Post by iRavenpelt on Dec 14, 2008 15:20:44 GMT -8
The Gathering
Four clans meet at the moonly gathering during full moon. The Clan leader brings some members of his/her clan, and meets with the three other clans in a truce. They can converse like clanmates, and share information. Clan leaders then join together and discuss issues with their clans, and then the meeting is over. Some common issues to discuss are border issues, prey availability, new apprentices or warriors, new kits, any deaths or battles, anything new sighted.
If something happens that StarClan does not approve of, they will send clouds over the moon above, signaling the cats to stop. If they still don't approve, the meeting is pronounced over.
Clan Meeting
When a leader or deputy needs to call the attention of other cats, they let out a cry on the meeting place of that Clan. If necessary, warriors may call a meeting when no other higher authority is available.
Leader/Deputy: Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath [MEETING PLACE] for a Clan meeting!
Apprentice/Mentor Ceremony
When a kit is old enough to be an apprentice, the leader calls the Clan meeting and does an ancient ritual to name the apprentice. The last name will always be 'paw,' and the leader does not change the first name of the apprentice [which was named at birth by their mother or father].
Leader: I call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this kit. He/she would like to become a warrior of [CLAN], but must first become an apprentice. From this day forth, until you have earned your warrior name, you will be known as [FIRST PART OF NAME + PAW].
[NEW MENTOR], you are ready to take on an apprentice. Your [SKILL OF MENTOR] has proved to be helpful to our Clan. You will begin [APPRENTICE]'s training. [WARRIOR WHO MENTORED THE NEW MENTOR] has trained you well, and I hope that his/her skill will pass through you onto your new apprentice.
The mentor and apprentice touch noses, and the clan cheers the new apprentices name.
Warrior Naming Ceremony
When an apprentice has completed his/her warrior training, they become warriors. The leader lets out the Clan meeting cry like they do every Clan meeting. They will change the last part of the apprentices name from Paw to a name of their choice. The first part of their name does not change.
Leader: I call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. He/she has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him/her to you as a warrior in his/her turn. [APPRENTICE], do you promise to follow the warrior code and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?
Apprentice: I do.
Leader: Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name. [APPRENTICE], from this day forth you will be known as [NEW WARRIOR NAME]. We welcomes you as a full warrior of [CLAN].
The clan cheers the new warrior's name after the ceremony. That night, the new warrior will traditionally need to sit in a silent vigil and guard the Camp.
Name Change Ceremony
Leaders don't often change names, but if something happens to a warrior or apprentice, they can change their name. They don't need to call a clan meeting, but they may if they wish.
Leader: Spirits of StarClan, you know every cat by name. I ask you now to take away the name from the cat you see before you, for it no longer stands for what he/she is. By my authority as Clan leader, and with the approval of our warrior ancestors, I give this cat a new name. From this moment she/he will be known as [NEW NAME].
The Clan may or may not cheer on the new name, and the new warrior may or may not need to stand vigil, if they already have. This is up to the leader, and up to the Clan.
Dying Apprentice Ceremony
When an apprentice passes away, the leader will usually say a prayer to StarClan to let him or her pass safely. They will usually speak over the dead apprentices body.
Leader: I ask my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. He/she has learned the warrior code and has given up his/her life in the service of his/her Clan. Let StarClan receive him/her as a warrior. He/she will be known as [WARRIOR NAME].
Death Ceremony
The cat's closest friend will share tongues with their passed on friend for the last time. They will say a few words honoring the warrior, like a funeral. They will then stand vigil with the dead warrior until sunrise to ensure that they will pass on safely. Then they bury the cat in the desired area.
Elder Ceremony
When a warrior becomes too old to carry out warrior duties, or if they become crippled and cannot perform their normal warrior duties, they will request to join the elders. It is up to the leader whether or not they want to call a Clan meeting.
Leader: [WARRIOR], You say that the time has come for you to join the elders. Are you sure this is what you want?
Warrior: I am.
Leader: Then you will rely on apprentices and younger warriors to bring you fresh-kill, and you are no longer able to go on patrol.
