#strelles the stormborn

[strelles-universe]

Greenwood Faction Cards - The Stormborn

The Stormborn have always been regarded as the most unusual and strangest looking creatures of the forest with their long, plush tails and short but feathery ears. Compared to the other factions, it wouldn’t be hard to mistake them for being near completely defenseless with their fluffy tails and thick coats without horns or fins. The enemy who makes this mistake however will come to immensely regret it - for mixed within their long coats, sukeme of the Stormborn have long barbed quills that lay calmly against their skin. When feeling threatened, it’s not just their hackles that raise but these pointy, painful defenses.

These long quills start just before their hindlegs forming a sort of cloak over their rump, blanketing the top of their tails. Speaking of their tails, though plush and fluff; the underside of around half-way down is also laced in sharp quills and woe-betide any attacker who makes the mistake of trying to grab them by it. It’s recommended that if you are speared by their quills that you wait until a trained mender can attend to you and the subsequent bleeding.

Quills aside, the Stormborn tend to be various kinds of tabbies that hide them well in their dense forest homes. Tortoiseshells are equally common, finding their best luck when the leaves drop from the trees - their dappled pelts matching the fallen leaves sprinkling the forest floor. They sport powerful, muscular builds, large paws and broad faces - there are often whispers that due their founder showing the most repentance for The Spilling, the Souls were kinder to the Stormborn and left some of their Ancient power within them giving them more lion-like features.

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Common Patterns - Mackerel/Ticked Tabbies, Tortoiseshells

Common Colors - Red, Brown, Black, Gold

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Uncommon Patterns - Spotted/Classic Tabby, Torbie

Uncommon Colors - White, Silver, Ruddy

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Rare Patterns - Colorpoint

Rare Colors - Cream, Blue (Cool Gray)

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OVERALL TERRITORY

The Stormborn are settled in the primarily deciduous part of the Greenwood Canopy - while there are evergreen trees scattered throughout the forest, they are primarily found further north-west than the others. They are unanimously agreed to have the most frustrating territory for a newcomer to navigate - the ground level is completely covered with brackens and bushes, thick layers of moss coating the barks of trees and the twisting roots of their oaks. The branches are mostly interlocking, ensuring the ground is dappled with sunlight throughout the day; enhancing the camouflage provided by tortoiseshell pelts.

Though visitors complain about the confusion turning them in circles, the Stormborn themselves can easily navigate their territory. From early training, cadets are brought through a series of routes to different important locations in their territory that escalates into leaving the cadet in specific locations with orders to get as quickly to a different location as possible. By the time a legionary earns their true name, they’ve mastered and memorized every leaf and bramble in their forest. 

They proudly boast that their territory always looks gorgeous - in makiim (summer), the branches are a vibrant green with beautiful blossoming flowers and juicy fruits; in ahaliim (autumn) the ground is dappled in leaves of many colors - gold, red, orange and brown; in ilkiim (spring) the buds wave in the wind as freshly born animals scamper about their territory, little puddles of water twinkling in the sunlight. Even dahiim is beautiful - the ground sparking with white snow, icicles dangling from branches and frozen bonds providing windows into the waters. 

Notable Landmarks:

The Old Basin - An old hollow full of soft, warm pink-ish red sand that used to be filled with water once upon a time when the river was wider. Eventually the water drained away leaving the smoothed sand and silt from the river. The Stormborn have many theories about the Old Basin - some say that Sunsoul dried up half of the river and Treesoul took what remained and used it to nurture the surrounding trees given how rich and tall the trees around the Basin are. Others say Riversoul reached down and rerouted the river like he did with the part around the Suncairn.

The Neutral Stretch - A large stretch of fertile territory popular with prey of all kind. Politically the land belongs to the Shining Sun - lost during The Raids started by The Mad Storm - and is frequently used to train squires and as a dumping ground for excess seed. The scarred trees mark the divide between the Stretch and solid Shining Sun Territory. This little bit of land has saved the Stormborn many times over during hard times as the dumping of seeds keeps prey animals coming back even during the snow-season.

The Suncairn - A massive collecting of rock outcroppings that are surrounded by a well-drained patch of land on the edge of the deciduous forest that led out to the main river. It seems like the rocks were once large buried deep beneath the river and for whatever reason, were pushed to the surface before being smoothed down by the river’s current. For a long time, the river flowed around the Suncairn preventing anyone but the swimming Shorerisen from accessing it but then slowly, over-time the river-rerouted. The Suncairn has been a place of bloodshed, outrage and conflict ever since as the Stormborn and the Shorerisen fight over the valuable land.

The Boa’s Sarsen - A large collection of somewhat jagged rocks slated together in a way that resembles a coiled snake, creating a series of nooks and hidey-holes that are inhabited by largest collection of blackwhips. The Sarsen is religously significant to the Fennyield, though because it was a Storm cat that was their goddess Hakassebera’s friend; the Storms retain the territory on their own land. Occasionally there have been conversations about officially handing the location over but it remains a popular spot for Fenns and Storms to speak with each other peacefully, especially as cadets.

The Deer Trail - A long since trotted down section of territory that marks the border between the Fennyield and the Stormborn. Deer and wild-boar and even wild horses have long-since trampled the grasses down into a firm trail of dirt, pressing the pebbles and stones deeper into the earth. Almost nothing grows on the trail anymore both because of how long it’s been used but also because the Storms and the Fenns both made dedicated efforts to maintain the easily seen border. The Deer Trail is a dangerous place in ilkiim (when the wild boar return and hae their piglets, becoming hostile to everything with a pulse) and in ahaliim (when stags are in rut and begin fighting each other).

Temekur’s Oak - The tallest stretching oak-tree in the Storm’s territory that hosts a permanent owl’s nest. Generation after generation of owl has been raised in and buried around that tree all stemming from the first, very intelligent owl to scamper from its branches. Said to be the home of Temekur, the owl who saved the Stormborn from a truly terrible famine and the place where the fallen owl was buried and made a god. The Stormborn occasionally leave offerings of prey at the base of the tree that the owls have come to accept, and the hunters are all taught a special tune to use in dahiim that signals to the owls that their cat friends need their help once more.

The Prisoner’s Barracks - An open clearing in Stormborn territory that brushes against firmly packed and dense soil guarded very heavily by the thickest thorns and brambles the forest has to offer. It’s a well-defended and hard to access place - which of course is exactly why the Storms have turned it into a prison. Proponents of mercy and firmly against executions, the Stormborn are the only faction to regularly keep prisoners enclosed within their territory and are the only faction period to have a set of regulations dedicated to managing them. Even those who’ve been imprisoned in the barracks don’t know where it is in Stormborn territory as they are usually blindfolded in some way when they’re led out. To the outside, it appears to be the average tangle of plants, brackens and vines.

Treesoul’s Ravine - A sloped valley sort of area surrounded by some of the strongest, healthiest looking trees in the forest that opens out into a little meadow type area. The largest stream in Stormborn territory runs through the Ravine, creating a little pond against a hilly-edge; the area littered with brilliant green brush and a variety of berries. Treesoul’s Ravine is the most popular burial location for the Stormborn, a vast majority of the faction have requests to specifically be buried in special locations of the Ravine. A series of totems line the Ravine - one made to honor each of the Souls where Storms can leave offerings of flowers, prey-bones and even trophies for the Souls to judge. 

