Bell In The Woods

Bell in the Woods!

What’s the story?

Bell in the woods follows Obi, a 24-26 year old Lesh who’s been living in the vast and marvelous hidden gem of a natural-wonder Notterre National Park. Practically raised by the “park’s guardian” Føss a couple centuries old Lesh who holds such bitterness towards humans who come and go from the park.

What is a Lesh?

Lesh is a mix of many forest guardian and forest gremlin mythological creatures, the name sake being Leshie from European folklore.

What’s the overall story?

Obi and Føss growing with their own respected perspectives of the world

Are there other fantastical creatures in this world?

Yes. And many cryptids!

How can we follow the story?

🍁Silly doodles🍁

I might do more content for autumn

Ellsy Minke (resting “wine mom” face) very laidback — silly — she has thrown hands at pta meetings or with other moms who’s kids did something to her own kids that got them in the super intendant’s office. Is responsible for ‘some’ of the notches in Føss’s ear ;3

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Grandpa Celic (borzoi coded Lesh) he and Obi’s dad have a strained relationship that keeps him from seeing his grandkids — thinks any weakness in Lesh is wasted material that only causes the decline in the species

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Meet kapre!

I’m still waking up right now

but he works in a different county helping his gran out at her auto shop.

He’s a Lovelan Mudrow

Combination of Loveland frogman and the mud mermaid of Ohio!

He has a bit of scoliosis

At night or in the evening he goes scrap diving in the marsh/swamp or river and lakes of his town for car parts or anything he can find

Føss’s four stages! Lesh edition!

Some Lesh as they age tend to get longer and skinnier like rolling dough or clay into cylinders! But every Lesh is different with age!

I found the notes of his name!!!!

Mordechai

I’m gonna draw/provide a general map of locations eventually- wait hang on I’ll get yall something one sec!

*scrambles around for notes and doodling shenanigry*

Oki I think I got a general rough sketch for yall

˚✧₊⁎⁺˳✧༚Dad lore!˚✧₊⁎⁺˳⁎⁺˳✧༚

Mordechai was born and “raised” in Öpnorph county (upper middle class/rich gated neighborhood type) being the youngest of his family. His siblings are in their late 30s — mid 50s when he was born. Grew up undiagnosed (ADHD/Autism) in a traditionalist household. His parents didn’t really care much about him outside of his behavior. So the moment he was at that Lesh age when they go on their own to the woods* his parents took no hesitation to kicking him out and ditching him in the Notterre Park.

Mordechai did well socially and intellectually, but in reaction time and memory he struggled. It’s hard to tell which berry is the safe one and poisonous one when color blind too. In school he would take part in track, rugby and lacrosse (yes he once had the Maryland white boy lacrosse player undercut XD). He would also participate in scouts which he really liked, but his parents would refuse to take on any and all the overnight camping trips. He would try to play or attempt to get his siblings to spend time with him growing up but only two were nice enough or showed any genuine care to him as a kid. (2 out of 7 other siblings)

oh!

I forgot to mention this; but you probably already pieced it together! Mordechai is a Lesh! His family are Lesh! His parents being a decade or five years younger than Føss for reference, unlike Føss they actually had it easier and refrained from letting their true roots show, which meant neglecting to properly teach their kids about traditions, but still taught general survival and how to disguise themselves, they only neglected to tell the important stuff to their unplanned child…

Suffice to say, if Robyn didn’t feel rebellious when hearing about some strange Lesh appearing in the park while easedropping on her father, Mordechai most definitely would’ve gone out the same way as the kid from “Into the Wild” after barely surviving a full month in his own.

His parents would suddenly show more attention when learning about their first grandchild(Obi) being born. So Mordechai pitched the idea to Robyn of having Obi spend time with her dad so he could start learning about Lesh culture earlier than later like he did and this being a way to stay in touch with Føss after they moved to the town just south of the park.

✧༚₊⁺˳✧༚Research!˚✧₊⁺˳✧༚

Notterre National Park

The most popular landmark of the park’s appeal/intrigue are the trees! More specifically what has been documented being an 1,000+ year old tree!

Arborists from all over flock to this natural marvel collecting as much data they can get under strict supervision of the parks head. From what little is collected it appears to be a mix of a conifer tree but with large flat leaflets on the would be needles. The sheer heights surpass even members of the redwood and sequoia family. The fruit of the tree is inedible and rarely fall from branches without intervention of something or someone physically picking it.

Said fruit that has been collected are heavier than most and are inedible due to the hard mineral ore shell. This is a ripened fruit or rotten nut (hypothesizes are still being made and debated on the cycle and process but nothing can be known for certain in the scientific field).

Outside of science the purposes and usage of these strong metal fruits are most certainly agreed upon in the bustling town a few miles from the park (3-5 hour drive depending on traffic and alternate routes). Record keepers who run the towns historical society as well as the oldest generation of locals tell myths and tales as well as show the records of the strange and now extinct creature who once lived in the forest, where the National Park stands today; who would craft intricate bells they would adorn in for purposes unknown

For more information be sure to visit the park’s info center and if you’re in town visit the historical society and Bellforte’s Natural History Museum!

Don’t forget to join us for the ◆▲°＃■▽▲＊ annual fall festival!

Robin Notterre

Wait shit I haven’t drawn her husband!

Well human disguise that is…

Also these are Obi’s parents :U

The character lineup was for my animation script writing class! The professor (if anyone who’s graduated or current goes to scad as an animation major knows who I’m talking about you’re a real one ;3) who would talk about California and sounded a lot like Will arnett when talking and sorta looked like him, was really beneficial in learning how to script write and advice for the industry!

The four ages of Føss was for my character design concept class! There’s an alternate version actually of Føss in his true form! I should take a look at the old file to finish it… one sec!

[FOUND IT!]