#fennyield crafters

[strelles-universe]

Cats of the Shadowyield - Marrowfang

Name: Marrowfang

Meaning: White Furred with Biting Insults

Other Name(s): N/A

Identity: Cisgender Tom - He/Him

Orientation: Bisexual - No Leaning

Rank: Crafter

Former Rank(s): 

A surprisingly slightly lanky brown van pattered tom with ice blue eyes and slightly overgrown canines that poke out of his mouth. He’s reasonably thick coated albeit with a waterproof sheen of oil marking his status as a Shadowyield cat through and through. Marrowfang is covered in battle-marks - his right ear is torn and the top of his left appears to have been bitten off at some point. There’s a scar across his muzzle that he’s rather proud of. Ragged and poker-faced, it’s unsurprising that most cats assume Marrowfang is a guard rather than a crafter at first glance and his skills don’t do much to deter this train of thought.

Marrowfang struggled though his kithood with discomfort and irritability from the whispers surrounding him. Despite both of his parents’ consistent explanations and growing exasperation, his mother was repeatedly accused of being unfaithful to her mate and siring a cat from outside the clans. Marrowkit slowly learned to push back at the assumption that he was an affair kit just because his pelt is white - pointing out that his father has splotches of white after all - through it did little to change the clan’s perception of him.

 Irritated, Marrowpaw elected to become a craftcat training under Crowtalon when the opportunity presented itself. The dark furred tom was one of the few who didn’t participate in the rumors spreading through the camp and admittedly that was most of his motivation for becoming a crafter. There, he found himself someone to protect in the form of nervous, gentle Quiveringpaw and a best friend in the form of Willowpaw. It was a breath of fresh air to be around cats who didn’t care to speculate about his origins, that only cared to train with him. Crowtalon was a good mentor - quiet, serious and focused; everything Shadowyield admired in a warrior though resented having ‘trapped’ within the crafter’s rank.

 The chaotic energy radiated by his best friend and eventual partner-in-crime Willowpaw made his days interesting and he learned to not care about other cats’ opinions of him anymore. It surprised no-one when the two unceremoniously became mates not long after their promotions, confirming their status in a casual fashion though he pointedly doesn’t respond to prodding about kits and neither does Willowthorn. They’re not ready yet and anyone who had a problem with that could deal with it. As it is, they’ve agreed to talk about mentoring an apprentice each to get a feel for what it’s like to have kits before committing to the action as a whole.

Mentor: Crowtalon

Apprentice(s): N/A

Parents: Bogswirl (mother/deceased), Muckyowl (father/deceased)

Auncles(s): N/A

Sibling(s): N/A

Cousin(s): N/A

Nephling(s): N/A

Cousin(s): N/A

Mate(s): Willowthorn

Kit(s): N/A

---

Another wonderous boy drawn by @sparkwing

[strelles-universe]

*points the mic* Ankh, Ankh, tell them about the Shadows crafters

The world needs to know about the angry arts and craft group

Lmao hi @sparkvoid! Since you prodded this into existence, all of your designs for these crazies are paired with 'em. These are mostly pre-hybrid designs so keep that in mind!

So yeah everyone the Shadow Crafters are easily the most aggressive cats in Shadows (ignoring Quiveringheart who is one anxiety attack from passing out and Sunstone who has convinced her clan she was a kidnapped Thunder kit) for no other reason than chaos truthfully.

The oldest of the crafter are Thistlesight, Sunstone and Crowtalon. Crow and Sun are the same age and were apprenticed at the same time while Thistlesight came in I wanna say 3 moons into their training.

Sunstone

Everyone's Mom - she's warm, cuddling, protective and incredibly supportive. Most cats in her pride think it's a bit weird that she didn't become a Sitter but hey, whatever - at least she's contributing to her clan. She's overdramatic and heavily affectionate - this paired with her boisterous behavior and golden coat have led to a lot of cats assuming she has some form of Thunder blood in her.

Other Notes

She/They - Pansexual

Sunstone is the only girl in her litter of boys (Patchflicker, Hazepaw)

She joined the elders in Exile bc Viperstar straight up suspects her of being a Thunder Spy

Heavily ADHD coded

Though she and Crow were born the same season, she's the oldest

The relationship she has with Crow is ambiguous - just how they like it

Has threatened to run away and become a Thunder multiple times as an apprentice

---

Crowtalon

A Very Serious Man intent on just doing his job to the best of his ability and then moving on with his day. He's very skilled at blending into the background and is careful to watch which way the wind blows. He's even better at adjusting his stance if he doesn't like the scent on the breeze.

Other Notes

He/Him and a Bisexual

His claws grow superfast so he has to shorten them constantly

He and his twin sister Rookclaw get into prank-wars even as warriors

Fairly stoic and low-emotive, 100% inherited his mom's resting face

Cootpaw is not his child but the Shadows don't believe him - not when Coot and Thistlesight are insisting they are

Bonus - The Parents + The Sister

---

Thistlesight

A chaotic mischievous jokester. Being the youngest of the Crafter trio, they had the amusing situation of being 'the cool apprentice' who was friends with fully trained warriors while they were still in the apprentice's den. They can be pretty aggressive at any given moment but typically mean well and don't actually like hurting others. They also have a soft-spot for kits which is how they acquired Cootpaw

Other Notes

They/Them and Aromatic

Is extremely protective of Cootpaw and will Claw You for implying even for a second that they're not their mother

---

Then we have our freshest warriors Marrowfang, Willowthorn and Quiveringheart.These are the 'outcasts' of the pride so to speak with all three of them having some quality or trait that the Shadows disapprove of.

Quiveringheart

An easily frightened boy who'd look more at home in the Wind than in the Shadows. He takes after his father mostly in appearance though Saffronblister wouldn't be happy to hear about that considering his son a complete coward. Quiveringheart became a crafter as he's not fond of blood or violence in any fashion. Becoming an apprentice was the best thing that ever happened to him - he got closer to his denmates Marrowpaw and Willowpaw then received Sunstone as a mentor.

Other Notes

The only survivor of his litter who passed from Fading Kit Syndrome

He is terrified of his father and wishes Saffron loved him more

He's actually pure muscle, he just has a high metabolism

Has severe generalized anxiety from constant bullying

He thinks of Sunstone as his second mom

He loves frog and regularly adopts one to look after in Moonsoul's Pond

Bonus - The Parents + Baby Pic

---

Marrowfang

Kind of a defensive Tough Guy - despite being on team Arts and Crafts, Marrowfang likes to keep his combat skills sharp. Marrowfang - like his best friend - became a crafter to spite the whispers about his heritage (due to being mostly white) and to support Quiveringheart. He tries his hardest to be the best at everything he tries and has a tendency to overwork himself.

Other Notes

He/Him and a Heterosexual (gasp, they do exist)

His split ear is from Willowthorn because they wanted to 'look cool' as apprentices

Despite being a crafter, he will throw paws at the drop of a hat for any reason at all

He still wrestles with Willowthorn at random like an overgrown child

Bonus - The Parents + Baby Pic

---

Willowthorn

Easily the most bloodthirsty of the pack, Willowthorn is - personality-wise - everything the Shadows have come to regret. She loyal - to her friends, she's obedient - to her ex-mentor and she's full of faith for the Souls. She's always been incredibly scrappy and a complete prankster, well known for diving at the innocent tails of the cats around the pride. The day she left the nursery was a sigh of relief for all of the Sitters.

Other Notes

The split ear is from Marrowfang when the two wanted to be cool

The Shadows have no low-branched trees, she still sprints up until she can at least smack one

She's high energy and is caught wiggling on the border during border-watches by Thunder patrols

Marrowfang is her mate as adults and she greets him with a spar at random in the forest

Became a crafter explicitly to protect Quiveringheart

--

And the youngsters, little Cootpaw and Minkpaw. I'll admit these two haven't been developed nearly as much as the adults have been. They've got their origins and their general vibes, but that's kind of it.

---

Minkpaw

Chaotic and Energetic - manages to have obtained the proper average Shadow build being long-legged with wide paws, small ears and a shortened coat. They are currently Sunstone's apprentice and regulary burst into cackles at being apprenticed to the cat seen as a Thunder cat.

Other Notes

---

Cootpaw

Chaotic but in a chill way. Cootpaw is always down to fight back against the powers that chain a cat down albeit, they also appreciate doing so in a way that means that others are doing the hard part. Cootpaw was adopted by Thistlesight from a deceased loner and proceeded to work with her adoptive mother with bullying the entire pride into believing that Thistle was just hiding their pregnancy.

