Mountain Territories

Map of the Mountain Territories

The **Mountain Territories** are five territories that belong to SkyClan, ThunderClan, WindClan, ShadowClan, and RiverClan. The territories got their name due to their proximity to the mountain the Clans had to travel through. They are the main setting for Burning Dawn and Settling Dusk.

# Geography

The northwest of the territories is where the edge of the mountain resides. Most of the trees in the area are coniferous, however as the terrain gets less steep more trees like oaks and birches appear, which take up the southern half of SkyClan territory and a majority of ThunderClan territory. A moorland rests to the east of the territory, with large fields of bracken and lavender. South of the territories is made up of rivers and marsh, more trees being on the southwest side due to their being more open land.

In the center of the territories is a lake that most of the rivers and streams drain into. Once a river from the mountains flowed down into the lake, making it larger than it is today, however after a rockslide the water source was cut off. The lake has a small island off its shore that the medicine cats meet at, and nearby has the gathering location of the Clans.

# History

A massive flood in the Lake Territories led to the Clans being mostly destroyed. Still recovering from a harsh Leafbare, the Clans lost many of their clanmates, leaving them with incredibly small numbers. The cats decided that it was time for them to move. They found the Mountain Territories by going along the mountains up north. The land was perfect, and despite the Twolegplace there was little to do twoleg involvement. The Clans settled into their territories with ease, especially SkyClan, who finally had a territory equal in size to the others.

The Clans were doing fine up until Agilestar of WindClan started a fight at a gathering about ThunderClan allowing so many kittypets into their ranks. A fight broke out at the gathering which was brought to an end by Agilestar being struck by lightning in the center of the Gathering Hollow. The Clans began to question their own views, as well as ThunderClan's views (since they were the ones who suggested that cats cannot become kittypets). Cats fought over who was right and wrong, and what power they should trust. Conflicting ideals soon led SkyClan into a Civil War, where one side favored SkyClan's traditions, and the other side favored the other Clans' traditions. The conflict ended with Ivorystar's death and the appointment of Mistlestar into leader.

Mistlestar began to work with a group of rogues led by Gator and Tugboat. The two terrorized SkyClan and soon moved onto the other Clans. Half of ThunderClan territory was devastated by a fire started by Mistlestar and the rogues, while WindClan had to fight off the rogues who strayed from the group looking for violence. Mistlestar's death threatens to bring SkyClan into another civil war, and may allow the rogues to get an upper hand...

# Territories

### SkyClan

SkyClan territory is rocky and uneven, with sharp and jagged cliffs near the north, and bumpy terrain basically everywhere else. Conifer trees like pines and firs make up a majority of the forest, however there are some deciduous trees to the east closer to the ThunderClan border. SkyClan camp resides along a cliffside with the cliff providing protection on one side, and a collection of trees providing protection on the other side.

**Landmarks**

* To the southwest of camp, standing as the tallest tree in the forest, is the **Ancient Pine**. It's unknown exactly how old it is.
* Not too far from the cliffside of SkyClan's camp is the **Training Hollow** where almost all apprentice's training takes place. Warriors can also be tested for their skills in the hollow.
* The upmost north landmark is the **Crumbled Cliff**, which is a fallen cliff that collapsed due to a rockslide. The area is incredibly dangerous to the rocks having a habit of sliding out and crashing down.
* The border between SkyClan and ThunderClan that has remain conflict free for years is the **Dried Up River** which stopped flowing due to StarClan's intervention
* Just north of the lake is the **Frigid Pond** which remains cool and crisp all year round.

### ThunderClan

ThunderClan's forest is full of densely packed trees that can block out the sun no matter how thin they may be compared to others. Their proximity to SkyClan and the mountains makes their territory rocky and uneven, however that's mostly towards the northwest and doesn't make a majority of their territory. Their camp is in an almost perfectly hidden grove with thick moss coating the ground as well as tree roots. After a devastating fire, the west half of the territory is scorched and vulnerable.

