Story time with Astersky

Adderclaw's Fall

The Wind and Sun's Contest

Stars & Constellations

Adderclaw's Fall

Adderclaw was a young hunter many long moons ago. He and his sister Troutfin gambled through the forests, carefree and spry.

One day, while bringing back their day’s catch to the prey pile, Adderclaw decided that he was too hungry to wait his turn, and ate one of his mice before he shared the rest of his catch. “You should not do that…it is greedy” said his sister quietly. “It is only one mouse… I can catch more.” he replied, and so Troutfin said nothing, as it was only one mouse.

But it wasn't long before… one mouse became two, and two became three and so one. Before long it was as if he only hunted for himself. And as Adderclaw became strong, and his legs grew long, the queens weakened, and the kits grew frail, as the prey pile shrank ever smaller.

Adderclaw ate well. To support his appetite he became an extremely skilled hunter. He reveled in his newfound prowess and the challenge which hunting provided. It soon became a contest to see how much he could catch and kill. “You should not do that…it is wasteful” said his sister quietly. “It is only a few sparrows… there are more.” he replied, and so Troutfin said nothing, as it was only a few sparrows.

But it wasn't long before a few sparrows became many, and many became all. Before long nearly all the prey had been slain and left to lay rotting, as only one cat can eat so much. And as Adderclaw’s teeth became sharp and his claws grew long, the elders’ eyes dulled and the warriors grew lean, as prey became ever scarcer.

As the clan became frail their neighbors started to press in. Soon there were standoffs all along the borders. Adderclaw reveled in it all. He was the strongest and fiercest after all, and before long he had cornered one of the enemy warriors and with much glee, he slew the cat with his long claws, despite their surrender. “You should not do that…it is cruel,” said his sister quietly. “It is only a weakling… and I am strong.” he growled, and so Troutfin said nothing, as she was afraid.

But blood begets blood and he slew all he captured, as they were weak in his eyes. Before long the clans were at war and many were lost. And as Adderclaw’s fur became ragged and his paws grew stained red, the leader's lives were spent and the clan grew small, as death became ever-present.

Until finally… only Adderclaw and Troutfin were all that remained of the clan’s warriors. It was then that Troutfin saw that her brother was no longer the kit she grew up with… he had become long and lanky. His visage was fearsome with fangs long and snake-like, and his claws crooked and hooked. He no longer distinguished between friend and foe and all he knew was his blood lust. And so to save what little remained of her clan… Troutfin chose to face her brother.

It was a long and hard fight, Adderclaw seemed to draw strength from the blood he spilled, and looked as if Troutfin would lose… but… with the last of her strength, she grappled her brother, the monster, and together they fell off a cliff.

Both were killed by the fall… and came before StarClan. Adderclaw gazed upon all those whose death he had wrought and so was barred from joining with his ancestors… as he had lost sight of the way and broke the code, becoming a monster of his own making. And so a monster he would remain and was cast back to walk the forests cursed and alone… with a hunger that can never be satiated.

And so... this is how the first AdderRasp came to be.

The Wind and Sun's Contest

A long time ago, the Wind and the Sun had a quarrel about which of them was the stronger. While they were arguing with much heat and bluster, they scarred a rabbit, which darted across the field into its den. The two great cats gazed down, perplexed for a moment.

The Sun then had an idea, and he looked over to Wind. "Let us agree," he said, "that the stronger of us is the one who can get that rabbit out of its den."

"Very well," growled the Wind, and at once sent a cold, howling blast against the rabbit.

With the first gust of wind the rabbit hunkered down, nestling into the bracken lining it den. The harder the Wind blew, the further and further the rabbit burrowed into its den. The Wind tore angrily at the entrance of the den, howling and blustering frustration but all her efforts were in vain. She would not get the rabbit out.

She looked over to the sun. "Your turn"

Then the Sun shook his golden mane and began to shine. At first his beams were gentle, and in the pleasant warmth after the bitter cold of the Wind's assault, the rabbit uncurled itself from where it pulled itself into a tight ball deep in its den. The Sun's rays grew warmer and warmer. And the rabbit ventured closer the den's entrance no longer fearing the howls of the wind. Till, eventually, it poked its head out. At last it leapt out, and bound out into the field reveling in joy of and heat of the day.

And so it was the Wind saw that it is was the gentleness and kind that persuasion win where force and bluster fail.

The Stars and Constellations

The tentent Stars

These are a set of 10 constellations situated above the northern horizon. Unlike the other constellations, these are always in the night sky and never set as the seasons change. Because of this feature, these stars are used to commemorate important aspects of the clan.

For the constellations

The Great Animals

These are a set of 12 constellations that move across the night sky. They each have a special animal attached to them. Kits often pick or have chosen for them one of these animals based on their personality or because traits they hope to emulate.

For the constellations

Other constellations

The Great Stars (or “The Old Wanderers”)

These are the 4 stars who chose to wander about the sky. They are said to be the progenitors of ancient great cats from which the clans are descended. Because of this significance, they are among the brightest stars in the night sky

For the constellations

The tentent Stars

The Mentor

This is often the first constellation spotted after the sun sets, due to the brightness of its stars. The two stars that make up their chest, point to the Apprentice.

The Apprentice

The smaller of the two cats in the northern stars. The Apprentice and Mentor chase each other in a circle, across the sky representing their bond and cycle of Apprenticeship and Mentorship. The tip of their tail has the star around which all others rotate. The star was placed there so, if a cat is ever lost, they can rely on the Apprentice to always know the way northward.

The Broken Tail

Consisting of 5 stars, this constellation is used to recite the Valued Traits (Unification, Filial piety, Justice & correctness, Honesty, and Faithfulness). The legend tells of a cat who, through not respecting the Values, wound up with her tail getting broken in 5 different ways.

The Clan Path

Consisting of a winding line of 14 stars, this constellation is used to help remember and practice reciting the clan code.

The Den

Living within a community is one of the defining aspects of clan life. This constellation serves as a reminder of the home, and the cats within, which the clan protects.

The Stream

The Ancestors

This large and seemingly disparate grouping of stars pays homage to the ancestors and familial roots. Every family has a different constellation, which they teach and pass down to their descendants.

The high rock

This constellation honors leaders of the clan and serves as a reminder of the significance of the position.

The Prey

This group of stars honors the prey killed and stands as a reminder to give thanks for the lives taken. Multiple constellations are contained with this cluster, one for each of the major prey groups.

Back to Constellations