Pineclan ceremonies

[lissey]

Renaming ceremony:
Leader: PineClan, I ask you to look upon -catsname-. He is your fellow clanmate, and I hope you all know him/her now. However, I ask you to no longer call him -catsname-, as that is not what his/her names stands for anymore. Instead of -catsname-, I ask you to call him -rename-, and forget the name you ever called him at once. Is my offer reasonable?
Clan: Yes, -leadername-
Leader: Thank you. Now -catsname-, your new name is -rename-, and I hope you will bear it proudly.
Clan- (chants -rename)

I fail at this sort of stuff. D:
It sort of sounds like the leader is hypnotizing the clan.

That is my suggestion.

[beth]

Question: How does the leader decide when it is time for a cat to be promoted? Is it a skills-based judgement, is it around a certain season, a certain age, or something else?

Oh, and if this question has already been answered, just slap me 'round a bit. I was too lazy to read all the posts... XD
Thanks!

[pteriforever]

1. It's usually around a certain age, but skills-based has something to do with in too.

[hostlietakeover]

Mar 6, 2009 17:07:30 GMT -5 @lissey said:

Renaming ceremony:
Leader: PineClan, I ask you to look upon -catsname-. He is your fellow clanmate, and I hope you all know him/her now. However, I ask you to no longer call him -catsname-, as that is not what his/her names stands for anymore. Instead of -catsname-, I ask you to call him -rename-, and forget the name you ever called him at once. Is my offer reasonable?
Clan: Yes, -leadername-
Leader: Thank you. Now -catsname-, your new name is -rename-, and I hope you will bear it proudly.
Clan- (chants -rename)

Maybe instead of saying "I hope you know him/her now, you could talk about how loyal the cat has been, and instead of saying "forget the name you ever called him at once" more like, "I ask you of the clan to cast away this name, for he/she is no longer tied to the name." Those are some suggestions.

[» s a b ø r ]]

Medicine cat Ceremony

[/u]
Remember, these cats may be serving alongside other med-cats since Pineclan are not bound by the 'One med-cat' rule.[/quote]
Medicine Cat Ceremony[/u][/size]

Head Medicine Cat: (Medicine Cat Apprentice's name) you have trained hard to join our ranks, young one. I feel as if you are ready to be a true medicine cat. The death of (dead Medicine Cat's name) has opened a spot in our ranks for you. We have mourned his/her death for as long a necessary, we feel that he/she would have wanted you to fill her/his paw steps in our fellowship. Are there any objections to (Medicine Cat Apprentice's name) becoming a true Medicine Cat of PineClan?

if no objections:
Other Medicine Cat: I have no objections to this apprentice's Medicine Cathood. He/She has trained under our guidance well and I believe that she/he is ready for this new position.

Head Medicine Cat: (Medicine Cat Apprentice's name), do you accept our offer to you? Do you accept the responsibilities that will come with your new ranking? Do you promise to never give up on a hurt cat, to always try to save them? We understand that not all cats can be saved from certain wounds, but it is our job to help them as far as we can and to ease their pain. Do you understand all of these things?

Medicine Cat Apprentice: I do understand, and I do promise. *bows head in front of Head Medicine Cat*

Head Medicine Cat: Then I, as leader of our society, give you your new name and welcome you into the ranks of Medicine Cats. Your new name will be (the new name). Welcome, (new name).

Other Medicine Cat: Welcome, (new name).

(i understand that cats normally chant the new name, but i thought that they would want to be unique)



if objections:
Other Medicine Cat: I do have some objections, (Head Medicine Cat's name). Yes, (Medicine Cat Apprentice's name) has trained hard, but I believe they have more potential to learn. I do not think they are quite ready for such rank in our fellowship yet. (this next part is only if there is another Medicine Cat Apprentice that the Medicine Cat feels is more able for the job than the original pick) Now, I think that (other Medicine Cat Apprentice's name) is ready for such a position. the medicine cat may now list their reasons

Head Medicine Cat: I see. Well, we will discuss these matters. (Medicine Cat Apprentice's name), you may go. (Medicine Cat name), please stay so we may discuss the matter further.

After the medicine Cats have discussed they will repeat the ceremony ASAP with the new apprentice of their choice, if there is no other apprentice then they simply just continue training him/her until all Medicine Cats are happy with the training and knowledge of the apprentice.


I understand that there might be more than one Medicine Cat. A Head Medicine Cat and maybe up to three other Medicine Cats. If this is the case then the "Other Medicine Cat:" parts will be for each Medicine Cat. Meaning that every Medicine Cat will need to either decline or accept the possible New Medicine Cat.

