 |
This Article Contains Spoilers -
WARNING: This article contains major spoilers. If you do not wish to know vital information on plot / character elements in a story, you may not wish to read beyond this warning: We hold no responsibility for any negative effects these facts may have on your enjoyment of said media should you continue. That is all. |
| “ | I'll find somewhere far away from here and the others will join me. Once they realize the Clans only want to control them, they'll come. Once they see their land and their independence stripped away. | „ |
| ~ Splashtail to Frostpaw after he is driven out of RiverClan. |
Splashtail is one of the two main antagonists (alongside Berryheart) of A Starless Clan arc in Erin Hunter's Warriors book franchise.
He was a young warrior of RiverClan who befriended the medicine cat apprentice, Frostpaw, and following the deaths of the Clan's leader, Mistystar, and her deputy, Reedwhisker, he briefly became Owlnose's deputy before the unofficial leader stepped down. He is later revealed to have been conspiring with Frostpaw's mother, Curlfeather, before her death to help her become the leader of RiverClan, in exchange for being made her deputy. However, he had turned against her and killed her with a pack of dogs and later took over as RiverClan’s leader. Splashtail also shared Curlfeather’s disrespect and disdain for StarClan, refusing to accept their nine lives and instead mocked them, but tried to lie to the other Clan leaders that he did.
After becoming leader, Splashtail became increasingly tyrannical, eventually killing his deputy, Harelight, and appointing Berryheart in his place. He then took his own Clan's kits (who were also his younger siblings) hostage and threatened to hurt or kill them if anyone defied him. He took over ShadowClan and had their kits taken hostage as well. When Berryheart's plan to betray him was revealed, he ordered her death.
He was eventually overthrown through the joint efforts of ShadowClan, ThunderClan, and WindClan in an attack on RiverClan's camp. He attempted to kidnap one of the RiverClan kits and escape, but he was caught by Frostpaw and Lightleap, and killed by Frostpaw.
Appearance[]
Splashtail is a young tabby tom with thick brown fur and grayish-green eyes.
Personality[]
As noted by Curlfeather, Splashpaw displayed a knack for power and ambition as an apprentice. From there, Curlfeather planted the first seeds of skepticism in Splashpaw’s mind about the current state of leadership in RiverClan and the authority of StarClan. When he became a warrior, Splashtail wanted to see the leadership and strength of his Clan change, and conspired with the like-minded Curlfeather to do so.
During RiverClan’s succession crisis, Splashtail remains a calm, protective, and supportive RiverClan warrior. His relationship with others, including Frostpaw, is very formal and at best, friendly. Frostpaw saw him as a charming and noble cat, and even seemed to have developed feelings for him, which the tom was able to maintain her image of him. He also seems to be insecure about others viewing his young age and doubting his leadership because of it, such as when Curlfeather berates and belittles him when discussing their plan, even calling him a kit and fuelling Splashtail’s motivation to turn against her. Despite this, Splashtail is very proud and confident when it comes to serving and leading his Clan, ignoring others’ doubts.
Having his main motive being to improve RiverClan’s leadership and strength, Splashtail is fiercely independent and jingoistic. When Tigerstar and ShadowClan temporarily take over RiverClan until a true leader is found, Splashtail is greatest in Tigerstar’s opposition. His fierce independence even extends to StarClan, as he believes that his Clan doesn’t need the ‘approval of dead cats’ under his leadership, even refusing his nine lives and heretically mocking them at the Moonpool instead.
After becoming leader, Splashtail suddenly and openly becomes controlling, wrathful and authoritative. His controlling nature comes from overambitious nature and his impulsiveness (likely stemming from his young age) in implementing his new policies into his Clan. He not only insults and yells at his Clanmates, but to other Clan cats as well, especially to the other leaders.
Biography[]
Background[]
Splashkit is born to Havenpelt and Sneezecloud alongside his sister, Fogkit. He is made into a warrior apprentice, getting renamed Splashpaw, and having Softpelt as his mentor. After Softpelt is killed in battle, Minnowtail becomes his new mentor. Soon he and Fogpaw are made into warriors, earning the names Splashtail and Fognose.