Leader Ceremony
A Deputy, after the leader has passed on, will need to make a journey to the 'Moonstone' of that territory. They will dream, and receive a powerful message from StarClan. They need to be in the 'Moonstone' of that territory alone.
StarClan Cat 1: Welcome [DEPUTY]. Are you ready to recieve your nine lives?
Warrior: Yes.
StarClan cat 2: With this life I give you [TRAIT]. Use it well to [SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS OTHERS].
StarClan cat 3: With this life I give you [TRAIT]. Use it well to [SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS OTHERS].
StarClan cat 4: With this life I give you [TRAIT]. Use it well to [SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS OTHERS].
StarClan cat 5: With this life I give you [TRAIT]. Use it well to [SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS OTHERS].
StarClan cat 6: With this life I give you [TRAIT]. Use it well to [SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS OTHERS].
StarClan cat 7:With this life I give you [TRAIT]. Use it well to [SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS OTHERS].
StarClan cat 8: With this life I give you [TRAIT]. Use it well to [SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS OTHERS].
StarClan cat 9: With this life I give you [TRAIT]. Use it well to [SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS OTHERS].
StarClan cat 10: With this life I give you [TRAIT]. Use it well to [SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS OTHERS].
StarClan Cat 1: You are now ready to receive your name. You will be known as [FIRST PART OF NAME + STAR].
The StarClan cats are usually ones who have passed on during the new leaders life, and who have impacted him in a substantial way. After each life given, the new leader will feel a strange painful sensation that relates to each trait given. Afterwards, the StarClan warriors may choose to give the new leader a prophecy for his clan. If not, the leader wakes up and returns back to camp. It is forbidden to discuss what happened in his/her dream.
Deputy Ceremony
When appointing a new deputy, the leader must perform the ceremony before Moonhigh. In order to qualify to be a deputy, the warrior must of had an apprentice in the past.
The following words are used if the deputy died in battle:[/i]
Leader: I say these words before the body of [PREVIOUS DEPUTY], so that his/her spirit may hear and approve my choice. [NEW DEPUTY] will be the new deputy of [CLAN].
The following words are used if the previous deputy was driven from the Clan:
Leader: I say these words before StarClan, that the spirits of our ancestors may hear and approve my choice. The new deputy will be [NEW DEPUTY].
Medicine Cat Apprentice Ceremony
Medicine Cat: Cats of [CLAN], it is time for me to take on an apprentice. Your next medicine cat will be [NEW MEDICINE CAT APPRENTICE].
Leader: [NEW MEDICINE CAT APPRENTICE], do you accept the post of apprentice to [MEDICINE CAT]?
Medicine Cat Apprentice: I do.
Leader: Then at the half-moon, you must travel to Mothermouth to be accepted by StarClan before the other medicine cats. The good wishes of all [CLAN] will go with you.
The medicine cat and medicine cat apprentice touch noses, and they will later travel to Highstones at the half-moon to complete the ceremony.
Medicine Cat Ceremony
The following ceremony was written using Leafpool's ceremony as a reference.
When a medicine cat gives their apprentice their full name, they perform the ceremony at the Moonstone/Moonpool at the half-moon in front of the medicine cats of the other Clans when StarClan thinks that the apprentice is ready to become a full medicine cat.
Medicine Cat: I, [MEDICINE CAT], medicine cat of [CLAN], call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. He/she has trained hard to understand the way of a medicine cat, and with your help he/she will serve his/her Clan for many moons. [MEDICINE CAT APPRENTICE], do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan, and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?
Medicine Cat Apprentice: I do.
Medicine Cat: Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your true name as a medicine cat. [MEDICINE CAT APPRENTICE], from this moment you will be known as [MEDICINE CAT APPRENTICE'S NEW NAME]. StarClan honors your [TWO SKILLS OF NEW MEDICINE CAT]."
The medicine cat performing the ceremony rests their muzzle on the newly named medicine cat's bowed head. The newly named medicine cat licks their mentor's shoulder in respect. The medicine cats that witnessed the ceremony chant the medicine cat's new name.
