MarshClan

Bordered by FallClan to the left and OrchidClan to the right, MarshClan is known for endless moors and strong winds. MarshClan cats tend to be very closed off to new cats, but past their defensive shell you can usually find a very genuine and honest cat.

## Territory

MarshClan's territory is grassland, a wide open moor. There are a few trees along the Clan borders and the outer border is fairly undefined. A series of tunnels run under the moor, both parts of camp and things like rabbit warrens.

### Camp

Camp is a series of tunnels and caves underground. There are very few set dens, the majority being very small and only holding a couple cats. Couples, families, or friends often share dens, often in groups of no more than two or three. There are several smaller entrances, but the main camp entrance is relatively close to the FallClan border. Boxwood branches are usually laid near the entrance to help drive away badgers, but other than that and the moons of pawprints leading up and down the tunnel, it's indistinguishable from any other hole in the ground.

##### Permanent Dens

Leader's Den - The leader's den is newer than most of the permanent dens, having collapsed during the time of Lynxstar. The new den has a small tunnel and secondary cave branching off from it, created by Minkstar for her mate Firestorm. This secondary cave fits one nest and is open to the sky.

Medicine Den - Near the main camp entrance. The walls have small niches carved into them where the medics store their herbs and supplies.

Nursery - The largest and most stable den in MarshClan, the nursery is constantly being monitored for damage. MarshClan almost always has one or more stationary queens who have agreed to stay in the nursery to make certain it doesn't cave in. After Marshstar's mate and two of his kits died in a cave-in, he made it MarshClan policy to always have someone keeping up to date on the state of the nursery. in modern MarshClan, Cedarpoppy fulfils this role, but she is not the first and will not be the last.

### Landmarks

* Stone Clearing - MarshClan's secondary camp. When it gets particularly rainy in the springtime, the Clan typically spends a few days up in the Stone Clearing. Located near HorizonClan, the moor becomes more rocky with scattered spruce trees and several hills. When the rain slows down, the best tunnelers in the Clan as well as any apprentices (10+ moons if it was a particularly rainy season) who want to learn how to tunnel are sent to the main camp to scout out if it's safe to return.

### Common Flora & Fauna

Heather - extremely common throughout the territory; often used as a kit name as well

Cottongrass - common throughout the territory

Birds - occasionally used for prey; golden plovers specifically are common

Owls - certain types of owls hunt on the moor; kits are rarely taken out of camp for this reason and are closely guarded when they are

##### Prey

Rabbits - extremely common and the main prey for MarshClan cats

Field mice - another common prey for MarshClan cats

## Traditions & Clan-Specific Lore

New mothers are sometimes gifted heather wreaths as a wish of good fortune for the kits. Usually a one-time thing for a cat's first litter. The wreaths are often gathered and woven by the new mother's friends/family.

Near the new moon, MarshClan cats often have races as a test of speed and agility. Courses vary in difficulty, with wide open areas that a kit could race on ranging up to the more rocky land near FallClan territory that only the most skilled cats could get through.

Some MarshClan traditions and superstitions include:

* Collecting interesting rocks in the Stone Clearing camp, either to show off or to gift to others. Cats usually bring a pebble back with them, which helps track age or how long they've been in the Clan. Dens are frequently decorated with several of these fancy pebbles, especially the elders' dens.