Post by wish on Aug 22, 2019 22:33:22 GMT -6
THE PLOT
[PTabbedContent][PTab=Rules]
PLOTTING GUIDELINES & RULES
SITE PLOT
1. The site-wide plot is predetermined. This means staff have already decided on the general outcome for certain events and/or threads and have a desired direction for the entire outlook of the island.
a. Official plot threads, or patrols, are announced monthly in the Announcements.2. If you would like to participate in our official plot threads, please reply to with the form below. By replying with the form, you agree to the following plot thread expectations:
b. Plot threads are designed by staff to move the plot. Non-staff members cannot create official plot threads without staff permission.
a. All plot threads move on a 5 day time limit. This means that once a post order has been determined, members have 5 days to make their post when its their turn.3. Information about how the Clans and Tribe formed is available in The Lore. More detailed information about major Clan/Tribe events, including old plot threads are available in the Island Timeline.
b. If a member does not make their post in 5 days, they will be skipped.
c. If you are unable to post within the 5 day limit due to an extenuating circumstance, please reach out to a staff member.
CLAN PLOTS
1. Clan plots are determined by staff and current High Position characters.
2. You can pitch plots that affect an entire clan/tribe, but they will be evaluated on a case by case basis. If we feel that the plot does not fit our site-wide plot, please respect our decision or be open to collaboration.
3. If you want to pitch an entire clan/tribe plot, please reach out to the respective staff members:
INDIVIDUAL PLOTS
1. Individual plots between characters are more than welcome as long as they do not disrupt the entire ecosystem of the island or clan/tribe.
a. Check out the tabs above for each specific Clan, Tribe, and Outsider plots.2. Individual plots can involve a variety of members and range from simple friendship threads to complex relationship arcs. Regardless of the type of plot, it may be helpful to discuss these perimeters with your thread partners:
b. The factions/ideas listed out in the tabs are merely guidelines. Cats can exhibit traits of each faction and/or act outside the established 'norm.' Use them as a springboard to learn more about the Clans, Tribe, and Outsiders!
a. How do we want to communicate with each other? Discord thread, DMs, on the forum?3. If you have a plot idea but don't know if it's appropriate or not, please see our Plotting Flow Chart (Zoom in for full view).
b. What is your desired time frame? Can we commit to that time frame?
c. Do you want a desired posting order? How do we enforce the posting speed and timeline?
d. What do we do if someone doesn't reply for a long time? Is it ok to skip each other with permission or find an alternative thread partner?
PLOTTING FORM
1. Please fill out the form below if you want to participate in official plot threads. Staff will use the responses below to build out patrols.
2. You are responsible for updating your own plot thread based on your availability and changing writing habits. You can do this by deleting the post or by editing it.
3. Except for the 'plot thread' section, you are not required to fill out the entire form. However, the rest of the information will be helpful to staff and other members who may wish to plot with you.
[b]Member name:[/b] Name
[b]Do you want to participate in Plot threads?:[/b] Y/N (signing up to participate in patrols, etc.)
[b]Personal plotting style:[/b] describe
[b]Average response time:[/b] list your average response time in weeks, days, etc.
[b]Hiatus:[/b] Y/N
[b]Preferred contact method:[/b] Tag in discourse? Dm?
[b]Allowed to Skip:[/b] Y/N - if you pass the 5 day limit or untimely on a post, are we allowed to skip you with no hard feelings?[/PTab][PTab=Site Plot]
SITE PLOT
As the late leaf-fall winds rattled the forests, the Clan cats faced one another in one, final gruesome battle. Together, RedwoodClan, ThistleClan, the LichenClan rebels, and the tunnel cats, devised a plan to take Minnowstar's one remaining life and end LichenClan's religious tyranny once and for all. When the sun rose the following morning, Minnowstar was dead and LichenClan had fallen. Peace swept across the island with the waxing light as StarClan returned to its shores, finally free.
