We have master categories that we would like to use for other categories to inherit. These categories are UNPUBLISHED. Regardless, whether or not they are published, when using them as a category to inherit settings, the setting do not seem to take effect on the category item or the items themselves, though everything is set to inherit.

1. Can a category that is unpublished pass it's settings to another category set to inherit its settings?
2. Can a category inherit settings from a category that has its settings inherited?
3. Why would I not be able to get the settings for the item to be affected from a category which inherits its settings from another category?

1. It is better to have a published one with no items for this.
2. You need to set the original category in the inheritance setting.
3. Once one category inherits its settings from another one, then the 'master' category's settings are always respected.