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Post by •ZEKE• on Jul 27, 2014 17:58:04 GMT -8
CLAN HIERARCHY
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Post by •ZEKE• on Jul 27, 2014 18:28:16 GMT -8
LEADER
A leader is a warrior who is highest in the Clan Hierarchy. The leader is responsible for everything that goes on in a Clan.
DESCRIPTION
Leaders are the head of their Clan. Their personality is the same as their Clan's and describes how his/her Clanmates treat others. The word of the Clan leader is law, proclaimed by the warrior code, and all other Clan cats must obey them. They have their own den, and are assisted by a deputy in their tasks. They are responsible for the whole Clan, calling Clan meetings, appointing cats to new ranks, and making the toughest decisions. Each Clan has one leader, and their names end with the suffix -star.
QUALIFICATIONS In order to become leader, a cat must meet these qualifications: - Mentored at least one apprentice.
- Selected by the previous leader to become deputy.
- Must have been deputy at the time of the leader's death, retirement, or banishment. (Unless both the deputy and the leader die.)
- In order for a cat to become leader, the previous leader must also be deceased, have retired, have left, or been banished.
TASKS - Oversee the daily operations of the Clan and give them orders.
- Speak on behalf of their Clan at Gatherings.
- Lead the Clan in battles.
- Appoint new apprentices and assign them to mentors.
- Appoint new warriors once they've finished their training.
- Appoint a new deputy if the former deputy has died or resigned.
- Counsel with the deputy and the senior warriors and listen to their reports.
- Discuss prophecies and omens with their Clan's medicine cat, and listen to their advice.
- Solve conflicts between members of the Clan.
- Dealing with politics/conflicts that happen out of the Clan, but can still threaten the Clan.
- Decide if a foreign cat can join the Clan.
- Exile Clan members who severely broke the warrior code or who present a danger to the Clan and any of it's members.
- A leader is also expected to carry out warrior tasks, like going on patrols or mentoring apprentices.
- Call Clan meetings.
If the leader cannot carry out their tasks (for instance, because of illness or injury), the Clan deputy will substitute for them.
appointment
When the former Clan leader dies or willingly retires, the current Clan deputy is appointed as the new leader. He or she makes a journey to the Clans' sacred place, the Moonstone, escorted by the Clan's medicine cat, to share tongues with their ancestors, receive their nine lives, and get their leader name.
The ancestors greet the new leader with the following words:
Nine Lives
Upon sharing tongues with StarClan at their leadership ceremony, the new leader is granted nine lives by the ancestors. This does not necessarily mean they will live longer, but they can survive accidents or injuries that would claim the life of any other cat. Each of the lives are granted by a single ancestor, usually from the same Clan and whose life was meaningful to the cat, and a gift of an attribute. This process can be surprising and painful, but it is important for the leader to fight fiercely for the Clan.
When the leader loses one of these lives, they black out and are taken to StarClan. There, a warrior ancestor speaks with the leader. The cat sees a pale outline of themselves that was their lost life. When the cat is revived back to consciousness, the wound or illness is removed to the best of StarClan's ability.
DEMOTION Leaders usually serve until the end of their lives, but there are some exceptions.
Retirement
A Clan Leader can resign if they wish to do so. This is approved by StarClan, and the current deputy is appointed as the new leader. The former leader loses their leader name and the lives granted by the ancestors. If the leader doesn't give up all of their lives, the next leader's lives will be subtracted.
When a leader decides to retire, they must travel to the Moonstone to renounce their remaining lives, except for one. Then the deputy will succeed them.
Banishment
A Clan can demote a leader if they consider him or her unfit for the position. This is not approved by StarClan, and the ancestors won't recognize a new leader and give them their nine lives as long as the former leader is alive. In cases where the leader is still alive with one life left, the new leader can only be granted eight lives. StarClan can't grant more than nine lives per Clan.
