Info

[Kieran]

* * * * *

THE PLOT / SETTING

GEOGRAPHY & CLIMATE

RELIGION & SOCIATY

THE ROYAL GUARD

[Kieran]

BASIC

• Admin: Kieran
  
• A Lion King AU RPG based on only the 1994 movie.
  Any expansion to the lore, characters, and story is our own fan visions.
  
• Rating: 15+ / 3-2-2 (Language-Sex-Violence)
  Minimum age to join: 15 years
  
  
• Timeline: November 15th 1994 forward.
  
• Fluid time flow. No seasonal flow at all.
  
  
• Characters: Almost any species native to an African savanna are playable.
  In example; lion, hyena, leopard, cheetah, meerkat, tortoise, crocodile, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, hippp, rhinosaurus, bush elephant, many kinds of birds, many kinds of monkeys, honeybadger, wild dog, mouse, and so on. Some species that are not playable are mentioned in the Society section. Also, hybrids are not allowed. If there's inter-species attraction they can only adopt cubs.
  
• Humans don't exist in this universe.
  
  
• Physics: Real life physics apply for the most part. Only a little cartoon physics.
  - For one, a lot of the more unrealistic bits that happen during the I Just Cant Wait To Be King song absolutely did not and cannot happen in this rp. And one can't get up from hanging on to a ledge if they don't have anywhere to firmly perch their hind legs.
  - But they are able to use their limbs as arms/hands. Some more than others; felines a lot, canines notably less, birds even less, and tortoises, crocodiles, hippos and such by far the least. Apes are the only ones who can use them to the degree humans would. All playable species can emote with their faces and shed tears.
  Examples of what felines can do: here and here. (Their mouths aren't that strecthy, but basically that's possible.)
  

PLOT/SETTING

The Royal Guard in question is not the one from the tv series.
That tv show does not apply to this RPG in any way.

Three and a half months ago Mufasa saved both Simba and himself from the wildebeest stampede. Mufasa pushed Simba to climb up a staircase-like path to safety after carefully placing the boy on a ledge, and then pulled himself up to follow him. He detected hyena scent in the air which he found as odd as the fact that the herd was on the move in the first place. After asking Simba what he'd been doing in the canyon all alone, the answer prompted another question; had Scar told him about the Elephant Graveyard?

It became apparent that Scar, his own brother, wanted Simba dead. This was a deep shock for family-centered Mufasa who loved his brother, and it took him until the next day to truly process it. Mufasa stayed in his family's private cave and kept his wife and son there too all night. He recalled Scar's attitude and words the day of Simba's presentation ceremony, and realized  that little brother indeed wasn't challenging him but made a threat on Simba's life. He spent the night thinking back to their childhood and just how jealous his younger brother had been and in what ways it had manifested before. Still, a part of him refused to believe such a terrible thing.

At sunrise Mufasa told his family to stay in whilst he visited the Elephant Graveyard with several members of the Royal Guard. There Mufasa very easily gained the information he was looking for, as most trembled even from the mention of king Mufasa's name not to mention his presence whilst those who otherwise might have dared to try attack chose not to upon seeing that the king hadn't come alone.

With heavy heart, having learned the truth beyond any doubt, Mufasa returned to Pride Rock and on the way ordered a few members of the Royal Guard, some birds, to gather animals from all the species in the kingdom to witness a trial for a crime. That it would take place at noon. He didn't disclose to the birds who or what it was for, so that Scar wouldn't hear about it and escape. He assumed Scar would stay clear of hyenas that day and stick with the family to avoid any suspicion. The only ones who knew before the trial started, apart from the hyenas and the several Guard members who'd been there, were Rafiki, Sarabi, Zazu and Sarafina whom Mufasa asked to stay at Pride Rock and talk about it only in their family's private cave if they had to.

Sarabi and Mufasa had arranged Sarafina to babysit Simba whom they felt was too young to be present in such a trial. At noon, a large number of his subjects had arrived at Pride Rock wondering what had happened. Mufasa brought Scar to a lower ledge of the Pride Rock where all the trials were held.

Scar did not confess. But with Mufasa letting him tell his side of the story, several Royal Guard members as witnesses to the hyenas' confessions, and Mufasa repeating Simba's words and what happened the day of the presentation ceremony (to which Zazu had been a witness, plus Zazu told about how Scar had knocked him unconscious when he tried to go get help during the stampede), it was generally considered a fair trial and Mufasa's decision of Scar's guilt was accepted. Scar tried to shift most of the blame on the hyenas but in vain.

Mufasa sentenced Scar to life long exile under bane of death. The king's being and voice were determined and strong, but his eyes showed deep sorrow as he spoke those words and watched his little brother walk out of their childhood home and out of his life. The king moved up to the ceremony ledge so that he could see Scar for longer, and stood/sat there for hours after he was gone. He didn't let even Sarabi or Rafiki to stay by his side, he wanted to be alone.

Later that day Scar's mate Zira, who was pregnant with his cubs, attacked Mufasa. Protesting Scar's sentence which she felt was based on too weak evidence and she felt upset and hurt that her mate had been exiled forever and under bane of death even. Naturally, Mufasa won quickly even thoug he held back due to her pregnant condition. Zira's trial was held that evening. Normally the sentence for such an attack would be death, but Zira was shown mercy because it was deemed her pregnancy and love for Scar greatly affected her judgment especially as Scar was her mate. Also, her reputation was better than Scar's and she'd been a trusted member of the pride.

