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 earthly forest. StarClan is the massive Clan of the spirits of dead Clan cats. StarClan gives the living cats advice and sometimes prophecies, among other things.
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[edit] Warriors Positions and Terms
[edit] Clan Positions
- Leader - 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. Tigerstar, Firestar, Leopardstar, Bluestar, and Onestar are a few examples.
- 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. Graystripe, Brambleclaw, Russetfur, and Mistyfoot are examples of deputies.
- Medicine cat - a cat who is trained specifically in the ways of healing (but that does not mean they can't fight); receives messages from StarClan and interprets them; medicine cats stand outside of the rivalries between the Clans. A medicine cat will heal an injured cat and can order even the leader what to do. Each clan has either one or two medicine cats; they are not allowed to take a mate or have kits; sometimes, fully trained warriors can become an apprentice to a medicine cat. Barkface, Littlecloud, Mothwing, Leafpool, Runningnose, Cinderpelt, Yellowfang, and Spottedleaf 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. Crowfeather, Webfoot, Blackclaw, Rowanclaw, and Squirrelflight are examples of warriors.
- Queen - a she-cat expecting or nursing kits; they stay in the nursery until their kits become apprentices, then return to their warrior duties. Tallpoppy, Brindleface, Goldenflower, Sorreltail, 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; One task they usually do is fetch bedding; their names end with -paw; they become warriors when their mentor and leader feel that they are ready. Birchpaw and Whitepaw 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. Cinderkit, Honeykit, Molekit, and Poppykit are examples of kits.
- Elder - a retired warrior, queen, medicine cat, or deputy; elders are usually cared for by apprentices. Mousefur, Dappletail, Halftail, Heavystep, and Longtail are examples of elders.
[edit] Other Ranks (outside of the immediate Clan ranks)
- Loner - a cat that lives neither with a Clan or with humans, normally used to describe a friendly rogue. Some examples of loners are Barley , Purdy , and Ravenpaw.
- Rogue - another term for loner, but more 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. An example of a rogue is Sasha.
- Kittypet - a cat that lives with humans, usually do not go into the forest. Firestar was a kittypet named Rusty before he wandered out into the forest one day. Other examples of kittypets are Princess and Smudge.
[edit] Clan Terms
- Stupid furball - usually a friendly teasing term between Clanmates and Clans; can also be an insult.
- Bossy furball - an insult used to insult a cat who orders everyone about; can also be a teasing insult.
- Bossy paws - same as 'bossy furball'
- Slow slug - usually a friendly teasing term between Clanmates and Clans; can also be an insult.
- Mousebrain - an insult; can also be used as a teasing insult between Clanmates.
- Mousedung - an insult; more offensive than mousebrain, but less offensive than foxdung.
- Foxdung - an insult; more offensive than mousedung, more offensive than crowfood.
- When hedgehogs fly - a saying that means something is impossible.
- Mouse-brained - term used to describe something foolish.
- 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 month (from 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 or garbage; also used as an insult, less offensive than foxdung.
- 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.
- Kittenstep -about an inch.
- Mouse-length - about two inches.
- Pawstep - about six inches
- 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.
- Thunderpath - a road used by twolegs.
- Monster - a human vehicle (cars, trucks, and other wheeled transportation tools).
- Halfbridge - a dock.
- Twoleg - a human.
- Twoleg kit - a human child.
- Twoleg nest - a human house.
- Twolegplace - a human town.
- Carrionplace - a human trash dump.
- Greenleaf Twolegplace - a place where humans visit only in the summer, like a campsite or recreational place.
- Horseplace - a horse ranch or stable.
- Cutter - a veterinarian, usually one specialized in spaying and neutering.
- "Green-pelt things" - a camping tent that humans sleep in.
- "Water-monster" - a motor-boat.
- Kittypet - Clan term for housecat.
