Clan (Warriors)
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This article concerns the book series Warriors by Erin Hunter.
In the fictional series of Warriors, there are four groups of cats, called Clans, that inhabit the forest. The four Clans are ThunderClan, WindClan, RiverClan, and ShadowClan.
These Clans are named for the type of landscape where they live in the old forest, although in the new forest some of the Clans no longer inhabit the same type of lands. ThunderClan lives next to a "Thunderpath" (what the cats call a road, due to the noise made by cars). RiverClan lives next to a river. WindClan lives on open moor, and hence there is much wind. ShadowClan lives on marshes and thick forest, and hence there it is dark there. It could also be argued that there is a fifth Clan, StarClan, although they do not inhabit the forest. StarClan is the spirits of the dead cats that sometimes give the living cats advice or prophecies.
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[edit] Warriors Positions and Terms
[edit] Clan Positions
- Leader - In the books, this is the cat who leads the Clan; their names always end with -star; new leaders take a trip to the Moonstone or Moonpool, there, they receive their nine lives and name from StarClan. Raggedstar, Bluestar, and Tigerstar are examples of leaders.
- Deputy - the cat who is second-in-command to the Clan leader; the deputy is in charge of organizing patrols and hunting parties, and succeeds the leader after he/she loses all nine lives from battle, age, or sickness; in the case that the deputy dies, the leader must appoint a new deputy before moonhigh, or midnight. Deadfoot, Whitestorm, Oakheart, Redtail, and Stonefur are examples of deputies.
- Medicine cat - a cat who is trained specifically in the ways of healing; receives messages from StarClan and interprets them; medicine cats stand outside of the rivalries between the Clans; medicine cats are not allowed to take a mate or have kits; sometimes, fully trained warriors can become an apprentice to a medicine cat. Spottedleaf, Barkface, Littlecloud, and Cinderpelt are examples of medicine cats.
- Warrior - a cat (tom or she-cat without kits) trained in the ways of combat; warriors defend, hunt, and fight for their Clan; they also are in charge of training apprentices to become warriors; a warrior may only have one apprentice at a time, although they may supervise the training of apprentices lacking mentors. Graystripe, Rowanclaw, and Brambleclaw are examples of warriors.
- Queen - a she-cat expecting or nursing kits; they stay in the nursery until their kits become apprentices and then return to their warrior duties. Tallpoppy, Brindleface, and Frostfur are examples of queens.
- Apprentice - a cat who, at six moons old, begins training to become a warrior or medicine cat; they train daily to practice battle and hunting skills, and also care for the elders; their names always end with -paw; they become warriors when their mentor and leader feel that they are ready. Ripplepaw, Thornpaw, and Brackenpaw are examples of apprentices.
- Kit - a kitten, not yet old enough to be an apprentice (six moons old); they are not allowed to hunt or leave the camp alone; very young kits do not normally leave the nursery, however, older kits are allowed to do so; their names always end with -kit. Willowkit, Snowkit, Larchkit, and Hollykit are examples of kits.
- Elder - a retired warrior, deputy, or medicine cat; elders are cared for by apprentices. Patchpelt, Dappletail, Halftail, and Heavystep are examples of elders.
[edit] Other Ranks (outside of the immediate Clan ranks)
- Prisoner - a cat that is captured by members of another Clan and held within that Clan until the leader decides what to do with them.
- Loner - a cat that lives neither with a Clan or with humans, normally used for a friendly rogue.
- Rogue - another term for loner, which some cats find offensive; a cat, usually more hostile than a loner, who is part of no Clan, or a cat who was exiled from his original Clan; rogues will sometimes live with other rogues, but they generally travel alone or with their mate, sometimes attack their old clan for revenge.
- Kittypet - a cat that lives with humans, usually do not go into the forest.
[edit] Clan Terms
- Big lump - a friendly insult between Clans and Clanmates.
- Stupid furball - usually a friendly teasing term between Clanmates and Clans.
- Mouse-brain - an insult; can also be used as a teasing insult between Clanmates.
- Mousedung - an insult; stronger than mouse-brain, but less offensive than foxdung.
- Foxdung - an insult; stronger offense than mousedung.
- Hedgehogs will fly (or in variations of the term) - a saying that means something is impossible
- Sharing tongues - term used to describe cats grooming each other and sharing news.
- Leaf-bare - the season of winter.
- Newleaf - the season of spring.
- Greenleaf - the season of summer.
- Leaf-fall - the season of autumn.
- Moon - a 28-day period (one full moon to another)
- Moonhigh - the point in time when the moon is highest in the sky; midnight.
