Character

There’s just no way we could ever give you all the details about these characters we’ve grown to know and love, especially in such quick moments as a page a week, but we’re going to try our best to share as much as we can. For those of you wanting to dig deeper and really understand what makes Coinn tick or what drives Tomearaneray to such heroic bravery this is the right place to come to get the dets, but wait have we said too much?

We don’t want to spoil the big reveals by gabbing too much about the characters before you really know why you should care. No one wants spoilers…except for maybe Mom!:) We’re going to do our best to give you some of the juicy tidbits about the characters so you can get the inside jokes and create all that wonderful fanart that is just bursting to be created, but we will only be introducing characters as they appear in the series. Don’t worry NPCs have a special place in our hearts too so you will likely see minor characters here too.

We’ll also do our best to give you a heads up about things that might be a spoiler if you’re not up-to-date with the series, but …well you’re best bet is to also just stay current with the latest page. 🙂

Characters

Major players in this story don’t all appear in the first book. We want you to know their names, however, so when you see them pop up, you know to keep an eye on the role they play. In Book 1, we meet Mathan and Juniper Hornbill, Coinneach, Flynn, and Shaun. Book 2 Marge and Ray join the merry band. Book 3 Nya and Milo complete our heroic bunch. Now don’t think other characters won’t also melt your heart and steal your breath away, because they definitely will…Fearsome Threesome we’re looking your way =) … but as you meet our rather odd crew we want you to know they have been apart of the plan from the very beginning! Now for the characters of Book 1 in The World of Bumps.

The World of Bumps

In this series the setting is very much a character (sorry…it comes with the English major), and we’ve discussed how to best introduce you to this very complex character. In this world animals we know in our world are very much like how we know them here, but they are also more. For starters they are Anthropomorphic. For our youngies out there, that’s when an animal takes on some of the character traits of a human like talking in “the ancient tongue” or making soup.

Tolkien was a heavy influence on Alisha’s final semesters at University, and that’s probably true in our story too. The communities of creatures will have some very distinct vibes, but we’ll reveal more about that as you meet specific people.

What we might call “magic” in our world is also alive and kicking in the World of Bumps, but it is an everyday sort of things here that, if refined by an individual, can bring them more advantage than another.

We’ll include a map, and like Lord of the Realm we’ll up date the details as you proceed in your discovery of the story.

There’s so much more we want to tell you, but for now you’ll just have to wait and read 7/17/2021.

The Bearkin

You should get a very distinct dwarf vibe as you read about the Bearkin. They are a hardy bunch, that love the feel of wood beneath their paws, the good crackle of a roaring fire in the Meadhall, and the fulness of a home bustling with cubs underfoot. The Clan means everything to a Bear and each member takes satisfaction in doing their part to make the community stronger. 7/17/2021

Mathias (muh-THIGH-us)

Mathias is the founding father, or more aptly named grandfather, of the unified Bearkin Nation. He is both a man of vision and a visionary man. He is a charismatic, determined sort of leader. Mathias is the type you would sooner find in the field working alongside the rest of the clan than you would find sitting on the throne. As a leader, the Bearkin could not ask for a better guide through the infancy of their nation.

As an individual, Mathias is known to travel the old paths of the region. He is an expert carver of wood, having carved the legendary Ursinbury Throne, but near the end of his days he began to dabble in the carving of stone. He holds a vision of his people one day residing in the great stone halls of Ursinbury where they will thrive in the strength of stone found deep into the mountain.

It is the love for his family that drives his determination to see the Bearkin rise to their fullest potential. He is a doting grandfather to the young Mathan, and relishes the moments he can share his love of carving with his eager grandson.

Mathias possesses clear sight, an ability to see what is and to sense what will be. He feels there is a growing threat to the general peace and harmony in the valleys his people call home. Mathias knows those who would rob his kin of their independence, yea their very hope, will come seasons after he is gone. He sole desire is to prepare his people to be strong enough to endure after the battle has been fought. 8/14/2021

Ursinbury (ERZ-sin-bur-ee)

Through the gift of clear sight, Mathias knows that the Bearkin need to unify not just in purpose but also in where they call home. Creating a safe-haven in the walls of a little known cave Mathias found on one of his youthful roamings becomes the solution for both objectives.

The halls of Ursinbury will be a sight to behold, boasting both architectural grandeur and artistic expression at its finest.

Bearkin draw strength and identity from the Sun, a common motif in their art, and they devise creative solutions for staying connected to the sun even deep in the cave. More on this in coming pages.

