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        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.

        the herbalists are the healers of the colony, and they treat illnesses and injuries using herbs around the territory, receive and interpret signs from silverwater, and are the connection between the living and the dead. the next herbalist is hand-picked by the current one as a kit, and trains as their pupil to take over the duty when the current herbalist passes away, as the position is lifelong.

       the current herbalist is gatorchomp, and their pupil is leap.

        the hunters are the warriors of the colony, and they mark and patrol borders around the territory, guard and protect the group from invaders, and hunt prey and provide for the colony. all kits of the colony are to become hunters unless they were picked for estuary or herbalist, and hunters are assigned pupils by the estuary to train for the position until they reach 16 moons.

        the pupils are the apprentices of the colony, and they train to become hunters, the herbalist, or the estuary; care for and clean the snowbirds; and collect moss and small trinkets for beds and decorations. all kits of the colony become pupils through a ceremony held by the estuary once they turn 6 moons, and are assigned to hunters (or picked by the herbalist or estuary) to be trained until they reach 16 moons.

        the guardians are the nursing cats of the colony, and raise and care for kits, prepare recently-passed cats for burial, and cultivate the grounds of camp. all guardians of the colony are formerly hunters who decided to put aside their duties to raise a family, and they typically return to hunter duties once their kits become pupils.

the kits are the youth of the colony. all kits traditionally train to become hunters once they turn 6 moons, but occassionally a pair close in age are picked to become herbalist and estuary until their mentor passes away.

name subject to change but these are all the annoying old people who are moving to florida for the winter or whatever like get tf out of our state it's crowded enough down here already.

perhaps to reflect how snowbirds are elders are encouraged to be smthn like daylight warriors or whatever and so they spend autumn and winter with the clan bc all hands on deck to provide but they live in houses with people during spring and summer. or they are literally daylight warriors lmao idk yet idk