Post by Amber Angelle on Jan 15, 2020 4:01:55 GMT
The Tribe of the Flowing Creek
The Honorable & Wise
"In her waters, deep and true
Lie the answers, and a path for you."
Lie the answers, and a path for you."
Location: The Tribe of the Flowing Creek is located north of The Creek, their territory spanning the northern and western parts of the forest. Their territory prominently features a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees, with several dirt covered clearings breaking up the landscape. Their camp is nestled in a closely grown grove of pine and spruce, with the dens constructed from bushes or fallen logs.
Character & Ideals: The Tribe places great importance on tradition and on respect. Respect for both their ancestors and for the laws of nature. These are honorable cats who do not seek out war and violence if another solution can be reached. They believe that each cat is born with a destiny, a way that they must live. That each of them are just one part of something greater than themselves. They fight and live for their traditions, what they see as the way things are and should always be. They will not hesitate to destroy anything or anyone they perceive as a threat to that.
Religion: The Tribe believe in The Voices. The Voices are the feline manifestations of nature, and consists of four members.
The Star Voice: Known in life as Star that Shines Most Brightly. She is said to be mother to the other three Voices. She is the Voice of Birth & Death, and is considered the most powerful of the Voices. Those blessed by her are said to be confident and adaptable and act with certainty and knowledge from beyond mortal understanding.
The Water Voice: Known in life as Creek that Flows without End. She is considered to be the founder of The Tribe. She is the Voice of Time & Wisdom, and the mother of all water. Those blessed by her are said to be patient and wise, and act with grace and stability.
The Sky Voice: Known in life as Bird that Flies on Red Wings. He is the master of the sky and the creator of the winds. He is the Voice of Freedom & Pride. Those blessed by him are said to be powerful and proud, and act with righteousness and nobility.
The Earth Voice: Known in life as Squirrel that Runs up Tallest Tree. He is the warder of the land & all its' creatures. He is the Voice of Prey & Honor. Those blessed by him are said to be honorable and kind, and act with humility and empathy.
It is through these four that all aspects of nature exist. Tribe lore states first there was Star that Shines most Brightly. She was born in the heavens and came to the barren earth to give birth. The birth of her children lead to the creation of the seas and rivers, then the sky and winds, and then the plants and earth creatures.
Finally, Star that Shines Most Brightly created the Feline, the earth creatures whose form they then took. The four of them then lived on the earth, in the very woods where the Tribe still lives.
When the four died, they gave up their physical forms to become one with aspects of nature that they created, and now speak to their creation, the Tribe, in whispers in the wind and voices from the waters. This is how they gained their name, The Voices. Never seen, always heard.
It is said when a Tribe cat dies, they too lose their corporal form and join the Voice they were closest to in that aspect of nature, becoming a part of the natural world.
Blessings
Each member of the tribe is given a blessing by one of the Voices. This is done in a ceremony that is performed when a young cat completes their basic training, usually at around 7 moons old (see Traditions for more details). This blessing is an important part of a tribe cat's identity, and the Voice who gave it is that cat's "patron god", so to speak. This blessing determines what that cat's role will be, and certain positions will only be available for those with the right blessing. For example, each of the Speakers must be blessed by the voice they represent, so the Speaker of the Sky must have been blessed by the Sky Voice, or Skyblessed, as it is called.
Hierarchy:
High Ranks
The Tribe of the Flowing Creek is lead by four cats, each the earthly representative for one of The Voices. They are called The Speakers. The Speakers are also the healers of the Tribe and are trained in the use of herbs and other medicines.
The Speaker of the Stars: Also called Starspeaker. This cat is the most powerful of all in the Tribe. They are the representative of The Star Voice, the great mother. They act in tandem with the other Speakers to govern, but have special power should a dispute amongst Speakers occurs.
The Speaker of the Water: Also called Waterspeaker. This cat is the representative of The Water Voice. They act in tandem with the other Speakers to govern, and heal their tribemates with herbs.
The Speaker of the Sky: Also called Skyspeaker. This cat is the representative of The Sky Voice. They act in tandem with the other Speakers to govern, and heal their tribemates with herbs.
The Speaker of the Earth: Also called Earthspeaker. This cat is the representative of The Earth Voice. They act in tandem with the other Speakers to govern, and heal their tribemates with herbs.
The Guilds
The Tribe of the Flowing Creek is mainly divided into smaller groups called guilds, which are based on a certain discipline or role.
