- Discussion here..
The clan of mossy stones is a loose term for this group of cats, they migrate when possible, doing their best to avoid overhunting and being snowed in. They tend to move in small groups focused around a leader figure and those leader figures are what sway the direction of their travels. It isn't odd for- in the face of clashing ideals the clan to break into different factions only to join together once again by the will of the sky dancers.
Rules & Expectations
xxLiteracy─ 120 words per character, semi-literate with an expectation that users will show good grammar.
xxCharacters─ try to keep cats realistic, no fertile male torties, unrealistic eye colours, unnatural abilites etc. You may control as many characters as you can handle, but please try to keep genders somewhat even. Have your characters be balanced and well written; give people something to work off of and try to avoid mary sues.
A Leaderless Clan
Three ranks emissaries, vagabonds and maneres. Their 'ranking' system is loose and falls into three categories:
xxEmissaries─ people focused on nurturing, healing, forecasting weather, fortunes and the will of the sky dancers. Normally fast runners with good memories, as most herbs are picked fresh not stored so when someone is injured it's a race against the clock.
xxVagabonds─ hunters, patrollers, leader figures and fighters. Vagabonds who wish to 'lead' do so through either pure shows of force or charisma. However, there is no true visionary without their followers. Vagabonds don't have to be leader figures.
xxManeres─ youth, apprentices, wild free spirits and those who are dedicating their present to raising a family. Loners and outsiders are also called maneres but with a different tone of voice.
Lore and order
xxDeath's on time ─ it is the opinion of cats in the clan that every cat has a due date with death. A season and time that their natural death will come. No cat knows their time, although their ancestors do. To kill a cat is to go against the natural order of things and is strictly forbidden.
xxRite of loyalty ─ despite having no true leader a tradition has been known for generations. Cat's considered worthy of their clan's admiration will often have cats step forward and vow their life to that cat, choosing a number of moons to trade off of their life and onto their favoured vagabond. It's risky, however, as you never truly know how many moons you have left on this earth. Not something that can be done in secret, the cats giving up their moons must have permission from all their living relatives.
xxWe are nature ─ the clan has a deep respect for nature, their prey and predators. If a cat share's their true name with an animal of the land they are forbidden to hunt or kill that animal for they are their kin. That animal is their kin and it isn't uncommon for aspects of that creatures language to be slowly learned by a cat. Nature is something to be respected, the clan is a part of it and should respect the ground, trees and sky above them
xxYour True Name ─ when an adolescent becomes eligible to be a grown member of the clan they journey to a high point away from their clan. There they will receive an omen from the stars, varying from visions to encounters with animals. There is no set 'way' an adolescent receives their true name but it is often seen as a life-changing moment. The birth name of a cat is often something simple, "Mint", "Starlight", "Frost" and their true name can be quite different, "Leaping Crickets", "Kestrel Flying", "Sunny Day".
xxIt Takes A Village ─ the training of an 'apprentice' is left up their own initiative and that of their parents and peers. Anyone can be a mentor if they take the time to teach and anyone can learn if they take the time to ask. This is good for those who are studious, however lazy or uninspired youth can often fall through the cracks.
The conflict ranging from
- vote for a permanent settlement
- death of one of the factions leader figures
- m u r d u r
- stormy weather
- becoming isolated due to a natural disaster [caved in etc.]
- vote for a permanent settlement
- death of one of the factions leader figures
- m u r d u r
- stormy weather
- becoming isolated due to a natural disaster [caved in etc.]
xxx
"And we fell that far out of control
And when you're living living living
Through somebody else's soul
You learn to love who you are with"
And when you're living living living
Through somebody else's soul
You learn to love who you are with"
.......
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