#thegn

Skyfall Art-ober 2025 Day #5: Silverblaze, Thegn of the Thunderhearts, and Frostwing, Thegn of the Shadoweyes

Finally some designs for some characters from the actual Skyfall time period itself. I don’t think I’ve actually posted designs for this time frame of the rewrite in a long, long time.

These two are the main POV characters of the Mini-Arc I’ve been working on that takes place in the years immediately after the Skyfall. The WIP title for this arc is Silver and Frost (it’ll almost certainly get a better one later lol). Silverblaze and Frostwing are first cousins and two of the granddaughters of Cloudstorm (Cloudstar) and Birdflight. The only other thing I’ll mention for now, beyond this ask I answered not too long ago, is that they are besties turned enemies. The rest will be revealed over time and then whenever I actually get the drafts for this mini arc cleaned up.

—

“We were both wronged, Frostwing! Why aren’t you on my side?!”

“Because I actually care about my cats! You only care about your delusional revenge fantasy!”

I’ll expand on this later, but in Skyfall, the leader is now called an Thegn, a title derived from the Old/Middle English.

Brief notes:

THUNDERSHIRE: Founded by Thunder, who is known as Roaring Thunder by most modern shire cats. The first 3 thegns were all alive in the time of the Roaring Thunder. Cherryheart is the first thegn of any clowder to use a combined name rather than a separated one.

SHADOWSHIRE: Founded by Tall Shadow. The first 3 thegn were alive during the era of Tall Shadow. Hollythorn is Hollystar from COTC.

RIVERSHIRE: Founded by River Ripple. The first 2 thegns were alive during the time of the founding of the shire. The second leader, Night, is more commonly known as Dark Night by modern clowder cats. Dove Whisker is Dovestar, a leader mentioned by Leafpool in COTC. Ember Glow is Emberstar from COTC.

WINDSHIRE: Founded by Wind Runner. The first 2 thegns were alive during the time of the founding. Dust Fur is Duststar from COTC.

SKYSHIRE: Founded by Clear Sky. The first 3 thegns were alive at the time of the founding.

*edits made Dec 28 2024 to better match new Skyfall lore*

The Song of Stars is an era of peace for the shires, with a few exceptions. The final laws of the Shire Code are established during this period as are many of the ceremonies, holidays, and religious festivals, hence the name of the era.

Notes:

Law #8 is established under Boulderstrike, Smokefur, Ospreyclaw, Feathersong, and Maplewhisker. This is the Law of Ascension.

Law #9 is established under Graystorm, Flowerstem, Fogwhisper, Acorntail, and Maplewhisker. This is the Law of the Moon.

Law #10 is established under Finchswoop, Marshscar, Reedslash, Dovefur, and Hawktalon. This is the Law of the Truce.

Law #11 is established under Lionfang, Beetleshell, Ivycurl, Fallowbreeze, and Rowanleaf. This is the Law of Patrols.

Law #12 is established under Vinetail, Yellowshine, Ivycurl, Fallowbreeze, and Darkfang. This is the Law of Protection.

Law #13 is established under Vinetail, Yellowshine, Talonswipe, Birchtwig, and Darkfang. This is Darkfang’s Law or the Law of Command.

The Code Building Era is the period of time during which the Shire Code is established and many of it’s laws are put in place. Not all laws are made during this period, but many of the fundamental ones are. (The Shire Code is largely the same as the canonical Warrior Code, but a post will be made later with the whole thing)

Brief Notes:

The code is founded under the leaderships of Whitefrost, Hollythorn, Ember Glow, Dust Fur, and Birch Stripe. This first law is the Law of Loyalty.

Law #2 is made official under Whitefrost, Brindlepelt, Ember Glow, Stonetail, and Birch Stripe. This is the Law of Territory.

Law #3 is put into place under Barkstripe, Lilyfrost, Splashheart, Hazelbranch, and Nettlenose. This is the Law of Prey.

Law #4 is made under the same set of thegns as #3, which the exception of Nettlenose, who has been succeeded by Mothtail. This is the Law of Thanks.

Law #5 is made under Barkstripe, Blizzardfang, Splashheart, Hazelbranch, and Mothtail. This is the Law of Apprenticeship.

Law #6 is made under Roseclaw, Beesting, Troutleap, Feathersong, and Beechclaw. This is the Law of Silence.

Law #7 is the final law of this era and is made under Roseclaw, Beesting, Rainsplash, Feathersong, and Beechclaw. This is the Law of Reeveship.