Coarsestar

**Coarsestar** is RigidClan's current leader. He has been leading for many years, having been leader for the entirety of Dappledstone's life. He's known as a strong and stubborn leader who is always willing to go into battle if it means his Clan survives. He isn't afraid to take a stand, which may be his downfall.

## Appearance

Coarsestar is a large cream tabby tom with a silver muzzle. He has multiple scars across his muzzle. He has a loud, rumbling voice.

## Personality

Coarsestar is a stubborn tom who won't take action unless it benefits him in some way, unless that action is battle, of course. His pride can be damaged incredibly easily which leads him to make rash decisions. He's gained a reputation for sending cats into deadly battles over a single mouse. This constant desire for violence has made him an enemy of many leaders, especially those of WealdClan.

## History

### Section Two: The First Leafbare

The healers of RigidClan go to speak to Coarsestar after Mossypaw receives a troubling vision about a blizzard. Coarsestar knew about the vision through word around camp. He ultimately decides to not take action, as seers' visions do not show a definitive future, and he doesn't want to cause a panic during the season.

Greencough spreads through the camp which prompts Coarsestar to call Mossypaw to his den. He tells her that she must begin to use the catmint or else more than a few cats die. He is clearly ill as well, coughing loudly.

Coarsestar realizes his inaction was a mistake when the nursery collapses after a single branch falls onto it. He is horrified at the realization that Mossypaw's vision would've come true had the nursery not collapsed then.

### Section Three: The Thaw

Coarsestar makes Quakepaw and Droughtpaw apprentices, then leads his Clan to the gathering that night. He is the last cat to go before Sleekstar reveals that RigidClan has a seer within its ranks. Coarsestar is furious and gathers his Clan to leave early. He returns to camp and informs the rest of the Clan about what had happened, and that they need to prepare in case this event causes an attack.

### Section Four: The Crimson Coat

Coarsestar is having a quail with his deputy when Coalflame bursts into camp. He's informed that the border patrol that had been sent out was ambushed by WealdClan cats. Coarsestar orders Coalflame to go to the healer's den then leaps into the Highledge. He yowls out to his Clan that they cannot let Mossypaw die to their claws. He gathers a patrol of Ospreytail, Killdeerfoot, Boulderpaw, Obsidianpelt, Quartzshine, and Pricklepaw, then leaves for battle.

Peatpaw spots him fending off Dragonflystar and Sleekstar.

### Section Five: The Dead Sparrow

Coarsestar sits in front of Killdeerfoot's body at her vigil and gives a short speech. Through a growl he says that she will not die in vain and she will be avenged. Talonstrike says that they were in no state to fight back against WealdClan, and Hawkclaw murmurs that it'd be best for them to kill the seer and save their souls. Coarsestar rounds on her and says they will not be killing their seer, as she was a valuable asset to the Clan. Hawkclaw hisses that he had no respect for those under him, and Coarsestar responds that he had no respect for *her*. Coarsestar assigns Talonstrike and Slideswipe as camp guards then dismisses the gathered cats.

Coarsestar paces back and forth, begging Mossypaw to tell him if she had a vision, *any* vision, that pertained to their situation. It's been days since the attack by WealdClan and it was weighing on him. He sits down for a moment and complains about Hawkclaw, who he calls rat-brained. Mossypaw, unnerved by his pacing and bristling coat, tells him that she would go to him the moment she had a vision, and would make sure nobody else in the Clan hears it, to not cause a panic. Coarsestar's expression softens and he agrees with her and sends her away, but not before telling her to keep their conversation a secret.

A rotten sparrow is found in the split stump that houses the fresh-kill pile. Coarsestar is drawn to the commotion as Hawkclaw blames the seer for bringing misfortune to their Clan. He calls her and her supporters mad and says that they were all frightened about nothing. Hawkclaw claims that the reason why Coarsestar wanted to keep Mossypaw around was so he could continue the war with WealdClan to make up for his terrible loss moons ago. Coarsestar hisses that she knows nothing about him and the two go back and forth until Elkflight states his opinion.

