[OOC] Pride Information

[Ctrl F Greenie]

Please do not post here, this is for reference materials only.

 

[Ctrl F Greenie]

Gods & Religion

Young sons and daughters of the storm are raised with the appreciation of Stormlords or "Gods". The primary focus are the Stormlords that most benefit them. Often times these are the idols that would serve them best - an example of this would be God of War (Baneful). For the most part the priestesses are the members that invest the most into the belief of Stormlords. They will often be found using the phrase "it's simply the way the Stormlords willed it to be." The following actions are likely as religious as the Stormborn may become:

• Complete a sacrifice for one of the gods that best benefits the members. Likely to do with the tasks at "hand" such as a War, Raiding, or more.
  
• Battle cries are not uncommon, fueling the viking band with the energies of the Stormlords they call for.

Recognized Stormlords

The gods listed below are most recognized and revered by the Stormborn. They will be the go to divinities for sacrifice and battle cries. All domains have received approval for the purposes of this pride.

God of War (owned by Baneful) - permission obtained
God of Warriors (owned by Krysin) - permission obtained
God of Thunder (owned by wooga paes) - permission obtained
God of Raids (owned by KasaiLoki) - permission obtained
Goddess of Conquest (owned by Remove) - permission obtained
Goddess of Lightning (owned by DragonsRage24) - permission obtained
Goddess of Strife (owned by *Greenie) - permission obtained

Other Gods

The Stormborn are not ignorant to other gods, they exist. However, in the eyes of the Stormborn these other divinities are seen as weak or inferior. Of course not all are useless to the pride and so they may be treated with a touch more intrigue, even to go as far as respect. As a side note the Stormborn do like their little good luck talismans, and most believe in curses and ghosts.  

[Ctrl F Greenie]

Death

An honorable death brings about a polished end to the life of a proud Stormborn. Though in most societies the death of a loved one is mourned the Stormborn do not view this as a time to mourn, but instead a time to celebrate. Scenarios in which an honorable death may be considered (the rank does not matter):

• Battle
  
• Battle
  
• Battle

You will notice that there isn't much room for other opportunities of an honorable death and that is because what the Stormborn value most is strength. The goal for all is to die memorably in a glorious battle, anything less would be demeaning and thus would not earn a place among the ranks of those who fought strongly in the memories of those who survive them. The only other option that some may partake in... is to throw themselves from atop the cliff and into the crashing waters below.

A lion who dies well hopes to live on eternally in the halls of the Stormlords among their ancestors and the glorious dead.  

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Marriage

Detailed information on marriage can be found here.

Marriage is a lovely institution practiced for a variety of reasons, one of which is even love. A husband and wife share a social status, and so if one dies, the other is legally allowed to take their place. Other reasons to marry may be more political, and can relate to ending blood feuds between families or cementing alliances, or simply showing respect to the family of the new in-laws.

It is very important to note that nobody can be forced to marry against their will, and either half of a marriage may demand a divorce for any reason, although the most common reason tends to be a desire to leave an abusive or unfaithful spouse. A couple that has been joined in marriage by a priestess and lawspeaker (both are present at any pride marriage) must seek a divorce from a priestess and lawspeaker as well. These outside parties may offer advice or seek to mediate problems between the couple, but ultimately they cannot refuse to perform a divorce.

It is permissible for a lion to have more than one female, but only the first wife is actually called a wife. The others are called Saltwives or älskarinna (pl. älskarinnor), and they are granted none of the male's legal standing. Also the cubs will no longer be considered legitimate, unlike the wife's cubs. Generally a married couple is expected to remain faithful to one another, but when one or the other is away viking, it does not surprise anyone when infidelity occurs. No child is a b*****d if the mother is a wife.  

[Ctrl F Greenie]

Breeding

Detailed information on breeding can be found here.

Breeding is typically always open provided your members list is up to date (this will be verified as part of the breeding app approval process). In the case of both parents being Stormborn than I will expect to see both parents added properly to the members lists respectively. If they are not then the breeding will not be approved. If only one of the parents is a Stormborn, then I will only check the one and then the others is fine as is.

The below can participate in events where rogues may be involved.

• Warlord - The Warlord has the privilege of breeding as he likes. Though he may take a wife it is possible that, like many of the others, he encounters a lioness that intrigues him. The cubs from breedings outside of his wife will not be considered legitimate.
  
  
• Captains/Reavers and Valkyries/Shield-Maiden - Presently all four of these ranks leave the pride with more than enough time to conceive cubs. More commonly the males with leave a trail of cubs behind while the females tend not too. The females worked hard to prove themselves worthy to leave the pride, why would they let themselves become encumbered with cubs? Let Zjarri'fol be an example to those that consider this an option.

The below cannot participate in events where rogues may be involved. However if the parent is an NPC (not a rogue owned character) then they may participate. An example of this is when a female rogue breeds, the father would be assumed to be an NPC Stormborn male.

