 Cedartalon discusses the Dark Forest’s role in the fourth arc, Omen of the Stars Show After the sharp-eyed jay and the roaring lion, peace will come on dove’s gentle wing.” The second book on OotS, Fading Echoes, was by far the book I had read the fastest. It was(and still is) so intriguing to learn about the ways of the Dark Forest, or Place of No Stars. So that’s what we are here to talk about. What exactly are the cunning, manipulative, and dangerous ways of this forbidden place? Let’s start at about the middle of Fading Echoes, where Ivypaw is dreaming of a beautiful meadow. This brings us to our first ‘rule of the Dark Forest(DF)’, if you will – entice the cat to train with a pretty setting, such as a meadow or lush forest. This seems to be easy, since the cats know that they are dreaming, it would be better to start with good dreams instead of heading straight into a nightmare. This works especially well on young cats like Ivypaw, who would be drawn to such beautiful places, and would want to learn more. The next rule is also in this scene – senior warriors of the DF should entice the target, not new warriors. This is mainly why we see Hawkfrost, Tigerstar, Brokenstar, and Thistleclaw bring in the new apprentices. If they were to send new warriors and apprentices to bring in new blood, it could actually send more cats away. This is because, unlike the senior warriors that are fully committed, the new warriors and apprentices might still know of the danger the DF is putting them in, therefore, they would most likely try to warn the targets away. As you become an apprentice, exercises and tasks become brutal and dangerous. We see this in the scene where Ivypaw must attack Mapleshade underwater. It is even worse when you become a DF warrior. At your assessment, you must kill an inocent cat from StarClan. For some, this will be an easy task – after all, they’ve been training for moons, and they have most likely desensitized to dying cats. Once you become a warrior, there isnt any going back. You stay, or they kill you. This is the end of part 1. Part 2 wll disscuss how bad your sins would have to be for you to go to the Dark Forest. Thak you for reading! We've known about the first StarClan cats and we've heard their stories as well as the stories of the first Clan cats in the Dawn of the Clans series (which I massively enjoyed the writing and I hope I can see more of it in future books, talking maybe about how they decided to change the apprentice's names to 'paws as well as the first ever warrior ceremony etc. but I digress) But we've never really heard about the first cat that inhabited the Dark Forest. It came to my mind as I finished reading the Dawn of The Clans and with everything that's happened in The Broken Code (no spoilers don't worry), I've been thinking more about the Dark Forest and how it came to be, who was the first cat there, and so I want to know your opinions on it! Personally, the first cat that jumped to mind for me would be One-Eye just in case yall haven't finished reading DOTC since he was the first ever evil cat that we saw in the Clans. But one could argue that he might not have believed in StarClan and thus might not have been part of the StarClanxDarkForest universe to begin with. So if this is true, then I would like to hear your theories about any of the cats in the early stages of the Clans that could have ended up in the Dark Forest and why so. I hope you guys find it interesting to think about as much as me!
List of known inhabitants The Place of No Stars, informally known as the Dark Forest,[1] is the opposite of StarClan's hunting grounds. It is a place where cats that have committed great crimes against their Clans and the warrior code go when they die.[2] However, cats who commit crimes but believe they are following the warrior code can usually join the ranks of StarClan instead, like Mudclaw.[3] DescriptionGeneral
