Cat Of The Day #5
Today's cat is...
Thornedstar/tail
Thornedstar is remembered as one of the most controversial leaders in BirchClan history.
Ask ten different cats about him and you'll get ten different answers.
Some call him a tyrant.
Some call him a murderer.
Some call him the strongest leader BirchClan ever had.
Most agree he changed the Clan forever.
Before he became leader, Thornedstar was known as Thornedtail.
As an apprentice, he dreamed of becoming a legendary warrior and earning the respect of every cat around him. He was ambitious, determined, and fiercely loyal to BirchClan.
He wanted to protect it.
He wanted to strengthen it.
And eventually, he convinced himself that only he knew how.
During the final moons of Slatestar's leadership, Thornedtail slowly gained influence throughout the Clan.
He was the top pick for deputy.
He knew this.
He knew Rabbitjump, the deputy, would need someone strong.
So ?
He ended Slatestar's reign.
It all went as he planned.
Nobody found out.
And he was the new deputy.
At the same time, he began undermining Rabbitstar.
Rabbitstar was thoughtful, diplomatic, and compassionate.
To Thornedtail, those traits looked dangerously close to weakness.
Little by little, he encouraged the Clan to doubt their leader.
When patrols failed, cats blamed Rabbitstar.
When prey ran low, cats blamed Rabbitstar.
When conflict arose, cats wondered whether Rabbitstar was strong enough to be their leader.
By the time Thornedtail acted, many cats were already listening.
When Rabbitstar died at the peak of the manipulation, no cat of BirchClan said anything.
After the deaths of Slatestar and Rabbitstar, Thornedstar claimed leadership.
His reign would permanently alter BirchClan.
Under Thornedstar:
β’ apprentice training became significantly harsher
β’ endurance trials became longer and more dangerous
β’ battle scars became heavily glorified
β’ weakness became something to hide rather than overcome
β’ loyalty to leadership became increasingly important
β’ outsiders found it much harder to earn acceptance
β’ kits were made apprentices too early
Thornedstar believed hardship created strength.
Unfortunately, he also believed that strength justified almost anything.
Eventually, he was exiled from the clans, and lost his nine lives.
Left with one life, he wandered into the territory, stewing in his own hate and bitterness.
The next day, he was found dead outside the BirchClan border.
Nobody knows how.
Despite everything, Thornedstar was not a cat who saw himself as evil. He genuinely believed he was saving BirchClan.
That belief allowed him to justify things other cats never could.
Even generations later, BirchClan still feels the impact of his leadership.
Some traditions introduced during his rule survived long after his death.
Stories about him remain controversial.
Many elders refuse to speak about him at all.
Thornedstar was known for:
β’ being incredibly charismatic
β’ always appearing calm and confident
β’ holding grudges for years
β’ valuing strength above almost everything else
β’ believing the ends justify the means
β’ loving BirchClan in a deeply unhealthy way
themes
ambition β’ corruption β’ leadership β’ loyalty β’ pride β’ control β’ legacy
"Strength isn't given.
It's earned."
i made him to originally be a comic when my friend was making their own warriors comic (same friend who I rped cedarstar and juniperpaw w/)
