[russetstar]

[smear:304B3B]RUSSETSTAR[/smear:A7C5B3]

[smear:A7C5B3]HONED CLAWS & PRECISE STRIKES | DARK RUSSET PELT[/smear:304B3B]

names , russetkit, russetpaw, russetclaw, russetstar

russet- was assigned to him shortly after birth because of his red pelt, -claw was given due to his battle and fishing skills, both of which require honed claws, -star is the suffix given to him due to his position of riverclan leader.

age , fifty-two moons
gender , tom
sexuality , bisexual
clan , riverclan
rank , leader

short description , tom cat with yellow eyes and red fur with dark ticking
reference , x
appearance , A Riverclanner through and through, Russetstar has the build of a typical member of the clan. His body is well-fed and muscular, his shoulders and legs solid with lean muscles that aid in moving through the strong river current. Huge paws also assist the Riverclan leader in moving through the water, while not comically large, they are certainly a notable trait. Small folds of skin connect each of his toes, a trait that is very useful as a cat of the water. While not an extremely large cat by any means, Russetstar is slightly taller than the average cat, but does not tower over any, nor is he easily picked out of a crowd due to his height. The only trait Russetstar holds that seems to set him out against his long, silver pelted clanmates, is his deep russet fur ticked with dark, almost black furs all down his back and the top of his head. Russetstar’s underbelly is lighter in color, his muzzle being almost white along the edges of his mouth and nose, with thick white whiskers protruding from his muzzle. Sleek and water-resistant, his russet pelt is covered in natural oils that help to repel the cold river water, with his body being kept warm by plush, somewhat short fur. His face, dark red like the rest of his body with dark ticking on his forehead, is somewhat angular, but not severely so, with large triangular ears and almond shaped yellow eyes. In terms of imperfections, many small scars are scattered across his pelt, but are hidden under his thick pelt. A single large scar across Russetstar’s flank travels from the base of his tail down across the front side of his hind leg, a scar which he earned through the battle with the Coven, getting off with fewer wounds than many of his clanmates.

personality , If there is one thing Russetstar loves more than anything, it's his clan. They are his family, he was raised with them, trained with them, he has been there since birth, and he feels strongly about them. His loyalty lays with them, and he will do whatever it takes to protect them, aid them, and keep them away from any danger. Even if a certain cat has angered him in the past, or has caused him great anger, he will still treat them fairly and in order to keep them safe and do what is best for them. Because after all, they are still his family, and are still his clan mates, and Russetstar would always want to protect them no matter their past. While Russetstar is very loyal and caring when it comes to his own clan, he is much less so in the presence of other clans. While he greatly respects other leaders and other clans, he does not share the same passion and love as he does for RiverClan. Because of this, he finds that he is not required to treat other clans with kindness. He does respect them, don't get that wrong, but if any clan were to ask for aid or shelter, there is a chance he would be greatly opposed to this, that is, unless his clan in some way gains from this or in any way benefits from aiding other said clan. Even if they are in great need, Russetstar would be highly unlikely to want to provide aid.

As it seems, when many are faced with a decision, some may sit, deliberating between two, three, or more choices for hours. In the end they may make a choice, but still feel unsure about their decision, still questioning whether one may have been better, if the second option would have been a more successful one. Some may not even more the decision, they will sit for hours and in the end be as lost as when they started, and then relying on another to make that decision for them. This is not Russetstar. When a decision must be made, or a choice must be chosen, he is there, quick to think and quick to choose. However, this choice is not chosen out of the blue, it is not chosen in some half assed manner, no. This decision is made after looking at every option and every possible outcome, and then a decision is made. And when that path has been chosen, it is chosen with confidence. Russetstar makes sure that he is 100% sure his plan will work, and he has full confidence in said plan.

