Well don’t mind if I do! Driftpaw got me curious about cats switching clans, especially since OceanClan has a high turnover right it surprises me someone as stressed about these reckless morons would choose to go INTO the clan.
Is there a specific process cats have to go through to join another clan? Can they just show up one day and declare they live here now? Is there anything they must promise or accomplish first? Could a leader reject someone joining their clan? Like, personal ones, such as one cat stalking another by trying to join, or escaping punishment in their home clan, or broader ones, such as the clan being way too big or not enough food to go around? Or could a leader just be like, nah I don’t like that guys vibes
In Driftpaw’s case, he did not join Oceanclan entirely by his own volition. His mother, Herringflash, moved to the clan when her sons (Driftpaw and Marshpaw) were almost apprentice age and naturally took her kits with her. She needed a change and some sort of reset in her life after her pregnancy, and somewhat impulsively looked to join Oceanclan in order to fulfill that need. Marshpaw enjoys his place in the clan, and though Driftpaw has the option to leave if he wanted to, he’s hesitant to leave his family members in a place he considers dangerous. He also feels somewhat obligated to the cats of Oceanclan, considering they only have a single fully trained doctor, and he genuinely wants to help despite his complete bafflement at their lifestyle.
As for the process for joining clans, this is one with no set rules that differs by clans and by leaders. Putting the rest of this answer under the cut since it gets sort of long:
Oceanclan is usually the most picky, and is unlikely to accept cats on a whim without sufficient proof they can “pull their weight”. Regarding Herringflash—a strong denizen who’s still relatively young, and who would be bringing new blood with her—her acceptance was an easy decision for Sandstar.
Iceclan is another clan which does not see many denizens switching into its ranks. This is less due to selectivity, and more because most cats don’t find Iceclan a particularly appealing place to live. Iceclan is in a geographically isolated place, and in a generally inhospitable environment compared to the other clans. Along with this, it would be difficult for a new denizen to settle comfortably into the clan socially, due to the fact that the clan considers itself a close family, and takes some time to warm up to outsiders. However, Iceclan does see many elders from other clans move into its ranks, particularly ones who feel their lives are reaching a near end. Since the clans’ main burial ground is located within the Iceclan tunnels, it is common for elders to live the end of their lives among Iceclan, so they would not have to be moved up the mountain when their time comes.
As for Brookclan and Stoneclan, they are by far the clans with the most switching between them. While in the other clans, new transfers are generally rare, it is practically a monthly occurrence for these two clans. Brookclan and Stoneclan are very close clans both geographically and relationally, and tend to work together often. If Stoneclan happens to deal with a sudden outbreak of illness, Brookclan cats may be sent to live with them and aid their denizens while they recover. If Brookclan finds that a family of difficult porcupines has moved in near camp, Stoneclan cats may be sent over to help strategize a plan. Cats may change between these clans yearly just for a change of scenery, or to spend time with family members or friends that may be spread between the clans. There is very little formal process for switching here, and though a cat may usually throw a heads-up to their clanmates and leader about switching, a sudden switch without warning would not necessarily be turned away, though not without confusion.
As for the scenarios you brought up, that would be entirely situational, and usually may involve discussion among the clans’ leaders and deputies if there happened to be a personal conflict. However, since the whole switching process lacks any sort of official guidelines, really anything goes, which does allow for cases such as petty leaders, though there may be social consequences for that leader.
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