salt-clangen

[salt-clangen]

I’ve mentioned her before, meet Palepaw/Paleshade!

When Shadowdive was still in Oakclan, this was his best friend and crush before he left. Apprentices technically can’t officially court or be mates but these two showed interest.

Palepaw was the talker of the two, she was quick witted and good debater, which is why she became a code keeper. After he left she was bitter for a while, she felt like he abandoned her and their clan, she asked him several times why he did it but no answer could satisfy her.

She, and several others, tried to instigate an investigation into Shadow to see if he’d broken the warrior code, a ploy to try and get him to return. But Archstar dismissed the idea, saying he grants him permission to join Saltclan retroactively. This took the wind out of her sails and Palepaw felt a little silly, getting so worked up over a cat who left without a goodbye. From then on she dedicated herself to her clan once more, pushing her old friend from her mind and focusing on her friends in the clan.

She was named Paleshade, a not too subtle nod to her former friend, by Archstar and she was disappointed to be reminded of him. Her mother told her how her name showed she was complete, without anyone else.

Now she’s a cunning, arrogant, code keeper who’s a good speaker. She’s 19 moons.

[salt-clangen]

Have some random sketches I’m not gonna finish.

1. Capri visiting her grand daughter and her…. Friends?

2. Wolfstar playing with Ripplekit and Otterkit

3. Shadowdive and Otterkit chillin

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If anyone is interested, on my main warrior cats blog @jayleap I’ve been reblogging landscape pics to kinda give an idea of what the clans look like. I won’t be posting them here bc I’ve already reblogged a dozen or so and I feel like it’ll just bog this page down. Everything is tagged #saltclan or #saltclaninspo

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Moon 13

First Bloom Festival

New leaf

The air was alive with excitement as SaltClan prepared to host their first-ever festival, the First Bloom celebration. It was thrilling to be at the gathering place, even if it wasn’t far beyond the clan’s borders. For Otterpaw, the day carried a special thrill—he’d watched his mother work tirelessly for moons, planning and preparing every detail, even letting him and Ripplepaw help where they could.

Now, the big day had finally arrived.

The SaltClan group was the first to arrive, just as dawn broke. The camp keepers carried bundles of supplies while apprentices buzzed around them, eager to explore.

“Why isn’t Lynxdawn here with us?” Ripplepaw asked his mentor as they padded into the clearing.

“She’s staying back to care for Fennelheart,” Wolfstar explained. “But she’ll join us later for the rituals. Nightleap is watching the kits and the camp.”

Nobody asked where Nightleap was, Otterpaw thought, biting his tongue before a snarky comment escaped. Shadowdive would be quick to scold him, and his mother would only look disappointed.

As they reached the center of the clearing, Snowspeckle wasted no time assigning tasks. “All right, everyone, let’s set up the cauldron and spits. Otterpaw, find a safe spot for the shells. Keep them in the bag and tucked away, please.”

Otterpaw shot off like a hare, eager to explore. “On it, Mom!” he called over his shoulder.

“Ripplepaw,” Snowspeckle continued, “help Mallowstripe wrap the fish in seaweed, then hang the garlands and charms around the stones.”

Ripplepaw trudged off reluctantly, casting a longing glance at his brother darting about the clearing.

“Shadowdive,” Snowspeckle added, “once Otterpaw’s finished, help bring water for the pots.”

The dark warrior nodded, already moving to round up his apprentice.

“Wolfstar,” Snowspeckle said, turning to her leader, “could you handle setting up the games and decorating the storytelling area?”

With everyone working together, the clearing began to transform. Artisans arrived throughout the morning, bringing food and decorations. Onebranch came with small flutes for the apprentices to play, and Greyclaw brought rose petals for games, swiped from Twoleg gardens.

Snowspeckle had to hold her ground when Tanglerfur and Smallstep arrived, the petite molly immediately trying to commandeer the event. Between her mate’s support and Shadowdive’s constantly vying for her attention, Snowspeckle managed to keep control.

By midday, they had built a towering bonfire at the center of the clearing. Ripplepaw hung the last garland while Otterpaw ran through the skit lines with a gaggle of apprentices following his lead.

As the sun reached its zenith, all four clans arrived. Wolfstar stood tall by the unlit bonfire, addressing the gathered crowd.

“Welcome to the First Bloom Festival!” she called, her voice carrying over the clearing. “Today, we celebrate the renewal and warmth of Newleaf. Each of you is invited to contribute flowers, herbs, driftwood, or anything else to the bonfire. At sundown, all the leaders will light it together.”

A wave of approving murmurs swept through the crowd. Wolfstar gestured to the activities spread across the clearing. “After that we have the feast our camp keepers have prepare. Until then listen to stories and folk tales, or test your skills at the games. And don’t miss the apprentices’ skit at sunset!”

SaltClan kept their secrets close for now, choosing skits and stories of ocean folklore rather than revealing the mysterious circumstances surrounding Wolfstar and her lineage. Shadowdive privately sulked that his own rescue from a dog hadn’t made it into the tales, but he understood the political delicacy of it.

Ripplepaw quickly met a rival in Finchpaw, a lively molly from HoneyClan. The two raced around the clearing, competing in petal toss and other games, each more determined to outdo the other.

