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Post by grave on Apr 18, 2020 14:43:37 GMT -5
If you could revamp the clans to give them each a culture that was very distinct from the other clans, what would you do?
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Lesbian
“Dude you have over 50k posts? Ngl that’s kind of cringe.”
sorethroat
Part-time lurker.
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Post by sorethroat on Apr 18, 2020 15:35:34 GMT -5
I had an idea where RiverClan is lax about the code and StarClan and will allow even agnosticism and atheism into their Clan as long as they’re not medicine cats and even then the medicine cats aren’t held to high standards despite being respected, so you see some medicine cats having mates and kits. The leader holds council with everyone before making their decision for the Clan as a whole. They’re very kit-oriented and hedonistic and have a lot more free time on their paws. They don’t like kittypets though and Clans like to insult them by saying they’re one-step away from becoming a Clan of them. WindClan is the most religious and intolerant of anything else. Some Clans would have higher values in certain roles and so some of them would have more than two medicine cats on paw or have a council that the leader consults to. Almost all of them would have a mediator.
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Post by wolfcry32 on Apr 18, 2020 16:58:24 GMT -5
Since ShadowClan is always tauted as being about shadows and darkness, I'd like to see them be more so than they already are. They could operate under mostly night: maybe having a skeleton crew guarding camp during the day and doing the hunting at night. They could also do all of their attacks at night or very early morning since the others would be asleep; and during the Gatherings they would be more awake and alert than the other clans too.
And since WindClan is said to take pride in feeling closest to StarClan, I think moving to the lake would make them miss that. So instead they would take time in the earliest part of the night sitting under the stars. Sort of like a vigil, but just a way to reforge the bond. I'd think they might see asking another cat to race them as a form of courtship. This might cause confusion with the other clans, but it would definitely be a clue in (if a WindClan were ever a POV character that is).
RiverClan could take their love of pretty things even further. While they stick shells and such in their nests, they would find a way to weave things like feathers into their fur. This would be something they would primarily do for Gatherings, but they would also do it during warrior ceremonies. They might even do it before ambushes/patrols/raids to appear bigger and more intimidating.
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Lesbian
“Dude you have over 50k posts? Ngl that’s kind of cringe.”
sorethroat
Part-time lurker.
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Post by sorethroat on Apr 18, 2020 17:46:22 GMT -5
I came up with more ideas and I understand if this is too much or if they contradict. Really I’m okay with what we got in canon.
ThunderClan is religious and upholds the code to a standard, but they’re very forgiving to a point. Being agnostic and atheist behavior is alien to them but they don’t make a fuss about it too much. Generally welcome to outsiders but this attitude will vary depending on the individual. ThunderClan leader has a council with older warriors and elders and will generally let their Clan speak their mind but the leader ultimately makes the final decision.
WindClan is super religious and into StarClan so they keep to the code most of the time, and don’t tolerate nonbelievers; they won’t exile them or codebreakers (unless it’s a very serious crime) but they’re prone to shunning them. They have more than two medicine cats on average yet they’re not allowed to have mates or kits. Medicine cats make up WindClan’s council and that’s who the leader consults. They tried to restart their tunneling practice but it never takes off due to how dangerous the tunnels are, so it is used sparingly.
Modern SkyClan is very liberal towards outsiders and isn’t too big on assimilation. They still have day-warriors which is controversial within and outside of the Clan because now it includes loners and rogues as a measure to avoid having skirmishes between Clan cats and certain non-Clan cats. SkyClan offers protection while the outsiders offer help with hunting and fighting. After a while some rogues and loners will move on or stay for the long term. Due to Firestar being their founder and forming their core values, SkyClan is very similar to ThunderClan, just even more sympathetic to outsiders given their roots. SkyClan also gets the same insult RiverClan gets.
ShadowClan is led almost solely by its leader but the leader still allows dissenters and advice from his deputy and medicine cat. They accept outsiders but think SkyClan and ThunderClan are way too lax about it and as such ShadowClan isn’t completely open to outsiders if they don’t assimilate from the get go. Still, a lot of cats from other Clans come to them to seek refuge and relief from persecution, earning ShadowClan the reputation of being secretive and full of traitors wether or not those seeking their help are cats who were wrongly accused of some serious crime. ShadowClan has a very tough love approach but still mean well and stick together, not hostile per say to other Clans but just closed off. Breaking the code is seen as needed depending on the situation.