But whispers of evil lurk within the lake.
A new era has fallen upon The Apostle islands, one filled with both hope and uncertainty. As the wild cats of Rocky Island and South Twin Island try to navigate their new and tumultuous alliances with one another, the Dark Forest lingers, driven to send them into chaos and blood-shed once again. Can the wild cats of The Apostle islands continue in their new era of peace? Or will they fall victim to the evils of the Dark Forest?
Only the ebb and flow of the tide will tell.
[/PTab][PTab=Clan Plots]
REDWOODCLAN
Nearly RedwoodClan's leader for four seasons, Finchstar has finally found his own voice among his clan-mates and a determination to bring his Clan back to its former glory after winning the war against LichenClan and restoring peace and prosperity to the island. While not an advocator for war, Finchstar wants to turn RedwoodClan into a formidable threat on the island and prevent another century long conflict. However, mistrust remains among some of his warriors.
After Finchstar's lack of confidence in the beginning of his leadership, many of the senior and more militant warriors in RedwoodClan remain wary of Finchstar and his decisions to aid the Tribe or take in rogues. Many want to restore RedwoodClan to its former glory, a Clan who adamantly follows the code and fights gallantry on the battlefield without the aid of alliances. While others, like Icesong, want to continue the peace Finchstar fought for and develop strong relations with LichenClan, ThistleClan, and the Tribe. There is strength in numbers.
POLITICAL TENSION
In RedwoodClan, there are many topics of political tension:
- Supporting/Opposing leadership
- Aiding the Tribe
- Maintaining/Ending the alliance with ThistleClan
- Building an alliance with LichenClan
- Visiting the lagoon and tunnel cats
- Taking in outsiders
- Following/Breaking the code
BORDERS
RedwoodClan border status:
- ThistleClan - Neutral, skirmishes not allowed
- LichenClan - Neutral, skirmishes not allowed
PLOTS
As a RedwoodClan warrior, you can plot down various different paths:
Militant
- IC: As a militant, you've watched your friends and family die around you in the war. You have watched your leadership fail you over and over again, either by refusing to fight back or by wasting resources on those outside of your Clan, like the tribe, or by taking in rogues or refugees. You believe that RedwoodClan should return to their glory days and become a formidable threat again, which means you are against any formal alliance that makes RedwoodClan appear weak. Many senior warriors may be militant.
- OOC: Public faction! Any warrior can be a militant.
- Plot Ideas: As a militant, you can convince others to be more proactive/aggressive about building a stronger RedwoodClan, argue against alliances, train apprentices and other warriors, badger your leadership, lead patrols and skirmishes, and more!
Pacifist
- IC: As a pacifist, you want to continue the alliances formed with ThistleClan, the Tribe, and you want to build a new one with LichenClan. You’ve rarely known periods of peace or what it was like before Finchstar’s or even Heatherstar’s leadership, and now that you are in one, you don't want it to end. You do not believe fighting is the answer and that Finchstar should continue solving disputes without his claws. You are more sympathetic to outsiders and the Tribe because you believe every cat deserves a chance at life. Many younger warriors may be pacifists.
- OOC: Public faction - any warrior can be a pacifist.
- Plot ideas: As a pacifist, you can try to convince others that fighting isn’t the answer, talk to your leadership about forming alliances or settling disputes, help out your clan by doing your warrior duties, participate in skirmishes, offer aid to outsiders, and more!
Neutral
- IC: As a neutral warrior, you are maybe a senior warrior who supports their leadership, while also mourning your Clan’s losses over the seasons. Perhaps you understand Heatherstar’s reasoning for refusing to fight. Or perhaps you are a young warrior who wants to see RedwoodClan prosper as a formidable threat in the forest. You don't want to see RedwoodClan fall victim to another war again and you want them to be on the offense. You carry a nuanced perspective on the many conflicts within RedwoodClan.
