Thornclaw

"I'm not ashamed to say it. If we'd questioned our leader earlier, we might have avoided a lot of trouble."

— Thornclaw to Squirrelflight about ThunderClan's leadership in Graystripe's Vow, page 35

Thornclaw
The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation.
Affiliations
Current:	ThunderClan
Past:	LionClan
Biographical information
Age:	Approx. 152 moons (12.67 year(s)) old
Names
Kit:	Unknown
Apprentice:	Thornpaw
Warrior:	Thornclaw
Senior warrior:	Thornclaw
Elder:	Thornclaw
Kin
Mother:	Frostfur
Father:	Lionheart
Sisters:	Brightheart, Cinderpelt
Brother:	Brackenfur
Mate:	Blossomfall
Daughters:	Eaglewing, Plumstone
Sons:	Stemleaf, Shellfur
Education
Mentor:	Mousefur
Apprentices:	Sootfur, Shrewpaw, Poppyfrost, Briarlight
Book appearances
Living	Exile from ShadowClan, The Prophecies Begin, A Thief in ThunderClan, The New Prophecy, Winds of Change, Power of Three, Omen of the Stars, A Vision of Shadows, The Broken Code, River, Sky, Shadow, Thunder, Wind, Super Editions, Novellas, Battles of the Clans
Living	Exile from ShadowClan, The Prophecies Begin, A Thief in ThunderClan, The New Prophecy, Winds of Change, Power of Three, Omen of the Stars, A Vision of Shadows, The Broken Code, River, Sky, Shadow, Thunder, Wind, Super Editions, Novellas, Battles of the Clans

Thornclaw is a golden-brown tabby tom with pale blue eyes.

Thornclaw is a ThunderClan elder who has served under Bramblestar's and Squirrelstar's leaderships in the lake territories, and previously served as a warrior under Firestar, Bramblestar, the impostor, Squirrelflight, Lionblaze, and Graystripe in the forest and lake territories. He was born to Lionheart and Frostfur alongside Cinderpelt, Brackenfur, and Brightheart. He and his siblings were captured by ShadowClan, but were later rescued by a ThunderClan patrol and ShadowClan's elders. He was apprenticed to Mousefur as Thornpaw. After becoming a warrior, Thornclaw mentored Sootfur, Shrewpaw, Poppyfrost, and Briarlight. As a senior warrior, Thornclaw was recruited by the Place of No Stars; however, he fought for the Clans during the Great Battle and was forgiven by his Clanmates. He became mates with Blossomfall, his fellow Dark Forest trainee, becoming the father of Eaglekit, Plumkit, Shellkit, and Stemkit. Noted to be bossy with eyes on ThunderClan's leadership, Thornclaw sided with the impostor during his crackdown on the codebreakers. Following the impostor's defeat, Thornclaw grew frustrated with ThunderClan's leadership, and briefly decided to leave the Clan to wander, unsure if he wanted to remain in ThunderClan, but eventually returned after a quarter-moon. He later retired to the elders' den.

History

Looking for a longer overview? Find one here!

The Prophecies Begin

«Thornclaw, the newest warrior of ThunderClan, [was] looking tense and eager at the prospect of his first battle.»

—Firestar's thoughts about Thornclaw ^{The Darkest Hour, page 286}

He and his littermates are abducted by Clawface of ShadowClan, but rescued by ShadowClan elders and a ThunderClan patrol. He later goes into apprenticeship, his mentor being Mousefur. During this time, he grows frustrated that Cloudpaw gets to become a warrior before him, despite him being older. However, he disagrees with Swiftpaw's plan to try and find out what was taking ThunderClan's prey, and is devastated when Brightpaw is maimed and Swiftpaw is killed by dogs. He and Cloudtail try to console his sister as often as possible. When Firestar becomes leader, Thornpaw is the very first cat he makes a warrior. Thornclaw later participates in the battle against BloodClan.

