The Image in the Stars - Constellation based clan fic
Jun 22, 2019 0:15:18 GMT -5
mintedstar/fur🦇 likes this
Post by Jaypetal on Jun 22, 2019 0:15:18 GMT -5
Hi guys, I haven't been here since right after the official forums died, so I'm not really sure about making posts look good yet!
For now, I'd like to use this place to collect my setting ideas, and the short bit I've written so far. Everyone is welcome to suggest ideas, cat names, ect. I think making this a somewhat collaborative piece could be really fun!
Setting
Clans: Named after animal based constellations
-Aquila-
Animal: Eagle
Traits: Proud, well-spoken, easy to embarrass
Moto: Observe the scene before you enter
-Cygnus-
Animal: Swan
Traits: Kind, humble, lacks communication skills
Moto: While bound to the earth, we live with the sky and water as well
-Taurus-
Animal: Bull
Traits: Self assured, confident, unobservant
Moto: Mistakes can be hidden with the right confidence
-Ursa-
Animal: Bear
Traits: Loyal, protective, resistant to change
Moto: When not alone, one can do so much more
The writing so far
The 4 clans had lived together in relative peace for 10 green-leafs now, only the eldest of elders could recall a time where trouble brewed, and distrust resonated throughout each gathering like birdsong. UrsaClan, TaurusClan, CygnusClan, and AquilaClan had been formed with the movement of the stars. At first, cats born under one of these constellations had gathered, drawn into a community by an indescribable inkling. Instinct, however, can only do so much to sort individuals, and so, the newly formed communities mingled. Some changed their alliances based on their loved ones, or friends. Others, left for another clan more likeminded to their ideals. Only when a clear leader had risen in each clan, had this free roaming been put to an end, and allegiance became something that required commitment.
Oakpaw had been in Ursa for as long as he could remember, not long as he was only barely an apprentice. Not that he’d ever changed clans, but the tales he’d heard as a kit from the elders did sometimes bring up the change of a clan. For example, Fawntail, a tawny long-furred she-cat with deep brown eyes and a naturally short tail, she claimed to be born of Taurus. No one alive could confirm or deny her words now, and so for the most part it was taken as the truth. It was fun, anyway, to hear stories about a whole other clan when you were just a kit confined to camp.
He’d grown up with two other apprentices, both his best friend in differing ways. Moonpaw was a stunning mottled gray and white tom with bright green eyes. His pelt wasn’t particularly ideal for hunting, and if it came to battle, it’d surely pose a similar problem, but he’d been born with a talent for withdrawing his presence. He could hide in plain sight in some cases, and just as easily, he could draw attention. Being raised with such a charismatic cat had been a joy, and had given the friends some social confidence as well.
Lightpaw was his sister, a honey furred she-cat with similarly bright green eyes. Often considered to be the closest friend of Oakpaw, she had nurtured his interest in herbs that had begun as a tentative curiosity. She had been able to see that Oakpaw perhaps felt overwhelmed by the hype of warrior training that the older apprentices had planted in their juniors. While Oakpaw mulled over whether to request to apprentice as a medicine cat, unsure if he’d be a good fit, Lightpaw kindly reminded him that doing his best for the clan also meant he should love what he did.
“There’s just no point, wasting your time on training when there are other things you’d rather do. Now if you don’t get your tail over to the medicine den soon, I’ll go put in a word for you myself!”
So it came to be as it was now. The trio were but a moon into their apprenticeships, and Oakpaw had firmly settled down into the medicine den, where he belonged. Featherstep had been a fair mentor so far, absolutely delighted that Oakpaw had chosen this path. While medicine cats did have their drawbacks, choosing a mate went against the code, and thus, so did kits, their connection to the stars was to be envied. StarClan lived on from those that had passed, using their remaining time in the stars to foresee danger, and communicate to their living clans via medicine cats. It was not uncommon for a regular cat to be visited by a member of StarClan in their dreams, on occasion, however only medicine cats were trained in translating the confusing words and visions they brought with them.
Oakpaw loved that.
Who better to get advice from than those who walked the same path before you? He had also noted, in his encounters with StarClan so far, that a cat that has passed on and been relieved of their loyalty to only one Clan often was less prejudiced than any living cat.
The rustling of ferns drew Oakpaw back to the present, as Featherstep pushed her way into the medicine den, jaw full of fresh oak leaves. He glanced up from his methodical task of rebuilding their nests, meeting her gaze, and with a pleased mrr, she padded over to place the leaves beside him.
