Mudclaw (WC)

*This article is about Mudclaw from WindClan; you may be looking for Mudclaw from ShadowClan.*
***Spoiler warning:** Plot and/or ending details follow.*

## Mudclaw (WC)

The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation.

## Book appearances

### Living

*Tallstar's Revenge*, *Redtail's Debt*, *The Prophecies Begin*, *Tigerclaw's Fury*, *Blackfoot's Reckoning*, *A Shadow in RiverClan*, *Firestar's Quest*, *Graystripe's Vow*, *A Clan in Need*, *Mothwing's Secret*, *Midnight*, *Moonrise*, *Dawn*, *Starlight*, *Winds of Change*, *Field Guides*

### Dead

*Winds of Change*, *Night Whispers*

**Mudclaw** is a wiry, mottled dark brown tabby tom with amber eyes.

**Mudclaw** was a deputy of WindClan under Tallstar's leadership. He was born as **Mudkit** to Ryestalk and Shrewclaw along with his brother Tornkit. He was apprenticed as **Mudpaw** and later earned his warrior name, **Mudclaw**. As a warrior, Mudclaw was fiercely loyal to his Clan and was eager to defend his territory. He mentored two apprentices, Webfoot and Crowfeather. Mudclaw's ruthless devotion to protect his Clan in battle convinced Tallstar to make him deputy in order to balance WindClan's leadership. However, when Tallstar replaced Mudclaw with Onewhisker as deputy moments before the leader died, Mudclaw felt betrayed and openly challenged Onewhisker's legitimate leadership. Hawkfrost convinced Mudclaw that Onewhisker was a puppet leader for Firestar and was planning on taking over the Clans, and Mudclaw, Hawkfrost, and several ShadowClan and WindClan warriors attempted to overthrow Onewhisker and his supporters. However, StarClan sent lightning, striking a tree down, killing Mudclaw. He ascended to StarClan, and despite Mudclaw's insistance otherwise, Tallstar revealed Mudclaw belonged in StarClan since he believed he was acting in his Clan's best interest. Mudclaw gave Onewhisker a life for determination, and promised to work together to protect their Clan. He and other StarClan cats later decided that they must persuade the Clans to fight against the Dark Forest.

## History

*Looking for a longer overview? Find one here!*

### *The Prophecies Begin*

"*You gave up your rights to StarClan's protection when you took Brokentail into your Clan!*"
―Mudclaw to Fireheart and Bluestar Rising Storm

Mudclaw is a warrior of WindClan and has an apprentice, Webpaw. He, along with his Clan, are driven off by Brokenstar and ShadowClan who greedily took over WindClan's territory. Mudclaw is viewed as hostile and overly belligerent towards cats from other Clans. He works hard to make WindClan strong again after they are brought back to the forest by Fireheart and Graystripe, but coldly asserts to them that he does not owe them anything. He and his brother, Tornear, turn away Bluestar and Fireheart when they try to reach the Highstones, explaining it as payback for ThunderClan sheltering Brokentail, and later adamantly questions Bluestar when she offers a truce between their two Clans. Despite prior encounters and being heavily injured, Mudclaw runs to ThunderClan for aid when TigerClan attacks their camp, and participates in the battle against BloodClan.
### *The New Prophecy*

"*You don't think I* believe *this load of fox dung, do you? Every cat knows that Tallstar practically handed our Clan over to Firestar before he left the forest. He's always felt more loyalty to ThunderClan than they ever deserved. And now Firestar tells us that* his friend *Onewhisker is to be leader!*"
―Mudclaw to his Clanmates Starlight