The New Prophecy

«Thornclaw's nostrils flared minutely as he let out a patient sigh, and Brambleclaw admired his self-control. If Squirrelpaw had spoken to him like that, he would have been tempted to rake his claws over her ear.»

—Brambleclaw's thoughts on Thornclaw ^{Midnight (book)}

Thornclaw's apprentice, Shrewpaw, is killed on the Thunderpath trying to catch a pheasant for his starving Clan during the destruction of the forest. Thornclaw makes the Great Journey with the rest of his Clan, leaving his mother, Frostfur, behind with many other elders. He voices his displeasure with ShadowClan trying to move borders and takes part in a battle as one of Onewhisker's loyalists during Mudclaw's rebellion. His sister, Cinderpelt, is killed when badgers attack, protecting Brackenfur's mate as she kitted.

Power of Three

"Ashfur was killed by a WindClan cat! It's the only possible answer."

―Thornclaw ^{Sunrise, page 10}

Now mentoring his niece, Poppypaw, Thornclaw objects to Millie keeping her kittypet name. He falls sick to greencough during the epidemic that ravages ThunderClan, but recovers. When Ashfur is killed, Thornclaw says that there is a need to stir up trouble because a ThunderClan warrior is dead and tries to make plans to attack WindClan for revenge, but is shut down almost immediately by Firestar.

Omen of the Stars

"Enough! The battle is won, the clearing is ours. Do you concede or shall we fight for it again?"

―Thornclaw taunting Blackstar ^{Fading Echoes, chapter 24}

He becomes the mentor to Briarpaw, who unfortunately gets her spine crushed by a falling tree. Thornclaw often visits her in the medicine cats' den and is happy when she gains a warrior name, Briarlight. He later takes part in the battle of the ShadowClan border, leading ThunderClan with Brackenfur to outflank ShadowClan and reclaim ThunderClan's old strip of clearing. Lionblaze discovers him to be training in the Place of No Stars, but despite this, Thornclaw fights for the Clans during the Great Battle, leading a battle patrol to assist ShadowClan.

A Vision of Shadows

"He might be a senior warrior, but this is his first litter of kits, and it made him as nervous as an apprentice on his first hunt."

―Leafpool about Thornclaw ^{Shattered Sky, page 47}

Thornclaw has become mates with Blossomfall, who bears his kits, Stemkit, Plumkit, Shellkit, and Eaglekit. He participates in the fight to drive out the Kin and disagrees with SkyClan staying at the lake and Tree's role as mediator. His kits later become apprentices.

The Broken Code

"I admit I don't always understand StarClan, but they'll explain themselves sooner or later, you can count on it. […] You're young, and of course you worry about these sorts of decisions. But after what I experienced in the Dark Forest—well, I'm willing to do what's necessary, and now I'm sure things will settle down. StarClan will be back soon, you'll see."

―Thornclaw reassuring Bristlefrost about StarClan's absence ^{Veil of Shadows, pages 52-53}

His littermates, Brackenfur and Brightheart, have now retired to the elders' den and Thornclaw is now ThunderClan's eldest warrior. His kits are now warriors with the names Stemleaf, Plumstone, Shellfur, and Eaglewing. He is stunned with several of Bramblestar's new rules to the warrior code and disagrees with the punishing of the codebreakers. He reassures Bristlefrost that StarClan will return sooner or later when the latter is worried, reciting his time in the Dark Forest. However, Thornclaw's faith in ThunderClan is shaken after the impostor is defeated and revealed to be Ashfur. Squirrelflight becomes ThunderClan's acting leader, and Thornclaw displays his displeasure for the nepotism in ThunderClan's leadership, citing how Squirrelflight and her temporary deputy Lionblaze are kin of Firestar and Bramblestar. He challenges Lionblaze as ThunderClan's deputy and questions if ThunderClan's troubles would even exist if they had challenged Ashfur sooner. He, Graystripe, Flipclaw, Flywhisker, and Snaptooth decide to leave ThunderClan on a wander to reflect about being a Clan cat. Squirrelflight allows them, but only giving them a moon to decide if they wish to remain ThunderClan warriors. However, Thornclaw returned to ThunderClan after a quarter-moon.

