Written in the Stars

Ideals
Honor, courage, determination, chivalry

Common Assumptions About DawnClan
Fluff-brained idiots, cold-hearted, merciless, jocks



Build
DawnClan has some of the largest cats around. They tend to be more boxy and large pawed. This is due to their rougher terrain. They don't typically have long legs as they really don't need to run here. Everything in DawnClan's territory is about endurance.

Pelts
As a necessity, Dawnclan cats need to be mid-to-long furred; they live in higher elevations where it tends to get rather cold in Leafbare. Their colors favor solid, stony colors: greys, browns and blacks are common, as are white patches. Light and bright pelts are very rare. Their fur is naturally thick to keep them warm in the colder months.


Predators
Eagles - These are very dangerous and pick off cats of all sizes and age. Patrols consist of mostly adult cats, especially in more mountain like open terrain.

A lot of predatory animals in this territory are not dangerous for eating cats - but dangerous due to their sheer size and carelessness. These include bears, and mountain goats.

The most dangerous predator is the gray wolf. They are incredibly destructive. Although not seen often, sometimes DawnClan cats have to hide in the camp for days at a time to avoid being seen by them.

Prey
There are some unique prey animals in DawnClan: hares, stoats, weasels and mice. Despite being predatory, DawnClan cats are trained to take down large birds of prey as they can make long lasting meals!

DawnClan also has a large water source within their territory where fish can be caught if a cat is patient enough. The fish are only plentiful during Greenleaf when two-legs seem to be around.

Plants
Most of the trees found in this area are coniferous - meaning that they have needles rather than leaves, and usually remain green year round. Medicine cats will use the pine sap as binding agents when mending broken bones, as well as treating deep flesh wounds.

DawnClan has unique berries that start to grow in Newleaf used to treat more severe cases of green cough that they will trade to other clans for medicines not growing in their territory. They also make a great treat for apprentices and warriors alike.


Nests
Nests are dug into the ground, and are shared by multiple cats. This creates a small barrier protecting them from the harsher windstorms that can happen in the mountains. Nests have multiple layers which consists of pine needles, dirt, and the fur they shed during Newleaf for their Greenleaf pelts.

Dens
Dens consist of mostly stone and rock formations. Dens are reinforced with pine needles, mud, and branches intricately weaved together. Dens are packed from the outside and inside to ensure no chilling winds can penetrate the inside.

Clearing
The clearing of DawnClan is sheltered primarily by the fallen pine trees. In the center of their camp is a small pool of water in front of a large stone. Leaders give their announcements from the top of the stone. All clan members gather around the water. DawnClan will only have announcements during the day as it is typically too cold at night time.

Medicine Den
There is a fallen pine in which dens and crevices were made among the tangled roots. A small stream trickles from the pool in the center of camp that leads underneath the pine. The fallen pine is a completely dead tree and was hollowed out. The sickest of cats are often placed in the very back furthest away from the healthier patients. Herbs are stored within the tangled roots and stones.

The Seer Stone
The Seer Stone is smooth gray stone with a very flat surface. It is the best sunning spot as well as the place where the leader gives all announcements. They call it the Seer Stone as it also has the best vantage point to overlook the clan. The leaders den is a small crevice between the seer stone and tangled roots of the medicine cat den.


Ceremonial Address
“All cats old enough to run with the wolves gather beneath me for a clan meeting.”

Fighting Techniques
Projectiles - While not tree-climbers, DawnClan cats will collect fallen pinecones or small stones and kick them at enemies when needed. They typically kick these up with their hind legs, kicking them at their opponents. It's a fast, quick movement - enemies rarely have time to escape those moves.

Sheer Size - When facing a DawnClan cat, they have their build for an advantage: they are big and burly, hard to knock over, and quick to pin others. However, the bigger they are, they harder they fall.

Weaknesses - DawnClan cats are rather slow. They have the most unique territory so it is rather difficult for them to adapt to fighting in wooded areas.

Hunting
DawnClan cats have mastered hunting in snow and tracking prints. Their paws are made for feeling differences in the ground and they are great at noticing patterns. When hunting in the more closed off territories, they usually hunt in teams of two. DawnClan cats will also use falling rocks to throw their prey off balance for an easy kill.

When hunting in open areas, only skilled apprentices and warriors may hunt. Groups are usually in groups of three or more. This is strictly for hunting eagles as well as their offspring. Eagles make wonderful meals that can last quite a long time. Eagle hunting happens twice a moon.

Patrols
Cats of DawnClan are always sending out patrols in order to check their lands for signs of danger of the natural variety: falling stones, unsteady earth, or cats in trouble. Their lands are incredibly dangerous and they tend to escort all trespassers off without conflict. Patrols are doubled in Leafbare to clear snow off common walking paths in order for them to attend gatherings.

Games & Entertainment
DawnClan cats certainly know how to have fun! In warmer months they are seen near pools of water, splashing their clan mates. Passing pine cones is another common game seen by kits and apprentices as they master their hunting skills. Playing in the mud where it's soft is also common among kits, apprentices, and young warriors to test their strengths. However, this does make quite a mess and can upset some members of the clan.

In Leafbare, it's not uncommon for cats to be kicking up snow in a gleeful manner. Some cats even find entertainment by sliding across the shallow pool of frozen water in front of the Seer Stone. Most of the time, there is rarely a dull moment.

Courtships
Due to the weather, DawnClan cats are often huddled together to keep warm. DawnClan mates tend to be polyamorous and often switch partners or have multiple partners. There are still some cats who do decide to become long term partners out of love. Sharing nests, playing together, and spending a lot of time alone are typically sure signs that a pair is beyond just clan mates.

