Rabbits

Lore & Background

Despite their gentle disposition towards food and play, rabbits possess a ferocious courage when defending kin. History is filled with accounts of rabbit warriors who have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with mice, otters, and badgers against marauding vermin. Their agility allows them to navigate terrain that would trap larger animals, making them essential for guerrilla tactics and rapid rescue missions during conflicts.

In Their Own Story

The morning mist clung low over the mossy banks of the Mossflower River as a young rabbit named Thistle twitched her nose, catching the scent of something acrid on the wind. She froze, her long ears swiveling toward the treeline where the silence felt too heavy. With a sharp click of her claws against the roots, she signaled to the burrow entrance behind her. Within moments, a dozen pairs of eyes blinked in the gloom, and the playful chatter ceased instantly. They knew what that smell meant: trouble was coming, and it was time for the warren to wake up.

Reader's Guide

Rabbits in Redwall are not merely background characters but integral factions within the struggle between good and evil. Their primary goal is always the preservation of their colony and the broader peace of Mossflower Country. While they rarely initiate conflict, they are quick to rally under a leader when an external threat emerges. Their membership consists of entire warrens or colonies, often led by a senior rabbit known for wisdom and strength. In times of war, these groups organize into distinct units: scouts who use their speed to gather intelligence, diggers who fortify defenses or collapse tunnels on enemies, and warriors who engage in direct combat. In the broader conflict against vermin, rabbits serve as the agile flankers and the resilient defenders. Their ability to move unseen through underground tunnels allows them to strike at enemy supply lines or reinforce beleaguered allies from unexpected angles. They are the embodiment of the Redwall spirit: peaceful by nature but unyielding in defense.

Did You Know?

• Rabbits are famous for their ability to dig intricate warrens that serve as secure homes for their own colonies, though Redwall Abbey remains the primary sanctuary for mixed-species refugees during sieges.
• Their keen hearing often allows them to detect approaching enemies long before other species become aware of the danger.
• Many rabbit characters in Redwall stories are known for their love of specific vegetables, particularly carrots and lettuce.
• Despite their small size compared to badgers or otters, rabbits have a reputation for tenacity that often surprises larger opponents.