──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────clan population: 23 | next starclan visit: may 15th (today) | servings: 05 | mod: katrione | pebbles: 65 | previous: x | archive: x ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────"Everyone," Sparrowstar announced from atop Tall Stones, doing his absolute best not to tear up with pride. "We're gathered here today for a very special occasion." Below him, one tiny black tom and his taller grey sister stared up at him with wide eyes and ecstatic grins. He cleared his throat, continuing. "Thistlekit, Ravenkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and you are more than ready to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior names, you will be known as Thistlepaw and Ravenpaw, respectively. Thistlepaw, your mentor will be Cricketpounce. He is brave and loyal, and I know he will be able to not only match your enthusiasm and curiosity, but also to guide you well on your path to becoming a true warrior." Cricketpounce grinned, rising to his feet and making his way over to Thistlepaw, tapping noses with her cheerfully.
Sparrowstar turned to the next young cat, who was waiting with bated breath. "Ravenpaw, your mentor will be Briarmask," he said, and watched as the young tom's face lit up at the thought of being trained by his deputy. "She is diligent and calm, and I have no doubts that she will pass on everything you need to know to become just as skilled and wise a warrior as she is." Briarmask started, staring at Sparrowstar with unconcealed shock. But the confusion gave way to flattery, and Briarmask was already smiling calmly as she walked towards Ravenpaw and pressed a gentle nose to his. The cats of SpruceClan raised their voices, cheering for their newest apprentices and lifting their new names to the stars.
"Thistlepaw! Ravenpaw! Thistlepaw! Ravenpaw! Thistlepaw! Ravenpaw!"
The siblings both preened, looking to their mother for a nod of encouragement. Ravenpaw in particular looked almost smug, to have been chosen as the deputy's apprentice. Thistlepaw, though, was vibrating with excitement. "I won't let you down," she vowed fiercely, green eyes gleaming. "I'll be the best apprentice ever, promise!" Cricketpounce just ruffled her fur fondly with a paw.
"I don't doubt it. Hey, why don't you two go talk to the other apprentices?" he suggested, gesturing to the three figures waiting by the cave's entrance. "Briarmask and I will take you two on a tour of the territory in a little bit, but I think they want to meet you two first." The large black-and-white tom followed after the tabby she-cat as she headed off to chat with other SpruceClan warriors, and Thistlepaw turned to see the apprentices in question.
Ravenpaw stuck to her side as a lanky white flamepoint, sturdy solid black, and grey tabby trotted up to them, each one staring at them with quiet interest. The tabby with icy blue eyes was the first to speak. "Hi, you two!" she greeted, flashing a fanged grin. "Congratulations on becoming 'paws, by the way! I'm Cherrypaw." She flicked a tail in the direction of the two toms flanking her. "And these two are Mintpaw and Goldenpaw. It's nice to meet'cha!"
Though Thistlepaw had always been the chattier one of the pair, she found herself at a loss for words. For some reason, her mouth had gone dry at the sight of the tabby. After a brief pause, It was the slightly-concerned Ravenpaw who spoke up instead. "Hi, guys," he mewed, offering his best charming smile. "Nice to meet you all." Goldenpaw laughed a little, shouldering past his friend to get a closer look at the new apprentices.
"Hi yourself, Ravenpaw," he said airily, before looking to Thistlepaw with a hint of sympathy. "We're not scary," he said. "Did you know that Mintpaw snores like crazy, and Cherrypaw refuses to eat mice? Also, I'm told I sound like a bluejay when I have a cold."
"Ssss-shut up," Mintpaw groused, shouldering the smaller tom. "Don't tell them our sssecrets."
"We'll show you to the dens, 'kay?" Goldenpaw chirped, completely ignoring Mintpaw's protest. "Come on, this way! We made you guys nests and everything." He beckoned them with a tail, before trotting off towards the tunnel in question. Ravenpaw and Mintpaw followed closely behind him, but not before Ravenpaw looked back and shot his sister an encouraging look. The two she-cats remaining looked to one another, and Thistlepaw managed an uncharacteristically shy smile.
"You really lucked out on your mentor," Cherrypaw whispered, winking playfully. "Cricketpounce's a softie, but he's a really good warrior, too. I would know, I've seen him bowl Sparrowstar over in our sparring practices!"
"Awesome," Thistlepaw squeaked out. "I'm Thistlepaw. By the way."
"I heard," the other apprentice said, giggling. "Come on, Thistlepaw. Let's go catch up with the boys." The tabby flashed another grin, before turning tail and trotting off in the direction the other apprentices had gone. Thistlepaw nodded sharply, before scampering along behind the older apprentice, an unusually light, giddy feeling in her chest.
