Territory RiverClan smiles wont put food on the table — HUNTING PATROL

[Adderfang]

The long-legged tom moved with purpose, guiding the patrol through their territory. He was quiet most of the way—An occasional remark passed from his mouth, an answered question, but nothing more. The steady rumble of paws against damp earth soon filled the silence. The morning chill that hadn't yet burned away. A soft breeze tugged at his fur as he led them farther from camp.

They had been leaning too heavily on the river. The fish were plentiful for now, but if they didn't balance their efforts between land and water, overfishing could become a problem. Hunting on land was necessary, and before he met Wave, his diet had mostly been mice and weasels. Besides, prey should be rustling so early in the day. Now was a good time to hunt.

As the grasses grew taller around them, he flicked his tail sharply—a signal to stop. He turned, eyes sweeping across the small patrol. "We'll hunt here." Adderfang kept his voice low, mindful not to startle the prey.

He turns to Grumblepaw and Sharkpaw for an impromptu hunting lesson. None of the apprentices had mentors yet, and that would change soon, but for now, he would offer what help he could. "When the wind is blowin' toward you, that means you're downwind. You always want to be downwind from land prey. If you aren't, they'll smell you coming and scatter."

Most of it, they would have to figure out in practice. "If you need any help, find me." With that, he gestured toward the denser vegetation with a tail flick. "Get busy—plenty of empty bellies to fill back at camp."

Then he turned toward a cluster of tall grass, already greening with the turn of the season. Adderfang moved carefully, long limbs weaving through the growth. His large ears twitched, swiveling to pinpoint the faintest of sounds beneath the rustling leaves. In the grass somewhere was a faint shuffle of tiny paws. His head tilted, narrowed eyes honing in on a specific spot.

His muscles coiled, weight shifting onto his haunches.

He landed in a tangle of grass, blades clinging to his muzzle, but he came up empty. A flash of movement and he lunged again. This time, his paws struck something warm and wriggling. He pinned it and quickly went to finish the kill.

Adderfang emerged from the grass, a small, long-bodied creature dangling from his jaws.

OOC - Roll a 1d20. 1-11 is a failed attempt. 12-20 is a successful catch. Prey in the Sunset Meadows includes some birds, snakes, weasels, rabbits, shrew, groundhogs and mice. Generally, anything that prefers slightly open and grassy terrain. We'll do a few hunts and then have a little boss fight!

@Coyoteclaw @FOXTAIL @Grumble

example dice roll:

___________________ There wasn't a wrong or a right he could choose 𓆟 He did what he had to do ________________

• "speech" - thoughts
  
  

• 

• Adderfang he/him & riverclan
  𓆟 Chocolate ticked tabby w/ amber eyes. Peppered with scars. Deep gash across the right side of his face exposing one canine slightly. Missing left ear.
  𓆟 Deep gravelly voice that might unsettle others.
  𓆟 Would and will kill a man.
  𓆟 Peaceful and healing powerplay permitted. For other powerplays, DM.
  𓆟 Fur smells faintly of river reeds and damp earth.
  
  
  penned by Scarlet​

 

[SHARKPAW]

I WONT LET THIS BREAK US

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Sharkpaw hadn't hesitated in following Adderfang out of camp with the rest of his patrol. Ever since Pikestar had decided they were going to be a clan, and that warriors and Starclan were a whole thing, the boy had basically chomping at the bit for a chance to get out there and prove himself. It was exciting, after all! Sure, maybe Shark hadn't been on board with abandoning the shipyard right off the bat, apprehensive to give up the few things he had left, but his decision to leave with the group felt more validated now.

He was special. Part of the group chosen by the stars to become Riverclan. And he was going to become the greatest, strongest warrior any cat had ever seen!- as long as Frostmoth remembered to put him in patrols from now on.

In all, it didn't change much for the ambitious young tom. While he hadn't had a concept of 'warriors' before any of this, Sharkpaw had fully intended on being the best cat around– whatever that happened to entail. He just had a new name for it now, and a much clearer goal on how it could be achieved.

To his surprise, the older tom didn't lead them down to the river, but out into a clearing of grass that ran alongside it.

It'd been a long time since Sharkpaw had tried to catch a land creature. In those first few weeks on his own he could remember chasing after mice and sparrows, but the majority of his meals had come from tipped trashcans or morsel stolen from other cats who didn't have the heart to snatch their food back from a starving kid.

Adderfang, seeming to sense this, had enough patience to stop and give the two apprentices a quick lesson on how it was done.