Mudclaw is appointed as the next deputy of WindClan by Tallstar. Mudclaw's aggressive and quick-tempered nature is balanced by Tallstar's calm and patient leadership approach, and the two cats tend to run the Clan well together. Mudclaw acquires another apprentice, Crowpaw. Mudclaw participates in the Great Journey with the other Clans. During this journey, Tallstar becomes frail and sick, and Mudclaw slowly begins slipping into the leadership position and gives out orders to WindClan.
When they reach their new home, Tallstar tells Firestar, Onewhisker, and Brambleclaw that he made a mistake choosing Mudclaw as his deputy and could not allow him to become leader, as he could wage unnecessary wars with ThunderClan. Tallstar appoints Onewhisker as the new deputy of WindClan with his last breath and loses his final life. The other cats are shocked, especially Mudclaw. Mudclaw begins to plot a takeover with Hawkfrost and other Clan cats to drive out Onewhisker and seize his leadership, but it ultimately fails and Mudclaw is killed by a falling tree. The tree is seen as a sign from StarClan that Onewhisker is the rightful leader of WindClan and it provides a bridge to the island for Gatherings.
### *Super Editions*

*This section summarizes Mudclaw (WC)'s significant Super Editions appearances. If you're looking for a full list, find one here!*

"*But Tallstar, WindClan comes before everything else. We must protect what is ours.*"
―Mudclaw to Tallstar about setting new borders at the lake Tallstar's Revenge

In ***Tallstar's Revenge***, Mudkit is born to Shrewclaw and Ryestalk along with Tornear. However, his father is killed in battle against ShadowClan before he and his brother were born. In the comic, Mudclaw is eager to establish WindClan's borders at the lake, though the last thing Tallstar wanted was for WindClan to make enemies already. As he lays dying, Tallstar realizes WindClan would be led into constant bloodshed under Mudclaw's rule, and instead reflects on his friendship with Jake and Firestar. He replaces Mudclaw with Onewhisker in hopes the latter would benefit both of their Clans with his companionship with Firestar.
### *Stand-alone Graphic Novels*

«*I feel...as if I'm watching some* other *cat do these things. Separate from myself. But I can't be weak. It* has *to be done. WindClan needs a leader. A* strong *leader. Their* real *leader.*»
—Mudclaw's thoughts before the battle Winds of Change

In ***Winds of Change***, as the Clans arrive at their new home, Mudclaw prepares to affirm WindClan's place in their territory, though Tallstar wishes for peace between the Clans. After Tallstar's death, Mudclaw is furious when Firestar announces that Tallstar named Onewhisker his deputy before his death, and wonders what he did wrong to fault his former leader. At the Gathering, Hawkfrost spins ideas into Mudclaw's mind that Onewhisker is a puppet leader for Firestar and the ThunderClan leader plans to take over the Clans, starting with WindClan. Mudclaw is wary at first of Hawkfrost's ideas, but begrudgingly obliges. He forms a rebellion with Hawkfrost and meets in secret with other cats at night, and continues to undermine and argue with Onewhisker at camp. Mudclaw's fears of Onewhisker siding with ThunderClan and not having WindClan's best interests continue when Onewhisker gives territory to ThunderClan. When Leafpaw discovers the Moonpool, Hawkfrost insists that their rebellion must kill Onewhisker and Ashfoot in order for Mudclaw to secure leadership, and Mudclaw resolves that WindClan must come first. During the assault, he challenges Onewhisker when ThunderClan arrives to help. As the small rebellion flees, Mudclaw nearly kills Brambleclaw when Hawkfrost stops him, lying to Brambleclaw that Mudclaw manipulating him to join his cause. As Mudclaw flees, he realizes what he has done and lightning sends a tree from the island to kill him. Mudclaw wakes up in StarClan, and questions Tallstar why he deserves a place among their ancestors. Tallstar explains that Mudclaw did what he thought was best for WindClan, and Mudclaw gives Onewhisker a life for determination, welcoming him as WindClan's true leader.

## Personality

Mudclaw didn't believe when Tallstar made Onewhisker the leader of WindClan instead of him, and was so furious that he refused to be Onewhisker's deputy. His crazy ambition led him to rebel, start a fight, and eventually get killed by a falling tree.

