SpireClan embodies "survival of the fittest", located in an eco-brutalist setting of a abandoned corporate building. The clan cats worship two main goddesses - Naturalia (nature and sun) and Luminescence (sky and winds).
The Spire:
This is where the clan calls home, it is a brutalist building that has been long abandoned. The windows are missing all the glass; parts of the walls have crumbled and fallen; the higher up you look, more and more of the building has broken or fully collapsed. It is also covered in and surrounded by thick plant growth, like climbing plants and mosses, crawling up the walls and into the building through the holes, with heavy undergrowth on the ground floor.
Tallspine:
Based at the very top of the building, you see a large radio tower, that looks half mangled, bits of jagged metal sticking out, poles and bars bent and twisted - looking closer, a few of those poles have mangled corpses pierced by them, in various states of decay. This is where the Trial of the Sky takes place, and where you may speak directly to Luminescence and Naturalia. Trust Naturalia help guide you to the top and you might just make it.
Up:
The final staircases and rooms leading up to the start of the Trials and Tallspine have a sense of dread to them. No plant-life has made it up here, and there are no woven dens or any sign of life having been here as the path becomes a desolate concrete world. It is empty. You are alone.
Upper floors:
The upper floors have fewer dens as they get increasingly eroded going up the Spire. There are unused spare dens, but the interweaved plant matter seems to be falling apart, neglected. There is little plant-life to be found up here, outside of the old woven dens. One den stands out, however. It's larger than the other dens and is visibly well-kept. There is only one nest in this den. This is the leaders den. The Leaders den is situated here so that the Leader may guide any taking the Trials to the bottom of Tallspine, and help them if they come back injured.
Middle floors:
Going downwards, you see the cracks and disarray gets better, slowly. More plant-life on the walls, as climbing plants reach their way up. There are more dens, made of branches and roots, and dried grasses, but these are more skilfully woven, rather than molded out of fully grown plants. A few of the dens look slightly larger, holding similar supplies to the medicine cat den - these are the Caretaker dens. The rest of the dens are for Queens, with their Kits, and Elders. There is a balcony on one of the middle floors that has direct access to a side building's roof. On top of that roof is a domed building with half-opaque glass.
Also on the middle floors, is an office desk that has escaped most decay, known as the Highshelf.
Sun-haven:
The inside of the rounded building is filled with herbs. Containers full of dirt hold sprouting and grown herbs, lining the entire wall. In the middle of the room there is a concrete sculpture holding water in the bottom of it. The water is bright and clear. On a shelf lies little piles of seeds. Right above each pile stands a dried out herb, showing the crop. The inside is quite warm, though not quite comfortable to stay in for long periods of time, but perfect for growing plants. This is a place to speak with Naturalia and give your thanks.
Bottom floors:
The bottom floors of the building look similarly rundown to the outside - the walls have various plants growing on them; the floors are weathered and cracked; the stairs on the side of the room are missing chunks. Against the walls, vines and creeping plants have been guided into a less natural shape, making smaller enclosed burrows. These are the dens - they all look the same, being standard places for cats to sleep. Right next to the entrance, there is a larger den, holding many different herbs and items, such as: sticks, cobwebs, and mossballs. This is the Medicine cat den.
Down:
Going down further, leads you to a flooded carpark. The water is stained red - this is the Bloodlake. The area is less worn, with less plant life due to the lack of light in the basement floors.
Bloodlake:
It is the first thing you see when you descend, and takes up most of the room, the water a very dark shade of reddish-orange. In the lake, you can see drowned cars, and various floating debris. This is where the bodies of the ones who have a space in the Sky are put to rest. The lake helps Luminescence guide them to LuminClan. It is possible to cross, though I wouldn't.
Sunken-sky:
In the elevator shaft leading down to the 2nd floor of the carpark, is a small, dark pool on top of a broken elevator. Looking up through the entryway, you find that you can see the sky, due to a hole in the ceiling. This pool shimmers in the light and you can see many colors swirling around in it's iridescent surface. This is where medicine cats and elders may speak to Luminescence and LuminClan without needing to climb Tallspine.