DAY-TO-DAY LIFE
The Clan leader will take part in patrols and hunting, but usually leaves the actual organization of the patrols to the deputy. Most leaders take interest in all aspects of Clan life, kits, elders, warriors, etc. They also listen to cats' personal problems and attempt to help, most likely to keep their Clan argument-free. Their main job is to keep the Clan running smoothly. When something is wrong in the Clan, cats are to immediately tell the leader first. The leader also listens to recounts of patrols, making sure nothing threatens the Clan. |
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Post by •ZEKE• on Jul 27, 2014 21:36:07 GMT -8
DEPUTY
A deputy is a warrior who is second in command to the leader, aiding the leader in their tasks and replacing them immediately after their death or retirement. Also, when the leader is ill or unable to perform their duties, the deputy will take the leader's place until they recover, and they will take their place at Gatherings if the leader is absent and cannot attend.
DESCRIPTION
Deputies are second in command of a Clan. A deputy is chosen by the leader to be their successor. Deputies sleep in the warriors' den; they do not have their own den like leaders do. Deputies are responsible for organizing daily patrols for the Clan, such as hunting patrols and border patrols. If a Clan leader is unable to lead a Clan temporarily due to sickness, being away from the Clan, etc., then the deputy would take over for that time. If a deputy is sick or injured, then a senior warrior will temporarily take their place. If the leader dies, the deputy would travel to Moonstone with the medicine cat to share tongues with StarClan and receive their nine lives and leader name. If a deputy dies, the leader must appoint a new deputy before moonhigh. QUALIFICATIONS - Must be a warrior.
- Trained at least one apprentice.
- Must be chosen by clan leader.
TASKS - Assisting the leader in their tasks. (They are a sort of an "apprentice leader")
- Assigning border patrols, listening to their reports, and assigning hunting patrols.
- Organizing warrior trainings to keep up their skills.
- Making reports to the Clan leader.
- Substitute for the Clan leader on Gatherings and in battles if they are unavailable.
- As a deputy is also a warrior, they are expected to carry out warrior tasks as well (patrolling, hunting, mentoring etc.). They do not have a den of their own, but sleep with the other warriors.
- If the deputy is unavailable for a span of time, the senior warriors may distribute the deputy's tasks between them; or simply one of them may temporarily act as the clan's deputy.
APPOINTMENT The leader of a Clan must decide on a new deputy before moonhigh on the night that the old deputy has either died or become leader, and also must state his or her name before the body of the old deputy (if the previous deputy was deceased - if not, they say the new deputy's name before StarClan) so the spirit of the old deputy or other regular spirits will hear and approve of the leader's choice of the new deputy.
When the leader dies or retires, the current deputy will become the new leader, unless a rebellion starts or the leader changes the deputy before death.
Deputy Ceremony
A warrior may not become deputy unless he or she has mentored at least one apprentice. This is not always followed, as StarClan may give the leader or medicine cat an omen to choose a warrior who has not had an apprentice.Usually, when a leader appoints a new deputy, it is because of the death of their previous deputy.
If this is the case, this is what the clan leader should say:
RETIREMENT A deputy can resign from their position if they wish to do so, for instance to retire as an elder (depending on age), or an injury that didn't heal well. They can also be deposed by the leader if considered unfit for the position. In either of the cases, a new deputy will be named before moonhigh. A deputy can also be exiled. MEDICINE CAT
Medicine cats are Clan cats who treat diseases and injuries, and who receive directions and guidance from StarClan. They have their own den in their Clan's camp, where they sleep, store herbs, and treat wounded or sick cats. Medicine cats are not allowed to take mates or have kits. They are expected to stand apart from Clan rivalries. Medicine cats have a special way of getting their full name,including that this ceremony is performed by the apprentice's mentor instead of the Clan leader, and at the next half-moon meeting at the sacred Moonstone with the other Clans' medicine cats to cheer their new name, instead of right away in their Clan with their own Clanmates to cheer their new name. They are deeply respected by their Clanmates and few cats dare to argue with them. tasks Some of a medicine cat's tasks are: - Knowing all of the herbs and store a supply of them in their den.
