#Swartt sixclaw

[incorrectredwallquotes]

Bluefen: You told me he died!

Swartt: Well, there’s an explanation. I'm a really terrible person, and I left him in the woods to die.

#redwall #brian jacques #outcast of redwall #bluefen #swartt sixclaw #veil sixclaw #source: once upon a time

[theredwallrecorder]

Swartt Sixclaw sat closest to the fire. He was a young ferret, but obviously the leader of the threescore vermin who made up the band. Tall, vicious, and sinewy, Swartt had made himself Chieftain, because he was quicker and stronger than any who dared challenge him. He was a fearsome sight to friend and foe alike, his face striped with a sloping pattern of purple and green dye, teeth stained glistening red. Round his neck hung the teeth and claws of dead enemies. His left forepaw bore six claws--it rested on the hilt of a long curved sword thrust through a snakeskin belt.

the introduction of Swartt Sixclaw, from Chapter 1 of Outcast of Redwall

#this is random but swartt would 100% wear the shorts that say 'are you nasty' on the butt #he absolutely thinks he is the nastiest #i wonder how often he has to reapply the dyes #text #quote #swartt sixclaw #outcast of redwall #brian jacques

[knightofthenewrepublic]

#my memes #redwall abbey #redwall series #redwall #brian jacques #cluny the scourge #slagar the cruel #tsarmina greeneyes #badrang the tyrant #gabool the wild #damug warfang #gulo the savage #zwilt the shade #Ublaz Madeyes #Swartt sixclaw

[captainmirefleck]

Vote for your favorite Redwall villain! Not who you think would win in a fight, but who you think is most effective as a villain or who you enjoy the most!

#redwall #polls #swartt sixclaw #asmodeus poisonteeth #outcast of redwall

[lostmidnightwriter]

If Swartt Sixclaw and Felahgo the Assassin ever met:

#and then they kill each other #and yes I know felahgo is a weasel and those are ferrets #but #let's be honest #if you saw a weasel in the wild and called it a ferret #would that animal still be evil regardless of upbringing #ok this isn't the time or place to sass about Veil and Outcast #felahgo the Assassin #swartt Sixclaw #outcast of redwall #salamandastron #redwall series #redwall #brian jacques #my stuff

[alexsrandomramblings]

Anyone who's followed me for a sufficient amount of time knows I absolutely adore villains as a rule. But goddammit even as a kid, Swartt has always filled me with an irrational amount of rage up there with the likes of Krell in the Umbara arc. And for the life of me I don't think I can entirely say why, because I know my irrational attachment to Bluefen is only the very tip of that iceberg. Well played, Brian. Well played.

#alex rambles #outcast of redwall #redwall #swartt sixclaw

[rose-of-redwall]

AU where Veil gets everything that’s owed to him in life, the poor young dear

#redwall #brian jacques #veil sixclaw #swartt sixclaw #redwall au #the outcast of redwall

[inu-jiru]

How I'd Write "Outcast of Redwall" - The Name, The Prologue and Book One

So as a Redwall fan, I've seen my fair share of complaints about Outcast of Redwall and why it's the black sheep of the franchise, and while I haven't read the book itself, from what I've heard in podcasts and read on Redwall blogs, I can agree that it's got issues. It's a shame because I believe there was potential in it, and Taggerung was a much better representation of the idea Brian Jacques was trying to tell. I know people have their own ideas of how this book could've been better (and I'm a good 20 years late to the conversation), but I couldn't help but think of my own version since I've been getting back into the series (I've been writing a fanfiction as well that I should probably post here lol). This is going to be long so I'll split this up into separate posts:

THE NAME

For starters, I agree with the common criticism that "Outcast of Redwall" kinda fails as a name when the Outcast in question isn't even born until the 2nd act, if I'm remembering correctly. For the plot I came up with, I figured "The Hunted Ones" would be appropriate, referring to the main characters, Sunflash and Bluefen (yes, she's got a much bigger role this time around), as well as those close to them, and how they're under the constant threat of Swartt and his influence.

