Duskpaw

A long-bodied, blue smoke mink tom with dark blue eyes and mid-length fur

While his growing body doesn’t give much indication to the angular creature he will become, Duskpaw is a long cat with gangly legs. His mid-length pelt is of a two-toned silvery blue, with pointed darker areas that make his ears and face a frame, with hooded shaped eyes, against his newly changed cornflower blue eye color, seemingly gifting the kit with an intense sort of stare. The length of his extremities are also this dark, stormy blue against his lighter body, his large paws giving some hint to how large he’ll be in his adult years. The darkest parts of his body, however, are his paw pads and his nose, which near to a shade of black.

Duskpaw is a determined and fiercely ambitious young cat, driven by a strong desire to prove himself and a deep-rooted pride in his abilities. He takes failure personally, often reacting with irritation or frustration when things don’t go his way, but his resilience shines through in his readiness to get back up and try again. This competitive edge fuels him, especially in the presence of challenges, where his confidence and eagerness to succeed push him to meet high standards.

Duskpaw’s determination and ambition, while strong motivators, could evolve into an unhealthy sensitivity to criticism. He would rather avoid situations that could risk failure, which could keep him from progressing in his apprentice lessons. Though he might grumble or express frustration, he’s ultimately willing to work to improve, but his ultimate reluctance to accept failure makes him defensive in response to others who may want to guide him.

Duskpaw has a practical streak that makes him partial to shortcuts and minimal effort when he thinks he can get away with it. He’s sharp enough to know where he can slide by and will take the opportunity if it means saving time or energy. However, when he’s fully focused, his sharp eye for detail and patience shine, revealing a cautious, meticulous hunter beneath his often impetuous exterior.

Duskpaw can be intensely competitive, eager to test his limits, and quick to learn from both mistakes and successes. His pride in himself sometimes makes him a bit overconfident, which, while lending him courage, also leaves him occasionally susceptible to frustration when he underestimates a challenge.

• Born in the Moon of Running Prey (2020) 135

Murkkit was born alongside three other siblings in an overgrowth thicket outside of clan territory to a passing Turkish Angora she-cat named Belladonna. He knew little of the outside world and mostly kept to that thicket until a pressing need caused their mother to move them as she saw fit. Every once and awhile another visited her, and while he didn’t really understand who that cat might be, he was one of two significant bodies in his life.

He doesn’t remember much about his sire, but he does recall the scent of pleasant smelling plants when he was around. Raised underneath Belladonna’s watchful paws and entertained by the stories of her youth, as soon as he was able to walk he found he couldn’t stop moving, wanting nothing more to explore the wide world around him. One occasion brought him under the scrutiny of a tawny owl when he pulled out in front of his siblings while playing. He would have ended up in that owls claws if not for his mother, who batted the owl away just in time.

The contentedness he shared with such freedoms was brought to a close on the 14th of Lion’s Glory 2020, when while crossing the thunderpath, a monster roared towards them from around a corner and struck his mother, killing her in an instant. Rain began to fall, covering the scent of the incident, where shortly after picked up by the scruff of his neck. Along with his siblings, they were delivered in the twilight hours, a storm raging on the horizon, to a sheltering thicket within Fourtrees to be awaited by the clans who were fated to adopt them.

During his time in ShadowClan’s nursery, he was adopted by Clovershine as one of her own, although Murkkit didn’t feel very close to her despite her loving nature. He grew closer to his adopted brothers, Redkit and Dazzlekit, and was almost one to lead them into trouble. The first time he snuck out of camp he was caught by Heronsong nearby, who was lenient but later troubled by his nonchalant ignorance of playing with living creatures. The second time he snuck out of camp he caused a stir by climbing the bramble wall with his brothers and leading them to a garter snake. Together the three brothers killed the snake, and were gently admonished by Palestar upon their return.

Murkkit was named Duskpaw on the 5th Day of Leopard’s Rest, apprenticed to Heronsong, who had been taken with the blue smoke tom since their first encounter. Duskpaw had embraced his new name as well as his new life, but it will be on his terms. With more freedom to explore a bit more as he sees fit as well as training himself to become stronger, Duskpaw hopes to eventually find his sire and invite him into Shadowclan.

• During the Dazzling Red Dusk (5LR'20)
• Lazy Daze (4CF'20)
• Noontide Escapade (10CF'20)

Adopted Brothers:
Redpaw (A cream mackerel tabby tom with white paws and copper eyes)

Dazzlepaw (A bright red mackerel tabby tom with light copper eyes)

Foster Mother:

Clovershine (A shorthaired cream lynx point tabby with bright blue eyes)

Name Progression: Murkkit –> Duskpaw –> Duskmantle (unless circumstances brings a change)