**Landmarks**

* Southeast of ThunderClan's camp is the **Snake-tongue Stream**, which is a large stream (more like a river) that forks like a snake's tongue.
* Beside the Snake-tongue Stream is the **Clover Clearing**, which has a floor packed with clovers and small flowers that always seem to survive leafbare.
* Near the lake, not too far from shore, are the **Bathing Stones**. They're used for relaxing and catching up with clanmates.
* At the north of the territory is the **Rotting Car**, which crashed in the territory moons before ThunderClan's arrival.
* Just below the Twolegplace is the **Hiking Trail** where twolegs and their dogs are commonly found walking.

### RiverClan

RiverClan's territory is most comprised of rivers and streams with scattered trees that are generally smaller compared to ThunderClan and SkyClan's trees. The ground is mostly solid, becoming more unstable near the water sources. Small ponds and puddles allow for training to be easy and convenient. RiverClan camp is in the center of multiple connecting rivers, making it so the Clan has to swim to reach home. Opponents are deterred from invading or even entering their camp due to its location.

**Landmarks**

* Down one of the rivers heading north is the **Fallen Beeches** which fell due to a massive storm and created a beaver-like dam sheltering a moderately sized pond.
* Southwest of the camp is the large **Croak Pond** that is always filled with some sort of amphibian, usually being frogs.
* On the border of RiverClan and ShadowClan is the **Tangled Island** which got its name due to its tangled foliage and the constant conflict over the territory. RiverClan usually maintains control due to their strong ability to swim.
* Hidden on the border of SkyClan is the **Sunken Hollow**. Very rarely will cats keep their mouth shut about the "secret" training hollow.
* In a shady hollow are the **Guppy Pools** which are commonly filled with small fish that are easy for new apprentices to hunt.

### WindClan

WindClan territory is a wide open moor with trees only being on their borders with other Clans. Tall grass can make it hard to see, but the cats inhabiting WindClan manage with their long limbs and tall ears. Their camp is a small valley between two hills coated in lavender and small flowers. A few small trees also surround camp.

**Landmarks**

* Right on the ThunderClan border is the **Bracken Meadow**, a large patch of bracken shrubs that can be hard to walk through without getting a tangled coat.
* Beside the lake is the **Lone Oak**, the largest tree in what is technically WindClan territory.

WindClan doesn't have many landmarks due to their vast territory. Landmarks are changed between generations depending on what's most important.

### ShadowClan

ShadowClan is a large marsh with the only dry spots of land being at their camp and around the borders with RiverClan and WindClan. The clan is just a little less open than WindClan and a little less sheltered than RiverClan. The trees that are in their territory are either incredibly massive, or surpisignly small. Their camp is in the center of a dense cluster of trees that have soaked up a majority of the water in the area.

**Landmarks**

* On the border with WindClan is the **Birch Patch**. The patch of birch trees originally belonged to WindClan, but to make up for Agilestar's aggressive nature, WindClan gave the territory to ShadowClan to prevent a war.
* Going partially through the Birch Patch, and making up most of the WindClan border is the **Root-split River**.
* The largest pond near the center of the territory is the **Tornclaw pond**.
* On its own little island is the training place of apprentices, underneath the **Twin Willows**, which are ancient willows that have bent towards each other over time.

# Neutral Territory

* **The Lake** - The lake is the center of the territory, and is neutral ground like it was back in the Lake Territories. The Clans are more lenient with cats walking around the lake than they were before, allowing any cat to prance around or drink from the lake's waters.

* **Gathering Grove** - A calming grove surrounded by a variety of trees beside the lake. The Clans used to meet here every full moon, but ever since Agilestar's death gatherings have momentarily stopped. Leaders sat on the great Crest Stone and would announce the Clan's news. Afterwards, cats would be able to spend time together messing with lightning bugs and the reeds surrounding the group.

* **Silver Island** - An island not too far off shore connected to the land by tiny islands made mostly of reeds and rush. In the center of the island is a glistening pool that always catches the stars, allowing the medicine cats of the Clan to speak to StarClan.