Redwall One-off Quest 2

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Now the grandson of Vandal Bloodfur, Undred Bloodfur, rules Kirotr. There has not been a Bonebeak raid since his youth, and the Lord of Kirotr has many winters under his belt. He grooms his son and daughter, Fick and Lisinna, to rule after his passing. The Kirotr army has never been bigger, and threatens to overtax the gentlebeast families of Whitenort. To the northwest are the Snowhare tribes, reclusive but dangerous when provoked, and to the south lies the Rakka Tan Kingdom, a large collection of warrior squirrel clans that have always eyed the Bloodfurs with mistrust.

Castle Kirotr is frozen in a moment of chaos. You feel it, practically walk through it as you pass under the gatehouse. You and your soldiers enter to find the castle grounds full. Gentlebeasts from the river and fields, Kirotr soldiers looking worn from the days fighting, the wildcats in their plate armor. But in the center, surrounded by all these creatures, is Reginald and his trope. The various squirrels, mice, hares and otters are holding tightly to the youngins you and your soldiers rescued from the hoard. Your eyes narrow, the tired wheel of your mind turning.
“What’s going on,” You say, crossing the grounds towards the center. You motion at Reginald. “Why are you holding on to those dibbuns,”
“The children are the foolbands!” Fick yells, stepping forward with a raised fist. The son of Undred Bloodfur now wears a jagged three lines diagonally across his face, from where a Pine Martin clawed him.
You turn to Reginald again. “These are your children?”
Reginald, head raised, nods. “And we thank you for rescuing them,” He says, his voice oddly neutral. You are too tired to process this. Something is wrong, but between the cold morning air and the battle you can’t get your mind to work.
“Commander Blackfur,” Undred Bloodfur says, stepping forward. “This trope’s children were taken by Drakkold the Sly as leverage for their cooperation,” Undred points a claw at a small squirrel child huddled behind its mother’s legs. “They were to work their way inside our castle, earn our trust, and when Drakkold and his hoard arrived they were going to open the gates for them,”
Your eyes find Cass, the ottermaid who was so skillfully performing only a day ago. She meets your gaze. Beside her is a young otter cub, grasping at her hand. “But you didn’t stay in your castle like Drakkold thought you would,” Reginald says. His ears have drooped some. “You took your army out to meet him in battle, surprising the dastardly villian.”
“But had we stayed,” You said, the blood rising in your rattled head. “You would have opened the gates to them,”
“We had too,” Reginald says. You think you catch a hint of pleading in his voice. “He had our children,”
“Commander,” Undred Bloodfur says. “I must bury Tobbi Hackles, among his kin in the catacombs,” Undred turns away, as do most of the wildcats. “I ask that you take care of this,”
The wildcats leave, bearing the wrapped body of Tobbi Hackles on their shoulders. You turn to Reginald and the trope. Your soldiers, almost unconsciously, form a loose circle the trope.
"Please sir," Reginald says, doing his best to keep his chine up. "We did it for our children,"

>Punish the trope, be it lightly or....most severely
>Be merciful

old thread >>1682654

>>1697443
>Punish the Troupe, exile them from the lands with only what they came with. No food, no water.
We have shown a willingness to defend the gentlebeasts, now we must show the consequences of betrayal.

>>1697453
I'm going with this.

I'd want to be merciful, but there must be consequences. At least they have their children.

>>1697453

This. They've got to be punished somehow, if only because they put the beasts under our protection in danger.

Remember our soldiers families were in the castle as well as the gentlebeasts, they would have been under attack by the bastard should we have stayed and the fools opened the gates.

That being said the fucker did have their kids. So at least they motive was an understandable one.

We'll be lenient, but a price must be paid.

>>1697453
yeah, mercy, but they have to leave. They have their children and their lives. I understand where theyre coming from, but this is our home.

