A large, brown tabby tom with long fur and golden eyes.

Like his brother, Brindlehawk is a massive cat who tends to tower over most others. If it wasn’t for his thick and lengthy pelt, the muscle that ripples beneath his coat when he moves would be visible. Brindlehawk’s paws are particularly large and have been compared to that of a lion’s by wonderstruck kits.

There’s very little that's especially interesting about Brindlehawk’s appearance - except for maybe the golden mane that wraps around his neck. His brown fur is complemented by darker tabby stripes and paler undersides, but his eyes, a rich golden hue, are, perhaps, the star attraction.

[ 0 MOONS - 5 MOONS ] Lilyfern had always wanted to leave her mark on the world and attempted to reach her goal through her offspring. Unfortunately for her, her first three litters were full of ordinary warriors. When her fourth and final litter with Maplestripe was born, she knew they were her last chance at greatness. She named Brindlekit and Bearkit after her deceased older brothers, expecting them to adopt their uncles’ traits. Bearleap had been strong and confident while Brindlegaze had been wise and intelligent. As the two kits’ personalities developed, Lilyfern realized she’d named them incorrectly. Instead of being proud and charismatic, Bearkit was quiet and reserved, and instead of being shrewd and insightful, Brindlekit was brash and rambunctious.

Despite their differences, Bearkit was Brindlekit’s best friend. He was the first cat Brindlekit went to whenever a particularly rough game of wrestling ended in tears and bruises, and he always went to Bearkit when he just needed someone to listen. They did everything together, so naturally, Brindlekit expected they’d sleep beside each other in the apprentice den, too, and train together and do their chores together, but then RidgeClan’s medicine cat, Sootwhisker, expressed interest in taking on Bearkit as his apprentice. Brindlekit struggled to wrap his mind around the fact that they wouldn’t do everything together. It was just so difficult to be happy for Bearkit when everything he thought would happen wouldn’t.

[ 6 MOONS - 14 MOONS ] At least Brindlepaw and Bearpaw got to become apprentices together, but it wasn’t as wonderful a day as he’d dreamed it would be. Bearpaw became RidgeClan’s medicine cat apprentice like he said he would. Brindlepaw should’ve been overjoyed that they were finally apprentices, but all he could feel was disappointment. He felt even worse when Lilyfern and Maplestripe hurried right past him to congratulate Bearpaw. Brindlepaw watched, dejected, as their parents totally ignored him and showered Bearpaw in praise. He knew then and there that he wasn’t good enough for his parents anymore. His mentor was Crowfoot, who was just an average guardian, but Bearpaw’s mentor was the clan’s medicine cat, which made him more valuable in their parents’ eyes.

Brindlepaw drifted away from his family after the ceremony. His parents didn’t seem to notice and Bearpaw didn’t say anything, but Brindlepaw also caught his brother looking at him sometimes with a weird look in his eyes. He and Bearpaw had been so close and it was hard to forget the bond they’d shared, so he occasionally made attempts to mend their fractured relationship, but it never seemed to go well. Mostly, Brindlepaw focused on finding his own family. He was a popular apprentice, well-liked by a majority of his denmates, but he didn’t really connect with anyone in particular until a few moons had passed. Falconpaw and Mousepaw were younger than him and had just joined the apprentice den, but the three of them instantly became attached to one another’s hips.

As kits, Falconpaw and Mousepaw’s parents had constantly talked about how cute they were together, and when they became apprentices, their parents started on about how lovely a couple they’d make. It wasn’t long after being named apprentices that their parents got bolder and would go on about how the kits Falconpaw and Mousepaw were sure to have in the future would grow into robust RidgeClan warriors. It made the two apprentices uncomfortable to hear their futures being planned without their input, but they both bit their tongues, certain their parents knew what was best for them. Besides, being in a relationship with each other couldn’t be much different from what being friends with each other was like, right?

And then a couple moons after Falconpaw and Mousepaw became apprentices, Mothpaw followed. Mothpaw was five moons younger than Brindlepaw and so by the time he was an apprentice, she was only just learning to walk without tripping over her own paws. He’d never really given the younger kits his attention, focusing instead on his relationship with Bearpaw. How foolish he’d been to tend to a bond that wouldn’t last. But the moment Brindlepaw looked into Mothpaw’s eyes, his whole world brightened. Her smile could warm even the coldest of hearts and it wasn’t long before he caught feelings. Those feelings must’ve been mutual, though Brindlepaw didn’t really know it at the time - again, how foolish he’d been - because Falconpaw and Mousepaw would tease him about how they’d become mates as soon as they both graduated.