[/center][/size]

[Rolo]

TBF. Ones in Purple are the modified ceremonies. Do not comment on ones in yellow

I have reworded and modified the current ceremonies. I would like people to comment on them and pick out things that need to be changed. I am hoping these shall be the final versions.


Apprentice ceremony[/size]
Leader : (kit name), you have reached the age of six moons. In the tradition of our clan, you are now ready to become an apprentice of PineClan. You have demonstrated patience by waiting until your has time come, proven your strength by making it this far, and have shown courage by standing before the clan to take your apprentice name.

As an apprentice of PineClan, you will be taught to fight for the honor of your clan. You will learn how to hunt to feed the members who cannot hunt, as well as yourself. A sense of loyalty and kinship will be instilled in you, one that you must protect and follow for as long as you live. And when you stand before us again, ready to receive your warrior name, you will look back on your training and never forget what you have learned.

(kit name), are you prepared to become an apprentice of PineClan?

Kit : I am.

Leader : And do you accept the responsibility that comes with your apprentice name?

Kit : I do.

Leader : Then, under the eyes of our clan, I name you (kit's apprentice name). You shall hold onto this name until the clan feels it is time for you to become a warrior and your mentor feels they've taught you all they can.

(mentor name here), please step forward.

(IF THIS IS THE WARRIOR'S FIRST APPRENTICE, USE THE PINK PART. You may change some of the wording to suit the warrior in question, however try to keep the general flavour.)

Leader : (mentor name), you were taught well by (cat's mentor) and have proven yourself worthy of being a warrior in the eyes of PineClan. Your loyalty and skills are ones are that of an effective role model. I trust you can pass on all your abilities to this new apprentice and train them to be the strongest cat they can be, as well as teaching them Pineclan's way of life. Do you accept this cat as your first apprentice?

Mentor : I do.

Leader : Then you will train this apprentice until they are ready to be made a warrior. Cats of PineClan, you see before you (apprentice name), the newest apprentice of our clan, and (mentor name), his/her mentor. Until the apprentice is ready, these two will work together to provide the best for this clan. Please welcome (apprentice) as an active part of our clan.

Cats: (call apprentice's name and congratulate mentor)
(Rolo ended it for you.)


(IF THIS IS NOT THE FIRST APPRENTICE, USE THE MAROON. Again, can be modified slightly to fit the cat in question.)

Leader : (mentor name), you were taught well by (cat's mentor), and have passed on these skills to (old apprentice, if more than one old apprentice, say "many cats"). You are worthy of being a warrior in the eyes of PineClan, proving that many times over. Your loyalty and skills are ones are that of an effective role model. I trust you can pass on all your abilities to this new apprentice and train them to be the strongest cat they can be, as well as teaching them Pineclan's way of life. Do you accept this cat to be your apprentice?

Mentor : I do.

Leader : Then you will train this apprentice until they reach the right time to be made a warrior. Cats of PineClan, you see before you (apprentice name), the newest apprentice of our clan, and (mentor name), his/her mentor. Until the apprentice is ready, these two will work together to provide the best for this clan. Welcome (apprentice) as an active part of our clan.

(Rolo ended it again.)

~ Crow }

Warrior Ceremony

Medicine cat Apprentice Ceremony
Remember, these cats may be serving alongside other med-cats since Pineclan are not bound by the 'One med-cat' rule.

Medicine cat Ceremony
Remember, these cats may be serving alongside other med-cats since Pineclan are not bound by the 'One med-cat' rule.


Deputy Ceremony

Leader Ceremony
- Remember, they will not get 9 lives
{Elders: (new leader), you have served your clan faithfully under (former leader) for many moons. You have fed the clan and protected its borders. You have followed the Warrior Code faithfully and followed (former leader) into battle.

But (former leader) is now gone, as all clan cats do, and one must be called to take his/her place. So we, the elders of Pineclan, have decided that you, as (former leader)'s deputy, must take his/her place, and lead the clan in his/her stead.

You must defend the clan with all your strength, aid your clanmates with all your heart, and be loyal and wise, to raise Pineclan even higher.

Are you prepared to accept this burden?

New leader: I am.

Elder: Then I, (elder's name), confer upon you the leadership of this clan, Pineclan, your clan. May you lead us to victory and strength. You shall now be know as -blank-star, leader of Pineclan.

