Post by Dreamer on Sept 16, 2013 18:25:43 GMT
Each clan is unique with their own traditions and lifestyles. It is important to remember that not all clans act the same and have the same ways of living so it is best to review what each clan is like.
Riverclan
Sleek and Wise
Leader- Open
Deputy- Open
Med Cat- Open
Med cat Apprentice- Open
Territory
Riverclan’s territory is one of the wettest, as it borders the sea and houses Cloud Lake. Otherwise, it contains mostly temperate forest like that of Thunderclan territory, with a bit of evergreens on Shadowclan side and a small stretch of moor on Windclan side. The great landmarks of Riverclan territory are Cloud Lake, Sea Inlet, Minnow Islands, White Beach, and Birch Copse.
Cloud Lake takes up about three-fifths of Riverclan territory, and is named after the way it reflects the clouds and sky perfectly. Cloud Lake contains the cluster of small islands known as Minnow islands, for their size and shape. The islands are commonly used as a training ground for Riverclan apprentices.
Sea Inlet is where saltwater intercepts freshwater from Cloud lake. It is a very prey rich area, and a fun place to relax, as it is shallow and shaded on the edges. White beach is at the edge of the sea, and is known for its short stretches of sand frequently interrupted by tidepools and rocky crags. The name is prettier than the place.
The Birch Copse is the forest that covers most of the rest of the territory, and where most of the winter hunting is done.
Due to fear of attack during the Great War, their camp is housed in a group of rock tunnels by the shore. The camp is in a rather large sandy cavern that has an outlet to the sea, and several small light shafts to light it. In case of emergency floods, there are tunnels that go upward. However, they have set up most of their dens above tide level. The leader’s den is above Highledge, from which he can address his clan. The warriors and apprentice dens are side by side, and the nursery, elders, and Medicine Cat dens are the closest to the tunnels in case of evacuation. The only den that does not have sandy floor is the medicine cat den, where the floor is just rock, so the herbs are kept clean.
Attitude
Riverclan cats are rather vain. They’ve been known to worry a lot about appearances, and grooming. They are also known as avid collectors of shells, feathers, and flowers to decorate their nests, and even in some cases themselves. They are surprisingly gracious to other clans, and not unfriendly, though they can be known to be blunt.
Appearance
These cats are average size, sleek-furred, usually having webbed paws. A large part of the clan is either short-furred or medium furred, often in colors of greys and browns, but not excluding other colors. As they are a conglomerate of many breeds, they do not otherwise have specific confirgurations. Some of the breeds that contributed to this clan (and thus can be used as a reference for your bio) are Egyptian Maus, Somalis, Australian Mist, Turkish Angora, and American Shorthair. Of course none of the cats are purebreeds, as over the generations any kittypets and purebred blood has been diluted, but cats still retain characteristics of these breeds.
One interesting thing that should be mentioned is that many moons ago, a munchkin joined Riverclan, and so passed on the gene for shorter legs. However there are very few short legged cats, and they have to work extremely hard to get their clanmates respect. Often these cats do not pass on the gene.
Naming
As mentioned before Riverclan cats are very particular about appearance, and as their names count as part of their persona, have a great respect for names. As such they often try for noble or beautiful names, relying on appearance and water, weather, or sea related names, things in their environment they believe would contribute to beautiful names for their kits.
Skills
Riverclan cats are strong swimmers, and are taught from youth how to discern where currents that are potentially dangerous are, so that they can often avoid them. Also because of their fishing skills they are remarkably patient and can stand stone still for long periods of time, having been known to surprise their enemies when they are being invaded.
Prey
Since having moved to the seaside several generations ago, Riverclan cats were taught how to fish in open seawater, though they have been exposed to new dangers with sharks and other predatory fish. Nonetheless, their diet has diversified with the added saltwater creatures, as well as crabs and clams. They still catch most of their fish in Cloud Lake, but when winter comes along, the added sealife and underbrush prey from the Birch Copse has made it easier for them to survive.
