Flames lick at the stars

🐌 Moth - 23, they/she/he 🌍 Rewrite Progress: Outlining

[healing-fire--rewrite]

Welcome to Healing Fire!

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This is a Warriors rewrite with all the things I desire from canon- worldbuilding, queer & disabled characters, a lack of incest, and more!

It started on my Warriors blog @moths-wc-aus, and it's gotten so large that I made a poll to ask if I should move it somewhere new!

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Some tags you'll find here;

#worldbuilding ; posts where I discuss the world of HF

#lore ; religious and historical stories

#family lore ; posts talking about a character's relationships and/or personal history

#design ; i like to have designs for my characters before i write them

#map ; maps!

#allegiances ; allegiances!

#sect codes ; all the codes the sects follow (yes, there are multiple)!

#deity profile ; discussing the deities of this rewrite

#ask ; any asks that are sent!

#art ; any art i make & post

#character design & #character profile ; reference sheets for the characters in this rewrite

#scribbles ; any writing i make & post

#outdated ; this tag means that the post is outdated and either is no longer canon to the rewrite or has been/will be updated

character tags ; any tag with a character's name. these posts discuss that particular character

sect tags ; tags that discuss a sect

And here is a link to the worldbuilding master post!

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I sincerely hope you enjoy your time here!

[monochrome-sunsets]

if, after all that's happened over the last year, you are still supportive of trump and ice, unfollow me right the fuck now. actually let me know you support them so i can block you too.

i was raised reciting "liberty & justice for all" daily, and that INCLUDES illegal immigrants, people of color, and any other marginalized group, especially those our "government" is currently attacking. if you disagree, fuck you.

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Sectish Laws

While many communities have rules or expectations, the Sects have the most expansive set of laws by far. They're divided into five categories: Land, Blood, Herb, Summit, and Star.

Many of these laws are a single sentance, meant to be more memorable for the cats who must follow them. This, however, has lead to differences in interpretation over time and between cultures. Some of these differences will be elaborated on.

—– Land Law

—– Blood Law

—– Herb Law

—– Summit Law

—– Star Law

—– Unofficial Laws

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Unofficial Laws

Some beliefs and traditions are as good as laws, but either aren't solidified into legitimate law or are only observed by a single Sect.

Claws must be sheathed during spars or training sessions.

While dams are not required to name their sire, they must at least privately inform their advisor of his background. Sires, however, must always name their dam.

Advisors should never spread information privately given to them.

Advisors have more authority than leaders, as they can directly speak to the Gods.

Newly appointed warriors must stand a silent vigil for a full night. (Thunderian)

Only mollies may have the honor of being leader or deputy. (Shadower)

All kits must learn to swim by 3 moons old. (Riverish)

No cat may be a true member of the Sect until they have learned to swim. (Riverish)

An apprentice must have traveled to the Starstone at least once to receive their Title. (Windi)

Decisions majorly impacting the entire Sect must be decided with a stone casting. (Windi)

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Star Laws

In some ways the most important section, Star Laws concern religion. While all cats are aware of these laws and some of them may apply to daily life, advisors follow them most closely.

The Gods are above all mortal laws, and their commands must be followed as such.

An advisor with a mate or kits has corrupted their connection to the Stars and must be punished accordingly.

The punishment for a crime like this is, most often, death for all involved. The Sects cannot risk divine wrath.

3. An advisor cannot kill for any reason.

This law was made in an era where fear of a lack of communication to the Stars was abundant. The original fear was that an advisor dirtying their paws with death would destroy their holy purity, but it's begun to die out over the years.

Riverish: Riverish advisors are allowed to hunt if they're hungry, but are explicitly denied the ability to kill another cat.

Shadower: Shadowers do not generally allow advisors to kill, but it is permitted in self-defense. If an advisor truly believes their life is in immediate danger from an attack, then they can and should attempt to defend themselves however necessary.

Thunderian: Thunderians allow their advisors to hunt, so long as they're discrete about the activity. It's generally expected that advisors don't hunt in front of other high ranks, and that they should allow others to hunt for them.

Windi: Windi do not allow an advisor to kill any living being for any reason whatsoever. Since advisors are typically accompanied by an apprentice, healer, or warrior, Windi has no concerns about their advisor going hungry.

4. Advisors will meet at the Starstone every half moon to commune with the Stars.

5. Omens and prophecies may only be discussed with leaders, deputies, and advisors unless otherwise permitted.

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Summit Law

Summit Laws outline leadership duties and hierarchy rules. While all cats are aware of these laws, they mostly apply to leadership positions and rarely concern those below them.

The deputy will become leader when the previous leader dies.

Any potential deputy must have fully trained at least one apprentice.

After the death or retirement of a deputy, the new one must be chosen before moonhigh.

Should a Sect have no leader or deputy, the Advisor will lead until they receive a message from the Stars.

The leader's word is as good as law.

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Herb Law

This section of laws concerns medicine, treatment, and healing. While most cats are aware of these laws, they almost only apply to healers and advisors.

Borders are open to healers, as they are separate from Sect rivalries.

One's emotions cannot guide how they heal.

Made to ensure that healers won't put a loved one's health above someone else's, or refuse treatment to a cat they don't like. The wording of this particular law has been subject to argument.

Shadower: Shadowers believe that this law only pertains to one's own Sectmates.

Thunderian: Thunderian healers believe it is their duty to heal regardless of borders. They do not permit themselves or each other to deny anyone treatment, regardless of Sectish allegiance (or lack thereof).

