Ancient Roots: The Clans and Lore
Some base info on clans and their daily life/rituals/habits
ThunderClan:
Considered the proudest and most stoic of the clans
"Welcome to ThunderClan—the Clan of courage and loyalty.[...] There is no Clan in the forest so true or so brave. [...] the Clan of heroes, the Clan of compassion, the Clan of destiny." Secrets of the Clans
Other clans often view them as stuck up and snarky, but all the help they offer isn't done out of malice or viewing other clans as less, it's simply what they think is right to help the clans.
ThunderClan is also fairly hated for their issues being ones that often ooze over into other clans
In the forest territories, there were skirmishes over the Sunning Rocks, however, many elders were always happy to share between the two clans, much to the irritation of leaders, especially Sunstar.
The clan is the most open to outsiders, thanks to Firestar's rise to power from a kittypet.
After Firestar's death, the clan slowly withdrew from the lives of the other clans.
They are one of the best clans at blending in and hiding in thick undergrowth, as well as the quietest when moving through their territory
Their families are much more tight-knit than those in other clans, with heritage prized and upheld in stories
Is often the largest of the clans due to their relative lack of predators or environmental challenges in their territory
They are the broadest shouldered of the clan cats
WindClan:
Considered the most withdrawn from the rest of the clans, as well as the most quick-witted and skittish
Love and prefer open spaces to exist in
Often view themselves as the closest to StarClan due to their unobstructed view of the sky
Fastest and most skittish of the clans, much like the rabbits and hares they share their lands with
Queens occasionally will nurse young puppies or kits of barn cats
While tunneling has not been as common in the lake territories, there are still visible differences between Moor Runners and Tunnelers and their descendants. Moor Runners are often more lanky, longer-legged, and smaller-pawed, with longer tails to aid in balance. Tunnelers are broader, stronger, with larger paws
Tunneling has slowly come back into popularity and is a skill being relearned and taught by Shattered Ice and past tunnelers.
Eyesight is especially important and valued. They have the keenest sight in any of the clans and to become a warrior, they must monitor the clan, borders, or patrols from a distance, while their mentor watches and decides if they can be a warrior
They prize their history and past, especially given their prominent historical figures, such as Moth Flight, Gray Wing, Shattered Ice, Windstar, and many others
During Onestar's leadership, their connection with other clans significantly deteriorated, although they're working to improve them once again
They are often the tallest of the clan cats
ShadowClan:
Considered the most reclusive and fearsome of the clans
“'And ShadowClan holds power over there, in the darkest part of the forest.' [...] 'The elders say that the cold winds from the north blow over the ShadowClan cats and chill their hearts.'” -Into the Wild
Proud, defensive, and secretive. Since the rule of Tigerstar I, and the string of harsh and even cruel leaders before him, the clan has gotten more and more aggressive and defensive over how they're perceived by the other clans. They have pretty much given up on changing their perception themselves, instead just resorting to defensive and snarky behavior. It's not like they're believed by the other clans anyways
Since Dovewing's move to the Clan, the perception of the clan has improved, but they still face scrutiny, especially after Tigerstar II's takeover of RiverClan
They're usually the smallest of the clans by number
The clan is semi nocturnal. Many cats prefer to sleep during the day and hunt or patrol at night. Other clans aren't fully aware of this and many just assume that they have early dawn patrols. While not all cats are night patrollers, any member of the clan is willing to pull a night patrol. Most cats take turns on who is nocturnal, but some cats have chosen to take this role permanently
To become a warrior, an apprentice must prove proficient in moving through the territory silently. They must spy on the clan and return when they're ready without being seen or detected by their mentor and clan, providing any and all information they have gathered about the clan
Many cats are silent most of the time and have perfected paw speak. Silence is valued for the continued connection to the shadows they are named afterThey specialize in stealth, ambushes, spying, and silence
Apprentices spend much of their training learning to sneak, patrol, and even hunt in complete silence, relying only on body language, paw speak, and subtle signals for communication. This is valued for stealth missions and general clan life
They are very private and closed off, often preferring to keep clan matters to themselves or to their immediate family
They are often the most stocky of the clan cats
RiverClan:
Considered the most peaceful and mild-mannered of the clans and the most patient.
