The Kusitawa Hyenas

The most hated of the hyena clans.
┗ Inclusive ✦ Nimble ✦ Knowledgeable

The Kusitawa clan stands out for its unique relationship with lions and its distinct social status among hyenas. Unlike other clans, Kusitawa adopts a versatile approach, excelling in healing and combat skills.

About The Kusitawa

Kusitawa, is distinguished by an unusual relations with lions and it's different ranking status within hyena society. Unlike other clans, Kusitawa embraces a versatile approach, excelling in various skills such as healing and combat.

The unique relationship between Kusitawa and lions is a source of hatred for other clans. While hyenas and lions are often portrayed as rivals, Kusitawa has earned an ally with these apex predators, benefiting from mutual protection and shared resources.

In the Kusitawa clan, it's quite common to see close relationships forming between hyenas and the lions in their vicinity. It's not unusual for these two groups to interact and even mingle in each other's territories.

Over time, Kusitawa hyenas undergone a significant change in their hunting style, gradually moving away from scavenging and adopting a lion-like hunting strategies. Instead of solely relying on scavenging for food, they now employ more bold methods, such as coordinated group hunts and strategic ambushes. While scavenging served them well in the past, embracing lion-like hunting techniques allows them to assert greater control over their food sources.

Thanks to their close relationship with lions, the Kusitawa clan has developed a "jack of all trades" mentality. Lions have played a pivotal role in teaching them not only the art of hunting, fighting, but also skills related to healing.

Life in Kusitawa
From an early age, hyena cubs are exposed to a diverse range of activities. Mentored by experienced clan members and lions alike, young hyenas acquire essential skills in almost everything. Life in the Kusitawa clan involves continuous training to develop their skill sets even into adult hood.

Their daily routine starts with the hyenas grooming themselves at dusk, ensuring they are primed for the night ahead. Following this, they engage in training exercises to sharpen their skills, sparing sessions, hunting, or heading out on patrols. Interspersed are moments of social interaction both within the clan and occasionally with lions. Finally the hyenas take time to groom themselves and each other once more before retiring to their dens for sleep.

Idleness is frowned upon and keeping yourself busy is highly valued. One must constantly be engaged in activities that contribute to the welfare and cohesion of the clan.

Appearances
These hyenas typically boast leaner, longer-legged bodies. Among the clans, Kusitawa hyenas stand out for their notably tall stature, making them the tallest among the others. They predominantly exhibit warmer pelts in a range of lighter sandy colors, including tan, light browns, and yellow hues.

Fighting style
They have an endurance-based fighting style. A methodical approach that prioritizes outlasting opponents through sustained effort and calculated maneuvers. This involves avoiding unnecessary exertion in the early stages of the fight. Instead of relying solely on evasive maneuvers or blocking attacks, they employ a combination of blocking, parrying, and absorbing blows.

Health
These hyenas tend to enjoy better health than others because of their advancements in herbal medicine. This expertise in herbal remedies gives them a notable edge in maintaining their well-being and resilience against illnesses and injuries.

Religious outlook
Kusitawa holds a more agnostic view on worship, neither fully embracing nor rejecting belief in the Mother or the Heir. Instead, they tend to live their lives without dwelling on such matters, focusing on their daily routines and pursuits.

They look down upon cannibalism.

How they treat non-clan born hyenas
The Kusitawa clan permits outside hyenas, including those from other clans, to join them. However, they are cautious and take considerable time to build trust before allowing newcomers to join them in the communal den.

Hierarchy

The Kusitawa clan used to adhere to a traditionalist approach, where female hyenas held significant influence and authority.

Rank is no longer inherently tied to lineage and birthright. Under the leadership of Queen Olabisi, and preceding her, her mother, the Kusitawa clan has undergone a gradual transition away from strict traditionalism toward a more inclusive system.

Queens inherit their roles by birthright. And soon Queen Olabisi will rid of this tradition.

High Ranks

Queen
The queen is not only the symbolic figurehead of the clan but also serves as its primary decision-maker and caretaker. One of the queen's primary responsibilities is to provide guidance and direction for the clan.

Crown Princess or Prince
Representing the next generation of leadership within the clan. As the heir to the throne, the Crown Princess or Prince is groomed from a young age to eventually assume the responsibilities of leadership under the guidance and mentorship of the reigning queen.

This rank will also assume responsibility for the clan and its affairs in the event that a leader is unable to do so.

The Queen's guard
They play a pivotal role in upholding the authority of the Queen within the Kusitawa clan. They serve as enforcers of her laws, ensuring that her decrees are followed and maintaining order. Additionally, they prioritize the Queen's well-being by ensuring she is always the first to feed and by acting as her personal guards, providing protection to both her and her offspring.

Envoy
An envoy's primary duty is to serve as a mediator between lions and hyenas, facilitating communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution between the two.