Riverish: Riverish healers will treat nearly anyone of Sectish allegiance should they require it, but often avoid treating outsiders.

Windi: Due to the Windi's value of hospitality, they will not deny anyone's request for healing, but they will likely make any unhappiness towards the situation well-known.

3. A healer may commit no harm, except in matters of life or death.

4. One must recognize their limitations and seek help when necessary.

5. An unfit healer cannot work until they are well again.

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Blood Laws

Blood Laws outline the do's and dont's of Sectish society. How to treat each other, how to behave, etc. All cats follow Blood Law, no exceptions.

Defend your Sect with your life.

No Sect cat should kill another outside of life or death.

Every full moon will see a peaceful gathering among all the Sects.

Be wary of other Sects, for you may one day meet them in battle.

Created to ensure loyalty remains within a cat's Sect and not another individual. The vague wording, however, can allow for fresh blood within a Sect.

Shadower: Shadowers have a tendency to ignore cross-Sect relationships. So long as you're not being obvious about it and remain loyal to the Sect above your partner, they don't particularly care.

Thunderian: Under Pinestar's reign romantic relationships weren't explicitly forbidden, and it was well known that he either didn't notice or turned a blind eye. Sunstar hasn't explicitly forbidden anything either, but noticeably radiates disapproval when he sees a Thunderian getting cozy with another Sect cat. The Sect has silently decided to avoid inter-Sect relationships due to Sunstar's visible dislike.

Riverish: The Riverish attitude towards inter-Sect romances has always been to sigh about how tragic it all is. The expectation that the relationship will end in tragedy is what makes it so romantic, don't you see? Should it turn out happily, however, the attitude changes on a dime- it's like a spit in the face.

Windi: The Wind Sect has always outright forbidden inter-Sect romance and been less inclined towards friendship. With Lapwingstar in charge, that could be subject to change, but so far no one has pushed that boundary.

5. Historians, kits, nurses, and the sick and injured should be fed first.

6. No Sect cat may neglect or ignore a kitten in pain or danger.

7. A cat must be at least six moons of age to become an apprentice.

8. Kits, advisors, and healers can never be hurt by a Sect cat during battle.

9. Advisors must observe the creation of Sire Contracts and serve as witnesses to the agreement.

10. A true Sect cat rejects the life of an outsider.

To some, this law means that any outsider over the age of six moons is to be rejected from the Sect immediately. To others, it simply means any cat who rejects non-Sect life may be welcome.

Shadower: The Shadow Sect will accept nearly any cat who swears fealty to the Shadow Star, who shows hard work and devotion, and who obeys the Sectish laws. Their ranks have been smaller than most of the other Sects lately- low birth rates and few healthy kittens have made sustaining themselves somewhat difficult.

Thunderian: Thunderians are rather averse towards accepting outsiders older than six or seven moons into their ranks, but have been well-known to act as a safe haven for kittens- even more than the law demands. They have perhaps the highest rate of foundlings within the Sects.

Riverish: Riverish don't tend to take many adults into their ranks, tending towards an age limit of about 10 or 11 moons old. Occasional exceptions have been made.

Windi: Though Windi cats are known for their hospitality, they are certainly not known for welcoming outsiders into their fold. Even kittens found abandoned on the border will find it difficult to be fully accepted. Under Lapwingstar's leadership, that's begun to change- he admitted Baileyseed and her kits, after all- but the Sect's attitude change has been… slower. Historically, the Wind Sect has had an age limit of about four moons when it comes to outsiders seeking to join.

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Land Law

These laws concern territory; what to do with it, prey concerns, etc. All cats follow Land Law, no exceptions.

Do not hunt or trespass on another Sect's territory.

Borders should be checked and marked often, and defended when needed.

Prey is killed only to be eaten.

No cat may hunt at Four Trees or a burial ground.

Burial grounds must be properly maintained and cared for.

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Currently going through another round of killing my darlings :( alas tis the process

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Ugh wait I have to redo the family trees now..

[healing-fire--rewrite]

Currently going through another round of killing my darlings :( alas tis the process

[healing-fire--rewrite]

Titles- What Do They Mean?

Table of Contents

Holy Titles

Rank-Specific

Sect-Specific

Skill-Based

Personality-Based

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Holy Titles

Breeze, Ripple, Shade, Storm (an incredible feat has been completed)

Flower (skilled caretaker; holy to the Great Mothers)

Claw (skilled leader and fighter; holy to the Noble Warrior)

Splash, Spring (playful and curious; holy to the Little Lynx)

Flare, Sun (a bold fighter; holy to the Sun)

Beam, Moon (calm and gentle; holy to the Moon)

Feather, Mask (courageous and moral; holy to the Tapestry Weaver)

Ear, Ears, Song (cheerful and lives in the moment; holy to the Thread Dyer)

Wing (wise and with great foresight; holy to the Pattern Maker)

Flight (curious and adaptable; holy to Bright Eyes)

Weaver (see “Advisor” section)

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Rank-Specific

Leader

Star

Gleaming Star (Thunderian)

Brilliant Star (Shadower)

Shining Star (Windi)

Glowing Star (Riverish)

Blazing Star (Sky; Defunct)

Advisor

Shine (skilled in guidance)

Sight (skilled in interpretation)

Weaver (abnormally powerful; the past and present are weaved together; holy to the Timeturners)

Healer

Berry (skilled in diagnosis)

Leaf (skilled in quick medicine; can work by the seat of their pants)

Root (skilled in poultice & paste making)

