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Post by Aphelyon on Nov 1, 2016 12:32:17 GMT -5
Well, that's why I would give a sort of general age. Like:
Cat 6: [rank warrior] she-cat; littermate is Cat 7; parents are Cat 1 and Cat 19 [deceased]; 30-40 moons old.
So it gives a sort of age range but the player can decide the exact age. Obviously if there's two littermates, whoever claims one of them first establishes the exact age, and the second person who claims just has to sort of go along with that. But seeing as there's not a lot of difference between a 30 moon old cat and 35 moon old cat, it shouldn't matter too much.
As for the traits, yeah, that would depend on story purposes. Perhaps some families would have a trait consistent from parents to offspring, or between littermates, or whatever, but mostly that would just be up to the roleplayer. Obviously they would need to have SOMETHING in common with their kin (like a similar pelt or eye color) but past that it would be up to them.
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Post by Aphelyon on Nov 1, 2016 13:11:25 GMT -5
So as for the actual personalities of each of the Clans.
CaveClan is probably the most secretive for a lot of reasons. They're probably slightly bitter and suspicious to the other Clans due to a lack of help after their ancestor Clan was destroyed, though I wouldn't say they're malicious towards them. They're probably somewhat prideful, even perhaps to the point of sometimes being quite arrogant, and take great pride in their connection with StarClan. More practically, they're probably extremely adaptable and quick-witted, good at reacting quickly to situations. Their eyesight is probably below average at this point and they're likely sensitive to bright lights, due to living in the caves, but their other sense are probably extremely good. They are most likely very quiet, both in step and in voice. Due to there not being a ton of prey in the caves, they're probably also fairly small.
MountainClan is probably the largest and physically strongest out of all of the Clans, since they're constantly climbing up and down the mountains. They probably have very good control of their bodies, and are quite agile and balanced in addition to their strength. All of their sense are probably good but none of them are super fantastic; out of all of them, their hearing is probably their best trait, but it still wouldn't rival a CaveClan cat's. They're likely very thick-furred so that they can handle the snow in leaf-bare, and the majority of cats are probably a medium color and tabby for best camouflage. I imagine them as sort of being the ThunderClan of these three: loud, proud, and very loyal to their Clan.
FarmClan is in the valley, so they're not quite as strong as MountainClan because they don't have to do as much climbing. There's more open space, but still forest, and so they're probably fast runners and agile enough to get over and around foliage and undergrowth in the forest. Due to being the closest proximity to twolegplace they have the most mixed blood, and therefore the broadest range of physical traits. I see FarmClan as being the most free-spirited; while loyal to their Clan, kin, and culture, they're the most lax about the warrior code, and see no problem befriending cats outside their Clan. They welcome any cat who is willing and able to join their Clan, and who proves themselves trustworthy and loyal. While wary as always of twolegs, they have no problem venturing into twolegplace on occasion, or snatching up the food that twolegs leave out, or anything tasty out of the garbage. There's no shame in taking what's there- survival is adapting to the situation, after all, and sometimes the situation is easy food. Of course, this very laid-back way of life is often scorned by the other Clans as making them soft, and perhaps it does, but when it comes right down to it FarmClan can be just as vicious in battle as any other.
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Post by Ziotsu on Nov 1, 2016 18:31:13 GMT -5
But I wonder what traits caveclan had before they were driven into their cave. For one that could be part of what the elders talk about, and also would give hints on what we can pick for their names.
I kind of jumped on names with the basic outlines on what the clans are like, this is just a start with looking at the four basic elements
As for the other two, something to do with wind(unity) or fire(strong) for mountainclan.
if caveclan did change their name through generations, then it might have to do with water as they were renewed as a clan in the caves and had to change to fit their environment. There might be some gems that would work for naming caveclan, for a both a connection to their environment as well as a hint to who they are and what they stand for.
For farmclan, haven't found anything that would possibly fit. Water might work for them as well due to the adaptability, but at the same time I am not sure that would fit what their environment is. Since they are more laid back, maybe some kind of bird would work as birds are used in many places as a sign of freedom and free-spirited.
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Post by Aphelyon on Nov 1, 2016 18:57:55 GMT -5
I usually try to make connected Clans have a shared theme in the names (ie, all animals or plants or weather), so even if they're not super similar they should sort of share the same general category. I'm thinking CaveClan probably changed its name when it moved underground.
If you went with something like animals, good names could be RobinClan (FarmClan), BatClan (CaveClan), and perhaps FoxClan (MountainClan). Thought I would suggest those since you mentioned birds for FarmClan. Otherwise, you could maybe have StoneClan (CaveClan), LeafClan (MountainClan), and RainClan (FarmClan). Just some ideas.