>>1697453
>>1697456
>>1697468
>>1697479

"Millhouse Mossflower Trope," You say through gritted teeth. "Lord Undred Bloodfur invited you into his home, gave you food and drink, and sheltered you from the Whitenort winds. You accepted these gifts with deceit in your hearts, and repaid him with betrayal." You raise your voice, and as you do your soldiers lift their heads. "I hereby banish you and your kin from Whitenort for the rest of your lives and that of your children's! You will leave these walls with whatever you brought with you, not stopping until you have passed where we first found you!"
The trope stands huddled in the center of the parade grounds. Your edict hangs in the chilled air. Finally, Reginald gives a slow nod. "We'll.....we'll be leaving then,"
You turn to Snaggletooth. "Take a score of vermin and escort them," You scan the soldiers and find Captain Sliteye. "Captain," You call to him. "Come sunrise, I want patrols sweeping east of the river for Drakkold!" The stoat nods. "None of the gentlebeast are to return to their homes until we have ensured the lands south are safe,"
You turn away from the parade grounds. Behind you, you hear the trope gathering their things, and the creaking of carts as said things are placed in them. You take several paces and pause, a sudden weariness overcoming you. You hear a shout and turn.
There are figures moving through the gatehouse. You recognize the colors, they're Kirotr soldiers. A minute later you spot Pan the bowfox at the front of the group. He sees you and trots over, throwing a thumb back at the trope.
"What's going on here commander?"
"Nevermind that," You say. "Where have you been?"
Pan scratches his snout, giving a small, defeated grin. "We got more then we bargained for, encountered two score of the hoard heading north. We did our best to pick them off and keep them distracted, but after about six hours they were joined by more vermin fleeing," Pan gives you a nod. "I assume we won the battle,"
"We did," You say, looking around at the parade grounds. The trope is now leaving, and the soldiers in the yard are starting to group off and head to the barracks.
"I saw him," Pan says. Your attention snaps back to him.
"Saw who," You say.
"Drakkold, he was with the fleeing vermin. There's about sixty of them left out there, somewhere around the Whitenort wood."
"How do you know it was him?" You say.
"Had to be, best dressed fox I've ever seen,"
You nod, then put a paw to your forehead.

>Lead soldiers out immediately to hunt down Drakkold
>Visit the catacombs where the other wildcats are burying Tobbi Hackles
>Retire to your chambers, get some sleep
>Other

>>1697491
>>Visit the catacombs where the other wildcats are burying Tobbi Hackles

Pay respects to the dead and give our Leader the info.

He needs to hear this ASAP before we make our next move.

>>1697439
Otters were so fuckin badass, 10/10 book

>>1697491
Wait til the other wildcats are done in tje catacombs and tell them what was found. Send out a small (rested) scouting party to keep track of them. Hope we can catch an hour or two in the sack, if not, get ready to start tracking.

>>1697492
This. Even if Undred seems more sane than most Wildcat Warlords, he won't appreciate us doing too much without him knowing. We don't want him to think we are trying to undermine him.

>>1697491
>Visit the Catacombs

m8, you should make this a permanent quest! It's so great

>>1697492
>>1697496
>>1697498
>>1697505

"Get some rest," You say, turning away from Pan, you take a step, hesitating. You turn your head slightly. "Good work today Pan,"
"Thank you commander, and congratulations on your victory,"
The two of you part ways, a wildcat commander walking towards the keep, and a bowfox walking towards the barracks. Your footfalls are muted in the snow that litters the ground. You watch your paws sink into the white, until you reach a large, wooden door in the side of the keep wall. It is ajar.
You enter into darkness. It takes a moment for your eyes to adjust, and ahead you spot torches. You descend a staircase, one paw on the stone for support. You leave the bottom steps into a long hallway with lit burners lining the wall. At the end are the wildcats holding up torches, circled around a stone box. You cross the hall, passing other stone boxes lying on shelves carved into the earth. You reach the wildcats. Some look up at you. Undred Bloodfur meets your eyes and nods. Fick sees you too, but then turns back to the stone box. You look down. Resting inside is Tobbi Hackles, in his armor and clutching his trident. His eyes have been closed. At the head of the box is Seredge Hackles, Tobbi's brother. No emotion is on his face. He stares down at his dead kin, as if staring past him to some far off place.
Undred Bloodfur clears his throat. "Tobbi Hackles, son of Segorri Hackles, son of Quickhackles, as you served Kirotr and your lord in life, and died most willingly in battle, I send you, with your lord's blessing, to the hereafter. May you hold your head high in the lands of eternal summer, for you died a good death,"
"He died a good death," You and the wildcats say in unison. Kettum Snowfury, Eriff and Ullaysee Feathertaker, and Fick Bloodfur lift a large, stone lid, sliding it over the box. Seredge Hackles watches, his face still impassive, his eyes still seeing something beyond the box.
The lid is moved into place. Most of the wildcats leave. You stand to the side. Undred and Lisinna Bloodfur stand next to the box, as does Seredge. Finally Undred comes over to you.
"Commander," He says, his voice low and respectful.
"My lord,"
"What of the trope," Undred says. Your lord looks tired, and old. You had never thought him old, but here, in the catacombs and bathed in torchlight, you see the lines of experience carved too deeply in his face.
"Exile," You say simply. Undred nods. "My lord," You say. "A scouting party has found Drakkold,"
"Eh?" Undred says, looking at you.
"He's near Whitenort wood, him and about sixty of his hoard,"
Undred smiles ever so slightly. "Hm, that can wait until morning. Have guards on the walls, but if he's near the forest, he'll have other things to worry about. You can send out some of the army come morning." Undred pats you on the shoulder, then moves past you towards the stairs. "Get some sleep Commander," Undred says. "We all need it after today,"

