#Woodruffian

[x-critter2022]

Castilleja / Cardinal

Ward of the Woodruff Faction (as of: the start of A Dream of Destiny)

A large, long and messy furred, off white-and-russet tabby with white tips and a wide muzzle with small scars on either side alongside small horns, a scaled face, crocodile-like tail, big paws and a large scar which stretches across her belly

Wears a hide armband with yellow and blue cross stitching and two twine necklaces, the top decorated with many chestnuts and the lower one decorated with a signal, orange snail shell.

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Child of Portobellofrost† of the Fenland and adopted kit of Fogfur. Littermate of Rowan and Pine. Younger sibling of Goldfinchsnap and Sparrowwing.

Training under Morningfall

11 moons old (equivalent to a 15/16 year old)

Quiet, Observant, Skittish| ISPF-T

MTF Transgender // GreyAce // (She/Her/Theirs)

Null

Name implies a bright red-furred cat.

@oldfacesnewdawnoffical @spottyissleepy

[oldfacesnewdawnoffical]

Marigold / Chanterelle / Chanterellefang

Day-Scout (formerly a ward) of the Fenland Faction (as of: the start of A Dream of Destiny)

A thickset, short-furred dark gray molly with pale golden classic tabby tortoiseshell patches. Has a cleft lip and protruding lower fangs. Has hooved hind paws.

Wears python spines and ribs pierced at her ears, alongside other, smaller python bones. Braids the fur at her chin and beneath her jaw with small scraps of snapping turtle leather and snapping turtle bones. Wears a necklace of metal, stones, shells, and a small swamphen skull. Wears foreleg armor braces of turtle leather and wool.

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Daughter of Brackenfoot and Russulapath. Littermate of Reishibelly and Waxcapwhisker. Ex-Partner of Rhema Raggedclaw. Dame of Sors Dreamtongue, Larkspur and Salvia†.

Trained Slugpelt.

132 moons old (equivalent to a 60 year old)

Irritable, Brusque, Compassionate | ESTJ-T

Cis Female // Cupioromantic-Lesbian // (She/They/Hers)

Chrisjen Avasarala - The Expanse - Shohreh Aghdashloo

Name implies a golden-furred, thick-furred cat who is outspoken, blunt, and a skilled fighter.

[mama-misguided]

My love and I. ❤️ #goobers #woodruffians #us (at Yuma, Colorado)

[oldfacesnewdawnoffical]

what goes into a circlet ? is it an orator thing ?

Orator circlets are unique to each faction!!

They’re similar to crowns in both function and beauty: they’re a mark of status, and of wealth. If a faction is interacting with another, the orators will commonly don their circlets. It’s a very simple, easy display of power. And the construction of a circlet varies from each faction!

For the Woodruffians, and their culture that highly values physical action + battle, their circlets get lost and replaced pretty commonly. The current circlet was made for Songfall, and passed down to Rainfall. The circlet beforehand was deemed as “cursed”, as it was worn by Pineheart, Doedance before him, and Oakstrike; it was thrown away. Their circlets are commonly made of tree branches, brambles, berries and the feathers of birds of prey! They’re also commonly adorned with the claws and teeth of other predators. Rainfall’s is so barren solely because it’s very very new.

The Moorsweepers have had a singular circlet, traced back all the way to their Founder. It is ancient, chipped and tattered, but it is carefully kept-up with a point of pride and grand history amongst their cats. It is crafted out of a massive, ancient stag’s antlers, adorned with dried crops and smaller gems. It sports the biggest shard of the Starstone of the other circlets. They are incredibly protective of their circlet, to the point of where it is only donned for ceremonial purposes; it will not be taken into battle. As such, it’s also a lot more fragile and aesthetically-oriented than the circlets of other factions; lots of dangling bits lol. During the Moorswept Massacre, Dreamtongue stole it; as of the third tome of Ignite, it is still within the Fenland’s possession.

