Shellheart

"If you insist on Hailstar going ahead with the renaming ceremony then we are no longer mates. I will never share a den or piece of fresh-kill with you again."

— Shellheart to Rainflower in Crookedstar's Promise, page 53

Shellheart
The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation.
Affiliations
Current:	StarClan
Past:	RiverClan
Biographical information
Cause of death:	Painful lump in stomach
Names
Kit:	Unknown
Deputy:	Shellheart
Elder:	Shellheart
StarClan resident:	Shellheart
Kin
Mother:	Willownose
Former mate:	Rainflower
Sons:	Oakheart, Crookedstar
Education
Apprentice:	Oakheart
Deputy position
Succeeded by:	Crookedjaw
Book appearances
Living	Tallstar's Revenge, Yellowfang's Secret, Crookedstar's Promise, Bluestar's Prophecy, Leopardstar's Honor, Redtail's Debt
Living	Tallstar's Revenge, Yellowfang's Secret, Crookedstar's Promise, Bluestar's Prophecy, Leopardstar's Honor, Redtail's Debt
Dead	Crookedstar's Promise
Dead	Crookedstar's Promise

Shellheart is a dappled gray tom with graying whiskers.

Shellheart was a RiverClan elder under Hailstar's leadership in the forest territories. He was born to Willownose and was the grandson of Appledusk. Shellheart and his mate, Rainflower, had two kits, Oakkit and Stormkit. Though when Stormkit broke his jaw, Rainflower began to neglect him, causing Shellheart to break up with her after she cruelly told Hailstar to rename Stormkit to Crookedkit. Shellheart defended his son from her and also became a mentor to Oakpaw, under Rainflower's wishes. When Rainflower died, Shellheart was distraught, having still loved her despite being able to recognize the abuse she put Crookedjaw through. Feeling his age and having a painful lump in his stomach, he retired to the elders' den, with Crookedjaw taking his place as deputy. Shellheart eventually succumbed to the pain and joined StarClan, giving Crookedstar one of his nine lives.

History

In the Super Editions

Tallstar's Revenge

Shellheart is RiverClan's deputy under Hailstar's leadership. When Talltail and Barkface visit RiverClan to retrieve sweet-sedge, Shellheart is shown sitting on the arching root of a willow, watching through narrowed eyes.

Crookedstar's Promise

"No warrior wants to feel like he can't help his Clan."

―Shellheart to Mudfur ^{Crookedstar's Promise, page 372}

During the flooding of the camp, Hailstar asks for Shellheart's opinion on what to do. He replies that the water is rising fast and will reach the elders' den soon. At this point, Hailstar announces that they must evacuate. A warrior, Brightsky, who is trying to keep the nests together, argues, but when Shellheart states that together they can rebuild anything except for cats who have drowned to save bits of twig, Brightsky reluctantly agrees. Just as they're about to leave, he asks where Rainflower is, and she answers, coming along with Brambleberry. Shellheart narrows his eyes, asking if she was beginning to kit, to which Brambleberry replies that she doesn't know. Rainflower tells him to go help Hailstar, and he turns away, worried for his mate and unborn kits.

Soon, Rainflower begins to kit, and Shellheart carries her up to a wide branch of an old oak tree. There, Rainflower begins to give birth, and Brambleberry asks him if he can go back to get her herbs. He nods, but comes back with nothing, as the water had already flooded the medicine den, destroying Brambleberry's store. The first kit comes out, and Brambleberry hands it to Shellheart cautiously. The second kit is soon born as well, and Rainflower names them Oakkit, after the tree they sheltered in, and Stormkit, after the storm they were born in. They both admire them, and Shellheart states that kits born in a tough storm are destined to be great warriors, and it's a shame they can't both be leaders of RiverClan.

Shellheart is later seen with Ottersplash gathering stems to rebuild the camp. After Stormkit is knocked out of a tree by a magpie, Hailstar tells him that it wouldn't have happened if he had stayed in the clearing. He is amused by this and calls to Shellheart. Shellheart arrives and notices that it is about Stormkit. He assumes that his son has done something else troublesome and asks if everything's okay. Hailstar then tells him that Stormkit will be a brave warrior if he doesn't drown himself before he begins his training. Shellheart suggests they do something about the magpie, as it's becoming very bold. Shellheart asks if they should drive it off or catch it, and Hailstar responds by saying that they should kill it, due to lack of fish. Shellheart immediately wants to send out a patrol to catch the magpie, but Hailstar tells him to wait until Rippleclaw's patrol returns.

