ʙʟᴇssᴇᴅᴄʟᴀɴ - ғᴀᴠᴏʀᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ sᴘɪʀɪᴛs
Sept 20, 2020 13:51:00 GMT -5
𝘊𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘴𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘮 ꕤ, 𝚜𝚑𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚞𝚗, and 1 more like this
Post by renaissance on Sept 20, 2020 13:51:00 GMT -5
BlessedClan
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Territory
A lush deciduous forest, composed of broad-leaved trees that shed all their leaves during the cold season. Oaks, beeches, birches, aspens, elms, and maples are among the dominant trees in this biome. The tree branches grow densely together, with varying shapes and heights and form a leafy canopy that allows relatively little light through to the forest floor. Shrubs, brambles, and undergrowth litter the ground and the clearings and forest edges, where light can easily reach, are spotted with flowering plants. Across the east border is a two-leg place and to the north is farmland with fields, barns, and two-leg livestock. Fed by the mountains in the west, a stream runs through the territory and fills a pool of water in the south of the forest.
Traditions
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Intro
Fear courses through your veins as you run through the thick forest. Thorns and branches snag on your fur but you ignore them and keep going, the only thing on your mind is to get away from the dog chasing you. It barks and you can feel its hot breath on your tail. Suddenly you emerge from the tree line and a pool of black water is in your path. You leap forward without thinking, plunging into the water and blindly swimming across. In the center is a little spot of land and you drag your exhausted body onto it, looking back at the dog. The canine doesn't seem to want to touch the water. Their whole demeanor has changed, pacing at the water and whining. It wants to chase you but won't cross the pool - strange, given it is not a hard swim to the little island. The dog gets bored after a few moments and runs off, allowing you to relax with a sigh of relief. Your relief, however, doesn't last long.
From the brush emerges three cats, each narrowing their eyes at you as if you were committing a crime. One of the cats, a cream colored molly, speaks first.
"Not only are you trespassing on BlessedClan territory," She hisses, eyeing you carefully. "but you're standing on sacred ground." Surprised, you look down at the little patch of land you stand on but before you can respond another cat's voice booms towards you, laced with laughter.
"They want a blessing!" The black tom bellows, earning a snicker from the cream she-cat. "No spirit will favor them." She retorted and then yelled across the water toward you. "Go on, give it a try!" They were obviously poking fun and their taunts put you on edge, fur bristling and tail tucking between your legs. You make eye contact with the she-cat who hadn't spoken yet and she gives you a smile that sends a shiver down your spine. "Lay down and close your eyes." She tells you and you obey, scared that they might hurt you if you didn't play along.
You open your eyes to see if they are still staring at you but to your surprise they're gone. The black water is also gone and the forest, replaced with darkness and thick, ominous fog. You jump to your paws, looking around in confusion, and freeze when you see the forms of two starry cats walking towards you - a gray tom and a brown tabby. In the darkness you can see several pairs of eyes watching. The dark tom turns in your direction and approaches, as you're paws are frozen in place. The brown tabby calls after their companion, a voice that seems to echo all around you.
"What are they doing here? They're not one of ours."
The black tom just sends a hungry grin in you're direction, walking closer until he stands only whiskers away. You let out a shaky breath, heart stopping as you stare into his burning amber eyes. "I know." He says, then touches his nose to yours.
From the brush emerges three cats, each narrowing their eyes at you as if you were committing a crime. One of the cats, a cream colored molly, speaks first.
"Not only are you trespassing on BlessedClan territory," She hisses, eyeing you carefully. "but you're standing on sacred ground." Surprised, you look down at the little patch of land you stand on but before you can respond another cat's voice booms towards you, laced with laughter.
"They want a blessing!" The black tom bellows, earning a snicker from the cream she-cat. "No spirit will favor them." She retorted and then yelled across the water toward you. "Go on, give it a try!" They were obviously poking fun and their taunts put you on edge, fur bristling and tail tucking between your legs. You make eye contact with the she-cat who hadn't spoken yet and she gives you a smile that sends a shiver down your spine. "Lay down and close your eyes." She tells you and you obey, scared that they might hurt you if you didn't play along.
