Warriors Wiki

Welcome to the Warriors Wiki! Want to edit and see fewer ads? Consider creating an account! Registered users will be able to edit pages, will only see ads on the main page, and more.

READ MORE

Warriors Wiki
Warriors Wiki
Warriors Wiki
5,540
pages
in: Characters, Under construction, Graystripe's Vow characters,
and 14 more
This character is a member of the rebels. Click here for more information.
This character is from SkyClan. Click here for more information.
English

Rootspring

View source
Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.
"And yet I loved Bristlefrost. I tried not to love her. I knew I'd be betraying my Clan. I tried reasoning with myself, but it was impossible. When we got home, I was going to join ThunderClan to be with her. No warrior, no matter how brave and loyal they are, is strong enough to fight love."
— Rootspring to the cats of StarClan in A Light in the Mist, page 303



Rootspring is a fluffy[10] bright[11] yellow tom[1] with a broad head and shoulders,[12] a torn ear,[13] and sky-[14]blue eyes.[15][16]

Rootspring is a SkyClan warrior under Leafstar's leadership in the lake territories. He was born as Rootkit to Violetshine and Tree, along with his sister Needlekit. Upon becoming an apprentice named Rootpaw, Dewspring was assigned as his mentor. Rootpaw developed a crush on the ThunderClan warrior Bristlefrost after she rescued him from the lake, and discovered he could see ghosts after seeing the spirit of Bramblestar begging for help. Using his ability, Rootpaw informed the Clans that the cat leading ThunderClan was an impostor of Bramblestar. He earned his warrior name of Rootspring after rescuing Shadowsight and joined the rebels to defeat the impostor's rule, who was revealed to be Ashfur. Rootspring and Bristlefrost admitted their feelings for each other, but relented that they belong in their separate Clans.

Rootspring witnessed Ashfur drag Squirrelflight into the depths of the Moonpool, and after being dragged into the Dark Forest by Willowshine, Rootspring and Snowtuft helped Bramblestar and Squirrelflight escape. However, Rootspring was ambushed by the spirits of his former Clanmates, and Bristlefrost and Shadowsight rescued him. During the final fight against Ashfur, Rootspring decided to join ThunderClan to be with Bristlefrost, but she died killing Ashfur. After her death, Rootspring advocated for changes to be made to the warrior code for cats who love another in a different Clan. He later participated in a journey to find catmint and led alongside Fidgetflake due to his experience. He continued to grieve for Bristlefrost, but found comfort in her mother, Ivypool. He set out on a quest prompted by Whistlepaw's vision, during which the Sisters tried to convince him to find a new mate, much to his frustration. Once the journey was completed, he decided that he would find a new mate eventually, one that had to be worthy of Bristlefrost.

Quick Answers

Who are Rootspring's parents and sister? toggle section
Rootspring is the son of Tree and Violetshine of SkyClan, and his sister is Needleclaw.
Provided by: Community
What event led to Rootspring developing feelings for Bristlefrost? toggle section
Rootspring developed a crush on Bristlefrost during their apprenticeships, when Bristlepaw rescued him from the frozen lake as a young apprentice. Rootpaw's intense crush on Bristlefrost was well-known by their peers, and the two eventually developed feelings for each other.
Provided by: Community
Why can Rootspring see ghosts? toggle section
Rootspring can see ghosts, the spirits of those who have not moved on yet, due to his Sister heritage. Rootspring's ability to see ghosts was prevalent in "The Broken Code" arc when he was the only cat to see Bramblestar's ghost. Rootspring also has the ability to communicate with the earth.
Provided by: Community
Will Rootspring become mates with another cat? toggle section
Rootspring still grieves for Bristlefrost and the family they never had together. At the end of "Ivypool's Heart", Rootspring decides that he might take another mate, but only a she-cat worthy of Bristlefrost.
Provided by: Community

History

Looking for a longer overview? Find one here!

