☆This is a forum post where I keep all my lore, so that I can keep up to date with everything and can edit certain things, etc. etc. I would appreciate if you don't reply to this post and just read if you are interested < 3 ☆
THIS IS UPDATED WHEN A NEW RULER EMERGES, SOMETHING INTERESTING/IMPORTANT HAPPENS, OR I FEEL LIKE SOMETHING SHOULD HAPPEN.
TW: RELIGIOUS PRACTICES, ANIMAL DEATH, VIOLENCE
☆The Story Of Menme (EXTENDED VERSION + Rulers) ☆
Leodara
On a land barren in sand and heat lay three cities, all of which were ruled by one leader. All these cities seemed to coexist in peace, often trading with one another and interacting. But they weren't always like this.
In a time of war and terror, these cities were often competing with one another. They were ruled by a king, Leodara. Leodara ruled in fear, often threatening to hurt his pride members if they didn't do exactly what he told them too. Leodara was once a brave, young lion, with a thick, shiny golden coat and a shaggy mane. He left his kin when he grew of age, fearing that they would kick him out. He traveled for days, weeks, months even, searching for a pride that would take him in, or lionesses that would join him. He was growing weaker within moments. The dried up lake that he had been traveling by for ages had run dry a while ago, due to drought in the desert. Little food provided it's self here. No lion knows exactly why Leodara chose this place to rule, but he did. It was't until a few days of traveling when he collapsed, and found himself in the scales of Apophis, the ancient God of Serpents, which many feared.
Apophis had come to him with a proposition, one that Leodara simply couldn't pass up. Apophis promised Leodara that he would be the greatest king of all the land, with lionesses swooning at the thought of him, and prey sacrificing themself for their great king. But, there was a catch. Apophis had grown tired of the many lions of whose bodies he had accompanied, and he was in search of a new one. If Leodara agreed to the proposition, Apophis was take over half of his body, and rule alongside him. Once again, Leodara couldn't pass it up, seeing the state he was in, so he decided to agree to the terms. Apophis consumed his body like he did the rest of his victims.
Leodara's beautiful golden pelt turned from sunlight to shadows in a matter of seconds. His coat had grown darker, along with his mane and eyes, glowing now a red. He grew bone wings, symbolizing how powerful he was. Along his paws flew embers, lighting the ground as he walked. He was now the most feared in the land. He terrorized his pride members, making sure it was known just how powerful and feared he was. Many lions he had gathered on his travels fled the pride, while others, who were too afraid to face the king, decided to stay, fearing that Leodara and Apophis would track them down.
One night when Apophis had left Leodara's body for a bit of air in the form of a black-banded cobra, Leodara found lionesses that were willing to protect the pride from their ruler. These lionesses were known as the goddesses. The goddesses vowed to protect all lions of the pride from Apophis, and make sure that they were all cared for and safe. Each goddess was granted a name and a reason for why they became goddesses. Apophis never found out.
Toyah
Toyah was found as a young cub, harbored by the goddesses who kept their promise to keep him safe. Isibusso, the Goddess of Blessings, saw great things in the young lion, and together the goddesses came up with a plan to get rid of Apophis as their ruler, and instead, make the young cub their heir. At the time, Apophis had already chosen his heir, Leodara's son, Noma, who bore the pelt of the stars. The goddesses feared that Noma would turn out like his father, and wanted to make sure the cub never set foot in the city of what is now Apnu.
Toyah was trained by the goddesses, who hoped that he would make a better king than Leodara and Noma combined. No lioness, except for the goddesses, knew that Leodara's mind and soul had been corrupted, so they all thought that Leodara was doing the things he was out of spite. The goddesses strived to fix that, and needed to make sure that their kingdom was safe and secure.
Leodara was caught off guard by the young lion one morning, who, with the help of the goddesses, preformed what seemed to be an exorcism, making sure that Apophis was cast out of Leodara's body for good. Leodara, now weakened by his age, turned to what seemed to be dust.
Toyah was now seen as a hero, having killed the first ruler, Leodara and exiling his cruel reign from the land. The goddesses, proud of what their apprentice had done, and ready to make new traditions and better life, welded Toyah a Nuummite Pendant, that he was expected to wear around his neck. This symbolized his loyalty, promise, and power to his new kingdom. They also gave him hornbill feathers, that he place on his ear. Now a new ruler, Toyah set out to make his kingdom great again, naming "The Kingdom Menme".
