Riverstar

"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
Affiliations
Current:	StarClan
Past:	RiverClan Rogue Cats of the Park River Ripple's camp Loner
Names
Kit:	Ripple
Early Settler:	River Ripple
Leader:	River Ripple, Riverstar
StarClan resident:	River
Cats of the Park:	Ripple
Loner:	River Ripple
Rogue:	River Ripple
Education
Mentor:	Arc
Book appearances
Living	Dawn of the Clans, Moth Flight's Vision, Thunderstar's Echo, Shadowstar's Life
Living	Dawn of the Clans, Moth Flight's Vision, Thunderstar's Echo, Shadowstar's Life
Dead	Long Shadows
Dead	Long Shadows

Riverstar, also known as River or River Ripple, is a long-furred silver tom with green eyes.

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.

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

As a young cat, Ripple lived with the Cats of the Park, spending his days relaxing and meditating. He is guided by his mentor, Arc, who teaches him how to hunt. When Twolegs invade and capture the cats, Ripple is separated and falls into the river. He is swept away downstream until he reaches the forest. He thanks the river for saving his life, and renames himself River Ripple.

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!

In Moth Flight's Vision, River Ripple encourages Moth Flight to speak at the Gathering when she arrives with a message from the spirit cats. He accepts Dappled Pelt as RiverClan's medicine cat and allows Moth Flight and Micah to stay and learn. River Ripple teaches them how to save a drowning cat when Drizzle falls into the river. He receives his nine lives to become Riverstar.

Detailed description

Riverstar, also known as River, is a stocky silver tom with sleek, long, thick fur, and green eyes.

Character pixels

Main images

Please do not edit this gallery Kit Version Cats of the Park Version Rogue Version Loner Version Early Settler Version Leader Version StarClan Version

Alternate images

Please do not edit this gallery Alternate Cats of the Park Version Alternate Loner Version

Official art

Please do not edit this gallery Riverstar in Secrets of the Clans Riverstar in The Ultimate Guide

Leader info

Leader info
Deputies Name From To Night Before Thunderstar's Echo Before Finders Keepers Medicine cats Name From To Dappled Pelt Moth Flight's Vision Before "The Medicine Cats Decide"

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.

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.

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
• Secrets of the Clans (First appearance; retconned)
• Code of the Clans (Mentioned only)
• The Ultimate Guide

Trivia

Main article: Riverstar/Trivia

Did you know Riverstar was named Ripple for the movement of river water? For more trivia about Riverstar, click here!

Quotes

"There are younger cats than us in StarClan. Why bring us back from the very beginning?"

—River at a discussion about Sol

"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

"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

See more

"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

"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

"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

"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

"StarClan brought peace. They see things we cannot. Do you think you know better than they do?"

—River Ripple to Willow Tail

External links

• 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)