StarClan

### Rules Of StarClan

* A cat who cannot be forgiven for their crimes will never walk among the stars.
* Once a cat has reached StarClan, they can be chased away to the Dark Forest at any time if they are found to be harmful to the clans or if previously unknown crimes are brought to light.
* Once a StarClan cat has been chosen to give the new leader a life at a Leadership Ceremony, they cannot refuse. Personal matters must be set aside for the good of the clans.
* In StarClan, cats are granted the opportunity to have all their ailments cured by drinking water from the Star Falls. However, should cats choose, they may keep their scars or injuries if they wish.
	+ However, this is an all or nothing deal. They must keep everything or lose everything.
	+ Injuries and scars will no longer hinder them or cause any pain, regardless of their choice.
	+ Illnesses are always cured, regardless of their choice. There are no sick cats in StarClan.
* A cat will remain the age they were when they died.
	+ Elders have their strength restored and as such may *appear* much younger than they were when they died, but they will always be seniors.
	+ Adult cats will remain the same age they were when they died. Senior warriors may look similar to elders.
	+ Apprentices will remain the same age. However, their size will depend on age.
	+ Kits will remain the same age and size, with the exception of newborn kits. Newborn kits will be aged up to 1 moon old in StarClan.
* StarClan cats rarely fade away, but when they do, they are reincarnated into one of the clans and given another chance at life.

### The Star Falls

The Star Falls are located in the dead center of StarClan's territory. It is a beautiful area where large shimmering waterfalls flow. The water is so clear it shimmers as if it were made of stardust itself. It is a common place for medicine cats to visit when receiving prophecies or to greet their guides at the Half Moon gatherings.

There is no hunger or thirst in StarClan, so it isn't common to see StarClan cats drinking the water here. It is more of a gathering place where cats come to share tongues and sun themselves on the rocks. While StarClan cats often chase starry prey for fun, they never successfully catch anything. Their catch will evaporate beneath their paws only to scurry away, regardless. They often boast about these 'hunts' to other cats at the Star Falls.

## Communication

StarClan cats are able to speak to any cat through their dreams. However, the only living cats who are able to intentionally speak to StarClan are cats that have a close bond with their ancestors. Commonly, medicine cats are the only one able to do this in the clan. However, there are cases where living cats will have an unusually strong bond with StarClan. In DreamClan, it is more common for all cats to receive visitors from StarClan in their dreams, the inspiration for their clan's name, though living cats who can willingly enter the stars remains about the same as the other clans.

### Half Moon Gatherings

Every Half Moon, the medicine cats meet at the Moon Grotto to share wisdom with each other and ask their ancestors for guidance. All clans must send at least one medicine cat if there is a cat healthy enough to make the journey. If there are no cats available, the leader may stand in for their medicine cat, but this is not common. Not attending the gathering is believed to turn one's back on StarClan. Apprentices are made into full medicine cats at these gatherings and their ceremonies are held here amongst the other medicine cats, unlike most other clan ceremonies.

At moon high, the medicine cats enter a narrow tunnel one by one into the Moon Cave, which leads passage to the roots of the great Moon Tree above. The eldest medicine cat goes first, and the youngest goes last. Each cat is led by the tail of the cat in front of them, but it is mostly for reassurance only. It is nearly impossible to get lost on the way as there are no paths that branch from the main path. After a few minutes of crawling through the tunnel, the path gradually begins to widen until they reach the Moon Cave. The cave is large enough for all the attending cats to fit neatly inside. Inside, glowing fungi and lichen dimly lights the cave enough for the cats to see.

Once in the cave, the medicine cats each choose a root and touch their noses to them and fall asleep. When they open their eyes, they will all awaken in StarClan, usually at the Star Falls. Their StarClan guide is usually waiting for them, wherever they awaken. They share tongues with their guide until they reawaken in the cave. Returning to the Grotto, the sun has begun to rise. With a quick farewell, the cats return to their clans with their newfound knowledge.

### The Moon Grotto

Located in DreamClan territory, the Moon Grotto is the home to the Moon Tree. The cats pass through a stony arch and find themselves in a clearing just on the other side. The area is surrounded by a large ridge of stone, resembling a crescent moon from above. This is the home to a large White Oak tree that was chosen as the place for Gatherings to be held. The clans call it the Moon Tree. it grew surrounded by large boulders that the clan leaders sit upon during gatherings.

There is a second tunnel entrance where medicine cats speak to StarClan and leaders enter to receive their nine lives. It leads to the great tree's roots below.