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 Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 10:45 pm
Uno l................................ l .......................................... Introduction'Ello! My name is Gabriela Juliana and this is my quest for a Cihuateteo, or Aztecian spirit of the underworld.
I am a frequent breedables lurker (emphasis on 'lurk', I don't come out of the shadows much) and also have many pets at various shops. So, why am I here? What's "Ghost of the Past" got to do with any of this?
Well, you see, I have a very dear friend (some of you will know who I'm talking about) who a while back got her very own GoTP kid. Eventually my interest in the shop increased and I started watching the thread, reading about the lives of existing children and also kept up on the meta plot.
I have been encouraged to try in many flatsales, concept contests and auctions, but never perused these opportunities. Why, you ask? Well...to be honest, I had no idea for a concept. o___o; It was like a big slap in the face every time something came up. So I figured I would wait my turn until something came to me...and well, now it has.
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Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 10:46 pm
Dosl................................ l .......................................... ToC Table of Contents::Uno l................................ l .......................................... Introduction Dosl................................ l .......................................... ToC Tres l................................ l .......................................... The Cihuateteo Quatro l................................ l .......................................... The Story Cincol................................ l .......................................... The ChildSiesl................................ l .......................................... The Gaurdian
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Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 10:47 pm
Tres l................................ l .......................................... The Cihuateteo In Brief From Aztecan culture, the Cihuateteo or Ciuteoteo were spirits of the underworld. Specifically Cihuateteo were spirits of women whom had died during child birth. The Aztecs, a culture who's central focus revolved around war and blood sacrifice, believed childbirth to be a battle ground and therefore honored mothers, who died during deliverance. "Writers in the 16th century tell us that the Aztecs thought the act of birth was like a battle. The new born child was described as a 'captive' and the mother as a warrior. This stresses how important fighting and capturing enemies were in Aztec society. In the Aztec empire as in the rest of world at the time, giving birth was dangerous to both the mother and newborn child. All too often, one, the other or both did not live. There was great joy and celebrations when there was a healthy newborn baby and well mother. When a mother died giving birth, she was said to be a warrior who died in battle. When a man died in battle or as a sacrificial victim, he was considered a hero. Aztecs thought he was rewarded by becoming a kind of god, that traveled with the sun on its journey across the sky from dawn to midday. After fours years the dead warrior returned to earth to have an ideal life as a butterfly or hummingbird. Women who died in childbirth, were also rewarded as dead warriors. They too accompanied the sun on its journey but this time from its position at midday down to where it set in the western sky. The Aztecs believed that after four years these dead women warriors also returned to earth, but they became frightening beings that haunted crossroads and tried to snatch babies and children." referenceAnd while many saw the Cihuatateo as malignant spirits, they were more jealous creatures, than anything else. At night was when they were most active and caused most harm, after they had carried the setting sun into the western sky. For while haunting was connected to the Cihuateteo, a large focus of it's journey from life to death was around the sun, which can be seen in this representative poem: Awake and rise, my daughter, for now is the day; the day has already
dawned. The red clouds of the morning have already left, and the
swallows and other birds are about and singing. Rise my daughter and
compose yourself, go to the good place that is the house of your father and
mother the Sun. There they are all rejoicing and happy and delighted. Go,
my daughter, for your father and mother the Sun that carries your sisters,
the celestial women, those which are always content and rejoicing and
filled with joy like the sun, those who rejoice and give pleasure, those who
are your mother and father. The Cihuatateo was not a monster, but rather, an honored veteran. Allowed to descend every fourth year to visit their children, they also descended five times every 260 days according to rights of the gods who held reign over the west and at these times, were honored as bereaved spirits. Their role in Aztec culture was crucial in ceremonies of death and though they may have been unwelcome after dark, were gladly celebrated at other times of the year. In accordance to these beliefs the Cihuatateo developed into very unique spirits, both in Aztec mythology and later on Mexican culture. All though the legends, abilities and beliefs of the Cihuatateo vary from source to source, it's appearance is always described the same. With skeletal faces, and the claws of egals for hands, the Cihuatateo often appears on an alter of skulls and is adorn with human hands and skulls about the neck and head. If you are still curious about this spirit or have any questions, feel free to ask me or consult this lovely 112 page PDF file by Anne Key [x]. It's pretty freaking-A-mazing.
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Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 10:48 pm
Quatro l................................ l .......................................... The Story
I have...a memory, of the setting sun. It is, a beautiful memory. And even as I lay dying, here, it fills my mind. I don't remember many things you see, but there is one in particular. It was of that faithful day, that fateful day, so long ago, the day that my daughter was born.