THE PROLOGUE

The prologue is a telling of Sunstripe's capture. This is based on the assumption that Sunstripe was about Mattimeo's age (so early pre-teen, if the animated series is anything to go by), when he ran off to fight Verdauga. The prologue starts many days after Sunstripe is defeated by Verdauga. Sunstripe has since wandered far into the northeastern section of Mossflower Country, injured and too ashamed to return to his mother and Brockhall. Wishing to have simply died by Verdauga's paws, Sunstripe leans near a tree and decides to waste away, believing it to be what he deserves for failing to avenge his father. He falls unconscious just as vermin emerge from the woods. These vermin are followers of Wurgg Snarefang (formerly Wurgg the Spinecracker in canon; he is a ferret and Bowfleg's father in this reimagining, the surname comes from Bowfleg's canon insignia), whose camp is settled in the area. Binding Sunstripe, Wurgg's beasts bring their prize to the ferret, who claims Sunstripe as a pet. The prologue ends here.

BOOK ONE - THE ALLIANCE

Book One would mainly follow the growing companionship of Sunstripe and Bluefen, as well and their eventual escape to Redwall.

It begins seasons after the prologue. Sunstripe is now an adult (late-20s, early 30s-ish, in human years). He's lived in captivity for seasons, being beaten and mocked by the horde constantly. A late middle-aged Bowfleg Snarefang now rules in his late father's place, and has gifted the family "pet" to his daughter, Bluefen (who would be close to 18 or 19 in human years). Bowfleg is not a very good father and lives off his father's infamy, growing fat and lazy as a result. He's abusive to his daughter, ordering around like a housewife and ignoring her complaints when he tells her to seek out a good, strong and loyal ferret in the horde to serve as his son-in-law and carry on the Snarefang bloodline. Frustrated and feeling like a prisoner in her own right, Bluefen regularly takes out her anger on Sunstripe, calling him "Scumtripe" as an insult.

Sunstripe, meanwhile, regularly has dreams of Mossflower, his parents, Boar the Fighter, and the mountain of Salamadastron. He regularly feels the pull to escape, to see his mother again and to visit the mountain, but is unable to shake off his guilt. He is also housed in a deep pit lined with smooth stone, making climbing out impossible without outside assistance.

At the same time, an outsider named Swartt Sixclaw arrives from farther north with his small band, "eager" to join Bowfleg's ranks. Bluefen doesn't trust Swartt for a second, but Nightshade, Swartt's Seer, is able to sway Bowfleg's mind with "omens" promising a great future should Bowfleg accept Swartt. Bowfleg, blinded by these false promises, offers his daughter to Swartt as a token of their alliance, much to Bluefen's dismay. Swartt agrees, purely to keep on Bowfleg's good side.

A feast is arranged; Sunstripe is taken out of his prison an made to do tricks. Swartt is allowed to torture him (which he enjoys a bit too much). Bluefen can't bring herself to enjoy any of it and takes off, contemplating if she should simply flee to begin life elsewhere. After the feast, she goes to Sunstripe's prison to try and cheer herself up with her usual bullying, but breaks down due to the anger at her father and the fear of her new husband. Seeing this and being reminded of his mother's pain after Barkstripe's death, Sunstripe shows compassion to his would-be tormentor and consoles her. Bluefen is uncertain of why a beast she mistreated would be kind to her, but does admit that she's being married off to Swartt. Sunstripe can tell it upsets her greatly. They strike up a conversation and the seeds of a bond are planted. While this happens, Swartt takes advantage of a drunken Bowfleg and poisons him with wine, becoming the sole ruler of the Snarefang horde.

The following seasons are rough for Bluefen as she suffers her new husband's cruelty, and his treatment of Sunstripe leaves a bitter taste in her mouth. Swartt has claimed Sunstripe as his steed and regularly brings him out of his pit to ride him around camp. Swartt also schemes to move further south, having heard on the wind that the Thousand Eye Army is long gone and Mossflower sits free for its next ruler. The march begins, and a pregnant Bluefen desires more and more to escape and live elsewhere. Her conversations with Sunstripe continue, and they bond further over how miserable they are. Sunstripe soon decides that, even if his guilt still lingers, he has to help Bluefen, whom he pities despite her past mistreatment of him. Desperate, Bluefen agrees, and they plan their escape.

As Bluefen assists Sunstripe in escaping his prison, she's spotted by Swartt's followers, and they both flee for their lives into the woods. Swartt, taking the lead, attempts to kill Sunstripe, but with some quick thinking, Sunstripe crushes Swartt's arm with a makeshift club. The pair disappear into the woods, and their journey begins. Things are rough, given the winter climate, and both have little experience surviving in the woods, Bluefen especially. They bicker a few times, but Bluefen dares not leave Sunstripe's side, knowing his usefulness in a fight. Things take a turn when Bluefen goes into labor, and Sunflash takes her to a cave which is inhabited by the Lingl-Dubbo families. Kind beasts, the families agree to look after Bluefen and provide both travelers with good food. A healthy baby ferret is born that night. Bluefen names him Veil, due to his mask marking reminding her of the veil she wears. She plans to never tell him of his father or of the Snarefang Horde.

