Blight's Ending

OVERVIEW

Blight's Ending is home to a trio of clans, each with their own unique customs, ranks, and traditions.CopseClan, GladeClan, and BarrenClan live among the forests, the meadows, and the pine barrens in relative peace, having grown from a past that haunts all of them. Though no living cat remains that is able to directly recount history, the clans still tell tales of when they were plagued by a violent rogue group known as The Glaring. Long since disbanded, The Glaring were toppled by one of their own, a rogue named Kestrel, eventually turned Kestrelstar. BarrenClan emerged from the ashes, joining CopseClan and GladeClan to occupy the forests of Oregon.CopseClan, spiritual and fair, is led currently by Ratstar. Guided by their faith and the input of their collective trusted Council, CopseClan is traditional and welcoming, always ready to introduce new faces to their culture.GladeClan, matriarchal and vigilant, is led currently by Hollystar. Characterized by the manner in which they occupy multiple widespread camps, GladeClan is proud of what they have built and wary of letting anyone disturb it.BarrenClan, rugged and steadfast, is led currently by Shatterstar. Combatting a history that may paint them as brutes, BarrenClan works to make sense of their origins, pulling the best qualities from the rubble that was left behind.(All clan sigils were created and drawn by Mod Shep)

• COPSECLAN INFO
• GLADECLAN INFO
• BARRENCLAN INFO

COPSECLAN

Nestled in a dense forest for which they are named, CopseClan is known best for their spirituality and their deep desire to understand and question the laws that they live by. They are guided by a Council that consists of CopseClan's high ranks — their leader, deputy, and healer — as well as a warrior, a scout, an experienced monarch, and an elder.

A CLAN OF COMMUNITY

CopseClan is unique in hosting a Council of cats responsible for tending to the most important decisions and discussions that CopseClan must have. Historically, a collection of seven cats form CopseClan's Council. They are chosen by their leader. Service in the Council is a lifelong commitment, unless a member elects to retire, dies, or is voted off. All major clan decisions are decided upon by the council, although the leader has final say. Leaders who disregard majority rule are often looked down upon, though, and may lose their clan's trust.Each Council includes the leader, the deputy, a healer, a warrior, a scout, an experienced monarch, and an elder. If the Council reaches a unanimous decision, there will be a second round of voting enforced to ensure that no member has been unfairly swayed, influenced, or biased towards a particular outcome.Below, you may read more about CopseClan and its ranks, including the duties and specifications of each one.LEADERCopseClan's leader is a singular cat who will be succeeded by their chosen deputy upon death, disappearance, demotion, or retirement. CopseClan leaders are generally expected to take a mate and produce kits in order to keep the clan prosperous. Although no punishment exists for going against this expectation, the Clan may call into question a leader who does not adhere. The leader is a spiritual figure for the clan, often as connected to StarClan as the healer. They may interpret the code and any laws and provide spiritual guidance for their clan. They are a part of the Council.DEPUTYCopseClan's deputy is a singular cat who will succeed the leader. They are chosen by the leader. A CopseClan deputy is a part of the Council. Depending on the rank of a deputy prior to their promotion, be they a warrior or a scout, they will be expected to train in the opposite role for a period of six months as to understand both sets of duties.HEALERCopseClan's healer is chosen according to their interest and prowess in the position. Talented healers, they are also notable spiritual figures in the clan, working in tandem with the leader to interpret signs, laws, and the code. CopseClan healers are permitted to have mates and kits so long as there is another fully trained healers present within the clan. Unlike leaders, though, they are not actively encouraged to have families. They are a part of CopseClan's Council.WARRIORSCopseClan warriors are responsible for hunting, protecting, and fighting for the clan. These cats mark borders, patrol regularly, and nest in camp to ensure the safety of the clan. As opposed to scouts, they do not tread on quite as much uncharted terrain, remaining inside borders instead. Some may excel in particular areas or skills, often denoted by their name, but all warriors must learn to do the general range of duties asked of them.SCOUTSCopseClan's scouts are a rank unique to CopseClan. Cats in the scouting role receive less training in hunting and fighting than warriors, expected only to feed and protect themselves and possibly their fellows on patrol. They may also mark borders, but the bulk of their work is done within and beyond the territory, which they know like the back of their paw. They are responsible for determining where to find the best prey or herbs and when. Although often thought of as "weak" due to generally being non-confrontational and lack of fighting prowess, scouts are sturdy and tough as they frequently navigate and den in difficult terrain.MONARCHSCopseClan monarchs are treated as well by their clan as any cat would be expected to treat a nursing parent. CopseClan is sure to keep their monarchs safe, and if a camp is ever compromised, scouts may be responsible for venturing ahead to find a secure location for monarchs to den.APPRENTICESCopseClan apprentices are an integral part of their society, as it is often the youngest cats who bring about change. Though CopseClan is highly traditional, bound by fairness and law, they place a high value on the fresh and bright minds of apprentices who are able to challenge rules that may have gone a bit sour over time. Of course, apprentices are still expected to have respect for the ways of their clan and their elders, and participate in frequent training alongside their mentors. If a Council is having a difficult time coming to a conclusion, they may occasionally branch out to listen to the thoughts of apprentices. Sometimes they may be foolish, fueled by youth, but often they are valued voices in the future of CopseClan.ELDERSCopseClan warriors usually retire around the 130 moons. Elders are respected and cherished, taken care of by the clanmates that they have served. CopseClan believes that elders have more than earned their rest, and will often pamper them in their oldest moons, creating plush nests and warm dens for them to sleep in.

