#elmtail

[cloudedmoonofficial]

Oak Colony Line-up- Shifting Roots

Art by Snap

[tennelleflowers]

New 'Drawing a ____!' out! Time to meet Oak Colony!

Also, Shifting Roots releases in just 2 more days! Aaaaaahhh!

[ailurocide]

And, as well - who’s Elm and Laurel’s family tree like? Their grandparents, older sibling? I see those two mentioned in Elm’s paragraph specifically - what’s the relationship between the family? -🪷

Laurel is Elm’s older sibling; she’s the firstborn. They’re the only litter of Mottletail and Locustfang. Their family, on both sides, is incredibly affluent and noteworthy, so they’ve got a lot of hereditary pride and pressure upon them.

On Mottletail’s side, there is, of course, Mottletail himself, who is an incredibly young head-guide, and then his sister Spottednose, who is the faction’s senior allheal. Those two alone are very successful, especially for being foundlings.

Locustfang’s side is much larger; they’re descended from Redwoodclaw the Unwavering Branch, who had two sons: Oakclaw the Sharpened Branch and Elmtail. Elmtail is Laurel and Elm’s great-great-great grandfather. While Elmtail’s specific line only held one fairlead (that being: Lindenheart the Ever Golden, who was father to Larchface and Locustfang), his branch was notable at being exceptional hunters — the best of the best.

I’ve got a whole family tree, seen below, for Elmtail’s descendants!

[roselinbooks-archive]

👀👑 🍕 Is there a limit to how many I can ask at once? >.>

There is not!!

👀 - snippet!

An iconic scene from the beginning of Shifting Roots~

Hawkshell rose to her full height slowly. Though she was nearly as old as Elmtail, she rarely looked it. That night, the moonlight seemed to highlight every dulling gray hair around her muzzle. “Cats of the Alliance, I do not bring any good news tonight.” Several cats’ eyes widened, and a few shot quick glances over at Wildfur and Pool. The shaggy tom did not seem bothered by the Captain’s words, nor did Pool complain. Instead the gray and white tom’s gaze was fixed on Hawkshell, taking in her every word as though they were coming straight from the Spirits. “There is danger in our midst!” Hawkshell declared, her long claws sinking into the maple branch. “Two rangers were killed today: Breezeheart and…and Sunfire.” She broke off, giving herself time to breathe and the cats beneath her a chance to express their surprise and grief before she continued. “We do not know what killed them–” “It was a badger! We ran one from our territory just this morning,” Rainfall huffed. “Hold your tongue, you prideful toad!” Hawkshell roared, the fur along her back rising. “Could a mere badger maul a ranger until his own mother can barely recognize him?” Shocked gasps and worried whispers filled the crowd. Wolfthorn snorted under his breath, “If the badger’s name is Iceclaw…” “Shh!” Swiftmask hissed. “This is serious, Wolfthorn. Two rangers are dead!”

👑 - A random fact about one of my OCs

I suppose a fun fact is that none of the characters that appear in Shifting Roots are "my" OCs, since it is commissioned work that was heavily outlined by the time it came to me--but since the sequels are less fleshed out by the original creators, I DO get to add characters to them! You'll start seeing some of my own characters in Shaded River and onward. Of course, I care for the Shifting Roots characters like they're my own and love writing them too!

🍕 - OC's favorite food

Some of my characters share my sweet tooth! Nicolas and Ann in particular enjoy all kinds of baked goods; since Nicolas is a frost faerie he doesn't HAVE to eat but he likes to bake. Christopher likes strawberry desserts in particular, like strawberry shortcake and strawberry cheesecake.

[ryleebujno]

Look at him❤❤❤elmtail so cute

Want to ask are u still talking request? If so could u do maybe my oc willowheart and brambleclaw(it's just a funny ship) kits? If not it's fine

he's a mess but maybe you can fix him

[residents-of-the-darkforest]

Dark Forest Resident: Quickstar

Aliases / Nicknames: Quickbelly, Little Rain, Rapscallion

Gender: tom

Sexuality: bisexual

Immediate Family: Rainhail (mother), Mossheart/star (mother), Lowhawk (brother), Daisydust, Icepaw, Fernpaw (sisters) Fernfur (mate), Mumblespeckle, Slightpaw, Lavendernut (daughters), Ashivy, Rowanacorn (sons), Blossombreeze, Shadetail (step-daughters)

