Code of the Clans facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Code of the Clans

Author	Erin Hunter
Illustrator	Wayne McLoughlin
Cover artist	Wayne McLoughlin
Country	United States
Language	English
Series	Warriors
Genre	Children's literature Fantasy novel
Publisher	HarperCollins
Publication date	9 June 2009
Media type	Print (hardback)
Pages	176
ISBN	978-0-06-166009-2
OCLC	262887634
LC Class	PZ7.H916625 Co 2009

Code of the Clans is a special guide book in the popular Warriors series. It teaches readers all about the important rules that guide the cat Clans. These rules, called the warrior code, help the Clans live together and make big decisions every day.

Understanding the Warrior Code

This book starts by explaining how the different cat Clans first came to be. Then, Leafpool, a wise medicine cat, introduces us to the warrior code. She shares these rules from the viewpoint of cats who are visiting the Clans to learn more. For each rule, Leafpool gives a quick summary. Some rules also have short stories that show how the codes were created or used.

Code 1: Loyalty to Your Clan

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. This rule teaches that your Clan comes first. It tells the story of Cloudberry from RiverClan and Ryewhisker from WindClan. They were friends, but in a battle, Ryewhisker died trying to protect Cloudberry from his own Clanmates. This sad event led to the very first rule.

Code 2: Respecting Borders

Do not hunt or trespass on another Clan's territory. This code is about respecting other Clans' land. Once, ThunderClan and ShadowClan argued about hunting on each other's territory. A fight almost started at a Gathering. But a branch fell, stopping the fight. This was a sign from StarClan, telling the Clans to respect borders. No cat should cross a border just for fun or to hunt.

Code 3: Feeding the Vulnerable

Elders, queens, sick or injured cats 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. This rule shows how much the Clans care for their weakest members. It tells about Splashheart of RiverClan. After winning a battle, his Clan celebrated by feeding the elders and kits first. A mini-story shows Longtail and Darkstripe hunting. Darkstripe ate food meant for a sick elder, Poppydawn, who later died. This highlights the importance of this rule.

Code 4: Respect for Prey

Prey is killed only to be eaten. Give thanks to StarClan for its life. This code teaches cats to respect the animals they hunt. Driftkit and Fallowkit of ShadowClan were playing with fresh-kill. Their leader and mother scolded them. Then, an owl took the prey away. Lilystar, their leader, said it was a sign from StarClan. This led to the fourth code, reminding cats to be thankful for their food.

Code 5: Age for Apprenticeship

A kit must be at least six moons old to become an apprentice. This rule makes sure young cats are ready for training. A WindClan queen, Daisytail, worried her son was too young for battle. She and another queen stopped a fight. They told their leaders that apprentices should be at least six moons old. A mini-story shows a three-moon-old apprentice, Badgerfang, dying in battle. This proved why the rule was needed.

Code 6: The Warrior Vigil

Newly appointed warriors will keep a silent vigil for one night after receiving their warrior name. This code helps new warriors think about their new role. RiverClan's medicine cat, Meadowpelt, heard new warriors planning dangerous stunts. She asked StarClan for guidance. StarClan said warriors should stand a silent vigil. This helps them reflect on their duties. During one vigil, silent warriors heard a fox near the nursery and chased it away.

Code 7: Deputy's Experience

A cat cannot be made deputy without having mentored at least one apprentice. This rule ensures that a deputy has leadership experience. Acorntail was chosen as WindClan's deputy. But he struggled with his duties. He realized he hadn't trained an apprentice yet. So, he stepped down, promising to train an apprentice in the future. This showed that experience is key for a deputy.

Code 8: The Next Leader

The deputy will become Clan leader when the leader dies, retires, or is exiled. This code explains how a new leader is chosen. When SkyClan's leader, Beechstar, died, his son Mothpelt became leader. Mothpelt wanted revenge and led an attack. But he almost drowned. His deputy, Maplewhisker, saved him. Mothpelt then decided to give up his position to Maplewhisker. This led to the rule about the deputy becoming leader.

Code 9: Choosing a New Deputy Quickly

After the death, retirement, promotion (to a leader status), or exile of the deputy, the new deputy must be chosen before moonhigh. This rule ensures a Clan always has a strong leader. Once, ShadowClan lost both its leader and deputy quickly. Two cats fought to be leader, and both died. Redscar, the medicine cat, asked StarClan for help. StarClan said a new leader must choose a deputy right away. This prevents chaos and ensures the Clan stays strong.

Code 10: Peace at Gatherings

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. This code makes sure Gatherings are safe places for all Clans. At one Gathering, ShadowClan attacked the other Clans. As their leader, Ripplestar, attacked Finchstar of ThunderClan, StarClan sent lightning. It struck and killed Ripplestar. This was a clear sign that fighting at a Gathering is wrong.

Code 11: Marking Borders Daily

Boundaries must be checked and marked daily. Challenge all trespassing cats. This rule helps Clans protect their territory. A SkyClan warrior and her apprentice accidentally crossed into ThunderClan land. They couldn't smell the border because it wasn't freshly marked. This led to the decision that Clans must mark their borders every day. This helps prevent accidental trespassing and keeps peace.

Code 12: Helping Kits in Danger

No warrior can neglect a kit in pain or danger, even if the kit is from a different Clan. This code teaches compassion for all young cats. RiverClan's medicine cat, Graywing, saw WindClan kits fall into a gorge. She thought it was not her Clan's problem. Later, the spirits of the dead kits visited her in a dream. They taught her how important kits are to all Clans. The next day, Graywing buried the kits.

Code 13: The Leader's Word

The word of the Clan leader is the warrior code. This rule means that the Clan leader's decisions are final and must be followed. At a Gathering, Darkstar, SkyClan's leader, gave a large piece of land to ThunderClan. His deputy, Raincloud, spoke out against him. Darkstar then proposed this new code. It prevents warriors from embarrassing their leaders in public.

Code 14: Honorable Fighting

An honorable warrior does not need to kill other cats to win their battles, unless they are outside the warrior code or if it is necessary for self-defense. This code teaches warriors to fight fairly and avoid unnecessary deaths. ShadowClan's medicine cat, Mossheart, saw too many Clanmates dying in battles. She and other medicine cats went to Moonstone. They were told that pointless fighting and deaths must stop. This rule promotes honorable combat.

Code 15: Rejecting the Kittypet Life

A warrior rejects the soft life of a kittypet. This rule emphasizes a warrior's dedication to their Clan. Lionpaw once saw Pinestar, his leader, interacting with a Twoleg (human). Pinestar told Lionpaw it was a secret mission. But Lionpaw soon learned Pinestar wanted to live with Twolegs. Lionpaw encouraged him to tell the Clan. Pinestar thanked him, calling him Lionheart, showing the importance of a warrior's commitment.

In the end, Leafpool talks about some ideas for the warrior code that didn't make it into the final rules. Then, she says goodbye.

Images for kids

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  The cover shows (from left to right) Blackstar, Firestar, Tallstar, and Leopardstar. Below them, a group of cats suggests a Gathering.