[Pride Concept] The Khopra

[Quaji]

With Meep's permission, the Khopra are a spiritual successor to the Burkutesht of the Jahy Sarlarin.


━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

　

History

Long ago, they were warriors of the desert, fighting for their homeland against thieves. For generations, the two prides struggled with little to show for the spilled blood. In a vain attempt to end the struggle in their favor, the Burkutesht attacked the fortified Qyrhyeshti after splitting the rival faction. Their assault failed as they were successfully repelled. While wounds would have healed in time, pestilence began to creep into their ranks and before long, the entire Burkutesht were in danger of being wiped out.

Splintering, they left their homeland.

In the following years, a small handful of former Burkutesht found one another, resolving to find themselves a new homeland; their shame too great and their strength too little to even consider the thought of reclaiming the land of their ancestors. As exiles, they wandered and their numbers swelled, absorbing and adapting traditions as they grew.

Guided by a single eagle some believed to be a sign and the wisdom of their elders and seers, the lions made their way to distant lands. The Khopesh, a beautiful, vast sea of grass. There they found their niche, becoming warriors of the steppe.

No longer are they the Burkutesht. They are Khopra, conquerors of the Khopesh.

　

Territory

Known as the Khopesh, or Grass Sea, the territory is a flat, seemingly endless grassland that often grows thick and as tall as a cub and from afar looks like a sea, the breeze causing the blades to bend and roll like waves. Few trees populate these open plains, and those that do are often sparse and offer minimal protection from the elements. With no temperatures dropping below 32°F or exceeding 72°F and sparing rainfall that measures roughly 24" a year, there is little need for it. It is modeled after the Serengeti volcanic grasslands, with liberties taken.

The Khopra share this beautiful land with others that will often be in conflict as, despite the beauty and plenty, the lands offer scarce resources. The grass is inhabited by packs of wild dogs, and jackals, and is the home of herds of zebra and gazelle, and rare elephants. Even the water sources, rare and precious as they are, are often infested with crocodiles and rare hippopotami. It is not uncommon for conflicts between the Khopra and the other local populations to occur. Even the rare roaming pride would be seen as an invader and swiftly dealt with by the Khopra defending their new home.

Within the Khopesh, the Khopra migrate, staying the same place for only days at a time, but will always remain with two days flight-time to Ariun Gaar.

Water Sources
During the months of November through April, streams and creeks may appear in natural depressions in the earth, forming new drinking sources. However during May, these rivulets begin to dry and by the later days of the month, have disappeared. The only permanent water supply in the Khopesh is a river named Naam Khaal, with prime drinking locations fiercely contested.

Ariun Gaar
At the Naam Khaal's widest—and shallowest—part rests an ancient, expansive sycamore fig. The ground in which its shadow covers is referred to as Ariun Gaar, a hallowed place of peace where the Khopra rest. It is the most sacred place in the Khopesh. Long-held traditions, carried by stories of those who have grown in these grasslands tell of a spirit buried beneath the tree. A massive, partially-exposed tusk belonging to a mammoth lies still buried beneath the twisting roots of the tree and seems to support the myth.

Within the grounds of the Ariun Gaar, fighting is forbidden for fear of raising the ire of the elder gods. Bloodshed is punishable by death.

 

[Quaji]

　

Pride Dynamics

The Khopra follow a simple hierarchy, one highly reminiscent of the founders’ time in the Burkutesht, led by a Khatar whose primary role is that of a war leader, but also a mediator and fatherly figure for the pride. Following the dissolving of the Burkurtesht, a council was formed to ensure the ambition of the Khatar will never threaten the pride. The lions that comprise the council are the Khatun; the Khatar's mate, the Naam Kha; the elder seer, and the Naam Yul, the leaders among the pride's hunter-warriors.

A Khatar is traditionally succeeded by one of their children, with the mother being the one to decide which of her children best exemplifies the qualities needed in a Khatar.

