r0binspirit

[r0binspirit]

so what I'm hearing is is discowing is a valid warrior name

It is absolutely valid. There are so many fun prefixes that you can pull from mushrooms in the setting, Disco is only one of them. Here's some more;

Prince

Knight

Amethyst (Deceiver)

Bracket

Jelly

Cake (King Alfred's)

Butter (Witch's)

Chicken (of the Woods)

Dead (Man's Fingers)

Elf (Cup)

Parasol

Puffball

Angel (Destroying)

Funeral (Bell)

I kinda hope I can toss Cake and Jelly onto some cats eventually, they're almost as cute as Miss Discopaw imo

[r0binspirit]

Butch Goldenflower who looks like a maned lioness listen to me

[r0binspirit]

I've been wanting to come up with a personality meaning for the pelt and fur suffix since it seems unfair that those cats don't get a name that actually describes their skills/personality...

I've had 3 thoughts for what they could mean..

1 furred is soft, so they have a soft/kind personality

2 they have tough skin?Meaning things don't bother them easily, they have strong emotional armor. Maybe the "tough skin" saying is changed to "tough pelt" for cats

3. They are a jack of all trades , a lot of cats have these suffixes so this feels like the one that makes the most since....

I really like the soft one... I may have pelt and fur mean that in RoC

[r0binspirit]

I personally use -tail as a sort of “jack of all trades” suffix, considering that a cat typically uses their tail for balance above all else. It signifies that they’re well-rounded and balanced, not only in physicality but in skills as well! :D

omg! this makes sm since!! imma ad this as the description for the tail suffix!!

Btw, slightly unrelated but... my suffix list is going to be written for my au, so it wont fully follow canon! Like how im adding personality meanings to -pelt and -fur.

[r0binspirit]

:3 im remaking some old clan ocs and I made a map for them and I'm like pacing cause I really want to rename the clans... I was debating making them colonies but I'm unsure?????? green space is grasslands, yellow is wetlandy planes, purple is forest and blue is mountians/forest (the lighter the color the higher up it is) Blue was stormclan... kinda wanna still keep storm, yellow current placeholder name is sun? I'm soooo unsure about the other two (pink dots r camps if anyone wondering) my main thing is, any suggestions for fun cool names? either for the clans that arent clans anymore or for what i could refer to them as? I thought about stealing orders but ARUGH I'm so unsure (cries)

Ohohoho Im using this as a chance to ramble some cat group name ideas hehehe

I really love when clans are renamed to Colonies since thats what actual groups of cats are called! but I of course also love Orders bec that's what I chose hehe

some other ideas are: Kingdom, Clowder (hehe other name for cat groups), pride (like lions??), brigade, army, coterie (ooo fancy word~), you could have each group be addressed as just "Storm" or "Sun" and have the group's land be called "Storm's territory" or something!

For your territories, the first thing I thought was maybe something to do with weather patterns since you had the idea of "Storm" and "Sun"! Maybe Storm is a very stormy territory with harsh weather, and Sun or possibly Sunny could be a more sunny climate? Im honestly thinking that the grasslands would work better being named Sun with that theme though, since it would be the most sunny! Maybe the marshy territory could be named Fog or Cloud , though maybe the grasslands are a more cloudy place idk! hmmm what would the forest be called though... maybe Rain? or Drizzle? possibly even Snow? could be Flood too if they get the brunt of the flooding after the snow melts!

Idk I just like the idea of naming territories in a theme, and around each territories differences!

here's some other ideas for territory themes: name each after a different tree only found in the territory, same thing but with plants, animals, rocks, could even name them like "Forest" "Wet" "Mountain" and "Grass" simple but nice! Also I like the idea of territories being named after a certain special traight each group has, like "Proud" "Loyal" "Strong" "Cunning", or after a special ability each group has, like "Leaping" "Running" "Climbing" "Swimming"!

[r0binspirit]

three clans, equally devoid in dignity

[r0binspirit]

Is there a list of all the jobs the cats can have?

