Full warren [p]

[Rani]

Crowtooth
Windclan Tunneler/Fury | He/him | 51 Moons

Power Card: Cold Gust

Ok as was routine now it was time for another group for tunnel training! Winterpaw had expressed interest and he was overdue for it, Leechscar Batglare and Dapplebreeze needed it for the fury rank.... Stars that was still larger then his usual group, where did all this come from??? Best not delay then.


The cats were rounded up with various degrees of enthusiasm and many rasps of "Tunnel trainin' time, I dont care what ya were doin' ya gotta get this done. Come on, up an' at 'em!" the four were gathered and Crowtooth lead them out of camp to the nearest tunnel entrance, starting his spiel.


"Alrighty ya'll are here ta learn some tunnelin' so lets get some info down before ya even enter.



First: senses! Yer gonna be blind as a bat (heh) so yer gonna rely on different senses.

Yer whiskers are a godsend, use 'em. Ya cant see roots or rocks or the turns o' the tunnels so keep yer head down an' stretched out an' whiskers brushin' the ground or wall so they'll feel thin's comin' before they hit yer paws. Get good an' ya can even trot wit'out fallin' usin' this.


Hearin'. Now sounds can be deceptive. Rushin' water (which is a death sentence down there) can sound just the same as wind an' sounds tend ta echo. However listenin' for creatures movin' can guide ya ta a warren ta hunt or warn ya if a predator is comin'. Plus if ya chirp loudly ya can tell some info by how it sounds. Muffled an' yer facin' a wall or the path dead ends, hollow or echoy an' the tunnel goes onward.


Finally yer main one, scent. Scent dont really flow or fade down there wit' no wind ta move or wipe it clean. It sticks an' stays fer awhile so if ya smell somethin' dont trust its as fresh as it seems.

However I abuse that. I an' all tunnelers I instruct mark the right wall as they go inta the tunnels, so if ya find anyone's mark an' wanna get out make sure its on yer left an' eventually it'll take ya too an exit.


Scents's still useful though, if ya smell wet/damp run as water (again, dangerous) is in the area, the moor an' an exit is nearby, rabbit an' theres likely rabbit, predator scents linger too so identifyin' aint too hard unlike above where it can be muddled."
Arriving at the tunnel entrance Crowtooth shifted the heather off of it to reveal the spot, coughing several times as his raspy rant taxed his throat. Shouldve asked for juniper from Lightningstorm for all the talking he's going to be doing but thats hindsight for you.


"Alright fire away questions before we head down an' I explain tunnelin' an' some navigation tips, maybe let ya try out skills fer yerself an' do some diggin'."
Or no questions and they could get going, that worked too.


@Moonraven @Undertaker @zozelen @Alchemist Kitsune (no post order for this rp for speed reasons lol just post when you can and fire away!)

[Alchemist Kitsune]

| Dapplebreeze |
69 Moons - WindClan Fury Lieutenant
Agatha Kitty - Active | Silver Tongue - Active | Beefed Up [Tier 3] - Inactive

---

The twitch of an ear. A quiver of whiskers. A mild albeit restless sway of her tail. The lieutenant was out of her comfort zone, and unlike the last time she had been forced to retreat to the tunnels, there was no blazing inferno just outside waiting to devour her. Making the open plains a much more inviting place than the hellishly dark place they were meant to visit today.

Dapplebreeze would never admit it. That she was scared. She would rather eat her own tail than sound such preposterous, self pitying words. But the darkness of the tunnels, their constraint and lack of wind... it was all so... preternatural to her. It made her fur bristle ever so lightly. Barely noticeable to any but the most intimately familiar with her. She supposed it was a good thing her daughter was not here with them today, as outside of Batglare, the senior warrior could admit she wasn't as close as she ought be with the rest of the furies despite her affections for them. There was the mild worry, of course, that Batglare would notice her... perturbance in this situation, but she could always cross her tail and hope the tom had not taken enough notice of her in their time together of late to realize just how much she loathed this predicament they were currently in.

