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"The story is never the same twice, and parts grow uncertain, or they become suddenly clear in the telling." This article contains information mainly from the 2007 field guide, Secrets of the Clans. While based on canonical information, the book has been repeatedly retconned as the series progressed, and thus its credibility is questioned. |
| Greetings. I am Blackstar. You must be brave indeed, to approach the territory of ShadowClan. Few are welcome here, in our world of secrets and darkness. We are a Clan of cunning and cleverness, a Clan well suited to the shadows and the cold north winds. No other Clan can walk the paths of night like we do. Other Clans may be faster or stronger, but we are the most dangerous warriors: fierce, proud, and independent. We are ruthlessly willing to do what it takes to protect our great Clan. There won't be any softhearted alliances here! ShadowClan will always be the dark heart of the forest. |
| — Blackstar about ShadowClan in Secrets of the Clans, page 55 |
Below contains in-depth information for the ShadowClan: Wily and Proud chapter of Secrets of the Clans. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the book, please check the main article.
Chapter description[]
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- Blackstar says that few are welcome on ShadowClan territory. He introduces ShadowClan as the Clan of cunning and cleverness—one that is familiar with the shadows and cold wind. Although other Clans may be faster or stronger, ShadowClan has the most dangerous warriors. They are ruthless when it comes to protecting their Clan, and refuse soft-hearted alliances.
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- ShadowClan is ambitious, aggressive, and greedy for more territory. Cats say that the cold wind chills ShadowClans' hearts, making them suspicious of others.
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- Their main prey is the frogs, lizards and snakes that live on their territory. ShadowClan also has a secret food source at the Twoleg dump, but they must be careful about infected rats or crow-food.
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- ShadowClan are skilled night hunters and are also good at stalking unseen through the undergrowth.
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- ShadowClan camp: Their camp is a dark hollow hidden in the shadows that is surrounded by sharp brambles.
- Carrionplace: An odorous place filled with rats and disease.
- Thunderpath tunnel: Allows ShadowClan to freely move across the feared Thunderpath, enhancing their reputation of strength and mystery.
- Burnt Sycamore: An ancient tree that was destroyed by lightning; now the place where apprentices are trained to hunt at night.
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- Boulder introduces himself, and says that he does not have a warrior name because he used to be a loner until Tigerstar wanted him to join ShadowClan. He explains that he originally was angry, but then realized that Tigerstar was right about many benefits of being a Clan cat. Boulder says that he likes ShadowClan's part of the forest, and he leads the reader through the brambles into the camp, adding that the cool ground helps keep prey fresh.
- Boulder points out that the leader sleeps under the roots of an oak tree, and the warriors' den is beneath a bramble bush. He says that the inside of the warriors' den is lined with moss and pine needles. The tom explains that the leader makes announcements on a boulder, and the medicine den is right next to it in a cave. There are holes in the ground for storing herbs, and sick cats can rest near the den as well. Boulder points out that the nursery is in a hollow that is shielded by a thornbush; he says that a new litter of kits was born recently. He tells the reader that although the frogs in the fresh-kill pile look unappetizing, their flesh tastes like a combination of fish and rabbits. Boulder concludes the tour, and states that even though the other Clans think ShadowClan cats are strange, they are still loyal warriors who should not be feared most of the time.
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- ShadowClan camp: Although their new camp is much closer to Twolegs, it is still hidden and difficult to attack.
- Twoleg nest: Two aggressive kittypets who should be avoided live here.
- Twoleg path: Twolegs trample up these paths during greenleaf.
- Greenleaf Twolegplace: Filled with Twolegs during greenleaf—they put up small dens and build fires here. However, they also leave behind food.
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- Tawnypelt introduces herself as a cat who found the lake, and she is surprised that Blackstar allowed a visitor. She says that she was originally worried by the new territory as the tree branches are higher and there is little undergrowth. The pool below the slope is used for water, and she asks the reader to follow her up some boulders for the view. She says that one can barely tell that there are cats beneath the brambles—ShadowClan will never be trampled by badgers like ThunderClan. Tawnypelt adds that they are the fiercest Clan, and every one of their cats would die to defend it. Even though she was not born a ShadowClan cat, she is happy to be one now. Tawnypelt continues that they still have fun—she and Smokepaw like to watch Twolegs splashing in the lake or in their boats. She then walks back into the camp, and points out the clear progression of dens—the warriors' den faces the entrance in case of trouble, the medicine den is in the corner, and Blackstar makes announcements from the branch above the leader's den. Tawnypelt concludes the tour, and advises the reader to not linger on ShadowClan territory and instead cross the stream to ThunderClan land.
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- Shadowstar: A black she-cat with green eyes and thick fur. She was ferociously independent and bold in battle. Shadowstar founded ShadowClan, and worked with the other leaders to develop the warrior code, although it is said that she spent the rest of her life complaining about it. She was the first leader to die, losing her ninth life in a battle she started.
- Raggedstar: A large dark brown tabby with ragged fur from fighting as a kit. He was proud and cunning, but failed to see Brokentail's bloodthirstiness until it was too late. Raggedstar defeated the Carrionplace rats, keeping them at bay for many moons. His deputies were Foxheart, Cloudpelt, and Brokentail; he mentored Clawface and Brokentail.
- Brokenstar: A long-haired dark brown tabby tom with a flat face and a bent tail. He was cold, murderous and cruel, and killed his father, Raggedstar. As leader, Brokenstar weakened ShadowClan by focusing on wars, apprenticing young kits, and forcing the Clan to eat crow-food. He was blinded and killed by his mother, Yellowfang. His deputy was Blackfoot, and he mentored Mosspaw and Volepaw, who both died mysteriously.
