Redwall Champion
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In the Redwall book series by Brian Jacques, there are a number of characters who serve as Champion of Redwall Abbey. These characters often serve as the chief protagonists of the book.
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[edit] Martin the Warrior
- See main article.
(Martin the Warrior, Mossflower, Luke the Warrior)
[edit] Dandin the Sword Carrier
A descendant of Gonff the Mousethief, Dandin grew up in Redwall Abbey. Like his ancestor, he was rather rebellious, but also good-natured. Due to his prestigious lineage, he was very interested in battles and fighting. However, it seemed as though he would never get a chance to prove himself.
Dandin's adventures began upon the arrival of Mariel Gullwhacker at Redwall. Dandin became good friends with the young mousemaid, and wanted to join her in her quest against Gabool the Wild. However, he was forbidden to go by the elders of the Abbey. Unbeknownst to them, the spirit of Martin the Warrior had other plans, entrusting Dandin with the Sword of Martin.
Dandin journeyed with Mariel and other companions to Terramort, where he led the Trag resistance alongside Mariel, her father Joseph the Bellmaker, and the Badger Lord of Salamandastron, Rawnblade Widestripe. They then brought Joseph's masterpiece, the Joseph Bell, to Redwall. Dandin surrendered Martin's sword, and then departed with Mariel for the south.
Whilst in the south, Dandin and Mariel worked together with other warriors to battle the evil Urgan Nagru. They were briefly held prisoner, but then liberated. They continued to do battle in the kingdom of Southsward until the threat of Foxwolf was ended by Finnbarr Galedeep. Dandin returned to Redwall for a time, then set off again with Mariel for parts unknown. His final fate is a mystery, but it is likely that he continued having adventures with Mariel and maybe even started a family with her.
Dandin's weapons consisted of the Sword of Martin and various daggers and slings.
[edit] Samkim
Samkin is a young squirrel archer who appears in the book Salamandastron. He leaves Redwall Abbey after he almost killed Brother Hall. He sets off with Arula and ends up at Salamandastrom fighting Ferahgo the Assassin's hordes.
Weapons: Bow and Arrow. Sword of Martin
[edit] Matthias
Matthias is a young mouse who became a hero when he took up arms against the evil rat Cluny the Scourge, using the legendary Sword of Martin the Warrior. He is married to Cornflower Fieldmouse, a descendant of Gonff the Mousethief, a close friend of Martin the Warrior. He is also the father of Mattimeo and grandfather of Martin the Second.
Matthias is not known to have ever lived with his family; however, filmmakers adapting his story have accused Cluny the Scourge of killing Matthias' parents and driving an older sister to her death. Of what tribe Matthias comes is also unclear. Abbot Mortimer, one of his mentors, makes comment to the effect that he (Matthias) is a Woodmouse.
Another mentor was one Brother Methuselah, an elder of Redwall who served as gatekeeper and as a historian. It was Methuselah who taught Abbey School and revealed the location of the Sparra (sparrow) colony that later became known as Warbeak Loft in honor of its youngest Queen, who was a contemporary and friend to Matthias.
Matthias also appears in the book Mattimeo. When he learns that the children of Redwall had been kidnapped by the evil fox, Slagar, he sets out to find them with few of his companions. Among these was the badger warrior Orlando the Axe.
Matthias was a skilled warrior, who wielded the Sword of Martin as his main weapon. He also used a sling and, before obtaining the sword, a stave and dagger.
He eventually died of old age and his position was passed on to his son Mattimeo who in turn passed it on to Martin the Second.
[edit] Mattimeo
Mattimeo (which is an abbreviation of his full name, Matthias Methuselah Mortimer) is the son of Matthias, and as such is expected to take up the Sword of Martin and fill the shoes of both his father and Martin the Warrior. However, Mattimeo was always misbehaving, and often got into fights with a young rat staying at the Abbey named Vitch. This caused friction between Mattimeo and his elders, though Mattimeo tried to behave.
Mattimeo was later kidnapped, along with several other young Redwallers, by the evil Slagar. The fox, seeking vengeance on Matthias and to procure slaves for his employer, took Mattimeo captive and told him his version of events that led to his horrible disfiguration. Whilst traveling south with the slave band, Mattimeo became good friends with Auma, daughter of Orlando the Axe.
