The Colony of Fireflies

The Colony of Fireflies' culture is centred primarily around survival, and they valued ingenuity and adaptability in their members. As followers of the Bear, they believed that each member should strive to improve their lives for the next generation. As such, this colony typically didn't enforce the Sacred Decree, as long as it was justified as being for the betterment of the colony as a whole.

They were also the colony known to deal with the City Cats the most due to being the closest to them, and often would trade items just to trade them to the rest of the colonies. Because of their proximity to the City, they often had to deal with Clicking Ones and Tall Ones, and knew how to deal with and avoid them the best.

Many members also didn't even live in the main settlement, instead choosing to live in dens and shelters along with their denmates. It's seen as a mark of pride to live separate from the colony, and as such, the Colony of Fireflies is often lenient with outsiders on their territory. If they are able to survive, then they have the right to live there as well.

Values / Taboos

Intelligence, ingenuity, craftiness, and adaptability were all valued within the Colony of Fireflies. Cats who could think of solutions on the fly, who didn't let rules hold them back from ideas, or who could survive on their own are all highly valued and respected within the colony. Relationships between denmates were also highly encouraged; cats who could work as a unit were more likely to survive together.

Cats who work alone are often looked down upon, unless the cat has proven they are more successful alone. Cracking under pressure or taking things slow are both seen as bad traits to have, and teachers are expected to train away these traits if possible.

Traditions / Religion

While all colonies are expected to honour the Ancestors and the Seasonal Gods, the Colony of Fireflies looks down on prayer asking for help. It's seen as pushing the task onto the Ancestors, and the colony believes their involvement with the gods should remain minimal. Their survival rests on them alone, and the gods should never step in to aid them. Some members may even look down on cats blessed with miracles (such as suddenly getting better from a deadly illness, or surviving a deadly fall thanks to a lucky bush at the bottom), believing that the gods will not always look out for them and that they will simply be dead weight.

Oracles are treated with mixed emotions within the colony, for this reason. While the colony acknowledges that they are important and chosen by the gods themselves, training for Oracles is rather laid back and minimal. A very old tradition says that Oracles within this colony must take a vow of silence unless absolutely necessary, to further prevent the Ancestors from meddling with their affairs. This tradition has been phased out, but it is still expected for Oracles to act less as a messenger and more as a barrier between the living and the dead.

Tools / Trade

The Colony of Fireflies were one of the only colonies to wear clothes, outside of using them as armour or for warmth. The colony began crafting clothes out of leather and furs, originally intended to be able to identify those within the colony quickly. Over time the clothes became larger and more elaborate, and now are mainly worn for fashion. Many members also find clothes to be a comfort or as good protection from burrs and thorns.

They often sell these clothes to the other colonies, where they are appreciated for their aesthetics and looks, but many find the sensation of leather against fur to be uncomfortable. These clothes often drape over the chest, neck, and torso, and rarely over the head as a hood. The colony would trade with the Colony of Bones for pelts, giving City Cat exports in return. Hollowed birch nuts, pretty stones, shells, and fish skins are common imports for clothes, while birch flour is highly valued for cooking.

Foods

One of the 'adaptions' the Colony of Fireflies made was their diet, which consisted primarily of grubs and larvae. The colony would care for and raise these larvae in large quantities, harvesting grubs for food. During the summer majority of the larvae harvested would be dried and eaten during winter, forcing the colony to get the majority of their meals from normal prey. Other colonies think their foods are disgusting, with common insults against them being variations of 'bug eaters'.

Bugball - Bugs, fat, and berries, crushed and mixed together. Typically made with dried bugs, but can be used with fresh bugs (although it must be cooked longer). Enjoyed with blood sauce or gravy.

Beetles and Berries (Beetle-berries) - Fried bugs, berries, eggs, and other small loose foods tossed together in spices and herbs. Despite the name, other bugs besides beetles can be used. Will have a blood, honey, or berry glaze for special occasions or when food is plentiful. Kept in a pouch made from a large leaf, and carried as a quick snack for travelling.

Bugmeal - Known infamously as Bugmush by the other colonies. Bugs, organs, and berries are cooked together, before being added to cooking blood. The blood thickens quickly while cooked, and is served in bowls when it becomes nearly solid. The result is a flavorful glob of food that resembles blended jello. Bugmeal is rarely eaten with other dried meats added, most often near the end of winter if there's extra stored meat laying around.