Pegasus Sandley Bronzehoof [Final]

[Halide]

[Pegasus] Sandley Hoofkiss

Name: Sandley Hoofkiss

Gender: Male

Age: Stallion

Species: Pegasus

Pelt Colour: Light brown / sandy

Mane/Tail/Markings Colour & Style:

Eye Colour: Blue

Cutie Mark: Lock

Physique: Thin/lithe

Origin: Fillydelphia

Roleplay Type: Mane

Occupation: Banker, moonlighting musician

Motivation: Figuring out who he's supposed to be, then doing his best to be that pony.

Likes: Being prepared, organized, and secure. Secretly : loud music, letting loose, dancing, applause, saxophones, parties.

Dislikes: Getting called out, conundrums, complex mathematics.

Character Summary:

What happens when you get two proper, quiet, orderly ponies from Manehatten, engrossed in stocks and business and propriety? Well, you certainly don't get any wild house parties or outings to any of the good speakeasies, you'll get a completely ordinary and perfectly boring pair of ponies. Eventually you'll get a foal from the mix, and of course the parents will try to raise that foal in the way they think is best. They'll raise him or her to be proper, productive, polite, practical, preferential, possibly pious and a pinch of a party-pooper. This, too, is all well and good, save for that two particular ponies made one terrible mistake – they tried to raise their proper little foal in the wildest, liveliest block of up-town Fillydelphia.

This particular product of simple equations is named Sandley Hoofkiss - In central Fillydelphia, born and raised, in his parent's apartment he spent his earliest days. Learning to be proper and upright like them, Sandley was a fairly ordinary young foal, if not a bit of a dull one. He learned the basics of finances and accounting rather early on, taking after his father in a way, having a certain knack for keeping series of numbers and equations straight in his head while figuring out how to make them all fit. His mother, a rather reserved individual, taught him how to behave in a completely inoffensive, predictable and polite manner, the two of them quickly working to stamp out any hope he might of had of being a rambunctious or overly energetic young Pegasus. Despite his wings, he never did much in the way of flying or gliding around, instead being taught to keep his wings tucked in neatly and his hooves on the ground whenever he was indoors, which was most of the time.

Unfortunately, this monotony of a foal-hood didn't really end – it carried on into his colt years, his parents sending him to a rather well-to-do private school that held every promise of being completely safe and utterly without diversion from an orderly and well-mannered education, fitting in rather keenly with their plans to raise him to be a productive, respectable, and proper young pony. This carried on rather smoothly, or so they thought.

The fact was this : Sandley wasn't the same pony as either of his parents – he was restless. He knew he wasn't truly happy, but at the same time he'd never really been taught (or fully allowed) to express his dissatisfaction in any meaningful way. He knew better than to get into trouble, nor did he have nearly enough gumption to start rebelling. So, rather than do anything directly problematic, he pretended to join an after-school chess team, which he attended for exactly eight sessions before figuring out enough about chess to pretend he was good at it. After that, he wandered uptown Fillydelphia largely alone, taking in the sights and the scenery. The music of the clubs moved him, the liveliness of the dance clubs enthralled him, the big-band musicals delighted him, and the promise of the nightlife intrigued him. Perhaps if he'd learned of it all before his parents had drilled propriety and risk-free lifestyles into his head, he might have run off to join the proverbial circus of performers then and there. But, he did not. Rather than risking his future potential as a well-to-do accountant, Sandley simply kept of studying, attending school, and pretending he was an entirely upright individual, while secretly attending what few swing and dance sessions he could get into during the two hours between school's end of the day and the beginnings of the sunset.

However, there was one problem – he had told his parents he was in the chess club, and he was not the only young pony from his school that enjoyed the up-beat splendour of Fillydelphia. There were others from his school that did rather the same as he did, except without lying to their parents. So, he took on an alter-ego, wearing an outfit and a mask to try and keep his fellow classmates from recognizing him. After a few weeks of being hidden from those who might know him or inadvertently rat him out to his parents, Sandley realized something – he wasn't Sandley anymore, not to those around him. He was whoever he wanted to be. He was free, in a way, underneath his costume. Soon enough, he began to abuse this freedom, learning how to play and how to dance in secret from everyone, never really revealing himself properly to the livelier individuals he began to meet.

