Kit
When a cat is born into a Clan, they stay in the nursery with their mother until they are at least six moons old. The parents might name the kits after their fur color or markings, or if another cat suggests a name for the new kit. When they do, they give it the first part of its name, with the suffix of 'kit'. For example, Bluekit, Ashkit, Lionkit, etc. A kit is expected to be curious, but also well-behaved. They drink their mother's milk until they are ready to eat fresh kill, at which time an apprentice gives it to them. Kits enjoy playing games and exploring the camp, often getting under the paws of the other cats. They are typically not expected to participate in certain ceremonies, but this is often allowed. Before the fifth law of the warrior code was added, kits were often apprenticed too early, causing injury or even death because they were too small to fight.
Apprentice
When a kit turns six moons old, the Clan leader will assign them to a mentor(usually an experienced warrior), and change the last part of its name to the suffix -paw. For example, Bluepaw, Ashpaw, Lionpaw, etc. A kit can choose from two apprenticeships: a warrior apprentice, or medicine cat apprentice. A warrior mentor will begin to train their apprentice in the ways of a warrior, as well as giving them a thorough tour of the territory. Training includes mock battles, fighting and hunting techniques, and teaching the apprentice the commands of the Warrior Code. One of the most important rules every warrior apprentice must learn is to feed the Clan first, and after elders, queens, and kits have had their share, the apprentices may take prey for themselves. A warrior apprentice will also be given tasks and chores around camp, such as changing bedding in dens and searching the elders' pelts for ticks. A customary punishment for an apprentice is to have them take care of the elders for a period of time, so they can learn their lesson.
A medicine cat apprentice will be instructed in the knowledge of plants, herbs, flowers, and other natural elements used for healing. They will be expected to memorize each plant along with its healing properties, and are frequently quizzed by their mentors. A medicine cat apprentice will be taught to honor their warrior ancestors, StarClan, and how to interpret signs from StarClan. A medicine cat apprentice will also be taken to a sacred place every half-moon, where they meet with medicine cats and their apprentices from other Clans to connect with StarClan (a Clan of deceased cats who live in the stars). They connect with StarClan in a dream in their den and get accepted as a medicine cat or an apprentice of a medicine cat. Not every cat has the option to become a medicine cat, for example if there is already a medicine cat and a medicine cat apprentice then there aren't any more cats trained to be medicine cats until the already existing medicine cats die.
Leaders can have apprentices, but often only mentor a deputy's kit. To be mentored by the Clan Leader is a special thing. A cat must mentor at least one apprentice to become a Deputy.
Warrior
When an apprentice shows signs of maturity and adequate skills, their mentor will evaluate them. The mentor will often send them out hunting, and watch from a distance. They will also be evaluated on fighting skills. The mentor then reports to the leader if they think that the apprentice is ready to become a warrior.
The leader calls the Clan together for a ceremony, reciting the proper words, and chooses a full name for the apprentice. For example, Bluepaw might be named Bluefur, Ashpaw might be named Ashfur, and Lionpaw might be named Lionheart. That night, the new warrior must keep a silent vigil in camp from dusk until sunrise without speaking. After this, they become an official warrior.
A typical warrior's day may include border patrols (routine patrols around the territory's border to prevent invasion), hunting patrols (the warriors set out to catch prey for the Clan), and mentoring their apprentice. Warriors are also expected to fight when called, and to give their life in order to save the Clan if need be.
All warriors are allowed to mate. When a she-cat is ready to kit, however, she becomes a queen and lives in the nursing den until her kits are old enough to become apprentices. Some she-cats choose to stay in the nursery even after their kits have left, to help take care of the other kits.
Medicine Cat
When a medicine cat apprentice shows signs of maturity and adequate knowledge of herbs and treatments, they may be made a medicine cat. Their mentor holds a medicine cat ceremony (usually at the center of camp), reciting the proper words, and chooses a full name for the apprentice.
A typical medicine cat's day may include gathering and organizing herbs, and treating conditions such as bellyaches, infected wounds, or heavy bleeding.
Medicine cats are held in very high esteem. This is not only because of their healing skills, but their special connection with StarClan. This connection begins when a medicine cat apprentice first touches the Moonstone or Moonpool. Medicine cats often receive dreams of StarClan. These dreams may guide a medicine cat in right choices, predict the future, or tell of an impending disaster. StarClan also sends omens, which often tell the same things, but appear as a vision or a sign in nature.
Medicine cats are often placed at the scene of a battle, and are not to be harmed. Injured warriors may return to the medicine cat to be treated for wounds, so that they may continue. If the wound is serious, however, they may not be able to continue.
Medicine cats, male or female, are not allowed to mate, because kits would distract them from their duty to the Clan. Thus, in becoming a medicine cat, it is understood that they are sacrificing a family for serving their Clan. This rule has been broken more than once.
Queen
When a she-cat becomes pregnant, she may continue her warrior duties for as long as she can. However, when she is close to kitting, she will move to the nursery where she will stay until her kits become apprentices.
Queens do not need to reveal who the father of the kits is. However, she may reveal this if both she and her mate are willing. Oftentimes, cats in the Clan take guesses at who they think is most likely to be the queen's mate if she doesn't tell them.
Queens are brought food by apprentices, and occasionally warriors. Their bedding is changed frequently, and they are always taken care of. Queens are regarded as very important in the Clans, as they provide new warriors and medicine cats to serve the Clan.
When a queen has kits, she must nurse them until they are able to eat fresh-kill. Queens cannot participate in battle, but they have a warrior protecting the queen when others leave camp to fight.
Deputy
If a warrior shows exceptional skills, wisdom, abilities, and loyalty, a leader holds a ceremony to name them deputy. Female deputies must not have kits, and to become a deputy, the cat must have mentored at least one apprentice. The new deputy's ceremony must be held before moonhigh, according to the warrior code. Before this law was added, leaders often appointed their kin to succeed them. Their deputy remained in the same position when the leader died.
A deputy is an assistant to the leader, and replaces the leader when he/she dies. A deputy is not much different from a warrior; they still perform the same tasks and duties as warriors. However, they help leaders in organizing patrols, and leaders often turn to the deputy for companionship or advice.
Leader
When the previous leader dies, the Clan deputy becomes the leader. Let's say Bluefur has become leader. Now, 'star is added to her name, to signify her position and importance. Before she/he gets this name, she/he journeys with the medicine cat to the Moonstone or Moonpool, and connects with StarClan. If StarClan approves of them, they will give them nine lives, each representing an important aspect of a leader. Deceased cats visit the leader, usually ones they knew while alive, and give the new leader their lives and new name.
StarClan then calls her by her official leader name, Bluestar. When she/he awakes, she/he returns to her Clan as leader. Female leaders do not usually have kits, so they can stay fully concentrated on their duties, however, their is no law against it. Male leaders often have a mate and kits.
Leaders are expected to make sure that the Clan is safe, healthy, and strong. They chose whether or not to lead a Clan into battle, organize patrols, supervise fresh-kill supply, and hold ceremonies. Leaders are considered the most important member of the Clan.
Elder
When a cat is too old or frail to continue their duties in the Clan, they retire to the elders' den. Sometimes, though, cats are forced to retire early, such as Longtail, who had to retire when he became blind, or Stonepelt, who had to retire when a wound of his would not heal. Elders are highly respected, and are known for their story-telling abilities.
They are always well-taken care of, being fed first like the kits and queens.The elders' bedding is kept clean by the apprentices and sometimes warriors. It is often the elders that bury the dead in the Clan. Elders are respected retired warriors that are often turned to for advice.
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