[edit] Kittypet Terms
- Housefolk - a human that owns a cat; used by the cats in the town near the old territory
- Workfolk - a human that works on the roads, houses, etc; used by the cats in the town near the old territory
- Upwalker - another name for a human; used by a cat named Purdy in a town near the sea
- Nofur - another name for a human; used by the cats that live near horseplace
- Wildcats - forest (Clan) cats
[edit] Tribe Positions
- Tribe-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 tribes Starclan); the tribe- healer is both the leader and medicine cat of the Tribe
- Prey-hunter - a cat that hunts for the Tribe; a cat trained specifically in hunting
- Cave-guard - a cat who guards the cave that they live in; also watches the sky for predators like eagles and Sharptooth while prey-hunters hunt; a cat 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
- Frozen-water - winter; leaf-bare
- Freed-water - spring; newleaf
- Beetle-brain - an insult used like 'mouse-brain' from the Clan terms
- 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 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 sharing dreams with StarClan
[edit] The Five Clans
The five Clans of forest cats are ThunderClan, ShadowClan, WindClan, RiverClan, and StarClan. (Although BloodClan was called a Clan, it was not a true Clan because of its cats' disbelief in StarClan and the warrior code.)
[edit] ThunderClan
ThunderClan is the most prominent Clan in the novels. They are said to have the most loyal warriors and the bravest. Many of the novels' protagonists are from ThunderClan. The hero of the first six books, Firestar, lives in this Clan and (later on) 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 series, three of the protagonists: Brambleclaw, Squirrelflight, and Leafpool are from ThunderClan. All the novels are told from the perspective of ThunderClan as well, with the exception of 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, voles, rabbits, and birds. The name ThunderClan came from their camp being located near the Thunderpath.
An interesting note is how by the end of the second series Thunderclan has had the most medicine cats (Spottedleaf, Yellowfang, Cinderpelt, and Leafpool)
[edit] Current Positions
- Leader: Firestar
- Deputy: Brambleclaw
- Medicine cat: Leafpool
- Warriors: Dustpelt, Sandstorm, Brackenfur, Thornclaw, Brightheart, Cloudtail, Ashfur, Rainwhisker, Squirrelflight, Ferncloud, Spiderleg, Stormfur, Brook
- Apprentices: Whitepaw, Birchpaw
- Queens: Daisy, Sorreltail
- Elders: Longtail, Mousefur, Goldenflower
- Kits: Berrykit, Mousekit, Hazelkit (Daisy's kits); Molekit, Honeykit, Poppykit, Cinderkit (Sorreltail's kits)
[edit] Former Clan Members
- Former leaders: Unknown leader, Bluestar
- Former deputies: (under unknown leader) Tawnyspots, Bluefur; (under Bluestar) Redtail, Lionheart, Tigerclaw, Fireheart; (under Firestar) Whitestorm, Graystripe,
- Former medicine cats: Spottedleaf, Yellowfang, Cinderpelt
- Former warriors: Thistleclaw, Runningwind, Darkstripe, Sootfur, Willowpelt
- Former apprentices: Ravenpaw (left ThunderClan), Swiftpaw, Shrewpaw
- Former queens: Brindleface
- Former elders: Rosetail, Patchpelt, Halftail, One-eye, Smallear, Dappletail, Speckletail, Frostfur
- Former kits: Mistyfoot, Stonefur, unnamed kit (Bluestar's kits); Brindleface's unnamed kit; Snowkit (Speckletail's kit); Larchkit, Hollykit,(Ferncloud's kits)
[edit] RiverClan
RiverClan plays several large parts in the Warriors story. These include the time when Graystripe falls in love with a RiverClan cat, Silverstream, and has kits with her, but Silverstream dies bearing them. Graystripe then allows those kits to stay in RiverClan, and joins RiverClan for a time, although he is later accepted back into ThunderClan. Another example is when RiverClan joins with ShadowClan and form TigerClan, under the ShadowClan leader Tigerstar. The next part they have played is the emergence of the son of Tigerstar, Hawkfrost, who shows signs of treachery. In Starlight, Hawkfrost sides with Mudclaw in a rebellion against WindClan. In Sunset, Hawkfrost tempts Brambleclaw into killing Firestar when he is caught in a fox trap.
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 whose main prey is fish. Their camp is always located near a body of water.
