The Hidden Grotto Clan
This small village of tabaxi's uses the marshy forest trees to defend itself from outsiders. The current leader is known as Reigning Forest, a large maine coon cat with much fur, confidence, and influence. Him and his family have been the leaders of this hamlet for 3 generations.
Reigning Forest and his family have ostracized Creature of the Black Lagoon's lineage. Either due to prejudice of their black fur or something else entirely, the family has been forced to live outside of the grotto though still helping with miscellaneous tasks from other members of the community.
Though Creature may not be aware of it, there is a prophecy that was foretold. One where a black cat would take over the Hidden Grotto as its ruler, making drastic geopolitical changes. To prevent this from coming true, Reigning Forest decided he would put a stop to it and banished Creature completely.
Demographics
The entire village is made up of Tabaxi citizens. Though there is an occasional traveler who may stay some time (of Elvish, Human, or even Lizardfolk decent), the small town tries to keep to itself as to not attract unwelcome visitors.
Government
The government is loose with the majority of activities being communal efforts and collaborative missions.
There is, however, one cat that is designated as the Burra Cat (the ruler of the tabaxi). Though this creature does not collect taxes from the citizens, they do make difficult choices that people cannot solve on their own. As such, the Burra Cat must be a known figure to the community so as to have full context when solving disputes.
To become the Burra Cat, a tabaxi can either argue that they have, or will, do a better job than the current Burra Cat. Otherwise, if this does not end in one cat or the other's favor, they may be challenged to a Feline Superiority fight, where the two cats duke it out until one of them is the victor. A Feline Superiority has not been called in many decades and is, honestly, seen as an antiquated way to choose a ruler.
History
The history of the Hidden Grotto Clan is passed down verbally from one generation to the next, often with slight details and embellishments being added and changed as the years go on. With that being said, the current historical tale is that the Hidden Grotto was founded by a nomadic group of tabaxi from the Yeomanry. These were visionaries who sought a better life away from other cities, creatures, and politics. Together, they created a fire that touched the heavens, officially claiming the land they founded as their own, in the eyes of the Gods.
With that, they preordained which types of tabaxi would do which jobs. For example, it is a common belief that maine coon cats have more leadership skills and thus make better leaders (though this has been challenged once or twice since the Hidden Grotto's founding). Further, shorthair cats were seen more as farmers and masons while sphinx and hairless cats were seen as mages and sorcerers. However, it was told there was one type of cat that should best be avoided as they would bring ruin and change to the village: the Black Cat. As the years have continued, the hatred of the Black Cat would grow and grow, until Reigning Forest, the current leader of the Hidden Grotto Clan, would finally exile Creature of the Black Lagoon, the first fully black cat of the Black Lagoon lineage.
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