Painted Ones

The Painted Ones were a tribe of savage creatures who lived in pine trees and terrorized any travellers passing through their territory. They were tree rats who covered themselves with yellow and purple (also black and green) paint and tattoos in order to merge with the darkness of a pine forest. Painted Ones were fearful of fire which could easily destroy their habitat.

Cunning and treacherous, the Painted Ones moved in large gangs virtually undetected through the dark branches until they unleashed their vicious attack. These vermin were cannibalistic and ate their victims, leaving their carcasses on the branches.

In The Legend of Luke
The Painted Ones were encountered by Martin the Warrior, Gonff the Mousethief and their companions in a pine wood section of Mossflower Woods. Martin and his companions attempted to avoid them by navigating their raft at full speed but were stopped by nets set by the savages. However Martin managed to cut the nets with his sword and fought the beasts off successfully, scaring them away with the famous badger lord war cry.

In Mattimeo
While Matthias and his companions were crossing the pine forest of the Southern Plateau to travel to the kingdom of Malkariss, the Painted Ones kidnapped Cheek, a young otter. Matthias and his companions narrrowly escaped by trading the captured leader of the Painted Ones in exchange for Cheek. Slagar the Cruel's group went through there too. The Painted Ones killed Skan and attempted to capture Auma.

In The Long Patrol
Many seasons later, Tammo and the Long Patrol encountered the Painted Ones in Mossflower Woods, where the villains were revealed to be tree rats; their leader was called Shavvakamalla. He was captured by the Long Patrol, and he was used ensure safe passage through the area.

Books
The Painted Ones appear in Mattimeo, The Long Patrol, The Legend of Luke, and Doomwyte.