WHEN DOES A RIPPLE BECOME A TIDAL WAVE [CLAIMING SUNNINGROCKS]

HOWLINGSTAR · Mar 22, 2023

// PLEASE READ BEFORE REPLYING!
Two to three ThunderClan warriors may be on the rocks with Howlingstar. The rest of the battle patrol is hiding in the undergrowth, utilizing their skills in stealth and camouflage to watch from the forest. They are waiting for RiverClan's dawn patrol to arrive and are expecting them to retrieve reinforcements; that is when they are expected to attack. Any healthy warrior is able to participate, there are no limits. Apprentices may participate with their mentor's expressed consent. All other cats not in the battle will be back guarding camp.
Some reminders before we begin: Do not powerplay! Keep in mind your character's limits and weaknesses and play them realistically and fairly in battle. Feel free to plot with others to decide the outcome of the battle. Please tag all characters you are interacting with for everyone's ease. If large threads overwhelm you or you do not want your battle interrupted, you are welcome to make a private thread!
The owner of Sunningrocks will be ICly decided by this battle's outcome. For this reason, we ask everyone to remain fair and do not use ThunderClan or RiverClan NPCs to falsely bolster ranks. In addition, please only use currently active characters in each clan.

---

The sun grows higher in the sky, warming the morning air. After announcing the plans to take Sunningrocks, ThunderClan had spent the day preparing and strategizing. Any moment now, RiverClan's dawn patrol should be by, where they will find a ThunderClan patrol led by Howlingstar herself lounging on the rocks. She gazes calmly at the opposite shoreline, tail-tip flicking with apprehension - it's the only show of her nervousness. Behind her, while hidden from view, an army awaits in the ferns and brambles. She knows RiverClan is weakened from their battle with WindClan, while ThunderClan remains strong. Even their worst injuries from the dogs have been recovered, some having been stuck in the medicine den for more than a moon. Nevertheless, they're ready to take what rightfully belongs to them now.

Flexing her claws against the stone, she cats a sideways glance at the warriors and apprentices who accompanied her on the boulders. She gives them a nod of reassurance, knowing some of them may feel anxious as they await war. We have the advantage, She reminded them before coming here. She blinks back towards the bank, ears pricking as reeds rustle. Suddenly, the tabby fears she may see a certain blue-eyed face pop out of the tall stalks, and she's reminded of another order she had given just before coming here.

Get Lakemoon away from the battle, and stars don't hurt her.

willowroot · Mar 22, 2023

( ☾ ) she's taken to patrolling in the early mornings ever since the recent battle with windclan. it isn't only that she is one of the least injured higher ups, but also that theres a feeling of constant unease in her chest that is not helped by the stinging from scratches not yet healed. early mornings lend her a sense of clarity and calm that, for the most part, carries through her days. this particular morning, only a few days after the deadly skirmish, she leads a small group of clanmates towards the river. the sound of the water is a welcome one, after so many moons without its gentle rushing, and she silently hopes she'll have time to dip her paws in before she has to head home. flicking her tail over her back, willowroot turns to scan the rest of her patrol, offering each an encouraging smile. "dawn patrol, never easy," she'll call, tufted ears flicking as she rights herself and moves her paws closer to their river border. "we'll be home soon enough."

it's odd, but as she nears her clan's namesake, there's an overwhelming scent of something very clearly not riverclan. emerald eyes narrow with a frown as the lead warrior tips her head up to look across the rushing water, and her throat closes as she witnesses the sight. the great tabby, snow dappled paws sunwarmed and leaf green gaze fixed on the bank where the riverclan patrol stands- howlingstar in all her glory. beside her, two clanmates. all seem calm, collected, although oddly stiff and still. curling her lip, the smoke femme bounds forward to the edge of the water and shouts. "howlingstar! thunderclan! seems as though you're on riverclan territory," her tone is not hostile, merely questioning, a guarded edge one might pick up on if they tried. "can we help you, or do you need an escort off and back into your forest? if you're here for something, speak it, or leave."

slender paws plant firmly on the rocky beach as she faces this odd predicement. stars she hopes this isn't an attempt from the forest dwellers at power. riverclan has been through enough.

