Shine of Setting Sun's Den

About Me

Hi! I'm a new player focusing on primal breeding, currently holding classic Primal, Ferus, Felis, and Ennedi lions!

Mutties born here:

Mane fluffy x 2
Primal (felis) x 3
Ennedi x 2
PF x 2
Primal x So many at this point
Achro x 2 (TWINS!)

Pride Lore Below:
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The Sun and the Moon: A Divided Past

Long ago, the vast savannah was ruled by two celestial forces: the life-giving Sun and the watchful Moon. Each held dominion over the hearts of their followers. The Pride of Setting Sun worshipped the sun, drawing strength and purpose from its warmth. They thrived in open grasslands, guided by values of unity, boldness, and the pursuit of harmony under their glowing deity. Their traditions emphasised loyalty, community, and the importance of protecting the weak, especially lionesses and cubs, who were seen as the pride’s lifeblood.
The primal lions, however, followed a different path. Living in the shadows of mountains and under the glow of the stars, they revered the moon as a silent guardian of wisdom and the connection between the living and the spirits of their ancestors. These lions were smaller in number but deeply tied to ancient rituals, communing with the spirits they believed danced in the starlit skies. They called themselves the Keepers of the Moon, honouring their role as protectors and spiritual guides. For centuries, the sun and moon lions coexisted with little interaction, their differing beliefs keeping them separate.

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The Fall of the Keepers of the Moon

The Keepers of the Moon once thrived in a region they called The Moon’s Embrace, a mountainous territory filled with crystal-laden caves and dense forests. They believed the shimmering crystals held the voices of their ancestors, offering guidance in times of need. However, their isolation made them vulnerable. When human encroachment began, bringing fire and iron, the primal lions found themselves outmatched.
Over time, the once-proud keepers were driven from their homeland. Many perished, while others scattered across the plains, wandering aimlessly. Among the survivors was Nightstone, a young lioness who had been training under the former Moonlight Priestess. When her mentor and many of the elders were killed during the exodus, Nightstone was thrust into a role she wasn’t prepared for.

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Nightstone: Moonlight Priestess

At just three years old, Nightstone has taken on the role of guiding the Keepers of the Moon. Her role as Moonlight Priestess is a heavy burden, a position usually held by an older and more experienced lion. But with the elders lost during the escape from their homeland, there was no one else left to lead the Keepers of the Moon. Though her connection to the spirits of the moon is strong, she still lacks the wisdom and experience that many elders have possessed. She carries the weight of tradition on young shoulders, but she is determined to fulfil her duty, even as some question her readiness.

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Ash’s Forgotten Ancestry

Ash, the current leader of the Pride of Setting Sun, was born into a sun-worshipping pride that valued strength and loyalty above all. From a young age, he was treated as special, though no one ever explained why. Unbeknownst to him, Ash’s birth mother was a primal lioness, a survivor of the Keepers of the Moon. She had wandered into the pride shortly before his birth and disappeared soon after, leaving Ash to be raised without knowledge of his true lineage.

His father’s pride regarded Ash’s unusual traits—his elongated fangs and muscular build—as marks of strength rather than an ancient bloodline. But Ash’s arrogance as a young lion led to his exile after clashing with his father. Wandering the wilderness, he struggled to survive until he was taken in by Blaze, the wise and patient leader of the Pride of Setting Sun. Blaze taught Ash the values of unity and selflessness, moulding him into a capable leader. Yet Ash remained ignorant of his primal heritage, believing himself to be a true child of the sun.

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The Arrival of the Primal Lions

The remnants of the primal lions began hearing whispers of Ash—a powerful king whose appearance bore the unmistakable traits of their ancient lineage. Desperate for a safe haven, they ventured into the Pride of Setting Sun’s territory. At first, Ash welcomed them with open arms, seeing an opportunity to strengthen his pride. However, the cultural differences between the two groups soon became apparent.

The primal lions were disturbed by Ash’s lack of knowledge about his ancestry and his pride’s sun-worshipping traditions. To them, the sun represented danger and destruction, the very forces that had driven them from their homeland. Meanwhile, the Pride of Setting Sun found the primal lions’ rituals and spiritual practices strange, even unsettling.
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The Uneasy Reception

The Pride of Setting Sun viewed the newcomers with suspicion. They were not used to outsiders entering their territory without warning, especially lions so different in appearance and spirit. The sun-worshippers believed they had already found balance in their way of life—united under Ash’s strong leadership. They had formed close bonds, built trust, and depended on each other for survival. Many believed that the arrival of these primal lions would bring nothing but trouble.

At the heart of this concern was Flame, the spiritual leader of the pride. She had long held the role of interpreting the will of the sun, guiding the pride through difficult times. To her, welcoming the primal lions felt like opening the gates to chaos. She worried that Ash’s generosity toward them would lead him to neglect the pride he had sworn to protect, to forget his true responsibility—the sun-worshipping lions who had always supported him.

