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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."

Ratstar • Female • 60 moons • Leader • Swamp Outside of Camp • Mentions: None

In the waxing dawn, Ratstar was but a panting silhouette against the rippling marsh water. The muck sloshed against her body, covering the militant Leader in mud. It did relieve weight and pressure from her aching legs, however. She'd made it about halfway on the journey to Moonlake, but was forced to turn back. As she peaked a large hill, the faint sound of conversing young lions hummed in the distance and the hyena fled, knowing that they would easily catch up to her and kill her. Sighing, she dragged herself from the bog, her pelt dripping, and stepped groggily from the muck. She shook her wiry pelt and adopted a regal, leader-like stance as she strode into camp.


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"You have your weapons, I have mine."

Doechaser • Female • 29 moons • Warrior • Den • Mentions: None

Doechaser, in all of her vixenish grace, rose to her feet with a silent sigh, the grogginess lifting. A short glance around revealed the glaring absence of wolves awake outside of her den. Humming softly, the petite she-wolf stretched her limbs and flicked her tongue out, cleaning the tip of her snout. As she sat and her mind wandered, a fleeting thought crossed her mind, a personally off-kilter scheme to perhaps fill the pack further and advance Ratstar's cause. She'd always been opposed to being bred, shrugging off any attempt made by an over-zealous male who took her flirting too seriously, but for this momentary firing of synapses, she toyed with the idea of her own offspring. They'd be gorgeous babies, sure, but what would that do to her body? Pregnancy was difficult too. Ah well. It was a thought. The she-wolf wove from the den, ugly, dull sunlight invaded her amber irises as she broke into the outdoors. The humming commotion of swamp sounds infiltrated her pointed ears, which swiveled to search for emerging conversations, searching perhaps for some gossip to join in on.

"Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently."

Thornprickle // Male // Bush Dog // Medicine Dog
Location: Clearing // Mentions: Ratstar [Directly] Clovernose, Briarpetal [Indirectly]

Thornprickle awoke with a yawn, his brown eyes flickering open slowly. A small amount of sunlight filtering in through the entrance of his den told him that it was already sunrise, and that he should definitely be up by now. The Medicine Dog was usually one of the first ones to awaken, but the previous night he had stayed up late to take herb inventory, discovering that they were low on burdock root. He'd have to go collect some today. He stretched out his short legs before pushing himself up to a standing position. He shook the dust out of his pelt and only took a few moments to smooth down his fur before stepping out into the clearing. He soon spotted Ratstar coming back into camp, some mud still clinging to her legs. "Morning!" He called to her, dipping his head respectfully as he walked past the Leader. He didn't stop to speak to her, though, she had probably come back from another failed journey to the Moonlake, and he doubted she'd be in any mood for conversation at the moment. He strode right towards the killpile and selected a scrawny bird, not wanting to eat too much because he knew how difficult it was to find food in the swamps. As he munched on his food he began to think about who to ask to accompany him to gather herbs. Perhaps Clovernose would like to go? The raccoon dog always seemed eager help out with Medicine Dog duties. He'd also bring along Briarpetal, his apprentice. Briarpetal, having received training, was good at identifying herbs, and he was also taller than Thornprickle, so he was able to get through deeper parts of mud with ease.

[OOC: Sorry if it seems like I'm rambling, I have the worst writer's block right now.]
[[Prey Taken: 10% Bird]]

Petalrock
Male | 53 moons | Warrior | African Wild Dog | Location: Camp | Mentions: Spottedheart and Nightbreeze

The African wild dog ran through the marsh that seemed to cling to his paws as he skirted into camp, he slowed acting completely calm even though his heart was racing, the dog had gotten scared by a snake that shot out of a tree at him, he slowly calmed down as he panted his eyes flickering out in almost a feral fashion his heart slowly calming down, he hoped he wouldn't see his siblings, he really didn't want to explain his freak out to anyone it was honestly silly

| Clovernose |
Male • 36 Moons • Raccoon Dog (Leucistic) • Warrior
Location: Camp • Mentions: (Directly) Thornprickle

