Let's get ready to ruuuuuuummmmmble 🪑 Everybody's favorite word-counting competition is back! NaNoWriMo 2024 is here, and we're ready to write or cry. I think most of us are crying this year. So fire up your writing engines, rest those fingies, and head on over to the November Announcements for all of the juicy details 😤 Other than a few November Patrols, the rest of the announcements are light and breazy-easy this month as we wind down 2024 for the holiday season. Enjoy a tasty meal on us!
The Apostles is a warrior cats roleplay based in northern Wisconsin. On Lake Superior, the wild cats have made the Apostle Islands their home. It is on these islands - Rocky Island and South Twin Island - that the clan and tribe cats have lived in a peace and harmony that ebbs and flows with the tide.
But as the tides turn, so does the truce that binds them to one another; and as the water raises, a darkness follows, an evil that will end in bloodshed and violence.
We had an original character kins thread way back in September 2020, so it might be fun to do it again! As described by our previous, beloved member Chachy,
"When I create characters I always have a bit of inspiration from other characters, and so basically if you sort of imagine your cats as a character from an existing piece of media, or draw from a characters personality or character arc to motivate your own writing, feel free to post here!"
I'm excited to see how everyone's have changed, stayed consistent, or some new faces!
Post by Silverfire on Oct 20, 2021 20:15:55 GMT -6
Hope I’m doing this right-
Starting with Sparkspirit (my first character!!!) he was heavily based on Apollo Justice from Ace Attorney! Apollo is just baby and I wanted to make him into a cat character lol.
Emberscorch is mostly based off of my old character Sunscorch, who was based sorta off of Zira from TLK. She’s also got a small bit of Yandere in her, in that originally she killed her mate and his lover (changed for here tho).
Cinderfeather is also based on my old character… Cinderfeather (original name I know). Who in turn was sorta based on another old character… Lightning. Who was a playboy who got a limit on male litters on the site he was on.
Mizar is the interesting one. She has been based not on characters, but a mixture of actual serial killers who have existed throughout history. Jane Toppan, H.H. Holmes, the Zodiac Killer, and Jeffrey Dahmer are just a few of them. Every piece of her is based off of either the stereotypes of serial killers (deriving pleasure from deaths, killing random people, collecting souvenirs), or actual serial killers (the thrill of watching people die- Jane Toppan, her suave and cunning nature- H.H. Holmes, her intelligence and the very original idea of her drawing a butterfly in her victims to be called the Butterfly Killer- Zodiac Killer, her cannibalism- Jeffery Dahmer). I did a lot of research on serial killers for her.
Primrosepaw is loosely based on Ravenpaw, alongside an old character of mine named Creektail. They aren’t really based on much tbh.
Patchstrike isn’t really based off of anything tbh. Unless you count the stereotypical supportive dad.
Talon Karrde ... the traveller and the businessman ...
"Honorable beings are so difficult to find."
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Both of these characters (talon and noir) are portrayed as being extremely business savvy, with a genial approach that both endears them to outsiders, while painting a similarly mysterious picture of themselves as a result. Despite being aloof and removed at times, Noir always carries herself with a very well-to-do air that exudes confidence and poise without having to resort to being overly flashy. Dreamy as she is, her points are usually made in a logical manner, and she chews over others words thoughtfully. She's glib, smooth-talking, and can be a bit morally grey at times (but hey aren't all business folks at some point?) Initially, I wanted Noir to be a happy-go-lucky rogue that didn't possess a single care in the world, but when I realized that there was, in fact, a lot more room for development into a more experienced yet smooth-talking rogue that had more experience and knowledge under her belt. Nevertheless, I didn't want her to lose her traits of compassion, which - despite her initial attitude of "oh i'm not looking to settle quite yet." into a loyal cog in Lily's war-machine; just like how Talon Karrde was drawn in on the side of the rebellion by his own neutral views.
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Landonis "Lando" Calrissian ... the gambler and the charmer ....
