✯ Warriors Guide

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WARRIORS GUIDE

Here on HB we do not require new members to have a lot of knowledge on Warriors in order to join us. That's what this thread is for! This thread is an overall resource for all, whether you have been a fan of Warriors for years, or you know basically nothing except "there's cats".

Summary

To start it off, in case you don't really know what Warriors is, Warriors is a very long series of novels written by the collective group of writers known as Erin Hunter. This series has been going on for a very long time and has so many branch-off series, prequels, sequels, all of the above, that it is insane.
Warriors itself revolves around cats who live in the wild in groups known as clans, working together to survive in the wild. Most often times there will be multiple clans all right next to each other (there were 4-5 in the books) who both work together and fight against one another for their own survival. The clans have their own "government", hierarchies, laws, and religion that they all follow.

Religion

The religion that the clans follow is the belief in Starclan and in the Dark Forest.
-- Starclan is essentially cat heaven to them. When a cat dies, their soul goes to the sky to live among the stars with their ancestors. Starclan is known for vaguely communicating with certain cats of the clans through dreams, or in some cases physical signs (in the books, things like a solar eclipse were often seen as signs from Starclan). The cats they communicate with primarily is Medicine Cats, who have a deeper connection to them than the rest of the clan. They also sometimes communicate with Leaders, as in this world not all cats have 9 lives; only Leaders of clans have 9 lives, and said lives are given to them by cats from Starclan when they become Leader.

• Typically in order to talk with Starclan, the clans will find a specific location somewhere around their lands where is the most peaceful, a place where it is far easier for Starclan to reach and communicate with the clans. Medicine Cats come to this location for their Medicine Cat Meetings, and cats set to become Leaders will come here in order to become Leader.
  In the books, the clans had 2 main territory locations. In the forest territories they had the Moonstone, which was a large quartz crystal that glowed in moonlight found in a cave just outside of Windclan territory. And in the lake territories they had the Moonpool, which was a small pond hidden in the hills that reflected the stars at night.

-- The Dark Forest is basically cat hell. When a cat dies, if they were evil in their life, or were not at peace when they died, their soul is sent here unwillingly rather than to Starclan. If a cat is full of rage and hatred and unrest, they may end up here if they cannot let these things go before they die. In addition, if a cat is evil during their time alive, they are sent here. Being "evil" can range anywhere from murdering a clanmate to trying to destroy whole clans and many areas in between. The Dark Forest is often described and portrayed as a very dark and red-tinted forest full of shadows and fog, a nightmarish place of mystery, fear, and hatred.

Hierarchy

The most common hierarchy that most clans live by is as follows:

• Leader: The Leader of a clan is a cat who stands at the head of their clans, making all large decisions, working with the Leaders of the other clans, and aiming to keep their clan prospering. They represent their clan at Gatherings, perform ceremonies in their clan for different events (rank changes, deaths, ect.), and can call clan meetings when announcements must be made. In order to become a Leader, a cat must have either been Deputy or, in very rare circumstances, were chosen by the Medicine Cat or by the whole of the clan to become Leader. When a cat is set to become a Leader, they must travel to the sacred place of the clans and sleep to dream with cats of Starclan, in which they will meet with 9 cats and recieve a life of each. When they return home, they will have 9 lives and the suffix -star will be replaced in their name. [Fireheart becomes Leader, is renamed Firestar]
• Deputy: The Leader's second-in-command, these cats are chosen by the Leader to help them with smaller tasks within the clan, such as overseeing Apprentice training, sending out patrols, and reporting any changes in the clan or in the territory to the Leader. They act as an advisor in difficult situations and are often gone to for advice, both by the Leader and the rest of the clan.
• Medicine Cat: The healers of the clan and the most spiritual, Medicine Cats hold a very important role within their clans. They are cats who have been trained in the ways of medicine, using herbs found in the wild and whatever resources they can to create treatments and cures for different ailments. In addition, they are the cats who communicate the most with Starclan and are the most likely to recieve messages and signs from them. Every season all of the Medicine Cats from all of the clans travel together to their sacred place in which Starclan's presence is the strongest, and they will fall asleep, speaking with cats of Starclan in their dreams. It is during these dreams that they will most often be given any signs or prophecies.
  
  • There is typically only one Medicine Cat in a clan, but, as a cat begins to grow older, or if they just want some extra help, a Medicine Cat can watch over the younger cats of the clan, typically the Kits and younger Apprentices, and they can choose to take an Apprentice of their own. When a MC wishes to take an Apprentice, they will typically speak with the Leader and a clan meeting will be called, in which the MC will step forward and address the clan, speaking their proposition to the clan and to whoever they wish to take as their Apprentice. If the cat accepts, they become a Medicine Cat Apprentice and will train until their mentor believes that they are knowledgeable enough to become a full Medicine cat. If a MCA becomes a full MC before their mentor retires, the two will work together as MCs until the older of the two does retire or pass away.
• Warriors: The main body of all clans, Warriors are adult cats who have gone through the training of an Apprentice, have been given their full name, and serve the clan as...well...a warrior. They hunt, they patrol and mark their territory borders, they fight in battles should their clan ever go into battle or get into a skirmish with cats from other clans, and they protect their clan at the cost of their life. The minimum age that cats must be to become a Warrior is 12 moons, but this can vary.
• Apprentices: Young cats between the ages of 6 and 12 moons who are learning the ways of clan life. When Kits become Apprentices, their name suffix is changed to -paw and they are assigned to one Warrior who will act as their mentor. Apprentices will train with their mentors for a minimum of 6 moons, learning how to hunt, fight, and the way of the Warrior Code. When a mentor believes their Apprentice is skilled enough, a final assessment will be held to test the Apprentice's skills. If they succeed, the mentor will inform the Leader and the Apprentice will be promoted to a Warrior. When an Apprentice is promoted to a Warrior, their suffix -paw will be replaced with a different suffix to create their Warrior name, the suffix chosen by the Leader during the ceremony.
• Queens: The pregnant and nursing she-cats of the clan. Typically a pregnant she-cat will be moved from their current den to the clan Nursery where they can stay until they give birth, and during their time here they usually will not perform their normal rank duties or leave camp very often. When they give birth, most of the time a Queen will stay in the Nursery with her Kits until they become Apprentices, after which she will return to her previous rank. But there are sometimes she-cats who cannot stand being confined to a den that long and may return to their previous rank and duties before their Kits leave the Nursery.
  
  • -- Permaqueens: A sort of branch-off rank from Queens, Permaqueens are cats (not always she-cats) who choose to stay in the Nursery and in camp rather than become a Warrior. Sometimes these are cats who have Kits and choose to stay, or sometimes young cats who have a lot more difficulty with the duties of Warriors will choose to become a Permaqueen. These cats usually stay and babysit the clan's Kits, and help the other Queens during their time in the Nursery. Sometimes, if a regular Queen decides to leave the Nursery early, her Kits will be watched over by the Permaqueens until they become Apprentices.
• Kits: The clans kittens! Kits stay in the Nursery, or confined to their camp, until they reach 6 moons and become Apprentices. All Kits have the suffix -kit added on to their name,
• Elders: Old cats who can no longer effectively perform their previous duties, or cats who have been injured or given some kind of disability that inhibits their abilities. While Elders are most often...ya know...old, there are some circumstances where a younger cat will become an Elder if they are seriously injured or something extreme happens to them.

Naming

In the rank descriptions you probably saw mentions of suffixes and prefixes and all that fun stuff. In Warriors, cats who live in clans have a certain naming system that they use.
Prefix: All cats are given a prefix that serves as the first half of their name. Most often this will be a word relating to nature, as obviously cats don't know human names for stuff. A cat's prefix can come from anything, such as things in nature that the cat resembles in appearance, the weather they were born during, a general theme, anything. [Examples: A pure black cat may be given the prefix Raven-/Crow-/Black-/Coal-/Ebony- ect.]

