Marcus Tzanavaras was born in the ancient days of Greece within the city-state called Sparta. He was raised as every Spartan man was, taught from an early age that his life was to be brief and one of service to his people. As the son of a decorated general, he was trained vigorously starting at the age of seven and on into his adult years when he became a full fledged member of the army. He was newly married and even more recently gifted with a daughter but time waits for no soldier. It was during these days where he first learned what he truly was. His party was ambushed and the battle appeared lost when a rage so uncontrollable tore through the young warrior, transforming him into a black furred beast that destroyed all who dared to challenge him. After the assault, his commanding officer ordered him captured and brought before their king. The king, who was a wise and powerful man, saw a great ally where many saw a monster however he could not allow this beast to be seen. He was imprisoned and left to himself to dwell in his own thoughts and contemplate what the gods had done to him. Was he cursed or blessed? He could not answer. The hours passed and slowly, he transformed back into the young soldier, cold and afraid. He knew that he would never see the outside of this cell again and resigned himself to this fate. In this moment of clarity, a bright tear appeared in the very air before him. Assuming that it was one of the Great Pantheon, he prostrated himself, begging for answers. He was greeted with a hearty chuckle and cold metal snapped around his neck, wrists, and ankles before a sharp blow connected to the back of his head. When he awoke, he heard voices speaking in a multitude of languages, each voice passionate and eager. Slowly, he opened his eyes and immediately wished he had not. Beings of all manner of color, shape, and scent crowded around him, pointing and talking excitedly. As consciousness returned, he realized he was in yet another cage yet this one was far more ornamental. Angered, he roared, causing several patrons to jump then giggle excitedly. He could not comprehend what had happened until he saw the same being that he had recognized from his prison cell. Marcus did not understand how he had come here, but one fact was certain: he was property. Marcus was not ignorant in the ways of slave trade and this was precisely what had happened. Hands (and other appendages) were being raised, all sorts of currency offered as his captor preened before dropping a large red drapery over his cage. He sagged against the bars and closed his eyes, attempting to rest. When he awoke once more, he could only hear one voice speaking with the merchant. The voice was well cultured, well spoken, and precise. The drapery was removed and before him stood a man no older than himself with golden hair and emerald eyes just as his own. Tall and well toned, his dark skin complimented with golden capped dreadlocks. Green robes showcased against Nubian skin (a contrast Marcus later learned that the man loved). The newcomer's appearance was obviously revered and promised profit if the merchant's posture was any indication. He smiled then...and handed the merchant a small sack before speaking to Marcus in his native tongue. "You are a beauty, aren't you? Do not worry, your future is one that men will forever envy." He was released from the cage, the bands of metal removed from wrists and ankles yet not from his neck. A chain was placed to the center where the two melded together and became one. The once proud soldier was lead to his new station as a dog. He could not track the amount of time that had passed from the time of his capture until this point, but every moment after he committed to memory. During the first few months of his imprisonment, he was kept well chained to a large cross so that he could be studied and not threaten his owner. So often, his owner would refer to his new prize as Marcus de la Croix. As a result, he gained his new surname. Once convinced that he had learned all that he needed to keep him secure, Marcus was again imprisoned however this time the room was lavish, rich with hundreds of colors and textures for him to grow familiar with. A large pole in the center of the room presented a fine gold chain that linked now to an ornamental cuff on his left ankle. He was groomed daily, made to be not only handsome, but exotic as well more often than not in nude splendor. The Emerald Phoenix, as his new owner called himself, taught him that he was Simba and that he could become a lion and several forms in between. He would carefully coax Marcus's body into its other shapes, letting the warrior both feel and process the differences. In time, he learned how to do this on command. It took months to become skilled enough to know the finite control of each modification, but in time he was a master of his own being once more. It was not shortly after that the Phoenix began to bring visitors. Quite often, the crowds would consist of only women, content to take in the exotic beauty that was the Spartan warrior. They would all flock to the Phoenix and he would issue a command or two to Marcus. Knowing that his comfort would only be increased if he obeyed, he would entertain the patrons with his capabilities, pleased when they gasped and clapped. If he were to be a slave, he would at the least be well cared for and prove his worth to his owner. On occasion, if the Phoenix were offered enough gold or jewel, a woman of Marcus's selection would be allowed to pleasure themselves by using him to his full capacity which once his natural prowess was learned became a more common part of life. At first, he resented being used as nothing more than a whore, but over time this too became something he enjoyed as much as he fought it. On the more rare request, he was an escort for well to do nobility. By request of Phoenix only, he would kill those that simply must be removed from the game, as it were. Time passed, and the women steadily grew more demanding and insisted on purchasing the Spartan Simba, which left the Phoenix with a few choices: keep him, sell him, or release him. As Marcus had been an obedient and profitable slave as well as a loyal pet, he decided to release him unhindered and somewhere far away so that he would not be recaptured. He found the land called Beware and, deciding that none would dare seek his once prized possession there, released him to the wilds of the fierce, unyielding lands. Very few know of the former Pridelord's history. He is content to allow many to guess to the mysterious past of