"I have my own camp now, and my own cats. My future lies with them, not you. [...] You will always be my father. But you have to let us all be the cats we want to be. I can't come and live with you. I must find my own path." |
— Thunder to Clear Sky about leading his own camp in A Forest Divided, pages 315-316 |
Thunderstar, also known as Thunder, is a ginger tom with amber eyes[1] and big[7] white paws.[1]
Thunderstar was the first leader of ThunderClan in the forest territories. He was born to Storm and Clear Sky alongside two siblings, though only he survived after a Twoleg den collapsed overtop of his mother and siblings. He was given the name Thunder and was disowned by Clear Sky, thus Gray Wing adopted him as his own and brought him to live on the moor. Hawk Swoop adopted him, and Lightning Tail and Acorn Fur became his adopted siblings. Yearning to live in the forest, Thunder joined his father's camp; however, after growing frustrated with Clear Sky, he left to the moor with Frost after the white tom was exiled. Though he rejoined his father after Tall Shadow's group split, Thunder left to make his own group and grew close to Star Flower. He was very hurt after her betrayal. After having his group renamed ThunderClan, he gained nine lives and became Thunderstar. He named Lightning Tail as his first deputy and became mates with Violet Dawn, having four kits, Lightning Stripe, Sleek Fur, Feather Ear, and Shell Claw, and fostered Blue Whisker. After his death, he was succeeded as leader by Owl Eyes and ascended to StarClan, guiding his Clanmates for moons to come. He also appeared at Pinestar’s leadership ceremony and gave him a life for making difficult choices.
History[]
Looking for a longer overview? Find one here!
Dawn of the Clans[]
- "You wanted me to be cruel, like you! But I'll never be cruel!"
- ―Thunder to Clear Sky The First Battle, page 232
- As Thunder stays with Clear Sky for a while, he learns that he doesn't particularly enjoy being in his father's group. Clear Sky is extremely critical of Thunder, and the two cats frequently butt heads when it comes to making decisions. Clear Sky makes the decision to banish Frost because the rogue has a severe injury, and he tells Thunder to leave him at the edge of the forest for the maggots. Thunder refuses and leaves Clear Sky's group, horrified at his father's cruelty, and takes Frost with him to Gray Wing's camp. Angry, Thunder claims that he doesn't have a father anymore.
- Back at Gray Wing's camp, Thunder is initially concerned by the cats battle training, realizing they were preparing to go to war with his father. Realizing he has no choice, Thunder participates in the training. When Turtle Tail's kits are missing, Thunder and Lightning Tail try to find them in the Twolegplace, believing their father, Tom, stole them. However, they instead find Turtle Tail's body and discover she was killed by a monster on the Thunderpath. Thunder brings the grave news to Gray Wing who mourns for his mate.
- Thunder joins the meeting with the other leaders at Fourtrees which soon unravels into a deadly battle. Thunder is horrified by his father's alleged enjoyment of killing and screeches for the fight to stop. Fortunately, the spirit cats of their fallen friends appear and demand the cats to unite or die. Gray Wing steps down as leader of the group and passes the role to Thunder. Gray Wing believes that he was suppressing Thunder's natural leadership abilities and wants his adopted son to shine.
- The spirit cats pass on another message - to grow and spread like the Blazing Star. Thunder is confused by this message, though he quickly runs into Star Flower, who claims to understand the meaning. Thunder quickly falls for her, and as they grow close, Star Flower informs him about the herb the message is referring to, which will also cure a deadly sickness that was ravaging the cats. Thunder explains Star Flower's information to the other cats, but they are unable to retrieve the herb because of One Eye, a rogue who has been wrecking havoc to Clear Sky's group. During the final conflict with One Eye, Star Flower betrays their plan to her father, breaking Thunder's heart.
- He returns to his father's group in the forest with several other of his cats, hoping that his father might help him lead. However, he is repulsed when Star Flower and Clear Sky develop feelings for each other. When his father continues to ignore his advice, Thunder decides he had enough and creates his own group in the forest. They settle in a sandy ravine, and he appoints his oldest friend, Lightning Tail, as his deputy.
