About the Clans

[Seastorm]

I. About the Clans

There have always been four clans in the forest. StarClan is where a cat goes when they die. Medicine cats meet at the MoonStone, MoonPool; (or whatever, we have a MoonCavern here) at the half moon to "share tongues" with StarClan. They get prophecies, warnings, all that cool and scary stuff. Usually the prophecy has some kind of "doom and destruction will tear apart the forest" thing in them. By "forest" it means the territories of all the clans. Leaders go to the MoonCavern when they need help, are confused or need to get their 9 lives.

RANKINGS

Leader: Only one, leads the clan, name ends in "star". Is granted 9 lives by StarClan.

Deputy- The cat selected by the leader to take over when (s)he dies. Keeps their warrior name. Must be appointed by the leader before moonhigh on the day the former deputy dies or the leader is appointed.

Medicine Cat- The cat that takes care of the clan's injuries and illnesses. "In touch" with StarClan.

Warrior- Many, regular hunters/fighters of the clan

Queen- Expecting or nursing kits, keep their warrior name.

Apprentice- Many, being trained by a warrior to be a warrior (or a med cat to be a med cat) 6-11 moons (months) Name ends with "paw"

Kit- a kitten 0-6 moons, name ends in "kit"

Names: The names or a Warrior, Deputy, Queen or Medicine Cat can end in anything, -pelt, -claw, -fur, -tail, and other parts of a cat are common second halves of a name. The first part is usually a thing in nature that the certain cat reminds their mother of, a pure white and fluffy kitten might be named "Cottonkit". Or it might begin with something completely different, as long as it's natural. Tree names, bush types, colors, and natural objects (rocks, moss ect.) all work. As long as you're don't name "Cottonkit" "Blackkit"

Dens: The Leader gets their own den, (Leader's Den) the Deputy sleeps with the Warriors,(Warriors Den) , Med Cat has their own den, (Medicine Cat's Den) Apprentices have their own den, (Apprentice's Den) Kits and Queens sleep in the Nursery. The Leader shares news and conducts ceremonies from the highrock, which is in the middle of camp. The fresh-kill pile is also in the middle of camp.

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II. The Warrior Code
^{taken from Secrets of the Clans}

1. Defend your clan, even with your life. You may have friendships with cats from other clans, but your loyalty must remain to your clan, as one day you may meet them in battle.

2. Do not hunt or trespass on another clan's territory.

3. Elders and kits must be fed before apprentices and warriors. Unless they have permission, apprentices may not eat until they have hunted to feed the elders.

4. Prey is killed only to be eaten. Give thanks to StarClan for its life.

5. A kit must be at least six moons old to become an apprentice.

6. Newly appointed warriors will keep a silent vigil for one night after receiving their warrior name.

7. A cat cannot be made deputy without having mentored at least one apprentice.

8. The deputy will become clan leader when the leader dies or retires.

9. After the death or retirement of the deputy, the new deputy must be chosen before moonhigh.

10. A gathering of all four clans is held at the full moon during a truce that lasts for the night. There shall be no fighting among clans at this time.

11. Boundaries must be checked and marked daily.

12. No warrior may neglect a kit in pain or in danger, even if that kit is from a different clan.

13. the word of the clan leader is the warrior code.

14. An honorable warrior does not need to kill other cats to win his battles unless they are outside the warrior code or it is necessary for self-defense.

15. A warrior rejects the soft life of a kittypet.

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III. Cerimonies

The Apprentice Ceremony
Leader: [insert mentor's name here], you are now ready to take on an apprentice. You will be mentor to [insert apprentice's name here]. [insert mentor's name here], you have shown yourself to be a warrior of [insert virtue #1 here] and [insert virtue #2 here]. I'm sure you will pass on all you know to this apprentice.
The new mentor and apprentice touch noses, and they both go to the side of the clearing.

