The Blackguard's Gambit (Aletha)

Coal-Heart Black Swan Chimera

Usually Chimerae aren’t known for their stability of mind, as their duality of nature tends to lend itself toward outbreaks of psychosis, differing personalities clashing and fighting for dominance all within the same brain.  Sometimes, though, they get eerily sane, above and beyond the rest of their species.  Calculated rather than chaotic, this patchwork mash-up of Nightmare and Shade takes a quieter approach to life than most members of the Inferno.  One might even say a more principled approach if one didn’t know better than to say “principled” and “Firemane” in the same sentence under any circumstance.

Xe never does quite manage xir Shade half’s usual theatric temper tantrums or xir Nightmare half’s trademark sadism, however, because while unruffled by the suffering of others, xe goes to no particular lengths to cause that suffering, almost as if bored by it.  And maybe xe is.  Sadism is every Firemane’s game, sort of the stock-in-trade of their entire species.  Maybe it’s time to want something new out of life.  This Chimera seems to relish being challenged physically and intellectually, given seemingly insurmountable situations to then surmount and prove inferior.  Combat is rarely sought but always relished.  And xe puts up with the indignity of being a steed only so long as xir rider remains worthy of the position.

Chimerism isn’t usually subtle in Firemanes, but here it is.  The seams between the ink-black pelt of the Shade and the deep-purple pelt of the Nightmare are nearly invisible, and only the mismatched hooves -- front left and right rear Shade, right front and rear left Nightmare -- and mismatched eyes -- left black, right orange -- that really give it away.  The mane and tail both belong to the Nightmare, flickering an almost natural fire-orange.  The builds of the Nightmare and Shade are not identical, but they’re complementary enough that this one moves with the haunting grace of the Shade half and the power and purpose of the Nightmare.

One has come to expect a certain regal stoicism from Flare Phoenixes, and this one is almost no exception.  Her own emotions *are* held tightly in check, as with most of her kind, but instead of simply being taciturn, Mamaragan has the tendency to arm up behind sarcasm and humor that is not always kind.  Not always cruel, either, but not always kind.  She can be harsh, sharp, fast to punish and slow to apologize, but her nature is that of the very weather, tumultuous and reluctant to nurture.

However, when her respect has been earned, she is a force of nature and an ally in the same breath.  With respect comes comradeship, loyalty.  With loyalty comes steadfastness and tenacity.  As an ally, Mamaragan will not back down until victory has been achieved, defeat has been fully realized, or she has been incapacitated.  There is no simply deciding that something isn't worth the effort or that someone else has made a better offer.  This applies to everything.  Battlefields, relationships, job offers.

As for her size, Mamaragan is just as large and eerily graceful as any Flare, and in a world without color she wouldn't be much more remarkable than the fact that her tail waterfalls into three singular plumes.  However, Flares are supposed to be base white with blue flames, and here is where Mamaragan looks nothing like how she's supposed to.  The base of her body is a nice steady azure, though her wings and tail and most of her head vary in bright shades of orange and copper with flecks of gold to accent the flames.  A ruff of aqua puffs up around her neck, and a matching crest rises from her head whenever she externally emotes.  Her three tail feathers terminate in a bright, pure golden yellow.


Mamaragan has a spectrum of Lightning Powers granted by an Arcane Script!  But, because it's a spectrum, we have some moves broken down by application and/or intensity.

Zap - A basic shock, Mamaragan can jolt an individual target for anywhere between a mildly unpleasant static crackle to a defibrillator.  The control it takes to only hit one target somewhat lessens its potential maximum impact.

Lightning Storm - A ripple in the weather and Mamaragan can call down random strikes in an area for maybe half an hour, at most.  Manipulating atmospheric lightning is pretty exhausting, however, not to be done more than once every few days.

Chain Lightning - When under extreme threat, Mamaragan can lash out with a traveling bolt of lightning that whips from one target to the next to the next, hitting up to five targets in a single attack.  Has the same intensity as a natural bolt of lightning.

