| “ | Shush up, flutter butt. He's just getting started. | „ |
| ~ Red Cap to an avian Fable, while listening to Reynard the Fox's tales, Fairest #27 — "Mister Fox Goes to Town: Chapter One of The Clamour for Glamour" |
Red Cap the Troll, also known as Red Cap, is a young Fable creature who lives at the Farm in Upstate New York. He first appears in Fables #7 — "The Guns of Fabletown: Part Two of Animal Farm." Red Cap tends to show up as a background character among the crowds, occasionally interacting with the odd Fable. He is good friends with Boo Bear, and befriends the latter's little brother Boo Bear the younger, after the older bear's untimely demise.
History
Goldilocks' revolution
During Goldilocks' revolution, Boo Bear and Red Cap work together to remove Colin's severed head from its gruesome display in the center of the Farm square. They carefully place the head in a wheelbarrow, cover it, and push it off into the woods, where Mama Bear and Papa Bear are busy digging a deep hole in the woods for Goldilocks. Boo suddenly appears, followed by Red Cap, reassuring Goldilocks that they have arrived. She urges them all to quickly bury Colin's head before anyone catches them. Boo and Red Cap grimly toss Colin's severed head into the grave, with Red Cap disgustedly commenting, "Yuck!"[3]
Red Cap removing Colin's severed head from the pole
Red Cap participates in Goldilocks' hunt for Reynard the Fox, but Goldilocks requests that Red Cap and Boo keep watch on the tree line, deeming the conversation between her and Dun to be only for adults. Red Cap and Boo stroll off, engrossed in conversation over a phrase that Goldilocks had just uttered, "You can't put shit back in a goose." Red Cap mentions that the goose would need to be sedated beforehand.[3]
Despite their efforts, they are unable to locate Reynard. Red Cap observes as Goldilocks devises a plan to deploy avian Fables, preventing any messenger birds from sounding the alarm. The search continues, as Boo and Red Cap equip themselves with firearms and join in.[4]
Red Cap is present when Snow White is apprehended in a cave.[5] Afterward, he stands among the many animal Fables gathered in the Farm square. Dun speaks to the crowd, announcing that the time has come to make a move on Fabletown in New York City. Unexpectedly, Snow White emerges, declaring that their self-proclaimed revolution has come to an end. Red Cap watches as she takes action by compelling the surrender of the group through the intimidation of the three giant brothers, and the dragon Clara.[5] As the revolution teeters on the edge of erupting once more after Goldilocks shoots Snow, Red Cap stands among the Fables present. However, a faction of human Fables swiftly seize control.[6]
After several weeks have passed, Red Cap finds himself among the countless Fables waiting in line to face their war trial in the aftermath of the unsuccessful uprising. After Posey is beheaded for his involvement in the failed coup, Red Cap and Mr. Toad are the ones who remove his lifeless body from the scene.[6]
New neighbors
As Snow White settles into the Farm with her newborn cubs, Red Cap joins the multitude of Fables creatures who assemble to greet their new neighbor in the Farm square.[7]
Battle of Fabletown
Red Cap, along with numerous other Farm Fables, is enlisted to journey to New York City and join the defense of Fabletown when the wooden soldiers plot an attack on the secret Fable society. Upon their arrival, he and the other recruits assemble outside in the street and listen attentively as Snow White gives them a briefing.[8] Red Cap joins the fight armed with a rifle.[9]
Life at the Farm
In the winter, Red Cap can be spotted trudging through knee-deep snow with Boo Bear the younger in the Farm square, as a group of animal Fables are listening to Boy Blue as he recounts the story of the Adversary's recent ill-fated attack on the Kingdom of Haven.[10]
Fabletown-Imperial war
Red Cap joins the war between Fabletown and the Empire, and attends a meeting where Bigby Wolf gives instructions to the soldiers stationed at Fort Bravo.[11]
Threat of Mister Dark
As Mister Dark sets out on his quest to bring retribution to all the Fables residing in the mundane world, all the city Fables are relocated to the Farm.[12] As Bigby Wolf and Beast engage in a brutal fight in the Farm square, Red Cap and the White Rabbit eagerly rush over to witness the spectacle. "Fight! Fight!" cheers Red Cap, while the White Rabbit chimes in, "Fight in the main square!"[13]
Red Cap later watches as Rose Red addresses her fellow Fables after finally overcoming her long depression.[14]
While playing together, Red Cap decides to use a war-surplus blackout cloth as a cape and runs around with Boo Bear II. Meanwhile, Boo chases after him with a wooden sword, completely immersed in their make-believe game. They zoom past the tent belonging to Rodney and June, narrowly avoiding their young daughter, Junebug. Rodney's panicked cries of "bloody little vandals!" follow them as they continue on their reckless path.[1]
Kingdom of Haven
To escape the wrath of Mister Dark, all the Fables are forced to relocate to Flycatcher's Kingdom of Haven.[15] Brock Blueheart addresses a gathering of animal Fables and shares his vision of Boy Blue returning from the dead to defeat the Dark One in glorious fashion. Red Cap is among those present for the sermon.[16]
Return to the Farm
Red Cap during the protest for glamours
When the Fables are celebrating Christmas at the Farm, Red Cap joins in on the festivities while wearing a hooded cloak, obscuring most of his features.[17]
The glamour crusade
One day, Red Cap joins the other Fable creatures in the barn to hear Reynard the Fox's latest tales of his adventures. The newly recruited knight of Rose Red's new Round Table has gained the power to switch between human and fox forms whenever he desires, and everyone is eager to hear about his experiences. Afterward, Mister Sunflower rallies the non-human Fables to speak up and demand the glamours that Prince Charming had promised them when he was elected mayor. Red Cap and many other Fable creatures join him as he leads a raucous protest in the center of the Farm. They shout for their glamours and hold up signs as they make their voices heard.[18]
Appearances
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Original source
He is based on the redcap, a creature from Scottish, British and Irish folklore.[19] The character's skinny, taloned fingers, iron-shod boots and signature red cap are all based on the folkloric creature.