User blog comment:D2r/Unanswered Questions of Redwall/@comment-1669318-20100126221948

@ Umrag

1. If Salamandastron is an extinct volcano, there would be natural tunnels and chambers. And why wouldn't they have tools? A badger could probably make them.

2. They settle the Islands so they can stop there to make repairs, build ships, resupply with food, store treasure, and be reasonably safe. If they tried to set up a port in Mossflower, the Long Patrol would probably clear them out very quick.

3. Brian Jaques never said anything about this, but I wrote a fanfic about it. You commented on it a few times.

4. Slagar is probably a random name he came up with so no one who knew him as Chickenhound would recognize him. Since Malkariss controled the Blackrobe rats and the Longtail horde, it would be next to impossible to build a kingdom in that area without his permission. And didn't have an army, which would be needed to control a kingdom. Both of those things he was promised by Malkariss.