Driltig was a squirrel Captain under the rule of Squirrelking Araltum and Idga Drayqueen. He was sent with twenty-nine other squirrels bearing the Royal Banner in the ill-fated parade, the Marking of the Marches. This parade was ambushed by Gulo the Savage and his vermin. Driltig, Pinetooth and the King himself were the only survivors. Driltig was so shocked by this massacre that he could barely make his report.