Clans of the Blue Willow - Lore - DNP

[Riverblossom]

The Clans of the Blue Willow have a riddled past, each clan finding its own roots in a different history with threads connecting each clan to the other. But, for generations, they have lived around the Blue Willow Tree in relative harmony, with natural battles occurring but no grudges being held. Although, a new, invisible threat looms over the Clans.
At first, the Clans started as just four littermates; Deer, Kestrel, Bat, and Adder. They were left by their mother at the age of six moons, the four kittens forced to find their own way to survive. Each kit responded differently to the loss of their mother, coping with their loss in different ways. Deer, the first-born, stepped up to take care of and protect his littermates. Kestrel, the only she-cat of the litter, took on the healer role and played mediator between her brothers. Bat, the clever one, used trickery and manipulation to achieve his goals. And, lastly, Adder. The smallest and last-born of the litter -- even smaller than his sister when they were full-grown. Adder lived up to his namesake from a young age, striking fast and without remorse. He didn’t care who got hurt, as long as he got what he wanted.
As the four cats got older, their group began to grow. Tensions rose between the littermates, they began to turn against each other and frequent fights broke out in their small band of rogues. The siblings realized they couldn’t travel as a pack any longer, but Kestrel insisted the siblings stayed close so she could visit each of her brothers. They journeyed, searching for a territory big enough for each of them to claim their own piece.
One night on their journey, Kestrel had awoken from a dream in the middle of a starry night. She thought she heard their mother calling for them off in the distance. Kestrel had hesitated for a moment, trying to focus on the faint sound, when she realized she could hear their mother; she could hear each of their names being individually called, *Deer! Kestrel! Bat! Adder! My Kits!*, repeatedly.
Kestrel had followed her mother’s calls to The Blue Willow Tree. A magnificently tall tree with green leaves and impossibly pinkish-blue blossoms. It’s branches are sturdy sprouting from the trunk of the tree, but as they extend, drooping down to conceal the trunk, and anything among the roots. Beneath the tree is a large, sheltered clearing; entirely encapsulated by the ever-blossoming branches. She sat at the roots of the tree and watched unfamiliar, slightly transparent cats begin to fill the branches above her. Slowly, she had recognized them as being her ancestors and passed family members.
That night, Kestrel’s ancestors told her about the Clans, the Warrior’s Code, and most importantly, about the Willow Coves. There was a system of tunnels, the entrance being a small hole behind The Blue Willow Tree. They had said this is where medicine cats would go to meet with StarClan, this system of ancestors she was being introduced to, and to get prophecies. Lastly, they told her of how she, and her brothers, had to go there, become leaders, and form their Clans.

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Today, many moons after the lives of Deerstar, Kestrelstar, Batstar, and Adderstar, only one clan remains; KestrelClan. However, a new problem is plaguing The Forest of The Blue Willow. Cats of the Dark Forest have begun to walk through the dreams of living clan members, training them to fight as they sleep; however, this new way of training doesn’t exactly align with the Warrior Code. StarClan has begun to realize that some of the cats are beginning to stray, and they’re working harder than ever to keep the warriors true to the Warrior Code. They’re even starting to walk in the dreams of living cats, training them according to the Code, scared of the actions that the Dark Forest could take.

[Riverblossom]

KestrelClan was founded by Kestrel, the second born healer of her litter. She had been the one that guided her siblings to The Blue Willow Tree and the first of the four to gain her nine lives. Kestrelstar followed her ancestors’ guidance, taking her clan to the hollow of the Blue Willow Forest. Their camp rests in the middle of a river on a small island, a short swim from shore. The camp is surrounded by shrubbery and tangled reeds, allowing them to construct their dens. She knew this would protect her clan the best against enemies that were afraid of getting their paws wet. The territory that surrounded them was mainly sandy earth crossed with short streams and rivers. Kestrelstar wanted them protected because she led her clan according to her values; compassion, patience, working together, and integrity. As KestrelClan aged on without Kestrelstar as the leader, it has continued to strive for these values, making it their goal to do right by their founder.

Kestrelstar tried to stay close with her brothers until she lost her final life, and she was relatively successful -- even Batstar warmed up to her a little -- even if it was only until his untimely passing. The leaders that followed tried to follow her wishes, keeping the best possible relationship with each Clan.

