-force that enables all things to thrive and grow. In our culture the Sun represents life, energy, power, history and peace. The sun is undoubtedly a powerful symbol. It represents the brute force of nature that cannot be controlled by us. We can just adapt to it, but the sun will go its way and will have whatever effects on us it wants. We live underneath the sun everyday, in a desert and still the sun can decide if it wants to be mercyfull or not. Correspondingly, the Moon symbolizes death, birth and resurrection. Its feminine qualities bind it to Mother Goddess. That we still have to discover- The Waxing and waning, the moon is a sign of constant change. It symbolizes nature, its blind and driven forces, the passing and return of its seasons. The stars are our passed ancestors. They symbolize what is ment to come and we turn to them in our greatest need
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C 13: What is this group's class or rank system defined by? (Are they equal? Is it based on age, skill, hereditary?)
The pride's ranks are determined trough the royal bloodline. (This is only focused on the royals) But for the rest of the pride it is determined trough experience. The older one is the more experienced you are and the pride will not have to waste any time or energy on teaching one the ropes. The pride is taking the quote respect your elders seriously. As it can be seen as a huge mistake when you decide to talk back to one of your elders. (Or higher ups) Of course the Godesses and Gods can also play a major role in determining your rank within the pride. To keep the balance of power in check it is usually only the cubs of the current king that is set to rule after the King and Queen. However, if something was to happen to the rest of the family. It is usually the most trusted of the pride to be chosen to lead. (Mostly the right hand paw of the king, his personal gaurd or the water guide)
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C 14: What sort of leadership does this group have? Is it a single leader who's word is law, a council, a monarchy, a democracy, ect
The leadership...Ar Ramlah waved a paw as he spoke. "This pride consists of two prides, namely us and our sister pride that resides in the hidden wonder. Our pride the pride of the sacred sands...The King and Queen's words are law. We do of course take our citizens options on certain matters but what we say is final. Our sister pride consists of a council." He replied while looking off into a distance. Whiskers twitching before he resumed his sentence. "Lately we have been thinking of implementing a council, but as you can understand it is a long and difficult process, well not difficult...just rather strange to implement as you can understand" he explained his eyes seeming to grow distant almost sad in a way. "For the future of the kingdom it whould be vital to add a council...my son seems fit to lead but the eldest of my kin owns that right, while the second born...im feeling rather conflicted."
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C 15: Explain the law structure of your group, what are some of the rules in place?
Onyesha sat down as she raised her head. "We have a few...namely. You will show the upmost respect for your king and queen as well as their successors. As well as your elders, healer and the waterguide. It is seen as a grave mistake if this law is broken. Secondly you will not resort to violence, you may not lift your paw upon a citizen of the kingdom. Here we are all treated with the same respect as the rest. Thirdly water is sacred, and is not to be wasted as well as prey. Water is a life-force you may not spill but a ounce of blood into its sacred domain. It is considered as a act of defiance to the deties since they use the water to communicate with us. Fourth, respect prey and do not hunt the deities chosen form. Five, treat strangers with kindness but if they resort to acts of violence warn them once and chase them out, give your enemy a chance to live if they come back a second time then by the grace of the deities you may kill them as they are seen as a threat. Those are just some of the laws"
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C 16: What are the punishments for breaking 'laws'? How does the group determine guilt?
Depending on the law being broken punishments can range from being banished, stripped of your rank or even if the rule you have broken is severe enough...possibly death. But the King does not wish to deal out a death penalty to his subjects. Well maby his second born daughter...Though the king does favor the idea of essentially the idea of “an eye for an eye.” Those who favor retribution believe it gives the victims of crime, or society as a whole, a sense of satisfaction knowing a criminal received the appropriate level of punishment for the crime committed...But the king has a soft heart. The group determine guilt by finding out both sides of the story, usally trough asking said individuals or witnesses. And lastly by consulting with the Goddesses to assist in helping with determining guilt. The godesses always has a final say in the end of the story, even the king's words can not break the will of the Godesses.