For the Fenlanders, their circlets are tied to their current ruling bloodline. Cedarstep, Raggedclaw and Dreamtongue had the same circlet with the same shard, but upon Slugpelt’s rise, an entirely new circlet was created for him and whatever future his bloodline might hold. Bones and small prey skulls are commonly incorporated into their circlets, as well as marshland plants and venom-drained snake fangs.

The Riverwardens create a new circlet for every new orator, and as such, their shards tend to be the smallest. Their circlets are highly decorated, but easily lost, as they tend to blend into the other shiny possessions that they hold dear + getting swept away in the water + stolen by the Rafters. They’re typically woven out of materials such as willow fronds and branches, reeds, and cattails, and decorated with shells, scales, fins, and greenery/plants sourced from the river. They’ve also been known to decorate their circlets with herbs!

[oldfacesnewdawnoffical]

I have discovered you through fatal rewrites (HI FATAL IF YOU SEE THIS IT'S SNOWKIT ANON AHAHFHHSHD) and now I am SUPER intrigued by this rewrite!! I must ask (and apologies if this has been asked before): Ableism runs pretty rampant in warriors, and I was wondering, will they be fixed in your rewrite? Like, Snowkit living, Cinderpaw/pelt not being forced into being a medicine cat, Longtail not being forced to retire, etc?

THE FABLED SNOWKIT ANON HAS FOUND MY WORK, WELCOME WELCOME!!

I’ve discussed this a bit in prior posts, but I’m always happy to go through it again! ^^ Let me start off by saying that I, myself, am disabled (I have POTS and debilitating chronic pain) and have to handle casual ableism in my everyday life as I live with my parents who are determined to “fix” me. As such, I try to veer away from ableism in my work unless it is relevant to the story or to a character, in which the ableism is treated very seriously and is warned - but that doesn’t come up very often, both due the very world of OFND in addition to my own comfort and ability to express such topics.

OFND’s whole basis is radiation - I discuss the effects of radiation often, especially when it comes to the physical traits that are expressed in various characters. Due to this, there are also tons of characters who are technically disabled/don’t function as an able bodied member of their species typically would. Some examples would be Laurelstorm’s talons, Minktail’s longer tail, and Sunningstrike’s scale-lined throat. The disabled characters far outweigh the able bodied, though I acknowledge that this is definitely due to my own starvation for casual representation in addition to the intrigue I have of how animals with these radiation traits might actually be handled.

Due to the abundance of these traits, the fealty also in turn has become far more accommodating to other disabilities, especially physical. Our protagonist, Rust, for example, suffers an infection that leaves his left hind leg wracked with constant pain and essentially useless. The Woodruffians don’t even bat an eye when he wakes up; they focus on his recovery more than his injury. Spottedleaf even uses his survival as a sign of his strength, something to pad her claim of him being the flame that will guide them to greatness.

Disabled characters are offered accommodations as easily as breathing. For mobility aids, see Fritillaryheart and Laurelstorm’s braces. For Cherrystorm’s PTSD surrounding combat, she became a pursuer. Fealty Gesture is an entire new language that is fully nonverbal. The character Privetnose is deaf and a highly exalted member of her community. Etc etc etc.

In addition to the general treatment of disabled characters just on their own, there is also more jobs readily available within each faction! This is to ensure that the functioning within each faction is as smooth as possible, and to offer a place to everyone. Alongside this, the role that many retire to (the historians) is not restricted solely to senior or disabled cats; it is a role of history keeping and storytelling, the tales of the fealty’s past. It is moreso a job that implies wisdom and knowledge than age or a lack of ability.

But, at the end of the day, these jobs are also fully optional. There might be some social pressure from peers (friends wanting to go into the same job, family wanting to keep their lineage strictly to one function, etc) but it is entirely their choice.

The only “forced” role found within the fealty is that of an augur, but that’s a whole different story that is in no way linked to physical capability.

In regards to the three specific characters listed:

Snowkit lives! I have big plans for Snowkit.

Cinderpaw/pelt does not become a healer-figure in the same way she does canon - not at all. Her deal is very complicated, but she’s similar to Firefall in that she formed a keen interest in healing while in recovery; she chooses the path for herself.

