Territory
Dustclan is located in a mountainous/rocky region with lots of cliffs and a few hills. Their territory is rather large, by virtue of the natural lack of game in region, so it needs to be a larger to accommodate them. There are lots of shrubs, some grass, and few small trees. A natural spring in the area provides much of their water when there is no snowfall. To the west is a sparse forest and a steep cliff side drop. To the north and east is a large but sloping mountain range and hills. To the south is a pair of twin mountains part of another mountain range with a wide, deep crevice along side it. In the center of the territory lies a large swath of rocky hills and slopes, a thin stream, and more cliffs and mountains, with a few scattered trees.
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Camps||Their clan's main camp is in a cliff face in a network of natural caves made from clefts in the rocks that let in a good amount of light, but not much snow. It's a tight space with dens tucked into nooks between rocks. A few scavenged sticks and brush make the place feel more like a home, but it's still very sparse with few items of comfort. There are also two smaller camps or "shelters" with only a single large den each. One is located farther east and is similarly furnished to the main camp, and one further south, which is a bit more comfortable due to the supplies scavenged nearby. Each small camp has a stash of healing resources. The clan typically stays at the large camp, but often large patrols will stay at the smaller camps overnight.
Seasons||The climate is cold with a very short summer. Winter takes up most of the year, with snowfall being very common.
Prey||They typically hunt hares, mice, sometimes voles and smaller tunneling creatures. When the migrating season comes around, there is a flock of larger birds that calls this region their mating grounds and the clan will hunt for eggs or small chicks. Their favorite prey is hare.
Dangers||This area is home to a family of cougars that hunt the larger game such as mountain goats and deer in the area. Dustclan's current leader has a truce with them, as long as the cougars don't need to hunt the hares in the area. Sometimes, coyotes roam the area, but both groups do their best to keep these fiends away. Large birds of prey are also a hazard. Avalanches, deep snow, and natural cliffs and caverns dot the landscape. Fortunately, few if any two-legs are seen up here and they never stay very long. They often carry lots of things, but almost never bring any vehicles to the area, as there are no thunderpaths.
Borders||To the south lies a river flowing through twin mountains to a lake, the territory of Auroraclan. To the east, past the mountains and hills lies the territory of Muleclan. Far to the southeast is the edge of a cattle farm range. North, past the ends of the mountains, is home to Redwoodclan.
Details
Exploration | Protection | Invention
Dustclan is home to many explorers and oddities. While they share the same bonds of family with their clanmates that many clans share, they are also proud of their heritage of exploring. This home is a recent one and they very well may set out to find a new one someday soon. They are adventurers and wanders, but they always stick together, whether than means the whole clan travels or a few hold down the fort that the others always return to. If not for the necessities of elders and kits, the clan would likely never settle in one place. They don't truly believe in owning a "territory", as they see the land being a thing given to all cats to share and explore and find their place in. They do believe in boundaries of safety however, and would never intentionally go closer to a strange cat's home while simply exploring.
They are very open to new members who share their adventurous spirits and also encourage creativity and interesting solutions to any problems. While "crafting" isn't really a term cats are familiar with, Dustclan cats have an inventive, creative spirit. Using stacked stones to mark a path or prey heavy area, shifting logs to help cross gaps and so on. These cats are very flexible and easily adapt to different situations.
Typical Dustclan cats are expert navigators. They are often masters of many means of travel such as running in difficult terrain, swimming and climbing. Most are very quick and agile. There are no overall physical similarities since the clan is fairly new and the cats from various places.
They are very open to new members who share their adventurous spirits and also encourage creativity and interesting solutions to any problems. While "crafting" isn't really a term cats are familiar with, Dustclan cats have an inventive, creative spirit. Using stacked stones to mark a path or prey heavy area, shifting logs to help cross gaps and so on. These cats are very flexible and easily adapt to different situations.
Typical Dustclan cats are expert navigators. They are often masters of many means of travel such as running in difficult terrain, swimming and climbing. Most are very quick and agile. There are no overall physical similarities since the clan is fairly new and the cats from various places.
Breeding||Dustclan disdain for boundaries also extends to breeding. Cats are free to chose their own love interests, inside or outside the clan, though it is encouraged that the kits and the mother or father, if not a clan member, join the clan if possible, since the group tends to travel often. In the case of inter-clan relations, the parents may decide which clan their kits will join. Kits from any relationship are always welcome in Dustclan at any time. Family to Dustclan is more than just ties of blood, it's the bonds forged on the journey together and any and all are welcome.
