Personality and Physique

RavenClan is built on the concept of open emotions, and they tend to be extremely boisterous. It’s common for cats to have heated arguments over small things before coming back together later and apologizing. If a newcomer joins their ranks, they typically try to test how well they’ll fit in, usually starting with pranks. Because RavenClan is meant to be a tight-knit group, this hazing never escalates past tricking a cat into getting sprayed by a skunk or sniffing owl droppings. Once a cat has been accepted, every cat in the Clan would throw away their life to protect them, even if it means certain destruction.

RavenClan Physical Adaptatons

While not all RavenClan cats have all of these adaptations, the ones that thrive the best in their environment have at least a few.

• Large paws to help with digging and grappling
• Thick and sharp claws to help with digging
• Extremely dense fur, especially on paws and tail, to help avoid burrs sticking into the skin
• Well-defined legs, powerful shoulders, and strong back muscles that help with jumping
• Larger ears to aid in heat diffusion

Organization

Though RavenClan has the basic framework of a Clan, it lacks a rigid structure and most cats do as they please. Leadership is generally a duty without much appeal to most cats, as the leader tends to be the one who has to pick up after other cats and doles out punishments. Though they technically have absolute authority within the Clan, leaders typically do not order cats around unless their actions negatively impact the Clan. Deputies have slightly better jobs – making sure mentors are correctly training their apprentices, ensuring the prey pile is stocked, and checking the borders.

Unlike other Clans, medicine cats do not have more authority than warriors. The most senior medicine cat is typically the one who advises the leader, but otherwise, most are not involved in making decisions for the Clan. Regardless, medicine cats are respected due to their dedication to healing the Clan and their ability to communicate with StarClan. Most medicine cats don’t participate in hunting or fighting unless they want to.

Mediators participate in hunting, but when it comes to fighting, their role falls to diplomacy before violence. They tend to be the ones sent to other Clans to solve disputes when there’s an issue that the leader doesn’t want to resolve with war. However, even though mediators specialize in peace-making, they excel in fighting so they aren’t caught off-guard if negotiations turn sour.

Den mothers are she-cats who prefer to be in the nursery full-time. They act as wet nurses for orphaned kits or kits whose mothers prefer to return to work before the kit is weaned, and their main job is to provide early education for the kits. The den mothers work in shifts alongside the nursing warriors and other cats who volunteer to babysit, usually working for half a day at a time before going off to relax.

Warriors are free to do whatever they wish, but most of the time, they will hunt, patrol the borders, and chase away any predators that appear on RavenClan territory. Even though they’re not technically required to provide prey for the Clan, it’s generally expected that warriors will hunt enough for themselves and one more cat so that cats who don’t hunt will still get fed. When the prey pile is low, warriors will go out and hunt as needed, and cats rarely go hungry despite no official hunting patrols being organized.

Apprentices will be given a daily task by their mentor to complete before they’re free to do whatever they want. Typically, these tasks include training, hunting, or Clan chores such as cleaning nests and tending to the various Clan structures. During the festivals, apprentices are expected to help prepare everything and assist visiting cats. Though apprentices are free to work at their own pace, they tend to focus on their warrior tasks as much as possible.

Territory

RavenClan territory is a wide-open prairie filled with fields of wildflowers. Their eastern border is the very edge of the desert, while the western border is a shining river. Because most of the territory is relatively similar, RavenClan tends to classify areas based on what burrowing animal lives there. As such, most places are named something along the lines of “bison migration path” or “prairie dog burrows.”

Camp

Close to the sea, RavenClan’s camp is a collection of tunnels surrounded by a field of flowers. Because of the vast variety of flowers (see: Flowers), flowers bloom almost year-round.

The actual camp is underground, and centers around a multi-level amphitheater that’s split into three levels with stricter security measures the further one goes down.

On the first level, there are the guard rooms, a trading bazaar, dens for visitors, and the seating for the amphitheater.