Other Relations: unnamed mentor, Berrywhisper, Elmtail (apprentices),

Clan: Clubmossclan

Rank: leader

Characteristics: troublesome, good fighter, skilled (max exp)

Number of Victims: 7

Number of Murders: 1

Method of Harm: blunt force, teasing/bullying

Known Victims: Fennelfin, various clanmates (bullying)

Victim Profile: spotted young medicine cat, previously anyone he could tease

Cause of Death: lung infection

Cautionary Tale: N/A

Story:

Quickpaw was a young apprentice when his mother, Rainhail, was accused of murder.

Bluestar had gone out alone, supposedly to check something near the border, and was attacked by a dog. She had dragged herself back to camp, accusing Rainhail of leading her into a trap after she had told the leader to go out.

Bluestar promoted a very startled Ratstripe to leader, and his mother was outraged.

Mossheart had later decided to take her scared kits, apprentices at the time, out on a small herb patrol.

It was going fine until a large, starving rogue showed up. The rogue attacked him, and Quickpaw only had a moment to think before Icepaw had jumped in front of him.

Her throat was torn out. Mossheart chased the rogue away, but it was too late. His sister was dead.

Quickpaw blamed himself, and that only doubled when his baby sister, Fernpaw, barely an apprentice, went out on patrol alone to look for moss. She was killed by the same bloodthirsty rogue.

Quickbelly found the body. His baby sister’s front leg was severed from her body, her throat slit.

Lowhawk changed after that. He stopped bullying Quickbelly, and they became very close brothers.

They worked together so that one of them always went on patrol with Daisypaw, keeping her safe.

It was a very chaotic few moons, with Rainhail being demoted only for Mossheart to replace her, and Ratstar getting sick.

Quickbelly bullied his Clanmates a lot now that he was older, mostly harmless teasing. He always apologized when he went too far.

Daisydust, sweet Daisydust, went on patrol with Rainhail. Quickbelly and LowHawk let her go out with her mom. It was only a border patrol. She’d be fine, right?

Daisydust got stuck in a fox wire trap and bled out while Rainhail struggled to keep the wire off of her neck.

Quickbelly threw himself into any task he could find so he could be useful to the Clan.

Things looked up, many seasons later in leaf-fall when he met Fernfur. Fernfur was strong, and beautiful, and compassionate.

The two fell in love quickly, becoming mates.

Quickbelly recklessly led a patrol into a border skirmish with the hostile Beeclan. It was a freak accident, with Berrywhisper and two Beeclan apprentices breaking the ice on the river.

The three of them drowned, with Quickbelly desperately trying to pull them out of the water.

Rainhail was poisoned, and it was revealed that she had planned to murder Ratstar and Bluestar.

So, once again, he threw himself into patrols to distract himself, and helped his Clan a lot in Leaf-bare, becoming one of the top warriors.

Lowhawk was killed on patrol with a young warrior. Apparently, he had tried to protect Applefern from a fox.

Quickbelly was devastated. All of his siblings dead, he couldn’t keep any of them safe.

Over time, his Clanmates began to look to him rather than the deputy, and Quickbelly enjoyed it! He wanted to be deputy more and more as the moons went on.

A year later, Mossstar was killed by Sparrowbounce and Sparkbush. He wouldn’t learn this for a few years more.

Quickbelly and Owen spoke, deciding that Quickbelly should be leader and Owen should remain deputy.

The next year was when it happened.

He had gone out on patrol with the medicine cat, Fennelfin, late at night to look for catmint.

They had gotten into an argument, and the stars had lit up in colourful shapes and patterns, casting a shadow over Fennelfin’s face. It had to be a message, his first message!

His heart was beating out of his chest, his ears ringing from the loud crack that came with the dancing stars. He sank his claws into Fennelfin’s shoulders, smashing his head against a rock.

Why would Starclan want him to do this? He had never wanted to hurt anyone, and the fact that he had killed someone affected him greatly. He vowed to protect Fennelfin’s son, Webpaw.

He washed the body of his scent and made his way back to camp. He curled up with his sleeping mate and wished he could forget what happened.

The war with Beeclan lasted many years, and took many lives.

Things felt bleak until his first daughter was born. Mumblekit was perfect in every way, and moons later they had Ashkit!

