Things I've Learned From Redwall

[Duxwing]

Dear Forum,

The goodies and baddies of the Redwall series commit both great blunders and great strokes of genius.  Therefore, I've started this thread to crowdsource all the lessons learned from the Redwall series.  Post away: the more specific and outlandish, the better!  Also try to reference the book from which you've learned it.

Needless to say, this thread will be SPOILERTASTIC!

I'll start with a few:

1.) Redwall: If a scary dude and his entourage show up at your front door and start talking about the scary dude's "horde," then shoot him on spot and without warning.  You will save yourself much trouble and sadness later on.

2.) Redwall: Friends and family of important military assets are high value targets for the enemy.  Keep them under close watch.

3.) Redwall: Do not assign important military assets to posts that others can fill; instead, maximize the time that said assets spend doing the job to which they are best suited.

4.) Redwall: False retreats have toppled entire kingdoms.  Do not, in a cowardly effort to put the past behind you, call your guards back from your posts to celebrate a peace feast the evening that said feast is signed.

5.) Redwall: Do not dump boiling oil on attackers.  Dump burning, boiling oil on them.  Any siege assets will thereby be destroyed.

6.) Redwall: Do not let the untrained political leader of your community be in any way involved with the military operations in, of, from, and around same.

7.) Martin the Warrior: If a particular unit or individual has achieved an unparallelled kill count, then do not attempt to raise ethical questions about their reasons.  Instead, ensure that they continue to achieve as much success in the future as they have in the past.

8.) Martin the Warrior: Even the toughest castle is powerless against several birds dropping boulders on it from hundreds of meters above its ramparts.

9.) Martin the Warrior: If you have air superiority, then do not assault from the ground.  Instead, air-lift your troops in at night.  If you insist on a ground assault, then detach a contingent of your most fearless infantry to wreak havoc behind enemy lines on random nights, sometimes following these raids up with smaller assaults.  Combined with close air support (especially during the night time raids) these tactics will terrorize your foes.

10.) Martin the Warrior: Use air superiority as a bargaining chip: demonstrate your unlimited destructive potential by doing some airborne landscaping and demand the release of all friendlies and neutrals from the area of operations.  Once the transfer is complete, neutralize all hostiles with starvation tactics and aerial bombardment.

Add more if you can!  I know that mine tended to focus on military tactics, but I encourage you to post on other errors!

-Duxwing

[Tam and Martin]

WOW THOSE ARE NEAT!

[Duxwing]

WOW THOSE ARE NEAT!

Awww, thanks! 

-Duxwing

[Tam and Martin]

WOW THOSE ARE NEAT!

Awww, thanks! 

-Duxwing

Your Welcome 

[Ungatt Trunn]

I've actully learned some morals from the Redwall series. The most inportant one that I have learned is
Good and Evil (please, no debate, Dux )- In the Redwall series, you see over and over in the Redwall series the battle between good and evil. You also, in seeing that, what both sides stand for. The Good side stands for peace for all, avoiding war as much as possable, putting yourself before those weaker than you, true courage, and more. But the Evil side stands for the destruction of other creatures to benafit yourself, taking lots more than you give, not cairing for other creatures, greed, and just plain evil. These eliments clash together in a battle of good and evil, which we see alot of in the Redwall series. I think that the main moral that BJ was trying to put through in all that is that Evil will always be here, and that suffering of creatures is inevidable unless you face up to it. But also, it also says that Good will always triumph, no matter how great the evil is. There is Evil in this world, but there is also Good in this world that will stand up to all the Evil. We shouldn't just sit around and let evil take over; we should stand up to it and put an end to it, because Good will always triumph.
That was probubily the most inportant thing that I learned from the Redwall series.

[phoenixfoden]

Dont invite a hare to a dinner party.ever.

[HeadInAnotherGalaxy]

Dinnae zink Clogg'z zhip, 'e vill get mozt upzet.

