General Clan
1▹Defend your Clan, even with your life. You may have friendships with cats from other Clans, but your loyalty must remain to your Clan, as one day you may meet them in battle.
2▹Do not hunt or trespass on another Clan's territory. [see #14 for exception]
3▹Retired, expecting and nursing, and young unranked must be fed before youngpaws and active ranks. Unless they have permission, youngpaws may not eat until they have hunted to feed the retired. If any active rank or youngpaw is sick or injured, they may eat while the retired, expecting and nursing, and young unranked are eating.
4▹A kit must be at least six moons old to become a youngclaw.
5▹A cat cannot be made skyfollower without having mentored at least one apprentice.
6▹The skyfollower will become Clan skytouched when the skytouched dies, retires or is exiled.
7▹After the death or retirement of the skyfollower, the new skyfollower must be chosen before the next moonhigh.
8▹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.
9▹Boundaries must be checked and marked daily. Challenge all trespassing cats.
10▹No warrior can neglect a kit in pain or danger, even if the kit is from a different Clan.
11▹An honorable cat does not need to kill other cats to win their battles, unless they are outside the ancestor's code or if it is necessary for self-defense.
12▹A warrior rejects the soft life of a homepaw.
13▹Should a cat have kits with that of another clan, the kits shall automatically go to the mother's clan unless stated otherwise.
14▹Enemy patrols must not attack cats if they are on a mission that all bordering Clans have agreed upon or if the cats have an important message that endangers all Clans.
15▹The safety of the Clan is more important than the safety of one cat.
16▹A Medicine Cat may have a mate and kits, but there must be at least one other medicine cat and their mate must be given equal treatment to the rest of the clan.
2▹Do not hunt or trespass on another Clan's territory. [see #14 for exception]
3▹Retired, expecting and nursing, and young unranked must be fed before youngpaws and active ranks. Unless they have permission, youngpaws may not eat until they have hunted to feed the retired. If any active rank or youngpaw is sick or injured, they may eat while the retired, expecting and nursing, and young unranked are eating.
4▹A kit must be at least six moons old to become a youngclaw.
5▹A cat cannot be made skyfollower without having mentored at least one apprentice.
6▹The skyfollower will become Clan skytouched when the skytouched dies, retires or is exiled.
7▹After the death or retirement of the skyfollower, the new skyfollower must be chosen before the next moonhigh.
8▹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.
9▹Boundaries must be checked and marked daily. Challenge all trespassing cats.
10▹No warrior can neglect a kit in pain or danger, even if the kit is from a different Clan.
11▹An honorable cat does not need to kill other cats to win their battles, unless they are outside the ancestor's code or if it is necessary for self-defense.
12▹A warrior rejects the soft life of a homepaw.
13▹Should a cat have kits with that of another clan, the kits shall automatically go to the mother's clan unless stated otherwise.
14▹Enemy patrols must not attack cats if they are on a mission that all bordering Clans have agreed upon or if the cats have an important message that endangers all Clans.
15▹The safety of the Clan is more important than the safety of one cat.
16▹A Medicine Cat may have a mate and kits, but there must be at least one other medicine cat and their mate must be given equal treatment to the rest of the clan.
Leading Roles
N/A
Medical Roles
Youngmoons journey with the moonspeaker to the Star's Radiance, the night they supposedly are to become youngmoons, as well as when the moonspeaker/medicine cat/healer from each of the clans are to meet each half-moon. This is to help get them accustomed to Star Lands, and visiting the other medicine cats.
Each half-moon, moonspeakers/medicine cats/healers join eachother to speak about matters with the ancestors, prophecies and the like, in an un-disclosed location. Only moonspeakers/medicine cats/healers and young moons/their apprentices know where this location is.
Active Roles
Youngclaws journey with their mentors outside the main training areas for their hunting and fighting assessment, where they remain outside of camp for 2 days, being watched by their mentor as they hunt for food and try to track them. Mentors will step in should there be an extreme danger, but otherwise apprentices usually pass their assessments and are allowed to remain in camp until their name ceremony, usually the night they return or the night of the next day.
