The Color Spyral

Clan Structure
While other kaasht breeds can be found in diverse types of terrain, Forest kaasht clans remain almost exclusively in their namesake, among the trees. The type of forest might vary, from pine to desiginous to deep jungle, but a Forest kaasht simply is not at home anywhere without trees.

Forest kaasht clans range from 20 to 200 individuals, the larger clans being closer to the edges of the woods and grown so big with the sole purpose of battling large clans of Plains kaasht. Smaller clans are generally more peaceful and live farther into the sheltering trees. Dwellings are most commonly made out of the living trees or dug out of the ground, as Forest kaasht prefer to leave their environment as close to how they found it as possible, at least on the surface. Also, Forest clans prefer not to be found by other breeds, so living high above or deep below ground level aids them in being invisible.

Perhaps a tenth of all Forest kaasht clans are nomadic, though stationary clans will on occassion shift locations to vary their diet or protect an endangered piece of woodland. The nomadic clans care for untended forests but are generally the most peaceful and accepting of all Forest kaasht, perhaps because they are less attached to the land itself and more loyal to the whole of the forest.

Clans are run in a matriarchal fashion, though the gender roles are strictly traditional. Female kaasht do not fight unless the clan is actively at war with a specific Plains clan, while male kaasht do not gather herbs and raise kits. Despite this strong tradition, female kaasht weild the majority of power, largely because kaasht who are raised for battle make poor political leaders. Almost all clan elders are female and all clan teachers are female.

Forest clans are nearly xenophobic when it comes to outside breeds, but they will without fail accept members of other Forest clans. Oddly enough, however, Forest families who settle outside the trees are pleasant company and considerate hosts.

Culture
Forest kaasht society shows an unusual dichotemy. At the very core of clan life is love for nature and clan, but at the same time Forest kaasht can be fierce and war-like in their protection of that which they love and in their hatred of Plains kaasht. Forest kaasht tend towards extremes, whether they be peaceful extremes or not.

Forest kaasht can be excessively stubborn, as much so as Mountain kaasht, but without the Mountain's love of debate: they will simply refuse to consider an option they deem wrong, even when presented with evidence to the contrary. The worst of things a Forest is adament on is prejudice: Plains kaasht are evil in their eyes and any other breed is not to be trusted within the forest. Not even the loving Cave kaasht are considered safe.

While often times Forest kaasht care little for outsiders, they are very responsible with their families. Kits are well cared for and protected, usually loved almost to excess, but the Forest's tendency for extremes might also lead to a very strictly run household, where kits are treated along the rule of "seen and not heard" and punishments are harsh. More common, however, is the strong love, leading to powerful familial and clan bonds.

In Forest kaasht society, nature is held in the highest regard, more so than even family and clan. Plants and animals of the forest are treated with the utmost respect, even in hunting. It isn't uncommon for the hunting Forest kaasht to pray for the soul of the victim, asking for safe haven in whatever afterlife awaits it and thanking it for giving its life to help feed the clan. Nearly every Forest kaasht knows the name for every kind of tree, flower, prey, and predator in the woods, taught such in kithood by matron teachers of the clan.

Opinions on Other Species
(later)

Opinions on Other Kaasht Types
Mundanes: Mundanes in Forest society are pitied and treated well enough, though they are generally very sheltered and even babied. More often than not, a Forest kaasht will treat a mundane as if he or she were somehow mentally retarded as well as magically deficient, which is often endlessly frusterating to mundanes, who more often than not possess full intellectual abilities.

Half-breeds: Forests regard half-breeds with suspicion. They aren't fully Forest, but they are Forest enough to be considered related. How they are treated varies greatly from clan to clan, even from individual to individual.

Bi-colors: All the respect that might have been bestowed upon a half-breed kaasht for its power has been shifted over to the bi-colored kaasht of Forest society. Bi-colored Forest kaasht are fully of the breed but with greater strength. They are raised with extra love, affection, training, and protection, in the hopes that they will grow into the high standard Forests set on them.

Protectors: The few Forests who know about the organization tend to care little for Protectors, unless said Protector lends a hand in protecting their forests. Protectors are half-breeds, who are not fully trusted, anyway, and are often of a variety without even a hint of Forest in their veins. When forced to choose between Protectors and Guilders, however, a Forest will readily choose the Protectors.

Guilders: As adamently as Forests stand neutral on Protectors, do they stand against Guilders. Guilders, though not often recognized as such, are hated fiercely by Forests who know what they stand for. Often the anger of a Forest who comes across a Guilder is so great that they end up on the loosing end of a one-on-one battle.

