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izzy's playlists!
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@umblebumble
Badgers and coyotes hunt together. It's a thing. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service explains that “studies have shown that this unusual relationship is beneficial for both species. The coyote can chase down prey if it runs and the badger can dig after prey if it heads underground into its burrow systems.”
Hanging out with your bestie
The Avengers Daemons
I’ve fallen off the Marvel bandwagon a fair bit so I will not do all the characters because I’m not confident enough in their personalities. However, I will cover all the original six Avengers, plus a few bonus characters I feel I know well. If anyone has head-canons for any of the people I don’t do, let me know your opinion! (Some spoilers ahead, as I talk about character arcs).
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Tony Stark - Ring-tailed lemur. Tony always felt like a primate type of person to me, and the species I’ve selected is an iconic and unforgettable lemur - much like the iconic and unforgettable Stark. Lemurs are a social animal and often form tight knit family groups, which is very reminiscent of the small bundles of people Tony collects and often pretends he doesn’t like. Lemurs are also a very vocal and communicative animal, which matches with Tony’s never ending witty comebacks and overall blunt snarky and sassy form of communication. He is a competitive person, which is a very big trait in primates with their social hierarchies, and yet is very adaptable as well. Overall, I think a flashy, dramatic ‘King Julian’-type lemur in his youth growing and maturing into a caring leader and team member would match Tony’s overall story arc well.
Steve Rogers - Musk Ox. The enormous horned musk ox likely looked out of place with pre-serum Steve Rogers, but he grows into it. Musk ox are a herd animal and are very social at their core - their life is dedicated around taking care of their people. Steve is often on his own for things, but I think that’s a skill he’s learned through necessity - he seems most content and most effective when he has team support (ex The Commandos, the Avengers, or even when he just had Bucky backing him up). Musk ox are also infamous for their defensiveness and strength - they stand up for their people and will go head on with any danger. They do not suffer bullies and pushy predators. They’re a little stubborn, but these arctic animals are hardy and tenacious and patient - and a steady, patient work ethic creates a hell of a planner which pairs with the renowned ‘man with a plan’ strategist. Steve always seemed larger than life, so I figured he had to have a daemon to match.
Natasha Romanoff - American Marten. As a mustelid, related to weasels, martens are incredibly smart, sneaky predators. Highly skilled hunters, these animals are adept at climbing trees and adapt to a variety of weather conditions to survive anything they face. They’re tough little creatures entirely capable of taking on animals larger than them, which matches with Natasha’s proficiency and skill as a fighter. Functionally a marten can easily be disguised/mistaken as many of the others in the mustelid family which would be appropriate for a spy as well. However, much like the redhead, martens are known to be curious, playful and silly well into adulthood. I think that throughout her story arc, her marten would thaw from a cautious, guarded, distant killer to a more open and goofy and affectionate creature. And symbolically a marten fits Natasha’s story beautifully: “In woodland Native American folklore, marten are generally depicted as brave heroes... For one tribe, the Mi’Kmaq, a legend says that a marten was the first animal to sacrifice itself for the human race...“
Clint Barton - Black-billed Magpie. Magpies are social animals and thrive on living and working with large groups of others. Clint is a very friendly person, and is very team and family oriented - people matter a lot to him. He cares a lot about people and magpies as a corvid can be very devoted to their chosen people and protective of them. As a corvid, magpies also are fierce and a bit trickster-like with their tail-pulling behaviours and willingness to stand up to predators. Clint is a goofy and funny sort of person who plays tricks and makes jokes and is entirely willing to throw down against bad guys with crazy powerful magic and weapons. Furthermore, a magpie is a scavenger animal, which matches with the tenacity, adaptability and opportunism Clint shows in a lot of his spy work. And lastly, magpies are an incredibly sharp and intelligent bird, which pairs well with the sharp-eyed observation skills of a talented sniper.
Bruce Banner - Bull Snake. Like most snake species, Bull snakes are solitary people. They can tolerate others and spend time with them but usually prefer being on their own. Snakes can be persistent and patient, but are also opportunistic - translating to someone who will dedicate themselves to steady hard work when it’s required, but will take advantage of a good opportunity when it arrives. They’re also tough, hardy and generally unflappable. They are non-confrontational and not super aggressive, which matches with Bruce’s meek unobtrusive behaviour and ability to manage in any situation. However, Bull snakes are known in the snake community as being an incredibly angry, defensive snake and I think it’s hilarious to match with the ‘I’m always angry’ Bruce. So on the surface we see a calm, non-aggressive recluse, but underneath is someone entirely willing and able to snap at any given moment.
(As a side-note I think his daemon would change when he turns into Hulk; most likely into some giant crocodile/dinosaur type reptile that could match up with the strength the gamma rays gave Banner. Double side-note: Professor Hulk’s daemon would be a Komodo dragon.)
Thor - African Lion. A little cliched, but if Thor were to have a daemon (I sometimes headcanon him without because he’s a god/alien) it would have to be the lion. A lot of the other big, kingly sort of animals are very independent and unsocial - and Thor is a people’s person. I do think a lion would fit his arc, starting as a spoiled prince and learning how to be a leader would create a very lion-king type growth from Thor’s lion. Lions are highly social, work as a team, but are also very hierarchical and aware of leadership positions. They are strong and can be very clever in setting up ambushes, but also spend a lot of time conserving energy and just laying around - which pairs with the fact Thor can definitely be prone to laziness/indulgence as we see post-snap. But lions are very good caregivers, they are protective of their families and circle of people, and once they get past the ‘teenaged’ jockey-for-position phase of showboating and short tempered aggression, a lot of older lions really mellow out into sturdy dependable defenders.
James Rhodes - Northern Cardinal. As a bird from the northern region, it’s a hardier animal that is resourceful and tougher than it appears - yet it’s also adaptable enough to survive both the harsh winters and the hot summers. Many birds are naturally more social, and the cardinal is also monogamous which translates to extreme loyalty. Rhodey is both a social person but also has a small close knit group he’s incredibly loyal to and takes very good care of. Cardinals can be a little pushy about their territory - they can definitely hold their own - and while they will occasionally start up a scuff, they aren’t the most aggressive birds in the world. They are hardworking birds, always on the go, but they’re also rather flashy with their loud calls and bright red colour - and Rhodey has never been one to shy away from the spotlight. Overall the northern cardinal is an adaptable, resourceful, tough little stubborn bird that works well for his character.