## Kin

### Members

**Mother:**

Ryestalk: Deceased, verified StarClan member
**Father:**

Shrewclaw: Deceased, verified StarClan member
**Brother:**

Tornear: Deceased, verified StarClan member
*See more*
**Grandmothers:**
Mistmouse: Deceased, verified StarClan member
Brackenwing: Deceased, verified StarClan member
**Grandfathers:**

Hareflight: Deceased, verified StarClan member
Redclaw: Deceased, verified StarClan member
**Uncles:**

Stagleap: Status unknown
Barkface: Deceased, verified StarClan member
**Aunt:**

Doespring: Deceased, verified StarClan member
**First cousins:**

Onestar: Deceased, verified StarClan member
Morningflower: Deceased, verified StarClan member
Ashfoot: Deceased, verified StarClan member

## Appearances

* *Tallstar's Revenge*
* *Redtail's Debt*
* *Fire and Ice* Template:1sta
* *Forest of Secrets* Template:Mo
* *Rising Storm*
* *Tigerclaw's Fury* (Allegiance only)
* *A Dangerous Path*
* *The Darkest Hour*
* *Blackfoot's Reckoning* (Allegiance only)
* *A Shadow in RiverClan*
* *Firestar's Quest*
* *Graystripe's Vow* (Allegiance only)
* *A Clan in Need*
* *Mothwing's Secret* (Allegiance only)
* *Midnight*
* *Moonrise*
* *Dawn*
* *Starlight* †
* *Winds of Change* †
* *Twilight* Template:Mo
* *Fading Echoes* Template:Mo
* *Night Whispers*
* *Crowfeather's Trial* Template:Mo
* *Cats of the Clans*
* *Code of the Clans* Template:Mo
* *Battles of the Clans*
* *The Ultimate Guide*

## Trivia

### Author statements

* Vicky stated that Mudclaw was not evil enough to go to the Dark Forest, and that she felt bad for him losing his deputy position. She has also stated that he went to StarClan due his legitimate claim for WindClan's leadership. This is further backed by Tallstar's explanation in *Winds of Change*.
* Kate said she liked the idea of Shrewclaw being Mudclaw's father, and Vicky later confirmed so.

### Mistakes

* Mudclaw is said to be a kit in the nursery when Tallstar became leader in *Starlight*, but in *Tallstar's Revenge*, he is shown as a warrior when Tallstar is going to receive his nine lives.

## Quotes

**Bluestar**: "*We are traveling to Highstones. StarClan grants us safe passage. You have no right to stop us!*"

**Mudclaw**: "*You gave up your rights to StarClan's protection when you took Brokentail into your Clan!*"

**Fireheart**: "*Brokentail is dead.*"

**Mudclaw**: "*You killed him?*"
**Bluestar**: "*Of course we didn't kill him. ThunderClan aren’t murderers.*"
**Mudclaw**: "*No. You just protect them!*"

—Mudclaw prohibiting Bluestar and Fireheart from traveling to the Moonstone Rising Storm

"*But he couldn't resist flexing his claws, still angry at the memory, and was angered further when Mudclaw leaned sideways to whisper something into his companion's ears with a meaningful glance at Fireheart. To Fireheart's surprise Onewhisker blinked sympathetically at him, then turned and walked away, leaving Mudclaw flicking his tail with annoyance. It looked as if there was at least one WindClan warrior who remembered the old debt of loyalty to ThunderClan. Fireheart couldn’t stop his whiskers from twitching with satisfaction as he stalked past Mudclaw and headed toward Leopardfur and the ShadowClan warrior.*"
―Narrator about Fireheart, Mudclaw and Onewhisker Rising Storm

**Onewhisker**: "*Fireheart!*"

**Fireheart**: "*Hi, Onewhisker. You'd better not let Mudclaw see you talking to me, truce or no truce. We didn't part on very good terms last time we met.*"