[edit] Current Positions
- Leader: Leopardstar
- Deputy: Mistyfoot
- Medicine cat: Mothwing
- Warriors: Blackclaw, Voletooth, Swallowtail, Stonestream, Reedwhisker
- Apprentices: Beechpaw, Ripplepaw, Willowpaw
- Queens: Mosspelt, Dawnflower
- Elders: None
- Kits: Pebblekit, Minnowkit (Dawnflower's kits)
[edit] Former Clan Members
- Former leaders: Crookedstar
- Former deputies: (under Crookedstar) Oakheart, Leopardfur; (under Leopardstar) Stonefur, Hawkfrost (deputy while Mistyfoot was missing)
- Former medicine cats: Mudfur
- Former warriors: Feathertail, Whiteclaw, Stormfur, Hawkfrost, Graystripe
- Former apprentices: Splashpaw, Silverpaw
- Former queens: Silverstream, Greenflower
- Former elders: Graypool, Ivytail, Shadepelt, Loudbelly, Heavystep
- Former kits: Tumblekit, unnamed kit (Dawnflower's kits); Greenflower's unnamed kits; Graypool's (unamed kits)
[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 in Fire and Ice, when they are chased out of their territory by the former ShadowClan leader Brokentail. Another large role is when they decide to join with ThunderClan to form the temporary LionClan, used to combat TigerClan and then BloodClan.
WindClan have also had the least change in Clan leaders since Firestar first came to the forest. Tallstar was the oldest leader and has held his position for longer than any other cat, being leader from sometime before the original series began to Starlight in The New Prophecy. Also they have had the least change in medicine cats. Barkface has held his position as medicine cat from Into the Wild.
WindClan cats enjoy open fields. They are the fastest of the Clan cats, which is a needed skill as their main prey is rabbits.
[edit] Current Positions
- Leader: Onestar
- Deputy: Ashfoot
- Medicine cat: Barkface
- Warriors: Tornear, Webfoot, Crowfeather, Owlwhisker, Nightcloud, Weaselfur
- Apprentices: None
- Queens: Whitetail
- Elders: Morningflower, Rushtail
- Kits: Unnamed
[edit] Former Clan Members
- Former leaders: Tallstar
- Former deputies: (under Tallstar) Deadfoot, Mudclaw, Onewhisker
- Former medicine cats: None
- Former warriors: Runningbrook, Tawnyfur
- Former apprentices: Gorsepaw, Thistlepaw
- Former queens: Morningflower
- Former elders: Crowfur, Oatwhisker, Darkfoot
- Former kits: Unnamed
[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 ambivalent, arrogant and aloof. It is also interesting to note that they have changed leaders far more often than the other Clans.
ShadowClan cats prefer marshes and wetlands. They are considered the most fierce in battle and most opposing to kittypets and half-Clan cats in all the Clans.
[edit] Current Positions
- Leader: Blackstar
- Deputy: Russetfur
- Medicine cat: Littlecloud
- Warriors: Oakfur, Cederheart, Rowanclaw, Tawnypelt
- 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 and Tigerstar) Blackfoot; (under Nightstar) Cinderfur
- Former medicine cats: Yellowfang (joined ThunderClan), Runningnose
- Former warriors: Whitethroat, Stumpytail, Wetfoot, Darkflower, Darkstripe
- Former apprentices: Brownpaw, Talonpaw, Smokepaw
- Former queens: Brightflower, Dawncloud, Nightwing
- Former elders: Ashfur, Runningnose
- Former kits: Darkflower's unnamed kits
[edit] StarClan
StarClan is a massive Clan made up of the ancestors of ThunderClan, ShadowClan, WindClan, and RiverClan. They are represented by Silverpelt (a large swath of stars in the sky, which may be the Milky Way), 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, advice, 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 were a hostile group of cats consisting of rogues who lived in the Twolegplace near the old territory. BloodClan were not a true Clan, as its cats neither believed in StarClan nor followed the warrior code.
They only appeared in one book (The Darkest Hour), yet still held a very important role: trying to force the four Clans out of the forest. BloodClan were led by a vicious cat named Scourge, but the Clan disbanded after Scourge was killed (he had only one life, not nine, because of his disbelief in StarClan).
(BloodClan is no more, so it has no members.)
[edit] Current Positions
- Leader: None
- Deputy: None
- Warriors: None
- Queens: None
- Kits: None
[edit] Former Clan Members
- Leader: Scourge
- Deputy: Bone
- Warriors: Jaggedtooth, Boulder, Barley, Bone, and other unnamed cats
[edit] Cats Outside of Clans
- Kittypets: Smudge, Princess, Cody, Smoky, Floss, Daisy (later joins ThunderClan) and two unnamed cats from the Twoleg nest in ShadowClan territory
- Loners: Barley, Ravenpaw, Purdy
- Rogues: Sasha, Coal
[edit] Other Animals
- Midnight (badger, can speak with StarClan)
- Pip (dog, mentioned once by Smoky when the Clans first meet him in Starlight)
[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. It is against the warrior code for kits to hunt. 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 from before and during 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 (Bluestar was Firestar's mentor, for instance). Apprentices also care for the elders in their Clan. They are allowed to travel within Clan territory, either alone or with their mentor, and are also allowed to go to the Gathering at full-moons, if they are permitted by their leader and mentor.