Two more moons later they had Lavenderkit, Slightkit, and Rowankit.

It was perfect, their little family was perfect.

The war raged on, and tensions ran high as all the cats in the Clan received messages and omens from Starclan.

Everyone except Quickstar. Did they blame him? Why would they blame him? They told him to kill Fennelfin!

Slightpaw was murdered. He never learned who killed her. His daughter was dead! Why was Starclan doing this to him?

Mossstar had taught him to be faithful to Starclan, but how could he be if they did this to him?

The next season was when war reached its peak. Clans teamed up and fought, even the rogues forming a group to join the war.

Twenty-four of the cats he knew and loved were gone, and for what, a rivalry?

His lungs hurt more and more in the moons that followed, a tightness that even blazing star couldn’t heal him.

Something in the back of his mind told him that this was Starclan’s punishment, that all of this heartache was his fault. Why?

Morningshade, the kind medicine cat he had grown up with, who was basically his aunt, offered to end his pain by putting deathberries in his prey. But he refused, not wanting to go out like that. Like his mother.

Quickstar passed the next night, with his mate and daughters curled up by his side.

Additional Information:

--Submission by @wills-woodland-warriors​

--He is, of course, from clangen! He’s a sweetheart who was a snuggly quiet kitten. His siblings and most of the kits in the nursery with him had the bullying trait, and when Quick became an apprentice his quiet trait was replaced the bullying trait as well. Then as an adult it was replaced with troublesome and good fighter.

--He died at 137 moons, or 11 years old. Despite this he still appears very young and fit.

--In the Dark Forest he appears with cracked paw pads and raspy lungs with a wheezing cough.

--He loves to volunteer to help the apprentices with training.

--He knew Brownmouse when Brownmouse was just an itsy bitsy little kit!

--Short story for him here: https://at.tumblr.com/wills-woodland-warriors/fireworks-short-story/o02pufxbqymr

--Because of how clangen works, all the murders and stuff were all randomly generated. Wills used a coin to decide if the cats killed by “rogues” on patrols are actually rogues or the enemy Clan from another clangen save, BeeClan. The war however they threw in to shake things up and because there was so much drama, they needed an ending to it.

[authoravalonroselin]

For the writing ask! 4. what is your favorite line you wrote this year?; 8. what are three things you're looking forward to next year?; 13. how did you change as a writer? did you learn anything new? started to plan instead of pants? share your wisdom!; 15. time for shameless self-promotion! answer with a piece of writing you want others to see/read!

4. what is your favourite line you wrote this year?

You get my favorite bit from Shifting Roots!

"The ritual had not changed since Dawnfrost’s time, nor since Tornleg’s, nor Captain Elmtail’s. It was a tradition that spanned memory, all the way back to the first cats who had made the Oak-lands their home, who may be watching over them now–if one were given to such superstition. Their pace slowed as they made their way up the cliff, careful not to give away their presence. Once they found feathers at their paws and the tantalizing smell of a flying feast in their noses, Dawnfrost signaled for the company to stop. She and Thornheart found dry places to sit and watch while Tornleg explained the challenge to Lark and Aspen. 'You may work together with your fellow new-claw to achieve your goal. In fact, teamwork is encouraged,' Tornleg began. 'You must bring back the following: a crow, black as night; a warbler, gold as day; a jay, blue as the sky; a sparrow, brown as the earth. You have until noon. Once the task begins, you are forbidden from speaking to any ranger until it is done. Do you have any questions?'"

It's not a big piece but I think it does so much to establish the world and its tone ;w;

8. what are three things you're looking forward to next year?

Finishing the latest draft of Shifting Roots, hopefully finishing the first draft of Echoed Thunder, and working on more Horror stuff!!

13. how did you change as a writer? did you learn anything new? started to plan instead of pants? share your wisdom!

I think this year was a lesson in being as self-indulgent as I please and taking joy in writing again. After all, if I'm not MOSTLY enjoying it, what's the point?

15. time for shameless self-promotion! answer with a piece of writing you want others to see/read!

PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF THE WRITING GODS VISIT MY ETSY SHOP YOU CAN GET ALL MY BOOKS ON IT RIGHT FROM ME AND I GIVE LITTLE EXTRAS FOR PAPERBACK COPIES.

