comics (newest: Your Friend)

He liked the iron-knee.

I liked ants, so the groups of cats were called colonies. Rainingwinds was the main one, there was some other one whose name I can’t remember, and the BloodClan replacement was called Kitlap. As in lapping up kits’ blood, but that doesn’t make the name any better, just edgier.

I don’t remember any cats from Kitlap, although chances are they were edgy.

For Rainingwinds cats, I used almost exclusively names that came from the Warriors site “find your warrior name” thing. The prefix (and most suffixes) determined something about the cat’s appearance, and I don’t mean that they just had to be reasonable—it was basically a chart. So Claw- meant the cat was pointed (Siamese), Tangle- meant the cat was orange, Hawk- meant the cat was reddish with faint blackish stripes and a lighter underbelly… Many suffixes also indicated something about appearance, but others didn’t.

Also, it worked a little like the Tribe, where cats chose a “path” in life and followed it. There were hunters, guards, kit-carers, and healers for sure, and I feel like there was a fifth path (ignoring leader). Changing paths was looked down on in their society but not unheard of. Each “path” had its own leader. The kit-carers didn’t have an official leader, but they had an unofficial one, and it was basically decided by seniority.

Suffixes were given when cats were very young and could only be changed for a special occasion (it would be like renaming someone –pool for discovering the Moonpool, although I don’t think they had anything like the Moonpool anyway).

Cats with –sayer were in the running to become leader, but they also had to follow another path in case they didn’t win.

Rainsayer was the leader. I can’t remember whether Rain- was because he was the first leader, because every leader became Rainsayer (like Stoneteller), or because Totally a Coincidence that Rainsayer Leads Rainingwinds. I’m pretty sure he was a regular gray tabby?

Bluesayer was the “main character” of a story that never got written. I don’t remember her personality, but I do remember that I thought she was cool. She was a gray cat with orange stripes and orange eyes. Second-grade me thought that was completely plausible.

Clawstalker was Bluesayer’s best friend, a very nimble, skittish green-eyed Siamese. He was in training to become a hunter.

Redsayer was the Draco Malfoy of the story, and he relentlessly bullied Clawstalker. At one point, there was a scene where Redsayer chased Clawstalker up a tree and followed him through the branches, but because Redsayer was so much heavier than Clawstalker, he fell out of the tree and got very hurt.

A big orange fighter cat whose name I don’t remember (it was probably Tanglesomething because orange) was the real villain. I don’t remember his plot. Or if he even had any plans besides “evil!!!” because I wasn’t a good writer. It turned out Redsayer was only “evil” because Evil Guy, as the physically strongest cat in the colony, was pressuring him to sabotage the other candidates for successor to Rainsayer. I guess maybe his plan was to rule by proxy through Redsayer…?

Evil Guy also had a Darkstripe, although I don’t remember his name or appearance at all, except that he was scrawny and, well, based on Darkstripe.

Silentsayer was a gray cat with brown stripes and brown eyes who, of course, did not (and, it was assumed, could not) speak. She was chosen as Rainsayer’s successor, but he didn’t die within the story.

There were two other –sayers but I don’t remember anything about them other than that it was one other boy and one other girl.

Yeah, for some reason all five –sayers were about the same age, and this wasn’t explained as “well, this was the time when they were like, ‘we need a successor!’” although I guess that could handwave it. But yeah, it was just coincidence back then.

Clawclaw was the leader of the fighters. He basically looked just like Clawstalker but with more muscle. I think he was his dad. Clawclaw was kind of a Sue, but whatever. He was pretty cool.

Swiftfoot was a strong tuxedo cat with gray (specifically “cool gray” because that was the colored pencil I used) feet and…blue eyes? She was the main character of a different story, of which about one page got written. I feel like she was supposed to be the strongest cat in Rainingwinds, which strongly implies she lived in a different time period from the rest of them.

Runninglegs was Swiftfoot’s best friend (I don’t think they were officially mates, but the colony basically treated them as mates). He was a thin, lanky tan tom with green eyes. He wasn’t as cool as Swiftfoot.

Swiftclaw and Swifttalon…I think they were brothers, maybe just close friends. They were both tuxedo cats, and I might have this backward, but I think Swiftclaw was brave and training to be a fighter, and Swifttalon was very nervous and originally trained as a hunter until he couldn’t bear to climb another tree and became a healer.

Brighteyes was a black she-cat with golden eyes, the senior kit-carer.

Petalwish was a former fulfiller of a prophecy. I think she was pale cream with blue eyes; she definitely had a white flash on her side.

Petalwish’s son, Cometwish, was a future prophecy cat; they could tell that because he also had the white flash on his side. However, he was reddish orange with green eyes.

There were way more characters, but those are the ones I remember right now.