“It’s the price you pay for being successful.”
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There are many facets to Noir's skill set that she will use to carve out her survival...and perhaps a little more. Just like the Lando Calrissian, Noir isn't afraid to use her physical form to get what she wants.
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QUIETRAIN -
Tubbo - ... the caretaker and the brother ... PENDING
Graygaze - Sand Dan Glokta/Shikamru Nara: a major point of view character from The First Law trilogy. Glokta's nihilism towards life and purpose is contradicted only by his desire for victory. an incredibly violent, self-hating man who morosely does his violent job and is disillusioned with society. Other aspects of him like his tired/sleepy nature are directly from Shikamaru - the coolest Naruto character by far.
Bouncepaw - Floki/Monkey D. Luffy: Floki from Vikings is a healer, but also an eccentric weirdo among his fellow warriors. He is always laughing or imparting words of bizarre wisdom while raiding villages. Faith also plays a big role in his character development. Luffy is the standard, "I want to be the king of the pirates!!" MC who is also kind of an idiot. Very Bouncepaw.
When making characters, I try not to base them too heavily off of any media I'm consuming at the time and just focus on an idea I want to explore. Once I've got that down, I start applying traits from characters I really enjoy to strengthen their narrative and help me find voices that work for my characters. I also mainly use music to express a character's motives and habits, but since I can't do that, I'll use the 'physical' inspos that come later on in the creation process. Maybe you'll recognize some of 'em, hehe. Oh, and if they're not up here, that means that they don't have a character I can kin them with or haven't been able to find.
FAWNPAW— My scrappy little one with a penchant for sniffing up trouble, Fawnkit's character kin would be Vi from Arcane. Much like Vi, I feel Fawnkit fulfills a more serious protector role in her family, being very independent and self-reliant in seeing her goals through and navigating the world. With similar parental figures, Fawnkit's relationship to Tigerpool and Robin-nose reminds me a lot of Vi's own relationship with Vandor to an extent.
LIONPAW— The hot-headed reject who lost his mother and the ability to have common sense, this character's kind reminds me most of Magnus Nielson. An angsty teenager coping with a tense family dynamic and later his brother's disappearance, without spoiling anything about the series (because everyone should watch Dark), they share a great deal in common, specifically in how they cope.
FIRFOOT— A hard one. His concept was based on a washed-up war veteran hard on the booze and disillusioned with the world. He has no hard kin, but he definitely shares a similar way of talking and navigating the world as Chade from the Assassin's Trilogy and Joe Collie, a crass alcoholic in Midnight Mass who is considered by the locals to be out of his mind and not worth listening to (sounds familiar).
SOFTSTEP— Softstep's original concept was to be a fearful, over-dependent child learning to be strong and build self-confidence. What he ended up being, though, is so much better than the original outline I had. When I think of Softstep and his character, I draw a lot of comparisons with the sullen orphan Thorfinn—mainly because his relationship with Graygaze reminds me a bit of Thorfinn's relationship with Askeladd. HOWEVER, reminds me most of Chirin from Ringing Bell.
FERNKIT— A hodge-podge of ideas and concepts that aren't really derived from any particular place. While Fernkit's current nature is not really connected to any one character, two come to mind for his early development and his later development, though not that closely. For Fernkit, I think of a hybrid love child between Blevin's and John Grady from All the Pretty Horses, a western I've come to love a lot. While later on, I'd like to view him having the nature and ideologies of Canute from Vinland Sage with a splash of Silco, but minus the drug lord aspect (lol).
RABBITFERN— A weird character that's still a heavy WIP, Rabbitfern comes from a distinguished line that fell from grass due to their association with LichenClan's illegitimate candidate for the throne, Egretfeather. Shouldering his family's wishes to revive LichenClan to its former glory and reshape it into what it could have been, he carries loft expectations on his back. When I think of a character to kin him with, I think of Jayce from Arcane, specifically because of the expectations pressed on them and how they go about handling it.