Four clans meet at the moonly gathering during full moon. The Clan leader brings some members of his/her clan, and meets with the three other clans in a truce. They can converse like clanmates, and share information. Clan leaders then join together and discuss issues with their clans, and then the meeting is over. Some common issues to discuss are border issues, prey availability, new apprentices or warriors, new kits, any deaths or battles, anything new sighted.
If something happens that StarClan does not approve of, they will send clouds over the moon above, signaling the cats to stop. If they still don't approve, the meeting is pronounced over.
Clan Meeting
When a leader or deputy needs to call the attention of other cats, they let out a cry on the meeting place of that Clan. If necessary, warriors may call a meeting when no other higher authority is available.
Leader/Deputy: Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath [MEETING PLACE] for a Clan meeting!
Apprentice/Mentor Ceremony
When a kit is old enough to be an apprentice, the leader calls the Clan meeting and does an ancient ritual to name the apprentice. The last name will always be 'paw,' and the leader does not change the first name of the apprentice [which was named at birth by their mother or father].
Leader: I call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this kit. He/she would like to become a warrior of [CLAN], but must first become an apprentice. From this day forth, until you have earned your warrior name, you will be known as [FIRST PART OF NAME + PAW].
[NEW MENTOR], you are ready to take on an apprentice. Your [SKILL OF MENTOR] has proved to be helpful to our Clan. You will begin [APPRENTICE]'s training. [WARRIOR WHO MENTORED THE NEW MENTOR] has trained you well, and I hope that his/her skill will pass through you onto your new apprentice.
The mentor and apprentice touch noses, and the clan cheers the new apprentices name.
Warrior Naming Ceremony
When an apprentice has completed his/her warrior training, they become warriors. The leader lets out the Clan meeting cry like they do every Clan meeting. They will change the last part of the apprentices name from Paw to a name of their choice. The first part of their name does not change.
Leader: I call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. He/she has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him/her to you as a warrior in his/her turn. [APPRENTICE], do you promise to follow the warrior code and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?
Apprentice: I do.
Leader: Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name. [APPRENTICE], from this day forth you will be known as [NEW WARRIOR NAME]. We welcomes you as a full warrior of [CLAN].
The clan cheers the new warrior's name after the ceremony. That night, the new warrior will traditionally need to sit in a silent vigil and guard the Camp.
Name Change Ceremony
Leaders don't often change names, but if something happens to a warrior or apprentice, they can change their name. They don't need to call a clan meeting, but they may if they wish.
Leader: Spirits of StarClan, you know every cat by name. I ask you now to take away the name from the cat you see before you, for it no longer stands for what he/she is. By my authority as Clan leader, and with the approval of our warrior ancestors, I give this cat a new name. From this moment she/he will be known as [NEW NAME].
The Clan may or may not cheer on the new name, and the new warrior may or may not need to stand vigil, if they already have. This is up to the leader, and up to the Clan.
Dying Apprentice Ceremony
When an apprentice passes away, the leader will usually say a prayer to StarClan to let him or her pass safely. They will usually speak over the dead apprentices body.
Leader: I ask my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. He/she has learned the warrior code and has given up his/her life in the service of his/her Clan. Let StarClan receive him/her as a warrior. He/she will be known as [WARRIOR NAME].
Death Ceremony
The cat's closest friend will share tongues with their passed on friend for the last time. They will say a few words honoring the warrior, like a funeral. They will then stand vigil with the dead warrior until sunrise to ensure that they will pass on safely. Then they bury the cat in the desired area.
Elder Ceremony
When a warrior becomes too old to carry out warrior duties, or if they become crippled and cannot perform their normal warrior duties, they will request to join the elders. It is up to the leader whether or not they want to call a Clan meeting.
Leader: [WARRIOR], You say that the time has come for you to join the elders. Are you sure this is what you want?
Warrior: I am.
Leader: Then you will rely on apprentices and younger warriors to bring you fresh-kill, and you are no longer able to go on patrol.
