Post by Nightpool on May 8, 2010 17:14:19 GMT -5
Description
The warriors at TimberClan are one of the last Clans of the volcano to still hold faith in StarClan. Because of this, they are constantly at war with the Fiery Clans, particularly SootClan. Their traditions, including hierarchy, resemble that of the traditional warriors.
Territory
Overview
TimberClan isn’t called TimberClan for nothing- they live in the center of a huge forest. The forest is mostly made up of needle leaf trees, such as pines, larches, and silver fir trees, but there are some scattered oak and beech trees as well. A small river crisscrosses their territory, fed by a cool spring from the faraway mountains.
Camp
The camp is at the relative center of the forest, inside a bramble thicket; there are two entrances at the back, but they are kept secret from anyone outside TimberClan, and heavily guarded. They look as though holly bushes have just grown in front of the thick wall of brambles. Straight across from the entrance is the leader’s den, a pile of rocks that form a small cave. To the left of the leader’s den is the medicine cat’s den; a long-abandoned hole that once served as a home to some kind of animal- it has been so long since anything lived there that there is no scent. It is shallow, but two chambers extend off from the main one to form a place to store herbs, and a sleeping chamber for both the medicine cat and their apprentice. Sick cats sleep in the main chamber, shielded from the elements by the fern that masks the entrance. To the left of the medicine cat’s den is the warrior’s den, an overlarge holly bush mixed with some brambles that extend from the barrier. To the right of the leader’s den is the nursery, brambles mixed with a bush with soft leafs create a cave-like feel. To the right of the Nursery is the Elder’s den; a hollow log. A tall rock in the center of the clearing serves as the spot on which the leader addresses the Clan; it is scored with the claw marks of the past and present warriors and medicine cats of TimberClan. It is called the Stone of Generations.
Borders
The borders of TimberClan are where the old MeadowClan territory used to begin (now a wasteland), the edge of the lake, in which IgnitedClan’s island is positioned, to the back (where no other Clan is) the territory just stops at the edge of the forest, as it does after running parallel to SootClan’s territory.
Rabbit Warren
Near the edge of the forest as it extends in the direction of no other Clan, there lives a warren of rabbits. The rabbits have grown jumpy from living next to cats, and they panic and hide whenever they hear anything, or catch the smell of cat. They are difficult to catch for this reason, and they are tough and stringy, so it’s not really worth it.
The Lookout Oak
At the edge of the territory at the SootClan border, there stands a huge oak. It has stood for countless seasons, and has several strong branches that extend out over SootClan territory. It is very tall, and thus an ideal place to keep a lookout for attack. During particularly intense periods in the fighting, leaders have been known to post a permanent guard at the lookout oak.
The Old Camp
Toward the lake border, a clearing enclosed by tall silver fir trees lies empty. This was once, in the long-ago times of peace, the TimberClan camp. After the war started, the camp was relocated to a safer location. The bushes have nearly taken over the place, but some still return there to dream of peace.
The Moontree
Across the steppes, past where the SootClan border ends, and close to the mountains, there is a place where a small stream creates a pool of water. In the middle of the pool, the ground has risen to just above the water, supporting a tree as old as TimberClan. Its gnarled roots extend into the ground under the pool. The trunk of the tree is split in two, extending in different directions. If a medicine cat or leader sleeps in the branches of the tree, they will be able to commune with StarClan.
The Training Arena
Just outside the camp, there is a particularly old patch of the forest, where many trees have fallen. This serves as a training area for the apprentices; the mentors prepare them for surprise attacks by hiding in the fallen logs and launching out when they think the apprentice will least expect it; it’s also a good spot for hunting practice, as there are many places for prey to hide.
The MeadowClan Steppe
Off to the side of the forest a little ways, (in the direction in which the SootClan border runs) the land is broken up into grassy steppes. In the long-ago time of MeadowClan and TimberClan, it was where the Clans held their gatherings. Now, though they have no other Clans to meet with, the TimberClan cats still go there every moon to review Clan affairs. It was rechristened The MeadowClan Steppe by Timberstar, so that the cats would remember some of why they were fighting against the Fiery Clans. It is the only place outside the forest that is regularly visited by any TimberClan cat.