Fighting style
Riverclan cats fight with smooth graceful movements as if they were in water, with slithery snaky movements.
Traditions
Leaders of Riverclan call their clan to a meeting differently:
“Let all cats old enough to swim gather for a clan meeting.”
They also teach their kits how to swim from around three moons of age.
Thunderclan
Brave and Strong
Leader- Open
Deputy- Open
Med Cat- Open
Med cat Apprentice- Open
Territory
Thunderclan’s territory consists mostly of forested area, with large thickets, and the Willow Creek ambling through it naturally. Its major landmarks are the Doe Meadow, Red Oaks, Willow Creek, Poppy Stream, Apple Grove.
While Thunderclan territory has many meadows and clearings Doe Meadow is one of the largest, and quite popular with the local deer population, it also offers some good hunting due to the abundance of seeds that draw prey there.
In the eastern part of the territory, there is a group of strangely beautiful trees. They are tall, with seemingly red bark. They are great for climbing, and common nesting grounds for squirrels.
Starting at the fiercely disputed Hot Springs, Willow Creek winds lazily along through Thunderclan and Shadowclan territory. It is shallow, but clean, and offers a nice water source, as well as a place to stay cool during Greenleaf. Its shores abound with moles and voles.
The Poppy stream is a small bubbly stream that starts right near camp and flows for only a little while before disappearing underground again. It is known as the best place in the territories to collect Poppy, but to drink from it is at your own peril, it has been known to plunge cats into deep sleep, but only sometimes. If you are looking for peace, privacy, a way to relax, or even a cat nap, this quiet secluded spot is perfect.
South of camp a nice-size apple grove is a common destination for cat couples, but also good for hunting as well. Occasionally the Medicine cat will use apple leaves, blossoms, or seeds to calm a cat, or to make herb mixtures less bitter. Twolegs often frequent the Apple Grove in late Greenleaf and early Leaf-fall, harvesting the apples, cats are advised to stay away during harvest.
The most interesting feature of this territory is definitely the camp. When the clans moved here a few generations ago, Thunderclan cats stumbled upon what appeared to be twoleg nest ruins made of stone. The large structure is mostly crumbled down, but some stone blocks remain largely intact, though covered by moss. The leader addresses the clan from Highstones, the tallest group of rocks there, his den a dip under two stone slabs. The nursery is in what would have been a corner of the twoleg nest, covered by a roof of thorns, over which Ivy has grown rampant, draping over the opening. The medicine den is where the rock foundation somehow tilted upward to form an overhang, and then rocks were piled around the sides, and cats dug deeper to expand the area. The warriors den is a large shrub, which was actually three shrubs that grew together, most likely planted by twolegs just outside the structure. The apprentice den is a hollowed out tube of thorns, far longer than it is wide. And finally the elders den is within a pile of rocks that was most likely once the west wall.
Unlike the other clans, Thunderclan’s training area is located right by the camp. This is useful in some ways, as it allows for kits to be entertained, but it also makes it harder for the apprentices to train on their own. There would always be cats calling out advice. For the training to be held several large rocks were cleared away, although some were still left as a way to give obstacles during training.
Attitude
Once Thunderclan was known as cocky and foolish, after the Great War, they were greatly subdued. Of all the clans they were the most decimated, and have taken longer to rebuild. Now the younger generation is once again becoming cocky and foolhardy, thinking better of themselves. Although older cats still remember the time of death and pain, and are more respectful and careful.
Appearance
Thunderclan is known as the clan with bigger cats, and often are long or medium furred. These traits come from the several breeds that made up the clan originally, such as Maine Coons, Siberians and Norwegian forest cats, but they have also had influence from breeds such as the American Shorthair and the Bengal. This clan has the widest pelt color range, even with a few pure white cats.
When the clans settled at the new territories, two sibling kittypets, American curl cats, joined Thunderclan. As a result of that, some cats have inherited the unique ears of that breed.