( THE LIGHT YOU GAVE ME )

LAKEMOON · Mar 22, 2023

✵ ღ ☾ IT TOOK ME BY SURPRISE - She is content taking up the front position of the first patrol of the morning, though it is too early for even her to want to be in charge. White dipped paws silently tread against a glimmer-hued ground, the sun not quite high enough to begin to melt the morning frost away.
She comes to a slow when her ears catch the faint rippling sound of the river nearby, hot on Willowroots heels. After the gathering, she wouldn’t find herself surprised if the scent of oak and damp twigs lingered over their wavering border.
Yet, she is surprised to see her grandmother blatantly lounging on them, accompanied by a meager number of other warriors.
She makes her presence visible, flanked by her patrol.
She knew this was coming, how could she have not? Her grandmother was as strong-willed as she was wise, a trait passed down to her silver hued descendant.
Narrow eyes flicker across to the leaders flexing claws, her restless tail.
❝ Get back to camp now, tell Buckgait and Cicadastar and retrieve anyone you can. ❞ Her words are hushed but her tone is sharp when she turns to a warrior beside her. Howlingstar wasn’t a fool, and the trio wasn’t alone, Lakemoon could only assume.
❝ You need to leave. ❞ Her tone is louder now when she turns to Howlingstar, her chin raised. ❝ Don’t start a war you’ll only come to regret, Howlingstar. You’re smarter than that. ❞ There is no pleading in her ice sharp tone, but her eyes resting under a furrowed and defiant brow spark with spite.
Would she truly stoop to Sootstar’s level? Would her own grandmother cause the downfall of her home?

// pre plotted to attack Sunfreckle
❝ Speech. ❞

THE HATRED IN HER EYES

CLAYFUR · Mar 22, 2023

Going on patrols had always been a highlight of Clayfur’s days, traversing familiar routes and still having the freedom to explore new ones. The river territory, for all his adventures, still seems to hide a new one each day. As of late, though, patrolling just hasn’t been the same. Maybe it’s the constant threats from every side—or maybe it’s the weight of carrying around a broken heart. Either way, the earthen tabby has grown to dread patrolling, especially along the borders that aren’t SkyClan’s.

This morning’s patrol is a great example of why he likes to avoid the once-friendly ThunderClan border. Seeing Howlingstar and a few of her warriors standing atop the rocks that he loves so much is a blow straight to the chest. This conflict has been steadily growing for a while now, through no fault of RiverClan’s own, and he’s been terrified every day of what will happen if ThunderClan decides to take a stand and put their claws where their mouths are.

This seems to be the day that it happens. It’s an open claim on the land, as blatant as can be. The forest queen thinks that she has some sort of claim over sunningrocks, despite the fact that it’s RiverClan’s. It’s his—his last physical connection to his mate, one of his last comforts in this bloodstained territory.

The black-swirled leader and a couple warriors don’t seem all that threatening a force; she’d had more cats with her when she and Cicadastar threw words back and forth across the water. Surely she doesn’t expect to take over the rocks with another shouting match, though her trespass will surely make it more physical than that. (He’s reminded of the WindClan attack, their second wave coming out from where they’d been hiding in the underbrush. Are there more ThunderClanners, invisible from the other side of the river? He doesn’t scent ThunderClan on this side, but that means nothing. Water messes with smells, muddles them up. There could be a ThunderClan warrior only whiskers away from them right now… and they wouldn’t know any different.) It sets him on edge, obviously, and he turns to look at the others in the patrol.

Cicada is going to be pissed. And Clay—he should be upset, if course. But the idea of not being allowed to set foot upon the very rocks where he’d asked his beloved to be his beloved… it should make him sad. And he does feel tears clawing at his eyes, trying to fight their way out, at the utter hopelessness of it all. RiverClan can’t stage a full-blown attack, not weakened as they are. Not without Clear, or Smoke, or Cindershade.

Most of all, though, he feels red. Fury ignites in his chest, and the tom turns to glance over at Willow and Lakemoon beside him. "They can’t have sunningrocks," he growls, unruly brown fur already rising along his back.

[ YOU ARE THE STARS TO ME ]

Badgerstrike · Mar 22, 2023

Oh, yes. Yes. It was time.

She held back the cackling that threatened to give her place away, hidden in the bushes and undergrowth. She watched in bloodthirsty anticipation for Riverclan to appear. For them to tell them to leave.