Suffix: The second half of a clan cat's name, this half is typically the only part of their name that changes. When a cat is born or is less than 6 moons old, they will be given the suffix -kit [Firekit]. When a cat becomes an Apprentice, their -kit suffix changes to -paw [Firepaw]. And when an Apprentice becomes a Warrior, their Leader will choose a new suffix for them that represents them as a cat. Sometimes this suffix will relate to their appearance, or maybe their personality, or sometimes an accomplishment they have achieved. [Examples: Fireheart, a cat who is kind and brave. Graystripe, a gray cat with tabby stripes. Tigerclaw, a cat who is a great fighter or may have longer claws than normal.] Finally, if a cat should ever become a Leader, when they recieve their 9 lives from Starclan their suffix will be changed to -star [Firestar].

Sometimes there are situations where a cat's name may change for other reasons. Sometimes if a cat goes through some sort of major injury, their Leader may choose to change their name to reflect this (Sparrowpelt in the books was renamed to Halftail after losing part of his tail to a badger).
In some cases a cat may request that their name be changed. Maybe because they think it should be changed due to something they did, or maybe their name doesn't fit them anymore, or they may just...not like their name. In these situations, a Leader may call a brief ceremony announcing the cat's new name to the clan.

The Warrior Code

When it comes to laws, they have two sets of codes that they follow, the first of which being the Warrior Code. The Warrior code is essentially their list of laws in which the clans are expected to follow and can be punished for should they be broken.

Note: This list is the Warrior Code from the original books. Somewhat recently there was a change in the series where the Warrior Code was altered, but those will not be listed here. In addition, there are some differences between the book Warrior Code and the Warrior Code used on HB. HB's Warrior Code can be found in the Site Rules. This is here for reference to Warriors itself.

1. Defend your Clan, even with your life. You may have friendships with cats from other Clans, but your loyalty must remain to your Clan, as one day you may meet them in battle.
2. Do not hunt or trespass on another Clan's territory.
3. 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.
4. Prey is killed only to be eaten. Give thanks to StarClan for its life.
5. A kit must be at least six moons old to become an apprentice.
6. Newly appointed warriors will keep a silent vigil for one night after receiving their warrior name.
7. A cat cannot be made deputy without having mentored at least one apprentice.
8. The deputy will become Clan leader when the leader dies, retires, or is exiled.
9. After the death, retirement, promotion (to a leader status), or exile of the deputy, the new deputy must be chosen before moonhigh.
10. A Gathering of all [five] Clans is held at the full moon during a truce that lasts for the night. There shall be no fighting among Clans at this time.
11. Boundaries must be checked and marked daily. Challenge all trespassing cats.
12. No warrior can neglect a kit in pain or danger, even if the kit is from a different Clan.
13. The word of the Clan leader is the warrior code.
14. An honorable warrior does not need to kill other cats to win their battles, unless they are outside the warrior code or if it is necessary for self-defense.
15. A warrior rejects the soft life of a kittypet.
16. Each Clan has the right to be proud and independent, but in times of trouble they must forget their boundaries and fight side by side to protect the [five]. Each Clan must help the others so that no Clan will fall.

Exceptions // These are like mini-rules that branch off from listed rules

• Cats on their way to the Moonstone or Moonpool (aka the sacred location) are allowed to cross other Clans' territories to get to their destination.
• Cats may travel on other Clan territories if they have something to report or to ask for help.
• The code is flexible about leadership challenges. Cats may challenge a weak or cruel leader if their Clan is in danger, and if their leadership threatens the Clan, the code expects a warrior to challenge their leader.

Additional Rules // Rules that are not listed in the Warrior code, but they are still implemented.
Kits must stay in camp until they are apprenticed,[20] and are not allowed to hunt.
The safety of the Clan as a whole is more important than the safety of one cat.
Clans must not unite together to drive out another Clan.
Clans must not force another Clan to share territory.
Enemy patrols must not attack cats if they are on a mission that all four Clans have agreed upon.
Cats cannot eat when going to the Moonstone or Moonpool to speak with StarClan.

Medicine Cat Code

The second code of the clans, this code is one that only applies to Medicine Cats and is implemented by Starclan, so breaking these codes tends to be harsher than the Warrior Code.

Note: Just like with the Warrior Code, this is the Medicine Cat Code from the original books, not from any new alters or from HB. HB's Medicine Cat Code can also be found in the Site Rules.

1. A medicine cat may not fall in love or take a mate.
2. A medicine cat may not have kits.
3. A medicine cat may only retire when their apprentice is ready to take their place.
4. A medicine cat shares dreams with only StarClan.
5. A medicine cat may only discuss dreams, prophecies, etc. with their leader or other medicine cats at the monthly meeting; dreams of an otherwise prophetic nature should not be disclosed to any outside parties, or any other cats in the Clan.

The Gathering

A very important event in the books and in most Warriors-based sites, a Gathering is normally a monthly meeting held during the full moon where cats from all of the clans in the area meet in one specific location and discuss the state of their clans. This is one night during the month when peace is required, as no fighting is allowed to take place here, and bloodshed is absolutely forbidden. Typically, the night of the Gathering, a Leader will call the clan together and will pick a random number of cats, usually including multiple Warriors and some Apprentices if there are any, and these cats, plus the Deputy and Medicine Cat(s), will all travel together to the meeting place.
During the Gatherings there will usually be a little bit of time at the start while the clans all gather for everyone to mingle and talk and meet cats from the other clans. The Leaders of the different clans will then take perch on a higher spot, whether tree branches, rocks, or anything of the like, and they will call for silence when the meeting officially begins. The Leaders will take turns speaking, each talking about how their clan is doing, any recent rank changes or litter births, any events worth noting. They will also usually give warnings to the other clans if, say, a predator was spotted recently or if sickness has been going around.
When each Leader has said their piece, the Gathering will be dismissed, and the clans will all gather together and will travel back home.

Note: In the books, a Gathering would happen every full moon. But because Gatherings are decently sized events that involve many cats, on HB they won't be montly events, but seasonal ones. One gathering per season, ideally on the last full moon of the season.


If you think that anything else should be listed in this first post that isn't listed in the following posts, please inform staff.


Sources: Link, Link

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WARRIORS LEGEND

Considering cats aren't humans, they don't know the human names for most things around them, so they call things by their own names. They also have their own overall general language, including phrases, insults, ect. Cats also have their own body languages they use towards each other in communication. All of these things will be listed in this post.

Note: There are gonna be some terms and phrases listed that wouldn't actually be used in HB due to the lack of humans, or terms that only apply in the book settings. These words will be marked with ~~

General terms

Crowfood or crow-food – A dead prey animal that has begun to rot; can also be used as an insult (see below).
~~ Cutter – A veterinarian, often referred to as one that spays or neuters cats, but this is not always the case.
Dirt – Feces.
Fresh-kill – A recently killed prey animal caught for the purpose of consumption. Fresh-kill is hunted by warriors and apprentices, and sometimes elders, and placed on the fresh-kill pile or brought to the elders. Elders, kits, queens, and sick cats eat first, then warriors and apprentices. Extras stay in the fresh-kill pile.
~~Fourtrees – A place located in the forest territories, where the territory's corners meet, in which four oaks stand and the Clans gather in peace every full moon.

• Starstones - The HB version of Fourtrees.

Gathering – The monthly meeting of all the Clans when the moon is full. There is a truce on this night, and no fighting is allowed.
Halfbridge – A boat dock.
~~ Horseplace – A place where horses are kept, such as ranches and stables.
Hunting Patrol – A group of cats hunting for fresh-kill to bring back for their Clan to eat. May fight if there are trespassers.
Kittypet – A domesticated pet cat.
Loner – A cat that lives by itself and doesn't defend its territory.
Making dirt – Defecating.
~~ Monster – A vehicle operated by humans. Often described when cats are near Twolegs/the Thunderpath. Motorboats are sometimes referred to as "water-monsters."
Moonpool/Moonstone – The place near the lake where medicine cats and leaders share tongues with StarClan. / The place in the Forest where medicine cats and leaders shared tongues with StarClan.

• Moonstep - HB's version of the Moonpool/stone.