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C 17: What is the greatest hardship that the group has faced and how do they regard it now?
"Because of us living in a desert landscape..." Ar Ramlah began. "The greatest hardship we faced was a drought, which dried up one of our many water holes. With the higher temperatures it also produced an increasing number of wildfires that altered our desert landscape by eliminating slow-growing trees and shrubs and replacing them with fast-growing grasses." He took a pause. "The rain didn't fell for months on end and we had to make due with what little water and prey we had at the time...along with that was the high temperatures in the desert that presented a threat to my pride.But the biggest threat was certainty the weather. Lack of water prevents a desert from supporting much plant and animal life, although some species thrive we had great difficulty with prey and water." He looked over the horizon his eyes distant. "But like the sands we rose and learned...Watching the weather closely and preparing ourselves for the comeing season"
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C 18: Are there any symbols within the pride/animals/plants/ect that are given special meaning or reverence?
"Most of our prized simbols has to do with our Goddesses and Gods. The great majestic Kudu are highly spiritual and offer guidance whenever we are feeling low or when a block in spiritually is around us. They provide strength and because they are prey to so many of Africa’s greats they offer energy and power to those who feel it may be evading them. The kudu also teaches us that we should be persistent and never give up on our dreams or goals. They represent war as they swing around their horns around very quickly. When this animal is shown to you we may have to be ready for war of some sorts in our lives...." He took a pause before he continued. " The Giraffe symbolism is linked to the balance between the head and the heart. It is also a symbolic representation of spiritual and worldly matters. Giraffes are thus considered spiritual or divine messengers. Giraffe in dreams are generally good omens of good luck and fortune."
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C 19: How is mateship within your group? (Reminder to keep cs appropriate) Is formal bonding/marriage a thing, or is it an agreement between two individuals?
Onyesha took the lead on this as she sat down with a soft smile of warmth. "In the pride the joining of two individuals is a very treasured and celebrated occasion. We consider it to be formal...no we don't consider it to be formal, it is formal!" She placed her paw into the soft sands beneath. "When two lions agree to accept one and another as mates they must meet at the highest point of the valley during the riseing sun. There they will say their vows to eachother while they look into the ancestors eyes. Namely the sun, moon and stars faintly visible in the sharp morning light. After that they will depart and stand in front of the pride, each grabbing a pawful of sand and lightly throwing it over eachother to mark themselves as one with the pride, as one with eachother and as one with our Goddesses and our gods. Marriage is a thing witin the pride and is highly treasured. It...is ment to last for an eternity even after we leave this place. Our essence, the bonded's essence still remains imprinted witin the sands."
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C 20: Is there a stigma for failed 'mateships'/divorces? Is it something that happens commonly? Why or why not?
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C 21: How diverse is the group in their ideals? Do they typically agree on most things or do they often have conflicts of interest?
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C 22: As a whole, what is the trait about the group that will stand out most in a first encounter and why? Are they friendly, stern, careful?
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C 23: How does the group determine an individual's role in the society? Are they given it? Can it change? Can they choose?
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C 24: How are the kits/cubs within this group handled? Are they raised by the group as a whole, a dedicated sitter, by their mother only, by both parents?
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C 25: What customs does this group have when a member of their group has passed away?
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C 26: How is hierarchy of eating determined? Does the leader eat first, and others get what's left? Do they feed the weak first?
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C 27: What is the most common form of greeting among members of the group? How does it vary between individual or situations?
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C 28: What individuals within the group are considered abnormal/social outcasts? Does the group allow it, or try and change their rebellious/unusual behavior?
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C 29: What roles within the group are looked down on?
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C 30: What roles within the group are treasured?
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**BONUS** 1-30 prompt set completion:
Award: +2 additional bronze feathers after completing C1-C30 (all prompts)
*Can be claimed once per set completed.
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