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Post by Ziotsu on Nov 1, 2016 19:26:39 GMT -5
I think the animal ones work better, Robinclan really seems to fit Farmclan, though why Foxclan? It seems to fit, but at the same time I wonder why.
The second set doesn't seem to match as well with the three clans. Mostly I am confused on why you picked Leafclan for Mountainclan, as well as Rainclan for Farmclan.
Echoclan could possibly work for , as a reference to if they were loud it would echo and the fact that they come from the same source as the old clan, but are unique to themselves. Also could be a reference to how they 'bounce back' like how a sound bounces off walls. *shrugs* you don't have to listen to my crazy antics of course.
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Post by Aphelyon on Nov 1, 2016 19:31:34 GMT -5
EchoClan does make sense, though I doubt the cats understand the science behind it lol. And leaf related to the trees where they make their home, stout and firmly-rooted. Rain being free-falling and refreshing, and while at first impression it might seem gentle, it can also mean a storm.
As for FoxClan, idk, I just threw out a forest/mountain-related animal. Could be DeerClan or BearClan or HawkClan, I just threw out fox.
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Post by Ziotsu on Nov 1, 2016 19:48:25 GMT -5
True true, I kind of got a bit excited about that name xD
Hm, that does make sense, though I don't think referencing the leaf over another part of the tree would work as well. Leaves fall easily, they are not as attached to their home which is nothing like Mountainclan. Referencing maybe the trunk or the roots might work better.
Rainclan seems to work well now that I got an explanation. I guess it could also make sense as the twolegs 'create rain' to help their crops and make the areas where they hunt in leaf-fall.
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Post by Aphelyon on Nov 1, 2016 20:17:13 GMT -5
Yeah, that's true, that ties the name in even better.
And good point about LeafClan. Perhaps something more like OakClan?
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Post by Ziotsu on Nov 1, 2016 20:35:31 GMT -5
Oakclan works
Makes me laugh slightly because people are going to go 'oh the forest one, probably flat kind of like thunderclan territory' and when they look it is a giant "Nah, man" in front of them.
So do we want to stick with those two names for now?
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Post by Aphelyon on Nov 1, 2016 20:52:13 GMT -5
Which ones, RainClan and OakClan? Sure, sounds good. And then possibly EchoClan for the cave Clan.
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Post by Ziotsu on Nov 1, 2016 20:58:16 GMT -5
Wasn't sure if you wanted to go for Echoclan or not
I meant Rainclan and Oakclan, though.
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Post by Aphelyon on Nov 1, 2016 22:15:28 GMT -5
Yeah that's what I said. Okay, so just have to figure out the name of EchoClan's predecessor. After that, it's probably on to territory. Of course we have the general description already, but more specifically.
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Post by Ziotsu on Nov 2, 2016 5:51:18 GMT -5
Hm, well I think there would always be one basic trait through the past caveclan and the current caveclan
Possibly they were always adaptable to situations, though not realizing that they would have to use that skill to the extreme. They might have been in a similar environment to Rainclan, with having been in the forested part of the area with maybe the edge of their territory having a growing two-leg place that they were always weary of.
Also another idea, I think Rainclan's territory might have grown slightly when caveclan was driven out, the territory left wasn't enough to support a clan but it was still there for Rainclan to claim. This might have sparked Oakclan to claim some of the larger territory and Caveclan to feel a bit more anger that Rainclan was so willing to take over their remaining territory.
Or Caveclan started to work to reclaim that part of the territory so they had just a little more hunting grounds.
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Post by Aphelyon on Nov 2, 2016 10:53:38 GMT -5
Hm, yes, I like the idea of RainClan claiming what was left and that giving a sort of ancestral antogonism between them and EchoClan. I think perhaps there could be a group of cats descended from ancient EchoClan (whatever they were called then) who want to reclaim what territory had been theirs. So they're not actually an official Clan at the moment; they'd be more like BloodClan, they're trying but they don't quite have it. And those would start attacking RainClan and trying to take back "their" territory. Of course, this could be introduced a little ways into the roleplay rather than being present from the get-go; having it show up right at the beginning may be too many factions and too many major plots, especially for RainClan.
