when making characters for this setting are we writing their back stories and then bringing them in as amnesiacs or are we submitting blank slates (so to speak) ? i'm so curious about this concept!! ty!
This is largely up to the individual. Players may come in with a full backstory, but that’s not required! It’s a difficult thing, erasing memories, so everyone’s experience with the Forgetting will be different. One cat may have no idea where he stands with anyone*. Another may have an overwhelming sense of déjà vu when they’re interacting with certain cat, or some sort of inkling that they were close to another. Some may know their own name, some won’t!
Particularly strong feelings (positive or negative) are more likely to endure past the Forgetting, but this may not always be the case. Former high ranks or other notorious members of the Clans are more likely to have staying power within the collective memory. Cats may “recognize” them as being important or worthy of respect, but may not be sure why. Even so, memories or understanding of Clan ranking and structure does not exist. Functionally, players will be rebuilding their society from scratch, code included.
These memories are not lost forever, though! StarClan is holding on to them. From time to time they may release bits and pieces of memory to individuals— or to the entire community. When a cat dies, any remaining memories that StarClan holds for them is then released to that cat. This usually comes as a bit of a shock, and it isn’t uncommon for newly deceased cats to do little else than wander through StarClan in search of their missing connections.
*an important note- the cats may not start out knowing their relationships with each other, but we do! Characters may not be aware of their family ties and blood relatives, but we will be making sure that no accidental incest or other unsavory relationships occur.
