Mandarin's Den

Having braved the scorching sands as nomads and fleeing to the swamps after the takeover of Pozcu, the Adust Pride had more than proven itself as tenacious. After Mandarin moved the pride to their river territory, he believed he had finally found a place for them to call their home. After of generations as lord of these lands, he had grown complacent with their everyday lives in comfort.

What is an eternity? For him it was watching everything pass by, wistful for simpler days. As he lost himself to his own grief, longing for the old days of living among his love and siblings, he paid no mind to the present. He made a point to laugh off the prediction of a great flood. This was the home they had searched high and low for - their haven; there could be no strife in this place where so many of them found happiness in. Mandarin would never put them in danger.

However, the floods came - they came and took so many.

When the waters subsided, the remaining members rallied near their original den. Of the hunters, only Cinnabar, Miyuki and Ono found their way back. The broodmothers also returned safely, but lamented the loss of a number of cubs. It was a devastating loss for all, but their Emperor stood strong before. "We will recover, my friends," he assured them, "I swear it to you."

If there was anything the Emperor was good at, it was maintaining an appearance. The Divine Emperor has no weakness, but the lion, Mandarin, would die without a second thought if he could change things, because he is alone and knows what he has done in his arrogance. In chasing ghosts he had killed them all. So many legacies - of his siblings, his love, the peers he grew up alongside - had just been wiped out and it was HIS fault.

Emperor
Current: Divine Emperor Mandarin
The title of Emperor/Empress regnant was once passed from parent to child as a successive position. Now, the role remains in the possession of fourth Emperor Mandarin, who is considered undying. The Emperor is the ruler of the territory, bound to keep the area safe and ensure the happiness of those living within their land. Despite that responsibility and power, the Emperor can be ousted from their position by those under them. This ensures that the pride remains with a ruler that has to respect them and earn their approval.
Emperor/Empress Consort
Current: Emperor Consort Vlatko
The Consort - either Emperor Consort or Empress Consort - is the main partner and official spouse of the Emperor/Empress. The Consort can either be a betrothed chosen to rule alongside a Crowned Prince/Princess or a lion that the Emperor marries after beginning their rule. They hold the closest relationship to the Emperor, and often live a life of luxury. Although the Consort is not expected to participate in ruling the pride, they often serve as the head of the lionesses, mediating between the lionesses they interact with daily and the males of the pride.
Royal Children
Direct members of the royal family, which mainly include the legitimate children of the Emperor and Consort, and their descendants. Cubs born from relations of the Emperor and an unranked lioness or broodmother often do not receive a title, and are treated as common lions. Those who do receive a title are naturally born into luxury and respect, and are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that upholds their honor. Their titles may or may not pass to their children. If a child of the Emperor is chosen to be the next ruler, they become the Crown Prince/Princess.
Paramour
Paramours are the Emperor's romantic pursuits outside of the official union of the Consort. This relationship is acknowledged by many in the pride, but none would dare directly ask about the relationships outright. This status is generally kept a secret (at least, as much as it can be) and so the title technically does not exist. Being in the monarch's favor does come with its benefits in terms of preference for resources, though it does have a potential to quickly fall apart. This status is not necessarily permanent, and so Paramoursrun the risk of being ousted should they fall out of favor in any way. Any children born from these individuals do not inherit any royal title unless they are given one.
Royal Guards
The role of Royal Guard was once passed down through generations, but now can be chosen specifically by the ruling pair. Royal Guards' duties include protecting the royal family and following the direct orders of the Emperor, including following them into battle, and into the afterlife. They are highly respected for their service and are considered knights of the royal family. This of course, entitles them to honorary rights, such as eating first during mealtimes and the ability to chose what pridemates are safe to keep in the pride. However, the Guards never rest in their quest of protecting their ruler, and because that requires much physical prowess, Guards never live into their eldery years. Their replacements once chosen must kill their predecessor to take their role. The deceased Royal Guard would then receive an honorable burial to honor their dedication and service to the pride.
Subordinate Males
Sub males are generally male cubs who were born into the pride and were allowed to stay. They are different from the Royal Guards, and rank below them. Their task is to protect the den they are assigned to and generally keep order. The sub male assigned to the Nursery Den acts as an aid to the Broodmothers as well as their protector.
Commoners
Commoners are just that: lions that are common. They do not have any particular special role assigned to them and merely live their lives within the territory. They serve in the Hunting Parties and live by the terms of the reigning lion. Besides that, they are free to live their lives as they wish, including seeking outside males to breed with.
Broodmothers
Broodmothers act as the caretakers for all cubs in the pride, making them very important . They are often lionesses who are nurturing in nature, as they work the best with cubs. They also often have a questionable relationship with the Emperor, where they bear illegitimate children who may or may not serve a purpose for the pride...
Broodmothers in training are called Cubsitters.