Mudclaw is a major character in Erin Hunter's Warriors book franchise.
He is the brother of Tornear, and the son of Ryestalk and Shrewclaw, as well as former deputy of WindClan. A sharp-tongued and short-tempered cat, Mudclaw was fiercely loyal to his Clan and held cats from other Clans in distrust. Upon being brought back to their home by Fireheart and Graystripe, WindClan formed an alliance and friendship with the former in particular, although Mudclaw remained as hostile as ever. Following Tallstar's deputy, Deadfoot's death, Mudclaw succeeded him in this position and with his leader growing weaker and frail with each day during the destruction of the forest, the dark tabby slowly started taking over charge of the Clan. However, with his dying breath Tallstar replaced him with Onewhisker, being fully aware of Mudclaw's hostile nature and troubles he could bring to the friendship between WindClan and ThunderClan. Feeling betrayed, Mudclaw began to listen to Hawkfrost's manipulative words and together they orchestrated a coup to kill Onewhisker and his supporters.
Yet, during the battle he got betrayed by Hawkfrost, which prompted him to flee. During his escape Mudclaw realized the mistake of his actions and then was crushed by a falling tree soon enough. He went to StarClan and there Tallstar explained to him the whole situation as well as his decision to replace him earlier on. Mudclaw finally acknowledged Onewhisker as the right choice for the leader of WindClan and attended his leadership ceremony, during which he gave him one of his nine lives and apologized for his actions.
Appearance[]
Mudclaw is a wiry, mottled dark brown tabby tomcat with amber eyes.
The Prophecies Begin[]
Along with the rest of his Clan, Mudclaw had been driven away from their territory by ShadowClan under Brokenstar's command and as a result, the Clan took shelter under one of the Thunderpaths. Upon being found by Fireheart and Graystripe, they are brought back home however, couple moons later upon discovering that ThunderClan is harboring Brokentail as their prisoner, Mudclaw was furious and during one of the patrols he, Tornear and Webpaw confront Fireheart and Bluestar during their venture to Highstones. The WindClan cats forbid them entrance onto their land, with Mudclaw reminding them of their act of keeping Brokenstar in their Clan. Fireheart however, informs him of the latter's death and the dark brown tabby asks if they killed him. Upon being answered in negative, Mudclaw spits that ThunderClan doesn't harbor murderers but protects them instead. As the tension continues to rise, Bluestar decides to return back and Mudclaw offers to escort them back to the Fourtrees and Bluestar agrees without saying a word.
He remains hostile towards Fireheart and his hostility eventually becomes one of the factors that spark a brief skirmish with the orange tom and Sandstorm upon their return from saving Cloudpaw from Twolegs. He is defeated by the combined efforts of Sandstorm and Cloudpaw and flees away. During one of the next Gatherings, Onewhisker reveals to Fireheart that Tallstar voices his disapproval of Mudclaw's constant hostility.
Days later, as Bluestar's mentality began to decrease and Fireheart became ThunderClan's new deputy after Tigerclaw's betrayal, Mudclaw is present during the meeting between two Clan leaders in order to ensure peace between their Clans. He criticizes ThunderClan cats' presence in WindClan's camp and due to Bluestar's crazed accusations almost sparks a conflict as he tries to jump at her, only to be stopped by Onewhisker in a nick of time.
However, upon learning of Bluestar's death later on, he allows Fireheart to pass their border to reach the Highstones for the latter's leadership ceremony. Following TigerClan's attack on their Clan, Mudclaw is sent to ThunderClan for help and Firestar obliges without hesitation. He participates in the final clash with BloodClan days later and after the battle helps Tallstar drive away the remaining BloodClan cats back towards the Twolegplace.
The New Prophecy/Winds of Change[]
Following Deadfoot's passing, Mudclaw has become the new deputy of WindClan and his strength and determination is nicely balanced by Tallstar's calm approach to most things. He has gained second apprentice by now, Crowpaw, who is chosen to be the WindClan representative on the journey to sun-drown-place to find answers on where to move out to due to the deforestation of their territories by Twolegs. While his apprentice is on the quest, the Clans continue to struggle with the prey shortage and water pollution. Mudclaw and Tornear intercept Leafpaw and Sorrelpaw when the two apprentices cross the border between ThunderClan and WindClan. The WindClan deputy ignores Leafpaw's attempt at explanation and attacks her, although Mothwing arrives to help the two. Afterwards, Mudclaw and Tornear head back towards the Fourtrees.