PERCHPAW— Another character that's a heavy WIP, Perchpaw, is hard for me, but she reminds me a lot of a few characters that I can think of. Mikasa from Attack on Titan (but minus the stinky fixation, Caitlyn from Arcane, and A.J. from Levius. All three have hardened themselves to a personal mission and carried out their duties with different levels of effectiveness and coldness to the morality of their ways. In temperament and manner, I'd love for her to replicate these characters more closely and look forward to her development because of it.
SUMAC— Sumac comes from a line of cats who have failed rise to power in the Tribe and have been denied time and time again. He is well-versed in his grudges, and the bad hand the world has given him but determined to revive his grandfather's legacy and reclaim what he has been born to believe is his by right. When thinking of Sumac's character kins, I immediately think of two—Woundwort from Watership Down and Stannis Baratheon (this one more so than the last). Woundwort has a hardened survivalist approach to life. Survival of the fittest is his motto, and his warren lives by it while he rules all through his strength and lupine cunning. Stannis is quite similar though more brooding. The unrecognized and often overlooked sibling to Robert Baratheon, where his brothers claimed the glory and fondness of the masses, Stannis was never revered but feared. He is a man who lives through formalities and carries out all that he does as his duty, including claiming the throne.
HAWTHORN— Hawthorn is a character that developed in a wholly unintentional way, but I quite like the end result. Starting out as a battle-hungry cat who saw value in others only through their physical capabilities, Hawthorn was no lover of the weak, the frail, or the insipid. To them, he would extend no kindness, and so he looked away from even his own brother's suffering. As he has gotten older and more world-weary and faced death in the eye, he has sobered significantly. His hellbent ways of combat and bloodshed are stifled by a growing fear of his own mortality and the consequences of his mother's actions. When I think of a character with a similar manner of thinking and themes of disillusionment, I think of Jaime Lannister, the honorable and noble member of the King's Guard who grew further disillusioned with the ways of knights, his family, their code, and the goodness of man.
BLUEBELL— A motherly-type, but a hard one, Bluebell, while soft towards her brood, is hardened to the world and wholly opportunistic. Hailing from a sheltered lifestyle with a silver spoon wedged in her mouth, she quickly adapted to the conniving and self-serving nature of rogues after losing all recollection of her past life. Through all means did she provide for her family and ensured they survived the harsh winters and passing famines. She taught herself to hunt and fight all so that they might prosper and loves them tenderly. In every way, she is a direct contrast to my character Violetshade despite sharing similar motives for her actions. When I think of characters that share in her fire and dedicatedness to her family, I think of Catelyn Stark, a sleeper favorite of mine and one hell of a mama.
ALRIGHT most of my characters aren't really inspired by anyone in specific? I actively avoid making characters with inspirations based on other characters generally speaking. However most fall into a character archetype that can span across different medias (jk most of it's fire emblem)! Chicorypelt, Fire, and Little don't really have ones off the top of my head...
Birchsong - the ingenue
Birchsong was originally supposed to be more the hopeless romantic, always searching for romance but never really finding it due to her own ineptitude. She was sweet, innocent, and easily fell in love with any handsome tom (or molly) who crossed her path. I expected someone to take advantage of this, but I had no idea it would be an outsider! Obviously now she's a bit further gone, but overall her arc thus far has been characterized by an overwhelming idealism, woeful naivety, and easily bought trust. She sort of reminds me of a slightly more tragic, older Shiemi from Blue Exorcist!
Gorseflame - the enigmatic henchman
This guy was always meant to be the background character to someone else's story, someone to lurk in the shadows and do the dirty work. He is Icesong's #1 supporter, and would be quick to defend her against...pretty much anyone. He does not threaten death with as much fervor as Hubert Fire Emblem, but he definitely has come to regard Icesong in a similar way to how Hubert does Edelgard.