Permanent Nurse

Seed

Sprout

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Sect-Specfic

Thunderian

Devout; Faithful; Pious--

Rain, Cloud, Roar, Forest, Thicket, Sky, Rumble

Skilled Climber--

Bark, Bird, Branch, Cliff, Ivy, Lichen, Smoke, Vine

Skilled Gardener--

Bee, Bumble, Bloom, Blossom, Bud, Bush, Chive, Fallow, Frill, Fruit, Iris, Knoll, Lilac, Mallow, Patch, Petal, Poppy, Rose, Sage, Thistle, Vine

Shadower

Devout; Faithful; Pious--

Holly, Web, Needle, Pine, Silk, Marsh, Swamp, Twist

Skilled Climber--

Bark, Bird, Branch, Cliff, Ivy, Lichen, Smoke, Vine

Skilled Trapper--

Bramble, Briar, Catcher, Gorse, Hollow, Honey, Pitch, Snap, Tangle, Thorn, Web

Skilled Swimmer--

Brook, Current, Dive, Drift, Fin, Fish, Gill, Glide, Lake, Lotus, Minnow, Scale, Stream, Tide

Skilled Fisher

Brook, Catcher, Dive, Fish, Snap

Riverish

Devout; Faithful; Pious--

Willow, Stone, Scale, Reed, Creek, Stream, Glitter, Water, Rain

Extremely Skilled Fisher--

Bird, Brook, Catcher, Dive, Fish, Shore, Snap, Strike, Swipe, Tooth

Extremely Strong Swimmer--

Current, Dive, Drift, Fin, Fish, Gill, Glide, Lake, Lotus, Minnow, Scale, Stream, Tide

Skilled Trapper--

Bramble, Briar, Catcher, Gorse, Hollow, Honey, Pitch, Snap, Tangle, Thorn, Twist, Web

Windi

Devout; Faithful; Pious--

Heather, Hare, Rabbit, Wisp, Sky, Gale, Howl, Moor, Gorse

Skilled Trapper--

Bramble, Briar, Catcher, Gorse, Hollow, Honey, Pitch, Snap, Tangle, Thorn, Twist, Web

Skilled Weaver--

Bramble, Briar, Fern, Frond, Gorse, Grass, Heather, Lavender, Nest, Parsley, Reed, Rush, Sedge, Silk, Stalk, Stem, Tangle, Thicket, Twist, Vine, Web, Weed, Wool

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Skill-Based

Well-rounded; Generally skilled; Applies effort equally--

Brindle, Dapple, Fleck, Freckle, Fur, Patch, Pelt, Speck, Speckle, Spot, Spots, Stripe, Swirl

Agile; Great Balance; Nimble--

Bird, Bounce, Cliff, Dance, Dancer, Flake, Flame, Flit, Foot, Glide, Hop, Jump, Larch, Leap, Perch, Plume, Rill, Skip, Skitter, Sparrow, Swoop, Tail, Weaver, Whirl

Clever; Strategic--

Bloom, Dusk, Fox, Glint, Ice, Ivy, Jay, Lily, Nip, Puddle, Shell, Slither, Spark, Step, Tangle, Thistle

Eloquent; Confident Speaker; Charismatic--

Babble, Bellow, Call, Chatter, Cry, Dazzle, Hiss, Jaw, Lavender, Lilac, Raven, Roar, Silk, Tongue, Yip, Yowl

Musically Gifted--

Chirp, Croak, Echo, Howl, Lark, Rattle, Reed, Rumble, Shrill, Throat, Tongue, Trill, Wail, Warble, Whistle

Observant; Perceptive--

Burr, Bush, Cloud, Dawn, Eyes, Face, Flick, Flutter, Frost, Gaze, Hum, Knoll, Mistle, Nip, Nose, Pool, Rustle, Shimmer, Sky, Twitch, Watcher, Whisper

Skilled Hunter--

Chaser, Hawk, Hunter, Jumper, Kestrel, Mouse, Pounce, Skitter, Stalker, Swipe, Swoop, Talon, Tooth, Wolf

Skilled Caretaker--

Belly, Blossom, Bud, Bumble, Fern, Fluff, Frond, Haven, Heart, Kindle, Moss, Murmur, Nest, Nestle, Nudge, Petal, Purr, Rose, Ruffle, Stalk, Tuft

Skilled Fighter--

Bite, Blaze, Bristle, Burn, Buzz, Fang, Flood, Flurry, Gale, Growl, Hail, Holly, Kick, Nettle, Prickle, Quill, Screech, Shriek, Snap, Snarl, Sting, Strike, Swarm, Swipe, Venom, Whirl, Yelp

Skilled Tracker; Skilled Navigator

Drizzle, Drop, Eye, Haze, Hunter, Mist, Nose, Seeker, Skies, Snow, Soot, Trail, Tuft, Twitch, Valley, Whisker, Whiskers, Wisp

Stealthy--

Dust, Ember, Flicker, Frill, Glade, Grass, Grove, Hush, Leaves, Lichen, Lily, Mouse, Mumble, Murmur, Night, Pad, Pond, Poppy, Ruffle, Sand, Sedge, Shore, Slither, Soot, Thicket, Toe, Vale, Whisper, Wisp

Swift; Quick Runner--

Billow, Creek, Dash, Field, Fire, Flash, Hare, Meadow, Moor, Rabbit, Rain, Runner, Rush, Water