A Starless Clan[]
River[]
While out on a hunt with Reedwhisker, Curlfeather, Fognose, and Podlight one day, he and the rest of his group come home without the deputy, claiming they assumed he returned to camp without them or had gotten lost, and are surprised to find that Mistystar had died while they were gone. Soon Frostpaw receives a message from the spirit of past RiverClan leader, Leopardstar, telling her that Reedwhisker is somewhere shadowy in RiverClan territory. Splashtail and Gorseclaw are doubtful of her abilities to lead a search party though. Soon they find Reedwhisker dead at the bottom of a ravine, with his neck snapped and large gashes on his body. As they take his body back to camp, Splashtail wonders what will happen to the Clan now that both their leader and deputy are dead.
Splashtail later takes Frostpaw to the Moonpool so she may ask StarClan who the next leader should be, now reassuring of her capabilities. The young gray she-cat is unable to reach StarClan though, but on the way home, she sees a single curled feather lying in her path, which she interprets as a sign that her mother, Curlfeather, should lead the Clan. After Curlfeather is killed by a pack of dogs on the way to the Moonpool though, Splashtail suggests that Frostpaw's mentor, Mothwing, pick some senior warriors to lead, though this idea is shot down.
Sky[]
Splashtail tries cheering up a mourning Frostpaw, informing her that her mentor, Mothwing, is organizing patrols while the rest of the Clan is still in shock from Curlfeather's death. When a patrol of ShadowClan cats shows up asking to borrow some catmint, Splashtail and Mallownose show hostility until one of the patrol's members, Snaketooth, is able to convince them to let them ask Mothwing and Frostpaw. Mothwing tells them they don't have any catmint to spare though, sharply ordering them to leave, after which Splashtail and Mallownose escort them out.
When Curlfeather's spirit tells her daughter to pick RiverClan's new leader herself, Frostpaw chooses Owlnose. The Clan questions this choice, as Owlnose is rather anxious and uncertain, but Splashtail backs her up and tells her she's made the right choice. As Owlnose stumbles over his words while assigning patrols, Splashtail prompts him on who to send. He later helps Brackenpelt into the medicine den after she hit her head during a riverbank collapse. Owlnose blames himself for not knowing the riverbank was unstable before he sent cats there, but Splashtail defends him. The young warrior then suggests sending larger patrols to assess the other riverbanks' stability, and the Clan begins noticing how much Owlnose relies on him.
When StarClan doesn't grant Owlnose the nine lives of a leader, the deputy suggests that they're just waiting until he's been leading for a while. At Mothwing's suggestion, Owlnose then picks a deputy, choosing Splashtail despite him being rather young and never having been a mentor. The Clan criticizes this choice but are interrupted by the ShadowClan warrior, Tawnypelt, showing up to inform them of an emergency Gathering that night. At said Gathering, the cats of the other Clans are dubious of Owlnose's and Splashtail's new positions, who claim that Mistystar and Reedwhisker died of greencough, though the truth is soon revealed. Afterwards, both Owlnose and Splashtail struggle to organize patrols, and Mothwing must help them. Frostpaw then confides in Splashtail about Owlnose's indecisiveness, and the deputy hopes that he and the leader will get better at their new jobs soon, telling the apprentice she's doing a great job.
Soon after Owlnose steps down as leader, ShadowClan's leader, Tigerstar, arrives with a patrol, offering to supervise the Clan until they can get their own leader. Splashtail refuses aggressively, telling Tigerstar that he and his patrol will either have to leave or fight them. After Duskfur attacks Tigerstar's deputy, Cloverfoot, a fight erupts between the two Clans, but quickly ends when the ShadowClan leader pins Duskfur down. Splashtail states that no cat should die that day, and RiverClan surrenders, with Splashtail glaring at Tigerstar as the older tom says it's for the good of RiverClan.
