For the purpose of this RP, we'll be focusing on 3 smilodon species! Mix and match as you please! Note that this is based on haphazard research, and so it's probably not very accurate to what we actually know of these species.
Slender fangs (aka: Smilodon gracilis) - Slender fangs are the smallest of the 3 species, and most often have rosettes. They're best adapted to hunting in forests.
Fatal spots (aka: Smilodon fatalis) - Fatal spots are midsized sabercats that are, as their name implies, often spotted.
Field raiders (aka: Smilodon populator) - Field raiders are the largest of the sabercats. With their long legs and ticked pelts, they're the most adapted to hunting in open spaces.
Generally, try to stay away from neon pelts - otherwise, the rules on these sabercats' appearances are pretty open! This section is primarily suggestion for anyone looking for some advice or anyone who would prefer to be given guidelines!
Suggested genes: domestic cats' eumelanin (black, chocolate, cinnamon + dilutes), lion/tiger/leopard/jaguar coats, manes of any length (including no mane), tabbies of any kind (regardless of which species they are!), or even solid coat colors
Things I'd allow but suggest as mutations: white spotting, black blotches, longer tails, etc. - feel free to ask for other things! <3
Not a hard rule, but I like to consider fawn as the "generic" sabercat pelt color, with the pattern varying among the species. Slender fangs' rosettes, fatal spots'... spots, and field raiders' ticking.
Smallfangs aka "Cubs" are the sabercats' equivalent of the modern Clans' kits. Sabers are considered smallfangs until their adult canines start to show up - this is around 18 moons. Until they're apprenticed, their names will end in -cub.
Denfangs aka "Queens" are the cubs' caretakers. Denfangs specifically refers to temporary queens who are likely in the nursery to take care of their own cubs, and who will likely return to their previous rank - whether that be once their cub is weaned, when their cub is apprenticed, or some period in between. Permanent residents of the nursery who care for pregnant sabercats and cubs alike are referred to as denhearts. Their names follow traditional naming conventions.
Doublefangs aka "Apprentices" or "Paws" are sabercats learning to hunt and fight. They'll usually stay doublefangs until their adult canines come in entirely, usually around 36 moons of age. The final step in their training is learning to finish off prey themselves, as they can't actually kill anything until their adult fangs come in, for risk of shattering them prematurely. Their names end in -paw.
Fullfangs aka "Warriors" or "Adults" are fully grown sabercats who hunt and fight, and make up the bulk of the Clan. They're usually appointed this rank at around 36 moons, and will maintain it until they're either promoted or die. At this point, most sabercats will measure their lives in years, as they can live to be around 40 years old - 480 moons is a lot to count! Their names follow traditional warrior naming conventions.
Shatterfangs aka "Elders" or "Retirees" are sabercats who cannot perform any other duties, and are cared for by the rest of the Clan as beloved members of the community. The most common cause of retirees is shattered fangs. Their names follow traditional warrior naming conventions.
Fangclaws aka "Medic Apprentices" are young sabercats learning the necessary facets of healing. Like traditional apprentices, their names end in -paw.
Gentleclaws aka "Medics" are fully grown sabercats who are knowledgeable about herbs and medicine, and are responsible for healing the Clan of illness and injury alike. Their names follow traditional warrior/medic naming conventions.
Whisperfangs aka "Augurs" are the sabercats who commune directly with StarClan - most notably, they also commune with Starclimber, an astral feline that guides sabercat souls up the trees and into StarClan. It is said to have created the sabercats itself. Augurs are responsible for organizing holidays and any ceremonies that the leader doesn't conduct, otherwise they scout the territory and give the weather forecast when relevant. They usually trained for some other position, so they don't tend to have their own apprentices. There are usually at least two whisperfangs, and their names follow traditional warrior naming conventions.
Treefangs aka "Deputies" are the 2 or 3 sabercats who work alongside the leader to guide the Clan. Their duties are much like the traditional Clans' deputies, but they form a council nicknamed the "canopy". Should the leader die or retire, the deputies will decide amongst themselves who will take on the leadership. It's common for the leader's mate to be among the deputies, but isn't a necessary rule. Their names follow traditional warrior naming conventions.
Starfangs aka the "Leader" is the sabercat who leads the Clan. They execute most ceremonies and make final decisions with the advice of their council. Like their modern counterparts, they have 9 lives and their names end in -star.
The lifespan, I will say, is averaged about... 45-55 years?
The Clan's territory is primarily forest, with sprawling fields and hills on the outskirts. Their camp is nestled neatly in a cave formation that opens directly into the forest, with a river that flows through the cave and makes up their territory's Western border. West of that river is territory belonging to a lion pride. Though the two species cannot understand one another, they seem to have sort of mutual understanding that the river is not to be crossed.
In the center of the woods, there is Starclimber's stump, a large stump said to have been felled by Starclimber's mighty ascent into the stars. This is a hallowed place. Closer to camp is the training ring, a circular pit of sorts with enough foliage for basic training, and plenty of space for sparring. The primary entrance is a gentle slope of stone, but young sabercats like to challenge one another to try to climb out the haphazard rocks piled from a long ago rockslide of some sort. Some cats find this disrespectful, as sabercats are not climbers and that imagery is reserved for Starclimber anyhow. Further from camp, in the fields, lie the dangerous tar pits. For this reason, cats must never go to the fields alone. Prey caught in the tar is forbidden, due to the risk being too high.
Common prey includes bison, camels, peccaries, "llamas", tapirs, deer, horses, "rhinos", "armadillos", ground sloths, and caimans. Their primary sources of competition are lion and wolves, though cheetahs and terror birds will prove themselves nuisances for the Clan. Despite the unspoken agreement between the sabercats and the lions of the River Pride, loners still pose a problem. It's usually easy enough to sniff out which lions belong to the pride and which are loners, though.
DreadClan's Rules
Modern Clans' warrior code adjacent, the synopsis is don't kill other cats unless necessary, protect your Clanmates first and foremost, and don't waste resources. There are two additional rules, being to never go into the fields alone and to never hunt from the tar pits. It's considered too dangerous, though these are newer rules put into place by Terrorstar.
RP Rules
Basic RP etiquette, basically. Don't powerplay, discuss if you aren't sure, fill out the form, have fun, be nice, follow WCO's rules, y'know.
Leader (1/1)
Terrorstar - A black rosette slender fang with amber eyes and a thick mane played by @soldier
Deputies (0/3)
Name - description played by user
Augurs (1/2+)
Name - description played by user
Medics (0/2)
Name - description played by user
Medic Apprentices (0/2)
paw - description played by user
Hmmm... That sounds interesting @soldier
It would be cool if the high ranks will let the smilodons attack the clans or something like that
I was thinking that there could be two clans of domestic cats near the smilodons-? And the cats often... compete, but the smilodons win most of the time because they are stronger.
form
★ Name:
★ Gender: Female
・★ Pronouns: She/Her, They/Them
★ Role: Deputy
・★ Desired Role: Deputy, but can be med if there are no ones
★ Appearance: White with gray spots and yellow/blue eyes
★ Personality:
★ Family:
★ Sexuality:
・★ Mate(s):
・★ Crush(es): Future crush on Terrorstar??
★ History:
★ Extra: @soldier (I will finish it)
__________________
"I have travelled so far and loved so much, and yet I am still following the Sun Trail, heading for my new hunting grounds"
Interest Check?
@
I was thinking that there could be two clans of domestic cats near the smilodons-? And the cats often... compete, but the smilodons win most of the time because they are stronger.