New youngclaws journey with the moonspeaker and their mentors to the Star's Radiance the day after their apprenticeship ceremony. They are given travelling herbs and told what to look out for on the way, either landmarks or specific kinds of predators. They spend that night outside the grove with their mentors, the moonspeaker usually going inside and actually speaking to ancestors through their dreams.
Active roles go on an early morning patrol (Sharpclaws and Strongclaws) or stand guard for a night and morning (Stoneclaws) without speaking, instead using their tail, ears and paws to help communicate. This is to practice being able to signal something is up in a almost silent sense, as to not bring attention to the opposing danger. This takes place 2 days after their apprentice assessment and name ceremony to let their minds rest a bit after 2 long days of work.
Nightrunners however are different after their ceremony. For 5 days they stay within the trees and work silently, only appearing in the clan briefly at night to get herbs or food. While they practice the same communication as the other ranks, they also learn ways to disguise scents, techniques in distracting enemies and other ways to enter a dangerous area silently. This is all under the ruse that these cats are traveling a long distance and having extra training. After returning, they do the same as the other roles and let their minds rest.
Inactive Roles
N/A
General
▹After hunting patrols and before eating a piece of fresh kill, the cats will thank their ancestors for it's life and nutrients.
▹Beam, Moon, Sun and Star are not to be used in names. The exception to this is the "star" that leaders receive in their ceremony.
▹If a large amount of cats die, they are carried as close as they can be to the Trees of Lost and buried together. Everyone is allowed to mourn and comfort together under the trees and light instead of having just the families and close friends.
▹Should a leader wish to retire or leave the clan, they must return all but one of their lives to the ancestors and return to their previous name.
▹Ceremonies and meetings always happen at night, to give the ancestors the best view and opportunity to approve the decisions made.
▹Beam, Moon, Sun and Star are not to be used in names. The exception to this is the "star" that leaders receive in their ceremony.
▹If a large amount of cats die, they are carried as close as they can be to the Trees of Lost and buried together. Everyone is allowed to mourn and comfort together under the trees and light instead of having just the families and close friends.
▹Should a leader wish to retire or leave the clan, they must return all but one of their lives to the ancestors and return to their previous name.
▹Ceremonies and meetings always happen at night, to give the ancestors the best view and opportunity to approve the decisions made.
Love
▹The Mate-ship ceremony is meant to have the two be together for life. This will stay true unless one is killed or leaves/is banished from the clan. In that, the one left shall be allowed to have another mate-ship ceremony should they wish to.
▹Cats from outside the clan are not allowed to have a mate-ship ceremony unless the one from the outside joins Beamclan.
▹Homosexual relationships are completely allowed and will be celebrated the same way.
▹The youngest that a pair can get a mate-ship ceremony is a few days after they finish their training and become their rank.
▹Even elderly pairs are allowed to have this ceremony.
▹Cats from outside the clan are not allowed to have a mate-ship ceremony unless the one from the outside joins Beamclan.
▹Homosexual relationships are completely allowed and will be celebrated the same way.
▹The youngest that a pair can get a mate-ship ceremony is a few days after they finish their training and become their rank.
▹Even elderly pairs are allowed to have this ceremony.
Beamclan's camp is mostly made inside a few rocky hills, having been cleared out for dens by other animals and cleaned up by the first few Beamclan cats to inhabit the camp. Around the camp are trees and brambles, with the brambles bordering the existing foliage so there is a little more defense when the stoneclaws aren't at their posts
1▹Entrance: the densest place in the foliage that doesn't have brambles.
2▹Fresh Kill Storage: the remains of an old tree, covered in moss and having a rather large entrance into the bottom, the cats in camp put the fresh kill here to make it easy to find and so that it doesn't have a large chance of a competing predator snatching it.
