i’m gonna be changing several of the terms that canon uses as well as adding a few new roles in my AU, for a few reasons: a.) to differentiate my work from canon; b.) to (hopefully) make it less drawn from native/indigenous cultures; and c.) i thought some of these would be cool to use
1. Terms*
queen -> monarch (individuals can use queen/king if they like but this is the more widely used one)
medicine cat -> healer/medic
leader -> sheriff?
clan -> colony? coven? guild?
2. Positions*
healer + oracle?
same as canon? two (2) cats who work together?
if oracle is used (both name and role), don’t want them to be isolated/separate from everyone
storyteller/keeper?
would keep clan history
a single cat? a group?
if added, need a specific name
maybe just clan effort (like elders in canon)
captain
head of patrols- hunting, border
similar to deputy in that you need experience in order to be promoted
falls under deputy in order of authority
~~~~~~~~~~
*italicized words are decided on. some of them im not sure about, hence the question marks
This part isn’t too long so I won’t put it under a readmore
Part Five: Naming Traditions
Each clan has their own preferred prefixes and themes that they tend to stand by. ...Not that everyone follows these traditions, but then again there’s only so much of one thing so some deviance is appreciated. Some leaders like unique suffixes as well, so there are some... interesting combinations out there.
In each clan there are several long-standing families, some of whom set the precedent for specifically-themed names. The oldest of these is the Metal Family. Over time, these families have grown and some have moved to other clans or even left the territories entirely. Housecats, rogues, and loners join from time to time, and each brings a new perspective on names.
I. StreamClan, as you might have guessed, has an affinity for water-themed names. They also prefer names related to colours and the elements.
II. WildClan likes names that represent freedom. As a result, many cats are named for birds, the sky, and wild creatures, including wildcats (please don’t ask how these cats know what any of these big cats are). Fire-themed names are popular as well.
IV. OrchardClan takes inspiration from the orchard and surrounding pastures. Parents are often inspired by whatever happens to be blooming or growing at the time, resulting in many kits being named for flowers, berries, or fruit. There are jokes that one only has to follow the seasons to guess what a kit might be named.
I know I haven’t mentioned anything like this on this site ever but you know what? It’s here now so let’s do this
This is probably going to be broken up into different posts so it’s not a giant of a post that you have to scroll through for 10 minutes just to read it all. That being said, I’m gonna put it under a readmore just in case.
Part One: Clan Names + Locations
Looking back, some of these clan names make zero sense. Also, I had a tribe? That I did absolutely nothing with? With a name that makes no sense. So that got redone too.
Original Names: EarthClan, NatureClan, WildClan, Tribe of All Nature
New Names: EarthClan (this is a classic, come on), StreamClan, WildClan (I actually really like this one), OrchardClan
The Clans, similar to canon, live around a large lake in different territories. EarthClan lives in a forested area north of the lake with their camp surrounded by great thick hedges. StreamClan lives closer to the nearby ocean to the east, their camp located by a large stream that flows from the lake to the sea. WildClan lives west of the lake in a slightly sparser forest that gives way to grassland. Their camp is a hidden hollow. OrchardClan lives south in an old orchard, closer to the mountains, with their camp in the thickest part of it. (I was thinking that there may be some ruins of old human buildings that they settled in but I’m not sure)
Part Two: Gatherings
Gatherings take place on an island, much like canon, but since the lake is so big, several bridges and smaller islands are used to reach it. EarthClan and WildClan are the closest and have an easier time getting there than the other two.
Fun Fact! A human town/city can be found just 30 miles northwest of EarthClan/the lake.
(also, quick question, does anyone know why so many people name their fanclans EarthClan? how is that such a popular choice? im genuinely curious)
This part is quite a bit longer than the first, so I’m putting it under a read more again. Enjoy!
Part Three: Belief System
To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to keep StarClan as the belief system/afterlife so I thought up a few different things. There are four major parts to the belief system to match the four clans, but so far I’ve only got concrete ideas for three.
I. Ancestors are cats who have passed away. It’s believed that it takes a few years/generations to actually join the ancestors, as your soul presumably wasn’t very old when you died. Elders are thought to join a little sooner than most (because, you know, they’re already old).
The Founders are the very first clan cats and the most revered. Usually it’s the Leaders/Deputies/Medicine Cats who are spoken of the most, but there are a few notable others. The rest are normally referred to as a collective whole. These cats are especially revered and looked up to, and considered to be very powerful.
