Founded by the clowders of Oak(sky), Hickory(foot), and Willow(whisker), this is a clan that actively tries to be as isolated as possible from the other clans, rarely interacting with them beyond Gatherings. They have no interest in the affairs of others, preferring to deal with their own issues and shut out the rest. They are elusive and rarely seen, leading to them being frequently teased by other clans should they happen to catch a glimpse of a patrol. It is tradition for the Forestclan patrol to tease them back. They are quiet cats, investing a lot of time in communicating solely through sign language when they can. They have a lot of heroic and mythic figures and tales, and as much as they scorn outsiders, they aren’t above adopting in other traditions and twisting them to fit their ideas.
Forestclan Territory Overview:
Who’s Who:
Founding Leader: Oaksky: large, shorthaired, gray-brown mackerel tabby molly with green eyes.
Founding Healer: Willowwhisker: very lean, shorthaired, pale gray-brown mackerel tabby molly with green eyes.
Founding Keeper: none at beginning; first Keeper: Walnutnose: tiny, shorthaired gray-brown ticked tabby molly with green eyes.
Current Leader: Lilysky: undersized, skinny, shorthaired, dark cream mackerel tabby molly with green eyes.
Current Successor: Strawberryclaw: large, shorthaired, red mackerel tabby molly with green eyes.
Current Healer: Blackberrynose: small, lithe, jet-black shorthaired molly with green eyes.
Current Keeper: Maplepad: tall, skinny, shorthaired, dark red classic tabby tom with white paws, chin, throat, chest, and tail-tip and soft yellow eyes.
Territory:
A thick patch of forest wedged between the marsh and the very edges of the human city/suburbs, it is quite dense and boasts thick undergrowth and several patches overgrown by kudzu. A few streams run through it, and it is a shady, confining place.
Borders:
North: clowders and tribes
South: Marshclan
East: Islandclan and Graveclan
West: none
Common Prey:
Divided between ‘ground prey’ and ‘tree prey’, with cats in the clan generally being hunters or one or the other. They prey on: birds, eggs, lizards, snakes, frogs, squirrels, mice, rabbits, voles, shrews, moles, chipmunks, rats, hares. Birds and small ground prey (mice, voles, shrews, rats, chipmunks) make up their predominant diet.
Camp:
The Forestclan camp is in a very dense central grove of their territory. Partially overgrown by kudzu, it is extremely well-sheltered and protected. Very thick undergrowth surrounds it, including thorn bushes, providing a secure barrier. More bushes as well as the profusion of kudzu provides for secure dens.
The leader gives announcements from the High Tree; they sit on a large, thick oak branch that overhangs the very edge of the camp; their den is right below.
Looking in the entrance, the leader’s den would be to the left, and then the elders’ den, then the nursery, then the apprentices’ den, and then the healers’ den. In the warmer moons, the successor, keeper and all the warriors sleep throughout the central area of the camp and around the different dens; they are kept sheltered by thick foliage, kudzu, and bushes, and provide protection for their clanmates. In colder moons they use the camp’s inner barrier of bushes as dens; thereby being more sheltered but still being a protective barrier themselves.
Leader’s den: a deep den (probably an old fox den) dug among the roots of the High Tree; the nest is made of moss, leaves, and sometimes fur or feathers.
Elders’ den: a cluster of hollow logs and bushes draped with kuzdu and well-sheltered. Nests are formed of moss and leaves, sometimes with feathers or fur added.
Nursery: a large clump of holly bushes draped with kudzu; nests are formed of moss, feathers, leaves, and the queens’ own fur.
Apprentices’ den: a large and sprawling holly bush draped with kudzu; nests are formed of leaves and moss.
Healers’ den: a very thick cluster of bushes that is actually set down in a slight hollow. Nearby thorn bushes serve as birthing dens, and the central hub of bushes is for wounded patients and the healers; another bush is for sick patients.
Warriors’ ‘dens’: either all around the camp during the warm months, or little pockets in the inner bush barrier around the camp during cold months. They make their nests out of leaves, pine needles, and feathers or fur of prey.
Sacred Spot/Burial Ground:
The Old Grove: a part of the forest with the oldest and tallest trees that are the most free of kudzu. In the center of this place are four great trees that have grown up around a large stone circle (an abandoned well).
At every half-moon, the leader and healers bring prey bones and offerings of different flowers, plants, and feathers (all of which carry different meanings/blessings) to drop into the well. It is believed that these fall to the bottom of the tree roots and their blessings and energy are carried up to the tops of the trees and slip through the gap to Moonclan and the Star Warriors and the Great Cat.
When cats die, they are buried throughout the Old Grove, with the belief that their spirits will climb the tall trees and jump through the gap to reach the Next World. Often feathers or bits of certain flowers and plants are buried with them to give them blessings and energy.
Important Landmarks:
The Overgrowth: the abundance of kudzu that grows along their northern border and spills deeper into the forest (including their camp). It provides shelter for a lot of prey and is a place often hunted in.
The River: their border with Graveclan.
The Pine Groves: a thinning area of pine forest at their southern border with Marshclan, and the place of frequent disputes in the harsher seasons.
The Dead Tree: a very large dead tree near the southern edge of their territory, it is a place to be avoided at night as it is home to owls.
The Deep Hollow: a very sheltered, dark, mossy, sometimes muddy hollow where cats do battle training.
The Cursed Hollow: a deep hollow surrounded by kudzu and deadwood at the northwestern border. Said to be inhabited by Hungry Bones, most likely Forestclan’s take on Mountainclan’s and Marshclan’s myth of Hungry Jaws. Also said to be the lair of Slither/Swallower/Striker.