[lostmousemaid]

Return to St. Ninian’s

A Redwall fanfiction by Lost Mousemaid

Approx. 2,500 words

****** ****** ******

The multitude of freed slaves and rescuers had spent the duration of the day traveling north toward Redwall Abbey, but Matthias knew they would still be unable to make it to his home by nightfall. Matthias and Orlando discussed briefly whether to travel until they reached the Abbey later in the night, but Matthias decided against it.

“We should rest and return home first thing in the morning. There will be a great deal of excitement once we return, so we should all at least have had enough sleep.” Matthias smiled at Mattimeo and placed a paw on his shoulder. He found himself doing this often since they were reunited in Malkariss.

Orlando looked behind him at the creatures following in their wake. The woodlanders appeared much healthier since their rescue, but still they were thin and weary. Every meal he had shared with his daughter he had scooped an extra portion to her while she was glancing away. Still, she was much thinner than when they had shared their home in the mountains. “You make a fine point, warrior. I’m sure we will all enjoy the food from your legendary tables when we arrive in the morning.”

Matthias called to the woodlanders behind them, “My friends! We will travel north a while longer. When we reach the old church of St. Ninian’s we will settle there for the night. The building is running down, but it may be nice to have a roof over our heads tonight. We will return to my home Redwall in the morning, and you are all welcome to call Redwall home too.”

A cheer rose from the creatures at the knowledge that their journey would soon end. Elmtail and Sam spun in circles with excitement. Sam called to his new friend to climb a nearby tree with him to see if they could spot the Abbey from a distance. Jess smiled fondly at the pair as they scurried off the path and rushed up a nearby oak tree, their chattering fading into the foliage above them.

Matthias had seen Mattimeo’s carefree expression change upon mention of St. Ninian’s, but he did not press him at that moment. He motioned to Orlando to give him some space, and the warrior mouse pulled ahead of the group, knowing his son would follow his pace.

Once they were out of range and could not be heard by those behind them, Matthias asked, "What’s the matter, Matti?”

Mattimeo opened his mouth as if to speak, then closed it firmly. He looked back over his shoulder at Cynthia, who was walking beside Cheek. The two had become fast friends. Cynthia enjoyed his lighthearted mischief and found comfort in his company.

Not so long ago, not so far from this place, Tess had chided Mattimeo for his ill treatment of the young vole. Although he was not much older, he had been careful with the way he spoke to others and expressed his emotions and intended to stay on his best behavior, just as he had promised. He looked up at his father with a weak smile. “I’m fine. I’m just concerned for my friends. That morning after the feast, that is where they kept us. St. Ninian's. I don’t know if they would want to go back.”

Matthias felt a lump form in his throat. St. Ninian's had been crumbling into decay even when he was young, but once it had been the comfortable home to his friends the churchmice before it has been overrun by Cluny and his rats. It had not occurred to him that Slagar would have held the young ones in the church before continuing south. He wondered at the strength of the Churchmouse twins who had been born there and once called the church home. Even now they were laughing between themselves as they listened to Basil exaggerate the story of adopting the name Stag Hare. Matthias might have enjoyed a laugh too, as the story was much more elaborate than when he had met the retired foot fighter many seasons before, but he was not in the mood for laughter.

The warrior mouse was surprised that his grief for Slagar's scheme had not waned, even though Mattimeo was back safely in his company. He was aware that his son was trying his best to follow his example, but Matthias knew his young one: Mattimeo did not want to go back to the church.

“Where would you think your friends would like to sleep tonight?” the warrior asked quietly.

All around them was the peace of Mossflower woods. Moths had begun their lazy flight in the warm autumn air and crickets chirped their afternoon song in the distance. Mattimeo’s eyes wandered over the scenery before him.

“Why don’t we camp in the grass beside the road again? It hasn’t rained and the ground is dry. It’s warm too, after today.”

“That sounds like a splendid idea to me. You should ask our friends what they think.”

Mattimeo turned on one paw and made his way back to where Auma and Orlando were strolling quietly with one another. “Orlando, Auma, what do you think about—”

Walking quickly up behind him, Matthias cut him short. “No, Matti—ask everyone.”

Confusion crossed the young mouse's face for a moment. “But dad, you’re in charge.”

Matthias placed his paws firmly on Mattimeo shoulders and slowly turned him toward the crowd. “Not tonight, Mattimeo.”

