Redwall MUCK Forum

Continued from Part 1

Aata, the former otter Food Taster (played by Bandit),
Atticus, the former ferret Guard (played by me),
Lalia, the former otter Chef (played by Bandit),
Jerry, the round mouse (played by me),
and few spoofs by Bandit.

"Voice felt like I were punched in the throat by badger af'erwards..."

Some time after Lalia's lucky guess, be it days, weeks, or even a month...

There was a plan, once upon a time, Lalia remembered. It was simple, go adventuring, build up her skills, become the head cook for a rich noble beast, and live out her life in the realitve wealth and fame that came with that.
Life has a funny way of derailing the best laid plans, but this time it seems to have derailed directly into her end goal.
Truth be told, Lalia didn't know how rich she was now. After winning the jackpot, the otters went on a spending spree of a life time. Food, clothes, jewelery, fancy massages and even fancier lodgings. She seemed to believe that is where the wealth would have ended, easy come and easy go.
According to the locals, it didn't even make a dent in her winnings, nor did the many weeks of the same such living afterward.
Lalia was in a word, loaded and set for life. Their hotel room was opsacious, filled with pillows and soft carpets. She herself was dressed now in fine silks and guady jewlery, necklaces and tail bracelets and while she had not cooked a single meal for herself, was growing plumper and rounder.
Aata even more so... the ex warrior chosing to splurge into the finer things of life, she had to replace her garments more than once as she grew larger and larger.
Life, in a word, was pretty bloody good...

And Jerry had taken full advantage of 'Life being good' for the otters. The mouse, dressed too in silk, lounges in a hammock set up just before the large window at the back wall, swaying back and forth in the gentle tropic breeze, sipping from a drink with a name the very round mouse wouldn't even try to pronounce. It was perfect, for even for a moment. Meanwhile, up on the roof Atticus was having the time of his life - a live band had set themselves up, and, though the ferret was alone on dance floor, he was going at it like nothing else. A bottle in one paw and twirling his other, he spins round and round, wobbling from one foot to the other. Belting out the song several keys off, the near-screeching sound coming from his voice can be heard all over the hotel. 

"ON DEH TRAAAAAIL WE BLAAAAAAAZE!!"

Perhaps the ferret would not be alone if he could hit a cord right, thought Aata. She tapped on the bar for a refil to her drink. She needed a few more before the ferrets singing sounded good. The beast, clad in red and orange silks, sat on not one, but two bar stools to support her bulk, the size of her stomach making it difficult to reach her plate of fried shrimp. "On the trail we go, up and down that road..." she silently sung along.
   
Meanwhile, down stairs, Lalia leans herself against the window, just... staring across the sea. "Jerry. Can I ask you a serious question?" The young cook pauses for a moment and then asks, "Did we... did we do right? Coming here?"

The former warrior otter will need several more drinks before the ferret's screeching becomes even passible, punctuated as it is at times by loud burps and several curses. Jerry certainly needed a few more drinks before things could go back to being perfect. But, even as he reaches for another green glass, the mouse looks up at Lalia. "What?" He asks, taken back, and, having stretched out a bit too far for the table, he quite literally rolls out of the hammock, falling to the cushions below. No matter. As the round mouse sits up from the many pillows, he gives the otter a bemused look. "Why would you even ask that?"
Atticus' 'singing' could still be heard, having gotten back to the chorus.

"LE'END INTA FACTS, MYTH INTA HISTO'Y!"

Lalia scrunches her nose, "Sure, things have been nice but, you know... too nice. I literally have everything I could have ever wanted... and now that I do." The otter shrugs, "I have all the wealth I could ever ask for and all I can think to do with it is care myself, you know? Is that... is that wrong?"
Speaking of caring for herself, the otter rolls her eyes, "Just leave me the bottle." She hisses to herself while drinking right from the wine bottle, "I wish soemthing would shut the weasel up..."
The fat otteress stops when a heavy paw lands on her shoulders, it's claws digging into her soft flesh, "That can be arranged..." She looks up to see a pair of lizards dressed in robes. Another lizard is approaching the dancing ferret, "Pleassse, come with usss. Our employers would like to have a word with you..."

The band has finally finished, to the applause of exactly one beast: Atticus is clapping wildly, shouting, "AGAIN! AGAIN!" at the retreating musicians, who each held expressions of never wanting to see the bloody ferret again. He's far too engrossed with his own clapping to notice both the broken bottle dropped next to him and the approaching lizards, wobbling and whistling and clapping as he is.
The mouse, a slight grin on his, reaches once again for the drink. "Let me let you in on a little secret, mate," he says, nearly downing the green drink in one go, "Things can never be too good." He tosses the glass aside, it being saved only by the cushions, and Jerry wipes his mouth on his arm. "What, are you worried about something? We had to worry before! I," Pointing to himself in a very dramatic fashion he says, "I had to worry about all the threats you lot made about eating me, I did!"

"And spoil my diet?" The otter sticks her tongue out at Jerry before turning back to the sea, "I guess you are right. Maybe I'm just not used to being worry free. I'm sure everything will turn out just fine."
A pair of burly lizard henchmen storm the room seconds later, "Misss Lalia, Mr. Jerry. You are to accompany usss. Our leaders would have words with theee..."
The reptiles up top, gesture for the otteress and ferret to come with them at their convinience. That is, the lizards convinience as they try to lead them rather quickly to the stair well...

"Of course not, none of us were!" Jerry says, grinning from ear to ear, "We don't have to worry anymo..." The mouse trails off as the large lizards enter, yet he keeps the smile even as his eyes dart quickly to Lalia than the open window while they make their request. Upon the dance floor, Atticus looking very confused at the broken bottle arrow this feet, even as the lizard bouncers quite literally start dragging him away. "Was', wha'...?" He looks over at Aata pleadingly, screaming out, "WHERE ARE DEY TAKIN' ME?"

"You have been sssumoned by the ownerss. There has been an isssue raised with your winnings..." One lizard says to the ferret while another down stairs finishes the exact same speach to Lalia and Jerry, "...You have been accused of cheating..."

To Be Continued...

So I was kinda bored a few nights ago and did a profile sketch of my character Terrence:

The uniform he's wearing is more or less how I imagine what a fighter in the Long Patrol wears when in full gear for particularly long campaigns. Originally he had boots, but I decided to switch to puttees, as they look a bit more 'medieval'-esque (plus they're more British-army-ish, wot!).

The part I dislike the most is the mustache as I have absolutely no idea where that would go on a hare's face, so I think he might shave that later

DoraRose, the mouse,
John, the squirrel,
Patch, the rat,
Sinway, the otter,
And Ferdinand and the other bodyguards of Blisa + other creatures of Ferravle, spoofs by DoraRose

At Redwall...

Atop the walls of the old abbey, several beasts go hither and thither, except one; a rather bushy tail swishing back and forth as he sits on a stool. The overcast weather matches the squirrel's mood, and most beasts - mostly those that have some proficiency in the art of combat - are giving him a wide berth. John looks out at the road, and the field beyond, shifting rather restlessly. Glaring at a mouse who managed to trip nearby, the squirrel doesn't say anything beyond that, instead looking up into the grey clouds. "Bah..." Is all the noise that comes from him.

Patch is...on the road! He looks up at the abbey walls. "Well ya still standing...goood." He mutters and looks around, he barely got out of Ferravale and a bit of a limp prooves it. He looks up at the clouds and shrugs before taking a deep breath and going towards the gates.

Up on the wall, DoraRose Strongheart is making her rounds.  Her mood has been foul for at least a month.  She hasn't been doing any of her hobbies -- no sewing, no baking, no crocheting, no knitting, not even singing or playing her mandolin.  She hasn't been helping in the kitchens or with the Dibbuns.  Only training, exercising, being on duty, and sleeping.  Carrying her axe, with her sword at her side, she comes and stands by the squirrel, both of them being avoided by basically everyone else.  The mouse Warrior is silent, but those who know her best would be able to see that not doing the things she enjoys is taking a heavy toll on her mental health.

