Rowan
“There are two types of rabbits in this world. The ones who follow, who do what their superiors tell them to do. They are either weak and cowardly, or loyal, good-hearted rabbits. There are also the leaders, who take control, who provide for their people and protect them at all costs. I plan to be the latter rabbit.”

Gender: Male
Birth Warren: Watership Down
Home Warren: Rowan's Warren
Voice Actor: Simon Pegg
'Verse: TV Series

Rank: Chief Rabbit

Sire: Bigwig
Dam: Spartina
Littermates: Dock, Fern, Sedge, Spikemoss

Mate: Celandine
Kittens: None

Personality: Rowan is a born leader, a rabbit after Hazel's heart. He inherits his father's brute strength and his mother's will and wit, and the both of these qualities make him the best rabbit for the position of Chief Rabbit. He is aware that his strengths make him capable of anything, and knows that there are rabbits on the Down that secretly wish for him to overthrow Hazel and become their Chief. Even though he is incredibly ambitious, he's not willing to kill to get what he wants, and seeing as Hazel is like family, he is sure he will never harm him.

Rowan is a quick thinker, and when faced with problems, never gets flustered and can easily work out the best solutions. That doesn't mean to say he doesn't do things wrong; he doubts himself the majority of the time, and feels that he makes mistakes more often than he should. He can't understand why rabbits support his claim as Chief Rabbit, even when they point it out to him. Even though he's a leader at heart, he has an undying loyalty to his superiors.

As he ages, dominance becomes the foremost thought in his mind. Even after he and his friends found their own Warren, some way from the Down, he feels the need to become a Chief, and so he does. As a Chief, he is kind and just, and makes it top priority to keep everyone safe. He earns the respect and loyalty of his people, and later, his mate Celandine, through his kindness and strength. Under all this bulk, he's just a kind-hearted, overgrown kitten, and when not in the presence of large crowds, he is the kindest he can be, and the most loving and gentle-hearted.

Relationships:

Bigwig: Bigwig is Rowan's role model, the rabbit he looks up to in every waking moment. The bond they share as father and son is like no other, and unlike Dock, Fern and Sedge, Bigwig knows that his eldest has high potential. Their similarities regarding strength and interests bring them closer together, and because the dutiful Captain of Owsla can relate to his son, when it comes to fighting and such, he is able to train his first-born quicker and more efficiently. When Rowan leaves to start his own Warren, a huge hole is torn in his heart by the pain from leaving his father, but both father and son know it is for the best, and they both know that their paths are sure to cross again.

Spartina: His mother is dear to him, as he is to her, and he is aware that he worries her sometimes. Not a day goes by without the doe questioning him, or chiding him about how rash he is, or even scolding him for maybe venturing too far, or being too headstrong. She's a little overbearing, and even though Rowan knows it's a mother's instinct, he can't help but feel as though she could lighten up a bit.

Dock: His younger, but equally strong and smart younger brother worries Rowan. Dock is intense, power-hungry, and although he is not as eager to learn or even follow simple orders, he is incredibly demanding, and adapts a fierce mindset about the warren. Rowan loves him, but Dock is starting down a dark path, and the other rabbit can't deny his relief when he leaves the Down.

Fern: Of all of his siblings, Rowan gets on best with Fern. She may not be as physically powerful, but she shares her intelligence with her mother, and the two make an excellent team when paired. Wherever Rowan needs a helping paw, Fern is always there. If ever Fern gets into a rough patch, Rowan is quickly on the scene to sort things out. Upon his departure of the warren, Fern makes the heart-wrenching decision to stay behind, breaking apart the duo that some would say was inseparable.

Sedge: The runt of the litter, Rowan's “baby sister” is dependant on him, though she spends more time with Dock than she does with her eldest brother. The two rarely see each other, but there is love between the two, and Rowan would do anything for her.

Spikemoss: Rowan isn't as close to his third sister as he is with Fern, but he knows not to coddle her like Sedge. Despite the fact that they rarely speak to one another, they maintain a stong bond, so much so that Rowan would do anything for her, if she would only ask.

Hazel: Chief of Watership Down, “Uncle Hazel” has always been there for Rowan, even when he has troubles he can't share with his parents. Hazel always gives his surrogate nephew good advice, and when Bigwig isn't training his son, the two often participate in long, deep conversations, like the future of the Down. Hazel can relate to Rowan, and it's this that makes their bond even stronger, and Rowan misses him deeply after his departure.

Campion: Captain Campion often used to take part in training Rowan, alongside his own son, Bracken. The two are different in a lot of ways, and they often come to blows over their opinions – Campion is ever loyal, not much of a leader, and would stay loyal to Hazel until his dying day, whereas Rowan is a more dominant buck, and seeks a good fight or challenge. Despite this, Rowan respects the Captain a great deal, and Campion returns this respect.

Bracken: The younger buck isn't built for fighting like Rowan, but is insistent on helping him out, training and the like. He has a good head on his shoulders, and Rowan can respect this, and they share a sense of humour. Their experiences together mean they gradually become the best of friends, and it is these two who come up with the idea of leaving to start their own warren. Bracken is incredibly loyal to Rowan, so much so that he immediately submitted to the older buck and became his Captain of Owsla.

Celandine: Campion's daughter, and a generally stubborn doe, she makes it a point that she despises Rowan's love for fighting, but this only makes the buck admire her more. The two argue often, her fiery personality clashing with his laid-back, gruff demeanour. After some time, Rowan discovers that her arguments with him were just attempts at getting him to like her, and though he is astounded, he accepts this, and after a confrontation, the two court, and can never be seen apart.

