Badger-folk

"Tom was telling an absurd story about badgers and their queer ways"^[1]

The Adventures of Tom Bombadil part 3 by Richard Svensson

Badger-folk were creatures of legend, mentioned in Hobbit verse.^[2] Although nothing is known of their origin or history, they might have been one of the Fairy creatures.

Characteristics

According to the poem, the Badger-folk lived in secret houses connected by tunnels under a hill in the Old Forest. They appear to have been sentient and capable of speaking. Although Badger-brock once forcefully brought down Tom Bombadil to their burrows, the Badger-folk do not appear as truly evil creatures, but perhaps rather cunning or tricky.^[2]

Portrayal in adaptations

1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:

Only mentioned briefly, the Badger-folk of the Withywindle appear badgerish but live after the manner of Hobbits. They are one of the Creatures of Faerië.^[3]

See also

• Badger-brock
• Badgers

References

1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "In the House of Tom Bombadil"
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} J.R.R. Tolkien, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, "The Adventures of Tom Bombadil"
3. ↑ Wesley J. Frank, et al. (1997), Arnor: The Land (#2023), p. 63