HOME | DD

Description
As I stated in one of my journals, I've decided that rather than using boring singular character sheets to introduce the characters in my new series I'd draw group shots instead...

Whew. I think this is one of my better works!

Anyway: This is the first piece of official Maple Lenicy artwork so there'll be a lot of text to wade through, here we go.

The story:

Maple Lenicy takes place in a world in which nature and magic have intertwined. The plants, seasons and weather happen in ways that are surreal by our standards. However, the most spectacular and revered magical phenomenon occurs every second winter, an event that the animals who populate the world call "Maple Season". During Maple Season, the air is filled with magical snow, and the maple trees become coated in a thin layer of ice. Giant snowflakes form around the maple leaves, which break off and hang gracefully in the air until they are broken or melt. At this time, the spirits that create magic are incredibly strong, and mages from all over the land travel to the maple woods to train and hone thier abilities.

Within this time, and during this time only, a sacred piece of music called 'The Maple Lenicy' can be played between two or more animals who trust each other completely. To play this piece of music with a partner means that you truly wish to cement your friendship. The song is so sacred, that most people are too scared to use it.

Each species celebrates the Maple Season differently. This is generally because there is a certain tension between some species. Generally, foxes, mustelids and wolves amongst others are considered untrustworthy by the other races.

However, this Maple Season, a new king has taken the throne, and this sacred event is about to become something other than festive.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHARACTERS!

Lenson: the story's hero. Lenson is a promising young warrior squirrel who lives deep within the Maple Forest with his clan. When his sister Azulai leaves home, he goes out to find her and becomes part of her plan, meanwhile being forced to question his own beliefes and morals. His sheild features four deep grooves designed to catch and break his enemies blades.

Azulai: the "main" character. From a very young age, Azulai always had an affinity for foxes (despite being brought up with the notion that all vulpines were bad news) and talked herself into believing that she was "a fox trapped within a squirrel's body". To the frustration of the elders, she wears only traditional vulpine clothing and practises with traditional vulpine weapons. She always dreamed of someday becoming friends with a real fox, but her parents refused to let her go beyond the clan's territory. When the new king declairs that after this Maple Season, all beasts of honour will never have to worry about the threat of foxes again, Azulai is horrified. Without telling anyone, she leaves the clan and her fears are confirmed: a massacre is being staged. With her brother by her side, Azulai swears that she'll find a way to save her adopted species, believing that the only hope of salvation lies within the tune of brotherhood, the Maple Lenicy.

Ash: this cute little squirrel boy was orphened at a young age and raised by his cousins Briar and Sashii. He shows promising clairvoyant ability.

Briar: Briar is Lenson's friend. He represents the squirrel clan and is responsible for keeping contact with the royal army. He's a great source of information and always has the latest news. He also trains to be a spy.

Sashii: Briar's sister. She is against the massacre, but believes that the king should never be challanged. She is very old fashioned and pessimistic. She has good relations with the royal bishop. (who is important later on in the story)

LOCATION!

Maple woods: this is the squirrel clan's home. All the snowflakes come from here and drift throughout the land. In this scene, the Maple Season hasn't begun just yet, and it's still snowing softly.
I kind of left some bits of the story out, but it would have taken up too much space.

Maple Lenicy and all related characters (C) Ryanide 2006, do not distribute or steal.

Description
As I stated in one of my journals, I've decided that rather than using boring singular character sheets to introduce the characters in my new series I'd draw group shots instead...

Whew. I think this is one of my better works!

Anyway: This is the first piece of official Maple Lenicy artwork so there'll be a lot of text to wade through, here we go.

The story:

Maple Lenicy takes place in a world in which nature and magic have intertwined. The plants, seasons and weather happen in ways that are surreal by our standards. However, the most spectacular and revered magical phenomenon occurs every second winter, an event that the animals who populate the world call "Maple Season". During Maple Season, the air is filled with magical snow, and the maple trees become coated in a thin layer of ice. Giant snowflakes form around the maple leaves, which break off and hang gracefully in the air until they are broken or melt. At this time, the spirits that create magic are incredibly strong, and mages from all over the land travel to the maple woods to train and hone thier abilities.

Within this time, and during this time only, a sacred piece of music called 'The Maple Lenicy' can be played between two or more animals who trust each other completely. To play this piece of music with a partner means that you truly wish to cement your friendship. The song is so sacred, that most people are too scared to use it.

Each species celebrates the Maple Season differently. This is generally because there is a certain tension between some species. Generally, foxes, mustelids and wolves amongst others are considered untrustworthy by the other races.

However, this Maple Season, a new king has taken the throne, and this sacred event is about to become something other than festive.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHARACTERS!

Lenson: the story's hero. Lenson is a promising young warrior squirrel who lives deep within the Maple Forest with his clan. When his sister Azulai leaves home, he goes out to find her and becomes part of her plan, meanwhile being forced to question his own beliefes and morals. His sheild features four deep grooves designed to catch and break his enemies blades.

Azulai: the "main" character. From a very young age, Azulai always had an affinity for foxes (despite being brought up with the notion that all vulpines were bad news) and talked herself into believing that she was "a fox trapped within a squirrel's body". To the frustration of the elders, she wears only traditional vulpine clothing and practises with traditional vulpine weapons. She always dreamed of someday becoming friends with a real fox, but her parents refused to let her go beyond the clan's territory. When the new king declairs that after this Maple Season, all beasts of honour will never have to worry about the threat of foxes again, Azulai is horrified. Without telling anyone, she leaves the clan and her fears are confirmed: a massacre is being staged. With her brother by her side, Azulai swears that she'll find a way to save her adopted species, believing that the only hope of salvation lies within the tune of brotherhood, the Maple Lenicy.

Ash: this cute little squirrel boy was orphened at a young age and raised by his cousins Briar and Sashii. He shows promising clairvoyant ability.

Briar: Briar is Lenson's friend. He represents the squirrel clan and is responsible for keeping contact with the royal army. He's a great source of information and always has the latest news. He also trains to be a spy.

Sashii: Briar's sister. She is against the massacre, but believes that the king should never be challanged. She is very old fashioned and pessimistic. She has good relations with the royal bishop. (who is important later on in the story)

LOCATION!

Maple woods: this is the squirrel clan's home. All the snowflakes come from here and drift throughout the land. In this scene, the Maple Season hasn't begun just yet, and it's still snowing softly.
I kind of left some bits of the story out, but it would have taken up too much space.

Maple Lenicy and all related characters (C) Ryanide 2006, do not distribute or steal.