THE SECOND COMING OF THE LEUIAN PRIDE

PREAMBLE:

The Leuian Pride is the political and egotistical center of Leuian society as well as serving as clan and kindred to all righteous Leuians. The ranks of the Pride are filled by every willing and unwilling Leuian in the lands, who defend the Pride as fiercely as they defend their own favorite pair of boots. It is governed by a council of ancient Leuians, known as "The Leuian High Council" and is led by a Council leader called the "Khatyr." The Pride meets in the infamous Pride hall who's actual location is pretty much known to all Tarr'khats and Spurians alike and is considered a great social club for all Leuians. The Pride is charged with overseeing the welfare of its members as well as the safe guarding of Leuian trinkets and baubles.

THE RITE OF KIT'RA:

Any Malekynd, Femalekynd, Smartkynd, Dumbkynd (preferably Dishonorablekynd) of Leuian birth, possessing any level of skill, serving any God, especially Set!!, and performing any profession that requires one to lie, steal, cheat and kill unnecessarily may join their kindred in the Leuian Pride.

There are two time honored paths for admittance into the Pride. First the prospective member requests that he or she be introduced to the Pride by a sitting member of the Pride or the prospective member is invited to join the Pride by a sitting member of the Pride. By either means, the prospective member then attends a Pride gathering, takes the Rite of Kit'ra and is welcomed into the Pride as one of its kin.

Before a Leuian Warrior can join his or her kin in the Pride, they must take the sacred Bite of Clawmaster. This bite signifies the passage from youth to adulthood and Pride membership. On this day the warrior is reborn, he or she is no longer a Kit or someone of age but as yet without a voice among their Kin. Upon receipt of the Bite of Clawmaster they are given the ability to blindly follow whatever the Pride shall command and the right to slaughter whatever helpless creature it shall please. It is an ancient tradition and great honor for the Leuian being inducted into the Pride.

EXAMPLE OF THE BITE:

The ceremony is carried out by the Kituri and Khatyr before a congregation of the Pride. The prospective member is referred to as the Poor'Sap'ra until the oath is taken, whereupon he shall be referred to as the Dumb'as'a'thug'ra. The ceremony is often followed by sobs and any number of attempts to restrain the Dumb'as'a'thug'ra once he has realized what he has gotten himself into.

First Kituri: "Poor'Sap'ra, step forth."

The Poor'Sap'ra walks back a few spaces, figures out the meaning of 'step forth,' and quickly advances.

First Kituri: "Leshia'tkra, Spirits of our foremothers and forefathers, once we figure out who they may be, and honored dead, I call upon you to laugh at and pity the Poor'Sap'ra."

Khatyr: "Kit'leth, Lor'cha, Babblesomemore'eth."

Khatyr: "In the beginning, the Khatkynd was chosen above all others by the gods to be something more than a beast. To snivel and ramble, to lie and cheat, to suck our thumbs and contradict, and to be the overall jokes of the world. And as a reward for the gratitude our ancestors displayed we were given several things with which to live in the name of honor: Our mouths with which to ramble about honor at any chance we get, Our claws with which to slaughter any who uses words we are too feeble to understand, Our hearts with which to cheat and betray our Khat..Khat..well, our Khat'thingies, and Our souls, though I'm not quite sure at the moment what they do...

Khatyr: "As it was in the beginning, so shall it now be. Let the Spirit of the Pride be infused with new generations of proud warriors, whether you defend your honor with claw, cries, backstabs, runes, the voice, the tail, sword, or a run for safety. Stand strong. Stand proud. Run fast. Poor'Sap'ra, this I demand of you, to the Pride bring honor, ramble about honor, sell honor for a hefty price and then steal it back in the middle of the night, never shame or disgrace our honor."

Khatyr: "Kit'leth, Lor'cha, yadda yadda'leth."

Khatyr to Kit'ra: "Will you (Poor'Sap'ra's name) embrace anyone else's wife or husband, a justice, a knight, or a God for the benefit of the Pride?"

Poor'Sap'ra: "With heart, mind, soul, and body, I will embrace. This I swear on this day."

Khatyr: "Then this we swear to you: to reward your devotion with love, your adultery with recognition, and your oathbreaking with celebration."