“Could you help me set these out to dry?” she asked, flicking an ear towards the nests, “Those look more than perfect. So, after we get this done, you may have some free time on your paws.” Featherstep was known as a push over, aching to please others, so gaining an apprentice had been a challenge for her. She often thought she was going too soft on Oakpaw, but time and time again she had justified to herself, Oakpaw truly is a quiet and attentive cat. He’s earned this.
“Oh, thanks,” he replied, pawing a few leaves closer before stooping to place them apart one by one. It was a very slow task alone, so he was glad Featherstep hadn’t just left it to him. Oakpaw gently nipped the leaves, placing them evenly along the ground to dry, towards the back wall of the den. It wasn’t long until they’d finished.
Featherstep swished her tail once in satisfaction, purring, “Right, you can take a break now, and I’ll call you if anything comes up. Make sure you eat something before you come back.” The she-cat glanced at their work, then to the rest of the herbs stored in the farthest corner of the den. “I’ll be cleaning out the herb stores if you need me.”
Well, that’s it. I guess I’m free for the rest of the day. This apprenticeship really has been fortunate… I hope the others are doing okay, there they are now. As he stepped out of the medicine den, brushing through the ferns, he’d caught sight of a group of cats returning to camp, each carrying pray to camp. It was the hunting patrol Moonpaw, Lightpaw, and their mentors had left on earlier. He bounded towards them, his tail raised in greeting.
Lightpaw was the first to spot him coming, and hurried to drop the mouse she’d been carrying onto the fresh kill pile. “Hey, it’s stinky pelt!” She bounded over to meet Oakpaw half-way, sniffing at him intently. “So, what plant do you smell like today? I can’t tell.”
“Just oak leaves, nothing too special today,” he replied, with a half-smile.
Moonpaw had finally wandered over to join them, and took one curious sniff of his friend, as if to confirm what he’d just said. “It’s good, it suits you. I never would have figured they used oaks for anything but climbing anyway,” he added, trying to come off as more suave.
Lightpaw nudged her brother lightly, a helpful smile on her face. “It’s okay, don’t worry about it.”
Lifting his ears, Oakpaw glanced between the two. “About what?” He couldn’t see what had apparently been wrong with what Moonpaw said, instead taking a step forward to gently head-butt him. “Never mind, I wanted to ask if you’d share some fresh-kill with me, and maybe teach me a bit about hunting later, if you have time?”
For now, I'd like to use this place to collect my setting ideas, and the short bit I've written so far. Everyone is welcome to suggest ideas, cat names, ect. I think making this a somewhat collaborative piece could be really fun!
Setting
Clans: Named after animal based constellations
-Aquila-
Animal: Eagle
Traits: Proud, well-spoken, easy to embarrass
Moto: Observe the scene before you enter
-Cygnus-
Animal: Swan
Traits: Kind, humble, lacks communication skills
Moto: While bound to the earth, we live with the sky and water as well
-Taurus-
Animal: Bull
Traits: Self assured, confident, unobservant
Moto: Mistakes can be hidden with the right confidence
-Ursa-
Animal: Bear
Traits: Loyal, protective, resistant to change
Moto: When not alone, one can do so much more
The writing so far
The 4 clans had lived together in relative peace for 10 green-leafs now, only the eldest of elders could recall a time where trouble brewed, and distrust resonated throughout each gathering like birdsong. UrsaClan, TaurusClan, CygnusClan, and AquilaClan had been formed with the movement of the stars. At first, cats born under one of these constellations had gathered, drawn into a community by an indescribable inkling. Instinct, however, can only do so much to sort individuals, and so, the newly formed communities mingled. Some changed their alliances based on their loved ones, or friends. Others, left for another clan more likeminded to their ideals. Only when a clear leader had risen in each clan, had this free roaming been put to an end, and allegiance became something that required commitment.
Oakpaw had been in Ursa for as long as he could remember, not long as he was only barely an apprentice. Not that he’d ever changed clans, but the tales he’d heard as a kit from the elders did sometimes bring up the change of a clan. For example, Fawntail, a tawny long-furred she-cat with deep brown eyes and a naturally short tail, she claimed to be born of Taurus. No one alive could confirm or deny her words now, and so for the most part it was taken as the truth. It was fun, anyway, to hear stories about a whole other clan when you were just a kit confined to camp.
