Redcap

A **Redcap** is a violent, mysterious goblin type figure created by the dark magic of Glanfeoil, which serve as supporting antagonists in The North Star. They appear to be created from the negative energy of angry disillusioned young men, frequently attack Sophie Scott and her allies, as well as engaging in kidnapping.

## Description

Redcaps are described as having green-gray skin, monstrous yellow eyes, big pointy ears, disfigured teeth and unnaturally long arms, wearing a fabric of red cloth around their heads. They sometimes carry black axes made out of flint, or spears. When they appear, a mysterious thick mist appears to accompany them in order to anonymise their presence from the public. The creatures hold a strength stronger than an average human being and are able to move equally as fast. This makes them extremely dangerous in combat, although Sophie is able to beat them. When they die, they disintegrate into dust.

## Role in the Story

### Creation

The Redcaps were created through the mysterious "Lava" drug which, with some unspecified magical ritual, created the Redcaps out of the dark energy of the young men who used it, all of which was derived by Glanfeoil. This led to the kidnapping of boys such as Matthew James in order to produce large numbers of them. Although the story's narrative covered their attacks against Sophie and her friends, news reports, as well as rumours around the city indicate that they were attacking and intimidating others too, although for a purpose which is not disclosed. Until the finale of the story, however, the public did not understand them to be monsters or magical at any point, and they were perceived as men engaging in anti-social behaviour.

### Attacking Sophie Scott

Upon walking home at night, Sophie is attacked by a Redcap in the Barnes Park Extension only to be rescued by Viviane. She assumes the encounter to be a dream, but soon enough realises it is all real.

### Attack at Holy Trinity Church

The following day, the same Redcap attacks Sophie, Millie and Bertha Bagshaw at the courtyard of Holy Trinity Church in the East End of the city, proceeding to knock out Bertha who mistakenly assumes it as a joke. Here, Sophie discovers her powers for the first time and destroys it.

### Standoff at Foxy Island

After the trio venture to Foxy Island to rescue Matthew James, Millie is captured by a group of Redcaps, which leads to a standoff between Sophie and all three of them. A Redcap leader expresses an ability to speak, and warns her that the "lord" (Glanfeoil) will return and offers her a chance to submit. Sophie successfully slays all of them before rescuing Matthew from their occultic lair.

### Invasion of Sunderland

Only one more Redcap appears until the finale of the story, suggesting Sophie's sabotage of the base and the defeat of Tony Radcliff put an end to them. However, Glanfeoil uses his dark magic, combined with life of David Sim, to create a gigantic army of them which subsequently invades and occupies Sunderland, causing widespread destruction. Sophie successfully leads a local resistance against them, with the public learning the Redcaps are weakened if confronted with positive energy, and the people of Sunderland overwhelm the army. Upon defeating Glanfeoil, the remaining Redcaps then disappear.

## Behind the Scenes

* Redcaps are based on the legendary goblin creatures depicted in Northumbrian folklore, said to inhabit castles and be empowered by tyranny. A Redcap is depicted as "a short, thickset old man with long prominent teeth, skinny fingers armed with talons like eagles, large eyes of a fiery red colour, grisly hair streaming down his shoulders, iron boots, a pikestaff in his left hand, and a red cap on his head".

* Some inspiration for the characters and their behaviour has been derived from the computer game, the Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. Similar to the "sleepers" in that game which are brainwashed by Dagoth Ur, the Redcaps are likewise drugged and brainwashed into becoming fanatical servants of Glanfeoil. As a nod to this, they carry the quote that "You shall greet him as flesh or dust.”