#Caleb's Story

[bookcoversonly]

Title: Caleb's Story | Author: Patricia MacLachlan | Publisher: HarperTrophy (2004)

[augentrust]

"essek stays away post-canon because he doesn't want to endanger the nein while he's on the run" absolutely valid, but also i raise you: essek knows about the one (1) time the nein were in charge of protecting an important mage and she survived approximately one week before getting violently murdered while they were — direct quote — "havin' bacon"

[thebramblewood]

Hot off the presses, it's the first (and probably only) issue of Vatore Magazine! Pick up your copy now to see all 22 (!) looks in detail, shop the must-have CC, and - most importantly - collect some new scraps of coveted Vatore lore. 👀

READ VATORE MAGAZINE (PDF)

So, yeah, guess who thought they were going to do a straightforward decades lookbook and ended up making things entirely too complicated? 🙋‍♀️ The visual side of my brain is always tickled when CC creators put together little catalogs for their collections. That was my initial inspiration. Then I did a half-baked magazine cover concept and wanted to make a better one. I used this template as a base, and the headlines ended up being the most fun part. Anyway, I don't know how many people will click the link let alone scroll through the entire thing, but you'll be rewarded with several paragraphs of Vatore history if you do. I did this more to properly establish their timeline for myself than anything else, but I put a lot of care and time into it, so I appreciate anyone who reads. ❤️

[residentinsomniacartist]

wait wait wait guys have you ever thought about how the Mighty Nein are everything they shouldn’t be upon first glance

no no guys guys listen to me they’re all the antithesis of what they’re meant to be and that’s why they’re such amazing and heartfelt characters

like, Caleb is a wizard who’s afraid of his own fire magic. his own power causes him to falter in battle. his strongest spells are his most dangerous to himself. wizards are supposed to be prideful of their magic, but Caleb’s is the reason he hates himself

Beau is a monk who never wanted to be. her job is one that people normally associate with being calm and collected and Beau was a wild rebellious kid who got dragged into this line of work against her will. she never wanted to be this!! but now she is and she’s gotta deal with it!!

Fjord is a warlock who never wanted power from his pact, which is why you’d think a warlock would make their pact at all. but no. Fjord made his pact because he wanted to live, not because he wanted power. he was a scared orphan who hated his tusks, not a buff, muscled, angry half-orc like people assumed

Nott is NOT, that’s the whole crux of her narrative! she wasn’t pretty, like a halfling girl was supposed to be. she wasn’t a goblin, she was just transformed into one. and not only that, but despite being a three-foot-tall alcoholic kleptomaniac, she’s the mom of the group!

Jester is a Cleric whose god isn’t actually a god and who would much rather bash bad guys over the head with her lollipop than have to stop and heal her friends!! she’s a bubbly, optimistic ray-of-sunshine, but you know when she says she’s gonna change the world with friendship she means it as a threat

Mollymauk is an amnesiac, but he doesn’t want to remember who he was. if you ask him, that wasn’t him! he might be a flirtatious hedonistic carnie, but he’s also single-mindedly devoted to making the world a better and more loved place than it was when he found it. he’s a liar, but he means well. he’s an arrogant fool, yes, but he’s right! he did it! he left it better!

Caduceus seems like he’d be creepy and grim from growing up in a graveyard, but he’s actually the most chill out of the entire Nein by far. he’s calm, he’s sweet, and he’s comforting, more than anything else. you’d think he’d be amazed by seeing the outside world for the first time, but he spends the whole time knowing that one day he’ll return home, that he wasn’t supposed to be the one to leave

Yasha is a barbarian with skeletal wings and a dramatic, monochromatic look, but she’s a complete sweetheart. she’s Molly’s best friend, she was a carnival bouncer, she’s a lesbian disaster who collects pressed flowers in a book out of love for the wife she lost. those black wings were actually hiding soft white feathers

Essek was born straight into the den of politics, he was a spymaster, he literally started a war for his own gain, and yet. he’s sounds irredeemable on paper, but. he’s not!! sure, the Nein kind of have to drag his alignment kicking and screaming into neutral, but they manage it. Essek learns and grows and he overcomes his nature. he becomes good, against all odds

guys guys guys don’t you see it!! look at them!!they’re such compelling characters!! they’re everything they’re not supposed to be!! dude y’all how didn’t I realize this earlier!! they subvert their narratives in the most interesting ways ever and I justhshsbhshshsjnsmshsnhsfn!!