Meanwhile, Wolfstar circulated, checking in with her clanmates. She paused to admire Shadowdive demonstrating the sound of the sea in conch shells. Apprentices and warriors gathered eagerly around him, and one elder even offered a trade. Snowspeckle sat near the camp keepers, finally allowing herself to relax as her sons flitted back to show her their latest triumphs.

As the sun dipped lower, the apprentices prepared for their skit. Wolfstar stepped forward to introduce them. “Tonight, SaltClan’s apprentices present The Cat Who Challenged the Sea, led by Ripplepaw and Otterpaw. Please enjoy!”

Otterpaw strode forward, puffing out his chest, drawing laughter from the audience. Draped over his back was a branch adorned with shiny green leaves, one already threatening to fall.

“Behold!” he declared. “I am Splashback, the strongest cat in the forest! No animal can defeat me, no wind can sway me, and no wave can move me. No tide can rise above my might!”

As Otterpaw theatrically marched, the “sea” appeared—other apprentices draped in gauzy blue fabric that rippled like water. They swirled around him in an impressive flurry.

From the group, Mudpaw stepped forward, crouching low. “Oh, great and mighty Splashback, I am but a small wave! Surely, I cannot challenge your strength!”

With a dramatic leap, Mudpaw lunged. Otterpaw sidestepped with a flourish, knocking a leaf loose. “That was nothing! Come back when you’re more than a puddle!”

Finchpaw followed, standing taller. “I am a rising wave! Let’s see if you can stand against me!”

The two collided, sparring briefly before Otterpaw knocked her back. His cape now drooped unevenly, but he stood proudly. “You call that a challenge? I’ve fought harder battles with a leaf!”

The crowd gasped as the sea cats whirled into a “tide,” Ripplepaw stepping forward. “We are the great tide! No cat can hold us back!”

The sea surged forward, toppling Otterpaw in a flurry of blue. Finally, Ripplepaw approached, and the brothers locked arms in a mock battle. With a mighty shove, Ripplepaw threw Otterpaw down, placing a paw on his back.

“Strength isn’t about fighting the tide,” Ripplepaw declared. “It’s about knowing when to stand and when to bow. Respect the sea, and it will respect you in return.”

Otterpaw groaned theatrically. “Maybe I got a little carried away. From now on, I’ll bow to the waves.”

“You shall be known forever more as Splashbow,” the sea cats chorused, and the audience erupted into cheers as the apprentices bowed.

As the skit ended, the sun set, the bloom fire roared to life, and the feast began—a fitting end to SaltClan’s first festival.

[salt-clangen]

Here’s some more, I found my notes I needed

Mallowstripe has found that asking Shadowdive for help with tasks makes the large tom more agreeable.

Shadowdive gave Wolfstar a plethora of gifts when he asked to become official mates including owl feathers, a fox pelt for her nest, a driftwood carving of a wolf(which she mistakes as a dog), and lavender for her nest.

Otterpaw has made an effort to spend time with Nightleap, they go on patrols together and he’ll try to show off what he’s learning. But Nightleap isn’t very expressive and he can’t really read her responses, so it usually ends with awkward silence.

Ripplepaw hasn’t made any effort to bond, he’s more focused on his training and would rather spend time with Shadowdive or Wolfstar.

Snowspeckle doesn’t want to force a relationship between her kits and their sire, but she’s hoping they all can get along.

Rookstar gave permission right away for Nightleap to join Saltclan and she passed her warrior reassessments easily. The whole process took less than a moon.

Lynxdawn is hoping one of her kits will show promise as a potential cleric and become her apprentice. It’s still too soon to tell.

Dropletkit spends most of the day in her nest with a headache. Sandkit however pushes through her own headache and goes out and plays.

Ripplepaw doesn’t catch his first prey until 8 days after his apprenticeship, despite the success he is very down that it took him so long. Wolfstar takes Ripplepaw with her to trade with Capri and Jade as a treat. He enjoys the visit and they stay much longer than intended listening to stories.

Otterpaw enjoys kit sitting, it lets him demonstrate the skills he’s learning. He also gifts the litter all but one of his mossballs as a welcoming gift. Sandkit in particular is very excited.

Dropletkit follows Wolfstar around camp with her eyes, staying tucked close to the nursery entrance. Wolfstar is unsure if the kit is watching out of curiosity or distrust.

Kelpkit hopes her warrior name will be pretty. Coralkit hopes her name will end in -claw. Sandkit teases Dropletkit, saying her name will be ‘Dropletdrop’ it upsets the brown tabby greatly and Lynxdawn puts her in timeout for it.

Lynxdawn feels like she’s being watched.

Moon 13 Bonus Scenes!

New Leaf

Snowspeckle assigns Shadowdive and Mallowstripe on a border patrol together. It’s spent in tense silence which is surprisingly an improvement.

Wolfstar has officially dedicated a corner of camp for artisan and keeper storage. Mallowstripe offers to organize the nook and Nightleap helps, the pair are surprised to find they have a lot in common.

Fennelheart enjoys when Shadowdive visits him in the isolation den, even if they have to keep the curtain drawn the whole time.

Nightleap snaps at Fennelheart one morning, but when approached won’t explain why she did it. Eventually Wolfstar is able to get her to talk, apparently she thought Fennelheart and Snowspeckle had a fling before they became mates again. Once everything is cleared up, Nightleap is made to apologize to him, though she does it reluctantly.

