R A N K S

Chief - the head of the Tribe. The chief is responsible for carrying out ceremonies and making important decisions. While they don't usually participate in activities such as patrols, the chief is constantly watching over the Tribe and caring for their cats.

Agent - the second-in-command, selected by the chief. The agent trains in preparation for becoming the next chief through guiding the Tribe. They are responsible for selecting hunting and border patrols and typically participate in them as well, and often give the chief their advice.

Herb Master - the healer of the Tribe. The herb master is responsible for caring for the injured or sick through the use of herbs, a skilled passed down through each master. They, however, are prohibited from taking a mate as they must have complete focus on the Tribe, and do not participate in patrols or battles. Similarly to the Agent, they help guide the chief's decisions through giving advice.

Herb Master Trainee - the herb-master-in-training. The herb master trainee, similar to the herb master, learns from their mentor in the skill of healing through herbs. They also don't participate in patrols or battles.

Protector - the guardian of the Tribe. These cats protect the Tribe from outside threats and fight them off. They participate in border patrols and in battles against predators or other dangerous rogues. While they dont hunt, one protector is required to accompany a hunting patrol for defense.

Prey-stalker - the hunter of the Tribe. These cats provide prey for the Tribe by participating in hunting patrols. Only if necessary, they will participate in battle.

Trainees - the protectors or prey-stalkers in-training. From the age of five moons, these cats learn from their mentors in the skills of fighting and hunting, and while the trainees take on different paths, they are required to have some knowledge in the ways of a protector as well a prey-hunter. Trainees are responsible for deciding which path they will take for their five moons of training as well as following their mentor's orders, whether it be participating in a patrol or caring for the elders.

Kit-mothers - the current mothers of the Tribe. These cats, when they're pregnant, retire to the kit-mother's cave where they will be cared for until their kitting. Until their kits reach the age of five moons and are ready to become a trainee, kit-mothers are confined to the cave to watch over and nurse their litter. They are prohibited from participating in patrols or battles.

Kits - the young of the Tribe. The kits remain inside the Tribe's camp until they reach the age of five moons where they will become trainees. They are nursed by their mothers and are prohibited from participating in patrols or battles.

Elders - the old of the Tribe. The elders, once protectors or prey-hunters, have retired from their duty to the Tribe and now rest in the elder's shrub. They are prohibited from participating in patrols or battles but are very respected.

Loners - roaming cats who typically live alone and don't belong to a Tribe or furhead.

Rouges - roaming cats who are particularly aggressive. They don't belong to a Tribe or furhead.

Softheart - a cat who belongs to a furhead. These cats are considered to be "weak" and "plump."

Furhead - large, tall creatures who stand on their hind legs and bare pelts of colors ranging from pale to dark brown. They care for the softhearts.

Shimmering Stars - deceased cats. These are the ancestors of the Tribe who venture to the Light Forest after their time in the Tribe.

Shadowed Souls - deceased cats who have committed horrible crimes against the Tribe. They are banished from the Light Forest for their disloyalty and are forced to endure the uninhabitable Dark Forest.

C A M P
D E S C R I P T I O N

The camp of the Tribe of Jagged Peaks resides on a low rift crested between two broad mountains. Outside of the camp entrance flows a gentle, shallow creek, edged by rocks and pebbles, which slowly broadens and deepers the further it travels along the mountainside. Beyond the two mountain peaks which are coated in snow lays a thick evergreen forest, littered with greenery and dangerous predators.

Camp Entrance » The camp entrance, marked by a thicket of alpine flowers growing along the mountainside, dips into a climbable sheer rock-wall that leads into the camp.

Towering Boulder » A large boulder towers over the camp opposite of the rock wall. It has a smooth, flat surface where the chief calls the Tribe together during meetings, and it overhangs a dip in the ground where the chief's den resides.

Herb Thicket » A thicket of ferns and flowers along a rock that juts out from the camp's stone wall shelters the herb master's herbs and sick or injured cats. This thicket rests to the left of the Towering Boulder, where the camp wall curves.

Protectors' Rock » A pile of large rocks that lean against each other makes up a sheltered den where the protectors reside. This den lays beneath the camp entrance next to the path up along the sheer rock face.

