StarClan's Code

**StarClan’s Code** is a sacred code for Clan cats composed by the twenty commandments of StarClan. It is upheld by the Clans, so when a cat is seen disobeying any rule, they will be punished. The rules stated in StarClan's Code are as follows:

## **HISTORY**

StarClan's code was recited by both Yin and Yang to Stonespirit and the founders of the Clans, and has since been passed down and upheld by all of the generations.

## **STARCLAN'S CODE**

**1.** Clan cats must never kill a cat of their own Clan. Whatever the situation is, a Clan cat must always help their Clanmates at all costs.
**2.** Clan cats defend their Clan, even with their life.
**3.** Clan Medicine Cat she-cats can have kits, but their Apprentice or Mentor must be in charge of their Medicine Cat duties. If the Medicine Cat does not have an Apprentice, their Mentor is dead or too old to perform, or the Apprentice doesn’t have enough experience, no cat can take over the duties, and therefore a Medicine Cat she-cat cannot have kits.
**4.** Kits are allowed to leave the Nursery at 2 moons old, but they are not allowed to leave Camp or hunt until they are apprenticed.
**5.** Kits shouldn't be apprenticed until they are six moons old or older. If such thing happens, the training must be less rigorous until they reach the age of six moons.
**6.** Boundaries must be checked and marked daily, and the patrolling Warrior(s) must engage in a level-headed manner with all trespassing cats, be it a friend or an enemy of the patrolling cat(s).
**7.** Clan cats cannot neglect a kit in pain or danger, even if the kit is from a different Clan, or not from a Clan at all.
**8.** The current Deputy will become the Leader when the previous Leader dies, retires or is exiled.
**9.** A true Clan cat rejects the soft life of a Kittypet. However, a cat can become mates or friends with a Kittypet if they so wish, as long as their loyalty stays true to their Clan.
**10.** A true Clan cat does not need to kill other cats to win their battles, unless other cats threaten their Clan or it is necessary for self-defense.
**11.** Any cat, be it Kittypet, Loner or Rogue, can join a Clan if they so wish.
**12.** Any intruders that trespass a Clan’s territory without permission must be driven out, unless they wish to join the Clan.
**13.** Elders, Queens, and kits must be fed before Apprentices and Warriors, unless the Warrior or Apprentice in question is sick or injured.
**14.** A Gathering of all five 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.
**15.** The safety of the Clan is more important than the safety of one cat.
**16.** Warrior Apprentices must have at least six moons of training before becoming Warriors.
**17.** Medicine Cat Apprentices must have at least eight moons of training before becoming Medicine Cats.
**18.** A Warrior or Medicine Cat must have been a Warrior or Medicine Cat for at least one moon before having an Apprentice.
**19.** Do not hunt in another Clan's territory. If a cat trespasses, their purpose must be questioned by the patrolling Warrior(s). Cats are allowed to trespass if their purpose is going to the Sandyplace, gathering specific herbs for the Medicine Cat(s), or sending a message to the Leader of the Clan.
**20.** Cats cannot eat before going to the Starpond to visit StarClan.
## **BREAKING STARCLAN'S CODE**

The rules are often broken, by all five Clans. Most rules have been broken at least once.

### **Examples**

* **Rule 1** was broken many times, such as Lilyfur killing seven cats of her own Clan to become Deputy, Leopardstar resorting to kill cats of her own Clan to curb her hunger, or even well-meaning cases, like Flashfur giving Sylvester a neck wound that caused his death because he was evil, or Brightflame killing Lionfur because he tried to kill Larkfrost, Ravenblaze and Heronclaw.
* **Rule 3** was broken by Frostpool, who bore Brookpebble's kits without a Mentor or Apprentice to take on her duties, which caused Silverswoop to be fostered by Goldenstar and his mate, and Spottedbark, who bore Snookwhisker's kits and had to give them to her sister to foster them.
* **Rule 4** was broken by Swankit, who left Camp to explore after being left unsupervised, and Emberkit, Lionkit and Aspenkit, who all left Camp during leaf-bare to try to hunt by themselves.
* **Rule 5** was broken by Furzestar, who apprenticed Mousepaw two moons early, and Fallenstar, who apprenticed Twigpaw and Beetlepaw one moon early.
* **Rule 6** was broken by Batstar, who was patrolling by herself and allowed Mistyeyes to hunt on FireClan territory instead of driving her out.
* **Rule 7** was broken by a FireClan patrol who noticed Shrewpaw with his leg stuck on a fox trap and did nothing to help him.
* **Rule 8** was broken by Froststar when he appointed Hollyheart Leader, even though Shellskip was still Deputy.
* **Rule 9** was broken by both Bluewing and Robinstar, who left their respective Clans to become Kittypets, although Bluewing returned to her Clan while Robinstar did not.
* **Rule 10** was broken by Crop, when he got carried away in the heat of battle and accidentally bit too hard on Moonlight's neck, killing her, and other cats, like Deadstar, Clawstar and Larkfrost when they killed cats to win their own battles.
* **Rule 13** was broken by Nettlefur and Fawnheart, who ate prey on a hunting patrol instead of bringing it back to the elders and kits. It was also broken by Soulpaw when catching prey for Redsight after she was exiled from FireClan.
* **Rule 14** was broken by Drake, who attacked Dawnstar in the middle of a Gathering.
* **Rule 17** was broken by Furzestar, who made Mousestep a full Medicine Cat after only four moons of training.
* **Rule 19** is one of the most frequently broken, with many Clans crossing boundaries to catch prey or Apprentices not acknowledging the boundaries.

### **Punishments**

Common punishments include a scolding, giving a Warrior Apprentice duties, or giving an Apprentice an unpleasant task, such as checking the Elders for ticks and removing them. Breaking StarClan's Code can also result in a cat being stripped of their duties.

In severe cases, the cat may even be exiled from the Clan. This has happened in the series multiple times, and some examples are:

* Dawnstar exiling Drake for attempting to kill her during a Gathering.
* Juniperstar exiling Blueleaf from WaterClan, due to him not attacking his former ForestClan Clanmates.
* Soulstar exiling Fawnheart for poisoning Acornkit.
* Fallenstar exiling Clawfrost for treason and murder.

#### **After-Death Punishments**

Cats who would murder for no reason, or have caused pain to others for nothing other than their own enjoyment would also go to the Place Of No Stars upon their death.

Examples of these cats are:

* Leopardstar, who killed a lot of cats to satiate her urge to eat cat flesh.
* Dewtail, who went insane and killed his mate and kits.
* Lilyfur, who is responsible for the death of Lilacpetal, Carpwhisker, Goldenstar, Finchkit, Birchclaw, Quietstorm and Reedstar.
* Wildfern, who stripped Wildstar of six of his lives by drowning him.
* Clawstar, who is responsible for the death of Littlestep and Flowerdapple.
* Fawnheart, who poisoned a young kit and followed Clawstar.
* Kestrelgaze, who planned to have Soulstar killed in order to give Yewfoot leadership of ForestClan.
* Lionfur, who attempted to kill Larkfrost, Ravenblaze and Heronclaw because Brightflame didn't love him.