Cliffclan

Overview

Common Traits

• • Warm-hued pelts and eyes. These range from ginger and red to rich browns and shades of yellow.

  • Medium-length fur. Ideal for agile movement without the risk of snagging while climbing. 

  • Strong, lengthy legs and small paws. Helps excel in scaling cliffs and trees alike, while the latter offers precision in navigating pawholds.

  • Long tails. Aids in balance.

  • Keen eyesight. Helps them spot prey from great distances. 

  • Muscular builds. Reflects their focus on strength and battle training.

  • Resilient ears. Withstands the harsh winds and weather of their cliffside habitat.

Clan Rules

1. Warriors may enter and leave camp as they wish; however, if they approach the Oceanclan border, They must be accompanied by another warrior. 

2. Trainees must notify a warrior and tell them where they plan to go if they leave camp without a warrior. 

3. Trainees may only be near the Oceanclan border while with two warriors. 

4. Trainees are forbidden from entering the Whispering Woods.

   • The woods serve as the location for the warrior assessment. If a trainee is discovered to have ventured into the woods, they will face a penalty of being held back for two moons. Such actions are deemed as cheating during the warrior assessment. Furthermore, the combination of fog and dense forest obscures the cliffs, rendering the area perilous. The fog exacerbates the challenge of climbing by causing dew to make pawholds slippery. Cats have died in the Whispering Woods due to its unique conditions. Exercise caution when entering the area.

5. Challenges must be met with honor. Disputes among warriors can be settled through formal challenges. Backstabbing or underhanded tactics are considered cowardly and disgraceful. When challenged, a warrior must face their opponent head-on.

6. Running from a battle is a disgrace. Cowards are often shunned or stripped of their rank and must earn back their place through acts of bravery.

Beliefs

Warriors of Discipline.

Above all else, Cliffclan values fighting prowess and believes their primary duty is to be skilled and disciplined warriors. Around 70% of a trainee's last two moons of training are spent on fighting training.

Solarsky often names trainees who excel in fighting with strong names, such as claw, stone, talon, etc. Soft suffixes are not as common, but when given, they tend to have specific meanings (petal, for a warrior's grace/smooth movements). If given without reason, it may mean that the trainee did not perform well in their training.

Shame of Weakness.

If a kit is born weak, it reflects poorly on the parents, suggesting they may have failed in their duties—whether by neglecting their physical well-being, dishonoring the gods, or lacking personal strength.

Honor in Death.

The highest honor is reserved for those who die fighting, whether in battle or through a life-long struggle against adversity. This belief goes beyond the physical battlefield, celebrating warriors who maintain strength, resilience, and determination. Whether it's facing illness, old age, or the hardships of life, Cliffclan respects those who continue to fight until their last breath. This extends the concept of honor to those who may not die in the heat of battle but who nonetheless embody the warrior spirit by never yielding to weakness.

Legacy Through Battle.

Cliffclan warriors believe that their legacy is written in battle. To die without ever fighting a significant battle is considered a waste of life. Warriors strive to be remembered for their combat achievements, whether they be heroic victories or valiant defeats.

Traditions

Trial of the Ascent.

For Cliffclan, climbing is the most essential skill a warrior can possess. From an early age, kittens are introduced to the cliffs that define their territory. A parent or guardian will guide the young kit as they navigate small rocks and gentle slopes, holding them steady until they grow comfortable with the sensation of height. As they age, kits practice on steeper and more challenging terrain, gradually progressing to scaling the cliffs themselves. Kits are never allowed to climb without an adult’s close supervision with hick bedding beneath them, and the guardian must be fully capable of rescuing the kit in the event of a fall. If a kit is injured while under a guardian’s watch, the responsibility is taken seriously, and the guardian’s role may be swiftly questioned or revoked.

Cliffclan looks down on "grounded" cats—those born into the clan who fear or avoid climbing. These individuals are seen as lacking the strength and courage essential to Cliffclan's warrior spirit, and their reluctance to embrace such a core skill is viewed as a sign of weakness or dishonor. Grounded cats are often the subject of quiet ridicule, but the consequences can go much further. Some may face open disdain, isolation, or even subtle bullying from their peers, who believe that a cat unwilling to climb has no place in the clan. Over time, this pressure can become unbearable, and grounded cats may feel driven to leave Cliffclan entirely, either by choice or through relentless shaming. Though some might earn some respect in areas like battle or strategy, their failure to master the cliffs leaves them incomplete in the eyes of their clanmates, who may never fully accept them as true warriors.

