Mewmoia

Mewmoia is the fictional setting within which PawBorough is set, a vast land split into seven Boroughs. It is home to a wide array of cat breeds, both domestic and mystic, living a myriad of lifestyles and diverse cultures amid the wild fauna and flora of the land.

Lore

NOTE: This lore is outdated and has been removed from the PawBorough website. It is uploaded here for archival purposes.

You enter a vast, dusty, time-bitten library. An elderly Moontail sits with a quill at a withered desk, lovingly carved from evergreen wood and chipped away by the passing years.

The Moontail looks up, his misty eyes steady through the frames of his glasses.

Delighted, he smiles. “Welcome!”

You take in the boundless expanse of books, lined row after row as tantalizing as jewel. Indeed, they're worth far more than any sparkling stone. You approach the Moontail.

“I've been expecting you,” the Moontail beams, his pelt the color of starlight. What once was shimmering and beautiful has been dimmed by the fate of age and the dust of paper. Like the yellowing of the pages he watches over, his long fangs and even longer beard are dull.

“I've heard you're keen on readin’ some Mewmoian history,” he rasps. “And praise the moon is that a question! Politics, war, government, agriculture, trade, craft, why… there's centuries of context that even I have yet to uncover!”

He gives a hearty chuckle, his friendly demeanor at odds with his intimidating size. Though, you suppose it is no more intimidating than the immense breadth of the library.

“But, you've come to the right place. I've written a few notes to get ya started… Won't cover everything, but at least it should help with your upcoming move.”

He places his quill in a jar and slides a collection of scribbles and stamps your way. The coarse paper sings with the friction of the wood. You begin to read.

The felines which inhabit the world of Mewmoia, known colloquially as catfolk, have developed permanent settlements across the world throughout their history: Boroughs. There is no central governing power, but the different Boroughs have come to a relative understanding for coexistence, though power over world-wide commerce, culture, influence, magic, and trade is often a contentious topic which may cause loyalists to butt heads.

Today, the Sol and Luna Boroughs have the highest say in worldwide affairs, as the oldest Boroughs and the originators of Mewmoia’s central currency. In recent years, however, this power frequently faces challenge from The Metropolis.

Shelter in Mewmoia varies in architecture and development, all dependent on culture, and even within Boroughs there may be subsets of preferences. Some catfolk prefer to stay naturalistic, living among dens, in trees, and within underground settlements, while others prefer more modern settlements made from brick, stone, or steel.

The biodiversity of Mewmoia gives opportunity for various occupations—a whole world of options for any cat looking to make their way in the world. From lush forests, dewy seasides, and shrubby southern flats, professions range from farmers, hunters, mechanics, architects, sailors, artists, tailors, scholars, and even magicians. Mewmoia is teeming with magic geology, and catfolk have taken it upon themselves to research, learn, and harness the various magics of stone and crystal.

The wide land also gives opportunity for many varieties of food. All catfolk are omnivorous, and similarly the preferences of meat, starch, and veggie depend on the cat. The catfolk of Mewmoia have domesticated a number of livestock over the centuries, including various species of birds, goats, rabbits, fish, boars, and bugs. Some catfolk prefer to exclusively hunt for their food, as a number of villages have staunchly refused any modern advances from the naturalistic way of life, while some depend solely on farming and agricultural cultivation in a fully modernized civilization. Many incorporate a mix of the two into their lifestyle.

All catfolk retain motor function for walking on both four and two legs, though some may bear disability which prevents full functionality. Oftentimes, occupation may determine a cat’s proclivity for the position they choose to walk; an academic may find themself benefiting from two legs, while a cargocat may find that four legs best helps to carry the load. Regardless, architecture and clothing are tailored to accommodate both modes of function.

Clothing is culturally optional. The utility of clothing ranges from status symbol, festivity, and protection. Catfolk in harsh climates may choose to adorn protective cloth, though more paws-on catfolk may find it restrictive. Especially skittish or nervous catfolk may develop anxiety around covering their claws with shoes or gloves, dulling their only method of defense. While subsections of Boroughs may have cultural differences in these choices, it comes down to the individual for decisions regarding use of cloth, use of legs, and the consistencies of each.

