Post by Longjump on Apr 6, 2016 12:44:41 GMT -6
Ranks and the code
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While we all read the books, or at least know the basics of clan life, Rise Up has altered the warrior and medicine cat code. We've also written a guide to what we expect from our ranks IC, from physical ability to mental attitude. Of course it's possible to vary- everyone is an individual, but keep in mind these guides.
Rogue- A rogue is a HOSTILE cat without a clan or a group, or an exiled cat. They're not tolerated within the clan's land, and often times encounters with rogues end in battles.
Kittypet- You know what these are. Cats that live with twolegs! Clan-cats look down on them and the Alliance like to beat 'em up for funsies.
Leader- A Clan leader is responsible for maintaining their entire clan. They must ensure ceremonies are done, apprentices are being trained, and that their cats are well-fed and happy.
If StarClan approves of the leader, they will grant them nine lives and the -star suffix. Although rare, leaders can be rejected by the stars.
Deputy- The leader's right-paw cat, the deputy's job is to ensure the leader's orders are carried out smoothly. They often lead charges into battle, organize patrols, and assist in training apprentices.
When the leader dies, retires, or in rare cases- is exiled, then the deputy rises up to take the leadership position. Deputies are usually older, more experienced warriors.
Medicine cat- Medicine cats are the pumping heart of the clan. Medicine cats must be capable of fighting, and are usually taught warrior techniques so they can effectively defend themselves and their patients.
Medicine cats also have a strong connection to their ancestors. They interpret omens and dreams from the star cats and act as the main conduit of communication between their clan and the dead. They're also in charge of teaching the code, and ensuring the cats in their clan believe in StarClan.
Medicine cat Apprentice- Medicine cat apprentices are learning the art of their mentors. In order to make a good med app, and eventually, medicine cat- these cats must be able to move quickly and defend themselves.
Crippling illnesses, such as blindness, broken legs, or immune deficiency, will majorly hamper their performance, and so the medicine apprentice is usually a physically fit cat- cripples or disabled cats will only be chosen if there is absolutely NO alternative.
Warrior- If the Medicine cat is the heart, then warriors are the muscles, teeth, and claws of the clan. They're trained from the day they're born to be loyal to the code and their clan- and when they receive their warrior names, they swear an oath of dedication.
Warriors are expected to follow orders obediently, and must be physically fit cats. If a warrior is unable to follow orders, or constantly questions and challenges cats of authority, they show signs of not being fit members of the clan and risk exile. Cats who cannot fight and hunt will almost certainly be retired.
Apprentice- Apprentices are young cats learning to be warriors. They're expected to obey their mentors, as well as perform upkeep around the camp and provide care for the elders and queens. Apprentices, to make good warriors, must be somewhat obedient and physically fit cats.
Broken legs, blindness, deafness, and immune deficiency, as well as other issues, are all major weaknesses that may result in an apprentice skipping straight to Elder rank.
Elder- An elder is a retired warrior, deputy, queen, medicine cat, apprentice, or leader who is too old or not in suitable shape to continue with their duties. Elders are taken care of by the whole Clan.
Some cats don't become an elder only because of old age; if there is ever a condition which prevents the cat from fulfilling their duties to their Clan, it usually leads to the cat retiring- such as blindness, broken limbs, phobias or inability to function under stress.
Queen- A queen is a she-cat nursing or expecting kits. Their only task during this time is the protection and care of their young charges. They teach their kittens the warrior code and about StarClan, setting them on the path of being loyal little warriors or medicine cats.
Permanent Queen- A Permanent Queen is a cat who chooses to work in the nursery, even when not expecting or nursing themselves. They can be male or female, and obviously, must have a strong maternal or paternal instinct.
Perma Queens keep the nursery in tip-top shape, keeping it freshly bedded and the walls of the nursery insulated from the elements. They must be physically fit, capable of helping queens kit, supervising them and their kits during walks, and of defending the nursery in the event of an attack. They help teach kittens about StarClan and the Warrior Code.
Kit- A cat under six moons of age, who's yet to become an apprentice. Though no kit under six moons can be apprenticed, they can be held back due to bad behavior, sickness, injury, or immaturity. Must have constant supervision.
Refugees- Not all clans have them, but refugees or prisoners are untrusted cats who, for one reason or another, are living in the clan's camp. They might be hostages of war, or refugees from a disaster seeking safety. Usually confined to the warrior's den and guarded, though if they're staying long-term they may be allowed to perform duties around the camp and hunt.
