HOME | DD

Description
Afolabi ("child of high status" in African) is the son of Yaa, the brother of Olayinka, Akinyi, Enitan, Khamisi, Ndidi, and Unathi, the mate of Madalitso, and the father of Uduak, Fatsani, and Ime.

Afolabi is a very prominent figure in lion history, born during a time when prides were smaller and the Old Ways ruled lion society. Born in a pride calling themselves the Shadow Pride to a simple low ranking pridesister named Yaa, his birth is one of great shock. Everyone had heard of white lions -lions that they believed had been sired by the Lion in the Moon, or the early version of the legend that would one day be known as the Great Spirit- but no one had ever seen one. They were practically a myth. To have one be born to their pride, to a lowly pridesister no less, was nothing short of a blessed miracle.

Thus, the child, as well as his mother, soon became one of the highest ranking members in the pride, just short of the three head males. None of the three males knew which one of them sired the child, if they had sired the child at all (since the common belief of the time was that white lions were the spawn of the Lion in the Moon himself), thus they all took responsibility over the cub and treated him as their own. Afolabi quickly became the favorite child of the males, much to the disgruntlement of their other children and their mothers.

The most peeved by this new developement was Afolabi's own half-brother, Enitan. Up until that point, he had been the most favorite child. He had actually earned his place, being the strongest and fiercest cub the three males had sired until Afolabi. Then suddenly, this little white putz comes along and steals the spotlight just because of his fur. No, Enitan is not happy at all.

Afolabi is unaware of his sibling's malice towards him, and grows up happy and healthy amongst the Shadow Pride. Though he stuck out from his pridemates darker pelts do to his white one, his pridemates do not mind and often praise him for it. They call him the Moon Lion's "choosen one," a lion born to bring their pride greatness, and for awhile Afolabi believes it. It's when his mane is begining to run down his back and chest that things turn for the worst.

The three males have gathered the pride, as once more it's time for their young adult male sons to either challange them or leave. However, instead of issuing the ultimatum upon their sons has they have seasons before, they instead say something completely different that shocks the Shadow Pride to the core. The leader of the three males -a large, heavily scarred lion by the name of Idowu- states that they have decided that they won't be allowing any of their sons to the chance to challange them for leadership, and that they will all leave immediately or be killed on sight, for they have come to the agreement that they wish for Afolabi to take their place when they are too old to protect their territory.

Stunned silence follows this announcement, followed by outrage, especially from the young males about to be exiled. Never has this happened in known lion history where the males have just simply given their territory to a son without a fight, not unless they know they cannot win. Even then it's only when they are far too elderly, too sick, or too lame to properly fight back. But these three males, though getting on in years, are not quite out of their prime yet, and still can fight any threat to their leadership if need be. No, this is not how it's supposed to be.

Afolabi for his part is shocked, and isn't sure what to think. On the one part, he's honored, as well as relieved that he won't have to fight the lions he considers his fathers for leadership. On the other paw, he doesn't believe it's fair that his brothers aren't given a chance at leadership just because they don't bare a white pelt like he does.

Enitan also shares this belief, and, rallying those who share his belief, he attacks his own father and uncles. Half the pride is torn, and soon bloodshed ensues. Mother against daughter, father against son, brother against brother, sister against sister, cousin against cousin...the pride tears itself to pieces, one in defense for honoring the Old Ways, the other in defense for their males and their new decree, however strange it may be. And caught in the middle of this bloodbath is Afolabi.

Not wanting to fight, Afolabi instead does his best to save who he can. He grabs cubs, pregnant mothers, wounded, and the elderly, trying to shepperd them away from the battlefield, and along the way his two half-sisters Olayinka and Akinyi, along with their mother and her new litter of cubs, join him in his efforts. They get a fair distance away before they're suddenly blocked by three young adult males covered head to toe in blood. And even with a ripped ear and his fur soaked in blood, Afolabi knows who the leader of these three males is.

Enitan.

"I'm not letting you escape that easily, dear brother." Enitan hisses, hatred flashing in his eyes. The three males close in around the group of escaping lions, and it's at this moment Afolabi makes a life changing choice.