Mid Ranks
Guild Chief: Each Guild has a Guild Chief, who is the representative of that guild and its' members. They are responsible for leading that guild's daily activities and discipline. They are typically the guild's most skilled member and is chosen via a vote among guild members and is confirmed by a Speaker (who will also break any dispute or tie). Chiefs retain their position until death, retirement, or transfer to the Mentor Guild.
Normal Ranks
The Hunt Guild: This guild specializes in hunting land prey, as well as small birds. They usually work in patrols of up to 3 cats, though some prefer to hunt alone. They are responsible for maintaining the fresh-kill pile and are usually some of the last cats to eat, making sure their tribemates have eaten first. Cats of this guild are typically Earth or Skyblessed.
The Fish Guild: This guild specializes in fishing. They usually work in groups of up to 5 cats, and they will spend several hours at one fishing spot. They are also responsible for maintaining the fresh-kill pile. Cats of this guild are typically Earth or Waterblessed.
The Herb Guild: These cats are few, but vital to the Tribe. This guild, typically the smallest of all guilds, specialize in identifying and collecting herbs. They are also trained in basic medicines and cures, so they can act as field medics should the need arise. However, their medical knowledge is rudimentary in comparison to the Speakers and they, along with the Speakers, are the only cats who know the location of the Herbgrove. Cats of this guild are typically Earth or Starblessed.
The Warrior Guild: These cats are the fighters of the tribe. They train in a variety of battle moves and techniques, working hard everyday. Should a fight break out, they will rush out to the battlefield without hesitation, whether their opponent be Clan cats, or a raging bear. Cats of this guild are typically Sky or Starblessed.
The Guardian Guild: These cats are protectors, the defenders of the camp and various other key locations around tribe territory. The specialize in defensive battle techniques and are also skilled in building and fortifying camp dens and structures. Typically, these cats can been seen guarding camp, The Great Crossing, or locations with a large amount of vulnerable tribescats, ex. a group of Fishing Guild cats on a hunt. They also work with the Warrior Guild, and practice collaborative battle tactics. Cats of this guild are typically Sky or Earthblessed.
The Scout Guild: Typically the fastest of the Tribe, these cats are responsible for daily patrols of the territory and renewal of scent markers. In battle, these cats act as messengers, running back to camp to fetch the Warrior Guild or delivering news. Cats of this guild are typically Water or Skyblessed.
The Caretaker Guild: Another typically small guild, these cats care for and help raise kits after the Kit-Bearers have returned to their guilds, usually kits aged three to six moons. Cats of this guild are typically Star or Waterblessed.
The Mentor Guild: This group of cats is not a guild in the truest sense, despite the name. For they are all uniquely skilled and they do not answer to a Guild Chief. These cats are a collection of the most experienced members of each guild, and are responsible for teaching the next generation. They are the mentors, and each one can teach up to 5 Trainees at a time. Up to two cats from each guild (Except the Caretaker Guild) can join the Mentor Guild. Cats of the Mentor Guild are typically cats who were senior members of their respective guilds and are at least 50 moons of age.
The Rest of the Tribe
Trainees: Young cats of at least 6 moons of age, who have begun their training. For the first moon, they are trained in a variety of practical skills like basic hunting and fighting moves, as well as identification of dangerous herbs. Once they have completed this basic training they will undergo their Blessing Ceremony. Once this has happened and they have received their blessing, they will spend one moon learning about each of the guilds that usually take in those of that blessing. Ex. A Trainee that has been Waterblessed would be approached by The Fishing, Caretaker, and Scout Guilds, respectively. Once they have completed that training, they will chose one of the Guilds they trained under to be fully trained in that Guild. Once that decision has been made, and they have been approved by the Guild Chief of that Guild, that cat will then be trained under the Mentor representing that Guild until they are fully trained, typically at around 12 moons old.
Speaker Trainees: Chosen at seven moons old, these cats are trained by the Speakers directly to one day take their place.
Kit-Bearers: Cats expecting or nursing kits. Kit-Bearers typically stay with their kits until they can eat fresh kill, then return to their guild.
Kits: Newborn to six moon old cats.
Elders: Cats of an advanced age {85 moons or older} or cats who have suffered an injury that no longer allows them to work. These cats hold the important role of passing down stories to the young of the Tribe and keeping the history alive. They also perform the funerary rights of the deceased.
History:
The Tribe began many moons ago, back when the Voices walked the earth. The Water Voice, Creek that Runs without End, knew her time here was limited. So, she decided to create a Tribe, a colony made of their greatest creation, the Feline.
