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Appeared to the pride shortly after the rule of the Good King Krassuss. It seems he has been sent to guide the new queen, Malacaie.
QM: You greet Sheir Renar with a head bump. He smiles a little, as if grateful for the attention, before returning to his usual dark corner.
This pride operates on a hierarchy system, with various leaders within each rank. Each lion is assigned a letter to indicate their social status in the hierarchy, followed by their rank. A lion's standing in the pride is a combination of both their social status and their rank, with rank always overruling status, i.e a C|Broodmother will still always outrank a B|Huntress.
The ranks are as follows (more details below): Monarch (King/Queen), Deputy, Shaman, Healer/Healer Apprentice, Lead/Deputy/Huntress, Lead/Broodmother, Elder, Huntress/Broodmother in Training, Cub, Outcast, and some miscellaneous specifics, i.e. Prince, Princess, etc.
Ranks (in order of authority):
Caste I
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Monarch
The leader of the pride, and the only lion allowed to "father" new cubs with pride members. The monarch has the power to appoint and demote leadership and key member positions, with some conditions/exceptions. Traditionally, the monarch is only removed through death or retirement and is replaced by the last heir to be named.
Shaman
A mysterious lion sent to the pride by unknown forces. Acts as an advisor to the monarch. The shaman generally has the power to remove any lion from any leadership position, though the monarch can call a petition against any removal. This is not typically done, as the Shaman leads petitions (a voting process that includes all impartial Caste I and II and elders), making hit hard to succeed. The shaman can only be removed by the same forces that sent them.
Healer
Heals injuries and illnesses and assists the Shaman in interacting with mysterious forces. The healer can only be removed by the shaman or through retirement, not by the order of the monarch, though the monarch does appoint the healer's apprentice, and thus, replacement.
Deputy
Appointed by the monarch, they operate as the second-in-command. The deputy is typically a member of the royal family who exhibits strong leadership qualities but is not the current heir. Once appointed, it is traditional to keep the deputy until either retirement, death, or promotion to heir.
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Caste II
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Lead Huntress
Appointed by the monarch, the Lead Huntress oversees the huntresses and huntresses in training. The Lead Huntress notably outranks the Lead Broodmother, though typically it is the other way around. This is so regular Huntresses must obey all Broodmothers, but the Lead Huntress can always check that power. The Lead Huntress is typically removed by either retirement, death, or demotion by the monarch; and replaced by the Deputy Huntress, if the monarch approves.
Lead Broodmother
Appointed by the monarch, the Lead Broodmother oversees the nursery and organizes the other broodmothers. They have the important responsibility of reporting the potential of the pride’s cubs to the monarch, as well as assisting with births. The Lead Broodmother is typically removed by either retirement, death, or demotion by the Healer or higher. If demoted by the Healer, the monarch cannot petition the choice. The Healer then must appoint the next Lead. If the Healer’s appointment does not exceed the predecessor’s success after three litters (as decided through the Shaman and elders), the new appointment is automatically removed and the prior Lead Broodmother is reappointed.
Healer Apprentice
Appointed by the monarch, the Healer Apprentice serves as an assistant and student to the current healer. The Healer Apprentice is typically removed by either retirement, death, or demotion (through petition or by the monarch).
Deputy Huntress
Candidates are chosen by the Lead Huntress and the Deputy appoints from the candidates. Serves under the Lead Huntress as a second-in-command and is typically trained to become the next Lead Huntress, though it's not guaranteed.
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Caste III
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Broodmother
Any lioness can become a broodmother if they have had at least one successful litter and are approved by the Lead Broodmother. They serve the pride by caring for and protecting the cubs of the clan, allowing the huntresses to return to their usual duties as soon as possible. Broodmothers outrank huntresses, and thus can give them maternity related orders, such as moving into the nursery sooner than they’d like. They can be demoted by the Healer, Lead Broodmother, or monarch.
Huntress
All lionesses who are not called to other duties are the huntresses of the pride. When not bearing cubs for the monarch, the huntresses serve under the Lead Huntress.
Elder
An elder is any lion or lioness who has either retired or is too old to bear young. They are highly respected for their advice but relinquish any authority they once had to live the rest of their life in leisure. Elders are vital for the petition process, and traditionally are neither banished or outcasted.
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Caste IV
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Huntress/Broodmother in Training
Any lioness above the age of one year are sent into training. Typically, all adolescents are trained as huntresses, but if an adolescent shows a nurturing nature, they have the choice to train as a broodmother before bearing her first litter.
Cub
Any lion or lioness under one year of age are considered a cub, and are put under the protection of a Broodmother, no matter their social status.
Outcast
An outcast is either a member of the pride who has fallen from grace (but not so far that they’ve been banished) or a lion/lioness who is attempting to join the pride without an invite. Outcasts live with and serve the Elders, and it is the Elders who determine when it is time for the outcast to ask the monarch for their place in the pride.
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Miscellaneous
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Heir
The heir chosen solely by the current monarch. The heir must be a lion or lioness who is the direct child of the current monarch. The monarch can revoke the title of heir at any time. If the monarch tragically passes before choosing an heir, the current deputy may become the next monarch, but only if the deputy either is a child of, or shares the same father as, the deceased monarch. If the current deputy does not meet this criterion, there will be a petition to decide on which of the deceased monarch’s direct children would be best suited for the monarchy. If the petition deems none fit, or the monarch has no viable children, the Shaman will become monarch.
Prince/Princess
Any member of the pride who is a direct child of the current monarch. Princes typically guard the caves, patrol, and train, whereas princesses typically stud, hunt, and learn the arts.
Royal Guard
A rare role, but when the monarchy changes paws, the princes and princesses of the prior reign lose that rank. Typically, the new monarch will integrate these lions back into the pride as mid-high ranking members. It becomes harder when there are many princes, as a pride does not have many places for males in their ranks. When there are more male lions than roles, the monarch can choose to appoint the male as a royal guard, essentially letting them resume the duties of prince. This is typically a temporary measure done out of respect, so the lion may have time to arrange for their own pride. When the new monarch eventually bears princes, the royal guard will either have to leave willingly or be chased off.
Rogue
Any lion/lioness who is neither pridemembers nor outcasts. Rogues are typically sold, traded, or chased off. (If you see one that you like, feel free to ask for them!)
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The letter system is as follows: AA, A, BB, B, C, D, E, Z
Details below:
AA: Highest Royalty/Highest Honored-------------------A: Royalty/Key Member/Leadership
------BB: Key Member/Leadership/Retired Leadership/Former Royals (if approved)------
B: Respected/ Elder------------C: Great------------D: Good------------E: Poor------------Z: Rogue
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