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Post by greek101 on Oct 24, 2011 20:31:16 GMT -6
Name: Roman Streambattle Age: 19 years old Birthplace: A little handmade dwelling on the River Moss Gender: Male Species: River Otter Job/Position: Abbey Champion (in training) Physical Description: Roman is a fairly average otter and he likes it that way. Roman is completely average in size. He isn’t horribly tall, but he isn’t a runt. His body is in full proportion; his rudder is flat and muscular, his shoulders are broad, his whiskers are medium in length, and his muscles are fitting to his frame. In a crowd, Roman doesn’t really stand out.
His fur has a chocolate brown base that turns slightly golden the longer it gets, and his neck and chest area are covered in a beige cream color. However, Roman’s fur isn’t horribly long, so often Roman’s fur has a spiky appearance with its darker base and lighter point. Roman is an outdoorsy otter and his fur shows that. It is not soft like a child, is not crusty, but instead has a weather worn feel.
Roman’s eyes are a rich bronze with brown accents. They are the only part of Roman that gives a glimpse into what he is feeling. Roman isn’t very expressive beast, unless with his family, but even with them he is a bit hidden. His eyes are the best give away to his actual emotions. When he is upset, Roman’s eyes harden and darken a tad while when he is happy, they shimmer with hidden mirth.
Roman’s paws are the only things that may not be normal to the average otter. Roman’s paws are hard and calloused, even at his young age. Roman is a physical worker and has been ever since he was little. Roman’s grip is killer, and very unexpected for his average size.
Roman is not only plain physically, but he dresses plain as well. All of Roman’s clothing is simply colored and simply made. Roman’s mother is quite the seamstress and loves to sew and hem, so all of Roman’s clothes are ‘paw’-made. He is most often found in a pair of tan cloth pants that come to mid calf, and a plain red jerkin. On colder days, Roman dons a longer sleeve black jerkin and on dressier occasions, he wears a light, long sleeve white jerkin with a tan cover vest.
Roman, although a plain average otter and physical worker, has a deep sense of loyalty and pride. He never slouches, but walks tall, proud of being a Streambattle. Belongings: Roman Streambattle never really owned much, or at least his didn't until recently when he was named Abbey Champion.
As a little one, in his family’s small earthen home, space was limited, and of that space most of it was packed with the usual home furnishings (a small oven, one small bed for his parents, a small hammock for Roman, a small trunk for clothing and blankets, etc.). Plus, Roman led a simple life, not really worrying about what he had. Roman’s toys were the sticks and stones in the river and the leaves of the trees. Roman did vaguely remember a small blanket that he used to tote around, but it was lost in the fire.
From being a slave, to the temporary housing at Camp Moss, Roman still lived simply with only the clothes on his back that he called his own. As Roman thought about it, he didn’t have time for things, nor any place to put them, so why should he have them unless they would be useful?
After Roman’s father’s death, he did gain a small silver medallion on a pale leather band. The medallion is no bigger than a small ring, and upon it is the wavy pattern of a river and over it a long spear, the symbol of the Streambattle family. When Roman’s father gave it to him upon his death-bed, he named Roman the head provider for the family and Roman takes that position very, very seriously. Roman is never found with that medallion around his neck. How his father was able to hide the medallion from the slavers, Roman never knew.
After the end of the war to regain Redwall, Roman was given a rake by one of the otter crew members so Roman could work in the small community garden that Camp Moss had. If the family worked in the small garden, they could harvest some of the food. Wanting to provide for his family, Roman accepted the gift of the rake (although he wouldn’t have otherwise) and set himself to work. Other then the rake, Roman’s family gained a small room to stay in and a few bundles of cloth with which Roman’s mother was able to make blankets and clothing with.
After Roman was named the next Abbey Champion, Roman was given a whole room of belongings. Apparently the room had been passed down from Warrior to Warrior or something like that, Roman wasn’t really paying attention. Inside the room there is a simple trundle bed, a small oaken desk and matching chair (accessories included, such as quills and some parchment scrolls), and a tall, thin, wooden wardrobe on the far wall. Roman also received along with the room, the marvelous sword and shield of Martin the warrior. Not being used to wearing the sword all the time, Roman normally keeps the shield and the sword in the wardrobe along with the bits of armor the Redwallers have scrounged up for him. After the war, a lot of armor and weapons were left behind. Currently, Roman has a chain mail jerkin, and some leg and arm braces. Roman’s mother is also making a jerkin for Roman to wear over his chain mail. It is white with a large red ‘M’ like that upon Martin’s shield, all of which he keeps in the wardrobe.
