#strelles

The Forest Clans

The Forest Clans are a group of powerful cats living as close to the Old Ways as they can. Priding themselves on hunting their own food and foraging for prey, they choose not to garden or farm for any of their foods. They have very basic crafts and pottery that they make themselves or trade from the other civilizations. The Clans don’t have a good reputation - violent and territorial, there are rumors they eat living prey without killing it and that they hunt down and tear other cats asunder even if they need help or are simply passing through. Though this isn’t completely true, clan cats are fiercely protective of every swatch of land they have and the limited resources present on it can mean the difference between living and dying.

Imports: Nets, small pots, red paints, peak berry

Exports: Barbed porcupine quills, adder venom, deer pelt, marsh nadder,

Precious/Desired Items: Whitemint, otter pelt, sheep’s wool

Religious: The Nine Souls

Groups in this Civilization: ThunderClan, WindClan, RiverClan, ShadowClan

Law Enforcement: The Warrior Code, Leader’s Word, Deputy Assistance

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The Sky Kingdoms

The Sky Kingdoms are a slightly larger and more spread out society of cats. Embracing the advantages of farming and domestication, they’re often considered soft or lazy by outsiders. Though their crafts are basic, they trade for better made jars through the materials they produce on a regular basis. Though they are considered some of the least productive creatures, many benefit from their consistent care for their domesticated animals. They are decently liked for their welcoming attitude and insistence on respecting the customs of the other societies.

Imports: Honey, peak berry, deer leather, buckles, salt salmon, silvermint

Exports: Sheep meat, sheep’s wool, chicken meat, sunberry (orayemila), weed pulp 

Precious/Desired Items: Peakberry, Bonemail, Hotberry, golden grain

Religion: The Sky Kindlers

Included Groups: Shining Sun, Rising Moon, Dancing Stars, Racing Clouds

Law Enforcement: The Nobles, The Guard Captains, The Sky Rites

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The Canine Republics

Consisting of most canines of the world, the Canine Republics are the second largest of the societies. They inhabit a very large span of territory and though they don’t farm, they herd large prey about their territory leaving one side to heal, and the other side occupied with the intent of allowing the land to recover while allowing them to still feed their members. Most of the Republics have a reputation for being kind, understanding and friendly creatures albeit loud and somewhat smelly. Havoc’s Pack is the only one of the packs with a reputation of causing trouble for all creatures and are considered a threat to just about everyone around them. Though sometimes the Republics trespass on clan or skulk territory, they’re usually very quick to apologize and often it’s because they’re recovering a runaway member of their herds.

Imports: Leather, winter culling pack, fig juice, cattail stems

Exports: Fur, antlers, large bones, deer meat, light wood supplies

Precious/Desired Items: Honey, duck eggs, feverfew, amber

Religion: The Five Howls

Included Groups: The Calludamel, The Suladamel, Bahirel

Law Enforcement: Alpha/Luna, Captains, Grand Laws

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The Marrow Skulks

A migratory group of foxes known for travelling between designated migration zones from season to season. The Skulks garden and cultivate berries but are most famous for their ability and skills in crafting jewelry - usually in the form of necklaces and earrings. The Skulks are considered gentle and kind if a bit cowardly and skittish. They dislike conflict and take great steps to avoid war or any other situation that could cause harm to them. The Skulks are fully capable of facing down enemies if they need to but they prefer to avoid a situation where direct conflict in the form of a battle or worse a war is their only option.

Imports: blueberry, sheep cuts, winter culling packs, satchels, spring packs, sweetberry juice

Exports: Bone jewelry, stripped bone plates, sunberry, hotberry, sharpvine, redwhisker

Precious/Desired Items: Honeysuckle, blackwhip scales, warm icepots

Religion: The Six Sculpters

Included Groups: The Balohala, The Taasahala, The Saalohala

Law Enforcement: The Crest, The Claws

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The Mountain Tribes

Small and stocky cats, their bodies are designed to hold onto fat to help them make it through the harsh winters of mountain life. Their pelts are double layered making them look far more massive than they truly are. They have large paws that spread out wider allowing them to walk on top of the snow. Their ears are rather small and close in their heads, very fluffy and warm to keep them from freezing and their tails are naturally short preventing them from becoming frost bitten. Tribes are often considered mysterious or scary due to not many of the other societies interacting with them due to the extreme levels they exist in on the mountain.

