Fantasy The Badgerman and the Illska

[Thanny]

A shout-out to thinking who helped build this world into what it is, and is the other player in this RP. o7 Feel free to insert yourself anywhere you crave, or ramp your character up to be seen somewhere or see my character somewhere. If uncertain, I will try to help.

~~ ** ~~

Out of all of the local mysteries that encompassed two small communities in a land sheltered by mountains to the east and an open sea to the west, none could surpass the mystery of each other.

The badgermen to the east were cunning, industrious, strong in mind as well as body, and built tall walls in the fortified mountains which let out smoke clouds of harnessed flame from their crowns. They were protective of their lands, but were not prone to taking chances. The fires of war called out to them, and they trained their young in skills that befitted them.

To the west lay a sleepy den of what the badgermen locals perhaps called a number of names. Mermaids, snake fish, amphibians, froglings, and more besides might refer to the odd peoples that swim around in the shelters of a saltwater marsh and the ocean beyond, and rarely leave with the exception of those that forage and perform basic farming techniques in the rich farmlands between the two communities. Speckled farms between the two continue to exist even though both strove to drive each other from their lands, an ancient rivalry still bearing fruits of detruction.

Neither group seemed to have an understanding of each other. Their languages were distinctive and borderline impossible to translate to the gruff warriors. Perhaps none have even tried. When the two sides sent their brightest and best, they were deterred by each other's defensibility. The marsh was treacherous and consumed armoured badgermen without warning, naturally or unnaturally. The walled cities were impossible to assail even with the utmost speed of the lightly armoured, spear-wielding peoples to the west. They were at an impasse for decades, perhaps a century. The lands nestled within disputed territory was raided again and again, and thise who dared live inside it had to risk lack of protection for the sake of their peoples.

However, the young from both sides were curious and confused of what each other were. What was it that the elders cursed under their breaths, and why did they hate them so?

Two youths, whatever their reasons, set off to the disputed border of farmlands. It was uncertain what they were doing without a guardian, but their efforts may shake history, for they were of different sides. But what can children do in the face of obstinacy of two peoples long unsettled and angry toward each other?

This is their tale.

~~ ×× ~~ ×× ~~

The smell of greenery was rich to the female amphibian that wandered through the underbrush of farm partitions made of shrubs and shallow rises of terrain, long overgrown with the exception of cut paths through the easiest paths. She peered out with youthful but wary eyes, looking for anything that caught her attention. Movement of any kind could mean danger, but it could also mean food. The taste of something, anything, made her mouth water. She was ill equipped to take out any big game --merely with a threshing knife, a sling, and a few smooth stones to act as bullets --but if there was a rabbit around that would be just as good as the wheat she was set out to find.

After a few seconds of pause, the path seemed free of present danger and game of any kind, and she slipped into the remains of a wheat fields that lay beyond the partition. The fine fibers of the wild grass that wove in droves between wheat stalks tickled her slightly slickened skin. Grasslands were nice, even if not home.

Migrating through the wheat fields yielded merely a few observations: there were some patches of locations barely rich in wheat but nothing too sizable, and there existed close by a derelict farmhouse that seemed half-collapsed and served as a patient observer of many a year of ruin. She looked at the alien structure that was by far composed of more than mud and sticks. It was quite amazing in her eyes.

Her rustling the grass might alert something in the area, but for now she was impatient and desired to leave the poor findings inside the wheatfield. Perhaps that house might serve as a better vantage point to see patches of wheat big enough for her to thresh and bring back with her. She would slip out of the tall grass and into the shorter blades, able to come to full view if anyone was observing her. She was single-minded at the moment, and forgot to look about as soon as she left the shelter of the tall grass.

 

[thinking]

The fertility of the land was apparent through the earth's striking deep red colouration and the way it was softly concaving under the weight of hoof of a travelling yet station donkey. The expert eye of any good agriculturalist would tell you that it has a perfect drainage too: it was laced with sand and had been not tarnished with invading weed-roots that bulked usual dirt. A skeleton of an abandoned farmhouse was situated wonkily in the backdrop of the location, behind fields of unripe hops and wheatgrass. Lack of care for the resources was obvious as it was late in season and most patches the farmland had yet to bare fruits and it grew wild and free.

