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Post by spasticjazzhands on Feb 13, 2021 17:20:34 GMT -8
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LAW I the Crux's word is law. it must never be challenged and followed to the letter.
TIMELINE far future (modern times)
RUINS OF AN EMPIRE footsteps could be heard carefully picking their way over the crumbled stone that once stood tall as spires and pillars. the atmosphere felt different here, almost as if the ghosts of the past were still somehow present. a gentle breeze rustled the sparse bushes that still dotted the ruins. there were no signs of wildlife living anywhere nearby. what had happened here when the columns stretched towards the sun and the marble was polished? it seemed like the tale would be lost to history, dying along with the empire that once was.
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Post by spasticjazzhands on Feb 13, 2021 17:23:23 GMT -8
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LAW II the Crucisheir is named by the Crux. whoever is the Crucisheir when the Crux dies takes their place, regardless of the amount of time served as Crucisheir.
TIMELINE end of Sulla's reign (past)
TRANSFER OF POWER if only the Crux's death rattle wasn't echoing throughout the entire camp, maybe she wouldn't have to tuck herself away in between rubble of fallen marble. what would happen if she was slain before the Crux died was undiscovered until after the fact? or if the Crux couldn't choose another Crucisheir before their last breath? her ears twitched as she heard just the slightest scuffle of a pawpad against a loose pebble. she froze, holding her breath as she prayed to whatever gods may be watching over her...but whose side would they even care for? the pawsteps crept closer to her hiding spot and she could now spot ginger paws with claws that seemed to be freshly sharpened. any moment and her frightened eyes would be spotted and her throat would be cut. just as the paws stopped almost right in front of her whiskers, another cat was heard scrambling across stones further west. now the ginger cat had a choice: continue searching for the Crucisheir in a questionable quiet area or go towards the noise where there was a cat guaranteed at the end? the paws quickly spun around and she could finally let out a ragged breath of relief. she made up her mind, this was no way to transfer power and accept leadership over an empire. though she wasn't sure if a true leader would be shaking as much as she was, she stepped into the sunlight and turned back to camp. she would help escort the Crux, her Teacher, to the next life, whatever what may be waiting for them. she felt every set of eyes burning holes into her fur as she slipped past the crooked gate that marked the camp's entrance and slide into the Lux's den where the dying Crux laid out before them. "they still have strength," the Lux murmured, "it might be some...time." at the end of the Lux's sentence was a suggestion and an assumed vow of secrecy. she looked into the Lux's eyes but they betrayed no answers. some branches that rattled in the breeze startled her, and as she flinched, she made her decision. her gaze slide down now to the Crux in front of her. "they are restless," the Lux said again, almost reassuring her fears on what she was going to do, "restless yet unaware of our mortal world." her claws emerged from her soft fur; they too had been sharpened recently. the two were silent as they watched the blood seep onto her fur and stain the ground beneath them. the death rattle ceased. the Lux pushed past her, leaving a wad of damp moss behind. she wiped her paws the best she could and emerged into the daylight, now Crux. the hostile eyes that had followed her every step into the Lux's den had turned joyous and gleaming, now ready to serenade in hopes of being named the next Crucisheir themselves. "Sulla is dead!" the Lux announced, stepping aside to reveal the molly, "long live Crux Cassus!"