Out on the road, Ferdinand is leading his ragged bunch of fellow bodyguards to the Abbey.  Finally.  After way too long, they have finally managed to get away from the enemy, fully.  (They did take what was basically the longest route from Ferravale to Redwall, but that's another issue.)  Catching up to the spy, the ferret says, "I'm thure they'll let uth in.  Mith DoraRothe will, at any rate."  Clarissa the rat looks the most miserable, and won't stop muttering about forest ghosts eating their souls.  Statler the stoat and Waldo the weasel are looking at her uneasily.  Valerie the vixen is too busy trying to reassure Hank the fox that ghosts aren't actually a thing.  "What about the Spirit of Martin the Warrior?!"  **Sigh....**

The Abbey Gatekeeper has yet to notice the coming visitors, having been distracted by a nervous Novice who is asking about something important.  Dora hasn't even been reading, yo.  She may be taking this whole thing a tiny bit TOO seriously.....

Sinway makes his way out of the abbey yawning a little, the otter should be asleep after his night shift on the wall, but instead he is walking over to the stairs and to the walltop making his way up them "Afternoon." He calls to Dora and John walking over to them, "Anythin' happenin' out there."

The rat catches the squirrel's eye before the guards do, and a loud scratching sound follows as John leaps up, pushing the stool back a little bit in his eagerness - his crossbow in paw. The weapon is already loaded, having been kept at the ready for some time. "Oi! Rat!" The squirrel calls from the wallop, "I'd advise not taking another step towards here if you don't want to be skewered." John doesn't recognize Patch - nor does he really care to. Though then again even if he does recognize known backstabbing spy, he might just go ahead and shoot him anyway, perhaps blaming nerves or calling it an accident. He mutters out of the side of his mouth to the gatekeeper, while aiming more squarely at the rat, "Oi, Dora - keep an eye out for more while I deal with this- " But Patch is spared the potential 'accident' as John notices the more recognizable - and by far more liked - bodyguards of the chieftainess. The crossbow is lowered, for now, but John doesn't make any more on his part to try to let them in. Instead, he simply calls down to them - and clearly not to Patch, "Why, hullo there! Suppose you have more bad news to tell, aye?"

Patch eyes widen as he looks at the crossbow and gulps. "I...come in peace....." He sighs in releaf as the others come and snorts "I almost got shot! I am too important ta get shot with a crossbolt and it would  *rude word* hurt."

DoraRose glances out at the spy, then glances at the squirrel.  "Pretty sure he's not actually a threat right now..."  And then the bodyguards come into view, and the Gatekeeper immediately descends to open the gates for them.

Ferdinand growls deep in his throat and goes to grab the spy by his ear.  "I am not in the mood for profanity, Patch, at leatht not from anybeatht other than mythelf.  Try to be polite, if you can."  And with that the Head Bodyguard goes to lead his little group into the Abbey, answering the squirrel's query and the Gatekeeper's worried expression.  "Aye, Ferravale hath fallen.  We ethcaped tho we could try to find Blitha.  Cerah, an ermine and fellow bodyguard, will hopefully arrive here thoon with word of the Chieftain'th wearabouts."

While they are surrendering their weapons, Valerie adds, "We don't know about Patch, here.  He can answer for himself."  Dora leans back as Clarissa grabs her by the shoulders.  "I swear I saw a ghost, shipmate!  I've always said the woods was full o' ghosts, and I was right!"  The vixen rolls her eyes and sighs very deeply.

Sinway sighs looking up at the sky the otter was hopin' he get to enjoy a nice rain shower in peace, but sadly that wont be the case. The decides to stay up on the walltops for now, he sees no reason to go down and greet the group of vermin he doesn't know after all

"Now - Ferd..." John trials off as he struggles to remember the ferret's name, instead, after a moment, beginning again, "The guards I see." John begins, starting after Dora, "But the rat- do we have to let him in?" The cogs have clicked in the squirrel's brain, and, nodding to Sinway (trusting that the walls are safe in the otter's paws), he adds "Risky having him in here - the rat - even if not a threat. He might be later - and we'll all be sorry." As the gates are opened, the squirrel raises the crossbow again and, as he takes aim once again at the unfortunate Patch, says, "I mean, could take care of him - besides, doubt anyone would miss him y'know. Or would be sorry." However, despite the raised weapon, his finger is off the trigger, for now.

Patch always does surrender weapons, his couple daggers and a pocket knife. He snorts and for now stays quiet as he walks in and looks around. "Yep anyone else in FerrVALE is well...captive suppose." He frowns. "Wait..they got like veryone important....thats not a good thing." He frowns at John. "Excuse me...I can be helpful."

DoraRose gently disengages herself from the rat bodyguard.  "Well, I'm pretty sure there aren't any ghosts here in the Abbey, so I think you'll be okay."  Turning to the squirrel, the mouse grins a bit wickedly.  "Well, if Patch gives us any trouble, we can just let Oz and my grandmother and basically anyone from Ferravale know about it and then just sit back and see how long the line of creatures wanting to hit him gets."  After making sure everyone is inside, she closes and secures the gates.

The Head Bodyguard glances at the squirrel.  "Ferdinand.  And aye, Blitha'th bodyguardth."  After checking and making sure all of his followers are inside and have surrendered their weapons, he asks, "Where thould we thleep?"  The Gatekeeper nods and leads them into the Abbey, with Hank, Valerie, and Clarissa arguing about ghosts again.

They just abandon the rat spy out here with the squirrel who doesn't trust him and the otter who doesn't know him.  He can thank them later.  Like, when DoraRose comes back out to the walltops.  But that may not be his best idea, if he decides to go that route......

Sinway just keeps his eyes out looking out at the road. "Come on John, ye know the abbot wouldn't approve of ye pointin' yer weapon inside the abbey." He comments calmly, "Besides yer crossbow bolts could be put to better use then on some rat like that."

Giving the rat a long look, John stifles a laugh as he says, "I doubt that." The crossbow is lowered, however, at the otter's words, and, to the squirrel's credit - he does try to smile at Patch. Though it is rather forced, and resembles a barring of teeth more than anything - but he is trying, at least!  Than again, as the gatekeeper leads the group of bodyguards past him, and Ferdinand's correction of his name, John turns to give a small wave, and nod, as they all leave. After an awkward moment - the crossbow is still out, and the squirrel seems ready to use it if Patch does anything - John turns back to Sinway. "As far as I'm concerned, this rat is known for selling information to the worst types of beasts - which makes him one." The squirrel shrugs. "I mean, its not like I'd lose the bolt or waste anything. There isn't any other beast to use it on 'round here. But fine." The crossbow remains lowered.

Patch rolls his eyes and smirks. "Arn't we all plesent taday hmmm?" He looks at Sinway and grins. "You..I like you! You can show me where the best ale is!!" He looks back at the squirrel. "Info is good sometimes ya know...I may even have some the abbey is intrested in...though not for free."

Sinway glances back smirking. "Ohh, I remember ye.......thought ye was just a bartender in Ferravale." He isn't sure why he is liked by the rat, but guesses he could use that to keep a eye on the beast.

"Aye, of course not for free!" John says, this time giving a grin that intentionally looks like a wolf's. "How 'bout your tail on for starters, or claws?" Torture isn't something that sits well with him - John regrets the things done to that captured slaver - and he'd certainly be lectured (for good reason) by the Abbot and any other beasts. Perhaps even kicked out of the abbey. However, bluffing isn't something the squirrel finds morally reprehensible at all. "You don't really need those! Of course, if you tell us, I could leave them on, y'know." Slinging the crossbow over one shoulder, he fiddles with what looks like a knife by his side. "I do like free things, after all. I'm decent like that." The look in his eyes is far harder than his bright tone of voice, the squirrel's anger and disgust with Patch evident in them - and it slips through to his voice he says the following. "Sinway - you'd like leaving his tail on, though, aye? Sinway's a real nice beast. I'd suggest being honest with him, if anyone else."

