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 Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2026 10:33 am
Welcome to the Plagueseekers, a pride deep in the Circle of Life.
Table of Contents
1. You are here
2. History
3. Pride Life
4. Ranks
5. Owner's List
6. Joining
7. Reserved
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Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2026 10:51 am
History
Where did this pride come from? Only recently have they revealed that they exist to the outside world, and they are looking for lions and other animals to join their ranks...
For a pride as old as the Plagueseekers, their true history is not well known outside of their pride members. In the past, they were a thriving community of Healers and their clients, a lively and prosperous group that embraced all animals that sought them out. Rogues that needed help, Healers from other prides seeking guidance, it didn't matter who or what came to visit. Everyone was considered equal while on pride lands.
However, not every pride thought they were so well-intentioned. Rumours spread that their were nefarious dealings within the pride, from the trade of poisons to intentional spread of disease and infection. Those who looked at the Healers in disdain called them Plagueseekers, and blamed them every time illness or other natural disasters would spread. Despite that, the Healers did not entertain their ignorance, and continued helping animals.
The peace, unfortunately, did not last forever. A severely ill lion came to them, and with it, a plague the Healers had never seen before. The illness only affected lions and other big cats, but as symptoms progressed and lions began to succumb, the other species fled, worried that the plague could affect them too. By the end of the year, 90% of the pride was gone, with only a few left to bury the dead.
The once thriving Healers were gone. The stragglers, immune to the plague, debated. Would they disperse and use their knowledge elsewhere? Or would they stay and try to pick a new life out from the scraps left of their society? Pride numbers dwindled even further as some survivors left, never to be seen again.
A young male, Ujasiri, could not stand to see his home dismantled. He looked at the remaining pride and called to them. Perhaps they were Plagueseekers, after all. But the Plagueseekers were survivors, and they did not have to let low morale destroy them. They could rebuild, find new members, and become a new pride from the dust of the old. His speech gave the remaining lions new vigor. Thus, the Plagueseekers were reborn.
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Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2026 11:07 am
Pride Life
Attitude/Culture
Pride culture revolves around life and death. Their focus on healing and helping has made them acutely aware of the darkness that comes with the Circle of Life, that every life does come to the end, but the ending is not always easy. Plagueseekers wish to ease the suffering of those who find themselves nearing the end of their personal cycle, if they cannot cure them. Methods of dealing with the sick is always careful and planned, so that an illness won't spread to the Healers, visitors, or any other pride members. Sometimes they will come off as cold to outsiders, due to their cautious approach. Patience, however, is rewarded, as most pride members are kind, giving, and warm creatures. It's only necessity that keeps them distant.
Any animal can hold any rank in the pride. While the pride is heavily made up of lions, if a zebra wants to lend a hoof, they are welcome to. Pride members often wear rudimentary pouches to hold herbs and anything else they need to carry around, so that also helps identify them. Parts of the pride territory are set aside as no hunting zones to keep their vulnerable members safe. No hunting pride mates!
Lions born into the pride tend to have short fur, even the males. Those who have high Plagueseeker ancestry tend to have fur in shades of dark brown, dark grey, and black. With the influx of rogue blood, however, any colours and markings can show up. Traditional names are based on herbs and wetland plants, but rogues have introduced many new names to the pride.
Territory
The pride territory consists of a large expanse of wetland, bordered by a thin strip of grassland. Thick reeds, biting insects, and wet, muddy conditions are common. Most of the healing herbs and other useful plants grow in the area, so while it is not always the most pleasant environment for the lions, the invaluable resources make it worth the discomfort. Most pride members make their dens in the more comfortable grasslands, along with the areas set aside for patients and visitors.
The wet season can be difficult to deal with as the wetlands are prone to flooding. Being able to swim and know how to dry one's fur is very important. The dry season brings the pride a welcome relief, despite the hotter conditions.
Leadership
The pride's ruling class is a council of High Healers, lead by a Healer King or Queen and their mate(s). They are the main decision makers of the pride, but outside of that, they are like any other member. One is just as likely to see the Healer King/Queen getting their paws into the action as any other member.
The High Healers are usually made up of up to 6 of the most senior and experienced Healers in the pride. They are appointed by the Healer King/Queen, though the decision is often influenced by how favoured a Healer is among their pride mates and patients.
Ceremonies
Celebration of Life - Healers cannot save everyone, but they can make sure their journey to the next state is a good one. A celebration of life can be as varied as the animals involved, but they often include a speaker telling the story of the animal's life, plenty of food, and sharing of memories.
The Long Night - A ceremony that happens once a year in the dry season, usually in the height of the season. Pride members stay up all night to think about the passing of time. The High Healers will often speak of the year's births and deaths, important updates about the pride, and any rank changes that have happened during the year. They will also remember those who passed during the plague. It is a solemn event, and all but the youth and apprentices are expected to fast as well. Visitors are not allowed to attend.