careful . patient

At times, Russetstar can have a rather sarcastic nature and sharp tongue. Although he is not short-tempered by any means, the RiverClan warrior always has a way of adding a sarcastic comment somewhere, no matter how serious the situation may be, because in all honesty, Russetstar is not always the most serious tom. He almost always has a prominent sarcastic tone in his voice, and it can be hard at times to distinguish whether or not he is being serious or if he is simply being sarcastic. But believe me, when things get life-and-death, for the sake of his loved ones serious, there is no kidding around. And with that being said, Russetstar is also rather blunt, always knowing what he thinks and with an opinion on something and he is not afraid to say what he thinks. Although it may hurt others feelings, Russetstar doesn't care much in terms of that, small egos and fragile feeling aren't much of his concern. The only thing he bothers himself with is others safety.

Russetstar is the type of cat that does not back down easily. He knows very well what should and should not be done, at least be believes he does. The tom can also be somewhat obsessive. Once he is intrigued or passionate about something, Russetstar can very rarely keep his mind off of it. This is evident in his love for his clan and their safety, although it rarely get to the point of truly effecting the tom, there are times when it can truly effect the tom, causing him to not sleep at night, instead sitting up at night and deliberating, thinking of ways to help his clan. Despite being rather stubborn, Russetstar is also very open-minded and curious when it comes to other cats opinions, wishing to learn more about the thought process of others, of course he will also give his opinions in order to help others see his point of view. he loves knowing what others think in order to get the best outlook on a subject and may try and find a compromise. Russetstar finds that when looking at the view points of others, it aids him in making the best possible decisions, or allows him to see things in a proper light. He is also very open to new ideas in terms of life style and how things should work, because in his eyes, efficiency is better than tradition. If system works better than the one used in the past, he believes that a new system or ideal should be set in place. 

In terms of emotions, Russetstar has not found ways to properly deal with them. While he relies more on facts to make decisions, emotions are somewhat foreign to him, at least in terms of being able to identify them or properly deal with them. When exposed to strong emotions such as love, anger, or even shame in himself, the warrior finds it hard to deal with them, he finds it very hard to express his emotions to anyone, especially himself, leading him to keep many of his emotions and feelings bottled up and hidden away in an attempt to prevent himself from truly feeling much for himself. Due to this, when his emotions finally to build up to the point of seeping through or bursting out, it is not a pretty sight. Russetstar may become distraught, unable to think right or properly control himself.

history , It was no surprise to anyone when Brightflower and Rowanclaw became mates just as Brightflower left the apprentice den and became a warrior. The two had spent much of their lives together, training and going through their apprenticeships by each other’s sides. They were best friends and always found by each other’s sides, but that didn’t stop them from being as opposite as two cats could seem to be. Brightflower, outgoing and gentle, friends with just about anyone that she could be, and Rowanclaw, a somewhat mysterious cat that seems to stay by himself except for when he interacts with his mate. At times, Rowanclaw can seem to be rather harsh and lashes out at just about everyone around him except Brightflower who seems to bring out the only good side he seems to have. When Brightflower found out she was pregnant, there was slight speculation about how Rowanclaw would act as a father, would he be gentle as he was with Brightflower, or would he be harsh and strict as he seemed to be around everyone else.

Brightflower gave birth to two healthy kits just as new-leaf was shifting into Greenleaf. It was early in the morning, just as the sun began to peek over the treeline, Rowanclaw was just returning from an early patrol as he heard the cry of his mate as she began her kitting. He, along with the medicine cat stood by her, comforting her as she gave birth. There was slight worry, as Brightflower was so delicate and young, but being an overall healthy cat, the medicine cat allowed her to give birth in the nursery with only slight aid when she gave birth to two healthy ginger pelted kits. The tom was large, his pelt darker in color than his sister, and was named Russetkit by his father for the color of his pelt. The smaller she-kit was named Tawnykit by her mother for her medium hued brownish ginger pelt.

