Stephanie Alissa Cloverfield (She/her, 3 years old)
Picknames: Steph, Stephie, Bumblebee
Physical description: short brown hair, brown eyes, pointy elbows, and missing two front teeth, 2 ft 10 inches (about 86 centimeters)
Personality and tidbits: Youngest trainee, but no less fearsome for it. Tiny and headstrong. Is always walking around with a steel sword for practice, but also because it's her comfort object. She will bite you if you call her Stephanie. Her mom works at the NYI, and Alec is her chosen guardian (nephilim equivalent of a godfather,) not that he knows it.
Extra info: Her backpack looks like a turtle carapace. It also has an opening for her to put her sword in.
Clara Melissa Amberlake (She/her, 5 years old)
Nicknames: Rara, pumpkin
Physical description: chin length curly red hair (yes, it really does look red rather than ginger), green eyes, freckles, 3 ft 3 inches (about 1 meter)
Personality and tidbits: Second youngest trainee and bossiest little gremlin. She's very kind and she also follows Sarah in the "you have to be polite, where are your manners!" trend. She's, like Sarah, very much a girly-girl. She likes all things sparkly and pretty dresses, but is always happy to share any of it with others. Like the butterfly clips she gave Madzie. She also has a teeeeeny tiny kiddo crush on Madzie, who she thinks is super pretty and cool.
Extra info: Her backpack is a butterfly that sometimes transforms into a dragonfly that either has bows on it or a glittery veil.
Rebecca Andora Silverstone (She/her, 8 years old)
Nicknames: Beccs, Sourdrop
physical description: tanned skin, slate eyes, wide nose with a small scar on the right nostril, 4 ft (about 120 centimetres)
Personality and tidbits: Would be one of the biggest menaces in any other institute, but given she's at the NYI she's one of the more behaved kiddo's. Best friends with Rebby, the other Rebecca. She dresses like Alec because practical clothes are easiest to fight in, but also because she wants to be like Alec when she grows up. She doesn't usually help with pranks, but she loves to play the decoy so people don't notice they're going to be the victim of an incoming prank.
Extra info: Her backpack is a sailing boat.
Rebecca Antonia Lovedale (She/her, 9 years old)
Nicknames: Rebby, Sugarnsnap
physical description: long face and longer hair, she has a birthmark that goes from her right eyebrow to her cheek, that kind of looks like the shape of Italy, 4 ft 3 (130 centimetres)
Personality and tidbits: She gives a false impression of being calm and quiet, and, compared to the bigger menaces like Max, she is. But, she can also be very rambunctious when given the chance. Her energy levels come in waves and bounces, a big avalanche of words before she goes quiet again. She loves to people-watch and climb on the walls and loves anything and everything science.
Extra info: Her backpack is a plasma globe, and yes, it is functional. Don't ask me how Magnus managed that one, the answer is a mix of magic and I don't know.
Lewynn - oldest and tallest of the group; he may seem imposing but he is usually quite gentle and soft-spoken. He is also the only trainee lacking a noble lineage --although it can be argued that his family, the most ancient blacksmithing house in the capital, are practically nobility. They are so skilled and renowned that their work is always highly sought after, so much so that they even supply the king’s royal armoury.
Eyrik - young and spicy, he brings to the group all the fiery passion and carefree musicality of the southern kingdom. His family is one of the biggest merchant noble houses, commanding boats so swift and daring that even the Queen of the South occasionally calls upon them for trade missions. The only son but also the youngest after three sisters, he has a lot to prove.
Zeke - the youngest trainee and Eames’ adopted son. Originally an orphan roaming the streets of the capital, his past a mystery, he has come a long way and overcome many trials, both mentally and physically, to be where he is now. An introvert with a surprisingly short temper; he gets along best with Lewynn and his cousin, Darian.
Samuel - older and supposedly wiser, he joined the trainees per his father’s wishes so that he can bring honour and prestige to his family name. His family are old nobles who have been tasked with the crucial task of guarding the only pass through the mountain range surrounding the capital. Their considerable keep also serves as a prison reserved for the most dangerous of criminals.
Favorite parent-figure (although I take it's pretty much official for all of them): Malec version with all the trainees and all the rookies, including Madzie and the new werewolf girl
Oh this is a challenge, just because of the absolute length of this list. But okay, I can do this (I think).😂
Sorry in advance for how long this list is going to be.
Trainees (Alec is going to dominate this one, but there will be some Magnus here)
Max: Alec, no contest whatsoever even if he adores Magnus.
Barika: his dad and Alec, Magnus is a very close third, but nothing is beating Alec accepting him and letting him be himself or his dad loving him no matter what.
Arjun: his parents and Alec, because it’s thanks to Alec (and Max being a menace) that he’s no longer a trainee at the Mumbai Institute.
