The Red Warren is the first episode of season 20 of Dimension 20, Burrow's End.
The denizens of the Red Warren and the Blue Forest respond to an unexpected threat.
Introduction[]
"Earth, soft and rich and fragrant with the life and death of the forest that surrounds you, fills your vision in every direction. There is no light here, this low, within the packed dirt walls of the warren that your mothers' mothers' mothers claimed by fang and claw from the wild hares that once lived here, beneath the shade of a massive red oak tree. Four dozen stoats, give or take, and, for those of you who don't know, a stoat is a small, long, weasel-like creature from the Mustelid family, who calls weasels, otters, badgers, and wolverines their cousins. You all live here together in this peaceful little corner of the Blue Forest."
Synopsis[]
In The Red Warren, a community of stoats lives beneath a massive red oak tree. Young siblings Jaysohn and Lila are being watched by their Auntie Beatrix while their mother is away. The children engage in playful antics, with Jaysohn showing off his acrobatics and Lila attempting to ambush him. Beatrix struggles to get them to settle down for bed, eventually resorting to bribery with dried meat. As the children drift off to sleep, they speculate about the mysterious "Blue" mentioned in Beatrix's bedtime story.
Meanwhile, in a nearby camp, Thorn Vale and his wife Viola discuss the need to move their group, the Lukura, a collection of nomadic woodland creatures. Thorn senses an impending danger in the forest, but Viola expresses concern about uprooting her family from the Red Warren. Thorn experiences a brief moment of anxiety, recalling a traumatic encounter with something otherworldly that left him scarred.
Back at the Red Warren, Tula, Jaysohn and Lila's mother, is being groomed by her mother Ava. They discuss Walmer, an older stoat who has been showing interest in Tula. Ava subtly pushes for Tula to consider Walmer as a potential partner, but Tula deflects, focusing instead on her responsibilities to her children and the community.
Viola arrives to speak with her family about Thorn's concerns. A heated discussion ensues about the potential dangers lurking in the forest and the wisdom of leaving their long-established home. The conversation wakes Jaysohn and Lila, who overhear talk of monsters and moving. Tula agrees to consider the idea if Thorn can provide more concrete information about the threat.
The next morning, a strange dust storm begins to engulf the area. Ava, venturing outside, encounters Mila, a young stoat who reports difficulty breathing and seeing near the river. Recognizing the danger, Ava alerts her family. Thorn, who had a premonition of the coming threat, races back to warn the Red Warren.
As the dust thickens and becomes harder to breathe, the family debates whether to seal themselves in the warren or flee. Tula, realizing the futility of hiding, decides they must run. Led by Jaysohn, who shows an impressive talent for navigation, the group escapes to higher ground. They're joined by Thorn and a few survivors from the Lukura, including his loyal followers Olliver and Teedles.
From their vantage point, they watch in horror as their home and much of the surrounding area is swallowed by the mysterious dust. Many of the animals that followed Thorn scatter in the face of the threat, but Olliver and Teedles remain loyal. The group grapples with the sudden loss of their home and the realization that they can't return.
As they catch their breath and tend to those affected by the dust, Viola makes a startling discovery. Looking out over the changed landscape, she notices a gray river-like path that they had never seen before, stretching far into the distance. The dust and the ominous presence seem to be following this path, suggesting that something dangerous is approaching.
Locations[]
- The Blue Woods
Featured Characters[]
Stupendous Stoats[]
New[]
- Auntie Beatrix
- Big Walmer
- Teedles
- Olliver
- The Badger
- Mila