Poppystar is the founder of RedClan. As a medicine cat apprentice of DesertClan during a great famine, she had a vision of new, better lands for her Clan. She lead a small group of cats away from DesertClan's territory, traveling far until they reached the place of her visions: their new territory. She named their group RedClan after the red rocks that are scattered across the territory.

In RedClan, she functions as both a Leader and a Medicine Cat.

Poppystar is a generally friendly and welcoming cat. She always does her best to take care of her clanmates and put their best interest above her own. She's open to allowing new cats to join her Clan, especially as their numbers are extremely small. Additionally, she does her best to accommodate the needs of her clanmates to make sure everyone feels comfortable and valued. She frequently checks in with cats to make sure they're doing okay.

She highly values new ideas and improving the lives of her clanmates. She always makes sure to encourage her clanmates to speak their opinions and ideas, even if they disagree with her.

She is confident and self-motivated, making her not only a good worker, but also a cat with a strong personality. It takes a lot to anger her, but she does sometimes pretend to be annoyed when her clanmates tease her, though she doesn't actually mind it at all, and they know that she's just playing around.

While capable of being serious when necessary, she is generally light hearted and playful. She's good at keeping moods up even when in less than ideal situations.

She's generally very curious and clever. She can be pretty meticulous at times, especially when it comes to organizing her herbs and den, and keeping the camp in good shape.

DesertClan's Destruction

Growing up in DesertClan, Poppykit quickly grew accustomed to hardship. Her Clan had been in a famine for a very long time, she grew up rarely with a full belly and used to seeing her Clanmates underfed and skinny, despite their best efforst to feed one another. She wanted to help her clanmates in some way, and set her sights on becoming a medicine cat so she could help the ill and injured.

Soon after Poppypaw became a medicine cat apprentice in DesertClan, she began having visions of a far away land plentiful with food and safe from any major predators.

First, she brought up these visions to her mentor, [medcat], but they did not believe in her ability to communicate with StarClan yet and told her that these were just dreams and fantasy ideas that she should get out of her head, as DesertClan was not going to leave their home.

For a while, she kept these visions to herself after her mentor's disregard. However, she eventually confided them to her best friend, Nightpaw. Nightpaw believed in her, and told her that she should tell [leader] about the visions since [medcat] wasn't listening to her.

Poppypaw told her leader, and they said they would think about what she'd told them, but seemed dismissive. Some days went by and Poppypaw didn't hear anything back from her leader, so she approached and asked what they thought. [leader] said that they had talked with [medcat] and that she should not entertain such ridiculous fantasies as they would anger StarClan if they left their territory. Poppypaw was dismayed, saying that these visions were from StarClan, and they wanted them to find the new territory. [leader] cut her off and told her to stop thinking about it, DesertClan would not leave their home for some dreams she had. [leader] said that these dreams were just born out of the hardships DesertClan had been having lately, and that she was trying to find an easy way out of their troubles, but that the easy way didn't exist and they just had to stick it out.

After being rejected by both her mentor and her leader, Poppypaw became dejected and questioned her abilities as a medicine cat. Nightpaw was there to comfort her and told her that he still believed in her visions.

As time went by, the troubles in DesertClan got worse and worse. A drought meant even less prey than before, and the dry lands gave way to brush fires. Luckily, none scorched their camp, but their already dwindling prey supply became dangerously low. DesertClan began starving and some cats fell ill due to smoke inhalation, causing their ranks to become weaker and weaker. Other large predators who normally would not enter their territory began doing so in search of more prey, and, realizing the cats were weaker than before, began picking them off too.

Poppypaw brought up her visions again to her leader and mentor, but they denied her once more. [leader] stated that they would pull through this, and clearly she needed to have more faith in her clan. [medcat] said that she was delusional, and that she clearly wasn't fit to be a medicine cat apprentice. Poppypaw tried to deny this, but [medcat] stated that as she refused to let go of this ridiculous idea, he was no longer willing to train her as his apprentice. Poppypaw was heart broken and angered, storming off to tell Nightpaw about what they'd said and done to her. Nightpaw was appalled by the way [leader] and [medcat] had treated her.

Some time went by, and Poppypaw began training as a Warrior apprentice to her new mentor, Sprucedapple. When asked why she was no longer training to be a medicine cat, Poppypaw simply stated that it was complicated, sounding clearly angered by the thought. Sprucedapple was confused and curious, but didn't push, as Poppypaw clearly needed time to adjust to the situation and process her emotions.

Coyotes and foxes began to frequently attack and even pick off DesertClan members, as well as lower their potential hunting grounds and their prey supply. Poppypaw's visions grew more intense, showing the destruction of DesertClan if they were not to leave. She woke with a start, and immediately told Nightpaw of her newest vision. Nightpaw was alarmed as well, and said that they had to tell someone. Poppypaw decided that since her medicine cat and leader wouldn't listen to her, she would go speak to her new mentor. She told Sprucedapple about the visions she'd been having this whole time, explaining that [medcat] and [leader] hadn't believed her, and it was why she was no longer a medicine cat apprentice. Sprucedapple was startled by this information, but said that they too believed something needed to be done for the sake of their clanmates and that they would talk to [leader] about their concerns.

