New-claw

New-claws are cats in the Colonies training to become Rangers.

Description
New-claws train to become Rangers under their mentors, cats who have been assigned to them by their Colony's Captain. After kittenhood, cats enter Base Training, which is succeeded by Field Training. Once they complete a proper assessment of their training, they are made a Ranger. Their names are the same as their kitten names, a single word without a suffix, though once they become Rangers they gain a prefix or suffix

During the course of new-claw training, new-claws will experience assessments handled on the day of the full moon so the Spirits Beyond may see and deliver their approval. This also goes for their assessment to become a Ranger.

New-claws are taught by the cats of their Colony. The priority in which cats are assigned new-claws tends to go in the order of mentors-in-training and mentors, then newly-made Rangers, then to other Rangers. Newly-made Rangers are assigned to the next new-claw after them, and all Rangers will train at least one new-claw during their service to the Colony. All training and assessments are overseen by mentors, Rangers who have specifically trained to be teachers and trainers of the next generation and have multiple new-claws under their care.

Base Training
New-claws will first experience Base Training. Not many further details are known about Base Training, but it is implied that cats in Base Training are taught in preparation for Field Training, learning the basic skills needed in their Colony.

The different Colonies have different Base Training periods. Oak Colony begins Base Training at 2 months, having the longest Base Training periods (4 months) due to their rocky territory; new-claws in Base Training are drilled on balance so they can effectively navigate cliffs and tree branches of their territory.

River Colony's original Base Training began at 3 months, but Rainfall pushed the age back to 2 months - not impossible, but far riskier than most parents are comfortable with. During Base Training, new-claws learn how to swim. Mentors and Rangers have been put in charge of this learning process, though new-claws have still been swept away as a result.

Field Colony Base Training begins at 4 months, making them considered "late bloomers" compared to the other Colonies. During Base Training, new-claws also learn basic medical skills from the Field Colony herbalist. This is so Rangers can help Field Colony herbalists keep up their herb store and locate herbs on their patrols.

Marsh Colony Base Training and Field Training both begin at 3 months. This is so new-claws are more prepared to navigate the marsh and wetland areas at night.

Field Training
After Base Training, new-claws move on to Field Training. Not many further details are known about Field Training. It is implied that new-claws in Field Training take up a more active role in their training, learning skills such as hunting and fighting rather than the basic skills needed in their Colony.

Similarly to Base Training, the Colonies have varying Field Training periods. Oak Colony new-claws enter Field Training at 6 months of age; River Colony new-claws enter Field Training at 6 months - though Rainfall has pushed this age back to 4 months; Field Colony new-claws enter Field Training at 7 months, and Marsh Colony's Field Training age is 3 months, the same as Base Training.

Unbounds
If approved by the Council, Unbound cats can join the Colony, becoming new-claws no matter their age. Upon finishing their new-claw training, the Unbound cat can choose to participate in the Sundown Challenge. If they pass, on the next full moon, they become a Ranger; if they fail, they are exiled from Alliance territory.

Trivia

 * New-claw cat age is about equivalent to a teenager in human years.
 * New-claws are similar to apprentices from the Warriors series.