[ OwlClan - Wisdom Above All ] open for joining!

<sub>OwlClan, like the other three Clans in this roleplay, live in a desert. The climate is very arid, with there being few clouds and very little rainfall. The air temperature during the day averages 110-115 degrees Fahrenheit, while the sand temperature averages 160-175 degrees Fahrenheit. These extreme temperatures make it so the cats of the Clans cannot safely set paw outside during the day, making them nocturnal creatures not by nature, but by force. Summer temperatures at night average 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit, while temperatures in winter can reach sub-freezing levels. This makes it so OwlClan cats can safely venture out at night.

The territory itself is very barren. Plants dot the landscape here and there. The DarkClan and OwlClan border is marked by three markers; a cluster of desert plants, a large chunk of sandstone, and a small pool fed by the oasis. The area in between is marked by scent markers to distinguish the border. The border between SunClan and OwlClan is a small, natural creek that runs into the oasis.

While the territory is mostly flat, there are some sand dunes here and there. They range from small to large, and pose a significant threat during sandstorms. They do, however, make good vantage points.

The Prey List:

African Savannah Hare - Solitary, nocturnal animals, these hares can reach speeds of up to 43 mph, making them impossible to chase. If a cat wants to catch one, they're going to have to use brains over muscles.

Barbary Sheep - Also known as arui, these animals are obviously too big for one or two cats to catch alone, not to mention while dealing with their horns. However, a group of cats working together may be able to take one down.

Black-Tailed Jackrabbit - A favorite among desert predators, the black-tailed jackrabbit makes a good meal- yet it is known to be a frequent host of parasites and disease.

Cactus Wren - A very smart and curious bird, cactus wrens live in pairs and viciously defend their territory, making them potentially hard for unskilled hunters to catch.

Cairo Spiny Mouse - These mice live in groups, residing in burrows and rock crevices. A cat who stumbles upon one of their nests will likely walk away with a great deal of prey. They are nocturnal.

Cape Ground Squirrel - These animals can be hard to catch, as when threatened they perform an act called mobbing, in which numerous ground squirrels rush at their attacker, tails raised to block the predator's advances.

Greater Roadrunner - Capable of reaching speeds of up to 20 mph, it is the fastest flying bird in existence, making it hard to catch without a lot of forethought put into the hunt.

Kangaroo Rat - A bipedal animal, kangaroo rats move by jumping with up to six foot strides at up to six mph, and are able to change their direction quickly.

Lesser Roadrunner - Very similar to the greater, but smaller and with a shorter bill.

Herb List:

Desert Rose - Its roots and stem produce a highly poisonous sap. Substitute for deathberries.

White Mustard Flower - Its seeds are useful for relieving pain and increasing an ailing patient's comfort. However, the seeds only fall right when it rains. When that happens, the plant uncurls, coming out of hibernation and dropping its seeds. The seeds germinate within a few hours if there is sufficient water from the rain, thus making it critical to harvest them as soon as they drop. The fruit can be collected, crushed, and then consumed to help with bellyaches.

White Wormwood - The leaves of this, which are strongly aromatic, can be crushed to produce a plant oil that has antibacterial properties. The oil is used on wounds to help prevent infection, and is also used in the treatment of said infections.

Desert Date Tree - The fruit of this tree can be crushed and consumed by nursing mothers to improve lactation; it is also used in the treatment of headaches. The bark can be used as an antidote for the poison of the desert rose.

Hanza - The leaves of this tree can be used to aid in the healing process of wounds. They have a bitter taste, yet must be consumed to be effective.

African Mustard - The yellow flowers of this plant are used to treat minor aches and pains.

Apple of Sodom - The green globes of this plant are extremely bitter and toxic, likely more so than the desert rose. The death they cause is painful, and as such the desert rose is preferred for euthanasia.

Tahara - When crushed, the leaves of this plant form a poultice that can be used to treat the symptoms of whitecough and greencough. The poultice is also good for treating sore throats.

