"I don't know when the end came for Swiftpaw. I only remember him fighting like all of LionClan. That's how I will always remember him." |
— Brightheart about Swiftpaw's final moments in Secrets of the Clans, page 14 |
Swiftpaw is a small[7] black-and-white tom[8] with pale amber eyes.[9]
Swiftpaw was a ThunderClan apprentice under Bluestar's leadership in the forest territories. He was born to Goldenflower and Patchpelt alongside Lynxkit, and was an older half-brother to Bramblekit and Tawnykit. He was apprenticed as Swiftpaw to his half-brother, Longtail. When Bluestar refused to give him, Thornpaw, and Brightpaw their warrior names out of paranoia, Swiftpaw formed a plan with the other apprentices to drive out the pack of dogs near Snakerocks. Brightpaw was the only one to agree to go with him; however, both were quickly overwhelmed by the amount of dogs, and in the end, Swiftpaw was killed, and Brightpaw was severely injured. Swiftpaw ascended to StarClan and gave Fireheart a life for mentoring.
Quick Answers
Who were Swiftpaw's parents and siblings?
What was the reason behind Swiftpaw's plan to drive the dogs out?
Who was Swiftpaw's mentor during his apprenticeship?
History[]
In The Prophecies Begin arc[]
Fire and Ice[]
- "It's okay, you're doing fine."
- ―Longtail as Swiftpaw becomes an apprentice Fire and Ice, page 14
Forest of Secrets[]
- During a Gathering, it is thought by Fireheart that Swiftpaw told some ShadowClan apprentices that ThunderClan was keeping Brokentail within their Clan. This causes a war among WindClan, ShadowClan, and ThunderClan because the other Clans are angry that ThunderClan would protect a cat who has done such evil things.
Rising Storm[]
- When Fireheart struggles to organize patrols in his new position as deputy, he suggests that Longtail leads the sunhigh patrol, but Runningwind replies with exasperation that Longtail was out training with Swiftpaw. However, Whitestorm helps Fireheart sort out the patrols and suggests that when Longtail and Swiftpaw return, they can go on the evening patrol with him instead. He briefly chats with the other apprentices before Brindleface's kits are set to be apprenticed. After the forest fire that ravages ThunderClan's camp, he replaces Mousefur on guard duty, and helps out with the rebuilding of the camp.
A Dangerous Path[]
- "It's Swiftpaw. He . . . he was really angry that Bluestar wouldn't make him into a warrior. Last night he got all us apprentices together in the den. He said we'd never be warriors unless we did something so brave that Bluestar couldn't go ignoring us anymore. […] He said we ought to find out who has been killing prey in the forest. He said you didn't seem bothered about finding our enemy. He wanted us to go to Snakerocks because that's where most of the scraps of prey have been found. Swiftpaw thought we might pick up a trail."
- ―Fernpaw telling Fireheart of Swiftpaw's plan A Dangerous Path, page 212
- He is ready to become a warrior, but Bluestar is thoroughly convinced that every cat in her Clan is a traitor, especially Tigerstar's old allies, Darkstripe and Longtail, with the exception of Fireheart. She refuses to let Swiftpaw become a warrior because of who his mentor is, even after persuasion from Fireheart. She agrees to make Cloudpaw a warrior, partly because of his disbelief in StarClan, even though Swiftpaw has trained for longer than him. Cloudpaw becomes a warrior, Cloudtail, leaving Swiftpaw, Thornpaw, and Brightpaw as apprentices.
- Swiftpaw is furious, and his anger compels him to prove himself to Bluestar. Swiftpaw convinces the apprentices that if they do something really brave, Bluestar will have to make them warriors. He plans to attack Snakerocks and drive out whatever was killing their prey and living there. Only Brightpaw goes with him to the Snakerocks. They are then met by a pack of vicious dogs, much larger than they had expected. Swiftpaw is killed in the attack, and Brightpaw is viciously scarred. Brightpaw clings to one of the dogs as it joins its pack mates in dragging Swiftpaw out of the tree. He is pulled to the ground, where Swiftpaw is brutally killed by the dogs. His body, along with Brightpaw, is later found and brought back to camp by Fireheart and his patrol.
