moth fern

thistle clan

white tom with honey colored eyes

Like many of his clanmates, Mothfern is a smaller tom than that of the Redwood clan cats. Though normal in stature among his apprentice peers, the tom has a very long tail and whiskers. His whiskers, white, hang in large wiry wisps from his jowls while his ears and nose are a soft and pale pink.

Mothfern's pelt is white and often well-groomed. His fur is short and soft to the touch. This is mostly because his favorite time of day, though he would never admit it, is to share tongues among his peers and listen to their days.  In contrast to his pelt, Mothfern's eyes are a crisp honey color. Overall, he is is not well-built for battle. In comparison to the other Thistleclan cats, he is much less strong and is often pushed around by other cats in battle. Yet, what he lacks in strength the tom makes up for in concentration and thoughtfulness. With the aid of his acrobatic build, natural for balance, he is a strong hunter.

Mothfern's voice is warm and smooth, though he speaks little. His voice is complimented by the scent of pine and honey.

This alabaster tom is logical. Everything to him is like a puzzle. Whenever Mothfern goes quiet it is because of the ever-turning thoughts in his brain. This tom isn't only logical intelligent. He applies this greater knowledge to the world around him. Great philosophical depth is one of Mothpaw's greatest assets. He is constantly seeking resolutions and will not be satisfied with any unsolved problems. Mothfern also spends a lot of time intuitively reading those around him. With sensory information and personal experience he is good at deducing another cats state of being. Though, despite understanding other cats well Mothfern is still an open-minded tom who is not quick to jump to judgements about others motives and ideas. Mothfern isn't just like this in front of others, but maintains this integrity behind close dens as well. He does not like to gossip or speak ill of others. 

There is an air of kindness that Mothfern cares. Overall, his actions are sweet and soothing, hoping to even put his most prickliest of comrades at easy. Many have wronged him and Mothfern is quick to forgive. That is, all within reason and the grace of his reason challenges the size of the island. However, there is still a limit: The case which Softstep was mauled by a rogue. Mothfern acknowledges that most grudges are fruitless, only harboring resentment that poisons the mind. On the other paw, some grudges are worth seeking. Unable to deduce why, the motives, and intentions, Mothfern burdens the weight of this incident and often blames himself and his poor fighting skills having not instilled better warriorship to his children.  With matters of his children, the clarity muddies. 

Although Mothfern has a lot of positive characteristics, he is modest about all matters. Though it may come across as a lack of confidence, overall Mothfern does not like to bring attention to his strengths or shortcomings.

Mothfern struggles with internal anxiety. Though socially, he feels at peace with others and is emotionally perceptive, he tries to please those he cares about, and himself. Despite all of this, he much prefers the company of others to ease his anxiety because of his insightful ability to pick up on social ques...when he's not too distracted by his own thoughts. Though over time Mothfern developed a deep sense of mindfulness and techniques to help put himself and others at ease.

Mothkit was born to Swallowfall and Whitenose as the only snow-white kit in the den, and second in the clan. One of three in his litter, the young male was ostracized by the clan's doubt. How could a white cat hunt in the dark pine forests? His mother raised him with love and support while his half-brother Slatestep (maxx ), wanted nothing to do with him. A moon before Mothkit's apprenticeship, Sallowfall and Whitenose were killed by a pack of foxes. 


As an apprentice, Mothpaw was assigned the warrior Lilypad (Wolfie ). Mothpaw appreciated Lilypad's soft and supportive nature, vastly different from the prickly attitude of many Thistleclanners. His mentor's guidance nurtured Mothpaw's confidence, and he gained control of many of his worries because of her unwavering support.

At the start of Mothpaw's apprenticeship, he was assigned a patrol with Thievingstar (Bandit ), Mistpaw (moony ), and Lilypad. They ran into the rogue Curiosity. Tension rippled as Thievingstar and Curiosity navigated their conversation. Mothpaw began harboring hostility towards rogues, his intuition suggesting that Curiosity had malintent.

During this time, Mothpaw attended his first gathering. He also had his first experience meeting warriors from other clans. Sheepishly, the alabaster tom conversed with them and tried to model his behavior after their demeanor, such as Loudstorm (moony ), who spoke confidently. At the gathering, Thievingstar talked about their issues with foxes and the gaining confidence of rogues. Mothpaw immediately realized that she was referring to Curiosity, and his suspicions towards outsiders grew.

