Post by firefly on Oct 10, 2011 13:04:56 GMT -5
ZECORA
"Maybe next time you will take a second look and not judge the cover of a book!"
"Maybe next time you will take a second look and not judge the cover of a book!"
The Basics[/font][/size]
Name: Zecora
Nickname/Alias: "Evil Enchantress"
Species: Zebra
Gender: Female
Age: Roughly 17ish? Girls get their first neck ring at about twelve and increase by one each year.
Group: Good
Occupation: Herbalist / Sangoma
Appearance[/font][/size]
Fur/Mane/Tail: Zecora's body is covered in gray and white stripes that are typical of her species.
Clothes/Accessories: Zecora takes great pride in her accessories since they're symbolic of her people. Bright brass rings called 'dzillas' wrap around the entire length of her neck and stops just a few inches below her throat. The elegant bracelet that she wears is similar in appearance to her neck rings. They are both traditionally thought of as signs of beauty and maturity by the Ndebele people, so it's no doubt she regards them in the same light.
In addition to these, she wears two large hoop earrings on both ears.
Cutie Mark:
A spiral sun pattern. It's believed to be more of a tattoo, since equines outside of the ponies don't seem to have cutie marks in the show.
Overview: Juxtaposed against the colorful hues of the ponies, Zecora seems to stick out like a sore, gray thumb. Not that she seems to mind it. A queenly zebra, she's proud of her heritage and carries herself with an air of calm elegance. She's a larger pony and has a prominent mohawk of a mane. The colors alternate between gray and black and high above her head and make her an imposing figure to behold to the citizens of Ponyville.
Facially she's as regal as the princesses, but her features are slightly stronger than the dainty angles of Princess Luna or Princess Celestia. None the less, they're rather lovely and dignified. Her dark turquoise eyes seem to hold a wisdom that extends far beyond her years and a gentle smile is usually written across her muzzle. Like the weather of Everfree Forest, Zecora's moods can change quickly and with little warning; But her sunnier persona tends to outweigh her darker one and as a whole, she's a helpful friend to have around.
She only speaks in riddles and verses when she's speaking English. In her native language she rarely uses them and speaks normally. Her voice comes in a light boom, commanding as an officer but as gentle as mother's whisper.
Personality[/font][/size]
Personality Description: Zecora is an enigma to most ponies. She rarely speaks to anyone outside of the 'mane six' and as a result, most ponies are just starting to trust her. This is only because of her association with them, but there's otherwise a nervous truce between the shaman and the residents of Ponyville. She's largely a hermit and dwells deep within the heart of Everfree Forest and only comes to town once in a blue moon to gather needed supplies before returning back to her hut. Others consider her weird for trying to live there, but the fact of the matter is: She doesn't need the company of the ponies to be happy. While it's nice to have friends, Zecora's perfectly fine with the idea of being alone. After years of being ostracized by the other citizens, it's no wonder she's still a little bitter.
The mare is highly intelligent and her wisdom about the world around her easily rivals (or exceeds) that of Twilight Sparkle's. She has intimate knowledge of the plants and creatures that seem to go largely unnoticed and unknown by her fellow residents. As a result of this, she can easily mix tonics and remedies for her friends. However, if you're brave enough and if you know where to find her, she may be willing to help you as well.
Strengths:
- Incredibly knowledgeable of the native plants and animals
- Strong mentally and physically
- Intelligent
- Brave
- Calm
Weaknesses
- Speaks in riddles and rhymes, which tends to confuse some ponies
- Located far away from Ponyville and is happy to stay there
- Different than the other ponies
- Enigmatic
- Proud
Fears:
- The demise of Everfree Forest
- Ignorance / Discrimination
- Feeling helpless
Magical Specialty/Abilities: None.
History[/font]
History: {History is subject to change if the character is explored more in the show. }
Born in Marelawi (calling it this until an official name is released) Zecora does not know who her real parents are. She was dropped on the doorstep of the village elders with a note that read 'keep her safe.' The elders conversed as to who would be able to care for the child and eventually decided that the quagga, Neem, would be a fair choice. He raised and trained the filly in the art of bush medicine.
After her graduation from apprentice to full-fledged sangoma, her mentor requested she leave the village. The note rang clear in his head after a night raid by a leopard had left several members of the tribe dead and many more wounded. Neem warned her that it was no longer safe in Marelawi and gave her a map that lead to the more populated cities of Equestia. Places where he knew she wouldn't have to live in fear of attacks.
She traveled from her faraway land to Ponyville, where she built her own hut and resided in Everfree Forest. Though her mannerisms kept most of the locals at bay, they tagged her with such things as "witch" and "evil." She was shunned from their city no matter what she tried.
It was only until Applebloom and the arrival of the mane five did she finally manage to integrate into their society. However, there is a tentative truce between herself and most of the other citizens, who still view her as a wicked, strange creature.
