8. Useful Guides

[Shells]

USEFUL GUIDES

GENERAL TERMS
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

• Crowfood or crow-food – A dead prey animal that has begun to rot; can also be used as an insult.
  
• Cutter – A veterinarian, specifically, though not always, referring to one that spays or neuters cats.
  
• Dirt - A cat's waste.
  
• Fresh-kill – A recently killed prey animal caught for the purpose of consumption. Fresh-kill is hunted by warriors and apprentices, and placed on the fresh-kill pile or brought to the elder. Elders, kits, queens, and sick cats eat first, then warriors and apprentices. Extras stay in the fresh-kill pile.
  
• Fourtrees - A place located in the forest territory, where the territory's corners would meet, in which four oaks stood and the Clans would gather in peace every full moon.
  
• Gathering – The monthly meeting of all the Clans when the moon is full, at either Fourtrees or the Island. There is a truce on this night, and no fighting is allowed.
  
• Greenleaf Twolegplace – A place frequented by Twolegs during summer, such as a resort or camping spot near the lake.
  
• Halfbridge – A boat dock
  
• Horseplace – A horse ranch or stables.
  
• Hunting Patrol – A group of cats hunting for fresh-kill to bring back for their Clan to eat.
  
• Kittypet – A domesticated pet cat.
  
• Loner – A cat that lives by itself and doesn't defend its territory.
  
• Making dirt - Equal to going to the bathroom for a human.
  
• Monster – A vehicle operated by humans. Some examples include cars, trucks, tractors, and ATVs. Motorboats are sometimes referred to as "water-monsters."
  
• Moonstone – The place in the Forest where medicine cats and leaders shared tongues with StarClan.
  
• Mothermouth - The opening to the cave where the Moonstone is located.
  
• Rogue – A usually hostile cat who does not have a permanent home, roams around, and does not care about crossing Clan boundaries.
  
• Sharing tongues – Cats grooming each other while sharing the latest gossip. A cat lies on the ground, talking, while the other grooms their fur, listening.
  
• She-cat - A female cat.
  
• Silver boulder - A boulder that, when the silver disc is pulled off, holds Twoleg rubbish. To Twolegs, they are just trash cans.
  
• Silverpelt – The large swath of stars in the sky (believed in fandom to be the Milky Way). These stars are a direct representation of StarClan.
  
• Silverthorn - Barbed wire.
  
• Snowmelt - A term used to describe slush or dirty, melted snow.
  
• Soft boulder - A pillow or cushion.
  
• Sun-drown-place - An ocean to the west of the Clans' territories.
  
• Tree-eater – A bulldozer.
  
• Thunderpath – A paved road with an extremely acrid smell that cars often go across. Windover Road separated ThunderClan and ShadowClan in the original Territories.
  
• Tom/tomcat - A male cat.
  
• Twoleg – A human.
  
• Twoleg kit – A human child.
  
• Twoleg nest – A human's house.
  
• Twolegplace – A town, city, or village where Twolegs live.

TIME TERMS
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

• Newleaf - The season of spring.
  
• Greenleaf - The season of summer.
  
• Leaf-fall - The season of autumn or fall.
  
• Leaf-bare - The season of winter
  
• Moon - The time between one full moon and the next, spanning about 29 days, a month.
  
• Moonhigh - When the moon is the highest in the sky; about midnight.
  
• Moonrise - The time when the moon rises.
  
• Half-moon - About two weeks, half a month.
  
• Quarter-moon - About a week.
  
• Sunhigh - The point during the day when the sun is highest in the sky; noon.
  
• Sunrise - One day in cat time (i.e. One sunrise ago).
  
• Season - A quarter of a year in cat time. Four seasons equal a year.
  
• Heartbeat - A split second.
  
• Claw-moon - When the moon resembles the shape of an unsheathed claw, equivalent to crescent moon.
  
• Sundown - The time of day when the sun is down.
  
• Sunup - The time of day when the sun is up.

DISTANCE TERMS
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

• Fox-length - About the length of a fox; approximately a yard (80 cm)
  
• Kittenstep or kitstep - About the length of kit's step; approximately an inch or a half inch (1.25-2.5 cm)
  
• Tail-length - About the length of a cat's tail; approximately a foot (30cm)
  
• Rabbit hop or rabbit length - About a foot and a half away (45 cm)
  
• Mouse-length - About two or three inches (5-7.5 cm)
  
• Pawstep - About the length of a cat's step, roughly six inches (15 cm)
  
• Tree-length - About the length of a tree; around 40 to 50 feet. (15 m)

INSULTS, EXCLAMATIONS AND PHRASES
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

• As much use as a dead fox- A (harsh) insult, meaning the recipient is useless
  
• Bees in your brain - An exclamation meaning a confused or a cat not making sense (i.e., You've got bees in your brain!)
  
