Completed Prompts

Living in a temperate forest, no matter the ease of the weather, brings its own challenges. The wolf clan to the east is currently the town's biggest threat, though only reports of ominous killings within the town's border have alerted the cats to the clan's presence. Big cats, feral and near-mindless, are also a looming threat. The mayor, Bastion, falls back on his fighting skills to keep the worst of them at bay through small skirmishes, but he hopes to soon erect a guard force to handle the worst of the threats so that the most vulnerable in the town don't have to. Other than the worst of the predators, the most that the township has to deal with are small fox skulks (who thankfully don't organize in large groups this far east) and petty bandits. Beyond those who seek to do the township harm, hunting isn't terribly difficult within the town's region. Rodents, snakes, rabbits, and birds are common in these cat's diets, and deer are considered a rare specialty (mainly during larger holidays) due to how difficult they are to catch. Though miniature pigs and goats are commonly used for transportation, only pigs are ever used (sparingly) as a food source due to the greater need for transport and the difficulties surrounding raising the livestock. Rabbits are domesticated within the township for a consistent supply food, but the practice isn't too common yet in the small town and cats still take to hunting weekly to keep up their demand for food. Each home sustains its own personal gardens as well. Potatoes are a favored staple in the region instead of wheat or corn. (275)

The symbols most sacred to Lerwick are three specific types of bird: the blackbird, the raven (or crow), and the jackdaw. These three birds are rarely eaten within the township since it is frowned upon to do so. The cats picked up these symbols, a triad of birds, from their mayor who holds them as sacred. The mayor sees the birds as holy due to his own upbringing, and even has a shrine dedicated to patron gods based on these three birds. The blackbird represents the patron god of the hearth and protection, the jackdaw represents the patron god of cunning and riches, and the raven (and consequently the crow) represents the patron god of the hunt and wisdom. All of the bird gods collectively represent one larger god of unity and the community (and subsequently fertility) and act as protectors over the township. (144)