Sam Wilson - Northern Gannet. The Northern Gannet is a seabird built for the very specific skill of plunge-diving to hunt fish, and this makes them a very specialized, very tough bird. Sam is very good and what he does and knows - and he can be adaptable and adjust to situations as they arise, but I believe he takes a very fastidious and studied course in learning new skills. He is very determined and focused, which pairs with the high focus of this advanced hunting bird. He also has that fighting spirit to protect what and who he cares about that is very strong in a seabird like this - particularly one who is loyal to a single mate, showing his strong sense of loyalty and dedication to ‘his’ people. Gannets are social birds and Sam does best in a group. Like Steve I believe he’s learned through necessity how to manage on his own but thrives when he has a team or partner. Lastly, Gannets are very vocal and expressive birds, using many sounds and body language to communicate both affection towards their chosen mate and aggression towards people who cross their boundaries. Sam is very outspoken and a little blunt and brash in his sarcastic humour - he lets people know what he’s thinking and you will know if he likes you or doesn’t like you.
Peter Parker - Northern Flying Squirrel. Super social, a little prone to twitchy nerves and stress, and prone to getting themselves in dangerous situations. Squirrels are very social, and this species of squirrel in particular is very non-aggressive compared to other types. While Peter does fight fairly regularly, he is strictly non-lethal and is not a naturally aggressive or overly competitive person. He can be very single-minded and focused one moment than scatterbrained the next, which matches a squirrels dedication to their task yet their ability to be sidetracked by outside stressors. This type of squirrel also doesn’t hibernate in the winter, and will often put itself at risk foraging on the ground where it is less agile - creating a sort of self-sacrificing/lack of self-preservation energy which...I mean it’s Peter Parker in a nutshell. High energy, most agile and comfortable at a height versus on the ground, clever, resourceful, adaptable, and yet not aggressive: A northern flying squirrel is my chosen form for Peter Parker.
Umbrella Academy Daemon!AU Headcannon
So I love creating daemon/His Dark Material Headcannons for different shows because I love daemons. Here are my thoughts on the main Umbrella Academy kids. (Disclaimer, it is late as I write this and I can be bad and putting my thoughts into words so if I describe a character in a poor/unfavorable way, please don’t get mad.)
Luther: A dog. I feel like a large rottweiler might work. Like these dogs, Luther’s been trained to fight and be aggressive but he has the capacity to care, just not the tools to show he cares. A soft squishy center that comes off loud and harsh and mean because he’s been taught nothing else by the one he’s most loyal to.
Diego: a coyote. Diego is even more loyal and dedicated than Luther, but not so single minded about it. he’s a little more rough around the edges and has a tendency to roam on his own. Also he’s very clever with a bit of a sneaky side. King of the streets, Diego’s coyote.
Allison: Great grey shrike aka butcher bird. these birds are small and dainty and pretty but will take small animals and impale them on thorns to kill them before eating. Allison has always seemed a touch more aloof than the others, and though she does care for her family, she can be very ruthless in the expression of her moods and defense of what is hers.
Klaus: a ferret. mischievous, goofy, and clever. ferrets are clowns, but also very intelligent and quick on the uptake. Klaus is fun loving, playful, and is always willing to throw down with people far bigger than him. Can definitely be an asshole at times, but mostly just funny and exasperating.
Five: A Portia Jumping Spider. these spiders eat other spiders, and have been known to create multi-step traps/hunting methods. incredibly intelligent, these spiders can problem solve and take down prey much larger than themselves. Also, obvious space jumping puns are fantastic.
(I don’t have Ben or Vanya simply because i find them harder to figure out. Ben I feel would be some sort of bird or reptile/amphibian. Vanya I think would be a bird. I’d love to hear your headcannons, see what you all think.)
I’d love for Ben to have a raven. Slightly ominous like his powers, yet quite a prankster on the inside.
Also, omen of death, anyone?
Actually, I could see a raven working really well for Ben. They’re very smart, can seem a little aloof, but also love to tease and play. headcannon accepted!
Also, I think I figured out my Vanya headcanon: A golden mole. (I have a thing for mammals, I know). the golden mole lives in the desert and is actually called the sand shark or shark of the desert. They have incredibly acute hearing because they are totally blind. They are rarely seen and live alone, and i think it matches with Vanya’s sort of introverted, isolated nature. To hunt, they burrow under very fine sand and will come up on insects/prey ad just pull them under the sand to eat them. Inescapable doom, yet an incredibly cute, innocent appearance.
I’ve made an updated version of Umbrella Academy Daemon Headcanons! Check it out for better descriptions and proper picks for everyone!
Umbrella Academy Daemon Headcanon
*Updated Version*
So I did a daemon headcanon for the Umbrella Academy quite some time ago, and now after Season 3 I wanted to do an updated version. I’ve only truly changed Ben’s, and that’s because I couldn’t think of a good choice for him back then. Everyone else stays the same, but I’ve hopefully explained the choices better. Hope you like it!
Luther: A rottweiler. Rottweilers are often thought of as very aggressive and dangerous dogs, but like with most fighting dogs with bad behaviour it is a result of the owner and not the dog themselves. Reginald’s abuse and manipulation made Luther overly aggressive, clinging to rules and order and his position in command and control of his siblings. But once he was free from Reginald’s grasp and realized the terribleness of his master, he becomes gentler, kinder, and a much better big brother. Rottweilers are overall kind of goofy dogs, not the brightest bunch and definitely on the more stubborn side - much like lovable himbo Luther. But they are fierce protectors of their families, and love their people with all their heart. Better with others rather than on their own, a big, clumsy, lovable, goofy, stubborn mountain of a dog seems perfect for representing who Luther truly is as well as the journey he takes as a character.