- After Star Flower gives birth to Clear Sky's kits, Thunder visits them. At first, he is envious of his father's visible adoration for his new kits, but he is ultimately pleased the kits would grow up with loving parents. He and Lightning Tail rescue Slash's prisoners, and Thunder is immediately awestruck by Violet. He welcomes her and other loners and rogues into his group. When Slash steals Black Ear, one of Gray Wing's kits, Thunder joins in the rescue efforts. He reunites the kit with his father and stays by Gray Wing's side as he dies. Gray Wing renames the groups into Clans, and Silver Stripe names Thunder's group ThunderClan after its leader.
Novellas[]
This section summarizes Thunderstar's significant Novellas appearances. If you're looking for a full list, find one here!
- In Thunderstar's Echo, after receiving his nine lives, he is renamed as Thunderstar. He, his deputy, Lightning Tail, and their medicine cat, Cloud Spots, lead ThunderClan into an era of prosperity. When dogs raid the camp, Thunderstar and Lightning Tail track them down to kill them. Unfortunately, the dogs overwhelm them, resulting in Thunderstar losing one of his lives, and Lightning Tail dying. Thunderstar buries his best friend before returning to ThunderClan where Violet Dawn is giving birth. She gives birth to four kits, including Feather Ear, Shell Claw, Sleek Fur, and Lightning Stripe, whom he names after his fallen friend, Lightning Tail.
Detailed description[]
- Thunderstar is a big[12] thick[13] and sleek-furred, broad shouldered,[14] sturdy,[6] bright ginger tom.[15] He has a torn ear-tip,[16] a long tail,[17] clear[18] amber eyes, and big white paws.[7]
Scars gained[]
The following is a chronological list of scars and/or major injuries that Thunderstar has gained:
- Torn ear-tip caused by Fircone during the Great Battle in The First Battle.[16]
Character pixels[]
Main images[]
The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation. |
Alternate images[]
The pixel artwork is fanart based on the canon description; undefined traits are left to the artist's interpretation. |
Official art[]
Please do not edit this gallery |
Killed victims[]
This list shows the victims Thunderstar has killed:
Ceremonies[]
Lives granted[]
The following is a list of gifts Thunderstar has granted during nine lives ceremonies:
Lives granted | ||||
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Leader info[]
Leader info | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Family[]
- Main article: Thunderstar/Family
- Thunderstar is the only surviving kit of Skystar and Storm. He and his mate, Violet Dawn, have four kits, Lightning Stripe, Sleek Fur, Shell Claw and Feather Ear. He also fostered Blue Whisker. For more of Thunderstar's family, click here!
Appearances[]
- Riverstar's Home
- The Sun Trail
- Thunder Rising
- The First Battle
- The Blazing Star
- A Forest Divided
- Path of Stars
- Moth Flight's Vision
- Thunderstar's Echo
- Shadowstar's Life
- Pinestar's Choice
- Goosefeather's Curse
- Long Shadows
- River of Fire (Indirect mention only)
- Thunder
- Secrets of the Clans (First appearance; retconned)
- Code of the Clans (Mentioned only)
- The Ultimate Guide
- The Ultimate Guide: Updated and Expanded Edition
Trivia[]
Interesting facts[]
- He is the only one of the first leaders who was not born with a two part name, or did not change his name to be so.[3]
- Shell Claw is stated to be a bright ginger tom just like Thunderstar.[21]
Author statements[]
- Kate believes Thunderstar to be short-furred.[blog 1]
Mistakes[]
- While originally stated to have not taken -star as a suffix of his name,[9] this is later contradicted by Moth Flight's Vision.[10]
- There has been some contradictions as to how Thunderstar got his name. While originally said to have gotten his name because of the Thunderpath,[22] this is later changed to him having used thunderstorms to his advantage while hunting, using the thunderclaps to confuse his prey.[23] Despite these mentions of how he got his name, The Sun Trail states that he is named after the collapsing building he was born in, and also after his mother, Storm.[3]
- Thunderstar has been mistakenly called golden[24] and depicted as a solid cat with white-rimmed eyes.[25]
Continuity[]
The following information is from sources considered non-canon or retconned.
