Let's Do This Again (Or at Least Try...)

[Frost]

How long has it been, old friends?

Or is it new friends? I know there are faces and names I'm not duly familiar with, but regardless: I know there are still writers out there. Maybe even some lurking Redwall fans? I think the possibility is high. And I know--I know--several of you have been itching to see this board hopping again (this board being Wordsmith's, but I could stretch it to Terrouge in general, too).

So! Let's do it. Let's not be afraid. I'll be honest: some of the best writing lessons I've had came from mistakes I made while writing some of the RPs here. I'm actually really excited to get back into the game again, and I know you are, too.

Let's go back to a more traditional RP, but spice it up a bit, shall we? We'll keep some things canon, if you'd like, but we can be adventurous too (for the bold and brave out there). But before we jump head-first into another murky story, let's block some things out. I walked some of the shelves of the store to get a few ideas, and here's what I came up with that I'd like to incorporate:

- For a broad working plot, what say a badger slave wants to claim the throne over his reigning uncle, which ignites a feud within the good camps, while an old vermin warlord loses his control of Mossflower wood that he's controlled for several seasons--loses it to another vermin army, or a band of courageous woodlanders who are tired of evil's hold over them, we'll decide later. Now for my bullet ideas.

- barbarian/wild one
- rogue/renegade
- condemning correspondence
- sins of fathers/inherited war(s)
- omens/signs
- unearthed bones
- dark sacrifice
- infinite beach stretching across a sea of ice
- a hunt
- a dreamer
- exiles' return (group)
- shadow of lust
- dust riders
- whispers on the horizon
- crippled warrior
- poisoned kiss
- spy/traitor
- gentleman = goodbeast

Add your own ideas. We'll build this from the ground up and get us another grand RP going. Christmas is coming, and that means the school-bound among us will have time to write! (Oh, and include names if you like, even titles for the RP if you wish.)

Thanks. Now go on!

[-Moonflicker-]

Ooooh good good! I've been craving a good RP lately!

Oldschool Redwall...I like it. S'been a while since that's happened around here.

You mentioned a vermin warlord losing control of his territory in Mossflower...I liked the idea of losing it to another vermin group. But we can't forget the creatures that live in that area of Mossflower, either...they wouldn't particularly enjoy being held captive, and there's gotta be a few of them who are willing to do anything to get out. What if these captives rise up to gain their woodland back while the other two vermin groups are at war? That way it will be a three-way battle...hmm

And this badger...would he be a captive in said vermin army, or in a different area altogether? I wasn't too clear on your idea there...what I got out of it was a badger who was a prisoner in his own hometown/tribe/family/whatever, and wants to overthrow his uncle, but his uncle is the one who's holding him prisoner?

I think it would be nice to have Redwall Abbey be in this as well. Perhaps it could be the fortress of the vermin lord? Like back in the old days with Tsarmina? Or perhaps an ancient ruin...in which the creatures of Mossflower run to for protection when they launch their attack on their captors. And they sort of bring it back to life. I think I like that idea best, personally. I'd love to see the Abbey used as a true fortress in a horrible battle....heheh

Hooray for RPs!

<3 Moon

[Frost]

That's a great idea. We could have Redwall as a fortress, perhaps stripped of the finer parts in exchange for guard posts, spikes along the walls, and perhaps a grey paint covering the former red walls themselves? A dark, dreary place where evil resides? Ooooh.

That way, we can have a new abbey built somewhere else. We can work up some new names, too. Cool.

As for the badger, I saw his uncle as an old ruler of Salamandastron, but perhaps years of warring and inner turmoil have weakened the kingdom, and his evil influence has weakened it even further. This young badger who wants to seize control from his uncle will get some sort of control--whether it's the throne of Salamandastron itself, or if he appoints himself (or is appointed) to a different title and power. It's this lust for power that I want to be his undoing, causing him to lose sight of the things that matter most: integrity, honesty and the love of family and friends.

