History of Camp Willow
<----> History <---->
Camp Willow was founded way back before the Abbey was even built. It aided in the fight against Tsarmina, and helped the abbey on countless occasions. There was a period in more recently history when it started to decline, and when the Skipper went away on a trip to the sea, to help an old friend of his whose life was in great danger, the group was attacked by a horde of vermin. Only the Skipper's son, whom was only 8 seasons old at the time, and his brother, at 7 Seasons old, were left to lead the otters into battle. Outnumbered five to one, they fought against overwhelming odds, and finally emerged victorious; but at a great cost. Over half of the otters had been slain. Those remaining, save a few, left over the seasons. The skipper never returned, and he was assumed to have been killed. His brother soon left and went travelling the lands, but swore that he one day would return to the camp - but never did. The Skippers son became the 'Skipper', though he too eventually left the camp to travel the continent.
After some time, he finally returned, and began scouring Mossflower for otters who would pledge their allegiance to Camp Willow. With work, the Camp started to do well again, with the otters living in relative peace hidden among the reeds that surrounded their home. The Skipper married and had two sons but while away tracking down a fox who'd taken a member of the camp, the Skipper's family were taken and later found to be dead. A short while later he married again, this time to Hallow. Things were reasonably peaceful for a while, and the camp was doing well when Hallow gave birth to a son – so, it was with great surprise that two days later vermin attacked the camp. Many vermin and otters were killed, and though the otters were victorious in driving them out, it was not before the Skipper was killed.
With the Skipper gone the camp decided his wife, Hallow, would be Skipper, to keep the title until the newly born Gaheris was old enough to take over. That remained the status for many years as Hallow grew older and the camp quieter, interfering only when needed or asked but once more though the passing of the Skipper title was bathed in blood. The camp suffered massive losses under an attack by Vikings, most of the fighting force was lost in the first battle. Buildings were burnt down and Hallow was lost, presumed dead. Gaheris escaped with survivors from the camp and lead them to the abbey for help where he learnt of his mother's apparent death and took the name Skipper. Eventually with Redwall's help the camp was retaken and the rebuilding process began.
