General Clan information

Within the Storm of Secrets universe, cats live in a structured society divided into Clans, as in the original Warriors series. There are five main Clans: ThunderClan, ShadowClan, RiverClan, WindClan, and SkyClan. What sets the Clans apart from other cats are their belief of their ancestors. The Clans recognize two formal afterlives, StarClan and the Dark Forest. Outside of these beliefs and the warrior code, there are the Twolegplace rogues, BloodClan, and an informal group known as ClawClan.
ThunderClan.png|link=ThunderClan|ThunderClan
ShadowClan.png|link=ShadowClan|ShadowClan
RiverClan.png|link=RiverClan|RiverClan
WindClan.png|link=WindClan|WindClan
SkyClan.png|link=SkyClan|SkyClan
==The Clans==
===RiverClan===
RiverClan is known for their skill at swimming. While other Clan cats feared the water, RiverClan cats instead are at home swimming in its depths and hunting fish from the river. RiverClan cats make their camp near the river. The very first leader was Lionstar, and the Clan was originally named CanyonClan before being renamed to SnowClan. At the beginning of Storm of Secrets arc, RiverClan was led by Sparkstar, with Stoneclaw as deputy. RiverClan is currently led by Fallowstar, with Crowtalon as deputy.
===ShadowClan===
:ShadowClan is sometimes referred to as the "dark heart of the forest." ShadowClan cats are known for their ability to walk quietly and avoid detection. They are also known for their willingness to eat frogs, toads, lizards, rats—foods most Clan cats turn their noses up at. ShadowClan cats live in a pine forest. Their first leader was Ratstar, and the Clan was originally named TwistedClan. At the beginning of Storm of Secrets, ShadowClan was led by Ratstar, with Sparrowstep as deputy. ShadowClan is currently led by Twistedstar, with Dawnpelt as her deputy.
===ThunderClan===
: 
:: ThunderClan is heavily featured in the books, being the Clan of origin for many of the protagonists. ThunderClan cats are known for their skill at stalking prey through forest and thick undergrowth. ThunderClan cats live in a dense forest with thick undergrowth. The very first leader was Azurestar, and the Clan was previously known as LightClan. At the beginning of Storm of Secrets, ThunderClan was led by Thornstar, and Moonpelt as deputy. ThunderClan is now led by Patchstar, with Roseheart as his deputy.
===WindClan===
:WindClan lives on the open moorlands and sleep underneath the stars. It is said that WindClan cats believe they're the closest to StarClan because of that. WindClan Cats are known for their swift paws, which lend ease to catching prey such as rabbits on the open moors of their territory. They're also proficient tunnelers, carving tunnels underneath their territory to catch prey and sneak on their enemies. Their very first leader was Adderstar, and the Clan was once known as SunClan. At the beginning of Storm of Secrets, WindClan was led by Ashstar, with Mudstep as deputy. WindClan is now led by Nightstar, with Goldentalon as his deputy.
===SkyClan===
SkyClan was the fifth Clan of the forest, introduced in Frigid Stones. They had to leave the forest a long time ago when StarClan outcasted them, which severed their ties with the other Clans and faith. They were known for their ability to jump considerable heights, climbing and fighting in the trees, and they have hard pads that help them walk long distances on rough surfaces. Their first leaders were Galaxystar and Owlstar. The Clan was previously known as both MothClan and MoonClan, but the two Clans decided to merge together to become SkyClan, as they had previously co-depended on one another. SkyClan reunited with the others Clans by the lake in Vision of Stars, though were reluctant with the other Clans. SkyClan is currently led by Tigerstar, with Badgerthorn as his deputy.
===BloodClan===
:BloodClan is an unofficial Clan created by Vulture. The group was comprised of kittypets and rogues. Most cats were fear-mongered into obeying Vulture and his allies. The Clan laws are quite different compared to the official Clans. They do not believe in StarClan. BloodClan does not care for the sick, weak, or elderly and instead throws them out on the borders and forces them fend for themselves. After Vulture's death, BloodClan suffered through a power struggled and continued to terrorize the forest. The last known leader was Scar and Stormfall.
===ClawClan===
ClawClan is a rogue group created by Claw. They are a rogue group that do not follow the warrior code and believe in violence, however, after Sparkle became leader, ClawClan became more calm and civil - relying less on violence and blood. It was a group made up of exiled BloodClan cats. They are athiest, and do not believe in an afterlife. It's the strongest clan out of the four clans currently. ClawClan catches prey with their claws, they run over and claw them, this is why they have long claws. Claw, the founder of ClawClan, believes the only answer is fighting. It is currently being led by Sparkle with Scratch as her deputy.
==Clan hierarchy==
===Leader===
A Clan leader is charged with the responsibility to watch over and manage an entire Clan, maintaining discipline, order, and protection. Leaders are normally granted nine lives and a new name with the ending "-star" in a ceremony where StarClan cats come to them in a dream at the Moonstone or the Moonpool. However, a leader may not receive all nine lives if the previous leader of his or her Clan is still alive; in this instance, a leader will have a life taken off the original total of nine for every life the previous leader still possesses. Sometimes StarClan will not accept a leader, if this happens then the Clan is usually thrown into turmoil.
