Post by Aphelyon on Nov 16, 2017 12:06:12 GMT -5
I n f o
History
Once, there was only one Clan in the forest, a large Clan with no name (since, with only one, they need not differentiate themselves). It was very different from the Clans we know now, but it still followed a rudimentary version of the warrior code, and some of the ranks were the same. However, this Clan had no deputy, and eventually it came to pass that the leader of the Clan died with no obvious successor. Thus, the prominent and ambitious members of the Clans all claimed their right to lead, and in turn divided the Clan's loyalties between them.
With conflict came bloodshed, and before long, separate groups had been chased out or left, settling in the surrounding areas. Determined to reunite the Clan under one leader- and each group certain that the leader would be theirs- the groups continued to fight for many moons. Though they began to realize that reuniting would be impossible, the Clans refused to accept this, and still fought among themselves, refusing to truly become their own Clans under the false hope that the first Clan would come to be again. Yet, as seasons passed and they were not reunited, those who even remembered the original Clan began to die off, leaving a generation of cats who knew only their own Clans. Still, the Clans continued to fight, if only because that hostility was the only thing they had ever known.
Eventually, the members of each Clan started to become weak and sick, some even succumbing to the mysterious illness, which medicine cats could not identify. Now, the Clans' hostility began to abate, and desperate to find a cure to the sickness, they even began to work together, medicine cats sharing tips and knowledge in an attempt to find the cure. Moons passed and cats died, but no herb seemed to work. All hope seemed lost, until their ancestors came in a dream to all the medicine cats. They told them that only working together completely, sharing not only knowledge but herbs, could they find the cure. The medicine cats awoke, and decided that they would each find an herb which was unique to their territory. They and the rest of their Clans would meet on the next full moon night with as much of their respective herbs as they could carry, and there they would mix the cure.
Eventually, the members of each Clan started to become weak and sick, some even succumbing to the mysterious illness, which medicine cats could not identify. Now, the Clans' hostility began to abate, and desperate to find a cure to the sickness, they even began to work together, medicine cats sharing tips and knowledge in an attempt to find the cure. Moons passed and cats died, but no herb seemed to work. All hope seemed lost, until their ancestors came in a dream to all the medicine cats. They told them that only working together completely, sharing not only knowledge but herbs, could they find the cure. The medicine cats awoke, and decided that they would each find an herb which was unique to their territory. They and the rest of their Clans would meet on the next full moon night with as much of their respective herbs as they could carry, and there they would mix the cure.
The following full moon, the Clans met again to share news of the cure's status, which had miraculously worked. In honor of the cure that saved them and brought them together, they agreed to meet every full moon from then on in peace. Furthermore, each Clan took on the name of the herb they contributed to the cure, as a badge of honor for the part they played. And finally, the rank of deputy was added and the warrior code amended, so that the problems that caused the original Clan to split would never again occur. And thus, the modern Clans were born.
About the Vinestone
The Vinestone was discovered many, many generations ago, before even the founding of the modern Clans. Members of the First Clan came here to speak with the spirits of their ancestors, who would guide them in times of need and grant the true leader of the Clan their nine lives. When the First Clan shattered, many cats came in the hope that StarClan would name them its new leader and thus reunite the Clan, but each left with only one life and crushed hopes. It was only after the disease was cured and the new Clans formed that StarClan once again granted nine lives: this time to four cats instead of one, each the leader of their new Clan.
It is said that here is where the spirits of the ancestors are strongest, and it is through them that the moon flower vines which cover the stone grow and live throughout the year, their beautiful white blossoms undiminished even in the depths of the harshest leaf-bare. Rumor has it that the moon flower vines only began to grow on the stone when the four modern Clans were born, and before that it was only "the Stone." This is entirely rumor, however, and is unconfirmed even by the eldest members of StarClan. Regardless, like the stars above in Silverpelt, it is said that each bright blossom represents a dead warrior, though unlike the stars only those of particular renown become flowers- great leaders and highly respected warriors, mostly.
