█ ☆ G11. Explain how your group(s) (are) structured (rankings, if there are one group or multiple, are there any rogues mixed in) ☆ █
General
- Leader of the Valenians. The position is hereditary with the ‘approval’ of the fog. No cat has ever been appointed as General outside the first established hereditary line and it is believed that only members of the Valenian Council are eligible to take this position.
- Crown-general: First born kit of the General, often known to be heir to the position.
First Lieutenant
- Second highest position and advisor to the General.
- Selected from any of the candidates of the Valenian Council.
Second Lieutenant
- Leader of the elite Sky Watchers and military advisor to the General.
Valenian Council
- Addressed as the regent. There are five distinct bloodlines in the Council, and each regent represents one of the divisions of the Vis, and directs their day-to-day activities.
- They function as the governing body and advisory council of the Valens.
- Crown-regent: Refers to the heir of the regent, generally the first-born.
The Skywatchers
- Addressed as commanders, these cats form an elite group of warriors and military tacticians of the land. They are the top lines of defense and answer only to the General, holding a fearsome reputation amongst the Valens.
- Known to be a ‘black operations’ group. They enforce all orders given to them, however brutal, and often protect the General and their heir. Dubbed the ‘Royal Guard’ behind closed doors amongst the Vis.
- The offspring of the Valenian Council are known to dominate the Sky Watchers. While it isn’t impossible, but certainly rare, others are known to be able to make their way here as well.
Aristocracy
- Comprised of the others born to the regents of the Valenian Council. Addressed as governor or governess, the majority of them are not heirs to their respective bloodline.
- They tend to carry out orders from the regents, and interact the most with the commoners. At times, they may be called upon for their ‘insight’ into commoner life and scout out (rarely) potential recruits for the Skywatchers. Others are also known for tutoring younger kits in the council.
The Vis
- Adult members of the clan. They form the majority of the clan, and are responsible for contributing to the clan activities. These cats are expected to conform to the wishes of the higher-ups without question. The Vis are separated into divisions, depending on their skill set.
- Divisions include: hunters, warriors, medics, guardians or concierges.
- Guardians: Function as teachers and guides. Their responsibilities lie in teaching and mentoring the Novus in basic training.
- Warriors: Trained in the art of combat, and hold defensive or offensive positions within. They regularly patrol and define the borders; known for apprehending intruders and ensuring all cats are performing their duties.
- Hunters: Provisionaries of the clan. Responsible for hunting and scouting out prey.
- Medics: Specialize in medicine and the medicinal properties of herbs. These cats may spend their time collecting/preparing herbs, or treating their patients.
- Concierges: Considered the lowest of the divisions. These cats are considered ‘unskilled’ and perform odd jobs, mostly related to cleaning, kit-sitting and tidying the camp.
Apprentices
- Become eligible for apprenticeship at eight moons, where they specialize and receive further training in a particular division. They are assigned to one of the Vis by the guardians and the Valenian Council.
- Upon completing their apprenticeship at twelve moons, they become full-fledged members of the clan and are expected to uphold all the duties in their division.
Novus (the new)
- Kits become eligible at five moons to start basic training.
- Group training under the watchful eye of the guardians.
█ ☆ G8. How do your cats record the passing of time? ☆ █
The Valenians record the passage of time through moons. After a full-moon passes and fades, a new moon is said to have begun. With the exception of the quartets or the change of seasons, the start of a new moon has very little significance. However, every quartet (or after every three moons), a member of the nobility will make an official announcement that a new season has begun. The first day of a new season is considered an official day of rest. Members of the nobility take the day off from their duties, while commoners have their work assignments slashed into half (more or less).
█ ☆ G10. Where is a place that your cats can meet for important matters? ☆ █
The nobility and commoners all have separate areas designated as meeting places. Both classes don’t typically mingle, a mind-set that has long since settled in the minds of the Valenians over many generations.
𝑨𝑳𝑻𝑨
The aristocracy, more specifically the Valenian Council and the General, meet at a location known as the Alta. High above the eastern mountains, the area overlooks the forest and the commoners below, providing a vast view of the territory known as home to the Valenians. Far above from prying eyes and providing secrecy, members of the council and the general often spend their days gathered here, playing the age-old game of diplomacy and discussing the implementation of new rules. Alta is viewed with contempt by most of the Vis, who believe that the secrecy of the location merely breeds corruption, reducing transparency. Amongst younger commoners, there’s an adage that the ‘thin mountain air’ was surely behind the idiocracy of the aristocracy. The location is also notably encased with fog, although rumor has it that the fog has been thinning out.
𝑺𝑰𝑳𝑽𝑬𝑹𝑳𝑶𝑪𝑯
The Vis (commoners) gather at a location known as Silverloch. For generations before, it was considered a place of meditation and contemplation, considered sacred in the eyes of the Valenians. It remains untouched, much like it was generations before, with its soft grass, pool of still water and most importantly the ever thickening presence of the fog. It was said to be the ‘bridge between heaven and earth’; a place for those who seek advice, answers and comfort. A place of dreams, visions, prophecies and guidance. Many come here under the guise of mediation, since ‘gathering in large groups’ has been forbidden due to the possibility of an uprising. Really, the place serves as a ground to rekindle those lost dreams and hopes of the past. It is a ground to breed rebellion.
EXP TOTALS:
G11. [580 words written + 350 word overflow]
150EXP + 175EXP = 325EXP.
G8. [105 words written + 50 words overflow]
50EXP + 25EXP = 75EXP.
G10. [306 words written + 200 words overflow]
100EXP + 100 EXP = 200EXP