Welcome to Wisteriaclan!

Table of Contents


Before we begin, just a disclaimer that Warrior Cats belongs to the Erin Hunters and is therefore not related to PixelCatsEnd. This is a fan-made "clan" about Not-Cats.

Origin Story
Wisteriaclan is made up of non-cats who once lived in Zephyrclan. Zephyrclan lived in lush fields of grain and tall grass nearby their territory was a very small farm, as it was run by an elderly couple and their grandchild. The cats of Zephyrclan did not bother the livestock but rather helped rid the farm of rats, so when the weather was bitter and harsh they were gladly accepted to shelter in the farmhouse to stay warm.

The not-cats of Wisteriaclan always knew they were different, to say the least. They had opposable thumbs like the two-legs, they felt connected to odd things like the cities whereas their clan-mates feared it, and why they felt disconnected from Starclan. But they'd never expect to one day be visited by Nestor, a guardian of not-Earth who explained to them why they were so odd. They were in fact not cats, rather not-Cats.

When Nestor took these 5 cats back home to not-Earth, they first felt unfortunate, depressed, and perhaps even uncomfortable or fearful as they had to leave behind close friends, family, and even their mates. But they always wondered why they were so different when they were leading a "cat" life. Why would only they gather in the far, far city during a half moon and why would a strange moose creature visit them with gifts but not their clan-mates? They ended up loving not-Earth and feeling more comfortable for who they were, however many still miss Earth and wish they were cats.

Wisteriaclan Code

For the most part, Wisteriaclan has a very lenient code, nothing like Zephyrclan cats. They believed Zeyphrclan was too confined allowing no outside mates, restricting love, and having borders simply bound to cause war. Instead, Wisteriaclan strives to live in peace and harmony with themselves and their neighbors. So they made a code that does not restrict freedom, only prevents unnecessary conflict.

Beliefs

Wisteriaclan cats have always been disconnected from Starclan and the Dark Forest, so instead of enforcing it, they let the Not-Cats choose what to believe. However, most Wisteriaclan warriors do believe in their ancestor's existence in one way or another.

Roles
Wisteriaclan not only has jobs assigned to cats (builder, gatherer, etc) but also ranks like the traditional clan.

What are the Roles?

Leader - The Leader cares for the clan. They can make important decisions about the cats of Wisteriaclan and those around them for the clan. They had to have once been deputy, trained two apprentices, and therefore be 5+ years old. They take the suffix 'star'.

Deputy - Second-in-command to the leader and is always there to help make important decisions, help with tasks like sending out patrols/assigning duties, and hold votes on subjects. They are next in line to be the leader so must have already trained one apprentice and are 4+ years old. They take the suffix 'claw'.

Leading Healer - The leading healer is the main cat in charge of the other healers and often time will take care of the worse wounds. They must be 4+ years old and they take the suffix 'herb'.

Healers - Healers are cats skilled in both medicine and spirituality and may even act as clan therapists and/or mediators for other clans. They're at least 1+ years old and take the suffix 'leaf'.

Healer Trainees - Healer apprentices are cats learning the ways of being a healer. They'll be trained to use herbs, help mentally ill patients, speak to Starclan, interpret signs, and more. Usually, they're 6 - 12 months old and are identifiable by the suffix 'paw' like other apprentices.

Elite Warriors - Elite warriors are those warriors who have proven themselves to be one of the most trustworthy cats of the clan usually those who are part of a prophecy, helped defeat some large predator, or have been undyingly loyal. They're usually older than 3+ years and take any suffix given.

Warriors - A warrior is the staple of the clan; they're the adult cats who hunt for the clan, patrol its borders, train the next generation, and fight when necessary. They must be at least 1+ years old and are given any suffix, like the elite warriors.

Caretakers - Caretakers are usually nursing she-cats and mothers but other felines can be a caretaker or permanent caretakers (much like a babysitter) though this role is not often given. They must be 1+ years old and like warriors are given any suffix.

Elders - Elders are cats who once served as a warrior and now have retired. They are still obligated to tell legends, share tips, and give advice to educate the newer generations but otherwise, they're not put to duty. Usually, these cats are 10+ years old but early retirement can happen due to injury or whatnot. These cats are given any suffix or may have a suffix from a previous role.

Trainees - Trainees are cats training to be a warrior, therefore are usually younger than 1 year old but can be older if their graduation is held back. Nonetheless, they must be 6 months old at minimum. They take the suffix 'paw'.