You open your eyes to see if they are still staring at you but to your surprise they're gone. The black water is also gone and the forest, replaced with darkness and thick, ominous fog. You jump to your paws, looking around in confusion, and freeze when you see the forms of two starry cats walking towards you - a gray tom and a brown tabby. In the darkness you can see several pairs of eyes watching. The dark tom turns in your direction and approaches, as you're paws are frozen in place. The brown tabby calls after their companion, a voice that seems to echo all around you.
"What are they doing here? They're not one of ours."
The black tom just sends a hungry grin in you're direction, walking closer until he stands only whiskers away. You let out a shaky breath, heart stopping as you stare into his burning amber eyes. "I know." He says, then touches his nose to yours.
Territory
A lush deciduous forest, composed of broad-leaved trees that shed all their leaves during the cold season. Oaks, beeches, birches, aspens, elms, and maples are among the dominant trees in this biome. The tree branches grow densely together, with varying shapes and heights and form a leafy canopy that allows relatively little light through to the forest floor. Shrubs, brambles, and undergrowth litter the ground and the clearings and forest edges, where light can easily reach, are spotted with flowering plants. Across the east border is a two-leg place and to the north is farmland with fields, barns, and two-leg livestock. Fed by the mountains in the west, a stream runs through the territory and fills a pool of water in the south of the forest.
west border: mountains/cliffs
north border: the trees thin out to fields and farmland, border is marked by twoleg fence
east border: a thunderpath marks the border with a twoleg place on the opposite side
south border: the territory used to extend further south but now ends at a clearing of stumps where the twolegs had begun to cut down trees
Camp
BlessedClan's camp lies tucked in a small clearing near the stream, surrounded by a protective barrier of brambles. A tall rock stands in the center, where the chief will stand on for meetings and ceremonies. A gap in the barrier provides a little path for exiting and entering camp.
The chief's den lies in a thick crack in the tall rock, large enough for a few cats to rest inside comfortably.
The guardian den is in a collection of yew bushes near the camp entrance.
The tyro's den, much like the warriors den, rests in a pack of bushes although it is smaller and the bushes rest low to the ground so it is a bit uncomfortable to hang out in.
The nursery is inside an old burrow dug out of the ground, lined with moss for comfort.
The elders den is among the roots of a fallen birch tree.
The guru's den is in the same fallen tree as the elder's den, but in the hollowed out trunk.
Landmarks
| The Barn |
Across the north border is farmland and not too far out of their territory is an old two-leg barn. The two-legs seem to have abandoned it so it is the designated secondary camp and meeting spot for the clan in case of emergencies. Home to some barn cats.
| Tallest Tree |
A huge fir tree im the north end of the territory, towering above the rest. Nothing special about it, just a notable landmark.
| Holy Stream |
The official name of the stream fed by the mountains and running through the territory. In casual conversations it is often shortened to 'the stream'. There are fish inside so if a cat desires they can catch some, but it is not the clan's traditional source of prey.
| Pool of Spirits |
The Holy Stream fills a pool in the south-east corner of the territory. The water is black and one can hardly see anything inside. In the center of the pool is a little spot of land, enough for one adult cat to rest on comfortably.
| Endless Caves |
A cave system in the side of the mountain. There are many interlocking tunnels and caverns and it is said that they go on forever. If someone gets lost inside it is hard to find the way out.
|needs suggestions for more landmarks!|
north border: the trees thin out to fields and farmland, border is marked by twoleg fence
east border: a thunderpath marks the border with a twoleg place on the opposite side
south border: the territory used to extend further south but now ends at a clearing of stumps where the twolegs had begun to cut down trees
Camp
BlessedClan's camp lies tucked in a small clearing near the stream, surrounded by a protective barrier of brambles. A tall rock stands in the center, where the chief will stand on for meetings and ceremonies. A gap in the barrier provides a little path for exiting and entering camp.
The chief's den lies in a thick crack in the tall rock, large enough for a few cats to rest inside comfortably.
The guardian den is in a collection of yew bushes near the camp entrance.
The tyro's den, much like the warriors den, rests in a pack of bushes although it is smaller and the bushes rest low to the ground so it is a bit uncomfortable to hang out in.