Turning to his eldest sister, Olayinka, he puts a paw on her shoulder and tells her to take what's left of the pride and to run. Olayinka, though not wanting to leave her younger half-brother, knows she doesn't have a choice if they are to survive, and takes the what's left of the pride away from the brothers.

Afolabi faces the three bigger and older lions bravely, managing to take down one of them before becoming overwhelmed by the other two. And though Enitan could easily just kill his brother and be done with it, he wishes to prolong Afolabi's suffering. He tortures the younger male, breaking toes and slicing skin, laughing all the while, and Afolabi wonders when he'll finally be allowed to die and join the Lion in the Moon up in the sky. Just as he's about to pass out from all the pain, the two males on top of him are suddenly torn off of him. Afolabi lifts his head off the dusty, bloody ground to see that Olayinka and his mother had returned for him, and were now fighting the males. Struggling to his feet, Afolabi joins them, and soon the males are quickly overwhelmed. One runs away with his tail between his legs, but Enitan refuses to give up. He strikes out at the weakened Afolabi, intending to bring the white lion down with him, but before the deadly blow can hit, Yaa jumps in the way, taking the blow for her son. Horror fills Afolabi and Olayinka, and with fury giving Afolabi some strength back to his weakening limbs, he kills his half-brother in retaliation. And with the threat of Enitan gone, relief as well as grief fills Afolabi, sapping him of whatever strength he has left.

He passes out.

Visions fill the young lion's mind as he drifts through unconciousness. He sees lions walking in and around him, male and female, young and old, living together in harmony. Cubs play around the adults without a care in the world, and mothers do not seem worried that they'll be harmed by any of the surrounding males. Everyone is calm and happy. And when another family of lions pass, a male and female with two cubs, the other adults bow their head in respect to them. The pride leaders? Afolabi wonders. But the female seems to have just as much power and respect as the male, and none of the other males are challanging them for power. Afolabi looks around in awe at how peaceful this society seems to be.

Suddenly, a lion appears next to him, nearly scaring Afolabi out of his fur. He takes in this lion, who is large and powerful and with fur as white as his. Could this be the Lion in the Moon? Or was this someone else? The lion doesn't say, but instead speaks to Afolabi about the sight in front of him.

"Do you see this, Afolabi?"

"I do." Afolabi answers, still not quite believing what he's seeing.

"This," the white male says, "is the future of all lion kind."

"The future?" the younger male gasps. "What...what do you mean?"

"One day, lions will not fight over every little scrap of land or meat. One day, fathers, instead of fighting their sons, will instead teach their sons. One day, mothers will no longer fear for the safety of their cubs. One day, siblings will no longer need to compete with each other to see who is stronger or faster or smarter just to simply survive. One day...lions will no longer live in simple prides, but in kingdoms."

"Wow..." Afolabi breathes in awe taking in the amazing vision before him once more.

"However," the other male continues, "this future is not set in stone. It can change, for better or for worse. Afolabi, you and your progeny are the ones who must make sure that lions take that first step towards becoming civilized."

Shock filled Afolabi at the white lion's words.

"Me!? But how? I'm just one lion."

"And yet many will be willing to listen to you. Already in your own pride change has begun. You can spread that change. Though there will be those who are resistant, if you gather and speak to those who are as like-minded as you, you can and will change everything. You shall find that many lions are begining to find the Old Ways wearing on their souls, and that they are ready for change. They simple do not know how to go about it. But you do, Afolabi."

Suddenly the world around him began to shift, and everything and everyone began to blurr and fade away, including the white lion.

"Wait!" Afolabi cried. "I don't know what to do! How can I change everything by myself!?"

"Keep moving young one, and never give up. That is what's most important. For you can and will change the world..." the lion said as everything faded to black.

When he awakens next he's surrounded by many worried eyes and faces, the most prominent being those of his two half-sisters. The remaining Shadow Pride members rejoice as Afolabi awakens, and they tell the young male what happened while he was unconcious. He learns that most members of the Shadow Pride are either dead or dying, and those that survived the bloodshed either chose to joined the refugees or ran off. All the males are gone, either dying or leaving on their own, leaving Afolabi the only male left to take charge of the pride, and the other prides surrounding them are beinging to take over what was once their territory, meaning they no longer have a place to call home.