And so it was done. To ensure their ways and laws would survive far beyond their meager time upon the earth.
And so it was, for generation after generation.
Until one day, something changed. Strange creatures, who walked upright on two legs, suddenly appeared. They began building things, in the territory south of the Creek. Then, more of them would appear, usually during The Time of Green Leaves, or Greenleaf for short. This became the norm for several years. The Tribe had decided at the beginning to stay away, and leave these Twolegs to their devices.
Then, just as swiftly as they first appeared, they vanished. No more did they arrive during Greenleaf. They just left, and never appeared again. However, the structures that had made remained. So, for the Tribe's safety, it was decided that this part of their territory should be avoided.
And so it was.
Until, the arrival of the Travelers.
A group of cats, who arrived on the Tribe's territory, having hailed from far away lands. The Tribe was cautious, of course, but still welcomed these Travelers. They then stayed with the Tribe for two seasons, and it was during this time that it happened.
The leader of the Travelers was a tom by the name of Warden. He was highly charismatic and well liked by most. However, one day he came forth with a shocking revelation. He claimed to have been visited by one of the Voices in his dreams!
He claimed that the Tribe had been wrong in the way they saw the Voices. That when the Voices died, they did not give up their forms, but that they retained them! And that cats who die also retain their memories and identities! And, that the Voice which spoke to him told him that he should be the one and only leader of the Tribe.
This provoked outrage. How dare this outsider claim their way of life, that which has always been, was wrong?
The current Starspeaker immediately called for his and his group's exile. However, they did not leave alone. A small group of tribescats also joined him in exile, having been won over by his lies.
It was a dark day in Tribe history, one that would prove even darker. For in exile, Warden had taken the territory that had been abandoned, the land tainted by Twolegs, and founded his own colony, which he called RedwingClan.
Generations have passed since then, and the two groups have lived in constant conflict. Small skirmishes and disagreements have riddled the past ten generations, but it has never broken out into full on war.
At least, not yet. As conflict brews on the horizon, that fact may very well change.
Traditions:
The Blessing Ceremony
When a young Tribe cat has reach a certain stage in their life, usually around the age of 7 moons, they undergo their Blessing Ceremony. On the day of the ceremony, they are brought down to the Creek. Here they will dive into the water... and wait.
A Voice will speak to them, whisper in their ear and grant them their blessing.
Once this has happened, the young cat will emerge. They will tell the Tribe this:
"I have heard a Voice. (Name of Voice) has spoken and given me, (cat's name), (her/his) blessing. I will serve them humbly."
The Tribe will cheer and return to camp. Once there, the next Tradition begins.
The Choice
Once a young cat had been given a blessing, they will be approached by several Guild Chiefs. These Chiefs will be representing the guilds that accept cats of the blessing that had been granted. For a moon, the young cat will train in the basics of each of the skills know by these guilds. One that moon has passed, the next big step is The Choice. The Choice or The Choosing Ceremony, is when that young cat will decided which Guild to join. Usually, it is the guild they found the most success with during training.
If it should be that a young cat does not like any of the guilds they trained with, they may choose from any guild in the tribe, even those who do not usually take in those with their blessing. However, this is extremely rare and would cause a stir, causing the young cat to become an outcast within the Tribe.
On the day of The Choice, the young cat is brought before their Speaker, the Speaker who shares a blessing with them. Also in attendance is usually the young cat's family, the Chiefs of the prospective guilds, and those guilds Mentors.
"Speak to me your Path, so that (Name of Voice) may hear and approve." The Speaker will say.
The young cat will then speak. "I have chosen my Path. I, (cat name), humbly request to walk with (Guild Name), so that I may learn their skills," The young cat will then walk to the up to the Chief of their chosen guild. They will bow their head in reverence.
"Honorable Guild Chief. Please teach me the ways of your Guild so that I may serve my Tribe." If they are accepted, the Guild Chief will then touch their nose to the young cat's head and say:
"I have heard you, Trainee. From this moment forth, you are of my Guild. Study well."
The young cat will then lick their shoulder. The Chief will then speak again.
"(Name of Mentor), I trust you will teach all that you know to this young cat. Ensure our ways are not forgotten."
The Mentor will then nod, and touch noses with the young cat.
"Serve your Tribe well, (Cat's name)." The Speaker will say.
This concludes the ceremony. The cats will break off, as the Tribe cheer.
Lifestyle & Culture: WIP
I'll definitely check it out