Fort Ruddler
A tribute and history
written by Ariel Oceantear
Prior to the founding of the Compass Alliance, the areas of Mossflower, Southsward, and the Northlands had little unity. Redwall, Salamandastron, Camp Willow, and the Army of Southsward generally kept to themselves, each defending their own lands. Cooperation between these forts was limited to times of crisis and war. Vermin outposts and hordes such as Fort Nightshade, Sampetra, the Lyresong Empire, and Dark Mouse’s Cove held firm, and attacks came often – especially from the North.
In the Summer of the Singing Dreamers, several fairly young individuals set out from Camp Willow, and headed north. The small group was headed by three stubborn young creatures who thought they knew it all: Thrugg, Guimuss, and Ariel. They were accompanied by a small spattering of close friends and like-minded warriors who chose to leave the comfortable lands of Mossflower to start something in the bleak northern lands.
Interestingly enough, the small group passed the remains of Black Arch along the way. At the time, a band of searats was firmly encamped at its base, and the beleaguered group decided to press onward rather than stay and fight. After venturing past the Northern Mountains, they settled on a spot near the sea, just out of the foothills. The surrounding land was sparse tundra, the ocean breakers were tempestuous, the entire place was unforgiving. In spite of this, and with the aid of surrounding creatures and friends met along the way, the initial building was constructed before winter and christened Fort Ruddler.
The first few years were harsh. The new fort expanded to include a Fleet of five ships, and an Infantry with five divisions. Thrugg and Guimuss left after the fort was secure, but Ariel remained and was surrounded by friends and skilled warriors. Fort Ruddler quickly grew to become the long-needed foundation of goodwill in the volatile north; it became the home of the northland’s warriors.
Many seasons passed, and Fort Ruddler thrived. Wars were fought, lives were lost. Others who contributed greatly to the fort’s legacy included Windstar Bluescross, Summer Snow, Sandfur Dunerunner (formerly of Camp Willow), Nightcry, Mackbry Taffellappen, Rook Scarbin, Teltoli Riverbuck, and too many others to fairly name.
First and foremost, Fort Ruddler was a military outpost. All creatures were expected minimum competence with weaponry, and were placed either on a ship with the fleet, or in a platoon with the infantry. During the Winter of the Questing Fleet, an enormous mission was undertaken to sail south and come to Redwall’s aid. While the battle was won, the cost was terrible. Captains and crew alike were lost, and those that returned were a far cry from the crew that departed months before. The following spring and summer brought further strife as several key captains and commanders had to leave for various reasons.
Fort Ruddler persisted, but each passing battle was harder to recover from. Fewer and fewer young recruits were arriving at the gates, for whatever reason, fates know not. After countless battles and invasions, the attacks slowly dwindled. The enemy must be striking elsewhere. With no cohesive alliance or set plan of communication, the remote fortbeasts knew little of what was occurring elsewhere in the lands. Without the constant threat of invasion, there was little purpose for the vast army and dangerous fighters that Ruddler was known for. Bored warriors are a restless lot, and unfortunately this came to be their undoing.
Left to their own devices, most of the commanders had too much time to think. Thinking led to regret. Ariel in particular was worn thin from the loss of life she’d witnessed, and she felt responsible for each one. Early one spring, the beginning of the end began. A final celebration feast was held, and emotions ran high. The few remaining captains departed Fort Ruddler, each in search of their own destiny, wherever it lay. Some headed south, others headed to Mossflower in search of long-lost family and friends. Most doubted they would ever cross ways again.
To this day, and to the best of anyone’s knowledge, Fort Ruddler remains standing: vacant, barred, and locked, weathering under the cold ocean’s waves.