A Starless Clan

"That's just typical ShadowClan! Who do they think they are? Talking like they're the best Clan in the forest!"

―Thornclaw at a Gathering ^{River, page 207}

Thornclaw is now an elder, though still participates in Clan discussions as a senior warrior. He debates on the changes to the warrior code with his Clanmates, recalling the days of Brokenstar and Nightstar in the old forest, and Bramblestar's decision to step down. He recalls his time training in the Dark Forest.

Super Editions

This section summarizes Thornclaw's significant Super Editions appearances. If you're looking for a full list, find one here!

"Yes, he's very keen. It's time he had an apprentice. Sootpaw will do fine with him."

―Longtail about Thornclaw taking over Sootpaw's training ^{Firestar's Quest, page 103}

In Firestar's Quest, after Longtail's eyes are injured, Firestar believes Thornclaw should take over Sootpaw's training after seeing how well the two work together on a dawn patrol. He brings it up with Longtail, who agrees and he believes Thornclaw will be a fine mentor.

"I didn't leave the camp to listen to more petty squabbles. I left to think about what I want to do next. I left the Clan so that I could be alone. Maybe I'll see you all again if I decide to return to the Clan. Or maybe we'll meet in Flipclaw's imaginary territory. But I'm not going to stay here and waste my time arguing. I'm off."

―Thornclaw to Graystripe and the others ^{Graystripe's Vow, pages 66-67}

In Graystripe's Vow, following the impostor's defeat, Thornclaw adamantly challenges ThunderClan's leadership under Squirrelflight and Lionblaze and cites continual nepotism in the leadership lineage. Thornclaw believes if they had challenged the impostor earlier, then the Clan wouldn't be dysfunctional. He decides to go on a wander along with Graystripe, Snaptooth, Flipclaw, and Flywhisker and abruptly leaves the group to go on his own to reflect if he wants to stay in ThunderClan.

Novellas

This section summarizes Thornclaw's significant Novellas appearances. If you're looking for a full list, find one here!

"No ThunderClan cat finished the battle fighting for the Dark Forest. When they learned the truth about their new allies, they showed nothing but loyalty to the Clans. There is little to forgive, in my opinion."

―Bramblestar about Thornclaw and the other trainees ^{Dovewing's Silence, chapter 5}

In Dovewing's Silence, Thornclaw and the other Dark Forest trainees are resented by the other Clans, though they fought for them during the battle. He, along with the other trainees, take a new oath of loyalty to their Clan, and are forgiven.

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 Apprentice Version Warrior Version Elder Version

Alternate images

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

Official art

Please do not edit this gallery Thornclaw in The Prophecies Begin, volume 1 Thornclaw in Exile from ShadowClan Thornclaw in A Thief in ThunderClan Thornclaw in The Lost Warrior Thornclaw in Graystripe's Adventure Thornclaw in Winds of Change Thornclaw's icon on the Warriors family tree

Ceremonies

Thornpaw's apprentice ceremony
Bluestar: Mousefur, you have told me that you are ready to take on an apprentice. You will be mentor to Thornpaw. Mousefur, you have shown yourself a brave and intelligent warrior. See that you pass on your courage and wisdom to your new apprentice. Reference: Forest of Secrets, page 63

Thornclaw's warrior ceremony

Firestar: I, Firestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn. Thornpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life? Thornpaw: I do. Firestar: Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Thornpaw, from this moment you will be known as Thornclaw. StarClan honors your loyalty and your intelligence, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan. Everyone: Thornclaw! Thornclaw! Reference: The Darkest Hour, pages 105-106

Family

Main article: Thornclaw/Family

Thornclaw's parents are Lionheart and Frostfur and his littermates are Cinderpelt, Brackenfur, and Brightheart. His mate is Blossomfall, and Stemleaf, Eaglewing, Plumstone, and Shellfur are their children. For more of Thornclaw's family, click here!

