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PUBLIC!

Newmoon Gathering

The gathering  at the Azure Sanctuary that occurs every full moon, where all the Clans share news, chat, and enjoy themselves.

Druid Council
The meeting of all Clans' druids at Moonclaw Cavern that occurs every half-moon, where they share tongues with AzureClan.

PRIVATE!

Warrior Apprentice Ceremony

↳ Description

When a kit reaches six moons of age, they are ready to become an apprentice. This ceremony is done in a Clan meeting led by the Clan leader. In this ceremony, the kit is given their new apprentice name where they lose the "kit" suffix of their name and are given the suffix "paw" instead. The Clan leader also chooses an experienced warrior to be the apprentice's mentor.

↳ Words

Leader:
"[Kit's name], you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. Until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as [new apprentice name]. AzureClan has helped me choose a mentor who will watch over you and guide you until you find in your paws the strength and courage of a warrior. [Chosen mentor name], you are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from [former mentor's name], and you have shown yourself to be fierce and brave. You will be the mentor of [apprentice's name], and I expect you to teach them all you know."

The mentor touches noses with the apprentice, and the Clan greets the new apprentice by calling out their name in a chant. The apprentice will usually greet their family, or go see their mentor, who congratulates them.

Warrior Naming Ceremony

↳ Description

Once an apprentice has received around six or more moons of training from their mentor, they may be ready to become a warrior. When the apprentice's mentor is happy with their 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 where they are watched over by their current mentor to see if they are truly ready.

When an apprentice passes their assessment 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 led by the Clan leader.

↳ Words

Leader:
"[Apprentice's name], you have passed your final assessment and are nearly ready to become a warrior. Will you take this responsibility and dedicate yourself to [Clan name]?"

Apprentice:
"I pledge my head, heart, and claws to the service of my Clan. I will do what I think is best for my Clanmates, treat them with the compassion of kin, and defend them to the death, for they are now and always will be my family."

Leader:
"AzureClan will honour your courage. When you go to meet them, it will no longer be as an apprentice. I give you your warrior name, [new warrior name], to honour your [trait] and [trait]. May the stars guide you."

The leader then rests their muzzle on the new warrior's head, and they lick 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 greet their family, or go see their former mentor, who congratulate them.

The warrior will visit Moonclaw Cavern to meet with AzureClan, then spend the next day to rest and reflect on the meeting and their new status.

Druid Apprentice Ceremony

↳ Description

When a kit reaches six moons of age, they are ready to become an apprentice, and in certain cases, they may be chosen as the druid's apprentice. This ceremony is not done in a Clan meeting, but in Moonclaw Cavern, and it is led by the druid. In this ceremony, the kit is given their new druid apprentice name where they lose the -kit suffix of their name and are given the -paw suffix instead.

↳ Words

Druid:
"[Kit's name], you have been chosen by AzureClan. Will you accept your destiny of healing, with me as a mentor to guide you and your ancestors to light your path?"

Apprentice:
"I will."

Druid:
"Then at the half-moon, we will return here so that you may meet the other druids. You are no longer a kit, [new apprentice name], but a voice of the forest and future healer of cats."

The mentor touches noses with the apprentice, and the Clan greets the new apprentice upon their return.

Druid Naming Ceremony

↳ Description

Druid apprentices usually remain apprentices for longer than that of a normal apprentice, mainly because of the vast amount they must learn about herbs and healing as well as interpreting signs from AzureClan.

When the Clan druid feels that their apprentice has learned the ways well and is happy with their medical knowledge they will take them to Moonclaw Cavern, where they will perform a ceremony in front of the other druids and give the apprentice their full name.

Receiving the name of a full druid does not make them a true druid, though it shows that they are ready to become the Clan's next druid in the future. They will remain the apprentice of the current druid until they retire, die, or cannot continue their duties for another reason.

↳ Words

Druid:
"[Aprrentice's name], there is little more I can teach you. You are ready to take your place as a full druid alongside us, and AzureClan will guide your paws always. Do you promise to remember this, and continue your path justly?"

Apprentice:
"I promise to stay faithful to AzureClan, to heal and protect all cats that need it, and to use my power for the good of the Clans."

Druid:
"Then it is done. You are no longer an apprentice, but a healer of cats. [Apprentice's name], from this moment you will be known as [new druid name]. May the stars shine down on you always."

The druid rests his or her muzzle on the apprentice's head, and they lick their mentor's shoulder in return. The other druids greet him or her by calling out their new name in a chant and congratulate them before all the druids lie down to share dreams with AzureClan.

Leader Ceremony

↳ Description

A leader ceremony is very different from the others. There is no one above them to perform a ceremony in the Clan, so they travel to Moonclaw Cavern to be accepted by AzureClan.

After the previous leader dies, retires, or can no longer be the leader for another reason, the current deputy travels to share dreams with AzureClan and receive their nine lives and take the "moon" suffix as their leader name.

When the new leader sleeps in Moonclaw Cavern, they cannot move for a short period, because their old life is being stripped away so they can receive nine new ones. While they dream, nine cats of AzureClan come forward and each gives one life.

↳ Words/Process

The new leader is greeted and then begin to give them their nine new lives. Each life has a gift and means something, such as a life for courage or love.

Each Life-Giver (repeated nine times):
They touch their nose to the top of the new leader's head.

"With this life, I give you [gift]. [Advice]."

The new leader will then have a strong feeling, which may be a pain or a warmth, depending on what the gift was.

Once all the nine lives have been given the previous leader (if the last leader is not dead, then the previous one before them) steps forward.

Previous Leader:
"I grant you your new name, [new leader name]. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader and faithful servant AzureClan. Defend your Clan well, care for young and old, and honour your ancestors and the traditions of the warrior code. AzureClan has given you their blessing."

The vision will then fade. The new leader will wake up and return to their Clan as a true leader.