Cragshiver

**Cragshiver** is one of the two full healers of RigidClan, the other being his mate Dappledstone. He's the mentor and father-figure of Mossypaw. He's anxious like his apprentice, but has learned how to manage it through moons of experience being a healer. He doesn't like challenging cats and leaves it to his mate, as she is both larger than him and knows how to handle herself.

## Personality

Cragshiver spends most of his time inside the healer's den as he's not the type of cat who enjoys socializing. It's very easy for him to get lost in his work, which annoys some cats. Whenever it's pointed out to him that he's been zoning out, he's incredibly embarassed. He doesn't like being around cats for that reason. Dappledstone is the only cat who doesn't bother him about that.

He bends to the will of the higher ranks, especially Coarsestar, who he is afraid of. He uses Dappledstone has protection against the leader. He fears being exiled or worse only his mate getting exiled due to his actions. He avoids trouble whenever he can, even if he knows he's in the right. It's better to be shamed with a clean pelt than to be a martyr.

## History

### Section One: The First Vision

Cragshiver goes outside of the Starcave with Dappledstone and Mossypaw. He goes back inside to check on the other healers at Dappledstone's request. He comes back with good news: there are no signs of cracking or crumbling from the cave, though he states their reputation with the other healers would be permanently affected after that night. Cragshiver helps comfort Mossypaw until it is time for them to return home.

### Section Two: The First Leafbare

Cragshiver greets Mossypaw as she comes out of one of her visions. Mossypaw tells him of her vision, a positive future where a snake-like cat lead a healthy and happy RigidClan, one that respected her. Cragshiver is glad she had a positive vision. Their talk is cut short by Dappledstone coming into the den complaining about Slatetongue. Cragshiver sends Mossypaw to go give the queen some basil to help calm her down. Mossypaw returns with a frown, prompting Cragshiver to ask whats wrong. Mossypaw tells him about the other apprentices laughing at her, then asks him if the other apprentices were ever mean to him. Cragshiver tells her that since Dappledstone and his brother were apprentices with him, he had a pretty good apprenticeship. This doesn't help Mossypaw at all, only making her feel worse, so he suggests that she just didn't treat them, advice given to him by Dappledstone. Cragshiver doesn't say anything else as he watches Mossypaw go to her nest to sulk.

Cragshiver appears in Mossypaw's vision, telling her it wasn't her fault that the blizzard hit. He appears later in the real world when he is brought with her and Dappledstone to speak to Coarsestar. He sits there in silence as Dappledstone tries to argue with Coarsestar, only to be shut down and sent away. Cragshiver tells Dappledstone not to speak so poorly of Coarsestar, fearful of punishment, but Dappledstone refuses, stating that he had no power over them.

After Coarsestar tells the healers to begin using their catmint, Cragshiver tells Mossypaw to give Coalflame his dose of catmint, passing her a single stalk.

Mossypaw nearly runs into Cragshiver on the day of the apprentice's plot. He asks if she's alright, noticing her acting more withdrawled. Mossypaw replies that she's fine. Cragshiver accepts her answer and tells her that if he's needed he'll be just outside of camp gathering moss. They joke about Mossypaw not being loud enough before he departs.

### Section Three: The Thaw

Cragshiver watches his brother with pride as he is made Quakepaw's mentor.

Cragshiver attends the gathering with the other healers. He asks Hillheart where Windwatcher and Quailpaw are, having been hoping to see them. Poppypad replies that they were both tending to Bunnynose, who had gone into labor shortly before they left for the gathering.

He tells Melodyflower that they weren't in any rush to grow blackberries. He joins in the healer conversation alongside Dappledstone until the leaders begin their announcements.

Cragshiver shields Mossypaw from the onslaught of insults and claws after Sleekstar reveals that RigidClan has a seer in their ranks. He shoves her forward and yells for her to go before following after her. He helps support Mossypaw once they reach the other side of the river. He's left in utter disbelief at how quickly everything went wrong.

### Section Four: The Crimson Coat

Cragshiver returns with Dappledstone with a variety of herbs to treat wounds. When Dappledstone mentions Hornetstar, Cragshiver explains that he was the leader before Sleekstar, and he was a noble tom who had Coarsestar's ferocity.

Cragshiver and Dappledstone are caught off guard when Mossypaw asks if they considered her their daughter. Dappledstone says she isn't good with kits and Cragshiver objects, saying she practically raised Mossypaw. He mentions that she began teaching Mossypaw how to make cobweb bandages before her eyes changed to green. Cragshiver says he'd be proud to call her his daughter and that he's always wanted to be a father.