Sharkpaw was a lot of things; abrasive, standoffish, brash. But he was also extremely observant and keen to catch onto details, especially when it came to things he took seriously: like becoming a warrior. And rather than scoff or screw around, he actually paid attention when the older tom began instructing them, and then watched them like a hawk a few minutes later when the demonstrated how it was done.

"Cool.." the boy muttered as Adderfang emerged from the tall grass with a weird, long creature handing limp in his jaws, and just like at the river the day prior, Sharkpaw felt that excitement begin to buzz through him, an eagerness to try for himself and prove just how good he was.

"okay, my turn!" he said, turning and stalking off into the grass.

As soon as he was emerged in the thickets of grass, Shark began to mimic what he'd seen the other do; moving slowly, placing one purposeful step at a time as he wove between the long stalks. He made sure to keep the wind in his favor as he did so, watching the way the grass around him bent in the breeze to keep track of it.

It was hard to see very far with all the growth, so he used his ears to guide him, angling and tuning them in on whatever sounds he could.

A fluttering. The sound of a stalk swaying.

He slowly closed in on it, honing in with sound and scent until finally- there!

The bird was fast, it's small, plump body landing on a thicker stalk a few feet ahead before suddenly flitting away only to return and settle on another. Sharkpaw was locked in on it immediately, and in a sudden burst of speed and athleticism, snatched the thing clean out of the air before landing neatly on his paws.

He did it!

When he returned to the group, a fat chickadee caught between his teeth, it was with a smug look and a crown held high.

OOC- rolled a Nat 20 to catch! The dice gods also decided he'd be catching a chickadee :)

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riverclan apprentice - male - 7 months blue ticked tomcat with high white and aqua eyes​

 

[FOXTAIL]

Hunting at the rivers in their new home, is nothing like hunting for fish at the shipyard. The water at the docks could be quite aggressive at times, and even if he didn't intend to take a swim, there were instances where he got soaked on land. He realized, upon RiverClan settling down here, that he didn't feel as anxious approaching the shore to hunt for fish. The river isn't nearly as violent, when compared to the waves that rolled onto the shipyard's shore and splashed against the dock. Though that isn't to say the river can't be unpredictable, as it certainly can... but he'll take the river over the docks any day to hunt.

So, Foxtail can't help but feel a tad disappointed when Adderfang leads them to a dry patch of land. He was looking forward to showing Coyoteclaw, how much more confident he was at the river. I suppose that can wait for another day, Foxtail thinks with a sigh, quickly glancing at his littermate as he wonders what her thoughts are. I guess I can use the practice, Foxtail admits to himself, as his gaze focuses on a patch of grass ahead of him. More than just fish calls RiverClan territory their home...

The grass shakes, and the fuzzy tom crouches to the ground. An unsuspecting mouse emerges, cleaning itself as Foxtail's gaze locks onto it. He silently moves forward, reminding himself that any sudden movements, or sounds, will alert the mouse of his presence. The breeze blows against him, and while Adderfang's words weren't directed at him, it pays as a good reminder to the tom who primarily hunts fish.

Once close enough, he leaps at the mouse. His jaws quickly met it's neck, and it snaps as his teeth bite into it. The mouse goes limp, and as his belly rumbles at the taste of mouse in his mouth, he thinks of the clanmates back at camp, who await their return. He can't eat this— not when caregivers, kits, and elders await a meal... to satisfy their rumbling bellies. To avoid further temptation, and to protect his catch from nearby predators, he buries it. He tastes the air and listens to the sound of nature, wondering what else lurks nearby that he can bring back to camp.​

𝐨𝐨𝐜 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭

• rolled a 16, decided to make him catch a mouse!
• 
  
  

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  credit to Arsynne for the artwork <3​
• 

  FOXTAIL

  — warrior of riverclan, former shipyard cat
  𓆛 16 moons — he/him — ages realistically on the 25th
  𓆛 speech is

  "#d17a38"

  — thoughts are #da945f — attacks are underlined
  𓆛 cinnamon/chocolate tabby chimera w/ high white, and green eyes
  𓆛 peaceful & healing powerplay permitted — underline & tag when attacking
  𓆛 penned by vvin — vvinsoli on discord — open to plots & dms
  

 

[ASHTIDE]

WE ARE ALL BROKEN. THAT'S HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN.

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While Ashtide had not lived with the cats during the days of the Shipyard, he had been living by the ocean for most of his life before the migrating colony had picked him up. To be honest, there was a part of him that still missed the salty air and the endless expanse of blue.

Chasing down fish in the shallows along the beach.

Laying on the sun-warmed sand with the call of seabirds in the background.

It's where he'd been born. Where his family had lived and died for generations before him, but… Ashtide had been the last one left.