The Warrior Ceremony
Leader: I, [insert leader's 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 to you as a warrior in his turn. [insert warrior-to-be's name here], do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?
Warrior-To-Be: I do.
Leader: Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. [insert warrior-to-be's name here], from this moment you will be known as [insert warrior-to-be's new name here]. StarClan honors your [insert virtue #1 here] and your [insert virtue #2 here], and we welcome you as a full warrior of [insert Clan here].
The leader rests his/her muzzle on the top of the new warrior's head and the new warrior licks his/her shoulder in respect. The rest of the Clan chant the new warrior's new name.

The Medicine Cat Ceremony (done at the Moonstone)
Medicine Cat: I, [insert medicine cat's name here], medicine cat of [insert Clan here], call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He/She has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help he/she will serve his/her Clan for many moons. [insert medicine-cat-to-be's name here], do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan an to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?
Medicine-Cat-To-Be: I do.
Medicine Cat: Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your true name as a medicine cat. [insert medicine-cat-to-be's name here], from this moment you will be known as [insert medicine-cat-to-be's new name here]. StarClan honors your [insert virtue #1 here] and your [insert virtue #2 here], and we welcome you as a full medicine cat.
The medicine cat rests his/her muzzle on the top of the new medicine cat's head and the new medicine cat licks his/her shoulder in respect. The other medicine cats chant the new medicine cat's new name.

New Deputy Ceremony
Leader:"A new deputy must be appointed, but first, let us give thanks to StarClan for the life of [insert old deputy's name here]. Tonight he sits with his/her fellow warriors among the stars."
All goes silent as the cats look up into the sky as it darkens.
Leader:"And now I shall name [insert clan here] new deputy. I say these words before the body of [insert old deputy's name here],so that his/her spirit may hear and approve my choice. [insert new deputy's name]will be the new deputy of [insert clan here]."
Cats congratulate new deputy.

The Medicine Cat Apprentice Ceremony (done at the Moonstone)
Medicine Cat: "[Insert Apprentice to be's name], is it your wish to enter into the mysteries of StarClan as a medicine cat?"
Apprentice to be: "It is"
Medicine Cat: " Then come forward."
Medicine Cat: "Warriors of StarClan, I present to you this apprentice. She/He has chosen the path of medicine cat. Grant her your wisdom and insight so that She/He may understand your ways and heal her clan in accordance with your will."

The Elder Cerimony
Leader: "[insert warrior's name here] and I have been talking together, and he/she has come to a decision. [Insert warrior's name here], are you still sure this is what you want?"
The warrior nods or says "I do" or whatever.
Leader: "[Insert warrior's name here], is it your wish to give up the name of warrior and go to join the elders?"
Warrior: "It is."
Leader: "Your clan honors you and all the service you have given us. I call upon StarClan to give you many seasons of rest."
Leader lays his/her tail upon the new elder's shoulders, who then bows before moving to stand by the other elders.

The Cerimony for Giving an Apprentice a Warrior Name upon Death
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 by the name of [insert warrior name here].

Changing the Name of a Warrior Cerimony
Leader: Spirits of StarClan, you know every cat by name. I ask you now to take away the name from this cat you see before you, for it no longer stants for what it 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 he/she will be known as [insert new warrior name here], for [insert reason here].
Rest of cerimony procedes like a warrior cerimony.

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IV. Medicine Cat Herbs
^{taken from Secrets of the Clans}

Borage Leaves To be chewed and eaten. The plant can be distinguished by its small blue or pink star-shaped flowers and hairy leaves. Great for Nursing queens as it helps increase their supply of milk. Also brings down fever.

Burdock Root A tall-stemmed, sharp-smelling thistle with dark leaves. A medicine cat must dig up the roots, wash off the dirt, and chew them into a pulp, which can be applied to rat bites. Cures infection.

Catmint (also known as catnip) A delicious-smelling, leafy plant that's hard to find in the wild; often found growing in twoleg gardens. The best remedy for greencough.