---
Briarmask tried to ignore the lump in her throat as she watched Hailsplash from the corner of her eye. They were sitting less than a paw's length apart, and the urge to just sweep her tail a little bit to the right to brush against his own silver one was very, very strong. Hailsplash's gaze was trained on the water before them, sighing quietly as Coffeekit paddled around in the shallow part of the underground river. "She'll be an apprentice next moon," he said suddenly, a strange look on his face as he turned to look at Briarmask. "Is it weird for me to feel a little sad?"
"No, not at all," she murmured. "She's your daughter. You'll miss not getting to see her every day, and not getting to be there for every step of the way as she grows and matures. But you'll get over it, knowing that at the end of the day, you've done your part in raising a good cat." As she spoke, her eyes drifted towards the nursery. Hailsplash caught her staring, and moved her head away with a gentle paw. She offered an apologetic smile, but it was bittersweet. The silver tabby looked at her with those sad eyes, patting her flank comfortingly.
There was the sound of water droplets hitting stone, and both warriors turned to see a soaking-wet Coffeekit shaking the water from her fur. She bounded up to them cheerfully, nearly stumbling on legs that were growing faster than she could adjust to, and barreling into her dad's chest. Briarmask was struck with a sudden wave of affection for the kit and father pair, and that was dangerous. "I can't stay long, Cricket and I are supposed to give our apprentices tours of the territory in a little bit," she blurted, standing up suddenly. Hailsplash couldn't stop his disappointed frown, and even Coffeekit looked upset to see her go, little nose wrinkling.
"Aww, really?" she whined, flopping across the older tabby's feet. "But Papa and I want you to stay. Won't you stay? I'm practicing my pounce for when I become an apprentice next moon!" A smile slipped past the deputy's stern facade, but one guilty, longing look towards the nursery (where a tiny tabby was frolicking with Nightfang) wiped it from her face.
"I'm sorry, kiddo," she said, kneeling to lick flat a patch of ruffled fur on Coffeekit's forehead and ignoring the urge to stay. "I'll be back tonight, but I have to do my job first."
"Fine," Coffeekit huffed, leering at Briarmask with indignance. Her tiny pout settled into a determined scowl as the gangly kit stomped up to the deputy's side and lifted her chin. "But you'd better come back later. You're the deputy, Mom— um, Briarmask. You know what a proper pounce should look like. I have to make sure I'm ready!"
Hailsplash appeared by his daughter's side in a flash of silver. Those two-toned eyes glittered. "See you tonight?" Hail asked, hope in his voice as he stepped closer to her. Briarmask nodded, careful not to meet his eyes before she slipped away. She wanted fiercely, and by now, she knew the consequences of wanting.
---
Cricketpounce had barely made it back to camp after taking Thistlepaw around the territory, and had only just curled up for an afternoon nap when a terrified Ramsey ran into the den after him, chest heaving. "Cricket," the munchkin gasped, shaking from head to toe. "Cricket, help me, I gotta hide myself, I can't let 'em see me."
"Huh?" Cricketpounce managed, begrudgingly getting back to his feet as the smaller cat slipped behind him for protection. Already, he was lamenting the loss of soft moss and some shut-eye. "What's the matter?"
"It's Micah!" Ramsey hissed, all his fur on end. "I don't know how much you were listenin' to, my first day here, but I ran away from that barn to get away from him and his mate, and now they're both here!" Sure enough, a handsome tom and his equally-lovely mate were speaking in hushed whispers with Sparrowstar in the clearing. Even from the mouth of the warrior's den, he could pick up the scent of flame and ash on their fur, and their body language reeked of stress and exhaustion.
"Should I get Smokestep?" Cricketpounce offered, eyes softening as Ramsey leaned against him for comfort. The trembling slowed. "He knows them, right? He could distract them for a bit, if you need."
"No need," he muttered, still shivering a bit. "He's the one who told me they were here. Apparently the barn burned down in an accident and they needed a place to stay so Rosie can have her kits, an' then they'll leave. I hope." At Cricketpounce's skeptical look, Ramsey groaned. "They're joinin' the clan, aren't they? I swear, this is just my luck... I run away to get over that stupid cat, to leave the barn life behind, and then he follows me here."
"Sorry," Cricketpounce said, not really sure what else to say. "Wish I could help."
"S'fine," Ramsey said, sighing as he settled down in the now-empty nest and laid his head on his paws. "You already are helpin'. Just... stay here with me for a minute, alright?"
