Post by Egotistic on Sept 10, 2024 20:29:23 GMT -6
Lightpaw
LichenClan
longhaired flame point w/ blue eyes.
apprentice
male | tom
6 moons
Appearance
Despite his family's low standing, its constituents maintained a marked consideration for old breeding practices. As such, Lightpaw is well-bred despite his station, and his appearance aligns with the standard—that is, having a balanced figure, the round, gentle features of his predecessors, and a covetously long and plush coat. There is no savagery in his appearance as might be found in others, nor signs of sickliness—only an expression, warm and amiable. Like his mother and father, and their mothers and fathers before them, he bears the characteristic flame points and large, blue eyes.
Personality
“It takes strength to know what’s right. And love isn’t something that weak people do.”
Positive Traits: charismatic, compassionate, well-intentioned, and humble.Negative Traits: ignorant, repressed, and blunt with a savior complex.
Removed from the prejudice and zealotry of other traditionalist families, Lightpaw was not raised to grasp for power but to enlighten and embolden those around him. His childhood teachings were not of war or religious conquest but of the good graces of the ancestors and peace. Nor does he believe in the harrowing omnipresence of the stars as some do. His views are ones of hope and warmth, of community and care. There is little room for the darker thoughts that plague so many others, and in his eyes, this is best.
That is not, however, to say he is without flaw—for flawed are all creations made by the stars. Lightpaw believes himself a saint, yet he is weak beyond expression. He uses his faith as a shield from his own yearnings of knowing and being close to others. He loves yet denies himself the uncertainty that comes with loving truly and deeply. He is ignorant of his misgivings, defiant of them, and even forcibly impartial to his detriment.
Nor should it be said that he is a preacher like his father, or a giver like his mother. Young as he is and swayed by the compulsions of youth, he can be as kind as he can be blunt, as dismissive he can be welcoming. Such habits are a weakness which greatly shame him. Yet a part of him he has been unable to shake.
History
Before Conception
Tracing back even as far as Heron's line, Lightpaw's family was as ancient as they were devout. The stars were their inheritance, and the distribution of their ancestors' teachings and their callings. Under Heronstar's reign, they preached war hymns and sang the tyrants praises. Never did they question the bloodshed, however endless. If it meant the continued strength of StarClan's favored, the dead and the dying were a minor consequence of their glory.
So, did they consecrate each battle with their holy prayers, regaling the ranks and offering blessings. They would gather the Clan's devout within the halls of the Moon Cave and fill its empty caverns with song. And they would continue to do so until the Season 2004, one cool winter day when four apprentices plunged beneath the lake's icy waters, only to be saved by a she-cat named Egretfeather.
Their own among the fallen, when the children were rushed back to their mothers, Lightpaw's ancestors professed their thanks most fervently, for their only male heir had been spared. Egretfeather welcomed their thanks and visited their offspring sickbed often, and her compassion precipitated a change in the family's teachings.
The sermons they held in the Moon Cave came to acknowledge the value of humility and solicitude; they encouraged a new era within the Clan that welcomed kindness instead of savagery. As one might assume, the change in their rhetoric was not so easily accepted. Many turned away from their service, repulsed by the weakness imparted in their words; yet many others still filled the Moon Cave's halls to witness their teachings. It is said that Egretfeather was among their most prominent visitors and that her attendance further bolstered their popularity among her supporters. Unknowingly, they became a haven for the warrior's adherents and welcomed them openly.
When Nettlefur began to show his age, the family grew more vocal in supporting Egretfeather's ascension. When Sagestrike was ascended instead, there was outrage.
A divide formed between the traditionalists. Families, bound by blood pacts, severed their bonds, and old friends found enemies in familiar faces. It was Lightpaw's own family, stubborn in their continued support of Egretfeather and enraged by the injustice of the new deputy's ascension, who were among the various others who fell from grace in the wake of their brazen endorsement.
Still, they held their service in the Moon Cave. Egretfeather's supporters rallied in prayer, and the name of Egretfeather rang adoringly from their mouths. When word spread of their insubordination, warriors sworn to Sagestrike's cause were sent to impede them. Cats were thrown into the catacombs for their participation—a place where many of Lightpaw's ancestors would meet their end—still, the meetings would not cease, though they were held more tactfully than before.
When Egretfeather was found dead, Lightpaw's family offered comfort to her supporters. Their sermons continued, but the press of Heron's own adherents soon dwindled their ranks.
