Post by Miu on Oct 1, 2012 6:50:07 GMT -5
Leaders
the rulers of the clan
Leaders are the rulers of the warrior clans. They are the ones that must set a good example for the clan and guide them in a good manner. They decide a clan's move in battle, and will usually be the last to flee from a battle field. When they need advice for making a decision, they will usual consult the medicine cats, elders, or senior warriors. Leaders have nine lives given to them by Starclan, which they must use in the best possible way to help their clan. Before they become a leader, they must first become deputy of their clan. After the leader dies or retires, they take over the duties. When they become leader, they must travel to the Moonstone[pool] and receive their nine lives from Starclan. Each life is given to them by a cat that was significant in their lifetime, like a dead mate or clan mate. After they receive their nine lives, they shed the last part of their name and change it to "star" to symbolize that they are leader. Usually the only cat that knows the amount of lives a leader has left (other then the leader themselves) are the medicine cats of the clan.
Deputies
there to the end
A clan deputy is there to lead the clan if the leader is absent. They must then take over the responsibilities of a leader. Once there is a new leader in a clan, they have until moonhigh(midnight) to choose a warrior to be the new deputy. The warrior must have trained an apprentice, so they know what it feels like to teach and be in charge. The deputies responsibilities are organizing patrols and overseeing apprentice training. When a leader cannot make it to a gathering, the deputy must fill in for them. The only times when deputies will no longer stay deputies are if a leader dies or retires, and the deputy becomes the leader, if the deputy goes against the warrior code and is banished from the clan, if the deputy dies from illness or in battle or for some other reason, or if the deputy retires and moves to the elder's den. In the case of a deputy's death, a clan leader will usually use these words to select their new deputy: "I say these words before the body of [put dead deputy's name here], so that his/her spirit may hear and approve of my choice. [Put new deputy name here] will be the new deputy of [put clan name here]."
Medicine Cats
wouldn't be here without 'em
Medicine cats are the healers of the clan, and the ones that receive the prophecies from Starclan. They have a widespread knowledge of herbs, and follow a different path than that of the rest of their clan. While most kits would move to the apprentices' den after their ceremony, the medicine cat apprentices will move to the medicine den and become apprentice to the head medicine cat. From there, they will learn to heal cuts and injuries, heal sickness, and how to read the signs from Starclan. Every half-moon, they travel to the Moonstone[pool] with their mentors and share tongues with Starclan. Medicine cats must follow the warrior code, as well as their own code, which forbids them from ever having a mate or kits. In some cases, like the Tribe of Rushing Water, the medicine cat is called a healer, and is also the leader of the tribe. They are one of the cats their leader would consult if needed. They are highly respected by their clan, and serve them in the way that they know, different from the way of warriors.
Kits
just little bundles of fur
Kits are the clan's future, the ones that will be the next generation of warriors. They can usually be found fooling around in the nursery. From the day kits are born, the clock begins ticking for the time when they become an apprentice. Once a kit reaches six moons of age, they become apprentices and move to the apprentices' den. Kits usually have the suffix of their name as just "kit." Once they become an apprentice, they shed that part of their name and take on the new suffix of "paw." It is custom for kits to become apprentices with their litter mates, but there have been cases in warrior clan history when that hasn't happened, due to injury or punishment.
Apprentices
a new way of life
"By naming this apprentice, we show that [put clan name here] will survive and remain strong. _______kit, from now on you will be known as ______paw. [put mentor name here], you are ready for an apprentice. You will be [put apprentice name here]'s mentor." These are the words a clan leader uses to start a clan cat on their journey to being a warrior. They make a kit an apprentice, and give them their mentor. From that day, for the next six moons, that apprentice will have the suffix of "paw" as the last part of their name. They will train with their mentor, learning how to hunt, fight, patrol, and to find their way along the territory. In the Tribe of Rushing Water, Apprentices are known as to-bes, and they have a separate system of training. The lithe and more agile to-bes will train to be prey-hunters, while the more muscular and powerful to-bes will train to be cave-guards. Once an apprentice has completed their training, they will be given an assessment. If they pass, then they will receive their warrior ceremony.
Warriors
true fighters on the inside
Warriors are what keep the clan alive. They hunt, fight, patrol, and do whatever it takes to make their clan prevail. They are the ones that the clan puts its trust in to protect the clan. After warriors are given their ceremony, they shed the suffix of "paw," and take on a true warrior name. (such as Fireheart, Graystripe, or Bluefur.) When a warrior is ready, he or she might receive an apprentice to mentor. It's their job to teach the apprentice the true ways of a warrior. In the tribe of Rushing water, the warrior system works a little differently. After a to-be has completed training, they will either become a prey-hunter or a cave-guard. Prey-hunters are the ones that hunt for the Tribe, while cave-guards protect the Tribe. When becoming a warrior, the leader will usually say these words to give an apprentice their ceremony: "I, _____star, Leader of [put clan name here], call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He/she has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him/her to you as a warrior in his/her turn. _______paw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?" "I do." "Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. ______paw, from this moment you will be known as [put warrior name here]. Starclan honors your [put trait here] and [put trait here], and we welcome you as a full warrior of [put clan name here]."
Queens
don't mess with a queen, or they'll mess with you
Some she-cats, on their warrior journey, will find love in some tom. And in some cases, they will become pregnant with kits. During the first few moons of pregnancy, a she-cat will usually continue her warrior duties, and not announce her pregnancy to anyone but her mate and the medicine cat. After the first few moons, when performing warrior duties becomes to hard, the she-cat will move into the nursery, and take on the rank of "queen." She will then stay there until she has her kits, and they move to the apprentices' den. After that, she will usually move back into the warriors' den. However, there have been special cases in the past, where queens stay in the nursery. (i.e. Ferncloud and Daisy) When the clan is attacked, queens fight the fiercest, to protect their kits. The thought of losing their kits makes them fight harder, and they will still protect their clan, even while nursing.
Elders
a new role to play
Most warriors do not die of old age, they will usually die of illness or battle injury, or from a natural disaster. Very few cats are lucky enough to make it to the end of their lives, and retire and move to the elders' den. These cats no longer have the energy or strength left in them to serve their clan, and they can live a life of peace and comfort. Elders are highly respected by the rest of their clan. The leader will usually come to experienced cats like them if they need advice. Elders are also what keep the clan history alive. They pass down stories from generation to generation. When a warrior retires, the leader of the clan will give them this ceremony, to honor their life as a warrior: "[put warrior name here], is it your wish to give up the life of a warrior and to go join the elders?" "It is." "Your clan honors you and all the service you have given us. I call upon Starclan to give you many seasons of rest."