So she was given two less severe options; To stay in Pride Lands and be exiled only from the pride for an undetermined period of time. She would have been arranged a safe place far away from Pride Rock, to live in, with her cubs. She would have been allowed to hunt for herself and her cubs. She would have had a possibility to earn her way back into the pride eventually. But she refused to raise her cubs in Pride Lands without their father. So she took the second option; to leave into full and permanent exile with Scar. Though unlike Scar's, her exile is not under bane of death. Zira's family and some of her best friends left with her to ensure her safety during her pregnancy and to be with her and the cubs.

Just before sunset that day, every single member of the Royal Guard, from birds and voles to lions and whatever, were gathered at Pride Rock. The king ordered everyone of them from then on to prioritise keeping an eye on danger to Simba whenever the boy is outside without him or Sarabi, and report to him immediately if Simba's life seemed to be in danger. They should always give Simba space and relative freedom to live as normally as possible, but always have at least three Guard lions near enough to protect him if something happened. It was now of the utmost importance and the Guard's absolute number one task to ensure no one dangerous gets close to Simba. Because it was now entirely possible that Scar had allies other than hyenas, too.

Keeping an eye out for Scar or hyenas in the kingdom and their doings, as well as to help animals in need, was the Guard's secondary task though somewhat tieing in with the first. Normal everyday peace keeping and law enforcement duties had to come as third importance. Every time they'd let Simba go out Mufasa would assign three Guard lions to stick near the boy, as well as a bird or two, until he returned home. This is the way it was to be until either Scar was found dead or until Simba was old enough and strong enough to defend himself.

But the very first thing most of the largest members of the Guard and some of the birds were assigned to do was to track down every single hyena and tell them that all of them have been found guilty of the attempted murder of prince Simba and conspiracy to take over the throne, either by literal attempt or by associaion. As they don't live in Pride Lands they can't be exiled like Scar, but they'd have to leave the Elephant Graveyard now and never to return or else face death by starvation on their land or execution upon stepping inside the kingdom's borders. That they would no longer be simply chased out, but killed at sight. By sunrise the next day there were no more hyenas inside Pride Lands' borders. Within a few days all of them had left the Elephant Graveyard too. The king claimed the Elephant Graveyard as part of his kingdom, but it remains off-limits for all cubs because it's still a very dangerous location.

The worst of the dry season was around the corner making the next few months all the more torturous for most animals everywhere. In the Outlands. Scar had headed into the desert in means to stop hyenas or others wanting to harm him from following him. Eventually he got badly injured by too large prey he tried to hunt whilst he wasn't built to survive long-term on a desert even to begin with. The Guard members who had been tasked to follow his journey for a time, deemed it extremely unlikely that he would survive. Because even though Zira and her family had followed him into the desert they had been driven apart and heading to very different directions. It was thought impossible for them to reunite in time to save Scar. These news were brought back to the king. No one could have guessed that a stranger would end up meeting and helping Scar.

Now, in the beginning of our timeline and the wet season, Mufasa has eased some of the border security and lets his son play more normally without extreme supervision. But the scandal and betrayal are still fresh in public mind. How does the kingdom recover?

[Kieran]

GEOGRAPHY & CLIMATE

~ GEOGRAPHY ~

THE KINGDOM

We live in Namibia, Africa, focused on the savanna kingdom called Pride Lands.

The kingdom is 300 square miles (777 square km) wide, pretty much a square (approx. 18 x 18 ml or 29 x 29 km.)

A quarter mile all around Pride Rock is considered part of Pride Rock. Land belonging to the whole pride instead of just the king. Like a yard where the pride can expect to get to rest and play/do things in peace with little to no unauthorised traffic. Friends can come and go at will, and any member of the Royal Guard as needed, but other than these exceptions others should request access from a lion member of the Guard or from the king of the queen. Simba can of course always freely bring in a new friend/potential friend. As long as they're children too. Simba trying to come home with a stranger adult would be questioned.

Other species don't have that kind of legally enforced private land. Anyone can apply to get a cave or a tree as their legally protected home, and of course any burrows dug by burrowing animals are legally protected homes to the one who dug it and their family. But the point is; apart from that quarter mile radius around Pride Rock, open lands and waters are for public use and any caves and such on them which have not officially been made into homes. The Royal Guard enforces public order and peaceful existance so if anyone's living area is constantly and needlessly disturbed, something will be done about it.

PRIDE ROCK

Pride Rock is Mufasa's pride's home. It's a gigantic rock formation which faces/points to East. It has many caves and the largest is for the whole pride to gather and sleep in, it's the first one from bottom from the main entrance. The royal family members have their own smaller, private cave close to the highest and largest ledge where all the royal ceremonies are held. Other caves on the rock may have been claimed by other families.

It's located just about in the center of the territory. So the kingdom stretches approximately 9 ml (14 km) to every direction. It takes the average adult lion about three hours of constant walking to move between Pride Rock and a border.

SOUTH

THE WATERHOLE

The waterhole is located 2 ml (3 km) south-east from Pride Rock. It's a large lake that is commonly used by all animals. A river runs out of it to the south until it forks left and right, marking the Southern border. Hunting anyone at this lake whilst they're trying to have a drink is illegal. During the worst months of a dry seasons the royal family members have the right to drink first if they happen to arrive at the same time with another animal. But Mufasa and Sarabi would give their share away if the other animal(s) looked like they needed the water more. This is about 40 minutes walk one way, for a healthy adult lion.

ELEPHANT GRAVEYARD

The Elephant Graveyard used to be beyond the southern border which was marked by a rather steep rise. These days, after the hyenas were driven out, the graveyard has been claimed by Mufasa and is officially part of Pride Lands but still off limits to all cubs of Mufasa's pride.

