Some important points regarding the lore of this book before we begin.

MOST OF THE LORE WAS CREATED BY SaccharineKittyKatt. PLEASE DO NOT STEAL IDEAS OR USE THEM WITHOUT ASKING ME FIRST.

Ranks

Here are some key facts about ranks:

- Cats can only become Royals if they are related to the current Royals (e.g. cousins, daughters, sons). No other cats can become Royals.

- Royal Elders are not retired Royals (it is considered to be weak to give up the position of a Royal), but they are retired Heirs.

- Royals are the highest ranking cats, but female Royals are considered more important than their male counterparts, for they are the ones who will continue to bloodline and produce kits to become the next Royals.

- Seers are chosen by the Gods. If the Gods visit you on the night before your apprentice ceremony, then they will become a Seer and will be branded with a red circle on their left shoulder. Apprentice Seers' Seer name will be chosen by the Gods.

- Commoners are those who have failed their warrior/hunter/seer/healer exam. They only keep their prefix and can tend to all the cats of the clan. They usually cannot leave camp unless given permission by those higher ranking than them.

- Cats that are ranked lower must address those who have a higher rank than them by their full title, e.g. Seer Whiteblossom, Warrior Petalshine, etc.

- Here are the ranks in order of importance:

Female Royal (Queen), Male Royal (King), Heirs, Royal Elders, Seers, Healers, Warriors, Hunters, Kit Mothers, Kits Apprentices, Commoners.

Elementals

A very few cats in each clan have powers and they are referred to as Elementals. The clans shun these cats and if they are found, will be executed on the spot or exiled. However, the decision is made solely by the Royal(s).

Elementals can only have element-related powers, so don't expect your cat to be able to make concrete out of their bare paws.

The Clans

A little info on the clans:

OakClan, the brave and courageous

OakClan pride themselves as being the bravest of the four clans. They live in a rich and well-lit forest. Their camp is a clearing protected with a border of brambles.

MistClan, the cunning and sly

MistClan live in a dark, misty and dense pine forest. These cats are quite elusive and not many cats have seen MistClan members on their territory. Only medicine cats or seers have been to the heart of MistClan territory. Medicine cats and seers have sworn to keep a secret on what MistClan's camp looks like. Their camp is concealed between tangles of brambles and low-hanging branches, and is a dip beneath the pine trees. The camp is surrounded by trees and only minimal sunlight can filter through into their camp. It is a crater in the ground with a large trunk across the top of it.

BreezeClan, the swift and intelligent

These cats live on a moorland with a slight dip in the middle of their territory which is their camp. Most cats, except for elders and nursing queens, sleep outside, under their ancestors, so most dens remain empty and unused. Their dens are usually abandoned fox or badger dens.

TorrentClan, the kind and proud

These cats aren't afraid to lend a helping paw to those in need. Rogues, loners or lost kittypets are always welcomed. These cats live in a marshy swamp filled with streams, rivers and lakes. They're usually never hungry because of the abundance of prey on their island.

The Skulls of Death, the deadly and silent

The Skulls of Death are a group of cats that live on the outside borders of the four clans' territories. They are the major hurdle BreezeClan apprentices must cross when completing their warrior assessment. These cats don't usually trespass onto clan territory, but if they do, it is because they are fulfilling their need for revenge. Most of the cats in this group are actually dead, just brought back to life again by the leader, Skull. He has the power to control these cats whenever he wishes. 

Warrior Assessments

Apprentices must decide on the night of their 6th moon whether they want to be a warrior or a hunter. Being a warrior brings greater glory and fame, but with the cost of a dangerous warrior assessment. These are the warrior assessments that the clans currently use.

