| "There is only so much strength StarClan can give. But our ancestors have not forgotten us. The star brought a message of hope. [...] Not of rain, but of a great new dawn that awaits our Clan. In that ray of light, our warrior ancestors showed me the future, and it will be glorious! [...] We'll do more than survive. We shall rule the whole forest!" |
| — Runningnose of StarClan's sign in Rising Storm, pages 4-5 |
ShadowClan's Great Sickness,[6][7] also known as the Carrionplace sickness, was an epidemic caused by diseased rats from the Carrionplace that infected ShadowClan during Rising Storm and Tigerclaw's Fury. The sickness killed nearly half of the Clan,[8] and severely weakened ShadowClan, providing an opportunity for Tigerclaw to win their favor and seize leadership.
Summary[]
Premise[]
- "They carry a disease I've seen before in ShadowClan. It killed many cats last time. [...] It has no name. It comes from the rats that live on a Twoleg dump on the far side of ShadowClan territory. Surely the elders know those Twoleg rats carry sickness, and must never be taken as prey?"
- ―Yellowfang about the sickness Rising Storm, pages 93-94
- The Carrionplace, a Twoleg dump, resided on ShadowClan's territory in the forest. The pine-dwelling Clan typically left the area alone due to the vicious rats,[9][10] but they occasionally raided the area when prey was scarce.[11] However, the rats were known for carrying a highly infectious disease.[4] Nightstar, the leader of ShadowClan, was only granted one life instead of nine since the previous leader, Brokenstar, was still alive.[12] Tigerclaw, the former ThunderClan deputy, was exiled for his treachery against Bluestar and the Clan,[13] and he sought out his former rogue allies in his quest for revenge against Fireheart.[14]
Overview[]
- «[Runningnose] had been a medicine cat for many long moons, and yet he could only watch helplessly as the leader of his Clan was overpowerd by the sickness that had already claimed so many lives. He knew of no herb that would ease the cramps and fever this sickness brought, and his patchy gray fur bristled with frustration as the leader convulsed again and then fell exhausted into the moss-lined nest.»
- —Runningnose about the sickness Rising Storm, page 1
After StarClan refused to grant him nine lives, Nightpelt vowed to watch over ShadowClan until its rightful leader arrived
- Six moons after ShadowClan overthrew Brokenstar,[15] ShadowClan becomes plagued with the Carrionplace sickness from infected rats.[4][16] ShadowClan's medicine cat, Runningnose, is helpless against the sickness since there is no known cure. Nearly every cat falls ill, including Nightstar and his deputy Cinderfur,[17] and Runningnose divides his attention between asking as temporary deputy and treating his leader since he only has one life. With the Clan starving since hunting and border patrols are being neglected after Cinderfur dies and Nightstar does not name a successor, Littlecloud and Whitethroat flee to ThunderClan for sanctuary. However, Bluestar turns them away,[4] though ThunderClan's young medicine cat Cinderpelt treats them beyond ThunderClan's border and successfully finds a cure for the sickness.[18] Littlecloud brings the herb mixture back to ShadowClan.[19] With his Clan dying of the disease, Runningnose receives a sign from StarClan that they will survive the illness, but it will come at a great cost.[20] Meanwhile, Tigerclaw and the exiled ShadowClan warriors provide prey and security for ShadowClan while they recover,[17] and Tigerclaw slowly wins over their loyalty and dedication for his own gain.[21][22][23] After Nightstar dies, Runningnose steps in as temporary leader,[22] until he finds a sign from StarClan signifying Tigerclaw should be their leader.[3]
Description[]
A plea to help[]
- "[Nightstar] got worse when he returned to the camp. Runningnose was with him all night. He won't leave Nightstar's side. He let a kit die at its mother's belly without even a poppy seed to ease its journey to StarClan! We are afraid that he'll let us die too. Please help us!"