the Grecian lion. When asked, he usually smiles and vows silence. In more recent history, Marcus was instrumental in the blessings that sanctified the Temple of Sharess. The original Pride came about this religion rather accidental and were almost instantly declared the Temple guardians. Not one to shirk the possibility of heady wines, beautiful women, and delicious food the six male Simba agreed to take on the responsibilities laid out before them. At first, it was seen as more of an even trade: they lived in splendor and the Temple had fierce protectors. In time, it became much more. The lions grew to call the Temple home and created their own Den within the grounds. In time, they grew stronger and began to settle in, soon mating and solidifying a new generation. Not too long after their arrival, Marcus began making many interesting allies. The most significant of these was in the form of the Pack Alpha, Oriencor. With the Grecian ways strong in both of their veins, they immediately bonded in both friendship and respect. Both Pride and Pack are fiercely loyal to one another and have been now for generations. In time Marcus became allies with The Black Dragoness, Elkana. Another fellow Grecian, they allow one another the touchstones of a life long ago faded from history. On a personal level, it is arguable that the friendship of the Darkness sisters has been one of the most influential. While his alliance with Oriencor stabilized the Pride and offered the Pack a valuable friend, the Darkness sisters are the only members of the Pride that are not Simba. Erika was the first to make a strong impression on Marcus, having become friends with Karma as well as several other members of the Pride. She eventually came to become a member of the Pride after a threat from her father (Eternal Darkness) also came to place the Pride in danger. It was also in this encounter that the Pride met the second daughter, Kalisha. After defeating Eternal Darkness, Kalisha swore her vengeance and left...only to return to the Temple seeking to become Pride as well simply to spite her father. In sheer impulse, Marcus accepted and scarred her with the symbol of the Simba. Unable to return home, Kalisha came to live at the Temple and learned that this rash decision was in fact her salvation. Times were good for the Simba until one fateful day when Marcus had finally attracted the attention of a foe he could not defeat. The Argentiles had grown fascinated by the lions...and the Demon Argentile challenged the Pridelord. Unable to decline, Marcus faced him: and lost his life. Having been a noble man, he was awarded the peace of the Elysian Fields. He had found everlasting serenity: until the Pride found a way to bring him back. Half mad and wanting noting more than death, he returned to Greece never to return. Fates, however, had many other thoughts on such a proclamation and sent him a beautiful Norseman to remind him of such things, but that is another tale and one very private to the Pridelord and his Viking and not one to be told anytime soon...as Rek has been called by Odin and has become once more a cherished friend and beloved sword brother. Five years had passed. The Pride had scattered to the winds save for his former mate, Armand. Armand...had become mated to Kalisha and then vanished as well. Distraught, lost, and confused Marcus journeyed to the Temple only to find it in ruin. Determined to reclaim the greatness of the goddess that gifted them with so much, Marcus has set his sights on reclaiming the strength of the temple as well as solidify the Pride once again. Once again, the Darkness sisters and the Rose Pack have made a choice to come to his aide. In his time back within Beware, he has also come to realize that he had left behind one that he had never intended on loving. Erika had always been one of his closest friends and confidants. They had always been inseparable as soon as the other fell into peril. He had always delighted in her spirit and nature and was always fond of her, but sometimes absence can bring simple fact into perspective. At one time, he had grown to care for her deeply but never acted on it, deciding that the Pridelord should remain distant to a degree. If he acted on impulse with Erika, then he felt he would endanger the triumvirate that consisted of himself, Armand, and Lana Sloane (the High Priestess of Sharess). When he returned to a blank slate where grandeur had once stood, he was beside himself. He also decided that perhaps this was a fresh start for him as well. Reunited with Erika, he confessed that he loved her and was pleased to learn that she loved him as well. Where once he saw potential foe, he now holds his lifemate and wife. The Pride had now splintered into two branches: those that remain within the Temple of Sharess and those who have taken to the Pridelands. Caused by inner turmoil, the Pridelord has severed the connection to the goddess he once protected with an unyielding vigilance and has taken those that wished to follow back to their most basic roots. In time, the split began to take its toll. Rosario grew more distant due to the circumstances of the split whilst his truest potential began to show. Knowing that all must change, Marcus made a very difficult choice. He hunted Yasamine and Kelianos and after snarling their fates, killed Yasamine. He imprisoned Kelianos, his eldest son, and went to Rosario, asking forgiveness and surrendering the Pride to the new Pridelord. For his offense, Kelianos was sentenced to loosing a hand which only drove the priest to madness. He attacked Rosario which ended in the brave yet foolish Simba's death. Marcus's first child, the mirror of his soul, was dead. In many ways, this pain drove him to roam and explore, in time finding the Elven lands that lay so close to his own home. He quickly became a favorite within the palace and was granted access to all that he so wished. He was also instrumental in the war against the Dark Lord and helped found Queen Aria's private guard: The Black Lion Brigade. No longer Pridelord, Marcus serves now as the Ambassador of the Pride. He has devoted his time to his family and while still caring for his Pride, he can now do so as a brother, not a King. His family is his main concern and his truest driving force especially since the addition of his son, Aeolus. He has become calmer, the wisdom of experience beginning to show in emerald eyes. Gifted now with two loves in Erika and now a Highland Scholar named Devlin Taggert (again, another tale), so begins the greatest (and most rewarding) endeavor of his life...