Medicine cat code
-Though the heart may want, medicine cats are forbidden from taking a mate or adopting kits
- A medicine cat will not retire prior to preparing an apprentice to take their place
- Medicine cats are discouraged from sharing prophetic dreams with any cat besides their leader, deputy, apprentice, and other medicine cats
- Medicine cats are expected to be above clan rivalry
- Medicine cats must be willing to give their life for a patient
- Medicine cats are expected to meet every half-moon at the moonstone
- The events of a leader and medicine cat ceremony cannot be discussed with any cat
Warrior Code
- Defend your Clan, even with your life. Friendships in other clans are discouraged, and taking a mate from another clan is a grave offense.
original code allows for mates in other clans and open friendships. Revised- Friendships discouraged, mates forbidden.
- Do not hunt or trespass on another Clan's territory.
- Elders, queens, and kits must be fed before apprentices and warriors. If any warrior or apprentice is sick or injured, they may eat while the elders, queens, and kits are eating.
- Prey is killed only to be eaten. Give thanks to StarClan for its life.
- A kit must be at least six moons old to become an apprentice.
- Kits may only leave camp when supervised and are not allowed to hunt.
original code allowed kits to leave camp and hunt. It was considered an 'unspoken rule' that they couldn't. It's no longer unspoken, it's in the code.
- Newly appointed warriors will keep a silent vigil for one night after receiving their warrior name.
- The deputy will become Clan leader when the leader dies, retires or is exiled.
- 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.
- Boundaries must be checked and marked daily. Challenge all trespassing cats.
- No warrior can neglect a kit in pain or danger, even if the kit is from a different Clan.
- The word of the Clan Leader is the warrior code.
- An honorable warrior does not need to kill other cats to win his/her battles, unless it is necessary for self-defense.
Original code allows warriors to murder rogues, loners, and kittypets, as they are outside of the code. Revised- the non-defense killing of any cat, code-follower or not, is forbidden.
- A warrior rejects the soft life of a kittypet.
- Cats on their way to the Moonstone are allowed to cross other Clans' territories to get to their destination
Originally unspoken rule- now in the code
- Cats may travel on other Clan territories if they have something to report or ask for help
Originally unspoken rule- now in the code
- The events of a leader ceremony can not be discussed with any cat.
Originally unspoken rule- now in the code
Non-Clan Ranks
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Loner- Loners are NON-HOSTILE cats without a clan a group. They're not tolerated within the clan's land, but they're usually debated with and verbally persuaded to leave, rather then fought.Rogue- A rogue is a HOSTILE cat without a clan or a group, or an exiled cat. They're not tolerated within the clan's land, and often times encounters with rogues end in battles.
Kittypet- You know what these are. Cats that live with twolegs! Clan-cats look down on them and the Alliance like to beat 'em up for funsies.
Ranks
▼
Leader- A Clan leader is responsible for maintaining their entire clan. They must ensure ceremonies are done, apprentices are being trained, and that their cats are well-fed and happy.
If StarClan approves of the leader, they will grant them nine lives and the -star suffix. Although rare, leaders can be rejected by the stars.
Deputy- The leader's right-paw cat, the deputy's job is to ensure the leader's orders are carried out smoothly. They often lead charges into battle, organize patrols, and assist in training apprentices.
When the leader dies, retires, or in rare cases- is exiled, then the deputy rises up to take the leadership position. Deputies are usually older, more experienced warriors.
Medicine cat- Medicine cats are the pumping heart of the clan. Medicine cats must be capable of fighting, and are usually taught warrior techniques so they can effectively defend themselves and their patients.
Medicine cats also have a strong connection to their ancestors. They interpret omens and dreams from the star cats and act as the main conduit of communication between their clan and the dead. They're also in charge of teaching the code, and ensuring the cats in their clan believe in StarClan.
Medicine cat Apprentice- Medicine cat apprentices are learning the art of their mentors. In order to make a good med app, and eventually, medicine cat- these cats must be able to move quickly and defend themselves.
Crippling illnesses, such as blindness, broken legs, or immune deficiency, will majorly hamper their performance, and so the medicine apprentice is usually a physically fit cat- cripples or disabled cats will only be chosen if there is absolutely NO alternative.
Warrior- If the Medicine cat is the heart, then warriors are the muscles, teeth, and claws of the clan. They're trained from the day they're born to be loyal to the code and their clan- and when they receive their warrior names, they swear an oath of dedication.