Naming
Thunderclan does not focus very greatly on names, especially on suffixes, which can often be unconventional. Often their names are earthy, consisting of names of plants and land animals, but also many times of colors or things describing a kits pelt.
Skills
Living in a mostly forested and rocky area, Thunderclan warriors have learned how to climb trees and hunt in the undergrowth. They are stealthy and strong, burly cats when compared to some other clans.
Prey
Mainly they hunt forest prey, such as squirrels, mice, birds, the occasional rabbit, etc. But on the shores of Willow Creek they also hunt voles, and even if they are lucky, a fish or two, though they do not like it.
Fighting Style
Thunderclan cats use their strength and size in battle, and are also good tree climbers. They are used to fighting in the undergrowth an can use that to their adventage, disappearing at will.
Traditions
If a leader were to have kits, it is common to apprentice one of them to the deputy.
Shadowclan
Sneaky and smart
Leader- Open
Deputy- Open
Med Cat- Open
Med cat Apprentice- Open
Territory
Shadowclan’s territory is evenly divided between Pine forests, rocky terrain, and swamps. Its main landmarks are the Hallow Swamp, Rocky Ridge, Double Pine, Willow Creek, and Steep Ravine.
Covering a good part of the territory, Hallow Swamp is filled with nasty spongy ground, filthy stangnant water, and a stink unlike any other. The only thing its good for is catching frogs, and only on the edges. However it is an unspoken rite of passage in Shadowclan, that once you become an apprentice, you have to spend one night in the middle of the swamp. Normally that would not seem amiss, except that strange things are known to happen there. It is not uncommon for apprentices to mention swirling lights, balls of fire, strange wailing sounds….
While Thunderclan and Windclan cats live at higher altitudes, Shadowclan and Riverclan live at lower ones. The transition of these heights is evidenced especially in Shadowclan’s Rocky Ridge, a ridge that extends a good length across the territory. It is thankfully not too high up, and if you fall the most you do is break bones, but still it is dangerous. Among the pines and pine needles are known to scuffle plenty of prey, if you are careful.
Not far from camp is an interesting sight. A great pine is in the middle of the clearing, it has a wideset trunk and route system, but less than two feet from the ground it splits, becoming two pines. The area is used as Shadowclan’s training site, but only because it s the flattest area nearby.
Willow Creek also winds through Shadowclan, and is their only source of drinking water, other than the rain. It descends in a series of rapids and small waterfalls from Thunderclan territory.
Long ago, Willow Creek obviously had another route to the sea, as a Steep Ravine was carved through Shadowclan territory. When it rains, it still keeps a trickle, and animals live near the already moist ground, making it a nice hunting spot.
Shadowclan’s camp would be far more suitable for Thunderclan cats. There is a spot where pines and other trees mix together, there, where the ground is covered with soft spongy pine needles, is where they set up camp. All the dens are in dips in the ground by the roots of trees or hollow bases, except for the medicine cat den, which is inside the husk of a huge tree felled long ago, shaped for the purposes of clan cats. Their leader will summon them from on top of this log.
Attitude
Shadowclan is known for being prideful and often nasty when it comes to the other clans. They are often blunt and could care less about how their words affect others.
Appearance
These cats are like Thunderclan, though perhaps not as big. Their colors are often on the darker side of the spectrum, with lots of tabbies and solid colored pelts. The major breeds to contribute to the formation of this clan were Siberians, Abyssinians, Maine Coons and Bengals, as well as the ever present American Shorthair.
The breed unique to Shadowclan are the Persians, cats who have flat faces. They are often jeered at, yes, but they also have advantages in that their night vision and hearing are slightly better than those of other cats.
Naming
For this clan, naming is not necessarily as important as it is to other clans, which tends to lead to unconventional and sometimes unfortunate names, but those bearing the names embrace them. After all they don't necessarily have a choice.
Skills
Shadowclan has great fighting and battle tactics, as well as ability to traverse varieties of hostile environments, though they know best how to move and fight in rocky conditions.
