This article contains major spoilers for the recently released book, Wind. Please proceed at your own discretion. |
"Thank you, River, for all you've done for me. If you help me again, one last time, and get me to the bank, I will stay beside you and praise you all my life." |
— River Ripple to the river in Thunder Rising: Bonus Scene, page 22 |
Riverstar, also known as River or River Ripple, is a large,[13] stocky[14] silver tom[15] with sleek,[16] long,[15] thick fur,[17] and emerald[18]-green eyes.[19]
Riverstar was the first leader of RiverClan in the forest territories. Ripple lived with the Cats of the Park until Twolegs destroyed their home. He was swept away towards the forest territories, where he renamed himself River Ripple in honor of the river who saved his life. River Ripple lived as a loner near the river, and befriended Night and Mist, who taught him how to swim and fish. He was briefly captured by Twolegs and lived as a kittypet. Feeling the call of the river, River Ripple returned and encountered the groups from the mountains. He befriended them, but remained distant. However, he was inspired by their culture and loyalty towards each other, and River Ripple eventually formed his own group of loners next to the river. His group was originally informal, but he was officially called to be leader after the spirit cats appeared at the four trees.
River Ripple's group accepted all visitors. His group was renamed RiverClan, and he later gained his nine lives with the name of Riverstar. He appointed his long-time friend, Night, as deputy, and Dappled Pelt became his medicine cat. When his former mentor Arc arrived from the Cats of the Park with news of Slash's terror, Riverstar journeyed there with Arc and Drizzle. After defeating Slash, Riverstar became mates with Finch. She followed him back to RiverClan and gave birth to their kits, Arc Shadow, Ripple Shine, and Dusk Smoke. Following his death, Riverstar ascended to StarClan. Many seasons later, Riverstar appeared at Leopardstar's nine lives ceremony, giving her a life for acceptance. Riverstar was remembered as a good-natured and wise cat, and his Clan became the first to formerly implement the mentor-and-apprentice training program.
Quick Answers
What event led to Riverstar renaming himself from Ripple to River Ripple?
How did Riverstar become the first leader of RiverClan?
How did River Ripple adapt to living in the forest territories?
What was the significance of Riverstar's Super Edition?
History[]
Looking for a longer overview? Find one here!
Dawn of the Clans[]
- "They're not buried beneath the earth; they are running with the stars."
- ―River Ripple talking to Gray Wing The Blazing Star (book), page 24
- 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, explaining 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 battles 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. His group is later renamed RiverClan.
A Starless Clan[]
- Riverstar appears in a vision at StarClan to Puddleshine and Frostpaw when they go to the Moonpool for Splashtail to receive his nine lives.
- More Coming Soon
Super Editions[]
This section summarizes Riverstar's significant Super Editions appearances. If you're looking for a full list, find one here!
- "You're so busy letting the river decide your fate, you've forgotten that you can decide for yourself. [...] StarClan gave you nine lives. Night changed her whole way of life because of you. Cats turned their backs on their own Clans to choose yours. They have faith in you. Why don't you have faith in yourself?"
- ―Arc to Riverstar about going home to RiverClan Riverstar's Home, page 422
- Seasons later, Arc abruptly arrives to the forest territories with a plea to help: Slash and his rogues have driven out the park cats from their new home. Riverstar feels torn between protecting his new Clan and his loyalty towards Arc and the park cats, but he eventually agrees to help. Riverstar, Arc, and Drizzle travel upstream to the Cats of the Park, and Riverstar loses his first life saving Drizzle from the river. At the park cats' forest home, Riverstar's battle plan to defeat Slash fails when he loses his second life to Snail, but his revival scares Slash's rogues away. Riverstar falls in love with Finch, one of the park cats, and is hesitant to leave her. Upon Drizzle and Arc's insistence, Riverstar eventually agrees to go home using a log to travel down river. Back in RiverClan, Finch gives birth to their kits: Arc Shadow, Ripple Shine, and Dusk Smoke. He also formalizes apprentice-and-mentor training partnerships and promotes Drizzle and Pine Needle to warriors. In Riverstar's two moon absence, SkyClan has taken over part of their territory. Riverstar leads his warriors into battle against SkyClan and successfully defend their territory.
- "StarClan brought peace. They see things we cannot. Do you think you know better than they do?"