- In Secrets of the Clans, a 2007 field guide, Thunderstar was described as the color of autumn leaves. He is also succeeded by Owlstar.[26] Originally, Thunder was a rogue who believed that he should rule the forest because he can fight and hunt the best in the undergrowth and trees. After his fallen companions, the very first StarClan cats, talk to him and the others, he becomes the first leader of ThunderClan. He is listed as one of the significant leaders. He works with the other three leaders, Wind, River, and Shadow to develop the warrior code. It is said in Clan legend that Thunder was the leader who developed some of the warrior code's more compassionate elements. He is said to be strong, courageous, and determined.[27]
- On Vicky's Facebook, Thunderstar has short fur.[28]
Quotes[]
- Main article: Thunderstar/Quotes
External links[]
- Thunderstar's profile on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- History of the Clans on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- The Best Fathers a Cat Could Have on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- Blood Isn't Everything on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
- New In Store: Keychains on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
- Best of the Worst on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
- Stand Together or Fall Divided on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
- From the Very Beginning on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- Too Much History on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- As long as the moon is full... on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
- Pick a Large Plush 2021 on the Warriors official website (backup link) (screenshot) (Poll option)
- The Forest Map: ThunderClan on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- The forest map: WindClan on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
- Exclusive! Thunder: Excerpt on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Exclusive: Wind chapters on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
Fan content[]
- Winners of the favorite founder fan challenge on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Warrior of the Week Gallery #46 - Thunderstar on the Warriors official website (Warrior of the Week #46) (backup link)
- The First Battle Artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- More leafbare scenes artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Gray Wing's family artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Winners of the February 2022 fan challenge + new challenge announcement on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Our favorite Clan founders artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Favorite founders CreatorClan winners on the Warriors official website (backup link)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Revealed in Long Shadows, page 2
- ↑ Revealed in Path of Stars, page 304
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Revealed in The Sun Trail, page 307
- ↑ Revealed in Thunder Rising, page 181
- ↑ Revealed in A Forest Divided, page 189
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Revealed in The Sun Trail, page 305
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Revealed in Thunder Rising, allegiances
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Revealed in The Blazing Star, page 13
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Revealed in Erin Hunter Chat 6
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Revealed in Moth Flight's Vision, page 454
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Revealed in Pinestar's Choice, chapter 5
- ↑ Revealed in The Blazing Star, page 59
- ↑ Revealed in A Forest Divided, page 206
- ↑ Revealed in The First Battle, page 27
- ↑ Revealed in The First Battle, page 7
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Revealed in The First Battle, page 263
- ↑ Revealed in Shadowstar's Life, chapter 3
- ↑ Revealed in The First Battle, page 33
- ↑ Revealed in The Blazing Star, pages 239-240
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Revealed in Thunderstar's Echo, chapter 6
- ↑ Revealed in Thunderstar's Echo, chapter 9
- ↑ Revealed in Erin Hunter Chat 7
- ↑ Revealed on the Warriors App
- ↑ Revealed in The First Battle, page 126
- ↑ Revealed in Moth Flight's Vision, page 486
- ↑ Revealed in Secrets of the Clans, page 22
- ↑ Revealed in Secrets of the Clans
- ↑ Revealed on Vicky's Facebook
- ↑ Gray Wing steps down and lets Thunder co-lead with Tall Shadow.[8]
- ↑ Owl Eyes is the second deputy of ThunderClan. We can use process of elimination to determine that he becomes Owlstar upon Thunderstar's departure from ThunderClan's leadership, in addition to the Warriors website.
Author references
Ancient ThunderClan cats | |
---|---|
Leader | Thunderstar |
Deputy | Owl Eyes |
Medicine cat | Cloud Spots (Shivering Rose) |
Warriors (Hunters) | Violet Dawn • Pink Eyes • Leaf • Milkweed • Clover • Thistle • Gooseberry • Yew Tail • Apple Blossom • Snail Shell • Blue Whisker |
Apprentices | Hazel Burrow • Morning Fire • Shivering Rose |
Queens | N/A |
Kits | Patch Pelt • Beech Tail |