Roundhole:
A large drainpipe coming out from underground, nearby the Spire, made of water stained light concrete, overgrown with shrubbery and vine plants - has dubiously clean water in a puddle at the bottom, that is murky with clouds of particles. The pipe rests in a ditch, a manmade shallow valley, and runs perpendicular to the Spire as a whole, pointing away from the building.
Meadows/Fields:
Next to both sides of the valley the drainpipe rests in, a wide stretch of long grass with minor shrubbery, goes out quite far, until it reaches more forest.
Forest Area:
Around the back of the Spire, a dense overgrowth of gnarly trees and various plants. Inside the forest, many random piles of metal pipes, concrete bags, etc., can be found.
Broken Twoleg Dens:
On the opposite side of the Spire to the drainage pipe, are a couple broken down houses, most fully destroyed, some intact, but obviously abandoned - these houses face the Thunderpath.
Fallen Claw Beast:
Found in front of the Spire, where it faces the thunderpath, is a large rusted and collapsed crane, vines growing over the outside due to disuse.
Cracked Thunderpath:
The road itself has large cracks tracing over the road, plants growing out from within the tarmac and breaking up the smooth surface - seems to trail off in the direction of the fields.
General Outside:
(directions in reference to building/spire)
north: cracked thunderpath, forest
east: drainage pipe, fields, forest
south: forest
west: abandoned twoleg homes, fields
Culture
Every cat proves themselves worthy via their own power.
It is weakness to carry others to the finish line.
Those who can only fail have no place in the clan.
Compassion is only expected in those who rear our kits, and respect our elderly by giving them comfort after a life of hardship - it is their right, for their hard work.
Naturalia allows us to live in the Spire, and protects us from outsiders; she brooks no cowardice.
Luminescence allows our dead to follow her through the skies, and protects us from discordance within the clan; she doesn't guide the unworthy.
Preventing due consequences for failure for others, or yourself, goes against our Code, and our goddesses. It can only be rectified via Trial.
We respect the land Naturalia gives us, by sowing the seeds she provides; we respect the sun Naturalia shines on us by doing Trials on Tallspine, where she can most clearly see us.
We respect the guidance Luminescence gives us, by looking to the Sunken-sky for knowledge; we respect the winds Luminescence blows us, by letting the grief of those unworthy leave with said winds.
Bleakstar's Ascension
Bleakvine stood at the base of Tallspine, cold winds testing his strength as they called for him to kneel, throwing the fur of his half tail stub from side to side. Creaking groans echoed down the metal tower, and Bleakvine stared up, as far as he could see.
The Trial of the Sky is not forgiving.
He would either make Leader, or he would die here. There were no second chances for him. An image of Cedarstorm's face, twisted into a stony snarl, flashed in his head.
He felt numb, both from his paws slowly freezing, it being mid leaf-bare, and the weight of Naturalia's watch upon his Trial. He hoped the Sky would have mercy upon his lost soul, at least.
It had been six nights since Archstar had gone to Trial, and so, as deputy, it was Bleakvine's time.
The thought of Archstar brought with it a sharp agony of grief, and tremors ran down the sandy coloured cat's frame. His sight was blurred with a fresh cover of tears.
Bleakvine steeled himself, flexing his claws into the rusted platform beneath him, and began to move stoically, with deliberate steps. He began to climb.
Tallspine was easy to ascend, with large blocky metal steps, and copper coloured wounds. For most, it was merely a test of endurance and bravery, as the lower Trials ended where the platforms did.
The Trial of the Sky required reaching the very top. Bleakvine's paws were held carefully and solidly against the thin ledges that created the lattice of the top of Tallspine. They were solid, but terrifying in the lack of any safety net. One misstep would spell out death.
The deputy paused in rest, having climbed up a decent portion. Bleakvine's eyes hardened, looking like coagulated chunks of amber, and he gazed up into the stormy sky, and he began to ascend again. From the corner of his eye, he saw a dark shape swaying gently.
He turned his head. It was Archstar. His side was pierced through by the sharp end of a pole. The bright calico pelt of Bleakvine's leader was stained a dark brown from dried blood. He was splayed out like a bird tossed in the prey pile.
