Territory
A1
A2Deep within the dense forest, lies a clearing. The ground slowly turns from grass to sand, with shrubs and bushes interspersed (like the texan desert.) In the centre of this sandy clearing is the mouth of a ravine. The ravine’s walls slope down in a steep manner - making it impossible for most, if not all, animals to climb. There is however a slope of jutting out stone and sandstone - still difficult to traverse but not for the inhabitants of this territory. This is where the pride makes their home. The different levels make for different paths to walk around the circumference of their territory, and one or two of the dens are actually natural tunnel systems which lead to caves further away from the main area. They have control however of the entire surrounding forest. Spread throughout the forest there are smaller, much shallower crevices in the ground - the pride use these for different things such as a dumping area for unwanted bones from prey. The valley in which the clearing is based, is surrounded by slightly higher plateaus of land. The forest gets more dense the closer it gets to the clearing, but the trees are sparse as you get further to the higher bits of land around. The entire land overall, both in territory and far outside of it, is a mixture of desert grass, sand and dust.
A16The climate is sort of like african plains - It’s mostly a decently warm temperature, not hot enough to cause serious discomfort but still hot enough that the terrain around is similar to a desert of sorts. Though the nights are nice and cool. It can get overbearingly hot during the summer season - but living in a subterranean cave system keeps a comfortable cool temperature. The winter months however, are quite different. It gets to a much colder temperature and snow is not too rare of an occurrence. There isn’t a definitively defined time of particularly dry seasons or rainy seasons, though it has been known to have some dangerously dry and rainy spells, there doesn't seem to be a particular pattern to them. The rain that does occur will usually drain through the compact sand floor of the ravine, though it can make the rocky inclines that lead in and out of the ravine a little slippery.
Flora and Fauna
A21Bombelion - A common weed, much like a dandelion, which grows solitary in the desert- the petals are a mix of neutral blues, yellows and oranges. During autumn, the bombelion will turn to seed - any movement or brushing against it will cause all of the seeds to explode outwards, picking up into the wind and then floating through the air.
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xxxxxxAxehead Plant - This plant doesn't have the usual fully formed leaves you see with most other plants. Instead, half of the leaf is split in half with a sharp point to it, much like the shape of an axe. This is not a weed, it's a more lush plant that prefers rain to heat, but is able to withstand the temperatures of the climate around Red Eagle. This plant grows no flowers, the leaves however can obtain a colourful stripe if the conditions are right.
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xxxxxxScytheweed - Named for its shape akin to a scythe. The leaves curl round in a rather menacing manner. It is striped with lighter green, but also has striped of red in. This may be a natural indicator of it's poisonous irritants that it secretes through the pores of each leaf.
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xxxxxxA15The territory is populated by prey and predator alike, though the animals are quite varied due to the variety of environments nearby.
The prey usually consists of rabbits, mink, boar, many different Cervidae, giraffes, and sometimes younger elephants. Though fish is not uncommon for a lion to catch.
The predators, or threats of the pride, are normally: Hyenas, other large cat species, bears, and gorillas are not uncommon to find near the borders of the territory.
There is quite a wide selection of species that can be found in the area of Red Eagle, as there are a few different - but not vastly different - environments around the outskirts, such as a jungle not too dissimilar to an African rainforest, or high mountains whose peaks can collect snow.
Despite the larger prey being an option, the pride actually prefer to hunt smaller creatures - they're faster to collect and there's lots of them (rabbits usually have a big overpopulation issue). The pride will hunt smaller animals - as well as larger - and add them to a pile in the territory for the pride to pick at.
