The first of the cats arrived abord a ship that had found no luck navigating the choppy waters near the island. Crewed by pirates, the survivors of the crash soon developed a society that was nothing short of harsh and unforgiving. Ruthless, cunning, resourceful - All traits that the cats who'd been aboard the ship as rat chasers picked up from their twoleg counterparts. For fifteen years they survived, never alone, never together - An uneasy sort of existence.

The society's days were numbered. The dark mountain on the island of black rock came to life, spewing hot steam and ash into the air. Where the twoleg survivors of the shipwreck could not withstand the heat, the cats found shelter beneath the mangrove forests in the network of roots.

When the felines emerged into the altered environment, they were greeted by the ancient Island Gods who had presided over the larger felines for moons. With their guidance, the Tribe of Twisted Roots (named for the plants that had sheltered them) formed, taking Sunrise over Treetops, who received her lives after scaling Firebelly Mountain and peering into its depths, as their first commander.

After many moons of peace, Sunrise left the world and passed power onto Fish Leaping from Waves. To keep matters fair, Fish offered others the chance to take power, marking the first instance of the challenge tradition being utilized as a way to choose a new leader.

As the Tribe grew, so did its traditions. Their exploration of the islands had yielded one of dangers that would soon become an important part of each young cat's life. This Island of Shadows, so called for the nightmarish beings that lurked there, became a place for swabbies to prove themselves worthy of becoming navigators.

Life for the Tribe continued, though soon enough they would not be alone. History repeated itself as another ship came to the island. Carrying strange cats with ways unlike their own, the Tribe left them to their own devices, ceasing their adventures to the largest island to prevent any intermingling.

Already troubled by the presence of more cats, the Tribe would soon enter their darkest days. For the first time in the Tribe's long history, power was passed unfairly. A cruel navigator by the name of Wind howling in Cavern seized control by murdering the frail commander and elderly quartermaster. In an attempt to make his mark on the Tribe, he ordered that several of their time-honored rituals, such as keeping of the history and passing of commander through the challenge, were abandoned. As a result, several moons of history were forgotten, and the Tribe cats drifted far from their celebrated Island Gods.

After several moons of this tyranny, a navigator by the name of Heron standing in Moonlight led a coup in an attempt to save the Tribe and their culture. They succeeded; Wind was removed from power and exiled to the Island of Shadows while Heron took over. His moons would bring peace and stability back to the Tribe, returning them to the power they once were.

It was only through the strength of their numbers and faith that they survived the next eruption. Firebelly Mountain, silent for countless moons, brought forth bellows of smoke once more. It coated the island in thick fog and clouds for days on end, though there was one advantage - The Tribe's territory was truly hidden at last from that of the strange cats who seemed to not only survive but thrive on the larger island.

Not long after the smoke started to clear the Tribe's current leader, Tempest Rages at Night, ascended. Though he had been challenged for his spot as quartermaster and subsequent right to leadership, he had prevailed, earning the right to climb Firebelly Mountain and claim his lives.