The Lake Territory, also called the New Territory or the New Forest, is where the Clans now reside after they had to leave the Old Forest.
Geography
The region is far northwest from The Forest and north of the sun-drown-place. It consists of varied landscape surrounding a lake. The northern half is covered by woodland and it gives home to ShadowClan and ThunderClan. The southern half is moorland, giving home to RiverClan and WindClan. Two smaller streams flow into the lake from the north, and a river, named River Alba flows out of it.
There is noticeable Twoleg activity in the region. Twolegs come here mostly in greenleaf and there are two Greenleaf Twolegplaces in the region, and several halfbridges (boat docks) around the lake. The ShadowClan territory contains a Twoleg nest called Sanctuary Cottage by Twolegs.
History
!! SPOILER ALERT !!
Before the Clan cats came, The Lake Territories gave home to different Tribes of cats, named The Ancients by the Clans. They had a hierarchy similar to that of the Clans, and they used the Moonpool to communicate with their ancestors. The Ancients scattered well before the Clans ventured to the lake; one of the Ancient Tribes are the ancestors of the Tribe of Rushing Water, the group of cats that live in the mountains.
The Clans settled in the lake territories after being driven out of The Forest Territories by Twolegs. The Clans found the Lake after StarClan sent them a sign of a falling star. They divided the land between the Clans, giving each Clan the land that best suited their purposes, ShadowClan in the pine forests, RiverClan near creeks and marshes, ThunderClan in the leafy forest, and WindClan on the moor. Leafpaw discovered the Moonpool, the place where the cats share with StarClan, and the cats started using the island in the lake, that was found by Mothwing, for Gatherings.
ThunderClan
ThunderClan claims the northeastern part; their territory is mainly deciduous woodland. Their camp is an abandoned Twoleg quarry, called the stone hollow by the cats.
Here are the landmarks in ThunderClan territory:
- The Sky Oak, a large tree near the shore.
- A mossy clearing where apprentices train.
- North of the camp is an abandoned Twoleg Nest, a location rich in prey and herbs.
- A network of tunnels running below ThunderClan and WindClan grounds, connecting them.
- A clearing near the ShadowClan border where Twolegs camp in greenleaf.
- An abandoned, unpaved road (named The Old Thunderpath by the cats) starting from the hollow and heading north.
ThunderClan's Camp:
The ThunderClan Lake Camp is in an abandoned quarry, described as a stone hollow enclosed by tall cliffs. The main entrance is through a thorn tunnel, which can lead out of the camp after exiting the dirtplace. There is also a secret entrance that is reached by climbing the rocks. The walls offer protection and keep out the wind, but cats must watch their step near the edge as falling into the hollow can be fatal. A tall rock called the Highledge is used by the leader to call meetings. Most of the dens consist of caves and crevices in the rock wall. There is also a Halfrock, which is a smooth low stone that rises out of the ground near the elders den. At one point, badgers devastated the camp, but it was rebuilt by the cats.
- The nursery is under a thick bramble bush reinforced with thick roots woven together for protection. It's floor is made of packed earth.
- The apprentices', leader's and medicine cat's dens are caves in the rock, entrances hidden by bramble tendrils.
- The warriors' den is in a dip in the ground under a big thorn bush, and after the tree falls in Fading Echoes, it is rebuilt under the branches of a beech tree.
- The elders' den is in a hazel bush, and later is rebuilt under the boughs of a beech tree and reinforced with honeysuckle.
ShadowClan
ShadowClan claims the northwestern part; their territory is mostly coniferous forest with not much undergrowth and damp ground. The ShadowClan camp is in a dip surrounded by brambles.
Here are the landmarks in ShadowClan territory:
- A Twoleg Nest (Sanctuary Cottage) is where two aggressive kittypets live.
- Twoleg paths where Twolegs roam during greenleaf.
- Greenleaf Twolegplaces, both on the ThunderClan and RiverClan borders.
ShadowClan's Camp:
The ShadowClan Lake Camp is concealed between tangles of brambles and low-hanging branches, and is a dip beneath the pine trees. The entrance is through a thorn tunnel. The leader makes their announcements from a branch hanging over their den.
- All dens are under bramble thickets.
- The medicine den has a sandy, hollowed-out floor covered in dried pine needles.
- A hazel branch overhangs the camp.
RiverClan
RiverClan lives in the southwestern part, around the rivers. The RiverClan Lake Camp is on a triangle of land between two streams. The Gathering Island can be reached from RiverClan territory.
Here are the landmarks in RiverClan territory:
- During greenleaf, Twolegs come to the Greenleaf Twolegplace to swim. It is noted that some can swim like fish, but a lot more noisily.
- The halfbridge is peculiar bridge that ends halfway in the water. Twoleg boats are anchored to it.
- RiverClan owns claim to the lake shore, having the south to the western part of the lake shore.
RiverClan's Camp:
The RiverClan Lake Camp is on a triangle of land between two streams. It can be reached by swimming or by crossing the stream via stepping stones. Twolegs often disturb the cats during Greenleaf; once, they had to abandon the camp as they were harassed by Twoleg kits.
- The nursery, elders' den and leader's den are under dense bramble thickets.
- The medicine cat's den is under a thorn bush overhanging the stream; the ground below it was washed away, leaving a pool.
WindClan
WindClan territory is open moor in the southeastern part of the territory. The WindClan Camp is a shallow scoop in the ground, protected from the weather and enemies.
Here are the landmarks in WindClan territory:
- A network of tunnels running below ThunderClan and WindClan grounds, connecting them.
- The Horseplace that forms their southern border.
WindClan's Camp:
The WindClan Lake Camp is a shallow scoop in the ground of the moor. Unlike other camps, it does not have any natural protection; they rely on the warriors to protect it. There are several boulders nearby, the highest being called the Tallrock and used by the leader to call meetings.
- The nursery is under a gorse bush.
- The medicine cat's den is in a crevice in the rock.
- The elders' den is in an old badger set.
- The other cats, including the leader, prefer to sleep under the open sky, although in bad weather, they retreat in burrows made by rabbits, foxes or badgers.
Other Territories
The Lake:
The Lake is a large body of water that touches all the Clans' territories, and it is the Clans' main source of water. Twolegs sail around the lake in boats. The Lake does not belong to any Clan (although RiverClan once claimed it), and cats can travel near the shore if they keep within three tail-lengths from the water. It contains the Island, where the Clans hold their Gatherings each moon.
Moonpool:
The Moonpool is located far northeast from the Clan territories, and it is neutral territory as well. It is a small pool located at the bottom of a hollow, and on one side there is a steep cliff with water flowing out of it and it pours into the pool. This is where medicine cats speak with their ancestors and where the leaders go to consult with StarClan and to gain their nine lives.
Horseplace:
The Horseplace is the biggest Twoleg establishment near the lake. It is a farm where Twolegs live and keep horses and cows. The barn cats Smoky and Coriander live there. Daisy and her kits used to live there, and Floss and a dog named Pip also lived there before their deaths. The Horseplace separates RiverClan's territory from WindClan's.