URCHIN (Click to view)

Urchin is a red squirrel, but an unusually pale colour. Nobody knows where Urchin comes from. Knowing that he's not really a Mistmantle animal at all makes him feel he has to work extra hard for approval.

FIR

In his younger days Fir was in the guard, but he was a keen scholar and a deep thinker with a great love for the Heart and a gentle spirit. He soon recognised his calling as a priest and has been the priest of Mistmantle for many years now. He limps, due to an old injury, and he has remarkable eyes, deep and joyful. He lives in his simply furnished turret at the highest point of the tower.

CRISPIN (Click to view)

Crispin is an excellent sword-squirrel, but rarely uses one except for practical purposes like cutting through ivy in the woods. Crispin rose quickly from a young tower squirrel to a member of the Circle, then to a Captain as his qualities of integrity, kindness, courage and resourcefulness were recognised and encouraged.

ARRAN

Arran is an extremely sensible otter, one who sees what needs doing and does it with great efficiency. She reacts to a crisis with commonsense rather than emotion - but she cries when Crispin is exiled, and repeatedly risks her own safety to protect the young. She doesn't like to let Padra know how much she cares about him, because she's not altogether sure of his feelings for her.

PADRA (Click to view)

Padra is Crispin's best friend, and they share the same outlook of life. Padra's presence is reassuring, and if his responsibilities are sometimes heavy, he doesn't let it show. He dislikes injustice, especially towards the young, and can't stay away from the water for long. Padra has a long-term girlfriend, Arran, but hasn't asked her to marry him because he's not convinced that she'll have him.

HOPE

His real name is Hoppen, and he's much loved by the animals in charge of the Mole Palace nursery. Because he's short-sighted, he's brought up in secret. He has very good manners, adores his mother Thripple, and is a brave little soul determined to get places, even if he bumps into everything in his way.

NEEDLE (Click to view)

Needle works at the tower, especially on the Threadings - the woven, stiched and painted pictures showing the history of Mistmantle. Needle is a young hedgehog and is fiercely loyal to her friends and family. She is a close friend of Urchin's.

HUSK

As a young squirrel, Husk had many great qualities - he was strong, brave, resourceful and clever. But he was too much aware of all this, and too ready to consider himself superior to other animals. But he wanted to impress, and learned to conceal anything in himself which would meet with disapproval.

ASPEN

Aspen was the eldest of three sisters - the younger ones both married 'off the island', leaving Mistmantle for ever. She realised early in life that she had beauty, intelligence, and charm, and was determined to use these to the greatest advantage.

LUGG (Click to view)

Lugg is an old soldier, greying at the muzzle. Like most moles he says little, and what he does say is brief and down-to-earth. He is a good judge of character and a no-nonsense, dependable animal with a dry sense of humour.

TAY

Tay took an interest in the history of Mistmantle from a very early age, and then turned to a study of the law. She became expert in every aspect of the law and traditions of the island, and felt very strongly that they must always be upheld, however inconvenient. Dignity is important to her, and it is said that nobody has ever seen her laugh.