II. Spirits are the general spirits of the land as well as more specific ones. General/’normal’ spirits don’t do much, just whatever happens to be their usual thing. These can represent a certain element or section of land or an animal(s).
Some spirits are referred to more specifically. These usually bring warnings, lead lost travelers to safety or trap the unwary, or some other purpose other spirits don’t (or won’t) do.
Example: Spirit of Warning- said to be extremely alarming in appearance with a thin body, dark, ragged coat, too-long ears, and strangely coloured eyes with permanently slit pupils. This spirit doesn’t... talk, really, and instead stares or makes noises of alarm. Most often appears before catastrophe or great danger. It’s unknown if there’s just one.
III. Patrons are specific spirits/cats who, at some point, became renowned either by some great deed/action, legend, or rumours. These highly revered souls reside over certain parts of the natural world. Many of their names have been lost to time, and most only know them by their title. They aren’t full manifestations of their element or concept, more a general depiction.
Notable or Most Known Patrons
A. Patron of Family: Loving, caring, accepting of all who claim the bond of family. Wears a flower to symbolize love, dedication, compassion (the flower and meanings vary but they tend to be more or less the same). A fierce protector against those who seek to threaten or break the bonds of family. Bright, warm, mismatched eyes symbolize you don’t need to share blood to share a bond.
B. Icestep, Patron of Ice: Often regarded as the herald of deep winter, freezing temperatures, more ice than usual. Their white paws symbolize the building of snow and ice- mittens on their front paws are the first steps of winter, barely higher than one’s paws. Socks on their back paws herald the increase of the season. Many consider them as cold as their element, but no one knows for sure. Perhaps they’re just quiet or reclusive. Drooping, spiked fur resembles icicles and ice-blue eyes are sharp and cold.
C. Patron of Fog: A small, very fluffy patron who heralds the coming of fog. Their thick fur represents the thickness of their namesake. Things tend to sound muffled when they’re near, especially their pawsteps. Very playful and fairly sociable.
D. Patron of Storms: Contrary to what you might expect, this patron is no stormcloud! Social, intruiged by anything that catches their interest, they almost make storms seem at least tolerable. Dark markings on a grey coat symbolize storm clouds in a dark sky. Big and fluffy to represent building clouds.
E. Patron of Change: Recognizable by the two different patterns on their coat, this patron heralds any and all change. Some say their coat changes every time you see them, but, well, that just fits, doesn’t it? It’s unknown if their odd eyes symbolize the past + future, different kinds of change, or that’s just how they are. You’d have to ask them yourself, but who says you’d get a straight answer?
F. Patron of Wind: Wild-furred and grey eyed, this is a true incarnation of the wind. Gently curled whiskers symbolize the gentle breeze, while permanently torn ears are a testament to how terrible and strong it can become. Messy, blurred markings resemble speed. Often seen with leaves or other debris stuck in their fur. Sleek build for swiftness.
G. Patron of Fire: Another opposite to expectations, this patron often rushes to save those caught or threatened by flames. Ash and burnt plants are stuck in their fur, and their body is littered with scars, particularly their face and paws, as a result of forcing their way through to reach those in danger. Big build and eyes like living embers. Surprisingly soft-furred.
H. Patron of Sand: Lithe and sleek with yellow eyes and dark markings make this patron perfect for their element. Quiet but quick, willing to hide or burst outward in a blinding explosion. Scars show the abrasive, cutting nature of loose particles caught in the wind.
I. Patron of Water: This patron has a calm, kind nature with a penchant for watching things play out. Their coat mimics the ripples and play of light in waves, with darker stripes on a silvery coat overlaid with white. Several scars can be seen on their body, most notably on their face and head.
“...opposite to expectations, this patron often rushes to save those caught or threatened by flames. Ash and burnt plants are stuck in their fur, and their body is littered with scars, particularly their face and paws, as a result of forcing their way through to reach those in danger. Big build and eyes like living embers. Surprisingly soft-furred.”
The sky was as dark as the blackest night, the very air thick and choking with smoke. Ash and embers buried and burned anything they touched, while flames dyed the land a hellish red, making the very world seem a giant, living flame. All life had fled that could, leaving the only sounds the roaring of flames and creaking of dying trees as they succumbed.