As for ancient EchoClan's territory; it would also be in the valley, next to RainClan. Perhaps most of it is along a large river, and so EchoClan had once been more water-oriented (like RiverClan), catching fish and mostly living among the river rocks. Then twolegs came, built the twolegplace on the banks of the river and scared away the fish, forcing the cats out, and then RainClan claimed what little of the riverbank was left untouched. Ancient EchoClan still would have had to have been quick on their paws, agile, and stealthy in order to catch fish and traverse the slippery river rocks, and they would have had to adapt seasonally to the river being very cold/freezing over at the edges, as well as flooding with snowmelt in the spring. Those would be traits that stayed with them when they moved to the caves, though their physical appearance has adapted over time (most notably, the cats being smaller and generally dark in color).
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Post by Ziotsu on Nov 2, 2016 12:23:46 GMT -5
So set that plot idea to the side to develop more later?
With ancient Echoclan, maybe have their name fit better with the other two names, while one seems to be referencing water, one the plant life, maybe have theirs either reference the soil or the animals?
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Post by Aphelyon on Nov 2, 2016 12:36:20 GMT -5
Yeah, that's what I had originally been thinking with StoneClan. Which actually could still work for ancient EchoClan, perhaps. Ya know, cuz stones in the water. Plus they're determined and resolute like the stones; even when the water rises or freezes they're still there, just weathering the challenge. At least, until the twolegs came.
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Post by Ziotsu on Nov 2, 2016 17:02:18 GMT -5
Ok so Stoneclan it is it seems
and I was thinking of a modified vigil for when a member of Echoclan passes, rather then having it in the center of the camp, they carry the body to the mouth of the cave where they can have an easier passage to starclan
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Post by willowflower on Nov 2, 2016 17:52:10 GMT -5
Whoa lots of stuff got done
So I really really like the names y'all came up with, and the history sounds solid
the vigil thing's interesting as well
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Post by Aphelyon on Nov 2, 2016 23:33:47 GMT -5
Hm, yes perhaps. Otherwise maybe there's a cave somewhere that acts sort of like a crypt? Like when a cat dies they put the body in a crevice and cover it with stones and dirt from the cave? Maybe after carrying it to the mouth of the cave; therefore, the spirit can go to StarClan while the body remains forever within the caves where the cat lived.
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Post by Ziotsu on Nov 3, 2016 17:03:23 GMT -5
Ooo that is so interesting, like it acts as a sort of reminder that no matter what, their home is in the caves.
which brings up a question, starclan looking down on the clans, I doubt that Echoclan would use that phrase as they are no longer living under the stars
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Post by Aphelyon on Nov 3, 2016 17:16:46 GMT -5
Hm, yeah, good point. Perhaps instead of saying that StarClan is looking down on them they might say something like "StarClan is listening" or whatever. And perhaps there would be sort of a tradition of going to the waterfall to tell StarClan about things that had happened (a bit like confession, perhaps? But less confessing their sins and more just keeping StarClan updated) since StarClan can no longer see them as well.
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Post by Ziotsu on Nov 3, 2016 18:11:25 GMT -5
That sounds great.
I wonder if there would be any unique traditions to the other clans? The other two are more 'traditional' obviously with their own twists.
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Post by Aphelyon on Nov 3, 2016 18:29:59 GMT -5
Hm. Yeah, I feel like the other two Clans should have SOMETHING unique about them. Maybe for OakClan there could be something like a sort of "Valentine's Day" type deal that's essentially supposed to be for mates. The survival function of this is that it's on this day or around this day (which would probably be in, like, early spring) that cats are supposed to try to conceive kits if they want them, so that the kits will be born around late spring/early summer when there's plenty of prey to sustain the queens and their kits, because it would probably be dangerous for kits to be born in the autumn or winter due to the cold and lack of prey. So the Clan has lots of kits during the summer, and then they become apprentices around autumn, and then probably warriors in the spring. This would also mean that most kits are probably very close to all the kits they grew up with rather than just their littermates, which contributes to Clan loyalty and unity. Maybe the kits born that year also become apprentices on the same day, and mentors get to pick their own apprentices?
As for RainClan.... maybe since it's not uncommon for them to accept outsiders into their Clan, there could be a special system in place for that? Like, cats who want to join have to do some kind of simple test and if they pass then they're accepted into the Clan on a "trial" where they have to prove their loyalty to the Clan by performing some of the more unpleasant apprentice duties (searching the elders for ticks, changing bedding, etc.) in addition to regular training, and they have to learn about the Clan culture, and if they make it through that they're accepted as a full member of the Clan. It could be a sort of special "rank;" cats who aren't necessarily part of the Clan but who are also not exactly complete outsiders.