In ancient times when Pride Lands was first established, the area was already an Elephant Graveyard. The king did not feel it right to claim a graveyard so the kingdom’s northern border was established just before it. A couple of hundred years ago a pack of hyenas was welcome to live in Pride Lands until it was noticed that this particular lot had tendency to steal food during the worst months of a dry season and hunt for sport during wet season. The then current king permanently exiled all hyenas, but as the Elephant Graveyard had not been claimed by him or any ruler before him, he could not stop them from settling there in order to stay near potential easy prey. It became known as the hyena’s land.

Rarely anyone lost their way and ended up there, and eventually even elephants stopped going there but chose to die somewhere else in peace than spend their last moments being torn apart by a starving hyena pack. Generation after another, hyenas died from starvation or just barely survived. A large number of hyenas never left, some hoped a future king would pardon them and give them a second chance whilst some enjoyed trying to steal food from the kingdom which essentially ruined the wishful thinkers' dream.

~ Beyond the Southern border is no-man's-land for many hundreds of miles. As it is nothing but the Namib Desert, the driest in the world. It goes for 165 miles (266 km) and then it meets the Kalahari Desert. The Kalahari Desert is hundreds of square miles wide and has a semi-desert climet just like Pride Lands, so somewhere on it live a few other prides of lions. Some are Pride Lands' friends/allies, some are enemies.

There are occasionally some animals on the Namib Desert section too, alone or in very small groups, so it is possible for an adult savanna lion to survive a journey across it if they get lucky. It is rare to find mammals in this region of Namib as they cannot survive here long-term. Such crossing would not be easy anyway as the journey would take a few days and there is nowhere near enough water. Water on this part of the Namib Desert appears only as dew on very little vegitation and as occasional fog.

WEST

THE GORGE

On the Western side of this gorge is about a mile of green grassland until it fades into the Namib Desert, which line marks the Western border of Pride Lands. In the South end of this gorge there's a waterfall, a couple of miles from the kingdom's southern border which is marked by a river, the same river which flows from the Waterhole. In the Northern end of this gorge are thorn bushes and then the Namib Desert.

~ Beyond the Western border is no-man's-land for a hundreds of miles or kilometers. As it is nothing but the Namib Desert, the driest in the world. It ends at the coast of Atlantic Ocean. Th desert length spans over 800 miles to the North. There in the North West are some dry river valleys which are the only locations on this desert where mammals can exist long-term, and do so alone or in very small groups. Water flows in those valleys once or twice a year for a short period of time. Sometimes these animals do travel hundreds of miles to the ocean coast where seals and seabirds and such species live. Also hundreds of miles from these valleys somewhere in the western region lies a very large fresh water lake. They sometimes make desperate journeys to it. One small pride of desert lions live around this most significant water source and may go even weeks without any food as they wait. Elsewhere outside of the dry river valleys in general only specialist species survive, mostly underground.

* All of Namib Desert is no-man's-land, a lawless land. Life on it is a constant struggle so everyone has to focus on just taking care of oneself and one's family/group. So, Pride Lands has neighbours in North West but they are neither allies or enemies.
* Mammals which live in the dry river valleys of Namib Desert.

NORTH

THE ROYAL GRAVEYARD

Through-the-movies & Disney

Located approximately one mile North East from Pride Rock. It's under large group of large trees. A few tens of yards from this is another graveyard for all non-royal pride members, a Pride Graveyard which is by a small rock formation and a couple of smaller trees. These are open for anyone to visit and for prey animals to eat the grass and plants as long as they respect the graves. Each of which are marked by a large rock or a pile of smaller rocks, with some sort of identifying picture painted on them. Anyone, any species, can bring flowers or other decorative items to a grave or generally to this area. Though this is mostly done by the pride itself.

RAFIKI's TREE

A very large baobab tree located some 6 miles (10 km) north from Pride Rock. You have to cross a wide river on the way there, or go around it which would add some 6 miles (10 km) to your journey. The northern border 3 miles (5 km) in direct line from here is marked by a mountain range.

MOUNTAINS

This mountain range marks the northern border. The southern side is part of Pride Lands.

~ Beyond the Northern border are two other kingdoms. It's another savannah similar in climate to Pride Lands. Two lion prides live there. One of them is Pride Lands' ally, the other is not though not exactly an enemy either but more a neutral one. The other side of the mountain range is devided between them.

EAST

WOODLAND

Through-the-movies & Disney

The Waterhole's river runs to the east as well and marks the eastern border of the kingdom as it turns north. About half way up it runs into this woodland. So in the North East of the kingdom is a couple of miles of woodland and the river running through it marks the Eastern border within it.

~ Beyond the Easrern border is another another kingdom. After a few miles it too opens up to a savanna. A pride of lions live there and they are Pride Lands' allies.

~*~*~*~*~

~ CLIMATE ~

DRY SEASON - May through October

In May and June the grasses and foliage are still long and thick from the rainy season. During all these months the sky is clear and days are sunny. July and August are the transition period towards truly dry, and August is the month when most herbivores migrate for North African grazing grounds. In September and October there's extreme water and food shortage.
* There is no rainfall from May through August. And in September and October only 0,2-2 mm / 0,01-0,08 inches.
* Daytime temperatures: 27-37°C - but September and October can go as high as 41°C/105°F.
* Night time temperatutres: 9-18°C/49-64°F - but June through September they can go as low as -0.2-3°C/31-37°F.

