Gabool the Wild
Gabool the Wild was the self-proclaimed king of all sea rats. His titles included King of Sea Rats, Lord of Terramort Isle, Captain of Captains, Warlord of All Rodent Corsairs, and Warlord of All Waters.
He wore a red cloak and gold earrings, and his beard was tied with blue and red silken ribbons. He also had gold teeth studded with emeralds. His primary weapon was a rare double-edged cutlass.
As a youth, Gabool captained the Ratwake with his second-in-command Greypatch. Later, Gabool ruled from Fort Bladegirt on Terramort. One of his fleet captured Mariel Gullwhacker, her father Joseph, and his bell en route to Salamandastron. Gabool was a ruthless rat, killing off allies he believed to be enemies right and left. This led to the desertion of Greypatch. Gabool later killed his captain Flogga, thinking he was Greypatch.
Eventually, Gabool's obsession with interpreting symbols on the stolen bell descended into mental instability. His dreams were haunted by Rawnblade Widestripe and every night he was awakened by the bell sounding mysteriously on its own. These continued nightmares caused Gabool to become more dangerous than ever. It was then that the escaped oarslaves, Rawnblade, Mariel, Dandin, and Durry Quill, launched an attack upon Fort Bladegirt. After pursuing Gabool through Fort Bladegirt, Rawnblade Widestripe fell into a pit with the rat's pet, Skrabblag, but with the help of the spirit of Martin the Warrior, he threw the scorpion at Gabool, which proceeded to kill him out of hatred for seasons of imprisonment. The scorpion was then slain by Dandin with the Sword of Martin.
Gabool's Fleet
[edit]| Ship Name | Captain(s) | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Darkqueen | Saltar, Greypatch | Black Galley with red sails; Gabool's best ship; scuppered by the Long Patrol |
| Crabclaw | Skullgor, Grimtooth | Captured ship; Originally called Periwinkle |
| Waveblade | Orgeye | Renamed Gabriel after Gabool's death |
| Blacksail | Hookfin | Had one triangular (presumably black) sail; Renamed Hon Rosie after Gabool's death |
| Nightwake | Riptung | Renamed Abbot Bernard after Gabool's death |
| Greenfang | Bludrigg, Garrtail | Unknown; Sunk |
| Rathelm | Flogga | Unknown; Sunk |
| Seatalon | Catseyes | Unknown; Sunk |
See Also
[edit]Trivia
[edit]- On the back of the U.S. Avon paperback edition of Mariel of Redwall, Gabool the Wild is [with a pistol].
- Gabool the Wild and Ublaz Mad Eyes reigned as corsair monarchs; despite having numerous enemies, good and bad, both leaders died as the result of secondary characters, their own venomous pets.