It was in eighth year of school that fate struck – he'd joined a band, very much in secret, and had taken a real shining to solos and performance. It just so happened that the very same band he'd joined – a somewhat unremarkable jazz ensemble of youthful players – had been requested to play at a banker's party in the evening, one that his parents were slated to attend. They, of course, left early to make sure they were punctual, leaving Sandley at home alone, completely oblivious to the fact that he was not going to stay home and practise his economics. They travelled by carriage, but the minute they were out of sight, Sandley was travelling by wing, adorned in his mask and costume as a stranger to everyone. He arrived just in time to walk on stage with his troupe – right under the collective noses of his parents and their many dull associates. He played, and he played well, taking a few improvised solos during the night. He did not wow the audience, for they were barely listening to the music. They did not become impassioned by the music, for they were not ponies of passion to begin with. But, Sandley Bronzehoof did something completely brazen – he lied straight to his parents, he showed off his second life with nothing more than a mask and an outfit on him, and they were none the wiser. It was there that he earned his cutiemark, unbeknownst to him for the time being, as it was rather hidden by the outfit he wore. A closed lock, to represent how he locked up his inner desires, opening them only in 'secret'.

There were a few more instances of his audacity, but none quite matched performing in front of his own parents so discreetly, and yet so brazenly. He grew up just the way he was told he should, ending up as a respectable accountant at a firm his father was about to retire from, making a few friends whom he seldom opened up properly to. However, not all ponies are dulled to suspicion, and when he was eventually found out by a pair of his closer co-workers, Sandley swore them to secrecy, still not bold enough to properly embrace who he wanted to be over who he was raised to be.

Speaking for his personality, Sandley is actually a pretty decent guy in both respects. When he's acting proper and reserved, he's polite and considerate, very stable and reasonable around others both pony and otherwise (though larger gryphons have always made him a touch nervous). His love of music and dance is largely centred around livlier genres, with his favourites being jazz and swing - he's never had much of a knack for classical or baroque genres, and at best he finds slow, soft music to be calming, if not somewhat tiring. That aside, he's also got a bit of a head for jokes and comedic over-exaggeration, and he possesses a fairly wide variety of voices and accents he can apply on a whim. In spite of this, comedy and improv entertainment have never really been his venues, though it does make him a little more entertaining around the office when he's in an energetic mood.

When he's cutting loose, he's vivacious and enthusiastic, usually acting in a somewhat selfish, egotistical manner for brief performances, capable of getting more than a little carried away with his desire to be treated like a star, though he's never really without some semblance of shame. He's a little more easily persuaded into trying new experiences and meeting new people with the mask on, simply because he feels a lack of social consequence should he overextend himself.

As for his living arrangements? A small apartment in eastern Fillydelphia, where he lives alone amidst any number of associated tennants. He keeps to himself when he's not at work or out during the nights, and for the most part he remains reasonably respectable, up until he feels the need to dress up and have a night on the town. He's always had a love for dramatic exits and entrances, and as such often flies out the window with a 'Geronimo!' on his lips whenever he's up for a night of energy and motion.

As much as he loves a good night out though, he'll feel embarrassed or abashed by his rowdier behaviour, and so he continues to live something of a dual-life, now a stallion living on his own, free to stay out as late and as wild as he likes, but still having to deal with the consequences in the mornings to come after his partying.. He's also afraid of personal commitment due to his perceived duality of personalities, often pessimisticly beleiving that those ponies who like his costumed performances will be put off by the dull practicality of his daytime life, and those who find him amicable during the day would be frightened off by his perceivably wild night-life.

Character image :

[starswirlthebearded]

Hey there Halide. It is great to see you back! I'll be the RPHS taking care of your app.

This application is exceptional! Though clearly a homage to Stanely Ipkiss of the Mask, the app stands on its own quite well. And as a fan of the Mask, I'm rather impressed!

All the fields are filled and well detailed.

There is just one small problem. The name "Stanley" is not a very 'pony' name. If you could change that to something that sounds more pony like, it would be fantastic! And I'll be able to send this up for SRPHS review!

[Halide]

BEHOLD! MY ABILITY TO FALL ASLEEP HALFWAY THROUGH THINKING UP A NAME, AND WAKE UP HAVING FORGOTTEN IT!

Ten days later, I've changed it to 'Sandley' because that's still sorta close and sand could be the colour of his coat.

I'm a staaaaaar.

[starswirlthebearded]

Works for me! I'll go ahead and send this one up to the SRPHS!

-Star Swirl

[Rosewind]

Hello Halide! I commend that you have the ability to write beautiful characters, especially ones inspired by content outside the realm of Friendship is Magic. I've found this application personally polarizing; on one hand (hoof?), it's written well, on the other, I'm tasked to make sure that characters inspired by canon outside of the cartoon are original enough by design to be acceptable for World of Equestria. Since I have not seen the movie or read the comic that this character is inspired by, I'm at a disadvantage to make that call. I've asked the Roleplay Helper team for their opinions on this matter, and we have agreed that while you command a strong written idea, this character reads more like a fanfic, which introduces our quandary of how to classify him. Is this a "ponification" of a movie character -- which would make him Crossover status -- or is he detailed enough to stand as a product of your own creation?

