Duskfur

"If you ask me, it seems like more living cats should help decide the rules we live by. I'm not saying Mistystar is trying to mislead us. But what's so special about the Lights in the Mist? Who are they? Mistystar, Crowfeather, Shadowsight, Rootspring, and Violetshine. Why should they get to decide the rules for all the Clan cats? At least you're a leader, Mistystar, but Shadowsight's the cat who got us into this mess, Crowfeather was a codebreaker himself, and I'm not sure I know enough yet about the SkyClan cats to trust them."

— Duskfur about the Lights in the Mist to Mistystar in River, page 62

Duskfur
The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation.
Affiliations
Current:	RiverClan
Past:	The Kin (prisoner) ShadowClan (refugee)
Names
Warrior:	Duskfur
Senior warrior:	Duskfur
Queen:	Duskfur
Appointed leader:	Duskfur
Refugee:	Duskfur
Prisoner:	Duskfur
Kin
Daughter:	Curlfeather
Son:	Podlight
Education
Apprentices:	Copperpaw, Shadepelt, Dappletuft
Temporary leader position
Preceded by:	Icewing and Cloverfoot
Succeeded by:	Splashtail
Book appearances
Living	Eclipse, Long Shadows, Sunrise, Omen of the Stars, A Vision of Shadows, The Broken Code, A Starless Clan, The Elders' Quest, Super Editions, Novellas
Living	Eclipse, Long Shadows, Sunrise, Omen of the Stars, A Vision of Shadows, The Broken Code, A Starless Clan, The Elders' Quest, Super Editions, Novellas

Duskfur is a small brown tabby she-cat with a torn ear and a graying head.

Duskfur is a RiverClan warrior who has served under Leopardstar's, Mistystar's, Splashtail's, and Icestar's leaderships in the lake territories. She mentored Copperpaw and later gave birth to Curlkit and Podkit. After her kits became warriors, Duskfur mentored Shadepelt and Dappletuft. After Darktail's treachery traumatized RiverClan, Duskfur fiercely defended their borders, even from those seeking peace. After the Clans defeated the impostor, Duskfur challenged Mistystar's intentions on changing the warrior code and supported her daughter Curlfeather's position as leader. Following Frostpaw's disappearance, Duskfur was appointed RiverClan's temporary leader until Podlight claimed he had a dream from StarClan that Splashtail should be their new leader. She was then banished by him, alongside Icewing and Mothwing, and stayed in ShadowClan temporarily before returning to RiverClan under Icestar's new leadership.

History

In the Power of Three arc

Eclipse

Duskfur is a RiverClan warrior and her apprentice is Copperpaw.

In the Omen of the Stars arc

The Fourth Apprentice

Duskfur is now a queen.

Fading Echoes

Although unnamed, while RiverClan grieves for Leopardstar, Duskfur shoos Podkit and Curlkit into the nursery with a flurry of paws.

In the A Vision of Shadows arc

The Apprentice's Quest

Duskfur is mentoring another apprentice, Shadepaw. At the Gathering, the medicine cats share the prophecy they received from StarClan. As the Clans discuss the meaning, Shadepaw questions if some feathers she had found in a shady glen had any relevance. Duskfur cuffs her over the ear for the suggestion.

Thunder and Shadow

Her apprentice, Shadepaw, has become a warrior known as Shadepelt.

Shattered Sky

Duskfur appears at a Gathering, along with her Clanmates, Reedwhisker, Mintfur, and Mistystar. She is clustered close to the RiverClan leader, with her Clanmates doing the same. Despite their wounds, the RiverClan warriors stand proudly, determined to be strong.