The Broken Code

«Why should I care? Let Tree think what he likes. It doesn't matter to me. […] He tells me to be my own cat, but here he is, living under rules he doesn't believe in. Which of us is being more true to himself? I know it's wrong, but sometimes I wish I had a different cat for a father.»
—Rootpaw's thoughts about Tree Lost Stars, page 60
Rootkit is the son of Tree and Violetshine, and his sister is Needlekit. He is apprenticed to Dewspring, and struggles to break free of his father's reputation, terrified he'll turn out like Tree. After being cajoled into the lake by Kitepaw and Turtlepaw, Rootpaw is rescued by the ThunderClan warrior Bristlefrost, whom he grows to admire. After Bramblestar is revived, Rootpaw discovers his spirit in the woods and runs away in fear as the ghost calls for help. Rootpaw discovers only he can see Bramblestar's spirit much to his displeasure. With the help of the ghost and Tree, Rootpaw convinces Squirrelflight, Bristlefrost, and ShadowClan that the cat ruling ThunderClan is an impostor. His father teaches Rootpaw how to make ghosts appear for others, and Rootpaw makes peace with his powers.
After his warrior ceremony is delayed, Rootpaw realizes Bramblestar's ghost is missing and grows fearful for Shadowsight following his disappearance. He briefly trains as a medicine cat apprentice because of his powers, but chooses to remain a warrior apprentice. A spirit leads Rootpaw to Shadowsight's injured body, and Dewspring and Rootpaw bring him back to SkyClan to recover. He earns his warrior name of Rootspring for his bravery and works together with the rebels to defeat the impostor, who is revealed to be Ashfur. Rootspring and Bristlefrost admit their feelings for each other, and hope to one day be together. With several spirits still missing, Rootspring, Bristlefrost, Needleclaw and Spotfur venture to find the Sisters to see if they can help with their expertise. Along the way, Rootspring and Bristlefrost struggle to maintain their feelings for each other. The Sisters agree to come help the Clans, and Sunrise teaches Rootspring how to communicate with the earth. He assists the Sisters to summon the spirits, but to their horror, the spirits are aggressive and writhing in pain. Rootspring and Bristlefrost admit they were in love with each other, but both temporary accept they belong in their separate Clans. They comfort Squirrelflight when the Clan leaders attempt to kill Ashfur, and Rootspring follows Squirrelflight to the Moonpool where Ashfur kidnaps her into the Dark Forest.
After informing the Clans of Squirrelflight's abduction, Rootspring is kidnapped into the Dark Forest by the spirit of Willowshine, who was killed by Ashfur while trying to enter the afterlife through her dreams. He and Willowshine reunite with Squirrelflight, who had escaped Ashfur's grasp, but are later recaptured after it was revealed that Willowshine was under Ashfur's control. Rootspring manages to narrowly escape drowning in dangerous dark water, and works with Snowtuft, a Dark Forest cat, to save Squirrelflight and Bramblestar. They manage to reunite Bramblestar with his body, but in their attempt to leave the Dark Forest, Rootspring and Snowtuft are subdued by Ashfur's followers and then made to fight one another. Bristlefrost and Shadowsight rescue them, but Snowtuft is killed. They discover a physical barrier blocking StarClan from the Dark Forest with both afterlives disappearing, but the barrier weakens with hope. Rootspring is captured by Ashfur, but the wandering spirit of Firestar possesses his body and kills Darkstripe. Silverhawk agrees to help Rootspring save the Dark Forest. They reunite with Bristlefrost, Shadowsight, and StarClan, Dark Forest, and living cats, and confront Ashfur. In the final fight, Rootspring decides he is going to join ThunderClan to be with Bristlefrost. However, she sacrifices herself to save Shadowsight from Ashfur by flinging both herself and the dark warrior into the dark water, drowning them both. Both StarClan and the Dark Forest are saved, though Rootspring mourns greatly. When they return to the living, he is named a Light in the Mist for his role in saving the Clans, and advocates for changing to be made to the warrior code for cats who love another in a different Clan, wondering if he and Bristlefrost had not been stressing over that rule for moons, they could have gotten together sooner.

A Starless Clan

«There was a grimness to his mew that filled Sunbeam with foreboding. Rootspring was younger than her, but he sounded a lifetime older. Had losing Bristlefrost made him like this? Or did the Dark Forest have that effect on every cat who set paw there?»
—Sunbeam's thoughts about Rootspring Sky, pages 97-98
Rootspring is a strong advocate for the new changes to the warrior code, as his relationship with Bristlefrost becomes the foremost example why these changes should happen. Eventually, the five Clans do agree to adjust the warrior code so cats can change Clans to be with their loved ones after performing a test in their adoptive Clan. When the Clans' catmint supply is critically low, Rootspring and Fidgetflake participate in the quest to find more in a nearby Twolegplace. While Fidgetflake knows the way, it is Rootspring who takes the lead, his experience in the Dark Forest resulting in a somber yet focused demeanor, and Alderheart, Nightheart, Sunbeam, and Lightleap defer to his opinion while traveling.

Super Editions

This section summarizes Rootspring's significant Super Editions appearances. If you're looking for a full list, find one here!