Leo: Alec (Leo is an official ward of the institute aka a ward from the Head of Institute, something Alec made sure would happen when he lost both of his parents as a toddler).
Aloysius: Alec, but Magnus is a close second. His parents arz a very distant last place.
Clara: Magnus! She adores Alec, but Alec doesn’t understand pretty dresses like Magnus does. Alec still gives the best hugs though.
Steph: Her mom and Alec, then Magnus. Fun fact, Alec is her official godparent. He doesn’t know it though because Stephie’s mom is as unhinged as Steph is and decided to forge some documents with Jace’s help. There’s a bet going around the institute about when and how exactly Alec will find out.
Doris: Magnus and Alec both, but she finds it easier to talk about her emotions with Magnus. Her mother is also a very distant last place even if part of her still craves her approval.
Julian: Alec, no contest whatsoever. Alec lets him be as ridiculous as he wants to be and only scolds him when he does something that’s dangerous for him and the others. He’ll take on a lot more of Magnus’ mannerisms once they start getting closer though. So even though Alec is his favorite, he’ll end up some kind of mini-Magnus when it comes to the fashion style and the theatrics.
Rebecca 1 aka “Beccs”: Both. She loves her parents, but they feel more like distant family members who say hi once in a while than actual parents to her. It doesn't really bother her, though, so that's great.
Rebecca 2 aka “Rebby”: Alec. Magnus feels more like a very fun uncle who allows them to do the craziest adventures.
Hideaki: Alec, his grandparents and then Magnus. Also, this has nothing to do with this list but I needed to share anyway, his favorite spot is to sit in his spot in Alec's office (under the stained window behind Alec's desk and well out of sight) and doodle there.
Ariadne: Alec then Magnus. Her relationship with her parents is rather strained. Her parents have a pretty strict idea of what a shadowhunter is supposed to be and act like and Ariadne doesn't fit it so that causes friction at times. Unlike Doris and Aloysius' parents, they at least try, though.
Linette: Her older sister (Cécile Pardieu) then Alec in second place and Magnus in third.
Grace: Alec and Magnus in first place, Sarah's mom in second, then her older siblings in that order. She has lost her parents but has a lot of siblings, all of whom are wondering how she hasn't been kicked out of the NYI given all of the trouble she gets into on a regular basis.
Sarah: Her mom! She loves her mom, who just like Steph's mom, also works at the NYI. That said, Alec is a close second and she's been trying to convince her mom to get Alec (and then afterward Magnus as well) as her godparents because Steph and Tony can't be the only one rocking that honor.
William: Alec then Magnus. He loathes his aunt and uncle and will hide in his room whenever they come to visit. He's also a ward of the institute just like Leo despite having living relatives, which says enough.
Keith: Baybrook. Don't ask how, nobody understands it least of all Baybrook, but apparently it's a thing. Alec is his favorite big brother-figure though with Magnus a close second.
Payton: His parents. Alec and Magnus are his favorite older brother figures, though. (He is not impressed by the siblings he has.)
Madzie AWG: Alec. Magnus a very, very close second.
Colton (Tony): His older brother! (If anyone remembers the name Stonewell from AWG, that's his older brother). Tony thinks Alec is the coolest person on earth, though. Magnus is a bit of a ??? for him until Magnus teaches them all to dance which is when Magnus dethrones Izzy as second coolest person. Alec is also his godfather because Stonewell has no other relatives and because Steph's mom continues to be unhinged.
Oliver: Alec. He's the third ward of the institute and one of the quieter trainees like Hideaki and Ariadne. He's the trainee who loves Magnus' magic the most, though, because it feels soft and pleasant to him (he's half seelie).
Last but not least on the trainee list, Cristina: Alec and Magnus. Her parents usually forget she exists and she usually forgets they exist in turn, because Magnus and Alec give her all of the care and attention she needs.
Rookies! (Thankfully, this list is shorter)
Little Max: Magnus and Alec. It's a tie, he loves them both and he wishes they would get with the program and adopt him already.
Aiden: Granny Lee, Ragnor, Magnus and Alec in that order. That said, Alec and Magnus do end up higher in the list once things quiet down.
Ali: Granny Lee and Magnus at first, but Alec comes in like a meteor with him basically Nephilim adopting Ali to reassure him he'll be there for him always. (Also for a second reason but that way lies spoilers)
Madzie Bridges (yes she's twice on the list shhh): Catarina, Magnus, Alec then Granny Lee.
Shan: Granny Lee. Magnus and Alec share the second spot.
Sorcha: Granny Lee, Magnus and Alec all share first place. That said she gets clingiest around Alec because he gives the best hugs.
Ziva: Granny Lee. Magnus is like an uncle to her that she feels safe around. Alec is more her uncle's husband, someone she cares for but doesn't really consider a parental figure.
