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oliveheart-worldbuilding · 2 days ago

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Rank: Keeper (customs: Scavenger masks)

·History

The use of the scavenger mask is recent, beginning during The Great Plague. Amid these terrible times, a certain Keeper by the name of Shrikestep “The morbid” noticed that scavenger birds, whose feeding habits should render them ill, had somehow found a way of avoiding infection. In order to replicate these abilities, she created a mask resembling the head of one of these birds.

Scavenger masks then were bigger and covered a cat’s whole head and part of their neck. Keepers were expected to see through small gaps in the masks’ pleita and their muzzle was accommodated in a long beak-like structure similar to that of a griffon vulture. The times were dire and thus every contribution helped; some masks were painted with blessed symbols by their Seers. The fight was long and left many scars across clanner territory but, soon enough, the use of masks in combination with teamwork helped bring down the sickness. Having collectively helped saved many lives, Keepers felt masks were worth keeping around and continued wearing them to Colloquiums even after they were no longer needed.

Because these masks were heavy and difficult to wear, they slowly started shifting from their original look to their smaller modern counterpart. These masks, now known as scavenger masks, no longer cover the neck and only partially cover the face. They have eyeholes and are lighter and easier to wear. They are all painted with blessed symbols and are usually heavily decorated by their wearer. Furthermore, scavenger masks now have a new function: they remind Keepers that, when they work together, they become stronger, and as such have become a bonding mark for all Keepers.

While a harsh reality, the lifestyle of the clans often means individuals don’t see farther from their own territories. Clan cats care deeply for their clanmates but often see other clans and outsiders as a threat. A Keepers’ job is to care for, learn from and protect all catkind, no matter their origin and alliance, which can prove difficult to an individual raised with a clan’s mindset. Scavenger masks play an important role on this matter by creating a sense of belonging. By giving cats similar backgrounds and obligations, loyalties and prejudices are broken down. In this sense, all Keepers belong together.

(Of course, not everybody agrees with this idealized idea. The use of scavenger masks is often considered pretentious by outsiders. The fact that clanners need to wear accessories to consider others worthy of their help is very much reprehensible, after all. One could even argue that they only help break down barriers between clanners and not outsiders.)

·Creation

Scavenger masks are created in pleita using locally available plant matter. Seaclan, Clayclan and Duneclan usually prefer using dwarf palm leaves while Mountainclan and Brookclan prefer esparto grass. The masks all represent and imitate the shape of different scavenger birds, the species of which vary depending on origin and personal taste.

An apprentice’s first mask is called a “shrike” and is weaved by their mentor to be worn to Colloquiums until the cat becomes a fully named Keeper. Unlike scavenger masks, shrikes do not imitate the shape of any bird in particular, instead they are lighter and more comfortable to wear. These masks aren’t decorated and don’t bear any symbols either.

Once they have passed their assessments, Keepers are to weave their very own first scavenger mask. These new masks will later be painted by a Seer with the symbol of the Keeper’s new role, granting them a blessing. It is officially worn for the first time during their graduation, on a Colloquium Day. Keepers usually keep their shrike as a token, but some destroy it as a celebration.

When a Keeper has studied enough and is considered experienced within their role, they are given a scarf made of fresh leaves. This first scarf is weaved by the clan’s oldest All-parent, but once it rots every Keeper can make their next one themselves. Its function is to tell every other Keeper around them that they are knowledgeable in their role and their opinion is worthy of being heard. Scarfed individuals usually give speeches or partake in heated debates, while un-scarfed individuals listen and learn. These scarfs mostly serve a bragging purpose, nobody quite remembers when or why they started being used.

When a Keeper is respected, wise and knowledgeable enough, they are called into the All-parent role by another All-parent. When this happens, the oldest All-parent in the clan adds a new symbol to their mask and dyes the tip of their mask’s “beak” in black. This ceremony is held in camp but celebrated during Colloquiums.

Scavenger masks and scarfs are only worn to Colloquiums and sacred, or otherwise important, celebrations.

·Symbols: origin

The creation of the symbols used to decorate scavenger masks predates by generations the origin of the Keeper rank. Their use is exclusive to Seers as these symbols are considered sacred. Seers use them to channel magic and ask for godly favors: when drawn on the surface of a mask these symbols are meant to grant a blessing to their wearer.

