Mathair Cat
Of all the Ellyll, the Albidosi consider Eilidh Oirbheartach to be their particular patron. Because of this, they consider all cats to be sacred, and the care of the wild and domestic cats is a sacred duty. Those who undertake to care for the feline population are granted the title and rank of Mathair Cat, and are important members of their communities.
Most towns will have a single Mathair Cat, while large cities like Dunfirth have two. The capital city of Aran has five, more than any other settlement in Cait (and this does not count Queen Isla, who has an honorary title). In the country, villages will frequently share a Mathair Cat who travels between them. Even then, the duties of a rural Mathair Cat rarely consume all of their time, and the rank is held by a local wisewoman. Only in the cities are there enough cats in need to occupy a full-time Mathair Cat.
While almost all Mathair Cats are women, male Mathair Cats can also be found. There is no overarching organization that can enforce the conventions and traditions of the Mathair Cats, and as a result the specific practices can vary from one community to the next. They all will minister to any cats who are injured or sick, and most also make a practice of feeding the feline population (although some think it is better for them if they hunt themselves). The homes of the Mathair Cats are open to the felines of the area, and are always free of mice or other small pests. They are also frequently the recipients of prey gifts from the local cats, and many Mathair Cats have recipes adapted to using the numerous small animals they receive. Some even credit the cats with preserving them through a hard winter with these gifts.
Mathair Cats also sometimes serve as the voice of the Queen, or more accurately of the goddess of which she is an avatar. All Albidosi know that Queen Isla is, in addition to her royal title, the living avatar of Eilidh Oirbheartach, and has a mystical connection the felines in the Kingdom of Cait. She can use this connection to deliver messages to anyone who locks eyes with one of her cats, and by the nature of their duties, this often falls to the local Mathair Cat. A few have attempted to abuse this by claiming royal authority when they had none, and found themselves shunned by all the cats in their area - once their neighbors noticed, these Mathair Cats were also shunned and driven out by the humans. Most Mathair Cats remember that the Queen knows all that the cats see and hear, and are careful to respect her and her authority.
Accoutrements & Equipment
When a Mathair Cat is invested, she is given a colored sash to wear so that others know of her rank. The exact color and pattern of the sash can vary, and individuals will frequently adopt a style of their own after a while. Conventionally, they will only contain colors that could be found in the fur of cats, but there is no official restrictions that a Mathair Cat must adhere to.
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