Character Sheet for Shelkka Delavulpes Freuken
Character Description
Shelkka Freuken is the ruler of the Kingdom of Marl. She identifies as a Marlfox, a brood of stealthy foxes that were the main antagonists in the Redwall book titled, Marlfox. Shelkka became queen at only 19 years old by overthrowing her parents with the support of her soldiers. She has been a beloved and adored ruler since, but lives in a constant state of angst and depression. She feels like her reign has been a nonstop bombardment of crises averted at the last minute. She suffers nightmares of personal and public failure. Shelkka could use a vacation, but she will have to participate in the Second Battle for New Europe along with the rest of Mossflower before that happens. Here she is on the battlements of Redwall Abbey's south wall, posing with her signature Marlfox Ax.
15 months prior to the above image, the Rat Queen Guivderin of Dugroznik arrived in the Port of Marl with news of her kingdom falling to the Siberians. The frazzled young rat queen reminded Shelkka of her younger self as a new queen. Unfortunately, Shelkka could only offer safe harbor and accommodations. Marl was in no position to wage a distant offensive war. The two queens had breakfast together the following morning. "We Marlfoxes specialize in silent stealth and defense, not open warfare. Go to Redwall Abbey, seek the Long Patrol." Shelkka instructed. She knew this was Queen Guivderin's best bet for help, she had no idea the impact this would have upon herself or Mossflower's history.
The ambitions of these 'Siberians' remained little more than a curiosity to Shelkka until summer of 5644. News of the Long Patrol's defeat at the Battle of Langchex reached Marl that August. This was terrifying. Despite all the rivalries of Mossflower's past, there was a general agreement among all kingdoms, all realms, goodbeast and vermin alike, that the Long Patrol could save Mossflower if an overreaching enemy were to invade. The Battle of Lanchex shattered all hope. Shelkka shook with fear as she read the details delivered by her messengers. 'General Thunderfoot gravely injured, all badger warriors dead, over 200 Long Patrol dead, articles of surrender being reviewed at Redwall Abbey.' What could she do? Her elite Marlfox warriors were strong but few, the bulk of her army were 'child soldiers', orphans of the Flea Plague of Marl. She pictured their young faces, patriotic, inexperienced, and looking for adventure. The Siberians could march on Marl with ease. Shelkka issued a decree of defense for the kingdom. And preparations were made in the main walled city of Marl for an extended siege.
Nine months later, Queen Guivderin returned to Marl with General Longstride and Timeous Frent on her quest for unity. It was a very emotional three days for Shelkka. First, she learned that General Thunderfoot had eventually died from his wounds. She'd maintained a longtime correspondence with the crusty general that took on romantic tones at times. It was difficult to imagine the world without him. Second, Queen Guivderin, now wielding the sword of Martin the Warrior, shined with an inspiring confidence that Shelkka could aspire to. The rat queen played her new role of heroine like a boss, and Shelkka loved it. She was also quite taken with young recorder's assistant, Timeous Frent. He was the same age as her youngest soldiers, and just journeyed through most of Mossflower. Shelkka pledged her full support to Mossflower unity.
Queen Shelkka and her Marlfox army of 950 creatures arrived at Redwall Abbey on June 21, 5645. She became a favorite among the abbey folk for her elegance, manners, and a shining example of a strong female leader. She bonded with both Guivderin and Sister Jallop, gal pals she'd never had before. For her first time, Shelkka felt she was surrounded by allies and hope.
The Marlfoxes under Queen Shelkka are credited as being a significant help in defeating the Siberians. She forever repaired the reputation of the long time distrusted name, Marlfox.
Personality
Cautious and analytical, a bit over-analytical to her psychological detriment. Tries to approach situations from all angles, but obsesses over details. Decisive when it comes down to final moments and almost always makes good decisions, but will mull over what she could have done better. Deep fear of failure.
Stoic to maintain the image of leadership and confidence of her advisors and subjects. It's difficult for her to loosen up, but she does have a fun side that Queen Guivderin was able to pry open.
Emotional and compassionate in private.
Likes/Dislikes
Likes seeing the success of others, kind of feeds off it, holds no envious feelings. Enjoys the feeling of accomplishment, but always looks for the next task. Likes a good glass of red wine from Marl's vinyards. She enjoyed copious amounts of it at Redwall Abbey during the Rendezvous of the Six Armies, usually at the encouragement of Queen Guivderin.