**Onewhisker**: "*Mudclaw takes pride in defending his territory.*"

**Fireheart**: "*Maybe. But that's no excuse for turning Bluestar away from Highstones.*"
**Onewhisker**: "*Tallstar wasn't happy when he heard about that. Even if you were sheltering Brokentail, it was no excuse—*"
**Fireheart**: "*Brokentail was* dead *by then. [...] I'm sorry, Onewhisker. It's good to see you again.*"

—Fireheart and Onewhisker about Mudclaw Rising Storm

***See more***

**Mudclaw**: "*Crowpaw can't lead WindClan. He's only an apprentice.*"

**Brambleclaw**: "*Have you crossed this path before?*"

**Mudclaw**: "*No. But I have commanded my Clan before!*"

—Mudclaw arguing about Crowpaw's role of leading WindClan over the Thunderpath Dawn

**Mudclaw**: "*We'll begin making plans at once. Establish WindClan's boundaries...keep everyone else's paws off our territory.*"

**Tallstar**: "*I appreciate your eagerness, Mudclaw...but the last thing we need is to make fresh enemies.*"

**Mudclaw**: "*But Tallstar, WindClan comes before everything else. We must protect what is ours.*"

**Onewhisker**: "*We have more important matters to deal with now than Clan boundaries, Mudclaw.*"

—Mudclaw, when they arrive at the lake Tallstar's Revenge

"*Before I go to StarClan, there is something I must do. Firestar, Onewhisker, listen. Mudclaw is a brave warrior, but he is not the right cat to lead WindClan. In these last moons we have learned that the future of our Clans lies in friendship. I want no rivalry between WindClan and ThunderClan after I am gone. We must have no enemies. But this will not happen if Mudclaw rules the Clan.*"
―Tallstar to Firestar, Onewhisker, and Brambleclaw his worries about Mudclaw Starlight

"*Are you just going to sit here and accept this? Do we let ThunderClan choose our leader for us? How many of our warriors do you think will follow you, you sniveling, crow-food eating traitor?*"
―Mudclaw to Onewhisker Starlight

"*Are you completely mouse-brained? You're giving away WindClan territory for a pawful of healing herbs? Barkface was perfectly capable of treating the sick cats without this apprentice sticking her nose in.*"
―Mudclaw arguing with Onewhisker Starlight

**Tornear**: "*Mudclaw, we need to be careful. Clanmates turning against another is the absolute worst thing for our Clan.*"

**Mudclaw**: "*No. The absolute worst thing for our Clan is a leader we can't* trust.'**"**

—Tornear and Mudclaw about the coming rebellion Winds of Change

**Tallstar**: "*I should have told you, Mudclaw. I should have* prepared *you. But when I finally knew for sure...it was nearly too late. I had to tell Onewhisker before I died.*"

**Mudclaw**: "*So it's...it's true? You really did pick Onewhisker to be leader? I always tried to be the best deputy I* could*. Why not pick me? What did I do wrong?*"

**Tallstar**: "*You were an* excellent *deputy, and you would have made a strong,* powerful *leader. You* never *disappointed me. But you have to understand, Mudclaw. In the new territory...WindClan needs a new* kind *of leader.*"

**Mudclaw**: "*Wait...is this StarClan? Tallstar...if Onewhisker is the true leader of WindClan...why am I here? I* attacked my leader. *I don't* belong *here.*"
**Tallstar**: "*What you did was wrong, yes. But you* believed *you were acting in the best interest of your Clan.*"
**Mudclaw**: "*But—I still don't understand. Why wasn't I the right kind of leader? What changed?*"
**Tallstar**: "*New dangers are coming to trouble the Clans. Dangers from outside, which they'll have to fight—side by side—if they are to survive. There must be* peace *between the Clans, Mudclaw. Old anger and suspicion have to be set aside in favor of* cooperation *and* trust*.*"