Diego: a coyote. A coyote is a really good representation of Diego, especially as contrast/compliment to the daemons of those around him. In the earlier seasons, a coyote would be very contrasting against Luther’s rottweiler; Diego is not quite the prim proper leader Reginald wanted, but more of a street scraper loner type; And the similar yet very different canine daemons would likely have just as much animosity towards each other as their people did. But in later seasons we see Diego come out of his shell and become much less tightly wound. Coyotes have been known to play with discarded dog toys in backyards after dark, and Diego definitely enjoys a good bit of fun as much as a good fight. In later seasons as well, his coyote would be an amazing compliment to his story with Lila, in his journey of realizing he’s not better on his own.
Bonus Lila: Badger. Lila is stubborn and aggressive and a little bits nuts in the most fun way, which is really represented by the curmudgeon gruffness of a badger who would be as blunt and chaotic as its person. However, the true poetry of her daemon is with Diego’s coyote daemon. Despite both animals being independent, accomplished hunters on their own, there are many documented cases of badgers and coyotes hunting together. The two predators work together, the badger going into the dens and the coyote catching the rabbit that is scared out. Together, the unlikely pair is much more successful at hunting than on their own. I think these two sort of loners would have daemons that reflect themselves well, but really shine in their polar-opposite, yet-somehow-the-same relationship with each other.
Allison: Great Grey Shrike. These birds are dainty and pretty to look at, but are not someone to mess with: underestimated, but powerful and willing to do whatever it takes to survive/get what they want. These birds are desert creatures, and I find desert animals are very tenacious survivors. All throughout the seasons we’ve seen how important her people are to Allison - she will do anything for her family, her daughter, her husband - and the great grey shrike is also extremely family oriented. It’s often called “the butcher bird” because it hunts small rodents, reptiles and insects and then stores them in a makeshift larder by impaling them on cactus thorns or sharp branches. Its a very clever method because it keeps the carcasses up out of reach of other animals, and keeps a good supply of food available for their young. In season one I picked this bird for Allison because she had a “ruthless” energy to her that seemed willing to do anything to achieve her goals, and now after season three I completely agree with my choice.
Klaus: Black footed ferret aka the domesticated ferret. Ferrets are animals that do better in groups, and Klaus is an incredibly social person. Ferrets are often thought of as goofy, mischievous tricksters - and while this is true of the animal and of Klaus - they can also be very clever and quick on the uptake. Klaus doesn’t seem it because of his relaxed appearance and drug-related history, but he has a record of figuring out things and picking up on stuff well before any of his other siblings clue in. But no one listens to him because he seems like a clown. Ferrets are also predators and while Klaus isn’t overly aggressive, he is very willing to throw down with people who clearly outmatch him, especially in defence of those he loves. I think a ferret is a perfect choice for Klaus, because everyone is very aware a ferret is a goofy, mischievous ass-hole who will steal your underwear and wallet and hide it under the couch, but ferrets are so endearing that we love them anyway. Klaus is a tender soul who has learned to let the troubles of the world roll off him, but he cares about his family and about Dave - ferrets are incredibly social devoted creatures and a lot of people forget they can be cuddly companions in the face of their chaos.
Five: A Portia Jumping Spider. While Five is incredibly devoted to his family, I didn’t feel a super social creature fit him very well. He grew up in an apocalypse by himself, and even before and after that he loves his family but greatly cherishes his space and time to himself. This kind of spider is a relatively small jumping spider (space-time jump puns entirely intended), but they are insanely smart. They’ve been known to create multiple-step traps and methods to hunt. And among their prey they hunt other spiders, which is an assassin-who-kills-assassins parallel that felt too good to give up. They are problem solvers who take down prey much larger than themselves - which is a perfect description of both Five and the Portia Jumping Spider. So while I’m sure other creatures could fit Five well and show off his softer side, the narrative potential of this spider just seem perfect to me.
Ben: A Black Cat. I hadn’t been able to pick a daemon for Ben before, but the closest I got was a crow, largely due to the death-symbology of the animal. However with more seasons of Ben character development (including Sparrow Ben) I think he would be a black domestic cat. The omen symbology is still there and works for his self-power-loathing in season one as well as the moody-ghost-vibes, but also just has such cat energy. He wants to be loved desperately, and doesn’t have any idea how to obtain it so becomes an ass-hole nuisance, because then you are paying some sort of attention to him even if its not positive. He can be super smug and stubborn, but also incredibly vulnerable. He wants to be important and cherished, and when he doesn’t get that he knocks over a glass in frustrated boredom. Despite the differences between Umbrella Ben and Sparrow Ben, I can see both characters as different reactions of a cat being neglected; a cat who when neglected becomes anti-social through standoffish avoidant and rude behaviour, and a cat who when neglected lashes out with anger biting at your ankles and knocking over all your pictures while yelling the house down. Both want love and affection but have different coping strategies to try and get it.
Viktor: A golden mole. The golden mole is a desert animal, and as I said earlier, I find desert creatures tenacious survivors. Thematically, a tiny little mole would work really well for the first season, because its a blind little creature overlooked and thought unimportant, but its keen sense of hearing would fit well in with the power reveal. Then in later seasons when Viktor becomes more confident in himself and his powers, the mole would work well because despite being small, the golden mole is called “the sand shark” or “shark of the desert”: it burrows around under the fine sand and pulls unsuspecting insects under, an inescapable doom for desert insects who don’t know its coming until its too late. This unstoppable force energy in a tiny unsuspecting package works very well with the self-confidant world-ender vibe Viktor achieves by Season Three. Where first we’d only see the loner, independent, introverted side of this tiny mole and character, we’d grow to see the power and confidence and assured capability of a dangerous predator who is also cute as a button.
((PS if anyone uses these daemon choices in a fic or art or something tag me??? I would adore to see it but have no talent myself))
Paraglider and black vulture chilling
(via)
Mona Lisa and her possum.
