Gorsetail (PoT)

This article is about Gorsetail from the Power of Three arc; you may be looking for Gorsetail from The New Prophecy arc.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

"Because we are one Clan and we forgive our Clanmates—even when they’ve made terrible mistakes."

— Gorsetail on why the Dark Forest trainees weren't exiled in Crowfeather's Trial, page 124

Gorsetail is a mottled,^[7] very pale gray-and-white^[8] tabby she-cat^[7] with blue eyes,^[8] and a gray-and-white paw^[9] and tail.^[10]

Gorsetail is a WindClan elder who has served under Onestar and Harestar's leaderships in the lake territories. She bore three kits with the RiverClan warrior Beechfur: Sedgekit, Swallowkit, and Thistlekit. Her kits disappeared in the tunnels underneath WindClan and ThunderClan territory and were later rescued by Breezepaw, Heatherpaw, Lionpaw, Hollypaw, and Jaypaw. Gorsetail participated in the Great Battle defending ShadowClan's camp, though her daughters Swallowtail and Thistleheart perished in the fight. Gorsetail's apprentice Crouchfoot earned his warrior name following the battle. Gorsetail also resented that the Dark Forest trainees were forgiven, particularly Breezepelt, though she eventually forgave him. She mentored Hootwhisker after his mentor Nightcloud disappeared and participated in her rescue mission. Gorsetail later retired to the elders' den.

History[]

In the Power of Three arc[]

The Sight[]

She tells Sedgekit to come inside the den, interrupting the kit in the middle of informing Millie that kittypets can't be real warriors when she returns to the Clans with Graystripe.

Dark River[]

"I left them in the nursery and went to stretch my legs. They weren't there when I came back, so I went looking for them. They've wandered out before, but not far. But this time There's no sign of them. Their trail heads toward the RiverClan border and then just disappears. A hawk's carried them off, I know it!"

―Gorsetail when her kits vanish ^{Dark River, page 273}

When Leafpool and Jaypaw visit the WindClan camp to speak to Onestar, Gorsetail comes running into the clearing, frantic. She tells Onestar that her kits, Swallowkit, Thistlekit, and Sedgekit, have gone missing. She says that she had left the nursery to stretch her legs, but when she came back they had disappeared. She had tried to follow their trail, but it had disappeared near RiverClan's border. She is convinced that a hawk took them all. Onestar tries to calm her down, saying that a hawk wouldn't be able take three kits at once. He then promises to send a search patrol to look for them.

Afterwards, a WindClan patrol consisting of Ashfoot, Breezepaw, and Heatherpaw run into the clearing. Ashfoot tells Onestar that they saw a RiverClan patrol on their territory, and that they had found rabbit blood where the RiverClan patrol had just been. Gorsetail becomes terrified, and questions if they're sure it was rabbit blood they had found. WindClan becomes convinced that it was RiverClan who took the kits.

Her kits wander into the underground tunnels and get lost. Hollypaw, Jaypaw, Lionpaw, Breezepaw, and Heatherpaw enter the tunnels to go and find them. They soon rescue the kits and bring them to Onestar, stopping the battle that would have ensued between WindClan and ThunderClan, and stopping a battle against RiverClan in the process.

Sunrise[]

"Yeah, get back into your own territory, or we'll tear your fur off."

―Gorsetail threatening Lionblaze and Jayfeather ^{Sunrise (book), page 294}

Gorsetail's kits, Sedgekit, Swallowkit, and Thistlekit, are now apprentices with the names Sedgepaw, Swallowpaw, and Thistlepaw. When Hollyleaf, Jayfeather, and Lionblaze came to the WindClan border to see Crowfeather, she is on a patrol with Owlwhisker and Weaselfur and tells the ThunderClan cats that they had better stay off their border or they will tear their fur off. She is very hostile towards them for crossing the border.

In the Omen of the Stars arc[]

The Fourth Apprentice[]

Two of her kits are now warriors, with the names Sedgewhisker and Swallowtail.

The Last Hope[]

"Be quiet! This is a Clan cat who needs our help."

―Gorsetail on helping Jayfeather ^{The Last Hope, page 79}

Gorsetail is now mentoring Crouchpaw. Gorsetail is in a patrol consisting of Owlwhisker, Nightcloud, and Crouchpaw as Jayfeather returns from RiverClan. She helps Jayfeather out of a thornbush using her muzzle. Nightcloud and Crouchpaw call Jayfeather a murderer, and she then silences them, saying he is a Clan cat that needs their help. She asks him if he can walk back to the ThunderClan border by himself, as Owlwhisker inspects him stating he is fit to go. She is padding behind him as they head to the ThunderClan camp. She fights in the WindClan patrol for ShadowClan against the Dark Forest warriors.

