bloomburrow_mod | Squirrelfolk

Squirrelfolk

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Squirrelfolk are the haughty and morbid stewards of Valley’s land and earth. Solitary, and not particularly social, squirrelfolk work with others only when necessary. Their protection and nurturing of Valley’s land takes many forms, from burying Calamity Beast remains to raising detritovores and rejuvenating farmed soils. They are pragmatic, keeping robust stores of food in case the worst should come to pass. At their best squirrelfolk are practical and conscientious stewards of the land. At their worst squirrelfolk are standoffish, rude, and dismissive.

Caches

Squirrelfolk consider it their responsibility to the other animalfolk of Valley to preserve food for the harsh and sudden seasonal changes brought on by Calamity Beasts. They keep stashes of foods traded with other animalfolk, often preserving them by pickling, drying, or salting. Common foods include salted ﬁsh, pickled vegetables, dried fruits, jams, winter squashes, nuts, and seeds. Squirrels will sometimes even store their food next to the bones of Calamity Beasts, hoping to imbue the food with the power of these terrible forces of nature.

Calamitous Necromancy

Squirrelfolk believe that the Calamity Beasts have trapped the energy that should ﬂow through nature, and as such this energy should be returned from whence it came. This is done through collecting and ritually burying remains of the Calamity Beasts throughout Valley. A small number of squirrelfolk practice a more direct form of necromancy, with the ability to wield the power of Calamity Beast remains to manipulate and animate the bones. This power is a carefully guarded secret, taught to only a select few.

Their Role in Valley

Squirrelfolk interact with the larger community of Valley infrequently and are more likely to form individual relationships with other animalfolk than larger communities. The macabre focus on death among squirrelfolk has a tendency to spawn wildly circulating rumors that leads to many animalfolk giving squirrelfolk a wide berth. Youngling mice have been known to dare each other to knock on a squirrelfolk's front door, before quickly running away. But many animalfolk rely on the squirrelfolk’s food reserves, which are vital to crop storage and the overall health of Valley.

In addition to magic that calls on the power of the land, squirrelfolk possess stealthy martial skills that let them excel as silent, unseen attackers. They are respected as formidable combatants and valued members of adventuring parties and patrols—when they can be convinced to join. Squirrelfolk are most likely to join adventuring parties if there’s a chance that they can gather and bring back the remains of Calamity Beasts.

Relationships

Squirrelfolk have particularly close relationships with other farmers in Valley, such as the rabbitfolk, trading their skills in nurturing the soil for an abundance of foods. Their mutual focus on food production, albeit at different ends of the process, creates a mutually beneﬁcial relationship that the squirrelfolk are happy to maintain. Many squirrelfolk have a dislike of birdfolk, viewing their heroism as hollow showmanship and their desire to help others as dangerously naïve.

Weaving

Squirrelfolk have the power to raise the dead and control bones. Practicing this magic on other animalfolk is taboo, but insects and Calamity Beasts are common targets. For those squirrelfolk who are less inclined to necromancy, their magic can still turn the land and bend it to their will.

Squirellfolk Structures and Settlements

Squirrelfolk homes are large and isolated structures scattered through the thickets and swamps on stilts or decaying trees. Many squirrelfolk villages are built around Calamity Beast bones that serve as the base for thin branches to wrap around.

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