Palestar, the founder of Hymnclan, former heir of The Star’s Ballad Colony.
Palestar is the eldest kit of Coldbreeze, connecting him to the main family of the Ballad Colony. After Frigidstar struggled to produce kits pressure was placed onto his sister Coldbreeze. She bore one sickly child. Frigidstar took Palekit as his heir and kept them relatively separated from their mother. Though politics shifted when a cat gave Frigidstar a son. He kept the young Palestrike as his heir despite elders pressure.
Palestrike was exposed to the hidden cruelties of the colony, taught about necessary evils. Moons later, she was the first to speak out. The last thing she saw clearly was Frigidstar’s claws. In her recovery a cat of the stars made contact with her, a victim to The Ballad. Nine cats banded together, making the journey out of the vast territory of The Ballad.
Darkkit, kit of Hymnclan, former kit of The Star's Ballad
Darkkkit is the only child of the fatalistic Zephyrsmoke, she was raised on the stars and a near religious fevor. But it didn't leave the mark Zephyrsmoke intented. Darkkit grew wary of the stars and their power, especially with the suffering around her. Why would a god watch its cats suffer? Darkkit was never meant to join Hymnclan, the curious kit simply followed the leaving cats. They couldn't return her, so she settled into their ranks. She is believed to be dead.
Owlkit, kit of Hymnclan, former kit of The Star's Ballad
Not much is known about Owlkit. He's of the many orphans left due to Frigidstar's leadership, but his story ends differently. Palestrike found the orphaned kit, and in an act against their family they took him in as their own. When the clan split from the colony Owlkit left with his parent, the only cat he's ever had.
Nightpaw, apprentice of Hymnclan, former member of member of The Star’s Ballad Colony.
Nightpaw’s birth was purely transactional. The only surviving kit of Frigidstar, Snowstalk wanted kits to continue his line. And Duskmurk wanted a life where he’d never have to go hungry again. The two made a deal. (Though many cats suspect there are some feelings behind this deal.) Duskmurk despite being warned bore Snowstalk’s kits. Twilightkit, Morningkit, Daykit, and Nightkit. Frigidstar was overjoyed to have grandkids.
Duskmurk wasn’t involved much in the kits lives, letting Snowstalk primarily raise them so he didn’t have to face the mistreatment they’d suffer at the hands of their kin. Snowstalk was a pushy father, he loved his kits dearly and to him that meant pushing them to be better. He trained his kits early, put them in situations cats that young shouldn’t have to go through, when they failed they’d be swiftly reprimanded. Nightpaw was a prodigy, beloved by his father and grandfather alike.
Until he was given prophecy. The birth of Hymnclan. The young cat went to his distant cousin, Palestar, and told the cat what he’d seen. Palestar, who’d been ignoring the calls dreaded that they turned to their kin. It was that moment they decided they’d create Hymnclan. Palestar told him not to tell his siblings, that they’d just go back to his father. So with a heavy heart, Nightpaw left his home, to safer lands.
(Another one of my favorites, Nightpaw feeds my doomed siblings needs)
Badgergrowl, warrior of Hymnclan, former enforcer in The Star’s Ballad Colony.
Badgergrowl was born to Curlhymn’s first litter. A cat living on the outskirts of the territory. But Badgergrowl showed promise. When the enforcer of the sector shared this to the then Frigidglare, Badgerkit was taken from the outskirts to be raised by the main family. Badgergrowl rarely interacted with his family after that, short visits after training, occasionally at a gathering. He spent most his time with the main family, learning to ways of an enforcer despite his young age.
Badgergrowl settled into the enforcer role with a cold indifference. But he wasn’t blind to the cruelty. He just felt there was nothing he could do. Until the famine. Badgergrowl began lying about prey stores, giving less to the family, more to his sector. The main family had plenty of prey, Badgergrowl wouldn’t sit and watch his cats starve with a full stomach. Eventually this was caught. But Badgergrowl was a useful cat, he would’ve got off with just a few injuries if his father Curlhymn hadn’t have stepped in.
In protecting his son, Curlhymn was killed, leaving Badgergrowl with the young Shykit. It was his breaking point. He followed Palestar out through the mountains. Following his father’s hymn.
(Holy yap!! Guys I love Badgergrowl, I could yap about him all day)
Hawkswoop, deputy of Hymnclan, former enforcer in The Star’s Ballad Colony.
Hawkswoop is a charismatic tom, one of the only cats reaching the enforcer rank outside of the main family. He was efficiently ruthless and did his job without question. He didn’t join Hymnclan because he wanted better, because he wanted change.
Hawkswoop joined Hymnclan because there was no chance for a cat outside of the main family to get a leadership role in the colony. But Palestar was injured, vulnerable. He cozied up with them, giving them the comfort they sought, being the anchor they sought. It was a surprise to no cat when he rose to the role of deputy.
Cedarshade, warrior of Hymnclan, former hunter of The Star’s Ballad Colony.
Cedarshade is a relatively young cat, having been born after the famine. He was raised in a small but tight knit family not far from the outskirts. Cedarshade’s hunting prowess began to show at a young age, eager to please the colony and feed his family. But he was always a sensitive kit, emotional he was labelled. He hated to fight, he hated when something was killed without reason.
So when Frigidstar’s true colors began to shine, Cedarshade left with Palestar, leaving behind his family. He’s settled quietly in Hymnclan, but finding out his elder sibling started a clan of their own he feels conflicted. Torn between his blood and the family he’s found.
Tansyblossom, warrior of Hymnclan, former healer in The Star’s Ballad Colony.
Tansybloom is a distant relative of the main family. He grew up relatively sheltered, not as pampered as a direct relative to the throne would, but pampered nonetheless. He was flimsy, letting his parents make her decisions and guide her footsteps. She never proved herself for a higher ranking but settled nicely into the comfy role of a healer. When the rebellions started Tansyblossom was lost, choosing to stay quiet. With his parents gone he had to make the first choice of his life other than what prey he wanted. He chose Hymnclan.
She helps in the herbalist den time to time but tends to just go with the flow and see where life takes her.