~~ Red stone – A brick or structure made of bricks.
Rogue – A usually hostile cat who does not have a permanent home, roams around and does not care about crossing Clan boundaries.
Sharing tongues – Cats grooming each other while sharing the latest gossip. A cat lies on the ground, talking, while the other grooms their fur, listening.
She-cat – A female cat.
~~ Silverpath – Railroads. Only Thundersnakes travel on them.
Silverpelt – The large swath of stars in the sky (believed to be the Milky Way). These stars are a direct representation of StarClan.
~~ Silverthorn – Barbed wire.
~~ Thunderpath – A paved road with an extremely acrid smell that cars often go across.
~~ Thundersnake – A train. They travel strictly on a Silverpath.
Tom/tomcat – A male cat.
Twoleg – A human.
Twoleg kit – A human child.
Twoleg nest – A human's house.
Twolegplace – A town, city, or village where Twolegs live.
(Some terms relating to twolegs/humans have been kept in only due to the fact that the HB clans do know what twolegs are. They may not know what they actually look like, but they know of them, primarily through stories and as a general explanation to Tideclan's camp origins.

Time Terms

Newleaf – The season of spring.
Greenleaf – The season of summer.
Leaf-fall – The season of autumn or fall.
Leaf-bare – The season of winter.
Moon – The time between one full moon and the next, spanning about 29 days, or a month.
Moonhigh – When the moon is the highest in the sky; around midnight.
Moonrise – The time when the moon rises.
Half-moon – About two weeks, half a month.
Quarter-moon – About a week.
Sunhigh – The point during the day when the sun is highest in the sky; noon.
Sunrise – One day in cat time (i.e. One sunrise ago).
Season – A quarter of a year in cat time. Four seasons equal a year.
Claw-moon – When the moon resembles the shape of an unsheathed claw, equivalent to the crescent moon.
Sundown – Dusk.
Sunup – Dawn. However, Dawn is still used for example in the phrase "Dawn Patrol."

Distance terms

Claw-length – About the length of cat's claw; less than an inch. (1.5 cm)
Fox-length – About the length of a fox; approximately a yard. (80 cm)
Frog-length – About the length of a frog; approximately two to four inches. (6-10 cm)
Kittenstep or kitstep – About the length of kit's step; approximately an inch or a half-inch. (1.25-2.5 cm)
Rabbit hop or rabbit length – About a foot and a half away. (45 cm)
Reed-length – About the length of a reed; 5 feet or less. (1.5 m)
Mouse-length – About two or three inches. (5-7.5 cm)
Muzzle-length – About one inch. (2.54 cm)
Pawstep – About the length of a grown cat's step, roughly six inches. (15 cm)
Tail-length – About the length of a cat's tail; approximately a foot. (30 cm)
Tree-length – About the length of a tree; around 40 to 50 feet. (15 m)
Whisker-length – About the length of a cat's whisker; less than two inches. (5 cm)

Living Spaces

Camp – The place where a Clan makes their permanent home.
Leader's den – The den in camp that belongs to the Clan leader.
Medicine cat's den – The den in camp that belongs to the Clan's medicine cat and his or her apprentice. Sometimes referred to as the medicine den.
Warriors' den – The den in camp that is shared between the warriors and the deputy of that Clan.
Apprentices' den – The den in camp that is shared between the apprentices of that Clan.
Elders' den – The den in camp that is shared between the elders of that Clan.
Nursery – The den in camp that is shared by the queens and kits of that Clan.
Dirtplace – The place near the camp where cats go to urinate or excrete.
Fresh-kill pile – The place, usually in the center of the camp, where the warriors drop the prey they caught while hunting, so it is easily accessible to all the cats in the Clan.

Phrases

Side note: no one is required to use any of these phrases rather than just regular phrases. We aren't so strict that you can only use sayings and insults in this list. These are just some fun alternatives to make things unique.
There are, however, some phrases that are much more common. Those phrases will be marked with **

As easy as swallowing a minnow – A phrase used to indicate easiness of the task.
As much use as a dead fox – A (harsh) insult, meaning the recipient is useless.
Bat-blind – An insult to a cat's eyesight, similar to the phrase "as blind as a bat".
Bee-brain – A similar exclamation to "bees in your brain".
Bees in your brain – An exclamation meaning confusion or a cat not making sense. (i.e., You've got bees in your brain!)
Cleanpaw – A scornful insult used for someone who sticks to the rules closely.
Clan-swapper – An insulting term used for cats who switch Clans.
Clan-swapping – An insulting term used for the action of switching Clans (same meaning as Clan-swapper).
**Crowfood – A (harsh) insult comparing the recipient to rotting prey animals (as in I'll turn you into crowfood!), or suggesting that they eat it (as in crowfood-eater).
Doesn't matter a whisker/Doesn't catch so much as a whisker – An exclamation meaning the cat does not care, (i.e. it didn't matter a whisker that she didn't share their beliefs) similar to I don't give a mousetail. Or saying that a patrol didn't catch anything.
Dormouse – An expression or exclamation used against a cat who sleeps a lot.
Drypaw – A cat that dislikes getting wet.
Dungface – A harsh insult.
Like LionClan/TigerClan – An expression stating that a cat does something very fiercely or well.
Featherbrain – A term used by WindClan cats, equivalent to mouse-brain.
Flea-brain – A (friendly, yet harsh) insult. The severity of the insult is almost always decided by tone.
Foxbreath – An insult used to compare the recipient's breath to that of a fox.
**Fox-dung – A (harsh) insult comparing the recipient to fox feces. Also used as an exclamation. (as in That's fox-dung!)
**Fox-hearted – An insult meaning cruel, cold-hearted, or evil (as in fox-hearted Twolegs).
Frog-dirt and Fish-guts – An exclamation used in RiverClan, has the same meaning as thistles and thorns.
Frog-dung – Same as fox-dung, except it's often used in RiverClan.
**Furball – A (friendly, yet harsh) insult. The severity of the insult is almost always decided by tone.
Fuzz-brain – A (friendly, but harsh) insult. The severity of the insult is almost always decided by tone.
Gray-pelts - A derogatory term used against elders and senior warriors.
Great StarClan! – An exclamation used to signify extreme surprise or anger. Similar to Oh my god! in usage and to the fact that they both have mention of a higher force.
Hare-brain – An insult similar to mouse-brain.
Hare-dung – Used as an exclamation, similar to "mouse-dung". Somewhat like "Darn it!"
How in Silverpelt? – An exclamation used meaning "How in the world?"
I don't give a mousetail/They wouldn't give a mousetail – An exclamation meaning that the cat does not care. Another variation is I would ____ for a couple of mousetails, meaning that they are willing to do the inserted action for no real reward. Can also mean that a cat would be stingy enough not to share a mousetail.
I'd have shredded you into mousedust! – To gravely injure, rip to shreds. Similar to mousemeat. Used to intimidate others.
In all the stars - An exclamation of disbelief.
It's as dark as a fox's heart – A phrase used to describe darkness.
It's better to scare away a mouse than welcome a badger – An old nursery saying that means that it's better to scare away a friendly cat than welcome a not-so-friendly cat.
Kill two prey with one blow – Meaning to solve two problems with one action or solution. Equivalent of "Kill two birds with one stone".
Load of fox-dung – Referring to something that is not true, a mass of lies. Somewhat similar to That's a load of badger droppings.
**Make dirt – To use the bathroom, or the dirtplace in warrior terms.
**May StarClan light your path – A friendly term used to tell others they wish them well.
**May you find good hunting, swift-running, and shelter when you sleep – An ancient farewell used by all the Clans, to say goodbye to loved ones on their way to StarClan.
Minnow-brain – An insult that is friendly but harsh.
**Mouse-brain – A (friendly yet harsh) insult. The severity of the insult is almost always decided by tone.
Mouse-breath – A insult possibly used to intimidate someone.
Mouse-dung – A (somewhat harsh) insult comparing the recipient to mouse feces. Also used as an exclamation (as in Mouse-dung! That can't be right!). Somewhat like "Darn it!"
Mouse-hearted – An insult that describes one who is cowardly.
Mousefodder – An insult describing that the cat is worthless or a kittypet.
Once a kittypet, always a kittypet! – A harsh phrase used to describe a cat with kittypet roots.
(Only) StarClan knows (what) – Sometimes used to answer a question that is impossible to answer. Similar to "The only god knows what," "The only god knows," and "god knows."
**Pain in the tail – An insult meaning a cat is irritating or lazy.
Rabbit-brain – An insult that is friendly but harsh.
Scaredy-mouse! – A similar expression to "scaredy-cat", referring to a cat easily frightened.
Scaredy-sparrow – Same as the term "scaredy-mouse."
Smart-ears – A friendly insult.
Snake-heart(ed) – Similar to the term "fox-hearted," generally used by RiverClan.
Snake-tongue – An insult meaning cold or unfair; similar to "fox-hearted" or "snake-hearted", used by ShadowClan.
Sorry catches no prey or Sorry fills no bellies – Means cats can be sorry, but that it will not change the past.
Stirring up a bee's nest – A phrase meaning a cat is looking for trouble or starting it.
Sunshine and daisies – A phrase meaning the same as "sunshine and rainbows."
Tabbies don't change their stripes – Meaning that a cat doesn't change their nature. Equivalent to "a leopard can't change his spots."
Tail-licker – An insult intended for a cat who is sucking up, similar to the word bootlicker.
(That's a) load of badger droppings – A harsh exclamation saying that something is nonsense.
Toad-brain – Similar to mouse-brain.
Weasel heart - A (harsh) insult, sometimes used to describe cats from other Clans.
We'll cross that river if we come to it – A phrase meaning the same as "we'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
**What in StarClan's name? – An exclamation similar to "What on earth?" or "What in the world?"
When hedgehogs will fly – An exclamation style statement that shows disbelief that a certain event will likely occur (as in That will happen when hedgehogs fly), used in many variations. Somewhat like the human phrase, "When pigs fly!"
Who made dirt in their fresh kill/nest? – A phrase to describe a cranky or suddenly moody cat.
Who ruffled their fur? – A similar way of saying "who got under their skin?"
Wild rabbit hunt – A phrase of the same meaning as "wild goose chase."
Would've made mousemeat out of you! – To badly injure, rip to shreds. Similar to mousedust.
You fight/hunt like a kittypet! – An expression used to insult or tease a cat who fights/hunts poorly.
(You're) crazier than a fox in a fit! – An insult used when a cat (or cats) are acting crazy. Another variation uses "madder" instead of "crazier."