- Treating wounded and sick cats.
- Assisting queens while they are pregnant with kits, giving birth, or nursing them.
- Check up regularly on the health of Clan cats, (especially queens, elders, and kits).
- Visiting the Clans' sacred place (the Moonpool) at every half moon to seek guidance from StarClan.
- Interpreting prophecies and omens and sharing them with the Clan leader.
- Upon the death of the Clan leader, accompany the deputy to the Moonstone or Moonpool to be appointed as the new leader.
- Training an apprentice as the Clan's next medicine cat.
- Bearing the knowledge of basic battle training in case they need it.
- To visit StarClan when in a crisis that requires direct communication with StarClan.
appointment & education
Kits who wish to become medicine cats are apprenticed at the age of six moons to the Clan's current medicine cat. They are introduced to StarClan as a medicine cat apprentice at the first half moon after they gain apprenticeship. They earn their name at the Moonstone after successfully completing their training, assuming full responsibilities even while their mentor is still alive.
When an apprentice, the mentor (or full medicine cat), has them do tasks that prepare them for being a full time medicine cat. The apprentice has to gather herbs, get water, or do other useful things. They are expected to watch carefully when their mentor is treating a cat, so that when the time comes, they can do it, too.
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Post by •ZEKE• on Oct 15, 2015 18:47:44 GMT -8
Senior warrior
A senior warrior is a warrior who is older and more experienced than the others, but has not decided to become an elder yet , and would rather serve their Clan as long as they can. Senior warriors are given respect, and are often asked for advice by the Clan leader. In the warriors' den, the senior warriors sleep towards the middle where it is warmest, while the younger warriors sleep towards the sides.
QUALIFICATIONS - Must be an older, more experienced warrior.
TASKS - Leading and organizing hunting or border patrols when assigned by deputy.
- Carrying out a warrior's tasks. (Patrolling, hunting, mentoring. etc.)
- Counsel clan leader and deputy.
- If the deputy is unavailable for a span of time, the senior warriors may distribute the deputy's tasks between them; or simply one of them may temporarily act as the clan's deputy.
APPOINTMENT
A senior warrior is not given a ceremony, this rank is achieved through time of working in the clan and age.
RETIREMENT Senior warriors are likely to retire, as they are old and have served their clans for many moons. They also may be exiled if they are to commit some heinous crime. |
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Post by •ZEKE• on Oct 15, 2015 19:13:38 GMT -8
warriors
Warriors are adult Clan cats who feed and protect the Clan. Their duties are extremely important to the overall survival of the Clan.
DESCRIPTION
Warriors have been trained in the ways of fighting and hunting in addition to the ways of the Warrior Code. They are charged with the responsibility to feed and protect those cats who are elderly or unable to spend time out of camp.
Warriors make up most of a Clan: each cat is, was, or will be a warrior (except medicine cats) unless they die before they become a warrior. When a she-cat expects or nurses kits, she temporarily gives up her warrior duties, but takes them up again when her kits are apprenticed. Although, sometimes this is not true, as some cats would rather stay in the nursery to help other arrivals of new kits.
education Kits are apprenticed at the age of six moons to a warrior, and are made full warriors once their mentor is satisfied with their skills and knowledge, and after they pass an assessment, and their leader is pleased with their training. During apprenticeship, the apprentice must pass several assessments - tasks their mentor gives them, usually hunting in a specific place, while the mentor follows them unseen to check how they are getting on.
An apprenticeship usually lasts for six moons or more, thus, warriors are older than 12 moons. Apprenticeship can, however, last much longer than six moons if the cat is having great difficulty with their training, or they were injured or sick for a fair while. Cats become warrior apprentices after an Apprentice Ceremony, and full warriors after a Warrior Ceremony.
