#the seasonal birds are one of the coolest things I've ever built

[dawnclan-duskclan]

Glossary

the CAVERNS - the name of this world, given to it by the Clan cats.

the SUN - a large, golden, crystal stalactite that illuminates the Caverns with constant, bright light.

SUNGLOW - another name for the light emitted by the Sun crystal.

the HORIZON - the border between east and west that splits DuskClan and DawnClan’s territory. This border is stable in the far north and south, in the twilight zone, but is hotly contested in the Daylands.

DAYLANDS - a roughly circular zone in the center of the Caverns, where the sun is brightest and it is eternally daytime. The Daylands are covered in thick forest.

DAWNLANDS - a twilight zone on the eastern side of the Caverns, where DawnClan lives. The Dawnlands are filled with crystalline structures and are the most cavern-like, with fissures, cliffsides, and tunnels.

DUSKLANDS - a twilight zone on the western side of the Caverns, where DuskClan lives. Filled with mossy stones, cold water streams, and vines.

NIGHTLANDS - the area furthest from the sun, where no light shines and it is eternally dark. Avoided by the Clan cats.

TWILIGHT - a general name for the areas between the Daylands and Nightlands.

DIMREACHES - the further half of the Twilight, where the Sunglow is very dim. Like the world on a moonless night.

NIGHTBEASTS - mutated creatures that lurk outside of the sun’s light. They are usually large, predatory, and hunt Clan cats

STARS - smaller crystals scattered around the Caverns that emit small amounts of light.

STARSHINE - light emitted by the Stars.

STARCYCLE - the Star crystals go through a cycle each day, where they grow dimmer and brighter like the rising and setting of the sun. One full cycle = one day.

STARHIGH - noon, when the Starshine is brightest

STARFALL - midnight, when the Starshine is dimmest

SUNCYCLE - the Sun crystal goes through a cycle each month, where it grows dimmer and brighter like the phases of the moon. One full cycle = one moon = one month.

SHADOWSUN - the day in which the Sun’s glow is weakest. This is when DuskClan healers visit MoonClan.

ZENITH - the day in which the Sun’s glow is strongest. This is when DawnClan’s healers visit StarClan.

STARSEED - small bits of gemstone that hold energy. Coveted by both Clans, but particularly desired by DuskClan.

SUNROOST - aka “the roost”. Around the Sun crystal, above the Daylands, are ledges and platforms where the seasonal birds flock en masse each season. The reason for the birds’ migration and flocking behavior is unknown, as they have nests and reproduce in the Nightlands. Each bird roosts for three suncycles (moons) which creates the four seasons for the Clan cats.

WATERWINGS - “Spring”. These birds have drooping feathers and extremely long tails made entirely of water. They shed water drops from their wings, creating a fine mist that settles over the Caverns during the spring and a constant drizzle of rain over the Daylands.

SUNBIRDS - “Summer”. Fiery birds that warm the caverns with plenty of light. These birds are by far the most intelligent and are universally revered as sacred beings of life itself.

GALEWINGS - “Autumn”. Nearly incorporeal, these birds’ wings are made up of air itself. These birds are far larger than the others and there are fewer of them. The flapping of their wings creates storms and heavy winds, circulating air throughout the entire Cavern system.

SNOWBIRDS - “Winter”. Icy birds whose wings are made up of crystal. They have frozen cores and water condenses to ice on their bodies. They shed snow from their wings and their presence chills the Caverns.

STARCLAN - patrons of DawnClan. They live inside the Star crystals; the brightest spirits shine in the Sun.

MOONCLAN - patrons of DuskClan. Their spirits reside deep in the stone beneath the Clans’ feet and their prophecies can be heard in the rumblings of the earth. Their spirits coax plants to grow from stone.