A9
The pride's biggest threat could be a few things. Another pride for example could ambush them - though they have Templars keeping watch, Sabira likes to keep the pride as open to newcomers as possible, so they aren't overly offensive or defensive, therefore prides looking for new territory or looking to attack them would be relatively easy for them to sneak under the radar if they send a lion to front as prideless, or just a friendly visitor. Other threats could include whatever might be able to enter through the anomalies that have been popping up around the pride's territory. They have no idea what the anomalies are, though one idea is a portal; so therefore anything could come through and attack the pride. As well as this, dragons exist in this world. Though rare, not seen for a while, dragons are huge and deadly and could very well be a huge threat if one passed by. There are a few dragon skeletons around that well-travelled lions have seen, but there's no telling if any are still alive or not. Therefore, there's no way to defend against dragons preemptively, and they could cause massive amounts of destruction.
A10
The pride's biggest strength is that their camp is made in a deep rift in the ground. The path in and out is not carved out to be smooth, so it's a little difficult to traverse if you aren't well versed with the rocky steps. That path is the only visible entrance, so any attackers would find it difficult to get into the camp.
The pride's biggest weakness is that they are very welcoming to newcomers, so although they have Templars to keep watch - they are inviting, which means that at any time, they could be double crossed and attacked by another pride or a rogue lion.
A14
The pride lets cubs be cubs for a little while. They allow cubs to be inquisitive and aspirational, to watch other members of the pride and see how they do their own jobs, as well as play. However, when they come to a certain age, they start to be taught how to different roles in the pride. They are mainly taught hunting techniques and fighting techniques, but they are also observed and talked to to see what they are most interested in. If a lion seems more interested and skilled in the knowledge of medicinal herbs and healing methods, then they will be trained as an Ovate. Generally, Squires are able to pick what role they want to have at the end of their Squirehood, but they are nudged towards a specific role depending on what skills they have shown during training. If a Squire shows exceptional skills for both hunting and fighting together, they will be nudged towards Templar.
A19
Battle traditions greatly depend on the individual lion. For example, if a lion is spiritual or religious in any way, then they will pray to their deity before a fight. Or if they feel in the mood for it, they will do warpaint. Generally, with the Red Eagle being the prides' main deity, they will ask the Red Eagle for luck, strength and stamina in the fight.
Warpaint is an option that a lot of lions take up in the pride. The paint is usually applied in certain patterns, such as; swirls, triquetras, celtic knots, moons, the awen symbol (generally just any symbol which represents druidry or celtic history). Sometimes, during a battle, music will be played or a song will be sung; it'll be upbeat tunes to get everyone energised and ready for the fight. After a battle, the pride will usually hold a big ceremony which includes a lot of music and a big dance outside of the main camp - there will be woven flower headbands and neck wreaths made by any lion who wishes to make some, and lions will use this ceremony to exchange wreaths with a lion they may have a crush on and they can admit their feelings.
A25
The most common natural disaster in the pride's territory is a forest fire. As the desert land is quite dry, and there are quite a few redwood trees around, fires can start quite easily. They can also spread quite quickly and become very dangerous as redwood trees are very tall. The usual response to a forest fire is for a patrol to go out and organise things; some of them will split off to go into the depths of the fire and escort or carry out any animals who need help - usually tree-dwellers such as types of monkeys, birds or koalas. The rest of the patrol will go and gather the elephants together, who will then go to the nearest source of water - suck up the water and travel to the forest fire, where they will spray the water out over the flames. The lions escorting the elephants will carry small supplies of water in woven baskets and bags so that the elephants don't have to travel all the way back to the river to top up unless absolutely necessary. Together, all animals in the Red Eagle territory will work to help each other out and stop the forest fire.
A30
Romantic relationships are quite strong and important in the pride. If you have a mate, it is normally morally right to stay with that mate for the rest of both of your lives, unless it is agreed upon to separate. One time flings can happen but it is not common, and it is quite looked down upon to have a one time fling when already in a relationship - it's just quite rude that you would say you're in love and then betray that lion. There is a form of marriage that can happen, though it's not too common as mates usually just accept they want to be mates for life. Marriage ceremonies are akin to celebrations after a battle or on a solstice, where the pride will dance, play music and eat good food. However, a druid - either chosen by the lions getting bonded, or the eldest and wisest druid - will hold the bonding ceremony.