Luna

Nestled just south of the Sol Borough, within the northernmost taigas of Mewmoia, the Luna Borough is a vast expanse of dark, shaded pine forest.

Its denizens value knowledge and study, taking it upon themselves to meticulously research and graph the celestial outreaches of the sky, the behavior and biology of the world's flora and fauna, and the complex history of catkind. The greatest libraries amassed over the centuries have been founded, archived, and maintained by Luna Borough cats.

The darkened terrain is so shadowed that even a cat can't see through the natural gloam. Creatures and plants native to the Luna Borough often develop bioluminescence, setting the dim terrain alight with an array of soft glow. The thick curtain of mighty pine trees leaves little room for sunlight, so Luna denizens rely on the glowing of their native species by day and by night.

Luna Borough cats worship the stars and moon, believing the moon to be the mother of all life and the stars to be her loyal servants. Celebration of this worship consists of intricate dances and ceremonies, donning hand-made silk and silver, and weaving complex tapestries of constellations. Their holidays are quiet and somber as they commemorate souls long passed and honor the knowledge handed down through generations.

The Luna Borough is an isolationist group, maintaining very little contact with the outside world. Luna Borough cats have a reputation for being secretive, lost in thought, and tricksters in nature. Some believe the cover of darkness has chilled their hearts and dulled their feelings, but a Luna Borough cat seldom passes on the opportunity for a laugh, even at the expense of another cat.

Despite their isolation, the Luna Borough's contributions to discovery, to the collective knowledge of catkind, and to the history of Mewmoia, give it a large, continuing influence on worldwide culture. Other Boroughs may resent, abhor, or disagree with the Luna Borough's choice to pull away, but its denizens continue to remain steadfast in keeping secrets.

Colors: Pale blue and silver Ideals: History, literature, wisdom, and spirituality

Sol

Standing proudly above the Luna Borough, the glacial land of the Sol Borough spans for many miles, boasting frigid, flat and unforgiving tundra. It is here which gives home to the mighty rings of icy, crystal constructs—painfully reflecting the dazzling light of the sun, growing ever mightier the closer one gets to the center of the territory. That glimmering light is a source of magic for Sol Borough denizens.

Cats here are hardier than others, especially those born and raised in its icy flatlands. When reaching adulthood, it is tradition for young cats to be cast to the furthermost edges of the Borough’s borders. There, they are expected to either brave the frigid wilderness, travel the expanse of the territory towards the aristocratic center, or leave.

Sol Borough cats commonly wear crystalline armor constructed with magic. While aristocrats traditionally don the most pristine, time-intensive armor, cats outside the central walls have much less uniformity in their designs. As such, common catfolk are often distinguished by more unique and creative armor.

Sol Borough catfolk have varying attitudes; while cats living on the edges of the territory may enjoy travel and conversing with other Boroughs, cats closer to the center consider themselves higher than outsiders, hardly wishing to share their magic and study. Regardless, nearly all catfolk of the Sol Borough value the pursuit of knowledge, and honor the blinding sun which powers their magic.

Yet, it is common for the aristocracy to scoff at the preachings of honor for a deity or force outside of their control. These cats take great pride in their capabilities as mathematicians and magicians, and seldom do they approve of any implication of dependence; in fact, they actively abhor the thought. The highest importance to these cats, which earns their reverence, is the act of blending with society. To a Sol Borough aristocrat, conformity is the highest mark of pride.

However, cats living outside of Sol’s high society are a tight-knit community—those that choose to stay, that is. While many catfolk work their way back towards the center, many more leave for another Borough, or remain complacent as a serf of society.

These cats often try their best to help one another, especially keen to aid young cats who have been freshly banished to the border, and viewing any cat working their way into aristocracy as “losing” the soul to the corruption of nobility.

The Sol Borough has made itself known throughout Mewmoia as the best source of logic and fact—much more sophisticated compared to the ditzy stargazers of the Luna Borough. Naturally, the leading catfolk of the Sol Borough may humble their attitudes when considering the greater good of Mewmoia, submitting to work alongside the differing Borough leaders, but not without a great deal of grumbling.

Colors: Brown and gold Ideals: Logic, survival, nobility, and pride

Abyssal

As Above

Long ago, few catfolk traveled along the coast, settling down upon the tropics of the Mewmoian globe. It was here that many gained a profound respect and adoration for the ocean which hugged their expedition.