- OOC: Public faction - any warrior can be neutral.
- Plot ideas: As a neutral warrior, you can train apprentices, perform your warrior duties, befriend your clan-mates, speak with your leadership, participate in skirmishes, and more!
THISTLECLAN
After refusing to aid RedwoodClan in the war against LichenClan, Stagstar agreed to forming a tenuous alliance with Finchstar after the rogues raided his camp and murdered Thievingstar. Together, with the aid of the LichenClan rebels, they were able to end LichenClan's religious tyranny and drive the rogues far out of Clan territory. In a new era of peace, Stagstar and Firfoot return to camp with a chance to turn the tide on ThistleClan's seasons of suffering and relentless beatings.
Weakened by seasons of fox and rogue attacks, Stagstar believes it is time for ThistleClan to start honoring the warrior code and losing their indifferent, lackadaisical nature. They need to be offensive in their decisions, whether it's hunting down the rogues and making it impossible for them to ever pose a threat again, or driving the foxes out of their territory for good. Firfoot, while not in disagreement with his leader about the state of their Clan, believes that striking alliances with the other Clans and Tribe may have some benefit to their Clan and in is favor of encouraging their more conniving tendencies.
POLITICAL TENSION
In ThistleClan, there are many topics of political tension:
- Supporting/Opposing leadership
- Forming/Ending the alliance w/ RedwoodClan
- Annihilating all rogues
- Helping the Tribe/any outsider
- Worshiping StarClan
- Following/Breaking the warrior code
- Ending/Participating in the duel culture
- Having kits for the Clan vs. out of love
BORDERS
ThistleClan border status:
- RedwoodClan - Neutral, skirmishes not allowed
- LichenClan - Neutral, skirmishes not allowed
PLOTS
As a ThistleClan warrior, you can plot down various different paths:
Fighter
- IC: As a fighter, you fiercely support a stronger ThistleClan who is a formidable threat in the forest. You have little sympathy for outsiders, the Tribe, or the other two Clans. You only agree to formal alliance because it in opportunistic in the moment and ultimately benefits you. You are an aggressive warrior with a sharp tongue, and even sharper claws. Most of your disputes are settled by duels and fights. You may or may not disregard the warrior code or believe in StarClan.
- OOC: Public faction - any warrior can be a fighter.
- Plot Ideas: As a fighter, you can train apprentices, practice deadly battle moves, provoke skirmishes, lead patrols, perform warrior duties, belittle your clan-mates, and more!
Troublemaker
- IC: As a troublemaker, you disregard the warrior code and shirk most forms of responsibility. You’re only here to have a good time, not a long time. Troublemakers love to cross borders, engage in illegal affairs, and serve their own selfish desires. Perhaps you do feel a sense of loyalty to your Clan, but you definitely don’t care about forming or maintaining alliances. You may believe in StarClan or not.
- OOC: Public faction - any warrior can be a troublemaker.
- Plot ideas: As a troublemaker, you can break the warrior code, hang out with friends, engage in illegal activities, face the consequences of your actions, and more!
Neutral
- IC: As a neutral warrior, you may honor parts of the warrior code or believe in StarClan. Perhaps you also sympathize with the rogues or the Tribe, or maybe you do want ThistleClan to get involved in other Clan politics and find benefit in alliances. You are not as aggressive and fierce as some of your Clan-mates nor do you avoid your responsibilities. You are able to view the many conflicts of the forest with some nuance.
- OOC: Public faction - any warrior can be neutral.
- Plot ideas: As a neutral warrior, you can train apprentices, practice battle moves, lead patrols and skirmishes, perform your warrior duties, and more!
