Clan Life | Titles, Duties, Ceremonies

[~THE OWNERS-BE AFRAID~]

Clan Life

Titles | Duties | Ceremonies

>>Thanks to Micah, Sandy, Feather and Spotted for this information<<

Here you will find a detailed listing of all Clan and Tribe titles, roles, duties and ceremony formats. These may vary from Clan to Clan so please check closely. Duties for high positions such as leaders and medicine cats will also be described here, along with common attitudes and pointers for the lower ranks.

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>>CLICK TO JUMP TO POSTS<<

Leaders & Announcements

Leader's Nine Lives

Clan Deputy

Medicine Cats

Clan Roles

Tribe Stoneteller

Tribe Nine Lives

Tribe Second

Water-Healer

Tribe Roles

Loners & Rogues

[~THE OWNERS-BE AFRAID~]

Leaders &
Announcements

Clan Leader

This is the cat responsible for leading the Clan. Leaders are charged with organizing the cats,the protection of the territory, and the keeping of order and punishment within that Clan. A leader's name always ends in 'star' (IE: Bluestar, Tallstar, Crookedstar), a word that is never used outside of a leader's name.

To assist them with their duties, they select a deputy. This is usually a trusted and experienced warrior.

Leaders make announcements before the Clan and perform the ceremonies that name cats apprentices, warriors, then elders. To make announcements a leader must first call the Clan to gather around them while they wait on the highest point in their camp, usually a tall rock. Leaders may also call for meetings in regards to Clan emergencies, battles, trespassers and other situations that require the Clan to be informed or allow their input on a leader's decision.

Leaders are also responsible for: starting Clan activity checks, updating Clan's den threads, gathering Clan information, keeping your Clan's part in the site's plot rolling, creating and maintaining Clan bonding threads and posts, keeping your Clan active with Clan plots and ensuring you have your Clan mates coming to you for plot approvals (if they affect the Clan) along with outside Clan romance approvals. Extra Clan battle training, monitoring others' apprentices and keeping the peace among your Clan mates also falls to you.

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Calling a Clan Meeting

THUNDERCLAN

Leader: Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Frigid Stone for a Clan meeting!

RIVERCLAN

Leader: Let all cats old enough to swim the river join here beneath the Broken Stump for a Clan meeting!

SHADOWCLAN

Leader: Let all cats old enough to hunt at night join here beneath the Mossy Rock for a Clan meeting!

WINDCLAN

Leader: Let all cats old enough to run the grey moors join here beneath the Eminent Crag for a Clan meeting!

SKYCLAN

Leader: Let all cats old enough to climb the oak trees join here beneath the Twisted Tree for a Clan meeting!

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Name & Rank Ceremonies

APPRENTICE NAME

Leader: I call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this kit. He/she would like to become a warrior of (Clan), but must first become an apprentice. (Kit name), from this day forth, until you have earned your warrior name, you will be known as (apprentice name). (warrior to be mentor), you will train (apprentice name). I hope that your (trait) and (trait) will pass through you to your new apprentice.

The mentor will touch noses with their apprentice to show acceptance; the Clan often cheers the apprentice's name.

DYING APPRENTICE

Only for an apprentice who deserves the warrior name before he/she dies.

Leader: I ask my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. He/she has learned the warrior code and has given up his/her life in the service of his/her Clan. Let StarClan receive him/her as a warrior. He/she will be known as (warrior name).

WARRIOR NAME

Leader: I call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon 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. (apprentice name) do you promise to follow the warrior code and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?

Apprentice: I do.

Leader: Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name. (apprentice name), from this day forth you will be known as (warrior name). StarClan honours your (trait) and (trait), and we welcome you as a full warrior of (clan).

The leader will rest their chin on the new warrior's head as a sign of acceptance, the new warrior will lick their shoulder in return, and the Clan will cheer the new warrior's name. The Clan will share a meal before the new warrior must hold silent vigil as the sole guardian of the camp for that night.

NAME CHANGE

Leader: Spirits of StarClan, you know every cat by name. I ask you now to take away the name from the cat you see before you, for it no longer stands for what he/she is. By my authority as Clan leader, and with the approval of our warrior ancestors, I give this cat a new name. From this moment she/he will be known as (new name).

WARRIOR TO ELDER

Leader: (warrior), you say that the time has come for you to join the elders. Are you sure this is what you want?

Warrior: I am.

Leader: Then you will rely on apprentices and younger warriors to bring you fresh-kill, and you are no longer able to go on patrol. We wish you many moons of peace.

New elders are often greeted with warm cheers and gentle jokes to help ease the retirement.

