Leader

A leader is a warrior who is highest in the Clan hierarchy. The word of the Clan leader is the warrior code, and all other Clan cats must obey them. They have their own den, and are assisted by a deputy in their tasks. Each Clan has one leader, and their names end with -star.

Appointment
When the former Clan Leader dies or retires, the current Clan Deputy is appointed as the new leader. He or she makes a journey to the Clans' sacred place (such as the Moonstone or Moonpool), escorted by the Clan Medicine Cat, to receive their nine lives and their leader name.

Nine Lives
Upon sharing tongues with StarClan at their leader ceremony, the ancestors grant the new leader nine lives. This does not mean they will live longer, but they can survive accidents or injuries that would claim the life of a cat. Each of the lives are granted by a single ancestor, usually from the same Clan, as a gift of an attribute. See for example Firestar's Nine Lives.

Retirement
Leaders usually serve until the end of their lives, but a Clan Leader can resign by own will (such as Pinestar did), or be disappointed from their position (such as Brokenstar was). In either case, the deputy will be the new leader. The former leader loses the leader name and the lives granted by ancestors.

Tasks
A leader has various tasks: If the leader cannot carry out his or her tasks (for instance, because of illness or injury), the Clan deputy will substitute for them.
 * Oversee the daily operations of the Clan and give them orders
 * Speak on behalf of their Clan at Gatherings
 * Lead the Clan in battles
 * Appoint new apprentices and assign them to mentors
 * Appoint new warriors once they finished their training
 * Appoint a new deputy if the former deputy died or resigned
 * Counsel with the deputy and the senior warriors and listen to their reports
 * Discuss about prophecies and omens with the medicine cat, and listen to their advice
 * Solve conflicts between members of the Clan
 * Exile Clan members who severely broke the Warrior Code or who present a danger to the Clan
 * A leader is also expected to carry out warrior tasks, like going on patrols

The Tribe of Rushing Water
The leader of the Tribe of Rushing Water is called Teller of the Pointed Stones, and they are chosen when they are kits, being trained for the task from kithood.