• The first room cats pass when entering camp is a tiny cave where guards will watch newcomers and stop anyone who seems suspicious
• The walls of the trading bazaar are riddled with cat-sized holes where cats will peddle their wares. If a stall is in use, they will hang flower curtains in front of it to indicate it is occupied. Though the bazaar runs on honor rules, RavenClan posts a couple of guards to watch over it to avoid any thieves
• Though most visitors don’t stay the night, they may choose to borrow a den. These dens aren’t particularly well-maintained or decorated, but they are clean and have dry nests. Visitors who come frequently generally have dedicated rooms that are larger, more decorated, and often stocked with food or herbs
• The seating area of the amphitheater is covered in soft rabbit pelts that are cleaned or replaced by apprentices in between festivals or ceremonies. It has several tiers so that cats can see the show floor below no matter where they sit

Most of the Clan’s facilities are found on the second level, such as the canteen, dirtplace, and training hollow.

• The canteen is a large cave covered in soft pelts and large, flat stones where cats will gather to eat together. An underground stream feeds a small waterfall and pond so that cats can drink, and a small cave beside the stream that remains cold due to the water is used to store prey so that it doesn’t go bad as quickly. In a corner of the cave, there’s a small campfire that’s tended to so that it doesn’t extinguish.
• The kitchen branches off of the canteen, partially hidden by a curtain of heavy pelts. There are ten alcoves carved into the walls where fires can be set for cooking, and each alcove is fitted with a row of stone bars that cats can place pots or food on. The rest of the walls have shelves carved into them where baskets of dried ingredients are stored. A small dip in the ground drains into a soft compost layer of the soil, so cats are able to easily clean the kitchen after long days of work.
• The dirtplace is a small cave set far, far from the rest of the camp. It’s cleaned every quarter moon by apprentices or warriors who are being punished. Occasionally, prisoners who are eligible to work off their sentence might also be tasked with the job.
• The infirmary is a large cave where medicine cats treat their patients. There are six alcoves where sick cats will stay so that the medicine cats can easily monitor them. A small passageway extends from the infirmary for a ways and leads to the quarantine room. Only cats infected with contagious diseases are treated in the quarantine room. It’s off-limits to anyone aside from the oldest medicine cat, and they’re the ones treating the contagious. Other cats will leave prey, herbs, and fresh moss halfway down the tunnel so they don’t get close to the infected. A small underground stream runs through the infirmary through the walls to the quarantine room that allows cats to drink without risking infecting the other water supplies. In cases of deadly diseases such as redcough, medicine cats will tie herbs to hollow gourds and float them down the underground stream.
• The training hollow is a large cave filled with soft and bioluminescent moss. Younger apprentices or newly healed warriors will train here so that they can land on soft, cushioned ground. When the moss is damaged or removed, it’s temporarily replaced with pelts that are too torn or small for nests

The lowest level of the camp is where most dens are. Visitors cannot come here unless specifically invited.

• Dens will only have a few cats in them at a time, with most cats either sharing with their littermates, close friends, or mates. Every den is decorated by the inhabitants, usually with various dried flowers, seashells, or bones. Nests are usually made with soft pelts rubbed with aromatic herbs rather than moss, and most cats have three or four large nest pelts that they will swap out from time to time. Cats will typically trade each other for decorations, though some cats have to travel a fair distance to get the specific thing they want.
• The nursery is the most secure cave, nestled in the back of the camp. It has several branching dens off of the main cave where queens and their mates will sleep, and the central area is full of soft pelts so that kits can safely play. Glowing moss grows on the sides of the nursery cave, and kits will usually claw away parts of it to create patterns and drawings.
• Apprentices share a den to the right of the nursery. Compared to other dens, the apprentices have a rather plain one that doesn’t have much decoration aside from the nests themselves. However, in the corner a good ways away from the nests, there are several logs and piles of sticks for apprentices to play on.
• At the bottom of the amphitheater is a stage where RavenClan will host their ceremonies. There’s a ledge for the leader to sit on and give announcements, and below the ledge is a small room called the ceremonial chamber where cats can get prepared for their ceremonies or speeches.

If there are no available dens for new warriors or newly paired mates, they will work together with the apprentices to painstakingly dig out a new den. They must be extremely careful so as not to cause a cave-in, as they can become extremely deadly. Most older dens are carved carefully from stone, so they don’t break as easily as the newer dens that are dug into clay and soil.

Most of the camp’s walls are covered with tapestries of woven vines, flowers, and moss twined with little decorations. Small logs of wood cultivated with bioluminescent fungus are placed into small slots along the sides of the tunnels in order to provide light.

