TreeClan

**TreeClan** is one of the four clans situated around Raven's Wing Lake (or just "the Lake" to the cats). TreeClan's territory is mainly deciduous woodland.

Their founder was a cat named Badger. The current leader is Cloverstar and her deputy is Palespirit.

## Description

TreeClan is the clan of the forest, living and hunting among the trees. They live farthest from the mountains and eat mostly mice, squirrels, voles and birds such as finches, quails, sparrows, wrens, swallows and blackbirds. Cats of TreeClan are trained as apprentices to reach the highest boughs of the tallest trees to catch squirrels and birds. They are also good at stalking through undergrowth, making little noise as they track prey. TreeClan cats are not the most heavily built but they are muscular and quick. They have strongly built hind legs which allow them to jump great heights or distances. This feature allows them to climb and hunt in the trees, hence the name TreeClan.

## Territory

TreeClan's territory is located in what Twolegs call the Bordeaux Woods. The territory also includes Twoleg landmarks such as Fletcher's Gorge and Harper's Leap. Landmarks include:

* **Camp** - TreeClan's camp is a clearing in the middle of the forest, surrounded by tall trees on all sides.
* **The Broken Tree** - A tree that was once the largest in the entire forest but due to harsh lightning it fell many moons ago. Plants grow all over and it's surrounded with flowers and various herbs.
* **The Twisted Oaks** - Four oaks that have been planted very near each other and have grown with the trunks intertwined to one huge tree. There is a cave under the roots, good for shelter. The cave is hidden by ferns that surround the tree.
* **Thunderwater River** - Rework in Progress

### TreeClan Camp

The camp entrance is a tunnel through the thorn wall, hard for enemies to break through. Near the center is a tall tree, known as the Tall Oak. Its roots are covered with moss. In a small hole within the roots is the TreeClan leader's den. The warrior's den is a big blackberry bush. The apprentice's den is a fallen, hollow sycamore log that fell just a few moons ago. In one corner are the nursery, a large bramble thicket reinforced with thorns, and the elders den, an old elderberry bush. In that same corner is where the fresh-kill pile is kept. The medicine den is a fallen maple tree on the other side of camp. There are many flat, smooth rocks or tree stumps around the edge of the clearing where cats can sun themselves or kits can play on. The earth of the clearing is covered in grass, flattened by many moons of pawsteps.

The dirtplace is behind a bramble bush next to the wall.

### TreeClan Territory

TreeClan's territory is a thick forest that stretches from the Four Stones all the way to the fields of off-territory. There are various kinds of trees: oak, maple, sycamore, birch, ash, chestnut and hickory among others. The trees aren't very spaced out; it takes skill and maneuverability to navigate at a fast pace. There are many well-trodden paths through the forest that TreeClan has used since its beginnings. These paths are well hidden in the thick undergrowth.

### Borders

#### with FieldClan

The northern border is Thunderwater Gorge, until it dips away into TreeClan's forest. The southern border is a scent-line where the field enters the forest. On TreeClan's side, the trees spread out gradually until there is only grass. On FieldClan's side, only a couple of measly trees lie on the territory.

#### with MarshClan

A small stream originating from the Gorge River divides the territories. The stream is shallow enough that there are no fish big enough to be prey and adult cats can cross without swimming. On MarshClan's side, the Willow Grove is nearby.

## History

### Early History

TreeClan was founded long ago by a cat named Badger. Badger and his descendants developed a strong affinity for the woodland and adapted quickly to hunting and tracking amongst the thick undergrowth and within the towering canopy. Some time long after Badger and his immediate bloodline faded, a cat named Snowstar led TreeClan for an unknown (but reportedly very long) period of time. Snowstar died in battle against MarshClan, near the end of the MarshClan-TreeClan Wars. He was succeeded by his deputy Sagestar (warrior name: Sageleaf).

