Posts by tunes

The three clans' together roughly form an upside down triangle facing the shore, and the vast world beyond. Each territory reflects the cats that inhabit them; whether it be by size, pelt, or just heart. From the crafty, and clever StygianClan who live in a dense, oak forest with a network of caves; to the swift navigators of the moor, ZephyrClan. Then, your favorite, and mine, NauticalClan: of brave hearts and proud minds.

A heavy fog relentlessly smothers the land, rarely taking a break. The moist air is both a blessing, and a curse. Though NauticalClan has grown accustomed, cats unfamiliar with the territory's noses can become confused. Also, the thick smog diminishes one's eyesight, however, it isn't always bad. Anyways, NauticalClan relies greatly on hearing with some of the sharpest ears in the land. Swamps have developed a misconception about them being gross, messy, and creepy. It may appear that way from the outside, but once your paws get going you'll realize just what you've gotten yourself into. Many animals have claimed this land as home: an array of birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, otters, and beavers. Soft, mud-drowned grass graces the paws of those who inhabit the swamp. Random pools are scattered across the land, creating a haven of prey. The land isn't completely flat, but the slopes are gradual on one side with an occasional steep decline on the other. Boulders of all sorts of different sizes, shapes, texture, and coloring are strewn across the marsh. There are many, and create wonderful lookout posts, as well as shelter. A strong stream comes from StygianClan's territory, branching off into several smaller ones throughout NauticalClan land. There is one especially wide branch that forms a fork higher up in the territory, carefully hidden, and away from the dangerous shore from which the clan cats first emerged. NauticalClan lies closest to the shore, and the rogue cats that have inhabited this land for so long. They can raise havoc, and commonly intrude into a slice of marsh that NauticalClan fights especially hard to obtain. In the left region of the territory, there are tall trees, though they are skinnier than StygianClan's who lay just beyond the thin span of trees. The land grows sturdier towards in the right region, with moorland merging with the marsh. Rabbits can be hunted there, though they are a bit fast for the brawny NauticalClan warriors. The land is still being investigated, so there aren't many official landmarks yet, aside from a training area. It is just a few tail-lengths away from the narrow trees, but the ground is tougher here. The grass is packed down, heavy from the marsh, but tough like the forest ground. They call this Tree Hollow. More landmarks will be added along the away as they are sought out, feel free to give ideas.

Located between the previously mentioned, forked stream lay the prized NauticalClan camp. Only reachable by the strong swimmers, or a hollow log that slouches into the stream, leaving only a small jump to reach the rest of the territory. Once you cross the hollow log, you are forced to walk around the edge of the mini-island. A third of the way around the circular shape is the entrance. It is a reed and cattail woven shelter that could be considered prickly by short-haired cats. It is quite pretty inside with shells and rocks collected from the shore carefully placed around the edge, and between dens. The chief's den only allows two cats in at once because of its location; a deep, narrow crevice in an ancient stone. This is also where he, or she holds meetings, calling them from a ledge higher up on the rock. The stone is slightly ajar from directly across, but nevertheless, facing the entrance. Just to the right of the den is the Wise Ones' den, a patch of cool moss with smooth stones (probably from the great stone) guarding it. The tenderfoots' den is nestled between the nursery and Wise Ones'. It is a shallow den, probably formed from once standing water that has been washed away, with more reeds protecting it, and moss-feather nests inside. The nursery has a hollow rock looming over it, that appears smaller from the outside than if you are actually inside. Once you crawl into the den, it opens up filled with dim light and warm air, and moss covering nearly the whole den. Then to the left of the Chief's den, the Shaman's den is in a way attached to it. A tall, narrow crevice splits the side, but doesn't run as deep as the Chief's den. In this cleft, the Shaman stores his or her herbs, and other supplies. Behind a reed wall, the sick or injured lay, a small, shallow pool that leaks in from the stream just mouse-lengths from their thirsty tongues. On the opposite side of this reed wall, and close to the storage cleft is the dim den in which the Shaman rests. Finally, the warriors' den; closest to the entrance, but across from the Shaman's den. It is the largest of all the dens, just slightly more than the nursery. A tangle of reeds makes up its barrier, under an old yew bush with low hanging branches. The nests are made of shallow, dugout pits or for the senior warriors, closest to the bush, the soft roots.