Imports: Chicken feathers, goat shed, sunberry, hotberry

Exports: Peakberry, mountain mint, yellow prickleplant, mountain hare pelt

Precious/Desired Items: Sheep’s wool, minnow scales, clay pots, nets

Religion: The Sleeping Mothers

Included Groups: Tribe of Rushing Water, Tribe of Shaking Earths

Law Enforcement: Speakers of the Mothers, Speakers To-Be, Oaths of the Mother

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Important Tags

General Tags

The Forest Clans: A tag that refers to anything about the clans

The Sky Kingdoms: A tag for anything about the kingdoms

The Marrow Skulks: Anything about the Skulks

The Mountain Tribes: Anything about the two tribes

The Canine Republics: Anything about the packs

Ceremony of a Kit: When a kit is born into a clan, the leader is required to introduce them to the Souls and StarClan looking down upon them. Once their name is chosen, the leader is informed so they can be added. RiverClan and ThunderClan have a tradition of performing this Kit Ceremony when they first open their eyes. WindClan and ShadowClan however believe in performing the Kit Ceremony before they open their eyes so they can't be swayed by adders of the mind.

The "Odd Kit Ceremony" is performed exclusively by ThunderClan cats and is used for young creatures that join the clan. As Sweetsoul dictates that no young should be looked after, if ThunderClan cannot find the parent of a fox or a dog, they will welcome them into the clan as members. It's not common as most times they are capable of finding parents for the kits.

Kit Ceremony: Great Souls around us I, (leader) of (clan) call for your attention. Today (monarch) has brought us kits that are to join us as members of (clan). From this day until the day they are to become apprentices, these kits shall be known as (kit's names).

Still Kit Ceremony: Great Souls around us I, (leader) of (clan) call for your attention- though Moonsoul has seen it fit to lead this kit away from us, we ask that you let them into StarClan as (kit name).

Odd Kit Ceremony: Sweetsoul around us, I leader of ThunderClan call for your attention. This young fox/dog has been found within our boundaries without protection or provider and so we ask that you accept this young fox/pup into our clan and treat them as another member of ThunderClan- from this point on until they've become apprentices, they shall be known as (name).

Ceremony of Apprentices: When a kit is ready to become an apprentice, their leader will choose a mentor for them to teach them in the ways of the pathway they chose. In the event of a lack of warriors in that class, often a cat will be assigned to a mentor to teach them the basic skills of an apprentice while a warrior of the class needed will assess them and offer advice.

An apprentice's name suffix will be -paw until they're a full warrior.

Apprentice Ceremony: (Kit), you’ve now reached 6 moons of age and it is time for you to be apprenticed. (Kit) from this day own until you’ve earned your warrior name, your name shall be (name)paw.

Early Apprentice Ceremony: (Kit), you've proven to be very capable and dedicated and I, (leader) believe you are ready to be an apprentice of (clan). (Kit) from this day own until you’ve earned your warrior name, your name shall be (name)paw.

Late Apprentice Ceremony: (Kit), you’ve well passd the age of six moons and by the will of the Souls, you shall be delayed no longer. From this day on until you’ve earned your warrior name, you shall be known as (apprentice).

Medic Apprentice Ceremony: Souls around us and StarClan above us, this kit has expressed a desire to serve their clan through the path of a medic. Please share your wisdom and insight with them so that they may serve their clan to the best of their abilities as a (medic position). (Kit name) from this moment on until you've earned your full name, you shall be known as (Apprentice).

