Would Tangledroots’ parents be ashamed of his behaviour (if they found out), or would they deny it and try to defend him to protect their ego?
Also, you mentioned how Riverclan is currently being let by two very immature cats, and my god, the leader isn’t even two years old yet. How djd that happen, and how did they contribute to the misogyny mindset that Tangledroots is used to, or anything else they’re doing that’s messing Riverclan up? (The backstory lore is delicious so I must know more)
Tangledroots parents have passed away by now, but his father, Tangledbramble, was always very proud and impressed by his son. When Tangledpaw would skirt the rules, he would always step in and get his son out of trouble, using his status as deputy to keep his son from experiencing consequences.
Tangledroots mother would be more disappointed in him, she died before Basilsprout was born, but her name was Yellowpebble, and she was a permanent queen. She was a very very meek woman in a borderline abusive relationship with Tangledroots father. She really tried to instill good behaviors in her son, but his father butted in at every turn. She still loves him very dearly.
The previous leader of RiverClan was very very old when he needed to pick a new deputy. He was suffering from a number of illnesses, including dementia, and when Tangledbramble died in a border skirmish, he wasn't fully capable of picking a new deputy. (Tangledroots and his apprentice, Loudpaw, just kinda propped him up on high rock and let him babble) Bubblestar picked Martenbite. Less of an active choice and more of an "Oh, let's see what we have here, oh hello Martenbite, what a good young man, etc" Very old man rambled about a cat he confused for someone else and the clan went with it.
Martenstar became leader at just around 14 moons old and was definitely not prepared at all, but also denies he needs assistance or help. He doesn't know how to interact with the other clans, only doing what he thinks makes him look like a strong leader. He spouts off the cats who left as dying of the drought, making RiverClan look much smaller and weaker when they're the only clan who still has a little bit of water, because he'd rather be seen as weak than not in complete control of his clan.
