Northbound/Author's Notes

So, for those who haven't yet worked it out - this story is NOT about cats. I took the Warriors rules, guidelines, Clan laws, territories and general way of life and transferred it to humans. (Yes, I got permission from an admin before doing this, so don't go all harking on at me about how this isn't Warriors fanfic. It is, so there).

And for those who are confused, here is a brief list of naming suffixes:

Leader - Bananadar replaces Bananastar

Deputy - Bananadru

Healer(Med Cat) - Bananaler

Healer Apprentice - Bananaore

Warriors - Banananik

Warrior Apprentices - Bananarin replaces Bananapaw

Hunters - Bananator

Hunter Apprentices - Bananaren also replaces Bananapaw

Youngling(Kit) - Bananalyn replaces Bananakit

Mother(Queen) - Bananamak for a mother who is a warrior when not nursing. Bananamar for a mother who is a hunter when not nursing.

Elders - Banananaf

I will be updating the Allegiances as the story progresses. This means that there MIGHT be spoilers in there, but really it just helps to keep people aware of what's going on in the Northbound world.

Some more Northbound terms.

Olma - Grandmother.

Olda - Grandfather.

Yodo - Granddaughter

Yoson - Grandson.

Whenever the text refers to 'skirts', think of them as pretty much wrap-around skirts or loincloths. Both male and female children wear skirts, but as the females mature they wear tunics or dresses. 'Dresses' are basically bits of fur draped across someone with holes cut for arms and head. 'Tunics' are similar, but shorter and belted around the middle with leather or grassweave. In winter most people will wear 'cloaks' - a long piece of fur which fastens around your neck and covers your back and the backs of your legs - or 'covers', fur with large sleeves and sometimes a hood which fastens at the front with bone hooks. There isn't really any need for shorts or shirts, which are too hard to make anyway. It goes without saying that underwear is pretty much non-existant.

As you will notice, use of the fur of the Clan animal (in this case wolf, raven, boar or deer) is considered a kind of sacred tradition. Wearing the fur of the Clan animal is not something you would do casually. Quick list of the times when sacred fur is used.

Leaders wear a sacred fur cloak when they call a Clan meeting or go to a Gathering.

Sacred fur stained with ochre is used as border markers.

Healers wear a small token from the Clan animal at all times.

Every member of a Clan going to the Gathering will wear a sacred fur headband.

Clans are forbidden to kill their Clan animal. All sacred fur must come from animals already dead. A Clan cannot trade or eat their sacred animal.

I understand that this story might be a bit confusing at first, but feel free to ask about anything which concerns you and I guarantee it will settle down into a more warrior-cats-like pattern soon!