Yara: Same thing as Sorcha - they all share first place, but Alec gives the best hugs. He's also the most fun to sit on the shoulders on because he's the tallest.
Ezra: Granny Lee and Ragnor. Alec is more of a family friend than really a parental figure for him. Magnus is something like a protector or guardian angel, but not necessarily a parental figure.
Zacharias: Granny Lee. Magnus and Alec are like big brothers, though, and he loves them both about equally.
Cylia: Granny Lee.
Yan: Granny Lee as well, although she also loves Magnus and Alec and kind of really wants everyone to just live together and have Alec read more bedtime stories so she can have three parents.
Kaylie (new baby warlock): She'll be terrified of him during their first meeting, but Alec.
physical description: scraggly & shaggy dirty blond hair (the dirty often doesn’t only relate to the colour), green-ish eyes, thin scar on her cheek that reaches down to tip of her nose, 4 ft (122 cm)
personality and tidbits: in the running for most likely trainee to get it trouble along with William and the Fearsome Four, not because she’s a menace like Max and his friends but because she gets easily distracted and ends up wandering off. Loves running and has the title of most won races hence the nickname Racie. She’s the youngest of four children and has lost her parents at a young age. Her older siblings still haven’t caught on to the fact that the Alec she’s talking about in all of her letters is also the HOTI that is writing her progress reports. Mostly because her reports shouldn’t be as complimentary and glowing as they are given they know how often she gets in trouble from the letters she writes them.
Extra info: She has a frog backpack. The frog’s spots are a mishmash of rainbows, candies, cookies and emojis. Yes it can hop back to her, a fail safe Magnus incorporated given her tendency to forget her backpack everywhere.
William Conner Whitelaw (he/they 8 years old)
nicknames: Liam, Illi, Yammie, little mosquito
physical description: short, tousled, curly hair that is often tangled. Brown eyes and chubby cheeks, 3 ft 11 (120 cm)
personality and tidbits: in the running for most likely trainee to get it trouble for the exact same reason as Grace - trouble finds them any time of the day even when he isn’t looking for it. He has the tendency to wander off when distracted just like Grace hence why they’re known among the trainees as the two runaways. William lost both of their parents pretty young. He has a bad relationship with his aunt and uncle on who are his guardians in name only, he got shipped off to the NYI pretty much as soon as William came in their custody. William sworn siblings with Oliver and the Rebecca’s and adores Alec.
Extra info: has a rocket backpack that has sever-changing molecule structures drawn over it. The backpack will fly after him when he drops it somewhere because of how often he forgets it/loses it.
Sarah Julie Mayweather (she/her, 8 years old)
nicknames: Sa-sa, Hummingbird,Sarie
physical description: shoulder-length blond hair usually tied into twin pigtails. Blue eyes and 3 ft 9 (114 cm)
personality and tidbits: energetic (and very autistic), stims a lot, friendly with everyone but sticks the closest to Linette, Julian, Cristina and Oliver. The epitome of a girly-girl, loves all things bright, bubbly and pink. Her mom works and lives at the institute which means she can see all of the shenanigans Sarah gets I to, she’s not sure it’s a good thing. Once came back to the institute with a pony, nobody knew where she got it from.
Extra info: has a glittery, purple button mushroom for a backpack though she can change the colour and the type of mushroom by tapping on the bottom of the stem.
Ariadne Marianne Fairspirit (she/her, 8 years old)
nicknames: Ari, Ne-Ne, Dia, Sun sprout
physical description: wavy auburn hair down to her shoulders. Pale green eyes. Oval face and 4 ft (122 cm)
Personality and tidbits: Ariadne is pretty quiet compared to the other trainees. She’s not particularly shy, she just prefers to sit in her corner and draw or read a book. Her parents work at the Paris Institute which means she doesn’t get to speak with them often, though, she doesn’t mind much given her parents aren’t really the parenting type. Is mostly seen hanging out with her best friend Hideaki or hiding away and drawing in the institute’s gardens or Alec’s office.
Extra Info: Has a fairytale book backpack that can be opened and read. The stories change and even contain some warlock and seelie tales which makes her very happy when she finds out.
Hideaki Shirayama (he/him, 8 years old)
nicknames: Aki, Hi Ki (pronounced high key), little apricot
physical description: straight black hair, bangs that almost reach his eyes, round face, and round ears, dark brown eyes. 4 ft 2 (127,2 cm)
personality and tidbits: reserved and takes a while to warm up to people. Is very warm and cuddly in his own way once he’s comfortable though. Will give you drawings and other art projects he makes if he likes you. Usually seen painting or drawing together with Ariadne or Aloysius or hiding out in Alec's office sitting on the ground in one of the corners.
Extra info: Has a book backpack like Ariadne, but rather than fairy tales, he has a picture book that holds pictures of animals (magical and mundane) as well as famous and not-so-famous pieces of art. Some of the pictures also move and can be played like short, noiseless movies.