[Duxwing]

I've actully learned some morals from the Redwall series. The most inportant one that I have learned is
Good and Evil (please, no debate, Dux )- In the Redwall series, you see over and over in the Redwall series the battle between good and evil. You also, in seeing that, what both sides stand for. The Good side stands for peace for all, avoiding war as much as possable, putting yourself before those weaker than you, true courage, and more. But the Evil side stands for the destruction of other creatures to benafit yourself, taking lots more than you give, not cairing for other creatures, greed, and just plain evil. These eliments clash together in a battle of good and evil, which we see alot of in the Redwall series. I think that the main moral that BJ was trying to put through in all that is that Evil will always be here, and that suffering of creatures is inevidable unless you face up to it. But also, it also says that Good will always triumph, no matter how great the evil is. There is Evil in this world, but there is also Good in this world that will stand up to all the Evil. We shouldn't just sit around and let evil take over; we should stand up to it and put an end to it, because Good will always triumph.
That was probubily the most inportant thing that I learned from the Redwall series.

I suspect that the Redwall series is the psychodrama of its author; a clash between those parts of himself that he cannot accept, and those that he idolizes.  As for Good and Evil existing in the world, realize that these concepts are relative to the individual and to culture!  The differing morals of one culture and another mean that two warriors might clash, each believing himself to be in the right, and such is actually often the case: in Medieval times, both sides actually believed themselves to have been chosen to win by the same God of the same religion (it makes you wonder: why would the God in question not simply intervene and say "Stupid people, hug it out," like the Organians did to the Humans and Klingons in Star Trek, but I digress).  When the British and Germans met after the war, the social 'call to arms' signal had been switched off, and they were friends again.  That's all Good and Evil are, glorifications and intellectualizations of our feelings and the feelings of others.  And in the end, neither might triumph--or 'Evil' might seize the day and hold it until the universe runs out of energy to do useful work, and whoever remains starves, freezes, and chokes to death.  Therefore, such concepts are limiting: they turn the world into black and white (and grey) when reality is colorful.

But if you don't want a debate, then don't feel obligated to reply to this message.  Just consider it the next time that you wonder about the cosmos. 

That being said, I do agree with some aspects of your post!  Brian Jacques' series essentially makes concrete the wafty, complicated concepts of ethics.  In other words, the details of his story can be regarded as placeholders--symbols, if you will.  With fewer handwaves than needed to write the original series, one could tell the tale of Redwall in space or the distant past, and with humans, no less, because his themes are fundamental.  For example, the theme of heroism involves an individual taking a personal risk for the benefit of others.  Evolutionarily speaking, having a few heroes on hand is useful when a saber-toothed tiger shows up, so those tribes who glorified heroism persisted and passed their ideas down to the next generation, much like they passed down their genes.  Too many heroes, and too many tribe members die in pointless acts of bravery; too few heroes, and no-one faces the saber-tooth tiger as it eats everyone in sight.  The functionalist analysis of morals and culture is fascinating, really.



But back on topic:

14.) Martin the Warrior: Order all troops to wear helmets.  Traumatic brain injury is a terrible and preventable injury.
15.) Martin the Warrior: Secure all necessary medical personnel and supplies before attacking.  These would include both physicians and counselors.  Keep a large number of these in the rear for treating casualties.
16.) Martin the Warrior: Once the fighting is close and fierce, close air support strikes can risk friendly lives.  Therefore, order your air assets to focus on evacuating the wounded if clear shooting becomes impossible.
17.) Martin the Warrior: Divide your units into Teams of four beasts each.  One Team Leader, one Fire Support (sling, arrow, or javelin) one Close Assault (melee and heavy armor) and one Medic (melee and light armor; basic medical supplies and first aid training)
18.) Martin the Warrior: Order your Medics to evacuate casualties to the rear for extraction by air assets.


-Duxwing

[Maudie]

Triss: don't let your slaves escape.
Triss: don't have slaves at all, it'll only destroy you.