[~THE OWNERS-BE AFRAID~]

Leader's Nine Lives

Nine Lives

Each leader is granted nine lives by StarClan. As soon as possible following the death and burial of the previous leader they must travel to a place of religious significance (such as the Moonstone or Moonpool) and commune with StarClan. While sharing tongues with StarClan the new leader is given their new name and the nine lives.

In cases in which the Clan's previous leader is still living (such as Brokentail when Nightstar inherited his former post), the new leader will not be granted nine lives as long as StarClan still recognizes the previous leader.

Due to these extra lives every time a leader is slain, StarClan heals the wound and returns them to life. In some cases (such as Tigerstar's), StarClan is unable to heal a particularly grievous wound and will collect more than one life to restore a leader to life.

Leaders are almost always former deputies, though there are exception cases (Nightstar, Tigerstar) in which a non-deputy inherits the position from a fallen leader. If this occurs the medicine cat is often called upon to ask StarClan for a sign indicating the right choice, and will direct the Clan until the sign is received.

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Receiving Leader Name & Lives

This occurs after travelling to the Moonpool with the medicine cat, lapping at the moon-touched water, and falling asleep to receive the vision. Lives are often painful or exhausting to receive, depending on the life and the cat giving it. A life will always reflect the qualities and memories of the cat giving it and will feel powerful, if not painful.

StarClan Cat 1: Welcome, (name of warrior//deputy to be leader). Are you ready to receive your nine lives?

Warrior/Deputy: Yes, I'm ready.

StarClan Cats 1-9: With this life I give you (trait). Use it well to (something it can be used for to benefit the Clan or cats around him/her).

StarClan Cats 1-9: We hail you by your new name, (leader's name). Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants to you the guardianship of (Clan). Guide them well.

All gathered StarClan cats will hail the leader by their new name, as will their Clanmates when they return to the camp.

[~THE OWNERS-BE AFRAID~]

Clan Deputy

The Deputy

A deputy is the Clan cat who is second in command to the leader. In the event that the leader should retire, die, or for other reasons not be able to do his or her job, the deputy takes his or her place.

In the event that a deputy dies or retires, the leader of his or her Clan must decide on a new deputy before moonhigh, and also must state the name of the new deputy before the body of the old deputy so the spirit of the old deputy will hear and approve the leader's choice. It is believed to be a bad omen for the new deputy and/or the Clan if they are not named in the correct time frame. On top of all this the deputy is in charge of patrol organization. He or she will arrange cats in hunting and border patrols.

Deputies will work with Clan leaders to organize Clan plots, and will step up to take over a leader's duties if the leader is currently unavailable. Along with the patrols, they will help organize Clan battle training, will often assist with mentoring apprentices and often participate in final warrior assessments.

A CAT MUST NOT BECOME DEPUTY UNLESS HE OR SHE HAS MENTORED AT LEAST ONE APPRENTICE

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New Deputy

Must be named by moonhigh on the day of the old deputy's death/retirement or the day a leader returns after receiving his/her nine lives.

NEW LEADER

Leader: The time has come to appoint a new deputy. I say these words before StarClan, that the spirits of our ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. (Name) will be the new deputy of (Clan).

DEAD DEPUTY

Leader: I say these words before the body of (deceased deputy), that his/her spirit might hear and approve of my choice. (Name) will be the new deputy of (Clan).

It is traditional, though not necessary, for the new deputy to say a few words, and they are often cheered on and praised by the Clan.

[~THE OWNERS-BE AFRAID~]

Medicine Cats

Medicine Cat

The medicine cat serves the Clan as both their spiritual leader and as the healer, making them akin to the idea of a 'Medicine Doctor' in a tribal society. In addition to their responsibilities to their Clan, they have a responsibility to one another and to StarClan. They carry out their responsibilities to StarClan once every half-moon, meeting together to discuss matters privately and share dreams with StarClan.

As a healer, they gather herbs and dispense them as an apothecary would. They handle diagnosis and treatment of both illness and injury for all the cats in the Clan, and also watch the mental health of the Clan as well. They will dry and store herbs to ensure they have a constant supply, much of their time is devoted to sourcing new batches of herbs to stock. They will often trade herbs and remedies with medicine cats from other Clans.

In their role as spiritual leader, they teach the code, interpret omen and prophecy, and generally serve the Clan as a conduit between the earthly cats and their ghostly counterparts. Not all prophecies are interpreted accurately, however, especially if the medicine cat is not a naturally gifted one when it comes to signs (Cinderpelt).