Camp Defenses

Vines woven with dried flowers line all of the walls. Though they look like mere decorations, the flowers hide the shards of shells and bones that will clack together when the vines are shaken to alert RavenClan of any danger in camp. This is how the sentries alert the rest of the camp to invaders. Once the camp has been alerted, the apprentices will go to the hidden tunnels from which they’ll be able to drop large stones on any invaders. Warriors will wait for any enemies to escape the rockfall and finish them off. In case of enemies escaping the chaos and making it to the nursery, the nursery queens will gather the kits in one den and have the nursery caretakers bar the way until the rest of the defenders arrive.

There are also five emergency exits in case of a collapse or invasion

• The stream that goes through the quarantine room leads aboveground, so medicine cats who are evacuating will go that way. It’s dangerous due to how long a cat would go without air, so not many cats willingly use it
• A small tunnel is hidden in the nursery that’s hidden by overhanging moss and a stone that has to be rolled away. The tunnel leads to the outside through a complex maze that RavenClan cats are trained to memorize
• In the dirtplace, there’s a tunnel at the very back that leads to an underground lake. If a cat dives through the water, they can swim to a stream that leads them aboveground
• A tunnel is hidden behind a “decorative” curtain of woven flowers in the canteen that leads to the same maze as the nursery. Warriors will usually meet evacuating queens and kits here
• The ceremonial chamber has an escape tunnel a few foxlengths off the ground that cats must jump high into the darkness to find. The tunnel will lead far underground for quite a long time before emerging in a dense thicket of brambles.

Accessories

Flowers

RavenClan cats tend to decorate themselves with fresh flowers that they regularly replace when they become wilted. Though simple flowers tucked behind the ears or twined into the tail fur are the most common type of flowery accessory, some cats will put extra effort into the process and have complicated strings of flowers and precious metals that cross their entire bodies. Flower crowns are popular for festivals, but not daily wear.

Mate Arrangements

When two cats officially become mates, they will have a small arrangement of rose, chicory, phlox, and honeysuckle that they were on the base of their tail (or on their leg, if their tail is unable to support it). These small arrangements signify that a cat is happily taken and invested in their relationship. Every few days, the couples have to go out and refresh their arrangements with new flowers, which is considered an important bonding experience.

Honor Feathers

Once a cat is recognized as an experienced and elite warrior, they are granted the Honor Feather – a large raven’s flight feather, usually the longest one from the wing. This feather is typically attached to a bone ear piercing by the tendon from a bison’s leg, though some cats opt to have their feathers around their necks or at the base of the tail.

Berry Paint

Some cats decorate themselves with paint made from various mashed berries, most commonly blueberries or blackberries. Berry paints are popular with younger cats who prefer to change their appearance regularly, as the paints tend to fade after a few days, but some cats will also use paints to create specific designs on their fur. Though not as common, mates may occasionally use berry paints to mimic their partner’s patterns.

Hunting

Because the grassland is home to mostly burrowing animals, RvenClan tends to hunt prairie dogs, snakes, gophers, and other rodents. Less commonly, turtles, bats, and opossums are also eaten. Most bird species, such as the grouse and roadrunner, are also very common prey. Some cats will leap into the air to catch a bird flying by, though this isn’t a reliable hunting method and is typically done just to show off.

Digging

Because the prairie is abundant in burrowing animals, RavenClan has become very adept at digging out their prey. Typically, they’ll locate fresh dirt or known prey holes and try to find loose or wet soil. If the soil is too hard, they will usually lay dripping wet moss across it to moisten it up enough to be easy to dig. Once the soil is ready, cats will usually dig into the ground with their claws – which have been honed extensively until they’re sharp enough for harder ground – and scoop out the prey as they find them. When dealing with a multi-exit burrow, cats will usually try to dig into the exit pathway in order to trap their prey. All RavenClan cats are taught how to locate, track, and collapse burrows so that they can dig them out more easily.

Fishing

Although most cats don’t regularly fish, it’s not uncommon for a group of cats to go on an outing to the beach, where they’ll dive for shellfish and mollusks. They typically keep their prey in large woven baskets that they bring back to camp.

