Bloodwrath


 * "Bloodwrath is terrible, somethin' you don't ever want t'see or know about."
 * ―Abruc

The Bloodwrath is a mental condition characteristic of badgers but not limited exclusively to the species. It causes the afflicted to go berserk with anger for a short period of time, enabling him (or her) to cause a fantastic amount of damage during battle and to withstand a great deal of pain and injury. Despite these apparent advantages, the Bloodwrath is usually considered to be a weakness. Among the effects of the Bloodwrath, seeing red and the inability to distinguish friend from foe may occur. It is possible to control the Bloodwrath, but this takes an inordinate amount of willpower and personal strength. As yet, the only badger to have done this is Gorath the Flame.

Characters who have shown signs of the Bloodwrath thus far that were not badgers are:


 * Cuthbert Blanedale Frunk
 * Ranguvar Foeseeker
 * Martin the Warrior
 * Rab Streambattle
 * Grath Longfletch
 * Matthias
 * Felldoh
 * Dannflower Reguba
 * Luke the Warrior
 * Martin II
 * Triss
 * Rakkety Tam MacBurl

All major Badger Rulers have been known to be afflicted with the Bloodwrath except for Russano the Wise, Hightor and Mandoral Highpeak. However, these Badger Lords were not mentioned extensively, and they may have suffered the Bloodwrath at one time or another.

In History
The phenomenon of a strong soldier simply going berserk in presence of a foe is, of course, not unknown. Brian Jacques may have based bloodwrath on the case of the Viking Berserkers.