I would like to humbly suggest that you offer additional details for this character outside of his written history, perhaps minutiae that could help make this character yours. This would not have to be much; I'm thinking contemporary details about him that would give him a unique spin. You're a highly talented individual with a strong grasp of good character design, so I hope what I am asking you does not come across as a superfluous exercise -- but more to the point -- an attempt to cover all the bases to ensure that our polices and quality standards are held fast.

Best regards,

Rosie

[Halide]

Aaaand this is the part where I make a nuisance of myself for the sake of explaining my choices.

With John Arcudi's The Mask, the central character is empowered literally and directly by the mask, which is said to be a relic of Loki, God(sic) of mischief. The Mask is also noted for imposing a total lack of inhibitions towards all impulses and stripping the wearer of sanity, as well as filling their heads with thoughts of violence, mayhem, property destruction, vengance, anger and cruel irony, all in a sardonic and whimsical tone. Coupled with reality-bending superpowers, superhuman strength, practical invulnerability and evil genius, the original mask was actually a frighteningly dangerous sociopath, which would be horrifying and also absolutely unacceptable for canterlot play.

As such, the ideas involved have been toned down and altered quite a lot. Because, quite honestly, the last thing canterlot needs is a character even remotely akin to that.

That aside, the backstory is completely original writing, his passions are largely original to the character - namely those of music and dance instead of wealth, anarchistic freedom, revenge and attractive members of the opposite gender. At this point the only direct paralells between Sandley Bronzehoof and Stanley Ipkiss are that both work in boring financial jobs (an extremely common trait), and that they have a duality of personalities - one of which is humble and amicable (something found rather often in both classical and contemporary works). Oh, and the fact that masks and suits are involved, which could be said of a staggeringly vast repetoire of characters, including Batman, The Hamburglar and The Phantom of the Opera. I wouldn't say this is really a ponification of either the movie or comic versions of The Mask, so much as a character inspired by the premise behind it.

[Mojo]

And if I may point this out, as Larry the Cable Pony's creator, he is Crossover. Never even tried to make him into Mane RP material.

[Rosewind]

Hi again! You make wonderful points, but this request for more information about your character is less about who he was inspired by (and the parallels and changes you've written as a result of this), and more about the fundamental design of the application. I see a wonderful history about him, that reads like a work of fan-fiction. Applications, however, are more than that -- they're intense studies of a character that encompass more than just their history. We've updated the application form to reflect this design change, however this was written using the old form, which produces a different application.

I would like just a few more details outside of this character's history that will not only add original complexity to this character and enrich your creation, but put to rest any doubt I have about his design as a result of my personal ignorance of his inspiration. If you do this for me, I think this application will be ready for approval.

I really do appreciate your patience and understanding!

[Halide]

...wait hold on let's derail ourselves for a second here while I go rewrite this with these newfangled forms that changed sometime in the last year without me paying any attention whatsoever.

http://www.canterlot...s-open-be-nice/

Last post. That happened. So are the special events not considered mane...?

[Mojo]

...wait hold on let's derail ourselves for a second here.

http://www.canterlot...s-open-be-nice/

Last post. That happened. So are the special events not considered mane...?

The rules on Special Events were that Crossover chars were permitted in them.

Thus, Larry's appearance in that RP.

Thanks for asking!

I had forgotten all about that old RP.

[Halide]

The rules on Special Events were that Crossover chars were permitted in them.

Thus, Larry's appearance in that RP.

Thanks for asking!

...

Okay, moving on!

[Rosewind]

Hi! I'm not asking you to rewrite this application using the new form, I'm just asking for a few more details outside of this character's history to offer relevant and contemporary information to other players. This should be an incidence of a few minutes writing and nothing more.

[Halide]

Welp, I fell asleep halfway through the re-write on the new forum applications, and then windows reset itself while I wasn't paying attention to it. So I wrote some more stuff on his personality. That good, or d'you still need more?

[Rosewind]

It looks okay, except for one little tidbit:

...in the mornings to come after his partying [colour=#ff0000]and swinging[/colour].

I understand "swinging" has multiple definitions -- some more allowable than others -- but given the context, I will request changing this to something else. After that is done, this character will be ready for approval! Thanks!

[Halide]

tadaaaaaaaaa

[Rosewind]

Have fun!