When Rippleclaw returns with news of ThunderClan taking Sunningrocks, Shellheart growls and climbs the branch to see Pinestar has stretched out on the rocks as if it's his own territory. He then scrambles down and asks if they're going to let ThunderClan stay there. Stormkit says that they could win, but Shellheart snaps his head around and hushes his son. Stormkit once again tries to argue, but Shellheart brushes him off, telling him that he's too young for this debate. Through arguments, Hailstar finally decides that they won't fight. However, he sends Shellheart, Rippleclaw, Ottersplash, and Brightsky to Sunningrocks not to fight, but to warn ThunderClan that Sunningrocks belong to RiverClan. Shellheart digs his claws into the ground, stating that they'll certainly get the message. He and his patrol swim to Sunningrocks, and Shellheart growls that they're on RiverClan's territory. Sunfall, the ThunderClan deputy, steps forward and challenges him to force them to leave. Shellheart calmly replies that it is not a battle worth fighting yet and conveys the rest of the message to Pinestar and Sunfall. Rippleclaw starts to get aggressive, but Shellheart warns him and ends by saying they'll take the rocks back when they want them back.

Just before Stormkit and Oakkit sneak out of camp, he and Hailstar are seen beside a tree, heads dipped in conversation. After Stormkit breaks his jaw, he is later let out of the medicine den, and Oakkit says that Shellheart had sat with him night after night. Shellheart pokes his nose into the nursery and asks how he was doing. Stormkit informs him that he had his own nest now, and Rainflower insists on Stormkit sleeping in his own nest and wants to rename him Crookedkit. Shellheart gets furious at her because of this and calls her heartless. Then, he declares that if she names him Crookedkit, they would no longer be mates, and that he would never share a den or a piece of fresh-kill with her ever again. When Stormkit says that he would sleep in his own nest and get his name changed to stop their fighting, Shellheart replies that their fighting was Rainflower's fault, not Stormkit's.

During Oakheart's warrior ceremony, Rainflower tells him that Crookedpaw would never be as great as him. Shellheart gets angry at her and defends Crookedpaw by demanding why she can't keep her thoughts to herself, just once.

Later on, he is selected on a patrol along with Owlfur, Echomist, Timberfur, Softwing, Rippleclaw, Whitefang, Crookedjaw, Oakheart, and Voleclaw to remark the boundaries at Sunningrocks.

When Rainflower dies, Shellheart sees her body and is absolutely devastated by her death. Crookedjaw realizes that although Shellheart never understood how she could be so heartless to Crookedjaw, he never stopped loving her, even when she was cruel to their son. He also notices that his father suddenly looked older in that moment.

After Mudfur announces that he wishes to become a medicine cat, Shellheart tells the Clan that he wants to step down from his position and become an elder. Crookedjaw is named his successor.

Brambleberry tells Crookedjaw that Shellheart is suffering from a painful lump in his belly that has never been survived by any warrior that has had it. Later, Crookedjaw visits him after the Gathering. Shellheart tells his son how proud he is of him and how proud Rainflower would have been.

Two moons later, Shellheart dies. As Crookedjaw is sitting by the river, he tells Willowbreeze that he liked to sit there and watch the river and says that maybe Shellheart's spirit still came there to fish. When Willowbreeze says he has the warm waters of StarClan, Crookedjaw wonders if he'd miss his old river. Willowbreeze says that she's sure he's watching from StarClan, wanting to see what his sons are up to.

When Crookedjaw is receiving his nine lives, he is the one who gives Crookedjaw his ninth life, along with the gift of loyalty, after which stating that if he'd known about Mapleshade, he would've guided Crookedjaw better during his life. Upon his son's death, Shellheart greets him in StarClan.

Bluestar's Prophecy

"More prey for RiverClan, less for ThunderClan. Now stop fussing and keep moving."

―Shellheart while his patrol is invading ThunderClan territory ^{Bluestar's Prophecy, page 297}

Shellheart is on the patrol that scouts inside of ThunderClan's territory, stating that it was more prey for RiverClan and less for ThunderClan. When he smells fresh ThunderClan scent, his patrol stops at the flick of his tail. He is attacked by Stormtail in the battle against ThunderClan. He yowls at his Clanmates to fight. Shellheart is attacked by Bluefur, though he manages to throw her off, wrenching her forepaw. He tells his Clan to retreat, then states that the rocks are still theirs.

Leopardstar's Honor

Leopardpaw points out her early start with Loudpaw and Sedgepaw in the morning, having already been hunting by the time Shellheart had started assigning daily tasks. Some moons later, Leopardfur notices Crookedjaw with Hailstar and notes how the tabby had become deputy after his father's retirement and how the dappled tom had passed away not long after.

In the Novellas

Mapleshade's Vengeance

Although unnamed, Reedshine mentions how Appledusk will live on through his kits' kits, then their kits in turn. Mapleshade promises to watch over all of Reedshine and Appledusk's kin and punish each one. She thinks of how for all eternity, their kin will mourn the day Appledusk destroyed her life.

In the Field Guides

The Ultimate Guide

It is mentioned on Crookedstar's page that when Shellheart retired from Clan deputy, an omen from the fresh-kill pile predicted that his son, Crookedjaw, should take his place.