Roleplay Sample: Above the shrill sounds of the warrior's screams came the ear-shattering sound of a roar. The din silenced for a few moments as the creature moved on, puffing quietly in the darkness as it made it's rounds. The sound was a malicious noise, one that slipped through every crack in the hut like the wind of a chilly day. The filly pressed herself tightly against her grass mat. Her breathing came in shallow, fearful pants. She tucked her head under the shaggy skin of her nyala blanket as if the old hide served as soem sort of protection between her and the beast that stalked outside her door.
Her entire body trembled like a leaf.
"Zecora?" A voice sounded harshly through the room, the tone kept carefully low. The filly pricked her ears. Her senses strained against the pitch black room. She thought she could vaguely make out the gaunt form of her mentor as he stood in front of the closed window. Slivers of his dusky brown coat were illuminated by the fire outside his hut and cast him in an orange glow.
"Neem? Ni kwamba wewe?*" She whispered, starting for him. Her dark turquoise eyes widened as she tried to catch him in the few flickers of light.
"Hush, child!" Came the response. Neem's voice was strangely vicious, but it shook slightly.
The door was just an old, faded piece of cloth. It wouldn't protect them from a lion coming in and they both knew that terrifyingly well as a noise sounded just behind it. Zecora whimpered softly.
Zecora quietly stumbled towards him until she finally collided with the thin body of the quagga. Neem pulled her into a tight hug and kept his back to the door. If the creature wanted a midnight snack, they'd have to go through him first. She could hear him suck in a breath as the wooden frame gave way and the fabric was ripped from it's hinges.
Neem clung to his apprentice even tighter, feeling her face bury into his shoulder as the the beast let out a low moaning sound. Silence fell over the room and it seemed like it lasted for hours.
"Neem? Zecora?" A thunderous voice finally boomed. The filly managed to pry one of her eyes open, prepared for the sight of some ghastly creature.
Instead she caught the eye of an elegantly dressed zebra. The stallion wandered in with a proud, calm gait. His ears tipped foreword at the sound of Zecora's sigh of relief.
"Nkosi Acacia has requested your presence." He called into the darkness.
"Surely our dear Nkosi can wait! What of the casualties?" Neem wailed, dropping Zecora and darting about the dark room as fast as his old legs could carry him. "If you haven't noticed my dear boy, our entire tribe was just attacked by lions."
Zecora caught the roll of the warrior's eyes and this confused her, but she followed the old quagga around the hut. Picking up what he dropped or catching something that was only a few seconds from smashing against the packed-dirt floor.
"And those lions have only come to request your aid. Their cubs have come down with fever and are terribly sick... I saw them myself."
She nearly dropped the armful of gourds she was holding. Neem looked as if he was seconds from fainting.
"Let me explain --- they weren't attacking." The warrior said gently, rolling the faded door cloth around his foreleg. "The pounding was only me. My warriors and I were trying to see if you were in. When I saw the window was barred shut, I tried to peek inside... but I got stuck. I'm sorry Neem, I promise I'll fix it in the morning." The warrior admitted. He seemed to be more occupied with fixing the stone hut than worrying about the lions that were waiting somewhere in the village.
"They have requested your aid..." He repeated. "The lionesses will tell you what they know back at Acacia's hut."
Zecora looked taken aback by this. She shook her head at the mere suggestion. Absurd! She would hardly harbor the thought of it, helping a lion after they'd decimated their tribe's homes only weeks before? Surely this was some cruel joke.
"This is a terrible prank, tell those lions to kiss my flank!"
"ZECORA!" Her language was met with a harsh rap upside the face with his cane. She rubbed her cheek, her eyes narrowing at him.
"Under one condition I will help the pride, they must cease attacking the zebra tribe!"
"We are not allowed to pick our patients, nor are we allowed to bargain with them... You know this as well as I do. However, perhaps this will mend the rift between our families." The shaman said softly. "The attacks might stop all together if we can save their sons."
"And if we can't what do we do? After they've put the blame on you!"
Neem shook his head, his heavy brow furrowing in thought. He let out a tired, rattling sigh.
"Besides, the warriors will be with you." The young warrior assured her as he took a step towards them. A feeble smile formed over his lips. "It's just the two lionesses and their cubs." Zecora looked at them incredulously, her gaze adverted from the two older equines. Though she tried to hide it, fear was clearly written across her face. Neem bent down to her, pulling the filly close again.
"I know we have a job to do, but aren't you scared too?"
"Of course I am..." He admitted. "But that shouldn't stop you from helping someone. Zecora, you and I are among the few creatures directly connected to our ancestors and the spirits of the earth. We listen to their voices and heed their calls. Right now, they have given us an opportunity to take out the poison ---- not just in the cubs, but between our two families."
Zecora looked at him from under those thick lashes.
"Come." The old quagga commanded, following the warrior out the door. She hesitated, fidgeting in place before finally darting after them. Her striped body followed the muddy tones of her mentor into the moonless night.
TRANSLATION:
Neem? Is that you?
Nkosi - a term for a cheif
And All The Rest[/font]
How You Found Us: Virtus-RPG advert c:
Alias: Firefly
Comments: So glad I found a MLP:FiM roleplay, you have no idea how long I've been looking for one~
Codewords: [[Correct]]