The Chronicles of Burrowclan

Originally, many generations ago, Burrowclan had been Meadowclan– a large, unbroken expanse of territory characterized by its gorgeous green grasses, its expansive fields of flowers, its long, flowing rivers, and its overhanging, sheltering trees. 

However, inexplicably, after many seasons of contentment for its cats, a new creature forced its way into the meadow’s fragile ecosystem— Twolegs. Initially their noisy thunderpaths, strange, cubical dens, and large, shiny monsters took up residence far enough away that the cats mistakenly believed they were of little concern. But eventually, they expanded so aggressively unto Meadowclan’s territory that its cats were forced to seek refuge underground. Thankfully, the rabbits, mice, and moles that had once been a staple food for generations of cats had also become the very reason the cats could shelter beneath the grass. With some ingenuity and careful mud-maneuvering, the cats of Meadowclan— which would later be declared Burrowclan, as a testament to the resilience of its cats in the face of strife— learned to expand the tunnels in which their prey once lived in order to achieve a partially subterranean lifestyle. Given the fear of potential collapses or flooding, however, many cats— particularly nursing queens, elders, medicine cats, and their patients— choose to remain above ground, where the undergrowth and the forest are thickest and provide the most cover from Twolegs barring the underground. Kits are taught from birth how to navigate the territory’s tunnels, what each underground chamber’s purpose is, and methods of burrowing expansion. From chambers housing warriors to food and medicinal storage, apprenticeship is a period defined by learning the navigational tactics necessary to be a Burrowclan warrior. Vibrational communication has also become a notable aspect of Burrowclan culture. Cats will thump their tails against the walls of the tunnels in order to silently transmit messages, should there be a twoleg or some other aggressor in the area.

Meetings are traditionally held above ground. The leader will scale the largest of the sheltering trees atop the burrows— The Great Tree—  and stand atop its largest looming branch. This branch was christened the Highbranch, and the clearing beneath it is where the cats of Burrowclan will gather to listen for the guidance of their leader.

Cats communicate with Starclan via the Moonspring— an opening in the rocks near Burrowclan territory that feed its plentiful, babbling rivers. Though controversial considering these very rivers are home to the fish that Burrowclan warriors have also adapted towards eating, it is peculiar that the body of water the Moonspring directly feeds into rarely ever sees any of these fish. 

Burrowclan’s current leader is Softstar, a large, aging white tom heralded not for his might or for his claws, but for his kindness and his inclination to put Burrowclan first above all. 

I still don’t yet know how im going to organize this blog 😭 bear with me