Warriors Wiki

Welcome to the Warriors Wiki! Want to edit and see less ads? Consider creating an account! Registered users will be able to edit pages, will only see ads on the main page, and more.

READ MORE

Warriors Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Warriors Wiki
ASC-4.Template
"I want to be here. With Nightheart. I've made my choice. I'm going to be a ThunderClan warrior, and I'm going to be a loyal one."
This article contains major spoilers for the recently released book, Thunder. Please proceed at your own discretion.

A leader is a warrior who is highest in the Clan hierarchy.[1] The leader is responsible for everything that goes on in a Clan.[2]

Description[]

Leaders are the head of their Clan.[3] Their personality is the same as their Clan's and describes how their Clanmates treat others.[4] The word of the Clan leader is law, proclaimed by the warrior code, and all other cats in the Clan must obey them.[5] They have their own den, and are assisted by a deputy in their tasks.[6] They are responsible for the whole Clan, calling Clan meetings, appointing cats to new ranks, and making the toughest decisions.[7] Each Clan has one leader, and their names end with the suffix -star.[8] (Examples: Bluestar, Tallstar, Raggedstar) At some times, they can have their warrior suffix, but are still recognized as leader. However, this cat must be waiting to receive nine lives, and cannot properly lead without them.[9]

Qualifications[]

In order to become leader, a cat must meet these qualifications:

  • Mentored at least one apprentice[10]
  • Selected by the previous leader to become deputy[11] (with the exception of Nightstar)[12]
  • Must have been deputy at the time of the leader's death, retirement, or banishment (unless both the deputy and the leader die, as in the case of Flowerstar[13] and Tigerstar)[14]

In order for a cat to become leader, the previous leader must also be deceased, have retired, have left, or been banished.[15]

Tasks[]

A leader has various tasks and privileges:

  • Oversee the daily operations of the Clan and give them orders[16]
  • Speak on behalf of their Clan at Gatherings[17]
  • Lead the Clan in battles[18]
  • Appoint new apprentices and assign them to mentors[19]
  • Appoint new warriors once they've finished their training[20]
  • Appoint a new deputy if the former deputy has died, resigned, or been banished[21]
  • Counsel with the deputy and the senior warriors and listen to their reports[22]
  • Discuss prophecies and omens with their Clan's medicine cat, and listen to their advice[23]
  • Solve conflicts between members of the Clan[24]
  • Dealing with politics/conflicts that happen out of the Clan, but can still threaten the Clan[25]
  • Decide if a non-Clan cat can join the Clan[26]
  • Exile Clan members who severely broke the warrior code or who present a danger to the Clan[27]
  • A leader is also expected to occasionally carry out warrior tasks, such as going on patrols or mentoring apprentices should they assign one to themselves[28]
  • Call Clan meetings if necessary for the good of the Clan[29]

If the leader cannot carry out their tasks (for instance, because of illness or injury), the Clan deputy will substitute for them.[30]

Appointment[]

When the former Clan leader dies or willingly retires, the current Clan deputy is appointed as the new leader. They make a journey to the Clans' sacred place (such as the Moonstone or Moonpool), escorted by the Clan's medicine cat, to share tongues with their ancestors, receive their nine lives, and get their leader name.[31]

The ancestors greet the new leader with the following words: Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader and StarClan grants to you the guardianship of your 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.[32]

Specific cases[]

Runningnose,[33] Squirrelflight,[34] Graystripe,[35][36] Lionblaze,[37] Mothwing, Frostpaw,[38] Icewing, and Cloverfoot[39] served as temporary leaders for their Clans. Squirrelflight, Graystripe, and Lionblaze were temporary leaders when Bramblestar and later Squirrelflight were missing, Runningnose served as temporary leader and deputy while Nightstar was ill, and Mothwing and Frostpaw led the Clan when they had no leadership. Cloverfoot and Icewing were chosen by Tigerstar, RiverClan's supervising leader at the time, to lead the Clan until the medicine cats heard from StarClan. All of these cats did not receive the -star suffix and only served as leader for a short period of time.