Darkest Night

She is mentoring another apprentice, Dapplepaw. When Jayfeather, Alderheart, Kestrelflight, Puddleshine, and Leafpool go to the RiverClan border to share something with their medicine cats, she and two other cats come out of the reeds. Duskfur asks what they are doing at the border, and Jayfeather calmly replies that they need to share what StarClan has said with Mistystar. She asks what news it is, and the gray tabby says StarClan would have shared their message with warriors if they wanted to. Shimmerpelt snarls that the border is closed and the medicine cats argue that Mistystar, Mothwing, and Willowshine would like to hear what they have to say. Duskfur explains that she is to stop any cat from crossing into their territory, as RiverClan does not need distractions from rebuilding.

Alderheart argues that Mistystar never said that at the Gathering, but the RiverClan tabby retorts that she is now. Her gaze flicks to the reed bed and adds they should not be that deep in their borders, as none of the RiverClan cats are going to take them to the camp. This causes Jayfeather to demand that they bring their medicine cats there, so Duskfur growls that if the other medicine cats will not explain the news, then RiverClan will have to wait for StarClan to bring the news to them. Sneezecloud also puts in that if it is important, then they will let RiverClan know. After Kestrelflight and the other cats argue about WindClan, the brown tabby she-cat asks the five cats if they are going to leave, or if the patrol needs to drive them away. Jayfeather inquires if she will tell Mistystar what happened, or if she does not want her leader to know she has been making the decisions for her. A growl builds in Duskfur's throat, and Alderheart has to lead his former mentor and the other cats away.

When Willowshine appears out of the halfbridge, Alderheart remembers that he has not seen another RiverClan cat since Duskfur and the others drove them away. He mentions that he and the other medicine cats tried to reach her and Mothwing, but the tabby had made the patrol leave, although Willowshine interrupts him before he can finish. Alderheart thinks that the gray tabby needs to know that Duskfur drove them away, as RiverClan cutting themselves off from StarClan could lead to disaster. Alderheart mentions the incident again, and she replies that she knows, considering the patrol had reported loudly about what happened. She explains that Duskfur had seemed angry that they tried to cross the border. Even with Mothwing's insistence that medicine cats are allowed to cross the border, Duskfur was intent on not allowing anyone to cross into RiverClan's territory. Willowshine, avoiding the tom's eye, said Mistystar agreed with the brown tabby, saying she was right to send the five cats away.

In the A Starless Clan arc

River

Duskfur: "If you ask me, it seems like more living cats should help decide the rules we live by. I'm not saying Mistystar is trying to mislead us. But what's so special about the Lights in the Mist? Who are they? Mistystar, Crowfeather, Shadowsight, Rootspring, and Violetshine. Why should they get to decide the rules for all the Clan cats? At least you're a leader, Mistystar, but Shadowsight's the cat who got us into this mess, Crowfeather was a codebreaker himself, and I'm not sure I know enough yet about the SkyClan cats to trust them."

Mistystar: "The Lights in the Mist were the cats brave enough to travel to the Dark Forest. Which is more than some of you did. They battled Ashfur and saved all of us: StarClan, the Dark Forest, and the living world. After all the Lights in the Mist did and sacrificed, what right have you, Duskfur, to doubt their intentions? Bristlefrost and Graystripe gave their lives."

^{River, page 62}

After changes to the warrior code are proposed, Duskfur challenges Mistystar's motivations to change the warrior code since only the Lights in the Mist saw the horrors in the Dark Forest. Mistystar argues back that the Lights in the Mist risked their lives to save the Clans, though Duskfur counters that RiverClan used to stand with the impostor before turning against him. Mistystar suddenly collapses, and despite Mothwing and Frostpaw's best efforts, she dies.

Ashamed at her Clanmate's actions, Minnowtail scolds Duskfur for pushing Mistystar to the brink of death. Duskfur, Mosspelt, and Mothwing bury Mistystar after her vigil, as is the protocol for Clan elders and medicine cats. Duskfur is puzzled by Reedwhisker's abrupt disappearance, and supports the idea of the medicine cats, Mothwing and Frostpaw, to temporarily lead in his absence. When her daughter Curlfeather is chosen by StarClan to lead the Clan, Duskfur is pleased. After Frostpaw rushes into camp with news of Curlfeather's death, Duskfur heavily grieves for Curlfeather and comforts her kin Frostpaw.

