STAR LANDS - The alternative name for Starclan, mostly used by the ancestors when speaking to one another. The land, though occasionally shifts, it mimics that of the land that the clans currently inhabit. Although the area appears as though stardust and clouds to that of living cats, it appears to the ancestors as a thriving ecosystem in which to hunt and relax as they continue their existence in paradise. The water is said to be the purest to ever be seen, the herbal plants be located in a specific, unchanging grove for the training of medicine cats and non-cat creatures previously allied to the clans, live in harmony with the ancestors.
DARK FOREST - The dark, misty and yet devoid of most light plane of soul existence where cats hellbound on reaping terror among the living cats, to the point they wished not to be with their loved ones in Starclan. Their revenge and desired nightmarish goals consume their soul, completely turning these cats to spirits without voices of reasons, unable to return to the shining paradise they were promised. Waters there are sticky black substances and the trees are sickly dark willows. Cats from here are in turn punished from their sinful desires and deeds in life using the way they died as an inspiration to their punishment.
FOREVER MISTS - The border between Starclan and the Dark Forest, it buffers the journey to help protect residents of Starclan and of the Dark Forest. Often banished souls from Starclan wander through these mists for eternity, unless their soul is strong enough to find it's way to either side. Often though, cats who did not believe in Starclan and did not wish to go there for the sake of their deceased loved ones, choose to wander for eternity in the mists, often finding other souls to keep them company. There is rocks and streams, though no trees or sky to speak of and every path is shrouded in dense fogs and mist.
DARK FOREST - The dark, misty and yet devoid of most light plane of soul existence where cats hellbound on reaping terror among the living cats, to the point they wished not to be with their loved ones in Starclan. Their revenge and desired nightmarish goals consume their soul, completely turning these cats to spirits without voices of reasons, unable to return to the shining paradise they were promised. Waters there are sticky black substances and the trees are sickly dark willows. Cats from here are in turn punished from their sinful desires and deeds in life using the way they died as an inspiration to their punishment.
FOREVER MISTS - The border between Starclan and the Dark Forest, it buffers the journey to help protect residents of Starclan and of the Dark Forest. Often banished souls from Starclan wander through these mists for eternity, unless their soul is strong enough to find it's way to either side. Often though, cats who did not believe in Starclan and did not wish to go there for the sake of their deceased loved ones, choose to wander for eternity in the mists, often finding other souls to keep them company. There is rocks and streams, though no trees or sky to speak of and every path is shrouded in dense fogs and mist.
STAR LANDS - These cats appear as distinct starry figures, pupils shining bright light, yet with the distinct iris colors of when the cats were still alive. Stars line their pelts and outline their figures as they walk and speak, faint markings seen in their pelts but no scars to be seen. Within the dreams they appear in, they are often still simple starry figures, though occasionally appear with more pigment. These spirits are allowed to visit the clans during "blue" moons, and are always allowed to visit the gathering place, Trees of Lost and Star's Radiance, but have the brightest paths there during full moon or blue moon.
DARK FOREST - These cats have more pigmented coats but are dripping or crumbling as they walk and speak, their last wounds dripping darkened liquids instead of blood, and coat littered with their previous scars. They are not cured of their illnesses and often have black sclera, though still containing the white, dully glowing pupils. It's been said they can disguise themselves as their alive forms or even other cats within dreams that they haunt. These cats have the strongest paths to the living during eclipses and New moons, especially during leaffall (fall) and leafbare (winter).
FOREVER MISTS - These cats appear in a duller, ashen like coloring to when they were alive, their scars still visible but their last wounds dripping smoke as their fur gains a smoke-like appearance during the duration of their wandering existence. They cannot appear in dreams, but alive medicine cats, or cats visiting the Star's Radiance, can visit them similarly to the other areas. These cats rarely can visit cats, and only are allowed to do so during misty/foggy nights in leaffall (fall).
LOST SOULS - Cats who never found the path to the afterlife and instead wander around their resting-place appear as a ghostly figure, fading away towards the ends of their feet and tail progressively as they wander, with a faint pattern and color of their coat in life. They continue to forget their memories and even their names as they wander and fade away, unless they somehow find the path, either through remembering how they died, finding a deceased cat which can lead them or by fulfilling business left unfinished. They often can be seen in leafbare (winter) or during a full moon, likely around the area they died in, where they were buried or the coldest areas of the territory.