Later, when Firestar brings up the incident during his talk with Tallstar, Mudclaw denies and deflects any accusations, which sparks a brief fight with Graystripe.
Following the chosen cats' return from their venture, the Clans eventually depart the forest to find the new home. On the journey Mudclaw takes over most of leadership tasks due to Tallstar's condition. Upon reaching the lake territories, the deputy joins Clan leaders in discussions about whether or not to send some patrols to explore the new territory and Mudclaw is saying that Tallstar needs to rest due to his condition. Although Firestar manages to convince him and eventually a patrol is formed and Mudclaw returns to Tallstar's side, helping him steady himself. He is chosen in private by Tallstar to continue representing WindClan. The latter reminds him about the importance of friendship between all Clans, although the deputy claims that it's not as important as ensuring their Clan's survival. The old leader reminds him to keep the peace regardless. After leaving, Mudclaw consults with Barkface and the medicine cat advises him to prepare to become the next leader of WindClan as Tallstar's life is nearing its' end, much to the dark deputy's worry. During the first Gathering on the new territories, Mudclaw interrupts Firestar by trying to select which Clan will take which part of the territories and subsequently is called out on this by Onewhisker. A small argument breaks out briefly but Firestar defuses the situation by telling Onewhisker that Mudclaw is only doing his duty, although the latter wonders in his head why ThunderClan leader keeps interfering into their Clan's business.
After the Gathering, he tells some of his Clanmates that until the new territories have been estabilished, WindClan will reside farthest from the other Clans at the moment. He then ponders the argument from the Gathering, before being approached by Onewhisker who offers to hunt something for Tallstar. The deputy approves and upon the former's return, discusses Tallstar's state, as well as informs him that he'll need the younger warrior's support in the coming time.
Later that day, the Clan leaders host another meeting where they discuss sending another patrol to gather more informations about the new territory so the Clans can start to estabilish their borders. After it's been decided that the patrol will consist of cats who previously ventured to the sun-drown-place, Mudclaw approaches Crowfeather after the meeting and reminds his former apprentice that the time of friendship between other Clans during the journey has passed and that loyalty to their Clan always comes first, unaware that Tallstar overheard the conversation from his makeshift den nearby. He calls Mudclaw over and gently lectures him about what he said to Crowfeather, reminding him of neccessity of keeping peace between all Clans. Mudclaw further affirms his distrust of ThunderClan, saying that Firestar always acts as if he owned WindClan and that he himself is only trying to protect their Clan, before leaving. He feels guilty about the argument with his leader, but believes that there's nothing else he can do to keep protecting his Clan. He goes on a hunt with Tornear and former apprentice Webfoot and reminiscences about the recent events and how he will miss his leader, before starting to think of new ideas WindClan could use of.
Moments later the scouting patrol returns and although it's Brambleclaw who gives the report to all Clans, Mudclaw approaches Crowfeather afterwards to hear it from him and hides his displeasure upon learning that their Clan will neighbor with ThunderClan again, before praising his former apprentice on the job well done. He reflects how with the journey to their new home he was constantly worrying about either his Clanmates or his leader. Suddenly, he and Tornear overhear part of the argument between Mistyfoot and Hawkfrost and as they leave, the brothers converse about the deputyship and leadership of their Clan. That night he has trouble with sleeping due to the constant whirlwind of thoughts and worries, and the next morning, Mudclaw wakes up to the sudden news that Tallstar has passed. In confusion and disbelief, the deputy joins the already gathered cats around the meeting spot and upon spotting Firestar and Onewhisker side by side, questions ThunderClan leader's interference in his Clan's matters again. Firestar reveals that before passing away, Tallstar personally chose Onewhisker to succeed him as WindClan's leader and Mudclaw is shocked. He furiously rejects Onewhisker's offer of resuming his deputyship under the younger cat and accusses him of being a traitor and puppet to Firestar. The situation escalates as several of his Clanmates voice their support of Mudclaw becoming the leader and the dark brown warrior jumps on the tree stumps the leaders are at, openly challenging his younger Clanmate. Barkface intervenes and shuts him down. Mudclaw wonders where and when did he disappoint Tallstar to be replaced like this and during the leader's burial, voices his thoughts to his brother. Tornear asks him if he thinks that Onewhisker would lie to them like this and Mudclaw remains silent.