Ana Tree - The extract from this tree's leaves can be used to treat serious infections.

Laxiflorus - When crushed, the extract from the roots can be applied to the forehead to relieve headaches. It can also be consumed for joint and backaches. The leaves can be crushed and applied to the paws to treat cracked pads.

Mustard Tree - Young and elderly cats are encouraged to chew a small branch from this tree daily to promote tooth health. The leaves can be consumed to treat a variety of diseases, including whitecough and greencough. The flowers have a pleasant smell and may be used to cover a dead body or to mask the scent of illness.

Red Acacia - Bark from this tree is consumed to treat nausea, vomiting, and fevers. It is given to expectant mothers to help them stay healthy during pregnancy.

Athel Tree - The strong branches of this tree are used to hold broken limbs in place. The leaves can be crushed and consumed as a soothing herb.

Dangerous Animals:

African Wild Dog - While relatively small in size, they live in packs of 2-27 adults and pups, making them dangerous opponents. A group of wild dogs can easily kill a small group of cats by ganging up on them, and thus are best avoided. Generally, a pack will not attack a cat unless their territory or food is threatened.

Arizona Bark Scorpion - Although small in size, their sting is extremely painful; the pain is accompanied often with nausea and vomiting. The sting site often becomes extremely numb, causing temporary dysfunction of the limb and convulsions. The venom is not fatal except in kits and elders, and the effects fade after 24-72 hours. Stings are common; if stung, the sting area should be washed clean and the affected cat should rest. They are nocturnal, so stings during the day are fewer than those at night unless a cat accidentally disturbs one.

Horned Desert Viper - Generally residing around oases or rocky outcrops, the horned desert viper is a relatively placid snake, often fleeing when disturbed. If further threatened, it will strike. The venom is not always fatal, but may be in young or old cats or in extreme situations. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and severe bleeding. If bit, a cat should consume the bark of the desert date tree to help reduce the effects of the poison, and should rest as symptoms persist.

Gila Monster - A large but slow-moving lizard, the gila monster is the sacred animal of DarkClan. If avoided, the creature should cause no problems. However, should a cat either act foolishly or with extremely bad luck, they may be bit. The gila monster has an extremely strong, crushing bite, and it often takes either killing or submerging to creature to free oneself. The monster's venom is not fatal to healthy, adult cats. Rather, blood loss from the severe bite is the more likely cause of a fatality. Symptoms include excruciating pain, edema, and weakness.

Sidewinder - While the sidewinder is the least venomous rattlesnake, their venom is still significant and can be fatal in young or weak cats. Symptoms include pain, swelling around the bite, nausea, dizziness, chills, coagulopathy, and shock.

Deathstalker Scorpion - The most venomous scorpion in the world, a bite from a deathstalker will kill even a healthy adult cat. The bite is extraordinarily painful, causing convulsions. Death is achieved following a buildup of fluid in the lungs caused by envenomation. Euthanasia is generally recommended for bite victims to spare them the excruciating death.

Inland Taipan - Both the most venomous snake and reptile in the world, a taipan's venom is lethal to all cats, healthy or not. It is fortunately however a shy snake, and will usually run away if confronted. However, if cornered or continuously provoked, it will strike repeatedly with agility and speed. Immediate symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, collapse, and convulsions. Death occurs within 30-45 minutes. The cause of death is generally: respiratory failure, severe hemorrhaging, or cardiac arrest caused by severe envenomation.</sub>

_{OwlClan makes their camp in a dip in the earth far from Clan borders. This hallowed-out area holds all of the dens, and is only used for sleeping, eating, and sharing tongues. The leader's den and the warrior's den are formed from two scraggly bushes that push their way through the desert sand, and reinforced with desert brambles. The rest of the dens are made of well-supported tunnels. The nursery is the most protected, right by the warrior's den, underground and out of the heat. The medicine cat den is also well-renvirced, a dip of earth with a strong, well-formed overhang made out of a stone. The apprentice's den is underground, as well as the elder's den. The teachers sleep with the warriors.}