- ―River Ripple to Willow Tail Moth Flight's Vision, page 349
Character pixels[]
Main images[]
The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation. |
Alternate images[]
The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation. |
Official art[]
Please do not edit this gallery |
Ceremonies[]
Riverstar's leader ceremony | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Reference: Riverstar's Home, pages 291-298 |
Lives granted[]
The following is a list of gifts Riverstar has granted during nine lives ceremonies:
Lives granted | ||||
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Leader info[]
Leader info | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Personality[]
- Riverstar is a laid-back, thoughtful, and friendly cat. He can be a calming presence to those around him, and is very accepting to cats who want to join his group. Although he is seen as odd to some other cats for eating fish and swimming, the cats of RiverClan are proud of their abilities and heritage.[source?]
Relationships[]
Arc[]
- Arc was Ripple's mentor when they were living in the park, and they shared a bond. When the park started being destroyed around them, they stayed together and escaped. However, Ripple was separated from Arc, and he felt lost without his mentor. But he made a new life for himself when the river carried him to safety, and renamed himself River Ripple in thanks.[27]
- More Coming Soon
Flutter[]
- Coming Soon
Finch Song[]
- Coming Soon
Arc Shadow, Dusk Smoke and Ripple Shine[]
- Coming Soon
Kin[]
Members[]
Mate:
- Finch Song:[28] Deceased, verified StarClan member
Daughter:
- Ripple Shine:[29] Deceased, verified StarClan member
Sons:
- Dusk Smoke:[29] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Arc Shadow:[29] Deceased, verified StarClan member
Foster son:
- Spider Paw:[30] Deceased, verified StarClan member
Tree[]
Owl ♂ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unnamed tom ♂ | Finch Song ♀ | Riverstar ♂ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unnamed kits | Ripple Shine ♀ | Arc Shadow ♂ | Dusk Smoke ♂ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
= Tom
= She-cat
= Gender unknown
Appearances[]
- Riverstar's Home
- Thunder Rising
- The First Battle
- The Blazing Star
- A Forest Divided
- Path of Stars
- Moth Flight's Vision
- Thunderstar's Echo
- Shadowstar's Life
- Leopardstar's Honor
- Long Shadows
- River of Fire (Indirect mention only)
- Thunder
- Wind
- Ivypool's Heart
- Secrets of the Clans (First appearance; retconned)
- Code of the Clans (Mentioned only)
- The Ultimate Guide
- The Ultimate Guide: Updated and Expanded Edition
Trivia[]
Interesting facts[]
- When he was born at the Park, Riverstar was named Ripple for the movement of the river water.[2]
- Riverstar was the winner of the 2021 Super Edition contest, [31] and his Super Edition titled Riverstar's Home was released in 2023.[32]
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."[blog 1]
- Kate imagines Riverstar as pale gray with some mottling on his fur. However, she thinks Cherith may imagine him differently.[blog 2]
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.[33]
- This, however, contradicts information in Secrets of the Clans, which shows the founders of the Clans to have the "-star" suffix.[34] 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.[9]
- Riverstar has mistakenly been called "River Rippled" twice.[35][36]
- In Riverstar's Home he is mistakenly called Ripple, even though he did not have that name at the time.[37]
- Riverstar has mistakenly been described with amber eyes,[6][38] and was said to have rippling tabby stripes.[2] He is also depicted with stripes on the Warrior Cats website[39][30] and on the cover of Riverstar's Home.[40]
- He was mistakenly called a rogue[41] and a warrior.[42]
- In his bio for The Ultimate Guide: Updated and Expanded Edition, Riverstar is listed with dark gray fur.[43]
Continuity[]
The following information is from sources considered non-canon, retconned, or from adapted material.
- In Secrets of the Clans, a 2007 field guide, River is the founder and the first leader of RiverClan, working with Thunder, Wind, and Shadow to develop the warrior code. He is the cat who created a mentoring program for training the apprentices. He is known to be generous and warm-hearted with his own Clan, but not interested in the other Clans' troubles, even skipping Gatherings when possible.[44]
Quotes[]
- «The sun and earth have protected me all my life. Just like the river has taken care of me, over and over again. It gave me a soft landing when I fell from the wall. It carried me away from the danger that was destroying the Park. It saved me from those fierce creatures, it fed me, and now it has brought me to what could be a wonderful new home. Maybe it will help me to get to the bank, if I can just trust it.»
- —Ripple's thoughts on the river Thunder Rising, bonus scene, page 22
- "I'm not the young Cat of the Park anymore. Not really. I'm something else now, something more - a Cat of the River. And I should honor my protector."
- ―Ripple about himself Thunder Rising, bonus scene, page 22
- "Life is like the river. It flows on, never stopping. [...] Accept what you can't change. The river is far stronger than you. Don't resist the current. Don't swim against it. Use its power to lift you and guide you."
