The Stars Are Heavy - A Warrior Cats Inspired Playthrough

[CosmicChaos21]

 

WARNING! Playthrough may contain topics of: Power imbalances, violence and blood(though not excessive and given proper warning on the posts they appear), unhealthy family/friendship dynamics(Though not graphically so)

 

MORE WILL BE ADDED IF NECESSARY IN THE FUTURE

If these topics unnerve you then please don’t read!

[CosmicChaos21]

 

There are several new roles in this world, also some ranks have been split apart into new ones.

 

Ordered from highest to lowest rank

 

HIGH RANKS

 

Star-Speckled

While leaders still exist they must bend to the will of StarClan’s chosen unless they wish to incur their wrath. While they receive great power and reverence, many of them also consider it a curse. They are plagued by never ending hardships and challenges given to them by the very paws that gave them their power. If they step out of line or refuse to complete their challenges, their best fate would be getting exiled while their title is stripped from them by the stars themselves. But StarClan is often known for being wrathful and giving them a fate more twisted than a living nicheling could imagine. At least one kit born from a Star-Speckled will get the rank instead, taking it from the parent that had it before. If there is no kit from the Star-Speckled, it will be given randomly upon their death.

 

Star-Watcher

There are no more than two of them at a time. These nichelings are assigned to figure out visions and look for any signs of anger within their ancestors. They do this by seeing how much the stars twinkle in the sky, deeming it the best method to check for signs of irritation before it gets out of paw.

 

Leader

Leaders of the clan. They are often Star-Speckled but if they aren’t they’re more of a figurehead for the clan. If they aren’t Star-Speckled they are given less respect than any Star-Speckled, though still higher rank than most. They make choices for the clan only if the Star-Speckled can’t or doesn’t want to.

 

Deputy

There in case the current Leader dies. Organizes the patrols and where the scouts will go unless a Star-Speckled or Star-Watcher wants/needs a say. They often check around camp to make sure the general clan doesn’t need any help with tasks.

 

Healer

Less new and more of a rework. With the StarClan related things like visions being assigned to Star-Watchers, Healers focus on the herbal side of things. They heal injuries, both physical and mental.

 

MIDDLE RANKS

 

Nurturer

There is usually only one Nurturer, maybe two at most. Nurturers are the caretakers of kits that keep an eye on the nursery. They often step in when a parent needs a break or has to go on a trip but they’re especially helpful for giving kits without parents the affection and comfort they need to truly grow. They are usually respected for their hard-work.

 

Warriors are split into three ranks, though they all help with each-other when needed

 

Scout

Scouts explore new territory outside the established one, often bringing back materials and information. They help figure out where to expand when the clan grows.

 

Hunter

As one could guess from the name, Hunters do the bulk of the hunting for the clan. They are expected to bring back at least two pieces of prey per solo hunt. Sometimes they are sent with several others on hunting parties to try and catch large amounts of prey at once.

 

Fighter

Another obvious one, Fighters are the strongest or most combat-experienced members of the clan that are sent out when a threat is found. There is almost always at least one stationed by the nursery and elders den to protect the most vulnerable members. They are often sent with the other similar ranks but especially Scouts considering the danger of exploring new lands.

 

LOW RANKS

 

Fallen

Fallen are cats that have incurred the wrath of StarClan but they still have a chance to redeem themselves. Usually sent on a grueling mission or painful task to prove that they deserve to be forgiven.

 

Starless

Starless have earned StarClan’s ire to the point of no return. They are usually exiled, but if they stay they are looked down upon and considered lower than a pest. They are often seen as a bad omen, leading cats to avoiding them out of fear or disgust.

[CosmicChaos21]

 

Star-Speckled, highly revered nichelings that are said to be chosen by StarClan themselves. Even those who aren’t fully grown hold power over the clan, taking the title away from the leader if they so choose. A welcoming Star-Speckled can usher a new era of prosperity into a clan that was ravaged by disaster while a cruel one can rip it apart, forcing others to bend to their will out of fear of how their starry ancestors would react if they refused. Even those who have disdain for the stars never utter a peep about it because they know how cruel they are to those who resist them.

 

“C’mon are you even going to try?” The young Star-Speckled Nightpaw, a mostly dark reddish-brown furred nicheling with gray markings, taunted making her brother’s face crumble into embarrassment. “I am trying!” He exclaimed, trying to wiggle out of his sister's grip as she pinned him down. “Sparring isn’t any fun if you don’t even give me a challenge” Nightpaw sighed as she took a step back, with one of her paws landing right on her brother’s tail causing him to let out a yelp. “Whoops” She looked down for a moment before lifting her paw so her brother could stand up. “It’s okay” He said despite his tail hurting with every movement. It would probably go away, he needed to toughen up anyways, at least that’s what his parents always said. Speaking of, he watched as his sister ran off to their parents who were sitting several tail-lengths away.

