Redwall Abbey

Brian Jacques' Works (Spoilers) => History, Legends and Myths => Topic started by: Taggerung_of_Redwall on July 06, 2011, 12:27:08 AM

Title: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Taggerung_of_Redwall on July 06, 2011, 12:27:08 AM
They made appearances in the series from beginning to end, throughout all known history of Mossflower. In many times the Quarry northeast of the Abbey was a home of theirs. They are hypnotic, hate about everything it seems, and generally are a serious problem. Shrews are by far the most terrified, they just can't deal with the fear adders put on them. Adders use fear as their greatest weapon.

Adders are defiantly somewhat mythical in the Redwall series, and legends abound in their descent and location, behavior and mood.
I'd say they were one of the Abbey's greatest enemies when they showed up.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Captain Tammo on July 06, 2011, 01:06:34 AM
It'd be cool if there was a snake hoard that tried to take the abbey. That'd make a good book...
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Osu on July 06, 2011, 03:45:49 AM
Quote from: Captain Tammo on July 06, 2011, 01:06:34 AM
It'd be cool if there was a snake hoard that tried to take the abbey. That'd make a good book...
That would be interesting. I don't think we've ever seen adders work together outside of Triss, and they hardly had a choice about that. A snake baddie - not like in Doomwyte, but an adder warlord in effect - would be awesome.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Taggerung_of_Redwall on July 06, 2011, 03:47:10 AM
In Outcast of Redwall, there was tons of adders in the Quarry which had fun attacking two vermin who wanted treasure. One had a battleaxe.

But yes, adders are very indepedent, and never once worked outside their species. Baliss the Slayer is not an exception.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Osu on July 06, 2011, 05:24:53 AM
Oh, right, I'd forgotten about that.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Tiria Wildlough on July 06, 2011, 08:07:48 AM
My favourite adders are Zassaliss, Harssacs, and Sesstra. It made me feel creepy just reading about them.  :o it was cool how they learned to move together, but I was a bit grossed out when I realized the the awful smell came fromt their wounds.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Alessandro Reinares on July 07, 2011, 05:57:34 AM
Quote from: Taggerung_of_Redwall on July 06, 2011, 03:47:10 AM
In Outcast of Redwall, there was tons of adders in the Quarry which had fun attacking two vermin who wanted treasure. One had a battleaxe.

Hi Trag,

Woisn't it three o' thoim? A one big feller if youm asks moi. and 2 toiny ones all the soim. I am trying mole speech it's hard.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Taggerung_of_Redwall on July 09, 2011, 07:30:40 PM
I think you're remembering Zassaliss and his two siblings from Triss, there was a large amount of adders in the Quarry in Outcast of Redwall
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Alessandro Reinares on July 09, 2011, 07:39:14 PM
I meant 1 big fox and 2 little foxes ;)
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Taggerung_of_Redwall on July 09, 2011, 07:50:25 PM
Actually it was only one fox. I thought I remembered the deceived taking a companion with him.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: James Gryphon on July 09, 2011, 08:01:47 PM
Maris is actually right.

The scene that y'all are referring to is when Balefur, the Northern fox in Outcast of Redwall, is tricked by Nightshade into entering the quarry in search of treasure. He takes along two younger foxes with him to pick up the treasure. When they're surrounded by adders, the first one jumps into a deep pool and drowns; the other one, along with Balefur, are hypnotized and killed by the snakes.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Taggerung_of_Redwall on July 09, 2011, 08:12:01 PM
Forgot those two.
So, I was actually originally right, except I forgot the number.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: HeadInAnotherGalaxy on July 09, 2011, 10:15:28 PM
Let's hear it for another Northlander!
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Nightfire on July 18, 2011, 11:51:06 PM
My favorite adder would be Assssmodeussss.  8)
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Captain Tammo on July 19, 2011, 12:08:00 AM
Balissssssssssss
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Tiria Wildlough on July 19, 2011, 08:13:26 AM
@ToR: You know how you said that shrews are by far the most terrified? Why is that?  ??? ???
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: James Gryphon on July 19, 2011, 08:18:00 AM
Quote from: CreggaRoseEyes on July 19, 2011, 08:13:26 AM
@ToR: You know how you said that shrews are by far the most terrified? Why is that?  ??? ???
Probably this is because of how Log-a-Log reacts to Asmodeus in Redwall; he's immediately helpless the moment the snake lays eyes on him, and Matthias has to practically drag him along to try to get to safety.

All other creatures expressed fear at the sight of him too, but most of them put up some fight (like the sparrows) or at least made some attempt to escape (like Matthias); I believe the shrews are the only ones we see that are completely paralyzed.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Tiria Wildlough on July 19, 2011, 08:22:17 AM
Oh well, I guess...
I did think of that.
Thanks for telling me! :D
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Taggerung_of_Redwall on July 19, 2011, 04:59:29 PM
James Gryphon is right concerning Log-a-log.