Bleakvine's head swam, dizzy. It was too much. He had known Archstar was probably dead, but had fruitlessly hoped he had just run away - that maybe the two could try living as rogues together, away from the clan. The deputy knew his wishes were weak; pitiful and disrespectful towards everything their clan held dear, but he had hoped, prayed to Luminescence for anything but this.
Bleakvine's muzzle trembled, eyes wild. He gasped for air as he sat on a metal beam, staring blankly down at the ground, far below. He shut his eyes, scrunching his face as he forcibly tried to calm himself. His claws couldn't pierce the steel, so he would have no way of catching himself.
He had to complete the Trial.
He sent a longing glance towards the body, indecisive. It was wrong, it would be sacrilege to do so, but he didn't want to leave his leader there, where he would have no chance of following the Sky to LuminClan.
At least no-one would know, except from the Sun.
Bleakvine reached out a paw towards him, wedging his hindleg in-between two beams. At first, his claws brushed against Archstar's long tail, fluff matted and compressed. The sandy cat leaned further forward, flinching at a loud clang from the tower, before hooking onto his leader, and pulling.
It felt like moons had passed before Archstar gave way from the spoke, and fell.
There wasn't even a thump.
He was gone.
Bleakvine swallowed, throat dry. The sun was setting. He had to continue moving if he wanted to reach the tip before sundown.
Bleakstar collapsed at the base of Tallspine, panting shallowly, eyes dazed as he squinted against the rising sun. Every step tugged at a ragged wound on his lower back, sliced open from a minor fall. It gently oozed out blood, mostly crusted over.
He had completed his Trial, with the Sun as his witness, and the Sky had blessed him with his nine lives.
It was over. It was finally over.
Archstar's Answer
The calico cat gave his deputy an indulging smile as the two curled up together in the leader's den. He began grooming the younger's coat, with only a small fumble, a fond look in his eyes despite his developing blindness. The murky white layer encroached on his once piercing green eyes.
Bleakvine made a short noise in protest as Archstar licked at his brow, flicking his ear subconsciously, before settling against his thickly furred leader. He seemed to almost sink into the other's mass from the fluff. Bleakvine couldn't help but look at his leader with softness, seeing a little grin on the cat's muzzle as he deliberately licked him on the face. The sandy coloured cat batted a paw at him in retaliation.
The two settled, relaxing in the warmth shared between them. Archstar gave a wide yawn, jaw closing with a loud click, before lowering his head onto his deputy's side. This gave Bleakvine full view of the mottled skin of the scar on the calico's stomach.
"What... is it like, being Sky-touched? With your nine lives." Bleakvine's voice was soft, slightly gruff with sleep. Archstar replied without shifting, eyes still shut as he purred against his deputy.
"The Sky is... Odd." He spoke. "She didn't speak in any language I could hear, nor show me anything, like in prophecies." Bleakvine settled once more, listening to his leader tell his story. "She watched, intensely. Even more so than Naturalia, in my Trial. It was all I could focus on, the big, blue sky above, watching me."
The short-haired cat began to fall into slumber, soothed by the sound of the other's voice, and his thoughts drifted to his brother - Cedarstorm. He had always been closer to the Sun, rather than the Sky, blending in with his splotchy brown coat as he tended to his patch of herbs in Sun-haven.
They had been so different, from the very beginning. Bleakvine was a born hunter, Cedarstorm similarly taking to being a gatherer with enthusiasm. They were the only kits that survived in their litter, and had always been at odds with one-another.
Cedarstorm had told him, once, when he was an apprentice, watching over an elder bed-ridden with sickness, about how it felt, to be Naturalia's. It was a rare light moment, when the two didn't feel the heaviness and tension that accompanied their every interaction. Cedarstorm had described the Sun's favour as a sensation of steadiness, of a reliable protector; a deep firmness as reds and oranges flooded the Sky with dawn. He said it was like the deepest parts of the Bloodlake.
Bleakvine feel asleep to the thoughts of the goddesses, comfortable against his leader. He felt safe, for once.
Roles
Roles:
Leader: Top rank of the clan - must complete the Trial of the Sky to receive their 9 lives. Has a link to the Goddesses through their lives. Prophecies are given in two parts.
Deputy: Picked by leader before the leader starts the Trial of the Sky.
Upper commander: Helps keep track of roles within the “Upper” category. Picked by either deputy or leader.
