General Clan info

Within the Warriors universe, cats live in a structured society divided into Clans. There are five main Clans that are named Forestclan, Mountainclan, Hollowclan, Horizonclan. What sets the Clans apart from other cats are their belief of their ancestors. The Clans recognize two formal afterlives, STARCLAN and the DEAD FOREST. Outside of these beliefs and the warrior code, there are the loners, rogues, and a domesticated group of house pets called collarpet.

## The Clans

### Forestclan

Forestclan cats are known for their skill at stalking prey through forest undergrowth and being able to climb trees with their mighty strength. The very first leader was Sunstar, with the help of a local named Willow. She was originally born within the forest's undergrowth and taught others how to live there together. Forestclan cats have very strong limbs and can hide in the shadows in the undergrowth to jump unsuspecting prey. Forestclan is currently led by Mossstar, with Ryespring as deputy.

### Horizonclan

Horizonclan cats are known for their swift paws that carry them across the moor they live on and catch the fastest of prey. Their very first leader was Jaggedstar, with an unknown Moss. He had always lived on the moor since the beginning, due to no other cat that could run as fast but taught others the skill of swiftness. Horizonclan is very skinny and light so they can slim across the moor with ease and live within the earth. Horizonclan is now led by Leapstar, with Littletail as deputy.

### Mountainclan

Mountainclan is known for their skill of climbing steep cliff faces and moving large rocks. Mountainclan cats are known for their ability to move heavy rocks and debris. Their first leader was Cliffstar. She was abandoned by her parents at a young age and wanted no one else to feel the pain she went through. Mountainclan are very respectful of each other and have a very strong bond with it's warriors. Mountainclan is currently led by Rockstar, with Dustsun as deputy.

### Hollowclan

HollowClan is known for their excellent skill at swimming above and below the water. HollowClan cats are also known for their unique skill at scooping fish from the river. The very first leader was Lichenstar, along with Stream, who was a loner that taught themselves to swim and challenge the roaring currents. HollowClan cats have very silky pelts and are one of the strongest clans. HollowClan is currently led by Rainstar with Sandywave as deputy.

## Clan hierarchy

Each Clan shares the same basic ranking system, consisting of nine distinct ranks.

### 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.
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 early.
### 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" (e.g. Rockstar, Rainstar) in a ceremony where the starreader can visit the starwalkers for acceptance, in a dream at the Starhollow.
### Deputy

The **deputy** is the second-in-command to the leader. 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.
Upon the leader's death, they become the leader and go to the Starhollow, so the starreader can visit the starwalkers for acceptance. Deputies may also retire and give up their place as deputy if they wish.
### Healer

The **healer** serves the Clan as a healer. As a healer, they gather herbs as to heal the clan. They handle diagnosis and treatment of both illness and injury for all the cats in the Clan.
### Runner

The **runners** serves the Clan as a cat who is given the job to run between clans and give/report information between the clans.
### Border watch

The **border watch** serves the Clan as a small group of strong cats that patrol and strengthen the borders to watch out for any problems for the near future. (Can only be a warrior)
### 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. They are thought to do this because they feel they can help the nursing queens. Some queens 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.
Kits are protected from attacks and the nursery is often situated at the back of the camp, away from the entrance.
### Warrior

A **warrior** is a 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."
Warrior dens are very often near the front of the Clan, where they can protect the rest of their Clan from attacks.
There are also senior warriors — older, highly respected warriors, typically mentioned to have a good bond with the Clan's leader.
### Apprentice

An **apprentice** is a cat in training to become a warrior. Their names end in the word "-paw" (e.g. Ratpaw, Oatpaw, Deerpaw, etc) to signify the "path their paws are now on. All apprentices, have had "-paw" in their apprentice name. One exception to this is loners/collarpet who opted to keep his/her name upon joining a clan, and becoming an apprentice. Most usually are at or over the age of seven moons. 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.
### Healer's apprentice

A **healer's apprentice** is the cat that is being trained to follow in the pawsteps of the healer. They learn healing from the healer.
Frequently, a medicine cat apprentice who has full training will be given a warrior name ("-paw" replaced with another ending); however, healer's apprentices remain apprentices, even when fully trained, so long as the current healer is still practicing the arts. When the apprentice becomes a full healer, they can then have an apprentice of their own.
At the time the old healer either dies or retires, the healer's apprentice becomes a full healer', similar to a leader/deputy relationship. Two exceptions to this role inheritance exist; Applegaze and Goosepad are co-healers, as are others.
### Kit

A **kit** is a cat who has not been made an apprentice yet. Their names always end in "-kit" (e.g. Daykit, Reedkit, Lostkit).There has never been a clan kit who's name hasn't ended in -kit. Most often, they are under the age of seven moons, though sometimes they are held back from being an apprentice for a certain amount of time, sometimes due to injury or misbehaving. (Sootkit, Halfpaw)
They stay in the camp and are forbidden to leave it, unless accompanied by an older cat, such as a warrior, a healer, or any kind of older cat.

## See also

For more details on the Clans, see:

* Clan terminology
* The warrior code
* Clan Life

For more details on the individual territories and cats, see:

* Forestclan
* Horizonclan
* Mountainclan
* Hollowclan

For more details on the religious beliefs of the Clan cats, see:

* Starwalkers and the crimson forest.