The Warrior Code
written by Blizz
The warrior code was laid down by the original four leaders: Thunderstar, Shadowstar, Windstar, and Riverstar with the help of StarClan, as we learn in Secrets Of The Clans. This article is a type of review on the "official" warrior code.
First of all, the code's "flavor" seemed off. This code was made generations ago by four cats who knew that it would guide the four clans until the end. Like much of
Secrets Of The Clans, the warrior code does not display the same majesty and medieval drama that was hinted at in the original series. Of all of SotC, the warrior code was one of the most disappointing.
THE OFFICIAL WARRIOR'S CODE
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1. Defend your Clan, even with your life. You may have friendships with cats from other Clans, but your loyalty must remain to your Clan, as one day you may meet them in battle. |
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This tenant of the code makes sense, and existed from the first series. Again, it misses the grace of the original series; the line on friendship seems fake as well -- if you're going to meet someone in battle and be prepared to hurt them badly in order to defend your territory, can you really call them friends? A lighter word, like acquaintances might have been used, however, no big complaints here.
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2. Do not hunt or trespass on another Clan's territory. |
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This is where the code gets confusing. You're not to hunt or trespass, but if your Clan is starving, surely you should claim more land, or do whatever you can to save them. This is another, "nicey-nice" law. ThunderClan never tries to take over another Clans territory, so automatically whatever the other three clans attempt is wrong.
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3. 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. |
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This was displayed in the books, and is a good, traditional law which enforces the care and respect of elders, and well as apprentice duty and obedience.
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4. Prey is killed only to be eaten. Give thanks to StarClan for it's life. |
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This ones a little off. In the original and second series the cats did respect their prey, and gave thanks to StarClan in daily life. It's only in
The Power Of Three that hunters actually say a grace after killing. This law also contradicts the nature of cats -- for as any cat lover knows, they play with their food before killing it.
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5. A kit must be at least six moons old to become an apprentice. |
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A firm tradition which enables a kits safety.
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6. Newly appointed warriors will keep a silent vigil for one night after receiving their warrior name. |
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Another good tradition, which serves the former apprentice time to reflect on their life thus far, as well as begin the journey of a warrior with vigilance, a sense of duty, and strength.
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7. A cat cannot be made deputy without having mentored at least one apprentice. |
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This law makes sense, meaning a deputy will be a more experienced warrior who already knows the territory, has honed skills, and knows how to care and instruct in all aspects of Clan life.
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8. The deputy will become Clan leader when the leader dies or retires. |
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Naturally, this also is a good law, however, it does not make sense for a leader to retire. As we saw in the series, leaders do not retire long after they reach would-be elder status. As we learned with Nightstar, StarClan does not grant nine lives to leaders unless the former is dead. Therefore, a leader cannot retire.
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9. After the death or retirement of the deputy, the new deputy must be chosen before moonhigh. |
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No complaints. Moonhigh ensures a quick time limit for the new deputy -- as Firestar proved, a deputy is crucial to the success of the clan.
10. A gathering of all four 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.
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Again, a good law supported by evidence in the books.
11. Boundaries must be checked and marked daily. Challenge all trespassing cats.
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No complaints again here, it's important for the Clan to remain strong by challenging their enemies.
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12. No warrior may neglect a kit in pain or in danger, even if that kit is from a different Clan. |
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This is where the laws go a bit too far for me. Yes, neglecting a kit in danger is not a very
nice thing to do. And because ThunderClan is
nice they would never do that. ThunderClan also breaks the warrior code a lot, but this aspect of the code makes ShadowClan not only "mean" but also lawbreakers. Originally they stuck to the warrior code even though it might have meant being "mean". But as usual, they get stuck with being the bad guys while ThunderClan has all the glory.
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13. The word of the Clan leader is the warrior code. |
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This law
almost makes a lot of sense. I know it's the favorite of many, and I agree that the word of Clan leader should be
law, for all the Clan to obey. But warrior code? What's the whole point of the warrior code if a leader can just make up new stuff and discard others? According to this code, a leader can say, "After the death or retirement of a deputy, a new deputy can be chosen whenever I want." and poof, that's the code. It makes so sense at all.
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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. |
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Not bad, and sticking true to the old series, but it shouldn't be in the code. The code is a set of rules that should be abided. If you don't want to be an "honorable" warrior, then you can slaughter as many folk as you want. The code never says you
have to be a honorable warrior, so what's with that? Others decide if you're honorable or not; not the word of the law.
For example, it's like having a federal law that goes like this: "A nice person does not steal candy from children, unless under extreme circumstances." Well, a mean person can steal candy from children, but most people want to be nice. That doesn't mean people don't steal candy from children. Your parents teach you not to steal candy from children, not the federal law.
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15. A warrior rejects the soft life of a kitty-pet. |
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Yes, makes sense. "You can't live with a paw in both worlds, Rusty."
That was the bare minimum of the warrior code. What about medicine cats? A medicine cat doesn't have to reject the life of a kittypet? We know from the books that according to the code a medicine cat cannot be attacked or harmed. Cats traveling to the highstones have no protection within this warrior code. And what happened to the other traditions, especially for an apprentice?
All in all, the code was very disappointing, but no reflection of SotC, which contained much invaluable information. However, it's unfortunate that this incomplete version must now be considered canon.
The code from
Warriors: Secrets Of The Clans.
www.warriorswish.net
the dawn patrol