Prey
Shadowclan cats prey on a variety of toads, frogs, lizards, mice and other forest prey.
Fighting Style
Shadowclan cats are in your face fighters, with little problem in killing or mortally wounding cats. They rarely back down, and use their strength and dirty tricks to win at any cost.
Traditions
New apprentices spend a night alone in Hallow swamp.
Fighting is by far more encouraged then hunting skills.
Windclan
Swift and Loyal
Leader- Open
Deputy- Open
Med Cat- Open
Med cat Apprentice- Open
Territory
Not surprisingly, Windclan territory consists almost entirely of moor land, though by the cliffs edge it is far rockier than one would think. Its landmarks are Sandstone Spire, Cliffs’ Edge, Hot springs, Burrow Bowl, and Hightop Moor.
Most of Windclan territory is moorland located on top of a sandy terrain, in certain places, such as near camp and Sandstone spire, this sandy terrain has hardened to become a sort of sandstone. In one area this sandstone thrusts up from the ground in a vertical and uneven cone, dubbed Sandstone Spire. There is not much prey here, but a climb part of the way of the creviced sides of Sandstone Spire affords you the most beautiful and all-encompassing view of the territories.
Where sea meets land, a long wall of rocky cliffs fences the border, it can provide an absolutely gorgeous view of the sea, but it also highly dangerous, as many sections of it are unstable and crumbly. Tread carefully.
Hot springs is the most highly disputed area of all the clan territories, its pools of warm water that bubble up from deep beneath the surface of the moor provide healing and warmth during the harsh winters, as well as a direct route to the Moonspring. Often you will find elders or sickly cats lounging here.
Burrow bowl is a common hunting and training area. It seems one section of the moor has sunk down slightly, and here are many entrances to the warren of prey tunnels that crisscrosses the moor. Some areas have long been abandoned by prey, and it is here that much initial training of apprentices happens.
Hightop Moor is just about the rest of the territory, the common grasses and heather where Windclan is usually most comfortable hunting.
Windclan camp is a dip in the ground by a slab of sandstone. Most cats sleep in nests outside under the stars, except for kits and the medicine cats. At one end of the slab there is an overhang, this area has been dug down and deeper shaped into the sandstone, it covered on three sides, and most of the year the large space is shared only by the nursery and Medicine cat dens, although they are separated from one another. During Leafbare, other cats often sleep there as well, though most warriors would prefer to stay out of that area anyway.
Attitude
Windclan are often the happiest but also more peaceful clan, they prefer to solve things diplomatically rather than go to war, although they won’t hesitate to defend themselves and strike back if need be.
Appearance
These are the smallest cats between all the clans, usually short furred. The main breeds to have contributed to this clan are Egyptian Maus, Somalis, Orientals, and American shorthairs.
The one interesting thing about Windclan is that it has the largest subgroup of different cats in all the clans, as several of the cats are bobtails. The bobtails came from a very vivacious American bobtail tom several generations back.
Naming
The art of naming is important for Windclan cats, although not necessarily as important as it is to Riverclan. Often they will name their kits for what they hope they will become like, or after a certain attribute they may wish their kit to have, so the speed of a hawk for example. Other common names come from their surroundings, the moor, the stone, the cliffs. Warriors are given their names based on their accomplishments or personalities.
Skills
As part of all their basic training, Windclan cats learn to develop their speed above all. Next to that would be their powers of observation, Windclan cats are known to have the best eyesight of the clans, and from their vantage point of high on the moor, can often even see Cloud Lake.
Prey
The most common prey for this clan is rabbits, but this is followed by birds.
Fighting Style
Windclan cats make use of their speed in battle, with hit and run tactics, as well as just small attacks first that wear away at their enemies’ strength.
Traditions
In the past Windclan has been known to house cats that know how to tunnel and maneuver underground, and though these cats are fewer now, they are still important to feeding the clan in Leafbare. They tend to feel that they are the closest to Starclan, as they seem to be closest to the stars, and the Moonspring is on the edge of their territory.