The last thing that Roman owns is the key to his room. It’s a simple gray key that Roman always keeps on his belt. He figures that if he isn’t wearing his armor or the sword, that it would be best if he kept them safe by locking his new room. Personality: Solid in frame and solid in mind, Roman is a very logical and down to earth otter. Things are black and white, there is no gray. You are either right or you are wrong, good or bad there is no sitting on the fence. If you don’t know what side you’re on, then you’ve got a problem.
Roman was raised with the mentality that to eat you must work and you provide for your family. Reading, writing, and playing come after all the work is done. Roman knows how to read a bit and knows how to write, but he never spent much time as a child refining those skills. As a result, Roman is a very slow reader, taking time to read and sometimes re-read every word and has absolutely horrible writing. His letters are illegible and his spelling is horrid, but Roman doesn’t care. It it’s not important, and it won’t put food on the table.
Neither will puzzles or riddles. Roman takes things at face value, and doesn’t understand riddles. He doesn’t understand why the author is making the riddle in the first place or what the author is trying to say. If the author wanted to say something, why don’t they just go a head and say it? Why waste all that writing to say something so simple?
Roman’s issue with riddles has been recently been getting him in trouble with being the Abbey Champion. The beasts of Redwall expect him to be able to understand riddles, especially the riddles of Martin. While Roman has only experienced one of Martin’s riddles, and was horrible confused as to what the warrior mouse was trying to say; Martin has been invading Roman’s dreams a lot and Roman has no idea as to why or what Martin is trying to say.
Roman is a very blunt otter. He won’t lie to you, nor will he sugar coat things. What he says may hurt, but it’s the truth and sometimes the truth hurts. If he has something to say, he’ll say it and if he has nothing to say then he will keep quiet. Roman knows when to keep quiet and knows when to speak. Roman also isn’t one for small talk. He really doesn’t see the point in talking simply for talking. Around his family, Roman is a bit more talkative, but not much.
Although Roman is a decent warrior and could put up a fair fight against any creature he comes across, Roman is farmer and thinks like a farmer. Roman knows what needs to be planted when and how many days they have left for planting or harvesting a certain crop. Roman knows good soil from bad soil, and they best techniques for keeping a garden prosperous. Every plant that Roman cares for blossoms with life and produces fruit (or nuts depending on the plant) in abundance. If Roman could have his way, Roman would be a farmer.
Violence isn’t Roman’s usual first thought to solving a problem. If Roman is faced with an issue, he’ll try and find the simple way out, by talking if he has too. But if worse comes to worse, Roman will fight. However, if you insult Roman’s family, hurt his family, or bruise his pride, Roman’s going to have a mighty big bone to pick with you. Roman is an extremely loyal otter who is obedient to his mother and never disrespectful. He loves his mother and his sisters and would do anything, even die, if that meant they would be safe and taken care of.
Roman, although he has a cold exterior, is a humble, gentle giant. Roman doesn’t like to take or receive credit for anything he does. Roman likes to be one of the crowd. He doesn’t want to be anything big or special. Roman just wants to provide for his family and to do the right thing. He doesn’t want all the flashy-showy drama. Roman just wants to be left alone, and this mentality, although giving Roman a humble attitude, makes him socially awkward.
However, Roman gets along fairly well with little ones. Little ones look past Roman’s hard exterior and realize that he’s really a big teddy bear. He’s tough, fierce, but handles little ones with care, going along with their play (when the chores are done). He rocks his sisters to sleep when they wake at night and overlooks the odd berry when they decide to go ‘picking’. Little ones understand Roman and he understands them, and they may be the only ones that ever will…
Strengths:
-Amazing farming abilities
-Fine Fighting skills
-Powerful swimmer
-Extreme family oriented loyalty
-Simple thinker (left brained)
Weaknesses:
-Socially Awkward
-Poor writing skills
-Horrible at puzzles
-Simple thinker (left brained)
History: Roman Streambattle was born to Alphaeus and Maya Streambattle in a small little hand made dwelling on the River Moss on a cool autumn morn.
Alphaeus ‘Al’ Streambattle was a tall simple young otter who left his calm, peaceful home on the Eastern Coast when he turned of age. Al didn’t want to make is mark on the world, nor did he want to be this big warrior who travels all over the land. Al wanted to find a mate, settle down with a well cared for farm, and to raise a family. Those were his three goals in life and Al was determined to see them through.
Al traversed across Mossflower, looking for the prefect land and the perfect mate. When Al came to Mossflower, he knew he was in the right place. The land was beautiful, the plants were healthy, and the soil was very rich. Sure there was a war going on, but Al had this mind set that if he stayed away from the trouble, that it would stay away from him. So Alphaeus found a small plot of unclaimed land in a small hidden cove on the bank of the River Moss and staked it as his own.
