While tracing a leak near my workplace, I found a few really interesting pieces of history. Frog artifacts! I believe them to be either walking sticks, weapons, decorative pieces, or even torches (I know frogs didn’t use fire, blah blah, but the alligator is burnt on the mouth, so explain that). They appear to be made of antler.
Also found this weird round rock - I’m not sure what type of stone it is because I haven’t gotten the chance to clean it up and really look at it. It must be pretty porous, because it retained a LOT of water. Will update once it is dry and clean.
I cannot disclose location for obvious reasons.
Context: This post is inspired by Padhopper, a critter-based fantasy book written by two archaeologists. Follow as Tad Padhopper wades through a war for water, attends to an ancient artifact, and looks for a long-lost loved one. The story spans covens, coalitions, and kingdoms of colorful critters and is written for fantasy fanatics of all ages.
You can sign up to get free pages of Padhopper at Frogiverse.com/Sanctum
Tad Padhopper is a froglet hailing from Shady Hammock, a backwater province in the kingdom of Greenmarsh. Life as a fisher, gatherer, and explorer was simple. But after stumbling upon a Seeping Stone, his quest became…not quite clear. To return the artifact, but why? To find his father, but where? To win a war, but how?
Padhopper is a journey spanning covens, coalitions, and kingdoms of critters! Written by Chervis Mingus (a duo of archaeologists) for fantasy fanatics of all ages.
Get free Padhopper pages at frogiverse.com/padhopper.
...and Xotol (the water bringer) formed stewards for the lands, wet and dry.
Chikul (the water thief), envious of his brother, seized a clutch to raise as his own...
...and Chikul went on to infest the earth. He filled the skies with hunters, the waters with salt.
“The myth describes how the lands were barren before Xotol summoned the waters of the World Spring. With water grew life. The frogs, the tortoises, and so on. Chikul saw his brother’s beautiful creations and grew bitter, angry. Flying down and seizing the water for himself, Chikul left Xotol and the Groundlings out to dry. Chikul then used the waters for himself, trying to recreate his brother’s masterpieces - but his heart was sour and his concoction turned foul…from it emerged the birds and the snakes.
Cursed without hands of their own, they now prey upon the Groundlings in order to survive. Ever since, Groundlings have fought an ongoing battle against the flyers and the belly-crawlers. Similarly, Xotol and Chikul are locked in an endless embrace - grappling over water. In the fourth age, for example, Xotol had Chikul pinned and the water flowed abundant. Ours is the age of Chikul - and his stranglehold is constricting.”
Cults devoted to extinct taxonomical titans were (and in some regions, still are) common among the critters of Mezal Taroc. This figurine of a skeletal elk could have been used to channel a divine connection to the giants of yore, empowering the wielder or artist in matters of feeding & fighting.
ca. 200-300. Gris Bight Coast, Murinther. Yuria Culture. Steatite.
The handiwork of historic herders can be found all around the aspen groves of Upper Gambol. Naturally, snail herders had an abundance of time on their hands while their slow-moving flocks grazed. One popular pastime was carving glyphs into aspen trees. Arborglyphs could be used as territorial boundaries, path markers, or merely creative expressions.
Popular designs include frogs and snail shells, including creative combinations like Snail Shell + Bird (the two creatures herders are most concerned with), Snail Shell + Mushroom
For more, visit frogiverse.com
Formerly the capital of the Bucolic Empire, the nation of Bucol is now 1 equal part of 5 in the Forbseed Confederacy. The mice of Bucol find their niches as artisans, agriculturalists, and astronomers (to name a few).
A national pastime of hares, debate plays a pivotal role in the social structure of each tribe. Any hare is welcome to speak during scheduled debates; their proximity to the debate center, however, is determined by their rank within the clan (long ears and strong jeers are particularly useful for low-ranking members). This debate takes place near the Great Salt Lake.
The squirrel soldiers of Upper Gambol are few, but fierce; elusive, but elite. Upper Gambolers are embroiled in the defense of their home from encroaching rebels from the owl nation.