Riverclan
Sleek and Wise
Leader- Open
Deputy- Open
Med Cat- Open
Med cat Apprentice- Open
Territory
Riverclan’s territory is one of the wettest, as it borders the sea and houses Cloud Lake. Otherwise, it contains mostly temperate forest like that of Thunderclan territory, with a bit of evergreens on Shadowclan side and a small stretch of moor on Windclan side. The great landmarks of Riverclan territory are Cloud Lake, Sea Inlet, Minnow Islands, White Beach, and Birch Copse.
Cloud Lake takes up about three-fifths of Riverclan territory, and is named after the way it reflects the clouds and sky perfectly. Cloud Lake contains the cluster of small islands known as Minnow islands, for their size and shape. The islands are commonly used as a training ground for Riverclan apprentices.
Sea Inlet is where saltwater intercepts freshwater from Cloud lake. It is a very prey rich area, and a fun place to relax, as it is shallow and shaded on the edges. White beach is at the edge of the sea, and is known for its short stretches of sand frequently interrupted by tidepools and rocky crags. The name is prettier than the place.
The Birch Copse is the forest that covers most of the rest of the territory, and where most of the winter hunting is done.
Due to fear of attack during the Great War, their camp is housed in a group of rock tunnels by the shore. The camp is in a rather large sandy cavern that has an outlet to the sea, and several small light shafts to light it. In case of emergency floods, there are tunnels that go upward. However, they have set up most of their dens above tide level. The leader’s den is above Highledge, from which he can address his clan. The warriors and apprentice dens are side by side, and the nursery, elders, and Medicine Cat dens are the closest to the tunnels in case of evacuation. The only den that does not have sandy floor is the medicine cat den, where the floor is just rock, so the herbs are kept clean.
Attitude
Riverclan cats are rather vain. They’ve been known to worry a lot about appearances, and grooming. They are also known as avid collectors of shells, feathers, and flowers to decorate their nests, and even in some cases themselves. They are surprisingly gracious to other clans, and not unfriendly, though they can be known to be blunt.
Appearance
These cats are average size, sleek-furred, usually having webbed paws. A large part of the clan is either short-furred or medium furred, often in colors of greys and browns, but not excluding other colors. As they are a conglomerate of many breeds, they do not otherwise have specific confirgurations. Some of the breeds that contributed to this clan (and thus can be used as a reference for your bio) are Egyptian Maus, Somalis, Australian Mist, Turkish Angora, and American Shorthair. Of course none of the cats are purebreeds, as over the generations any kittypets and purebred blood has been diluted, but cats still retain characteristics of these breeds.
One interesting thing that should be mentioned is that many moons ago, a munchkin joined Riverclan, and so passed on the gene for shorter legs. However there are very few short legged cats, and they have to work extremely hard to get their clanmates respect. Often these cats do not pass on the gene.
Naming
As mentioned before Riverclan cats are very particular about appearance, and as their names count as part of their persona, have a great respect for names. As such they often try for noble or beautiful names, relying on appearance and water, weather, or sea related names, things in their environment they believe would contribute to beautiful names for their kits.
Skills
Riverclan cats are strong swimmers, and are taught from youth how to discern where currents that are potentially dangerous are, so that they can often avoid them. Also because of their fishing skills they are remarkably patient and can stand stone still for long periods of time, having been known to surprise their enemies when they are being invaded.
Prey
Since having moved to the seaside several generations ago, Riverclan cats were taught how to fish in open seawater, though they have been exposed to new dangers with sharks and other predatory fish. Nonetheless, their diet has diversified with the added saltwater creatures, as well as crabs and clams. They still catch most of their fish in Cloud Lake, but when winter comes along, the added sealife and underbrush prey from the Birch Copse has made it easier for them to survive.
Fighting style
Riverclan cats fight with smooth graceful movements as if they were in water, with slithery snaky movements.
