Curlfeather

"If I'm bloodying my paws already, why stop at one cat?" This article contains major spoilers for the recently released book, Wind. Please proceed at your own discretion.

"Keep RiverClan safe! And trust no cat!"

— Curlfeather's final warning to Frostpaw in River, page 246

Curlfeather
The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation.
Affiliations
Current:	The Place of No Stars
Past:	RiverClan The Kin (prisoner)
Biographical information
Age:	Approx. 74 moons (6.17 year(s)) old at death
Cause of death:	Killed by dogs
Names
Kit:	Curlkit
Apprentice:	Curlpaw
Warrior:	Curlfeather
Queen:	Curlfeather
Appointed leader:	Curlfeather
Prisoner:	Curlfeather
Dark Forest resident:	Curlfeather
Kin
Mother:	Duskfur
Brother:	Podlight
Mate:	Jayclaw
Daughters:	Frostpaw, Mistpaw
Son:	Graypaw
Appointed leader position
Preceded by:	Mistystar
Succeeded by:	Mothwing and Frostpaw
Book appearances
Living	Onestar's Confession, A Vision of Shadows, Tigerheart's Shadow, Squirrelflight's Hope, The Broken Code, Graystripe's Vow, River, Thunder, Wind, Novellas
Living	Onestar's Confession, A Vision of Shadows, Tigerheart's Shadow, Squirrelflight's Hope, The Broken Code, Graystripe's Vow, River, Thunder, Wind, Novellas

Curlfeather is a slender, thick-furred, pale brown she-cat with soft fur amber eyes, a narrow forehead, and feathery tufts on the ends of her small, sharp ears.

Curlfeather was an appointed leader of RiverClan in the lake territories. She was born to Duskfur as Curlkit alongside her brother, Podkit, after a drought plagued RiverClan. She became an apprentice as Curlpaw, and after earning her warrior name, Curlfeather fell ill to a sickness that Willowshine struggled to heal. She gave birth to Jayclaw's kits, Frostkit, Mistkit, and Graykit. She was fiercely protective of her kits after Jayclaw's death, and strongly encouraged Frostpaw to become Mothwing's newest apprentice. Unbeknownst to her family, Curlfeather was plotting with Splashtail to kill Reedwhisker so she could become leader. After Reedwhisker's and Mistystar's sudden deaths, RiverClan was briefly led by Mothwing and Frostpaw until Frostpaw received signs that seemed to be from StarClan that claimed Curlfeather was to be RiverClan's next leader. Before she could gain her nine lives, Curlfeather and Frostpaw were ambushed by dogs near the Moonpool and Curlfeather was killed, traumatizing Frostpaw and leaving RiverClan once again leaderless. Frostpaw dreamed that her mother was in StarClan, though she later learned from Riverstar that her mother resided in the Dark Forest due to her crimes.

History

In the A Vision of Shadows arc

The Apprentice's Quest

She and her brother, Podlight, are now warriors.

River of Fire

Curlfeather is one of the cats within hearing range of Willowshine when she thinks about how she wants to tell Mothwing of her vision. She pads alongside the stream and interrupts Willowshine, who is in the middle of telling her mentor about the fight between Owlnose and Jayclaw instead, by turning and vomiting into the water. Curlfeather drinks a little from the stream afterwards before she walks over to the medicine cats with her tail drooping. They note that her fur smells sour from the vomit.

She apologizes to them and explains that she'd tried to ignore her aching belly, but began vomiting uncontrollably, and Reedwhisker had ordered her to leave the patrol to see them. Mothwing reassures the warrior, saying they could make a nest for her beside Havenpelt. Willowshine returns with some watermint for her Clanmate as Curlfeather gets into the nest with a groan of pain, and eats the leaves she's been given.

The next day, Willowshine worries about how little watermint is left, thinking about while Havenpelt had recovered enough to go back to the warriors' den, both Softpaw and Curlfeather were still sick, and Mosspelt was even worse than before.

In The Broken Code arc

Lost Stars

At a Gathering, Mistystar mentions that Curlfeather has given birth to three healthy kits, their father being Jayclaw.

In the A Starless Clan arc

River

"I can tell you're nervous, but you don't need to be. StarClan helped you find Reedwhisker, didn't they? You're going to be a great medicine cat, and you should trust your instincts. You'll know when StarClan has chosen the new leader."