Shadow[]
A few days later, after Frostpaw reveals to her Clanmates that she can't speak to StarClan, she abandons medicine cat duties to become a warrior apprentice, with the ceremony being held by Tigerstar. Many of her Clanmates are against this though, Splashtail and Duskfur especially, but her new mentor, Harelight, defends her decision. After a training session, Frostpaw tells Splashtail all she's learned about being a warrior so far, revealing she has feelings for him and hoping they can be mates. Splashtail hesitates before telling her that they can't be together, both because despite not being too far apart in age, she's still an apprentice while he's a warrior, and because he still sees her as a medicine cat. She asks if they can be mates when she becomes a warrior, but Splashtail avoids giving a direct answer.
A little while later, Splashtail, Duskfur and Mallownose meet with the ShadowClan warriors Berryheart, Yarrowleaf, and Whorlpelt at the border between the two Clans. Splashtail thanks them for coming, and Berryheart asks about who will be RiverClan's new medicine cat now that Frostpaw is a warrior apprentice. Splashtail replies that one will come soon, but if they don't, he'll just have to find one himself. When Berryheart suggests someone obvious, he replies that he knows someone like that. Mallownose worries if he'll hurt anyone, to which Splashtail sharply looks at him and says he'll do anything to protect RiverClan.
When Splashtail injures his paw, Frostpaw uses her medical knowledge to tend to it, and he compliments her on her healing skills. Frostpaw then tries spending more time with Splashtail, but he's rather distant. He apologizes for this, admitting that he still sees her as a medicine cat. The pale gray she-cat later has a vision where she sees herself as the cat who killed Reedwhisker and dropped his body into the ravine, realizing by his shocked expression that he was killed by someone in RiverClan. She informs Splashtail of this vision, who's shocked, and doubts whether or not it was real. He advises her to tell another medicine cat about it, and she decides to go to the WindClan medicine cat apprentice Whistlepaw. On the way there however, he later follows after and ambushes her, severely wounding her, though she does not know his identity at first.
Thunder[]
Frostpaw is still dealing with the aftermath of Splashtail’s attack, and realizes that he was never a good cat. She blames herself for being attacked, but the ThunderClan warrior, Nightheart, assures her that it isn’t her fault.
While visiting the Cats of the Park, Frostpaw learns how to glimpse into the past via meditation. Using it, she finds out that Splashtail was the one who killed Reedwhisker and sent dogs after Curlfeather, and had also been the one to plant the false curled feather sign. Before she and Nightheart return home though, she says there's still one last thing she needs to find out. The spirit of Riverstar, RiverClan's founder, asks her if she is ready first, and he shows her a glimpse of a moment after Reedwhisker was murdered, but before the Clan found his body. She hears Splashtail worrying about his Clanmates finding the body and asking if he should move it, and is horrified when she hears Curlfeather's voice telling him not to do anything.
In the vision, Curlfeather says that she'll claim the deputy's death was an accident, confident that Frostpaw will believe her, since the apprentice has believed that she is supposed to be a medicine cat, revealing that Frostpaw's dream of Jayclaw's death wasn't prophetic but just a coincidence. Splashtail worries that Frostpaw will panic, and the whole plan will fall apart, but Curlfeather retorts that he's the only one who is panicking, adding that she won't let the plan fall apart. She assures him that she'll become leader, and he'll be her deputy just as planned. He asks how he can trust her, and she replies that he can't, telling him that he'll have to trust her and to stop acting like a kit.
Back in the present at a Gathering, Duskfur announces that Podlight is their new medicine cat after receiving a dream from Riverstar declaring that Splashtail should be their new leader. In the back of the crowd, Frostpaw worries what will happen to her Clan, but Nightheart reassures her that they won't let Splashtail get away with this.
