| "We have to do something! StarClan can't really want us to turn our backs on one another. If Bramblestar wants to banish cats, I say we should banish him!" |
| — Stemleaf at the secret meeting in The Silent Thaw, page 226 |
Stemleaf is a sleek,[10] white-and-orange tom[11] with green eyes[12] and a torn ear.[13]
Stemleaf was a ThunderClan warrior under Bramblestar's and the impostor's leaderships in the lake territories. He was born as Stemkit to Thornclaw and Blossomfall alongside his littermates, Plumkit, Eaglekit, and Shellkit. He was apprenticed as Stempaw to Rosepetal, and he grew close with his fellow apprentice Spotpaw. After becoming a warrior, Stemleaf fell in love with Spotfur, and he politely declined to be mates with Bristlefrost, who had a crush on him. When Bramblestar revived and began punishing codebreakers, Stemleaf and Spotfur organized a secret meeting of rebel cats in order to overthrow him. However, Stemleaf was killed in a skirmish against the impostor, causing him to become a ghost, unable to find StarClan. Spotfur became pregnant with his kits, but she struggled to find happiness without him. When the Sisters attempted to summon the spirits, Stemleaf was among them, and appeared to be in pain. Stemleaf's spirit was sent to the Dark Forest under Ashfur's control, and he was forced to fight for the dark warrior. After breaking free of Ashfur's control, Stemleaf learned of Spotfur's pregnancy with his kits, and his renewed hope gave him the strength to fight against Ashfur in the final battle. He joined StarClan after, and Spotfur later gave birth to their three kits, Bristlekit, Stemkit, and Graykit.
History[]
Looking for a longer overview? Find one here!
A Vision of Shadows[]
- "Will Graystripe tell us stories?"
- ―Stemkit to Alderheart River of Fire, chapter 12
The Broken Code[]
- "We have to have faith in our Clanmates. They'll recognize the truth when they hear it, just like Squirrelflight did. And the more Clans that know the truth, the less power he'll have."
- ―Stemleaf to Sneezecloud about Bramblestar's impostor The Silent Thaw, page 239
- He becomes a ghost, sorrowfully watching over Spotfur and the other Clan cats, unable to ascend to StarClan. Spotfur wallows in her grief; she learns she is pregnant with his kits, and questions whether or not to keep them since Stemleaf is gone. Bristlefrost promises to help Spotfur raise her kits, and Spotfur finds her peace after the Sisters perform a welcoming ceremony for her unborn kits. However, when the Sisters summon the spirits around the lake, Stemleaf's ghost and the others are aggressive, petrified and in pain, and Rootspring and the others worry what is happening with them. Stemleaf, along with other spirits of the dead, are imprisoned in the Dark Forest by Ashfur, under the former StarClan cat's control. Bristlefrost, Shadowsight, and Rootspring manage to save him from Ashfur's control, and learn that hope and strong emotions can break Ashfur's willpower over the spirit cats. Stemleaf finds renewed hope after learning that Spotfur is expecting his kits, and he fights alongside the Lights in the Mist to defeat Ashfur. He is saddened after Bristlefrost's death, and joins StarClan.
Novellas[]
This section summarizes Stemleaf's significant Novellas appearances. If you're looking for a full list, find one here!
- «Spotfur wriggled out from underneath [Shellfur], getting her paws under her just in time to see Bramblestar strike. Stemleaf was on the ground, and the impostor's claws flashed as he slashed them across Stemleaf's throat. Beside her, Shellfur gasped. Get up. Stemleaf thrashed, deep red blood soaking his fur. He gave a strange, gasping meow, and then he was still. Get up! Spotfur thought again. Conefoot was down, too, Spotfur realized, as she ran toward Bramblestar. Leafshade and Kitescratch were locked together, yowling as they struggled. Bramblestar turned to meet Spotfur. She could see the drops of blood—Stemleaf's blood—spattered across his foreleg.»
