Riverstar/Main article

Riverstar, also known as River, is a silver-gray tom with rippling stripes and green eyes.

As a young cat, Ripple lived with the other Cats of the Park, spending his days relaxing and meditating. He is guided by his mentor Arc who teaches him how to hunt. When Twolegs invade and capture the cats, Ripple is separated and falls into the river. He is swept away downstream until he reaches the forest. He thanks the river for saving his life, and renames himself River Ripple.

River Ripple lives near the river for many moons, enjoying his independent and care-free lifestyle, until the mountain cats appear. He first meets Gray Wing, Wind, Gorse, and Rainswept Flower. They find the silver tom nice and friendly, but odd. The mountain cats don't think much of River Ripple until he rescues Clear Sky's group from a fire. After the great battle, River Ripple appears at the end. Thunder asks why he didn't help them, but River Ripple has no interest in meddling with their affairs. When the spirit cats of the fallen visit the leaders, Clear Sky questions River Ripple's involvement since he is just a loner. Storm refutes this, saying River Ripple had plenty of experience and lived in the forest before the mountain cats arrived.

He creates his own camp near the river, and welcomes any cat who wanted to join. He participates in the fight against One Eye and Slash, though prefers to keep his distance and not get involved if necessary. However, he always welcomes any cat into his camp and is more than willing to offer his wisdom. Moons later, his group is renamed RiverClan and he receives his nine lives to become Riverstar. He appoints his long-time friend Night as deputy and Dapple Pelt becomes his medicine cat. Riverstar is remembered as the good-natured and wise cat he was, and his Clan became the first to implement the mentor training program.

Detailed description
Riverstar, also known as River, is a sleek, long-furred, and silky, stocky, silver-gray tom. He has rippling stripes, thick, soft, silver belly fur, and green eyes.

Interesting facts

 * When he was born at the Park, Riverstar was named Ripple for the movement of the river water.

Author statements

 * Kate has expressed an interest in writing more about Riverstar, saying "there's something mysterious and secretive and he's a lovely character."

Mistakes

 * In an Erin Hunter Chat, Vicky revealed that Thunder, Shadow, River, Sky, and Wind did not take "-star" on the end of their names, because the tradition had not yet been established in their time.
 * This, however, contradicts information in Secrets of the Clans, which shows the founders of the Clans to have the "-star" suffix. Also, this information is supported by Moth Flight's Vision, which shows that all leaders did, in fact, take "-star" as the suffix of their name.
 * He has mistakenly been called “River Rippled“ twice.
 * Despite being listed as a leader of his own group in The Blazing Star, he calls himself a loner in the same book.
 * Kate imagines Riverstar as pale gray with some mottling on his fur. However, she thinks Cherith may imagine him differently.
 * He was mistakenly described with amber eyes.

References and citations
Fluss (Anführer)Речная ЗвездаÉtoile de la RivièreJokitähtiRzeczna GwiazdaRivier