Basic plot: Somehow the DF cats have faded back into existence. Turns out Swiftpaw’s mom, Rosetalon*, was behind that, along with Wetwhisker…I’ll get to her later. A calico tom named Solstice (a descendant of Sol) is effectively controlling WindClan. ShadowClan and WindClan are at war with ThunderClan and RiverClan, but then a sickness starts, and the fighting lets it spread. It’s worst in ShadowClan and least serious in RiverClan. Solstice runs away; the Clans are as good as destroyed anyway. However, because he wants actual revenge (since Sol never got it), he returns and tells them where to find the herbs they need. 8, 9, or 11 cats (9 in the final version) go on a quest to collect the herbs and bring them back. Solstice tries to stir up the war again but is defeated. Lots of cats have died of sickness, and the Clans cooperate out of necessity.

*also called Rosethorn, but in the draft I found of Swiftpaw’s Prophecy, I chose –talon.

v1 is completely straightforward, didn’t even have Rosetalon.
v2 gets edgier and adds an Ivystar plot and Rosetalon, but no one rejects destiny.
v3 adds Maple, Tiny, and Nightfoot to the journey.
v4 takes Maple and Tiny out of the journey and adds elements of a dream I had.

“Peace will come on swift wings, past fallen trees, over spiky plants, through the claws of the night, when fire lights the sky.” Poetry.

Swiftpaw/wing/star was…not the worst. I think it actually helps that when I first started writing the story, I didn’t like her. I mean, I couldn’t bring myself to hate her, either, but I didn’t like her. She was good at hunting, I guess. And before I wrote the story I decided her best skill was hiding, but that never became relevant, so it’s not important. She was a tuxedo cat with bright green eyes. I would say she was way too far on the “I’m So Deep” scale except that Young Swiftpaw would totally be the “I’m So Deep” type. She was really furious about her brother Blackpaw/pool breaking the code by meeting up with a ShadowClan apprentice/warrior. In v1 and v4 she rejects the prophecy but listens when Tealheart tells her they have to go because it’s the only way to save the Clans. On the journey she falls in love with Furzetail.

Swiftwing’s name: The prophecy said “swift wings” before she was a warrior, and the medicine cat Skydapple tried to pressure Ivystar into naming her for the prophecy just to get the upper paw on destiny. Ivystar refused, but then she got so sick that she couldn’t perform leader duties. Ferndapple named Swiftwing after the prophecy at her sister’s request.

Blackpaw/pool: Before I wrote the story I liked him. Once I started writing, I didn’t anymore. He was kind of a jerk. I felt bad that Gorsepelt was awful to him, but he was pretty awful to Duskpaw/talon. Anyway, he met with Tealpaw/heart against the code while their Clans were at war. He was a kind of fluffy black cat with yellow eyes and gold on his ears, paws, tail, and nose.

Flamepaw/spark: There was no reason for him to be in this story. Like, at all. In Swiftpaw’s Prophecy he befriends Spiderpaw. In Darkened Paths he decodes Ivystar’s backstory. He goes on the quest and all, but he really didn’t need to. He was longhaired and orange with gray paws and ears. Maybe a gray tail too? Green eyes.

Ivystar: Ivypool, one of only (I think) two originally-canon cats remaining in continuity. Brambleclaw died as deputy. Brackenfur was old, and for some reason that was supposed to be a good reason but that I never decided, Ivystar fully blames herself for him having died and left her leader so quickly. I think I considered making her have killed him, but I wanted her to be a good guy. Anyway, she loses her mind a little like Bluestar did. She doesn’t want to name anyone –wing because of Dovewing’s horrible death. She’s one of the first cats to get sick and suffers through her last few remaining lives before leaving Ferndapple in charge.

Ivystar’s past: All I remember is the bit about maybe killing Brackenfur and the fact that she has four kits (Graywing—keep in mind I wrote this during Fading Echoes, Frostblossom, Goldenwing, and Volepelt). In Swiftpaw’s Prophecy, after Graywing guiltily says his father was named Toadstep, Swiftpaw jumps to the conclusion that Ivystar’s mate was part of the DF. However, Ivystar and her four kits know that the father is actually Hollowflight, and they say Toadstep because he died before he could ever have contradicted them.

The other canon cat living was Cherryfall, but I didn’t know what her warrior name would be, so she’s an elder named Cherryspots, and also she’s a calico. Not sure if she was ever mistakenly called a calico, but in canon she’s a ginger tabby, so…

The other elder was named Lightblaze, and he was pretty much Elder Longtail except not blind.

Ferndapple and Skydapple—deputy and medicine cat—were sisters, and the third sister was Rosetalon. They don’t talk about her.

Graywing, Goldenwing, and Volepelt were all cool. Frostblossom was also cool, but she’s also relevant.

Darksplash and Frostblossom had two kits, Cloudkit and Willowkit. Darksplash and Rosetalon then had Swiftkit and Blackkit shortly afterward. Everyone was okay with this. Rosetalon turned out to be evil, and the Clan killed her and decided never to talk about her again because bringing back the erased DF cats was an extra step too far. Frostblossom raised Swiftwing and Blackpool along her own kits.