LICHENCLAN
After defeating Minnowstar in a gruesome, bloody battle, Yarrowstar and Quickstrike return to camp, emboldened by a visit from StarClan. They are the new leaders of LichenClan, but it is not an announcement taken without its challenges. Civil unrest remains in the Clan as the former Minnowstar loyalists try to adapt to a Clan under revisionist rule. No longer are they driven by a tyrant, ordering them to cleanse the forest of sin and kill all heathens on sight. Their new leader desires strong, peaceful alliances with the other Clans and Tribe, and a return to their once pacifist roots.
Under Yarrowstar's rule, the MoonCave returns to a place of neutrality for all Clans to mourn and pay respect to their loved ones. A council is erected to ensure that nobody rises to power again like the once, villainous Heron-line. LichenClan develops a close relationship with the cats who guard the lagoon and seeks an even stronger, more intimate relationship with StarClan. But evil lurks within the Clan, threatening the revisionists efforts, and a desire to return LichenClan to its tyrannical rule under Minnowstar remains.
POLITICAL TENSION
In LichenClan, there are many topics of political tension:
- Supporting/Opposing leadership
- Returning LichenClan to its glory under the Heron-line
- Believing in StarClan
- Turning the MoonCave neutral
- Supporting/Opposing the council
- Sheltering rogues/outsiders
- Helping the Tribe
- Supporting/Opposing LichenClan's strict class structure
BORDERS
LichenClan border status:
- RedwoodClan - Neutral, skirmishes not allowed
- ThistleClan - Neutral, skirmishes not allowed
PLOTS
As a LichenClan warrior, you can plot down various different paths:
Loyalist
- IC: As a loyalist, you or your family have long supported the Heron-line and the belief that the other Clans are filled with unrighteous sinners. You may be come from a 'high-class' family. You have a strong, devout belief in StarClan, and take the medicine cat’s word as law. You most likely do not support Yarrowstar's vision of peace and do not want to form alliances with other Clans or the Tribe. You do not support turning the MoonCave into a neutral landmark, and you are greatly mistrustful of your revisionists/former rebel clan-mates.
- OOC: Public faction - any warrior can be a loyalist.
- Plot Ideas: As a loyalist, you can discuss your remaining loyalty to Minnowstar and the Heron-line in secret with other loyalists, challenge leadership, oppose revisionist decisions, continue to arrange your children and uphold the class structure, and more!
Revisionist
- IC: As a revisionist, you or your family have long disagreed with the Heron-line and LichenClan's religious tyranny over the past century. You may have been a former rebellion member, banished or exiled warrior, or you agree with Yarrowstar's vision of peace and want to make amends for LichenClan's past. You support returning LichenClan to its former pacifistic roots and forming strong alliances. You may disagree with mate arrangements or LichenClan's class structure.
- OOC: Public faction - any warrior can be a revisionist.
- Plot ideas: As a revisionist, you can help restore LichenClan to its former roots, fight mate arrangements and the class system, support Yarrowstar's vision of peace, learn about the island's past from the tunnel cats, and more!
Neutral
- IC: As a neutral warrior of LichenClan, you are neither a staunch loyalist or a revisionist. You are somewhere in between. Perhaps you support Yarrowstar, but you don't think LichenClan should become pacifistic and form strong alliances with the other Clans and Tribe or take in rogues? Perhaps you are a former loyalist who want to change? Or you don't believe in StarClan as strongly as your clan-mates? Maybe you don't mind the class structure? Or you are a loyalist who wants to see it change?
- OOC: Public faction - any warrior can be neutral.
- Plot ideas: As a neutral or indifferent warrior of LichenClan, you can connect with your clan-mates and find common ground, pray to StarClan, hunt or train for your Clan, train your apprentices, visit the MoonCave, explore the tunnels, and more!
TRIBE OF FLOATING STONES
After the death of Fog in the tragic fire, Sumac rises to power as the Clan's teller, desperate to bring them out of the brink of starvation and loss. But tragedy continues to strike the Tribe, again and again without repose. Under a harsh and undeserving leaf-bare, the Tribe continues to starve, barely hanging on. They do not flourish under Sumac's leadership, instead dissolving into further civil unrest and chaos, a power struggle that only gets worse once Sumac returns nearly dead after the blizzard.
