We must lead by example...

and forge the way forward to our future.

The cats of any given Clan are its lifeblood; without them, the Clans would cease to exist, scattered to the wind and remaining a distant memory or legend. But the Clans of the rainforest continue to persevere, they remain after years of hardships, enduring whatever decades of existence has thrown at them. They each work as a well-oiled machine, each cat with their own purpose and capabilities, all working together to keep the Clan alive. Some have a natural aptitude for leadership, while others may find their talents within healing. Some would rather guard and build, than fight and hunt. And others yet find themselves sprinting through their territories terrain, delivering messages or goods to other Clans, or even acting as field triage. Every purpose ties together, and it is here that the Clans find their strength and capability to not only survive, but thrive.

Every Clan needs guidance and someone capable of leading their kin to prosperity. Someone who is willing to make the choices no one else can make, no matter how difficult, someone who is willing to shoulder the burdens of their kin. Within the Clans, their leadership all generally follows the same triumvirate structure: Leader, Deputy, and Apothecary. Some leaders may seek guidance from the Clans elders, while others will lead on their own and forge their own paths. Some may follow a democratic decision making model, appealing to and listening to the voices of the Clan. Each leader is unique in their leadership style, how they come to decisions, and how they lead. Deputies fulfill the role of the leaders right hand, capable of making decisions and leading in the leaders absence. Deputies handle issues that do not need to be brought to the leaders attention, and instruct and guide their kin in day to day happenings. Apothecaries act as the head medic and seer. They are trained in both physical and mental healing, as well as spirituality. How they interpret omens and visions will vary from each cat to each Clan. These cats are expected to lead in religious ceremonies as well.

Each of these three are expected to lead by example within their Clan, forging the path forward for their kin to safely follow in their paw prints. Below, you'll find the high ranks, general ranks, and Clan specific ranks that exist within the world of Ever Rain.

High Ranks.

Leader. The ultimate head of each Clan. Each Clan, sans Shoreshimmer, only has one. They often step up from Deputy once the previous leader has died or stepped down, or even more rarely if not deputy is present, are chosen or encouraged to step up from within the Clan. Each lead must fulfill their Clans leadership rite to earn their star and their lives, of which will vary throughout the Clans.

Deputy. The right hand of the Leader. Each Clan, sans Shoreshimmer, only has one. They are often chosen for their ability to lead and guide, but it will vary leader by leader and Clan by Clan. Skyreach may pick someone with a strong sense of adventure and curiosity, while Torrentfall may choose someone who portrays strength and stability. Each Deputy must be chosen from someone who has experience successfully training at least one apprentice; rare occasions if this is not applicable, they will be chosen from the most fitting for the role out of the general populace.

Apothecary. The head medic and seer of the Clan. The leader may correspond with their respective Apothecary, ensuring herb stores are filled and the Clans health is of top priority. They also correspond with the more spiritual aspects, such as discussing dreams or what could be considered visions or omens. The Clans medics, seers, and general populace come to their Apothecary for advice, be it medical, health, spiritual advice or acting as an intermediate in a dispute. Apothecaries are also expected to lead their Clan in religious ceremonies.

General Ranks & Apprenticeship.

Here are Ever Rains general ranks and their roles within the Clans. Some names have been changed and roles have been divided to allow for a wide array of characters that may focus on a specific specialty. Apprentices will spend three moons under the general tutelage of the Clan, learning history, responsibilities, and expectations. Once those general three moons are up, an Apprentice will choose a pursuit and be assigned a permanent mentor from such pursuit, and will remain an Apprentice until their mentor feels that they are ready.

Guard. Some find their peace in healing, and others find their peace in the hunt. Guards find their peace in knowing that the Clan is kept safe, and that the camp is structurally sound. Guards often accompany important patrols, or remain stationed within camps to ensure surprise attacks to not go unguarded against. They are responsible for the overall safety of the Clan and their camp, also tasked with rebuilding or reinforcing barriers or dens, and maintaining common patrol routes or trails to keep them free of dangers or threats. Guards are trained in defensive combat primarily.

