CardinalClan

[Lilygold]

[smear:FF0000]Introduction[/smear:AA8800]

CardinalClan is a clan of generally curious cats. They worship the original StarClan, as well as seeing birds as a sign of good luck and prosperity. The power they've been granted are physical wings, gained by the Initiation Ceremony for any loner or rogue wishing to join the Clan. The wings are tinged red, fading from a strong red at the tip to the pelt color near the base of the wing. The wings are fragile, however, and can be targeted in a fight. If damaged, the cat's flight may be permanently impaired, and injuring another cat by the wings is considered greatly dishonorable by any Clan. If a CardinalClan cat damages another CardinalClan cat's wings, it's grounds for exile. Thus, CardinalClan cats generally have a great respect for the powers other Clans have control of. Medicine cats are particularly respected as greatly intelligent and clever. This Clan's cats are swift on land as well as in the air, winning their battles through agility and strategy rather than brute force. Though they're averse to conflict as a general rule, they can prove themselves to be opponents which are difficult to land a blow on.

[smear:FF0000]Important Notes[/smear:AA8800]

Forbidden warrior suffixes:

-star [leader], -down [med. cat apprentice], -feather [med. cat], -flight [deputy], -sky [elder]

[Lilygold]

[smear:FF0000]Origins[/smear:AA8800]

CardinalClan was created by Cardinal, who intended to live out her parents' wish for the Clans to be revived. Not only that, but she wanted to join in on the existing action, and territory in which she had previously lived was filling up fast. After a brief stint as warrior of NightClan, she spread her wings and flew to the moorland along with Crowkit to create a Clan where they could both live without fear of discrimination.

[Lilygold]

[smear:FF0000]Warrior Code[/smear:AA8800]

Defend your Clan to the brink of death - but have the sense to step away when the fight is too costly.

Friendships with other Clans' cats are not frowned upon, and keeping out of a fight if it would pit two friends against one another is perfectly acceptable.

Do not steal, blatantly or otherwise, from another Clan.

Trespassers on the territory should be reported and brought to the leader, but will never be attacked unless they are first to unsheathe their claws.

Trespassing on another Clan's territory will not be scolded by CardinalClan, but be aware of whether the other Clan will attack you.

Those unable to care for themselves should be cared for by the Clan. Apprentices should spend some time with elders, kits, sick or injured warriors, and queens during their training to keep them updated on what's going on in and out of the Clan.

Sick and injured warriors will not be put in danger.

Prey is a gift that should be cherished and respected, but birds are a sign from StarClan. Birds will not be hunted, even in the harshest leaf-bare.

Kits will be apprenticed only after they have turned six moons old.

Newly appointed warriors will keep their wings spread and their heads to the moonlight silently during the night after they have received their name.

A cat cannot be made deputy until they have mentored at least one successful apprentice and dreamed with StarClan at least once.

The deputy succeeds the leader after they have left their post for one reason or another.

After the deputy has left their post, the new deputy must be chosen before moonhigh.

CardinalClan must attend the Gathering every full moon, with no less than two warriors and one apprentice guarding the camp during their absence. If fighting breaks out, breaking StarClan's truce, CardinalClan must not be involved, and must leave quietly and peacefully.

Scout patrols must be sent out daily, at sunrise, sunhigh, and sunset. An additional patrol may be sent out at moonhigh.

Patrols must have no less than three warriors manning them.

No warrior can neglect cats whose lives are in danger, be they from any Clan.

The leader's word can be challenged by the deputy and a band of no less than five warriors, in which case the leader and one of the band must go and dream with StarClan to determine the conflict.

A CardinalClan warrior does not permanently hinder another cat's powers, nor do they kill any cat. Both are grounds for exile.

A warrior respects all cats, no matter what way of life they have chosen. Kittypets, loners, and rogues are not to be harassed without provocation.

[Lilygold]

[smear:FF0000]Camp/Territory[/smear:AA8800]

The CardinalClan camp is located in the same shallow dip in the moorland that WindClan once used. The warriors' and leader's den are both nothing more than the clearing in the center of the camp. Sleeping under the open sky is said to be a way of connecting with StarClan, as well as a way of giving thanks for the birds that fly in it. In poor weather, they retreat to abandoned animals' dens. The nursery has been dug out underneath a gorse bush, and the medicine cat's den is located inside a break in one of the boulders scattered around the camp's edge. The elders sleep in an old badger set. The leader addresses the Clan from the tallest of the scattered boulders, known as the Skystone. Mentors train their apprentices in battle inside a circle marked off by small rocks (the remains of a boulder struck by lightning) - referred to simply as the stone arena. The camp remains unguarded, just as it was in ancient times, seeing as the cats welcome visitors and can simply fly overhead to scout.