DARK FOREST - These cats have more pigmented coats but are dripping or crumbling as they walk and speak, their last wounds dripping darkened liquids instead of blood, and coat littered with their previous scars. They are not cured of their illnesses and often have black sclera, though still containing the white, dully glowing pupils. It's been said they can disguise themselves as their alive forms or even other cats within dreams that they haunt. These cats have the strongest paths to the living during eclipses and New moons, especially during leaffall (fall) and leafbare (winter).
FOREVER MISTS - These cats appear in a duller, ashen like coloring to when they were alive, their scars still visible but their last wounds dripping smoke as their fur gains a smoke-like appearance during the duration of their wandering existence. They cannot appear in dreams, but alive medicine cats, or cats visiting the Star's Radiance, can visit them similarly to the other areas. These cats rarely can visit cats, and only are allowed to do so during misty/foggy nights in leaffall (fall).
LOST SOULS - Cats who never found the path to the afterlife and instead wander around their resting-place appear as a ghostly figure, fading away towards the ends of their feet and tail progressively as they wander, with a faint pattern and color of their coat in life. They continue to forget their memories and even their names as they wander and fade away, unless they somehow find the path, either through remembering how they died, finding a deceased cat which can lead them or by fulfilling business left unfinished. They often can be seen in leafbare (winter) or during a full moon, likely around the area they died in, where they were buried or the coldest areas of the territory.
Spiritual Guide and Judge
A cat who is old, most impartial to any soul and able to give equal judgement to all who die. A cat is judged during their last breaths of life or when their life flashes before their eyes, with questions from the judge asking how the cat lived (likely sifting through memories) and if they feel any regrets for how they lived, along with anything they'd do differently or wish they could do. The dying cats are influenced to answer honestly, and this determines the placement of the soul. Some souls are missed, of which become Lost.
Spiritual Prophet
A cat allowed to participate in prophecies and events of the clans by speaking to specific members of the living. Normally they were important in life, residing mostly in the Star Lands but they can also be in the Dark Forest, though it is rarer.
Spiritual Herbalist
A cat who assists in the training and ranking of medicine roles, though training only comes should the current Medicine Cat not be able to train their apprentice themselves or if there is a new illness that the cats desperately need to cure.
Spirit
A general term for just about any cat found in the afterlife, mostly without a specified rank.
Lost
A cat who wanders the Forgotten Mists or is a 'Lost Soul', who cats cannot visit under most circumstances and is more likely to fade quicker.
Betrayed
A cat who was either wrongfully chased out or denied of their rightful place in the afterlife, whether that be in the Star Lands (Starclan) or the Dark Forest. Often they are either part of the Forever Mists or are Lost Souls.
Entrance and Judgement
-Cats/Souls shall be judged only by Spiritual Guides and Judges, who specifically can see the life experience and emotions of the cats they are judging. They will be asked 2 simple questions that they are asked to answer truthfully- "Where would you like to be?" and "Do you have any regrets?". Depending on the cat's answer, they will be let enter the Star lands or be forced to go to the Dark Forest. Occasionally the judgement of a soul is unclear and they may be asked to enter the Forever Mists.
-Upon entrance to the Star Lands, a cat is cured of all wounds and illnesses. They are shown to be in peak health and may take form of younger or older versions of themselves if they've lived long enough. A young cat (kit, or apprentice) may request to be given a warrior name or older form if they so choose, and may ask at any time to become older.
-Upon entrance to the Dark Forest, a cat is left with the wounds they've acquired, and begin a fitting punishment to mirror their crimes. Open wounds or wounds from their death may leak inky black liquid and they may retain any look or side-effect from illnesses. They are not given the chance to change their form in any way, but are given a chance to forget or repent for their crimes.
-If a cat is wrongfully judged, they will be allowed to attempt going through the Forever Mists to get to the other side, but often it will either lead them back to where they came or cause confusion to the point of becoming forever lost.
-Upon entrance to the Star Lands, a cat is cured of all wounds and illnesses. They are shown to be in peak health and may take form of younger or older versions of themselves if they've lived long enough. A young cat (kit, or apprentice) may request to be given a warrior name or older form if they so choose, and may ask at any time to become older.
-Upon entrance to the Dark Forest, a cat is left with the wounds they've acquired, and begin a fitting punishment to mirror their crimes. Open wounds or wounds from their death may leak inky black liquid and they may retain any look or side-effect from illnesses. They are not given the chance to change their form in any way, but are given a chance to forget or repent for their crimes.
