Name: Taariq ("Morning star")

Species: African lion

Gender: Male

Parents: Unknown

Siblings: Unknown

Mate: Jamila

Cubs: Tale and Tojo

Pride: The Pridelands

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Personality: Very serious and strict, yet warm and loving towards his family, brave, noble, always ready to risk his life for his family and pride.

Likes: His mate, his sons, Mufasa, Rafiki, watching the sun rise, taking long walks.

Dislikes: Giza, war, violence, hyenas, seeing others suffering. 

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Story: Taariq was born right in the middle of a war between his father's pride and a lioness named Giza and her followers. From a very young age he was taught how to fight an defend not only his pride but also his honor, even though he strongly resisted the whole idea of war and solving things by violence and fighting. When Taariq was a young adult, his father was ambushed and killed by the enemy, which meant that he was now the leader of the pride. His father's death left some deep scars in Taariq, and sparked a strong hatred inside him, making him vow revenge on Giza. So the war continued, but Taariq's troops were fast outnumbered, and killed one by one, so he had no choice but to flee with a few surviving followers. Eventually they reached a land called the Pridelands, where they were welcomed by king Mufasa and queen Sarabi. Taariq explained everything about where they had come from, and Mufasa had him and his followers checked and treated by the wise old shaman, Rafiki. During the time he spent in the Pridelands, Taariq became good friends with Mufasa, who invited him and his remaining followers to stay in his pride. After considering, Taariq gladly accepted and finally settled down in a peaceful home after a stormy past full of war and violence. He eventually met a lioness called Jamila, fell in love with her and the couple had two sons together. While Taariq was very strict and protective towards his sons, due to everything he had been through, he still knew how to relax and be a "laid back" father who enjoyed having a good time with his family, slowly letting go of his dramatic past.

Relation to TLK: Tojo's father, Mufasa's good friend.