Ripplepaw asks Otterpaw what he thought about mates and kits, the former is very excited to one day have a family, the latter is more focused on his training.

Kelpkit and Dropletkit are called ‘the twins’ as they have the exact same tabby pattern, just one grey and one brown.

Sandkit has already started calling Lynxdawn momma, the rest of the litter are still coming around.

Coralkit loves to listen to gossip, but she’s very good at not repeating it. She’s been caught eavesdropping a few times.

Wolfstar and Shadowdive have gone on several dates, usually they race or spar or relax in the shallow water.

The entire clan is not surprised when they officially announce that they’re mates.

Mallowstripe is disappointed, if not surprised.

Lynxdawn’s attraction to Frostwhisper has dissipated as she subconsciously associates them with her upsetting graduation.

Wolfstar has already picked out Otterpaw and Ripplepaw’s warrior names.

Lynxdawn has moved into the nursery to raise her litter.

Dropletkit is still very nervous and skittish around the clan, she rarely speaks. The rest of the litter have grown more comfortable and are beginning to show their personalities mores.

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FOUND IT! Ok Nightleap is insecure, sneaky, and an incredible runner. Adding it to the clan allegiances now

Is Nightleap not really apart of the clan they don’t appear much in the allegiance is that a hint?

No she is apart of Saltclan. I just am a dum dum who lost her bio sheet and can’t remember her traits or skills. I’ll find it eventually

[salt-clangen]

Ha! Wolfstar feels very anxious about all the eyes on her at gatherings sometimes and thinks they are trying to find a weakness to poke at but instead most of the cats watching her are going 'Whoa. The most impressive young cat right there'

LITERALLY!

And everyone’s like ‘oh wow she’s so level head and dignified’ but inside her head she’s like running worst case scenario in her head and nearly vibrating with anxiety

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so basically you’re says by you’re gonna write slice of life??

I NEED nightleap awkwardly bonding with her kits

and poor ripple, his brother caught prey on his first time out, while he didn’t. That’s gotta suck, especially with the added stress of being apprenticed to WOLFSTER HERSELF

-🐲

Oh we’ll get some awkward family time in the next update don’t you worry.

Also yeah I feel for ripple :( he has a hard time with things out of his control

I genuinely believe that Wolfstar has no clue how big of a deal she is. Especially to the younger cats, like she actually thinks she’s just a regular clan mate but she’s got this crazy back story and a cool scar. Like duh the little ones are intimidated, hell grown cats are awestruck by her sometimes. She’s too in her head to realize tho

[salt-clangen]

Moon 13 Bonus Scenes!

New Leaf

Snowspeckle assigns Shadowdive and Mallowstripe on a border patrol together. It’s spent in tense silence which is surprisingly an improvement.

Wolfstar has officially dedicated a corner of camp for artisan and keeper storage. Mallowstripe offers to organize the nook and Nightleap helps, the pair are surprised to find they have a lot in common.

Fennelheart enjoys when Shadowdive visits him in the isolation den, even if they have to keep the curtain drawn the whole time.

Nightleap snaps at Fennelheart one morning, but when approached won’t explain why she did it. Eventually Wolfstar is able to get her to talk, apparently she thought Fennelheart and Snowspeckle had a fling before they became mates again. Once everything is cleared up, Nightleap is made to apologize to him, though she does it reluctantly.

Ripplepaw asks Otterpaw what he thought about mates and kits, the former is very excited to one day have a family, the latter is more focused on his training.

Kelpkit and Dropletkit are called ‘the twins’ as they have the exact same tabby pattern, just one grey and one brown.

Sandkit has already started calling Lynxdawn momma, the rest of the litter are still coming around.

Coralkit loves to listen to gossip, but she’s very good at not repeating it. She’s been caught eavesdropping a few times.

Wolfstar and Shadowdive have gone on several dates, usually they race or spar or relax in the shallow water.

The entire clan is not surprised when they officially announce that they’re mates.

Mallowstripe is disappointed, if not surprised.

Lynxdawn’s attraction to Frostwhisper has dissipated as she subconsciously associates them with her upsetting graduation.

Wolfstar has already picked out Otterpaw and Ripplepaw’s warrior names.

Lynxdawn has moved into the nursery to raise her litter.

Dropletkit is still very nervous and skittish around the clan, she rarely speaks. The rest of the litter have grown more comfortable and are beginning to show their personalities mores.

[salt-clangen]

With the clan getting bigger and the story taking a more serious note, I kinda wanna do lil snippets between moon updates that are really short and just basic character interactions to help flesh out cats who didn’t get a lot of attention that moon. I tried to include a few in moon 13 with snow giving Lynx a gift and ripple/otter’s first patrol but even those are a bit long. So you might start seeing posts titled ‘Moon 13 bonus scenes’ and I probably won’t draw for these as that takes up a lot of my time.

[salt-clangen]

Is Nightleap not really apart of the clan they don’t appear much in the allegiance is that a hint?

No she is apart of Saltclan. I just am a dum dum who lost her bio sheet and can’t remember her traits or skills. I’ll find it eventually

[salt-clangen]

Moon 13

New leaf

A/N: gonna make a separate post for the new leaf festival

“Let all cats old enough to swim gather for a clan meeting!” Wolfstar’s voice rang out from her perch atop the rocks, clear and steady against the crash of distant waves.