Thunfire - Pushed to her absolute limits, Mamaragan can call down three bolts of intense lightning enhanced with the flames of her own body to do immense damage.  It takes a life-or-death situation to fuel the kind of power it takes to lay waste like this, though, and it leaves her drained for days afterward.  By necessity, this aspect of her power can't be accessed very often.

Clarion, description pending.

The Guard Dog is Watching Male Illaro Tellar

Speech: BG Color #000000 Italics #f4ae3d

Even though he is only about half-grown, this Illaro has seen more and lived through more than most many times his age. When he was a pup he lost both his parents and his clan was scattered in a wildfire. He was found by humanoids who, instead of taking care of him, forced him into a life of humiliation, pain, and degradation before he met YML and with his help escaped. A somber one due to his past misfortunes, if he smiles it’s usually more because it’s socially expected of him to do so rather than any honest pleasure in things. The next closest thing to a smile is an arrogant smirk of superiority. As a lesser lord, he presents himself as a proud, solemn, and mature young canine, and is very business-savvy and more than a tiny bit egotistical. Often his words are tinged with arrogance and superiority; he well knows his station and expects the respect due, from all. When dealing with peers or those of ‘lesser status’ whom he holds no animosity towards, he is polite and refined in his dealings though rarely letting down his guard. Against those he deems his enemies, however, he is ruthless and at times almost cruel. While he can be malevolent, he doesn’t actively seek to hurt others; to most he is simply indifferent. Wrong him, however, and punishment - through the planning may take years - will come a hundredfold. Occasionally he will express concern for the well-being of the few close to him, usually when he has had something of a scare or is feeling particularly vulnerable himself, a state he will never admit to.

Despite his stoic demeanor, he still exhibits traits befitting a child for his age, such as his fondness for sweets and games. At such games, TGD is clever, mischievous and competitive, doing whatever it takes to win a match. He is like a master chess player and quite bold enough to take matters into his own paws should it be needed rather than delegate things to others, even when those matters drive him into direct and serious danger. He does display a rather curious quirk, however: if he hears about mysterious crimes happening, things that are difficult to solve or present occult evidence, he feels driven to try and solve them. Perhaps it is because he has always suspected that the fire that so altered the course of his life was no happenstance blaze.

Dark in coloration, his pelt ranges, depending on the light, from a deep midnight black to a blue-black or even dark charcoal that only accents his silver rune-draped shoulders. His eyes one could suppose are both blue, for though the left is almost sapphire in hue he seems to keep his right eye closed at all times. His front paws are white, as is a splotch on his chest, and he keeps himself meticulously well-groomed, especially his blue-gray neck mane which he keeps silky-smooth.

Jherak will go here.

Orrosta will go here.

You Shall Never Best Me Female Épée Meowlure

Speech: Bold #ff00ec

Proud, even smug, this Épée is incredibly confident despite her young age. Even in training her instructors found themselves with their paws full trying to curb her enthusiasm and her desires to push herself beyond what she really was capable of doing. Sadly, even though she did learn how to handle her Épée it hasn't dimmed her somewhat exaggerated belief in her own ability. In her mind she can fail at no challenge, lose no duel, nor should back down from any opponent even if they are several times her size, strength, or skill. Anyone she decides is family will have their hands just as full as her old instructors keeping her out of trouble, but at least you'll always have someone to boost your confidence when you might need it most. En Guard! Is her twin brother and the only creature that she'll admit is maybe her equal in battle.

She is quite a lovely Meowlure who has already turned quite a few Schlager heads. She is dark brown all over with a few golden brown to sandy tan bands here and there, brown-black mask on her face framing near-sapphire blue eyes with a white line up her nose, and white around her neck, chin, and on her paws. Her twin brother is identical, and if they don't speak it can be difficult to tell them apart. Her boots are one of the few, subtle ways to tell her and her brother apart at a glance: she wears her ebony footwear with the cuffs turned down.

Coat Pattern

Epee