Thistleclaw: "StarClan? You mouse-brain! This isn't StarClan! Those smug, toothless fools won't teach you anything as useful as this." Relation to living cats"I heard your mother was sick when you were born. What could have made her sick? Probably a rotten kit, that's what! [...] You're going to end up in the Dark Forest with all the other murderers." ―Skykit to Leopardkit Leopardstar's Honor, pages 14-15 Clan cats are aware of the Dark Forest,[27] and older warriors and elders frequently told tales of the spirits there as warnings for apprentices.[28] Mentioning the Dark Forest is often used a fear tactic.[29][30] Throughout the Clans' history, the Dark Forest has preyed on cats in the living world, manipulating them and teaching them advanced battle moves through brutal training sessions in their dreams.[8][31][32] Spending time in the Dark Forest can also turn a good cat bad.[33][34] Numerous Dark Forest spirits wished for vengeance on the living world,[1][4] and plotted for war against the Clans.[35][24] In the moons since the Great Battle, the Clans passed on nursery tales of the Dark Forest,[36] and often spoke in hush murmurs about the spirits that resided there.[37]TrialsMain article: StarClan#Trials "Deciding who can join StarClan and who should be in the Dark Forest is a hard decision, and we don't take it lightly. A gathering of StarClan warriors discusses every cat to try to understand what is in their hearts, and to judge whether they should be allowed to join us." ―Onestar about the trial process A Light in the Mist (book), page 297 StarClan decides if a cat should go to the Dark Forest.[38][39] When a Clan cat dies, a group of StarClan cats meet and discuss whether or not to grant them access to StarClan, deciding based upon if the cat broke the warrior code,[39] their reasons for breaking it,[38] or if they believed they were acting in the best interest of their Clan.[40] If StarClan has deemed them worthy of the Dark Forest, their spirit will materialize in the Place of No Stars.[41]Territory«The trees clustered close together here, their branches entwined over Ivypool's head. It was a relief not to be able to see the starless sky, always the most frightening reminder that she wasn't in ThunderClan.» —Ivypool's thoughts about the Dark Forest Sign of the Moon, page 127 The Dark Forest is a dark, shadowy forest with lots of tall, dank, gray trees.[42] It is mentioned to be a dull, vast empty place—the complete opposite of StarClan's hunting grounds, which are warm and sunny and bright.[42] The air is cold, thick, foggy and damp and it has an echoing silence.[43] It smells of damp earth, rotting wood,[44] and rotting fresh-kill.[45] There is a pale sickly light and a chilly wind blowing.[46] The Dark Forest also has a black and starless sky,[47] and the trees are so tall, it is unable to see anything above them, allowing no light whatsoever to reach it.[48] Mist is mentioned to wreathe the thick, sticky, bare forest floor.[48] It has a sluggish river, its waters dark and lifeless with no stepping stones or fallen trees to be used to cross it,[49] and around the river is sucking mud.[50] Fungus eerily glows on trees, and there is limited undergrowth[48] beyond dead ferns, mulchy grass,[44]and rotting weeds and bracken.[51] The land also appears to shift with caves and tunnels,[52] valleys and rocky slopes,[53] marshes and ridges,[54] and endless forests with dead trees.[46] Cats can have difficulty trekking through the changing terrain.[55] There is a large lake with black water that feels like soft pelts and ice cold water.[56][57] A low, small muddy island sits in the middle of the lake with rotting trees. A slim stretch of mud leads from the shore to the island.[58] The border between the Dark Forest and StarClan is a white, eerie light. Here the grass is thin, and it eventually disappears altogether.[48] At this point, the air becomes so foggy, that any cat there finds themselves having trouble breathing.[59] This border was sealed by Ashfur[60] with thick bramble walls, tree branches, and vines woven together tightly. The barrier couldn't be forcefully pried away by brute force, but instead feelings of hope.[61] The barrier was freed after Ashfur's defeat, and Juniperclaw vowed to guard the barrier for the rest of eternity, ensuring no cat would abuse it again.[38] Under Ashfur's reign and influence, he managed to shape the Dark Forest to his will by harnessing on dark emotions.[62] A thick cold[63] fog surrounded the boundaries of the Dark Forest, with the land and the cats living there disappearing.[64] The fog was thick and roiling, and obscured the land behind it, and seemed moved closer with each passing day, causing the Dark Forest to shrink.[53][65] The fog could also advance at incredible speeds.[66] Dark, crow-black water also began emerging into pools and streams throughout the forest.[63] The water is bone-chilling cold and saps the life of any cat who falls into it.[67] The entrance to the Moonpool lies underneath a large tree with thick, twisting roots alone in a clearing. Cats must climb the tall branches to reach the Moonpool above and then swim through it to enter the living realm.[68]The islandWithin the Dark Forest is an island that was utilized by Ashfur as his headquarters. Prior to Ashfur's death, it was surrounded by a dark lake, though the island itself is little more than a stretch of mud with decaying trees sagging at odd angles, but a narrow strip connects to the mainland within the residence.[69] The island was the place used by Ashfur to keep his enslaved ghosts,[70] as well as briefly the corpse of Bramblestar when it was not in use.[71] However, the island disappeared under the rising dark water, forcing Ashfur to find a new location for his camp.[72]History