WET SEASON - November through April

The land is the greenest and lushest and most alive from December through May.

November – A period of unpredictable, short rains. The rain is sometimes heavy, but mostly falls in the late afternoon or evening. Sees about 3 cm / 1 inch of rainfall. The nature significantly recovers in about two weeks. This is the month when the herbivore herds start returning.

December - Sees about 8 cm / 3 inches of rainfall.

January - Long rains, often heavy. Cloudiest month. Sees about 13 cm / 5 inches of rainfall.

February & March - December levels.

April - November levels.

* Daytime temperatures: 31-35°C - but can go as high as 41°C/105°F.
* Night time temperatutres: 18°C/65°F - but can go as low as 10-14°C/50-57°F.

[Kieran]

 
RELIGION & SOCIETY

• Afterlife is a concept at least the lions believe in. They believe that all those who have died are up in the stars watching over the living.
  
  The dead can return as a ghost/spirit only if specifically summoned by someone with such power, such as the shaman Rafiki. When summoned, a spirit enters the world of the living as part of the elements; they're in the wind, clouds and water. They can become semi-physical by through clouds or reflection in the water, and audibly talk to the living. They don't have to come when summoned, but if they do they can't stay long, a few minutes at most.
  
  The Great Spirit is an entity that really exists and is generally believed in as the Creator. There's no proof of it, and summoned spirits of the dead literally can't reveal secrets of afterlife to the living nor can they see the future. They can discuss/advise only on the past and present of the living world and how they feel about it. There can be communities/areas in Africa where there is other religion or no religion. There is no theory of evolution because there is no evolution.
  
  
• Scientific knowledge is limited to what can be observed with the naked eye.
  Stuff have been named the same as in real life; the Sun, the Moon, the stars - but no one knows what they actually are. Different species may have different theories. Everyone has the basic understanding that the Sun and water support life. No one has the concept of planets or space, they merely speak of "this world".
  
  A brain is a brain, heart is a heart, blood is blood, and so on and their basic necessity is understood. But medical knowledge and treatement is also limited to basic observations across time and as cases are discovered. No one knows about bacteria, viruses, vitamins or stuff that specific but it is understood what each species can and need to eat and that one should not drink water that smells or looks too much off. Kingdoms/states usually have healers, and in Pride Lands it's the mandrill Rafiki and others like him. Rafiki focuses on the Royal family's medical care.
  
  
• Written language doesn't exist.
  
  
• All herds/flocks/packs native to Africa have lived for countless generations knowing the concept of the Circle of Life as well as generally accepted their place in the food chain. Though everyone understands the concept, some may not respect it.
  
  
• Some species are like in the real world, as in not able to speak or have complex thoughts/emotions. Such are in example; insects, slugs/snails, clams, crabs, fish, spiders and snakes. These species are not playable as in can't be applied for as a character.
  
  
• Other species have human intelligence and human emotional range. Mostly mammals, but also birds, crocodiles and tortoises. Different species may have different customs and beliefs. All species' lifespan is at least 30 years and they mature mentally at the same rate as lions. Those species' which lifespan is longer than 30 years simply start physically weakening later.
  * To check if the speaces' you want to play lives longer than 30 years, just google "how long do [species] live in captivity".
  
  
• All species with human intelligence have dedicated toilet sites very nearby their homes. Still, felines also cover their excrement. Parents take their infants to the toilet site around the time they know the baby usually needs to "go".
  
  
• When hunting for food a predator isn't allowed to go for young children of any species. Nor for a prey who is visibly pregnant. It is considered important for the long-term survival of everyone and for the balance of the Circle of Life.
  
  
• Those who die from something other than being hunted for food; their family or friends may bury them in a grave if the species in question is capable of deep digging such as meerkats and honey badgers are. Most species leave their dead above ground but may, if possible, move the body somewhere. Those left above ground most often are scanenged by predators. In case of a predator's body, by birds like vultures. Many are okay with this as it is just one way of the Circle of Life. If someoen doesn't want their loved one's remains to be scavenged but rather become part of the soil, they may ask a digging animal to help them with a grave.
  
  The Royal family has its own family grave site about a mile North from Pride Rock, under a large group of trees. It is open for anyone to visit and for prey animals to eat anything that may grow there. Non-royal members of the pride have their own grave site near that one, near a smaller rock formation and a pair of trees. All lions are buried in deep graves. Lions may take part in the digging but mostly it's done by a honey badger who's been officially tasked with it.
  
  There is always a funeral ceremony remembering the individual's life, and at least in Pride Lands' lions' cases also include some talk about the Great Spirit and afterlife. Grave sites are visited from time to time and a visitor often brings flowers or something. (Among herbivores this may happen also for those who were caught and killed in a hunt, even though they don't have a grave, just as a symbolic gesture.)
  

A member of the Royal Family should be addressed with appropriate respect, ("Your Majesty", "Your Highness", "My King/Queen/Prince", "Sir" ect.) by any commoner, even by members of Mufasa's pride. Accompanied with a bow when appropriate. Exception of course being anyone who has become family or a very close friend with them, like Rafiki with Mufasa, Nala with Simba and Sarafina with Sarabi and Mufasa, or Zira who married Scar.

It's not considered appropriate to hug or otherwise get into a royal's personal space without permission unless you're a close friend or the situation otherwise requires it. The presentation ceremony of royal cubs happen when the cubs are one month old.

