Ok...it felt kind of nice to NOT write 2020 LMAO. Welcome to 2021! To kick off the brand new year, we're introducing a round of updates, including new bio and forbidden romance rules, our Secret Santa reveal, OTM winners and nominations, our monthly patrols, and a fun new infectious disease! So make sure to check out the January Announcements for all of the new content! As we leave 2020 behind us, we hope everyone is able to put themselves first this year and practice self-care! Here's to another one! Let's write some cats!
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.
Dawn threatens to break over the horizon as Nettlepaw (c a n n a ), despite her injuries, races back to camp to alert her clan, while in the abandoned campground, Curiosity (Dreamer ) sits in waiting, his lackeys in the shadows.
Beneath him, thrown from the porch of the abandoned two-leg cabin, Thievingstar's (Bandit ) lifeless body lies in the wake of their mysterious and ill-intended deal. Her decision cost the she-cat her life, and soon, her own sound of mind.
Back in the needled forest, Blazingstorm (wish ) and Harechaser (Annie ) wait, unexpectedly, on guard duty, while the rest of the clan lies, unsuspecting, in their nests.
On the other side of the territory, a fight has broken out between Redwoodclan and Thistleclan as the redwood warriors try to deliver the lungwort to the tribe. Defeated, the Thistleclan warriors return to camp, only to find a wailing Nettlepaw. Will Hawktail (catalysta ) and her patrol (Egotistic , Raven~ ) reach Thievingstar in time to save her from Curiosity? Or will the rogues (gammaneise , rhian , wolfiedemon ) prevail?
For those who want to read the events leading up to this thread, please visit Stolen from a Mother.
Hi all,
Recently Dreamer and I participated in a thread that involved Curiosity, Thievingstar, and Nettlepaw. The plot for the encounter between Thievingstar and Curiosity had been in the works for nearly a year, prior to The Apostles opening. Our intention was for the trauma to lead Thievingstar into a state of decline as a leader, while opening up future plots for their illegitimate children, who would be divided among the clans, with Curiosity watching their progress and tempting their fates with promises of the Dark Forest, similar to Brambleclaw and Hawkfrost from the books.
Every step of the way, we have been in contact with the rest of the staff team to discuss the posts, editing as needed and as treading carefully as we could. While we tried our best to convey this thread in a way that expressed clear consent between the rogue and the ThistleClan leader, we realize now that we were ignorant about the circumstances behind their encounter. Due to the coercion that occurred, what happened to Thievingstar was not consensual.
Wish had taken charge of addressing member concerns over the past few days, as they were causing Dreamer and I a great deal of distress. It was never our intent to make members feel uncomfortable. We felt that we could handle a mature thread like this in a tactful way. As Thievingstar’s roleplayer, I felt that the thread was consensual and that she had a choice. Obviously we failed to portray that, and this content was inappropriate, regardless of our intentions or how we interpreted the scene.
Nonetheless, we want to own up to our actions and try to make amends. Originally the staff team had agreed to add trigger warning on the thread and a notice about its contents in the follow-up patrol, but it has been made clear to us from additional concerns from our members that such a rule violation cannot be allowed to remain on the site. It sets a bad precedent for us as both members and admin, and also has significant ramifications for future plots.
As such, Dreamer and I have edited our posts so that Curiosity will only attack Thievingstar. There will be no sexual content involved, and Curiosity will not be siring Thievingstar’s kits as previously planned.
We sincerely apologize for the pain and discomfort this thread has caused and hope to move forward with a plot that is safe for everyone to read and enjoy. Such content will not be permitted on the site again.
In the distance, the eerie red light of the sun shimmered between the full-bellied pines, their boughs a glistening, rosy pink beneath the rising dawn. Shifting on his paws, the calico released a low breath, his eyes drowsy with sleep. Besides him, his sentry-partner sat, his body somehow still antsy and alert after hours of an excruciatingly boring watch. The only semi-interesting thing to happen over the entire night, other then the sudden new-leaf snow, was Thievingstar leaving a few hours earlier, snappily asking for the whereabouts of an apprentice before sauntering off between the pines without another word. Blazingstorm had been tempted to follow his old mentor, his curiosity piqued, but her bristling pelt and lashing tail told him otherwise. Besides, the tom thought with a grimace. That would mean leaving the entire clan in the paws of Harechaser. His stare flickered toward the other tom and a snort left his nose, a soundless retort.