Cats began to filter in, their movements purposeful yet calm. Lynxdawn emerged from her den, her steps measured and reluctant. Instead of leaping to her usual spot, she lingered near the back, her blue eyes sharp and watchful.

The clan seemed to hum with anticipation. Snowspeckle had been grooming Ripplekit and Otterkit since dawn, her usual playfulness tempered with pride. The kits sat between their parents, their eyes wide as the moment they’d been waiting for finally arrived. It was still strange for them to see Nightleap and Snowspeckle side by side, but for today, that didn’t matter.

Ripplekit’s tail flicked impatiently, while Otterkit’s paws kneaded the sand. Both struggled to keep still.

Wolfstar’s voice carried across the gathered cats. “Ripplekit, Otterkit, you’ve reached the age of six moons, and it’s time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your full names, you will be known as Ripplepaw and Otterpaw.”

A ripple of excitement passed through the crowd as the two kits puffed up with pride.

“I understand you both have chosen the path of warriors. Is that correct?”

“Yes, Wolfstar!” Ripplepaw chirped.

“Yeah!” Otterpaw’s voice cracked with excitement.

“Otterpaw, your mentor will be Shadowdive. Ripplepaw, I will be your mentor.”

Gasps of surprise rippled through the gathered cats as Wolfstar’s words settled. Ripplepaw’s eyes sparkled with a mix of awe and determination.

Wolfstar turned her gaze to Shadowdive, her voice steady. “Shadowdive, you are ready for an apprentice. You’ve proven yourself to be loyal and relentless. I expect you to pass on all your knowledge to Otterpaw.”

Shadowdive dipped his head respectfully before stepping forward to meet his new apprentice. Otterpaw bounded up with such enthusiasm that their noses nearly bumped too hard. Shadowdive chuckled softly, his dark tail brushing Otterpaw’s shoulder in reassurance as they sat together.

Wolfstar leapt gracefully from her perch, landing lightly in the sand before Ripplepaw. She lowered her head, meeting his eager gaze as they touched noses. His energy buzzed like a spark ready to ignite, and she felt a flicker of pride.

The clan erupted in cheers, their voices harmonizing with the crash of the sea.

“Ripplepaw! Otterpaw! Ripplepaw! Otterpaw!”

Wolfstar raised her tail, dismissing the meeting as the apprentices joined their mentors. She lingered for a moment, watching Ripplepaw’s tail sway with excitement and Otterpaw’s laughter as he pounced playfully after Shadowdive.

The future of SaltClan shimmered like sunlight on the waves, but beneath it all, the weight of what was to come still lingered.

Wolfstar led Ripplepaw to the small field just north of camp for their first patrol. They’d gone over hunting stances and basic stalking techniques earlier, but now it was time to put them into practice.

“Move like me,” she signed, the blustering winds making it hard for Ripplepaw to hear even on his good side. He nodded eagerly.

Crouching, she demonstrated a proper stalking stance, watching closely as Ripplepaw mimicked her movements. With a flick of her tail, she made small adjustments, nudging his paws and shoulders into position. Satisfied, she picked up a leaf and set it a few paces away.

“Pounce,” she signed.

Ripplepaw leaned back on his haunches, shifting lightly as he crept closer. His eyes gleamed with focus as he launched himself forward, landing squarely on the leaf with a satisfying crunch.

“Good,” she signed with enthusiasm. “Pounce good for small things.”

After a few more practice leaps, they moved toward the border. Ripplepaw followed her lead, moving carefully through the tall grass. Wolfstar paused, her tail lifting as she scented the air.

“Mouse,” she signed, but Ripplepaw’s ears were already pricked, his eyes alight with excitement.

He crept forward, silent and deliberate. Wolfstar hung back, letting him take the lead. Just as he pounced, the mouse darted away, vanishing into the grass. Ripplepaw let out a frustrated grunt.

“It’s okay,” she signed reassuringly, but he shook his head.

“No, it’s not,” he signed back, his pout unmistakable.

Wolfstar rolled her eyes playfully and led him further east. By the end of their patrol, Ripplepaw hadn’t caught any prey, his growing frustration leading to clumsy mistakes.

“Alright,” Wolfstar said as the sun reached its peak, her voice loud enough to cut through the softening wind. “Let’s head back to camp.”

“What?” Ripplepaw squeaked, spinning to face her. “We can’t go back until I catch something!”

“That’s not how it works,” she said gently. “You’re not going to catch something on every patrol, especially at first. Hunting takes practice, and failure’s part of the process.”

Ripplepaw huffed, his tail lashing.

“Besides,” she added, “when we’re frustrated, we make more mistakes. Let’s go back, do some stretches to calm the spirit, and take a nap.”

Ripplepaw hesitated but finally nodded. “Can we come back out after?”

Wolfstar smiled. “We can, but we’ll be gathering firewood. We can try hunting along the way, though. I promise.”

Ripplepaw’s steps grew lighter. “Can I lead the way back?”

“Sure, dear,” she said, following him, silently hoping he remembered the route.

Meanwhile, Otterpaw followed Shadowdive west to the river’s end, carrying a small basket. His eyes shone with excitement for his first patrol.

