We have a lot of announcements to make this month, so make sure to check out the April announcements! We have a brand new, themed thread contest to celebrate all of the new members who have joined our lovely little cat land over the last months, as well as two event reminders, a new organized archives board, a weather update, and our usual round of monthly plot and clan updates. As the weather warms up with the arrival of spring, we also want to encourage all of our members to take some time and step outside! It's been a long winter, and we all deserve some time with nature. Cheers to all!
The Apostles is a warrior cats roleplay based in northern Wisconsin. On Lake Superior, the wild cats have made the Apostle Islands their home. It is on these islands - Rocky Island and South Twin Island - that the clan and tribe cats have lived in a peace and harmony that ebbs and flows with the tide.
But as the tides turn, so does the truce that binds them to one another; and as the water raises, a darkness follows, an evil that will end in bloodshed and violence.
The storm was a long way off in this distance. Minnowstar could tell by the lack of thunder. Only pale flashes of light illuminated the sky in frenzied pulses, bathing the inky lake in a blitz of sepia toned hues. Narrowing her gaze, the she-cat flexed her claws into the sandstone, reveling as the rock crumbled beneath her prowess. But, it was her only solace. Her warriors had returned from their trek, covered in blood. Not of their enemies, no, and while she could scent the rotted stench of Thistleclan on their coats, it was mostly their own blood that decorated their wounded, defeated bodies. Her warriors returned as failures. The sandbar was still intact, and the heathens across the lake would continue to soil their island with their sin. No one was safe.
With a tail flick, Minnowstar removed herself from the rocky outcrop and slowly sauntered down towards the medicine cat’s den. Outside, the lighting continued it’s siege as a steady downpour of rain suddenly broke from the heavens, quickly turning their shoreline into sludge. The she-cat paused, listening as the rain thundered above. It was the second consecutive week of storms without a lick of sunshine. The sand had long melded into muck and even their tree-line was almost impassible, the incline hard to climb with all the damned rain. Her warriors were used to the water, committing their entire lives to the shore around the lake, but even this was a bit much for the accustomed sea dwellers.
Her nose crinkled as she wondered what it could possibly mean. Peculiar, was all she noted before giving her disheveled coat a doggish shake, dispelling dust and random debris from her matter fur. Peculiar, indeed. As she neared the healer’s den, Minnowstar entered without a word, the medicine cat used to her silent visits. Often she came for mild sleep remedies when her dreams became disturbed or messages from Starclan, their interactions limited at best, neither one conversationalists by nature, but this was different. Raising her chin, Minnowstar cleared her throat, drawing Cinderface’s attention with the dry, raspy croak of her voice. “We must make a sacrifice,” she started as the cave illuminated behind her, the rain like a drum above.
“Our warriors are not enough,” she admitted, a soft growl in her throat. “It is time for Starclan to intervene.” Without another word, the she-cat turned on her heels, her nose pointed toward the Mooncave. Further instructions were not needed. Cinderface would know what to do. As she waited for the medicine cat to gather her supplies outside of her den, the disheveled leader considered her prey. Often, they sacrificed fish or mice for bountiful resources or birds for healthy kits, but this was different. This was for a purge, a cleansing of the sin that had infested their island, a call for their enemies to be eradicated like vermin. Her claws scoured into the sandstone once more as her face twisted, deep in thought, when it dawned on her. She would need a rabbit, one as white and pure as the driven snow, one as clean as Starclan itself, a soft, infant rabbit.
inderface had become obsessive over her stock of herbs. The incessant rain drove the she-cat mad with worry. She knew the caves LichenClan called home held mysteries, and a ledge that had never seen water could one day flood. Each day Cinderface checked through her stores, and she would have Briarpaw check them again. The threat of the mysterious heathens combined with the dark dream Cinderface continued to have at the half moon filled her with worry and dread. They carry death on their pelts, and LichenClan must be prepared. The stone beneath Cinderface vibrated as thunder rumbled around her. Rain was falling once again. Check the herbs. They must stay dry.