Middle commander: Helps keep track of roles within the “Middle” category. Picked by either deputy or leader.
Medicine cat (lower commander): Healer for the clan, speaks with Naturalia and Luminescence through their respective spiritual places. Prophecies are given in two parts. They are also Commander of the Lower category. Unlike other clans, SpireClan allows its medicine cats to have a mate and kits, as long as it doesn't distract them from their duties; the same as all warriors.
Protectors: They protect the clan from any threats or intruders. They do border patrols.
Hunters: They provide food to the clan. They do hunting patrols.
Gatherers: They get herbs and items for the clan such as nest material.
Caretakers: The gentle ones of the clan - they take care of queens, elders, and kits. They have basic medical knowledge. They are allowed to grieve, where the rest of the clan are not.
Queens: Mothers of the clan. When their kits are old enough to become apprentices they will get the option to become a Caretaker or return to previous role.
Apprentices: When apprentices start their training they will pick which role they wish to train for. They are allowed to request a transfer to a different role before they get their full name.
Kits: Children, they don't have any jobs - should be protected at any cost.
Elders: The old and retired. They have earned their place in the Sky and LuminClan, they can rest and relax until Luminescence calls them up.
Categories
Categories: Upper: Those spiritually closer to Luminescence and the Sky.
Middle: Those in-between Luminescence and Naturalia.
Lower: Those closest to Naturalia.
Upper: Leader, Caretakers, Protectors (live on lower floors for ease of access), Elders
Must have existed for 1 week real time to qualify for the Lower trials.
You should have at least 3 roleplay posts with that kit.
You must complete the Lower trials.
Apprentice to Rankup
Must have existed as an apprentice for 2 weeks real time to qualify for the next stage of Lower trials.
You should have at least 15 roleplay posts with that Apprentice.
Apprentices need at least three instances of training experience that include the company of a warrior. The warrior does not have to be their mentor.
Two of these instances have to be experiences in the roles of what theyre training to be.
You must complete the next level of Lower trials.
You may request to take the Lower trial before hitting all the requirements. If you do so the Apprentice will have a higher chance at failing the trials, getting harmed, or a tiny chance of death. If you pass the Lower trial you will be promoted without hitting other requirements.
Medicine cat Apprentice to Medicine cat
Must have existed as an apprentice for 2 weeks real time to qualify for the next stage of Lower trials.
You should have at least 15 roleplay posts with that Apprentice.
Must have learned at least basic medicine
Must visit Sunken-Sky and speak with Luminclan at least once
Must be able to successfully grow one patch of herbs by themselves with no help
Requirements to qualify for Deputy
You should have at least 25 posts as a Warrior.
or
Take The Trial of the Sky and get at least halfway.
Deputy to Leader (put this is the center and bold it in the actual post)
Must complete The Trial of the Sky
Warrior to Elder
You need at least 50 posts with that Warrior.
You must ask Luminesces if you have earned a place in the Sky, through the BloodLake. If you have then you may retire.
Outsiders may not join as an Elder, they must earn it no matter their age
Highranks (put this is the center and bold it in the actual post)
Bleakstar will choose the highranks as he sees them fit.
You may apply for Medicine cat Apprentice but you will need to pick another role to train for until Cedarstorm picks who he think will be best.
Sun Code
Sun Code (warrior code):
Dying in almost any way, outside of battle, is seen as being weak and failing. Especially if its dying from: Sickness, Cold, Starvation, Dehydration, or in the duration of a Trial.
You will not give failures any pity, grief, or help. If they wish to redeem themselves, they must do it by themselves. If you find someone assisting failures, you must report them to either the Leader or Medicine cat. If you are seen doing so you will have to take the Trial of the Sky, to see if Luminescence forgives you, or be punished for your actions by the Leader. If repeated, you will be exiled.
Caretakers are allowed compassion for the failed and will not be punished for it, as long as it doesn't seriously distract them from their duties.
Kits, Elders, and Caretakers are never failures no matter how they die. Elders earned their place, Kits never got the chance to prove themselves, and Caretakers earned their place by keeping the clan stable.
