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"The story is never the same twice, and parts grow uncertain, or they become suddenly clear in the telling." This article contains information mainly from the 2007 field guide, Secrets of the Clans. While based on canonical information, the book has been repeatedly retconned as the series progressed, and thus its credibility is questioned. |
| "Soon, [Whitepaw] will become a warrior. I can't wait to see her eyes shine as Firestar says her warrior name and to share in her happiness with the rest of the Clan." |
| — Brackenfur in Secrets of the Clans, page 112 |
- Below contains in-depth information for the Ceremonies chapter of Secrets of the Clans. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.
Chapter description[]
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- Clan leaders are the heart of their Clan. They are responsible for holding Clan meetings, naming warriors and apprentices, and making important decisions for the Clan. Newly appointed Clan leaders visit either the Moonstone or the Moonpool to communicate with StarClan and receive their nine lives. Each life is granted by a StarClan cat who was significant to the new leader in some manner. When a leader looses a life, they will briefly visit StarClan until they return, and usually medicine cats truly know how many lives their leaders have left. Firestar's lives were granted by Lionheart, Redtail, Silverstream, Runningwind, Brindleface, Swiftpaw, Yellowfang, Spottedleaf, and Bluestar.
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- Deputies are chosen by Clan leaders as their second in command. They preside over Clan meetings when their leaders are absent, organize daily patrols and day-to-day tasks. Per the warrior code, new deputies must be chosen before moonhigh. Deputies succeed the leader after they die.
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- Young members of the Clan in training to become warriors are called apprentices. Kits are promoted to apprentices when they are at least six moons old and change their name to -paw. Each apprentice is paired with an older warrior to train them individually, called a mentor. Apprentices are responsible for caring for the elders. After they complete their training, they will become warriors.
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- Birchpaw is an eager new apprentice, though he knows his mother Ferncloud wishes he were still in the nursery. Birchpaw is happy to have Ashfur as his mentor. He already enjoys going on hunting patrols and catching food for the elders. He is also excited to attend his first Gathering and hopefully meet Toadkit, Applekit, and Marshkit.
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- Warriors are the heart of a Clan. They are responsible for patrolling, hunting, defending the Clan in battle, and training the next generation. During their warrior ceremonies, their suffix changes to an unique name, such as Sandstorm, Fireheart, or Brambleclaw.
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- Brackenfur recalls when he received his warrior name. While hunting with Fireheart, Brackenpaw detected WindClan and ShadowClan scents, and he knew they were coming to attack their prisoner Brokentail. Fireheart sent him back to camp to warn Bluestar and Tigerclaw. Brackenpaw knew he was fighting to defend the cat who once stole him and his littermates, but he knew it was what Bluestar wanted. After the battle, Bluestar granted him his warrior name: Brackenfur. He guarded the camp in silence that night during his vigil. When he was granted Whitepaw as his own apprentice, Brackenfur was excited to train her and he cannot wait until she becomes a warrior.
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- Back kick: Lash out with back legs to surprise your opponent.
- Belly rake: Slice claws across soft flesh to quickly stop a fight.
- Front paw blow: A frontal attack with claws sheathed.
- Front paw strike: A frontal attack with claws unsheathed.
- Killing bite: A death blow to the back of the neck. Sometimes dishonorable.
- Leap-and-hold: Spring onto a larger opponent's back with claws unsheathed. Useful for a group of apprentices to attack a single opponent.
- Partner fighting: Pair off into defensive positions while protecting your partner's back.
- Play dead: Stop struggling and go limp to trick your enemy into relaxing its grip. Useful to throw off an unwary opponent.
- Scruff shake: Securely gripe an opponent's scruff and shake to disorient. Useful for smaller enemies.
- Teeth grip: Sink your teeth into your opponent's extremities and hold.
- Upright lock: Rear on back legs and bring down your full weight on your opponent. A final, crushing move, but leaves you vulnerable to a belly rake.
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- A warrior's life can be difficult and dangerous: from battle, disease, or natural disaster. Those who are lucky to live a long life may retire as elders and offer wisdom for younger generations.
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- Goldenflower reflects on her life. She always dreamed of becoming a warrior but never gave much thought to becoming an elder. Elders are always treated with respect, and she looks forward to living the rest of her days peacefully. However, she recalls how Rosetail, a former elder, gave her life to protect the nursery when Goldenflower was nursing Swiftkit. Goldenflower knows that she would also give her life for her Clan, even as an elder. One of her remaining duties will be to bury their deceased Clanmates. Goldenflower hopes that her remaining moons will be peaceful.
Characters[]
Major[]
Mentioned[]
- Bluestar[4]
- Firestar[4]
- Lionheart[5]
- Redtail[5]
- Silverstream[5]
- Graystripe[5]
- Runningwind[5]
- Brindleface[5]
- Swiftpaw[6]
- Yellowfang[6]
- Spottedleaf[6]
- Sandstorm[6]
- Ashfur[7]
- Ferncloud[1]
- Larchkit[1]
- Hollykit[1]
- Toadkit[1]
- Marshkit[1]
- Applekit[1]
- Brambleclaw[8]
- Brokentail[2]
- Thornclaw[2] (Unnamed)
- Cinderkit[2] (Unnamed)
- Brightkit[2] (Unnamed)
- Tigerclaw[2]
- Whitepaw[9]
- Bone[10]
- Rosetail[3]
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 109
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 111
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 116
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 103
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 105
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 106
- ↑ Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 108
- ↑ Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 110
- ↑ Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 112
- ↑ Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 114
| Secrets of the Clans chapters | |
|---|---|
| History of the Clans • ThunderClan: Fierce and Brave • WindClan: Swift and Loyal • RiverClan: Strong and Clever • ShadowClan: Wily and Proud • StarClan • Beyond the Territories • Ceremonies • Breaking the Warrior Code • Prophecies and Omens • Medicine • Cats Outside the Clans • Other Animals • Mythology | |