Medicine cats should arrange major omens and signs with their Clan leaders, and be prepared to advise their leaders upon matters of war, safety, and most importantly, peace. Medicine cats are often voices of reason to the Clan, reminding them of their duty to the warrior code. Should the Clan lack a leader or deputy, it will fall to the medicine cat to ensure a cat favoured by StarClan is chosen, and will keep the clan calm and organized until they receive StarClan's sign.

As medicine cats must focus whole-heartedly on their Clan, they are forbidden to have kits and may be punished severely if they do.

>>CLICK FOR USEFUL HERBS<<

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Medicine Cat Apprentice

A cat in training to be the future medicine cat for the Clan. They will not know all the herbs and remedies, and will spend much of their time with their mentor learning these things. They will receive hunting and fighting lessons as well, and will often undertake common apprentice chores such as clearing elders' bedding or repairing the camp. They must learn how to care for the Clan cats mentally, physically, spiritually, and only the best of apprentices will succeed.

Usually a kit with a strong connection or intuition towards StarClan and/or herbs will be chosen as an apprentice; rarely will an older warrior feel called and chosen. StarClan will always make their feelings on the matter felt, and if an apprentice is rejected by their warrior ancestors then no cat will continue to come to them for advice or healing.

Medicine Cat apprentices will often continue to be referred to as such even if they have received their name, as long as their mentor is still alive and fulfilling their role as medicine cat. Medicine cats tend to remain in the role until they die or retire to the elders' den, and the former apprentice will almost always defer to the older cat's wisdom and experience. Clan cats will willingly go to either for treatment, and the younger cat is relied upon for advice and guidance just as much as the older.

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New Apprentice

This occurs on the apprentice's first trip to the Moonpool.

Medicine Cat: (Name), is it your wish to enter into the mysteries of StarClan as a medicine cat?

Apprentice: It is

Medicine Cat: StarClan, I present to you this apprentice. He/She has chosen the path of a medicine cat. Grant him/her your wisdom and insight so that he/she may understand your ways and heal his/her clan in accordance with your will.

The apprentice may now join the medicine cats in drinking at the moonpool.

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Medicine Cat Name

Traditionally occurs at the Moonpool, though not always.

Medicine Cat: I, (medicine cat), medicine cat of (clan), call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. She/he has trained hard to learn the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help she/he will serve her/his Clan for many moons. (apprentice to receive name), do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan, and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?

Apprentice: I do.

Medicine Cat: Then by the power of StarClan I give you your true name as a medicine cat. (Apprentice name) from this moment on you shall be known as (full name). StarClan honors your (virtue) and (virtue). May you use them to serve your Clan for endless moons.

[~THE OWNERS-BE AFRAID~]

Clan Roles

Elders

An elder is a Clan cat that has served his or her Clan faithfully, but now has retired. An elder is usually an elderly cat, but sometimes a cat must retire early due to reasons beyond their control (IE: A crippling wound, early loss of hearing....etc). Elders do not have to catch their own food, nor do hunting patrols or fight (except to defend their dens in the case of invaders).

Apprentices must catch and take food to the elders, and may not eat before they are fed. Elders share a den all to themselves, and have no chores that they must do. Apprentices also must bring them fresh bedding, and if they are stiff or sick, or are not able to get water for other reasons, then an apprentice must bring them moss soaked in water. One of the most infamous chores is when an elder has ticks, mouse bile must be applied to knock it off.

Usually if circumstances force a cat into retirement early they will receive a new name in order to better suit their current state. Elders are often described as grumpy. Sometimes, elders will tell stories about the Clans' history to apprentices while they are doing chores. Many have a soft spot for curious kits, but they are not likely to admit it and will enjoy complaining about their company.

Elders are a source of wisdom and experience for their leader and the clan, and are often included in important meetings where their knowledge will be useful.

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Retiring

If you want your warrior to become an elder you must state to the leader or site staff why the cat is now an elder i.e. old age or injury

If you want to change the cats name when they become an elder make sure to let the clan leader know.

To become an elder you MUST post in the Warriors to Elders thread in each clan, else your cat will not be judged as an elder within the clan.

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Senior Warriors

Senior warriors are not necessarily older cats. They are experienced, loyal and trusted cats that form a council for the leader to turn to for advice and assistance. A smart warrior might be listed as a senior, a cat well versed in loner lore will also often find a place. Close supportive kin also often receive this privilege, but the group of senior warriors varies from leader to leader. If a leader dies, the new leader is not required to keep all original senior warriors as part of their new council.

You may nominate your cat for senior warrior-ship when filling in the Clan activity check, however it is up to the current leader who is a senior warrior, and they may choose those best suited for the task.

