The Back-Folk: Day XXV
Animals: crows, foxes, owls
As has been mentioned already, the Back-Folk diet is predominantly vegetarian, with animals being eaten rarely, at celebrations and events, or if it has been a poor year for crops and there is a need to supplement their usual diet.
It appears that the Back-Folk have a close relationship with certain animals and birds, though the extent of this is unknown. There is evidence that there is a tribe, or a group, which works alongside birds – specifically crows, though there have been some references made to woodpeckers. It is not that the crows are tame, more that there is a mutual relationship, with some form of shared communication. There are many crows in the wood, and it has been noted that they seem to prefer the fringes of the dùn. They can often be heard calling and seen flying amongst the mid-high branches in a manner which has been suggested matches the likely behaviour of guards or scouts.
This tribe, or group, is known colloquially as Crowtalkers, with their more proper name (and the role of their Elder) being “Talker with Birds”. The word for “crow” in the Back-Folk’s native tongue is very similar to that of the more generic “bird”.
There is no evidence that the Back-Folk have any tame animals, but they do also seem to have close relationships with foxes and with owls. Over the years, there has been the occasional reference to “Riders of Foxes” (or something similar). Foxes are understood to represent courage, and owls are understood to be referred to as warrior birds.
Dogs seem to be aware of the Back-Folk. Particularly younger dogs are quite curious if they pick up the scent of a member of the Back-Folk, though they do not appear to deem them to be suspicious or of concern.