Diplomat Apprentice Ceremony: Souls around us and StarClan above us, this kit has expressed a desire to serve their clan through the path of a diplomat. Please share you wisdom and lead them to serve their clan as a speaker of peace. (Kit), from this moment on until you've earned your true name, you shall be known as (apprentice). You are severing yourself from the biases of your clan and pledging to always work towards peace and unity- I hope that you're ready for this task.

Mentor Section: (Cat's name), you've proven to be (trait) and (trait) and are ready for an apprentice. You had an excellent mentor in (cat's name) and I hope that you can pass down their teachings to (apprentice name).

Ceremony of Warriors:

Apprentices become warriors through acts of great courage or importance. Most of the time it boils down to pressing battles or discovering something important. Most apprentices dream of becoming warriors by participating in a dangerous battle and defeating the enemy single-pawedly.

When a leader calls the apprentice forward, the leader rests their chin on their head and the apprentice licks their shoulder to prove their allegiance. An apprentice who forgoes the shoulder lick (accidentally or intentionally) are watched closely and suspiciously.

Warrior Ceremony: I call upon the Souls above me to look down upon these these apprentices. They have trained hard to learn your ways. (Cat's name), do you promise to protect and defend this clan, even at the cost of your own life? I do. Then step forward and receive your warrior name. (Apprentice) from this moment on you shall be known as (New name). The Souls honor your (trait) and (trait) and welcome you as warrior of (clan).

Missing/Dead Warrior Ceremony: Though we do not have a body we know they fought bravely and I beg Moonsoul to allow them to hear us. Though we feel he was taken too soon, today they were the bravest apprentice of all. StarClan if you hear us, from this day on, (apprentice) will be known as (warrior). We honor your (trait) and (trait)- may StarClan take you as a full warrior of (clan).

Dying Warrior Ceremony: Souls and spirits around us I call upon you as leader of (Clan). This apprentice has learned the ways of the code and has given their life in service of their clan - should Moonsoul take them away, take them as (name) for their (trait) and (trait) as a warrior of (Clan) and allow them to roam freely in the Meadows.

Honored Warriors I, Leader of (Clan) call upon both my warrior ancestors and the Souls above me to look down upon this cat before me. Though thy are not a warrior in name, they are a warrior in spirit and we accept them as an honored meber of (Clan). Souls above, take this cat not only with the name they hold but one giben under your eyes - take them under the name of (name) for their (trait) and (trait).

Ceremony of a Leader:

The Leader's Ceremony is performed by warriors of StarClan under Moonsoul's blessing. Eight cats of either great importance to the new leader or the clan as a whole will come together to give the cat their eight lives accompanied by traits. Finally, the leader before them approaches and essentially removes their old life and breathes life into them as their 9th life.

Leader Ceremony: With this life I give you the gift of (virtue). Use it well for (purpose of gift.)

9th Life: With this life I give you the gift of (virtue). Use it well for (purpose of gift.) You now have Nine Lives under the eye of Moonsoul and I hail you as (name)star. Your old life is no more and you now possess Guardianship of (clan). Use these lives to care for your old and young, honor your ancestors and traditions. Uphold the warrior code and make the most of your lives.

Retiring Leader: I (leader of clan) no longer feel that I can adequately serve this clan as its leader. For the sake of this clan, i hereby pass on my title to (deputy) and intend to journey to the Moonstone to return the additional lives I was given. I hope you understand my choice and accept that I am doing what is best for this clan.

Ceremony of a Deputy

The Deputy Ceremony is very short and is meant to be done as soon as a leader is to receive their nine lives or just after- so long as it's done before Moonhigh. Deputies can also be named during battle in times of war to ensure that a successor is always available.

Deputy Ceremony: (Cat name), are you willing to take on the position of deputy? Of the responsibilities that you will hold? It would be an honor to serve this clan as their voice and deputy.

New Deputy Death: (Previous deputy) was an amazing deputy. They were a (virtue) cat who (trait). They were (trait) and (trait), taken from us before their time. They would’ve made a fine leader in my stead but Moonsoul has seen it fit to welcome them into the stars. I hope as they watch that they approve of my choice.