3▹Leader's Den: where the skytouched sleeps. another rather old tree though it still grows under the sun's light.
4▹Medicine Den: where the herbs are kept and the moonspeaker and moonfollowers sleep. There is also two emergency entrances to the nursery and infirmary.
5▹Nursery: where expecting and nursing, and kits sleep until they are ready to return to their duties.
6▹Infirmary: where sick or injured cats reside until they are healed.
7▹Apprentice's Den: where the youngclaws and youngmoons sleep while they are still in training.
8▹Warrior's Den: where the skyfollower, sharpclaws, stoneclaws, strongclaws, and nightrunners sleep, as well as younclaws if there is a small amount of them.
9▹Elder's den: where retired sleep after retiring from their previous position.
10▹Light's Ledge: the place where ceremonies and clan meetings are held. The skytouched, skyfollower, moonspeaker, and cats that are participating in the ceremony stand on the stone, while the rest of the clan watches from above.
2▹Fresh Kill Storage: the remains of an old tree, covered in moss and having a rather large entrance into the bottom, the cats in camp put the fresh kill here to make it easy to find and so that it doesn't have a large chance of a competing predator snatching it.
3▹Leader's Den: where the skytouched sleeps. another rather old tree though it still grows under the sun's light.
4▹Medicine Den: where the herbs are kept and the moonspeaker and moonfollowers sleep. There is also two emergency entrances to the nursery and infirmary.
5▹Nursery: where expecting and nursing, and kits sleep until they are ready to return to their duties.
6▹Infirmary: where sick or injured cats reside until they are healed.
7▹Apprentice's Den: where the youngclaws and youngmoons sleep while they are still in training.
8▹Warrior's Den: where the skyfollower, sharpclaws, stoneclaws, strongclaws, and nightrunners sleep, as well as younclaws if there is a small amount of them.
9▹Elder's den: where retired sleep after retiring from their previous position.
10▹Light's Ledge: the place where ceremonies and clan meetings are held. The skytouched, skyfollower, moonspeaker, and cats that are participating in the ceremony stand on the stone, while the rest of the clan watches from above.
Beamclan starting as a small group, originally two simple clan cats having traveled far, they continued to grow their clan and beliefs greatly. The founders of the new territory were presumed weak, passive, generally not a threat. However over the time of Doestar's reign, they continued to become louder as she became more cold and secretive. While still being heavily reliant on the star lands and ancestors, their belief being the weakpoint in their strength, this causes the majority to not at all be afraid of death. They are willing to risk anything for their clan as a whole, believing to always be accompanied by ancestors under the moonlight and silverpelt, the beams of light providing the bridged between Star Lands and the living.
Secrecy || Faith || Determination
Secrecy: While once caring for other clans, Doestar learned this to be a fault in their code and reason after a war between other borders left her without a deputy and the loss of 2 more lives. Swearing only to become allies with a clan whom she trusts and views as purposeful, Beamclan rarely acts kindly towards outsiders and tries their best to keep plans and losses secret from those around them who could potentially betray them, often even their own allies.
Faith: While the majority of clans see them as fanatics who believe in their ancestors too much, their faith is truly what gives them their strength. Running with their ancestors they believe wholeheartedly that they shall run with them through any endeavor, which also creates a feeling of invincibility and lack of fear of death when fulfilling duties that involve the other clans. However this can be seen as a weakspot in the clan, for if anyone got them to doubt their faith, the clan's structure will surely crumble.
Determination: Slowly, Beamclan's determination went from being about defense and yet being political towards opponents, to keeping their plans unknown to outsiders and finding the first sign of danger to eliminate aggressors immediately. They pride themselves on becoming well informed on the goings on around their clan and having the ability to use them against their borders. While they may not aggro the other borders immediately, should Beamclan feel threatened they at least usually attempt to rebuttal first, often sending in nightrunners to spy or send a surprise attack. Caused by paranoia, this is their strongest trait after the war, and it often creates tension if the cats are caught within the territory.