===Deputy===
: The deputy is the second-in-command to the leader, and may be considered an apprentice to the art of leading the Clan. They serve in the leader's place in situations where the leader is unable to fulfill their duties. They are in charge of organizing patrols, and they are often called on by the leader for advice, but other than that, they retain the normal duties of a warrior. To become a deputy, a cat must have trained at least one apprentice, though sometimes there are some exceptions. Upon the leader's death, they become the leader and go to the Moonstone or the Moonpool, so StarClan can grant them nine lives. Deputies may also retire and give up their place as deputy if they wish (for example, Tigershade).
=== Medicine Cat ===
The medicine cat serves the Clan as both their spiritual leader and healer, making them akin to the idea of a 'medicine man' in a tribal society. In addition to their responsibilities to their Clan, they have responsibility to one another and StarClan. They carry out their responsibilities to StarClan once every half-moon, meeting together to discuss matters privately and share dreams with StarClan. Clan leaders often rely on them to carry messages from StarClan, as medicine cats have a link no other cat has to their ancestors. In their role as spiritual leader, they teach the code, interpret omens and prophecies, and generally serve the Clan as a conduit between the earthly cats and their ghostly counterparts.
As a healer, they gather herbs and dispense them as an apothecary would. They handle diagnosis and treatment of both illness and injury for all the cats in the Clan. As a medicine cat, they are not allowed to have a mate or kits, but this rule has been broken by certain medicine cats (for example, Leafstep and Razorbite). Medicine cats also exist outside of typical Clan rivalries in order to treat all cats fairly.
=== Warrior ===
A warrior is an adult cat trained in the arts of fighting and hunting. Warriors make up the bulk of a Clan, and provide that Clan with the protection and food supply that keeps it safe and well-fed. Typically, a cat is made a warrior at or over the age of twelve moons. In their oath to become a warrior, they promise to "uphold the warrior code and protect and defend their Clan, even at the cost of their life." Clan kits dream of being the best warriors they can to defend their Clan.
=== Senior Warriors ===
There are also senior warriors—older, highly respected warriors, typically mentioned to have a good bond with the Clan's leader but have not decided to retire yet. They are often trusted with leading patrols or on occasion, speaking on the leader's behalf in specific situations. Senior warriors also assist with Clan affairs such as taking temporary positions in the Clan heirarchy, or unofficially filling in for the leader or deputy should they be absent.
=== Apprentice ===
An apprentice is a cat in training to become a warrior. Their names end in the word "-paw" to signify the "path their paws are now on." Most usually are at or over the age of six moons per the warrior code. They have a mentor appointed to them at their ceremony and most days are taken out battle training or hunting. They are also given the task of cleaning out bedding and removing elders' ticks and fleas. Typically, apprentices must pass their warrior assessment, such as catching prey, before being promoted to warriors.
=== Medicine Cat Apprentice ===
A medicine cat apprentice is the cat that is being trained to follow in the pawsteps of the medicine cat. They learn healing and spiritual lore from the medicine cat. Medicine cat apprentices must be accepted by StarClan in order to be trained. The apprentices may also accompany their mentors in their visit to the Moonstone or Moonpool every half-moon to receive dreams from StarClan. Unlike warrior training, training to become a medicine cat may take longer than warrior apprenticeship.
A medicine cat apprentice who has full training will be given a their full name similar to warriors; however, medicine cat apprentices remain apprentices, even when fully trained, so long as the current medicine cat is still practicing the arts. When the apprentice becomes a full medicine cat, they can then have an apprentice of their own. At the time the old medicine cat either dies or retires, the medicine cat apprentice becomes a full medicine cat, similar to a leader/deputy relationship. However, medicine cats do not always retire when their apprentices become full medicine cats. Some exceptions to this are Leafstep, Fluffpelt, and Breezetail being co-medicine cats of ThunderClan, Each of these medicine cats continues to serve and share responsibilities with their former apprentices.
=== Queen ===
A queen is a she-cat nursing or expecting kits. Their primary task during this time is the raising of their kits. Some queens stay in the nursery after they have kits (e.g. Dawnflight, Frostednose, Butterflydawn) to help the nursing or inexperienced queens. Some queens, such as Frostednose, do not feel suited for Clan life aside from helping the other queens. They most often help other queens when no milk is available, or when the mother is ill or deceased. Queens usually stay in the nursery until their kits become apprentices, then they return to their warrior duties.
=== Kit ===
A kit is a kitten under six moons old who has not been made an apprentice yet. Their names always end in "-kit". Most often, they are under the age of six moons, though sometimes they are held back from being an apprentice for a certain amount of time, sometimes due to injury or misbehaving. Kits stay in the camp and are forbidden to leave it, unless accompanied by an older cat, such as a warrior, a medicine cat, or any kind of apprentice. Kits are protected by all members of the Clan, and to be protected by all Clan cats, regardless of Clan, since they are the future of the Clan.
=== Elder ===
An elder is a retired Clan cat who is too old or not in suitable shape to continue with their duties. Elders are taken care of by the whole Clan, and are given respect for the time they have served as part of the Clan. It is usually the apprentices job to hunt and care for the elders. They are responsible for taking the body of a dead cat out to be buried. 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's decision of retiring (e.g. Tigershade, Adderheart). Though at times they may appear grumpy, elders offer their wisdom to all Clan cats, including the Clan leader. Additionally, cats may be punished by being demoted to an elder, as it is a form of humilation. (e.g. Leafstep, Razorbite)
==See also==
*ThunderClan
*ShadowClan
*RiverClan
*SkyClan
*WindClan
*ClawClan
*BloodClan
Category:Reference
Category:Warriors Wiki