// SPOILERS AHEAD //

// nightchaser //
Curious. Observant. Charismatic.

"I speak as if I know the danger I'm putting others, and myself, in for your sake. It is I who will have to live with the guilt if others die because of me."

– Nightchaser to Sootstar, chapter 16 of Unmasked

// quick facts //

// physical //
build ▸ skinny, but with some muscle
gender ▸ tom
fur ▸ black
eyes ▸ gold
other ▸ white rims around eyees

// personality //
qualities ▸ curious, observant, charismatic | indecisive, fearful, lost
strengths ▸ history, leadership
weaknesses ▸ fighting, hunting

// age //
beginning of Unmasked ▸ 6 moons
end of Unmasked ▸ 16 moons
beginning of Unmarked ▸ 22 moons
end of Unmarked ▸ 26 moons
beginning of Unmade ▸ 30 moons

// death //
cause ▸ n/a

// family tree //
father ▸ Spiderthorn
mother ▸ Morningfire
littermates ▸ Cinderblossom, Flamestrike
half-littermates ▸ Icepaw, Pigeonfang, Blackstrike, Lightkit, Beetlekit, Yewkit, Stormkit
paternal grandparents ▸ Rabbitnose, Garlicfur
maternal grandparents ▸ Hailwatcher, Sandfeather
mate ▸ Wrenflight
kits ▸ none

// education //
mentor(s) ▸ Hailwatcher (truth-telling), Lionmask (fighting), Flamestrike (fighting), Sprucetail (hunting), Wrenflight (hunting)
apprentice(s) ▸ none

// names //
kit ▸ Nightkit
apprentice ▸ Nightpaw
truth-teller ▸ Nightchaser
outcast ▸ Nightchaser

// truth-teller position //
preceded by ▸ Hailwatcher
succeeded by ▸ n/a

// affiliations //
current ▸ none
past ▸ DarkClan, rebels

// appearances //
alive ▸ Unmasked, Unmarked, Unmade

// personality overview //

    As the protagonist, Nightchaser often finds himself in tight situations and full of internal conflict. Though he is observant and, as his training as a truth-teller progresses, more and more charismatic, the fact remains that he owes his standing in DarkClan to nothing more than the white marks around his eyes. Should he have been made a warrior apprentice, it is entirely possible that he would have never made it to warrior status – this is evidenced by the way he overthinks his hunting and fighting techniques during training and the work he has to put into it in order to be anywhere near the level of the other apprentices. His tendency to overthink situations is, however, also seen in his interactions with both Hailwatcher and Sootstar, in which he often finds multiple meanings. Though this is not, overall, a bad quality, as it enables him to see through some of DarkClan's stories (for example, that of Greyflower and Deerfrost), it also causes him to become paranoid or worried over elements that should not pose such a great problem. His fixation on questions of his mother throughout Unmasked is also evidence of this. It is this paranoia, as well as his lack of motivation, that causes him to stall on making certain decisions and, often, it is others who push him to make them; this is achieved either through persuasion (Cinderblossom, Wrenpaw) or force (Hailwatcher, Dawnstar).

// relationship analysis //

    Nightchaser's familial relations are constantly shifting, as he is never quite sure which side Flamestrike and Spiderthorn are on. Though he attempts to fix his relationship with Flamestrike through battle training in the night, his littermate never truly believes in the ideals of the Old Life and, ultimately, is the one to turn him in to Dawnstar. Spiderthorn, as evidenced in the final battle, does not believes in these ideals either, and is even willing to kill his own son. Having never known his mother, the only she-cat in Nightchaser's immediate family is his littermate, Cinderblossom. These two are rather close, especially once Nightchaser learns from Sootstar about the prevalence of 'masks' within DarkClan and tries to protect Cinderblossom from her own kindness, which could brand her as a traitor. Cinderblossom is also the only cat who can talk some sense into Nightchaser following the failed rebellion, able to get past his emotional defences.

    Nightchaser's relationship with Hailwatcher shifts constantly as well, starting out at first as reverent and slowly shifting to wariness and disdain on both sides. As Nightchaser grows and begins to form his own ideals, Hailwatcher's influence on him lessens and forms a rift between them. Though the truth-teller often reminds Nightchaser's of his duties to DarkClan, and mentions more than once that his true emotions are showing, Nightchaser takes no notice. Once Nightchaser is able to see past the lessons imbued in DarkClan's stories, Hailwatcher gives up on him.

    His relationship with Dawnstar is entirely built on calculation and wariness. He does not trust her and, as he grows, he quickly realizes that she does not fully trust him either. Nightchaser is forced to pick his words carefully whenever posed a question by her but, to his credit, he is often able to corner her into giving in (as with Cinderblossom's becoming a caretaker).

    With his guardians, Nightchaser is well-liked. Though only Lionmask, Birchfrost, Goosepelt, and Sprucetail have any close relations with him, they all respect him for his bravery in defying DarkClan's rules and for giving them hope in a better life. Lionmask, of course, leaps to Nightchaser's rescue against a fox, sacrificing himself for his charge. Goosepelt dies in the rebellion, also showing his faith in the truth-teller.

    The healers, too, hold respect for Nightchaser, though they are more wary in their approach knowing that they are constantly under scrutiny. Cedarheart, along with Swallowstorm, are the first cats to be told of StarClan by Nightchaser, which shows his trust in them, and Mothpelt soon becomes a confidante as well. After the death of Wrenflight, Mothpelt is the closest thing Nightchaser has to his deceased love.

    Nightchaser's only romantic relationship is that with Wrenflight, who dies at Dawnstar's claws in the rebellion. Though at first Nightchaser pushes her away in order to protect her, he slowly finds he cannot stay away from her and begins to let her in, particularly after she forces him to tell her about StarClan (having overheard him speaking with Cinderblossom and Mothpelt the night before). They have an interesting dynamic, as Nightchaser's lack of motivation is balanced by Wrenflight's determined and pushy nature. The few nights they do get to spend together are enough to make Nightchaser dream of a life with her – which, sadly, will never come to pass.

    Other relationships include his close bond with Webkit, who he spends much of his time telling stories to and makes him realize how badly he wants kits of his own, Bramblefire, who he treats as a sort of energetic younger brother, and Jaystrike, who he respects for his loyalty.

// trivia //

// in chapter 10 of Unmasked, after Hailwatcher brings Nightpaw to Deathwaters, Nightpaw covers up his mention of a dream (something taboo in DarkClan, as dreaming is linked to StarClan) with a lie that he dreamt about being attacked by a fox; this dream comes true in chapter 28.

// Nightchaser was named after his curious nature and for his star-gazing at night.

Got any other trivia to contribute? Leave a comment!

// fan art //

queer-deer's interpretation of Nightchaser