~Kiddo[/color]}

Renaming Ceremony

'Passing away' ceremony
(Perhaps not so much a ceremony as a farewell. It may well be that we decide that the leader just says a few formal words of goodbye and then cats share their own personal goodbyes. Beliefs vary in Pineclan, with some cats thinking that they go no where and others reborn and whatnot, so try not to be too individual belief specific)


Leader advice and veto
We need a SPECIFIC set of guidelines to use which Pineclan follow to the letter if a leader gets too big for their boots. This is used when the leader is:
- Putting the clan in considerable danger or is irresponsible
- Acting independantly without the support of the clan or the elders
- Trying to enforce a change of beliefs (dependant on how the clan feel about this)
- Breaking the warrior code in a major way (e.g trying to take over the forest or treating other clans very badly)
Will this former leader be exiled, demoted, retired or what upon being vetoed?

{ Normal concern (Very often. Usually in cases of fears of conspiracy, lies or knowledge of things going on without the clan's knowledge)
- If a clan cat decides that the leader is not leading the clan correctly, they go to the elders den and tell an elder they trust their worries. Elders who tell of their concerns proceed to hold an Elder Meeting.
- If the elder believes there is no trouble, they turn the cat away with a promise to keep watch. If the elder believes their plea, they discuss it with the rest of the elders. The clan cat who raised the worry may or may not attend, depending on the nature and wishes of the elder.
- The elders discuss among themselves whether there is an issue with how the clan is being led. The oldest elder hosts the proceedings if the concern is held by anything other than an elder. If an elder has the concerns, they host the meeting. All cats have equal say.
- If the elders decide nothing should be done, they tell the clan member discreetly. If they have minor concerns, they keep an eye on the leader.
- IF there are serious concerns, the leader is brought to the elder den where he stands trial. 2 or 3 warriors may be requested to be there for physical help but it is not normal for clan members to watch. The leader is interviewed and advised if the issue is not serious or proves to be false. If not, they progress onto Urgent Communal Concern
- If the concern is so serious or urgent that the elders are considering vetoing them, they progress into Urgent Communal Concern meeting.

Urgent Communal Concern (Uncommon)
- Concerns the clan massively and/or urgently in all areas. These may be held occationally without an immediate concern as a means for the elders to make sure the clan is happy overall.
- Are held when there are doubts over leadership OR if the elders wish to check if the clan are happy with the leaders leadership.
- The leader may or may not be asked to leave, depending on the nature or wishes of the elder. 2 or 3 elders may accompany them to make sure they leave the camp to a distance where they cannot hear what is going on. If the leader stays in camp, they are sat at the bottom of (highrockalternative) with some warriors keeping guard.

Oldest elder: Cats of Pineclan, we call you all to (highrock) for a Leader Discussion ((or some other, less lame name)).

Older elder: Cats of Pineclan, there have been doubts among some of you/the elders about how Pineclan is being run. We call you all here to discuss what is happening within our clan and our leader, (Leader name). There have been concerns over ________ ((Something involving the leadership, the way the clan is run or an event where the leader acted badly). Each of you, from the smallest kit to the oldest warrior, are invited to speak your feelings on this occurance. Under the oath of Pineclan, here none shall be harmed for their views.

- Clan members then discuss the happenings and their feelings. No violence is allowed whilst the meeting is going on. The leader MUST request to speak before voicing their opinions.
- Issues are raised and a course of action is decided upon.
- The leader is fetched. If they are outside camp, a messenger is sent to get them back. The leader is called to the centre of camp.
- Usually, plans of action involve the elder publically advising the leader with warnings of vetoing them if neccessary. Occationally, in very extreme instances, the leader is vetoed. Refer to the 'Veto ceremony'.

Emergency meeting
- Held when the leader has done something massive or unforgivable.
- Leaders MUST be present when this is held. They will be heavily guarded. Leaders must request to speak or they will be ignored.

Oldest elder: Cats of Pineclan, we call you all to (highrock) for an urgent Leader Discussion ((or some other, less lame name)).

Older elder: Cats of Pineclan, we call you all here to discuss what is happening within our clan and our leader, (Leader name). There have been concerns over ________ ((Something involving the leadership, the way the clan is run or an event where the leader acted badly)). Each of you, from the smallest kit to the oldest warrior, are invited to speak your feelings on this occurance. Under the oath of Pineclan, here none shall be harmed for their views.

- Discussion takes place.
- If discussions end with leader being forgiven:

Oldest elder: ___Star, you have ____ ((Something like, "You have led the clan disrespectfully/done ____ without discussing it with Pineclan/broken the warrior code/something else.)). However, Pineclan is prepared to forgive you for your mistakes. We are willing to give you another chance and, if lead the clan honourably, your mistake will be forgotten. However, if you continue to lead the clan disrespectfully and ((insert offence)), you will be stripped of your power and (exiled/retired/demoted). Do you understand?

