Post by Cobalt on Sept 23, 2013 1:04:09 GMT -5
Thought you all might like to see. It will be set in Iowa, since I thought worldbuilding for my area would be way fun, and the territories will be based off of the woods right behind my house! The creek, though small and currently all dried up, has made some crazy massive ravines and winds back and forth for ages further upstream. There are also some abandoned hiking trails, deer paths everywhere, and two collapsed railroad bridges. It's gonna be so. Much. Fun. Of course, there are not actually more than a few cats out there, but the area has the potential to support a few groups when not in drought, so I'm dropping them there and seeing what happens!
The Clans
They don't actually have names yet, but there will be three of them. One is based around the winding area upstream, which is crazy disorienting so only they can find their way through it. One is based further downstream, with the super big ravines and most access to the trails. And one gets the shallowest part of the creek and some more of the trail-area. The area as a whole is surrounded by houses, but there is plenty of room, so I also like to think these cats would be less fearful of humans.
Names
Of course I have a massive stash of prefixes all set and organized, but I'll just give you my modified suffixes.
-claw : fighting skill
-whisker : hunting skill
-nose : tracking skill
-foot : speed and/or stamina
-tail : agility/balance
-leaf : healing skill
-fang : hunting and fighting
-leg : speed and agility (new)
-belly : motherly (as in -flower)
-heart : strong moral code
-ear : calm, patient (as in -cloud)
-eye : volatile in temperament (as in -storm)
-face : attractive
-stripe : tabby
-fur : usually longhaired
-pelt : usually shorthaired
Belief System
A few things I have written up so far:
The stars are the light of souls who no longer have bodies. They are bright from every thought and drop of wisdom they ever had. Some say they visit in dreams, or through clouds and prophecies. They are the first and the greatest Clan, and they are called StarClan. Someday you, and I, and all of us will join them.
Moon was the first to join. Some say she was like us, some say she was the largest, greatest feline you could imagine, some say she was a different creature altogether. She never stops watching and learning, and she has sworn never to leave the sky, and this is why she is so very big and bright.
There is one spot in our territories where you may feel fearful, or worried, or on edge. But do not fret, for this is just the Moonpull, and this is the place that Moon has made for us to feel our ancestors and be with them in our hearts.
And remember, dreams are the place where spirits cross, and although you will never remember, sometimes the Stars will come to you and whisper in your ear. And sometimes, after, you will have a hunch, or a flash of inspiration, or a sudden pull of feeling, and what you do after will have been guided by the Stars themselves.
Of course, not all cats believe this, but these are the most widely known stories. The place of Moonpull is held sacred, and is the place where Healers meet and Leaders supposedly gain their nine lives. (the place of Moonpull is actually a place along the creek I get seriously spooked every time I walk along it. My friends say the same.)
And that's it! Feedback is welcome!
