When a queen gives birth, she and a trusted kitter will typically leave the camp and find somewhere safe in the outskirts of the territory to have her kits and will stay gone until their eyes are open. When she brings the kits back there will be a naming ceremony where the kits meet the clan, and their father, and their names are announced. That night, the father of the kits will sit vigil just outside the den. [ Upon entering the camp, the queen will send for the leader. The leader will sit upon the Sun's Claws and call a meeting. "Let all cats old enough to see the stars gather beneath the Sun's Claws to hear my words. <Queen's name> has returned home with her kits and wishes to present them to her clan." The queen will call each kit forward individually by name. After each kit has been named, the Leader will resume. "Welcome <name/s> to Galeclan, your new brothers and sisters under Starclan." The clan will chant the names of the kits, and if the father is present he will come to greet them. ]
When a cat feels like they can no longer be of use to the clan, whether because of old age, illness, or injury, they may make a choice. They can either become an elder and rely on the younger generation until they leave to join StarClan surrounded by loved ones, or - as is the case with most cats - they can choose to go on their Last Hunt, escorted by their closest friends and family to the clan's northern border where they're left to track down the White Hare, said to be the guide to StarClan. It is said that when a cat finds and catches the White Hare, they've made it into StarClan's territory and will be greeted by their ancestors and presented with the pelt of the hare to wear as a trophy. [ A cat will seek out the leader and report to them their wish to be retired. The leader will call a clan meeting. "Let all cats old enough to see the stars gather beneath the Sun's Claws to hear my words. <Elder's name> wishes to embark on their Last Hunt. Join me in wishing them luck on their search for the White Hare. They will announce their hunting patrol." ] The leader will then leap down and press their foreheads and rub their cheeks together, sharing their scents one last time. The Elder will spend the rest of the day sharing tongues. At moonhigh, the patrol will leave for the border, returning at sunup without the elder, who remains beyond the border.
Traditionally an apprentice's first kill won't be added to the fresh-kill pile, instead they may either choose to share it with the leader, who will only take a single bite before praising the apprentice, share it with their mentor as thanks for their guidance, or keep it all to themselves. Some may choose to give the entire kill to a queen or the medicine cat, but it is rare. Most will keep it for themselves, unless it is a large kill - goat kid, fawn, or eagle/hawk/owl chick - in which case they're required to share it with the entire clan but may eat from it first. This is an extremely rare case, as most big prey requires a group of cats to take down and has a high risk for injury.
As the moon rises after the longest day, the entire clan will travel to the lake, minus kits too young to travel, their mothers, two warriors and their apprentices to protect the nursery. They carry their entire fresh-prey pile with them, even catching more prey along the way. They spend the night on one of the lake's islands feasting and sharing tongues. Neighboring clans, loners, and even kittypets are welcome to join in the celebration. The younger cats spar with each other, betting shiny trinkets, soft stolen fabrics for their nests, or even pieces of fresh-kill on the victor. Medicine cats trade herbs and knowledge and discuss their trials and challenges, even helping each other understand signs from starclan. It's much less formal and much more relaxed than a gathering, though the truce still stands.
Not necessarily a tradition but due to the feral nature of these cats, they have a thick 'accent' and will typically 'speak' in broken 'English'. It can often be hard for other cats to understand them and miscommunications are likely.
When a cat feels like they can no longer be of use to the clan, whether because of old age, illness, or injury, they may make a choice. They can either become an elder and rely on the younger generation until they leave to join StarClan surrounded by loved ones, or - as is the case with most cats - they can choose to go on their Last Hunt, escorted by their closest friends and family to the clan's northern border where they're left to track down the White Hare, said to be the guide to StarClan. It is said that when a cat finds and catches the White Hare, they've made it into StarClan's territory and will be greeted by their ancestors and presented with the pelt of the hare to wear as a trophy. [ A cat will seek out the leader and report to them their wish to be retired. The leader will call a clan meeting. "Let all cats old enough to see the stars gather beneath the Sun's Claws to hear my words. <Elder's name> wishes to embark on their Last Hunt. Join me in wishing them luck on their search for the White Hare. They will announce their hunting patrol." ] The leader will then leap down and press their foreheads and rub their cheeks together, sharing their scents one last time. The Elder will spend the rest of the day sharing tongues. At moonhigh, the patrol will leave for the border, returning at sunup without the elder, who remains beyond the border.
Traditionally an apprentice's first kill won't be added to the fresh-kill pile, instead they may either choose to share it with the leader, who will only take a single bite before praising the apprentice, share it with their mentor as thanks for their guidance, or keep it all to themselves. Some may choose to give the entire kill to a queen or the medicine cat, but it is rare. Most will keep it for themselves, unless it is a large kill - goat kid, fawn, or eagle/hawk/owl chick - in which case they're required to share it with the entire clan but may eat from it first. This is an extremely rare case, as most big prey requires a group of cats to take down and has a high risk for injury.
As the moon rises after the longest day, the entire clan will travel to the lake, minus kits too young to travel, their mothers, two warriors and their apprentices to protect the nursery. They carry their entire fresh-prey pile with them, even catching more prey along the way. They spend the night on one of the lake's islands feasting and sharing tongues. Neighboring clans, loners, and even kittypets are welcome to join in the celebration. The younger cats spar with each other, betting shiny trinkets, soft stolen fabrics for their nests, or even pieces of fresh-kill on the victor. Medicine cats trade herbs and knowledge and discuss their trials and challenges, even helping each other understand signs from starclan. It's much less formal and much more relaxed than a gathering, though the truce still stands.
Not necessarily a tradition but due to the feral nature of these cats, they have a thick 'accent' and will typically 'speak' in broken 'English'. It can often be hard for other cats to understand them and miscommunications are likely.