I gotta make a whole thingie on this but here's a short list of the new job expansions, as a quick summary before I get around to it;

All heads of the patrol expansions report to the deputy. Patrol expansions also have apprentice chores that need to be carried out-- like dishwashing for Kitchen Patrol.

Official Jobs: Tasks that a cat can volunteer for or be assigned to for the day.

Kitchen Patrol Tasked with preparing meals. This includes processing prey from carcass to meat, making all the cats feel as full as possible on the food they have on-paw, and general preservation. NEW Position: Head of Kitchen. Oversees these operations, ensures fair ration distribution, decides the communal meal for the day, works directly with the other two heads to provide building materials (leather, bones) and discuss hunting quarries.

Hunting Patrol Very similar to canon; tasked with catching prey or patrolling the border. NEW Position: Head of Hunting. Tasked with managing prey populations and overseeing the types of animals that are being brought home. Has the freedom to levy "limits" on species and organize big game hunts. Is also expected to keep tabs on the territories and populations of other predators, especially vixens and how many cubs they're having in a season.

Construction Patrol An expansion of canon's unofficial builder roles. Tasked not only with building itself, but weatherproofing based on the season, comfort of the dens, and collecting materials. NEW Position: Head of Construction. Oversees projects and manages safety. Works intimately with the Head of Kitchen especially, responsible for taking the skinned pelts and processing them into proper leather, and cleaning spare long bones (especially of rabbits) for use as beams and supports. In ThunderClan, they are also responsible for maintaining the spears.

Educator A cat in charge of giving all kittens all their basic skills and a simple introduction to history, before their mentor and the elders eventually take over. Teaches kits how to understand glyphs, the names of certain animals, the leaders of their Clan, etc.

Unofficial Jobs: Tasks that a cat chooses to do, sometimes also asking permission to do it professionally or permanently.

Chaperone The "perma-queen" position. Helps out in the nursery and attends the needs of the queens. Doesn't typically do a lot with the kittens themselves, between their Mi, the Educator, any Bas or family they have, and the elders. Raising kittens is communal, so the Chaperone focuses more on the parents themselves. (Chaperones are generally rare, as they are redundant if you write the clan as a proper social unit, imo...)

Trader A cat who brings things to the border or to gatherings in order to swap them for other goods. Becoming more popular as peace between the Clans grows. Not a "position" but more of a hobby, or a talent. The Clans are currently running on bartering, between borders.

Crafting Weaving, tanning, toymaking, instrument creation, etc. Not so much a singular position rather than a blanket of various hobbies Clan cats can do in their off-time, now. While Construction Patrol often has to do these as chores, they can be done just for fun or personal gain.

In addition, the Leaders, Deputies, and Clerics have significant expansions as well.

Leaders are now given 9 lives to USE, and are expected to function as "the ideal warrior." They are at the head of dangerous missions, patrols, and are brave responders to natural disasters. They are blessed by StarClan itself, carrying a piece of a star to display their holy rank.

The Deputy is now expected to be the one who handles the "busywork" in the Clan so the leader is free to lead by example. The final decision always goes to the leader, but the deputy has MASSIVE influence over the day-to-day functions of the Clan now.

And the Cleric is the healer and spiritual authority of the entire Clan, only outdone by the Leader itself. Only a Cleric is allowed to interpret signs and omens, with Clan Culture now having the concepts of blasphemy, dark magic, and demonic influence.

[r0binspirit]

some anatomy tips for drawing cat legs - works for big cats too

[r0binspirit]

going back to that shadowclan queen tradition about soup had me thinking, who washes the dishes? is it just a part of the kitchen patrol or is it an apprentice task? what kind of sponges would each clan use?

Sponges are actually an animal! And one that Clan cats do not have access to. If you need to wash a dish, you use ash and water. Linen or nettle cloth can be used as a rag.