Skarlath, a friend of the families and fancier of cheeses, visits the cave and befriends Sunstripe and Bluefen. He's asked to guide the pair further south to Redwall Abbey, so that Bluefen could provide Veil with a proper shelter and food. While recovering, Bluefen is also taught a bit of how to use a sling, so that she can defend herself and her baby. Veil is a fussy infant, constantly demanding food and attention and it reminds Bluefen of her father and Swartt. Part of her considers dumping the baby entirely, but she decides against it, not wishing to be as cruel and sadistic as the ferret she'd left. The journey continues with the three friends narrowly avoiding Swartt and using guerilla tactics to slow the horde down and lower Swartt's numbers.

As Redwall draws near, Sunstripe sends Bluefen and Skarlath to the abbey while he creates a diversion to keep Swartt away from the innocent beasts there. Secretly, Sunstripe fears meeting his mother, who now resides at Redwall, and he still wants to visit Salamandastron, which is further west. He promises Bluefen that they'll see each other again and Skarlath decides to act as a messenger between them once Bluefen is settled.

Sunstripe leaves and Skarlath informs the Redwallers of Bluefen and her baby. Some are wary, especially when hearing that a horde is approaching the Abbey. Martin the Warrior (and most of the other characters from Mossflower and Legend of Luke) has recently passed, and the only defenders are descendants of the Mossflower Holt and Lady Amber's squirrels. Abbess Bryony is willing to house Bluefen and Veil, but won't hesitate to give them both to Swartt if it means protecting the Abbey. An old Bella of Brockhall argues in defense of Bluefen and Veil due to the ferrets' association with her son, and commands the Abbey defenders to keep an eye on the woods, as well as sending the Skipper and a party of helpers after Sunstripe to keep him safe.

The combination of his rage against Sunstripe and the beasts guarding Redwall force Swartt to focus solely on the badger, leaving Bluefen and Veil safe. The book ends with Swartt and his forces beginning their march west, Skipperjo and his group catching up with Sunstripe and traveling with him, and Bluefen settling into Redwall with Veil.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I feel like, in a book format, this Book One would be pretty long, but it does have to set things up before Redwall gets involved. I wanted Veil to actually be alive in Book One, even if he isn't the main focus, and I also wanted to try and fix up the timeline issues the original book had. It might not be perfect, but I think I did pretty well. I'll write Books 2 and 3 at a later time.

#jazz rambles #long post #redwall #outcast of redwall #reimagining #plot stuff #redwall series

[trashrat11]

#redwall #outcast of redwall #veil #veil sixclaw #swartt sixclaw

[spidermilkshake]

Swartt Sixclaw

This fellow has always been presented to plainly for my liking, so I done up a portrait to embellish the ferret Warlord's appearance a bit. Note that magnificent gauntlet, custom-forged and fitted for a six-clawed paw. Given that "Swartt" is very similar to the root word for "swarthy" (aka, dark-complexioned) I figured his coat would be prominently dark-umber or nearly black, not the usual roany brownish or grayish or off-white of common ferret morphs. And armor! So much armor--armor of any form is really so much better than no armor. It still ticks me that Long Patrol and many woodlanders are never described as having a form of armor while all the bandits and hordebeasts are--yet are still at advantage in their battles. Give 'em armor, y' stingy ole Badger Lord! XD

#anthro #anthropomorphic #traditional media #redwall #fan art #swartt sixclaw #ferret #villain #The Outcast of Redwall #Outcast of Redwall

[toomanyshipstocount92]

Swartt Sixclaw has a gay pride cape. Represent!

#Swartt Sixclaw #Redwall #lgbt

[incorrectredwallquotes]

Swartt: What is wrong with you?

Veil: Many many things, and most of them are your fucking fault.

#Redwall #outcast of Redwall #swartt sixclaw #veil #brian jacques

[theredwallrecorder]

outcast: the necessity of the mace

The kestrel spoke around a beakful of chestnut: “I am Skarlath; I was alone, but you saved my life; now I am with you. Where come you from, friend?”