This isn't real. You can't just put fake stuff on the internet. I am so upset, because I want this to be real so bad
It can be real if you believe and/or help me break into the louvre
fun morning doodle based off a tweet on my feed this morning lol
i like how this headline presents itself as if cardinals aren’t 100% one of the “worst” birds to get in a net because one, they have the second strongest bite of any north american songbird(the first being grosbeaks), and two, every single cardinal you ever get out of a mist net WILL bite you. Repeatedly. They will bite anything that goes near their beak. The band pliers. The steel bands that are specifically only for cardinals because the aluminum ones that other songbirds get are too weak, because cardinals will amputate their own legs in an attempt to pry the bands off, and the aluminum ones will crumple. The pen you are using to try and write down their age/stats. The pen cap you eventually give it to bite so that it will stop YELLING and biting, your fingers if you are dumb enough to not hold it properly. Your fingers erven if you AREN’T dumb enough to not hold it properly. There’s a reason I have a tattoo of an angry female cardinal behind my ear, and it is because lady cardinals have 0 time for your science shit, they have babies to feed, and you *will* suffer for your assumptions. ((I frequently was the only one in our twenty-ish band of people who would get cardinals untangled from the nets without a fuss, because I also dealt with them in wildlife rehab for years and cardinal bites are nothing compared to like. Seagulls. Or pelicans. Or being footed by a bird of prey.))
Audubon Bird Note: An Old Feisty Female Cardinal Bit the Same Scientist, Eight Years Straight
During spring breeding season, Eric and his team capture and band birds at the marsh. They’re part of an important study, because the north end of this 270-acre tidal marsh is a remediated Superfund site. For eight years in a row, Eric caught the very same female cardinal. Eight years – that’s about twice the average age of an adult cardinal. This aggressive female didn’t just peck at the banders’ fingers like other captured birds, but clamped its strong bill on to the soft flesh between his thumb and first finger. And held on tight. Ouch! Each year that Eric re-caught the bird, he dreaded the experience, yet admired this particular Northern Cardinal. She wasn’t “just another pretty face,” but a feisty survivor.
Okay, I know this is random, but I just had a vision of Molly Weasley’s daemon as a cardinal. So I think I’m suddenly doing harry potter as my next daemon selection because. Perfect???
I’ve really liked doing these daemon selections, and I think I’m going to do some more. I just need to figure out which one I want to do next. This list is in part for my own reference so I can remember which ones I have left to do, but if people want they can make requests (off the list):
- redo my previous Umbrella Academy choices, Lord of the Rings and/or The Hobbit, Twilight, Harry Potter, The Avengers, Doctor Who, BBC Ghosts, X-Men, BBC Sherlock, Dirk Gently,
I might add to this list as I remember things.
I love how both corvids and parrots are in general highly intelligent, but where corvids generally have strict hierarchies, solve disagreements in the pecking order by fighting, and have a strong dislike for anything new or foreign until they figure out how to make use of it, parrots are just here to party.
The New Caledonian crow, who knows how to specifically build a tool in order to build another tool, never engages in play. These motherfuckers are smarter than some people with the right to vote, and they are Extremely Serious Birds. They don't have time to play, they got work to do and kids to raise.
And then there's the kea, straight-up titled "clown of the mountains", that has a specific vocalization for "playtime!". Scientists decided to try what happens if they play the Play Call for two fully-grown adult keas that are together in an area and can clearly see there is no other, third kea to make the call, and they just go "great idea, disembodied voice! it's TIME TO FUCKING PARTY!" and start wrestling.
Imagine working really hard in order to make it into a top university to study astrophysics, making it to your first Very Serious Class, sitting down full of serious determination, and the dude next to you is taking notes without using his hands, with a glitter pen he's shoved up his nose. And his notes are good.
It's your first day of Bird University and you already fucking hate this guy.
So there's this gene in humans called PLXNC1 or "Plexin", right? So Plexin is associated with increased neuron function and is generally thought to be correlated to human's increased cognitive ability for the use of language, i.e., "language learning". Super cool, right?
Humans aren't the only animals with advanced language learning that have Plexin in their genome. We can actually find homologous plexin between humans and PARROTS!
Using genomic alignment search tools, we can actually break down the sequence of human Plexin and directly compare it to the Plexin found in parrots. (This was actually a project I ran for an upper division genomics class, and running the program literally takes like... ten minutes.) I wanted to see how similar the plexin gene was between humans and parrots, so I queued up the human sequence against all of the available records from parrot genomes and sorted by greatest percent identity (i.e., which bird species had the closest plexin to ours?)
It was this funky dude right here:
THAT'S RIGHT BABY! The kea, notorious for being a straight up motherfucking prank god, carries Plexin with a 79.42% identity comapred to humans'.
THIS LITTLE ASSHOLE HAS A HOMOLOGOUS LANGUAGE LEARNING GENE WITH US!!!! A GENE THAT IS THOUGHT TO BE CORRELATED TO HIGHER LEVEL LEARNING AND INTELLIGENCE!!!!! AND THEY USE THEIR INTELLIGENCE TO WREAK HAVOC ON TOURISTS
Also these guys have been found to literally have predictive reasoning skills, which we consider REALLY FUCKING ADVANCED for a lot of animal species. They pass the Aesop's fable test with flying colors. They're so goddamn cool, I love them so much. The kea really said: "I will use my superior intelligence to have a good fucking time" and that's so powerful honestly
Star Trek Daemons
These choices are based on the newer movie series (AOS) featuring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Carl Urban, etc. I have only seen bits and pieces of the many previous Star Trek series, but I will use what little tidbits I have picked up to help with this selection. My choices are a mix of analysis matching (I like to use the Daemon Forum as a starting point) as well as thematic/plot things. Hope you like them! Please let me know what you think, and your own headcanons!