- Sunhigh - the point in time when the sun is highest in the sky; noon.
- Fresh-kill - freshly caught prey.
- Crowfood - rotting, dead prey; also used as an insult.
- Gathering - a meeting that the Clans hold in peace in a certain place (Fourtrees, the island) when the moon is at its fullest.
- (The) Moonstone, Moonpool - a place where medicine cats and leaders meet and share dreams with StarClan.
- Silverpelt - the large swath of stars in the sky (the Milky Way); StarClan is represented by Silverpelt.
- Thunderpath - a road, more specifically, a highway.
- Monster - a human vehicle (cars, trucks, and other 4 wheeled transportation tools).
- Halfbridge - a dock.
- Twoleg - a human.
- Twoleg kit - a human child.
- Twoleg nest - a human house.
- Twolegplace - a human town.
- Greenleaf Twolegplace - a place where humans visit only in the summer (a resort, etc).
- Horseplace - a horse ranch or stables.
- Cutter - a veterinarian, usually one specialized in spaying and neutering.
- Kittenstep - less than an inch.
- Tail-length - about the length of a cat's tail (a foot) (as in: a tail-length away).
- Fox-length - about the length of a fox; approximately a yard.
[edit] Kittypet Terms
- Housefolk - a human that owns a cat
- Workfolk - a human that works on the roads, houses etc...
- Upwalker - another name for a human (used by a cat named Purdy)
- Nofur - another name for a human, used by the cats that live near horseplace
[edit] Tribe Positions
- Healer - the cat who leads the Tribe and cares for the sick cats; also the one to speak with the Tribe of Endless Hunting; the Healer is both the leader and medicine cat of the Tribe, and they are given nine lives by the Tribe of Endless Hunting
- Prey-hunter - a cat that hunts for the Tribe; a warrior trained specifically in hunting
- Cave-guard - a cat who guards the Tribe's camp and territory; also watches the sky for predators while prey-hunters hunt; a warrior trained specifically in fighting
- To-be - a cat in training to be either a prey-hunter or a cave-guard; an apprentice
- Kit-mother - a she-cat nursing or expecting kits; a queen
[edit] Tribe Terms
- Caught-prey - freshly caught food; fresh-kill
- Tribe of Endless Hunting - spirits of Tribe cats who have passed away; equivalent to StarClan
- Cave of Pointed Stones - a place where the Tribe healer and the rest of the cats hear from the Tribe of Endless Hunting; equivalent to the Clans' Moonstone/Moonpool
- Telling - a meeting held in the Cave of Pointed Stones in which the Healer hears the voice of the Tribe of Endless Hunting; equivalent to a Clan meeting, Gathering, and sharing dreams with StarClan
- Frozen-water - winter; leaf-bare
- Freed-water - spring; newleaf
[edit] The Five Clans
The five Clans are ThunderClan, ShadowClan, WindClan, RiverClan, and StarClan.
[edit] ThunderClan
ThunderClan is the most prominent Clan in the novels. Many of the novels' protagonists are from ThunderClan. The hero of the first six books, Firestar, lives in this Clan and (as of the most recent novel) leads it. In addition, other main characters from the original six novels like Graystripe, Sandstorm, Spottedleaf, and Cinderpelt are from this Clan. In the second sextet, the main characters Brambleclaw, Squirrelflight, and Leafpool are from ThunderClan. All the novels are told from the perspective of ThunderClan as well, with the exception of Midnight and Moonrise, when the Clans are not active parts of the story. In addition, several prolouges are told from the perspective of other Clans.
ThunderClan is at home inside a forest where their main prey is squirrels, mice, moles, voles, rabbits, and birds. The name ThunderClan came from their camp being located near the Thunderpath (a busy road).
