Bengalstorm
Feb 18, 2014 9:49:57 GMT -6
Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2014 9:49:57 GMT -6
Name(s):
Gender: tom
Age: 34 moons
Clan: Skyclan
Rank:
Appearance:
dense, silky fur
dual toned purple eyes
rosetted fur pattern
muscular, long body
stocky build
When first confronted by this powerful feline, eyes of piercing lilac dominant your gaze, shredding through your barriers, undeterred by eternal struggles. Bengalstorm is a massive specimen for the Bengal class. The extensive, iron pipes moulding his figure fortify his bulk, giving him a unusual leisure stride, pronounced against the cats regular prowling pace, the broad pelvic girdle oscillating with each motion. Robust, striated musculature stretch along these supports, the driving force of his momentum. a Long, twining cable projects from his vertebral column, a dangerous weapon in of itself. Matching his size, wide spread paws, set on reinforced pistons, hold his frame in attention, numerous ligaments and tendons supporting these stressed joints to keep this brute moving.
Draping over the smooth surface of his frame, a rich, double layered pelt protects his complex innards from the cruel touch of the outside world, remenence of his kin to the wild cats of asia. The smooth, dense undercoat is constructed solely of pigment absent fur, insulating his flesh form the extreme cold and extreme heat. The outter coat, more of use for decoration and camouflage than that of shielding, is a lush, silky carpet, comprised of varying shades of vibrant clementine, smooth tawny, obtuse onyx. Dappling the light canvas, thousands of ebony-sable rosettes paint his hide, offering optic confusion to prey in times of the hunt. His belly contains the majority of the white of his fur, with the only remaining collection residing in collection at his thighs. His ears are rounded rather then triangular, their backs blackened to a dull soot.
Personality:
Courageous
Intelligent
Indiscriminate
Patient
Laid-back
He's the rough edges of an unfinished sketch; a work of art with missing pieces. Dedicated, courageous, and intelligent. He never does anything without it benefitting him or his loved ones. His clan With the knowledge of its purpose, he will do whatever task needs doing, pushing the borders far beyond whats expected. Why go half way when there is more that can be done?. Endlessly good at arguing, having learned quickly in his youth; an eager pupil. As a kit he viewed the world from behind a windowpane, thrilled by the dangerous things it could thrown at him but fighting the urge to explore because of his training. To stay in his territory. To follow wise words given by mentor. Trusting. He values courageous, brave souls. Honesty. He will looks beyond those dark patches of the past, focusing in on those rays of light that make you worth looking at. It doesn't matter where you've been, only where your going. He adores those simple things in life. The rising sun. The thrill of chasing down voles and quails. He views the world with unbiased eyes, unwilling to miss anything presented to him.
Hes a skilled hunter. Provider of the clan. Never would he put himself before those hungry mouths at home. Rarely is there a time when he returns from a hunting party without offerings. This factor tends to be his one feature to which he finds pride in. He's cocky to a point in those events, a competitor to the bone. As an adult, he is driven by his gut. Intuition being his strongest trait, the young cat is more than a little impulsive. It's kept him alive, but with time he's learned to reign in the need to act without thinking, experience with age taming young foolhardiness. His instinct are his governing trait, a trait he strives to maintain in clear judgement in perilous circumstances. Practicing a detailed, unbiased eye for everything he sees, Bengalfrost has made it a habit of reading into the smallest details. Over analyzing into things, finding the most minute clue to the purpose of actions and words.
Respect is easily shown towards others but for Bengalstorm, betray him and a forgiving side lost to your hand. He will hold something against you until you prove yourself every ounce as worthy of his forgiveness. Witty. Laid-back. Courageous. There isn't a challenge he won't try to over come. No is not an answer to be accepted when judgement has proven this proper action. Nomad of the soul Orphan. A sociable Casanova. Good Samaritan. veritable. dignified. A shadow - restless and hard to pin down. He tends to take the misfits of the word beneath his wing, finding words of society often cruel and biting.
Hes a selfless creature, with only the intentions of the safety of his clan as the forefront of his drive. To protect them. To provide for them. That is his only goal. He is willing to give up his own wants and desires for them. A respectable creature he believes in second chances, but he will fight for the good of his people. Disrespect them or have undo ill will towards them would result in his unsure distrust towards enemies. He may forgive, but he will never forget.