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Post by spasticjazzhands on Feb 13, 2021 17:29:26 GMT -8
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LAW III while anyone is able to speak to the Crux, especially for emergencies or dire situations, it is heavily suggested that lower ranks speak to their superior first. the prefered order is: Student ➳ Contender ➳ Senior Contender ➳ Lux ➳ Crucisheir ➳ Crux
TIMELINE Crusade's regime (past)
DESCRIPTION OF CAMP a line of cracking pillars lined the cobblestone path that was slowly being retaken by weeds and moss. the Crusade didn't complain, the greens provided a cooler, more comfortable surface to travel on. no one knew where the road led to; even at the times when the Crusade owned the most territory, the road continued on. For all the cats knew, it could be infinite. if one went the other way, however, the abandoned granite structures would appear and one would soon find themself in the heart of the camp. the vegetation overtook the stone ground in a dense carpet. still directly across the clearing was a small (compared to other's which traveling cats confirmed there were much larger ones built other places) granite structure with the same pillars seeming to hold up the roof, regardless if that was true or not. stepping inside did not protect you from all of the elements. for whatever reason this structure was abandoned, and there was only so much upkeep cats could continue theirselves. however, the cracks and openings allowed breeze and a fresh airflow inside the walls. this is where the low ranks slept and built their nests. the praefectus, high ranks, took residence across the way where brick arches were built halfway into a hillside. there were three arches, thus small divisions easily deciding where each den started and ended. any of the Crux's, Crucisheir's, or Lux's family could live with them if they wished. in the grassy space between the den building and archways was a trickling fountain surrounded by flower bushes. the water remains fresh and cold throughout the seasons thanks to an old aqueduct. rose bushes clustered around the other side of the den building. training Students was part of the camp's entertainment as it happened in the large circular paved middle of camp. uninvolved Contenders and Students would watch in the shade of their structures; some of the brazen ones would pace the outside of the circle offering advice or jeering. following the path out of camp once more, a slightly worn dirt path that veered off to the right would catch the eye. it wasn't very long and soon would stop at a quiet burial site. tall stone stacks marked old praefectus' graves and past those and down another path led to a larger burial site where the rest of the Crusade would be laid to rest.
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Post by spasticjazzhands on Feb 13, 2021 17:34:06 GMT -8
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LAW IV respect must be shown to the members of the praefectus. cats must... • quiet to acknowledge the presence of the Lux • quiet and dip head to acknowledge the presence of the Crucisheir • quiet, dip head, and stand to acknowledge the presence of the Crux
TIMELINE Tiberius' reign | Lavelle's arrival (current)
THE FIRST STUDENT a young seal point molly trotted through the changing terrain; the grasslands and forests were growing steeper and could be classified as mountains. her thoughts were scattered, as scattered as her former clanmates now were across the lands. she now had no ties, mother and sister still gone, and even her name Otterpaw seemed disconnected from herself. using the skills she already was taught, she navigated cliff-faces and ate enough to survive. on the rare occasions of scenting another cat, she avoided possible confrontations by hiding. it wasn't until after crossing a river with strong currents did she find herself truly tired. with a sodden tail drooping behind her, she slowly stumbled down a long stone path she hadn't noticed before. the stones were laid with purpose and lined a road to what - she didn't know. grass and twisted weeds sprouted between cracks, ruining the image of the perfectly laid stone. if she was more alert, perhaps she would have noticed the subtle changes happening to the landscape around her. how time changed, dawn to morning to day like normal but also time itself reversing back through the seasons. mountains passing were rockier and steeper, rivers jagged and deep, and the crumbling ruins dotting the land were lessening, instead turning them back into worn standing structures. whatever the case, she collapsed at a base of a marble pillar, said pillars were now spanning along the path. she rest her head on her paws; before she knew it, there was a tom standing before her, moonlight reflecting off of his pale pelt. her groggy eyes took in his form slowly, his emerald eyes frantic with emotion. movement through the underbrush farther to the left snapped her into focus and she rose to her paws. this is when she discovered why this new tom looked a bit strange to her; he was quite short for being at least double her age. his eyes were eye level with hers and they stayed there until whatever was moving in the distance seemed to leave the area. as soon as the night was silent again, the tom blinked and the fear immediately was hidden by a veil of suspicion. "who are you?" the tom's claws left small scores in the stone below them. he had had them unsheathed this entire time. "Otter..." she left off the -paw suffix of her name unintentionally but it did sound more correct now. ShiningClan was behind her (or perhaps in front of her), and there was no need for her proper apprentice name. the tom fixed her with a sharp stare. whatever had frightened him so had lost its grip and he was in his natural element of establishing dominance. "Otter of...whom?" "just myself," she refused to shift her gaze from his, no matter how much doubt she held in her own. "is there something stalking us?" she dipped her head in the direction of the rustling. the tom's eyes narrowed and a scowl made its way on his face. she gathered that she had witnessed candid emotions he would rather keep hidden. "not anymore," he did surrender and sneak a glance to the bushes but they remained silent, "it's a good thing i ran into you tonight. it could have ended differently." she assumed by his words that he intended to frighten her but had an inkling if the night played out differently, she wouldn't be the one paying with her life. "alright," she conceded, "and now what happens?" "Caligula, Crucisheir of the Crusade," the tom introduced himself like that was supposed to answer all questions. when her blank face said different, he continued, "i escort you back to our camp. Tiberius will decide what to do with you. it's not every day that a young cat just wanders onto the Long Path." "and if i refuse to follow?" "try and see," a casual shrug was enough to showcase the muscles Caligula possessed. she nodded (she would have gone either way) and fell into step behind the Crucisheir. "when you stand before the Crux, you will bow and remain quiet until spoken to," Caligula explained on their walk to camp, "and then you'll state your name. Otter of...i suppose wherever your birthplace is." even though he was a couple paces ahead of her, he still caught the slight grimace as her name was spoken. "is that your name?" a dangerous undertone was understood; if she was caught in a lie, there would be undesirable consequences. "an old name," she said truthfully, "there's been no need for a name recently." "you feel like it doesn't suit you anymore," again, this wasn't a question but a statement; a statement she agreed with, "you've outgrown it. the logistics do not matter," Caligula looked at the sky and observed the dimming stars as morning light was bleeding into the horizon, "you have until dawn to come up with a sufficient answer for Tiberius. a name and a birthplace. and i suppose a good reason to live. three little things."