All subjects - including also Mufasa's pride members - are below prince Simba. As in they can't tell him what to do or not to do, but can report any concerns or complaints about him to one of Simba's family or to any pride member if not part of the pride themselves. They don't have to do Simba's bidding as long as he's not yet the king, but out of respect they often may. At least if the demand/order isn't stupid or unreasonable. Though, creatures smaller than Simba or just non-confrontational persons may end up doing whatever Simba tells them to.

The pride is lead by the currently crowned king or queen. It has many females and many males, both born in the pride and some joined from the Outlands. Normally, other prides and animals visiting Pride Lands are welcomed as long as they don't cause trouble. Visiting predators are allowed to hunt but only as much as they need for sufficient amount of food for themselves, they're made aware of this and the ramifications of breaking this law.

Mufasa's pride is large, most of them adults but there are also several cubs of all ages. The pride hunts twice a week during wet season and for most of the dry season. They hunt in the darkness of the night, and sometimes on a cooler day. The lioness' focus on small prey like zebra, antelope or wildebeest, especially if they need to hunt alone. Some of the males go out hunting too in efforts to catch also large prey. So altogether they can potentially bring home two catches to sustain the large pride's needs for several days.

During September and October when there's extreme food and water shortage they catch whatever they can whenever they can, thus group hunting is rare. From a group hunting catch meant for the whole pride, the royal family has the right to eat their fill first no matter what season is on. But during those extreme dry months they too hunt their own prey. And if someone else's very young cubs are in desperate need of food they may share their catch after Simba has eaten his fill. The same with water, by default Simba's need goes above absolutely anyone else's.

King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi have only one child, Simba. Married males and females are supposed to make cubs only with their spouse, as in marriage works the same way it does in human world. Royal marriages are always arranged when the prince or princess is an infant.

Lions as a species are much less communal in child care than their real life counterparts. They don't nurse or groom each others' cubs when it's not necessary. Though some may agree to and enjoy babysitting, but it's not generally expected. And what a babysitter can and cannot do to or with their charge, is up to the parents. The mother and father are legally obligated to raise their own cub and responsible for taking care of their own cub's needs until the cub turns 4 years old and becomes a legal adult. Generally speaking fathers take part in raising and caring for their own cubs, some more some less. Of course there can also be so-calle deadbeat dads or moms. Cubs can be taken away from abusive parents, and be legally adopted by others.

Rogue ones don't go around fighting pride leaders and killing cubs in means to take over a pride. Not even if it's not in a kingdom. And even if someone did, it would not be accepted by a pride. In most states there are laws against killing, abduction, and other such things whilst these animals form strong bonds and feel human level emotions. Basically, a lion pride functions a lot like humans in social terms.

An adult lion's average walking speed is 3 miles / 4,5 km per hour. And can run 50 miles / 80 km per hour at top speed, but only for a very short time. They're the second fastest species in Africa, topped only by the cheetah. Cats are built for speed, not distance.

Joining the pride 

Joining the Pride Lands' pride has normally been relatively simple. A would-be member just contacts a member of the Royal Guard who will then take the visitor to the king and queen. The visitor tells them who he/she is and why they'd like to join, and if it seems to be alright they get to mingle with the pride and see if they get along with others and can contribute something good. If all goes well without major unfixable issues they'll be accepted into the pride, in an official gathering.

The king and queen stand on a ceremonial low ledge of Pride Rock with the joining person in between them and officially welcome him/her into the pride, ending with them roaring together with the new member. The actual ruling king or queen alone first, then joined by their spouce and the new member. And finally, the rest of the pride doubles it with a group roar. (It's a ledge where all trials and non-royal ceremonies are held. The royal ceremony ledge is much higher on Pride Rock.) This ceremony is followed by celebration which has been prepared beforehand. It involves eucalyptus leaves which is like catnip to lions, and watermelons and pumpkins which they love to smash and eat. (Those are often part of celebrations also on cubs' birthdays. But only on cubs' so that it won't become a too regular thing.)

After Scar's betrayal and exile, joining the pride was nearly impossible until Scar was deemed highly likely to soon die in the Outlands. Any visitor was intensely interrogated by the Guard before they let them anywhere near any member of the royal family. And even if they're deemed safe enough for that, Mufasa was unlikely to let a stranger freely mingle among his pride and near his child. Visitors were still welcomed and the interrogation was conducted in a relatively friendly manner, but anyone allowed to stay for any length of time was kept a close eye on.

It's returning to normal at the beginning of our timeline, but slowly. Those joining in the first few months won't be welcomed as warmly or freely as those that will request joining when the wounds have healed more.

~ MUFASA'S PRIDE ~

Used to be 30 members before Scar and Zira's exile. All of this current number are already in the pride. Any new cubs or outsiders joining will add to it. Some of these 28 are Zira's family and friends who opted to leave with her but some of them may return to Pride Lands eventually. They are considered members wherever they are, as only Zira was exiled.

Current pride: 28 members

ADULTS - 3/18

Mufasa
Sarabi
Sarafina

[your OCs]

CUBS - 2/10

Simba
Nala

[your OCs]

Lion growth and maturing
(different from real life lions as these are not real life lions)

Maturing:

Up to 8 months old one month is one human year.
~ From that on four months equals one human year.
1-year old lion = 9-year old human.
2-year old lion = 12-year old human.
3-year old lion = 15-year old human.
4-year old lion = 18-year old human. A legal adult.

