⤜ Everglade Kingdom
Kingdom of the Everglade
Founded: jan 13th 2021
The sounds of caterwauling and battle cries rang loud and deafening. Her heart thundered within her chest as she ran through the thick undergrowth of the near silent forest, eyes wide in their panic as the sounds of raging battle grew ever closer. She knew not what drew her here, over distant fields and unknown lands and languages unheard. Plagued each day by a roaring battle unknown to her, a battle she had never seen nor heard - yet each day she felt as if she were walking in the paws of those who had. She'd almost been driven mad, until she realised she was being called away, called to follow. The sounds of pained yowls grew so near, the taste of blood in her mouth felt almost real, she was close!
The clearing in which she burst into through the thin branches of the trees was unlike any she'd walked through before. Weird statues littered the area, engraved with words she could not read, stones of different colours cracked with age and sinking into the dark earth beneath. She realised the odd clearing was silent. Not a moment later sparks of colour burst in the center of a circle of odd stones, without even a sliver of uncertainty she made towards it, her heart calm and filling with a warmth of familiarity. The sparks soon took form of several cats, their pelts shining with the lights of the stars above, and on closer inspection she came to realise they were made of the stars themselves. "The battle that which plagues you, child, is not your own but of those centuries ago. They call for you, Arli". The confusion to follow was more apparent than ever, her questions only wanting to multiply, and yet ... she did understand. Whoever the cats were that fought for their home so bravely now called for her to find them, something in them believing her to be worthy of carrying on a legacy long since buried beneath the hills, among the greenery once swarmed with death. "Come", Arli followed too easily, her paws almost moving on their own in an eagerness to obey the star-made cats. What she saw beyond the clearing was a sight that amazed the young cat; green hills rolling all beyond the horizon, trees, bushes & flowers growing from each patch of land they could claim, and only a few pawsteps ahead rubble from a long ago crumbled church scattered over the soft ground, offering safety. The touch of a smile was instant and involuntary, she had come on this harrowing journey with not a clue what is was she was seeking, and now here she stands before a land she could only think of as 'home'. The sight before her was shrouded in beauty, yes, but through the eyes of the starry cats before her, she saw what lay beneath the valley.
⇻ welcome to the everglade ⇺
territory
Based in the Glendalough valley of Wicklow, Ireland.
fields of rolling green hills, clusters of tall growing trees creating small forests all across the valley, a rushing river running through the heart of it all, and the ruins. The ruins are of a long ago destroyed small celtic town, tombstones broken in pieces litter most of the center clearing, and the remains of the bottom half of what could have once been a church sits to the side of the valley, empty and with enough space to act as a sufficient shelter.
beliefs
Scars- High respect for scars. Scars are seen as signs of battle, and therefore showcase strength and call for respect. It is common for young apprenti to receive a scar before becoming full warriors as a testament to their strength. Scars are held in regard separately to injuries; severe injuries definitely aren’t rare, but it is unlikely for these cats to raise to a high ranking.
Training Assessment- The apprenti have to pass their assessment to become warriors, the assessment will most often times include a spar with their own teacher where the young must use everything they learnt against the mentor and try to defeat them. There are likely to be mentors who are softer on their young apprenti, but this could cost the young warriors as they need to be prepared for the harsh life ahead.
Spiritual- Their ties to the ancestors are strong and filled with respect. They believe those who don’t trust in the ancestors could be cursed by the star-pelted cats and suffer ill fates.
Partners- Mates are held quite sacred to the kingdom, the pair vowing themselves to one another as partners for their eternity. Oftentimes referred to as “life partners”, their devotion to one another is usually shown by a changing of their second warrior name, or a colorful band around their tail of the same color & material. It is seen as disrespectful to go after another’s partner or have intentions of such with another’s partner. Once a partner passes, their mate cannot find another as it is seen to be disrespecting to the spirit passed. It isn’t uncommon to have flings before finding a partner, but once one is found the group will hold a celebration where the pair is recognized by the leaders & higher members
traditions
Festivals- They hold seasonal festivals where they celebrate life and give thanks to the ancestors for any blessings, this is a time where judgement & small feuds are put to rest for a day & night in peace. Apprenti gather around the Wise and work together to create different ornaments and decorations, while Warriors prepare a meal and carefully light the clearings
Weddings- After life partners have been recognised by the high court, they will typically hold a small celebration consisting of family & friends, however anyone is invited. Sometimes gifts will be given to the couple, but most times the gathered cats will throw flowers and colourful sand in celebration. This is usually when the changing of names occurs, or when tail bands are given.
eat or be eaten
Prey:
Shrew, common pipistrelle, wood mouse
Rabbit, red squirrel stoat
Irish hare, long-eared bat, brown rat
Predators:
Red foxes
Feral dogs
Badgers
Hedgehogs (painful & toxic)
rankings explained
The high court
- high king/queen (leader and peace-keeper)
- council (advisors/most trusted companions, there are 3: one is a trusted right-hand “thane”, one is the leader’s life partner “freyr/freya”, and the last is a leader to the warriors “hersir”)
- heir (inherits the “crown”)
- the guided (medicine cat)
- guided apprenti (medicine cat apprentice)
The kingdom
- three chosen highly respected warriors work under the hersir and keep watch over the warriors, guiding training, and making final decisions (chosen by king/queen & likely to become next hersir “merkis”, a strong warrior proven strength “rad”, and a veteran warrior who knows battles well “huskarl”)
- warriors (warriors)
- apprenti (apprentices)
- mothers & young (queens and their kits)
- the wise (elderly/retired members)
extra info
common appearance
The appearances of the kingdom cats vary quite often, they are likely to have a broader than lithe frame, scars are pretty common. As far as coat colours, they can range from darker easier to hide pelts, to lighter sun-dappled coats. Their length of fur is more commonly medium to long haired, few will live comfortably with short pelts.