Wind[]
In the prologue, Splashtail is following Curlfeather to a private place. He demands her to tell him why she took him here, and Curlfeather tells him that Mistystar is old and will lose her final life any time now, and that her son, Reedwhisker, will take over. The young warrior asks Curlfeather if she is going to kill Reedwhisker, but she tells him that he will instead, and tells him to make it look like an accident and pretend he doesn’t know anything. Splashtail hesitates, but Curlfeather asks if he wants things to change. Curlfeather then brings up her kit, Frostpaw, being the medicine cat apprentice, and how it will allow her to gain leverage over the situation. She promises to make him deputy when she became leader. Splashtail agrees on the plan, but secretly thinks that he deserves the position of leader since he will be doing the dirty work, and decides to kill her so he can become leader.
In the present, Frostpaw reveals herself to be alive during the Gathering. She attempts to warn the Clans about Splashtail, but the latter discredits Frostpaw under the pretense that she had become delusional and subsequently banishes Frostpaw from RiverClan. Tigerstar offers to take Frostpaw to ShadowClan when Squirrelstar refuses.
Back in ThunderClan, Squirrelstar and Ivypool also express distrust towards Splashtail and view him as not only a threat to his own Clan but to the other four Clans as well. However, Squirrelstar is reluctant to invade RiverClan because she fears the long-term consequences would be counterproductive for ThunderClan's welfare. So she and Ivypool decide that RiverClan must see Splashtail for who he is before ThunderClan challenges Splashtail's legitimacy. Nightheart argues that it might be seasons before RiverClan realizes how dangerous Splashtail truly is. Squirrelstar disagrees that it would take that long, as she suspects Splashtail's scheme will fall apart the moment StarClan refuses to grant him his nine lives. Ivypool, however, isn't entirely convinced that StarClan will refuse to give Splashtail nine lives, as cats like the original Tigerstar and Brokenstar, both of whom were corrupt leaders, received nine lives. Ivypool also brings up the possibility that Splashtail could lie about receiving his nine lives in the event where their warrior ancestors refuse him.
Meanwhile in RiverClan, Frostpaw sees Splashtail vigorously training his warriors for battle. Mothwing notes to Frostpaw that Splashtail hadn’t been too quick to receive his nine lives, and in a later half-moon meeting, the other medicine cats (including Frostpaw, despite not being a medicine cat apprentice anymore) urge for Splashtail to do his leadership ceremony. Later, Frostpaw and the ShadowClan medicine cat, Puddleshine, sneak over to witness Splashtail’s nine-lives ceremony, but to their shock and disgust, only see him and Podlight mocking StarClan. Splashtail tells his medicine cat to merely wait at the Moonpool for a bit to make it seem like he had received nine lives and avoid suspicion from their Clanmates. Frostpaw and Puddleshine see Riverstar’s spirit, though the other two cats can’t, further proving their lies.
In the next Gathering, Splashtail announces himself as ‘Splashstar’, but Frostpaw openly calls this out as another lie. However, Leafstar and Harestar accept Splashstar. Splashtail announces Harelight as his new deputy and the birth of his mother's kits: Floatkit, Rapidkit, and Troutkit. After the Gathering, Duskfur and Icewing inform Frostpaw that they believe what she said about Splashtail. When Wasp leaves ThunderClan in order to join RiverClan, the young cat is attacked on Splashtail's orders and taken back to ThunderClan by two RiverClan messages, along with a message from Splashtail: maybe Wasp is "just a mouse-brain" who thinks he can just walk into RiverClan territory and be accepted, or perhaps he is ThunderClan spy, and if any other cat crosses RiverClan territory, they will receive a spy's punishment.
Later, Splashtail accuses Duskfur, Icewing, and Mothwing of being traitors when they disappear and orders their deaths, garnering the support of Berryheart, who has joined RiverClan. Harelight questions his leader's harsh penalties for them, and Splashtail pretends to be agreeable at first, before he condemns his deputy's support of "old RiverClan", where cats were lazy and did not care for their territory, strength, or legacy. Splashtail then leaps forward, slashing open his throat. While Harelight's family mourn his death, the false leader promises to lead RiverClan to a new glory and appoints Berryheart as his new deputy.