 

Nightpaw’s eyes shined and her tail was held high when she reached them. “Did you see my impeccable fighting skills?” Her parents were already facing her, having seen the entire thing. “Of course, I’d even say they’ve improved little star” Duststream, the nicheling with dull brown fur and faint patterns, spoke with a purr as she looked at her daughter. Duststream was the two younger nicheling’s mother and the leader of AstralClan. Nightpaw preened at the praise, somehow managing to look even more proud than she was mere moments ago. “I know! I thought I had reached my peak but I even impressed myself” She said with her head held high enough that it made a small bloom of pain appear in her neck, forcing her to pull it down slightly. “You’ll be a perfect leader when you’re old enough” Houndtooth, the white-furred nicheling with orange stripes and the two’s father, spoke with his voice as stoic as ever. But Nightpaw knew that the words were genuine which only further boosted her ego.

 

“How did I do?” Burningpaw quietly asked, his eyes shining with cautious hope. Duststream’s smile remained on her face, but it was obvious that it had shrunk when asked the question. “You need to train more” She eventually replied, making Burningpaw’s tail lower as he averted his eyes. “I’ll make sure he does” Houndtooth said making Burningpaw feel even worse. “C’mon you can’t put a regular nicheling against a Star-Speckled and expect him to win!” Burningpaw didn’t know if his sister was trying to defend him or boost her own ego, but at least it was something. He knew his parents must be trying to help him with all their critique, why else would they give so much of it? He just wishes he was less sensitive to it, maybe then he would be able to better fit their expectations. “I suppose” Houndtooth said, only agreeing because it was the more favored kit saying it. “Even more proof you’ll be an amazing leader” Duststream gave her daughter a warm smile. “Being kind to everyone no matter how much less skilled they are” Burningpaw felt his mother’s words harshly but he knew better than to say a response, it had never changed anything before so it wouldn’t this time either.

 

“Why don’t we get you a piece of your favorite prey as a reward?” Nightpaw’s eyes sparkled at the offer from her mother. “Woo! Stagmoles!” She excitedly waited as her parents slowly got up then started padding off towards the fresh-kill pile. Burningpaw watched as the three left, torn between following them or staying here. “I don’t wanna be by myself” He mumbled, getting to his own paws before padding in the direction they had gone.

[CosmicChaos21]

As soon as the group arrived Lichenpaw, Nightpaw’s ‘rival’, ran over with a speed that almost caused her to run into the other apprentice. “You wanna have a race?” Lichenpaw asked as she had been itching for a competition since the moment she heard the other apprentice left to train. “No, I’m getting a stagmole as a reward for winning against Burningpaw” Nightpaw rejected the offer for now, her mouth practically watering at the idea of sinking her teeth into some prey. “Burningpaw? Isn’t your brother super weak?” She asked with a scoff at the idea of Nightpaw being rewarded for what she saw as an easy match.

 

“Now now Lichenpaw, that isn’t very nice to say” Dandelionpetal, Lichenpaw and Funguspaw’s father and the clan’s Star-Watcher, said as he padded over to his kit’s side. “But dad! It’s true, Burningpaw never gives me a challenge” Lichenpaw pouted, but was thankful that at least her mom wasn’t the one trying to lecture her. “Even if he’s not a skilled fighter I’m sure he’s good at other things, now why don’t you apologize to him?” Lichenpaw scowled but decided to listen since it was her father saying it. “I guess I’m sorry” She spoke to Burningpaw, who just felt uncomfortable at the entire situation. “It’s okay…” He just accepted to avoid any escalation, Lichenpaw was a very loud apprentice which made her get along like dry grass and a fire with Nightpaw, but made Burningpaw uneasy. “Lichenpaw” Dandelionpetal warned, knowing the apology was anything but genuine. “Okay! I’m sorry and I’ll try to be nicer” Lichenpaw sighed upon feeling her dad’s stare still on her. “I will be nicer” She corrected though agitation seemed to seep through her fur.

 

“Good, now why don’t you leave Nightpaw alone until she’s done eating?” Dandelionpetal tried to get his kit to leave the other apprentice alone at least for a little while. “But I can still talk to her while she eats!” Lichenpaw protested, but before Dandelionpetal could open his mouth to further convince her Nightpaw spoke up. “It’s okay! I’d love to talk to Lichenpaw more” Nightpaw said, making Dandelionpetal let out a small sigh but nod. “Alright, but don’t be too bothersome Lichenpaw” With that note, Dandelionpetal walked off to attend to his duties.

 

“Bet I can beat you to the prey pile!” Nightpaw said and darted off, leaving Lichenpaw stunned for a moment before scrambling to catch up. “Hey! That’s cheating!” Lichenpaw called out, only causing the other apprentice to laugh in response.

 

Duststream shook her head with a sigh. “I wish that kit would be a little calmer sometimes” She said, sometimes feeling like wrangling her kit was a thankless job. Houndtooth nodded his agreement then started to speak. “It’ll be good when her role brings her hardship” He said, knowing from his mate being the previous Star-Speckled how rough it could be. “I’m happy to be free of that role, now it’s her issue to deal with” Duststream said, happy that it had worked out. “Now we can live a peaceful life” Houndtooth said as he looked around, catching sight of Burningpaw who was still just standing there.

 

“Go with the other two” Houndtooth practically growled, making Burningpaw quickly skitter after his sister and her friend. Though he wondered what his parents meant by it now being his sister’s ‘problem’, wasn’t being a Star-Speckled a blessing?

[Drifter]

helooo