#oc: gaius horncleaver

[telltalecoyote]

May I interest you in some cats...

GAIUS, OBERON (THATS ME), CORVUS

KUDO, RUGAN, GARRUS

BIG CAT, AERETH, TANTALUS

[commanderhorncleaver]

For the most emotional conflict, Gaius as Imperator of Iron with a number of the cubs he's influenced as close advisors: Augustus, Raevik, Brutus, Kolrys, Gloryana, perhaps as the Big Five. I'm imagining the Illusory World trying to give him the best of both worlds, allowing him to fulfill his old dreams of becoming the best, while also upholding the status quo of that time period... And as he recognizes inconsistencies or certain things he disagrees with now that he wouldn't have before, things get worse.

For example, being advised by Brutus and Gloryana on how to pursue a remaining contingent of Flame after their near-successful eradication, and Gaius internally goes "🤔...But Glory's papa is Imperator of Flame..." and she's later found immolated or whatever. Brutus proclaims a cycle of revenge, and Gaius recognizes that Brutus was, in the real world, responsible for doing that very thing to his younger brother.

Things would wind up continually spiraling as he recognizes something fucky with each of his cubs and some corresponding aspect of legion society that he's in reality putting so much effort into improving, no matter how slow the progress, no matter how he's embarrassed himself to do it.

Big moral as he wakes up from the nightmare or is released from the illusory trial or what-have-you being "you're you, and no matter how imperfect you are, you're fuckign doing your best to make things better for those who come after you. sometimes your role isn't glamorous, but your role fucking matters if you're doing something you believe in"

okay really niche OC chat prompt today but. you know that common trope where a character is transported into an illusory world that shallowly fulfills all their wishes/removes all current conflicts ("oh my god, i'm back home in my warm bed, none of the horrible Plot Events actually happened, my dead loved one is alive and says 'what are you talking about, silly? are you feeling okay? i made breakfast! ^^'", etc), usually as a way to delay them from finding + defeating whoever is making the illusion or whatever

say your commander (or anyone) gets trapped in one of those. how long does it take them to figure out something's wrong (alternately if u have multiple ocs u wanna answer for, rank them from "immediately sniffs it out" to "would blissfully waste away there forever"). extra credit: what's everybody's insidious wish-fulfillment illusion world

[wilsons-journey]

Culinary Calendar - December

My contribution to this amazing project ♥

Get your free copy here:

Long Credits under the Cut:

Feat. OCs (in no particular order):

Lyra - mistborn-bastard

Aikarico Ripchase - astralarias

Rolan Brightwing - brightwingedbat

Thel Victus - sidewinder30k

Vorias Ironhide - dion-iron

Redaar Steelhide - jollycryptid

Clove Hellbaum - scrumpygoat

Gaius Horncleaver - commanderhorncleave

Ahrikima - Ahrikima

Yahuk Thornheart - charrior-of-ash

Salem Steelveil - thornethenorn

Fillan - vampiricsheep

Lyza Ironmouth - charr-salad

fregion - fregion-bond-breaker

Malva the Furnace - nyoka-gorefell

Sibyl Goldveil - fvriva

Marro Bonesnap - foreverconfused-anenqui

Fenrir Bloodkeeper - lionheart405

Falco Burngrace - rostomanologist

Cyrisus Riftwalker - cyrisusriftwalker

Red Ripperdragon - gamer-redr

Flash Fulgurfur - madame-cookie

khelleren

Pyrite Alderspark - pyritepirate444

Boltyhound Swiftkill- legionnaireintraining

Candessence - mystery-salad

guildwarszeke

Linus Ruinweld - flower-crow

Temma Bellrose - noivern

Kaetrai Fiercefang - zarathelonewolf

Plantain - matsuriwolf

Denalien - kehideni

Heart of the Hunter - championbutch

Bato Ghostclaw - commanders-company

Semijs - siins

Rodnur - rizardofether

Mabaki - Mabaki

Closing Words: Thank you so much for having me in this Calendar for this year! It was a blast drawing this piece ♥

And please check out this wonderful Calendar! There are so many pages full of gorgeous art of other wonderful artist!

And special thanks for bringing this awesome calendar to live!

[telltalecoyote]

Rejoice, the old men are happy! A non performative smile from Oberon! A short story below the cut...

Gaius Horncleaver @commanderhorncleaver

"Our boy is more than amazing, Gaius; he's damn healthy! Healthier than a healer on an uneventful patrol day!" Oberon exclaimed, punctuating his excitement with hearty laughter. Not a single laugh, however, disturbed their cub, peacefully sleeping within Oberon's gentle hold.

"He's not coughing, his eyes are fine—Cassius gave him a thorough examination five times over, and he even compared notes with Aereth! We did a damn good job with him."

As the gravity of the situation set in, Oberon's laughter began to subside. "He won't have to worry that he's not built to survive this world. And even if that were the case after all, he'll never be alone. I'm not leaving his side, never."

Releasing Gaius from under his arm, Oberon lifted their swaddled cub up to his face. The young feline's slumber came to an end as he stirred with a squeaky yawn, a small paw reaching out to grip at the old charr's nose.

Gaius had witnessed Oberon's happiness on various occasions—like when Oberon eagerly awaited Gaius' reaction to an old gift; a now-lost ornate lighter Oberon had etched himself in the jungles of Maguuma or when they spend another one of their many intimate nights together, fur against fur. Especially memorable was the radiant smile he gave when Gaius brought Oberon into the lover's fold as one of his husbands...