However, the fear of shrews to adders is much larger and widespread than a single character.
Consider the incident in Doomwyte, where the Guosim under Tugga Bruster suddenly become terrified and stricken with fear and throw themselves to the ground and refuse to move when Baliss the Slayer moves through. Even after the adder had long passed, the shrews, all brave if small warriors and who were in the midst of a war with painted ones, remained terrified.
In general, shrews are remarkedly to be quite afraid of snakes, mainly adders.
In Redwall, all the Guosim were terrified of the thought of going anywhere near the Quarry. Guosim and Log-a-log went, and even Log-a-log, great chieftain and warrior as he was, was stricken by Asmodues with fear.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Coobreedan on August 13, 2011, 02:37:35 PM
I told one of my friends (he was seven lol) about Asmodeus and after I told him he was like:

O_O Wow.

Then he started jumping up and down going:

AWWWWWWSOOOOMEEEEEEEEEEEE! Let's unlock him!

He thought he was a SSBB character :P
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Skalrag of Marshank on August 13, 2011, 03:43:54 PM
You think maybe the shrews are the most afraid of the adders is because they live in the forest, so more of them are eaten.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Coobreedan on August 13, 2011, 05:34:22 PM
Yeah... Imagine an adder lurking around at night around the shrews homes....
Asmodeussssssss...
*Shrew is dreaming lovely dream, and thus is smiling*
Asmodeusssss sssssees you are enjoying your dream....I can make it lasssst forever.....
CRUNCH!
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Tiria Wildlough on August 14, 2011, 05:01:00 AM
That's creepy.  :-\ :-\
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Skalrag of Marshank on August 14, 2011, 06:17:44 PM
One of those cool, yet creepy Asmodeus moments.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Nightfire on August 15, 2011, 01:06:43 AM
SSsssssss.....
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Lutra on August 18, 2011, 12:15:13 PM
Simply saying Assssssmodeussssss is creepy.  ;)  Wouldn't that scare  you no matter which creature you were?
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Nightfire on August 18, 2011, 08:31:08 PM
Saying Assssmodeussssss is not the only creepy thing. What about saying Balissssss? Or Zasssssssalisssssss? Or Harsssssacssssss? or Ssssssssesssssstra?
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Skalrag of Marshank on August 21, 2011, 05:49:00 PM
Agh. I think the reason those names are so creepy is because, since they're snakes, they draw out the s's, and the names sound creepy when they're said so sibilantly. (I don't know if that's even a word, but, yeah, whatever...)
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: White One6193 on August 21, 2011, 08:50:12 PM
Quote from: Skalrag of Marshank on August 21, 2011, 05:49:00 PM
Agh. I think the reason those names are so creepy is because, since they're snakes, they draw out the s's, and the names sound creepy when they're said so sibilantly. (I don't know if that's even a word, but, yeah, whatever...)

It is, actually. Asmodeus is the name of a demonic tempter in the Catholic Apocrypha... Learned that from Brian himself! I personally think that Asmodeus is best villain of the entire series. Not only because he nearly defeats Matthias, but also because he sets up the events of Mattimeo.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Coobreedan on September 14, 2011, 05:19:59 PM
Exactly.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Nightfire on September 14, 2011, 10:17:43 PM
Exactly.  ;D I alwaysssss loved the part where Asssssssmodeusssssss issss sssssaying: "Come, I will show you eternity." Ssssso CREEPY!
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Coobreedan on September 20, 2011, 04:29:00 PM
It's thanks to Asmodeus that I am now scared of snakes. I loved them before.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Nightfire on September 20, 2011, 10:14:18 PM
Then why do you seem to idolize him in your profile??  ???
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Tiria Wildlough on September 21, 2011, 07:50:25 AM
Because he...
Quote from: Coobreedan on September 20, 2011, 04:29:00 PM
...loved them before.
;) ;)
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Coobreedan on September 22, 2011, 06:25:19 PM
Quote from: Nightfire on September 20, 2011, 10:14:18 PM
Then why do you seem to idolize him in your profile??  ???

I don't know...
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Nightfire on September 23, 2011, 11:15:39 PM
Heeheehee. I think Asmodeus is awesome and creepy.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Gears on November 15, 2011, 04:44:03 PM
He definitely is! but remember in The Pearls Of Lutra, The female searat corsair who turned quasi-friendly towards the abbot and protected him? I think it would have been neat to have a snake like that.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Nightfire on November 16, 2011, 04:21:10 PM
Nathair could be a snake like that.

