Saxifrage

[nikki]

Name: Saxifrage Dillworthy-Bigbones
Age: 35
Birthplace: The Northlands, in the mountains north of Noonvale
Gender: Male
Species: Hare
Job/Position: Colour Sergeant in the Long Patrol
Physical Description:

A huge mountain hare towering over most of his compatriots, Saxifrage is nevertheless a relaxed and inviting figure in a perpetually good mood. Long-limbed and rawboned with lean, knotty muscles, he has several scars showing through his dark grey fur, particularly on his forearms, and his ears are notched with the deepest cut perhaps halfway up the left. His ears lack the dark tipping often seen in hares, though he does have the paler ring around his pale gray eyes and shading on the chin, throat, and chest/abdomen. his whiskers are somewhat scraggly, completing the somewhat rough look. When out of uniform Sax wears a belted plaid of black, yellow, and blue on a green backing, and a sporran on his dirk belt. He is armed with a broadsword and highland dirk, though in truth is preferred form of combat is boxing - a sport Sax is always ready to indulge in and strives to teach to the younger hares. Sax's only adornment is a silver Bigbones emblem - a hare's head over crossed broadswords, with 'Bigbones' in highland script - that he uses to secure the loose cloak part of his belted plaid. Overall he is a somewhat rough-looking but cheerful and open buck, easily approached and willing to approach in turn.

Belongings:

Broadsword - If boxing won't get the job done, this certainly will.

Highland Dirk - A gift from his father when he left home, this wooden-hilted dagger is made for both beauty and function.

Sporran - Usually holds a snack for him, or for subordinates if they're skilled with Pleading Eyes.

Family Crest - His only adornment, and a point of pride. Worn in and out of uniform.

Personality:

Boisterous, bottomless, and often irreverent - in other words, a hare's hare. Though dutiful, Saxifrage goes about his tasks with a devil-may-care attitude, and sometimes fails to quite realize when he's taken teasing too far. Stubborn and dedicated, he strives to fulfill all orders to the very letter; nevertheless, he can be a torment to higher ranking officers due to his willingness to aid recruits in games and pranks. Softhearted, he is a willing teacher and listening board for younger hares, of whom he is very protective - and he cannot be trusted to mete out discipline, as for all his toughness he will absolutely go to pieces if the called-out youngster becomes visibly upset (or, seasons forbid, cries). He has also inherited the legendary (awful) singing voice of his ancestress - as well as her complete oblivious to how bad it really is - and raucous on-the-fly ballads are the terror of those he chooses to regale. Playful, loyal, and not too proud to take orders, Sax makes a good lower officer and will give those he respects and cares about his all - and respect, alas, is a good way to get the attention of his more prankish side.

History:

The descendant of Dorothea Duckfontain Dillworthy and Bucko Bigbones, Sax was born in the high mountains to the leaders of the 'Northern Branch'. This particular settlement of mountain hares had long ago become isolated, to the point that they had entirely forgotten what they were supposed to be the Northern Branch of; as he came of age Sax became curious about this point. Making matters more urgent was the half-dream feeling that he was meant to follow a badger. Saxifrage, having never even seen a badger to this point, became more intently focused on the idea. Finally, at age twenty, he left with the blessings of his clan and family to find his answers and his badger.

Accompanied by his kite friend Conall MacTalon, Sax journeyed south into Mossflower Country, where he and Conall quickly offered their aid in skirmishes with the vermin threat; this sidetracked his mission for some time until he finally had the luck to run into members of the Long Patrol. The Patrol leader, on hearing Sax's story, realized that the mountain hare might find his answer at Salamandastron. Heartened, Sax accompanied the group to the badger mountain, where he encounted a Long Patroller called Briannoch Bigbones-Duckfontain. Sax and Briannoch quickly realized they were distant cousins - she was a descendant of a Bigbones hare who left to serve in the main branch generations back. Better still, there was a badger at last - the Lady of Salamandastron - and in the mountain's history Saxifrage learned of his esteemed ancestors. Satisfied, Sax made the decision to stay with his southern brethren while Conall flew back to the highlands to serve as a connection between the two groups. After many seasons of fighting Sax has achieved the rank of colour sergeant, a position he takes great pride in, and that is well suited to his stalwart protective nature. Now a permanent resident of the mountain, he looks forward to Conall's return with news and reports each autumn while delighting in the duties and company of the Long Patrol.

Code Words: correct

[Treble Tiderunner]

accepted