Traditions
Leaders of Riverclan call their clan to a meeting differently:
“Let all cats old enough to swim gather for a clan meeting.”
They also teach their kits how to swim from around three moons of age.
Thunderclan
Brave and Strong
Leader- Open
Deputy- Open
Med Cat- Open
Med cat Apprentice- Open
Territory
Thunderclan’s territory consists mostly of forested area, with large thickets, and the Willow Creek ambling through it naturally. Its major landmarks are the Doe Meadow, Red Oaks, Willow Creek, Poppy Stream, Apple Grove.
While Thunderclan territory has many meadows and clearings Doe Meadow is one of the largest, and quite popular with the local deer population, it also offers some good hunting due to the abundance of seeds that draw prey there.
In the eastern part of the territory, there is a group of strangely beautiful trees. They are tall, with seemingly red bark. They are great for climbing, and common nesting grounds for squirrels.
Starting at the fiercely disputed Hot Springs, Willow Creek winds lazily along through Thunderclan and Shadowclan territory. It is shallow, but clean, and offers a nice water source, as well as a place to stay cool during Greenleaf. Its shores abound with moles and voles.
The Poppy stream is a small bubbly stream that starts right near camp and flows for only a little while before disappearing underground again. It is known as the best place in the territories to collect Poppy, but to drink from it is at your own peril, it has been known to plunge cats into deep sleep, but only sometimes. If you are looking for peace, privacy, a way to relax, or even a cat nap, this quiet secluded spot is perfect.
South of camp a nice-size apple grove is a common destination for cat couples, but also good for hunting as well. Occasionally the Medicine cat will use apple leaves, blossoms, or seeds to calm a cat, or to make herb mixtures less bitter. Twolegs often frequent the Apple Grove in late Greenleaf and early Leaf-fall, harvesting the apples, cats are advised to stay away during harvest.
The most interesting feature of this territory is definitely the camp. When the clans moved here a few generations ago, Thunderclan cats stumbled upon what appeared to be twoleg nest ruins made of stone. The large structure is mostly crumbled down, but some stone blocks remain largely intact, though covered by moss. The leader addresses the clan from Highstones, the tallest group of rocks there, his den a dip under two stone slabs. The nursery is in what would have been a corner of the twoleg nest, covered by a roof of thorns, over which Ivy has grown rampant, draping over the opening. The medicine den is where the rock foundation somehow tilted upward to form an overhang, and then rocks were piled around the sides, and cats dug deeper to expand the area. The warriors den is a large shrub, which was actually three shrubs that grew together, most likely planted by twolegs just outside the structure. The apprentice den is a hollowed out tube of thorns, far longer than it is wide. And finally the elders den is within a pile of rocks that was most likely once the west wall.
Unlike the other clans, Thunderclan’s training area is located right by the camp. This is useful in some ways, as it allows for kits to be entertained, but it also makes it harder for the apprentices to train on their own. There would always be cats calling out advice. For the training to be held several large rocks were cleared away, although some were still left as a way to give obstacles during training.
Attitude
Once Thunderclan was known as cocky and foolish, after the Great War, they were greatly subdued. Of all the clans they were the most decimated, and have taken longer to rebuild. Now the younger generation is once again becoming cocky and foolhardy, thinking better of themselves. Although older cats still remember the time of death and pain, and are more respectful and careful.
Appearance
Thunderclan is known as the clan with bigger cats, and often are long or medium furred. These traits come from the several breeds that made up the clan originally, such as Maine Coons, Siberians and Norwegian forest cats, but they have also had influence from breeds such as the American Shorthair and the Bengal. This clan has the widest pelt color range, even with a few pure white cats.
When the clans settled at the new territories, two sibling kittypets, American curl cats, joined Thunderclan. As a result of that, some cats have inherited the unique ears of that breed.
Naming
Thunderclan does not focus very greatly on names, especially on suffixes, which can often be unconventional. Often their names are earthy, consisting of names of plants and land animals, but also many times of colors or things describing a kits pelt.
