Leader

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

Description

Leaders are the head of their Clan. Their personality is the same as their Clan's and describes how their Clanmates treat others. The word of the Clan leader is law, proclaimed by 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. They are responsible for the whole Clan, calling Clan meetings, appointing cats to new ranks, and making the toughest decisions. Each Clan has one leader, and their names end with the suffix -star. (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.

Qualifications

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

• Mentored at least one apprentice
• Selected by the previous leader to become deputy(with the exception of Nightstar)
• 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 and Tigerstar)

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

Tasks

A leader has various tasks and privileges:

• 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've finished their training
• Appoint a new deputy if the former deputy has died, resigned, or been banished
• Counsel with the deputy and the senior warriors and listen to their reports
• Discuss prophecies and omens with their Clan's medicine cat, and listen to their advice
• Solve conflicts between members of the Clan
• Dealing with politics/conflicts that happen out of the Clan, but can still threaten the Clan
• Decide if a non-Clan cat can join 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 occasionally carry out warrior tasks, such as going on patrols or mentoring apprentices should they assign one to themselves
• Call Clan meetings if necessary for the good of the Clan

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

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.

In some cases, deputies become the de facto leader with their predecessor's death even when it's not directly stated, such as Raven Pelt when Shadowstar was killed or Squirrelflight when Bramblestar became too ill and died.

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.

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. Each of the lives are granted by a single ancestor, usually from the same Clan and whose life was meaningful to the cat, 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. See for example Firestar's Nine Lives.

When the leader loses one of these lives, they black out and are taken to StarClan. There, a warrior ancestor speaks with the leader. The cat sees a pale outline of themselves that was their lost life. When the cat is revived back to consciousness, the wound or illness is removed to the best of StarClan's ability. 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.

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). This is approved by StarClan, and the current deputy can be appointed as the new leader. The former leader loses their leader name and the lives granted by the ancestors. 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.

Banishment

A Clan can demote a leader if they consider them unfit for the position (such as when ShadowClan banished Brokenstar). 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. (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.

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. 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. 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.

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 Cloudspots 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 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 Unknown 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 Sunstar Bluestar's Prophecy Bluestar's Prophecy Tawnyspots, Adderfang (temporarily), 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 Bramblestar The Last Hope Lost Stars Squirrelflight Leafpool, Jayfeather, Alderheart Squirrelflight (de facto) Lost Stars Lost Stars None Jayfeather, Alderheart Bramblestar's impostor Lost Stars - Squirrelflight, Berrynose Jayfeather, Alderheart

Owlstar's succession is unknown, but he appears in "Rules That Did Not Become Part of the Code" of Code of the Clans.

ShadowClan

Name Gained rank in... Left rank in... Deputies... Medicine cats... Shadowstar Path of Stars Shadowstar's Life Sun Shadow, Raven Pelt Pebble Heart Raven Pelt 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 Unknown Brightwhisker Before "A Sign from StarClan" "A Sign from StarClan" Unknown Unknown Flowerstar Before "Darkstar's Law" Before "The Leader Who Sought Peace" Unknown Unknown Ripplestar Before "The Vanishing Moon" "The Vanishing Moon" Unknown 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 (temporarily) 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 Rowanstar Bramblestar's Storm Darkest Night Crowfrost, Tigerheart, Tawnypelt Littlecloud, Leafpool (temporarily), Puddleshine Tigerstar Tigerheart's Shadow - Tawnypelt, Juniperclaw, Cloverfoot Puddleshine, Shadowsight

WindClan

Name Gained rank in... Left rank in... Deputies... Medicine cats... Windstar Path of Stars Before "Webfoot Speaks: The Story of the Lost Tunneler" Gorsefur Moth Flight Gorsestar Before "Webfoot Speaks: The Story of the Lost Tunneler" Before "The Beginning of the Warrior Code" Unknown Unknown Duststar "The Beginning of the Warrior Code" "Finders Keepers" Stonetail Unknown Stonestar Before "Finders Keepers" Before "The Queens Unite" Mudpuddle Unknown Hazelstar Before "The Queens Unite" Before "The Vanishing Moon" Unknown Unknown Featherstar Before "Second in Command" Before "The Vanishing Moon" Pebblefur, Acorntail Unknown Dovestar Before "The Vanishing Moon" Before "A Loss for All Clans" Unknown Unknown Fallowstar Before "A Loss for All Clans" Before "Darkstar's Law" Unknown Unknown Birchstar Before "Darkstar's Law" Before "The Leader Who Sought Peace" Unknown Unknown Rabbitstar Before "The Leader Who Sought Peace" Before Cloudstar's Journey Unknown Unknown Swiftstar Before Cloudstar's Journey Before Mapleshade's Vengeance Milkfur Larkwing Heatherstar Before Goosefeather's Curse Tallstar's Revenge Gorsefoot, Reedfeather, Talltail Chiveclaw, Hawkheart, Barkface Tallstar Tallstar's Revenge Starlight Deadfoot, Mudclaw, Onewhisker Barkface Onestar Starlight Shattered Sky Ashfoot, Harespring Barkface, Kestrelflight Harestar Shattered Sky - Crowfeather Kestrelflight

RiverClan

Name Gained rank in... Left rank in... Deputies... Medicine cats... Riverstar Path of Stars Before "The Beginning of the Warrior Code" Night Dapplepelt 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 - Reedwhisker Mothwing, Willowshine

Dovestar's succession is unknown, but they appears in "Rules That Did Not Become Part of the Code" of Code of the Clans.

SkyClan

Name Gained rank in... Left rank in... Deputies... Medicine cats... Skystar Moth Flight's Vision Before "Finders Keepers" Sparrow Fur Micah, Acorn Fur 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" Unknown 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 Unknown 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 (unofficially) Firestar's Quest Firestar's Quest None Sandstorm (unofficially) Leafstar Firestar's Quest - Sharpclaw, Waspwhisker, Hawkwing Echosong, Frecklewish, Fidgetflake, Leafpool (temporarily), Puddleshine

Maplestar's succession is unknown, but she appears in Cloudstar's Journey.

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.
• 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.

See also

• List of leaders
• List of leaders by Clan

External links

• Leadership Among the Clans: An Overview on the Warriors official website
• The Leaders Who Made Their Mark on the Warriors official website
• A First Time For Nine Lives on the Warriors official website
• Morningstar's Folly - When Peace Isn't the Answer on the Warriors official website