Character pixels

Main images

The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation. Kit Version Deputy Version Elder Version StarClan Version

Alternate images

The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation. Alternative StarClan Version

Official art

Please do not edit this gallery Shellheart in Crookedstar's Promise Shellheart's icon on the Warriors family tree

Ceremonies

Shellheart's elder ceremony

Hailstar: Shellheart, RiverClan thanks you for your loyalty and wisdom. You have never flinched from your duty or shown anything but courage. You've served your Clan well and we wish you peace and comfort in the elders' den. You have earned a long rest. [...] I hope you will share your stories with all of us and with the kits yet to be born. We still have much to learn from you. Everyone: Shellheart! Shellheart! Reference: Crookedstar's Promise, pages 387-388

Lives granted

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

Lives granted
Gift Receiver Loyalty Crookedstar

Kin

Members

Mother:

Willownose: Deceased, verified StarClan member

Former mate:

Rainflower: Deceased, verified StarClan member

Sons:

Oakheart: Deceased, verified StarClan member

Crookedstar: Deceased, verified StarClan member

See more

Aunts/Uncles:

Applefrost: Deceased, verified StarClan member

Shyheart: Deceased, verified StarClan member

Half-aunt:

Petalkit: Deceased, verified StarClan member

Half-uncles:

Larchkit: Deceased, verified StarClan member

Patchkit: Deceased, verified StarClan member

Grandfather:

Appledusk: Deceased, verified StarClan member

Grandmother:

Reedshine: Deceased, verified StarClan member

Grandson:

Stonefur: Deceased, verified StarClan member

Granddaughters:

Mistystar: Deceased, verified StarClan member

Mosskit: Deceased, verified StarClan member

Willowkit: Deceased, verified StarClan member

Minnowkit: Deceased, verified StarClan member

Silverstream: Deceased, verified StarClan member

Great-grandsons:

Reedwhisker: Deceased, verified StarClan member

Perchkit: Deceased, verified StarClan member

Stormfur: Living (As of Graystripe's Vow)

Pikepaw: Deceased, verified StarClan member

Great-granddaughters:

Primrosepaw: Deceased, verified StarClan member

Feathertail: Deceased, verified the Tribe of Endless Hunting and StarClan member

Great-great-grandsons:

Pine That Clings to Rock: Living (As of Graystripe's Vow)

Feather of Flying Hawk: Living (As of Graystripe's Vow)

Great-great-granddaughters:

Lark That Sings at Dawn: Living (As of Graystripe's Vow)

Breeze That Rustles the Leaves: Living (As of Graystripe's Vow)

Tree

Mapleshade ♀

Appledusk ♂

Reedshine ♀

Larchkit ♂

Petalkit ♀

Patchkit ♂

Willownose ♀

Applefrost

Shyheart

See more

Rainflower ♀

Shellheart ♂

See more

Willowbreeze ♀

Crookedstar ♂

Oakheart ♂

Bluestar ♀

Willowkit ♀

Silverstream ♀

Minnowkit ♀

Mistystar ♀

Stonefur ♂

Mosskit ♀

Feathertail ♀

Stormfur ♂

Reedwhisker ♂

Primrosepaw ♀

Pikepaw ♂

Perchkit ♂

Lark ♀

Pine ♂

Breeze ♀

Feather ♂

    = Tom

    = She-cat

    = Gender unknown

Appearances

• Mapleshade's Vengeance (Indirect mention only)
• Tallstar's Revenge
• Yellowfang's Secret (Allegiance only)
• Crookedstar's Promise †
• Bluestar's Prophecy (First appearance)
• Leopardstar's Honor
• Redtail's Debt (Allegiance only)
• The Ultimate Guide (Mentioned only)

Trivia

Interesting facts

• Shellheart mentored his own son despite close kin not normally mentoring kin, though he wouldn't have if Rainflower didn't ask Hailstar.

Mistakes

• Shellheart has mistakenly been called a she-cat.
• Shellheart has been mistakenly said to have been Crookedstar's mentor.
• Shellheart is mistakenly depicted as a tabby.

Author statements

• James Barry confirmed that Shellheart appears in the comic of Crookedstar's Promise to greet Crookedstar into StarClan.

Continuity

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

• On Vicky's Facebook, Shellheart has green eyes.

Quotes

Shellheart: "You're on RiverClan territory."

Sunfall: "Make us leave, then."

^{Crookedstar's Promise, page 22}

"He's going to be a great warrior, like Shellheart."

―Crookedkit saying Shellheart is a great warrior ^{Crookedstar's Promise, page 60}

"Shellheart, RiverClan thanks you for your loyalty and wisdom. You have never flinched from your duty or shown anything but courage. You have served your Clan well and we wish you peace and comfort in the elder's den. You have earned a long rest."

―Hailstar to Shellheart ^{Crookedstar's Promise, pages 387-388}

Crookedjaw: "Perhaps his spirit still come here to fish."

Willowbreeze: "Even when he's got the warm rivers of StarClan?"

^{Crookedstar's Promise, page 405}

External links

• Which Warrior is Worthy? on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
• The Best Fathers a Cat Could Have on the Warriors official website (backup link)
• Which Warrior is Worthy - The Return on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
• Best of the Worst on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
• Clan or Kin? on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
• More Than Life Itself on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
• Exclusive! Leopardstar's Honor: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link)

Notes and references

Author references