Every Clan cat has a mediator (because while I love the idea, I don’t think the Clans would realistically depend on a cat from SkyClan alone to solve matters; there would be suspicion of bias) and the Clan leaders look to them settle disagreements. The next mediator is chosen both by medicine cat and the mediator as they will work closely together more often than not. Half-Clan cats and affairs vary. RiverClan will not care and will always step up to claim half-RiverClan cats. ThunderClan and SkyClan will vary depending on the mood but they still lean favorably. ShadowClan will accept them no matter what but there will be grumbles and the “offenders” will have to “prove” themselves. WindClan will shun them and the kits as well because they exist breaks the code, but they won’t throw them out unless the leader is more zealous than usual. You would have to work real hard to prove yourself.
I like the idea of the Clans hosting games together like they did in The Sight so to me the Clans would continue that tradition every new-leaf. There are rallies the day before in each Clan.
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Genderqueer
mrnnki
I do not think, therefore I am not.
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Post by mrnnki on Apr 18, 2020 19:05:37 GMT -5
I tried to make a rewrite with my friends a while back that did something like this, but we didn't get very far with it. Most of it wasn't written down, so here's what I can remember:
THUNDERCLAN - They are individualistic and value talents and traits highly. Young warriors and apprentices must work hard to stand out, and expectations are high. Due to their belief in the uniqueness of the individual, they are more open to welcoming outsiders (fresh blood brings fresh talents) but they hold contempt for the other Clans.
- Their society is honor and family based, so duels are frequent. Duels are similar to training, as fighting another clanmate with claws unsheathed is forbidden. They serve as entertainment to elders and kits, and are typically held in the center of camp.
- They believe that the other Clans are much more savage and unintelligent than they are, especially ShadowClan. Particularly, they believe that ShadowClan cats are like a hive mind (even if this isn't the case).
- The other Clans view ThunderClan as an honor-obsessed congregate of rogues that are barely even a Clan.
WINDCLAN - WindClan is highly faithful. Every member must pledge themselves to StarClan, and if a cat is faithless, they will be cast out. Of all the Clans, they visit the moonpool the most. Medicine cats have as much command as a leader does, and if the two are in conflict, the medicine cat will win.
- Warriors and apprentices will regularly confess wrongdoings to medicine cats, who will try to speak with StarClan for them to ask for forgiveness. They view StarClan as highly involved with each individual cat's life and highly powerful, and when they encounter trouble, their typical response is to attempt to please StarClan before working out other potential causes.
- They believe they are StarClan's true chosen, and look down upon the other Clans. Codebreaking is punished harshly because the Code is StarClan's law.
- The other Clans think of WindClan as snobby, stuffy zealots.
RIVERCLAN - RiverClan is a more laid back Clan. They rarely have to worry about food, so they don't focus on StarClan much unless they're going through hardship. Their religion is more of an afterthought than a constant.
- They value knowledge and creativity above all else. Many Warriors use their spare time to learn to heal (even if it's meant to be the medicine cat's job), tell stories, invent games, or research their environment. If they encounter an outsider, they will speak to them to learn as much as they can, but they won't ask them to join the Clan.
- Basically, they are the creative/artistic Clan. Many warriors have skills beyond hunting, swimming/fishing, and fighting, and some are even entertainers. They value individuality like ThunderClan, but don't care for honor at all. They serve themselves and don't care what impression it makes on others.
- RiverClan is generally viewed as unfocused, awkward, and aimless by the other Clans.
SHADOWCLAN - They value the group over the individual. While most Clans function this way to a degree, it is especially pronounced in ShadowClan. They are the most empathetic and close to one another of all the Clans. However, they are the most distant from the other Clans, and tend to isolate themselves during gatherings.
- As mentioned earlier, ShadowClan cats are eerily close to and supportive of one another. They believe that through their unity, they please StarClan and will lead prosperous lives. Most ShadowClan cats are highly faithful, but don't lose their focus and practicality like WindClan does.
- They don't trust the other Clans, and are the least open to outsiders of any kind. Even messengers aren't allowed in their camp. To bring an outsider, even another Clan cat, into the camp is considered terrible luck and could invoke the wrath of StarClan.
- ShadowClan is regarded as cold, distant, eerie, and mysterious by the other Clans.
(MODERN) SKYCLAN - SkyClan is the aberrant Clan. They aren't beyond questioning things. A majority of warriors don't even think much of StarClan, similar to RiverClan, however, they're more ambivalent than the latter. If there's a Clan that will refuse StarClan's wishes, 9/10 times it will be SkyClan.
- They will do what they think is right, though this is almost always followed by the words "for SkyClan." They serve themselves, but still have empathy for outsiders. But, unlike the other Clans, they tend to prefer outsiders to Clans in fights. Due to being so ostracized by the other Clans, they feel more of a connection to outsiders.