I can-I can recall it so clearly. In hard labor, I lay on the ground in pain, from the twinkling of the morning stars, till the noon day sun--it seemed like it would never end. But then, but oh then...as the setting sun came, oh, as the setting sun came, I heard her voice. And there were tears, but they weren't mine--and then...
Well, it is here, like a dying ember my mind grows hazy and once again I am left in this darkness. I don't mind the dark though. I was born again, by the Goddess Ciucoatl. I was born as Cihuateteo.
But now the gods are dying, are dead. It started first with the invaders, who shined like the sun, and from there, they continued to move in, like vermin. Yes, first the invaders who were to us as a warriors , and then the their holy men came, and their women, and their families, they all came! They came, one by one, and destroyed my people, my people who no longer can even remember the tongue of their ancestors.
My people...they were turned to slaves, and one by one, they all but forgot of the gods whom lived in the high temples. The gods they had once served. Like flies, those around me fall. Forgotten we are, all but forgotten, in this dark place.
But I--I will not die. Here, in this cavern of earth, I am weak...but I can not die...for you see, I was promised, I was promised to see her. My daughter, I must see her, if only one last time, I must see her. Every four years, on the anniversary of our death, and their birth, we are allowed to descend. To descended and hold what was once again ours--
Yes, it is true I am a murderer. I have taken many lives, many small souls. And their mothers mourn and wail like the wretched beings they are. But what of me? Do they not see it is only because I am jealous? Jealous that I can not run my fingers through my sweet ones hair? Can they not see how I long to bring my sweet one too me? To hold her once again, even if in the icy embrace of death?
No...they can not see, they can not see how much this promise means to me. Heh...promise?
What promise is this? Who do I kid? I can barely move. These claws, this mouth, this fleshless face, I morn and wail, but can not move. If I could cry, I think I would now. Daughter, I can not see you now. Daughter, I will never see you now...but I must! Someway, somehow, daughter, I will find you.
Now. Now, I die. But daughter, somehow, I will find you.
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Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 10:48 pm
Cinco l................................ l .......................................... The Child Name Margaret, her mother's choice, not hers. Eventually may be changed, by choice of child, into the nickname of Margarita.Gender FemaleRace/Species/Element CihuatetoGeneral likes and dislikes Likes ˚ Qualities from the nature of the Cihuateto: sunlight, children, the idea of flight, her mother.˚ Personal Qualities: To be filled in from various RPs and journal entries.Dislikes˚ Qualities from the nature of the Cihuateto: darkness (she gets cranky and vicious at night), cowards(this comes from the warrior like nature and spirit of the Aztec people's) ˚ Personal Qualities: her hair Hobbies: (for when she's older) astronomy and some astrology, aviation, history and culture. Abilities ˚ Sunlight Manipulation- It is said that not only did the Cihuateto, follow the sun across the sky as it rose and set, but they also brought sunlight down to the underworld with them. Margret will have the ability to manipulate natural sunlight. In essence, she can capture it in her hands, keep it, store it and bring it out when she wishes, even if dark outside. As a child, this ability will appear as perhaps an odd fluke. If she wanders about a sunny room, the light will appear to follow her. As a teen, she might discover this ability and will try to capture sunlight in her hands. Never meant to be used as a weapon, Margret's ability to play with light will simply be something she uses for her own personal enjoyment.˚ Childhood Illness- In some cases it is said the Cihuateto brought illness to whomever they wished. However, Margret can only bring sickness to children, due to the fact that maternity and childhood were the Cihuateto's domain. As a child, she herself is very sick, due to the fact that she is living in a body she was never meant to. This near-to-constant string of illness she conceives, in turn, has the possibility to be passed onto other children she comes in contact with. However, the older she grows, the harder it will be to pass it to her peers, but the easier it will be to pass it to younger creatures. In child stage, there is always the chance she may become mad at someone, and wish them with chickenpox, or some such, causing misfortune upon the other little one. The problem with this power, is that Margret is not aware of it and does not understand the words she uses can have dastardly effects. ˚ Sorrow and sense of death- In large part to her facial markings, Margret has the unfortunate ability to remind others of something nobody wishes to be reminded of, death. At times her striking features will stand out more than they normally appear to be, and cause the onlooker a sense of un-wanted sorrow, or unpleasant reminders of someone they lost. Along with her appearance, serving as a reminder, Margret