[Shadowed One]

Rakkety Tam: Just because you are bigger than someone, don't assume you'll beat them.

Mossflower: Never stay in a flooding fortress.

[Orinoco]

Therefore, such concepts are limiting: they turn the world into black and white (and grey) when reality is colorful.

-Duxwing

I like the way you said that, Duxwing. I agree.

---

I've probably learned several things from Redwall, but they were probably learned subconsciously as I can not think of any at the moment. However, the series did make me dig a little deeper into the aspect of why people act the way they do. Now I'm very interested in the study.

[Rusvul]

I've actully learned some morals from the Redwall series. The most inportant one that I have learned is
Good and Evil (please, no debate, Dux )- In the Redwall series, you see over and over in the Redwall series the battle between good and evil. You also, in seeing that, what both sides stand for. The Good side stands for peace for all, avoiding war as much as possable, putting yourself before those weaker than you, true courage, and more. But the Evil side stands for the destruction of other creatures to benafit yourself, taking lots more than you give, not cairing for other creatures, greed, and just plain evil. These eliments clash together in a battle of good and evil, which we see alot of in the Redwall series. I think that the main moral that BJ was trying to put through in all that is that Evil will always be here, and that suffering of creatures is inevidable unless you face up to it. But also, it also says that Good will always triumph, no matter how great the evil is. There is Evil in this world, but there is also Good in this world that will stand up to all the Evil. We shouldn't just sit around and let evil take over; we should stand up to it and put an end to it, because Good will always triumph.
That was probubily the most inportant thing that I learned from the Redwall series.

Hmm.. That's true, good always triumphs over evil... But often not as immediately as in Redwall. Often evil is able to outsmart good, and live on for years. But in the end, as there is more good in the world than evil, right triumphs in the end. Also, good is stronger. Love and hope is a much more inspiring fighting cause than hate and greed. Though, greed is pretty powerful.

Marlfox: Don't show yourself just because you think you're out of range.
Marlfox (And most Redwall books): JUST DON'T ATTACK THE BLASTED ABBEY! Cluny tried, he died. Slagar tried, he died. The Marlfoxes tried, they all died. And so did everybeast else who attacked the abbey.

[Shadowed One]

I've actully learned some morals from the Redwall series. The most inportant one that I have learned is
Good and Evil (please, no debate, Dux )- In the Redwall series, you see over and over in the Redwall series the battle between good and evil. You also, in seeing that, what both sides stand for. The Good side stands for peace for all, avoiding war as much as possable, putting yourself before those weaker than you, true courage, and more. But the Evil side stands for the destruction of other creatures to benafit yourself, taking lots more than you give, not cairing for other creatures, greed, and just plain evil. These eliments clash together in a battle of good and evil, which we see alot of in the Redwall series. I think that the main moral that BJ was trying to put through in all that is that Evil will always be here, and that suffering of creatures is inevidable unless you face up to it. But also, it also says that Good will always triumph, no matter how great the evil is. There is Evil in this world, but there is also Good in this world that will stand up to all the Evil. We shouldn't just sit around and let evil take over; we should stand up to it and put an end to it, because Good will always triumph.
That was probubily the most inportant thing that I learned from the Redwall series.

Good will always win in the end, and if not now, when God comes. But we shouldn't just let evil rule.

[HeadInAnotherGalaxy]

Hmm.. That's true, good always triumphs over evil... But often not as immediately as in Redwall. Often evil is able to outsmart good, and live on for years. But in the end, as there is more good in the world than evil, right triumphs in the end. Also, good is stronger. Love and hope is a much more inspiring fighting cause than hate and greed. Though, greed is pretty powerful.

Marlfox: Don't show yourself just because you think you're out of range.
Marlfox (And most Redwall books): JUST DON'T ATTACK THE BLASTED ABBEY! Cluny tried, he died. Slagar tried, he died. The Marlfoxes tried, they all died. And so did everybeast else who attacked the abbey.