Many lionesses whispered among themselves, uneasy about Ash's focus on these new lions. They feared that he would grow too close to them, distracted by their exotic ways, forgetting the pride that had long served as his family. They worried that his attention would shift, that his loyalty would waver.
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The Sun Lions’ Fear

Among the sun-worshipping lions, there was a growing unease that Ash’s attention was being drawn toward the primal lions. The pride had always been unified under his rule, but now, with the arrival of these outsiders, many feared that his focus would shift. The sun-worshippers had built their strength on a delicate balance of unity and community, and they viewed Ash’s openness as a potential threat to that stability. They began to whisper among themselves, concerned that their leader was too quick to trust these strangers, too eager to teach them about their lands. Some even feared that Ash’s growing attachment to the primal lions would divert him from protecting his own pride—his true responsibility.

This anxiety only grew when Ash began offering more than simple refuge. He encouraged cooperation, teaching the primal lions about the land and how to hunt under the sun. He believed that these lions could contribute to the pride's strength, that their skills could complement his own, creating a united front against other rival prides. But to others, it felt like Ash was moving too fast—too eager to bring in outsiders who seemed foreign and unpredictable.
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Tensions Explode

The first major clash came during a hunting patrol. As the pride set out to gather food, the primal lions accompanied them, but their method of hunting was vastly different. While the Pride of Setting Sun relied on teamwork and careful stalking, the primal lions attacked with brute strength—charging straight at prey, relying on sheer muscle and force to bring down prey. This bold and aggressive tactic unnerved the sun-worshipping lions, many of whom believed it to be reckless and dangerous.

It was during this hunt that Fern that Grows in Shade, Ash’s wise and respected second-in-command, voiced the pride’s growing concerns. Fern had always been loyal to Ash but now found herself troubled by his leader’s openness to the primal lions. She believed that they were too impulsive, too willing to take risks, and worried they would bring misfortune to the pride. One evening, Fern confronted Ash directly.

“You lead the Pride of Setting Sun, Ash,” Fern said, her voice steady but firm. “These lions are dangerous. Their ways are too different—too wild. Do you not see that they will disrupt everything we’ve built?”

Ash, who had spent so much time with the primal lions and had grown attached to their kind, flared in defence. “They seek only a home—a place to live without fear. They are not our enemies, Fern! They are simply lost like I once was. We have an opportunity to show them what it means to live under the sun, to help them find peace.”

Fern shook her head. “You have too much faith in them, too much trust. You forget that these lions do not think like us—they are tied to the moon, not the sun. We need to protect our own first, Ash—our pride. If you’re not careful, these new lions will bring harm to everything we’ve built.”
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Ash’s Forgotten Ancestry

Complicating the situation is Ash’s own heritage—a truth he himself is unaware of. Though he bears physical traits that mark him as a primal lion—elongated fangs, a broad build—he was raised in the sun-worshipping pride, taught from an early age to respect the power of the sun and follow its teachings. His father never spoke of his true lineage, and Ash’s mother, a primal lioness, vanished long before his memories could form. To his pride, he is simply a strong lion, a chosen leader.
But the primal lions see something different. To them, Ash is more than just a sun-worshipper. He carries the blood of both worlds, a rare gift—a lion who walks between the sun and the moon. They believe his true purpose lies in bridging these two factions, uniting them as no other has before. Yet they are troubled by his ignorance—how can he lead without understanding his roots?
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IMPORTANT LIONS:

Ash of Setting Sun
Role: Leader of the Pride of Setting Sun
Ash is the current leader of the sun-worshipping pride, a strong and determined lion. Raised without knowledge of his true primal heritage, he is guided by his beliefs in unity, loyalty, and protecting his pride. Ash is torn between his sun-worshipping upbringing and the growing influence of the primal lions who seek refuge in his territory. He believes in bridging the gap between the two groups, but his leadership is challenged by those who worry his focus is shifting too much toward the primal lions.
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Fern That Grows in the Shade (Fern)
Role: Deputy of the Pride of Setting Sun
Fern is a loyal and wise lioness who serves as Ash's trusted second-in-command. She is cautious and pragmatic, deeply rooted in the sun-worshipping ways of the pride. Fern is skeptical of the primal lions and their methods, believing they will bring instability to the pride. She views Ash’s openness toward the newcomers as dangerous, and she works to keep his focus on protecting their sun-worshipping traditions.

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Blaze of Setting Sun
Role: Retired Leader of the Pride of Setting Sun
Blaze was the previous leader of the Pride of Setting Sun, a wise and kind leader who shaped the pride into what it is today. After stepping down to enjoy his later years, Blaze now spends most of his time playing with the pride’s young cubs. His teachings still influence Ash and the pride as a whole, and his presence offers a calming, guiding figure for those who seek his wisdom.

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Sun Speaker Flame
Role: Sun Speaker of the Pride of Setting Sun
Flame is the spiritual leader of the sun-worshipping lions. She interprets the will of the sun and guides the pride through difficult times. Loyal to Ash, she supports his efforts to unite the sun-worshippers and primal lions, though she remains cautious of their spiritual differences. She believes the primal lions could play a role in the pride’s future, but only if they adapt to sun-worshipping ways.
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Nightstone
Role: Moonlight Priestess of the Keepers of the Moon
Nightstone is the young and inexperienced spiritual leader of the primal lions, known as the Keepers of the Moon. Forced into this role after the death of her mentor, she is strong in her connection to the moon and its spirits but lacks the wisdom and experience of older leaders. She respects Ash’s strength and is intrigued by his mixed heritage, though she remains skeptical of his understanding of her people’s traditions.