Spring has finally sprung! Better late than never along the 'ole, miss chilly Lake Superior! The islands are finally green and teeming with fresh, flourishing life. Trees are budding and blossoming. Lounging in a stray sunbeam is finally socially acceptable again...yet a cold, dark presence is lingering in the tunnels, remnescent of leaf-bare's cruel clutches...dun dun dun. We have a lighter Announcement month this may! We're continuing our spring cleaning event and announcing a few site updates and patrols, so please check 'em out!
The Apostles is a warrior cats roleplay based in northern Wisconsin. On Lake Superior, the wild cats have made the Apostle Islands their home. It is on these islands - Rocky Island and South Twin Island - that the clan and tribe cats have lived in a peace and harmony that ebbs and flows with the tide.
But as the tides turn, so does the truce that binds them to one another; and as the water raises, a darkness follows, an evil that will end in bloodshed and violence.
The leader must call the kit forward, then the leader states, "This is a proud day for CLAN'S NAME. By naming apprentices, we show CLAN'S NAME will survive and remain strong. KIT'S NAME, from now on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as APPRENTICE'S NAME."(Must add paw to the prefix).
The leader commands the apprentice's mentor to step forward. The leader then yowls, "You are ready for an apprentice, you will be APPRENTICE NAME'S mentor. I know you will pass on your STRENGTH ADJ (loyalty, wisdom etc) to APPRENTICE NAME'S, and teach him/her/them the skills that will make him/her/them a brave warrior of CLAN'S NAME.
The Warrior must then touch noses with his/her/their new apprentice.
WARRIOR CEREMONY
The leader calls for the Apprentice(s) to step forward.
"I, LEADER'S NAME, leader of CLAN'S NAME, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice . He/She/They has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him/her/them to you as a warrior in his/her/them turn. APPRENTICE'S NAME, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"
The Apprentice must say, "I do."
The Leader then calls, "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name, APPRENTICE'S NAME, from this moment on you will be known as NEW NAME. StarClan honors your STRENGTH ADJ (loyalty, wisdom, etc) and your STRENGTH ADJ (gentle heart, courage, etc) and we welcome you as a full warrior of the clan."
Then the Leader must rest their muzzle on the New Warrior's head.The new warrior must lick the Leader's head respectively before going to go sit with the other warriors.
NAME CHANGING CEREMONY
The leader must call the cat forward.
The leader must then state, "Spirits of StarClan, you know every cat by name. I ask you now to take away the name from the cat you see before you, for it no longer stands for what she/he/they is. By my authority as clan leader, and with the approval of our warrior ancestors, I give this cat a new name. From this moment on she/he/they will be known as NEW NAME, for REASON WHY NAME CHANGED."
The leader must then lay his/her/their chin on the warrior's head. The warrior must then give the Leader a respectful lick on the shoulder in return.
MEDICINE CAT APPRENTICE CEREMONY
The Leader summons a meeting, and asks the medicine cat and new apprentice forward.
The Medicine cat then meows, "Cats of CLAN'S NAME as you know I will not be around forever. So it's time I took an apprentice. I have chosen a cat REASON HERE WHY THEY WERE CHOSEN. Your next medicine cat will be APPRENTICE'S NAME."
The leader then states, "APPRENTICE'S NAME, do you accept the post of apprentice to MEDICINE CAT'S NAME?"
The apprentice must meow, "Yes, LEADER'S NAME."
The Medicine Cat must state, "Then at the half-moon you must travel to the Moonstone, to be accepted by StarClan before the other medicine cats."
The leader must then meow, "The good wishes of all CLAN'S NAME will go with you."
The Medicine cat must then touch noses with his/her/their new apprentice.
MEDICINE CAT CEREMONY
While at the Mooncave, the Medicine Cat meows to Starclan and calls the Medicine Cat apprentice forward: "I, MEDICINE CAT'S NAME, medicine cat of CLAN'S NAME, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She/he/they has trained hard to understand the way of a medicine cat, and with your help she/he/they will serve his/her/their clan for many moons. APPRENTICE'S NAME, do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from clan rivalry between clan and clan, and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?"
The medicine cat apprentice then meows, "I do."
The Medicine Cat then states, "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your true name as a medicine cat. APPRENTICE's NAME, from this moment you will be known as NEW NAME. StarClan honors your STRENGTH ADJ (loyalty, faith toward starclan, etc)."
