MYRRHCLAN
MYRRHCLAN
" i know that i have gone astray- 'cause when I saw my reflection it was a stranger beneath my face. "
TERRITORY
| TERRAIN: | vatnajökull glacier; jökulsárlón lagoon + caves |
| PREY: | salmonidae, seabirds, hares, mice, rats, bats, opportunistic scavengers of seals and porpoises |
| HAZARDS: | walruses, arctic foxes, reindeer, ocean surges, extreme colds, cave collapses, upwalkers |
| LANDMARKS: | mulagljufur canyon, breiðárlón and fjallsárlón, blue ice caves, atlantic ocean coast |
CLAN
| FOUNDER: | myrrh of the night |
| TEMPERMENT: |
irreverent, split, righteous to follow what is known or what is told? |
| ADAPTATIONS: | water resistant, taller and streamlined, curlier, lighter fur, tuned nightvision, hooked claws |
| SKILLS: |
swimming in stagnent waters, diving, tracking and navigation, fishing, scaling sheers |
ABOUT MYRRHCLAN
much like the deity they subscribe to, myrrhclan is often seen as the black sheep of the three clans residing upon the glacial expanse. favoring the darkened caves and even darker nights, myrrhclan has an expectation of being broodier, secretive, territorial, and more violent cats. while some of that may hold true, especially when your direction leads you to the harsher, atheistic leadership at the helm of the clan- most of myrrhclan are kind, faithful cats who clearly believe in what they stand for. myrrhclan cats pride themselves in being resourceful, independant, and adapative to the world around them. although internal disputes have caused a rift between the cats of myrrhclan, there is no denying that this clan carries itself with the elegance and purpose of a well-oiled machine, caring for itself and those at it's heart before anyone else, even if currently seperated in two.
TRADITIONS
FROZEN IN BLACK: unlike the typical assesment of other clans, myrrhclan sends it's freshly named warriors out to prove themselves the night of their naming ceremony. somewhere between a vigil and an assessment, this is meant to test the vitality and constitution of myrrhclan's newest warriors through their own resolve and ability, with no help from below. they are tasked to travel to the farthest point of the territory, the base of the hangandifoss (crystalline) fall and coat their face in soot from the basalt rocks there- a symbolic blessing from the night herself, deeming them worthy of becoming a myrrhclan warrior. only after they recieve their blessing is the warrior allowed to hunt for themselves and sleep. upon their return, they will meet with their mentor and they will engage in one final, intimate act as mentor and apprentice, washing the basalt from their face and welcoming them truly to the clan. those who do not return are considered deserters and stripped of their suffix. siblings and requested pairs may journey together.
HONORING THE LOST: there is something very sacred in dying for your clan, and in myrrhclan, every death is treated with the upmost respect. when a myrrhclan warrior has gone to join the aurora above, a public ceremony will often be held where loved ones are allowed to mourn and share eulogies of the deceased, although the body will not be present. when it is time to burry the body, the medicine cat and only the passed's most beloved cats will join in the final vigil and goodbyes. carried out below the aurora, these cats will weave herbs, flowers, and annectdotes of the deceased's life into their pelt before they are buried in their favorite portion of the territories. the gravesite will be marked with a symbol of represent, and those present will give prayers of a safe journey and sleep above the grave. when morning comes, their true final goodbyes will be given, and they will return to camp. in the circumstances that the body of the lost is non-recoverable, the funeral services will still be held, but the items usually burried with the dead will be buried alone, and an addition prayer of hope that they are safe now even if they can not be found will be spoke by the medicine cat.
SOOTFALL: near the middle of everfreeze on one sudden night, many of the inhabitants of the nearby upwalker camp will turn the night sky into a bizzare flash of bright colors that are similar to the aurora, but dissapear turn into a birrage of dust and ash that coat the nearby areas. many young apprentices and warriors will venture to the upwalker camp and experience both the lightshow, and the falling soot that comes afterwards. some older warriors berate those who go for partaking in the upwalker life, but many see it in good fun, and appreciate the boost of life it brings to the struggle of overfreeze. it isn't uncommon for some cats to return to camp totally blackened from the ash and the lingering scent of fire.
THE ENDLESS SUN: during the last moon of snowmelt, the sun stays high in the sky, failing to set and follow it's cyclic patterns. for the first seven days, many myrrhclan warriors choose to fast and remain within the caves, in a sort of mourning period for the dissapearence of their patron. apprentices and some elders may elect to partake in this portion of the celebration, but food is always provided for queens, kits, and those who can not participate. they tell stories of myrrh and her siblings, offering blessings to the goddess and for the return of her darkness come the end of the endless sun. this is the most social period for the often withdrawn and reclusive myrrhclan cats, allowing them to come together and celebrate their founding. after the fast, those who participate join in 'the nightlit swim', where at what should be the highest rise of the moon- they exit the caves and swim and fish the jökulsárlón (reflection's) lagoon until the light intensifies. then, rest begins, and will continue, until the everlight gathering
THE EVERLIGHT GATHERING: at the end of the three clans celebrations for the endless sun- the clans will come together in the only daylight gathering for the season cycle. this gathering is a celebration of the clans' life and their guidance under the sisters who founded their clans. cats of all ages are welcomed and encouraged to participate in this gathering, and the clans offer a day of games, playful competition, and connection. medicine cats tend to gather and share new herbal discoveries and otherwordly experiences, kits and apprentices race, play hunt and mingle among eachother, warriors reconnect with friends from other clans, and just spend a day in celebration of their successes throughout the season. when the sun finally sets and the moon of endless sun ends, the clans say goodbye and part ways- wishing blessings as everfreeze approaches. occasionally even, outsiders who either originated from the clans- or know of them make the trek to hvannadalshnúkur (convergent point) to join in the clans festivities- and sometimes even go home with them. this gathering is notoriously known as a cease to any conflicts between the three clans, and disuption of this event can be punishable at a leader's disgression.