Khatyr: "Kit'leth, Lor'cha. Poor'Sap'ra the circle is complete, the Poor'Sap'ra has been fulfilled, take your place among the decrepit worn out warriors, and always regret what was done on this day."

THE OCCASIONALLY SACRED PRECEPTS OF THE LEUIAN PRIDE:

The Pride is governed by a set of ancient and sacred laws which have their roots in Leuian custom and tradition and have been handed down from generation to generation hence they are there for, sadly outdated. The laws which are referred to as the "Sacred Precepts" are to be followed by each and every Pride member without question or debate but tragically, rarely are. And when the offending member is questioned about it, the one doing the asking is usually shunned or talked about behind his or her backs.

THE FIRST PRECEPT:

The Precept of Freedom "Leuians Must Remain a Free People"

The Pride shall challenge, with raised voice or sharpened claw any attempt to enslave, harm, or destroy Khatkynd unless the one doing the evil deeds is a current Pride member then all bets are off.

Sub-Precepts:

A. When efforts are afoot to harm or shave Khatkynd, all Pride members are expected to defend the Leuian races fur to the best of their ability under the direction of the Leuian High Council.

B. If diplomatic protest is required to defeat an attempt to harm Khatkynd, it shall be furnished by the Khatyr and/or the seat of First Sonchi if they are awake and aware, if they are not, then the matter is quickly forgotten and swept under the Pride rug.

C. If selective military action is needed to remain an arrogant people, it shall be furnished by the KLAAW'MARA under the direction of the First Kang and Leuian High Council.

THE SECOND PRECEPT:

The Precept of Honor "Deal With The Pride and One Another in Assumptions and Great Arrogance."

Every Pride member is expected to treat their fellow Pride members in honor and truth and to never bring dishonor to the Pride as a whole, but as has been made clear over the years, too many of the Pride treat others with disrespect, rudeness, ruthlessness and disdain. If one has an opinion that differs from any others, they are then insulted and degraded either publicly or using scrolls, and the ones behaving in such despicable ways show absolutely no remorse in doing these things.

Sub-Precepts:

A. Under no circumstances is a sitting Pride member to thieve, pilfer or swindle anyone unless they manage to do it when no one else is around, then it is perfectly acceptable. To follow the ways of the Tarr'khat is considered a most ruffianish like act and if such an act is witnessed it should be ignored with a shrug of the shoulders and a turned eye, to be joked about later in the Rose Eternal tavern.

B. Under no circumstances is a sitting Pride member to unjustly spill Tarr'khat blood. To kill a fellow Leuian, or member of any race without honorable combat is considered a most dishonorable act. If such an act is witnessed it should be reported to the seat of first Kemtah for investigation.

C. Under no circumstances is a sitting Pride member to betray the Pride, including but not limited to revealing Pride Secrets to non members, revealing the location of Pride hall to non members, etc. etc. If such an act is witnessed, it should be reported to the seat of the Khatyr, the First Kemtah, the First Kang, the First Sonchi, the First Durah, and the First Lortai for investigation.

THE THIRD PRECEPT:

The Precept of Tarr'khat, "Let those who worship dishonor be cast forth from our midst, unless by the Gods will that Leuian already wears a Pride ring, then allowances are made."

Under no circumstances is a Tarr'khat to be allowed the honor of Pride membership. But if one clever enough, has managed to become a full fledged member by duping everyone, they get to remain as such.

THE FORTH PRECEPT:

The Precept of Sovereignty, "The Blood of the Pride shall remain thin."

Under no circumstances is someone not of Leuian kin to be admitted as a member, however, those of other races who bring valuable gifts to the Pride or are the Khat'sara of a sitting Pride member shall receive reward, honor, respect and special dispensation (see Orders Bestowed) from the Pride.

Sentencing Guidelines

Honor accepts no unjust punishments, therefore when a Leuian transgresses upon the Occasionally Sacred Precepts he or she shall receive a full investigation of the matter, and an unfair hearing on the matter. If discipline is deemed necessary, a just and fair punishment shall be leveled against them.

There are two types of discipline the Pride shall inflict upon those who dishonor it: The first is a warning, if the crime is of a light nature and due in part to inexperience, naivety, ignorance, flirtatiousness and youth, a pathetic warning shall be given to the Leuian in question by the Khatyr and First Kemtah. This warning shall be given before the multitude of the Pride so as to shame the Leuian in question and give the rest of the Pride a good snicker. The second discipline, which is referred to as "Ker'nath" is applied to the most egregious infractions on Leuian law.