Territory
Beamclan's territory consists of mostly coniferous trees, making the colors of fall rarely ever appear in large amounts. The cold winds from the mountains often cover the landscape, as well as frost and fog when in the colder months. There is a single branching river that goes through the territory, of which acts as Beamclan's only source of fresh water, which can get tricky when a particularly dry greenleaf hits. In the more dense parts of the forested areas, herbs are often found in clusters, of which medicine cats travel to in order to gather needed herbs. This is especially true around Star's Radiance and Trees of Lost, as Star Land cats often visit those areas to bring passed into their ranks or interact with medicine cats. The more grassy areas, or groves, often have animals with dangerous hooves but extreme grace on long legs, of which include deer and elk.
▹Long Hoof Grasses is the area where deer, elk, moose, and caribou are most often seen. However this also means that predators are most often seen around the area, such as wolves and bears. This means that cats should be weary around the area and certainly keep there distance when the hooved animals are around.
▹Midnight Tunnels are the deepest tunnels that Beamclan has in it's territory, of which often have the more dangerous creatures of the territory. Most commonly, bears or cougars. They run so deep that they go almost pitch black even at sunhigh.
▹Trees of Lost is the specific burial ground for Beamclan members who have passed. It is one of the most dense areas in the forest, creating the special beams of light seen in the camp and at Star's Radiance. There is often a cold mist in leafbare around the area that often makes it seem as though there is ghostly or starry figures walking around the area. Who knows, maybe there is. This aside, very useful herbs often seem to grow here and are thought of as a sign of thanks from Starclan for keeping passed warriors in a distinct path to Starclan.
▹Star's Radiance is the most dense forested area in the territory, also having hills that almost completely encircle it. This is where the most beams of "clustered stars" and cold mist has been seen, so Beamclan cats associate it with Starclan's select area to contact them. Some of the more rare herbs sometimes grow here, making it a very special place for medicine cats aside from contacting Starclan. Some small dens were made into the hills for if the weather is too cold or wet to sit out in the open. Another rather special element about the area, is the distinct population of fireflies that often come out at night, making a almost dreamlike area. This is the strongest place that medicine cats can go to in order to contact the Starclan ancestors.
▹Midnight Tunnels are the deepest tunnels that Beamclan has in it's territory, of which often have the more dangerous creatures of the territory. Most commonly, bears or cougars. They run so deep that they go almost pitch black even at sunhigh.
▹Trees of Lost is the specific burial ground for Beamclan members who have passed. It is one of the most dense areas in the forest, creating the special beams of light seen in the camp and at Star's Radiance. There is often a cold mist in leafbare around the area that often makes it seem as though there is ghostly or starry figures walking around the area. Who knows, maybe there is. This aside, very useful herbs often seem to grow here and are thought of as a sign of thanks from Starclan for keeping passed warriors in a distinct path to Starclan.
▹Star's Radiance is the most dense forested area in the territory, also having hills that almost completely encircle it. This is where the most beams of "clustered stars" and cold mist has been seen, so Beamclan cats associate it with Starclan's select area to contact them. Some of the more rare herbs sometimes grow here, making it a very special place for medicine cats aside from contacting Starclan. Some small dens were made into the hills for if the weather is too cold or wet to sit out in the open. Another rather special element about the area, is the distinct population of fireflies that often come out at night, making a almost dreamlike area. This is the strongest place that medicine cats can go to in order to contact the Starclan ancestors.
Northern Border
Unknown
They know not what lies back beyond the border of their home. Having previously traveled through dense mountains, its hard to say what may have moved back into their home, and they wish not to know for fear of being overpowered.