Poppy - angry little sister
Poppy's interactions with the world and within herself are largely defined by her relationships with her bros and mom. Though most recently with her family suffering, her mother showing displeasure for her weakness, and Hawthorn's general refusal to train her further, Poppy's in a weird spot. Tied between resentment, desperation for approval, and familial love. I doubt she'll go down the path of Zuko, but she does remind me of him.
Flashfang - trash
Flashy is one of my few characters that when I made him, I had a character in mind. The one I was thinking to emulate was like...Sylvain Fire Emblem...but older. Flashfang is not quite as misogynistic as Sylvain (which really says something about Sylain geez) but he has the same charm, complicated feelings disguised as hate disguised as love for women, and red hair on his little head.
Dewcloud - nervous wreck :C
I did not intend for the boy to be so anxiety ridden, but he ended up there, nonetheless. I think he's a little like Fluttershy. Easily scared and embarrassed, a little bit on the softer side, and at times more comfortable among nature than in a crowded place.
Starlingstep - generic love interest
This boy was meant to be the love interest of a wild yandere molly in TC, but the player left before their character could get accepted. c,: so I'm still trying to find out what to do with this boy, since he was sort of made to be "generic, gullible boy." At least in the meantime, he's Yukiteru without his Yuno v-v
Mallowpaw - alpha bitch
Absolutely based on Regina from Mean Girls as well as this trope in general. She'll grow into her charisma as she gets older, don't worry heh heh
Smokestorm - reluctant warrior
Smokestorm believes in peace and seeks not to do harm to others. However, inevitably, he continues to enact both physical and emotional harm on his clanmates and loved ones alike. He knows this and hates himself for it. While he does fight to restrain and incapacitate whenever possible, he lacks the skills necessary to really ensure he prevents injury without risking losing the fight and becoming terribly injured for it. I think in some ways he figures any injury he receives is somehow justified, like it is punishment from the universe from the faults of a past self. He's become a feline shield more than once and would gladly do it again. I've never seen Star Wars BUT Mr. Obi-Wan Kenobi fits based on what I understand about the movie? Idk smoke is hard to find just because there's nothing *special* about him, he sees himself as a pawn in other people's wars with no way to actually prevent the violence being enacted and all the while being forced to participate.
Oaktalon and Chrom shares a lot in common. They both are very bull-headed, caring with a great sense of pride and duty to defend their homeland even at the cost of their lives. They both well meaning but at times struggle to understand those around them. They both suffer losing a great deal of meaningful people around and having to move forward in sprite of that.
Driftfeather -varian from rapunzel
Driftfeather's story was one meant to be stronger and better than with a lot self-growth and acceptance but that has go up in flames. Since a lot of his former plots have changed leaving nothing short of tragic and misguided. Much like Varian, driftfeather yearns to be accept for who he is despite what other think looking down upon him. They both watched the world around them come crashing down and close friends turn against them(least in their eyes). Driftfeather has only just the "villian arc" state who knows it will turn out and will about to redeemed like Varian was.
Waspsong - Miss Piggy from The Muppets
Okay. Okay. We knows this Waspsong is bitchy with Big B. She wants she will whatever in her power to get. She wouldn't hesitate to fight for it too. Missy Piggy and Waspsong has the same pompous personality but deep down they do care about their friends and their lovers.
Thunderfoot - stolas from helluva boss
This one might shock a few but Stolas and Thunderfoot share the same level of emotional annoyance. There very both dorky dads who looks for their daughters best interested at heart. They both will thrown out to beat up any who hurts someone they cares about but they yearns for something more deep down but doesn't know break out of their shells and come clean about it. They want to make their dreams come true but they have problem admitting how they feeling especially in terms of love. They are to some degree selfish putting their own needs above others. I can't a better fit for thunderfoot.