Source: Link

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CEREMONIES

Typically in Warriors, most major events, particularlly when it comes to rank/name changes, the clans will hold ceremonies. During these ceremonies, in most cases, it will involve a Leader calling a clan meeting and addressing the clan, calling forward the cats going through the changes, and saying speeches that have been used for a very long time. But there are also other ceremonies done by just Medicine Cats.

While these are the book versions of the ceremonies, in HB there can be some word/phrase changes and extra or less parts depending on the clan to make them more unique.

Apprentice Ceremony

The Clan leader calls a Clan meeting to appoint a new apprentice and assign a mentor to them. The following words are used, by tradition:

Leader: (Kit), you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as (new name, ending with the suffix "paw"). Your mentor will be (name of warrior or medicine cat). I hope (name of warrior or medicine cat) will pass down all he/she knows on to you.
The leader calls up the warrior he/she has chosen as a mentor.

Leader: (Warrior), you are ready to take on an apprentice. You have received excellent training from (former mentor), and you have shown yourself to be (quality) and (quality). 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 their name. After this, the apprentice will usually go greet their family, or go see their mentor.

Warrior Ceremony

An apprenticeship usually lasts six moons or more. Once a mentor is satisfied with their apprentice's progress and skills, they recommend them to the leader of the Clan. Then, the apprentice must pass an assessment, in which 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 (e.g. Firepaw after saving the kits, Brackenpaw after warning the Clan for a battle, Brokenpaw after he fights bravely in battle, or Thistlepaw after fighting a dog).

If the Clan leader is satisfied, they call a Clan meeting and call the apprentice forward. The following words are used, by tradition:

Leader: I, (Leader), leader of (Name)Clan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their 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 on you will be known as (new warrior name). StarClan honors your (virtues), and we welcome you as a full warrior of (Clan).
The leader rests their muzzle on the apprentice's head, and the former apprentice licks the leader's shoulder. The rest of the Clan then greets the new warrior by calling them by their new name. The warrior will sit a silent vigil guarding the camp that night, unless that is not possible (such as Squirrelflight's ceremony, when the Clan did not have a camp, and the task of exploring the lake was assigned) or if the cat is injured (such as Cloudmist's ceremony).

* Dying Apprentice Ceremony *

This scenario doesn't happen often, but when it does, this is the ceremony that follows.
When an apprentice is on the verge of death and has proven themself to be worthy of a warrior name, there is a special ceremony used so that the apprentice may take a warrior name to StarClan.[61]

Leader: I ask my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. [They] have learned the warrior code and given up [their] life in the service of [their] Clan. Let StarClan receive [them] as a warrior. [They] will be known as (new name). Let StarClan receive [them] by the name of (new name).
The leader then touches their nose to the new warrior's head.

Deputy Ceremony

The leader calls a Clan meeting, and performs the ceremony by announcing these words:

Leader: I say these words before StarClan, so 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).

Occasionally, a Clan leader does not announce the new deputy before moonhigh. This can be because: they are physically or emotionally unwell, or they are unsure whether the previous deputy is alive. If the ceremony is not performed in time, it is sometimes seen as a bad omen (e.g. when Fireheart was made a deputy late because Bluestar was ill).
If the deputy dies in battle, the Clan leader might choose to appoint the new deputy whilst still fighting, instead of waiting to return to the camp (e.g. when Firestar made Graystripe deputy whilst fighting BloodClan after Whitestorm died).

Elder Ceremony

An aging warrior, queen, or medicine cat may retire as an elder due to own initiative, when they feel they cannot help the Clan efficiently any more (such as Mousefur or Speckletail). A cat may also retire if they are hindered from serving their Clan through old age (such as Poppydawn), illness (Tawnyspots), or injury (Stonepelt). They report this to the Clan leader, who calls a Clan meeting and addresses the warrior.

Leader: ...Is it your wish to give up the name of a warrior and go to join the elders?
Clan member: 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.
The Clan will call out the retired warrior's name and then they will go to the elder's den. An elder may receive a completely different name, with a different ceremony, than keeping their warrior name; in ThunderClan, there were the elders Halftail and One-eye, who originally had different warrior names. This ceremony is also used for other reasons, such as changing Lostface's name to Brightheart.

Name Changing Ceremony

When a cat's name no longer portrays who they are, a Clan leader can perform a ceremony to change a cat's name to something different. The main cause of this ceremony is likely due to a life-changing injury, and is not always taken well by the cat being renamed or their family. Some cats have been known to embrace their new name and use it to their advantage, and not letting their name define them. This process is not always welcome in the Clan, and given that warriors do not choose their name, it is considered disrespectful to ask for a new name and to reject what the Clan leader has chosen for you. While a leader can compromise with a request to change a name, they do ultimately have the final say in what a cat's name will be due to Clan tradition.

Ceremony
A Clan leader calls for a Clan meeting, and can use the following words to rename a cat by speaking to StarClan:

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 [they are]. 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 [they] will be known as (new name), for (description of the reason).

Medicine Cat Apprentice Ceremony

The leader calls a Clan meeting, after the Clan's medicine cat announces that they wish to mentor an apprentice. After their ceremony, the mentor touches noses with the apprentice, and the Clan greets the new apprentice.

At the Moonstone/Moonpool/Sacred Place
At the next half moon, the medicine cat goes with the apprentice to the Clans' sacred place to present them to the warrior ancestors, where the apprentice confirms their wish to be a medicine cat. The following words are used, by tradition:

Medicine cat: (Apprentice), is it your wish to enter the mysteries of StarClan as a medicine cat?
Apprentice: It is.
Medicine cat: Then come forward.
Medicine cat: Warriors of StarClan, I present you with this apprentice. They have chosen the path of a medicine cat. Grant them your wisdom and insight so that they may understand your ways and heal their Clan in accordance with your will.
The medicine cat apprentice touches their nose to the Moonstone or drinks from the Moonpool (on HB they would stand at the center of the Moonstep and lift their head to the sky and let moonlight flow over them).Then the medicine cat and the apprentice lay down and have a dream from StarClan.

