Tʜᴇ Bᴏʀᴅᴇʀs | ᵒʳᶤᵍᶤᶰᵃˡ ᶠᶤᵛᵉ ᶜˡᵃᶰˢ

    Before we jump into the specific restrictions, allow it to be clearly stated that rules may be changed at any time and the admins of this role-play have the right to do so. Of course, it will be discussed, but if there must be an addition, change, or removal, it is not negotiable. We apologize if you do not like it, but we will run the role-play how we feel is suitable and make proper changes to improve the quality. We must also make it clear that if you have not read the rules nor the history or territory, you are stepping off on the wrong foot with us. The information has been arranged the way it has to help make it easier to understand. The work put in should not be ignored and anyone who blatantly ignores it will be directed back to it so they may read it. If you respect us, we will respect you. That brings another important point: respect and courtesy. No one should feel uncomfortable or attacked. If you differ with someone on an opinion, do not attack them for it here, please. If anything in this role-play makes you feel uncomfortable, it is advised you do not join.

    Allow us to explain one thing: staff are held at a different standard than regular members. If you are a staff member, it is highly advised you read the staff rules to ensure you are following the activity rules. These section is for "regular" members, as it will be far less confusing. Regular members, save for those with a high position, will need to be on at the minimum of four days a week. This may sound a bit strict, but due to the size of the role-play, we must enforce stricter guidelines to ensure our success. The admins and staff attempt to provide the best experience possible and with the absence of members, that experience can not be provided. Admins and their staff will keep a close eye on activity. Every two weeks, there will be a check for inactive members. Obviously there will be consequences for breaking the rule and obviously we will have members who do break those rules. It is unfortunate, but we will still not tolerate it when it happens. Background, relations to other members, and other factors will not and should not influence someone to think that they can become inactive and not pay some kind of price. However, noted hiatuses are acceptable. What is a noted hiatus? Well, if a member knows they will be absent for a week, then they can alert a staff member about their expected absence and will not face any negative consequences for their absence. We kindly ask you do alert us if you are expected to be gone. If you can no longer be a member, it is best to let us know instead of going inactive and possibly create a sour relationship with one or more of the staff members. Of course, we can understand being in a rush one day, but if you can role-play in another role-play, you should at least be able to make  a role-play post to move things. We will not allow "greeting" posts to count towards you being on the role-play.

    Unfortunately, this section will be the longest and hold many rules and regulations. We have organized it into smaller sections, but due to their relation to role-playing, they will be under this section. Again, before we jump into another batch of rules, let us go over the basics that everyone should know and should not do. Power-playing is basically taking a character you do not own and controlling them to do certain deeds and actions. While we have very few exceptions to this rule, it is still frowned upon and may result in a negative consequence. We kindly ask you refrain from doing this and if you feel you are, simply asking should not hurt. In fact, it may be better to check instead of doing whatever. Another issue that can have a few exceptions is spotlighting. The attention of the members and characters should vary depending on the location, time, and importance of what is being role-played. Depending on the "plot" depends on what should take more attention. There will be more discussion about plots, but be sure to be aware of when you should have the spotlight on your character and when you should not. The third common role-playing issue is god-modding. While Warriors has been known to be unrealistic at times and even break their own rules, it will not be allowed here. There have been measures taken to ensure god-modding does not happen in certain cases and during moments when god-modding can be more common, a watchful eye will be present. Finally, the fourth and final big issue: meta-gaming. Meta-gaming typically refers to a character knowing something they should not in canon. An example would be two characters entering a forbidden romance and then a third character randomly knowing about that relationship. If it is not role-played out and with the two giving permission, they can not know about the relationship.

    How about we move on and get to a part many despise reading. There is a lot of controversy about literacy and role-playing. On the old forums, there were typically four categories a role-play was in. However, we have decided to not exactly label ourselves. Instead, we simply ask for proper spelling and grammar as well as at least five sentences per post. Any less appears as if someone does not care and will not try. Given that the typical paragraph for children is five paragraphs, we are not asking much. You are invited to write more, but be cautious of "fluff." Filler makes the post difficult to read in terms sorting important information out from simple filler. 

    Realism is quite important in this role-play. While the admins and staff will make sure everyone is following basic logic, we feel it should be touched upon that a patrol of three cats cannot properly take on a grown badger without serious injury and in a matter of seconds. In the Warriors universe, there are certain things that can and can not happen, so please abide by those rules and our rules. Now, general role-play rules play along with realism. It is too coincidental when your character gets all of the spotlight, so please do not do that. There will be moments when your character’s plot or spot in the limelight will take front and center. God-modding and meta-gaming are a no go for us, so do not even think about it. Please keep in mind that cats do die. To combat the chance of someone taking the liberty to have all of their cats die or live through a major event, the admins of the Clans will have what is called "chance charts." Depending on the situation, these can have an impact on the Clan or just a few characters. They will be on the discussion page, and will only be used when the situation calls. If you are not comfortable with the chance of your character dying, then please refrain from joining.