The Medicine Cat rests his/her/their chin on the New Medicine's cat's head. The new Medicine cat licks his/her/their mentor's shoulder.
DEPUTY CEREMONY
When a deputy dies, the leader must call the new deputy before Moonhigh.
The leader then states,"We are gathered here to appoint CLAN's NAME new deputy. I say these words before the body of OLD DEPUTY'S NAME, so that his/her/their spirit may hear and approve my choice. NEW DEPUTY'S NAME will be the new deputy of CLAN'S NAME."
*if a deputy retires, the leader states: "I say these words before Starclan, so that they will hear and approve of my choice. NEW DEPUTY'S NAME will be the new deputy of CLAN'S NAME."
LEADER CEREMONY
The deputy will visit the Mooncave to receive their lives. When the vision unfolds, the deputy will find themselves near the Waterfall covered in stars.
Many vices formed as one meow, "Welcome DEPUTY'S NAME. Are you ready to receive your nine lives?"
The Deputy then meows, "Yes, I'm ready.
The Deputy sees the nine cats closest to him/her/them in life and realizes that each of them will give a life [the adjectives are interchangeable].
The first cat meows, "With this life I give you [courage]. Use it well to defend your clan."
The second cat will meow, "With this life I give you [justice]. Use it well to judge the actions of others."
The third cat meows, "With this life I give you [loyalty] to what you believe to be right. Use it well to guide your clan in times of trouble."
The fourth cat meows, "With this life I give you [tireless energy]. Use it well to carry out the duties of a leader."
The fifth cat will meow, "With this life I give you [protection]. Use it well to care for your clan as a mother cares for her kits."
The Sixth cat then meows, "With this life I give you [mentoring]. Use it well to train the young cats of your clan."
The seventh cat meows, "With this life I give you [compassion]. Use it well for the elders of your clan and for all cats weaker than you."
The Eighth cat will meow, "With this life I give you [love]. Use it well for the cats in your care."
The Ninth cat [OLD LEADER] then meows at last, "With this life I give you [noblilty and certainty and faith]. Use it well as you lead your clan in the ways of StarClan and the warrior code."
The ninth cat announces, "I hail you by your new name, DEPUTY'S NEW NAME. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader and StarClans grants you the guardianship of CLAN'S NAME. Defend it well, care for young and old, honor your ancestors and the warrior code. Live each life with pride and dignity."
After Starclan's chants the leader's new name he/she/they wakes up and heads back to camp. But the leader must not tell anyone what happened at the moonstone. The leader is only allowed to say that they have received their name and nine lives.
Dock is a broad, fuzzy leafed green plant. Can be chewed and applied as a general pain relief for minor scratches and cuts. Can grow rampant so if found growing near valuable herbs it should be removed from the root to prevent overwhelming the other plants. Grows in New-Leaf and Green-Leaf.
Common in all Clans and the Tribe
Comfrey has large leaves and small, bell-shaped flowers, which range in color from pink, to white, and also purple. Its fat, black-colored roots, when chewed into a poultice, can be used to reduce inflammation in broken bones and wounds. Grows in New-Leaf, Green-Leaf, and into Leaf-Fall.
Common in ThistleClan and RedwoodClan
Uncommon in LichenClan and the Tribe
Honey is great to help relieve sore throats and common colds, however the difficulty in obtaining it far outweighs the cost.
Uncommon in ThistleClan, RedwoodClan, and LichenClan
Common in the Tribe
Poppy Seeds are powerful sleep aids. They are given to cats to calm and soothe shock/distress. However high doses can become addicting. It is not recommended to give poppy seeds to pregnant/nursing cats as it can cause miscarriage and stop the flow of milk. Some flowers should be left alone so as to reseed the patch for next year's growth. Blooms for a moon in late New-Leaf.
Common in all Clans and the Tribe
INFECTIONS
Brownwort is a common plant that blooms small purple-blue flowers. It has many medicinal uses. These include fever reduction, diarrhea, sore mouth and throat, weaknesses of the heart, and as an antiseptic and anti inflammatory. The powdered leaves can be diluted in water and used to heal eye infections/pinkeye. Blooms in Late Green-Leaf untill Early Leaf-Fall.
Common in all Clans and the Tribe
Chervil is a sweet smelling plant, which has large , fern-like leaves. When the leaves are chewed, the juice can be placed on wounds to prevent or heal infection. The roots can be chewed up and eaten to cure bellyache. Harvesting the leaves before the plant blooms flower lengthens its growing season. Grows in early new-leaf. Blooms in mid new-leaf. After blooming the plant will die off for the season.