Medicine Cat Ceremony

Apprenticeship for medicine cats usually lasts much longer than those for warriors. The cat must learn about all available herbs and remedies, and the treatment of diseases and injuries.

Once the Clan's medicine cat is satisfied with the apprentice's knowledge, they go to the Clans' sacred place. This is the only ceremony that is not performed by the Leader. The following words are used, by tradition:

Medicine Cat: I, (name), medicine cat of (Clan), call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. (He/she/they) has/have trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help (he/she) will serve (his/her) Clan for many moons. (Apprentice), do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?
Apprentice: I do.
Medicine Cat: Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your true name as a medicine cat. (Apprentice), from this moment you will be known as (new name). StarClan honors your (virtues), and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of (Clan).
The medicine cat rests their muzzle on the apprentice's head, and they lick the mentor's shoulder. The other medicine cats greet them by their new name.

Leader Ceremony

The new leader goes to the sacred place with the Clan's medicine cat. After touching the stone (or drinking from the pool)(or raising their head to the sky), 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 awakening, cats of StarClan come down from Silverpelt. Nine cats, normally ones who were significant during the new leader's life or the Clan's history, although this is not always the case, 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 well (to, in, as, for, etc.) (use of gift).
When all of the lives have been given, normally the previous leader says these words:
Previous leader: I hail you by your new name, [original prefix]star. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and StarClan grants you the guardianship of [the Clan they lead]. 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.

Often, after all the lives are given, the previous leader usually conducts the coronation for the new leader. However, sometimes the previous leader does not speak at the ceremony, or it is unknown if they are actually present, and another cat will conduct the coronation for the new leader - often the last cat to give them a life, but it also can be performed by the entirety of the amount of StarClan cats known to be present in the ceremony.
Just as the forest-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, with the exception of the medicine cat.

Each of the lives normally give the new leader a great deal of pain as a sign to ready them for the hard work it normally will be to lead their Clan. However, certain lives, depending on the gift, such as Spottedleaf's life with the gift of love to Firestar, do not cause pain and instead give the new leader a much better feeling.
Getting nine lives does not necessarily mean that a leader will live longer, but they can survive certain accidents or injuries that would normally claim the life of a cat. However, they cannot survive if they have major injuries such as the injuries Scourge gave Tigerstar.

If a leader no longer wishes to be the leader, they must go to the sacred place to revoke all but one life, so their deputy may receive their full nine lives. Sunstar only had eight lives because Pinestar never officially retired at the Moonstone.


Source: Link

[Abyss]

