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Post by lacey●day on Feb 6, 2010 18:52:36 GMT -5
how it began....
When the clans were formed and felines of all different varieties moved into their current territories, there were many threats surrounding them. Some of them came from the other cats, some came from nature, but others came from predators. There were many others in the land before them; badgers foxes, and even a bear at one point. StarClan was there to see it, and they knew they needed to do something, so they made a hard decision and decided to give the cats the ability to defend themselves.
They chose an animal, one to represent each of the different clans. They decided that the cats could turn, or shift into these animals, as a defense. They managed to drive out all of the other wild creatures, using their new abilities, and claim the land for themselves. Knowing that they might need to use these 'powers' in the future, StarClan allowed the clans to keep them, even after they'd settled into the lands.
who changes....
As I said, each clan has the ability to change into one other creature. TempestClan was given the skill of shifting into foxes. EssenceClan was given the gift of turning into owls. CinderClan's talent was changing into hawks. The last clan, OnyxClan, was granted the ability of shape-shifting into lynxes. Each of these animals has a purpose in the clan's territory. For example, OnyxClan can change into lynxes, which helps them to navigate their rocky territory. CinderClan can change into hawks, which allows them to soar over some of the parts of their land which would be impossible for cats to get through. EssenceClan was allowed to turn into owls, this is perfect because so much more prey can be found when you're hidden about the treetops. TempestClan was gifted with the ability to shift into foxes. Normally it's raining in their land and they can slink through the undergrowth without worrying. Plus, we just needed another animal to fill up this slot ( xD ).
how it works....
When a cat changes into their clan's animal, it's rather simple. It's a little funny though, because complete opposites can trigger the switch. They must allow themselves to become placid, calm, and peaceful and they will shift, if their thoughts are focused on changing as well as calmness. It's not something sudden, but it is quick; a Transformation ( yes, it's capitalized, because it's a specific process to these cats ) takes about ten seconds, as a cat's body shape changes, their fur is morphed into feathers, etc. Along with letting calmness blanket them, they can either get so angry, the Transformation takes place in about five seconds. Not instantly, but half the time of the other option. However, it's easier to allow yourself to become calm instead as anger doesn't hold the Transformation for as long.
The change can last for a couple of hours, probably five at the most, but Transforming really takes it out of someone. A cat's energy is sapped up, so it takes about twice as much energy to do something while Transformed than it would when in cat form.
the differences....
The cats of these clans are born with something peculiar. On their chests is a symbol. It's just a small, one-inch circle with a small dash in it's center that distinguishes that a cat is from the shape-shifting clans. It appears to be just black fur ( but on solid black cats, it's white ). When a cat is in their animal's form, that mark stays there, allowing them to distinguish each other from the real 'other animals' out there.
coming and going...
Now cats are going to leave the clan every once and a while, whether by choice, exile, or some other reason. Unfortunately, once off of the clan's territory, StarClan cannot take away the powers they were born with, so yes, there will be a couple of loners out there with powers and their marking remaining. However, these will be very rare, as StarClan can usually catch the cat on their way out and strip them of their powers; once their powers are gone, the marking fades away over time.
Sometimes cats will join the clans from outside as well, and in this situation, StarClan lets things play out for a week, seeing how a cat acts and how loyal they seem to the clan. If the cat meets their expectations, overnight, a small and faint circle with a dash in it's middle will appear on their chest. Over time, the solidity of this marking will increase and within a month, it should appear just like the rest of the clan's markings. Their powers work in the same way, basically.
rules....
There are a few little additions to the warrior code these cats made, with their new abilities. One of them is not followed very often, rather like the unsaid rule of waiting an hour before swimming after you've eaten something. This rule says that you are only to Transform if in a time of need, such as when prey is low, or when
Tempest; fox, Essense; owl, Cinder; hawk, Onyx; lynx
skill, talent, gift
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