#clan code

At it’s base, what would happen first is that the Keepers of both clans would get together with another uninvolved clan Keeper (let’s say Mountainclan and Hillclan are involved, and they ask a Marshclan Keeper to come). This is to keep things fair and have a third-party as both potential mediator and a tie-breaker. They’re going to hold a Council of Keepers, and basically go ‘look, you broke our base Code, you’re in trouble, here’s what’s going to happen, will you cooperate?’

Then, if the culprits agree (which is pretty much guaranteed), the two cats are going to be put on ‘probation’. They’re demoted to apprentice level. They are not allowed out of camp for a number of moons that is determined by the Keepers collectively; probably based on how long this has been going on. So let’s say four moons here. Now, if there’s a molly involved who’s had kits, her probation doesn’t begin until her after kits are apprenticed.

Brief Tangent Ahead (BTA)

Excuse this quick little seg about the kits: If mum’s still alive and all is well, her clan has total rights to the kits and the other clan has zero claim. If the mother is dead, and the mother’s clan has another queen who can care for the kits, then the mother’s clan still has total claim over the kits. If the mother dies and the mother’s clan has no other queens who can care for them, the father’s clan gets total rights to the kits.

Additionally, the kits (if there are any) are absolutely not to be harmed or blamed in any way, and while they might be a glaring mark of a broken Code (depending on how ‘different’ they look) every clan regards it as an equal shame to blame or punish kits for their parents’ offenses.So if Hillclan here is ragging out little Rabbitpaw, Deerpaw, and Mousepaw for being fat ‘n fluffy like their Mountainclan daddy, you can bet some other clans are going to jump on their tails about their behavior.

Tangent done.

Now, after being confined to camp for X number of moons (during which they will be addressed as and treated like apprentices and will be doing duties in-camp, like helping the healers keep watch over the elders and kits, cleaning dens, training with other apprentices, teaching kits, etc.) they have a six moon period of being allowed out of camp on patrols and duties. If they successfully complete all of this without any rule-breaking or recalcitrant behavior, they are welcomed back as a full warrior and the clan’s attitude towards them is restored.

Should they ever break another serious rule again, they face potential exile by a Vote of Nine (nine Voting Cats– which depending on the clan will be Keeper, Successor, any healers, leader, potentially elders/warriors).

So that’s the general idea; it was created by the Keepers as a note under the Code of (summarizing here) ‘don’t take mates in another clan’. This probably one of the oldest notes.

Admittedly, each clan has a bit different personal attitude towards this sort of thing. Some will be more pissed than others (Forestclan, Hillclan). ). Some will be most concerned about the kits, and brand it as ‘look what blemish you’ve placed on these poor innocent lives!’ (Marshclan, Islandclan, Mountainclan, Roamingclan, Graveclan). Of course, this can vary over generations and the current mindset towards other clans, if any other rules have been broken, how the culprits were viewed before their affair was discovered, etc.