Longtail (Minktail) is not forced to retire! I also have big plans for Minktail.

[oldfacesnewdawnoffical]

How is Rainfall's death covered up?

It’s… not. Not really…

It’s merely not really talk about it. Sort of an insider’s secret for the Woodruffians, especially since so many of them consider Sandstorm and Monarchmask to be LEAGUES better on their own than Rainfall ever really was, especially to the time leading up to her death.

But it’s hard to just completely block out the dying screams of someone within a small den that tends to echo…

[oldfacesnewdawnoffical]

Since i see this topic in many other rewrites, here is a question to expand on faction culture:

How does each faction greet their clanmates with their body language? Is one faction more open to do friendly bumps, while another veers away from touch completely? Do some prefer to do it more agressively, or do some even completely hug any friendly cat they come across? It would be a great way to explore culture shocks, especially during the Gathering while all the Factions come together to meet and chat.

There’s definitely a ton of overlap across the fealty in terms of body language and mannerisms… and with that, in turn, there’s some significant culture shocks between them when it comes to physical greetings and general friendly gestures.

(Also added some verbal language stuff as well as body language,, sorry ^^’)

Fenlander

Very expressive, but very minute. Due to their nature of valuing silence and stealth above all else, alongside the pride they take in fealty Gesture originating with them, Fenlanders tend to have very intentional body language. No physical action taken by a Fenlander is ever done unintentionally. Akin to the body language of owls.

They tend to be incredibly elegant with their motions, purposeful in every step, every twitch of an tail and every flick of a whisker. They learn to rely more on body language than the spoken word very early on in their lives, valuing silence and intent over most everything else.

Because of this, most other fealty cats have great difficulty communicating with them. They’re easily frustrated by a Fenlander’s lack of verbal speech, and confused by their careful motions; it takes the truly devoted, and the truly patient to be able to commune with the Fenland regularly and smoothly.

Moorsweeper

Wide, broad, BIG movements! Meant to be comprehended over vast stretches of space (i.e., farmlands, moorlands, over the heads and backs of herds, etc).

Somewhat sloppy; think of it as ASL’s grammar system to those of you who know it. To those who don’t, it’s explained HERE fairly well, in my opinion. Very basic, meant to express meaning or danger rather than emotion.

Similar to rabbit body language. They’re very tense, commonly touch-adverse, and are oftentimes viewed as odd to those across the fealty alongside other cats, as their body language is less feline and more lagomorph.

Riverwarden

Bold!! Cuddly!! Playful!! Touchy!! If they have the opportunity to touch, they will touch. Due to their close proximity and shared history with the High Water Howlers, they’ve adopted many canine body language habits.

Highly physical and the most openly affectionate, commonly greeting others with a cheek rub, a head bump, a brush of their sides, etc; their tendency for casual touch easily extends to whenever they socialize and interact with others across the fealty, which tends to easily startle the far more reserved faction cats. As relationships are highly valued and seen as incredibly casual, so too is touch. Play is also exalted, and you’ll often find Riverwardens play bowing to one another or rolling to expose their bellies in an act of good faith, trust, and relaxation.

The most verbal of the fealty factions. In the Riverward’s most common languages (that being: Common and Freshwater), conversation etiquette is highly upheld; listening well, showing interest, being tactful, etc etc. Interrupting is extremely rude, and will oftentimes incite genuine offense or anger from a Riverwarden. Speaking gruffly is also highly looked down upon; rough tones is seen as inviting aggression into a conversation and robbing it of its fun. Their speech is also unique amongst the fealty factions: though they don’t exactly drawl, Riverwardens speak the slowest (and loudest!) of the factions, and they’re not afraid to use plenty of pretty words and lean heavily into wordplay.

Woodruffian

The most “feline” of the fealty cats ^^’ Oftentimes exhibit clear feline body language; being incredibly expressive via body language, expressing closeness to loved ones, enacting plenty of play-fights and rousing playful “aggression”, etc etc.