PREY, PREDATORS AND HERBS

Common Prey - Gray squirrel, cottontails, deer mouse, red squirrel, chipmunk, woodrats, mourning dove, chickadee, bluejay, robin, sparrow, wrens, waxwings

Uncommon - wild turkey, opossums, porcupine, pine vole, common garter, cormorant, tern, sandpipers, wood frog, minnow

Rare - White-Tail yearlings, trout, carp

Forbidden - Cardinals

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Common Herbs - 

Uncommon Herbs - 

Rare Herbs - 

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Minor Dangers - Striped skunk

Medium Dangers - Short-Tailed Weasel, copperheads

Severe Dangers - Black bears, wild boar, White-Tailed Stag, Blackwhips, Timber Rattlesnake

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BATTLE TACTICS

Contrary to what many will say, they don’t love battle nor are they battle-hungry, their warnings and cautions are just that - warnings though the other factions have been known to take them as challenges.

The Stormborn prefer to end battles as quickly as possible, minimizing the amount of suffering either side goes through and as such, typically target who they deem to be battle-leaders and second in commands. Demoralizing the enemy is plays along well with this trait of theirs - a signature tactic of theirs are Brush Rushes. The thick, dense brush of their territory can safely hide even the largest of their legionaries well enough that a patrol of Stormborn cats can follow invaders for hours without the invaders themselves noticing.

Naturally this has been worked into a battle advantage. When the Stormborn feel that a patrol has overstayed their welcome, they rush from the bushes and attack hard and fast with the goal of disorienting their enemy before retreating as quickly as they arrived. The break in attack is an offering - telling the enemy to return to where they came from. If this offerring is not respected, they will be rushed again - this time with the intent of dealing painful, lasting injuries. The rushes will continue until the enemy retreats or until the Storms declare an outright battle and summon reinforcements. 

Recognizable Tactics:

Tail Tucking - The Stormborn have sharp, painful barbed quills lining their hindquarters and tails. When an enemy attempts to attack them from behind, they tuck the soft underside of their tails to their bellies and bristle their spines; impaling those who would attempt an ambush

Land Grapple - It’s rare that someone wants to keep their enemy close-by hence this being a very recognizable Stormborn tactic. Grasping the opponent by their shoulders either from above or below, hold tight; forcing them to either rip their fur free or stay for a pummeling. They will snap at their enemy’s face and ears while using their hindlegs to shred them. The enemy is only released when they express surrender.

CULTURAL VALUES

> The Maternal Bond should always be respected and harshly punished if ever abused

> There is incredible bravery in honesty - a legionary should always be confident in their actions; regardless of the consequences

> Though there are four factions, there is only one Empire and when one is in need; the other three should be honor-bound to assist

HOLIDAYS

The Last Snow - 

QUIRKS

A legionary having relations within another faction will say they’re ‘patrolling’ as a way of being discreet about their relationship. It’s more noticeable if the reasoning is claimed after high-sun, when the Storms are mostly at rest

Though barracks tasks are common punishments for misbehaving cubs, any of them can be picked up by anyone. Cubs who take a liking to a specific task are encouraged to keep at it.

Temekur’s Oak has a series of increasingly higher notches from cadets challenging each other to climb. Legionaries will brag moons after promotions about taking the highest marks

The Stormborn tend to come out during rainstorms to let a few drops of water hit them. It’s said that you can receive omens from the blurry vision granted when rain hits your face

The Storms are the closest to omnivorous as you get in the Empire, it’s not uncommon to catch them snacking on berries of all sorts throughout the day; preserving prey for actual meals

[strelles-universe]

The Greenwood Empire - Soulguided Determination

A collection of four factions that have long since lived in the western forests. It’s been suggested by many that the cats of the forest came from many walks of life - loners of the coast, cats from the mountains and those who scattered from the gentle migration to the west. At one point there were five factions - the Stormborn, the Galespun, the Shorerisen, the Fennyield and the Etherforth, but the Lost Faction found themselves at war with the migrating cats of that would become the new Kingdom of the Shining Sun. The violence between the two societies built higher and higher until the Etherforth crossed a boundary triggering all-out war that the Etherforth lost.

The relationship between the Shining Sun and it’s neighboring factions has long since improved, the might of the cats of the kingdom have proved to the factions that isolationism was their best. As so, for a long time; the factions have remained private from the rest of the world, rarely accepting traders and artisans.

AS OF A PROPHECY OF FIRE - The relationship between the Shining Sun and its neighboring factions has long since improved, the might of the cats of the kingdom have proved to the factions that isolationism was their best. As so, for a long time; the factions have remained private from the rest of the world, rarely accepting traders and artisans.

⬨⬨ Relationship Status ⬨⬨

With Other Factions | Neutral to Positive. The Greenwood Empire is usually at peace with itself, willing to treat border scuffles and sharp words as nothing more than typical bonding. Occasionally turf wars break out but ultimately, the factions respect and honor each other; considering them more civilized and true than the other side.

With the Canine Republics | Neutral to Negative. The Greenwood factions aren't fond of what's different and are rather hostile towards everyone from the outside. They are especially uncomfortable around anyone resembling being a canids - for the most part, the Reublics don't interact with the factions and they're perfectly happy with that.

With the Roaming Skulks |

With the Sky Kingdoms | Neutral. Ever since the destruction of The Lost Faction, the Greenwood have been careful to interact with the kingdoms as minimally as they can. This was further enforced when The Mad Star began The Raids on the Kingdom of the Shining Sun which ultimately resulted in the death of an heir. The Sun retaliated with extreme prejudice taking an entire strip of land from them. Since then, the kingdoms have been regarded with wary respect and mild fear.

⬨⬨ Operations of the Empire ⬨⬨

General Faction Cards - Stormborn | Galespun | Fennyield | Shorerisen

Authority and Control - The amount of influence a leader has over their faction

Roles of the Empire - General Roles | Faction Specific

The Legionary's Charter - Laws and rules abided by the Empire

Names - Name Collection | Naming Conventions | The Marked | Wastes

Assessments of the Empire - The tests that cadets must go through in order to advance in rank in the factions

Ceremonies of the Empire - Key ceremonies and rituals performed by the empire at specific times

Consequences of the Empire - Punishments that happen throughout the factions

Wanderers - Individuals that leave the empire altogether and eventually return to them

Parenting - Rearing | Nursery Leave

⬨⬨ Language of the Empire ⬨⬨

The Ancient Tongue | Grammar | Lexicon

Common Phrases | Sayings | Seasons

Paw-Speak | Signal System | Proper Language

⬨⬨ Religion and Beliefs ⬨⬨

The Nine Greats - The main pantheon of gods believed in by the empire

The Major Spirits - A collection of the most renowned and widely respected spirits, often regaled as minor gods

The Minor Spirits - A collection of spirits only believed in by the empire that are specific to each of the factions

The Starlands - Meadows | Glade | Canyons

The Beasts - Mother Maw | Mouthfang

⬨⬨ Celebrations of the Empire ⬨⬨

The Kirkyard Agreement -

The Ushering of Leaders - Shorerisen

⬨⬨ Stormborn - Sweetsoul's Treasures ⬨⬨

Legacy of the Storm

Leadership Succession

Era of the Mad Star

The Last Snow

⬨⬨ Galespun - Servants of Moonsoul ⬨⬨

Legacy of the Gale

Leadership Succession

The Starmender Succession

The Galespun Massacre

⬨⬨ Fennyield - Slysoul's Devoted ⬨⬨

Legacy of the Fenns

Leadership Succession

The Moonless Night (Holiday)

The First Snow (Holiday)

⬨⬨ Shorerisen - Favored of Riversoul ⬨⬨

Legacy of the Shore

Leadership Succession

Spring Festival

[strelles-universe]

Roles of the Empire - The General Ranks

While all of the prides have long since steadily diverged from each other culturally as they became more and more set in their ways, coining more and more specialized ranks that match their territory; most of the prides still have what are considered the Basic Ranks that allow a pride to function.

The Anchored Stars

The Anchored Stars are the highest ranks in the pride and no pride is capable of functioning or considering themselves a proper pride without all the positions filled. In times that more than one of the Anchored ranks are empty; the prides may neglect certain tasks (such as border patrols) or important meetings (like the Great Games) in favor of adequately filling in the positions. If the pride has a vacant Anchor longer than a moon, the other prides may refuse to acknowledge them as a proper pride or offer aid and step in.

