CEREMONIES.

[LYRIC ']

Please keep in mind that you don't get to choose your own warrior name if your cat is an apprentice. However, you CAN request a certain name from the person who roleplays their Clan's leader.

Kit to Apprentice Ceremony
When a kit turns six moons old, he or she is ready to become an apprentice. Until this time, their name ends with the '-kit' suffix. When a kit becomes an apprentice, their name ends with '-paw', showing the path their paws will walk on.

LEADER: (Kit), you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as (new name, ending with '-paw'). I ask StarClan to watch over you and guide you until you find in your paws the strength and courage of a warrior.

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 fierce and brave. 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 his/her name. After this, the apprentice will usually go greet their family, or go see to their mentor.

Dying Apprentice Ceremony
This ceremony occurs when an apprentice is on the verge of death, but has proven her/himself to be worthy of their warrior name. This allows them to be recognized with their full name by StarClan.

LEADER: I ask my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He/She has learned the ways of your noble code, and has 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).

Apprentice to Warrior Ceremony
An apprenticeship usually lasts six moons or more. Once the mentor is satisfied with the apprentice's progress and skills, he or she recommends them to the leader of the Clan. Then, the apprentice must pass an assessment, when their abilities as a warrior are checked. In cases when the apprentice has just made an important contribution to the Clan, the leader may decide that there is no need for an assessment.

The leader calls forth the apprentice.

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 name). StarClan honors your (virtue #1) and (virtue #2), and we welcome you as a full warrior of (Clan).

Warrior to Elder Ceremony
An aging warrior, queen, or medicine cat may retire as an elder due to their own initiative, when they feel they cannot help the Clan efficiently anymore. They report this to the Clan leader, who calls a Clan meeting and addresses the warrior.

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.

Warrior to Deputy Ceremony
If the Clan's previous deputy died, retired, or was promoted to leader, a new one must be appointed before moonhigh the same day, according to the warrior code.

After the leader has decided on the new deputy, he or she calls a Clan meeting and makes the announcement with the following words.

LEADER: I say these words before StarClan, 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).

Deputy to Leader Ceremony
The new leader goes to the Moonpool with the Clan's Medicine Cat. After touching the water, 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 awaking, cats of StarClan come down from Silverpelt. Nine cats, normally ones who were significant during the new leader's life, 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 to (use of gift).

When all of the lives have been given, 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.

Just as the Clan cats would call a warrior by their new name, the StarClan cats acclaim the new leader. After the ceremony, the new leader is not allowed to tell any cat what happened during the ceremony.

Name Changing Ceremony
The leader calls a Clan meeting, and performs the change with the following words.

LEADER: 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).

List of Virtues
Courage
Bravery
Determination
Enthusiasm
Independence
Strength
Spirit
Honesty
Patience
Forethought
Loyalty
Intelligence
Initiative
Kindness
Energy
Thoughtfulness
Wisdom
Enterprise