Under Sagestar's rule, further efforts to thwart insurrection were enforced. Sympathizers of Egretfeather's cause were sent first into battle and the casualties they sustained in war further weakened their ranks. Lightpaw's family, without prospect for betrothal, soon feared for who might carry on their legacy.
Still, they persevered, as they always had. They joined among the tunnels in the beginning of a rebel force. Sharing of the opinion that Egretfeather had been slain, they brooded underground, offering comfort but too weary to act on their own. It was only when Cranewatcher suggested murdering Sagestar that they grew hopeful.
Yet Cranewatcher was unsuccessful, and his attempt left many to believe him dead. In his absence, Sagestar sent more of his followers to dwindle away at their ranks. More were left to rot in stone cells, and soon, the family, desperate to conserve what was left of their inheritance, fell into obscurity.
When the new age of rebels rose, they, fearful of punishment, did not answer the calls for support. It was only in the final fight where they lent their aid. Underhandedly and subtly, so as not to suffer any further retribution.
After Yarrowstar rose into power, only a single mating pair remained of the family, their eldest passing soon after Minnowstar was overthrown.
Season 2024
By the time of Lightpaw's conception, the Clan was once again besieged with misfortune. Desperate for answers in the wake of their medicine cats' absence, the Clan was granted only more questions subsequent to Yarrowstar's disappearance. The Moon Cave in which Lightpaw's father, Pheasantwing held his sermons was promptly barred. Whispers of dangers underground, even in the presence of their holy pool, made their impression, and the families of old grew restless under their new leadership's restraints.
Rather than focusing their attention on prayer, Pheasantwing and Goldenflower turned their attention to their son's future. With the old histories passed down to them from their ancestors, they entrusted the teachings they spread to all to their son. They taught him the hymns that those before had taught them; they granted him knowledge of their histories and the harm brought upon them for upholding them. As those moved by Egretfeather had done, they entrusted their son only with urgings for compassion and humility, and both of these things he showed in abundance.
So adept was he in memorizing their histories, they did not worry for their future, yet ambition yet rested in the mother's heart, and she turned her attention to the remaining medicine cat, Lilacmist. Never before had one of their ilk seized a position of station, yet what better way to ensure the distribution of their teachings than to thrust an heir among the healing class? Even they, disgraced as they were among the other ancient families, would could claim the respect and consideration of their superiors. So, did they begin to teach their son the herbs and healing tinctures. They recited old queens' cures to him at night, and he enthusiastically grasped each new lesson.
When Lilacmist's body was found, however, such ambitions grew cold in their hearts. Fearful of the dangers their last heir might face, though the lessons did not halt, they grew in their discretion. Lightpaw looked upon his future and he felt fear for it, yet so deeply did he love his parents and so desperately did he seek to please them, he did not voice such troubles aloud.
When his fifth moon arrived, his parents began preparations to present him before the leadership.
Too late, for upon meeting with their Clan's leader, the presence of another denied their son's right. A young upstart from a high-standing family. A cat who was chosen by the stars. They turned ot their son, who had made peace with his future, and told him the news. He was fearful again, for he had been afraid of the shadows that lurked below as deeply as he feared the prospect of hurting. Yet, with no alternative, he came into his apprenticeship without complaint.
Tracing back even as far as Heron's line, Lightpaw's family was as ancient as they were devout. The stars were their inheritance, and the distribution of their ancestors' teachings and their callings. Under Heronstar's reign, they preached war hymns and sang the tyrants praises. Never did they question the bloodshed, however endless. If it meant the continued strength of StarClan's favored, the dead and the dying were a minor consequence of their glory.
So, did they consecrate each battle with their holy prayers, regaling the ranks and offering blessings. They would gather the Clan's devout within the halls of the Moon Cave and fill its empty caverns with song. And they would continue to do so until the Season 2004, one cool winter day when four apprentices plunged beneath the lake's icy waters, only to be saved by a she-cat named Egretfeather.
Their own among the fallen, when the children were rushed back to their mothers, Lightpaw's ancestors professed their thanks most fervently, for their only male heir had been spared. Egretfeather welcomed their thanks and visited their offspring sickbed often, and her compassion precipitated a change in the family's teachings.
The sermons they held in the Moon Cave came to acknowledge the value of humility and solicitude; they encouraged a new era within the Clan that welcomed kindness instead of savagery. As one might assume, the change in their rhetoric was not so easily accepted. Many turned away from their service, repulsed by the weakness imparted in their words; yet many others still filled the Moon Cave's halls to witness their teachings. It is said that Egretfeather was among their most prominent visitors and that her attendance further bolstered their popularity among her supporters. Unknowingly, they became a haven for the warrior's adherents and welcomed them openly.