Scratching his golden stripe, the badger chewed thoughtfully. “I’m not sure. I think I had a mother, Bella or Bellen or something, it’s hard to remember. I must have been very young. Boar the Fighter, that’s a name I recall, maybe he was my father, or my grandsire, I’m not certain. Sometimes I dream about home, or maybe it’s my imagination, but it feels nice. Then there’s the mountain, was that my home? It is all very mixed up.”

Sunflash speaks about himself, excerpt from Chapter 2 of Outcast of Redwall

one of the reasons outcast differs from every other novel of redwall is in the fact veil, the titular character, does not even exist until the eighteenth chapter of the book. the previous seventeen chapters are spent building the rivalry between swartt sixclaw, the primary antagonist, and sunflash the mace, ascendant badger lord. though he may not have done so intentionally, mister jacques’ inclusion of the experience of sunflash allows us to draw comparable narrative lines with veil’s story. sunflash is fortunate to bear memories of his early childhood that become the lynchpin for his growth into a just, kind, and wise badger lord and friend. this foundational aspect of backstory, echoed more explicitly in the narrative of deyna in taggerung and rooted in current theories of psychology and human development, postulates that positive experiences with a parental guardian in early life are necessary for healthy growth and formation of the self. in future posts, we will weigh the differences between sunflash’s early childhood and veil’s early childhood; here, we will extrapolate what sunflash’s early memories imply about his childhood environment.

though his memories are certainly sparse, the tone and descriptive words sunflash uses to talk about his early childhood betray more about it than he is consciously aware of. he begins his reminisce with his mother: she is the largest figure in his memory as a baby. her name comes to his lips immediately, though when he presses against the fog of memories, he falters in his confidence. so much of the secure base of his babyhood has been eroded by the cruelty he experienced at the hands of swartt. bella likely spoke to sunflash of boar the fighter even before he could understand speech, sharing the legacy of their bloodline and imparting some of the sense of the destiny of badger lords to her son--whom she knew, even as he was a babe, he would one day take on that heavy mantle. perhaps boar even visited little sunflash in his early dreams, as is the mysterious power of some badger lords, which could explain sunflash’s vague sense of the existence of salamandastron. it is one of the latter lines of sunflash’s dialogue that gives us the most information about his formative environment. he dreams of his home and the emotions those dreams conjure for him are inherently positive. these dreams bring him comfort and they are totally unlike his reality at the mercy of swartt. “... it [thematic elements of home] feels nice.” what does “nice” mean for a baby? we can easily guess. there was safety. there was security. there was warmth. baby sunflash’s basic needs were met: he did not go hungry, somebeast tended to him when he cried, and he was groomed and cared for.

swartt tried his absolute damndest to beat any sense of personhood out of sunflash. swartt gave sunflash a degrading name, forced the young badger to commit acts lower than a slave, deprived sunflash of food and drink, and left him exposed to suffer the full effects of the weather. swartt did not succeed in breaking him because sunflash carried his verifiable sense of self borne out of the scant memories of his childhood. sunflash knew he had a benevolent mother figure. he knew he had a family history, the promise of having come from somewhere and something of any measure of meaning. he knows he had a home: a place where he was wanted, where he belonged. it was a place where he was safe, where his needs were met, and where his worth as a living creature was imparted. sunflash subconsciously knew that swartt could not truly define him.

veil, in strikingly direct contrast, was given none of these things.

#i have tried my best to avoid using clinical language to describe sunflash's connection with his babyhood #commonly known psych buzzwords are fun #but often lack the true nuance of their meaning #clinicians would posit sunflash was likely 'securely attached' to his mother #due to the rapidity of creature development in the redwallverse #my theory is that one significant positive experience with a benevolent caregiver is enough for a creature to form a secure attachment #evidence of this could be deyna/tagg of taggerung #his first swim with his father became the anchor of his humanity #outcast of redwall #text #sunflash #sunflash the mace #skarlath #bella #boar the fighter #make no mistake #veil was wronged

[xiphosuras]

Swartt W.I.P.

#art wip #swartt sixclaw #redwall #I have so little energy atm

[captainmirefleck]

Vote for your favorite Redwall villain! Not who you think would win in a fight, but who you think is most effective as a villain or who you enjoy the most!

#redwall #polls #outcast of redwall #the sable quean #swartt sixclaw #queen vilaya

[lostmidnightwriter]

Swartt Sixclaw be like:

#redwall #redwall series #brian jacques #outcast of redwall #just kidding #swartt doesn't have any friends #maybe nightshade #but friends don't let friends get beaten to death by a badger #so probably not #anyway haha swartt is so obsessed with Sunflash it borders on a crush #swartt sixclaw