#shrewbelly

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Marsh Colony-Family Trees

Set at the beginning of Shifting Roots

Art by Tennelle

[tennelleflowers]

I love exploring background characters <3

Drawing a Blank: https://youtu.be/dUlJVYVmv0w

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Marsh Colony Line-up- Shifting Roots

Art by Tennelle

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Can we know which characters are lgbtq? Im just kinda curious

Here's a few of them! (At least, ones that are characters you guys know about. There are some future characters ya'll haven't seen yet heeheehohoo)

Clayfur-Gay, Spotty and Dawn-both Bi, Mistysnow-Ace, Elmtail-Gay

Hawkshell-Lesbian Ace, Frost-(angry) gay, Falconswoop-Trans

Moon-Ace, Wrensong and Hailstorm-Gay and Poly, Stagcharge and Elmtail- gay husbands, Wrensong and Smallpebble-Gay and Poly

Birdflight-Non-binary, Sunfire and Breezeheart- Gay husbands

Wildfur-Demi, Wolfthorn-Bi

Stone-Bi and Poly, Shrewbelly-Demi

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Keepers, Kittens, and Herbalists

Smallpebble, Shrewbelly, Starkpath, Frostshadow, Fog, Night, Lichen

Smallpebble is currently the only Marsh Colony Herbalist, as the colony only just lost Ruddywhisker and Starrybog in the last few seasons, but she handles it with grace. Marsh Colony cats are hardy, and with Smallpebble on the job, most illnesses or wounds are caught before they have a chance to spread. 

In particular, she keeps a close eye on Marsh Colony’s Keepers and Kittens. And since Shrewbelly’s mother was Starrybog, the older Keeper has a good sense of what to look for and consult Smallpebble about.

Shrewbelly used to have to manage all the Keeper duties by himself, but recent additions to his rank are Starkpath and Frostshadow. Starkpath is so diligent and careful, and Frostshadow so soft and caring. Together, it’s given Shrewbelly some extra time to devote solely to his new mate and Kitten, Lichen.

“The Spirits Beyond and the Spirits to Come are one and the same. They are the cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth. We are the Spirits, and the Spirits are us, and we are whole.” Gentlestar, Keeper of Marsh Colony

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Shrewbelly purred with satisfaction as he wrapped up his story about Captain Hawkshell saving a kitten from the hawk that earned her name and reputation as the Soaring Protector. Stark, Red, and Boulder nestled into their soft bedding. Red was barely old enough to understand the story as it was, so he had nodded off early. Stark had fallen asleep halfway through the tale, it was one of her favorite stories and Shrewbelly was sure she had asked for it a dozen times by now, but Boulder managed to make it through to the end of the tale this time. The little fluffy kitten usually got bored after the exciting hawk fight in the middle, but he seemed determined to stay awake through it this time. Mostly because Stark had teased him from not knowing the end. But almost as soon as Shrewbelly finished, Boulder’s eyes dropped closed. The last of his energy had been spent.

“He’s certainly a determined little fellow,” Shrewbelly whispered to Boulder’s mother, Mudtrail. He got a snore in response. It seems she had fallen asleep to his story as well. He couldn’t blame her, the midday sun was leaking into the den and made it the perfect weather to snooze in. Mudtrail shifted and wrapped her tail gently over the kittens. Even though Mudtrail wasn’t Red or Stark’s mother, she loved all the kittens just as much as Shrewbelly did.

His heart did a funny little leap when he thought about Mudtrail’s dedication to the kittens. Most cats in Marsh Colony were happy leaving most of the kitten raising to Shrewbelly, which, as much as he loved them, had been a monumental task as Marsh Colony’s only Keeper in quite some time. 

Stark would be leaving his care soon. She had learned to identify all the marsh dangers quickly and was a very astute learner. She had practiced her night stalking skills to be a real asset of hers. Even with Shrewbelly’s dark coat, Stark always managed to find him quickly. He would miss her, but she promised to visit him often, and Shrewbelly believed she would.

Boulder was a little slower to learn, but once Shrewbelly caught his interest, Boulder was single-minded in achieving his goals. That kind of drive could be dangerous in the Marshlands, but Shrewbelly prayed to the Spirits that the kitten would learn how to temper it.

I just wish I had another cat to help me. Shrewbelly sighed. In the past few years, a few cats had shown interest in taking up the Keeper Path, but none stuck with it. As much as he knew his colony needed him, Shrewbelly also knew that many Marsh Colony cats just weren’t interested in the job. Staying in camp most of the day. Teaching the kittens the history of their Colony. Doing basic drills with the kittens to prepare them for Field training. Any cats interested in training kittens tended to become Mentors instead. 

A part of Shrewbelly knew why. In Marsh Colony, kittens were in the most danger, and their history was littered with terrible stories of kittens getting lost, taken by predators, or drowning in the marsh. Try as they might, the land was dangerous. The Spirits to Come shine on Marsh Colony last, so the Spirits Beyond keep us company instead. It was a dark truth about Marsh Colony’s history that turned many cats away from becoming a Keeper.

Even Shrewbelly’s story for them today was of a kitten, just like them, nearly getting carried off and eaten. And who was there to save them? Not a heroic Keeper. When everything goes right, that’s just a Keeper doing their job. When things go wrong…

“Hey, Shrewbelly?” a small voice pulled Shrewbelly from his thoughts. He didn’t expect anyone else to be awake at this time. Typically the whole Colony was asleep until the dusk patrols began in the evening. 

Shrewbelly quietly pulled himself away from the sleeping cats and walked outside the nursery to see Frostshadow standing there. The white molly looked relieved to see him.

