ESTUARY

        the estuary is the leader of the colony, and they are responsible for everything that happens in the group. the estuary oversees the daily operations of the colony, appoints cats to new ranks, solves conflicts between colonymates, discusses prophecies and omens with the herbalist(s), and more. the next estuary is hand-picked by the current one as a kit, and trains as their pupil to take over the colony when the current estuary passes away, as the position is lifelong. all cats of the colony must refer to the leader as 'estuary', unless one is immediate kin or a close friend.

        the current estuary is mangrovemumble, and their pupil is pond.