North Eastern Border
Once fairly friendly towards Beamclan, after the war their trust has been severed. Doestar doesn't know who to trust, and with the fact they had likely gotten the prophecy before then, Doestar assumes they are in the ancestor's favor. However with this, they still do not trust them. [NEUTRAL]
North Western Border
Although Fickleclan and Beamclan were once close, since the incident with an assassin taking one of Doestar's lives, and the reveal that it was a rogue member of Fickleclan who did it, Doestar is hesitant to trust them once more. There isn't bad blood, but certainly less trust. [NEUTRAL]
Southern Border
City
The cats don't visit this area, for many monsters and twolegs live there. They are surprised by the cats that still live there, and the cats that travel from the area often tell of great legends and journeys within the big, loud twoleg clan that seems to endlessly be growing in every direction. Hopefully they don't journey towards the clan.
South Eastern Border
South WEstern Border
Due to the war, fighting, and losses from Thistleclan, even if it wasn't intentional, Doestar refuses trust to their leader or members. Her paranoia has resulted in more fighting on borders, refusal/harsher treatment to travelers from the clan, and even some rather secretive plans involving the "watch" of the clan. [EXTREMELY NEGATIVE]
Moving farther past Beamclan's old territory, lies the beaches of Nocturneclan's territory. While Beamclan isn't entirely sure how far a journey it is, supposedly members of Beamclan know members of Nocturneclan. [NEUTRAL]
The two have a naturally positive association with eachother. With how friendly Bearclan is and their festivities, Beamclan knows they likely won't be in danger around them. [POSITITVE]
Cliffclan is a half a moon journey towards the north west corner, though despite that the clan bond is rather strong. Cliffclan and Beamclan somehow have formed a powerful relationship as allies over the years they've existed, and have created their own travel tradition to the clan during times of peace. [POSITIVE]
Beamclan isn't entirely sure where they're coming from but they suspect northern a few days travel, some odd distant howling noises make them uneasy. They don't have many interactions with them, and as such have no true opinion. [NEUTRAL]
Running past the south east, slightly neighboring Breezeclan, Cascadeclan resides. They have had brief run-ins with them after a few days travel early on left them in proximity, which lead to a rather positive but cautious interaction. Beamclan doesn't think much of Cascadeclan. [NEUTRAL]
Territory Stats
▹Weather: cold wind, sometimes rain or snow, normally cloudy or partial cloud
▹Territory Type: a dense temperate forest dominated by coniferous trees, bordered by some mountainous terrain and hills
▹Herb Population: slightly above average
▹Prey Population: average
▹Prey Type: squirrel, cardinal, woodpecker, salmon, salamander, weasel, beetle, chipmunk, cottontail, muskrat
▹Predator Population: above average
▹Predator Type: red fox, grey wolf, black bear, spotted owl, badger, opossum, cougar, beaver, copperhead snake, wolverine
▹Territory Type: a dense temperate forest dominated by coniferous trees, bordered by some mountainous terrain and hills
▹Herb Population: slightly above average
▹Prey Population: average
▹Prey Type: squirrel, cardinal, woodpecker, salmon, salamander, weasel, beetle, chipmunk, cottontail, muskrat
▹Predator Population: above average
▹Predator Type: red fox, grey wolf, black bear, spotted owl, badger, opossum, cougar, beaver, copperhead snake, wolverine
Ceremonies
Becoming a pair is a big accomplishment as ,due to the lifestyle of the clans, it is often that lives end short. The pair must check with the leader, deputy and medicine cats on when to have it. Normally the intermission between the request and the actual ceremony is 2-3 days. During the time between the day they requested and the day they shall have it, each side of the pair shall get the other a prey, flower and an item of known importance to the other and prepare for the ceremony. The medicine cats and/or deputy shall help in trips to gather the items and help with nerves. The pairs are not allowed to show the other what they got for them and the medicine cats and/or deputy that accompanied them shall keep the items a secret until the ceremony.
The night of the ceremony is a joyous one, usually with the beams of light and stars being brighter than ever before as the Starclan ancestors watch over the ceremony. The pair sits in front of the Light's Ledge, of which the leader, the deputy and the medicine cats will stand or sit upon and start the ceremony.