[captainmera]

Boopity boop, it's the oldest Wittebro.

[The tales of Caleb Wittebane, fanfic]

[cross-d-a]

something something about Caleb Dume surviving the genocide of his people and divorcing himself from his culture and remaking himself entirely in order to survive

and something something about orphaned Ezra Bridger who loves Lothal but doesn’t quite belong being adopted into a self-made-cobbled-together family of outcasts from multiple cultures

and something something about Kanan choosing to embrace his culture and religion again despite his fear and the risk it brings to him and his family

and something something about Ezra embracing that culture as whole-heartedly as he can when so much of it has been lost

and something something about both of being denied the ability to practice certain aspects of their religion because otherwise they might be killed for it

and something something about Kanan remembering how Master Billaba carefully sheared his hair and oh so reverently plaited his Padawan braid and held it gently between her fingertips and told him she would do right by him and told him not to be afraid and told him she would be there for him until her dying breath and beyond and told him that he was going to be a great Jedi Knight one day and told him “you are our future youngling and I will do everything in my power to protect that future”

and something something about Kanan looking at Ezra’s wild hair with something hollow and aching tucked between his ribs because he longs to show Ezra the devotion his Master showed him and her Master showed before her and his Master before him but it’s not safe to gently plait that Padawan braid behind Ezra’s ear because such a sign of devotion will mean death and Kanan can only hope that Ezra understands how much Kanan loves him and how much Kanan is proud of him and how much hope and life he sees in his Padawan because while that Padawan braid may be the physical link between future and past tying together generations of Masters and Padawans who have lived and loved and passed on because “we are what they grow beyond”—

Kanan knows that every moment has led to this and Ezra is the future his Master and her Master before her never expected but they would be so proud to see Ezra now and Kanan can only hope Ezra knows how proud Kanan is of him too and know when he looks at Ezra he knows everything is going to be okay because “we are what they grow beyond” and despite everything that’s been lost to them Ezra is carrying the heart and soul of thousands of years of legacy and Kanan looks at Ezra knowing he can’t give him that Padawan braid but he’ll be damned if he can’t teach him the things that matter and he’ll be damned if he doesn’t do everything to protect the future he sees in Ezra’s eyes

[levshany]

this is where the whole story began :3

I think I'm going to run two stories in parallel (Phillip's childhood with Caleb and Evelyn and the main story with Hamayun and Luz) because at the intersection of these two stories there is one key point that greatly influences the character of Hamayun and explains his difference from canon Belos

[pinksilvace]

The Two Princes Caleb and Hunter in the Tower

Basic process breakdown under the cut

Sketch, background, and flat tones (these all get chopped up a bit during the painting process and I forgot to take screenshots until partway through. whoops)

Several layers of shadow/highlight (multiply/screen) layers. Usually, I'll do two of each for characters, but this one only used one highlight layer with two shadows.

Painting . Small brush, tight blending, all done on one layer. I start with the important details because I tend to get sloppy by the end of it.

Several layers of colors and adjustments (and sometimes an extra multiply layer over the painting for tonal correction)

[stinkrascal]

TRANSCRIPT

Breanna: [ she shuffles uncomfortably as she wakes; a faint moan escapes her]

Breanna: Ah! Aha! Hi, um, mister—um, were you here the whole time?

Vladislaus: Yes. I observed your transformation through the night. How did you sleep?

Breanna: Um! Fine. Vladislaus: Good. I hope you are comfortable, for you will remain in my care until your powers have matured. Breanna: I'm staying with you?

