The Warrior Code

The warrior code is the set of rules that all Clans live by. In A Better Way, it is quite a bit different from Warriors canon. I (Dragon) just wanted to make this a page. Feel free to change anything. Also, I copy-pasted quite a bit of it from the official Warriors Wiki.

Rule 1
Defend the five Clans, even with your life.

Creation of the Rule
I think this one is kind of just a given, to be honest.

Exceptions
There, uh, aren't any.

Rule 2
All of the Clans are at peace with one another. You should not make enemies of cats or Clans just because they are from another Clan.

Creation of the Rule
The founders probably made this rule very quickly.

Exceptions
I mean, if a whole Clan goes, like, evil and against the entire warrior code, then maybe. That's unreasonable, though, so I think this one should just stick around permanantly.

Rule 3
Elders, queens, sick or injured cats and kits must be fed before apprentices and warriors.

Creation of the Rule
I mean, it was kind of a given that Orchid formalized. She felt very strongly about this sort of thing.

Exceptions
If there are no kits, elders, queens, or sick/injured cats, this rule does not apply. Unfortunately for you hopeful apprentices, Cedarpoppy, Skyflower, Moonmist, Silkfur, and Wrensong are never going to leave the nursery, and that's one queen for every Clan. How sad.

Rule 4
Prey is killed only to be eaten.

Creation of the Rule
I've always found this a weird rule. Like... you're just going to murder helpless animals? And why are we thanking StarClan? Like, what are they doing with our prey? Do they spontaneously create it or something? We're going to remove that bit.

Exceptions
Maybe killed to, like, fill with poison to get rid of dogs or something?

Rule 5
A kit must be at least six moons old to become an apprentice.

Creation of the Rule
Shellstar and Nettlestar, second leaders of their respective Clans (FallClan and HorizonClan) were bothered by the way kits and apprentices kept begging to be made warriors before their time. Like, heck, over half the dead cats from Silver Falls hadn't even been full warriors. So they made this rule in an attempt to protect the kits and sort of stuck in an unofficial rule about twelve moons old being the proper age to take your warrior assessment.

Exceptions
Well, I mean, Clearnight was punished for sneaking out of camp and getting his father injured by having to wait an extra moon before becoming an apprentice.

Also, Aspenstar’s ceremony was originally delayed because he’d been nearly murdered by some raccoons and needed time to recover.

If a kit misbehaves or does something very wrong, their ceremony can be delayed. *Squints at Redkit*

Rule 6
A cat cannot be made deputy without having mentored at least one apprentice.

Creation of the Rule
Rainstar, third leader of OrchidClan, came up with this rule because he's been thrown into leadership with no previous experience leading, so he made this rule to save others from this fate.

Exceptions
Fennelfoot. Fennelfoot is an exception. But that was fixed straight away.

Rule 7
The deputy will become Clan leader when the leader dies, retires, or is exiled.

Creation of the Rule
I mean, considering there were deputies way back in the founder times, this was probably a pretty early one. It's kind of a given. That's what deputies are for.

Exceptions
If the deputy and leader both die at the same time, then maybe (see Mallowstar's page for an example). Or if the deputy kills the leader and is exiled.

Rule 8
After the death, retirement, promotion (to a leader status), or exile of the deputy, the new deputy must be chosen before moonhigh.

Creation of the Rule
It just kind of makes sense. You have less than a day to organize the Clan so that they don't fall into chaos.

Exceptions
See Rule 7.

Rule 9
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 cats at this time.

Creation of the Rule
Silver Falls. I stayed up until like 11 o'clock the day I wrote that, I'm not rewriting it.

Exceptions
Well, I mean, The Plague is a good exception. Gatherings are super tiny now. :D

Rule 10
No warrior can neglect a kit in pain or danger, even if the kit is a rogue.

Creation of the Rule
Again, Orchid. Willowstar of FallClan also drew attention to this rule, as it was kind of being ignored in her time. It gets a revival every four or five generations.

Exceptions
If you thought there were exceptions, then you are either Myrtlepelt or just a monster. >:(

Rule 11
The word of the Clan leader is the warrior code.

Creation of the Rule
Probably Marsh, honestly.

Exceptions
If your leader is not doing what is best for the Clan, this rule no longer valid. See the current OrchidClan situation.

Rule 12
An honorable warrior does not need to kill other cats to win their battles, unless it is necessary for self-defense.

Creation of the Rule
Waterfall came up with this precisely 0.001 seconds after her brothers tried to kill each other.

Exceptions
If you run into Myrtlepelt, please ignore this rule.

Rejected Rules
I'm sure I can think of some.

Additional Rules
The following rules are not specifically stated in the warrior code, but are expected to be followed:


 * Kits must stay in camp until they are apprenticed unless accompanied by a queen or warrior. (Again, probably made by Orchid)
 * The safety of the Clan as a whole is more important than the safety of one cat. (This is a sometimes rule)
 * Clans must not unite together to drive out another Clan. (This should be a given.)
 * Clans must not force another Clan to share territory. (I mean, most of them do, but nothing is forced)
 * Any cat can move to any other Clan at any time. Pretty much. (Only exception it the plague)
 * Cats cannot eat when going to the Moon Falls to speak with StarClan. (I've never understood this one, but we can keep it I guess.)