Mapleshade: "Am I dead? Is this StarClan?" Mapleshade sought her revenge on Appledusk by targeting his descendants, including Appledusk's great-grandson Crookedstar It is unclear when the Dark Forest was created, though the Dark Forest cannot exist without StarClan.[73] Maggottail was noted to be one of the oldest spirits residing there.[74] Chronologically, Mapleshade was the first cat to be shown entering the Dark Forest after her death, though she was not alone.[1] Goosefeather was able to see her spirit in the living world with his powers,[75] and he walked in the Dark Forest in his dreams.[76] Following her death, Mapleshade vowed vengeance on Appledusk's kin,[1] enacting her revenge on Crookedstar, Appledusk's great-grandson, when he promised to be loyal to his Clan above all else and that one day he would be Clan leader.[77] Mapleshade watched over Crookedstar as a kit,[78] and mentored him in his dreams, making him believe she was a StarClan cat.[79][80] While Mapleshade was training Crookedjaw, Shredtail[8] and Silverhawk[2] began training Thistleclaw in preparation for him to become deputy one day.[8] When Crookedjaw learned he was training in the Dark Forest, he attempted to break ties with Mapleshade,[2] but she continued to haunt him for the rest of his life and took the blame for the death of his loved ones.[81][82][83] Meanwhile, Thistleclaw excelled in his training in the Dark Forest.[44] Mapleshade continued to speak in Tigerclaw's head throughout his life,[45] mocking him,[84] and guiding him.[85] Seasons later, Tigerstar summoned his sons, Brambleclaw and Hawkfrost, in their dreams briefly.[7] Tigerstar continued to meet in his sons' dreams and instructed them how to rise into the ranks as deputies and leaders of their Clans. Leafpool witnessed one particular visit in her dreams and became to distrust Brambleclaw and his loyalty to ThunderClan.[11] Tigerstar wished for his sons to rule the lake,[86] and plotted for his sons to violently take over the Clans at the Gathering.[87] Tigerstar attempted to reach out to Tawnypelt, but she refused.[88] Suspecting Brambleclaw had doubts, Tigerstar plotted with Hawkfrost to test Brambleclaw's loyalty by luring Firestar to a fox trap so Brambleclaw could kill him. Instead, Brambleclaw killed Hawkfrost, sending his spirit to the Dark Forest.[89]"Friendship is worthless. You have learned an important lesson, one that I could never have taught you. But I will teach you much more. There'll come a day when you'll be so powerful, you'll have no need of friends. And when that day comes, I promise you will never regret that you chose to be a warrior." ―Tigerstar to Lionpaw Dark River, page 322 Tigerstar was one of the pivotal leaders in the Dark Forest and spearheaded the plans for the Great Battle Tigerstar and Hawkfrost attempted to lure Jaypaw into the Dark Forest when he accidentally wandered there while dreaming at the Moonpool. They offered to teach him some fighting moves so he could become a warrior, but Spottedleaf whisked Jaypaw away before he could decide.[90] Failing with Jaypaw, Tigerstar and Hawkfrost found success with his brother Lionpaw; Tigerstar briefly materialized to assist Lionpaw with his training, though Brambleclaw found Lionpaw's new battle moves a bit odd.[23] Tigerstar and Hawkfrost later promised to teach Lionpaw how to become a powerful warrior,[91] and conducted nightly training sessions with him to improve his skills.[92][93][94] However, Lionpaw grew frustrated with Tigerstar when he was dismissive of Lionpaw's role in the prophecy,[95] and became more aggressive and controlling of him.[96] Lionblaze attempted to break ties from Tigerstar after he learned Brambleclaw wasn't his father, and he managed to beat Tigerstar in battle to break away from him.[10]"The forces of the Dark Forest are rising. I am afraid that it will take a power greater than StarClan to defeat them." ―Yellowfang to Jayfeather The Fourth Apprentice, page 243 Hawkfrost followed in his father's pawprints for his ambitions to take over the Clans. Hawkfrost mentored Ivypool, who would later spy for the Clans The Dark Forest continued to recruit living Clan cats in their dreams, including Breezepelt and Tigerheart.