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Post by Ziotsu on Nov 3, 2016 18:58:07 GMT -5
Maybe Oakclan has a couple other traditions to promote unity within the clan. Like during winter since it is so cold in the mountains, the apprentices sleep in the elder's den to both be able to better hear stories and keep them warm through the winter. Maybe during that time the leader, medicine cat and deputy join the warriors while the med cat apprentice joins the other apprentices.
Maybe the name of the rank could be recruit?
An idea with that could be they keep their old name till they have proven themselves and then the current leader gives them their new name.
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Post by Aphelyon on Nov 3, 2016 19:03:40 GMT -5
I like both of those ideas.
Alright, I think that's pretty much all about the Clans. Now on to territory?
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Post by Ziotsu on Nov 3, 2016 19:16:35 GMT -5
One of rainclan's border could be the trees at the base of the mountain
Echoclan possibly has a bit of territory outside of their cave but it is very minimal and they probably only have it for their vigil, they probably have control over right ontop of their cave as well, though it could be unknown if their cave reaches underneath the other clans or not.
As for Oakclan, I can see them just being all over the mountain, their border probably only stopping once they reach two-leg places, places that have little to no prey, or the other clan's borders
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Post by Aphelyon on Nov 3, 2016 19:36:46 GMT -5
Hm. For OakClan's borders: part of it could be the river, since up in the hills it would be much faster-moving and more dangerous to cross, so they wouldn't bother trying to take territory on its opposite bank. Another border could be a ravine or small cliff that's very difficult to get up and down. And the last border, besides RainClan, is simply the area being too far away to efficiently patrol, so they marked the border somewhere that's close enough to actually defend.
The border between RainClan and OakClan is the base of the mountain, at the edge of the trees. RainClan's territory spreads slightly into the foothills, on either side of the valley- those that aren't claimed by OakClan at the head of the valley, but they mostly stay in the more open center. There are a few small copses and groves, but its mostly open land. There is a single dirt path that goes along the river about halfway through their territory, and along this path are two farmhouses. Much of the valley is cattle field, but the cats have simply learned to avoid the cattle, which aren't dangerous unless spooked. There are three barns; two are cattle barns, and one is more like a large shed. All are fairly close to the farmhouses, and so the cats just stay away from them, though sometimes during leafbare they'll sneak into the cattle barns for easy mice. A while down the valley, the dirt road becomes paved and there are houses along it and along the river. This is the edge of the twolegplace, and the border of RainClan's territory.
At the base of the mountain, in OakClan's territory but close to the RainClan border, is the opening of the cave to the waterfall (needs a name. Stardrop Cavern? Deepriver? Blackfall? The Nightpool? Idk, just some random things that come to mind). The cave is fairly large and open, with a stream running through the center. The stream runs out and connects with the river, and even near the mouth of the cave is filled with minnows, salamanders, and sometimes frogs and other such aquatic and semi-aquatic animals. A ways back, once the light of day has faded, the cave opens up into a large room with a deep pool of water in the center. Water flows from the middle of the roof and falls straight down into the pool. This is where cats go to speak with StarClan.
A few tunnels lead off from this one, and snake deep under the mountain. While it is easy to get lost in the caves, they are all connected and all one must do is follow the smell of water and fresh air and they will be led either back to the waterfall cavern, or to one of the other hidden entrances to the caves. There are three of these: one in the ravine that forms one of OakClan's borders, one just past their mountain border, and one near the top of the mountain within OakClan's territory. EchoClan cats may sometimes hunt in the ravine at night, since the cave entrance is near the bottom of it and allows easy access. EchoClan also has a small patch of territory claimed around the mountain entrance in OakClan territory; only a few boulders just above and below the cave entrance, for the sake of sitting vigil beneath the stars. Because it is within OakClan's territory, there is an agreement that EchoClan cats will never hunt on these boulders, though anything that actually enters the cave is fair game.
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Post by Ziotsu on Nov 4, 2016 17:25:23 GMT -5
I like the sound of Stardrop Cavern as well as Deepriver, both are names that it sounds like cats named
As for the territories, they all seem good from the sound of it. I could possibly work on a small map since explaining all the twists and turns of the caves would take a long time
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Post by Aphelyon on Nov 4, 2016 18:27:59 GMT -5
Yeah that would be cool. I was trying to make one but I suck at drawing mountains. Then I was gonna use this mapmaker on a name generator site I use a lot but it's been glitching a lot so that didn't work. So yeah, go for it.
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Post by Ziotsu on Nov 4, 2016 19:13:45 GMT -5
I can't draw terrain that well either, tbt I was looking at cave structures that could be used for Echoclan
I also have been looking into ideas for the mountain/valley that makes up Oakclan and Rainclan
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