Toyah set into place rules, to maintain peace throughout the cities. These rules included that any and all concerns must be reported to the Peacekeeper and or ruler at the time of the mishap.
It seemed as though Toyah was the best choice for ruler. Peace was kept throughout the cities for many years.
Psamathe
Psamathe was found at the Trade Center. She seemed alone and abandoned. At first glance she seemed like a normal cub, until you caught sight of her piebald markings. Her old pride, of which whom believed mutations were nothing but a genetic curse, was looking to get some good money for her. Toyah saw great things in the young one, and decided to take her home.
The lionesses thought nothing of Psamathe. There was nothing too extraordinary about her, except for her mutation. Psamathe was treated as if she was Toyah's own daughter, often babied by her adoptive father. When she grew of age, Toyah announced that he would be training her to become his heir.
The lions of Sakesa and Dese had never heard of a Female ruler. They believed she wasn't fit to rule, and doubted that she would protect their kingdom. But Toyah never listened to the rumors, believing in his choice and his adoptive daughter.
As time went on, Toyah became older, weaker, and decided that he would retire and give up his position of ruler. Lions of Menme didn't believe in their heir, and if she was being completely honest, the rumors had gotten to Psamathe. She didn't believe in herself. On the day of her coronation, where she would be crowned Queen, Psamathe had lost all faith in herself. She believed all the rumors. She believed she wasn't fit to lead, that a lioness could never rule. But Toyah persisted, and forced her to take her rightful place.
She was given the Nuummite Pendant that the goddesses had given Toyah, as well as the feathers. When the Pendant touched Psamathe's neck, her entire aura seemed to change. She seemed to glow brighter, and become more heavenly. This was a sign, surely. Many of the lions, yet still skeptical, decided to give into their new leader and allow her to lead. With their blessings, Psamathe became the newest leader of Menme.
Psamathe was given symbolic body paint from the Nomadic Shamans that came around her territory during the cold months. Her body paint symbolized a connection with the earth and land, which many of the Shamans believed she already had a connection with.
Each time a new ruler emerges from the shadows, they are required to come up with a rule, that must be accepted by the council, and go to the benefit of the kingdom. Here are a few.
1. If the council, the Peacekeeper, Lorekeeper and Goddesses all decide that a ruler is not fit to lead, they have the right to exile the ruler and appoint a new one, whether the new heir being originally chosen as the heir or not. (enforced by King Toyah)
2. A lion must never be discriminated based on their gender, any lion has a chance of becoming the next ruler, and as a kingdom, we respect all. (enforced by Queen Psamathe)
The hierarchy of Menme. Lionesses older than 13 years old are required to keep their position until Death.
Goddess -
A lioness whom was picked by the sands, protects the pride from inside and outside forces. Must follow a special code. Has the ability to cast out rulers if needed. (Only in the Royal City of Apnu)
Ruler (King/Queen) -
The highest role you can obtain when not a goddess. A lion or lioness picked by the old ruler, trained, and crowned. (Only in the Royal City of Apnu)
Advisor -
Usually a lioness who helps the ruler with many things, such as helping them make decisions that benefits the entire pride. (Only in the Royal City of Apnu)
Lore-keeper -
A lion in charge of keeping stories around the pride, whether those stories be of past leaders of just of their kingdom (Only in the Royal City of Apnu)
Peace-keeper -
A lion in charge of keeping the peace between the cities of Menme. Solves problems. Acts like a mediator (Only in the Royal City of Apnu)
Ruler's Future -
The heir, usually chosen by the current ruler, but can be chosen by the lions of Menme or the goddesses. (Only in the Royal City of Apnu)
Village Ruler -
Acts like the ruler, yet for their village. In charge of making decisions for their village, including trading routes, hunting grounds, territory disputes, etc. Usually the oldest and or wisest of her village
Village Advisor -
Acts like the royal advisor.
Guardians
Strong, powerful lionesses that keep their villages safe.
Huntress -
Lionesses that are expected to hunt for her village.
Traders -
Lions or lionesses that moves around constantly, collecting and trading stuff for their village.
Mothers -
Lionesses in charge of keeping cubs safe.
Hunter's/Guardian's/Trader's Future -
lions over 12 months old, training to serve their village.
Cubs -
Lions under 12 months old, become futures at 1 year.
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