IAGO
Number of the Pup:1
Name: Iago
Why I chose this name: In Shakespeare's Othello, the villain is named Iago. Now, I did not name my Iago this because I think he's particularly evil. On the contrary, what I get when I see him is an honest kindness. I named him Iago because the book character has a reputation of being a very honest, skilled warrior with a good brain and a desire to help others. This is the quality I think reflects in my Iago.
The other reason I chose this name is that Iago is at times almost two different people. The honest, likeable, kind man, and the beast. My Iago also has these qualities, but I'll tell you more about that later.
Gender: Male
would you like to adopt him:I take is as given that you understand how desperately badly I want a WoI. If I didn't, I would not be putting so much effort into this application. However, everyone else here loves them too, so I'm going to explain my different reasons for wanting him.
I had to think long and hard about which pup I was going to choose. There was no question that I had to choose one of them. They are all absolutely stunning in their own way. The question was, which one to choose? I went back and forth, trying different strategies and approaches. Eventually, I knew that wouldn't work and simply chose my favourite. This happens to be Iago. He's the one who first grabbed my eye. He's looking straight at the viewer in the pup picture, with what I think is an honest and good-natured expression on his face. He is also the most colourful, and the one with the most intricate designs. In light of this, he is my choice, and now that I've worked with him, I couldn't imagine changing my mind for anything. What really amazed me about Iago was the way that, bit by bit, his story unfolded for me. It took days for me to grasp his character, but once I had there was really nothing else to be done. That's who he is. I want the chance to develop him more. I want to discover him. I want to roleplay with him, join the cult. But mostly, I just want him for my own because he's beautiful and has become so real for me.
Iago's Character
His ambitionIago has one simple goal in life. He's had it ever since he first saw his father's armour, and it has grown to occupy his whole being. He wants to be a warrior. He's not vain enough to want to be the best warrior, but he wants to be a good one. He wants to fight for his pack and show his mettle. He practices all day, play-fights with his siblings, chases whatever will run away from him, all to make himself strong and fast so that he will be worthy warrior material. His mind, like that of most young Warriors, is almost entirely on fighting. As he grows older, who knows? It may change, or it may get stronger.
In and out of battleThe interesting thing about Iago is how much he changes when in and out of battle. When he's in a calm, controlled sort of environment, he is a gentle, polite soul. He likes other wolves as a whole and is a genuinely honest and friendly character. He may be a little bit too serious at times but he's a good soul.
However, in battle, his mentality changes completely. He's all action; quick-thinking and merciless with an utter devotion to the task at hand. He has no qualms and is extremely vicious. This is where his dual nature comes in. When unthreatened, he's calm and composed. He likes a chat and will happily play games with any pups. In battle, he's a monster.
StrengthsIago is a dedicated warrior and a noteworthy strategist. He works hard, plans constantly and observes everything around him all the time in search of new fighting moves, strategic attacks and even retreat ideas. He is also a very loyal, honest, likeable wolf and does his very best to work well with others.
WeaknessesUnfortunately, due to his utter devotion to being a good warrior, Iago misses out on a lot. He doesn't have the time to search for a mate, he's often far too serious and is easily wound up, since he is a simple fellow and jokes tend to go right over his head. His mind is very simple. This doesn't mean he's stupid, though. He simply sees things in clear black and white. In a world full of grey, this is a weakness as well as a strength. He has a tendency to ignore wounds and play the martyr, as well as struggling to ask for help when he needs it.
His loyalty also causes problems. Once he's committed himself to something, he will keep going with it, even if what he's doing is wrong or foolish. It becomes a matter of pride, and he often can't see past that. He is not so much easily manipulated as unable to see the details in a bigger picture.
Why he chose his armourSurprisingly enough, Iago's armour is quite scary. This is not because I'm particularly morbid and creepy (which I am, but that's not the point) or even because he is (which he's not). Iago chose his armour for two reasons.
The first reason is very simple. Iago wants to scare his opponents. And what better way to do that than looking like a terrible monster on the battlefield? All sharp fangs and spikes, it is guaranteed to strike at least a little bit of fear into his enemies. He likes the shock factor that such unusual armour gives, and feels that it gives a very serious first impression: He is to be feared, and he means business.
The second reason is a little bit more complex. Iago knows full well how much he changes when in conflict. Part of him doesn't like it, but most of him finds that it makes him an effective warrior. His armour reflects that change in personality, the beast that he doesn't show when he doesn't have to. In a way, it's also a sort of off-switch. When Iago puts on his armour, he allows himself to unleash the true demon. Likewise, when he takes it off he is throwing away the part of himself which wants to kill and harm.
I've thought long and hard about this, because every Warrior's armour needs to mean something to them. I think Iago's does this for him.
Art: I have no skill whatsoever with digital art, so all my art is traditional. I'm sorry if colours aren't perfect, but I only have a limited number of shades at my disposal. I tried my very best, though, and hope that you realise that.
Iago as a pup. Just to show his markings and the strength and determination that is already growing in him when he's young. (I forgot to leave the white spot under his chin. I have now fixed that and also lightened his body.
