Camp and Territory

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Camp

Camp Entrance

Highbranch

art by bewilderbark + ivythickets

Camp

Borne from the excess of Divine magic within Virtueblossom when she died, and as a final act of love, a massive, ancient, magic-imbued tree stands tall within one of the many clearings in VerdureClan territory. VerdureClan's camp is nestled within the heart of their dense rainforests, tucked away amidst tall trees and dense underbrush. Sunbeams warm the grounds below, a break from the dark and damp forest territories. VerdureClan's tree is tall, sprawling, and glittering with starlight. Its massive, gnarled roots provide alcoves for dens and storage. Studded with stones for footing, Gardeners, Guardians and Apprentices lounge together in dens and branches covered in plush moss, separated in groups by friends or family. To sleep alone is seen as bad luck. Long, pale plant-like tendrils sprout from the ancient tree, brushing over cats in quiet greeting as they come and go within the camp. A small stream runs along the southern portion of the camp. Bright white flowers sprout all along the ground, and are harvested by healers as a strong antibiotic.

Camp Entrance

VerdureClan camp is surrounded by dense foliage and berry bushes, fortified with woven bramble thickets and branches to keep threats out and kits and apprentices in. There are two exits on both sides of the camp, beneath thick swathes of ferns and monstera leaves, which shuffle when cats come in and out of the camp. An emergency exit resides within the Healer's den- a narrow, dug out passageway that leads to a spot outside of the camp in the event of an attack.

Highbranch

One of the many gnarled branches to split from the thick base of the tree, the Highbranch is comfortably high, plush with moss and white flowers to allow the announcing Leader a comfortable seat. While the Highroot of VerdureClan's old camp was overgrown with flora from the old leaders, the Highbranch bears no such plants, as there is no history of Leadership within the new camp beyond Venomstar. The Highbranch flows out of the Leader's Den, allowing the current Leader easy access to make announcements.

Leader's Den

The Leader's den resides halfway up the large tree, and is on the way up to the higher branches that the dens and nests of Guardians, so that they may easily speak with or greet the Leader on their way to retire. This den is high up enough that the Leader may monitor the whole Clan and any threats that may slip into the Camp's fortified walls.

Healer's Den

Nestled in the roots of the great tree, the entrance to the Healer's den is covered by thick swathes of red ferns, providing some shade from the direct beam of sunlight that lands there during the highest point of the day. Filled with multiple alcoves and nooks for the sick and injured, the Healer's den is the heart of the camp, providing VerdureClan with all their medical needs. Small divots in the earth keep herbs fresh and cool, while dried herbs are stored in notches carved or grown into the wood of the tree itself. The healer's den is divided into three sections, one for the young and elderly, the main area where the Healers sleep and tend to the injured, and a smaller section in the very back of the den for the contagiously ill.

Nursery

Sheltering and nurturing VerdureClan's young, the nursery is another den on the floor of the camp, tucked safely away between two interconnected roots to keep the smallest and youngest safely confined within- until they have learned to use their little claws to climb up and explore the rest of camp. The Nursery is a den without nests, much like the rest of VerdureClan, where all of the queens and caretakers rest and raise the kits in one large group.

Elder's Den

Across the way from the Healer's den for quick access, the Elder's den is another alcove within the core of the tall tree, its gnarled walls filled with roots, flowers, and strong-smelling herbs to keep bugs and other irritants away from the older members of the clan. The Elders, much like the rest of the Clan, often times sleep together in a large pile. However, the Elders den does have divided nest to provide more comfort and individual care for the older and sicker members of the Clan.

Territory

VerdureClan territory is almost entirely a hot and humid rainforest, with small streams flowing throughout. The forest is incredibly dense with vegetation, the only paths through this dense underbrush being formed from cats over many generations. The trees of the rainforest are so densely packed that rain falling on the canopy can take as long as 10 minutes to reach the ground. It’s very easy for cats unfamiliar with the jungle to get lost in the vegetation- especially young and inexperienced cats. Even well-trained cats may find themselves turned around in the dark, dense forests, as directions and colors blend together and can quickly disorient even the most skilled of Guardians.