Tails are used often and heavily within their body language, so much so that those without are sometimes treated as though they have an especially thick, heavy, muddled accent. It’s not that they can’t be understood, it’s just difficult. General posture is also incredibly important when reading the body language of a Woodruffian; they’re incredibly expressive when it comes to their emotions through their bodies and actions.

The most physically expressive and outright aggressive of fealty cats. Their language, day to day life, and culture is all heavy with physical markers, especially when it comes to displays or feats of strength, skill, or other physical actions.

[oldfacesnewdawnoffical]

I’ve been doing a crap ton of digging and researching (thanks to @bonefall giving me access to some of their notes; you’re a godsend) various ways to make the fealty cats more… advanced, in a sense. I’ve got a lot of ideas not only for various technology and harvesting and trade and the like, but I’ve also been digging into the fealty cats dipping their toes into animal husbandry…

And, since OFND is a fantasy world in the wake of a major geological event that definitely tossed some things around, that just gives them more access to things ;)

Fenlanders who raise and breed small hogs (or maybe moles!) to root out edible fungi and insects from various points in their territory.

Fenlanders carefully caring for and raising pickerel frogs, tipping weapons in their poison, and handling them with special, thick gloves.

Fenlanders and Riverwardens carefully breeding fireflies!

Riverwardens farming small, freshwater squid (unique to OFND; freshwater squid and octopi don’t exist IRL) for ink and to eat as a delicacy.

Moorsweepers who herd all manner of mindless: sheep, goats, deer (most commonly elk and caribou), bison, etc etc.

Moorsweeper falconers.

Retired historians (veterans) who employ the aid of smaller animals (mindless or mindful!) as emotional support.

On a similar note: blind cats employing smaller guide animals.

The Woodruffians are the only ones who I can’t think of a specific husbandry for… I imagine that since their culture is so highly focused on “action” that they don’t herd or breed, they just hunt, especially with how crowded and naturally fertile their territory is.

[oldfacesnewdawnoffical]

Woodruff Prefixes

As with all faction-specific prefixes, the Woodruffians name their members after their general surroundings first and foremost.

For the Woodruff faction specifically, their prefixes generally relate to the various forestlands and mangroves of their home, and everything within it- plants like ferns, trees (although these aren’t limited solely to Woodruffians), shrubbery, vines and mosses, fruits, alongside nuts and seeds, woodland animals (prey and predator names in tandem are incredibly popular amidst their ranks) and various trees.

Physical patterns, spices, and butterflies are also noteworthy within their cats, each for their own various reasons.

More specific examples:

[Plants] Nettlewhisper (Smallear), Privetnose (Featherkit), Sloefrost (Frostfur)

[Trees] Laurelstorm (Tigerclaw/Whitestorm), Elmheart (Halftail), Willowpelt, Mapletail (Rosetail)

[Fruits/Nuts/Seeds] Chestnutfur and Cherrystorm

[Prey] Robinwhisker (Robinwing), Mousesnap (Mousefur), Raven, Jackdaw (Dustpelt)

[Predators] Minktail (Longtail), Bear (Graystripe)

[Physical Patterns] Mottledtail (Redtail), Spottedleaf, Dappledfur (Dappletail), Patchedpelt (Patchpelt), Speckledclaw (Speckletail), Brindleface

[Butterflies] Fritillaryheart (Lionheart), Monarchmask (Goldenflower), Skipperstripe

[oldfacesnewdawnoffical]

Who was the actual first augur?

The first augur, named as an augur, was Ravenwing of the Woodruffians!

[oldfacesnewdawnoffical]

Why did Crookedstorm have the name Outlaw in his past, did he give it to himself?

It was partially his own choice + the suggestion of the Rangers! He left the place he grew up in, and didn’t want a name that was tied to it, so he asked his newfound companions for suggestions. The Rangers are big on honor names, and it isn’t uncommon for ex-fealty cats to be incorporated into their ranks, so their then-leader suggested he take the name of the last fealty cat who crossed through, a former Woodruffian, who named himself “Outlaw” as a nod to a forgotten language, the word meaning “fugitive”.