Rare in RedwoodClan
Uncommon in LichenClan and the Tribe
Not Found in ThistleClan
Horsetail is a piney looking plant. It can be consumed in very small amounts to help with urinary infections. It prefers to grow in marshy areas. Grows from Green-Leaf until the first frost.
Uncommon in ThistleClan
Not found in RedwoodClan, LichenClan, or the Tribe
Marigold is a bright yellow/orange flower. It grows mainly in sunny areas and if some flowers are left it will re-grow and spread the next year. Chewing the petals and leaves into a pulp can be used as a poultice against infection. Grows and blooms during Green-Leaf.
Common in all Clans and the Tribe
GREENCOUGH & COLDS
Red Elderberry grows along rivers and streams and in woodland. They grow best in a moist environment. Berries can be eaten to induce vomiting, but too many will cause poisoning. The bark can be ground into a poultice to be used on wounds to help clot blood flow. The flowers can be used to treat coughs and colds. Dies in Leaf-bare. Regrows in New-leaf. Produces ripe fruit in Green-Leaf.
Common in ThistleClan and the Tribe
Uncommon in RedwoodClan and LichenClan
Catmint is a tall, shrubby, leafy plant. The leaves can be chewed for a sedative/relaxant. Also cures symptoms of green-cough. Prefers sunny areas. Blooms in late New-Leaf/Early Green-leaf. Will stop flowering during the hotter season. Will bloom again in Leaf-Fall.
Uncommon in ThistleClan
Common in RedwoodClan, LichenClan, and the Tribe
Lungwort is a plant which blooms purple and blue flowers. It is a strong medicinal plant for serious lung ailments. The leaves can be chewed or mixed into a poultice if dried for serious cases of yellow cough or other lung related viruses that less effective herbs cannot heal. Pruning and mulching/fertilizer may be required to help produce healthy plant stalks. Blooms in New-leaf but will produce green, healthy stalks until end of Leaf-Fall.
Rare in LichenClan
Not found in ThistleClan, RedwoodClan, or the Tribe
Lavender is a purple flowering plant that grows in full sun. Chewing the resin from the stems can help reduce fever. Some cats find the scent of the flower helpful to induce sleep and calm anxiety and stress symptoms. Grows in late New-Leaf until mid Green-Leaf.
Common in LichenClan
Uncommon in RedwoodClan
Rare in ThistleClan and the Tribe
OTHER REMEDIES
Cobwebs are silky, sticky threads put on a wound to soak up and stop (or slow) the bleeding.
Mousebile A sack of bile found in mice. The only remedy for ticks, mouse bile is foul smelling, and is stored in moss. When dabbed on a tick, the tick falls off. Smell can be masked by wild garlic (which grows in all territories), or by washing paws in running water.
Borage is a small plant with pink or blue flowers and hairy leaves. The leaves can be chewed and eaten by nursing queens for producing better milk. Also treats fevers. Can be easily identified by its star shaped flowers. Blooms in late New-Leaf through Green-Leaf.
Common in all Clans and the Tribe
Pine Sap has antiseptic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial capabilities. It can be used to “glue” wounds shut when cobwebs are unavailable or wounds are very serious. It can also be used to treat rashes. Slightly hardened sap can be chewed to help relieve sore throats. However it must be collected fresh.
Common in ThistleClan
Uncommon in the Tribe
Not found in RedwoodClan or LichenClan
Chickweed is a ground covering white flowering plant. Its main use is making a poultice to treat bug bites, rashes, or other skin irritations. Blooms in New-Leaf, will continue growing leaves through Green-leaf.
Common in the Tribe
Not found in ThistleClan, RedwoodClan, or LichenClan
Golden Ragwort is a yellow, daisy-like flower. The flowers can be eaten by she-cats experiencing trouble conceiving. It prefers sunny areas. Blooms in New-Leaf.
Common in all Clans and the Tribe
Cardinal Flower is a simple flowering plant. The leaves can be chewed to help decrease swelling and aches related to arthritis. Plants can live for up to ten years. New shoots will grow from the older plants and should be cultivated to keep the plant growing for years to come. Grows along streams and in marshy land. Blooms in Green-Leaf
Common in ThistleClan
Uncommon in the Tribe
Not found in RedwoodClan or LichenClan
POISONOUS HERBS
Bitter Nightshade is an invasive weed. If left to grow rampant it can smother other more useful herbs. No medicinal purpose to this herb. The berries are highly poisonous consumed in even small amounts. Grows best in shady areas, and preferred habitat is marshland. Grows from Green-leaf into Leaf-fall. Berries ripen during Leaf-Fall.