Sentience was not apparent in the OId Donkey's eyes: they reflected nothing but drive to robotically work, walk and obey. The animal was carrying load that was undesired to general folk too, the loot would be very disappointing to bandits and thieves as it only included dried flowers, a large satchel and some rope. stationed up against an out of place and unconventional excuse for a post: a piece of strong bogwood about six feet tall, pegged into the ground, Old Donkey was without thought. Although, his fur glistened attractively grey-beige in the sunlight as his master took it upon himself to find much sought after material. Still, it was unbeknownst to Old Donkey to why he had to leave the comfort of his stable to travel all this way. The quiet fields of the countryside bore no obvious life (bar the donkey standing lonelily) and was eerily ominous despite the blazing day.

Ole was still an apprentice yet challenged with the strife of travelling so far from home. His under foot were calloused and seasoned for the terrain however they still ached and Ole longed to return to the safety of his bed and not his potato sack sleeping bag. Ole had seen this farmland from the top of a northern hill so had strayed from his path and ultimately found himself now lost but where he wants to be. Badgerfolk do not use maps, they do not even bother creating them: they are terrible scribers due to their large and clawed hands. So to get somewhere unknown they rely on nature, communication and memory to tell what way to go. Ole had obviously forgotten and like many badgermen, became distracted.

*​

Ole took his time to remember what he was sent out for, scenting the air with a quick flick of his nose and adjustment of ear. This badgerman was more beast than man in appearance albeit much more articulate: Ole stood at five feet and seven inches, his bone structure set a habit to bend his spine slightly hunched when communicating or intrigued. His skin was ebony with matching fur that seemed to be ever so fine covered his face, arms, legs and body. Thick strands of cream fur fell symmetrically downward around his eyes and around his mouth, travelling in fluff strands on his chin. His mouth was seemingly more human feature despite the sharp and uneven canines that filled it. Ole's hair was almost a thicker part of his fur, it laid in a birds nest on top of his head and continued down his back and finished at the base of his tailbone. His nose was human, however there seemed to be a permanent flick of soft hair pointed it upward, pig like yet definitely not a snout. Eyebrows were in a similar fashion, thick and bushy and white haired. Ears followed the exact same fashion: extravagant fur raised them larger than they actually were. The badgerman race did not find it fashionable to wear footwear; instead their feet are large, slender and clawed like shovels. They are not unsightly despite the description and rather much suit the race. Ole's iris with 'whites' all dark and making them almost indistinguishable from each other. The badger-race had a distinct smell to them, oaky, strong and musky (similar to an aged whisky) and Ole was not any different.

Ole was not too ready to leave just yet: he had just arrived! Yet something set him displaced about the day, the hot air felt stagnant, painfully dry and it was quiet... Too quiet... Ole had with him just a small leather purse connected to a belt, which was ready to collect supplies and materials. The badgerboy was not a fighter despite being equipped with lethal natural weapons including a surprisingly powerful odour that will be released to disarm predators. The badgerman was not feeling brave and this being his first outing away from the mountains, was very nervous.

 

[Thanny]

The amphibian fumbled through the grass noisily, unused to snaking through long-wild grass rather than the winding, makeshift trails she scouted beforehand on her own. Foraging was a tricky thing. One had to scout in both wild and tamed locations for the potentials of food. Berries can become useful in the present, but wheat was longer-lasting and took priority. Additionally, it satisfied the stomach a little better, which was useful for the clan as a whole.

She slipped out into the open, looking the wrong way in search of people halfway, as the dry road seemed wide further down and appeared unused. The badgerboy and the donkey may possibly see her as she entered into view, a sleek and almost iridescent green figure whose legs, once accustomed for swimming, glided over the ground. She had on her coarse hempen clothing tied on by pins and wrapped with a leather belt that ensnared her tools. Of hair it was safe to say that she had none, the triangular form of her head devoid of the slightest sign of it. Her eyes and stubby nose were the most prominent features of her face of her side profile, with the exception of small, horn-like projections atop her head.

Unless the others in the area made a sound before she reached the dilapidated front porch, she would slip inside and, in a minute or so, scamper up to a window that overlooked the farm field. Her gaze would scan the grounds of the field before the grey-beige blotch of the donkey would catch her eye, and she would shrink back into the shadows of the house upon seeing the unfamiliar creature. Such would be foreign to her, and as a result worthy of caution, but she would dare a peek or two in such a case.