VerdureClan territory is home to many types of plant and animal life, from towering kapok trees to a colorful variety of bird species, such as parrots, hummingbirds, hornbills, and kingfishers. Any animal that can be found within the tropical rainforest can be found residing in VerdureClan territory, filling the dark underbrush with the sounds of monkey calls and birdsong. Predators lurk within VerdureClan territory as well, such as the ferocious Boaquet snakes, or ambush predators like jaguars.

The underbrush is largely made up of ferns, monstera, bromeliad, orchids, moss, brambles, flowers, and more. It provides excellent cover for VerdureClan cats, and is teeming with insect and rodent life. Although not being meat-eaters, VerdureClanners cull prey to keep larger predators at bay, keeping the sensitive areas of their territory safer for all Clan members. Occasionally, the dense territory gives way to swathes of bamboo, growing tall beneath the bright sky. VerdureClan territory is packed full with multiple kinds of herbs, which the other Clans seek through trade for their own ill cats.

Snakeroot Glade

The Snakeroot Glade is the ideal training area for young apprentices to learn how to maneuver the dense jungle of their home. A unique and captivating environment; the clearing is characterized by a dense canopy of tall trees that tower overhead, with their branches and leaves creating a roof of green above. The ground is covered in a thick layer of leaves and fallen branches, with a network of roots snaking across the surface.

The roots that are popping out of the ground are thick and gnarled, with some of them reaching several inches in diameter. They twist and turn as they wind their way across the clearing, forming a tangled web of woody tendrils that seem to come to life as they move and shift.

Thyme Grove

The Thyme Grove is the heart of VerdureClan; their lifeline of fruits and vegetables. A beautiful and serene oasis amidst the dense foliage and lush vegetation of the surrounding rainforest. The garden is typically surrounded by tall trees that tower overhead, providing shade and protection from the hot sun. The ground is covered in a carpet of soft, green grass, and the air is filled with the sweet scent of flowers and herbs.

The garden is home to a wide variety of plant life, including berry bushes, various fruit stalks, small fruit tree saplings, and a variety of herbs and vegetables. The plants are carefully nurtured and tended to by the skilled Gardeners, who works to create a harmonious and effective environment.

Desolate Field

Desolate Field is a cold, dark, and dead portion of VerdureClan's territory, where rot and decay have eaten away and petrified the old Camp that the Clan called home. When Virtueblossom grew sick with a second fit of corruption, the old camp was demolished in her rampage and search for Dawnsprig. The disease that sloughed from her form killed the land, leaving it eerie and desolate. No life grows here beyond dead and brittle leaves, and sparse white flowers.

This old camp is far from abandoned, however. Cats who have broken the code or are on the brink of exile reside here, either as prisoners or for a final chance to reform themselves and reintegrate back into life at the main Camp.

artwork by bewilderbark

The Evermore Orchid

The Evermore Orchid is VerdureClan's grave plot, made up of olive trees and other common jungle plants. It is located just outside of VerdureClan's camp.

VerdureClan injerited the grave plot from the jungle cats that once resided in the territory, cleaning up the patch of land and keeping things clean. Families are usually buried together in plots. When a cat has no family, they are typically buried alongside cats that held importance in their lives, such as with their mentor. Graves are dressed by the elders with sticks or rocks. Amulets are buried with the dead, but some family members may hold on to these amulets- although to the chagrin of many traditional VerdureClanners.

VerdureClan believes that their loved ones emerge from their graves at dusk and scale the tree to be picked up by Silverpelt. Due to this, every moon, Guardians leave Sky Guppy nests to illuminate the treetops.

A large olive tree known as the Tree of the Lost Guardian sprouts in the center of the orchard. This tree is decorated with both original and re-made amulets of those who went missing and never returned. It is always illuminated, acting as a beacon for their lost clanmate's souls to find their way home and move on.

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