You watch Undred go, then turn back once more to the stone box. Lisinna Bloodfur stands on one side, and Seredge Hackles stands where he has stood this whole time, gazing down at the lid.

>Approach Lisinna Bloodfur
>Approach Seredge Hackles
>Leave, get some rest

>>1697561
>Approach Lisinna Bloodfur

>>1697561
>>Approach Lisinna Bloodfur

A part of me wants to approach Seredge, but I don't think he'd appreciate our presence right now.

We'll leave him to grieve, but we can at least get someone's take on the situation.

>>1697565
This. We know her brother is a drunk bloodhungry idiot, but what about her?

>>1697565
>>1697570
>>1697573

You approach Lisinna Bloodfur, coming up next to her. You stand side by side, staring down at the stone box. After a bit you see her paw from the corner of your eye. She's motioning you to follow her. You take one last look at Sedredge Hackles, then turn away. The two of you begin walking down the long catacomb.
"Blackfur," She says in greeting once you two are respectable distance.
"Lady Bloodfur," You say.
"Lisinna," She says. "Or how will I feel comfortable calling you Blackfur?" You nod, and continuing walking with her. "We have not spoken in a time," Lisinna says.
"It has been a busy week," You say.
"I want to congratulate you on the battle. I hear you led our forces admirably,"
"Thank you Lad- Lisinna," She smiles slightly as she walks, staring ahead. "And what did you do with the trope?"
"They are exiled,"
"Very good," Lisinna says. You reach the staircase. Undred's daughter begins ascending, you behind her.
"How was the defense of Kirotr?" You say.
"The gentlebeasts looked strange armed with spears," Lisinna says. "But they seemed ready to defend their kin. I could ask for no better a force given the circumstances,"
"Hmm," You say, doing your best not to smile at the thought of Tom Billows holding a weapon. You both reach the top, exiting into the parade grounds. The sun is rising, it's light streaming oranges and yellows over Kirotr's walls. Lisinna stops, then turns to you.
"Blackfur, can I ask you for something personal? A favor?"
"Speak freely my lady,"
"I worry," Lisinna says. "About Fick. I have noticed as late that he is growing worse in his demeanor and tempers. Can I ask you to watch over my brother? Can you make me this promise?"

>Promise her you'll watch over Fick
>Decline, Fick is his own cat and the heir apparent

>>1697646
>>Promise her you'll watch over Fick

Why not, we already are. Besides we're just being his right-hand man, same as his dad's. Not like we're trying to usurp the position or anything.

>>1697646
>Promise her you'll watch over Fick

Do what we can, but dude seems kinda volatile. Might take something big to knock some sense into him to cut back on the drink amd all that.

