Toyhouse

Description

Deputies are second in command of a Clan.^[1] A deputy is chosen by the leader to be their successor.^[4] Deputies sleep in the warriors' den; they do not have their own den like leaders do.^[5] Deputies are responsible for organizing daily patrols for the Clan, such as hunting patrols and border patrols.^[6] If a Clan leader is unable to lead a Clan temporarily due to sickness, being away from the Clan, etc., then the deputy would take over for that time.^[3] If a deputy is sick or injured, then a warrior will temporarily take their place,^[7] or senior warriors will distribute the tasks among themselves. If the leader dies, the deputy would travel to Moonstone, or Moonpool with the medicine cat to share tongues with StarClan and receive their nine lives. If a deputy dies, the leader must appoint a new deputy before moonhigh.^[4] The deputy will still keep their warrior name, at least until they become leader.

Qualifications

Must be a warrior.^[4]
Trained at least one apprentice (part of the warrior code).^[8]
Must be chosen by the Clan leader.^[4]

Appointment

The leader of a Clan must decide on a new deputy before moonhigh^[4] on the night that the previous deputy has died, retired, been banished, or become leader, and also must state their name before the body of the old deputy (if the previous deputy was deceased - if not, they say the new deputy's name before StarClan) so the spirit of the old deputy or other regular spirits will hear and approve of the leader's choice of the new deputy.^[4] One exception to this rule is Fireheart, as Bluestar did not follow through with the ceremony right away, making him deputy after moonhigh. This lead to widespread rumors that Fireheart was unfit to be deputy.

When the leader dies or retires, the current deputy will become the new leader,^[2] unless a rebellion starts (like the one Mudclaw started) or the leader changes the deputy before death (Ex: Tallstar making Onewhisker deputy instead of Mudclaw, the current deputy).^[9]

A warrior may not become deputy unless they have mentored at least one apprentice.^[8] This is not always followed, as StarClan may give the leader or medicine cat an omen to choose a warrior who has not had an apprentice, such as Leafpool having a dream from StarClan that caused Firestar to appoint Bramblestar, although he had not ever been a mentor at the time.^[10] The main law's condition of being a mentor first was added to the warrior code after Acorntail of WindClan was appointed deputy under Featherstar. However, he was convinced he was the wrong cat and Featherstar suggested that he should mentor an apprentice to get used to giving orders and having authority. She later proposed this to add to the warrior code and the rest of the Clans gave their agreement.^[11]

Deputy ceremony

Usually, when a leader appoints a new deputy, it is because of the death of their previous deputy. If this is the case, this is how the ceremony words usually go:

Leader: "I say these words before the body of (name of former deputy), that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of (name of Clan) will be (warrior's name)!"^[4]

Retirement

A deputy can resign from their position if they wish to do so, for instance to retire as an elder (depending on age),^[12] or an injury that doesn't heal well (Ex: Tawnyspots of ThunderClan, who retired from constant bouts of sickness). They can also be deposed by the leader if considered unfit for the position.^[9] In either of the cases, a new deputy will be named before moonhigh. A deputy can also be banished (Ex: Tigerclaw, who was banished from ThunderClan after an attempt to take Bluestar's life).^[13]

Tasks

Tasks of a Clan deputy include:

Assisting the leader in their tasks; they are a sort of "apprentice leader".^[1]
Assigning border patrols, listening to their reports and assigning hunting patrols.^[6]
Organizing warrior trainings to keep up their skills (like Brambleclaw did in Twilight).^[14]
Making reports to the Clan leader.^[15]
Substituting for the Clan leader at Gatherings and in battles if they are unavailable (like Fireheart did for Bluestar after the fire that blazed through the forest in Rising Storm).^[16]
As a deputy is also a warrior, they are expected to carry out warrior tasks as well (patrolling, hunting, mentoring etc.). They do not have a den of their own, but sleep with the other warriors.^[5]