Skills
Living in a mostly forested and rocky area, Thunderclan warriors have learned how to climb trees and hunt in the undergrowth. They are stealthy and strong, burly cats when compared to some other clans.
Prey
Mainly they hunt forest prey, such as squirrels, mice, birds, the occasional rabbit, etc. But on the shores of Willow Creek they also hunt voles, and even if they are lucky, a fish or two, though they do not like it.
Fighting Style
Thunderclan cats use their strength and size in battle, and are also good tree climbers. They are used to fighting in the undergrowth an can use that to their adventage, disappearing at will.
Traditions
If a leader were to have kits, it is common to apprentice one of them to the deputy.
Shadowclan
Sneaky and smart
Leader- Open
Deputy- Open
Med Cat- Open
Med cat Apprentice- Open
Territory
Shadowclan’s territory is evenly divided between Pine forests, rocky terrain, and swamps. Its main landmarks are the Hallow Swamp, Rocky Ridge, Double Pine, Willow Creek, and Steep Ravine.
Covering a good part of the territory, Hallow Swamp is filled with nasty spongy ground, filthy stangnant water, and a stink unlike any other. The only thing its good for is catching frogs, and only on the edges. However it is an unspoken rite of passage in Shadowclan, that once you become an apprentice, you have to spend one night in the middle of the swamp. Normally that would not seem amiss, except that strange things are known to happen there. It is not uncommon for apprentices to mention swirling lights, balls of fire, strange wailing sounds….
While Thunderclan and Windclan cats live at higher altitudes, Shadowclan and Riverclan live at lower ones. The transition of these heights is evidenced especially in Shadowclan’s Rocky Ridge, a ridge that extends a good length across the territory. It is thankfully not too high up, and if you fall the most you do is break bones, but still it is dangerous. Among the pines and pine needles are known to scuffle plenty of prey, if you are careful.
Not far from camp is an interesting sight. A great pine is in the middle of the clearing, it has a wideset trunk and route system, but less than two feet from the ground it splits, becoming two pines. The area is used as Shadowclan’s training site, but only because it s the flattest area nearby.
Willow Creek also winds through Shadowclan, and is their only source of drinking water, other than the rain. It descends in a series of rapids and small waterfalls from Thunderclan territory.
Long ago, Willow Creek obviously had another route to the sea, as a Steep Ravine was carved through Shadowclan territory. When it rains, it still keeps a trickle, and animals live near the already moist ground, making it a nice hunting spot.
Shadowclan’s camp would be far more suitable for Thunderclan cats. There is a spot where pines and other trees mix together, there, where the ground is covered with soft spongy pine needles, is where they set up camp. All the dens are in dips in the ground by the roots of trees or hollow bases, except for the medicine cat den, which is inside the husk of a huge tree felled long ago, shaped for the purposes of clan cats. Their leader will summon them from on top of this log.
Attitude
Shadowclan is known for being prideful and often nasty when it comes to the other clans. They are often blunt and could care less about how their words affect others.
Appearance
These cats are like Thunderclan, though perhaps not as big. Their colors are often on the darker side of the spectrum, with lots of tabbies and solid colored pelts. The major breeds to contribute to the formation of this clan were Siberians, Abyssinians, Maine Coons and Bengals, as well as the ever present American Shorthair.
The breed unique to Shadowclan are the Persians, cats who have flat faces. They are often jeered at, yes, but they also have advantages in that their night vision and hearing are slightly better than those of other cats.
Naming
For this clan, naming is not necessarily as important as it is to other clans, which tends to lead to unconventional and sometimes unfortunate names, but those bearing the names embrace them. After all they don't necessarily have a choice.
Skills
Shadowclan has great fighting and battle tactics, as well as ability to traverse varieties of hostile environments, though they know best how to move and fight in rocky conditions.
Prey
Shadowclan cats prey on a variety of toads, frogs, lizards, mice and other forest prey.