Patch backs away from Johny and then smiles. "But de abbey is one of peace and no one would be harmed here."

Sinway sighs openly sadly he can't let this continue. Luckly someone comes to take his place and the otter makes his way down to the ground "Yer lucky the abbot didn't hear ye say that John." He comments simply walking over to join John by the gate. "Patchy will be a pal and tell us what he knows, wont ye mate." His grin is more friendly then John's.

John gives an even bigger smile. "Well, who said anything about being inside the abbey?" He says through his teeth. "And besides, you are, as far as I'm is concerned, an enemy to peace. I think we should deal with you as such..." However, he backs off as Sinway comes down, nodding to him. "Of course, of course! If Patch here is a pal, he should tell us everything." The squirrel rounds on Patch again, practically spitting, "Right. Patch. Everything."

Patch looks between them and speaks. "I require candy chest nuts and October Ale....then we can walk." He says as he decides to head to the main building as the rain starts to come down.

Sinway smirks a little shaking his head. "I'm goin' to go get some rest mate, doin' night shift up on the wall, spendin' the mornin' trainin' with the champion and teachin' beast to use a sling has got me tired out." He looks over at the abbey. "Might have to find a better place to sleep though, what with vermin arguing about ghosts and what not.......wonder if I can sleep in the cellar, that should be quiet enough."

"You'll get more than that if you try anything, rat." John calls after Patch, looking up as droplet of water hits him. "Bah." A curse. "Suppose I should grab my cloak, now. And," The squirrel turns to the otter, "Sinway, I wasn't actually going to do anything to him, and won't - unless he actively tries something."

Sinway chuckles a little looking up at the rain. "Or maybe I'll sleep out here nothing like sleepin' in the rain." Must be a otter thing. He turns to John and shakes his head. "If I thought ye was I would of stopped ye, but the rat seems to like me fer some reason, I only met him once in ferravale, thought he be just a simple bartender."

John nods. "Perhaps... But he has been a spy, and I think he might still be. We need to keep an eye on him, no matter." The squirrel starts for the main building, saying over his shoulder, "Patch is not someone who should be welcomed, methinks - but no matter. I'll be back on the wall top soon as I get m'cloak!"

Sinway shakes his head calling "I don't trust him mate, but if he likes me I can use that to keep an eye on him." with that the otter goes off to find a spot to sleep, ahh sleeping in the rain something he hasn't done in a while.

Ewan, the hare,
Terrence, another hare,
and a whole bunch of spoofs by me and Ewan.

Sometime in the Afternoon...

The training room is surprisingly empty today, besides a lone hare practicing with a sling. Whirling it around his head, the hare lets the stone go free suddenly. "Ah, blast it." Terrence says, as he misses the target again, "Bloody thing's a nightmare to use..." The door opens, and one of the older leverats, acting as a sort of cadet, scurries in - holding a message. "Sir!" The young hare says with salute. "Ol' sarge said he wanted you to look over this." Terrence raises an eyebrow as he takes the paper, as if to ask for more detail. "Orders for today!" The cadet says, then leaves, his duty done. Orders in paw, the corporal goes over to a bench and sits, adjusting his spectacles, and starts to read. The expression on his face is not one of amusement.

Ewan steps into the room, he slows as he sees the other hare and decides maybe it's not the best time to do any training, maybe some training later would be good.

Terrence looks up from his reading, nodding to the newcomer. "Hello there!" He stands, stretching. "Just one of the beasts I was looking for!" Making his way over to put some of the training equipment away, he adds, over his shoulder, "Don't think there'll be any training need today, mate! Gonna be busy! Just gotta clean all this, and I'll tell you the rest."   
Ewan smiles as he seems glad of no training "A day off? Someone did mention a possible day off but to ask officers in charge about it first of course."   

"Day off?" Terrence asks, incredulous, "Don't make me laugh! Exact opposite, wot!" The hare stands from were he was pacing all the missed stones. "Gonna be doing the real thing, private." He turns, making his way to the door. "Follow me! Ol' sarge'll brief us after we get a few others, wot wot!" One can tell the corporal's excited - as this will be the first time in action for some time.   

Ewan blinks but goes to follow. He will make sure his headfur is kept neat and in order. He also gets his dirk and folows the other hare quickly "Right sur..right away sur" This is likely his first day with any real action and he right away hopes it's not too much action.
   
Terrence looks over his shoulder as he heads down the passage to a meeting room. "Say," he asks, "You happen to know privates Worrik and Dav? The others in our patrol are busy - those two were the ones to sub. Meaning we'll have to work with them." The hare shrugs. "Never met them myself, and was wondering if y'know anything, wot?"   

Ewan shakes his head "I...don't talk to too many sur usually just do the training drills and get a meal, then rest and repeat. I have meet the Lord himself once but he seemed distracted and busy at the time, then he is..well main one in charge of all of us "   
Terrence nods. "Right then. The lord's always busy, by the way - so don't worry 'bout that!" He stops in front of one of the side doors, looking it up and down. "Number 16. Right then! Here we are. Hopefully we aren't late..." The corporal opens the door, stepping inside. "You coming?" He asks as he enters.   

Ewan nods as he enters slowly. Least his uniform is clean and since he didnt do any training yet today its not dirty right now, always good to make a good first impression as he walks in standing tall and stright and at attention, listening closely.
   
The room is occupied. At one end, two younger hares, male and female, sit on a bench. At the other is the sergeant - handlebar mustache recently waxed and wearing his parade uniform, complete with all his medals. He glares at the newcomers with his one good eye, the other hidden or absent under an eyepatch. "You're just on time, wot." He growls. "Getting sloppy on me, corporal?" Terrence freezes, snapping to salute. "No sah!"   

Ewan stays at attention and waits to see what is needed to do. Well so far he is good with paying attention, maybe he has gotten some practice in lately as he waits to see what is going on.
   
"No matter, at ease..." The sergeant looks Ewan up and down, waving him to sit down with the others. "Corporal, with me." He says to Terrence, who goes to stand next to him as the sergeant faces the three hares. "Right then. Any questions before we begin?"   

Ewan sits down and, well he has no questions as his guess is they are answered as they find out what is going to happen and when, even where as he shakes his head no and shows he is ready to listen.   

The other male private, Worrick, smiles at Ewan as he sits, but doesn't say anything. Dav remains looking at the sarge. "No questions? Good." The sergeant says, tapping his side sword. "It seems, up aways in Halyard, there's a few drunk seats causing some trouble." Sargent Laskey begins, eyeing the three. "You - and the corporal here," he gestures to Terrence with a wave of the paw, "'Ave got to go up and put an end to the ruckus before some poor beast gets hurt! It will be bit of policing action, I know, but what can you do? Ol' command wants to keep things on a down low, so they're sending you lot - got the job because it isn't anything big, minor issue. And you can handle that. If we didn't do anything, we could have a riot on our paws, wot!"   

Ewan nods "So..stop some...rats then sur?"   

"Aye. The sergeant nods. "...And another thing," he adds, after a brief pause, "We aren't expecting fighting nor do we /want/ any fighting, so don't attack any beast unless ordered to or attacked first. And you shan't kill anyone unless absolutely required, do I make myself clear?" He gives each beast in the room an equally long look at that. Satisfied that his point was conveyed, he leans back slightly. "Over to you, corporal." Terrence nods, stepping up. "We'll have standard weapons for this," The younger hare says, "Spear, side blade, sling. Won't need much in terms of armor, its not like we're charging into battle, eh?"   

Ewan nods so his dirk should be fine he hopes "Right sur" He says and does his best to stay at attention. The killing part, he seems glad to not have to kill anyone, he rather not really unless of course he has no other choice.
   
The other two privates chorus the same. "Right sah!" The sergeant looks over to Terrence, nodding. "I'll you to it, corporal. Good luck!" "Sah!" He replies, once more snaping to salute - as do the other two hares as Laskey leaves the room.
   