Unbeknownst to the Tribe, Fog is alive and imprisoned on the Clan island, but doubt and uncertainty fill him. As much as he wants to return home to his tribe-mates, he also feels ousted and betrayed by them as well. Sumac took one of his lives and drove him from his home, casting him to the lake's powerful waves. He fears there will be no support once he finds his way across the sandbar. But destiny is a powerful thing, and his return is undoubtedly written in the Stars.
POLITICAL TENSION
In the Tribe, there are many topics of political tension:
- Supporting/Opposing Sumac
- Supporting/Opposing friendly relations w/ the Clan cats
- Interpreting signs from the Endless Tribe
- Inciting Prey-hunter vs. Stone-guard prejudice & conflict
- Believing Fog is alive
- Combating starvation
- Preserving the land and prey
PLOTS
As a Tribe member, you can plot down various different paths:
Former Fog Supporter
- IC: As a former Fog supporter, you are suspicious of Sumac's rise to power and don't support him as the new teller, whether you believe he was involved with Fog's death or not. You believe that Sumac wrongfully took the teller position, and you do not support his new rules. You may believe he's lying about his signs from the Tribe of Endless Hunting. You may be a stone-guard and may develop prejudice against prey-hunters or you are a prey-hunter who believes Sumac is treating your stone-guard tribe-mates unfairly..
- OOC: Public faction! Any tribe cat can be a former Fog supporter
- Plot Ideas: As a former Fog supporter, you can challenge Sumac's leadership by disobeying his rules, get punished by his supporters, try hunting for your tribe, tend to the island, protect it from predators, help gather and care for herbs, talk to other tribe-cats about Sumac and your fears, train to-bes, and more!
Sumac Supporter
- IC: As a Sumac supporter, you believe Fog’s dreams were wrongly interpreted, and he was never the rightful teller of the tribe. You support Sumac as the new teller and believe his new rules will end the Tribe's prolonged suffering and lead them to a brighter tomorrow. You obediantly follow his orders and may even help Sumac punish your disobedient tribe-mates. You may be a prey-hunter who has developed prejudice against your stone-guard tribe-mates, believing they don't provide enough for your Tribe. You may be a stone-guard who wants to help hunt more.
- OOC: Public faction - any tribe cat can be a Sumac supporter
- Plot ideas: As a Sumac supporter, you can hunt for your tribe, tend to the island, protect it from predators, reinforce Sumac's rules, punish your disobedient tribe-mates, train to-bes, and more!
Neutral
- IC: As a neutral tribe-member, you may be indifferent or undecided regarding the political tension in the tribe. Perhaps you want to stay out of it and instead focus on your duties as a prey-hunter or stone-guard. Perhaps you're simply tired of suffering for so long and don't care anymore. Maybe you believe both Fog and Sumac are the rightful tellers and Fog died tragically in the fire. Maybe you supported Sumac at first but are now starting to question his actions.
- OOC: Public faction - any tribe cat can be neutral.
- Plot ideas: As a neutral tribe-member, you can hunt for your tribe, tend to the island, protect it from predators, follow Sumac's orders, disobey Sumac's orders, train to-bes, and more!
OUTSIDERS
Long before the Clans formed, some cats decided to separate entirely from the hostile colony, choosing to live out in the northern outlands on their own. Eventually they became known as loners and rogues. Cats who were banished from their Clan, or those who chose to leave on their own, slowly came to reside on these inhospitable lands. Resources are hard to come by and life is tough for outsiders, but many would rather make it on their own than trust a Clan cat.