But that's me musing. Good ideas, Moon! Hope that cleared it up a little bit.

[-Moonflicker-]

Ooh yes! Greywall! haha jk

I do like that idea, though...a new Abbey...perhaps someone in the woodland creatures group could stumble upon the ancient Brockhall, and they could build their new fortress around that? Call it...Brock Abbey? I dunno...somethin'

Having a sort of deranged badger lord sounds interesting as well. I could see him have fallen victim to the Bloodwrath at some point (or points) in his life, and that having an affect on his behavior and the way he views things now. Or even, some kind of creature, be it a hare with a twisted mind, or some sort of vermin he somehow befriended, whispering things in his ear. Haunted by dreams. Typical maniac ruler guy.

Maybe some of the hares would go along with what the badger lord says, and take his side, while the others are more reluctant to follow in those footsteps, and see his evil for what it is. Those hares would willingly unite with the younger badger that seeks his uncle's throne...a war that could tear Salamadastron apart...


<3 Moon

**EDIT**

Just saw that you were talking about the younger badger losing sight of the important things to his hunger for the throne. I thought you were talking about his uncle.

It could be interesting there to have him want to rescue Salamandastron from his insane uncle, but in his quest for the throne, that begins to be all he sees. The hares who thought he was fighting for good and joined his forces are now seeing the same badger as his uncle, and they become afraid. It could really be the end for Salamandastron..hummm

Just me thinking aloud.

[Sycamore]

I thought he was losing sight because he was blind. BLINDED BY POWER!!!

[Cairn]

As for the badger, I saw his uncle as an old ruler of Salamandastron, but perhaps years of warring and inner turmoil have weakened the kingdom, and his evil influence has weakened it even further. This young badger who wants to seize control from his uncle will get some sort of control--whether it's the throne of Salamandastron itself, or if he appoints himself (or is appointed) to a different title and power. It's this lust for power that I want to be his undoing, causing him to lose sight of the things that matter most: integrity, honesty and the love of family and friends.

I'm wondering if the badgers could be seen as suffering from the bloodwrath of the novels, but not the "healthy" version from the novels. Perhaps their loss of control could be seen as the final straw that drives the hares away from the current badger king. This is something both Highwinger and I discussed on redwallfanfiction.net when I did my book "Tribunal of Redwall." This is how I explained it:

In the Redwall novels, bloodwrath comes about at the height of both anger and personal danger, usually during battle. If the bloodwrath could be involuntarily invoked whenever a badger became too angry, the hares would remain on their guard at all times wondering when he or she would begin the next murderous rampage. Thus the badgers in the novels can become enraged without entering the bloodwrath.

There is also a more detailed discussion of bloodwrath and its consequences in that fan fiction, which I'll avoid quoting at this time.

[Tiberuvsky]

Didn't Wing take on a similar idea in The Crimson Badger? It's been a good 5 or 6 years since I read it, but I remember something along those lines showing up...

[Frost]

That would be an interesting take, especially if we could pull it off without making it sound too familiar to any other source. I'd also be up for making landmarks and locations more separated from each other than they seem in the books or on the maps.

Anyone else have any ideas they care to throw out (or should I just shut my trap and get the thread started?)?

[Ashen Fox]

No ideas from this quarter, just want to say that I'm going to do my very best to be involved. *grin*

[Frost]

A'ight, a'ight, I've got something started...head over to "The Cold Thrones" to write along! Seriously, though: I don't want to exclude anyone, or make them feel excluded. Let's get a group participation going, and if you know of any "old" Terrougers who'd be interested in writing a good ol' fashioned RP again, invite 'em in. We're not keeping tabs or taking names--we're just telling good tales, like we used to.

[Cairn]

Anyone thinking a listing of characters, as they are presented, helpful? If so, I'll start a new thread and provide a short bio for those already listed. If not, I'll list the ones we have to date and can add any that join the story.



