WinterClan is a clan based on bloodlines and purity. Add in the favor of the Sovereign and one can find a great position in the clan. For that, the caste system has shown through. It adds a label to what is already there, proving that blood really does matter more than anything, but loyalty helps your case too. 


There are four castes, or classes, one can find themselves in. Some are born in their caste and never move from it, while others move up the ranks to them or are demoted to them. How and where will you find yourself? And how do you move among them? The goal of the caste is to encourage purebloods and acceptable behavior among the can. The higher your caste the higher, assumingly, your loyalty is to the Blessed and clan itself. Thus points are given out.


Points are awarded in multiple ways and can also be taken away. (It's very similar in explanation to the House Points in Harry Potter, if that helps to explain things.) Essentially good behavior, clan favor, and more can earn you points while acting in the opposite will lose you them. Only someone of higher rank than you may take points from you, and in the case of the Seraph, Grace, and Tarnished Caste there must be a reason for the deduction of points. Anyone of equal or higher rank may give you points. Youths are born with points based on their bloodline and begin gaining them based on their character after that. There is a cap of only being able to take or give a maximum of 50 points at one time (ie you can't punish someone by taking more than that or reward them for something with more than the 50 max.) This can be overridden by the Sovereign who may give someone extra based on their role in a situation or the favor they gain from the Sovereign. Gaining a large number of points from the Sovereign though is not an easy feat. 


But how do you gain or lose points? In many ways. Below are a few listed ways. (And to get them and they count, you must reply in the link below)

Points can be taken for: (any possible mix but up to 50 points in one thread)
- Infractions or misbehavior
- Bad behavior
- Disgraceful behavior
- Breaking the Code of the Northern Lights
- Committing a crime such as stealing, lying, and more but are not severe enough to land you in prison automatically such as treason would
- etc.

Points can be gained by: (any possible mix but up to 50 points in one thread)
- Birth (your birth and how much WinterClan blood you have. See below)
- Earning favor with someone of equal or higher rank
- Glory in battle or in defense of the clan
- Good behavior
- Becoming a Blessed or Knight, or being a direct relative to a Blessed or Knight (ie sibling, parent, mate, parent, or child)
- Taking a pureblood mate
- Having kits
- etc.


Role Player information on point values for: (these ones are set in stone)
- Promotion to Blessed or Knight (Staff or roleplay position) - 150 points
- Direct relation to a Blessed or Knight (ie sibling, parent, mate, or kit ) - 100 point
- Take on a pureblood mate (not arranged for warriors, or was arranged as youth or students and set up by your parents) - 20 points
- Kitting threads - 15 points
- Take on a mate voluntarily (ie not an arranged one) - 10 points
- Promoted: youth to student, student to warrior, warrior to elder - 50 points
- Prisoner to full member - 50 points
- Participation in plots - 5 points
- Adding characters - see below, also known as your cat's baseline points

Note: Your cats can lose or gain additional points during a role play. Example: my cat Rowanstrike takes points from your cat during a thread for acting out and misbehaving. Meaning the cat involved in the thread/incident would lose whatever Rowanstrike takes or gain whatever he gives. So for the misbehavior in the example, he'd take say 20 points, and if your total (for this example) is 200, you're now down to 180 points for that cat. Think Harry Potter for a guide or reasons to lose or gain points! And think how your cat would give or take points, are they generous or stingy?


Adding Characters Points based on blood status 
- 100% WinterClan - 900 points
- 75% WinterClan - 500 points
- 50% WinterClan - 400 points
- 25% WinterClan - 100 points
- 0% WinterClan - 50 points







Seraph Caste [900+ points]
Those in this class are either pureblood or considered purebloods by their family history. One example of this is the Wintrystar family. They are not purebloods but are strong and have a high position in the clan. Another example is that of Roseshade and Brindlemist (before Roseshade became Witch) in which their family line leads them to be descendants of a past WinterClan leader. This is the highest caste in WinterClan and these cats benefit from it. They receive only the best in all areas of life. Blessed and Knights are commonly chosen from this caste.
Benefits:
- Best mentors
- Best arranged marriages; only to other purebloods or those of Seraph or Grace ranking
- Last to be asked to patrol or hunt
- Have the first pick on the best of prey
- Best den which is situated furthest into camp and lined with the warmest nest fixings. Their nesting equipment is collected for them by the students.
- Can take on a pet (aka a prisoner or Snow Kitty caste)
- Mothers in this rank are not required to personally raise their children and may place the task on a Grace or lower-ranking caste mother in the form of a governess or governor, or nursemaid. But a governor or governess is only available during the day, whereas a nursemaid completely cares for the children all day. Note, governors and governesses are asked to take on the role