Landmarks

• Burial Grounds: A large graveyard where the deceased RavenClan cats are buried. It’s surrounded by beebalm and blooms with life and color year-round. Medicine cats tend to the Burial Grounds daily, making sure the graves are properly marked and the plants are not overgrowing
• Bass Pond: A small lake (despite the name) that’s host to a fair amount of fish. During leafbare, waterfowl will also nest there
• Colosseum: A massive pit circled by stones and neatly maintained zinnia shrubs. There is a large pathway that leads to the pit that can be quickly closed off by pushing logs into the way. Cats will often fight against enemies here (usually other animals lured or chased there), and others will sit on the stones to spectate the fight. There’s a small cave at the side of the pit that’s stocked with emergency herbs and supplies in case of any serious injuries.
• Lover’s Rock: A pair of stones sitting underneath a cherry tree that almost resembles two cats leaning into each other. Young cats will often visit for good luck before confessing to their crush
• Minnow Pond: A decently sized pool of water where apprentices are taught to swim. Because it only has minnows, most cats consider it a waste of time to try and fish there
• Sand Pit: A large, shallow divot in the earth that’s filled with soft sand. It’s perfect for training
• Stonepelt: A vaguely cat-shaped rock that appears to sit near the northern border. Some cats say it’s always watching the volcano, waiting for the moment it erupts
• The Watcher: A single tall boulder stands near the middle of RavenClan territory and makes a perfect outlook post. Most cats take turns on sentry duty, though it’s also considered a fitting punishment for minor crimes.

Flowers

Abundant in the grasslands, each flower has a special meaning for RavenClan, and they are often tended to with great care. Droppings and discarded crowfood are often buried among the flowers in order to help nourish them.

