[Deleted]

TREECLAN LEADER

PUMASTAR

48 MOONS

THE PROBLEM IS YOU THINK YOU HAVE TIME

"All those capable and inclined, gather beneath the Ancient Stump."

Pumafang's voice resonated, deep as thunder. He lumbered out of camp with purpose swaggering his steps. It wasn't but a pawful of days since his ascension, though it seemed like this title had been his for moons. The tom could feel warm bodies moving in behind him, the chilly night air embracing his dense, chocolate black form, separating him from the commoners as he exited the hollow tree his clan called home. The Ancient Stump was in view, the platform that once held the massive, fallen oak upright and noble.

Now its excess was rotting on the forest floor while its foundation stood strong.

Pumafang leaped up, his colossal, menacing form casting a cold shadow over the gathering cats. His amber eyes emitted a harrowing, dreadful void that not even the stars could fill. He waited until the clearing was still, and his eyes picked out two special forms sitting, prudently, just a stone's throw from the stump itself. It was no mystery to Owlstrike, the graduation of his apprentice. TreeClan's leader completed the warrior assessment with the apprentice's mentor: it was Pumafang's reputation on the line if Summitpaw wasn't prepared, but needless to say, the young tom was comparable to Pumafang when he himself was a 12 moon old freshly named warrior.

Summitpaw. Pumafang's lips creased upwards faintly for a moment before he sat back on his haunches with his usual placid, flat expression. He saw a darkness inside the tom that made him ache with morbid curiosity. You are something TreeClan hasn't seen in generations.

"Lionstar's sacrifice brought us great blessings." Pumafang started, thick tail curling around his paws. "Demon's death is a deep breath to the entire valley, one that the other clans will soon come to realize." The gathering was coming up, and Pumafang wanted to wait to extend the borders until right before the gathering itself. To stake a claim on the best of the unclaimed land, and to make sure everyone knew it was he who came up with the idea first. Cats were thieving, unoriginal creatures. Pumafang felt his claws unsheathe slightly, continuing with a deep, raspy drone. "Tomorrow at sunhigh I will select elite warriors to assist me in extending our border back towards the mountains into unclaimed territory. We will take the best for ourselves and leave the other clans with the rest. This new extension will be incorporated into border patrols immediately following our return."

Pumafang watched the clan, listened to the clan, felt the clan. They murmured and moved as one, a wave of pelts emitting meows of approval and concern. Lionstar's death was fresh, and some had been shaken down to the marrow by his mangled form, though Pumafang knew this would bring TreeClan a prosperity like no other, without foolish bloodshed. The Deer Path and the Open Woods were useless to them. Overhunted. Overpopulated with screeching rivalries the past several generations. Only the most desperate quarry would consider that their home.

Though the easy part was over. No doubt he'd be given support over such an ingenuitive idea, though his latter ceremony would ruffle pelts. Pumafang felt a dark excitement boil beneath his skin as he addressed the clan with an authoritative thrum.

"In the meantime," He started, pulling himself to his paws. "We have a well-deserved ceremony for a gifted youth."

Pumafang leaped down from his oaken throne, beckoning Summitpaw before him. He watched the large, tabby and white tom approach with unwavering confidence and a stolid gaze. Pumafang felt a cold, sharp breeze prickled up his spine, and for a moment, he envied Summitpaw's dense, fluffy pelt. He had high hopes for this tom. High enough to threaten his reign by granting a warrior name to the nine moon old prodigy.

"I, Pumastar, leader of TreeClan, call upon our warriors to look upon this apprentice." Pumafang paused, traditional jargon making his stomach churn with distaste. "He has trained hard to understand the ways of our noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn. Summitpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Pumafang could almost hear the clan inhale sharply, almost simultaneously, though the murmurs grew faint in light of Summitpaw's acknowledgement.

"I do." The large, fluffy, tabby and white tom meowed, dipping his head solemnly.

"Summitpaw," Pumafang started, replaying Owlstrike's conversation in his head. They chose a fine name. "From this moment on you will be known as Summitwatcher. TreeClan honors your virtues, and I welcome you as a full warrior."

Age was just a number, and the more time passed, the less it mattered. Pumafang rest his muzzle on Summitwatcher's head, and in turn the tom gave his shoulder a brief lick. An odd exchange, but it was effortless enough. Nine moons old, and the apprentice had managed to pass the warrior assessment with flying colors. He deserved it, and a quick glance over at Owlstrike solidified his feelings.

Summitwatcher was just the first.