Appearances

• Redtail's Debt
• Onestar's Confession
• Exile from ShadowClan
• Into the Wild (First appearance)
• Fire and Ice (Indirect mention only)
• Forest of Secrets
• Rising Storm
• Tigerclaw's Fury
• A Dangerous Path
• The Darkest Hour
• Blackfoot's Reckoning (Allegiance only)
• A Thief in ThunderClan
• Firestar's Quest
• Graystripe's Vow (Then)
• Mothwing's Secret (Allegiance only)
• Midnight
• Moonrise
• Dawn
• The Lost Warrior
• Starlight
• Winds of Change
• Twilight
• Sunset
• Leafpool's Wish
• The Sight
• Dark River
• Outcast
• Eclipse
• Long Shadows
• Sunrise
• Hollyleaf's Story (Allegiance only)
• The Fourth Apprentice
• Mistystar's Omen (Allegiance only)
• Fading Echoes
• Night Whispers
• Sign of the Moon
• The Forgotten Warrior
• The Last Hope
• Dovewing's Silence
• Crowfeather's Trial
• Bramblestar's Storm
• The Apprentice's Quest
• Thunder and Shadow
• Shattered Sky
• Darkest Night
• Tigerheart's Shadow (Allegiance only)
• River of Fire
• Tawnypelt's Clan (Allegiance only)
• Spotfur's Rebellion
• The Raging Storm
• Squirrelflight's Hope
• Lost Stars
• The Silent Thaw
• Veil of Shadows
• Darkness Within
• Graystripe's Vow (Now)
• Daisy's Kin (Allegiances appearance; mentioned in text)
• The Place of No Stars
• A Light in the Mist (Allegiance only)
• River
• Sky (Allegiances appearance; mentioned in text)
• Shadow
• Thunder (Allegiance only)
• Wind
• Ivypool's Heart (Allegiance only)
• The Prophecies Begin, volume 1
• Battles of the Clans (Mentioned only)
• The Clans Decide
• The Ultimate Guide: Updated and Expanded Edition

Trivia

Interesting facts

• He is the very first cat Firestar made a warrior.
• In the reprinted version of The Last Hope, Mousewhisker replaces Thornclaw on a patrol with Blossomfall, Lionblaze, and Cinderheart, where Lionblaze wonders if Mousewhisker and Blossomfall will soon become mates.
• James Barry confirmed Thornclaw's appearance in Winds of Change.

Author statements

• Vicky has commented about the possibility of Lionheart fathering Frostfur's kits, and at least once that Lionheart never fathered kits.
  • However, Lionheart indeed being Frostfur's mate and the father of her kits was first revealed on the Warriors website family tree, and later in Blackfoot's Reckoning.
• Vicky doesn't think that he and Brackenfur are identical twins.

Mistakes

• He has mistakenly been called dark, a dark tabby, ginger, depicted as a solid-colored cat, and called light brown.
• He is shown speaking to Blackstar at the end of Fading Echoes; however, in Night Whispers, Brambleclaw is speaking instead. This is fixed in the reprinted version.
• Despite not earning his warrior name until The Darkest Hour, Thornclaw is shown as a warrior in Tigerclaw's Fury, which is set before then.
• Despite Thornclaw being listed as an elder in River, he is not shown with the other elders or having a nest with them and is acting and referred to as a warrior throughout the book. This was changed in Shadow when Thornclaw is specifically called an elder.
• In the audiobook for Squirrelflight's Hope, he is mistakenly referred to as “Thornclan” by the narrator. This error is not present in the text.

Continuity

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

• In The Clans Decide, Thornclaw is one of the cats who votes for the individual leaders to rule their own Clans.

Quotes

"I didn't see Thornpaw show much respect for that squirrel he dragged back to camp yesterday. He said it was so dopey, a kit could have caught it."