It’s considered bad form to take advantage of a pride with vacant Anchors so most prides will see empty spaces and will choose to offer aid.

While all ranks of the Anchored Stars are mandatory for the prides to function, certain ranks are considered more important than others based on the pride.

Leader: The Highest Rank of all the Anchored Stars, sometimes matched in power by one of the others depending on the pride. Leaders are the final authority on most things in a pride - they perform the naming ceremonies of warriors, handle-wider pride relations and have the biggest say on whether or not a pride goes to war. Leaders are blessed by Moonsoul themself, receiving Nine Lives from the Heart of the Mother-Maw while the moon-god pins the beast in place. Up to nine cats from the realm of StarClan can offer a blessing in the form of an additional life to the next leader and once they’re received, the leader takes on the suffix -star showing their connection to their ancestors and Moonsoul themself. In close range, it’s clear that every pride has its own design for a leader mark albeit the general format remains consistent. Leaders are fundamental to a pride and a leaderless pride is exempt from all other formalities until such matters are settled.

Deputy: The second-highest rank in the forest that serves just under the leader and - in most prides - becomes the new leader when the old passes or steps down. Deputies have no specific name affix albeit they’re often picked from the pride’s Heads. Now if a leader is a macro manager, the deputy of a pride is a micromanager. They often handle the daily interactions between the pride and leader, running smaller affairs such as organizing patrols and keeping a leader updated on things like apprentice advancement. While it’s up to a leader to choose their deputy, an unpopular deputy usually struggles greatly through their tasks as their pridemates challenge them at every step. Deputies are mandatory to have in all prides but the Crawling Shadows who will often bring an heir to stand in. Missing deputies cause succession problems so in a way, having an empty deputy slot is more dangerous than having an empty leader slot.

Diplomat: The peacekeepers and strategists of the pride. Bound together by a desire to see all four prides thrive and an interest in fighting non-physical battles, diplomats are the lowest of the Anchored Stars but a deeply treasured one all the same. Diplomats are meant to bang out trading deals, secure treaties and minimize the chances of their own pride going to war. On the occasion that their pride does go to war however, diplomats double as battle strategists, advising their leaders on combat plans and how to best go about seizing a deciding victory. Diplomats are requested to be present every-full moon, so there’s a soft limit of about one moon to appoint a new one when the role is vacated.

Medic: The second or third-highest rank in a pride depending on who you speak to. They’re the healers, attending to the sick and injured in an attempt to bring them back to a state of wellness. When the Sacred Ranks aren’t filled, it’s generally accepted that the Medics communicate with StarClan who can occasionally bring messages from the souls. Medics have another code of ethics that they adhere to over the general warrior-code - the code is generally the same across prides but with minor changes based on individual pride culture.

Medics can be broken into three ranks - Combatives, Healers and Prophets. Healers are poster-kits for medics being cats that focus on healing to the best of their ability. They memorize hundreds of herbs, growing spaces, herb locations and learn to use their healer specific spark to perform incredible, life-saving actions as they develop more and more techniques. Combat Medics are trained to heal within the throng of battle, more than capable of defending themselves and a patient being assaulted. Combat medics are often former warriors that eventually heard a call to healing and turned their claws towards only being used in defense of a patient.

Prophets are often called True Mediums or Soulspeakers - they’re cats with a natural affinity towards the spirit world, often finding omens scattered across the world like leaves in autumn. Prophets in general are rare and powerful ones are even rarer so when they’re identified, most prides have it as law that they must become a healer or at least take lessons in healing regardless of what the cat’s desired pathway as a warrior is. A medic is considered as fundamental to a pride’s continued survival as a leader - a pride cannot afford to fight battles without a medic to patch up any wounds at the end on the risk of them getting infected. Infected wounds kill more cats that active battle does after all.

Sacred

The Sacred Ranks are different from pride to pride and are deeply treasured by the prides whenever they have one. Often referred to as Soul-Speakers by their pride mates, the Sacred Ranks are considered the prides’ most direct links to minor gods, lesser spirits and at times; full-blown Souls for guidance. The Sacred are known for their skill in reading omens and having a Treasured Companion that links them to one of the spirits. The Sacred are in an interesting position of the Anchored Stars - though a pride is only considered complete if they have one; it’s very common for a pride to go seasons without a Soul-Speaker considering they must be chosen by the Souls themselves. 

It varies from pride to pride how hard the Sacred Ranks are worked on to be filled.

The Raging Wind prides themselves in their spirituality, always claiming to be the closest to StarClan and the most beloved by the Souls as their line of Medics are their Sacred Ranks. Starting from Mothflight, the Mother of Healing herself all the way to their current medics, their healers are all blessed by the Souls either by the merit of being the kin of Mothflight herself or through being Chosen by The Green Moth. When a new moth is chosen by The Moth directly, The Raging Wind tends towards referring to them as -flutter. The Raging Wind does not consider their pride complete if they don’t have an active Moth and also an heir.

The Crawling Shadows is next in the way of their intense loyalty to the spirits frequently resulting in them clashing and arguing with the Raging Wind over who is most dedicated. The Anacondas of the Crawling Shadows were chosen by Kassebera; the Serpent. Whenever an Ancaconda is chosen, they are trained in basic healing and usually, a new executioner is trained to serve them as well. It’s common for the Anaconda to be given the suffix -serpent. While the Crawling Shadows doesn’t consider their pride complete without the Anaconda, they are willing to attend Gatherings and go through the motions of pride-life until one is chosen.

The Roaring Thunder are next along these lines - unlike the Crawling Shadows and the Raging Wind, The Roaring Thunder associates their Sacred Rank (the Strix) with an approaching future of struggle and conflict. Strix are only chosen on the brinks of war or during times of famine and starvation though they stay long after the inciting event ends. The Roaring Thunder hence believes that the Souls will get involved when the dangers facing the pride are massive and pride threatening in manner but are otherwise content to allow the prides to control themselves. As such, The Roaring Thunder believes their pride complete even without their Sacred Rank and when one is chosen, they believe the Souls themselves are watching and that they should be on their best behavior.

And finally the Frothing Shores has the longest stretches between having a solid sacred rank - they can go a few leaders before they have another chosen. When the crabs are spawned and first start coming onto land to look for shells, the Frothing Shores first has to identify if there are any Blessed Ones within the stock. Those they find are separated from the greater bunch and the current kits and fresh-apprentices are presented to the crabs. For six suns, the kit the crab pays the most attention to becomes the next Shell and are frequently granted the name suffix -husk upon completion of their training. By nature of the long spawning period, the Frothing Shores considers itself complete without a Shell and more when they have one.

Warriors

Heads: Not a separate rank from the other ranks within the prides but rather, the cats who are considered the most skilled and experienced in their field. Heads exist for all the other ranks of the pride - both the general ranks that all four prides have but also for each of the pride’s specialized ranks such as Divers, Murkers and Runners. These are the cats that everyone turns to when someone is confused or needs assistance in their training; they come up with proposals for further training exercises and even set the standard for the graduations of apprentices through their various assessment. With the creation of the Promotional Assessment, the Heads of the prides are responsible for the monitoring the promotion of apprentices under their rank.

Due to the responsibility and skill that comes with being a Head, it’s common for them to receive apprentices and therefore; common for them to be promoted to the deputy position. Rank Heads often have “heirs” - up-and-coming warriors of their ranks with all the making of a good Head and they will spend time polishing those skills and talents to perfection in the hopes of them replacing them one day.

When referring to their “Senior Warriors,” leaders are typically referring to the Heads of their pride.

