Welcome to WinterClan! With all the changes going around Lapis and I have been working hard are determined to see WinterClan make it through anything Wiki or any other forum wants to throw at us. So thanks for taking the time to read this thread as it will go over what happened in the last plot and what we have done because of it. We did indeed decide to skip the last few parts of the plot due to the large amount of time that has passed. We are unsure of what members remain and how we would fill in those spaces in the plot. So READ ON!
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PLOT?
Glittering began to spread across the sky. Like a rainbow that rippled instead of arched. There was no warning. Cats among the clan began die with fear in their eyes that didn't fade after they were long gone. Others started to go missing. No traces. No witnesses. What was going on? Understar began putting the Prison Guards who were on watch at the time in prison for failing their clan. Thinking perhaps the crimes were happening from carelessness every guard supposedly involved were imprisoned. But this didn't seem to stop the mysterious happenings. Finally Understar had had enough. Rumors had fueled across the border that SummerClan had some secrets and some unknown grudge against WinterClan. Without much research Understar chose to take action before SummerClan could completely wipe WinterClan off the grid.
The clan gathered outside SummerClan's camp with a strategy in place. Before the attack Understar disappeared. The attack is launched but no blood is shed. Matter fact, SummerClan is no where to be seen. With the stress and fear fueled by the past few moons of disappearances and deaths the warriors panic. Did white cats take out SummerClan? The frazzled warriors return to WinterClan to find more clan members dead and missing. With Understar being among those who disappeared Leatherfern steps up and tries to keep the clan calm. His own heart and mind racing. He decides enough is enough. He looks to his clan and makes a suggestion.
Continue to suffer as the Northern lights grow brighter and the clan is picked off one by one by the furious White cats? Or control the situation, make a sacrifice, and pray the restless spirits forgive whatever they did to offend them.
The clan decides that the Prison Guards who were placed in prison need to be sacrificed to appease the desire of the White cats. They were gathered and lead down to the ring that held so much meaning to the WinterClan members. There they left them for the night and returned to the camp. In the morning the Northern Lights were blazing low enough that the cats could swipe their paws through the colorful rays. They hurried to the ring where WinterClan and Primal Instinct once battled and were surprised to see their clan mates alive and well.
Feeling overwhelmed with relief and confusion they returned to camp realizing they may need to prepare themselves for more incidences. The white cats had refused their sacrifice. Now what?
The gathered at the base of the meteor in the center ring of camp and looked to Leatherfern, since Understar was now considered among those who had gone missing, but Leatherfern could feel the weight of responsibility and he was beginning to cave. But before he could say anything the air around them erupted as the lights exploded in a spray of light. Before them five cats stood. Their pelts strangely patterned like ancient cats. Large and powerful light gleaming in swirling colors around their paws.
"Do not fear!" The largest sun toned tom with a large orange mane around his face declared. "For we share ancient blood!" They told the clan that the Northern Lights were the declaration of their return as the ice below the camp melted away to release them from their icy tomb. In exchange for their worship and sacrifices they would protect the WinterClan bloodline and bring them back to their roots. With this ranks would be revised, Titles changed, and blessings given to those carrying winterclan blood in their veins. New festivals would be celebrated and life and death respected equally.
The ancients were:
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR TODAY?
Welcome to modern WinterClan! Now I wont give you a long speech like I did above Instead I'll give you a little overview of the changes and need to know customs for proper roleplay.
LEADER - The leader position is now called CHIEF for formal reasons a cat in this position may be called Chieftain Leatherstar or chieftess for females. Their role is about the same as it would be for any leader.
DEPUTY - This cat is now called the JARL. Formally a cat in this position may be referred to as Jarl Dyinglight or whatever the cats name may be. This is a gender neutral title.
MARTYR - this is a new position! These cats are chosen from the cats with Vegard's blessing. They are raised with the sole purpose of being sacrificed to the ancients during one of two festivals that require sacrifices. this is a constantly rotating roleplay position.
MEDICINE CAT - This cat is now referred to as an Alchemist. Unlike traditional medicine cats they work with more than just herbal remedies. They also work directly with rituals, blessings, and healing powers of precious stones. This cat is always part of the same bloodline. Their child will be the next alchemist.
MEDICINE CAT APPRENTICE - see medicine cat
WARRIORS AND PRISON GUARDS - These cats are now under one title of THANE but are separated by skill. I.e. Warrior or Guard. These cats have their same skills as usual. This is the highest general population rank.
APPRENTICES - these cats are now referred to as NOVICES. when they are assigned to a warrior or guard they call their trainer MASTER i.e. Master Spottednettle. Novices must pass their tests in order to be promoted. If they fail they move backwards and become Karls until they pass.
QUEENS AND KITTENS - their name does not change but kittings are ritualistic and queens or practically worshiped during pregnancy.
RESCUE TEAM AND EX PRISONERS - These ranks have been changed to KARL. All previous rescue team members were given the choice of weather they want to be warriors, guards, or rescue team (AC Character Update Thread) The karls are the second highest rank you can be and are usual made up of ex prisoners, cats who have failed their novice tests, and ex rescue team members who chose not to be warriors or guards. Cats who have NO winterclan blood are only able to make it to this position.
ELDERS - These cats are now referred to as Danes. They are seen as the carries of history and taken care of hand and foot. They are respected as highly as queens and martyrs. They are still responsible for burying the dead.
THRALLS - These cats are your prisoners. They are made up of intruders, prisoners of war, kidnapped cats, and criminals from the clan.
FOR ALL OTHER CHANGES TO SPECIFIC RANKS, TERRITORY, BELIEFS, AND MORE PLEASE VIEW THE GUIDE ON THE WINTERCLAN PAGE.