The night of the ceremony is a joyous one, usually with the beams of light and stars being brighter than ever before as the Starclan ancestors watch over the ceremony. The pair sits in front of the Light's Ledge, of which the leader, the deputy and the medicine cats will stand or sit upon and start the ceremony.
All of those who can gaze at Starclan's given light, sit beneath the Light's Ledge for a clan ceremony.
To those of you [name] and [name] are your clanmates, but to each other they are stars that have aligned in the sky. They feel they have been lucky for Starclan to cross their paths to meet and never look away from their gaze. Their hope and love has grown into something so powerful that they wish never to stray apart from one another ever again. For this hope, they have endured trips to gather 3 items that show their love is undying even should their physical forms perish.
The pair will then grab their 3 items from behind them and set them in front of them, whatever those items may be, and the leader will continue.
The first gift, a piece of freshkill that was caught with their own claws, to show they are able to provide for eachother and defend eachother until the end.
The second gift, a flower that shows the beauty in life, something that can only be seen and experienced in their eyes and life together.
The third gift, something with immeasurable power and meaning to the other that they only know, to show their bond and how it will grow
The pair push their gift forward, one by one, as the leader speaks of them and then stands, facing one another in a meaningful gaze.
And now, under Starclan's unwavering gaze from the sky this night, we celebrate the union of [name] and [name].
May Starclan guide your light through the same path.
They share an embrace of love, a head bump, a nose touch or a short sharing of tongue as the rest of the clan cheers for them.
There is a feast and the pair shares their first gifts with one another before sharing what the other gifts meant and how the gifts were each caught. They sleep under the beams of light, in eachother's embrace and warmth as they spend their first night as mates.
There is a feast and the pair shares their first gifts with one another before sharing what the other gifts meant and how the gifts were each caught. They sleep under the beams of light, in eachother's embrace and warmth as they spend their first night as mates.
The kits of a pair are not going to show their personality immediately of course, so it is pretty hard to come up with names immediately. Before the naming ceremony, the proud parents shall call them by a simple plant, color or other name, without the "kit" suffix. This is to ensure they are still called by something as they develop in the first 2 weeks of their lives. Over the course of it, either the leader or, more traditionally, the parents shall come up with the final names that they will call them for the rest of their kit-hood. When the kits are each 2 weeks old, they shall be brought up to the Light's Ledge and introduced by the parents and leader.
All of those who can gaze at Starclan's given light, sit beneath the Light's Ledge for a clan ceremony.
These kits have developed over the past 2 weeks, growing and learning, showing their nature that they were truly born with.
And as such, they shall shed their birth names and be given new names that when said, will show their true nature brightly like stars.
Each of the kits shall sit up straight in front of their parents, for all the clan to see and the parents shall then announce their new names.
You all know these kits as [names], but they now shed them and show their true nature. And for that they shall be known as [names-kit suffix]. We thank Starclan for sending us these kits through their light.
As each kit's new name is revealed, the clanmates chant the names as a sign of acceptance and appreciation.
Towards the mid to end of a kit's 6th moon, they are determined by their size and health if they are to be apprenticed by then or not. Should they be too small or too weak, they will wait a moon or two in order to be safe. However, should they be seen as ready by the medicine cat, they will be allowed to have an apprentice ceremony.
The kits that are ready, are lined up on the Light's Ledge and sit silently for the ceremony to begin.
The kits that are ready, are lined up on the Light's Ledge and sit silently for the ceremony to begin.
All of those who can gaze at Starclan's given light, sit beneath the Light's Ledge for a clan ceremony.
These young kits have shown they are ready to start shining towards their place in the clan and work alongside their clanmates,
and earn their place alongside their ancestors when the time comes. As such, they will no longer be called kits and now be called paws until they've earned their warrior name. As such, [name-kit] is now known as [name-paw] and shall be mentored by [name], who has shown their strength within the clan and what their mentor has taught them. May Starclan show you the light to your path.