―Curlfeather to Frostpaw ^{River, page 187}

Curlfeather's kits are now apprentices, and her mate Jayclaw had died. Before her daughter Frostpaw's trip to the Moonpool to be accepted as Mothwing's apprentice, Curlfeather grooms her daughter and reassures her that she's special. She is fiercely protective of her kits, and Frostpaw appreciates her mother's comfort. Curlfeather, Mistpaw, and Graypaw wish Frostpaw good luck as she leaves for the Moonpool with Mothwing. After the Gathering, Curlfeather shares prey with Frostpaw and is very pleased how all the Clans cheered for Frostpaw when Mistystar announced her last night. She is called on a hunting patrol by Reedwhisker, Fognose, Splashtail, and Podlight. While on the hunting patrol, Curlfeather and the others are separated from Reedwhisker and assume he returned to camp on his own. When they return later that evening, they are surprised to learn that Mistystar is dead. Mothwing orders Curlfeather and some others to search for Reedwhisker.

When the Clan debates on who should be leader, Curlfeather suggests her daughter when she is older, but a senior warrior should take her place now. When the debate breaks into an argument, Curlfeather notices Frostpaw's unease and suggests she should find solace in her den. To Frostpaw's surprise, she finds a star shaped torn dock leaf in her nest, and Curlfeather and the others agree that it must be a sign from StarClan that Mothwing and Frostpaw should temporarily lead the Clan until Reedwhisker is found. When Frostpaw stresses about leading, her mother reassures her and Frostpaw is pleased that she'll always have her mother by her side.

Frostpaw learns from Leopardstar where Reedwhisker might be, and she leads Curlfeather, Splashtail, and Gorseclaw to find him. Curlfeather suggests searching where they last saw Reedwhisker near the greenleaf Twolegplace. Their search takes them to a ravine away from the lake, and they quickly locate Reedwhisker dead at the bottom of the ravine. Frostpaw notices that his neck is broken and strange claw marks on his back that resemble a badger's, though Curlfeather brushes them off as injuries from the fall. Curlfeather comforts her daughter and suggests she should trust her instincts when choosing their next leader. Frostpaw visits the Moonpool to ask StarClan to select their new leader, but they are silent. However, she notices a small, white curled feather near the Moonpool and interprets it as a sign from StarClan that Curlfeather should be leader. Mothwing is dubious since her brother faked a sign, but Frostpaw's dream of multiple curled feathers near the Moonpool solidifies her confidence.

Frostpaw announces to the Clan the following morning that Curlfeather should be leader, and Curlfeather is surprised yet pleased. She and Frostpaw head to the Moonpool, and while Frostpaw is still unsure about her interpretations, Curlfeather insists that she should trust herself more and StarClan will prove themselves by granting her nine lives. However, they are ambushed by three dogs, and Curlfeather orders her daughter to seek shelter in the trees. Before Curlfeather can climb the trees herself, the dogs kill her, and she warns Frostpaw to not trust any cat. Frostpaw manages to rush back to RiverClan's camp with news of Curlfeather's death. While several warriors search for Curlfeather's body, Mistpaw and Graypaw comfort their sister. While the Clan prepares Curlfeather's vigil, they discuss how they are once again leaderless with Curlfeather's death, but Frostpaw is too traumatized to return to the Moonpool to ask StarClan's advice.

Sky

"You have to look beyond the obvious choices."

―The fake Curlfeather spirit to Frostpaw ^{Sky, page 78}

Frostpaw grieves for her mother's death in the following days and puzzles over her final words: trust no cat. Mothwing encourages Frostpaw to revisit the Moonpool to ask StarClan for their new leader, though the gray she-cat is hesitant since that is where Curlfeather died. At the Moonpool, Frostpaw dreams of Curlfeather emerging from her murky vision, and Frostpaw is relieved to see her mother again. Curlfeather encourages her daughter to grieve later as RiverClan needs her guidance, and when asked who RiverClan's next leader should be, the pale brown she-cat vaguely remarks that she should look beyond the obvious choices. Curlfeather disappears when Frostpaw presses for questions.

Frostpaw reflects over Curlfeather's words, and she picks Owlnose to be leader when no other reason emerged in her mind. Afterwards, Mothwing encourages Frostpaw to grieve for her mother's death, and the gray apprentice longs to go back to the Moonpool to speak with her mother properly. However, after Owlnose struggles with his leadership duties, Duskfur calls Frostpaw aside and questions the legitimacy of her vision since Curlfeather was always direct and protective of her kits. While on their way to the Moonpool so Owlnose can receive his nine lives, Frostpaw tells Fidgetflake that Curlfeather died near there. The SkyClan medicine cat remarks how a WindClan patrol found prey bones in the area earlier, prompting Frostpaw to wonder if someone caused Curlfeather's death. When she fails to communicate with StarClan, Frostpaw begins to doubt her connection with StarClan, realizing that Curlfeather had always insisted her daughter had a connection with StarClan when Frostpaw was always unclear.