- ―Littlecloud to Fireheart and ThunderClan Rising Storm, page 93
The sickness came from infected rats from the Carrionplace, a Twoleg dump on the edge of ShadowClan's territory
- An apprentice accidentally brings back an infected rat from the Carrionplace, not realizing it was infected with a deadly disease.[4] The rats in the Carrionplace begin to die off, demonstrating the first sign of the illness.[16] The sickness spreads to the rest of ShadowClan, causing a widespread epidemic in ShadowClan.[4] ShadowClan's warriors quickly fell ill and were unable to properly hunt, resulting in more cats becoming weaker and falling sick.[24] Cinderfur, ShadowClan's deputy, is one of the first to die.[5] Runningnose, ShadowClan's sole medicine cat, worries over Nightstar, since his Clan leader only has one life, and his inability to properly treat the illness causes others in his Clan to die. Two young warriors, Littlecloud and Whitethroat, venture to ThunderClan to beg for help, but Yellowfang convinces Bluestar to turn them away to avoid the infection.[4] However, Cinderpelt, ThunderClan's young medicine cat, takes pity on them and offers the two ShadowClan warriors shelter in an ancient oak near the edge of ThunderClan's border.[25] She manages to discover the right combination of herbs to cure their illness, and Fireheart agrees to let them stay until they recover.[18] However, Fireheart later interprets a warning from Spottedleaf that the ShadowClan cats must leave.[26] Whitethroat and Littlecloud return to ShadowClan with Cinderpelt's herb mixture,[19] but rumors began to circulate about them seeking shelter in ThunderClan during the height of the sickness.[21]
- In the midst of the death and despair, Runningnose receives a sign from StarClan: a beam of light shining from a star signifying ShadowClan's survival from the sickness. ShadowClan's future will be great, but an owl blocks out the starlight, and the medicine cat realizes that his Clan will pay a heavy price for their new dawn.[20]
The exiles[]
- «There weren't enough healthy cats to organize regular hunting or border patrols, as he and the others had noticed from the other side of the boundary. He felt a stir of curiosity in his belly. A sick, elderly leader, no deputy, a medicine cat run ragged trying to treat the illness that ravaged his Clanmates...ShadowClan was sinking faster than a stone in a river.»
- —Tigerclaw's thoughts about ShadowClan Tigerclaw's Fury, chapter 4
Cinderfur, ShadowClan's deputy, was one of the first to fall ill and die from the Carrionplace sickness
- While living in exile not far from ShadowClan's territory, Tigerclaw is convinced to help ShadowClan with the sickness after hearing reports from Blackfoot and Tangleburr and receiving a dream about shadows helping him defeat ThunderClan.[24] Tigerclaw convinces a ShadowClan patrol to let him help catch prey for the Clan, and he and his cats are horrified of the state of ShadowClan when they arrive in their camp the next day with prey. They meet with Nightstar and Runningnose, the latter explaining that their deputy Cinderfur had died and Nightstar has yet to name his successor. The ShadowClan leader thanks the rogues for their generosity, and Tigerclaw offers for him and his cats to continue hunting and patrolling for the Clan until they all recover.[17] ShadowClan's warriors soon recover from the worse of the illness thanks to the herbs Littlecloud brought back from Cinderpelt,[19] with the exception of Nightstar.[21]
Nightstar's death and the new leader[]
- "It's a claw! Here, at the bottom of the rock. Has any cat lost a claw today? Look. The moon has cast shadows on it. Not shadows, stripes. Stripes like a tiger's pelt."
- ―Runningnose to ShadowClan Tigerclaw's Fury, page 94
- Nightstar eventually succumbs to the sickness, only having one life instead of nine. Tigerclaw urges Runningnose to take temporary leadership until they receive a sign from StarClan. With the brunt of the sickness over, Runningnose urges his Clanmates to resume patrols and battle training, assigning the latter task to Tigerclaw.[22] As thanks, Runningnose allows Tigerclaw and his rogues to officially join ShadowClan.[23] Three days after the fire in ThunderClan's territory, Runningnose expresses his worries to Tigerclaw about the upcoming Gathering since ShadowClan still does not have a leader, but the former ThunderClan deputy urges him to have faith.[27] The day before the Gathering, Runningnose notices a claw at the bottom of the Clanrock with the moon casting striped shadows on it. The medicine cat declares this to be a sign from StarClan signifying Tigerclaw as their new leader. Tigerclaw accepts Runningnose's offer, though later learns that his ally Jaggedtooth faked the sign by ripping out one of his own claws.[3]
Cats who were infected[]
- Nightstar[28] (Died)
- Cinderfur[29] (Died)
- Whitethroat[30] (Recovered)
- Littlecloud[30] (Recovered)
- Wolfstep[16]
- Fernshade[16] (Recovered)
- Russetfur[16] (Recovered)
- Rowanberry[17] (Recovered)
- Dawncloud[17] (Recovered)
- Flintfang[17]
- Boulder[17] (Recovered)
- Deerfoot[17] (Recovered)
- Wetfoot[21]
- Darkflower[21] (Recovered)
- Applefur[21] (Recovered)
- Ratscar[21] (Recovered)
- Tallpoppy[23] (Recovered)
- Brownpaw[31]
- Oakpaw[21] (Recovered)
- Rowanpaw[3] (Recovered)
- Cedarpaw[21] (Recovered)
- Three unnamed kits[32] (Died)
- Unnamed cat[32] (Died)
- Unnamed kit[28] (Died)
- Additional unknown number of deaths[2]
Aftermath[]
- "Not mad at all. The sickness almost destroyed the ShadowClan cats. They were desperate for a strong leader. Tigerstar must have seemed like a gift from StarClan."