Ewan also saluts and then relaxs "So..I guess off we go?" He sounds a little worried, but then again they weretold its not that bad, a simple in and out right?He is ready to go though, either way and waits for when to go and will follow.   

"To the armory first." Terrence says, as he too starts to exit. "Come on! Haven't got all day!" Worrick starts to follow, but Dav looks over at Ewan. "I'm Dav, by the way - the other one's Worrick."   

Ewan nods "Ewan"He is a little too nervous to give his long name and nods as the ygot to the armory "Wot tis here? I have a dirk sir...."
   
Terrence nods. "Yes, what a fine dirk it is!" He says, going to a rack of spears and tossing one to the other each in turn. "But you still need a spear, and a sling." Dav and Worrick, spears in hand, go about collecting the other weapons needed.   

Ewan nods and manages to catch the spear first try and smiles, he also gets a sling "I am...not good with the sling but will try sur" Spear he knows is fairly simple.   

"Don't worry." Worrick says to him, "Don't have to use. Just standard equipment, mate. We all need to have it." The corporal turns to face them all, ready. "Right then! Got everything?" The two hares nod. "And Ewan, just stick close to me! You'll do fine!" Terrence adds.   
Ewan nods"Right sur" His first mission and he is not excited, should he be? Well he is not right now and thats clear but he is ready to go."I am ready then sur"   

Terrence smiles. "Come along then! Off to Halyard, we are!" He leaves, Worrick and Davs following. They're making their way down the passage to the northern gate within moments.

Ewan follows, he still feels ready as they walk along and it wil be his first time in the city after all. He had planed to go, but on a day off not so much right now but off he goes anyways.   

As the small group step out into the sun, Terrence looks back at them. "What a nice day for it, eh?" It really is. Blue skies, a breeze from the ocean... They start heading north.   

Ewan nods "Sunny days are nice"He smiles as maybe things will be ok after all, what can happen that is bad on a sunny day after all.

After a long walk...
   

Some time later, with the sun lower towards the horizon, the sounds of seagulls can be heard - mixed with the sound of a lively port. As Terrence rises a sand dune, he points. "There she is! Ol' Halyard!" Worrick is wipes his brow saying. "Bloody well hope there's time to get a drink - hotter than I thought..."   

Ewan looks at the view up ahaead "Wow..it looks intresting, not seen a place this..large before sir, usually a boat area...well is like a couple small boats, but..but this is...whoaa" He blinks and takes it all in, he is clearly less worried now and curious of the port now. He nods "A drink would be nice and maybe taste the food ere' too sur"   

Terrence makes a mental note to ask for waterskins as standard equipment. "Water, first." He says, making his way down the dune. "Food can wait till after we deal with the rats!" Worrick sighs, following. Dav just shrugs, calling, "Right!" Then also follows. And stops, as Terrence stops. The corporal turns, looking at each of them. "Y'know what? After we complete the job I'll take you all out here - dinner's on me."
   
Ewan smiles at that idea and nods. He glaces around for where the rat trouble might be and stays alert as he also listens to the others.   
Terrence signals them to move forward. "Dav, Worrick - take the left." As he moves right, he adds, "Ewan, with me!" The two on the left advance into the town, on the far side of the street.   

Ewan nods and thats close as he is told to do so. He starts to lay a paw on his dirk and then remembers its not needed , least right now as he just stays alert for sounds and movement around him. He almsot trips once but quickly stands up stighter before anyone can notice him almost falling.   

The street they entered from is oddly empty. Terrence motions Ewan to follow him as he rounds a corner - but nothing but a few beasts, going about their evening business. Dav and Worrick call over the same from their side. "Hmm... Suppose it'd be further in, eh?" The corporal mutters, glancing at Ewan. "Suppose we can relax, a bit..."
   
Ewan nods but he is still alert as he is unsure. He was always told stories from his brother and father how vermin can be tricky and to never trust one at all. "They are..hiding maybe sur?"   

"No..." Terrence responds, pointing a paw forward. "There they are, I think." Having rounded another corner, the two are confronted with a sizable crowd - surrounding what appears to be a boxing match between searats. Dav and Worrick come up behind the other two hares, nodding to Ewan.   

Ewan nods and watches "They...seem to be fighting one another sur...wot do we do then? He asks quietly.
   
"Break it up, o' course!" Terrence says, stepping out more fully into the street. "OI!" He calls, over the noise of the crowd. "Break it up! Shouldn't have fighting in the streets, y'know, wot!" Some beasts seem to hear him, and some of those do heed his words, recognizing the patrol, and some of the crowd turns to look at the hares. The rats both pause, turning, but one, having just been hit squarely on jaw, slumps to the ground as he does so, out cold.   

Ewan follows the older hare and stops.He stays lert and is ready for anything that may happen. He looks from where he is at the passed out rat and the one keeping an eye on the hares, He stays alert and at attention wating on any other orders on what to do, if anything.   

"Yeah?" One of the bystanders, another searat, calls out. "An' what d'you think y'll do if we don'?" A ferret nearby elbows him, pointing to the now out cold rat. "Oh...eh...Neveh mind... Dang, already out..." Terrence bristles at the initial words, but relaxes. "Don't be fighting in the streets!" He says, realizing how easily things could go south if they - especially he- aren't careful. Dav and Worrick give each other a look.   

Ewan frowns but stays quiet, he is not about to make this worse and he does manage to stay quiet, somehow just barely anyhow but he stays close to the other hares.   

"Okay?" Terrence says again, the whole thing turning into an awkward mess. Some of beast mull about, not knowing what to do. Some, though, like the seat who won the match, makes a rude gesture towards the hares, saying, "We'll d'what we *hiccup* want, y'funny rabbitsh!" The searat clearly is drunk.   

A couple other rats are close to Ewan and chuckle, he spins around as he didn't see the two rats ealier as the rats grin and one says "What ya..longears, ya bunny..hee heee."Ewan starts to speak and just stops himself and looks back to the other rat and then these two rats. Well so far no one is drawing any weapons.   

Speaking of weapons, Terrence and the others do have their spears in paw. Which probably has helped things not utterly go to heck in a hand-basket for he four hares. The searats, though now jeering, are staying a safe distance away. "Any ideas on how to fix this?" Worrick asks quietly, looking nervously at the crowd. Terrence doesn't answer. "We do have the butts of our spears to use as batons, if need be." Dav offers.   

Ewan nods as he almost forgot the spear, he has that and does his best to stay alert"Ummm....so far they are staying away" He says quietly, though one does get brave and ventures closer to the group of hares and his breath is..horrble "Hellllloooooo...bunnnnnyyyyy...heeee heeee....bunnies....."   

Luckily, not all of the beasts gathered are blackout drunk. A ferret, probably a friend of the brave rat, goes to grab at him. "Oi mate, maybe y'shouldn' go afta' them hare's with their spears an' all tha'!" He says, rather franticly. Terrence lowers his spearpoint, aiming the tip towards the advancing rat. He motions the others to do the same. "Oi, stand down, wot! Listen to your friend - don't do something stupid now!"
   
Ewan nods and lowers his spear and stays calm, very calm and quiet least he say something dumb..the rat is pulled back and has a laughing fit and then prceeds to vomit up what ever he had to eat ealier and groans as he drops to his knees. One disadvantage of being drunk and drinking too much, you may well get sick. Ewan frowns but is alert, ever alert as he watches a couple rats decide to leave and head elsewhere, wise rats.   

The ferret grabs at the rat now, turning his nose up in disgust. "Oh, now y'bloody well gone an' done it! ugh....what in hellsgates d'y'eat?!" The smell of the vomit bothers most of the hares as well, but Terrence takes a step back, raising his spear. Far as he can tell, there wasn't any danger to be too terribly worried about.   

Ewan stays alert and coughs a little but manages to not throw up himself as he looks at the rat who is clearly not a danger now and semi- coniousness now."W..Wot not?" He whispers.   