Prey-Stalkers' Bush » A collection of various twigs, leaves and nettles makes up a bush where the prey-stalkers rest. This den sits opposite of the Herb Thicket and near the Protector's rock where the ground turns to a shallow dip along the curve of the camp's rock wall.

Trainees' Trunk » A charred, broken tree trunk sits toward the camp's clearing where a tree had burned. The trunk is hollow and low to the ground, large enough for a trainee and with roots wide enough for a cluster of nests.

Kit-mothers' Cave » A small, shallow cave is caved from the camp's rockface next to the protector's rock. The wide cave, although short, is large enough for several kit-mothers.

Elders' Stone » A large, broad stone, similar to the Towering Boulder, leans against the camp's rockface. This creates a sheltered roof for the elders next to the leader's nest.

T E R R I T O R Y
D E S C R I P T I O N

The territory along the mountainside between the two peaks is dangerous and rugged. The terrain is unsturdy and clustered with loose rocks and pebbles hidden under thickets of flowers and ferns. The stream running down the mountainside slowly widens and becomes too thick to cross as it flows along the forest. The broad mountain peaks sustain an uninhabitable, freezing climate with chilling snow where the Tribe is forbidden to travel. However, the mountainside holds a few formidable landmarks known to the Tribe.

Stream's Gully » At the territory where the pine trees thin out along the mountainside, a gully is carved out, traveling deep into the forest. Although the gully doesn't extend far into the ground, it's very wide. The mountain stream follows this gully through the forest, causing the banks of the gully to be unstable and slippery from the moisture. In great storms, the stream will swell up to the width of the gully and can easily snatch oblivious cats who will try to swim past.

The Stone Pass » A cluster of smooth rocks along the stream at the beginning of the Stream's Gully, making a slippery but quick pass on the stream.

Owl's Perch » A particularly enormous pine tree that juts out from the forest, close to the mountainside, littered with owl nests. Elder stories describe of the tale of the naughty kit who snuck out of camp at night to explore the forest only to get snatched by a hungry owl to prevent curious kits from wandering off into the forest.

Snake's Cranny » Farther up the mountainside, toward the edge of the border, there are narrow, thin cracks in the rocks teeming with snakes. Most of these reptiles aren't hostile unless provoked, but cats are well cautioned to avoid this area.

Stampede Meadow » A beautiful expanse of flowers and grass that sits at the base of the mountain and serves as a natural border separating the forest and the mountains. This meadow is constantly inhabited by moose who graze on the greenery. However, as docile as the great, limbering creatures maybe be in the peaceful meadow, the occasional hunting wolf or coyote will send the entire herd stampeding and can become an instant deathtrap for a wandering feline.

Rugged Rocks » The Rugged Rocks are a small cluster of sharp rocks and pebbles located closer to the base of the mountain. While stepping directly on this rugged terrain would be painful, these rocks are the primary training spot for trainees to adapt to the harsh landscape.

The Forgotten Camp » Deep in the evergreen forest resides the first campsite of the forest cats who gathered together in search of harmony. Elders often tell of the tale of the great battle between the mountain cats and the forest cats before the intervention of the Shimmering Stars who had demanded for peace and the unity of both factions in the mountain. There are often rumors of the long-forgotten camp, lost somewhere in the forest.

The Starlight Birch » In the middle of the Stampede Meadow sits a single tall birch tree with branches that stretch up so high it appears as though it's touching the stars at night. This tree produces a milky sap that lulls cats into a deep sleep where their connection with the Tribe of Endless Hunting is at its strongest. The herb masters make the journey to this sacred tree every full moon; however, with hungry wolves frequenting the meadow often for prey, the trip could end catastrophically.

T R I B E
C O D E

1. Defend your Tribe even at the cost of your life.

2. Elders, kits, and kit-mothers must be fed before trainees, herb masters, protectors, and prey-stalkers. Unless they have permission, trainees that are training to become prey-stalkers may not eat until they have hunted to feed the elders, kits, and kit-mothers.

3. Prey is killed only to be eaten. Give thanks to the Shimmering Stars for its life.

4. A kit must be at least five moons old to become an trainee.

5. Newly appointed herb masters, protectors, and prey-stalkers will keep a silent vigil for one night after receiving their full name.

