Clan Summary

Environment

PeakClan inhabits a large and intricate cave system in the highest part of a system of mountains. The caves are teeming with natural crystals, and seem to radiate with light almost throughout the caves. Water can be found throughout the tunnels, in the form of a system of ponds and lakes, its beds lined with crystals creating gorgeous glowing water of various colors, but usually blues, greens, and violets. Large caverns create regal, open spaces for the clan, most of which have been decorated intricately and pristinely. Sections of the caverns that are not lit naturally or lit dimly are supported through glowing blue torches, created by setting alight heat crystals created by the clan’s healers, who serve as alchemists. Parts of the cave left dark are likely dangerous or bordered off.

Hunting & the Forest

Outside of the caves lies a quaint, isolated, and peaceful evergreen forest, which is the clan’s primary means for food source and is quite plentiful. The water source of the caves (though no longer glowing) cut through and descend towards the valley below in a roaring waterfall, and the large fish population makes for food shortages being practically unheard of, and for a solid clan favorite. Because the clan is active nocturnally, hunters should be cautious of predatory species that should be avoided. Owls are particularly notorious, but while steered away from whenever possible, are considered a lucky catch when brought down by the clan’s strongest warriors.
As PeakClan’s territory is quite high in altitude, weather is rarely hot, and ranges from comfortable to quite cold. Torches that are scattered throughout the camp are also to bring more heat to the caverns, which usually works, though more isolated tunnel systems and the forest can be quite chilling, especially with the sometimes harsh mountain winds. Rain falls exclusively in the time period of late Spring to early Autumn, and during any other time of the year precipitation occurs as snowfall (and its several variations). Light to heavy fog is another common weather pattern due to the height of the peaks. On the clearest of days, from the edge of the forest the valley can be seen stretching out across the horizon, a faint, murky glimpse of PeakClan’s former and ancient home available to squinting cats.

Social Classes & Ambition

The clan determines a cat’s social class by Natural Seeing Potential, and their status as a Pure Seer or Mixed Seer (whether their natural potential is over 50% or under 50%). Seers (and the Leader/Deputy) are seen as part of the clan’s upper class regardless of their seeing potential.

Although Seers are held in high regard, all ranks of the clan are genuinely respected. While Pure Seers are considered “higher up” than Mixed Seers by default, direct or obvious disrespect towards Mixed Seers is rare, though what some cats say or think under the privilege of confidentiality may not necessarily reflect this.

Modesty and humbleness in one’s role and position is their most important belief, and ambition is actively discouraged, seen as “reaching towards the sun”, a blasphemous notion to the clan’s night-based religion. Because of this, while there may be some underlying tension between the two classes, no cat will reach for a higher role intentionally.

The clan’s dissuasion towards ambition and vicious urge to maintain peace and prevent conflict is certainly to a fault, as many issues (internal, mostly) are ignored or hidden in favor of the group’s passive traditions.
PeakClan cats live a comfortable and even lavish lifestyle. Without need to worry about internal conflict or food shortage in the clan, the group has been able to establish a golden age of intellectual and technological advancements, with a growing library, well-versed scholars, and several innovative inventions.

Because of this, there are many ranks that revolve around professions not related to hunting or combat (although this rank is still maintained for necessity and tradition), creating a unique variety of positions in PeakClan with lots of potential for diversity.

Healers serve as the clan’s doctors of both the body and the spirit through herbs and crystals, as well as by having knowledge in alchemy. Artisans of the clan are crafters, who create pottery, accessories, and other fine goods, or are Scholars, maintaining the clan’s documents and history, documenting the current era, and enriching the youth of the clan. Traditional warriors, alongside their usual duties, assist in cave mining/exploration and are dedicated to developing their own unique combat style.

Religion

While referred to originally as the "Gods of Darkness", upon their retreat to the peaks, the gods have hence been referred to as the "Moon Gods" by PeakClan due to its much less negative connotation. Unlike the Sun Gods, there is mostly a lack of information on the structure or motives of the three Moon Gods due to the early historical bias against them, but based off PeakClan’s extended positive interaction with them, they are friendly, in the very least, to their followers. All of this interaction has been indirect, as the Moon Gods are reclusive and rarely show themselves physically.

What little that is understood about the Moon Gods is that Anyar, the New Moon Goddess, tends to serve as their leader and guide. Lexell, a young goddess known as the Fallen Star, works closely with Anyar. Hadari, the God of the Tides, on the other hand, is much more of a lone wolf and generally more morally ambiguous, though he is known to be a patron of sinners and support those at their lowest.

The clan's affinity with the Moon Gods is what drives their nocturnal traditions and strong beliefs towards modesty, sticking closer to the protection and soft nature of the moon rather than the sun’s harsh rays.

