World-building in Building Thunder #3 - Dirty Battle Tactics
Brackenbird of ThunderClan displays a blade crafted from the sharpened antler tine of a red deer.
A clean fight involves two cats facing off, just claws and teeth and whatever training they can remember; this is the battle honored by lake Clan culture. Unfortunately, it is not always respected. The tactics listed below are considered generally dirty, but regarded differently between individuals - they’re only considered during times of war or unusual hostility between Clans.
Thornpelt Armor
- Practice of tying thorns (traditionally blackthorn) into a long-haired cat’s pelt, for the purpose of damaging attackers.
- Can be effective, but may pose a threat to the wearer if done improperly.
Diseased Claws
- Act of dousing the forepaws in dirty water or rotten prey before a battle, the idea being that any injuries dealt are more likely to get infected.
Lack of Mercy
- Refusing to let an enemy warrior flee and continuing the battle until they’re physically unable to fight back.
- Considered by some to be a breach of the Warrior Code, given that this style of fighting is much more likely to result in fatal casualties.
Dog-piling
- Act of many warriors facing down one opponent and overwhelming them with sheer numbers; can also refer to two or more warriors fighting an apprentice at the same time.
- Considered unfair to the enemy and unnecessarily violent.
Weaponry
- Bringing any sort of prepared weapon to a fight is considered both dishonorably cruel and a bit cowardly (what sort of warrior needs a sharp stick to win their battles?)
- Prepared weaponry refers to anything crafted by a cat - sharpened sticks, antler tines, rocks, shells, etc.
- Improvised weaponry (for example, a stick used in the middle of a fight and then discarded) exists in a gray area. Cats don’t like it, but you might get away with it if you have the right excuse.