The Darkest Hour[]
- "Before you go, I've something more to say. First, I want to honor the apprentice who should have been here, receiving his warrior name along with Thornclaw. You all know how Swiftpaw met his death trying to hunt down the dog pack who threatened us. His Clan will always remember that."
- ―Firestar honoring Swiftpaw during a Clan meeting The Darkest Hour, page 106
In the Power of Three arc[]
Outcast[]
- Swiftpaw is mentioned when Whitetail says that Breezepaw had gone out with other apprentices to fight dogs without orders and no warriors for backup. This reminds Lionpaw of the story of how Swiftpaw was killed when he and Brightheart were attacked by the dog pack back in the old forest.
In the Omen of the Stars arc[]
The Last Hope[]
- "And Swiftpaw, yours was for mentoring."
- ―Jayfeather describing Swiftpaw's life to Firestar to ThunderClan The Last Hope, page 326
In the Super Editions[]
Moth Flight's Vision[]
- Although unnamed, Moth Flight sees him giving Firestar one of his nine lives.
Yellowfang's Secret[]
- In the manga at the end of the book, Swiftpaw and Brightpaw are seen being told by Fireheart that they have to check the elders for ticks.
In the Novellas[]
Redtail's Debt[]
- Redtail spots him playing with his littermate and Frostfur's kits near the nursery as their mothers watch them protectively.
In the Stand-alone graphic novels[]
A Thief in ThunderClan[]
- Moons after the battle against BloodClan, Brightheart still experiences nightmares about the dog pack attacking her and Swiftpaw. No matter what she tries, Swiftpaw always dies. The night after Firestar and Sandstorm leave on their mysterious quest, Brightheart has another nightmare of Swiftpaw's death.
Character pixels[]
Main images[]
The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation. |
Alternate images[]
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 |
Ceremonies[]
Swiftpaw's apprentice ceremony | ||||
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Lives granted[]
The following is a list of gifts Swiftpaw has granted during nine lives ceremonies:
Lives granted | ||||
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Kin[]
Members[]
Father:
Mother:
- Goldenflower:[6] Deceased, verified StarClan member
Sibling:
Half-brothers:
- Longtail:[11] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Brambleclaw:[12] Living (As of Ivypool's Heart)
Half-sister:
Grandmothers:
- Speckletail:[15] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Swiftbreeze:[16] Deceased, verified StarClan member
Aunts:
- Leopardfoot:[17] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Willowpelt:[16] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Spottedleaf: [16] Deceased, no residence
- Mistlekit:[18] Deceased, verified StarClan member
Uncles:
- Redtail:[16] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Lionheart:[15] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Snowkit:[19] Deceased, verified StarClan member
Great-grandmothers:
- Harepounce:[20] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Flashnose:[21] Deceased, verified StarClan member
Great-grandfather:
Great-aunt:
Great-great-aunt:
Half-nephews:
- Tigerstar:[23] Living (As of Ivypool's Heart)
- Flametail:[23] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Alderheart:[24] Living (As of Ivypool's Heart)
- Juniperkit:[25] Deceased, verified StarClan member
Half-nieces:
- Dawnpelt:[23] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Sparkpelt:[24] Living (As of Ivypool's Heart)
- Dandelionkit:[25] Deceased, verified StarClan member
Half-grandnieces:
- Sleekwhisker:[26] Living (As of River of Fire)
- Pouncestep:[27] Living (As of Ivypool's Heart)
- Lightleap:[27] Living (As of Ivypool's Heart)
- Finchlight:[28] Living (As of Ivypool's Heart)
Half-grandnephews:
- Strikestone:[29] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Juniperclaw:[29] Deceased, verified border guardian between the Dark Forest and StarClan
- Shadowsight:[27] Living (As of Ivypool's Heart)
- Nightheart:[28] Living (As of Ivypool's Heart)
- Flickerkit:[30] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Birchpaw:[31] Living (As of Ivypool's Heart)
- Rowankit:[31] Deceased, verified StarClan member
First cousins:
- Cinderpelt:[32][33] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Brightheart:[34][33] Living (As of Ivypool's Heart)