"Come on mate!" The ferret says, rather loudly, trying to make sure the hares hear him, "Lets no' bother th'nice hares with them spears any more, aye?" He offered a paw to the confused rat, at the same time giving a nervous smile - more of grimace, really - to the hares. Terrence nods to him. "You'll take care of the rat, and see to he doesn't get in anymore trouble, wot?"   

The rat is led off as Ewan looks around to make sure no other trouble is around, but he is unsure of weather he can relax yet or not.   

The crowd had more or less broken up at this point, having been robbed of it momentum by the ferret. Sighing, Terrence shakes his head. "Bloody awful handling on my part, wot!" He mutters. Again, the two other hares share a look. "So... Think there's any more of them, sah?" One of them asks. "Not that I can tell, no..." The corporal responds, shrugging.   
Ewan smiles and blinks as his stomach growls and his ears droop "Seems.....stress makes one bally well hungry"He manages a chuckle, well if days are like this training won't be too bad after all.   

Annnd there it is. Terrence's shoulders droop, as he starts to come to terms with the fact he'll be broke by the time the four of them are done eating. "Oh, that's right, didn't ya say you'd pay for dinner 'round here when we were done, sah?" Dav asks, brightening up. "I...did." he responds, after a moment's pause. "Suppose that's...now. Come on, then. Wot."
   
Ewan nods and joyfully follows the hares to the tavern, or where ever they are going to have dinner at. Tonight started a little bad but ended just fine, he was stressed but now he can feel better and relax, and hey get some food and drink also.

~
   
Needless to say, by the end of the night, Terrence was looking at his now rather empty pocketbook, the piles and piles of dishes stacked around him, and the mildly impatient waiter waiting for a tip. Dav and Worrick were on their 4th and 5th drinks, respectively, singing old marching songs together off key with a few of the other patrons of the tavern, and having quite a time of it.   

"BuuuuuUUUUUUUUt the hares of the Long Patrol, my lads,"   
"Muh LADS!"   
"Stout hearts they walk with me,"   
"With ME!"   
"O'er hill an' plain an' back again!"   
"Aaaaaaaaagaaaaaaaain!!!"
   
Ewan chuckles and eats the food he has ordered and enjoy the evening, even tries some ale. Its a good night after all.

Aata, the otter Food Taster (played by Rioko),
Atticus, the ferret Guard (played by me),
Lalia, the otter Chef (played by Rioko),
Jerry, the mouse...patron? (played by me),
And various spoofs by both of us.

"Should've just eaten the bloody mouse, and went on our merry way..."

Sometime ago, back when poor Atticus wasn't unemployed...

The load stone along the road only read, 'Dartania' with an arrow pointing them in the right direction. Or perhaps it was saying Dartania, or even possibly 'DOOM' for all Lalia knew. Even if she read the language, the stone was well worn and covered with moss.
Pausing to wipe sweat from her brow, the otteress glanced up at the trees. Swallowed by the endless jungle path, they walked in the shade but even so the oppressive heat was with them every step of the journey.
The road before them was at least well worn so they were going 'somewhere', but where was a mystery at this point. Even so, Lalia wasn't an otter made for walking and it showed. She was a skinny, sleek creature wearing a white V shaped shirt, decorating herself in many bead bracelets and flowers.
"It's starting to get dark." The otter behind her says, "We should start looking for a place to camp." From the same tribe, Aata had the same light creme color to her fur, but the resemblance ended there. She was taller, and more squarely built.
She also weighed maybe twice as Lalia. She had been just as sleek as the cook when she started the journey as Lalia's body guard, but ever since she took on the role of 'food taster' Aata's frame would have been rotund if not for the cart she pulled behind them. The heavy set beast wore simple cloth wraps about her chest and a loin cloth, along with a fox tooth necklace.

Close behind the two, a mouse - who gives Aata a run for her money in terms of weight - is fanning himself with a large leaf. "I think - I think that's the sign!" Jerry points to the stone, even though he has no idea what it says. He slacked off back in the day when it came to reading worn letters (though to be frank, even if he wouldn't tell a soul, he had trouble with most handwriting!), and he, by now, was more or less living on prayers. Or at least he imagined. "We're going the right way! Come on lads!" He shouts energetically, practically jumping up and down. "Just a little bit further! Really!" In the rear of the small group is a ferret, looking rather aimless. Squinting at the sign, he looks over at Lalia. "Any idea what this says?" Atticus asks, still rather unconvinced by the mouse and his jumping.

"It's our future tomb stone." Aata grumbled, struggling to get the cart out of a rut. "It says, 'here be three idiots who wondered into the jungle, following the advice of a cornfed idiot." With a grunt of effort, the cart came free, causing the pots and pans to clang together. Normally there would be spices and food to put spices in between the cooking tools, but the last of the food was already safely tucked away in their bellies.
If they didn't find a place to restock their supplies, that meager breakfast might be their last cooked meal.
"Oh don't be a buzzkill." Lalia smiled, "I have heard of the legends of Dartania too. A sprawling city where you can find anything and everything, where the very streets are paved with gold. Can you imagine what it would look like if it exists?"
"Key word, IF." Aata snorted. "Like IF this turns out to be a waste of time, I'm turning canabal and throwing the mouse into the stew pot."
"S-she's just joking." Lalia laughed nervously, elbowing her fellow otter in the side. "We will try to find ourselves a clearing, then set up camp." She says to the ferret.

Atticus just meekly nods, the 'buzzkill' of an otter saying pretty much everything on his mind. Though that last bit... the ferret starts eyeing the mouse. The mouse on the other hand, has an utterly horrified look on his face, speechless for a moment. "I...I say!" He clearly doesn't think she's joking. And the way Atticus is looking at him... "Lets go find the clearing, right now? This isn't a waste of time!" He swallows. "An- and if it is a waste of time, miss Aata, I'll make sure to lick one of the poisonous frogs here about so you and HIM," Jerry makes a vague gesture towards the ferret, who really has been considering the idea, with a lick of his lips, "Don't eat me! Or if you do, I’lltakeyouwithme!" The mouse is clearly on edge now, and he seems almost (almost) prepared to follow through with it all.

"There will be no licking of poison frogs." Lalia chastises.
"Yeah, total waste of mouse."
"Or eating Jerry. Just... no."
"But after you did so well fattening him up! He's our emergency rations, right?" Aata doesn't so much laugh as cackle, "Just think. Roasted Mouse-ka-bob. Mhmmmm, getting me hungry just thinking about it. I bet he would taste just like... fox."
"Oh, since when have you ever eaten fox?" 
"No. FOX!" Aata drops the cart, reaching for the spear that is no longer at her side. That's right, it's somewhere in the cart behind her.
The splish splash of paws in the mud give the creatures position away as he comes around the corner. A mud covered vulpine crosses their path, dressed only in... mud. And fur. And a loin cloth. His fur is unkempt and his eyes are heavy with dark rings.
He have waves to the travelers as if this is no big deal for a half dressed fox to be wondering out and about the woods this close to night. "Yo." He says before trying to walk past them.

"HAAAAAAAAGH." With a loud scream as the vulpine appears, the mouse, despite resembling a barrel with feet, leaps gracefully (like a deer) into the cart, loud clangs and a crack as something - a wooden shaft - breaks when he lands. He's a bit jumpy with all this talk being eaten. At this point Jerry's convinced they'll all eat him now. "NO! I REFUSE! I WILL NOT BE DEVOURED TONIGHT! NOT BY FOXES! NOT BY FRIENDS! NEVER!" He calls from inside a rather large pot, "NOR ANY OTHER NIGHT! NOT BY FOXES! NOT BY FRIENDS!" All things considered, the mouse is handling the idea of 'friends' willingly eating him decently, at least. And the fox... The ferret, however, handles himself a little bit better in front of the visiter, though not by much, just staring at the half dress fox as he passes. "Wh-what?" He simply asks, his thoughts of fresh mouse kabobs having been interrupted. "Yo...?" He responds, not quite sure if it's a greeting or not.

