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Salamandastron (place)

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File:Rwsalamandastron.jpg
Map of Salamandastron's interior

Salamandastron is a large, extinct volcano on the western shore of Mossflower country, and a badger stronghold. The name is derived from a combination of "salamander", a lizard associated with fire in European folklore, and "astron", the ancient Greek word for star. It was described as a "mountain of the fire lizard" in legends, which is what "Salamandastron" literally means. The glow from the mountain's forge, when hot, can make it appear as if the volcano is active.

The mountain is inhabited by the Long Patrol, a force of hares who defend the shores and surrounding region. While sometimes the amount of hares is not strong, they make up for smaller numbers by the quality of their military tactics and skills. At its peak, the mountain has been host to more than a thousand hares.

The fortress is situated at the western coast as a defense to the more friendly country further east from corsairs, and has since been the bane of sea vermin's existence. The resident badger ruler and Long Patrol hares will defend against any threat in the area even unto death.

Many badgers embark on a quest to Salamandastron, they are often led to it in dreams. Sooner or later, however, almost every male (and in some cases female) badger seems to feel the urge to find Salamandastron, though according to Tribes of Redwall Badgers, sons rarely take over after their father. Typically when Badger Lords have children, their offspring run away. A notable exception was Russano the Wise, who raised a family while at the mountain. It's said that two male badgers usually can never live together. Such cases are Lord Hightor and Sagax. The Brock Family ruled Salamandastron longer than any other badger bloodline.

History

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File:Salamandastron.gif
Salamandastron

Salamandastron's original founder is unknown, though badgers have resided there for countless seasons before the existence of Redwall Abbey. Bella of Brockhall's ancestor, Lady Sable Brock, was provided directions there, and her lifetime was before the rule of Lord Stonepaw.

The legendary hero and founder of the Long Patrol was Lord Brocktree, who reclaimed the mountain after Ungatt Trunn and his Blue Hordes captured it. Long before him, Salamandastron had been ruled by warlike Badger Lords who could seldom remain in harmony with one another. Brocktree's known immediate predecessor was his father, Lord Stonepaw.

The wondrous place of plenty and nature has also been the site of numerous battles. These legends, as well as the hope for aid from Bella's father, Boar the Fighter, led Martin the Warrior there, where his sword was re-forged.

A stone carving of a fire lizard head was located inside the mountain during the times of Boar the Fighter. Boar sometimes lifted this carving to a window opening and lit a fire inside to simulate a dragon spewing fire from its mouth. This trick often frightened and chased away sea rats from the Western Coast.

Law of Salamandastron

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As established by Lord Brocktree, the Law of Badger Lords and Salamandastron is as follows:

  • Defend the weak, protect both young and old, never desert your friends.
  • Give justice to all, be fearless in battle, and always ready to defend the right.
  • The Badger Lord of Salamandastron must always show a welcome and good cheer to all of good heart who come to visit in peace.

The Law of Salamandastron only appears in Lord Brocktree.

Interior

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Salamandastron's core was excavated into a vast network of caverns and corridors and was henceforth made into a nearly impenetrable fortress. The complete interior of the mountain consists of the badger's living quarters, which are high up, the dining chamber, the cellars, bachelor hare barracks, sickbay, larders, dormitories, meeting chambers, nursery, armory, cells, lookout caves, the secret chamber, and the grand forge room.

An interesting part of Salamandastron is the forge, where only badgers are permitted access except for some rare occasions, when others are invited to it.

At the top is the Secret Chamber, a region Boar the Fighter initially constructed as a tomb for his father, Lord Brocktree, that also contains the remains of other deceased badger rulers. Badgers under the influence of Bloodwrath, in their subconscious state, carve visions of the future into the walls of this chamber. These revelations usually consist of images, glyphs, friezes, symbols, and secret writing that can only be read by later badger rulers. As a result, an extensive history of the ancestral badger stronghold is carved into the walls, as well as predictions of who will arrive in the future, adding yet a deeper fold in the mystery that is weaved about the mountain.

Badger Rulers of Salamandastron

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In chronological order, the known badger lords of Salamandastron are as follows:

Enemies of Salamandastron

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The following villains have led some sort of attack against Salamandastron:

Salamandastron Enemies
# Name Species Appears In Mentioned In
1 Ungatt Trunn Wildcat Lord Brocktree —
2 Ripfang Sea Rat Mossflower —
3 Swartt Sixclaw Ferret Outcast of Redwall —
4 Ferahgo the Assassin Weasel Salamandastron —
5 Gormad Tunn Greatrat The Long Patrol —
6 Windflin Wildbrush Unknown — Eulalia!
6 Razzid Wearat Wearat The Rogue Crew —
  • Ungatt Trunn is the only villain to actually conquer Salamandastron.

Books

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Salamandastron appears or is mentioned in every Redwall book except:

de:Salamandastron fr:Salamandastron

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