Yet, some had cold paws when the time came for the travelers to migrate into the sea, preferring the dewy seaside air and lush greenery to the bone-chilling depths of the water, and so the catfolk who stayed behind founded a unique culture, distinct from those who disappeared under the current.

Travel stayed a hallmark of Upper Abyssal tradition, and with it came sea ships and ferries. Upper catfolk started braving the waters in the way they knew how, docking among the archipelago which lines their coast, and soon the bustling dock-side towns of Upper Abyssal became the go-to rest stops for any wayward sailor, pushy merchant, or distinguished savant looking to further their reputation.

Indeed, no catfolk talk like the Abyssal cats above the waves. Sailors bored and fatigued from months at sea hungrily sip gossip, and even more readily do they share it with others. Never gift a secret to a kind stranger at an Abyssal port, lest all of Mewmoia know it, too.

In addition to the finest resources for trade and travel, fishing exports from Abyssal are common and abundant. If a ragged old sailor with lacey fishhook scars along her paws ever offers you salmon, one can guarantee it will be the best salmon ever tasted.

To newcomers, the territory of Abyssal may seem quite small, but unbeknownst to them, just under their feet lies a vast kingdom…

So Below

Under the bustling portside of the Abyssal territory is a vast, underwater kingdom, surrounding the central spire which towers upwards from the ocean floor—the place where working cats tend to build their dens, darting to and fro within the crystal blue waters.

The catfolk of Lower Abyssal have learned to manipulate the coral of their territory, growing the shapes to form beautiful homes and ornate castles.

Most catfolk choose to live communally in these vast undersea structures, but it is not uncommon for a wayward loner to break away, preferring solitude as they silently lurk along the ocean floor for prey, finding solace and serenity in the high-pressure darkness of the deep.

While Upper Abyssal catfolk may have mastered the art of sailing, the denizens of Lower Abyssal take pride in their construction of submarines and diving suits, designed to protect those that can not naturally survive the underwater terrain, and pulling oxygen from the surface to ensure that one’s exploration and relaxation in the dark may last as long as one sees fit.

With the differing practices of these societies, the Abyssal Borough traditionally boasts two leaders, chosen each to lead their distinctive half of the whole. The “Queen” reigns above, and the “Princess” below.

History tells of varying relations between these two leaders. There are eras in which the Princess is docile and keen to let the Queen bear the majority of responsibility. Yet, there are stories of animosity… of the Princess growing jealous…

While united, the Abyssal Borough is merely one claw away from disaster…

Colors: Purple and pink Ideals: Travel, experience, communication, and dependability

Zenith

Climbing high above, smattering across the sky, the peaks of the mighty mountain range is where Zenith Borough inhabitants rule. A sharp, once rough mountainscape, now artfully carved with homes for each and every cat. Rock constructs point outwards from the jagged cliff faces. These structures bear carved holes, inviting the sharp wind to echo haunting, exquisite melodies far and wide.

Catfolk of Zenith are carefree and wild. Their life so close to the stars has gifted them the power of clairvoyance, as such they are masters of anticipation.

But rather than withdrawing, worrying, ruminating, catfolk born in Zenith prefer to go with the flow, allowing Mother Time to work her magic and guide their lives as she sees fit. The Zenith catfolk love to share their motto: It is what it is! Never, a Zenith cat would say, should you challenge what fate has in store.

Ever the adaptive culture, some denizens would rather avoid practicing future-sight, finding the surprise in what life chooses to throw at them joyful and fun.

In Zenith, no cat is left behind. It takes a village to raise a kitten, and Zenith is no exception. Even the most carefree, clairvoyance-avoidant cat will take a quick peek into the near morrow to help another soul, especially for the safety of a neighbor’s young.

As shocking as the gift of clairvoyance may appear to other Mewmoians, its novelty wore off long ago for the denizens of the mountains. Zenith Borough cats love sharing their visions with others, appearing haughty to those who are envious. Yet, many overlook any animosity in favor of survival. If a Zenith cat tells you which crops to water, and which weather may bring disaster to your yield, you’d best not turn a blind eye.

