OrchidClan

Bordered by MarshClan to the left and HorizonClan to the right, OrchidClan is known for their colorful flowers. This Clan has a strong emphasis on love, both romantic and platonic, and its cats are raised with a certain appreciation for beauty. Due to the amount of flowers on their territory and their tendency to decorate camp with said flowers, OrchidClan tends to have a strong floral scent.

## Territory

### Camp

OrchidClan's camp is located in a dip between a few hills. The hills are tall enough to keep most of the dens hidden from outsiders. Your local knows-nothing-about-Clans loner would just see some hills where an OrchidClan cat could recognize home in an instant.

Leader's Den - Much like FallClan, the leader's den is carved into the base of the Flower Stone, a stone covered in jasmine and honeysuckle. Announcements are made from the top.

Medicine Den - The medicine den is basically a big bird's nest on its side. Woven out of thick branches and shallow but very wide, it's perfect for Swallowfrost, but fairly uncomfortable for basically everyone else. It gets really cold in the winter.

Warriors Den - A cluster of lilac bushes along the edge of camp, grown close together to offer shelter to the cats in the den.

Apprentice Den -

Nursery - Clovers and daisies grow near the nursery's entrance. The nursery is located near the warriors den, or rather the warriors den is located near the nursery. The nursery is a warm dirt cave hollowed into the side of one of the hills that create the valley camp resides in. It's safe and sheltered from most weather.

Elders Den -

### Landmarks

Lilac Pool - a pool at the end of a stream that starts in FallClan territory. The area is encircled with lilac trees. It's known as a very romantic spot, with lots of cats proposing here. Closer to the stream there is a burial ground for underage kits. Cats who die before 6 moons old are typically buried here.

### Common Flora & Fauna

Lilacs - common near camp and near the Lilac Pool, a few more scattered throughout the territory

Foxglove - scattered throughout the territory, one of the plants that even young kits are taught to recognize because of how dangerous it is

## Traditions & Clan-Specific Lore

OrchidClan cats have a lot of superstitions, mostly regarding flowers.

* If you pick a flower for a cat you like romantically and three petals fall off before you give it to them, the relationship is doomed to fail.
* Never give clover to a warrior - clover flowers symbolize naïvety or inexperience in OrchidClan culture.
* If the Flower Stone wilts, the leader's time is nearly up (due to HorizonClan's mountains, winters are usually mild for the lower four Clans. Thus, the snow after the plague was taken as a sign that Lavenderstar *had* to step down)
* Do not drink from water that does not reflect the stars (obviously only applies to nighttime, but many a sickness has been avoided because of this superstition)

In the spring, usually around April, OrchidClan hosts a social daylight gathering. Unlike the full moon Gatherings, this is a holiday to just rest and chill. In the days leading up to it, the warriors and apprentices word hard to gather prey, herbs, and flowers - day of, everyone tries not to work. If work is required, warriors typically do it - apprentices get the full day off of apprentice tasks and other duties. Flowers are given liberally to anyone who wants them and a huge part of the holiday is finding and celebrating beauty in everything. It’s mostly just talking to strangers and grooming each other and being friendly. They can lie down and get some sun in the camp and hear the birds sing and watch the clouds. While this is going on, throughout the whole day the OrchidClan leader will let cats up onto the Flowerstone to just… be entertaining. They can tell stories, recite myths, tell jokes or riddles, sing songs or nursery rhymes, anything. Just something for everyone to hear while they’re chatting away and essentially getting a makeover. There’s no competition or anything. Just chilling. (Starling's idea)

Out of respect for their founder, OrchidClan cats rarely pick the actual orchids found on their territory. When two cats become mates, they are each given an orchid. This is their equivalent of wedding rings basically. The orchids are dried so they'll last longer and usually stored in a cat's nest to keep them safe. Archaically, different colors symbolized different things, but in the modern day those meanings have been lost and any orchid is good for this tradition. Other Clans don't typically do this, though some like Wheatnose and Skyflower do have wedding orchids due to Wheatnose's OrchidClan upbringing.

Mothers often wait a moon or two to name their kits, wishing to get a feel for the kits' personalities. These kits are often gifted with flowers, a specific one for each child, and refer to them by their flowername until they are granted a fitting prefix (in some cases, their flowername will become their prefix); some cats enjoy wearing their namesake in their pelt or get nostalgic at the scent. Some cats retain their flowername as a cherished nickname, used mainly by their parents and siblings. (Dragon's idea)

Hummingbirds, lovers of flowers, are widely appreciated in OrchidClan territory. It is a common way for parents to teach their kits about patience - sit them down with a red flower and have them wait without moving to see who can be gifted with the presence of one of these beautiful creatures. They are thought to be a blessing from Orchidstar. (Dragon's idea)

While there are a few sayings that every Clan uses, OrchidClan has a lot of Clan-specific ones. These include

* “A tree can’t grow the same leaf twice” - No two kits are the same and using the same parenting strategies won't guarantee that the kits will turn out the same
* "The dandelion goes where the lightest wind blows” - Generally, if you want to influence your kid then just be patient and understanding with them. Meaning varies though.