Cedarfall: RiverClan medicine apprentice. He was a mottled sandy/tan/gold cat with just slightly fluffy fur and teal eyes. He had no social skills; during his first appearance, he accidentally intimidates Flamepaw, then when he’s told to take Flamepaw home and Flamepaw says he knows the way, Cedarfall starts swimming into the lake and ignoring him. He’s not trying to be rude, really…he’s just not good with others. As the oldest cat for most of the journey, and as the only medicine cat, he’s really the leader of them. This contributes to the fact that he does not get along at all with Gorsepelt, Blackpool, or Dusktalon.

Oh, yeah, what happened was that Swift/Black/Flame swam across the lake to tell RiverClan that they were under simultaneous attack by ShadowClan and WindClan. Flamepaw’s heavy fur weighed him down, and he almost drowned. The other two were fine.

Duskpaw/talon: Edgy ShadowClan apprentice. Black fur, I feel like he was supposed to have yellow eyes but I also feel like I gave him purple eyes…? He was kind of fluffy, too. He had a lot of attitude, but he was small and a weak fighter and hunter. Tealpaw/heart looked down on him. After Tealheart ran off with the prophecy cats he tracked her down.

Nightfoot: The actual killer of Rosetalon. Swiftpaw and Blackpaw have a vague idea that she killed their mom, but not why; they eventually learn. Mother of Dusktalon, Sun…storm?, and Moon…uh…pelt? She initially goes off to be the “claws of the night” named in the prophecy, but she has to stop in the mountains because she can’t travel any farther. I never decided whether they picked her up on the way home or she just decided she liked the mountains more.

Gorsepelt: In v1, a brown tabby with brown eyes. In v2, a tan tom with a dark brown triangle on his head and green eyes. In v3, v2 but with brown eyes. Scary fighter from a young age, bully to Blackpool, takes a long time to mature. Turns his bullying mostly toward Cedarfall and Dusktalon on the journey.

Furzetail: In v1, a brown tabby with brown eyes. In v2, a tan tom with a dark brown triangle on his head and blue eyes. In v3, v2 but with brown eyes. Much more laid back and friendly than Gorsepelt, and is okay with living in his brother’s shadow except for the fact that other cats expect him to be scary and mean. He loves Gorsepelt but wishes he would be more polite.

Because gorse and furze are the same plant, they both go on the quest.

Tealpaw/heart: Bluish-gray she-cat with yellowish-gray points and teal eyes. Before I wrote the story I didn’t like her, but she grew on me. Lots of faith in StarClan and prophecies. Convinces Swiftwing to go on the journey. Annoyed me but was probably not so bad.

Reedstar: RiverClan leader. Cool, I guess. The medicine cat was Robinfeather.

Sedgestar/claw: WindClan leader who Solstice temporarily forces to step down. When she first welcomed him into her Clan she didn’t know better; she briefly truly believed him; eventually she just had no control over her Clan, because about half of them supported him.

Ravenwing: Got exiled from WindClan for speaking out against Solstice and went to live at the horseplace. Later comes back and chases Solstice off (not permanently). Her brother Spiderfoot tries to kill her because he’s one of Solstice’s biggest fans.

Heathernose was the strongest WindClan warrior (and I think mentioned to have been Gorsepelt’s mentor) and Rabbitleap the small brown tom was a close friend of hers.

Cloudfrost: the cool half sister. Pale gray tabby and white with ice blue eyes. Has a forbidden relationship with Cedarfall, but they don’t have kits. Eventually deputy I think?

Willowcloud: the other cool half sister and the medicine apprentice. Pale ginger tabby and white with purple-blue eyes (yes). In Heather Rise and Journey Back she starts falling for the ShadowClan medicine apprentice (uh…Darkfur?), but she doesn’t say anything.

Sunpaw/something: the cool strong brother with bright, long golden fur and ice blue eyes. In the first couple books Swiftpaw has a crush on him, but she reminds herself that that would make her as bad as Blackpaw.

Moonpaw/something: spindly gray sister. I liked her but never gave her a plot.

Darkfur?: ShadowClan medicine apprentice and later full medicine cat. He’s okay. Kind of a nobody.

Other ShadowClan warriors included Sleetfoot (I liked her) and Muddytoes (he was the first cat infected of all of them).

Other RiverClan warriors included Yewfang and…uh…

Rust: a really old ginger and white tom with one ice blue eye and a black collar. Evil for no apparent reason. He’s their guide home from near Heather Rise, which is the place where they find the herbs. After Gorsepelt challenges his “authority,” he tries to throw Gorsepelt into a gorge while he’s hunting. Dusktalon sees and runs to get the others. Rust tells Dusktalon he’s going to kill Tealheart, then abandons them. Dusktalon tracks him down. Tealheart goes to save Dusktalon, and Rust kills her. Dusktalon still fails to kill Rust, but Blackpool succeeds.

If you want more, you can ask, but I’m a little blank right now…