As soon as Al found the land he started tilling it and setting the parameters for the house. If he was going to find a mate, he need to have a house and to have a house, he needed food to work! Bit by bit, Alphaeus worked the land and built his home. It was hard going, especially when he was the only beast working, but by the time he had a proper foundation, the skeleton frame up, and his first crop was growing well, Alphaeus met Maya Riverrun, a young, slender otter maid who lived at Camp Moss with her cousin.
Maya had lived all of her life at Camp Moss under the care of her elder cousin after her parents died during the vermin invasion. In a group of other ottermaids, with guards for protection, who was out gathering berries, and other plants to take back to Camp Moss, they happened upon Alphaeus who was rolling a newly fallen tree into the River Moss so he could pull it down the river to his house. Maya found Al a charming, polite, and hard working fellow and Al found Maya equally so and very pretty to boot. It wasn’t long until Maya and Al would meet upon the river, Al doing his work and Maya doing hers, but having a chance talk turned into visits to eachother’s homes. Maya would often come and help Alphaeus in his fields or on his house. Once the small home was complete, Maya and Al were married and Maya moved in (her cousin having passed away a few years back).
It was in the little home that Alphaeus and Maya built a calm and simple life and young Roman flourished in this lifestyle. His mother would sow and knit their clothing, and his father would work in the field or on the house if it needed repair. Roman, when he was old enough to walk, would follow his father out to the field and help him work. Yes, Roman did play a bit like most children, but Roman was quick to learn from his father that to eat, you must work. Roman also learned how to plant, grow, and harvest a good crop. He learned the seasons that the different plants grow the best, and how to tell what time is the right time by sky (weather, sun, moon, and the position of the stars).
Roman’s family lived in peace for quite a while, until the summer when Roman was 18. By this time, Roman was a strong, able bodied otter, as tall and as strong as his father, however, he had lived a rather sheltered life. Sure Roman’s father had told him tales of his travels and what the outside world was like, but Roman had never been out there. He had never experienced true violence.
Late one night, while Roman and his parents were sitting down to dinner, Alphaeus’s sensitive nose picked up the heavy smell of smoke. Concerned it may be the crops (seeing as it had been a rather dry growing season), Al stepped outside while Roman and Maya continued eating. Rushing back inside, Alphaeus cried that the fields were on fire and they had to get out now!
Roman and his mother (who was 3 months pregnant) hurried out of the home. Turning around as his family hurried out of the house, Roman saw a scene that would haunt him for the rest of his life. The fields that Roman and his father had worked for years were in flames higher than he was tall. The flames raced across the field and licked out the wooden house.
The family hurried to the River as the flames engulfed the house in minutes. The simple house was like kindling to the mighty flame. The family hurried across the river, swimming when it became deep until they reached the other side. But once on the other side, the family was surrounded by vermin with deadly weaponry. Outnumbered, wet, tired, and emotionally distraught, Alphaeus surrendered. Roman recalled that as they were being bound and led away, his father took one look back at the burning home and tears raced down his cheeks. That was one of only two times that Roman ever recalls his father crying.
Roman and his family were led to N'Tashi’s Fort (aka Redwall Abbey) and immediately put to work. Toiling hard along side his father, Roman never forgot the brutal treatment and beatings he felt and watched his family receive. They were now slaves.
Thankfully, however, Roman and his family were not slaves for as long as some of the creatures who were also trapped within the fort. After about a month, there was a large slave revolt/rescue mission and Roman’s family was able to escape and seek shelter at Camp Moss.
For the rest of the war, Camp Moss became Roman’s new home. Alphaeus trying his best to provide for his family, joined the Skipper’s Crew and occasionally Roman would tag along and assist his father with some of his duties, but most of the time he helped his mother and tried to keep himself active. When Camp Moss flooded, Roman and his father were one of the many who helped with rescuing and the setting up of the Clearing.
During the winter that quickly followed, Roman’s mother Maya gave birth to triplets. Roman, now 19 years old, had three new sisters. The family was overjoyed and the babes were named Gwen, Gulia (pronounced Julia), and Ginny. Now although the family was very happy, they all new that this meant they had three more mouths that needed feeding. So Roman and his father had to work extremely hard to make sure that the entire family made it through winter.
As winter turned to spring, Roman knew that the escalation of the rebel movement was reaching its breaking point. The little skirmishes were turning into minor battles and the Skipper was almost assassinated. Three days after, the visiting Skipper of the Sea Otters was asked to head the rebellion while the Skipper healed and information was discovered that a large battle was going to be taking place in the morn.