The next day, [leader] called a clan meeting, stating that some cats had had concerns recently and while times were hard at the moment, DesertClan would pull through, and that they were doing all they could to help the situation. [leader] stated that they had exhausted all options and if new options became clear, they would consider them. Poppypaw was angered by this, as they hadn't even considered her idea from the start. She exclaimed this, and some cats were shocked at her for talking back to their leader, and at her idea. But some other cats seemed to consider the possibility. [medcat] was angered by the cats who defended Poppypaw, and stated that Poppypaw was delusional, and was trying to break DesertClan apart. Poppypaw, taken aback, said that she was trying to keep DesertClan alive, as her leader and medicine cat clearly weren't trying to.

With this new outburst, [medcat] turned to [leader] and stated that Poppypaw was a danger to their Clan and should be exiled. [leader] nodded and said very well. Poppypaw was shocked by this, and began to backpedal, but before she could change her stance, Nightpaw stepped forwards and said that if she was banished, he would be going with her. [leader]'s eyes narrowed as they said, anyone who disagrees with this decision was welcome to leave with Poppypaw and not return. [nightpaw's mentor] tried to step in and tell Nightpaw not to make any rash, ridiculous decisions, and Nightpaw spoke back to her and stated that at least he was making a decision at all. Somewhat to her surprise, Poppypaw's own mentor said that they would be going with them. [medcat] was clearly angered by this show of support for Poppypaw, and [leader] was disappointed with the clanmates who agreed that leaving their home was a better choice than staying. He said that the three of them should leave before he changed his mind on letting them walk out of the camp by their own will. Poppypaw, still shocked by what was going on, didn't move until Nightpaw and Sprucedapple ushered her out of the camp. Many cats had their eyes on the three as they left, while some others looked away in confusion or sorrow.

A Great Journey

The three trekked to the outskirts of DesertClan territory before finding a hallow tree to stay in for the night. Poppypaw was dismayed, and couldn't believe that she got her best friend and mentor banished along with her, all because of her stupid dreams. Nightpaw stated that she had these dreams for a reason and Sprucedapple said that StarClan would lead them to this new territory. They said that they should get some rest for the night, and begin traveling in the morning.

That morning, Poppypaw woke to a butterfly in front of her, in the hollow of the tree. She stood, watching as it fluttered out, before following it through some shrubs. She walked a short ways away, being led by it, before her mentor called her name and the butterfly vanished. She turned around to see her mentor standing there with Nightpaw following close behind. Sprucedapple asked what she was doing, and Poppypaw looked back to where the butterfly was only a few moments before, now gone. She said she knew which way they needed to go now.

When the sun rose, and with it the dangers of night went away, they readied to begin their travels. Just as they were about to set off, movement in the distance caught their attention. They hid in the log, peering out to see who was approaching them; they were too far away to make out who it was, but they could tell it was two cats headed from the direction of DesertClan's camp. Nightpaw debated whether this was a patrol sent to run them off of DesertClan territory, Sprucedapple stated that it would be an awfully small patrol to try to chase them off successfully. They hunkered in the log until the two cats became clear, and Sprucedapple was the first to recognize them. They immediately exited the log, heading towards the cats and calling their names. Once they realized who it was, Poppypaw and Nightpaw were quick to follow them out.

Now the two groups met, and it was clear who they were. Winternettle, a DesertClan queen currently pregnant with a litter of kittens, and Mudstrike, carrying his sole surviving kit from a recent litter. His mate had died during childbirth due to her lack of strength and Adderkit was the only one of the litter to survive, now just old enough to have open eyes. Poppypaw asked what they were doing all the way out here, and Winternettle explained that they came to join them. She said that they discussed last night after the three had left, and decided that they didn't want to see their kits grow up in the hardship of DesertClan. Mudstrike spat about the stubborn leadership who weren't doing anything to help the clan's destruction, and that he would do whatever it took to keep Adderkit alive and well, even leaving the place he called home for his entire life. Sprucedapple asked how they got here so fast, and Mudstrike explains that they left in the middle of the night. Sprucedapple stated that that was dangerous, and Winternettle explained that after the three left, [leader] had stationed several guards around the camp to deter anyone else from leaving. However, over night, they didn't think to guard the nursery, as they didn't expect any queens or young kits to try to make an escape, so they snuck out and fled from there before they lost their chance or the hope to catch up with the three.