He’d grown up with two other apprentices, both his best friend in differing ways. Moonpaw was a stunning mottled gray and white tom with bright green eyes. His pelt wasn’t particularly ideal for hunting, and if it came to battle, it’d surely pose a similar problem, but he’d been born with a talent for withdrawing his presence. He could hide in plain sight in some cases, and just as easily, he could draw attention. Being raised with such a charismatic cat had been a joy, and had given the friends some social confidence as well.
Lightpaw was his sister, a honey furred she-cat with similarly bright green eyes. Often considered to be the closest friend of Oakpaw, she had nurtured his interest in herbs that had begun as a tentative curiosity. She had been able to see that Oakpaw perhaps felt overwhelmed by the hype of warrior training that the older apprentices had planted in their juniors. While Oakpaw mulled over whether to request to apprentice as a medicine cat, unsure if he’d be a good fit, Lightpaw kindly reminded him that doing his best for the clan also meant he should love what he did.
“There’s just no point, wasting your time on training when there are other things you’d rather do. Now if you don’t get your tail over to the medicine den soon, I’ll go put in a word for you myself!”
So it came to be as it was now. The trio were but a moon into their apprenticeships, and Oakpaw had firmly settled down into the medicine den, where he belonged. Featherstep had been a fair mentor so far, absolutely delighted that Oakpaw had chosen this path. While medicine cats did have their drawbacks, choosing a mate went against the code, and thus, so did kits, their connection to the stars was to be envied. StarClan lived on from those that had passed, using their remaining time in the stars to foresee danger, and communicate to their living clans via medicine cats. It was not uncommon for a regular cat to be visited by a member of StarClan in their dreams, on occasion, however only medicine cats were trained in translating the confusing words and visions they brought with them.
Oakpaw loved that.
Who better to get advice from than those who walked the same path before you? He had also noted, in his encounters with StarClan so far, that a cat that has passed on and been relieved of their loyalty to only one Clan often was less prejudiced than any living cat.
The rustling of ferns drew Oakpaw back to the present, as Featherstep pushed her way into the medicine den, jaw full of fresh oak leaves. He glanced up from his methodical task of rebuilding their nests, meeting her gaze, and with a pleased mrr, she padded over to place the leaves beside him.
“Could you help me set these out to dry?” she asked, flicking an ear towards the nests, “Those look more than perfect. So, after we get this done, you may have some free time on your paws.” Featherstep was known as a push over, aching to please others, so gaining an apprentice had been a challenge for her. She often thought she was going too soft on Oakpaw, but time and time again she had justified to herself, Oakpaw truly is a quiet and attentive cat. He’s earned this.
“Oh, thanks,” he replied, pawing a few leaves closer before stooping to place them apart one by one. It was a very slow task alone, so he was glad Featherstep hadn’t just left it to him. Oakpaw gently nipped the leaves, placing them evenly along the ground to dry, towards the back wall of the den. It wasn’t long until they’d finished.
Featherstep swished her tail once in satisfaction, purring, “Right, you can take a break now, and I’ll call you if anything comes up. Make sure you eat something before you come back.” The she-cat glanced at their work, then to the rest of the herbs stored in the farthest corner of the den. “I’ll be cleaning out the herb stores if you need me.”
Well, that’s it. I guess I’m free for the rest of the day. This apprenticeship really has been fortunate… I hope the others are doing okay, there they are now. As he stepped out of the medicine den, brushing through the ferns, he’d caught sight of a group of cats returning to camp, each carrying pray to camp. It was the hunting patrol Moonpaw, Lightpaw, and their mentors had left on earlier. He bounded towards them, his tail raised in greeting.
Lightpaw was the first to spot him coming, and hurried to drop the mouse she’d been carrying onto the fresh kill pile. “Hey, it’s stinky pelt!” She bounded over to meet Oakpaw half-way, sniffing at him intently. “So, what plant do you smell like today? I can’t tell.”
“Just oak leaves, nothing too special today,” he replied, with a half-smile.
Moonpaw had finally wandered over to join them, and took one curious sniff of his friend, as if to confirm what he’d just said. “It’s good, it suits you. I never would have figured they used oaks for anything but climbing anyway,” he added, trying to come off as more suave.
Lightpaw nudged her brother lightly, a helpful smile on her face. “It’s okay, don’t worry about it.”
Lifting his ears, Oakpaw glanced between the two. “About what?” He couldn’t see what had apparently been wrong with what Moonpaw said, instead taking a step forward to gently head-butt him. “Never mind, I wanted to ask if you’d share some fresh-kill with me, and maybe teach me a bit about hunting later, if you have time?”