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Personality-Based

Adaptable; Flexible--

Bark, Billow, Bird, Cloud, Creek, Dance, Dust, Fall, Flake, Flame, Flicker, Flit, Glade, Larch, Mint, Pebble, Petal, Plume, Puddle, Reed, Rill, Scale, Sedge, Skies, Slip, Stem, Swish, Tail, Thicket, Tumble, Vale, Valley, Vine, Water, Weed, Whiskers

Generous; Altruistic; Friendly--

Belly, Chatter, Chirp, Dazzle, Fluff, Flutter, Heart, Honey, Hop, Lark, Lavender, Moss, Nestle, Purr, Shimmer, Tongue, Trill, Trot, Warble, Wool, Yip

Level-headed; Steady--

Drizzle, Gaze, Hollow, Hum, Lake, Meadow, Mistle, Mumble, Night, Pad, Pool, Rumble, Rustle, Sage, Shell, Stone, Stride, Toe, Wood

Cooperative; Loyal; Supportive--

Branch, Bumble, Buzz, Echo, Fern, Fish, Fruit, Leaves, Minnow, Mint, Pebble, Rabbit, Rose, Sand, Scale, Snow, Stalk, Stem, Swarm, Trail, Vine, Wolf, Wool

Driven; Tenacious--

Bite, Blister, Bristle, Cry, Dash, Fang, Growl, Hail, Hiss, Howl, Ivy, Quill, Rain, Roar, Rush, Screech, Shriek, Shrill, Spark, Stalker, Sting, Talon, Tide, Tooth, Wail, Weed, Wish, Yelp

Faithful; Devout; Pious--

Bee, Cave, Cavern, Clover, Crow, Daisy, Dream, Gleam, Glow, Hawk, Hope, Hymn, Mane, Moth, Poppy

Honest--

Face, Frill, Holly, Jaw, Light, Lotus, Moor, Prickle, Rattle, Shiver, Smoke, Throat

Patient--

Bloom, Blossom, Bud, Bramble, Drop, Ember, Flick, Iris, Kindle, Lichen, Lilac, Nudge, Pearl, Pitch, Shiver, Swish, Web, Wish, Yawn

Reliable; Trustworthy--

Dawn, Field, Frond, Grass, Haven, Hush, Knoll, Light, Nest, Smoke, Yawn

Sure-Footed; Confident--

Call, Cliff, Dancer, Flash, Flurry, Foot, Glide, Hare, Haze, Ice, Jay, Jump, Jumper, Kestrel, Leap, Mist, Perch, Pounce, Runner, Skip, Sparrow, Step, Stride, Strike, Trot, Twist, Whistle, Yowl

Tough; Strong--

Blaze, Burn, Fire, Flood, Gale, Glare, Kick, Pearl, Slip, Snap, Snarl, Stare, Stone, Tumble, Venom, Wolf, Wood

Wise; Intelligent--

Briar, Burr, Dusk, Eye, Eyes, Fox, Frost, Glint, Grove, Nettle, Pond, Raven, Sage, Seeker, Silk, Stare, Thorn, Watcher, Whisker

[healing-fire--rewrite]

Titles- What Are They? Rules & Expectations

In this rewrite, prefixes are called names or pelt-names and suffixes are called titles or heart-names.

Close friends and family will refer to someone by only their pelt-name, but it's respectful to refer to someone you're not as close to with their full name and title. It is also expected that you call someone by their full name and title when you're speaking to them within their roles; for example, a leader's mate may call them Sand casually, but refer to them as Sandstar when their mate is acting within the role of a leader.

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The Wind & Thunder Sects

Unlike the other Sects, Windi view it as a major insult to refer to anyone by just their pelt-name if they've earned a heart-name. To them, it is explicitly saying that you do not view this cat as being worthy of their title or status, even- perhaps even especially- if you're close.

While all Sects have an honor title (-ripple, -breeze, etc), Thunderians have a separate tradition called Honor Naming. When a cat does something particularly honorable, but not quite unique enough to earn -storm as a title, they might be given a new name and title after the scars they earned in the process. The other Sects consider this practice to be cruel and barbaric, but Thunderians like Oneeye and Halftail bear their names as badges of pride.

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Holy Titles

Holy titles are directly connected to a deity. They should not ever be paired with a holy name, for fear of upsetting a god and bringing their wrath down on the Sects.

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Negative Titles?

There is no such thing as a negative heart-name. While there are some less than positive associations (i.e. fire-based titles being impulsive, -heart cats being too soft), heart-names are made to celebrate what a cat contributes to their community. To explicitly name someone for something they do not contribute is offensive and the Sect would demand it to be changed.

[healing-fire--rewrite]

Titles - What They Mean & How They Work

In this rewrite, prefixes are called names and suffixes are called titles. Close friends and family will refer to someone as name only, and it's respectful to refer to someone you're not as close to with their full title.

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Wind Sect & Thunder Sect

These particular sects have different ways of using names and titles.

Wind Sect views it as a huge slight to call someone by just their name when they also have a title, no matter how close you are. It's essentially saying that you don't view them as a full member of the Sect, or that you don't believe they've earned their title.

Thunder Sect has a tradition called honor naming. When a cat has done something particularly brave, they're given a new title that also functions as their name- often after whatever scars they've earned in the process. Once upon a time, Oneeye was called Whiteleap, but then did something courageous enough that she was renamed. Giving someone an honor name when they haven't done something honorable is a huge scandal, and is seen as incredibly cruel. No Sects outside of the Thunder Sect has the honor naming tradition, and are absolutely horrified to learn of its existence.

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Holy Titles

Holy titles are directly connected to a deity, and should not ever be paired with a holy name.