### TreeClan Under Sagestar

Sagestar took Wildfire as her deputy and during her reign battled with Darkstar over territory disputes until the Wildwalkers demanded the hostilities cease, and the two clans unite against a larger threat: the Wolf-Pack - a group of dangerous rogues and loners - and their leader Shadow. One of TreeClan's warriors, Oakheart, was murdered by Wolf-Pack rogues and in retaliation Sagestar led her warriors into battle. Sagestar personally killed Shadow while Fleck, a Wolf-Pack member, betrayed Shadow and killed her sister, Badger. Fleck is offered a place in TreeClan by Sagestar for his bravery, and he gratefully accepts. Wildfire dies of his wounds and Sagestar chooses Jayflight, the son of Oakheart, to become TreeClan's new deputy. Sometime later, Sagestar dies of greencough and Jayflight becomes leader of TreeClan.

### The DarkClan War

Jaystar was a controversial choice for deputy early on, derided for his lack of experience and youth. In addition, he had a short-lived romance with the medicine cat Shademoon; a romance that was brought to a mutual end before they could do anything foolish. Jaystar takes Quillfang as his deputy after Sagestar's death. During Jaystar's reign was the DarkClan War, a period of brutal attacks upon the four Clans by an outsider group calling themselves "DarkClan" and led by Darkstar's son whom he had possessed.

Early on, Jaystar ignored the warnings of Quillfang until he quite literally could no longer do so. Quillfang and his warriors concocted a plan to send Pinefur, a young TreeClan warrior, into DarkClan as a double agent. Over time, Pinefur stopped reporting to Quillfang or his warriors and betrayed TreeClan to fully join DarkClan's ranks. In spite of this betrayal, Quillfang was able to mount a suitable defense but paid for it with his life at Pinefur's claws. Jaystar chose Leopardclaw as his new deputy and led TreeClan through the end of the war. He oversaw an alliance between the four Clans and together they launched an attack on DarkClan's territory. Jaystar was killed in the final battle of the DarkClan War and was succeeded by Leopardstar.

### A Time of Relative Peace

Following the events of the DarkClan War, the four Clans entered an era of unprecedented peace. Each of the Clans had sustained heavy losses and were all under new leadership. The Lake Territories were on friendly terms with one another again, united (if only for a short while) by conflict and a shared will to survive. Leopardstar proved to be a wise and tactful leader. Following her ascension to leader of TreeClan she appointed Stagstep as her deputy. She restored TreeClan to a position of strength in the aftermath of the costly DarkClan War, ruling in peace for many moons.

Sometime during this period of peace, a group of foxes calling themselves the "Red Fangs pack" attacked FieldClan. TreeClan was called for aid and Leopardstar willingly granted it, the clans driving back the foxes while a TreeClan warrior named Aspenbreeze severely wounded the pack's leader, Toxic. At an unknown point, Stagstep is killed by a rogue named Kyx and Aspenbreeze becomes Leopardstar's second deputy.

### The Crimson Guild Wars

Leopardstar's leadership was put to test during the Crimson Guild Wars. A group of loners and rogues outside the Clans was gathering strength, headquartering themselves in the far western side of TreeClan's territory. This group of outcasts and cutthroats were led by Grave, and each cat had a reason to hate the four Clans by the lake. The Crimson Guild War officially began during a violent thunderstorm. The outcasts and rogues of the Crimson Guild took TreeClan totally by surprise, killing several TreeClan cats and wounding many more. At some point during the battle, lightning struck one of the trees surrounding TreeClan's camp, catching fire and eventually setting the entire territory ablaze. TreeClan was driven from their camp and lost almost as many cats to the fire as they did to the Crimson Guild.

A seasoned warrior named Brackenheart, veteran of many of TreeClan's previous wars, was the cat who discovered a cave just off the TreeClan territory where the survivors could seek shelter. TreeClan would live in their makeshift cave camp until the end of the Crimson Guild War. Brackenheart would go on to become a sort of third-in-command of TreeClan during this time, taking over leadership duties when Leopardstar and Aspenbreeze were needed elsewhere. During TreeClan's stay in the makeshift cave camp, it was discovered that Fernpaw, a TreeClan apprentice, had a forbidden relationship with the MarshClan apprentice Ashpaw. Fernpaw ran from camp and Aspenbreeze went after her. The two climbed into a tree, and Aspenbreeze was accidentally pushed out. The Clan blamed Fernpaw and drove her away, prompting her to join her mate in MarshClan.