The nursery is inside an old burrow dug out of the ground, lined with moss for comfort.
The elders den is among the roots of a fallen birch tree.
The guru's den is in the same fallen tree as the elder's den, but in the hollowed out trunk.
Landmarks
| The Barn |
Across the north border is farmland and not too far out of their territory is an old two-leg barn. The two-legs seem to have abandoned it so it is the designated secondary camp and meeting spot for the clan in case of emergencies. Home to some barn cats.
| Tallest Tree |
A huge fir tree im the north end of the territory, towering above the rest. Nothing special about it, just a notable landmark.
| Holy Stream |
The official name of the stream fed by the mountains and running through the territory. In casual conversations it is often shortened to 'the stream'. There are fish inside so if a cat desires they can catch some, but it is not the clan's traditional source of prey.
| Pool of Spirits |
The Holy Stream fills a pool in the south-east corner of the territory. The water is black and one can hardly see anything inside. In the center of the pool is a little spot of land, enough for one adult cat to rest on comfortably.
| Endless Caves |
A cave system in the side of the mountain. There are many interlocking tunnels and caverns and it is said that they go on forever. If someone gets lost inside it is hard to find the way out.
|needs suggestions for more landmarks!|
Traditions
Clan Structure
chief - the leader of the clan, blessed with nine lives to serve their clanmates. they have the -star suffix at the end of their name.
adjutant - the clan's deputy. second in command, able to give orders to warriors and will become leader after the current one.
guru - uses herbs to care for the clan. regularly in contact with spirits and most likely to receive omens and messages. receives their full name from the spirits and may each have one apprentice.
chief - the leader of the clan, blessed with nine lives to serve their clanmates. they have the -star suffix at the end of their name.
adjutant - the clan's deputy. second in command, able to give orders to warriors and will become leader after the current one.
guru - uses herbs to care for the clan. regularly in contact with spirits and most likely to receive omens and messages. receives their full name from the spirits and may each have one apprentice.
guardians - the hunters and fighters of the clan. upon becoming a warrior the -paw suffix is replaced with their full name.
tyros - young cats training to become warriors. kits typically become apprentices at 6 moons old. the night of their apprentice ceremony they will visit the pool of spirits to receive a blessing. immediately upon return to camp they are given a mentor. they have the -paw suffix added to their name.
queens & kits - mothers and their kits under 6 moons old. when a kit is born they're name consists only of a prefix.
elders - the retired cats. respected and taken care of. a cat may retire early if they have an injury preventing them from performing their duties.
outsiders - the clan does not easily let outsiders join the clan, but it has happened before. They are not incredibly hostile and will respect others as long as their borders and rules are respected as well.
Spirits and Traditions
Land of Spirits
This is like their StarClan. When a cat dies they go to join the Land of Spirits as a deceased spirit. This is also home of the Great Spirits. The connection between the spirits and the living is strongest at night.
The Great Spirits
Ether, Scorch, Mango, Echo, Cactus, and Spider are the names of the Great Spirits, who have earned a position of power and respect among the land of living and the land of spirits. They are able to bless the living with abilities. They always watch over the clan but generally do not speak to the living, even the gurus, and typically do not interfere. If a cat is visited or spoken to by a great spirit it is considered a very high honor. There has not been an addition to the great spirits in generations. Ether is the oldest and Spider is the newest.
The Process of Blessings
When a cat is ready to become an apprentice they are taken to the Pool of Spirits to receive their blessing. The cat must swim across the water to the little patch of land and go to sleep. In their dream, they visit the the home of the Great Spirits in the Land of Spirits. One of the Great Spirits will favor the young cat and give them their blessing by approaching and touching noses with them. After receiving the blessing, they will wake up and swim back to the shore. While in the water the blessing symbol of the spirit that blessed them will appear on their shoulder. Cats have different experiences of what the marking process feels like but it is usually described as the symbol being burned or scratched onto their body and it does hurt. When they emerge from the water, the symbol is visible on their fur. The symbol looks the same for everyone with the blessing, always across the left shoulder and the color of blood.
