The future's in your paws. Shape it well.Roleplay in a cat Clan of warriors. Based off the Warriors series by Erin Hunter. Takes place in an AU before the cats in the books existed.
Welcome to WCC! Here are our latest announcements:
Activity checks take place on the 1st of the month. PM a staff member with the completed form if you missed it.
Newleaf is finally here, and the Clans hope to find reprieve from the tough Leaf-bare.
Gatherings take place on the 1st of the month; keep your eyes out for a staff member's post!
Please feel free to hit up any staff member if you have any questions!
Characters : Murkyriver ♀ | Mistwalker ♀ | Mintglade ♀ | Crakeburn ♀ | Snowvixen ♀ | Hollowpaw ♀ Clan/Rank : Riverclan | Skyclan | Windclan Number of posts : 4940 Gender : She/Her - ash was here :3 and Ro! Age : 21
Subject: cedarpaw's warrior ceremony Sun 02 Jul 2023, 8:50 pm
Mottlestar
“May the stars light our paths.”
With the abundance of apprentices that had seemed to join Thunderclan's ranks also came the promise of new warriors. Finally, it seemed that the forest was making due on that very promise. It was her deputy's own that would be earning his name today, and for that, the tortoiseshell molly was more than excited as she lept atop the Highrock. Her pause had come to a close, with her leg now fully healed and ruffled fur now mostly smoothed. Truthfully, it was with Acornstem's hard work that it had even been a possibility. Nevertheless, that wasn't the focus of today's ceremony.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting!"
Copperlark stayed at the outskirts of the crowd, respectfully within sight of the leader so that she knew that at least she was trying to stick to the rules. Her fur was dull from going days without a single grooming, but at this point she didn't care. Her clanmates were treating her like crowfood, so might as well look like it, right？
Acornstem hadn't been shy in telling Mottlestar her praises about Cedarpaw when it became clear that she had taught him everything she could. He was a kind heart that was only being hampered by his apprentice name at this point - any further growth could only be achieved as a proper warrior so now that the moment was at paw... She smiled as she heard Mottlestar's call, padding forward to take her place beneath the rock. But for as proud as she was, she couldn't deny feeling a little bittersweet - he was growing up. He wouldn't be her apprentice anymore but a fully fledged warrior... Of course, she didn't plan to just disappear from his life. No, she would be there for him as a friend and still as a teacher if he ever required her thoughts.
This would be the end of their mentor-apprentice relationship, but it was only leading the way into something new and exciting.
Amberpaw sat by the entrance to the apprentice's den, gazing across camp to Mottlestar, who stood on the highrock. A ceremony! he thought, excited to see who would be advancing a rank. His eyes scanned the crowd, and they landed on Copperlark, who sat on the outskirts of the crowd. She didn't look too good. Amberpaw had heard of all the drama that had happened between her and Cloudychase, but he chose to stay out of it. I hope things turn around for her.
Shrewpaw brushed past Amberpaw as she exited the apprentice's den. Another ceremony, and judging by who was atop the Highrock some lucky apprentice would be joining the warrior's den tonight. It may have been selfish but Shrewpaw found herself wishing it would be her own ceremony. Copperlark had clearly let herself go since her outburst, something that Shrewpaw had heard about from the warriors around camp, and there seemed to be no other way to keep an eye on her sister at this point.
The golden molly crossed over to where Copperlark was sitting with a couple of bounds, taking a seat and idly grooming her sister's nasty pelt while she waited for Mottlestar to make her announcement.
Copperlark blinked as Shrewpaw began grooming her pelt. She had never felt strongly about her sister, but at least there was one cat in Thunderclan that didn't look at her with clear hostility. She felt a small smile light up her features when she caught sight of the dainty daisy tucked behind the golden she-cat's ear. So she kept it, even after all this while? Her sister didn't mind how dirty her eplt or her claws had gotten... was that what love was? The warrior had never felt the urge to go out of her way to take that much care of someone, but maybe she could learn. If everyone around her could do it, it had to be a possibility, right?
Cedarpaw was tired. He'd been training nonstop and volunteering for extra work around the camp for nearly a quarter moon in the hopes that he would soon earn his warrior name. He felt as though he'd fallen behind when Copperlark got her name far before him, but at least he still had Shrewpaw and Amberpaw to keep him company in the apprentice's den.
At Mottlestar's call, the fluffy tom looked up from where he was sitting at the edge of the clearing. His paws were dirty from patching a hole in the camp wall so, Cedarpaw dropped what he was doing and began quickly grooming his pelt and tidying up his paws. Once he was satisfied, he finally got up to join the rest of his clan.
Cedarpaw looked around for his friends and noticed Copperlark sitting beside Shrewpaw. They looked like they could use some space, especially after everything, so he instead approached Amberpaw, his other best friend.
Curious, and a bit hopeful, Cedarpaw cast his gaze out toward Mottlestar, eager to see what her announcement was. Then, he spotted Acornstem at the base of the highrock. She was his mentor and one of the cats he trusted the most.
Despite his rocky start to life, he was happy with where he was now, and it was all thanks to her and the help of his friends. They may not know it, but he wouldn't be where he was today if not for them.