“The water moves fast here, so we’ll cross where it’s shallow,” Shadowdive said, pointing to a calm stretch. “This is where the east river meets the sea. The river’s fresh water, but the sea is salt water. Together, they make this brackish, silty water.”

“Can we drink it?” Otterpaw asked.

“Try it and see.”

Otterpaw lapped at the water and immediately spat it out. “Eugh!”

“Yeah, it’s pretty gross,” Shadowdive laughed, wading into the shallows.

Otterpaw splashed after him, bumping playfully against his side. “You meanie!”

They crossed together, their laughter carried by the breeze.

When they reached the tide pools, Shadowdive perched on a black rock. “These pools are where we scavenge. Stick to clams and fish. The spiky purple things are urchins—they sting and it hurts. The orange ones are starfish. Not edible.”

Otterpaw listened intently as they started gathering clams, gently prying them free and plopping them into their baskets. Shadowdive demonstrated how to snag fish trapped in the pools, and Otterpaw eagerly followed his lead. After a few failed attempts, he caught two fish, his mentor handling the rest.

Once the pools were cleared, Otterpaw eagerly jumped into the ocean water. He’d practiced swimming in camp pools and with his mother before leaf-bare, and his legs remembered the motions. He paddled in circles before diving under the water, his tail cutting through the surface.

Shadowdive joined him in the shallow waves. The water rocked them with its rhythm, but Otterpaw kept his head above water and even managed a few short dives.

They practiced until sunhigh, the young apprentice exhausted but glowing with pride. When they returned to camp, Otterpaw rushed ahead to show off his haul.

“Look!” he chirped, setting his clams and fish before his mother and Wolfstar. “I caught two fish and a bunch of clams!”

“Very good, honey,” Snowspeckle said, licking his head affectionately.

“Well done, Otterpaw,” Wolfstar added. “Would you like to join me and Ripplepaw for some stretches before a nap?”

Despite his aching limbs, Otterpaw nodded eagerly. He didn’t want to miss a chance to learn from the clan leader.

Later, as they settled into their nests, Otterpaw noticed Ripplepaw’s unusual quiet. “So, did you do anything cool on your patrol?” he asked.

Ripplepaw stayed silent for a moment, his nose pressed to his paws. “It was fine. We went on a border patrol,” he mumbled.

“Oh, did you hunt?” Otterpaw asked.

Ripplepaw sighed. “Yeah, a little.”

Otterpaw didn’t press further, figuring his brother was tired. The den fell quiet as they both drifted into sleep.

After sunset, Snowspeckle approached the cleric’s den, a bundle of leaves held delicately in her jaws. At the entrance, she cleared her throat softly.

Lynxdawn turned, her fur slightly ruffled with surprise. “Snow? What are you doing here?”

Snowspeckle blinked warmly, setting down the leaves. “I brought you a gift.”

“A gift?” Lynxdawn leaned forward, her curiosity piqued as she nosed through the bundle. “Basil and mallow leaves? These seem more like something Mallowstripe would need.”

“They’re not for him,” Snowspeckle said with a light laugh. “They’re for you—to decorate your pelt.”

Lynxdawn blinked, caught off guard. “Me?”

The white molly nodded, her voice bright with cheer. “I realized, with everything that happened during your graduation, I hadn’t given you anything to celebrate.”

Lynxdawn stilled, her breath catching in her throat. The memory of her ceremony felt so muddied by arguments and tense glances that she’d barely thought of it as a milestone, let alone something worth celebrating.

“Here, let me weave them into your fur,” Snowspeckle offered, already settling down behind her. “Your coat’s lovely—perfect for braiding.” Her tone was casual, as if they were sharing a simple moment, but there was a distinct tenderness in her touch as she began working the leaves into Lynxdawn’s tail.

“I wasn’t sure what to get you,” Snowspeckle continued, her voice warm and melodic, “but Wolfstar suggested basil and mallow. She said they’re wards of protection and healing. Personally, I just think their scent suits you.”

Lynxdawn let the gentle chatter wash over her, filling the quiet of the den with familiarity. Her body relaxed under Snowspeckle’s soothing movements, the fresh aroma of basil mingling with the light warmth of the molly’s breath.

“There, all done,” Snowspeckle said, stepping back. The warmth of her presence ebbed slightly, leaving a pleasant tingle behind.

Lynxdawn glanced over her tail, where the neatly woven leaves shimmered faintly in the dim light. A sprig of basil rested behind her ear, the fragrance grounding her in the moment. She turned her gaze to Snowspeckle, her heart swelling.

“Thank you, Snow,” she said softly, her voice carrying more weight than she intended. “I love it.”

Fennelheart’s condition was worsening. His tail throbbed with heat, yellow pus oozing from the infected wound. As if that weren’t enough, he’d developed greencough, his breathing ragged and his hacking cough relentless despite the new leaf weather.

“Drink this.” Lynxdawn passed him a bowl of herbal tea, the faint aroma of catmint and mullein wafting up. Next she passed him some

“Thanks,” he rasped, his voice rough and strained. Lynxdawn grimaced, mentally noting to add more honey to his next dose.

She turned, letting the moss and pelt curtain fall back into place, and nearly jumped when a voice spoke behind her.

“How is he?”