Throne of Ursinbury

While the word throne may summon thoughts of dictatorship and division, that is not the way of the Bearkin. There is unity in Ursinbury, but there must also be leadership. The halls of Ursinbury is built upon the principals of a meritocracy, which basically means it doesn’t matter who your parents or grandparents are, you get to where you are going in life because of the actions you take yourself, the contributions you make to bettering the community of Ursinbury.

Because of this idea, you can see why the Bearkin would naturally ask Mathias to be their first leader. He serves well because he knows that in serving one person you serve the greater good, and each person is dear to him. Mathias also understands that the best advantage you can offer the young is to give them knowledge and experience. One of his favorite pass times is to gather the young cubs around him to share the stories of their world with them.

The Throne itself is indeed a character. The wood used to create the throne has been witness to great things (this particular myth will be shared later on in the series), and will be a key element to significant moments in the not too distant future. Keep an eye on this figure. 9/15/2021

Mathan (MAY-than)

Grandson to Mathias, unifier of the Bearkin, master carver, and man of vision. As is true with his grandfather, Mathan possess a love of carving. From a very tender age, Mathan can sense the existence of the wood before it came to rest beneath his paw. His powers of discernment are still raw, but as he carves the sands of time fall away like the waters of a rushing river. This power to know what once was may some day serve to change the course of the Bearkin Nation. For now we simply get to enjoy watching the cub become a man. 8/14/2021

And for those following along Mathan has now become a man, well at least he’s grown up to adulthood. With a Grandfather like Mathias, there are some pretty big paw prints to fill if one compares himself to that sort of greatness. In his desire to be great, he has learned the fine skill of carving. In his paw, the chisel and hammer reveal stories and lessons, and understanding. This is why carving is one of Mathan’s two great loves in life.

Within the Clan he has earned the role of Master Architect, and is responsible for the continuing development of the halls of Ursinbury. To signify this new role he has been given the stewardship over Teraniche, another setting item that is actually a character in this story. He also becomes an ambassador between the Bearkin and the Harefolk.

At this point in the story you need to know that Mathan has also married the other love of his life. For the romantics out there, the love story between Mathan and Juniper would rival those of Strider and Arwen or Elizabeth Bennet and Darcy. 9/15/2021

Embree (EM-bree)

The more we write about Embree the more we want to meet her. Daughter of Mathias, mother of Mathan, Embree bridges the gap between two very important players in the development of Ursinbury, but she is important by her own right. We first meet her at the archery range in the early days of the Bearkin village life. Although we don’t witness her story unfold, she excels in military strategy and quickly rises to the ranks of military adviser. At the time our story picks up with Mathan, Embree plays a significant role as captain of the guard and often feels her son could learn a little more on the battle field.

Embree is by no means an all-work-and-no-play sort of gal. You will often find her where the laughter is loudest, sporting some new chic outfit. Embree appreciates quality over quantity, but she has a fine eye for fashion. As a doting grandmother, she is eager to shower her grandchildren with love and attention, and often shoos her daughter-in-law Juniper off to the forges just so she can have a little more “grandma time.” 10/11/2021

Juniper (JOO-neh-purr)

If you haven’t noticed yet, the female Bearkin are just as much a force to be reckoned with as the males. Juniper is a blacksmith by trade, mother by right, and wife by choice. She appreciates the beauty of a well crafted object but will chose function over form every day. For as visionary as her husband Mathan can be at times, Juniper is practical. Her work is devoted to preparing for the future, but her thoughts are in the here and now. Three things give her indisputable joy: Her husband’s laugh, her children’s discoveries, and of Rowan berry jam! 9/15/2021

We are coming to see more sides of Juniper. Currently her attention is focused on raising her three children with Mathan, but when she needs to let off a little steam you’ll find her at the forges. She is an accomplished blacksmith with a mind for efficiency. Her skills and innovative way of thinking about solutions makes her an excellent source of suggestions as Ursinbury comes into its final stages of construction. 10/11/2021

Yedin (YEE-dahn)

You’ve met Yedin by now, but it will yet be a little while before you know him. Yedin is the first born cub to Mathan and Juniper. He’s the cute little fuzzball in Juniper’s arms at Mathan’s hammer ceremony. For now you will just have to trust us that he’s someone to keep an eye on. 9/15/2021

Teraniche (tair-a-NEESH)

Mjollnir (Thor’s weapon) is not the only hammer worth knowing about. There is power simply in being an item that represents a rich legacy. Still a new tradition, the handing off, willingly given – willingly accepted, marks the passing of stewardship from one master craftsman to the next. 9/15/2021

The Harefolk

Coming this month.

The North Country

Coming this month.

Giarv d’N Ewef (GEE-arvh den E-weef)

Coming this month.

Coinneach (co-INN-each)

Coming this month.