History:
Bengalkit was born into this world like many other clan born felines. It was spring. The leaves and flowers were just starting to struggle out of their casings, the river losing its icy sheets. A peaceful time, as lean as it may have been. There were two pregnant females that season, one of them being Sparrowwing. She wasn't necessarily a beauty. A striking work of art. She was quant. A gentle soul. The life of a warrior never did suit her. A born mother. This was her third litter. A litter with a new father. Her previous mate had died during a accident the following year, and she never expected to have children again. But her mates friend, the medicine cat Springleaf, had stepped, aiding in the care of her then young children. They had broken the warrior code; the medicine cat not only took a mate, but sired children as well. Springleaf however was excited, he was to witness the birth of another litter; his litter. Given their situation, he was to step down as medicine cat, to let another take his place, returning to the life of a warrior. But, there were no other cats trained in the medical arts at the time. He had never taken on an apprentice in the years he was the clans healer. So the leader made the decision, for Springleaf to take on an apprentice, to train them to take his place.
No matter what the bleak circumstances, the kits were born into a loving environment, heralded in by those who were eager to meet them. It was a celebration when Sparrowwing moved into the nursery, and even though he had broken the code, Springleaf was a respected member of the clan, and never felt much ill will towards his choice, besides the few traditionalist of the past generation. She bore three kits one crisp spring day; one boy, and two girls. Bengalkit, Marblekit, and Silverkit. They were an eager bunch, crawling over their mother, attempting to see the world beyond her back. It was a simpler time, one where the warmth of mother, and her milk, were all that mattered in the world.
But as all things do, life began to catch up. The kits began to grow. Bengalkit was a sturdy child, always getting into trouble. Sneaking out into the reeds surrounding the den, pouncing on frogs and the like. A mighty warrior indeed. So very unlike his gentle parents. His siblings, the little girls Silverkit and Marblekit were just as eager to explore the world, following dearest brother into the unknown. They didn't much yet know that the camp was but a fraction of the world. They had playing to do.
~
When the time for his naming and assignment for a mentor came around, he was more then eager to take up the mantle of warrior. A vivid child, he leapt at the opportunity with both paws, tail fluffed and head held high as he went to stand before that elusive master. Never one to shy away. Rowantail, his mentor, was a aloft sort, the one that never rose to conflict. Level headed. An experienced and imposing warrior. Bengalpaw couldn't help but find him boring. But he was a learner. A willing pupil, soaking up everything that Rowantail was willing to impart. And knowledge was he given. There were constant assignments. Constant challenges and tests given. Rowantail was a tough teacher. He expected only the best form his apprentices. He believed in self taught skills most of the time, giving a task and leaving Bengalpaw to figure it out himself.
To most, the first day of gaining a mentor was filled with tours of the territory. With explanation and quizzes of the clans history. For the most part, thats what his apprenticeship started as. They were in the northern border when they first encountered them. Rouge cats. Bengalpaw, a cat raised on the values of clan, was furious of course. These dirty fleabags dared to come onto their land. The nerve! He was ready to attack, even with his severe lack of any experience. But, it was that day that he learned of compassion. They had a kit with them. One they refused to along to be forced into the exiled life of a rouge. Pleading for them to take him. Young Cloverkit. Rowantail did indeed take the kit back to the camp that day, his mother Sparrowwing taking him under her wing. His first lesson followed him for the remainder of his life.
The following moons blurred together as many cats would tell you. Training. Lessons. Daily hunts. More lessons. It was hard work. But Bengalpaw, with his over exuberance in what lay at the end, took it all in stride. His teacher was a celebrated warrior, both in the skills of hunting and warfare. Skills he passed onto his apprentice. Their relationship grew in those many moons together, a trust between comrades. To Rowantail, Bengalpaw wasn't a mouse brained brat in need of tutelage, but a young warrior. He would often bring him on patrols, introducing him to the other warriors and their progeny. A sociable cat for one so quiet. Well liked. Its hard to point out any cat of his age and older that Bengalpaw did not have a close relationship with.
But his bond with his siblings were always just that much closer. Silverpaw and Marblepaw had also become apprentices, Silverpaw to a fellow warrior, and Marblepaw to their father as a medicine cat. The three would often spend those last hours of the day sharing tongues, exchanging stories of their day. Life was simple. An common trait that was about to change. It was during the spring, Bengalpaw and his siblings had reached and past their first moon cycle. At first is was merely rain. Nothing to great or noteworthy. But it kept coming. And the waters of a near by stream started to overflow. A steam much to close to the nursing den. Alarmed the warriors and adults all went to aid in the evacuation of the den, carrying out kits and aiding pregnant females. But the earth of the riverbank gave way, and Marblepaw, dear little Marblepaw, fell in. They never did find her.
