FallClan

Bordered by OasisClan to the left and MarshClan to the right, FallClan is a bad place for cats who don't like getting their paws wet. FallClan cats tend to be thoughtful and determined, as well as placing high value on family relationships.

## Territory

The majority of FallClan's territory is covered in water. Small islands and stepping stones dot the territory. Camp is located in a very central area of the territory and is one of the biggest islands.

### Camp

Leader's Den - Located at the base of the Fallstone, a cave carved eons ago by a river that has long since diverted its path. The inside is bare with little decoration, usually containing the leader's nest and sometimes that of their mate.

Medicine Den - Located beneath the juniper tree. The medicine den is a cave beneath the roots, dug with care and with small hollows dug in the ground near the back for herb storage. Kits are strictly not allowed in due to the ease of access to medicine. Medics tend to put their nests along the edges with patients closer to the center. There is a slope downward as you move from the main camp into the den, but it is gentle.

Warriors Den - Located between the leader's den and the nursery. Generations of warriors have built a base structure of driftwood, filling in the gaps with moss and other materials as needed. It's a little crowded sometimes, but that closeness is invaluable when the weather gets colder.

Apprentice Den - A dense cluster of reeds and cattails. The apprentice den is sprawling despite how few cats usually sleep there. Apprentices typically use various forms of grass for their nests rather than moss. When space gets tight in the warriors den, mentors and/or younger warriors will occasionally sleep with the apprentices in their den.

Nursery - Located right at the edge of camp. The front is very open, the den itself shaped more like a sun shade than a proper den. Queens like to weave lavender and other aromatic plants into the den walls and their nests. Just behind the nursery is a small, sandy cove with very shallow water. Queens often start teaching their kits the basics of swimming here around three or four moons old.

Elders Den - Located between two tall stones. A roof of reeds and driftwood has been made, but more often than not it is left to one side and the top is kept open to the sky. Moss grows on the rocks and ground, making a naturally soft floor to build on.

### Landmarks

Moon Falls - The sacred site of the Clans is located within FallClan territory, near OasisClan and the outer border. The main waterfall is flanked by three or four smaller falls, all of which tumble into a very reflective pool. It is located on a moderately sized island, most of which is an open meadow. Moonflowers are common on this island, which has mistakenly been attributed as the reason for the name.

Silver Falls - The Gathering place is located on the edge of FallClan territory, where FallClan, OrchidClan, MarshClan, and OasisClan meet. Despite the plurality of the name, there is only a single waterfall here. This is the second biggest island in FallClan territory. On the side of the fall is a cliff with several ledges that seat, from the top down, leaders, deputies, and medics. Mediators and messengers sit either on a large boulder at the base of the cliff or on the ground. Hidden by ivy on the leader ledge is a cave that leads into a bigger cave behind the waterfall. There is a steep but passible path from the base of the falls to the ledge. Very few cats, including leaders, are aware of this cave.

Juniper Tree - while there are a few juniper trees scattered through the territory, particularly along the OasisClan and outer borders, the best known one is right in camp. It offers shade to the camp as well as sheltering the medicine den in its roots. Fallstar is said to have been buried beneath it, as junipers were her favorite plant.

### Common Flora & Fauna

Weeping willows - common on the islands and near the OasisClan border; branches are often used as den repair materials

Cattails - very common throughout the territory

Rushes - common throughout the territory; FallClan supplies rushes to all of the Clans when needed, since they are useful for treating broken bones

Coltsfoot - found mostly near Silver Falls; medicinal herb

Birch trees - very common near OasisClan border

Turtles - not usually prey

Frogs - not usually prey, but seeing one is a sign of good luck in FallClan

Loons, ducks, other waterfowl - occasionally prey

Ospreys - there aren't a ton, but their feathers are seen as a good luck charm or symbol of luck; FallClan cats like ospreys as a general rule, given their success as fishers and the fact that they aren't typically a threat to kits.

##### Prey

Fish - specifically bluegills, catfish, perch, and bass. In the spring and summer, salmon can occasionally be found near the outer border. Same for trout in the summer and autumn.

## Traditions & Clan-Specific Lore

Once a season, FallClan holds a fishing contest followed by a Clan-wide feast. The winner is gifted a lotus flower, which are rare in FallClan's territory. The event is meant to inspire a sense of community within the Clan. Cats are welcome to invite their out-of-Clan family and friends to the feast, but typically only FallClan cats participate in the contest. Other Clans are welcome to participate, of course, but if you don't live in FallClan there's usually a reason for it.

The other Clans are all invited to the summer competition, which is a very big deal. FallClan cats are expected to teach everybody else how to swim and/or fish and it takes place mostly on the camp island, but it can spread all throughout the territory. FallClan’s leader will pick one cat from every Clan to walk around with them and be judges, and at the end when they determine who caught the most fish, the winner gets the day’s biggest fish as well as some ornamental lotus flowers that are woven into their fur. The one rule is that the winner has to be a cat outside of FallClan (and any FallClan cats who helped them win might also get some free fish and maybe a flower or two as well). It would also probably be a fun tradition to dunk the winner in the water, too, except nobody’s allowed to warn them beforehand. It’s just a fun little surprise like that, and through the power of everyone appreciating the humor, it surprisingly works almost every time. It takes place on the summer solstice, or very close to it. (Starling's idea)

Seeing as the Moon Falls is in FallClan territory, apprentices visit at least once before their warrior ceremony. The apprentices sleeping over at the falls the night before their assessment has become a tradition, a belief that StarClan will bless them with luck. Nonreligious cats might enjoy the thrill of going to camp out in a special place for the night and just have a Silver Falls slumber party, so it's not exclusive in any way. If there's only one apprentice due for a ceremony they could maybe bring a friend or an apprentice their age from another Clan or something. OasisClan apprentices do the same thing because of how close to their border it is, so it's rare that there isn't at least two cats there. (Dragon's idea)

Some FallClan traditions and superstitions include:

* Dousing yourself in water before your warrior vigil, symbolizing the new chapter of your life that's about to begin
* Kits born during a rainstorm are said to be good luck, but lightning is a bad omen
* If you're under stress, sleep or rest in shallow, calm water. The cove behind the nursery is a great place for it, but there are spots all over the territory if you need something more isolated.
* FallClan are the storytellers of the Clans - while other Clans primarily focus on history and myths in their stories, FallClan tends to make theirs up. This is of course a generalization, but if you want something completely fictional, talk to a FallClan elder or queen.
* Osprey feathers are a symbol of luck, often gifted to wear or keep in one's nest. Specifically luck in hunting, but they're good for most occasions.

FallClan has a more subtle accent than, say, HorizonClan. The easiest way to tell if a cat is from FallClan is to have them pronounce a word with a t in the middle, like mountain. FallClan cats tend to pronounce t’s if they’re at the front of the word, but if it’s in the middle or at the end they either just drop off or turn into d’s. A lot of FallClan cats sound like TLP cats as well, as their territory is closest to TLP and most former kittypets and TLP rogues stop and/or join FallClan first. (Starling + Warrior's idea)

FallClan cats sometimes wear the fins of certain fishes as accessories. The fins are usually from more dangerous or difficult to catch fish, which is why they're worn. It's basically just a flex, it's showing off your skill as a hunter. (Starling's idea)