James Kirk - Indian blue Peafowl. Thematically, I think a peacock/peahen would tell us a lot about Jim and reflect his story arc very well. Peacocks are thought of to be vain, cocky, proud birds who strut around showing off. This seems like exactly what everyone thinks about Jim at first glance, the sort of air he gives off. But peacocks are much more than that, people just don’t realize it. I think that parallel works well since everyone starts by underestimating Jim to seeing past his showy-ness and growing to respect and appreciate him as their captain. Furthermore, peacocks are intelligent, bold, fearsome and very socially oriented. They can fly despite what people think, and they’ve been known to always perch just out of reach of predators. They’re loud and communicative, and will fight and defend what is theirs. They actually have spurs on the back of their feet. Mostly, peacocks are very social - they spend time in flocks or at least pairs, and Jim is a very social person who would do anything for his people, his crew. So mostly thematic reasons, but I think a peahen perched on the back of the captain chair would just really fit him.
Spock - Eurasian Lynx. To me Spock has always been a cat person in my mind: he just exudes the same aloof energy with hints of softness, playfulness and even sassy-ness in the right circumstances. However because he’s half Vulcan and they have that raw animosity and energy they work so hard to tame, I figured it would be a wildcat versus a domesticated one. Lynx’s are ambush predators and have been known to sit in trees and wait to drop on unsuspecting prey. This matches Spocks patience in planning and executing strategy. Lynx’s are solitary creatures, but are very good mothers to young - and while Spock is more of a loner, he cares deeply and passionately for those in his circle. Lynx are also found in all sorts of environments, making them adaptable and quick on their feet. Plus they have been known to hunt deer, showing their bravery and fierce power. Spock is also very technical and sassy and sarcastic when the mood strikes him, which just fits very well with a cat attitude in general. Personally, I like the image of an aloof Lynx at Spock’s side that betrays no emotion until they crack and go for the throat. (Additionally, Lynx’s are known for their tufted ears and I think that would be hilarious alongside Mr. Pointy-Ears himself.)
Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy - Canadian Goose. This one seems a bit odd, but just stick with me a moment. Geese are loud, bold, brash, hardy birds who are hard working, determined, and known for their short-fuse but deep care for others. It’s perfect for Bones. A goose migrates thousands of kilometres each year, and live largely in Canada through very cold temperatures. This makes them very hardy, and hard-working birds. Furthermore, geese - Canadian Geese especially - are known for their temper. They’re given a wide berth because they have clear boundaries and will loudly let you know when you even approach said lines in the sand. But under the abrasive defensiveness and loud protestation of the world, geese make incredible parents. They’re protective, defensive, and very loving to their children, or their flock, or their mate. Those they care about, they are a stalwart defender and provider, and will often immediately adopt any stray goslings that are a similar age to their own babies. Bones is crotchety and loud and stubborn and has a tendency to yell about anything and everything, but he’s determined and smart and a doctor - he cares for people and will fiercely protect those he claims as his. It’s an unusual choice, but once I thought of it I just can’t get rid of the idea.
Nyota Uhura - Steller’s Jay. Since these birds are a species of corvid, they sit among some of the cleverest bird species. Nyota is especially smart and aware of her surroundings, demonstrated by her ability to readily understand Spock’s techno-babble. Furthermore, the smarter an animal, the more mental stimulation and challenge they need, or they’ll get bored easily. Nyota seems like the hardworking type to constantly have something on the go. Steller’s Jays are very adaptable, and a little bit manipulative when they need to get something, which pairs well with Nyota’s drive and tenacity. Furthermore, Steller’s Jay is noted as being an accomplished mimic of both bird calls and other noises. This is a fun thematic parallel to Nyota’s unparalleled auditory and linguistic ability.
Hikaru Sulu - Monarch Butterfly. A lot of people would think that butterfly’s are delicate and emotionally sensitive people, but that is not true of monarchs. They have incredible migrating habits that indicate they are hardy and hard-working. And while they may be sensitive to and aware of their surroundings, they are not as emotionally delicate as they appear. These migrating habits are also rather specific, showing a value of control over things that thematically I like for a main pilot/Command division person. Monarchs are group oriented, and Sulu has a deep care for his crew and his family, thriving among others. While they’re not an aggressive creature, Monarchs are willing to take risks if the reward is worth it and are known for their “wander-lust” tendency to explore and adventure and try new things.
Pavel Chekov - Atlantic Puffin. Aside from being adorable, a puffin matches well with what I know of Chekov. Puffin are a more social bird and will have a good time in a group of any size, or even working on their own. They are also active and energetic, matching with Chekov’s youthful energy and constant work drive. While somewhat cautious in unusual scenarios, they are very proactive planners and are the kind to look before they leap - but they will take the leap. Puffins are dutiful and sensitive, and while Chekov is not shown to be some thin-skinned wreck, he is still very young and has some youthful optimism and outlook that leaves him a little more surprised by the jaded side of the universe. Mostly, I think a puffin is just very well suited to the young but hardy and capable man.
Montgomery “Scotty” Scott - Cairn Terrier. Terriers are smart, clever, stubborn, loud little dogs. They’re more independent than some other dogs, but are still very social. Terriers are very vocal about their thoughts and opinions, and are not afraid of putting others in their place and taking charge. Scotty is as sturdy as they come and is very good at what he does, equally willing and able to take over and run the ship engines as well as dive in after Jim in weird antics and crazy adventures. I picked a Cairn over another terrier type because Cairns are very curious and adventurous and are the perfect middle of the road terrier: not too stubborn, not too sensitive, not too independent, and not too daring. Scotty is the perfect mix of stubborn, sensitive, caring, independent, bold, brash, and cautious all rolled into one loyal, loud, eager terrier package.
*P.S I realize I have selected largely birds for this group, and it wasn’t intentional, I just found myself gravitating towards them. However, I have always equated birds with their wings and flying and freedom. I find birds are always a little more out going and adventurous and travel-hungry by nature, so I think finding a majority of birds on a space ship destined to travel the distant universe isn’t all too unrealistic.
Dragon Age: Inquisition Daemons
So here’s another group daemon selection. I make my choices based off of a mix of analysis (The Daemon Forum is my favourite spot, link) and general vibe as well as plot/thematic things. For this, a lot of inspiration has come from fanfiction I’ve read where the daemon choice just makes sense. There will be minor spoilers for these characters personal plot arcs. Please let me know what you think, and share your own headcannons!
