Conifer Grove

The Conifer Grove is the southern half of the forest that used to be entirely GrimeClan territory. After HollowClan's arrival, their claim to it was affirmed by Molestar. The forest is made up of pines, oaks, and other evergreens. A thicket of shrubs near camp serves as the apprentices' training area. To the far north is the GrimeClan border and several fox dens. The Conifer Grove is also home to the tallest pine of the forest, the Tall One.

## Official Description

*Surrounding HollowClan Camp is a towering array of pines and oaks. Giant-like evergreens that soar to the sky, in Newleaf they are rife with the new moon's fowl and squirrels. Mice and voles are common fresh-kill, but the occasional snake does provide a challenge. The forest spans north and south of camp, granting the appearance of seclusion within gently swaying pines. Further North is less travelled, and thus more dangerous. Only experienced warriors may patrol here lest they return with misfortune.*

## History

Originally the Conifer Grove was a part of GrimeClan's territory, connecting to the Pine Forest. As it lacked connecting tunnels and is often home to foxes, it was less well-trodden by them than the forest to the north.

### First Leaf-fall

Stagleap, Ivytooth, Darkspring, and Burnetfang set out to deal with the fox scented on their territory. They find it and kill it, with only Darkspring sustaining any real injury in the form of a cut to the shoulder. After the fox is killed, a GrimeClan border patrol arrives on the scene, consisting of Clawface, Embertooth, Batwing, and Dustscrape.

A tense discussion ensues, and a fight nearly breaks out until Dustscrape suggests they go back to speak with Molestar and Redclaw. Batwing agrees. Stagleap offers the dead fox as an example of the benefits HollowClan's presence could bring for GrimeClan, introducing himself as the deputy of HollowClan under the leadership of Adderstar, and suggests a meeting at sundown between themselves and GrimeClan's leader and deputy. Clawface relents and leads his patrol back to GrimeClan's camp.

At sundown, Adderstar and Stagleap arrive to meet with Molestar and Redclaw. Dustscrape is also present as part of the GrimeClan patrol, to guide Molestar and Redclaw to the meeting site. Both Clans have brought hidden backup patrols in case a fight breaks out - HollowClan has brought Burnetfang and Hawkcloud, while GrimeClan brings Embertooth, Clawface, and Lilypaw.

When Adderstar asks for understanding under StarClan's name, Molestar is surprised by their mention of StarClan, realising that HollowClan is in fact a true Clan. Recognising their grief and the losses they had suffered, and that the Conifer Grove is a risk due to the foxes that often settle there, he hesitates only briefly before agreeing to let them stay for a moon, and revisit the situation afterwards. Redclaw warns the HollowClan cats that this does not make GrimeClan their friend, before the meeting ends and both groups return to their camps.

The next day, Stagleap and Merlinmist take Toadpaw, Frostpaw, and Sappaw out for a hunting expedition. They instruct the apprentices on some basics, before Merlinmist tells them to go and catch a mouse, declaring that the first one to return with a mouse wins. Frostpaw, Sappaw, and Toadpaw split up and each catch a mouse. After killing his mouse, Toadpaw discovers a nest of baby mice and feels guilty for killing their mother.

While waiting for the apprentices to return, Merlinmist asks Stagleap about the longest hunt he's ever been on.