Embersky - Azula from avatar the last airbender
Embersky has always been a wild spit-fire however in the wake of losing her mentor who to a degree her desire for violence at bay and Gorseflame teaching corrupting her. She's become nothing short of monster bent on making Lichenclan and any of her clan suffer. Being very unhinged now despite even a few inner conflicted with herself. I see no person that the fire girl herself for this lass.
Tawnyfire - Shana from shakugan no shana They both have the same fire. Tawnyfire much like Shana is passionate despite being bitter and at times rude but deep down they are a kind-heart. They are tsunderes and no one can tell me otherwise XD. Also they both people they are treat as family to help them along being on the right path despite their hardships!
Snowpaw - Naraku from Inuyasha
Okay let's make one thing care, Snowpaw is very manipulative and apathetic. He see most cats and others are toys for his own amusement he could throwing them away without another through or care. Snowpaw would mind hurting someone to get what he wants either! However deep down he does have feelings and emotions aka the love for his family and selected group of friends that keep him in check quite similar to naraku's heart stop him from killing Kikyo for so long! I would dare say Naraku is a pretty good fit for Snowpaw overall since he could become just as bad something truly bad happens.
Yeah I base my cats moreso based on their goals and aspirations rather than getting their ideas from characters. But I guess I can make a few connections between a few of my characters and characters of fiction.
Sturgeonstone and Lady Chiyo from Naruto Shippuden - Sturgeon's concept is based on the effects strict religion can have on someone. Specifically how religion, the concept of terrifying afterlife like hell, and the fear of death can make someone a shell of themselves. Like theists who live limited lives due to their fear of hell, Sturgeonstone restricts herself and everyone around her in fear of them ending up in Dark Forest. There's no religion in Naruto but I feel Sturgeon is similar to Lady Chiyo in the way that they're both old hags whos past has encouraged their stubborness. And their immense fear of change. How they restrict the younger generation thinking they are protecting them when they're really just hindering them. Only in death does Lady Chiyo learn that change is okay and it'll probably take Sturgeon the same to realize that too lol
Falconfire/Yarrow and Endeavor from My Hero Academia - Outside of his strength and status as the #2 hero, Endeavor is hardly a figure worthy of respect. The only thing that matters in his mind is strength, and attaining a legacy. Endeavor blazes through anything and everything that gets in his way, including his family. Without mercy, he trains his children to someday surpass him, and pushes his youngest son and pridogy far past his limits to ensure that he someday becomes #1 hero. Much like The Flame Hero, Falconfire, and Yarrow back when he was Hemlockheart only cared about strength and stopped at nothing to achieve it. Both cats are known for their brutal methods in training, their merciless and single minded devotion to power. It isn't until Endeavor see's the harm he's caused his family that he realizes that strength means nothing. And while Falconfire will never come to realize this, I definetly can draw parallels betwenn Endeavors redemption arc and Yarrow's. Both see how much harm they've caused the people they love, and both go out of their way to redeem their sins with their power.
Badgerbelly and Rider from Fate/Zero - Rider is such a compelling fucking character and I had been wanting to make a character inspired by him for years. His debate with Saber is so interesting, and I take the most inspo from this long ass quote.
"A king without greed is even worse than a figurehead! Saber, you said you would martyr yourself for your ideals. In life, you must have been a pure saint. A proud and noble figure, certainly. But who can truly admire the martyr's thorny path? Who dreams of such an ending? A king. The king must be greedier than any other. He must laugh more loudly and rage for longer. He must exemplify the extreme of all things, good and evil. That is why his retainers envy and adore him. And why the flames of aspiration, to be as the king is, can burn within his people. Proud king of chivalry, the righteousness and ideals you bore may indeed have saved your nation once. However, I'm certain you know what became of those who were saved, but left to themselves."
Badgerbelly is no king, but he is someone who has learned that you get literally nothing living for others. After nearly dying in the flood, Badgerbelly realized it is himself he should be living for. The tom feels no shame in his greed, his gluttony, he celebrates without a care in the world. For life isn't about serving, it's about ya know... living.