The CardinalClan territory is located in the old WindClan moorland. Shrubbery and the occasional tree make up the vast expanse. Rabbits are, as always, the most abundant prey, and the moorland is littered with their burrows. Animals such as badgers and foxes make their homes around as well, and there are many abandoned burrows and sets from them. The holes make for a good hiding place for hostile, attacking cats hoping to be passed over by the scouts overhead as well as a good hiding place for a CardinalClan ambush.

[Lilygold]

[smear:FF0000]Powers[/smear:AA8800]

CardinalClan's famous wings are gained through the Initiation Ceremony (see Ceremonies below). Cats not granted the wings by birthright will be initiated when they become a warrior. If they are born with another power, they should be greatly respected for who they are. They will not be initiated, as it is feared that the wings would take away the powers the cats already have. The wings go from a cardinal red at the tips of the feathers to the pelt color at the base.

Pros:
- The wings are fully capable of flight.
- Using the wings, the cats scout their territory.
- In battle, a cat can fly up to avoid an attack, adding to the existing agility of the Clan.
- Flying is faster than walking.
- If a cat flies up high enough, they can appear like a large bird - helpful for stealth.

Cons:
- The wings are a physical part of the body, making then vulnerable.
- The wings are just as easily broken as a leg.
- If a cat's wings are broken, they are not easily mended.
- CardinalClan cats are rather conspicuous since they have red-tinged wings.
- Wings can get tired the same as any body part.
- The wings do shed feathers, and so cats can be easily identified by other Clans as having trespassed since the red and the pelt color kind of give it away.

[Lilygold]

[smear:FF0000]Ceremonies[/smear:AA8800]

Initiation Ceremony
For when a cat is accepted into the Clan who was not born in it, or for granting a powerless CardinalClan-born cat their wings.

SPOILER: Click to show

Leader (summoning): Let all cats given by StarClan to this camp gather beneath the Skystone for an initiation.

(All cats gather, leaving the space nearest the Skystone for the Recipient(s).)

Leader: Will the powerless warriors (in^(CC-born)/joining^{(new arrival)}) our ranks please step forward?

(The Recipient(s) step into the space nearest the Skystone.)

Leader: Let StarClan and all the winged creatures of not only this moor, but all the lake territories, hear and celebrate (this/these) honorable (cat/cats). (He/she/they/etc) (has served/have served^(CC-born)/will serve^{(new arrival)}) our Clan well, with or without blessing, but we wish to give (him/her/them/etc) wings in order to grant solidarity with all the powered cats of our Clan. Do you, (cat name(s)), accept this gift?

Recipient(s): I do.

Leader: Step atop the Skystone with me.

(The Recipient(s) make their way atop the boulder to stand at the edge overlooking the Clan.)

Leader: With trust that the wind will carry you as far as Silverpelt from this day forward, leap off the stone and fly into the clearing.

(The Recipient(s) leap, and as they do so, wings unfold from their back in midair.)

Leader: (This cat/These cats) (has/have) been initiated by the grace of StarClan. The meeting may be dismissed.

(The cats disperse, and the leader bounds off the Skystone.)

Apprentice Ceremony
For when a kit grows to be six moons old, and is apprenticed to a warrior.

SPOILER: Click to show

Leader (summoning): Let all cats given by StarClan to this camp gather beneath the Skystone for an apprenticing.

(All cats gather, leaving the space nearest the Skystone for the kit(s).)

Leader: Will the kits six moons or older please step forward?

(The kit(s) step into the space nearest the Skystone.)

Leader: (Kit(s)), you are now old enough and strong enough to be apprenticed.

Leader: (Kit), from this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as (apprentice name). (Mentor), please step forward.

(The mentor steps beside the apprentice they were assigned.)

Leader: (Mentor), you have shown yourself to be (quality) and (quality), and you are ready to take on (an/another) apprentice. Pass on all that you learned from (previous mentor) to this willing vessel. (Apprentice), (mentor), teach and learn from one another during your time together.