Leader Ceremony
A Deputy, after the leader has passed on, will need to make a journey to the 'Moonstone' of that territory. They will dream, and receive a powerful message from StarClan. They need to be in the 'Moonstone' of that territory alone.
StarClan Cat 1: Welcome [DEPUTY]. Are you ready to recieve your nine lives?
Warrior: Yes.
StarClan cat 2: With this life I give you [TRAIT]. Use it well to [SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS OTHERS].
StarClan cat 3: With this life I give you [TRAIT]. Use it well to [SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS OTHERS].
StarClan cat 4: With this life I give you [TRAIT]. Use it well to [SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS OTHERS].
StarClan cat 5: With this life I give you [TRAIT]. Use it well to [SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS OTHERS].
StarClan cat 6: With this life I give you [TRAIT]. Use it well to [SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS OTHERS].
StarClan cat 7:With this life I give you [TRAIT]. Use it well to [SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS OTHERS].
StarClan cat 8: With this life I give you [TRAIT]. Use it well to [SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS OTHERS].
StarClan cat 9: With this life I give you [TRAIT]. Use it well to [SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS OTHERS].
StarClan cat 10: With this life I give you [TRAIT]. Use it well to [SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS OTHERS].
StarClan Cat 1: You are now ready to receive your name. You will be known as [FIRST PART OF NAME + STAR].
The StarClan cats are usually ones who have passed on during the new leaders life, and who have impacted him in a substantial way. After each life given, the new leader will feel a strange painful sensation that relates to each trait given. Afterwards, the StarClan warriors may choose to give the new leader a prophecy for his clan. If not, the leader wakes up and returns back to camp. It is forbidden to discuss what happened in his/her dream.
Deputy Ceremony
When appointing a new deputy, the leader must perform the ceremony before Moonhigh. In order to qualify to be a deputy, the warrior must of had an apprentice in the past.
The following words are used if the deputy died in battle:[/i]
Leader: I say these words before the body of [PREVIOUS DEPUTY], so that his/her spirit may hear and approve my choice. [NEW DEPUTY] will be the new deputy of [CLAN].
The following words are used if the previous deputy was driven from the Clan:
Leader: I say these words before StarClan, that the spirits of our ancestors may hear and approve my choice. The new deputy will be [NEW DEPUTY].
Medicine Cat Apprentice Ceremony
Medicine Cat: Cats of [CLAN], it is time for me to take on an apprentice. Your next medicine cat will be [NEW MEDICINE CAT APPRENTICE].
Leader: [NEW MEDICINE CAT APPRENTICE], do you accept the post of apprentice to [MEDICINE CAT]?
Medicine Cat Apprentice: I do.
Leader: Then at the half-moon, you must travel to Mothermouth to be accepted by StarClan before the other medicine cats. The good wishes of all [CLAN] will go with you.
The medicine cat and medicine cat apprentice touch noses, and they will later travel to Highstones at the half-moon to complete the ceremony.
Medicine Cat Ceremony
The following ceremony was written using Leafpool's ceremony as a reference.
When a medicine cat gives their apprentice their full name, they perform the ceremony at the Moonstone/Moonpool at the half-moon in front of the medicine cats of the other Clans when StarClan thinks that the apprentice is ready to become a full medicine cat.
Medicine Cat: I, [MEDICINE CAT], medicine cat of [CLAN], call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. He/she has trained hard to understand the way of a medicine cat, and with your help he/she will serve his/her Clan for many moons. [MEDICINE CAT APPRENTICE], do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan, and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?
Medicine Cat Apprentice: I do.
Medicine Cat: Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your true name as a medicine cat. [MEDICINE CAT APPRENTICE], from this moment you will be known as [MEDICINE CAT APPRENTICE'S NEW NAME]. StarClan honors your [TWO SKILLS OF NEW MEDICINE CAT]."
The medicine cat performing the ceremony rests their muzzle on the newly named medicine cat's bowed head. The newly named medicine cat licks their mentor's shoulder in respect. The medicine cats that witnessed the ceremony chant the medicine cat's new name.