The Offensive/Defensive Roles in The New Longstar AU
The Brawler
Brawlers are those who hone their fighting abilities to their peak, but also their diplomatic skills as well. A good Brawler knows how to end a fight before it starts, settling ruffled fur and sending both parties away mollified if not content. But in a battle, the Brawlers are at the forefront of both offense and defense. Working closely with Healers, they know just where to strike a cat to wound, cripple, or kill. Brawlers are carefully watched by their leaders and clanmates for signs that they enjoy battles -too- much, for a bloodthirsty Brawler is a curse on their Clan.
The Hunters and The Trackers
Hunters are those who bring fresh prey to the camp, and Trackers are those who find the prey. Many cats group these roles into one, and many a Hunter is also a Tracker, but there are some major differences.
Hunters do the killing of many kinds of prey, but they also clean and butcher their kills for ease of consumption and storage in Leafbare. They are encouraged to take the prey apart (out of the sight of predatory birds and impressionable kits) to discover better ways to bring them down. A great Hunter may know the difference between a sparrow and a finch by taste alone, how to bring down a squirrel without making a sound, and the proper way to pluck a rabbit so the fur is useable later.
A Tracker knows everything about the prey in their territory, and nearly as much about the dangerous predators lurking about. They know the locations of every nest and each burrow, and which animal lives in each. Their keen noses can pick up the scent of fox from far away, and their claws know just where to aim on a badger to send them reeling.
The Patroller
Patrollers keep the territory well marked and well mapped. Each tree or rock or grassy knoll or riverbend is inspected with care, and when something drastic changes, the Patroller is there to find out -why-. Often bringing Trackers or Brawlers with them, the casual observer may just see a hunting party, but Patrollers are there to see that their Clan, and their neighboring Clans, stay where they’re supposed to.
The Camp Guard
Camp Guards are the backbone of camp-keeping, the supply line that keeps everything both tidy and prepared for trouble. They line nests with fresh moss and soft materials, either locating the materials themselves or getting Patrollers to find the best moss spots. Camp Guards weave the den walls strong and keep the well maintained, repairing with clever paws and strong jaws. They clear out the bones of old prey, and if ever a piece were to go bad, they bring that to the Herbalists for extra compost. They’re the first line of defense in an attack on their Clan’s camp, and often learn some Brawler moves to supplement their training.
The Nursery Guard
Nursery Guards are sometimes interchangeable with Camp Guards, having many of the same duties, but specialize in kit-care and elder care. They give badger rides to the squealing kits when the queens and kings are tired. They clean elders of ticks and fleas when the cherished retirees can’t reach. Nursery Guards train with Brawlers to better defend their charges, but also with Healers to spot any sign of illness before it becomes fatal.
The Warrior
A Warrior learns a little of all these roles, for a Warrior -is- all the roles. They track and hunt; they stop fights with words and end fights with force; they patrol and guard camp and watch over the helpless. To be a Warrior is to know many things, and keep them from being overwhelming to others, for an overworked Camp Guard may leave a wall too thin, a Tracker miss a hawk circling, or a Nursery Guard ignore a cough that becomes so much worse. A Warrior is the ultimate role for many a cat, but there is no shame in specializing.