Aloysius Adrian Knightslaw (he/him, 12 years old)
nicknames: Ally, Al, Sius, little macaron
physical description: pale blond hair with bangs, greyish eyes, tallest and oldest of the trainees at 4 ft 10 (147, 32 cm)
personality and tidbits: sensitive and protective of his friends, Aloysius generally tries to stop the other trainees from getting into too much trouble. It doesn't mean he doesn't join in on the chaos every once in a while. He doesn't have a good relationship with his parents and tends to avoid talking with or about them. He's gay. Hangs out with all of the trainees equally and has a tendency to stay in the background/let the others choose when they go do something. Ironically, he's the most machiavellian of the trainees.
Extra info: Has a simple, cream-colored shoulder bag. The inside is embroidered with all kinds of constellations and the strap has little drawings stitched into it that represent his friends/family. Aloysius asks Magnus to add one for himself when he notices there's nothing to represent him.
Alright so it seems that more than one person wants a list so here we go with the first four trainees. (I will be splitting this up because like some people aptly remarked there are Too Many Trainees and writing them all down in one post is going to make for an infinitely long post. (Cries in, these were supposed to be one of characters that were just supposed to make the institute feel more lived-in. Not menaces that take over half of the story)
Maxwell Joseph Lightwood (He/Him, 9 years and a half - Not an OC though I HC him looking differently than in the series in my head)
Nicknames: Max, Maxie, Little Clover, Cricket, Little Caramel, Menace, Little Terror
Physical description: looks like a mini Alec – black hair, hazels eyes and mischief in his blood. He’s smaller than the other trainees his age, standing somewhere between 3ft 11 and 4ft (120,2 cm) Has three long gashes on his torso that span most of his chest as well as two smaller but just as thick scars on his right upper thigh, a thick scar on his left ankle and one on the inside of his right arm. (This only applies for AWG Max. Golden Words Alec is 4ft 3 (130,5 centimeters) and has no such scars.)
Personality: He’s the Menace Supreme what more do you want me to say? Culprit number 1 of the Mumbai Incident.
Extra info: co- owner of Bubbles and has a batman backpack with cartoon characters and sharks on it
2. Arjun Jaskaran Bhasin (He/Him, 9 years old)
Nicknames: Arji, Jun-Jun, Marshmallow, Chotu (nickname only his older siblings call him)
Physical description: thick dark-brown hair that’s mostly straight, dark brown nearly black eyes. He’s about 4ft2 (128,5 centimeters) and the only one of the fearsome four that doesn’t look like a mess most of the time.
Personality and tidbits: He’s quieter than his three best friends, but no less of a menace for it. He’s the youngest in his family and is close with his parents/older siblings despite not living in the same institute. He loves everything dragons and, even though he misses his family a lot, he also loves being at the NYI. Now if only Alec could get the rest of his family to work there as well…Culprit Number 2 of the Mumbai Incident.
Extra info: has a dragon backpack, yes the dragon can breathe fire.
3. Barika Fahari (He/Him, almost 10)
Nickname: Barii, Riri, Gumdrop
Physical description: short, black curly hair. Light brown eyes. 4ft 5 (134 cm) which makes him the tallest of the foursome fear.
Personality and tidbits: Barika was originally supposed to be a female character because I didn’t want Max to only have male best friends, but then Barika decided he was trans without any care as to what I had planned (hence the female name which he decided he was keeping). Like Max, he’s a menace and adores comics. His absolute BFF is Leo and those two will probably end up as parabatai in the future. Culprit number 3 of the Mumbai Incident.
Extra info: Has a The Flash backpack with a little Green Lantern keychain and ever-changing cartoon/Manga-characters on the sides. Robin, Batman and Cyborg logos are embroidered on the straps.
4. Leonard Benjamin Knightvale (He/him, two days older than Max and will never let him live it down)
Nickname: Leo, Lenny, corn chip, little lion
Physical description: light brown hair that tends to get in his eyes, green-brown eyes and 4ft3 (130 centimeters – yes, Golden Words Max teases him back for being older but shorter)
Personality and tidbits: If someone enabled Max to do one of his stunts, Leo is the most likely culprit. If nobody enabled Max to do one of his stunts than Leo was likely in a coma because he WILL enable Max’s shenanigans just to see the chaos happen. BFF’s with Barika and thinks Alec is the coolest person ever. He lacks any kind of impulse control and is currently in the lead in the “Get Ragnor to turn them into a frog” competition much to Max’s displeasure. He hates being called Leonard about as much as Max hates being called Maxwell. Culprit number 4 of the Mumbai Incident.
Extra info: Green Lantern backpack with a The Flash keychain, a Batman keychain as well as a Cyborg and Robin sticker. The Green Lantern logo in the middle lights up and can turn into different colors if Leo wants to.