Brightwhisker,[40] Marshscar,[41] Squirrelflight,[42] Curlfeather,[43] and Owlnose[44] were appointed leaders for their Clans, as they succeeded their respective leaders as deputy but did not receive the -star suffix or their nine lives from StarClan. For Squirrelflight, although she never took on the leader name nor received nine lives, Bramblestar had been pronounced dead and Squirrelflight was regarded as Bramblestar's successor prior to his sudden revival. Brightwhisker and Curlfeather died before receiving their nine lives, and Marshscar was not shown to receive his either in the books after his leader's death. Owlnose stepped down after StarClan did not appear to grant him nine lives.

Nine lives[]

Upon sharing tongues with StarClan at their leadership ceremony, the new leader is granted nine lives by the ancestors. This does not necessarily mean they will live longer, but they can survive accidents or injuries that would claim the life of any other cat, at the cost of one of their nine lives.[31] Each of the lives are granted by a single ancestor, usually from the same Clan and whose life was meaningful to the cat,[45] and a gift of an attribute. This process can be surprising and painful, but it is important for the leader to fight fiercely for the Clan.[31] See for example Firestar's nine lives.

When the leader loses one of these lives, they black out and are taken to StarClan. From the outside, spectators see a very faint outline of the cat rise from their body and pad away.[46] In StarClan, though, a warrior ancestor speaks with the leader.[45] The cat sees a pale outline of themselves that was their lost life.[47] When the cat is revived back to consciousness, the wound or illness is removed to the best of StarClan's ability.[48] If StarClan can't fix the ailment, each of the nine lives are ripped away, such as when Tigerstar was killed by Scourge in The Darkest Hour.[49]

Demotion[]

Leaders usually serve until the end of their lives, but there are some exceptions:

Retirement[]

A Clan leader may resign if they wish to do so (such as Pinestar did).[50] This is approved by StarClan, and the current deputy can be appointed as the new leader.[51] The former leader loses their leader name and the lives granted by the ancestors.[50] If the leader doesn't give up all of their remaining lives then the amount they have left will be subtracted from the next leader's nine lives.[52]

Banishment[]

A Clan can demote a leader if they consider them unfit for the position (such as when ShadowClan banished Brokenstar).[53] However, this is not approved by StarClan, and the ancestors won't recognize a new leader and give them their nine lives as long as the former leader is alive.[54] (As Nightstar was not recognized as succeeding Brokenstar— therefore he was not given nine lives) But in cases such as Pinestar, he was still alive with one life left. When Sunstar was granted nine lives, usually Pinestar would have given him one of the lives, but was not in StarClan, as well as not having gone to the Moonstone directly and stepped down. Therefore Sunstar was only granted eight lives.[52]

Day-to-day life[]

The Clan leader will take part in patrols and hunting, but usually leaves the actual organization of the patrols to the deputy.[55] Most leaders take interest in all aspects of Clan life, kits, elders, warriors, etc. They also listen to cats' personal problems and attempt to help, most likely to keep their Clan tension-free. Their main job is to keep the Clan running smoothly.[24] When something is wrong in the Clan, cats are to immediately tell the leader first. The leader also listens to recounts of patrols, making sure nothing threatens the Clan.[56]

History of ranks[]

