Okay, this isn't an actual story chapter, but it's basically a copy and paste from what is on my profile in terms of the setting of this world I've made for the story. It helps convey the image I'm trying to describe. I'm in the middle of exams, so this is pretty much it till after 17th June, sorry guys x
TERRITORY IN 'THE GUARDIANS'
First off, this is an AU, the Clans here are my own, as well as the territories described below. If you have a problem with that, PM me and I will hear and try and reason with your argument. Also, the characters are mine too. I apologise if there are any similarities in names and appearances of other FanFics, I've tried to be as original as I can be, again if there is a problem, PM me.
EAST
There is a huge cliff made from red stone at the end of the Clans' territory which leads to a deadly drop of several hundred feet and then to a flat, rocky plain the Clans call 'Hell's Hollow' which stretches out as far as one can see along the horizon. When the sun rises each morning, it always looks like a bloody red and the plain looks like it's bathed with fire.
Along the top of the cliff is dry and dusty but quite rocky. In the middle of the Clans' territory which serves as the border between the two Clans, is an ancient Twoleg path. This leads to the Jagged Peaks, situated on the edge of the cliff. This is where the Clans' hold their Gatherings. They are a series of toothed rocks poking out of the surface with two taller boulders in the middle. The dusty surface does gradually become green with grass and embedded with trees the further inland it is, where the Clans live.
NORTH
This is where NightClan territory lies. It's home to a dense forest area, where sunlight hardly pierces through the trees. Further north is a wide, fast flowing river NightClan calls Rushing River. Along the bank is a marshy area where the trees have thinned out. Following the river which flows east towards the cliff, there is a huge waterfall which is dubbed Raging Waters. No cat can see the end of the waterfall and many cats have lost their lives after being swept up by the river's fury.
Yet by the side of the waterfall, there is a well-worn path on the ridges of the face of the cliff, made by Medicine Cats over the countless years as they travel to meet their ancestors. StarClan's dwelling place is a small cave underneath the waterfall. The Medicine Cats lick the water on the stalagmites which drip off the stalactites to speak to StarClan. They call them the 'MoonDrops'.
On the far side of the river, beyond Clan territories, the greenery fades into a dry desert the further north you go. The Clan's call this area 'The Wastelands'.
SOUTH
Below the ancient twoleg path, the trees thin out and what lies before them is MeadowClan territory. Rolling fields of long grass and flowers with hills and dips dotted around. Further south you come across a crop farm, with acres of wheat and corn with a barn connecting with MeadowClan territory.
Further west, you follow a dusty dirt road which connects to the farm and marks the end of MeadowClan territory, the MeadowClan cats call it the 'Old Thunderpath'. Further below that is unknown, but you can see mountains in the distance with thick forests at their foot.
WEST
At the other end of both territories and what the dirt road leads to is a small area of twoleg houses which belongs to the outskirts of a Twoleg city, or the 'Giant Twoleg Place'. The houses are so spread out, that some are on the other side of the river and touch the desert.
THE CLANS
NightClan
A Clan full of pride, their specialty is hunting and lurking in the shadows, they use stealth and surprise to their advantage and are considered to have greater strength physically than MeadowClan. In general, they're average sized cats with powerful hind legs and strong claws to help with climbing trees, as they do for everyday life. They usually have dark pelts to help with lurking about in the dark. As an insult they are called, "Squirrel-brains" by MeadowClan, as they are often hopping from treetop to treetop chasing after birds and squirrels, which are their main food source as well as mice. They also eat voles, toads and frogs, which are found in the marshy side of the river, as well as fish. They consider fish a treat as the river is usually too fast to be able to find one.
They usually scorn the life of a kittypet and make sure that any intruders are not welcome, hardly giving them a chance to speak before engaging in battle and chasing them off their territory. The general traits for a NightClan cat are ones of arrogance, very brash and easily jumps to conclusions. However, they are extremely loyal, and take care of each other and cannot ignore an injured cat or kits. They follow the Warrior Code to the dot.
NightClan have been on good terms with the Otter Raft for many moons now, with the river mainly Raft territory but they allow NightClan to fish at the edges. The Skipper of the Raft and the NightClan leader meet every now and again to report any incidents on either side of the river or what's happening downstream, they consider their alliance valuable but the Raft refuse to be caught up in Clan affairs, not wanting to get caught up in unnecessary fights.
The current Leader of NightClan is Ravenstar.
Her deputy is Emberclaw.
MeadowClan
A friendlier Clan than NightClan, will help any cat in need but at a price. Usually something like depositing prey near their camp for a moon, or when it's the Clan's time in need, they need to help. They usually call on these favours whenever they have a scuffle with NightClan or there is a threat to their Clan. Their territory is rolling hills and fields full of flowers and vegetation. The Medicine Cats usually trade herbs and flowers. They are usually smaller and have lithe bodies compared to the stockier NightClan cats. They use their agility and intelligence to help them in battle. They love racing through the fields of long grass and chasing the rabbits and hares.
What is also considered part of their territory are the corn and wheat fields found around the farm. They know when the Fanged Monster comes out across the fields to check the crops and pivot their hunting patrols around that. They hunt in the fields, catching mice and other small vermin plus small birds. The farmer leaves them alone as they don't mess up the crops and hunt the animals who eat them.
They are on friendly terms with the Barn Cats, who are a source of intelligence with who or what comes through the territory beyond the farm who can be considered a threat to the Clans. However, both the Barn Cats and MeadowClan have problems with the Crows, who attack them relentlessly if they are disturbed or if their part of the Crop fields are trespassed.
The current Leader of MeadowClan is Smallstar.
His deputy is Eaglewing.
Tide and Lupa
Two mysterious cats, both around twenty moons old, who have come specifically to talk to the Clans so they can help them with their quest. They miraculously climbed up the Cliff from Hell's Hollow, something no one, let alone a cat, has done before.
Tide has matured a lot over the few moons he has been journeying with Lupa. He is the more rational of the two and more strategic as well, more than happy to not get into a fight if he can help it. He has large ears for his smallish body, making him look disjointed. However, he is able to hear a lot better than most cats because of it. He doesn't aim to make enemies with anyone who can help him with his quest, and is purposefully charismatic to try and smoothly sweet talk his way out of tough situations. He is trying to make amends with Lupa, obviously wanting forgiveness, but in his heart he knows that they will never be more than two cats trying to complete their missions. He is caring, yet cares what other cats think of him. He has an honest nature, but that can make him blunt, brutally so.
Lupa is the polar opposite to Tide. She hates his sly tactics to try and win cats or other animals over. She can act rather rash and often takes things how they come. She acts with her claws rather than her head most of the time, and often charges into situations before knowing what could happen. Other than being headstrong, she also has a way with words, something she picked up from Tide. However, unlike Tide, she doesn't make friends with plans on using them to her advantage, she actually creates an emotional attachment to them, and will fight for them till her last breath. This factor is also a reason why she hates Tide, however it goes further back, to when she and Tide were given the quest in which Tide did the unforgiveable. She knows that she has to work with them to sort out their quest, and she hates it, but she holds back her angst and will work with Tide in order to complete her mission.
Just to let you guys know, I am still accepting animals, if you have a look at my profile, you can see what is needed. So please PM me, or if you're a guest, review.
Thanks, Moony x