Nothing Lasts [SKYCLAN 2023 CLANWIDE]

Welcome to Skyclan's 2023 Clanwide!

While the clan recovers from recent chaos, things have settled into something resembling quiet. Not just the clan, but the forest itself seems quieter than usual as the days begin to shorten and the nights begin to grow longer. The plentiful, easy greenleaf that led Skyclan's numbers to rise has begun to give way to cooler weather and less prey... Much less prey, in fact. The sounds of Skyclan's vibrant fauna have faded... To be replaced by the sounds of rumbling bellies. With great numbers comes the ever-present need for prey, and the shifting seasons have revealed a lack of it that seems to go far beyond the slow change of the forest from vibrant green to reds, golds and browns. With so many mouths, the territory has been overhunted.

Skyclan's warriors grow leaner, and it seems like no time at all had gone by since the shortage of prey was noticed before ribs began to show through our clanmates' thick pelts. It's not just the plants that will die in the cold, if the clan cannot find food to eat. It seems that Skyclan's greenleaf luck has run dry. With so many mouths to feed, what's a clan to do?

From this point (September 29th) onward: Skyclan's territory is undergoing a harsh season.
- Hunting costs an extra 2 stamina (-3 SP becomes -5 SP)
- Forced predator encounters as a result of hunting dice have expanded from a roll of 10, to 8, 9 or 10.
Success ranges and more information about harsh season mechanics can be found on the hunting system page.

Plot development updates will be posted in this thread, as well as DM'd through the site and discord. Stay tuned, Skyclan.

Part II: Beechrayal

With the forest in such a dismal state, it seems that none of the clans' territories are capable of supporting them any longer--not even to allow allies to hunt in times of need. With that in mind, the clan leaders collectively made the decision to leave the forest territory that they know behind in search of a chance at survival.

...And the secret that Skyclan's leadership has sat on for the past few moons has been revealed. It was never going to last, after all; how can a clan keep a once-exiled fugitive secret when traveling for so long? Riverclan has found out, through the loose lips of one chatty warrior, but they may have found out anyways.

Predictably, Perchstar is not thrilled by this revelation. Her confrontation with Birdstar opens with claws, and the spitting from both sides ends in the open declaration, and acceptance, of war. Birdstar and Perchstar both want Beechfang's life, and both will do anything to have it. SkyClan has been put on the defense, challenged to take up arms against the combined forces of their former allies and risk their lives in defense of one.

Relevant Topics:
Curiosity - Mintglade reveals Beechfang's presence to Swanpaw and an eavesdropping Mistwalker.

Beechrayal - Mistwalker takes the news of her suspicions to Perchstar.

fate, how's it taste? - Perchstar confronts Birdstar. While Birdstar comes clean about her actions and intent regarding Beechfang, there is no recourse left: there will be a war.

Information regarding any large-scale battle will be given when it's available and relevant. Keep your eyes peeled and claws sharp, SkyClan!

A bit belated and set before current sitewide happenings, but Birdstar has called a clan meeting to lay down the current situation of the alliance to Skyclan. You have been informed of her crimes, and now it has come to light that Skyclan leadership chose to protect one cat despite the danger it could bring. With the alliance shattered and that knowledge out in the open, do you stand with Skyclan's leadership, protecting a warrior you have hunted and fought beside - one who regrets her actions? Or does the good of the whole outweigh the few? War seems almost like a guarantee, if Beechfang is to stay within Skyclan's ranks. Is the risk to innocent clanmates who weren't alive for the original conflict, who had nothing to do with Cloverheart's murder or Beechfang's exile and return, worth the life of one cat? The warrior code says that the word of a leader is wrong, but what if that word puts the clan in danger?

Relevant Topics:
Enjoy the Silence - Birdstar has informed Skyclan of the state of their alliance with Riverclan, and the reason for it.

The Policy of Truth - Perchstar has done much the same for Riverclan.

Part III: War

At long last, the simmering climax of our ongoing Clanwide has reached its roiling head. The Clans have finally returned to the forest, and they've all had enough time to settle into place again; rediscover familiar, useful herbs and treat the rest of their sick Clanmates; and rejoice over simply being home again. However, SkyClan and their former allies haven't enjoyed the same luxury: war brews darkly on their mutual horizon, and its thundering pawsteps are drawing nearer. There is no time to truly relax when claws must be sharpened and nerves steeled. Perchstar and Mottlestar won't bide their time forever. When they come, SkyClan will step to meet them with the force that's earned our infamy---after all, whether the actions of your leadership have shaken you or not, this is your home you must defend.

Sign up to defend your clan in the War Signups thread!

War: The Aftermath

After the war rosters were assembled, it was not long before Riverclan and Thunderclan made their move. Perchstar, still vengeful, fulfilled the promise of the goal she had set. Beechfang is dead... But so are several others. All three leaders involved have lost lives, and Skyclan's leader Birdstar is dead. Further, several patrol members were injured quite severely in their defense of the clan.

With Foxtrot preceding them, the patrol has returned to camp. We are out of the war soup, and Wolfblossom is in denial that her leader is dead dead. For now, the clan's injured must be helped, and the dead buried. And a deputy selected, when the harsh reality sets in.

Then let my heart be hardened

Bloodstained Roots