(The apprentice and mentor either touch wings or noses, depending on the availability of wings. The leader repeats this process until all apprentices have been named and assigned mentors.)

Leader: Greet (this/these) new (apprentice/apprentices) by (his/her/their/etc) rightful (name/names) as you disperse.

(The cats disperse, and the leader bounds off the Skystone.)

Medicine Cat Apprentice Ceremonies
For when a medicine cat decides to take on an apprentice.

SPOILER: Click to show

Leader (summoning): Let all cats given by StarClan to this camp gather beneath the Skystone for the apprenticing.

(All cats gather, leaving the space nearest the Skystone for the medicine cat and chosen apprentice.)

Leader: Will (medicine cat) please step forward and make (his/her/their/etc) decision?

(The medicine cat steps into the space nearest the Skystone.)

Medicine Cat: After careful consideration of the qualities needed to be a medicine cat, I have chosen to take (kit) as my apprentice. I have observed this kit's (quality) and (quality), and found (him/her/them/etc) to be befitting of this role.

Leader: (Singular kit), from this day forward, until you receive your full name by StarClan, you will be known as (name ending in paw) or (name ending in down). (Medicine cat) has chosen you for a very important duty. Should you accept, you will follow in (his/her/their/etc) pawsteps, and never stray from the path of a healer. Are you willing to take this honor?

Apprentice: I am.

Leader: Then you will travel with (medicine cat) to the Moonpool upon the next half moon. Honor the position, and you will soon grow into it.

(The apprentice and medicine cat either touch wings or noses, depending on the availability of wings.)

Leader: Greet this new apprentice by (his/her/their/etc) rightful name as you disperse.

(The cats disperse, and the leader bounds off the Skystone.)

-At the Moonpool-

Medicine Cat: (Apprentice), it is truly your wish to walk in the path of a medicine cat, sharing in the mysteries of StarClan?

Apprentice: It is.

Medicine Cat: Come forward.

(The apprentice approaches the Moonpool.)

Medicine Cat: (Apprentice), like downy feathers, you will be a passenger on the bird of StarClan. One day, when you have completed your training, you will shed your name just as a fledgeling sheds its down, and a new feather will grow in its place.

Medicine Cat: Until that day, StarClan, I ask that you accept this apprentice. (He/she/they/etc) (has/have) chosen the path of a medicine cat. Please grant (him/her/them/etc) the wisdom beyond years that you keep so that (he/she/they/etc) will understand your ways and heal the Clan in accordance with your will.

(The apprentice and medicine cat drink from the Moonpool and dream with StarClan.)

Warrior Ceremony
For when an apprentice has passed enough assessments to become a warrior.

SPOILER: Click to show

Leader (summoning): Let all cats given by StarClan to this camp gather beneath the Skystone for the naming of a warrior.

(All cats gather, leaving the space nearest the Skystone for the apprentice(s).)

Leader: Will (apprentice(s)) please step forward?

(The apprentices ready to become warriors step into the space nearest the Skystone.)

Leader: I, (leader), leader of CardinalClan, call StarClan down to observe (apprentice). (He/she/they/etc) (has/have) worked hard to understand your comings and goings, and I commend (him/her/them/etc) to you as a warrior in (his/her/their/etc) turn.

Leader: (Apprentice), do you promise to uphold justice and peace in the lake territories and to protect and defend your Clan to the brink of death?

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 (warrior name). StarClan honors your (quality) and (quality), and we welcome you as a full warrior of CardinalClan.

(The leader rests (his/her/their/etc) muzzle on the apprentice's head, and the apprentice licks the leader's shoulder. The two have wings extended while doing so, if wings are available. The leader repeats this process until all the apprentices called forward have been given their warrior names.)

Leader: Greet (this/these) (warrior/warriors) by (his/her/their/etc) rightful (name/names) as you disperse.

(The cats disperse, and the leader bounds off the Skystone.)

Name-Changing Ceremony
For when a cat's name no longer portrays who they are.

SPOILER: Click to show

Leader (summoning): Let all cats given by StarClan to this camp gather beneath the Skystone for a renaming.

(All cats gather, leaving the space nearest the Skystone for the recipient(s).)

Leader: Will (recipient) please step forward?

(The recipient steps into the space nearest the Skystone.)