Vladislaus: Yes. You are my spawn, therefore you are my responsibility. My home is yours. All I ask is you forgive the mess in the kitchen, and you stay out of the basement. Breanna: What's in your basement? Vladislaus: It's off limits. Breanna: Why come? Vladislaus: It's off limits. Breanna: Why?

Vladislaus: It is off limits. Do I make myself clear? Breanna: I don't care about your stupid basement dude. Vladislaus: Good. If that is all, I shall be on my way. Breanna: Huh? Where you going?

Vladislaus: Downstairs. I have students to teach. Breanna: Can I come too? Vladislaus: No. Rest. Breanna: But I'm not tired.

Vladislaus: I wasn't asking. [ the door closes ] Breanna: [ murmurs ] Bitch.

Vladislaus: Your posture is horrendous. Straight your back, boy.

Caleb: Ugh. Got no reason, waking me this early. Vladislaus: Your attendance is mandatory. Caleb: Since when? Lilith: Hmm. I wonder if laziness is inherited between sire and spawn?

Vladislaus: No, but it seems insolence is inherited between kin.

Vladislaus: You're supposed to be resting. Breanna: I'm not tired. Can I join? Vladislaus: Come, then. Form a line. Let's see how you fare.

Vladislaus: Since we have a new addition, I will recount the basics. As vampires, we derive our powers from flesh and blood. Though any creature's blood will sustain us, not all blood is created equal. We are only as strong as the blood we consume.

Vladislaus: However, this grand power comes at the cost of innocent life. As our hunger is insatiable, this is a cost we will pay for all eternity.

Vladislaus: It is our responsibility to quench this hunger, as to not endanger ourselves, or endanger others.

Breanna: Actually, I change my mind. I'm going back inside. Vladislaus: [ snorts ] Don't tell me I've lost your interest already. Breanna: When you said train, I thought you meant we were gonna start maiming and biting and killing and stuff. This is kinda boring.

Vladislaus: You have jokes. How quaint. Try to release your dark form. We shall spar.

Breanna: My—huh? Vladislaus: Every vampire has a dark form, the evil within, their shadow self—whatever you wish to call it. When we are in this form, we are at our apex, but not all are capable of releasing it at will.

Lilith: I don't think this is— Caleb: Shut it, Lilith. I wanna watch.

Vladislaus: Only those with mastery over their powers, such as myself, are capable of releasing this form at will. Of course, this is a skill which will take decades, even centuries to achieve. Do not be discouraged if you fail.

Vladislaus: That is why I am here, to—

Breanna: [ maniacal hissing and growling ] Vladislaus: BACK! BACK AWAY, YOU LITTLE HEATHEN!

Lilith: BREANNA, STOP! HE'S OUR SIRE, YOU CAN'T EAT HIM! Caleb: Hah. She actually did it.

Breanna: Haaaaaah—your blood tastes really good, Vladdy! ❤

Vladislaus: [ groaning ] Breanna: Oh, shit—are you okay?!

[juicedflexing]

Caleb showing his muscle butt for guys on Instagram. Instagram story

[pareonapana]

😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫The lighting may not look like it makes sense, but If you’re whimsical enough, the source of light comes from the heart…

without bg + sketch bc I think the difference is funny. dont rlly like how this turned out since its a bit stiff and colors r wonky but I think thats just a sign I need to practice more, haha.

[mended-bunny]

What gets me is that Ikithon is *obsessed* with Caleb, and this idea that "suffering makes us strong." When that very thing makes it so clear that he doesn't understand anything about Caleb, and never has.

Suffering didn't make Caleb strong. The greatest tragedy of his life brought him to his weakest point. The pain of losing his parents broke him. It didn't make him powerful.

And that's why I hope Trent Ikithon's soul gets put through the divine paper shredder, and yeeted out into the void between worlds where it can never worm it's filthy way back into existence to abuse another innocent person for the sake of making them "strong."

