The Meiyo Clan
"Meiyo" means honor in Japanese

About: The Meiyo Clan is a group based on honor, pride, combat, dignity, and secrecy. It was created by Fang, a Japanese speaking dog, who valued her language and descent. But in the caves, she knows it as The Language of Honor. The clan is open to all, but only creatures who know The Language of Honor can get a leg up in this clan. Why? Well, it's just how it is here. In this clan, creatures who speak the language of Honor are considered nobles here. Though those who are hatched knowing The Language of Honor are favored, others are free to learn The Language of Honor in full in order to be favored as well. This clan is serious on its traditions, ways, and customs. If there is one thing this clan should despise most, is weakness. It is not wise to test or push the clan, as they are not afraid to strike at any time.

Ranks
The Clan Leader: This rank can be taken by either a male or female. The Clan Leader is someone fit to be leader, but they should have two qualities. They must be wise and strong. As long as they have these two qualities, the clan leader can be anyone. But there is a size limit to holding this rank. It should be a large creature, like a lion, dog, bear, or even a horse. Something like a rat, mouse, or rabbit, will never be accepted into this position. This position must be held by a creature who speaks The Language of Honor.

Majestic Lord: The creature who holds this position, is second in command. The Majestic Lord enforces the ways of the clan, and the Clan Leader. This creature also oversees all that happens in the clan, especially when the leader is not around. When the leader does not feel like speaking, it is up to the Majestic Lord to speak in the leader's place. This position must be held by a creature who speaks The Language of Honor

Priest/Priestess: This creature holds upholds the faith of the clan. The most important job though, is to hold the stones of those who died, and to look over the developing chrysalises of the clan to make sure the children are born into the clan safely. The deal with the magical force of those who passed, and those to come into the caves. Any creature can hold this position, but a creature who speaks The Language of Honor is favored. The magical life force and life filled stones, are their priority.

Noble Families: The noble families are families within the clan, who are considered nobles in the clan. These are made up of creatures who speak The Language of Honor. They are the trusted, and since their tongue is of The Language of Honor, they are well paid attention to. They have a say in the clan's matters, and have high prestige. The ones in these families are free to hold any rank in addition to being in the noble families.

Two paths: The above listed are high ranks. But in the middle tier, there are two paths to follow, paths that Fang, the first clan leader, came up with specifically on her own. The path of the Shadow Strikers, and the path of the Noble Warriors

Shadow Strikers: These creatures don't hold darkness in their hearts, but they live in darkness. Assassinations are common with this rank, and they are trained to be quick in their movements. They are never to stop, until a mission is completed. They are also trained to swear to complete secrecy, and to not reveal anything without the consent of the clan leader. They must obey any order, no matter how awful the command. Despite the hardship, being a Shadow Striker is very rewarding.

Excelled Shadow Strikers: These creatures are fully fledged Shadow Strikers, who carry out tasks provided by their superiors. They are considered to be the best of their path, and will fight to protect the clan in darkness.

Trained Shadow Strikers: These are Shadow Strikers in training. Be warned that those in this rank, go through tough and harsh training. This is not an easy rank to graduate from.

Noble Warriors: These are warriors of honor, and they defend the clan in the light. They are the guards, the usual ones on the front lines for the clan's defense. Noble Warriors will never stop fighting until they die. They are trained to simply protect the clan, unlike Shadow Strikers who carry out horrible commands and protect the clan in darkness at the same time. Nobles Warriors are trained to use swords, unlike Shadow Strikers.

Full-fledged Noble Warriors: These are creatures who are recognized are full warriors in the clan. They guard the borders of their land, and call when summoned to battle of war

Trained Noble Warriors: These are simply Noble Warriors in training.

Other ranks below all others:
Blacksmith: Those who find old weapons and restore them to their former glory. They also are able to make new weapons from scratch. This may be a lower rank, but those in this rank are greatly appreciated, favored even.
Healers: Those who help to heal the injured in the clan.
Diplomats: Those who help others interested in joining, understand the clan.
Gatherers: Those who gather food for the herbivores and carnivores in the clan.
Researchers: Those who reveal and unravel the history of the caves. Those in this rank must strictly report all they find to the Clan Leader.



The Clan Creed
-Never compromise your honor or your pride for anything.
-Combat is a way of life, get used to it.
-Weakness is taboo, and looked down upon in the clan.
-Creatures who speak The Language of Honor are held above all others. That's just the way it is.
-Obey your superiors.
-Show your strength, don't hold back.
-Fulfill your duties, or bring shame upon your name
-Never give up, never fall down.
-Children must pick their profession by 2 cycles.
-Other creatures may marry into the noble families, but creatures who speak The Language of Honor must still be within the noble family.
-The masters of the caves must be obeyed. Don't do anything that will bring conflict with them.
-Do not reveal important clan information to Outsiders.
-Your name is your badge, wear it well
-Represent your clan well, especially if you are a member of one of the noble families
-You are an adult at four cycles, act like it.

Rank Roster
The Clan Leader: Fang

Majestic Lord:

Priest/Priestess:

Noble Families:
The Fang Family (Members)- Fang

Excelled Shadow Strikers:

Trained Shadow Strikers:

Full-fledged Noble Warriors:

Trained Noble Warriors:

Blacksmith:

Healers:

Diplomats:

Gatherers:

Researchers:

Customs

Feast of Bounty: This is a feast for the clan to celebrate its strength as a whole and unit. Other groups in the cave are welcome to join in this feast as well. This event will consist of all different types of fresh meat of lesser gembounds, fruits, and an abundance of tasty leaves for herbivores. Since the territory is in Pisces, water is abundant and is free to drink from. The leaders will have their separate place from everyone else, and will discuss relations between their groups, as well as other important business.

Redemption in Death: Traitors are not tolerated within the clan. But those who get the title of traitor, there is only one way to redeem oneself, and that is in death. They will be executed in front of the entire clan, and it is up to the clan leader and the Majestic Lord to decide whether or not their stone will be revived. If the traitor is one of the noble families, their transgression may be overlooked. But, multiple offenses from that family, will result in them falling out of favor and banished. Or at worst, the entire noble family being executed, which is not rare.

The Passing of Leadership: When a new Clan Leader is chosen and ready to take their position, the Majestic Lord will announce the decision to the entire clan. Though this decision is made in advance by the previous clan leader. The only way for a new clan leader to take charge, is when the previous clan leader has absolutely died. So this does not mean reverting to their chrysalis, but, their stone severed from their body with no chance of coming back.

Meeting of Rank Succession: These are simple meetings to state simple rank changes. Such as a new noble family made, one becoming a member of a noble family, a trainee becoming a Shadow Striker or Noble Warrior, a new Majestic Lord, simple things like this. These meetings are short and simple, but everyone is still required to attend.

Fight of Ikari: Ikari means "anger" in The Language of Honor. This is a fight between two creatures who have deep anger or hatred for one another in the clan, even a deep disagreement. They duke it out in a fight that nobody can stop, not even The Clan Leader. The leader can start the fight, but they cannot stop it. The fight goes on until one submits, or is reverted to the chrysalis. After the fight is over, the dispute is considered resolved, and as a bonus, the winner may even get an incentive from the leader. The Clan Leader, the Majestic Lord and Priest/Priestess are the only ones who cannot participate in this custom.

Territory: Pisces at The Waterfall
Colors: Red and Gray