I’m not that idiotic, he breathed with an indignant eye roll. Settling further onto his haunches, the calico tom let his eyelids flutter briefly as the rays of dawn descended onto the island, banishing the dreadful night into the shore and melting the remnants of last night's snow. When suddenly the sound of staggering paw-steps crackled through the undergrowth, alerting the tom into a startled bristle. Shooting Harechaser a narrowed glance, Blazingstorm leapt onto his feet and bared his teeth, anticipating the worst. As the paw-steps grew closer, the calico quickly realized the air reeked of blood, and as the scent of his clan-mate strengthened, a fear unraveled into his stomach. What the fox happened? He wondered as the beaten and bloodied body of Nettlepaw crashed through the woodland and sauntered before them, her maws heaving for air.
Immediately, the tom rushed forward to support the struggling she-cat as his eyes danced back toward Harechaser. “Tell me what happened,” Blazingstorm demanded as he hoisted the she-cat to her feet, but her words were garbled and almost incoherent above her heaving breath. Moving toward the camp, the tom was able to catch a few full words, names that chilled his wildly thumping heart as they stumbled between the trees. Thievingstar. Rogues. Campground. And then the she-cat collapsed, the wounds across her lithe body far too much. “We need Ratwhisker, someone hurry!” Blazingstorm yowled, his voice resounding across the camp as his clan-mates rushed from their dens, their eyes startled and their tails bristling straight into the air like leaping birds. As another cat rushed forward to take the apprentice to the medicine cat’s den, Yewthorn shot off in the other direction to find Hawktail, who had left earlier to intercept a Redwoodclan patrol heading toward the tribe.
His heart in his throat, the tom stood in the frenzied terror of his clan-mates as time seemed to freeze around him. Somewhere in the distance an eerie hum entered his ears and his breath stilled. Above, the sun inched further above the horizon as he remained frozen, his mind a numb throb, and then suddenly, Hawktail raced through the clan's entrance, and the hum vanished as he recollected the last few moments. Racing to her side, the tom meowed as fast he could, his heart like a drum in his chest. "Harechaser and I found Nettlepaw. She looks like she was attacked and whoever did it must have Thievingstar too." The tom took in another breath. "She didn't say much, but she mentioned rogues and the campground." His eyes flashed then. "I don't know what you want to do, but whatever it is, I'm coming with you."
"Hawktail. You're needed in camp. Thievingstar sent me..."
Hawktail's fur prickled with unease as she met Yewthorn's gaze, seeing something very grave behind his green eyes. Something had unsettled him, she could tell that much. She knew whatever it was, it was dire for Thievingstar to pull her from something so important. Without question, Hawktail left her patrol to the Redwood cats. She would've hesitated, would've argued to stay, if a distinct feeling in her gut was not spurring her on.
She burst into camp, sending the freshly-fallen snow scattering in her wake. There were drops of blood in the camp, she realized with a sickening drop in the pit of her stomach. She was immediately bombarded by the warriors that awaited her there, halted by one of them telling her that Nettlepaw was severely injured in the medicine cat's den. Ratwhisker will take care of her, Hawktail forced the thought into her worried heart as the new warrior Blazingstorm approached her with more urgent information. My duty to the Clan comes first, she is stronger than she looks, surely, if she's any family of mine.
Hawktail's mind was aflame, her gaze flickering back and forth over the expectant faces of her Clan-mates as she gathered her senses. Harechaser and Blazingstorm, they would come with her. Cedarflame, too; an experienced warrior that Hawktail had faith in. She would not risk leaving the camp open for a RedwoodClan assault, and she knew there were not many rogues to fight. They could handle this without putting unnecessary lives at risk. All they needed to do was find Thievingstar, and they could do that by following Nettlepaw's bloody trail.
Heart pounding, Hawktail called out, "Harechaser, Cedarflame! You three are coming with me. The rest of you, be on your guard."
With that, Hawktail was gone from the camp. Her paws flew across the forest floor, kicking snow and dirt up behind her. She focused all of her senses on detecting Nettlepaw's trail, and for keeping an ear out for Thievingstar. She didn't have time to form a real plan. They would likely be bursting in on whatever scene there was to see, but time was of the essence.
"Be ready for anything!" She said over her shoulder as they moved, "We're going to be at a disadvantage. Just remember: our main objective is to get Thievingstar out," as she said that, her gaze darkened and she looked at the warriors following her for a brief moment. Emotions swam in her eyes. Was Thievingstar still alive, or had she given her life to save Nettlepaw? What had they done to Nettlepaw?
What am I leading us into?