Guards: Among the most heavy-set cats in the prides, Guards are the bulk of a pride’s fighters. They are defenders, their specialist training focusing on advanced battle moves and combat techniques. Guards don’t just battle other warriors though - especially in the case of the Roaring Thunder with the variety of hostile fauna - guards are also responsible for the safety and defense of the pride from large predators and are the default watchers for when a cat needs to leave the territory. When medics need to go to the Moonstone, they take a trusted Guard with them and it’s not uncommon for diplomats to brings a pair of warriors with them when they go to barter.

Hunters: Responsible for the feeding of their pride through prey; the rank of hunter has an interesting history. It’s easily the rank that specialized and diverged the most between all four prides with each pride tending towards territory based specializations - Murkers, Runners, Tunnelers, Divers; the need to feed the pride forced a sense of necessity that encouraged the prides towards finally diverging based on differing techniques. Hunting roles are very prized by each of the prides because of this, often each role has a popular or famous story told to the apprentices and kits about the necessity of the role and how it helped everyone.

Crafters: The builders and creators of the prides. They weave barriers, baskets and sun-baked jars. They’re deeply important to keeping the camps of the prides secure and safe from predators such as in the case of the Roaring Thunder where bramble tears must be repaired immediately or how in the Frothing Shores, a torn patch of ferns can cause a leak that spawns mold. The talents of crafters are also extended towards more religious tasks such as the shaping and designing of talisman and bonding materials.

The Raging Wind are the odd ones out in that they never developed a crafter’s role and instead, the duties of crafters are broken up among the various warriors due to their system of heavy specialization. Tunnels are planned out, measured and built by tunnelers; the gorse ridge is maintained by the runners and their medic; the Moth is responsible for talisman and burials. With each of their warriors already deeply specialized for their duties, it never became necessary for crafters to become a dedicated role.

Sitters: The biggest helpers in the nursery, Sitters are the extra paws every monarch wishes desperately that they have when their kits get rambunctious. They’re the babysitters of the pride, responsible both for watching kits while their parents are out serving their pride and caring for orphaned kits. They’re the substitutes when a monarchs’ milk dries up early, passes in childbirth or had injuries that makes nursing difficult. They all have basic medical training specifically tailored to assisting medics during kitting - especially during the rare times two or more monarchs start kitting at the same time. They memorize the prefixes of various names and their associated meanings, offering advice to monarchs who request it.

Additional Ranks

Monarchs

Widely considered a kit’s first teachers, monarchs are nursing cats caring for their own kits in the nursery or recovering from their pregnancies. Kits will learn a great deal abouit the pride and their pridemates from their own parents for the first couple moons of their lives. Though they have Sitters to help them, they’re responsible for answering all questions and getting the basics of pride values instilled in their kits. Most monarchs don’t stay in the nursery for their kit’s entire kithood and it differs from pride to pride what’s normal. The Crawling Shadows and the Frothing Shores monarchs stay in the nursery until their kits are about five months old - giving the parents a moon to readjust to sleeping alongside warriors before their kit moves into apprentice training. In the Raging Wind, monarchs only stay in the nursery until their kits are weaned and their milk dries up, then they move back into the warrior’s den though they are expected to visit play with their kits every day. In the Roaring Thunder, monarchs entire stay until their kits are a full six moons old or in the case of crowded nurseries, four moons old. 

Apprentices

The next warriors of the prides, locked in a place between child and adult. Apprentices are in training to become fully fledged warriors having decided on a pathway when they were younger and been apprenticed to a warrior best suited for their goals. They spend the first half of their training working on the basics and adjusting to their new permissions and obligations and the second half mastering their trade. In general, a fresh apprentice is less likely to fight in battles - even in the Crawling Shadows - and when brought, typically serve as messenger and couriers. This is meant to acclimatize them to the aura of battle without necessarily risking them albeit, these apprentices are known for targeting each other specifically.  As an apprentice is still considered a child - vulnerable, naive and in need of guidance - it is strictly forbidden to romantically or sexually pursue an apprentice as a warrior. This rule is so strongly enforced that it’s often looked at strangely when one apprentice is promoted ahead of another and they’re still together. That said; it’s up to the leaders to decide upon the punishment for pursing an apprentice - most of the time it’s severe; outskirting, exile, execution and banishment are all potential consequences that are considered reasonable.

Kits

The youngest members of the pride and the pride’s future. A cat is considered a kit until they are six moons old or until they’re properly apprenticed as a kit can be held back or promoted early. They’re meant to spend the time until their promotion learning about the culture of the pride they live in and the values that are encouraged within them. The standards of what makes a “good kit” varies from pride to pride.  The Crawling Shadows values the tradition of kits being seen and rarely heard as it is in silence that the most learning is done. Most the Crawling Shadows kits enter their apprenticeships with a scattered variety of skills that they pick up from watching older apprentices and proper warriors. When kits are heard, the pride prefers that they’re speaking to their parents or elders; showing that they are well and truly attempting to learn from their pride. the Roaring Thunder is the near polar opposite and fully believe that if kits aren’t being noisy and getting underfoot, there’s probably something wrong with your nursery. Kits are meant to ask questions whenever they can think of them, receiving answers from their pridemates and becoming increasingly more involved with everyday pride life. A kit who never speaks and never asks questions are often fretted over by their pridemates, Amberspirit being the prime suspect of harming them. The Raging Wind kits are meant to be inquisitive but quiet, picking up as much as they can from everyday life and coming together to consolidate answers. The Raging Wind claims it promotes apprentice independence later down the line; something as important to the Raging Wind as their warriors understanding how important they all are to each other. The Frothing Shores kits are often expected to merely stay out of the way. They want their kits to develop into shining individuals and so they want their kits to spend their kithoods playing, laughing and steadily developing into their own personalities. Kits decorating themselves with shells, chalks and other adornments are praised and encouraged to keep exploring themselves while more serious, soft kits are often given small gifts and toys to see about encouraging them to explore themselves more.

Elders

The Eldest and among the most honored cats in the prides that aren’t of the Anchored Stars. With the life of the average warrior being so bloody and filled with strife, the achievement of making it to an age you’re considered old is deeply respected by the cats of the prides. The permissions and privileges granted to the elders vary based on the pride but most are treated as incredibly worldly and wise cats. It’s not uncommon for leaders to consult elders about big pride-altering decisions they want to make.  Elders are also sometimes made by those who’ve received life-changing injuries and are no longer confident in their abilities nor are they willing to try to learn to work around them. Something the event surrounding an injury is so traumatic, the kindest thing a pride can do is allow the cat to retire to the elder’s den and hope they recover in peace. The most common injuries and conditions that result in retirement are head traumas - especially ones that severely affect memories and motor skills. 

Being that the warriors of the forest prides are hot-blooded and near always active from the moment they’re old enough to contribute, the life of a retiree is often too dull and slow for them to appreciate. So killing two birds with one swipe, elders may specialize in the lore and history of the Nine Great Souls and the Spirits of pride mythology. The Era of the Ancients is considered critical for all younglings to hear of and learn from; there are many lessons that can be gained from the demigods, nature spirits and the Souls themselves. Those not interested in the ways and stories of the Souls and find themselves more drawn to helping the next generation also have the option of retiring to the Sitter’s den as a sitter themselves.

[strelles-universe]

The Cats of ThunderClan: Maskpaw

Name: Maskpaw

Other Names: N/A

Meaning: Secretive

Age: 12 moons (Book 5 - Ch 5)

Identity: Demimolly - She/Her

Orientation: Bisexual - Polyflexible

Rank: Apprentice - Hunter

Former Rank(s): N/A

Maskpaw is a thick-furred cinnamon mackerel tabby molly with sharp orange eyes and a natural bend in her tail. Her muzzle is a bit rounder than needed and in combination with the bend, her tail looks naturally short. Maskpaw inherited her mother’s sturdy and muscular build with thick paws. Maskpaw is the only living child of Brokentail, produced between her mother and the cruel tom during her sweet-cycle though she was born a twin to her brother, Barkkit. Only a few hours after confirming that Barkkit was male, Brokentail stole the poor kit away and disposed of him - claiming he wanted no contest to his throne when he eventually retook ShadowClan.