• LEARN MORE ABOUT COPSECLAN

COPSECLAN
REPUTATION & TRADITIONS

OVERVIEWCopseClan is recognized for how deeply spiritual their cats are. They may be seen as a bit haughty because of this by cats who do not understand the reason for their faith, but CopseClan is simply dedicated to their way of life. It guides them through many difficult times and tough decisions, and as such, is perhaps their most notable trait. The usage of the word "StarClan" is forbidden outside of ceremonial purposes in CopseClan. They host the spiritual site for all three clans on their own territory.CopseClan boasts a traditional system of naming in which both prefixes and suffixes are limited, allowing cats to be named for their appearance first and their skills or personality via their suffixes. CopseClan highly values the process of naming that they follow and find deep meaning in the set of suffixes they utilize. Nicknames are discouraged, seen as a disrespectful shortening of the names earned by hard working cats. GladeClan and BarrenClan, far more flexible with naming, may view this as an arbitrarily strict guideline.CopseClan's naming system goes beyond the usage of names to reflect one's skills and personality, however. All members shy away from naming their kits the same prefix as another clanmate - they believe that in doing so, Death may accidentally take the wrong cat. When kits are born sickly or feeble in some way, they may be named an 'undesirable' name in hopes of deterring Death from taking them.TALENTS & TACTICSWith regard to skills, CopseClan is perhaps more focused on thinking than acting. CopseClan cats rarely compare to GladeClan's refined fighters or BarrenClan's rough warriors, preferring to use strategy over force. They will utilize the layout of their territory when in battle, analyzing their advantages and disadvantages so that they may fight smarter, not harder. This makes for many sharp minds among CopseClan's ranks, intelligence a highly valued trait.In addition, CopseClan is also notably well adapted to the forests they live in, used to hunting in heavy undergrowth and particularly skilled when it comes to scrambling up the branches of trees and flitting from canopy to canopy. If allowed to fight from the trees, they become quite the dangerous enemies, capable of surprise ambushes from above.FUNERAL RITESIn CopseClan, the deceased are expected to be buried by the morning following their death and should not be left alone between this time. Family and other close loved ones of the deceased are exempt from their duties for a quarter moon following a death. This time is dedicated to mourning, and along with monarchs and elders, those who are in mourning are the first to be fed during this period.ATTITUDE TOWARDS OUTSIDERSAlthough a GladeClan warrior could call CopseClan elitist for the extra sets of rules they obey or you perhaps might hear a BarrenClan cat bemoaning their strict names, CopseClan is very open when it comes to outsiders such as kittypets, loners, and strays. It is said that once upon a time they did not even enforce their borders, although conflict with The Glaring is cited as the cause of them becoming stricter with their boundaries.As time has passed and wounds heal, the old ways have begun to return. Kittypets and loners aren’t expected to join or participate in clan life if they do not wish to, only to be respectful of CopseClan and their ways. It isn’t uncommon for a stray loner or so to camp in CopseClan territory as a stop on their travels. If one does wish to join the clan they’ll be invited to a trial period prior to formally joining to ensure that CopseClan is really where they want to be. Generally, CopseClan trusts the word of outsiders, doing their best to provide shows of good faith to any cat willing to do the same for them.