The First Rains - Celebrated during the first few rains of the rainy season, it's a party of renewal and bringing in new growth. Dancing, feasting, and good feelings all around! This is also when pride members are encouraged to go out and recruit new animals.
Breeding and Youth
The pride does not get involved with the affairs of the animals within, so any arrangements are allowed as long as it is between consenting adult animals. The only thing that will turn heads is any mistreatment of one's mate or cubs. Any abusive behaviour will be reported to the Healer King/Queen.
The birth of new pride members is a heavily celebrated event and the parents will be allowed to take as much time as they need from their duties to care for their family. As the young grow, their care becomes the responsibility of the whole pride to make sure they are healthy, happy, and get the education they need to thrive. There is no formal schooling, youth are expected to shadow their parents and the other adults before being apprenticed to an adult who will teach them everything about their future, chosen rank. It's not unusual for youth to try out a few different things before making up their minds.
Visitors and Patients
The pride depends on the patronage of other animals. Anyone who plans to stay temporarily either for trade, treatment, education, or just as a place to rest will be given the rank Visitor and be allowed to pass through most areas of the pride, except for the pride members' private dens and any storage areas for goods. Visitors are expected to leave once their business is complete or they are healed, but they are welcome to apply for full membership at any time. A quick interview with the Healer King/Queen or a High Healer will determine their suitability for joining.
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Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2026 11:10 am
Ranks
Ruling Council
Healer King/Queen: The leader of the pride, usually chosen by the previous leader or the other council ranks, if the previous Healer King/Queen has passed on. They rely on their High Healer council to make decisions, and while they have the final say, they are mostly a political figure for interacting with other prides.
King/Queen Consort: The mate(s) of the Healer King/Queen. Traditionally, the Healer King/Queen has taken multiple mates, but it's up to individual preference. Consorts generally have no extra power in the pride, though they are respected and cherished. Historically they take an almost parental role with their pride members, and are seen as life givers and important to the future.
Healer Prince/Princess: The offspring of the Healer King/Queen and their Consorts, or any individual adopted by them. They do not have to be true descendants! They can just be favoured individuals, since leadership is not hereditary. They will keep this rank their whole lives, even if they take on other roles. A rank to track history and family bonds.
High Healer: A council of six appointed by the Healer King/Queen. They are the most important advisors to the Healer King/Queen when it comes to life inside the pride. They also provide guidance to the other Healers.
Common Ranks
Healer: The most common rank, Healers make up the bulk of the pride as they provide such an essential service. Their exact roles in the pride can vary. Some healers specialize in teaching healing skills, others will only treat minor illnesses, while others might specialize in complicated procedures such as removal of infected limbs. Each one is considered vital to the pride and no skill is too small. Healers will also leave the pride to use their skills in other prides, or to recruit new pride members.
Guard: Guards have several duties. Some will watch the pride borders for new visitors and anyone who wishes harm on the pride, others will watch over patients and visitors to make sure they feel safe (and don't do anything stupid), others guard pride storage areas. While they may seem like they are just watchful eyes, they know how to fight if needed.
Keeper: Keepers are private in their roles and most visitors do not know they even exist. They keep the pride clean and orderly, and they are also responsible for removing, preparing, and burying the deceased. In the past, they even consumed the dead, but this practice is typically discouraged... though, keepers also keep their secrets. Other duties include caring for and scouting out places for graves out in the wetlands.
Hunter: Most ranks will go out on hunts if necessary, but these animals do nothing else but provide food for the rest of the pride. This is a common rank for joining rogues who do not wish to pursue healing skills. While not as glamorous as being a Healer, nobody gets in the way of Hunters and their work.
Other Ranks
Apprentice: An adolescent or young adult animal still training in their rank of choice (note: 2-stages animals can skip this stage in certing)
Youth: Babies! Cubs, pups, etc. that need to grow up.
Visitor: A temporary rank given to anyone who wants to stay in the pride for a while but not completely join it. Anyone who comes in seeking help with an illness or injury who will need to stay for treatment will be given this rank as well.
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Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2026 11:13 am
Owner's List
Healer King
Ujasiri - ? x ? - ChaosTheories
King/Queen Consort
None
Healer Prince/Princess
None
High Healer - 6/6 Open
None
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Healer - Default rank, unlimited
Guard - Unlimited
Keeper - Unlimited
Hunter - Unlimited
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Apprentice - Unlimited
Youth - Unlimited
Visitor - Unlimited
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Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2026 11:21 am
JoiningPlease fill this out and post here!
[color=green][b]I Will Survive[/b][/color]
[b]Name:[/b]
[b]Owner:[/b]
[b]Rank Wanted:[/b]
[b]Why This Rank?[/b] (Required for Ruling Council, optional for the rest)
[b]Old or New Member?[/b] (Old members limited - remember, most of the pride perished in recent history!)
[b]Brief Personality:[/b] (Optional)
[quote="ChaosTheories"][/quote]
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Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2026 11:22 am
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Reply