*As a note I tend to pick more mammals than anything else and I am working on widening my selections, but I still run very mammal-centric.
Solas - Common Raven. Raven’s are very clever birds and are great problem solvers and strategists. They go after what they want, and while they can roam in groups, they can work on their own as well. They are also mischievous and cocky; they will pull the tail feathers of larger birds to distract them from food or just for fun. This clever, cocky, proud bird is a very good match for our not-so-humble apostate. Thematically, ravens can be seen as death omens since they often eat carrion. However, they are also called ‘wolf birds’ because they have been known to have working relationships with wolves for hunting. Therefore a raven on the shoulder of a wolf would just make sense thematically to me.
Dorian - Scarlet Macaw. Parrots are far too clever for their own good and boredom is their worst enemy. Along with being bright and flashy to match the sparkly mage, their also very loud and opinionated and dramatic about everything just for the hell of it. I think a Macaw would be bold and striking on Dorian’s shoulder, and would have a razor tongue like the mage. However macaws can also be easily stressed and fall into self-destructive behaviour in bad environments. Thematically I think this parrot would have little bald patches hidden under its wings from where it would stress pluck. An interesting healing arc would be the bald patches growing back in as Dorian is accepted for who he is and doesn’t have to hide himself anymore.
Vivienne - Mute Swan. It can be said of water fowl that they appear graceful and serene on the surface but that’s because you can’t see the intricate paddling going on underneath. I feel that summarizes Vivienne well; she is serene and powerful and graceful at first glance, but behind the scenes there’s a lot of work and whispers and gathering of information. Swans are also very strong and assured. They could break bone with the strength of their wings, and they are confident and assured in their place and their power and status. Furthermore, they’re dedicated to their goals and will put in the work to reach them. However, I also like a swan for Vivienne because they mate for life. They are devoted to a single partner, and when that partner dies they mourn heavily. Vivienne appears unruffled and absolutely pristine to everyone around her and that’s because very few are allowed past her mask to see the softer heart inside that loves and then mourns her loved ones.
Iron Bull - Wild hog/Boar. Pigs are very underestimated animals - they appear big and slow, but they are vicious and incredibly intelligent. Pigs are seriously violent and I think this matches Bulls blood-thirsty battle-lust. But like Bull, his daemon would be underestimated; a war machine on the outside but the mind of a great spy on the inside. They’re social animals, and highly adaptable to a range of environments, and they can be very defensive and protective of themselves and those they care about. Overall I think a boar just suits every aspect of Bull visually and thematically.
Cassandra - Ram. *I initially said Mountain Goat but I had meant a Ram/Big Horned Sheep. Usually I headcanon Cassandra with a dog, a hound of some sort, but this was just very interesting and I quite liked it. When looking at a description of a Ram*, I just felt like it spoke for itself: “ Thick-skinned, competitive, and proud... Assertive and quick to put others in their place when they're crossed, definitely the confrontational sort. Highly defensive of their personal projects and themselves. Highly confident, not ones to doubt their abilities... Likely stubborn and highly straightforward, possibly blunt. Possibly planners, probably quite determined and persistent.” Cassandra is a hard-worker, determined and stubborn. She’s definitely the kind to attack a problem head-first, but she does have the capability to be quick, light on her feet and strategic about her approach. Rams are of the sheep family, and thus are very loyal and close to the people that belong in their circle.
Blackwall - Milksnake. Snakes are generally non-confrontational. They don’t pick fights but they will finish them, which is something I can see reflected in Blackwall’s more laid back attitude towards battle than the other warrior companions. Milksnakes are also very adaptable and will do well wherever they are. They’re a mix of solitary and social, they like being around others but also need their own space. They’re also rather internal and have a lot going on inside they don’t let show, not the kind to wear their heart on their sleeve. Mainly I enjoy the thematic meaning of a milksnake. Milksnakes are adapted to mimic a poisonous snake. Their colour pattern is close to that of a much more dangerous snake, and as such they often trick predators into thinking they are something they’re not. I like this thematically for the not-Warden who is pretending to be something much more fearsome than he is.
Sera - Rat. The common rat is an incredibly adaptable, resourceful, hardy creature. They will find a way in whatever circumstances and use whatever they have to their advantage. They are highly social beings and are made to work in groups, in teams and with others - a network much like the Red Jennies or little people. They’re bold, assertive, and even a little aggressive at times. A rat is seen as vermin and unwanted, but they’re everywhere and are clever and have their little hands in everything. Also, rats are thought of to be tricksters in mythos - the Chinese zodiac being an example of a rat tricking its way to the top. Sera uses her tricky playfulness mainly to pull pranks and cause mayhem, but she also uses it to stick up for others and assert her place in the world.
Varric - Vampire bat. Now I like the headcanon that dwarves don’t have daemons due to Fade-connection stuff and instead have weapons/armour like Armored Bears, but for the sake of argument I wanted to find what his daemon could be. A vampire bat is an unusual animal, and I think it, like Varric, would be the kind of person you don’t easily forget encountering. They are very sensitive, aware animals and are very in-tune with their surroundings and whats going on. They’re very social animals and thrive in groups. They have great communication skills and form close bonds with those they’re close to. Varric would do anything for the people he is closest to, and his natural environment is surrounded by people spinning tales and connecting with others. I think it’s an unusual daemon choice but I also like the idea that its a fun parallel to a surface dwarf - an underground animal, i.e. a rat, but in the sky with wings.