• Crowfood - A (harsh) insult comparing the recipient to rotting prey animals (as in I'll turn you into crowfood!), or suggesting that they eat it (as in crowfood-eater).
  
• (You're) crazier than a fox in a fit! - An insult used when a cat (or cats) are acting crazy. Another variation uses "madder" instead of "crazier."
  
• Doesn't matter a whisker/Doesn't catch so much as a whisker - An exclamation meaning the cat does not care, (i.e. it didn't matter a whisker that she didn't share their beliefs) similar to I don't give a mousetail. Or saying that a patrol didn't catch anything
  
• Dormouse - An expression or exclamation used against a cat who sleeps a lot.
  
• Drypaw- A cat that dislikes getting wet, usually used in RiverClan.
  
• Like LionClan/TigerClan - An expression stating that a cat does something very fiercely or well.
  
• Fishface, fishfur or fish-breath - An insult used against RiverClan warriors.
  
• Frog-dung - Same as fox-dung, except it's often used in RiverClan.
  
• Snake-hearted - Similar to the term "fox-hearted," generally used by RiverClan.
  
• Fox-dung - A (harsh) insult comparing the recipient to fox feces. Also used as an exclamation (as in That's fox-dung!).
  
• Fox-hearted - An insult meaning cruel, cold-hearted, or evil (as in fox-hearted Twolegs).
  
• Furball - A (friendly, yet harsh) insult. Severity of the insult is almost always decided by tone.
  
• Great StarClan! - An exclamation used to signify extreme surprise or anger. Similar to Oh my god! in usage and to the fact that they both have mention of a higher force.
  
• Hedgehogs will fly - An exclamation style statement that shows disbelief that a certain event will likely occur (as in That will happen when hedgehogs fly), used in many variations. Somewhat like the human phrase, When pigs fly!
  
• How in Silverpelt! - An exclamation used meaning “How in the world?”
  
• I don't give a mousetail/They wouldn't give a mousetail - An exclamation meaning that the cat does not care. Another variation is I would ____ for a couple of mousetails meaning that they are willing to do the inserted action for no real reward. Can also mean that a cat would be stingy enough not to share a mousetail.
  
• I'd have shredded you into mousedust! - to gravely injure, rip to shreds. Similar to mousemeat.
  
• Make dirt - to use the bathroom.
  
• May StarClan light your path/Banish all the fleas from your nest - A friendly term used to tell others they wish them well.
  
• Mouse-brain - A (friendly yet harsh) insult. Severity of the insult is almost always decided by tone.
  
• Mouse-dung - A (somewhat harsh) insult comparing the recipient to mouse feces. Also used as an exclamation (as in Mousedung! That can't be right!). Somewhat like "Darn it!"
  
• Mouse-hearted - An insult that describes one who is cowardly.
  
• Mousefodder - An insult describing that the cat is worthless or a kittypet. Used by Yellowfang in Into the Wild to Firepaw after realizing he was a kittypet.
  
• Once a kittypet, always a kittypet! - A harsh phrase used to describe a cat with kittypet roots.
  
• (Only) StarClan knows (what) - Sometimes used to answer a question that is impossible to answer. Similar to "Only God knows what," "Only God knows," and "God knows."
  
• Pain in the Tail - An insult meaning a cat is irritating or lazy.
  
• Scaredy-mouse! - A similar expression to scaredy-cat, but in cat terms.
  
• Sorry catches no prey or Sorry fills no bellies - Means cats can be sorry, but that will not undo what happened.
  
• StarClan's kits! – An exclamation of surprise or disbelief. Sometimes used as an exclamation if a cat is hurt.
  
• Tabbies don't change their stripes - means that a cat doesn't change their nature. Equivalent to "a leopard can't change his spots.”
  
• What in StarClan's name? - A exclamation similar to "What on earth?" or "What in the world?”
  
• That's a load of badger droppings - A harsh exclamation saying that something is nonsense.
  
• Thistles and thorns - Used to describe bad luck (as in: Thistles and thorns! I blew it!); similar to "Darn it" or "mouse-dung.”
  