Loves Queen Guivderin, who eventually becomes Mother Abbess Gwendolyn. The rat queen is everything Shelkka strives to become. A strong female leader who lives up to her role, but never stops being her true self. She was Shelkka's first real 'gal pal'. The two remained close friends until the Marlfox Queen's death at age 78.
Not a hateful creature. Tends to disagree as opposed to dislike. Although she does detest despotic rulers and unprofessional behavior of authority figures who should know better.
Background/History
Shelkka Delavulpes Freuken was born August 13, 5608 in the Kingdom of Marl, Mossflower. She is the youngest of three kits, the royal children of Marlfox King Balska and Queen Wendyn Freuken. The Marl of Shelkka's youth was a beautiful vibrant kingdom of astronomers, philosophers, scientists, and theater. Marl boasted Mossflower's only university. The Marlfox's openness to trade helped tremendously with its success, but it would also cause its near-undoing.
Shelkka was the most adorable little vixen. Although she was a runt, she was healthy and bright. Well behaved, always presentable, followed the rules exactly as written. She was the perfect little princess, her older siblings not so much. Her older brother, Tallor, was a whiny, brash, self-entitled brat and an embarrassment. Her older sister, Grenkka, lived with her head in the clouds and wanted nothing to do with rules and order. Shelkka got along with her siblings, but it was obvious that she would be heir to the throne.
At 14, Shelkka's ascension happened quick. Her now 18 year old brother was banished to the family estate on Marlfox Island as an embarrassing liability. Her 16 year old sister joined a troupe of traveling performers to 'see the world'. This left Shelkka, always the favorite, in line for the throne.
The precocious young vixen delve right into her role as princess, gobbling up every bit of knowledge and responsibility that she could. She learned how their kingdom became so prosperous, she also learned the history of the Marlfoxes and their dark legacy of thieving and stealth. In time, she learned of her parents' ambitions to expand the kingdom by way of slow thievery. Their eventual plan was to occupy and acquire the treasure of Redwall Abbey. "Wait! This again?? After a thousand years your plan is to conquer Redwall Abbey and steal a treasure? That'd make us just a clan of filthy thieving foxes. Sterotypes!" lectured the now 18 year old Shelkka.
"Know your place Shelkka! The Marlfoxes have a legacy of strength to uphold. King Mokkan successfully brought the Great Tapestry of Redwall to Castle Marl!" scolded King Balska.
"And he was eaten by a shark while trying to escape Redwall's hero. Impeccable legacy, Father." Shelkka retorted, clearly disturbed. Later that evening, Shelkka went to the Marlfox General Skurlock, someone she trusted. He was always fond of her, encouraged her, had high hopes for her. When she mentioned her parents' ambitions, he was taken aback. He had no idea. "The Long Patrol would have our skins!" he said. Fearing a dark path for their kingdom, Shelkka and Skurlock planned a Coup d'état.
On March 21, 5628 at around 3am, Shelkka and 15 elite Marlfox warriors entered her parents' royal bedchamber. Shelkka was wearing her tiara, "You can rule like Mokkan, from Marlfox Island, where you will stay. This kingdom means too much to me to let you turn us into thieving vermin!" There was much screaming, but the former king and queen were taken by boat to Marlfox Island where they remain. Shelkka was the new Marlfox Queen.
The fleas arrived by boat in the hot spring of 5630. First was the itching, then the infections, then the fever, then septic death. The Flea Plague of Marl went out of control in only three weeks. Commerce stopped, trade stopped, everything stopped. Shelkka's short fur spared her, but Marl was collapsing. Desperately, she sent a messenger to Redwall Abbey, begging for help. 700 Long Patrol hares arrived six weeks later wearing plague masks, leather suits, and very armed. "They're here to kill us, we're just diseased vermin." she thought. She was wrong. Led by General Thunderfoot, the Long Patrol restored order, and their healers, along with many from Redwall Abbey, saved the Marlfox Kingdom.
Over the next 15 years, Shelkka rebuilt Post Plague Marl into a vibrant, youthful version of its former self. A generation known as the 'Plague Dibbuns' became Marl's future, including helping to defeat the Siberians.
Relatives/Family
Father: King Balska Dandon Freuken, age 76. (Living in exile on Marlfox Island)
Mother: Queen Wendyn Tryak Freuken, age 59. (Living in exile on Marlfox Island)
Brother: Prince Tallor Krom Freuken, age 40. (Estranged, whereabouts unknown.)