Agarita – Serenity despite discord. Blooms from late leafbare to mid-newleaf
Alpine Azalea – Indicates someone who’s level-headed. Blooms in greenleaf
Aster – Indicates someone with a wild personality. Blooms from late greenleaf to leaf-fall
Beebalm – Finding peace after grief. Blooms from newleaf to greenleaf
Bindweed – Indicates someone who is resilient. Blooms from early greenleaf and early leaf-fall
Black Dalea – Integrity. Blooms from late greenleaf to leaf-fall
Blackfoot Daisy – Stubbornness, usually to the detriment of oneself. Blooms from early newleaf to leaf-fall
Blue-eyed Grass – Admiration of beauty. Blooms in newleaf
Bluebell – Loyalty, particularly to friends. Blooms in greenleaf
Bluebonnet – Admiration of bravery. Blooms in early newleaf
Bluehearts – Happiness. Blooms year-round
Bluestar – Tenacity. Blooms from late newleaf to early greenleaf
Bog Onion – Indicates someone who is unremarkable. Blooms from newleaf to early greenleaf
Buffalo Plum – Indicates someone foolish. Blooms in newleaf
Buffalo Rose – Endurance through hard times. Blooms from newleaf to greenleaf
Bugbane – Indicates someone with a bland personality. Blooms in greenleaf
Buttercup – Finding happiness in simple things. Blooms in newleaf
Butterfly Weed – Prosperity, good fortune. Blooms from newleaf to late greenleaf
Cardinal Flower – Heartbreak. Blooms from greenleaf to leaf-fall
Chicory – Accepting romantic intentions. Blooms from greenleaf to leaf-fall
Chokeberry – Dedication to an unpleasant job, usually given to leaders or mediators. Blooms from newleaf to greenleaf
Clover – Hospitality. Blooms in newleaf
Coral Bean – Adoration, typically from lovers. Blooms from newleaf to mid-greenleaf
Coralroot – Rejection of romance, with the intention to remain friends. Blooms in early greenleaf
Coreopsis – New beginnings. Blooms year-round
Dandelion – Indicates someone who has suffered hardships. Blooms from newleaf to leaf-fall
Desert Paeonia – Luck. Blooms year-round
Desert Willow – Ferocity. Blooms in newleaf
Eryngo – Aggression, though with a positive tone. Blooms from greenleaf to early leaf-fall
Evening Primrose – Fickleness, particularly in love. Blooms from late newleaf to early greenleaf
False Dragonhead – Obedience, with a negative tone. Blooms from newleaf to greenleaf
False Indigo – Diligence. Blooms from late newleaf to early greenleaf
Fetid Passionflower – Hatred. Blooms from greenleaf to leaf-fall
Fire Pink – Firm rejection. Blooms from mid-newleaf to mid greenleaf
Fireweed – Peace. Blooms from late newleaf to greenleaf
Firewheel – Loyalty and everlasting love. Blooms from late newleaf to early greenleaf
Flame Acanthus – New opportunities. Blooms from greenleaf to leaf-fall
Fleabane – Disdain, particularly in response to love. Blooms from newleaf to greenleaf
Fragrant Mimosa – Often given to new mothers as a congratulations. Blooms from newleaf to greenleaf
Gayfeather – Joy despite hardship. Blooms from late greenleaf through leafbare
Giant Hyssop – Serenity. Blooms in greenleaf
Gloriosa Daisy – Pride, particularly after accomplishing something. Blooms in greenleaf
Goldenrod – Indicates a good-natured cat. Blooms from late greenleaf to leaf-fall
Heartleaf Rosemallow – Nobility. Blooms year-round
Honeysuckle – Romantic interest. Blooms from mid-newleaf to greenleaf
Ironweed – Indicates someone who is unapproachable or aggressive. Blooms from greenleaf to early leafbare
Lantana – Fiery spirit. Blooms from newleaf to greenleaf
Leadplant – Overcoming odds. Blooms in greenleaf
Lobelia – Curiosity. Blooms in leaf-fall
Milkweed – Congratulations. Blooms from greenleaf to leaf-fall
Mountain Pink – Healing. Blooms from newleaf to greenleaf
Partridge Pea – Used to congratulate a cat who graduated before their peers. Blooms from early greenleaf to early leafbare
Penstemon – Indicates someone who gossips too much. Blooms from newleaf to early greenleaf
Phlox – Harmony, union. Blooms in early newleaf
Poppy – Indicates someone with a nurturing personality. Blooms from newleaf to greenleaf
Prairie-fire – Trust. Blooms in early newleaf
Prairie Coneflower – Protection against evil. Blooms from late newleaf to mid-greenleaf
Prairie Flax – Indicates someone who is short-sighted. Blooms year-round in the early morning
Prairie Onion – Intelligence. Blooms in greenleaf
Prickly Poppy – Indicates someone who is unfriendly. Blooms in newleaf
Purple Buckeye – Finding joy in fleeting moments. Blooms late leafbare to early newleaf
Purple Mountain Laurel – Strength. Blooms in newleaf
Purple Sage – Dedication. Blooms year-round
Queen-of-the-Prairie – Arrogance stemming from great beauty. Blooms in greenleaf
Rabbit Pea – Friendship. Blooms in late newleaf to greenleaf
Rain Lily – Elegance and beauty. Blooms after rainfall
Red Columbine – Platonic affection. Blooms in newleaf
Small Camas – Strong family bonds. Blooms from late newleaf to early greenleaf
Snowy Orchid – High energy. Blooms sporadically year-round
Spider Lily – Love and loyalty. Blooms in newleaf
Spiderwort – Wisdom. Blooms from late leafbare to early greenleaf
Star Thistle – Deception. Blooms in greenleaf
Sunflower – Fertility. Blooms year-round
Thimbleweed – Indicates someone who is kind. Blooms during greenleaf
Tree Cholla – Given to indicate someone is given a second chance. Blooms from late newleaf to early greenleaf
Verbena – Faith. Blooms in times of heavy rainfall
Vetch – Courage. Blooms in newleaf
Windflower – Encouragement. Blooms in newleaf
Wood Lily – Healing, particularly from emotional trauma. Blooms in greenleaf
Yarrow – Hidden danger, usually used to warn of a suspicious visitor. Blooms from greenleaf to early leaf-fall
Yellow Bells – Hope. Blooms from newleaf to leaf-fall
Yucca – Finding oneself. Blooms in greenleaf
Zinnia – Victory. Blooms year-round 