…

The freed slaves relished at the idea of resting under the bright stars instead of the confines of a ruin. Suddenly, they all fell into their nightly routine. Jess led a group of the squirrels and otters in search of ingredients for their evening meal while others prepared the clearing for their night’s rest.

Tess ran up to Mattimeo and grabbed his paw. “Come on, Matti, let’s find some firewood. Orlando says he’s making a wild vegetable soup tonight!”

Basil watched the two mice run off together and nudged Matthias gently. “Did you notice, old chap? He hasn’t let go of her paw yet.”

Matthias could not help but laugh at his old friend. “Don’t get started, Basil. Don’t do to him what you did to me and Cornflower.”

Basil’s ears stood straight up in indignation. “What! Me? I say, sah, I never once made a comment regarding you and your goodwife.”

“As I recall,” Matthias taunted as he began assembling a fire pit, “You said something to Cornflower about being a 'pretty little filly' who anyone would be lucky to settle down with. You said it pointedly to someone. I wonder who that was, again?”

“You, of course,” the hare chuckled. “I bet you’re as anxious as a beetle in a bottle to get young Matti back to his mother.”

Matthias nodded sagely. “I’m just as anxious to get back to her, myself.”

…

Orlando’s cooking was as good as Auma had said it was earlier that summer. The young badger wrapped her paws around her father’s forearm. “I told them that it’s our secret that you can cook, dad, but I guess everyone knows now.”

“As long as everyone is fed and no longer hungry, they can say whatever they’d like about my cooking to anybeast.” Orlando wrapped his cloak around his daughter's shoulders. “But now, it’s time for rest.”

Slowly the weary travelers settled down for the night. Moment by moment, the increasing sounds of soft, deep breathing and loud, raucous snores filled the air. Mattimeo had laid down near his father but sleep evaded him and he rolled about restlessly. When he opened his eyes, he saw his father lying on his back, wide awake and staring at the quarter moon.

Mattimeo sat up and looked skyward with him. The moon hung luxuriously in the velvety darkness surrounded by wisps of clouds.

Careful not to wake any nearby creature, Matthias whispered, “Are you having trouble sleeping, Matti?”

Not taking his eyes from the sky above him, Mattimeo nodded.

The warrior stood and held a paw out to his son. “I can’t either. Let's go for a walk.”

…

The warriors walked silently side by side further north along the road. When St. Ninian's came into view, Mattimeo stopped suddenly and made to turn around until his father’s voice stopped him.

“Do you remember when you were young? When you couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t either. We would stay awake all night in the gatehouse. We would play games, and I would tell you stories, and most importantly—we would talk to each other, Mattimeo.”

The young mouse turned slowly back toward his father and kicked languidly at the dirt of the path. Matthias did not know why he was struggling to begin this conversation, but he knew he could not postpone speaking honestly to his son any longer.

"When did we stop talking to each other? I've always loved you. I want to know—I need to know—why? I don't want to go home without knowing that I'm the best father I can be to you, Matti."

Mattimeo looked at his father's expression. For the first time in many seasons, he felt he could speak sincerely. The words burned his throat, but he began to speak. "I don’t know what happened, dad, I don’t. One day I just—” He pinched the bridge of his nose, desperate the stop the tears from welling in his eyes. “One day I didn’t feel like I could tell you the truth anymore. I felt like everything I said was wrong, like I couldn’t do anything right and I would never be a warrior because I couldn’t be like you.” Mattimeo turned toward the darkness of the woodlands while fidgeting nervously with his paws. “I started talking to Martin instead."

The words broke Matthias's heart. He saw so much of himself in his son. He remembered how he felt sitting dejected under Martin's tapestry while Abbot Mortimer lectured him on his deepest emotions, telling him that the days of warriors had long passed. He wanted to encourage his son to speak further, instead of silencing his passions. “You talk to Martin?”

Mattimeo began casually walking forward again. “Yeah, I mean—not always. But for a long time I have. Whenever I was alone in Great Hall I would feel his presence there and I would talk to him. Now I talk to him no matter where I am.” He paused. “You must think that’s strange.”

“No, Mattimeo. I talk to Martin, too. I have since I was young.”

Mattimeo turned back toward his father, a look of awe on his face. “You did?”