The use of symbols on masks started during The Great Plague, when they were painted by Seers to grant their wearer a blessing of resilience and strength. Following the triumph over the disease, as masks started losing their medical use, some Keepers would request specific blessings so that they could become better at their roles. Subsequently, it became custom to have scavenger masks be painted with specific symbols so that every Keeper was blessed according to their role within their clan.

Presently, new scavenger masks are brought to a Seer who paints on its surface the required symbol and appropriately blesses them. This ritual is sacred and private as only the mask wearer and their chosen Seer can participate. To interrupt one means ruining the blessing and having to start again at a different time. If a Keeper were to abandon their role to pursue a different role, their old scavenger mask is to be destroyed and a new one weaved, painted and blessed. This is done under the belief that blessings, when abandoned, become unpredictable.

·Symbols: meaning

Herbologist symbol: “Soleá” when referring to it or when drawn on an object, “Lionflower” when drawn on a cat’s fur. This symbol belongs to Sol, father above and creator of all flora and fauna of the land. Specifically, the Soleá represents the connection between Sol and all plants. It is believed that, when using this symbol, Seers can call for the favor of Sol and increase the healing abilities of all medical plants. When painted on scavenger masks, the Soleá imbues its wearer with a blessing of memory and luck allowing Keepers to better remember each plant’s use and habitat as well as helping them find specific plants when they are more needed. Similarly, Seers draw this symbol over Keepers’ dens, where plants are stored, to strengthen their properties and keep them fresh for longer. It is also drawn over dirt and stone archways in the caves that house the wall of mallows to honor Sol and his creation.

This symbol consists of two overlapping flowers, a red one in the back and a white one at front, surrounded by two flowy green vines with leaves at the side. The red flower symbolizes the fertility of the earth while the white one symbolizes the sun; their combination results in plant growth, represented by the green vines.

Healer symbol: “Debla” when referring to it or when drawn on an object, “Evening touch” when painted on a cat. This symbol belongs to Luna, mother above and creator of dreams, conscience, and the passing of time. Because time heals all wounds, the Debla is related to the healing abilities of time. When painting this symbol over a cats’ fur, Seers can call for the favor of Luna, making time flow and healing them faster. When painted on scavenger masks, the use of the Debla allows Keepers to better predict how wounds and ailments of the body and mind will evolve through time, easing treatment and recovery.

This symbol consists of a new moon surrounded by a waning gibbous and a waxing gibbous, underneath a red paw print. The new moon represents healing, the waning gibbous conscience while the waxing gibbous resilience, the pawprint references the use of said attributes.

Matron symbol: “Lucero’s blasón” when referring to it or when drawn on the wall of mallows, “Flower cognate” when painted on a cat. This symbol is a blasón* belonging to the bloodline of Crane, Seaclan’s founder, and Winter, god and personification of the season by the same name. Originally, this symbol was used solely to represent said bloodline but, as Crane became more of a mythological figure than a historical one, it gained magical properties. This symbol is now related to fertility as well as health during pregnancy and childbirth. Seers paint it on pregnant monarchs so that Crane and Winter can protect them during difficult pregnancies. It is also painted on cats that wish to have kits to help them conceive. When painted on scavenger masks, the Lucero’s blasón grants its wearer wisdom, strength, and patience in order to help monarchs and kits with their needs and worries.

This symbol consists of two overlapping flowers, the front one is inverted and bright red while the one in the back is dark red. The front one represents inner fertility (bearers’ fertility) while the one on the back represents outer fertility (sires’ fertility), the overlapping of these two symbolizes pregnancies.

* a coat of arms, of sorts.

Blood archivist symbol: “Eclipse’s blasón”. This is the oldest symbol known to clanners, it has been painted on the Cave of fangs’s entrance for as long as clanner history has existed. According to their beliefs, the Eclipse’s blasón belongs to both Sol and Luna. It represents how Sol and Luna once were father and mother to all first living creatures. This symbol is only ever drawn on the family tree section of the wall of mallows to honor these deities; on scavenger masks where it grants its wearer a blessing of memory and intelligence so they can remember everyone’s ancestry; on sacred spaces like the cave of fangs; and on deceased cats’ backs when it is time to bury them. It is never painted on living creatures.

This symbol consists of a red root like design that surrounds a waning crescent on its right and a sun made of sparks on its left. The waning crescent represents rebirth and love while the sun represents life and joy, the red root joins both like it would a sire and a bearer in a family tree.