He loved the name, loved the subtle nod to his past, and accepted it. Whenever he (rarely) visits the Rangers, they still call him Outlaw! Only those very close to him are allowed to do so; not even Oakheart is allowed to refer to him by that name.

[oldfacesnewdawnoffical]

Did Dreamtongue get/make most of his accessories by himself? Or did he receive them as gifts/take them.

Pfft, like Dreamtongue has ever worked a day in his life-

He got most of his accessories after his status as an augur was cemented. Most of them were gifts! Most notably, his cloth drapes. It’s customary for each of the factions to gift a new augur something personally, as a personal “peace” offering, so as to not invoke the augur’s wrath and cause them to strike a vendetta against a certain faction that might ultimately lead to their magic being directed upon them. The cloth was actually a joint gift between the Woodruffians and Moorsweepers: the cloth came from the moors, and the color (dyes) came from the forests.

He gains a few extra accessories that aren’t pictured in his current ref after he becomes luminary, though, that he took by force… namely several feathers and talons belonging to the Voiceless Ones.

[oldfacesnewdawnoffical]

From Bones post, what cats in OFND do you view as neurodivergent?

Please keep in mind throughout this list: When aiming to write about a community in which no listed name is a blank slate, in which everyone is a person with their own drives, passions, and history, it isn’t uncommon to find that some of said characters are neurodivergent. After all, if you look into a crowd of randomly selected peoples, you are more than likely to find someone who is as such, diagnosed or otherwise.

I fully understand and respect the controversy that comes with writing such characters, especially neurodivergent characters, and even more especially neurodivergent characters who have disabilities or other influences that have been demonized to the general public via one way or another.

I, myself, am neurodivergent in many different flavors. However, many of the characters that I will include within OFND do not fall under the same umbrellas in which I shelter under. For these characters, I still wish to portray them not solely as their neurodivergency, but as people, as the broad range of traits and experiences that they are and should be. For that, I turn to friends, helpful internet strangers, and detailed archived sources to best and fully portray their disabilities as accurately as possible in a way that affects their lives, but not their character.

I’m not sure that fully makes sense, but let me also note that I am fully accepting of criticism, advice, and any other helpful tips or sources to be turned towards when it comes to best representing these characters.

That being said, OFND is not a story about neurodivergency or mental illness; it heavily involves it, yes, but it is not a story specifically about such topics. It is a story about community, and within any and every community, things such as this are bound to crop up and make themselves known.

Also note that the below is a list exclusively of neurodivergence. I’m happy to make a list later on of physically disabled characters as well!!

NOTABLE NON-FEALTY CHARACTERS (aDoD, Ignite)

Rust: Chronic Anxiety Disorder, Autism

Scourge: Chronic Insomnia, Hyperacusis

Pine: PTSD, Social Anxiety Disorder, Prolonged Grief Disorder

FENLANDERS (aDoD, Ignite)

Aroges Foxheart: Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Sors Dreamtongue: Cynophobia, OCD

Slugpelt: Autistic, Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Chanterellefang: OCD, Chronic Insomnia

Otterbelly: Narcolepsy, Psychosis, and Auditory Processing Disorder

Fernshade: Depression

Moccasinheart: OCD, Narcolepsy

Lichen: Epileptic

Hornwort: Alogia

MOORSWEEPERS (aDoD, Ignite)

Rhema Magpietail: Autism, PTSD, Hyperactive ADHD

Aroges Hopfoot: Tourette’s Syndrome

Purrheale Voleface: Agoraphobic, Aphantasia

Darkfoot: Prosopagnosia

Onewhisker: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder

Scorchstep: Kleptomania, Dysgraphia

Morningwhistle: Psychosis

Cotton: OCD, Hyperacusis

RIVERWARDENS (aDoD, Ignite)

Rhema Crookedstorm: PTSD, Depression

Purrheale Cressfur: Bipolar Disorder

Cypresspool: Dementia

Mistfoot: Autism

Breambelly: Social Anxiety, Hyperactive ADHD

Avocet: Depression, Social-Emotional Agnosia

Warble: Prosopagnosia

Drizzle: Epilepsy

WOODRUFFIANS (aDoD, Ignite)