Other Notes

Literally only became a crafter bc she knew it would upset some cats

Is Minkpaw's biggest background supporter

Is the brains behind most of the current apprentice's pranksters

We all agree that poor Leafpaw (Cardinal's daughter) is Doomed by her

[strelles-universe]

Spark the Light - Chapter 1: Concerns

Allegiances | Next Chapter

Cardinalfire took a deep breath in, feeling the air circulate through his chest. The approaching chill of suminiva was rarely ever strong enough to penetrate the natural warmth cradled in the chests of kingdom cats. Even now though the cool breeze slipped beneath his pelt, making him shiver lightly it was more of a temporary chill than anything truly bothersome. If he took a moment to groom himself, he would probably warm right up. His gaze slid to Jackdawstripe who was trying to muffle a tired yawn slipping from his mouth, the dark gray tom giving himself a firm shake of his head before refocusing on the path that led into the forest. 

Cardinalfire empathized - though he wasn’t cold, he was very tired. Coming directly from Ravencroon’s emotional send-off, travelling through a flash storm and then participating in battle only to return home and stay awake the entire night? Cardinalfire was ready to sleep until the sky was dark again. He hopes his factionmates weren’t expecting either one of them to participate in proper tasks until they’d had a good sleep.

They stiffened at the sound of rustling, each legionary watching the crest of the ridge until a group of cats came into view. Immediately, Cardinalfire and Jackdawstripe relaxed as the post-moonpeak patrol ambled in. They watched the tired form of Urchintail - the leader of this particular patrol - stagger by, for once unable to must even a half-sneer towards the two legionaries in his exhaustion. With Viperclaw chased out of the Fennyield but distinctly not dead, Callastorm and Tigerslash both agreed to watch the Fennyield border particularly sharply for at least a moon. The faction as a whole were all worried about the chance that the disgraced leader would attempt to launch an ill-fated revenge attack on them, so the additional patrols remained in place. The problem was that the Stormborn’s low numbers meant that the Guards performed double shifts, or they pulled cats from the other ranks - and given the other ranks had even fewer members, the hunters already struggling to cover every single duty required…

Cardinalfire shivered - this would be his and Jackdawstripe’s new reality.

It could be worse, though , he supposes. They could’ve been crafters, made to jump right in on finishing on the repairs needed to rebuild the gorse tunnel and barrier at the entrance. With only four cats, they were always a bit behind on their duties. 

Cardinalfire turned his gaze towards the pale blue sky, waiting impatiently for Vrayushu to light the spool for a new day, while his pinna tuned in the noises within the barracks. Sparrowtail slipped from the gorse tunnel not long later with Bearnose at his side, the two elders heading out on their regular dawn strolls. Gentle voices began to murmur in the background as cats left the warm embrace of sleep. It was one thing Cardinalfire had struggled with the most - the Stormborn were early risers. With all the dangerous creatures that roamed the forest during peak daylight hours and peak night-hours, the Stormborn worked hard to have all of the wider territory tasks finished by sunpeak.

He remembers Tigerslash coming back from the forest once during his training with a sunpeak patrol; the massive russet tabby looking particularly haggard. Apparently he’d been patrolling the border to the Vastweald, and they’d been set upon by a rather angry weasel. Some would look at a weasel and wonder how it could possibly have harassed a well-trained legionary such as Tigerslash so thoroughly, but Cardinalfire had seen the polecats being trained to sprint after and effectively take down chickens for harvest.

“I’m so tired…” Jackdawstripe murmured, another yawn forcing its way from his mouth. “I think Sunsoul is sleeping in today.”

“The sky is lighter - it should be over soon,” Cardinalfire told his friend, though he shook his head with exhaustion.

“I hope so.”

Their conversation petered back off, both legionaries too tired to keep speaking. They’d spent the first little bit of their watch giggling and whispering to each other; tensing up at every crackle of the leaves and snuffling creature that ambled by.

His head lolled a bit to the side, the ruddy tom prepared to ask his friend to let him sneak a few moments of sleep before the first rays of orangey-red sunlight touched his own pelt. The dawn was cold as it touched him, but Cardinalfire had never been so grateful to perform a dawn prayer in his life.

“E pruanate uŕai za ka vega,” Cardinalfire breathed into the brilliantly rising sun, watching it overtake the forest as it climbed higher in the sky. His inner fire flared in response to the new day, sending a temporary wakefulness pulsating through his body. 

“And so her sacrifice lights another day,” Jackdawstripe purred lightly, glancing at Cardinalfire encouragingly. The ruddy tom’s pinna wiggled in amusement - it was always nice to hear more empire prayers and remarks for their Souls.

“Welcome to dawn Jackdawstripe and Cardinalfire.”

The two tom’s perked up, ears swiveling forward to land upon Thrushheart picking his way down towards them. The tom had left the barracks not long before dawn with Asterdawn and Swallowflail in tow, merely winking secretively when the two new legionaries tried to prod them for where they were going. The sight of their past mentors venturing out into the forest only a bit before they would be dismissed filled them with eager curiosity that none of the patrol had indulged. The flecked brown tom had promised that it would be a surprise worth waiting for when they returned - the memory made Cardinalfire perk up eagerly.

“It felt like we’d be here until the next era,” Jackdawstripe groaned, kneading the ground impatiently. “Do we get to know where you’d gone now?”

“Of course,” Thrushheart purred. “Jackdawstripe, you were still just a cub when Urchintail was promoted, but you remember the feast that followed, yes?”

The gray tom nodded eagerly, earning a curious expression from Cardinalfire. He’d been so caught up in his training as a cadet that he’d completely neglected to ask about the traditions associated with being promoted. He’d only really known that they would now be permitted to perform night-tasks like tunnel guard and were permitted to patrol the far border by the Vastweald now.

“Well, it was easy to obtain a very prey for you, ” Thrushheart explained to them, tail swishing. “But Cardinalfire’s took a bit more negotiation to retrieve. We ended up having to make a compromise.”

“My favorite prey?” Cardinalfire echoed, surprise in his voice. His favorite prey of the forest had eventually become squirrels - in honor of the first thing he’d caught as a member of the Stormborn and the games he played with his sister. Why would a squirrel require negotiation? …unless…

Cardinalfire gasped, shooting to his paws with a rapid purr of excitement, “You got sheep?!”

“We got more than just sheep, young Cardinal.”

Cardinalfire opened his mouth, ready to ask what he meant by that but was interrupted by the gentle thudding of slightly clumsy paws through the forest. Too clumsy to be any Stormborn - even cadets were a bit more skillful, used to the tangle of branches from being brought to the Old Basin for training.

“I was sent ahead to give you a heads-up,” Thrushheart said, whiskers twitching with amusement. “They were very excited to hear about your promotion.”

“They-” began Cardinalfire before he was interrupted by a delighted shriek.

“Anasiŕo!”

Cardinalfire’s eyes shot up in time for a dark blur to come slamming directly into his chest. He released a yelp of surprise as he toppled over, a new weight resting on his chest. He shook his head a bit and looked down to see a deep, charcoal gray tom resting upon him; the faint shape of rosettes sprayed across his body the same way that Cardinalfire’s were. Brilliant, ice-blue eyes twinkled with mischief and delight as they watched recognition flash across his face.

“Adihikko?!” Cardinalfire cried out joyously, pressing his face furiously into his brother, purring hard.

“You’re hogging him, Adi!”

Cardinalfire quickly twisted around as his littlest brother leapt neatly off of him, allowing him to see Asha trotting forward with her tail raised high in the air with delight. Just behind her was Asterdawn, stubbornly attempting to carry one of the more decent sized sheep down into the ravine; his baby sister Ahasra warily circling the Brastilian, occasionally unhooking the sheep’s wool from the thorns and bracken it occasionally got caught on.  In her mouth dangled a little container, a woven string laced through it; swinging back and forth to her movements. Swallowflail was bringing up the rear holding a truly massive looking blackbird in his mouth with a rabbit slung over his back, lightly impaled upon his quills to carry it more efficiently.

Asha ducked down, silver coat glittering in the fresh dawn sky as she touched noses with him, purring.

“What are you guys doing here?” Cardinalfire asked in awe, looking among his siblings.

“Oh, come on Soŕin,” Ahasra scoffed around her delivery. “Are we such bad siblings that you thought we wouldn’t attend your promotion celebration?”

“I just… thought you were busy!”

“We kinda are,” Asha admitted, shaking some mud from her paw. “That’s why anesina and Hreto are still at home - them and kina are covering our chores so we can hang out with you. Hereto sends his praise, and kina seems pleased that you’re progressing so fast.”

Cardinalfire winced a little, a combination of guilt and pleasure prickling at him. On one paw, he’d covered work for his siblings before, so he knows what it felt like to lose one of the for the night - let alone two. But on the other paw, it made him feel better to have kin with him for his promotion, just like everyone else in his faction. Watching Nadderpelt and Volewhisker swarm his friend, Brindlewing coming forward to congratulate her nephew as well, had made him feel… lonely. He’d come a long way in the Stormborn - he’d made many friends and allies, but in return, he’d placed a gap between himself and his family.

“Hey,” he was shaken from his thoughts by his sister bumping him gently with her flank. Asha looked down at him with kindly eyes. “Don’t worry about it. Let us enjoy celebrating you.”

Cardinalfire looked at his family - the ones spared the time and thought about the ones picking up their slack back home; always thinking of him, always on his side even when he couldn’t see them anymore.

