๏ тнε gυαя∂ιαηs ๏ тнe prιde wнere legendѕ are real

[size=36pt]T[/size]here once was a time when our world was not what it is now. Three species, the lions, bears, and wolves, were fighting over the world. The war raged for years, because the species were immortal. Ultimately a young lion decided it was time to stop. He proposed a competition- The species would each create a mortal species, and these mortals would try to survive in the world. Whichever animals survived the longest won the earth.

The violent bears thought that mere mortals with a bear's aggressive tendency would fight to death. They as such sent out giant pandas, peacful animals.

The wolves were so vain that they created versions of themselves, cunning dogs.

And the lions were going to make something very fast, but they realized that every species had its points. So they made cats- a little strong, a little smart, and a little fast.

To the others' surprise, the cats lasted the longest. The wolves and bears were about to leave in defeat when the lions stopped them. They had learned benevolence, and so decided that both losing species could have a third of the land anyways. The wolves and bears were shocked but pleased, and in return gave the mortal cats the ability to bond with a spirit animal. This spirit would aid the cat and make it stronger. This also lengthened cat's lives, so they could live to be 30 years old. And so the three learned to live in harmony.....

But that harmony is shaking. The world is more fragile than ever and not many know it... This is where our story begins.

Things work a little differently here than what you may know. Cats have the option to Bond with a spirit. There is a small chance a cat will be born with their spirit, meaning the spirit noticed them and chose to inhabit them at birth. This will give the cat the appearance of their spirit (i.e. Leo). Most of the time, however, a cat will need to seek out and Bond with a spirit. There are 4 spirit types- Sun, Water, Sky, and Flora. Legend tells of a fifth, Black, hidden 'in the shadows'. It is mostly dismissed as old stories. Each spirit species will go into one of the 4 groups depending on their attributes: Sun Guardians are fast, Water Guardians are aquatic, Sky Guardians are aerial or agile, and Flora Guardians are strong. Insects are supposedly part of the Black Guardians. A cat will choose one of the four types and set out to find the respective flower. There is one flower for each type, and they are on different areas on the territory. When a cat reaches the flower, they will be judged by the Guardians. If one approves of the cat, they will bond. There are multiple stages of bonding; When the Guardian thinks their host cat is ready, they will move them up a stage. The stages are as follows:
Meeting- Either the cat is born with their Guardian or they have been acknowledged by the animal.
Bonded- The animal accepts its host cat and agrees to remain with it for the rest of its life.
Linked- The Guardian gives the cat abilities related to its species (i.e. A cat bonded with a cheetah may be granted speed)
United- Cat gains full power and a symbol - Wings for a Sky, a tail flipper or fin for Water, large, sharp teeth for Flora, and huge claws for Sun.
Of course, some cats never become bonded with a spirit. Because some ranks require a certain level of bonding, a cat may be Blessed by another member's Guardian instead. Blessings will move an unbonded cat up the ranks.

The ranks of the pride:

Monarch: This cat is the leader. They keep the group organized and their word is law. A Monarch gets help and advice from Advisors.

Advisors: There are 3 Advisors, one for each branch of work (Medication, hunting, and learning). They are experts in their trade and are like mini deputies. They supervise the cats in their branch and report to the Monarch. A cat may apply for the Advisor rank if they are United with their guardian. The leader picks his Advisors every year.

Tutors (Learning Branch): A tutor is the second most advanced job in the learning branch, behind advisor. They will gather information in the field, or teach the kittens. They also have superiority over the lower learning branch ranks. Kittens are taught in groups, about 3-5 kittens to a Tutor.

Guards (Hunting Branch): A guard is like a tutor in a different branch. They insure the safety of the pride members as well as leading patrols for prey.

Healers (Medication Branch): The highest medication job next to Advisor. Healers direct lower ranks in the medication branch and treat injured and ill cats.

Nannies(Learning branch): Nannies are general learning branch cats. They help the Tutors, and also help mothers care for their kittens. They can become Tutors when they have Linked with their guardian.

Hunters(Hunting Branch): Hunters are exactly what they sound like. They hunt for food and, if they must, can fight. When they Link with their guardian they can become Guards.

Nurses(Medication Branch): General medication cats. They help take care of cats and go out looking for herbs. If they wish, when they have Linked with their guardian, they can become Healers.

Siblings(Learning Branch): Siblings are cats learning to be in the medication branch, and when they are graduated by their Tutor they become Nannies.

Trainees(Hunting Branch): Trainees are learning to be in the hunting branch, and upon graduation they become Hunters.

Apprentices(Medication Branch): Medication branch learners. They will become Nurses once graduated.

Infants: Kittens. A cat will be an Infant until they are 5 moons of age, at which point they begin training. By 7 moons they must pick a branch to specialize in.

Ancestors: Ancestors are retired cats. A cat can retire at 12 but many cats wait longer and some never retire.

Stars: Stars are cats who have been handicapped and cannot do normal work. They have special things they can do to help.

OOC Rules: 1. Please don't fight OOC.
2. No OP characters, they need weaknesses to be interesting ;)
3. No swearing
3.14. No more characters than you can handle
4. All WCRPG rules apply
5. Have a smiley :) and put it in your 'other' if you read this!

IC Rules: (These can be broken, the punishment will be in-game)
1. The Monarch's word is LAW.
2. One must have permission to attempt bonding, and they may never go alone.
3. Cats do not enter The Shadows. EVER. Do so at your own risk!
4. Hunt before you eat, unless you are an Infant, Ancestor, or Star, or are sick, bearing kittens, or wounded.
5. You have a balance with your spirit; Do not disrespect them in any way.

The territory is very diverse, featuring a large canyon running past a pine forest and huge mountains. These are the landmarks of the territory.

High ranks on top, low ranks down below