As couple days pass, Mudclaw continues resenting Onewhisker and feels unimportant anymore. He avoids helping him or Ashfoot, the new deputy with their tasks and instead broods over the situation. Following his brother's and Crowfeather's attempt to console him, Mudclaw acknowledges his position in the Clan and vows to resume protecting it. One night he lays with his brother on the field and confides in him, pondering the possibility of Onewhisker not receiving his nine lives due to no replacement for Moonstone being found yet. Tornear reasons with him, reassuring him of his support but also adding that given that it was Tallstar's own choice, it would be best if it was honored. However, Webfoot and Nightcloud overhear their conversation as they pass by and claim that Onewhisker isn't their leader until he receives his nine lives from StarClan, which only fuels Mudclaw's resentment and prevents him from following his brother's advice. Over the next couple of days Mudclaw further begins to slip into his paranoia about threat from ThunderClan and other Clans, as well as his distrust of Onewhisker and eventually meets up with Hawkfrost who fuels his worries even more. Together they gather followers who share Mudclaw's opinion on the matter and orchestrate an attack on Onewhisker and Ashfoot. Before enacting their plan, Mudclaw ponders about Hawkfrost's true intentions and considers his words a hypocrisy, but before he can doubt himself, he assures himself that he has to put his Clan first.
As the rebellion starts, Mudclaw confronts Onewhisker and as he's close to killing him, ThunderClan reinforcement force arrives and overpowers the former deputy's supporters. They all flee and Mudclaw vows to survive, before joining them with Hawkfrost by his side. Brambleclaw chases after them and Mudclaw clashes with him, easily overpowering him. However, suddenly pounces on the latter and lies to his half-brother how Mudclaw manipulated him into joining his cause. Bewildered and furious, Mudclaw goads Hawkfrost to tell Brambleclaw the truth but the RiverClan warrior continues on. The former deputy breaks free from his grasp and flees towards the lake shore. He wonders why Hawkfrost betrayed him before a realization that he's been a pawn to Hawkfrost's game this whole time dawns on him. Suddenly, a lightning strikes a tree on the opposite shore and Mudclaw manages to only give a shriek of terror before it crushes him, killing him.
He wakes up in StarClan, where Tallstar immediately greets him and apologizes to him for the whole ordeal. He acknowledges his mistake and when Mudclaw questions his place in StarClan due to his actions, Tallstar assures him that he wanted to protect his Clan and do what was best for it. He adds how Clans will need peace between one another to survive future problems, before showing him through the pool of water the aftermath of the rebellion and how the tree that killed him formed a bridge to an island where the Clan Gatherings will be held from now on. The dark brown tabby is unsure of his legacy, knowing that nobody will remember him for trying to protect his Clan but for his attempted coup, upon which Tallstar beckons him to follow him to the Moonpool. The former leader says that there's something else the latter can do to help their Clan and Mudclaw realizes that they're on Onewhisker's leadership ceremony. Upon Tallstar's gentle encouragement, Mudclaw joins the ceremony by giving Onewhisker a life for determination to protect WindClan by any means necessarry. He then apologizes for his behavior and actions, to which the younger cat replies that he's already been forgiven, before vowing to serve their Clan as best as he can. Mudclaw himself replies that he'll be watching over him from now on and helping him to keep their Clan safe.
Omen of the Stars[]
Mudclaw briefly appears during a small meeting between several StarClan cats following the battle between ThunderClan and ShadowClan orchestrated by Tigerstar from the Dark Forest. They discuss on what to do with the oncoming threat and decide on persuading the Clans to join together against it.
External links[]
- Mudclaw on the Warriors Wiki
- Mudclaw on the Villains Wiki
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