In the A Vision of Shadows arc[]

Thunder and Shadow[]

As Kestrelflight arrives for the medicine cat meeting, Gorsetail and Sedgewhisker stiffly follows him. The other medicine cats protest about their presence, but Gorsetail reassures they are not staying. She halts as the medicine cat reaches the Moonpool. Kestrelflight tells the cats are there due to Onestar ordering so and says to his Clanmates they can go. Gorsetail climbs up the slope after Sedgewhisker to wait outside the hollow. Leafpool asks why Gorsetail and Sedgewhisker were prickly and Kestrelflight replies that Onestar has been heavily reinforcing rules and punishing any cats that break them.

When Leafpool and Alderpaw enter WindClan, Gorsetail's fur is glimpsed among the long grass. Leafpool calls to her and Emberfoot and the cats jerk their heads, anger in their eyes. Leafpool states they need to visit Kestrelflight and Gorsetail asks what for. Leafpool replies that it’s medicine cat business and the two WindClan cats flatten their ears in mistrust. Gorsetail eventually grudgingly agrees to take them to their medicine cat. They led the two cats to WindClan camp and when they arrive, Gorsetail nods to a gorse wall and informs the medicine cats Kestrelflight is in there.

Shattered Sky[]

Gorsetail: "Mouse-brained yourself, Crowfeather. Bramblestar wouldn't be here if this weren't something Onestar needed to know. I’ll take responsibility, if it bothers you so much."

Crowfeather: "Suit yourself. If Onestar claws your ears off, don't come crying to me."

Gorsetail: "I'll take the risk."

—Gorsetail arguing with Crowfeather ^{Shattered Sky, page 32}

Gorsetail leads a patrol consisting of her, Oatclaw, and Featherpelt. They stand behind her as she asks Crowfeather what is going on as he faces a ThunderClan patrol. Crowfeather explains that the ThunderClan patrol want to speak to Onestar but he doesn't want to see them. Bramblestar adds they have very important information and Gorsetail glances at the leader for a moment, drawing a paw over an ear. She eventually suggests that Onestar would want to hear what Bramblestar has to say, and declares they had better escort them to WindClan's camp. Crowfeather asks the she-cat if she is mouse-brained, as she was standing next to him when Onestar ordered all cats to be kept out of the territory.

Gorsetail tells Crowfeather that he is mouse-brained himself as Bramblestar wouldn't come if there was something Onestar didn't need to know, and she'll take responsibility for it if it bothers him that much. Crowfeather mutters and tells her to not come crying to him if Onestar decides to claws her ears, to which Gorsetail dryly states she will take the risk. The she-cat watches Crowfeather's patrol leave before turning to the ThunderClan patrol, telling them to hurry up and that whatever they have to say had better be good. Bramblestar follows her up the slope and when they're close to the camp, Gorsetail sends Oatclaw to warn Onestar of their arrival.

After the ThunderClan cats talk to Onestar, she says that she will escort them to the border, beckoning to a few of her Clanmates to join her with a whisk of her tail. The ThunderClan cats stay quiet, as they see no point in talking to the WindClan warriors. When Onestar tells of how he used to go off and make friends with kittypets and Whitetail says she cannot believe their leader would do this, Gorsetail points out he wasn't Clan leader then.

River of Fire[]

Gorsetail, along with Nightcloud, and Nightcloud's apprentice, Brindlepaw, are seen racing towards RiverClan's territory. They meet with a ThunderClan patrol, and Gorsetail, panting, asks if Sparkpelt, Larksong, and the others are also headed towards RiverClan's territory to investigate the fire that is raging through RiverClan's land. Anxious, Gorsetail worries that RiverClan would not accept their help, due to the borders being closed.

The Raging Storm[]

Twigbranch chooses Gorsetail, Nightcloud, and Hootwhisker as the WindClan cats joining her patrol to bring SkyClan back to the lake. When the traveling cats find shelter for the night, Lionblaze tells Nightcloud to take Gorsetail with her to find bedding. Later, Gorsetail shares a shrew with Nightcloud and Flypaw. When they find SkyClan, a SkyClan cat excitedly remarks that Gorsetail is among those on Twigbranch's patrol.