400+ | Egotistic goes next, and then Hawk one more time to get everyone to the cabin. Thanks guys <3
[attr="class","sinnert"]The trek back was long, wearisome, and cold. Fresh snow filtered down from a barrage of brooding grey clouds, forcing the canopy above to endure a new coat as the patrol below trudged on in muted silence, some limping from the severity of their wounds, others stalking with heads lowered and eyes casting to either side, searching the shadows as if to find enemies lurking there. Crowfrost entertained neither, though her pace was slow and cumbersome as with each jaunting stride, fresh blood seeped from her shoulder with a newfound alacrity. To be back at camp with a medicine cat to patch her wounds—even one as incompetent and flighty as they own—would be a welcomed respite. But not before I’ve reported back to Thievingstar. Even with her wounds, Crowfrost knew better than to cast aside her duties. The clan’s safety was integral to ThistleClan’s longevity; she could not rest knowing what she did and withholding it for the appeal of her own comforts. And so such thoughts were discarded as easily as one might discard of a tick or flea, and her eyes fell hard and unswerving upon the path that wove underfoot. Worn from countless paws, her conversancy with it was unparalleled, and she was none too surprised to see the grotesque shape of the thorn wall that encircled their camp. Fresh weavings had only further added to its malformed bulk, but where the enemy might grow discontented by its presence, she felt only a wash of relief for within those walls there was warmth, there was comfort, and there was safety. And Thievingstar.
But as the yawning camp entrance stretched before them, she was unsettled by the barren posts. There are no guards. But most curious of all was the lingering stench of blood, and somewhere within the interminglings of rogue scent. That alone set her hackles to rise, but she did well in slowing. “Something's amiss. Stay on your guard.” Weary eyes met hers, though at the implication of danger, some burned ever brighter. Still, we are strong. Returning her attention to her forward march, she forced her way into camp, and upon doing so was assaulted by the stench of blood once again.
And then she saw them.
Sprawled out in the clearing was her very own apprentice. Nettlepaw with her flanks slick with blood, her jaws parted, gasping for air. And stooped over her, round-eyed and trembling, was none other than Ratwhisker, whose raspy stammering seemed naught but a whisper on the wind as he worked, his paws fidgeting and fumbling as they worked to stifle the bleeding.
No. Her thoughts raced, back towards a time long since past, when another apprentice had been under her tutorship. So young and innocent… but that had not stopped StarClan from taking her away. Surely they would not do so again. Surely not…
“What happened? Who did this?” The pain of her shoulder forgotten, Crowfrost left the patrol to stand alongside the tom’s side, but he seemed to only shrink within himself, his words growing ever more convoluted and tangled in his panic. “For the love of StarClan, speak!”
Eyes round as saucers peered into her own. “R-r-r-rogues. Th-they… they… they attacked Nettlepaw and…”
“And who?”
“…Th-thievingstar.”
“And the others, where are they?”
“H-h-hawktail took them.. they’re gone, C-crowfrost.”
The air seemed to still. Her eyes fell onto her apprentice, to the wounds that marred her blue coat, then to her medicine cat, who had turned aside from her and returned to his fumbling work. Cobwebs streamed clumsily from his paws as he packed them, but it seemed no amount could truly quell the bleeding, and with each wrapping, a fresh stain of crimson rose. Just watching made Crowfrost feel ill; without a word, she rose to her paws and turned away, leaving them.
Her eyes glancing to either side of the clearing, she hurried back to what remained of the patrol where they stood, silent and apprehensive. She gave me command of these cats. I ought to use that… “We’ll need guards posted outside of camp while I’m gone. The ablest of you… we’ll need you there. The rest, you ought to see Ratwhisker now. Rest while you can, but stay on the alert—rogues have been found within our territory.” When questioned on where she intended to go, for there was something in the way in which she stood that did not imply she intended to stay, she said only, “I’m going after them.” Without waiting for a rebuttal, Crowfrost shoved her way back out into the snow-ridden forest, her steps brisker despite the pain each one evoked. Her eyes sought the snow, and as what pawprints remained of the leaving patrol rose before her, she followed them.
Beyond the border is where the trail led them, but Hawktail did not falter. She said little else than her intial warnings to the others. Her intensity was evident in the way she moved; how her paws moved in an unorganized rhythm, how her nostrils flared, her muzzle wrinkled with each lunge of her body. She caught the scent of blood again, but it didn't belong to Nettlepaw anymore.
She stopped suddenly upon seeing a tuft of black fur caught on a dead bush. Red, sticky blood had frozen it to the branch. Hawktail swallowed, catching her breath for heartbeat before she finally faced the others. "The plan... is.. we stay together. There must be a group of them, or they wouldn't have been able to keep Thievingstar down... and I don't want anymore of us getting picked off. Blazingstorm, Harechaser, if you two find an opening, get Thievingstar out." They were young... They didn't need to fight a losing battle with her. She would give them the opportunity to get out in one piece. She glanced at Cedarflame, nodding to the warrior. They were in this together.