Builder symbol: “Alambre”. This symbol is associated with Lady Mallow, goddess of death, healing, and art. Particularly, it focuses on her artistic abilities. Because most Seers hesitate to communicate with Lady Mallow, as it is described as debilitating or draining, this symbol draws directly from her magic rather than asking her for a favor. When used on cat-made objects, it grants a boon of protection and sturdiness. Accordingly, this symbol is painted on dens when the weather threatens to damage them and on different important cat-made objects to ensure they stay structurally sound for longer. When painted on scavenger masks, it grants a blessing of craftiness and creativity to its wearer.

This symbol consists of a thorn circle, symbolizing a clan camp, surrounded by two long needle-like bones. It connotes the ability to transform a dangerous and inhospitable habitat into a home.

Acolyte symbol: “Giants’ Blasón”. This symbol is the blasón of the Giants’ bloodline, Mountainclan’s founder. This symbol is solely used in Mountainclan, where their bloodline is carefully maintained. Mountainclan is very keen on keeping this bloodline within the confines of their territory and, as a result, it is rarely painted on the wall of mallows of other clans. Similarly, because the acolyte role exists solely within Mountainclan, scavenger masks are only painted with this symbol here. Painting a mask with it grants its wearer a blessing of love and dedication but, mostly, it serves a social function: marking the wearer apart from other Keepers and denoting their special duties to their clan.

This symbol consists of an eye whose pupil is a half-moon, three drops of blood can be seen underneath it. The half-moon symbolizes magic while the three blood drops represent Mountainclan’s Leader, Seer and Acolyte Keeper, all of which share the Giant’s bloodline. The symbol denotes an Acolyte’s responsibilities to their Seer (caring for and watching out for them, as represented by the eye) and their Leader (providing new offspring to the bloodline, as represented by the drops of blood)

Mentor symbol: “Nene”. This symbol bears no magic qualities and is only painted and used by Keepers. The Nene is mostly used for bragging, Keepers paint this symbol on their checks when their Apprentice graduates. The more Nenes a scavenger mask has, the more Apprentices its wearer has trained.

This symbol consists of small red dots on the masks’ cheeks.

All-parent symbol: “Alcea”. This symbol bears no magic, isn’t associated to a god, and is only used by Keepers. When painted on scavenger masks, Keepers are paying homage to Hollyhock “the undying”. According to legend, Hollyhock was a Seer who was taught by Lady Mallow how to escape death by weaving and healing. During her life she would pass on her knowledge to different Apprentices, helping many generations to come. By painting an Alcea on a scavenger mask, Keepers are acknowledging wisdom, experience, and skill similar to that of this cat of legend.

This symbol vaguely resembles the shape of a mallow flower, shape that Lady Mallow herself painted on Hollyhock’s nose when they taught her. It is drawn on the “beak” of scavenger masks along with dyeing the tip of said beak in black.

*Extra*

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oliveheart-worldbuilding · 2 days ago

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RANK: KEEPER. (LIFE OF A KEEPER)

Image description:

Cuckooleaf and Poppytongue, Keepers of Seaclan, help Graystream, Elder of Seaclan, with his rehabilitation. Cuckooleaf is wearing a pleita backpack in which he carries fennel and horsetail meant to aid in Graystream's leg pains. Poppytongue is depicted helping Graystream stretch his hurt leg.

Privetcloud and Cranepaw, Keeper and Keeper apprentice of Seaclan. Privetcloud is teaching Cranepaw where to find and how to use poppy to cure several ailments. Both cats are wearing pleita backpacks and carry diggers with them.

Owlfur and Martenstorm, Keepers of Mountainclan, are spending some time together. Owlfur is trying her best at weaving pleita (she's failing miserably), Martenstorm seems somewhat amused at her tries. Martenstorm is also keeping Owlfur's kits, Nightjar, Deer and Maple, busy.

Apprenticeship

Kits can become Keeper apprentices once they reach the age of 6 moons old. Kits usually speak to a Keeper and communicate wanting to join their rank, it is also quite common for Warrior apprentices to join later on their life. Every Keeper apprentice, once named, is assigned a Keeper mentor although their training is usually done communally by all clan Keepers. A Mentor’s role is to oversee, guide, teach and decide when the apprentice is ready to go through their assessments. All Keeper apprentices receive from their Mentor a newly made mask (named a shrike) when they are named.

Apprentices are taught the basis of all areas of study within the Keeper role:

-Blood archivist: apprentices must learn the basics of their clan’s genealogy, namely, they must recognize, learn, and memorize all their clanmates family ties to each other up to 3 generations. They are also taught about blasones*, what their shapes mean and how to recognize them in the Wall of Mallows.

