Axtel Sturnclaw

Gender: male

Species: mole

Appears In: The Sable Quean




Axtel is a fearsome resident of Mossflower who expertly wields a war hammer. He is the only known member of his species to suffer from the Bloodwrath, enjoys tunneling into the earth and destroying rocks with his weapon as he goes, and if he slays a vermin he hurls their body into the trees so the ground will not be soiled. While digging near Althier he finds Flib, Guffy, and Gurchen in a collapsed tunnel and rescues them but quickly realizes he has zero experience caring for youngsters. When the trio tell him about the other prisoners inside Althier he becomes angry and leaves Flib in charge so he can save the rest of the captives. He succeeds in rescuing Borti and Tassy before his footpaw is severely injured by Gilfis, then he is forced to flee and Tassy treats his wound with some herbs. After meeting up with Buckler and Diggs they decide to head to Mumzy's home so she can watch the babes, and she puts a new dressing on his footpaw before he leaves for Althier with his new friends as he knows where is best to dig into the ancient place. Along with Diggs he commands half the fighters while Buckler and Jango take the rest, however the plan fails as they discover the Ravagers have already left for Redwall. They end up spying on the vermin but he is spotted by Fallug who recognizes him as a mole and raises the alarm, causing him to become afflicted by the Bloodwrath and charge. Marjoram manages to stop him and convinces him to return to the Abbey so his still-injured footpaw can be looked at. During the final battle he works with Ambry to kill as many vermin as possible before pursing a fleeing Vilaya, but due to his injury he is forced to stay back while his friend continues the chase. After she kills the Quean she returns to him and carries him back to Redwall on her shoulders. The following day he heads back out to Mumzy's home to retrieve the youngsters, and after returning to the Abbey again he decides to stay here permanently. Axtel is presumably named after USA soldier Pfc. Donald Ross Axtel III.