Driftclan Customs and Festivals - WIP

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Customs

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Ascension
The calling of an ascension is to be said one of the most important occurrences to take place in Driftclan. This obviously happens when a leader passes or retires from their position and their chosen deputy takes their place. Not only that, but there are cases where a warrior or outsider will challenge the leader's position for a spot on the throne. (Read "Battle for the Throne") To spread the message of an ascension, the medicine cat will blow a horn inside the leader's den and light a small, controlled fire on the roof. An ascension does not happen instantly, though. The medicine cat must prep the next leader for their cleansing. Here's how it usually goes:

- The medicine cat takes the upcoming leader to the designated area where this takes place. It must be secluded and have a small body of water. It is also important for others to not interfere.
- The leader will submerge themselves into the water while the medicine cat places special herbs around and in the water. They will also light a torch and place it.
- After that, the medicine cat will explain the importance of claiming the role of leader. (Script in spoiler if needed)
- Once the leader understands and recites the last couple of words, the medicine cat will use the torch to light the herbs around the water on fire. The flaming herbs will later dim down and be put out automatically. The medicine cat will then place a small leader's medallion below the center of their forehead.
 
Once the cleansing is over, the medicine cat will take the leader to moonpool to see if the ones above believe the chosen leader is fit to lead or if there's off-putting energy emitting from them. To prove if this worked correctly, the medicine cat has to use a sharp object to make a small cut on the leader's forearm area to see if the blood is black. If the blood remains red, the ones above have decided the choice of leader was poor and the ascension failed.

If the ascension succeeded, the medicine cat will guide the leader back to the clan. In addition, it is mandatory for everyone in Driftclan to make a downward streak on their forehead using a black herb paint provided by the medicine cat. Anyone seen without this streak will be automatically assumed they do not approve of the choice of leader and will be escorted to their designated dens for the remainder of the day.

Burial
When a member of the clan passes, it is extremely crucial to give the dead a proper funeral. However, there are two types of funerals that can be performed.

The first option is more simple and standard. The body will be covered in leaves and placed on a wooden plank. Everyone has the choice to pick out a flower and explain what great things the one who passed accomplished and how much they meant to them. Once these people have placed their flowers around the body, only relatives and close friends of the one who passed will help carry the wooden plank to a burial site while the medicine cat guides them with a torch.

The second option is similar to the first but has some sort of a twist. ---

Unity Day


Battle for the Throne
Battle for the Throne occurs when the leader's position is questioned and someone wanting to take their place challenges them. For this to happen, the person wanting to claim the throne has to speak to the medicine cat first and ask for a meeting request. Once the request is filed, the medicine cat will immediately ask the deputy first to meet in the medic's den. They will have a short and quiet discussion about the situation before approaching the leader about it. After that, the medicine cat, deputy, and leader will all have a private discussion in the leader's den where they will talk things through. When the discussion is over, they will move onto the meeting. The person wanting to overthrow the leader will be brought to the leader's den and ask for an official challenge. If the leader accepts the challenge, the medicine cat will engrave a symbol in the leader's den and start to plan the event. Declining the challenge will be a high risk. The leader and opponent will have one full day to train and work on their skills before the event. On the day of the challenge, everyone in the clan will be required to attend this event since it is a big deal.

Midnight Sun


Single Combat
This event occurs every moon and it is mostly held to see if the clan's overall strength and skill is up to date. It is mandatory for everyone to participate except for elders, queens, kits, and those who are injured. Warriors will go up against other warriors and apprentices will face other apprentices. Selection on who is fighting who is completely random. Clanmates will fight one at a time.

On special occasions, the leader will create a randomized bracket to see who is the ultimate champion of the single combat.

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Festivals

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Recognition
This is a special event that takes place every season in order to present annual awards to recognize members of the clan for their heroic and courageous deeds, saving lives in difficult situations, or simply aiding in an important mission. Awards include uniquely crafted tools and items that can be worn specifically made for the clan. These things were created generations ago and it is thought to be very rare.

Golden Eagle


Sacred Temple


Honoring the Fallen

word count, notes, n stuff