Fighting Style
Shadowclan cats are in your face fighters, with little problem in killing or mortally wounding cats. They rarely back down, and use their strength and dirty tricks to win at any cost.
Traditions
New apprentices spend a night alone in Hallow swamp.
Fighting is by far more encouraged then hunting skills.
Windclan
Swift and Loyal
Leader- Open
Deputy- Open
Med Cat- Open
Med cat Apprentice- Open
Territory
Not surprisingly, Windclan territory consists almost entirely of moor land, though by the cliffs edge it is far rockier than one would think. Its landmarks are Sandstone Spire, Cliffs’ Edge, Hot springs, Burrow Bowl, and Hightop Moor.
Most of Windclan territory is moorland located on top of a sandy terrain, in certain places, such as near camp and Sandstone spire, this sandy terrain has hardened to become a sort of sandstone. In one area this sandstone thrusts up from the ground in a vertical and uneven cone, dubbed Sandstone Spire. There is not much prey here, but a climb part of the way of the creviced sides of Sandstone Spire affords you the most beautiful and all-encompassing view of the territories.
Where sea meets land, a long wall of rocky cliffs fences the border, it can provide an absolutely gorgeous view of the sea, but it also highly dangerous, as many sections of it are unstable and crumbly. Tread carefully.
Hot springs is the most highly disputed area of all the clan territories, its pools of warm water that bubble up from deep beneath the surface of the moor provide healing and warmth during the harsh winters, as well as a direct route to the Moonspring. Often you will find elders or sickly cats lounging here.
Burrow bowl is a common hunting and training area. It seems one section of the moor has sunk down slightly, and here are many entrances to the warren of prey tunnels that crisscrosses the moor. Some areas have long been abandoned by prey, and it is here that much initial training of apprentices happens.
Hightop Moor is just about the rest of the territory, the common grasses and heather where Windclan is usually most comfortable hunting.
Windclan camp is a dip in the ground by a slab of sandstone. Most cats sleep in nests outside under the stars, except for kits and the medicine cats. At one end of the slab there is an overhang, this area has been dug down and deeper shaped into the sandstone, it covered on three sides, and most of the year the large space is shared only by the nursery and Medicine cat dens, although they are separated from one another. During Leafbare, other cats often sleep there as well, though most warriors would prefer to stay out of that area anyway.
Attitude
Windclan are often the happiest but also more peaceful clan, they prefer to solve things diplomatically rather than go to war, although they won’t hesitate to defend themselves and strike back if need be.
Appearance
These are the smallest cats between all the clans, usually short furred. The main breeds to have contributed to this clan are Egyptian Maus, Somalis, Orientals, and American shorthairs.
The one interesting thing about Windclan is that it has the largest subgroup of different cats in all the clans, as several of the cats are bobtails. The bobtails came from a very vivacious American bobtail tom several generations back.
Naming
The art of naming is important for Windclan cats, although not necessarily as important as it is to Riverclan. Often they will name their kits for what they hope they will become like, or after a certain attribute they may wish their kit to have, so the speed of a hawk for example. Other common names come from their surroundings, the moor, the stone, the cliffs. Warriors are given their names based on their accomplishments or personalities.
Skills
As part of all their basic training, Windclan cats learn to develop their speed above all. Next to that would be their powers of observation, Windclan cats are known to have the best eyesight of the clans, and from their vantage point of high on the moor, can often even see Cloud Lake.
Prey
The most common prey for this clan is rabbits, but this is followed by birds.
Fighting Style
Windclan cats make use of their speed in battle, with hit and run tactics, as well as just small attacks first that wear away at their enemies’ strength.
Traditions
In the past Windclan has been known to house cats that know how to tunnel and maneuver underground, and though these cats are fewer now, they are still important to feeding the clan in Leafbare. They tend to feel that they are the closest to Starclan, as they seem to be closest to the stars, and the Moonspring is on the edge of their territory.