THE TWILIGHTWHIMS

leader title: Moonheart

tarot card: The Moon

patron spirit: Sterling

realm of worship: Fae

aesthetic: whimsigoth

territory.

The TwilightWhim territory is mostly rolling heather moorland. There are ancient stone circles and castle ruins scattered about, with a tranquil river through the middle. This river leads into ancient woodland; crooked trees, damp conditions, rocky, mossy boulders. In the midst of this woodland lies an abandoned mansion adorned with ivy, a place where the cats have made their camp. 

Common predators are badgers and foxes. Common prey are rabbits, squirrels, birds, and rodents. Common wildlife include deer, wild boar, sheep, and owls. Owls are a sacred animal to the TwilightWhims.

In the mansion, roles are separated by room. Nests are made from various furniture and clothing materials left behind, along with woven ivy, wool, and sticks from outside. 

culture.

The TwilightWhims are a clowder of whimsy, extravagance, creativity, and eccentrics. Safe within the confines of the abandoned mansion they call home with fruitful surrounding countryside, the TwilightWhims have little worries and often seem overly playful to the average outsider. These cats value enrichment of the mind and body, putting their best energy into everything in hopes that they will prosper in return. 

specialty ranks.

Herald… The leader of the TwilightWhims. Chosen by clowder-wide vote and then approved by the Fae. 

Councilcat… A small group of experienced cats selected by the Herald to assist their leadership.

Apothecary… The healer and herbalist of the TwilightWhims. Head tender of the mansion's gardens.

Seer… The religious official and serving apprentice under the Oracle within the TwilightWhim clowder. 

Scholar… The cats who teach and keep track of the clowder’s history and records. They are taught how to write with their claws and to read human text. They are cultured and expected to be reliable resources for any cat in the context of the clowder. All apprentice training is done through classes with the scholars instead of individual mentors.

specialty roles.

Menders… A selection of cats specifically trained to help keep the mansion stable in its state of human disrepair. They are creative and great problem solvers, expected to think of new, effective ways to repair just about anything.

Poets… A cat of the TwilightWhims who specializes in writing of any form. Works closely with the scholars of the clowder.

Hunters… Cats who specialize in hunting for the clowder, although any cat can do so.

Gardeners… Cats who specialize in botany and tending to the mansion’s gardens, although any cat can do so. Works closely with the apothecaries.

Cooks… Cats who specialize in the preparation and preservation of various foods.

symbolism. 

owls… A creature of wisdom and intuition. Owls are believed to be just as intelligent as the clowder cats, however they keep their language and culture a secret. The Trial of the Owls (see holidays & celebrations section) is the clowder’s apprentice assessment, named in their honor. Owls are guardians of the night, said to naturally protect the land from evildoing.

night… A time in which all is quiet and still. A time in which secrets can be revealed. The TwilightWhims see the night as a sacred time of day, in which the spirits and Fae are most active in the cats’ realm. Traditionally, TwilightWhims are a nocturnal group.

frogs… A creature of purity, high magic, and renewal. Said to be an animal directly created by the Fae. Frogs are caught and eaten by TwilightWhim cats on special occasions to bring prosperity. The Trial of the Frogs is the clowder’s Apothecary assessment, named in their honor.

stained glass… A strong motif found throughout the mansion and ruins in TwilightWhim country. Stained glass (and glass in general) represents delicateness, creativity, passion, and beauty. Most cats only have guesses as to what the stories told within the glass mean, however their essence is just as inspiring to the clowder’s creatives.

rain & storms… A force of nature that symbolises relief, comfort, and spiritual security. Thunderstorms are seen as omens of hope in times of trouble or great stress, cooling the land after high heat. Some legends claim that lightning strikes are done with Sterling’s own claws. Songs and poetry have been written about the rain, specifically so they can be performed during these weather events. The cats also enjoy spontaneous song.

lunar eclipse… A definitive meteorological event. The ultimate omen. Lunar eclipses are sacred to the TwilightWhim cats, a cause for celebration and remembrance. Seers and the Oracle herself do special card readings on these nights. The day after a lunar eclipse is filled with festivities and feasting. 

art. 