has the ability to catch the faintest feelings death, or another realm that exists beyond her reach. Being younger, she will not be able to understand it much of the time, nor explain it, but can feel the tug of another world underneath this one. Death, in turn, does not scare her, nor will she find it something to be sad about. To Margret it is something obvious, just another part of life and she does not question why someone will never open there eyes again.Personality and appearance from baby to child (All stages from teen on I will have to think about. Also, all qualities are subject to change! I'm such a two faced back stabbing personality/appearance whore. ^_~ )Quote: ˚ General Physical Appearance In accordance with the Cihuateteo whom have skeletal faces and claws, Margaret will retain these elements. However, due to constraints on the artist and also because these creatures are being "reborn", I have chosen to represent the features of the Cihuateteo in a different manner. Instead of actual skeletal facial features, Margaret's face will be painted with representative markings. Her natural skin, the dark tan most of indigenous peoples, will cover her entire body, except for most of her face. Her face, except for an inch or two of her forehead and jawline, will be black. Over this black will be particular sections of white, which, when viewed from a distance, outline major skeletal structures of the face, creating the outline of the skull. Underneath, and above her eyes, is a streak of subtle pink, which could be mistaken for eyeshadow, but is really representative of tears she shed in her past life for the child she was destined never to see. As for her hands, only one of them is the twisted and mutilated shape of something that was a claw. To be born with two hands that can rip and shred someone you try to lovingly hold would be too cruel. For this reason, she will grow to be left handed and will avoid using her sharper right hand. Both hair and eyes are something which will not change much over the years. Born with messy, matted dark hair, as Margaret grows, her locks will only become more of a pain to deal with. Margaret's eyes, too, will never change color and will remain a dull, pale, sketchy gray, which from time to time, make her appear dead. As for her body type, Margaret is a thick figured character. With some thought, the conclusion of her shape is one which was definitely made to bare children. Weight is carried in her lower half, hips and thighs, with the rest of her body relatively in proportion. Quote: ˚ General Personality In the beginning Margaret is neither a being malignant or benign, her mind is a blank surface that has yet to be changed by society. Of course, there are some traits carried on from the Cihuateteo that will manifest themselves as mannerisms she will carry with her. As said before, she is not evil, rather emotionally complicated. To know good one must know evil. While rescuing a baby bird, one must have sense enough to realize of how easy it would be to destroy that bird, as it would be to help it. Margaret does not feel things as most though, espescially when it comes to feeling death. Margaret does not feel the regret most would, if she killed that bird. And so, while holding this bird, should it struggle, she would only hold it harder, and in the end crushing it would seem of little matter. Of course, no good parent would let this go without a scolding, she would be lectured it is wrong to be so rough. Yet, would it bother her? No. And while emotionally complex, she is easy to understand once you realize she does not think like you. From this point on, one begins to understand that Margaret's state of being while not logical is strait forward. Margaret herself is simple, not overly cheery, nor cunning, if she is hungry, she will express it, if she is content she will smile. Margaret is simply a being of her own will. Margaret may be a "good kid", by most standards, but only minds herself because she knows it will make her Mother happy. The girl, too, is a curious creature and has an ever driving urge to ask questions and explore her surroundings. This stems from a feeling, later to be identified as an "empty spot" which Margaret will become more aware of in older stages. Margaret senses there is something missing from her life, and that something is the one thing she was denied in her past life, her child. An while Margaret is not aware of this, she continues on her search for something in this life that will fill that "empty spot".
"I'm not sure what it is, but I'll know it when I find it."
Not afraid to ask questions, Margaret can be rather blunt, or rather, she does not choose her words carefully. Once again, her emotional bizarre behavior comes into full bloom. She is more than happy to meet people and loves to learn all about them; what are their parents like? How old are they? What was it like when they divorced? And while this makes for never a dull moment with Margaret, the girl has trouble distinguishing when she should stop talking, or rather, she has trouble distinguishing the emotion of others, as many have trouble distinguishing hers. Sadness, grief and pain are all emotions Margaret is familiar with, yet, feelings such as anger and embarrassment do not register so easily to her.