Reproduction:

- They reach sexual maturity at age 3.
- They can mate and get pregnant any time of a year, but usually plan their litter for the wet season or early dry season.
- A lioness is pregnant usually for 3,5 to 4 months.
- She usually births one or two cubs. Sometimes three, but that's rare.
- Accidental pregnancy is not possible because the female does not ovulate until she is stimulated to do so by lots of mating. Occasional moderate amout of mating won't lead to conception. It needs to be several tens of times a day across a few days in order to have a good chance of success.
- Usually a lioness doesn't go for another litter until her current one is at least 1,5 years old. But sometimes she may choose to try for more babies right after the current cubs' weaning is complete.

Physical development:

- They start walking when around two weeks old and their eyes have opened a few days before that.
- They start running when about one month old.
- Weaning starts at 3 months old when they first start joining their mother at hunting trips. But weaning isn't complete until 7 to 10 months of age.
- They participate in the kill when nearing 3 years of age. Hunting skills are usually achieved by age 4.

Lions grow and develop fast up to 6 months of age.
They don't grow or change appearance very much between 6 months and 2 years except for brain development. A 2-year old cub is semi-notably larger than a 6-month old but between these ages it's typically easier to determin one's age by their behaviour if there's no other cub to compare to because in general appearance they look alike.

Between ages 2 and 3 they hit puberty. They don't grow any faster in height but close to age 3 they start resembleing an adult in body build, though not fully yet. Females remain a bit smaller and don't develop even nearly as much muscle-tone as males. By age 3 males' shoulder height is usually three-quarters of their mother's shoulder height and they have a small mohawk mane. By age 4 both are fully grown and look like adults, though males' manes are not yet anywhere near full. The mane isn't fully formed until age 5 which is why they don't usually challenge other adult males to a real fight before that age.

* Weight / shoulder height:

- At birth: 1-2 kg / 2,5 to 4,5 lbs.
- 6 months: 28-34 kg / 40-50 cm |*| 63 to 73 lbs. / 16-20 inches.
- 2 years: 40-50 kg / 50-60 cm |*| 88 to 110 lbs. /  20-24 inches.
- 3 years: 70-100 kg / 65-75 cm |*| 154-220 lbs. / 26-30 inches.
- Adult (4 years):
Males: 150-250 kg / 1 m |*| 330-550 lbs. / 40 inches.
Females: 110-180 kg / 0,9 m |*| 242-397 lbs. / 35 iches.

And the head adds about 25 cm or 10 inches to an adult's height.
This is the normal weight and height range. Individually depends on gender, genes, health and environment. For one, Mufasa's height is above the typical and he's also more muscular than most males.

~ LAWS & LAW ENFORCEMENT ~

Due to the harsh punishments, crime rate is very low in Pride Lands. Especially of major crimes that also mean being taken before the king and queen to be sentenced.

The king, the queen, and any member of the Royal Guard are the law enforcement team. All crimes punishable by exile or death are fully trialed and the sentence decided and passed by the current ruler based on evidence shown by witnesses and the Royal Guard members who investigated it before it was brought to trial. Death is the harshest punishment anyone can get for a crime. The death sentence has always been enforced. It is rarely executed by the ruler personally but by someone/some lions of the Guard the ruler has appointed to carry out the sentence. Full trials are held at Pride Rock, at a dedicated spot in the back with a low ledge for the king to stand on.

If the crime committed isn't serious enough to warrant exile or death sentence, there's no full trial but the case is instead handled and the punishment enforced by the Royal Guard alone. The sentencing has to be done by the Captain of the Royal Guard in the presencee of the offender and at least two other Guard members. This should happen wherever it is most convinient for the Captain at the time. And then simply get reported to the king at the latest in the next monthly group meeting. But if the Captain is not available when the crime needs to be dealt with, then the ruling king or queen will be the judge no matter what the case. Some offenses don't need to be or can't be dealt with immediately but there may be some days' delay.

Another exception is if the offender is a member of the royal family. That is, if any member of the royal family commits a crime of any kind the sentencing is always up to the ruler. (like if Simba stole stuff, the Royal Guard has no authority to punish him. It would have to be brought to Mufasa's attention and shown evidence like of any other crime, and then Mufasa decide what to do about it. The ruler himself/herself, of course, is above the law and can never be charged with a crime. But no ruler in living memory has abused their power because of it.

* Crime and punishment:

Murder (for reasons other than for food/survival) = death sentence.
* Predators are not allowed to kill other predators even for food. Not even during the worst of dry season

Hunting for sport = permanent exile.

Killing visibly pregnant prey or a young child of any species for food = ban from hunting for some time, exile of some duration, or death sentence. Depends on the circumstances and what exactly happened. These cases need to be brought to the kingäs/queen's attention before sentencing as it may require a full trial.

* A mercy death/kill is possible if killing the mother is the only way to save the life of her unborn baby. To be legally done the mother in question has had to agree to that before she was pregnant or in the very beginning of the pregnancy when everything still was okay. Or if that didn't happen, at least ask for it herself without any suggestive or leading question or discussion taking place. So that it can in good faith be deemed purely her will. And that be confirmed by more than one of her family members and friends.

There will be at least a brief trial with them and the Royal Guard's captain and the king or queen, some other Guard members and of course whoever else has gotten involved in the case to begin with. To decide whether it's necessary, and if yes then who will do it and how in order to make it as quick and painless as possible for the mother and safe for the baby. If the mother is in terrible constant pain whilst waiting for these decisions, there are herbs and plants with pain relieving properties. One must take as many steps as possible towards this legal process. If none are possible and one chooses to mercy kill anyway, they risk being trialled and convicted for a serious crime. All depends on what evidence they can provide.

