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| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 475px; overflow: auto; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;]Welcome to the Hive Though the sun burns above your weary head with an intensity known only to a place such as this desert, the ground beneath your feet remains eerily cool. An underground spring, perhaps? How typical of water to lie just beyond a creature’s parched grasp. You almost wish to rest your head against the cool earth, but are once again reminded not to by the vile dust the wind whips against your nostrils. This grey sand isn’t natural. It smells too much like a twoleg monster. Sighting a dull smear of off-white against the monotonous grey, you break into a run as you head towards it. As your weary paws lead you closer and closer, you find what seems to be a fallen starbeast, impaled upon two splintered spits of rock and bleeding a black substance into the toxic pool below it. Oily vines crawl up its sides and hang off its wings, died a dull grey by the blackpool yet radiating with satiating coolness. Its massive bulk blocks the horizon from your view, but you catch glimpses of steep canyons and crevices behind the corpse of the monster. Nearing the wreck, your face pales as you hear the low buzz emanating from the crashed shuttle. You have found the Cluster.[/fancypost] |
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| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 25px; overflow: allow; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;]The Hierarchy[/fancypost] |
| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 150px; overflow: auto; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;] [size=9pt]Current HPs[/size] Matriarch- Mother (rped by Wendigo) Promatriarch- Zuno (rped by Hyperbole) Head Herbalist- Fidelia (rped by The Nomadic Nerd) Herbalists- The Elite- Calliphora (rped by Marty) Bre Melekry (rped by River) [/fancypost] |
| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 150px; overflow: auto; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;] [size=9pt]The Matriarch[/size] The hive queen is only referred to as “Matriarch” by other clans or when being formally introduced. In all other instances, the Cluster simply calls her “Mother”. It is deeply instilled into the Cluster that, while they may be spawned from the blood of another cat, their hive queen is their one and only mother and should be considered as such. Even captured kits must be influenced through the hive mind that “Mother” should be loved unconditionally, as she loves them equally without question. And, in her own demented way, she does. [/fancypost] |
| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 150px; overflow: auto; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;] [size=9pt]The Promatriarch[/size] To put it simply, the Promatriarch is the Matriarch’s right-paw man. Cat. Thing. They carry out any responsibility the leader has no time for. They can organize patrols, call meetings (it might be a good idea to bring the meeting-thing up with Mother beforehand), judge or condemn any crime done within the hive, and organize any flippin’ fun-oriented event they darn well please. They cannot carry out unapproved diplomatic missions to other clans, declare war, condemn a crime done by any cat not owned by the hive, and cannot declare themselves above the laws of the Cluster. Should the Matriarch die, it is the Promatriarch's sworn duty to protect and ascend above his or her brothers and sisters. Essentially, they become the new mother.[/fancypost] |
| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 150px; overflow: auto; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;] [size=9pt]The Elite[/size] The Elite are the best of the best, chosen by paw to handle many of the more strenuous tasks the Cluster has to offer. Only among the Elites may a feline or other be recognized as a swarm leader during battle or patrols and must lead kit raids or spying missions into enemy territory upon the Mother or Promatriarch's order. Not only are the Elite responsible for these, but they also must lead water-runs, which are dangerous trips outside of Cluster territory with the soul purpose of transporting water back to the Hive.[/fancypost] |
| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 150px; overflow: auto; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;] [size=9pt]Herbalists[/size] These are basically the Medicine Cats of the Cluster, though, not unlike the other ranks, it differs from the common clan perception. In fact, the sheer irony of this title sure seems to bite many soldiers in the butt. Because the Cluster lives in a barren and toxic wasteland, diseases are common but herbs are not. Of course there are a few rare medicinal plants, but a lot of those are reserved for the mother. In fact, it is against the law for a Herbalist to use their medicine for another member of the hive before using it for Mother. Because of this, Herbalists usually end up sawing off limbs to stop the spread of blood poisoning, and whether or not this causes more harm than good is left to chance. Although the Herbalists are there to help, if a member gets sick, they're as good as crowfood.[/fancypost] |
| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 150px; overflow: auto; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;] [size=9pt]Soldiers[/size] If Mother is the heart of the Cluster and the Elites are the muscle, then the Soldiers are the blood that flows through its veins. Though seemingly insignificant on their own, the work of every Soldier is imperative to everyday life in the Cluster. Soldiers hunt for the clan and may form hunting patrols at their leisure. (If one wishes to form a border patrol, they must notify an Elite.) Soldiers are taught to fight as one, which makes them incredibly skilled at swarming and killing larger opponents. When faced alone, a kick in the nuts works too.[/fancypost] |
| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 150px; overflow: auto; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;] [size=9pt]Pupae[/size] The closest clan term that can be associated with the pupae would be “apprentice”. Unfortunately, the definition of the two words are not the same at all. A pupae is not assigned to a single mentor. In fact, they are mass-trained, as the way of the hive mind cannot be taught to each and every lone kit. These mass training sessions are often held by a Consul, the Promatriarch, or even the Matriarch herself. Unlike a conventional clan apprentice, Pupae are not allowed to go to battle under any circumstance. If a Pupae is caught fighting, they will be demoted back to a Larvae for three more moons or until they grow mature enough to follow the rules set by their Mother. However, if the hive is attacked, the Pupae may freely join in the fight, provided they stay safe and follow instructions. On a rare occasion, a group of Elder Pupae may be selected to carry out a secret mission or accompany a warrior on a diplomacy mission or a patrol.[/fancypost] |
| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 150px; overflow: auto; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;] [size=9pt]Larvae[/size] Larvae are the kits of the clan, though there are many regulations on how they are raised. Once birthed, the Larvae are to be named and taken away immediately. No paternal interactions are allowed, and if the Host (the animal who birthed them) resists the Elites will be ordered to make it to where she'll never be able to have kits again. If the resistance continues, the objects that inspired such disobedience will be removed from the Cluster. Permanently. The Larvae will be cared for by a trusted Drone of the parents' choice. One of the Drone's toes will be cut off for every kit that dies or goes missing while in his or her care, so make sure those kits are healthy and happy at all times. The Guards will check the kits every two weeks to ensure that none have gone missing, died, or are in bad health. If more than two kits die or if the Guards feel that the lives of the kits are in danger, the Drone will be quickly dispatched and replaced by another of the Mother's choosing.[/fancypost] |
| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 150px; overflow: auto; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;] [size=9pt]Drones[/size] Drones can be heathen-blooded felines or children that have rejected Mother. Either way, they are all used as slaves. While the abuse or killing of a drone must be justified, the Mother often turns a blind eye to such atrocities, labeling them as "Unfortunate Mishaps". Drones can be identified by a black pawprint staining their fur in a certain place. If the drone is ever promoted to a regular member, that fur is painfully pulled out to free them of that accusing mark. Drones are responsible for cleaning the hive, raising kits, helping herbalists when needed, doing many oddjobs around the hive as instructed, and even becoming cannon fodder when the situation demands it.[/fancypost] |
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| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 25px; overflow: allow; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;]Clan Specifics[/fancypost] |
| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 150px; overflow: auto; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;] [size=9pt]Fighting Style[/size] Every clan has their own fighting style. Shadowclan hides within their namesakes, relying on ambush and underpawed tactics to keep their opponents guessing. Windclan relies on speed, using their rabbit-like agility to make quick strikes to wear their opponents down. Thunderclan is all about finesse and fighting in enclosed spaces, keeping their tails and bodies just out of reach as their adversaries struggle to keep their footing in the dangerous forest terrain. Riverclan are powerful yet skilled, using their enchanced swimming abilities to their utmost advantage. The Cluster does none of that. The only proper way to describe the way of the Hive is a swarm. The Cluster rely upon their numbers and their group training in order to create an imposing sea of claws and fangs rather than just a plain army. Hivemind training hones the Cluster’s group fighting abilities to an almost inexplicable level, making the Hive more than capable of taking down huge opponents with little effort. However, opponents that are the same size as the members of the swarm stage a much larger threat. That is where the Cluster employs the "Kick it in the Nuts and Run" technique. [/fancypost] |
| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 150px; overflow: auto; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;] [size=9pt]Prey[/size] The Cluster's main prey are buzzards. [/fancypost] |
| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 150px; overflow: auto; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;] [size=9pt]Water[/size] The Hive's territory is almost completely toxic and uninhabitable, yet the leader insists on staying on it. Well guess what? The water is pretty toxic too. To collect it, some important cats have to go outside the territory, gather water into moss at another clan's river or something, pack the moss into the skull of a dead animal, and carry the water back to the camp. It is stored in one of the empty oxygen canisters. The metal containers, kept insulated by the shuttle's insides, keeps the water cold(ish) and reasonably clean.[/fancypost] |
| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 150px; overflow: auto; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;] [size=9pt]The Hive Mind[/size] The Hive Mind is a phenomenon within the Cluster that cannot possibly be explained to any outsider. The Cluster's Hive Mind is achieved through intense mass training and a little sprinkle of complex wordless communication. In order to get battle orders across the swarm, the swarm leader will use a touch and click form of communication. The touch part is just a simple brush or special against another cat, and the touch is passed onto the next cat. The order then travels through the swarm in waves, allowing the swarm leader to steer the swarm without being singled out as the brain of the swarm. The click method is much more complex and is used to give relatively silent orders during a raid or anything that doesn't require a swarm. The order giver simply makes noises akin to a cicada, and each type of noise combined with the length of the noise represents a word. The words are separated by harsh guttural clicks instead of pauses like a normal language. This method of communication is so effective that a few Cluster members insist on using it for everyday conversations.[/fancypost] |
| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 25px; overflow: allow; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;]The Territory[/fancypost] |
| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 150px; overflow: auto; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;] [size=9pt]General Description[/size] The Cluster territory was most likely once a very beautiful place, but years of chemical waste and toxic spills have rendered the place an uninhabitable desert. Plant life is scarce and prey is even scarcer, and there is no clean water anywhere. If you dig into the hot desert sand, you may find that the ground beneath it is eerily cool. Many theorize that it is that way due to an underground spring or a network of well ventilated tunnels. The land is far from a featureless desert, though; it is covered in odd rock formations, cliffs, and crags, making it dangerous to traverse without a guide.[/fancypost] |
| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 150px; overflow: auto; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;] [size=9pt]The Camp[/size] The camp is often referred to as "The Hive," and rightfully so. It is completely alien from the normal camps or even the castles that most felines are used to. The Cluster's hive is a massive Starbeast (space shuttle) corpse impaled and supported in the air by two splinters of rock that jut out of the Earth like fangs. The dead beast's pale hide is covered in oily black vines, and while they are toxic to eat they provide a chilling coolness within the hive in comparison to the blistering air outside. Beneath the hanging Starbeast is a pool that probably once ran clear. Unfortunately, it has long since been tainted by the beast's black blood, rendering it undrinkable. I wouldn't wash your fur around it either. The HPs' den is located in the cockpit, the nursery is located in the secluded and inescapable engine room, and everyone else just sleeps where they want.[/fancypost] |
| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 150px; overflow: auto; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;] [size=9pt]The ET[/size] Remarkably enough, the large orange external tank used for fueling the Starbeast's first and final launch into the sky survived the crash. It now sits just a stone throw away from the Hive, wedged in the shattered canyon and covered in more greasy vines. This is the Cluster's dungeon. Here prisoners are bound in vines and hung from the ceiling like a spider's prey with only their muzzles and maybe an eye still exposed to the hot desert air. The prisoners are fed by drones if they're lucky and are always guarded by at least three soldiers. Since you had to really piss someone off to land here, help is scarce and completely illegal.[/fancypost] |
| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 150px; overflow: auto; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;] [size=9pt]The Forbidden Place[/size] An abandoned mining town lies just a short trek away from the Hive. The buildings have long been ransacked by bandits and hobos, so they're no more than empty shells. But a keen eye might find more than one treasure left behind by its former occupants. Now, every mining town has to have a mine, right? Well, this one kind of did. Just a few foxlengths from the last building in the town lies the gaping maw of a huge coal mine. Unfortunately, it is forbidden to go into this mine, and for a very good reason. Though the network of tunnels undoubtedly spiderwebs throughout the entire Cluster territory, the poor miners who had worked there hit a rather massive pocket of natural gas. The entire mine had to be evacuated, and since then no living thing has been able to go down there due to the noxious fumes.[/fancypost] |
| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 150px; overflow: auto; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;] [size=9pt]The Ragged Shore[/size] Bordering the East side of Cluster territory is a large ocean. The ocean cannot even be seen by anyone standing at the Hive, so any hope of the saltwater washing away the poisonous chemicals that pepper the land is made in vain. However, it only takes about half a day to get there, so many Cluster members use it as a vacationing spot. If you could call it that. The Ragged Shore is aptly named, for it is completely covered in sharp stones and steep cliffs. The few beaches that are there are covered in trash and teeming with disease, though less than the usual Cluster territory. Many cats play with the trash, inventing new sports and sometimes holding clan-wide events. Many others spend their time searching for hidden treasures among the filthy sand, for one never knows that might pop up upon this shore.[/fancypost] |
| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 150px; overflow: auto; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;] [size=9pt]The Shattered Canyon[/size] The Shattered Canyon is the remains of a large canyon that was obliterated in the Starbeast's crash. Much of it still stands, but the river that forged it has run completely dry. The towering walls hold many mysterious caves and many more dangers, so venture there at your own risk. The main use of the Shattered Canyon is as a clear pathway to the Ragged Shore.[/fancypost] |
| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 25px; overflow: allow; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;]How to Join[/fancypost] |
| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 150px; overflow: auto; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;] [size=9pt]Everyone is Welcome![/size] New Characters are always welcome in the Cluster, provided you follow standard WCRPG rules and DON'T START DRAMA. If you start any drama, I will grab your drama AND EAT IT WITH A BRAN MUFFIN. *holds up bran muffin menacingly* Normally an Elite would interrogate your character, but we're not doing that yet. For now just post a bio on this thread if you want to join. YOU CANNOT REQUEST AN HIGH POSITION Those are won by hard work and dedication. Stay active enough and your character will be considered. [/fancypost] |
| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 150px; overflow: auto; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;] [size=9pt]The Form[/size] .:Name .:Species .:Gender .:Appearance .:Personality .:History (optional) .:Other The History section is optional because while I really like reading character histories (no sarcasm, I really do), some members want their character to remain mysterious, and I respect that. While we do not discriminate against less literate roleplayers, it is required that you put at least two sentences in the personality and appearance sections. Eg- Examplepaw is quirky. He likes giving help. Eg- Examplepaw is brown. He is also tall. [/fancypost] |
| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 150px; overflow: auto; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;][align=left][size=9pt]Cluster IC Laws[/size] |
| The Mother's word is law Do not harm your brothers or sisters New members are to be reported to an Elite immediately Guard the hive with your life Pupae do not go to battle Kits are not to leave the hive Honor all Higher Ups [/fancypost] |
| [fancypost bgcolor=#249E24; bordercolor=; borderwidth=0px; width: 300px; height: 150px; overflow: auto; text-align: center; font: verdana; color: black; opacity: 0.5;]Threads Meet and Greet - TBA Cluster Board Disease Guide - TBA How to Think Like a Cluster - TBA Main Roleplay Thread [/fancypost] |
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