Sky

Tigerstar: "Do you want to die?"

Duskfur: "I would always choose death to save RiverClan!"

^{Sky, pages 333-334}

Frostpaw and Splashtail are surprised by Duskfur's inaction after Curlfeather's death. When Frostpaw names Owlnose as their new leader, she worries if Duskfur and Shimmerpelt will approve and Duskfur accepts Owlnose as their leader. However, after Owlnose struggles to organize patrols, Duskfur gossips with Gorseclaw about their leader's indecisiveness.

After, Duskfur has a long talk with Frostpaw about her dream at the Moonpool, questioning if she had correctly interpreted Curlfeather's words. She organizes patrols while Owlnose and Frostpaw are away at the Moonpool. When Owlnose returns, and reveals StarClan did not grant him nine lives, Duskfur suspects it is because he is not their rightful leader. She questions Owlnose's choice of Splashtail as deputy, because of his age and inexperience.

She and Mallownose angrily yowl at Tigerstar during the Gathering when he suggests temporarily leading RiverClan since they do not have proper leadership. Duskfur and Shimmerpelt confront Tigerstar and his warriors when they arrive in their camp. When they refuse to leave, Duskfur attacks Cloverfoot and the battle unleashes. Tigerstar eventually has Duskfur pinned down. Duskfur insists she will always die to save RiverClan and challenges Tigerstar's plans to kill them through peace. Splashtail convinces Duskfur to give in and she limps away.

Shadow

Duskfur: "This is all your fault. If you had done your duty at the Moonpool, we would have a leader by now, and we could tell Tigerstar and his mange-ridden warriors to get their tails off our territory."

Icewing: "That's not fair. Sure, we need a leader, but we don't want one who knows in his heart that it's wrong for him to lead. Owlnose has done something very brave and good for the Clan by choosing to step down."

^{Shadow, page 9}

Following ShadowClan's victory, Duskfur blames Owlnose for all their troubles with ShadowClan, though Icewing manages to convince her to drop the subject for now. She frequently opposes Tigerstar's decisions as acting leader, including his choice to promote Icewing as temporary leader, for Frostpaw to train as a warrior apprentice, and Harelight as Frostpaw's new mentor. While training with Harelight, Duskfur and Splashtail comment on Frostpaw's inexperience until Harelight snaps at them to mind their own business.

Duskfur and her patrol catch Sunbeam and Lightleap hunting on their territory and bring them to Icewing. Later, Duskfur, Splashtail, and Mallownose meet with Berryheart, Whorlpelt, and Yarrowleaf at the greenleaf Twolegplace to discuss Tigerstar's occupation of RiverClan. She later questions at a Gathering why Tigerstar assigned his deputy Cloverfoot to monitor them when Icewing does all the leadership tasks. Duskfur later mocks Scorchfur when he accidentally eats a mouse with a thorn in it.

Thunder

Finchlight: "The leaders are appointing someone to head RiverClan. […] Not a leader. Just some cat to organize things."

Sunbeam: "You mean Icewing?"

^{Thunder, chapter 18}

Finchlight informs Sunbeam how the other leaders and RiverClan have agreed that Duskfur should temporarily lead them. She appoints Splashtail as her deputy. At the Gathering, Duskfur sits with the other leaders on the Great Oak. She informs the Clans how they sat vigil for Frostpaw, believing her to be dead. Right before the Gathering ends, Duskfur abruptly announces that her son Podlight is RiverClan's newest medicine cat.

Wind

"Podlight's vison about Splashtail is RiverClan's chance to find stability again, and I'm reluctant to let you challenge that when you have no proof. And why did you leave the Clans, Frostpaw, instead of bringing your concerns to some of your Clanmates? If you thought there was a murderer in our midst, why didn't you think it was important enough to warn us? Surely you didn't believe that every cat was against you, even your own kin?"