After several moons of training, and a journey to the Moonstone/Moonpool, the apprentice of a warrior is given a new name and proclaimed a full warrior of their Clan. Traditionally, the new warrior's first task is to hold vigil and stand guard over the camp all night until dawn. It is unclear how long a warrior's apprenticeship lasts, as the leader and mentor decide when the apprentice is fit to receive their warrior name.
When it comes to a medicine cat apprentice, they have much different training than warrior apprentices, as they must learn how to heal their Clanmates and understand signs from StarClan. Also unlike a warrior apprentice, a medicine cat apprentice is given their full name at the Moonstone/Moonpool by their mentor, in the presence of the other Clans' medicine cats. Although a medicine cat apprentice can be given their full name, they will still considered the apprentice of the current medicine cat until they succeed their mentor.
The average apprenticeship, no matter which type, seems to last from six to eight moons.
[edit] Warriors
Warriors are cats that do most of the work for the Clan, such as hunting, patrolling borders, training apprentices, and discussing most gathering matters. They are toms and she-cats who are not caring for kits. Previously, their names ended with "-paw", but now change to different things such as body parts (tail, ear, claw, fur, pelt, foot, tooth, fang, eye, nose, stripe, throat, whisker, wing, feather, belly, heart, coat, spots, soul, face, leg), surroundings (pool, stream, leaf, flower, brook, poppy), movement (flight, step, fall), or weather (storm, frost, wind, cloud, breeze)
Warriors hunt daily, patrol borders, train apprentices, defend their Clan, and fight for their Clan even at the cost of their own lives. Warriors follow the warrior code, a set of laws put down by StarClan. A warrior is only given one apprentice at a time, although they are permitted to train other apprentices. For example, Brambleclaw took over Birchpaw's training while his mentor, Ashfur, was recovering from an injury.
Being a warrior is usually the longest period of time in a Clan cat's life, unless they are the medicine cat, leader, or promoted to deputy. A she-cat can also choose to stay as a queen and look after kits in the nursery until they retire, like Goldenflower.
[edit] Queens
Queens are she-cats expecting or nursing kits. They stay in the nursery until their kits are apprenticed, 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, even from the leader or the kits themselves, as Bluestar did with her kits, Stonefur and Mistyfoot. Goldenflower also hid the identity of Brambleclaw and Tawnypelt's father, though she hid from the two kits, not the Clan. Silverstream had also planned to hide the identity of Stormfur's and Feathertail's father, before she died bearing them.
[edit] Elders
Elders are retired warriors, deputies, and medicine cats. Instances of Clan leaders dying of old age (such as Crookedstar and Tallstar) show that leaders do not retire their positions. They are very respected and are cared for usually by apprentices. The elders' only known duty is to perform the burial of a deceased Clanmate. However, they usually defend their Clan in fierce battle when their camp is attacked. They often give advice to the Clan leader and share stories of passed events with the younger cats.
A warrior becomes an elder when they have reached an age where they cannot keep up with warrior duties, or for other reasons that force them to retire early. Examples of this are failing sight (as was Longtail's case), hearing loss or deafness (Snowkit was an example of this), and serious injury (such as Brightheart and Cinderpelt's former situations).
[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 interprets signs from StarClan to receive advice and prophecies. 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 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. A warrior who later becomes a medicine cat is also forbidden from having any additional 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 asks StarClan who the new leader should be.
[edit] Deputy
Directly below the leader is the deputy, who organizes everyday activities in the Clan, such as patrols. The only requirement to become a deputy is to have mentored at least one apprentice. StarClan can also send visions that in some way suggest who the next deputy should be, even if that cat has never mentored an apprentice. The leader decides who the deputy would be if the former deputy is killed or injured badly. As deputies, she-cats cannot be expecting or caring for kits, which would make them queens, as raising kits would interfere with the deputy duties.