It was easy to be careless after being abandoned by the very cats who were supposed to love him unconditionally. Brindlepaw started acting out in small ways, like dismissing his mentor’s advice. Gradually, he made his way to totally disobeying Crowfoot. In the beginning, Crowfoot would lose his temper and so would Brindlepaw, and they’d both storm off in different directions without getting any training done. But then Crowfoot awkwardly began to show compassion, slowly breaking down Brindlepaw’s walls until eventually, they actually could complete a training session without either of them snapping at the other. Finally willing to accept Crowfoot’s guidance, Brindlepaw rapidly excelled at his guardian training.

[ 15 MOONS - 17 MOONS ] Brindlehawk was beyond thrilled to have been named for his exceptional raptor-hunting skills. He was even happier to be named alongside his friends, Falconfeather and Mousefoot, who graduated as warriors rather than guardians, though he was sad Mothpaw would have to wait a couple more moons to join them. Falconfeather and Mousefoot became mates less than a moon after the naming ceremony - not because their parents wanted them to, but because they wanted to. They’d developed crushes on each other over the past few moons and that infatuation had turned into love. Brindlehawk was happy for them, but feared they’d focus on their relationship and forget about their friendship with him. He must’ve made a face or maybe something flashed in his eyes when they revealed their union to him, because his friends reassured him they wouldn’t let him become a third wheel.

The next couple of moons were rather uneventful as Brindlehawk, Falconfeather, and Mousefoot settled into their new lives as warriors. He continued to make time for Mothpaw and she made time for him, though sometimes, her training got in the way of their time together. However, their connection remained strong. When she finally became a warrior, earning the name Mothlight for her bouncy, carefree personality, Brindlehawk was one of the first to congratulate her. They pushed their nests beside each other’s and spent the next few days rarely leaving one another’s side. It was Mothlight who asked Brindlehawk to be her mate less than a moon after her naming ceremony. He could only laugh, because he’d been about to ask her the same question. Falconfeather and Mousefoot were excited for them and would chuckle about how maybe they’d get to raise kits alongside each other.

[ 18 MOONS - 21 MOONS ] Everything was good, but it wouldn’t last forever. Falconfeather led a hunting patrol made up of Mousefoot and Brindlehawk into the mountainous part of RidgeClan territory one day. During their patrol, Falconfeather guided them into an open clearing, on the tail of a squirrel, and that’s when an eagle swooped down at them. Before Brindlehawk and Falconfeather could register what was happening, the eagle sank its talons into Mousefoot’s shoulders and started lifting her into the air. Falconfeather panicked and stumbled over his paws as he tried to race to Mousefoot’s rescue, and Brindlehawk tripped on Falconfeather as he fell in his path. They jumped to their feet as fast as they could, but there was nothing they could do except listen to Mousefoot’s cries as the eagle carried her away.

In the moons following Mousefoot’s early demise, Falconfeather became someone Brindlehawk couldn’t recognize. Falconfeather had always been level-headed, but after Mousefoot was taken by that eagle, he started lashing out at anyone who dared to approach him. He was just so angry all the time and while Brindlehawk could understand, he missed his friend and who he’d once been. Brindlehawk tried hard to be there for the other tom, but Falconfeather’s anger only increased and he started pushing everyone away. And then, seemingly overnight, Falconfeather became incredibly devout and would rant to anyone who would listen about how MistClan didn’t deserve the Mooncave. Brindlehawk knew his sudden piety was a way to cope with Mousefoot’s death, but he worried about Falconfeather’s new opinions regarding MistClan.

While distance grew between Brindlehawk and Falconfeather, he became close to a clanmate named Brookshine, who was younger than he was, but she reminded him of Mothlight. They could’ve been twins, with both of them being bouncy and carefree, and having a smile that could thaw frozen hearts. Brindlehawk was drawn to her in a way he shouldn’t have been, but he’d never act on his feelings. He loved Mothlight. He kept his feelings to himself and stopped spending so much time with Brookshine, concentrating instead on strengthening his relationship with his mate. He’d been so focused on Falconfeather after Mousefoot died and then he’d built a friendship with Brookshine, so he was sure Mothlight felt a little neglected. He still gave Brookshine attention, because he wasn’t willing to lose another friend, but he started prioritizing Mothlight more.