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Post by spasticjazzhands on Feb 20, 2021 8:16:45 GMT -8
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LAW V Contenders of the Crusade must present their chosen mate before the Crux for their blessing. if they do not receive a blessing (which is completely in the Crux's discretion), they may still be mates but ineligible to fill the role as Senior Contender or Crucisheir.
TIMELINE Pompey's reign | (past)
BLESSINGS FROM THE PAST "please," the tom begged, "i've given my entire life to the Crusade...my entire being." "i'm sorry," the persian touched their nose to his forehead, "i have to uphold Cassus' decision." "she's dead!" the tom's eyes darted around as he hissed. he wasn't exactly trash talking the former Crux but he wasn't describing her in the best light either. "you know Law VI," the persian swept his fluffy tail towards his old friend but he dodged it, "and Senior Contender is essentially a fancy title. we all know your dedication without it." "a title i rightly earned," the tom argued, "and all because Cassus wasn't a fan of..." "i give you my blessing now," the persian cut him off, "but it won't change the past and it won't change the Laws." "i cannot believe you, Pompey," the tom shook his head, "i don't have my title and i don't even have my wife. she died fighting for you and this regiment." "the Crusade recognizes and honors her death," Pompey blinked in sorrow, "i recognize that." "like hell you do," the tom stalked off leaving the persian Crux watching his back.
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Post by spasticjazzhands on Mar 14, 2021 14:57:08 GMT -8
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LAW VI the late Crux's decisions are upheld after their death unless there are dire circumstances.
TIMELINE Julius' reign | (past)
MUTTERINGS OF A COUP an air of uneasiness had settled over the camp. cats had stopped looking each other in the eye in fear. of what they would see. everybody was aware of the murmurings of the doing away of Cruisheir, but the Crux's word was law, right? the more daring older Contenders hissed snippets to each other, swapping disdain in the darker corners of camp. "who would even be heir, then?" a lithe molly had her eyes narrowed into slits. "it's pointless!" "i think he's convinced dying is beneath him," a gruff tom rolled his eyes. "i'm sure he'll name a successor but not until he's on his deathbed," a metropolitan joined the conversation, "he's the type that balks at criticism." "i hope he'll only demote Augustus," a fiery younger molly sighed, "he doesn't deserve an execution for nothing." "well, there's always the chance he doesn't get to create new laws," a stoic tom stated almost robotically, "long live Crux Julius."
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Post by spasticjazzhands on Mar 14, 2021 14:58:34 GMT -8
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LAW VII a Student must be proficient in Law before they can graduate to Contender status. to prove their knowledge, they will be tested by either the Crux or the Cruciusheir.
