Retraction in the above flow chart:
Under "Medicine Cat Apprentice" should read "Death or retirement of predecessor", rather than simply "death of predecessor"
The beautiful Flow Chart of Warriors Hierarchy!
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but I find that most of the time they make absolutely no sense without some text explaining it. Non-warriors-readers are probably a tad lost. so here is a nice explanation as well as in-game stats for each position. I will begin with the most common lifetime; that is
Kit>Apprentice>Junior Warrior>Senior Warrior>Elder, then explain the more specialized positions.
Kit>Apprentice>Junior Warrior>Senior Warrior>Elder, then explain the more specialized positions.
Kit
We Twolegs call them "Kittens", These are cats that are not yet 6 moons old, and live in the nursery with their mothers, even though they only need to suckle at a very early age. Upon birth, kits roll to find their stats, rolling for each stat 1d4 - 2 (minimum 0). When making skill checks, kits must use d4s, as they are young and not terribly skilled at anything besides annoying older cats. It is really not recommended to begin playing as a kit, rather to advance immediately to Apprentice or sometimes Warrior. Upon reaching 6 moons old, a kit will be assigned a mentor and become an apprentice.
Kits are named with a prefix that makes them stand out (usually fur colour, like "Snow" or "Gray") and a suffix of "Kit". Therefore, some examples of kit names are Snowkit, Graykit, Bramblekit, and so on.
Kits are named with a prefix that makes them stand out (usually fur colour, like "Snow" or "Gray") and a suffix of "Kit". Therefore, some examples of kit names are Snowkit, Graykit, Bramblekit, and so on.
Apprentice
We Twolegs call them "Students". These cats have reached 6 moons old and are training to become full-fledged Warriors. They often have great ambition and energy, but are also often reckless due to their inexperience and desire to prove themselves. They are also assigned a mentor, who will teach them during their apprenticeship, and are assigned to menial duties, such as fetching moss for bedding or cleaning ticks from elders' fur (the latter is usually a form of punishment). Upon becoming an apprentice, they gain d4-1 in all skills. Upon 12 moons old (1 year), an apprentice who has demonstrated skills and bravery will graduate to the rank of Warrior and must sit in silent vigil as they alone guard the camp.
Apprentices' names take on the suffix of "paw" upon beginning apprenticeship. Therefore, examples are Snowpaw, Graypaw or Bramblepaw.
Apprentices' names take on the suffix of "paw" upon beginning apprenticeship. Therefore, examples are Snowpaw, Graypaw or Bramblepaw.
Junior Warrior
Finally a full fledged Warrior, Junior Warriors often seek to prove themselves, both to older members and to their clan Leader. They take on full Warrior responsibilities, like mentoring apprentices, hunting and border patrols, They make an oath to protect their Clans with their lives, and to uphold the Warrior Code in all that they do. In terms of gameplay, upon graduating from Apprenticeship, Warriors gain half of their mentor's stats in all skills. See Skills for an example and better explanation. After enough experience and respect from the Clan, Junior Warriors are promoted to Senior Warriors. There is no official ceremony for this, and the actual change process is vague, however it usually happens at the age of 35 moons, and the cat has usually done some great task or service for their Clan.
It is at this point that Warriors gain their full Warrior name. With few exceptions, this name will be theirs for the rest of their life. The suffix for the Warrior name is another defining marker of the cat, often a part of the body, such as "Claw", "Heart" or "Tail". Our cats then become Snowheart, Grayclaw and Brambletail.
For more information on prefixes and suffixes of Warrior names, check out http://ailuronymy.tumblr.com/ On the left sidebar, a little ways down.
During their service to the Clan, Warriors learn and improve with experience rather than age. This will be largely up to the DM, but basically whenever a cat does something awesome or learns something new, they may gain a skill point in the related skill. For example, Snowheart falls into a river and nearly drowns, so he resolves himself to become a better swimmer. For the next few days, he practices swimming (with Grayclaw sitting nearby, just in case) for a few weeks, and eventually gets the hang of it. He then gains a point or two in the Swim skill.
This works both ways, in that a cat can also lose skill points through experience. For example, during a fight with a Badger, the badger rolls a critical hit against Brambletail and lands a severe blow to his nose. Brambletail could lose 1 skill point in Tracking, as his smelling has been crippled.
It is at this point that Warriors gain their full Warrior name. With few exceptions, this name will be theirs for the rest of their life. The suffix for the Warrior name is another defining marker of the cat, often a part of the body, such as "Claw", "Heart" or "Tail". Our cats then become Snowheart, Grayclaw and Brambletail.
For more information on prefixes and suffixes of Warrior names, check out http://ailuronymy.tumblr.com/ On the left sidebar, a little ways down.
During their service to the Clan, Warriors learn and improve with experience rather than age. This will be largely up to the DM, but basically whenever a cat does something awesome or learns something new, they may gain a skill point in the related skill. For example, Snowheart falls into a river and nearly drowns, so he resolves himself to become a better swimmer. For the next few days, he practices swimming (with Grayclaw sitting nearby, just in case) for a few weeks, and eventually gets the hang of it. He then gains a point or two in the Swim skill.
This works both ways, in that a cat can also lose skill points through experience. For example, during a fight with a Badger, the badger rolls a critical hit against Brambletail and lands a severe blow to his nose. Brambletail could lose 1 skill point in Tracking, as his smelling has been crippled.
Senior Warrior
There is no real time or ceremony for becoming a senior warrior, but instead has to do with experience and respect from the clan, In general, this happens at around 35 moons of age, but it does vary. Senior warriors are older and wiser than junior warriors, and are often called to discuss strategy with the Clan Leader. Senior Warriors are often Clan Leader's first choices when choosing mentors, Deputies and cats to lead patrols. Due to the vagueness of when exactly a cat gains Seniority, there are no in-game stat changes.