[ 22 MOONS ] Brindlehawk fought in the war. Not for Wolfstar, of course, but because it was his duty as a guardian of RidgeClan to protect his clanmates. He tried to stay near Falconfeather, Brookshine, and Mothlight, but when he lost his friends and his mate in the fray, and found Bearpaw, who'd recently become a warrior apprentice, he tried to stay close to his brother instead. Falconfeather, Brookshine, and Mothlight were more experienced than Bearpaw, and Brindlehawk had to trust they could take care of themselves. He had given Bearpaw a few tips about combat, but his brother wasn't made for fighting - well, physically, sure, but not in other ways. Unfortunately, they got separated, too. When PrairieClan reinforcements arrived and RidgeClan retreated, Brindlehawk searched for Mothlight, Brookshine, Falconfeather, and Bearpaw in the fleeing crowd, but it was too hectic to make any progress.

Brindlehawk found Falconfeather and Brookshine back at camp before he found Mothlight or Bearpaw. They loitered on the outskirts of the clearing, Falconfeather looking awfully disheartened, but he couldn't blame him, not when RidgeClan had just lost a battle that they'd started. Brindlehawk approached to see if they were okay and Brookshine was, but it seemed Falconfeather’s mind had suffered more than his body. He knew Falconfeather felt better about Mousefoot's death when he thought about her enjoying StarClan's hunting grounds, but to have encouraged a war that cost so many lives so he could feel closer to his deceased mate must've messed with his head. The trio sat together as they were treated and as vigils were prepared, Brindlehawk providing his dejected friend with quiet support. Only once Falconfeather promised that he was okay did Brindlehawk leave his side to search for Bearpaw and Mothlight. He hated the thought of leaving his friend, but he was sure Brookshine would look after him. Brindlehawk had to make sure his brother and mate were alright.

It wasn't long after walking away from Falconfeather and Brookshine that Brindlehawk learned Bearpaw hadn't made it. He couldn't find Bearpaw anywhere, but he’d convinced himself that maybe they'd just missed each other. Bearpaw had to be somewhere in camp. He only found out his brother was dead when Sootwhisker's voice rang across the clearing. Lost to the river, Sootwhisker said. Brindlehawk barely heard the medicine cat honor Bearpaw with a warrior name. Bearclaw. He was too shocked to feel much of anything at first and then came the guilt. Their relationship had been a delicate thing, positive, but delicate, and now, Brindlehawk wished he'd taken that step and actually talked to Bearclaw about how he felt. Why had he delayed fully repairing their relationship? Mothlight tracked Brindlehawk down shortly after Sootwhisker’s announcement and while he was relieved his mate survived the war, he was absolutely devastated to have lost his littermate.

[ 23 MOONS - 24 MOONS ] Brindlehawk spent a long time struggling to accept Bearclaw's death. It haunted him that he'd never managed to fix their relationship. He couldn't sleep, couldn't eat, and was too distraught to give Mothlight, Brookshine, and Falconfeather the attention they deserved. They were supportive, of course, and did what they could to help him, but it quickly reached a point where they weren’t willing to watch Brindlehawk deteriorate any longer. Mothlight would cry to him about how hard it was to witness his suffering, Falconfeather told him how much he missed his best friend, and while Brookshine never said anything, she did try pushing him to eat and leave his nest occasionally. It wasn’t long before Brindlehawk decided to make an effort to get better. He couldn’t forget about Bearclaw and the relationship they could’ve had, but he wasn’t about to risk the connections he did have.

[ 25 MOONS - 32 MOONS ] As Brindlehawk was feeling better about life, Mothlight revealed to him that she was expecting. It was a bittersweet moment for him, but he could tell Mothlight was getting upset when he didn’t seem as thrilled as she thought he’d be. After explaining he only wished Bearclaw was alive to play uncle for their kits, she softened and pressed against his side. Something flashed in her eyes when he spoke about Bearclaw, but it was gone before he could identify it. When they told Falconfeather and Brookshine about Mothlight’s pregnancy, Falconfeather’s expression became sad and Brindlehawk knew he must have been thinking about Mousefoot. Brookshine didn’t hop in excitement or pull them into her embrace like he thought she would’ve, but instead, softly congratulated the pair before claiming there was a patrol waiting on her. He complained to Mothlight about their friends’ reactions, but she told him they were probably just having a bad day.