Flower Gifting

• When a she-cat gives birth, cats will often bring flowers to show support. The most common are small camas, flame acanthus, coreopsis, fragrant mimosa, and bluehearts.
• Apprentices are gifted flowers by their mentors during their apprentice ceremonies. The most common are vetch, yucca, and desert paeonia. Mentors may also gift their apprentices flowers that they believe suit their personality, such as lantana or snowy orchids.
• Before their warrior ceremony, cats will pick a flower they believe represents themself and will wear it to their ceremony. Other cats will also gift them flowers as they pass by, usually well-wishing flowers (such as windflowers, fireweed, and bluehearts). Those who are particularly close with the new warrior will gift flowers with more personal meanings, such as small camas from parents or bluebell from close friends
• Cats will begin courtship when one gives the other honeysuckle. If the other cat reciprocates, they will give their love interest a chicory root. After a few moons of courtship, one of the cats will offer the other phlox to make their romance official. When they want kits, they’ll offer each other sunflowers and decorate their den with them as well
• Cats will often leave flowers in each other’s nest as a form of communication, either because they have trouble saying the words aloud or – more commonly – they just tend not to see each other. They will rub their scent on the flower to make sure the recipient knows who left it
• When a cat wants to break up with their mate, they will give them a cardinal flower. If it’s a rather bitter breakup, often due to cheating, the fetid passionflower will be given instead

Fire Utilization

After witnessing rogues of the prairie using flames from the volcano as an object of worship, RavenClan developed several new methods of utilizing it.

RavenClan developed large circular stone structures that are designed to keep flames burning and provide warmth for a den. These hearths started off being made from mud and straw, but over time new building methods improved them to be safer and more stable. Nowadays, a RavenClan hearth is about a fox-length across and made of a sturdy sand and stone mixture.

Culinary Arts

With an abundance of plants and animals, RavenClan adopted a culture of slowly preparing food for their loved ones. It began as a social activity, where cats would talk as they worked, and the desire to spend more time talking led to using new ingredients and inventing more complex recipes. Food is rarely eaten raw when cats aren’t on the move – at home, they roast, boil, or fry their meat before eating. Additionally, RavenClan eats a lot of vegetables and other ingredients that most cats typically don’t. This causes them to remain healthier when prey runs dry, but it can also cause them to get overweight easily if they aren’t as active. Luckily, most RavenClan activities involve lots of exercise so it typically balances out the calorie-dense food they consume.

RavenClan utilizes bowls, saucers, and cups painstakingly chiseled from rocks for serving food. Large, flat stones are used for cooking, and wooden utensils are carved from sturdy oak logs. Hickory, mesquite, pecan, alder, and oak woodchips are used in different cooking fires in order to infuse meats with different smokey flavors.

See RavenClan Cookbook for more information

Common Ingredients

Non-Meat: Strawberry, blueberry, bell pepper, potato, chestnut, hazelnut, pecan, jicama, guava, papaya, dragon fruit, corn, quinoa, green bean, raspberry, cranberry, blackberry, dewberry, pineapple, pumpkin, sweet potato, honey, wild rice, tomato, cherry, cloudberry, salmonberry, mushroom, persimmon, prickly pear, squash, chili, maca, sunflower seeds, mayhaw, chokeberry, cherry, wapato

Meat: Mouse, gopher, squirrel, rabbit, hare, all sorts of songbirds, prairie chicken, partridge, grouse, weasel, mink, ferret, snake, groundhog, prairie dog, crab, fish, eel, skink, toad, frog, turtle, bat, octopus, squid, shrew, mole, woodrat, chipmunk, snail, clam, oyster, mussel, scallop, all sorts of freshwater and saltwater fish

Herbs and Spices: Epazote, redbrush lippia, sage, coneflower, yarrow, bee balm, mesquite, chia, catnip, catmint, ancho powder, cayenne pepper, chipotle powder, chili powder, salt, paprika, allspice, rose hips, wild ginger, dandelion, wild licorice

Other: Sunflower seed oil

Celebrations and Ceremonies

RavenClan enthusiastically celebrates many life accomplishments with loud and vibrant festivals that usually include feasts, games, and gifts. They typically invite other Clans to join in the festivities as well, sending messenger ravens in advance to allow the envoys time to prepare.

