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Compared to humans, Highlanders are short (averaging just four feet tall) but extremely stocky. They are also immensely strong; a favorite sport at their clan gatherings is tossing the caber, where a 200-pound telephone pole is thrown for distance. In a variant from the original Scottish sport, the strong Highlanders also catch the caber, competing in two-man teams. While they cannot run as fast as a human, and they arent quite as dexterous, badgers can easily lift four times as much as a normal human. Their sense of smell is slightly more sensitive as well. The Badgers take their "clan heritage" very seriously, and maintain their Scottish culture strictly, although the highland/lowland distinction has faded with time. The Highland civilization maintains a pre-industrial technological level, with few firearms. They use little machinery beyond water-powered mills and factories, and a few crude steam-powered riverboats. While some minor conflicts do occur between clans, the Badgers easily band together to repel "invaders," a term loosely applied to any military force approaching their territory. As such, the Highlanders are involved in fairly regular battles, but are usually tolerant of foreign traders or casual travelers. Militarily, the Highlands organize along Clan lines. They will typically form several units working independently toward a similar goal, since they will not follow orders from an officer from a different clan. Generally, a clan's army will consist of a few squads of elite troops wearing metal plate cuirasses and armed with swords, pikes, and the famed two-handed "claymore" greatsword. The remainder of a clan's troops will be poorly outfitted, usually wearing no more than their kilt and bonnet, and armed with axes or farming implements. Some clans also maintain a small bird-mounted cavalry unit, used primarily for patrolling their borders. The riding beast that was developed for the Badgers was not as successful a genetic engineering project as the Highlanders themselves. Commonly referred to as "birds," they are a composite of cormorant and roadrunner genes, with an increase in size to almost ten feet at the top of the head. They make poor harness beasts, are difficult to ride, and generally have a nasty disposition. When properly trained, however, they make excellent military mounts, as their large sharp beaks and powerful rear kick make them very effective in combat. They are ravenous carnivores, and birds that have gone feral will prey on deer, domestic livestock, and pets. Some have even been known to carry off small children. Resources
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Highlander SergeantStock number GCC17-2100 The Sergeant leads his clan into combat. He carries a sword and shield, and wears a cuirass. After the war's end, he could easily become an adventurer, seeking fame and fortune, or a mercenary, selling his battle-honed skills.
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Highlander LongbowmanStock number GCC17-2103 Not all Badgers launch themselves into melee. Some prefer a stout longbow and a quiver of arrows. Clad in a chain shirt, they also carry a sword and shield for melee.
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Highlander Badger Commoner with AxeStock number GCC17-2107 Commoners, or "humblys" as they were known among the Highlanders, would regularly enter combat with improvised weaponry and no armor. The hand axe was a simple weapon that often found use among these badgers. 
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Highlander Badger BagpiperStock number GCC17-2116 Every clan needs a bagpiper. Whether his aim is to rally the troops or frighten the opposition is a question of great debate. Some Highlander bards used bagpipes, also. 
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Highlander Badger ChieftainStock number GCC17-2117 The leader of a Highlander clan is known as a chieftain. Alternatively, this well-dressed figure could represent a noble, a wealthy merchant, or an adventuring group's patron.
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Highlander Badger Commoner with Lochaber AxeStock number GCC17-2109 Commoners, or "humblies" as they were known among the Highlanders, would regularly enter combat with improvised weaponry and no armor. A common pole weapon for such troops was the lochaber axe, a two-handed weapon similar to a halberd. |
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Highlander Badger PikemanStock number GCC17-2108 Commoners, or "humblies" as they were known among the Highlanders, would regularly enter combat with improvised weaponry and no armor. These troops sometimes use long pikes for defense against cavalry. |
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Highlander Badger FootmanStock number GCC17-2101 The main strength of a Highlander army is in its Footmen, well trained and equipped troops wearing a light metal cuirass or chain mail shirt. Most of these fought with the basket-hilted broad sword and ‘targe’ or shield. |
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Highlander Badger with ClaymoreStock number GCC17-2102 The main strength of a Highlander army is in its Footmen, well trained and equipped troops wearing a light metal cuirass or chain mail shirt. Some of these wielded the most famous of Highlander weapons, the two-handed sword known as the Claymore, which could cut down enemy troops in a wide swath. |
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Highlander Badger CrossbowmanStock number GCC17-2104 Not all Badgers launch themselves into melee. Some prefer a stout crossbow and a score of quarrels. Clad in cuirasses, they also carry a sword and shield for close combat. |
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Highlander Badger Heavy Cavalry LancerStock number GCC17-2112 In addition to infantry, some Highlander clans maintain a small bird-mounted cavalry unit, used primarily for patrolling their borders. This is an individual Highlander Badger Heavy Cavalry Lancer, including mount. 
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Highlander Badger Heavy Cavalry OfficerStock number GCC17-2113 In addition to infantry, some Highlander clans maintain a small bird-mounted cavalry unit, used primarily for patrolling their borders. This is an individual Highlander Badger Heavy Cavalry Officer, including mount. 
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Highlander Badger Light Cavalry OfficerStock number GCC17-2111 In addition to infantry, some Highlander clans maintain a small bird-mounted cavalry unit, used primarily for patrolling their borders. This is an individual Highlander Badger Light Cavalry Officer, including mount. 
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Highlander Badger Light Cavalry TrooperStock number GCC17-2110 In addition to infantry, some Highlander clans maintain a small bird-mounted cavalry unit, used primarily for patrolling their borders. This is an individual Highlander Badger Light Cavalry Trooper, including mount. |
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