Maskkit was told as soon as she was old enough to realize most cats had fathers but she had never seen or met her own. It was a difficult revelation for her but it did explain the cautious looks she received whenever cats spotted her bent tail. She got over it soon enough, determined to prove that she wasn’t her sire and to live well for her brother who didn’t get to live at all.

Maskpaw made quick friends with Snowpaw in the nursery and considers him her best friend in the whole clan. She learned pawspeak alongside him both to let them plot pranks in private and it make it easier for his brother to talk to him. She was worried for him when he confessed a dislike for violence and wasn’t interested in becoming a guard despite the pressure his mother was putting on him. Maskpaw admires Mistlefall for standing up for her brother but she hopes that one day, Snowpaw stops caring about what Speckletail wants for him and does what makes him happy.

Maskpaw has a bit of a crush on her best friend and is aware that he seems to hold interest in her as well. With everything happening, Makspaw is willing to take a chance and start courting but wants to be a bit more certain of Snowpaw’s interest in her before she made a move.

Mentor(s): Dovetail

Apprentice(s): N/A

Parents: Hound (mother), Brokentail (sire)

Sweetparent(s): N/A

Auncle(s): Brindlekit (aunt/deceased), Dapplekit (aunt/deceased), Runningbay (uncle), Tangleburr (aunt), Deerfoot (uncle)

Sibling(s): Barkkit (brother/deceased)

Nephling(s): N/A

Cousin(s): N/A

Mate(s): N/A

Crush(es): Snowpaw

OoC Friends: N/A

Kit(s): N/A

[strelles-universe]

Standard Conduct Regulations of the Stormborn

Widely considered to be the most soft-hearted and weak of the factions, the Stormborn are heavily biased towards the word of Sweetsoul and her son, Littlesoul. This asymmetrical form of worship is present in all aspects of their code and culture; with the merciful faction seeming to prioritize the life and satisfaction of the youth over all else. Many Stormborn lecturers will point towards their founder, Faint Thunder who established many of their more fluid and loose policies and many of his successors saw fit to follow along. It is not uncommon for the Stormborn to be accused of blasphemy and non-devotion - especially from the Fennyield - for their heavily biased worship; the other factions often citing their consistent Modifications to the Standard Conduct as evidence.

1) A legionary shall defend his faction from all that seeks to destroy it

a) A legionary shall not be restricted from relations with other factions but are expected to divy their time evenly b) Should a relationship prove problematic, one or both legionaries shall be asked to change allegiances

2) A legionary is expected to respect and abide by the territory lines drawn in the empire

a) Should borders need to be crossed, the one crossing is expected to don a diplomat’s circuit as a display of peace b) Starmenders are permitted to cross borders without circuits in times of emergency c) The only respectable border is one that is clear - a faction who neglects to mark their borders open themselves up to territory challenges d) A legionary caught poaching may be held prisoner or made to return an equal amount of prey depending on severity

4) Cubs are the future and elders are the past - they are always to be fed first

a) In times of scarcity, the Brastilian shall eat last

5) Prey shall only be killed to be eaten

a) A legionary does not torment their prey b) A legionary offers thanks to the prey, to Slysoul and to Treesoul for its life

6) Peace-Gathers are held at the Kirkyard from the moment Sunsoul’s Eyes are Widest to when Moonsoul’s Eyes have begun to close - there is to be no spilled blood during these times

a) A legionary who violates the peace during these nights shall be demoted to cadet tasks until the next moon b) A cadet who violates the peace during these nights will be barred from attending the next Peace-Gather and held back from promotion if they were close c) A legionary who violates the peace more than three times will be barred attendance from all future Peace-Gathers

8) Mercy and Honor is what separates the Empire from a cruel band of rogues united under one banner - a faction is expected to help a creature in need

a) NO faction may ignore the cries of a cub in need and to do so to invite stillbirths and misfortune b) Interrogating trespassers is acceptable - tormenting them is not, a legionary who is unnecessarily cruel is unworthy of his name

9) No legionary should ever enter battle intending to end a life

a) A legionary’s body shall be returned to their faction for burial rites b) A body that cannot be returned should be substituted with a totem

10) When the Brastilian passes, their lieutenant shall take their position

a) Should leader and lieutenant perish, the starmender or strix shall determine the next Brastilian

[strelles-universe]

The Cats of ThunderClan (BP) - Adderfang

Name: Adderfang

Other Names: N/A

Meaning: Tan and long toothed

Identity: Cisgender Tom - He/Him

Orientation: Pansexual

Rank: Craft Head

Former Rank(s): N/A

A mottled brown tabby tom with yellow eyes. Medium furred and scrappy, it surprises no one that he is covered in thin scars. Both of Adderfang’s ears have been torn and healed several times over his life-time - to the point that the thin skin of his ears are laced with white streaks as the remainder of scars. Recently his right ear was split again but too harshly to be sealed up again.

Adderfang was appropriately named, mirroring the attitude of his mother; Tansyswirl. As soon as he got his paws under him, he was challenging everyone within his line of sight to play wrestling and mock battles. It was a fun game in ThunderClan to play “who will Adderkit wrestle today?” because it could be literally anyone. From a fellow denmate to a fully grown warrior whose paw he would charge. It was as such, a surprise when only 3 moons into his training under Harepounce that Adderpaw requested to become a Crafter’s apprentice.

Adderfang rapidly rose in the ranks as his dedication to weaving and repairs directly transferred over from his previous dedication to fighting moves. He’s still a fairly scrappy cat, but everyone agrees he’s massively mellowed out since he was an apprentice. He bonded very well with his former mentor’s daughter, Swiftbreeze and showers her with love and affection every chance he gets. Every time he leaves the camp for longer than a few minutes, he takes the time and care to find her something plump and warm.

When Swiftbreeze gave birth to his singlet daughter, Garterpaw; it was all anyone could do to get him out of the nursery long enough to go on patrols or perform other tasks. He spoils them rotten every chance he gets and his former apprentice Molenose testifies that it’s just his personality andhe was equally fussed over and spoiled as an apprentice. No one would be surprised if when Adderfang retires, he chooses to retire as a Sitter.

Mentor(s): Harepounce (deceased)

Apprentice(s): Molenose

Parent(s): Tansyswirl (mother/deceased), Tornfur (father/deceased)

Auncle(s): N/A

Cousin(s): N/A

Sibling(s): N/A

Mate(s): Swiftbreeze

Crush(es): N/A

Kit(s): Garterpaw (daughter)

[strelles-universe]

The Cats of ThunderClan (BP) - Pinestar

Name: Pinestar, Pineheart

Other Names: Pinegrowl

Meaning: Brown Furred and Passionate

Identity: Cisgender Tom - He/Him

Orientation: Bisexual - No Leaning

Rank: Leader

Former Rank(s): Guard

A large reddish-brown tabby tom with large paws, thick stripes and green eyes with a torn right ear. His muzzle is steadily turning silver before his time and some cats think he looks like one stiff breeze will knock him over. His coat is thick and long; though he tries to keep it neat, the recent events that’ve happened in his life have made him miserable and he’s begun to struggle with caring for himself.

Pinestar had a rather rough start to life being born during the second famine of ThunderClan. It was a lesser famine - lighter than the one from Doestar’s time - but his father’s xenophobia had resulted in the collapsing relationship between the Sun and ThunderClan. As a result, his mother often ate very little; passing around a single bite so that every cat could eat. His brother and sister - Birchpaw and Rowan - struggled alongside him through the difficult times that Oakstar wrought for them.

