7. Yucca Nation Life

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This information is vital to read before creating a Yucca Nation cat. We highly recommend reading about these cats and their culture! There are things you might need to change about an application if you don't look through this thread. Members are allowed 2 Yucca cats and may purchase a two additional cats in the site store.

NOW ACCEPTING ANY APPLICATIONS AT THIS TIME.

Yucca Nation (You-ka)
Tribe - Head Hunter, Head Guardian, Head Keeper, Head Healer
Survival is key

Species: The Yuccans are unlike any other cat found in the area in the fact that they are actually Sand Cats. Unlike the clan cats, the Sand Cats are small almost fox like creatures who have square heads, short legs, and small facial features. They communicate using barks and chirps more than meows and have litters of varying size from 1 to 4 kittens total.

SPOILER: Click to show

Skills: Digging, Survival, Endurance

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Lifestyle:

The Yuccans live very different lives compared to the clan cats. Their day to day is lead by a strict social guideline that demands a cat perform their duties or face becoming an outcast. Kits are raised by Keepers moreso than their parents once they’ve reached 3 moons of age as the parents return to their duties and rely on the Keepers to teach all things history and culture while also preparing them for survival.

At 6 moons of age kits begin doing simple tasks around the camp by shadowing Keepers. They are also taught basic fighting and hunting skills along the way. In the moon that follows they attempt to convince Hunters and Guardians to take over their training completely so as to perfect their skills. By 7 moons a Tenderfoot may exhibit their skills by either going on a hunting expedition or sparring a Guardian. If the Tenderfoot is found having promising abilities they may be selected to train as a full time Tenderfoot by either group. Tenderfoot’s not selected for special training continue living with the Keepers who train the basics of all skills.

At 13 moons Tenderfoots are sent out on a Trial. They are to live 2 moons out in the desert on their own. During this time they must survive on their own without the help of another cat. This Trial is crucial for a cat to find their place in the Tribe. Throughout their Trial Tenderfoots are watched from afar from time to time to make sure they are taking it seriously. Upon returning home Tenderfoots have an audience with Nation and the Heads where they tell the story of their travels. The Heads decide if they want to accept them into their ranks, at which point Tenderfoots receive their complete name.

Once a cat has received their rank they perform their duties throughout their lives until retiring. Retirement for the sand cats means becoming a Keeper if they were not already one. Elders do not exist in their community, every cat must contribute something to the Tribe until they are physically no longer able to do so, at which point the family is tasked with taking care of them until they pass.

Mates: The sand cats are a formal lot. Mates are made with love in mind sure, but creating the next generation is something every Yuccan understands is important. Cats are not enforced to have families however it is assumed at least one kit in every litter will at some point in their lives create families of their own. Often cats will mate within their social group and in turn their kits typically have an advantage when it comes their time to become Tenderfoots and are in need of a mentorship. The exception of this of course are love connections as well as cats from the Keeper rank. Keepers are often seen as the 'less significant' social rank despite their importance and as a result cats who have found themselves within this rank have been known to try finding a mate within the Guardian and Hunter ranks. While not a guarantee, kits born from parents of mixed ranks have a better chance of being recognized for mentorships though they can just as easily be ignored because of their mixed lineage. All Head ranks are free to find mates of their own.

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Personalities: hard working, persistent, well mannered, opportunistic

The Sand Cats are very hard workers, their lives dependent on remaining vigilant and strong. Their code to one another keeps them honest and relatively diplomatic despite their cut throat living environment. Because they are opportunistic by nature it is common for those that are competing for higher rank to be hard headed and confrontational with others they find threatening. The sand cat society is a brutal and strict one. They have survived for so long because of their customs and it is something they believe in deeply.

Code: The Nation is very dedicated to following the rules their ancestors have made for them.

Names: At birth a kit is named after something found in their land. For instance, Falcon, Snake, or Rock. It is common to have duplicate names among kits and Tenderfoots. When a cat successfully finishes their Trial they are given their complete name by attaching a verb or adjective before their original name. For example; Souring Falcon, Dancing Snake, and Silent Rock. If a cat were to become an Outcast they keep their original name and their complete name is taken away from them.

Initial Name - Name given at birth

Complete Name - Name given after a completed Trial

Appearance: Sand cats all have a very distinct look. They are brown and tan in color. Some have tabby markings while others are solid in color. Their eyes are either amber gold and some times have hints of green.

The Ancestors: The Ancestors are like the clans relationship with StarClan however far less hands on. Only the Head Healer and their Tenderfoots commune with the ancestors and even then it is on rare occasions as the Ancestors have a tendency to be elusive and unhelpful. To stay in their graces, the Sand Cats often send them prayers daily. Often specific cats are prayed to, for instance past Heads that did something monumental in their lives and are now remembered as well as personal family ancestors. They are prayed to after catching prey, chasing away a predator, even digging out a den successfully. The Sand Cats hope that by reminding the Ancestors of their hard work, they will bring fortune on the Nation by giving them guidance instead of their usual silence. Many cats also send a quick prayer when encountering a blooming cactus as these are incredibly sacred and symbolic plants. These plants provide shelter in their shadows, water to attract prey, and flowers for medicinal uses.

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Location

Through the Mountain Pass and across the Thunder Tracks lays an expansive, nearly flat desert. This area is covered in copious amounts of thistle and cacti with the occasional oasis that provide a sanctuary for wary travelers. Much of the desert is well known by the Yuccans (You-kins) however there are still many areas that remain unknown. Areas of water are incredibly dangerous for the Yuccans so most cats tend to avoid these locations when traveling alone or in small groups.