    If someone had been deleted or demoted for actions outside the role-play, we will find a way to make it work within the role-play. Whether it is a quick mention, a scene is played out explaining, or we replace them entirely and have a stand-in character take their place. We have many options to make sure the plot goes on without interruption. Hate to say it, but I do. If someone is deleted, they have a week to come back and everything is fine again. We will have something that matches the season as to why they were out of commission. If they do not come back, a staff member or someone else can take their spot or we will simply state they have died. We are very aware some of it would be seen as poor writing and it would be odd if a bunch of cats just died, but it is what it is.

    Everyday life can be quite.. frustrating when it repeats. However, it is also a great opportunity that is often overlooked when it comes to developing relationships and cooling off from a major plot. Patrols are often made up on the spot and seems very out of place compared to the books. To kind of create a similar feeling in the books and motivate activity, the member owning the deputy will create a list each Saturday for patrols on each day. This is not to control a character, but initiate others to do something besides waking up and grabbing a piece of prey. We will also bring back the small journey to the Moonpool for apprentices. Unfortunately, this is a small event that even the books have forgotten about, but some readers enjoyed. Of course, there is another small event that many role-plays have possibly forgotten and that is the warrior assessment. Before an apprentice can take on the assessment, they will need to complete six training sessions. Three would be for hunting and three would be for battling. These must be completed before the assessment and before an apprentice can go to the Moonpool and receive their name. Medicine cat apprentices will have two sessions of hunting, two sessions of fighting, and two sessions of medical and spiritual training. The medicine cat will choose the full name for the medicine cat apprentice and leaders will choose the full name for apprentices. Suggestions are welcome, but the leader's word is law. For weather, you may do whatever is possible in the forecast, however be cautious of creating big storms, as the admins may not appreciate it without their consent. When it comes to herbs, be sure to check what herb is available in your territory and what herb is not. This can also create some interaction between the Clans, but make sure you have the admins permission to come onto the page.

    When you join, please keep in the mind of the characteristics, rules, and any information pertaining to your character. We advise you to not use "handsome" or "beautiful" when describing your character. Why? Well, that is kind of going into god-modding territory. Do not apply for deputy, as leaders will decide on their deputy. Please properly use our form, coding and all. LBGTQ+ characters are welcomed here. Anyone who is against this or tries to argue against this can kindly leave. As for queens and kits, we kindly ask their be a father for the kits. You may ask one of the members if they would like to have a cat father the kits. The two cats do not necessarily have to be mates, either. As for single kits, please do not join with them. We would much rather have room for kits who are born in the Clan over having an overload of orphan kits. While we will also allow permanent queens, we ask you develop them. Regarding relationships, none of the admins mind two different people having their characters join as mates, or a character having a crush on another. As for having two characters being mates and owning them, the two characters must be retired. We also encourage joining and having a character related to others if the member allows it. In the Clans, there will be available spots, so please fill free. We will restrict the amount of outsiders, half-Clan cats, and outside cats who join the Clans. Please keep in mind any cat who is not a full Clan cat or has mixed blood will probably be discriminated against. When it comes to genetics, please be as accurate as you can. The admins either have a chart, a generator, or a basic idea of how genetics may work, so please don't try to pull the wool over our eyes. Any outsiders will be limited in number and restricted to an area. The admins will decide on the number and the outsider will need to remain in a Clan area. They cannot and will not remain in the territory, undiscovered for a long time. They must have a purpose. Now, an important note to make would be that characters cannot be made for the simple purpose of finding a mate. They need to have something besides that to keep them going. Something that can help develop them. At the same time, they also should not be made for the simple purpose of plot. For every warrior that is made, one apprentice may be made. Keep in mind, the maximum amount of apprentices is ten per Clan. While we do ask genders be kept somewhat even, it will be up to the admins to moderate this for their Clans, as every Clan may vary in characters. We will be limiting prefixes to two per Clan, however the cat must be an elder for the prefix to be used again in the same Clan. Allow us to explain. If there is an elder in ShadowClan named Cedarpelt, then there may be a Cedarkit or a Cedarpaw. We will have banned prefixes and suffixes. To check and see which are banned, please refer to the prefix list on the joining page.

