One of the most interesting, descriptively, of the Redwall Villains, yet he has always confused me a bit. How can a fox wear a wolf’s skull on his head like a hat, as he is often depicted, with the wolf‘s teeth resting on the top of his head? That would imply the wolf was smaller than the fox (unless it was a wolf pup’s skull)? His death made little sense as well, for surely the skull would shatter or the teeth wouldn’t be able to pierce Nargu’s own, larger, skull?
So, this was designed accordingly to answer those questions. Nargu is only wearing a part of the wolf’s original skull, then having a helmet-like ornament built around it so it would fit snugly on its head (the metal ‘teeth’ will also be able to get through Nargu’s skull if it rode up his head during the moment before the impact with the tree, as he was being lifted up.)
Other than that his design was also based on the Grey Fox, even though that is a desert animal…I could have used an artic fox or a silver morph of the Red Fox, but I liked the blend of russet and grey in this animal (besides, I always pictured Nagru’s mate, Silvamord, being a silver Red Fox).
Oh my! All That fur! *feints* haha, only kidding, I find painting fur (with no custom brushes) very relaxing and I really like how it came out in this one.
From Redwall WIKI
“Urgan Nagru the Foxwolf was a male fox who commanded a vast horde against the kingdom of Southsward.
Urgan Nagru's true name is unknown. While he was ruler of the Land of Ice and Snow, he found a dead wolf, whose pelt he took for himself. Fixing iron hooks onto the claws of the pelt, he could strap his hands in the paw area and wield them as deadly weapons. He also took the skull of the wolf and used it as a helmet. With his new attire, he declared himself the Foxwolf and named himself Urgan Nagru. (Urgan being the wolf's name, he spelled it backwards to give the impression he was coming from the front and back.)
Eventually, Nagru and his mate Silvamord grew tired of the frigid land, so they and an army of rats numbering about 500 took three ships and sailed to the warmer southern regions, specifically the country of Southsward. There, Nagru and his mate deceived Gael Squirrelking into thinking they were peaceful creatures, and were permitted entrance to Castle Floret. A few days after entering, Nagru held Gael's son Truffen hostage and threatened to kill him if Gael didn't allow Urgan to take the throne. Gael was forced to accept, and the army of rats took over the countryside.
Urgan, like many vermin rulers, did not appear to actually like his mate. Silvamord continually insulted him and threw projectiles at the Foxwolf, who did not appreciate the attention.
After that, life was pretty easy for the Foxwolf. Being complete ruler of all Southsward, he felt that he had no enemies and was completely safe. However, unbeknownst to him, a loyal otter named Rab Streambattle, the leader of Gael's Otter Guard, planned to free the king and his family from the castle. Rab succeeded in rescuing Gael's wife Squirrelqueen Serena and Truffen, but couldn't get to Gael. Nagru, outraged, chased after the otter, but was held back when the badger nursemaid Muta ran to Rab's aid and stalled them long enough to make their own escape. The Foxwolf ordered that his army find the escaped prisoners and any who aided them and return them to him.
The Foxwolf sent out his dreaded trackers, the Dirgecallers, (horrific, blood crazed, female ermines) to find the escapees, but they were killed by Mariel Gullwhacker, Dandin, and Meldrum Fallowthorn the Magnificient. Nagru consoled his loss by capturing the trio, but was surprised when they escaped the dungeon and joined with Gael and Glokkpod and formed a blockade in the highest tower of the castle. The Foxwolf was furious that his mighty army couldn't even hold on to a small group of woodlanders, who by now had escaped the castle.
Soon enough, Gael reappeared to storm the castle with a mighty group of Southswarders who were willing to fight for their freedom. None of them counted on Nagru's cunning as a general, and soon they were the ones in need of assistance. But then, to the utter dismay of Nagru another army led by Joseph the Bellmaker appeared and started to force the Foxwolf's army back. Left with only his personal guard, Nagru tried to make his way back to his ships, but encountered Finnbarr Galedeep. Nagru tried to wrestle with the otter, but was lifted up by Finnbarr, who rammed Nagru's head into a nearby tree. The curved fangs on Urgan's wolfskin helmet were driven into his own skull, killing the Foxwolf and ending his reign over Southsward.”
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Character from Brian Jacques’ book The Bellmaker
Character Design by Myself.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment