Post by Jay on Sept 17, 2015 3:07:32 GMT -6
BLC's setting is the Badlands of South Dakota, in a national park, in an alternate universe to our own that isn't quite the same. It allows us to be a bit more creative in the setting than we would normally be able to, but the flora and fauna present in our scenario is parallel to that of our own universe.
Being in a national park, the Clans will have little to no interaction with humans, and human dwellings. They live smack in the middle of uninhabited territory. They do not know what kittypets are. However, loners and rogues are prevalent. They are fully allowed to join a Clan: however, three moons must pass with them living in the Clan before being allowed to train, to make sure that they really wish to stay, and to ensure loyalty. This usually does not apply to loners found very young.
The biome of the Badlands tends to be similar to that of a desert, but much more habitable, receiving more rainfall and having more foliage, and tending towards more temperate weather. The landscape is hilly and, in BLC universe, red. The ground is dry and as a result the higher the terrain is, the more likely the ground is crumbly and will come apart beneath a cat's paws.
As a reference, here is a photo, courtesy of Wikipedia: [here]
The area the Clans live in is large, with three different types of terrain represented: Extremely hilly, very flat, and in between.
Here is a rundown of the four Clans that dwell in the Badlands, and an explanation of each landmark in the clans, if needed.
BrushClan live in an area that is a nice mix of hilly and flat. They have a little more foliage than the other clans, leading to their name. They sneak through it, relying on the shadows cast by their signature foliage, to catch prey or trespassers unaware.
Their camp is located at the base of a cliff named StarClan's Eye. The camp itself is surrounded by brush and rocks, and is nicely secluded. In the camp is a tall, bare tree with low branches named Lookout's Nest, which as the name suggests is a post where the Clan can keep an eye on their territory.
StarClan's Eye is a very tall cliff, but it is decently easy to scale. The top is wind scarred, and the Clan tends to find birds there. The view is said to be spectacular.
Sun's Edge is a sharp drop-off to the very west of BrushClan territory, comprising of part of their border. Because of its placement, at the right angle the Sun seems to fall off it each night as it sets.
CaveClan's territory is mostly a system of caverns. They have a bit of above ground territory, but tend to prefer time underground. Because of this behavior, they are seen as odd by the other Clans, believing their senses are dull and muddled by the darkness of the underground. They are wrong, of course. CaveClan is just as bright as the other Clans.
Their camp is located in the very front of their caverns, comprising of a couple of cave systems. In these are the Turtle Steps, a pool of water that has rounded rocks sticking up out of it, giving the impression of turtles just below the surface.
Rubble Hill Outlook is an old, settled rockfall that blocks what was once another entrance to the CaveClan caverns. Now it is just a small window outside.
The Bat Caves are aptly named: A long stretch of dark black that houses many species of bats. A soft step is required here for a nice sight of the bats asleep and hanging from the roof.
Past the Bat Caves is the Deep Pool, one of the beloved sights of CaveClan. A seasonal pool, the Deep Pool reflects the rays of light that shine down from openings in the ceiling around the cavern and lights the cave up brilliantly.
CliffClan territory is cliffs and hills, rocky territory that is treacherous to those who cannot climb or jump well. The territory is not all high: It hides sharp drop-offs that can trap any cat unlucky enough to fall into them without the proper skills. CliffClan cats are known by their strong back legs and their tough pawpads, all designed to give them the greatest advantage on their territory as possible.
Their Camp is located on the side of a cliff. The dens are shallow caves in the cliffside, and everything is connected by ridges that jut out below these caves. CliffClan cats must jump from each ridge to another. As a result, kits must develop their jumping skills early, or risk hurting themselves. It is a double-edged sword; their Camp is arguably the safest in the Clans, but also the most dangerous for the old or the young.
Sentry Ridge is a lookout's post, enabling watching cats to keep an eye on the surrounding territory.
Sunlight Landing is a big, flat rock where CliffClan cats will often come to sleep in the sun or catch lizards also seeking the warmth.
The Hollow Gulley is a wide but shallow rift in the ground that is easy to get into. The ground, once inside, is very flat. It is an excellent training ground, especially for apprentices.
The Whispering Hills are an odd place. The area is very flat, but it is cleaved by crevices criss-crossing and cutting fissures that go down only a few tail-lengths in most places. The crevasses are the source of the noise that gives the Hills their name. As wind moves through the caverns and cracks, a whispering noise is created. On particularly windy days, it can get very loud. The Hills have a very distinct look, and this is important: It is flat, and from the top down it looks like this. The cracks are the crevices, and they tend to be not very wide, easily leapt over.
ShaleClan territory is the flattest. ShaleClan cats are scrawny, and windblown. They are fast, and chase their prey down with their speed.
Their camp is located in an odd, misplaced copse of scrawny trees, looking as windblown as the cats who live around them.
The Mangled Tree is a large, twisted and gnarled tree. Many precious herbs ground around its protective roots, and it hides a small opening that leads into a large nook that several cats can fit inside, if need be. It is used as a landmark by many apprentices nervous about getting lost.
West Creek is a small, seasonal creek that is closer to the camp than the White River is, though it dries up much faster. It is small enough to cross safely.
The Windswept Plains are a popular hunting ground for ShaleClan cats. The grass on it is tall enough to hide them, but it hides no drop offs besides rabbit holes, so careful cats need not worry about falling as they race after prey.
Miscellaneous Landmarks:
The White River is a seasonal river that winds through part of every Clan's territory. It is a source of fish and frogs, depending on the season and weather. When it's full, the White River is in fish-river. When it's lowering, it's frog-river. When it's rising, it's river-rise. When it's dry, it's cracked-river.
Hopefully this has cleared up a lot of confusion over our setting! Please ask if anything is still unclear.
Being in a national park, the Clans will have little to no interaction with humans, and human dwellings. They live smack in the middle of uninhabited territory. They do not know what kittypets are. However, loners and rogues are prevalent. They are fully allowed to join a Clan: however, three moons must pass with them living in the Clan before being allowed to train, to make sure that they really wish to stay, and to ensure loyalty. This usually does not apply to loners found very young.
The biome of the Badlands tends to be similar to that of a desert, but much more habitable, receiving more rainfall and having more foliage, and tending towards more temperate weather. The landscape is hilly and, in BLC universe, red. The ground is dry and as a result the higher the terrain is, the more likely the ground is crumbly and will come apart beneath a cat's paws.
As a reference, here is a photo, courtesy of Wikipedia: [here]
The area the Clans live in is large, with three different types of terrain represented: Extremely hilly, very flat, and in between.
Here is a rundown of the four Clans that dwell in the Badlands, and an explanation of each landmark in the clans, if needed.
BrushClan live in an area that is a nice mix of hilly and flat. They have a little more foliage than the other clans, leading to their name. They sneak through it, relying on the shadows cast by their signature foliage, to catch prey or trespassers unaware.
Their camp is located at the base of a cliff named StarClan's Eye. The camp itself is surrounded by brush and rocks, and is nicely secluded. In the camp is a tall, bare tree with low branches named Lookout's Nest, which as the name suggests is a post where the Clan can keep an eye on their territory.
StarClan's Eye is a very tall cliff, but it is decently easy to scale. The top is wind scarred, and the Clan tends to find birds there. The view is said to be spectacular.
Sun's Edge is a sharp drop-off to the very west of BrushClan territory, comprising of part of their border. Because of its placement, at the right angle the Sun seems to fall off it each night as it sets.
CaveClan's territory is mostly a system of caverns. They have a bit of above ground territory, but tend to prefer time underground. Because of this behavior, they are seen as odd by the other Clans, believing their senses are dull and muddled by the darkness of the underground. They are wrong, of course. CaveClan is just as bright as the other Clans.
Their camp is located in the very front of their caverns, comprising of a couple of cave systems. In these are the Turtle Steps, a pool of water that has rounded rocks sticking up out of it, giving the impression of turtles just below the surface.
Rubble Hill Outlook is an old, settled rockfall that blocks what was once another entrance to the CaveClan caverns. Now it is just a small window outside.
The Bat Caves are aptly named: A long stretch of dark black that houses many species of bats. A soft step is required here for a nice sight of the bats asleep and hanging from the roof.
Past the Bat Caves is the Deep Pool, one of the beloved sights of CaveClan. A seasonal pool, the Deep Pool reflects the rays of light that shine down from openings in the ceiling around the cavern and lights the cave up brilliantly.
CliffClan territory is cliffs and hills, rocky territory that is treacherous to those who cannot climb or jump well. The territory is not all high: It hides sharp drop-offs that can trap any cat unlucky enough to fall into them without the proper skills. CliffClan cats are known by their strong back legs and their tough pawpads, all designed to give them the greatest advantage on their territory as possible.
Their Camp is located on the side of a cliff. The dens are shallow caves in the cliffside, and everything is connected by ridges that jut out below these caves. CliffClan cats must jump from each ridge to another. As a result, kits must develop their jumping skills early, or risk hurting themselves. It is a double-edged sword; their Camp is arguably the safest in the Clans, but also the most dangerous for the old or the young.
Sentry Ridge is a lookout's post, enabling watching cats to keep an eye on the surrounding territory.
Sunlight Landing is a big, flat rock where CliffClan cats will often come to sleep in the sun or catch lizards also seeking the warmth.
The Hollow Gulley is a wide but shallow rift in the ground that is easy to get into. The ground, once inside, is very flat. It is an excellent training ground, especially for apprentices.
The Whispering Hills are an odd place. The area is very flat, but it is cleaved by crevices criss-crossing and cutting fissures that go down only a few tail-lengths in most places. The crevasses are the source of the noise that gives the Hills their name. As wind moves through the caverns and cracks, a whispering noise is created. On particularly windy days, it can get very loud. The Hills have a very distinct look, and this is important: It is flat, and from the top down it looks like this. The cracks are the crevices, and they tend to be not very wide, easily leapt over.
ShaleClan territory is the flattest. ShaleClan cats are scrawny, and windblown. They are fast, and chase their prey down with their speed.
Their camp is located in an odd, misplaced copse of scrawny trees, looking as windblown as the cats who live around them.
The Mangled Tree is a large, twisted and gnarled tree. Many precious herbs ground around its protective roots, and it hides a small opening that leads into a large nook that several cats can fit inside, if need be. It is used as a landmark by many apprentices nervous about getting lost.
West Creek is a small, seasonal creek that is closer to the camp than the White River is, though it dries up much faster. It is small enough to cross safely.
The Windswept Plains are a popular hunting ground for ShaleClan cats. The grass on it is tall enough to hide them, but it hides no drop offs besides rabbit holes, so careful cats need not worry about falling as they race after prey.
Miscellaneous Landmarks:
The White River is a seasonal river that winds through part of every Clan's territory. It is a source of fish and frogs, depending on the season and weather. When it's full, the White River is in fish-river. When it's lowering, it's frog-river. When it's rising, it's river-rise. When it's dry, it's cracked-river.
Hopefully this has cleared up a lot of confusion over our setting! Please ask if anything is still unclear.