She had been excited for this battle. So excited she almost couldn't sleep. Her dreams were full of war, of victory. Those are what she lived for, what she was born for. And now....

Now it was finally time to show her power.

Riverclan would regret denying them. Cicadastar would regret his accusations of Thunderclan leading the dogs to them. Do they think they're helpless?

Thunderclan was anything but.

And this morning, she was going to show the river king and his subjects how very wrong they were. Badgerstrike didn't take being mocked lightly. She didn't take foolish accusations lightly. And now she was going to show what happened when she was crossed.

Lurking in the undergrowth, piercing eyes locked onto the Riverclan dawn patrol. With teeth bared in a twisted, bloodthirsty grin.

Just a little longer. Just a little longer....

One warrior talks about a war they cannot win.... And she forces down laughter to remain quiet. Poor naive thing.... She doesn't realize she's already lost....

Soon.....

nightbird · Mar 22, 2023

nightbird stood tall on the rocks alongside howlingstar, not a shadow of doubt could be seen upon her stony face. thunderclan had given them many chances, but at the end of the day she had a feeling it would come to this. it wasn't long until riverclanners showed up, as expected. telling them to retreat before any blood had been shed. they send for the leader and deputy, reinforcements as well. it didn't matter. they could bring their whole clan to the border, each would bleed the same. while the idea of a death over a piece of territory made her fur stand, she could only hope it wouldn't get that far. that they could swallow their pride and admit that these rocks should never had been theirs.

looking down on each cat who spoke, a huff would exit through her nose. if words could have solved this, they would not be standing here now with flexed claws and spiked fur. it was far too late for prose. she waited, claws reaching into the stony surface beneath. she expected a swift and victorious battle, one that ended in a new chunk of land for thunderclan to hunt in.

[ ☾✩ ]

Sunfreckle · Mar 22, 2023

His tail flicks up, curls against his side as he sits motionless as a stone and ears pinned back, letting the warm rays above heat his pelt up and halo it in a faint golden light. He cuts an imposing figure, he hopes his expression looks as tired and irrate as he feels and not one borne of defeat or disinterest. Sunfreckle is not a tom with a lot of battle skills, but he makes up for it in size; easily dwarfing the more slim and sleek RiverClanner's before them. The red tabby's green eyes narrow briefly, the patrol leader a lead warrior, one of the first, another figure the pale blue that reminded him of Wolfwind and he realizes why quickly-oh no. Poor Howlingstar. He doesn't have time to offer her a look of remorse, it must be hard having family outside of ThunderClan. They had the same issue with SkyClan as well and he could only imagine her turmoil over this. The third a brown tom he didn't recognize, but one he looked furious to find them there.

Badgerstrike and Nightbird are nearby, both more skilled than he is, and Howlingstar takes the front; a cat he would never wish to face head on in a battle himself but one he would proudly follow into one.
"You are mistaken." He says calmly, not getting up from where he sat on the warm stones, great plume of a tail curled around him to hide his missing foreleg because it didn't matter if it was gone, he could maneuver fine, but he didn't want them making assumptions otherwise. "This is ThunderClan territory." He surprises even himself with the boldness, but his tone remains steady and his gaze sharpens. He detests fighting, but at his point he's willing to flex his claws because they had been given no other choice. The less violent means of compromise had failed them.

hyacinthbreath · Mar 22, 2023

"Are you blind, or just stupid? Just because you took it upon yourself to fight a few dogs on someone else's territory doesn't mean this place belongs to you. Go back home." Hyacinthbreath speaks from behind Willowroot, tail twitching in irritation. She doesn't want to fight again, not with how things turned out with WindClan so soon. Her eyes moves to the dark molly, waiting for her command on what to do. Seriously.. These cats really don't give a flying damn about common sense, do they?

