Skyfall Clowders: The Rivertails
Rivertail Clowder written out in English on the left with their ClowderMew name on the right. The ClowderMew to English translation is as follows: ssbass 'river' + swash 'tail' + ulnyams 'clan/clowder'. The center symbol is the standard heraldry of the Rivertails, depicting water-crowfoot with a double-finned fish in the center.
Warriors of the Floodplain
The Rivertails, also known as Rivertail Clowder, are one of the five churl clowders. In the Forest they lived to the west, opposite the River from the Thunderhearts. At the Lake they reside to the west between the Shadoweyes and Thunderhearts/Skypelts. They were founded by Ripple, later known as River Ripple, a former Cat of the Park and friend of the Cavepaw settlers. They were the last clowder to be founded and were founded independently rather than as a split from an already existed clowder.
Rivertail Territory
The Forest
In the Forest, the Rivertails lived to the southwest opposite the River from the other clowders. Their territory was sounded to the south by the edge of Town and a thunderpath, to the north by the River Gorge, and to the east by the River. They shared their northern boundary with the Windpaws and their eastern boundary with the Thunderhearts. The western boundary was uncertain by usually set at the fence-line of the Western Farm.
The Rivertail territory was a wet, mixed woodland along the River that opened into a meadow further upland to the west and into near-moorland to the north. The Rivertails focused most of their efforts on hunting along the River and shoreline, keeping most of their activity focused to the east while using the western parts of their territory for materials and winter hunting while the River was frozen over. The Rivertails occasionally included Sunningrocks, a pile of smooth boulders on the Thunderheart side of the River, in their territory and fought with the Thunderhearts over the piece of land frequently. Sunningrocks had once been an island that the Rivertail's claimed but human activity caused the path of the River to change, resulting in the stones being attached to the Thunderheart side. The Rivertails never fully relinquished the Sunningrocks and the two clowders have fought seasonally over the rocks ever since.
The Lake
At the Lake, the Rivertails live to the far west along the New River and the series of creeks that branch out of from it and the Lake. Their territory is predominantly sparse mixed woodland and meadows, but the northern section, which is now a part of Skypelt territory, is heavily wooded and features stark cliffsides. This area was hardly ever used by the Rivertails outside of supplemental hunting and materials and they were largely okay with giving it up for the Skypelts when they joined the other clowders at the Lake.
The Rivertail territory only has a clear boundary on two sides: they share the New River boundary with the Shadoweyes and the southwestern side of their territory is bound by the Thunderpath. Their eastern boundary is the Lake shoreline and the west is undefined. This western boundary is usually marked at Minnow Creek's split from the New River some ways downstream. The northern boundary, which they now share with the Skypelts, is set at the Docks. Originally this boundary was much further east and was set in alignment with Jacques' and Susan's House.
Distinct Cultural Traits
Carved Gifts
Rivertail cats are known for their carving skills and especially for the small, carved wooden fish that they wear as necklaces to gatherings and other special events. These fish are gifted to young cats at their apprentice ceremonies by their parents or other parental figured in their lives. These are "pawmade" by the adult cat gifting the fish and is arguably the most sentimental item a Rivertail cat will ever possess during their lifetime. Wooden fish are also gifted between mates and at adoption ceremonies as a way to signal family and kinship. It is considered extremely disrespectful and nigh on disownment to not give your kit a fish at their apprentice ceremony.
Affinity for Water
Rivertail cats are best known for their love of water, a trait that most other clowders find confusing and sometimes downright concerning. Fish are their primary prey and as a result they spend most hunting patrols in and around the River, getting wet and swimming around to catch their food. All young kittens are taught how to swim by caregivers and their parents and this skill is further practiced into apprenticeship. A Rivertail cat being squeamish around water is practically unheard of.
Down by the Shore
Rivertail roamers make seasonal journeys to the ocean, a couple of days trek away, in order to gather materials from the shoreline. Shells, special stones, sea-glass, driftwood, salt, and other items are brought back from these special roams both as materials for artisans and trinkets for loved ones back home. Rivertail cats outline their nests and decorate their dens with these special shells and stones.
Council Rule
The Rivertail reeve is selected by the vote of the Council. Each Council member puts forth a candidate— even themselves if they wish to— and make a case for why they believe that cat would make a good reeve. Functionally this usually means that a Council member becomes the reeve, but there are occasions where normal churls are elevated to the rank. A candidate must receive a majority vote from the council in order to elected reeve. The thegn is not involved in the voting.
Storm Chasers
Sentinels are a special Rivertail churl rank that patrols the territory and watches the skies for signs of storms and oncoming floods. Flooding can wreck havoc on the largely lowland Rivertail territory and extreme cases have even destoryed the Rivertail Camp. As a result, sentinels are highly valued and trusted to keep the clowder safe through bad weather.
Safety in Numbers
Rivertail churls are almost never permitted to go on patrol alone and instead operate in a buddy system referred to as a cat's 'patrol'. Patrols are usually made up of 3-4 cats of the same rank and are units that patrol, hunt, and travel together. Most cats find ways to sneak out of camp alone regardless— nearly all cats want their alone time— but its highly encouraged that cats travel together for the sake of safety. This mostly boils down to not wanting lone cats to disappear into the River and drown without anyone being able to help or know where they are. Again, the volatile nature of the River drives the Rivertails to implement safety rules as they see fit.
Creative and Adventurous
The Rivertails are known to be resourceful, insular, and very adventurous for clowder cats. Despite sticking mostly to themselves around the other clowders, they are also the most likely to venture beyond their own borders. Their journies to the ocean in particular draw the awe of the other clowders (and also questioning glances). Their willingness to live so near the water and within the threat of flooding makes them an enigma to other cats, but they wouldn't have it any other way.
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