#elmtail

lol! I wish they came in a dream!

We brainstorm them together. We throw in any and all ideas and discuss what we like and don't like. We usually look for things that symbolically describe what kind of Captain the cat will be.

Take Elmtail, for example. The Steadfast Branch came pretty quickly to us. Elmtail lead his Colony down the straight and narrow, but through it all he was strong and dependable.

It can have double meaning because Elmtail is long and twiggy in appearance, but especially in his younger years, was very strong and limber.

Hawkshell’s name, The Soaring Protector, is obviously a callback to her saving the kitten from a hawk. However, it also shows how that one act of courage defines what kind of leader she is. She will do the impossible and be a fierce guardian for her colony.

Captain Elmtail, the Steadfast Branch of Oak Colony

Elmtail touched Stagcharge’s nose with his own. His voice shook as he tried to get out his last words. “I will wait for you in the Beyond, my love.” 

“I will look for you by moonlight, my Captain, my mate.” Stagcharge nuzzled Elmtail for the final time. 

Hazelfur is cordial with the other captains, dislikes Rainfall, and mostly keeps his business in Field Colony.

Elmtail is always trying to smooth the tension between the captains, but gets frustrated with Rainfall often.

Hawkshell does not really like Hazelfur much, but keeps it cordial, she hates Rainfall though! She sees Rainfall as a disgraceful, prideful bully; they have a land dispute about the floodlands that neither will back down from.

Captain Elmtail, the Steadfast Branch Reference Sheet

Elmtail and Beechleaf

Parents of Rowanstorm

Elmtail and Beechleaf were best friends their whole lives. The pear blossoms shown in this drawing symbolize lasting friendship. The two had a friendly rivalry and were great supports for one another, pushing each other to grow and improve. Beechleaf’s stocky frame was well-suited to using brute force in fights and holding her footing, but back at base, she approached her Colony gently and kindly. Beechleaf was an Envoy, but often helped train New-Claws with the Mentors, and would often be found tussling with them around the base. Her other best buddy was Stormclaw, and together they’d instigate quite a few fights at the borders. Beechleaf relished any chance to test her skills and prove Oak Colony’s strength.

Elmtail on the other paw has always been a soft tom with long legs and a narrow frame. He was always better at hunting than Beechleaf, and he still likes running. He and Beechleaf enjoyed challenging each other, but Elmtail would always win the races and Beechleaf would always win the fights.

The Lake Alliance Colonies depend on the leadership of their Captains. While the Alliance keeps the colonies united against outsiders, the relationship between colonies has always been tense. It’s up to each Colony’s Captain to protect what’s theirs, and sometimes that’s through peace, and sometimes it’s through violence….

More Chapter One reference sheets! This time the Oak Colony variety.