Sometimes, when I read a TTRPG but don't currently have a group to play it with, I'll make original characters to just exist in the universe and imagine scenarios about. This has happened a few times, but I was never so immediately possessed to make characters as I was with Songbirds. I had to make my own.

Shortly after reading Songbirds Blue and Red for the first time, I got started on the beginnnings of the ideas that would later become Linnet and Kestrel. I tried to take everything that I loved about Songbirds (the colors, the keepsakes, the coming back after death, the different types of magic, gifts/curses etc) and put them all into these two. Though, over time they've grown a bit canon divergent as I focus on different parts of the setting and adding my own flavor.

The sidebar on this page links to a gallery of the art I have of these two, and to my writing page, since I've written several pieces exploring their personalities and relationship.

Linnet

Linnet is a songbird who focuses on healing magic, using songs. He tries to project an image of agreeable politeness, naivety, and cheerfulness. This is a mask to hide his true attitude, cynical, blunt, and untrusting. He feels like the only way to protect himself is to hide who he is.

When he meets Kestrel, he sees through this act right away.

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Linnet, ultimately, just wants to be known. For someone to see his less fawning and palatable self and to still want to stay. Often times, he doesn't even quite know why he puts on this act, it just feels like an instinct.

Prior to dying, Linnet was known as Delwyn, and was considered to be blessed by the adults in the village he grew up in. They encouraged him to go into the dungeons, despite just being a normal child.

He felt like he always had to act perfect, to live up to the idea of some sort of blessed hero. He could really only be himself around his best friend Blaidd.

Kestrel

Kestrel is a songbird who focuses on offensive magic, using the gore arts. He tries to project an image of being a harsh loner who's only out for himself. This is a mask to hide his true attitude, caring, anxious, and shy. He feels like the only way to not get attached to people who will leave him is to push them away.

When he meets Linnet, he sees through this act right away.

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Kestrel, ultimately, just wants to be trusted. For someone to not feel scared of him, and to be able to open up to them in return.

Prior to dying, Kestrel was known as Blaidd, and was considered to be cursed by the adults in the village he grew up in. They blamed him for the increase in dungeon and spirit appearances around the village.

He felt like he had to stay out of the way, to not cause any trouble for anyone. He could really only be himself around his best friend Delwyn.