Slower, stealthier, Hawktail picked her way through the snow-covered forest as it thickened. Shadows hovered over them and the wind howled against their fur, as if telling them all to turn back... Before it was too late.
The roof of the twoleg den startled her. She hadn't realized how close they were to it. Still, she remained resolute. She shook the nerves off of her pelt and unsheathed her claws. She was keeping an eye on their flanks carefully. As they moved in on the den, the stench of blood became overpowering. Are we too late? No.. even if they killed her, she has to have more lives left...
That thought gave her hope, at least, even if she wasn't sure.
As the patrol moved through the shadows, Hawktail felt as if they were being watched. The fur along her spine stood on end, and it was then that she saw her. Thievingstar's body lay limp on the snowy ground, scarlet blood pooled into her dark fur. Hawktail's heart dropped.
"Blazingstorm-" her voice shook, "you have to get her out of here right now."
She stepped forward with him at first, but she stopped as a strong gale swept through the trees. The twoleg den and the branches creaked and howled above them. Suddenly, the flash of a cat's pelt dashed through her peripheral. It headed straight for Thievingstar and Blazingstorm. Around them, she could see more of rogues stepping out of the shadows. Her heart pounded.
"Blazingstorm, watch it! Everyone, form a wall around them!" She snarled and jumped to his side.
Cedarflame was alert the instant she smelled blood in the air. On her paws, she watched through narrowed green eyes as Blazingstorm confronted Nettlepaw. The rest seemed to happen in a blur. Hawktail had arrived and called a patrol and the tabby’s ears twitched as her own name was called forward. It was certainly an opportunity for glory, saving the leader, albeit a very dangerous one given the circumstance. With a blank expression, she stepped forward to the ruddy she-cat’s side. Her jaws were held tightly shut as she listened to their instructions, nodding to show she understood.
To say that Hawktail set a brisk pace was putting it lightly. Shorter of leg and smaller of build than her patrol mates, Cedarflame found herself loping to keep up, though she didn’t complain. There were far more important things she needed to worry about right now, like keeping a wary eye for the rogues that had attacked the apprentice and taken their leader.
As they crossed the border, Cedarflame’s ears angled backwards momentarily. It was the only sign of how on edge she felt before they faced forward again, alert and looking ahead. She listened as, again, Hawktail instructed them and she had to fight off a feeling of dred that tried to settle over her. Harechaser’s and Blazingstorm’s job was to get in and get out with Thievingstar leaving the older warriors, Hawktail and herself, to hold the enemy back. The tabby’s green eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she realized she wouldn’t be coming out of this fight unscathed. But it was okay. Today’s scars became tomorrow’s bragging rights eventually.
But such was the duty of a warrior. She caught Hawktail’s eye and resolutely returned her nod. They would retrieve Thievingstar and she would return to her Clanmates and children as one of the brave warriors that rescued their beloved leader.
Keeping low to the ground, Cedarflame slunk at the rear of the patrol. When Thievingstar’s battered body came into view, the tabby halted. Wide green eyes stared at the leader for what felt like moons, but there was no rise or fall to her flank. Thievingstar had died. The mission had suddenly become much more serious than she had hoped.
As Hawktail gave Blazingstorm his orders and Cedarflame moved to stand beside the patrol leader, a shadow caught her eye. Before she could call out a warning, the figure pelted towards the young warrior. Scrambling after Hawktail, she raced to Blazingstorm’s back and whipped around, baring her fangs in a fearsome snarl at whichever rogue stood before her. Her ears pinned flat against her head and she arched her back, her fur standing on end and her tail curled to lend imaginary size to her petite frame. ”Get out of here!” she spat, bluffing a charge at the rogue and striking out with a paw full of sharp claws. Satisfaction fueled the fire in her belly as she felt her claws snag in flesh before backing off.
[I'm a big dumb and deleted Cedarflame's post template lmao. Figured for the first round she could do dice just to get nice an confident B) wishcatalystaBanditAnnie @the rogues | 496]
Attack move: Just a swipe this time but like her claws are like needle feet Attack Roll: 25WmHb_c1d20+3 Damage Roll: 1d12+3 Character HP: 601d20+3·1d12+3
The scariest monsters are the ones that lurk within our souls. -Edgar Allen Poe
The rescue group had taken longer to get here than he originally had anticipated. It was mildly annoying. He had places he wanted to go, but at the same time it allowed for some of his followers to come along and join him. Once they had seen the leaders body and he had explained what had happened, a couple were more than willing to stick around and help him leave a few more scars on those coming to the aid of the downed leader. He ordered them to await his signal but then the damaged they caused was up to them.