naming system
Given a one-part “warrior” name upon birth, have to earn the second part of their name. names like Little Dove, Meadow Song, Arctic Fall ect. However are given another name, their ‘true’ name upon birth too, or earn their ‘true name’ once joining the kingdom. True names are usually viking esc names or celtic irish. Within the group they refer to each other by the true names, but among outsiders they use their “clan” names.
leader's lives
The typical 9 lives given to a clan leader is shared among the higher members of the kingdom. The reigning king/queen receives 4 lives, their life partner shares 3, while a trusted thane receives the remaining 2.
the neighbours
north- clan, username
northeast- clan, username
east- clan, username
southeast- clan, username
south- clan, username
southwest- clan, username
west- highgarden, eagle
northwest- clan, username
Allies-
Highgarden
Foxglove court
family ties
descendant of Arli
↪ ♀ Thyri
Lodin x unknown
↪ ♀ Inga, ♂ Ref & ♂ Saksi
Introducing...
The Kingdom
Viking name
“Clan name”
gender: answer
desc: answer
artist: answer
rank: answer
status: alive
respect: .. respect
apprenti: answer
life partner: answer
young: answer
parents: answer
littermates: answer
Thyri
“Morning Song”
gender: cisfemale
desc: fawn-cream mackerel tabby calico
artist: inky
rank: high queen
status: alive
respect: utmost level of respect
apprenti: n/a
life partner: n/a
young: n/a
parents: unknown
littermates: n/a
Eirik
“Quiet Lake”
gender: cismale
desc: medium-haired black spotted tabby with mid white, and green eyes
geno: Ll / BB / XoY / DD / AA / Mcmc / SpSp / Wsw
artist: kazin
rank: thane
status: alive
respect: very high level of respect
apprenti: n/a
life partner: n/a
young: n/a
parents: unknown
littermates: n/a
* formerly of shiningclan
Jodis
“Leaping Willow”
gender: cisfemale
desc: short-haired black-based ticked tabby with high white (van)
geno: LL, Bb, Aa, Tata, WsWs
artist: duplex
rank: guided healer
status: alive
respect: .. respect
apprenti: n/a
life partner: n/a
young: n/a
parents: unknown
littermates: n/a
Vekel
“Darkened Ghost”
gender: cismale
desc: long-haired black classic tabby with scarring and golden eyes
artist: kazin
rank: hersir
status: alive
respect: very high level of respect
apprenti: n/a
life partner: n/a
young: n/a
parents: unknown
littermates: n/a
* formerly of creagclan
Ardora
“Sweet Nose”
gender: cisfemale
desc: medium-haired ginger mackerel tabby with green eyes
artist: inky
rank: warrior
status: alive
respect: .. respect
apprenti: n/a
life partner: n/a
young: n/a
parents: unknown
littermates: n/a
* formerly of conquest avenue
Toki
“Hare’s Tail”
gender: cismale
desc: long-haired dark ginger mackerel tabby bicolor with green eyes
artist: inky
rank: warrior
status: alive
respect: .. respect
apprenti: n/a
life partner: n/a
young: n/a
parents: unknown
littermates: n/a
* formerly of conquest avenue
Athils
“Silver Rain”
gender: cismale
desc: gray smoke munchkin shorthair with low white, a bobtail, and green eyes
artist: amethyst14
rank: warrior
status: alive
respect: .. respect
apprenti: answer
life partner: answer
young: answer
parents: answer
littermates: answer
Lodin
“Spirit Cast”
gender: cismale
desc: solid gray long-hair with a white muzzle and green eyes
geno: ll, BB, XoY, dd, aa, mcmc, ii, CC, Wsw
artist: eagle
rank: warrior
status: alive
respect: .. respect
apprenti: n/a
life partner: n/a
young: inga, ref, saksi
parents: unknown
littermates: n/a
* formerly of acornclan
Inga
“Swift Leaf”
gender: cisfemale
desc: black silver mackerel tabby longhair with green eyes
geno: ll, BB, XoXo, Dd, Aa, Mcmc, Ii, CC, ww
artist: eagle
rank: warrior
status: alive
respect: .. respect
apprenti: n/a
life partner: n/a
young: n/a
parents: lodin
littermates: ref, saksi
* formerly of acornclan
Ref
“Tumbling Gust”
gender: cismale
desc: gray classic tabby longhair with a white muzzle and yellow eyes
geno: ll, BB, XoY, dd, Aa, mcmc, ii, CC, Wsw
artist: eagle
rank: warrior
status: alive
respect: .. respect
apprenti: n/a
life partner: n/a
young: n/a
parents: lodin
littermates: inga, saksi
* formerly of acornclan
Saksi
“Coal’s Embers”
gender: cismale
desc: black classic tabby long-hair with copper eyes
geno: ll, BB, XoY, Dd, Aa, mcmc, ii, CC, ww
artist: eagle
rank: warrior
status: alive
respect: .. respect
apprenti: n/a
life partner: n/a
young: n/a
parents: lodin
littermates: inga, ref
* formerly of acornclan
Eolann
“Beaver Splash”
gender: cismale
desc: oriental longhair seal point with white
geno: ll, BB, DD, aa, cscs, Wsw
artist: h155
rank: warrior
status: alive
respect: .. respect
apprenti: answer
life partner: n/a
young: n/a
parents: unknown
littermates: n/a
* formerly of bearclan
Viking name
“Clan name”
gender: answer
desc: answer
artist: answer
geno: LL, BB, XoY, dd, AA, McMc, cbcb, Wsw
rank: answer
status: alive
respect: .. respect
apprenti: answer
life partner: answer
young: answer
parents: answer
littermates: answer