Clan of the Cats

Infobox Webcomic
title = Clan of the Cats


caption =
author = Jamie Robertson
url = http://clanofthecats.com/
status = M-W-S
began = June 20 1999 [http://clanofthecats.com/d/19990620.html]
ended =
genre = Fantasy
ratings =

"Clan of the Cats" is an urban fantasy webcomic by Jamie Robertson. It chronicles the adventures of a witch, Chelsea Chattan, who is also afflicted by an ancient family curse. In times of stress she transforms into a black panther. This, coupled by her increasing magickal power, makes having an ordinary life rather challenging. The stories deal with supernatural themes mainly, but also creep into the realm of normal everyday life. The comic was first posted on June 20 1999. There are three spin off comics: Sebo, Mythos and Magick, and Melpomene.

"Clan of the Cats" was hosted by Big Panda from 1999 to 2000.; Keenspot now hosts "Clan of the Cats".

Characters

The main characters of "Clan of the Cats" are Chelsea Urania Kate Chattan, Alexander Jubal McRae, Ruth Netta Madison Chattan, Corrine Elizabeth Melpomene Chattan (aka Mel), Paul Winston McRae, Cynthia Marie Angeline Thalia McRae Monroe, and Sebastian (aka Sebo).

Chelsea Chattan

Chelsea was born to Peter and Diane Chattan in 1974, five years after they were married on October 31st, Halloween. There was nothing to indicate that great things were in store. Like the famous Hotel Chelsea she was named for, Chelsea is a living embodiment of all things different.

In 1996, she left her hometown of Haven, NC, to try to make it as an artist in New York City. She left with someone called Skeeter, Harold Benfold Dushane, who was also an aspiring artist from North Carolina. Skeeter was not Chelsea’s boyfriend, but he was a companion, of sorts. He was unfortunately rather flighty and left New York soon after arriving, leaving poor Chelsea on her own in the Big City. He relocated to Newark, New Jersey and began a portrait studio. After going through drug addiction and alcoholism, Skeeter eventually moved back to New York and tried to hook up with Chelsea once again, but she had already left to go back home. Soon after, however, he was “discovered” by a rich socialite. He is now one of the more prominent artists on the New York City scene. Sometimes, you get lucky. Also in 1996, Chelsea met Raven Svoboda for the first time at an art show. They became instant friends.

After three years, Chelsea found she was no closer to making it as an artist. She left New York to return home for her half-sister Cynthia’s wedding. While there, she manifested in her pureblood-morph, black leopard form. She realised that she needed to remain in Haven, near her grandmother who could teach her a thing or two.

Chelsea has since found out that she is a mythical were-messiah, killed a werewolf god, helped reinstate the governing body of the Netherworld, was tortured by a fifteenth century ancestor, found out she can only die by her own hand or the hand of another Chattan, may become an evil sorceress in later years, and now possesses a wizard’s lock of white hair. She now has a bit more control over her feline self, but still has not tapped into her full potential. That may very well be a lifetime pursuit...of course the problem there being that she may be immortal.

Shortly aftering returning to Haven, she hooked up with Jubal McRae again, a friend from her younger days. He is her friend and boyfriend, although it’s not ever clear which. She has admitted to herself that she loves Jubal, but she constantly worries about the problems.

Powers

The fabled magickal pureblood-morph and Messiah of the Netherworld. That’s what the legends say. Those who know of Chelsea’s abilities are sceptical about her: a cursed morph cannot be a magickal-pureblood. She who commands the Magick would come from a great Morph Line, or so it is believed.

While Chelsea’s powers are great, they are raw and untrained. She will have a great journey to travel before she can fully understand who and what she is. She is gaining proficiency with her powers continuously. While being tortured by Eleanor, Chelsea learned much greater control of her magic.

Chelsea is descended from a prehistoric line of shapeshifter practitioners. The lineage is actually older than Lilith and no one knows where it actually “started”. If not for the Curse, Chelsea would be a practitioner and shapeshifter, instead of a cursed magickal pureblood-morph.

Personality

Chelsea is many things: an artist, a rebel, a poet, and a witch. Given all the things that have happened to her, she obviously has a strong psyche. Because of her Curse, Chelsea has a controlled darkness inside her. It would occasionally manifest by her lack of control when in her leopard form. An encounter with Rose and the Vampire Covenant released that darkness. The long-term effects are yet to be determined.

Chocolate raspberry truffle ice cream is Chelsea’s absolutely favourite flavor.

Other characters

*Alexander Jubal McRae - A friend of Chelsea's from her younger days. He is her friend and boyfriend, although it’s not ever clear which. He is one of two DJ's that work at the local radio station, WEDN - AM. Jubal was shot and killed at the beginning of the Council of Three story line, but Corrine was able to lock his soul inside a voodoo soul jar. However the jar was broken and a resurrection spell had to be hastily cast. Since his return Jubal has demonstrated a few magickal abilities including talking with Sebo.

*Ruth Netta Chattan - Chelsea's Grandmother, Ruth is always in the kitchen making something good or conjurin' a spell or two from her recipe book (Book of Shadows). A witch with great magic, Ruth pretty much leads a simple life. Chelsea being the next witch in line, Ruth has taken it upon herself to steer the girl right.

*Diane Erato Hunt-Chattan Monroe - Diane is the mother of Chelsea. A hippie in the 1960s, Diane's views have changed little over the past thirty-odd years.

*Corrine Elizabeth Melpomene - Corrine has great magickal power and through spells, chants, and so forth can wield great power even in morph form. She is an exceptional specimen of both worlds. Corrine ran away from home at fifteen because she could not stand her stepfather. She attempted to commit suicide in San Francisco in the late 1980s or very early '90s. Her family thought she was dead at that time. She survived and manifested as an Alpha-Morph-Leopard. At that time she encountered the Fire Wizard Jacob, who became her mentor in magick. At this time she took the name Melpomene ("Mel").

*Sebastian - Sebastian is a cat, and resembles a Russian Blue only a bit on the bright side. Sebo can talk to any magical creature he wishes and make others understand him too. He has magickal powers that have not fully been revealed yet. Not much is known about his origin, but Sebastian likes it that way.

External links

* [http://clanofthecats.com "Clan of the Cats" official site]
* [http://clanofthecats.com/mythos/mythos.html "Clan of the Cats" mythos]
* [http://wcdba.sourceforge.net/index.php "Clan of the Cats" Database]
* [http://clanofthecats.com/Melpomene/ Melpomene]
* [http://clanofthecats.com/SKK.htm Sebo]
* [http://graphicsmash.com/series.php?name=mam&view=current Mythos and Magick]
* [http://www.clanchattan.org.uk/badges.html Clan Chattan, literally translates to "Clan of the Cats"]