Only one cat can receive a blessing at a time - if more then one cat sleeps on the island and visits the home of the Great Spirits they will be ignored. Because of this, littermates are made apprentices one at a time on different nights. Once the symbol is on their shoulder they are recognized having a -paw suffix on their name. The apprentice ceremony at camp is done after the blessing is received so that they can be paired with a mentor who has the same blessing.
Tyros to Guardians
A kit typically becomes a tyro at 6 moons old and will be paired with a mentor who has the same blessing to teach them how to use their ability. When ready to become a guardian they must be approved by their mentor and the chief and then will be granted their new guardian name in a ceremony in front of the entire clan. The newly named guardian must climb the tallest tree at moon high and yowl their name and dedication to the clan before coming back to camp and standing guard. In the morning they lead their first patrol.
To qualify to become a guardian a tyro must have had battle training, hunting training, know their way around the territory, visited the emergency campsite at the barn, and taught the very basics of herb knowledge from the gurus.
Gurus
When a cat wishes to visit the Land of Spirits, they will go to the Pool of Spirits. They will drink the water and fall asleep on the shore (cats only swim to the island to receive blessings or their nine lives.) The cat will then visit the spirits in their dream. Gurus visit the Land of Spirits regularly, at least once a moon. Spirits of the deceased are usually the ones to grant guru tyros their full names when they are ready.
Cheif's Nine Lives
When a adjutant is stepping up to become chief they will visit the Land of Spirits to receive their nine lives. After drinking the water and falling asleep at the Pool of Spirits the spirit whom they are blessed by will visit them and grant them an extra eight lives. Scorch is the only spirit who will not grant leaders extra lives, the reason is unknown, so if a chief is favored by Scorch they will only have their one.
The Great Spirits
Ether
A she-cat whose appearance differs from cat to cat. Her blessing symbol is a swirl. Those who receive her blessing are gifted the power of illusion. They can slightly manipulate how their surroundings appear to others. For example, they can change the colors of objects or create the illusion of something being there when it is not. They can also make something disappear from the sight of others with enough energy. This power requires a lot of focus to use, with larger illusions requiring more attention. Once their focus breaks the illusion will fade.
Ether is the oldest of the spirits. She is known as a gentle and motherly but mysterious cat full of wisdom and foresight.
Fallowheart
A tiny white she-cat with light brown points and blue eyes, not much bigger than a young tyro. Her blessing symbol is a stem of catmint. Those who receive her blessing have the ability to communicate to plants. Not having full conversations, but they can feel emotions and energies of plants. They can easily make plants grow or find different types of plants in the territory by asking the fauna to guide them to what they're searching for. Cats who have a strong understanding of this ability might also convince plants to move at their command. Fallowheart rarely favors the living and when she does the cat with her blessing is generally expected to become a guru. Fallowheart is also the most likely of the great spirits to appear to her favored cats and is even known to show them glimpses of the land of spirits in the living world, so those who have her blessing generally have a stronger connection to spirits.
Scorch
A smokey gray tom with amber eyes. His blessing symbol is a running cat. Those who receive his blessing are granted the power of endurance. They are able to perform physical activities for long periods of time without growing tired, such as running. They can also survive without eating and drinking for longer than an ordinary cat and don't get hot or cold as easily in extreme weather. Additionally, they are generally physically stronger and their recovery rate for injuries and illnesses is slightly faster than others.
Scorch is known for his strength, bravery, and dedication to others.
Mango
A small ginger tabby tom with green eyes and a faded red kittypet collar. His blessing symbol is a small trail of paw prints. Those with his blessing are granted the power of enhanced senses. They are able to see, hear, and smell far beyond the natural limits. Cats with his blessing are generally the best hunters and trackers.
Some look down on cats who have his blessing because he was a kittypet, but he was said to have the kindest heart and he had saved the life of an important clan chief many years ago.
Echo
A small calico she-cat with glowing yellow eyes. Her blessing symbol is a butterfly. Those who receive her blessing have the power of telepathy. The power allows them to project their voice into the mind of another cat but it does not give the other cat the ability to respond, so they can only have a full conversation with others who also have her blessing. Those with a different blessing will not be able to answer. The power works best if the recipient is close and if they know where they are - the farther away they are, the harder it can be to understand them. The voice may be faint, patchy, or it might not reach them at all.