OakClan

All warrior apprentices are randomly paired up with a warrior, who will test their battle skills. They will spar until the warrior calls for the battle to end and pronounces the apprentice is worthy of becoming a warrior. If the apprentice yields or quits before the warrior calls, then they have failed their assessment. (proves strength and resilience)

MistClan

All apprentices must leave the territories for a moon before their warrior ceremony and live outside the clans before returning the next full moon. If they are found anywhere on clan territory on the second day of their assessment, they have failed. (proves adaptability, strength and emotional strength)

BreezeClan

All apprentices must prove themselves worthy by running up to the top of the mountain, fetching a piece of rock and returning before sunrise. All apprentices sent the night before must return before sunrise, otherwise they are exiled. If any apprentice doesn't have a piece of rock, they have failed. (proves agility, speed and sharpness of the mind)

TorrentClan

All apprentices must go to the River of Bones and swim across from one side to the other. If the apprentice's head goes under the water, they are doomed and has a 100% chance that they will drown. If an apprentice refuses to enter, they have failed their assessment. (proves strength and a clear mind)

Hunter Assessments

These cats are lower ranking than warriors, but higher ranking than commoners. Their assessments are easier than the warriors but if they fail, they become commoners. Here are the hunter assessments used in each clan.

OakClan

Each apprentice must cat 5 mice and 5 other pieces of prey from sun-rise to sun-down. Any less and they have failed their assessment.

MistClan

Each apprentice must catch 9 pieces of prey from sun-down to moon-high. Any less and they have failed their assessment.

BreezeClan

Each apprentice must catch 5 rabbits and 3 birds from sunrise to sun-high. Any less than that, they have failed their assessment.

TorrentClan

Each apprentice must catch a total of 15 pieces of prey from sunrise to sundown. If they get any less than 15 pieces of prey, they have failed.

The Skulls of Death Rituals

These cats don't have many rituals or assessments, as they want to distinguish themselves from the 'soft clan cats'. However there are two rituals that the cats must follow.

Ritual 1

When a deputy becomes a leader, they must kill one of their kin and take their skull. They must then take this skull to the top of the mountain and leave it there. This proves that they are not attached to any cat in the group and will readily kill anyone for the benefit of the group.

Ritual 2

When a deputy is chosen, he or she must go to the top of the mountain and stay there for 1 night. This proves that he/she is ready to do anything for the group.

Codes

The warrior code is rather different in the clans and the Skulls of Death.

Warrior Code

1. Elementals must be killed or exiled.

2. Royals must be protected at all costs.

3. The Royal's word is the Warrior Code.

4. All borders must be patrolled once a day.

5. Commoners cannot leave the camp without permission.

6. Prey is killed only to be eaten. Give thanks to the Gods for its life.

7. An honorable warrior does not need to kill other cats to win their battles, unless they are outside the code, or it is necessary for self-defense.

8. A Gathering of all four Clans is held at the full moon during a truce that lasts for the night. 

9. No cat can neglect a kit in pain or danger, even if the kit is from a different Clan.

10. A kit must be at least six moons old to become an apprentice.

11. The Royal Heir will become the next Royal when the former Royal dies.

12. Elders, queens, sick or injured cats and kits must be fed before apprentices and warriors. Unless they have permission, apprentices may not eat until they have hunted to feed the elders.

13. A warrior or healer may switch their allegiance from one Clan to another but must meet a set of conditions. The cat wishing to change Clans must perform a task of their intended Clan's choosing. If they succeed, it will be deemed the Gods' will that they change Clans, and their request will be granted.

14. A Heir cannot be made Royal Heir without having mentored at least one apprentice.

The Code of Skulls

1. The leader's decision is the Code and must be obeyed at all times.

2. The deputy must be a living cat and not one who has been raised from the dead.

3. Question all trespassing cats and bring them to the leader.

4. A Skull of Death rejects the life of a house-cat or a warrior.

The Gods

The clans worship 5 gods:

Lea the goddess of love, life, mates and mothership

Leo the god of mischief, choices and death

Lynx the goddess of leadership, success and strategy

Tigris the god of war, fighting, hunting and battle

Pardus the god of nature and animals