The fox doesn't seem inclined to stop and explain. He just keeps walking. "What in the..." Aata reacts next, seemingly unaware that her spear has been broken under the weight of the mouse. "Hold it!" She stomps after the fox, "Just what in the blazes are you doing out here!"
"What an excellent question!" The red furred tod spin on his heel, stepping far too close for the otters comfort. "One I thought would have an obvious answer. I am leaving." He gestures with both paws, "That way. Away from where you are going."
The otter scowls, "Yes... but WHY. And why are you..." She glanced down for a brief moment and shielded her eyes. "Why are you... dressed like a fox."
"Another excellent question, but as they say in Dartania. What happens in Dartania, should never, ever leave Dartania. And given that I am, as you say, dressed like a fox, out here in the wilderness, I would rather spare myself the embarrassment of telling you why."
"W-wait... Dartania actually exists? Is it close by?"
"Right around the corner, my lovely lass, and down the hill."
"That's excellent news! We were almost out of supplies..." She looks at the fox awkwardly, "Do you... need help?"
The fox only laughs, "Not from those foolish enough to be willingly going to Dartania. Thank you, but, no. You couldn't pay me to go back to that cess pool of scum and villainy. My advice, head back the way you came and forget you ever heard the name, Dartania." The fox then turns again, marching off into the jungle they came from.
"Well... that was... interesting..." Lalia chuckles nervously.

"Yeah." Atticus looks over at the cart, tilting his head. "Oi, mate! Looks like we won't have to eat you after all!" He adds, after a moment, "Yet, of course." Jerry, meanwhile, had fallen deathly silent as he realized the implications of were he was hiding - but, at the fox-dressed-like-a-fox's words, he stands up, the pot tipping and falling over off the cart, him still inside. The mouse leaps up and out suddenly, as if nothing happened, giving a roguish smile as he does so. "See? I was right!" He steps fully out of the iron cage that could've been his doom, making his way confidently (surprising, given his outburst) down the path. "Just left of the corner, aye?" The mouse calls over his shoulder, still smiling.

"No good will come of this," Aata grunts with effort, strugling to bend with her girth to retrieve the pot. "I tell you now. No good will come from this. We should just find a river and catch some fish and..." She hesitates by the cart. The pot falls away from her paws.
"MY SPEAR!" She picks up one end, then the other, "B-but how? I placed everything so carefully, h-how did..." The otters eyes blaze with fury. "JerrrrRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYY!"
With surprising agility, she takes off after the mouse, ready to stab the him with both ends of her broken spear.
By the time she catches up though, she comes to a slow stop. Jaw slack, her eyes stare off at the distance. Only a mile away, around the corner and down the hill, towers begin to rise out of the jungle canopy. A port can be seen spreading across the coast line like a plague with more ships than she has seen in her entire life. As she looks closer, she realizes the tops of those towers... are the tops of pyramids...
   
   
"Once upon a time, the lizards of Dartania were a warrior people." The reptile does well to hide the hiss of his accent. His face is obscured by a mask, and his body by a cloak. He spreads his arms wide to the crowd before him. "We were a fierce people, bloodied by wars and strife, carving out an empire for ourselves here in the jungle. But then the beasts of the north came. They came in ships that could carry entire tribes upon them. They came with weapons made from metals that could pierce our finest armor. They came from alien cultures and technology we thought only possible in the wildest stories."
The lizard, clenched his fists, "Faced with this new, unstoppable foe, there was only one option left to us..." Then, with a fierce grin, the reptile spread out his arms. "We embraced them as our own! Welcome one and welcome all! Welcome to... DARTANIA!"
The troop of reptiles to either side of the speaker on the platform, blow fire from their muzzles, wowing the crowd of visitors. Some reptiles begin twirling burning batons.
The only way to describe Dartania is... madness. Pure, madness. If there were walls to the city, they were overtaken by shops and store fronts as beasts built past them. There are no end to the number of beasts here, or type. The streets are wide enough to fit a small house in them, and yet they are crowded by creatures from every part of the world. The calls from merchants fill the air to the point of being smothered. One rat waves the party over as they enter the city, pointing vigerously to the 'Buy one chariot get two slaves FREE' sign above his shop.
It's so much to take in, the sights, the smells, the LIGHTS, all the otters can do is stare at it, dumb founded.
The buildings around them only grow taller the deeper they press in. The inner part of the city appears to be more ancient, with roads ways spiraling around pyramid structures that tower above the tallest castle keep.

The mouse turns as they enter, to face his three companions. "Welcome, my friends," Jerry says, with some bravado, "To the best time of your life!" Honestly, he's just glad they didn't end up eating him. Or stabbing him. "Never will you doubt the words of the great Jerry again, will you now, eh?" He adds, with another roguish grin. "Come! Aata, let me buy you a new, shiny spear! I'm sure there's got to be one 'round here somewhere!And I bet it'll be perfect!" His smile turns to something a bit more nervous, as he looks at the dumbstruck otters. He's actually really rather glad it hadn't come to them eating him... The ferret, as dumbstruck as the others, looks about, a smile spreading on his features. "Well, I'll be! Where too first? Food? Sport?" He spreads his arms out, "WHAT EVER?!" Atticus is excited, as giddy as a schoolboy.

The otters lock arms about the ferret and chorus happily, "WHAT EVER!" They giggle with feral delight as they break away from the party. Aata leaves the cart parked... well, where ever, before breaking out the money box. She splits their hard earned earnings between the chef and herself, before giving the ferret his wages for protecting them this far.
It's a meager sum to be sure, when faced with pure opulence.
"I'll hold you to that," Aata says about the spear. "It would be the responsible thing to find a place to sleep first, then party. Yes, responsible." She says, barely able to hold her own anticipation back. It's all she can do to not dash into the city head first.
Or visit the merchants along the way. There is no space along the road not filled with a merchant stall selling everything from food to armor. On one side of the road, a fox has a stall dedicated to otter hide clothing. Right next to her is an otter selling fox hide vests.
And no one seems disturbed by this in the least. Ah well, thinks Aata, they probably deserved their fate... probably. Maybe.
"Ah screw it. Let's find a place to fill our gullets first, then find out everything there is to do here..."

Atticus is still wide eyed as he looked, and, coins in paw now, makes his way down the main road. "What about food? I hear fresh SEAFOOD might be good by the sea!" He calls, over the din on the bustling street. Jerry just nods - whether to the otter or ferret is anyone's guess. Nevertheless, he makes way slower than the others, having his own private stash of coin, and contemplates for just second getting an otter vest. Just for a second. He decides against it, of course, realizing he would be eaten for sure by the others if the need ever arises again. However, something else does catch his eye. Down a well kept path of the main road is one of of the bigger pyramids. In front of it is a fountain, the golden dolphin atop just below the sign - with letters also in gold - saying, FOOD-GAMBLING-HOTEL over the larger words of KAMBRION AND UXT. The mouse goes to tug at the chef, as she's the only one of their group who he still somewhat trusts to not smack him. "How 'bout there, for a start?"
There's quite the noise coming from inside the large building, enough to be heard over the market outside. Atticus, meanwhile, was being distracted by a group of ferrets and lizards who put a ring of flowers around his neck.

One of the ferrets, dressed in silken ware that northlanders could only call scandalous, fluffs her tail under his nose and winks at him before disappearing into the crowd.
And then Lalia appears, "Atticus, Atticus! You have to come with us! We are going to the big pyramid, the one with the crazy golden fish! Aata-"
"You had me at fish." The glutton otter licks her chops, stepping ahead of them.
The cook, Lalia, goes to grab the ferret by the arm and try to tug him in the direction of the hotel. "You did so well protecting us on the road, the least we can do is buy you dinner!"

