#rapids clan

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[OC, please don’t tag as kin!] 

Aaand we’re back back to drawing cats again, here’s Rapidsfur, the first leader of Rapids Clan! His design was a paaaaaiiiiiinnnnnnnnn, I think this was the fourth version -_-”

Rapidsfur was one of the four cats who claimed leadership over the valley cats. He was the oldest of the four, and no doubt a strong and just leader. Shortly after the cats arrived in the valley however, they faced a great threat and Rapidsfur gave his life to save his clan-to-be. After Rapidsfur’s deputy gained his 9 lives, the new leader honored Rapidstar’s sacrifice by naming the clan Rapids Clan.

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The Valley

“When a terrifying fire swept through the lake territories, leaving most of the cats unharmed but their territories too damaged to sustain them, an omen was sent to a select few cats with a clear meaning; find a new home, or the clans would be destoyed. There was a clear divide between those who remained, to stay and hope that enough food could be found, or leave and travel far away to a home no-one knew existed?

Under half the remaining cats left, and travelled on and off for a month till they reached a new home: bordered by mountains and the ocean, filled with forests, and full of opportunity. Because they had been traveling together for so long, traditional boundries had fallen away and they had become almost one clan. However, they began to fight over where they would settle and it became clear that there would yet again be four clans: Rapids Clan of the Rushing White Waters, Glade Clan of the Sunlit Southern Forest, Yew Clan of the Towering Northern Forest, and Salt Clan of the Expansive Wetland Marsh.”

A steep U-Shaped valley with a river running through it

Waterfall at one end (West) and estuary/ river delta at the other (East)

End with waterfall (not shown in pic) also has a road running alongside it

Not much human interaction, most likely is fishermen traveling down to the estuary since there is little to no path down

Several days travel from the lake territories: too far to reasonibly travel back and forth from

Likely connected to the same mountain though, weather should also be the same though possibly less snow due to proximity to ocean

Due to the valley being generally inaccessable, foxes/badgers can’t really be driven out. They are less likely to make their way into the valley, but most have to be killed or chased out at specific points to be rid of

The 4 clans living in the valley are:

Rapids Clan: a large clan of powerful water-suited cats who defend their territory on both sides of a fast set of whitewater rapids. Constantly warning off Glade Clan from their land. (River Clan & Wind Clan)

Glade Clan: Glade Clan holds the small but prey-rich territory to the south east of the valley. They constantly try to expand their territory into Rapids Clan’s (Thunder Clan & Shadow Clan)

Yew Clan: Yew Clan make their home in the conifer forest to the north, shaded by the cliffs of the mountain above. They will always keep true to their word (Shadow Clan & Thunder Clan)

Salt Clan: the smallest clan on the valley, Salt Clan cats are suited to a wetland lifestyle in the river delta. Mainly preys on birds and frogs (Shadow Clan & River Clan)

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Rapids Clan

Rapids Clan is the largest clan in the valley

They are situated on the south west part of the valley

Their territory consists of a deciduous forest split in two by a river with white water rapids, and a small field filled with heather

Cats from Rapids Clan are a mix of River Clan and Wind Clan cats. The long agile bodies of the Wind Clan side combined with the well-fed and sleek River Clan to create large and strong cats who often struggle to find enough prey to sustain themselves

Rapids Clan cats hunt a large variety of prey, including fish from the lower parts of the river.

Due to this, their coats are reasonably suited to water, however they are not able to spend as much time in the water as their Salt Clan neighbours

Rapids Clan cats are seen to be territory-hungry as they have the largest territory in the valley, yet still often fight over borders

There is a constant feud over the heather fields in their territory as Glade Clan try to expand into it

During seasons with high tides, Salt Clan's water supplies become tainted with salt water. During this time, they have an agreement with Rapids Clan to gather water from the part of the river that borders Rapids Clan. Due to this, they have a (shakey) alliance

Rapids Clan is not on friendly terms with Yew Clan and they clash at their borders every few seasons

Rapids Clan is named after Rapidsfur, an old cat who lead part of the group of cats who travelled to the valley. He was a mottled grey tom with grey-blue eyes

Rapidsfur died as they arrived at the valley, but many cats in Rapids Clan hold him in high regard and he is usually seen as the first leader, despite not having received his 9 lives

Rapids Clan is the only valley clan which wasn't named after a cat given 9 lives

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Sorry for the missed day! I’ve been trying to get a better sleeping schedule sorted and just completely. conked out last night before I could do anything ^ ^” So instead I’ve done something a little special, an updated map for my old story ideas! I toyed around with having 3 clans rather than 4 but somehow managed to seperate the territories to a reasonable degree. 4 clans live in this valley: Rapids Clan to the SW, Glade Clan to the SE, Salt Clan to the E, and Yew Clan to the N.

Territory breakdown: