Western Tribe

“Words can be as sharp as thorns.” ~ Achilles

## Setting

*"The Western tribe is strict with following Alexia's laws and breaking any laws was like a slap in the face to the whole enter tribe. They tend to be friendly towards the other tribes but have zero tolerance for outsiders and even classify them as lower species. This tribe is a fierce defender of territory and they are often seen as uptight by the other tribes. This tribe tends to put both red and purple above the rest, seeing them as the most valuable. They live a strict lifestyle and have been known to be proud when it comes to themselves."*

##### Key Points

* They have a few different ships and a couple of row boats: known swimmers and excellent fishers

* They have and build ships and boats.
* Resources known in trade: Fishing and Seafood, Shells, Coral , Fishing rods, Glass

##### Values

* Values traits like loyalty and strength
* As a tribe they value their reputation and being self-sufficient
* Ocean and Sea-Life
* Spirituality - Getting to understand themselves and their soul.
* Laws and order
* Individualism

## Camp

* They live on the beach, next to a few docks and their ships.
* Lives in a huts with a roofs made of cloth and wood. The houses are set up as a village. Most huts typically use sandstone or wood for the floors and wood and stone for the walls.
* They use tiki lights around camp made from bamboo wood. At midnight the leader goes around and turns off all the lit tiki.

Notable Landmarks

* Leaders Hut
	+ Where the leader sleeps and keeps their items.
* Elders Hut
	+ The hut is near the edge of the shore, retired members of the Western tribe sleep and stay here.
* Fishing Hut
	+ A large hut near the shore which is built for keep fishing boats and fishing poles instead to keep them safe from the weather.
* Manor
	+ A massive building with separate rooms, the adults of the Western Tribe have a room here.
* Kitten Hut
	+ Next to the Manor is a smaller hut where
* Kitchen
	+ A long and medium building
* Healers hut
	+ Next to the freshwater pool is a medium-sized house where the Healers of the Western tribe stay and work from.
* Apprentice hut
	+ The adolescents have a hut behind the Kitten Hut and Manor.
* Watch Tower
	+ A tall wooden building that is used to watch over the camp and is the tallest building in camp.

Notable Landmarks

* Freshwater pool
	+ A  small pool of fresh water near the healer's hut,
* Docks
	+ At the edge of the shores near the western part of the camp are two large docks and a couple of ships.
* Starfish Shore
	+ During the summer

## Tasks

Initiates are divided into groups with their own individual tasks to do. The following groups are as follows. An initiate CAN have more then one group assigned to them.

* Ship Crew
	+ Tasks for these group members are:  Building boats and ships, repairing ships and boats, sailing for weeks with the scavengers, and taking care of the ship
* Soldiers
	+ Tasks for these group members are: hunting land prey, defending the camp, tracking, and guarding the camp
* Fishers
	+ Tasks for these group members are: catching fish, building fishing poles, and foraging in the shores and shallow waters.
* Story-Teller
	+ Tasks for these group members are: information gathering, story-telling, lore-keeping
* Scavengers
	+ Tasks for these group members are: scouting, hunting prey, sailing with the ship crew, and collecting resources for the tribe.

## Western Tribe Code

1. You shall not take on a mate who isn't in the Western Tribe.
2. Those who are permitted to reproduce are Soldiers, Leaders and Council Members
3. Members of the Western Tribe are expected to use restraint, control, and self-discipline to avoid resorting to physical aggression or violence.
4. Honor and respect for elders and seniors is of utmost importance to the fabric of the tribe. All members are expected to show respect and give deference to older members of the tribe.
5. Intentionally causing harm to any other tribe member is strictly prohibited and is a grave crime punishable by banishment or other severe consequences.
6. All members are expected to contribute to the betterment of the tribe and work together towards shared goals. Cooperation, teamwork, and coordination are valued and expected from all members, as they are essential components of a strong and thriving community.
7. Outsiders are to be greeted with caution but open-mindedness, as they may offer new perspectives and ideas that can enhance and improve the tribe.

## Traditions & Beliefs

* Graduate Ritual
	+ When an apprentice graduates into their new rank

* Strength Check
	+ All newly made apprentices will spar in front of the tribe and the top apprentices will be given mentors
* Assessment
	+ When an apprentice is ready to graduate they are given a list of three tasks by the Tribe leader and have until nightfall to finish them.

* New Moon Rituals: When the new moon rises in the sky, the Western Tribe holds a ritual to honor the beginning of the new lunar cycle. The tribe believes that the new moon is a time of potential and possibility, a chance for renewal and fresh start. They gather together to pray, chant, and reflect on their hopes and aspirations for the new moon cycle. The ritual is a time of gratitude and reflection, as they look forward to the unknown and embrace the beauty of the night sky

* Rainstorm Ritual: When the first storm of the year arrives, the Western Tribe holds a ritual to honor the changing of the seasons and the power of nature. They believe that the rain brings life to the land and purifies the soul. During the ritual, they dance, chant, and reflect on their connections to the land and to each other. They also give thanks for the blessings of water and the cleansing of the land after a long season of drought and heat.

* Fishing Ritual: When the fishes are abundant in the water, the Western Tribe holds a ritual to celebrate the prosperity of the land and the hard work of the fishers. The tribe believes that the catch of the day is a blessing from the sea, as they reflect on the power of nature and their own efforts to catch the fish. They gather together to give thanks for the bounty of the sea and the blessings of food, as they celebrate the efforts of the fishers and the bounty of the water.

* Shipbuilding Ritual: When a new ship is built, the Western Tribe holds a ritual to celebrate the ingenuity and skills of the shipbuilders. The tribe believes that the building of a ship is a time of pride and accomplishment, as they reflect on the power of teamwork and the beauty of craftsmanship. They gather together to give thanks for the efforts of the shipbuilders and the blessings of the water, as they celebrate the success of a well-crafted ship and the security that it provides for the tribe.

* Water Burial Ritual: When a member of the Western Tribe passes away, the tribe holds a ritual to honor and remember their life and contributions. The tribe believes that the water is the source of life and the essence of the soul. During the ritual, they gather together to pay respect to the passing of the individual, as they reflect on the life lived and the legacy left behind. They then release the body of the deceased into a body of water, symbolically returning it to the source of life and the cycle of nature.

* Ancestor Celebration Ritual: The Western Tribe believes that the elders and ancestors are the guardians and keepers of the tribe's wisdom and heritage. The tribe holds a ritual to honor and remember their ancestors and to celebrate their contributions to the tribe. During the ritual, they gather together to give thanks for the teachings and guidance of the elders, as they reflect on the past and honor those who have come before. This ritual is a way of connecting with the ancestors and the legacy left behin

### Beliefs

* Elders are respected by the tribe however they do not retire which means they continue to provide for the tribe until their bodies physically can't perform anymore or until they die.

* No one is ever too young to invest their time into battle training - The young are encouraged to wrestle and improve their strength.

* Most male kittens are trained to become soldiers while most female kittens are trained to fit the other roles. Rarely is a female nominated to train to become a soldier, past reasons being that there were no males in a litter, a daughter wants to follow their father's footsteps and becomes a mate was killed in battle so the other half wishes to take their place.

* They believe those who fight, while still wishing to live, as more valorous than those who don't care if they die.
* They believe that pearls hold supernatural abilities for fertility.
* The Western Tribe believes in the power and significance of storytelling, both in terms of preserving and honoring their history and in terms of passing down wisdom and knowledge to future generations. They believe that stories not only provide entertainment and joy, but also act as a tool to pass down their values and traditions.
* The Western Tribe believes that water is the source of life and the essence of the soul. They have a deep respect for the water and its power, and they believe that the act of fishing is a way to bring the tribe closer to their source of life.

* The Western Tribe believes that fishing is more than just a skill or source of food, it is a way of life. They have developed a deep respect and appreciation for the natural world, and they see fishing as a way to connect with the ocean and its wonders.
* The Western Tribe believes that the ocean is a place of mystery and magic, and that the water holds supernatural abilities for fertility. They see fishing as a way to harness the powers of the sea and use it to bring prosperity and good luck to the tribe.

## HISTORY

The first leader of the Western tribe was a cat named War. The tribe was located in a desolate region of the world known for its vast desert plains and extreme temperature changes. Despite these harsh conditions, they managed to carve out a place for themselves through determination and resilience. War led the tribe through difficult times and helped them endure and survive. Under his leadership, the tribe has adapted to the environment and made use of the few resources available. The Western tribe values independence and self-sufficiency, and they also have a strong sense of unity and brotherhood.

During the second season, the tribe experienced a period of famine and illness that claimed the life of their leader, War. They were forced to select a new leader, and this caused a change in leadership. The cat who overthrew War was a young cat named Achilles, who brought a new perspective to the leadership of the tribe. With his leadership, the tribe was able to overcome the illness and the famine, and they were able to find new ways to thrive in their harsh environment. With Achilles at the helm, the Western tribe continued their journey as a self-sufficient and resilient force to be reckoned with.