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Darkseeker
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Life of the Pride
Now Accepting
It's well known that life for Lion Pride's is not a simple walk in the park. For the Xhumo pride that has proved to be no different. Compared to other prides they are a relatively newer one, only having formed in the past year. They aren't a large pride, put they've proven themselves by carving out a life for themselves in a territory that, at first, wasn't very hospitable.
Now, as a year has passed after forming, the pride is coming up on it's first season for cubs, and it's hopeful that the pride will have new mouths to feed in the coming months. However, as these occurs tensions are bound to run high as it's hierarchy begins to full cement within the males and females.
Of course, tension within isn't the only difficulty the pride will have to over come. Rogue males are a threat to any pride, especially one that is going to have young cubs soon, as well as hyenas and other predators are going to take risks to try and prevent the pride from suceeding further.
Their only hope to survive this next year is to continue to build their bonds and work together as a cohesive pride. However, the greatest challenges are still ahead of them, and the future of the pride is unknown.
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This is meant to be a Lion Pride Rp with a Similar Plot that is frought with drama. So don't be fooled by it's simplicity and assume it'll be a stale and boring one. |
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Darkseeker
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The Roleplay Rules
Follow all of Eve's and WP's Rules
1. Please be Active. A Couple of Posts a Week are all I'm expecting from you, but that does mean if I haven't gotten a Post from you in 4+ days I will remove your character. Please be Active in Rp and Discussion.
2. This is a Semi-Literate Rp at Minimum, and will need to be shown in Sign Ups and Rp.
3. Right now lets keep it two 2 Characters per Person, and they cannot be of the same role. This might increase later. I will not include unborn cubs in this count.
4. There are no Orphaned Cubs in the Rp. None have been born in the Pride yet, and they wouldn't take on Orphaned Cubs that aren't theirs.
5. No Godmodding, Pefect Characters, Powerplaying, etc. Also, don't have your character be "That Guy". You know the one.
6. Semi-Realism Appearances Required. I'm okay with Natural Colors like Red, Tan, Grey, Brown, etc. But no Neon or more Unnatural Markings. No Hybrids. And I will Limit Mutations like Albino and Melanistic.
7. Stock Images and Artwork is allowed to be Used, as long as WP's Rules are Followed. Stock has to be F2U and from DA though for my own Sanity though.
8. This is a Limited Spot Rp. So if you don't finish your reservation in 48 Hours the Role will be Opened, and Someone Else could take it.
9. Again this is a Semi-Realistic, hinging closer to Realistic, Rp. So lone lionesses aren't going to be able to beat a full grown male in a fight, nor can they take down things like water buffalo on their own, since most prides struggle to take them down together.
10. In terms of fighting, Your Characters Cannot Dodge Every Hit but Make Every Hit when Fighting. If I notice it Happening, I will Choose the Outcome of the Fight Myself, and it Likely Won't be in Your Favor.
11. Have fun!
The Pride Rules
1. Any Relations with Outsiders is Forbidden. Cubs fathered by a Rogue male could be killed or abandoned.
2. If any Nonpride Lions or Lionesses are seen, they must be reported to the Dominant Males repeatedly.
3. Pride Cubs, when we have them, are to be protected at all costs.
4. Unsanctioned hunts are not allowed, it could promote overhunting and mess up bigger hunts for later.
5. Right Now Dominant Males Eat First, however, when Females become Pregnant or are Nursing and they're are cubs that could change. |
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Darkseeker
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The Available Roles
The Xhumo Pride
Dominant Males
1. Taranaki | 5 Yrs | Spellbound | Pg. 2
2. Azfar | 6 Yrs | Tenebris Umbra | Pg. 3
Pride Lionesses
1. Palesa | 4 Yrs | Imperial Sands | Pg. 1
2. Katya | 2 Yrs | Terebinth Wolves | Pg. 4
3. Nkazimulo | 5.5 Yrs | Spellbound | Pg. 3 4. Kanata | 4.5 Yrs | Crystal Jewel | Pg. 2
5. Tala | 4 Yrs | Fruit Lovers | Pg. 7
Unborn Cubs:
Cannot be your only character.
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Nonpride Roles
Rogue Males
1. Mandlenkosi | 7 Years | Imperial Sands | Pg. 7
2. Koen | 6 Yrs | Polly | Pg. 4
3.
