#kittendark

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Field Colony Line-up- Shifting Roots

Art by Tennelle

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Field Colony-Family Tree

Set at the beginning of Shifting Roots

Art by Tennelle

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Early Hazelfur sketches

When I decided that I really wanted to push Hazelfur's character design and make him a small little rat man, I wanted to test how he would look next to kittens and other adult cats.

And tho he might seem a bit ridiculous, I feel I accomplished my goal. His small stature doesn't get him confused with the kittens. And even if he has to look up at most cats, he still carries a stern and authoritative air.

You go, short king! Be the scrunkle rat man you were always meant to be!

-Art by Tennelle

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Keepers

A colony’s Keepers are the heart and soul of their community. At least, that’s how they are treated in Field Colony. Since Captain Hazelfur used to be a Keeper himself, and he values the care of Kittens above all else, Keepers carry a lot of respect. And that can’t be said for every colony. 

Keepers in Field Colony are busy year round, with not just one base, but three to tidy, repair, and remodel, Field Keeper’s have a lot of responsibilities before the caretaking of Kittens is even considered. Projects like the Keeper’s Weave, Legacy Weave, and caring for the Windswept Willow are key elements of Field Colony’s culture. Raising Kittens and teaching them the Ancestor’s Law, taking them out on field trips to observe Rangers and other careers, and telling them stories about past and present deeds is paramount to Field Colony’s tight sense of community. Keeper’s also spend the most time raising and training in Field Colony compared to other Colonies. On average, most Field Kitten’s spend their first six months under the Keeper’s care.

Field Colony’s current Kittens are Meadowleap and Jaggedstripe’s litters. Typically Keeper’s are busy caring for other couple’s Kittens, but with Stone now training as a New-Claw, and Nightpool’s Kittens not born yet, the Keeper’s are enjoying the small break.

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Some new and old environmental concept art

Art by Snap and Tennelle

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During the New Moon, cats all around Alliance Lake go pay their respects to the dead. Sometimes it's a vigil, some cats will bring flowers, stones, feathers, and other tributes to lay on the grave of the buried loved one.

Missingfoot keeps the memory of his best friend alive by telling stories and visiting Whitebelly's grave with Spottedshadow and Goldenpelt often.

Art by Snap and Tennelle

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Field Colony Keepers

Meadowleap had been doing this for a long time, but it was always a disappointment to everyone when it was time to move from South Base to North Base. Mistysnow had received the signs from the Spirits telling them that they would need to move soon. The whole colony would do its part to tidy up the South Base before they left and that would be that.

But the Keepers were always busier around this time. Meadowleap joked with Mistysnow that her body read the signs from the Spirits better than she could because her right leg would always start acting up right before the move. Luckily, she had plenty of younger cats to help out.

Jaggedstripe and Ambereyes actually seemed excited about the move this year. But Meadowleap knew why. Ambereyes had her kitten, Peach, just a few months ago and Jaggedstripe was planning on having kittens this spring, so all their attention was focused on making the North and East Base’s nursery it’s best. It was Ambereyes’ second litter and little Peach had put a twinkle in her mother’s eye. She no doubt wanted to get Peach into the much safer North Base, even if the journey there would be a tad harrowing. Jaggedstripe was over the moon. Meadowleap tried not to give him a pity smile whenever he talked about how Fernface had actually said she wanted to have kittens with him. That’s none of your business, Meadowleap. She told herself. She was happy that Jaggedstripe was happy, at least.

Meadowleap couldn’t blame them for being excited. She was excited about her litter coming soon as well. This would be her last one. Mudnose and her had only been together for a few years now, and they both wanted kittens, but were getting on in years. Their first litter, Clay and Thrush, were halfway along into their New-Claw training and would no doubt finish by the end of Spring. Mudnose and Meadowleap proudly watched them grow up and Meadowleap couldn’t have been happier to know that after their base training with her, Mudnose could continue having a watchful eye over them as a Mentor during their Field training. 

But two kittens wasn’t enough. Meadowleap had raised many kittens in her time as a Keeper, but she wanted a few more to call her own. Just one more before Mudnose and I retire and join the Council. She liked the sound of that. This time next year, Mudnose and I can relax at the North Base and let the others take care of us.

Today they were cleaning out the storage of the South Base. Field Colony’s South Base had a very convenient tunnel that was big enough and wide enough to fit the whole Colony in when the weather got stormy. Last night a surprise storm had woken them in the middle of night and everyone rushed into the tunnel, which meant that the next day things had to be cleaned up.

“Spirits, I already thought this place could use some work, but everyone dragged all the rain from out there, in here!” Complained Jaggedstripe, poking at the pile of now soggy grasses and moss. He sighed. “I was hoping we’d get some things moved over to the North Base today.”

Meadowleap could hear a pout from Jaggedstripe even without turning around to look at him. She worked on reorganizing the extra vine they gathered for weaving grass walls.

“This should only take us this morning if we work hard.” Ambereyes said. Jaggedstripe sighed again.

“Could you use some help?” a voice from the tunnel entrance called.

Meadowleap turned to see Clay and Thrush walking into the tunnel. Clay was beaming, like always. My little ray of sunshine. Meadowleap thought. Thrush seemed less happy. Meadowleap wondered if Clay had begged Thrush to come along. 

“Well, look who it is!” Meadowleap purred. She gave both of her kittens a lick on the head. “You're not wandering off from the Mentors, are you?”

“Nah,” Clay responded. “I asked Dad if we could come. He thought it was a good idea.”

“He was going to show us the North Base’s hunting grounds,” Thrush complained. Then she gave Clay a nudge, “But this idiot had to open his big mouth.”

“We’ll see it eventually, Thrush!” He pushed her back. “Besides, I thought you were scared of getting close to the Shadow Forest?” 

“Am not!” She scoffed. She put a paw on his head and messed up the fur there while smearing mud on his face. “Whatever, Momma’s boy.”

Clay shook it off and laughed. He turned his attention back to the Keepers. “So what do you need?”

Meadowleap purred. With Clay and Thrush’s help, things should get done much faster. Meadowleap couldn’t ask for two better kittens.

Art by Tennelle and Snap

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Jaggedstripe

Jaggedstripe is an easy tom to get along with. A friendly face to all in his Colony, Jaggedstripe is loyal to his friends above all else, and he feels the strongest connection to the cats around his age: Goldenpelt, Fernface, and Volefur. Jaggedstripe was never the fastest Field Colony cat, or the cleverest, or the bravest, but he admires all those traits in his friends and strives to impress them one day. He’s just happy they keep him around.

Jaggedstripe has always admired Fernface more than any other cat, except perhaps Goldenpelt. When she came to Field Colony as a kitten, she was so brave and helped her brother no matter what. Jaggedstripe knew she just needed a friend to show her how great Field Colony is! Fernface was always ready to do what no one else was willing to. He knows she’s a little rough around the edges, but he’s willing to compromise to make things work for her. He was delighted when Fernface agreed to be his mate, and he couldn’t love their kittens more. He sees so much of Fernface in both of them: Dawn’s bravery and humor, and Dark’s stubbornness and loyalty. 

Jaggedstripe doesn’t have much confidence in himself, but if Fernface, Goldenpelt, and his kittens like him, then he’s alright just the way he is.

Art by Tennelle