[edit] Current Positions
- Leader: Firestar
- Deputy: Graystripe
- Medicine cat: Leafpool
- Warriors: Dustpelt, Sandstorm, Brackenfur, Cloudtail, Brightheart, Thornclaw, Ashfur, Brambleclaw, Rainwhisker, Squirrelflight, Spiderleg, Ferncloud
- Queens: Sorreltail, Daisy
- Elders: Longtail, Goldenflower, Mousefur
- Apprentices: Whitepaw, Birchpaw
- Kits: Berrykit, Mousekit, Hazelkit (Daisy's kits); Sorreltail's four unnamed kits
[edit] Former Clan Members
- Former leaders: Bluestar
- Former deputies: (under the leader before Bluestar) Tawnyspots, Bluefur; (under Bluestar) Redtail, Lionheart, Tigerclaw, Fireheart; (under Firestar) Whitestorm, Graystripe
- Former medicine cats: Spottedleaf, Yellowfang, Cinderpelt
- Former warriors: Thistleclaw, Runningwind, Willowpelt, Sootfur
- Former queens: Brindleface
- Former elders: Rosetail, Patchpelt, Halftail, One-eye, Smallear, Dappletail, Speckletail, Frostfur
- Former apprentices: Ravenpaw, Swiftpaw, Shrewpaw
- Former kits: Brindleface's unnamed kit, Snowkit, Larchkit, Hollykit
[edit] RiverClan
RiverClan plays several large parts in the Warriors story. The first is when Graystripe falls in love with a RiverClan cat and has kits with her. He then allows those kits to stay in RiverClan, and joins RiverClan for a time, although he is later accepted by ThunderClan. The second is when they join with ShadowClan and form TigerClan, under the ShadowClan leader Tigerstar. The most recent part they have played is the emergence of the son of Tigerstar, Hawkfrost, who shows signs of treachery. In Starlight, Hawkfrost sided with Mudclaw in a rebellion against WindClan.
RiverClan cats are the ones with most tolerance to water. They have slim bodies which allows them to swim better and sleek fur which dries faster. They are also the only Clan who knows how to fish. Their camp is always located near a body of water.
[edit] Current Positions
- Leader: Leopardstar
- Deputy: Mistyfoot
- Medicine cat: Mothwing
- Warriors: Blackclaw, Hawkfrost, Swallowtail, Stonestream, Voletooth, Reedwhisker
- Apprentices: Beechpaw, Ripplepaw
- Queens: Mosspelt, Dawnflower
- Elders: Heavystep
- Kits: Willowkit (Mosspelt's kit); Pebblekit, Minnowkit (Dawnflower's kits)
[edit] Former Clan Members
- Former leaders: Crookedstar
- Former deputies: (under Crookedstar) Oakheart, Leopardfur; (under Leopardstar) Stonefur, Hawkfrost
- Former medicine cats: Mudfur
- Former warriors: Feathertail, Stonefur, Whiteclaw, Stormfur
- Former queens: Silverstream, Greenflower
- Former elders: Graypool, Ivytail, Shadepelt, Loudbelly
- Former apprentices: Splashpaw
- Former kits: Unamed
[edit] WindClan
WindClan has been fairly prominent throughout all the novels. They are usually portrayed as the weakest of the Clans, often threatened by other Clans. Their largest role is when they join with ThunderClan to form the temporary LionClan, used to combat TigerClan and then BloodClan. They have also had the least change in Clan leaders, as Tallstar is the oldest leader and has held his position for longer than any other cat,being leader from sometime before the series began to Starlight in the second part of the series.
WindClan cats enjoy open fields. They are the fastest of the Clan cats which is needed as their main prey is rabbits.
[edit] Current Positions
- Leader: Onestar
- Deputy: Ashfoot
- Medicine cat: Barkface
- Warriors: Tornear, Webfoot, Nightcloud, Crowfeather, Owlfeather, Weaselfur,Whitetail
- Queens: Unknown
- Elders: Morningflower, Rushtail, Darkfoot
- Kits: Unnamed
[edit] Former Clan Members
- Former leaders: Tallstar
- Former deputies: (under Tallstar) Deadfoot, Mudclaw, Onewhisker
- Former medicine cats: None
- Former warriors: Tawnyfur,Robinwing
- Former queens: Ashfoot, Morningflower
- Former elders: Crowfur, Oatwhisker
- Former apprentices: Gorsepaw, Thistlepaw
- Former kits: Unamed
[edit] ShadowClan
ShadowClan has served several times in the novels as antagonists; from attacking ThunderClan early in the novels, chasing WindClan from their home, and being led by Tigerstar and plotting to take over the forest. Recently, however, they have become less evil and more arrogant and aloof. It is also interesting to note that they have changed leaders far more often than the other Clans.
[edit] Current Positions
- Leader: Blackstar
- Deputy: Russetfur
- Medicine cat: Littlecloud
- Warriors: Oakfur, Cedarheart, Rowanclaw, Tawnypelt, Nightwing
- Apprentices: None
- Queens: Tallpoppy
- Elders: Boulder
- Kits: Marshkit, Applekit, Toadkit (Tallpoppy's kits)
[edit] Former Clan Members
- Former leaders: Raggedstar, Brokenstar, Nightstar, Tigerstar
- Former deputies: (under Raggedstar) Brokentail; (under Brokenstar) Blackfoot, (under Nightstar) Cinderfur; (under Tigestar) Blackfoot
- Former medicine cats: Yellowfang, Runningnose
- Former warriors: Whitethroat, Stumpytail, Wetfoot, Darkflower
- Former queens: Brightflower, Dawncloud
- Former elders: Ashfur, Runningnose
- Former apprentices: Brownpaw, Smokepaw, Talonpaw
- Former kits: Unnamed
[edit] StarClan
StarClan is the ancestors of ThunderClan, ShadowClan, WindClan, and RiverClan. They are represented by Silverpelt (a large swath of stars in the sky), and made up of the spirits of departed cats. When a cat dies, they are visited by a StarClan feline, usually one they were close to, and that StarClan cat takes them to join the starry warriors. StarClan is made up of cats from every Clan, though the individuals still hold loyalty to their earthly Clan.