GLADECLAN

Surrounded by meadows and glades that provide them with their name, GladeClan lives amidst thin forests and is notably the largest of the three clans. Their size is an attribute that lends well towards their tradition of maintaining multiple camps at once. Averaging at a typical three camps, the amount may vary depending on circumstances. GladeClan's leadership consists exclusively of mollies or molly aligned cats, existing as a matriarchal society.

A WIDESPREAD MATRIARCHY

GladeClan holds to a strict tradition of only allowing mollies or molly aligned cats to hold leadership positions. This encompasses their leader, their deputy, and their healers. Cats of all genders are highly valued and acknowledged for their own roles in GladeClan, but molly-aligned cats are the ones who lead.In addition to being led exclusively by mollies, GladeClan is built in a way that favors nepotism. Often, the kits or the kin of leaders and deputies are practically fated to succeed them. Leaders who have offspring will frequently choose a daughter to be their deputy, and by the time the daughter has risen through the ranks, she too will promote one of her own kin to continue with leadership.It is not a law that kin must succeed kin in the way that it is law that only mollies may lead, but GladeClan has come to expect such a tradition, and a deputy with no relation to GladeClan's leader may be eyed warily. Beyond leaders, deputies, and healers, GladeClan values their advisors, cats who may be of any gender. These advisors serve as representatives of the branching camps that GladeClan hosts, and are considered very reliable within the clan.The origin of these traditions has gradually faded over time given the many generations of GladeClan warriors, but it is a common theory that GladeClan's matriarchal nepotism was born from the very birth of the clan - perhaps a mother founded the beginning, surrounded by her younger family. Whatever the case may be, the tradition has stuck for many lifetimes.Below, you may read more about GladeClan and its ranks, including the duties and specifications of each one.LEADERGladeClan's leader is a singular cat who will inevitably be succeeded by their chosen deputy. Only mollies and molly aligned cats may be leaders. Although GladeClan leaders are not expected to have mates and kits, it is viewed very postively when they do, and the offspring that they produce will frequently be considered for future leadership positions once they grow and earn their full names and ranks. GladeClan's leader may discuss weighty choices with their advisors and deputy, but at the end of the day, decisions are theirs alone to make.DEPUTYGladeClan's deputy is a singular cat who is fated to succeed the leader who chose them. Only mollies and molly aligned cats may be deputies. Although not law, it is commonplace or perhaps expected for the deputy to be the daughter of the leader. Sometimes, another close relative such as a sister or niece may be selected. Deputies with no relation to the leader are considered odd in GladeClan.HEALERSGladeClan's healer is a spiritual leader as well as a healer for their clan. Only mollies and molly aligned cats may be healers. They are selected based on their interest in medicine and their skill in using it. Healers in GladeClan are permitted to have mates and kits so long as another fully trained healer is present within the clan, though offspring of the healers are not as favored as kits of the leader or deputy are.ADVISORSGladeClan advisors are representatives of the branching camps that they live in. The main camp is watched over by the clan's central high ranks, while advisors often take on the duties of guidance in branching camps. Advisors may be any gender, and are selected by their camps.HERBALISTSGladeClan herbalists are essentially healers that lack spiritual duties. They may be of any gender, and are frequently trained to tackle warrior duties in addition to maintaining healing knowledge. A healer will likely be favored if one is available, but herbalists keep camps from ever being in complete danger should threats, wounds, or sicknesses arise.RUNNERSGladeClan runners are the quickest cats in the clan. A minimum of two runners are assigned to each camp and at least one should be present in camp at all times. They are dual trained as warriors. Their additional duty is to swiftly carry messages between camps in the case of urgent situations.WARRIORSGladeClan warriors are the hunters, fighters, and guardians of the clan. They patrol and mark borders, they guard the camp, and they may escort cats such as runners or healers through dangerous areas. Some display more prowess in one area than another, but varied skills are to be expected depending on a cat's affinity for specific duties.MONARCHSGladeClan monarchs are perhaps the most respected cats in the clan, aside from GladeClan's most high ranking members. As prosperity and thriving numbers are highly valued in GladeClan, cats who elect to become monarchs are treated with the utmost respect. Bringing new life to the clan is an honorable thing to do, and even cats who only serve as surrogates or donors to upcoming litters will be treated kindly by their clanmates. If a cat decides to become a monarch, GladeClan will celebrate this choice by having everyone contribute a flower to decorate the monarch to be's nest. During their first night in said nest, the monarch will be celebrated by being covered in a layer of petals, something GladeClan believes will promote luck with their time in the nursery.APPRENTICESGladeClan apprentices fill a typical role, expected to heed their mentor's teachings and grow into worthy members of their clan. Often, GladeClan apprentices in their earliest moons will train in many duties such as those of a runner or a healer in order to determine where their talents lie. By the end of their training, they will be clearly suited for one particular role.ELDERSGladeClan elders are given respect for the years of service they have provided their clan. Finally permitted to rest after aging around to 110 moons, elders are tended to by their clanmates, though they are not excluded from continuing to assist with clan life. Especially in dire situations, GladeClan elders who once existed as warriors will rise up to be protectors. Former runners may make one last stride, if the clan needs them, and past healers pass down their knowledge to all those who ask after it.