As Violetshine is swept into the water, Gorsetail and Lionblaze call out to Lizardtail and Hootwhisker on the other side, and Gorsetail looks around frantically for something they could use to reach the stranded cats. She forms part of the cat chain to bridge the current, gripping Lionblaze from behind with Nightcloud. She helps Leafstar haul Willowshine and Lionblaze out of the water.

In The Broken Code arc[]

Lost Stars[]

Gorsetail has now retired and has become an elder.

In the Super Editions[]

Onestar's Confession[]

Onestar tells Harespring that Gorsetail and come to the Gathering. Later, after stoats attack their camp, Whitetail tells Onestar that Gorsetail, Hootpaw, Heathertail, and Breezepelt are missing. Gorsetail and the others later return with Nightcloud. Seasons later, Onestar returns from a hunting patrol with Gorsetail, Oatclaw, and Furzepelt. While on a border patrol, Gorsetail and Leaftail encounter Leafpool and Alderpaw and bring them back to camp. Later, Gorsetail brings Bramblestar and his cats to WindClan's camp, much to Onestar's ire.

Crowfeather's Trial[]

"I know what you mean. It doesn't seem right that Breezepelt is still here. I know Onestar thinks he isn't a traitor because he didn't try to kill a WindClan cat, but isn't fighting on the side of the Dark Forest just as bad? How can we ever trust him again?"

―Gorsetail questioning Breezepelt's loyalty ^{Crowfeather's Trial, page 13}

Her apprentice is now a warrior named Crouchfoot. As the cats make their way back to camp from the memorial stones, Gorsetail walks with a cluster of her Clanmates, exclaiming she can't believe Onestar tells them to remember the fallen warriors, but he's fine with the traitors who killed them remaining in the Clan. Crouchfoot defends the cats who turned against the Dark Forest after they learned of their true intentions, and Leaftail meows not all of them did, and the cats turn to stare at Breezepelt. Gorsetail murmurs that it doesn't seem right for Breezepelt to stay, saying Onestar doesn't think he's a traitor because he didn't try to kill a WindClan cat, but thinks fighting for the Dark Forest is just as bad, and wonders how they can ever trust him again. Unaware of Crowfeather being within earshot, she meows the Clan would be better off if a badger took care of Breezepelt. At Crowfeather's shocked gasp, the cats look at him with expressions of horror. Gorsetail begins to say something, but Crowfeather ignores her.

Hootpaw tells his Clanmates about the strange white creature he saw in the tunnel entrance, saying he believes it was a ghost cat, and it looked like it wanted to give him a message. Gorsetail asks what the message was, and Hootpaw gives his fur an embarrassed lick, saying it didn't give him one, and just vanished back in the tunnel. Later, she eats and vole and mews that she thinks rats are living in the tunnels, and the white cat Hootpaw saw was a snow white kittypet going in after them. She says if it wasn't a ghost then, it might be one now, only a kittypet would be dumb enough to take on a whole colony of rats alone.

After Nightcloud goes missing in the tunnels and is presumed dead, at her vigil, Onestar officially makes Gorsetail Hootpaw's new mentor. When cats speak against Breezepelt, Gorsetail defends the tom, and says they forgive their Clanmates, even if they've made terrible mistakes. She then goes hunting with her apprentice, Crowfeather, and Larkwing. Later, after overhearing Breezepelt's advice to the apprentices to be careful, Leaftail and Gorsetail are seen with their heads close together as Leaftail whispers that Breezepelt is supposed to be some scary Dark Forest warrior, but he sounds more like a mouse-heart. Crowfeather hisses at them to get back to work, and the two cats bound away. During another attempt to get rid of the stoats, Gorsetail and Larkwing are ordered to place rabbits near one of the tunnel entrances to lure them out so they are easier to fight.

She is on dawn patrol with Hootpaw and Furzepelt, and leads Bramblestar, Jayfeather, and Lionblaze into WindClan's camp when they wish to speak with Onestar. Afterwards, Onestar gives Gorsetail and Furzepelt the order to escort them back to ThunderClan's territory. When Crowfeather figures out where Nightcloud is and is gathering Breezepelt and Heathertail to go rescue her, Hootpaw asks Gorsetail's permission to join. Gorsetail grants it, so long as she comes along too. Crowfeather agrees and they set off. With a severe look, she tells Hootpaw to stick by her if they run into any stoats. When they pass through ThunderClan's territory and have to disguise their scent, Hootpaw is reluctant to get their smell on his fur, and Gorsetail cuffs him around the ears and says he will do as he is told, or they could still go back to camp.

They are found by a ThunderClan patrol, and after hearing the situation, Ivypool allows them to stay, with her and Bumblestripe as an escort. Gorsetail begins to protest, however, Crowfeather stops her with a lash of his tail, and agrees to let them stay. Along with her Clanmates, Gorsetail murmurs her own agreement. After they are chased by foxes, they climb trees to escape, and Gorsetail grabs Hootpaw as he jumps from his tree to the one she is in. Upon reaching the Thunderpath and a monster passes, Gorsetail warns Hootpaw that they are dangerous and and have killed cats before, but Hootpaw appears to be too excited to take her words too seriously.

When they reach some Twoleg nests, Gorsetail warns Hootpaw to not do anything stupid. Gorsetail keeps watch while the others help free Nightcloud from the Twoleg nest. As Nightcloud dodges the male Twoleg, Gorsetail runs between his legs, nearly tripping him. The rescue mission is a success, but they return to camp to find the stoats have attacked while they were away. Gorsetail and Breezepelt are ordered to repair the camp. She and Breezepelt are sent to RiverClan to ask for Mothwing's help with herbs.

Bramblestar's Storm[]

Bramblestar: "I'm not Firestar. We caught this fairly, so it belongs to us."

Gorsetail: "Absolutely right, you're not Firestar."

—Gorsetail to Bramblestar ^{Bramblestar's Storm, page 77}

Gorsetail is a part of Nightcloud's patrol, along with Hootpaw. They demand to know what the ThunderClan cats are doing with the big white bird, claiming to have injured it, and that Molewhisker would never have caught it otherwise. While Sandstorm quietly tells Bramblestar that Firestar would have let them have the bird, he retorts that he isn't Firestar. Gorsetail overhears this, muttering that he absolutely isn't Firestar.

She is a part of another WindClan patrol that Bramblestar sees on his way back from investigating the border. When he asks Crowfeather how the WindClan cats are, they retort that they haven't crossed the stream. Gorsetail insults Jessy, Minty, and Frankie, sarcastically saying that they're very effective additions to ThunderClan's hunting patrols.

Squirrelflight's Hope[]

While visiting WindClan's camp, Squirrelflight spots Gorsetail sharing prey with Featherpelt. She later participates in the battle against the Sisters and helps Crowfeather, Breezepelt, and Scorchfur fight off Creek.

Character pixels[]

The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description;

undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation.

Family[]

Gorsetail's mate is Beechfur, and Thistleheart, Swallowtail, and Sedgewhisker are their children. For more of Gorsetail's family, click here!

Appearances[]

Onestar's Confession
The Sight (First appearance)
Dark River
Outcast (Allegiance only)
Eclipse (Allegiance only)
Long Shadows (Allegiance only)
Sunrise
Hollyleaf's Story (Allegiance only)
The Fourth Apprentice (Allegiance only)
Mistystar's Omen
Fading Echoes (Allegiance only)
Night Whispers (Allegiance only)
Sign of the Moon (Allegiance only)
The Forgotten Warrior (Allegiance only)
The Last Hope
Dovewing's Silence (Allegiance only)
Crowfeather's Trial
Bramblestar's Storm
The Apprentice's Quest (Allegiance only)
Thunder and Shadow
Shattered Sky
Darkest Night (Allegiance only)
Tigerheart's Shadow (Allegiance only)
River of Fire
Tawnypelt's Clan (Allegiance only)
Spotfur's Rebellion (Allegiance only)
The Raging Storm
Squirrelflight's Hope
Lost Stars (Allegiance 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 (Allegiance only)
Sky (Allegiance only)
Shadow (Allegiance only)
Thunder (Allegiance only)
Wind (Allegiance only)
Ivypool's Heart (Allegiance only)

Trivia[]

Interesting facts[]

She and Leaftail have not forgiven Breezepelt for his actions during the Great Battle.^[11]

Mistakes[]

