learn out the bonespeakers
~ Welcomed Species ~ The Bonespeakers believe any creature can commune with the spirits, though lions are considered slightly more likely to be blessed due to the connection with the stars and the ancestor lions who look down upon them. However, any creature who can prove their worth or reliability of their readings is welcomed. They just have to pass Yahna's knowing eye.
Vultures are also especially loved, as they are used as messengers and help collect small bones for the Bonespeakers to use in their readings.
~ Pelts and Colours ~ The Bonespeakers care little for colours, though the purple that Yahna wears so well is quite in fashion. It’s markings that they find particularly interesting. Eye markings are considered very important and sign that you have a closer connection to the spirits and thus make more accurate readings. Bones are also considered a boon.
~ Alignment and Temperament ~ Neutral. They never seek violence on their own accord and care little for the troubles of other prides. As long as someone can pay the price for a curse, they don’t ask questions or care who or why. They’re rarely bothered by others, as the other prides and rogues fear their spiritual power and so they pass through other lands as desired.
~ Culture ~ The Bonespeakers are an interesting group, they spend most of their days in communion with the spirits, talking and collecting new bones for their collections. The higher ranked members are given their own cave with which to decorate and entertain customers while the lower ranked ones are grouped together in a commune and expected to hunt and keep their home tidy and safe from unwelcome infestations.
Each seer has one bone they consider their spirit guide. They chose it upon reaching the seer rank after benign an aspirant usually keep this particular bone close by, often as a form of jewellery.
For some members, the whole reading the future thing is entirely a ruse, a path for charlatans, who happily pray on the weak minded. And others are true believers in their powers and the powers of the seers. Both sorts are welcomed regardless. Yahna would only smile knowingly even if someone reveals themselves as an unbeliever. The universe has a plan and only she knows it.
Major disagreements within the pride are dealt with by either a High Seer, though the petty squabbles that plague every pride are mostly ignored. The pride are forbidden from cursing each other and should any such behaviour be uncovered, the offending creature would be exiled immediately.
~ Breeding and Cubs ~ Breeding can be done at any time by any one, there are no restrictions. In fact, it’s encouraged for the members to interbreed or seek out others with specific markings to bring more spiritual powers into the pride.
Cubs are not given a rank until they age up into adolescents, where they either become aspirants or are encouraged to leave the pride to seek a new home. There are no specific child minders in the pride, cubs are taken care of by the collective group, especially the aspirants and seers. Parents are held accountable for any bad behaviour, however, so it’s in their best interest to at least keep an eye on their own offspring.
If a cub is born with especially favourable markings and lineage, the Grand Seer or the High Seers may lay a claim on them for future training and will keep an eye on their progress, often offering guidance at an early age to keep them on the right path.