Prowler. The hunters and the fighters of a Clan, the prowlers are the rank that provides for their kin. While guards will remain stationary or ensure the general safety and are trained in defensive combat, prowlers are trained in offensive combat, often taking the initiative in skirmishes or all out battles. These are the cats you will find on the front lines. Prowlers are also responsible for hunting and are often the ones sent on hunting patrols, capable of leaving the camp in the guarded presence of the guards while the prowlers disperse. Some may even take on the extra role of gathering, obtaining herbs for the medics or gathering materials for the camp and their dens, or for their Clans specific trade.

Traveler. Surefooted and quick, Travelers are responsible for scouting patrols, tracking, and running messages between patrols or even Clans. They are often trained in diplomacy and are sent to other Clans representing their own, and are even trained in basic medical skills as to be capable of performing field triage when a medic cannot make it quick enough somewhere. Travelers will run materials and goods between the Clans, participating in trade and bartering one thing for another. Overall, travelers are the voice of their Clan and are trusted to keep a sharp eye out and represent their kin well.

Medic. The core healers of the Clans, Medics are responsible for maintaining overall health and sanitation of Clans and their camps. They are trained in the art of physical and mental healing, knowing what herbs are right for the situation and knowing how to soothe a fractured mind. They make use of their territories' unique herbs and flora, each finding unique ways to mend and heal. To kill a medic in combat is considered a severe crime, and to prevent a medic from healing one in need is considered taboo, and each is punished respectively. Medics are not forbidden from taking a mate and growing a family, but some Clans or individual leaders may feel more or less strongly about such. Medics are also responsible for cultivating and farming herbs, and ensuring that herbs are not overgathered.

Seer. The core spiritual guidance of the Clans, Seers handle everything spiritual. Whether it is religious rites or traditions, interpreting dreams or signs, and so on. Seers are also expected to handle lorekeeping within their Clan and are responsible for passing down stories and Clan history, while keeping track of what the Clan is currently experiencing. Whether they do this through written language or orally varies between seers, but multiple seers are often involved to prevent bias and misinformation from being passed down to their peers. Much like medics, it is considered a severe crime to kill a seer considering their religious and spiritual status, as well as keeping lore. To kill a seer is to sever a Clans bond to their history and to their religious beliefs.

Forecaster. While not necessarily a specialized role for any given Clan, Forecasters are vital for a Clans safety. Each Clans forecaster specializes in something a little different, such as Torrentfalls forecasters focusing on incoming or potential floods, and Shoreshimmers forecasters focusing more on studying the horizon for incoming storms. Regardless of their specialty, forecasters are responsible for alerting the Clan for monitoring weather conditions and the side effects that may follow, ensuring that the Clans are always prepared for weather changes, environmental threats or shifts, or other natural disasters. They are responsible for observing and tracking the skies and landscapes, and predicting incoming weather.

Apprentice. The learners of the Clans, Apprentices are learning and adapting to Clan cultures and customs, and learning about different pursuits available to them in the future. Each apprentice will spend the first three months under the tutelage of the Clan rather than a singular mentor, learning the ways of the Clan as well as customs and traditions, and history. They spend this time learning general information, and a little bit of everything. Once these three months have passed, an apprentice will choose a pursuit and a mentor from said pursuit will be assigned to teach them further about the role. Apprentices will remain so until their mentor feels they are ready to fully embody the pursuit they have chosen. Much like medics and seers, it is considered a severe crime to kill an apprentice, especially in combat. They are young and learning, and to kill them is to strip them of their future and inflict grief upon their family.

Hearthkeeper. The warmth of the Clans, Hearthkeepers are responsible for the care and comfort of expecting cats as well as kits, and in some cases, elders. These cats are typically warm and protective, caring for and nurturing the Clans future, regardless of gender or whether they are expecting or not. This title is not reserved just for those expecting or nursing cats, it is also utilized by those who choose to permanently take up this title and role of safeguarding the Clans future, choosing to provide support for the most vulnerable of their kin.