- —Stemleaf's death Spotfur's Rebellion, chapter 9
- Stemleaf and Spotfur decide to act against the leaders' wishes and kill the impostor, garnering a small patrol soon find the impostor on ThunderClan territory. In the ensuing fight, the impostor slashes open Stemleaf's throat, much to the horror of Spotfur, who, along with Kitescratch, are forced to retreat and leave the body of her mate. While grieving for Stemleaf and knowing they will never have the life they planned together, Spotfur promises to save and protect ThunderClan.
Detailed description[]
Scars gained[]
The following is a chronological list of scars and/or major injuries that Stemleaf has gained:
- Torn ear from Mapleshade while escaping Ashfur and his army of ghost cats in A Light in the Mist.[13]
Character pixels[]
The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation.  Kit Version  Apprentice Version  Warrior Version  Ghost Residence Version  Dark Forest Resident Version  StarClan Version |
Official art[]
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Please do not edit this gallery  Stemleaf's Warriors website fact sheet  Stemleaf's Warriors website fact sheet for The Broken Code  Stemleaf's silhouette on the Warriors website  Stemleaf's icon on the Warriors family tree |
Personality and traits[]
- Stemleaf is a friendly, strong, and capable warrior, respected by his Clanmates.[14] He is not afraid to speak up against Bramblestar's methods for dealing with codebreakers.[15]
Relationships[]
Bristlefrost[]
- "You don't get it, do you? There's more at stake here than whether we're allowed to talk to each other. Something is very wrong. I always thought you were a good cat. Soon we're going to have to make choices. I just hope you'll be ready to make the right ones."
- ―Stemleaf warning Bristlefrost The Silent Thaw, page 118
Spotfur[]
- "Really? Spotfur was the brightest part of my life. Since I died, I've been surer of that than ever. I know it was easy for us to be together, but I think that if she'd belonged to another Clan, I would have chosen her. […] Clans have many warriors, but you only love one cat."
- ―Stemleaf to Bristlefrost A Light in the Mist (book), page 38
Family[]
- Main article: Stemleaf/Family
- Stemleaf's parents are Blossomfall and Thornclaw. His littermates are Eaglewing, Shellfur, and Plumstone. He is the mate of Spotfur, and father of Bristlepaw, Stempaw, and Graypaw. For more of Stemleaf's family, click here!
Appearances[]
- Shattered Sky (First appearance)
- Darkest Night
- Tigerheart's Shadow (Allegiance only)
- River of Fire (Mentioned only)
- Tawnypelt's Clan (Allegiance only)
- Spotfur's Rebellion †
- The Raging Storm (Mentioned only)
- Squirrelflight's Hope (Allegiance only)
- Lost Stars
- The Silent Thaw
- Veil of Shadows †
- Darkness Within
- Graystripe's Vow (Mentioned only)
- Daisy's Kin (Mentioned only)
- The Place of No Stars
- A Light in the Mist
Trivia[]
Interesting facts[]
- He has kittypet blood through Millie.[23]
- He has the same shade of green eyes as his brother, Shellfur.[7]
Mistakes[]
- He was mistakenly referred to as a senior warrior, though not being old enough to be called one.[24]
Quotes[]
- Bristlefrost: "Stemleaf, I really—really—like you. I've always felt that we might be mates someday. And now that I'm a warrior, maybe this is the time for us to start thinking of each other in a new way?"
- Stemleaf: "I'm sorry. I had no idea you felt like this, Bristlefrost. I like you a lot, but I always thought of you as a friend—a really good friend, almost like another littermate. I've never felt…that way about you."
- Lost Stars, page 141
- Bristlefrost: "Not just that. It's lots of things. I never realized how much we break the code without thinking. Every cat has to obey orders."
- Stemleaf: "And you're going to make sure that we do?"
- The Silent Thaw, page 118
- "Bramblestar is trying to make us act like Darktail's Kin. He wants us to turn on one another. But warriors aren't cruel. They never have been. Bramblestar must have bees in his brain. We have to get rid of him before he spoils the Clans forever."