THE KER'NATH:

The Leuian in question is excommunicated from the Pride and all Leuian culture, he or she is dubbed a Tarr'khat. The Ker'nath is carried out in ritual fashion were by the Leuian in question is brought before the Khatyr and High Council. The High Council forms a circle round the Leuian in question.

The Khatyr states the following words: Ker'nath Khatkynd Ka'mar Khat'laki, which translates more accurately to "You have the soul of a true Leuian, which shames us. You must go."

Then the Tarr'khat's family approaches. The head of the family throws a weapon at the feet of the Tarr'khat and states the following words "This be your heritage. Take it with our blessing."

Should the Tarr'khat have been a full member of the pride at the time of the Ker'nath, the one who sponsored him or her is required to undergo a test to prove his or her true loyalty to the Pride. The test consists of falling upon the blade of a Clawmaster. Should the sponsor pass the test, he is buried with full honors and maybe one or two people shed tears for the poor idiot. Should he fail the test, he joins the Tarr'khat in a merry and well-lived life of dishonor and joy.

Each member of the high council, unwilling to let the Tarr's see their jealousy at the freedom Tarr's possess, slowly fold their arms across their chest and turn their back to the Leuian in question and will no longer accept them as one of their own. The Tarr's then leave the area, free to fulfill the true destiny of a Leuian.

THE STUCK IN A RUT LEUIAN HIGH COUNCIL:

The Stuck In A Rut Leuian High Council is responsible for all matters dealing with the Pride. They act as government, elders, mentors, lecturers, parents, baby sitters, tyrants, judge, jury, and executioner to all Leuians, Pride member or not. They are foolish examples of what is so wrong in Leuian culture and as such they are to be treated with disrespect and dishonor. It should never be assumed that they are caring or compassionate as it is their charge to work fiercely, alone, and without other Leuians to delay or destroy the sacred mission of the Pride.

THE KHATYR:

The Khatyr is the leader of The Stuck In A Rut Leuian High Council and the spokes-Khat of the entire Pride. It is said that when the third Pride was organized on Leuia, it was seen fit to have one person lead the Pride, as there are times when the voice of many must be represented by whoever has the biggest mouth. The Khatyr serves this purpose, he or she speaks for the Pride and represents all that is the worst in Leuian culture.

Although the Khatyr is the leader of the Pride his or her actual power however is beholden to the Pride as a whole. He or she can act without the consent of the whole Pride and normally does, he or she will make key decisions on behalf of the Pride without their consent or knowledge. Only in rare circumstances is the Khatyr not allowed to invoke executive powers and make key decisions that will affect all. Such circumstances usually include a matter where time is of the essence and the entire Pride is too inebriated to be called for a vote. Even in these circumstances, the Khatyr must consult as many members of the sober High Council that can be found before acting. The Khatyr never has to keep all matters before the Pride if he chooses not to. Within Leuian Prides there are far too many secrets and usually all is for the Khatyr's ears only anyway.

THE STUCK IN A RUT LEUIAN HIGH COUNCIL:

The Stuck In A Rut Leuian High Council forms the governing body of the Pride. They are sometimes lead by the Khatyr as a whole, but each seat on the council has its special duty that is performed on behalf of usually only the one who has the seat. Like the Khatyr, they are expected to be aloof and secretive to the general Spurian population as well as shining examples of the worst in Leuian culture.

THE SEATS OF THE STUCK IN A RUT LEUIAN HIGH COUNCIL:

The First Seat of the High Council:
Honored Title: First Kemtah of the High Council
Summary: The seat of constitutional bookworm, scholar, legislative author, law enforcement and judicial counsel.
Charge: To draft and formulate all supplementary enactment's to the Pride's body of laws. To enforce with rune, voice, whip, begging, and pleading, all laws of the Pride upon its members but not they themselves. To provide counsel to the Pride on points of Leuian and Spur Law.