Blackthorn: The ageing veteran and former officer in the Efrafan Owsla comes off as a bit shady. At first, Rowan thinks his eagerness to join his warren and fight by his side could just be a ruse to try and overthrow him, so he decides to keep him close – friends close, enemies closer. Over time, Rowan sees that Blackthorn really does want to help, and with time, the two become good friends, and the older rabbit becomes something of a father figure to the young Chief.

Vervain: Upon meeting the old coward, Rowan isn't sure what to think. He's heard stories about the feared, hated Vervain, but all he sees is a weakling who has no place, and seeks help. He decides to trust him – for better or for worse, he does not yet know.

History: Rowan was born shortly after the Siege of Watership Down, along with his brother and sisters. Even as he came into the world, Bigwig proclaimed that he was a warrior, as he was always battling with his siblings over food, space – anything really. Their mother loved them all, while Bigwig favoured his little warrior, and from an early age, Rowan would be fed with stories of great battles and hardships that his father had faced, and the young kitten was in awe. He was determined to become a warrior like his father, to have his name the subject of great stories. This worried his mother, who favoured brains over brawn, but she rarely said anything while he was still young.

Growing up, he made many friends, including Campion's son, Bracken. The two instantly became the best of friends, and when joined by Fern, they were inseparable. Each of them fuelled by stories of their fathers, they sought after glory. Campion and Bigwig encouraged their kittens' passion, and the two of them were responsible for training their sons. Fern wanted no part in fighting, as she was much like her mother, in that she preferred to fight with intellect rather than muscle. Rowan was the stronger of the pair, and even Campion made note of this. Bracken was as eager to fight, and had a knack for it, but wasn't as well built or as large. It quickly became Rowan's responsibility to help train Bracken as best he could, share his techniques and such. This solidified their friendship, and ensured that in the future, they would be inseparable. He and Dock also came to blows often, trying to prove themselves as the dominant males, but a cunning trap set by Spikemoss soon taught him that he wasn't the only capable rabbit in the warren. This gave him a sudden revelation, and he became more respectful towards his sisters, and even considered making amends with Dock, but he knew that his fiery brother would never agree to a truce.

With adolescence looming ever closer, Bigwig and Campion felt it was best to really challenge their Junior Owsla. Rowan was to lead a patrol away from the Down and scout around the foot of the hill. They would spend a few days out in the open, taking note of their surroundings, and investigating into any strange activity nearby. The patrol departed, and Rowan and his band encountered the remains of a small warren, only half-dug. After a few days of exploration, he and his patrol returned to report the information to Hazel, who later sent out does and a team of guards to help flesh out the burrows. When Rowan inquired as to why Hazel sent them, the Chief Rabbit told him that one day, they might have to send rabbits out to different warrens to prevent overcrowding. This stuck with Rowan, and all throughout his life ideas formed as to what could be done with this new warren.

Rowan soon became an adult, and new problems were beginning to surface. On top of Bigwig and Campion's constant attempt to challenge him, he also felt growing attractions to Campion's daughter, Celandine, who was extremely spiteful and spoiled. Rowan knew he had no chance with the young doe, but attempted to talk with her anyway. Their differing opinions and mindsets often led to fierce arguments, but eventually, they both warmed up to each other. Bracken was amused of Rowan's pursuit of his sister, and the two would joke about it often. Even Campion, who was usually detached and aloof towards Rowan, encouraged him.

As time passed, thoughts of overthrowing Hazel began to arise, and domination became one of the only things Rowan could think about. Hazel often assured him that he didn't worry about the younger rabbit, but Rowan still didn't feel secure. He worried too much about hurting Hazel, or scuffling with the other bucks – let alone dealing with his father. After some debate, he convinced the Chief to let him and a few rabbits from the Down go to the now finished warren some distance from the foot of the hill. The older rabbit was pleased with Rowan's thinking, and wished him luck. Over time, Rowan managed to get Bracken, Celandine, Sedge, Holly, Hawkbit, Clover, Gilia, Mallow, Hickory and Marigold to join him. They were all eager to go, despite their grief at leaving their old home and their close friends behind. Rowan was torn when his sister Fern turned down his offer, but knew it was for the best.

It took some months, but they finally managed to settle in fully. They simply decided not to name the warren, and to give Rowan the title of Chief Rabbit, as they could think of none other who was worthy as he. Some time after Rowan took the mantle of Chief Rabbit, there were reports of a strange, rugged-looking rabbit roaming around the edges of their territory. After some thinking, Rowan took Bracken and Holly to go and seek out this rabbit, and though it took a while, they finally found him. His name was Blackthorn, and he was an old veteran, a captain once serving under General Woundwort's predecessor, General Sundew. He was scarred from head to tail, and begged their mercy and compassion. He'd been wandering homeless for most of his life, and now that he was getting old, he needed a warren for protection. After a moment's consideration, Rowan allowed Captain Blackthorn to join his warren. Not long after that, his sister, Spikemoss, returned from Darkhaven, and asked to become the Speaker of the Past for his warren. Intrigued by this unfamiliar position, Rowan permitted it, and was ever thankful for his sister's suggestion.

Some months after, Rowan and Celandine courted and became mates. All seemed well in the warren, until the appearance of a black rabbit, ageing and afraid. Holly identified him as Vervain, one of the greatest evils to serve under Woundwort, but Rowan decided to be merciful. He took Vervain into the warren, fed him and cared for him, but monitored him closely. And, to add to his troubles, he later received news that Hazel was dead, and his own brother Dock had assumed leadership of Watership Down. Not only had Dock-rah murdered Hazel, he had also declared war on Rowan's Warren, and made it a point that he would not surrender until his death.