Rhema Rainfall: Bipolar Disorder, PTSD

Sors Spottedleaf: Seasonal Affective Disorder

Minktail: Synesthesia

Patchedpelt: Amnesia

Yewstripe: Emotional Dysregulation Disorder

Laurelstorm: Chronic Anxiety Disorder

Brindleface: Apperceptive Agnosia

Monarchmask: Autism, Dysthymia

Sand: Sensory Processing Disorder

Raven: Panic Disorder, Dissociative Amnesia

Bear: Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD, Histrionic Personality Disorder

[oldfacesnewdawnoffical]

What are Freckle and Apple renamed to? Freckle feels like a Thyme something to me.

I have no idea just yet, admittedly ^^’

Frecklewish is keeping her prefix, since it’s a fully acceptable name by Woodruffian standards! But -wish has got to go; it’s not a viable suffix. I’ll probably give her a relatively common suffix (pelt or fur seems good; she’s not especially notable skill-wise from what we were shown. Freckleheart might be the best for her, though, considering how passionate she is in everything she does).

Appledusk’s name doesn’t make any sense, especially not to a Riverwarden. They don’t have access to fruits, and “dusk” isn’t a viable suffix (.. I think. It’s been a while since I’ve looked at my suffix list). So his name is getting fully overhauled. He’ll probably get the “-face” suffix, as a parallel of Birchface alongside as a nod to how many mollies that dickwad managed to pull lol

[oldfacesnewdawnoffical]

What does Spottedleaf do while ‘missing?

Struggle. Badly.

Keep in mind that Spottedleaf is very young, and very sheltered due to her status as an augur. She’s only been off Woodruffian lands to go to the Starstone, so when she was quite literally chased out of the forest, she was so panicked that she just desperately wanted to go someplace safe - and the safest place, in her mind, was not home… it was deep underground, in the mountains.

So she made a beeline there, despite her (admittedly horrific) injuries. It’s a miracle she didn’t die on her way there. And even then, she was so exhausted, running a trip normally taken over the course of two days within half the night and into the next day, without stopping, with no treatment… somehow, she overshot her destination, going past the entrance to the Starstone and instead tumbling down the protective mountains that border the valley, leaving her battered body on the opposite side.

From there? She was found and nursed back to health. As it stands currently, though, in book 2? She’s still in something of a coma…

[oldfacesnewdawnoffical]

Sky-Related Superstitions

As the fealty places so much weight upon the stars, the space that holds them is offered just as much reverence - especially when it comes to those who live under its reach.

Fealty-wide superstitions typically vary in specifics from faction-to-faction. But with the great importance that the sky holds within their culture, alongside the practical uses via navigation, they’re relatively similar across the fealty…

Cats born during a storm are seen as incredibly unlucky, soaking up the bad luck and destruction of the skies in which they were born under like a sponge.

Due to the valley’s location, the Aurora Borealis is visible to the fealty! It is viewed as an absolutely gorgeous time, in which the Star Guide shows his pride over the fealty and their growth. Cats born under these lights are said to be watched over by the Star Guide himself, however they are also said to grow up fickle, as fleeting and unpredictable as the shifting sky.

Cats born during gray or heavily clouded skies are said to grow up to be traitors, or otherwise somehow untrustworthy.

Cats born beneath a falling star are said to possess the reincarnated energy of an especially prominent or powerful figure within their history.

Cats born at different times of day have different meanings, and are said to grow to have different traits. A litter whose kitting lasts throughout an entire day, as harrowing as it is for the dame, are usually named after the times of day.

Cats born during the day within the Fenland are considered unlucky. For the Woodruffians, the reverse is true.

Cats born beneath the full moon are said to be claimed by Moonwatcher, and those who are born at the tallest height of the sun are said to be claimed by Sunsight.

Cats born during a light rainfall are said to be claimed by Waterdancer.

Cats born during a time in which the sky is stained green are said to be claimed by Windracer.