 

[thinking]

To be cautious was not in Ole's ways. He was unarmed and without tangible weapon all he held was his satchel. He wore gloves (with finger holes) to protect his soft palms which were almost nonidentical to his feet except for the sharp clawed nails. He was so tired and would need something to eat as soon as possible. Badgermen had fast metabolisms and being so young meant he needed to eat more.
"Oh sweet food!" He growled out in anguish, after checking his satchel for a snack. All he found inside the bag were crumbs left over from his last twenty minutes ago. Food was extremely important to badgermen, they needed at it to thrive, it was like their fuel (that needed replenishing at least every thirty minutes). Badger-rage came when hunger struck and it showed a side another side to the gentle race. His donkey probably (he prayed) had some rations stored away, but in all honesty he could not be bothered to go over to him to get any. He was already halfway over to the barn that had distracted Ole from his mission. He couldn't think straight which was obvious from his grunts and groans as he ran over to the barn his heavy feet slapping against the now dry ground up to the barn on the hill. He was now out of view.

He loved all things spooky, and who knew, maybe there could be food in the farmhouse?

--​

It took a while to reach the barn and unbeknownst to him, he was not alone. He was not at all being cautions or careful. Entering from the back of the farmhouse, entering through the back of the farmhouse was stupid albeit ridiculous: perhaps it was from the fact he had yet to eat or was he just plain stupid? Ole tore at rotten wood, his gloves protecting from splinters, the panels cracked and snapped. He then dug with his hands downward carefully to fit through the hole that he made in the wood.

Once entering through the back of the barn, all his senses drew to one close thing. It did not smell like rats as there were probably plenty in the damp hay, but something else... Whether he could eat it was one thing, but it was most definitely alive and no where to be seen.

 

[Thanny]

Looking through the worn-down shutters and finding the strange furred creature striding toward this expansive home, the amphibian weighed her options. With thoughtful gaze, she decided to play it safe, to wait out the danger. It was uncertain if either creature had caught wind of her. It headed in a different direction with a strange look she could not describe. In addition, whatever this animal was she could not put an exact name to it.

She may have had her suspicions. There were tales in her village regarding badgerfolk, ill-begotten creatures that had caused her elders trouble for years. Could this be one? Besides its heavy footfalls, it didn't seem menacing to her.

The snapping of wood startled a yelp out of her, and she considered leaving the shadows she clung to. The potential menace was starting to sink in. Was the creature trying to get into this building? At the very least she was upstairs, but that only trapped her unless she can escape to outside. Perhaps she can open up the window more fully, but she did not know how to open it, especially in its dilapidated state. Perhaps the bar? That was a strong possibility, but it would perhaps be loud.

That was a lot of but's, and she was not one for chance. Something caused a snapping of wood downstairs, and if it were the creature she did not have much time to leave. Perhaps it was a change in the air, or perhaps it was nothing at all except fear, but she felt as if she could sense its presence downstairs.

She tested the bar, fingers hesitant as she prodded at the iron clasp that barricaded both entry and exit. No sound. That was good, but it was fastened shut. Perhaps if she--

SHRRK!

The grinding of wood and metal was appalling and, unfortunately, loud. She gave away her position. Stupid. Stupid! Now she was trapped, unless he would be able to find a way down the open stairway. Perhaps if the creature went up, she could vault to the halfway point of the stairs from the side and escape that way? That was risky, and her legs weren't fully meant for jumping. That was a poor idea.

Thinking was a time-consuming process for her, and she had to move fast. As a result, she decided to hide behind a bunch of old knick-knacks that had been stored upstairs in a rough pile. With luck, it would shelter her from the creature's eyes.

 

[thinking]

The tumultuous and horrible noise reached his thick-furred ears (which should have muffled the impact of the sound, yet it was so loud and grinding it didn't) in almost an instant. His suspicions had deemed correct: Ole was not alone and it seemed that the other thing in the barn was making it apparent. Maybe it was an accident... But why hide? The still and stale air of the barn did not give any clues to what the other thing could be. The thing was definitely scampering about and above his head of all places! Confused to why it was hiding, Ole looked upward to see dust particles drifting down from where the thing must have moved about. Ole did not look intimidating at all, with his comically clawed feet and big nose... Maybe it was his height? Being as tall as a juvenile tree sapling was probably a little freakish...

Cupping his mouth in a makeshift microphone, Ole took a breath in and bellowed:
"Where 'r you?" in a low but softly joking growl. Besides, he was still a child after all and despite the hunger, he wanted to play. Even if the thing was hostile, he had enough time to make a quick get away through the hole he dug out... "I am HUNGRY! An' the rules 'r do not mess with a HUNGRY badgerman!" His emphasis on the man part was silly... As a man he was far from!

He had little stealth so maneuvering around the barrels and hay stacks was a near impossible job. He needed to get up. Up to where this thing was but how? A thing rope wouldn't take his weight and the boy was actually hungry to make the most of his strength- digging in was tiring enough. Maybe he could scare the thing out? By throwing a rock up to where it was?