Linen is preferred, and especially prevalent in Shadow, River, and Wind. ThunderClan either trade for it, or uses nettle cloth. SkyClan just steals rags right off clotheslines!

"Apprentice Tasks" are sort of like the lowest jobs of any Patrol. Den-cleaning is the lowest task of Construction Patrol. Dish-washing is the lowest task of Kitchen Patrol. Apprentices learn the basic skills of all the jobs in the Clan, SO, they get saddled with Dish Duty a lot lmao.

ShadowClan and their soups are the ones that make the most dishes, by the way. Most of the other clans have food habits that are less messy.

[r0binspirit]

ngl: all this time I FULLY believed that "seasons" was just the clan's way of referring to years. I think it's just because the timekeeping system confused me because they have words for a week,or two weeks but not an entire year, which you'd think would be important to these cats???

Timekeeping is REALLY bad in canon, which you'd think would be the ONE thing the clans would be good at tracking. Not only is their rigid work-obsessed society based around the hunting possible in each season, but they also have an astrology based religion

Personally I've broken it down and given them real terms for everything they need.

Cycle = Year. Refers to star positions in the sky. Time is based on celestial movement, not temperature or other seasonal metrics.

Season = 3 moons. These are related to leaf-fall, leafbare, etc, but are actually no longer EXACTLY the same.

(Yes, this does mean they now have terms for winter/spring/summer/autumn but these are purely astrological in this society.)

Moon = Complete moon cycle. Unchanged from the books.

They're also keeping fourth, half, and quarter moons... at least, until I can find a more celestial way to phrase a week. Their terms will stay moon-centric.

Also batting around the idea of creating a LionClan story they tell to explain the concept to children... it'll actually secretly be about Rock! Rough draft: He hunted the moon and tore it to pieces, like a father feeding his kittens rations of time itself. He might be called Mooneyes or Moonmane in the story.

[r0binspirit]

The Kinship Roles

The Great Forest Kinships have a lot of roles! They are far more complicated and bigger than warriors clans!

This is a list and short description of each role! Some will be expanded upon/further explained in other posts!

Note: the numbers of cats for each role is an average for a normal healthy Kinship, some may be smaller or bigger depending on how the seasons have been treating them.

The Leadership:

Monarch (1) -leader of the kinship

Vice (1) -second to the Monarch, almost always the Monarch's kin; will be the next Monarch after current's death or retirement. (more info on them in The Role Laws)

Soothsayer (1-2) - a cat with a great connection to the Ancestors; their job is to receive and interpret signs. These cats are also the keeper of texts and knowledge for the kinship, they live amongst the kinship's historical texts in their library.

Warden (1) - the cat put in charge of the kinship's camp and basic goings on; this cat is meant to ensure that everything is going well in the different common roles. They often spend much of their time overseeing training or the big projects within the Kinship.

The Heir (1) - The Heir is not technically part of the leadership, but is instead "leadership in training". The Heir is the Monarch's chosen young kin which they will train to be their successor. The Heir is often chosen when they are a Trainee or Apprentice.

The Heir's Apprenticeship will be under the Monarch, and once they have completed their Apprenticeship, they will become Vice, and the current Vice will step down.

The Heads:

These are often the eldest and most experienced cats of each common role; they are in charge of all other cats within the role, and the work they are doing.

- Head Herbalist - Head Guard - Head Hunter - Head Keeper - Head Crafter

The Common:

Herbalists (~1-3) - these cats grow herbs and plants for the kinship within the kinship's garden; they are the healers of the kinship.

Guards (~6) - the protectors of the kinship, these cats patrol the territory ensuring that outsiders are not over hunting on their lands, and that dangerous animals are not in the territory.

Hunters (~6) - these cats hunt for the kinship's food, they ensure that the stores are well stocked, and often join in with the Keepers in drying, skinning and storing foods.

Keepers (~1-4) - the caretakers of the kinship, these cats care for the elders, kits and any other cats withing the camp that need help. They are the leaders of any restoration or building projects, and they are also in charge of storing food and cooking. They often recruit help from other cats for tasks.