Vith Good ze ztrength liez in ztuff like 'ope, Friendzhip, kindnezz, compazzion, bravery, mercy, etc... In ozer vordz, ze good characterz boozt each other up. Vith Evil ze ztrength liez in ztuff like greed, luzt for pover, cruelty, back-ztabbin', betrayal, lyin', killin', fear, etc... In ozer vordz, ze evil characterz fight tae be ze bezt, killin' off zoze zat are veaker zae zat zey may grov ztronger.

Vhile Evil conzumez itself zae zat it ztrengthenz zoze zat zurvive, Good 'elpz ozerz an' focuzez on ztrengthenin' ozerz instead o' itself an' zuz zey zupport an' ztrengthen each ozer.

Becauze o' ziz zere iz lezz evil, but zat vitch remainz iz ztrong an' poverful; vhile zere iz more good, but each part o' ze good iz nae zae ztrong.

Evil reliez on focuzin' on itself at ze expenze o' ozerz, vhile Good reliez on focuzin' on ozerz at it'z ovn expenze.

Furzermore, alzough good alvayz vinz in ze end, evil often endz up vinnin' for a time before finally bein' defeated by good. Juzt remember, evil vill alvayz be oot zere, zae good needz tae alvayz be zere tae face it.

[Ungatt Trunn]

I've actully learned some morals from the Redwall series. The most inportant one that I have learned is
Good and Evil (please, no debate, Dux )- In the Redwall series, you see over and over in the Redwall series the battle between good and evil. You also, in seeing that, what both sides stand for. The Good side stands for peace for all, avoiding war as much as possable, putting yourself before those weaker than you, true courage, and more. But the Evil side stands for the destruction of other creatures to benafit yourself, taking lots more than you give, not cairing for other creatures, greed, and just plain evil. These eliments clash together in a battle of good and evil, which we see alot of in the Redwall series. I think that the main moral that BJ was trying to put through in all that is that Evil will always be here, and that suffering of creatures is inevidable unless you face up to it. But also, it also says that Good will always triumph, no matter how great the evil is. There is Evil in this world, but there is also Good in this world that will stand up to all the Evil. We shouldn't just sit around and let evil take over; we should stand up to it and put an end to it, because Good will always triumph.
That was probubily the most inportant thing that I learned from the Redwall series.

I suspect that the Redwall series is the psychodrama of its author; a clash between those parts of himself that he cannot accept, and those that he idolizes.  As for Good and Evil existing in the world, realize that these concepts are relative to the individual and to culture!  The differing morals of one culture and another mean that two warriors might clash, each believing himself to be in the right, and such is actually often the case: in Medieval times, both sides actually believed themselves to have been chosen to win by the same God of the same religion (it makes you wonder: why would the God in question not simply intervene and say "Stupid people, hug it out," like the Organians did to the Humans and Klingons in Star Trek, but I digress).  When the British and Germans met after the war, the social 'call to arms' signal had been switched off, and they were friends again.  That's all Good and Evil are, glorifications and intellectualizations of our feelings and the feelings of others.  And in the end, neither might triumph--or 'Evil' might seize the day and hold it until the universe runs out of energy to do useful work, and whoever remains starves, freezes, and chokes to death.  Therefore, such concepts are limiting: they turn the world into black and white (and grey) when reality is colorful.

But if you don't want a debate, then don't feel obligated to reply to this message.  Just consider it the next time that you wonder about the cosmos. 

Actually, what I say is relevant, as in the Redwall series, it is established which side is good and which side is bad. But enough of that.

What I've learned from Mossflower:
1. Its better to look on for better things, even if the place in front of you appears to be pretty good on the 2nd rate scale.
2. If a warrior creature who fights you is captured, kill hi m instantly. It will save your life in the end!
3. Follow the crowd.
4. If you have two different enemies, have them kill each other in some way.
5. Brains sometimes is all it takes.