Rank Ceremonies
Becoming an Apprentice
A kit becomes an apprentice when they have reached their sixth moon. The leader will choose the mentor for the kit and will christen the kit ____paw, which will remain their name until they become a warrior.
Becoming a Warrior
When a mentor deems an apprentice ready, they will speak to the leader about making the apprentice a warrior. The warrior will asses the skills of the apprentice, then a ceremony will be held and the leader will give the apprentice their warrior name. The night after the ceremony, the newly appointed warrior will watch the entrance silently.
Becoming a Deputy
Traditionally, on the night after the deputy has died, retired, or been cast from the Clan, the leader will name the new deputy before moonhigh. The deputy must have already trained an apprentice, and must posses leadership qualities.
Becoming a Leader
When the leader of a Clan dies for the final time, the deputy will travel to the Moontree with the Medicine cat as soon as possible. They will sleep in the branches of the tree to speak with StarClan, and receive their nine lives. Their name will be changed to _____star at this time.
Becoming a Medicine Cat
When the current medicine cat deems the apprentice ready, the apprentice is taken to the Moontree at half moon, as usual. After they speak with StarClan that night, the medicine cat will give them their medicine cat name.
Becoming a Medicine Cat Apprentice
The medicine cat will approach a kit that they believe will make a good medicine cat. If the kit agrees, they are taken to the Moontree when they are six moons old to be accepted by StarClan.
Becoming an Elder
When a warrior decides that they wish to become an elder, they will approach the leader. The leader will then hold a ceremony, and the cat will be formally made an elder.
Other Traditions
Death
When a cat dies the Clan will hold a vigil for them. The closest cats to the deceased will hold vigil through the following night. The cat will be buried outside the camp by the elders.
The Moontree
Every half moon, the medicine cat and their apprentice will travel to the Moontree to receive advice from StarClan.
The Gathering
At the full moon the Clan gathers at the MeadowClan Steppe to have a discussion of affairs. It is a time for peace, and TimberClan will not attack any of the Fiery Clans on that night.
The warriors at TimberClan are one of the last Clans of the volcano to still hold faith in StarClan. Because of this, they are constantly at war with the Fiery Clans, particularly SootClan. Their traditions, including hierarchy, resemble that of the traditional warriors.
Territory
Overview
TimberClan isn’t called TimberClan for nothing- they live in the center of a huge forest. The forest is mostly made up of needle leaf trees, such as pines, larches, and silver fir trees, but there are some scattered oak and beech trees as well. A small river crisscrosses their territory, fed by a cool spring from the faraway mountains.
Camp
The camp is at the relative center of the forest, inside a bramble thicket; there are two entrances at the back, but they are kept secret from anyone outside TimberClan, and heavily guarded. They look as though holly bushes have just grown in front of the thick wall of brambles. Straight across from the entrance is the leader’s den, a pile of rocks that form a small cave. To the left of the leader’s den is the medicine cat’s den; a long-abandoned hole that once served as a home to some kind of animal- it has been so long since anything lived there that there is no scent. It is shallow, but two chambers extend off from the main one to form a place to store herbs, and a sleeping chamber for both the medicine cat and their apprentice. Sick cats sleep in the main chamber, shielded from the elements by the fern that masks the entrance. To the left of the medicine cat’s den is the warrior’s den, an overlarge holly bush mixed with some brambles that extend from the barrier. To the right of the leader’s den is the nursery, brambles mixed with a bush with soft leafs create a cave-like feel. To the right of the Nursery is the Elder’s den; a hollow log. A tall rock in the center of the clearing serves as the spot on which the leader addresses the Clan; it is scored with the claw marks of the past and present warriors and medicine cats of TimberClan. It is called the Stone of Generations.
Borders
The borders of TimberClan are where the old MeadowClan territory used to begin (now a wasteland), the edge of the lake, in which IgnitedClan’s island is positioned, to the back (where no other Clan is) the territory just stops at the edge of the forest, as it does after running parallel to SootClan’s territory.