    High ranks of any kind are a privilege. They can be taken away if someone proves to be unqualified. Mentors and apprentices are a great example of such. In most cases, mentors fail to train their apprentices or the apprentice(s) are the typical trope. Be aware of you actions, as it disrupts the overall narrative and have some negative impact. If an apprentice is shown to be too stubborn and refuses to listen, it may result in the assignment of another mentor and a warning to cool it. Even if the mentor is not technically in the wrong, they can and will be penalized for it. Deputies and medicine cats should be active, as well as important characters in the main or minor plots. If you are not, then you will be replaced. You have the chance to be high in the ranks, do not assume you can simply do what you wish. Certain plots will take priority over the others. Events in the main plots that involve all five Clans will play out before any other plots. Minor plots refer to plots that only impact a Clan or possibly two Clans. They will take the second priority, as they involve a decent amount of characters, but still on a smaller scale. Subplots where it is a Clan life event, a fox encounter, or kitting will take the least amount of priority of the three, but still have power over instant drama plots. There will be planning for each event. A week will be the minimum amount of notice when a potential event will take place. Now, plots like kitting may be planned, but if a member of the staff is online, in addition to the medicine cat, then a queen may kit early if it will involve some complications due to early birth. However, not all kittings will proceed like this. If you are unsure about what you may initiate without permission, ask a staff member what is and is not acceptable.

    The admins and staff of this role-play should be cracking down on poor behavior and general laziness. If a member violates a rule for the first time, they will be issued a warning. Two warnings will equal a star. A star is not something you would want to receive, as you may only have five stars before being deleted. You may rejoin once and will automatically start on the second star. Now, when a member gets to the second star, they cannot not "attend" the Gathering and their characters must remain in camp for two days. For the third star, their apprentices could have an additional training session added on before they become a warrior. If they do not have an apprentice but have a warrior acting as a mentor, their apprentice will be assigned a new mentor for a week and that cat will be sick or under punishment for something. If the member happens to have both, admin may decide on which approach to take. When a fourth star is issued, it will result in previous punishments from before and a week's suspension from that Clan. Now, if they have joined two Clans, the two admins can discuss if this will impact both Clans or just the one. If they show a better attitude in the other Clan, it will only be in the Clan they're not doing so well with. Finally, the fifth star will result in deletion. If a member does rejoin, then they cannot have any special plots, positions, or even apprentices until two weeks in. If the member vastly improves past those two weeks, then the admin can discuss the possibility of cleaning the slate for the member.

        ➤ ʀᴀɪɴʟᴇᴀғ 🍁
    Rainleaf completely did the coding, graphics, and wrote the chance generators. She also typed up the rules, although all the admins went over them and discussed them. The addition to the history was written by her. The map of the lake was edited by Rainleaf.

        ➤ Erin Hunter, Wayne McLoughlin, and Owen Richardson
    The history came from the official Warriors site, and therefore is written by Erin Hunter. The artwork used in the main banner and the symbols were made by Rainleaf, but inspired by the symbols drawn by Wayne.

        ➤ Warriors Wiki
    The characteristics and territory are displayed on the Clan's page on the Warriors Wiki. It is a collection of information written by Erin Hunter. The herbs, battle moves, warrior code, illnesses and treatments, as well as the ceremonies on the special pages are located on the wiki. This information also comes Erin Hunter as well.

    ● Defend your Clan, even with your life. You may have friendships with cats from the other Clans, but your loyalty must remain to your Clan, as one day you may meet them in battle.
    ● Do not hunt or trespass on another Clan's territory.
    ● Elders and kits must be fed before apprentices and warriors. Unless they have permission, apprentices may not eat until they have hunted to feed the elders.
    ● Prey is killed only to be eaten. Give thanks to StarClan for its life.
    ● A kit must be at least six moons old to become an apprentice.
    ● Newly appointed warriors will keep a silent vigil for one night after receiving their
warrior name.
    ● A cat cannot be made deputy without having mentored at least one apprentice.
    ● The deputy will become Clan leader when the leader dies or retires.
    ● After the death or retirement of the deputy, the new deputy must be chosen
before moonhigh.
    ● A gathering of all five Clans is held at the full moon during a truce that lasts for the night. There shall be no fighting among Clans at this time.
    ● Boundaries must be checked and marked daily. Challenge all trespassing cats.
    ● No warrior may neglect a kit in pain or in danger, even if that kit is from a different Clan.
    ● The word of the Clan leader is the warrior code.
    ● An honorable warrior does not need to kill other cats to win his battles, unless they are outside the warrior code or it is necessary for self-defense.
    ● A warrior rejects the soft life of a kittypet.

