Logalog

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See also: Shrew Tribes in Redwall

In the Redwall universe created by author Brian Jacques, Redwall Abbey is allied with the shrews of Mossflower. The Log a Log is the leader of the shrew tribes: the Guosim, the Guoraf, or the Guosssom.

The Log a Log of the Guosim tribe, in the tribe's earlier seasons, was the shrew that could present the highest physical prowess in a fight. Later on, Log a Logs were usually the sons of former Chieftains, representing an aristocratic society, of sorts. Still other Log a Logs were chosen by the former Chieftains as they lay dying, as in Mattimeo, or, in accordance with Guosim law, if a Log a Log is slain by another shrew, the shrew who avenges him by killing his murderer becomes the new Log a Log, as exemplified in Marlfox.

Log a Logs have generally helped the Redwallers in all the books that they've appeared in, from helping Martin find his father's legacy at the tall rocks in The Legend of Luke, to aiding Matthias to cross the river to the quarry to retrieve Martin's sword in Redwall, or to fighting Swartt Sixclaw's horde with Sunflash the Mace in Outcast of Redwall.

It appeared that when a shrew became Log a Log, that shrew had to discard his old name (Tubgutt hinted at this in Salamandastron). However, in more recent books, the shrew leader's true name accompanies the Log a Log title, as exemplified in Lord Brocktree, among others.

[edit] Notable Log a Logs

[edit] Log a Log Grenn

Female shrew chieftain who took her shrews to help Lord Brocktree take back Salamandastron as depicted in Lord Brocktree.

[edit] Log a Log Big Club/Furmo

He first appeared in Mossflower as a companion of Martin, Gonff, and Dinny on their quest to Salamandastron. At the time, he and most of the other shrews from his village were captured by searats. He was the only one to escape, so he went back home, plotting revenge. Thanks to his new friends and the hares of Salamandastron, he was able to rescue some of the surviving shrews from Cap'n Ripfang's ship. He also appeared in The Legend of Luke as Furmo, who accompanied Martin and his friends to the northlands to seek out information on Martin's father, Luke.

[edit] Log a Log (Outcast of Redwall)

After Sunflash the Mace and his otter friends rescued kidnapped Guosim shrews from corsairs, Log a Log brought the Guosim to Salamandastron to aid Sunflash against Swartt Sixclaw.

[edit] Log a Log (The Bellmaker)

He and his shrews joined up with the Redwallers lead by Joseph the Bellmaker on their quest to Salamandastron. He was the one who introduced Joseph to Finnbarr Galedeep.

[edit] Log a Log (Salamandastron)

He was aided by Mara and Pikkle in recovering the great Blackstone, which his son Nordo lost several seasons before. Whoever had the Blackstone was said to be the true Log a Log of all the Guosim. After the Blackstone was retrieved, he and his tribe along with the tribe of Alfoh, Mara and Pikkle, and Redwallers Samkim and Arula traveled to Salamandastron to aid Lord Urthstripe the Strong in the fight against Ferahgo and his horde of Corpsemakers. It can be assumed that perhaps Nordo became Log a Log after him later on, but it has never been depicted nor mentioned in any other book.

[edit] Log a Log (Redwall/Mattimeo)

He first appeared in Redwall as the leader of the Guosim, a bickering tribe of shrews who couldn't make up their minds whether they should aid Matthias or not. He and Matthias were involved in defeat of Asmodeus and the recovery of Martin's sword, not to mention the final battle against Cluny the Scourge and his minions. Several seasons later, he and his shrews assisted Matthias and friends in the pursuit of their young ones in the book Mattimeo. He died of a throat wound at the Kingdom of Malkariss (which was once Loamhedge) and was succeeded by Flugg.

[edit] Log a Log Flugg

Flugg was chosen by the Log a Log who was the longtime comrade of Matthias. The latter Log a Log's death and nomination of Flugg at the Battle of Malkariss was depicted in Mattimeo.

[edit] Log a Log (Pearls of Lutra)

He assisted Grath Longfletch twice in repairing her boat. He also sent along his two sons Plogg and Welko with Martin and Grath to help in rescuing Abbot Durral from the corsairs of Sampetra.

[edit] Log a Log (The Long Patrol)

Small, fierce-eyed shrew leader who, along with his shrews, had a minor skirmish with the Rapscallions. Afterward, he and his shrews traveled to Redwall and fought in the final battle at the Ridge of a Thousand against the Rapscallions.

[edit] Log a Log (Marlfox)

Older, tough Guosim leader. He was a father figure to Dippler. He brought his Guosim shrews to Redwall to help defend it when the Marlfox brood arrived in Mossflower. He was killed by Fenno and avenged by Dippler, who succeeded him as Log a Log.

[edit] Log a Log Dippler

A young Guosim shrew, Dippler was one of the companions of Dannflor Reguba. During the time of the Marlfoxes, Dippler fell asleep guarding several logboats. These were stolen by the Marlfoxes and their vermin, and Dippler was disgraced by Fenno. However, thanks to intercession by the Log a Log, he remained with the tribe, and was no longer reprimanded. He came to Redwall with his tribe, seeking to help defend it against the enemy. He was one of those stationed to defend the Abbey when the Marlfoxes breached it and stole Martin's Tapestry, and was laid out senseless. After coming to, he learned that Fenno had killed the Log a Log, and he swore to kill the murderer. He finally did while wielding the sword of Martin. After returning, he was named Log a Log according to Guosim custom, for slaying the shrew who slew Log a Log.

[edit] Log a Log Groo

He appeared in Triss, along with his Guosim shrews, as friends willing to assist in whatever the Redwallers needed. He ultimately accompanied Triss and Sagax to Riftgard to assist in the aid of freeing all of the slaves.

[edit] Log a Log Briggy

Leader of the Guoraf shrews, Briggy was also a friend of Bragoon and Saro. They encountered him on their journey to Loamhedge Abbey, and the shrew and his tribe provided transportation for them and their companions. Log a Log Briggy was known for wielding a club named Aggie Frogslapper.

[edit] Log a Log Togey

The fat but kind Log a Log of Rakkety Tam, Togey first appears after the diversion party is separated from the force led by Captain Rakkety Tam MacBurl through the crow's wood. After Yoofus tricked the pursuing vermin into a swamp, he calls "Logalogalogalog!" and summons the shrews.

Log a Log Togey also is famous for running the Broadstream river, which, even to the shrews, famous waterbeasts, had never been run. In a daring move, Togey swept the logboats broadside and grappled his way into a small inlet, much to the dismay of his pursuers, led by Gulo the Savage.

[edit] Log a Log Urfa

A friend of Skipper Banjon Wildlough. He makes a cameo of sorts in High Rhulain by helping Banjon's daughter Tiria in finding a ship to take her to the Green Isle. He was the chief of the Western Guosim tribe and his son was called Dobra Westbrook.

[edit] Log a Log Luglug

Leader of the Guosim shrews during Eulalia. He is a friend of the owl Asio Bardwing and Mad Maudie of Salamandastron. He was killed by Brownrats while attempting to rescue the baby shrew Yik. He was succeeded by his son Osbil.

[edit] Log a Log Osbil

The son of Luglug, he succeeded his father after the latter's death. He was hell-bent on paying retribution to the Brownrats but was brought to his senses eventually by the Redwallers and Mad Maudie. He and a small band of his shrews were with Gorath and Salixa in the final battle against the Brownrats and the Sea Raiders.