- Nightstar: A frail and elderly black tom. He became leader after Brokenstar was driven out, but failed to rebuild his Clan. Nightstar also did not receive nine lives from StarClan. He died from illness shortly after Cinderfur, which left ShadowClan as a target for Tigerstar. His deputy was Cinderfur, and he mentored Dawncloud.
- Tigerstar: A large dark brown tabby tom with long claws and amber eyes. Tigerstar was ambitious, charismatic, and a brilliant fighter. He was exiled from ThunderClan after an attempt to kill Bluestar, but eventually gained control of and quickly rebuilt ShadowClan. He joined with RiverClan to form TigerClan, and brought BloodClan into the forest. Tigerstar was killed by Blood, the leader of BloodClan.
- Blackstar: A large white tom with black paws. He is arrogant and defensive, and still feels gratitude and loyalty toward Tigerstar for bringing him back from exile. Blackstar led ShadowClan to the lake on the Great Journey. His deputy is Russetfur, and he mentored Tallpoppy.
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- Pebbleheart: A selfless and caring dark gray tabby tom. He worked tirelessly to help his Clanmates, and discovered that Carrionplace rats were a source of infection.
- Runningnose: A small gray-and-white tom who has a permanent sniffle. He is nervous and quiet, and also mentored Littlecloud.
- Littlecloud: A small brown tabby tom with blue eyes. He is compassionate and devoted to his role, and is also close friends with Cinderpelt. As a warrior, he asked for ThunderClan's help during an epidemic, and returned with a remedy that saved his Clan.
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- Yellowfang reflects upon giving birth to her kits and her relationship with Raggedstar. She begins that everything about it was wrong, and she kept the secret well: Raggedstar was the only one who knew, and he seemed too pleased by the news of her having kits.
- Yellowfang sneaks out of camp on the day her kits are coming, and she exhaustedly lies down by a dead tree, wanting the birth to end as soon as possible. The pain makes her too weak to even eat herbs, and at last, there are three kits: one is completely still, and of the other two, the tom angrily wails while the she-cat makes a small sound. Yellowfang licks the she-cat, but her breathing eventually stops. The surviving kit's face is already twisted with rage, and fear floods Yellowfang as she wonders if he was not meant to be born either. She then quells those thoughts as he is just a newborn kit, and she would make sure he became a fine warrior. Yellowfang buries the two she-cats and washes herself before entering the camp. When they arrive at the camp, Raggedstar is immediately excited upon seeing the kit, and they walk into the nursery.
- Lizardstripe is in the nursery, and she looks at Yellowfang with unfriendly eyes. She lays Brokenkit in front of Lizardstripe, and the queen regards the kit with disdain. Yellowfang wants to tell Raggedstar about everything, but the leader does not look at her. The kit swipes his paw at Raggedstar's nose, and he exclaims that his son is already a warrior. Yellowfang states that the mother wants to keep her identity hidden, and she wants Lizardstripe to take care of him. The queen snaps that it is not her job to take care of every unwanted kit. Raggedstar sharply replies that the kit is his son, and she should be honored. Lizardstripe ungraciously agrees. Yellowfang is uneasy as she wonders what kind of life he would have with a mother like Lizardstripe, and she says that his name is Brokenkit—although most cats would think it is because of his bent tail, it is actually for how she felt when she left him. Many thought that Foxheart, the deputy, was Brokenkit's mother, and she died shortly after from greencough. Cloudpelt, who succeeded Foxheart, also did not last long, and Brokentail was soon made deputy. Raggedstar no longer cared about Yellowfang and was blind to his son's violence. She continues that she realized her mistake even further as Brokentail gained power, and part of her still remembered him as a newborn kit. Yellowfang killed Brokentail, and eventually found a truer son, Fireheart.
Characters[]
Major[]
Minor[]
- Hopekit[4] (Unnamed)
- Wishkit[4] (Unnamed)
- Brokentail/Brokenstar/Brokenkit[4]
- Raggedstar[5]
- Lizardstripe[5]
- Deerkit[5] (Unnamed)
- Runningnose/Runningkit[5]
- Tanglekit[5] (Unnamed)
Mentioned[]
- Tigerstar[2]
- Jacques[6] (Unnamed)
- Susan[6] (Unnamed)
- Smokepaw[7]
- Littlecloud[8]
- Shadowstar[9]
- Thunder[9]
- Wind[9]
- River[9]
- Foxheart[9]
- Cloudpelt[9]
- Clawface[9]
- Mosspaw[10]
- Volepaw[10]
- Nightstar[10]
- Cinderfur[10]
- Dawncloud[10]
- Bluestar[11]
- Blood[11]
- Ravenpaw[11]
- Russetfur[11]
- Tallpoppy[11]
- Pebbleheart[11]
- Cinderpelt[11]
- Mudclaw[5]
- Fireheart[12]
Trivia[]
- A decent portion of "Yellowfang Speaks: A Thankless Kit" is used in chapter 25 of Yellowfang's Secret.[13]
Notes and references[]
- ↑ Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 55
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 57
- ↑ Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 60
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 67
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 69
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 59
- ↑ Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 61
- ↑ Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 62
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 63
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 64
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 65
- ↑ Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 71
- ↑ Revealed in Yellowfang's Secret, chapter 25
| Secrets of the Clans chapters | |
|---|---|
| History of the Clans • ThunderClan: Fierce and Brave • WindClan: Swift and Loyal • RiverClan: Strong and Clever • ShadowClan: Wily and Proud • StarClan • Beyond the Territories • Ceremonies • Breaking the Warrior Code • Prophecies and Omens • Medicine • Cats Outside the Clans • Other Animals • Mythology | |