Although the mountains appear intimidating for those not of the Zenith Borough, decades of tracking the wind patterns (and learning to predict them too!) have allowed the catfolk atop to create warm homes and dens for their young. Netting is common in areas of high traffic, giving opportunity for cross-cliff travel to those who cannot fly. Zenith cats without wings are far more abundant than one may expect living among the high terrain.

The Zenith Borough is known for its love of competition, especially between those rivaling one another in skill—who knows who will win! Unpredictable outcomes are always the most fun! Zenith cats will be the first to urge on a race, whether it be as competitors or spectators, always excited for unforeseen outcomes.

Surprisingly, Zenith catfolk have, on average, very little enthusiasm for gambling. I've already seen all the possible outcomes, one may say. I don't need to waste my funds on this.

Colors: Yellow and teal Ideals: Spontaneity, adaptability, amity, and foresight

Harvest

Sprawled across the temperate territory of middle Mewmoia, just above Abyssal, the Harvest Borough encompasses both the southern rolling pastures of greenery and the large deciduous forests it calls home. As the geographically largest Borough, the Harvest Borough calls home to a biodiverse variety of hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters.

Catfolks of the Harvest Borough are known for being generous and hospitable, never turning down a paw in need. They also garner a reputation for being faint of heart and too kind for some cats' liking, always butting their noses in others' business, and never taking no for an answer. Many citizens of more conservative Boroughs may describe a Harvest Borough cat as warm, generous, and hospitable, but invasive and disrespectful.

Despite this, the Harvest Borough made revolutionary contributions to catkind with the development of agriculture, sharing their discoveries of agriculture with the rest of Mewmoia, and always lending a few pounds of turnips to any paw in need. The Harvest Borough has become the largest hub for food production and distribution in Mewmoia. Their frequent holidays consist of joyous festivals with monumental feast, celebrating the gifts of the Earth and the kind spirits of nature.

No cat knows true joy in the smaller things than a Harvest Borough cat. Truly the most indulgent of cultures, a traditional home-cooked Harvest meal will have you longing for a home you've never known. Harvest Borough culinary traditions are referenced when discussing the hardiest, most comforting of meals: high in protein, starch, and love.

While many cats take up the mantle of growing crops and tending to livestock, a great deal of Harvest Borough cats staunchly practice agroforestry. Arguments have persisted for decades between Borough denizens on what to cultivate, and much of the sunshine and rainbows of the Harvest Borough can be peeled back to reveal a vicious culture war. No one is quite sure of its future, but this feud has been tightly kept from other Boroughs behind a deluge of welcoming smiles.

In addition to food and agriculture, the Harvest Borough has made great leaps in herbal medicine. A Harvest cat's knowledge on herbs and their uses can rival a Luna Borough scholar, and a Harvest cat certainly won't ever turn her nose up! If you're lost and bleeding on the forest floor, leave it to a Harvest cat to know exactly which plants scattered about will help. If you're caught in the rain, leave it to a Harvest cat to invite you in with a cabinet of... bitter, but helpful homemade tea.

Of course, this means that the average Harvest Borough denizen will know better than anyone what kind of herbs can hurt you too... but we don't have to worry about that!

Colors: Green and sky blue Ideals: Generosity, community, medicine, and indulgence

Cogwheel

Here grows a robust, brick world of industry and housing districts along cobblestone pathways. Located in the temperate, southern hemisphere, what was once populated by Metropolis-owned factories has become a worker-ran force of nature.

Laborers of the Cogwheel Borough have joined the cause in an effort to take control of their cities and workforce. Now, while some Metro factories, as they are colloquially named, still remain, their existence is largely outnumbered by the unionized forces, known as indie factories. Steel, brick, copper, light, steam engines, tools, and carpentry supplies are just a select few of the many things Cogwheel cats specialize in crafting.

Despite the past and ever-growing conflict between the workers of Cogwheel and The Metropolis administration, there is a strong camaraderie between catfolk working for indie factories and those working for Metro factories. Cogwheel cats have an understanding that one must put food on the table, and frankly, nothing wrong with taking Sunstones from the likes of The Metropolis.