Ole was being stupid; he was actually vulnerable to a sling-shot or knife attack if he wasn't careful, standing in the open barnyard was silly. The derelict barn had nesting pigeons in the roof and the scent of their warm flesh through feather was exciting. Nothing to take except some scraps of metal and pigeon... Badgerman would prefer to cook food however had the stomach to eat it raw in dire circumstances.

Ole looked up to where the thing must be but was still a little stumped on how to get it to come down. "Pigwin's are tasty..." his voice echoed as he bent over to pick up an abandoned spade and propped himself up against it cockily. "Prove to me that you are 'ere and I am not imagining fings by throwing a stone at them. If you can't then throw a stoney at me!"

 

[Thanny]

The tumultuous and horrible noise reached his thick-furred ears (which should have muffled the impact of the sound, yet it was so loud and grinding it didn't) in almost an instant. His suspicions had deemed correct: Ole was not alone and it seemed that the other thing in the barn was making it apparent. Maybe it was an accident... But why hide? The still and stale air of the barn did not give any clues to what the other thing could be. The thing was definitely scampering about and above his head of all places! Confused to why it was hiding, Ole looked upward to see dust particles drifting down from where the thing must have moved about. Ole did not look intimidating at all, with his comically clawed feet and big nose... Maybe it was his height? Being as tall as a juvenile tree sapling was probably a little freakish...

Cupping his mouth in a makeshift microphone, Ole took a breath in and bellowed:
"Where 'r you?" in a low but softly joking growl. Besides, he was still a child after all and despite the hunger, he wanted to play. Even if the thing was hostile, he had enough time to make a quick get away through the hole he dug out... "I am HUNGRY! An' the rules 'r do not mess with a HUNGRY badgerman!" His emphasis on the man part was silly... As a man he was far from!

He had little stealth so maneuvering around the barrels and hay stacks was a near impossible job. He needed to get up. Up to where this thing was but how? A thing rope wouldn't take his weight and the boy was actually hungry to make the most of his strength- digging in was tiring enough. Maybe he could scare the thing out? By throwing a rock up to where it was?

Ole was being stupid; he was actually vulnerable to a sling-shot or knife attack if he wasn't careful, standing in the open barnyard was silly. The derelict barn had nesting pigeons in the roof and the scent of their warm flesh through feather was exciting. Nothing to take except some scraps of metal and pigeon... Badgerman would prefer to cook food however had the stomach to eat it raw in dire circumstances.

Ole looked up to where the thing must be but was still a little stumped on how to get it to come down. "Pigwin's are tasty..." his voice echoed as he bent over to pick up an abandoned spade and propped himself up against it cockily. "Prove to me that you are 'ere and I am not imagining fings by throwing a stone at them. If you can't then throw a stoney at me!"

If there was one thing that was frightening to the young amphibian about this young badgerman, it was not his appearance. It was his boisterousness. She had no idea what he was speaking chiefly because she spoke a different language altogether than the one she was taught, and his bellowed words came off as unintelligible but nonetheless terrifying. His words had a rhythm to them, though. Whatever he was, he was not strictly a beast, but one of higher intelligence. Quite likely he was a badgerman, as her elders described them as creatures of fur. She hoped that he would be friendly enough to let her go.

Unfazed by Ole's latter words, finding them slightly less worrisome than his previous interjection -- as she did not quite understand the game -- the amphibian dared to venture closer to the staircase that led downstairs to the first floor. She felt as if she hardly made a sound as she tentatively peeked around the corner, but the badgerman would have no problem hearing the creaks of the floorboards beneath her person.

If his eyes were fine, he could likely see her, a questioning green face poking out from between the railing and the staircase. Once she caught sight of his eyes, she would leap out of sight and shudder. She was risking much, possibly her life, by giving away her position, but she did have weapons to fall back on, and the slightest of teachings on how to use them. Never did she use a sling on anything larger than a rabbit. She hoped that it would not come to that, for both of their sakes.

"Is this your home?" she spoke in her native tongue, unsure if they would be able to communicate. What she voiced was in a modulated, higher-pitched tone, perhaps faster than that of the badgerfolks, but she tried to convey what she meant. If only she was not worried about the danger of the situation she was in. If that were so, perhaps her gesticulation by moving her arms would aid in the conversation more than mere words. "I'm sorry! I did not know it was occupied."

At least there was some good news for Ole: no stones were pitched his way, and she did not seem to desire to fight. Perhaps with some dialogue, understood or not, they would be able to speak more face-to-face than through a dilapidated floor.