The Forgotten Forest
Clan Positions
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Leader - The cat in charge of their clan, leaders have the daunting task of ensuring their clan's survival. Before a cat chosen to follow in a deceased leader's pawsteps may assume leadership duties, they must travel to the Moonstone/pool and receive their nine lives and the given suffix of 'star, in addition to the blessings of Starclan. When a leader loses a life, they temporarily join the ranks of Starclan, before awakening with one less life. When a leader loses all nine lives, they die and their spirit remains with Starclan. In the event the leader dies, the deputy automatically assumes the position of leader. She-cats cannot have kits and be leader, as their responsibilities as a queen would hamper their ability to run their Clan.
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, as dictated by the warrior code.
Medicine cat - a cat gifted in the art of healing, Medicine cats treat their clanmates with leaves and herbs, as well as receiving and interpreting messages from Starclan. Every half-moon, medicine cats from the four clans journey to the Moonstone/pool in order to share tongues with their ancestors, and receive any news or prophecies that Starclan wishes to share with them. Due to their special connection with Starclan, and their ability to heal other cats, medicine cats are greatly respected by cats of all clans and generally do not take part in Clan rivalries. Like warriors, medicine cats are trained in the ways of battle as well as in healing, and a medicine cat may take an apprentice at any time. Unlike warrior apprentices, medicine cat apprentices are given their warrior name by their mentor, and a medicine cat apprentice can receive their full medicine cat duties even if their mentor is still alive. As dictated by the Warrior code, Medicine cats are forbidden to have mates, and are forbidden to fall in love, so as not to distract them from their important duties.
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Warrior - a cat (tom or she-cat without kits) trained in the ways of combat; warriors defend, hunt for, and fight for their Clan. An experienced warrior may be given an apprentice to mentor, and train them in the way of the warrior code. When a warrior apprentice is deemed ready by their mentor, a special ceremony is held by the clan's leader, and the apprentice is given their warrior name. As part of the ceremony, and according to the warrior code, a newly named warrior must sit a night of silent vigil in the protection of their clan, to reflect on their new duties as a warrior and the new responsibilities they are undertaking. Older warriors may choose to join the Elders, if they feel they can no longer hunt and fight as well as they did when they were younger.
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Queen - a she-cat expecting or nursing kits; they stay in the nursery until their kits become apprentices, then return to their warrior duties.
Apprentice - At six moons old, a kit may begin their training as a warrior or medicine cat, and receive the suffix of -paw from their clan Leader. Under the tutelage of their mentors, apprentices train daily to practice battle and hunting skills. When not training for their job specific duties, apprentices care for the elders, and perform tasks such as checking the elders for ticks and fleas, changing the elders' bedding, and bringing them prey. Apprentices receive their warrior name once their mentor deems them ready.
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Kit - a kitten under six moons (months), not yet old enough to be an apprentice. Kits are not allowed to hunt or leave the camp alone, and are generally restricted to the camp. Very young kits do not normally leave the nursery, however, but older kits are allowed to do so as long as they remain in the camp. Kits' are named by their mother, and their name always ends in -kit.
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Elder - a retired warrior, queen, medicine cat, or deputy, or cat too injured to continue their warrior duties; elders are usually cared for by apprentices.