―Duskfur to Frostpaw ^{Wind, chapter 1}

Duskfur agrees to step down from leadership when Podlight claims to have received a dream from StarClan signifying that Splashtail should be their new leader. When Frostpaw returns and announces that Curlfeather and Splashtail plotted together to kill Reedwhisker, Duskfur is skeptical of her claims without proof. When Splashtail claims that he was unaware of Curlfeather's true intentions before she died, Duskfur announces that RiverClan will settle their affairs in private. She mocks Tigerstar when he agrees to take in Frostpaw after Splashtail exiles her.

Under new leadership, RiverClan begins training for battle. While training against Brackenpelt, Duskfur comments how ShadowClan would not dare to attack them again after Splashtail receives his nine lives—revealing that the new leader has yet to visit the Moonpool a quarter-moon later. Splashtail challenges Duskfur that he will visit StarClan when he is ready. Later, Podlight claims that he had a dream of finding marigold after his mother injured her paw. Later, after another Gathering where Frostpaw accuses Splashtail of lying about receiving his nine lives, Duskfur and Icewing approach Frostpaw with news that they are working on gathering supporters to challenge Splashtail. At some point, Icewing, Duskfur, and Mothwing leave RiverClan, and Splashtail rallies his warriors to find the traitors.

Star

Coming Soon

In the Super Editions

Onestar's Confession

"And that's not the worst of it. Four of us died. And Darktail took the wounded cats prisoner; he starved us, and wouldn't allow us healing herbs unless we took an oath of loyalty to him and his Kin. Curlfeather and I managed to escape, but some of our Clanmates are still there."

―Duskfur to Onestar ^{Onestar's Confession, pages 419-420}

After RiverClan's defeat by the Kin, Duskfur and Curlfeather seek shelter in WindClan. Kestrelflight asks Onestar if he can bring them into their camp to treat their wounds and he agrees. Duskfur thanks Onestar for his hospitality and she and Curlfeather recount the deadly battle and their eventual escape from the Kin.

Squirrelflight's Hope

Her apprentice, Dapplepaw, is now a warrior named Dappletuft. Duskfur participates in the battle against the Sisters, and Squirrelflight weaves herself between Duskfur and Oatclaw. When the Sisters are cornered, Hawk leaps on Duskfur's back.

Ivypool's Heart

Icewing tells Ivypool and the others that she, Mothwing, and Duskfur had left RiverClan after Splashtail's violence escalated. While she and Ivypool are searching for the wildcats, Icewing hopes that Sunbeam, Nightheart, and Frostpaw have taken care of Duskfur and Mothwing.

In the Novellas

Mistystar's Omen

"I had hoped she would live long enough to see these little ones become apprentices."

―Duskfur after Leopardstar dies ^{Mistystar's Omen, chapter 2}

Duskfur and her two kits, Podkit and Curlkit, are in camp when Leopardstar struggles after her fall. Her kits ask her if Leopardstar is dead, though Duskfur tells them no, and that she is just tired. The morning that Leopardstar dies, Duskfur draws her kits closer to her with her tail, before remarking sadly that she had hoped Leopardstar would remain alive long enough to see her kits become apprentices.

After the announcement and after Mistystar returns from her walk with the elders, Mistystar spots Duskfur and her kits in the clearing again. Grasspelt, having just returned from his hunting patrol, delivers two minnows to the pile before setting out again. Duskfur prods the two minnows thoughtfully, as though considering whether or not to take them. When she sees Mistystar, she stops and pushes the minnows toward her, saying that she and her kits can eat later. Seeing that this worries Mistystar further about RiverClan's food shortage, Duskfur prompts her to allow her Clanmates to help in any way they can. The queen says that she and her Clanmates already know all of the sacrifices Mistystar will make for them. Mistystar wishes that she could somehow tell Duskfur how isolated she feels, but she has no idea how to explain it.