During the journey, Mattimeo changed from the spoiled brat he had been into a true warrior, ready to do anything to help his friends. This showed as he vowed to kill Slagar, and encouraged the less hardy captives. Mattimeo later fought alongside his friends and father against the evil armies of Malkariss. They triumphed, and returned to Redwall. Some seasons later, Mattimeo became Champion of Redwall and married his childhood friend Tess Churchmouse, and they named their son Martin the Second.
[edit] Martin the Second
Born the son of Mattimeo and Tess Churchmouse, grandson of Matthias the Warrior, Martin the Second was named for the first great warrior of Redwall. A tall, kindly mouse, Martin is a friend to all residents of Redwall Abbey. He spent many years honing his skills by aiding local woodlanders, including helping the Guosim shrews fend off robber foxes.
Martin later journeyed to do battle with Ublaz Mad-Eyes, the pine marten emperor who sought the Tears of All Oceans. Ublaz's troops had made the major mistake of kidnapping Redwall's Abbot, and Martin came hot on their heels with a group of companions. He engaged Ublaz to a mortal duel, and soundly defeated him. Upon returning home, Martin swore fealty to Redwall's new Abbess, Tansy.
Like his namesake, Martin the Second never married or had children. He presumably died of old age, and his position was passed down to Arven the squirrel.
[edit] Arven
Originally a Dibbun at Redwall Abbey, Arven was a friend to Abbess Tansy. One of the various troublemaking youngsters Redwall has seen over the years, Arven proved both a hindrance and a help in the search for the Tears of All Oceans.
Many seasons later, Arven succeeded Martin the Second as Abbey Warrior. A skilled fighter, he aided the Long Patrol led by Cregga Rose Eyes as they did battle with the Rapscallions under Damug Warfang.
As Abbey champion, Arven wielded the Sword of Martin in battle. Being a squirrel, he was a proficient climber. He was a kind personality, always trying to cheer up those who were unhappy, for example Pasque Valerian before the battle at the climax of The Long Patrol.
After Tansy went on to her rest, Arven took up the position of Abbot. However, he only reigned for three seasons before dying after a hard winter. During his brief term, he befriended fellow squirrel warrior Rusvul, the father of Dannflor Reguba.
[edit] Dannflor Reguba
Dannflor, or Dann as he prefers to go by, has the full name of Dannflower, though his father wanted to call him Dannblood. Dann lived in Mossflower Wood with his parents, until his mother died. His father Rusvul took Dann to live at Redwall Abbey. Rusvul always encouraged Dann, reminding him of his name of Reguba, the name of a great squirrel warrior. However, Dann never considered himself a warrior because he had never fought in battle.
Dann's uncertainty came to an end with the arrival of the Marlfoxes. One of three young creatures assigned to sentry duty, (the others being Songbreeze, or just Song, as well as a young shrew named Dippler), Dann was knocked unconscious by a band of Marlfoxes, who also killed an old owl (Nutwing) Abbey resident and stole the tapestry of Martin the Warrior. Upon regaining consciousness, Dann was yelled at by his father, who claimed that Dann had disgraced the Reguba name. Dann and his friends, eager to make up for their mistake, and Dann trying to prove himself to his father, set out after the Marlfoxes to reclaim the tapestry.
Traveling to the island of the Marlfoxes, Dann proved himself many times over as a warrior. He fought with a fury rivaling the Bloodwrath of the Badger Lords, overcoming every foe he fought against. Finally, he and his companions defeated the Marlfoxes and brought the tapestry home. Rusvul, repentant, apologized to his son. Badger Mother Cregga Rose Eyes then appointed Dann Abbey Warrior.
Dann's chosen weapon, initially borrowed, was the Sword of Martin.
[edit] Deyna
Deyna was born in Redwall Abbey, with a flower birthmark on his paw. The young infant was taken by his father Rillflag to a ford in otter tradition, to have his back touched by running water. Tragedy struck, as Deyna's brave father died and the young otter was abducted by the forces of the Juskarath.
According to Juska legend, Deyna's birthmark indicated him as a legendary warrior known as the Taggerung. With unmatched speed, strength, and skill, the Taggerung would bring glory to the Juska. Thus, Deyna was adopted into the Juskarath, given the tattoo of the tribe, and renamed Zann Juskarath Taggerung, Tagg for short.
