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Published: 2011-08-12 16:24:08 +0000 UTC; Views: 4397; Favourites: 63; Downloads: 14
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Description
Inspired to do more Redwall fan-art while reading Brian Jacques' latest (and perhaps last) book, "The Rogue Crew"I was reflecting on the rarity of "reformed vermin" - those creatures usually considered bad guys purely because of their species (rats, ferrets, stoats, weasels, fox, etc) - and yet they ultimately forsook their evil ways and did something good... some more than others, but still, a posthumous good deed is better than none!
There sure are few of this class of grey character to be seen in the Redwall series, but there were at least enough to make a go of it... a special exclusive club for all former vermin that made that rare heel-face-turn and became good guys!
In chronological order:
Gingivere Greeneyes (Mossflower): One of the earliest, perhaps the very first "reformed vermin" recorded in all of Brian Jacques' books, though to be sure Gingivere was never evil to start with. He was generous and honest, showing the best possible interests towards the woodlanders oppressed by his evil sister Tsarmina. As a wildcat who has known what it is to be a victim of injustice, he has since worked to provide succour to other reformed creatures like himself who wish to leave their evil ways to pursue good lives for the betterment of creatures everywhere - and so he founded the RVA club.
Veil Sixclaw (Outcast of Redwall): Without giving too much away, I will only say that Veil had come from a harsh background where his childhood life at Redwall Abbey had ever been overshadowed with suspicion by creatures who expected nothing but the worst from him - and got exactly what they expected! As a result, Veil is highly introverted, convinced that he can only make a change for the good by dying to protect those who care for him. The young ferret is going through round-the-clock youth counselling to bring him out of his shell.
Blaggut (The Bellmaker): Formerly a searat bosun, Blaggut soon found that he was just not cut out for the life of bloodthirsty pirating, despite the abuse he received from his greedy captain. Since his entry into respectable society, he has been pursuing a steady career as a shipwright, utilising a hitherto-undiscovered natural talent as a carpenter.
Romsca (The Pearls of Lutra): Formerly a ferret corsair, Romsca started having doubts about her piratical career as a subject of Emperor "Mad Eyes" Ublaz after finding herself shipping an Abbot of Redwall back to Sampetra as hostage, in exchange for six paltry pink pearls. When war broke out on her ship between her crew and Ublaz's crazed monitor lizards, she was somehow the one and only survivor besides the Abbot himself - and then only long enough to receive a deathbed-conversion. Thanks to the miracle of fan-fiction, she has survived the encounter, but sadly the horrible spinal injuries she endured have left her paralysed from the waist down. Nevertheless, she is now trying to pursue a career as the world's first wheelchair-bound fencing tutor!
Grubbage (Triss): A wharf rat, formerly a crew member of Captain Plugg Firetail. At some point in his life, the fat rat lost both his ears, leaving him moderately deaf and often misunderstanding what his crewmates said to him. For all that, he was nonetheless very jolly and likeable, and an excellent navigator.
Crumdun (The Rogue Crew): A small, fat and cheerful stoat from the latest book, and a welcome (and refreshing) newcomer to the fold of reformed vermin. For the first time in ages, we are introduced to another rare gem among characters who have an opportunity to turn their lives around - and naturally, Gingivere is glad to welcome in a new member and issue him with the special RVA badge... and Crumdun is glad to find acceptance amongst other creatures like himself, content to just be themselves without any wild dreams of conquest!
All characters are Copyright © the late great Brian Jacques.
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Comments: 139
DCLeadboot In reply to ??? [2011-08-14 13:27:35 +0000 UTC]
What I really wanted to concentrate on in the description is where they all are with their lives now.
(Still surprised no-one mentioned Romsca, though - I thought she was one of the more famous "grey characters" of the series...)
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marshallvondelini In reply to DCLeadboot [2011-08-14 18:06:59 +0000 UTC]
I hear you on that.
Indeed, I know that she's always been my favorite grey.
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DCLeadboot In reply to marshallvondelini [2011-08-14 22:04:10 +0000 UTC]
I figured Romsca could be a wheelchair fencing with a difference... she can wheel herself backwards and forwards with her other paw...?
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marshallvondelini In reply to DCLeadboot [2011-08-15 00:32:22 +0000 UTC]
I don't see why not! I rather like the idear.
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DCLeadboot In reply to marshallvondelini [2011-08-15 07:49:17 +0000 UTC]
Well, it sounds pretty epic to me!
I'd like to think these guys could all make a career in their new lives... fitted with his new ear-trumpet to assist his hearing, Grubbage could even be a signer for the deaf at Gingivere's orations!
Not sure what Veil could do yet - he'd need his own issues dealing with first; and I don't know whether Grubbage has any discernible talent, unless as a passable sing-and-dance performer...
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marshallvondelini In reply to DCLeadboot [2011-08-16 01:10:35 +0000 UTC]
Indeedles!
After extensive counseling, Veil would probably be great as a motivational speaker and counselor to troubled youth who are just like he once was...
Seems to me like Grubbage is a great "people person", and I imagine that we could find something for him to do along those lines... He'd probably enjoy working at some sort of aid society. Or, the oblivious bumbling guy in a two person comedy routine. xD
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DCLeadboot In reply to marshallvondelini [2011-08-16 06:53:11 +0000 UTC]
Heh, that's a good plan for Veil, yeah...
Grubbage is certainly a people person, indeed!
And I realise I meant to refer to Crumdun in terms of becoming an entertainer, but still... Grubbage could be multi-talented! Maybe they could do a double-act, like Morecambe & Wise, or Abbott & Costello!