Shadow

«Was my mother exaggerating? Or was she just wrong? Why did Curlfeather want me to be a medicine cat so badly?»

—Frostpaw's thoughts about her visions ^{Shadow, page 91}

When Frostpaw accepts that her visions have been fake, Frostpaw wonders what her mother would think of her, since Curlfeather always insisted in the validity of her dreams. Her littermates question this belief, especially since it was supposedly Frostpaw who interpreted that their mother should be leader. Would their mother still be alive? Frostpaw is horrified by this idea, fearing that she led her mother to her death. When her Clanmates continue to disagree with Frostpaw's decision, Frostpaw insists that Curlfeather was wrong about her. When Reedwhisker shows Frostpaw a vision of his death, warning of a darkness in RiverClan, Frostpaw wonders if her mother was murdered too and her ominous warning.

Thunder

"You're the one who's panicking and asking mouse-brained questions. It's not going to fall apart. I won't let it. I'm going to be leader and you'll be deputy, just as we planned."

―Curlfeather to Splashtail ^{Thunder, chapter 19}

When StarClan speaks to Frostpaw, she searches for her mother among the crowd, but Riverstar brushes her questions aside. Frostpaw and Nightheart later bond by discussing their mothers, with Frostpaw explaining how she just wanted to please her mother. Nightheart later reassures Frostpaw when she is stricken with fear of the memory of her mother's death. While learning to meditate with the Cats of the Park and under Riverstar's guidance, Frostpaw finally feels ready for what Riverstar has been withholding. In her vision, she overhears Splashtail speaking worriedly with another cat. He's worried about some cat finding Reedwhisker's body in the ravine, but the other cat insists that everything will be fine. To Frostpaw's horror, she realizes the other cat is her mother, Curlfeather. Curlfeather argues that she'll come up with an excuse so Frostpaw will believe her and accuses Splashtail of acting like a frantic kit. She will be leader and he will be her deputy, as they agreed. Splashtail asks how he can be sure she won't betray him, but Curlfeather resolves that he doesn't. Frostpaw is horrified by this revelation. Riverstar confirms that her mother is in the Dark Forest. Frostpaw wonders if her mother ever loved her, but Riverstar reasons that she died protecting her. She reasons that Curlfeather's final words was her confession.

Wind

"I know all that. I lived through it. And worst of all, after I'd remained loyal to Mistystar through everything, StarClan took Jayclaw from me, so that I had to raise my kits alone. That's when I knew something had to change. When I'm running the Clan, we'll make our own rules, and we can encourage our medicine cats to do the same."

―Curlfeather to Splashtail about their plan ^{Wind, pages 5-6}

Curlfeather meets with Splashtail and tells him that it's time to put their plan into action. She says that Mistystar is old and will die soon, so it is time for her to become leader. She tells him that he needs to kill Reedwhisker, since she needs to have an alibi so that Mistystar won't suspect her. When Splashtail expresses doubt over his ability to kill Reedwhisker, Curlfeather assures him that a surprise attack will be enough. Splashtail wonders how she can be so sure that she will be chosen as deputy, and Curlfeather explains that she is a strong warrior and that she has manipulated Frostpaw into becoming a medicine cat. Curlfeather promises to make Splashtail her deputy, commenting that it could be good for him to learn and mature before leadership. After explaining the plan once more, she leaves, and Splashtail quietly decides to get rid of her.

Frostpaw disrupts the Gathering to explain to the Clans that Curlfeather and Splashtail had conspired together to murder Reedwhisker and take over RiverClan. She also explains that Splashtail killed Curlfeather by leading the dogs to her. Duskfur, the temporary leader of RiverClan, doubts that Curlfeather would do that. Splashtail denies killing either cat, but says that he was aware that Curlfeather was trying to become leader. He said nothing so as to prevent the Clan from being hurt and pretended to be Curlfeather's ally. Later on, Nightheart explains to Squirrelstar and Ivypool that Frostpaw had a vision that showed her Curlfeather planning with Splashtail. During the half-moon meeting, Podlight defends Splashtail and says that Curlfeather was the one who wanted leadership. Frostpaw thinks that it was both cats. While meeting with Tigerstar and Squirrelstar about Splashtail's visit to the Moonpool, Nightheart explains how he and Frostpaw learned that Splashtail killed Reedwhisker and Curlfeather.