The Sun Gods (Gods of Light)

While originally (and reverently) referred to as "The Gods of Light", PeakClan has since renamed these gods as "The Sun Gods", a name of a much less idolizing nature. Daybreak, the Goddess of dawn, and especially Noon, the goddess of midday and leader of the Sun Gods, are generally not trusted by PeakClan after a powerful blaze (a staple of Noon’s rumored abilities) swept through PeakClan’s original camp, driving them out. Daybreak is more disliked for what she represents, the disappearance of the moon and the rising of the sun. Generally, no cat will think positively about these two goddesses.

The youngest of the Sun Gods, Sett, the “Messenger of Sundown”, is still decently well-regarded by the clan, though with some skepticism. As the God of Dusk, he is the bridge between the Sun Gods and the Moon Gods, and is known to pass on forewarnings for the future to prevent disaster, although due to his anxious and solitary nature, these often come as nightmares and other intimidating signs. Sett is recorded as the god to bestow PeakClan's foresight upon them originally (a much weaker and more conditional variation of his own power) in hopes that they would be able to see these forewarnings and decipher them for themselves without needing the god’s help as much.

Natural Ability of Foresight ("Seeing")

All cats within the clan are born with some percentage of a natural affinity towards foresight, the ability to see the future, and will experience it through varying effects. This value is known as their Natural Seeing Potential _{(Read More)}.

When cats are six moons old, their Natural Seeing Potential is revealed to them during their apprenticeship ceremony. Apprentices and their mentors, the leader/deputy or another seer, and whichever clanmates wish to attend travel up to the Midnight Crystal at the summit of the mountain, and the ritual commences at midnight. A cat discovers if they are a Pure Seer or Mixed Seer in the form of a seer mark which will appear on their body _{(See more on seer marks below)}, and the brightness of the Midnight Crystal’s glow will determine the amount of Natural Seeing potential each cat has, which will be interpreted by the Seer or the Leader/Deputy into a numerical amount.

Cats known as Pure Seers are born with a seeing potential of higher than 50%, and cats born with a potential lower than 50% are known as Mixed Seers. Typically, if both parents are of one seeing-type, offspring are relatively likely to be that type as well (though this isn’t certain), while if the parents are opposite types, a kit’s received type is much more up to chance. The clan's seeing abilities affect it deeply through its culture, hierarchy, and traditions, with Pure Seers being more inherently privileged. The strongest Pure Seer and Mixed Seer of a generation are even chosen to train to become Leader and Deputy, with the Pure Seer becoming Leader as long as they are able (if they aren’t, the Mixed Seer takes on the deputy role.) Cats that choose to train to become Seers and refine their skills and succeed at doing so become the highest ranked in the clan.

When a cat/seer has a vision, their eyes reflect this by changing to a color that reflects their seer mark (From an art perspective, this can be portrayed however is desired as long as the colors match/are similar to a cat’s seer mark, per accompanying graphic).
Physically, PeakClan cats are commonly born with soft, long fur and healthy body structures. Any pelt color is possible, but cool-toned and dark pelt colors and cool eyes are typically seen as traditionally “attractive” within the clan, and are a bit more common genetically as well. All PeakClan cats will have a Mixed or Pure Seer mark once they reach six moons (they are not visible before this point), depending on which they align with. These marks can be in any color (though are usually bright), and are mostly found over an eye, or on the forehead or shoulder (See graphic.)

All PeakClan cats wear accessories. Gems are a staple of the clan and are featured in most outfits for their beauty and sometimes perceived practical value. Accessories are made solely out of leaves and other materials that can be found in nature, but are finely crafted, with clean (and even intricate) designs. To achieve this, Crafters cut leaves with sharp stones and use their claws to sew (and use tree sap to stick what can’t be sewn), creating sleek and clean edges in PeakClan’s fashion. Due to the cold climate, some cats choose to have clothing with several layers for convenience and comfort. Individuals having multiple different outfits if desired is common.

Clan Mentality

There is no set “personality” for PeakClan cats, but general assumptions can be made about them due to the culture they’re bound to grow up in or have been accepted into. When designing a character, draw assumptions of their beliefs from the clan’s culture.

For example, the average PeakClan cat would likely be peace-oriented, spiritual, and appreciate intellectual fields such as history, as these are all held in high-esteem by the clan, though none of these are requirements for their character.

PeakClan strongly values peace and modesty, so cats that act out will be shamed and frowned upon by the group. While cats may have phases, a cat who has acted out constantly since birth and will continue to do so is highly unlikely to exist in the clan. A problematic outsider would not be accepted into the clan in the first place, as outsiders are expected to conform to clan culture and spirituality without argument. Even an ambitious cat, despite not attacking others, may be seen as a clan member acting out due to the clan’s distaste for such notions (though, since ambition is a natural instinct, this may be understandably difficult for some…)

Group Goals/Standards

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