Warriors are expected to follow orders obediently, and must be physically fit cats. If a warrior is unable to follow orders, or constantly questions and challenges cats of authority, they show signs of not being fit members of the clan and risk exile. Cats who cannot fight and hunt will almost certainly be retired.
Apprentice- Apprentices are young cats learning to be warriors. They're expected to obey their mentors, as well as perform upkeep around the camp and provide care for the elders and queens. Apprentices, to make good warriors, must be somewhat obedient and physically fit cats.
Broken legs, blindness, deafness, and immune deficiency, as well as other issues, are all major weaknesses that may result in an apprentice skipping straight to Elder rank.
Elder- An elder is a retired warrior, deputy, queen, medicine cat, apprentice, or leader who is too old or not in suitable shape to continue with their duties. Elders are taken care of by the whole Clan.
Some cats don't become an elder only because of old age; if there is ever a condition which prevents the cat from fulfilling their duties to their Clan, it usually leads to the cat retiring- such as blindness, broken limbs, phobias or inability to function under stress.
Queen- A queen is a she-cat nursing or expecting kits. Their only task during this time is the protection and care of their young charges. They teach their kittens the warrior code and about StarClan, setting them on the path of being loyal little warriors or medicine cats.
Permanent Queen- A Permanent Queen is a cat who chooses to work in the nursery, even when not expecting or nursing themselves. They can be male or female, and obviously, must have a strong maternal or paternal instinct.
Perma Queens keep the nursery in tip-top shape, keeping it freshly bedded and the walls of the nursery insulated from the elements. They must be physically fit, capable of helping queens kit, supervising them and their kits during walks, and of defending the nursery in the event of an attack. They help teach kittens about StarClan and the Warrior Code.
Kit- A cat under six moons of age, who's yet to become an apprentice. Though no kit under six moons can be apprenticed, they can be held back due to bad behavior, sickness, injury, or immaturity. Must have constant supervision.
Refugees- Not all clans have them, but refugees or prisoners are untrusted cats who, for one reason or another, are living in the clan's camp. They might be hostages of war, or refugees from a disaster seeking safety. Usually confined to the warrior's den and guarded, though if they're staying long-term they may be allowed to perform duties around the camp and hunt.
Codes
▼
Medicine cat code
-Though the heart may want, medicine cats are forbidden from taking a mate or adopting kits
- A medicine cat will not retire prior to preparing an apprentice to take their place
- Medicine cats are discouraged from sharing prophetic dreams with any cat besides their leader, deputy, apprentice, and other medicine cats
- Medicine cats are expected to be above clan rivalry
- Medicine cats must be willing to give their life for a patient
- Medicine cats are expected to meet every half-moon at the moonstone
- The events of a leader and medicine cat ceremony cannot be discussed with any cat
Warrior Code
- Defend your Clan, even with your life. Friendships in other clans are discouraged, and taking a mate from another clan is a grave offense.
original code allows for mates in other clans and open friendships. Revised- Friendships discouraged, mates forbidden.
- Do not hunt or trespass on another Clan's territory.
- Elders, queens, and kits must be fed before apprentices and warriors. If any warrior or apprentice is sick or injured, they may eat while the elders, queens, and kits are eating.
- Prey is killed only to be eaten. Give thanks to StarClan for its life.
- A kit must be at least six moons old to become an apprentice.
- Kits may only leave camp when supervised and are not allowed to hunt.
original code allowed kits to leave camp and hunt. It was considered an 'unspoken rule' that they couldn't. It's no longer unspoken, it's in the code.
- Newly appointed warriors will keep a silent vigil for one night after receiving their warrior name.
- The deputy will become Clan leader when the leader dies, retires or is exiled.
- 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.
- Boundaries must be checked and marked daily. Challenge all trespassing cats.
- No warrior can neglect a kit in pain or danger, even if the kit is from a different Clan.
- The word of the Clan Leader is the warrior code.
- An honorable warrior does not need to kill other cats to win his/her battles, unless it is necessary for self-defense.
Original code allows warriors to murder rogues, loners, and kittypets, as they are outside of the code. Revised- the non-defense killing of any cat, code-follower or not, is forbidden.
- A warrior rejects the soft life of a kittypet.
- Cats on their way to the Moonstone are allowed to cross other Clans' territories to get to their destination
Originally unspoken rule- now in the code
- Cats may travel on other Clan territories if they have something to report or ask for help
Originally unspoken rule- now in the code
- The events of a leader ceremony can not be discussed with any cat.
Originally unspoken rule- now in the code