Clovernose’s jaws parted as a long yawn escaped him, the fluffy white male soon unraveling himself from the nest he still shared with his parents. Snowtuft murmured in her sleep, paws twitching as if she were chasing something in her dreams. Stripedtail was already gone, his side of the nest cold, typical for the hardworking warrior. Clovernose was surprised the older dog hadn’t woken him on the way out. Stretching out his short limbs, Clovernose headed out into camp, bright blue eyes soon after landing on Thornprickle as the medicine dog picked through the remains of a scrawny bird. He padded over to the fresh-kill pile, choosing a thin snake for himself before settling down close-by. “Lovely morning, isn’t it?” He joked lightly. “Will you be needing to head out in this mess today?”

Prey Taken: Snake (10%)



| Redbird |
Male • 37 Moons • Dhole • Warrior
Location: Camp • Mentions: (Directly) Ashpaw, Petalrock

Redbird sauntered over to the apprentice’s den, peering through the entrance in search of a particular dark pelt. “Ashpaw!” He barked upon spotting the black-furred male still curled inside. “Rise an’ shine sleeping beauty! It’s time to start the day. Go on and grab yourself something to eat and then we’ll head out!” Waiting to make certain the young wolf heard him, Redbird only left once he saw Ashpaw rising from his nest. As he headed toward the fresh-kill pile, Petalrock came trotting into camp and the dhole paused to watch the mottled dog. His movements were calm, but his eyes held fear. Redbird glanced around, seeking out whatever might have caused his distress. Clearly nothing here in camp. “Hey Petalrock,” he greeted, moving toward the older warrior. “You look troubled. Is everything alright?”



| Cobrastrike |
Male • 48 Moons • Brown Hyena • Warrior
Location: Camp • Mentions: {Indirectly) Ratstar

Dark eyes stared toward the camp entrance, the body they belonged to a still statue at the clearing’s edge, nestled beneath the protective, thorned branches of a marshland bush. Cobrastrike had been watching since Ratstar left, waiting for any sign of her spotted form approaching. His offers to accompany her for protection had been denied, and the brown hyena feared what would happen to Ratstar should she have the misfortune of meeting a member of the other Clans. He had little doubt they would slaughter her on sight. When at last she did return, panting and exhausted, he felt some of the tenacity coiling inside him relax. She was home. She was safe. Mudclan would not mourn the loss of another leader today.

((Didn't have any ideas for Daisyfoot. I'll add her in next time.))

Petalrock
Male | 53 moons | Warrior | African Wild Dog | Location: Camp | Mentions: Redbird

Petalrock looked at the red dog innocently "Huh? Yea I'm completely fine" he said innocently sitting down, he pulled his head back just a bit and started at Redbird innocently "Are you okay?" he responded his eyes widening a little as he moved closer to the other dog "I don't have to take you to Briarpetal do I?

|Snowfrost|
Female | 48 Moons | Gray Wolf | Deputy
Location: Camp | Mentions: Ratstar [Directly]

Snowfrost shook her fur dry as she trotted into camp, her jaws holding two rather skinny birds. It had been a lucky catch, really. She had startled them while they were distracted by each other, each flying slowly in the morning light, blissfully unaware of their fate. She would have regretted killing the birds, if not for the situation MudClan was in. A grim look entered her eyes as she thought, We're going to need all of the prey we can get our paws on if we're going to survive the upcoming moons. She shook herself out of her thoughts. There were a place and time for being pessimistic, and this wasn't it, nope! With a wag of her tail that seemed just a bit forced, she deposited the two birds on the fresh-kill pile.

Snowfrost briefly considered taking one for herself but decided against it. There were others who probably needed prey more than she did. Speaking of... Snowfrost watched Ratstar pad into camp, looking soaked to the bone. Her tail stopped its wagging, and her ears flattened against her head. Was her leader okay? She definitely didn't seem okay! Scooping up one of the birds she had hunted, Snowfrost quickly bounded over to Ratstar and snuggled up against her, providing the leader with warmth, nothing but concern and respect in her eyes. After all, she probably needed the warmth more than Snowfrost did.
The wolf stretched out her neck and offered the bird to Ratstar, her tail slowly starting to wag again.