Star[]
To be added
Relationships[]
Family[]
- Havenpelt (mother)
- Sneezecloud (father)
- Fognose (sister)
- Rapidkit (sister)
- Floatkit (sister)
- Troutkit (brother)
- Mallownose (uncle)
- Owlnose (cousin)
- Brackenpelt (cousin)
- Jayclaw (cousin)
- Frostdawn (cousin once removed)
- Graysky (cousin once removed)
- Mistpool (cousin once removed)
Quotes[]
| “ | You should have faith in yourself. You're a bright, talented medicine-cat apprentice, and StarClan wouldn't guide you wrong. | „ |
| ~ Splashtail reassuring Frostpaw after she doubted herself. |
| “ | We can't appear vulnerable. The other Clans must believe for now that Owlstar has StarClan's blessing. I'm sure it won't be long before he does. | „ |
| ~ Splashtail standing up for Owlnose during the latter's temporary leadership. |
| “ | He's just new to this, that's all. And so am I. Owlnose will be a great leader once he learns how to deal with the senior warriors, and I'm going to get better and do everything I can to help him. | „ |
| ~ Splashtail to Frostpaw about helping Owlnose in leading RiverClan. |
| “ | I will do whatever it takes to save RiverClan. Nothing comes before that. And if you're not ready, Mallownose, to do whatever needs to be done to push ShadowClan out, perhaps you shouldn't be coming to these meetings. | „ |
| ~ Splashtail patronizing Mallownose after the latter appears reluctant during their secret meeting with Berryheart. |
| “ | Splashtail: I care about you. I care too much to be okay with you maybe making the wrong choice. You have to make the right one, even if it means we might not get to be mates. Frostpaw, it's all about what's best for RiverClan. Frostpaw: I've already made my choice, and I know it's the right one. I told you, I'm going to be a warrior. |
„ |
| ~ Splashtail arguing with Frostpaw after she decided to step away from being a medicine cat and instead chose to become a warrior. |
| “ | Splashtail: One of our Clanmates is missing. Leafstar: Frostpaw hasn’t come home yet? Splashtail: No. Leafstar: But it’s been almost a quarter moon since you came looking for her. Alderheart: Is there no trace of her at all? Splashtail: Nothing. We're worried she's been taken by a fox. Has any cat seen her? Or found any traces? |
„ |
| ~ Splashtail bringing up Frostpaw's disappearance at a Gathering after attempting to assassinate her quarter moon ago. |
| “ | He's watched this situation escalate for moons without lifting a claw. Why would he start trying to help now? | „ |
| ~ Splashtail about Tree mediating the situation in RiverClan. |
| “ | Splashtail: They're organizing a search party. If they find Reedwhisker's body, they might figure out who killed him. Should I go and move it? I might be able to hide it. Curlfeather: Don't do anything. It's all going to be fine. Just trust me. I'll come up with an explanation. It'll sound reasonable. I'll just say his death was an accident, and Frostpaw will believe it. She always does. She believed it when I told her she was a medicine cat. She'll believe this too, and the others will believe her. Splashtail: What if they don't? You know what she's like. She'll dither and panic and start asking mouse-brained questions. The whole plan could fall apart. Curlfeather: You're the one who's panicking and asking mouse-brained questions. It's not going to fall apart. I won't let it. I'm going to be leader and you'll be deputy, just as we planned. Splashtail: How do I know you won't turn on me? Curlfeather: You don't. You'll have to trust me. Stop acting like a kit and just do whatever I tell you. […] Splashtail: I'm no kit. Stop treating me like one, or it'll be me who turns on you. |
„ |
| ~ Splashtail to Curlfeather about covering up Reedwhisker's murder and threatening her upon being compared to a kit. |
| “ | Why should Curlfeather get the real prize of becoming Clan leader? I'm the cat who’s going to be doing all the work. I'm the cat who is going to be taking the risk. And I only get to be her deputy? | „ |
| ~ Splashtail's thoughts on Curlfeather's plan and envy of her possible reward. |
| “ | Curlfeather: You aren't going to do all the work, you know. You're responsible for one very important step, but I've been working on this plan for moons. Splashtail: But that 'important step' could get me killed. Curlfeather: For StarClan's sake, Splashtail! Do you expect the prey to leap into your mouth? Besides, it'll be worth it. I'll make sure you have a real voice in the Clan as my deputy. And who knows? Maybe one day you'll be Clan leader too. Splashtail: Yeah, right. I only have to wait for you to get through nine lives. |
