Mossflower is gone.
The product of a sinister vermin ritual, demons from Hellgates have invaded the world of the living. They care not for allegiance, nor purpose. Their only objective; to destroy all life and claim the world for their own. After the first few days, it was clear that the demons could not be destroyed by normal means.
However, one positive result of this attack is evident. At the same time as Hellgates opening, Dark Forest's gates have released their own inhabitants. Champions of old have returned to life and guide the survivors of the attack, as around them, the world turns into a wasteland. Grass dies, becoming a diseased yellow. Leaves fall from trees whose trunks turn black and twist into unnatural shapes. Only two places in the world are able to survive their influence.
Salamandastron, home of the Badger Lords and their fearless Long Patrol, their ranks swollen by the returning veterans from Dark Forest and kept safe by the mysterious magic that permeates its rocks.
And Redwall, protected by the magic of its founder's blade, now a haven of many in Mossflower that do not have the strength to make the journey to Salamandastron.
Other things have come to pass as well. Energy from the otherworlds has fused itself with the remaining inhabitants, allowing some of the survivors to defend themselves from the hellish creatures that have ruined the ancient forests. Guided by the former inhabitants of Dark Forest, the users have managed to hold their own against the demons.
Though not all share this gift. In various places, creatures that have not received magic from the openings have been forced to rely on physical methods of defense, holding the line against the enemy with enchanted weapons that have now become the norm.
They are the Dark Ones. The others are called Wielders. They are both rare, the rest of the surviving creatures being normal and unchanged.
But both Redwall and Salamandastron have retained their policy of open doors, which, in this world, is now more vital than ever.
But there is hope for the living. One squirrel, a Dark One named Rain, has a destiny of more importance than any before him. He will reclaim the world of the living.
If he does not, the consequences will be direr than anybeast can imagine.
This is basically the backstory to the story. I'll post this and see if anyone reads it before posting the rest. R and R, please!