• Thundercat - Used to describe a ThunderClan cat.
  
• You fight/hunt like a kittypet! - An expression used to insult or tease a cat who fights/hunts poorly.
  
• Who made dirt in his fresh kill? - A phrase to describe a cranky or suddenly moody cat.
  
• Would've made mousemeat out of you! - To badly injure, rip to shreds. Similar to mousedust. Used by Graypaw in Into the Wild describing how dangerous a Fox could be.
  
• Frog-dirt and Fish-guts - Used in RiverClan, has the same meaning as thistles and thorns.

LIVING SPACES
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

• Camp - The place where a Clan makes their permanent home.
  
• Leader's den - The den in camp that belongs to the Clan leader.
  
• Medicine cat's den - The den in camp that belongs to the Clan's medicine cat and his or her apprentice. Sometimes referred to as the medicine den.
  
• Warriors' den - The den in camp that is shared between the warriors and the deputy of that Clan.
  
• Apprentices' den - The den in camp that is shared between the apprentices of that Clan.
  
• Elders' den - The den in camp that is shared between the elders of that Clan.
  
• Nursery - The den in camp that is shared by the queens and kits of that Clan.
  
• Dirtplace – The place near the camp where cats go to urinate or excrete.
  
• Fresh-kill pile – The place, usually in the center of the camp, where the warriors drop the prey they caught while hunting, so it is easily accessible to all the cats in the Clan.

CLAN RANKS
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

• Kit - A kitten younger than six moons.
  
• Apprentice - A cat at least six moons old, and training to be a warrior (or a medicine cat).
  
• Warrior - A mature cat who has completed his or her warrior training. A she-cat is considered a warrior when she is not currently expecting or nursing a tom's kits.
  
• Mentor - A cat who is currently training an apprentice.
  
• Queen - A she-cat with kits to take care of or who is pregnant with kits, or stays in the nursery helping other queens even though they have no kits.
  
• Elder - Cats who cannot hunt or fight anymore, sometimes due to injury, loss of sight, sickness, or are just too old to do their warrior duties. They are treated with great respect in the Clan. The apprentices in the Clan take fresh kill to them, pick out their fleas, and change their bedding.
  
• Medicine cat - A cat who heals injuries and/or illnesses, who is skilled with herbs, leaves and natural cures and sometimes receives special signs or prophecies from StarClan.
  
• Deputy - A warrior who is second in command to the leader, helping the leader in their tasks and replacing them after their death or resignment. They organize patrols and make reports to the leader, and are known to be frequently given apprentices.
  
• Leader - A cat who controls the entire Clan. Holding the most important rank in the Clan, a leader is granted nine lives by StarClan so they “can be first in every battle and last to take a piece of fresh-kill” basically giving them extra time to serve and lead their Clan. They usually train the kits of deputies, but there are some exceptions.
  

[/blockquote][/justify]
[/size][/blockquote][/justify]

[Shells]

FIGHTING TECHNIQUES
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

• 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/Forepaw Slash - 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. This move was used against Bone, the BloodClan deputy, whom was defeated by a group of apprentices.
  
  
• 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 his 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.
  
  
• 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 his/her back, and then springs to their paws.
  
  
  
  Information from Warriors Wiki
  

[/size][/blockquote][/justify]

[Shells]

NAMING GUIDE
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

When naming a cat, use traditional names.

For prefixes:

• Pertaining to the kit's appearance (Fox- for reddish coat, Tiny- for small size, Squirrel- for bushy tail)
  
• In honor of another cat or ancestor (Leaf- in honor of Leafstar and possibly Spottedleaf, Tiger- in honor of Tigerstar, Cinder- in honor of Cinderpelt)
  
• Other, seemingly unrelated to either (Holly-, Petal-)

For suffixes, kits receive -kit and apprentices receive -paw. Leaders receive the suffix -star. Good examples of suffixes are -claw, -storm, -pelt, -eyes, -foot, etc.

There are a few reserved words that cannot be used as prefixes for names because they are held sacred by the Clans:

• -star, -kit, and -paw
  
• Spirit- and Moon- (as these represent sacred notions)
  
• Shadow-, River-, Thunder-, Wind-, and Sky- (in honor of the Clan founders who first had the names)
  

If you need help thinking of a name for your cat, you can use the guide found *HERE* for help. Also, you may ask an admin or another member for help.

[/size][/justify][/BLOCKQUOTE]