Immediately after Mistystar's announcement of Reedwhisker as her deputy at moonhigh, Duskfur asks if she can take her kits to their nest, saying that they are getting tired, and Mistystar agrees. Later, when Mistystar sees the pitiful fresh-kill pile, she tells the most recent hunting patrol that their catch would not even be able to feed Duskfur's kits, let alone anyone else.

Duskfur later scolds her kit, Podkit, thinking that he was bothering Mistystar. Mistystar replies that Podkit was doing nothing of the sort, and then comments that if Podkit really was the incredible hunter he had been pretending to be, she would make him a warrior right away. Podkit is shocked and excited, asking if she means it. His sister, Curlkit, comes over and tells him to stop being so minnow-brained. Duskfur scolds her for being so rude to her brother and then comments to Mistystar about how much of her time she spends scolding her kits. This makes Mistystar remember her own dead kits, and tells Duskfur that it gets better with time.

Duskfur realizes that she had spoken without thinking and quickly changes the subject, saying that she was glad Mistystar was their new leader, although she still missed Leopardstar. She asks Mistystar if she could do something about a barrier to keep curious kits from wandering into the river and drowning. Mistystar says that she will try to get Grasspelt and the apprentices to get on it right away.

Later, as Mistystar leads her patrol upstream of RiverClan territory, Mistystar recalls what Duskfur had said about the recent rains making the river swollen and the banks slippery.

Mothwing's Secret

Before the Great Battle, Mothwing treats Podkit's cough and explains to Duskfur that her son will be fine. Duskfur thanks her and Mothwing reminds her to stay in the nursery in case the Dark Forest attacks. Duskfur asks Mothwing if she think they will, and Mothwing replies it is better to take precautions just in case. During the battle, Duskfur defends the nursery with Dapplenose and Pouncetail against a Dark Forest cat.

The Dark Forest cat manages to knocks Duskfur away, leaving the nursery undefended. Hawkfrost approaches the nursery, and Duskfur and the elders recover and are able to block Hawkfrost's attempt to attack it. Hawkfrost kills Dapplenose, and Duskfur and Pouncetail yowl in horror at having watched one of their Clanmates murdered in cold blood.

Dovewing's Silence

Duskfur has returned to her warrior duties after spending time in the nursery.

Detailed description

Scars gained

The following is a chronological list of scars and/or major injuries that Duskfur has gained:

• Torn ear caused by the Kin when RiverClan was driven out of their territory in Shattered Sky.

Character pixels

Main images

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

Alternate images

The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation. Elder Version

Kin

Members

Son:

Podlight: Living (As of The Elders' Quest)

Daughter:

Curlfeather: Deceased, verified the Place of No Stars member

Grandson:

Graysky: Living (As of The Elders' Quest)

Granddaughters:

Frostdawn: Living (As of The Elders' Quest)

Mistpool: Living (As of The Elders' Quest)

Great-grandson:

Eelkit: Living (As of The Elders' Quest)

Great-granddaughter:

Heronkit: Living (As of The Elders' Quest)