While in-fighting amongst the clan is allowed - so long as it doesn't turn into killing multiple cats - you are not allowed to make any attempts at harming or attacking: Kits, Elders, Queens, or Caretakers. Doing so will require taking the Trial of the Sky, or cause you to be exiled.
Anyone (except kits or apprentices) is allowed to have a mate, even as a medicine cat. The only requirement is that it doesn't distract you from your duties, and if your mate becomes a failure, you must abide by the Sun Code.
Everyone must replant seeds for any herbs that they take.
Only one cat may take the Trials at a time. If a cat does not return from the Trials after six days, they are considered failures and dead, and the Trials open up for another cat.
Outsiders must take the lesser Trials before they are accepted as a clanmate. They will be given a new name and will need to gain the trust of the clan.
You will not disrespect the land we are borrowing. Naturalia allows us to live here but she will take that right away if she wishes.
Trial of the Sky
Sky Trials info. IMPORTANT, DO NOT SKIP IF YOU'RE JOINING.
The trials are up to mostly random chance on how successful you are. This happens through a chance wheel with various probabilities depending on the scenario.
After you submit a trial request, if accepted, we will private message you to make sure you know the information related to the trial you pick, and we will tell you the result of the trial. Once you have the result, you may roleplay it out however you like, so long as it matches the given outcome.
An example of that, would be getting a private message that says "minor injuries, succeeded", then you would write your post of going through the trial, somehow getting a minor injury and then going back to the clan. Unless specified in the message, the injury can be whatever you wish.
The Sky Trials have three levels of difficulty - the lower Trials are usually pretty easy as long as you have training and knowledge.
Lower Trial 1 is the easiest - mostly there to make sure that Kits have learned their balance, coordination, and have no physical disability that would prevent them from being a good Warrior. The worst that can happen in this level is a medium level of harm to the cat, but that will be rare. 99% of the time Kits will come out of this with none to minor injuries.
Lower Trial 2 is harder - it requires knowing the limits of the cat's body. Are they able to squeeze through tight spaces, knowing for sure they won't get stuck? How high do they know that they can jump? It's best you have experience with physical training in a couple ways, to ensure your best chance for success.
If you do this with an apprentice that has met all requirements, 90% of the time you will make it out with none to minor injuries. Worst case is medium to high level injuries, but nothing fatal.
If you do decide to go ahead with the trial before you reach the requirements, your chances will be worse. If you make it out you will have minor to high level injuries, but not fatal. You will not make it out unscathed. The worst case scenario is that the cat dies - there is a very low chance of this happening, but there is a chance. Be aware of this before you take the risk. You must be okay with the fact that your cat could die.
The Trial of the Sky is the highest level - it is not easy. The difficulty jump from the previous Trial to this one is huge. Apprentices are not allowed to take this Trial, unless they have broken a Code that requires they do so, and if that happens there is a very, very low chance that they will survive it. They will most likely die.
No matter how experienced or trained you are, if you take the Trial of The Sky there is always a chance your cat will die. You must be okay with the fact there is a chance you will lose your cat if you do this.
If you don't die you are likely to end up with medium to high level injuries. If you're lucky, you'll have minor injuries only.
Ceremonies
Ceremonies Requests:
Kit to Apprentice
Current Name:
Gender/Pronouns:
Mentor:
Link to Lower Trials post:
Apprentice to Warrior
Current Name:
Warrior Name:
Role:
Gender/Pronouns:
Links to training posts:
Link to Lower Trials 2 post:
Warrior to Elder
Name:
New Name (Optional):
Gender/Pronouns:
Current Rank:
Link to approval from Luminescence:
Mentor or Role Reassignment
Name:
Gender/Pronouns:
Reason for Reassignment:
(Role reassignment only) New Role:
New Mentor:
Name Change
Current Name:
New Name:
Gender/Pronouns:
Reason for Name Change:
Sky Trials
Name:
Gender/Pronouns:
Which Trial:
(if doing for a rank-up) Do you meet the requirements:
Speaking with Luminescence
Name:
Role:
Gender/Pronouns:
Reason:
Exile
Name:
New Name (Optional):
Gender/Pronouns:
Why they're being exiled:
Name: Vine
Clan name change: Vinesage
Pronouns: She/Her
Gender: Female
Age: 18 moons
Rank Wanted (and type, if apprentice): Caretaker
Appearance (short or long): A long elegant she-cat with a layer of yellow fur and a layer of gray fur and a layer of russet fur, in spots and stripes with sparkly green eyes.