TASKS - Providing defence and security
- Border patrols
- Marking borders
- Evicting or chasing out trespassers
- Camp security (stand guard and raise the alarm if invaded)
- Protect the camp in the event of attack
- Providing food for the Clan in the form of fresh-kill
- Serving in offensive operations
- Perform pre-emptive attacks against other Clans, either to eliminate a specific threat or to carry out another objective defined by the Clan Leader
- Mentor warrior apprentices
warrior ceremony
This is how a typical warrior ceremony may go, but can be changed depending on the leader:
DEMOTION Retirement
A warrior may choose to retire after many moons of serving their clan. At this point though, they are most likely going to be senior warriors.
Banishment
A warrior may be banished if they have committed a horrible crime or went against the warrior code to an excessive extent. Only clan leaders may decide to banish cats. |
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Post by •ZEKE• on Oct 15, 2015 19:19:05 GMT -8
mentor
A warrior who currently instructs an apprentice is called a mentor. Before a warrior can become a deputy, they must mentor at least one apprentice. This is not always true, as sometimes StarClan will send an omen to tell the leader or medicine cat who to choose, even if they have never been a mentor. They will teach their apprentices the way of a warrior: how to hunt and fight, and the ways of the warrior code.
DESCRIPTION
A mentor is a warrior and has the same treatments as a warrior. |
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Post by •ZEKE• on Oct 15, 2015 21:25:47 GMT -8
APPRENTICES
Apprentices are Clan cats six moons or older, training to be a warrior (or sometimes a medicine cat) under a mentor. All apprentices' names end with the suffix "-paw" which symbolizes the path their paws are on, until they receive their warrior name. Most apprentices just have the suffix "-kit" taken off their name and replaced with "-paw". An apprentice becomes a warrior once their mentor or Clan leader thinks they have learned enough.
DESCRIPTION
Apprentices are young, able bodied cats, and do most of the grunt work in the clan camp such as cleaning and replacing the bedding, repairing and improving the dens, and looking out for the elders by getting rid of their ticks and fleas, and by bringing them herbs sent by the medicine cat. While they do spend much time doing this, their apprenticeship is to learn the ways of the clans. They spend plenty of time learning how to hunt and fight, and go with their mentors on patrols. |
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Post by •ZEKE• on Oct 16, 2015 19:53:48 GMT -8
kits
A kit is a cat under the age of six moons who is still living in the nursery with its mother and littermates. Kits are usually very mischievous and energetic, and are known to bother warriors and elders. However, they tend to be interested in the stories the elders tell. Most kits are eager to begin their apprenticeship before they reach six moons of age, and very curious about what happens outside their camp. A kit's name must end with the suffix '-kit'.
DESCRIPTION
When a kit is born, their mother or father names them, usually after its appearance, or sometimes to honour another cat of the same name. Sometimes, though, kits have names with no apparent reason to be given. Some kits are named for something significant that happened before or when they were born. When kits are not named because they die before their parents have a chance, the kits are named by other StarClan members. Kits stay in the nursery together with their mother who nurses them and takes care of them for six moons.
All Clan cats, and especially the queens and the mother, are very protective of kits. They are fed first and are not expected to catch their own food or do chores. It is said in the Warrior Code that: "No warrior may neglect a kit in danger, even if it is from a different Clan". However, half-Clan kits or those of non-Clan origins are usually frowned upon by pure-blood Clan cats as their commitment to their foster Clan can be questioned. Half-Clan kits are usually taken in by the Clan of the mother.
Kits are not allowed out of the nursery until their mother feels the time is right. After that, they can go around the camp, though never far from their mother. A kit cannot leave the Clan camp; however, sometimes they get away and get in trouble.