„ |
| ~ Curlfeather and Splashtail plotting to usurp the leadership of RiverClan. |
| “ | I know I'm not the cat you expected. In face, when Podlight first told me, I didn't believe it myself. But after some self-reflection, I've found the strength I need. This is my destiny. I can lead RiverClan. Not only can I repair the damage done by careless cats, but I can make my Clan stronger than it's been in moons. | „ |
| ~ Splashtail upon being appointed leader by Podlight. |
| “ | Breezepelt: I'm finding it hard to believe that this new leader is any different from the cats RiverClan has put forward before. Splashtail: We have a real medicine cat now, not like poor dead Frostpaw, who was so confused. StarClan has spoken. I admit that I was shocked at the honor, but I promise to serve my Clan with all the strength and wisdom that I have. |
„ |
| ~ Splashtail addressing doubts about his leadership. |
| “ | Splashtail: I did not kill Reedwhisker or Curlfeather, and I certainly never attacked Frostpaw. Frostpaw: How dare you stand there and lie like that? You— |
„ |
| ~ Splashtail lying about his crimes by denying Frostpaw's accusations. |
| “ | Splashtail: It's true that I knew Curlfeather was manipulating the cats around her—including Frostpaw—to try to install herself as leader. Duskfur: What? Why didn't you tell any of us? Splashtail: I only realized the truth shortly before Curlfeather died. I heard her talking in her sleep in the warriors' den. I didn't tell any cat because I was trying to find proof. Then, when Curlfeather died, I saw no point in adding to the Clan's grief by revealing her treachery. I have too much respect for her kin to hurt them for no reason. Tigerstar: Even after she killed Reedwhisker? Splashtail: I didn't know until now that she had, if she even did. Remember that she was manipulating Frostpaw to believe that she was a medicine cat. Who knows how being used by a cat—her own mother, who she should have been able to trust—has affected Frostpaw? At first she thought she was a medicine cat, and then she changed her mind and started training as a warrior. She named more than one new leader of RiverClan, and got it wrong every time. And now she claims she knew there was a murderer in our midst, but she didn't feel the need to warn any of us. The poor cat is confused. She clearly doesn't know what's real and what isn't anymore. Frostpaw: I never said Curlfeather killed Reedwhisker! It was you! Curlfeather— Duskfur: Splashtail, if you knew that Curlfeather was tricking the rest of our Clan in an attempt to become leader, why didn't you speak out? That was too important for you to keep secret just out of respect. Splashtail: I was pretending to be her ally, but all the while I was working against her. That’s one reason I spent so much time with Frostpaw, trying to counteract what her mother was doing to her. Sometimes I think Frostpaw got the wrong idea about what was between us. Maybe that's why she’s so confused now . . . I can understand if she's angry with me. |
„ |
| ~ Splashtail incriminating Curlfeather as the sole conspirator. |
| “ | Splashtail: I'm sorry, but I can't welcome Frostpaw back into RiverClan. I'm trying to strengthen the Clan, and she's trying to pull it apart. Squirrelstar: Splashtail, are you sure about this? I understand that Frostpaw has made some serious accusations here, accusations that may cause pain and conflict within RiverClan. Still, it's a big step to send a cat into exile. Splashtail: I am sure. Besides, I think it will be better for Frostpaw to get some distance from everything that's troubling her. Maybe it will help clear her head. Frostpaw: My head is perfectly clear, thank you. And you can’t banish me—not without the Clan's support. Splashtail: But I have that support, can't you see that? |
„ |
| ~ Splashtail banishing Frostpaw from RiverClan in another attempt to prevent her from revealing the truth. |