6. A cat cannot be made agent if they have not mentored an apprentice.

7. The agent will become Tribe chief when the chief dies or retires.

8. After the death or retirement of the agent, the new agent must be chosen within two sundowns.

9. Boundaries must be checked and marked daily. Challenge all trespassing cats and / or predators.

10. No one may neglect a kit in pain or in danger, even if that kit is from outside of the Tribe.

11. Herb masters must hold their responsibility for the Tribe above all else, and therefore are prohibited from taking a mate.

12. An honorable herb master, protector, or prey-stalker does not need to kill other cats to win his battles, unless they are outside the tribe-code or it is necessary for self-defense.

13. A warrior rejects the soft life of a softheart.

C E R E M O N I E S

Becoming a trainee:

Chief: "[Name of kit]. You have reached the age of five moons and it is time for you to become a [herb master/protector/prey-stalker] trainee. I hope [name of mentor] will pass down all they know onto you."

[The chief calls up the cat they have chosen as a mentor]

Chief: "[Name of mentor], you are ready to take on a trainee. You have shown yourself to be [quality] and to have [quality], and I expect that you will demonstrate this though your mentorship."

[The mentor touches noses with the trainee]

-

Becoming a protector / prey-stalker:

Chief: "I, [name], leader of the Tribe of Jagged Peaks, call upon my ancestors to look down on this trainee. [He/she] has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend [him/her] to you as a [protector / prey stalker] in [his/her] turn. [Name of trainee], do you promise to uphold the Tribe code and to protect and defend your Tribe, even at the cost of your life?"

Trainee: "I do."

Chief: "Then with the help of the Shimmering Stars I give you your full name. [Name of trainee], from this moment on you will be known as [full name]. The Light Forest honors your [quality] and we welcome you as a full [protector / prey stalker] of the Tribe of Jagged Peaks."

[The cheif rests their muzzle on the former trainee's head, who promptly licks the chief's shoulder in return]

-

Becoming a herb master:

Herb master: "I, [name], leader of the Tribe of Jagged Peaks, call upon my ancestors to look down on this trainee. [He/she] has trained hard to understand the ways of a herb master, and with your help [he/she] will serve [his/her] Tribe for many moons. [Name of trainee], do you promise to uphold the ways of a herb master, to stand apart from rivalry within the Tribe and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?"

Trainee: "I do."

Herb master: "Then by the powers of the Shimmering Stars I give you your true name as a herb master. [Name of trainee], from this moment on you will be known as [full name]. The Light Forest honors your [quality] and we welcome you as a full [herb master] of the Tribe of Jagged Peaks."

[The herb master rests their muzzle on the former trainee's head, who promptly licks the chief's shoulder in return]

H U N T I N G
T E C H N I Q U E S

Rodents - Drop into a crouch and take all your weight into your haunches so that your paws have no impact on the forest floor. Pounce and when you are close enough kill it with one swift bite to the neck.

Rabbits - A rabbit will smell you before it sees you so approach it with the wind blowing in your direction. Pounce as soon as your close enough and kill it with one swift bite to the neck.

Birds - Pad up to the tree and leap up. Snag your claw in the birds feathers and bring it down. Quickly bite the neck. Try to, if you can't get a killing strike in, disable its wings.

Fish - Sit beside the river but make sure your reflection and shadow does not fall on the water. As soon as you spot a fish at the surface, dart out your paw and swoop it out of the water. Then quickly bite it to the neck. Make sure to keep it away from the water's shore.

B A T T L E
T E C H N I Q U E S

Back Kick - Explosive surprise move to catch opponent from behind. Judge opponent's distance from you carefully, then lash out with your back legs, taking all weight on your front paws.

Belly Rake - A fight-stopper. Slice with unsheathed claws against the soft flesh of the opponent's belly. If you're pinned down, the belly rake quickly puts you back into control.

Front Paw Blow - Frontal attack. Bring your front paw down hard on your opponent's head. Claws sheathed.

Front Paw Strike/Forepaw Slash - Frontal attack. Slice downward with your front paw at the face or body of your opponent.

Killing Bite - A death blow to the back of the neck. Quick and silent and sometimes considered dishonorable. Used only as a last resort.