Quote: ˚ Wand I had actually hoped to leave much of the wand's appearance to Kyri. The few things that come to mind for Margaret's wand would be colors such as blacks and whites, and decorative figures of skeletal structures and such. Other than that? I'm not entirely sure and think someone else could have a lot more creative fun designing the wand than I could. =) Quote: ˚ Baby As said, above, as child Margaret faces a constant run in of unpleasant colds and childhood illness. This is due in large part to the incompatibility of her past life with the body of a child. Margaret spends a great deal of her time trying sleeping as she tries to recover, and more often than not, Madeline will fret over if she's going to...well, quite make it. In her baby stage, it will be difficult to see all emerging physical features of Margaret, most noticeably her facial markings will be difficult to pick out. All though the black about her cheeks, jaw and forehead will stand out against the olive tan of her skin, the skeletal pattern she holds on her face will be difficult to distinguish, as well as the dull pink under her eyes. Hair at this stage is short, seeing as she is a baby and for now appears to be a messy swirl of dark brown. Quote: ˚ Toddler Learning to speak, Margaret doesn't talk often, but when she does it is at the most sporadic times. Her favorite hobbies are laying on the living room floor to sunbath and nap. Strangely enough, Margaret is a curious child. Now, this doesn't equate to being a mischievous child, who gets herself into trouble. Rather, it seems Margaret is looking for something. The child especially likes to lift up pot lids and look into jars, only to sigh and move on when she can't find what she is looking for. However, while Margaret seems sweet, once the sun goes down, Margaret's spiritual nature picks up. Kicking, screaming and misbehavior ensue from dinner, to bath time and onwards till bed. At times, through the night, Madeline is called from her restless slumber to check upon Margaret who cries and carries on. Of course, since Madeline can't quite figure out what is wrong, she must sit and keep watch over the upset child until somehow Margaret cries herself to sleep. Not as sick as she once was, while a baby, Madeline still worries about the Cihuateteo child and sometimes thinks these nighttime fights may be some sort of medical condition. Quote: ˚ Kid As a child, Margret has learned to better control her nightly temper. She sleeps all right, and compares only to a cranky form, of her toddler self, her health too improves by the day. As for her social life, Margaret loves being around people, but especially those her age. She's not a very talkative, yet, but will say whatever happens to come to her. This includes, perhaps, thoughts or stories that she shouldn't go around repeating. For Margaret, there is no reason to lie, what's the point of saying something if it isn't true? As far as learning goes, Margaret doesn't mind a bit of schooling, but has a fonder tendency to play with her dolls. Her favorite hobby at this age is playing mommy to the lifeless mannequins which fit in her hand. It is a past time which appeals to Margaret's past life of motherhood and as she grows older, in her teen stage, she will come to realize she desperately wants children. However, as a child, this urge will never move farther than such silly games as dress up. Appearance wise, by this stage, Madeline still has control over Margaret's dress, this means clothing which is both feminine and functional. As for her hair, Madeline and Margaret have yet to figure out a way to tame her messy locks, and so, they stay a mess. And though Margaret seems perfectly content with this, Madeline is most displeased. By now, of course, all distinguishing features on Margaret's face, such as the skull pattern, are clearly visible. Margaret's disfigured and birdlike hand is completely developed and all ready growing sharp nails, which if she is not careful, could hurt herself or others. Quote: ˚ Teenager While most children, upon becoming teens, try to rebel, Margaret does very much the opposite and stays the same. It is at this age, she begins to understand her want for a child, but also understands she is not ready. Dating and other activities teens participate in do not interest her very much. From time to time, Margaret will dabble around with friends, but never takes it farther than just a few fun hours. Going out is all fine and fun, trying something new with your appearance is all right, but she really sees no point to it. At this point, her affinity for the things she has always loved and notice of her powers has lead her to become more interested in academic pursuits. As for personality--I hesitate to add to much here. Considering at this point Margaret will more or less know most of her pass, her emotional state will go in one of two directions. And depending upon those around her, her friends, her family, it is these people whom will guide her decision. Margaret is a paradox of the one true item she loves, children. Does she embrace what she is? Something that has the power to take little breaths away? Something that makes little bodies wrack and moan and their mothers cry?--How could she wish ill will on those which she considers so small and defenseless? Also, Margaret now knows what she is searching for? Honestly, how, how will she ever get her daughter back? A child that exists only across the memories of space and time? How will Margaret ever go about finding peace? Will she choose to continue searching for the "item" that will complete her? Or will she fall into darker hands, jealous that she is once again bereaved of the only thing she wanted? ((An this is where I stop trying to fill in things, because there is simply too much to add, and probably to many things that will change, due to RP. >3> ))
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Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 10:49 pm
Siesl................................ l .......................................... The Gaurdian Name: Madeline Crossette
Gender: Female
Age: 24
Occupation: Substitute Teacher
Appearance:Come rain or shine, there is always one thing you can count on Madeline to be wearing...and that is either a dress or skirt. Location permitting, she will also probably be wearing a pair of white or pink pump heals. Madeline is all about proper etiquette and attire. She believes in wearing feminine clothing. You will probably find lots of pinks and whites in her closet, along with many earrings and necklaces.