Catfolk of the Cogwheel Borough, despite their troubles with administration, love and take pride in their work. As inventors, innovators, and hardworking problem-solvers, they fight for their rights as workers out of adoration of the craft, and to make life for catfolk just a tad easier, whether that be by engine, prosthetic, or lightbulb. Many wish to tinker, ruminate, solve, and invent. Yet, the hefty schedule of supply and demand diminishes the opportunity. To have time to invent is a privilege, and one which Cogwheel workers continue to battle for day by day.

Alongside its history of manufacturing—distributing supplies to all the different Boroughs—the Cogwheel Borough hosts a deluge of brilliant individuals, sourcing some of the most important advances in technology that Mewmoia has ever seen. Most notably, Cogwheel boasts the invention of steam-powered magic, breathing life into the industrialization rearing upon the horizon. If The Metropolis is the heart of Mewmoia, Cogwheel is the lungs.

History tells of a time where catfolk mined coal, using stoked fire and smoke to power rudimentary machinery, but a few keen Cogwheel magicians soon learned to harness a clean, efficient fire: the magic of fire. Thus allowed for the invention of the magically powered steam engine.

But the fire of their magic does not stop in powering machinery nor work. Fire and heat play large roles in the lives of Cogwheel denizens. When it concerns the decadence and coziness of a home cooked meal, Cogwheel is second only to Harvest. Many Cogwheel cats will tell mouth-watering stories of their favorite, meaty recipes, made using their parent’s fire. And during the frigid winters, when shivering catfolk are all tucked around the brick hearth, it is fire which the cats of Cogwheel relish and thank for their warm home.

Cogwheel rivals the Harvest Borough in the belief of unity. Altruism is the common hallmark of a Cogwheel cat, believing nothing more important than lending a paw to those in need. Helping one another is a sacred, almost festivus practice to the Cogwheel catfolk, believing it is the highest duty and required practice of all cats. Be active, the catfolk believe. Here and now.

Colors: Orange and copper Ideals: Unity, dedication, innovation, and ingenuity

Metropolis

The Metropolis is a trailing cityscape, encompassing the entirety of the island it calls home. Nestled a short ferry ride away from Cogwheel, its mighty skyscrapers stretch grand and imposing even from the windows of humble Cogwheel abodes.

On the island, high rising buildings give way to suburban houses. These neighborhoods always bleed back into the impressive strength of the skyscrapers, an ever continuing cycle of modern housing and industry. With such an imposing skyline, any cat born and raised in The Metropolis could be forgiven for thinking that all of Mewmoia goes on like this forever.

But it doesn't. The Metropolis is an oddball among the worldwide cultures, which all prefer varying levels of industry, but seldom to The Metropolis’s extent. The overly-manicured parks and never-quiet streets can be too much for outsiders, especially those from the hushed lands of Luna, Sol, and Harvest.

Closer to the coastline, steel, brick, and more overt evidence of industrialization arises, rather than the well-disguised uniformity of the cityscape. Though The Metropolis Administration will argue: not too industrial, lest they too closely resemble the likes of Cogwheel.

The common blue-collar-golden-bell worker hardly shares these reservations towards Cogwheel nor its culture—in fact, workers of The Metropolis are more likely to find camaraderie with Cogwheel catfolk. After all, it is the workers who keep a city, an industry, a machine afloat.

The Metropolis also homes workers whose jobs, while admittingly useful, may give skewed priorities. Business is business, and the white-collar-silver-bell workers can't possibly trouble themselves with everyone’s problems. Life in The Metropolis can be brisk, rough, and unforgiving, but that's nothing to worry about from the comfort of cushy, soft, and warm penthouses.

The Metropolis is the hub of Mewmoia, a crossroads. Commerce starts and ends here; many high-class Metropolis cats are assigned to watch over production in Harvest, manufacturing in Cogwheel, export in Abyssal, and demand word from Zenith on upcoming weather or stock market crashes. Although, those catfolk always have their heads in the clouds—literally—and getting a straightforward answer often proves to be more trouble than it's worth.

The only Boroughs that The Metropolis will ever take orders from are Sol and Luna, but both remain rather reserved, and don't seem to take notice nor issue with The Metropolis’s endeavors. So, The Metropolis chugs ever onwards, the heart of a well-oiled, efficient, hauntingly beautiful machine.

Colors: Red and black Ideals: Success, efficiency, productivity, and surveillance