“'Loyalty, honor, courage, and faith in StarClan. These are the values of a warrior.' [...] 'Peace, community, and kinship. These are the values of RiverClan.'” Riverstar’s Home
They kept the values on which Riverstar formed the clan. When Tigerstar was able to take over the clan, with Leopardstar going along with it, it turned most of the clan against her. Why should she stay the leader when she goes against the values set by Riverstar, the patron of peace, who created the clan with peace in mind? Even after Leopardstar started having second thoughts, she was never able to regain the respect that the clan had had for her. She is often scorned and her memory is spat on by the clan, which has since worked hard to get back to its peaceful roots.
While Riverstar started the habit of meditation, the habit has drifted in and out of the clan's habits. The clan had started meditating again during Mistystar's leadership, but since her death, the habit has not been kept up.
They're the best at building and weaving, followed only by ThunderClan
Healers often cultivate the growth of herbs in or around their camp or territory, depending on the habitat a herb needs
Like in Riverstar's time, RiverClan collects small items, such as shells and feathers, to decorate the camp, nests, and dens with. To give their highly valued items to their close friends or lovers is often viewed as a declaration of love
Beauty is highly valued in the clan- be it physical or in mannerisms
Swimming is taught to kits by their parents in small creeks or slow-moving portions of the river
Outside relationships are much more accepted than in many of the other clans. Additionally, there is never any pressure for a queen to share the parentage of her kits, for did Riverstar himself not bring a mate back to the clan?
They are the most touchy and loving of the clans, often brushing against each other, rubbing their heads against each other, or grooming each other. This isn't viewed as something that should stick to their mates, though mates spend considerable time grooming and cuddling each other. This is important for them while swimming, as touch can convey many different signals, much like ShadowClan and their paw speak.
They are able to hold their breaths the longest. The cat who can hold their breath the longest is often the better hunter. However, the number of apprentices making competitions of this results in many exasperated mentors
They are often the longest-furred of the clan cats, along with the unique trait of webbed paws. Many cats think of them as fat and lazy, but they are quite muscled and quick-pawed
SkyClan:
Before Leaving the Forest: Considered the most aggressive and arrogant
Taking after Skystar and his rogues, SkyClan was considered, in this time, as the most aggressive and least trustworthy. This made exiling them easier. Who wants an aggressive neighbor?
SkyClan cats are the most open to rogues and quick-to-fight cats. They were even more intimidating than ThunderClan and ShadowClan, leading to their continued isolation
They were considerably less territory-hungry after Skystar's death, but were still considered to be the first to leap after empty territory
Their borders were often closed to all but medicine cats. Any information sharing done by leaders could simply be left at the border with a representative
In the Gorge: They are considered withdrawn and sad by outsiders
Before the clan fell
They were often withdrawn from the world.
Many clan traditions were lost as well as their connection with the other clans
There was no feeling of love or longing towards any of the other clans after their exile, except maybe from those who had left family or lovers behind. Why would they? None had stood up for them, so there was little love of those who had watched them leave
After their rebuilding
"SkyClan's destiny is that we will never live in isolation from other cats. We're not like forest Clans, we can't shut ourselves off entirely from kittypets or rogues. And visitors will be welcome"- SkyClan's Destiny
The clan was much more open to the presence of others. They essentially got a new start
They are much more peaceful and accepting than they were before, thanks to Firestar's open-mindedness.
They often have the oddest traits of any of the clans, given their kittypet or loner blood
They're working hard to rebuild their connection with the ancestors and their traditions
Skystar and former leaders often visit the healer(s) and Leafstar in dreams, informing them of traditions and herbal knowledge
After joining the Lake Clans: Considered the most judgmental of the clans
Much the same as after their rebuilding, however, they're much more judgmental of the other clans and their traditions. The toxicity and habits of the clans have not been ingrained into SkyClan cats since birth
This judgmental view often results in judgment from other clans. They tend to view SkyClan as odd and weak given their odd habits
They are still working to reclaim their culture and traditions, often aided by their ancestors in dreams
They have the weakest connection to StarClan, with many of the clan members not fully believing all the stories and glory that the other clans have of the clan
They are the least afraid of twolegs given their kittypet, loner, and rogue background