Talking animal in The Oz Series
the fox-captain
Also known as the captain of the fox-soldiers.
The captain of the fox-soldiers of Foxville, a shrewd, self-important fox in a gold-braided uniform who first threatens the travelers as prisoners but quickly warms to them once affected by the Love Magnet, then formally escorts them to King Dox.
Appears in 2 chapters, first in chapter 92, last in chapter 93.
This encyclopedia covers chapters 1 to 100 of the story and shows the world as it stands at chapter 100, so it contains spoilers up to that point. To read it spoiler free, one chapter at a time, open the interactive codex.
What the story establishes
| Affiliation | Serves King Dox of Foxville as captain of the fox-soldiers. (as of ch. 92) |
| Animal kind | fox |
| Appearance | Wears a uniform embroidered with gold braid, more elaborate than the ordinary fox-soldiers' green jackets, yellow pantaloons, and red caps and boots. (as of ch. 92) |
| Being nature | An anthropomorphic talking fox who walks, dresses, and speaks like a human soldier. |
| Conflict | Initially declares the travelers his prisoners and treats them as captured enemies before the Love Magnet turns his hostility into friendliness. (as of ch. 92) |
| Current goal | Having already escorted the travelers before King Dox, is now escorting the shaggy man, Dorothy, Toto, and the fox-headed Button-Bright out of Foxville to the village's outer arch and seeing them off toward the next village. (as of ch. 93) |
| Dialogue style | Alternates between harsh military commands and pompous, formal courtly speech when addressing the king, while lecturing Button-Bright brusquely before softening into flattering praise. (as of ch. 92) |
| Equipment | A wooden sword whose edge is set with a row of sharp teeth (standard fox-soldier arm). (as of ch. 92) |
| Gender identity | man (as of ch. 92) |
| Is alive | yes (as of ch. 92) |
| Motive | To keep Foxville's soldiers appearing watchful and unafraid to neighboring beasts, so those beasts are not emboldened to cause trouble. (as of ch. 93) |
| Personality | Self-important and quick to bluster, yet easily swayed and prone to sudden reversals of opinion, becoming genial and complimentary once he decides the strangers are friends. (as of ch. 92) |
| Quirks | Knocks his knees against a ceremonial drum, first one knee then the other, to announce visitors at the throne room doorway. (as of ch. 92) |
| Referential profile | masculine (as of ch. 92) |
| Skills | Military command and ceremonial escort — he leads the fox-soldiers and escorts intercepted strangers to the royal palace. (as of ch. 92) |
| Social status | A military officer of rank, captain over the company of fox-soldiers, distinguished by his gold-braided uniform. (as of ch. 92) |
| Status | Has finished escorting the party through Foxville and presenting them to King Dox; now stationed with soldiers at the village's outer arch, having just seen the travelers off toward the next village. (as of ch. 93) |
Relationships
- located in → Foxville ch. 92The fox-captain leads Foxville's soldiers and escorts the travelers through the city to King Dox's palace, so he is resident in Foxville.
- leader of → the fox-soldiers ch. 92The fox-captain, distinguished by his gold-braided uniform, leads and commands the company of fox-soldiers who patrol the arch and capture the travelers.
- warns → Dorothy (ended) ch. 93The fox-captain warns Dorothy about a neighboring village of big, stupid beasts that could cause trouble, while declining to say more.
- communicates with ← the Shaggy Man (ended) ch. 92After being captured, the shaggy man greets the fox-captain politely and asks after his health and family.
- expresses love → the Shaggy Man (ended) ch. 92Affected by the Love Magnet, the fox-captain's sharp manner instantly softens into warmth and affection toward the shaggy man.
- warns → the Shaggy Man (ended) ch. 93The fox-captain tells the shaggy man not to be afraid of the beasts in the next village, while withholding details about what they are.
- communicates with → Button-Bright (ended) ch. 92The fox-captain patiently fields Button-Bright's rapid-fire questions about what a prisoner and a captive are, and ends up complimenting his cleverness.
- commands → road_to_oz_traveling_party (ended) ch. 92The fox-captain orders the captured party to imitate his ceremonial knee-knocks on the palace drum and to follow him to see King Dox.
- expresses hatred ← Toto (ended) ch. 92Immune to the Love Magnet's effect, Toto barks angrily at the fox-captain and tries to bite his leg.
From the text
"Surrender! You are our prisoners."Chapter 92
the fox-captain, strutting up and down with much dignityChapter 92
Button-Bright is so wonderfully clever and has now such an intelligent face that I'm sure he will manage to find a way to protect you.Chapter 93
No; because we are watchful and able to protect ourselves.Chapter 93
See the fox-captain chapter by chapter in the interactive codex →