R o l e p l a y R u l e s
✧ Defend your Clan, even with your life. You may have friendships with cats from other Clans, but your loyalty must remain to your Clan, as one day you may meet them in battle.
✧ Do not hunt or trespass on another Clan's territory.
✧ Elders, queens, and kits must be fed before apprentices and warriors. Unless they have permission, apprentices may not eat until they have hunted to feed the elders. If any warrior or apprentice is sick or injured, they may eat while the elders, queens, and kits are eating.
✧ Prey is killed only to be eaten. Give thanks to StarClan for its life.
✧ A kit must be at least six moons old to become an apprentice.
✧ Newly appointed warriors will keep a silent vigil for one night after receiving their warrior name.
✧ A cat cannot be made deputy without having mentored at least one apprentice.
✧ The deputy will become Clan leader when the leader dies, retires or is exiled.
✧ After the death or retirement of the deputy, the new deputy must be chosen before moonhigh.
✧ A Gathering of all four Clans is held at the full moon during a truce that lasts for the night. There shall be no fighting among Clans at this time.
✧ Boundaries must be checked and marked daily. Challenge all trespassing cats.
✧ No warrior can neglect a kit in pain or danger, even if the kit is from a different Clan.
✧ The word of the Clan leader is the warrior code.
✧ An honorable warrior does not need to kill other cats to win their battles, unless they are outside the warrior code or if it is necessary for self-defense.
✧ A warrior rejects the soft life of a kittypet.
✧ Each Clan has the right to be proud and independent, but in times of trouble they must forget their boundaries and fight side by side to protect the four. Each Clan must help the others so that no Clan will fall.
✧ Do not hunt or trespass on another Clan's territory.
✧ Elders, queens, and kits must be fed before apprentices and warriors. Unless they have permission, apprentices may not eat until they have hunted to feed the elders. If any warrior or apprentice is sick or injured, they may eat while the elders, queens, and kits are eating.
✧ Prey is killed only to be eaten. Give thanks to StarClan for its life.
✧ A kit must be at least six moons old to become an apprentice.
✧ Newly appointed warriors will keep a silent vigil for one night after receiving their warrior name.
✧ A cat cannot be made deputy without having mentored at least one apprentice.
✧ The deputy will become Clan leader when the leader dies, retires or is exiled.
✧ After the death or retirement of the deputy, the new deputy must be chosen before moonhigh.
✧ A Gathering of all four Clans is held at the full moon during a truce that lasts for the night. There shall be no fighting among Clans at this time.
✧ Boundaries must be checked and marked daily. Challenge all trespassing cats.
✧ No warrior can neglect a kit in pain or danger, even if the kit is from a different Clan.
✧ The word of the Clan leader is the warrior code.
✧ An honorable warrior does not need to kill other cats to win their battles, unless they are outside the warrior code or if it is necessary for self-defense.
✧ A warrior rejects the soft life of a kittypet.
✧ Each Clan has the right to be proud and independent, but in times of trouble they must forget their boundaries and fight side by side to protect the four. Each Clan must help the others so that no Clan will fall.
T h e W a r r i o r C o d e
✧ Defend your Clan, even with your life. You may have friendships with cats from other Clans, but your loyalty must remain to your Clan, as one day you may meet them in battle.
✧ Do not hunt or trespass on another Clan's territory.
✧ Elders, queens, and kits must be fed before apprentices and warriors. Unless they have permission, apprentices may not eat until they have hunted to feed the elders. If any warrior or apprentice is sick or injured, they may eat while the elders, queens, and kits are eating.
✧ Prey is killed only to be eaten. Give thanks to StarClan for its life.
✧ A kit must be at least six moons old to become an apprentice.
✧ Newly appointed warriors will keep a silent vigil for one night after receiving their warrior name.
✧ A cat cannot be made deputy without having mentored at least one apprentice.
✧ The deputy will become Clan leader when the leader dies, retires or is exiled.
✧ After the death or retirement of the deputy, the new deputy must be chosen before moonhigh.