The lose of his sister was great. The pain immense. For the following weeks, Bengalpaw was lost, wondering the territories border, seeking out his sister. Rowantail gave him that time to mourn, knowing of the pain of lose. But laying about for too long was unacceptable and on that following moon he threw his apprentice back into training. Training that Bengalpaw put his whole being into. He graduated to warrior the following moon.
~
He was given the name Bengalstorm to lead him on his next stage of life. The life of a warrior. One he had wanted for so long. His sister joined him the following moon, taking on the name Silverfrost. She truly was growing into a beauty. Something to be chased after. As older brother, he definitely has his luck cut out for him. For many moons, life had returned to its leisure path, a never ending cycle of patrols, hunts and meetings. The passage of time had slowly eased the pain from the lose of his sister, a sister that his father now needed to replace. He, as the medicine cat, was getting old. Quite old. One of the oldest in the clans. He needed an apprentice to pass his skills onto. Technically he wasn't even supposed to be there still, given the three little lives he brought into the world. As much as he knew it was necessary, Bengalstorm resented his father for this and refused to acknowledge him. But he was getting better. He was returning to his old self, if only with the addition of maturity not present in his youngers moons. He found friends in his fellow warriors, none more so then that of Timbertail, a pretty she-cat so oddly named. But then... rightly so with that temper of hers. Like a falling tree, the only thing you could do was get out of her way.
It was during a patrol that his world was once more tested. A routine border watch, between that of their territory and the fields unclaimed by another that they once more, he and Rowantail, encountered rouges. But this time, it ended in tragedy. His mentor was wounded, terribly so. He managed to chase off the remaining rouge, and was left to aid his fallen comrade in his passing. He carried Rowantail back to camp, where the clan buried him in an open place, one where he could be seen by the sky.
It may be this event that caused it. It may just be an innate trait of his blood. But he became desperately protective of his clan from that day onward. His lose of his two closest friends and confidents was a blow to his strength and inner will, driving him once more into a temporary state of self imposed exile, taking on patrols and hunting tasks near endlessly. But unlike last time, he managed to pull himself out. For a while, he pondered trusting outsiders. Were they friend or foe? Was it worth the risk? Rouges he found in that event were untrustworthy. His mentor, one who saved the lives of many cats outside clan, was killed by one. This new emerging belief was in constant struggle with the words of that very mentor, who believed that you couldn't judge a whole merely upon the actions of few. This lesson sung true in his own adopted brother, Clovercloud, the rouge kit taken in by Rowantail that first day of apprenticeship. To take situations in on singular value, not just a suggested result.
Young Clovercloud. He learned a lot from that little insecure warrior. He had indeed made it past his apprenticeship, but, he was always seen as an outsider by many, never truly 'one of them.' Bengalstorm, seeing the infrequent acts of cruelty on the young cat, would often take him out on patrols with him, a pseudo apprentice. The two were close. Comrades. Brothers in arms. A veteran teaching the greenhorn his tricks.
~
It was during the eighth season of his second year that Bengalstorm became a true mentor. A fact that Rollingstar, his leader, felt unobligated in making him aware. It was a surprise to say the least. One moment taking a moment sharing tongues with his sister, the next, being called up to the centre of the camp, given a scrawny kit for his troubles. She was young, almost too young. But apparently she was a prodigy, and they felt they couldn't hold her back. Staring down at her, on the other side of the bond he himself was part of so many moons ago, he couldn't help but think of how much he had witnessed in his young life. And how he was responsible for this little one in front of him. He couldn't refuse this, as much as he'd like to bite the whiskers of his leader, that sly fox. But she was far to skittish, this apprentice. Cowering at his feet practically.
He teased her mercilessly, nipping at anything presented to him. He wanted her to snap, to growl and fluff up in annoyance. It was a sign that she could take a hit, and that she wouldn't just roll over at first sign of conflict. Luckily, that shy little cat wasn't as gullible as she seemed. All she needed was a push. Like a dam giving in, her personality came flooding out, a torrential storm of snippy comebacks and confident allure. Such a brat she was. But I guess he sorta deserved it. For those following months, he trained this young cat, spending much of their time together. They weren't just mentor and apprentice; they were friends. Ones who laughed and shared stories together. Ones who sought out the other in times of emotional need. It was only near the end of her apprenticeship that unusual happenings occurred.