Ripple, shade, breeze, and storm are directly connected to the Founders, and are only given to those who have performed an incredible feat. The same used to apply to sky, but that knowledge has long since faded.

Flower is holy to the Great Mothers, and means someone who's skilled at being a caretaker.

Claw is holy to the Great Warrior, and is given to only the greatest of fighters.

Spring and splash are holy to the Little Lynx, and are gifted to those who are playful and curious.

Flare is holy to the Sun, and is given to those who are particularly bold.

Beam and moon are holy to the Moon, and are given to those who are gentle and calm.

Feather and mask are holy to the Pattern Maker, and they mean someone who does what's right.

Song, ear, and ears are holy to the Thread Dyer, and they mean a cheerful cat who lives in the present.

Wing is holy to the Tapestry Weaver and means a wise cat.

Weaver is holy to the Timeturners, and is very rarely given out.

Flight is holy to Bright Eyes, and means a cat who's curious and ever-changing.

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Important Titles

Leader Every Sect has its own leader title. Thunder Sect's is The Gleaming Star, Shadow Sect's is The Brilliant Star, Wind Sect's is The Shining Star, and River Sect's is The Glowing Star. Once upon a time, Sky Sect's was The Shimmering Star.

It's a show of utmost respect to refer to a leader with their full name and title, and is usually done when speaking about a leader from a Sect that isn't yours. Otherwise, Plainstar will do just fine.

Advisors Advisors have the option to take on one of three titles. Shine is a title given to those skilled in guidance, and sight is given to those skilled in interpreting omens and prophecies. Weaver isn't given often, and is given to those who appear to be able to see the past and future all at once.

Healers There are three possibilities for a healer title. Leaf is for those particularly skilled in gardening herbs, root for those who can whip up poultices and pastes, and berry for those who make quick and accurate diagnoses.

Permanent Nurses Being a permanent nurse is a big deal in Sect culture. These are cats who choose to spend all their time raising the next few generations, making sure that they're safe, happy, and healthy. They get the title seed as a badge of honor.

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Negative Titles?

While there's no official negative meanings for any titles, there are some widely accepted ones from years of patterns.

Cats with fire based titles tend to be impulsive, often to their own detriment. Cats with titles like frost and lake have a tendency towards being aloof and cold. Cats with the title heart tend to be soft and far too friendly.

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[healing-fire--rewrite]

Official Title Meanings

This cat is well rounded and equally good at just about everything fur, leg, pelt, speck, speckle, splotch

This cat is assertive bramble, briar, bristle, burr, flood, frost, hawk, heart, howl, jaw, larch, needle, nettle, roar, snap, spark, stare, stone, stride, tide, tongue, tooth, yowl

This cat is bold blaze, burn, cry, field, fire, flame, flicker, flood, howl, poppy, roar, snap, spark, sting, strike, swipe, talon, thistle, thorn, throat, venom, wolf, yowl

This cat is cheerful babble, chirp, cloud, daisy, dance, dancer, dawn, fall, flicker, fluff, fuzz, gleam, glimmer, hop, iris, lark, leap, light, pounce, shimmer, skip, swoop, tumble, twitch, warble, whistle

This cat is confident blaze, dance, dancer, field, fire, flame, foot, glade, hail, heart, jump, jumper, leap, path, roar, shimmer, snap, soot, spark, sting, stride, throat, tongue, whistle, yowl

This cat is creative blotch, ember, fall, flake, fleck, gleam, spark, swirl, swoop, twitch, whirl

This cat is curious chirp, crow, dawn, ember, flicker, gaze, glimmer, light, nose, perch, pond, pounce, raven, rise, spark, swoop, trail, watcher

This cat is determined blaze, bramble, briar, burr, buzz, cry, echo, ember, flood, grass, heart, howl, lichen, moss, pebble, rise, roar, runner, rush, snap, soot, spark, stalker, talon, tooth, weed, willow, wish, yowl

This cat is elegant and graceful chive, cloud, dance, dancer, ember, fern, fin, fire, flame, fleck, flicker, flurry, flutter, foot, frond, frost, glimmer, haze, heather, lavender, leap, leaves, light, lily, minnow, perch, petal, pool, poppy, rain, reed, rose, spark, step, stride, swoop, tail, whirl, whisker, whiskers, whisper, willow, wish

This cat has a lot of energy babble, bird, blaze, bounce, bristle, burn, dance, dancer, dash, dawn, field, fire, flame, flake, flash, flicker, flurry, glade, hop, jumper, leap, light, lotus, pounce, runner, rush, shiver, shriek, skip, slip, snap, spark, streak, tumble, twitch, whirl

This cat has good eyesight eye, eyes, gaze, hawk, haze, light, seeker, stare, watcher

This cat has fantastic balance branch, dance, dancer, flurry, flutter, foot, hop, jump, jumper, leap, perch, stalker, step, step, stride, tail, toe

This cat is flexible and adapts easily grass, hop, ivy, larch, light, mint, moss, mouse, reed, shiver, skies, skip, sky, smoke, snap, snow, stream, swirl, water, weed, willow, wish

This cat is a hard worker bee, dust, foot, frond, moss, pebble, sand, shiver, stone, thicket

This cat has good hearing echo, hush, yawn

This cat is honest belly, dapple, dust, echo, face, field, frost, glade, heart, leaves, light, pool, puddle, sand, shiver, skies, sky, smoke, stone, throat

This cat can jump really high bird, bounce, branch, cloud, drop, fall, foot, hawk, jump, jumper, leap, rise, spark, sparrow, swoop