Kits - Kits are any cat younger than 6 months old, therefore must be protected and cared for by the older clan members, though it's mainly caretakers and elders who'll watch them. They take the suffix 'kit'.

Traditions

Marriage Ceremony
When Wisteriaclan Not-Cats get "married", it's not quite like how most imagine it.
Marriahe in Wisteriaclan does not have to be approved or officiated but rather when, and if, they choose to announce their partnership then often their family and friends will celebrate. This has created a sort of tradition where all the village will decorate the town in the pairings color(s) of choice– often soft colors like white, blue, or pink– using garlands, wreaths, arches, bouquets, and other ornaments. The couple will then have the choice to read their own vowes and afterwards the village will share a feast together, usually accompanied by song and dance.

Expecting Preparation
Many Not-Cats of Wisteriaclan also choose to have Not-Kits and this has also sparked a new tradition over the seasons. When a Not-Cat announces they're expecting, family and friends will gather soft things (feathers, blankets, moss, pillows, whatever a Not-Cat chooses) to decorate their expecting friends/relatives bedding with. This was a tradition started in Zephyrclan when cats would have their nest lined with feather by their family when pregnancy was announced.

High-Ranks Ceremony
A tradition inspired by Zephyrclan's ceremonies; when a deputy becomes a leader or a healer trainee becomes a full healer, they will visit a specific cave called the "Rose Cave", a cave made entirely of rose quartz, and sleep their overnight. Zephyrclan would visit the Moon Pool to see their ancestors but as Wisteriaclan does not have a shared religion, it is up to the Not-Cat to decide what they'll do overnight. Often, it is mediation.

Rank Change Ceremony
Of course, other cats get a different type of ceremony when they change from a lower rank to another (whether it be kit to trainee, trainee to warrior, warrior to senior warrior, warrior to elder, etc). Instead of visiting the Rose Cave, they are given their new suffix by the Leader than will be given a celebratory feast in their honor. The only difference is when a trainee graduates to a warrior they will be sentenced to guard camp after their feast, just as done in Zephyrclan.

Holidays
Shockingly, Zephyrclan actually did not have any holidays as most warriors were much too focused on their duties. However Not-Cats in villages have discovered how to live in harmony without having to fight over supplies, meaning any left over or available can now be used for these holidays.

Spring Celebration
The season of spring is associated with fertility, new life, new beginnings, change/growth, among other things due to the fact the most Not-Kits are born around this time and most plant life has returned to blooming now. Because of this on the last day of spring, any kits born will be presented to the clan by their parents as a way of celebrating this new generation and their future. During this time, cats will pray for the kits blessings. Afterwards, cats will spend the rest of the month decorating camp nicely until winter comes once again.

Summer Festival
The summer, while a fun season, does not hold much significance to the Not-Cats as not many changes occur during this time period. Nonetheless, the Not-Cats have decided to take this "free period" and use it to create something honoring their past in Zephyrclan as well as something to hope for their future in Wisteriaclan. The summer festival lasts one week: On the first two days the Nof-Cats will write laters, craft items, etc to their loved ones left behind in Zephyrclan. On the next day they will show the importance of their present time by chatting and celebrating with fhe current members of Wisteriaclan (it is also encouraged to do as many nice things as possible on this day). Finally, on the last two days the cats spend praying and preparing crafts, trinkets, etc for the future Not-Cats to one day keep.


Autumn Gathering

The autumn gathering is also a week long event which takes place somewhere at the end of fall. As winter gets closer, the need to gather supplies increases so the Not-Cats have made a tradition of having kits gather these items as a fun event. An adult may accompany them or help them harvest their crop/herb/etc but these kits will be the one who choose which ones to harvest. The Not-Cats feel it teaches them to be decisive, responsible, and also teaches them about food they may not have originally understood depending on what job they're training for.

Winter Festivities
Finally, is the winter event. Winter is associated with the change that causes growth and maturing and seems to be a metaphor for hardships in Not-cats lives. However, it also can be used at a metaphor for the end of a cycle, including life. Because of this, the Not-Cats have decided to do a holiday similar to their Spring Celebration except instead of blessing kits that were born, they bless any of the elders of the clan. Afterwards, the Not-Cats will work to remove spring's decoration to make space for new ones just as winter makes space for new life.