1 - Jonathan Caring --- Narrator, scribe, linguist, and historian. (Frost)

2 - Vlong --- A scribe and fox. (Frost)

3 - Adalgott the Red --- A male badger, ruler of Salamandastron who is becoming senile due to his age. He is attended by hares that match him for the number of seasons. His sons have died in battles and his daughters have married, but no heir is present. He laments the fall of this world to vermin. (Frost)

4 - Tyrus Raide --- A pine martin who rules over the land. He fancies himself a warrior from the line of Cluny. His trademark is a wide brimed hat decorated with the plumage of exotic birds. (Frost)

5 - Hevgrond --- A male hedgehog who is a carpenter. He also is an expert pickpocket and is a decent lockpick. His one fault is a need to boast about his deeds, which has his hometown officials labeling him a nuisense since anything he steals is easily recovered. Has fled into Mossflower Woods thinking there is a price on his head, which is untrue. (Cairn)

6 - Kezia --- A female martin who is wife to Talon and his slave. Her face is encased in silver as both a ward and a cell against evil spirits. Talon took her for a few coppers from a tavern, and despite the advice of his spiritual leader, protects her. She has a sharp tongue and has yet to decide if she will accept her mate. (Kenner)

7 - Talon --- A male martin and the leader of an army. He is moving westward. Though he has a deep affection for his wife, he is practicle. (Kenner)

[-Moonflicker-]

I think that's a great idea, Cairn.

For now, I've created a little character sheet for my character...I'll post this here now, though I won't be able to get a post up until later tonight or tomorrow.

Name: Bowen Rippletail
Gender: Male
Age: Around 19-20
Species: Otter
Description: Tall, broad-shouldered, and muscular. His coat is a light brown color, with a creamy underbelly. Very dark brown eyes, almost black. Wears baggy black pants, held up with a rope, and a tight-fitting, sleeveless, black shirt. Wears a shred of red cloth tied around his right upper arm. Always barefoot.
Personality: Very headstrong. Believes justice should always be served, no matter the price. Was raised to believe that the males should always protect and look after the females and children: to lay down their lives if necessary. He is very compassionate, however, and sometimes struggles to uphold his beliefs of justice if the culprit looks genuinely sorrowful.
History: Bowen was raised in a tribe of otters north of Mossflower called the Cove Tribe. When Redwall fell, his ancestors fled and settled on a shore five days’ journey north of Mossflower, in a land known as Waterdown. It took some getting used to for the Cove Tribe to deal with the salty sea water, but a few generations down behaved more like sea otters than the river otters they were. Tales of the old Mossflower country and the Fall of Redwall had been passed down through the Tribe, and Bowen was fascinated with them. Even as a dibbun, he wanted to travel to Mossflower and see the Ruins of Redwall and the place of his ancestry. He was warned of what may lurk in those woods now, but he never cared. As soon as he was able, he set forth on a journey to Mossflower Country.

[Kenner]

Mmmm. I think I want to add a little to the bios.


Kezia: Female pine marten

Kezia is about eighteen or nineteen, and has lived most of her life moving from one tavern to the next. Her one defining trait is a silver mask that hides her face at all times and she can't remember life without it. As far as she's concerned, the mask is as normal to her as others find their natural faces to be.
In one of the towns that Talon took over, he discovered her. Without hesitation he 'bought' her from the tavern owner, and has since kept her near him at all times. She doesn't consider herself as belonging to him, and is clueless as to his fascination with her.

Talon, if it's ok, I'd like him to be the head of the creeping shadow from the east. He intends to remove Raide from his throne and set himself up in his place.

[Frost]

Yeah, that's great, Kenner. I'll try and talk more of Raide's waning strength due to his ego and infighting among his captains, and perhaps even mention rumors of a vast force burning from the east. Though I wonder if you want Talon's name to be well-known, or is he brand-new to the leading scene?

And Moon: don't feel rushed for our sake. I figure as long as we keep some sense of steady posting, the story will unfold at its own pace.

[Kenner]

I think if Talon were well known to Raide, but less well known to others that might be cool.