Attempted murder of any predator = permanent exile.
* Using potentially fatal force against predators in self-defense or in defense of one's own family or friend whilst being hunted, even for food, by default is not considered an attempted murder. That is; just as a predator has the right to hunt and kill for food, the prey has the right to do everything they can to survive the hunt and to save their loved ones.

It is outside of an active hunt when an attempt to fatally harm a predator or needlessly using potentially fatal force becomes illegal for a prey animal. But there's an exepction even during a hunt; if the hunting predator is a young cub or group of young cubs the prey is not allowed to use potentially fatal force. As it is deemed unnecessary seeing to the low level threat to one's life. As cubs under the age of three are not allowed to hunt in means to kill, aren't big enough to kill most species, and don't usually have great hunting skills yet. A victim of cubs' hunting aggression is expected to do only the bare minimum to get away and then to report the incident to the Royal Guard.

Abducting someone = permanent exile. It increases to exile under bane of death if the abductor also physically or especially curelly mentally abused the person.

Hunting/attacking anyone at the waterhole = first time; temporary exile of some duration depending on the case details, second time; permanent exile. The attack needs to have been in means to cause serious injury or death. Otherwise it's considered disturbing the peace and has lesser consequences.

Hunting/intentionally killing a Royal Guard member = permanent exile under bane of death, or downright death, depending on if it was successful or not. The motive of the hunt/kill does not matter. Both active and retired members are under this special protection due to their extra value and special service towards the kingdom's security and peace.

Sexual harrassment = jail time or exile, depending on the case. The Captain of the Royal Guard must report this type of crime to the ruling king or queen before judgment is passed as it may need a full trial involving the ruler. Downright forced mating means both; some jail time and then exile, and no food during the jail period, and therefor a full trial.

Physical abuse = jail time. This applies to deliberate abuse of another for fun or unjustified control. So does not apply to domestic/parental discipline, which is allowed and by default not considered abuse. But, a child can be taken away from a legal guardian and the guardian put in jail if physical discipline goes too far by becoming life-threatning.

Stealing food = temporary loss of hunting/meal privileges. Duration depends on who did it, their age, and current health situation. Stealing food during the sentence period will lead to a 2 months long exile. Trying to return during those months will lead to permanent exile.

Stealing other possessions = first offense; warning. Second offense; jail time. Duration will increase each time caught stealing non-food possessions until the person finally feels it's not worth it. As in stealing other than food or children/other individuals will never result in exile. If the offender is a child under three years of age they won't be jailed but only reprimanded and taken to and reported to their own parents.

Disturbing the peace = first and second offense; warning. Third offense; jail time. Duration will increase each time caught disturbing peace until the person finally feels it's not worth it. If the offender is a child under three years of age they won't be jailed but only reprimanded and taken to and reported to their own parents. Disturbing peace means physically or verbally bothering others after been asked to stop, vandalising legally protected homes, or being loud and disorderly when and where peace is required. Such as at night near sleeping animals. Naturally, noise and disorder caused by hunting for food is allowed.

~ TIME KEEPING ~

Pride Lands doesn't concern itself with the overall year count of the world but only how old they and their children are and at what age their loved ones die. Time is measured by the sun and the moon. There's 12 months in a year, and they are named the same as ours. In the beginning of every year the shaman, mandrill Rafiki, records the previous year by making a cave painting of some major or significant event/thing that happened that year and was more or less unique. A stick is added to a pile every day to keep track of days, there's 28 in every month. The stick piles are a task for a bird member of the Royal Guard. This calendar is in a cave on Pride Rock, located at its western side and fourty feet (12 meters) up from the ground level. It's dedicated to the time keeping.

[Kieran]

THE ROYAL GUARD

This is not the one from the tv series.
That tv series doesn't apply to this RPG in any way.

The Royal Guard of Pride Lands is an ancient organization dedicated to safety and peace of the kingdom and especially of the royal family. It is composed of adult animals, almost any species' individual can be in it but the Captain is always a lion. All members are permanent residents of Pride Lands and chosen by the Supreme Leader, the king/queen.

12 out of the current 28 lions in Mufasa's pride, including Mufasa himself, are Guard members. Minimum age for a lion member is four years old - (that is 18 years old in human terms.) All of them must be able to hold their own in a serious one-on-one fight but those less skilled/able are assigned mainly for duties that don't have a high risk of confrontation. Tasks and missions that require most responsibility and life experience are assigned to mature adults, regardless of the species. Other species may have larger number of individuals as members, especially voles and birds do.

The king has made one of the lions the Captain of the Guard, whose responsibility it is to make sure the Guard functions well and report to the king if anything's wrong with it in between monthly group meetings.

~ MONTHLY MEETINGS ~

All members who aren't currently on a longer mission or task must meet with the king once a month at noon on Full Moon. It's a group gathering in the common cave on Pride Rock where Guard related things are discussed and possible reorganizing of responsibilities may take place. Only the king, the queen and the Guard members are allowed in the cave at that time. Eight birds are absent from every meeting because one needs to be in active duty at the border in every direction, at all times. The Captain of the Guard then fills those birds in about what was discussed in the meeting. Or someone else the king appointed to do so if the Captain for some reason wasn't able to be present.

~  THE GUARD AND THE ROYAL FAMILY ~

All Guard members are below even prince Simba, just like any other subject. They can't tell Simba what to do or not to do. They're allowed to stop him (even physically touch him as long as it doesn't harm the boy) only if they're fairly certain that not doing so will lead to serious injury, illness, or death to the prince. Otherwise they're only allowed to try and talk him out of things and report to the king and/or queen about the situation if needed.