Cricketpounce nodded, laying down in the nest and wrapping his tail around the smaller cat. "Of course."
---
His paws sank into the wet marsh-grass and earth, nearly ankle-deep. This was some kind of ethereal forest, but it was not StarClan's grounds. Of that, he was certain. From the shadows, a monster stepped into view. The giant, thick-furred cat's coat was littered with scars, some thin and pale, others raised and gnarled from deeper wounds. His rumbling laughter was powerful enough to make the fractured earth shake. A small tabby kit stared up at him with wide eyes, trembling. Still smirking, fangs glinting as they caught a stray beam of light, the cat swept the kit along with a tail. Another figure, significantly smaller, followed after the unusual pair, their ears twitching. The scene changed suddenly, and it was no longer dead leaves and soggy grass beneath his feet, but cold stone. The kit— grown now, mostly— stalked forwards, something unspeakable burning in his eyes. A different young cat stood before the tabby, winds whipping and ruffling thin fur. The other cat didn't seem to be paying attention, just enjoying the nice weather and mountainside view. The tabby's claws unsheathed, and behind him, a transparent figure grinned. Another shift, and all he could see was blood. Bodies scattered around the clearing, legions of cats snarling and doing their best to hold off the droves of shadowy figures. The big cat and his small companion leading the charge, howling with rage, and the tabby weaving around desperately, shrieking in terror and striking out at the ghosts. He stood before a frightened golden figure protectively, desperately, and then there was a bite to his throat. Thick, choking copper blood, clogging his nostrils and burning in his gut and no, no, no—!
Tallthorn jolted awake, shaking violently. Wild eyes scanned the den, but there weren't any shadows in places they shouldn't be, no glittering traces of ghosts walking nearby. To his left, Cricketpounce and Ramsey were still curled up, snoring softly. He was hardly aware of his own body as he stood on trembling legs. That hour-long vision had been the most sleep he'd had in ages. "Fox-dung," Tallthorn choked out, careful not to disturb his sleeping denmates as he slipped out of his nest and out of the caves. "I've got to tell Applefall," he babbled listlessly. "This is bad, this is very bad."
"You'll do no such thing," a stern voice hissed in his ear. It was Marshstar, in all her dead glory, ghostly footsteps behind him and the weight of her presence grounding him in a way. Tallthorn just shuddered, leaning against the rock face outside the cave. She spoke again. "Thorn, listen to me. Deep breaths." When he found it in himself to speak again, his words were not those of gratitude.
"Leave me alone," he growled, still not opening his eyes to look at the old SpruceClan leader. "I don't want your pity for the side effects of a curse you caused. And besides, you have to know by now that your past mistakes will be your downfall. If he's really still angry, if he's really willing to use an innocent kit as a weapon, then things are even worse than I'd feared."
Tallthorn didn't have to look to know that Marshstar's face had probably twisted into a furious grimace, her transparent fur likely on end. In the few moons he'd known her, he'd quickly come to know the extent of her short temper. "It is a rare and wonderful gift StarClan has given you," she said, voice carefully level as she refused to acknowledge his fears. "I know many that would kill to have your prophetic sight."
"Well, no thanks for that," he snapped back at her. "For StarClan's sake, bother Applefall about your stupid prophecies and ghost drama! It's literally the clan healer's job to interpret your signs. Maybe even let me sleep for half a minute without stopping by with another omen!"
Marshstar bared her own fangs, starry eyes flashing. "That's enough, Thorn. Applefall cannot be told yet. You know this. He is too... volatile, too likely to interfere with what is written in the stars. It puts him in too much danger."
Tallthorn turned to face her this time, absolutely seething. "And I'm not?" he snarled, with more raw anger than he'd felt in ages. He wasn't proud of how his voice wavered, cracking in his fury. "You think I'm some kind of unfeeling monster, or— or that I'm expendable?"
Marshstar just stared, shoulders slumped and expression weary. It was the first time she'd looked at him with something other than annoyance— pity. "I know you didn't ask for this," she said at last, "but you're stuck with it, whether you like it or not." She turned to look towards the nursery, where Badgerkit was eagerly leaping at moss balls that a delighted Rosie tossed his way. "He doesn't deserve what's going to happen to him, either. So keep an eye on the little one, won't you?"