Accessories.

Cliffclan warriors wear small bones from prey they’ve hunted as a sign of their prowess and survival skills. These bones could be woven into their fur, hanging from necklaces, or tied around their limbs as bracelets. Pendants made from the claws and teeth of dangerous animals (such as large bird talons or fox teeth) would symbolize a warrior’s prowess in combat. These are given to warriors by their Monarch, worn as badges of honor. 

While Oceanclan favors smooth, polished accessories, Cliffclan uses rough, raw materials like small pelts of prey or tufts of fur, draped across their shoulders or tied around their tails. Predator pelts are rarely seen due to the difficulty of skinning predators.

Cliffclan also incorporates natural stones and pebbles from their rocky terrain, cleaned but left uncut, woven into their fur or made into necklaces. These are common gifts, making these pieces both decorative and personal. It is great effort to drill a hole into beads, often these accessories break before being completed.

Cliffclan warriors adorn themselves with feathers from various birds, representing agility, grace, and sharp vision—traits highly valued in battle. Whether from powerful birds of prey or smaller, nimble species, feathers are woven into their fur or worn in intricate designs.

• War Paint

Unlike Oceanclan’s focus on sleek appearances, Cliffclan warriors adorn themselves with war paint made from crushed berries, stones, plants, and even insects before battle. These bold designs symbolize their readiness to fight and are carefully painted onto their fur in fierce patterns. This war paint is more than just a battle preparation—it's a deeply personal ritual. Loved ones, whether family, close friends, or mates, paint each other, reinforcing their bond before they face the dangers of combat. War paint is sacred to battle, and it’s rare to see it used outside of combat.

After the battle, warriors cleanse themselves in the stream running through their camp. As the water flows down the cliffs and away from camp, it remains ever pure. This washing ritual symbolizes more than just cleanliness; it marks a warrior's return to peace, as the paint and the intensity of combat are washed away, carried down the stream.

Courting.

In Cliffclan, courtship often begins with a cat inviting another on a private hunt, but it is made clear from the start that this invitation carries romantic intent. The private hunt is a way for pairs to test how well they work together and how they are when alone, away from the eyes of the clan. After the hunt, they share a meal. If one cat didn’t enjoy themselves or feels they aren’t compatible, it’s common and even encouraged for them to reject the other afterward. Cliffclan values boldness and directness, so being upfront about romantic interest or rejection is seen as the right thing to do.

After sharing mutual interest, sparring is sometimes used as a form of flirtation. Playful but intense sparring matches allow the cats to test each other's abilities while also sharing an intimate moment. Winning isn’t always the goal, just to enjoy and test each other.

If a relationship progresses, a Cliffclan cat might announce their interest in their partner in front of the clan, showing they are unafraid to declare their intentions publicly. Up until this point, courting is a very private matter.

Cats who are courting generally participate in warpaint rituals with each other.

• • Common Gifts
    Prey pelts for the nest or to be worn, this gift is common during Leaf-fall or Leafbare
    Rock and Stone Beads, generally the color of the gifter's pelt

Tying the knot.

In Cliffclan, weddings are grand, symbolic occasions that span the entire day, a celebration of unity, strength, and the merging of two souls destined to walk through life together. As the first light of dawn, each cat is attended by the figures who raised and guided them—parents, mentors, or guardians. These loved ones take great care in preparing the soon-to-be wedded cats, adorning them in the finest pelts and meaningful decorations. War paint, reserved for battle, is noticeably absent, for this day is not one of conflict, but of harmony. Instead, fine dust made from crushed gems is gently brushed into their fur.

Once dressed, the couple embarks on a private hunt together. This is their first test of unity, where their bond is quietly tested in the open wilderness, just the two of them against the rugged cliffs and wilds that have shaped their clan. They move in sync, trusting each other in the silence of the hunt. This ritual is deeply intimate, a quiet promise of their future partnership in life and survival. Meanwhile, friends and family spread out into the territory, hunting for the feast to come, knowing that their catch will contribute to the celebration of the new union.