❝ there are wounds inside me, gaping holes of disconnect.
can you drown inside your own body? can you suffocate within this mind? ❞

Stormchaser · Mar 23, 2023

"WELL, I'VE GOT THICK SKIN AND AN ELASTIC HEART"

He's settled himself under the foliage of brush, newly blooming with splashes of greenery and budding flowers. Molten eyes are luminescent within the shadows of the early morning, the sun peaking over the horizon as the air is still crisp and kisses his nose. He is still, rigid like stone—though his heart thunders loudly like his namesake. He feels the blood roar in his ears, drowning out most of the sound around him besides the voices. RiverClan voices. It's a smokey molly he had seen a few times before, but not much. Beside her was an earth-toned tom, and along the other was a silver molly he did know. Her name had been traveled through the clans, killed a WindClan warriornat the border. He wonders, then, if she really did do a 'noble thing or if it was just a facade that RiverClan had covered up. He wasn't sure. But now wasn't the time for thoughts like that, he needed to focus along his clanmates. His plumed tail brushes alongside @FALCONPAW s side, silently reminding him to stay silent and watch for the signal.
RiverClan had refused to aid them with the dogs that plagued their territory not too long ago, their warriors laughing in Howlingstar's face and not even apologetic over it. Just the thought has rage, white hot as it was, searing through his veins. It burns up his internal organs and boils his blood. He wished he was there that day, to swipe the smugness from their faces and line his nest with their oily pelts. Molars clench together in anticipation, the pressure nearly cracking and chipping at his teeth. But all he can do is wait—wait for her signal, she instructed and then unleash Hell among the river-dwellers. It was long overdue, all of ThunderClan had been waiting for this moment.

It was time to claim what was rightfully theirs all along.

✦ ★ ✦

ashpaw! · Mar 23, 2023

She follows her mentor's lead, standing beside Willowroot with shoulders back and head high — lead warrior's apprentice, she should look ready to back up any challenge. (... though she doesn't feel ready. She feels... um, weak, and sad, and a little bit like a leaf being stood up on its stem.)

Focus, Ashpaw... She pulls her mind to the scene, to the now, to the rocks — their rocks — with ThunderClanners on them. Willowroot doesn't seem scared, or angry — just firm. So Ashpaw will try to look firm, too. Her mentor tells the ThunderClanners to leave. Ashpaw swallows, throat tight — they really don't look like they're about to. Close by, Clayfur growls, hackles raised, and a little shiver runs up Ashpaw's spine, not expecting that fury from him — "they can't have sunningrocks."

Yeah, uh. They really look like they want it.

She flinches from Hyacinthbreath's snarled remarks, thinking no, don't make them angry — but look at them. They already are angry. They know what they want, don't they — they plan to take it.

RiverClan doesn't run, Ashpaw tells herself. RiverClan doesn't back down.

She digs her claws into the dirt, grits her teeth. She's scared. She doesn't want to do this but she will. If it's a battle, then — then she'll battle.

—— " i found gold in the wreckage "

✦ ooc ✦ character information ✦ recent events

organizing battle partner via discord, so ping me there! open to multiple!
- 9 month old orange tabby with green eyes
- apprenticed to lead warrior willowroot
- crushing hard on iciclepaw
- happy-go-lucky, mischievous, hardworking
- very friendly, but defensive of riverclan!
- got real fucked up as a kid so if she seems like she was fucked up as a kid, that's why
- "speech"
- KICKED FOX ASS
- she is on a JOURNEY

Snakeblink · Mar 23, 2023

MAYBE I'D BE A SAINT IF I WEREN'T ————————————

Snakeblink has always been jumpy on border patrols, as if enemies might attack them at any bend of the river. He follows the rest of the group with his head swiveling side to side, tracking every rustle in the bushes, every bird taking flight; so soon after the Windclan attack, his heart seems to skip a beat every time. Could they survive another offensive? How many attackers could their little patrol fend off before having to retreat?

It makes him feel half-mad, paranoid... But the cat who sleeps with claws unsheathed is a fool every night but one.

His first thought as they see the Thunderclanners in Sunningrock is that the odds would be good if not for the presence of their leader. It's not that the nine lives offer a real short-term advantage: they bleed like the rest, and the recovery, albeit short, can be grueling. But they would not risk their leader on such an overt declaration of intent, would they? There must be cats ready to run back to camp and call for reinforcements in a moment; perhaps another patrol making their way to Sunningrock on the Thunderclan side as they speak.

His fur bristles as the opposing side claims the rock as their territory. The nerve– but his outrage is tempered by a persistent unease crawling up his throat. When Lakemoon turns to him and asks him to get reinforcements, he's shamefully relieved to turn tail and run as fast as his legs will carry him through their beloved territory.