Echo earned her spot among the great spirits saving a litter of kits lost in the endless caves as an apprentice after she was forbidden to go after them. They would have died if she hadn't found them and she is used as an example whenever it is necessary to bend the rules.
Cactus
A muscular and broad-shouldered spiky-furred blue-gray she-cat with unnaturally vibrant green eyes. Her blessing symbol is a blooming flower. Cats who receive her blessing are able to change their pelt and eye colors, as well as the texture of their fur. They can even change into unnatural colors, such as sky blue or green. This allows them to easily camouflage into their surroundings and hide in plain sight. Her spirit is known as a bit of a trickster.
Spider
A long-legged brown tabby cat with green eyes and a super long, thin tail. Their blessing symbol is a spider. Cats who receive their blessing are granted the ability of 'surface crawling'. They are able to climb anything, almost like they have adhesive paws that stick to the surface and won't fall. They can even hang from a surface upside down. They can climb trees, rocks, etc. Some cats have even taught themselves to walk on the surface of water, but this will take quite a bit of practice and only few have mastered it. Cats with this blessing can turn the ability off and on. They also have improved balance and can jump quite far.
Spider is the youngest among the great spirits.
Spirits and Traditions
Land of Spirits
This is like their StarClan. When a cat dies they go to join the Land of Spirits as a deceased spirit. This is also home of the Great Spirits. The connection between the spirits and the living is strongest at night.
The Great Spirits
Ether, Scorch, Mango, Echo, Cactus, and Spider are the names of the Great Spirits, who have earned a position of power and respect among the land of living and the land of spirits. They are able to bless the living with abilities. They always watch over the clan but generally do not speak to the living, even the gurus, and typically do not interfere. If a cat is visited or spoken to by a great spirit it is considered a very high honor. There has not been an addition to the great spirits in generations. Ether is the oldest and Spider is the newest.
The Process of Blessings
When a cat is ready to become an apprentice they are taken to the Pool of Spirits to receive their blessing. The cat must swim across the water to the little patch of land and go to sleep. In their dream, they visit the the home of the Great Spirits in the Land of Spirits. One of the Great Spirits will favor the young cat and give them their blessing by approaching and touching noses with them. After receiving the blessing, they will wake up and swim back to the shore. While in the water the blessing symbol of the spirit that blessed them will appear on their shoulder. Cats have different experiences of what the marking process feels like but it is usually described as the symbol being burned or scratched onto their body and it does hurt. When they emerge from the water, the symbol is visible on their fur. The symbol looks the same for everyone with the blessing, always across the left shoulder and the color of blood.
Only one cat can receive a blessing at a time - if more then one cat sleeps on the island and visits the home of the Great Spirits they will be ignored. Because of this, littermates are made apprentices one at a time on different nights. Once the symbol is on their shoulder they are recognized having a -paw suffix on their name. The apprentice ceremony at camp is done after the blessing is received so that they can be paired with a mentor who has the same blessing.
Tyros to Guardians
A kit typically becomes a tyro at 6 moons old and will be paired with a mentor who has the same blessing to teach them how to use their ability. When ready to become a guardian they must be approved by their mentor and the chief and then will be granted their new guardian name in a ceremony in front of the entire clan. The newly named guardian must climb the tallest tree at moon high and yowl their name and dedication to the clan before coming back to camp and standing guard. In the morning they lead their first patrol.
To qualify to become a guardian a tyro must have had battle training, hunting training, know their way around the territory, visited the emergency campsite at the barn, and taught the very basics of herb knowledge from the gurus.
Gurus
When a cat wishes to visit the Land of Spirits, they will go to the Pool of Spirits. They will drink the water and fall asleep on the shore (cats only swim to the island to receive blessings or their nine lives.) The cat will then visit the spirits in their dream. Gurus visit the Land of Spirits regularly, at least once a moon. Spirits of the deceased are usually the ones to grant guru tyros their full names when they are ready.