In all matters, the pride is counseled by a group of sage lions and lionesses, known as Kha, who resides in Ariun Gaar, led by the Naam Kha. The Kho are seers, shamans, healers, and spiritual leaders of the pride. Through various means, they commune with the elder gods of the Green Sea and are consulted through messages between eagles before making any pride-related decisions, from the direction of their next migration to the beasts they will hunt next. The Kho is presented with gifts from the main pride when visited, often in the form of meat.

All lions of the Khopra are warriors and hunters, trained since they were able to eat meat, referred to as Yul. Those unable to perform either task may retire among the Kha, if they are still able to provide some service to the pride, often as teachers, or leave the Khopesh.

Cub Raising
Cubs are taught to work together and fight and hunt from the age of three months, the sign of beginning their lessons starts when they are able to consume meat. Physical prowess is as equally praised as intelligence and cunning—strong or not, stupid will get you and possibly your friends, killed.

If a cub is born with a disability, they are often taken to Ariun Gaar for the Kha to raise in peace. The pride cannot afford to spend the time and resources on a cub that cannot possibly be able to defend itself from attack or pull its weight.

If a mother dies before her cubs are weaned, another lioness will nurse her cubs.

　

Culture

Naming
Cubs born into the pride follow a set structure, starting with the individual's given name, a connector (sim for males, bint for females) then the name of their father (in the case of boys) or their mother (in the case of girls). As such, given names are usually short.

They are often Persian, Arabic, Turkish, or Mongolian in origin.

For males: (Given Name) sim (Father’s Name) | For females: (Given Name) bint (Mother’s Name)

This naming pattern is for born-in members only or former blood members of the Jahy Sarlarin.

Appearance
The Khopra size tends to run on the smaller end of average but is not exceptionally so. Due to their Burkutesht bloodline, dark colors tend to be very rare, having previously been a disadvantage in their ancestral desert's heat; white pelts are historically uncommon, being more sensitive to the intense sun that the pride hailed from. Beyond this, natural colors and simple markings are dominant by far, although some exotic colors do pop up now and then, often due to the occasional rogue blood that is introduced.

In general, physical beautiful means nothing to these lions, their strength and prowess being much more attractive. Almost all Khopra has scars.

Mating
Lions of the Khopra mate for life, with no exceptions for this. There is never any pressure for a Khopra to find a mate, mingling carefully to find an ideal match. Matches are never arranged by parents, but made between two consenting individuals, with the intention that it reduces the chances that someone will be unfaithful. Infidelity is a crime within the Khopra, resulting in the expulsion or death of the parties involved should it come to light. They cannot be trusted - and you can't afford to not trust someone fighting alongside you.

Divorce is not something within the Khopra culture. The only way a marriage may be dissolved is through death or exile, in which their mate may remarry, and most often choose to pair with another widowed lion.

A lioness seeking out a rogue to breed with is acceptable, even respected among the pride as it brings in new blood to the pride in a very controlled way. A lioness who chooses to do this, however, may never take a mate within the pride. She is, for all intents and purposes, considered to be mated to the rogue. (If you are able to obtain a lion as the rogue, they may be mated.)

Adolescent Khopra are allowed to breed, so long as they are mated, but it is highly discouraged by the pride as they are not fully grown and barely old enough to support themselves, let alone cubs.

Breedings that produce hybrids are forbidden and are considered unnatural. Hybrid cubs and their mother would be allowed to stay under the watchful gaze of the Kha, but once their cubs are able to fend for themselves (adolescence), they and their mother are expelled from the pride.

Breedings that may never produce cubs (same-sex, elderly, infertility) are not strictly forbidden, but it is something of a gray area. Because of the emphasis placed on obtaining a lifemate and the bond the pair share, they are allowed. However, choosing a partner who you are unable to reproduce with will raise a few eyebrows and may result in some disapproval. Surrogates and donors are not allowed, as it would be viewed as a form of infidelity. Adoption would be the only option.

Mane Braiding
A new tradition, born during the long travel to the Khopesh, is mane braiding.

