[KittyCatKita]

Hey everyone! I had a couple requests for an extension, so this guy is now closing on Monday, December 16th instead of Sunday, December 15th! Same time, new day!

[Stray Stranger]

Username: Stray Stranger
His favourite flower: Deadly Nightshade
Why is it his favourite?
When he was born, his parents were scared by his coat patterns and colors, assuming it to be a signifier that their child would be cursed with bad luck his whole life. They named him Nerium (latin name for Oleander) in hopes that the name of a poisonous plant would "scare away" bad luck, as some cultures name children after frightening things as a protection from those things.

However, the name paired with his coat colors only made him feared and shunned for most of his childhood. He did not despair, though, and instead decided to learn more about both deaths head hawkmoths and oleander in an effort to understand why his association with both made him so feared. In his research he gained a fascination and respect for poisonous plants and plants used for medical purposes, and he became quite good at mixing healing herbs and even making antidotes for poisonous plants!

He had started with the plant he was named after and plants that deaths head hawkmoths often ate, and discovered that deaths head hawkmoths often ate both oleander and deadly nightshade, which drew him to learn more about these plants, including how to make antidotes for their effects. He was particularly fascinated with the deadly nightshade as he found it could be used as an ingredient for certain medicines. He also saw that many of these poisonous plants were quite beautiful, and he began finding beauty in them more than something to despise, he especially liked how the deadly nightshade's purple flowers looked so elegant against his yellow coat. Though the deadly nightshade resonated more with him then the plant that he was named for, he still likes his name and thinks it suits him. But the deadly nightshade holds a special place in his heart, because it had been what made him feel that if even a deadly poisonous plant could be used to make medicine and help, maybe he, too, could be someone who is kind and helps others despite being feared and seen as dangerous.

He eventually became highly respected and trusted as the herds medic thanks to his vast knowledge of both poisonous and healing plants, quickly going from feared to revered after helping a few of his herdmates survive various illnesses over the winter. He now holds pride for his beautiful coat patterns, the plant he was named after, and his favorite poisonous plant: the deadly nightshade.

[Spiritstar3]

Username:
Spiritstar3
His favourite flower:
A Camellia
Why is it his favourite?
For one thing, they are extremely lovely flowers to look at, easy on the eye (did I use that correctly?) For another thing, the name in Japanese is Tsubaki. He thinks that is just such a cool and lovely word. He even has a friend named Tsubaki. Though it sounds like a feminine name, his friend is actually a boy. He’s a male Quarter pony with a very red coat, for which he was named. Anyway, another reason he likes camellias is because the word camellia is also cool sounding. He wants to one day name a future foal of his Camellia, if he has any.

(Are we supposed to have a name for this guy in our forms too?)

[Kosciusko]

Username: Kosciusko
His favourite flower: Moonflower (Ipomoea alba)
Why is it his favourite?
Every evening, as the sky deepened into velvet darkness, Erebos wandered the meadow, his hooves light against the soft grass. While other horses grazed or slept, Erebos’s heart beat in rhythm with the stars. He sought out the flowers that bloomed in the cool night, but there was one flower he loved above all others: the moonflower.

The moonflower was a rare, ethereal plant, its large, white petals opening only when the world was quiet, when the moon hung high in the sky. It was pale and seemed to glow softly, as though it carried a piece of the moon within its petals. The scent it released was sweet and rich, filling the air with a gentle magic that Erebos couldn’t resist.

Each time Erebos approached, it felt as if the flower had been waiting just for him. He had always loved the stillness of the night, and he knew—just like the moonflower, he was meant to thrive in the dark, under the watchful eyes of the stars.

The term “erebos” came to symbolize the darkness between the earth and the sky, a space of mist and obscurity.

[Penultima]

Username: Penultima
His favourite flower: The humble Potato flower
Why is it his favourite?

Folks don't often think about potatoes when asked about their favorite flower--they typically think about the root vegetable, or the many delicious foods that can be made from them. But, honestly, they're an incredibly underrated flowering plant as well.

Sphinx here, named after the genus group of Sphinx moths (including the Death's head Moth) commonly found in the Spanish countryside where he resides, is a huge aficionado of the potato flower. His owners run a humble farm, filled with all kinds of vegetables, native flowers, and a handful of chickens and goats. He has always enjoyed having the ability to wander the farm, given that his "job" is to protect the plants from wildlife who may want to nibble some of the tasty treats growing there. His owners grow many, many things that bloom, but Sphinx was always drawn to the humble potato plants when they would flower. The potato plant is an important host plant to the Death's head Moth caterpillar, which he always enjoyed playing a game of trying to find the camouflaged little buggers! He was fascinated by the fact that they all grew their own unique colors; some were purple, some pink, and some white. Not only that--They also had their own unique anther colors as well! Red, yellow, and a deep indigo blue... and these anther colors could be paired with almost any flower color too!

Although these flowers were all different colors, they all belonged to the same grove of potato plants, and when they were all intermingled together, it created a beautiful bouquet of colors. Sphinx always felt like they looked like poetry: like the flowers, every equid and animal and human is vastly different from one another, but all of them are just as beautiful as each other in their own ways, and when together in community, they make a gorgeous rainbow that's poetry to the eyes.

[Manx]

Username: Manx
His favourite flower: Dandelion
Why is it his favourite? With its ability to grow in the worst of conditions, it’s no surprise that this hardy flower means hope, healing, and resilience when gifted. This hardiness is part of what Syon finds so endearing about this bright flowers. He appreciate the bright yellow of them that matches his sunny demeanour - not to mention blowing wishes on them when they turn to seeds.

[KittyCatKita]

Username: Rainbowfinch
His favourite flower: White Lily
Why is it his favourite? They are the flower of rebirth. He himself is a representation of death, it is marked on his own body and he is aware of it. He likes the idea of a flower that represents the after, of a second life and a second chance. Death isn't the end, but the start of a new story.

Congratulations! I loved the tie-in with being a death's head moth and the sweet sentiment of a second start.
I will be saving a shaded/highlighted version without the background as well.

You guys had such amazing ideas though, I loved being able to read through all of them!!

[RainbowFinch]

*Dies*

I can't believe I won him, I was hoping for a moth and have applied for a few of them. Thank you thank you! My first of the new lines!

[~Trompy]

Woot woot, congratulations! I will be stalking this guy

[Flicka]

Congrats! I read through some of the other entries and the lore folks created for your guy is awesome. This guy is inspiration heavy!