Lone Lionesses
1. Katenka | 13 Years | Polly | Pg. 6
2. Viyan | 7 Yrs | Polly | Pg. 7
3. Reserved for Tene
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Darkseeker
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The Territory Credit Belongs to Me. I don't know why you would want to, but do not use.This is a very rough drawing of their territory as it currently stands. It's not 100% accurate and does extend just a bit further in the east than what it's showing here. Their territory is a bit smaller than your average pride's, however, there is room for it to grow and it likely will over the next year. The image is more so a representation of what their territory looks like during the Dry Season, which is April to October. It does change greatly from the Rains in November through March.
During the Dry season much of the territory is covered in dry crash the normal straw tan color. During the rains, though, this tall grass grows to a vibrant and lively green, turning the tan wasteland into a sprawl of different greens. There is more trees, not quite forested like one would imagine a Woods or Coniferous forest, but there are trees spread across the Southern half of the territory, before giving way a bit again near the end of it. It's in this southern area that the Marshland is created when heavy rains overflow the river. Every year this area floods, but is has grown accustomed to it, and the wildlife knows what to expect from it. Even the ground seems to have adapted to turning into a Marsh every year. During the Dry Months though that water and green slowly leave the earth, returning it back to it's normal state several weeks into the dry season.
The Western border of the territory follows the line of a winding river, it's surface looking far more tranquil than the turmoil beneath. In the Southern half, the river is wider, slower, and calmer, easily overflowing to fill the Marshland. However, to the north it's slightly narrower [not enough to cross in a single leap] but deeper, flowing much faster and more dangerous for other animals than Crocodiles or Hippos. This is the area that becomes more dangerous when flooding. The ground along the bank becomes water logged and fragile, threatening to breakdown and unleash a tide of water across water parched ground that wouldn't be able to handle the influx of moisture. It's not common for the Northern Portion to flood, but when it does it cause chaos and destruction, often wasting that part of the territory for weeks on end.
At the northern border of the territorythe river curves to the east, before flowing away from the territory. The Pride's territory extends past the river a little bit to the North, but not very much, and there's truly no real reason to go beyond the river often. However, the rest of the Northern Portion is often visited by the pride, as it's easily traveled considering the short distance from their "Pride Rock".
There are three water sources accessible to the pride. The first is the Boteti River, which is the river that flows as the Western Border, flowing South to North in direction. It's waters are dangerous most of the time either due to predators or strong currents. The best place to cross and drink are in the Southern portion where it's a bit slower and shallower. The water of the Boteti is often a clay color due to the silt and bottom layer of the river that is constantly being churned. However, in the slower areas, you can see the true blue-green color easier.
Aside from the River, there are two watering holes that vary greatly in size. The largest, which resides in the South Eastern corner of their territory is large, not quite large enough to be a lake, but close. This is one that is commonly used by other animals, so they do have to use some caution when traveling to it. There's generally an unspoken agreement of nonaggression between the animals at the watering hole, as there aren't always a lot of options for others. It's still not encouraged to just march up to an Elephant and hope it won't crush you though. Because it will. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
The second watering hole is in the more Northern part of the territory, and is more common for the pride to use, as it's closest to their Pride's Camp, or Pride Rock, whatever you want to call it. Since it's smaller and so close, they are much more likely to defend and hoard it to themselves, preferring to drive off other animals, at least predators from drinking from it. However, during the dry season they aren't as aggressive so long as the creature wanting to drink shows none to begin with. This watering hole is a little bigger than a pond but not as big as your average swimming pool.
The Pride Camp
Aka Their "Pride Rock"
While most lion prides do not have a den or a lair they return to every day, the Xhumo pride does things a little differently. They have a rock formation in the more Central [though slightly North Eastern] portion of their territory that they call their home. It's a combination of boulders, trees, bushes, and soft dirt, making it the perfect place for them to stay.
There are several boulders that have naturally stacked upon each other in a way to provide shelter for the pride. They create kind of an resembles a backwards "e" [specifically lowercase]. Several large boulders stacked and leaned against each other in the top of the "e", creating a cave like area that has been eroded and better hollowed out by the elements. It's not supre large but big enough to provide shelter for the entire pride and then some if need be. The floor of this cave like lair is soft, loose dirt, meaning it's quite comfortable for them to lay on, but can be a bit dusty at times. There is a path that leads from the entrance of the cave, following the curve of the boulders as they for the tail of the "e".
