Stuff
Traditions & Ceremonies
The Assessment
The warrior assessment for the two Clans are very similar, but due to the difference in some of their abilities, it varies at different parts. The eldest apprentices are woken from their slumber and chased out into the camp at midnight. From this point, they are expected to evade patrols and defend themselves for three days. They are expected to hunt for the group and do patrols around their area. The group is monitored closely by senior warriors as well as the deputy and leaders. The group will be attacked at various times with differing numbers either in their favor or in the enemy's favor.
For BirchClan apprentices, they will be assessed on their hunting skills above ground, on the ground, and in the water. They will also be attacked from the undergrowth, from the trees, and from the water. They must hunt at the minimum of five fish, five birds, and three ground prey. They are also expected to defeat three warriors each day. While they are not attacked often, they are enough to tire them down. Everyone in the group is expected to lead something, giving the observing warriors a taste of their leadership.
For CloverClan apprentices, they are expected to hunt at night and in the trees. They will be attacked at night and from above ground. They are to defeat the patrol with little to no injuries. Each apprentice must catch eight pieces of prey each day. Patrols may steal their prey, forcing the apprentices to hunt more. The attacks on the group will be focused more in the night, forcing them to lose sleep and respond while under the stress. The group is expected to create a working system so the group is not tired out after the first battle. Due to the frequency of the attacks, the group is not given a number of cats to defeat, but must simply hold off the warriors and prevent themselves from being chased off.
On the third day, the group will be attacked for a final time at any given time. This is meant to put them on edge so the observing warriors may see how they react to the stress of a incoming threat. If they react poorly, it will count against them. After the attack, the group will be escorted back to camp and have any wounds looked at. All prey is collected and placed upon the pile. The group is judged together and individually. If an apprentice has been deemed worthy of their name, it will be held the following morning to allow them to rest. If they fail, they must undergo another moon of training. The maximum amounts an apprentice can attempt and fail the assessment is three. After the third time, they are banished from the Clan.
The Journey
Before they perform their assessment, apprentices from both Clans must visit the MOONPLACE. They are expected to receive a dream about their future from StarClan, although vague. While the journey is short and overnight, it is supposed to be a special experience to motivate the apprentices to do their best. However, you are not meant to tell anyone what your dream is about.
Day of Truce
Every three moons, the Clans gather for a day of peace. Competitions are set up between the two Clans along with other activities. In the evening, the cats share prey and tongues. Any battles fought must be in good spirit and with sheathed claws. All members participate in this tradition, however it sometimes leads to trouble. One of the most common competitions is called the Great Race, where the fastest cats of the Clans run a relay race from the start of the Great Cedar, around the lake, and back. Another is Addersnap's Climb, where warriors try to climb the highest oak tree in CloverClan territory. The apprentices climb one of the smaller trees nearby so they do not hurt themselves. The goal of the climb is to safely, but quickly get to the highest possible branch you can. Of course, the annual Swan Thicket Spar is quite popular, especially with young warriors and apprentices.
BirchClan
BirchClan cats take advantage of the land they claimed long ago. They have taught themselves to swim, and now have multiple uses of the waterways in their territory. The cats of BirchClan have also learned to climb trees and traverse through the branches. Their build allows this, as they have strong legs and long tails. Like CloverClan, BirchClan has tough pads to prevent injuries when climbing. The cats belonging to this Clan often have long to medium thick fur. While some may question how well it suits in the water, the extra fur provides some insulation against the cool rapids. Compared to CloverClan, BirchClan commonly comes in warmer pelt colors. Brown and ginger are the most common, but you can see some silver and gray cats. It is rumored, but still unsure, if these cats have some CloverClan blood in them. Mackeral and classic tabby markings are very common and when it comes to white or cream, cream colored cats takes the majority. In fact, white cats are very rare and are often born deaf. Cream cats are very uncommon, but still come up every few generations. The most common eye colors are blue and amber, with yellow following behind and green being uncommon and considered a CloverClan trait. Males are often large in size while females are normal sized.
CloverClan
CloverClan cats take after their founder and first leader, Clover. They are skillful hunters, especially in the night. They prefer the cover of the forest and shadows over water and show no skill in such. Like BirchClan, they have strong legs to help them climb the trees, but bobbed tails are oddly common in this Clan. Their pads are commonly gray or black and have hardened to prevent any injury when climbing. Their fur is medium to short as well as being thick. They are noted to have small females and normal sized males. On the color spectrum of pelts, CloverClan lays on the cooler side, with grays, silvers, and black taking priority over brown and ginger. However, CloverClan does have cool, dusty toned cats. White is more common here than cream, despite pure whit cats commonly being deaf. Green and amber are common eye colors of the Clan while blue is rare. Similarly to BirchClan, they believe any trait uncommon in their Clan provides some evidence to the cat having mixed blood. Of course, there is no way to prove this entirely.
Prey
Mice [Common in both Territories]
Squirrels [Common in both Territories]
Voles [Common in both Territories]
Water Voles [Common in BirchClan; Uncommon in CloverClan]
Shrews [Common in both Territories]
Pike [Common in BirchClan; not eaten in CloverClan]
Trout [Uncommon in BirchClan; not eaten in CloverClan]
Minnows [Common in BirchClan; not eaten in CloverClan]
Bass [Rare in BirchClan; not eaten in CloverClan]
Thrush [Common in both Territories]
Robins [Common in both Territories]
Blackbirds [Uncommon in BirchClan; Common in CloverClan]
Crows [Uncommon in BirchClan; Common in CloverClan]
Magpie [Uncommon in BirchClan; Common in CloverClan]
Crows [Uncommon in BirchClan; Common in CloverClan]