The mouse, hearing the offer of a payed meal (not for him of course, but that's only a minor detail) follows the three happily into what will most likely the most eventful night of their lives. Atticus starts to protest them dragging him away, but goes along as well when they offer paying for a meal. And when he sees the whole pyramid, his eyes go wide, like saucers, and he ends up dragging the two otter with him into the dimly lit and smoke filled entry area. The food, if the gold lettering and stuff are anything to go off of, will be amazing. Or amazingly expensive, but he needn't worry about that! "May I help you?" A rabbit dressed smartly in a black tunic asks, eyeing the new comers over with the slightest sneer. "The washroom is that way, by the way." He adds, when he catches a whiff of how they smell.

Aata is suddenly unsure about coming in here. She can smell the expense, "Maybe we-"
"A table for four! A big one! Bring out the feast! We came to eat grub, gamble, and party the night away!"
"L-lalia!"
The otteress only giggles, "We can make up the money later. This place is a merchants dream. So come on Aata, live a little. Let's splurge. Like the tod said... what happens in Dartania... stays in Dartainia."

Atticus winks at Lalia, as the rabbit host leads them into the back. Well dressed creatures of all types can be found, eating, drinking, gambling... Jerry, surprisingly, starts to agree with Aata. This place might put them in the gutter if they aren't careful - but than again, at least for now, he has his money. He might be able to bail one of them out of trouble. Maybe. Maybe if they hadn't 'joked' about eating him he'd be more loose with his money.

The otters can't help but appear as country bumpkins. The fine dresses and garments make Aata very self aware of the fact that she is wearing nothing but cloth wraps and a loin cloth. "Lalia... this place..."
"It's awesome, right!" The giddy otteress breaks from the group, heading to the gambling den. She hops on one foot and the other, glancing at card tables, dice tables, beasts playing odd contraptions. "Oh! What's this?"
"Welcome, traveler." The lizard's well dressed frame does little to hide his slave collar. He gestures to the table before him. "There are five shells here. Guess which one has the pearl and you win back what you bet times two. Would any of you care to try?"

"Oh, the third one, obviously!" Atticus also broke from the group, following Aata down. "I'll bet 20 on it!" A tiny amount compared to the usual fare here, no doubt, but he still wanted to keep some of his earnings. For now, at least. "Eh, shouldn't we eat first before..." Jerry called after them as the two disappear into the crowd. He gives up with a shrug. "Well." He looks back at the remaining otter. "I tried. And I'm hungry now." The mouse says, as he sits down. A lizard waiter comes over, pouring a white-yellowish liquid into the four glasses. "Hello there," She says, looking at those left at the table, "I'll be your waiter for the evening."

The lizard behind the shell game makes a strained hissing noise, like watching someone face plant it on a diving board. "I'm so sorry sir. Better luck next time?" He says, scooping up the twenty coins into a pouch.
"Ouch. Was that... all the money we paid you?" Lalia cringes. "D-don't feel bad. It's not like you can win the jackpot the first go around, right?" She glances around, "M-maybe we can win it back from something else?"
Meanwhile, Aata plants her cushy rump onto a cushy cushion. "Children, right? No sense of priorities. What do you serve here?" She says to the waitress.

"Well, no..." Atticus says, rather surprised at the harsh reality of losing. "Still have...twenty...and some of my savings..." Looking down, the ferret pauses for a moment. Then, with a surprising amount earnestness as he looks up, says, "Again. 20 on 3."  He was going down with his ship, gosh darn it, and no one will stop him! The waitress looks Aata up and down, noting her clothing. "Oh, the usual fare. Lobster, fruit, many types of fish and birds, you know. All there in the menu! Personally, I like the leek and papaya soup, myself. Has the right...constancy." Jerry, who has been looking over the menu up till that last bit, gives Aata a look. They really might be ruined by all this.

The otter shrugs. At least they are not on the menu. As far as she can see. Writing wasn't really big in her village either. "Y-yeah. I'll take that. The fish." Aata gives the lizard a coy smile as if to say, 'yeah, i'm from out of town and have no idea how any of this works.'
The other lizard, has the same coy smile as he shovels the money into his pouch. And then some of Lalia's as she tries to win it back. "It's ok Atticus. See? I lost too. No shame in that. M-maybe we should head back to the table."
"Or perhaps, you should try a different game." The otter makes a startled meep as a creature appears before them. It's another lizard, but one with a frilled neck. "Perhaps you both would rather try a game more suited to your... financial needs." The well dressed lizard does not have a slave colar, Lalia notes. He points to the booth behind them, where another lizard stands behind a large clam filled with pearls. "This is a very easy game. For one small dranarious... er, copper coin. You could win a months wages. All you have to guess is the number of pearls in the clam. Give or take ten pearls of co-"
"Oh! That sounds fun. I guess... hmmmmmm, five hundred and thirty four."
The room comes to a halt. The lizards around them widen their eyes with a mixture of shock... and fear. The frilled reptile's jaw drops in horror.
Unnerved by all this commotion, Lalia nervously shrinks, "Wut?"

To Be Continued...

So, this topic's been on my mind for some time - I think since someone made a comment about technology levels on the muck - and since I've always had an affinity for history (more like obsession honestly), I've put together this sort very (VERY) brief overview of it all, really to give some ideas about Role-playing and what to look into if one wants more inspiration for how certain groups are like (like the LP, the Redwall Order, etc..) outside of the books and the wiki & forums!

First off, I should say that Redwall is not restricted to any one period of time (Early Medieval, High Medieval, etc...). After all, Brian Jacques pulled most of his ideas from people he knew and English folklore; he was making fantasy and not a historical epic (if the all the animals didn't make that clear). However, that doesn't mean that all the items, weapons, clothing or even food he mentions is made up or didn't exist - in fact almost every weapon, armor, or most clothing is real in some form (even if he didn't know of it at the time).

The primary influences that I can tell are:

12-13th Century European Monasticism for Redwall,

Victorian British Military and later (to even the 1940s British Air Force - Brian always said the Hares were based off of RAF pilots - and the Royal Air Force certainly isn't anything close to medieval) For the Long Patrol,

Renaissance to the Pirate Age (~1500s - 1700s more or less) for the boats and any sort of, well, pirating beasts,

And like any sort of actual 'horde' in history from prehistory all the way to the early 19th century (the Cossack rebellions in Russia really being the last sort of thing like that to Europe (and really that was only in Russia)) - everything from the Babylonians to Gallic tribes to the Vikings fit this bill for most vermin.

     As for technology in Redwall the biggest difference I see between our world and theirs (beside the whole no human speaking animal thing) is the lack of beasts of burden. Sure, there's a horse in the first book, but there's also a mention of Portugal, so I would take everything in that book with a grain of salt.
There's no donkeys, cattle, or horses (again besides the first book) - which means there's really no easy way to move heavy things, especially over long distances.
I honestly believe that the most important innovation by humans besides controlling fire and the wheel is the use of beasts of burden.
However, lack of this doesn't mean complete lack of ability to do any real amazing building or having an extremely complex culture - just look at Ancient Egypt or Japan.
But Redwall ain't based of either of those, now is it?
It's mainly European. And Europe for most of its history has had beasts of burden. Removing that innovation could really have any sort of effect on the technology level - even perhaps ending up the way Redwall is. Who knows?

The second biggest difference is the lack of gunpowder.
Gunpowder was used in European combat as early as the 12th century - most arms and armor that we tend to think as utterly separate from gunpowder actually were contemporaries of each other (like for instance the classic image of a knight in full plate atop his horse:

was widely used after the matchlock was invented and adopted on the battlefield:

The effect of this on the world of Redwall is a little less clear and just something I wanted to note...

Now, some common misconceptions about armor:

1. Armor is Extremely heavy.
Well, it is. But in full plate a fit person can easily jump on a horse and do handstands - an extremely fit person can climb walls and run miles. Think about it - if armor restricted your movement anything more than minimum would it be so widely used? No. It was made to fit most of the time, and made to move easily.