While the rock formation is large, it's easily traversed by the lions, able to climb, walk, and hop up it to reach the best basking spots they want. There are also trees around the formation, primarily the backside of it, which provide shade but also fun for the cubs. Several bushes also can be seen around the boulders, grass finding it's way to grow up the creases between them. It's a perfect place for the pride to raise cubs and rest when they want. Easily one of the selling points of the terrtiory. |
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Darkseeker
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The Start
You HAVE to Read This.
It is the dawn of yet another day, the golden rays of the sun painting the lands in a swath of warm light. Faint moisture lingers in the air as the effect of the mild showers that had watered the lands a few days before, but also as the promise of the rumbling storm in the distance that truly marks the beginning of the rains.
It's the Beginning of November in Botswanna, and the territory of the Xhumo pride is about to swell not only with water but with prey as well. Their dry season has since come to an end, the river filling, promising to swell above it's threshold and turn the Southern portion of the territory into a marshland as it does every year.
These rains bring the whisper of new life, as it's the time of year that Lionesses conceive their cubs so that they're born at the beginning of the dry season when they don't need to feed on meat. The innerworkings of the pride, it's hierarchy, is still a work in progress. The dominant male still needs to be decided, as well as how the pride wants to do it's hierarchy and if they want more than just the two high ranks of Dominant Male and Female [Queen]. Nothing is set in stone, but if the future of the Xhumo pride is entirely uncertain for now.
That can wait for now, as the day has just begun. The night before was a busy one, giving way to a day that is bound to be just as full. As mentioned there were mild showers a few days prior, but the first true storm of the season is on the horizon. Thick dark clouds rumble as they roll closer, bringing the hope of life with them, while the promise of danger dances within. It'll be there within 24 hours, as it is moving at a steady pace, and is sure to be a storm that pours down fast and hard, often the type to cause more damage than others.
Along with the threat of the storm, another danger has crossed into their territory. During the night the sounds of frenzied hyenas in the midst of feeding could be heard. This is a known clan, one that has little respect for the Xhumo Pride, their territory, or their scent marks at their borders. They do not care that they've trespassed, fore they are a large clan and few have the strength to challenge them. If you have read everything, include a bird in one of the first two paragraphs of your starter post. You only have to do this with one character if you have multiple. However, due to their kill being on the Pride's territory, it's known that they will likely be active during the day, rummaging aroud and, just overall, being a nuisance to the pride.
These are things that pride will have to consider when preparing and executing their plans. One misstep, one wrong move or decision, could spell disaster for the Xhumo Pride. However, this is just another day of their life, it shouldn't be different than any other. Right? |
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Darkseeker
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This is now Open!
Please read everything. |
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Darkseeker
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Palesa
Xhumo Pride | 4 Yrs | Lioness | Mentions: Open
Rays of warm, golden light clung to the cool surface of the surrounding rocks as it trailed down slowly into the cave below. Ribbons of light danced upon the ground, vibrant scenes playing across the tawny figures of the lions around them. It seemed like the light was trying to seduce the shadows into submission, willing them to crawl back to where the had come from the night before.
Light eyes of a muted blue time peeled open as light cast across her features, refusing to allow her to sleep any longer than she had. There was a milky fatigue to the otherwise clear eyes as the pale lioness glanced about, slowly coming to as her sleep left her. One ear flicked, followed by the second, before her nose scrunched up and her jaws parted in a yawn, tongue curling against the roof of her mouth as a soft growl vibrated in her throat. It wasn't a sound loud enough to disturb any of the others, but moreso the sound that always came with yawns.
As her jaws closed from the yawn, the youthful lioness rose to her feet, glancing at the entrance of the cave from where she had been laying near the back. She had preferred the spot the night before, but now that meant she had to carefully pick her way through the bodies strewn out around her.
Grimacing to herself she slowly began to pick her way through, careful to not stop on any limbs, tails, or ears. It wasn't a super slow process, it's not like they wouldn't forgive her if she literally stepped on her, but it could cause the rousing of everyone and she did not want to be the one who woke everyone up. No no, she would not have that.