Kitty Former Staff
Characters : Murkyriver ♀ | Mistwalker ♀ | Mintglade ♀ | Crakeburn ♀ | Snowvixen ♀ | Hollowpaw ♀ Clan/Rank : Riverclan | Skyclan | Windclan Number of posts : 4940 Gender : She/Her - ash was here :3 and Ro! Age : 21
As her clan assembled, she waited until she saw the apprentice in question to even consider going forward. Spotting him amongst the crowd, her gaze went to him for just a moment with a dip of her head before continuing to surf over the crowd. No need on pointing the spotlight early, she presumed. However, once enough had gathered, there was no need in continuing to stall. Even Mottlestar herself felt a flicker of excitement in her paws as she always did when naming a new warrior.
Flicking her tail to silence the crowd, she spoke. "Thunderclan, we gather to celebrate a new warrior joining our ranks. Cedarpaw, please step forward." Finally, her full focus went to the tom to call him at the forefront of the crowd.
"As Acornstem has told me, you have trained hard in learning the ways of our noble code and the traditions of Thunderclan. It is now time we recognize that training and dedication in giving you your warrior name, and making you a fully-fledged member of our Clan. However, you must also be ready as well. Do you promise to protect, defend, and serve your Clan according to the warrior code, even at the cost of your life?" Ceremonial words easily flew from her lips. Even if she had repeated them hundreds of times over, with tradition deeply rooted, they still spoke to each cat individually.
Cedarpaw stiffened as ge met Mottlestar's gaze. With this meeting for him? Just as the thought crossed his mind, she looked away and the breath returned to his body. Good. He didnt feel ready. He knew how proud Acornstem was of him, but he wasn't sure he was warrior material yet. Maybe someday though
Besides, he couldn't leave Shrewpaw behind. He'd miss her so much, even if it was only for a little bit. Then, Mottlestar spoke. At first, he thought that it was Shrewpaw's turn to follow her littermates to the warrior's den. Then...he heard his name.
Slowly, Cedarpaw got up and padded to the center of the camp, his fur bristling slightly. He was suddenly glad he'd taken the time to clean himself off.
His legs shook slightly, but listening to Mottlestar's speech helped the red and white apprentice find his strength. He squared his shoulders and dipped his head to her. "Yes. I promise." He searched for Shrewpaw in the crowd and dipped his head to her.
Then, he promptly whipped his head back around, his face and ears warm. He was so conflicted. He'd made the promise for his clan, but...it was for her too.
Her and all if his friends and clanmates. Amberpaw, Copperlark, Acornstem...
He would protect them all.
Kitty Former Staff
Characters : Murkyriver ♀ | Mistwalker ♀ | Mintglade ♀ | Crakeburn ♀ | Snowvixen ♀ | Hollowpaw ♀ Clan/Rank : Riverclan | Skyclan | Windclan Number of posts : 4940 Gender : She/Her - ash was here :3 and Ro! Age : 21
This moment was a formidable one for many that had come before the apprentice she was currently looking at. One that many leaders had conducted, just as many after her would conduct. Just as many apprentices after Cedarpaw would find themselves in. The one that they pledged their allegiance, and while it seemed like how things simply went, those who had gone through that rite knew it was so, so much more. In honor of that, Mottlestar dipped her head. "Then let it be known that from this day forth, with the blessing of your mentor Acornstem and the power Starclan has given me, that you are no longer to be called Cedarpaw. You have truly grown beyond that name, both in loyalty, and in heart."
A warm purr rumbled from the leader's throat. "It is with great honor that I now get to call you by your new name for the very first time. Thunderclan, please welcome Cedarstalk as your newest warrior!"
She let the cheers ripple out as she lept down, moving forward to press her nose atop the tom's forehead, as if to truly seal his fate. "Congratulations. Feel free to stop by my den if you'd like some company on your vigil." Mottlestar purred, before stepping away to allow his family to celebrate.
"Cedarstalk! Cedarstalk! Cedarstalk!" Acornstem happily rose her voice to join in with the rest of the Clan as her apprentice became a warrior. She pushed herself to her paws, stepping forward but waited patiently for Mottlestar to say her piece and step away before the deputy quickly took a step forward with a smile. "Congratulation, Cedarstalk. You've done me proud, I know you will be a fine warrior," she purred, before a happy sigh escaped her. "I may not be your mentor anymore, but know I will always lend a paw - or an ear if you just want to chat. Now go, celebrate. Enjoy your day before your vigil starts. I'll even be kind and won't put you on tomorrow's dawn patrol," she added with a teasing wink before she stepped back to let everybody else crowd the newly name warrior.
"Cedarstalk, Cedarstalk," Amberpaw cheered quietly with a smile. After the leader and deputy spoke with the new warrior, Amberpaw rose to his feet and weaved his way over to his good friend. "Congradulations," he purred. Amberpaw's orange eyes spoke of the pride and happiness that he didn't know how to put into words.
It seemed that clan meetings were called often, and Aurelia wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. There was always some sort of drama in the clan, and the golden she-cat was content to watch from her typical spot near the edge of camp, green eyes narrowed slightly. Despite her misgivings, she was curious to watch as Cedarpaw was called forward. A warrior ceremony was not something Aurelia had bore witness to, and the changing of names so often still wasn't something she quite 'got' even with Mottlestar seeming to deem it necessary. Why not just stick to one name?
S"Cedarstalk, Cedarstalk!" he understood however, that the ceremony was to celebrate the cat in question, now Cedarstalk. Aurelia's voice was soft as she joined the clanmates in testing the new name on her tongue, but she kept off to the side, offering that congratulation from a distance.