Kits. The future and lifeblood of each Clan, kits are well guarded and cared for among their Clans. Love and care for the most vulnerable of cats does not just apply to their own Clan, but extends to others as well, cats willing to volunteer to care for kits that need it or guarding kits in ambushes that do not even belong to their blood.

Elders. The history of each Clan, Elders are those that have chosen to step down from their rank for any reason and metaphorically lay down their sword or shield. These are typically cats of great age that have lived full lives and can no longer keep up, or have simply grown too tired. There may be some cats who are in their twilight years and still yet refuse to step down, and while not titled as an elder, they embody the core values of an elder. These cats are cared for by their Clan, living out the remainder of their days in warmth and comfort, and are highly respected for the lives they have lived. To grow old is a privilege not achieved by all, and to make it to ones twilight years is highly respectable.

Clan Specific Roles.

These are roles that are individual and unique to each subsequent Clan, roles that pertain to their specific environments and traditions. From the Deep Divers of Shoreshimmer to the Preservers of Torrentfall, each of these roles holds a valuable spot within each Clan.

Shoreshimmer.

Deep Diver. These are cats within Shoreshimmer who are tasked with swimming and diving within the oceans water for food or to harvest aquatic sealife. These cats have increased lung capacity, capable of holding their breaths far longer than normal. Some of these cats are responsible for ‘deep diving’, traveling out a little further for ocean floor unique items or food sources. Deep Divers may also bring back materials for artisans to work with, ranging from pearls or stones to tough types of plants. A steady mind is required for this rank, as the ocean is fickle and unexpected waves or riptides must be handled calmly, as panic is the largest source of drowning. While not their primary cause, deep divers may also help with collecting food from tidal pools and the shore when the weather is rough, as they tend to have steadier balance.

Artisan. The architects and jewelers of Shoreshimmer, these cats are not only responsible for crafting jewelry and accessories, but also creating and maintaining structures within their camp. They are builders, capable of crafting makeshift dens and hideaways using driftwood and reeds that can be carried in times where their camp may flood, and jewelers who create beautiful accessories from the shells and sea glass that come their way. Their accessories are typically custom made, and this role is responsible for crafting a piece of jewelry for an Apprentice during their Shorewalk Rite, where they find and choose a piece of sea glass to be fashioned into said jewelry. The items artisans create tend to be the primary source of trade among other Clans.

Torrentfall.

Fisher. Within the riparian zones of their territory, fish is a staple and main food source within Torrentfall Clan. Catching it is the hard part, due to the fact their terrain is uneven and features many waterfalls and white water rapids that threaten to sweep away even bigger predators like wolves. Fishers bypass this difficulty, and have learned to swim with the rivers and stay afloat in the rapids, and have also developed nets and fish traps to aid in their retrieval of the precious food source. They work in tandem with the Clans prowlers, and go even further into the rivers where the prowlers do not go. They have honed and mastered the ability to fish within the water sources of their territories. Fishers often do not fear rising waters or harsher rivers, and brave these challenges to feed their Clan in harsh times. Fishers are also responsible for ice fishing in the times when there's prey scarcity and the lakes and ponds have frozen over.

Preserver. Torrentfalls staple speciality is not merely just their fishing, but their preservation of such food. Presevers within Torrentfall are responsible for the preservation and storage of surplus food sources, utilizing techniques such as air drying on drier days, stone caches, cold water, and salt curing to keep food and herbs far longer than typical. Salt curing is a recent technique that's been adapted, after trading smooth river stones for salt with Shoreshimmer. These cats are not just responsible for the preservation itself, but the storage as well. They are trusted to ensure their surplus stores remain full and spoil-free, as well as rationing said stores when there is herb or prey scarcity. They practice these techniques not just with fish, but land prey, herbs, and berries as well.

Mistshroud.

Brewer. The damp and cold environment within Mistshroud’s territory is one of the leading causes of illness within the Clan. To combat this, Brewers were officialized as a rank four generations ago. A relatively new role, brewers work in close conjunction with the medics within their Clan, crafting and creating teas and other warm beverages, poultices, and potions. After finding that certain healing flora had stronger properties when brewed or boiled, medics within the Clan began focusing solely on this development, and eventually splintered off into their own group. Brewers use the extensive flora in the territory to their advantage to hone their craft. Brewers may also work with mushrooms and their healing or toxic properties, though toxins are still being explored within the Clan, with some brewers focusing solely on that. This role also helps medics tend to and cultivate the flora that they grow within their dens and caverns.