Sister: Princess Grenkka Sellavulp Freuken, age 38. (Lives in Seahide Commune, far Northeast Mossflower, a place currently occupied by the Siberians.)
Some extended family throughout Marl.
World/Setting
Set on planet Earth approximately 50,000 years in the future. All of my Redwall OCs are depicted as they were in the year 5645(Year Zero was when time measurements switched from seasons to years.), the year of the Rendezvous of the Six Armies. Most of the anthro world is stone aged to medieval at this time, with some increasing industrialization. The most modern cities have technology equivalent to that of Ancient Rome. Worldwide ocean travel exists with celestial navigation as a risky undertaking.
Shelkka is from the Kingdom of Marl, located in the southeastern part of Mossflower. It is ruled by the Marlfoxes, originally a specific fox family made infamous in the Redwall book titled, Marlfox. The original Marlfoxes led by King Mokkan lived on Marlfox Island, in Castle Marl. The island was described as being in the middle of a giant inland lake. We know this as the westernmost Balearic Island of Spain in the Mediterranean Sea. King Mokkan was slain in the year 4687, the supposed last of the Marlfoxes. But the line reappeared 300 years later, not on Marlfox Island but on the seashore of southeastern Mossflower. And although their presence was known to the Long Patrol, they never again appeared in the Redwall book saga.
The Kingdom of Marl covers the area around what we know as Valencia, Spain. Marlfox Island is still part of that kingdom, but is now more of an outpost and a retreat for nobility. Marl is populated mostly by creatures of 'vermin' species, but 10 percent of the population are those of 'goodbeast' species, outcasts and oddballs that have found their place here. The Marlfoxes are still the ruling class in a mix of a free market economy and feudalistic rule under a monarch. The Marlfoxes use coinage as a medium of exchange, and new idea in Mossflower. Speaking of Mossflower, the citizens of Marl do not consider themselves 'Mossflorian', despite the common language, shared history, and even some shared holidays. This issue remains contentious even to the modern day, where Marl is a province of Mossflower.
The Marl that Shelkka came to rule is a place of upheaval, rediscovery, and re-imagination. The Flea Plague of Marl struck in 5630, only two years after her ascension to the throne. The fleas arrived on merchant ships. They were aggressive bloodsuckers that caused severe infection in their hosts. Most died within a week from septic shock, those with extremely strong immune systems survived. Young Shelkka appealed to Redwall Abbey for help, something no Marlfox would have considered in the past. The response came in the form of 700 Long Patrol Hares entering their city heavily armed and wearing plague masks, creatures of nightmares. But their better angles prevailed, allowing Marl to recover.
Post Plague Marl was lacking adults, but full of youth looking for purpose. It was already a place of mystics, thinkers, imagination. Foxes are crafty creatures, and rats are very persistent and organized when not succumbing to life's temptations. Queen Shelkka seized this moment in time to use the energy of Marl's youth to rebuild the kingdom. This all happened just in time as a strange ship docked in Marl during the spring of 5644. Aboard was Queen Guivderin of Dugroznik, a long time trading partner of the Marlfoxes. She brought news of the Siberians invading her kingdom and needed military assistance. Queen Shelkka directed the rat-queen to Redwall Abbey. But Guivderin returned nine months later on a quest to unify Mossflower. Queen Shelkka accepted. And on June 21, 5645, she led the new youthful Marlfox army to take part in the Rendezvous of the Six Armies.
The Marlfoxes and their army of mostly vermin species forever redeemed themselves in Mossflower history because of their assistance in defeating the Siberians. The silent stealth they are known for put enough of a dent in the Siberian supply line to help turn the battle of Chautaux Flats.
Body
Petite, very attractive female body. Only 5 feet 1 inch tall, about the height of most mice. Dark brown fur with a banded "raccoon like" tail. Shelkka is a Silver Fox breed of the Red Fox, which is the case for most who identify as 'Marlfoxes'. Intense golden eyes with nocturnal adaptation.
Clothing
Long slip dress, almost always purple. High-heeled sandals with purple dyed straps. High heels have become fashionable among female nobility and royalty of the time.
Accessories
Her princess's tiara, now the Silver crown of Marl with encrusted pink sapphire jewels. Silver plate necklace with amethyst gemstones. The necklace is attached to a purple silk cape via a 4 inch long pin laced with adder venom that can be used for defense. Pulling the pin will release the cape, facilitating an escape. A gold ring on each wrist.
Signature Marlfox steel ax. This weapon is symbolic, she is not strong enough to wield it.
