Warriors: roles of the Clans
BY THE EDITOR
As we’ve discussed previously, the Clans run on strict hierarchies, where every cat has specific duties to carry out based on their rank within the Clan. But what are these ranks, what are their associated duties, and how does a cat achieve any given rank? If you want a broader overview of the ranks and how a cat can go from one to another, you can find that in our visual Clan rank flowchart, but here we’ll be taking a more in-depth look at the specific Clan rank of warrior.
Warrior apprentices usually train for around six moons, though it can be more or less than that depending on the cat, before they are considered ready to become a full warrior. Typically, an apprentice is given one final assessment to determine if they are ready to become a warrior, though in special cases where an apprentice has displayed particular skill or bravery in an emergency, the assessment can be skipped and the apprentice promoted without it. The assessment usually involves the cat having to hunt prey, and catching any amount of prey will allow them to pass, If the apprentice doesn’t pass on the first try, they can try again as many times as is needed to pass.
New warriors are promoted through a ceremony held in front of the Clan. The leader will descend from the elevated position where they usually address the Clan, and the apprentice will come before them. The leader will speak the words, “I, (leader’s name), leader of (Clan’s name), call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn. (Apprentice’s name), do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?” The new warrior will respond, “I do”, and the leader will continue, “Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. (Apprentice’s name), from this moment on you will be known as (new warrior name). StarClan honors your (trait 1) and (trait 2), and we welcome you as a full member of (Clan’s name).” Through this ceremony, the new warrior’s -paw suffix is replaced by their full warrior suffix. Unlike kits, apprentices, and leaders, who all have a single fixed suffix used for their rank, a warrior can have any suffix at all (except those already reserved for other ranks – kit, paw, and star) that the leader feels best fits their personality, appearance, skills, known achievements, or a reference to another relevant cat in their life.
With the words of the ceremony completed, the new warrior dips their head, allowing the leader to rest their chin atop it, before then giving a respectful lick to the leader’s shoulder. The Clan then cheers the name of the new warrior. That night, the new warrior is required to sit a silent vigil protecting the camp and reflecting on what it means to hold this new position and be expected to protect their Clan even at the cost of their life. They may speak again once the sun has risen. There is also a second ceremony for creating a warrior, though thankfully rarely used, because it is only used in cases where a dying apprentice is being given the chance to carry a warrior name with them into StarClan. The leader will speak the words, “I ask my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. (She/he/they/etc.) has learned the warrior code and has given up (her/his/their/etc.) life in the service of (her/his/their/etc.) Clan. Let StarClan receive (her/him/them/etc.) as a warrior. Let StarClan receive (her/him/them/etc.) by the name of (new warrior name).” The leader will then touch their nose to the new warrior’s head.
The majority of adult cats in a Clan at any given time are usually warriors. They do the majority of the work to keep the Clan running on a day to day basis. Most of their day is made up of border patrols, usually at dawn and sunset, to check and mark the borders, and hunting patrols to hunt prey to feed the Clan. In times of battle, warriors are called upon to fight and lay down their lives if necessary in the defense of their Clan. Kits and elders are to be especially protected by warriors, as well as younger apprentices. Warriors are expected to follow the warrior code and obey the orders of their leader and deputy. If a leader decides a warrior is ready, they may select them to mentor an apprentice. If a warrior becomes a mentor, they must spend their days training their apprentice on the ways of the Clan and of being a warrior.
