Lionflight is the oldest of Ripplefur’s children, and the only child of Russetfoot. In his youth, before his siblings arrived, he had a picture-perfect life—on the outside. He was coveted by his highly regarded father, a strong guardian, and he was the son of who could very well become the next oracle. He was proud, and as an apprentice, eager. Behind the scenes, there was a lot of pressure from his father, and his mother was a bitter queen that hid it poorly. She was obsessively protective of Lionflight, but resentful of her role as a mother.

His mother vanished for a few moons when he was a kit. She missed his apprentice ceremony, and when she returned, she returned with three new siblings. Everything went south from there—she was killed, later he learned by his father, and his father hated the little kits. Lion took them under his wing, adored them, and had to balance his relationship with his father (whatever that looked like) and his relationship with them. His feelings regarding Firetongue killing Russetfoot are mixed, and he was aware of his father’s murderous streak by then.

Lionflight could be considered chaotic neutral, leaning into chaotic good. He will do whatever needs to be done for his family and chooses them again and again. Things like his mentor, friends, romantic interests, any new apprentices, rivals are completely open. Known associations with Dawnclaw and Duskfang, as well as Rookjaw, but little else. Whether it’s loyalty to his Clan or his family that keeps him in RidgeClan is open. Forwardly he is pious, but his deeper feelings regarding StarClan and Wolfstar’s crusade is open. Name, appearance, gender, and age range should stay the same, with the same green eyes as his brother and sister, their mother’s eyes. Named for his tan pelt and his skill as a guardian.

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Needlestorm is the middle child of the bastard siblings, and the second youngest overall. Like Firetongue, she suffered for her heritage, for existing. Their mother was hateful right up until her last breath, cut short courtesy of Russetfoot. The father of her eldest brother was horrible to her and her brother and sister, and soon, came for their lives too. She lived in fear and weathered scorn, keeping close to her brother, especially after Wasp-paw’s death. She and Firetongue formed a deep bond, deepened further when Russetfoot nearly killed her, and Firetongue took his life instead.

She is a clever, razor sharp, frosty she-cat. She’s highly intelligent and an excellent hunter, and her moral compass is more like a metronome. Her loyalty to her brother is unmatched, and her fervor for StarClan is nearly as great as his. They are two sides of the same coin, unhealthily attached. Firetongue is particularly possessive of her, and becomes easily jealous of anyone who catches her attention. Any romantic partner she finds interest in will have a hard time with Firetongue.

Needlestorm is true chaotic neutral, out to serve her own interests, and by extension, her family and service to StarClan. Could easily lean into chaotic evil as her family’s interests develop. Like Lion, things like her mentor, friends, romantic interests, any new apprentices, rivals are completely open. I ask that her name, appearance, and age stay the same, has the same green eyes as her brothers, their mother’s eyes. Named for her gray pelt and that her tail looked like a pine needle at birth, and for her easily stirred up attitude.

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[soft plot idea with no pressure: romance with dandelionleap would create high drama in the inner circle]

In contrast to his denmates, Stagleap is laid back and goes with the flow. He’s got a good sense of humor and little care for outside opinion. He grew up with Firetongue and his sisters, as well as Flickerheart and her brother. Flickerheart was a moon younger, but still, she was one of them. He doesn’t remember a time when he wasn't best friends with Firetongue, and they grew together like brothers. Firetongue was always more intense, and they were a good balance for each other.

Stagleap is still Firetongue’s best friend, and knows most of what lies beneath the charming mask, and sees the darkness that has festered there since his heart was broken. Stag was hurt by Flickerheart’s betrayal, and had been close friends with her before she deserted RidgeClan. When it comes to Firetongue’s extremist views, he has always been a driven supporter, and a true believer in StarClan — perhaps most especially the god-tier view of them that Firetongue believes in.

He is chaotic neutral. He will abandon true morals for the good of the inner circle and his family. He had an apprentice early, at the time of the attack on MistClan’s camp, twelve moons ago. His relationship with that apprentice is up to you, if they're still an apprentice or not, as well as his mentor, family, and romance, and he can be either a guardian or warrior.

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[soft plot idea with no pressure: romance with needlestorm would create high drama in the inner circle]

Rookjaw, once named Rookpelt, is a well respected warrior of RidgeClan, former mentor of Firetongue, and his friend still. He is fond of Needlestorm, and good friends with Lionflight as well. As a young warrior, Rookpelt fought a fisher cat and killed it, but not without great cost. One side of his jaw and part of his throat are deeply scarred, and his vocal chords took serious damage, leaving him with a permanently gravelly, rasping voice. In honor of his bravery and survival, he was proudly renamed Rookjaw upon his recovery.

Rookjaw was a good mentor to Firetongue. Reserved but resolute, he was patient, and knew how to work with and direct his fiery temper. He taught him loyalty, and cared for him like an uncle might care for a nephew. He believed his apprentice when he said Russetfoot was a murderer, and he did all he could to protect him from the cruelty of the guardian. He was outspoken in Firetongue’s trial. He is concerned for his former apprentice, the way he so viciously followed Wolfstar, but he currently remains supportive, and still fought with loyalty to RidgeClan.

Rookjaw leans closer to chaotic good. He loves RidgeClan, but perhaps not what RidgeClan became, and would likely be dismayed at the formation of the Kingdom. How he truly feels about it all is up to you. His general history, mentor, romance, family, and friends are up to you. I ask that his name and appearance remain the same, and that he not be any younger than 40 moons, but eye color is open. Named for his black with white pelt and honorably renamed to represent his victory against the fisher cat.

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These characters are wide open. They can be any age from an apprentice up — a youngling that looks up to him, an elder that sees potential, peers that find him amicable or inspiring. Firetongue may not trust them the way he trusts his siblings, Rookjaw, and Dandelionleap, but he likes them, and likes to believe they’d support him. Very likely, any one of these cats were in favor of him during his trial, and he hasn’t forgotten a single cat that spoke on his behalf. These cats would be Wolfstar supporters, and should align with mars, but can align differently. Existing characters are encouraged to be slotted here.

These cats are also very open to any age. As charming as Firetongue is, he has many unsavory qualities that he tries to hide. These are cats that might not trust his heritage as a half loner. They could have been against him in his trial, either just believing him to be dangerous or also having believed Russetfoot was innocent. Any cat falling under this would mistrust him, even if they have no direct reason to, or because they know he was an avid supporter of Wolfstar. They can fall under any alignment and be a part of any Clan. Existing characters are encouraged to be slotted here.