- ―Whitestorm to ThunderClan about Tigerstar's leadership A Dangerous Path, page 18
Tigerstar became ShadowClan's next leader, though ShadowClan was not aware of his treachery in ThunderClan.
- Tigerstar introduces himself as ShadowClan's newest leader at the Gathering, reporting on how the sickness killed Nightstar, Cinderfur, and several others. Despite this, ShadowClan is thriving under Tigerstar's leadership, though Runningnose holds some doubts.[33][19] On the way to the half-moon meeting, Runningnose tells Fireheart the truth about Nightstar's lack of nine lives and how StarClan sent Tigerstar as their destined leader.[19] Tigerstar becoming ShadowClan's savior allowed him to use ShadowClan in his future schemes, such as plotting ThunderClan's demise with the dog pack,[34] creating TigerClan with Leopardstar,[35] and joining with BloodClan to rule the forest, which would later lead to his own downfall by Scourge's claws.[36]
- Tigerstar's deputy, Blackfoot, later realizes during his leadership ceremony that Tigerstar never cared for ShadowClan during the sickness, as he only wanted their loyalty when he became their leader following Nightstar's death.[37] Littlecloud also decides to train under Runningnose as a medicine cat apprentice after being inspired by Cinderpelt's kindness and talent for healing.[19]
- During the destruction of the forest, ShadowClan plans to rely on rats on the Carrionplace to survive the prey shortage, though Cinderpelt and Littlecloud object due to the previous illness. Blackstar reasons that the sickness was punishment by StarClan because of Nightstar's improper leadership.[8] Littlecloud later prepares the herb mixture in case any warriors fall ill with the sickness again.[38]
Characters[]
Runningnose[]
Runningnose took the mantle of leader, deputy, and medicine cat while Nightstar was gravely ill with the sickness
- "My Clanmates are terrified of being leaderless. There is no deputy to take over from Nightstar, and StarClan has sent us no sign of what should happen next. How can I blame these cats if they feel that their ancestors have abandoned them? What if we never recover from what Brokenstar did to us? The wounds run so deep, and nothing I can do will heal them."
- ―Runningnose to Tigerstar after Nightstar's death Tigerclaw's Fury, page 71
Nightstar[]
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Nightstar's death provided an opportunity for Tigerclaw to claim leadership
- «The Clan belongs to me now, Nightstar. Watch how I make it strong again, feared and respected throughout all the forest.»
- —Tigerclaw's thoughts about ShadowClan Tigerclaw's Fury, page 81
Tigerclaw[]
- «[Tigerclaw] didn't care if every ShadowClan cat got sick and died. For now, he had an entire Clan in his debt, and that could only work in his favor.»
- —Tigerclaw's thoughts about ShadowClan Tigerclaw's Fury, chapter 4
Tigerclaw helped ShadowClan through the sickness to gain their favor
- Formerly ThunderClan's deputy, Tigerclaw was exiled from his Clan after his failed attempt to kill Bluestar and succeed her as leader. While initially hesitant to help ShadowClan during the sickness,[24] Tigerclaw realized ShadowClan's faltering leadership and weakened state could assist in his quest for revenge against Fireheart and ThunderClan. The former ThunderClan cat earned their loyalty and respect by providing fresh-kill and leading border patrols while the ShadowClan cats recovered from the sickness.[17][21] However, Tigerclaw himself did not care about their well-being and feigned his concern for the ShadowClan cats.[17][37] Tigerclaw became a frequent advisor to Runningnose after Nightstar passed away and urged him to listen to their ancestors for a sign who should be their new leader.[22] When Jaggedtooth faked a sign signifying that Tigerclaw should be the new leader, ShadowClan readily supported him after everything he did for them during the sickness.[3] Tigerstar led ShadowClan through an era of prosperity,[19] though his treacheries against the Clans would soon redefine his heroics.[37]
Littlecloud and Whitethroat[]
- "I can't imagine two frightened cats trying to escape from a Clan that was dying around them."