Mentor (if applicable): N/A
Personality: She had a growth mindset. She is a very kind she-cat with a memory that most would only wish for. She loves kits and is currently carrying some of her own. She loves to explore and see the world and understand everything.
Other: N/A
Mention: @endlesshax @Kuwu
Name: Vine
Clan name change: Vinesage
Pronouns: She/Her
Gender: Female
Age: 18 moons
Rank Wanted (and type, if apprentice): Caretaker
Appearance (short or long): A long elegant she-cat with a layer of yellow fur and a layer of gray fur and a layer of russet fur, in spots and stripes with sparkly green eyes.
Mentor (if applicable): N/A
Personality: She had a growth mindset. She is a very kind she-cat with a memory that most would only wish for. She loves kits and is currently carrying some of her own. She loves to explore and see the world and understand everything.
Other: N/A
Mention: @endlesshax @Kuwu
accepted!! rp will start soon, ill mention you in the post when its ready
Name: BlushedSunset
Pronouns: she/her
Gender: female
Age: 23 moons
Rank Wanted (and type, if apprentice): Deputy
Appearance (short or long): A ginger tabby with a few yellow and brown speckles along with amber eyes.
Mentor/Apprentice Wanted (if applicable):
Personality: A cold-hearted and stern she who is good with words
Other: I am watching you......
Mention: @endlesshax @Kuwu
Name: BlushedSunset
Pronouns: she/her
Gender: female
Age: 23 moons
Rank Wanted (and type, if apprentice): Deputy
Appearance (short or long): A ginger tabby with a few yellow and brown speckles along with amber eyes.
Mentor/Apprentice Wanted (if applicable):
Personality: A cold-hearted and stern she who is good with words
Other: I am watching you......
Mention: @endlesshax @Kuwu
>:)) accepted!! expect a mention for the roleplay soon :))
Name: sparrowpaw
Pronouns: she/her
Gender: female
Age: 6 moons
Rank Wanted (and type, if apprentice): medicine apprentice
Appearance (short or long): brown tabby with white diamond on forehead, has black eartips with dark brown stripes, 2 white paws front left leg and back right leg, has yellow eyes, and some scars
Mentor/Apprentice Wanted (if applicable): cederstorm
Personality: kind sweet brave, gentle, curious, positive, patient
Other:nope
Mention: @endlesshax @Kuwu
Last edited by *longfire*; October 21st, 2023 at 01:04 PM.
Name: sparrowpaw
Pronouns: she/her
Gender: female
Age: 6 moons
Rank Wanted (and type, if apprentice): medicine apprentice
Appearance (short or long): brown tabby with white diamond on forehead, has black eartips with dark brown stripes, 2 white paws front left leg and back right leg, has yellow eyes, and some scars
Mentor/Apprentice Wanted (if applicable): cederstorm
Personality: kind sweet brave, gentle, curious, positive, patient
Other:nope
Mention: @endlesshax @Kuwu
accepted! you will be mentioned in the rp thread in just a few minutes!
Name: grim’twilight
Pronouns: they / them
Gender: non binary
Age: 26 moons old
Rank Wanted (and type, if apprentice): middle commander
Appearance (short or long): a large black cat with white spots and long cheek fur.
Mentor/Apprentice Wanted (if applicable): apprentice is open
Personality: a rather blunt and easily annoyed cat who snaps back at anyone who gets on his nerves. Is uptight and extremely responsible taking on more duties than needed around camp. Very stern and isn’t one to play or mess around with. ( a dawnstar 2.0 basically )
Name: Dawn
Clan name change: Dawnkit
Pronouns: she/her
Gender: female
Age: 3 moons
Rank Wanted (and type, if apprentice): kit
Appearance (short or long): Orange-reddish pelt with yellow eyes and darker orange stripes on her legs,
Mentor (if applicable):---
Personality: Sometimes aggressive, protective of herself, easily gets annoyed, more of her personality will come as she grows.
Other: she's mute
Mention: @endlesshax @Kuwu
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