There are many inconsistencies with Gorsetail's gender. She has been listed as male, female, or no gender at all. These mistakes begin in Dark River, and continue into more recent books, including Bramblestar's Storm and Dovewing's Silence. The following list shows which books have Gorsetail as which gender:
- Male: The Fourth Apprentice,^[12] Fading Echoes,^[13] Sign of the Moon,^[14] The Forgotten Warrior,^[15] The Last Hope,^[16] Hollyleaf's Story,^[17] Dovewing's Silence,^[18] and Bramblestar's Storm.^[19]
- Female: Mistystar's Omen,^[20] The Sight,^[21] Dark River,^[3] Outcast,^[8] Eclipse,^[22] Night Whispers,^[23] Crowfeather's Trial,^[24] The Apprentice's Quest,^[25]Thunder and Shadow,^[26] Shattered Sky,^[27] Darkest Night,^[28] Tigerheart's Shadow,^[29] River of Fire,^[30] Spotfur's Rebellion,^[31] Tawnypelt's Clan,^[32] The Raging Storm,^[33] Squirrelflight's Hope,^[34] Lost Stars,^[4] The Silent Thaw,^[35] Veil of Shadows,^[36] Darkness Within,^[37] Graystripe's Vow,^[38] The Place of No Stars,^[39] A Light in the Mist,^[40] River,^[41] Sky,^[42] Shadow,^[43] and Daisy's Kin.^[44]
- No Gender Specified: Long Shadows,^[2] and Sunrise.^[45]

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, Gorsetail's parents were Pigeonwing and Runningbrook, and her sisters were Cranberrypaw, a bracken-colored she-cat with green eyes, and Thistlepaw, a gray and white she-cat with long spiky fur and green eyes. Cranberrypaw died of sickness from poisoned rabbits in Moonrise and went to StarClan. Thistlepaw saved Gorsetail from a badger, but died from her injuries. Gorsetail named her daughter, Thistleheart, after her deceased sister.^[46]

Quotes[]

Gorsetail: "My kits are gone! [...] Sedgekit, Thistlekit, and Swallowkit! All of them! Disappeared!"

Onestar: "When did you last see them?"

Gorsetail: "I left them in the nursery and went to stretch my legs. They weren't there when I came back, so I went looking for them. They’ve wandered out before, but not far. But this time there’s no sign of them. Their trail heads toward the RiverClan border and then just disappears. A hawk’s carried them off, I know it!"

Onestar: "You can't be sure. No hawk's ever taken more than a single kit before. We must send out a search party."

Breezepaw: "[...] [RiverClan's] been on our land!"

Heatherpaw: "And there was rabbit blood where they'd been."

Gorsetail: "Are you sure it was rabbit blood?"

Heatherpaw: "What?"

Gorsetail: "My kits have disappeared!"

—Gorsetail after her kits disappear ^{Dark River, pages 273-274}

See more

Nightcloud: "Murderer!"

Gorsetail: "Be quiet! This is a Clan cat who needs our help."

Owlwhisker: "[...] We'll escort you to the border."

Gorsetail: "Can you walk that far?"

—Gorsetail after the patrol finds Jayfeather ^{The Last Hope, pages 79-80}

Gorsetail: "I can’t believe it! Onestar tells us all to remember the fallen warriors, but he’s fine with the traitors who killed them staying in the Clan."

Crouchfoot: "Hey, that’s not fair, WindClan cats didn’t kill their Clanmates. Most of the cats who trained with the Dark Forest turned against them when they found out what was really going on."

Leaftail: "Most, not all."

Gorsetail: "I know what you mean. It doesn't seem right that Breezepelt is still here. I know Onestar thinks he isn't a traitor because he didn't try to kill a WindClan cat, but isn't fighting on the side of the Dark Forest just as bad? How can we ever trust him again?"

Leaftail: "I never will."

Gorsetail: "The Clan would almost be better off if something happened to Breezepelt. Like a badger to care of him or something."

—Gorsetail, Crouchfoot, and Leaftail ^{Crowfeather's Trial, page 13}

"Oh yes. We've seen the latest additions to your hunting patrols. Very effective - not!"

―Gorsetail mocking a ThunderClan patrol ^{Bramblestar's Storm, page 348}

Gorsetail: "What's going on? What do these cats want?"

Crowfeather: "They say they have to speak to Onestar. But Onestar won't want to speak to them."

Bramblestar: "We have important information for him."

Gorsetail: "Maybe Onestar will want to hear what another Clan leader has to tell him. We’d better escort them to the camp."

Crowfeather: "Are you mouse-brained? You were standing right next to me when Onestar told us to keep all other cats out."