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MEDICINE GUIDE

Guide to medicines that warriors use, include pictures and sources

Herbs

Alder Bark Used to treat toothaches Usage/To Use- Chew on it Time of growth- All year round. Ideal to collect during new-leaf Location- Mainly boggy, wet terrains	Beech leaves Used to carry other herbs around Usage/To Use- To carry items Time of growth- During the middle of new-leaf Location- Grown anywhere that is not wet
Bindweed The vines help mend broken bones Usage/To Use- Fasten with sticks to a broken leg to help keep in place Time of growth- Late green-leaf/early leaf-fall Location- Almost anywhere in any clan territory	Blackberry Leaves Soothes bee stings Usage/To Use- Leaves are chewed into a pulp and applied to the bee sting Time of growth- All year round. Ideal to collect in mid green-leaf Location- Almost anywhere
Borage Leaves Produces healthier milk in greater quantity; also helps treat fevers, stomachaches, and relieves tight chests Usage/To Use- Eat Time of growth- Mid green-leaf Location- Forest	Broom Used to make poultices for broken legs and wounds Usage/To Use- Made into a poultice Time of growth- All year round. Ideal to be collected throughout green-leaf Location- Forest
Burdock Root Treats scratches and rat bites. The leaves are eaten to help with indigestion Usage/To Use- The roots are chewed into a poultice Time of growth- All year round. Ideal to be collected throughout new-leaf Location- Dry areas	Burnet Gives a cat strength; very good for queens who are about to give birth Usage/To Use- Eat Time of growth- All throughout green-leaf. Ideal to be collected at the end of green-leaf Location- Mainly in dry, grassy meadows
Catchweed The burrs are applied on top of poultices Usage/To Use- Stops poultices from being rubbed off Time of growth- Unknown Location- Hedges and other low, shrubbs vegetation	Catmint Best remedy for greencough and whitecough Usage/To Use- Eat Time of growth- All throughout green-leaf Location- Mainly found in Twoleg gardens
Celandine Soothes damaged eyes Usage/To Use- Juice is trickled into the eye Time of growth- All throughout green-leaf Location- Forests; can be found near water sources	Chamomile Strengthens the heart and soothes the mind; can also be given to traveling cats for strength Usage/To Use- Eaten Time of growth- Mid green-leaf/late green-leaf Location- Twoleg gardens
Chervil Treats infected wounds and stomachache; also used to help with nausea during kitting Usage/To Use- Chew to extract the juice from the leaves or root Time of growth- Late green-leaf/early leaf-fall Location- Dry areas are one of the best places to find this herb but, forests are also common	Chickweed Treats greencough Usage/To Use- Eat Time of growth- Mid green-leaf Location- Forests
Cobnuts Used to thicken ointments; also helpful for attracting prey Usage/To Use- Chew Time of growth- All throughout new-leaf Location- Near hazel trees that grow in sunny areas	Cobwebs These are wrapped around wounds to absorb blood; also used to bind broken bones Usage/To Use- Press over wound Location- Anywhere sheltered (caves, under trees etc)
Coltsfoot Fed to cats with trouble with breathing or kitten-cough; also be used to soothe cracked or sore paw pads; works well for scratches Usage/To Use- Chew into pulp or eat Time of growth- Late leaf-bare/early new-leaf Location- Wet areas	Comfrey Leaves Can be used to help cough attacks; When mixed with tansy it can be a soothing remedy for asthma; consuming it can help soothe broken bone and or wrenched leg pain/claw pain Usage/To Use- Chewed into a paste or eat Time of growth- All throughout green-leaf Location- Damp, grassy areas
Comfrey Root Repairs broken bones; soothes wounds; helps wrenched claws; itching; inflammation of stiff joints; stiffness on wrenched shoulders; and soothes burns. Usage/To Use- Roots are chewed into a poultice. Can also be lined in ones nest Time of growth- All throughout green-leaf Location- Damp, grassy area	Daisy Leaves Eases pain of stiff joints and soothes sprains Usage/To Use- Chew into a poultice and fasten on with cobwebs to help ease joint pains. Eat to soothe sprains. Can be mixed with tansy Time of growth- All throughout new-leaf and green-leaf Location- Anywhere
Dandelions Soothes and heals bee stings; can be mixed with borage for a fever remedy Usage/To Use- The liquid is applied to the stinging area. The leaves may also be eaten to act as a painkiller Time of growth- All year round Location- Anywhere; more commonly found in meadows and fields	Dock Soothes scratches; It is known to sting when being applied; Soothes sore paw pads and also eases the pain of wounds; also used to vomit on Usage/To Use- Chewed up and applied to scratches. Place in nest to ease the pain of wounds Time of growth- Green-leaf through early leaf-fall Location- It is able to be found anywhere; though grassy areas are an ideal place to collect them
Fennel Helps ease pain in hips, such as during kitting; also soothes stomachaches, hunger, and cough Usage/To Use- The stalks are broken and the inner juice is squeezed out into the patients mouth Time of growth- Mid green-leaf Location- Dry soil near sea/coast and on riverbanks	Fern Fronds Not necessarily an herb, but it can be used to cover herbs to help keep them fresh Usage/To Use - Keeps herbs fresh Time of growth- Mid green-leaf Location- Forests
Feverfew Reduces body temperature for cats with fevers, chills, colds, and coughs; may also be used for aches and pains; especially good for headaches Usage/To Use- Eaten Time of growth- Mid green-leaf Location- Riverbanks	GoatWeed Given to cats who have anxiety or are experiencing grief; use daily until the symptoms stop Usage/To Use- Eat Time of growth- New-leaf Location- Damp areas
Goldenrod Heals wounds Usage/To Use- Chewed into a poultice and applied to the wound Time of growth- Mid green-leaf Location- Moors	Hawkweed Helps cure greencough, but is not as strong as catmint Usage/To Use- Unknown Time of growth- All throughout green-leaf Location- Unknown
Heather Nectar Allows the patient to swallow herbs easier and helps sweeten the flavor Usage/To Use- Extract the juices from the flower and add them to mixtures Time of growth- Early green-leaf throughout early leaf-fall Location- Shady areas	Honey Soothes infections, smoke-damaged throats and or sore throats; helps swallow other concoctions; soothes coughing and gives energy Usage/To Use- Eaten or given moss soaked in it Location- Found in honeycombs or bees nests up in trees
Horsetail Treats infections and minor bleeding Usage/To Use- Chewed into a poultice and applied to wounds; squeeze the sap from the stems onto the desired area to prevent infection Time of growth: New-leaf through early green-leaf Location- Marshy areas	Ivy Leaf Used to carry other herbs around Usage/To Use- To carry items Time of growth- All year round Location- Forests
Juniper Berries Soothes stomachaches; gives strength and helps with heavy breathing; can also be used to help calm down a cat from shock or distress; make sure to only take in small doses Usage/To Use- Eat Time of growth- Leaf-fall Location- Anywhere that is not wet	Lamb's Ear Gives a cat strength Usage/To Use- Eat Time of growth- Unknown Location- Commonly found in the mountains
Lavender Cures fevers, chills and headaches; also hides the scent of death Usage/To Use- Place under patients nose and is to be inhaled constantly or place in nest. Rub on cats body to hide the scent of death Time of growth- Green-leaf Location- Sunny spots with sandy or gravelly soil	Lungwort Cures yellowcough Usage/To Use- Eat Time of growth- Unknown Location- Moors; also found in shady, moist areas
Mallow Leaves Calms stomachaches Usage/To Use- Eat Time of growth- All throughout green-leaf Location- Best found near shorelines; best collected at sun high when they are dry	Marigold Stops infections; stops bleeding; Use for inflammation of stiff joints; also used to treat flea bites Usage/To Use- The petals or leaves are chewed into a poultice, or can be rubbed on wounds. The juice can be used as well Time of growth- All throughout green-leaf. They are able to grow during leaf-bare, but only if it’s mild Location- Near water
Mint Hides the scent of death; can also help prevent fleas Usage/To Use - Rubbed on dead body. Rub on the cats body to get rid of fleas, or put it in ones nest Time of growth- Late green-leaf Location- Forests	Mouse Bile Use to kill ticks and fleas found in cats pelts Usage/To Use- The liquid is stored in moss and dabbed onto the fur Location- Can be found anywhere there are mice present
Oak Leaf Stops infections Usage/To Use- Store the leaves in a dry area until the time of usage. They are chewed into a thick poultice and spread onto the wound Time of growth- All year round; ideally they are best collected in leaf-fall Location- Forests	Parsley Stops a Queen from producing milk. One leaf is taken each day until the milk stops; may also be used to soothe stomachaches Usage/To Use- Eat Time of growth- All throughout green-leaf Location- Grows best in moist, well-drained soil, with full of sun
Poppy Seeds Puts cat to sleep; soothes shock or distress and eases pain; do not feed to nursing queens or a queen that is giving birth Usage/To Use- Eat Time of growth- The flower will grow from late new-leaf to mid green-leaf, and the seeds will soon be ripe a little after the flower blooms Location- Anywhere that there are poppy flowers	Ragwort Leaves Treats aching joints and gives a cat strength Usage/To Use- Crushed and chewed Time of growth- All year round, though it’s ideal to be collected mid green-leaf through late green-leaf Location- Anywhere, especially areas that are cool and wet
Raspberry Leaves Used to help stop bleeding during kitting; also works as a painkiller Usage/To Use- Eat Time of growth- All year around, though it is ideal to be collected late new-leaf throughout early green-leaf	Rosemary This plant helps hide the scent of death to prepare for vigil and later the burial Usage/To Use- Rub on dead cats pelt Time of growth- Mid new-leaf throughout late new-leaf; it will sometimes grow in late green-leaf Location- Forests
Rush Use to bind broken bones Usage/To Use- Unknown Time of growth- Mid green-leaf throughout early leaf-fall Location- Damp areaa	Sorrel Given to cats who don’t have an appetite Usage/To Use - Eat Time of growth- All year round; is ideal to be collected in late new-leaf Location- Twoleg gardens
Sticks Recommended for Queens who are giving birth; also used for dislocated bones and help mend broken bones Usage/To Use - Patients will bite on the stick when in pain. Fasten sticks with a poultice to help keep broken bone in place Location- Anywhere there are trees	Stinging Nettle Induces vomiting and brings down swelling; can be mixed with comfrey to help heal broken bones; helpful with wounds and infections; the leaves can be used to carry herbs Usage/To Use- The seeds are eaten by a cat who swallowed poison and the leaves can be chewed into a poultice for wounds; chewing on the stems soothe infections Time of growth- Early green-leaf Location- Forests
Sweet Sedge Eases infection Usage/To Use- Swallow the sap Time of growth- Unknown Location- Grows throughout leaf-bare; mostly common near riverbanks	Tansy Cures cough; could be used to cure wounds and extract poison; stops cats from catching greencough; soothes sore throats and wretched legs; may be used to hide a cats scent. Usage/To Use- Eat, but only in small doses as it is very strong; don't feed to queens; rub on cats pelt to hide their scent; crush the leaves and apply to wrenched legs Time of growth- Mid green-leaf through late green-leaf Location- Forests
Tormentil Root Its root is good for treating wounds and extracting poisons Usage/To Use- Chewed up and put on the patients wound Time of growth- Early green-leaf throughout mid green-leaf Location- Wherever it is cool or cold	Thyme Calms a cat who's nervous, anxious, or in shock Usage/To Use- Chew on the leaves Time of growth- Early green-leaf Location- Hot, sunny areas
Watermint Soothes stomachaches; can also be used to hide the scent of death Usage/To Use- Chew into a pulp and then eat; rub onto dead cats pelt Time of growth- Unknown Location- Commonly found in streams or damp soil	Wild Garlic Prevents infection, especially rat bites; also useful for disguising a cats scent Usage/To Use- Roll in it Location- Forests
Willow Bark Eases pain Usage/To Use- Unknown Location- Water sources	Willow Leaves Stops vomiting and calms upset stomachs Usage/To Use- Chewed into a pulp then eaten Location- Willow trees; water sources
Wintergreen Treats wounds and some poisons Usage/To Use- Unknown Location- Oak-pine forests and sandy habitats	Yarrow Extracts poison from wounds; will make a cat vomit up toxins; helps soothe mild coughs and stomachaches; will also soften and heal cracked or sore paw pads Usage/To Use- The leaves are chewed into a poultice and applied to the wound; chew into a pulp and then eat for coughs; make into an ointment and apply to cracked or sore paw pads; eat a couple of leaves to calm stomachaches Location- Dry, rocky territories

Poisons

Deadly nightshade-One of the most toxic herbs, it can even kill a full grown Twoleg. Used to kill a cat who cannot be saved
Usage- Eat
Location- Moist, shady areas

Deathberries/Yew Berries- Kills a cat in a matter of minutes. Victims who eat this will start to foam at the mouth
Usage- Eat
Location- Commonly in forests, but can be found in small ravines

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Holly berries- These aren’t as necessarily dangerous as deathberries, but they can be deadly if enough is consumed. The leaves and berries are toxic, but the flower isn’t.
Usage- Eat
Location- Forests

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Foxglove seeds- They can be used to strengthen the heart but have more of a chance of causing paralysis and heart failure. They are also commonly mistaken for poppy seeds
Usage- Eat
Location- Anywhere

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Water hemlock- The most poisonous plant in the forest, and is sometimes mistaken for parsley. It causes writhing, pain, and foaming at the mouth
Usage- Eat
Time of growth- Mid green-leaf
Location- Wet, marshy areas

(I’d also like to leave a note that Apple seeds are also very toxic to cats)

