A friend of mine on the muck recently made the comment how she finds little fun in RPing at Redwall anymore which, honestly, is for me a sad thing to hear. The reason for her loss of enthusiasm? Well, nobody (at least how my friend sees it) seems to like the idea of RPing a happy character. Of what she has seen (and I agree now that she mentions it), many of the RPs at the Abbey tend to be filled with pity parties and tension.

I do know of a couple, but I think it's safe to say that there are not many instances in the books where there was a prolonged gloom in the Abbey. I know how on the muck, bad stuff has happened to the Abbey in the past, some really bad stuff in fact. And, from that perspective, I suppose people have a right to be 'mopey' as my friend put it, whether it's over the Abbey's condition or in response to their characters' personal woes and/or grudges.

But perhaps this notion has been carried on longer than necessary. If my friend (who is a long-time player on the muck) is becoming disillusioned about RP at Redwall, I highly doubt it leaves any better of an impression to the new players of the muck. Plus, how are we supposed to expect the Abbey to be restored to what it once was, when this kind of angst and pessimism seems to prevail?

I say it's time that the beasts of the Abbey (myself included) lighten up, and ICly have something to be happy or optimistic about for a change. You don't get any new songs by playing the same record over and over again. You want good and happy things to happen for Redwall? Then play the part!