(HIAG, I'm giving you a hint)
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Coobreedan on November 16, 2011, 05:18:08 PM
Why? Nathiar is an adder! They are the pure evil beats of the series!
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Log-a-Log on November 17, 2011, 09:43:48 PM
Which do you think was more scary, Asmodeus or Baliss? I'd probably go with Asmodeus, but Baliss is still pretty scary
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Taggerung The Otter on November 17, 2011, 09:44:19 PM
Baliss
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Gears on November 25, 2011, 07:52:34 PM
Quote from: Osu on July 06, 2011, 03:45:49 AM
Quote from: Captain Tammo on July 06, 2011, 01:06:34 AM
It'd be cool if there was a snake hoard that tried to take the abbey. That'd make a good book...
That would be interesting. I don't think we've ever seen adders work together outside of Triss, and they hardly had a choice about that. A snake baddie - not like in Doomwyte, but an adder warlord in effect - would be awesome.

That would be neat, but just a thought, #1 they dont have arms, how would they even begin to breach the walls and such.
#2  even the adders may be cool calculating, killers, they dont seem too smart. But heck, im making a rp about this anywho!
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Plugg Firetail on November 26, 2011, 02:24:01 AM
Well we have to remember, snakes are not like the other creatures in Redwall. They're almost feral with the way they act.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Nightfire on December 03, 2011, 07:44:07 PM
Asmodeus was more scary than Baliss. Both were equals in muscle and skill, but Asmodeus had the advantage of his sight and hypnosis ability.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Tiria Wildlough on January 13, 2012, 07:10:07 AM
Baliss was able to instill pure fear in creatures. I would say he was the scariest. ;D
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Melody on January 19, 2012, 10:50:27 PM
the three snakes from triss were deadly as a team they scared the wooies outta me!
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Bragoon on January 21, 2012, 01:57:48 AM
Hey, why does Zassaliss' mother, Berussca, not get any love?  She's my favorite.  
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Melody on January 21, 2012, 02:56:52 AM
really?! never really thought of her but I guess she was deadly.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Nightfire on January 27, 2012, 10:24:52 PM
Yeah, she was deadly. I think that, if Berussca had been the main danger in Triss instead of Zassaliss, Harsacss, and Sesstra, then the Redwallers might have been a lot more scared.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Bragoon on January 28, 2012, 12:04:48 AM
I disagree.  I'd be willing to bet that Berrussca was a lot more dangerous (in it that she was a powerful fighter), but I think the Redwallers were more afraid of the triplets because of the smell their tails gave off.  A lot of emphasis is placed on how the smell alone made the Redwallers shudder.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Taggerung_of_Redwall on January 28, 2012, 02:06:11 AM
And the fact that they appear as a three-headed dragon with the middle one having four eyes.
And given their performance during Triss, I'd call them highly coordinated, giving them the benefit of three-in-one. They were also fast, very angry given their unfortunate entanglement, and in general, three adders instead of one. Being tangled didn't have the effect of hampering them, and given that, I'd call them as much if not more dangerous than their mother, who was killed by a ferret, dangerous as he might have been.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: willruth on March 26, 2014, 04:57:33 PM
  Remember that in Doomwyte it says that Baliss is one of Asmodeus's descendants:


 "it was said that the giant serpent had the blood of Asmodeus Poisonteeth running through it's evil veins"
                              ;D
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: ZaranTheBlack on May 01, 2014, 09:07:51 PM
Speaking of Doomwyte, I love how Baliss is, like, huge, and terrifying, and all around just really evil, but he goes insane by (no offense Corksnout, you are awesome) the spikes of a thickheaded hedgehog.  :P Not so tough now, are you, Baliss?
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: The Skarzs on May 01, 2014, 09:17:01 PM
It's just like how even a little cold can be a huge physical problem to an extremely fit and healthy person. The little things do affect.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: The Shade on May 01, 2014, 09:26:46 PM
Well, I wouldn't exactly call half the spikes of hedgehog little... I'm not surprised it turned him insane.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: The Skarzs on May 01, 2014, 09:29:04 PM
Little compared to him. :P
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: The Shade on May 01, 2014, 09:33:38 PM
True. I always got the impression he was the biggest adder to exist in the series.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: The Skarzs on May 01, 2014, 11:43:14 PM
I think he is.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: ZaranTheBlack on May 04, 2014, 09:51:02 PM
I thought Asmodeus was bigger?
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: The Shade on May 04, 2014, 09:58:13 PM
Like I said I got the impression Baliss was bigger. Not necessarily more deadly though. What with  Asmodeus having sight and hypnosis ability.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Albrithr on June 09, 2014, 05:01:51 AM
Two words:  Snake Cavalry.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Cornflower MM on June 28, 2014, 07:52:00 PM
I'm afraid you lost me, Albrithr.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: SilentSam on November 03, 2014, 09:38:22 PM
O yea... Hmmm I remember 1 asmoseus was it?
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: LT Sandpaw on November 17, 2014, 12:13:39 AM