Ceremony of a Diplomat:

Diplomat Ceremony: Souls above me, I call upon you look upon this apprentice. They have trained hard to follow the path of a Diplomat and are ready for the responsibilities this comes with. (Apprentice) from this moment on you shall be known as (new name)- may you work your hardest to ensure peace and plan your greatest in times of war.

Ceremony of a Medic:

Medic Ceremony: I, (name), medic of (Clan), call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. They have trained hard to understand the ways of a medic, and with your help they will serve their Clan for many moons. (Apprentice), do you promise to uphold the ways of a medic, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life? I do. Then under the eyes of the Souls, I grant you your true name of (new name). The Souls welcome your (trait) and (trait) and welcome you as a medic of Clan. May you receive a guide in the Stars to follow your chosen path.

Ceremonies of Elders:

Retiree Ceremony: Is it is your wish to give up the rank of warrior and retire to the elder's den? It is. Then your clan honors the services and dedication you've given us and wish you many seasons of rest.

Lecturer's Ceremony: (Cat name), is it your desire to preserve the history and stories of the clans? It is. Then from this day on until you are beckoned by Moonsoul's tail, you shall learn the secrets of the clan and preserve their memories for seasons to come. It is up to you to ensure the young know of the times before them- your clan honors your dedication to them and its future.

A Changing of Name Ceremony

Sometimes a name is given out of spite or is not thought out well by a leader. Other times, a cat has a particular trait or mannerism that their leader believes should be reflected in a cat's name- particularly in the case of maned cats being renamed "Lion-."

Spirits of StarClan and the Souls that care for us, you know this cat by the name of (name). I ask that you take away this name from the cat you see before them as it no longer reflects who they are. With your blessing I grant this cat a new name- from this moment on you shall be known (new name).

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Ceremony Examples

Spottedleaf Becomes a Healer

I, Featherwhisker, medic of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of a medic, and with your help they will serve their Clan for many moons. Spottedpaw, do you promise to uphold the ways of a medic, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life? I do. Then under the eyes of the Souls, I grant you your true name of Spottedleaf. The Souls welcome your kindness and dedication and welcome you as a medic of ThunderClan. May you receive a guide in the Stars to follow your chosen path.

Ravenpaw's Diplomat Apprenticeship

"Souls around us and StarClan above us, this kit has expressed a desire to serve their clan through the path of a diplomat. Please share your wisdom and lead them to serve their clan as a speaker of peace. Ravenkit, from this moment on until you've earned your true name, you shall be known as Ravenpaw. You are severing yourself from the biases of your clan and pledging to always work towards peace and unity- I hope that you're ready for this task."

Renaming of Lionheart

The Silent Signal System wasn’t ever meant to be a form of sign language but it’s only a matter of time before cats start to using it for complete communication.

Being so close to each other, it's ThunderClan that has used the Silent Tail System the longest outside of ShadowClan and rapidly began modifying it for hunting. As their territory is full of thick brush and boughs of tangled bracken, it was considered revolutionary.

ThunderClan's adapted signals were adopted back into ShadowClan and were further modified. The two clans are essentially trading the same signals back and fourth.

They lunged to clash one last time when the moon’s light died in the sky. It fell and between the leaders was Moonsoul, staring angrily at them. ‘Do you not see the pain you’ve caused? The lives you’ve taken over them ceaseless violence?’ she demanded. The leaders looked around and for the first time, the haze faded.

‘Fight no more’ she commanded. Let this night, the night of the full moon be a night where grievances are put aside, where wounds will be allowed to heal, where you remember that you are all one clan. Then she gathered the spirits of the dead and placed them in the sky one by one, filling it with stars.”

May we all be reminded that we are just cats in StarClan.

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A time of peace and cooperation, The Great Games are an eagerly anticipated event for apprentices in all clans- a time where you can interact with cats outside your clan without claws and blood.