THE WAVEWHIRLS

territory.

The WaveWhirl territory is a mixture of rolling sand dunes, coastal heath, beaches, and patches of shrubby maritime forest. It is bright and somewhat barren against a shining summer sun, yet calling it devoid of life would be entirely untrue. The animals there have adapted to their habitat quite well; from mice that burrow in the sandy hills, to plovers that wander the waves, to lizards hiding in rocks and bugs that pollinate the wildflowers. Foxes, wolves, birds of prey like owls and hawks are the main predators found on the land. Occasional sharks are the only predators of the sea. 

The newest camp for the cats is found on a hilly beach at the edge of the heath. Dens and nests are built with a myriad of materials, including human objects that have washed ashore; a notable den found at the bottom of the hill is made from an overturned dinghy and an old beach umbrella. Mud and driftwood are used to hold up tunnels underneath the sand, with a roof formed by a large piece of fulgurite. The fulgurite is visible aboveground as well; it forms a crooked arch in the middle of the camp. 

A notable landmark within the WaveWhirl territory as a whole is a large shipwreck, washed ashore on a beach further from camp. It is rumored to be haunted by spirits of dead sailors and shipcats alike. 

culture.

The WaveWhirls are a clowder that is constantly changing with the times; over the countless seasons they have existed, their culture and ranks have shifted with them. Legends have come and gone. There is not a definitive WaveWhirl to pinpoint, besides maybe the feverish creative endeavors and cheerful hospitality Fiddle herself brought with her in the beginning. Even then, the clowder finds itself divided more often than not; so much so that there have been multiple leaders in the past! 

In recent history, a family of Representatives have officially been in charge. Their ways, notably strict and traditionalist compared to the ideal freeform harmony that Fiddle dreamt of, have kept order within the cats… but not in ways that are productive or worthwhile. 

Within more recent moons, a potentially new era has risen for the conflicted clowder, in the form of shipcats and rebels from the Collective. They have been encouraged to form this faction by the Oracle herself, with some reasons currently unknown. 

specialty ranks.

Captain… The leader of the WaveWhirls. 

First Mate… The second-in-command of the WaveWhirls.

Woundtender… The healer and herbalist of the WaveWhirls.

Cardteller… The religious official and serving apprentice under the Oracle within the WaveWhirl clowder. 

specialty roles.

Weatherwatchers… Cats that study weather patterns, the ocean, and how they intersect.

Collectors… Cats that specialize in combing the beaches for anything that has washed ashore. They often have their own collections and points of interest compared to others with the same role.

Bards… A cat that serves as a storyteller for the clowder, keeping traditions alive and displaying their own personal talent. Known to be theatrical and witty, with a sharp memory.

Fishers… Cats that know the best fishing spots and have found ways inspired by humans to capture aquatic prey efficiently. 

Weavers…      Cats who partake in the weaving of many materials, be it fishing nets, dens, art, or simple clothing items. They work closely with the Collectors. Have an eye for aesthetics. 

symbolism. 

seagulls… A somewhat chaotic bird that symbolizes perseverance, freedom, and adaptability. They are important to the WaveWhirls because of their symbolism, along with a shared connection to both the land and sea. Seeing a flock of seagulls is a good omen, and seeing dead seagulls is terribly bad. Killing a seagull, no matter the circumstance, is the highest offense one can commit, as it is believed to bring years of bad luck upon and perpetrator and their clowder. 

wind… A force of nature intertwined with the seas that surround the clowder. It symbolizes freedom like the seagull, along with strong communication (especially with the divine) and the ever-changing nature of life itself. It is said that the wind changing direction is an omen in itself, though not necessarily good or bad. The times are constantly changing, and the wind knows this as much as the cats do. 

whales… Massive creatures of the deep, only occasionally seen from the shore. They symbolize wisdom, strength, and a gentle nature despite their size. Sometimes associated with parentage. A cat seeing a whale can serve as personal affirmation that they are on the right path in their life. (More info can be found in the WaveWhirl religion section.)