The shadows seemed to hiss in excitement around him and he methodically ran a paw over his face as he focused on readying himself. He wanted to seem presentable to these new comers as he always wanted, but the scent of the black she cats blood was still trapped in his long furred pelt. It probably would be for several more days. He didn't mind. It drove him to his finalization of what needed to be done to these clan cats. If they could run them out, the rouges cause take over the land. Then he wouldn't have to hear complaints from those that seemed so keen on following him around.
As the wind moved through the run down house he paused and lifted his gaze as the scent of the clan cats crossed him. He smirked, his golden eyes gleaming slightly. He shifted more into the shadows, his movement a sign for the others to follow suit. The group easily found the leader. He watched as a calico male moved forward and lifted his tail for a sign to wait, but one of his own misunderstood and darted out. He growled softly in frustration, but the rouge was cut off by a fierce she-cat, her claws lashing out in warning but providing a good warning scratch to the impatient rouge.
"Seems like we've got a few intruders," he said slowly removing himself from the shadows, a smirk resting on his muzzle, "I'm afraid you're a bit late to stop your precious leader from trying to run us our on her own. Though she did provide us with some very insightful information on your home before.....well before i killed her." He watched as the clan cats bristled at the news, realizing he was looking down on them, though they were on the same level of grounding as him. Why were they all so small? No matter, their size wouldn't matter for much longer. "Take them out. Then you all can fight over the scraps," he said to his followers with a bored tone to his voice. The shadows seemed to yowl in excitement around him as the chaos of battle ensued.
Harechaser yawned then proceeded to scratch at his chin loosely. He was once more, stuck on guard duty with Blazingstorm and his boring self. It didn’t help that Harechaser couldn’t help but hold back a snicker or two most times he saw the tom, thinking of the night he’d left a wonderful snake in his den.
Harechaser hadn’t a clue if the calico had figured out it was him, but he didn’t care. It had been worth it to see the great Blazingstorm run out his nest like his tail had been light on fire.
The imagery made the tabby manx sneeze from a withheld chortle. Blazingstorm’s gaze flickered to him, prompting Harechaser to purposefully cross his eyes and stick his tongue out.
Harechaser knew he was a clown and jokster to many in his clan and a burden. But he’d earned his name despite all that, and knew when to get his paws dirty.
A sound in the bushes set him on edge. He caught Blazingstorm’s look, and while not happy to fall into line behind the younger tom, put aside his pride to step forward and better protect the entrance to his clan camp. His bobtail twitched back and forth, ears pressed forward to pick up on any other noises.
Harechaser felt his fur rise on end, doubling his massive size, as Nettlepaw staggered into view. Harechaser ached to help his clanmate, but knew his duty, so he stood guard as Blazingstorm escorted her into camp. Harechaser took his post, heavy shoulder set back as he slowly paced his way around camp.
What followed was a blur of movement and shouts and orders, and before Harechaser could really think, or even process for crying out loud, he was racing through the undergrowth after Hawktail and Cedarflame. Andrenaline made his heart pound and skin crawl, and the excitement for the battle to come made his lips curl.
The orders to retrieve Thievingstar and retreat stung his youthful pride. He gritted his teeth against the words, but bowed his head in understanding, knowing now was not a time to get mouthy. He snarled at Curiosity’s words, his fur standing so much so on end that his tail seemed to disappear into his silhouette. He bared his teeth and flexed his claws, the blood of his ThistleClan heritage roaring in his ears. Verdant eyes shined with a wild, lime light as his lips curled in on themselves. “I'm ready to play if you are,” he cackles, licking his lips slowly.
______________________________ four hundred nineteen | sorry for the wait
The rogue remained silent amongst what was his current brethren as the cats in the shadows seemed to swim with eagerness about him, his own deep blue eyes merely regarding their surroundings with a sense of caution. Curiosity was confident… Perhaps a little too confident, and he wasn’t sure just how far the tom would be able to continue with this war. Nonetheless, he seemed to follow along for these schemes, his blame unable to be wholeheartedly placed on the tabby that had rounded them all together. It was always best to band together… As his old clan had always used to inform him. Though the thought of them brought a look of disgust to his face, he couldn’t help but stick to their habits.
Could he really survive alone? It was best not to think about that, best to find some other way. It was just his luck that Curiosity would be that other path. He hadn’t hated his new ‘comrades’ of sorts, at least not all of them, but many were far too bloodthirsty to understand the greater scope of their plans.