Interrupting the gathering, a tribe cat appeared with a murder of crows. He, who called himself Hemlock Where Shade Grows (wish ), claimed to be from a distant island called the tribe. The Lichen Clan leader, Minnowstar (wish ), called her clan immediately and left. Thievingstar responded with hostility, warning Redwood Clan, who wished to harbor the strange cat, that tribe and rogue were synonymous. Disheartened and confused, Mothpaw asked to return with his friend Sleetpaw (rain ). At least something was familiar.

Mothpaw continued to train with his mentor Lilypad. He was excited to see her, looking forward to their training sessions with a new feeling of enthusiasm that was novel to the tom. Eventually, he realized that he had developed a crunch on Lilypad. He confessed it to her, having retrieved a beautiful marble from the abandoned two-leg nests for her (sneaking past camp, rogues, and all the like). Though, Lilypad quickly snuffed his feelings addressing their relationship from a practical, though still caring perspective. Although it was awkward, the two continued to have a positive relationship.

In one training session, Mothpaw and Lilypad joined a few other sets of mentors and apprentices: Thievingstar and Blazingpaw (wish ) and Cedarflame (Raven~ ), and Willowshine (@catalysta ). The timid Mothpaw, with no previous battle experience, was squared against Blazingpaw, a ruthless fighter with a spreading reputation. Initially, it seemed like Blazingpaw didn't even think Mothpaw was worth fighting; Mothpaw had to goad the fellow apprentice to attack him. Blazingpaw took the bait and mercilessly beat Mothpaw. Though, despite his attack Mothpaw tried to hold his ground and continued to provoke Blazingpaw. Eventually, Thievingstar had seen enough. His face a bloodied pulp, Thievingstar split the fight and scarred Blazingpaw across the face. Willowpaw and Lilypad immediately tended to Mothpaw. But, Willowpaw was horrified, angered at Thievingstar and her lack of composure. They got into an intense verbal altercation before Thievingstar cut the training session short.

While recovering in the medicine cat hollow, Ratwhisker (Egotistic ) tended to all the young apprentice's wounds. In a roundabout way, Blazingpaw came in and acknowledged his mistakes. Mothpaw immediately forgave Blazingpaw and helped to tend to his eye care; Mothpaw knew that he had participated in riling up Blazingpaw and ultimately, this was the result of their lives as warriors. Mothpaw would have to train harder and get better if he was to hold his own in Thistleclan.

After a nightmare about the full-moon gathering with Hemlock, Mothpaw slipped into a tunnel behind the Thistle Clan nursery. He traveled until he smelled Lichen Clan. His motivations at the time weren't clear to him, but he felt compelled by the opportunity to meet the cat. Guided by his paws and the soft hum of his intuition, Mothpaw continued. Mothpaw eventually came across the timid she-cat Lavendarpaw. Relieved that it was another cat his age, he approached her gingerly. Introducing himself, they soon become acquainted and bond over the loss of their mothers. Though perhaps carelessly, Mothpaw opened up about the state of his clan. He felt safe with the she-cat and willingly divulged information. In return, she cautiously shared her grievances with Lichen Clan. Mothpaw could sense the fear as she spoke about the regimen, and feared for the state of Lichen Clan. Allusively, he suggested that if enough cats felt similarly it could be enough to pressure the leadership. Perhaps not wholly aware, filled with ignorant passions of youth, Mothpaw hinted at a rebellion.

Amongst the other graduating apprentices Sleetpaw, Blazingpaw, Willowpaw, Thunderpaw (Egotistic ), and Fallenpaw (rain ), Mothpaw was given his warrior name; Though, he was only 11 moons while the others 12. Mothpaw figured it was because Thievingstar didn't want to hold another ceremony, as he wasn't particularly good at anything warrior related. Over time he had developed a sharp mind and a knack for hunting.

Mothpaw was named Mothfern for growing into his strengths and becoming more confident. Over time, his mind had surely grown sounder. During his ceremony his brother, Slatestep, got up and left. Mothfern was hurt but accepted that his family, just like his place in Thistle Clan, had grown and changed over time. At the end of the ceremony, Sleetwing asked to build a den with Mothfern. Embarrassed but full of glee, Mothfern accepted. Time was moving forward for their generation, but there were still small, beautiful moments to hold onto.