TIMELINE Tiberius' reign | Lavelle studying Law (current)
LAVELLE'S LESSONS Lavelle watched her Teacher pace uneasily. she had gained the second most powerful cat in the Crusade as her mentor and many would kill for her chance (and based on Caligula's teachings, many actually had). he stopped in front of her and she forced herself to hold his gaze. "didn't your last clan or whatever have laws?" an ear twitched in annoyance. "of course we did," Lavelle's tone received a curl of his lips, "they were just more common sense that we all knew but didn't need to study." "we require higher standards then," Caligula shook his head disapprovingly, "every Contender must know each Law and how they are put into practice." "i'm assuming the first one is do not kill cats if necessary," Lavelle thought back to traditional clan rules, "and let the younger kittens eat first...stuff like that?" Caligula smirked, "Law I is 'the Crux's word is law. it must never be challenged and followed to the letter.' turns out murder isn't a strange occurrence and we need every available set of claws to hunt. sure the Crux could exile or execute one for whatever they deem necessary but have to consider long term effects of the punishment." Lavelle couldn't hide the disgust off her face, "yet all is fine with murder." "perhaps murder is the wrong word," Caligula said, "assassination may be more correct. most are done for political gain which would be considered an assassination." "i still don't see how Crucisheir or Crux is that much of a desirable position," Lavelle said. back in the clans, it was an honor to be chosen as deputy and advance to leader, but all were content of following whatever the previous leader thought was best. Caligula snorted as if amused, "you should be one of the cats gunning for my spot since you think like that. sure, Crucisheirs are a bigger target but usually a harder target to hit. the Crux is virtually untouchable. with you and your high horse morals about killing, it would make the most sense for you to find a place to not get killed yourself." Lavelle resisted the urge to roll her eyes. while Caligula respected her ability to challenge his words, she knew that being too flippant would end badly. "i'll take my chances as a lowly Student," she frowned, "continuing our lesson, i'm assuming murder isn't mentioned in the first five Laws?" Caligula allowed himself a short quick laugh, "you might be getting the hang of this."
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Post by spasticjazzhands on Mar 30, 2021 12:52:17 GMT -8
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LAW VIII the cat with the title of Senior Contender is the oldest Contender and must be in good standing with the Crux and the rest of the Crusade. they have influence over patrols but no other extra duties are expected of them.
TIMELINE Tiberius' reign | Darry finding the Crusade (current)
SEPARATED BROTHERS wip
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Post by spasticjazzhands on Mar 30, 2021 12:53:46 GMT -8
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LAW IX taking mates or other relationships outside of the Crusade is frowned upon, and the said Contender having relations with an outsider will not be eligible to hold the position of Crucisheir or Senior Contender. kits born due to an affair are not punished for their parents' wrongdoing in any way.
TIMELINE Tiberius' reign | Crispina's litter with Metalcry birth (current)
INELIGILBILTY wip
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Post by spasticjazzhands on Mar 30, 2021 12:54:53 GMT -8
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LAW X the Lux is permitted to take a mate and even raise kits, but it is not recommended by the Crux and the Laws. before starting a family, the Crux is able to require a Lux Student to be in training.
TIMELINE far future (modern times)
A FUTURE VISITOR a curious sight rolled over the heavily cracked and overgrown Long Path; her arms (which had slowly grown stronger over time after getting used to pushing her wheelchair) strained with effort. the pale young adult continued; she didn't have all day to dilly-dally about. they were waiting for her back on the boat, and she didn't want anyone to help her across the old stones. it was strange, actually. a pull to these old roman ruins called her to them. even though she wasn't sure what was here for her to find, she was starting to enjoy the beauty of the crumbling pillars and buildings. even if she was looking for signs of past inhabitants, any hints of an empire-esque cat clan was already lost to time. the pink-haired lady took a break when she arrived to the center of the circle. after looking around, she started rolling towards a small dirt path worn into the grass. now she was hesitant of her wheelchair making the narrow path, but the seemingly purposeful stacks of stones further along piqued her interest. after an hour of carefully maneuvering, she finally sat in a quiet grassy knoll inspecting the many stone piles. the pull in her chest grew stronger and she knew what she was called her for now. making sure the wheelchair was securely parked, she untied a small leather bag from her neck and shook a few crumbled bone pieces into her palm. for the first time on her short excursion, she flipped the blanket hiding her lower half revealing legs bound together by thick scar tissue. she carefully lowered herself onto the ground and half-flopped in front of the largest of the stone piles. she dug a shallow hole and buried the couple of bones. it took more time to climb back into her wheelchair but she managed. quickly she tied the leather bag around her neck again, and it was now time to return to the boat. the crew had an important task ahead of them but Keiki felt much lighter inside after sharing another beautiful place with Kanikau.
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