When leaf-bare came to a close, Aspenbreeze sent Brackenheart, Lionfoot and Thorntalon on a patrol to repair camp and bury the bodies of their Clanmates. When Leopardstar was ready, TreeClan departed the cave. Aspenbreeze (and several of her warriors) had reservations about the sudden nature of the move. Several moons after the Siege of FieldClan, Leopardstar - together with Wolfstar of CaveClan, Sapstar of MarshClan and Fallenstar of FieldClan - agreed to unite the Clans against the Guild and annihilate them once and for all. They launched a siege of their own against the Guild soon after. Most cats, Grave included, were killed in the opening battle although some escaped. The rest were killed in a second strike that overwhelmed the Crimson Guild and ended their menace.

Leopardstar died mysteriously some time later, despite only being on her sixth life. Aspenbreeze ascended to Aspenstar and chose Spiderpelt as her deputy. Brackenheart was given young Pebblepaw as an apprentice.

### A New Era of Peace at the Lake

Aspenstar took Spiderpelt as her deputy after the Crimson Guild war ended. She led TreeClan in days of peace but she was proven a fearsome warrior and unafraid to fight. Some might have even called her pugnacious. Aspenstar received her lives from Leopardstar (courage), Sparkkit (mercy), Rubblepaw (compassion), Hollystorm (justice), Palefur (tenderness and gentleness), Emberkit (loyalty), Hawktalon (endurance), Finchshade (humility) and Sageleaf (spirit).

While it is unclear how, Spiderpelt was killed before becoming leader. A cat named Cinder-(warrior name unknown) presumably became Aspenstar's deputy and succeeded her after her death, becoming Cinderstar.

*Admin's Note: There is little currently known about Aspenstar and Cinderstar's reigns over TreeClan. The editor is currently pawing through the forum for information.*

### The Discord Restart and the Great Freeze

Pebblestar was the leader that took over TreeClan after the winter that killed Cinderstar and Pineclaw, Cinderstar's deputy, colloquially known to the lake cats as the "Great Freeze." Pebblestar's reign was largely uneventful aside from leading TreeClan through the aftermath of the Great Freeze. He was without a deputy for some time before appointing Cloverspring to the position, recognized for her leadership skills and steadfast dedication to TreeClan. Following this promotion, in weeks to come, Pebblestar fell victim to a strange and seemingly incurable disease that left him bed-ridden in the medicine den, with symptoms that baffled Applespring, TreeClan's current medicine cat. Cloverspring has taken over leadership duties and has become Acting Leader of TreeClan.

This tenure as Acting Leader was not to last, unfortunately. Pebblestar passed away on the night of a Gathering, while Cloverspring was away. The deputy felt a personal sting of regret at this, and it's likely she'll carry it for many moons to come. In the days since, Cloverstar received her three lives and appointed a new deputy, Palespirit. Cloverstar was given lives by Sagestar (Honor and Integrity), Brackenheart (Wisdom and Experience) and Treestar (Mercy and Compassion).

## Trivia

### Interesting facts

* Sagestar was the first TreeClan leader to be roleplayed on the original forum. She was roleplayed by Silent's Screams.
* TreeClan was once close allies with FieldClan but since the Great Freeze their relationship has soured considerably. The two Clans are now closer to enemies.
* TreeClan is often on friendly terms with CaveClan, as the two Clans do not share a border.
* The Clans around Raven's Wing Lake have developed their own type of sign language to better communicate with their deaf clanmates. In TreeClan, knowledge of this sign language has diminished significantly due to most of the practitioners and teachers dying in the Great Freeze.
* The far-western half of TreeClan's territory was once home to the Crimson Guild.

### Author's statements

* During the time of the Forum on fanfiction.net, TreeClan was once the most active and most populated Clan with *over* ***51** cats!* Since the Discord Restart, TreeClan has become one of the two least active and least populated Clans, with the other being MarshClan.
* TreeClan shares several similarities with ThunderClan and SkyClan of the main series.

## Gallery

The Broken Tree, located south-east from the camp and north-east of the Twisted Oaks.The Twisted Oaks, located north of the lake shore and directly west of the Willow Grove.Thunderwater Gorge, located in the western half of TreeClan's territory.A TreeClan apprentice hunting in a tree.