ThunderClan
Name Gained rank in... Left rank in... Deputies... Medicine cats...
Thunderstar Path of Stars Before "The Beginning of the Warrior Code" Lightning Tail, Owl Eyes Cloud Spots
Owlstar Before "The Beginning of the Warrior Code" Before "The Beginning of the Warrior Code" Unknown Unknown
Whitestar Before "The Beginning of the Warrior Code" Before "The Vanishing Moon" Vinetail Unknown
Owlstar Before "Second in Command" Before "The Vanishing Moon" Unknown Unknown
Finchstar Before "The Vanishing Moon" Before "Poppycloud's Rule" Daisyheart Unknown
Lionstar Before "Poppycloud's Rule" Before "Darkstar's Law" Greeneyes Unknown
Vinestar Before "Darkstar's Law" Before "The Leader Who Sought Peace" Unknown Unknown
Morningstar Before "The Leader Who Sought Peace" Before "The Victorious Clan" Leafstorm Pearnose
Redstar Before "The Victorious Clan" Before Mapleshade's Vengeance Seedpelt Kestrelwing
Oakstar Before Mapleshade's Vengeance Pinestar's Choice Beetail, Doefeather Ravenwing, Cloudberry
Doestar Pinestar's Choice Goosefeather's Curse Pineheart Cloudberry
Pinestar Goosefeather's Curse Bluestar's Prophecy Mumblefoot, Sunfall Goosefeather, Featherwhisker
Sunstar Bluestar's Prophecy Bluestar's Prophecy Tawnyspots, Adderfang (temporary), Bluefur Goosefeather, Featherwhisker
Bluestar Bluestar's Prophecy A Dangerous Path Redtail, Lionheart, Tigerclaw, Fireheart Featherwhisker, Spottedleaf, Yellowfang, Cinderpelt
Firestar The Darkest Hour The Last Hope Whitestorm, Graystripe, Brambleclaw Cinderpelt, Leafpool, Jayfeather
Graystripe (temporary) Firestar's Quest Firestar's Quest None None
Bramblestar The Last Hope Lost Stars Squirrelflight Leafpool, Jayfeather, Alderheart
Squirrelflight Lost Stars Lost Stars None Jayfeather, Alderheart
Ashfur Lost Stars Veil of Shadows Squirrelflight, Berrynose, Bristlefrost Jayfeather, Alderheart, Flipclaw
Squirrelflight (temporary) Veil of Shadows Darkness Within Lionblaze (temporary) Jayfeather, Alderheart
Lionblaze (temporary) Darkness Within The Place of No Stars None Jayfeather, Alderheart
Graystripe (temporary) The Place of No Stars A Light in the Mist Lionblaze (temporary) Jayfeather, Alderheart
Bramblestar A Light in the Mist Thunder Squirrelflight Jayfeather, Alderheart
Squirrelstar Thunder - Ivypool Jayfeather, Alderheart
ShadowClan
Name Gained rank in... Left rank in... Deputies... Medicine cats...
Shadowstar Path of Stars Shadowstar's Life Sun Shadow, Raven Pelt Pebble Heart
Ravenstar Shadowstar's Life Before "The Beginning of the Warrior Code" Unknown Pebble Heart
Hollystar "The Beginning of the Warrior Code" "Finders Keepers" Unknown Unknown
Brindlestar Before "Finders Keepers" Before "Mouse Games" Lakestorm Unknown
Lilystar Before "Mouse Games" Before "The Queens Unite" Sunnytail Unknown
Blizzardstar Before "The Queens Unite" Before "A Sign from StarClan" Unknown Unknown
Snowstar Before "A Sign from StarClan" Before "A Sign from StarClan" Brightwhisker Redscar
Brightwhisker Before "A Sign from StarClan" "A Sign from StarClan" None Redscar
Flowerstar Before "Darkstar's Law" Before "The Leader Who Sought Peace" Unknown Redscar
Ripplestar Before "The Vanishing Moon" "The Vanishing Moon" Marshscar Unknown
Marshscar "The Vanishing Moon" Before "Darkstar's Law" Unknown Unknown
Yellowstar Before "Darkstar's Law" Before "The Leader Who Sought Peace" Unknown Unknown
Sedgestar Before "The Leader Who Sought Peace" Before Cloudstar's Journey Unknown Unknown
Dawnstar Before Cloudstar's Journey Before Goosefeather's Curse Snaketail Molepelt
Houndstar Before Goosefeather's Curse Before Yellowfang's Secret Cedarpelt Redthistle
Cedarstar Before Yellowfang's Secret Yellowfang's Secret Stonetooth, Raggedpelt Sagewhisker
Raggedstar Yellowfang's Secret Yellowfang's Secret Foxheart, Cloudpelt, Brokentail Sagewhisker, Yellowfang
Brokenstar Yellowfang's Secret Into the Wild Blackfoot Yellowfang, Runningnose
Nightstar Into the Wild Tigerclaw's Fury Cinderfur Runningnose
Runningnose (temporary) Rising Storm Rising Storm Himself Himself
Tigerstar Tigerclaw's Fury The Darkest Hour Blackfoot Runningnose
Blackstar The Darkest Hour Bramblestar's Storm Russetfur, Rowanclaw Runningnose, Littlecloud, Flametail
Rowanstar Bramblestar's Storm Darkest Night Crowfrost, Tigerheart, Tawnypelt Littlecloud, Leafpool (temporary), Puddleshine
Tigerstar Tigerheart's Shadow - Tawnypelt, Juniperclaw, Cloverfoot Puddleshine, Shadowsight, Mothwing