This cat is loyal bee, burr, echo, heart, howl, ivy, leap, minnow, nettle, thicket, wolf

This cat has a good memory crow, echo, heart, hush, mumble, murmur, raven, watcher

This cat is good at motivating others buzz, call, cry, dawn, ember, flood, heart, hop, jump, leap, light, roar, rush, tongue, whistle, yowl

This cat is musically gifted call, chirp, echo, lark, rain, throat, tongue, warble, whistle

This cat is observant gaze, gleam, hawk, haze, hush, ivy, marsh, perch, pond, pool, puddle, raven, sage, skies, sky, spark, stare, watcher

This cat is outspoken bite, call, cry, fang, flood, howl, jaw, needle, prickle, roar, screech, snap, tongue, yowl

This cat is passionate belly, blaze, burn, call, cry, ember, fire, flame, flash, flood, heart, howl, leap, nettle, roar, rush, screech, shiver, shriek, snap, spark, sting, strike, swoop, throat, tongue, tumble, wish, yowl

This cat is playful bounce, chaser, creek, dance, dancer, daze, echo, fall, field, flake, fluff, fuzz, glade, gleam, glimmer, heart, hop, jump, jumper, leap, light, meadow, minnow, petal, pounce, puddle, rain, rush, shiver, shriek, skip, slip, snap, snow, spark, swoop, tumble, twitch, warble, whirl, wish

This cat is protective bee, belly, bramble, briar, fern, frond, grove, heart, mist, needle, nettle, prickle, roar, rose, screech, snap, sting, strike, swipe, talon, thicket, thistle, thorn, venom

This cat is reliable and steady dapple, freckle, grass, heart, heather, howl, ivy, light, lilac, meadow, moss, murmur, night, pad, patch, path, pebble, rain, reed, sand, sedge, shatter, shell, skies, sky, smoke, spot, spots, stone, stream, stride, stripe, toe, trail, weed, willow, wood

This cat has a sharp tongue bite, bramble, briar, bristle, burr, cry, fang, frost, ice, jaw, needle, nettle, prickle, shriek, snap, sting, thorn

This cat is a skilled builder bramble, briar, dust, frond, grove, heather, moss, needle, reed, stone, thicket, vine, willow, wood

This cat is a skilled caretaker belly, bloom, blossom, cherry, clover, daze, fern, fluff, frond, fuzz, heart, heather, iris, moss, patch, poppy, rose, thicket, thistle, tuft, watcher, weed, willow

This cat is a skilled fighter bite, blaze, burn, dance, dancer, ember, fang, fire, flame, flash, flood, flurry, hail, haze, needle, roar, screech, shatter, shriek, snap, spark, sting, strike, swipe, talon, thistle, thorn, venom, whirl, wolf, yowl

This cat is a skilled gardener (Thunder-specific) bloom, blossom, bramble, briar, cherry, chive, daisy, fern, frond, gorse, grove, heather, iris, lavender, leaves, lilac, lily, mallow, mint, parsley, patch, petal, poppy, rose, sage, sedge, thicket, thistle, thorn, vine

This cat is a skilled hunter bite, catcher, crawl, creep, fang, fox, hawk, hunter, leap, nose, pounce, snap, stalker, strike, swipe, talon, tooth, trail, whisker, whiskers

This cat is a skilled swimmer (Shadow- and River-specific) brook, creek, dive, fin, fish, flood, lake, lotus, minnow, pearl, pond, pool, stream, tide, water, whirl, whorl

This cat is a skilled tracker nose, pad, path, seeker, smoke, stalker, toe, trail, watcher

This cat is a skilled trapper (non-Thunder-specific) bramble, briar, catcher, spring

This cat is a skilled tunneler (Wind-specific) drop, foot, fox, hare, slip, stone, swipe

This cat is soothing, gentle, and calm belly, bloom, blossom, breath, brook, bumble, buzz, cloud, clover, daisy, daze, fern, fluff, flutter, grove, heart, heather, hush, iris, lake, lark, lavender, lilac, lily, lotus, mallow, mint, moss, murmur, night, parsley, petal, pond, poppy, rain, rose, sage, sedge, snow, step, stride, tongue, twitch, watcher, whisper, yawn

This cat is strong and powerful (mentally and/or physically) hail, hawk, holly, howl, larch, roar, shatter, shell, stone, talon, thicket, tide, willow, wolf, wood

This cat is stubborn flood, frost, haze, howl, jaw, lichen, needle, nettle, prickle, rise, roar, screech, shell, shriek, soot, stare, sting, stone, stride, thistle, thorn, tide, wolf, wood, yowl

This cat is sweet and kind belly, bloom, blossom, cherry, clover, daisy, daze, fern, field, fluff, flutter, fuzz, heart, heather, iris, lavender, leaves, lilac, lily, lotus, mallow, meadow, mint, moss, mumble, murmur, parsley, petal, poppy, rose, sage, shimmer, tongue, whistle, willow, yawn

This cat is swift and agile bird, blaze, brook, chaser, dance, dancer, dash, ember, field, fish, flash, flicker, flurry, foot, fox, glade, hare, hawk, jump, jumper, leap, light, meadow, minnow, mouse, pounce, raven, runner, rush, skies, skip, sky, snap, sparrow, spring, streak, swirl, swoop, tide, tumble, twitch, whirl, whorl

This cat is tough bark, bounce, branch, drop, flood, gorse, hail, howl, larch, lichen, marsh, shatter, shell, slip, stone, talon, tooth, weed, wood

