Firesiders - Apples, the Shield

If there ever comes a time when a big faceless monster starts obsessively following you around, just name it Apples. It'll kill the scary factor a bit.

More concept art for Firesiders, my original story thingy!

Apples is Lucky Rey's defender and silent friend. He's her special ability, so to speak. I've been working on this character for years, and perhaps I still am. Apples has been bouncing from element to element, armor type to armor type, animal to animal, and for the life of me I've been having the hardest time trying to visualize him. I needed to design a monster that would fit in with the "contemporary" feel of the Firesiders story without having him come across as too fantasy-like or alien (which is my jam, unfortunately). Basically, he has to be inspired and assembled from real-life stuff, so I got the idea of him being characterized by taxidermy and pelts. I'd love to add some stag or ram horns, but because Apples' focal point is supposed to be his back, I decided against giving too much attention to his head. Maybe I can add some really small horns instead, I dunno.

Looking at this sketch, I think I'm on the right track. I'll probably play with the proportions some time. Give him a smaller head, shorter legs, bigger torso - really drive in the tank appearance.

Anyway, thank you for taking a look!