Personality: For most people, the words "Ice Queen" come to mind when meeting Madeline. Why shouldn't they? The woman has all the charm and looks of a perfect boarding school brat. Madeline believes in all things civilized and proper, the key to life is following the rules, and enjoying the simple pleasures along the way is only the icing on the cake. Madeline may not be as sugary sweet as Kat, yet, she is neither as chill or harsh as Raven. Consider the teacher a mix between the two females, a woman on medium ground. After all, how horrible can someone be if they like children?
Past: Madeline Marie Crossette was born the one and only child to Elizabeth and Richard Crossette, two very rich, yet very busy parents. Both her mother and father loved their beautiful daughter dearly. It was just...neither had time to raise a child. So it came to be at the tender age of seven, Madeline was sent off to an all girls boarding school in hopes that she would obtain an education of sorts and be taken care of. Like most institutions of the private nature, Madeline's days were kept busy not only with standard educational classes, but also activities such as dance, cooking, etiquette, etc. The adjustment wasn't easy for Madeline, and her youth was troubled to say the least. More frequently than not, she would spend her evenings visiting the neighboring boys school across the way. After a time, though, that stopped, and the girl grew into the woman she currently is. Music was always Madeline's favorite subject as she was growing up, and so when she discovered her love of children in college, the woman quickly put two and two together, working towards a goal which would allow her to teach music. A job which incorporated both of her loves.
She finished the first few years with out incident, receiving both the basic degrees one could obtain. In an effort to specialize her abilities as best she could, Madeline continued onto a University education. Yet, life became complicated during her second year of schooling, troubles with her parents and a long term love affair threatened to destroy all she had worked for. So when a professor of Madeline’s offered to set her up with a substitute job at growing institution named "D-Corp", Madeline quickly agreed to it. It wasn't a music teaching position, or a real teaching position for that matter...and the pay wasn't nearly enough to support Madeline with the comfortable life style she was used to living...none the less, good things come in small packages, and for now the substitute was content.
Madeline as Margret's guardian: As a women who always wanted children, but was medically unable too, Madeline will share a special relationship with Margret. This relationship is not just one of loving mother and daughter, but will grow into something deeper as Marget ages and discovers her past. For Madeline, Margret will come to embody a reminder of something she can never be. In turn, however, Madeline will support Margret through her changes and growth over the years, with perhaps an understanding another guardian could not.
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Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 12:07 am
*Adds some backstory and reserves another post for good measure.* >3>
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Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2007 1:58 pm
Well, I've put up my critique for you, but I fear it won't help much.
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Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2007 7:58 pm
lithle Well, I've put up my critique for you, but I fear it won't help much.
No, thank you Lithle! Your time spent reading this was help enough.
*Adds in some personality things for her teen stage and calls it good.*
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Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2007 8:14 pm
Just a nitpicking thing. If Madeline is medically unable to have children, what's the cause? Endocrine-related? STD? Cervical cancer? Idiopathic? Just something I'm wondering about. Looks really nice otherwise :3
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Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 10:34 pm
Persephone13 Just a nitpicking thing. If Madeline is medically unable to have children, what's the cause? Endocrine-related? STD? Cervical cancer? Idiopathic? Just something I'm wondering about. Looks really nice otherwise :3
Thank You.
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Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 10:22 am
The Aztecs spoke Nahuatl, not Spanish. XD;; I don't know it very well as it's my RP partner who plays an Aztec, not I, but I believe "My daughter" would be something along the lines of "Noconeuh" (my child, 'no' being a possessive prefix, and 'conetl', child, with the -tl changing to -uh when affected by a possessive prefix.) Here is a link to a grammar, and here is a link to an English-Nahuatl dictionary.
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Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 11:08 pm
Cerena The Aztecs spoke Nahuatl, not Spanish. XD;; I don't know it very well as it's my RP partner who plays an Aztec, not I, but I believe "My daughter" would be something along the lines of "Noconeuh" (my child, 'no' being a possessive prefix, and 'conetl', child, with the -tl changing to -uh when affected by a possessive prefix.) Here is a link to a grammar, and here is a link to an English-Nahuatl dictionary.
Thank you very much for your help!
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