Matthias smiled as he saw the spark of admiration in his son’s eyes.

“I still do.”

Mattimeo suddenly increased his pace toward St. Ninian's. Matthias followed behind, careful not to interrupt his son’s lead.

Upon reaching the church, Mattimeo pushed the doors ajar to allow the moonlight to flow into the lobby. He stood silently inside the entrance until his father stopped beside him. The inside of the building was dark, with crumbling architecture illuminated by the light streaming from the door. Even with the fresh air from the woodlands blowing in, the two mice could smell the molding books and rotting wooden furniture from where they stood, along with other smells more abhorrent to imagine. The glum reverie was only broken by the hushed breathing of the two mice until Matthias spoke solemnly.

“Mattimeo—I will not ask you to tell me anything you want to keep to yourself, but if you want to tell me something, I am here to listen to you.”

His son pointed to the far wall that was completely shrouded in darkness. “There. The fox chained us there.” His paw dropped back and his side. Matthias heard his son's voice break.

It made Matthias sick to his stomach to see the place where his son had woken in a stupor after the midsummer feast only to find that his life was forever changed. Although the fox was defeated, Matthias felt rage building in him anew.

“I didn’t want to come back here because I didn’t want to see it again," Mattimeo whispered.

Fighting the image of the harlequin mask from his mind, Matthias brought his thoughts back to his son, who was standing beside him, free and safe. “Why did you?”

“Because, dad, I want to be as strong as you are and not be scared of anything.”

Matthias stepped in front of his son and looked earnestly into the young mouse’s eyes. “Can I tell you a secret, Mattimeo?”

The seasoned warrior waited for his young son to nod in approval before continuing. “I am scared of many things, Matti. I was scared of Asmodeus. I was scared of Cluny. I was scared of losing friends that I have lost. And mostly, I was scared of ever losing you.”

He took a deep breath, ignoring the images swirling in the darkness around him. He knew they were figments in his mind. “The moment John told us you were gone was the most scared I have ever been in my life, and the most disappointed and angry I have ever been in myself. Matti, it is not wrong to feel these things, and it’s alright to be honest with those close around you who can help you. And even if you defeat your enemy, sometimes that still isn’t enough to take that fear away.”

Mattimeo had never seen his father so vulnerable. He swallowed, struggling to bring forth words. “What do you mean, dad?”

“I barely had the courage to walk into the bell tower again after the battle with Cluny. Just the memory made my heart race, but they named a bell after me so I felt a responsibility to be there when they hung it. It was difficult for me, and as far as I know no one knew how hard it was for me to be there, except your mother. Sometimes even the memory of fear is enough to open deep wounds. If you fear the memory of Slagar, or of this place, there is no shame in that. You are a stronger mouse than I am to walk here on your own.”

Mattimeo stared into the darkness, his eyes unable to focus as they watered. Matthias continued. “There is a very heavy burden with being a warrior, and I'm sorry you have to bear it. Many of our closest friends do not have the fortune to return home with us or celebrate our victories. Many creatures around you expect you to put on a brave face even when you are falling apart in your heart. I truly believe that is a quality in a good leader, to hide how you feel to encourage others—but Matti—you do not have to fall apart alone. Please remember that. If you felt you couldn’t speak to me before, I want you to know that you can. I never wanted you to feel as alone as I did when I was becoming a warrior.”

Mattimeo’s jaw began to tremble, and Matthias wrapped his arms around him, pulling him close.

“There is more than one way to be a warrior, son. I need you to see that because you are one, too.”

[one-mopeyboi]

Continued

Timid Ravenpaw and withdrawn Firepaw get along well together.

Thrushpelt, although ill, is willing to do his duty well. He dies of greencough the very next day though, and Bluestar thinks it's rather suspicious.

Lionheart is named deputy next. He is young and strong and Spottedleaf couldn't figure out a way to get rid of him.

Quince's children Socks and Ruby are driven out of Twolegplace by Queen/Quince herself due to their lack of activity and brutality. They find WindClan on the moor completely accidentally, and, recognizing their father Jake but without his collar, joins WindClan.

Spottedleaf correctly guesses the Fire Alone prophecy is about Firepaw and tries to single him out when he brings Yellowfang into ThunderClan by saying he is disloyal. As Redtail is not around to debuke the rumors any more, they are whispered around a lot

Sandpaw and Dustpaw starts disliking Firepaw. His only friends right now are Ravenpaw and Greypaw

WindClan is revealed to be driven out the moors.