After several excruciating minutes, Palesa reached the entrance and trotted out, the warmth of the sun welcome as it began to rise above the horizon. She flicked her tail as she turned and jumped up to the top boulder that acted as the main basking rock for the pride. It was large enough for all of them to fit on it if they wanted, and already she could feel it warming beneath her paws as she walked on it before laying down. She could also see the thick dark clouds comes from the West, a great contrast to the bright sun that rose from the East. Palesa couldn't help but wonder which of the two would end up directly above them first, though she figured, and hoped, it would be the sun. |
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Darkseeker
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Katenka Lone Lioness | 13 Years Old | Mentions: Mandlenkosi [Ind]. The elder could have sworn her bones had grown mouths and the ability to complain, some whispering small, meaningless messages into her mind, others shouting in their pain. Her joints were no better, lamenting, screaming at her movements as if she were murdering them in their sleep. A bird overhead screeched, long wings effortlessly moving, mocking her in her agony, and she pushed onward. If she were not in the position she was in, she would be kinder to her aged body. As it was, Katenka hadn't slept a full night in two weeks and had dried blood coating much of her body. The young Queen that had beaten her, although sound in her reasoning, had forced the elder out of the pride before her gashes had even stopped bleeding. As such, her vigorous movements had slowed the healing process, taking more days then it should have for her scrapes to become pink and angry rather than red and raw, for her slashes to scab, itch and pull on her skin with her movements, or for her deeper wounds to even begin forming scabs. There were still days where she reopened some of them, where scabs cracked and tore away, where flesh that had loosely knitted together ripped open, where fresh blood covered dried blood with red rather than brown, where she staggered in her steps, where it was only her stubborn behavior that kept her marching on. She would die, but she would not lay down and rot away, no. Katenka would go out trying to survive, or with her teeth in the throat of whatever animal came across her. She ran her tongue over her teeth, worn down, cracked and broken with age, barely enough to kill prey, but enough for her to be determined to do some damage to whatever saw her as an easy meal. Late the previous night, just before she had settled down to try and lick her wounds and sparsely nap, she had spotted water in the distance. Her parched throat had begged her to drink, but Katenka knew better than to trust the dark, not with the crazed laughing of the hyenas in the distance, or the smell of nearby lion territory in her nose. Now, though, her throat felt like sand and she no longer cared if she was tresspassing or what anyone thought of her. She was wounded, tired, and thirsty, she would get a damn drink. That didn't mean her trajectory didn't change slightly when she saw a male in the distance, large in stature and fending off hyenas from a kill, presumably their own. Moving to the opposite side of the watering hole from him, it meant she had to be quick, unless her fate be to fall to the powerful, cruel jaws of a hyena clan. She'd, truly, rather drown herself. |
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Lightbringer
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Katya Pride Lioness | 2y | M: Palesa, open . The bright morning sun poured onto Katya's face, making her groan slightly. She usually slept outside, but now that it was the start of rain season she had chose to sleep inside. She didn't want to get rained on in her sleep afterall. Katya slowly opened her eyes before rising into a laying position. She let out a huge yawn, showing off her sharp teeth and strong jaws. A couple seconds later her teeth clasped together as she drew her mouth closed. She was near the entrance, so she was the first to notice Palesa making her way out into the morning sunlight that had so rudely woken Katya up. She nodded at Palesa as she walked by before turning her attention to the sleeping pride. No one else seemed to be worth paying attention to so Katya rose to her paws. She stretched, showing off her muscular body before gathering herself into a standing position. With one last glance at her pridemates she made her way outside. It only took a couple powerful steps before she was outside in the dancing rays of sun. Katya looked fondly at the waking Botswana and the sun lit land. This was her territory and pride, and she intended to protect it. . After a minute or two of admiring the same scenery she had looked upon for a whole month now, she jumped ontop of their very own pride rock where Palesa was laying. Just as her huge paws hit the rock a noisy Hadeda Ibis flew above them. "Goodmorning Palesa. Hope you slept well." Katya greeted her fellow lioness with a small, friendly smile. Katya then jumped onto the highest part of the rocks. She loved being able to watch everyone and everything from her favorite spot. That's what made it her favorite, that and because in her opinion, it was the most comfortable spot. As her stomach brushed against the warm rock she barely noticed the storm brewing in the West. But when she did, she wasn't very worried. It was the true start of the wet season, so what? A storm is a storm, and it's not like they didn't have shelter. Sure the marsland would return, but it didn't seem to bad. Katya wasn't even sure if the storm would reach them or not. After a while of watching the storm clouds without a worry, she yawned again, obviously calm. . It was amazing feeling to have the sun warm your fur, especially when you were relaxing ontop a rock. She liked it so much it was part of her every morning. She would wake up slightly early, rest in the sun for a bit while the pride slowly woke up, and then attend to anything that she needed to do. Katya sighed, laying her big head on her equally big paws before closing her eyes. She knew she had just got up, and yet she was about to fall asleep again, but there was really nothing to do right now except watch others. Sadly there wasn't alot of activity going on so napping was the best option. Well, maybe she could've groomed herself, but she didn't feel like doing that this particular morning. Dont get me wrong though, she did some mornings, but only when she felt like it. For a pure hearted lioness, Katya could be picky about how she spent her time. If she would heard anything, she would open her eyes to see who or what was making the noise. Throughout the morning Katya just relaxed in the sunlight while watching her pride wake up. |
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Darkseeker
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Mandlenkosi
Nonpride Lion | 7 Yrs | Nomadic Male | Mentions: Open
How had he gotten here?