StarClan cats communicate with the living Clans through dreams, and when they visit the Moonstone or Moonpool. Although StarClan is looked to for guidance and aid, StarClan does not control what happens to the Clans. The most they can do is offer help in the form of prophecies and dreams, along with giving a leader nine lives. Even with healing, there is only so much that StarClan can do. In the case of Tigerstar, the wound given to him by Scourge was too terrible for StarClan to heal, and Tigerstar lost all nine of his lives at once.
[edit] BloodClan
BloodClan was a hostile group of cats consisting of mainly rogues and kittypets who live in the Twolegplace by the old territory's forest. They only appeared in one book (The Darkest Hour), yet they still held a very important role: trying to force the four Clans out of the forest. The BloodClan are not a true Clan, as its cats do not believe in StarClan nor follow the warrior code. BloodClan was formerly led by a vicious cat named Scourge, but the Clan disbanded after Scourge was killed.
[edit] Clan Hierarchy
Clans have a very clear system of command and respect.
[edit] Kits
At the lowest level are kits.Their name always ends in "-kit" These are cats younger than six moons old. They are restricted due to their age and are not permitted to leave the camp without parental supervision. They have no duties in the Clan, and spend most of their time playing with each other in mock fights or they play alone with moss balls, leaves, or puddles. After their sixth moon, a kit is made an apprentice, and given to a warrior to mentor them. After Raggedstar's death (during Brokenstar's leadership for before and most of Into the Wild), Brokenstar had ShadowClan's kits begin their training at three moons of age, and he named them full warriors at five moons.
[edit] Apprentices
When a kit reaches six moons old, they are apprenticed. Their name, which formerly ended in "-kit", now ends with "-paw". They are assigned a mentor, who can be a warrior, deputy, medicine cat (if the apprentice plans to become the next medicine cat) or even the leader in rare cases (Bluestar was Firestar's mentor, for instance). Apprentices also care for the elders in their Clan. They are allowed to travel within Clan territory with their mentor and are also allowed to go to the Gathering at full-moons, if they are permitted by their leader or mentor.
After several moons of training and a visit to Highstones (or the Moonpool area), they are given a new name and proclaimed a warrior, unless they were apprenticed to a medicine cat. With a medicine cat apprentice, they can be given their full name, but they will still considered the apprentice of the current medicine cat until they succeed their mentor. This makes sense, as medicine cats have much more to learn than the average warrior. When an apprentice receives their warrior name, their first task is to stand guard over the camp all night without speaking a word, though this rule is only inforced after a certain period in the night and it is unclear if medicine cat apprentices have to do this also.
[edit] Warriors
Warriors are the cats with the most duties in the Clan. They can be toms and she-cats who are not caring for kits. They hunt daily, patrol borders, train apprentices, defend their Clan, and fight for their Clan even at the cost of death. Warriors follow the warrior code, a set of laws put down by StarClan.
[edit] Queens
Queens are she-cats expecting or nursing kits. They stay in the nursery until their kits are apprenticed, and then return to being warriors. Queens are not entirely restricted to the nursery or the camp. They are allowed to go hunting and a queen may also take her kits out of camp for a short while. A queen has the right to keep the identity of her kits' father a secret.
[edit] Elders
Elders are retired warriors, deputies, and medicine cats. They are very respected and are cared for by apprentices or warriors if there are not enough apprentices. Since they have retired, elders do not have any specific duties, like warriors. Even so, they will make themselves useful in the camp and defend their Clan in battle. A warrior becomes an elder when they have reached an age where they cannot keep up with warrior duties, or other reasons that force them to retire early, such as failing sight or a serious injury.
[edit] Medicine Cat
One of the most respected cats in the Clan is the medicine cat, who not only heals the cats of the Clan, but communicates with StarClan to receive advice. Medicine cats seem to have their own code, much like the warrior code. They walk closer with StarClan than even leaders, and very few cats will argue with a medicine cat. Medicine cat she-cats are forbidden to take mates or have kits, possibly because it could be a distraction from their duties. It is possible that a tom who is a medicine cat could father kits and keep it a secret, though it seems that neither gender of medicine cat is an exception to the rule. And warriors how later become medicine cats that already had kits cannot have more kits.