A kit of high spirits and seemingly boundless energy, he seemed to cause almost more trouble than he was worth when in his youth, especially with a young she-cat born only a moon after him, Ivykit, one who helped in getting both Russetkit and herself into trouble, something Russetkit could have easily done on his own, but found all the more fun when able to do it with a friend, or a partner in crime to be more specific. The two spent much time sneaking around, causing trouble when not under the watchful eye of a queen. Tawnykit, while a curious kit as all are, she wasn’t nearly as reckless as her brother or Ivykit. Rowanclaw was particularly agitated by his son’s actions, constantly talking too Russetkit about respecting his clanmates, but in a much harsher way, words that sunk deep into Russetkit, but didn’t quite curb his reckless behavior. Even so, it did plant a seed of imperfection, and the constant need to get his father’s approval of at least something, anything.

Reaching his 6th moon, Russetkit sat amongst his clanmates, Tawnykit by his side as they sat in front of their parents, Brightflower beaming with joy and pride, while Rowanclaw sat, his face seemingly indifferent at best. A pang of sorrow hit Russetkit, he had expected that Rowanclaw would at least seem proud now, but if he wouldn’t, Russetkit would have to make him proud at his warrior ceremony, then he would have to show something, especially if Russetkit became one of the greatest warriors in Riverclan. As his name was called by his leader, Russetkit padding towards to front of the gathered cats where he faced his leader and newly appointed mentor. Before him stood an aged, but strong silver warrior, his green eyes seemed to burn into the newly named apprentice. Russetpaw had heard of Shellfang, he was a no nonsense tom who was known for his hard training and the fear him put in young cats. This pairing was no doubt in order to instill order in Russetpaw, to finally turn him into a sensible warrior instead of a reckless kitten.

Through the first several moons of his apprenticeship, Russetpaw retained his reckless and sarcastic nature. He was a young spirit and did not seem to understand the consequences of his actions, nor did he seem to care. Instead, Russetpaw fought any attempt to reprimand him with a sharp tongue. Shellfang seemed to take this as a challenge, he aimed to break Russetpaw, to finally turn him into a proper warrior, one who followed the rules and understands what it truly means to be part of the clan, because while he was a skilled cat, he needed to learn respect and to follow the rules.

Russetpaw quickly got the hang of training. Waking up at the break of dawn to either fish, swim, hunt, or battle with his mentor. Even as a young cat, Russetpaw showed great potential, especially when it came to battling, he was solid and lean, with movements that became quick and precise the more he worked and trained with his mentor. Shellfang was pleased with his ability, but Russetpaw was a pain, constantly questioning the way his mentor trained and taught him, while he rarely won the battle with the much older and wiser tom, Russetpaw at times was able to do things his way, managing to convince Shellfang of a new, sometimes unconventional way to do things. His drive to become a skilled warrior fueled him even when he was tired or fed up with training all dawn starting at dawn, hoping that maybe Rowanclaw would show some approval of his own son.

The pressure of training and constantly seeking his father’s approval bore deep in Russetpaw’s heart. Rowanclaw had nothing but criticism for his son no matter what. There was always something Russetpaw could do better, and it affected the young, developing tom. Everything that was said grew and eddied inside the young tom. Brightflower on the other hand was supportive and constantly praising her son for his hard work and training. Russetpaw appreciated this praise as he loved his mother, but it wasn’t the same as the praise he could get from his father, it seemed that nothing would be able to measure up to his approval.

Upon becoming a warrior at fourteen moons of age, Russetpaw was renamed Russetclaw for his fighting ability, as well as after his mentor. Tawnypaw was also named a warrior, she was given the name Tanycloud for her lighthearted friendly nature. Of course, Brightstream was beaming at the sight of her precious kits finally become warriors, she was obviously very proud of them. Rowanfoot himself didn't seem awfully impressed, it was only when Brightstream nudged him did he give a somewhat fake smile to his children. Russetclaw had hoped that once he became a warrior, his father would finally be proud of him, yet it didn't seem so, he would therefor have to work even harder to gain his fathers approval.

