Gathering

A **Gathering** is a meeting of the Clans, and is held on the night of a full moon. As said in StarClan's Code, there is a truce, which forbids fighting during the Gathering. It is considered a great honor to be chosen by a Clan Leader to go to a Gathering. Gatherings are held on the Five Stones.

## **PURPOSE**

On Gatherings, Clan Leaders announce current affairs and significant events within their respective Clans, such as the appointment of new Apprentices, Warriors, Medicine Cats and Deputies, the deaths and births of cats, and the retirement of cats. They also use this time, if necessary, to ask for help from others.

Warriors use this chance to meet their friends from other Clans and exchange information. Many cats will use a Gathering to try to determine the strength and weakness of another Clan.

* Clan Leaders hold Gatherings to share news with the other Clans.
* Gatherings are meant for meeting new cats, but not to share Clan weaknesses and strengths.
* When the moon is full, the Gathering begins.
* The start of the Gathering marks a time of truce between the five Clans. If the truce is broken, StarClan will send clouds to cover the moon, signaling their displeasure. Should this happen, the Gathering is ended and each Clan returns to their respecting territories.

## **PROCEDURE**

The Gathering is held on the night of the full moon, because it is the only time that the moon is bright enough to see everything and everyone. The Leader, the Deputy, the Medicine Cat and their Apprentice, if they have one, several Warriors, Apprentices, Queens, and Elders participate from each Clan. If a Leader cannot attend, the Deputy will speak on behalf of their Clan.

Once arrived at the Gathering territory, the Leaders jump onto the five branches of the Elderwood (a huge, ancient walnut tree with very low hanging branches that grows on the mound of earth right behind the Flatrock, some of its roots on top of it) while the Deputies, Medicine Cats and Medicine Cat Apprentices sit on the Flatrock (a large, smooth, flat boulder located in front of the Forest Stone) along with the other Leaders where they can be seen and heard well while talking to the Warriors and to each other. A yowl by one of the Clan Leaders is the signal to start the meeting. It is considered to be disrespectful if any other cat speaks from atop the leader's spot, unless specifically asked.

As decreed by StarClan, the nights of the Gatherings are a time of peace. If there is any violence, StarClan sends a cloud to cover the moon signifying their displeasure; usually the Gathering ends if this happens.

## **LOCATION**

Gatherings are held on territory that is neutral to all Clans, and it cannot be claimed by one Clan alone. The Clans' gathering spot is the Five Stones, a neutral area in the middle of the Clan Territories with five huge cone-shaped rocks in a circular pattern.

All gatherings are held in front of the Elderwood. The Clans surround the Elderwood, keeping close to their specific Stones (Ex.: FireClan around the Fire Stone, EarthClan around the Earth Stone, etc.). Leaders sit at the low-hanging branches of the Elderwood, while Deputies and Medicine Cats sit on the Flatrock.

### **Areas**

* Secluded dirtplace.
* The Five Stones
	+ Leaders on the branches of the Elderwood
	+ Deputies and Medicine Cats on top of the Flatrock
	+ Everyone else in the clearing around the Five Stones.