After the initial meetup, Mudstrike asked if they knew where they were going. Poppypaw explained the place from her visions, and he asked how they were supposed to get there. Poppypaw said she would lead them, and asked if they were ready. Winternettle and Mudstrike exchanged a quick glance, as if unsure, before nodding. With that, Poppypaw lead the group in the direction her vision had shown her.

- - - - - About A Moon Later... - - - - -

Reaching the top of the plateau, Poppypaw looked at the land in front of them and realized where they were. She recognized the view from her dreams, turning to her clanmates, now her friends, and telling them that they were finally there. They'd reached their new home.

RedClan's Beginnings

Settling in their new camp and territory, Poppypaw gathered the group together for a meeting. For the first time in a long time, all had full bellies, kits tumbled happily over one another and around the older cats paws, possibly disrupting the meeting, but to no ones annoyance. Poppypaw began the meeting by speaking of how after so long, they'd finally reached their new home, and their lives would be improved from hereon out. But there were still things they needed to figure out. She asked, who will be their leader? It was only right of them to make such a decision together. Nightpaw immediately spoke up and said that Poppypaw should be. Poppypaw was surprised by this, saying that she couldn't possibly. The other cats quickly mumbled between themselves, and Sprucedapple and Winternettle stated that they agreed. Mudstrike jumped in and added that she seemed like the obvious choice. Poppypaw asked how she could possibly be leader, she was barely the age of a warrior, and had never recieved her warrior name due to their banishment. Mudstrike said that they've followed her this far, and they'd continue to follow her lead. Nightpaw said he'd be proud to call her his leader, and Sprucedapple said that they couldn't worry about technicalities at a time like this, seeing how small their clan was in the first place. Winternettle stated that she would be too busy keeping track of her kits to be a leader anyways. Before she knew it, the others had all agreed that she should be leader. After collecting her thoughts, Poppypaw said that she would be honored to be their leader, if that was what they wanted. They all agreed, officially making Poppypaw the groups leader.

That night, Poppypaw had a vision of cave, walls glittering with crystals of various sizes. In the centre, a shimmering pool with the moon and stars reflected clearly in its waters. She woke knowing where she needed to go to recieve her nine lives.

The next day, before sundown, Poppypaw took off to find the cave. She brought Nightpaw along with her, leaving Sprucedapple, Winternettle, and Mudstrike with instructions to stay at the camp along with their kits until their return. She knew where the cave was, not from having been there before, but from her gut telling her which way to travel. They reached a cliffside with several small, inconspicuous openings at various heights. Nightpaw asked if she knew which one they were looking for. She inspected the first two openings before moving on to the third. Her fur prickled as she stood at its entrance, a cool wind blowing out and the scent of dampness being brought with it. She turned to look at Nightpaw, stating that this was the one. He nodded and followed her inside.

Before long, the tunnel opened into a cavern. Just like her dream, the walls had crystals embedded in them, and in the centre was a pool of water. They padded up to it, careful not to slip on the damp ground near the pool. It was eerily quiet except for the sound of some slow trickling water coming from somewhere they couldn't see. Poppypaw looked up, seeing a small opening at the top that showed the sky, the moon coming into view above them. Taking that as her cue, she laid next to the pool, taking a drink of the cool water and closing her eyes, her paws just barely touching the water in front of her.

After what felt like only a moment, she opened her eyes and realized she was somewhere else. Cats of StarClan appeared around her, some she recognized and some she didn't. Her parents, Mudstrike's mate and passed kit, and the founder of DesertClan (along with four other StarClan cats) gave her her nine lives and named her Poppystar. With that, she woke to the real world, and the two headed back to camp.

The next morning, the first thing she did as leader was call a meeting. She talked to her clanmates about how despite the hardships they were put through both by DesertClan and by the travels to get here, they were home now, and they needed a new name for their new beginning. As leader of this Clan, she now declared them RedClan, based off the red-coloured rocks spread across their territory. Secondly, they would need a deputy to help her lead the clan. Forever greatful to Sprucedapple in training her and encouraging her, along with her diligence and dedication to their clan, she named Sprucedapple as her deputy. Lastly, it was time for Nightpaw to finally recieve his Warrior name, and as such, she named him Nightflare. The cats all cheered, both for their new Clan and for its newest warrior and deputy, as things were finally truly looking up for them.

A few moons later, she made Adderpaw an apprentice and appointed Sprucedapple as his mentor, which pleased both of them. Shortly afterwards, when Winternettle's litter was ready to be apprentice, she asked Winternettle if she needed a break from taking care of her kits, and if she would like her to take on one of them as her apprentice to give her a break. Winternettle graciously declined, thankful for the gesture but she said that Poppystar already had enough responsibilities on her plate and that she would gladly mentor one of her kits. Poppystar nodded and appointed Winternettle, Nightflare, and Mudstrike as the mentors for her three kits.

Eventually, she would have a litter of kits with Nightflare. They named their kits Crescentkit and Flutterkit, who would later become Crescentmoon and Flutterstep.