The Praetorian army has reached the fringes of Mossflower. Promising peace and unification they have gained the support of many creatures, both woodlander and vermin. But beneath their surface lies corruption, screams in the night unheard, nay-sayers slain by superiors. Will you join their cause or reveal their twisted leader for who he is?
A score of mighty Praetorian soldiers march along the road through Mossflower, searching the land for a place to make camp. Their ornate armor gleams in the mid-day sun as their footsteps echoed across the treetops. Leading their march was a tall and strong looking otter.
OOC: You have to make a thread in the OOC section, so people can join it.
OOC: I did. You can find it here: http://redwallabbey.com/forum/index.php?topic=7254.0
OOC: So do we just start now with the RP?
OOC: Yes! Start if you like.
Asher stood in his tree, listening to the distant sounds of the marching army. He lowered himself into the main room of the home, dropping to the floor. He closed allwindows and entrances with realistic-looking bark barriers and sat down, a dirk and longbow in his lap.
A score and a half of hardened shrews marched slowly though Mossflower wood, singing and arguing as the mood struck them. They were dressed in kilts and armed with an array of rapiers bows and slings. At the head of the blob of walking shrews a steely eyed shrew led the way remaining detached from the singing and arguing.
They had been making a long trek Northward, after besting the cold winds and icy snow they had returned south to the more familiar territory of Mossflower. Now led by their chieftain Arron they marched back to their home hoping to stop by the Abbey on the way back taking their time and enjoying the more mild weather.
Asher sighed as he heard the arguing shrews pass by. They were always arguing, night and day. Stil, he trusted their leader, Arron.
OOC: this is such a good RP I'll revive it
BIC: Asher chose to follow the shrews. Swing silently through the treetops, he watched them.
OOC: Okay I think I'll join you in reviving this one. ;)
BIC: Arron held up a paw motioning for the lines of shrew warriors to halt.
"Spikller, Foghorn dig out some supplies and feed these hungry lads, The rest of you were taking a quick break for lunch so take a breather." The shrews did so gladly lolling about still arguing over minor points such as whether this was the best place to stop or not. Arron ignored them sitting with his back to a tree humming to himself and sharpening his sword.
Asher dropped down from the branches of the beech Arron was leaning against. He casually tested his dirk blade on a paw. "Well, fancy meeting a Guosim tribe marching on land. How're you doing, matey?"
Arron didn't even look up when Asher dropped suddenly from the tree. He absentmindedly continued to sharpen the rapier while he answered the squirrel.
"We'll seeing as there's no streams heading northeast we were forced to slug along on the ground if'n we wanted to explore up that'a ways. So you great tree walloper what are you doing this fine morn." he nodded his thanks as Spikller handed him and Asher a loaf of bread and a hunk of cheese each.
"Better yet, where are ye bound, were going to Redwall for a resupply before we head south." He asked giving the squirrel a friendly jab in the ribs.
Asher accepted the bread and cheese. "Well, I was planning on following an armored patrol I saw earlier. About a score of creatures, pretty well-trained I reckon. Then I heard your lot, so I thought, safety in numbers. Never know what strangers might do in Mossflower, aye?"
Cutting the bread at an angle Arron shoved the cheese inside and took a large bite trying to swallow so he could answer Asher.
"Mmm, ah yes well if their here to cause trouble we easily outnumber them, did you see what manner of creatures they were, well trained vermin may be something we should worry about, but just a group of woodlanders shouldn't be such a problem."
Asher shrugged. "Hard to tell. Maybe a mix of the two... I could see an otter at the front. But I woudn't engage strangers, if I were you."
Arron winked knowingly sheathing his rapier and licking the last of the crumbs from his claws.
"I had no intention too attack them, unless they try something against somebeasts in Mossflower or try to push others around their free to travel where they wish." He stood and stretched, shouldering a haversack he began getting his shrews on their feet.
"Up an at them you lazy sods we got march'en to do." Turning to Asher he raised a paw to shake the squirrel's.
"So you fancy traveling with a bunch o' shrews to the Abbey, can't promise it will be a peaceful and quiet trip." He joked as the group immediately began arguing on who would march at the front.
Asher grinned with a devil-may-care smile. "Hmmm, best way to get them marching is to insult them. Hey there, you spikeybonces! My granny can walk faster 'n you! Bee I beat you to the Abbey! Heard they have the primest vittles in all the land!" Tipping a wink to Arron, Asher ran off to scout ahead.
Arron laughed at the shrews face as the gray squirrel sprang off into the trees. "Right, see ye at the Abbey." Arron called after him before turning to his shrews.
"Right yew heard him he called you lot slow, lets move!" In no time the shrews had reformed their marching lines and continued their journey.
Asher stopped short of the great building. He scanned the walltops; no one there. He vanished back into the woodlands.
Upon contact with the shrews, he drew up next to Arron. "Didn't see anybeast up there, so I'm assumin' they're either feasting or sleeping."
Arron shook his head worriedly as they drew up to the Abbey. Asher could be right, Redwallers could spend lots of time doing either activity.
"That's not good, were hungry for some good Redwall food." He said jokingly as they approached the north wall gate. pounding on the gate and glaring though the timbers he yelled for assistance. A few shrews took to throwing rocks over the wall yelling for the Abbey creatures until Arron sharply told them to stop.