Paws thudded against the earth, kicking up eddies of ash that only made it harder to see. Lungs burned for uncontaminated air, choked with smoke and the acrid scent of fire.
A cat, thick fur littered with ash and bits of burnt plants, dashed through the flames. Embers scattered in their wake as they dodged and leaped around falling branches and burning undergrowth.
Firestorm’s name had never felt more accurate. As they leaped backwards to avoid a sudden surge of wind-swept flames, they wished it didn’t.
They could no longer recall the world before the fire. Their memories were filled with a haze of red and charred-black and a blazing, blistering heat. Their clanmates had vanished, and they could only hope they had all managed to escape. The only thing left was to find their own way out.
The wind shifted, and with it- a sound. Ears flickering, Firestorm turned, searching the flames for a clue.
Nothing but the red of fire greeted them. Still- there had to be something, it couldn’t have been their mind playing tricks-
There!
Faint, but audible above the crackling of flames. They took off towards it, leaping over a fallen tree, ears straining for anything that wasn’t the ever-present roar.
So focused were they on listening that they almost tripped over what they were searching for. Stumbling to a halt, Firestorm was brought up short by the sight before them.
Another cat- this one barely the size of an apprentice, struggled to free themself from a fallen branch. Which clan they belonged to, Firestorm didn’t know. But that didn’t matter. What did was getting them out, to safer grounds.
...If such a thing could be found.
They set their shoulder against the branch and shoved, gritting their teeth against the biting heat. As soon as they felt it give, they ducked and snatched the kit. Survival was now even more important than before.
The fire felt hotter now, more eager in its’ attempts to consume any life it could find. The earth flew under their paws as they ran, desperately scenting for a whiff of fresh air.
Just as it seemed there was no end to the choking inferno, a sudden breeze cut through the flames. In the midst of burning heat, the coolness of it sent a shiver from head to tail.
A rasping mewl from the kit in their jaws shook Firestorm out of their shock. They forced their weary paws to follow the beckoning scent of fresh, clean air.
It didn’t take long before they stumbled out of the edge of the flames, kit coughing at the change in the air, and found themselves greeted with relieved shouts.
Someone hurried forward to take the kit from their weary jaws, and they watched, dazed, as cats checked each other over and called out names to see who had made it.
They stood a while longer before turning and walking back to the fire. The worried shouts behind them were quickly swallowed by the roaring of flames. They were alone again-
-but this time they had a goal.
A touch of wind against their ear led them deeper into the fire.
A goal, and a guide.
The next cat they found was elderly, their chest wracked with coughs from the smoke. Firestorm carefully helped them onto their back and followed the wind back towards the edge of the fire.
They were quickly relieved of their load and watched to make sure the elder was far enough from danger before returning to their chosen task.
Again and again they returned to the flames, the wind guiding them through burning undergrowth and around the worst of the inferno. Again and again they shoved away debris, or held up burning branches, or plunged through grasping thorns to help whoever they could find. Again and again they brought those they found to safety, guided always by the wind’s quiet presence.
Exhaustion pulled at them, weighed them down, but they kept on. Just one more step. Then another. Their legs shook from the effort, paws burned beyond repair. They had to keep going.
They took a step and stumbled, jostling the kitten in their jaws. Blood dripped into their eyes and they set them down to shake it away. Moving to pickup the kit again sent a wave of lightheadedness to sweep through their body, and Firestorm had to sit down heavily as they waited for it to pass.
The heat was near unbearable now. They felt the wind fluttering about them, trying to help, to lead the two of them to safety, but even its’ cool touch couldn’t chase the heat away.
Firestorm tried again to stand, only for their legs to give out and send them falling in a heap on the ground. Heaving, they reached out and grabbed the kit- or, no; the little one had said they were an apprentice, hadn’t they? but they were so small- pulling them close and curling their exhausted form around them.
If they could keep the flames from reaching them, then maybe- maybe they could save one more life.
As the fire inched closer, they curled tighter. They had to make sure the kit- apprentice?- was as safe as possible. Above them the wind howled, as if desperately trying to put out the fire through sheer force.
All it did was fan the flames higher.
The tiny form between their paws coughed and whimpered. Firestorm could only press them closer. Glancing up through bleary eyes, they distantly realized they couldn’t even see the sky anymore, only endless clouds of ash and smoke. Around them the fire was an impenetrable wall. The howling of the wind seemed far away.