Pinestar feels a cocktail of negative emotions towards his father. It was an open secret back when he was growing up that his birth mother was pressured into the relationship that resulted in him by Oakstar. Though Sweetbriar and Cloudshine were on reasonably good terms, Oakstar’s blatant favoritism towards him over his half-sister Rowan caused tension between the three of them as Birchpaw was forced to mediate. When Cloudshine died, Sweetbriar took in all three of them as her own bringing that part of their family closer together.

Paws down, the roughest days of his life were when he was elected deputy in the stead of his deceased brother and he leaned heavily on his sister and his mate, Nightsabre. His father’s descent into true madness put a lot of stress on him - though Oakstar was still leader, Pineheart had felt that he was the only thing holding his clan together. The exile and subsequent rampage from Mapleshade was the final straw in an already wavering resolve he had. He teamed up with the rest of the clan, forcing his father to step down from the mantle of leader - ignoring the frustration of Oakstar choosing to keep his remaining 3 lives - and very early took on the title as leader.

Within the first two moons of his new position, he ran himself ragged de-escalating the situation with RiverClan, repairing the relationship with the Shining Sun and taking potential war off the debating table. Suffering through all the stress of putting out his father’s fires on top of barely taking care of himself it was to no one’s surprise that he eventually lost two lives in rapid succession of each other - one to starvation and the next to greencough at the same time their precious first litter was lost to the illness.

Pinestar has now recently hit his stride with leadership; it’s hard and sometimes thankless but it’s for his clan. After the lost of their most recent potential kit in Mayhawkit, Pinestar and Nightsabre have both agreed to wait for a later date before they try having another litter. 

Mentor(s): Mistpelt (deceased)

Apprentice(s): Applebelly (deceased)

Parent(s): Sweetbriar (mother/deceased), Cloudshine (mother/deceased), Oakslash (sire/deceased)

Auncle(s): Fallowsong (aunt)

Cousin(s): Poppydawn, Heronwing (deceased), Rabbitleap

Sibling(s): Birchswipe (brother/deceased), Rowansnap (sister/deceased)

Mate(s): Nightsabre (estranged)

Crush(es): N/A

Kit(s):

Litter 1: Hickorykit (son/deceased), Larchkit (daughter/deceased)

Litter 2: Mayhawkit (son/deceased)

---

Pinegrowl is the name he was given by his father but he felt Pineheart fit him better. So his clanmates called him that in private until Oakstar was dethroned.

[strelles-universe]

The Cats of ThunderClan (BP) - Smallear

Name: Smallear

Other Names: N/A

Meaning: Little and Keen Eared

Identity: Cisgender Tom - He/Him

Orientation: Heterosexual

Rank: Hunter

Former Rank(s):

A short furred gray tom with yellow eyes and small, folded ears. Smallear has a long line ThunderClan blood that’s intermingled with some loner blood in a very interesting way. Though he is large as an adult, he was born very small and when his ears never stood up, his mother became very worried about him and his survival. He grew very slowly at first but once he padded this third moon, he grew rapidly. His mother declined the offer of renaming him and so Smallpaw was amusingly the second-largest apprentice in the den. His ears never stood up, remaining folded in a way that some cats describe as cute albeit he has to clean them more often. His body is very round - even when he’s starved, there’s a softness to his features that speaks of his outsider heritage.

Smallrar is one of the most impatient cats to ever be found. He short-tempered and always on the move, it’s a common joke that he’s incapable of catching anything but squirrels since everything else requires the elusive ‘patience’ that he’s never been in possession of. The Smallear sat vigil three nights in a row because he was incapable of keeping his mouth shut the first two nights to snap at someone. He’s still a bit butthurt about the whole thing but it has made him turn a blind eye to any whispering new warriors.

Mentor(s): Hollypelt

Apprentice(s): N/A

Parent(s): Batpelt (mother/deceased), Sire Unknown

Auncle(s): N/A

Cousin(s): N/A

Sibling(s): N/A

Nephling(s):N/A

Mate(s): N/A

Crush(es): N/A

Kit(s): N/A

[strelles-universe]

The Cats of ThunderClan (BP) - Sunfall

Name: Sunfall

Other Names: N/A

Meaning: Golden Furred and Impressive

Identity: Cisgender Tom - He/Him

Orientation: Bisexual - No Leaning

Rank: Deputy

Former Rank(s): Guard

A golden-russet tabby tom with a fluffy coat, green eyes and shredded right ear. Much to his exasperation, anyone who’d known Larksong at some point identifies him immediately as one of her sons though facial shape alone. As an apprentice, he was constantly approached by elders and warriors of the other clans at Gatherings as prompted about Larksong and occasionally his brother. Though it had stung when it happened, Sunfall was somewhat relieved when his right ear was clawed up - it was a singular difference but it made him feel more independent. 

Sunfall was a bit of a momma’s boy as a kit and despite his grumbling about the cats who compared the two of them, he preened knowing that cats looked at him and saw bits of Larksong. Especially since it was always for the better, commenting on how brave and strong and kind he was. While all apprentices have a desire to make their clans proud, it was this constant stream of praise and support that pushed Sunpaw towards a demeanor of perfectionism. Though as mentor had worked studiously to remove it; sometimes when he was really stressed out. His desire for everything to be perfect overwhelmed him. It’s not uncommon for a throughly stressed our Sunfall to throw himself into his work, wading through moons worth of problems in mere days just so he doesn’’t have to sift through his emotions or confront his worse flaws. 

 Sunfall had - and if he’s honest with himself, still currently has - a massive crush on Moonflower and finds himself jealous of Stormtail’s closeness to her. He knows he’d struggle to be impartial when it comes to the two of them so he mostly keeps a respectful distance between him and the two cats. Sometimes he daydreams of Moonflower falling for him instead but tries not to let himself get caught up in the world of fantasies and what-ifs lest they interfere with his position as deputy. It’s recently begun to get more and more difficult for Sunfall to remain neutral to both cats, a sense of disgust and resentment building in him towards Stormtail the more he notices the tom straying farther and farther from Moonflower. He knows its none of his business - especially not while Moonflower is still stubbornly, endearingly loyally standing beside Stormtail - but he can’t help but be angry.

Mentor(s): Vinetangle (deceased)

Apprentice(s): Faintjackal

Parent(s): Larksong (mother) and Flamenose (father/deceased)

Auncle(s): N/A

Cousin(s): N/A

Sibling(s): Featherwhisker (brother)

Mate(s): N/A

Crush(es): Moonflower

Kit(s): N/A 

[strelles-universe]

The Cats of ThunderClan (BP) - Featherwhisker

Name: Featherwhisker

Meaning: Clever and Sensitive

Identity: Demiboy - He/Him and They/Them

Orientation: Bisexual - Tom Leaning

Rank: Medic - Healer

Former Rank(s): N/A

A pale cool gray tom with bright amber eyes, long whiskers, sweeping, plumy tail. The only real resemblance he holds to Sunfall is their cone-shaped ears and the sweeping layers of color across their pelts. Though his suffix came from him empathetic abilities and nest-side comfort in caring for patients, it was also fitting given his long, slightly curled whiskers on both his cheeks and above his eyes. 

Featherwhisker turned to healing very young - in fact, he’d never considered another path in the clan. While his brother watched the warriors with eagle-eyed focus, Featherwhisker was always in the medic’s den where a patient and allowing Goosedream would talk him through the techniques. He doesn’t remember it himself but when he was a moon old, Goosedream had some sort of vision about him and had avoided him until he was sought out by the kit himself. He earned nothing but a kind smile when he declared that healing was the only way he wanted to serve his clan - though much to his frustration, despite his skill and interest Goosedream refused to have him apprenticed early; waiting until he was six-moons old with Sunpaw.