Every half-moon, medicine cats travel to share dreams with StarClan. They also have to go to the Moonstone or Moonpool area. If for some reason there is no Clan deputy to take over leadership after the current leader is not with the Clan (i.e. Brokentail's exile with Blackfoot), the medicine cat is allowed to ask StarClan who the new leader should be.
[edit] Deputy
Directly below the leader is the deputy, who organizes minor things in the Clan, such as patrols. The only requirement to become a deputy is to have mentored at least one apprentice. The deputy is usually a senior warrior and therefore is an experienced cat. The deputy is next in line to become leader, should the current leader lose all nine of their lives.
[edit] Leader
At the top of the Clan is the leader, whose name always ends with "-star". This cat is usually the former deputy, who took over after the previous leader died. In special cases, like those of Nightstar and Tigerstar, non-deputies of the Clan can inherit the position of leader.
Leaders must commune with StarClan personally to receive their leader name and the special gift to leaders from StarClan: nine lives. Every time a leader is killed, StarClan heals the wound that killed them and returns them to life. Sometimes, however, the wound is too grievous to heal, in the case of Tigerstar. On the night of the new moon, leaders travel to share dreams with StarClan.
[edit] The Tribes
[edit] The Tribe of Rushing Water
The Tribe of Rushing Water makes their home in the treacherous mountains beyond Highstones and former Clan territory. They are first introduced in the second book of the New Prophecy, Moonrise. The Tribe has no marked borders, for they have no rival Tribes, and believes in the Tribe of Endless Hunting, their spiritual ancestors. The Tribe cats live in a cave behind a large waterfall, and were formerly preyed upon by a lion cat named Sharptooth before Feathertail killed him. They are lead by their healer, a combination of a Clan leader and medicine cat who communicates with the Tribe of Endless Hunting.
[edit] The Tribe of Endless Hunting
The Tribe of Endless Hunting are the warrior ancestors of the Tribe of Rushing Water. They speak to the healer of the Tribe by sending him/her signs in leaves, rocks, water, and nature in general. They speak most clearly in the Cave of Pointed Stones.
[edit] Healing Herbs
Under no circumstance should you treat your cat with these herbs. Always take your cat to a vet if it becomes ill.
• Poppy seeds - used to numb pain and make a cat drowsy
- Cobwebs - used to stop bleeding
- Feverfew - used to cool feverish cats and treat head pain
- Borage leaves - used to treat fevers
- Marigold - used to treat infection and heal wounds and sores
- Horsetail - used to treat infected wounds
- Burdock root - used to treat infections, especially rat bites
- Chervil (root) - used to treat infections
- Wild garlic - rolling in this can help to keep out infection
- Coltsfoot - used to treat kittencough
- Catnip (also called catmint) - used to treat whitecough and greencough; can help to relax a cat
- Chickweed - used to help treat greencough
- Tansy - used to treat coughs
- Thyme - used to calm a cat
- Chamomile - used to calm a cat
- Dandelion (leaves) - used to calm a cat
- Juniper berries - used to treat bellyache
- Chervil - used to treat bellyache
- Watermint - used to treat bellyache
- Daisy leaves - used to treat aching joints
- Goldenrod - used in a poultice to treat aching joints and stiffness; can also be used for severe injuries.
- Ragwort leaves - used alongside juniper berries in a poultice to treat aching joints
- Comfrey - used to treat broken bones
- Nettle (leaves) - used to treat swelling
- Celadine - used to treat ailments of the eyes
- Snakeroot - used to counter poison
- Nettle (seeds) - used to counter poison
- Honey - used to treat sore throats
- Mouse bile - used to remove ticks from a cat's coat
- Yarrow - used to make a cat vomit and expel poisons from the body
[edit] Other Plants
- Dock leaves - used to make a cat's coat slippery; also can be used as a surface for vomiting.
- Deathberries (yew) - of no medicinal value; bright scarlet berries that can kill a cat if they are not expelled quickly enough (called night-seeds by the Tribe)
- Nightshade - of no medicinal value; is poisonous
- Holly (berries) - of no medicinal value; poisonous like deathberries
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Into the Wild
- Fire and Ice
- Forest of Secrets
- Rising Storm
- A Dangerous Path
- The Darkest Hour
- Midnight
- Moonrise
- Dawn
- Starlight
- Twilight