| “ | Splashtail: Pick up the pace! Lizardtail, are you a kit? Get some force behind those blows! Shimmerpelt, I'd have slashed open your throat by now—and you'd deserve it. Move! Get those claws out! You're not play fighting anymore! Sneezecloud: What's all this training for, Splashtail? No Clan is threatening us. Splashtail: Do you want ShadowClan to come back? Do you want us to be invaded and humiliated again? Remember, you'll have new kits to protect soon. Sneezecloud: No, Splashtail. Splashtail: Then get on with it. Am I leading a Clan of mice? Tigerstar and ShadowClan invaded us for no reason, but one day, we'll have our revenge! Nightsky: We'll shred them! Splashtail: We will. RiverClan won't just be as great as it was under Mistystar. We'll work together to make it greater still! Duskfur: Once StarClan grants you nine lives, Splashtail, and officially makes you our leader, ShadowClan won't dare invade us again. Splashtail: Do you really believe that? Do you think that Tigerstar's invasion was ever about us not having a leader, or anything other than ShadowClan's greed and ambition? Don't be mouse-brained! I'll travel to the Moonpool in my own good time, but for now you must understand that there's only one thing that will stop a strong Clan from invading. That is a stronger Clan to fight them off. And that is why I've chosen to focus on what we can control: our own battle skills. StarClan's opinions aren't important; they'll give me my nine lives when I'm good and ready. |
„ |
| ~ Splashtail training his Clan for battle against ShadowClan. |
| “ | Podlight: It'll be a relief when this is over. You'll be Splashstar, and RiverClan will be safe from Tigerstar's interference for good. Splashtail: Yes . . . well, I hope so. We know we can never trust ShadowClan. Especially now that that wretched Frostpaw is there, sowing doubt into Tigerstar's heart. They're bullies, every last cat of them, and they'll take any excuse to invade us again. And next time they won't leave. |
„ |
| ~ Podlight and Splashtail discussing the possible outcomes of their victory while at the Moonpool. |
| “ | Splashtail: What a joke it would be if we saw Reedwhisker. I could kill him all over again! Podlight: Maybe that's what you have to do, fight nine StarClan warriors so they each give you a life. Splashtail: Never! Do you think weaklings like Leafstar or that rabbit-chasing Harestar could defeat nine warriors? No, it has to be easier than that. Podlight: Hunting, then—hunting nine mice. Splashtail: Oh, I'd be up for that. I'm so hungry after traipsing all the way up here, I could eat nine mice, no problem. |
„ |
| ~ Splashtail and Podlight mocking StarClan and the nine-lives ceremony. |
| “ | Splashtail: Anyway, there’s no point in discussing which cats might appear, because none of them will. And that's a good thing, because I'm not going to have a load of dead cats telling me what to do. I wouldn't listen to them, even if they did show up. Podlight: I know you don’t think they will come now, but what happens if one day StarClan does decide to pick a real—I mean, a different leader? Splashtail: Then we'll find a way to step aside without getting into trouble for lying. If worse comes to the worst, we'll plead that we're so devoted to RiverClan that we only wanted to give it some stability until StarClan guided us to the real leader. That's barely a mouse whisker away from the truth. And after that . . . well, there'd be plenty of time to try again. Podlight: I hope you're right. Splashtail: Of course I'm right. And I just can't believe that StarClan would have the power or the will to pick another cat, not when I already control the Clan. After all, they can't care that much for RiverClan's fate if Riverstar chose to put it in Frostpaw's claws. |
„ |
| ~ Splashtail rejecting StarClan. |
| “ | I am a true leader, and you other leaders would do well to note who it is that speaks against me: a disgraced RiverClan exile, and the medicine cat from the Clan who invaded my Clan and tried to take us over! There's no doubt in my mind that the more upheaval he can cause in RiverClan, the better Tigerstar will like it. I am Splashstar, and unless you leaders know otherwise, you had better treat me with the respect my new name deserves. After all, what is the point of these Gatherings if the leaders can't even agree on who holds a rightful place in their Clan as leader or medicine cat? | „ |
| ~ Splashtail accusing Frostpaw of lying, after the latter's another attempt of ousting him. |