This is a lot for Afolabi to take in, but he decides that this is ultimately for the best. Once he fully recovers, he tells the pride that they will no longer follow the Old Ways. What had happened to them was sad, but not uncommon, Afolabi says, but after seeing first hand what had happened to their pride, as well as having that strange dream, he believes that there is a better way for lions to live. One where fathers do not have to fight their sons for dominance and mothers never have to worry about whether their cubs will live to adulthood or not. He tells his pride of the dream that he had while unconcious, the one he believes was given to him by the Lion in the Moon, and the pride wholeheartedly believes him. They are ready to support him in anyway they can, even though they're hardly much of a pride anymore, what with most of the members being elderly or cubs.

Thus, renaming his pride the White Shadows, Afolabi begins his mission to change all of lion kind for the better. As he and his pride travel across the lands, they encounter many different prides. Afolabi finds to his surprise that many are willing to listen to him simply due to his white pelt, for many see him as a living god. He doesn't like taking advantage of these lions like this, for he knows he's no god, but he must do what is necessary for the greater good. He tells them that they must change their ways, that they must throw out the Old Ways and form new, better ones. And while many listen to him and begin the slow steps towards changing their ways, there are some prides which refuse to change. Afolabi spends the rest of his life trying to change them, but to no avail.

He dies peacefully in his sleep as an old lion, and his son Uduak takes up his cause.

~*~*~*~*~

NOTES: Here's the founder of the White Shadows and the guy who caused lions to start to form civilized kingdoms instead of savage familial unites. Though these changes didn't happen over night, it's thanks to this guy that many of the kingdoms of now are around in the first place. As for the prides that didn't want to change, they would slowly begin to give into the change as the generations would go by, until they became a fairly small minority that's looked down upon in the lion community. And as for whether Afolabi really did see the Great Spriti/Lion in the Moon or whether his dream was just some near death hallucination, well, that's for you to decide.
Afolabi was adopted from

Base:
Base (c)
Afolabi's design (c)
TLK and TLG (c)

Description
Afolabi ("child of high status" in African) is the son of Yaa, the brother of Olayinka, Akinyi, Enitan, Khamisi, Ndidi, and Unathi, the mate of Madalitso, and the father of Uduak, Fatsani, and Ime.

Afolabi is a very prominent figure in lion history, born during a time when prides were smaller and the Old Ways ruled lion society. Born in a pride calling themselves the Shadow Pride to a simple low ranking pridesister named Yaa, his birth is one of great shock. Everyone had heard of white lions -lions that they believed had been sired by the Lion in the Moon, or the early version of the legend that would one day be known as the Great Spirit- but no one had ever seen one. They were practically a myth. To have one be born to their pride, to a lowly pridesister no less, was nothing short of a blessed miracle.

Thus, the child, as well as his mother, soon became one of the highest ranking members in the pride, just short of the three head males. None of the three males knew which one of them sired the child, if they had sired the child at all (since the common belief of the time was that white lions were the spawn of the Lion in the Moon himself), thus they all took responsibility over the cub and treated him as their own. Afolabi quickly became the favorite child of the males, much to the disgruntlement of their other children and their mothers.

The most peeved by this new developement was Afolabi's own half-brother, Enitan. Up until that point, he had been the most favorite child. He had actually earned his place, being the strongest and fiercest cub the three males had sired until Afolabi. Then suddenly, this little white putz comes along and steals the spotlight just because of his fur. No, Enitan is not happy at all.

Afolabi is unaware of his sibling's malice towards him, and grows up happy and healthy amongst the Shadow Pride. Though he stuck out from his pridemates darker pelts do to his white one, his pridemates do not mind and often praise him for it. They call him the Moon Lion's "choosen one," a lion born to bring their pride greatness, and for awhile Afolabi believes it. It's when his mane is begining to run down his back and chest that things turn for the worst.

