Post by Briarspirit on Jun 8, 2024 22:34:01 GMT -5
I am trying to bring back an old Clan I made, but I ran out of creativity on plots and Clan traditions. Any ideas would be very appreciated!
ForestClan
...::::...::::...::::... of peace and serenity ...::::...::::...::::...
(Disclaimer: I do not own the image.)
About the Clan
Located in the temperate zone, ForestClan resides in a luxurious forest composed of birches, chestnuts and maples. Cats of ForestClan come in a variety of pelt colors, while short-furred cats are less likely due to the cold weather in leaf-bare. ForestClan cats are mostly great tree-climbers and stalkers, the most common prey including birds, squirrels, mice and occasionally reptiles. Fish in the creek are considered an option in the coldest days nothing else can be find, provided the ice do not get too thick over the supposedly frozen water.
Without any neighbouring Clans, ForestClan cats do not have the necessity to patrol the border daily, as they are free to travel as far as they like. To keep an eye of possible threats, ForestClan cats tend to hunt in teams or pairs, always ensuring there is one cat keeping in charge while others focus on hunting. Birds of prey, foxes, weasels and others are all possible threats. The cats tend not to travel beyond the creek alone to ensure safety.
Traditions
Monthly Grand meetings. Cats of ForestClan hold a grand meeting within the Clan every full moon, when most important rituals such as a retiring ceremony, a new hunter's ceremony or a medicine cat’s ceremony will be held. With that note, apprentices who failed their hunter assessment would have to wait for another full month to become a warrior if they missed the previous meeting. Newly bonded mates may declare their relationship status at the grand meeting to receive blessing from the whole Clan.
Hunter assessments. Once apprentices complete their trainings, they may go through hunter assessments to become full hunters. The hunter assessments generally test the ability of the cats to hunt and avoid dangers in the wide territory. Apprentices may be asked to catch a certain load of prey in assigned area. They may be asked to cooperate with a particular Clanmate during the assessment. To test the ability of apprentices to cope with danger, some times fake emergencies might be set up. However, under most conditions, apprentices may simply be asked to demonstrate their skills for self defend by fighting another Clanmate.
(New ideas for ForestClan traditions are welcomed.)
Ranking Systems
ForestClan has a dual leader system to avoid sole monarchy. Most important decisions would be discussed thoroughly by the leaders before putting to action. Each leader gets to choose one deputy to succeed their place. In situations of conflicts, leaders may seek advice from their deputies and medicine cats.
There may be more than one medicine cat in ForestClan, as the Clan welcome any cat with the will and gift to serve the Clan. However, this cat must have a connection with the ancestors, which will be verified by their first visit to the Silent Cave. The other medicine cats should receive dreams from the ancestors if the successor is a right one. The medicine cats are allowed to start their own family as other med cats may help covering up their duties.
The fully-trained cats in ForestClans are named as hunters instead of warriors, since they seldom come across conflict. The hunters followed codes much similar to the warrior codes from the original books.
The Territory
The camp: ForestClan camp is based on tree holes. The two leaders share a den in a hole in a tree stump. The deputies sleep with the other Clan members, known as hunters, in a big tree hole from a dead tree. The medicine cats’ den is a natural cave beside a maple. The nursery and the elders’ den were built beside birches with soft fern as the ground and branches as walls.
The creek: A creek about twenty chestnuts-height away from the camp surrounds most of ForestClan’s main territory. This creek is the main water supply of the Clan.
The Clearing: An opening near the creek covered by grass is the popular space for cats to chat and enjoy time there.
The Clearing: An opening near the creek covered by grass is the popular space for cats to chat and enjoy time there.
The Silent Cave: This is where medicine cats meet their ancestors every full moon. It is a sixty chestnuts-height away from the creek. There is a small pool inside the cave.
The tunnel: a tunnel that goes underground that leads to the Silent Cave was found a while ago by naughty kits. The entrance of the tunnel can be found just across the creek. However, medicine cats prefer not to take it in case it collapses.
