// SPOILERS AHEAD //

// spiderthorn //
Patient. Precise. Dutiful.

"I was not the reason she took her own life. You were."
– Spiderthorn to Nightchaser, chapter 34 of Unmasked

// quick facts //

// physical //
build ▸ lean, but muscled
gender ▸ tom
fur ▸ black
eyes ▸ yellow/gold
other ▸ long legs and tail

// personality //
qualities ▸ patient, precise, dutiful | calculating, fearful of those above him
strengths ▸ fighting, mentoring
weaknesses ▸ standing up for his beliefs

// age //
beginning of Unmasked ▸ 64 moons
end of Unmasked ▸ 74 moons
beginning of Unmarked ▸ 80 moons
end of Unmarked ▸ 83 moons

// death //
cause ▸ killed by Dawnstar

// family tree //
father ▸ Rabbitnose
mother ▸ Garlicfur
littermates ▸ Cedarheart, Flintmask, Shadowpelt
paternal grandparents ▸ Ivyfang, Specklefrost
maternal grandparents ▸ Paleclaw, Daisypelt
mate ▸ (1) Willowtail, (2) Birchfrost, (3) Morningfire, (4) Dawnstar
kits ▸ (1) Icepaw, (2) Pigeonfang, Blackstrike, (3) Cinderblossom, Flamestrike, Nightchaser, (4) Beetlefang, Lightchaser, Stormfall, Yewpaw

// education //
mentor(s) ▸ Ravenstorm
apprentice(s) ▸ Beetlefur, Smoketalon

// names //
kit ▸ Spiderkit
apprentice ▸ Spiderpaw
warrior ▸ Spiderthorn
guardian ▸ Spiderthorn
deputy ▸ Spiderthorn

// deputy position //
preceded by ▸ Sleetfur

// affiliations //
current ▸ DarkClan

// appearances //
alive ▸ Unmasked, Unmarked

// personality overview //

Spiderthorn always made sure to observe and think first and act later. As a kit, he watched his littermates play moss-ball, observing their tactics before offering to join them to ensure he would always win. Of course, he did not do this knowingly, but once he became an apprentice his mentor, Ravenstorm, noticed this habit almost immediately. He put this knowledge to good use, sharpening Spiderthorn's skills in observation and calculation so that, even during battle, this habit became almost instinctual, requiring only a split second. Spiderthorn carried on this skill throughout his days as a warrior and quickly earned a spot as a guardian of truth. His patience even in the thick of things was his greatest asset, according to Owlstar. The guardian revered the leader and truth-teller, always mindful of his tongue and actions around them and determined to never anger them. This, however, required putting aside some of his beliefs and holding his tongue even when something he believed to be important was brushed aside. Over time, he realized how highly DarkClan's higher-ups thought of him and, afraid of losing everything he had worked for, he continues to hold back even though his heart tells him things need to change.

// relationship analysis //

Spiderthorn was never close with any of his littermates. Always on the sidelines, determining how best to win their game of moss-ball or how to ensure he ate the most freshkill, Spiderthorn never took the time to actually interact with them. As apprentices and warriors, he grew to respect Shadowpelt, who became a guardian alongside him, and to tolerate Flintmask, though many of his actions unnerved him. Cedarheart, after being named healer, was in Spiderthorn's mind a waste of space.

Ravenstorm quickly grew to be Spiderthorn's favourite member of DarkClan, as the tom did not try to change Spiderthorn during training but rather helped him develop the skills he already had. While hunting did not come as easily to him as fighting, Ravenstorm ensured Spiderthorn became proficient – and even excellent – in both. When Ravenstorm died in his sleep, it was all Spiderthorn could do to mask his emotions.

His mentor influenced much of Spiderthorn's own mentoring style. Both of his apprentices became formidable fighters thanks to his observation of their unique combat techniques. Beetlefur, however, was killed in a rogue attack; Smoketalon moved on to become a guardian.

Always a dutiful member of DarkClan, Spiderthorn did not let pairings infringe on his emotions. His first pairing with Willowtail was rather frigid and yielded only one kit, who was later killed after failing her warrior assessment. The second, with Birchfrost, was more successful, and both Pigeonfang and Blackstrike made it to warrior status. It was not until the third pairing, with Morningfire, that Spiderthorn's harshly masked emotions were unleashed. Though he tried his hardest to keep from feeling anything, Morningfire's intelligence and independent nature impressed him greatly. Slowly, he found himself falling for the she-cat.

This was not enough, however, to get him to leave DarkClan. Even though she pleaded they run away to give their kits a better life he refused, knowing they would not be able to escape the darkness. Her death caused him to withdraw into himself. Their kits, Cinderblossom, Flamestrike, and Nightchaser survived.

His final pairing, with Dawnstar, resulted in for healthy kits. His relationship with Dawnstar was always rocky, even as her deputy, and he was not sure what to think of her picking him as her mate. Still broken over Morningfire, he only agreed out of duty and even suggested Morningkit as a name for one of the kits; the name was promptly refused by Dawnstar. Beetlepaw, Lightpaw, Stormpaw, and Yewpaw were named apprentices a few moons after the rebel attack.

Though Spiderthorn does not consider any of the cats in DarkClan his friends, he always admired Lionmask for his strength and steadiness, and Hailwatcher, for his watchfulness. Though younger than him, Swallowstorm, Oakshade, Sprucetail, and Jaystrike held his attention with their fighting and hunting skills (oddly enough, all of these cats were part of the rebellion). Spiderthorn also prides himself on Flamestrike's success as a warrior and guardian and, though he would never admit it out loud, Cinderblossom's motherly nature and Nightchaser's charisma.

// trivia //

// Spiderthorn did love Morningfire but knew that escaping DarkClan was impossible

Got any other trivia to contribute? Leave a comment!