Briarpaw worked behind Cinderface, back in her own corner. Cinderface had set Briarpaw the task of preparing salves for the elders. The chill of the rain dug deep into the bones, making each motion painful for their eldest members. The salves Briarpaw was so diligently preparing would ease that pain. She's diligent. Consistent. But brash and thunderous. Like the waterfall. Always there, yet powerful in it's own way. Briarpaw was feisty, and over the course of her apprenticeship had incited anger in Cinderface. But the medicine cat also knew that Briarpaw was devoted, and she could trust the young tabby to complete her tasks efficiently with quality. Long had it been since Cinderface had carefully watched Briarpaw at work, the trust in her skills had grown so complete.
As Cinderface rustled through the ledges with her herbs, the drumming of the rain grew louder. StarClan is angry, they have allowed the storms to continue for so long. Cinderface continued her examination, her mind plagued with her thoughts and worries. We are trying, StarClan. We will protect your sacred name from those heathens. We will honor you as we have always done.
The mottled she-cat felt the shadow, heard the rasp. She turned, and Minnowstar's regal silhouette filled the entrance to the den. “We must make a sacrifice,” Cinderface straightened. It had been many moons since a sacrifice had been made. As Minnowstar's ominous voice faded, and her shadow slipped from the den, Cinderface turned to Briarpaw. "Come, we need to gather supplies." With Briarpaw coming, Cinderface focused. Which herbs. The she-cat knew what this sacrifice was for. There was only one true enemy - the heathens. StarClan's displeasure was evident, and with each failed attempt their displeasure had only intensified. We have waited to long to ask for their help, their blessing.
"Quickly, Briarpaw. We need lavender and moss. Gather as much as you and I can carry." As Briarpaw fell to the task, Cinderface padded to her little moon pool. Smooth rocks and bright shells lay scatted around it's brim. Cinderface looked carefully, taking precious moments she knew Minnowstar was spending waiting for her. But these would be important. It must be perfect. It will represent the world StarClan intends for us. Her hazel eyes focused. The shell was perfect, and pure white. Gently, Cinderface grasped it in her jaw, and returned to Briarpaw. "Are you ready?"
∙ cinderface ∙ mistflower ∙ fog that hangs in air ∙ loudstorm ∙ sun that shines above ∙ aspenpaw ∙ aster ∙ eaglefang ∙ leafdapple ∙ orchid that blooms by night ∙ sparrowheart ∙ frostkit ∙
Briarpaw was ever thankful for the quiet moments when she and Cinderface were busy with their tasks. She was confident that they could agree, at least, on the work they needed to do. They rarely seemed to agree on anything anymore except for their duties. As she mixed the salves that would soothe the aching joints of her elder Clanmates. There was no denying the tension between the medicine cats most of the time, but when they were both set to work, things seemed to calm down.
The falling rain was gradually increasing the young tabby’s anxiety. On the surface, she was concerned for the safety of their stores and their Clanmates. She was aware of the unpredictability of the water in the caves. They needed to stay ready. But underneath was a worming worry every time she heard a roll of thunder. Find us where thunder falls… The phrase rolled through her mind on repeat after every booming peal. What do you mean? What are you trying to tell me? Her silent pleas projected forth as she cast her amber eyes upwards in the direction she knew her ancestors resided.
She was so focused on her prayer, she hardly noticed when Minnowstar blustered in. She gently tucked her salves away and turned wide-eyed to watch the leader. Her brows furrowed slightly. Sacrifice? This was an aspect of LichenClan tradition that the medicine cat apprentice had little experience in. Silently, she allowed Cinderface to answer the leader before turning a questioning look to her mentor. Her ears were pricked, alert as she waited for instruction.