Grace Caste [500-899 points]
They are the second-best caste in the clan and are seen with favor by many. Most students dream of having them as a mentor as they are known as being strong, faithful, and worthy in life. Warriors here are seen as the best, the strongest, and the most ideal. Prime examples of what a cat should strive to be and how they should act as a warrior are seen in the Grace caste. Here bloodlines still matter and are favored but the strong are also found in this caste. Most warriors are here, cats seen in good graces, with a bit of favor tossed at them for their loyalty and devotion to WinterClan. Anyone can get here, but only the best stay here. One example of this is Rowanstrike, a once outsider turned loyal WinterClan cat. He was a prisoner and has no WinterClan blood to help him, thus he had to work hard to prove his worth, strength, and devotion to WinterClan and gained favor with those of pure bloodlines and the Blessed. But this does not keep him in this position and he is very low in the position at that, barely making the requirements. Blessed and Knights can be chosen from this caste, but are not always the first choice or the likeliest.
Benefits:
- Reside in the den in the center of camp, halfway towards the clearing and halfway towards the entrance to camp. It is a neutral location, but warm enough for the cats here to be comfortable.
- Are given the second pick of prey and enough to satisfy them
- Have an easier time finding a mate or good match, not guaranteed a pureblood mate, but does get one of good standing
- Are required and expected to act the part of a perfect warrior that looks down on those lesser than them, as is the culture of WinterClan. This includes punishing them for even the most minor of infractions
- Female and Male warriors here can be governesses or governors for a Seraph caste Mother, teaching the children the culture and life of WinterClan and in some cases, parent depending, handle punishments. They only do this part-time, during the day hours, and are asked to take on the role by a Seraph caste parent or may volunteer for the role.
- Mothers can even have their children be tended to by a governor or governess if there is someone who volunteers for the position or offers it to them. They can not have a nursemaid of their own and can not ask for a governor or governess directly. 
- Can take on a pet, but is difficult to do as it must be approved by a Blessed of Knight
- Attend hunting and border patrols once a day
- May be punished by the Seraph for infractions they have committed


Tarnished Caste [200-499 points]
The tarnished are the middle-class cats, those who must work the hardest to benefit the clan. They are the true backbone of the clan, the worker bees if you will. Comprised mainly of outsiders and those of low WinterClan blood, these cats are the common cat. The warriors and students are strong and capable, but not likely to rise into a role like Knight or become a Blessed. It has happened, but it is an extremely rare thing to occur. Think of them as the average joe, the commoner, the basic warrior. Decent, but nowhere near the best. They have no favor in camp and are not purebloods (unless they are ones who have fallen this far) and thus struggle the most. Nonetheless, their life is good, and they still have hope to become better. Not all is lost on them yet. Though that does not mean they are the most respected and many here still struggle in life.
Benefits:
- Main hunters and patrol cats of the clan
- Last to get Students, only receive those of non-clan blood or equal low ranking
- Mothers are expected to care for their children and act as a nursemaid to a Seraph caste Mother's youths. They are not allowed to be governors or governess as they are seen as lesser and unworthy of such a role that teaches the values and culture of the clan and focuses on the passing of knowledge to youths.
- Most common and likely for an arranged marriage
- Last to eat and receive less to eat as well, but more prey than the Snow Kitty caste
- Their den is the second closest one to the entrance, leaving it chilly on most nights. They must collect their own nesting equipment and more often than not also that of the Grace caste.
- Must bow when approached or approaching someone of a higher caste than them
- May not take on a pet
- May receive punishments if they disgrace, dishonor, or do something that deserves such a thing by a Graced or Seraph caste member


Snow Kitty Caste [199-0 or even negative points]
These cats are the dishonored, disgraced, barely above being a prisoner, rats of the group. They are pets, not even gifted or called by their clan name once given a Master or released from prison. No Blessed have ever come from this group, but in the past, a Knight has fallen to here. Snowbunny is a Snow Kitty caste, ex-Knight of the Stars who fell greatly out of favor with the clan. He became a disgraced cat, and has not risen from it. This position is hard to leave, and very, very few ever will. It is a step above being a prisoner, but only be so much. They have a little more freedom but are weighed down by their tasks and chores that are thrust upon them. Snow Kitty caste cats are the most inferior of the castes, and many have fallen to their ranks or been born into them. Tread carefully least you join this caste. And lose hope of ever leaving it as any little infraction can aid in keeping you here.
Benefits:
- Given a pet name by their master or upon being released from prison. May have this name changed as often as the Master so desires. If given a warrior name, they can have that changed, once given as a pet to someone, to whatever that Master decides.
- Receive only scraps for food
- Are not encouraged to take mates, but if they do, said mate is not allowed to be someone of higher rank or one of half or more of WinterClan blood.
- Are on every patrol and hunting group (at least one of each a day, but maybe more depending on the demand)
- Their den is found between the prison and the Tarnished. They are closer to the cold than the Tarnished and expected to be the first line of defense if the camp is ever invaded for that reason. Luckily for them though, they are not right at the entrance like the prison is, and thus get some of the warmth from the hot spring in the center of camp warming the cavern.
- Handle most of the chores, especially as a Student learning the ways of a Warrior
- Receive punishment for any infraction a Seraph or Graced or even, on occasion, a Tarnished sees fit. 
- Must bow in the presence of everyone, especially low for those of Seraph caste or one of the Blessed
- Witch/Warlock and Pupil are not required to tend to them at all and are, in many cases, encourage not to waste precious herbs and healing crystals on them.
- Their Master can ask anything of them, even loaning them as practice dummies for the Students of higher ranking for training
- Are expected to perform their duties even when nursing kits, nor is anyone of any amount of WinterClan blood allowed to raise them except for other outsiders