    ● Medicine cats may cross borders and territories, especially when helping another Clan.
    ● Medicine cats cannot have a mate nor kits.
    ● To protect themselves and patients, medicine cats must learn battle moves.
    ● Medicine cats must do everything they can to help a cat or kit in need.
    ● A medicine cat may only retire when their apprentice is ready to take their place.

    Feel free to use this as a reference when role-playing battles and battle training.

    ● Back Kick - Explosive surprise move to catch opponent from behind. Judge opponent's distance from you carefully, then lash out with your back legs, taking all weight on your front paws.
    ● Belly Rake - A fight-stopper. Slice with unsheathed claws against the soft flesh of the opponent's belly. If you're pinned down, the belly rake quickly puts you back into control.
    ● Front Paw Blow - Frontal attack. Bring your front paw down hard on your opponent's head. Claws sheathed.
    ● Front Paw Strike - Frontal attack. Slice downward with your front paw at the face or body of your opponent.
    ● Killing Bite - A death blow to the back of the neck. Quick and silent and sometimes considered dishonorable. Used only as a last resort.
    ● Leap-and-hold - Ideal for a small cat facing a larger opponent. Spring onto opponent's back and grip with unsheathed claws. Now you are beyond the range of the opponent's paws and in position to inflict severe body wounds. A group of apprentices can defeat a large and dangerous warrior in this way. Watch for the drop-and-roll counter move, and try to jump free before you get squashed.
    ● Partner Fighting - Warriors who have trained and fought together will often fall instinctively into a defensive position, each protecting each other's back while fending off an opponent on either side. Slashing, clawing, and leaping together, battle pairs can be a whirlwind of danger for attackers.
    ● Play Dead - Effective in a tight situation, such as when you are pinned. Stop struggling and go limp. When your opponent relaxes their grip, thinking you are defeated, push yourself up explosively. This will throw off an unwary opponent and put you in attacking position.
    ● Scruff Shake - Secure a strong teeth grip in the scruff of your opponents neck; then shake violently until he or she is too rattled to fight back. Most effective against rats, who are small enough to throw. A strong throw will stun or kill them.
    ● Tail Yank - Grab your opponent's tail and yank it with such force your opponent is thrown off balance.
    ● Teeth Grip - Target your opponent's extremities- the legs, tail, scruff or ears- and sink in your teeth and hold. This move is similar to the leap-and-hold except your claws remain free to fight.
    ● Upright Lock - Final, crushing move on already weakened opponent. Rear up on back legs and bring weight down on opponent. If opponent does the same, wrestle and flip him under you. This makes you vulnerable to the belly rake, so it takes great strength and speed.
    ● Half-Turn Belly Rake - Turn onto your side, slip under the opponent's belly, rake it with your claws, then swiftly turn back onto all fours out from under your opponent.
    ● Badger Defense - Leap over opponent, turn on your back legs and bite opponent's leg. Used only when fighting badgers.
    ● Duck and Twist - Simple defensive move. The cat ducks then twists around, rolling over onto their back, and then springs to their paws.
    ● Jump and Pin - Complicated move. Leap backwards, and bounce off the wall. With precise accuracy, land on the cat.

    ● Double-Front-Paw Slap-Down - Splash water into the enemy's face with your front paws, temporarily blinding them.
    ● Underwater Leg Sweep - Crouch under water, holding your breath. Then, sweep the legs from under your enemy as their head is raised above water-level; they struggle for breath, as other Clan cats naturally panic underwater.
    ● Push-Down and Release - Wrestle your enemy under water. Keep their head below water-level until they surrender, as other Clan cats don't know to hold their breath underwater.
    ● Underwater Clinch - Use your enemy's weight to hold them underwater. With a firm grip, raise them to the air so they can breathe, then send them under again. Do this repeatedly until the enemy gives up.
    ● Tail Splash - Similar to the Double Front-Paw Slap-Down, splash the water into your opponent's eyes with your tail, temporarily blinding them.
    ● Underwater Push-Off - Holding your breath, crouch below the water's surface. Aim an accurate pounce to the warrior on the water's edge, knocking them off-balance; the element of surprise should win you this battle.
    ● Rushpaw Splash - Flick a splash of water at a distance to create a decoy for the enemy, leaving room for a surprise attack.