If your cat receives this rank YOU MUST post in every meeting/occasion where senior warriors are called for with this cat, or you will immediately be removed and your cat will never hold this rank again under the same leader.

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Queens

A queen is a warrior she-cat that is expecting or has recently given birth to a litter of kits. Queens reside in the nursery one to two moons before giving birth and begin to have their food delivered to them by their Clanmates as they become less mobile. This continues for a few moons while they are nursing their kits to ensure proper care and education.

The queens remain in the nursery until their kit(s) are named apprentices, typically around six moons. Sometimes - although it is very rare - a queen leaves the nursery before her kit(s) become apprentices, especially if they are unable to provide milk for them. A queen may request to stay in the nursery after their kit(s) are apprenticed if they are older she cats. When a queen is unable to produce enough milk to feed her kit(s), another queen who has plenty of milk to spare will help her nurse until the kit(s) are ready for fresh-kill. Many queens will also feed kits from outside of the Clan.

Though known to be overly-protective of kits, queens usually are compassionate and kind, and in many cases they have been known to convince their mates or Clan leaders to take in cats in need of help.

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Warriors

Warriors are cats who have been trained in the arts of fighting and hunting in addition to the way of the warrior code. They make up the bulk of the Clan and are charged with the responsibility to feed and protect those cats who are elderly or otherwise unable to spend the required time out of camp.

Warriors are generally over 12 moons of age, and most have served 6 moons of apprenticeship to an older, experienced warrior. Warriors provide defence and security to their Clans by doing border patrols, marking borders, evicting trespassers, standing watch over the camp and raising the alarm if invaded. They protect the camp in the event of attack. They can also perform preemptive attacks against other Clans, either to eliminate a specific threat or to carry out another objective defined by the Clan leader. Warriors battle for territory or other Clan rivalries. Warriors provide most of the food for the clan by going on hunting patrols.

The word of the Clan leader is the warrior code, and warriors must not disobey their leaders without facing dire consequences. Without loyalty warriors are just organized rogues, and so they often are fiercely loyal and protective of their current Clan leader, even if they don't agree with all the decisions that leader makes.

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Graduating

When you want your apprentice to become a warrior make sure you have at least one training thread with that apprentice and ensure you have made the final assessment threads as all apprentices must do to become a warrior. Otherwise they will not be able to become a warrior.

The apprentice must be the right age to become a warrior, DO NOT make an under-age apprentice a warrior (unless it is a confirmed plot by site staff).

You MUST make your cat a warrior via the Apprentices to Warriors thread in each Clan else they will not be judged a warrior within the Clan.

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Apprentices

An apprentice goes to train with their mentor whenever the mentor tells them to. Apprentices can also go on hunting and border patrols with other cats of their Clan. Apprentices cannot eat unless they have special permission, or the elders have already eaten. Apprentices do chores for the Clan, too, such as changing the elders' bedding when need be.

Apprentices cannot leave the camp without their mentor's permission. If an apprentice breaks a rule, they usually have to go through the elders pelts for ticks, and if they find any, they then rub foul smelling mouse bile on the ticks, making them drop off. After the apprentice has completed his or her training, usually by the time they are twelve moons old, they go through their Warrior Ceremony, and become a fully fledged warrior.

The medicine cat also can have an apprentice to take over his or her duties once they have died or retired. They learn about herbs, travel to the Moonpool to learn to speak with and interpret signs/words from StarClan, and help care for their Clanmates until the medicine cat performs the ceremony that makes them a fully fledged medicine cat.

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Mentoring

When being assigned a mentor or an apprentice the people who RP each cat MUST NOT be the same person.

They must have at least one training thread created and their final assessment threads, else the apprentice will not be able to become a warrior.

Mentors must of been a warrior for at least a moon before they can receive an apprentice.

If either a mentor or an apprentice falls inactive, contact either the clan leader or a member of staff to get re-assigned a new mentor or apprentice.

Find your cat an apprentice or mentor via the Kits to Apprentice thread, DO NOT seek one via another route.

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Kits

A kit is the term for a cat before it turns six moons old. A kit is not allowed out of the nursery for a while, until it's mother (queen) feels the time is right. After it leaves the nursery, it can go around the camp, though it is never far from its mother. A kit cannot leave the Clan camp, and it does not have to catch its own food.

Kits are usually playful, trying to get the Clan warriors to play with it. Most of them are too young to fully understand the Clan laws, or The Warrior Code, but if they break a rule, they are usually forgiven and sometimes very lightly scolded depending on the severity of the rule or law broken.

Kits are the very future of the Clan, and all warriors will protect them with their own lives if needed.