Rootspring: "But this story seems too important to have simply faded away. Two leaders became mates! That's huge. I had to go to the Dark Forest and back to get the leaders to consider letting cats switch Clans. And now I find out that long ago two leaders did a lot more than that for the sake of love. It feels like the Clans have gone backward since then."
Whistlepaw: "But were they really breaking the code? They didn't switch Clans; they just combined them."
Rootspring: "Oh, you're right. They didn't do anything major, like individually switching Clans. They just basically destroyed two entire Clans and formed a new one so they could be together. No big deal. I guess if Bristlefrost and I had been leaders, we could have done something like that instead of breaking the warrior code! [...] I didn't mean to snap at you. But it's so frustrating, thinking about how Bristlefrost and I agonized about what to do, when two whole Clans had been disrupted so that two cats could be together."
—Rootspring's reaction to the story of StormClan Ivypool's Heart, chapter 19
In Ivypool's Heart, Rootspring meets in secret with Ivypool to bond over the loss of Bristlefrost.
More Coming Soon

Detailed description

Scars gained

The following is a chronological list of scars and/or major injuries that Rootspring has gained:

Character pixels

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.

Killed victims

This list shows the victims Rootspring has killed:

Ceremonies


Personality and Relationships

Main article: Rootspring/PR
Rootspring is sensitive, determined, and strives to prove himself of his father's unorthodox reputation. He develops a crush on Bristlefrost after she saved him from the lake, and is the only cat who can see Bramblestar's apparition. For more of Rootspring's personality and relationships, click here!

Family

Main article: Rootspring/Family
Rootspring's parents are Tree and Violetshine, and his sister is Needleclaw. For more of Rootspring's family, click here!

Appearances

Trivia

Interesting facts

  • Rootspring has Sister blood through Tree.[20]
  • His warrior name was decided by fans through a poll on the Warrior Cats website with the options Rootspirit, Rootspring, Rootfall, and Rootwing.[21] Rootspring was the winning name.[22]
  • Similar to his kin, he has the ability to see the spirits of dead cats[23] and communicate with the earth.[24]
  • Rootspring is said to look like a tiny version of Tree.[25]

Author statements

  • Out of the Lost Stars protagonists, Rootspring is Cherith Baldry's favorite, citing his difficulties with his father and his potential to become "an outstanding cat."[26] Rootspring is also Kate Cary's favorite protagonist,[blog 1] and describes him as "a dear ❤".[blog 2]
  • Kate says that it is most likely Tree named Rootspring after Root.[blog 3]
  • Kate believes Rootspring to be short-furred.[blog 4]

Mistakes

  • He was mistakenly described with green eyes.[27]

Quotes

Main article: Rootspring/Quotes
End of spoiler warning

External links

  • Apprentices: A Fresh Perspective on Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
  • Erin Hunter opinion: We need to talk about Snowtuft on Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
  • Warrior Cats books that will make you cry on Warriors official website (backup link)

  • A Different Way of Doing Things on Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
  • Outpacing other 'Paws (and Mentors) on Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
  • Writing a Good Prophecy on Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
  • From the Very Beginning on Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
  • Winds of Change on Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
  • Just some weirdo... on Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
  • What if…? on Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
  • Tabbies changing their stripes: Should the chance for redemption end at death? on Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
  • A Return to RiverClan on Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
  • Death in the World of Warriors on Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
  • Forbidden romance in the world of Warriors on Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
  • Clan-swappers: are they here to stay? on Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
  • Editors and the supernatural world within the Clans on Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
  • The best Warriors journey moments on Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)

  • Show Us What You've Got on Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
  • Warriors Fan Vote on Warriors official website (backup link)
  • Warriors Fan Vote Results on Warriors official website (backup link)
  • Which Warrior is Worthy - The Return on Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
  • Pick a Large Plush 2021 on Warriors official website (backup link) (screenshot) (Poll option)
  • Welcome to the Warrior's Hub! on Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
  • Warriors Hub Q&A on Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)

    • Notes and references

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Revealed in Lost Stars, allegiances
    2. ↑ Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 74
    3. ↑ Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 328
    4. ↑ Revealed in Squirrelflight's Hope, page 41
    5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Revealed in Lost Stars, page 17
    6. ↑ Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 49
    7. ↑ Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 173
    8. ↑ Revealed in Veil of Shadows, pages 68-71
    9. ↑ Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 48
    10. ↑ Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 151
    11. ↑ Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 209
    12. ↑ Revealed in Darkness Within, page 125
    13. ↑ Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 31
    14. ↑ Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 265
    15. ↑ Revealed in The Place of No Stars, page 192
    16. ↑ Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 15
    17. ↑ Revealed in A Light in the Mist, chapter 3
    18. ↑ Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 157
    19. ↑ Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 240
    20. ↑ Revealed in Thunder and Shadow: Bonus Scene, page 11
    21. ↑ Warriors Fan Vote on Warriors official website (backup link) (screenshot)
    22. ↑ Warriors Fan Vote Results on Warriors official website (backup link)
    23. ↑ Revealed in Squirrelflight's Hope, page 170
    24. ↑ Revealed in Darkness Within, page 227
    25. ↑ Revealed in Squirrelflight's Hope, page 43
    26. ↑ Writing Lost Stars on Warriors official website (backup link)
    27. ↑ Revealed in Darkness Within, page 208

    Author references


    Deutsch Suomi Français 한국어 Norsk Polski Português do Brasil Русский
    Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.
    More Fandoms