Basking Delta (RotDogz)

## Basking Delta

The **Basking Delta** is a fan-pride set in the world of *I Hope So* made by RotDogz. They are a pride separated from most others, taking up a large expanse of territory far-off from most other lions. Due to abundance of food and territory, they are a pride that accepts lions of any background into their ranks rather quickly. For those born within the pride, they are usually named after the weather.

## Summary

> *Lingering in the murky and ever-active delta, these lions are known for their friendliness, yet also, their incredible strength- in both numbers and physicality. Generations of swimming and trudging through mud and water each day have made them rather formidable.*
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## Background

The Basking Delta is a pride that's been around for many generations, yet isolated from other prides. They are known as more a myth than anything, to those who have yet found them. Whispered rumors from Travellers who have wandered far, or mysterious disappearances of lions seemingly off the face of the earth. Thus, their disconnect and varying traditions have made for a culture far different than most prides.

Most uniquely: Unlike most prides, these lions vote for a leader instead of having a monarchal system. While the reason for this is mostly lost, it is said that this tradition was started when a corrupt King and her family were driven out and the pride, leaving an empty role behind.

Thus, they do not have Knights, Heirs, or other such roles. Instead, their hierarchy is built more like this:

> **King:** The King serves the same functional role- leader of the pride. They manage ceremonies, hunting, territory disputes, and inner-pride disputes. They were formerly an Overseer (of either subgroup). When they retire or pass on, the Pride will choose between the two Overseers on who will become the next King.
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> **Wetpaw Overseer:** Similar to a "Knight," they help the King manage the pride. Specifically, they focus on the Wetpaw lions, sending out hunting patrols and managing the meals. During Dry Season, they often focus on making sure they can supplement their food source with other hunting methods.
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> **Drypaw Overseer:** Also similar to a Knight- more accurately, close to their Wetpaw counterpart. The Drypaw Overseer focuses on the Drypaw lions, of course, but more specifically they also focus on territory management and patrolling borders. They also focus on inner-pride disputes/arguments, serving to help negotiate compromises.
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> **Wetpaw Lions:** Adult lions who serve as primarily hunters, named after the fact they're usually in the wetlands area of the territory.
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> **Drypaw Lions:** Adult lions who serve as primarily gaurds/fighters, named after the fact they're usually in the drylands area of the territory.
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> **Caretakers:** Breeding lions that currently have cubs, or, lions who have decided to step down from active fighting/hunting roles and instead focus on watching over cubs & training juveniles.
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They do also have Queens, Jesters, & Cubs, who serve the same role as canon. Cubs will usually decide to become either a Wetpaw or Drypaw once they've gone on a few hunts/patrols with both groups as a juvenile. Jesters are usually referred to as "Storytellers," though.

## Lore

The Basking Delta Pride is one made up of lions with many different origins and scars, most of their members having been former Travellers. Yet they still are very tight-knit, despite their large group, seeing each other as a family more often than not. Keeping these bonds strong is of great importance to keep the pride running, and thus comes great ceremonies and traditions to bring all the lions together.

### **The Longest Day**

> *During the summer solstice, known to the lions in a variety of different forms, (often relating to The Great King, or other folklore figures) the Pride gathers together for a days-long hunt.*
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> *The task? Well, to catch a Thunderfoot. Each and every lion that is able & willing gathers to track down a lone Elephant, usually a male, and kill it. Any other lions stay back to watch over the cubs and prepare the camp for the others when they return.*
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> *The ceremony starts off with the King giving a speech, referencing any lions born that past year & honoring them. Then all the hunters participating will decorate their pelt; with Wetpaws often using mud & reeds, and Drypaws often using flowers & leaves. The decorations are often done by close friends, family or mates, but any lion within the pride is willing to help another.*
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> *After the decorations are complete, the King will lead the hunters out and give them a basic run-down on what to expect, and warnings of the dangers. This is the last chance to pull out of the hunt unless you get injured, but can be seen as a taboo in the sense that its "cowardly." Once they've done this, the King will guide the group with help of the Overseers, until they locate a Thunderfoot. If the prey seems safe, the King will take the first blow, often by ambushing the Thunderfoot and biting at its belly.*
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> *Once the King makes the first blow, the pride will follow. This will often send the Thunderfoot running, and the pride will continuously chase and attack until sundown. If the Thunderfoot hasn't been killed by night, the pride will gather to rest and sleep, while the King & Overseers stay awake and watch the Elephant to make sure it doesn't run too far off.*
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> *This pattern of attacking, chasing, and resting, continues until the Thunderfoot falls. The pride will rejoice, and the lion(s) who dealt the "final blow" will be rewarded by getting to eat first, and then are later honored in camp.*
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> *After the hunters eat a little and rest, as many pieces of the Thunderfoot meat the pride is able to carry will be returned to camp. There will be a feast, and celebration. Days after the lions will not hunt, but return to gather meat from the Thunderfoot, until the vultures or other scavengers finish it off.*
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### **The Longest Night**

> *During the winter solstice (again, known to the lions in a variety of forms), the pride gathers for a somber ceremony.*
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> *The ceremony is one of facing your fears, regrets, and your past. The King will gather the pride and give a speech, mentioning any lions that have passed in the past year and honoring them.*
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> *There's a series of challenges set up, and taking one on is a more serious and somber affair than a "game", really. Challenges vary year-to-year but there's always a mix of ones on dry-land and ones focused in the water. Taking on one signifies that you're facing something or that you're accepting something, and you are basically taking on the physical manifestation of your mental struggles.*
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> *There's often little speaking during these, with the night being quiet in respect for the challenging lions. If a challenge is failed, it is seen as a sign that you're not ready to take whatever you're facing, and you need to retry next year. If a challenge is won, it is seen as you overcome this problem.*
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> *Winners are given a small trinket representing the challenge in remembrance.*
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