Brainstorm of helmet. I want to do something a little unusual.
First set sketch,
coloured in,
close helmet,
close breastplate,
close backplate.
So this is the first idea I have for his armour. The bit to the side is his breastplate, and it's meant to go rounded side up. The long claw-like things hook into the back piece.I tried out silver on this set, but I find that while it's simple, it doesn't flow with the rest of his colours, which are quite warm.
Second set sketch,
coloured in,
close helmet,
back and breastplate. I like this one much better. The helmet is exactly the same, but the breastplate (which is designed to look like a pair of talons around his chest) is attached to the backpiece and is secure on him. It's light, because it isn't solid, but also very strong. He'll be able to move in it because his legs are clear, and his delicate underbelly has a bit of protection. The bronze-copper look of it suits his coat much better than the silver does. I think this is the armour I'm going to go with.
Write a short story for it:"One, two, one, two, one, two."
Iago counted silently under his breath as he marched through the long grass. It was just so hard to get his legs to move right! As soon as he got his front two in time with one another, the back ones would slip and slide. If he got the back legs right, he'd step on his front paws. He stopped with a disgruntled huff, staring at his disobedient limbs in dismay. His eyes had already been open for a whole two moons. At this rate, he would
never be a warrior! He flopped onto his belly, letting the long ribbons of grass tower over him. Marching, he thought to himself, makes one very tired very quickly. He hoped that it would get easier as he got older. The idea of having to discipline his paws at every second step horrified him.
He would not let himself relax for long, though. There was training to be done. He climbed clumsily to his too-big puppy paws and stood to attention. In his mind, he was in front of an Alpha. Maybe it was Arkhantos (an Alpha he particularly admired). Maybe it was even... He takes a deep, shivering breath of excitement... Soraya or Rayo. The Alpha was looking him up and down, surveying his gleaming armour, no doubt. Iago's head went up a little higher. He puffed his chest out a tiny bit more. His legs were perfectly straight and his tail lay in neat line with the rest of him. This in itself was rather miraculous. His tail was like a seperate being, only attached to him bu sheer misfortune. He envied his sister's shorter tail. It didn't seem nearly so wayward.
"Forward ma..." he began, all primed and ready to march once again into battle. However, something distracts him. Something up ahead in the long grass. He stops, lowers the paw he had raised in preparation. His little nose lifted, and he sniffed the air. There, right there. Something odd. A new smell. A musky, dusty smell. A big smell. Iago's eyes lit up. He loved to discover new things. Perhaps he'd be the first wolf to see this new... Whatever it was. There was no doubt in his mind what he had to do. He'd have to go and investigate. How could he not? For all he knew, the strange-smelling thing (and he was sure it was a living, breathing thing) could be a threat to his pack. His chest swelled with pride at the thought of being the one to warn the pack of this foe. Or, even better, what if he actually vanquished it? He knew all about vanquishing foes. He liked to listen to the elders tell stories about their battles. From what he could hear, it was all rather simple. One just had to... Sort of... Attack. With this in mind, Iago pressed his furry white belly to the ground, and began to stalk the unknown creature which dared tresspass on Isket territory.
Stealth, the dedicated little pup knew, was the key to a good attack. He was thankful then of his small size. The grass hid his form from all but the highest eyes. It barely even rustled when he moved. He held his breath as the smell of the creature got stronger and stronger. He was almost there. And when he got there, he'd show that nasty intruder who was boss. After all, he was a wolf of Isket! And the wolves of Isket would never be vanquished! Iago saw a break in the grass, and he was off. Running so fast that his legs were a blur, he leapt towards a very large, furry brown lump, barking and growling for all he was worth.
...................................................................................
The colossal bear looked blearily over its shoulder, sleepy eyes like gleaming black beads trying to focus on the strange little creature in front of it. It grunted, and turned itself to fully face the odd, squeaking thing. This was usually enough to scare away even the most dedicated foe, but the little, brightly-coloured thing was oblivious. It wove side to side, little white fangs snapping, in vain, in the bear's ample fur. The bear, just a few hours out of hibernation, did not know what to make of this odd little creature. It extended a heavy paw and batted half-heartedly at the bouncing little blob of fur. This, it assumed, would be enough to send the thing bolting away in terror. If anything, it gets more enthusiastic. Its growls and yips increase in tempo and pitch, and if anything its attempted attack is more, for lack of a better word, fierce.
The bear was hungry and slumbrous and in no mood to fend off a non-threatening little attacker. With a groan of effort, it heaved itself to its paws. It gave the odd, foolish little creature one last, bewildered look and lumbered off in search of somewhere quiet to continue its nap.
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Iago watched his opponent retreat until it disappeared between the trees of the forest. Only then did he allow his downy hackles to drop and his tense muscles to relax. A slow, triumphant grin spread itself across his muzzle. He'd done it! He'd vanquished a foe. And he'd done it all by himself, too. He gave a last defiant yap in the general direction of the terrible threat. With that, he turned and trotted off back to the dens, nearly gliding with pride.
Wait until his family heard about
this!
(armour concept. May keep it, but not fond of it.) 
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Sorry