A part of her wondered as Crowtooth spoke if it was too late to join Leechscar in an attempt to desert. Anything to not have to go into those tunnels. Realizing where her mind had wandered, the patched she-cat took a deep, shaky breath, slowly releasing the air through her nostrils in an attempt to calm herself. How dare she have such horrendous thoughts? WindClan before anything! If she could not face these dreadful, dark, dangerous tunnels, how would she be able to face her ancestors when her time came to join them in Silverpelt? Besides, the black and white tom was giving important information on how to exit. On how to know your surroundings at any given time. Mark the right wall. Mark the right wall. Follow the left to escape. Or exit. Whichever was preferred.

---

@Moonraven [Batglare] | @Rani [Crowtooth] | @Undertaker [Leechscar] | @zozelen [Winterpaw]
| Congratulations, Crowtooth and Twilightstar. Between the both of you Dapplebreeze has been finally rendered speechless. |

[Moonraven]

Batglare
Tunneling. It was the one thing that Batglare wasn't all that familiar with. The senior warrior didn't mind taking some basic lessons. He never minded learning new tricks despite his older age. Still, he could understand Windclanners' general dislike of being in the tunnels. It was pitch black down here and walls boxed them in on both sides. There was no fresh air down here, no breeze, little light.

It wouldn't be surprising if cats had full-on panic attacks down here. If Batglare hadn't grown up in a cave and had lived his whole life in the old plains as full-blooded WindClanner, he was sure that he's had a firm detest for tunneling. But he wasn't so being down here didn't bother him in the slightest it reminded him greatly of his home before WindClan.

As Crowtooth babbled on, Batglare absorbed all the information he wasn't already familiar with or what straight-up common sense. However, he was sure he could have learned most of what was said quickly enough stuck alone. Even so, listening to an expert wasn't bad. While he listened, his green-yellow eyes gleamed as he occasionally kept an eye on Dapplebreeze and Leechscar.

Neither of the two had seemed delighted with the idea of going into the tunnels, Leechscar being the worst. It was harder to see down here, but she seemed uneasy, movements a little stiffer, paw steps slightly hesitating. The comforting confidence and sureness she exuded were gone. Her fear scent wasn't strong or all that noticeable unless you were scenting for it like he was. Batglare leaned to press his pelt against the younger she-cat, a habit he had picked up when consoling Twistedpaw. He didn't see the need to bring up Dapplebreeze's uncomfortableness or offer words, he wasn't any good at that either way.

He swept his tail out behind him assuming Leechscar wouldn't be far. He had been with the tom as an apprentice when he had the unfortunate luck of running into that badger den. He wasn't certain, but he figured the tom's dislike of tunnels had something to do with that. Batglare wanted to make sure the tom wasn't drifting into a panic attack as Twistedpaw often did if she was left with her thoughts too long.

@Rani [Crowtooth] | @Alchemist Kitsune [Dapplebreeze] | @Undertaker [Leechscar] | @zozelen [Winterpaw]

[Undertaker]

[I did not completely forget about this!]
Batglare - @Moonraven | Dapplebreeze - @Alchemist Kitsune | Crowtooth - @Rani

His paws remained rooted in place once he had heard Crowtooth speak about tunneling training. The giant gray warrior remained stuck in place even after the others began filing out of camp. Anxiety claws at his chest like a rabid fox, and his paws felt like they were made out of stone. He didn't want to do this. Why did they need training in the underground? It was stupid!

Against his wishes, he lifted his paws and padded sluggishly like a turtle behind the older furies. His responsibility waged war against his independence as they reached the tunnels. He pinned his ears back and fought against the need to raise his hackles and fluff out his tail. The opening of the tunnel loomed ahead, dark and ominous. Every nerve in his body screamed at him to back off.

Crowtooth was speaking but all he heard was static in his ears. He swore he saw beady eyes staring at him through the thick darkness.

Stop it you're being ridiclious

Leechscar wasn't always like this, the tunnels had been an interesting place to explore during the start of his apprenticeship. All it took was one traumatic insistence to shatter all that curiosity. He didn't want to do this!

He moved lagging a good fox length behind the group as they plugged head-first into darkness. It wasn't the tunnels that made his heart race, not really, the tight space, the darkness, the musky scents, all of it was just precursors to what he was waiting to find. That was a badger. It wasn't even the creature that triggered him it was the helplessness and lack of control he had faced during that tragic day, his failure.

