Ruskem was an ancient male shrew, who lived in his den in the bankside of the river, which ran across the flatlands. He wore a blanket cloak and carried a blackthorn stick. Ruskem had no teeth and found it difficult to remember names, even his own. He kept fireflies as pets and carried them in a lantern. His wife was dead long ago and his children had wandered away. Ruskem met Tagg and Nimbalo, when they were looking for shelter in the rain. He was good at making portraits.