For the first time, she realized how uncomfortable the leader’s presence made her. Minnowstar’s apparent agitation did little to ease Briarpaw’s frayed nerves, but she nodded at her instructions and moved off to collect what Cinderface had ordered. A niggling worry lingered in the back of her mind. If she couldn’t work with Minnowstar, how could she perform her duties appropriately. Would Minnowstar even still be leader when she took her place as a full medicine cat of LichenClan? Guiltily, she blinked the thought away. This wasn’t the time to think such thoughts. All she could do was her job now.
Swiftly, she hustled around the den, gathering the lavender and moss Cinderface had requested. First, she dropped a bundle for her mentor near the older cat’s paws before cramming her own jaws full of the supplies. Curiously, she watched the mottled she-cat pick a shell from beside her pool before asking if she was ready. Mutely, she nodded. With her jaws as full as they were, she couldn’t have responded vocally even if she thought her vocal cords would cooperate.
Outside, the rain’s thunderous tirade continued in furious sheets, drowning the shore into a peaty sludge, the waves violent as they crashed into the sand. Ears flicking, Minnowstar only turned minutely as the medicine cats exited their den, their mouths stuffed with ceremonial herbs. “Use the tunnels,” she rasped, her voice dry as she rose fully onto her feet, her back arching as she turned toward the camp’s cavernous entry. Her eyes narrowed, immediately dreading the onslaught of rain she’d endure to catch such a coveted hair. Slowly, her gaze drifted toward her faithful servants. “Prepare the Mooncave,” was all she meowed as she moved swiftly from the sandstone and out into the storm.
The deluge pelted her like pellets as she loped across the shore, her paws barely skimming the earth. The weathered she-cat flew across the land, even as the rain clouded her vision and sullied her senses into a pulp. It was nearly dusk, which meant, even in the rain, the hares would be at their most active, albeit cowering somewhere in the brush, their dens water-logged and sunken in the mud, gasping for air. With a grunt, Minnowstar launched herself onto the ridge that separated the shore from the birch forest, her teeth clenching as her claws wrestled to land a hold. The usually arid rock-face was slippery, almost impossible to climb; but as another bolt of lightning lit up the sky, the thunder rolling only seconds away, the disheveled leader found her footing and hastily scaled the rocks until her claws scoured into the woodland floor.
Chest heaving, the she-cat pulled herself beneath the almost barren canopy, the leaves now rotted into a muddy mulch upon the forest floor. With a cough, she staggered forward, leaning against a sodden tree as tried to catch her breath, the rain as relentless as the tide. Minnowstar knew of a few warrens, their tunnels interwoven beneath the birch forest, but she hadn’t hunted in moons, at least not since Riverblaze had become a warrior. There was no need to. Starclan needed her elsewhere. Still, she growled as she pushed herself from the tree and sauntered westward, in the direction of the land above the Mooncave.
What kind of leader can’t even track down a hare? As the rain thickened, the storm only a moment away, a familiar scent wafted to her left, a faint musk that drew her to pause. So, I can still track a hare. The leader’s eyes narrowed, a devilish smirk curling at her maws. It was the first time she had smiled in moons. Lowering into a crouch, Minnowstar quickly pin-pointed her target, a juvenile hare, not entirely white, its coat only half through its molt, and not entirely an infant, but it would do, or at least Starclan would understand. It was nearly leaf-bare after all. With a hiss, the she-cat shot through the underbrush, quickly catching the rabbit with her jaws, its neck snared between her teeth before it even had a second to move. With a violent kick, the hare tried to escape, flailing pathetically at her chest, but it was no use. The leader refused to lessen her hold, already loping toward one of the Mooncave’s northern entrances, her stride uneven as the hare swung from her maws with each step, alive and stricken with fear.