Cragshiver leaves with Dappledstone to join Coarsestar's patrol on the battlefield. Pricklepaw brings him over to a heavily bleeding Marblebelly. He tells Peatpaw to maintain pressure on his wound until he gets his herbs ready. He soaks up most of the blood then bandages up the wound. He tells Marblebelly's kin and Pricklepaw to take him back to camp before running off to help Dappledshade.

Cragshiver is seen helping his brother carry Ospreytail into the den. When Mossypaw goes to grab chervil for Quartzshine's eye, he tells her to get chamomile instead, since they needed the chervil for more serious wounds.

### Section Five: The Dead Sparrow

Cragshiver returns after aiding in Killdeerfoot's burial. Dappledstone says that they had too many injured warriors and they couldn't live much longer with so few cats patrolling and actively hunting for the Clan. Cragshiver tries to put a positive spin on things, saying that most of the Clan's apprentices were healthy and were gaining experience from the extra workload. Dappledstone snorts that *most* was an overstatement, and Cragshiver loses his smile. Upon noticing this Dappledstone stops what she's saying and quickly enters the healer's den.

Cragshiver changes the topic of conversation, bringing up how he saw Peregrinethroat and Droughtpaw on the way back. Mossypaw says that she sent them out to get herbs since Droughtpaw wanted something to do. Cragshiver is surprised that Eagleheart didn't go with her, as she knew just as many herbs as they did. Mossypaw tells him that Droughtpaw said she was 'too nice', and Cragshiver chuckles. He praises Mossypaw for the work that she had done so far, and tells her to not take Dappledstone's words to heart, as she was never good at handling her stress.

Cragshiver is sharing prey with his brother when Mossypaw finds a rotten, mangled sparrow in the fresh-kill pile. He brushes against her as Hawkclaw calls for her death, seeing the sparrow as a sign from StarClan. He allows Mossypaw to hide underneath him, eyes fixated on the scene unfolding in front of him. When Mossypaw runs for the healer's den, he follows, shielding her from the chaos. He stands in front of her at the back of the den, shivering. A fight begins after Hawkclaw lunges at Chaffinchclaw.

The injured cats inside the healer's den question Cragshiver, and he responds that there were cats outside trying to kill his daughter. Marblebelly is surprised that the tom was Mossypaw's father. Ospreytail wonders what the Clan has become, first allowing healers to become mates, then attempting to murder an apprentice. Basaltfang hisses that cats trying to murder an apprentice was more important than healers becoming mates, then charges out of the den to stop Hawkclaw and her supporters. Cragshiver tries to stop him, but the warrior doesn't listen.

## Relationships

### Dappledstone

Cragshiver loves Dappledstone more than anything in the world. He can trust her to protect him when he's unable to do it himself. He loves being around her and sleeping beside her, especially when it gets cold out. His shorter pelt does nothing against the frost, so she acts as a big fluffy blanket. He gladly takes the reigns when she is unable to, usually when it comes to calming Mossypaw. He couldn't ask for a better mate and healing partner.

### Mossypaw

Cragshiver sees a little bit of himself in the young apprentice. He too was small and anxious, far more than he is today. He sees great things in Mossypaw and hopes she'll realize how special she truly is and how wrong the outside world is. If only he was braver, then he could do more to protect her.

### Coarsestar

Cragshiver hates Coarsestar but is too scared to admit it. Whenever the large tom comes nearby he can feel his heartrate pick up. He can't even look the leader in the eyes.

### Ravineriver

Ravineriver is the noblest cat Cragshiver knows. His brother is gentle and kind, refusing to listen to what other cats say about Cragshiver. If Dappledstone is not around, Cragshiver knows he can trust his brother to help him out. He believes that if Goshawksnow dies or is promoted to RigidClan's leader, Ravineriver will be the Clan's next deputy.

## Quotes

**Mossypaw**: "*What happened? Were there any cracks? Any creaking sounds?* Anything-'**"**
**Cragshiver**: "*No, there was nothing. The other healers were on edge and thought I’d brought more bad news. Thankfully they didn’t claw my pelt off, however I think our reputations permanently tarnished with them.*"

—Cragshiver after checking up on the healers inside the Starcave *The New Seer*, page 3

**Cragshiver**: "*Oh, Mossypaw! I was just about to come get you. Are you doing alright?*"

**Mossypaw**: "*Doing alright? Uh, yeah, I’m doing fine, just fine a-actually. Why do you, uhm, ask–why are you asking?*"

**Cragshiver**: "*I-I just…I know this past moon has been difficult for you, and I don’t want you beating yourself up over it. You’ve been a great help around the den. I’ll be out of camp gathering some moss. If you need me, head to the entrance and shout.*"

**Mossypaw, joking**: "*I won’t be loud enough.*"
**Cragshiver**: "*Then be louder.*"

—Cragshiver running into Mossypaw as he walks out of the healers' den *The New Seer*, page 20