The happiness of their newfound nests lasted little. In the season of 2021, a great flood filled the tunnels of Thistleclan. During the chaos of collecting water, Mothfern and Sleetwing saved Blazingstorm from the flood. They freed him from his den before passing his water-logged body to Stagflight (budgie ). After, the cats of Thistleclan had to evacuate. They left for the great owl tree. There, Mothfern and Sleetwing rebuilt a den together and lay with each other for the first time.

Immediately, Sleetwing fell pregnant. Initially convinced she had beetles in her belly, Mothfern insisted the Sleetwing talked to Shadepool. Together they had three beautiful children: Ivorykit (Akura ), Softkit (Egotistic ), and Ryekit (fallenreaper ).
Mothfern and Sleetwing raised their children under the floorboards of the abandoned twoleg nests. Talk rippled across the camp of retrieving their home, now throning with rogues.

As an apprentice, Softpaw was brutally mutilated by a rogue. Mothfern was livid, festering deeper hate for the rogues and frustrations at the life of a warrior, the world for which they lived, and himself. Mothfern became very protective over Softpaw at this time who continued to seek distance and heal independently. He was no longer the warm, cuddling kit that Mothfern once knew.

Thistle Clan won in an attempt to overthrow the rogues and Thistle Clan returned to their original stomping grounds. Again, Sleetwing and Mothfern make a new nest.

Mothfern attended the full moon gathering. Much to his surprise, he saw Lavendarmist. The two had not crossed paths since they met in the tunnels. Enamored but respectful, Mothfern learned her warrior name and the start of Lichen Clan's revolution. Though bittersweet, he understood that his life had moved on and that any blossoming love between the two was not fit for reality; She was a distant dream, a figment of his apprentice-hood aspirations who now lived in the depths of very real, vivid political tension. He wished her the best, and they parted ways.

It was in the season of 2022 that Mothfern was given his first apprentice Frostpaw (moony ). Frostpaw was deaf. Training him came was a unique set of challenges, but Mothfern was patient and creative with his methods. Although Frostpaw was easily frustrated, Mothfern had a languid and steady approach to training. He focused on quality over quantity and tried to push Frostpaw's limits without over-exerting him. Together they developed ways to focus on endurance and team hunt. Mothfern had a lot of regrets about Frostpaw's training. At the time, he was also a new father and felt spread thin by his myriad of responsibilities. Frostpaw earned the warrior name Froststrike and as with many things, Mothfern was incredibly proud of him.

A deadly attacked was launched on Thistle Clan. Rogues and Lichen Clan alike swarmed their camps and took the last of Thievingstar's lives. In her place, Stagstar (budgie ), rose at the next leader of Thistle Clan. Mothfern was saddened, having had a long history with Thievingstar once marveling at her merits, but he also recognized the ways she was becoming burnt out over the seasons. He was hopeful that new leadership could address the rogue situation as their presence loomed closer. Now the rogues had mauled his son, stolen Cedarkit (Akura ), and taking Thievingstar's lives. 

Mothfern was assigned the apprentice Goosepaw.

For the final battle Mothfern and a patrol of cats including Ryestalk and Lilypad were standing on sentry duty. A strange and distressed groan distracted them. They follow it to where they find the disgruntled Fog (moony) washed upon the shore. Although Mothfern is cautious at first, the tom did not seem to be a rogue and Mothfern figured that helping the tom within the guard of their camp is the best move. He hypocritically advised Ryestalk to check her xenophobia despite how much he harbored when faced with rogues. Intuitively, Mothfern seemed to know that this was not the case and that Fog was a cat from the tribes. Mothfern was also interested in learning more abotu the tribe, gathering intel given his experience seeing Hemlock at his first gathering. Eventually they took Fog back to Thistle Clan camp. 

When Blazingstorm and Cinderfeather (Silverfire), had their separation, Mothfern and Sleetwing housed Blazingstorm. Mothfern took this opportunity to talk to Blazingstorm and by sharing his own struggles raising children, encouraged Blazingstorm to open up about his family. 

During the blizzard, Mothfern stayed in shelter. After it's havoc, he helped re-enforce the camp.