Warrior Ceremony
A warrior ceremony is performed when a whelp finally becomes a full warrior of their Pack. Their apprenticeship usually lasts six months, but it can last longer. Once their mentor is satisfied with their skills, they will let the Pack leader know. After this the whelp will be assessed, and if they pass, they will become a warrior. In some cases the assessment is skipped due to a heroic act, which takes the place of the assessment. (e.g. Firepaw after saving the kits, Brackenpaw after warning the Clan for a battle, Brokenpaw after he fights bravely in battle, or Thistlepaw after fighting a dog.)
If the Pack leader is also satisfied, they conduct a meeting and call the whelp forward. Traditionally, the following words are used:
Leader: I, (Leader Name), leader of (Pack), call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this whelp. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn.
Leader: (Whelp Name), do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect and defend your Pack, even at the cost of your life?
Whelp: I do.
Leader: Then by the strength of our Ancestors, from this moment on you will be a warrior of (Pack). Our ancestors honor your (virtues), and we welcome you as a full warrior.
The leader then rests their muzzle on the former whelp’s head, and the new warrior licks the leader’s shoulder. The rest of the Pack calls out the name of the new warrior. After, the warrior will sit a silent vigil guarding the camp that night.