Weaver. The illness and dampness that Mistshroud encounters is combated through another fashion; insulated dens and clothing. Weavers are responsible for utilizing tough plants, furs, and saplings from their environment to make water tight and well insulated dens that stay warm and dry for the Clan, as well as crafting pseudo-clothes such as cloaks, leg wrapping, and so on that keeps a cat not only warm and dry, but hidden among their environment as well. These articles of clothing act almost as ghillie suits, blending into the environment due to the usage of the flora found in and around them. Weavers are the creators of compression wrappings that help cats that experience joint pains or arthritis, as well as pouches that carry a greater deal of small items than just carrying a mouthful back and forth.

Thornrush.

Burrower. Thornrush's territory is full of hidden passages both under the underbrush, and under the ground. These act as secret passage ways and safely hidden hideaways for the Clan in the events of an ambush or forest fire. Burrowers are responsible for the maintenance of said passages and tunnels, as well as being responsible for marking them in code that Thornrush understands, akin to Thieves Cant, simply called 'Paws Cant'. These markings are carved into either discreetly placed stones or under pieces of flayed bark, difficult to find if you don't know what you're looking for. Burrowers ensure these passage ways remain empty and safe for the Clan in the event of an emergency, that no predators have made their home there and no surprise attacks will come from below. They are also responsible for maintenancing these passages, reinforcing walls with branches and rocks and checking for loose ceilings. Travelers often use these passages for quick and debris free dashes across the territory if there is dire news or so on. These passages are also used by the Elders, Hearthkeepers, Apprentices and Kits in times of emergency, ensuring that the most vulnerable of them remain the safest.

Firetender. With fire being one of Thornrush's specialty trademarks, it is necessary to have those that can control it. Firetenders are that such role, creating and curating fires for many different uses, ranging from the usage of fire to cauterize wounds to preparing food to flushing out underbrush. However, with forest fires being a constant worry in the drier times, Firetenders are not to light unnecessary fires, and they work tirelessly to stop forest fires from spreading by clearing paths in an attempt to wither them out. Firetenders also are responsible for the new growth of the underbrush when a forest fire sweeps through any particular area, making sure that the land remains healthy in the wake of the destruction. Firetenders may also hold a spiritual aspect, with Thornrush believing that every cat has a fire alight inside of them that burns until the end of their days.

Skyreach.

Aerie Binder. The falconers of Skyreach Clan. Falconry was a tradition that was officiated many generations ago within the Clan. Over time, the birds of prey and cats of the sub-alpine peaks and meadows found mutual benefits in one another. The birds of prey would have safe nesting sites that are guarded and a steady share of food, and the cats have aerial scouts that help in hunts and alert systems when there’s danger. As time went on, this grew into partnerships where cats would be paired with a fledgling bird to bond with, who would become their scouting and hunting partner as they each grew. Aerie Binders are those that were chosen to bond with a bird of prey, typically peregrine falcons or kestrels, as well as those that tend the aeries where these birds nest and live. A bond between an Aerie Binder and their partner is forged to be unbreakable after they test their understanding of one another and become familiar, and birds often receive Clan names and Clan burial rites when they die.

Seeker. Exploration is tantamount in Skyreach Clan, and Seekers embody this ideal. This role is always pushing further and learning more, traveling past the edges of their boundaries into the unknown. This role also is responsible for traveling the territory and finding safe passage ways through the rocky cliffs and peaks, and hidden caves that may hold secrets, marking them with visible cairns. Seekers are also responsible for marking dangerous grounds or territory, ensuring cats don't wander too far into danger, such as loose rocks or rushing waters. Naturally curious, seekers are the first to be sent out when something strange is happening within their territory or something odd has been found, such as a twoleg item or otherwise. As such seekers often adorn themselves with strange items, like twoleg fabrics or bobbles.

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