When Nettlefur began to show his age, the family grew more vocal in supporting Egretfeather's ascension. When Sagestrike was ascended instead, there was outrage.
A divide formed between the traditionalists. Families, bound by blood pacts, severed their bonds, and old friends found enemies in familiar faces. It was Lightpaw's own family, stubborn in their continued support of Egretfeather and enraged by the injustice of the new deputy's ascension, who were among the various others who fell from grace in the wake of their brazen endorsement.
Still, they held their service in the Moon Cave. Egretfeather's supporters rallied in prayer, and the name of Egretfeather rang adoringly from their mouths. When word spread of their insubordination, warriors sworn to Sagestrike's cause were sent to impede them. Cats were thrown into the catacombs for their participation—a place where many of Lightpaw's ancestors would meet their end—still, the meetings would not cease, though they were held more tactfully than before.
When Egretfeather was found dead, Lightpaw's family offered comfort to her supporters. Their sermons continued, but the press of Heron's own adherents soon dwindled their ranks.
Under Sagestar's rule, further efforts to thwart insurrection were enforced. Sympathizers of Egretfeather's cause were sent first into battle and the casualties they sustained in war further weakened their ranks. Lightpaw's family, without prospect for betrothal, soon feared for who might carry on their legacy.
Still, they persevered, as they always had. They joined among the tunnels in the beginning of a rebel force. Sharing of the opinion that Egretfeather had been slain, they brooded underground, offering comfort but too weary to act on their own. It was only when Cranewatcher suggested murdering Sagestar that they grew hopeful.
Yet Cranewatcher was unsuccessful, and his attempt left many to believe him dead. In his absence, Sagestar sent more of his followers to dwindle away at their ranks. More were left to rot in stone cells, and soon, the family, desperate to conserve what was left of their inheritance, fell into obscurity.
When the new age of rebels rose, they, fearful of punishment, did not answer the calls for support. It was only in the final fight where they lent their aid. Underhandedly and subtly, so as not to suffer any further retribution.
After Yarrowstar rose into power, only a single mating pair remained of the family, their eldest passing soon after Minnowstar was overthrown.
Season 2024
By the time of Lightpaw's conception, the Clan was once again besieged with misfortune. Desperate for answers in the wake of their medicine cats' absence, the Clan was granted only more questions subsequent to Yarrowstar's disappearance. The Moon Cave in which Lightpaw's father, Pheasantwing held his sermons was promptly barred. Whispers of dangers underground, even in the presence of their holy pool, made their impression, and the families of old grew restless under their new leadership's restraints.
Rather than focusing their attention on prayer, Pheasantwing and Goldenflower turned their attention to their son's future. With the old histories passed down to them from their ancestors, they entrusted the teachings they spread to all to their son. They taught him the hymns that those before had taught them; they granted him knowledge of their histories and the harm brought upon them for upholding them. As those moved by Egretfeather had done, they entrusted their son only with urgings for compassion and humility, and both of these things he showed in abundance.
So adept was he in memorizing their histories, they did not worry for their future, yet ambition yet rested in the mother's heart, and she turned her attention to the remaining medicine cat, Lilacmist. Never before had one of their ilk seized a position of station, yet what better way to ensure the distribution of their teachings than to thrust an heir among the healing class? Even they, disgraced as they were among the other ancient families, would could claim the respect and consideration of their superiors. So, did they begin to teach their son the herbs and healing tinctures. They recited old queens' cures to him at night, and he enthusiastically grasped each new lesson.
When Lilacmist's body was found, however, such ambitions grew cold in their hearts. Fearful of the dangers their last heir might face, though the lessons did not halt, they grew in their discretion. Lightpaw looked upon his future and he felt fear for it, yet so deeply did he love his parents and so desperately did he seek to please them, he did not voice such troubles aloud.
When his fifth moon arrived, his parents began preparations to present him before the leadership.
Too late, for upon meeting with their Clan's leader, the presence of another denied their son's right. A young upstart from a high-standing family. A cat who was chosen by the stars. They turned ot their son, who had made peace with his future, and told him the news. He was fearful again, for he had been afraid of the shadows that lurked below as deeply as he feared the prospect of hurting. Yet, with no alternative, he came into his apprenticeship without complaint.