-Herbologist: apprentices must learn the basis of herbal medicine, that is, the uses of the most common and important plants present in their territory, their associated risks, where to find them, etc. Similarly, all apprentices are taught how to read and contribute to the Wall of Mallows’ herbal information.

-Healer: apprentices are to learn how to provide rehabilitation and therapy for physical and mental ailments.

-Matron: apprentices are taught about child rearing and bearing and are expected to learn how to help and guide newly pregnant monarchs. These skills are usually learnt with age and experience although the clan always makes sure Keeper apprentices know how to aid during a delivery and how to interact with monarchs and kits alike.

-Builder: apprentices learn how to build and expand dens; how to clean and decorate their camp; how to weave, sculpt and create simple tools, devices, and utensils necessary for everyday clan life. Similarly, they are taught how to produce dyes and paints which will be used by everyone in their clan.

Finally, all Apprentices, Keepers or otherwise, must learn law, history, and mythology as well as how to hunt. Keeper apprentices aren’t taught how to fight since Keepers are banned by clan law from participating in battles. Brookclan is the only clan to bend this rule, due to their monster fishing traditions, all brookclanners are taught how to stand their ground.

Although training methodologies are similar within all clans, what is considered essential and therefore taught to apprentices varies greatly from clan to clan. For example, Brookclan prides itself on its ability to heal infection effectively while Mountainclan prides itself on its ability to heal physical trauma, thus Brookclan Keeper apprentices will learn more about the bactericide and fungicide qualities of various plants while mountainclanners will learn more about how to correctly set broken bones.

Keeper apprentices only visit the Wall of Mallows once they’ve been training for some time and are previously told the basis of how to understand the knowledge stored within them. Similarly, all Keeper apprentices, like every other Apprentice, are to visit the Cave of Fangs at least once in their apprenticeship where a formal ceremony is held by their clan’s Seers. During this time, Keeper apprentices will be blessed and allowed to receive an Advice*. Keepers and their Apprentices do not attend Gatherings but, rather, attend Colloquiums*. During these, Keeper apprentices are meant to interact only with other Apprentices and their mentor, they should only speak with other Keepers if they are invited into a conversation. Their role during these meeting is to learn, meet new Apprentices and not bother the adults.

Keeper apprentices usually finish their training by the time they are 18-24 moons old (1 cycle and 6 moons to 2 cycles) meaning their training is longer than those of Warrior apprentices but shorter than Seer apprentices.

*Blasones are, in a way, family coat of arms that allow clan cats to recognize their ancestry and better remember their history. They are painted and studied within the Wall of Mallows.

*An Advice is a dream sent from a minor deity that takes the form of a basic prophetic vision. It is received by Apprentices on their first visit to the Cave of Fangs. These dreams usually depict the Apprentices’ future biggest achievement. Although they are easily forgotten, they leave a sweet aftertaste that encourages Apprentices to try their best.

*Colloquiums are peaceful meetings between all the Iberian Clans Keepers and their Apprentices. They are celebrated every new moon. Further information can be found on the pinned post.

Keeperhood

Once Mentors consider their Apprentices ready to become full-fledged Keepers, the rest of the clan’s Keepers prepare assessments for them to go through. Assessments last for 4 or more days and have long periods of resting in between to ensure Apprentices can do their best.

-The first day consists of various question rounds on ‘general knowledge’: These all happen one after the other and are performed by the clan Leader or Deputy (questions about law), the clan Seers (questions about mythology) and the clan Elders and Senior Warriors (questions about history). To continue their assessments, Keepers apprentices must always pass at least two of the proposed tests with history being a mandatory pass.

-The second day, usually referred as the “test of worth”, consists of two different tests. During these, the Apprentices will have to face their greatest challenge, that is, they will have to stand their ground doing whatever it is they proved worst at during their apprenticeship. Since Apprentices are not expected to know everything perfectly, they simply must know the basics, the Keepers assigned to oversee these tests are usually not experts in these matters either. This is done to ensure that examiners are not too harsh on the apprentices they are overseeing.

-During their third day Apprentices are meant to perform normally, as if they were named Keepers. Apprentices will be approached by different clanmates and will have to help them as if they were Keepers, that is, without receiving any help or guidance. This test will be overseen by all the clan Keepers and is usually considered to be the easiest of all tests. The objective of this day is to ensure that the Apprentices know how to deal with their clanmates and can perform their duties as adults.