Featherwhisker is very fond of his mentor and he feels very bad that Goosedream is rarely associated with by the rest of the clan. He grew very close to Moonflower - who taught him how to handle the side effects of Goosedream’s visions and took him under her tail. Sometimes in private Featherwhisker will refer to her as his older sister and he personally views Bluepaw and Snowpaw as pseudo nieces of his own.  He feels a bit awkward being the most sought for medic, his clan mates preferring to be seen and treated by him over his mentor if at all possible and he hopes that when the time comes for him to get an apprentice of his own; that Goosedream has been properly accepted and loved by his clan.

Mentor(s): Goosedream

Apprentice(s): N/A

Parent(s): Larksong (mother), Flamenose (father/deceased)

Auncle(s): N/A

Cousin(s): N/A

Sibling(s): Sunfall (brother)

Mate(s): N/A

Crush(es): N/A

Kit(s): N/A

[strelles-universe]

The Greenwood Empire - The Soulguided

A collection of four factions that have long since lived in the western forests. It’s been suggested by many that the cats of the forest came from many walks of life - loners of the coast, cats from the mountains and those who scattered from the gentle migration to the west. At one point there were five factions - the Stormborn, the Galespun, the Shorerisen, Fennyield and Etherforth but the Lost Faction found themselves at war with the migrating cats of that would become the new Kingdom of the Shining Sun. The violence between the two societies built higher and higher until Etherforth crossed a boundary triggering all-out war that the Etherforth lost.

The relationship between the Shining Sun and it’s neighboring factions has long since improved, the might of the cats of the kingdom have proved to the factions that isolationism was their best. As so, for a long time; the factions have remained private from the rest of the world, rarely accepting traders and artisans.

Recently this has changed and no one is sure yet if it was for better or for worse…

---

⬨⬨ Workings of the Empire⬨ ⬨

General Faction Info - Stormborn | Galespun | Fennyield | Shorerisen

Authority - The amount of control and influence the leader has over their faction

Roles of the Empire - General Roles | Specialized Ranks

The Legionary's Code - The laws and rules the factions abide by

Names of the Empire - A collection of prefixes/suffixes and their meanings

Naming Conventions - The styles and reasons behind how each faction names their warriors

The Marked - One of the more severe universal punishments of the empire, names that denote a cat as someone who violates the words and teachings of the Souls

Wastes - The most commonly used Marked Affixes that range from trivial to severe in usage, the Galespun has a fairly robust system

Assessments of the Empire - The tests that cadets must go through in order to advance in rank in the prides

Ceremonies of the Empire - Key ceremonies and rituals performed by the empire at specific times

Consequences of the Empire - Punishments that happen throughout the empire

Wanderers - How the factions treat individuals that leave them and occasionally, the ones that come back

Parenting - The various approaches to raising kits taken by the four factions

Nursery Leave - The way the empire handle cats needing time off to have and recover from having their kits

---

⬨⬨ Language of the Empire ⬨ ⬨

The Ancient’s Tongue | Lexicon - The old language of the empire that was reconstructed by the Shining Sun and the Skulks

Common Phrases - A few words and phrases used by the greenwood empire to speak

Seasons of the Empire - the Nuyate words for each of the seasons

The Silent Signal System - A series of milital handsigns and gestures initially used for ambushes and hunting slowly becoming repurposed into a sign language

---

⬨⬨ Beliefs of the Empire ⬨ ⬨

The Soul Cycle - The Calendar Cycle that lines up with the Souls

The Great Souls - The main pantheon of gods believed in by the Empire + Littlespirit

The Great Spirits - A collection of the most renowned and widely respected spirits, often regaled as minor gods

Patron Spirits - A collection of spirits only believed in by the factions that are specific to each of the factions

The Ancient Factions - the mythical era from before the loss of the Ancient Forms; a demigod age

Starlands | The Meadows - the place where empire cats wants to be, to reunite with your deceased faction-mates and family. The place of Gleaming Stars.

Starlands | The Glade - the in-between; where cats of gray morality or those who are manipulated end up until they settle. The place of No Stars.

Starlands | The Canyons - the place for cats who’ve doubled down on the mindsets that led them there in the first place. The place of Red Stars.

The Mother Maw - The petrified form of a great beast whose chest cavity contains the Moonstone

The Moon's Fang

----

⬨⬨ Magic of the Empire ⬨ ⬨

Soulsparks - General Info | Specialized Sparks

Omens - The primary way that menders receive messages from the Souls

---

⬨⬨ Celebrations of the Prides⬨ ⬨

The Full Moon Gathering - All Prides

The Ushering of Leaders - The Shorerisen

---

⬨⬨ Stormborn Specifics ⬨ ⬨

Stormborn Profiles

Line of Succession

The Nine Lives - Callastorm

---

⬨⬨ Galespun Specifics ⬨ ⬨

Galespun Profiles

Line of Succession

The Nine Lives - Magpiestar

The Starmender Lineage

Casualties of the Massacre

---

⬨⬨ Fennyield Specifics ⬨ ⬨

Character Profiles

Line of Succession

The Nine Lives - Viperclaw | Tigerslash | Scorchwind

---

⬨⬨ Shorerisen Specifics ⬨ ⬨

Character Profiles

Line of Succession

The Nine Lives - Stormdrift | Leopardshine

Bullet Point Super - Stormstar’s Family

---

⬨⬨ Allegiances of the Main Series ⬨ ⬨

Strike the Match - Before | After

Spark a Light - Before | After

Ignite the Pyre - Before | After

Fan the Flames - Before | After

Embrace the Inferno - Before | After

----

⬨⬨ Allegiances of the Super Editions ⬨ ⬨

Asterdawn's Voice - Allegiances | Ao3 Link

---

Now revamped and not as ugly lmao

[strelles-universe]

The Cats of ThunderClan (BP) - Snowpaw

Name: Snowpaw

Other Names: N/A

Meaning: White Furred

Identity: Cisgender Molly - She/Her

Orientation: Bisexual

Rank: Apprentice - Hunter

Former Rank(s):

A medium furred predominantly white furred molly with brilliant blue eyes. Her limbs and ears are shaded black. The older she got, the rounder and thicker her pelt got. She was rather pleased by the fact that her pelt was smooth and together enough to make a small shapely ruff under her neck - she was slightly disappointed that it didn’t turn into a big enough ruff for her to be named Snowpride but she’ll take what she can get.

Snowkit was always rambunctious and full of energy, even as a kit who couldn’t walk yet; she was known to wiggle and lash out with her paws. She was the first to learn to walk and the first to open her eyes so she considers herself the Big Sister between herself and Bluekit. She takes her role very seriously - even more so upon realizing that Bluekit has trouble speaking and sometimes her words sound strange when she does speak. Very early on she learned to follow her sister’s gaze and to ask extra questions when things are addressed so that she can be sure Bluekit has all the information she needs. It’s a lot of work but Bluekit nearly only speaks to her and Moonflower so being given the gift that is her sister giggling with sound around her is worth it.

Mentor(s): Sparrowpelt

Apprentice(s): N/A

Parent(s): Moonflower (mother), Stormtail (sire)

Sweetparents: Unammed

Auncle(s): Goosedream (uncle), Stonepelt (uncle)

Cousin(s): N/A

Sibling(s): Bluepaw (sister)

Nephling(s): ...

Mate(s): ...

Crush(es): N/A

Kit(s): ...