| “ | Cats of RiverClan, we have a fearful duty ahead of us. We all know that these traitorous cats believe they are safe, but they are wrong! We will find them! We will find them and they will pay for their betrayal! RiverClan must pull together if we want to survive. […] Yesterday they dared to challenge my orders! Then they left without my consent, in the middle of the night. Loyal RiverClan cats would never do such a thing. If we want RiverClan to be strong, then we cannot let them back in . . . but traitors must face punishment. . . . At first I thought ShadowClan was our enemy, but I was wrong. No, the enemy was much closer all along. And I will not put up with traitors living on RiverClan territory! Last night Duskfur, Mothwing, and Icewing were Clanmates, but today they are enemies. And enemies of RiverClan will be killed! | „ |
| ~ Splashtail publicly declaring Mothwing, Icewing and Duskfur as traitors to RiverClan. |
| “ | Harelight: Splashstar, I admire your dedication to our Clan, but perhaps we're being too harsh. Duskfur, Icewing, and Mothwing have been loyal to RiverClan for a very long time—since before you were even born. Splashtail: So how would you deal with these traitors? Harelight: It seems shortsighted to make them enemies without hearing what they have to say. Whatever their reasons were for leaving, surely we can talk it out with them. I know RiverClan has been through a lot, but the solution isn't to divide and turn on ourselves. That will only make us weaker. […] Have I been too bold? Splashtail: No. That's what's a deputy's for, isn't it? To challenge their leader? Harelight: Of course, Splashstar. A strong leader can take criticism and use it to make himself better. After all, you're young, and you have much to learn— Splashtail: Indeed. Harelight, you have such a deep understanding of old RiverClan—the RiverClan that came into being after Leopardstar died. A peaceful, relaxed place, a RiverClan that just let the current float it wherever it would. . . . The cats of that RiverClan did not worry about territory, or strength, or legacy—they just sat on their paws all day. |
„ |
| ~ Splashtail addressing his deputy, Harelight, moments before killing him. |
| “ | This is the new RiverClan. A greater, stronger, more powerful Clan than it has ever been before. No longer will we wait for the approval of dead cats to do what we know needs to be done. We will do whatever it takes to make RiverClan the strongest Clan, the richest in prey and territory, the most influential. . . . We will enjoy our living seasons to the fullest, and not worry so much about what lies beyond. And I will take you there! | „ |
| ~ Splashtail rising to power, moments before introducing Berryheart as RiverClan's new deputy. |
| “ | Splashtail: I'll be free of you now. You'll be stuck in the Dark Forest. I'll be in StarClan. Frostpaw: Never. Splashtail: Why are you staring at me? Tigerstar: You threatened kits! Crowfeather: You murdered your Clanmates. Splashtail: But I had to. I saved my Clan. I only— I never— |
„ |
| ~ Splashtail's final words, to Curlfeather's spirit and to the living cats. |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- He is one of many characters who was made deputy despite not having been a mentor beforehand, although the second time he was deputy his position was unofficial.
- Splashtail is the youngest leader and main antagonist of Warriors, only 16 moons old (approximately 1.33 years) when he became leader.
- Despite being listed in the allegiances of every book in The Broken Code as well as Graystripe's Vow and Daisy's Kin, he never actually appears in any of them.
- Splashtail is the first main antagonist in the Warriors series who, while aspiring to become the leader of a Clan, openly refuses to receive nine lives from StarClan and even sees this as a weakness since he believes that a strong leader only needs one life.
- As mentioned several times in Wind, Splashtail is the second cat after Nightstar to assume the role of a Clan leader and lie to his Clan about being give nine lives by StarClan. However, Nightstar did so out of his sincere desire to lead his Clan through a difficult situation after Brokenstar was banished, while Splashtail is just driven out by a hunger for power and has no respect for StarClan.
External links[]
- Splashtail on the Warriors Wiki