Crowtooth's drabble did little to drown out Leechscar's insecurities. He was listening, or trying to, but it was hard to hear. His whisker kept twitching and he'd occasionally jerk his head when they brushed against a wall or dirt. As if to combat his anxiety, cold anger, and irritation welled up within him. He bit down harshly on his tongue as the need to snap and complain about the lesson consumed him.

It wasn't Crowtooth's fault they were stuck down here, he was just following orders and teaching them. He didn't want to get into a full-blown argument with him. He felt like dung enough when he took out his frustrations on Dreamlight, straining what little relationship they had left. A warning growl escaped his maw when a tail brushed the side of his face. He quickly shut up when he recognized the forms of the seniors ahead of him.

"Sorry," He grumbled to Batglare. He was antsy and just wanted this to be over as quickly as possible.

There's nothing in here. He fought to remind himself. No massive white paws or long, blunt claws ready to rip away what little family he had left. It was fine, they were fine. Nothing is going to get them. He repeated internally. It was not helping.

[Rani]

Crowtooth
Windclan Tunneler/Fury | He/him | 50 Moons

Power Card: Cold Gust

'The mark of a good compromise is that no one is happy'
What nonsense, Crowtooth was very happy right now and even happier by how unhappy the others were. Listen, he wasnt a sadistic cat, not in the slightest and it wasnt like he disliked any of the cats on this patrol. In fact he rather liked them for all they werent friends, Dapplebreeze had done some babysitting of him when he and Bravebird were kittens, Batglare had his ultimate respect second only to Twilightstar and Leechscar was a kindred soul in both exhaustion and duty.


But god if it wasnt funny to watch the clans best and brightest become utter babies when faced with a dark hole.


Like sure it was a dangerous place and even Crowtooth the expert had faced its wrath to dire results before but so was the moor! At least in the tunnels there were no raptors and dogs and such, just cave ins and badgers and foxes and flash floods in winter aaaaaaand Crowtooth should vocalize none of this or Leechscar might bolt.


The tom would spring that info on him when they were down and there was no way to run... Perhaps that'd forestall this flopping.

"No questions yet? Well again pipe if ya have one an' lets get goin' so I can start on the actual tunnelin' part. Imma lead ya ta a large area wit' good soil stability an' some supplies I pre planted an' let ya loose ta try out diggin' while I ramble first. So take the chance ta try out those sense skills I mentioned while yet at it. Lots mosey!"
With that the skunk striped tom ducked into the dark decently sized hole (he was a pretty bulky himself but Batglare and Leechscar both were taller then him so he'd be sticking to wider areas today) and lead the group to location.


Said location did not look like much, mostly because the group could not see. But the ground below their paws was tough and compacted and the walls though softer werent crumbly and weak, more untouched and ready for altering. So, complete with some large flat stones and strong sticks Crowtooth had dragged down for bracing new passages it was perfect.


"Alrighty here we are! Get crackin' wit' paws in the wall as ya please an' Ill be over here yappin'!



Ok, so while a lotta tunnels are already made by rabbits, other creatures, or nature itself part o' tunnelin' is diggin' the tunnels yerself.

The diggin' itself is easy. Ya find a spot where the ground is firm (so not crumbly) but soft enough ta dig an' driver yer paws in. Use yer claws an' make scoopin' motions before packin' the dirt in ta the walls an' dirt around ya, this helps strengthen the passage ya dig. If thats not enough though ya take a root or branch an' press it inta the walls an' roof ta hold some weight an' that should help. Or the flat rocks for the walls.




However, soil still matters.
On the moors we mainly got normal dirt. Its good fer diggin' an' rarely needs support but there are patches o' other types (more common on other territories) that ya need ta mind. Its actually really cool an' a recent discovery I made after bein' stuck down here for awhile but a stars-send fer figurin' out where I may be explorin'.

Clay is mostly in thunderclan, it supports its weight well but doesnt compact fer some reason? Also downright impossible ta get outta fur once dried I hate it.
Rocks are stable too an' usually near the pines (so shadowclan) but ya wanna tunnel above them 'cuz if they do fall yer deader then normal.
Riverclan has tons o' sandy ground an' it falls if ya sneeze wrong around it I swear. Dont trust paths through sandy spots unless ya supported the roof an' walls wit' sticks an' I dont recommend tunneling there, just another reason riverclan sucks.