- ―River Ripple to Tall Shadow Riverstar's Home, page 159
- "I'll do anything I have to. That kittypet has caused nothing but grief. He deserves some grief of his own."
- ―River Ripple about Tom The First Battle, page 198
- "A river divides us from them. You will be the stepping stone that allows us to cross."
- ―A spirit cat to River Ripple Riverstar's Home, page 180
- "Who would I have helped? This battle was not mine. Why did you leave the mountains? Did you need something to fight over so badly? Before you came, we hunted and slept and lay in the sun. We fought over prey, but no cat ever killed another. You brought death here."
- ―River Ripple to Clear Sky The First Battle, page 275
- "You think of River Ripple as just a rogue. But he is more than that. He has an old soul. He walked this land before the mountain cats arrived. He has seen more of life than you think--and what he hasn't seen, he has the power to imagine."
- ―Turtle Tail to the cats about River Ripple The First Battle, page 281
- "They must see that peace and sharing and honor are good for the group, and that what's good for the group is good for the individual. We find trust in trusting, and learn kindness by being kind."
- ―River Ripple Path of Stars, page 205
- «He'd though StarClan had been asking him to choose between being the park cat he once was and the warrior he'd become. But that hadn't been the choice at all. The choice had been something deeper. He had to be true—not to his past, or to his future, but to himself. It wasn't the river he'd been following all this time, but the flow of his own heart, and he must follow it now, even if the meant swimming against the current.»
- —Riverstar's thoughts about Arc's arrival Riverstar's Home, page 320
- "There are younger cats than us in StarClan. Why bring us back from the very beginning?"
- ―River at a discussion about Sol Long Shadows, page 2
External links[]
- Riverstar's profile on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Author Kate Cary on "the most gentle warrior" on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- The cats of Dawn of the Clans on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Dawn of the Clans characters - a visual guide on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Our favorite Riverstar artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Revealed in Long Shadows, page 2
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Revealed in Thunder Rising: Bonus Scene, page 6
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 161
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 60
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Revealed in The Blazing Star, allegiances
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Revealed in Moth Flight's Vision, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in Thunder Rising: Bonus Scene, page 1
- ↑ Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 198
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Revealed in Moth Flight's Vision, page 454
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Revealed in Leopardstar's Honor, page 421
- ↑ Revealed in Thunder Rising: Bonus Scene, page 4
- ↑ Night's profile on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- ↑ Revealed in Thunder, chapter 7
- ↑ Revealed in Path of Stars, page 126
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Revealed in Thunder Rising, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in The First Battle, page 88
- ↑ Revealed in The Blazing Star, page 116
- ↑ Revealed in Thunder, page 296
- ↑ Revealed in Long Shadows, page 1
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 292
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 293
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 294
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 295
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 297
- ↑ Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 335
- ↑ Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 386
- ↑ Revealed in Thunder Rising: Bonus Scene
- ↑ Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 407
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 490
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 Dawn of the Clans characters - a visual guide on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- ↑ 2021 Super Edition character vote on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- ↑ Exclusive Title and Cover Reveal: Super Edition #16 on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- ↑ Revealed in Erin Hunter Chat 6
- ↑ Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 54
- ↑ Revealed in A Forest Divided, page 209
- ↑ Revealed in Moth Flight's Vision, page 214
- ↑ Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 151
- ↑ Revealed in Thunderstar's Echo, allegiances
- ↑ Riverstar's profile on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- ↑ Revealed on the cover of Riverstar's Home
- ↑ Revealed in The Ultimate Guide, page 187
- ↑ Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 465
- ↑ Revealed in The Ultimate Guide: Updated and Expanded Edition, page 219
- ↑ Revealed in Secrets of the Clans
Author references
Ancient RiverClan cats | |
---|---|
Leader | Riverstar |
Deputy | Night |
Medicine cat | Dappled Pelt |
Warriors (Hunters) | Mist • Hollow • Croak (Snow Tail) • Kite Wing • Shattered Ice • Dew • Dawn Mist (Trout Fur) • Moss Tail (Willow Stream) • Drizzle • Pine Needle • Spider Paw |
Apprentices | Trout Fur • Willow Stream • Snow Tail |
Queens | Finch Song |
Kits | Arc Shadow • Ripple Shine • Dusk Smoke |
Cats of the Park residents | |
---|---|
Members | Bee • Chalk • Firefly • Lark • Marlow • Molly • Peg • Rook • Scruff • Weevil |
Former members | Arc • Dart • Finch • Flutter • Grub • Hopper • Magda • Midge • Moth • Owl • Ripple • Rust • Scooby • Shine • Sparrow • Squirrel • Stoat • Waffle • Wasp |