And yet, this moment dared to surpass them all. The adoration in Oberon's eyes as he looked at their cub, the sheer joy in his voice—it proved Gaius wrong about never seeing Oberon happier than those previous times, and he couldn't be happier about it.

[telltalecoyote]

Give it up for "Tyria's _____ Dad", Gaius Horncleaver!

@commanderhorncleaver

[telltalecoyote]

Efram, Rytlock, Gaius, Oberon, and Corvus!

Big kisses for the big cats, they've got plenty of love to share.

Gaius >> @commanderhorncleaver, Corvus >> @nullvoidface

[telltalecoyote]

Using the space between your partner's horns as a resting spot for your own head (and also to scritch yourself against said horns.)

Gaius >> @commanderhorncleaver

[telltalecoyote]

Oberon and Gaius discussing plans of how to rescue soldiers imprisoned by the Krait.

Punching things always works, even underwater. Based on this post.

Gaius >> @commanderhorncleaver

[telltalecoyote]

Based on a fun conversation @commanderhorncleaver and I had recently about Cassius, his choice in armor, and Gaius.

Well, Cassius always dreamed of having a cub of his own!

[commanderhorncleaver]

Meant to post this earlier, but

The old man is officially 60/2 years old!

Help the old guy celebrate!

[telltalecoyote]

Quick icon edits I had made for something. I had the idea, "these would be their dialogue portraits in a Fire Emblem type game."

Top two are Cassius Witherpaw, middle are Dusty Wanderhorn, and then Oberon Furyhorn.

Bottom two are @commanderhorncleaver

[commanderhorncleaver]

A Basic Timeline to the Life of Gaius Horncleaver

1275 AE: Iron Legionnaire Stella Silvershot’s warband is captured by Flame Legion and taken as prisoners of war. 1277 AE: Sired by Oryen Crimsondew, a high ranking shaman, Gaius is born to Silvershot. 1279 AE: Stella escapes captivity with her cub, unaware if any of her warband remain. She eventually makes it to the Black Citadel. Stella relinquishes Gaius to the fahrar, and goes on her final patrol. 1280-1294 AE: Gaius attends the Black Citadel's Fahrar of Young Heroes, having committed himself to the idea of living up to the ideal of the perfect Iron soldier. Though he struggles to apply himself in Iron-typical fashions, with no talent for engineering or marksmanship, he does excel in strategy. His magic comes in, and he begins to have nightmares. He hides both his magic and his nightmares from his peers and primus. 1295 AE: Gaius graduates the fahrar as an Iron soldier of the Black warband, taking the name Blackhorn, second to Legionnaire Venus Blacksmoke. 1298 AE: Gaius’ warband is wiped out during a routine patrol near the Decimus Stones that interrupted a ritual by a group of Flame Legion. 1299-1300 AE: Gaius goes gladium. 1301 AE: Gaius is invited by Romeo Shanktooth to join his Blood legion warband. 1302-1305 AE: Gaius spends these years as Shanktooth’s lieutenant, acting as the brains of most missions. Gaius meets Carvecia Brightshadow of the Ash Legion. After Shanktooth is killed in a tavern brawl, Gaius transfers back to Iron Legion. Augustus and Fulvius are born to Carvecia. Raevik is also born.* 1305-1320 AE: Gaius climbs the ranks and is eventually made centurion as an administrative position. 1323 AE: Gaius meets Rytlock Brimstone 1325 AE: Gaius meets Lucasta, his half-sister. The events of Personal Story and Core take place.

*The births of Gaius' other cubs has been omitted.

[commanderhorncleaver]

New outfit for the old man while I chug along doing LWS1 and 2!

Circa now, he'd still have his soul knife (zenith kris) and not Solana, but shruggle. He also wouldn't have the eyepatch, tbf.

[commanderhorncleaver]

Time to take Kettle on some walkies through the Citadel

*tfw your ceramic husky decides it's time to sing the song of his people in the middle of the market and you gotta remind him everyone knows he's your favorite kid*

[commanderhorncleaver]

Horncleaver comes into the office, early as usual, to find...

He opens the parcel and stares at what's inside--it's apparent what exactly is expected of him. With a sigh, he sets Gloryana into his chair and turns it around so that she faces away from him. Dutifully, he changes clothes.

He expects Marcus will be by later in the day, or sooner if the day proves uneventful or the other charr is otherwise too excited. Gaius will be sure to say thank you when he does.

(Thank you @brightwingedbat for this gift)

[commanderhorncleaver]

4: On the scale of absolute novice to complete expert, how good are they at their chosen profession?

5: Is there anything atypical about their usage of their profession? If so, what?

I'll answer for Gaius!

4. Though his methods of of spellbreaking aren't the same as the Elonian tradition, Gaius would more than qualify as an expert!

5. In hand with that, the primary reasons for Horncleaver's atypical spellbreaking is that he doesn't "attack" the weave of magic, he uses his own magic to interrupt and steal the spells being cast by those around him. Later, in LWS4 once he's learned to better make use of his own magic (which is to copy the magic of those around him) he develops ways to bubble enemies in anti-magic capsules or alternatively envelop himself in that to protect himself in what is essentially a "no magic can pass" field.

This is why he's so good at what he does, he's got a variety of different answers to efficiently handle different situations, and his martial prowess further helps him to keep pressure high in any combat scenario.