“I hope I didn’t wake you,” she started. Shrewbelly shook his head. 

“No, I’ve just put the kittens to sleep.” Shrewbelly winced as he saw Frostshadow look longingly into the nursery. He could guess why she was here.

“I know I should be getting rest, but…” Frostshadow’s voice trailed off and Shrewbelly’s heart ached for her. Frostshadow had recently been through a miscarriage of kittens. The young molly had been so excited to become a mother, and had even talked with Shrewbelly about becoming a Keeper once her kittens were born, but after the ordeal, she had spent a long time recovering in the Herbalists' den with Smallpebble. Shrewbelly had done everything he could to try to help Frostshadow before and after with her kittens, but they hadn’t talked about her training to become a Keeper since.

Frostshadow tore her gaze away from the Nursery and took a deep breath. “Mind walking with me for a bit?” She asked hopefully.

“Of course.” Shrewbelly bumped his head to hers softly. She would always have his support, even though he felt pretty sure he knew where this was going.

They walked in silence, it had been a while since Shrewbelly had left the base. The humidity of the marsh midday sun wasn’t pleasant, but he continued forward, patiently waiting for Frostshadow to find the right place to talk. She eventually sat on a log next to the water. Reeds and lily pads peppered the water’s surface but there was just enough space for them to look out into the still water. 

Frostshadow took a deep breath and began. “I want to thank you for everything, Shrewbelly. The Colony doesn’t thank you enough for everything you do.”

Shrewbelly wasn’t expecting that. He thought Frostshadow might hate him for not being able to save her kittens. He stammered. “Well. I uh...I...thank you, Frostshadow....I wish I could have done more.” A tear came to Frostshadow’s eye and she let out a small laugh that quickly turned into a sniffle and frown as she stared back out into the water. “I’m sorry about your kittens.” He finally added.

Frostshadow nodded. “Me too.” she said softly. “I’ve been thinking about where I go from here,” she continued. “About what path I want to take. I always wanted to be a mother, but…”

Shrewbelly waited on baited breath. She would say that she doesn’t want to become a Keeper, not if it meant dealing with hardships like this all the time. Or that she would instead start training to become a Mentor.

“I’ve decided that the Colony needs more cats like you. I still want to train to become a Keeper.” 

Shrewbelly’s jaw dropped. Frostshadow turned to face him and gave him a determined, if pained, smile. He could still see that passion, that fire in her eyes she had before. He smiled back at her and knew that this was truly what she wanted. 

“I just need a bit more time,” she finished. “But I still want to do this. I want to be there and help cats the way you helped me.”

Shrewbelly purred. He would wait however long Frostshadow needed, knowing that he still had her friendship and support, and still wanted to be a Keeper made his heart soar. “Of course! Take the time you need, Frostshadow. You’re going to make a wonderful Keeper!”

“Thank you, Shrewbelly. I’ll let you know when I’m ready.”

Art by Tennelle

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Question:

Are Jaggedstripe and Shrewbelly friends? They're both big soft, fluffy boys and keepers that love kits.

Love the series btw

They would indeed make very good friends, I'm sure!

But Jaggedstripe mearly admires Shrewbelly as another Keeper and does his best to not go to Meetings. He's seen how much trouble Spottedshadow has gotten into by making friends outside the colony, and Jaggedstripe would definitely be easily manipulated if given the chance (or that's what he thinks, anyway) so he stays at base when possible.

In another life, Shrewbelly and Jaggedstripe would've absolutely been two peas in a pod!

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Why hasn't Wildfur ever bonded with the keepers of his colony? Hard to believe Shrewbelly wouldn't give him comfort and support he needed. Also - why isn't Blueflower a keeper, too, given her love for babyraising? Has she never been keeper?

At first Wildfur would have gotten along with Shrewbelly and his mother just fine. It's only after Patch's traumatic death would things have changed.

It's important to remember that trauma effects everyone differently, and those with trauma sometimes cope in unhealthy ways. I believe there was a real effort made to reach out to young Wildfur, but it wasn't the kind of help he wanted or needed at the time. Patch's death was not handled well, as it was a combination of a little bit of everyone letting their guard down and 'wrong place, wrong time'. So when it happened, there was a lot of accusations thrown around, including directed at Wildfur in the heat of the moment.

Crowstalker and Blueflower's relationship already wasn't great, Shrewbelly is only one cat in charge of all Keeper duties, and Wildfur was just a kid who lost his brother. Add the guilt, shame, and feeling like the Colony secretly blames him for what happened, (why wouldn't they? He blames himself,) and Wildfur is left with nothing but bitterness.

The main reason Spottedshadow and Wildfur connected so easily is due in large part to the fact that Spottedshadow didn't know about what happened. He didn't have to feel all the shame and guilt around her, but she was kind and understanding regardless of not knowing.

It's messy. And though these cats make a solid effort, they unfortunately don't have therapy.

As for Blueflower, wanting to have kittens, or even hanging out with kittens from time to time and wanting to be a Keeper might seem synonymous, but it's really a few giant leaps apart. Being a Keeper means taking care of everyone's kittens all the time, learning you oral history and legends, making dens, walls, tools and crafts, and spending a lot of time either gathering supplies or being in camp. Plus with the supersition around Marsh Colony being closer to death, and the Spirits Beyond, becoming a Keeper is not a job most cats want in their younger years.

And especially after what happened with Wild and Patch, Blueflower feels like she failed as a parent. And in that headspace she wouldn't dream of becoming a Keeper. She's the least worthy cat for the job, in her own mind.