✶ sketches ✶

Ep8 //

Woolf: the Imposter Pokémon (Normal / Ghost). This Pokémon is the result of a Wooloo that has been ostracized from its herd. In attempting to evolve into Dubwool, it finds its transformation interrupted by its feelings of loneliness, becoming instead something its herd fears. Depending on the emerging Woolf, it still may do its best to fit in with its herd, playing the part of a Dubwool. In other cases it may embrace its new nature and become a guardian that patrols the edge of the flock. Others, however, delight in their newfound capacity to terrorize their herd in revenge for their prior treatment.

Secondly, I'm currently writin' a dissertation about the role of illustration in TTRPGs, and how they enable queer identities. Therefore, I was just wondering how you approach gender identity in your artwork, particularly in regards to Blythe? Do you use them as a way of gender actualisation (bringing to life how you might wish to appear to others through art), or as experimentation, or do you not really think about it? Personally I'm someone who uses their TTRPG characters as a source of gender euphoria, and so I was interested in your perspective on the matter :P

Also, I was wondering how Blythe's gender identity has changed over time, and whether this has impacted how you see yourself? Sorry if those questions are too personal or anything, but it's just a really interesting subject matter and I'd be interested to chat about it with another artist. If you're interested in this stuff, I'd recommend reading 'My words to Frankenstein above the village of Chamonix', as it's got some really interesting stuff in there about trans identity and monsters and such. It's a fairly dark read but definitely worth it. Thanks!!! <3

Hi there! What an awesome dissertation!!

I identify as a cis woman, and my current pool of player characters, Blythe included, are also cis women (tho headcanons are welcome of course)! I think as someone growing up who was extremely "boyish" and rejected traditionally feminine looks and ideals, creating characters who identify as women but who fall in different places across the board of "femininity" is very important to me. My triton Môr was more aggressive, confrontational, and physical, which might me seen as not-traditionally feminine, but screw that, yk? That doesn't make her any less a woman. But Blythe has been a really fun dive into a character that I honestly probably would've looked down on when I was young - she wears dresses, speaks very softly, and really does not want to be in the center of any conflict. But why would that make her any less interesting, or less "worthy" of an engaging story and adventure?

More than gender identity though, my characters are typically metaphorical explorations of different themes I enjoy. I think using symbolism and imagery throughout the character creation process is what typically spurs me!

So that said - I do think there are probably more interesting artists you could ask that delve further into - or beyond - their own gender identity 😅 I would love to play a fully masculine character one day, but as I am currently at a table with almost all cis men, I simply cannot allow our parties to go completely bereft of a woman lmao.