Hi everyone, my name is Daniel McCarthy and this is my Art War entry, Barraggaa, badger king and champion of the woodland realm. (FANTASTY) So this is the first time I've built up the confidence to enter a 3D competition and I can't wait to get involved!
Advanced warning: I wanted to write some of the story behind this character but i'm not exactly skilled with words so please don't judge me too harshly, I'll more than likely get a bit carried away ;D
Barraggaa was once an average woodland badger but now exists as a powerful guardian who protects the zealous cultist mice of the fragile grove and the enchanted sacred oaks they worship.
He is bound directly with the spirit of the forest which reaches out with its countless intertwining tendrils touching the magical energy that flows through all living things. Although he can not directly manipulate this force, he can read its current and is effortlessly able to predict coming threats and events.
He equips trophies given to him by the grove mice and vanquished foes who seek to endanger the sacred oaks of the fragile grove. Upon his shoulder sits the skull of the carrion king and tightly gripped within his giant paws are the antler blades of the mighty iron oak stag. He also bares scars of his most deadly encounters such as the debilitating venom of the serpent assassin which still courses through his left arm.
It is arguable who has most control over his body and mind, is it Barraggaa or the forest itself? To those outside the closely guarded fragile glade he exists as a legend, a phantom, a story told to cubs to force them to behave.
Some creatures suspect the only way he could gain his powers would be to drink the sap of the world oak, an ancient and mythical magical conduit, supposedly hidden past the fragile grove, in the very heart of the forest. Few know that if the world oak were to die the woodland would fall to decay. However most do not believe such 'nonsense', instead choosing to continue scurrying about, building nests and burying nuts, oblivious to the closely interwoven magical web that dictates their lives.
Currently the concept is quite loose. There's some stuff I really like (his weapons) and some stuff I'm not so keen on (wood shoulder armour, blade like fur on right arm and unarmoured legs) so I'm planning on developing it as I build the base in 3d. Also the beard is a big part but I'm considering giving it the chop... or a trim..
I originally wanted him based mainly on the European badger but the american ones have such great faces I don't think I'm going to be able to resist incorporating them... those stubby lil faces and fangs. Better get started.