- Brackenfur:[32][33] Living (As of Ivypool's Heart)
- Thornclaw:[34][33] Living (As of Ivypool's Heart)
- Darkstripe:[35] Deceased, no residence
- Graystripe:[36] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Sorreltail:[37] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Rainwhisker:[37] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Sootfur:[37] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Tigerstar:[38] Deceased, no residence
- Mistkit:[38] Deceased, verified StarClan member
- Nightkit:[38] Deceased, verified StarClan member
Tree[]
= Tom
= She-cat
= Gender unknown
Appearances[]
- Moth Flight's Vision (Vision or Dream)
- Yellowfang's Secret (Comic)
- Redtail's Debt
- Fire and Ice (First appearance)
- Forest of Secrets
- Rising Storm
- Tigerclaw's Fury (Allegiance only)
- A Dangerous Path †
- The Darkest Hour
- A Thief in ThunderClan (Flashback only)
- Outcast (Mentioned only)
- The Last Hope
- The Prophecies Begin, volume 1
- Secrets of the Clans (Retconned)
Trivia[]
Interesting facts[]
Author Statements[]
- On her Facebook page, Vicky does believe that Patchpelt may be Swiftpaw's father.[40]
- This is later proved to be true on the Warriors website's family tree.[10]
Mistakes[]
- Swiftpaw was shown as a solid-colored cat in the manga in Yellowfang's Secret.[41]
- Swiftpaw is mistakenly shown as mostly white on the Warriors website's family tree.[42]
Continuity[]
The following information is from sources considered non-canon, retconned, or from adapted material.
- In Secrets of the Clans, a 2007 field guide, When Goldenflower, his mother, becomes an elder, she remembers that she nursed Swiftpaw, then Swiftkit, in the nursery.[43] Brightheart tells the story of when she and Swiftpaw tried to take on the dog pack by themselves. Brightheart says that he was killed at Snakerocks when she and Swiftpaw were trying to prove themselves so that they could become warriors. They were trying to find out who or what was stealing ThunderClan's prey at Snakerocks. Brightpaw tried to stop Swiftpaw, but he did not listen, and got them into a fight with a dog four times their size. Six more dogs emerged, and Swiftpaw died fighting, while Brightpaw lost an eye and an ear, but recovered from her severe injuries under Cinderpelt's care. As the story ends, Brightpaw says she will always remember him "fighting like all of LionClan," despite the fact they were impossibly outnumbered.[44]
- Swiftpaw's sibling, Lynxkit, was originally introduced on Vicky's Facebook. Lynxkit was identified as one of the kits in Into the Wild who died of weakness.[45]
- In the Chinese full-color version of Into the Woods, Swiftpaw and Longtail appear as the ThunderClan trespassers.[46][47]
- In The Prophecies Begin graphic novel adaptation, Swiftkit is one of the kits that Clawface steals,[48] replacing Brightkit.[49] He is also apprenticed alongside Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw,[5] when he was originally apprenticed prior to Fireheart and Graystripe searching for WindClan.[50]
Quotes[]
- Fireheart: "Swiftpaw should be a warrior too. He did well today."
- Bluestar: "Swiftpaw carried a message back to camp. That's apprentice work. He's not ready to become a warrior yet."
- A Dangerous Path, pages 204-205
- Fireheart: "Longtail, I'm sorry, I've got bad news. Bluestar has agreed to make Cloudpaw a warrior, but—"
- Longtail: "But not Swiftpaw? That's what you're going to say, isn't it?"
- A Dangerous Path, pages 205-206
- "Angry at Bluestar's refusal to make him a warrior, and desperate to prove himself, Swiftpaw had gone out to track down whatever was preying on the cats in the forest. The dog pack had killed him, and Fireheart knew he would blame himself forever for not trying harder to make Bluestar change her mind. But Swiftpaw showed no anger now. His eyes shone with a wisdom far beyond his age as he touched his nose to Fireheart's."
- ―Fireheart upon seeing Swiftpaw in StarClan The Darkest Hour, page 51
- "The life Swiftpaw gave him was a pang of anguish so great Fireheart thought it would stop his heart. It ended in a jolt of pure terror, and a flash of light red as blood. Fireheart knew he was experiencing what Swiftpaw had felt in the last moments of his life."