Mallowstripe stood to her left, his golden eyes cautious. He took a step back, nervously flicking his tail when she startled.

“He’s…” Lynxdawn hesitated, glancing back at the curtain as another raspy cough rattled from within. “He’s stable,” she said, though her tone betrayed her uncertainty.

Mallowstripe nodded, his face somber. “I see.” He hesitated, then fell into step beside her as she headed toward her den. “I’ll start this evening’s meal. Do you have any requests for him?”

She paused, considering. “Something soft and hydrating. His appetite’s been low, so maybe a bit of clams to tempt him.” She began pulling down bowls and a pestle, her paws moving with practiced precision.

“I’ll make sure it’s suitable,” Mallowstripe replied, shuffling his paws awkwardly when he realized she wasn’t looking at him.

Lynxdawn gathered horsetail, marigold, and goldenrod, her mind already on the poultice she needed to prepare. She glanced back when Mallowstripe lingered, still rooted in place.

“Thank you,” she said curtly, her voice carrying a note of dismissal.

Mallowstripe shifted again, glancing toward the camp’s empty clearing before looking back at her. “Do you… need anything else?”

Her tail flicked in irritation. “What is it, Mallowstripe?”

He jumped slightly, his golden eyes wide. “Just… how have you been?”

Lynxdawn froze for a moment before setting her tools down with a deliberate thud. “Fine,” she growled, her hackles rising. “Aside from the fact that my entire life has been a lie.”

Mallowstripe’s ears twitched, but his voice remained soft. “Has it, though? Hasn’t she loved and cared for you? Was all that a lie?”

Lynxdawn whirled on him, claws digging into the sandy ground. “Maybe it was!” she snapped. “How would I know?”

Mallowstripe flinched, his golden eyes darkening as his face fell. The scar across his face seemed to deepen in the low light. “That’s not true, and you know it,” he said quietly. “You can be angry, Lynxdawn, but don’t be cruel.”

Before she could respond, he turned and padded away, his tail low but steady.

Lynxdawn stood frozen, her chest heaving with the remnants of her anger. She glared at the den entrance, but the sharp edges of her fury began to dull.

With a sharp exhale, she turned back to her tools, grinding the herbs with more force than necessary. Her paw slipped, and the pestle slammed into her toe.

“Fuck!” she hissed, jerking back and cradling her paw as pain throbbed through it. Tears welled in her eyes, and for a moment, she sat in the silence, her chest aching with more than just the sting in her paw.

Most of the leaf-bare snow had melted, leaving the camp and much of the territory a soggy, muddy mess. Daily tasks became a battle against the sticky earth, and no cat escaped without a pelt caked in grime.

But the rain and mud brought gifts, too—new shoots and sprouting herbs. Herbal patrols had grown fruitful once more, though Lynxdawn took to them alone. Her swirling thoughts made for constant, if not comforting, company.

This morning was bright and clear as she padded toward the abandoned nest, searching for dandelions and chamomile.

Wolfstar had warned the clan about visiting the nest alone, given the rising tension with DuskClan. But Lynxdawn didn’t want an escort. She was a cleric; she could go where she pleased.

Her confidence wavered as she arrived and heard faint, unfamiliar sounds on the wind. Her hackles rose as she crept closer, sticking to the treeline.

The sounds grew clearer—tiny mewls.

Heart pounding, she rushed forward and froze at the sight of four small kits nestled beneath a fallen branch, their bright eyes blinking up at her. The smallest one wobbled to her paws, her tiny frame trembling, while the others huddled close behind.

Lynxdawn’s gaze darted around. Surely their mother was nearby. Circling the area, she scented the air and soon stumbled across the queen’s body. The lifeless form startled her, and she crouched cautiously, her breath catching. A quick check confirmed the inevitable—the queen was cold, her ribs sharp against her thin pelt. Starvation, Lynxdawn concluded grimly.

She returned to the kits, crouching a few tail-lengths away. “Hi, my name is Lynxdawn,” she said softly.

“Wynx-don,” the eldest, a brown tabby, repeated in a small, trembling voice.

“That’s right. I’m a friendly cat.” Lynxdawn smiled, blinking slowly. “Are you friendly cats too?”

The littlest kit, a sandy-colored molly, raised her tail and stepped forward. “Yea!”

“Just you? Or all of you?” Lynxdawn teased gently, her smile widening.

A fluffy gray molly tottered forward, beaming. “Me! Me!”

Lynxdawn chuckled and looked expectantly at the last two. Twin tabbies—one gray, one brown.

The gray one didn’t move closer but offered a timid smile. “Yes, me.”

Her sister stayed rooted, wide-eyed, and only nodded.

“Since we’re all friendly, why don’t you come with me?” Lynxdawn coaxed, her voice light. “I live with some other friendly cats who’d love to meet you.”

“But mama?” the brown tabby whispered, glancing back at the fallen branch.

Lynxdawn’s heart ached. “Let’s meet my friends first, and I’ll come back to take care of her, okay? You four must be hungry. We have some fish waiting for you.”

The kits seemed uncertain but followed her, their tiny paws splashing through the mud.

When they reached camp, gasps rose as the clan gathered, eyes wide with surprise.

“Lynxdawn!” Wolfstar called, striding from her den, her steps lighter than they’d been in days. Her gaze softened as it fell on the kits. “Who are these little ones? Where’s their mother?”

