The Atma Pride is a pride of friendly, empathetic lions that lives in a thick forested area. The territory is immensely large, filled with many areas to bask in the sunlight shining in through the trees, hunt, and even swim in the small bodies of water scattered about. The territory is rich in flowers and other lush vegetation, and many small animals roam about. The pride’s camp is a large clearing beneath a canopy of trees. There’s a cliff side against it, and in the side there are dug out dens.
The lions all care for each other and hardly get involved in drama. They’re not violent, but when they have to protect themselves against enemies they can fight wonderfully. They are, overall, very kind lions, and will gladly take in a traveler for the night.
When cubs are born, the mother stays with by their sides until they open their eyes and ears and begin to stumble around. As does the father, if they are in the pride. Then, the mother goes off on her hunting duties while the Broodmothers step in. They act as secondary parents, and after the mother’s daily duties are fulfilled, she returns back to her cubs and lets the Broodmothers rest. The whole pride cares for the cubs, and do everything in their power to keep them safe. Most cubs stay in the pride, but some are handed off to other prides who promise to take care of them when space is limited. It’s always sad when a pride member or cub leaves, but the pride knows they’ll be safe and cared for.
When cubs reach adolescence, they begin to train to be a proper lion. They begin to learn how to hunt, to fight, and to care for the lions around them, even if they’re more snarky or blunt. They go out into the territory without supervision once they hit this time of their lives, and they often goof around at this time. They learn to patrol on the side, and begin to identify scents and sounds. Most heirs to the throne are chosen at adolescence as well- but in some cases, an heir isn’t chosen until adulthood.
When adolescents mature into adults, a ceremony is held. Flowers are brought into the camp and scattered on the adult and ground, and the females go on their first hunt alone. Males go on their first patrol alone. The pride spends the day gathering as much food as possible for the feast at night, and most adults destroy their old nests as a symbol of them moving on to a different place in life. A new nest is threaded with feathers and ferns, and they all move into the main pride’s den at that time. It’s a very joyful time!
When pride members hit the age of thirteen, they begin to falter and struggle to continue in their pride duties. The king and the pride thanks them for their service and time, and moves them to the elder den. Kindle, the young lioness who cares for the elders, helps make them a new nest and comforts them during their first night as an official elder.
Death happens within the Atma Pride, even when they don’t want it to. Old age or unlucky circumstances still hit these peaceful individuals.
When a cub dies, it’s a very heart-wrenching experience. While it doesn’t happen often, it has happened in the past, despite the best efforts of the pride. When a cub dies, the mother, father (If in the pride), and Broodmothers surround the cub in feathers and petals, grooming their fur one last time. After the grief filled vigil, the mother (same thing for the father) and Broodmothers go to bury the cub. The mother is excused from her duties while she grieves.
When an adolescent dies, which has only happened a few times, the pride honors a potential hunter or king’s life. If the parents are in the pride, they cover their child’s body in moss and soft fur tufts from their baby’s favorite prey. The pride sits vigil and the parents or qualified pride members go to bury the adolescent. Flowers and fur are tucked beside them in the grave.
When adults or elders die, the pride holds a vigil while the Healer and king scatters flowers on their body and wishes them happiness among the stars. Qualified pride members or able elders bury the lost pride member. A day of vigorous hunting and patrolling follows in their honor.
When a king dies, the whole pride takes their individual part in the ceremony. Each lion will lick the deceased male’s cheek or shoulder in respect, and each lion will bring a flower to settle over his body. The heir to the throne will sit beside the body, and give a speech to the pride about how he will lead them, and how much the pride will miss their wonderful ruler. Any other lion is welcome to give a speech as well. The whole pride goes off to bury the king (cubs are brought along, too, but stand away from the burial with their guardian(s)), and when they all return to camp the heir is crowned king.
However, when a king steps down and becomes the Grandpaw, the ceremony is much different, for the king is not dead. A celebration of thanks for the former king’s rule is held, with the typical flowers and feast. The king himself crowns his heir king, which is an emotional time. When the Grandpaw dies, however, after many months of playing with cubs and watching his pride happily, the dead king ceremony takes place (minus the heir becoming king, since he’d already be king- he will still give a speech, however, as well as any other lion who wants to).
(The pride has never had a queen, but if they did, these ceremonies would play out the same way.)
In all these ceremonies, if the lion has a mate or mates with the pride, they will join in on the burials and, just like family, they and any cubs they may of had together can choose to take a grieving break from duties.
There is much more to this pride! Don’t be afraid to stop by. Visitors are welcome!