Prey Added: 2 Birds

(I'm sorry for not replying sooner! Here it is anyways. xD)

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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."

Ratstar • Female • 60 moons • Leader • Swamp Outside of Camp • Mentions: Thornprickle; Snowfrost

Her stomach growling, Ratstar stepped through camp towards the diminished Prey Pile, the last remains of an old buck catching her eye. Before her destination, Thornprickle's miniscule form passed by her and uttered a simple greeting. "Good morning, Thornprickle," she hummed, a serious tone laced in her smooth, professional voice, "I hope you are well. Starclan's blessings be upon you." Although she was sure Starclan wouldn't hear her blessings until the determined leader reached Moonpool, it was all she could do to get in touch. She was certain that somewhere in that great sky, canines looked down upon the ill-fated clan with the gentle light of pride. Ratstar would offer her life and dedication to Starclan, making the trying journey so that the light of Starclan would once again shine on the Mud and illuminate the path for subsequent Dogs to receive the lives that the militant hyena so coveted and that the cats took for granted. And with any luck, upon Ratstar's eventual death, she would be greeted into Starclan with joy and praise, ready to bless new Leaders with their lives. But for now, those were but dreams. Back to Earth, the hyena walked with dignity despite the mud clinging to her muscular legs and held her thick skull high. Her steps were interrupted by her Deputy's white form pressing against the grime of her Leader's fur. The savory stench of freshly-killed bird wafted into her nose and saliva began to collect in her jaws. "Oh, hello Deputy Snowfrost," she said, smiling gently. The white wolf's happiness was a welcome reprieve from Ratstar's usual sobriety, and she returned the affectionate greeting and took the bird. "Thank you so much. I needed this."

| Daisyfoot |
Female • 41 Moons • Dingo • Warrior
Location: Camp • Mentions: {Directly} None - Open

Mud and swamp water splashed in cascading waves of murky brown as the golden-furred warrior galloped toward camp, three plump doves hanging from her jaws. She had ventured far to find these morsels, tip-toeing into Roseclan territory and escaping unnoticed. Any dog who laid eyes on the fat birds would know they hadn’t come from their own territory, but desperate times called for desperate measures. The Clan needed to be fed. Should the higher-ups seek to punish her for the unapproved trespassing, the admonishment would be worth it to see her friends had something to sink their teeth into. She slid to a halt just outside camp, shaking some of the sludge from her thin pelt before making her way to the prey-pile to deposit her catch.

Prey Added: 3 Doves



| Redbird |
Male • 37 Moons • Dhole • Warrior
Location: Camp • Mentions: (Directly) Petalrock / {Indirectly} Briarpetal, Ashpaw, Ratstar, Snowfrost

Redbird cocked his head slightly to one side in response to the other dog’s odd behavior, eyes narrowing in mild suspicion before an amused snort escaped him. “No? I’m completely fine friend. You’re the one who came trotting in here looking as if you’d seen a spirit of Starclan,” he teased lightly. The sight of Ratstar’s mud-caked form entering camp had him pausing, watching as the deputy moved to greet her. “‘Suppose I’ll wait to see if Ratstar has anything to announce before taking Ashpaw out.” He muttered, watching the hyena with optimistic eyes as she accepted a meal from Snowfrost. She didn’t look particularly happy, so it was unlikely she’d made it to the Moonpool, but he couldn’t help hoping differently.



| Cobrastrike |
Male • 48 Moons • Brown Hyena • Warrior
Location: Camp • Mentions: {Directly) Ratstar, Snowfrost

Cobrastrike rolled from beneath the bush where he made his nest, quickly pushing himself up to his paws. His gaze remained on leader and deputy until at last he dared approach them. Perhaps a foolish decision. He doubted Ratstar was looking for a conversation or would appreciate uninvited company, but anxiety still ate at him. He stopped a respectable distance from the pair of females, extending a leg in a polite bow that he always greeted his leader with. “Ratstar, I hope you will forgive the intrusion, but I am glad to see you have returned safely. Did you make it to the Moonpool?"