Brokenstar's cats raid ThunderClan to steal the kits and Clawface kills Spottedleaf, leaving Yellowfang the medicine cat.

Brokenstar is taken prisoner and forcibly escorted by Bluestar and Yellowfang to renounce his lives at the Moonstone, their claws at his throat.

Nightstar is given nine lives!

Lionheart died in the skirmish, and the next deputy is Mossear, Bluestar's kit

StarClan tries again with Yellowfang and sends her the Fire Alone prophecy. This time Bluestar knows too.

Firepaw, Greypaw and Ravenpaw bring WindClan back. During the way back WindClan sleeps at Barley's farm and Ravenpaw takes a fancy to the young loner and his lifestyle.

Fireheart, Greystripe and Ravenwing get their names. Fireheart gets Cinderpaw as his apprentice, Greystripe Brackenpaw, and Ravenwing gets Brightpaw.

Ravenwing visits Barley to hang out with him and Violet, Barley's sister, gives him a kit to take back, Elm. Elm joins ThunderClan

Sandstorm falls in love with trans Silverstream.

Cinderpaw goes on patrol with Fireheart and Mossear, and chases a pheasant onto the Thunderpath. Mossear dies saving her life.

Queen poisons RiverClan prey by pouring clorox bleach into the river. Sandstorm gives prey to RiverClan.

Bluestar loses faith in StarClan after Mossear dies. Fireheart is named the next deputy.

Sandstorm dies giving birth to Featherkit and Stormkit. Her brother is devastated

Fireheart becomes close friends with Cinderpelt.

The fire scene happens and as there is no Bramblekit to save, Yellowfang makes it out safe.

Queen leads a pack of dogs to Clan territory

Dogs killed Brindleface

Tigerclaw has a second litter with the beautiful Goldenflower, Bramblekit and Tawnykit.

Swiftpaw and Brightpaw are frustated they are not made warriors, and goes out to track the pack of dogs menacing the Clan. Ravenwing, Brightpaw's mentor, is concerned and follows her, and managed to save the apprentices at the cost of one of his legs.

Ravenwing asks Bluestar for leave from ThunderClan to go stay with Barley in a comfy life now. Brightpaw is named Lostface and Swiftpaw is Dogfang as a cruel reminder.

Dogfang take a liking to herbs while in Yellowfang's den and becomes a medicine cat apprentice.

Elmtail stays with and cheers up Lostface, assuring her she is beautiful.

The dogs are driven out with Bluestar coming to senses just in time for her final heroic act, and Bluestar dies attacking the dogs.

Firestar is named leader and he becomes mates with Cinderpelt.

Queen attacks the forest on her own accord, but as there was no united LionClan, she starts by taking one Clan at a time.

TBC

[fuzzhugs]

Random Redwall Nonsense

Setting: Suburban Redwall AU setting; Matthias and Cornflower’s house.

*

Matthias yawned as he sat up and stretched, kicking his legs out from under the warm covers of his bed. Walking to the window, he pulled the curtains open a crack to see what kind of day the morning brought with it. He looked out at the front lawn for a moment before sighing and tossing on his bathrobe. He marched at a quick pace out of the room.

“What’s the matter, hun?” Cornflower called from the bedroom.

“Squirrels are at the birdfeeder again,” he replied as he opened the front door. “Sam! Elmtail! You leave that alone! Those are for the Sparra!” 

The two young squirrels quickly dropped the bird-feed from their paws and jumped over the fence separating their property from Matthias’. 

Matthias shook his head as he went back inside. “Blasted kids.”

[authoravalonroselin]

Kind of long, but here is one of the earliest instances of dialogue in Shifting Roots:

The ritual had not changed since Dawnfrost’s time; not since Tornleg’s, or Captain Elmtail’s. It was a tradition that spanned memory, all the way back to the first cats who had made the Oak-lands their home, who may be watching over them now–if one were given to such superstition.

Their pace slowed as they made their way up the cliff, careful not to give away their presence. Once they found feathers at their paws and the tantalizing smell of a flying feast in their noses, Dawnfrost signaled for the company to stop. She and Thornheart found dry places to sit and watch while Tornleg explained the challenge to Lark and Aspen.