The TwilightWhims are traditionally regarded as the most creatively inclined out of the three clowders, boasting a long lasting history of intricate work with specific styles and motifs. They work well with ink and sculpture and painterly form; apprentices are taught to study and analyze the gallery pieces within the mansion itself. TwilightWhim art is all about decadence, beauty, and spirituality. Most works incorporate dark or muted color palettes. Alternatively, pastels can  be used and are highly acclaimed. A general appreciation for aesthetics is a trait that this clowder takes pride in. 

naming conventions. 

TwilightWhim names are usually elegant, descriptive, specific; mythical beings and human objects are included in their repository. Lengthy prefix and suffix combinations are common. The Scholars of the clowder have kept an extensive record of names used throughout their history; it is seen as bad luck and even an insult to creativity to reuse a name of a previous clowder cat, even more so if the cat is still alive or lived in recent history. Restricted name choices are: Moon/-moon, Fae/-fae, and Heart/-heart.

religion. 

Beyond the tales of the Dramaturg and the Lovers, the TwilightWhims have a religious focus on one of the three realms believed to exist throughout the world; the Fae realm. Fae are secretive but powerful creatures, appearing as fuzzy balls of light (and bug-like beings on even rarer occasions). They only enter the cats’ realm at specific times of day, and although they seem to understand the appreciation they have garnered, they prefer not to interact directly with the TwilightWhims outside of ceremony. 

The Fae are purely otherworldly; they may not have the same morals that cats do, and they harness a strange magic that no cat can attain. They aren’t good nor evil. Their magic is said to help the countryside thrive; the offerings and celebration the clowder gives them is thanks for their generosity and encouragement for protection against negative energies or misfortune. Angering the Fae is an extremely dangerous thing to do, as they will do whatever they want and will take offense to mistreatment. There have been times, albeit rare, where cats have been cursed by faeries. These curses are unpredictable, and none are the same in outcome. 

Fae rings, made from either mushrooms or stone circles, are found throughout the TwilightWhim country. They are to be respected and one must tread carefully around them; it is believed that they serve as portals to the Fae realm. If a cat were to enter the Fae realm without a proper guide or preparation, there is a chance that they could be stuck there forever. 

holidays & celebrations.

The TwilightWhims are traditionally the most celebratory of the three clowders; so much so that outsiders often joke that they come up with something new to party over every moon. Nevertheless, these celebrations are filled with meaning, often an appreciation for the lives they live and the land that nurtures them.

trial of the owls.

A trial that serves as a final assessment for graduating apprentices. 

eclipse celebration.

A large festival, held the day after a lunar eclipse– they are usually rather improvised and notoriously stressful to plan, however, they are always extravagant. The Oracle herself is invited to these parties to give blessings and special readings. Other clowders are invited as well. 

great harvest. 

A time spanning the middle and end of the Autumn season to collect materials for the Winter, be they in the surrounding farmland or in the mansion’s gardens. Traditionally, extra resources are shared with the other clowders, as each territory has its own specialty plants and herbs. 

chilled night. 

Night of the full moon in the midst of Autumn. Used to celebrate the life and times of the TwilightWhims, to honor the Fae, and to protect the clowder from wandering spirits. There have only been a couple times in remembered history where other clowders were invited to these events.

evening of art.

A highly anticipated event within the clowder that happens at the end of every Summer and the start of every Winter. Cats of all ages present their recent artworks within the mansion for all to see; other clowders are often invited for a night of celebration. The clowder’s Scholars serve as judges for contests occasionally held, and Heralds are encouraged to create a prompt for the gallery at the start of every year. Following the Evening, the gallery is kept up for an entire moon before artists can collect their pieces. 

fae’s blessing.

A ceremony that serves as both a final assessment for training or retiring Seers. It is also called upon to bless newborn kittens within the clowder. Offerings are left in faerie rings and poetry is recited, specifically written by those involved in either context.

garden day.

An entire day at the start of Spring dedicated to tending the mansion’s expansive gardens. All cats within the clowder are expected to participate. A great feast is held at the end of the day.

trial of the frogs.

A trial that serves as a final assessment for graduating apothecaries. 

dawn’s awakening.

A trial that takes place at sunrise, the day of a new Herald’s reign. Cats are tested by their followers and the Fae in different ways.