The Second Seat of the High Council:
Honored Title: First Lortai of the Pride
Summary: The seat of historical scholar, chronicler, scribe and historical counsel.
Charge: To intensely record all of significance during Pride gatherings, hunts, Rose Eternal Inn parties and all other events. Author a truthful journal of this Prides activities in the Spur. Encourage budding authors within the ranks of the Pride to write tales of Leuian lore and myth. Provide counsel to the Pride on points of Leuian and Spur History.

The Third Seat of the High Council:
Honored Title: First Sonchi of the Pride
Summary: The seat of diplomatic representation, ridiculous debating, and diplomatic counsel.
Charge: Furnish diplomatic representation for the Pride. Author treaties with other groups on behalf of the Pride. Provide counsel to the Pride on points of partying etiquette.

The Fourth Seat of the High Council:
Honored Title: First Kang of the Pride
Summary: The seat of brutish military command of the armed forces and military counsel.
Charge: Maintain and organize the "Klaaw'mara," The military arm of the Pride. Provide instruction to the Pride by beatings and spankings.

The Fifth Seat of the High Council:
Honored Title: First Durah of the Pride
Summary: The seat of domestic affairs, treasury and counsel of the material possessions.
Charge: Selfishly maintain the treasury of the Pride by getting it confused with your own bank balance. See to the material needs of yourself for events and other special occasions. Provide counsel to the Pride on the items and materials in your possession.

The Sixth Seat of the High Council:
Honored Title: First Kituri of the Pride
Summary: The seat of forceful recruitment and indoctrination of Leuians into the Pride.
Charge: Brainwash all eligible Leuians into the Pride. Enforce your beliefs and ideals pertaining to the Pride to those new to the lands. Falsely represent the Pride to the populace of the Spur.

The Seventh Seat of the High Council:
Honored Title: First Karu of the Pride
Summary: The seat of the High Priest or Priestess of the Pride.
Charge: Act as an eccentric spiritual counselar to the Pride. Enlighten any member who wishes instruction, or even if they don't in the ecclesiastical studies. Provide counsel to the Pride on matters of interest to the clergy of the Pride.

The Eighth Seat of the High Council:
Honored Title: First Majtai of the Pride
Summary: The seat of the High Finger Wiggler of the Pride.
Charge: Educate any member who wishes tutelage in the Rune sciences. Provide counsel to the Pride on points of significance to the finger wigglers segment of the Pride.

The Ninth Seat of the High Council:
Honored Title: First Kahlor of the Pride
Summary: The seat of the study of the musical and theatrical arts.
Charge: Instruct any member who can't fight in the musical and theatrical arts. Provide counsel to the weak members of the Pride on areas of importance to the Canary singing segment of the Pride.

The Tenth Seat of the High Council:
Honored Title: First Khatshire of the Pride.
Summary: The seat of the Master or Mistress of Population Control.
Charge: School any member who wishes to learn the proper ways to decimate the local population of such creatures as landsharks, as well as the proper tools to be used in chopping down trees. In addition, teach proper methods of executing any and all people that remotely annoy the Pride. Handles the K.O.S list.

The Eleventh Seat of the High Council:
Honored Title: First Khatleth of the Pride
Summary: The seat of Whining.
Charge: Teaches proper methods of ganging up on ones opponents. Gives voice training for screaming for help when there is a possibility that one's opponent may actually stand a chance. Also trains scribes in writing properly so it appears as if one was in the right.

THE KLAAW'MARA:

The Klaaw'mara is the organized military arm of the Pride. It is field commanded by the First Kang and acts naively under the direction of the entire Pride. While every Pride member is expected to defend the honor of the Pride, there are times when only an organized Rose Eternal drinking fest with ones foes will be sufficient to defeat the enemies of the Pride. When such an event occurs it is the duty of the Klaaw'mara to accomplish. The Klaaw'mara is a strike team consisting of the best drinkers of the Pride specially trained to consume large amounts of ale with the enemies of the Pride standing shoulder to shoulder alongside them. It is not a posse or lynch mob and it never gets inebriated without the express consent of the entire Pride.