He's a poor fighter – but if they're quick, they might have numbers on their side. Thunderclan will not win

——————————————————————————————————— so god damn lonely

ooc. information.

ooc: gone to retrieve reinforcements and will return with them; ping me on discord if you'd like to organize fisticuffs!
— Snakeblink • he / him. 37 ☾, riverclan warrior
— a sleek, skinny tabby with long ears and a scar over his right eye.
— gay, not actually evil, penned by @Kangoo

LILYBLOOM. · Mar 23, 2023

Close on the heel of her fellow RiverClan cats, Lilybloom is surprised when their patrol is disturbed by ThunderClan presence on their territory. She pads up to stand beside Lakemoon, gazing warily at Howlingstar and the warriors at her side. There's only three for now but Lilybloom isn't stupid enough to believe that there aren't more of them waiting to strike. Willowroot tells them to leave pointing out that the sunningrocks belongs to RiverClan. In retaliation, the thick furred red tom responds that it belongs to ThunderClan. Lilybloom flexed her claws instinctively into the ground. She had worried something like this might happen sooner or later after Howlingstar's request at the last gathering. In truth, she hadn't found it too outlandish of a request at the time - at least she had asked - but Cicadastar had denied them and now here they were claiming it anyway. "ThunderClan territory," Lilybloom scoffed, rolling her eyes. "I helped find these rocks. They belong to RiverClan!"

/ Not open for attacks currently, waiting on someone to respond on discord about plotting something I just needed to get this out

BURNSTORM · Mar 23, 2023

"SPEECH"
He was to remain crouched in the bushes, preparing to strike. At least, that is what he has been told. His black pelt blends easily with the shadows, yellow eyes peering half-lidded at the RiverClanners that come now to challenge them. They were not interested in the rocks before but now that ThunderClan wants them he is expected to believe that has changed? They were not willing to defend them against the dogs so why should they get to keep them?

His eyes then drift to the blue tabby, the one that he immediately recognizes as Lakemoon. He had never spoken to his RiverClan cousin but that was fine. She was worse than Howlpaw and Fireflypaw in his mind. She had turned on her family completely and here was the proof. She stands before them now, prepared to fight for the wrong side. a traitor in every sense of the word. She made his siblings in SkyClan look good.

Howlingstar had said not to fight her but if they just do happen to meet in battle he will not hold back. She has made her choice clear as day.

Now he only waits with bated breath for a signal or a word from his mentor.

HOUNDSTRIDE. · Mar 23, 2023

The stars are against them this moon, it would seem. Either that, or they've left RiverClan to rot wholly. It'd be easier to blame the dead, or maybe kinder's a better word for it. Ir anything, though, he blames ThunderClan. That Howling would know of their plight with WindClan and come for them anyway, that she'd see their loss, their weakness, and choose to take advantage'f it– she's no better than Sootstar. At least the moorland leader had not pretended to be anything different. At least she'll claim her cruelty. Howlingstar buries it all.

His tail lashing viciously but his maw wholly silent, Houndstride presses himself to Clayfur's side, a steadying gesture as he feels the pained rage boiling up in the other warrior. He's no idea of what this place means to him, to Clear, but he knows it must be something to have that look on his face. There'd be no use challenging them further. Nothing here'd change their minds. "Steady," he murmurs to all of them, for RiverClan's ears alone. "Hold 'em off 'til the others've come."

﹥ˏˋ〘  OOC NOTES INFORMATION 〙ˊˎ﹤

ooc: @DARKPAW and @Skunkpaw are free to be on the patrol with him! he would allow both to fight, but would try and remain in range of sight of both.
──── houndstride. trans male, he - him - his pronouns.
──── over three years old. born late december of 2020.
──── bisexual but with a heavy masc preference; single.

──── a chocolate tabby with ( stylized ) low white and intense lime eyes. lean and lanky,  with whiplike musculature and a long, quick stride. hound's notable features include his impressive height, the long scar across the left side of his face from nose to jaw, his very deep, dense fur, and the confident manner with which he conducts himself.
"speech"

QUIETSTREAM. · Mar 23, 2023

CO-COMPARSION IS SLOWLY KILLING ME, I THINK I THINK TOO MUCH

quietstream only had joined the patrol in hopes of finding something to hunt. it was what they knew how to do, without a doubt. so to find the leader of thunderclan and her warriors standing upon their rocks, it makes their stomach drop. this was going to be a war. another one. another one they couldn't afford. one that they... would lose. quietstream stands beside her clanmates, watching as they spit insults, rearing up to fight. everything in them wants to run, but they don't. they don't move. you're gonna die, if you stay. a voice says and she only flicks her ear at it. she knows that she cannot fight as well as her clanmates, but she didn't want to run off. what kind of cat would she be if she left them high and dry, like that?

