\\ OTS will be done at the end of each season //
Post by Abyss on Dec 8, 2022 1:52:45 GMT -5
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PINECLAN
Hunters of the foggy pine forest of the north, Pineclan cats are naturals in dwelling hidden in the shadows, whether down on land or up in the trees. Sneaky and secluded, these cats keep to their own, using their larger bodies and strong legs to rise to the skies to watch over their darkened territory.
Pineclan tends to be a bit more diverse when it comes to pelts, as their forest can be both hot and cold depending on the season and the weather. While some have long pelts that aid when the cold sneaks in, others have shorter pelts that allow more quick movements. Though most share the same theme of having strong legs and paws for climbing trees and long tails for balance. In addition, the darkness of their territory has aided in better night vision, eyes much more accustomed to dark than light, so open spaces basked in sunlight are avoided.
Of the three clans, Pineclan cats are the most mysterious and unknown. Keeping to themselves in the shadows, these cats are far more quiet and stoic, speaking when needed and getting their point across quickly and clearly. Their temperament is more calm than the others, but just as their pine forest hides them away, they too hide their nature away, most of the time. These cats are fiercely territorial, possessive, and hold grudges like no other, never ones to forget when someone has wronged them. They will act civil when the time for neutrality comes, but meet them outside of a gathering, and you will be greeted with hostility.Territory
A forest primarily consisting of pine trees, with a few spruce and cedar mixed in. While the territory is more protected from harsh weather and has lush greenery, it is more prone to predators, and there are less dense sections of the forest who feel harsher climates more than the rest.
- White Woods: a decently sized section of the forest that is a little bit less dense but is covered in snow during Leaffall and Leafbare
- Dark River: the primary water source that runs through Pinecoan territory, this river is dark in color from the shadows of the trees and often changes between fast running and slow running
- Fallen Trail: a half circle not too far from the camp, this is a long abandoned trail that may have once been clear, but is now overgrown with lots of bushes, weeds, and fallen trees
- Scattered Field: further towards the ocean in a less dense portion of the forest there is a field, dotted with trees, dark grass, and differently sized stones
Pineclan’s camp can be found in a decently sized clearing within the dark forests, with a large and ancient tree found at the center, one that has stood tall for longer than any cat alive could ever remember. This tree is surrounded on all sides by equally old but smaller trees, ones whose roots have allowed countless vines and thorns to grow up and around them, forming a natural wall around the ancient tree. The camp entrance is a medium-sized opening in the thorn wall, wide enough for 2 cats to walk side to side comfortably through.
At the center of the camp hanging down from the ancient tree is a large branch that seems to have grown lower to the ground than the rest, and it is this branch that is used to call for clan meetings. At the base of this branch is a somewhat decent sized hole in the tree, a small area inside where the Leader makes their den. On the other side of the tree, the roots lift and tangle into a pattern at the ground, forming a hole that has been both naturally and forcefully opened and dug into within the roots to create the clan’s Nursery.
The rest of the dens are formed by large bushes that have grown from the thorn walls, the insides hollowed out and made solid by branches, leaves, and moss.
Alongside the ancient tree between the Nursery entrance and the Leader’s perch is a small divot in the tree’s roots where the clan keeps their prey.Culture
By nature, Pineclan cats are very reclusive, keeping to themselves in their forest and only relying on each other. They are a very tight-knit group of cats, ones who trust their own and no one else. While they act very stand-offish outside, within their home these cats are actually pretty relaxed, enjoying spending time together, training, climbing, plenty of activities. They are more along the lines of anything goes, not super demanding when it comes to lifestyles, as long as you are loyal to the clan and will stand up to protect it in the face of danger.
But, just as stated, Pineclan is very solitary and untrusting. They do not trust the other clans, nor do they trust anyone outside of the clans, and will often show hostilities quickly when encountering others. This makes it quite difficult for anyone, whether from another clan or even loners, to really get in and be accepted. And even if someone is allowed to join, they are often met with side-eyes and avoidance for quite a while, if not the rest of their life. In addition, they are very possessive of what they believe to be theirs, so fights for territory, trespassing, all of those things are not taken lightly. And once you have crossed Pineclan once, they will never forget, as grudges are held on to very tightly.
Mice
Squirrels
Chipmunks
Small birds
Foxes
Coyotes
Cougars
SnakesAttitudes
Summitclan: Tense Tideclan: Neutral Outsiders: Aggressive
Pineclan holds on to the firm belief that, as their name suggests, all of the pine forest should belong to them, as the pines are their home. So the Winding Stones are a border often fought for between Pine and Summit, as both clans believe the border should be theirs. Pine is mostly neutral towards Tide, as they do look down on Tide's way of life, but also appreciate that the cats of the sea do not cause them many problems or interfere in their rivalry with Summit.Traditions
"Let those old enough to traverse the pines gather to hear my words."
Apprenticeship //Because of the sort of territory Pineclan claims, it is basically required that all Apprentices are trained to climb trees and how to use the forest to their advantage in all situations, whether hunting or battle. Typically, at some point during an Apprentice's training, they will be assessed by the Leader or Deputy to ensure that their climbing skills are satisfactory.
Traditionalists // Among the three clans, Pineclan are considered the traditionalists. Where the other two clans have allowed their ways to stray from the path of the clans, Pineclan prides themselves on the fact that their traditions and culture remain very similar to the old ways of the clans, such as the Leader choosing their Deputy by their own choice rather than based on blood relation or through voting. Pineclan is also very strict when it comes to relationships outside the clan and is hesitant when it comes to Medicine Cats having relationships, even though the Warrior Code has changed over the years to allow them this right. Because they follow more closely to the traditional clan ways, they tend to look down on Summit and Tide.Night Walkers //A rank unique to Pineclan, Night Walkers, or just Walkers, are cats within the clan who do all the normal duties of a regular Warrior, but, unlike regular Warriors, they perform all of their duties at night. As Pineclan is by far the most territorial of the clans, these cats are the sort who believe that time spent without the territory protected and patrolled in some way or another is time of opportunity for other clans and predators to make a move against them. So the rank of Walker has been around for a long time. While the rest of the clan goes about their lives during the day, Walkers get their sleep in the dens. And while the rest of the clan is resting during the night, the Walkers are awake protecting their home.
-- While this part really depends on the Leader and their personality, sometimes a Pineclan Leader may be strategic when picking their Deputy and may pick a cat from whichever rank they were not prior to being Leader. For instance, a Leader who was once a regular Warrior may choose a Walker to be their Deputy so there is someone in charge during the day and at night. Or a Leader who was once a Walker may pick a Warrior as their Deputy. Or sometimes it will be two Warriors or two Walkers. The pattern varies.
Since Walkers are a specialized rank and are much more likely to encounter ambushing enemies and night-dwelling predators, Apprentices who wish to become Walkers require an extra 3 moons of training. The minimum age to be promoted to a Walker is 15 moons.
If an Apprentice should wish to become a Walker, they must inform their Leader, either before they become an Apprentice so they can be assigned a Walker mentor, or during their Apprenticeship so that a Walker may step forward and either take over or assist in their training.