With Maya and the triplets safe back with the rest of the wives and children, Roman shouldered a javelin along with his father and marched into battle. Roman had never before seen that much bloodshed. Creatures were dying all around him as he spun his javelin this way and that, back to back with his father. It was horrible! Mentally Roman wanted to break down and cry, but he would not allow it. He had to fight. He had to fight for the pain that he felt and watched his family feel. He had to fight for his family’s lost farm. He had to fight for his sisters. He had to fight for all those slaves that he watched die and for those who lost their family. He had to fight.
Roman and Alphaeus were a deadly pair as they stood back to back, javelins spinning, but a loose arrow got the best of Alphaeus and pierced his side. Roaring in anger, Roman watched as his father crumpled to the ground. Standing over his dying father, Roman took on every attacker and giving no mercy. Every single vermin that came within reach of Roman’s father died, no questions asked.
Once the vermin stopped coming, Roman knelt by his dying father, tears in his eyes. Alphaeus’s heart was pierced by the arrow that was embedded in his side. Roman tried to comfort his father, telling him that everything would be alright, but Alphaeus would be alright, but he did not listen. With his last bit of energy, Alphaeus gave Roman the medallion and forcing him to promise that he would take care of his mother and sisters, and make sure that he was buried at the site of the ruins of the farm. Roman promised, then noticed, that his father had tears rushing down his face as well. The second and last time that Roman recalled his father crying.
On the battlefield, Alphaeus took his last breath and died in Roman’s arms. Tears flooding his eyes, Roman put on the medallion and picked up his father’s body then slowly trudged back to the Clearing. Each step hurt worse than every beating Roman had taken at the Fort, but the worst part of all was the look on his mother’s face when he came into view, carrying the bloody body of his father.
As promised, Roman buried his father in what was left of their once beautiful farm. With a small headstone sitting right next to what was left of the stone hearth, Alphaeus was laid to rest in the home that be built with his own paws.
Upon the family’s return to the Clearing, Maya wanted to go with the beasts headed back to refurbish Redwall. Roman, although he didn’t like the idea thinking about the memories that the building harbored for him, went along diligently. Traveling with a pack of creatures, Roman marched along side his mother, rake in paw and all of their worldly belongings (which wasn’t much, mostly just his mother’s sewing things) on his back, and occasionally a babe upon his shoulder.
Settling into Redwall Abbey was one of the hardest things Roman had to do, but for his mother, he bit his lip and complied with her wishes. They had escaped this place! It was a prison! Now heading back into to it to live in peace? Roman felt deep down that yes, you could clean up the walls and rebuild the building, but the memories will always linger.
In an effort to put the memories behind him, Roman put all his energy into his work. Roman made it his goal to see that the ruined Abbey garden and orchard would come back to its former glory. Yes, Roman would do other tasks that he was asked to do, but Roman could almost always be found in the garden.
By the Spring Feast, the garden looked healthy and with in a few more weeks, the garden flourished with life. While plenty of beasts worked on the garden, Roman was the most dedicated. Every day, at the crack Dawn, Roman would rise, take a quick rinse in the pond then get to work. Roman would stop his work for each meal, or a festivity if he was needed, but if not, Roman when back to his work until the sun went down then Roman went to bed.
Keeping to himself and his family, Roman went about the same routine for the longest time until he met Martin the Warrior.
It all started one evening during a dinner feast. Roman, who had finished his meal quickly, was sitting at one of the long tables in the Great Hall, his face only being held up by his paw. Roman had been working all day and was very tired. But today was a ‘special day’ or something like that so he was supposed to stay for something or another.
Sitting beside his mother who was trying to control his sisters, Roman stared blankly across the room. Sure the festivities and food were fun, but Roman was tired.
As Roman stared at the wall, his eyes lids flickered, struggling to stay open. He noticed that on the wall that he was staring at was the Tapestry of Martin the Warrior. Martin the Warrior…Roman knew of Martin, but didn’t really know who Martin was. Supposedly he was a warrior from the past, rescuer of Redwall, defending spirit or something like that…And the Sword. The Sword of Martin the Warrior hung on staples in the wall next to the Tapestry. Roman had to admit, it was a beautiful blade. It was, strong looking some how as it sat there, reflecting the flames from the torches. Staring at the flickering lights, Roman’s eye lids fell as he drifted off to sleep…
Everything was a blur. Roman was still sitting at the table, watching as everybeast passed by in shadow. It was as if Roman suddenly moved slower than everyone else. Colors blended together while Roman slowly looked about. Nothing could come to focus.
