whispers Finally posting this here after I stopped being lazy about editing.

Name: Mazzik (Maz-zik)
Nicknames: Mazz, Mazzy
Age: Roughly 689
Sex: Male
Orientation: Straight
Status: Single (not looking)
Species: Altus
Class: Uncommon, Strength
Faction: Juniper
Element: Fire
Height: 14'9"
Weight: 750 lbs
Personality: Quiet for the most part, preferring to keep to himself over interacting with others, but can sometimes be seeing cheerfully talking to...no one in particular, a strange habit he got into after an event in his past. Very protective over those who he grows fond of, but suffers horribly if he suffers a loss. Mazz also has a bit of a temper, with outbursts resulting in brush fires here in there. In an angered state, he won't hesitate to take on even those that happen to be bigger than him. Sometimes doesn't think clearly when angry or frustrated, taking brash actions, much to his annoyance (at himself). Thankfully, he's slow to anger. He can also be rather lazy, just preferring to lay in the sun and sleep, but won't pass up a chance at a good fight.
Likes: Fish, swimming, collecting gems and jewelry, quiet, being alone for the most part, a good joke here and there, flying as high as he can before letting himself fall to Frontier. Also seems to enjoy watching young Altus play and tussle with each other.
Dislikes: The Onyx (of course), vegetables, grasses, and leaves (for eating at least), getting sand in uncomfortable places (and in his fur), having to watch other Altus grow their wings, those who try to control and push him around. The extreme cold also bothers him and makes his scars burn.
Background: A long while back, Mazzik lived in a small caravan that consisted of just his family, headed by his father. He had a mother who he loved dearly, two younger siblings of both genders that he'd be annoyed by (but loved regardless), and, of course, his father. He had a strained relationship with him, even though Mazz respected him as a leader and higher authority figure, regardless of the fights they'd both get into. Mazzik's father has strangely suspicious of other Altus for reasons known only to him, and would lead his family away from the other caravans, not trusting them. Mazz, on the other hand, was interested in seeing what life was like outside of his own little family world, and would often sneak off to visit with others and eavesdrop on conversations others were having. Unfortunately, this came to light one day, resulting in a massive fight between him and his father and ending with his father blinding him in his right eye. Mazzik ran off after that, completely overlooking the fact that Shadows' Eve was just around the corner. After he was able to calm down, that's when he realized the mistake that he did. The only Altus that could've properly defend his family was himself and his father. As fast as he could fly, he made his way back to the caravan, arriving in time to see his father struck down, fighting with the last of his strength to defend his family, even though they'd already fallen to the Onyx. Mazzik tried to fight them off, but was repelled from the overwhelming odds and barely got away with his own life, save for the deep wounds on his thigh. He himself would've died that night if not for the efforts of Altus from the Wake faction, who brought him into their main city, allowing him time to recover physically, although he was pretty damaged mentally. During the last days of the Shadows' Eve, he did his part in helping to defend against the Onyx, but as soon as the sun rose, Mazz left to wander on his own, not joining up with any other caravans, blaming himself for what happened to his family, and not wanting to bring that onto others.
Extra:
-His father was a strength class and his mother was a speed. While most of my other siblings went either one way or the other, he took on a few characteristics of both. He got the size of his father, but with a slimmer appearance and slightly longer and more flexible tail. All in all though, he looks more strength than speed, which is what he ended up labeling himself as. Plus, Mazz says "You can't be a speed class if you run like a dork.", another reason he's glad he's not speed class, because he'd be so bad at it.
-Mazzik likes fish more than any type of food. The quickest way to earn his trust (or start at least), is to offer him a nice big tasty fish.
-The only time he comes together with other Altus caravans (or any in general really), is Shadows's Eve when he can't find a good place to anchor down in safely.
-While he enjoys watching younger Atlus playing and such, he'll leave if any of them try to approach him. The only times he'd end up playing with them is if they manage to sneak up on him somehow.
-As stated early, he received the scars over his right eye (as well as being blind in it), in a fight with his father. The scars of his left backleg don't look too serious, but they cut deep, causing him pain whenever it gets too cold.
-When he's in his alternate form, he wears the necklace of his mother. The band on his tail, which he keeps in both his feral and alternate form, belonged to his father, which he recovered after Shadows' Eve had ended, along with burying his family.
-Ever since the death of his family, he can be seen talking, laughing, and acting cheerful when he's alone, but will clam up once he notices there's someone else there and make himself scarce.

Whew! I worked so hard on this, you have no idea XD The body shape and colors were tricky for me, since I usually draw simpler characters, but I loved this guy too much to pass up! My entry for redthegamr 's Altus DTA!

I had the thought to edit the fur color a little (add some red tips), but I changed my mind when I started warming up to the look more :3 Also, I hope that the stones look okay! I didn't have many examples of the Juniper faction's stones, so I'm hoping that what I did looks okay enough XD

Altus species belongs to redthegamr !
Mazzik belongs to me!