• High Priestess and Priestesses - These ranks do not leave the pride and therefore would not participate in rogue breeding of any kind.
  
  
• First Speaker and Lawspeakers - These ranks do not leave the pride and therefore would not participate in rogue breeding of any kind.
  
  
• Freeborn - This rank does not leave the pride and therefore would not participate in rogue breeding of any kind.
  
  
• Thralls - This rank does not leave the pride and therefore would not participate in rogue breeding of any kind.

 

[Ctrl F Greenie]

Gender Roles

Males and females within the pride serve separate purposes. While males are deemed fit to leave the pride at the ripe adolescent age, a female is expected to take up a simpler role. Both are seen as equally vital to the constant motion of the prides structure and so even if OOCly you believe that the roles are no longer even, I assure you they are.

The Men Folk

Males are expected to leave the pride, going a-viking, and return home with plenty of spoils. They should be scavenging, getting into violent situations (and winning), all while keeping in mind about the wife they leave at home. The purposes of going a-viking is to become stronger, gain better status, and of course, to simply enjoy what you've taken. The world is your oyster and you better be supporting that wife (and essentially your pride). For those males not interested in fighting... politics might be more to your style (you necessary wimp).

The Women Folk

Females make up the wives (including thrall management), farmers, bards, and healers. They can strive to become a priestess should their heart desires, but ultimately the females primary role is motherhood. The next generation, and growth, depends upon the females ability to reproduce, care for, and train the cubs that will one day take on being Reavers, Captains, Warlords, or mother of their own. There are few that cannot settle into the simpler roles (as dubbed by the men folk) and tend to seek out fighting their way into more aggressive roles - Shield-Maidens, and eventually, Valkyries.

Typically speaking males who tend to not seek out opportunities as a Reaver (or higher) are seen as the butt of jokes. Even if they look to becoming a Lawspeaker they are seen as weaker, but still valued for their knowledge.  

[Ctrl F Greenie]

Homosexuality

This is a pride of fierce fighting lions. Everyone wants to be on top, as it were. The prevailing attitude is that of derision toward lions and lionesses who are same-sex oriented, but this can turn to violent derision if the lion in question is not well-liked. If a lion is homosexual, it is safest to pretend otherwise, or else be very, very discreet. If a lion is discovered to be homosexual, he or she will not actually be driven from the pride, but their quality of life will almost certainly decrease. So if you want to put a homosexual lion in for plot purposes, go ahead, but know there may be IC difficulties ranging from mockery to beatings. That said, a male lion buggering another male just to show dominance is considered the height of manliness. The lion in the submissive position in that situation may as well castrate himself, because no one will ever take him seriously again.  

[Ctrl F Greenie]

Non-Lions

Non-lions are lesser beings, incapable of the sort of courage inherent in those of the leonine persuasion. They are fit only to be Thralls, even if they are born into the pride, because to be Freeborn is also to be Stormborn, and they cannot be that. However, those with useful skills may still come to be appreciated for that skill set. As far as familiars go, the official stance is that they're fine, as long as they don't make nuisances of themselves. Individuals will likely have their own opinions about familiars.  

[Ctrl F Greenie]

Expressions

"Animals die, friends die, and I shall die, but one thing never dies, and that is the reputation we leave behind at our death."
An attitude toward death and fame.

"Do not die in bed."
An exhortation to live a warrior's life and die a warrior's death. It's also a means of saying farewell at the end of a conversation.

"Flowers in the blood"
An insult to a person's bravery. It's like calling them a coward. A common variation on this is "flower-blooded."

"Ghostborn"
A cub that was found within the pride's borders but can claim no parents at all. Legend says that these cubs are left for the pride by the ghosts in the forest in exchange for the weak or sickly cubs left to die from exposure.

"He did not flee battle."
An epitaph of praise.

"I have no enemies."
A lament indicating that a lion is at loose ends and seriously bored.

"Iron in the blood"
A compliment or means of expressing approval for bravery.

"It is a good day to die."
The equivalent of saying what a nice day it is, only it applies to any sort of weather.

"Outlander"
Anyone who wasn't born to Stormborn parents. Not necessarily an unflattering term.

"Someday I will kill you."
"Not today."
A standard greeting and response. There is not usually an immediate threat implied here.

"Stormlords!"
An exclamation of surprise, frustration, excitement, whatever. It's a good catchall phrase kind of akin to "Geez!" You might see some elaborations like "Stormlords' balls!" which is almost certainly not a joyous exclamation.

"Vikingborn"
A lion who was conceived while one of the parents was out viking. It's kind of a euphemism for b*****d, and may be applied to any Stormborn who can't name both of their parents. (If you're being insulting, though, you can just call someone bastardborn).

"We do not sow."
Sort of a motto. The Stormborn take pride in the fact that what they have, they have largely taken from others. Stormborn don't like to be reminded that while they may not sow, they do herd (or, rather, their thralls do).