Types of Herb Mixtures

Poultice
Poultice- is a material that is applied to a part of the cats body to relieve pain, itching, swelling, etc

Aching joints poultice- Gather ragwort and juniper berries and crush the ragwort leaves into small bits, and smash the juniper onto the crushed ragwort. Chew and mix the herbs together until it forms a tight bond and then give to the patient. The patient should only chew on the poultice. It’s okay to swallow a little, but eating the whole thing can cause a stomachache

Poultice for wounds- Gather horsetail, goldenrod, and marigold. Place the three herbs on top of each other and chew on it until it has almost a paste like texture. Before applying, make sure to get a wet moss ball and dab it lightly on the wound and around it to clean out dirt and debris. Place your poultice onto wherever the cat hurts. Grab some cobweb and wrap it around the poultice and add a few catchweed burrs on top of it and on the edges

Irritated/Itchy skin- Get a comfrey root and chew into a thick poultice and apply where ever the cat is irritated

Poultice for swelling- Have your patient wade through some water, then gather some stinging nettle leaves and chew into a poultice, and place wherever the cat hurts. Give them a couple of poppy seeds if needed

Wrenched claw poultice- Make sure to lick the patients claw thoroughly before applying the poultice to get out any kind of dirt and dried blood. Get a comfrey root and chew into a small poultice and apply to the wrenched claw. Wrap some cobweb around the poultice and add a catchweed burr on top if needed

Infected wounds poultice- Crush some marigold petals and chew them thoroughly. Get some honey and smother it on the marigold poultice. Make sure to clean the patients wound with a damp piece of moss to get all dirt and debris out. Place the marigold poultice over the desired area, the honey facing the wound. Place some catchweed burrs on the edges of the poultice. Chervil is also usable for this poultice

Thorn in paw pad poultice- Make sure to clean the cats paw pad thoroughly before adding the poultice. Chew on some yarrow to form a poultice and apply it to the paw pad. Let the yarrow sit on the paw pad for a few hours, then take the poultice off. The poultice should make the paw pad a lot softer, and the thorn will have disappeared.

Broken leg/paw poultice- First trace your tail over your patients body to check for any damage, and poke your claw onto the area. If they feel pain it is broken, or if you feel a crack. Feed them poppy seeds to help soothe the pain, and give them juniper berries or thyme if they are in shock. Gather stinging nettle, comfrey root, and bindweed. Chew on the stinging nettle and comfrey together into almost a paste-like consistency. Plaster the poultice onto the broken bone, and wrap the bindweed around the poultice, and prop up some sticks under the leg, and bundle more bindweed around the sticks. Wrap a thick layer of cobweb around the area and add a few catchweed burrs on the edges of the cast when done.

Chills poultice- Tear up some lavender, catmint and feverfew and chew it up thoroughly and then patch it up together to form into a poultice. Put it onto wherever the chill is worst and lick their fur the wrong way to warm them up. Put a catchweed burr on top of the poultice to hold it in place. Recommended to give them juniper berries

Backache poultice- Gather some daisy leaves and chew it into a mush. Add a tiny bit of water, then keep chewing. Once it’s formed, place it onto wherever the pain is worst


Pulp
A pulp is a wet, soft, shapeless mass that is to be eaten or plastered onto a cats body

Greencough pulp- Crush marigold petals and knead them into a couple of juniper berries then add the herbs into some water and mix. Once done sprinkle some poppy seeds over the pulp and feed to the patient. It is to be noted that when there is not enough time to make a proper pulp, Catmint can also be used as a quick but slightly less efffective cure for Greencough

Heavy breathing pulp- Shred some coltsfoot, thyme, and catmint. Once they’re into little pieces, chew them up until they are in a fine mush, then put them into a small amount of water, and stir. Feed to your patient

Bee stings pulp- Give your patient some chamomile to let them calm down and then gently take the stinger out with your teeth. Grab some moss and soak it in water and cleanse the area. Chew some blackberry leaves into a mush and add them to water and stir. Once the leaves seem to be gooey enough, take it out and place over the desired area and wrap cobwebs around the pulp. If the sting is really bad, then get some dandelion and squeeze its juices onto a clump of moss and dab around the area. Your patient may also chew on the dandelion to soothe the pain. Add a couple catchweed burrs on the edge of the cobweb to help stick in place

Kitten-cough pulp- Chew on some coltsfoot and then mix it with some water, then feed to the patient. Give them some cold water as well

Mild flea bites- Gather some marigold and crush the petals until they are in very small pieces, then line some water onto them. Stir the damp herb while kneading into it, until the petals turn into a fine mush. Once you are done kneading, chew on the mush until it is formed into a soft, wet pulp. Rub the pulp onto the cats pelt. Also recommended to place preventative herbs in the cats bedding, and keep them in your den until the fleas are gone. Make a comfrey poultice if they can’t handle the itching

Pulp for fevers- Chew on some dandelion, and chew on a couple of borage leaves. Mix the two herbs together and add a little bit of water to the mixture. Feed to your patient


Paste
A paste is a thick, soft, moist substance, that is to be put on the body, or consumed

Paste for burns- Chew on a comfrey root until it is formed into a thick mush, almost like a pulp, but a more solid form. Put the comfrey in some water and stir it, and make sure it is a thick, moist consistency. Plaster the paste over wherever the cat hurts

Paste for anxiety, shock, distress, etc- Scratch up some chamomile until it’s in small pieces. Chew it up into a thick paste, then place it into a small amount of water, and mix it around. Afterward, roll it into a ball and feed to your patient. Lick the cats fur the wrong way to help calm them down quicker


Ointment
A smooth oily preparation that is to be rubbed on the skin

Sores ointment- Chew on a comfrey root and make it into almost a paste like consistency. Put the paste into a leaf that has warm water, and mix it around for a little while. Once done, pour the extract onto a dock leaf and let it sit in a cool area for a bit. The extract should’ve thickened into an ointment. Rub the comfrey ointment onto the desired area

Cracked paw pads ointment- Lick to clean the patients pads thoroughly to make sure that all dirt is out. Place the cats paw in water if needed. Gather some yarrow and chew on it until it is formed into a thick paste. Put the paste into some warm water and stir it. Once done, place the extract onto a dock leaf and let it sit in a cool area for a while. Once you’ve come back the extract should’ve thickened and has been established into a more solid form. Rub the ointment over the paw pads and wrap with cobweb


Juice
This is to be made with herb extracts and is to be drunk or drizzled on

Pain extract- Find a willow tree and tear at its bark. This will help release the water that is inside of it. Add the willow bark water onto a leaf. Take some thyme and tear it up into small pieces. Once the thyme is crushed add it to the willow bark water and then sprinkle some poppy seeds over the extract and mix a little more and feed to the patient. Make a poultice for swelling if needed

Eye damage extract- Check the cats eye to make sure that there isn’t any damage to the surface of the iris. Make sure to flush the patients eyes out thoroughly before proceeding. Get some celandine and squeeze its juices onto a ball of moss. Dab the moss onto the patients eye, then close their eye for a few seconds to make sure the extract seeps into their eye

Injuries & Illnesses

Each ailment will have a description of what it is and how to treat it, and the symptoms will be listed underneath.

Chest infections
Whitecough and greencough are the most common chest infections known to the Clans. Whitecough is almost like greencough, but a milder version. If untreated, it will develop into greencough. Cats usually catch this sickness during leaf-fall and leaf-bare. It is fatal for elders and kits if not treated immediately. It is highly contagious. Please note that Blackcough does not exist. It was a typo in the first series, and is simply the original name for Greencough.

• Greencough: Coughing, phlegm, wheezing, breathless, fever, eyes and nose mucus, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, and vomiting
• Whitecough: Coughing, phlegm, breathless, fever, chest pain, and eyes and nose mucus

Yellowcough - Only curable by a plant named lungwort. It causes a loss of appetite, fever, difficulty breathing, delirium, and sore throats.