~
It was her final moon as an apprentice, Adderpaw. She was going to step up as a warrior, take on her adult name. Bengalstorm was still trying to accept this fact. He wouldn't have a little shadow following him around anymore. You could say he had become adapt to the life of a mentor. It suited him. He possessed all the necessary characteristics of a mentor. But he knew that life continued on, whatever the bumps or cracks that got in the way. It was a evening in the heart of summer when he first met Eaglepaw. He was a young apprentice, hardly out of the nursery. Being one of the more experienced warriors in the Skyclan, he was given tasks that rarely kept him in the camp, so he didn't much know the newest batch of recruits. There was a racket in the air. Unset ease. Curious, he went to investigate the gathering at the entrance to the camp, stunned by the site. Flowerleg, Eaglepaws mentor, was horrifically injured. The wounds, tattered and cruel spelled only one thing. Rats.
The medicine cat, his fathers apprentice Hawkwing, worked long into the night, attempting to save their warrior. All in vain. She died of the infection, her final moments eased with poppy seeds. Distraught by this event, the warriors of the Skyclan were sent to investigate the area this had occurred, Bengalstorm and the deputy leading the split patrols. Rats had invaded their territory. Worried about this turn of events, the warriors returned to the camp, conveying their find to the leader. Deciding that the best course of action was to observe for now, the Rollingstar ordered all the cats to remain away from the area the rats had settled in, allowing only large patrols of warriors to go near; to watch their movement. Eaglepaw, the apprentice now without a mentor, was the next line of business.
Rollingstar: "His training has only just begun. He doesn't have sufficient skills to last as a warrior. He'll need a new mentor."
Doveflower: "Shouldn't we give him time to mourn? Flowerleg was ripped apart in front of him."
Bengalstorm: "That may be true... But things have changed. We don't have time to sit around and do nothing. Not with this threat."
Rollingstar: "Yes. As upsetting as it is, Bengalstorm is right. We need to find him a new mentor right away."
Doveflower: "Aren't you nearly complete in the training of Adderpaw? She'll be stepping up as a warrior soon. Could you take him?"
Rollingstar: "He is right. Your quite skilled with the young ones."
Bengalstorm: "Eh? Wouldn't I be needed on the front lines?"
Rollingstar: "You would still be on patrols of course. But we need to ready our young for what is surely to come."
Bengalstorm: "Whats coming?"
Doveflower: "Nothing good."
It was decided that Bengalstorm would take on the young Eaglepaw. At first, Adderpaw did not enjoy the split attentions of her mentor, and would often play tricks on the young tom. Bengalstorm decided to let the two sort out their differences, and found much amusement in those days following. But it was a tense month that followed. Adderpaw, now just days away from becoming a full fledged warrior, was sent out constantly with the patrols with her mentor, and Eaglepaw, his past training simple due to his inexperience was thrown into overdrive. Bengalstorm worked him hard, wanting this young, clumsy cat to be prepared for whatever his leaders knew to be coming. Something they weren't telling them. Troubled by this, he placed the skills of warfare at the forefront of his training regimen, giving his new apprentice what he needed to know to face down enemies with his meagre form. Endurance, strength, and strategy ruled the young cats life those few moons. The moons leading up to that day that would drive the Skyclan from their home.
~
But the troubles that Rollingstar and Doveflower expected to happen indeed began to occur, one after the other. The rats did not leave the territory. They only grew in number and took more territory from the clan. The cats of skyclan began to grow uneasy, as the prey populations grew more sparse and attacks became more frequent. This unrest grew, resulting in divides in the clan, some contemplating that possibility of leaving, whereas others argued that they had to stay and fight, to defend their home. Bengalstorm was one of those cats that thought leaving was the best choice, as more and more cats began to die in the growing scrimmages with the rats. Rollingstar however, was a traditionalist at heart, and believed that their place was in their home. And so, Skyclan stayed, and they fought. One of these fights resulted in the lose of the second deputy to leave them in his life time. Doveflower, the deputy, was charged by Rollingstar to lead an assault on the rats stronghold, along with twenty of skyclans finest warriors. They were horribly outnumbered. Oakridge, one of those warriors, were the only cat to make it back from that battle, telling of the lose of their clan mates.