For fifteen seasons Tagg was raised by the vermin horde. However, despite his deadly skill, he never took the life of anyone. This angered the tribe leader, Sawney Rath (Tagg's adoptive father), causing Tagg to run off with his adoptive father's dagger. Traveling towards the mountains, he came upon a brave harvest mouse named Nimbalo the Slayer. The two became friends, and shared many adventures. However, their good times came to an end when a pack of Juska caught up with them, only to be driven off. Seeking vengeance for injured and slain friends, the duo pursued.
While chasing his adversaries, Tagg dreamed of Martin the Warrior and Redwall. He saw the faces of his father, mother, and sister from out of the past. Martin constantly repeated his old name to him, but Tagg thought the mouse was introducing himself. Later, after interrogating a Juska, he learned the truth. Seeking Redwall, right along the path of the vermin, the two became captured.
Locked in the cellars of Redwall, Tagg told his story to several Abbey beasts. When he heard that Nimbalo had been captured, he begged release. His wish granted, he took up the sword of Martin the Warrior, inadvertently bumping into his mother on the way out. Attacking with all his might, Tagg slew two Juska, but suffered a bad wound from an arrow.
With the Redwallers unable to do anything for him, Skipper of Otters took Tagg to see an old otter healer, Rukky Garge. She was successful, and even removed the birthmark and tattoos. Taggerung disappeared, replaced by Deyna, now Warrior of Redwall and wielder of the Sword of Martin. He came home to the Abbey, just in time to help defend it from the vermin hordes. However, he was not forced to harm anybeast, as the Long Patrol, led by Russano the Wise, appeared.
Russano faced down the current Juska leader, a golden fox named Ruggan Bor, who surrendered peacefully. Russano told him that the Juska tribe, now called the Juskabor (the Juska tribes had a tradition of always assuming the name of their current leader), must go back to where they came from and never return to Redwall or Mossflower again; the Juska turned and left. The Long Patrol told the Juska they must travel on all fours until sundown; they'd be following them to make sure they did. The Juska obeyed, leaving peacefully.
[edit] Rakkety Tam MacBurl
Born in the Borderlands north of Mossflower Wood, Rakkety Tam met and became friends with Wild Doogy Plumm, a fellow squirrel from the northern highlands. Traveling south, the two squirrel mercenaries pledged their services to a pair of squirrel monarchs, whom they soon grew to detest for their lazy, selfish manner. Eventually, the two rebelled, and were imprisoned. However, they were released when Gulo the Savage stole the monarchs' royal banner. In order to be released from the monarchs' service, Tam and Doogy went after it. Along the way, they joined forces with the Long Patrol, who helped them pursue the vermin band.
Tam and his comrades fought long and hard against Gulo's forces, eventually coming to Redwall Abbey. Along the way, Tam met and fell in love with Redwall's Sister Armel, and came to wield the sword of Martin the Warrior. Taking half the Long Patrol out of the Abbey, he set off in pursuit of Gulo.
After many confrontations, Tam met Gulo on the field of battle in one-on-one combat. The massive wolverine was too much for Tam, but the squirrel launched the cannibal onto his shield. The edge, sharpened by Tam at the behest of Martin the Warrior, beheaded Gulo. Tam returned to Redwall, becoming the Abbey Warrior. Some time later, he and Armel became wedded, and had a daughter named Melanda, who became as skilled with weapons as her father and was eventually made the abbey recorder. Despite pleas from both Tam and Doogy, Sister Armel made the family travel back to the two monarchs and return the banner, ending Tam's service to the monarchs forever. Upon doing this, the King and Queen's former supporters (they had rebelled immediately upon Tam's return) asked Sister Armel and Tam to be the new king and queen. They refused, casting the former monarchs' crowns out to sea.
Rakkety Tam was a master of blades. He carried a claymore, a dirk, a sgian dubh, and of course later acquired the Sword of Martin.
[edit] Voices
- Dandin was voiced by Tim Lynsky in the full-cast audiobook of Mariel of Redwall.
- Matthias was voiced by Marc Jacques in the full-cast audiobooks of Redwall and Mattimeo.
- Mattimeo was voiced by Greg Longridge in the full-cast audiobook.
- Deyna was voiced by Greg Longridge in the full-cast audiobook.
- In the full-cast audiobook, Tam was voiced by Paul Braithwaite.