While many choose to live on their own, some have merged together under notable groups. Far beneath the islands, a group of loners live in the tunnels, sworn together by oath to the Stars. Under Vega's charge, they protect the lagoon, StarClan's meeting place, from harm, and remain as a neutral entity on the island and keepers of lore. Their home is a refuge for those cast from their Clans or those seeking a deeper, ancestral connection to StarClan and peace. They also routinely teach visitors about island lore, diplomacy, healing, and the Stars.
In the furthest, most inhospitable northern reaches of the territory near the peninsula, Poppy and her rogues have formed a growing group under the name Celandine. Their intent is to secure stable and worthwhile resources for the rogues, whatever means necessary. They see themselves a safe haven for outsiders. Previously, Poppy and some of her rogues were under Lily's, her mother, orders, but the great has long passed. A former threat to ThistleClan, the Clan cats are unsure of their existence or growing numbers.
*Kitty-pets are extremely rare and unrealistic on the island and highly discouraged. If you are set on creating a kitty-pet character, please contact a staff member.
Rogue border status:
PLOTS
As an outsider, you can plot down various different paths:
Rogue
Loner
Celandine
Tunnel Cats
[/PTab][/PTabbedContent={width:490px;}]BORDERS
Rogue border status:
- RedwoodClan - Hostile, skirmishes allowed
- ThistleClan - Hostile, skirmishes allowed
- LichenClan - Hostile, skirmishes allowed
PLOTS
As an outsider, you can plot down various different paths:
Rogue
- IC: As a rogue, you live by yourself or with a small group of others in the northern territory beyond ThistleClan’s border. You may despise Clan cats and regularly instigate skirmishes with them or terrorize their warriors. You may disregard their borders entirely and try to steal food and other resources from their plentiful land. You follow no code and only try to survive by whatever means possible.
- OOC: Public faction - any cat can be a rogue.
- Plot Ideas: As a rogue, you can interact with other outsiders, start fights with Clan cats, steal Clan prey, take shelter on Clan land, explore the entire territory, and more!
Loner
- IC: As a loner, you live by yourself or with a small group of others in the northern territory beyond ThistleClan’s border. You may be more sympathetic or indifferent to the Clan cats. You may have even tried to help them out or seek out a Clan cat to learn more about their culture. You may secretly want to join a Clan, or you’re simply content living on your own and following your own rules.
- OOC: Public faction - any cat can be a loner.
- Plot ideas: As a loner, you can interact with other outsiders, defend yourself from rogues or Clan cats, help Clan cats, explore the entire territory, and more!
Celandine
- IC: As a rogue in Celandine, Poppy's group, you were either originally part of Lily's gang before her death or you were recruited by Poppy later in life. You enjoy the benefits of living in a group and recognize it's better than fending for yourself on your own. You want to help Poppy create a safe haven for outsiders and secure more resources for rogues.
- OOC: Private faction - Outsiders can only join Celandine after completing a Faction Change Request.
- Plot ideas: As a member of Celandine, you can instigate fights with Clan cats, obey or disobey Poppy's orders, scheme with Poppy, interact with other outsiders, train with other rogues, and more!
Tunnel Cats
- IC: As a tunnel cat, you were either born in the tunnels, found by Vega or one of his crew and nursed back to health, or chose to join the tunnel cats after the Great War. You live a life of secrecy beneath the island. You don’t want to return to your old life for a myriad of reasons, either as a Clan cat or outsider. You prefer the safety and privacy of the tunnels. You have a deep desire to help others and worry for the future of the Clans. You feel a deep and powerful connection to StarClan, and you want to ensure their protection. You may be fascinated with preserving Clan lore, and hold a desire to maintain peace on the island. You also enjoy teaching visitors.
- OOC: Private faction - Cats can only join the tunnel cat group after completing a Faction Change Request.
- Plot ideas: As a tunnel cat, you can interact with other tunnel cats, find injured cats and help nurse them back to help, travel underneath the island in the tunnels as a neutral entity, protect the lagoon, teach visitors about lore, diplomacy, healing, and the Stars, attend Gatherings, and more!