As the land sloped away into rock beneath her feet, the she-cat quickly realized this was the tunnel Redwoodclan used to infiltrate their land, and her grip around the terrified rabbit tightened. She would never let them try to beat her again. The Mooncave belonged to Lichenclan. With a thud, Minnowstar hit the rock as the earth started to descend, the tunnel swallowing her whole. Swathed in darkness, the disheveled leader instinctively navigated the tunnels, her body as in tune with the shore as the moon to the tide. Ahead, a light glistened, the hare now still in her jaws, it’s pulse a rapid-fire against her chest. She adjusted her hold, salivating at the rabbit’s fur softened over her tongue. Soon, it would be time.
Slowing her tread, the she-cat materialized from the shadows, the pool shimmering like a crystal beneath the rising moonlight. Her eyes lifted, meeting the gazes of the medicine cats as they turned to greet her. Her chin lifted as if to show off her prize, her sacrifice, before she met them at the head of the basin, her mouth refusing to let the hare escape. She would not release her hold until it was time, not until Starclan was ready to receive them. Carefully, the leader curled into a sit, her eyes trained on Cinderface, and then with a minute flick of her ear, the leader signaled it was time. It was time to start the sacrifice. It was time to cleanse the other clans of their sin. It was time to show the island who Starclan favored most.
he disheveled leader's crazed eyes met with Cinderface's own hazel green. Briarpaw followed mutely behind her mentor, eyes wide at the strange event unfolding before her. Minnowstar's command was direct and clear. The mottled medicine cat bowed her head in response, her mouth full of moss and herbs preventing an audible reply. Cinderface pulled away from Minnowstar, leading her apprentice to the tunnels that would lead them to the Moon Cave. The pair would be forced to silence as they traversed the dark and damp tunnels. Prepare the Mooncave...
Cinderface could feel Briarpaw trailing behind her. The tunnel closed in around the she-cat's, The darkness was all encompassing. Their senses were useless as Cinderface navigated by memory down the tunnels. While the darkness blinded the medicine cat, the bundle of lavender filled her nostrils with their calming scent. Time lost all meaning in the bleak tunnel. The winding passage seemed to continue endlessly. Prepare the Mooncave...
Minnowstar, Cinderface knew, was above them fetching the perfect sacrifice. The small she-cat felt her heart flutter with nerves. Would they have time? Minnowstar had surely caught the sacrifice by now. They would step out of the tunnel to find the she-cat in silent fury. The thought propelled Cinderface faster. Prepare the Mooncave.
Flashes of light lit the end of the tunnel, and Cinderface knew they were finally at that sacred cave. Thunder rumbled, vibrating through the ground. Finally the two she-cat's stepped into the sacred cave. As always, the still water of the pool lay waiting. The sight was instantaneously comforting to Cinderface. She walked to the edge of the pool of icy water, and stared into its depths. Prepare the Mooncave.
Cinderface dropped her bundle of herbs and moss beside the pool. "Gather the moss into a nest, Briarpaw." As the young she-cat started on the task Cinderface turned her attention to the lavender. She scattered stalks of the delicate dry buds around the pool. A sweet scent to call down StarClan. The mottled she-cat turned to face Briarpaw once more. The apprentice had completed her task and Cinderface nodded in approval. An altar for the sacrifice. Now for the final piece. Cinderface picked up the delicate pale shell she had brought with her. She stepped to the nest of moss Briarpaw had just arranged and placed the shell carefully in the center of the nest. Prepare the Mooncave.
It was prepared. Cinderface breathed deeply in satisfaction. And all before Minnowstar arrived. A flash of lighting lit the cave and thunder rumbled. A shadow darkened the entrance to the cave, and Minnowstar appeared beside them. "Briarpaw, hold the sacrifice down on the nest." The prey was transfered to Briarpaw, and Cinderface nodded to her leader. "Invoke your prayer to StarClan, Minnowstar, they are listening." When the leader finished her request, then the pale hare would be killed and drained of its blood. The Mooncave was ready.