The newly made apprentices will go to their mentors and touch noses with them, affirming their bond, as the rest of the clan chants their names with great pride and acceptance. They will then be allowed to choose a nest in the apprentices den and start their training the next day.
After a mentor has stated their apprentice is ready and has completed their final training test, or completed a feat of bravery/loyalty which proves their worth in the clan, the deputy and leader will set up a warrior role ceremony for the ready apprentices. The ceremony always takes place the day after a warrior talks with the leader about making their apprentice a warrior, letting the apprentices relax and have fun after their final test before becoming a warrior.
All of those who can gaze at Starclan's given light, sit beneath the Light's Ledge for a clan ceremony.
These young apprentices have been training hard since their apprentice ceremony and now, under Starclan's light, they are ready to receive their warrior role name and rank. [name-paw], for your dedication to your training and your clan, with much thought in your abilities and personality, your newly appointed name shall be [name]. With great pride do I, [name-star], accept you and your abilities into the clan as a fully fledged [warrior/guard/hunter]. May Starclan light your path.
As the newly made warriors, hunters or guards walk down the Light's Ledge, wearing their new names like badges and hearing the crowd of clanmates chant their names with great pride. After the ceremony, when everyone goes to sleep, the new warrior roles stay outside the entrance and around camp, praying and thanking Starclan for their ceremony as well as keeping a lookout. This is all done in silence and until sunhigh, when they are allowed into the Warrior's den to get some well-earned rest.
In the event that an apprentice is chosen for Medicine Role training, they are taken by the current Medicine cat for training, regardless of what role they will eventually be put into. The Medicine cat will ask Starclan for guidance on if the apprentice is ready, or trust their own experience and talk with the leader about role placement. Once a role has been decided, the announcement of the cat's journey to Star's Radiance.
All of those who can gaze at Starclan's given light, sit beneath the Light's Ledge for a clan meeting.
After the goodbyes from their clanmates, the selected cats eat some travelling herbs and travel to Star's Radiance the next morning. By the time they arrive, it is then Moonhigh, making it easy to contact Starclan when laying in the middle of the clearing. Within their travels as they sleep, they gain proper acceptance of the decision from their ancestors as well as what their proper roles are with medicine. After waking up the next morning and taking the journey back, the medicine cat meets with the leader to announce the apprentice's new role. It is then that the Leader announces yet another meeting, though this time it is a ceremony.
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The cats in question shall approach the base of the Light's Ledge, looking up at the leader and their mentor at it's peak with pride.
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After this, the cats respond, accepting the responsibilities and rules they are given. By accepting this, they show they are ready to start their duties and are mature enough to handle anything that comes at them.
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With their new name, new rank and new responsibilities, the cats hear their clanmates chant their name as their former mentor comes down to touch their noses as a sign of congratulations. Each cat from the journey is given food and taken to the medicine den after sharing of tongues with family. They spend their night with their mentor in the medicine den, as they will do so until they retire.
In the event of a new leader rising or the death or retirement of an old deputy, a Leader will go to their appointed consultant and their medicine cat for advice on appointing the new deputy. While under normal circumstances, a leader has to choose a deputy must be appointed before moonhigh, a Leader is allowed to set a temporary deputy or wait if there is no cat old enough or with enough of the requirements to become deputy. Once a deputy has been decided on, the leader will start the ceremony just before moonhigh to give Starclan the best chance to approve or disapprove of the decision.
All of those who can gaze at Starclan's given light, sit beneath the Light's Ledge for a clan ceremony.
The announced cat then steps forward, looking up to the Leader perched on Light's Ledge.
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The chosen cat then shall respond by accepting the responsibilities spoken of, often with pride in their voice and an unwavering gaze into the leader's own eyes.
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With that finalization of the ceremony, the rest of their clan chants their name as the leader hops down to touch noses with the newly appointed deputy. The deputy is surrounded by family and congratulated with plenty of excited mewing, until they go into the warriors den to sleep.