Apothecary
Apothecaries serve as experts in the art of healing and overseeing the clan's medical practices. Additionally, apothecaries play a key role in cultivating and harvesting medicinal herbs, ensuring a steady supply of healing resources for the clan.

Standard Ranks

Captains
Captains within the Kusitawa clan play a crucial role in managing and training the combat roles of the clan members. They are revered figures known for their formidable skills in combat, often possessing extensive experience in warfare and tactics.

Huntsman
Within the Kusitawa clan huntsmans hold an important role in managing and honing the hunting skills of clan members. They are seasoned hunters with extensive experience in the art of the hunt. They lead hunting expeditions and take imparting their knowledge to hunting roles under them.

Combat Roles
┗ All combat roles within the clan are authorized to patrol the territory, whether individually or in groups, as this constitutes their primary responsibility.

Guardians
Guardians are the backbone of the clan's defense. They serve as the primary fighters and soldiers within the clan, often found at the front lines during battles.

Reapers
Reapers are essentially assassins within the clan. They specialize in stealthily infiltrating other clans to eliminate assigned targets. Additionally, they will pair up with and support guardians as needed.

Reaver
These hyenas excel at gathering information and scouting ahead of patrols to identify potential dangers. They are assigned missions that involve theft of both physical items and valuable information from other clans as needed. They are trained in combat but only as defense.

Hunting Roles
┗ Individual hunters can hunt solo, while specialized teams and rank are to ensure successful group hunts for larger game. Emulating lions.

Stalker
Renowned for their keen senses and expert knowledge of their prey's behavior, these individuals excel in navigating diverse terrains to locate elusive game.

Ranger
They are the agile and swift members of the hunting ranks, tasked with the critical role of pursuing prey. Rangers employ strategic maneuvers to maintain pressure on the fleeing prey, preventing them from evading capture or relentlessly pursue their prey, driving them to the brink of exhaustion.

Closer
Hyenas with strong jaws and sharp teeth that deliver powerful bites to immobilize prey. They focus on weakening the prey and inflicting fatal wounds to facilitate the kill. Often operating in coordinated teams, they collaborate with Rangers in big game kills.

Support Roles
┗ Support roles are for those who prefer less physically demanding tasks to assist the clan. Individuals who may be weaker often opt in or are suggested for these positions.

Caretaker
Caretakers watch over the young novices and cubs, serving as their babysitters. It's a significant responsibility as they oversee multiple cubs simultaneously. Failing to care for any of them properly may lead to punishment.

Builders
These hyenas dedicate themselves to budling and repairing communal dens. With meticulous attention to detail, they mend any structural damage to existing dens, reinforcing walls and entrances to withstand the elements and potential threats from other clans.

Low Ranks

Novice
Novices are young hyenas who are still proving themselves and receiving training in a specific rank. They are assigned mentors to guide and train them.

Misc Ranks

Whelp
Or better known as cubs.

Princess or Prince
As offspring of the queen, princesses or Princes maintain a high ranking within the clan, they assume a rank of their own.

Authority

Queen
┗ Olabisi Buhari

"It is during our darkest moments that we fail to see the light."
┗ Olabisi is known for her empathetic nature, maternal care, and diplomacy.

Leadership style
Olabisi's leadership style is compassionate and nurturing, with a focus on fostering a sense of place and prioritizing the health of her clan members above all else. Olabisi remains resilient and composed, providing stability and reassurance to her clan members during turbulent times.

She can't say no and her avoidance of confrontation may sometimes result in unresolved conflicts or issues being swept under the rug.

In-clan reputation
They likely feel a strong sense of security and care under her leadership, particularly the younger members who benefit from her maternal instincts.

External reputation
Some may perceive Olabisi as a pushover due to her tendency to prioritize peace and avoid confrontation. They may view her reluctance to assert herself or challenge other leaders as a sign of weakness, interpreting her diplomatic approach as an inability to stand up for herself or her clan's interests.

Laws & Customs

Clan Law

The Queen's authority is paramount, and her decisions are to be obeyed without question.
Trespassing on clan borders is strictly prohibited unless a direct order is given by the queen. Any unauthorized entry into rival clan territory will be regarded as an act of treason.
Romantic relationships with members from other clans are prohibited, although friendships are permissible.
Hostilities towards lions are strictly prohibited, and diplomatic solutions must be sought whenever possible.
If you defy a lion, you are theirs to punish, and the clan cannot intervene on your behalf.
Eating another hyena is treason. Resulting in banishment.
Those who violate clan laws or endanger the clan will be held accountable for their actions.

Assessments
┗ If you wish to roleplay a rank up (aka an assessment) please request so in here: #Assessment Requests

Crown Princess or Prince
Typically, the heir to the throne would be the eldest offspring of the reigning queen.

