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                    Sunrise MUCK - Rules for Marozi                   
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Most rare subspecies and colour variations in lions and other big cats are
now considered normal characters on Sunrise MUCK and can be requested without
application. This includes white lions, Barbary lions, Cape lions, black
leopards, king cheetahs, etc. Marozi are now the only Special Character
species.
 
Marozi, also known as 'the spotted lion', are believed to have been either
a genetic abberation similar to the king cheetah or the result of a mating
between a lion and a leopard. There were rare sightings in the early 20th
century, but sightings were common enough for the Marozi to be given a name in
many East African languages: 'Marozi' was the Kenyan name for the spotted
lion. In 1931 a Kenyan farmer shot a pair and the skin of one was mounted. In
real life, Marozi are now extinct.
 
Marozi are between the size of a lion and a leopard. The base fur colour is
tawny, similar to a lion, but the coat features numerous greyish-brown
rosettes over most of the body including the pale underbelly. The fur along
the spine is dark, as on a king cheetah, and this stripe extends along the
upper side of the tail, which is tufted like a lion's. Male Marozi sometimes
have a sparse and insignificant mane. Marozi sometimes prefer higher terrain
elevations than lions, making their homes in mountainous regions. They vary in
their social habits between those of lions and leopards.
 
On the MUCK we treat Marozi as being hybrids that result occasionally from
a cross-species mating (usually a male leopard and a female lion). Because of
this hybrid status, Marozi are sterile - they cannot produce any cubs of their
own. Their numbers are also limited to four Marozi in total. When a Marozi
slot becomes free, applications will be invited.
 
Playing this kind of character is a privilege, not a right, and this
privilege may be revoked at any time. By applying for a Marozi you are
agreeing to Sunrise MUCK's normal rules as well as the special Marozi rules,
which are as follows:
 
        * Marozi characters that idle for over 30 days risk being frobbed and 
          their slots given to someone else.
        * You MUST actively RP your Marozi. Please do NOT apply for these 
          rarities if you're not planning to play them. Remember Sunrise has 
          a fixed limit of four Marozi.
        * Players allowed to play one of these characters are expected to 
          set an example in their RP quality, so try to write descriptive 
          poses. Be creative!
        * A character that has been RPed as a regular lion or leopard CANNOT 
          be reset as a Marozi, or vice versa.
 
Marozi are available ONLY by application (see News SpecialCharApp), and
there is a lot of competition for each slot. Please don't apply for a Marozi
unless the wizards have announced that a slot is vacant.
 
For more information on real-life Marozi, try
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marozi.

Bill Rebsamen's concept of a male and female Marozi can be seen at
http://animalpark.pe.kr/wonderfulanimals/marozi/marozi.jpg.
 
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Any questions, suggestions or comments, please contact the wizards or staff.
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