Warrior Cat Guides:
Naming Ceremonies, Prefixes & Suffixes, Personality Traits & More.
Table Of Contents:
1- Naming Ceremonies.
2- Prefixes & Suffixes
3- Personality Traits
4- Prey & Predators.
5. Templates & Other Tips.
Note: Yes, I know these have already been made.
But why not.
Basic Information:
Any clanborn cat shall be given a prefix close to time after their birth (on most occasions from their mother). The prefix will usually have something to do with the color of their fur, the texture, or even their personality although this is more uncommon. Say, if a kit were to have white fur, their parents could give them a name such as Ice. Once given given this, the suffix "kit" will follow. The finished name now being "Icekit".
As the kittens grow, their suffix will change. When they become an apprentice at the age of six moons, the current leader will change the suffix to - paw. They will stick to that until they reach (commonly) twelve moons. When this time comes, they will be known as a warrior and the leader will then give them a new suffix based on again, their fur color, texture or personality. This name will stay with them forever until they possibly become leader. Starclan will give them nine lives, followed by the traditional "star" suffix.
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Apprentice Ceremony.
The Clan Leader calls a Clan Meeting to appoint a new apprentice and assign a mentor to them. 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 on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as (new name, ending with "paw"). Your mentor will be (name of warrior or medicine cat). I hope (name of warrior or medicine cat) will pass down all he/she knows on to you.
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 (quality) and (quality). 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 their name. After this, the apprentice will usually go greet their family, or go see to their mentor.
Warrior Ceremony.
Once an apprentice has received around six or more moons training from their mentor, they may be ready to become a Warrior. When the apprentice's mentor is happy with the apprentice's progress, they will consult the Clan leader and tell them they think they are ready.
The apprentice will then have to perform a final assessment (usually a hunting test) where they are watched over by their current mentor to see if they are truly ready.
In some cases the Clan leader may decide an assessment isn't needed, usually because of a special achievement that showed that they were ready. Examples would be saving kits, or fighting courageously in a battle.
When an apprentice passes their assessment or is chosen to be given their warrior name without one, and the Clan leader and mentor are completely satisfied they are ready, they will be given their warrior name in a special ceremony. This ceremony is done in a Clan meeting lead by the Clan Leader.
Leader:
"I, [Leader's name], leader of [Clan name], 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's name], 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's name], from this moment you will be known as [New warrior name changing the 'paw' suffix to another of the leader's choosing, unique to the appearance or personality of the new warrior]. StarClan honors your [Virtues that describe the new Warrior], and we welcome you as a full warrior of [Clan name]."
The leader then rests their muzzle on the new warrior's head, and the new warrior licks the leader's shoulder in return. The rest of the Clan then greets the new warrior by calling their new warrior name in a chant. They will usually visit their family, and/or go see their former mentor, who congratulate them.
The warrior will sit a silent vigil guarding the camp that night. However in some cases this isn't possible; they may still sit a silent vigil outside of camp or may be told to do something else instead.
Medicine Cat Apprentice Ceremony.
The leader calls a Clan meeting, after the Clan's medicine cat announces that they wish to mentor an apprentice. The following words are used, by tradition:
Medicine Cat: Cats of (Clan), as you know, I will not be around forever. So it's time I took an apprentice. I have chosen a cat who has shown (virtues). Your next medicine cat will be (apprentice).
Leader: (Apprentice), do you accept the post of apprentice to (medicine cat)?
Apprentice: I do.
Medicine Cat: Then at the half-moon, you must travel to the Moonstone/Moonpool to be accepted by StarClan before the other medicine cats.
Leader: The good wishes of all (Clan) will go with you.
The mentor touches noses with the apprentice, and the Clan greets the new apprentice.
At the Moonstone/Moonpool
At the next half moon, the medicine cat goes with the apprentice to the Clans' sacred place to present them to the warrior ancestors, where the apprentice confirms their wish to be a medicine cat. The following words are used, by tradition:
Medicine Cat: (Apprentice), is it your wish to enter the mysteries of StarClan as a medicine cat?
Apprentice: It is.
Medicine Cat: Then come forward.
Medicine Cat: Warriors of StarClan, I present you with this apprentice. (He/she) has chosen the path of a medicine cat. Grant (him/her) your wisdom and insight so that (he/she) may understand your ways and heal (his/her) Clan in accordance with your will.
The medicine cat apprentice touches his/her nose to the Moonstone or drinks from the Moonpool. Then the medicine cat and the apprentice lay down and have a dream from StarClan.
Warrior Ceremony
If the Clan Leader is satisfied, they call a Clan Meeting and call 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 warrior name). StarClan honors your (virtues), and we welcome you as a full warrior of (Clan).
Dying Apprentice Ceremony
Leader: I ask my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. (He/She) has learned the warrior code and given up (his/her) life in the service of (his/her) Clan. Let StarClan receive (him/her) as a warrior. (He/She) will be known as (new name).
]Medicine Cat Ceremony.
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. 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: ___paw, 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. ___paw, 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 their muzzle on the apprentice's head, and they lick the mentor's shoulder. The other medicine cats greet them by their new name.
Elder Ceremony.
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 they will go to the elder's den. An elder may receive a completely different name, with a different ceremony, than keeping their warrior name.
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 there is no ceremony.
Deputy Ceremony.
The leader calls a Clan Meeting, and performs the ceremony by announcing these words:
Leader: I say these words before StarClan, so 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).
Leadership 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 awakening, cats of StarClan come down from Silverpelt. Nine cats, normally ones who were significant during the new leader's life, although this is not always the case, 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, etc.) (use of gift).
When all of the lives have been given, normally 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.
Name Changing Ceremony.
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)."