Cole - Unsettled. I think that if Cole did have a daemon, it would be unsettled. He is a spirit and he is in constant state of flux, despite having a central purpose of compassion. And even if he becomes more human, he is very reminiscent of a child learning the world and as such I do not think he would be settled until he becomes more settled in himself. (I do have further headcanon ideas about this spirit-daemon stuff but that may be another post, or a later addition to this one. Let me know if you’re interested)
Leliana - Mongoose. Leliana was harder for me because I don’t know her as well. I didn’t play Origins, but from what I know she was a much younger, more playful, less burdened and jaded person back then. I think this suits a mongoose very well. They can be very inquisitive and open and playful in their youth, unfearful of the wide world and ready to investigate anything to learn more. But as an adult they are more cautious and guarded. Mongoose are incredible predators and are very adaptive, able to take on even snakes that others don’t dare attack. They are more solitary and secretive, and I think an elusive, mysterious mongoose would be a wonderful hint at the fierce power hidden behind the cooler facade of her everyday persona. Brutal, subtle, and unexpected, a mongoose fits the spymaster well as far as I know her.
Cullen - Border Collie. I always knew Cullen would have a dog daemon, it was just a matter of which. He’s loyal and extremely hardworking, and so I decided on herding dogs. I chose Border Collie specifically because of their intelligence, independence and ability to think strategically. This is the kind of dog that will happily take orders and follow command, but will also work on its own to get a job done. Of herding dogs, Border Collies also have the ability to be a bit more ruthless, I feel. They aren’t timid dogs and if left to their own devices could become destructive and rough due to boredom and lack of stimulation. Also, they are predisposed to listen and obey and thus could fall prey to poor leadership (as seen in Kirkwall). Any dog I think could fit for our loyal, hardworking Commander, but I think Border Collie is a good fit. A bit of a farm-boy turned soldier, follower turned commander aesthetic fits thematically with his overall arc.
Josephine - Zebra Longwing. This kind of butterfly is beautiful and poisonous, a perfect combination for our ambassador. Butterfly’s are social creatures and do well around others. Furthermore this kind of butterfly works in groups to achieve its goal, suggesting a calm, diplomatic mind that is good at working with others towards a goal. Furthermore, butterflies are very sensitive and aware creatures; they pay attention to their surroundings and are very intuitive about the environment and others. Lastly, with a slightly toxic nature, these insects warn off predators with their flashy pattern that advertise them as dangerous. I like this because I think Josephine’s daemon would be a great hint at how not-helpless she is, a bit of a giveaway to her power and abilities. Plus I think a pretty butterfly perched like a beautiful broach suits her aesthetic.
Pirates of the Carribean daemons
I don’t know what possessed me to make this but here it is. As a note, I use The Daemon Page (link) as a good reference when looking for daemons, but I mostly use it as a starting point for animals I’m unfamiliar with. Largely my selections are overall general vibes plus some things I think would be great plot/story wise. I also tried my best to avoid the ‘typical’ wolves, Big cats, and birds of prey because I find they’re often overused for main characters to add impact.
Captain Jack Sparrow - Ring-billed Gull. This one I feel pretty good about. Initially I thought a sparrow would be funny, but sparrows and gulls are similar personality wise and gulls just have the wandering-adventurer vibes I wanted. Gulls are wandering, freedom loving creatures, like Jack. He goes where the wind takes him. Gulls are also bold and brash and clever. They’ll march right up to someone and take their food while staring them dead in the eye. They’ll definitely flee from fights whenever possible, but they’re crafty and adaptable and clever and resilient.
Captain Barbossa - White-headed Capuchin (aka the monkey Jack). I thought about looking for something other than the obvious, but it just really worked. Capuchin’s are clever, mischievous, and also very aggressive. Monkeys usually have social hierarchies, and when a monkey is at the top it will do everything it can to stay there. I also just feel like the energy with the two of them is too perfect, I couldn’t imagine anything else that works as well.
Elizabeth Swann - Siamese cat. This one was harder, but it just felt right. Siamese are regal and elegant looking, and can be a little snooty and stuck up at times. But these cats are smart as a whip, get bored super easily and always seem to be on the look out for something exciting or new to learn. I like the thought of a pampered pretty cat at the beginning of the series growing and becoming less polished as Elizabeth roves off at the open sea. I also think it would be a funny bit of foreshadowing for the third movie bit with Singapore. Also, Siamese are loud and bold and dramatic. I mean this in the best way but Elizabeth is also loud and dramatic and will throw herself around to make her point which feels exactly like a Siamese who is trying to get something.
Will Turner - Magpie. Will was the hardest for me to pick. I wanted a bird for him because despite his humble blacksmith beginning he is a pirate in his soul, an adventurer and that to me says wings, flight, and freedom. Magpies are very smart and clever, and Will is a strategist, though sometimes socially obtuse but that’s his charm. Magpies are protective of what is theirs and will throw down to defend their territory. Also, I kept being drawn back to that line in the first film “... and you’re completely obsessed with treasure” and I just think a magpie is a very good thematic representation of that pirate-soul Jack is talking about. This one was mostly vibes and plot/thematic devices but I like it.
Norrington - Dalmatian. So for Norrington I always knew a dog would be for him; he’s loyal, determined, and hardworking. Plus I like the thought of dog daemons being a common thing for people in military/navy/etc type positions along the same vein as ‘servants have dogs’. Dalmatian was my choice of specific breed but I could definitely see other working dogs as his daemon as well. I chose Dalmatian because they are working dogs, they’re loyal and obedient but have a more independent streak in them as well which could translate to his leadership position. Norrington sees the world in very black and white terms, and while I chose Dalmatian half for the joke, they do have selective hearing where they sometimes just don’t hear commands they don’t want to listen to. So I’m taking that as a closed-mindedness that Norrington expresses in his worldview.
Gibbs - Old English Sheepdog. This one was half analysis and half pure vibes. Sheepdogs are friendly and a little rolly-polly, but they’re also guardian dogs which makes them fiercely protective of those under their charge and they will fight when pressed. This suits Gibbs so well, he is so loyal and will take care of Jack or Elizabeth or whoever he decides is under his care. I also think it would be an interesting plot thing that a lot of ‘official’ sailors would have dogs because of their loyalty and willingness to follow others/orders.