The three males have gathered the pride, as once more it's time for their young adult male sons to either challange them or leave. However, instead of issuing the ultimatum upon their sons has they have seasons before, they instead say something completely different that shocks the Shadow Pride to the core. The leader of the three males -a large, heavily scarred lion by the name of Idowu- states that they have decided that they won't be allowing any of their sons to the chance to challange them for leadership, and that they will all leave immediately or be killed on sight, for they have come to the agreement that they wish for Afolabi to take their place when they are too old to protect their territory.

Stunned silence follows this announcement, followed by outrage, especially from the young males about to be exiled. Never has this happened in known lion history where the males have just simply given their territory to a son without a fight, not unless they know they cannot win. Even then it's only when they are far too elderly, too sick, or too lame to properly fight back. But these three males, though getting on in years, are not quite out of their prime yet, and still can fight any threat to their leadership if need be. No, this is not how it's supposed to be.

Afolabi for his part is shocked, and isn't sure what to think. On the one part, he's honored, as well as relieved that he won't have to fight the lions he considers his fathers for leadership. On the other paw, he doesn't believe it's fair that his brothers aren't given a chance at leadership just because they don't bare a white pelt like he does.

Enitan also shares this belief, and, rallying those who share his belief, he attacks his own father and uncles. Half the pride is torn, and soon bloodshed ensues. Mother against daughter, father against son, brother against brother, sister against sister, cousin against cousin...the pride tears itself to pieces, one in defense for honoring the Old Ways, the other in defense for their males and their new decree, however strange it may be. And caught in the middle of this bloodbath is Afolabi.

Not wanting to fight, Afolabi instead does his best to save who he can. He grabs cubs, pregnant mothers, wounded, and the elderly, trying to shepperd them away from the battlefield, and along the way his two half-sisters Olayinka and Akinyi, along with their mother and her new litter of cubs, join him in his efforts. They get a fair distance away before they're suddenly blocked by three young adult males covered head to toe in blood. And even with a ripped ear and his fur soaked in blood, Afolabi knows who the leader of these three males is.

Enitan.

"I'm not letting you escape that easily, dear brother." Enitan hisses, hatred flashing in his eyes. The three males close in around the group of escaping lions, and it's at this moment Afolabi makes a life changing choice.

Turning to his eldest sister, Olayinka, he puts a paw on her shoulder and tells her to take what's left of the pride and to run. Olayinka, though not wanting to leave her younger half-brother, knows she doesn't have a choice if they are to survive, and takes the what's left of the pride away from the brothers.

Afolabi faces the three bigger and older lions bravely, managing to take down one of them before becoming overwhelmed by the other two. And though Enitan could easily just kill his brother and be done with it, he wishes to prolong Afolabi's suffering. He tortures the younger male, breaking toes and slicing skin, laughing all the while, and Afolabi wonders when he'll finally be allowed to die and join the Lion in the Moon up in the sky. Just as he's about to pass out from all the pain, the two males on top of him are suddenly torn off of him. Afolabi lifts his head off the dusty, bloody ground to see that Olayinka and his mother had returned for him, and were now fighting the males. Struggling to his feet, Afolabi joins them, and soon the males are quickly overwhelmed. One runs away with his tail between his legs, but Enitan refuses to give up. He strikes out at the weakened Afolabi, intending to bring the white lion down with him, but before the deadly blow can hit, Yaa jumps in the way, taking the blow for her son. Horror fills Afolabi and Olayinka, and with fury giving Afolabi some strength back to his weakening limbs, he kills his half-brother in retaliation. And with the threat of Enitan gone, relief as well as grief fills Afolabi, sapping him of whatever strength he has left.

He passes out.

Visions fill the young lion's mind as he drifts through unconciousness. He sees lions walking in and around him, male and female, young and old, living together in harmony. Cubs play around the adults without a care in the world, and mothers do not seem worried that they'll be harmed by any of the surrounding males. Everyone is calm and happy. And when another family of lions pass, a male and female with two cubs, the other adults bow their head in respect to them. The pride leaders? Afolabi wonders. But the female seems to have just as much power and respect as the male, and none of the other males are challanging them for power. Afolabi looks around in awe at how peaceful this society seems to be.

Suddenly, a lion appears next to him, nearly scaring Afolabi out of his fur. He takes in this lion, who is large and powerful and with fur as white as his. Could this be the Lion in the Moon? Or was this someone else? The lion doesn't say, but instead speaks to Afolabi about the sight in front of him.