∙ cinderface ∙ mistflower ∙ fog that hangs in air ∙ loudstorm ∙ sun that shines above ∙ aspenpaw ∙ aster ∙ eaglefang ∙ leafdapple ∙ orchid that blooms by night ∙ sparrowheart ∙ frostkit ∙
Perhaps it was her imagination, but Briarpaw was sure she could feel the electricity from the storm crackling in her fur. She had never been a part of a ceremony like this and a mixture of fear and wonder was making her stomach sick. Her attention was focused on Cidnerface, hungry for direction amidst the feeling of rush. Gather the moss into a nest… With a curt nod, the tabby snatched the moss that her mentor had dropped and used her delicate nose and tidy paws to fashion a nest for the sacrifice. Her nostrils twitched as the scent of the lavender began to permeate the air of the cave. Briefly, she looked up as if expecting to see starry warriors following the scent down to them.
When Cinderface nodded her approval at Briarpaw’s nest, the apprentice felt a wave of satisfaction. She was a grown adult by now, but still -paw in name and still seeking her mentor’s approval. Carefully, she stepped away from the nest. She didn’t want to disturb a single piece of moss that might undo her work. Then, eyes were on her mentor. She watched keenly as she made her way over and purposefully placed the shell in the center of the nest. Briarpaw nodded, taking careful mental notes of everything her mentor was doing. Someday she would be in charge of this ceremony. It was an important one for her Clan. Would she ever be ready?
She had to believe she was. With a start, Briarpaw noticed Minnowstar had joined them and with great effort, she tensed her body to keep still. A medicine cat wasn’t afraid of their leader. All the same, she couldn’t bring herself to meet the leader’s crazed eyes. The apprentice gingerly took the offered rabbit from Minnowstar. The struggling beast in her jaws made her pelt crawl. Somehow she hadn’t expected the sacrifice to still be alive and, the inexperienced hunter she was, she was not used to holding living prey between her teeth.
After mentally shaking off the unease, the tabby dragged the hare to the nest, positioning it for Minnowstar’s easy access and holding it down with a forepaw on its shoulder and flank. For the first time, she was beginning to feel nervous as the leader proceeded.
At her medicine cat’s command, the young apprentice neared, a noticeable nervousness flickering beneath her coat as she gingerly took the live rabbit from between her leader’s jaws and dragged it to the altar. Eyes narrowed, Minnowstar followed, a prayer on her tongue. Not only were her warriors bathed in their own blood, but her star student, her destined scholar, Riverblaze, was horrifically injured, his wounds graver than she ever anticipated for such a measly foe. She did not doubt her medicine cat’s skill to save his life, but still, her chest wavered, stirred by the thought of his passing. Yes, she glowered as she hovered over the fear-stricken rabbit. Thistleclan would suffer. Starclan would deliver retribution.
As lightning tore apart the skies above, the disheveled leader began. “Starclan, full of grace. The stars are with thee. Blessed are thou among believers, and blessed is the shores of thy creation.” Thunder rumbled across the heavens as if echoing her divine call. “Starclan,” she started, her voice oddly free from malice. “Within the forest of thy creation, there are cats who are lost, strewn from the lights that guide thy shores. As our ancestors, born by Heron blood, we pray that they will return, free from sin, no longer enslaved to the lusts of this island. Wash away their evils, cleanse their souls, send deliverance. Send me.” With each word, her voice waxed into the massive chamber, its timbre as loud and as forceful as the thunder that roared across the island with a wicked force.
