Rook James

**Skulksmarshall Rook James** is a main character in *Revolution* and a recurring character in *Contact*.

In terms of the series narrative, Rook is a crocodile from Vulpus who arrived with five other Cartonians to Toontown in "They Came From the North." An ally of the Vixen Queens, Rook helped organize an act of terror on Toontown.

## Appearances

### *Contact*

Rook made his first appearance in "They Came From the North" when he and five other Cartonians (Blair Fawkes, Cale Metfin, Evelyn Quin, Jerockle Padraic, Tick Hunter) arrived at the shores of Toontown by ship. Seemingly seeking asylum after a long journey from the Kingdoms, Rook and the others were shocked to find themselves arrested and hostilely received by the Toons. Rook was outwardly grateful for the accommodations in his cell, and became friendly with Marshall Ihob, the Deputy overseeing his imprisonment. He was cordial and cooperating with the Toon Council when interrogated by the Toon Council and Toon Patrol. His friendliness with Marshall ultimately climaxed in "Outlanders" when Rook was moved to Dreamland.

   Rook was released in "Welcome to Toontown" to a house arrest program, sponsored by Eileen Irenic. He partook in an interview with Declan Antlin and his fellow Cartonians, in which he spoke of his life in Cartonia. Rook was born in Eusuchia but was educated in Cervidium. He was persecuted for a relationship he had with a deer (interspecies romantic relationships remained outlawed in Cartonia) and fled. Rook's sponsorship under Eileen ended in "Truth Will Out" when he was moved to the charge of Aleck Harding. This was due in part to his extroversion and personality clashing with Eileen's quiet home life.

After the Lawbot attack in "Revenge of the Lawbots," Rook and the other non-fox Cartonians were taken to see Dr. Artery who concluded that they likely did not have laff and that they were impervious to Cog attacks. Rook resolved to help the Toons defeat the Cogs. Blair was broken out of jail at the end of the episode and taken by the Lawbots. Rook and the others pressured the Toon Resistance to find her in "This Too Shall Pass." Rook made a brief appearance in "Split the Heavens" wishing Cale and Evelyn luck before the Deluge.

Following the Deluge in "Song of the Siren," Rook and the Cartonians found themselves in a more cheerful town. As a token of gratitude for their help defeating the Cogs in the Deluge, the Cartonians were invited to a private dinner in the Gardens. Rook posed the idea of a dinner cruise, and the Cartonians volunteered to staff the events.

On the ship's maiden voyage in "Wistful Oceans," the *Chipper* exploded as part of the Cartonians' plan. Rook was not seen before or during the explosion, leaving his fate unknown. He was confirmed to have survived in "Out of the Frying Pan" by swimming away before the explosion. Piggy transported the four of them to safety under duress. They gloated of their success, and Blair Fawkes' real name was said to be Vella Vixen. Rook, Tick, and Vella knocked out Piggy Pie, then escaped.

As the Vulpus Armada invaded Toontown in "Into the Fire," Rook stood by Vella's side as she shot her mother and crowned herself Vella I. Rook and Tick taunted Eileen Irenic and Constance Miller during their parley with the Queen, and were aboard *The Imperial Conqueror* as the Armada sailed north for Cartonia, carrying the seven heirs and their guests.

### *Revolution*

In "Aurora," Rook returned to Cartonia with Vella Vixen, Tick Hunter, and the Toons they took from Toontown. He helped transport the Toons to Yefoxerinburg, where at the historic House of Intended Design they were all gassed to death. Rook was promoted to the rank of Skulksmarshall, equal with Tick Hunter, and second only to the Vixen Queen.

In "Common Sense," Rook was left out of the loop on a mission on Eusuchia. He appeared in "Night of Shattered Stone" when the Harmony Crown was brought back to Vista. He again appeared in "Outlast Your Queen" as he investigated how Eileen Irenic and Mickey Elias escaped Vannazollern Castle. He later informed Vella that Piggy Pie, Alice Carver, and Usa Uhuru had escaped from Eusuchia.

In "Assailants Unknown," Rook, Tick, and Vella discovered the dead bodies of the Beckers, killed by Scuridian pirates.

Rook's backstory was explored in "All the Queen's Men." He was born on Eusuchia to a poor family, who enlisted him in the army at the youngest possible age to save him from the impending genocide. Both his parents were in the Free. They instructed him to get close to the foxes to save himself. In the present, Rook was sent a letter from the Free ostensibly written by Vella instructing him to go to Eusuchia Island. He returned to his homeland for the first time in fifteen years and, to his horror, witnessed the extinction of the crocodiles. He left the island in subdued panic, reckoning with what he had been a part of.

Rook interpreted his voyage to Eusuchia as a threat by the Vixen Queen, and in "Tarry Not the Final Quest" appeared distracted around her. Vella noticed, and asked Jewellia to try to figure out what was wrong with him. Vella confronted him in "Into a Land So Free" when his behavior continued to confuse her. Rook asked why he was sent to Eusuchia without saying the name, and Vella clearly had no idea what he was talking about.

Rook and Tick began to oversee a full-blown war in "For Tomorrow We Die" as the Free's revolution came to light. Rook was appointed in "Vulpus Aflame" to head the defense of Vista. He confronted Vella about the Eusuchian death camps, and she apologized for not telling him. He avowed his support for her, and the two would later authorize use of the Horizon Bomb over Toontown.

In "Toontown Asunder," upon the murder of Queen Vella, Rook assumed military control of the nation. He ordered the Horizon Bomb toward Toontown, but at the last minute authorized the weapon to be dropped on the Vulpus Armada instead. He then slaughtered the top generals and leaders of Vulpus, leaving him and a few others as traitors to Vulpus and part of a new provisional government. Rook spared Toontown and turned on the Vixen Queen due to what he saw on Eusuchia in "All the Queen's Men." He opted not to be a part of the new government, but knew he was also not welcome in Toontown. He sought to return to private life.

"Afterword" revealed that Rook lived the rest of his life in obscurity. He never contacted anyone from Toontown again. He was never pardoned for his crimes, but he was also never charged and tried. His fate is unknown.

## Character

### Namesake

Rook James is named after Captain James Cook, who was an explorer of the Pacific Ocean and made historic landfall on several island countries. Cook would be the inspiration for Captain James Hook in *Peter Pan*, a famous Disney villain.

## Trivia

* Rook is the first crocodile in Toontown since the species went extinct there.
* Rook is the first crocodile character to appear in Storytime.