Username: Mango30
Show Name: The Dead's Regret
Barn Name: Galloway
Gender: Stallion
Halter: WIP
~~Personality: Galloway is. . . interesting. He isn't malicious, but he's certainly not a goody-two shoes. Quiet and rather unsettling, his voice is enough to make even the most arrogant stallion shiver. He's a surprisingly social tolter, struggling to make himself appear friendly to the rest of the herd. Unfortunately, his appearance and unnerving interest in the afterlife tend to drive others away from him. Despite him being active in the day to try his hand (Hoof?) at gaining the trust of the herds, he's so much more nocturnal. So much so, that if left in his stall for the night, he can and will break out of it. Galloway does it so quietly and has even managed to learn how to re-lock the door after getting out, much to the humans' dismay. They find it creepy.
Galloway is a wistful and regretful stallion. Not quite in a gloomy way, but in a melancholy way. He finds himself regretting his past actions and wishing he'd done things differently in the past. Despite knowing that the past wears one down and that he needs to focus on moving forward, he can't help but look back.
~~What's up with the items?Galloway's markings are unique, no? Awfully unique. Paired with the fact he practically has no tail and his mane is nonexistent. As a foal, he was seen as an oddity. He wasn't cast out of any friend group, per se, but he was whispered about and sometimes reluctantly invited to foal games. He has terrible self esteem about this after his beloved dam died and never truly knew his sire, leaving no one to comfort him in the ways of life.
The items weren't originally meant for him to keep on. It was an elaborate costume one of the stable hands made for Halloween since the stable got quite competitive about their annual costume contest. Galloway was absolutely perfect for this! At first, he was unaccustomed to the new helmet, tattered cloak, feathers on his neck and head, and especially the horse-safe candles. He wasn't sure what to think about it. But all at once, he realized that he felt safe. For the first time in his adult life, he felt comfortable and safe.
He was able to catch a glimpse of himself in a mirror on the arena wall. At this point he knew that
this was who he wanted to be. He looked so much like a skeleton shaman and it interested him. It reminded him of someone who might watch over the dead and their spirits to safely guide them to whatever afterlife there was. Galloway was in love with the thought and outfit.
Galloway loved it so much that he refused to let the humans take it off. And so it stayed, but the real candles were substituted with fake ones in order to keep it safer. The only times it came off were riding, baths, and when the summer months became to hot for anyone to bear.
~~~What do the items symbolize?In short, it symbolizes a shaman. One that specifically works with spirits who seek to cross over. While Galloway himself doesn't know an extensive amount about the practice, he does feel something there. He always wished he could've helped his mother and see her one last time as a spirit. He supposes that the fact that he often reaches out to a variety of passed on spirits helps ease his heart and makes up for what he couldn't do for his mother.
~~~Wait. . . So does he actually do rituals?Yes and no. Most of his rituals are to contact the dead, which aren't inherently evil, but not exactly good. He tries to find spirits who need help crossing over, but has come across evil ones who try to beckon his soul over with them. He's not especially experienced in many spells aside from the aforementioned rituals, but he does know some to cast good or back luck to whomever he pleases for a period of time.
~~~That's wack.Yes. Yes it is.
~~~
Does he have a companion?He does. Galloway has a raven companion named Alara. She's often in a tree or perched upon Galloway's back. She's usually an ill-tempered raven, pecking at curious humans and tolters alike who try to approach her. She brings about materials Galloway wouldn't be able to find outside the stables for his rituals, and is often there for moral support. As hard-headed as this little raven can be, she has a soft spot for this strange stallion.
~~~ArtGalloway w/out items 