- ―Clawface to Tigerclaw about Whitethroat and Littlecloud Tigerclaw's Fury, chapter 5
Littlecloud and Whitethroat sought shelter in ThunderClan, where Cinderpelt cared for them until they recovered
- Littlecloud and Whitethroat were young ShadowClan warriors who grew up during Brokenstar's leadership. Realizing they had no hope of recovering while Runningnose focused on tending to Nightstar, the two young toms ventured to ThunderClan to beg for help and treatment. However, they were turned away out of fear of spreading the sickness,[4] though Cinderpelt took sympathy on them and successfully treated their illness while they hid beyond ThunderClan territory.[18] After Fireheart made them leave after the two warriors recovered,[26] Littlecloud provided the cure to Runningnose for the sick cats.[19] However, their Clanmates began to suspect them of disloyalty for fleeing their Clan during the height of the sickness.[21] Whitethroat was eventually killed on the Thunderpath after a ShadowClan patrol invaded ThunderClan's territory,[44] and Littlecloud decided to train as Runningnose's apprentice to become a medicine cat after being inspired by Cinderpelt's kindness.[19]
Quotes[]
- «Murmurs of relief flickered through the cats, the first purrs that had been heard in the camp for nearly a moon. But the medicine cat turned his head away to hide his trembling whiskers. He prayed that the Clan would not ask again about the owl. He dared not share the dreadful warning StarClan had added when the bird's wing had obscured the star—that their Clan would pay the highest possible price for their great new dawn.»
- —Runningnose's thoughts about StarClan's signs Rising Storm, page 5
- Blackfoot: "We met Dawncloud and Rowanberry hunting on their own. There is a terrible sickness in ShadowClan, and almost every warrior has been affected. Without hunting patrols, the whole Clan is starving."
- Tangleburr: "The sickness came from the rats at the Carrionplace. Runningnose is doing everything he can, but there are too many infected cats."
- Tigerclaw's Fury, page 36
- Boulder: "No cat has escaped the sickness. If you don't want to risk getting infected, you should turn back now."
- Tigerclaw: "We are not afraid to deliver help."
- Tigerclaw's Fury, page 45
- "When we were ill, you knew just what to do. And then you gave us healing herbs to take back to the Clan—and they worked! I want to do more stuff like that."
- ―Littlecloud to Cinderpelt A Dangerous Path, page 55
- Blackfoot: "Tigerstar didn't care about the sick ShadowClan cats, did he? He just wanted you to make him the next deputy, so that they would accept him as their leader when you died."
- Nightstar: "He fooled me, too. But what matters now is that you cared about the ShadowClan cats. You weren't looking for revenge or some advantage over ShadowClan; you only wanted to help your Clanmates."
- Blackfoot's Reckoning, page 333
- Blackstar: "We have no reason to fear leaf-bare. We can always eat rats from Carrionplace."
- Cinderpelt: "Have you forgotten what happened last time you tried that? Half your Clan died from the sickness."
- Moonrise, page 45
Trivia[]
Mistakes[]
- Littlecloud said that an apprentice brought the infected rat that caused the sickness,[45] but in Tigerclaw's Fury, Cinderfur is said to have brought the infected rat.[17]
- In A Dangerous Path, Littlecloud explains how Whitethroat mysteriously died when he refused to return to ShadowClan's camp after Fireheart made them leave,[46] but in Tigerclaw's Fury, Whitethroat returns to ShadowClan and Tigerclaw explains to ShadowClan how Fireheart killed him on the Thunderpath.[44]
- Despite being killed by Graystripe in Fire and Ice,[47] Clawface appears in Tigerclaw's Fury, which takes place during Forest of Secrets and Rising Storm[48] and helps ShadowClan out during the sickness.[17] This is fixed in Blackfoot's Reckoning's version of the same events.[49][16]
Interesting facts[]
- It is possible that Volewhisper died during ShadowClan's Great Sickness, as while he returned to ShadowClan following Brokenstar's exile,[50] Blackfoot remembered him as Volepaw, believing the ruse that Runningnose and Clawface told the Clan that he died by an infected rat bite.[51][52][53]
- Hollyflower, Archeye, Crowtail, Featherstorm and Brightflower are also shown alive and returning to camp in Exile from ShadowClan,[54] but are absent when Tigerclaw and his rogues return to the camp in Tigerclaw's Fury,[21] and are in StarClan when Tigerclaw gets his nine lives in The Ultimate Guide: Updated and Expanded Edition,[55] suggesting that they, too, possibly died during ShadowClan's Great Sickness.