“Thank you,” he told them sincerely, and turned to lead them into the barracks. “Come on! I’ll show you where everything is!”

| | |

When Cardinalfire finally reawakened, he was informed that it was a new day once more. He wasn’t surprised - when he’d finally staggered into the Legionary’s Den with Jackdawstripe at his side, he was barely holding his eyes open. Thank the skies for Jackdawstripe guiding him away from the center of the den, explaining to him that only the most respected and senior Legionaries were allowed to sleep in the center and that it was an earned privilege. He’d barely cared as they picked their way towards the nests on the edge, flopping down beside Jackdawstripe and snuggling into his thicker and warmer coat. 

Having his siblings visiting as easily been the greatest thing that had happened to him since he joined the Stormborn in the first place. He’d resisted the urge to nod off, determined to spend time with his family and friends at the same time. The little container Ahasra was carrying turned out to have sheep-soup in it - Cardinalfire’s favorite. It was the reason it had taken so long for them to return, they’d had to wait for it to actually cook. The rest of the massive sheep was so that they could share their feast with anyone they wanted to celebrate with. Cardinalfire had immediately invited their former denmates to share, Wrenpaw and Chaffinchpaw eagerly tasting sheep for the first time with hums of curiosity.

“And you got to have this every day?” Jakdawstripe had purred around a mouthful of sheep.

“Usually,” Asha chuckled. “We rotate between livestock so we don’t deplete the numbers.”

“There’s more?” Jackdawstripe perked up.

“Of course,” Ahasra chimed in. “There’s sheep, but we also raise goats, chickens, ducks and hogs.”

“Hogs?”

“Like boar but much smaller.”

“You raise boar?!”

“ Hogs - much less life-threatening.”

Of course, having invited his cohort to eat with him, Cardinalfire felt it would only be rude if he out his mentor who’d been kind enough to retrieve the sheep and his siblings in the first place. And it wouldn’t feel right if he allowed Asterdawn to eat from the sheep, but not Jackdawstripe’s parents. It didn’t take long for the sheep to be reduced to scraps as his little group enjoyed trying something they normally had no access to, the remaining scraps were transferred to the nursery to be eaten by the monarchs.

When the meal had been finished, Chaffinchpaw had wasted no time slinking towards his youngest sister, nudging her with a paw. Ahasra turned her curious deep blue eyes upon her, tilting her head at the confident molly.

“I heard that you’ve been training,” Chaffinchpaw began, whiskers twitching already. “I have been too so… how about a rematch?”

“A rematch?” Ahasra echoed, sounding amused.

“You got me good on the border,” Chaffinchpaw admitted without hesitation. “But do you fare in a forward fight?”

Ahasra smirked, pushing herself to her paws slowly, and Cardinalfire found himself rolling his eyes fondly when she moved close enough that their noses nearly brushed against each other. Chaffinchpaw seemed surprised by the move, pulling her head back a little, even as Ahasra’s tail swished with mischief.

“I fare just fine, I assure you,” the silvery sishu purred. “But let’s dance.”

Cardinalfire had promptly lost his sister for most of the visit, as the two instantly sprung at each other. He’d cheered along with the rest of the faction, alternating between who he was rooting for at any given moment, just happy to see them enjoying themselves. Cardinalfire could see the mild surprise in Chaffinchpaw’s movements, Ahasra’s fighting style was so much different from even his. She avoided the direct attacks much like her brother did, all too aware of her smaller size but unlike the damage dealing moves that Cardinalfire had been learning; his sister was a ranger - a rank that revolves around subduing and detaining criminals for transport.

She regularly leapt towards the much more aggressively attacking molly, slipping under and around the swipes made against her, but instead of pushing on to dodge, she turned and retaliated with a quick but decisive blow to a specific part of Chaffinchpaw’s body. At first, it had seemed that the Stormborn molly was winning easily - the powerful blows that landed on Ahasra made her wince, shaking her head to refocus. Eventually though, it became obvious that Ahasra’s moves were calculated - aiming specifically against the marks on the tendons in her hindlegs and striking at the pinch points under her forelegs. The effects became obvious much more slowly as Chaffinchpaw started to slow down, wincing when she landed.

Eventually his sister had sprung back, placing space between the two of them, then whipping around. Cardinalfire couldn’t help the burst of laughter that exploded from his chest when her powerful tail then bashed against the molly’s already weakened legs, sending her crashing to the barracks ground with a harsh thump.

“Ow,” Chaffinchpaw said, shaking her head as she climbed back to her paws. The powerful molly looked across the clearing to Ahasra shaking out her own limbs, licking some of the spots she’d gotten clipped in. “That was great - let’s call it a draw, that hurt.”

His sister giggled boisterously bounding back over, albeit a touch more gingerly than before, “We’ll have to do this again sometime - maybe I’ll have better skills to catch you off-guard.”

Cardinalfire turned his ears to where Adihikko was sitting next to Wrenpaw; his quiet brother seemingly pleased to have someone willing to just talk with him. Every time Cardinalfire listened in, it was never anything complicated or deep - simple conversations about the birds, about flowers, about mice. Wrenpaw seemed content to just let him voice wash over him, eyes half-lidded even as his face expressed a longing sadness.

“I think he reminds Wrenpaw of Ravenpaw,” Jackdawstripe whispered to him sympathetically. “They used to do this in the nursery - Wren would chatter about all the little things in life while Ravenpaw listened to him.”

Cardinalfire had felt a pang of understanding and the left the two toms to their conversation, instead throwing himself into the game of tag that Ahasra started between herself and Chaffinchpaw.

 It was nice to really let loose, occasionally glancing towards his eldest sister, who was watching them kindly. It felt like he’d been holding himself back for moons - trying to present a dignified and responsible mask for the faction, proving his worth to them. Now that his siblings were around again, he could fully enjoy himself - inside jokes between himself and his siblings, randomly pouncing on each other as they started and ended games of tag in abrupt fashions. It was like being home again - and when Jackdawstripe chose to jump in, dragging Quietpaw into the mix while Asterdawn settled down beside his elder sister with Thrushheart; he’d never felt more fulfilled in his life.

He’d been rather heartbroken when the sun had reached its peak in the sky and his siblings finally had to return home to fulfill their duties to the regency.

His eldest sister pressed her nose to his forehead again, bronzey eyes shining as she made him promise to at least stop on the stretch to talk more. Ahasra chirped her agreement, rubbing against his flank as she ordered him to visit more.

“I feel like we only see you by chance anymore,” she whined a little, nudging him affectionately. “I missed you. And don’t you be afraid to stop by for another ‘dance’ either!”

She threw a wink at Chaffinchpaw, giggling even when Asha cuffed her lightly over the ears with a mildly scolding expression. The cadet didn’t seem too upset though, her ears turning a bit red as she waved off Ahasra.

The saddest goodbye was to Adihikko. Cardinalfire didn’t even bother to hide himself as he tugged his little brother closer, curling around him in adoration. This would probably be one of the last times he saw the dark furred tom for the cycle, as he would be retuning to the Rising Moon to continue his studies. They stepped back, watching each other, they tried to memorize everything about them.

“Be safe,” Cardinalfire had said finally, touching his nose to his brother’s forehead. “And study hard.”

“I will,” Adihikko promised. 

The ruddy tom had sat outside of the gorse tunnel, watching as his siblings were led back by Thrushheart and Swallowflail. Jackdawstripe had pressed comfortingly against him as they watched his siblings grow smaller and smaller in the distance; eventually - far too quickly in his mind - becoming swallowed up by the brush and sound of the forest. It felt like they’d taken half of his heart with them - he hadn’t realized quite how homesick he was until that very moment, watching them leave without him.

“Come on,” Jackdawstripe encouraged softly. “Let’s go take a nap. Maybe that’ll help.”

Jackdawstripe had been right.

The haunting thoughts that stalked him through the night had faded rather quickly once he’d laid his head down. Exhaustion had immediately overtaken him; suppressing any of his usual dreams and allowing him to finally have slept soundly. He’d still missed his siblings fiercely when he awoke again, stretching in his nest, but five days later he didn’t feel quite as lonesome anymore. His less groggy mind knew he had Jackdawstripe and Chaffinchpaw, even if Wrenpaw spent most of his time bonding with Urchintail lately. He still had Asterdawn who didn’t seem to mind humoring her former cadet with shared meals when she had the time and of course; he had the Neutral Stretch where he could wait until either one of his siblings or a suitable messenger appeared.  He supposes he was probably just shaken by his latest reminder that he was drifting away from what he was used to - that he was only just realizing that he and his siblings were finally taking their own paths in life.

It’s scarier than I’d thought it would be, Cardinalfire mused to himself as he slunk over to the cadet’s stump. Although he and Jackdawstripe had been promoted, they were still closer to their cadet group - “Cohorts,” Jackdawstripe told him - than their current denmates. Chaffinchpaw and Wrenpaw were their friends , and it would feel odd for them to eat at the Legionary’s den without them.