Nothing but the Tapestry…But something was wrong…The mouse was gone.
Standing up and walking slowly toward the wall. How did the mouse disappear? He was a woven figure. How does a woven figure just detach itself from the Tapestry?
“Roman.”
Turning, Roman saw, standing amidst the passing of the shadows, was the mouse, Martin the Warrior. Martin the Warrior! Roman couldn’t believe his eyes! Martin the Warrior was standing right there, in full armor, sword in paw. His eyes were fierce with passion, but his smile. His smile was kind and gentle. This had to be a dream, Roman thought to himself. This is just a dream. Figures from Tapestries do not get up and walk about. Nor does time slow down like it was now. It’s just a dream.
“This isn’t just a dream Roman Streambattle. It’s a message.”
Wait? Did he just talk? A message not a dream? What was going on??? All the shadows of people passing by had disappeared. Roman and Martin were in the Great Hall alone. Everybeast was gone, and all the tables were gone. Roman slowly should shook his head, muttering to himself. “Just a dream, just a dream. Dead mice from tapestries don’t talk mate. Just a dream.”
“ROMAN! LISTEN TO ME!”
Roman snarled as Martin raised his voice. His voice was like thunder trapped in the Great Hall echoing over and over again. Roman put his paws to his ears and fell to his knees as he tried to block out the deafening noise! It was so loud and painful! The noise rocked through his brain, crushing his ears.
As the noise slowly subsided, Roman tried to calm his rapid breathing as he saw Martin approach him, closer this time. “Roman. You must listen.”
Looking up, his paws dropping from his ears, Roman looked up at Martin. His voice had changed. It was soft once more. It was just like the tolling of the bells in the Abbey. It was a soft voice, a strong voice. “Stand up, Roman.”
Roman stood up slowly. “What is it you want from me?”
Martin smiled once more. “I want you to listen Roman Streambattle.
Like the garden, guard these walls.
Like a home, guard these halls.
Battler of the Stream,
Be the support of the strong main beam.
It is you I choose, you I call,
To be the Champion of Redwall.”
Roman stood there, confused. What was Martin saying? What was all this about a garden, a home and a beam? And did he say Champion of Redwall? But Roman never got the chance to ask. Instead, Martin concluded his speech by saying. “Catch.”
With a gentle toss, Martin threw his sword to Roman. Roman caught the blade easily by the handle. It fit perfectly in his paw. The beautiful blade glistened, as if it had captured a light within the steel. Looking closely, Roman saw his reflection upon the blade, but it seemed different. What was he wearing? It looked like armor! Martin’s armor! What was doing wearing Martin’s armor? Wait? He wasn’t in the reflection! It was Martin?...
Before Roman could figure out what was going on, everything suddenly faded to darkness…
Roman awoke in the Infirmary with his mother beside his bed and Martin’s sword in his paw. Apparently after he had dozed off, Roman’s eyes had flickered open, but they were glazed over. Standing up, Roman had walked over to the Tapestry and stood in front of Martin. Roman had stood there mouthing something to himself. Maya had hurried over to Roman. She had never seen him sleep walk before, so seeing him unresponsive like this was scaring her. But Roman did nothing but stand there, mouthing words. Then Roman reached up and picked Martin’s sword off the wall and held it in his paws, the blade inches from his face. Everybeast in the Hall stopped what they were doing and stared at Roman. Roman stared into the blade for quite a while, still mouthing to himself. Suddenly, Roman’s eyes flickered closed and Roman collapsed on the floor.
Once Roman was able to stand, Roman was brought before the leaders of the Abbey and he told them his dream and the riddle. The answer to the leaders was clear. Roman was chosen by Martin to be the next Abbey Champion. They gave him the key to his new room and set up training time for Roman so he could learn all about being the Champion.
Roman was horribly confused through the entire ordeal. He didn’t know what Martin had been saying, didn’t know why he all of a sudden had to be this great Champion, or why now that he was creatures wouldn’t leave him alone! Everybeast seemed to want to talk to Roman. They wanted to ask him about his dream, what he thought the riddle meant, what he planned to do as Abbey Champion, and if he could help solve some personal issues or disagreements they had been having.
Roman, although obedient, struggles to adjust to his new position and the new requirements that he has to fulfill. He doesn’t understand why he has to be the Champion! All Roman wanted to do was take care of his family and work in the garden. He also frequently receives dreams with Martin the Warrior in them that he does not understand. In them he is always running and Martin tells him to follow, but in the dream they never get anywhere. Trying his best to suppress the confusing dreams, Roman completes his required duties without complaining, learning ever so slowly how to be a Champion.
Code Words: Tears, trifle
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