-During the fourth and possibly last day, Apprentices are to show their prowess. Apprentices are meant to select what topic they would like to have their test be about, once chosen, the clan’s All-parents prepare an according test and choose an ‘specialist’ in the chosen topic that will oversee it. The objective of this day is for the Apprentice to show their peers what their strength is but, also, to gain their clanmates respect and attention. This test usually foretells what role the Apprentice will specialize in once they become a Keeper and allow the cat in question to gain the attention of a possible second mentor.

-Sometimes, when the Apprentice fails one of their tests, a fifth day is needed. During this day, the cat in question will be offered the possibility of redemption by repeating the test they failed at. If they do not succeed, they will have to continue being an Apprentice.

Some of the tests that can be performed during these days are: finding and reading information on the Wall of Mallows; drawing and writing on cork pieces; listing different plants uses and their location; helping one of their clanmates with their physical rehabilitation; spending time tending to their clan’s monarchs and kits; answering questions on the genealogy of their clanmates; spending a day fixing dens, cleaning their camp or weaving various tools; etc. Apprentices are supervised the entire time by various cats chosen by the clan’s All-parents. While Apprentices are allowed to help each other at times, they are discouraged from seeking adult help. Once the assessments are over, the All-parents of the clan reunite and decide who is ready to graduate. Graduation and Naming Ceremonies are upheld every new moon, during Colloquiums.

All newly named Keepers are to choose an area of study to further their knowledge on, thus entering a role. In order to do this, Keepers search for “second mentors” that is, Keepers considered experts in their field of study that can help expand their knowledge further. Usually, newly named Keepers are first taught by a clanmate. Once their clanmate considers that they can teach them no more, they recommend and introduce them to another expert in the topic from another clan. If the foreign Keeper accepts, the newly named Keeper will become their protegee and they will leave their clan to reside with them. During this time, protegee and second mentor will exchange knowledge furthering relationships between the clans and ensuring the preservation of information. Keepers may also choose to leave the clan’s territories altogether, travelling with the Storytellers, visiting the Deep worshippers, etc. to learn from them too. This process can last a lifetime so, in a way, a Keeper never quite finishes their apprenticeship.

At this point, Keepers will also stop wearing their first mask (shrike) and create their own, this time giving it a scavenger bird shape of their choosing. Changing areas of study throughout a Keepers’ life is common and accepted, they can also choose multiple, but most cats usually stick to one their entire life. Once a Keeper chooses a role, they inform their clan’s chosen Seer who conducts a special private ceremony. During this ceremony, the Seer will paint the Keeper’s chosen role symbol on their newly made mask grating them a blessing.

During Colloquiums, newly named Keepers can freely start conversations and debates with their peers, although they are mostly expected to remain silent, listen and learn. Experienced individuals within their role wear leaf scarves which tell every cat that their opinion is worthy of being heard. Scarfed individuals usually give speeches or partake in heated debates.

Fully named Keepers can become mentors when they have, at least, been a Keeper for a whole cycle. At times, special requirements may allow a cat to become a mentor earlier in life (for example, receiving the suffix -path) although these rarely occur. Mentors are selected specially so that they complement their Apprentice’s personality.

When a Keeper achieves certain seniority, they are allowed to join the All-parent role. There’s no specific point in which one goes on to be considered an All-parent, but rather it is a matter of being respected by their peers, maturity, and expertise in their role. Becoming an All-parent usually implies acquiring specific politic privileges as well as power over fellow Keepers. New All-parents are always chosen and invited into the role by their seniors. When a new cat joins this role, a small and private ceremony is held at camp and later celebrated by every Keeper during Colloquiums.

Retirement

Cats that are badly hurt or otherwise suffer from a debilitating or chronic illness do not usually retire. These cats are commonly accommodated according to their needs and their workload and role within the clan changes depending on how they feel most comfortable. Predominantly, only the elderly retires and join the Elder rank.

There’s no specific point in which a Keeper becomes an Elder. Those that do stop studying and are no longer expected to act their rank. However, most still help and teach the younger generation. Most of these Elders will continue to attend Colloquiums until they no longer can.

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oliveheart-worldbuilding · 2 days ago

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Rank: Keeper (Function, Patrons, Laws, and Roles)

Function:

The keeper rank is focused on caring for the wellbeing of others, no matter their origin or alliances. Their purpose can be summarized into:

-Caring for their clan’s physical and mental health using herbal medicine, rehabilitation, therapy, and matron work.