Caleb didn't get strong until he found what Ikithon had taken from him. He grew strong when he had a family to help him live despite the pain. He grew strong when he saw this group of chaotic idiots feel the pain and loss he had experienced and decided that that was enough. Never again.

He grew strong *in spite* of pain. He grew strong because of love.

[thebramblewood]

Helena and Caleb have been busy burying the hatchet and starring in their new hit sitcom. Currently accepting theme song submissions!

Clue card designed by @surely-sims! I thought it would be a cute detail to add. 🥰

Previous / Next

Caleb: Miss Scarlett with the dagger in the lounge.

Helena: Are you sure you’re not just describing your sister on a bad day?

Caleb: Oh, you mean every day?

Helena: Speak of the devil and she shall appear.

[canned audience laughter]

Helena: Regrettably, Miss Scarlett is out of contention. My turn!

-

Helena: Caleb, look! Poor little thing. Where did you come from?

Caleb: More importantly, how is it still alive? Animals don’t have a tendency to thrive around here, wild or domesticated.

Helena: She’s a girl! We should keep her!

Caleb: Lilith would hate it. She might even…

Helena: Lilith will not touch a hair on her body! [in baby voice] I’m going to name you Drusilla.

Caleb: Hold on. Is that a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reference?

Helena: Oh, well, I went down this research rabbit hole after… you know. It may have included a Simflix binge. Is it forbidden media now?

Caleb: Of course not! [sheepish but excited] I actually have the full series box set upstairs. Should we…

Helena: HELL YEAH, WE SHOULD!

Helena: Drusilla, come back! Don’t you want to meet your namesake?

Lilith: Disgusting little goblin. What particularly loathsome circle of hell did you claw your way out of?

[canned audience laughter]

[gunthermunch]

[Transcript under the cut]

Minerva: Can't an old lady and her familiar wash their dishes in peace anymore? Morgyn: i didn't want to be a bother Minerva but we really could use your help. We just- Caleb don't touch that. Caleb: I'm not! Morgyn: just- i need you to see something. It's about Garry Minerva: alright. im done here Minerva: why dont ou show me now Morgyn: ..i'll need you to forgive me beforehand Morgyn: I'm not giving this baby dessert for a week, a whole week. Not even a cherry and that's final Morgyn: OH BUT WHAT AM I SAYING? GARRY DESERVES ALL THE SWEETS IN THE WHOLE WORLD AND ESPECIALLY YOUR HOUSE! MAYBE EVEN SOME RAW BISTEC AND- Minerva: oh-hoho! Look at That! Minerva: Little guy has powers already? Caleb: i always knew you weren't coo-coo crazy my love! Morgyn: thanks. Morgyn: he has never done this before, and apparently i'm the one triggering it Minerva: oh, no. i don't think that's the case. Who can even know? Morgyn: i thought you'd have some information on it Minerva: while i know more about his kind than the average witch, the truth is, nothing is certain about vampires, Dear sage. Minerva: some have red eyes, some don't even have ones. some can turn into bats, some can't even levitate. Minerva: and now this strangely born vampire can mind control a sage at age two. We really made something big when creating these uncontrollable beasts, right? Morgyn: but what can we do so he… stops? Minerva: something temporary. Minerva: until little Garry grows old enough to control himself. Garry: …arry?

Morgyn: how are we going to explain this to them. Caleb: hm? the shades look pretty cool, Lilith's gonna like them Morgyn: …i guess. Caleb: MORGYN morgyn this guy can STAND ON HIS OWN!! Morgyn: really? Caleb: ugh. he fell on his butt Caleb: don't mess with me like that young beast Morgyn: caly you don't know how glad i am to not have children of our own.

[enchantedchocolatebars]

A wip redraw commission for "A Winsome Witch And A Happy Human".

(Drawn by @mochapao)

Hehe. ❤️ 💕 ✨️ 💟

Original cover.

The witch in the art is my wittewife oc.

[onnabox]

What is everyone's favorite Shadowgast fics???