Elder
Around the age of 50 moons, cats retire from traditional Warrior duties to relax and do more or less nothing all day. They have bounties of stories from their experiences that Apprentices love hearing. They no longer hunt, usually because they are unable to, and only fight when the camp itself is attacked. They live off in a separate den reserved for Elders. Retirement is completely up to the cat in question, and their decision must be respected by the Clan. Regardless of whether they decide to retire or not, Elders lose 1 point in every skill besides knowledge-based skills every 5 moons after 50, to a minimum of 0. Upon retirement, they gain 1d4 points in Knowledge:History. Retirement is often a good time for player cats to be retired from the game as well. Now you may roll up a new character and continue your adventures then, maybe with your old Elder cat as an NPC within the Clan.
Most often, cats do not get new names upon elderhood. Sometimes, however, a single event such as a crippling injury can force them into retirement. In this case, leaders often decide to change a cat's name to something more suitable. For example, when Grayclaw is a senior warrior, he is chased by a dog, which tears off half of his ear. He eventually escapes, but realizes he has grown too old to keep running off into danger. Due to his injury, his Clan Leader decides the name Halfear suits him better than Grayclaw, so there is a renaming ceremony and he is forever after known as Halfear.
Most often, cats do not get new names upon elderhood. Sometimes, however, a single event such as a crippling injury can force them into retirement. In this case, leaders often decide to change a cat's name to something more suitable. For example, when Grayclaw is a senior warrior, he is chased by a dog, which tears off half of his ear. He eventually escapes, but realizes he has grown too old to keep running off into danger. Due to his injury, his Clan Leader decides the name Halfear suits him better than Grayclaw, so there is a renaming ceremony and he is forever after known as Halfear.
Medicine Cat Apprentice
Instead of becoming a traditional Warrior's apprentice, a cat may be selected as the Clan's next Medicine Cat. Chosen by the current Medicine Cat and confirmed by StarClan, the apprentice medicine cat devotes themselves to learning all they can about StarClan and remedies used to heal their Clanmates. Medicine cat apprentices sleep in the Medicine Cat den with their mentors and accompany them during the half-moon medicine cat gatherings. Stat changes for Medicine cats are a tad more complicated; gain 2 points in Knowledge based skills and Medicine and 1d4-3 (minimum 0) points in all other skills. Medicine Cat Apprentices are still Apprentices even when they have completed their training and gained their full name. They must wait for their mentor to either die or retire to obtain full Medicine Cat status, and train a new apprentice. This is why Medicine Cats often wait very long for the right cat to take on as an apprentice. Apprentices do, however, increase their skills when they complete their training, regardless of whether their mentor is dead/retired or not. Upon becoming a medicine cat, the cat must travel to their sacred gathering place and share tongues with StarClan for the first time.
Naming of Medicine Cat Apprentices is the same as with regular apprentices; add -paw as the suffix to their kit name. There is, however, one key difference. Once the current medicine cat deems the apprentice's training is complete, they conduct a naming ceremony and give the apprentice their proper name, not the clan leader.
Naming of Medicine Cat Apprentices is the same as with regular apprentices; add -paw as the suffix to their kit name. There is, however, one key difference. Once the current medicine cat deems the apprentice's training is complete, they conduct a naming ceremony and give the apprentice their proper name, not the clan leader.
Medicine Cat
There is only one medicine cat per Clan, and they take the dual responsibility of caring for sick and wounded cats as well as delivering and interpreting prophecies from StarClan. They act outside the normal Clan boundaries, and can usually cross territories without being challenged, so long as they do not steal. Medicine cats are, however, never allowed to have mates. Every half-moon, a Medicine Cat and their Apprentice travel to a sacred place to share tongues with StarClan and meet with medicine cats from other clans. They live in their own den, and must keep it stocked with various herbs and remedies to treat illness and injury. Upon completing apprenticeship and becoming a Medicine Cat (regardless of whether or not the previous medicine cat has died/stepped down) gain stats in the same way a regular Apprentice becomes a Warrior. The ceremony for becoming a full Medicine Cat takes place in their sacred place.
Queen
A queen is a cat who has just recently given birth. They live in the Nursery with their kits until they become apprentices. There are no stat changes, name changes, or anything really important that occurs while a Queen. After the kits become apprentices, Queens return to their normal Warrior duties.
Deputy
The Deputy is the second in command of the Clan. They organize patrols, go on more dangerous or sensitive missions, or lead camp defense when the Leader is out. The Deputy is the most trusted warrior in the Clan, usually meaning he is a Senior Warrior. The only prerequisite to being a Deputy is that they must have mentored or currently mentor an apprentice during their service. Upon being selected as Deputy, they gain 1 point in the skill of their choice. The Deputy succeeds the Clan Leader upon his death.
Leader
Upon death of the previous leader, the deputy takes their place at the head of the clan. The leader receives signs from StarClan, speaks for their clan at Gatherings and makes executive decisions that affect the clan as a whole. They receive omens and prophecies from StarClan, however are not as in-tune as Medicine Cats. Upon becoming the Leader of the clan, a cat must travel to their sacred place and share tongues with StarClan. There, they receive the blessings of StarClan, 9 lives and a new name. The blessings of StarClan translate to game stats as 2 skill points in every skill. The 9 lives mean your cat can recover from any illness or any wound (see "Health and Illness") that would normally kill them 8 times. Their name also changes; they gain the suffix -star.