The Yuccans travel across these lands, their nomadic nature making them an opportunistic society that find a home in some of the harshest conditions imaginable. Most often the community will stay in a camp for roughly a year before leaving, usually due to over hunting the surrounding landscape. While relocating kits, tenderfoots, and queens walk surrounded by keepers and finally hunters and guardians. Heads take turns leading the charge and bringing up the rear. This is often a long journey due to slow moving kits and the constant need to find shelter from predators.

These cats are excellent diggers and are capable of creating dens beneath the shade of bushes and trees. Once the Heads agree upon a new camp everyone gets to work digging new tunnels for shelter. It is common for the Nation to revisit old campsites once they've been gone for sometimes several years. These dens are used by queens, the Healer, tenderfoots, and on occasion the hunters and guardians. Hunters and guardians rotate using freshly dug out dens and laying out in the clearing or beneath the shade of a cactus or bush. Fresh kill is hidden under a pile of rocks a safe distance from the dens to keep it out of sight of overflying predators and usually guarded due to snakes, outcasts, or Trial goers looking for an easy meal.

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Average Prey + Predator Populations

Common: lizards, snakes, shrews, mice, beetles, moths, jackals, owls

Uncommon: scorpions, armadillos, bats, cottontails, foxes, ravens

Rare: geckos, toads, roadrunners, coyotes, vultures, hawks

The Yuccans are opportunists by nature, their diets ranging from insects and lizards to screech owls and rodents. It is common to introduce kits to insects while weaning before going to a full meat diet. Often Trail-goers rely completely on insects to stay alive if prey is too large or difficult to catch alone. Due to their smaller size larger prey requires coordination among cats. Something like a jack rabbit might require two cats to take it down, one meant to grip the legs and one to land the killing blow.

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Ranks

Kit - Typically born in litters of 1-4, kits are raised by their parents until 3 moons after which they are raised by Keepers. Kits become tenderfoots at 6 moons. Kits are typically kept in the den until they reach 2 moons, the first stage of their life as a result is spent underground. When they do leave the den it is always with a parent or Keeper present. Kits without attendants will die.

Parents - Most queens aren't really queens at all. All parents may take a 3 moon break from their work to raise their kits. Much of the first 2 moons of a kits life, the parents are rarely seen outside the den, usually only leaving to stretch their legs or take a break. Once the kits reach 4 moons the parents return to work, the only exception being if a kit needs extra attention due to any kind of sickness or disadvantage.

Tenderfoot - Cats stay at this rank from 6-13 moons. All tenderfoots spend their first moon learning basic hunting and fighting skills from keepers. Starting at 7 moons tenderfoot’s attempt to impress a guardian or hunter to take over their training. If a hunter or guardian take a liking to a tenderfoot they will take over their mentorship at any point. Tenderfoots may train under both a hunter and guardian at the same time however the likelihood of both ranks taking an interest in a cat is rare. At 14 moons they go on their Trial to determine their permanent rank. Tenderfoots do not just receive mentors, they must be chosen by individuals who show interest in them. Should a mentor not want to train a cat any longer, they may discontinue the mentorship and the tenderfoot will return to the keepers for training.

Keeper - Cats that take care of the camp and make sure the day to day runs smoothly. Keepers are cats that come from all walks of life; from cats who did so-so on their Trial, retired hunters and guardians, injured individuals, and those who have decided to stay close to home. Keepers dig new dens, take care of kits, train tenderfoots, and teach history and culture. Keepers are known as the jack-of-all-trades and do all the things that many cats dont want to do; from separating rotting fresh-kill to cleaning out old moss and covering dirt. Often keepers can be looked down on by hunters and guardians however any sort of aggression or bullying is never tolerated. It is not uncommon to find keepers giving the less tolerable cats old bedding or shallower dens to sleep in.

Hunter - Cats that have been accepted by the Head Hunter after completing their Trial. These cats provide food for the clan and always leave camp in groups of at least 2 Hunters and 1 Guardian. Hunters usually know first if the Nation must be relocated due to over hunting. Hunters may train up to two tenderfoots at a time.

Guardian - Cats that have been accepted by the Head Guardian after completing their Trial. These cats provide protection from outsiders, outcasts, and predators. They always leave camp in groups of at least 2 Guardians and 1 Hunter. Guardians also tend to be the ones that scout out potential new den locations and in the event the community grows too large for their current home. Guardians may train up to two tenderfoots at a time.

Healer - Cat that is charged with healing wounds and reading signs from The Ancestors. Typically has 2 tenderfoots training beneath them. Upon their death, both tenderfoots will attempt to contact The Ancestors through a dream-like trance. One will receive a message or prophecy and be named the next Healer while the other tenderfoot must become a keeper or an outcast. Many Healers are naturally charismatic and hold a lot of sway among the Heads as well as all Tribe cats.

Outcast - Cats that have either decided to leave the Tribe or have been forced out. Cats that have displeased their Heads, refuse to perform tasks, or created problems for the Tribe are forced to leave the Nation. They live individually out in the desert and face a lot of hardships. Outcasts AT ALL COSTS must be ignored by those living within the Nation. To be seen helping, speaking, or even engaging at all with an Outcast can result in being shunned by the Nation.