Snagging a red-squirrel as he passed the ukennva, Cardinalfire sank down beside Jackdawstripe as he allowed the passive activity of the faction to wash over him.

Callastorm stood upon the long smooth stone that lieutenants made their announcements from, organizing hunting patrols with Chaffinchpaw at his side seemingly offering advice.

Clever, Cardinalfire mused to himself, chewing slowly. That’s a legionary’s job. He’s giving her legionary tasks, even though she doesn’t have her name yet. 

It was a good idea - a clever way to tide her over until Chaffinchpaw could find a decent enough scuffle to show off her talents in. He wondered if Thrushheart was doing the same - the kind-hearted tom having stepped up to take over the remaining aspects of Wrenpaw’s training until he was promoted. He was perceptive that way, although it seemed that in the wake of the brown tom losing his brother, his temporary mentor was offering him time to grieve.

His ears twitched as the gorse tunnel rustled, turning his attention to the camp’s entrance as Asterdawn strode in with Pricklestripe and Tigerslash just behind her. He hazarded they might have just come back from the sunhigh patrol - and in a kind move from the rest of the faction, he and Jackdawstripe had been gracefully spared.

He flexed his claws into the dirt at the sight of Tigerslash’s face, baring his teeth reflexively before he recovered. He couldn’t afford for anyone to see his expressions. The massive tabby had kept up with his determined patrols launched on the Fenn’s border, seeking and watching carefully for Viperclaw’s rogues and the possibility that their ‘spy’ had never left Stormborn territory. When he wasn’t barking orders at the Guards, the braided tabby was continuing to argue with Callastorm and Asterdawn about assigning Their Storm a person guard. He hovered near and around their leader like she was a newborn cub in the dead of suminiva needing someone to warm her, or she would fade away.

Even Callastorm’s seemingly endless patience was coming to an end, the long furred tom eventually snapping at Tigerslash to leave their leader alone.

Cardinalfire shook his head at the memory - thank the flames, Tigerslash hadn’t been granted a cadet. He doesn’t think the obsessive tabby should have been allowed into the running for being lieutenant, when he seemingly couldn’t understand how it would look to the other factions for someone to be coddling their leader in the wake of chasing out rogues. Or maybe he did know and Cardinalfire was assuming ignorance when he should be assuming malice.

“What’s flown up your nose?”

His eyes flicked to the amused and slightly curiously looking Jackdawstripe who was watching him with a tilted head.

“Tigerslash seems to annoy you more than usual lately.”

Cardinalfire flicked his ear, bowing his head towards his squirrel to disguise his words better, “I’m still thinking about how he attacked Ravencroon. What could’ve happened if we didn’t know.”

Jackdawstripe’s placidly curious expression became a dark scowl as he glowered at the ground. No matter how many times, Cardinalfire reminded himself that their friend was fine - safe and likely already healing up in the Shining Sun; all he could think about sometimes was how thoroughly haggard and afraid his friend had been. How he leaned heavily on Cardinalfire just to keep him upright, how he panted while his eyes darted around the forest as if expecting Tigerslash to burst from the brush at any given moment.

Jackdawstripe took a savage bite of own squirrel, chewing angrily as he grumbled, “I wanted to tear the stripes from his pelt when we saw him.”

“I wanted to drive his muzzle through the mud,” Cardinalfire sneered quietly. “Just wait until we have proof.”

It was the only reason Cardinalfire and Jackdawstripe hadn’t spoken up immediately about the problem. Cardinalfire had returned to the barracks before the second assault happened, with Speckledholly confirming he had a concussion. Jackdawstripe hadn’t even been to that particular battle of the Suncairn so the only cat that could properly testify would be Ravencroon - who was supposedly unconscious during that part in addition to being no longer in the faction for his own safety.

It had been so long since the fateful day - they couldn’t just tell everyone a new story now, with Ravencroon ‘dead’ in the eyes of the empire. Not to mention it would their word against the word of a Rank Head and both Pricklestripe and Urchintail. If they played this game wrong, even their own friends - Wrenpaw, Mottlestrike’s former cadet and Chaffinchpaw, his daughter - could turn against them at the concept they were using Ravencroon’s fate to disparage a respected member of the faction.

“We have to do better at pretending not to hate him at least,” Jackdawstripe grunted, swishing his tail. “They’ll be more likely to believe us then.”

Cardinalfire grumbled to himself but didn’t disagree - his friend was admittedly right in that way. If they could contain their personal opinions about the russet warrior, the faction would be less inclined to believe that they were acting out of spite. It didn’t mean he had to like the idea of remaining civil to Tigerslash though.

His attention was drawn towards the nursery as Daisyflower crawled out, stretching her hindlegs behind her. As soon as she was clear, Wolf and Lynx sprung out, fur half-bristled with visible excitement on their faces as their mother began to guide them towards the highrock.

“Must be a cadet ceremony,” he observed, happy to have a different subject for them to focus on. He pushed himself to his paws, moving towards the legionary’s side of camp as Asterdawn exited her den. “Urchintail’s been dropping hints since our promotion.”

“His first cadet,” Jackdawstripe huffed, but his tone wasn’t as sharp as it could’ve been. “He’ll be insufferable.”

It’ll be good for him, Cardinalfire thinks to himself, all the same as their Storm called the rest of the faction to the meeting. After Ravencroon’s ‘demise,’ the snarky legionary seemed to be taking the steps to be a better brother to Wrenpaw. It had only been a few days, but the ruddy tom rarely saw him far from Wrenpaw when they were in the barracks. The night before, the bengal had watched him stagger back into the legionary’s den, paws muddy and smelling of Treesoul’s Ravine; likely having gone to visit the totem meant to represent Ravencroon’s body. Having a cadet will give the lanky tom something else, something tangible to focus on rather than drowning himself in grief and guilt.

He turned back in as Nadderpelt - waiting at the base of the highrock with Urchintail - came striding proudly up into view, settling herself before her new cadet.

“Nadderpelt,” their Storm identified kindly. “My senior legionaries and I have conferred, and it is agreed that you are ready for a cadet. You had a wonderful drillmaster in Poppydawn and I hope that you can pass down her skills and lessons to Lynxpaw.”

Cardinalfire suppressed the purr that wanted to break free from his chest as the two cats traveled back down to the base of the highrock, settling beside an eagerly waiting Urchintail.

“Wolf at six moons of age are now ready to start your training as a cadet - and thus, from this moment on until you have been fully trained, you shall be known as Wolfpaw.”

Urchintail barely waited for the words to leave her mouth before he’d darted up to meet them, oblivious or uncaring of the good-natured laughter of his faction. Wolfpaw tilted his head back, the usually eager cub surprisingly shy in the face of his new drillmaster and trembling with obvious nerves.

“Urchintail, my senior legionaries and I have conferred, and it is agreed that you are ready for your first cadet. You had a skillful drillmaster in Darkstripe and I hope that you pass on his skills to Wolfpaw.”

Nervously, the two touched noses Urchintail seemin

gly afraid that he would break the smaller tom and Wolf occasionally glancing towards the ground, as if eager to return to the nursery. They moved away from the highrock and trotted down to where Nadderpelt and Lynxpaw were waiting, peering up at the rest of the faction with nervous excitement as their faction-mates burst into a chorus of cheering for their newly promoted cadets.

“...I hope they’ll be good for each other,” Cardinalfire sighed, watching the two toms trembling. 

“They will be,” Jackdawstripe agreed confidently. “And once we’ve taken care of That Thing, Urchintail will feel even better. Maybe we’ll even have cadets of our own by then.”

“Maybe,” Cardinalfire said with a grin, thinking about the idea of training an cadet. It made his stomac churn and bubble in a combination of excitement and anxiety - what if he trained them wrong? What is he messed up and Asterdawn took his cadet before he could correct himself? But even more excitingly, what if he succeeded? No one in the faction would be able to claim he wasn’t as skilled or powerful as they were if he fully trained an cadet. His tail quivered at the idea, “My cadet is gonna kick Wolfpaw’s tail.”

“Hey, don’t pit them against each other already!” Jackdawstripe laughed, shoving him lightly as the faction began to disperse. “Who do you think we’ll train?”

“I don’t know,” he mused, his tail swishing back and forth. “We’re new legionaries, so… maybe Brindlewing’s litter? Or whoever has cubs after that?”

“If it’s Brindlewing’s litter, I hope I get Elder,” Jackdawstripe grinned. “He’s so tiny, but I can already tell he’ll be a great fighter - the best guard in the faction when I’m done with him!”

“If we get Brindlewing’s litter, I’m gonna teach Tulip way cooler moves than you.”

Jackdawstripe promptly pounced on him, earning a laugh as the two new legionaries began to wrestle in the earth. There were a lot of things they had to do before such a mythical time came, but for now; Cardinalfire let those worries fade to the back of his mind.

