RiverClan

RiverClan is one of the five Clans of the lake territories.

Living in the wetlands by the lake, RiverClan are known for swimming and catching fish, instead of hunting on land and eschewing water as the other Clans do.

Information
RiverClan are much more frivolous than the other Clans, as prey always comes easily to them. As such, they have time to goof around and have fun- as well as plenty of time to brew elaborate plans, making their reputation of being brilliant strategists a well-earned one. The other Clans consider them an odd bunch, and a little haughty, but amicable enough.

RiverClan culture is flamboyant and celebratory, with feasts being commonplace, celebrating prosperity. Working smarter and not harder is an important value, and warriors use clever hunting techniques to keep the fresh-kill pile full.

Traditions
RiverClan's customary celebration is a feast, occurring on several occasions: when a new litter of kits are born, the day following an apprentice's warrior ceremony, and once at the beginning of every newleaf, as soon as enough prey can be amassed for everyone. The leader of RiverClan is the one to officially initiate these feasts, and may call for one on other occasions, such as when an outside threat is driven out.

Another simpler, less flamboyant tradition of RiverClan is the collection of small objects or trinkets. When cats of RiverClan are not busy hunting or patrolling, it's commonplace for them to search their territory for interesting items, such as strangely-shaped stones, feathers, and even odd objects left behind by Twolegs in the Greenleaf Twolegplace. Collected trinkets are often used to decorate one's nest, and some trade them for other Clanmates' trinkets that might catch their eye. The practice isn't uncommon in other Clans, but is most common in RiverClan due to larger amounts of downtime and proximity to the Greenleaf Twolegplace, where many strange novelty items can be found.

Hunting Techniques
The basic RiverClan technique of fishing is one that has been used for many moons: a warrior waits patiently by the shore, their shadow away from the water, until a fish comes by. When the time is right, they hook it out of the water with a swift paw and deliver a quick killing bite. However, several more advanced techniques have been developed over time, and now see common use.


 * Leftover scraps of meat are a very effective lure for fish, and it is for this reason RiverClan warriors often hunt immediately after a meal.
 * When the lake freezes over in leaf-bare, patrols of warriors will walk out onto the ice. The strongest among them will work to break up the ice, creating spots where cats can attempt to fish until the ice returns. This is only done near the shallower parts of the lake, and never alone, in case someone falls in.
 * Conceived and proposed by Winterlight, an outcrop of rocks was built just off the shore of the lake by RiverClan, stones having been rolled into the water to create an enclosed area, just a few tail-lengths wide but with the rocks stretching up to the surface of the water. Fish are lured into the area- usually with scraps of meat, as mentioned above- through a gap in the stones, which is then sealed with a rock that is rolled into place, trapping the fish until RiverClan chooses to retrieve them. Though use of this method is hardly necessary most of the time, it allows warriors to do their hunting in advance- while dead fish don't keep for more than a day or two before rotting in the sun, they can be kept alive until just before they are eaten with no issues.

Territory
RiverClan lives by the southwestern part of the lake, around rivers and marshy earth. The RiverClan camp is on a triangle of land between two streams. The Gathering Island can be reached from RiverClan territory, by crossing a fallen tree that extends from the lakeshore to the island.

Landmarks
Greenleaf Twolegplace: A stretch of land in the northern part of RiverClan territory near the ShadowClan border. During greenleaf, Twolegs come to the Greenleaf Twolegplace to swim. It is noted that some can swim like fish, but a lot more noisily.

Halfbridge: A Twoleg structure located near the Greenleaf Twolegplace, jutting out into the waters of the lake. The halfbridge is a peculiar bridge that ends halfway in the water. Twoleg boats are anchored to it.

Lakeshore: RiverClan lays claim to the southwestern shores of the lake.

Camp
The camp is full of lush trees and streams full of fish. There is a main stream that joins a smaller one, and on that triangle of land, RiverClan's camp resides. Occasionally dogs or Twolegs come near the camp, but RiverClan is often able to lure such threats away with patrols before they can get there.

Dens

 * In the camp, there is a nest of brambles which is where the nursery is. It is strongly reinforced.
 * In other thickets are the elder's and leader's den.
 * The medicine cat's den is behind a thorn bush and overhangs the stream. The earth was washed away, leaving a pool in the roots and a hole in the bank. This is essential for the medicine cat who can store their supplies and get fresh water at any time.
 * The warrior's den is in a cluster of reeds, directly next to the main stream. Like in the old camp, it is woven out of reeds so that it floats should the stream flood.
 * The apprentice's den lies in a large patch of sedge.