World Building - Clan Roles
Apprentice:
Apprentices are kits 6 moons or older. They are receiving training from a warrior in the ways of the Warrior Code. They hunt, fight, build, repair, stand guard, and patrol. There are also various tasks apprentices must do, including tending to the elders (den cleaning & grooming if needed), and the queens (kit-sitting and den cleaning).
Every 1 & 1/2 moons they have 4 assessments (Hunting, Fighting, Basic medicinal knowledge (Instated after Firestar became leader), Warrior Code memorization) to show growth. At minimum 6 moons of training, they must past their warrior assessments to receive their warrior names. They are not to stand guard or be in the forest alone until a minimum of 3 moons of training have been reached and they pass their second fighting assessment for safety reasons.
------Exceptions can be made for apprentices to receive their warrior name upon preforming a 'feat worthy of a warrior'. (Fireheart earned his name after helping drive out Brokenstar personally, Jayflight earned his name saving another apprentice from a hawk).
--------However, the only caveat to this is that they must be close enough to their warrior assessments for this 'feat' to count. An apprentice who's only had 3 moons of training would not receive their name, but one who's had 5 moons would, unless stated otherwise by their mentor.
During clan discussions, they are not to give their opinion before consulting their mentor. If the mentor agrees that the apprentice's words are relevant, they will bring it up themselves as a 3rd party.
Warrior:
They are the clan's working class. Trained in the ways of the Warrior Code, they hunt, fight, build, repair, stand guard, and patrol borders. If there are few or no apprentices, warriors may be delegated to tasks typically considered 'apprentice' tasks.
Warriors are expected to practice hunting and fighting to keep their skills sharp. They are also expected to know basic first-aid should the need arise. That way healers are not overloaded with basic injuries the warrior can treat on their own.
During clan discussions, they are allowed to give their opinions, as it is stated that all those with their end-names may speak.
Some warriors, typically senior warriors, are often consults to the leader. The leader will approach you personally to ask if they deem you worthy of being a consult. Typically, consults are patient, thoughtful, intelligent, and open-minded, but also hold strict values. Leader's usually shoot for varying personalities as to receive the most well-rounded council.
------Variants:
----Windclan Tunneler/Moor-Runner: Tunnelers dug tunnels under the moor and were the only cats capable of traversing the complicated system. They would also chase prey into their burrows. Eventually fell out of practice due to danger. Moor-runners are the closest to Modern Windclan cats. They are known for incredible speed and agility.
----Shadowclan Night-Walkers/Day-Walkers: Shadowclan separated their warriors into day-time and night-time warriors. This is a practice they have continued into the lake territories. All cats are typically awake during dawn and dusk. Night-time warriors are typically dark-furred cats with excellent night-vision.
----Riverclan Webfoot/Dry-Fur: All Riverclan cats know how to swim, but fishing is primarily a Webfoot thing. Webfoot warriors can hold their breath for several minutes and are known for deep-diving in the river. They often assist healers in finding water-dwelling herbs. Dry-furs are Riverclan cats who know how to hunt on land. They are typically bigger than Webfoots and are the ones who patrol and guard the borders. Both know how to fight regardless. Dry-furs are also the reason the nickname drypaw exists. It's the term used for apprentices who haven't chosen their specialization yet/haven't adjusted to swimming.
----Skyclan Tree-Jumpers/Groundies: Tree-Jumpers are small, muscled cats known for quite-literally jumping between trees. Some are so good they can sprint from one side of the territory to the other. The reason most clans won't invade is due to Skyclan's famous defense technique of dropping from trees. This is later adopted by Thunderclan in the lake territories. They can also take birds down mid-flight due to their above-average jumping abilities. Groundies are cats who'd rather stay on the ground. Most of them can climb trees, but would prefer not to.
----Thunderclan didn't specialize the same way most clans did. Thunderstar didn't like how the cats split either way and favored jack-of-all-trades rather than masters of one. Wanted to avoid out of fear of imbalances.
Seer:
Names can be used interchangeably, although seer is the official term while medicine cat and healer are more colloquial.
They are the cats with the most direct line to Starclan outside of leaders. They receive visions and interpret them. Leaders consult with them for spiritual guidance. Due to their connection to Starclan, they are very well respected in the clan.
They also have the most extensive knowledge of medicinal herbs and treatments for various illnesses. They are also gardeners, with most healers growing their own patches of herbs in secluded areas.
These cats are outside of clan loyalties technically. When a cat becomes a seer, they vow to protect all creatures, not just those of their specific clan. For example, that is why Yellowfang and Gorsepaw tended to the Shadowclan cats with the Carrionplace disease. They helped Runningnose care for them, even though they were separate clans.
"Care for all, not just for your clan."
This also means that even though the leader's word is law, if needed, the medicine cat can override the leader's word as they, too, are an extension of Starclan. This is in very rare cases, such as a challenge against the current leadership, as they must be included in the 3 quarters requirement for considered removal. Helps prevent dictatorships.
Healer Assistant:
This role is typically for cats who, in a time of crisis, step up to become temporary healers for the clan. They do not have the connection to Starclan that a normal seer has, but they do have extensive healing knowledge.
This role has also been used for long-time injured cats. If a cat is unable to preform warrior duties but does not wish to retire, this is typically the role they take on.