- ―Fireheart after Swiftpaw gave him a life The Darkest Hour, page 51
- "Swiftpaw . . . and Lostface. They should both be with me."
- ―Thornpaw to Firestar, grieving for his former denmates The Darkest Hour, page 98
- "Swiftpaw said we should do something so brave that Bluestar would have to make us warriors too. None of us knew what had been eating the prey around Snakerocks, but Swiftpaw figured if we went out there, we'd find a trail to follow. It made sense, you know?"
- ―Brightheart about Swiftpaw Secrets of the Clans, page 12
- "I don't know when the end came for Swiftpaw. I only remember him fighting like all of LionClan. That's how I will always remember him."
- ―Brightheart about Swiftpaw Secrets of the Clans, page 14
External links[]
- A First Time For Nine Lives on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
- Stand Together or Fall Divided on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
- Say little... on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- The Forest Map: ThunderClan on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- Warrior Cats short story competition: Enter here! on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Brightheart and A Thief in ThunderClan on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
Fan content[]
- Winners of the latest fan challenge on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Winners of the TPB favorite character fan challenge on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Warrior of the Week Gallery #99 - Swiftpaw on the Warriors official website (Warrior of the Week #99) (backup link)
- Nine Lives Ceremony Artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Nursery Scenes Artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Salute to StarClan Artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Family Artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Warrior Ceremony Artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Our favorite The Prophecies Begin scenes artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Our favorite Swiftpaw artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Firestar's nine life-givers artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Our favorite artwork of the pack on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Opposite day CreatorClan winners on the Warriors official website (backup link)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 51
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 14
- ↑ Revealed in A Dangerous Path, page 216
- ↑ Revealed in A Dangerous Path, page 218
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Revealed in The Prophecies Begin, volume 1, page 219
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Revealed in A Dangerous Path, page 225
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, page 13
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, chapter 1
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Revealed on the Warriors website family tree (screenshot)
- ↑ Revealed on the Warriors website family tree (screenshot)
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Revealed in Rising Storm, pages 19-20
- ↑ Revealed on the Warriors website family tree (screenshot)
- ↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 32
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 48
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 362
- ↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 8
- ↑ Revealed in Rising Storm, page 16
- ↑ Revealed in A Dangerous Path, page 44
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Revealed in Goosefeather's Curse, chapter 8
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Revealed in Goosefeather's Curse, chapter 3
- ↑ Revealed on Vicky's Facebook {{Screenshot|Eaglestorm, Ashfoot, Speckletail, Harepounce, Windflight, Mudclaw.screenshot.png}
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 Revealed in Dark River, pages 20-21
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Revealed in The Apprentice's Quest, page 10
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 Revealed in The Apprentice's Quest, pages 9-10
- ↑ Revealed in Thunder and Shadow, pages 347-348
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, page 187
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 Revealed in Lost Stars, allegiances
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 Revealed in Shattered Sky, pages 114-115
- ↑ Revealed in Squirrelflight's Hope, page 253
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 Revealed in River, allegiances
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 Revealed in Fire and Ice, pages 95-97
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 Revealed on the Warriors website family tree (screenshot)
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 Revealed in Forest of Secrets, pages 62-63
- ↑ Revealed in Onestar's Confession, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in Graystripe's Vow, page 44
- ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 Revealed in Rising Storm, page 120
- ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 266
- ↑ Revealed in Erin Hunter Chat 4
- ↑ Revealed on Vicky's Facebook
- ↑ Revealed in Yellowfang's Secret comic
- ↑ Revealed on the Warriors website family tree (screenshot)
- ↑ Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 116
- ↑ Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, pages 12-14
- ↑ Revealed on Vicky's Facebook
- ↑ Revealed on the Chinese Wiki
- ↑ Revealed in Into the Woods, Chinese full-color edition, page 70
- ↑ Revealed in The Prophecies Begin, volume 1, page 169
- ↑ Revealed in Exile from ShadowClan, page 147
- ↑ Revealed in Fire and Ice, chapter 2