The flames closed in.
Firestorm closed their eyes, their chest rising once more before falling still.
The world went quiet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Firestorm floated in quiet darkness. It was peaceful here, wherever they were; no roar of flames or howl of wind. They almost felt like a kit again.
If this was what awaited them after life, they thought they wouldn’t mind it. There was no need for worry here. No need for fear, or tears.
Something stirred in the darkness.
Prying open their eyes, they were greeted with- nothing. A vast expanse of darkness, with faint twinkling points of light like far-off stars.
No- that wasn’t quite right. There was something else there, in the endless void.
They lifted their head to look, and were greeted by what seemed to be the universe itself.
There was no physical form, at least none they could discern; not even eyes. But it was there; equally, impossibly vast and ancient and unknowable.
But they felt no danger, no fear. Firestorm felt as though they were just another star, a singular, shining point of light in a sea of other shining lights.
Yet, the... being, no, spirit, no- nothing fit quite right, too simple, too small- focused its’ attention on them, one star among thousands.
They felt a warmth fill them, then, like water from the ends of their paws to the tips of their ears.
Warmth, and power, and purpose poured through them to their core under the weight of that gaze as a voice that was not a voice spoke.
Go forth, Patron of Fire
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Snailpaw pushed again at the still figure. They needed to get up; it wasn’t safe here. The fires had begun to die down but they could pick up again at any moment.
The warrior who had saved them lay quiet and still, stirred only by Snailpaw’s attempts to wake them. Their pelt was ragged and filled with soot and burnt plants. Their paws, still curled tightly around the apprentice, were burnt black. Blood trickled down their face from a dozen thorn-cuts. A particularly nasty gash marred their forehead.
Snailpaw’s ears flicked at the sound of muffled pawsteps, but they didn’t move. Only when a paw gently landed on their head did they glance away from the silent warrior.
“Oh, kitten.” The voice was familiar. Blinking bleary eyes, Snailpaw eventually realized who was speaking to them. Ashstep, a senior warrior of their clan; always kind and willing to lend a helping paw. “Come here. You’ll be alright.”
They didn’t resist as they were tugged gently away from the body to Ashstep’s side. A tongue rasped at their ears and face, cleaning away the ash and grime from the fire. In the distance, they could hear the faint calls of their clanmates, for those lost, for a healer, for helping moving this or that branch. None of that mattered; they had eyes only for the warrior who had kept them safe from the worst of the flames by using their own body as a shield.
“...did... did you know them?” Ashstep paused in thons grooming to follow Snailpaw’s gaze. Thon gave a quiet hum.
“I did. They were a very good warrior. Kind, loyal, never afraid to help. Never shied away from a good conversation, either.”
“W-what was their name?”
Ashstep paused, taking a quiet breath. Thons voice was quiet when thon answered, “Firestorm.”
“...I think it fits.”
Ashstep hummed in agreement, only to give a quiet gasp as Firestorm’s body began to glow faintly. The two watched, enraptured, as it grew brighter and brighter before the light appeared to separate and rise into the air above the body. It shimmered, as bright as the stars in the sky as it coalesced into a familiar shape.
Before their eyes, the spirit of the deceased warrior appeared, their pelt shimmering with stars. Then something began to change- their pelt, so pale and starry, became warmer, brighter; bits of ash and burnt plants seemed to sprout from their fur. Their scars were healed and their paws looked softer. Their eyes, when they opened, were bright and glowing, like living embers.
The ...spirit’s?... gaze fell upon the living cats before them, Ashstep holding Snailpaw to thons chest, and they gave a soft smile and nod before dissolving into flames.
“...wh-what was that?” Ashstep shook thonself out of thons thoughts, glancing down at the apprentice. Thon blinked.
“...I think, kitten, that we just witnessed the birth of a new Patron.”
Snailpaw turned back to where Firestorm’s body lay, staring in awe at where the spirit had been. There seemed to be a lingering warmth, one that radiated gentleness and safety rather than painful, searing heat. Firestorm’s body itself seemed at peace, even with the lingering remnants of their passing plain for all to see.
A warm breeze blew past, gently ruffling their fur as if to say goodbye.
“Thank you, Firestorm.”
And thus, here ends the tale of the death and rebirth of the cat once known as Firestorm, now the Patron of Fire.