We need a French Adder :D

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZ...
                                                              (Why is there no sleeping emoji)
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: willruth on December 29, 2014, 12:52:58 PM
I think maybe a European Alusclipian(pardon spelling) Snake , like the ones introduced into north wales and regent's park and have gone wild!! ;D
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Søren on January 11, 2015, 05:40:57 PM
A puff adder. That would be funny.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Feles on February 20, 2015, 10:20:27 PM
imagine a black mamba or a cobra, scary
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Lady Cregga on February 20, 2015, 11:04:54 PM
There are adders in Taggerung.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Wylder Treejumper on February 21, 2015, 02:23:38 AM
All this talk of terrifying adders, and then we have Mister Death from Rakkety Tam... ::)
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Lady Ashenwyte on February 21, 2015, 03:18:37 AM
Quote from: Wylder Treejumper on February 21, 2015, 02:23:38 AM
All this talk of terrifying adders, and then we have Mister Death from Rakkety Tam... ::)

Good old Mister Death.

Also, what do you think would happen if Gulo fought Asmodeus?
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Hickory on February 23, 2015, 12:32:57 PM
Gulo, naturally, would use his greater strength and power to bull throught the snake. Asmodeus isn't stupid, and could dodge quickly, sustatianing small, minor injuries before attacking Gulo himself.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: The Skarzs on February 23, 2015, 05:43:02 PM
They would probably both end up killing each other, Gulo because of his great size, strength, and endurance, and Asmodeus because of his cunning, his own size, and his venomous bite.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: James Gryphon on February 24, 2015, 06:40:28 AM
I did some research.

The only venomous snake native to Great Britain, which Mossflower is based off of, is the common adder (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vipera_berus). Thus, Asmodeus would have been of this type. Well, honey badgers prey on snakes that are more poisonous and dangerous than the adder is, and the wolverine's hide is at least as tough as a honey badger's.

Even if Asmodeus was able to penetrate his hide, his poison might not be up to the job -- apparently, if a snake penetrates the badger's skin, it isn't unheard of for the badger to kill the snake anyway, get knocked unconscious for a few hours, then wake up and eat.

Even if Asmodeus bites him and even if the venom is fatal, it's very unlikely to work fast enough to prevent Gulo from getting the kill. So, it should be a curbstomp for Gulo.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Lady Cregga on February 24, 2015, 12:07:52 PM
For the same reasons as James, I think Asmodeus would win. What would happen if Baliss and Urthstripe, the badger lord from Salamandastron, fought?
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: rrrrr on April 20, 2015, 01:36:19 AM
I think Urthstripe would win.

Baliss is foolish because he didn't know that a hedgehog had spikes  :o

:)
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: The Skarzs on April 20, 2015, 02:58:43 AM
Baliss was also blind, so he didn't really have any real way of knowing unless he could smell the difference between a hedgehog and another beast.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: rrrrr on April 20, 2015, 04:56:35 AM
The only advantage Baliss has is the venom.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: asmodeus on August 24, 2017, 01:18:09 AM
Just a general comment on snakes, there is one more type of venomous snake in Redwall besides the adder. It is the coral snake, and it appears in The Pearls of Lutra and is hypnotized by Ublaz.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: The Skarzs on August 24, 2017, 01:58:09 AM
We can also assume all other venomous snakes live in the world as well.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: clunylooney on April 18, 2020, 04:29:53 AM
Adders are some of the coolest villains. Asmodeus is awesome but the snakes from Triss would have to be my favorite. That would be, Berussca, Zassaliss, Harssacss and Sesstra.
Title: Re: Adders of Mossflower
Post by: Ripred the Gnawer on November 27, 2020, 12:15:45 AM
Quote from: clunylooney on April 18, 2020, 04:29:53 AM
Adders are some of the coolest villains. Asmodeus is awesome but the snakes from Triss would have to be my favorite. That would be, Berussca, Zassaliss, Harssacss and Sesstra.
Berussssssssssssssssssca? Cluny, you are rather looney, if you get the joke (which you hopefully will).

My fave ssssssssnake(ssssssss) would probably be...

Hmm...

Lesssssssssssssee now...

Uh...

I think mine would be THE DREADED THREE!!!!! SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Only it'ssssssss sssssssso not fair that Zassssssalisssssss getsssssss to eat before Harssssssssacsssssssss and Sssssssesssssstra do.