<sub>The Owl Guardian, Akili

Many, many moons ago, when BrokenClan (then known as PoolClan) had first formed, an owl made her nest in a hole in a cactus. Some say that cactus still stands, but the hole is no where to be found, and if you ask three different cats, you'll get three different answers for where, exactly, this cactus is located. This female owl had three owlets, however, two were taken away predators before they ever became full-fledged. The mother owl was so filled with grief from the loss of her two owlets that she flew off to start anew, leaving the last owlet for dead. This young bird didn't know what to do, so she tried flying - and tumbled to the ground.

It is rumored that she laid there for four days and four nights before at BrokenClan cat, named Deerflower found her. Deerflower was a compassionate cat, and respected wildlife, as taught to her by her elders. She had recently lost two kits of her own to predators, additionally. She decided to begin caring for the owlet, and eventually, the young bird imprinted on her. Deerflower named the owlet Akili, meaning "wise". eventually, Deerflower introduced Akili to the Clan, where she lived a long, prosperous life hunting mice for BrokenClan, and nesting in cacti in their territory. Akili even outlived Deerflower, and died when the she-cat's second litter of kits were already elders.

Akili was a smart being, especially for an owl, and knew concepts of gratitude and repaying depts. Now, in the afterlife, she looks after OwlClan (after the split of PoolClan, but that's another tale) from above. However, she only appears to a cat if the message is important or urgent - so you'll be lucky if you ever catch a glimpse of her starry feathers.


The Creation of OwlClan

Long ago, when the Clans of the desert had just started forming, there were three Clans; DarkClan, SolaceClan, and PoolClan. PoolClan's moral code was based off of both Clan loyalty and knowledge, a combination which seemed to mesh together well. The cats got along fairly well, but it became clear that there were two distinct groups forming: those who valued Clan loyalty above all, and those who valued knowledge and wisdom more than anything. The medicine cats of PoolClan notice that these two groups treat them differently; one group treats them with intense respect, the other group treats them as tools to help the Clans survive. In the heavens, Akili and The Coyote have started to bicker as well, each advocating for a different point of view. The two heavenly beings decide that they can no longer live together, and neither can the cats of PoolClan.

Harewhisker and Sunclaw, both PoolClan members, were each sent a dream. Harewhisker received a message from Akili, and Sunclaw received a message from The Coyote. They are both told to meet at the thin, usually dry creek that runs through the middle of their territory. When they meet there, a drowning kit, apparently rogue, appears before them, struggling in even the slow current. Harewhisker and Sunclaw bicker over what to do; though they're both not sure at first, it become apparent that Sunclaw thinks saving the rogue kit has no benefit to PoolClan, and it's better to let it die. Harewhisker, on the other hand, thinks creatively and saves the kit by running ahead of the current on land, bounding onto a few rocks, and scooping it out of the water. This incident proves that the two have much different mindsets.

The two cats return to camp with the saved kit, and an infuriated Harewhisker explains to the current leader, Duststar, that Sunclaw had refused to think intelligently and save the kit's life. Sunclaw was banished. Now, Sunclaw was an extremely popular cat, especially among those who valued Clan loyalty over logic. His group of cats, his following, defended him, and eventually, these rebellious cats grew so strong that Sunclaw was able to attack the Clan.

In the attack, Duststar and the current deputy, Squirreltail, are killed. Sunclaw sees this as a victory, and leads his following out of PoolClan territory, leaving Harewhisker as the unofficial leader of PoolClan, which has been broken in half. The name PoolClan is abolished (in the present, it is mostly referred to as "BrokenClan" for it's split) and Harestar becomes the first leader of OwlClan. Tensions are high with Sunstar's new Clan, dubbed SunClan after it's leader. However, Harestar feels a binding to Sunstar and SunClan, and offers to help them in their time of need, while building their Clan. They split BrokenClan's territory at the small stream where the kit nearly drowned, and offer shelter in OwlClan's camp while SunClan establishes and builds its camp.