“You may work together with your fellow new-claw to achieve your goal. In fact, teamwork is encouraged,” Tornleg began. “You must bring back the following: a crow, black as night; a warbler, gold as day; a jay, blue as the sky; a sparrow, brown as the earth. You have until noon. Once the task begins, you are forbidden from speaking to any ranger until it is done. Do you have any questions?”

Lark’s tail flicked up, and Tornleg nodded to give him permission to speak. “Do we have to stay on the terrace, or can we range further into the Oak-lands?”

“Yes, you may leave the area, though all the species you need to hunt can be found here.”

Lark gave a quick glance over to Dawnfrost, who blinked her eyes slowly in a show of approval to her new-claw. Of the two of them, Lark was the thinker who asked questions and Aspen was the motivator who took action. Before they’d even begun, Lark was already calculating where in the territory it would be easiest to find each kind of bird. 

“If there are no more questions, you may begin. Bring your collection to me when you are ready to stop,” Tornleg said.

Share an excerpt that includes dialogue

Check the reblogs to read others’ responses!

If you’d rather make your own post, no problem!

Click here for more “share an excerpt” tips.

[cloudedmoonofficial]

Some new and old environmental concept art

Art by Snap and Tennelle

[tennelleflowers]

Do you feel like talking about Hawkshell and Elmtail? Elmtail is pretty concern at the Gathering and is sweet in his attempts to cheer Hawkshell up. She Hawk see Elm as a grandfather figure or a close friend?

Hawkshell and Elmtail are old close friends! <3 I know Hawkshell might not look as ragged as Elmtail, but they are pretty close in age. (I guess the swamp water in Marsh Colony is great for your looks /jkjk)

When Hawkshell and Elmtail were younger, war between Oak and Marsh Colony was constant. Long ago, Oak Colony used to own all of the territory in the forest, including the marshes, but everyone thought that territory was too dangerous to really use. Oak Colony then had a civil war over leadership, and half of the colony claimed the Marshlands as their own, and the Colonies had been fighting ever since. Generations pass, and Elmtail and Hawkshell worked together to put an end to fighting. Marshlanders were suited to their dangerous home, and Oak Colony had more than enough territory without the marshes.

So yes, these two leaders have a long history of cooperation and friendship.

[runnerless-sled]

Elmtail

Age (in moons)**: 84 moons (he old man) Clan: Forestclan Rank: Elder Mate: N/A, deceased Mentor: Definitely in Starclan by now Apprentice: Badgerpaw, now Badgerfoot (former) Skills: Tracking, hunting

Beliefs: Elmtail has always thought that Starclan was a comforting notion. It was calming to know that those who had died were some how part of you still. As he’s grown older, he’s been looking to the Silverpelt more and more, what else is an elder to do?

Appearance: Elmtail is a fluffy, lanky, big cat. Though his fur has become a bit more patchy with grey in his dark brown over the years, he thinks it just makes him more distinguished. His whiskers are fairly long and his eyes are emerald green. Though he seems like he’s not entirely there sometimes, he’s always watching and will give any wisdom he sees fit for the clan.

STORY SO FAR:

tw/cat death

Elmtail has been in Forestclan for many moons. Easily, he’s one of the oldest cats and though some may think him not the sharpest, he is full of wisdom that others look to in times of confusion. 

Many moons ago, he had a mate, one who would bring him kits and fill his life in the clan with joy. But it wasn’t to be, she grew sick in a way that the Medicine cats couldn’t fix and she and his hopes of having a family passed.

This clan is now his family, he looks to all the kits and apprentices as his own children. He never mated with another as he felt his heart belonged in the Silverpelt with his former mate.

[cloudedmoonofficial]

Captain Elmtail, the Steadfast Branch of Oak Colony

Elmtail touched Stagcharge’s nose with his own. His voice shook as he tried to get out his last words. “I will wait for you in the Beyond, my love.” 

“I will look for you by moonlight, my Captain, my mate.” Stagcharge nuzzled Elmtail for the final time. 

“Go in peace, Father. You were well-loved, and loved well,” Rowanstorm added, his own voice quavering from sorrow.

[cloudedmoonofficial]

Oak Colony-Family Tree

Set at the beginning of Shifting Roots

Art by Snap and Tennelle