Pumafang wouldn't withhold a warrior name from one skilled and disciplined enough to succeed three moons earlier than the youngest warrior ever titled in Lionstar's era. The hesitation of cheers made disappointment throb within Pumafang's chest, and with an icy voice, he growled Summitwatcher's name, amber eyes fiery and accusing to those who repressed support.

It was a new time.

A time where the individual would take hold of their own lives and seize their desires with tooth and claw, or peace and verbiage. Pumafang concluded the meeting with a dip of his head to the new warrior. Summitwatcher had his respect. He knew the boy's type: egocentric, ambitious, the type that threatened his grasp on TreeClan.

But what was the fun in leadership without a little dissension?

Pumafang nodded to Mossheart to dissolve the crowd before turning his back to the clan. The massive, chocolate black leader retreated towards his den, tail flicking slightly. A shadow cast over Pumafang's brow, muting his momentarily vigorous amber gaze to a phlegmatic, dull glow as he entered his den. He would sleep well to the concerned murmurs of TreeClan.

It was sweet like birdsong.

[attr="class","pftag"]TAGGED @jen Katara Aqua noctali KARAZHAL Lucense Fawn Ghost the Undead Goddess ♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 Abyss Gemini BlooRey DVD Phoenix Amber Hellion

[attr="class","pfwc"]WORDS 1072

This post has been staff approved.

These warriors will attend Pumastar to extend the border: Summitwatcher, Glacierspring, and Owlstrike.

Summitwatcher being made a warrior at 9 moons old brings about a new opportunity for players with TreeClan apprentices. Pumastar will be rewarding those who choose to partake in a more accelerated, ambitious training regimen with an early warrior ceremony. To be eligible for this early warrior ceremony, a player must have all of their apprentice threads completed in the first season of the apprenticeship (6-9 moons). When the character ages up in the FateDex to 12 moons, they are no longer eligible. 9 moon old warriors can not be created. The early warrior ceremony must be earned through diligent posting, though it is very doable, especially considering Pumastar's aid, to be explained below.

As a TreeClan High Rank, I will be posting the top most needed training thread for TC apprentices (to attend at will) at least once every season. The upcoming thread I will be posting will be a Battle Training thread with Pumastar and Mossheart overseeing the event, date TBD. It will likely be in battle format to allow this requirement to be achievable by all current apprentices. A posting order will be determined beneath the post when the event is published. The attendees are still currently being sorted. If you have a TreeClan apprentice you would like to go to this and you have not yet verified with me, please DM me or message me through the site!

Verified Apprentices:
Shrikepaw Hellion
Acornpaw BlooRey DVD
Sagepaw KARAZHAL
Asterpaw ♛ 𝔽𝕒𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟
Graypaw @jen
Mottledpaw noctali
Moonpaw Lucense

If you have any questions regarding the territory expansion, the massive battle training thread, or the early warrior's ceremony, please DM me or message me through the site. I look forward to Roleplaying with you all in these exciting times!

[Amber]

[googlefont="Julius Sans One"][googlefont="PT Sans"][googlefont="Khula"]

every wound will shape me

every scar will build my throne

"All those capable and inclined, gather beneath the Ancient Stump."

Summitpaw had spent a good chunk of the evening taming his long, dense pelt. He’d had one last session with Owlstrike that morning, rigorously going over everything he had learned the last season. Pumastar had approached the pair a couple days ago, offering an early ceremony if Summitpaw was ready. And oh, was he ready. He’d worked his tail off the last season, pushing himself to his limits in order to make a name for himself. He wanted to be great, wanted to show everyone what he was capable of. Cavernpaw and Peregrinepaw, the siblings he had never been close to, were nothing but hurdles on his way to greatness. For Pumastar to have noticed him and single him out for this honor, it nurtured an ache in the young tom’s heart that had never been treated gently.

He had been noticed, he had been acknowledged, and now he would be honored and admired. It was a taste of greatness, and it brought Summitpaw great pride.

At Pumastar’s call, the large tabby and white tom rose and headed toward the Ancient Stump. Spotting Owlfrost seated a couple tail-lengths away from the Stump, he moved to sit next to his mentor, sharing a silent nod with the older cat. He settled down as the rest of the Clan joined them, pale yellow eyes fixed to TreeClan's leader.