2. You can chop through chainmail and its pretty bad in general.
No. Well made Maile is nigh on indestructible to most people. Of course, a well placed lance from horse back or arrow from a longbow (with poundage of more than 100lbs) can pierce it. (Even more so for plate armor - that stuff really is hard to get through. An you can't just cut through any of this stuff. Pretty much basic physics are in play here (there are however examples of Japanese swords cutting through metal but it's almost always sheet metal and a very sharp sword for show- not a specially forged chest piece or a sword that is sharpened that is practical for use in combat).)

3. Padded Armor is Bad Armor.
No. Its actually really useful - and can stop most cuts and stabs (try cutting through 10+ layers of cloth (don't actually do this but you get the idea) in one cut or stab). It's cheap. It's easy to fix. It can help reduce exhaustion (after all other armors are still metal and do still weigh something and that still affects someone after like a day in it). Some form of it was always worn under all the other medieval armors - it stopped blunt force trauma and could ease up the rubbing and chaffing of more poorly fitted armor.

4. Leather Armor was a thing
This isn't really something I see in Redwall as, well... being all animals and stuff... and no livestock and all that, but still is a pet peeve of mine. Just think about how expensive leather was or even is. And how difficult it is mend. And how it offers no protection against blunt force trauma. For prosperity's sake there are some examples of leather armor, but it is so different from what the modern world thinks of its pretty much something completely different.

5. Helmets are Optional
What's the most important part of the body? The head!
What's the easiest way to kill someone? The head!
Helmets are good. Helmets are cool. Remember the Helmets.
(If there's anything besides a weapon needed in a fight, its a helmet.)

Anyway, that's the mental vomit I have on the subject(s).
(honestly my real goal is to get people to start researching and looking into this stuff more and more as it really is fascinating!)

Zolomon, a Hare
John, a Squirrel

A clearing in Mossflower:

Zolomon has spent a lot of time in the woods. He has his longbow beside him as he stays very alert. He slept once and just got lucky no one showed up. Right now he is busy making a couple new arrows from Yew branches.
Up a bit and a little to the left in the branches of a large oak a squirrel lands, rearpaw sliding as he loses his grip. John catches himself with a muttered curse, shifting for better balance. And then he sees the beast - his paw reaches for the slung crossbow, but, as he lifts it up, starting to put a bolt in, he notices the ears. And tail. A hare. The bolt still is loaded in, but John moves over to a branch closer to the clearing. "Don't suppose you work for a lot of murdering slavers, do you?" He calls down, almost seeming to expect a affirmation with the way he's holding the crossbow.

Zolomon glaces up and at the squirrel "I jolly well would hope not chap, if anything I would stick an arrow in one of em' There hurt me best friend  and he's in the infirmary now."

John nods. "Well, I think they killed a few more of them - been finding a lot of blood around." Lowering his weapon, the starts climbing down, but, as he reaches the lower trunk, he slips again - and falls. He role as he lands, so as to not be a complete disaster, and stands up, waving a paw. "That - That was inte- Eh, who am I kidding," he says with a groan and a stretch of his back, "Gotten a bit rusty in the past few seasons!"After a moment of rearranging his gear, he looks over the hare. "And the bodies I found - they had the same badge and cloaks..." He leans back against the trunk, sighing. "I suppose you're part of the defenders, eh?"

Zolomon nods as he holds out a paw " Zolomon Arturo Garrick Anderson IV..at ya service, Archer in de jolly Mossflower Defenders."He does frown "I...heard a couple in our group was saddly slain, but I say we try and make some of the rotters who did it dead instead."

"John MacGarrran, at your's." The squirrel shakes the offered paw, adding, "Well, the Blackrose don't seem all that intent with secrecy and hiding and all that. They seem to like giving a show - probably mean it as a warning." He lets out a grim laugh. "Pack of idiots, it would seem..." He pauses, laughing more genuinely,"So the bird actually made it back to the abbey! Didn't think they would!" John taps his sword, nodding in agreement. "Aye, I say we make use of their blunder soon. Only problem," he adds, with a shrug, "Is that with just the two of us - well, even if I were the greatest warrior and you the greatest archer, I wouldn't like our odds. From what I can tell, the group who did the killing - who are certainly not all of the slavers - had more than four beasts. And if they can spare those numbers, well, it would seem we're in for a fight."

Zolomon frowns "True, and no blooming clue where de base is either, least yet. We know they have tattos on thier arm but thats de only clue so far to ID 'em."

Another chuckle from the squirrel. "Well - might be able to help you in that regard!" John says, nodding to the northeast. "Know how I mentioned they don't seem to care about hiding? Well," he sits now, rummaging in one of his bags, "it makes them pretty easy to follow - for the most part." He seems to have found what he was looking for, pulling out a small map. "Nicked this from the ol' abbey library! Don't know how accurate exactly it is, but it works." He points to River Moss. "Followed the trail here - though I lost it in some marshy area...here." He points to another point along the river, more north than before.

Zolomon looksat the map, "So..close to the river..maybe it seems. We should be careful as the closer we bally well get the more dangerous it becomes."

John says, "Aye. Exactly my thoughts." He rolls up the map. "Before doing anything - we need more able bodied beasts." He stands, looking around. "Don't suppose you know any? We could get some hired help from the town - but we should be careful in who we talk to."

Zolomon asks, "Ferravale? I don't know the only place I go thar is the tavern at times. Would need to be careful whom to ask though and saddly dont know many woodlanders around. The abbey don't have fighting beasts and never did. Thar may be some wandering beasts or maybe a few otters from Camp Willow be willing to help."

John looks up at the last group mentioned. "Camp Willow. Forgot about them!" He looks to the side again, thinking, as he leans back against the trunk. "How are they doing? Weren't they attacked and run out..?" Shaking his head, he says, "As for Ferravale, I know. I used to have some, well, mates back there who helped me in the past - but I don't know what ended up happening to them..."

Zolomon says, "I know Camp Willow was slowly rebuilding after a Viking attack, I have not been thar meself tens to stay by the abbey or training in the training groups at the Defender Base."

"You lot have a base?" John says, with a raised eyebrow. "Is there anyone there who'd help?"
Zolomon nods "South of Ferravale and off a clearing. Thar is always someone thar... Karth may be as he is sort of temparyly in charge, least till Xandy recovers fully."

Tail twitching, John asks, in a slightly irritated tone, "Can you give me some solid numbers? We should do this quickly - before anyone else gets injured, or worse, killed. And if we have too few, we'll be the ones dead."

Zolomon frowns as he tries to think and count off in his head "Umm...we are not a jolly well large group of beasts so I dont have for sure numbers. Oh A small few are helping with guarding the wall tops at the abbey as well."

John asks, "Do you think the abbey could spare them?" He starts to pack up kit, arranging it so as to not get in the way of climbing. "I think I might just stop by Ferravale - see who wants to earn some coin." The squirrel looks at the hare, nodding to him. "I suppose I can meet you at your base - with the help or not- and plan what's next. It'll be safer talking there than here, randomly in the woods, eh?"

Zolomon nods. "Jolly well true thar sir squirrel." He frowns as his stomach growls "And its been a couple hours since I jolly well ate, can't look for and fight vermin on an empty stomach and Ferravale IS closer...to some chow!" He covers his mouth and looks around, luckly no one is around to hear him.

"Though the abbey probably has better - and more." John says, stretching. "You think you could go to the abbey, get some food - and those defenders there?" Rolling his shoulders, he continues, "I'll go over to the town and se what can be done - I have a fair bit of coins. Split up to be quicker, you know?"

Zolomon nods. "Sure can, may take a little while but we can jolly well me at the base." He gives quiet directions and heads to the abbey.

Watching the hare leave, John looks up to the sky. "We really do need all the help we can get..." He mutters to himself, "We can't- /can't/ - have anymore deaths on our paws..."

...

After some time, he shakes his head with a sigh, then straightens up, making his way over to a tree. The squirrel soon climbs up, disappearing north west into the treetops.