Leader: StarClan, you know every cat and more by name. I ask you to remove the name from the cat we called (recipient name), for it no longer stands for what (he/she/they/etc) (is/are). With the approval of StarClan and all the winged creatures of the lake territories, I ask that you grant this cat a new name. From this moment on (he/she/they/etc) will be known as (new name), for (reason).

(There is a moment of silence while the assembled wait for a sign. The leader repeats this process until all the recipients have been given their new names.)

Leader: Greet (this/these) (cat/cats) by (his/her/their/etc) rightful (name/names) as you disperse.

(The cats disperse, and the leader bounds off the Skystone.)

Medicine Cat Ceremony
For when a medicine cat apprentice has received enough training to be accepted as a full medicine cat.

SPOILER: Click to show

-At the Moonpool-

Medicine Cat: I, (medicine cat), medicine cat of CardinalClan, call down StarClan to observe this apprentice. (He/she/they/etc) (has/have) trained hard to understand your comings and goings and how to heal (his/her/their/etc) Clanmates, and with your help (he/she/they/etc) will serve CardinalClan for many moons.

Medicine Cat: (Apprentice), will you continue forging the path of a medicine cat, stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan and protect all cats equally, even to the brink of your own death?

Apprentice: I will.

Medicine Cat: Then under the embrace of StarClan, I give you your true name. (Apprentice), from this moment you will be known as (name ending in feather). You have shed your downy name, and in its place has grown a bold and delicate feather. We honor your (quality) and (quality), and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of CardinalClan.

(The mentor medicine cat rests (his/her/their/etc) muzzle on the new medicine cat's head, and the new medicine cat licks (his/her/their/etc) mentor's shoulder. Wings are extended while doing so, if both cats possess them.)

Medicine Cat: Hear the cats of StarClan greet you by your rightful name as they prepare our dream.

(Both cats drink from the Moonpool and dream with StarClan.)

Deputy Ceremony
For appointing a new deputy when the previous deputy has left their post or been promoted to Leader.

SPOILER: Click to show

Leader (summoning): Let all cats given by StarClan to this camp gather beneath the Skystone for the naming of the deputy.

(All cats gather.)

Leader: In the tradition of StarClan, it is time to name the new second-in-command. I say these words before StarClan and all the birds of not only the moorland, but the entirety of the lake territories so that they may hear and approve of my choice.

Leader: (Recipient), please join me on the Skystone.

(The cats make way for the Recipient as (he/she/they/etc) (make/makes) (his/her/their/etc) way to stand beside the leader on the Skystone.)

Leader: (Recipient), I have chosen you to succeed me as leader. Should you accept, you will abandon the place where you rested at the end of your warrior path, spreading your wings to fly towards a new destiny in the stars. Are you ready to rise from your moons-long rest?

Recipient: I am.

Leader: Then listen closely, all cats of CardinalClan. Your new deputy is (name ending in flight). Until the day (he/she/they/etc) ascends to Silverpelt and takes my place, honor (him/her/them/etc) with your words and actions. Greet the deputy by (his/her/their/etc) rightful name as you disperse.

(The cats disperse, and the leader bounds off the Skystone with the new deputy close behind.)

Leadership Ceremony
For promoting a deputy to Leader when the previous leader has left their post.

SPOILER: Click to show

-At the Moonpool-

Deputy: StarClan, know that during my time as deputy to (previous leader), my gaze has never left you. My flight here has been long and arduous, but upon steady wings, I have finally reached you. I revoke my old name, and with an open heart, I stand nameless before you. I am laid bare for you to observe.

(The deputy drinks from the Moonpool and falls asleep for the receiving of lives.)

(The deputy wakes up, and the cats of StarClan are gathered in wait.)

(Nine StarClan cats (life-givers) step forward, and the last is the previous leader if they died.)

Life-Giver: I, (name), (importance to deputy or accomplishments in lifetime). For (moons since death) I have hunted here, and I am pleased to now pass on the life of (virtue) to you. Use it well to lead the Clan.

(The life-giver touches (his/her/their/etc) nose to the top of the deputy's head, and passes on an intense emotion. This process is repeated until all nine lives have been given.)

(The last cat to give a life stands in front of the deputy.)

Final Life-Giver: I hail you by your new name, (leader name). Your long flight here has come to an end. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you the guardianship of CardinalClan. 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.

(The cats of StarClan fade away, and the new leader wakes up and begins the journey back to the Clan.)

