Lord Vulpuz, Lord of Hellgates

[The Mask]

Vulpuz was mentioned in the Taggerung as the Lord of Hellgates. It was also mentioned that foxes were the only vermin who were related with him. It got me wondering, Who is he? Is he a fox or a wolf? Is he alive or is he dead? Looking forward to your discussion sahs!

[Jetthebinturong]

It is a play on the Latin word Vulpes which means fox so yes, he is a fox. Also he is not necessarily real as there is no confirmed afterlife in Redwall other than the Dark Forest

[The Mask]

True, but It's quite possible that Hell Gates and The Dark Forest are the same. A badger Lord, Sunflash I believe, went to Hellgates but was stopped by Lord Brocktree and some other famous Badgers.

[Gonff the Mousethief]

I'm pretty sure that he went to the dark forest . I think that hell gates is where vermin go, and the dark forest is where goodies go.

[Wylder Treejumper]

Dark Forest Gates...

[Shadowed One]

Yeah, I think it said that Vulpuz was a fox in the book.

[Russa Nodrey]

I don't actually remember him, which book(s) was he mentioned in?

[Gonff the Mousethief]

Taggerung I think

[Albrithr]

This is the closest anybody gets to referencing religion in Redwall- I find this concept fascinating.  From the line, it appears that Vulpuz is the "Satan" of the Redwall world (and was perhaps whom Cluny was referring to whenever he invoked the devil- he would be the first to not admit that this devil was a fox).  It is also in fitting with the character of the foxes.  As for the Dark Forest, that seems to be most like Purgatory.  Which would imply that the sunny meadows mentioned in other passages would be Heaven, and would itself have a Lord...

[The Mask]

@Russa,  Yes, it was Taggerung.

@Albrithir, There also has been said there is a 'spirit of the forest'

[FlinkyTheStoat]

I'd just like to point out that the only character who mentions Vulpuz, Ermath, is a fox seer - and while there are certainly legitimate seers in the Redwall universe, that doesn't mean she wouldn't want to talk up her own species (and that of her boss Ruggan Bor). Therefore I never really took the "Vulpuz" myth all that seriously, especially considering it's never mentioned otherwise.

[Tam and Martin]

Very interesting topic for sure.

I think he is one of Brian's one time character's. Martin the Warrior is mentioned throughout the series, Sunflash is mentioned throughout the series, Boar the fighter is mentioned etc.

Vulpuz though was a one time only thing. He is never mentioned ever again. I am thinking that He is something that Brian thought of specifically for that book and not used in any others.

[The Mask]

 That's true, but the main reason I find him so interesting is because it's basically the only direct reference to some sort of afterlife.

[Tam and Martin]

I agree with you.

[LT Sandpaw]

In the first book it seems to be very religious, then after that it dwindles, its been awhile since I read the book who said something about Vulpuz?