A new tradition, born during the long road to the Khopesh and that has only taken root in the pride within the last year, is mane braiding. Warriors of the Khopra will braid strands of their mane (or tail) and continually add to it until they are defeated in battle. Often they will take bits of their defeated opponent's mane to add to their braid. If a Khopra is defeated, their braid is cut in shame and they must start over.

Other Species
Non-lions can never be full members of the pride, only Ortai - unlike lion Ortai, they do not have the option of joining permanently once their debt is paid.

Other groups are not tolerated in the Khopesh, often resulting in skirmishes between the other residents and the Khopra. While lone travelers do not typically ruffle feathers, they may be warned that it is not a safe place to be.

Outsiders
All non-Khopra are viewed as competition for resources and are barely tolerated, considered trespassers. They are often chased away from the Khopra's current territory. The exception to this is if the 'trespasser' is not in good health and/or needs their help. The Khopra consider themselves obligated to help someone in need and so it happens that they occasionally take in 'strays', nursing them back to health. These outsiders find themselves owing the pride - and the lion that found them - a life-debt and are not free to leave once their health has returned. These half-members, called Ortai, must remain until this debt is paid. Once they have done this, they are free to either leave or become full members of the Khopra.

Familiars
The Khopra have one primary familiar; eagles. They are considered signs of good luck and guidance sent by the lion's ancestors. Other avians are allowed, except for falcons. They act as messengers, keeping the pride connected even if members wander.

Prey animals are just that: prey that will be eaten by the pride. While other predators may be considered threats to cubs and chased away or killed.

Religion
The lions of the Khopesh have no formal religion, but rather great respect for the world they live in. Adopting traditions from former rogues, the Khopra now have their own spiritual practices, mild ancestor worship and formal death rites.

They respect entities referred to as elder gods, spirits that inhabit the land, influencing and controlling fundamental concepts of the world; wind, fire, rain, etc. Through interpretations of patterns and natural phenomena, the Kho determine the will of the elder gods. These hallowed spirits are revered, and respected, but not worshipped. No worship is known within the Khopra towards any being, divine or otherwise.

　

Rites

Milestones for Cubs
There are two major milestones for cubs in the Khopra; their presentation to the Naam Kha when they are two months old and the beginning of their training when they are three months old. These milestones happen when they are able to walk without stumbling and when they are able to consume meat.

Beginning of Lessons
All Khopra lions know how to fight - and hunt - and begin their training when they are three months old after they have been presented to the Naam Kha the month prior. They are instructed by their parents and extended family and given guidance by the Nha and retired elders within Ariun Gaar. This training never formally ends, as honing one's strength is a worthwhile endeavor that takes more years than a lion has to perfect.

Presentation to the Naam Kha
All cubs are presented to the Naam Kha at the age of two months old when they are able to walk and travel without much aid from their mother. They are taken to Ariun Gaar and stay for one complete moon cycle. During this time, the Kho watch the cubs for auspicious signs pointing toward their fates and latent talents. These clues are completely arbitrary, known only to the Kho. Cubs who possess qualities befitting a Kha will be offered a place among them as an apprentice.

Before cubs leave, they likely receive their eagle companion in a bonding ceremony.

Eagle Bonding
A bond is never forced and always chosen.

Cubs are paired with an eagle adolescent, able to safely leave their parent's nest in the Ariun Gaar's fig tree. These eagles act as the main way of communication between members of the pride, able to travel vast distances in short times, and are formidable fighters in battle. A cub will traditionally receive their eagle before leaving Ariun Gaar for the first time after staying with the Kho for a month and will remain bonded to their eagle until one of their deaths. The surviving partner may choose to rebond if desired.

Death
In the years between the disbandment of the Burkutesht and the founding of the Khopra, the pride has formed a concept of an afterlife. Primarily as a way to keep in close touch with their roots; the idea of their ancestors watching over them is now widespread among the pride. Ancestors of the Khopra lions are found in the stars, keeping watch over them as they sleep.

To reach the stars and join their ancestors, two things must occur.