As one of the most high regarded ceremonies, the leader ceremony is reserved for the deputy or publicly named heir after the death or retirement of the previous leader. First there is a clan announcement by the transitioning cat at moonhigh.
All of those who can gaze at Starclan's given light, sit beneath the Light's Ledge for a clan ceremony.
As I, [name], have been chosen to take on the role as the next leader of Beamclan, I shall take on my responsibility as such to visit Star's Radiance to gain the acceptance of Starclan. [name] and [name] shall travel with me to confirm Starclan's visit and make sure that everything goes as smoothly as possible. I promise to uphold the name of the clan and warrior code with pride and to consider the clan's needs above my own. May Starclan guide me on this path forward and keep the clan safe while I am away.
Following the announcement and a well rested night, the leader goes to the Star's Radiance, accompanied by their choice in deputy, close warrior or medicine cat. When entering the cat asks for their accompanied cats to wait outside the barrier of the clearing. The cat will give permission to go hunting if needed, as well as to make temporary nests as well. Due to how far away the area is, likely it is already moonhigh or moonrise when the group gets there. The cat to be the next leader shall go into the middle of the clearing and lay down as comfortable as they can. During this they will be able to visit Starclan to receive acceptance as the next leader and receive their nine lives. After this night, the group return to the clan, the deputy being announced or chosen as soon as the next moonhigh. When the cats were out, their nests were cleaned and decorated with flowers, fur and other soft things, and a large piece of prey is caught for each cat by the clan. This is placed in front of their nest just after they arrive home from the journey, so they may enjoy some lovely prey from their clan. They are allowed to rest before their official duties the next day.
When a cat becomes simply too old, too injured or too sick too often to do their duties, they may ask for a retirement ceremony that night to step down and relax for the rest of their natural life. They may also request a name change, though it isn't very common that this happens. The cat shall sit beneath the Light's Ledge at moonhigh and the medicine cats surround them with flowers. After this is done, the leader starts the ceremony.
All of those who can gaze at Starclan's given light, sit beneath the Light's Ledge for a clan ceremony.
As with all great cats, your duties become a rather difficult task as you age. As such, we as a clan, with the acceptance of Starclan, allow some cats to retire as an elder to be able to live in the comfort of the clan after their long life of contributions. [name], as previous cats have, wishes to retire to the elders den after their long contribution as a [rank] to the clan. With Starclan's light I allow and welcome this change and certainly wish them comfortable days as an elder. May Starclan light your days and nights for your remaining time with us.
After those have chanted the cat's name, the newly made elder shall step outside the flowers and be greeted by family and friends in the clan. The fellow elders retire with them to the elders den, replaced by family or a cat considering retirement if there are no other elders in the clan, so they do not sleep through the night alone. From then til their death, they are ranked as an elder and taken care of by the rest of the clan.
After the death of a cat in the clan the cats of their family go to gather flowers and non-prey gifts. Medicine cats clean and prepare the deceased member to be carried at around moonhigh to the Trees of Lost. After the gifts are gathered around and some cats are chosen to carry the body and the ceremony starts after an area has been dug for the burial. After the cats have gathered around and placed the body, the leader starts the ceremony.
Under Starclan's light, I [name-star] am leading [name] to their path among the stars. Their place in the clan was undoubtedly loved and they, as all clan members, were an essential member to the clan. A gift from you, you let us cherish them and they will not be forgotten. Hopefully they find solace in your arms and happiness in your stars, knowing they their family will return to them when their time is done here with us. [name], you may hunt with Starclan now knowing that you contributed greatly to your clan, and that we forever will hold you in our hearts. May you find happiness with our ancestors.
After, the cats say their final goodbyes before burying the deceased and placing their gifts upon the grave. The friends and family of that cat will stay there for however long they need, including sleeping through the night, in order to grieve.