This cat is trustworthy dust, face, fall, frost, heart, hush, light, pad, path, pool, rain, reed, sand, stone, thicket, wish

This cat is wise and intelligent crow, dusk, face, field, fox, frost, gaze, glimmer, hush, ice, ivy, lake, light, marsh, meadow, mist, night, pool, rain, raven, rise, sage, skies, sky, spark, thicket, tongue, watcher, whisper

This cat is quiet and stealthy breath, crawl, creep, dusk, echo, fall, fish, foot, frost, grove, hare, haze, heather, holly, hunter, hush, ice, ivy, lake, marsh, mist, mouse, mumble, murmur, night, pad, perch, pond, pool, pounce, puddle, reed, slip, smoke, snow, stalk, stalker, step, stride, toe, twitch, watcher, whisper

[healing-fire--rewrite]

Redoing this also.

[healing-fire--rewrite]

decided to rework the warrior/healer/advisor code because by god i did NOT like them

new code post coming soonish (hopefully)

[healing-fire--rewrite]

Maple & The River OR: Why The River Shrank

A Riverish take on why the Sunning Rocks exist, sharing few similarities with the Thunderian telling.

Ao3 Link | CW: Murder, child death, animal death | Word Count: 695 | Characters: Mapleshade, Appledusk

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Long ago, when the river was whole, the Riverish lived beside the Thunderians in peace. The two Sects argued on occasion, of course, because no Sect will ever truly get along, but quarrels were often easily soothed and rarely grew into battles. A large part of their harmony was the river.

The Thunderians had no desire to cross it- still don't, for all their crowing about their courage. The Riverish were kept well-fed by it, and had no reason to venture into their overgrown lands.

The greatest warrior among the Riverish at the time had been given the Pelt-Name* Sandy, his Heart-Name** long since lost to time. He was a skilled fisher and powerful fighter, and though he may not have been the height of beauty, he was handsome in his own right.

The greatest warrior across the river was named Maple, a stunning thick-furred beauty. She was an expert hunter and fierce warrior, the peak of elegance and charm.

Though each could have chosen any lover from their own Sects, it was the other who caught their respective eyes. Sandy admired Maple's sleek, dense coat and the intensity of her gaze, and she cherished the muscles that rippled beneath his pelt and the allure of his silver tongue.

It didn't take long for Maple to bear Sandy's kittens, and it was hardly much longer than that when the Thunder Sect realized who the sire was. Each kitten had a Riverish double coat, the large webbed paws, and the tufted ears. The youngest of the litter had Sandy's tan and grey pelt, and the oldest had his spots. Though Maple had hoped their heritage would remain hidden, the gods would not allow it.

The Thunderian leader declared he had no choice but to cast Maple and her litter out for her misdeeds. “Perhaps,” he suggested kindly, “the Riverish will take you all in.” But the Riverish had no need for a warrior nalpur'ee*** by another Sect. They would accept the litter as their own, but shun her as their dam and raise the kittens as pure Riverish.

Maple pleaded for Sandy to make a case for her, but he was a loyal Riverish warrior despite his dalliance, and he could not bear to argue with his leader. “Maybe the Shadowers will take you in,” he offered. “They’re always in need of a strong hunter. They will take good care of you, and I will ensure my kits grow strong and healthy. You don't need to worry.”

Maple was enraged. She had lost her home, her mate, and now she was losing the kittens she had birthed. With a wordless snarl, she lurched forward and slashed Sandy's throat. As he gasped desperately for air, she grabbed his kittens and dragged them to the river's edge, where she drowned them one by one.

Horrified by this display of cruel insanity, the River Star appeared before Maple in all his glittering glory. She spat blasphemy and hate at him, so far gone in her madness that she could not recognize the divinity before her. The River Star sent a wave of water to crash over her and kill her instantly, leaving her body on the shore to be buried by the living.

As the water slipped back into the river, storm clouds gathered in the sky, black and angry.

“How dare you kill one of my own,” the Thunder Star rumbled.

“She was crazed,” the River Star replied. “She spouted sacrilege with every sentence and murdered four of mine.”

“We do not jntervene in wordly affairs. Her actions will be judged by her peers, as will be yours.” The Thunder Star called upon the other Founding Gods and argued for the river's punishment. Though the River Star fought valiantly against each penalty, his efforts were ultimately in vain. It was decided that the river would be forced to shrink and give up part of its land to the Thunder Sect.

Thus the Sunning Rocks were decreed to belong to the Thunderians. To this day, the Riverish continue to embark on their divine fight to win the stones back for the River Star. Perhaps one day, they will succeed…

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A/N: The Thunder Sect and River Sect are both equally horrified by the other's telling of Maple & The River. A scary yet tragic figure vs an insane murderer is… quite the juxtaposition, lmao.

The Sunning Wars that ensued after the river's shrinking was less about territory- both Sects can absolutely expand in different directions if they need to- and more about religion. If the Riverish are right, then the land was coerced and stolen from their Founding God. If the Thunderians are right, the land was given as a form of divine justice.

*Pelt-Name = The first half of a Sect cat's name, often given soon after birth.

**Heart-Name = The second half of a Sect cat's name, given upon graduating apprenticeship and signifying a valuable trait or skill.

***Nalpur'ee (“Nah-ll-purr-ay”) = Spoiled; Ruined; Rotten. Generally used to refer to an adult cat outside the Sects, or a cat who has committed some sort of crime or major transgression.