//open to being attacked! just dm / or message me on disc first so we can discuss the extent of injuries as quiet is not a good fighter but she isn't to die here!!

BERRYHEART · Mar 23, 2023

Fire-flecks the only colour upon a primarily dark pelt, Berryheart blended well into the darkness of the undergrowth- especially as far back as he did lurk. His fur was choked with subtle thorns- bristles raised not in aggression, but in anticipation. Far back as he was, meant to act only to attend to anyone horrifically injured, he still let himself feel it. The tension in the air- the electric anticipation. He braced himself for the blood in the air- only the sight of it would send him into a stupor. And even then- through many moons he'd learned to fight that gut reaction.

Though he knew he would be equally as useful on the frontlines, stood on the rocks beside his mother, his duty was here, crouched and hidden. Unlike his predecessor, he had the control to restrain his claws... he did not succumb to bloodthirsty revenge, to a twisted idea of justice. ThunderClan was to take Sunningrocks as a whole... its dangers and its benefits.

PENNED BY PIN ☾

FERNGILL · Mar 23, 2023

There's some sort of ruckus. Some- unfamiliar faces, though not wholly unfamiliar. Never would he claim his memory was fantastic, but- that, up there, was Howlingstar. Leader of ThunderClan- and at first Fernpaw thought he should be honoured, that he should dip his head in respect, until he registered where they were. This is ThunderClan territory, a huge fiery-red tom announced, voice clear as a claw's cut. Again, Fernpaw wondered if he was mistaken- but upon sweeping his bulging gaze around, glancing at the grave expressions carved deep into his Clanmates' faces, he realised... they were trying to steal RiverClan's territory. Take it for their own- thieves. No-gooders, no...

Claws sprung from too-big paws. He stood a chance in this battle, now- his stature was lithe and smaller than most, but he was no longer kitten-sized. His teeth tightened to an iron grip in his paw, pupils flickering to Clayfur- he blinked, ears folding backward. He was- this was going to turn into a fight. And he wouldn't, couldn't, let evil triumph. All he could see were invaders, thieves... as a defender, a hero, he would come out on top.

✦ penned by pin ✦

ROEFLAME . · Mar 23, 2023

ROEPAW — break the air to feel the fall.
It’s almost silent as Thunderclan awaited Riverclans unsuspecting dawn patrol. Wide eyes are now narrowed, peering through the green branches of the hedge, Burnpaw at her side and Flycatcher nearby.
She is thankful for the gentle sound of the rushing river, it’s concealing her racing heart. She had been in battle before, but that had been different. There had been no cry for war, no premeditation. Snowpaw had flung himself at her in a rage and the battle had been sparked.
This, however, the waiting was almost agonizing. She presses her flank against Burnpaws in solidarity, casting her determined gaze side way to study his own expression. His eyes were also slanted, bitter almost, but ready for what was to come.
If he were to look her way she’d only give him a silent nod before turning to look at the conversation that was now taking place. Even Sunfreckle seemed to have grown a sliver of ferocity in his defiant words to the meager Riverclan patrol, which still bared their bruises from Windclans raid.
She squeezes herself into a tighter crouched position, ready to spring the moment she was given the signal. She was ready. She had to be.
"speech"

WHEN DOES A RIPPLE BECOME A TIDAL WAVE [CLAIMING SUNNINGROCKS]

Mother Wolf

☾

Ice Queen

[1/23/24] ✦ I GOT JUST ONE LIFE

High on high I stand

✩

oh so lovely ☀ 3/06/24

11.3.2023

Stormchaser

Guest

ablaze

Ambiguous positive associate

verdant

If I could hold you for a minute

𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 & 𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 ⋆｡˚ 𓆝

flower girl.

acuity

swan

V I R A G O

TONGUE-TIED & TWISTED

Mother Wolf