After becoming a warrior, Russetclaw quickly becomes respected and trusted member of the clan. He was a skilled hunter, and was an important voice when it came to strategizing, for he always looked at every potential outcome and anything that could go wrong. One day, he was on a border patrol with his father and newly appointed apprentice, Elderpaw. A badger had been found several moons ago along the ThunderClan border, but it hasn't been seen since, and it was all but forgotten, until they encountered it within their territory. Russetclaw had his apprentice go back to camp and get help, although there want much he could do. Rowanfoot and Russetclaw both attempted to hold it back and run it off the territory, but Rowanfoot couldn't manage to get out of the way quick enough, and his back was locked in the jaws of the badger. Russetclaw was able to make the badger release his father, and with the help of a backup patrol run the badger out, but it wasn't soon enough to save his father, who died with a look of utter disappointment on his face.

No one took Rowanfoot's death well, Brightstream especially, who simply seemed to shut herself away and not allow anyone in, especially Tawnycloud and Russetclaw who needed her more than ever, because even though he never showed he loved them, they still loved him. And with the look on his fathers face still engraved in his memory, Russetclaw felt as if he had failed him by not being able to save him. This made Russetclaw want to work even harder and made him almost obsessed with his clan, keeping everyone safe, and making his father proud, because maybe then he could get his fathers approval when he finally sees him again in StarClan.

Life in Riverclan changed quickly as a young she-cat was found dead, and the murderer, none other than Bleakstar, leader of the clan. It was a shocking revelation for everyone, and as Ivyfang stepped forward to take her position as leader, Russetclaw found himself even more shocked by who she named deputy, him. While somewhat unsure of himself, the tom held himself high, seemingly proud and regal stepping forward and accepting the position as his old friend’s deputy. He knew that it would now be his job to keep Ivystar rational, he knew her too well to know that she would always make rational decisions, because while she would make a great leader, she needed someone at her side to keep her from trying to overtake the forest.

As deputy, Russetclaw spent much of his time acting as a counter balance to Ivystar’s at times, brash and aggressive nature. It seemed to her that battle was the answer, especially where the squirrel cats and their aptly named leader were concerned. While Russetclaw didn’t oppose battle, he didn’t believe in jumping in at the first unsheathed claw. On the outside, Russetclaw appeared calm and collect, performing his duties as deputy smoothly and easily, and in the beginning, that was just what he did. But as the moons grew on he found himself growing more stressed and more anxious. Acting as Ivystar’s sponge as well as bottling up his own emotions from as far back as his apprenticeship were beginning to grow and suffocate him.

Several moons into his life as deputy, a flood washed away Riverclan camp and the storm damaged the other territories as well. Many cats were saved, but several were washed away by the strong flood waters, it had been a long time since Riverclan had experienced a flood, and while they had been working on the dens, they were not fully equipped to withstand the flood. In order to escape the flooding, Ivystar lead her wet, battered clan away from their old camp and set up a temporary one where they would stay while the flood waters receded. Unfortunately, two of the cats washed away were the Medicine Cat and his apprentice, Lunarpaw. Russetclaw and Rippleclaw were sent out to search for them, bring them back no matter how they found them. The pair searched the edge of the flooded river after the rain had stopped, they soon found a small patch of silver fur, it was Lunarpaw. Russetclaw managed to walk across a large branch in order to grab her small body. They were not able to find the full Medicine Cat however. In a moon Riverclan was able to return to their camp, having found the floodwaters receded enough to feel safe and comfortable in the new dens they built from both scratch and from what remained of the dens they were able to drag back.

One day, Ivystar disappeared. No one knew where she went or if something had happened to her. Russetclaw didn’t want to believe that something had happened to his longtime friend and leader, he knew that she wouldn’t simply leave her clan, but didn’t want to believe she could have been stolen by twolegs as many had in the past, or somehow lost her lives. He put off becoming leader, hoping that Ivystar would somehow return, he didn’t believe he was ready or worthy of becoming leader. Instead, he locked himself away from everyone, feeling himself begin to crack, all the emotions he had bottles up where becoming too much for him, the only thing that he seemed to be able to do was mend the cracks that had formed and raise himself up once again.