After Scar's exile, Mufasa assigns three of the cleverest, strongest and most skilled lion members available at the time as Simba's bodyguards whenever Simba is let outside without his parents. They're required to give the boy and his friends enough space and freedom to feel as normal as possible, but stick close enough and stay on alert in order to quickly help and protect if needed. This is August through October. In November and forward they're no longer assigned as bodyguards but bird and vole members of the Guard are required to occasionally keep an eye on the prince for general safety.

Queen Sarabi's the second-in-command, as in if Mufasa isn't available when the king is needed in a Guard matter, that matter must be brought to the queen's attention and she'll take care of it however she sees fit. Whenever Mufasa is available Sarabi has no say in the Guard matters. In any matter concerning Simba, both Mufasa and Sarabi are equal, so trouble with Simba of a kind that requires reporting must be reported to whichever parent is found first.

Scar was the third-in-command the same way as Sarabi is the second-in, but he was rarely if ever needed as usually at least one of the ruling couple was available for the Captain to meet. After Scar's exile, Rafiki became the third-in-command and will remain so until Simba comes of age.

~ JOINING THE ROYAL GUARD ~

The initial recruitment of new members is the Guard's leader's responsibility but the actual final approval and official joining is the king's decision. Any member can go suggest possible new members to the leader, who then must meet this person and make the initial evaluation through a thorough interview and some kind of a small practical test.

Then, if the leader reckons the potential might make a valuable and trustworthy addition to the Guard, they'll bring it up in the next monthly group meeting. The potential members aren't in that meeting but just told about, so that the whole Guard will know about it and the leader and the king can arrange a further private meeting with that applicant where the king conducts another exhaustive interview before deciding if the person is allowed to join or not.

If he allows the joining, he'll have the leader to find a mentor for the newbie. The mentor is responsible for keeping the new/young member out of trouble and letting them know about and teaching them all the details and functions of the Guard that a regular pridelander doesn't need to be aware of. Sometimes there might also be a trial period before full membership is granted by the king.

THE GUARD MARK

All Royal Guard members, of all species, carry an identifying mark pressed on their right shoulder by Rafiki. It is given upon full approval of membership from the king. It's Rafiki's thumb print, with a mixture of rare plants' dyes that create a very difficult colour to replicate. The dye mixture is such that doesn't easily wash out of any kind of coat. When it eventually does fade the Guard member must go get it renewed.

A member can be removed from the Guard for a serious enough offense/abuse of the position, in which case they will receive a different mark to signal that they're no longer a member despite carrying the thumb print until it fades away. The removal mark is normal red colour but of the same long lasting goo and a different fingerprint of Rafiki's. It's applied right next to the member mark. If a member simply retires or has to quit for other reasons, instead of an additional mark the member mark will be covered with brown colour. So it's easy to tell who is an active member and who has been removed and who has retired/quit.

~ DUTIES & AUTHORITY ~

They're like the police and the army in human terms. Granted, any able adult member of the pride would be required to fight if there was a war. And in a state of war other species non-Guard animals would be allowed to apply for the fight or offer their other abilities for use but aren't required to by default. Although the king may request/order some non-combat battle service even without volunteered offering, if he feels it necessary. The king and the queen are of course the highest ranking members in both policing and army matters, working most closely with the current leader of the Guard.

Keeping an eye out for and the initial handling of visitors and addressing them with a warm welcoming attitude and asking basic questions like where they come from, who they are, and how long they wish to stay. After Scar’s betrayal and exile to also ask what’s their business in Pride Lands and require the visitor to verify their claimed intentions. If they can’t prove their friendliness and innocence some larger members of the guard must immediately escort the visitor out of the kingdom.

The interrogation must be conducted in a friendly manner but be exhaustive and intense. If the Guard member(s) in question deem it safe, the visitor(s) will be allowed to stay and must be told any important customs and laws of the kingdom, and the Guard must keep a close eye on them as long as they’re inside the borders or near them outside. Visitors must not be let anywhere near any member of the royal family before confirmed safe. These policies get more relaxed as time passes after Scar's thought to have died.

There’s always at least two lion members and two bird members at a time staying at Pride Rock as a second line of defense. If there’s an attack the birds will fly to rally all the lions that aren’t currently at Pride Rock whilst the two or more Guard lions organize the defense force with the king, after making sure the prince and the other cubs are safe. If not there, when the leader of the Royal Guard returns he/she will take over with the king. This is at all times, not related o Scar's crime.

Keeping an eye out for hyenas or other trouble. Any such sightings must be reported to the king immediately. Anyone exiled under bane of death is allowed to be killed on the spot if the Guard can be certain it is the exiled person. If not, a trial involving the king must be held.

Keeping an eye out for any threats from outlands at any time. And to eliminate them appropriately depending on what it is. The Guard is not allowed to use unnecessary force.

Upholding the law and order. To that end they’re allowed to reprimand, detain, and use force but not deadly or unnecessary. They’Forre also allowed to conduct home searches  if it seems necessary for investigation. For serious crimes they’re allowed to place a person under arrest after which they must bring the arrested immediately to Pride Rock where the king will pass judgment on the matter. There must be enough evidence before an arrest can take place.

Many bird members are always assigned to guard the borders in all directions. At least one bird member must be in active duty in every direction at all times.

Three of the best lion members as Simba's bodyguards on outings without his parents. The trio may be different every time, depending on who's available at the time. This is only August through October 1994.

Helping animals in need.

THE ROYAL GUARD MEMBERS


Lions
1/12

Mufasa
(Supreme Leader)

Birds
1/?

Zazu

Voles
0/?

Other species
0/?