Lynxdawn stepped aside as Snowspeckle and Nightleap approached to soothe the kits with soft murmurs. Lowering her voice, Lynxdawn replied, “I found them at the abandoned nest. Their mother… she didn’t survive. Likely starvation.”

Wolfstar’s eyes darkened. “Poor things. It’s good you brought them here—they wouldn’t have lasted long on their own.”

“I’ll need to return to retrieve her body,” Lynxdawn said firmly. “She deserves a proper burial.”

Wolfstar hesitated, then nodded. “No, you stay. The kits trust you. I’ll take Shadowdive, and we’ll make sure she’s laid to rest.”

Lynxdawn started to argue but thought better of it, nodding stiffly. “Thank you.”

Wolfstar approached the kits, lowering herself to their level. “Hello! I’m Wolfstar, the leader of this clan. Lynxdawn tells me you’re her friends.”

The sandy-colored kit’s tail fluffed with excitement. “Wooftar!”

Wolfstar chuckled, her warm gaze shifting to the others. The two gray kits lingered close, curious but quiet, while the brown tabby cast nervous glances at the crowd.

“Do you have names?” Snowspeckle asked gently.

The brown tabby shook her head, her siblings too distracted to answer.

Wolfstar straightened, addressing the clan. “Someone will need to care for them.”

“I will,” Lynxdawn said, stepping forward as the gray tabby kit rubbed against her leg with a soft purr.

“But mama?” the brown tabby asked again, her voice trembling.

“She won’t be joining us,” Lynxdawn murmured, crouching to meet the kit’s wide eyes. “But my friend Wolfstar will make sure she’s taken care of. Okay?”

The kit hesitated, then nodded, trust slowly forming.

“They’ll need names,” Shadowdive said.

Lynxdawn smiled, gesturing to each in turn. “You’ll be Sandkit,” she said, nodding to the sandy-colored molly, who beamed and repeated her name with a delighted cheer. “And you’ll be Kelpkit.” She touched her nose to the gray tabby. “You’ll be Coralkit,” she said to the fluffy gray molly. “And you’ll be Dropletkit,” she finished, pointing to the brown tabby.

The clan chuckled as Sandkit bounded around, chanting her name. Lynxdawn’s chest tightened, her grief for the mother momentarily eased by the sight of new life among them.

It was nearly nightfall when Wolfstar and Shadowdive returned from the burial. They had taken their time deciding where the unnamed molly should be laid to rest. Eventually, they settled on the cliffs east of the camp and south of the twoleg nest, where the ground overlooked the vast, churning sea.

“Funny how the first burial of our clan isn’t even one of our members.” Shadowdive said, his voice quiet and reflective as they neared camp.

Wolfstar let her tail brush against his flank as she passed him. “Funny isn’t the word I’d use,” she murmured, a teasing lilt softening her tone.

He snorted lightly and nipped playfully at her tail, earning a surprised yelp. She swatted him gently in return. The clearing lay still before them, the rest of the clan already tucked away for the night.

Their laughter mingled in the quiet, and they walked shoulder to shoulder, their shared warmth a comfort against the cool breeze. Shadowdive pressed his head against hers, his touch fond and familiar. “So, do you want me to join your nest tonight?” he asked softly.

“That’d be nice,” she purred.

“Careful, the clan might start to suspect something’s going on between you two,” Lynxdawn’s voice cut through the moment, light and teasing. She approached with a playful smirk, her paw steps lighter than they’d been in days.

Wolfstar pulled back, glancing over at her cleric with an amused flick of her ears. “Not the worst thing that could happen,” she replied, nudging Shadowdive’s side.

He smiled, his green eyes fixed solely on her. “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Wolfstar purred again.

Lynxdawn coughed awkwardly, breaking the moment. “If you’re done, can I have a moment with Wolfstar?”

Shadowdive nodded once, glancing between the two before striding off toward the leader’s den. With his departure, the air between Lynxdawn and Wolfstar shifted, growing heavy with unspoken thoughts.

Lynxdawn motioned toward her den, waiting until they were both seated before she spoke. “I, uh, well, Mallowstripe saved you some dinner. Roasted fish wrapped in seaweed. I kept it warm here for you.” She nodded toward a lidded pot resting on dying embers.

“Thank you. I really appreciate it.” Wolfstar’s smile was genuine but tinged with curiosity. She didn’t move for the pot, clearly waiting for what Lynxdawn truly wanted to say.

“How was the burial?” Lynxdawn asked after a moment’s hesitation.

“It was… strange,” Wolfstar admitted, her gaze drifting. “I’ve never buried anyone before. I’ve shared tongues with a fallen clanmate once, but this felt different.” Her voice grew quieter, thoughtful. “We buried her on the eastern cliffs overlooking the ocean. It’s a peaceful spot—a good place for the clan’s fallen.”

“That’s good. I’m glad.” Lynxdawn chuckled nervously. “I guess I never thought about a clan graveyard before.”

Wolfstar stayed quiet, her sharp eyes fixed on her paws, waiting patiently.

Lynxdawn cleared her throat again, forcing the words out. “The kits asked where their mom was a few times. I told them she couldn’t stay. That seemed to help.”

“They’re young. It’s hard to explain,” Wolfstar agreed, nodding slowly.