THE SACRED GATHERINGS:

The Leuian Pride meets every seventh day to discuss boring matters of interest to the Leuian Pride. These gatherings consist of ceremonies (Kit'ra's, bestowing orders, etc.), celebrations (announcements of Khat'sara), training (Klaawfests), Petty debates and bickering (wars and treaties), and all matter of things foolish Leuians discuss between themselves. The gatherings are considered the only time a Leuian can truly think they be a true Leuian, he or she is amongst kin, usually drunk, and for many it is an occasion of drunken great joy. The gatherings are often followed by tales of heroic and cowardly deeds, song, lots of drink, hunts, celebration and sometimes warrior brawls or tests of strength long into night by sloshed kyn, regardless of whatever issues were discussed at the gathering. Simply put, a Leuian among a hundred other Leuians is just another Leuian. In the hall of warriors among his or her brothers and sisters, the Leuian is in incomprehensible denial.

THE KLAAWFARSES:

Klaawfarses, as the name suggests, refer to a group of Leuian mimes that put on shows in Town Square which consist of pretending to claw something to death on a grand hunt. Klaawfarses are called for many reasons. The first Majtai, Khatleth, Kahlor, Karu and Khatshire often call for Klaawfarses in order to train those unskilled in the theatrical arts they usually try in vain to represent. Klaawfarses may also be called by the first Durah in order to raise public awareness and to fill the Pride's coffers by putting on prancing displays in the middle of town. Finally Klaawfarses can be called simply for the enjoyment of Leuian only acts. Although the sheer sight of large numbers of Leuian mimes, drunk with ale, miming acts of great honor and flailing about long into the quiet of the night while pretending to claw their prey to death is a humorous sight, to Leuians it is the height of great rapture and glee.

HONORED ORDERS BESTOWED:

There are times when the Pride is especially proud of the behavior of it's members. Those who have learned the proper ways to lie and cheat while maintaining a façade of honor. There are also times when members of other races behave in manners foolish enough as to prove themselves worthy of the Pride. When this occurs, some useless overpriced babbles, bought with money stolen from innocent children that happened to be in the poor quarter during a Pride Hunt, are awarded.

ORDERS BESTOWED:

Order of the Greedy Lion:
Bestowed upon those Leuians that purchase armor and weapons, as well as bribing temple teachers and guild trainers, so that it looks as though the young of the race are skilled.

Order of the Yellow Claw:
Bestowed upon those Leuians that kill those much less able than themselves after a young khit picks a fight with them.

Order of the Old and Useless Mane:
Bestowed upon those Leuians that...oh Set poke him make sure he is still breathing...

Order of the Pansy:
Bestowed upon those Leuians that have learned the fine art of saying "fighting you serves no purpose" in order to hide their cowardice

Order of the Lion's Arse:
Bestowed upon those Leuians that have learned the proper methods of turning up their noses at those of other races.

Order of the Foolish khit:
Bestowed upon those Leuians, new to the Spur and newly initiated into the Pride who run around acting like idiots and then call upon the Pride to save them.

Order of the Cohort of the Pride, The Clawless Khat or "Guy whose own race doesn't want him":
Bestowed upon any one of another race who donates large sums of money to the Clawmaster, or hangs around Leuians so often people regularly check them for fur, or those that are deluded enough to think the Pride is worth something.

Order of the Pridebedwarmer:
Bestowed upon those that realized they were unworthy of their own race and decided to find out if leuian fur was as warm as it looked. Given in appreciation of true wanton behavior, which often results in the person's own race refusing to acknowledge them as a member.

CONTEMPORARY PRIDE HISTORY:

Very little is known about the period of Leuian Pride history leading up to present day. What is known is that two hundred years ago, the Leuian Pride suffered many misfortunes. Just as they do today. Leuian tradition and custom became second place to the customs and traditions of the Spur. Leuians far from home, most notably in Spur, are said to have forgotten much of what made the Leuian race so feared and so respected, and little if anything is being done to correct the matter. Normally envoy after envoy would have been dispatched from Leuia to correct and repair the damage done, but none of any note ever came.

This is believed to be due in part to the recent news which has come forth regarding a so called crisis which had taken hold on Leuia. Rumors of a feast held in honor of a Tarr'khat have surfaced. Whatever the reason, a wave of senior Leuians have been arriving on the shores of the Spur, blurry eyed and staggering about, dwelling on the past situation on the home island, but crusading blindly and foolishly for a new Pride which they vainly hope would honor Leuian tradition and custom, and a return to the old ways, which sadly crafted the race that even the Gods themselves referred to as "That most absurd, petty, materialistic-bound warrior/mime race."