With some time, everyone warmed up to the idea of Brindlehawk and Mothlight having kits. Falconfeather even seemed the most excited, but when the kits finally arrived, no one was more thrilled than Brindlehawk. He could’ve cried just at the sight of them. A tom and a she-kit. Mothlight named the she-kit Shellkit and Brindlehawk named their son the first thing that came to mind - Bearkit. It was beyond fascinating to watch them grow up. Shellkit was like him when he’d been a kit. She was bold and brash, and she was trouble enough for both kits with a short temper to boot. Bearkit was lively and affable, similar to who Brindlehawk was as a grown cat, but maybe a tad more foolish. Like his mother, he was capable of lighting up the clearing with a big, goofy grin. When Bearkit came wailing to his parents about how he’d tripped and bumped his nose for the nth time, Brindlehawk was quick to soothe his cries. And when Shellkit lost control of her temper, Brindlehawk made sure to remain calm as they got to the root of the problem.

Mothlight was just as heavily involved in Shellkit and Bearkit’s lives as Brindlehawk was. They were determined to be reliable parents who Shellkit and Bearkit weren’t afraid to go to when they needed help. Brindlehawk wasn’t even scared he’d become anything like his own parents. He was confident he’d never abandon his children like how Lilyfern and Maplestripe had abandoned him. If he ever did, he was certain Mothlight would make him regret it and he would thank her as she did so. Falconfeather and Brookshine were also involved in Bearkit and Shellkit’s lives - Falconfeather more so than Brookshine. Falconfeather was almost like a third parent to Shellkit and Bearkit, and they’d enthusiastically tackle him whenever he entered the nursery. As for Brookshine, Brindlehawk worked hard to ensure she knew she wasn’t forgotten and to help her feel like part of the family, but distance grew between them anyway.

[ 33 MOONS - 36 MOONS ] During the same ceremony, Shellkit and Bearkit became Shellpaw and Bearpaw, and Brindlehawk was assigned an apprentice named Chickweedpaw. Training an apprentice took up a lot of his time, but he was happy to see Mothlight and Falconfeather keeping each other company while he was busy. The sight of them laughing over a meal or basking in the sunshine never failed to bring a smile to his face, though it was a bittersweet smile. He was sad Brookshine wasn’t among them, that she had pulled away from their friend group, but he was determined to one day completely restore their friendship. Brindlehawk made an effort to improve their bond, but Brookshine never failed to come up with excuses to walk away from him. She always seemed… guilt-ridden, but for the life of him, Brindlehawk couldn’t figure out why.

It wasn’t a secret that Chickweedpaw had shown an interest in herbs, but Brindlehawk thought they'd be more excited to have become an apprentice. He tried to find ways to improve their interest in training, but their heart just wasn’t in it. They did get to know each other better with some time and even connected over how Chickweedpaw’s mother had abandoned them like how Brindlehawk’s parents had abandoned him. He could understand their pain and made sure they knew he was available to talk whenever they wanted to. He was certain that their desire to train beneath the medicine cat, as well as their mother’s abandonment of them, resulted in warrior training being much less appealing. Still, the last thing Brindlehawk expected was for his apprentice to take off and join The Kingdom shortly after its creation. Deep down, he wanted only the best for Chickweedpaw, but he couldn’t help struggling with how he’d been left behind yet again.

And then gossip about Bearclaw’s survival reached Brindlehawk’s ears.

Pre-Plotting: Brindlehawk aligns with Uranus in [RidgeClan’s Plot Ad]. He didn’t believe in Wolfstar’s war and he loathed the zealotry that brought it on. He highly doubted that StarClan approved of the battle and thinks that, if they do exist, their ancestors would only ever desire good things for all the clans. As for the other clans, Brindlehawk would approve of cautiously attempting to form and maintain positive relationships with their neighbors. And if it doesn’t work out, then they’ll know for sure that it wasn’t meant to be. RidgeClan is strong enough to stand alone anyway. Brindlehawk was adopted from [carving through the dark].

optional images