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Post by 𝚜𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚜𝚌𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 on Sept 6, 2018 14:46:01 GMT -5
Yeah ^^
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Post by Aphelyon on Sept 6, 2018 20:15:28 GMT -5
Hmmm yeah, that could also work. Maybe not all the fire spirits are outright evil cats? Like, some of them are, but others are cats that just didn't feel a connection to the sea, or didn't see eye to eye with the rest of the Clan, or else were just a bit too ambitious or selfish in life and made mistakes or did some bad things because of it? That would make it a bit easier for the living to believe and sympathize with them, plus would mean it would make a bit more sense for the fire spirits to try to legitimately help at least some of the cats, since they're not necessarily bad, just not always quite as kind or altruistic as the sea spirits tend to be. It would definitely provide a good continuation to the volcano plot- a plot that doesn't just lead up to it, but also follows it, since afterwards there would no doubt be cats who would be like... "well, they did try to warn us and save us, maybe we should follow them" versus cats who are vehemently against that idea either from loyalty to the sea or the idea that fire spirits are unconditionally evil. Actually, the time during/immediately after might be a good time to highlight that fire spirits don't have to be evil, because the smoke, ash, and lava would probably drive the cats away from the sea and partially sever their connection with it for a time, meaning that the fire spirits might briefly have free reign, and may even be strong enough to manifest as animals (like the sea spirits) or at least as "ghosts," and thus help to guide cats to safety and such, which in turn might convince more of those cats to turn to them instead of, or in addition to, the sea spirits. If all that makes sense lol.
So, to summarize, here's kind of how I'm thinking this plot might go.
- Fire spirits are deceased Clan cats who either are evil, or just didn't fit in with the Clan's ideals and were denied- or rejected- their place with the sea spirits. - "Phase 1." As the volcano grows stronger and closer to eruption, so do the fire spirits. Some of the fire spirits, probably those that aren't outright evil, choose to try to help the Clan avoid absolute destruction by warning them of the danger. When the Clan fails to listen (because it's coming from "evil" spirits), they instead turn to a select few cats who they feel might be more easily swayed, and try to convince them to abandon the Clan for safety, so that at least some of the Clan may survive. This may or may not be successful, depending on the chosen cats, the spirits, and the roleplay between them. - "Phase 2." The volcano erupts, and enough cats probably now realize that the fire spirits were right that they try to flee to safety, many (but probably not all) managing to get at least out of the immediate danger area in time. However, trapped with smoke, debris, and rivers of lava, they're still at risk. Now in their element, the "good" fire spirits can manifest similar to how the sea spirits usually can (either as ghostly impressions of cats, or as animals), and use this to help guide the survivors through the danger to safety, though some of the truly evil fire spirits might also take this opportunity to do harm- such as taking revenge on a cat they had problems with in life, or their descendants, for example. Once free of the immediate dangers of the volcano, the Clan must wait somewhere (probably more inland) for a while while their territory recovers, and during this time they have little contact with the sea spirits, but more contact than usual with the fire spirits.
- "Phase 3." The Clan returns to their healing territory only somewhat worse for the wear and down a few cats. However, some cats feel that their designation of the fire spirits as "evil" is now unarguably incorrect, and that they should offer the same respect to these spirits as to the sea ancestors. Some cats (probably the majority) are extremely opposed to this, either because some fire spirits truly are evil, because they still feel that they all are, or just out of loyalty to the sea spirits and/or tradition. Other fire followers take it a step further, forsaking their worship of the sea entirely in favor of the fire spirits. Obviously this crisis of faith will result in a pretty significant split in the Clan, but there's no telling how it would resolve itself.
Keep in mind this isn't all happening quickly; just "Phase 1" alone probably takes many moons, and "Phase 3" can go on pretty much indefinitely, until the conflict is resolved or we get bored of it. So it would definitely be a slow-building plot, with a heavy hitting climax and then long-term effects. Which, of course, could be a good or bad thing depending on what you want. Obviously we don't have to use this plot, or we can alter it, but that's kind of what I'm thinking at the moment. It could be fun, or it might also be a little too much. Just let me know what you think.
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Post by 𝚜𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚜𝚌𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 on Sept 6, 2018 20:21:40 GMT -5
I think it sounds good. I like the idea of not completely villainizing the fire spirits, but also having some of them be angry. It would make sense considering how long they were ignored and hated by the clans.
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Post by ʙᴜᴍʙʟᴇʙᴇᴇ » on Sept 6, 2018 20:34:12 GMT -5
i agree with spark, it definitely sounds believable and the clan facing a morality question would be good to see happen, since i don't think there's much of that in the books lol
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Post by Voidastral on Sept 6, 2018 20:37:30 GMT -5
Im just gonna pop in and say this clan sounds pretty neat
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Post by ʙᴜᴍʙʟᴇʙᴇᴇ » on Sept 6, 2018 20:42:58 GMT -5
hi quail! and that's sweet of you! <3 prince, jer, and spark definitely have started something cool, i just wanted to help
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Post by Voidastral on Sept 6, 2018 21:01:01 GMT -5
Mh I'd say I'd help try and help but you guys seem to have it handled. I'd def join though when this goes up.