But yeah, the long an' the short o' diggin'! Give it a shot!"
Crowtooth would be here trying to pretend he wasnt hovering just in case things went terribly wrong and he had to prevent a cave in. Yep just normal lingering close because there wasnt endless space, dont freak out! Please.


@Moonraven @Alchemist Kitsune @Undertaker

[Alchemist Kitsune]

| Dapplebreeze |
69 Moons - WindClan Fury Lieutenant
Agatha Kitty - Active | Silver Tongue - Active | Beefed Up [Tier 3] - Inactive

---

Stiff limbs followed after the skunk striped tom into the darkness, her one consolation the fact that she was small enough to fit with ease within the tunnel, helping curb her swiftly settling claustrophobia. Keep it at bay. It didn't help the realization that the dark was absolute the deeper they walked in, her eyes darting left and right as she desperately attempted to find something to perch on. To focus on instead of this suffocating bleakness. It helped when she could direct her attention at something. Anything other than the nothingness surrounding her.

Warmth pressed comfortingly by her side, and despite herself she turned to glance at her companion, seeing little more than the gleam of familiar, yellow eyes. It was strange, how this slight action brought her to her senses. She was still uneasy, of course. Out of her element. But she was stable. Or rather more so than she'd been mere moments before. Right. She was the fury's lieutenant, accompanied by the commander himself and two of their darling fury colleagues. One of which made his presence known with a grumbling apology from behind Batglare and herself. His voice a clear indication that much like herself, he would rather be out of here as quickly as possible. Perhaps even now, lessons be damned.

Taking a deep breath, she once again forced herself to relax. To exude comfort and confidence. It was a bleak, pale imitation of her usual stride, but she would not be the one to add to darling Leechscar's discomfort. She could empathize far too well with what he was feeling... albeit perhaps not for the same reasons. It would do him nor her any good if she lost her head in the tunnels before they'd had a chance to begin, only helping the younger fury further spiral into terror at their grueling task.

"I'm alright. Thank you, dear," the former queen whispered as she commanded her voice to stop its trembling - with modest success - her gaze landing on the larger fury's form as her eyes slowly adapted to the darkness.

It was still impossibly dark. As if the light of StarClan would never reach this place. But it was... easier. The more she convinced herself it was alright. The more she focused on keeping the well being of the patrol in mind over her own still lingering fears. Crowtooth began talking once more, his voice far too cheerful for her liking at the moment. She could almost swear she heard a bit of cheek and tease in that tone of his. Something that would usually not bother her much, but caused a slight sting to her pride in this hapless condition she found herself in. Conditions that were not improving the longer the dark tom spoke.

By what he was saying, it was really only by some blessing - or curse, depending on who you asked... she was inclined to agree with the latter - that WindClan's territory was so good for tunneling. The mere idea of digging too far. Of finding one's self in tunnels of sand or clay or rocks. Of the collapse that would lead to a slow, suffocating death to whoever became entombed within the once sturdy structure. The dainty molly's tail lashed out nervously behind her, and she soon shook herself, forcing her hackles to lay still. To calm herself once more.

"Well then, I can certainly see why Twilightstar chose you to give us these lessons. You unequivocally have your knowledge down. Don't you, darling?" Dapplebreeze mewed, her voice polite, demure, forcefully serene - with only the mildest of telling trembles within it - as she turned to face a wall, one dainty paw upon it as she let go of a reluctant breath before nodding. "No time like the present, then."

Gingerly, the patched she-cat scraped her paw down, claws unsheathed already thanks to her delicate nerves. Imagine, a feline like her. Wanting nothing more than to wail and leave this place simply because she didn't... what? Like the dark? Like the enclosed, suffocating, low air conditions that made mastery of your senses near useless, working on seemingly different laws of nature down here? Collapse at the slightest mistake and trap her for all eternity? No no, that was silly. No tunnel could ever defeat her like that. Have her for the rest of time. Only for the rest of her time in WindClan. Because surely even the tunnel would spit her soul out onto the stars... right? Oh Silverpelt above... just dig and get it over with. This could all just be a funny story to never mention again once they resurfaced.

---

@Moonraven [Batglare] | @Rani [Crowtooth] | @Undertaker [Leechscar]