Post by Aphelyon on Aug 9, 2016 18:48:03 GMT -5
In this concept, there are four Clans based around the seasons, and a fifth group known as the Keepers who do not belong to any season.
Essentially, each Clan reflects a different season, embodying what associate with that season- for example, SummerClan cats would be somewhat fickle, generally being laid-back but having fiery tempers. Their pelts would generally be warm, bright colors, like ginger, brown, or cream. Meanwhile, WinterClan cats would probably be more reserved and reflective, perhaps even somewhat aloof, and would have pale, cold pelts of white or silver.
Cats are not actually born into their season. Instead, when a queen gives birth, she gives up her kits to the Keepers. The Keepers have a rank called Mothers whose sole task is to raise the kits of the Clan to apprentice age. Mothers are allowed to have one litter of their own- this of course being necessary for them to produce milk in the first place- but like all kits, the litter is not allowed to know the identities of their parents until they are assigned a Clan and made an apprentice.
Kits are raised by the Keepers and taught, at least in summary, the ways of all four Clans. Kits do not know which Clan they came from (though based on their pelt, they can often narrow it down to two) and do not know the identities of their parents, though they do know who their true littermates are. At the beginning of every season, all kits of six moons or older go through what is called the Proving, where they have many tests and contests to determine which Clans the kits will go to, or whether they will become a Keeper. The Council of the Keepers, as well as the leaders of the Clans, determine which kits will go to which Clan, but the Clan of the current season (ie, SpringClan if it's spring) has favor if a kit is disputed between two or more Clans.
Kits are also given their roles when they are evaluated at the Proving. For example, a kit may be designated as an heir, which means they have a chance of becoming leader of their Clan someday. Kits not designated as heirs may never become leader, but being an heir does not guarantee becoming leader either. Kits may also be given the role of healer, shaman, hunter, or warrior, or may be assigned to become a Keeper, in which case their are given their future Keeper role.
The Clans have many different roles that normal Clans. Similar to the Tribe of Rushing Water, cats are split up into hunters and warriors. Also, instead of having a medicine cat, a Clan has several healers and one shaman. Clans have a leader, and instead of a deputy may have up to three heirs. A leader can choose which heir currently leads, which means they are the most authoritative of the heirs- most like the deputy of a regular Clan- and will become the leader should the leader die. An heir must be at least 20 moons old to be the leading heir.
Kits are not named by their parents, and in fact are removed from them almost immediately after birth. Newborn kits stay with their mother only long enough to ensure their survival- usually one day or less, though sometimes as many as three if the kit is especially weak. Then the kits are brought to their assigned Mother with the Keepers, and the Mother will give them their names. A kit's name is usually something simple, usually a color or animal. Most other names are reserved for the Clans or the Keepers.
A kit gets a new name when they join their Clan. There, their parents- if part of the same Clan- may give them their permanent name. If their parents are not part of that Clan, then their mentor will name them. Each Clan has its own reserved set of names- generally something having to do with the season. For example, the winter Clan would generally have names associated with cold and snow, while spring cats would often have the names of flowers. Names having to do with the sky or with weather patterns- such as sun, dawn, wind, or storm, are reserved for the Keepers. Of course, this is only true for prefixes- cats may have any available suffix.
The Clans would probably also have a number of smaller traditions associated with the cycle of the seasons as well- such as the leaders during the Gathering following the order of the seasons, with the current season being the first to speak. But I think most of the important stuff is above. If you have any more ideas about anything, please tell me, I'm open to more ideas. Anyone interested in this?
Essentially, each Clan reflects a different season, embodying what associate with that season- for example, SummerClan cats would be somewhat fickle, generally being laid-back but having fiery tempers. Their pelts would generally be warm, bright colors, like ginger, brown, or cream. Meanwhile, WinterClan cats would probably be more reserved and reflective, perhaps even somewhat aloof, and would have pale, cold pelts of white or silver.
Cats are not actually born into their season. Instead, when a queen gives birth, she gives up her kits to the Keepers. The Keepers have a rank called Mothers whose sole task is to raise the kits of the Clan to apprentice age. Mothers are allowed to have one litter of their own- this of course being necessary for them to produce milk in the first place- but like all kits, the litter is not allowed to know the identities of their parents until they are assigned a Clan and made an apprentice.
Kits are raised by the Keepers and taught, at least in summary, the ways of all four Clans. Kits do not know which Clan they came from (though based on their pelt, they can often narrow it down to two) and do not know the identities of their parents, though they do know who their true littermates are. At the beginning of every season, all kits of six moons or older go through what is called the Proving, where they have many tests and contests to determine which Clans the kits will go to, or whether they will become a Keeper. The Council of the Keepers, as well as the leaders of the Clans, determine which kits will go to which Clan, but the Clan of the current season (ie, SpringClan if it's spring) has favor if a kit is disputed between two or more Clans.
Kits are also given their roles when they are evaluated at the Proving. For example, a kit may be designated as an heir, which means they have a chance of becoming leader of their Clan someday. Kits not designated as heirs may never become leader, but being an heir does not guarantee becoming leader either. Kits may also be given the role of healer, shaman, hunter, or warrior, or may be assigned to become a Keeper, in which case their are given their future Keeper role.
The Clans have many different roles that normal Clans. Similar to the Tribe of Rushing Water, cats are split up into hunters and warriors. Also, instead of having a medicine cat, a Clan has several healers and one shaman. Clans have a leader, and instead of a deputy may have up to three heirs. A leader can choose which heir currently leads, which means they are the most authoritative of the heirs- most like the deputy of a regular Clan- and will become the leader should the leader die. An heir must be at least 20 moons old to be the leading heir.
Kits are not named by their parents, and in fact are removed from them almost immediately after birth. Newborn kits stay with their mother only long enough to ensure their survival- usually one day or less, though sometimes as many as three if the kit is especially weak. Then the kits are brought to their assigned Mother with the Keepers, and the Mother will give them their names. A kit's name is usually something simple, usually a color or animal. Most other names are reserved for the Clans or the Keepers.
A kit gets a new name when they join their Clan. There, their parents- if part of the same Clan- may give them their permanent name. If their parents are not part of that Clan, then their mentor will name them. Each Clan has its own reserved set of names- generally something having to do with the season. For example, the winter Clan would generally have names associated with cold and snow, while spring cats would often have the names of flowers. Names having to do with the sky or with weather patterns- such as sun, dawn, wind, or storm, are reserved for the Keepers. Of course, this is only true for prefixes- cats may have any available suffix.
The Clans would probably also have a number of smaller traditions associated with the cycle of the seasons as well- such as the leaders during the Gathering following the order of the seasons, with the current season being the first to speak. But I think most of the important stuff is above. If you have any more ideas about anything, please tell me, I'm open to more ideas. Anyone interested in this?
