This design is my humble contribution to a super nice book called Mythical Beasts published by 3D Total. They were kind enough to have me be a part of this and I am grateful for that. I hope you enjoy my take of the Boggart.
The Boggart is a terrestrial creature described as relatively human-like in form, though usually uncouth, very ugly and often with bestial attributes. He is considered to be a bit of a half-wit as folk say, easily frightened but if provoked he can be offensive as well, spitting, growling, throwing rocks and even biting.
It was usually sighted in the northern countries mainly, people there described it as resembling a hunched old man but strong as calf, with matted, hair and beard , long arms like tackle poles, big feet and hands ( sounds familiar?) and black hideous eyes. It tends to live in the marshlands in holes dug underground or small caves, usually hidden from plain sight. It also trails a long chain after itself, which makes a horrible noise like growling rabid dogs, to scare people and other animals.
Locals are usually frightened to go into marshlands because of it. There were many cases of people gotten lost there, never coming back. Rumors run that a Boggart had caught the unfortunates and devoured them, but that is bogus.
This creature also lives in the polar parts of the world, were temperatures are very low and food is scarce. There are also some rumors of it living near villages or cities. Some people swear that they saw Boggarts dressed like beggars in the night, scavenging for food, making shelter under bridges or even abandoned barns. Maybe these are just stories to frighten little children, who knows.
Boggart final lines
In the order of appearance , here are some variations of the Boggart.
Arctic Boggart -
I chose to make this variation because of the Boggart's culture, he is situated in the northern countries, UK, Greenland, Norway even Siberia.
His biggest adaptation is growing stronger resistance to cold, he also makes fur clothing out dead animals. He is to afraid to kill, so he scavenges. His stomach adapted very well, it makes stronger acid to dissolve rotten meat and bone and his immune system got stronger compared to his relatives.
It's quite weird but, uses small bones and sticks to ornate his beard or hair sometimes. It kind of makes him more relatable to, kind of human if you might say.
Swamp Boggart -
Because of his swamp humid habitat and his hard wrinkly skin, The boggart is very likely to have some vegetation growing on him, something like mushrooms , moss maybe or small plants. Sitting there all day, in the marsh water is very unlikely to not have some skin problems of some kind.
In the depths of the ocean, there are whales that have barnacles attached on them, they don't harm it but are often seen on their bodies in large patches. The Boggart usually has them on his shoulders and back, feet, hands and forearms and uses them as camouflage.
Rural Boggart -
This type of Boggart is very different and very rarely found than the others. His is not hugely different as appearance, he lost almost al his body hair , look human like but in terms of behavior he is very particular.
Living near humans thought him to disguise himself and to steal. That is huge, he steals clothes from people and acts like beggars do, for food mostly. He can't speak very well, so buying food with the money he was given is not his way. The shyness and fear of others has not disappeared along with the hair, he is the same at his roots.
Here are some behavior poses , inspecting small forest animals.
Here is some research done for this character.
Chimpanzee - The chimpanzee has a hunched body as well and resembles very much an old man, even the wrinkled skin on the face helps a lot. We never associate a chimpanzee with something harmful or dangerous, but if provoked you can have a nice surprise. I think it fits a lot the Boggart character, even in it's attitude and behavior, but just a tad smarter . If I would guess it should be around the human age of 7.
Baboon eyes and ears - I have often found that the bald baboon is very scary looking, but the baboon is not that dangerous. The dark eyes and the dark spots around the eye socket are really frightening to me, it makes them bigger and look aggressive. Also having black ears makes a nice contrast with the pale skin and the eyes. Because both the baboon and the chimpanzee are primates and their behavior is similar, I think they match the Boggart's description.
Baboon eyes and ears - I have often found that the bald baboon is very scary looking, but the baboon is not that dangerous. The dark eyes and the dark spots around the eye socket are really frightening to me, it makes them bigger and look aggressive. Also having black ears makes a nice contrast with the pale skin and the eyes. Because both the baboon and the chimpanzee are primates and their behavior is similar, I think they match the Boggart's description.
Tree mushrooms - Because of his swamp humid habitat and his hard wrinkly skin, The boggart is very likely to have some vegetation growing on him, something like mushrooms , moss maybe or small plants. Sitting there all day, in the marsh water is very unlikely to not have some skin problems of some kind. In the depths of the ocean, there are whales that have barnacles attached on them, they don't harm it but are often seen on their bodies in large patches. The Boggart usually has them on his shoulders and back, feet, hands and forearms and uses them as camouflage.
Pig snout - The pig is an animal that has characteristics which we asociate them to offend others, such as dirty, fat or ugly but he pig is a gentle animal and being all day in the mud and dirt, rooting and grubbing. I feel that this is very fitting for the Boggart because I think life in the swamps is a difficult life, food is not easy to find having different abilities , like a good sense of smell, is a great plus. Also the mud mixed with his body hair ( what is left) helps him a lot against mosquitos and other pests.