[healing-fire--rewrite]

Maple & The River OR: Bad Luck Comes In Threes

A Thunderian story about the Sunning Rocks, though in some ways, it's shared across the river by the Riverish.

Ao3 Link | CW: Child death, animal death | Word Count: 1008 | Characters: Mapleshade, Birchface

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Long ago, when the Stars were bright and youthful, the Thunder Sect and River Sect lived beside each other in something resembling peace. Though arguments sometimes occurred, they were often quickly settled and rarely grew into true battles.

Among the greatest Thunderian warriors was a tom named Birch and a molly named Maple. Both were beautiful and deadly, and the love that bloomed between them was a fierce one. It wasn't long before they had kittens together, and the Sect rejoiced. All three were certain to become deadly fighters and skillful hunters, just like their handsome father and beautiful mother.

But good things rarely last.

A skirmish occurred at the river's border, the cause of which is long forgotten. Birch fell into the water in the haze of battle, and his head was split open on the rocks. His lifeblood fled him quickly- so quickly, he felt nothing but a brief flash of pain. Though common enough in war, a death during a skirmish was unexpected, and the Riverish relented to allow the Thunderian patrol to bring Birch’s body home for burial. Consumed by grief at the sight of her beloved’s body, Maple fled to the river as the sun set. She paced its edge and wailed, begging for Birch to come back, though she knew he never would. Her misery was so loud and painful that it didn't take long for it to attract the River Star's attention. He appeared before her in his divine glory, a cat-shaped wave of glittering water.

“I will offer you a single night with your love,” he spoke. “But there will be a steep price in return.”

Maple trembled with fear and elation, awed that this holy being was so moved by her sorrow that he had deigned to offer such a gift. There was no hesitation when she accepted, though perhaps if she was in a better state of mind, there would have been.

The river’s waters whirled and spun before her, transforming into a sparkling portal filled with stars, and Birch leapt from the brightness of the Stars onto the riverbank beside her. He was as handsome in life as he was in death- perhaps even more so, the glory of the Stars twinkling in his fur and filling him with an unearthly glow. He pressed his head against Maple, and she couldn’t help the second of surprise that she didn’t feel his breath stirring her fur. It seemed as though he was brimming with life, overflowing with it, despite her knowledge that he was not.

The two spent the night together, curled against each other and whispering shared secrets and “I love you"s. Some say Birch told Maple about the territory of the Stars, a swath of land the living will never see so long as they draw breath. Others say he told her of the gods, of their mighty power and true forms. Still others say he told her stories of her ancestors, cats she had never known but who watched over her.

The one thing that has been remembered through all this time is the sadness Maple could sense in Birch. Though she asked for the cause, it was the one thing he would not tell her.

When the sun rose, Birch bade his lover goodbye and faded from her view. Maple made her way home, exhausted but lighter than clouds. She slipped into the nursery and began to settle beside her sleeping kittens, prepared to close her eyes and rest, when her heart froze into ice. Each tiny kit was still and cold, their little bodies soaking wet with river water. They had drowned within the Thunder Sect's dry camp while she had spent the night at Birch's side on the riverbank.

Maple's screams of anguish sent the entire Sect into a flurry of activity. No one could understand what had happened, and Maple could only keen in wordless grief. In a haze of agony, she stumbled her way back to the riverbank. The Thunder Sect let her go, believing she needed time to process this second heartbreak so soon after the first.

Maple paced and screamed at the river's edge. She spat hateful words and cried out in pain. Blasphemy spewed from her lips, words laced with despair and rage.

The River Star quickly grew tired of this. He appeared before Maple once more, his glittering form now dark and turbulent.

“You made your deal, and you agreed to your price.” His voice, which had before sounded like gentle water lapping at sand, had turned into the crashing of the river's gorge. “I took what I was owed. Be silent.”

Maple's grief turned into fury. She had never agreed to the loss of her litter. The River Star tossed his head in irritation and foam splattered at Maple's paws. She unsheathed her claws, prepared to strike at him, but a mortal cat is no match for a god. As Maple's body was swept down the river, storm clouds began to gather.

“You took one of my own,” the Thunder Star crackled. “She was foolish and proud, but her life was not part of your deal.”

“She was impudent,” the River Star responded. “She had no respect for me, and she surely would have had little for you.”

“Perhaps,” the storm rumbled. “But to keep her from the Stars is needlessly cruel.”

The Thunder Star demanded the River Star give up a piece of himself in repayment, and with the other gods on his side, the river was compelled to acquiesce. He forced himself to shrink, exposing a stretch of flat stones, and thereafter they belonged to the Thunder Sect.

Maple's mirrvash*, her body never having been found, wanders the Thunderian forest still. She searches for her lost kittens and, lost as she is, cannot recall what they look like. Instead she looks for young cats in a group of three, the number of her litter the only thing clear in her mind. Mothers, take caution- Maple may drag your kittens to the river's bottom.

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A/N: Moral of the story is two-fold; 1) Don't fuck with the gods, and 2) The Sunning Rocks belong to the Thunder Sect because god says so. This story also gives birth to the Thunderian idiom “bad luck comes in three’s”, due to Maple losing first her mate, then her kits, and finally her life.

The safety of a trio of young cats (newborn to 7ish moons) is taken VERY seriously in the Thunder Sect due to Maple and her whole... lingering ghost hunting for her three kids thing.

*Mirrvash (”meer-vah-sh”) - An antique word for ghost, invoking specific imagery of fear, sorrow, and being stuck or lost. Literally translates to “lost-spirit” or “missing-soul”.