Envoy
Representing the next generation of leadership within the clan. As the heir to the throne, the Crown Princess or Prince is groomed from a young age to eventually assume the responsibilities of leadership under the guidance and mentorship of the reigning queen.

This rank will also assume responsibility for the clan and its affairs in the event that a leader is unable to do so.

Queen's Guard
Candidates will be tasked with escorting the Queen and or her offspring through a series of challenging scenarios designed to test their ability to react quickly, assess threats, and ensure the safety of their charge.

If any harm comes to them during the simulation, candidates fail the assessment.

Captains
They must undertake in leading a successful combat mission or raid against a rival clan or external threat. (Killing something threatening the clan, such as wild dogs, leopard, etc.)

Huntsman
The candidate for the lead hunting rank is tasked with organizing and leading a hunting expedition to kill a big game animal: rhino, giraffe, buffalo, ect.

Apothecary
The candidate is given a list of herbs commonly used by the clan and is tasked with identifying and collecting them in the surrounding wilderness.

Combat Roles
Combat roles must successfully complete their assigned tasks as instructed by their mentor or the queen. The specifics of the task will be discussed and determined by the players who own the characters involved.

Hunting Roles
Hunting roles must successfully complete their assigned tasks as instructed by their mentor or the queen. The specifics of the task will be discussed and determined by the individuals who own the characters involved.

Support Roles
Support roles must successfully complete their assigned tasks as instructed by their mentor or the queen. The specifics of the task will be discussed and determined by the individuals who own the characters involved.

Special Ceremonies
┗ Explanations about ceremonies found in the Kusitawa.

Wildebeest Migration
All paws on the ground during this time. Wildebeest migrate through the Kusitawa territory during the wet season, particularly in June. This presents a prime opportunity to fill the bellies of all clan members.

Rank ups (Whelp to Novice)
Whelps undergo an assessment to evaluate their proficiency in essential skills such as hunting and basic combat techniques. This assessment helps determine the Whelp's strengths. Exploring the territory alongside their mentor is a crucial aspect of advancing.

Rank ups (Novice to ___)
After a character has completed their rank-up task, a private conversation ensues between the queen and the character. During this talk, the queen articulates her expectations for the clan member, emphasizing their responsibilities and duties. This dialogue serves to clarify the role and purpose of the individual within the clan hierarchy, reinforcing the queen's authority and guidance.

As a symbolic gesture of recognition and solidarity, the queen and character's mentor ceremonially adorns the newly promoted member with woven plants, carefully weaving them into their fur. These plants serve as tangible symbols of the bond between the queen and the clan member, as well as a visible indication to the rest of the clan of the individual's success.

Quirks
┗ Little behaviors and fun facts within the Kusitawa.

Cleaning themselves
The Kusitawa have adopted a grooming habit, influenced by their lion counterparts. This practice involves regular self-cleaning sessions, typically after hunts, battles, or before settling in for sleep. They've recognized its health benefits and it simply makes them look and feel better.

Eating Hierarchy
A high-ranking hyena holds the authority to drive off a lower-ranking hyena from a kill, regardless of who hunted it.

Territory

The territory of the Kusitawa consists mainly of scrublands with patches of open plains.

The scrublands , characterized by thickets of woody vegetation and scattered bushes, provide ample cover for hunting and sheltering dens. The open plains offer expansive vistas and vast stretches of grassland, ideal for spotting prey from afar and executing strategic hunts.

More Information

Reputation Among Other Clans

┗ "To be the most hated means you've stood up for something you believe in, even if it means standing alone."

Nyota
┗ Tense

The Nyota hold resentment for their relations with lions. Compared to the Magi Giza, they present more profitable target and are more accessible than the Zuvan, making them a prime source for theft. Consequently, the Nyota frequently target Kusitawa for their resources over the other two clans.

Zuvan
┗ Tense

The Zuvan hyenas want nothing to do with the Kusitawa clan, finding their association with lions appalling and distasteful. They are outright rude and make no effort to conceal their hate for the Kusitawa clan. And keep interactions with them short and brief, minimizing any contact whenever necessary.

Magi Giza
┗ Tense

The Magi Giza hyenas view the Kusitawa clan as nothing more than prey on stilts, harboring a deep-seated animosity towards these hyenas for their close association with lions. Their resentment stems from the perception that Kusitawa hyenas have betrayed their own kind by consorting with lions, a behavior that the Magi Giza clan vehemently opposes.

The Magi Giza clan engages in daily border fights with the Kusitawa, driven by their unrelenting hunger. So much so that they will stalk the Magi-Kusitawa boarder in wait for Kusitawa patrols.

Mlinzi Pride
┗ Good

Their relationship with the lions is exceptionally strong, akin to that of family. They share a close bond and treat each other with utmost care and respect. Although occasional disagreements may arise, they are typically resolved swiftly, ensuring harmony within the alliance.

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