Warrior cats revolves around the lives of feral cats that are organized into groups called 'Clans'. Each Clan has it's own territory, prefered diet, hunting techniques, and battle stratigies that make them unique. There are 4 living clans in the first series known as: ThunderClan, WindClan, ShadowClan, and RiverClan. In the 6th series, Skyclan joins them. In the first 2 series (plus Dawn Of The Clans), the four clans reside in a forested territory with differet terrain and features that accomadates each clan. In the second series through now, the clans reside around a large lake with similar features to the forest, but with the addition of Skyclan. Every Clan worships their warrior ancestors, known as StarClan. StarClan sends signs and omens, as well as occasionally appearing in a physical form. There are many other groups that are outside the clans, including (in order of appearance): Kittypets(housecats), Loners, Rouges, Bloodclan, The Tribe of Rushing Water, The Tribe of Endless Hunting, The Sisters, The Healer Cats Stormclan, and The Wildcats, though the majority are introduced far into the series.

Left: map of the Forest Territories; Right: map of the Lake Territories

Every clan is organized into a hierarchy. The ranks from highest to lowest are: Leaders, deputies, Senior Warrior/Senior Medicine Cat, Warrior/Medicine Cat, Apprentice, and kit. There are other ranskt that don't fit in, including Queens and Elders. Your rank depends on your age and/or the leader's descisions.

Leaders After the previous dies, retires, or loses their final life, the current deputy becomes leader. Leaders have nine lives from StarClan. When they recieve a life-ending injury or illness, they lose a life. They are in charge of their clan. Leaders' names end with -star. (example: Irisstar)

Deputies Deputies are in Second Command of their clans. Deputies are appointed by their leaders. Deputies do more mundane leadership duties, support their leader, and repersent their clan when the leader is unable to. Deputies have no special name or extra lives.

Warriors Warriors make up the vast majority of the clan. Their duties are to hunt, protect their clan, and maintain the camp. All warrior apprentices recieve their warrior name after passing their assesment; they are usually one year old. Warrior names are assigned by the clan leader, and can be anything not ending in -kit, -paw, or -star. (example: Irismask)

Medicine Cats/Medicine Cat Apprentices Medicine cats are the healers of the clans. They utilize herbs and other methods to treat injury and illness. They have the strongest connection to StarClan within the clans. Medicine cats are responsible for sharing dreams with starClan, interpreting signs/omens, and supporting their leaders. Every half moon, Medicine cats and their apprentices travel to the Moonstone/Moonpool (dependent on the location) to share dreams with StarClan. Their naming is the same was warriors. Medicine cats are forbidden from having mates or kits.

Apprentices Apprentices are Warriors-in-training. They are assigned a mentor who teaches them about the warrior code, hunting, and fighting. When a kit is six moons (6 months) old, their leader assigns them a mentor and their name gets changed to -paw. (example: Irispaw)

Kits Kits are young cats anywhere from birth to six moons old. Their mother (or father) name them with the ending of -kit (example: Iriskit). They have no responsibilites and must stay in the nursery. The elders and other warriors tell them stories of the clans and they play games to prepare them for apprentiship.

Queens Queens are expectent or nursing mothers. They reside in the nursery until their kits are weaned and/or six moons old. A queen can be any female warrior, regardless of age or status (except medicine cats). Queens retain their warrior names.

Elders Elders are older members of the clan who decided to retire from being a warrior, medicine cat, deputy, or leader. They live in the Elder's den and have no duties. They like to tell stories about the clans to kits. Their name (other than leaders) does not change.