Crafters (~1-3) - these cats craft and build all of the kinship's tools, and accessories. They spend most of their time making baskets, bags and other storage items, as well as warmer clothes for the cold seasons.

The Young:

Apprentices - 1-2 cycles, or until considered adept at Role; young adults getting further training in a specific role, under their 2nd mentor- a cat from the role the apprentice wishes to be a part of.

Trainees - 6-12 moons; young cats receiving their base education under their 1st Mentor.

Kits - 1-6 moons; baby :)

The Elders:

These cats have grown old and have retired from their work, or they have chosen to retire early due to injuries or conditions that make work too difficult. They often help with caring for kits, or with doing small tasks, but it is no longer their job to work for the Kinship.

[r0binspirit]

I’ve always liked to imagine pelt/fur means kind or gentle.

So Bluestar keeps her canon suffix Bluefur because she is kind hearted and it Really bothers Thistleclaw that a cat with the fur suffix is being considered as next deputy.

ok! im thinking im actually going to have -pelt and -fur mean two different things!

-fur : a soft kind hearted cat; soft like fur

-pelt : a tough cat, often emotionally tough, “nothing gets through this cat’s pelt”

to me, fur feels a lot more soft while pelt feels more tough, so I like the idea that they mean two different things!!

[r0binspirit]

Funfact: for niaf i actually have a fix for the eye name issue. Kits are not named immediately after being born other than a few exceptions, they're named 1 moon so they can be named after eye color or personality!

i like this idea a lot!

I may add this, though I also enjoy having the kits be named after birth!

[r0binspirit]

For the dead warrior thing, how's about the non-ThunderClan dead meddies from arc 1? Mudfur, Barkface, and Runningnose.

(And on the note of fleshing out StarClan-as-deities, I'm curious, do you think Clan cats would pray to specific cats for divine intervention or to StarClan as a whole? If the former, who would the cats get in contact with for, say, good luck in romance or help conceiving a litter?)

a) Mudfur

Mudfur joined StarClan at the worst possible time, and spent his first few years agonizing over the fact he couldn't get in touch with Mothwing. Once he could rest assured that Willowpaw could receive the visions for her, he was so done with stress and responsibility that he turned down several prestigious positions around StarClan.

He would have made excellent signs, he could have been excellent at crafting newborn spirits, and he would have been able to blow the clouds away with a mighty breath. Instead, he likes to nap in the dappled starshine, and spend time with his beloved mate and kits.

He's ready to fade now, actually, he's made his peace with his life and would like to move on; but he wants to be the last to go. Since Leopardstar is so venerated, he won't fade for a very long time.

b) Barkface

Barkface is a natural at dreamweaving. Like a spider, he can lace together memories, wishes, and desires, and gently unravel them into the minds of sleeping cats. Of course he's called on for very important prophetic dreams, but more than anything, he loves to grace the minds of elders with images of their glory days.

He lived a long life, and he's been reunited with many lost friends in StarClan. He also loves what he does, so it will be generations before Barkface decides that he'd like to pass on.

c) Runningnose

(in my rewrite, runningnose is actually a very different person and also a dark forest cat, so this one's for the canon Runningnose fans out there!)

Runningnose is still trying to find his peace. He went through a lot in life and had to make a lot of hard choices, he was even a cat who went through a trial (though it was unanimous in the end that he was worthy of StarClan). He joined StarClan as a weary spirit.

He was pretty quiet at first, not having the willpower to do very much, but with the help of his friends he's found a place in growing herbs. They don't make him sneeze anymore, and he defies a StarClan stereotype that Medicine Cats are usually bad at floramancy.

This is because he's patient and humble, he won't resort to pointlessly chasing away clouds and making perfect weather. He will gladly lay, wait, and coax the smallest stem through the thickest snowbank, as long as he knows it will help at least one clanmate through leafbare.