---

Kingdom Translations

Suminiva | The time of year when snow is the most prevalent; winter (lit. snow summit) E pruanate uŕai za ka vega | And you raise the sun, so we may prosper Anesina | Older sister, diminutive is asina Kina | Mom, diminutive of “mother”

Empire Translations

Elanki | The internal magic used by the creatures of the world, within the prides; it is a combative energy Ukennva | The collection of recently hunted food available to the pride (lit. fresh prey)

Empire Cultures

Tunnel Guard | No longer a silent vigil, tunnel guarding is the first task a newly made legionary of the Stormborn performs. It’s rare that a cadet is ever granted this honor - let alone a night watch, and so it’s a job most cadets look forward too eagerly. Newly made legionaries are meant to keep their voices to a whisper. And so her sacrifice lights another day | Referring to the Empire Mythos in which the Sun is the third eye of Sunsoul that she plucks from it's socket and tosses into the sky to burn and shine light on the creatures below

[strelles-universe]

The Legionary's Charter - Intro

The collection of rules and laws followed by the factions of the Greenwood Empire, slowly assembled over a long period of time into its now impressive state. Once, the factions all jointly followed the Standard Regulations together in a unanimous faction - each of the laws identical no matter what faction you joined.

Over-time however, the factions steadily began showing their own cultures and values - some of which were holdovers from their very founders. With the divergence of their cultures came changes and amendments to certain laws making interacting with other factions a bit more dangerous.

Each faction's Charter has a baseline alongside a series of amendments that've have been added by the factions. Certain aspects of faction life have resulted in the emergence of a completely new set of laws - these sets are called 'regulations.'

Standard Regulations - Storm | Gale | Shore | Fenn

Cubs and Cadets Regulations - Storm | Gale | Shore | Fenn

Extreme Regulations - Disaster | Wartime

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Stormborn Charters

High Ranks - Brastilian | Lieutenant | Strix

Generals - Hunters | Crafters | Guards

Barracks - Sitters | Elders | Wanderers

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Shorerisen Charters

High Ranks - Styrman | Lieutenant | Frill

Swimmers - Divers | Ice-Stompers

Landborn - Hunters | Crafters | Sitters

Stationary - Elders

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Galespun Charters

High Ranks - Venus and Zefer | Lieutenant | Moth

Hunters - Runners | Tunnelers

Territory - Guards | Escorts

Loners - Visitors | Wanderers | Rogue Bands

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Fennyield Charters

High Ranks - Skua | Heir | Anaconda

Treasured - Executioners

Generals - Guard | Hunter | Murker

Lax - Crafter | Elder

[strelles-universe]

The Cats of ShadowClan: Quiveringheart

Name: Quiveringheart

Other Name(s): N/A

Meaning: Gentle and Gullible

Identity:  Demiboy - He/Him and They/Them

Orientation: Pansexual

Rank: Crafter

Former Rank(s): N/A

A short furred ticked russet tom with pale green eyes, Quiveringheart was first named for his weak body and weaker immune-system. The first moon of Quiveringkit’s life was spent in the healer’s den being monitored and attended to as his breathing regularly faltered in his sleep. Eventually his lungs became stronger, his gaze clearer and he was freed from the medic’s den. The clan had been under the impression that Quiveringkit would eventually become a model ShadowClan warrior when he survived where his sister didn’t. They were immediately disappointed when the russet tom never became what they wanted.

He’s very anxious and guilt-stricken, believing most truly that he’s the reason for his parents splitting up as a kit. He feels immense pressure from his father to be a good warrior to be proud of. One of the most heartbreaking events of his life was his father turning away from him, choosing to step back from his life even after he turned six moons old. Quiveringpaw was forced to listen to the whispers and rumors the clan created about him and the scathing remarks that he was what happened when a father shirked his duty to his kits.

His life only started really looking up when he officially moved into the apprentice's den. He was already vaguely familiar with his old denmates but he only became super close to Marrowpaw and Thistlepaw when he started training as a crafter. It was like he gained a brother and a sister overnight, two cats willing to protect him from the whispers and the rumors no matter what. To top it all off, his mentor - Sunstone - turned out to be one of the nicest cats he'd ever met. She was patient, gentle and kind; uncaring when he stammeringly asked questions and guided his paws through weaving.

Quiveringheart has a powerful metabolism that keeps him from gaining much weight - he rarely if ever puts on even a thin layer of fat. This would seem like just a minor point except it affects every aspect of his life - without a fat layer, all impacts when fighting hurt much more and have higher chances of thoroughly injuring him. He’s always at least vaguely hungry, there’s almost never enough food in the clan for him to feel full. When he was younger, some of the older cats shamed him for constantly eating so now he overcompensates in the opposite direction, frequently starving himself so as not to take food from more deserving cats.

Mentor: Sunstone

Apprentice(s): N/A

Parents: Mazzardfoot (mother), Saffronblister (father), Sunstone (adoptive mother)

Auncle(s): N/A

Sibling(s): Emberkit (sister/deceased)

Nephling(s): N/A

Cousin(s): N/A

Mate(s): N/A

Crush(es): 

Kit(s): N/A

---

Quiveringheart's reference was drawn by @sparkwing

[strelles-universe]

Strike the Match - Pre-Story Allegiances

The Stormborn - Sweetsoul’s Treasured

The Brastilian: Asterdawn (Bluestar) - A short furred blue molly with darker legs, ears and tail - her eyes are blue/green. Asterdawn is a muscular cat which intimidates other cats.

Lieutenant: Mottletail (Redtail) - A long furred primarily ginger calico tom with pale green eyes and a vibrant ginger tail. Mottletail has rounded paws and a slender build.

Diplomat: Larkwing - A smaller but long-legged brown tom with a gentle heart and yellow eyes. Larkwing is well muscled with long ears and a short muzzle.

Starmender(s): Spottedholly (Spottedleaf) - A pretty primarily black furred calico molly with a white chest plume and pretty leaf green eyes. She has a bushy tail and is known to carry moon berries in her fur. | Mender

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Guards (Heavy Defenders and Patrollers)

Head: Lionbelly-  A large golden tabby tom with a fluffy mane around his neck and green eyes. With a long tufted tail and wide feathered paws; he holds the form of a Stormborn.

Tigerslash (Tigerclaw) - A large deep red near brown tabby tom with amber eyes and claws that were too long to be fully sheathed. Tigerslash appears to have been blessed with Ancient Fennyield’s braided stripes and claws. 

Cricketleap - A short furred chocolate cat with two white toes and sharp pale green eyes. Their ears are folded.

Wildheart - A thicket coated cinnamon tortie cat with round, sharp yellow eyes and a white splotch on their left ear and on their hind leg. They wear feathers in their tail to convey their current pronouns.

Swallowflail - A cinnamon tabby tom with interesting russet front legs and orange eyes.

Chikadeechitter - A short furred fawn tabby tom with pale yellow eyes and a white chest.

Pricklestripe (Darkstripe) - A large lean, sleek, dark gray tabby tom.

Volewhisker - A gray smoked, ticked mackerel tabby tom with yellow eyes.

Longtail - A pale sandy colored, long-legged tabby tom with black stripes and a narrow muzzle. His tail is much longer than the average Stormborn cat and is thin.

---

Hunters (Primary Feeders of the Clan)

Head: Callastorm (Whitestorm)- A lithe and fast mostly white tom with blue eyes and long double layered fur. His tail, legs and ears are all faintly shaded black.

Thrushpelt - A pale grayish brown tom with a white plume on his chest and pale very light green eyes. Thrushpelt is flecked with small thin white streaks.

Acornleap - A light brown furred classic molly with pale blue eyes and darker legs and tail. Her tail is very faint.

Dovetail - A long furred cinnamon tortie molly with pale green eyes and a pale belly. Her paw pads were gray and so was her nose leather.

Titfeather - A medium furred cinnamon mackerel tabby tom with yellow eyes.

Cedarfur (Mousefur)  - A small and fast solid dusky brown molly with smaller and rounded ears and orangey-yellow eyes.

Nadderpelt (Willowpelt) - A pretty silvery gray she cat with pale blue eyes

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Crafters (Barrier Builders and Innovators) 

Head: Thicketdawn  - A light gray, ticked spotted tom with sharp green eyes and a double layered coat. He is blue shaded. Acting Head.

Pollendance - A small thick-furred golden cream mackerel tabby molly with yellow eyes and a splash of white on her belly

Aspenwind (Runningwind) - A lithe, lean and muscular light brown tabby tom with green eyes.

Buzzardback - Cream mink-point tom with a heavily scarred back and sharp yellow eyes

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Apprentices (In Training to become Warriors)

Chaffinchpaw (Sandpaw) - A buff cream with classic molly with powerful legs, small ears and a short muzzle. Her hind legs are noticeably longer than her front legs and her tail is average length, but the base is stiff. Training under Callastorm.

Wrenpaw (Dustpaw) - A very dark brown short coated tom with darker stripes and amber eyes and a shorter than average tail for a Stormborn cat. Training under Mottletail.