----EX: Brightheart was temporarily a Healer Assistant while she adjusted to her lack of eye and depth perception. She continued her warrior duties afterwards.
----EX: Briarlight is a full time Healer Assistant after her spine was broken and she was paralyzed. However, she is typically just referred to as a Healer since she is permanent.
Nursery Royal:
Mollies (Queens) or toms (Kings) expecting/caring for kits. They are the first cared for in the clan's hierarchy alongside the elders. They are rearing the next generation and are highly respected. After all, keeping the kits happy and healthy until apprenticeship is a feat in of itself.
When a lone kit comes into the clan, it is custom for the nursing royals to volunteer their milk. Unless claimed specifically by one royal, the whole den will care for the lone kit. Very much a 'it takes a village to raise a child' type of environment, which works well due to the large litters.
--EX. Firepaw was considered a 'lone kit' so the royals took him under their wings to teach him clan life and the Warrior Code.
Royals are expected to teach their kits the ways of the clan and the beginnings of the Warrior Code, often holding mock-assessments for them.
----Kit: All cats under six moons are considered kits. They are not to hunt or fight in a non-play way until becoming an apprentice. They are to be protected and taken care of.
Den Mother/Father:
The title used for the nursery's matriarch/patriarch. They are permanent members of the den and are the representatives for the whole nursery. They take their job very seriously, taking in the thoughts of all of the cats under their protection. They also make sure those in the den are healthy. Makes sure all the royals and kits are fed, watered, well-slept, and supported. Typically the first one to notice sickness.
There are two reasons warriors don't attack nurseries. The first is that attacking defenseless kits and parents is a monstrous action worthy of death. The second is that you won't be leaving the nursery and the den royal will line their nest with your fur and decorate it with your bones, so choose wisely.
While there have been exceptions, Den Mothers/Fathers typically have prior litters of their own.
Caretaker:
Non-nursing cats that live in the nursery. Their primary job is to assist royals with their kits. They are often royals who decided not to leave the nursery after their kits became apprentices.
Alongside kit-rearing, they also assist with day-to-day camp tasks, such as den maintenance, cleaning, rot-sniffing (searching for rotten fresh-kill/pelts), and supply stocking.
Pelt-Makers:
Closest thing Thunderclan has to a specialization. Also known as pelt-dryers. Basically anyone can learn and usually several know at a time. It is a technique used on large enough pelts (usually squirrel, rabbit, or very rarely, deer) to dry them out for various uses. Dried pelts are used a den insulators and nest comforters.
----The dibs order goes Nursery/Royals->Elders->Med. Cat & Sick Cats->Leader->Warriors->Apprentices.
Deputy:
Basically a Warrior with extra duties. They are expected to arrange patrols and sort out more menial tasks in day-to-day life that the leader doesn't need to be bothered with. They decide the needed number of hunting patrols and send out the daily border patrols. They assign apprentice tasks for the day. They will also head repair groups unless someone else is more qualified. They also consult with the leader and their council.
They are not, however, exempt from rules. They must follow the Code the same way the others do. Not only that, but they are also not excluded from clan duties. Just because they are the deputy does not mean they have special privileges. They hunt, patrol, and fight the same way the others do.
In order to qualify for deputy, they must have trained one apprentice.
There can be more than one deputy should the duties of the deputy become too much for just one. This is very rare, usually only happening when the clans are much larger than what a single leader and deputy can run with minimal stress.
On average, it is typical to have one deputy for every 40-ish cats. There is always a 'head' deputy who is designated to become leader. There is also a whole system in place for who becomes leader if the deputy is unable.
If needed, the deputy may take up more leader duties should the leader be temporarily out of commission. Upon the death, retirement, or removal of a leader, the deputy will become the next leader.
They are, however, allowed to refuse the leader role. They must assist in selecting the next leader.
Leader:
A warrior with extra steps. They are the ones who communicate with Starclan and preform all ceremonies. They represent their clan at Gatherings as well.
For the most part, they look like any other cat, except for a star-mark on their forehead they get upon receiving their lives.
The leader is also the mediator of clan-wide situations. For example, if an outsider were to enter the clan, or the clan were to go to war, the leader would discuss with their council, then bring it before the clan. The clans are supposed to work like a democracy with the leader being the middleman, however, the leader has the final say. They are supposed to unbiased, only choosing their answer based on the reasoning that makes the most sense.
Leaders are also the ones to give out punishments they believe fit the crime. If they are simple mistakes, like an apprentice breaking the code, they may get a small punishment like being sentenced to care for the elders alone. If it is much larger, like stealing, assault, or murder, then the punishment must be larger.
----EX. Tigerclaw was sentenced to death for the murders of Redtail and Lionheart, the attempted murder of Ravenpaw and Bluestar, causing Cinderflame's injuries, etc.
----EX. Graystripe was sentenced to isolation for several days once his half-clan relationship was revealed.
----EX. Bloompaw, Gorseflower's daughter, hunted in another clan's territory by mistake and was caught. She had to tend to the elders on her own for 4 days.
The leader must be concerned with both the interest of the whole clan and of the individual cats. If the leader is not preforming their duties in the clan's best interest, then the clan has the right to challenge their leadership. It must be for a genuine reason.
3/4 of the clan must agree, including the medicine cats. Then, it must be presented to the other leaders. If they agree, then the medicine cats can bring the matter to Starclan, where the leader must return their lives if Starclan finds them guilty.