Border

Borders are the boundaries separating the Clan territories, either separating two Clans, or a Clan and a neutral territory. They are usually defined along geographical features, such as rivers like the one between ThunderClan and RiverClan or Thunderpaths such as the border in the forest between ThunderClan and ShadowClan. Clan borders are fluid, and often change during the Clans' histories as Clans continue to fight over land to sustain themselves. Borders are normally checked and marked twice daily by patrols. Crossing a border into another Clan's territory without acknowledgement from the other Clan is considered an act of aggression and breaks the warrior code, since a cat could be spying or stealing prey. Patrolling cats are expected to challenge those by their border per the warrior code. Clan cats mark the border by spraying, or rubbing up against branches or the ground.
==Clan borders==
===In the forest territories===
*ThunderClan shared borders with RiverClan, along the river, and ShadowClan, along a Thunderpath. Its territory borders the Twolegplace and the Treecutplace.
*ShadowClan shared borders with ThunderClan and WindClan, along the aforementioned Thunderpath.
*RiverClan shared borders with ThunderClan and WindClan; both borders were along the river. Sunningrocks is often feuded over between RiverClan and ThunderClan.
*WindClan shared a border with RiverClan, along the river that flowed in a gorge and a border with ShadowClan along a Thunderpath. The edges of its territory include the Thunderpath, and Barley's farm.
===At the gorge===
:After their exile, SkyClan settled in a gorge. When Firestar arrived to revive the lost Clan, he originally created SkyClan's borders to support the small Clan. SkyClan's borders includes a pile of rocks where Clover used to live, and on the top of the gorge near a boulder, by a tree stump and deserted fox's den where SkyClan used to have its border, the woodlands near an ivy-covered oak tree on the edge of a clearing, SkyClan expanded its borders as the Clan grew to include more woodlands and territory above the gorge. SkyClan also expanded its territory to deter kittypets and raccoons.
===At the lake territories===
====Prior to SkyClan's arrival====
*ThunderClan shares borders with WindClan along the stream leading to the Moonpool and also with ShadowClan along another stream.
*ShadowClan shares borders with RiverClan a small Thunderpath leading to a greenleaf Twolegplace and ThunderClan along a stream and across to a dead tree where it curves towards ShadowClan's territory. ThunderClan later grants ShadowClan the clearing, until they claim in back in battle.
*RiverClan shares borders with WindClan at the marshes and the horseplace and ShadowClan along the small Thunderpath.
*WindClan shares borders with ThunderClan along the stream and RiverClan at the fence by the horseplace.
====SkyClan's arrival====
*Upon SkyClan's arrival at the lake territories, Rowanstar grants SkyClan a portion of their territory. It ran half the length of the ThunderClan border towards the lake's edge, with the lake portion being narrower and the border in the pines being wider. After the Clans come together to keep SkyClan by the lake, they adjust their borders to make room for SkyClan. However, these changes result in unusable land for the Clans, such as ThunderClan having to cross the stream to mark their border in the moorland, ShadowClan having to cross a stream to patrol marshlands unusable to them, and so on. SkyClan moves its territory in the forest beyond the abandoned Twoleg nest, but still retain a sliver of land to reach the lake. The other Clans' lands returned to their original borders.
*SkyClan shares borders with ThunderClan and ShadowClan. Their land stretches down from the hills to the lake in a narrow strip of land in the oaks. Their former camp is in ShadowClan's land.
==Tribe borders==
:The Tribe of Rushing Water also patrols its borders, as per the encouragement of the Clan cats to defend themselves from rogues. The cave-guards are responsible for marking borders, but prey hunters can mark it as well. The border is placed along the ridge overseeing several valleys with streams, and a plateau. Borders are marked at a lightning-struck tree, a tall spiked stone, where the ridge dips a the head of a valley with a stream underneath two rocks, a narrow gap within large boulders. The terrain is very difficult to navigate with one patrol, so at least two patrols are sent out to cover the entire border in one day.
==StarClan-Dark Forest border==
:A border exists between StarClan and the Dark Forest. In Omen of the Stars, the border exists where the lushness fades from the trees and the sunlight dims into darkness. The grass is thinner and thick fog permeants. Cats are able to cross the border, but are discouraged to do so as each cat belongs in their respective afterlife. By The Broken Code, the border between StarClan and the Dark Forest is sealed except for a tunnel connecting them. Ashfur seals that tunnel off but clawed a new secret tunnel at the heart of StarClan's territory into the Dark Forest. Ashfur sealed off his entrance with tightly woven weeds and branches, effectively cutting off the Clans' connection with their ancestors. Hope weakens the barrier, and following Ashfur's death, his tunnel is reopened, and Juniperclaw spends the rest of his spirit days guarding the border between the afterlives to prevent any cat from entering.
==Protection==
:Patrols check and mark the borders to ensure they haven't been crossed and make sure they are clear. Clans normally patrol their borders two times a day, at dawn and at sunset, unless more are needed due to danger or in some cases where there are other threats, such as other Clans, rogues, or kittypets.
===Crossing the border===
:Unless a cat is allowed by another Clan to enter their territory, crossing the border is a sign of aggression and disrespect that often leads to battle. The Clan finding intruders in its territory usually attacks them or chases them out. However, at the lake, cats are allowed to travel two fox-lengths away from the water if they are on an important mission, traveling to the Clans' monthly Gathering, or if medicine cats are traveling to the Moonpool.
====Examples====
Needing help
*Fireheart and Graystripe crossing the RiverClan border to give fresh-kill to RiverClan in the forest in Forest of Secrets.
*Mistyfoot crossing over the ShadowClan and ThunderClan border in Starlight at the lake because of her suspicions about Hawkfrost and Mudclaw.
Attacks/Invasions
*ShadowClan and WindClan crossing ThunderClan's border to attack ThunderClan for sheltering Brokentail in Forest of Secrets.
*WindClan coming through the tunnels to attack ThunderClan in Eclipse at the lake.
Other
*A RiverClan patrol in Dark River was chased over the border by the Twoleg dog, Pip.
*Tigerstar crossing the ThunderClan border in the forest to feed a pack of dogs in A Dangerous Path.
*Fireheart and Graystripe crossing the WindClan border to go find WindClan in Fire and Ice.
*Medicine cats visiting the Moonstone/Moonpool at the half-moon or Clan leaders seeking their nine lives or advice from StarClan.
*Spottedleaf, Yellowfang, and Jayfeather spying on the Dark Forest by trespassing on their territory.
==See also==
*Patrol
*The warrior code
*The forest territories
*The lake territories
==Notes and references==
fi:Rajapl:Granice
Category:Clan life