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GLADECLAN
REPUTATION & TRADITIONS

OVERVIEWGladeClan are religious cats, but not as strongly so compared to CopseClan. StarClan is present in their life, they will thank them for their meal and seek their guidance, but are minimally involved in their day-to-day activities. GladeClan tends to take a very literal interpretation of the Warrior Code, in which any nuance such as what to do if a warrior kills in battle is determined by the leader and possibly their advisors at the time of the offense as opposed to a standardized punishment.Their names are expected to have meaning, but it is trusted to the monarch that whichever name they bestow has meaning, even if only to them. It can be as simple as a parent choosing a prefix that they particularly like the sound of. Suffixes are pulled from a predetermined list, which includes CopseClan’s traditional list but expands on it a great deal. Suffixes have a universal meaning, but if a leader truly feels none of the vast options best represent a warrior they may add to the repertoire. Nicknames are fine and common between cats that are close to one another.Gender is an important aspect of GladeClan life; one's own identity may look and feel completely different than another cat's, and GladeClan celebrates any variation. There are no rigid gender roles expected in the clan - a cat can be completely 'masculine', use he/him pronouns, and still identify as a molly without any question. While all three clans are very accepting and diverse, GladeClan specifically has a ceremony to celebrate a cat identifying differently. This is called the Celebration of Change.TALENTS & TACTICSBarrenClan may seem like the most intimidating clan given their harsh names and threatening appearances, but the real terrifying enemy to have would be GladeClan. GladeClan excels in combat, with well-equipped warriors who practice many moons in order to work together perfectly and ranks that typically boast higher numbers than either CopseClan or BarrenClan.When GladeClan fights, they tend to be less about tactic and more about power, focusing on their strength in numbers. Runners are capable of reaching other GladeClan camps and returning with even more patrols of warriors for reinforcements, which helps make combat with GladeClan feel endless and devoid of hope. They tend to tire out their enemies to the point of collapse, working as one cohesive unit in surprising efficiency.FUNERAL RITESThe family and other closed loved ones of the deceased may spend as much time with the body as they need. The Healer and Herbalist both excel at staving off decay. The body will be decorated with star lilies, mint, and wild roses to mask the scent. When they’re ready, the leader will begin a formal vigil for the rest of the clan to participate in.After the vigil is complete, the body will be returned to the earth, buried with saplings or roots in order to grow into the flora that adorns all of GladeClan's territory.
After the deceased is buried GladeClan typically “moves on,” and ends their mourning process, which is why the loved ones will spend so much time with the deceased prior.ATTITUDE TOWARDS OUTSIDERSFew outsiders make their way to GladeClan as their far border rises into treacherous mountains and they’re separated from Town by the entirety of CopseClan and BarrenClan territories. GladeClan tends to be wary of outsiders, strict about their borders, and rarely accept newcomers into their ranks, and when they do allow outsiders in, they never permit toms to join.