Tallthorn, feeling drained, just nodded as he laid down with his head on his paws, watching the small tabby tom hop about without the faintest clue as to his real parentage. SpruceClan's old leader just pressed her nose to the prophet's forehead in quiet sympathy. Neither cat deserved what had been written for them. "Sleep," Marshstar told him, and so Tallthorn did.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ACTIONS
SpruceClan consumes 1 snow hare and 1 ermine
StarClan
[ Sparrowstar asks StarClan for a warrior ]
Rank Changes & Newcomers
[ Rosie and Micah are welcomed to SpruceClan ]
[ Ravenkit and Thistlekit become apprentices! Their new names are Ravenpaw and Thistlepaw ]
Patrols
[ Cricketpounce, Cardinaltail, Ramsey, and Thistlepaw hunt ]
[ Smokestep, Micah, Hailsplash, and Goldenpaw hunt ]
[ Briarmask, Heathersong, Ravenpaw, and Cherrypaw hunt ]
[ Sparrowstar, Greycloud, Tallthorn, and Mintpaw patrol ]
[ Applefall and Ivyblossom search for kitting herbs ]
Apprentice & Skills
[ Cricketpounce becomes Thistlepaw's mentor ]
[ Briarmask becomes Ravenpaw's mentor ]
[ Smokestep and Goldenpaw train in climbing ]
[ Heathersong and Cherrypaw train in swimming ]
[ Sparrowstar and Mintpaw train in hunting ]
Kitting & Healing
[ Nightfang is due in one moon ]
[ Rosie is due in two moons ]
[ Bertha's kits will arrive in two moons ]
[ Applefall practices his skills ]
MOD NOTES
* Please do not kill any cats marked with a ☾ symbol.
* Unmarked cats may be rolled for injuries or illness, but not death (yet).
* Can Ravenpaw stay on apprentice lines?
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────LEADER
Sparrowstar | 46 moons | male | x
Lives: ★★★★★★★★★
DEPUTY
Briarmask | 36 moons | female | x
HEALER
Applefall | 41 moons | male | x
Skill Points: ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿
WARRIORS
Cricketpounce | 41 moons | male | x
☾ Smokestep | 32 moons | male | x
☾ Heathersong | 44 moons | female | x
☾ Tallthorn | 29 moons | male | x
Greycloud | 34 moons | female | x
Hailsplash | 33 moons | male | x
☾ Ivyblossom | 16 moons | female | x
Cardinaltail | 15 moons | male | x
Ramsey (Beartooth) | 46 moons | male | x
Micah (Bramblescratch) | 42 moons | male | x
APPRENTICES
Goldenpaw | 9 moons | male | x
Cherrypaw | 9 moons | female | x
☾ Mintpaw | 8 moons | male | x, x
☾ Ravenpaw | 6 moons | male | x
Thistlepaw | 6 moons | female | x
QUEENS
☾ Nightfang | 33 moons | female | x
Rosie (Roselight) | 39 moons | female | x
KITS
☾ Honeykit | 5 moons | female | x
Coffeekit | 5 moons | female (amab) | x
☾ Badgerkit | 2 moons | male | x
ELDERS
Name | Age | Gender | [url=link]x[/url]
Name | Age | Gender | [url=link]x[/url]
HERB STORAGE
Alder Bark (1) | toothache
Beech Leaf (1) | soothes scratches, sore paws
Bindweed (1) | sets broken bones
Blackberry Leaf (1) | bee stings
Borage (1) | eases fever, produces more milk
Bright-eye (1) | coughing
Broom (1) | broken bones
Catmint (2) | cures greencough & whitecough
Chervil (1) | bellyache, infection, kitting
Cobweb (0) | binds a wound, stops bleeding
Fennel (2) | eases pains
Goldenrod (1) | chewed into poultice for wounds
Honey (1) | infections, sore or damaged throat
Horsetail (1) | infection, stops bleeding
Marigold (1) | infection, inflammation, stiff joints
Ragwort (1) | kitting pains, joint pain
Raspberry Leaf (1) | kitting
Yarrow (1) | extracts poison or toxins
FRESH-KILL PILE
Snow Hare | x 2 | 3 servings
Bird | x 1 | 3 servings
Small Fish | x 2 | 2 servings
Ermine | x 0 | 2 servings
Frog | x 3 | 1 servings
Mouse | x 3 | 1 servings
MENTORS
Smokestep | Goldenpaw | hunt, swim, climb, battle
Heathersong | Cherrypaw | hunt, swim, climb, battle
Sparrowstar | Mintpaw | hunt, swim, climb, battle
Cricketpounce | Thistlepaw | hunt, swim, climb, battle
Briarmask | Ravenpaw | hunt, swim, climb, battle
DECEASED CATS
Cat Name | Cause of Death
Cat Name | Cause of Death
![]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/691795330991259778/706959392246857729/Briarmask_kit1.png){kind=link}
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