#its morbid but i feel like we dont get morbid enough with these guys tbh

[sakurabunart]

Yeah so i jumped on the "Butcher Vanity" wagon, but i haven't seen a single one with our (likely) cannibalistic famine deity.

I did get off track at some point and went more horror with it, and i will admit that the song did instill several headcanons into me regarding Heket here, but im actually quite pleased with this for the most part.

[fan-clan-fun]

ForestClan 2.0

these guys again… always improving on it! i thought about doing allegiances too, but tbh i can’t decide on what cats i want/what i want them to look like, so that’s not gonna be included sorry. i’m also not that great at describing stuff but i’m going to try my best.

Wonderful I enjoy seeing what people have for their fan clans!

Territory: ForestClan lives in a temperate deciduous forest, with a wide variety of tree species. They see themselves as the trees, adaptable and changing. Their territory is home to many plant species as well, making it a prime spot to collect herbs and such.

Camp: The ForestClan camp is accessed through a large, moss-covered fallen tree trunk, from long ago. It’s big and wide enough for an adult cat to fit through. Upon entering, the camp is covered by a canopy of trees, and in the center is a towering oak tree called the Great Oak where the leader makes their announcements and sleeps in, as well. The dens are nestled around the Great Oak, which the clan feels serves as a guardian, sent by their ancestors to watch over them. The seer’s den is nestled beneath the roots of the Great Oak, and has been long since served the seers of ForestClan. Apprentices sleep across from the seer den, with warriors on the other side. The nursery is well-hidden behind several clumps of ferns and brambles, the inside is well insulated and well protected during the colder moons. The elder’s den is located near a shady corner close to the prey pile. Both the nursery and elder’s den are closest to the camp entrance.

I really enjoy the camp description! I have always loved camps that were all centered around one tree, it just gives it so much character. Especially when it becomes an entity of its own. My only concern is if the kit and elders den are closest to the entrance does that make them the most vulnerable to attack? Or is that the most well defended part of the camp?

Landmarks: The Great Oak - a large, towering oak tree that’s the heart of ForestClan camp where the leader sleeps and makes announcements. It’s rumored that it’s branches reach the sky and that its roots reach down far into the earth. It’s very sturdy and has lived through many seasons and years of toil. One can even see it when atop a tree in MarshClan territory!

The Glade - a glade where apprentices learn to do battle training, storytelling, and various other events are held here as well. This is also a prime spot for herbs for seers.

The Snakerocks - located beside the river that runs between Forest and Marsh territory, it’s a prime sunning spot for both cats - and is also home to many dangerous snakes.

Sounds like some pretty basic locations. You could also expand and add a few more, even if its just the basic borders, more landmarks is always nice. 

Prey: Birds - Cardinal, Sparrow, Dove, Woodpecker, Grackle, Warbler, etc Mammals - Mice, Rats, Squirrels, Shrews, Chipmunks, Rabbits Reptiles + Amphibians - Lizards, Frogs, some snakes Other: various bugs and insects Predators: Foxes, Snakes, Falcon, Eagle, Harrier, Owls, Raccoon, Coyote, Hawk, Vulture, Osprey, Domestic Dogs (when humans come through w their dogs)

Clan Appearance: Longhair is very common, shorthaired cats less so. Brown tabbies are very common, red is uncommon, cream is rare. Dilute colors are uncommon, white spotting is low to nonexistent. Solid black cats are looked favorably at, as their dark pelt helps aid them in hunting at night (they have a legend about how the night sky gave part of its pelt to a cat and this helped them in catching more prey when their clan was in need.) Colorpoint is, surprisingly, common…ish! Not as common as brown tabbies, but it still is there. Tortoiseshells are also looked favorably. Most common type of tabby is the mackerel tabby, though classic may pop up from time to time. The silver gene is almost non-existent; ForestClan, at one point, had an abundance of it, and kits w the silver gene were culled or left to die in the territory (if U remember that star thing i posted last time?? that’s where this is from!). Eye colors are commonly hazel, yellow or green. Their coats are plush and thick. Their shoulders are broad and their legs are muscular - they’re beefcakes lol. Scars are heavily favored in ForestClan, as it signals that you are a strong cat and that you have survived; they also just find them pretty in a morbid sort of way. Along with their tufted ears and hardened expression, ForestClan gives off a very intimidating vibe… which is how they like it lol.

Mmmm broad shouldered tabbies, I just LOVE it. Strong beefy babies are my kryptonite, though I also go for the opposite too. As for coloration these all make pretty good sense for their territory. 

Clan Skills: Climbing is a skill that ForestClan prides themselves on. They are known for their battle prowess as well, and are said to be terrifying to face in battle. They have a keen sense of direction and know their way through the paths the forest has laid out - it’s surprisingly easy to get lost in a forest if you don’t know the layout of it; kits are taken on ‘field trips’ at a young age and learn to navigate the paths in the forest. By the time an apprentice is ready to graduate to warrior, one of their 'trials’ is to navigate through the forest to get to the glade where they will then be given their proper warrior name (or more tests… haven’t decided yet). Despite their large size, these cats have good balancing skills which is a surprise to many.

I like this a lot. Its super important for a clan to begin educating their young at least a bit before apprenticeship. I always thought that keeping your kits cooped up in camp is just a bad idea, so helping them learn basic navigation so warriors dont have to be constantly watching their apprentices to make sure they dont get lost. Even if its just a basic “how to navigate to camp or an important landmark so we can come find you” course.

Clan Culture: ForestClan value community, strength, and wisdom. The heroes in their stories often have very Sparta-esque qualities. ForestClan places much value on their senior warriors, as well. To be a senior warrior is seen as a wise and (to some) more attractive cat. Elders are held in high esteem as well, and have a special ceremony to acknowledge them. ForestClan also highly values motherhood, and queens are treated very well (some joke even better than the leader!) and with utmost respect. It’s customary to bow to a queen, elder or senior warrior and the three groups form a council that, along w the seer and the leader (called Matriarch in ForestClan) makes several important decisions. A Matriarch is trained in the bloodlines of the Clan, and must know these - memory is very important to all cats, but especially so to ForestClan.

The militant clan is always an interesting one to play around with, but Im very interested in the Matriarch, since I know Ive posted about matriarchies on my blog before and I do really enjoy them. I have a similar dynamic in my own Bloomclan, though they place a much higher respect on the motherhood and teaching aspects than the battle aspects. But I really appreciate clans with councils, who can help decide as a group for the clan.

Clan Personality: To Outsiders, ForestClan can come off as appearing as a closed-off, tight-knit and very intimidating group that  seems to have no love for anyone outside of their circle. And… they would be right! ForestClan is very tight-knit group that tolerates no nonsense; to speak to one would be similar to speaking with a military official. They are direct, blunt, and are prone to giving commands than engaging in social niceties. While they can be polite, they much prefer to get to the point of the matter. Their sense of humor is very dry, if it’s present at all. Among themselves, they can and are gentle, yet firm. They expect the best of out everyone - even if a warrior has no defining skill, they are still expected to help out - whether that be storytelling, watching kits, helping a seer, or den repairs. ForestClan expects everyone to help, and if not… you are welcome to see the door.

Its a very fair culture I would say, you either contribute or you find somewhere else to go, but they dont seem to consider those without “traditional” skills to be less of an asset. And their attitudes align with a group trying to survive in a difficult environment, you dont have too much time to waste.

Thank you again for contributing! I do enjoy replying to these when I have the time.