The sound of nightmares called out lowly to him from either side, his head swaying to and fro as he kept his eyes on the scavenging menaces circling him. A sharp cackle to his right followed by a low whooping to his left caused the male to growl, his teeth baring as he hunched his shoulders, preparing to lunge at them. This wasn't an ideal situation, even for him, but he hadn't been expecting the hyenas to return so quickly, nor did he expect them to be so brazen.
He had heard them feeding all through the night, their laughing brigade in a frenzy as they tore whatever poor animal that had been caught by them to pieces. He knew it was a larger clan, he had seen them on one of the previous days. He knew they would come back at some point to strip it clean. He knew that a large clan of hyenas, if there were enough of them, might not be intimidated by him. Hyenas always played the numbers game, and they played it well.
He had moved in on their kill a little bit ago, not having realized they had been lounging about nearby, intending to defend it from other predators, though most likely the pride that lived nearby. The male had been able to get a bite or two before he noticed a group of cackling dogs ambling towards him, ghoulish smiles stretching their mouths ferally, a devious gleam in their eyes. Now they circled him like sharks when there was blood in the water, their grins malicious as they danced around, waiting for weakness to try and nip at him.
“Little pig, little pig,” he murmured, claws sliding from their sheathes and sinking into the soft dirt beneath him. His tail flicked in agitation as he observed the hyenas who were watching him. Their lack of advances were a test of his nerves, to see if they could rattle him, like the wolf trying to intimidate those little piggies into opening their doors and letting it in. He was not that pig though.
Growling as he locked eyes with a large female, her brutish appearance and the scars on her hide led him to believe she was of some high importance to them. He couldn’t be sure, but he had a general understanding how they functioned in their clans. Letting out a low snarl, glancing at others he lurched forward, raking his claws at her, knowing full well he would miss as she darted away from him. Just like how he knew the moment he moved towards her the female to his right would lunch for his flank. Reeling around quickly he caught the female just as her teeth neared his skin and slammed his shoulder into her, effectively causing her to stumble into the ground and roll away. A sharp yelping bark broke through the chorus of cackling as the hyena scrambled away, making room for the next wave to dive at him. Only, he didn’t wait for them to run at him, instead turned the tide, and effectively used their momentum against them so they could dash out of his way. He slapped one hyena in the face, claws raking through flesh to send it careening to the side. He followed it closely, diving on it afterwards and sinking his jaws into the meat near its spine and lifting to shake the beast aggressively.
The loud shrieking grew into a panicked frenzy as he reared back, his front paws lifting off the ground a few inches as he slung the creature back and over his shoulder. He let go at the last moment, sending the hyena bowling into some of her clan mates before using his momentum to dive at another pair. He pinned one beneath one paw, claws sinking into it’s chest as he rolled it onto its back holding there. For the second one he sent careening backwards and away from him. Deep snarls vibrated in his chest as he slung the pinned hyena across the ground and swiped at another large female. He could her square across the face, blood splattering across the ground as the force of the blow forced her to the ground. Squealing in agony from her maimed face, she didn’t see the teeth coming that clamped around the side of her head and bit down with enough force to crack her skull.
Hearing the cries of pain from their clan mate the hyenas hesitated for a few seconds before focusing an assault head on to try and force him to let go. He obliged, dropping her to the ground and bounded to the side before wheeling on them and chasing them away from him and the kill.
He had just caught a smaller male in his claws when the scarred female from the beginning cackled and whooped. He watched as the rest retreated, the male beneath his claws flailing in desperation to join them. He sheathed his claws, allowing it to scramble to its feet and race for them. Kosi gave them one last mock charge to send them running towards the South, a bloodied and battered hyena trailing after them at a much slower pace than the rest. He doubted she would make it much longer that day.
Snorting he limped over to the kill he had won and laid down at it to feed. He wasn’t sure how he had gotten there, but Mandlenkosi had earned this kill from them, and he intended to enjoy what was left of it. |
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Fall 
Night 
Hurricane Moon: 