―Cloudpaw about Thornpaw's lack of respect for prey ^{Rising Storm, page 8}

Cinderpelt: "Here, press on this."

Thornpaw: "Me?"

^{Rising Storm, page 195}

"What did you find out? When do we attack?"

―Thornclaw suspecting that a WindClan cat killed Ashfur ^{Sunrise, page 31}

See more

"You left not long after Ashfur was killed."

―Thornclaw accusing Hollyleaf of Ashfur's death ^{The Forgotten Warrior, page 188}

Alderheart: "You should have seen Thornclaw last night. We had a hard time keeping him calm while Blossomfall was giving birth."

Leafpool: "True. He might be a senior warrior, but this is his first litter of kits, and it made him as nervous as an apprentice on his first hunt."

^{Shattered Sky, page 47}

"'Clouds from the mountains…' I think the message is clear. These cats bring trouble. We must send them away."

―Thornclaw about Jayfeather's omen and the Sisters ^{Squirrelflight's Hope, chapter 9}

"Who cares what they want? Did they care what we wanted when they held you captive? Who knows what they'd have done to you if we hadn't turned up and threatened to shred them!"

―Thornclaw about the Sisters ^{Squirrelflight's Hope, chapter 10}

Thornclaw: "Haven't the hunting patrols left yet?"

Lionblaze: "We're waiting for Squirrelflight."

^{The Silent Thaw, page 18}

"Surely a cat must do more than break the code to be exiled."

―Thornclaw disagreeing with Squirrelflight's exile ^{The Silent Thaw, page 205}

Thornclaw: "...the only reason you're the one making decisions is because you're Squirrelflight's kin."

Lionblaze: "Take that back!"

^{Graystripe's Vow, page 33}

"StarClan will never come back if we don’t do things right!"

―Thornclaw to Lionblaze ^{Darkness Within, page 31}

"I suppose you mean we should support all your choices without question. However unfair they seem."

―Thornclaw arguing with Squirrelflight ^{Darkness Within, page 35}

External links

• Featured
• Book Specific
• Character Specific
• Themes and Concepts
• Merchandise and Website
• Fan Content

• Warrior of the Week Gallery #27 - Thornclaw on the Warriors official website (Warrior of the Week #27) (backup link)

• Exclusive! Veil of Shadows: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
• Exclusive! Graystripe's Vow: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link)
• Exclusive! Darkness Within: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link)
• Exclusive! The Place of No Stars Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
• Exclusive! A Warrior's Choice Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
• Exclusive! A Light in the Mist: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
• Exclusive! River: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link)
• Exclusive! Sky: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
• Exclusive! Shadow: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link)
• Exclusive! Thunder: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
• Exclusive: Wind chapters on the Warriors official website (backup link)
• First look at The Prophecies Begin Graphic Novel on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
• Exclusive! Ivypool's Heart chapters on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)
• The Prophecies Begin graphic novel book 2 sneak peek on the Warriors official website (backup link)
• Exclusive! Star chapters on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Allegiance only)

• Outpacing other 'Paws (and Mentors) on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
• Morningstar's Folly - When Peace Isn't the Answer on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
• Brightheart and A Thief in ThunderClan on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
• Firestar and Graystripe: a friendship for the ages on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)

The Act of Giving Thanks on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)

A Lost Tradition 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)

Asking a Great Deal on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)

Protect and defend on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)

Missing the old days on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)

Where it all began on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)

Five things to know about Warriors fans on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)

Warrior Cats short story competition: Enter here! on the Warriors official website (backup link)

Guess that cat - leg and plants on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)

Brokenstar activity sheet on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)

The Place of No Stars: A look at the most popular fan theories on the Warriors official website (backup link)

Mothers and Kits Artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)

Nursery Scenes Artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)

Warrior Ceremony Artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)

Frostfur and Lionheart's family artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)

More of Frostfur and Lionheart's family artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)

Our favorite Brackenfur and Thornclaw artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)

Notes and references

Author references