Smallstar's succession is unknown as he died before he could become leader, but he appears in "A Loss for All Clans" of Code of the Clans.[57]
RiverClan
Name Gained rank in... Left rank in... Deputies... Medicine cats...
Riverstar Path of Stars Before "The Beginning of the Warrior Code" Night Dappled Pelt
Nightstar Before "The Beginning of the Warrior Code" Before "The Beginning of the Warrior Code" Unknown Unknown
Emberstar Before "The Beginning of the Warrior Code" Before "A Mystical Battle" Unknown Unknown
Darkstar Before "A Mystical Battle" Before "A Night for Listening" Unknown Unknown
Splashheart Before "A Night for Listening" Before "A Night for Listening" Unknown Unknown
Troutstar Before "A Night for Listening" Before "The Vanishing Moon" Unknown Meadowpelt
Reedstar Before "The Vanishing Moon" Before "A Loss for All Clans" Unknown Unknown
Ivystar Before "A Loss for All Clans" Before "Darkstar's Law" Unknown Graywing
Talonstar Before "Darkstar's Law" Before "The Leader Who Sought Peace" Unknown Unknown
Willowstar Before "The Leader Who Sought Peace" Before Cloudstar's Journey Unknown Unknown
Birchstar Before Cloudstar's Journey Before Mapleshade's Vengeance Sloefur Icewhisker
Darkstar Before Mapleshade's Vengeance Before Goosefeather's Curse Spiketail Unknown
Volestar Before Goosefeather's Curse Before Tallstar's Revenge Hailstep Echosnout, Cloudberry
Hailstar Before Tallstar's Revenge Crookedstar's Promise Shellheart, Crookedjaw Milkfur, Brambleberry
Crookedstar Crookedstar's Promise A Dangerous Path Timberfur, Oakheart, Leopardfur Brambleberry, Mudfur
Leopardstar A Dangerous Path Fading Echoes Stonefur, Mistyfoot, Hawkfrost Mudfur, Mothwing, Willowshine
Mistystar Fading Echoes River Reedwhisker Mothwing, Willowshine, Alderheart (temporary)
Mothwing and Frostpaw (temporary) River Sky None Themselves
Curlfeather River River None Mothwing, Frostpaw
Owlnose Sky Shadow Splashtail Mothwing, Frostpaw
Tigerstar (supervising) Sky - - Mothwing, Frostpaw
Icewing and Cloverfoot (temporary) Shadow Thunder - Mothwing
Duskfur (temporary) Thunder Thunder Splashtail Mothwing
Splashtail Thunder - - Mothwing, Podlight
Dovestar's succession is unknown, but they appear in "Rules That Did Not Become Part of the Code" of Code of the Clans.[58]
SkyClan
Name Gained rank in... Left rank in... Deputies... Medicine cats...
Skystar Moth Flight's Vision The Ultimate Guide: Updated and Expanded Edition Sparrow Fur Micah, Acorn Fur
Sparrowstar The Ultimate Guide: Updated and Expanded Edition Before "Finders Keepers" Unknown Unknown
Birchstar Before "Finders Keepers" Before "Follow My Leader" Rainsplash Unknown
Beechstar Before "Follow My Leader" "Follow My Leader" Maplewhisker Unknown
Mothpelt "Follow My Leader" "Follow My Leader" None Unknown
Dewstar Before "The Vanishing Moon" Before "The Vanishing Moon" Unknown Unknown
Hawkstar Before "The Vanishing Moon" Before "Poppycloud's Rule" Robinstar Unknown
Robinstar Before "Poppycloud's Rule" Before "Poppycloud's Rule" Unknown Unknown
Rowanstar Before "Poppycloud's Rule" Before "Darkstar's Law" Unknown Unknown
Darkstar Before "Darkstar's Law" Before "The Leader Who Sought Peace" Raincloud Twigtail
Fennelstar Before "The Leader Who Sought Peace" Before "A Lesson to Kittypet Thieves" Unknown Unknown
Flystar Before "A Lesson to Kittypet Thieves" Before Cloudstar's Journey Petalfall, Cloudstorm Unknown
Cloudstar Before Cloudstar's Journey Before Firestar's Quest Buzzardtail Fawnstep
Buzzardstar Before Firestar's Quest Before Firestar's Quest Unknown Unknown
Spiderstar Before Firestar's Quest Before Firestar's Quest Honeyleaf Brackenheart
Firestar (unofficial) Firestar's Quest Firestar's Quest None Sandstorm (unofficial)
Leafstar Firestar's Quest - Sharpclaw, Waspwhisker, Hawkwing Echosong, Frecklewish, Fidgetflake, Leafpool (temporary), Puddleshine
Maplestar's succession is unknown, but she appears in Cloudstar's Journey.[59]
WarriorClan
Name Gained rank in... Left rank in... Deputies... Medicine cats...
Monkeystar Before Graystripe's Vow - Fang Petunia