It had taken a surprisingly long time for stragglers of ThistleClan to show up in a bid to rescue their leader. They must truly love her. Sarcastic commentary didn’t even cease in his mind, it seemed. They’d arrived in somewhat of a panic, a flurry of new bodies, disorganised despite their efforts. Their plan was obvious, however… Though they were thin on numbers in comparison. The pointed tom’s azure gaze followed his ragtag leader’s long coat as he slowly emerged from their dark hiding place, his own muscles bunching in anticipation. Though the cats around him seemed to chatter and hiss with glee, he simply stared daggers at his opponents, his eyes merely a glint in the darkness.
Curiosity was quite the talker for such a merciless cat. He did love his monologues, didn’t he? The tall rogue should’ve been aware that they’d have quite the wait, though he couldn’t help but feel as though they were losing their advantage. Don’t get too cocky. But before he could move to maintain their position of power, the bulky tom gave his order, and their surroundings transformed into a cacophony of sights and sounds. The point tom launched from his position in a flash, having already sized up his target from the shadows.
Of all his time away from the clans, it seemed as though ThistleClan cats never changed. His opponent was short and swift, and the second she’d seen him, she lunged for an attack with some choice words to match. The rogue gave an enraged yowl as her claws dug deep into his flesh… That would be one scar he’d have to keep. He struggled to focus as that stinging mark seeped with his blood, though knowing he had no time to waste and a skilful opponent he frantically reared over the molly in his rage. Though she shared his speedy build, she lacked his height, and he could use that to his advantage. Crashing his light body back into hers, he dug his claws into her back, jaws snapping ferociously by her neck. She’d pay for a blow like that.
Valerian yawned and stretched gray striped legsfrom where he lounged behind Curiosity. He was bored. Booooooored. Where were those clan cats? This was taking foreveeer. He rolled over onto his back, pointing his white belly to the ceiling. Frankly he didnt even care about all this, Curiosity had a flair for the dramatic. They could have easily just killed the clan leader, and then ambushed cats of the clan one by one. Ensured complete destruction and their domination of the area. But no, here they were putting on a show for some ridiculous reason. At least it would give him a chance to stretch his legs, unsheathe his claws in real cat flesh. A true challenge.
Some of Curiosity's other sycophants chittered and hung on his every word. Valerian yawned again, this time baring his teeth in silent annoyance of Curiosity, and turned back over onto his paws. He had joined them all because strength was greater in numbers, and because for the most part, the rogues let him do whatever he wanted, whenever and wherever. With the added perk of someone to fight, an enemy to keep him from dying of boredom. That's really all the clan was in his mind, a nuisance for him to toy with, and a convenient place to hunt.
Her ears perked up at the sound of the approaching clan cats, desperately charging in seeking their precious leader. Valerian gave a coughing growl of anticipation, rising to his paws, his pale pelt tingling. The thrill of the fight, just beyond his reach. He rolled his eyes, tail twitching as Curiosity gave his speech about visitors. As his words finally came to an end, Valerian smirked and slipped past the leader, taking stock of what was happening. He could see some of the cats surrounding their fallen leader, while others prepared to fight. He expected wails and cries of anguish, but instead there was a sort of frantic hurry, and he realized that they were planning to take her away! No, they couldnt do that, that would basically defeat the whole purpose of killing the leader. She was an example, a warning, not a martyr. With a warning yowl, Valerian leapt forward, getting as close to the leaders body as he could, before he was brought up short by a pale ginger tom, with only a stub of a tail. A fighter? Maybe. His words though were... odd.
"Not here to play little kit, though I wish I had the time for that." He said. And truly he did, he would love a long fun bout with this odd young cat who thought this was a game. But for now he would satisfy himself with causing some pain. He launched himself at the other cat, hoping to knock him off his feet and pin him down and bite at the back of his neck.
Word count: 473
Attack move: Jumping at Harechaser and hoping to pin him down and bite at the back of his neck.
Attack Roll: 38koOyY11d20+2
Damage Roll: no damage (I think he misses I guess?)
With a bark, Hawtail roused her warriors and shot out of the bramble and thorn entrance like a fox on the trail of a frantic rabbit, the Thistleclan warriors thudding across the foliage in her wake. Melted snow and dirt kicked from her paws like a shower of rain, and as the grit sprayed across his pelt, Blazingstorm gave his thick coat a doggish shake, mid-stride, his chest nearly heaving from the sudden run, his brutish body not built for such endurance. The calico hardly had time to think, to ruminate, to even process the order of events, the bloodied apprentice, her wordless cries, the sudden arrival of Crowfrost, who had returned from another battle, the mere idea that his mentor was out here, somewhere, alone with them. Only the silent bare of his teeth illustrated the fire that smoked within. He was furious, scared, and all he wanted to do was sink his teeth into that bastard’s rotted, rancid coat.