“I get it,” Lynxdawn whispered.

Wolfstar’s head tilted, her eyes snapping up to meet Lynxdawn’s. “What?”

“I… I get it,” Lynxdawn repeated, her voice steady though her gaze wavered. “You know? I get why you didn’t tell me.” She swallowed hard, her throat tight. “I can’t bear the thought of telling those kits their mom is dead and never coming back.”

Wolfstar’s breath hitched, but she said nothing, letting Lynxdawn find her words.

“I can’t imagine how hard it was for you,” Lynxdawn continued, her voice cracking. “Alone and barely a -paw. I get why you didn’t tell me. I mean, I can barely lie to them, and what you kept secret was way worse.”

“It was… tough,” Wolfstar admitted, her voice low. “But it’s not an excuse. I should’ve told you when you were old enough to understand, but…” She sighed deeply. “Shit, it snowballed out of control.”

Wolfstar reached out, placing a paw gently over Lynxdawn’s. They leaned in, pressing their foreheads together in a moment of quiet understanding.

“No… it’s not,” Lynxdawn murmured. “But I understand better now. And I forgive you. Like, really, truly.” A few tears slipped down her cheeks, but her voice held steady.

They stayed like that for a while, swaying gently together, their shared purring a soft counterpoint to their unspoken grief.

Finally, Wolfstar leaned back, her eyes warm. “Come on. How about you join me and Shadowdive for a late meal?”

Lynxdawn smiled, a genuine, wide smile, but shook her head. “I’d love to, but I have a nest of kits in the nursery waiting for me.” She laughed softly, her heart a little lighter.

Cat Allegiances:

Wolfstar- 19 moons. Leader. Responsible. Compassionate. Natural intuition. Apprentice- Ripplepaw.

Lynxdawn- 14 moons. Lead Cleric. Thoughtful. Loving. Good teacher.

Snowspeckle- 30 moons. Deputy. Artisan. Loving. Playful. Good singer.

Nightleap- 34 moons. Warrior. Insecure. Sneaky. Incredible runner.

Mallowstripe- 20 moons. Camp keeper. Nervous. Careful. Strange dreamer.

Fennelheart- 19 moons. Warrior. Charismatic. Playful. Good hunter. Conditions: frost bitten tail. Green cough.

Shadowdive- 18 moons. Warrior. Blood thirsty. Loyal. Good swimmer. Apprentice- Otterpaw.

Ripplekit→Ripplepaw - 6 moons. Warrior apprentice. Bossy. Fearless. Never sits still. Mentor- Wolfstar.

Otterkit→Otterpaw - 6 moons. Warrior apprentice. Attention seeker. Bouncy. Splashes in puddles. Mentor- Shadowdive.

Dropletkit- 1 moon. Skittish. Shy. Interested in clan history.

Kelpkit- 1 moon. Charming. Quiet. Plays in mud.

Coralkit- 1 moon. Noisy. Bossy. Never sits still.

Sandkit- 1 moon. Impulsive. Noisy. Moss ball hunter.

Next

Prev

Moon 0

[salt-clangen]

Hey Y'all

I'm Jay (you can also call me Yael or Chevy) my main warrior cats is @jayleap

Welcome to my clangen blog! My ask box is always open and I'm open for commissions or trades just message me.

Saltclan takes place off the coast of Maine in modern-ish day. I'm heavily inspired by @bonefall and @rippleclan 's works and reference them often.

There's no specific schedule for moon updates and asks/lore will be posted as I receive them. To search for a specific moon you can search the tags for 'moon 3' etc.

To read from the begining click here: Moon 0

Tags:

Moon updates: #saltclan moon update

Lore posts: #saltclan lore or #lore ask

Fun asks: #funasks

My Warrior Code Lessons: #warriorcode

Trigger warnings: Canon typical violence, death (including kits), injuries, illness, murder, including mild descriptions of gore. Anything I deem gratuitous will be tagged.

[salt-clangen]

Gonna redesign the old clanfounder’s designs. Duskstar’s design is mostly fine but I honestly hate Oakstar’s so much idk why I posted it. Honeystar though is perfect, I’m just gonna change up her eyes and maybe zhuzh up her pattern, her colors tho are primo.

But holy moly I hate Oakstar’s colors idk what I was doing

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hi i made my own dumbass warrior cat personality quiz take it here if you want. tell me who ya get in the tags

[salt-clangen]

Augh!!!

Hitting me in the feels!!

okay serious talk though it really wouldn’t be surprising if Wolf and Lynx were pretty heavily codependent on each other, and with a lesser extent Snow and Shadow as well. That makes their argument and distancing SO much worse!!! Still want more updates tho I’m a little obsessed, AND I wanna see the kits apprentice ceremony. Maybe we could get a gathering segment in the next update to show the kits first introduction to the other clans? Obviously only if you want to!

-🐲

Way ahead of you dragon anon! Next moon is the first moon of new leaf and saltclan will be hosting! I changed the name from ‘melting day’ to ‘first bloom’ bc it sounded better. Both lil kits will be old enough to attend as apprentices.

As for Lynx and Wolf, maybe a little distance will give them some perspective.

[salt-clangen]

asking before anything gets misconstrued, was Jagged possessed/influenced that night or was it truly a fear response?

How’s it feel to have been right since November lol