Tia Dalma - Saltwater Crocodile. This one I came upon accidentally but fell in love with it immediately. Crocodiles are enigmatic and powerful creatures. They have an ancient powerful energy to them that matches Tia well. They wait for their prey to come to them because they know the deer have to cross the river eventually - Tia knows they will come to her, eventually everyone will want her help and then she will have them. Deceptively serene but able to attack in a moments notice, a crocodile will not enjoy being contained or confined and while it may look content, it will not be satisfied until it has no restrictions. Plus, a crocodile when Tia Dalma lives in a river/swamp is thematically amazing to me.
In the world of His Dark Materials, what would your daemon appear as?
this was a long undertaking but i’m beyond excited to post what i believe is the most comprehensive daemon-finding quiz to date, featuring 34 categories of animals and over 320 total possible outcomes! from insects to owls to seals to wild cats, you’re sure to find a unique result that fits your personality.
tag or comment what your daemon would be! :) mine’s a cocker spaniel!
EDIT: the quiz has two parts, the category which this post links to (34 options), and then the specific animal within that category (5-15 options) which you’re linked to once you get your result!
subquiz links below
this is pretty heartbreaking for me since this was the first big quiz i ever did and i can’t edit it anymore because ex.co is on a subscription-only basis now — all of the links to the sub-quizzes were removed, i’m guessing ex.co doesn’t allow links in results now. a real bummer because it breaks the quiz. :(
for anyone who’s still taking this, attached are all of the subquiz links!
- Domestic dog - Wild dog - Domestic cat - Wild cat - Reptile - Primate - Amphibian - Raptor - Owl - Flightless bird - Waterfowl - Perching bird - Equine - Deer - Musteloid - Mustelid - Bear - Insect - Arachnid - Rodent - Rabbit - Bovid - Pinniped - Fox - Viverroid - Antelope - Caprine - Marsupial - Swine - Xenartha - Eulipotyphla - Serpent - Cavitave - Bat
LOOK WHO I FOUND!!!
Smol man out walkin’ the beach alone
Charlie Chaplin’s daemon would have been this.
Daemons in HDM show
Now I know the fandom went over all this with season 1, but I just finished watching season 2 and had some thoughts about the amount you see daemons on screen in HDM.
I am aware of the reasons why not everyone has a visible/immediately visible daemon, why daemons aren’t in every shot. I understand there are limits, and I truly appreciate the work that’s gone into it. I even enjoy picking out daemons in big crowd scenes (even if I wish there were so many more).
I’ve been able to put these issues to bed, until now. There is consistency issues. There wouldn’t be issues if it was baseline understood that everyone (in Lyra’s world obvi) has their daemon with them all the time whether you can see them or not, and if they’re not visible in every shot its just because they’re hidden or small or out of sight. Boreal works on this understanding: you know he has a snake, and you know its hidden in his clothes at all times in every shot where she’s not visible. The witches are even alright since they’re visibly recognizable and it’s assumed the daemons are off somewhere far away if not visible right there.
Coulter breaks these rules. If it was just a solid rule with separate rules for witches it would be fine. But Coulter’s relationship with her daemon and distance is a plot point. In the first season its a plot point where if her daemon is not visibly with her he could *gasp* be really far away from her. And in season 2 they do more of this distance thing and I’m left at a loss every time she’s on screen. In every shot I’m trying to determine “is the monkey there? No? Is that because he’s somewhere else purposefully, or he just hasn’t been animated in this scene” I thought she went to Cittagazzi without her daemon, left him in Will’s world for half the episode until they finally deigned to animate the monkey in a scene.
If it’s a set of rules, fine I can understand and be mindful about the lack of daemons. When it’s a plot point, then every scene with or without the daemon is meaningful because they are different and important.
Changing Serafina Pekala’s daemon
(I know I’ve got her name wrong, but spare me and just listen for a sec pls. also this is ramble-y as hell)
So I’m partway through the second season of HDM and I keep having thoughts about how unfortunate it is they changed the witches daemon from a type of goose to a bird of prey.
I’m aware that it was supposedly done due to CGI reasons of goose anatomy (or something or other). Either way, I know they did their best, but watching the second season I’m really feeling the absence. (BTW i haven’t read the second book, so the show is all I’ve got story wise so I’ll be commenting purely from a non-reader perspective)
So first of all, amongst all the other witch daemons, her daemon is hard to tell apart in all the other birds of prey.
Secondly, the mini dispute/difference between the two queen witch characters. Serafina didn’t want to join the fight initially, and the other witch with the bird of prey daemon went headfirst into the fight. It wasn’t until their home, their land was attacked that Serafina wanted to fight. This difference is a perfect example of the bird of prey vs goose: a bird of prey shows a more individual mindset, loose bonds, where a goose is fiercely protective and social. Serafina wouldn’t fight until her home/people were attacked, showing the protective social nature of a goose versus a BOP (bird of prey). Having different daemons would make this difference in character more clear and visible rather than having two BOP.
Thirdly, with the introduction of Will’s father, we now have three “leads” with BOP daemons. They are the only current leads with settled bird daemons and they’re all BOP. This is a little annoying because it seems to convey that old idea most of us tweens had when the books/movie first came out: you’re only cool/important/powerful/interesting if you have a wolf, big cat, or bird of prey daemon. It puts all these important characters with these big intimidating birds of prey and that makes it monotonous. Having a goose would help entrench the idea that not everyone has to have this big kickass daemon - important and powerful characters can have “not cool” daemons.
Anyway, just some thoughts I’ve had while watching the show
Dæmons on First Dates
I was thinking this morning but how first dates would be different if we could see everyone’s dæmon. We would probably all immediately leap to assumptions about how we felt about our date based on the person’s dæmon.
This led me to wonder how my dates will feel about me after I showed up with my lion dæmon trotting along beside me. I think it would be a pretty polarized response. Some people would think it was really cool that I must be so confident, while others would find it a kind of intimidating or fear I am excessively bossy and vain.
Anyone else have thoughts on how dates would react to their dæmon?
“this daemon seems weirdly aloof” or “this daemon is being very flirty”. There is no om between (this isn’t even a form opinion…just how people would react to his personality 😂)
Wow. Just thinking about it, there would be so much hate against snakes and “undesirables”. Such stigma about cheating and loyalty and evil. Yuck.
