[Ｃｌａｎｓ ｏｆ ｔｈｅ Ｖａｌｌｅｙ] - Ƭнє Ɯσяℓ∂

 T н є  L α n ∂

 The home of the clans is situated in a long mountainous corridor dominated by two large peaks. The larger of the two is simply called The Great Mountain, and lies within the heart of MountainClan territory. The other peak is called The Sister Mountain and lies on the other side of the valley across from The Lonely Lake which expands over much of the flatter middle part of the valley. The Siberian River is the main source of water for The Lonely Lake and is fed from glacier run-off from both mountains. GlacierClan lives on the slope of The Sister Mountain, while PineClan lives in the dip and the slopes between the two mountains sandwiched between MountainClan and GlacierClan territory. South of the two mountain peaks the valley slopes downward and flattens out into a wide open expanse of tundra. Rivers feed through the flat land like veins from The Lonely Lake. Here is where TundraClan lives. TundraClan has the largest territory, mostly because the other clans aren't accustomed to wide open spaces and the harshness of tundra life.

MAP HERE

T н є  B є n є ƒ i т ѕ  &  D α n g є я ѕ

There are good and bad consequences that come with living in the valley. The peaks themselves serve as an isolating mechanism, keeping wandering bands from finding the clans and causing mayhem, but they also serve as severe storm generators. Hot air rises from over the peaks and becomes cold and heavy with rain, leading to mud and rock slides and even floods. One benefit of having so much rain concentrated in the valley means lots of plant growth, so many essential herbs are accounted for. Many animals also thrive in the clans territories such as caribou, snowy owls, many species of rodent, as well as migratory and annual birds. This also attracts deadly predators such as wolves, birds of prey, and even some bears. Most Clan casualties are caused by rock or mud slides with border skirmishes being a close second.

B є ℓ i є ƒ ѕ  &  A  H α я ѕ н є я  C σ ∂ є 

The Clans of the Valley have different beliefs then you may be accustomed to in the forest clans. For one, killing a cat from another clan is not against the code, but it is frowned upon generally in border skirmishes or little duels. When it's clan against clan killing another cat is seen as a way to survive. The Clans of the Valley are a lot more hostile toward each other in general, and are always jostling for a position of power or dominance over the other clans. Any friendly contact between the clans is forbidden, and becoming romantically involved will lead to both cats involved and any who hid their secret a target for execution. Yet, unlike the forest clans, medicine cats are allowed to have mates and even kits within their clan as long as they have an apprentice to take over if they need time away in the nursery.

The spiritual beliefs of these clans are also radically different. Before they had StarClan or the Dakrforest, the valley cats believed solely in The Realm of the Living and The Realm of the Dead. They believed that if you were inherently evil or cursed that your soul would rot in The Realm of the Dead after you died. If you were generally good your soul would remain in The Realm of the Living to watch over your clan. Once the valley cats formed into clans they included StarClan and the Darkforest into their beliefs. The Realm of the Dead became a place for only the cursed and the wicked. Purgatory was introduced through the ranks of StarClan and passed onto Leaders and Medicine cats among the clans in their dreams and visits to the mountain peaks.

Explanation of the Realms & The Valley Compact HERE