Rabbit Warren
Near the edge of the forest as it extends in the direction of no other Clan, there lives a warren of rabbits. The rabbits have grown jumpy from living next to cats, and they panic and hide whenever they hear anything, or catch the smell of cat. They are difficult to catch for this reason, and they are tough and stringy, so it’s not really worth it.
The Lookout Oak
At the edge of the territory at the SootClan border, there stands a huge oak. It has stood for countless seasons, and has several strong branches that extend out over SootClan territory. It is very tall, and thus an ideal place to keep a lookout for attack. During particularly intense periods in the fighting, leaders have been known to post a permanent guard at the lookout oak.
The Old Camp
Toward the lake border, a clearing enclosed by tall silver fir trees lies empty. This was once, in the long-ago times of peace, the TimberClan camp. After the war started, the camp was relocated to a safer location. The bushes have nearly taken over the place, but some still return there to dream of peace.
The Moontree
Across the steppes, past where the SootClan border ends, and close to the mountains, there is a place where a small stream creates a pool of water. In the middle of the pool, the ground has risen to just above the water, supporting a tree as old as TimberClan. Its gnarled roots extend into the ground under the pool. The trunk of the tree is split in two, extending in different directions. If a medicine cat or leader sleeps in the branches of the tree, they will be able to commune with StarClan.
The Training Arena
Just outside the camp, there is a particularly old patch of the forest, where many trees have fallen. This serves as a training area for the apprentices; the mentors prepare them for surprise attacks by hiding in the fallen logs and launching out when they think the apprentice will least expect it; it’s also a good spot for hunting practice, as there are many places for prey to hide.
The MeadowClan Steppe
Off to the side of the forest a little ways, (in the direction in which the SootClan border runs) the land is broken up into grassy steppes. In the long-ago time of MeadowClan and TimberClan, it was where the Clans held their gatherings. Now, though they have no other Clans to meet with, the TimberClan cats still go there every moon to review Clan affairs. It was rechristened The MeadowClan Steppe by Timberstar, so that the cats would remember some of why they were fighting against the Fiery Clans. It is the only place outside the forest that is regularly visited by any TimberClan cat.
Rank Ceremonies
Becoming an Apprentice
A kit becomes an apprentice when they have reached their sixth moon. The leader will choose the mentor for the kit and will christen the kit ____paw, which will remain their name until they become a warrior.
Becoming a Warrior
When a mentor deems an apprentice ready, they will speak to the leader about making the apprentice a warrior. The warrior will asses the skills of the apprentice, then a ceremony will be held and the leader will give the apprentice their warrior name. The night after the ceremony, the newly appointed warrior will watch the entrance silently.
Becoming a Deputy
Traditionally, on the night after the deputy has died, retired, or been cast from the Clan, the leader will name the new deputy before moonhigh. The deputy must have already trained an apprentice, and must posses leadership qualities.
Becoming a Leader
When the leader of a Clan dies for the final time, the deputy will travel to the Moontree with the Medicine cat as soon as possible. They will sleep in the branches of the tree to speak with StarClan, and receive their nine lives. Their name will be changed to _____star at this time.
Becoming a Medicine Cat
When the current medicine cat deems the apprentice ready, the apprentice is taken to the Moontree at half moon, as usual. After they speak with StarClan that night, the medicine cat will give them their medicine cat name.
Becoming a Medicine Cat Apprentice
The medicine cat will approach a kit that they believe will make a good medicine cat. If the kit agrees, they are taken to the Moontree when they are six moons old to be accepted by StarClan.
Becoming an Elder
When a warrior decides that they wish to become an elder, they will approach the leader. The leader will then hold a ceremony, and the cat will be formally made an elder.
Other Traditions
Death
When a cat dies the Clan will hold a vigil for them. The closest cats to the deceased will hold vigil through the following night. The cat will be buried outside the camp by the elders.
The Moontree
Every half moon, the medicine cat and their apprentice will travel to the Moontree to receive advice from StarClan.
The Gathering
At the full moon the Clan gathers at the MeadowClan Steppe to have a discussion of affairs. It is a time for peace, and TimberClan will not attack any of the Fiery Clans on that night.