BARRENCLAN

Flanked by pine barrens as well as sparse forests, BarrenClan markedly bears the most rough terrain to traverse, though the cats who occupy its ranks hardly seem to mind. Adapting from their past origins that were rooted in violence and bloodshed, BarrenClan has come far as a clan, repairing their reputation while still remaining faithful to a rough and tumble sort of lifestyle. They are the most lax clan in many aspects, perhaps because they once consisted of the most varied cats, consisting of rogues, loners, and kittypets alike.

THE GLARING &
ITS DOWNFALL

The Glaring has been gone for a few generations; elders of BarrenClan now were kits when the elders who experienced The Glaring existed, and their stories are still passed down to this day as a grim reminder of their past.The Glaring occupied the same territory as BarrenClan, led by their founder and ruthless leader Hail in a bid for revenge against CopseClan’s leader at the time. The Glaring consisted of Hail and her chosen ruthless fighters, the Elite.The Glaring was disbanded when a cat named Kestrel usurped Hail. Kestrel had begun a relationship with a CopseClan Healer, Appleheart, who helped him see the error of Hail’s ways and break away. With her guidance he became Kestrelstar, the first leader of BarrenClan, and Appleheart naturally became their healer. With so many cats, the Outskirters were divided among the three clans - and still some left to become loners or kittypets.BarrenClan tends to imagine Kestrelstar as a super muscular, all-powerful cat. It isn't unheard of for a BarrenClan cat to boast about being somehow related to Kestrelstar, although whether or not this is true is up for debate.

A CHANGE FROM THE PAST

BarrenClan has plenty of bloody history to contend with. Born from the remnants of a rogue group known as The Glaring, BarrenClan is well aware of the fact that they do not have the most spotless record. Still, these cats are loyal to their own and determined to make the best of what they have. They remember and respect history, altering traditions that once bloomed under the burden of an oppressive rogue leader to now better suit the needs of a Clan.Proud of the strength that they possess, BarrenClan is not quick to be pushed around by any cats eager to look down on them because of their past or even their present state. Though they may stray from traditional clan behaviors or organize more simplistically than CopseClan or GladeClan does, they are still just as tight knit and capable.Below, you may read more about BarrenClan and its ranks, including the duties and specifications of each one.LEADERBarrenClan's leader is a singular cat who will one day be succeeded by their appointed deputy. Very few restrictions or guidelines apply to BarrenClan's leader, except for the fact that they are expected to eat last out of their clanmates.DEPUTYBarrenClan's deputy is a singular cat who will eventually follow in the paw steps of the leader. Chosen by their leader, BarrenClan's deputy is expected to be a particularly loyal cat, supporting their leader throughout their reign and their varied decisions.HEALERSFor BarrenClan, it is ideal to have two healers at any given time, one who specializes in illness, and one who specializes in wounds. BarrenClan's healers are spiritual leaders and tend to sickness. Menders are not in charge of spiritual aspects of healing in BarrenClan, but do tend to physical wounds. Healers are chosen by their interest and prowess in the position. The spiritual aspect of their position is secondary to the healing aspect, as there are quite a few BarrenClan cats who lack any spirituality.WARRIORSBarrenClan warriors do the typical duties, such as hunting, patrolling, guarding, and fighting for their clan. Often known for being particularly tough, these cats can endure most anything. Skills may vary, and one BarrenClan warrior may prefer hunting to battling, but generally most cats can find pleasure in a friendly scrap or spar with a clanmate. Most BarrenClan warriors have some healing knowledge, though not as much as healers do. The naming of a new warrior is celebrated by marking Vine's Ceremonial Tree.MONARCHSBarrenClan monarchs are treated with excitement, as the clan is always eager to welcome new litters. Often, BarrenClan monarchs find it hard to settle down into a more calm nursery life, and so the clan itself will often work to fill in as kit-sitters while a monarch nursing a litter is given a chance to still continue with their typical duties. Of course, not all monarchs are hesitant to take a break to raise families, and those who occupy a simpler lifestyle are just as welcome in BarrenClan.APPRENTICESBarrenClan apprentices are responsible for typical things, like tending to chores and learning how to one day ascend to warriorhood. They are often notably more rash than their warrior counterparts, striving to one day become even more strong than the mentors that train them. Time helps to temper these young cats, and once they have graduated past apprenticeship, they make for excellent young warriors.ELDERSBarrenClan elders are extremely respected, often to a point of reverence. Their elders are notorious for taking the longest to retire, the average warrior finally accepting their retirement by 150 moons. Although all clans value their older members, BarrenClan particularly sees them as important figures, vital to clan life. They recount stories and can keep history fresh in the minds of even the youngest cats, something that is very valuable to a clan that strives to remember and learn from the mistakes that were made by their ancestors. It is not often that a cat in BarrenClan will get to retire, due to their rough lifestyle, but those who do make it to their resting moons will be given the utmost admiration by the clanmates who surround them.