Festivals

RavenClan hosts a festival every quarter moon through most of the year, though only every half moon during leafbare. A festival has five phases – the Colosseum, trading, feast, ceremony, and gift-giving. At the start of the festival, cats will gather at the Colosseum to watch RavenClan fight enemies – usually, boars or other animals easily lured in. After the fight is over, the group will make their way back to camp and fill the trading bazaar as cats will trade and barter with each other. Once the trading dies down, cats will enter the amphitheater, where they will be presented with as much food as they can handle. Typically, the food will be roasted, but cats who prefer raw food can request it specifically. When all cats have gotten their fill, the main event will begin. If there’s no ceremony that needs to be held, there will simply be a fighting tournament where cats can show off their strength. Otherwise, the leader will address the Clan and visitors while performing the ceremony. Cats will then proceed to give gifts to the winner of the tournament or whomever the ceremony is for.

Birth of Kits

When a queen gives birth, the Clan starts preparing for a week-long party that will begin a week after the kits are born. Usually, cats are told to bring healing herbs, pelts, or gifts for the mother, which they will present on the first day of the party. The celebration continues for the entire week, each day with more cats arriving, and it’s during this time that the other Clans who are looking for new blood will negotiate for kits.

On the final day of the celebration, a festival is held. At the end, the queen will officially present her kits to the Clan and announce their names. This is followed by the Clan introducing themselves to the kits and giving them toys.

Apprentice Ceremony

An apprentice ceremony is held once a litter of kits reaches six moons old.

Kits will be decorated in flowers by their parents and nursery queens in the ceremonial chambers, and they are each given a woven crown of flowers to wear.

“Cats and friends of RavenClan, today marks the start of a new journey for [these kits] as [they] leave the nursery and start [their] lives as working members of RavenClan.” The leader will then call upon one apprentice at a time, announcing what path they have decided to take (warrior, medicine cat, or mediator). “I name [them] now as [Apprentice], and [Mentor] will be [their] mentor. [Mentor], I entrust [Apprentice] to you. Guide [them] and protect [them] as [they] train.” 

The apprentice then approaches their new mentor, who puts a coreopsis flower behind their ear to celebrate.

Warrior Ceremony

A warrior ceremony is held after an apprentice, or a group of apprentices, completes all four of their warrior tasks. Friends and families of the apprentices who are in other Clans will be invited to attend.

Apprentices will be decorated in flowers by their mentors in the ceremonial chambers.

“Cats and friends of RavenClan, today we honor [these] cats as they take the next step in life. They have trained tirelessly in these moons to hone their skills, and have shed blood in the name of RavenClan. It is my honor today to present them now to you as fully recognized members of RavenClan. [Apprentice], step forward.”

After the apprentice approaches the Ritual Stone, a sharp piece of obsidian, the leader will ask, “[Apprentice], today you will become a warrior of RavenClan. You will spill your blood and bind yourself forever to us as brothers and sisters in battle. Do you accept your role in RavenClan?”

The apprentice will accept and then slice the bottom of their paw on the Ritual Stone, allowing their blood to flow down the obsidian, and the leader will ask the Clan for suggestions pertaining to the apprentice’s warrior name. Once they have decided on the name, the leader will say, “[Apprentice], I have heard the calls of your Clanmates. From this day forward, you will be known as [Warrior].” The leader will then honor two attributes of the new warrior and welcome them as a full warrior of RavenClan. The crowd will then throw flowers on the new warrior and cheer their new name.

Funeral

RavenClan cats view funerals as the last moments with their loved ones, and they strive to make them happy occasions. Feasts are generally held in honor of the deceased, and cats will go to great lengths to have gifts, trinkets, and treasures to bury alongside the deceased cat’s body.

When a RavenClan cat dies, their bodies will be brought to the center of the camp and placed on a pure white pelt. Every cat will bring flowers to decorate the body, with cats who were the closest to the deceased going first. Typically, the leader will go last and will place a crown of flowers on the deceased cat’s head.

After all flowers have been placed, the eldest medicine cat – or, in some cases, a directly related medicine cat – will lead the Clan in some variation of the following prayer.

“StarClan, today you have taken our beloved [name]. We ask that you lend us their soul one last night so we may celebrate the life they’ve lived together. When the sun sets, please guide [name] safely into your hunting grounds and grant them peace.”