Cheif's Nine Lives
When a adjutant is stepping up to become chief they will visit the Land of Spirits to receive their nine lives. After drinking the water and falling asleep at the Pool of Spirits the spirit whom they are blessed by will visit them and grant them an extra eight lives. Scorch is the only spirit who will not grant leaders extra lives, the reason is unknown, so if a chief is favored by Scorch they will only have their one.
The Great Spirits
Ether
A she-cat whose appearance differs from cat to cat. Her blessing symbol is a swirl. Those who receive her blessing are gifted the power of illusion. They can slightly manipulate how their surroundings appear to others. For example, they can change the colors of objects or create the illusion of something being there when it is not. They can also make something disappear from the sight of others with enough energy. This power requires a lot of focus to use, with larger illusions requiring more attention. Once their focus breaks the illusion will fade.
Ether is the oldest of the spirits. She is known as a gentle and motherly but mysterious cat full of wisdom and foresight.
Fallowheart
A tiny white she-cat with light brown points and blue eyes, not much bigger than a young tyro. Her blessing symbol is a stem of catmint. Those who receive her blessing have the ability to communicate to plants. Not having full conversations, but they can feel emotions and energies of plants. They can easily make plants grow or find different types of plants in the territory by asking the fauna to guide them to what they're searching for. Cats who have a strong understanding of this ability might also convince plants to move at their command. Fallowheart rarely favors the living and when she does the cat with her blessing is generally expected to become a guru. Fallowheart is also the most likely of the great spirits to appear to her favored cats and is even known to show them glimpses of the land of spirits in the living world, so those who have her blessing generally have a stronger connection to spirits.
Scorch
A smokey gray tom with amber eyes. His blessing symbol is a running cat. Those who receive his blessing are granted the power of endurance. They are able to perform physical activities for long periods of time without growing tired, such as running. They can also survive without eating and drinking for longer than an ordinary cat and don't get hot or cold as easily in extreme weather. Additionally, they are generally physically stronger and their recovery rate for injuries and illnesses is slightly faster than others.
Scorch is known for his strength, bravery, and dedication to others.
Mango
A small ginger tabby tom with green eyes and a faded red kittypet collar. His blessing symbol is a small trail of paw prints. Those with his blessing are granted the power of enhanced senses. They are able to see, hear, and smell far beyond the natural limits. Cats with his blessing are generally the best hunters and trackers.
Some look down on cats who have his blessing because he was a kittypet, but he was said to have the kindest heart and he had saved the life of an important clan chief many years ago.
Echo
A small calico she-cat with glowing yellow eyes. Her blessing symbol is a butterfly. Those who receive her blessing have the power of telepathy. The power allows them to project their voice into the mind of another cat but it does not give the other cat the ability to respond, so they can only have a full conversation with others who also have her blessing. Those with a different blessing will not be able to answer. The power works best if the recipient is close and if they know where they are - the farther away they are, the harder it can be to understand them. The voice may be faint, patchy, or it might not reach them at all.
Echo earned her spot among the great spirits saving a litter of kits lost in the endless caves as an apprentice after she was forbidden to go after them. They would have died if she hadn't found them and she is used as an example whenever it is necessary to bend the rules.
Cactus
A muscular and broad-shouldered spiky-furred blue-gray she-cat with unnaturally vibrant green eyes. Her blessing symbol is a blooming flower. Cats who receive her blessing are able to change their pelt and eye colors, as well as the texture of their fur. They can even change into unnatural colors, such as sky blue or green. This allows them to easily camouflage into their surroundings and hide in plain sight. Her spirit is known as a bit of a trickster.
Spider
A long-legged brown tabby cat with green eyes and a super long, thin tail. Their blessing symbol is a spider. Cats who receive their blessing are granted the ability of 'surface crawling'. They are able to climb anything, almost like they have adhesive paws that stick to the surface and won't fall. They can even hang from a surface upside down. They can climb trees, rocks, etc. Some cats have even taught themselves to walk on the surface of water, but this will take quite a bit of practice and only few have mastered it. Cats with this blessing can turn the ability off and on. They also have improved balance and can jump quite far.
Spider is the youngest among the great spirits.