Perhaps a more nostalgic cat would have stayed behind to carry on there. A responsible son would have found a mate and settled down. Got a family going there again.

But it had always been lonely there for Ash.

Too small for his restless paws.

He'd always wanted to see the world. To be a part of something bigger than just himself. To not just be stuck in that little cove with nothing but his kin to keep him company. Quiet, mundane days had become torture for the boy early on, but he'd stayed because that's what'd been needed of him. Cats had been depending on him, after all.

Things changed though, and the silver tabby was needed no more along that quiet coastline. Now, his destiny lay with Riverclan.

"We'll hunt here."

Ashtide nodded at the older cats words, breaking off to try and pick up a prey scent. He was a little apprehensive to be hunting in a field instead of near the river– while the body of water was different from the ocean he'd grown up by, it was still familiar enough for him to adapt to his style of fishing to it. Land hunting had always been a last resort, something to do when the waves turned too choppy to fish in. Even then, seagulls were easy enough to bring down with a partner or two, especially the bold ones that were fed by the twolegs, always pushing their luck and getting too close.

But there were no gulls here in the field.

For a while he worried he might end up returning empty pawed. Not the end of the words, certainly, but it still would have been a little embarrassing to go back with nothing when he was meant to be a capable warrior. Maybe still young and learning when it came to older and more experienced cats like Wavepool and Adderfang, but if he was out-hunted by an apprentice that was going to bruise what little of an ego he had.

Luck was on his side though, and eventually he did come away with a plump mouse hanging in his jaws. A competent kill, even if it was nothing fancy. As he began to bury his prey so he could keep hunting, he noticed Foxtail nearby doing the same.

"Nice catch." he offered with a faint smile, nodding toward the mouse before returning to his work.

Once it was bury, he turned to head off in search of something else.

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OOC- paying a quick compliment to @FOXTAIL

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riverclan warrior - male - 19 moons - a tall, handsome, silvery-blue tabby with yellow eyes.
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[Coyoteclaw]

———————————— 'Cause everything moves, everything pulses. ✦

Coyote was pleased to have been selected for a hunting patrol, she looked forward to better figuring out river fishing and gladly followed along to Adderfang's lead. She chattered gladly with her brother and kept a close eye on the apprentices being brought along, neither her own, but it was instinct at that point. She'd been proud of Foxtail's progress since they'd all made their way to the new territory; her heart still welled with pride to see him trusted by Pikestar, though a tinge of jealousy always seemed on the fringe of her thoughts. How he, out of the three siblings, ended up a lifeguard was beside her, but he'd been given a good opportunity to become someone strong, and for that, she'd never want to take that away from him. However, it wouldn't stop her from pushing him herself.

She let out a click and a hum of disappointment, seeing Adder had stopped them all at a dry patch of land. She was never the best at hunting scurrying little beasts, she'd always asked their father to help her learn better but he never gave her that lesson he promised. But that was his loss, she could learn now after all, she'd never improve if she didn't try her hand at something new. She watched the other cats hunt silently, scanning their movements and techniques. She commended each of them in kind, though she was particularly surprised to have seen Fox successfully catch a mouse. He, too, was much more adept at fishing, so seeing the tom catch the thing made her maw part in a smile. Usually, she'd find something to point out for him to improve; there often was something where he could, but she couldn't hide her pride for her kin.

"Incredible catch, Fox, pesky little things mice are, couldn't do that better if I tried..." Her voice trailed off in a hum. "Better try, shouldn't I." She added thoughtfully, shooting a chuckle to her brother. It was a rare occasion she wasn't all too confident in her abilities, but she wouldn't show that. Crouching down as a bright blue bird was close, a kingfisher so she heard, she was even less familiar with catching these feathered pests. It wouldn't deter her as she stepped carefully, eyes trained on the glistening blue feathers. With teeth bared, she bound forward and-

Coyoteclaw let out a huff as a single feather fluttered down she barely missed the bird, catching the tip of its wing, but the thing chirped in a frenzy as it flew away. She let out a tut of annoyance to herself before turning to the patrol. "Can't always catch 'em, I suppose; good on the rest of y'all for getting 'em on the first catch.". The chimaera's tail flicked as she scanned the area further, looking for something else to attempt to catch. No one was a perfect hunter, but she was still frustrated at herself. She would be sure to prove herself otherwise to the patrol.

— So many angles, so many lines,

So many ways to see the sunrise. —

• Rolled a 5
• 
  Coyoteclaw
  ✦—Riverclan Warrior | 18 Moons
  ✦—She/Her
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  ✦—A chocolate/cinnamon chimaera with low white, and amber eyes.
  #8E4C1A