[strelles-universe]

The Cats of ThunderClan (BP) - Sablefoot

Name: Sablefoot

Other Names: N/A

Meaning: Brown Furred and Agile

Identity: Mascflux - He/Him, She/Her, They/Them

Orientation: Pansexual

Rank: Guard

Former Rank(s):

A deep chocolate brown tom with a long tail and dark brown eyes. With a stocky, powerful build; Sablefoot has the truest ThunderClan builds. He’s heavily muscled - well suited for his position as a guard - with somewhat short legs. He’s longer than he is tall which he uses to his advantage slipping through the branches and bracken of the forest. Privately, Sablefoot thinks that he has WindClan heritage - he’s seen the tunnelers at Gatherings and how they differ from traditional runners and he thinks he might not be far off. He’s even overheard a few warriors whispering about Fourtrees trysts but as his mother had always claimed to be hunting and had prey to show for it, nothing was ever done about it.

He was rather pleased when Pinestar assigned him Wildpaw as an apprentice. Despite their name, he found that Wildpaw was actually very easy to manage once you understood them. Their foreign outlook on the world due to being a loner-born kit who refuses to speak of their life out in the Rogue Lands occasionally caused some hiccups when they snuck off to celebrate loner holidays but once Sablefoot understood, they were able to work around it. They’re not exactly a cat of few words but rather a cat of meaningful words - something that Sablefoot appreciates as an honest soul himself. He thinks his apprentice is a breath of fresh-air for the clan and he though he’s sad for whatever happened that led to them adn Cricketpaw appearing in their borders, he’s happy that he was given the opportunity to know her.

Sablefoot is deeply in love with his apprenticehood crush; Juniperhaze and thoroughly enjoys spoiling her and treating her. He goes through great pains to retrieve enough juniper berries to stock the medic’s den in order to be able to spare some to put in the mouths of her favorite prey. He loves finding that no matter how early in migration season, he always finds swan feathers lining his nest as the air heats up and the occasional time he wakes up with her curled up next to him, their tails twined as they sleep. Sablefoot is about ready to make their mating official under the eyes of the Souls but he wants it to be the most special event that he can manage.

Mentor(s): Vineear (deceased)

Apprentice(s): Wildpaw

Parent(s): Hollowsedge (mother)

Auncle(s): N/A

Cousin(s): N/A

Sibling(s): N/A

Mate(s): N/A

Crush(es): Juniperhaze

Kit(s): N/A

[strelles-universe]

The Cats of ThunderClan (BP) - Juniperhaze

Name: Juniperhaze

Other Names: N/A

Meaning: Excitable and Intimidating

Identity: CIsgender Molly - She/Her

Orientation: Polysexual - Toms, Mollies and Vixens

Rank: Crafter

Former Rank(s):

A long furred dark blue smoke tabby molly with white paws and a lighter underbelly and chest. The double-coated trait of ThunderClan cats is very present with her - Juniperhaze often needs two additional tongues to help her when ilkiim comes around lest she be trapped pulling out shedding clumps for days and days. It’s not uncommon to see her curled up outside the nursery during ilkiim while the sitters help her pull the shed fur from her pelt. It’s not uncommon for her to donate large mouthfuls of her snow-coat to soften nests.

Juniperhaze is kindhearted; when she was a kit she tended to jump around and race from task to task as she performed her duties as an apprentice. Over-time she’s begun to calm down, her restless energy becoming channeled into supplementary weaving and crafting around the camp. It’s not uncommon to see her weaving a new basket to be traded among the Skies in exchange for the goods they’re offered. Her crafts are so well-done that many RiverClan cats only half jokingly ask if she’s been stealing secrets. She hasn’t but many of the more complex ThunderClan weaves can appear similar on the surface to those not deep in the trade.

She and Sablefoot have been dancing around their crushes on each other since their apprenticehood and although they’re both aware of the other’s feelings for them, they enjoy the rush and romance that comes with their crushes. Juniperhaze enjoys waking up to juniper berries in the mouths of thrushes left in front of her nest and she loves the thrill of “sneaking” to Sablefoot’s nest and lining it with the swan feathers she stubbornly goes searching for every ilkiim. Their clanmates both long for and fear for the day they finally get together - it’s truly a romance for the ages and no one would be surprised if the two of them requested to be joined under the Souls.

Mentor(s): Eaglepeak (deceased)

Apprentice(s): N/A

Parent(s): Hazefur (mother/deceased), Silkplume (father/deceased)

Auncle(s): N/A

Cousin(s): N/A

Sibling(s): Beetlepelt (brother)

Nephling(s): N/A

Mate(s): N/A

Crush(es): Sablefoot

Kit(s): N/A

[strelles-universe]

The Cats of ThunderClan (BP) - Pollenpaw

Name: Pollenpaw

Other Name(s): N/A

Meaning: Fluffy Coated

Identity: Femflux Molly - She/Her and Alternating

Orientation: Asexual

Rank: Apprentice - Crafter

Former Rank(s):

A long furred cream molly with feathery ears, a plumed tail and a lighter underbelly. She has a white locket on her chest and no matter how much her mother drags her tongue across her back, she remains slightly spiky in appearance. Pollenpaw takes a lot of gleeful amusement in watching Sitters and Elders alike try to tame the mess of her back fer. They can frequently be caught with marigolds weaved into her fur behind her ears during the warm seasons.

Pollenpaw became a crafter on a bit of a whim - she enjoyed learning how to weave flowers into her fur and figured that she could put the skill to use as an actual crafter. Some cats have remarked that she seems surprisingly lax about her dedication to the clan and the importance of her job but Pollenpaw thinks those same cats take life too seriously. She doesn’t look at crafting as the greatest thing she could ever do to please her clan but at the same time, she can’t see herself serving her clan mates any other way. Being a hunter or a guard just doesn’t appeal to her the way she thinks it appeals to other cats and she’s admittedly fine with coasting through life this way. She’s relieved that rather than get on her for her more relaxed demanor, Robinwing seems content to work with her and rarely comments on her dedication. So long as she finishes her tasks correctly and in a certain timeframe, her mentor is satisfied. 

Mentor(s): Robinwing

Apprentice(s): N/A

Parent(s): Cherrysweep (mother) and Pebbledapple (sire/deceased)

Auncle(s): Kindlefoot (aunt)

Cousin(s): N/A

Sibling(s): Garterpaw (sister/adoptive)

Mate(s): N/A

Crush(es): N/A

Kit(s): N/A

[strelles-universe]

Codes of the Clans - Deputies

A deputy is the right front paw of the leader, the one who helps in caring for the every-day duties associated with running a clan and most of the time, the one who takes over if something happens to the leader. They’re the ones who have tasks delegated to them. The standard for electing a new deputy and what that deputy is responsible for varies from clan to clan.

Within WindClan, the deputy already acts as a second leader; overseeing one third of the clan’s warriors. To keep the leader approachable and to minimize too much bias towards one rank or another, the leader may not elect a deputy who is from the same rank as them. A Runner may only elect a Tunneler or an Escort, a Tunneler may only elect an Escort or a Runner and Escorts (although there has only ever been one elected) may only elect a Runner or a Tunneler.

ShadowClan deputies are more or less the servants of the leader, keeping an eye on their Star and ensuring nothing negative befalls them. They act more as advisors and offer recommendations and typically only take the leader’s position if their leader has no kits or was overthrown and the offspring proven to be too influenced by their parents.

ThunderClan deputies are defenders of their clans - they’ve experienced a few situations where a cruel and unjust leader had resulted in the pain and suffering from not just their own clan but of those around them. RiverClan was of the same mind and so both clans have lessened the power of the leader and given the duty of protecting the ordinary clan mate from the tyrants.

1. A deputy is to serve their leader as an extension of the clan

2. A deputy will step in when their leader is incapacitated

2a. Incapacitated counts as: ill, unconscious, delirious, out of territory

3. A deputy must have mentored an apprentice before they can be elected

3a. A deputy must have finished an apprenticeship before they can be elected 3b. A deputy who cannot balance their duties and their apprentice may be asked to step down or to give up their apprentice

4.