Ideals
Shrewd, cunning, ambitious, strong leaders, self preservation, resourceful

Common Assumptions About NightClan
Haters of difference and weakness, untrustworthy tricksters, argumentative, will break rules and cut corners


Build
NightClan favors cats who can hold their own in battle. It is not uncommon for NightClan to skip over weaker warriors when picking mentors for apprentices. This is to ensure their generations are in tip top shape. Whether this comes in the form of wiry strength or stocky and well defined musculature, there is no denying that NightClan is a clan of fighters. For the most part, their bodies are taut with muscle and very little fat. NightClan has all types of builds from long and lean, to more boxy, but - no matter the opponent - fighting NightClan will be tough.

Pelts
As is expected for cats that live in the most humid parts of the territories, NightClan highly favors cats with medium to shorter pelts, as well as those sporting solid paler colors such as creamy tans, soft greys and white. Tabbies and solid black pelts are less common.


Predators
NightClan has some unique predators, with one predator being their own territory. The bayou has many distinct land features that can be incredibly dangerous to clan cats. What looks like a solid footing could very well be mud ready to swallow a cat whole. NightClan cats will typically kick rocks around to see if the sink to determine the best places to walk. These areas are carefully marked regularly during patrols.

NightClan cats will train apprentices to stay away from slow flowing deep pools of water. Lizard monsters (alligators) live in the depths and will not hesitate to snack on cats of all sizes. Other things that NightClan cats need to watch for are venomous snakes and plants! Although incredibly rare, bobcats tend to roam the higher and less populated area.

Prey
NightClan feasts on lizards that run through their territory. NightClan cats don't enjoy swimming but will latch onto any fish they see heading towards the surface. Watch out for any bubbles because something more dangerous could possibly be lurking in the murky water! Hunting is a lot easier for NightClan cats as the putrid scents of the swamp disguise their scent. It makes picking off any small rodents and birds easy. Even the weakest of hunters can have a full belly.

Plant Life
NightClan has quite the unique plant life being in a mostly swampy territory. Since their territory directly borders OakClan, they have a nice stretch of forest land as well. Watermint is one of their most precious herbs and NightClan isn't too keen when it comes to sharing due to their instinct in self preservation. They also have a lot of unique mushrooms that they tend to trade with others in Leafbare. In a pinch, the mushrooms can curve hunger rather well.


Dens
There isn't a lot of area within NightClan that's dry, and one of those dry areas is NightClan's camp. NightClan's camp is in a grove area of cypress and willow trees. Their dens are intricately patched in the roots using mud, leaves, and twigs to keep the insides dry. Cypress and willow roots are so intricate and deep it is almost like a tunnel system. NightClan cats however need to be weary of when the snow melts as their dens are easily flooded.

Clearing
The clearing is incredibly soft made up of mostly semi dried mud. A heavier set cat would certainly feel their paws dip. Their camp is very protected with all the tangled roots from most predators. There isn't too much open space, enough for the clan to gather when the leader calls a meeting. Most cats jump through the roots or on top of them. Eating is typically done within the dens. There is a mound of prey bones packed with mud in the clearing center which is where meetings are held. NightClan cats feel no prey should go to waste, not even their bones.

Medicine Cat Den
The medicine cat's den is right next to the nursery and also right near the exit, making herb collection rather easy. Due to the damp nature of the den, some herbs grow naturally inside the camp walls - mostly mushrooms. Queens teach kits at a young age which mushrooms are okay as some of them are rather toxic. The medicine cat uses vines and the roots to hide and store herbs, and the nests are towards the back of the den as to not make others sick. There is a line of thin vines and leaves used as a curtain of sorts. Often times you really can't see what goes on in there.

Bone Pile
The mound of bones and mud is the center piece of the camp. It isn't very high, but high enough that when stood upon the leader is above the clan. It continuously grows as well. After each meal the bones are intricately placed and molded with and caked with mud. All major meetings and ceremonies are held at the bone pile.


Ceremonial Address
"All cats old enough to run through the swamps gather here for a clan meeting"

Fighting Techniques
NightClan cats aren't the most friendly in terms of fighting. Before they bcome warriors, NightClan apprentices are taught the kill bite. Although it is considered dishonorable by many, apprentices are taught self preservation and to protect their own life. If they feel that their life may be in danger, it is forgivable. NightClan warriors will often use the 'bite', often just barely missing as a scare tactic to chase others away.

When fighting in their own territory, NightClan cats know where the land is solid and where it sinks. NightClan cats will lead their enemies into sinking mud or shallow swamp waters where the lizard monsters await their next meal. It's better they eat the enemy than them!

Hunting
NightClan cats uses the strong stenches of the swamp and stay downwind. Even the most clumsy hunter can hunt successfully in their territory. It does not take special skills.

Patrols
Warriors of all ages take apprentices out multiple times a day so they can memorize where the land sinks and where it is solid. The very rarely patrol in early mornings as this is typically when the ground is most wet. Patrols go out at sunhigh every few hours until moonhigh. Patrols generally consist of two warriors and two apprentices.

Amusement & Games
Most games are tag and running through the roots. Other hobbies include collecting odd plants and comparing them. Apprentices often have daring antics about who can get the closest to a lizard monster before getting scared. Unfortunately some apprentices have lost their life this way.

Courting
NightClan cats, despite the rumors and harsher fighting, tend to be incredibly passionate and family orientated (for the most part). They tend to rarely switch mates unless it's for personal reasons. It is not uncommon for mentors to end up with their old apprentices because they spend a lot of time together. Signs that a pair of cats are together are moving their nests together and spotting them at the ancient willow. The ancient willow is on one of the only dry spots and rumor has it there are tons of fireflies!

Myths and Legends
A spirit of a white cat can be seen wandering the swamps near the old water monsters. It is said it leads careless apprentices into the water where they are later found drowned.