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"If I'm bloodying my paws already, why stop at one cat?"
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? toggle section
Born as Ripple in the Cats of the Park, Ripple fled the park after it was destroyed by Twolegs. He was saved by the river, which carried him to the forest territories. In gratitude, he dedicated his life to the river, leading to his new name, River Ripple.
Provided by: Community
How did Riverstar become the first leader of RiverClan? toggle section
Due to his upbringing, River Ripple was accustomed to the company of other cats. He attempted to form a settlement by the river, but the local loners migrated as they pleased. After the first battle, the spirit cats appointed River Ripple the leader of his own group. River Ripple formally established his group's camp on an island in the river and warmly welcomed others to his group. River Ripple prided his group on peace, community, and kinship. Eventually, River Ripple earned his nine lives from StarClan and was renamed Riverstar.
Provided by: Community
How did River Ripple adapt to living in the forest territories? toggle section
River Ripple was taught how to swim and fish by Night and Mist. River Ripple was unaccustomed to the local rogues having to fight for prey. He is especially interested in the mountain cats with their sense of community and loyalty, though River Ripple is confused by their insistence on claiming territory and not sharing. In his group, River Ripple initially settles on not fighting, though he eventually rallies his cats to defend against One Eye and later SkyClan. However, River Ripple maintained traditions from his time in the Park, such as meditating.
Provided by: Community
What was the significance of Riverstar's Super Edition? toggle section
"Riverstar's Home" was published in 2023, and it was the sixteenth Super Edition released. This book was chosen by the fans during a Super Edition character vote in 2021. "Riverstar's Home" features the story of Riverstar's origins from his journey from the Cats of the Park to his rise as RiverClan's first leader.
Provided by: Community

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
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, where he meets Night. 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 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
In Riverstar's Home, Ripple is swept away from his home downriver after Twolegs destroy the park. Washing up near a strange forest, he renames himself River Ripple after the river. While the two loners Night and Mist teach River Ripple how to hunt and swim, he longs for the closeness of his former parkmates and his lover, Flutter. After spending the cold moons as a kittypet, River Ripple returns to the river when his Twolegs bring home a dog, and he meets the mountain cats. While still distant, River Ripple is curious by their loyalty and closeness in their groups, though is confused by their insistence on claiming territory and not sharing. River Ripple decides to form his own informal group of loners with Night and Mist, and they welcome passing loners. However, the group has no loyalty towards each other, and the others come and go as they please. Spirit cats summon River Ripple to the four trees where a devastating battle occurs. They urge him to be the stepping stones to help them cross over, and soon the spirit cats materialize. River Ripple is called to be a leader for his official group. Despite Night's concerns, River Ripple welcomes all cats to his group. Later, the groups are named to Clans, and River Ripple's is called RiverClan. He soon earns his nine lives, but he is distraught to see his beloved Flutter in StarClan. She grants him his final life, and he is renamed Riverstar.
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
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.

Character pixels[]

Main images[]

Alternate images[]

Official art[]

Ceremonies[]

Lives granted[]

The following is a list of gifts Riverstar has granted during nine lives ceremonies:


Leader info[]


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 kitsRipple Shine ♀Arc Shadow ♂Dusk Smoke ♂

    = Tom

    = She-cat

    = Gender unknown


Appearances[]

Trivia[]

Interesting facts[]

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[]

Continuity[]

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

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


See more
"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[]

Notes and references[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Revealed in Long Shadows, page 2
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Revealed in Thunder Rising: Bonus Scene, page 6
  3. 3.0 3.1 Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 161
  4. 4.0 4.1 Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 60
  5. 5.0 5.1 Revealed in The Blazing Star, allegiances
  6. 6.0 6.1 Revealed in Moth Flight's Vision, allegiances
  7. Revealed in Thunder Rising: Bonus Scene, page 1
  8. Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 198
  9. 9.0 9.1 Revealed in Moth Flight's Vision, page 454
  10. 10.0 10.1 Revealed in Leopardstar's Honor, page 421
  11. Revealed in Thunder Rising: Bonus Scene, page 4
  12. Night's profile on the Warriors official website (backup link)
  13. Revealed in Thunder, chapter 7
  14. Revealed in Path of Stars, page 126
  15. 15.0 15.1 Revealed in Thunder Rising, allegiances
  16. Revealed in The First Battle, page 88
  17. Revealed in The Blazing Star, page 116
  18. Revealed in Thunder, page 296
  19. Revealed in Long Shadows, page 1
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 292
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 293
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 294
  23. 23.0 23.1 Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 295
  24. 24.0 24.1 Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 297
  25. Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 335
  26. Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 386
  27. Revealed in Thunder Rising: Bonus Scene
  28. Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 407
  29. 29.0 29.1 29.2 Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 490
  30. 30.0 30.1 Dawn of the Clans characters - a visual guide on the Warriors official website (backup link)
  31. 2021 Super Edition character vote on the Warriors official website (backup link)
  32. Exclusive Title and Cover Reveal: Super Edition #16 on the Warriors official website (backup link)
  33. Revealed in Erin Hunter Chat 6
  34. Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 54
  35. Revealed in A Forest Divided, page 209
  36. Revealed in Moth Flight's Vision, page 214
  37. Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 151
  38. Revealed in Thunderstar's Echo, allegiances
  39. Riverstar's profile on the Warriors official website (backup link)
  40. Revealed on the cover of Riverstar's Home
  41. Revealed in The Ultimate Guide, page 187
  42. Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 465
  43. Revealed in The Ultimate Guide: Updated and Expanded Edition, page 219
  44. Revealed in Secrets of the Clans

Author references



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