-If a cat is wrongfully judged, they will be allowed to attempt going through the Forever Mists to get to the other side, but often it will either lead them back to where they came or cause confusion to the point of becoming forever lost.
Planes
-Any cat may enter any plain, does not matter if they are believers, or non believers. If they do not wish to enter the afterlife their soul is left to wander the living world or the forever mists but later may have a chance to change their mind.
-Star Lands will slowly, over time, cause a cat's soul to purify if given the chance. While some retain their anger, pride, or wrath, it is not commonly so. Cats may still become sad or otherwise homesick, but there are no restrictions from interacting with cats there or hunting as they please.
-Dark Forest will slowly enhance a cat's soul into corruption, removing most or all inhibitions if they give in to their darker desires. If they resist, however, and repent for their crimes in life, they will be allowed to journey through the Forever Mists to the Star Lands.
-Forever Mists slowly cause a cat to become void of emotion or memory should they stay too long. They have a block preventing them from learning of their living relatives and friends due to the mist not allowing them to peek into the living realm, meaning they have less chance to speak to living cats as well. Due to the memory loss, they fade quicker, as their soul slowly forgets their purpose and who would remember them.
-Star Lands will slowly, over time, cause a cat's soul to purify if given the chance. While some retain their anger, pride, or wrath, it is not commonly so. Cats may still become sad or otherwise homesick, but there are no restrictions from interacting with cats there or hunting as they please.
-Dark Forest will slowly enhance a cat's soul into corruption, removing most or all inhibitions if they give in to their darker desires. If they resist, however, and repent for their crimes in life, they will be allowed to journey through the Forever Mists to the Star Lands.
-Forever Mists slowly cause a cat to become void of emotion or memory should they stay too long. They have a block preventing them from learning of their living relatives and friends due to the mist not allowing them to peek into the living realm, meaning they have less chance to speak to living cats as well. Due to the memory loss, they fade quicker, as their soul slowly forgets their purpose and who would remember them.
Banishment
-Banishment may only occur if a cat from the Star Lands or Forever Mists causes great disturbance or grievance within the living cats on purpose. Those traitors are sent to the Forever Mists from the Star Lands or directly to the Dark Forest to serve their eternity in pain.
-Cats "banished" from the Dark Forest are only banished if their soul truly does not belong there, which is a rare case but a good one. They have 2 reactions from the cats in the Star Lands- love and acceptance, or caution and avoidance.
-Cats "banished" from the Dark Forest are only banished if their soul truly does not belong there, which is a rare case but a good one. They have 2 reactions from the cats in the Star Lands- love and acceptance, or caution and avoidance.
Reincarnation
-Cats are rarely banished but may happen under a few or singularly important conditions-
-The cat being reincarnated must sacrifice any hope of becoming a higher spiritual position to become reincarnated, with very few exceptions to this. The reason for exceptions is if the cat achieves a great feat during life which benefits the clan in some way.
- The cat is heavily important to the safety of the clan or ancestors for whatever reason.
- The cat sacrificed themselves for another in an honorable way and the ancestors believe they should be rewarded a second chance.
- The cat is a hero or important figure of the past and takes the option to be reborn later on in time as a chance to relive, at the cost of being a mere spirit when returning.
- The cat was unjustly killed at an early age and the ancestors decide to gift the cat a second life as a chance to apologize for their inability to prevent it.
-The cat being reincarnated must sacrifice any hope of becoming a higher spiritual position to become reincarnated, with very few exceptions to this. The reason for exceptions is if the cat achieves a great feat during life which benefits the clan in some way.
Living Realm
-Cats are rarely allowed to return to the living realm in spiritual form. Most cats cannot see the spirits when they do, however some cats may have a strong connection to the afterlife or a spirit to the living realm, which makes the spirits more seen. Its most common that kits and young apprentices have these connections.
-Some cats may return to the territory which they were buried in, especially to comfort a family member or friend who is grieving.
-Certain points in times and seasons may allow cats to return to the living realm for a short period of time, which includes any plane of existence.
-Some cats may return to the territory which they were buried in, especially to comfort a family member or friend who is grieving.
-Certain points in times and seasons may allow cats to return to the living realm for a short period of time, which includes any plane of existence.