- They're the friendliest and most tolerant of the Clans, and will avoid conflict whenever possible. They try not to draw attention to themselves, but due to their differing opinions, it happens frequently.
- Most of the Clans regard SkyClan as faithless and reckless.
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Lesbian
“Dude you have over 50k posts? Ngl that’s kind of cringe.”
sorethroat
Part-time lurker.
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Post by sorethroat on Apr 18, 2020 19:24:50 GMT -5
I really enjoy how while we have different takes, we all have similar ideas on how the Clans behave! I could see most of the ideas here working together as an intricate thing. RiverClan and WindClan would probably have the most tension given how different they are in comparison. So an atheist RiverClan apprentice all bedazzled up in feathers and shells gushing about her medicine cat mother while a horrified WindClan apprentice listens. Fur will FLY.
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Post by wolfcry32 on Apr 18, 2020 21:44:47 GMT -5
I would also think some of the clans would tend to turn a blind eye to "forbidden" relationships and half-clan kits. Especially ShadowClan, SkyClan, and RiverClan. As far as they are concerned, as long as the kits are healthy and well cared for, it doesn't matter.
That being said, I think it might be common place for some half-clan cats to question where they truly belong (granted they are aware of half-clan cats). Some might feel more comfortable in their father's clan especially if they live in clans with extreme prejudice. And of course these clans would be accepting of them.
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Post by Sundance on Apr 18, 2020 23:45:05 GMT -5
ShadowClan: I would have them occupy not only the pine forests/marshlands of their original territory, but a small part of twolegplace as well. They'd shamelessly hunt city rats, root through trash cans, and be experts at maneuvering through busy metropolis areas and across roads.
With the other Clans, I honestly wouldn't change or add to their way of life so much as I would do a better job of emphasizing their different interests, skill sets, and body types.
Then again, I think I'd be cool to reintroduce WindClan's old tunneling tradition in the modern books. And SkyClan's Daylight Warrior policy.
And I'd add more cool, unique features to every Clans territory at the lake. I miss the waterfall, Snakerocks, and Carrionplace of the old territories.
EDIT: oh whooops, I just realized this post was asking how you'd revamp clan culture, so sorry if my response is a bit off from that. :-P
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Post by Skypaw13 on Apr 19, 2020 18:51:23 GMT -5
Not really up for revamping what we have in canon, but exploring other ideas is really fun!
The only thing I've really thought of before now is bloodlines, and how each Clan would handle them:
WindClan: they are purists: If you do not have two WindClan parents, then you are not WindClan and they will not take you. If you are outed as being half-Clan or adopted from outside the Clan, you will be exiled. Though, if you break the code and have kits with a non-WindClan cat, you can stay, but your kits can't. WindClan are the snobbiest of Clans, and look down on the others for having "outsiders" in their ranks.
RiverClan: The opposite of WindClan. If you have a single drop of RiverClan blood, then RiverClan wants you, and considers going to war a valid way to get you. They still care about bloodlines, but they want all their half-Clan and even quarter-Clan kits to be raised in RiverClan.
ShadowClan: could not care less about bloodlines. ShadowClan warriors are cats who have both sworn loyalty to ShadowClan and somehow proved their strength (usually in battle but could also be a duel in camp or even some act of heroism). Cats born into ShadowClan are under the same expectations as cats born outside ShadowClan-- they must swear loyalty and prove their strength. Being born into the Clan does not make you any better or worse than others. ShC is not necessarily attached to the entire Warrior Code, but does take the loyalty Code (Code 1) extremely seriously.
ThunderClan: sort of a mixed bag. TC will generally allow temporary shelter to outsiders who need it, and if an outsider wants to join, the Clan just sort of feels their way into accepting or rejecting them. It's not an official process like it is in ShadowClan, the TC leader and warriors just kinda decide whether they like you or not. Once an outsider joins, they might face prejudice from TC cats, who have a vast range of opinions on whether or not outsiders should even be allowed to join in the first place. Similarly, half-Clan cats born into TC generally stay in TC, but might also face prejudice. (In the case of half-TC, half-RC kits, TC will just hand the kits over as soon as the secret gets out to avoid war).
SkyClan: old SkyClan differs from new SkyClan. Old SkyClan is very similar to ShadowClan, allowing outsiders as long as they prove their loyalty. New SkyClan still has the same principles, but "prove your loyalty" has been reduced down to a simple oath, and they're pretty much the "open arms" Clan.
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