Ravenpaw - A short furred, long-tailed bicolored tom with one white right paw, a white tip on his tail and a white locket on his chest. Ravenpaw has pale purple eyes with semi-short whiskers. Training under Larkwing.

Jackdawpaw (Graypaw) -  A long furred, thick coated gray smoked ticked tom with bright yellow eyes. Jackdawpaw has longer whiskers than the average cat. Training under Lionheart.

Cardinalpaw (Firepaw) - A medium furred ruddy rosetted tom with distinctive green eyes and white front toes. Training under Brastilian Asterdawn.

---

Monarchs and Sitters (Nursing cats and cub watchers)

Head: Brindlewing (Brindleface) - A braided pale gray molly with green eyes and a rounded face.

Frostfang (Frostfur) - A pale white short furred molly with sky blue eyes. Mate to Lionheart, nursing his cubs; Cinder, Warm, Singe and Bright.

Daisyflower (Goldenflower) - A long-furred pretty golden coated molly with yellow eyes and pale stripes. Raising cubs sired by Minkbelly, Lynx and Wolf.

Speckletail - A pale goldish classic molly with amber eyes and a curious spray of spots on her tail

---

Elders (Cats relieved of Active Duty)

Sparrowtail (Halftail)- A large dark brown, patchy furred tabby tom with a very short tail and yellow eyes. Lecturer.

Elkear (Smallear) - A short furred gray tom with amber eyes and small folded ears. Retiree.

Minkbelly (Patchpelt) - A small black and white tuxedo tom with yellow eyes. Retiree/

Dappledfawn (Dappletail) - A broad-shouldered, calico molly with a thick, sleek coat, a shiny pelt and yellow eyes. Lecturer.

Whiteeye (One Eye) - Pale gray virtually blind molly. Her left eye was clawed out, and the wound has since sealed shut- her remaining eye is a foggy yellow. Retiree.

Roselyric (Rosetail) - A silvery-gray molly with an unusual russet tail. Retiree.

Sablefoot - A deep chocolate brown tom with a long tail and dark brown eyes. Lecturer.

Hollypelt - A medium furred black molly with two white back paws and yellow eyes. Retiree.

Juniperhaze - A long furred blue smoke tabby molly with white paws and a lighter underbelly and chest. Lecturer.

Bearnose - A short furred brown tom with a naturally stubby tail and small, round ears. Retiree.

The Galespun - Servants of Moonsoul

The Vendus: Magpietail (Tallstar) - A short furred tuxedo tom with a long tail, long legs and a narrow muzzle. 

The Zephyr: Deadfeather (Deadfoot) - A small fully black tom with a twisted left front paw with pale green eyes and a long tail. Deadfeather can walk on his left paw but it causes him immense pain.

Diplomat: Grasswhisker - A pale brown long whiskered molly with an even longer tail and orange eyes. Grasswhisker has a single splotch of white on his chest and his left ear is torn.

Moth: Briarflutter (Barkface) - A short furred, dark brown tom with a naturally bobbed tail and yellow eyes. | Starseer

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Guards (Camp Defenders)

Head: Splitears (Tornear) - A dark gray, black striped tabby tom with yellow eyes and one missing ear. Both of his front paws are white.

Redtooth - A russet pelted tabby tom with longer, thinner legs than the average tom and sharp yellow eyes.

Gorsepelt - A deep orange tabby tom with pale yellow eyes and a lighter underside.

Pinkfoot - A shirt furred white tom with pale red eyes.

Oatwhisker - A lanky long furred golden tom with long dainty whiskers

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Runners (Over-Ground Hunters)

Head: Ashfeather (Ashfoot) - A short furred and long-legged gray cat with blue eyes. Her back is speckled with darker gray marks.

Milkblossom - A predominantly cream, short furred chocolate pointed tom with yellow eyes and pink pads. Milkblossom has longer upper canines that stick out from his mouth.

Branchtail - A long-legged chocolate tabby tom with a lighter underbelly and chest.

Volespring - A dusky brown tom with short fur, short whiskers, yellow eyes and a long tail.

Prickletoe - A dark brown mackerel tabby tom with orange eyes

Rushtail - 

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Tunnelers (Underground Hunters)

Head: Sunwhisker - A short furred, pale gold tabby tom with pale green eyes and brown paw pads.

Ashwhisker - A long furred molly with a silky gray pelt and darker ears.

Rabbitear - A short tailed gray molly with yellow eyes and a white belly.

Bristlebark - A medium furred gray tom with fur that sticks out in every direction and yellow eyes.

Smokepelt - A short pelted gray molly whose fur is darker along her spine and gets lighter going down her belly. Her eyes are an intense, light blue.

---

Escorts (Territory Monitors and Watchmen)

Head: Cloudrunner - A mostly white long furred tom with blue eyes and gray legs, ears and face. 

Haresprint - A short furred tan tom with blue eyes and hind legs longer than his forelegs. He has four white socks and white tipped tail.

Morningflower - A long furred predominantly cream tortoiseshell molly with amber eyes and four white paws.

Darkfoot - A medium furred black tom with blue eyes and a white splotch on his chest and two white front paws.

Flytail - A short furred black tom with white back legs and a white tail.

Wrenflight - A short furred brown molly with yellow eyes and four white paws.

---

Cadets

Mintpaw - A tan broken mackerel tabby tom with a lighter underbelly and lighter paws. Training under Grasstooth.

Hornetpaw (Onepaw) - A mostly pale brown tom with long gangly limbs, large ears and yellow eyes. Training under Prickletoe.

Tumblepaw - A deep brown spotted tom with amber eyes and long legs. Training under Gorsepelt.

Swallowtailpaw (Leo) - A medium furred, glossy ginger mackerel tabby tom with bright yellow eyes. His tail and front paws are white. Training under Rabbitear.

Quietpaw (Melody) - A dilute mackerel tortoiseshell molly with irregular splotches of white along her back and olive eyes. Training under Wrenflight.

---

Monarchs and Sitters

Head: Meadowslip - A pale gray, short furred molly with orange eyes.

Acornstripe  - A dusky brown torbie molly with yellow eyes and a short coat. Former tunneler nursing Brown and Vole

Pidgeonfeather - A light gray tabby molly with white splotches on her chest and flanks. A runner nursing Crane.

Bluebellwhisker - A long furred, pale blue classic tabby molly with bright green eyes and a white underside. 

Coalpelt - A dark gray, near black classic tabby molly with a short coat and yellow eyes. Former escort nursing Cobweb and Tiny.

Quailfeather - A long furred lanky blue tom with pale blue eyes and white paws.

Fieldsight - A medium furred brown and white molly with yellow eyes and gloved paws.

Sereandeplume (Bailey) - A medium furred tortoiseshell molly with gentle yellow eyes. She has a white locket on her chest and white paws.

---

Elders

Crowfur - A short patchy furred black tom with green eyes and a silvery muzzle. Retiree

Redclaw - A small dark ginger mackerel tabby tom with interesting tabby hind legs and dark green eyes. Redclaw has one white left front paw. Lecturer. 

Whiteberry - A small, short furred completely white tom with blue eyes. Retiree. 

Eagletooth - A short furred thick pelted brown tabby tom with amber eyes and white back paws. Retiree. 

Ryestalk - A pale tortie molly with kit soft fur and a pretty smile. With long legs and angular features, she’s the pinnacle of Galespun beauty. Lecturer.

Stagleap - A short furred brown tom with a shortcut tail and permanent limp favoring his right hind-leg. Retiree.

Doespring - A long-legged light brown molly with a sleek coat and pale eyes. Lecturer.

Silverchime - A silver classic tabby molly with yellow eyes and white legs. Both of her ears are torn. Retiree.

Larksplash - A patchy furry tortoiseshell molly with long whiskers and pale-green eyes. Retiree.

Aspenfall - A short furred cream tom splotched with irregular patches of white. Retiree.

The Shorerisen - Favored of Riversoul

The Styrman: Stormdrift (Crookedstar) - A massive light brown tabby tom with a twisted jaw and sharp yellow eyes.

Lieutenant: Oakshanty (Oakheart) - A large and powerful pale brown tom with yellow eyes. 

Frill: Reedtail - A russet and white speckled molly with a long, bushy tail.

Starmender(s):

Cottonberry (Brambleberry) - A small and lithe black spotted molly with a pink nose. | Mender

Mudsky (Mudfur) - A lithe and long furred pale brown tom with yellow eyes. His belly is a lighter brown than the rest of him. Mudsky was once a warrior. | Starfrayer

---

Guards (Heavy Defenders and Patrollers)

Head: Stoneswipe (Stonefur) - A pale, silvery blue tom with yellow eyes and a like his sister, a rather heavyset build. Stoneswipe is short-furred with wide, heavy paws and one split ear. His whiskers are short and he has a pink nose and pink ears. Dual Class: Ice-Stomper.

