Art and description from 2012 :P

Introducing my latest character: Esben the beech marten! He’s from Scandinavia, and has a very mischievous nature. He’s inspired by many ‘trickster’ characters, including shapeshifter lore, the Trickster/Gabriel from Supernatural and the mythological Loki. While my other character, Jacke the fox, has trickster elements as well, he uses it more to survive (he’s a city fox, and not a very good hunter) while Esben does it mainly for fun.

He has the ability of shapeshifting, like Akiko, but unlike her, he's very good at it. And he knows. His favourite shapes are those of big, strong or fast animals, such as wolverines, wolves, lynxes, bears, boars and deer. But he also likes to combine parts of various animals, which leads to him testing out different horns/antlers, wings and teeth. Like most mustelids, he has a natural fascination for shiny stuff and likes to collect it. A shard of a broken mirror shows his reflections, and vain as he is, provides him with lots of entertainment testing out different "looks". Unlike Akiko he has also figured out how to look and act like a human being, and will use this shape to find information. He likes mythology books and bestiaries with pictures (he can barely read) to gain inspiration for new forms. As a human, he'll usually appear as a tall, thin man in the late twenties, with medium long brown hair and green eyes.

Esben is a solitary character and does not care much about others. He can be a relentless hunter and, if not really hungry, likes to toy with his food. He doesn't care much about things that don't involve him, and he will not help you unless there's some gain for him as well. His tricks and pranks don't always end well for the "victim", but as long as it amuses Esben, he will not stop. He's not evil, he's selfish, and he doesn't care...

Yup, another new character! I have wanted a beech or pine marten character for a long time anyway, and this one fits. Not sure if I'll keep the dark markings this green, I do kinda like it though. I've been having fun in my sketchbook doodling him with various horns and wings. Makes him look a bit demonic, but I like that too xD So yeah, Esben!

Art and character are © to me, Avanii

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