Monkshood

By Nomadic

• July 27, 2013




Age: 23

Gender: Male

Species: Earth Pony

Appearance: An unkempt earth pony in his early 20's with amber eyes, a sandy coloured fur, and a medium length auburn mane, often containing some form of plant matter or ash from whatever recently failed concoction he has been working on. In addition, he is rarely seen without his worn-out satchel around his side. It is often overfilled with various plants, lichen, and fungi.

Cutie Mark: An uprooted plant with bits of dirt clinging to the bottom. This is to symbolize his lack of a true home, and his affinity for plants.<br /><br /> His cutie mark appeared when his family decided to settle down within a small town, after he impressed a local apothecary.

Personality: Not a very social pony, and lacking much of the social tact of many other ponies, yet this is not to say he insensitive to the feelings of others. <br /><br />Monkshood is seen as a curious pony with an often overbearingly erudite speaking manner. Often when in town he will appear to be in a rush, or mumbling to himself about ingredients and brews to avoid confrontation with others. Unfortunately, this strategy has made him dubbed as mainly a crazy eccentric. Though while in preparing his brews, around ponies he trusts, or in the field Monkshood can be rather talkative, and appears to be interested in more things rather then just plant life, although is nowhere as knowledgeable on other topics of discussion. <br /><br />He is incredibly proud of his work, to the point of arrogance, claiming that he can often cure almost any ache, pain, or sniffle, as long as you don't mind possibly growing a fifth hoof. <br /><br />Often, he will empathise with ponies who are loners or other travellers as he sees a sense of comradery within these individuals. He does appear to be outwardly trusting to anyone he considers a friend to the point of naivety. <br /><br />Most of his personality traits developed due to his lack of interaction with many ponies when he was young.

Backstory: Born into a family of travelling botanists, Monkshood never really had his roots planted into an area for too long. His parents consistently treated him well when they paid attention to him, yet most of the time they appeared to be too often wrapped up within their work to notice anything that he did. Frequently his family would leave any town almost as quickly as they had arrived, and Monkshood always left behind any potential friends behind him, and secretly wished for nothing more then the end of the travelling life. <br /><br /> That is not to say he didn't gain anything from his young travels though. His parents adventures brought respect and knowledge of the natural world that could make many young fillies and colts jealous. Furthermore while his parents saw the plants of the land as something to be researched, and classified, Monkshood always saw it as the artist sees the blank canvas, brimming with possibilities and untapped potential. This vision soon led him to making rather basic elixirs from what he learned in his parents books and knowledge of plant life, yet sometimes with less than pleasurable results.<br /><br /> One day while travelling through a town, Monkshood was told to grab some groceries for their upcoming trek, and accidentally stumbled upon a small apothecary shop. Looking in was like a dream. He had never seem such diversity of elixirs, plant-life, and equipment within one place. This set his mind ablaze, he could see only the limitless possibilities to be mixed from such obscure ingredients and tools. He knew that this was his destiny to be here. <br /><br /> Monkshood started to tinker with everything within the shop trying to decipher what these strange devices and plants precisely did. Unbeknownst to him the owner was watching him. Impressed with his knowledge on the subject he simply told him, "Comeback tomorrow young colt, and I will begin to show you what I know". Ecstatic, Monkshood ran back to where his parents were currently staying and begged for them to stay here, as he had never felt so at home as he did in this town. They sighed and agreed to stay for awhile longer, and with that his cutie mark appeared.<br /><br />That little bit longer soon turned into months and eventually years. Monkshood travelled to the apothecary everyday. Often, studying obscure texts, and plant-life he had never dreamed of. As hard as this was, he always appeared fascinated by the wonders from which the natural world, and the skilled hoof could create together. Though, as his life stabilized he found that he grew more and more curious of the knowledge that his parents sought within his childhood years. There was so much still shrouded in mystery for him. He needed clarity, he needed to do the unthinkable and leave his adored home for the clarity he craved.<br /> <br />His choice had been made. He and his parents must renew their journey which they had halted so long ago. Surprisingly, his parents no longer wished for the life of nomads. They sat him down and firmly stated. "We are sorry, but we cannot come. Living in this community has given us a greater sense of purpose and serenity, yet you are no longer a sapling yourself. We believe you can find your own path within the world son, but before you go take are journals to remember us and help you on your travels". Tearfully he thanked his parents and soon departed.<br /> <br />Since that day, Monkshood has gained the noteworthy reputation of being an uncanny pony, who can cure any malady for the right price. Furthermore, while he may appear settled within a residence his curiosity will always intervene, and will soon depart. Only leaving fleeting memories among the locals of who was once there.