CLAN RANKS.

( LEADER )

The leader of the Clan leads the Clan in all aspects. Whether heading into battle or accepting outsiders, they make the big decisions, and their word, according to the warrior code, is law. The leader also represents the Clan at gatherings, performs various ceremonies, and occasionally takes on an apprentice; traditionally the leader trains the deputy's kit. When inheriting their position from a predecessor, the cat must travel to moonpool to receive nine lives, and receive a new name ending in "-star". Normally leaders never retire, since their nine lives must be lived in service to the Clan. In the rare event that a leader makes the decision to leave the Clan, they can offer up their remaining lives and keep one. The deputy who then replaces them will receive only eight lives.

( DEPUTY )

The deputy is second in command of the Clan. They are appointed by the leader. According to Clan tradition, a new deputy must be made before moonhigh after the former deputy's death or retirement. The deputy takes the responsibility of assigning patrols and helps the leader to make decisions. A female deputy cannot have kits, since they must be prepared to succeed the leader at any time. According to the warrior code, in order to become a deputy a cat must have had at least one apprentice.

( MEDICINE CAT )

Medicine cats play an important role in the Clan. Their most obvious duty is to care for injured cats with herbs and medical knowledge. Medicine cats also hold an important spiritual responsibility in the Clan. They interpret signs from StarClan and receive dreams, as well as attending annual meetings with other medicine cats at the halfmoon. These signs and dreams help the leader to make decisions for the Clan. Medicine cats can not have kits or mates. Their is a maximum of two Medicine cats per Clan, though there is usually only one. Medicine cats are above normal Clan rivalries.

( MEDICINE CAT APP )

Medicine cat apprentices are training under the current medicine cat. They will one day receive their name and assume full medicine cat duties. In the meantime they undergo training to learn how to interpret signs, communicate with StarClan, and use herbs to treat wounds and illnesses.

( ELDER )

Elders are cats who have lived their lives in service to the Clans, and when they become weak from age they retire to the Elders den to be cared for by apprentices. Being an elder is a prestigious position in the Clan, and they are respected for the sacrifices they have made for their Clanmates, and their wisdom and stories.

( QUEEN )

Queens are she-cat warriors pregnant or nursing kits. They retire temporarily from warrior duties to raise kits, and then return after kits leave the nursery. Queens live in the nursery during this time and apprentices and warriors hunt for them. Some queens stay in the nursery to support other inexperienced mothers. Queens are only expected to defend camp in the most desperate of situations.

( WARRIOR )

Warriors make up the body of the Clan. They hunt, patrol, defend their clanmates, and will invade other Clans at the order of their leader. They will also take on any task that the Clan need done when no other rank can do it. A warrior's duty is only to his or her Clanmates, and must follow the warrior code and the word of the leader.

( SENIOR WARRIOR )

Senior warriors are the older, more respected warriors of the Clan who are often called upon to advise the leader and deputy. They have the same responsibilities as warriors. Senior warriors often have more of a chance at being given apprentices.

( MENTOR )

Mentors are warriors who have been given the honor of training an apprentice. They are responsible for training there apprentices, as well as the usual warrior duties. Female mentors are not supposed to have kits as it interrupts apprentice training, but if it does happen their apprentice will be reassigned. Mentors usually train their apprentices for six moons before returning to warrior status when they decide their apprentice is ready to become a warrior.

( APPRENTICE )

Apprentices are young cats from the age of 6 - 12 moons. They are assigned a mentor and begin training to become warriors. Cats are taught to hunt and fight, as well as the warrior code and Clan territory. They are expected to listen to older cats and obey their mentors. Their responsibilities include going on patrols with their mentors, training, defending camp, and caring for the elders. Apprentices are forbidden to have kits. An apprentice name always ends in "-paw".

( KIT )

Kittens are the youngest members of the Clan, between 1 - 6 moons who live in the nursery with their mothers until they are apprenticed. Their name ends in "-kit". They have no privileges and are expected to listen to the older cats. According to the warrior code kits are forbidden from hunting, fighting or leaving camp.

( LONER )

Loners are cats who live outside the Clans, but are not living with twolegs either. Many loners live alone or in pairs, and keep to themselves. The difference between loners and rogues is that loners are not a threat to Clan territory.

( ROGUE )

Rogues are cats who like loners, live outside the camp in pairs or alone. The difference between loners and rogues is that rogues are considered threatening to the Clans; stealing prey and having been trained to fight.

( KITTYPET )

Kitty-pets are the clan name for housecats who live with twolegs in their houses. They usually stay in their gardens, and are no threat to Clanners. Regardless, Clan cats will still chase them if they enter claimed territory.