    While ShadowClan does not have any unique battle moves known, they have what is called a night ambush. Below are the steps to use this tactic correctly.
    ● Hide in the shadows of the night with your patrol and your enemy spotted.
    ● Make sure your scent isn't drifting toward the attackers.
    ● Wait for the leader of the patrol to give the attack signal.
    ● Strike your enemy fast and hard; the enemy will be caught off-guard with a battle at night.
    ● Cut off all your enemy's escape routes, encircling them with your patrol.
    ● If they try to attack, battle again. If they do not, let them through with a warning.

    ● Sky-Crusher - Balance on a thin branch; make no sound. Land squarely on the enemy, claws unsheathed.
    ● Flick-Over - Balance on a thin branch; make no sound. Land with all four paws outstretched on your enemy. Knock the opponent's feet from under him. Flip the enemy over to their belly; pin them to the ground until they surrender.
    ● The Kick - Balance on a thin branch; make no sound. Kick the enemy as you near the ground. Use the momentum of the fall to spring backward before the enemy has time to attack.
    ● The Slice - Balance on a thin branch; make no sound. Drop with claws unsheathed for maximum injury.
    ● The Branch Swing - Hold on to a branch with front claws as your back paws rake your enemy's face.
    ● The Reverse Branch Swing - Hold on to a branch with back claws as your front paws rake your enemy's face.
    ● The Trunk Spring - Balance on a thin branch; make no sound. Slide down the trunk of your tree. Spring off the trunk with your back legs at head height to clear an enemy. This is best when the tree is surrounded.
    ● The Reverse Climb - Pace backward as the enemy advances. Climb backward up the trunk to escape enemy; often followed by the Trunk Spring.

    Like ShadowClan, ThunderClan has special battle tactics instead of battle "moves." These two tactics are called lightning strike and forest attack. First is forest attack.
    ● Move quietly and communicate with signals. Cracking twigs, startled birds, and rustling bracken will tell the enemy exactly where you are.
    ● Keep downwind of the trespassers so that your scent doesn't give you away.
    ● Look for freshly broken twigs, overturned leaves on the forest floor, remains of prey, or a clump of fur caught on a bramble. Any animal that moves through the forest leaves behind signs that its passed by-and signs like this could lead you straight to the invaders.
    ● Keep your mouth open to search for unfamiliar scents. Be careful: if there is scent when there is no breeze to carry it through the forest, it could mean that your enemy is very close by.
    ● Light-colored pelts are easily seen against brown and green foliage, so stay in the thickest cover. Keep low- the enemy will be looking for movement at normal head height, not close to the ground.
    ● Never miss an opportunity to perfect your tracking ability. In the nursery, kits sneak up on their mothers and pounce with their moss-soft paws. Apprentices leap out on one another from behind bushes and tree stumps. These are more than just games. One day, these skills could save your life and defend your Clan.
    This is the lightning strike.
    ● Crouch behind the enemy with your patrol unseen.
    ● Wait for the leader of the patrol to give the signal to attack.
    ● Spring squarely on top of the enemy, aiming for the ears, as they will bleed easily; caught by surprise, they should be easy targets.
    ● As fast as you attack, retreat back into the undergrowth.
    ● As the enemy lets its guard down, attack from an opposite angle; do this over and over until the enemy, thinking they are outnumbered, retreats.

       ● Approach from Above Your Enemy - Gain high-ground. Wait for the leader of the patrol to give the to attack. Charge down your high ground; your enemy will be weakened by having to fight uphill.
    ● Use the Light from the Sun - Attack your enemy with the sun behind you, which should dazzle the enemy and block their view.
    ● Know Where the Wind is Coming From - If there is a strong wind, it should blow from behind you; that should hold them back and blur their vision with dust. However, if stalking, make sure the wind is blowing toward you, as it could give away your scent if blowing toward your enemy.
    ● Conceal the Size of Your Force - Have your attackers in sight from a distance. There are two options: either you can group your warriors together tightly, making you seem like a small attacking force. Your enemy may become overconfident, which is likely to lead to them making poor strategic decisions. Or, if your warriors spread out single-file, it will seem impossible to pass to advancing enemy warriors and may intimidate them. Attack the enemy.
    ● Attack Both Ends of the Enemy Line First - Attack both ends of your enemy's line, leaving the middle cats to fend on two fronts; this will leave them outflanked, vulnerable, and in disarray. Attack the rest of the enemies until they run.
    ● Keep Fresh Warriors in Reserve - Always keep strong, fit warriors to replace injured ones.
    ● Feigned Retreat and Ambush - A group of strong cats screech and attack the enemy line. The group of fit cats retreat; repeat this until the enemy line breaks. Other warriors, usually tunnelers, jump out of rabbit holes and dips in the ground on the other side of the attackers. Attack from both fronts until the enemy surrenders.