Opinions on Colours
Forest kaasht, though not as strict about levels of respect as Desert kaasht, still afford differing levels of reverence to different colors. The most respected is, of course, green, while red Forest kaasht could be exiled or ridiculed. The more extreme Forests may even kill red kits at birth. The following indicated general levels of respect for different colors:

Most respected: Green

Respected: Purple, Gold

Indifferent: Black, Orange, Yellow, White, Silver, Transluscent

Disliked: Blue, Iridescent, Copper

Hated: Red


Back to Forest Kaasht	Clan Structure While other kaasht breeds can be found in diverse types of terrain, Forest kaasht clans remain almost exclusively in their namesake, among the trees. The type of forest might vary, from pine to desiginous to deep jungle, but a Forest kaasht simply is not at home anywhere without trees. Forest kaasht clans range from 20 to 200 individuals, the larger clans being closer to the edges of the woods and grown so big with the sole purpose of battling large clans of Plains kaasht. Smaller clans are generally more peaceful and live farther into the sheltering trees. Dwellings are most commonly made out of the living trees or dug out of the ground, as Forest kaasht prefer to leave their environment as close to how they found it as possible, at least on the surface. Also, Forest clans prefer not to be found by other breeds, so living high above or deep below ground level aids them in being invisible. Perhaps a tenth of all Forest kaasht clans are nomadic, though stationary clans will on occassion shift locations to vary their diet or protect an endangered piece of woodland. The nomadic clans care for untended forests but are generally the most peaceful and accepting of all Forest kaasht, perhaps because they are less attached to the land itself and more loyal to the whole of the forest. Clans are run in a matriarchal fashion, though the gender roles are strictly traditional. Female kaasht do not fight unless the clan is actively at war with a specific Plains clan, while male kaasht do not gather herbs and raise kits. Despite this strong tradition, female kaasht weild the majority of power, largely because kaasht who are raised for battle make poor political leaders. Almost all clan elders are female and all clan teachers are female. Forest clans are nearly xenophobic when it comes to outside breeds, but they will without fail accept members of other Forest clans. Oddly enough, however, Forest families who settle outside the trees are pleasant company and considerate hosts. Culture Forest kaasht society shows an unusual dichotemy. At the very core of clan life is love for nature and clan, but at the same time Forest kaasht can be fierce and war-like in their protection of that which they love and in their hatred of Plains kaasht. Forest kaasht tend towards extremes, whether they be peaceful extremes or not. Forest kaasht can be excessively stubborn, as much so as Mountain kaasht, but without the Mountain's love of debate: they will simply refuse to consider an option they deem wrong, even when presented with evidence to the contrary. The worst of things a Forest is adament on is prejudice: Plains kaasht are evil in their eyes and any other breed is not to be trusted within the forest. Not even the loving Cave kaasht are considered safe. While often times Forest kaasht care little for outsiders, they are very responsible with their families. Kits are well cared for and protected, usually loved almost to excess, but the Forest's tendency for extremes might also lead to a very strictly run household, where kits are treated along the rule of "seen and not heard" and punishments are harsh. More common, however, is the strong love, leading to powerful familial and clan bonds. In Forest kaasht society, nature is held in the highest regard, more so than even family and clan. Plants and animals of the forest are treated with the utmost respect, even in hunting. It isn't uncommon for the hunting Forest kaasht to pray for the soul of the victim, asking for safe haven in whatever afterlife awaits it and thanking it for giving its life to help feed the clan. Nearly every Forest kaasht knows the name for every kind of tree, flower, prey, and predator in the woods, taught such in kithood by matron teachers of the clan. Opinions on Other Species (later) Opinions on Other Kaasht Types Mundanes: Mundanes in Forest society are pitied and treated well enough, though they are generally very sheltered and even babied. More often than not, a Forest kaasht will treat a mundane as if he or she were somehow mentally retarded as well as magically deficient, which is often endlessly frusterating to mundanes, who more often than not possess full intellectual abilities. Half-breeds: Forests regard half-breeds with suspicion. They aren't fully Forest, but they are Forest enough to be considered related. How they are treated varies greatly from clan to clan, even from individual to individual. Bi-colors: All the respect that might have been bestowed upon a half-breed kaasht for its power has been shifted over to the bi-colored kaasht of Forest society. Bi-colored Forest kaasht are fully of the breed but with greater strength. They are raised with extra love, affection, training, and protection, in the hopes that they will grow into the high standard Forests set on them. Protectors: The few Forests who know about the organization tend to care little for Protectors, unless said Protector lends a hand in protecting their forests. Protectors are half-breeds, who are not fully trusted, anyway, and are often of a variety without even a hint of Forest in their veins. When forced to choose between Protectors and Guilders, however, a Forest will readily choose the Protectors. Guilders: As adamently as Forests stand neutral on Protectors, do they stand against Guilders. Guilders, though not often recognized as such, are hated fiercely by Forests who know what they stand for. Often the anger of a Forest who comes across a Guilder is so great that they end up on the loosing end of a one-on-one battle. Opinions on Colours Forest kaasht, though not as strict about levels of respect as Desert kaasht, still afford differing levels of reverence to different colors. The most respected is, of course, green, while red Forest kaasht could be exiled or ridiculed. The more extreme Forests may even kill red kits at birth. The following indicated general levels of respect for different colors: Most respected: Green Respected: Purple, Gold Indifferent: Black, Orange, Yellow, White, Silver, Transluscent Disliked: Blue, Iridescent, Copper Hated: Red