Just as he once again mended himself, he was faced with a challenge, a cat by the name of Salem came to the clan and proposed to him a plan, she would get him the forest, she would make Riverclan great, help them rule as they should. Russetclaw declined, he couldn’t stand the fact that a part of him was intrigued, but knew that it was wrong, and despite her warning, he sent her away, and did his best to hold Riverclan together in Ivystar’s absence. He tried to do this for almost a moon, continuing to convince himself that Ivystar would be back, that while he was in a position to become leader, he was not worthy of the position. It was then a moon later that Salem and her forces attacked Riverclan in the middle of the night, the rain hiding their scent. Riverclan was taken off guard, it seemed that with no formal leadership or even a medicine cat, they didn’t stand a chance.

Many warriors fought hard, but the Coven was stronger, many of their members killed without mercy and quickly overtook RIverclan camp. Held back at the claws of a Coven member, Russetclaw watched as kits were killed and eaten before his eyes, as his clanmates fought and died around him, this was it, he had finally cracked, everything he had ever felt broke through and crushed him. Russetclaw crumbled, he felt empty and broken, he had nothing left, nothing left to fuel him. He called for his clan to stop fighting, they were defeated and Russetclaw could do nothing else to save them. No sign of hope seemed to shine through as Russetclaw and his clanmates, along with a rouge who had tried to help during the attack, were held captive. Here, Russetclaw was broken and defeated, this was where he would die, he would die a broken coward. For over half a moon they remained there, it was only until Lichenstrike, now deputy of Windclan came, captured by the Coven, at least that was how it seemed at first. She informed Russetclaw that Wiindclan would invade in three days, it was the first sign of hope Russetclaw saw, and he quickly rebuilt himself for the sake of his beloved clan. He informed several clanmates and prepared them for the coming attack. As the third day approached, Russetclaw found himself together enough to fight, to rally the troops and get ready to take back his camp and his territory.

The battle with the Coven resulted in casualties on both sides, but in the end, the Coven was driven off. Salem herself was killed by Coalheart before he himself died, the rest of her followers disappeared with the loss of their leader. Riverclan, scrawny and battle torn parted with Windclan as the last of the Coven members were driven away or killed. The bodies of the Coven cats were thrown outside camp where they would be placed in a single mass grave, no honor, nothing but a whole outside the clan territory for their bodies to rot. The members of fallen Riverclan members were buried properly and honored for their bravery. That night, Russetclaw accepted his position as leader. While not fully healed both mentally or physically, still feeling deep pangs of inadequacy, he knew it was what he had to do none-the-less, that Ivystar would never have made him deputy unless she knew he had what it took to be leader. He planned to move out to the Moonstone, but not before he appointed his new deputy and honored the loners who had helped them fight, who had been a key factor in their victory. The loner, Pale, stood before him and Russetclaw looked down on her, feeling a trust he rarely felt, he could feel her loyalty to the clan even though she was not a full member of the clan. He named her Palesmoke, and also named her deputy. He then appointed the other loner, Hickory, as medicine cat of Riverclan.

Setting off to Moonstone, Russetclaw worried that Starclan would refuse him, that he was not worthy of being leader due to his cowardice, but that was not the case. Starclan welcomed him, his father greeted him, telling him what Russetclaw wanted to hear all along, that he was proud. Shellfang was also there to give him a life. In the end he was named Russetstar as he accepted his position of full leader. Russetstar then returned to Riverclan, hardly sleeping for many days as he helped to rebuild the camp and make sure that his clan was safe, seeing that all wounds were tended to, even his own which he was reluctant to have treated before his clanmates were cared for.

Rebuilt and healing, Russetstar watched over his clan, doing his best to help his new deputy adjust to life in the clan. While he began to feel worthy of his position, a part of him felt weak, like he needed to do something to prove himself, to his clan, but mostly to himself.


more to come

alias , luxx
timezone , eastern

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