First, the body must be taken to the skies. The primary method for this is through fire; burning the body to ash and allowing the wind to carry it. The second method is to allow the body to become carrion for vultures. This path is thought to be painful and is often reserved for criminals and their enemies who are worthy of an afterlife...just not an easy one.

After a body has ascended, a lion will face their Dawa; their final battle, in which they must fight any of their ancestors who find them unworthy of joining them. If they are particularly honorable, some of their ancestors may come to their aid. Should a lion fail their Dawa, its soul will wander for eternity, lost and tormented, often returning to the earth to afflict the living with illness and suffering. If a lion succeeds and overcomes their Dawa, they join their ancestors in the Golden Fields, becoming a star in the night sky where they watch over their descendants.

 

[Quaji]

Khatar
Amir sim Sungus (Quaji)

Khatun

Naam Kha

Kha
Aasimah bint Fareess (Quaji)

Naam Yul

Yul
Fareess bint Najya (Quaji)

Cub

Ortai  

[Quaji]

While all non-Khopra are viewed as competitors for their resources and are rarely tolerated to any degree, the obligation to render aid is a core principle instilled in all Khopra. If they come across a stranger who becomes lost in the Khopesh, injured, or is otherwise in need of assistance, the Khopra will offer it...for a price.

Once the stranger has recovered, they are not free to leave the Khopesh. They owe the individual (or the pride) a life-debt that must be repaid. They become Ortai, a half-member who is forbidden from breeding in the pride and must repay this debt before being free to leave. Generally, this debt is cleared through service; victory in battle, an act of bravery, or saving another lion of the Khopra. Once they have done this, they are free to either leave or become full members of the Khopra

Non-lions can never be full members of the pride, only Ortai - unlike lion Ortai, they do not have the option of joining permanently once their debt is paid.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

If you have a SoA you would like to enter the pride as an Ortai, please post the following form:

[size=9][b]Name:[/b]
[b]Uncerted Image:[/b]
[b]Personality:[/b]
[b]History:[/b]
[b]IC Circumstances:[/b] This pride only takes in rogues as Ortai, those in need of aid - lost, sick, injured, in danger, etc. Why does your SoA need rescuing or refuge? Once their debt is paid, will they stay or leave?[/size]

If you have a blank slate and would like for them to be an original member of the pride (in which case, they must follow pride naming rules!), a former Ortai that paid their life-debt, or if you have a former Burkutesht who you would like to have to join the Khopra, please post the following form:

[size=9][b]Name:[/b]
[b]Uncerted Image:[/b]
[b]Rank:[/b]
[b]Personality:[/b]
[b]History:[/b][/size]

Ranks
Khatar - Leader (1)
Khatun - Leader's Mate (1)
Naam Kha - Lead Kha (1)
Kha (pl. Kho) - Spiritual Leaders (unlimited)
Naam Yul (pl. Naam Yol) - Champions (5)
Yul (pl. Yol) - Warrior-hunters (unlimited)
Ortai (pl. Ortun) - Indebted (restricted)  

[Quaji]

Plans
• Build their battle system.
• Build a system to battle against trespassers (rogue lions, wild dogs, etc).

The thread is open.  

[Andranis]

Hmmm, a question! Say we have a former Qyrhyeshti, but they had been separated and joined another pride, if they caught wind of where their old pridemates were and wanted to rejoin them, how would that work? Irmak bint Melek might be interested in rejoining, and bring a couple folks with her  

[Quaji]

Andranis

Hmmm, a question! Say we have a former Qyrhyeshti, but they had been separated and joined another pride, if they caught wind of where their old pridemates were and wanted to rejoin them, how would that work? Irmak bint Melek might be interested in rejoining, and bring a couple folks with her

On a personal level, there may be some among the pride that will still hold a grudge - the bad blood was deep between the factions - but Amir respects that they were beaten and would allow them entry into the pride as though they were former Burkutesht. c:  

[Andranis]

Wow, I misread that as the group being Qyrhyeshti xD I thought I'd read it over. Though Irmak does recognize that the fighting was kind of stupid, in the end, and would also be willing to put aside differences.