The Tribe of the Mountain's Blizzard

The Tribe of the Mountain's Blizzard is a group of cannibalistic, extremely large cats that live up in the mountains on the other side of LostClan's territory. They have attacked the Clans in the past. Those that lived through or hear the horrors of The Tribe's wrath fear they may one day return.

## **Environment**

### **Territory**

The Tribe cats live very high up in the mountains, that are frigid and cold. There is much snow in the mountains as well as there being frozen pools of water from the cold. The mountain is very dangerous with large mountain cats, birds of prey, and some rodents. The path to the tribe spreads behind LostClan, wrapping around HollowClan all the way to PuddleClan a little bit. though mostly stopping off behind the river in the unclaimed territories away from PuddleClan.

The way up is very tricky, with many rocks jutting out due to the mountainous state of it. There also may be patches of ice that could result in some unlucky creatures slipping and falling to their death. The tribe's location is near the top of it, where it is well hidden behind a large waterfall.

### **Camp**

The Tribe's camp is hidden behind a waterfall. Smaller cats and kits are at risk of drowning to it, and are therefore prohibited from trying to exit the camp. There is also a way around where a cat can walk around the bed of rocks and leap to the other side outside the waterfall though most cats simply push through the waterfall. The camp itself is a medium-sized series of cave systems. Due to the sizes of the cats, the cave system is just the perfect size for them. While they do have dens, they will sleep anywhere they please. The Camp has five recognized dens, an arena nicknamed the Bone Pit, and a Chasm. The fresh kill pile is located against a wall near the Waterfall that is where they place the smaller catches of their prey. The bigger preys that they catch are placed in the middle of the Camp on the flat surface where the cats come out. They usually eat together in the middle of the camp and then return to their duties.

#### **Dens**

There are five recognized dens in the camp for the different ranks. Elders do not have a den and sleep wherever they please, even in the dens of the rest if they want. However, it is not uncommon for the rest of the cats to sleep anywhere they want in the cave system and not in the dens.

*Keeper's Den*: The keeper's den is home to the cats who protect the tribe. The den is very large to give space due to keeper's being the largest cats. They collect the moss that grows in the damp sides of the caves and near rivers to use for their nests. They also use the furs from hunted animals or feathers from the birds they hunt to hold up nests as well. Because of their large size, they may not get a nest and will usually huddle together in this case to rest with each other and use each other for the softness of their pelts. If the den becomes overcrowded, they will sleep out all over the large cave in the Cave seeing as it is a very large cave system.

*Scavenger's Den*: The scavenger's den is home to the cats who hunt for the tribe. The den is smaller than the Keeper's den since the scavengers are lithe and much smaller than the rest (the size of normal Clan cats). They usually share nests with each other though the nests are constructed the same as the Keepers' nests. The cave for this Clan is a bit smaller though if it needs to be expanded they will use the fangs from the cougars they hunt and have the Keeper's chip away at the walls to expand it. Thanks to their large sizes and strengths, it helps a lot. However, they can also choose to sleep out anywhere in the large cave systems.

*Tenderfoot's Den:* The tenderfoot's den is home to the cats who are being trained for their roles in either being a Keeper or a Scavenger. Their den is similar to the Scavenger's den in design and function.

*Nursery:* The nursery is a bit smaller and is where most of the moss that is gathered gets put for the newborn kits.

*Healer's Den:* The healer's den is across from the Tribe's waterfall, inside of a more spacious cave. There is an herb storage where different herbs are stored into crevices in the rocks. There is also a small underground pond near to the side where the melted snow from the top of the mountain melts and comes down to add to the pond. It fills up more during rains that come, allowing it to be easily accessible. There are two nests for a healer and their apprentice to be in.

*Shaman's Den:* The Shaman is in the back of the main cave system, following rocks that jut out that go up to a ledge near the cave's ceiling. The cave entrance leads into a den that has a tunnel going down in the back, next to the Shaman's nest. If one were to enter it and follow the trail down, they will come across a pond that seems to glow in the darkness of the cave, which is where the Shaman speaks to the Tribe of Endless Hunting. It is also here that there is another cave to the back. Continuing along to this cave, leads to the Den of the Hounds. There are five large nests for the five hounds back there and their own pile of prey that is brought in by the Head Scavenger. The Head Keeper is positioned here as well to protect both the pool and the Hounds. The Head Keeper will place someone else to watch the leader's den in the front of the camp.

#### **The Chasm**

In a corner off to the side of the main clearing, there is a large space. Following it down leads to a very large chasm filled with darkness. No one knows what lies at the end of it. Those who challenge the Tribe and are not killed in the Bone Pit but lose regardless, are thrown in here. Similarly, cats who have betrayed the Tribe to a large extent are thrown into the Chasm as well. It is also used for sacrificial purposes as well.

#### **The Bone Pit**

The Bone Pit is near the Keeper's den. There is a small tunnel with cats of cougars on either side of the wall in crevices to show the entrance. Entering it reveals a large pit at the bottom that has dried blood stains and broken claws, teeth, and other such body parts strewn around. There are two dens on either side with brambles in front to keep the contestants in.

## **Culture**

### **Attitude**

The Tribe is very at home with each other. They are comfortable with each other and in-fighting isn't usually common unless challenging the head's for their positions (including the Shaman). Despite this, they usually remain on well terms and if they fail at their challenge, then they are either eaten if they died in the bone pit or resume to their usual affairs. Only treasonous cats who attack their own for no reason or try to kill the Shaman without beginning the ritual for a challenge are sent to the Chasm to the sacrificed. This, or they are killed for sport in the Bone Pit. It usually depends on the cat who was attacked and their decisions on what they want to happen. When an elder dies and is eaten, it is usually hailed as an honor for them to be done so to add to the strength of generations ahead of them.

Tribe cats do not trust outsiders and are very cross with them. The exception to this rule are outsiders who bring them medicinal herbs for the Tribe though do not pass onto the higher portions of the Mountain towards their tribe. Any other outsiders are either scared off or if they decide to pick a fight, eaten later for food.

### **Activities**

**Ranks:**

**Keepers**: They cycle out on watching the waterfall for any intruders. Seeing as they live in the mountains, it is very rare for them to have any guests. As a result, most keeper's are sent out to go with the scavenger's and ensure their protection if there are larger enemies that they would need help with. While they can instinctually hunt smaller animals, they are not as good at hunting bigger

**Scavengers**: The hunters of the Tribe, they work very hard to take down prey in ways to preserve most of the flesh of the animal and brought back to provide a good meal for the Tribe. They usually hunt other larger mountain cats and hawks. Because some cats do not want to eat other cats, they will hunt smaller prey for them as well and bring it in. Scavengers are mostly the more dangerous ranks because they lack the fighting experience a Keeper will have and are taught bare-bone basic of fighting.

**Tenderfoots**: When they are kits, they are kept in the nursery.The mothers will stay with the kits for a while until they are big enough to walk in which they will be assessed for their future roles. The kits are sent to their roles at the age of 5 moons to begin basic education about the tribe's customs and methods , and at 7 moons will head out of to shadow their mentors. Once the mentor believes they are ready to be an official Scavenger or Keeper, they are given the official rank.

*SCAVENGER TENDERFOOTS*: They will learn how to hunt without actually hunting the bigger preys (they will practice on smaller animals first to get them used to hunting, then moved up to learning skills to take down bigger preys). Once the tenderfoot decides they are ready (at the max 9-10 moons) they will be sent on their first hunt with their mentors and other scavengers/tenderfoots to begin their huntings.

*KEEPER TENDERFOOTS*: They are taught how to enter and exit the waterfall along with the Scavenger tenderfoots once they are assigned. Afterwards, they are shown combat training exclusively and how to fight. Once taught to fight, they go with the Scavengers, Healers, or Shamans on their journeys to protect them with their mentors until they are deemed ready. When the Keeper Tenderfoot is decided ready to aid on protection squads is up to the mentor. Since it is important for the parties to be protected, they may remain a tenderfoot for a very long time depending upon the mentor to ensure they can truly fight.

Healers: The Healer is the cat who heals their cat, and functions as a regular medicine cat from the Clans though they do not have a Code. They also take on a tenderfoot to aid them later in life. They can be chosen as a mature Keeper, Scavenger, Tenderfoot, or a Kit. There are no barriers for them choosing someone. Healers will often go out with Keepers to look for more moss for nest or other herbs to use.

**Shaman**: Shamans are the head of the Tribe. They lead the Tribe in their lives and speak to the Tribe of Endless Hunting in their pools to see if there are any important news to know about. The Shaman is also responsible for giving rituals for the cats. They also know how to use herbs like the Healers though they are not the first cat to go to for healing unless there is either an influx of cats who need to be treated, or if there is a cat who is particularly ill. Shamans listen only to the Hounds.

**Hounds**: There are five Hounds. All cats know of them though they rarely speak to the Hounds. The Hounds usually stay in their dens in the back though sometimes they will come out to communicate for a little bit. The shaman's duty is to tell them what is going on the Tribe. They will tell the Shaman to do something if they need to, though the Shaman usually is in charge with no guiding as the Hounds overlook. If they decide that the Shaman is not doing a proper job and instead disgracing the tribe, they will take the Shaman to the Bone Pit and quarter the Shaman, eating the Shaman or throwing the body into the Chasm if the cat is not worth being eaten.

The tribe does not believe in the same StarClan as the Clan cats. Instead, they have the belief system of "Tribe of Endless Hunting."

Every moon the Tribe Keepers have a competition in the Bone Pit to show who the best fighter is. There is no real reasoning to this besides bragging rights. Scavengers take part occasionally, but the tournament is more suited for larger, stronger cats. Cats who have wronged the Tribe in the past may be sacrificed into The Chasm, or sent to fight the current champion of the Tribe in the Bone Pit. The Tribe is cannibalistic, so those who die in the Bone Pit will be eaten by their own Tribe members. Older members of the Tribe will also be eaten if they pass of natural causes. If they die protecting the Tribe, they will be buried.

## **History**

### **Tribe Takeover**

The Tribe decided to come one day when the leader, Boulder, had decided that the Clans would make good fodder as a food resource. They began their attack in LostClan, then to GlideClan, HollowClan, and finally to PuddleClan. They lost a fight to PuddleClan but in the second attack with more cats and power while also forcing HollowClan to fight for them, they succeeded in taking over PuddleClan finally.

## **Known Members**

Can be deceased or alive. Gimme all the deets!!!!

Clan cats who were originally from the Tribe can be noted here too

Cascade *(@sabrina)* female, grey longhaired, blue/green eyes. **Deceased**

Feather (@*sabrina*) female, white pelt, blue eyes. **Deceased**

Kiwi *(@clover)* female, brown with darker brown markings, green eyes.

Lotus *(@clover)* female, white with grey markings, green eyes. **Deceased**.

Thistle *(@SwanSorceress)* female, brown with black tabby markings, amber eyes.

Thunder *(@Krill)* male, gray with black and white markings, yellow eyes.