Chervil A sweet-smelling plant with large, spreading, fernlike leaves and small white flowers. The juice of the leaves can be used for infected wounds, and chewing the roots helps with bellyache.

Cobweb Spiderwebs can be found all over the forest; be careful not to bring along the spider when you take the web! Medicine cats wrap it around an injury to soak up the blood and keep the wound clean. Stops bleeding.

Coltsfoot A flowering plant, a bit like a dandelion, with yellow or white flowers. The leaves can be chewed into a pulp, which is eaten to help shortness of breath.

Comfrey Identifiable by its large leaves and small bell-shaped flowers, which can be pink, white, or purple. The fat black roots of this plant can be chewed into a poultice to mend broken bones or soothe wounds.

Dock A plant similar to sorrel. The leaf can be chewed up and applied to soothe scratches.

Dried Oak Leaf Collected in the autumn and stored in a dry place. Stops infections.

Feverfew A small bush with flowers like daisies. The leaves can be eaten to cool down body temperature, particularly for cats with fever or chills.

Goldenrod A tall plant with bright yellow flowers. A poultice of this is terrific for healing wounds.

Honey A sweet, golden liquid created by bees. Difficult to collect without getting stung, but great for soothing infection sore the throats of cats who have breathed smoke.

Horsetail A tall plant with bristly stems that grows in marshy areas. The leaves can be used to treat infected wounds. Usually chewed up and applied as a poultice.

Juniper Berries A bush with spiky dark green leaves and purple berries. The berries soothe bellyaches and help cats who are having trouble breathing.

Lavender A small purple flowering plant. Cures fever.

Marigold A bright orange or yellow flower that grows low to the ground. The petals or leaves can be chewed into a pulp and applied as poultice to wounds. Stops infection.

Mouse Bile A bad-smelling liquid that is the only remedy for ticks. dab a little most soaked in bile on a tick and it'll fall right off. Wash paws thoroughly in running water afterward.

Poppy Seed Small black seeds shaken from a dried poppy flower, these are fed to cats to help them sleep. Soothes cats suffering from shock distress. Not recommended for nursing queens.

Stinging Nettle The spiny green seeds can be administered to a cat who's swallowed poison, while the leaves can be applied to a would to bring down swelling.

Tansy A strong-smelling plant with round yellow flowers. Good curling coughs, but must be eaten in small doses.

Thyme This herb can be eaten to calm anxiety and frayed nerves.

Watermint A leafy green plant found in streams or damp earth. Usually chewed into a pulp and then fed to a cat suffering bellyache.

Wild Garlic Rolling in a patch of wild garlic can help prevent infection, especially for dangerous wounds like rat bites.

Yarrow A flowering plant whose leaves can be made into a poultice and applied to wounds or scratches to expel poison.


Deathberries Red berries that can be fatally poisonous to kits and elders. They are NOT medicine. Known to twolegs as yew berries. BEWARE!

[Seastorm]

V. Characteristics of Each Clan

[glow=red,2,300]RubyClan[/glow] is rather sleeker than most cats. They are adapted to water, and thrive on fish. These cats are very trusting, but they do not give secrets away.

The cats of [glow=blue,2,300]SapphireClan[/glow] love life. they are always happy and rarely look at the downside of things. Nontheless, they are good fighters. Their lack of skill with prey is made up for by the ammount of prey in the forest they call home.

[glow=green,2,300]EmeraldClan[/glow] is not very friendly. Not too many cats venture across the Thunderpath to fight with them, so they are better hunters than warriors. The felines in this clan will not trust you unless you were born into their clan or haved saved the life of a clan cat. They are well fed on the rabbits and crows that live on their windswept territory.

The cats of [glow=white,2,300]DiamondClan[/glow] are noble warriors. They are fiercly loyal, but it takes much to earn their loyalty. They are adapted to the cliffs and canyons of their territory and are incredible fighters, as they often have to battle hawks and falcons.