He knew who it was. He knew.
Suddenly, his deputy faltered, her gaze lingering over a clot of dark, black fur clinging to the thorns of a nearby branch. Her stride stilled in the thin slush as the breath of dawn illuminated over the crest of the horizon, coloring the world a rosy, muted red. Blazingstorm’s stare followed until it fell over the same ebony tuft, his blood chilling like ice within his veins. Instinctively, a bristle ran across the length of his spine, doubling the size of his tail as his claws slid into the earth. Where was she, he snarled to himself, his ears swiveling to catch the sound of his name. Besides him, he felt Harechaser stiffen, surely disappointed with their task, but Blazingstorm could not ask for one better. He didn’t trust his former mentor in any other cat’s teeth; so with a curt nod, he followed Hawktail into the thrush, his stomach low to the earth, and his ears flat over his head as the badlands neared from behind the mist.
As the old, abandoned two-leg dens materialized in the thin, claret light, Blazingstorm remained attentive to their surroundings, his eyes flickering from shadow to shadow, searching for Thievingstar’s mangled pelt. There was no questioning it, the blood-scent, the fear in Nettlepaw’s eyes. The calico could feel it in his bones. Something horrible had happened. His breath caught in his throat as the silhouette of his leader’s torn, bloodied body arose from within the shadows, the archaic, wooden structure almost obstructing her entirely from view. The band all hesitated, and then Hawktail choked out a sudden command, ordering him to fetch Thievingstar from the snow that held her captive. Without a single thought, Blazingstorm raced forward, the red she-cat at his side. When a sudden blast of wind halted them in their tracks, and then a rush of fur shot out from the east.
The deputy quickly barked at her warriors to form a protective circle around them as more rogues slunk from the darkness of the den, Cederflame rushing behind him to take the first swing, claws into flesh. With a hiss, Blazingstorm darted forward, but not before his blood returned to the barren fields of winter, the words of the rogue he encountered so long ago in the forest. I knew it, he hissed into his teeth, his eyes turning ever so slightly to catch the gaze of the brutish beast who stared down on them like prey. I knew it was him. With a viscous yowl, Blazingstorm surged forward once more to softly snatch the scruff of his former mentor between his teeth before heaving her lifeless body through the throng of fighting cats.
Mouse-dung! She’s heavier than I thought, he breathed through her dark coat, his paws scrabbling to find his footing in the slick, melting snow. As he weaved away from his clan-mates, his eyes caught the mischievous glint of his tail-less den-mate, and for a brief second, he let Thievingstar’s body return to the ground. “Cover me,” he snapped, then like a lightning bolt, he snatched the dark she-cat by the scruff and ran as fast as he could back toward the forest and far from the brute who wanted them dead. But, as the cries of his clan-mates and the scent of blood thickened in the air, the she-cat’s mass growing heavier by the minute, Blazingstorm knew that this was only the start of what would be a blood bath and the end of his clan as he knew it.
ATTACK: swipe off feet, and drag him back to bite at at his flank ATTACK ROLL: qW7VjcRJ1d12 DAMAGE ROLL: 1d20+1 HARECHASER HP: 60
harechaser
thistleCLAN
am i more than you bargained for yet
sugar, we're going down swinging
"Speech" | 'Thoughts'
Harechaser was many things. A clown, an attention hog, a pest, a nuisance, a hunter. It wasn’t very often that he got to flaunt his status as a true warrior, a fighter. To many, Harechaser was nothing but possible a shit stain on the wall, but if there was one thing his late mentor had taught him, it was to fight. And because Harechaser’s jovial nature didn’t let many see that side of him, the side that boasted Nettleclaw’s blood, it was always a surprise to see him fall into it.
Two sides of the same paw, soft pads and fur on one end, but claws carefully honed and sharpened for damage.
The yowl was an idiotic move, a warning for the incoming attack, and his aim for his leader.
Oh, hell no.
So Harechaser used his strong legs to snap him forward in a leap, sailing straight over his leader’s prone body to land square in the way of the pale tabby pointed tom who was targeting her. He heard Blazingstorm run to his leader, demanding cover, and snarled at the tom with impatience. “No shit, moron, quit mincing words and scram!”