Leap-and-hold - Ideal for a small cat facing a larger opponent. Spring onto opponent's back and grip with unsheathed claws. Now you are beyond the range of the opponent's paws and in position to inflict severe body wounds. A group of apprentices can defeat a large and dangerous warrior in this way. Watch for the drop-and-roll counter move, and try to jump free before you get squashed.

Partner Fighting - Warriors who have trained and fought together will often fall instinctively into a defensive position, each protecting each other's back while fending off an opponent on either side. Slashing, clawing, and leaping together, battle pairs can be a whirlwind of danger for attackers.

Play Dead - Effective in a tight situation, such as when you are pinned. Stop struggling and go limp. When your opponent relaxes their grip, thinking you are defeated, push yourself up explosively. This will throw off an unwary opponent and put you in attacking position.

Scruff Shake - Secure a strong teeth grip in the scruff of your opponents neck; then shake violently until he or she is too rattled to fight back. Most effective against rats, who are small enough to throw. A strong throw will stun or kill them.

Tail Yank - Grab your opponent's tail and yank it with such force your opponent is thrown off balance.

Teeth Grip - Target your opponent's extremities- the legs, tail, scruff or ears- and sink in your teeth and hold. This move is similar to the leap-and-hold except your claws remain free to fight.

Upright Lock - Final, crushing move on already weakened opponent. Rear up on back legs and bring weight down on opponent. If opponent does the same, wrestle and flip him under you. This makes you vulnerable to the belly rake, so it takes great strength and speed.

Half-Turn Belly Rake - Turn onto your side, slip under the opponent's belly, rake it with your claws, then swiftly turn back onto all fours out from under your opponent.

Badger Defense - Leap over opponent, turn on your back legs and bite opponent's leg. Used only when fighting badgers.

Duck and Twist - Simple defensive move. The cat ducks then twists around, rolling over onto their back, and then springs to their paws.

Jump and pin - Complicated move. Leap backwards, and bounce off the wall. With precise accuracy, land on the cat.

P R E Y

Mouse | common in the mountain and forest

Vole | common in the mountain and forest

Shrew | common in the mountain and forest

Squirrel | common in the forest

Chipmunk | common in the forest

Rabbits | common in the Stampede Meadow

-

Robin | common in the forest

Sparrow | common in the mountain and forest

Cardinal | common in the forest

Bluejay | common in the forest

Thrush | common in the mountain and forest

Finch | unusual in the forest

Woodpecker | common in the forest

Pheasant | rare in the mountain and forest

-

Snake | common in Snake's Canny

Frog | unusual in forest, common near the stream

Fish | only found in the gully

Turtle | rare in forest, common near the stream

Lizard | rare

P R E D A T O R S

Wolf | common in Stampede Meadow, don't attack unless approached, at night

Moose | common in Stampede Meadow, don't attack unless provoked

Snake | common in Snake's Crevice

Fox | unusual in the mountainside and forest

Buzzard | unusual in the mountainside

Weasel | rare in the mountainside

Coyote | rare in the mountainside, at night

Badger | common in the forest

Owl | common in the forest, at night

Raccoon | unusual in the forest, at night

T E R M I N O L O G Y

TIMES

Moon Cycle | One month/moon

Sundown/Daybreak | One day

Growth Phase | Spring; time of season-cycle where nature flourishes with growth

Blazing Phase | Summer; time of season-cycle where the weather is at its hottest

Falling Phase | Fall; time of season-cycle where leaves fall from trees

Ice Phase | Winter; time of season-cycle where snow and ice forms and temperatures drop

INSULTS

"Buzzard-food!" | refers to some-cat/animal that is food for buzzard

"Owl-food!" | refers to some-cat/animal that is food for owls

"Weasel-breath!" | refers to a cat who reeks of blood, or metaphorically a cat who is violent

"Coyote!" | refers to a cat who is harsh and careless of other's feelings

PHRASES

"Who put a rock in his nest?" | used to describe some-cat that's cranky or angry

"Why don't you go play in the Stampede Meadows?" | similar to, "Get lost!"

"Well, you can go jump in the gully." | similar to, "Screw off!"

"I don't give a foxtail!" | similar to, "I don't care!"