With a sudden movement, the disheveled leader slashed her claws across the hare’s throat, spilling it’s warm, red blood into the nest, watching as the moss stained a deep, mesmerizing claret. “Pray for the sinners, now and at the hour of death.” The final words left her mouth as the rabbit writhed in a violent tremor, lightning illuminating the cave with a flickering flash. Another boom of thunder reverberated into the shore. Starclan had arrived. With wild eyes, Minnowstar raised her stare to meet the luminous disks of her medicine cats, a sick satisfaction beneath her ashen orbs. It was done. Deliverance would be sent. Thistleclan would suffer. Without a word, the leader turned on her claws, vanishing as quickly as she had arrived. Cinderface would cleanse the Mooncave and dispose of the body. Her desires had been delivered, and Starclan would answer her call. The island would soon be cleansed from sin.
innowstar's voice echoed against the cave. The prayer a hypnotizing rhythm to Cinderface. The mottled she-cat sat still, watching over the ceremony with her wise gaze. Briarpaw held the rabbit steady, although her nerves were not fully concealed with the looming ceremony. With each word, however, Cinderface felt affirmed in her faith. The prayer built to a crescendo, each work stronger than the next. Cinderface felt her heart begin to beat faster, in time with Minnowstar's prayer. Send deliverance.
Send me.
The words resounded against the walls like the pounding of a drum. And with that sharp note of me red splattered the stone floor. Minnowstar's claws cut open the sacrifice, draining the life blood from the floundering prey. The prayer concluded, Minnowstar departed, her duty in the ceremony complete. Cinderface and Briarpaw remained. The ceremony would conclude with their careful watch. "Hold it still until the final life blood has drained. It's innocence will cleanse this sacred place." The rabbit struggled, its white fur stained red from the life the wept from it. But as the seconds passed, the rabbit stilled until at last it no longer struggled. Its life was spent, and with that life would come the blessing of StarClan.
Finally Cinderface moved. The blood had leaked from the moss altar they had constructed. The white shell Cinderface had placed so carefully as a further offering was stained red. She nodded to her apprentice, permitting the tabby she-cat to relinquish her hold. "StarClan bless us." Cinderface spoke solemnly, concluding the ceremony. She turned her hazel eyes to Briarpaw. "Take the rabbit to the elders and queens, they will feast on the flesh that StarClan has blessed." As Briarpaw moved, Cinderface remained, her gaze firmly rooted on the pool of blood left. She would clear the moss away when she left. And the shell would return to her den, resuming its sacred spot by her mini Moon-Pool. But for now, she would remain in silent contemplation. The sounds of Briarpaw departing her only friend in the silence of the cave.
∙ cinderface ∙ mistflower ∙ fog that hangs in air ∙ loudstorm ∙ sun that shines above ∙ aspenpaw ∙ aster ∙ eaglefang ∙ leafdapple ∙ orchid that blooms by night ∙ sparrowheart ∙ frostkit ∙
Briarpaw tensed against trembling limbs, both from excitement, wonder and nervousness. She managed to hold the rabbit still despite her doubts while Minnowstar called upon StarClan. Closing her own eyes, she prayed silently but her prayers were different from her elders’. StarClan, show yourselves to me. Help me deliver my Clan. Let me find you. Minnowstar’s voice boomed at the edge of her awareness, loud as the thunder and the tabby managed not to flinch or withdraw at the sudden strike from the leader’s claws.
Briarpaw opened her eyes and watched as the life bled from the hare’s throat. She kept her paws steadfastly placed on the rabbit as its struggles waned. Cinderface instructed her and she wordlessly nodded, letting her grip relax only when her mentor stood and gave her a nod. The tabby stepped back and gingerly cleaned the rabbit’s blood from her own paws.
She looked to Cinderface as she waited for further instruction. It was important that she learn how to assist with sacrifices. It was part of her duty. There was so much that her mentor was upset with her about, she was determined to prove herself here even if she wasn’t able to anywhere else. ”StarClan, bless us,” she echoed her voice barely above a whisper. At her mentor’s instruction, she snatched the rabbit by the scruff and hauled it to the entrance of the cave. If StarClan had truly blessed this hare, then it would surely bring health to those who ate its flesh. And, though she hated thinking of this, if StarClan was still lost to them, then at least it would provide a welcome meal to those who didn’t know any better.