Kits tend to have soft and fluffy fur. They are usually curious, mischievous, and playful, trying to get the Clan warriors to play with them. Most of them are too young to fully understand the Clan traditions or the Warrior Code, but if they break a rule, they are not punished and sometimes very lightly scolded depending on the severity of their deed. They often accidentally annoy warriors and elders, but are fascinated in the stories the elders tell. Kits often want to start training or become warriors immediately, and have to be reminded that they must wait until they are six moons old.
education While in the nursery, kits gradually learn about their Clanmates, Clan ways, traditions, rivals, and about the Warrior Code as they age. Their mother, the other queens in the nursery, and the elders will tell them stories of great battles, journeys, and cats. The care of the kits is shared by all of the queens.
Once reaching the age of six moons, they become apprentices, which will replace the last part of their name to from "kit" to "paw". They will either go on the path of a medicine cat or a warrior, and their mentor will teach them the ways of the path they choose. |
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Post by •ZEKE• on Oct 16, 2015 21:54:27 GMT -8
QUEENs
A queen is a she-cat that is expecting or has recently given birth to a litter of kits. 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.
DESCRIPTION
When a warrior she-cat is expecting kits or has recently given birth to a litter of kits, they become known as a queen and move to the nursery. When she-cats become queens, they give up their title and duties as a warrior, however, they become a warrior again once their kits have been apprenticed. Some she-cats, though, prefer to stay in the nursery even after their kits have become apprentices. Queens have a vital role in continuing the Clans' survival as they give birth to the next generation of warriors. When a warrior dies, a queen might prepare the body with herbs for the vigil. Some she-cats can't have kits, however much they want them. If a queen does not wish to tell who the father of the kits is to the Clan, that is her choice. Queens usually adore their kits and want to make sure that they can be the best that they can be.
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Post by •ZEKE• on Oct 18, 2015 8:47:39 GMT -8
ELDER
An elder is a Clan cat that has served their Clan faithfully, but has now retired. They are wise and are held in high respect by the other cats; their counsel and knowledge is sought several times even by Clan leaders,[0 though they are often described as grumpy.
description
They stay in their den most of the day, and enjoy meeting new kits. However, they may leave the camp if they wish to do so, such as to take a walk to stretch their legs or to hunt. Sometimes, they participate in Gatherings.
Elders are to be held with the utmost respect from cats of all Clans. They have served the Clan well in the past as apprentices and warriors. During their youth, they took care of the elders of their generation. Now, it is their turn to rest, and the youth of the Clan is to take care of them, in honor of all they have done to serve the Clan.
Elders are often susceptible to many diseases and injuries such as greencough and stiff joints. They are often treated by medicine cats and apprentices. They also are more than often tick-ridden, and it is the duty of the apprentices to use mouse bile to remove the ticks.
Tasks
Some tasks elders do include:
- Rub certain herbs on a cat's body when they have passed away to disguise the scent of death.
- Take dead cats out of camp to bury them.
- Often will tell stories about Clan life as it was when they were growing up.
- They do not have to catch their own food, nor do hunting patrols or fight, except to defend if necessary.
Retirement An elder is usually an elderly cat who cannot do warrior duties any more due to their old age. When a warrior, queen or medicine cat wishes to retire, an Elder Ceremony is held. Sometimes a cat must retire early for reasons beyond their control (for instance a crippling wound, loss of sight etc). Sometimes if circumstances force a cat into early retirement, they will receive a new name in order to better suit their current state.
An aging warrior, queen, or medicine cat may retire as an elder due to own initiative, when they feel they cannot help the Clan efficiently any more. A cat may also retire if they are hindered from serving their Clan through old age, illness, or injury. They report this to the Clan Leader, who calls a Clan Meeting and addresses the warrior.
The Clan will call out the retired warrior's name and then he or she will go to the elder's den. An elder may receive a completely different name, with a different ceremony, than keeping their warrior name.
Usually, an elder ceremony is held only when a cat retires due to old age. If they are forced to retire because of a severe injury there may be no ceremony. |
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