Post by Broadwaykat on Sept 14, 2017 2:07:09 GMT
Every warrior is given a special, unique name, distinguishing them as an individual in their own clan. Sometimes it picks up on what they look like, or hopes for their spirit connections. Other times, there are names picked by the parents which seem to fit their kits. There are many reasons for naming warriors, and several traditional ways to name a warrior, and rules that go along with it.
For example, while the Prefix (Starting) part of the name is always unique, the end of their name is usual set depending upon which rank they are. Listed below are the Rank-related Suffixes that are given to cats during the different times of their lives.
When cats are first born, they are given the suffix kit. This is to show that they are the youngest members of their clan, slowly growing into their namesakes with time. They will keep this suffix until they are old enough to become Apprentices.
Ex. A kit is born to two parents who is all black. They decide to name him Darkkit.
Once a cat reaches six-moons old, they are made Apprentices; in a special ceremony, their suffix is changed to paw, to show that they are now learning and 'taking a step' outside the boundaries of camp to learn what it means to be a Warrior or Medicine Cats. They will retain this suffix until their training is complete and they are fit to become full warriors or Medicine Cats.
Ex. Darkkit becomes six moons old and is apprenticed to Treefall. He becomes Darkpaw.
All warriors and Medicine cats have somewhat unique Suffixes. These reflect more so what the now adult cat has achieved, or reflections on their personality. For example, a strong fighter might be given the name 'claw', while someone who has shown themselves to be a sweet, or strong moral support could be given 'heart' as a suffix. Barring serious injury or promotion (see below) these names will remain the same until they pass on to Starclan.
Ex. Darkpaw shows himself in battle and is given his warrior name. He becomes Darkclaw, because of his fighting prowess.
If a warrior who has been promoted to deputy must replace their leader, they will be taken by the Clan's Medicine Cats to speak with Starclan. In a special ceremony shrouded in mystery, the cat in question will receive nine lives from their ancestors, and at the end of the ceremony, will be given the suffix Star. Their Prefix, as always, will remain unchanged. They will keep this Prefix until they pass on to Starclan, even if they step down or retire.
Ex. Deputy Darkclaw takes over for Creekclan's old leader. Blessed by Starclan, he becomes Darkstar.
If a clan cat suffers serious injury, or in advanced age it is possible that the clan leader will change the cat's name to reflect this disability. This may be seen as incredibly callous and cruel, but many cats practice this. It may reference a cat's new appearance, such as startling deformities or missing limbs, or a mental disturbance in the warrior in question. Unless born in some way defective, names related to injuries are not often given to newborn kits, unless the parents are incredibly cruel.
Ex. Stormkit falls out of a tree and breaks his jaw. Leaders of his clan thus decide to rename him Crookedkit to reflect this injury.
There are certain names that will not be accepted as prefixes or Suffixes on this site. They include:
Cypress -- As it is the name of Cypressclan, no cat will have this name.
Willow -- As it is the name of Willowclan, no cat will have this name.
Oak -- As it is the name of Oakclan, no cat will have this name.
Birch -- As it is the name of Birchclan, no cat will have this name.
Star -- As it is the suffix of all leaders, no cat besides a leader is allowed to have this as a suffix. Not cat at all is able to have it as a prefix.
Cursewords -- Of any sort, which should be self-explanitory.
Twoleg/Human-Made Items -- No human or Twoleg concepts are allowed to be chosen as a Prefix or Suffix.
Rank-Related Suffixes
For example, while the Prefix (Starting) part of the name is always unique, the end of their name is usual set depending upon which rank they are. Listed below are the Rank-related Suffixes that are given to cats during the different times of their lives.
--kit
When cats are first born, they are given the suffix kit. This is to show that they are the youngest members of their clan, slowly growing into their namesakes with time. They will keep this suffix until they are old enough to become Apprentices.
Ex. A kit is born to two parents who is all black. They decide to name him Darkkit.
-- paw
Once a cat reaches six-moons old, they are made Apprentices; in a special ceremony, their suffix is changed to paw, to show that they are now learning and 'taking a step' outside the boundaries of camp to learn what it means to be a Warrior or Medicine Cats. They will retain this suffix until their training is complete and they are fit to become full warriors or Medicine Cats.
Ex. Darkkit becomes six moons old and is apprenticed to Treefall. He becomes Darkpaw.
Warrior/Medicine Cat/Deputy Suffixes
All warriors and Medicine cats have somewhat unique Suffixes. These reflect more so what the now adult cat has achieved, or reflections on their personality. For example, a strong fighter might be given the name 'claw', while someone who has shown themselves to be a sweet, or strong moral support could be given 'heart' as a suffix. Barring serious injury or promotion (see below) these names will remain the same until they pass on to Starclan.
Ex. Darkpaw shows himself in battle and is given his warrior name. He becomes Darkclaw, because of his fighting prowess.
-- star
If a warrior who has been promoted to deputy must replace their leader, they will be taken by the Clan's Medicine Cats to speak with Starclan. In a special ceremony shrouded in mystery, the cat in question will receive nine lives from their ancestors, and at the end of the ceremony, will be given the suffix Star. Their Prefix, as always, will remain unchanged. They will keep this Prefix until they pass on to Starclan, even if they step down or retire.
Ex. Deputy Darkclaw takes over for Creekclan's old leader. Blessed by Starclan, he becomes Darkstar.
Serious Injuries
If a clan cat suffers serious injury, or in advanced age it is possible that the clan leader will change the cat's name to reflect this disability. This may be seen as incredibly callous and cruel, but many cats practice this. It may reference a cat's new appearance, such as startling deformities or missing limbs, or a mental disturbance in the warrior in question. Unless born in some way defective, names related to injuries are not often given to newborn kits, unless the parents are incredibly cruel.
Ex. Stormkit falls out of a tree and breaks his jaw. Leaders of his clan thus decide to rename him Crookedkit to reflect this injury.
Banned Names
There are certain names that will not be accepted as prefixes or Suffixes on this site. They include:
Cypress -- As it is the name of Cypressclan, no cat will have this name.
Willow -- As it is the name of Willowclan, no cat will have this name.
Oak -- As it is the name of Oakclan, no cat will have this name.
Birch -- As it is the name of Birchclan, no cat will have this name.
Star -- As it is the suffix of all leaders, no cat besides a leader is allowed to have this as a suffix. Not cat at all is able to have it as a prefix.
Cursewords -- Of any sort, which should be self-explanitory.
Twoleg/Human-Made Items -- No human or Twoleg concepts are allowed to be chosen as a Prefix or Suffix.