#waveclan lore

ARGONAUT

WaveClan Unique Rank | Multiple | art by @rainstride

A select group within WaveClan, warriors vastly outnumber the argonauts in the Clan at any given time, and this has been the trend throughout the rank’s history – both because an argonaut’s duties can be rather risky, and because some are more inclined to be homebodies than the adventurous spirit being an argonaut typically demands.

Argonauts are tasked with the restoration and maintenance of historically or culturally significant sites, and with the exploration of the territory’s furthest reaches to contribute to the archivist’s records. Argonauts are often the first to investigate any changes that may befall the territory following things like storms, and may act similarly to a lifeguard or first responder if a Clanmate is injured or trapped in dangerous terrain. They work to avert the deterioration of historical sites; they will often dive to remove debris like rocks or sea life from the surface of underwater landmarks, and do much the same at low tide when they are more easily accessible. Investigating new or lesser-explored areas of the territory, such as the caves, tidal islands, sandbars, atolls, etc., for resources and relics is equally important. While the majority of the exploration part of an argonaut’s duties is spent planning expeditions, with expeditions only happening once every half or full moon, exploration can uncover new places to hunt or collect herbs that are useful to the Clan, and argonauts may be tasked with recovering the remains of cats who may have perished in hard-to-access locations. Additionally, though it is not a prescribed duty, argonauts are often the most knowledgeable about both land and sea wildlife, and similarly are the most likely group to interact with fauna that can verbally communicate. Cats must be trained into this role, and can only be selected for it by the Clan leader and other argonauts after a cat has received their warrior name.

ARCHIVIST

WaveClan Unique Rank | Singular | art by @rainstride

Archivists are the Clan’s recordkeepers, keeping track of the Clan’s history in the form of both stories and lessons, and shanties, hymns, and other songs. These cats are both knowledgeable and artistic, not only memorizing the oral history of WaveClan’s past, but also chronicling major events occurring in the Clan throughout their own lifetimes. An archivist is not chosen from birth or apprenticeship, but rather it is a position given specifically to a senior member of the Clan, when an older archivist feels it’s time to choose a senior warrior to train as a successor.

Archivists keep track of events within the Clan such as births, deaths, rank changes, and more. They are generally very eager to share their knowledge and to collect more tidbits of history. Though archivists are largely uninvolved in the political aspect of leadership, they are viewed as community organizers, and may conduct certain ceremonies – such as weddings, funerals, and the promotion of new argonauts – and lead celebrations or festivals within the Clan. Archivists can also be an invaluable resource in assessing situations dealing with natural processes or events, such as tides, weather, flooding, rockslides, and more. If something has occurred before in the Clan’s history, then it may not be cause for concern, or if it is, there may well be a protocol for dealing with it. Archivists also work very closely with the Clan’s argonauts, often the first that the argonauts report to after an expedition, and typically the keeper of any artifacts recovered on those expeditions that the argonauts do not use for piercings.

HEALERS & SPIRITUALITY – WAVECLAN

In WaveClan, the afterlife is twofold: the stars hold the spirit, and the ocean holds the body. The ocean is considered the pathway to the afterlife, but, as it is transient, no physical aspect of the ocean is directly tied to spirits. While the stars and the ocean may not be seen as literal representations of the Clan’s ancestors, both are seen as vital to the Clan’s connection to StarClan. Trained healers may read signs from StarClan in both the waves and the night sky, and many in WaveClan feel close to their ancestors with both so close to them.

StarClan does not necessarily factor into day-to-day life for all WaveClanners; cats are encouraged to operate within the Clan and protect one another of their own accord rather than wait for signs from StarClan to tell them what to do, even in dire situations. However, signs from StarClan interpreted by the Clan’s healers are taken very seriously, and there are few recorded accounts of WaveClan healers missing half-moon trips to the Tidefall. It is customary for apprentices to be required to accompany the healers to the Tidefall at least once during their training before they earn their warrior names, and healers are treated with great respect for their abilities to act as guides or advisors for their Clanmates in addition to healing them. Healers are also the undertakers of the Clan, and help to manage burial rites for the deceased.