Species Origin Story:

Zentina is a part of a rare, mythical species of lion originating in Africa. The story of their birth is an important part of a particular tribes history, and their tales have been passed down by means of art and stories.

Long ago, before the ancient civilizations built their grand stone towers and cities, and cultivated the land by means of organized agriculture, there were small tribes throughout the continent. Back then, creatures and beasts found now only in story books and fables threatened the very existence of these humans, tearing down any of those who wandered too far from their small communities.

Resources began to grow scarce, and game never wandered close enough to hunt and feed the villages. One particular tribe mystic sought help from the spirits for the sake of protection and hope, calling out to any who may help their people survive. In a dream, she found herself at the feet of a giant beast, and she no bigger than it's feet. The beast seemed to embody all creatures, those on her earth and those found elsewhere, and seemed to change shape every time she attempted to focus on it's features. The beast instructed her, immediately upon awakening, to mix specific herbs, sweet berries, and powered stone just within the villages perimeter; she was to smear three fingers with the paste concoction and paint along the horizon.

She awoke at twilight and raced outside to gather her tools, most of the tribe asleep except for a few of those who kept protection. She took her bowl and did as she was told, the paint seeming to stick to the sky as if an invisible, skin canvas was stretched before her. From her final creation, she saw a feline creature land on it's feet before her; it's build was thick and strong and it's neck layers with mounds of hair. She recognized it as one of the creatures she saw prowling not too far from her home, but this one was colored with the gradient of her canvas. She painted more and more; some with and without manes. As day broke, she had created a pallet of creatures; the morning sky offered whites and blues and reds, the grass and trees gave greens and browns, the night gave way to purples, blues and blacks.

Each creation was born with a special symbol of their own, signifying their own strengths and expressing them as guardians. These creatures became watchers of the villagers, and were given the strength to stand ground against those beasts that threatened the lives of their human friends. They stayed close to the tribe for years; generations remaining loyal to their friends.

Unfortunately, after the creatures and evils of old finally ceased, the stories of the lions began to change. Those who pushed to challenge the old ways saw the lions as dangerous beasts that would grow bored and soon turn when given the chance. The lions were chased from the village into a trap where most were slaughtered--their pelts preserved for trading resources in secret.

Those that survived continued to thrive far from humans, growing to hate them for their treachery. Some have actually attempted to wipe out any humans they come across, while others still hope to return to their roots.

Zentina Background:

Zentina was born aside her brother Matkiau as twins of the prides current matriarch. At a very young age, their pride was threatened as hunters and poachers grew closer to their grounds and forced their relocation. Upon moving the pride, Zentina's mother Jamira attempted to drive the hunters away from the fleeing pride and in turn was killed for her rare pelt. Jamira's mate Raisulo attempted to run the pride until Matkiau and Zentina were of age, as their bloodline allowed for them to be the rightful leaders of the pride.
Zentina's brother was recruited to a rebel group that raised fear of all human kind, and expressed need to hunt and remove any and all humans for the slaughter of their kind. Zentina and their father pleaded to Matkiau about how, above all else, their mother believed that not all humans were evil and would tell stories of how long ago their ancestors were once friends along side them. Set in his ways, Matkiau grew in hatred and assisted in the development of their army. During one of their hunts, Matkiau never returned.

He was found years later, attempting to sacrifice himself to save a handful of humans villagers against the army he had a paw in creating. Along with Zentina and the rest of their pride, they triumphed and exiled the rest of those who chose to rebel against the humans. The pride found themselves at the very village where they had originated from, and returned back to their roots as companions of a new people.

The story of what happened in those missing years of Matkiau is his own to tell.

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I am EXHAUSTED. This the result of a couple of days work (also done in my first 2 streams ever, heey). I THINK I included everything I needed to. I also wanted there to be a bit of consistency between this and the anthro reference.

Thanks to Zorayda for tips and references for my needy self. <3