Pineclan traditions .*
Attributes:
Pineclan cats are typically lean and muscular, with builds well-suited for climbing and running. They're known for their exceptional stealth and ability to move through the forest as though they're part of it, quickly leaping from branch to branch or blending seamlessly into the underbrush. Their reflexes are sharp and swift, enabling them to navigate the terrain with ease. Led by logic and skilled strategists, Pineclan cats also hold a deep sense of honor. And, while they prefer to avoid conflict, these cats will defend their honor fiercely when necessary and step in to protect their own.
Beliefs:
Starclan is held in great reverence, believing that the souls of noble felines live on through fireflies. While this is an integral part of their culture, it is not viewed as a religion, but rather as a spiritual connection to those who have passed. The fireflies are seen as a symbol of the enduring presence of their ancestors, guiding the clan through the light they provide.
Culture:
Pelts and bones:
The clan is known for their expert use of pelts—deer, squirrels, foxes, and nearly any creature whose pelt can be harvested. These sheens are often repurposed for nests, offering warmth and comfort. The clan makes full use of animal carcasses, with bones being creatively repurposed for various needs, such as splints, bait for smaller prey, or even sharpened in certain areas to ward off predators.
Clear stone:
Said to be the origin of all fireflies, Clear Stone is where the connection to ancestors is strongest. Medics undertake a journey that may take days to reach this sacred place. The stone itself is a massive, gleaming quartz, but the true wonder lies in the fireflies—once there, they take on mesmerizing, almost otherworldly forms.
Funerals:
Before a fallen PineClan cat is laid to rest, they are groomed and adorned with seasonal flora. Their body remains in the Mourning Clearing for one silent night, where loved ones gather in quiet grief. At dawn, they are laid to rest in the Graveyard. If an apprentice falls in battle, they receive a warrior name to honor their strength.
Prominent months:
Spring and Winter.
🍵 Roots of Remembrance
[December.]
Following Moonstar’s founding, it took 24 moons for PineClan to establish its rules and shape the ways of a warrior. During the celebration of PineClan’s founding, ancestors are remembered and honored with gratitude for their efforts in shaping the clan. This holiday includes leaving gifts beneath the abandoned fox burrow where Moonstar gave birth to her kittens and crafting ornaments to decorate the Great Pine.
🎐 Moonturn Festival.
[January.]
The time of year when fireflies are most abundant, this holiday marks the sacred moment when these glowing creatures are believed to carry the souls of ancestors, journeying from Clear Stone to signal the transition into the new lunar cycle. To catch a firefly, it must choose you, a rare and special blessing. Once caught, these fireflies are released, filling the Firefly Meadow with bursts of light that sparkle like fireworks, illuminating the night in a breathtaking display of unity and remembrance.
🌸 Thawing of hearts.
[February.]
During this celebration, clanmates exchange gifts, a gesture of appreciation and kindness. While love and gratitude should be expressed year-round, this tradition serves as a special moment to honor those who have endured the harsh winter, and have worked restlessly in order keep the clan well fed and safe throughout the cold seasons, as well as welcome the arrival of spring. It is a time to celebrate resilience, cherish those who remain, and mourn the ones who were lost.
The Shoal traditions .*
Attributes:
Shoal cats, once a nomadic group of felines, are known for their thick coats that repel water or sleek pelts that dry quickly. Their builds are designed for swimming, with webbed paws that allow them to cover long distances in the water. Renowned for their high stamina and breathing techniques, they are capable of hunting in groups for extended periods. Though compassionate, they are firm in their ways. Shoal cats are also famous for their intricate weaving, which can be seen in their fur, as well as in the construction of their dens and nests.
Beliefs:
Shoalites believe in the circle of life, where one can be reborn as anything—from the rain that nurtures the land to the very prey that sustains them. Because of this, they hold deep respect for the seasons, which they see as siblings, each playing a vital role in the balance of life. They refer to the seasons as Red-leaf (Autumn), Dew-fall (Spring), White-wake(Winter), and Gold-spire (Summer).
Culture:
White-wake’s frustration:
Kittens born in White-wake (winter) are seen as a bad omen, believed to bring misfortune upon the Shoal. To appease Red-leaf, offerings are made in hopes that its cruel siblings will show mercy. A winter litter is seen as a sign of the season’s displeasure. To protect these kittens, they are given special hand woven charms, believed to ward off danger and shield them from misfortune.
Respecting prey:
The fish within the pond are sacred to the Shoal and must never be hunted. Their shimmering scales, reflecting the colors of the seasons, symbolize the balance of life. Protecting them is a duty of all Shoalites, and harming one is seen as a grave offense. Any cat caught eating them faces strict punishment.
Funerals:
When a cat dies, they are sent down the river along with any objects they once held dear. The exact ritual varies—some are laid on fallen logs and gently pushed into the current, while others rest upon rafts of bark. When no suitable vessel can be found, their body and cherished belongings are wrapped in large leaves and vines before being released into the water, carrying them back to the cycle of life.
Prominent months:
Summer and Autumn.
🏮 The Starwoven watch.
[November.]
Whenever the aurora borealis illuminates the night sky–The shimmering lights are believed to be the spirits of all the things which have come before The Shoal, weaving together the threads of life that connect all beings. This observance is a time of quiet reflection, where the clan honors the prey that sustains them and acknowledges the delicate balance of life.
🌊 Gold-Spire celebration.
[July.]
A lively and festive occasion held on the longest day of the year, when the sun reaches its highest point. This celebration is filled with energy and enthusiasm as The Shoal comes together to mark the peak of the Gold-Spire’s might. As the night falls, the shoalite camp comes to life with chanting and all sorts of games. Cats are encouraged to dress their best, using all sorts of accessories like butterfly wings and radiant feathers. One is encouraged to make a wish during this celebration.
🍁 The night’s awakening.
[October.]
Cats craft scary talismans and spirit dolls, designed to ward off the wandering evil spirits that may roam during the long, dark nights. These protective charms are placed around the camp and in the dens, with each cat contributing their own creation. To appease the spirit of winter, the clan makes offerings of fresh prey, herbs.
⋆ ✧ ✧ ✧ ⋆