✧ A Gathering of all four Clans is held at the full moon during a truce that lasts for the night. There shall be no fighting among Clans at this time.
✧ Boundaries must be checked and marked daily. Challenge all trespassing cats.
✧ No warrior can neglect a kit in pain or danger, even if the kit is from a different Clan.
✧ The word of the Clan leader is the warrior code.
✧ An honorable warrior does not need to kill other cats to win their battles, unless they are outside the warrior code or if it is necessary for self-defense.
✧ A warrior rejects the soft life of a kittypet.
✧ Each Clan has the right to be proud and independent, but in times of trouble they must forget their boundaries and fight side by side to protect the four. Each Clan must help the others so that no Clan will fall.
✧ Do not hunt or trespass on another Clan's territory.
✧ Elders, queens, and kits must be fed before apprentices and warriors. Unless they have permission, apprentices may not eat until they have hunted to feed the elders. If any warrior or apprentice is sick or injured, they may eat while the elders, queens, and kits are eating.
✧ Prey is killed only to be eaten. Give thanks to StarClan for its life.
✧ A kit must be at least six moons old to become an apprentice.
✧ Newly appointed warriors will keep a silent vigil for one night after receiving their warrior name.
✧ A cat cannot be made deputy without having mentored at least one apprentice.
✧ The deputy will become Clan leader when the leader dies, retires or is exiled.
✧ After the death or retirement of the deputy, the new deputy must be chosen before moonhigh.
✧ A Gathering of all four Clans is held at the full moon during a truce that lasts for the night. There shall be no fighting among Clans at this time.
✧ Boundaries must be checked and marked daily. Challenge all trespassing cats.
✧ No warrior can neglect a kit in pain or danger, even if the kit is from a different Clan.
✧ The word of the Clan leader is the warrior code.
✧ An honorable warrior does not need to kill other cats to win their battles, unless they are outside the warrior code or if it is necessary for self-defense.
✧ A warrior rejects the soft life of a kittypet.
✧ Each Clan has the right to be proud and independent, but in times of trouble they must forget their boundaries and fight side by side to protect the four. Each Clan must help the others so that no Clan will fall.
L i n k s
T e r r i t o r y
The Vinestone
The Vinestone sits upriver from the Clans' territories, half a day's walk from the nearest Clan (YarrowClan) and nearly a full day away from the farthest (TeaClan). It lies in a dense forest, one which is easy to get lost in if a cat does not know the way. It is away from the water, when the sound of the river just begins to fade, muffled by the trees. In a small clearing, surrounded by dense brambles, is the Vinestone. It is a pale stone, nearly white and seeming to glitter, which stands perfectly smooth like a massive egg, roughly four tail-lengths in height. The surface of the stone is webbed with delicate vines, upon which grow white blossoms: moon flowers. These flowers only bloom at night, at the touch of the moon. Sheltered by thick branches, snow rarely falls here, and so the blossoms somehow manage to remain alive even in leaf-bare. Curling up in the shade of the blossoming flowers may grant a cat dreams of their ancestors.
StarClan's Hunting Grounds
StarClan's hunting grounds is said to lie in Silverpelt, the thick band of stars which stretches across the sky. It manifests itself as a territory not unlike that of the Clans', with rivers and forests and meadows and marsh, suited to members of each Clan. At the center lies the Vinestone, the anchor between the living and the dead. If a cat goes far enough, they might simply find themselves back at the Vinestone. However, there is another destination as well: a wall of thick fog which forms the only "border" in StarClan. Cats are told not to enter the fog, as terrible things lie there and one may never return. StarClan's hunting grounds themselves, however, can be considered nothing less than a paradise: it always seems to be a warm greenleaf afternoon, or a pleasantly cool greenleaf night. The forest and meadows are lush with vegetation, and filled with more prey than a cat could ever dream to catch. The water is cool and clear, unpolluted by the taste of twoegplace or soil. There are no territory boundaries here, either- after all, with no struggle for resources, why should there be? Cats may go where they please, and befriend who they please, regardless of which Clan they owed their allegiance to in life.
J o i n i n g