Pumastar spoke of Lionstar's sacrifice and Demon's demise, swiftly moving on to a plan to expand the border into the foothills beyond. Summitpaw's ears perked forward as the leader mentioned selecting 'elite warriors' to join him. He wanted to be on that team, wanted to prove his worth. TreeClan's leader didn't linger long before moving onto the next order of business. Summitpaw rose at Pumastar’s beckon, moving to stand before the massive tom. He lifted his chin slightly, his gaze steady and blazing with a mix of pride, excitement, and determination. "I, Pumastar, leader of TreeClan, call upon our warriors to look upon this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of our noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn. Summitpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

The collective intake from his Clanmates behind him caused his eyes to narrow slightly in annoyance, but it only steeled his resolve. "I do," he meowed, voice steady and carrying over the gathered Clan. "Summitpaw. From this moment on you will be known as Summitwatcher. TreeClan honors your virtues, and I welcome you as a full warrior." Summitwatcher lowered his head slightly, allowing the weight of Pumastar's chin upon his crown before shifting forward to rasp his tongue over the black tom's shoulder. The moment was brief and they parted quickly, but the Clan began to chant his new name, and a fire erupted inside the young tom. This is what he needed. Recognition, acknowledgement, and the backing of the strongest warriors who thought he was worthy to join their ranks. This day was just the beginning.

NINE MOONS † TREECLAN WARRIOR

NOTES Spicy boi getting a taste of what he truly wants!

TAGS @jet

[Ghost the Undead Goddess]

Timberfrost

The story's getting old but my heart is getting colder

The massive she-cat sat near the entrance of Pumastar's den, an ear shifted backwards to hear any squeals or signs of distress from the sleeping kits within her warm nest. It had only been but a pawful of sunrises since the arrival of the youngsters spawned from the new leader and his cold tempered mate, and it seemed that that was not the only change within the recent days. 

The tabby she-cat wore a frosted expression as always, though the stout example of disapproval was oddly noticeable upon her face. The scar that ran down her left eye was scrunched as those cerulean pools flickered with an icy flame. 

There was an uncomfortableness that had settled within the stomach of the astute warrior as of recent. The shifting of leaders should have been a breath of fresh air, as Lionstar had sat upon the throne for many a moon... and yet... It almost felt like claws were slowly wrapping themselves around the forest in a suffocating squeeze. A darkness seemed to shift around the edges of each tree like a shadow that wanted to swallow everything around it. 

Long claws were pressing into the soft ground below Timberfrost as she sheathed and unsheathed them in a bought of chilly irritation. She had hoped against all odds that Pumastar would return from his ceremony with a shift in his emotionless balance, but it seemed that that wasn't the case. He was even proposing ideas that felt wrong within the iced cage of the tabby molly's heart.

It seemed that the monstrous tomcat had retreated farther into his ebony shell, despite the intended interference of Lionstar and herself. Did Goldenflame's poison run that deep? Did the dead warrior's claws still have such a torrid hold within his former apprentice's pelt that Pumastar could never truly escape the horrors of the past. Was the damage of his mind and soul completely irreversible at this point.

Each day seemed to push a wedge between Timberfrost and her mate, his actions of cruel intent and morbid designs were not what was in the best interest for the clan that lived among the trees. And now, to make a thoughtless child a warrior, a kit who barely trained for three moons had now risen among the ranks to earn his warrior name. Prodigy or not, he was nothing more than a youngster who's subjected arrogance would only cause a downfall to the growth of the clan.

Was Pumastar so wrapped up within the idea of power that he forwent the idea of critical thinking? Summitpaw had never even seen a day of the hardened life of a warrior, let alone enough to make it seem like he was ready to take that step a whole three months before he was ready. A low growl rose within Timberfrost's throat, it was quiet and only audible to her but the older molly felt the need to challange him. To *remind* this youngster just exactly what the Valley of the Clans really edured.

Their leader may have ridden the clans of Demon but his scars still left behind memories. Timberfrost offered her life for the protection of Treeclan more times than she could count, to the point of nearly dying by the monstrous lynx's claws to the murder of her own deranged father moons ago.

Summitpaw - Summitwatcher would never know the terror of being treated like a piece of prey in his own territory. He was weak, as was any cat willing to forfeit training simply for a title. The name of a warrior didn't mark you as one, it was the dedication and the willingness to die. A shame that Pumastar would ignore such a sentiment simply for his own personal gain and to differentiate between himself and the former patriarch of the clan.

She did not call his name, nor did she accept the change in his rank. Timberfrost was not impressed with his advanced skills nor was she impressed with the likes of her mate. Those chips of ice within her cerulean pools unreadable by the time the new leader made his way slowly towards the den that they shared, their kits sleeping comfortably inside. Her growl rose as she parted her jaws to speak with pointed disapproval. "You've done nothing to help that boy. You actions will be his undoing." Her tone was just as cold as her namesake as the molly rose to her large paws and pushed past Pumastar into the darkness of the Leader' Den without another word.   

She Cat | 44 Moons | TreeClan | Warrior-Queen

773 Words | @jet Amber Fawn | Image