Elder Ceremony
For when a cat chooses to retire from active duty.

SPOILER: Click to show

Leader (summoning): Let all cats given by StarClan to this camp gather beneath the Skystone to retire a Clanmate.

(All cats gather, leaving the space nearest the Skystone for the recipient(s).)

Leader: Will (recipient) please step forward?

(The recipient steps into the space nearest the Skystone.)

Leader: (Recipient), is it your wish to give up the name of a (position) and go to join the elders?

Recipient: It is.

Leader: Then you will be honored for all the time you sleep there. All the service you have given to us has served us well over the many moons you have taken a warrior's name, but now we will call you (name ending in sky) for the place where you will keep your gaze in the long hours of the day. I call upon StarClan to give you many moons of rest.

(The leader repeats this process until all the recipients have been renamed as elders.)

Leader: Greet the new (elder/elders) with respect as you disperse.

(The cats disperse, and the leader bounds off the Skystone.)

[Lilygold]

[smear:FF0000]Herbs[/smear:AA8800]

Though there are not many herbs on the moorland, seeing as it's so dry and grassy, there are a few that do not grow elsewhere.

- Feathershaft: A tough, almost woody grass that is chewed to help cats regain their strength after sickness or injury.

- Feathervane: A soft grass that has "barbs" used to dress wounds and secure poultices. (It's sometimes used to coat the camp ground, when the medicine cat's stock is full.)

- Contour: An herb with strong leaves, used to create a sling for a broken wing.

- Down: A moss found near the border with EclipseClan. The water kept inside it is almost an anesthetic, and is also commonly used to help restless cats sleep.

- Primaries: Long grasses with a distinct purple color. Cats wear them dressed in their wings when visiting another camp, as a sign of peace (though whether it's accepted is another story).

- Secondaries: Shorter grasses that grow alongside Primaries - their distinct blue color is worn by scouts flying overhead to alert the camp that another cat has entered the territory. The higher the concentration of Secondaries, the more cats.

- Tertiaries: The shortest grasses that grow alongside Primaries and Secondaries. They have a distinct orange color. They're worn by cats in camp as a punishment for a transgression of the warrior code - often seen on apprentices who ate on a hunting patrol.

- Coverts: Strong-smelling berries that mask foul scents. Also used during stealth missions or to help clear a cat's nose. Green berries are ripe and smell almost minty, yellow ones smell like crowfood and are rotten, and yellow-green ones are underripe and smell like barely anything.

- Alulas: Small, extremely rare bushes with red leaves. They die out after about a day of ripeness. The leaf is filled with calcium and eaten in large amounts to quicken the healing of bones, the stem is filled with nutrients and is often used in large amounts for a malnourished cat, and the roots are deadly in large amounts. Unfortunately, their size means many must be gathered to be effective, and their rarity makes this nigh-impossible. Honey makes a good preservative, if it can be found.

- Scapulars: Extremely short fuzz that grows on the StormClan border. It's used to soothe aching and sore muscles.

[Lilygold]

[smear:FF0000]Battle Moves[/smear:AA8800]

The CardinalClan cats' wings, along with their speed, allow them to perform many interesting maneuvers in battle.

- Updraft: With one powerful beat of their wings, the cat jumps up into the air. While the wind from the wingbeat stuns their attacker, the cat quickly lands and claws the attacker's back.

- Glide: The cat doesn't move, simply opens its wings to their full extension, and while the attacker is confused by the motion, the cat slowly moves closer... until they swiftly slash the attacker's cheek and jump back to fly away from the fight.

- Swoop: The cat dives under the attacker, opens their wings to get the attacker on their back, and flies up. When the cat is a decent distance up (not far enough to seriously injure the cat) they do a barrel roll and drop the attacker, then fly away from the fight.

- Doubleback: The cat runs quickly dashes around to the back of their attacker, and lets it look like they're running away, then does a backflip onto the attacker's back and claws their tail until they're the one running.

- Infinity Times: The cat dashes from the front of the attacker to the side of the attacker, claws the attacker's belly while they're dashing between their legs, dashes to the back of the attacker, then back around to the side of the attacker, then claws the attacker's belly again... and so on.

- Full Flip: The cat gets under their attacker and pushes at their belly to get them off their paws and flipped onto their back, at which point they can attack.

[Firefly]

ACCEPTED