Lore||The current leader, Driftbreeze, borrowed the Dustclan name from the stories he had been told as a kit of his clan's traveling ancestry. As a warrior in his home clan, he kept getting in trouble for traveling too far on patrols or accidentally crossing borders searching for interesting things to see or smell. On one of those many trips, he encountered his now deputy, a then loner who was also an adventurer. Neither talk about exactly what happened when they met, and many outrageous stories span Dustclan. All that is truly known is that after the encounter, Driftsky decided to leave his clan, create Dustclan as it's new leader, and strike out traveling, his new bound to his side by some unknown oath. For almost two years, the clan traveled the world, collecting adventurous souls from many walks of life, other clans, loners, kittypets and more. They typically move to an area, determine what competition is there and if there is none, establish a base from which to explore the area. Now, they have moved into this mountain range and something seems to have Driftbreeze's attention.
Dustclan might be very new to this region, but the clan itself is very old. It has formed and faded and reformed many times with different members as it is needed, but the core values have always remained the same. No one remembers when exactly the clan first originated, but the story goes that two cats from different clans were exiled for being best friends with each other. They struck out together, traveling many many miles to find a new home and family. Along the way, they made new friends and they realized that the journey was more important to them, and that their family were those willing to join them on the road, no matter who they were or where they came from. Sometimes, the clan stayed in one place for a time and took a new name, only to be formed later when the adventuring spirit woke again. Many clans may once have shared their history has "Dustclan." Now, the clan has taken to call this place home for a time, dedicating their time to exploring the vast mountains. One day, when they feel they have learned all there is to learn, they will move on. Or maybe, they will decide to make this a new home and take a new name.
Starclan||As a traveling group, Dustclan views their ancestors as their guides among the stars. They don't communicate with them in the same place every time, but instead the medicine cat and clan leader will travel from dawn until dusk, sleeping the night wherever they find themselves. It is usually in dreams during these nights that they communicate with Starclan. The next day, they return to the clan. The current leader is also titled "First Navigator," due to them directing the clan's travel and how they speak to Starclan.
Dustclan might be very new to this region, but the clan itself is very old. It has formed and faded and reformed many times with different members as it is needed, but the core values have always remained the same. No one remembers when exactly the clan first originated, but the story goes that two cats from different clans were exiled for being best friends with each other. They struck out together, traveling many many miles to find a new home and family. Along the way, they made new friends and they realized that the journey was more important to them, and that their family were those willing to join them on the road, no matter who they were or where they came from. Sometimes, the clan stayed in one place for a time and took a new name, only to be formed later when the adventuring spirit woke again. Many clans may once have shared their history has "Dustclan." Now, the clan has taken to call this place home for a time, dedicating their time to exploring the vast mountains. One day, when they feel they have learned all there is to learn, they will move on. Or maybe, they will decide to make this a new home and take a new name.
Starclan||As a traveling group, Dustclan views their ancestors as their guides among the stars. They don't communicate with them in the same place every time, but instead the medicine cat and clan leader will travel from dawn until dusk, sleeping the night wherever they find themselves. It is usually in dreams during these nights that they communicate with Starclan. The next day, they return to the clan. The current leader is also titled "First Navigator," due to them directing the clan's travel and how they speak to Starclan.
Code
Defend your Clan, even with your life. You may have relationships with cats from other Clans, but your loyalty must remain to your Clan, as one day you may meet them in battle.
- Elders, queens, and kits must be fed before apprentices and rangers. If any ranger or apprentice is sick or injured, they may eat while the elders, queens, and kits are eating.
- Prey is killed only to be eaten.
- A kit must be at least six moons old to become an apprentice.
- The Second will become First when the First dies, retires or is exiled. After the death, retirement, or exile of the Second, the new Second must be chosen before moonhigh.
- Boundaries are not a natural structure, but necessary for food and should be checked regularly. Alert and accompany all strange cats. Be respectful of the borders of other clans who do not share our values. Do not hunt or trespass on another Clan's territory if you know where their territory is.
- No ranger can neglect a kit in pain or danger.
- The word of the First is the warrior code.
- A ranger will not kill other cats unless it is necessary for self-defense.
- Each Clan has the right to be independent, but in times of trouble, all Clans must help the others so that none will fall.