>>1697646
>>Promise her you'll watch over Fick

>>1697646
>Promise her you'll watch over Fick.
Maybe we can stop some of his more erratic behaviour

>>1697652
>>1697657
>>1697663
>>1697666

"I promise," You say, nodding. "I will watch over him as best I am able," Lisinna stares at you for a beat.
"Thank you, Blackfur," She says, tension leaving her shoulders. She seems so weary in front of you, wrapped in a great cloak specked with mud. "I bid you a good night Commander," She says. "I'd like to visit the river some time with you, like when we were kids. Perhaps we'll convince Fick to join us,"
"I'd like that very much, my lady,"
Lisinna turns and leaves, heading back to the keep. You watch her go until she disappears through the door, then follow yourself. Once in your chambers you fall to your bed, and oblivion overcomes you.

>The Next Morning
You rouse yourself groggily from your bed. You slip on your tunic and chainmail without summoning Selia the ratmaid. After affixing your helm, you stare at yourself in a smudged mirror leaning against your wash basin. Your black fur stands out in stark contrast to the colors of Kirotr adorning your tunic. You buckle your sword belt, then leave.
Waiting in the yard is Captain Sliteye. "Captain," You say, approaching him. "Do we have a casualty report yet?"
"Yes commander," He says.

-Records Scroll-
Kirtor Forces

Rats (38)
Stoats (29)
Weasels (30)
Ferrets (33)
Foxes (5)

"Hm," You say. "What about the greens,"
The greens were the names of the children of the Kirtor soldiers. It was a crass name, indicating the children's future as warriors. It stuck however, and was widely used without menace.
"There are twenty vermin's on the cusp of reaching the proper age," Sliteye says. "We can start training them today,"
"Do it," You say. "Get them to the armory,"
"Yessir," Sliteye says. "Which uh, while we're at it commander, we had many broken spears on the battlefield. We may need to go the Blackpaws to have them forge some more spearpoints,"
"I see," You say. "And we'll need to talk to the Booros about more arrows. Has the south been swept yet?"
"No sign of any vermin," Sliteye says.
"Begin escorting the families back to their homes," You say. You turn around in the parade grounds, taking in the sights. It is time to plan your next steps for the day.

>Accompany ____ soldiers east across the river to hunt Drakkold
>Send _____ soldiers east across the river to hunt Drakkold
>Leave Drakkold be for now, other
>Go talk to the Borros and the Blackpaws about more weapons
>Other

>>1697700
>Accompany 100 soldiers east across the river to hunt Drakkold
We lead from the front, and we need to make sure this matter is settled. We can go and talk with the Badgers later, but a vermin horde needs to be crushed, not simply put to flight.

>>1697700
>Send _____ soldiers east across the river to hunt Drakkold

At least 1/3 of his number, 20+ so they can harrass and track.

then we should
>Go talk to the Borros and the Blackpaws about more weapons

and maybe try to keep Fick with us for part of it?

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Quick break for some errands, resuming in an hour or so to address answers

>>1697713
Supporting

We need to crush Drakkold. As his horde gets smaller, he can easily slip between our patrols and attack our denizens.

>>1697711
Supporting.

Hunt him down.

>>1697700
>Go talk to the Borros and the Blackpaws about more weapons

>>1697711
>>1697700
He needs to be dealt with- permanently

>>1697711
>>1697713
>>1697722
>>1697757
>>1697760
>>1697834

You find Pan in the barracks with Snaggletooth. They sit together at a table, and you're reminded that the rat brothers perished in the fighting. They see you approach, and Snaggletooth stands.
"Commander," He says. Pan nods at you.
"Get me one hundred soldiers and two captains," You pause. Four captains were slain in the battle. With the reduced soldiers you'll need to promote two new ones. There are already soldiers in line for promotion, but perhaps Pan and Snaggletooth should be promoted as well.

>Promote Pan
>Promote Snaggletooth
>Promote both to captain
>Leave it be, there are other soldiers in line first