horseshoe crabs… Another creature that is well respected by the cats but a bit more personable than the whale. Traditionally, they are a symbol of protection, confidence in oneself, and perseverance. Although their spider-like underside may be off-putting to some, they are known to be gentle. To find one on the beach is good luck if it is alive, and doing the favor of turning them upright when they flip over will result in an impactful act of kindness. Finding a dead horseshoe crab, especially if it is overturned, is a bad omen. 

sea glass… A symbol of remembrance and persistence of the spirit. Finding sea glass during the Winter is a sign of a prosperous warm season. Sea glass is collected and hidden in nests to bring security and comfort. 

driftwood… A symbol of good luck; sharpening one’s claws with a piece is similar to knocking on wood. Dens decorated with driftwood, especially if it is carved, are also a symbol of hospitality.

solar eclipse… A rare and magical celestial event that has only (fully) occurred a handful of times within the WaveWhirls’ known history, nevertheless enough times to rule it out of pure fantasy. These events symbolize a new path being opened, both literally and spiritually. Others may debate that they are simply an omen of doom, a harbinger of chaos. Historically, WaveWhirl cats have both feared and respected the solar eclipse in its mysterious ways. Partial eclipses are not as powerful but just as symbolically poignant. 

art. 

The WaveWhirls have a tendency to create art with vibrant, warm colors. Swirling patterns, marine life, the ocean, and the sun are commonly represented. Their art is traditionally focused on an imaginative take on nature, as if one was seeing the world through a cheerful, sunny lens. Inanimate objects are anthropomorphized (the sun drawn with a face, for example), and features are either simplified or exaggerated for effect with little in between. WaveWhirl art garners a special kind of whimsy opposite the TwilightWhims’ own, something much less dark and mysterious in both palette and essence.

naming conventions. 

WaveWhirl names are usually lighthearted, based on the ocean habitat around them, or colors, or actions. Alliteration between prefix and suffix is common, and human objects are frequently included within the range of things a cat can be named after. Restricted name choices are (traditionally): Sun/-sun, Spirit/-spirit.

religion. 

Beyond the tales of the Dramaturg and the Lovers, the WaveWhirls and their spiritual beliefs are closely intertwined with those of the shipcats coming and going from the Cape. Most strays and shipcats believe in a colorful, underwater afterlife known as Fiddle's Garden– Fiddle themselves being a cheery ginger feline and a member of the Lovers— where all come to rest until it comes time for them to be reborn. The rare few from the living realm that have visited the Garden and came back to tell the tale describe it as a living painting; senses are heightened, unusual creatures swirl around you, and every sense of reality is left at the door. Everyone sports a Cheshire grin, all grudges and ill-will seemingly forgotten. It is said that a soul who has been to Fiddle's Garden before can walk between the realms, or that the strange beasts from the Garden itself can come into the land of the living. Others claim it is a practice that can be learned.

In terms of myth and legend, there are many; and even more have been lost to time. Common beliefs are listed below.

The ocean herself has no form beyond… the ocean. Her essence is everywhere. She is a concept far beyond life and death. The ocean is eternal. She does not have the same morals as a cat. She is unpredictable. However, she is not evil. When a cat dies, the most common course of action is to wrap the body in seaweed and cast it out to sea. 

Seals are to cats what mermaids are to humans. It is believed that seals are simply aquatic felines, so distant from those on land that they speak entirely different languages. Some legends claim that seals are cursed, forever punished for one cat’s foolish crime against the sea. It is dangerous to approach a seal, especially alone.

Whales are like what dragons are to lizards, to fish and feline alike. Seen as legendary, god-like beasts hidden beneath the ocean’s waves. They are to the ocean what the moons are to Jupiter; lovers and protectors. It is said that the ocean created whales (and horseshoe crabs) in her ideal image, and together they followed her lead to keep balance with the world. A beached whale can mean many things, depending on who you ask. It is mostly up to personal interpretation. Nevertheless, it is often seen as a shocking, mysterious event that must be accounted for by the nearby community. Poems and prose are created for the fallen ocean-dweller, along with ceremonious gifts. Whale song as a concept is known, particularly to visitors of Fiddle’s Garden. 

