ridgeclan

RidgeClan is possibly the proudest of the Clans, with a rich history of noble hawk-hunters and a strong connection to their ancestors. They value family, spirituality, and ambition.


Many lifetimes ago, when RidgeClan was still settling in their territory, they were plagued by hawks. The birds would swoop down and snatch kits and young cats in their cruel talons, carrying them away forever. Terrified as they watched their Clanmates die one by one, the Clan prayed to StarClan, presenting offerings of prey when they were already skinny from competition with hawks in the harsh environment.

Finally, one cat decided he'd had enough. Brightpelt trekked out onto the highest ridges of his Clan's territory, snaring a rabbit and leaving it wounded as bait. He waited in hiding from moonset to sunrise before he finally saw a hawk's wing flash in the dawn. It swooped, and as its talons closed around the rabbit, Brightpelt sprung from his hiding spot, landing squarely on the hawk's back. It screeched and tried to fly away, but Brightpelt was too heavy. After a hard fight, the brave warrior was finally able to sink his teeth into the back of its neck, killing it—but not without sustaining injuries of his own.

Bleeding from a slash across his chest, Brightpelt braved the journey back to camp, dragging the carcass of his slain enemy all the way. When he dropped it in the center of camp, he leaned his head back to breathe the fresh morning air as the first light of dawn splashed across his face, his white pelt seeming to glow with divine radiance. StarClan had answered their prayers, and sent the first hawk-hunter to complete his task.

Now known as Brighthawk, he carried forward his legacy with pride, organizing the first bands of hawk-hunters to defend their territory.


Hawk-hunting is a tradition that continues to carry forward into each new generation, with the suffix of -hawk being earned by the most outstanding of warriors. It's considered a great honor to wield this name, and the bearer is expected to continue serving their Clan to the utmost.

While the story of Brighthawk inspires all, from the littlest kit to the most noble elder, it also touches on RidgeClan's early connection with StarClan. From the very beginning, this Clan took their devotion seriously, to the point of making offerings even to their own detriment.

The tradition of offerings continues to this day, though prey has fallen out of favor due to the probability of attracting scavengers. Nowadays, small and precious items such as riverstones, snail shells, and feathers are left instead. Hawk feathers are seen as a highly prestigious gift.

Offerings are typically made at the high points of their territory, often around burial sites, closest to StarClan.


As with the other Clans, RidgeClan has a warrior specialization. Guardians are cats who are trained to protect hunting parties that roam the high ridges and down by the river, as those are where birds of prey such as hawks, eagles, and osprey pose the most danger. Hunting parties in these areas typically consist of two guardians and three hunters, though the dense forests are safer for solo hunts or parties without guardians. A guardian or two will also often accompany the medicine cat during herb gathering or apprentice training sessions, where they can watch for danger while their Clanmates train. 

RidgeClan also traditionally had a special high rank, the oracle, who helped provide spiritual guidance for the religious Clan. While often working closely with the medicine cat, the oracle focused little on physical injuries, instead helping their Clan with issues of faith and devotion. The oracle and the medicine cat have historically either been close comrades or bitter rivals that cannot agree on StarClan's messages. In recent history, the role has been dissolved, leaving a gap in the council of RidgeClan.


Cats of this Clan also have a tendency to collect trophies, especially feathers, which are traditionally kept in dug-out hollows near the collector's nest. Because of this practice, over time the dens—which are dug into the earth, usually under rock ledges—have acquired rudimentary sort of "shelves" in the walls.

This practice was also adopted by the medicine cats, who use these hollows instead to store herbs in the cool pockets of earth.


RidgeClan cats, due to the harsher environment of their territory, tend to be hardy. Long fur is very common, and even shorthair cats usually have a double coat to protect against the bitter mountain winds. Stereotypically, RidgeClan cats tend toward black, dark tabby, and tortoiseshell, though like with all of the Clans, there is plenty of variation.

The other Clans tend to see RidgeClan as uptight and suspicious of outsiders, while RidgeClan sees themselves as devout and dedicated.