• Loss of appetite, fever, difficulty breathing, delirium, and a sore throat

Redcough- Redcough is a highly severe chest infection and is worse than greencough. It is named after one of its symptom which is to cough up blood. If not treated immediately then the cat will most likely die. Catmint cannot treat redcough and the only known cure is a special sap that is only found in SkyClan territory

Aching joints- Damp and or cold environments cause aching joints. This is commonly seen in elders and Queens. If the ache is associated with water it can cause a chill

Chills- Chills are mostly associated with cold weather or being in cold water. Elders and kits are at more of a risk dying when they get a chill. Either lick the cats fur the wrong way to keep them warm, or make a poultice

Poison- Being poisoned can be caused by eating or drinking unsafe substances such as deathberries. Kits are the main victim of this, as they are curious and are unaware of how dangerous they are. Eating rotten prey or tainted water is also another common way to be poisoned. Inhaling too much smoke, and being bitten by a venomous animal. If only a small amount of poison is consumed, then the cat usually just gets a stomachache, but obviously larger amounts will cause death

• Water Hemlock: Foaming at the mouth, writhing, and severe pain; victim will become unconscious for a long length of time
• Holly Berry: If eaten a few it will cause stomachache, vomiting, and diarrhea. If a lot is ingested then it can cause severe stomachache, lethargy and drooling; it won’t kill an adult cat, but it will kill a kit

Joint Dislocation
This is a displacement of a bone from its normal joint. Medicine cats must force the joint back into place

• Limited movement, physical deformity, swelling, bruising, severe pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and possibly inflammation. If blood vessels are damaged, the area will feel cold and turn to a bluish color.

Sprains- Sprains are injuries to ligaments of a joint, and the joint is stretched beyond their normal capacity and is possibly torn. Sprains are caused when too much force is placed on the muscle. The pain will vary from mild to severe and will decrease the ability to move the joint. The cat must rest for several days


Miscellaneous Injuries & Illnesses
Cracked pads- Paw pads may crack when walking long distances on hard surfaces, such as stone, or due to cold weather. Elders commonly get this.

Sores- This is caused by rough activity, and the skin will become red and raw

• Pain, stiffness, swelling, skin is red and raw

Sore throat- A condition with pain in the throat, typically caused by inflammation due to cold weather, smoke inhalation, or a cough

• Pain, scratchiness, difficulty swallowing, swelling, swollen glands in the neck or jaw, back of mouth will be red and swollen, hoarse voice

Damaged eyes- The patients eyes will be blurry to some extent, and it depends on how severe the blurriness is. The harsher the symptoms are, the less of a chance that the cat will recover with full vision. Cats with damage on the surface of the iris will not regain vision

Loss of appetite- This is a disappearance of the cats hankering to eat. This can either be caused by stress, or something more serious

Kitten-cough- A very mild version of a chest infection. Does have chances in turning into whitecough, and then greencough

• Coughing, sore throat, runny nose, headache, and a mild fever

Disease- This can be caused by eating prey that is found in Carrionplace, such as rats. Certain types of viruses, bacteria, and parasites is how the disease is transmitted

Weakness- A decrease of one or more muscles in the body, meaning that the patient will lack strength. The weakness only affects muscles that are irritated or a compressed nerve. This can either be caused by stress, illness, wounds, tiredness, or from too much physical activity

Snakebite- An injury caused by an adder or other types of snakes. Depending on the species of the snake, the victim may or may not end up being infected with venom

• Non-venomous: Bleeding, pain in the affected area, swelling, redness, and possible infection
• Venomous: Bleeding, pain in the affected area, swelling, inflammation, redness, bruises, sweating, fast heart rate, nausea, dizziness, and possible infection. In young, old or weak cats, the bite can cause a coma or heart palpitations

Burns- A burn is damage to the skin or deeper tissues caused by flame, staying out too long in the sun, or any other physical contact with heat. The severity of the injury depends on the depth of the burn. The victim may or may not end up having their fur grow back

• 1st Degree/Sunburn: Mild inflammation, red skin, swelling, mild fever, peeling skin, rash, physical sensitivity, and itchiness
• 2nd Degree: Red, white or splotchy skin, physical sensitivity, fever, moderate inflammation, blistering, swelling, infection, and possible scarring
• 3rd Degree: Skin appears waxy or leathery, physical numbness, difficulty breathing, smoke inhalation poisoning, physical sensitivity, inflammation, blistering, swelling, infection, fever, itchiness, and highly possible scaring

Fleas- Fleas are small, wingless insects that cling onto furry animals to suck their blood. This causes irritation and can create very small wounds, which could develop into an infection, and then possibly a disease. Some cats are even allergic to fleas. Fleas are highly contagious. The legs, paws and neck are targeted the most

• Severe itching, red spots, and swollen spots. After a day or so, the lumps may develop into a blister or a small wound, and the wounds may have pus

Nausea- This is when a cat feels exceedingly ill and an extreme urge to vomit. There are multiple things that can cause nausea, such as overeating, hunger, specific herbs, food poisoning, tainted water, intense fear/panic attacks, early pregnancy, migraines/headaches, and revolting smells. If a cat vomits, which is followed by diarrhea, it can cause dangerous dehydration; bring your patient to a water source immediately after they vomit

• Weak physical balance, headache, fever, dizziness, lightheaded, and stomachache

Allergies- Allergies can make an appearance when the cat has a negative reaction to a particular type of herb, prey, pollen, fur or dust. This can cause the cats skin to inflame, and have itchy, watery eyes. The reaction can range from mild to severe. In some severe cases, the allergies can cause life-threatening reactions

• Food: Digestive problems, hives, swollen airways, and a tingly mouth
• Herb: Hives, rash, itchy skin, swollen face, wheezing, moderate fever, and possible swollen airways
• Seasonal: Sneezing, runny/stuffy nose, and red/watery/itchy eyes

Anxiety/Panic attack- Anxiety can be caused by stress conditions, uncomfortable crowds, or upsetting situations. A panic attack is a sudden, unexpected intense fear that causes severe physical reactions when there is no actual danger or cause. It is important that the medicine cat figures out what the triggers are of the anxiety, and make sure to help the patient provoke the causes

• Anxiety: Fatigue, restlessness, sweating, hyperventilation, irritability, racing thoughts or unwanted thoughts, trembling, and possible nausea
• Panic Attack: Physical weakness, dizziness, tingling/numbness in paws, sense of terror, sweaty or chills, chest pain, breathing difficulties, feeling a loss of control, and in extreme cases, fainting

Asthma- A cat is commonly born with this condition, which causes their airways to become inflamed, narrowed, and swelled. It will also produce mucus which makes it difficult to breathe. It can be stimulated when a cat is running, or a very rough physical activity. There is no real cure in the Clan world

• Difficulty breathing, chest pain, coughing, wheezing, phlegm, rapid breathing, frequent respiratory infections, tightness of chest, throat irritation, and trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath/coughing/wheezing

Broken tooth- Teeth are prone to cracking and able to fully break off the root. This can be caused by the mouth hitting a hard object, cavities, biting a hard object, such as a bone from prey or from a battle. In mild cases, the tooth will be chipped but still in the gums. Moderate cases will have a piece of the tooth broken off but still intact. In severe cases, the tooth is completely shattered, which will leave nothing where the tooth used to be

Broken bones- This is when the bone of a certain part of the body is shattered in two or more pieces. The result can range from mild to severe. A mild fracture is when the bone is broken in one place, which has no separation of the bones. A moderate fracture involves the bone being broken into two pieces. A severe fracture is when the bone is shattered into two or more pieces or completely crushed, and when this happens the patient will most likely never be healed

• Bruising, physical deformity, limping, swelling, tenderness, dizziness, and possible blood

Shock (Physically)- Shock can occur and be a life-threatening result due to blood loss and or highly severe pain. It can also cause heavy breathing, which will have the patient faint, or can even be fatal. It is mandatory to take immediate treatment when this happens

• Chills, rapid heartbeat, physical and mental weakness, confusion, lack of alertness, loss of consciousness, and rapid breathing

Shock (Emotionally)- Sometimes happens when a cat witnesses a traumatic or terrorizing event. They will seem to have “numb” emotions

• Lack of emotion, lack of empathy, denial, difficulty concentrating, confusion, irritability, mood swings, lack of communication, and panic attacks