That night, Rollingstar approached Bengalstorm, speaking of how the clan needed strong leadership in this difficult time. Bengalstorm agreed, wondering why the leader was talking to him of this. Was he asking his advice for who he thought would be a good deputy? Spiderpool was definitely at good possibility. She was an experienced and respected warrior. Smiling, he stated so, only for the leader to laugh at him in amusement.
Rollingstar: "Yes, Spiderpool is a very good choice. But she's not who I had in mind."
Bengalstorm: "Oh? Who else would be a good candidate? Most of our older generations are either dead or out of active service."
Rollingstar: "All except you."
Bengalstorm: "Me! As deputy?"
Rollingstar: "Do you accept?"
Bengalstorm: "Surely there would be someone better for the job? Silverfrost? Timbertail?"
Rollingstar: "They are very skilled warriors. But they need more experience leading. You already have the respect of the clan. Will you accept?"
Bengalstorm: "Yes."
That night, he was taken before the members of the clan, announced as their new deputy. For the following moons, life was a constant conflict. Bengalstorm grew used to his new status in life, and strove to keep his clan safe from the rats. During one of his visits to his mother, now in the elders den, he took up the current situation of their people.
Bengalstorm: "I don't know what to do mother. Its not getting better. Only worse."
Sparrowwing: "Maybe its best to come up with another idea."
Bengalstorm: "Like what! Nothing is working against them. To many cats have died in this endless fight."
Sparrowwing: "Then maybe its best to come up with something that doesn't involve fighting. What do you do if your losing in a scrimmage?"
Bengalstorm: "... Retreat."
Sparrowwing: "Sometimes its better to give the enemy ground. Sometimes things are not worth dying for."
Bengalstorm: "But this is our home. Its always been Skyclans home."
Sparrowwing: "Its the cats that make the clan. Not the land they stand on. We can always find a home elsewhere."
Bengalstorm: "Rollingstar will never leave."
~
Bengalstorm knew his mother was right. That their territory was lost. He knew that they had to leave. And he knew that Rollingstar would never accept it. He was a cat of tradition. A great leader. A great warrior. But he let his beliefs blind him. He knew he would have to do it himself. But the fact of what he had to do challenged his very core. To save his clan; he would need to betray his leader. He called his closest friends to him, his sister, Timbertail, Adderstep, and many of the warriors of his age. He told them of the fact, they needed to leave. And they agreed with him. Their people were near extinct. They couldn't provide for the younger generations with so little prey.
Backed by his companions, he went before the clan during the next meeting, stating his desire to move the clan. Rollingstar refused of course, stating they belonged here.
Bengalstorm: "We will all die if we stay here!"
Rollingstar: "We will survive."
Bengalstorm: "How? Look at us. Look at our clan. Our warriors, our brothers and sisters; they are all dying in vain. We keep fighting. And we keep losing."
Timbertail: "I agree with Bengalstorm. There is no future here."
Oakridge: "And where would we go? Where will we go when we leave the only place our clan has known?"
Silverfrost: "Anywhere is better then here."
Bengalstorm: "We will go to where the other clans are."
Rollingstar: "They would never accept us."
Bengalstorm: "We can either try to find a new home, or die fighting for one that will never be ours again."
His clan mates, pulled to his side one by one, agreed for the motion to make for the lake territories, to try their chances for a home without the rats. Rollingstar however, was not to be swayed, and stated as long as he was leader, they would not be going anywhere. It was then that Bengalstorm did what had never been done before in the skyclan.
He challenged his leader in a take over.
He knew that there was little hope of him winning. Rollingstar was a leader; he had nine lives. But there was a secret that Rollingstar never told anyone. He only had one life left. During that storm that took Marblepaw from them, he was caught in the current as well, and drowned. He lost five lives to that river, with each revival of his life finding himself trapped beneath the depths. It was only on his last life that he managed to pull himself to shore, barely evading death. It was due to this that he ended up backing down, surrendering to Bengalstorm, who, though younger, was more energetic and possessed greater stamina then the tom who was just on the cusp of elder hood. With this surrender, Bengalstorms claim to leadership was solidified. And with it, skyclans move to the lake territories.
Characters: Bengalstorm, Owlpaw