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marshallvondelini In reply to DCLeadboot [2011-08-17 00:49:42 +0000 UTC]
Oi, I see it now. Apparently he's the friendly useless type? ahaha
And a big huzzah on the double act...
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DCLeadboot In reply to marshallvondelini [2011-08-17 08:08:37 +0000 UTC]
Crumdun role was certainly more of a shadow than an individual in the Wearat's crew... and not too bright either.
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marshallvondelini In reply to DCLeadboot [2011-08-17 12:05:33 +0000 UTC]
I see, I see. And of course, no one expects the good vermin to be bright. It seems that it is almost a tradition (except in a few cases)that they be boneheads. xD
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DCLeadboot In reply to marshallvondelini [2011-08-17 15:27:31 +0000 UTC]
Heh, yeah... in the world of Redwall, at least - generally speaking.
Though, among my own main characters, I have a trio of a hare, a ferret and a rat... and it's Frederick and Spencer who are the more intelligent "comic foils" for the crazy, flippant Danbuster!
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marshallvondelini In reply to DCLeadboot [2011-08-18 14:22:11 +0000 UTC]
Aye!
Nice! My sister and I have conjured up a 1920s alternate world populated by Redwall-type animals, and largely inspired by the literary exploits of the outstanding P.G. Wodehouse... Out of the many characters living there who we keep tabs on, we have a criminal duo comprised of two least weasels named Angelo and Clarietta (husband and wife). The wife is a slick thief with a penchant for exotic gems, who additionally has furnished their tiny flat with a multitude of fine items, courtesy of oblivious department stores and shops. The husband is a somewhat slower fellow who fronts his wife's dangerous activities by selling fake oil stock. The two of them have had some rather hilarious adventures, and my sis and I may take them down on paper some day.
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DCLeadboot In reply to marshallvondelini [2011-08-18 15:54:49 +0000 UTC]
Heh... P.G. Wodehouse, eh?
Wonder what animals would be playing the Jeeves and Wooster characters - a deadpan badger and a silly-arse hare?
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marshallvondelini In reply to DCLeadboot [2011-08-19 03:02:03 +0000 UTC]
Harr, yeah. My sister and I rather love the chap, having read just about all of his works.
Eh, perhaps at that! xD Although in his short stories, Jeeves isn't so much deadpan as Steven Fry portrayed him in the most excellent BBC miniseries. ...More of the watchful and all knowing orchestrator of... Er, Bertie's life. On inspection, it seems that a badger would still fit the role of Jeeves beautifully. ahaha And of course, a hare fits the bill for Bertie excellently. Either that, or a somewhat brainless ferret.
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DCLeadboot In reply to marshallvondelini [2011-08-19 08:18:02 +0000 UTC]
Heh, whatever works, yeah...
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BluebottleFlyer In reply to ??? [2011-08-12 22:32:36 +0000 UTC]
A very original concept here, and you've done the characters justice indeed.
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DCLeadboot In reply to BluebottleFlyer [2011-08-13 08:39:41 +0000 UTC]
Thanks very much! Ah well, they need more sympathy!
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Jublenarris [2011-08-12 18:02:39 +0000 UTC]
D'awww, I'm glad there are actually good vermin in the world of Redwall
You've done a wonderful job on everyone here! I especially like how you did Blaggut.
Wonderful work as always, Dan!
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DCLeadboot In reply to Jublenarris [2011-08-12 18:59:25 +0000 UTC]
Thanks very much, Jube!
I'm guessing you read some of these books, right...?
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Jublenarris In reply to DCLeadboot [2011-08-13 10:53:13 +0000 UTC]
Any time, Dan! I'm afraid the only one I was able to read was "Mossflower", but that was YEARS ago..
I REALLY want to read all of the others!
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DCLeadboot In reply to Jublenarris [2011-08-13 18:28:07 +0000 UTC]
For my part, it is extremely difficult to find the books in the bookshops these days... I have to get them from Amazon now!
You really ought to try and get hold of them!
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Luke-the-F0x In reply to ??? [2011-08-12 17:42:05 +0000 UTC]
I had to skip the bit about Gingivere in case of Spoilers as I just started to read Mossflower. (As research for the animation.) I was worried that Tsarmina would execute him. Its great to show that there can be creatures that don't become sterotypically evil like their kin. I notice that most of them are pirates & Corsairs.
Awesome job mate.
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DCLeadboot In reply to Luke-the-F0x [2011-08-12 18:57:13 +0000 UTC]
Heh, sorry... I tried to tell as little as possible that I could get away with, so that their continued stories here made sense! Though yeah, redemption equals death for at least two of these characters...
Indeed, there have been reformed pirates here.
Thanks very much, mate!
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AlexRaccoonGlider In reply to ??? [2011-08-12 17:26:27 +0000 UTC]
You don't see that everyday in stories, usually they reform before they end up getting killed themselves!
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DCLeadboot In reply to AlexRaccoonGlider [2011-08-12 18:55:45 +0000 UTC]
That's true... for at least two of these characters, redemption equals death...
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ashbasher22 In reply to ??? [2011-08-12 17:19:59 +0000 UTC]
Very unique!!!!! I love the shading!!!!! X3
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ashbasher22 In reply to DCLeadboot [2011-08-13 16:59:42 +0000 UTC]
You're very welcome!!!!!
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BruBadger In reply to ??? [2011-08-12 17:03:03 +0000 UTC]
An interesting story behind each of these characters, nice to see that they've changed their ways!
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DCLeadboot In reply to BruBadger [2011-08-12 18:55:00 +0000 UTC]
Well, the origial stories belong to Brian Jacques - without giving too much away, I've just tried to continue their stories for the RVA...
Thanks very much!
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