Trivia[]

  • Kate thinks the warrior code would allow a warrior to challenge their leader for leadership if it's done in the best interest of the Clan such as a weak or cruel leader.[blog 1]
  • She also thinks that in the event both the leader and deputy died, the Clan would discuss amongst themselves who should be leader. StarClan might also interfere and send a sign to the medicine cat who should be leader.[blog 2]

See also[]

External links[]

Notes and references[]

  1. Revealed in Into the Wild, page 17
  2. Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 510
  3. Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 101
  4. Revealed in Into the Wild, page 248
  5. Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 59
  6. Revealed in A Dangerous Path, page 24
  7. Revealed in A Dangerous Path, page 114
  8. Revealed in The Lost Warrior, page 64
  9. Revealed in Starlight, page 168
  10. Revealed in Code of the Clans, page 68
  11. Revealed in Sunset, page 261
  12. Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 238
  13. Revealed in Code of the Clans, page 92
  14. Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 35
  15. Revealed in A Dangerous Path, page 316
  16. Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 58
  17. Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 162
  18. Revealed in Into the Wild, page 193
  19. Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 98
  20. Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 5
  21. Revealed in Forest of Secrets, page 297
  22. Revealed in Rising Storm, page 75
  23. Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 383
  24. 24.0 24.1 Revealed in Long Shadows, page 48
  25. Revealed in The Fourth Apprentice, page 94
  26. Revealed in Starlight, page 137
  27. Revealed in Forest of Secrets, page 287
  28. Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 249
  29. Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 44
  30. Revealed in Long Shadows, page 259
  31. 31.0 31.1 31.2 Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 103
  32. Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 76
  33. Revealed in Tigerclaw's Fury, chapter 7
  34. Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 278
  35. Revealed in Firestar's Quest, chapter 10
  36. Revealed in The Place of No Stars, page 91
  37. Revealed in The Place of No Stars, page 66
  38. Revealed in River, page 127
  39. Revealed in Shadow, page 12
  40. Revealed in Code of the Clans, page 85
  41. Revealed in Code of the Clans, page 97
  42. Revealed in Lost Stars, page 248
  43. Revealed in River, page 240
  44. Revealed in Sky, page 141
  45. 45.0 45.1 Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 104
  46. Revealed in Long Shadows, page 239
  47. Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 302
  48. Revealed in Long Shadows, page 243
  49. Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 233
  50. 50.0 50.1 Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 308
  51. Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 314
  52. 52.0 52.1 Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 496
  53. Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 276
  54. Revealed in A Dangerous Path, page 57
  55. Revealed in A Dangerous Path, page 19
  56. Revealed in Code of the Clans, page 64
  57. Revealed in Code of the Clans, page 115
  58. Revealed in Code of the Clans, page 155
  59. Revealed in Cloudstar's Journey, chapter 2

Author references


Advertisement