The Kraken, the enemy lurking below the high seas, is a symbol of death. Legend tells that it has tried and failed to rule the ocean, in a constant battle with her whales over power and control. It slumbers in a deep, underwater volcano. Visions of the Kraken haunt those who have done many wrongdoings, threatening to consume all in its path. Some claim it is jealous of the harmony found at Fiddle's Garden, looking for redemption that is impossible to achieve. Others say it's just a thoughtless beast.

Sea serpents are large, mysterious ocean dwellers. Symbols of strength and courage. Legends imply that they are sworn enemies of the Kraken, though they are not necessarily aligned with the ocean's rule. They are told to be very intelligent, granting the rare witness to their beauty a wish of their choosing in the form of a shooting star.

holidays & celebrations.

The WaveWhirls are the second most celebratory clowder, right behind the TwilightWhims. Their celebrations often incorporate remembrance of those who have passed and the ever-changing nature of the lives they live. This clowder has found spiritual meaning in many things throughout its turbulent past, seeing the realm of the dead as a guiding force for everyone and everything. Fiddle himself is called upon frequently to observe festivities. 

the garden prayer.

A set of prayers reserved for the end of the day (right before a cat goes to sleep), coming-of-age ceremonies, births, and deaths. When reciting, cats must sit with their heads bowed and tail curled tightly around their paws. It is said in honor of Fiddle and its Garden, a call for security and safe passage into the spiritual realm based on the deeds cats have done and traditions they have upheld. 

the catcher’s delight.

A tournament of sorts, held at the end of the Summer months when the air begins to cool. Cats of all roles and ranks are encouraged to participate if it is determined safe for them to do so. It is a day-long event, taking place on docks and piers. Whoever catches the most fish wins an honorary title and a total relief from hunting for the next moon. However, they are also expected to oversee hunting expeditions for the same amount of time. The cat with the least amount of fish is celebrated in a much more playful way; the loser is expected to run the clowder for whatever amount of days is equal to the total fish they caught. It is all in good fun, and the true leaders are there to assist, but the loser is encouraged to put their all into the task and take on challenges from their clowdermates with confidence.

trial of the dunes.

A final assessment for graduating apprentices. Cats are expected to go off into the dunes for a full day and night while being supervised from afar by their first and most recent mentors (apprentices in WaveWhirl get a new mentor for every moon of their training). Unless the apprentice is in immediate danger, the mentors cannot interfere. It is expected for the apprentice to come back with an object or prey of their choosing the following sunrise; traditionally, their choice has the potential to influence their graduating suffix. 

A somewhat simplified version of this assessment still exists within the Collective, except young cats are usually trained by their own parents instead of an unrelated mentor. The event is supervised by an Advisor and, more recently, a Guard. Their “catch” from the dunes does not influence anything outside of being physical proof that they went out in the first place. 

eve of the crab moon.

A particular night chosen in the late Spring season that honors the clowder’s resilience. Held in honor of the horseshoe crabs that lay their eggs in the sand at this time, cats gather on the beach during the full moon to play games, celebrate, and reminisce on the past year. They are expected to ponder their hardships and goals they have met while also setting up new ones to accomplish the next year. Other clowders are invited to this celebration to do the same. A great breakfast is had at dawn, and the WaveWhirls sleep the full day after. 

the surf’s passage.

On a chosen day at the height of the Summer months, when the waves are high and the day is bright, the cats of WaveWhirl celebrate their clowder and its connection to the sea by holding what are essentially surfing competitions. Using woven seagrass, driftwood, and anything else they can find, the cats either work together or solo to create a float that they can stand upon and ride the waves with. Dwellers and apprentices alike can participate, however, it is a sport that is notably popular with budding apprentices. 

ocean’s honor.

TBA.