Continuity[]
The following information is from sources considered non-canon, retconned, or from adapted material.
- In Secrets of the Clans, a 2007 field guide, ShadowClan's first medicine cat, Pebble Heart, was the first to discover the rats from the Carrionplace as the source of the sickness, but he later died from it.[56]
- In Su Susann's "Missing Kits" on Vicky's Facebook, Brownpaw, a ShadowClan apprentice, Lavenderkit, and Cinderfur and Ashheart's litter—Rubblekit, Quietkit, and Turtlekit—died of the Carrionplace sickness.[57][58][59]
External links[]
See also[]
Notes and references[]
- ↑ Revealed in Rising Storm, chapter 1
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Revealed in Rising Storm, page 1
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Revealed in Tigerclaw's Fury, chapter 10
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Revealed in Rising Storm, chapter 8
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Revealed in Rising Storm, chapter 30
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Revealed in Cats of the Clans, page 42
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Revealed in The Ultimate Guide, page 66
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Revealed in Moonrise, chapter 4
- ↑ Revealed in Shadowstar's Life, chapter 4
- ↑ Revealed in Yellowfang's Secret, chapter 4
- ↑ Revealed in Yellowfang's Secret, chapter 8
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Revealed in Exile from ShadowClan, pages 197-201
- ↑ Revealed in Forest of Secrets, chapter 28
- ↑ Revealed in Tigerclaw's Fury, chapter 2
- ↑ Revealed in Rising Storm, page 4
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 16.6 Revealed in Blackfoot's Reckoning, chapter 9
- ↑ 17.00 17.01 17.02 17.03 17.04 17.05 17.06 17.07 17.08 17.09 17.10 17.11 17.12 17.13 17.14 Revealed in Tigerclaw's Fury, chapter 4
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Revealed in Rising Storm, chapter 11
- ↑ 19.00 19.01 19.02 19.03 19.04 19.05 19.06 19.07 19.08 19.09 19.10 Revealed in A Dangerous Path, chapter 5
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Revealed in Rising Storm, pages 2-5
- ↑ 21.00 21.01 21.02 21.03 21.04 21.05 21.06 21.07 21.08 21.09 21.10 21.11 Revealed in Tigerclaw's Fury, chapter 5
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 Revealed in Tigerclaw's Fury, chapter 7
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 Revealed in Tigerclaw's Fury, chapter 8
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 Revealed in Tigerclaw's Fury, chapter 3
- ↑ Revealed in Rising Storm, chapter 10
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 Revealed in Rising Storm, chapter 13
- ↑ Revealed in Tigerclaw's Fury, chapter 9
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 Revealed in Rising Storm, page 93
- ↑ Revealed in Rising Storm, page 313
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 Revealed in Rising Storm, page 91
- ↑ Revealed in Rising Storm, allegiances
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 Revealed in Rising Storm, page 3
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 Revealed in A Dangerous Path, chapter 1
- ↑ Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, page 78
- ↑ Revealed in Leopardstar's Honor, chapter 30
- ↑ Revealed in Leopardstar's Honor, chapter 35
- ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 Revealed in Blackfoot's Reckoning, chapter 10
- ↑ Revealed in Moonrise, chapter 13
- ↑ Revealed in Rising Storm, pages 1-5
- ↑ Revealed in Yellowfang's Secret, chapter 37
- ↑ Revealed in Exile from ShadowClan, page 141
- ↑ Revealed in Exile from ShadowClan, pages 187-189
- ↑ Revealed in Exile from ShadowClan, page 204
- ↑ 44.0 44.1 Revealed in Tigerclaw's Fury, chapter 6
- ↑ Revealed in Rising Storm, page 94
- ↑ Revealed in A Dangerous Path, pages 55-56
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 266
- ↑ Revealed in Tigerclaw's Fury, chapter 1
- ↑ Revealed in Blackfoot's Reckoning, chapter 7
- ↑ Revealed in Exile from ShadowClan, page 184
- ↑ Revealed in Yellowfang's Secret, page 469
- ↑ Revealed in Blackfoot's Reckoning, chapter 4
- ↑ Revealed in Exile from ShadowClan, page 101
- ↑ Revealed in Exile from ShadowClan, page 183
- ↑ Revealed in The Ultimate Guide: Updated and Expanded Edition, page 108
- ↑ Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, pages 65-66
- ↑ Revealed on Vicky's Facebook
- ↑ Revealed on Vicky's Facebook
- ↑ Revealed on Vicky's Facebook