Once the prayer has been said, cats will eat together and tell fond memories of the deceased. This lasts for the entire day, with cats often coming to give small trinkets and gifts to the deceased in between eating and laughing. When night falls, the medicine cats will carefully wrap the body, along with the burial treasures, in a pelt and carefully carry it to the burial grounds. Cats who were the closest to the deceased will dig their grave and say their final goodbyes before burying their loved ones. A small flat stone carved with unique designs is placed above the grave so that cats can return and mourn the deceased.

Fighting Style

RavenClan cats prefer to move in groups and will gang up on cats, effectively mobbing them until they give up or flee. Though this is how they avoid bloodshed, RavenClan cats are just as capable of dealing damage on their own. Their large paws and powerful forelimbs are well-suited for close combat, so they tend to directly grapple an opponent rather than swat. This allows them to render their opponent immobile while an ally arrives to deal the finishing blows.

When dealing with multiple opponents at once, RavenClan cats will typically keep low to the ground before springing into the air at the last moment. They proceed to come crashing down on the head or back of their opponent, aiming particularly to smash the head against the ground to stun them. If RavenClan cats believe they can’t win, they will instead take the opportunity to race to the nearest bison trail or patch of thistle. If close enough, they will also lure enemies into badger and coyote dens or try to trip them up using fields full of gopher holes.

At least once every three days, cats are expected to train for battle, even if they’re already warriors. When training, a large group observes the spar. Afterward, they will discuss what worked and what didn’t before moving on to the next sparring match. This often will last for an entire day with just a small group of cats, as observing the spar tends to cause them to become excited and want to try again.

Cats are assigned to various formations with different purposes and arrangements. These formations have permanent members, and cats who pass away will usually be moved to other formations.

Two cats: Dayflower formation. Typically used during hunting or combat against one cat
Three cats: Trillium formation. Typically used during combat against several enemies
Seven cats: Starflower formation. Used for large-scale attacks. Formed from two Trillium formations and one captain, typically a more experienced cat or the leader

Personal Combat

RavenClan encourages emotional expression, including violence. When cats become angry at one another, it’s usually expected that they brawl it out until both cats feel better. These fights tend to be fast and brutal, full of biting and screeching as both cats vent their anger with each other. Though most cats are well aware of their own strength and limits and very rarely become too violent, if things get out of hand, other cats will intervene and haul the two fighting apart. When this happens, the cat who escalated will be punished. Additionally, picking a fight with a cat who is unwilling or unable to fight will result in getting punished as well.

Other

Hierarchy: RavenClan cats do not have any apparent hierarchy aside from their leader and deputy, though these positions are considered “duties” rather than “honors”
Religion: Though they acknowledge StarClan, most RavenClan cats are ambiguous about their beliefs and tend to prefer not to rely on their ancestors
Warrior Code: RavenClan acknowledges the Warrior Code but will often turn a blind eye to the less important rules
Blood Relations: Cats are expected to forget about any blood ties they have outside of RavenClan
Cooperation: Remains open but aloof from other Clans, inviting them over just to show off their strength and prosperity
Beauty Standards: RavenClan doesn’t put a lot of emphasis on physical appearance, though most cats find scars and other proof of battle appealing.
Burial Rites: The deceased are decorated with bluehearts by the medicine cats to disguise their wounds or signs of sickness before their loved ones approach and decorate them with flowers that represent them.
Warrior Assessment: Apprentices are given four tasks, each in order of increasing difficulty, that they must pass before becoming a warrior. Each task is specifically designed for each apprentice.
Kit Rearing: The entire Clan raises the kits as one family unit, taking turns kit-sitting and teaching them until they’re old enough to become apprentices. Sometimes kits don’t even know who their parents are until they’re older
Naming: Kits are named after close friends or family of their parents (ex. a cat whose father is named Stonefang might name their son Rockkit or Fangkit). During their warrior ceremony, the Clan will call out names as suggestions to the leader, who will pick one among them
Punishments: Cats who receive minor punishments are usually sentenced to cleaning the dirtplace or doing manual labor, such as expanding dens or repairing tunnels. Those who are convicted of more serious crimes are imprisoned on the second floor for an amount of time determined by the leader based on their crimes. Imprisoned cats may be selected for manual labor in order to reduce their sentencing.