"Do you see this, Afolabi?"

"I do." Afolabi answers, still not quite believing what he's seeing.

"This," the white male says, "is the future of all lion kind."

"The future?" the younger male gasps. "What...what do you mean?"

"One day, lions will not fight over every little scrap of land or meat. One day, fathers, instead of fighting their sons, will instead teach their sons. One day, mothers will no longer fear for the safety of their cubs. One day, siblings will no longer need to compete with each other to see who is stronger or faster or smarter just to simply survive. One day...lions will no longer live in simple prides, but in kingdoms."

"Wow..." Afolabi breathes in awe taking in the amazing vision before him once more.

"However," the other male continues, "this future is not set in stone. It can change, for better or for worse. Afolabi, you and your progeny are the ones who must make sure that lions take that first step towards becoming civilized."

Shock filled Afolabi at the white lion's words.

"Me!? But how? I'm just one lion."

"And yet many will be willing to listen to you. Already in your own pride change has begun. You can spread that change. Though there will be those who are resistant, if you gather and speak to those who are as like-minded as you, you can and will change everything. You shall find that many lions are begining to find the Old Ways wearing on their souls, and that they are ready for change. They simple do not know how to go about it. But you do, Afolabi."

Suddenly the world around him began to shift, and everything and everyone began to blurr and fade away, including the white lion.

"Wait!" Afolabi cried. "I don't know what to do! How can I change everything by myself!?"

"Keep moving young one, and never give up. That is what's most important. For you can and will change the world..." the lion said as everything faded to black.

When he awakens next he's surrounded by many worried eyes and faces, the most prominent being those of his two half-sisters. The remaining Shadow Pride members rejoice as Afolabi awakens, and they tell the young male what happened while he was unconcious. He learns that most members of the Shadow Pride are either dead or dying, and those that survived the bloodshed either chose to joined the refugees or ran off. All the males are gone, either dying or leaving on their own, leaving Afolabi the only male left to take charge of the pride, and the other prides surrounding them are beinging to take over what was once their territory, meaning they no longer have a place to call home.

This is a lot for Afolabi to take in, but he decides that this is ultimately for the best. Once he fully recovers, he tells the pride that they will no longer follow the Old Ways. What had happened to them was sad, but not uncommon, Afolabi says, but after seeing first hand what had happened to their pride, as well as having that strange dream, he believes that there is a better way for lions to live. One where fathers do not have to fight their sons for dominance and mothers never have to worry about whether their cubs will live to adulthood or not. He tells his pride of the dream that he had while unconcious, the one he believes was given to him by the Lion in the Moon, and the pride wholeheartedly believes him. They are ready to support him in anyway they can, even though they're hardly much of a pride anymore, what with most of the members being elderly or cubs.

Thus, renaming his pride the White Shadows, Afolabi begins his mission to change all of lion kind for the better. As he and his pride travel across the lands, they encounter many different prides. Afolabi finds to his surprise that many are willing to listen to him simply due to his white pelt, for many see him as a living god. He doesn't like taking advantage of these lions like this, for he knows he's no god, but he must do what is necessary for the greater good. He tells them that they must change their ways, that they must throw out the Old Ways and form new, better ones. And while many listen to him and begin the slow steps towards changing their ways, there are some prides which refuse to change. Afolabi spends the rest of his life trying to change them, but to no avail.

He dies peacefully in his sleep as an old lion, and his son Uduak takes up his cause.

~*~*~*~*~

NOTES: Here's the founder of the White Shadows and the guy who caused lions to start to form civilized kingdoms instead of savage familial unites. Though these changes didn't happen over night, it's thanks to this guy that many of the kingdoms of now are around in the first place. As for the prides that didn't want to change, they would slowly begin to give into the change as the generations would go by, until they became a fairly small minority that's looked down upon in the lion community. And as for whether Afolabi really did see the Great Spriti/Lion in the Moon or whether his dream was just some near death hallucination, well, that's for you to decide.
Afolabi was adopted from

Base:
Base (c)
Afolabi's design (c)
TLK and TLG (c)