Common in Thistleclan
Uncommon in RedwoodClan
Rare in LichenClan and the Tribe
Chokecherry is a type of shrub. It blooms with white flowers that turn into bright red berries. Digestion of chokecherry seeds, leaves, twigs and bark by enzymes in the stomach releases cyanide (also called hydrocyanic or prussic acid). Cyanide poisoning can occur with fresh, bruised, wilted or dried foliage. Highly poisonous. Blooms late New-Leaf until Leaf-fall. Berries ripen in Leaf-Fall.
Rare in ThistleClan and RedwoodClan
Uncommon in LichenClan
Common in the Tribe
Hemlock is a white flowering plant. All parts of the plant contain the relatively simple alkaloid coniine which causes stomach pains, vomiting and progressive paralysis of the central nervous system. Eating any part of the plant can be poisonous and even small amounts are fatal. It grows in marshy areas, along stream banks, and in open pasture/meadow areas. Grows in early New-Leaf until Leaf-Bare.
Back kick - Explosive surprise move to catch opponent from behind. Judge opponent's distance from you carefully, then lash out with your back legs, taking all weight on your front paws.
Front paw blow - Frontal attack. Bring your front paw down hard on your opponent's head. Claws sheathed.
Front paw strike/Forepaw slash - Frontal attack. Slice downward with your front paw at the face or body of your opponent.
Killing bite - A death blow to the back of the neck. Quick and silent and sometimes considered dishonorable. Used only as a last resort.
Leap-and-hold - Ideal for a small cat facing a larger opponent. Spring onto opponent's back and grip with unsheathed claws. Now you are beyond the range of the opponent's paws and in position to inflict severe body wounds. A group of apprentices can defeat a large and dangerous warrior in this way. Watch for the drop-and-roll counter move, and try to jump free before you get squashed.
Scruff shake - Secure a strong teeth grip in the scruff of your opponents neck; then shake violently until he or she is too rattled to fight back. Most effective against rats, who are small enough to throw. A strong throw will stun or kill them.
Teeth grip - Target your opponent's extremities- the legs, tail, scruff or ears- and sink in your teeth and hold. This move is similar to the leap-and-hold except your claws remain free to fight.
Upright lock - Final, crushing move on already weakened opponent. Rear up on back legs and bring weight down on opponent. If opponent does the same, wrestle and flip him under you. This makes you vulnerable to the belly rake, so it takes great strength and speed.
Half-turn belly rake - Turn onto your side, slip under the opponent's belly, rake it with your claws, then swiftly turn back onto all fours out from under your opponent.
Attack crouch - Crouching down to leap out onto your enemy.
Shoulder drop - Grabbing the opponent's shoulders and then locking them against the ground. From here, the cat can do anything, such as churning their hind paws against their spine.
DEFENSIVE ATTACKS
Belly rake - A fight-stopper. Slice with unsheathed claws against the soft flesh of the opponent's belly. If you're pinned down, the belly rake quickly puts you back into control.
Partner fighting - Warriors who have trained and fought together will often fall instinctively into a defensive position, each protecting each other's back while fending off an opponent on either side. Slashing, clawing, and leaping together, battle pairs can be a whirlwind of danger for attackers.
Play dead - Effective in a tight situation, such as when you are pinned. Stop struggling and go limp. When your opponent relaxes his grip, thinking you are defeated, push yourself up explosively. This will throw off an unwary opponent and put you in attacking position.
Badger defense - Leap over opponent, turn on your back legs and bite opponent's leg. Used only when fighting badgers.
Rear-up to slash - To hurt opponents coming from the air, this move can be used to rear up on the hind legs and slashing at the enemy.
Tucking in the tail - The less you give your enemy to hold on to, the better. This technique takes practice, as balancing with a tucked-in tail is tricky.
Bushing out fur - Bushing out the fur makes them look twice as big as their enemies, and a frightened enemy is half-beaten.
Arched back - Used to intimidate the opponent or to vent out anger.
Roll over - Used by rolling over to avoid an enemy's swipes or grip.
