Post by mistytail on Oct 5, 2012 22:39:47 GMT -6
Or, Why Misty Is Not Allowed To Write Books.
So while Grey was coming up with his post-traditional system on Ailuronymy, I got my own idea. It's also loosely based off the system in Tailchaser's Song. Great minds think alike.Horrible minds think alike too.
Anyway, this system is for a non-warriors setting, and instead is used in a post-apocalyptic world, where some buildings and Man-things are still around but they're covered in moss and the like. Humans are long gone. These cats live in a religious colony that is somewhat near other colonies, but they're not as competitive or violent as the Clans are.
The system is like this:
1) Kit-name: When a kitten is born, they are given a one-word noun for their name. The name must correlate to their pelt, however, it may be used to describe one marking. If it is a marking name, the name must imply how the marking looks in relation to the pelt color. For example, a black cat with white spots may be called Star, because while "Star" refers to the white spots, it also implies the spots are against a very dark-colored cat. A brown cat with black stripes may be called Vine, because it implies dark stripes against a light-colored cat (as vines hang around their territory and constantly cast shadows on the ground, they associate vines with darkness). This name is used with family and with very intimate friends.
2) Work-name: This name is given to the cat when it reachers its teenaged stage and is now capable of performing tasks for the colony on its own. Kits often assist working cats, but are not officially trained in the way apprentices are in Warriors. This name is a two word noun used to describe the cat's personality. They often describe a singular trait but have levels of symbolism that show how complex a cat is. For example, a cat may be given the work-name "Autumn Leaf-fall" (meaning the falling of the leaves, not the season repeated) because they are pessimistic. However, autumn leaves are many colors and covered the ground everything walks on, and the fallen leaves make way for new life. So, while Autumn Leaf-fall is a pessimist, they are also filled with many ideas and can use those ideas to help the colony grow. Work-names are used formally, though the kit-name may be used if the cat chooses to use it with a particular comrade.
3) Elder-name: If a cat is lucky enough to reach old age, they are honored for the duty and sacrifice they have made for the colony, and are given a special name. Elder-names are made of a prefix and a suffix, both representing what the cat did in life. The suffix always ends in -er, to give a clearer picture of what the cat did as its main duty. For example, an elder may be called Shadehunter because they were good at hunting, but also good at detecting lies and sensing danger. Another elder may be called Heartkeeper. because they fiercely defended their borders and comrades and believed in their own moral code above anything else. If a cat earns an elder-name, the work-name is never used again. The kit-name may be used if the cat grows particularly close with anyone, or if they are lucky enough to have still-living family.
This is probably a really silly idea but I sort of like how it lends itself to lyricism and reading into things, so I'm using it in a book I'm very casually writing. I think there's a few kinks I meed to work out but for the most part I'm set with naming.
Any thoughts? :3?
So while Grey was coming up with his post-traditional system on Ailuronymy, I got my own idea. It's also loosely based off the system in Tailchaser's Song. Great minds think alike.
Anyway, this system is for a non-warriors setting, and instead is used in a post-apocalyptic world, where some buildings and Man-things are still around but they're covered in moss and the like. Humans are long gone. These cats live in a religious colony that is somewhat near other colonies, but they're not as competitive or violent as the Clans are.
The system is like this:
1) Kit-name: When a kitten is born, they are given a one-word noun for their name. The name must correlate to their pelt, however, it may be used to describe one marking. If it is a marking name, the name must imply how the marking looks in relation to the pelt color. For example, a black cat with white spots may be called Star, because while "Star" refers to the white spots, it also implies the spots are against a very dark-colored cat. A brown cat with black stripes may be called Vine, because it implies dark stripes against a light-colored cat (as vines hang around their territory and constantly cast shadows on the ground, they associate vines with darkness). This name is used with family and with very intimate friends.
2) Work-name: This name is given to the cat when it reachers its teenaged stage and is now capable of performing tasks for the colony on its own. Kits often assist working cats, but are not officially trained in the way apprentices are in Warriors. This name is a two word noun used to describe the cat's personality. They often describe a singular trait but have levels of symbolism that show how complex a cat is. For example, a cat may be given the work-name "Autumn Leaf-fall" (meaning the falling of the leaves, not the season repeated) because they are pessimistic. However, autumn leaves are many colors and covered the ground everything walks on, and the fallen leaves make way for new life. So, while Autumn Leaf-fall is a pessimist, they are also filled with many ideas and can use those ideas to help the colony grow. Work-names are used formally, though the kit-name may be used if the cat chooses to use it with a particular comrade.
3) Elder-name: If a cat is lucky enough to reach old age, they are honored for the duty and sacrifice they have made for the colony, and are given a special name. Elder-names are made of a prefix and a suffix, both representing what the cat did in life. The suffix always ends in -er, to give a clearer picture of what the cat did as its main duty. For example, an elder may be called Shadehunter because they were good at hunting, but also good at detecting lies and sensing danger. Another elder may be called Heartkeeper. because they fiercely defended their borders and comrades and believed in their own moral code above anything else. If a cat earns an elder-name, the work-name is never used again. The kit-name may be used if the cat grows particularly close with anyone, or if they are lucky enough to have still-living family.
This is probably a really silly idea but I sort of like how it lends itself to lyricism and reading into things, so I'm using it in a book I'm very casually writing. I think there's a few kinks I meed to work out but for the most part I'm set with naming.
Any thoughts? :3?