"We'll we might just have to wait for somebeast to do a round of the walls and let us in." Arron said with a shrug leaning against the wall. "Unless some squirrel want to climb a tree an hope over and let us it." He said winking at Asher.
Asher winked back. "Right you are, matey."
With a quick hopskipped he latched on to the branch of a nearby elm, he scurried over to the walltop. Sure enough, a large picnic was beig hel on the lawns. He dropped onto the battlements, sneaking toward the stairs.
OOC: I do apologize if my posts are some-what dull and sound rather boring, I have been offline since last July and have only recently been re-introduced to the outside world.
BIC: Khania Honorpaw looked around her cave making sure everything was as she left it. She had only recently returned from roaming Mossflower Woods, and was satisfied that none had discovered the hidden entrance she had spent long seasons making. It was a cave dug down into the ground rather then inside a hill-side. It's entrance was positioned close to an Elm tree whose roots provided support for the east wall. For air, Khania had positioned many hollowed out tree branches in the base of several bushes that lived above her. And for light, she kept Fire-fly lanterns held by cleverly carved stone brackets. Thus assisting to avoid detection so that none could smell the smoke of a fire. Khania mainly ate raw fruit and vegetables, and only cooked when outside her dwelling. So that none could discover where it lie. The cave was spacious enough to provide decent comfort for a score of creatures.
Khania had been singing quietly to herself while sweeping the floor of her cave, when she heard several beasts bickering and quarreling loudly. They were arguing fiercely with each other over some the most petty problems. Who was going to eat what and how, Who was going to serve the Log-a-log his Meal. At the mention of the Title Log-a-log, Khania knew instantly that the beasts were Gousim Shrews! With a slightly delighted expression on her face, Khania made her way to the cave's entrance. A small flight of stairs with a locked trapdoor at the top. She was hoping to surprise the Shrews when she heard another voice. Khania frowned, She did not recognize this creatures voice. He was shouting something about his Granny? Shrugging, Khania waited for the Shrews to leave before unlocking the trapdoor and cautiously opening it before stepping out. She peered warily around, still conscious of the Shrews arguing in the distance. Before moving aside a bark-cloth cover for the lock and locking the door and shifting dirt and leaves over the door, completely disguising it from view. With a happy heart, Khania started briskly marching off towards the shrews. Faintly, she could still hear the Shrews arguing. Using the Shrews arguing as her guide, Khania followed the Shrews.
OOC: I hope that my post is not considered too long and detailed. Please let me know if I need to start simplifying my posts.
OOC: It's alright, just when you start going toward the action/major interacting part of things you wan to shorten your posts, so people can respond to yor characters actions better.
BIC: Asher went to the eeast wallgate, where the picnicers wouldn't notice him opened the wallgate. He called out to the woodlands. "Arron, all clear. Just don'tlet your shrews come dashing in. Actually-" Here Asher looked thoughtful. "Head to the main gate and I'll have the Redwallers let you and your tribe in there. I'll go and talk to the Abbot. Or abbess."
Arron waved a paw to show he heard before taking his shrews around to the main gate. They had stopped arguing at the moment and were debating what they would eat upon entering the Abbey.
"Alright give Asher a moment to get them over here to let us in don't go busting down the door." They lounged about looking bored and hungry waiting for the Redwallers to show.
Asher headed across the lawn to the picnic area. He immediately singled out the Abbot, a medium sized mouse with eyeglasses perched on his nose.
OOC: Because it would take a long time to write out and have Asher explain the shrews and such, I'll time lapse and skip to he main gate part.
BIC: Arron watched as the gate swung slowly open, to reveal Asher and the Abbot, as well as the gatekeeper.
Khania had followed the shrews to the edge of Mossflower, she had just placed her foot-paw out in the open when the gates swung open. Quickly, Khania withdrew her foot-paw, hoping that she was not spotted.
The Father Abbot was surprised. It wasn't often that shrews visited the Abbey at times like this. Nevertheless, he allowed them entry. After detailing several mice to make up several trays of food for the visitors, he turned the Arron. "Well, then, it's a pleasure to see old friends return to us. You're lucky Asher had us open the gate, or you'd be locked out. Ah, right, here come the servers. Let's go over to the tables, and we can dine."
The shrews gave a cheer rushing forward. Arron followed at a slower pace with the Abbot and Asher. "It's certainly been some time since I had some good Abbey food, Lets just hope that lot doesn't finish it all first."
Asher grinned. "Never, mate, I'm sure there's more food then a regiment of hares could eat."
OOC: *cough* Sand?
OOC: I here you no need to shout ;D
BIC: Arron joined his tribe at the tables accepting a plate from an Abbey server. "Huh I have to agree with you there Asher, these Abbey beasts sure know how to feed a body." He joked digging into the warm food with gusto.
"Where are you headed Asher? I suppose you don't want to come a wandering with us shrews."
"Like I said before, I was trailing that odd band of soldiers. Any threat to Mossflower is a threat to me."
A strong, young mouse unseated himself and strode over to where the squireel and the shrew sat. "A threat to Mossflower? What d'you mean?"
He was Kyle, the Champion of Redwall. Skipper of Otters came up behind Kyle. "Mateys, we haven't seen hide nor tail off anybeast in the woodlands, and we just patrolled yesterday. What 'bout you, Arron?"
OOC: We managed to revive this once, let's do so again! I'm also on a revive roll, and this, as I stated before, is a great RP.