"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 stocky[12] silver tom[13] with sleek,[14] long,[13] thick fur,[15] and green eyes.[16]
Riverstar was the first leader of RiverClan in the forest territories. Ripple lived with the Cats of the Park until Twolegs destroyed his home, and Ripple fell into the river. He thanked the river for saving him and renamed himself River Ripple. He encountered the groups from the mountains and befriended them, but remained distant. River Ripple eventually formed his own group next to the river and accepted all visitors. When he spotted Gray Wing numerous times at Fourtrees, he offered the mourning tom sanctuary in his group. 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. Riverstar was remembered as a good-natured and wise cat, and his Clan became the first to implement the mentor training program. Many seasons later, Riverstar appeared at Leopardstar's nine lives ceremony, giving her a life for acceptance.
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, 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 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. His group is later renamed RiverClan.
Super Editions
This section summarizes Riverstar's significant Super Editions appearances. If you're looking for a full list, find one here!
- "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
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Alternate images
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Official art
Please do not edit this gallery Riverstar in Secrets of the Clans Riverstar in The Ultimate Guide Riverstar's Warriors official website fact sheet |
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.[17]
Appearances
- Thunder Rising
- The First Battle
- The Blazing Star
- A Forest Divided
- Path of Stars
- Moth Flight's Vision
- Thunderstar's Echo
- Shadowstar's Life
- Long Shadows
- Leopardstar's Honor
- Secrets of the Clans (First appearance; retconned)
- Code of the Clans (Mentioned only)
- The Ultimate Guide
Trivia
Interesting facts
- When he was born at the Park, Riverstar was named Ripple for the movement of the river water.[4]
- Riverstar was the winner of a Super Edition contest and his Super Edition[18] will be released in 2023.[19]
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.[20]
- This, however, contradicts information in Secrets of the Clans, which shows the founders of the Clans to have the "-star" suffix.[21] 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.[8]
- Riverstar has mistakenly been called "River Rippled" twice.[22][23]
- Despite being listed as a leader of his own group in The Blazing Star,[5] Riverstar calls himself a loner in the same book.[6]
- Riverstar has mistakenly been described with amber eyes,[2][24] and was said to have rippling tabby stripes.[25] He is also depicted with stripes on the Warrior Cats website.[26]
Continuity
The following information is from sources considered non-canon or retconned.
- 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.[27]
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, page 22 (Bonus Scene)
- "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, page 22 (Bonus Scene)
- "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
- "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
- "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)
- History of the Clans on the Warriors official website (Mentioned only) (backup link)
- Stand Together or Fall Divided on the Warriors official website (Indirect mention only) (backup link)
- As long as the moon is full... on the Warriors official website (Indirect mention only) (backup link)
- The Forest Map: RiverClan on the Warriors official website (Mentioned only) (backup link)
- 2021 Super Edition character vote on the Warriors official website (Poll winner) (backup link) (screenshot)
- Results for 2021 Super Edition character vote on the Warriors official website (backup link)
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Revealed in Long Shadows, page 2
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Revealed in Moth Flight's Vision, allegiances
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Revealed in The Ultimate Guide, page 187
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Revealed in Thunder Rising: Bonus Scene, page 6
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Revealed in The Blazing Star, allegiances
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Revealed in The Blazing Star, page 23
- ↑ Revealed in The First Battle, allegiances
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Revealed in Moth Flight's Vision, page 454
- ↑ Revealed in Thunder Rising: Bonus Scene, page 1
- ↑ Revealed in Leopardstar's Honor, page 421
- ↑ Revealed in Thunder Rising: Bonus Scene, page 4
- ↑ Revealed in Path of Stars, page 126
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Revealed in Thunder Rising, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in The First Battle, page 88
- ↑ Revealed in The Blazing Star, page 116
- ↑ Revealed in Long Shadows, page 1
- ↑ Revealed in an unknown book, page bonus scene
- ↑ Results for 2021 Super Edition character vote on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- ↑ Choose a cover - Super Edition 2022 on the Warriors official website (screenshot)
- ↑ 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 Thunderstar's Echo, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in Thunder Rising: Bonus Scene, page prologue
- ↑ Riverstar's profile on the Warriors official website
- ↑ Revealed in Secrets of the Clans
Author references
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Leader | Riverstar |
Deputy | Night |
Medicine cat | Dappled Pelt |
Warriors (Hunters) | Shattered Ice • Dew • Dawn Mist • Moss Tail • Drizzle • Pine Needle • Spider Paw |