-Learn and memorize their clan’s family history to procure genetic counselling and prevent inbreeding. Similarly, it is their job to speak to and learn of all outsider sires that would willingly add their blood to the clan and contact them when a monarch requires reproductive assistance.

-Act as babysitters. Keepers care for and spend most of their time with the youngest of the clan, helping Monarchs with this task. Given their experience, they often act as advisers to young Monarchs and ease their worries when needed. Along with Monarchs, they also advise their Leader on who should mentor each kit in the clan.

-Build and repair their clan’s camp by cleaning, repairing dens, weaving nests, digging burrows, collecting nesting material and decorating their camp all according to their traditions. They also build a myriad of utensils that help in everyday clan life.

-Protect and maintain the wall of mallows, a collection of sacred places located in various caves throughout Clanner territory where information about plant usage and location as well as genealogy of all clans is stored. Every keeper knows how to read its information and how to contribute to it.

Patrons: Lady mallow, Winter and Crane.

Laws associated with this Rank:

-Keepers are to pledge a life-long vow of secrecy when they become apprentices. They are not to reveal information about their patients nor who the biological parents of any kits are. However, if asked directly, a keeper must tell any cat who their biological parents are, even if they wish to remain anonymous. This is done to ensure no inbreeding happens but also under the impression that all cats deserve to know their origins.

-If, during the early life of a kit, their birther was to die, Keepers are to search for a viable foster parent that can feed them, even if it means sending the kit to another clan. The health of the kit is always more important than the politics at play.

-Keepers are to leave their loyalties and prejudices aside when it comes to healing cats in need, caring for the orphaned and acquiring new medical knowledge from outsiders or rival clans.

-Keepers are not to fight or be hurt in battles. Their role during these is to heal those that are hurt, to fight their own battles would be counterproductive and would stablish disputes that a Keeper should avoid in order to remain impartial.

Roles within this rank:

Roles are divisions within ranks in clan life. These divisions are used to assign tasks based on every cat’s experience and skills or to specify temporary functions. They are usually unofficial, in the sense that they don’t normally have their own naming ceremonies but are important to the correct innerworkings of each rank, nonetheless. In most cases, all roles won’t exist at the same time in a clan. Every apprentice learns the basis of all areas of study within their rank, but most tend to specialize once they graduate thus entering a role. Suffixes can easily give away which cat belongs in which, but they are not infallible.

-Mentor: Many consider this role to be its own rank, in any case, it is the only one that has its own naming ceremony. Keeper Mentors have been assigned a Keeper Apprentice who they train until they are ready to graduate. Depending on the clan of origin, mentoring traditions and practices vary immensely.

-Monarch: Mostly considered a rank in and of itself. Every keeper that bears offspring becomes a Monarch, when or how much time a cat spends as one depends on the individual. Some clans dedicate special ceremonies to this role.

-All-parent: The cats that form this role are the eldest and more experienced of the rank and are seen as superiors by their fellow. All Keepers join this role at some point in their life. Most times, this role is treated as a counterpart to the role of Senior Warriors and given special treatment within every Clan.

-Blood archivist: Keepers specialized in memorizing bloodlines. These cats are experts in genetic counselling and can trace back multiple generations. They are commonly the ones that speak and learn of outsiders to gauge whether they would be viable sires too.

-Herbologist: Keepers specialized in herbal medicine. These cats learn all there is to know about different plant uses, know where and when to find them and, overall, excel at healing through herbal means.

-Healer: Keepers who are specialized in all forms of therapy. This role could be further divided into two classes: those that are good rehabilitators and those who are good therapists but, given these often overlap, this role is generally comprised of cats that are good at healing through physical methods or counselling.

-Matron: Keepers specialized in kit rearing and matron work. These cats are specialist in child rearing and have usually had children themselves at some point.

-Builder: Keepers specialized in camp maintenance and building. These cats are often expert weavers and/or diggers and spend most of their time repairing and making new dens, decorating for important festivities, and weaving utensils.

-Acolyte: an archaic role that only remains in Mountainclan. Acolytes are related by blood to the Giant and are always seers’ siblings. An Acolyte’s sole job is to care for their seer’s health and ensure their safety at all times. They are expected to produce offspring at least once since only their progeny can become seers and leaders.

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