Tree

Graymist ♀

See more

Havenpelt ♀

Sneezecloud ♂

Duskfur ♀

Mallownose ♂

Petalfur ♀

Fognose ♀

Splashtail ♂

Troutshine ♂

Rapidsplash ♀

Owlnose ♂

Brackenpelt ♀

Floatshimmer ♀

Podlight ♂

Curlfeather ♀

Jayclaw ♂

Graysky ♂

Frostdawn ♀

Mistpool ♀

Eelkit ♂

Heronkit ♀

    = Tom

    = She-cat

    = Gender unknown

Appearances

• Onestar's Confession
• Mothwing's Secret
• Eclipse (First appearance; allegiance only)
• Long Shadows (Allegiances only)
• Sunrise (Allegiances only)
• Hollyleaf's Story (Allegiances only)
• The Fourth Apprentice (Allegiances only)
• Mistystar's Omen
• Fading Echoes
• Night Whispers (Allegiances only)
• Sign of the Moon (Allegiances only)
• The Forgotten Warrior (Allegiances only)
• The Last Hope (Allegiances only)
• Dovewing's Silence (Allegiances only)
• Crowfeather's Trial (Allegiances only)
• Bramblestar's Storm (Allegiances only)
• The Apprentice's Quest
• Thunder and Shadow (Allegiances only)
• Shattered Sky
• Darkest Night
• River of Fire (Allegiances only)
• Tigerheart's Shadow (Allegiances only)
• Tawnypelt's Clan (Allegiances only)
• Spotfur's Rebellion (Allegiances only)
• The Raging Storm (Allegiances only)
• Squirrelflight's Hope
• Lost Stars (Allegiances only)
• The Silent Thaw (Allegiances only)
• Veil of Shadows (Allegiances only)
• Darkness Within (Allegiances only)
• Graystripe's Vow (Allegiances only)
• Daisy's Kin (Allegiances only)
• The Place of No Stars (Allegiances only)
• A Light in the Mist (Allegiances only)
• River
• Sky
• Shadow
• Thunder
• Wind
• Star
• Ivypool's Heart (Allegiances appearance; mentioned in text)
• The Elders' Quest (Allegiances only)

Trivia

Author statements

• Kate has said that she would like Reedwhisker to be Duskfur's mate and even wrote it in her Allegiance list, but it is not confirmed as canon.
• Kate loves the idea of Duskfur and Icestar being littermates, but could not find any evidence in her notes for it being true. She believes they probably grew up and trained together, thinking they have a deep bond.

Mistakes

• Duskfur is mistakenly referred to as an elder by Sunbeam.
• She is listed as a member of RiverClan in the allegiances of Ivypool's Heart and Star, despite having left in exile at the end of Wind.

Continuity

The following information is from sources considered non-canon, retconned, or from adapted material.

• In Su Susann's "Missing Kits" on Vicky's Facebook, Skyheart and Reedtail were mates, and Icewing, Pinefur, and Duskfur were their daughters. Duskfur was also described as a brown she-cat with blue eyes. Her half-siblings through Reedtail were Dragonflykit, a white tom with dark gray tabby patches and amber eyes, and Duckkit, a brown tabby tom with green eyes and a straight tail.
• In the Chinese full-color version of Return to the Clans, Duskfur, Swallowpaw, Reedpaw, Pinefur, and Icepaw appear as apprentices playfighting as Tigerstar.

Quotes

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, chapter 6}

"If I can't be leader myself, then I'm glad it's my kit. You're a good warrior, Curlfeather, and we all trust you."

―Duskfur to Curlfeather ^{River, page 241}

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't be worrying you. You've made your decision, and now it's our duty to support Owlnose. But I hope he starts acting like a leader soon. If he doesn't, you might have to accept that you've made a mistake."

―Duskfur to Frostpaw ^{Sky, page 155}

External links

• Stand Together or Fall Divided on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
• Exclusive! Veil of Shadows: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiances only)
• Exclusive! Graystripe's Vow: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiances only)
• Exclusive! Darkness Within: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiances only)
• Exclusive! The Place of No Stars Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiances only)
• Exclusive! A Warrior's Choice Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiances only)
• Exclusive! A Light in the Mist: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiances only)
• Exclusive! River: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiances only)
• Exclusive! Sky: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
• Exclusive! Shadow: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link)
• Exclusive! Thunder: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiances only)
• The journey so far: Shadow on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
• Exclusive: Wind chapters on the Warriors official website (backup link)
• Exclusive! Ivypool's Heart chapters on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
• Exclusive! Star chapters on the Warriors official website (backup link)
• RiverClan needs a new leader, but who? on the Warriors official website (backup link)
• The cats of A Starless Clan on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
• Exclusive! The Elders' Quest chapters on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiances only)

Fan content

• Shadow: A look at the most popular fan theories on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
• Star: A look at the most popular fan theories on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
• Our favorite Duskfur artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)

Notes and references

Author references