House of Lions

***High as Honor***

The esteemed House of Lions, the smallest of the four major houses, attracts those of strong arm and of stronger will. Warriors, paladins, heroes and legends are found amongst their ranks. The Lions have a notoriously difficult and rigorous testing process in order to filter the weak from the strong who wish to call themselves a Lion. Because of this, their numbers are far less than the other major houses. To those of might and honor, they will find themselves at home within the halls of this house.

Unlike the Wolves, Lions aren't based in the pack. They are kings of their domains. Individuals of power, unique in their strengths. While Lions assisting one another is common, there are those who strike out alone, with enough skill and cunning to cut their own paths.

*Tradition is Important:* The Lions operate opposite of the Crows when it comes to advancing from the past. They stay as they always were. Guns are exceedingly rare amongst them, as that is not how their progenitor did it. They don’t even adhere to the color culture when it comes to their cloaks. White means Harbinger, Gold means Elite, and Red means Guardian. The Lion coat of arms upon their cloaks is allowed to vary. No other ways are accepted for the cloaks. A cardinal rule of the Lions: Your cloak never should be black. That color belonged to the First Lion, and him alone.

*Duelist Culture*: In order to be the man, you’ve got to beat the man. Lions train heavily in one on one combat, as that is how they progress up the ranks. You train to grow strong enough to take the place of an Elite. That is how you rise.

**Total Strength**: Two thousand members.

**Prime Tenants:** Honor, strength, courage, individuality.

**Alignment**: CG

**City Name:** Bellator

#### **House Structure**

While they have no set units and militaristic subdivisions, there is a hierarchy amongst the Lions. At the top, the Harbinger stands at the head of the Lions.The current Harbinger is Kell Saevator, having taken the position twenty years ago.  Officially, the harbinger is a guide, not a ruler or giver of commands. In spite of this, the harbinger's word is often taken as law. Below him are the Elites, a hundred of the best the Lions have, identifiable by their Gold Cloaks. Elites are highly respected, and are often seen as commanders. Below them make up the majority of Lions: The Guardians, identifiable by their red cloaks. These are warriors, fighters, and brawlers who have passed through the rigors and strains of their initiation. Many amongst this rank strive and shove to prove themselves, to one day reach the rank of Elite. At the bottom are the New Blood. Whelps. These are initiates, pledges to the House, who go through hell to pass the length process of tests, to be made into Guardians or to be turned away.

#### ***The Legend of Old***

Eowyn Blackstar, the most well remembered hero of the Golden Age, in no small part due to the Lions keeping his name alive. They are reverential of his name, and slandering him to a Lion will most certainly lead to a fight.

“He founded our legendary order. He was the bravest warrior of all. The pinnacle of honor. The most skilled fighter to have graced the Gatelands. He fought alongside the gods themselves to slay the enemies of man. He was the lone hero of man who fought the tide of the Fog. He will not be forgotten. Not today, and not for a thousand years. To him, we pay our dues today.”

- *Kell Saevator, Harbinger, speech to the Whelps.*

## ***Season of Strife***

Kell Saevator, after the Cobras openly attack the Crows causing war, rushes to affirm neutrality with the Lord of Wolves. His predecessor who had signed the Palestone Concordat told him of the horrors of the War of Sorrow, and he is not willing to let another happen. An adventurer who came to the city a hundred years ago, Saevator was not around to witness it; but the burden is now his responsibility.

The House of Eagles return was a shock. Tel’aario of the Sand, in the flesh? A Lion who’s visage rests in the Hall of the Worthy deep within Bellator. Contact is made between the Harbinger and the former Lion turned Eagle. An unofficial alliance is formed, the Lions agreeing to help the fallen house.

*“Harbinger Saamir knew him well. Saamir told me of his exploits by his side before he left the order. He is a man of honor, and is welcome in our city. Tel’aario of the Sand can be trusted, and that is final.”*

-*Kell Saevator to Lion Elites*

Stranger even, is the Wolves and Lions working as one. United under leaders who will not let the city be destroyed from inside, Lions and Wolves assist one another to attempt to keep peace. Lions walk the streets like the Wolves, solo and ready to keep the peace by their side.