[97] While visiting the Moonpool to speak to Honeyfern, Poppyfrost and Jayfeather were attacked by Breezepelt and Brokenstar's spirit. Honeyfern's spirit from StarClan arrived to help them, and Yellowfang warned Jayfeather that the spirits of the Dark Forest were rising.[98] Rock also warned Jayfeather of ancient grievances that will soon be settled.[99] Jayfeather and Lionblaze later surmised that a battle will soon come between the Dark Forest and StarClan.[97] Suspicious of the Dark Forest training living cats, Yellowfang, Spottedleaf, and Jayfeather sneaked into the Dark Forest, but only spot Tigerstar and Hawkfrost training their fellow spirits.[20] Meanwhile, Hawkfrost began to visit Ivypaw in her dreams, teaching her battle moves[9] and feeding off her jealously of her sister Dovepaw.[100] Hawkfrost later introduced Ivypaw to the rest of the Dark Forest spirits, instructing her that they're all Clanmates now. Hawkfrost and Tigerstar also manipulated Ivypaw to trick Firestar into reclaiming land he had once given to ShadowClan.[101] This resulted in a battle between the two Clans,[102] causing Russetfur's death, one of Firestar's nine lives,[103] and doubt to be stirred in StarClan over the Dark Forest's influence.[104] StarClan began to grow more divided as the Dark Forest grew stronger,[105][106] re-establishing Clan borders as their hunting grounds faded from greenleaf to leaf-fall.[107]Ivypool was a Dark Forest warrior and was mentored by Hawkfrost. She convinced most of the other trainees to fight for the Clans in the Great Battle The Place of No Stars residents continued to recruit numerous cats from all four Clans,[31] feeding off their insecurities and wishes to be a better warrior for their Clan.[32] When Ivypaw began to see the error of her ways, she agreed to spy for Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Dovepaw.[108] Tigerstar announced his plans to the trainees to invade the living world and destroy the Clans.[35] During a brutal training session, Antpelt was killed by Thistleclaw,[109] and his spirit was later killed by Ivypool in order to prove herself worthy of becoming a Dark Forest warrior.[74] As the battle drew near, Tigerstar and the other senior Dark Forest warriors began drawing up battle plans to attack the Clans in numerous places at once and targeting the nurseries.[110] The Dark Forest warriors manipulated their trainees into a false promise of a paradise where the the four Clans would be united,[110][111] and began exploring the Clans' territories at night to scope out areas to attack, informing the trainees they were learning about best places to assist the other Clans.[111] Tigerstar, Hawkfrost, Brokenstar, Mapleshade, and Thistleclaw informed their living Dark Forest warriors of their intent to attack the Clans, resulting Beetlewhisker's death when he attempted to leave in protest.[112] The Dark Forest launched their attack on all four camps at once and targeted their kits, though the Clans met them head on.[113][114] Ivypool managed to convince most of the trainees to fight for their Clans instead, though Hawkfrost and Thistleclaw attacked Ivypool when they discovered her treachery.[115] The Clans fought back furiously against the Dark Forest warriors and were soon joined by the Ancients and StarClan.[24] The remaining Dark Forest spirits fled after Tigerstar's death at Firestar's claws.[116]"Since the Great Battle, the Dark Forest has been nearly empty. Most of the cats who lived there were defeated and passed on. I think the forest is overgrown now and the trees are crumbling." ―Mousefur about the Dark Forest Squirrelflight's Hope, page 339 Ashfur possessed Bramblestar's body and plotted to destroy the Clans In the moons following the Great Battle and the Dark Forest's defeat, the afterlife became empty again as the spirits there resumed their walks of solitude.[39] Meanwhile, Ashfur saw this as an opportunity for revenge; he sealed off the original entrance between StarClan and the Dark Forest and created his own entrance. Convincing StarClan that he needed to observe the living Clans, Ashfur possessed Bramblestar's body,[117][118] and sealed off his secret entrance, blocking both StarClan and the Dark Forest from the Clans. Without their connection to the Clans, both the Place of No Stars and StarClan began to fade,[119][60] with the Dark Forest disappearing under a growing thick mist and dark water.[61] Ashfur promised the remaining Dark Forest spirits that he would teach them how to possess living cats so they could live again.