The name Neander is of Greek origin meaning "New Man".
On the straight facts of Neander's characteristics. He's loyal, honest, dutiful and sensitive which could seem a bit
out of the ordinary for someone with his position.
Upon his birth he had very little hope for his future. His Father, Colombia the Crowned King had little interest in him living within his pride for he already picked his heir to take his place. His mother adored her son and always uplifted his spirits when they were torn down. Eventually regardless of his mother's peals he ran off from his home pride. He knew that when he came of age that he would get beaten to his father's borders. He walked as far as he could each day feeding off scrapes resting in the shade when the heat became too much. As time passed on he carelessly stumbled across a hunting party of lionesses feasting on their kill as the broodmother guides the cub in for their share. He silently waited hidden by shrubbery for them to leave so he could pick off what was left. Snarls and small brawls sounded in the air as the adolescents about his age fought each other for more meat, the lionesses not keeping a watchful eye a stray cub, her legs barely strong enough to keep her upright wobbled her way from share of milk to explore her curiosities of the world. That lead her right into the paws of Neandar thumping herself to the ground, Neandar raised his paw in surprise as he looked down at the small cub. When he looked at the cub he saw himself and a deep feeling inside made him want to love on the cub. The love he never received from his kin, the small cubrolling playfully on her back batting at his paw making him smile. He heard the broodmother call out for the cub a sharp stab of panic struck Neandar but he calmly picked up the cub by the scruff and walked out of the brush to return her. One of the lionesses saw him with the cub and sounded the others all were ready to kill him as their King strolled in and Neandar laid the cub down. "I only want to return your cub, she stumbled across me while all of you were dining." then he rose to make his escape as he did like living. Quickly the brood mother moved in grabbing the cub and escorting the rest home. The King with a burst voice commanded him to stop so he did turning to look at him. The King wise in his years knew that any other lion in his lands would have secede the opportunity to kill his cub then turn to his pride but Neandar did not, that interested the old man. Unknowingly to Neandar the King has been unable to sire many heirs, most died before their first year and against tradition he offered Neandar into his pride as his heir.
From then on he worked hard to experience the world and strengthen the abilities for the better of the pride. Through plenty of trial and error, he succeeded becoming a better lion than the dying King could ask of him. The day came when the King did not rise with the sun and Neandar stepped into the light the pride now his own. Everyday he learns something new, always tending to the needs of his lionesses barring his offspring ready to bring the new bloodline into the world. He hopes that with his bravery and skills nothing can stop him from reaching his full potential. He made an oath to be the King that his father never was, he'd be the King that Abner his kindered father always knew he could be.
Not long into his reign of being king, Neander was on his morning stroll to prep his body to rule another day. The scent of new death passed in the breeze making his head turn to gaze upon a malnourished spotted hyena stuffing it's belly with a small game. That stuck him as strange knowing they are loyal pack creatures. He redirected his path towards the hyena when a sudden crack came from the grass and with a blink of an eye and rival male pounced the hyena strangling it into the earth. It's loud struggling barks echoing in Neander's ears before the male put the hyena to silence. He shook his head in disapproval because it was not a fair fight. He changed his path yet again to ignore the male when a few whimpers could be heard a few steps from the hyena's kill. Neander knew immediately that the hyena was a mother just trying to care for her pups. He put a jump in to stride making his way to the noise, the rival male's attention going to the whimpers as he dropped his meal his intent clear to kill them as well. Neander could not stand the others behavior letting out a meaty roar thrusting himself straight into the side of the other male knocking him off his paws. They both snarled at each other, Neander displaying his dominance as these were his lands, the equal male did not let in igniting an intense brawl between the two until Neander got the upper paw slamming the rival's head into the hard dirt. Against his better nature Neander no longer wanted to deal with such a presence in his land so he claimed his life just as the rival did to the poor mother. The rival laid limp the sun setting on his time, Neander leaving him with a grumpy growl. What was most present in his mind was to find the pups luckily none of them traveled far. The trio were so young and with a quick decision he claimed them as his own calling for his broodmother. Upon her arrival with her acknowledging his desire she glared at him not excited about a other species entering the pride along with her care. He persuaded her with a gentle nuzzle and promised she didn't have to look after them the majority of the time. Only when he needed her help. She rolled her eyes picking up a pup to help him return them to the safety of the pride. Neander is a very happy and proud hyena papa taking very careful care of his three new sons teaching his cubs about their kind. The pups never stray far from Neander's side nor he from their's only in Kingly ventures to dangerous for little tikes like them to accompany him. His life just got a lot more interesting along with endless possibilities with opening his mind to befriending more hyenas for knowledge and peace.
On the personal side of things, this lion's design has a deeper meaning for me along with his backstory. Though I applied the Lab Test Frog for him to appear female to use the good pose. I will not be addressing him as my Queen. He is still my King because there is always more to someone on the inside then how they look on the outside. You just need to look with a different set of eyes.
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