You head back to the keep, informing Lord Undred of your plans. As you walk out of the inner keep and cross the great hall, you encounter Fick sitting alone at a table. He clutches a mug in one hand. You can smell it when you approach, slog.
"Fick," You say, coming up to him. He looks up at you from his mug.
"Blackfur,"
"How're you doing?" You say, taking a seat across from him.
He gives a half smile, motioning vaguely at his face scars. "What do you think, am I handsome now?"
"You're a true Bloodfur now," You say.
"Oh?" Fick drains his mug and slams it on the table. "Was there ever any doubt?"
"Come now," You, rapping lightly on the table. "You know what I meant. It's a good scar,"
"So I thought last night," Fick says. He moves to itch his face, but thinks better of it. "It's been itching like fire all morning."
"Don't don't it," You warn.
"Yeah yeah, that's what the weaselmaid said too." Fick looks at you. "What are you about to do?"
"Hunt down Drakkold east of the river," You say. "You want to come?"
Fick thinks for a minute, staring at his empty mug. "Yeah," He finally says. "Let me go get my trident and armor."
One hundred soldiers are gathered in the parade grounds when you emerge from the keep with Fick. There's a hard glint in their eyes. A glint that is only present after the harshness of life has been witnessed. You find captain Sliteye.
"Let's go," You say.
"Company!" Sliteye yells. "Move out!"
Your soldiers leave Kirotr and cross the river. On the other side, you cut through the country and past the knots of trees that dot the land. The snow is melting now, clumps of grass and pine poking through the white. The boots of you and your soldiers are quickly dampened.
After some time your forward scout spots a figure. It's moving slowly, bobbing side to side. As you approach you finally get a good glimpse; a single ferret wanders in the snow. He is dressed as the other vermin in the hoard were. A mace hangs from his paw, only kept there by a leather band tied around his wrist.
"Sir?" Snaggletooth says beside you.
"Could be a trap." You say. "Fan out, keep your eyes peeled."

The ferret continues to approach. As he nears the first line of soldiers he doesn't slow, but continues on at his normal pace, as if the soldiers are not even present. When he threatens to walk into a spear, you shout out to him.
"Stop!” He does, albeit slowly. He seems to finally see you and your soldiers, looking around at you as if you popped up from the earth. “Are you with Drakkold’s hoard?” You say. The ferret doesn’t respond, simply standing there staring at you.
“Where is Drakkold!” Fick says, storming towards the ferret with his trident. The vermin is unfazed. “Where is he!” Fick makes to raise his trident, but stops when the ferret points. The lone hoard member is pointing back in the direction he came, east.
“Let’s go,” You say.
“What about the ferret?” Captain Sliteye says.
“Leave him,” You say. A strange feeling rises in the pit of your stomach. A feeling of unease. “Soldiers, forward!” Captain Sliteye repeats the command, and your soldiers continue marching.
“I should have stuck him,” Fick says, walking beside you and resting his trident on his shoulder.
You crest a smell hill just as the wind is picking up. It hits you and ever soldiers at the same time; the smell of death. On top of the hill you look out. The Whitenort woods lies ahead. In the snow leading up to the treeline are streaks of blood and matted fur. Weapons and clothing is strewn about. The bloodtrails all lead to the edge of the wood, where a large pile of bones is gathered. Ribcages, femurs, limbs and skulls. At the top rests the skull of a fox, with fur still stuck to its stark-white bone.
“Spirits of the wind,” One of the soldiers murmur. You stare, stuck where you stand. The other soldiers might not recognize, but you’d heard enough of the stories from Undred Bloodfur in your youth. Before you is a war alter, belonging to the Bonebeak tribe. Fick recognizes it too.
“Crows!” He shouts, descending the hill. “Crows tore Drakkold and his vermin to pieces!” He lets out a laugh, practically hopping from the different streaks of blood lining the snow. “Whitenort has passed judgement!”
“Fick!” You yell. “Get back here!” You and the rest of the soldiers stand atop the hill, watching as the wildcat continues his dance.
“Nay brother!” Fick says. He stands in the bloodied snow and opens his arms to the heavens. “This is our chance! Let us take the soldiers into the woods and hunt the scourge of our kin! We will become legend!”

>Take the soldiers into the woods, hunt the crows
>Return to Kirotr
>Other

>>1697963
>Return to Kirotr, let Fick hunt down the ferret so he doesn't go chasing crows
These crows tore 60 injured vermin apart, and we are not prepared for Crows, especially inside the woods, on their home turf. Throw the Ferret at Fick to stop him from dying.

>>1697960
>Leave it be, promote other soldiers
Let's keep our right-hand men close still.
>>1697963
>Return to Kirotr
We just fought a large battle, no need to rush straight into another.