[120][121] Meanwhile, Ashfur trapped Bramblestar's ghost in the Dark Forest, and Shadowsight briefly found his spirit. The ShadowClan medicine cat also found a pool of stars trapped in the Dark Forest underneath a thick den of thorn branches, vines, and bramble tendrils.[122] Ashfur also began harvesting dead spirits into the Dark Forest, preventing Clan cats from entering StarClan,[123] and putting them under his mind control.[120] Though Ashfur's possession could be broken by strong emotions[72] and distance.[124] The dark warrior later dragged Squirrelflight through the Moonpool to the Dark Forest,[125] though she and Bramblestar escaped with the help of Rootspring, Shadowsight, and Snowtuft, a Dark Forest cat.[71] However, Bristlefrost and Shadowsight returned to the Dark Forest to save Rootspring.[126]"I just want to go back to my life here. I've been here for so long, it feels like home." ―Silverhawk A Light in the Mist (book), page 289 The five Clans, StarClan, and the Dark Forest united to defeat Ashfur Having escaped from Ashfur, Bristlefrost, Shadowsight, Rootspring, Stemleaf, Spiresight, and Willowshine discovered the former entrance to StarClan, now sealed up with a thick bramble wall. They discovered that hope will weaken the barrier. Sensing Ashfur drawing nearer, the cats split up to gather more hope.[61] However, not all of the Dark Forest spirits agreed with Ashfur's schemes; Bristlefrost managed to convince Maggottail, Sparrowfeather, and Redwillow to fight to save the Dark Forest,[121] and Rootspring convinced Silverhawk.[127] Upon Shadowsight's request, the five Clans sent cats into the Dark Forest to help the others: Crowfeather, Graystripe, Mistystar, Violetshine, and Shadowsight.[128] More StarClan cats emerged from the now opened barrier: Needletail,[129] Firestar, Silverstream, Feathertail, Onestar, Redtail, and Larksong. Juniperclaw also arrived from the Dark Forest to help, though the others were wary of his intentions.[130] The group of living and dead cats found Ashfur waiting for them with his army of rogue spirits, including Darktail.[131] The battle ended when Bristlefrost dragged Ashfur's spirit in the dark water, causing them both to disappear forever.[132] Bristlefrost's sacrifice caused the dark water and fog to fade away,[133] and re-established both the Dark Forest and StarClan with the living world.[134] With the entrance to StarClan now freed, Juniperclaw was tasked with guarding the tunnel entrance between the afterlives so cat could pass through ever again.[38]Known residentsStarClanAshfur[135] (faded)ThunderClanShadowClanSkyClanSandynose[140] (prisoner and formerly) WindClanHoundleap[44] Antpelt[149] (faded) Smokehaze[140] (prisoner and formerly) RiverClanOtherDarktail[152] (faded) Spiresight[54] (prisoner and formerly) Cats of unknown origins or Clans
Known traineesThunderClanShadowClanTigerheart[193] Unnamed cat[194] Ratscar[195] Redwillow[195] Applefur[196] RiverClanWindClanCats of unknown origins or ClansUnnamed she-cat[198]GalleryTriviaInteresting facts
Author statementsMistakes
ContinuityThe following information is from sources considered non-canon or retconned.
Quotes"This is where the greatest cats come after they die. And if you keep your promise, this is where you'll come one day." ―Mapleshade to Crookedpaw Crookedstar's Promise, page 185 «Does he guide my paws in battle? Was it only Tigerstar's training that helped him beat every enemy and leave the fight unscathed?» —Lionpaw's thoughts about Tigerstar Eclipse, page 293 "The time is close! The day is nearing! We are going to invade the world of the Clans and destroy them and their warrior code, once and for all." ―Tigerstar Night Whispers, page 288 "Let all cats old enough to kill their own enemies, gather here!" ―Brokenstar gathering the trainees The Forgotten Warrior, page 220 "It's difficult to know who to trust in the Dark Forest. It's not like a Clan. We don't hang out together. It's every cat for themselves here." ―Sparrowfeather about the Dark Forest A Light in the Mist (book), page 193 "Thanks for helping to save our home. I'm sorry you lost Bristlefrost. She was brave. I just hope that tunnel doesn't mean StarClan cats are going to start sticking their noses into our business whenever they like." ―Silverhawk after the battle A Light in the Mist (book), page 289 See alsoExternal linksNotes and references
Author references
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What do Dark Forest cats look like
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