- ―Stemleaf comparing Bramblestar to Darktail The Silent Thaw, page 226
See more
- «She remembered her time as an apprentice, when she had filled her mind with pictures of what her life would be like with Stemleaf as her mate. Everything would have been so different if he could have loved her back, and if Bramblestar had never died and come back as whoever or whatever he was now…»
- —Bristlefrost's thoughts after Stemleaf's death Veil of Shadows, page 193
- "I'm sick of all the arguing! I don't want Stemleaf to have died for nothing! […] Some cat is going to pay for what has happened. And I want that cat to be whoever is inside Bramblestar."
- ―Spotfur at the rebels' meeting, grieving for Stemleaf Veil of Shadows, page 211
- «At that moment, Rootspring caught a glimmer in the corner of his eye and turned his head to see Stemleaf's ghost staring at Spotfur, his gaze full of love and sadness. He stood close to her for a heartbeat, then turned away and was lost among the ferns.»
- —Rootspring seeing Stemleaf as a ghost Veil of Shadows, page 211
- "I feel bad that I got over him. I had such a crush. I thought I'd love him forever, like Spotfur does. But seeing the way Spotfur is still grieving for him makes me think what I felt wasn't love at all."
- ―Bristlefrost about her feelings for Stemleaf to Rootspring Darkness Within, pages 48-49
- Bristlefrost: "It's not like you to take unnecessary risks. […] I know you're brave, but you're not foolish. And now you're carrying kits, shouldn't you be more careful, not less?"
- Spotfur: "And what if I don't want the kits?"
- Darkness Within, pages 171-173
- Bristlefrost: "But if he can shape [the Dark Forest], so can we! Look what happened when Stemleaf decided Ashfur could be stopped. He began to hope, and that vine snapped."
- Rootspring: "Here, hope is our greatest strength."
- A Light in the Mist, page 49
External links[]
- Stemleaf's profile on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- The Broken Code characters - a visual guide on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Our Favorite Stemleaf Artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Spotfur and Stemleaf artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 291
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Revealed in Shattered Sky, page 47
- ↑ Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 78
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 211
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Revealed in The Place of No Stars, page 160
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 193
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Revealed in Spotfur's Rebellion, chapter 9
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Revealed in River of Fire, page 192
- ↑ Revealed in Lost Stars, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in Lost Stars, page 30
- ↑ Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in Spotfur's Rebellion, chapter 1
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 25
- ↑ Revealed in Lost Stars, page 39
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Revealed in The Silent Thaw, page 224
- ↑ Revealed in Lost Stars, page 135
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Revealed in Lost Stars, page 141
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Revealed in Lost Stars, page 17
- ↑ Revealed in The Silent Thaw, page 118
- ↑ Revealed in The Silent Thaw, page 17
- ↑ Revealed in The Silent Thaw, page 112
- ↑ Revealed in The Silent Thaw, page 117
- ↑ Revealed in Eclipse, page 159
- ↑ Revealed in Lost Stars, page 189
| Dark Forest cats | |
|---|---|
| Current members | Clawface • Curlfeather • Frecklewish • Houndleap • Maggottail • Mapleshade • One Eye • Rushtooth • Silverhawk • Sparrowfeather • Stumpytail • Thistleclaw |
| Faded | Antpelt • Ashfur • Brokenstar • Darkstripe • Darktail • Hawkfrost • Redwillow • Shredtail • Snowtuft • Tigerstar |
| Trainees | Antpelt • Applefur • Beetlewhisker • Birchfall • Blossomfall • Brambleclaw • Breezepelt • Crookedjaw • Furzepelt • Harespring • Hawkfrost • Hollowflight • Icewing • Ivypool • Larkwing • Lionblaze • Minnowtail • Mousewhisker • Ratscar • Redwillow • Sunstrike • Thistleclaw • Thornclaw • Tigerheart • Whiskernose |
| Prisoners | Antfur • Berrynose • Bramblestar • Conefoot • Dappletuft • Frondwhisker • Rosepetal • Sandynose • Smokehaze • Softpelt • Spiresight • Squirrelflight • Stemleaf • Strikestone • Willowshine |