When Littlecloud joined him, it was like he suddenly had a burst of great energy. He's still not the vibrant soul he was in youth, but he has all the time in the world to regain his spark.

d) Do the clan cats worship individual spirits, or StarClan as a whole?

Answered below the cut

I hadn't considered it before, but, sometimes yes. Overall, StarClan is a shifting clan, full of cats who are relevant to the living. Cats fade away when they're ready to rest, so bothering a random spirit would be fruitless or perhaps even rude. Generally, if the cats are praying, it's to StarClan as a whole.

There are exceptions of course. Leopardstar will pride herself as an avatar of battle and gladly bestow favor if she's contacted. Firestar will show up if you so much as think about him too hard. But sometimes, a cat will pray to a direct ancestor, or a friend will "lend" one of theirs.

"My grandmew had NINE kittens, if you ask her she'll totally help you have a litter!"

"My grandpaw's brother died at sunningrocks, dragged down TWO RiverClan warriors with him! He'll help me claw their ears off tomorrow!"

"Remember the wisdom of Tallstar the wanderer, who visited many lands and guided his clan across them. Pray to him tonight, and he will protect you on your journey to the mountain."

[r0binspirit]

There should be some sort of herbal remedy to eye infections in kits

Its pretty common for feral kittens to get eye infections so I think it could be neat for med cats to have some sort of remedy or something that stops it from happening to explain why thats never really a problem in warriors!

[r0binspirit]

hi! apologies if this has already been asked, but i was wondering what exactly 'caretakers' in your roc au do! i am very interested in this!! would they ever go on patrols? or take part in battles?.. if not, would it be a privilege for a clan to have caretakers? sorry for my rambling but oooo cool interesting role!

I love Caretakers so now i shalt ramble about them hehe

There are almost always fewer Caretakers than Warriors, though sometimes the numbers are equal, just depends on how large the clan is!

The title covers a lot of different jobs, some may specialize in specific things, but generally Caretakers main jobs are to care for the camp and the clan!

their jobs generally include stuff like:

keeping the camp in proper shape: reinforcing strictures, expanding dens, collecting new moss and other materials, keeping the campfires going (especially during the colder seasons).

making sure the clan is fed: they are the ones who store the food (drying meats and such for the winter), they keep an eye on all clan members and make sure they have eaten their share, and have not over eaten as well!

crafting: they craft items like cloaks (for winter), bags and baskets, books and other materials!

they care for Queens, Kits and Elders: they basically have taken on the apprentice duties from canon, making sure that the elders are clean, happy and comfortable. They also are the clan babysitters and midwives, they help queens with their pregnancies, kitting and caring for their kits (this is done alongside the Healer of course).

they can also kinda be therapists, though a healer might also serve that role!

No one Caretaker really takes on all of these roles, they often just specialize in one or two! for example Specklesnap is mostly in the nursery helping the queens; Dustpelt is mostly reinforcing dens, caring for the fire and food stores; Thrushcloud cares for the elders mostly though he also likes to watch the kits; etc.

ALSO! all apprentices are trained in both the skills of a Warrior and a Caretaker! though generally training focusses more on Warrior skills. Cats who choose to be Caretakers often learn while on the job and working with their fellow Caretakers!

this is so that a Caretaker can contribute to hunting and fighting if the clan needs it! in times of harsh winter or a war caretakers may need to take on more warrior duties!

though on the other hand, Warriors also know he general skills of a Caretaker so they may be able to aid them in their work if needed, like if the camp is destroyed!

[r0binspirit]

StarClan should have kept some of the godlike traits the clans ascribe to them. I would read a novella about a newly dead spirit learning how to make trees grow, turn the seasons, and create new prey.

Imagine some massive, battle-worn cat who now has to craft tiny little newborn kittens. His mentor is a kit who died very young, but they’ve been doing this even longer than their new apprentice was alive. The old warrior is distraught when he places one too many toes on the newborn, but his mentor winks and assures him, “A blessing from StarClan itself, its parents will be thrilled!“