In the Super Editions

Onestar's Confession

"Oh, it was terrible! He attacked us on our border—Darktail and his Kin, and the ShadowClan cats who joined him. There were too many for us, especially when some of us hadn't recovered from the battle."

―Curlfeather recounting the attack ^{Onestar's Confession, page 419}

Following RiverClan's takeover by Darktail and the Kin, Kestrelflight asks Onestar if he will allow Curlfeather and Duskfur sanctuary in WindClan. Curlfeather limps into Kestrelflight's medicine den, and the WindClan medicine cat swiftly treats her wounds. When Onestar arrives, Duskfur and Curlfeather recount the battle and how she and Curlfeather managed to escape Darktail's Kin when they were starved and forced an oath of loyalty.

In the Novellas

Mistystar's Omen

Duskfur: "Don't be rude to your brother. If you can't play nicely, one of you will have to go back to the nest."

Podkit: "She started it."

^{Mistystar's Omen, page 163}

Curlkit is the daughter of the RiverClan queen, Duskfur, and sister to Podkit. When Mistyfoot announces that RiverClan's elderly leader, Leopardstar, had died during the night of an illness that Mothwing and Willowshine could not treat, Duskfur draws her kits closer to her and says she had hoped that Leopardstar would live to make her kits apprentices. Later, when Mistyfoot returns to the camp after Dapplenose and Pouncetail show her where they think will be an excellent spot to bury the deceased leader, Grasspelt's hunting patrol had returned with two minnows, and Duskfur tells Mistyfoot to have them, because her kits, mentioned again not by name, can eat later. She is again namelessly mentioned when Mallownose's patrol returns with only tiny minnows, and Mistystar asks if that was all they had, because that would not be able to feed Curlkit, Podkit, and Duskfur let alone the whole Clan.

Podkit drags a twig that he says is a fish toward the nursery to feed the whole Clan, and when he asks if Mistystar really means what she said when she told Duskfur if he can catch a fish that size, they should make him a warrior soon. Curlkit calls him a minnow-brain, and Duskfur tells her that she shouldn't be rude to her brother. Duskfur tells Mistystar how she is concerned for her own and other queen's kit's safety, after she found Curlkit belly-deep in mud the day before, and suggests that they build a barrier around the stream so that the kits stay safe. When Robinwing brings in a rat he caught, and Curlkit asks if it is a rat, and that she's never eat that, and Duskfur says she should go hungry then, because now is not the time to be fussy about food.

Mothwing's Secret

After Mothwing treats Podkit's cough, she explains to Duskfur that she should stay in the nursery and protect her kits during the Great Battle.

Character pixels

The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation. Kit Version Apprentice Version Warrior Version Prisoner Version Queen Version Leader Version Dark Forest Resident Version

Official art

Please do not edit this gallery Curlfeather's Warriors website fact sheet Curlfeather's silhouette on the Warriors website Curlfeather's icon on the Warriors family tree

Killed victims

This list shows the victims Curlfeather has killed:

• Reedwhisker (Plotted alongside Splashtail)

Kin

Members

Mother:

Duskfur: Living (As of Ivypool's Heart)

Brother:

Podlight: Living (As of Ivypool's Heart)

Mate:

Jayclaw: Deceased, verified StarClan member

Son:

Graypaw: Living (As of Ivypool's Heart)

Daughters:

Frostpaw: Living (As of Ivypool's Heart)

Mistpaw: Living (As of Ivypool's Heart)

Tree

Graymist ♀

See more

Havenpelt ♀

Sneezecloud ♂

Duskfur ♀

Mallownose ♂

Petalfur ♀

Fognose ♀

Splashtail ♂

Floatkit ♀

Troutkit ♂

Rapidkit ♀

Owlnose ♂

Brackenpelt ♀

Podlight ♂

Curlfeather ♀

Jayclaw ♂

Frostpaw ♀

Graypaw ♂

Mistpaw ♀

    = Tom

    = She-cat

    = Gender unknown

Appearances

• Onestar's Confession
• Mistystar's Omen (First appearance)
• Mothwing's Secret (Indirect mention only)
• The Apprentice's Quest (Allegiance only)
• Thunder and Shadow (Allegiance only)
• Shattered Sky (Allegiance only)
• Darkest Night (Allegiance only)
• River of Fire
• Tigerheart's Shadow (Allegiance only)
• Tawnypelt's Clan (Allegiance only)
• Spotfur's Rebellion (Allegiance only)
• The Raging Storm (Allegiance only)
• Squirrelflight's Hope (Allegiance only)
• Lost Stars (Mentioned only)
• The Silent Thaw (Allegiance only)
• Veil of Shadows (Allegiance only)
• Darkness Within (Allegiance only)
• Graystripe's Vow (Allegiance only)
• Daisy's Kin (Allegiance only)
• The Place of No Stars (Allegiance only)
• A Light in the Mist (Allegiance only)
• River †
• Sky (Vision or Dream)
• Shadow (Mentioned only)
• Thunder (Flashback only)
• Wind

Trivia

Author statements

• Kate has said that she would like Reedwhisker to be Duskfur's mate and the father of Curlfeather and Podlight, and even wrote it in her Allegiance list, but it isn't confirmed as canon.