—Tallstar and Mudclaw in StarClan Winds of Change

"*Mudclaw was WindClan's most senior warrior, made deputy because even Tallstar recognized that his on peace-pursuing leadership needed the support of a warrior not afraid to show his claws. Tallstar's decision to replace Mudclaw with Onewhisker was a terrible betrayal of Mudclaw's loyalty. Would Mudclaw have made such a dreadful leader? Yes, he was ambitious - but his ambition was to become leader of his Clan, and no cat can doubt that he would have surrended all his lives to defending his Clanmates and the Clan's borders.*"
―Rock's opinion on Mudclaw Cats of the Clans

"*Mudclaw was furious- and can you blame him, really? He'd done nothing wrong. But as a warrior, he should have respected his leader's decision and supported Onestar. Instead, he plotted to take over WindClan by force, and visited all the other Clans in secret, gaining allies. They struck one night, Mudclaw and a RiverClan warrior named Hawkfrost leading the attack. The rest of us fought on Onestar's behalf, and Onestar won- helped by StarClan. Do you see that island down there? With the tall trees? If you look closely, you can make out a fallen tree joining the island to the shore, with its roots on the island side. StarClan sent a bolt of lightning to strike that tree and make it fall on top of Mudclaw, killing him instantly, and showing that Onestar was the true leader of WindClan.*"
―Tawnypelt about Mudclaw Battles of the Clans

"*Mudclaw was chosen to be deputy because Tallstar recognized the need for a warrior who was not afraid to show his claws to balance out his own gentler, peace-loving leadership. Mudclaw was fearless, fiercely loyal to his Clan, and determined to be a strong leader without having the bloodthirsty ambition that had polluted the paths of leaders in other Clans. When Tallstar dismissed him and appointed Onestar in his place, Mudclaw felt utterly betrayed. He saw no reason behind Tallstar's decision, except that the old cat had lost his mind just before losing his ninth life. A challenge to Onestar's leadership seemed entirely logical, and Mudclaw was encouraged by a significant number of cats who shared his disbelief-not just from his own Clan, but ShadowClan and RiverClan too.*"
―Narrator on Mudclaw The Ultimate Guide

*End of spoiler warning*
## External links

* Stand Together or Fall Divided on the *Warriors* official website Template:Imo (backup link)
* Unexpected Storylines on the *Warriors* official website Template:Imo (backup link)
* Exclusive! *Graystripe's Vow*: Excerpt on the *Warriors* official website (Allegiance only) (backup link)
* Exclusive Title and Cover Reveal! Upcoming Graphic Novel on the *Warriors* official website (backup link)
* *Winds of Change* - Sneak Peek! on the *Warriors* official website (backup link)

## Notes and references

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Revealed in *Night Whispers*, page 4
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Revealed in *Forest of Secrets*, allegiances
3. ↑ Revealed in *Starlight*, page 317
4. ↑ Revealed in *Redtail's Debt*, chapter 6
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Revealed on Vicky's Facebook Template:Screenshot
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Revealed in *Rising Storm*, page 63
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Revealed in *Firestar's Quest*, allegiances
8. ↑ Revealed in *Fire and Ice*, allegiances
9. ↑ Revealed in *Midnight*, allegiances
10. ↑ Revealed in *Starlight*, page 119
11. ↑ Revealed in *Rising Storm*, page 64
12. ↑ Revealed on the cover of *Winds of Change*
13. ↑ Revealed in *Starlight*, chapter 7
14. ↑ Revealed in *Starlight*, chapter 23
15. ↑ Revealed in *Winds of Change*, page 41
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Revealed in *Tallstar's Revenge*, page 26
17. ↑ Revealed in *Tallstar's Revenge*, page 20
18. ↑ Revealed in *Tallstar's Revenge*, page 176
19. ↑ Revealed in *Tallstar's Revenge*, page 8
20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Revealed in *Tallstar's Revenge*, page 493
21. ↑ Revealed in Erin Hunter Chat 5
22. ↑ Revealed in *Winds of Change*, page 195
23. ↑ Revealed in *Starlight*, page 24

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