Tidestorm - A well muscled, blue furred tom covered in spots. His muzzle and underbelly are pale gray and his eyes light blue. Tidestorm has pink ears and paw pads with long feathered whiskers. Dual Class - Ice Stomper.

Frogleap - A powerful ticked gray tabby tom with amber eyes, a broad head and large paws. Frogleap was named for his hind legs which are longer than his front ones.

Beetlenose - A short furred muscular black tom flecked with scars and pale yellow eyes

Carpfin - A massive tannish/brown ticked tabby tom with copper eyes. Carpfin has a boxy shaped muzzle and short-whiskers- he’s often asked to help out the Ice Stompers when the river begins to freeze over.

Troutleap - A large, muscular red furred ticked tabby tom with large heavy paws and yellow eyes.

Grassfeather - A short and glossy furred molly with pale rosettes and pale green eyes with white lock on her chest

Blackclaw - A sleek, short furred powerful smoky black tom with sharp orange eyes. Blackclaw has a torn right ear and a long tail.

Asterlichen - A long furred blue tabby tom with heavy paws and yellow eyes.

---

Hunters (Dry-Land Hunters)

Head: Leopardshine (Leopardfur) -  sleek golden furred molly blessed with the rosetted coat of Ancient Shorerisen with amber eyes. Leopardshine has as powerful build- her pads and nose are brick red.

Mudbelly (Loudbelly) - A large muscular dark brown tom with pale yellow eyes and large paws. Mudbelly’s ears are shorter than usual and he’s been proven to be capable of closing them underwater. Mudbelly’s sealable ears are thought to be a gift from Riversoul. Dual Class; Ice-Stomper

Ottersplash - An mostly orange molly with various patches of white all over her fur. Ottersplash has a short muzzle and amber eyes. Her paws are larger than usual and her right ear was shredded in a previous battle.

Hibiscousfoot (Mistyfoot) - A large and powerful looking molly with thick muscles and a thick jaw. Hibiscousfoot has a lilac tortie lush, thick coat and is more heavyset than the average hunter. Her pelt is more pale lilac than the other colors only a splotch of pale orange on her back.

Whiteriver (Whiteclaw) - A solid, golden powerful tom with white paws and a sleek coat.

Silverwhisker -  A long furred, rough coated silver-gray tabby tom with yellow eyes

Blackear - A short furred, long-legged black tom with a cap and saddle pattern on his fur. Blackear has amber eyes and a boxy muzzle. Blackear is lankier than the average Shorerisen cat.

---

Divers (Specialized Aquatic Hunters)

Head: Sedgecreek - A long furred brown tabby molly with light green eyes, two white paws and a very thick coat. Like her brother, she inherited small ears albeit she can’t seal them - something she good-naturedly says is unfair given their roles in the pride.

Ripplepelt (Rippleclaw) - A silvery blue furred molly with short ears, and small paws. Ripplepelt is sleek and skilled with a talent for twisting herself in various shapes and direction when swimming. Her muzzle is short and whiskers are long.

Skyheart - A pale brown tabby molly with completely torn ears and green eyes. Her stripes are only apparent on her legs and tail.

Puddleeye (Puddlefur) - A short furred solid brown tabby tom with amber eyes and long legs with wide paws. Puddleeye has unusually long straight whiskers and fluffy ears and a sloped muzzle. Puddlefur has a very rare trait: a second clear eyelid said to be a gift from Riversoul himself as a method of assistance for swimming in murky water.

Eelmane - A short furred sleek charcoal tom with pale rosettes and yellow eyes

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Crafters (Weavers and Designers)

Head: Goldenfin - A long furred shimmery, golden classic tabby molly with a pink nose, pink pads and a pink inner ears. Goldenfin has four white boots on her paws and her whiskers are long. On her front paws, Goldenfin has an extra toe that she uses for tasks that are harder to do with lesser toes.

Brushwhisker - A short furred brown tabby tom with orange eyes and a tan underbelly. Brushwhisker’s whiskers are much longer than the average cat and his paws are small and rounded.

Owlnose -  A thick furred, sleek coated brown tom with a white underbelly, white hocks and white tipped tail

Baywish - A sleek furred and silky coated cream ticked tabby molly with a lighter underbelly and green eyes

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Cadets (Cats In-Training)

Emberpaw - A short furred primarily ginger calico molly with intense blue eyes and webbed paws. Training under Owlnose.

Heavypaw - A short, thick furred tom with yellow eyes and pale pink ears, His belly and mouth are a paler brown than the rest of him with a broken black mackerel pattern. Training under Blackear.

Shadepaw - A very dark gray furred molly who appears black coated at first glance. Her eyes are yellow and she has very faint broken mackerel stripes. Her stomach was rusted by the sun and appears bronze or copper. Training under Stoneswipe.

Fogpaw - A pale furred gray, mackerel tabby tom with a thick sleek coat that runs easily off of his back. His whiskers are long and feathery with a rougher edged underside with intense bright blue. Both of his front paws and his mouth is white. Training under Puddleeye.

Osierpaw (Silverpaw) - A long furred, silvery classic molly with pale green eyes and one white paw. Osierpaw has a pink nose and pink paw pads with rounded paws. Osierpaw’s pelt is sleek and very soft with a white underbelly. Training under Ripplepelt.

Rushpaw - A small but powerful short furred torbie molly with long legs and a bouncy personality. Rushpaw has brick-red paw pads and nose and her claws always seem to poke out from her paw. Training under Goldenfin.

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Monarchs and Sitters

Head: Lilystem - A gray mackerel tabby molly with a thick, long coat, round cone ears and feathery whiskers.

Ospreyfreckle - A pretty brown and white tom with white paws and a big fluffy tail. He has streaks of darker brown scattered throughout his fur.

Hakeflower (Greenflower) - A sleek furred, brown molly with a white splash on her chin and a plump build. Pregnant, undisclosed sire..

Swantooth - A lithe and long furred mostly white calico molly with pale blue eyes and black paw pads.

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Elders (Retirees and Lecturers)

Softwing - A lithe but powerful mostly white molly with patches of golden striped fur scattered at random across her body. Retiree.

Petaldust - A thick coated, mottled tortoiseshell molly with leaf-green eyes and chronic joint-pain. Retiree.

Dawnlight - A tortoiseshell molly with a white underbelly and a thick, sleek coated molly with yellow eyes. Retiree.

Fogpool (Graypool)  - A short furred predominantly dark gray molly with a thick, sleek coat and sharp yellow eyes. Lecturer.

Pheasanttail - A sleek furred, handsome tom with a long, red coat and a vibrant and much lighter red tail. Retiree.

Panda - A somewhat sickly short furred black and white bicolor molly with soft yellow eyes and small, rounded ears. Being supported until death.

The Fennyield Pride - Slysoul’s Devoted

The Skua: Raggedjaw (Raggedpelt) - A messy coated tom with matted legs and perpetually tangled coat.

The Heir: Brokenclaw (Brokentail) - A large brown tabby tom with matted fur and a flat faced with orange eyes. | Former Guard | Executioner

Diplomat: Toadpelt - A pale brown tom with green eyes, short legs and a slashed ear.

Starmender(s): 

Boarfang (Yellowfang)- A flat faced, long furred molly with pale yellow eyes and a tangled coat. Boarfang has small ears and very round eyes with a set of claw marks scarred onto her face. | Starfrayer

Mangrovebay (Runningnose) - A skinny, patchy gray and white tom with amber eyes. There’s crust around his nose and in the corner of his eyes. Mangrovebay has the longest legs and tail of the Fennyield cats and it’s often remarked that it’s a shame he isn’t a hunter or a murker. | Starfrayer

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Guards (Heavy Defenders)

Head: Blackfoot - A mostly white furred tom with huge black paws, black rimmed ears and yellow eyes. His right front paw has six toes.

Scorchedmaw (Scorchwind) - A long furred, ginger tabby tom with round paws and a rounder than usual face. Scorchwind has very short whiskers and long legs. Scorchedmaw is intensely scarred with claws over his eyes and missing patches of fur on his back legs.

Clawedears (Clawface) - A thick furred brown tabby tom with yellow eyes who is covered in various scars, both of his ears are torn

Jaggedstump (Stumpytail) - A large, long-legged, small eared tom with a slightly offset jaw from his cadet-hood. His tail is short and bobbed. He has a dark brown, thick sleek coat with thin, black stripes running along his body.

Flintfang - A powerful fluffy gray tom with yellow eyes and large paws. His paws are unusually fluffy, and his right ear is shredded.

Howlstep (Wolfstep) - A long furred gray tabby tom with a thick coat and short rounded ears. His eyes are a sharp blue and his whiskers are slightly curled at the end. Howlstep’s underbelly and legs are white.

Lizardsnarl (Lizardstripe) - A pale brown tabby molly with white underbelly and pale yellow eyes. She’s proud to have many battle scars including a torn left ear, a permanent mark over her eye and a slight limp favoring her hind leg.

Toadskip - A short furred, sleek tabby tom with cone-shaped ears and a rounded tail tip. Toadskip’s face, legs and underside are all white - in theory.