>>1697998
agree with this.

>>1697981
>>1697998
>>1698032

"Fick!" You yell. "We're leaving!"
"What?" Fick says. He points his trident at the woods "And pass up this opportunity to rid these lands of our ancestral enemy?"
You descend the hill, doing your best to move purposefully and not sprint. The hairs on the back of your neck are on end, you do not want to stay a moment longer here.
"Fick," You say, speaking in a hushed voice when you get up to him. "We need to leave, now. We cannot afford to go against the bonebeak kingdom right now. We nearly lost eighty vermin in the last battle, and can only replace twenty of them at that! We have to go back to Kirotr!"
Fick puts a paw to your shoulder. "Brother, where is your sense of glory? Your honor? Would not our grandfather have charged his soldiers into these woods to turn the snows red?"
"Perhaps," You say, gritting your teeth. "But he would have done it with more then a hundred, and all the wildcats, not just two,"
Fick stares at you, then smirks. "You're scared, aren't you Blackfur?"
"That fact that you aren't is either foolishness or drunkenness," You say.
"Bah," Fick says, waving idly in the air. "I fear no beast, be it adorned in fur or feather,"
You turn from him and begin walking back. "Come Fick, I'd very much like to see you stick that ferret if we come across him again. A pint says you can't line him up shoulder to shoulder, one in the throat,"
"Don't patronize me," Fick says, following you. "I bet you that knife of mine that you always liked I can do it, and if I win I want that gold carved bird you keep in your chambers,"
"That was a gift from," You don't finish, continuing to walk instead. On top of the hill you signal Captain Sliteye.
"Soldiers, move out!" Sliteye says, pointing his spear back towards Kirotr. Just as your group leaves the hill, you hear the sound of distant cawing, and the beating of many wings. It's coming from deep within the woods.
"Soldiers!" You yell. "Double time!"
They don't need to be told twice, trotting back west away from the Whitenort wood. You can't help but glance over your shoulder as you run trot alongside them. Others do the same. Finally the river appears, and the soldiers hasten to cross it.
"Commander Blackfur and company!" Shouts the gate-gaurd. You pass under the gatehouse and into the Kirotr yard.
"We should call a war council!" Fick says, passing his trident to a nearby servant. "Once we report to Undgred, we'll gather the army and move out!"

>Report to Ungred, call a war council to strike back at the woods
>Report to Ungred, then visit the Blackpaws about weapons
>Stay in Kirotr with all the soldiers, make the rounds
>Go out with some soldiers to the farmlands, check on the gentlebeasts

>>1698163
>Report to Ungred, then visit the Blackpaws about weapons

Not sure we are strong enough for the crows, tbeyre probably best left alone for now. We should focus on getting our force's strength back.

>>1698163
>Report to Ungred, then visit the Blackpaws about weapons

>>1698175
Agree with this. The Crows can't really attack us without us getting plenty of warning, and they loose their advantage outside of the woods.

Also, go alone to the Blackpaws. Badgers won't be intimidated by a few soldiers with weapons drawn.

>>1698163
>>Report to Ungred, then visit the Blackpaws about weapons

If we're going to be fighting crows then we need the weapons to do so.

>>1698163
>>Report to Ungred, then visit the Blackpaws about weapons

>>1698163
>Report to Ungred, then visit the Blackpaws about weapons

We can think about war when we solve our potential weapons shortage.

Also getting more Bows so we can train the greens in archery would be good, especially if the Crows are the next big threat

Well y'all, it finally happened. Ol' faithful, my prize computer of many years, has died a tragic death. Redwall quest will be taking a hiatus until the gods see fit to bless me with the money needed to buy a sick new gaming station. I'll advertise my return in the quest quest thread, or maybe get a Twitter I dunno

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>>1700874

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>>1700874

I will be waiting good sir.

Until then I shall sit in this corner and weep inconsolably.

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>>1700874
Fuck.

Do both if you can. I'm sorry to hear about your computer.

>>1700874
Well, shit, that really sucks. I hope ypu get the spare finances soon!

>>1700874
Come back soon, this was a lot of fun
Did you make a twitter?

search for @lopofthewoods on twitter and I'll update you on when I'm questing again.