- Leader replies with I do. The leader renews his leadership vows via a condenced version of the Leader ceremony. The meeting is dismissed.
- Leader replies with 'I do not'. In this case, he is asked why and, reconciled, and asked again. If they wish to retire, they are honourably retired and sent to the elder den immediately. If they point blank refuse to honour the clan, they are vetoed automatically by the elders and either retired or exiled. The meeting is dismissed.

Actual Veto
- Can be held without an Emergency Meeting in very extreme circumstances. All the clan must be present and agreed. The elders may not demote
- Leader present and heavily guarded. If the leader is violent, warriors may use violence to control him but should try and avoid it.
- Held with ALL the clan present.
- Oldest elder holds it.

Oldest elder: Cats of Pineclan, do you wish it be that ___star is stripped of his power over you and (exiled/retired/demoted to warrior)?

All cats: We do.

Oldest elder: Then, as your oldest elder, I will perform the ceremony.

(Turns to the leader)

Oldest elder: ____star, you have ruled over us for ___(only a few/many/some) moons, but it has been decided among Pineclan that your time as leader is up. Your mistake/crime/disrespectful reign/something else appropriate is too much to forgive and now, from the power invested in me by Pineclan, I strip you of all your leading rights. From now on, you shall be known by your old name ____. It is Pineclan's wish that you (stay here/are retired/leave this clan), and we ask that you do not argue with your punishment. (Appropriate words about the nature of their punishment. Cats are forced into exile and do not have a say in their retirement)

- Punishment carried out. (Cat driven off, cat immediately retired, cat asked to renew warrior vows.)

~ Rolo}

Elder ceremony

{Just an idea, but since these cats could possibly be help running the clan (Leaders do not work alone.), maybe we could have something along the lines of:

Leader: (Warrior name), you say that the time has come for you to join the elders. Are you sure this is what you want?

Warrior: I am.

Leader: We all honour your choice. From now on, you will be a respected elder of the clan. You will rely on apprentices and younger warriors to bring you fresh-kill, and you are no longer able to go on patrol. Although you will no longer participate in battles, we hope that you will lend us the wisdom you have gained over your lifetime to aid the running of Pineclan.

~ Rolo }

[Cloud of Diamonds]

This is just a very rough and raw idea, and I'm not experienced. But I really want to contribute somehow, so here it goes...

Leader: (the medicine cat apprentice's mentor), do you feel that (medicine cat apprentice) has trained sufficiently to uphold the ways of medicine as a true medicine cat?

(Mentor) I do.

(Leader) (Medicine cat apprentice's name), do you promise to heal the members of this Clan to the best of your abilities, and stay loyal to the ways of medicine throughout your life?

(Medicine cat apprentice) I do.

(Leader) Then before the cats of PineClan, I name you (full name of medicine cat apprentice). We honor your commitment to the ways of a medicine cat. (Or any virtues the leader cares to mention)

Clan members: (chant new medicine cat's name)

Oh curses...Rolo, can I delete this, since it stinks and Sabor offered a much better one?

[funkypanda]

Since no one's offered one...

Warrior Ceremony

Leader: Cats of Pineclan, I call you to witness the naming of a new warrior. (namehere) would you please step forward. (namehere) has served the clan until now as an apprentice, caring for the elders and queens. S/he has shown great skill in (hunting, fighting, etc.) and is ready to become a warrior in full. Are there any who appose this?

(if none, blue, if so, yellow)

{ Silence }

Leader: Very well then. (namehere), do you accept the title of warrior, and all of the duties that accompany it? Do you feel ready to live for your clan, feeding it, fighting for it, even perhaps giving your life for it?

Apprentice: Yes, I do.

Leader: (mentor), do you believe that ('prenticename) is ready to recieve his/her warrior name?

Mentor: I do.

Leader: Then before the cats of Pineclan, I now name (apprentice) (warriorname)

Cats: -warriorname-! -warriorname-! -warriorname-!

-x-x-x-x-

Cat: No!

Leader: (cat), why do you believe that this apprentice is yet unworthy to recieve his/her warrior name?

Cat: (give reason)

(if accusation:)

Leader: That is a serious accusation. (apprentice), is this true?
(continue on in this fashion)

Leader: (mentor), do you believe that (cat's reason) is a problem? (or possibly, -apprentice-, is this true, etc.)

I realize that this is probably iffy, but it's just an idea. Obviously the rper of the leader can edit it as needed to fit the circumstance and all. I dunno. It's a try.