Grayspeckle - A pale gray cat with a soft, short coat. Despite the way his coat feels like laying in a pile of dandelion fuzz, it’s noted to be sleek and distinctly waterproof. He has white ‘tears’ throughout his coat and pale yellow eyes.

Mousewhisker - A small short furred brown tom with white paws and deep brown eyes. His ears and paws are round with his ears being thickly furred.

Boulder - A medium furred classic tabby tom with green/blue eyes and a large, muscular build. Boulder is aptly named and many cats joke that fighting him like being repeatedly smacked by an animated mountain.

Ashheart - A mostly pale gray, short furred tortie cat with pale blue eyes and long curled whiskers. With a dark gray nose and sturdy paws, some cats wonder about the heritage of her parents with curiosity.

Saffronblister - A lanky ginger ticked tabby tom with a long winding tail and intimidating yellow eyes

Applescratch (Applefur) - A short furred and soft coated lilac tortie point molly with large, cone-shaped ears and striking green eyes.

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Hunters (Dry Land Hunters)

Head: Tangleburr (Tanglefurr) - A short furred brown and white tabby molly with a white underside and white paws. Tangleburr is named for her curled coat that dries surprisingly fast.

Hemlockflower (Darkflower) - A medium furred, dark gray tabby molly with orange eyes and a torn left ear from the occasional scuffle she was in.

Russetflash (Russetfur) - A dark ginger tabby molly with a medium length coat, fluffy soft fur and soft pink ears. Russetflash has long, feathery whiskers and sharp green eyes that seem to catch everything.

Newtspeck - A thick furred, short pelted tortie molly with yellow eyes. She has a permanent limp from a previous fight. Newtspeck used to be a Sitter.

Mazzardfoot - A short furred ticked ginger molly with gentle yellow eyes and a lighter undrebelly

Patchflicker - A golden brown torbie tom, with sections of his fur that appear to be lumped together

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Murkers (Swamp Water Hunters)

Head: Amberleaf - A pretty long-furred amber molly with light green eyes. Her paws are all white while her back and ears are a darker gold than the rest of her. Her underbelly is slightly lighter than the rest of her.

Salamanderfoot - A pretty long-legged, tortie molly with green eyes and two white front paws. She has medium length furred with a fluffy plumed tail that she is very proud of.

Fieldpoppy (Tallpoppy) - A long-legged, light brown tabby molly with green eyes and long lightly curled whiskers. Her fur is short and very sleek, seeming to shine under moonlight. Fieldpoppy’s underbelly and chest is paler than the rest of her.

Bogswirl - A short furred, thick coated olive-brown classic tabby molly with pale yellow eyes

Stagclaw (Deerfoot) - A short furred brown tabby tom with a white right foot and yellow eyes

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Crafters

Head: Sunstone - A short furred, sleek golden-brown mackerel tabby molly with round, orange eyes

Willowthorn - A short furred, torbie jack with tufted ears and green eyes. Their left ear is split.

Marrowfang - A surprisingly lanky, brown and white van patterned tom with blue eyes

Crowtalon - A short furred, sleek coated tom with a locket on his chest and yellow eyes

Quiveringheart - A short furred ticked russet tom with pale green eyes

Thistlesight - A chocolate tortoiseshell jack with yellow eyes and paler front paws

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Cadets (In Training to Become Legionaries)

Wetpaw - A long furred dark gray-almost black -tom with brilliant yellow eyes. His stripes are almost the same color as his general coat. His legs are shaded in a way that makes them look wet even when they’re not. Training under Boulder.

Littlepaw - An absolutely tiny long furred color pointed cream cat with a pink nose, pink pads and a pink nose. His eyes are a gentle yellow green and his whiskers are feathery. Training under Applescratch.

Mudpaw -  A short furred chocolate tortoiseshell molly with piercing orange eyes and small, semi long claws. Mudpaw has a long tail with small but cone-shaped ears with an orange splotch just below her eye that looks vaguely like a leaf. Training under Newtspeck.

Minkpaw - A short furred black jack with pale blue eyes and small ears. Training under Sunstone.

Cootpaw - A predominantly black furred tortoiseshell molly with only a couple orange splotches and only yellow. Training under Thistlesight.

Tinypaw - A small mostly black classic tabby tom with a lighter underbelly and yellow eyes. Training under Fieldpoppy.

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Monarchs and Sitters

Head: Maggotflight - A medium furred tabby tom with a chocolate shaded fawn coat. Both of his ears and have been shredded.

Nettlespot - A dark gray molly with a large orange splash on her chest. Nettlespot’s fur is waterproof but wirey and rough which allows water to reach her skin - much to her annoyance.

Nettleflower (Brightflower) - A bright ginger tabby molly with a flattened face, a snub nose and wide set amber eyes. She has a beautifully curly coat that is difficult to maintain in the muddy territory but she’s proud of it all the same.

Dawncloud - A short furred dilute tortishelle molly with a series of white splotches across her belly and on her front legs. Her eyes a gentle light blue and her whiskers are all shorter than average.

Fernshade - A slender tortoiseshell and white molly with long, wirey whiskers and gentle yellow eyes

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Elders

Hollythorn (Hollyflower) - A dark gray and black molly with a more silvery underbelly and deep blue eyes. Her muzzle is turning white with age. Lecturer.

Spidercloud (Poolcloud) - A long furred molly with a pale gray and white coat with striking light blue eyes and two shredded ears. Lecturer.

Rowanberry - A short furred and sleek coated chocolate and cream tortie molly with small rounded ears and amber eyes. Retiree.

Deerleap - A short pelted warm gray tabby molly with light blue eyes, white paws and a white belly. Retiree.

Featherstorm - A brown furred, small pawed molly with a lighter underbelly and yellow eyes. Retiree.

Nightrattle (Nightpelt) - A short furred, sleek pelted solid black tom with intense yellow-green eyes and a long tail. Both of his ears are nicked from the various battles he’s been in, and his muzzle is going gray. Retiree.

Cinderburr (Cinderfur) - A short furred, thin gray tom with dark yellow eyes and half chewed off whiskers. Retiree.

The Kingdom of the Shining Sun

Queen: Iyeŕa (Acting Queen) - A bronzey spotted molly with serious golden eyes and a very sharp tongue. Though sweet in private, Iyeŕa is a very strict molly and liable to tear out your throat for rudeness

King: Hraye - A fluffy, spotted ginger tom with a distinct shade of green eyes. Okohi was a wanderer and is very familiar with the clans. Deceased.

Crown Heir: Isaŕia - A long furred, plump brown and white molly with two white front paws and a spotted underbelly

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Heirs and Honored Guests

Asha - A pale cream rosetted molly with golden-brown eyes, a white belly and a thick fluffy coat. Second in line.

Hreto - A medium furred cinnamon rosetted tom with two white paws and a white belly. His eyes are bright blue. Fourth in line.

Soŕi - A medium furred ruddy rosetted tom with distinctive green eyes and white front toes. Fifth in line.

Adihikko - A very dark almost black rosetted tom with odd-colored eyes (one blue, one gold) and two white front paws. Last in line.

Ahasra - A long furred silver charcoal sokoke molly with hyacinth eyes and a white underbelly. Ahasra also has white front-paws. Third in line. Squiring for Osheŕa. 

Sumisiŕa - A medium furred, feather-tailed blue lynx-point tom with pale blue eyes. Second prince of the Rising Moon.

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Enforcers (Defenders and Combatants)

Lead Captain: Xibo - A short furred, muscular brown tabby molly with a white underbelly and yellow eyes. Xibo’s coat is actually somewhat coarse and thick preventing most claws from penetrating.

Co-Captain: Kibaŕa - A medium furred burly chocolate brown molly with orange eyes and a sun-rusted underside

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Healers (Advanced Healers and Makai Users)

Lead Captain: Yakuyi - A golden tabby molly with a feather whiskers, a white belly and pale green eyes

Co-Captain: Ilanoko - A short furred cream ticked tabby with short puff of a tail and blue eyes

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Seekers (Couriers and Bounty Hunters)

Lead Captain: Shaŕi - A small but skilled russet furred tom with long, soft fur and red paw pads.

Co-Captain: Aŕasi - A short and sleek furred charcoal brown tom with golden eyes and black paw pads.

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Farmers (Livestock Maintainers and Breeders)

Master: Aneha - A thick furred, somewhat stocky black smoke tabby molly with yellow eyes

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Gardeners (Herb Producers)

Master: Puffin - A thick-furred, double-coated sleek round black-and-white appaloosa tom with gentle yellow eyes

Nurses (Child-Minders and Caretakers)

Master: Huyanra - A long furred and lanky chocolate and white furred molly.

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Artisans (Crafters and Innovators)

Master: Onehuŕa - A dark gray tabby tom with two torn ears, a faded scar on his muzzle and pale blue eyes.

Master: Yuŕa - A short furred ticked golden molly with a white underbelly and dark-green eyes

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First Chapter