There was once a collective group of cats, strays or kittypets alike, that were individually pulled off the streets of Europe in waves by sailors who wanted mousers for their ships. Once the idea of providing a service for humans (but to which the cats only know as Sailors) became the norm, they all were content with their very easy and simplistic job; catch the rats and mice that practically leaped into their paws and get under the hold when it rained.

But one day, the sailors didn't join them under the hold; not one. It was a passenger ship to the New World and there was no weaponry on hand for the sailors besides pocketknives. All of them abandoned ship during a heavy rainstorm in which pirates invaded the ship. Only a few cats saw them because the pirates only wished to loot the ship. To the knowledge of the cats, none of the sailors survived and even some cats died due to the crash landing. It was a traumatic event that left many cats stunned, and some grieving the loss of friends, and being ripped from their family to board the ship. However, upon arriving on new sand, all the cats explored, curiosity and survival instincts kicking into high gear, and found the areas that lay beyond the shore that best fit their skill sets. With a consensual group decision, the former ship cats decided to split up into three clans given their ability to utilize the land. These clans are NauticalClan, ZephyrClan, and StygianClan.

Soon after this was decided, however, the native cats of the land took over their former home and place of spiritualism, claiming the wrecked ship and the beach as their own. They are a potentially vengeful group, and the clans cats still strive to come to terms with said rogues. Today, the three clans are still figuring out the basics of implementing territory boundaries, finding a way to take back their ship from the rogues, and also investigate another peculiar and unfamiliar abstraction.... Land-Sailors.

Most of the cats from the boat were born on board to better fit their role as mousers, only some having been from the Old World. Over time they crafted up their own belief systems, and eventually some common string of words were formed in their own tradition. They are solely polytheistic and believe in reincarnation completely and use tribe names similar to that of the Tribe of Rushing Water.

NauticalClan has a ritual of their own in which certain shells are placed around different cat ranks' nests. More information coming soon.

God(dess) of the Sea - Sedna and Sirene (Like Seer-en)
Looks: Sedna is a jolly female fish who destroys the ships of lonely sailors; the bringer of storms. Sirene is her ale counterpart that keeps the ocean calm and lulling.
Common sayings: "Sirene has blessed us." or "Sedna is coming forth."

Agwe - Spirit of the fish
Common sayings: "Agwe is keeping in pace beside us." Usually mentioned when waves are gently lapping the ship and the men can fish easily.

God of Healing - Tellus
Looks: A brown tabby tom with green eyes and a wideset frame. He is a patron to doctors.
Common sayings: "Tellus must be seeking us." Meaning he wants the cats/crew to land.

Goddess of Wind - Amala
Looks A pure white she-cat with a sleek build and a nurturing nature; if you don't anger her.
Common sayings: "Amala is cuffing the sails, it seems." Meaning the wind is helping the ship continue forward well.

Goddess of War - Apikunni
A strange siamese with two heads and a very sleek, forked tail. This she is almost always in an attacking stance; whether it be by your side or ready to pounce on you.
Common savings: "Apikunni, please be by our side in spirit for this war."

God of Tricks and Mischief - Nabozho
Looks: A completely white rabbit with brown eyes and a sly grin.
Common sayings: The youth are stirring Nabozho, Nabozho's reincarnation.

God of Fertility - Yemaya
Looks - A soft-pelted cream-colored she-cat with turquoise eyes and a pink nose. She is usually breathing soothing words to lasses bringing their littles forth.
Common sayings: "We have big news, everyone; Yemaya will be summoned soon!" (We are having kits.)

God of the Sun - Shamash
Looks: Portrayed as a ginger abyssinian with a perpetual grin and white marble-like eyes. One of the main deities.
Common sayings: Literally anything to do with the sun you can think of.

Goddess of the Moon- Nintu
Looks: A black she-cat with dark, mysterious blue eyes.
Common sayings: Again, literally anything to do with the moon; 'Nintu will be watching the tops of their pelts." etc.