Harechaser hooted gaily at the tom’s words, ears pressed forward in honest curiosity and interest. “You mean you won’t play with me?”He pouted, lip protruding obscenely from his chin for a moment in kit-like fashion. Then his eyes turned dangerous, sharp like flints. “Then I’ll make you,”he dead panned, dodging the tom’s attempt to pin him down. Instead, he let the tom fly past him and swiped at an exposed hind leg, ripping it out beneath him and dragging the rogue towards Harechaser’s large bulk to lay an almost playful nip to the tom's flank.
two hundred ninety | play with ze babeh D: | rhian
Post by fallenreaper on Sept 15, 2020 21:31:25 GMT -6
The chill hung in the area about the abandoned two-legged nest. In the shadowy corner, a short-haired gray tabby twitched his tail. His green eyes fired with impatience and bloodlust. Claws unfurled then retracted with each kneaded stroke across the rotten wood. More dull, earthy rot wafted to his nose as he forced himself to wait.
Stripes, his moniker, felt his annoyance stretch with time. Out of all the rogues present, he was the youngest and most inexperienced one. It only urged him to test his claws in the upcoming fight. Most considered him rather dull, but what he lacked in brains... he made up in brute force.
The moment the clan cats broke into sight, Stripes stood upright and fell into place. His eyes searched for Curiosity's signal. Even when a long-furred calico cat rushed forward to drag their prey away, Stripes held his ground. However, his body tensed and protested the orders. Thankfully, someone else broke rank then went for the clan cats. Their reward echoed off into the trees. The young cat snickered then posed to join the fight.
His green eyes caught a large tortoiseshell tom. In his jaws, he gradually hauled the leader's helpless body toward the clearing. Not willing to let it happen, Stripes bolted off the porch into the fray. The tom's paws slapped the ground, and he gained on their distracted, his speed surprising for his size. Adrenaline thumped in his chest then pulsed through his ears. A few more tail lengths before I'm into pouncing range, he thought.
A blur of movements caused his head to jerk to the side.
Word count: 200+ | Tags: Bandit, wish, catalysta, Egotistic, Raven~, Dreamer, Annie, gammaneise, rhian | Notes: Cat and I have a plan for this since Hawktail is supposed to take on Curiosity after this fight. Hawktail is about to show off her skills.
Post by catalysta on Sept 16, 2020 18:21:25 GMT -6
The warriors did as she instructed, and they did it immediately. The fight had begun. Cedarflame was upon the pointed rogue in moments, slicing her claws through the skin of his cheek. Harechaser formed a barricade on the other side, and Blazingstorm moved in to rescue their leader. Hawktail scanned the field for the one. She would know him when she saw him; all beasts possessed a head. Hawktail would be the one to cut it off from its wretched body.
He made her job easier by revealing himself.
An oddly calm voice came from within the shadows of the twoleg nest. Hawktail's gaze snapped up towards it, deciphering a wild looking tom from amid the darkness. Her claws sank into the snow, its icy grip turning her blood cold. The words he spoke implied that Thievingstar had betrayed the Clan. Hawktail curled her lip in a snarl at the accusation, but doubt rang true in the back of her mind, made her hesitate.
She looked back over her shoulder as Blazingstorm hauled their fallen leader away. Another rogue aimed to stop their escape, but Harechaser was quicker. Hawktail turned back towards the rogue's apparent leader, arching her back menacingly.
"I'll put you down myself!" She hurled the vehement promise into the shadows. Her strong voice echoed throughout the clearing. Muscles carved their way across her body as she aimed to leap upon the twoleg nest's outer floor. Just before she could execute the rogue once and for all, a new set of paws stampeded across the nest. The gray tabby launched itself into the battlefield, but in his eyes there was a determination; a purpose. Hawktail's eyes widened as she followed his sights to the back of Blazingstorm's head.
"Damn it," Hawktail seethed, knowing she couldn't allow him to get to Blazingstorm.
Leaving the rogue's leader behind with a frustrated growl, Hawktail bounded back into the trees from whence they'd come. Her legs thrust across the slushy snow, smacking over small puddles. Each pawstep landed with solidity that secured her balance. Yet the speed of her pace caught her up to the tabby within several heartbeats. Her heart and feet pounded as she flanked him suddenly, pushing herself ahead of him. A reddish-brown paw struck out in front of him, catapulting the rogue off his feet due to his own momentum. Hawktail dug her hind legs into the snow to slow her own, coming to a sliding halt ahead of the downed rogue.
Her chest heaved, but she would not yield. She turned on her heel and faced him, a murderous rage written across every fiber of her being. For just a mere moment, the only sound was their breath billowing out into the frosty air. Then, a low growl erupted from between her parted fangs, "Where do you think you're going?"
