Warrior Ceremonies & Names

[Mina]

Apprentice Ceremony

When a kit turns six moons old, he or she is ready to become an apprentice. Until this time, their name ends with the '-kit' suffix. When a kit becomes an apprentice, their name ends with '-paw', showing the path their paws are on.

The Clan Leader calls a Clan Meeting to appoint a new apprentice and assign a mentor to him/her. The following words are used, by tradition:

Leader: (Kit), you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as (new name, ending with 'paw'). I ask StarClan to watch over you and guide you until you find in your paws the strength and courage of a warrior.
The leader calls up the warrior he/she has chosen as a mentor.
Leader: (Warrior), you are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from (former mentor), and you have shown yourself to be fierce and brave. You will be the mentor of (apprentice), and I expect you to pass on all you know to (apprentice).
The mentor touches noses with the apprentice, and the Clan greets the new apprentice by calling out his/her name. After this, the apprentice will usually go greet their family, or go see to their mentor.

*please note that apprentices names start with something descriptive in the natural world. It can be a color, physical trait, or a pattern. Anything found in nature is allowed. An example: Bluepaw, Runningpaw, Patchpaw, Flowerpaw, Oakpaw.

Warrior Ceremony

An apprenticeship usually lasts six moons or more. Once the mentor is satisfied with the apprentice's progress and skills, he or she recommends them to the leader of the Clan. Then, the apprentice must pass an assessment, when their abilities as a warrior are checked. In cases when the apprentice has just made an important contribution to the Clan, the leader may decide that there is no need for an assessment (i.e. Firepaw after saving the kits, Brackenpaw after fighting courageously in a battle or Thistlepaw after fighting a dog).

If the Clan Leader is satisfied, he or she calls a Clan Meeting and calls the apprentice. The following words are used, by tradition:

Leader: I, (Leader), leader of (Clan), call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on 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.
Leader: (Apprentice), do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your 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 moment you will be known as (new name). StarClan honors your (virtues), and we welcome you as a full warrior of (Clan).
The leader rests his or her muzzle on the apprentice's head, and he or she licks the leader's shoulder. The rest of the Clan then greets the new warrior by calling him or her by their new name. The warrior will sit a silent vigil guarding the camp that night, except if that is not possible (such as Squirrelflight's ceremony, when the Clan did not have a camp, and the task of exploring the lake was assigned).

Virtues
During the apprentice's warrior ceremony, two major virtues of the apprentice are listed; the first is usually (but not always) courage. Some examples of virtues are listed below:
Courage
Bravery
Determination
Enthusiasm
Independence
Strength
Spirit
Honesty
Patience
Forethought
Loyalty
Intelligence
Initiative
Kindness
Energy
Thoughtfulness
Wisdom
Enterprise

*Note that the paw is replaced with a second word. This word is usually connected to the first but not required. And both must be in the natural word. Usually the second word is a physical part (leg, ear, eye, foot, tail) or a word describing them. For example Runningwind (in the first book) was named so do to his intense speed. Fireheart was named because of his bravery. Usually thosw named with whisker reflect patience, kindness, or sensitivity. Those with heart or soul reflect courage, bravery, or loyalty.

Medicine Cat Ceremony

Apprenticeship for medicine cats usually lasts much longer than those for warriors. The cat must learn about all available herbs and remedies, and the treatment of diseases and injuries.

Once the Clan's medicine cat is satisfied with the apprentice's knowledge, they go to the Clans' sacred place (such as the Moonstone or Moonpool). This is the only ceremony that is not performed by the Leader in the camp. The following words are used, by tradition:

Medicine Cat: I, (name), medicine cat of (Clan), call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. (He/she) has trained hard to understand the ways 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?
Apprentice: I do.
Medicine Cat: Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your true name as a medicine cat. (Apprentice), from this moment you will be known as (new name). StarClan honors your (virtues), and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of (Clan).
The medicine cat rests his or her muzzle on the apprentice's head, and he or she licks the mentor's shoulder. The other medicine cats greet him or her by their new name.

Deputy Ceremony

If the Clan's previous deputy died, retired, or was promoted as leader, a new one must be appointed before moonhigh the same day, according to The Warrior Code.
After the leader decided on the new deputy, he or she calls a Clan Meeting and makes the announcement with the following words:

Leader: I say these words before StarClan, that the spirits of our warrior ancestors (or former deputy name) may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of (Clan) is (warrior's name).

Leader Ceremony

The new leader goes to the Moonstone (or Moonpool) with the Clan's medicine cat. After touching the stone (or drinking from the pool), the new leader cannot move for a short period of time, because their old life is being ripped away so they can receive nine new ones. Upon awaking, cats of StarClan come down from Silverpelt. Nine cats, normally ones who were significant during the new leader's life, give them their nine lives with these words:

Life-Giver: (Touches nose to the top of the new leader's head) With this life I give you (gift). Use it well (to, in, as, for, ect.) (use of gift).

When all of the lives have been given, the previous leader says these words:

Previous Leader: I hail you by your new name, _____star. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you the guardianship of (Clan). Defend it well; care for young and old; honor your ancestors and the traditions of the warrior code; live each life with pride and dignity.

Just as the forest-cats would call a warrior by their new name, the StarClan cats acclaim the new leader.[4] After the ceremony, the new leader is not allowed to tell any cat what happened during the ceremony.
Getting nine lives does not necessarily mean that a leader will live longer, but they can survive certain accidents or injuries that would claim the life of a cat, but they cannot survive if they have major injuries such as the injuries Scourge gave Tigerstar.

*Note that this ceremony is only for reference. You will skip this ceremony when a new leader is appointed. It happened still, but won't be IC.

Elder Ceremony

An aging warrior, queen, or medicine cat may retire as an elder due to own initiative, when they feel they cannot help the Clan efficiently any more (such as Mousefur or Speckletail). They report this to the Clan Leader, who calls a Clan Meeting and addresses the warrior.

Leader: (Warrior), is it your wish to give up the name of a warrior and go to join the elders?
Warrior: It is.
Leader: Your Clan honors you and all the service you have given to us. I call upon StarClan to give you many moons of rest.

The Clan will call out the retired warrior's name and then he or she will go to the elder's den.
Usually, an elder ceremony is held only when a cat retires due to old age. If they are forced to retire because of a severe injury (such as Longtail or Stonepelt), there is no ceremony.

[Mina]

Name Changing Ceremony

When a cat's name no longer portrays who they are, a clan leader can perform this ceremony to change it to a new name. Normally the name is changed from the result of an injury (i.e. One-eye), but sometimes it is changed when the cat has been named incorrectly and the leader wants to rectify this mistake (i.e. Brightheart)

The leader calls a Clan Meeting, and performs the change with the following words:

"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 on he/she will be known as (new name), for (description of the reason)".

*Note: You use this ceremony to rename kittypets, loners, rogues (any cat that wants to join a clan).