Quotes

"I found Curlkit up to her belly in mud yesterday by the stream, and I wondered if we could put up some sort of barrier to keep the kits away from the edge of the water. I know it's inside the boundaries of the camp, but I'd hate for there to be an accident with a very small kit."

―Duskfur to Mistystar ^{Mistystar's Omen, page 164}

Curlkit: "Is that a rat? Gross! There's no way I'm eating that!"

Duskfur: "Then you'll have to go hungry. This isn't the time to start being fussy."

^{Mistystar's Omen, page 165}

"Nonsense, you'll be fine. Haven't we always known that you're special? Hasn't StarClan chosen you to be a medicine cat for RiverClan? [...] Of course they have. Remember how you dreamed about Jayclaw leaving you alone in camp? And then he died a few days later?"

―Curlfeather to Frostpaw ^{River, pages 18-19}

See more

Frostpaw: "I'm just afraid that the Clan is asking too much of me. I don't know enough! I can't be a leader—I can't even give Mothwing the help she needs."

Curlfeather: "You don't have to worry. If it ever comes to it, that you have to take on leadership as well as your medicine cat duties, you know that I'll always be here to help."

^{River, pages 127-128}

«Frostpaw relaxed a little at her mother's loving words. However bad things were, at least she had her mother by her side. And it wasn't as if it was ever likely to happen!»

—Foreshadowing by Frostpaw ^{River, page 128}

Mothwing: "Curlfeather...I'm not sure I was expecting that."

Frostpaw: "You thought it should be some other cat?"

^{River, pages 217-218}

"Me? Really, me? Oh, thank you, Frostpaw. I swear by StarClan that I will do my best to be a true leader of the Clan."

―Curlfeather accepting that she will be leader ^{River, page 240}

Duskfur: "It sounds like you made the right choice...But who exactly wanted you to look beyond the obvious choices?"

Frostpaw: "What do you mean?"

^{Sky, chapter 9}

«But what if that attack wasn't random? What if Curlfeather was murdered too?»

—Frostpaw about her mother's death ^{Shadow, page 198}

"I'll come up with an explanation. It'll sound reasonable. I'll just say his death was an accident, and Frostpaw will believe it. She always does. She believed it when I told her she was a medicine cat. She'll believe this too, and the others will believe her."

―Curlfeather plotting with Splashtail in Frostpaw's vision ^{Thunder, page 294}

Curlfeather: "But none of it will happen unless you keep your jaws shut and your nose clean and follow my plan. You aren't going to do all the work, you know. You're responsible for one very important step, but I've been working on this plan for moons."

Splashtail: "But that 'important step' could get me killed."

^{Wind, prologue}

External links

• Curlfeather's profile on the Warriors official website (backup link)
• Exclusive! Veil of Shadows: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
• Exclusive! Graystripe's Vow: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
• Exclusive! Darkness Within: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
• Exclusive! The Place of No Stars Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
• Exclusive! A Warrior's Choice Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
• Exclusive! A Light in the Mist: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
• Introducing… Frostpaw of RiverClan on the Warriors official website (backup link)
• Exclusive! River: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link)
• Exclusive! Sky: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
• The journey so far: River on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
• Kits and queens on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
• Exclusive! Shadow: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
• The journey so far: Sky on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
• Exclusive! Thunder: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
• The journey so far: Shadow on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
• Exclusive: Wind chapters on the Warriors official website (backup link)
• Best Warrior Cats book with a mystery on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
• Thunder recap: the story so far on the Warriors official website (backup link)
• Top five plot twists of Warrior Cats on the Warriors official website (backup link)
• Mini Figures Series 7 cats: the details on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
• Exclusive! Star chapters on the Warriors official website (backup link)
• Frostpaw's bravest moments on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)

Fan content

• Shadow: A look at the most popular fan theories on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
• Wind: A look at the most popular fan theories on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
• Winners of the kits fan challenge on the Warriors official website (backup link)
• Our Favorite Curlfeather Artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
• A Starless Clan family artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
• A collection of Curlfeather artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)

Notes and references

Author references