From then on, SunClan and OwlClan have thrived, and have remained on good terms.</sub>

<sub>OwlClan traditions do not differ much from that of a normal Clan. There are only a few minor differences in the way ranks are set up and ceremonies are held, listed below.

Teachers
OwlClan adds a rank to the normal Clan system - teachers. A teacher is a warrior who has shown exceptional skill in training apprentices, and is promoted to the "teacher" rank. Teachers are in charge of over-seeing all apprentice training, and must have an apprentice of their own as often as possible. To be a teacher, a cat must have had at least two apprentices that proved to be good, intelligent warriors. In addition, they must show an excitement to learn and to give others the knowledge they posses. They must also prove to be responsible, as training a young warrior is nothing to be taken lightly. If a teacher does not take an apprentice for two moons straight, unless there are some unforeseen circumstances, they are demoted back to a normal warrior. Normal warrior duties do apply; this rank is very taxing, in the long run.

Warrior Cerimonies
Apprentices are only made into warriors once they have proved that they are skillful as well as knowledgeable. It is not expected of them to have the knowledge of an elder, or even of a young warrior, but they must prove to be smart. They must memorize facts - such as the history of the Clans, names of important Clan figures of the past. However, the most important aspect to becoming a warrior is being able to solve problems logically and intelligently. If an apprentice has not been put in a position where they need to do that, they cannot become a warrior. This must be a real-life occurrence, but can be very minor, as well. It all depends not the mentor's point of view. Some apprentices are ready for moons, but do not become warriors until they have proven themselves, simply because no problem to solve occurs. Some apprentices get lucky, and they prove themselves ready very early, by sheer chance of an issue arising. Littermates are often not made warriors at the same time, due to this randomization.

Choosing Ceremony
The first Chooser attacks the kit, much as an enemy would, with claws sheathed as to not harm the kit. The kit has two clear options: to attack back (which would show aptitude for SunClan or DarkClan) or to flee (which would show aptitude for OwlClan or SolaceClan).

The second Chooser is fully buried up to their nose in sand, and gives the kit two options: to fully dig the Chooser out using nothing but their own claws (which would show aptitude for SolaceClan) or to ignore the Chooser (which would show aptitude for DarkClan). If the kit sees the third option, which is to come up with a more strategical method of freeing the Chooser, they show aptitude for OwlClan. If they hesitate before either helping or leaving the cat, they show aptitude for SunClan.

The third Chooser takes the form of a wizened old cat, and they're trying to get to the oasis, but are too weak to get there. The kit has a few options: to help the older cat to the oasis (which shows aptitude for SolaceClan), to soak a moss ball in water and bring it back to the old cat (which shows aptitude for OwlClan), or to ignore the cat (which shows aptitude for DarkClan). If the kit hesitates at all before making a choice, they show aptitude for SunClan.

The fourth and final Chooser takes the form of a sickly cat, lying behind three piles. The first pile is a desert rose, the second pile is a moss ball soaked in water, and the third pile is herbs. The kit can use the desert rose to end the cat's suffering and their burden on the Clan, (which shows aptitude for SunClan), the moss ball for the cat's comfort (which shows aptitude for SolaceClan), the herbs to heal the cat (which shows aptitude for OwlClan), or ignore the cat (which shows aptitude for DarkClan).

Finally, all four Choosers stand before the kit and ask them a single question: what is the most important thing to the kit? They give the kit four choices: self (DarkClan), others (SolaceClan), Clan (SunClan), or knowledge (OwlClan). This indicates most clearly where the kit wants to be, but not necessarily where they belong.

Once the Choosers select the Clan for the kit, they will inform the leader. The leader will then make an announcement and grant the kit their apprentice name. The Choosers will then escort the new apprentice to their new Clan if necessary.</sub>