#maggotclanlore

Before we get more into the clan, I wanted to talk a little bit on Paradise and the Abyss.

What Are They?

Paradise and the Abyss are my AU's StarClan/Dark Forest equivalent, and they sort of function like heaven and hell.

Origins

Paradise and Abyss were originally not places, but two divine cats who roamed the earth. Paradise was a naturally good cat, unable to do any wrong or harm. Abyss was the complete opposite, a naturally bad cat who could only cause harm. The two eventually went their separate ways after they had an argument over Abyss' killing of an innocent cat. Both cats went out into the world gathering followers. After some time, they clashed in the final battle of good and evil, both cats slaying the other. Their bodies then became the plains of Paradise and the Abyss and their followers became angels and demons respectively.

Deals

The cats of the clans believe that if a cat is good, their soul will automatically be guided to Paradise and if they will evil, they would be drawn to the Abyss. However, that isn't true, not entirely. See, the battle isn't truly over, it has just taken a new form.

Deals.

A deal is made when an angel or a demon contacts a living cat (or the other way around) and they make a contract with each other. When a deal is made, that cat's soul is locked into the domain they made the deal with. They will also be given a power (ex. invulnerability, future sight). The strength of the power depends on the rank of the angel/demon. In return, the cat may be tasked with converting a certain number of cats or killing someone who made a deal with the other side. Making deal will give the angel/demon more power.

Only angels/demons of the Prince rank can conduct the Ultimate Deal, a lives ceremony. In this type of deal, anyone who pledges allegiance to the clan the one who receives the lives leads is automatically sent to their domain. Only those who have made the deal know the price.

Ranks

Demons and Angels have ranks based on how much power one has. Powers are based on deals. The more deals made, the more power is had. When a cat dies and goes to their respective domain and becomes an angel/demon, the angel/demon that first recruited them gets a cut of every deal that cat has made and so on and so forth.

For example: A makes a deal with B. B makes a deal with C. A gets 1/2 of the power B gets from the deal. C makes a deal with D. B gets 1/2 of the power C gets from the deal. A gets 1/4 of the power C gets from the deal.

The ranks are:

Lord/Lady

Count(ess)

Marquis/Marchioness

Duke/Duchess

What makes a clan has changed many times since the first clans were formed. This is a rough timeline on how becoming a clan has changed.

Original (Mandate of Paradise)

When the concept of clans were first created, any group that followed Paradise or had the 'Mandate of Paradise' was considered a clan. However, this had a few flaws. With ButterflyClan being the 'authority' on Paradise, they could grant and strip the title of clan to any group. While this was used for good most of the time, after a few corrupt leaders, all having the Mandate of Paradise meant was that you were friends with the ButterflyClan leader at the time. It also meant that groups that ButterflyClan wasn't fond of (at the time BeetleClan) could never get the Mandate of Paradise, even though they functioned liked a clan and followed Paradise.

BeetleClan Revision

After a few angelic threats warnings, ButterflyClan and BeeClan made some revisions to what makes a clan, called the BeetleClan Revision. Instead of just needing the Mandate of Paradise, a clan would also need to follow the warrior code and have the Mandate of Paradise. The revision also made it so that no mortal cat could give the Mandate of Paradise. It could only be given by an angel. This reduced the number of false clans and allowed BeetleClan to become a clan.

(Modern) AntClan Revision

After the Bee-Ant Civil War, the clans were faced with a new problem. AntClan, a clan that actively rejected Paradise, had been formed. Though they followed the warrior code and had the structure of a clan, they did not follow Paradise, and thus could not recieve the Mandate of Paradise. ButterflyClan actively rejected AntClan (and even refused to refer to them as a clan for some time even after they were instated), however, BeetleClan insisted they be treated seriously. After many moons, they all finally came to the decision of what makes a clan. They dropped the Mandate of Paradise requirement but added a few other requirements to balance things out.

What Makes a Clan?

A clearly defined leader

A clearly defined succession plan

A clearly defined healer & warrior class

A clearly defined territory

At least 1 healer

At least 10 warriors (including leader & deputy)

An age of at least 24 moons (2 years)

At least one warrior who was born and raised within the clan

From oldest to youngest.

ButterflyClan

Description: The oldest, most devote of the clans, cats of ButterflyClan tend to be exceptionally close to Paradise. However, they have lost popularity among the clans over the years due to harsh practices and a pompous attitude.

BeeClan

Description: BeeClan tries it's best to balance both faith and family. In BeeClan, love of family is the most important bond (second only to love of Paradise). It is especially popular among kittypets.

BeetleClan

Description: The strongest of the clans, BeetleClan prides itself on their strength, with tradition stating that an apprentice may only become a warrior after they have bested their mentor in a fight. However, in their conquest for power, they seem to have left Paradise behind, being the least devout out of the Paradise-Clans

AntClan

Description: AntClan relies on order and science, with its warriors and healers being divided into extremely specific groups. A secular clan, AntClan leaders forgo the lives system and is the only clan to be openly atheistic.

WaspClan

Description: WaspClan is the newest clan to grace the land, being made up of ex-rogues and BeeClan defects. Though the clans are unsure about them, they have already made quite an impression, being the first clan to actively follow the Abyss as opposed to Paradise.

***