Talonstrike calls his Clanmates to take action and Coarsestar roars that they will not lay a single claw on Mossypaw. A fight in the center of camp soon starts as Hawkclaw leaps at Chaffinchclaw. The fight ends with Coarsestar exiling Hawkclaw and her supporters, who would be killed on sight if they were spotted in their territory. Hawkclaw says he was going to regret that decision before running out of camp.

### Section Seven: The Brisk Winds

Coarsestar remains in his den for days after Hawkclaw's group was exiled. He finally comes out of his den while Dappledstone is retrieving a mouse. She manages to convince him to let Boulderpaw pick his new mentor.

Coarsestar approaches Peatpaw and tells her that she'd be joining Boulderpaw in a training session. He believed that they were at a similar skill level and so it would be great practice for them to spar. He leads the apprentices to the Thunderstones then leaps onto the tallest one. He says that neither of them would be practicing specific battle moves and that they would simply spar until he told them to stop. He orders them to get into position and before he can tell them to start Boulderpaw lunges at Peatpaw. He demands that Boulderpaw stop this unruly behavior but the apprentice challenges him with a glare. Coarsestar leaps down once he's had enough and steps between the apprentices. He's about to tell them to get back into position when Boulderpaw tackles Peatpaw. Instead of stopping it, he gets onto his perch and watches, a smile on his face.

He says that Boulderpaw did a fantastic job and that was the only reason his behavior was allowed. The next time that Boulderpaw pulled a stunt like that, he wouldn't be pardoned, according to him. He sets the apprentices free, allowing them to hunt or do whatever they wish, and tells them he'll be in camp if they need him.

## Relationships

### Hornetstar

Coarsestar did not respect the WealdClan leader while he was alive, while Hornetstar respected him. He would frequently insult the leader and fought multiple times to take the Gutless Stream resulting in many casualties on both sides. Despite his hatred of WealdClan's leader, he wasn't pleased to find out Sleekstar had replaced him so soon.

### Dappledstone

Coarsestar frequently buts heads with the healer. Every decision Coarsestar makes is met with harsh criticism from the healer, who believes that she, as well as Cragshiver, should have a say in what goes on. Coarsestar heavily disagrees as their job is to heal injured cats and they were not properly trained to lead. They very rarely find common ground and most of their arguments end after a cat forces them to break up. Despite all of this, Coarsestar does respect the healer enough to *consider* her opinions.

### Mossypaw

Coarsestar sees Mossypaw as both a burden and a useful asset. After her vision predicted the nursery's collapse, he began to take her more seriously and begin to worry about what she had to say next. Unlike the other Clans he doesn't see her seer status as a detriment and instead sees it as an advantage. If only her mentors would let him speak to her more often...

### Hawkclaw

He's always been butting heads with Hawkclaw ever since he was chosen as deputy over here. He frequently disregards her opinions and has only agreed with her once. Their rivalry is well known to the Clan and they don't try to intervene when disagreements get physical.

## Quotes

**Coarsestar**: "*Seers can see possible futures, is that correct? [...] Then I see no reason why this needs immediate reaction. We have no time limit because Mossypaw doesn’t know when the blizzard will happen, if it even does.*"

**Dappledstone**: "*Could you at least get the warriors to reinforce the dens? Even if there is no blizzard, I think it’s reasonable-*"

**Coarsestar**: "*I think it’s reasonable that we don’t cause hysteria during leafbare. Besides, we need our warriors hunting to keep the Clan fed. It’s best they remain out of camp for as long as possible to prevent any more sickness spreading.*"

—Coarsestar deciding not to take action on Mossypaw's vision. *The New Seer*, page 27

**Dragonflystar**: "*I want that seer dead.*"

**Coarsestar**: "*You’re out of your mind if you think I’m going to kill an innocent apprentice just because one seer was a bad cat. You have no control over what decisions I make, especially ones as dire as those.*"

—Coarsestar shutting down Dragonflystar's demand before leaving the gathering. *The New Seer*, page 27

**Hawkclaw**: "*You haven’t got a lick of respect for the cats under you*"

**Coarsestar**: "*“No, I just have no respect for you. StarClan gave me my blessing and approves of what I’ve done. Until birds start falling from the trees, I won’t change my mind. Show some respect for the fallen; don’t be such a soft belly.*"

—Coarsestar snapping at Hawkclaw after she suggests killing the seer. *The New Seer*, page 42