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BARRENCLAN
REPUTATION & TRADITIONS

OVERVIEWBarrenClan is the least religious of the three clans, often home to agnostic and atheistic cats without any stigma. They have no inherent religious ceremonies or behaviors, though cats who do choose to believe in StarClan or follow their own systems of belief are not shunned for it.BarrenClan doesn’t really have any naming conventions beyond preferring “tough” names, such as Pantherblood or Deadflame. They utilize scar names. BarrenClan is a rough-and-tumble clan, they often spar with one another in good fun, their naming traditions reflect this attitude. Nicknames are commonplace.TALENTS & TACTICSThanks to their blood-filled history, BarrenClan's combat style is notoriously brutal and forceful. Warriors are encouraged to hone in their physical strength and speed rather than spend time analyzing their enemies or surroundings. BarrenClan cats do not shy away from potential combat injuries. Their combat style encourages extremely dangerous battle moves with a look of bravery towards the face of death.Though they are a clan now, and they deeply care for their clanmates, BarrenClan cats still tend to use a 'loner' type of fighting. They are prone to one-on-one combat, viewing the ability to take care of one's own fight as a matter of personal pride. While teamwork isn't unheard of, it can be insulting to shove one's way into a BarrenClan warrior's fight unless it is a dire situation.FUNERAL RITESThe deceased are laid to rest in the depths of The Barrens for the vultures and other scavengers as their clanmates celebrate their life with a chorus of raucous yowls.
Before BarrenClan formed, when they were still The Glaring, cats that were felled in bloodsport, fell out of favor, etc. were callously disposed of here.
After becoming a clan, BarrenClan’s first leader was faced with a difficult decision; it had a bloody history, but many of their cats had been laid to rest there - it would be impossible to move them all.Ultimately he decided to declare The Barrens a holy land, holding a massive multi-night vigil for all who had been lost, and continued to use this as their funeral lands with much more care.ATTITUDE TOWARDS OUTSIDERSBarrenClan cats are predominately born from kittypets, loners and rogues and therefore their perspective of outsiders is typically very welcoming. BarrenClan's camp is a frequent hotspot for cats in need of a warm nest and some food to eat.BarrenClan members are more laidback than the neighboring clans, and don't mind the company of wandering loners within reason. Any potential threat is dealt with swiftly, but should a cat arrive with a desire to learn more about the clans, in BarrenClan's camp they shall learn.