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Post by Aphelyon on Sept 7, 2018 6:36:49 GMT -5
Cool so it sounds like the general consensus is go ahead with the volcano + fire spirits plot. In that case I think I'm gonna add an additional post/section on the layout specifically for beliefs & traditions that differ from regular Clans', since that seems to be becoming relatively extensive lol.
So if we have the main plot more or less sorted for the moment (I'd rather leave it at the overall description/vague concepts bc I feel that defining too much too quickly is a bit too limiting in the long run), what else do we have to do? Hmmm. I need to finish the territory & camp, so if there are any more ideas for that, great! I also intend to make a map of both when I have time + feel up to it. Also, if anyone has any ideas for subplots, that would be cool. I would consider a subplot anything that either affects only a select few cats rather than the entire Clan, or something that effects the entire Clan but only breifly and/or in minor ways, and probably won't have major permanent effects. I can't really think of much more than that, other than if you have any other random ideas (such as for beliefs).
If you guys want to work on character concepts or anything you can do that too- the medicine cat spot is still open, and I have plenty of space in Eelstar & co's big, not so happy family if anyone wants ties + family drama lol.
Also, concept: littermates for Coconutkit, named Bananakit and Coffeekit lol.
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Post by Aphelyon on Sept 8, 2018 0:06:19 GMT -5
So I added like a kit-naming ceremony thing in their traditions. Let me know what you think.When kits are born, they are not named immediately. In fact, kits will not receive a name until they have opened their eyes (usually at around three days old, but some kits take longer and others not as long). Before they are named, no cat but their parents and the medicine cats may see them, and if any other cat lays eyes on an unnamed kit, both that cat and the kit are considered to have a minor curse of ill fortune. If a kit dies before their presentation, the parents do not mourn, nor do they give the kit a name, believing that it will instead be reborn later and given a second chance at life. Thus, while parents might be sad at the loss of an unnamed kit, only named kits are truly mourned.
Once a kit has opened its eyes at least once, it is given a "presentation ceremony." At sunset, when the first stars begin to appear, the kit is carefully carried from the nursery by the medicine cat, and still no cat but the parents are allowed to lay eyes on it. The medicine cat brings the kitten to the water's edge, where it is dipped in the water- first its hind paws up to its belly, then up to its neck, and finally fully submerged. If the kit does not cough or sputter when brought back out of the water, it is considered a blessing by the sea spirits. If the kit does cough, it is not necessarily an ill omen, but nor is the kit considered blessed in any form. Obviously, this is the more common outcome. After the kit is brought to the surface, the parents may speak its name to it for the first time. Once the kit is named, they are set on the sand and allowed to take their first steps. At this point, the kit's closest kin (besides the parents- so, grandparents, aunts, uncles, elder siblings, etc.) will lay a hibiscus flower of each color before the kit, and the kit is asked to choose one without yet knowing the meaning. The color that the kit chooses is thought to be a symbol for what the kit's future will hold, what traits they will exhibit as an adult, or else what they will come to value most, and most of the time this holds true to some extent.
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Post by Aphelyon on Sept 8, 2018 23:04:21 GMT -5
Heeeeello?
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Post by 𝚜𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚜𝚌𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 on Sept 8, 2018 23:09:57 GMT -5
Ohhh I like the sound of it! It's definitely different and totally fits the clan.
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Post by Aphelyon on Sept 9, 2018 0:42:05 GMT -5
alright! Well, I finished the territory and camp and whatnot, so... I think it's pretty much ready to be posted. So if anyone has any comments or objections, or wants to claim any ranks/characters/whatever, now is the time lol. I just need to finish up my characters' descriptions.
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Post by 𝚜𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚜𝚌𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 on Sept 9, 2018 11:15:45 GMT -5
I just need to write up some characters as well ^^ Could I claim Med Cat apprentice?
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Post by ʙᴜᴍʙʟᴇʙᴇᴇ » on Sept 9, 2018 19:29:02 GMT -5
i'll start getting together some characters! and i could claim the med cat spot, if it's still open? and my cats are also open to family members!
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Post by Aphelyon on Sept 9, 2018 19:57:34 GMT -5
Yep both of those are fine! I actually had someone message me about the medicine cat position a little while ago (I guess she didn't realize there was a planning page? Or just wanted to ask directly. Idk) but I had been considering allowing two medicine cats in HibiscusClan anyways so that actually works out, if you're alright with sharing the position. I'm gonna go ahead and post the Clan, but I'll mark those spots as taken.
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Post by ʙᴜᴍʙʟᴇʙᴇᴇ » on Sept 9, 2018 20:09:00 GMT -5
i'm willing to share!
save for characters
P R E F I X E S
• sea - warrior, f, pan • shark - app, m, bi • hushed - meddie, f, les-bean • storm - warrior, m, bi (possibly younger sibling to eel and shark?
• possible clover kit?
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Post by Aphelyon on Sept 9, 2018 20:18:13 GMT -5
Awesome! Well, here's the Clan page. It's up, but there's no rush.
Edit: saw your prefixes. Storm is welcome to be a younger sibling of Eelstar/Sharkfang/Boarpelt. And you're more than welcome to make a kit of Cloverstorm's.
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