A new deputy is chosen if the current one is captured, driven into exile, blinded, or some other thing that renders them unable to do their tasks. The decision must be made before the moonhigh (midnight) of the night of the current deputy's resignation. Sometimes the medicine cat of a Clan will receive a sign from StarClan saying who the new deputy should be. 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. Female leaders are not allowed to have kits. 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. Tigerstar lost all of his nine lives at once. On the night of a new moon, leaders travel to share dreams with StarClan. Also, in some cases, as with Nightstar, cats who may not have been chosen by StarClan may not receive their nine lives. Instead, they remain with only one life.
[edit] The Warrior Code
The warrior code is a series of strict laws laid down by StarClan for all of the Clans to follow. While the exact code is not listed anywhere, it is clear to all Clans what the rules in the warrior code are. There are countless other laws in the warrior code. If warriors break this code, a punishment, whether it be from a duty involving caring for the elders or even exile, will undoubtedly result. The punishment depends on the severity of the broken code and the Clan leader themself. For example, if an apprentice had been caught eating during a hunting mission, they may be punished simply by not being allowed to take any fresh-kill for the rest of the day. Another example could be if a cat betrayed their Clan. The Clan leader may decide to exile them as proper punishment. Only a few of the rules of the Warrior code is known they are:
- The Clan is to be hunted for before any individual cat.
- The safety of the Clan is more important than that of any individual cat.
- Each Clan has specific borders.
- Prey is not to be stolen from another Clan's territory.
- Clan borders are not to be crossed.
- A Gathering lasts as long as the moon is highest in the sky.
- Medicine cats may not fall in love or have kits.
- Cats may not fall in love with or have kits with cats from other Clans.
- Kits must be at least six moons old to be an apprentice.
- Kits may not go outside of the camp without a warrior with them.
- Kits may not learn to hunt until they are apprenticed.
- A nursing queen may not become a deputy or leader.
- Newly made warriors must sit vigil for their first night and guard the camp.
- Warriors may not kill in cold blood.
- A deputy must be chosen before moonhigh of the previous deputy's retirement.
[edit] The Tribe
[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 they believe 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 led by their healer, a combination of a Clan leader and medicine cat.
[edit] Current Positions
- Healer: Teller of the Pointed Stones (Stoneteller)
- Prey-hunters: Gray Sky Before Dawn (Gray)
- Cave-guards: Talon of Swooping Eagle (Talon), Jagged Rock Where Heron Sits (Jag), Rock Beneath Still Water (Rock), Bird That Sings at Dusk (Bird and former outcast), Crag Where Eagles Nest (Crag), Sheer Path Beside Waterfall (Sheer), Night of No Stars (Night)
- To-be's: Unnamed
- Kit-mothers: Wing Shadow Over Water (Wing), Flight of Startled Heron (Flight)
- Kits: Unnamed
[edit] Former Tribe Members
- Healer: None
- Prey-hunters: Mist Where Sunlight Shimmers (Mist), Brook Where Small Fish Swim (Brook), Stormfur
- Cave-guards: Unnamed
- Kit-mothers: Star That Shines on Water (Star)
- To-be's: None
- Kits: None
[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 just as StarClan speak most clearly at the Moonstone or Moonpool.
[edit] Healing Herbs
Under no circumstance should you treat your cat or yourself with these herbs.
- Poppy seeds- used to make a cat very sleepy and to ease pain
- Cobwebs - used to stop bleeding
- Feverfew - used to cool feverish cats and treat head pain
- Borage leaves - used to treat fevers and helps nursing mothers with their milk supply
- Dock leaves - used to sooth scratches; can also make a cat's coat slippery; can be used as a surface for vomiting.
- Marigold - leaves 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, and give strengh to recovering cats
- 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, sores, or most other hide or muscle retinas, such as scratches, bruises, and broken bones
- Comfrey - used to treat broken bones
- Nettle (leaves) - used to treat swelling
- Wild Basil- used to treat paw problems
- Poison Ivy (leaves)- used on cracked paw pads
- Celandine - 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
- Broom - used in poultices for broken legs.
[edit] Other Plants
- Deathberries (yew) - of no medicinal value; bright scarlet berries that, when ingested, can easily kill a cat if they are not quickly enough expelled from the cat's body; called night-seeds by the Tribe
- Nightshade - of no medicinal value; is poisonous
- Holly berries - of no medicinal value; poisonous like deathberries