At the peak of the day, under the full strength of the sun, all of Cliffclan gathers at King's Overlook. The oracle asks for a blessing from Cloudstar, the goddess of mateships, as well as any other gods the couple wishes to invoke. 

Then comes the moment of vows. With the clan as their witness, the couple speaks their promises. As the vows are sealed, the oracle steps forward, draping a large ceremonial pelt—rich with history—over the pair. Beneath its weight, the couple bows their heads together in prayer, sharing whispered words that only they and the gods can hear. It is a moment of pure connection, a quiet blessing for the life they will build together.

Afterward, they emerge from under the pelt as newly bound mates, they then lead the clan back to camp in a celebratory parade. The cliffs echo with the sounds of celebration as the clan cheers, yells, and calls out in joy, their voices carrying on the wind. As they walk through the familiar paths of their home.

Back at camp, the real festivities begin. The hunt from earlier in the day has provided a bountiful feast, and the air is filled with the rich smells of fresh prey. Fermented fruits, a staple of celebration, flow freely as the clan drinks and feasts together, laughter and stories filling the night.

But as the sun begins to set, the couple quietly leaves the camp, departing into the night for one final trial: to survive together, alone. This tradition is not one of fear, but of proving their strength as a unit. They must protect each other, facing the darkness and the wilds side by side, a powerful symbol of their ability to rely on one another no matter what comes.

When the sun rises the next morning, they return to camp, tired but triumphant, ready to begin their shared life. As their first act as a mated pair, they weave together a shared nest.

Warrior Assessments

The Cliffclan warrior assessment is a demanding test of survival skills and independence. Trainees are well-fed the week before to prepare them for the challenge ahead. They are then sent to the Whispering Woods, a mysterious and treacherous area filled with fog and surrounded by pine trees and cliffs. Trainees are forbidden from entering the woods while in training, making it unfamiliar territory.

Although warriors scout and drive out predators before the assessment begins, the woods remain a dangerous place where trainees must rely on their skills and instincts. For an entire week, they are left to survive on their own, without assistance, until the warriors return to retrieve them. 

• • • Passing: Passing the warrior assessment means demonstrating the ability to survive independently in the Whispering Woods for the full week. Trainees who pass show they can provide for themselves by hunting enough prey, avoiding unnecessary risks, and maintaining their physical and mental composure. Their success indicates that they could continue surviving if left on their own for longer.

    • Failing: Failing occurs if the trainee struggles to the point that they would not have survived beyond the week. This includes showing severe hunger or weakness, sustaining avoidable injuries, panicking, or returning to camp before the week is over. Failure demonstrates that the trainee is not yet ready to handle the demands of warriorhood.

      • Retrying After Failure: Trainees who fail the assessment are given a moon to rest and retrain before attempting the trial again. During this time, they work closely with their mentor to address weaknesses and rebuild confidence, ensuring they are better prepared for their next attempt.

Funerals.

When a clanmate dies, the deceased cat is taken to their favorite spot within the territory and buried deeply to protect the body from scavengers. The burial site is then covered in stones to prevent anything from disturbing the grave. The cat is laid to rest with all their personal accessories, along with offerings to Echostar, the emperor of the dead, as one final gift from the deceased to the god. Loved ones spend the night at the burial site, signaling to the gods where the body has been placed. After six moons, the stones are removed and scattered, marking the final release of the soul.

In Cliffclan, the bodies of enemies are treated with stark indifference. They are buried outside of clan territory, without offerings or the protective covering of stones. The clan leaves their fate entirely in the hands of the gods, choosing not to aid or honor them in death. If the gods deem them worthy of the afterlife, so be it—but Cliffclan offers no help in that journey.

Politics

Standings

• Oceanclan

  • Cliffclan is in a state of hostility with Oceanclan, viewing them as rivals and a threat to their way of life. Solarsky believes Oceanclan is weak and untrustworthy, and as of now there is no room for negotiation or alliance between the two clans.

• Outsiders:

  • Cliffclan is wary of outsiders, viewing them as unpredictable and potentially dangerous. While not outright hostile, outsiders are expected to prove their loyalty by fully integrating into the clan; otherwise, they are regarded with suspicion and kept at arm’s length.

Past Highranks

This list only consists of those who have not been lost to time.