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ᴛᴇʀʀɪᴛᴏʀʏ

Training area - Where mentors bring their apprentices to work on battle moves or perfect their hunting crouch. A fern and bracken-enclosed clearing on an island surrounded by a river, relatively close to camp. This forces apprentices to learn how to swim before they’re able to learn battle moves.
Floating Rocks - A collection of rocks that stick out the center of a shallow river, the water only as high as a full-grown cat’s belly or an apprentice’s chest, but the long, flat rocks look as though they’re floating. A good place to sun yourself on the rocks or play in the shallows of the lazy rivers.
Twin rivers - Two twin rivers, outlining a long stretch of land with a thick undergrowth. A good place for hunting and fishing.
Grassy plateau - An easily climbable plateau close to the BatClan border. Clan members can come up here to view the entirety of KestrelClan’s territory. A good place for surveying the territory and escaping the day to day life of the Clan.
White Water Rapids - Towards the outer edge of KestrelClan’s territory, far from the Blue Willow Tree, the waters become fast-paced and dangerous. Many cats have lost their lives to the Rapids, their tumultuous waters swallowing anything they can grasp at. Only the strongest of swimmers are capable of crossing the waters alive. Cats will come here to watch the water, or attempt to hunt in the threatening river.

[Riverblossom]

Blue Willow Tree - Where gatherings are held! A magnificently tall tree with green leaves and impossibly pinkish-blue blossoms. It’s branches are sturdy sprouting from the trunk of the tree, but as they extend, drooping down to conceal the trunk, and anything among the roots. Beneath the tree is a large, sheltered clearing; entirely encapsulated by the ever-blossoming branches.

Blue Willow Cove - A stunning system of tunnels, the entrance being a small hole behind The Blue Willow Tree. They lead down into the earth, eventually leveling out and opening up to a wide cave with an underground bay, holding perpetually warm water. There is a single flower that grows at the center of the cave, the only spot illuminated by a small hole in the thin veil that roofs the cave. It resembles a white rose but has a blue stem, sprouting blue flowers. Medicine cats and leaders come here to pluck off one of the sweet, blue flowers and communicate with their ancestors.

Mushroom Hollow - A collection of fallen, rotted trees covered in moss and different kinds of fungi. There are many different kinds of mushrooms that sprout around the hollow throughout the year. Not a great place to hunt, but home to many insects and flies. Beware of rats.

Sunny Hills - A collection of hills with very few trees, a place that allows the sun to shine through The Blue Willow Forest. There are patches of flowers here and there with some small rodents exploring, hidden in the tall grass.

Snail Gardens - A meadow filled with beautifully scented and dazzlingly colored flowers. Thousands of snails and slugs have made this their home, hence the location’s namesake. Cats will come here to lay among the flowers, maybe try to eat a slug, or explore outside their territory.

Abandoned Barn - A barn that attempted to be built at some point in the clan history. Construction was mysteriously halted one day, leaving some walls and the dilapidated structure of the since-abandoned barn. Cats will come here to explore outside their territory, possibly try to catch some small rodents or birds.

Watching Wood - Be careful in these woods, long tales told by elders describe the dangers that can be found here. Bears, foxes, badgers, this is the part of The Forest of The Blue Willow where animals are able to roam free, doing as they wish. Also, quickly, before you head in you should know this -- y’know, it just always seems to feel as though someone is watching you through the underbrush, eerily enough. Isn’t that just the strangest thing? Cats will come here to explore outside their territory, unknowingly wandering into the watchful woods.

[Riverblossom]

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Cats born into KestrelClan tend to be natural peace-keepers, they attempt to make as many cats happy as possible and ensure that everyone is involved and pleased.

Cats that have originated in DeerClan tend to be loyal, dutiful, and occasionally prideful. This clan had once thought they were better than the rest, and still could think this way.

Cats that originated in BatClan tend to be clever, mischievous tricksters that utilize their mind to their advantage. They've always been good at sneaking around and keeping things secret.

Cats that originate from AdderClan tend to be ruthless, similar to their Clan's founder. They use strength and brute force to get what they want, toughness being a crucial skill from kithood.

Cats can be brought to KestrelClan from any of these Clans and they don't all necessarily have to line up with their clan's values! However, it has already occurred. Create forms with this in mind.

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