Basic Statistics

Name: Collishaw (pronounced KAW-lish-aw)

Age: 57

Height: 7'9"

Eye Colour: A very pale, icy-looking mint green, or seafoam. His left eye is a tad lighter than the right one due to its cloudiness.

Hair Colour: A rich, deep maroonish-red so dark that it appears almost brown.

Hair Style: Very long (down to his tail), thick, and straight. He usually wears it divided into three parts – one heavy, chunky braid down the back, and two smaller ones hanging over his shoulders. His facial ruff is so thick and fluffy that he is able to fashion one short braid on either side of his face as well. All braids are tied/clumped together with metal rings, cuffs, or beads.

Race: Czenzi (pronounced ZEN-zee), a secretive, nordic feline species – they are morphic creatures, but cannot take on a fully human form.

Fur Colour: Collishaw’s markings are quite unique among the small Czenzi populace and he is easily recognizable from a distance. The base of his coat is fundamentally a very light, peachy cream color, fading into white at his extremities (muzzle, chest, belly, paws). Over the cream is a large saddle of sherbet orange that covers most of his head (interrupted by a "collar" of cream that goes around his neck) and continues over his shoulders, down to his forelegs (elbow-level), and over to his mid-back area. There, the saddle ends and is broken up into a row of thick orange stripes that grow shorter as they near his rump, ending at the tip of his tail. All sherbet markings blend into his cream basecoat, which is speckled with sherbet spots anywhere near said markings, and also all across his thighs, before then fading into his white parts. Finally, he has a touch of dark maroonish-red in certain areas over the orange – the tip of his tail, some spotting on his shoulders/deltoids, a fluff of fur and more spotting along his back (between his shoulder blades), his ears, the bridge of his muzzle, all around his eyes, one "eye dot" on each brow, short "teardrop" markings at the inner corner of each eye, a cheek stripe extending from the outer corner of each eye, and some spotting at his temples.

Fur Style: Extremely thick and full due to his frigid northern climate of origin. It’s especially dense around his neck and chest, not quite as long as a lion’s mane, but close. His cheek fluff is inordinately long and full as well, all the way through to the corners of his mouth.

Tattoos/Distinguishing Features: As is characteristic of his race, his tail is short and stubby, like a bobcat’s. He is set apart visually in a crowd by his huge, bulky frame, and of course, by his blinded left eye. His nose and pawpads are a sort of coral pink. He also has some gnarled notches in his earlobes from a lifetime of fights and scuffles -- not to mention his impressive range of old battle scars. He sports some across his forehead, left eye, left cheek, the bridge of his nose, deep ones across his right shoulder blade, one on the back of his right calf, two near his left hip, a few across his belly, and some on his right shoulder. Most are apparent even through his thick fur.

Build: Collishaw is massive, even for a mature male Czenzi. He is tall and imposing, with extremely thick and muscular limbs, large paws, a powerfully defined chest, broad shoulders, and a huge barrel torso. His stomach is notably round and paunchy, due in part to his natural bulk and in other part to middle-age.

Speed: Though by no means a slow, lumbering brute, Collishaw is, nevertheless, undeniably heavy and therefore subject to somewhat hindered reactions and movements. He remains much quicker than, say, the average human, but cannot rival the speed of fellow Czenzi smaller, lighter, or younger than himself.

Strength: Raw physical might is definitely Collishaw’s most natural asset. What he lacks in speed, he makes up for in muscle and size. His long-term endurance may have declined with age, but he is every bit as powerful now as he was in his prime. He can lift objects three times his weight over his head, pull loads six times his own weight, and shatter bone in his bare hands. His tremendous strength is something in which he he takes considerable pride and he is always happy to lend a hand where brawn is needed.

Jewellery: Claw-like spikes adorn his ear piercings, and beads of very pale jadestone can be found decorating his other items or tying his hair. The thick, ornate metal cuff that clumps his thickest braid behind his head is his wedding gift from his beloved mate Donoma and never removed. Both his "ankles" are wrapped in leather straps for support while walking. Around each bicep, he wears a criss-crossing set of metal arm bands that resemble the design of chickenwire. A solid gold loop is hooked onto each of these bands and connects to a long chain, which clasps onto another loop hooked onto another set of metal bands around each wrist. From the thin metal wristbands, a leather cord loop reaches around his middle finger, passing over the backs of his hands. All five digits of each hand are wrapped in leather, like thick rings, for better gripping of weapons and tools.

Outfit/Weapons: Collishaw’s weapon of choice, besides his own teeth and claws, is a massive axe mounted on a thick staff nearly as tall as he is. It’s extremely heavy and can cleave solid objects in half like butter. He also totes around a short bone knife strapped to his left thigh. He is proficient with all kinds of weapons (exlcuding human tools like guns) because of his background as a warrior, but chooses to carry very little on him, as his combat skills are honed to the point where he rarely requires outside instruments to defend himself.

Information: Collishaw was the third of six children, born into a medium-sized pack up in the far northern forests of Canada. His father, Bayer, was the tribe’s respected healer and priest. His mother, Penza, had the education of a priestess but chose to be a den mother to her large family instead. Life was quiet in the peaceful and spiritual tribe. Collishaw was raised with deep religious influence and trained as a Sentinel, like his elder brothers before him.

Those brothers, Borinaz and Stavanger (fraternal twins), four years his senior, were brave soldiers for the tribe and an adventurous, somewhat foolhardy pair. As Sentinels (i.e. guards and patrolmen), the twins often had occasion to encounter strangers from other clans in the course of daily territory patrol and border enforcement. A charismatic (but ill-reputed) Jitendrah from the Arctic named Coahoma had ventured south in search of more fertile territory and casually befriended the twins, seducing them with tales of power, adventure, and faraway lands. In time, he earned the lads’ trust – they agreed to allow him into their borders in exchange for the promise of riches. Once inside, Coahoma summoned his troops, decimated the clan, and took over. The riches he awarded Borinaz and Stavanger were the possessions robbed from their own murdered father, Jitendrah, Zahra, elders, etc. He then had the twins killed as well.

In the midst of all the chaos, Collishaw, then 16 years old, had overheard the whole exchange between Coahoma and his brothers and understood everything. Though he would have gladly thrown himself on Coahoma and fought him to his last breath just to see him dead, his younger siblings Kemi and Anshan were still alive and he needed to get them to safety. He escaped with them into the wilds undetected, but both eventually died of their massive injuries, leaving him truly alone in the world, burdened with his crushing grief. He wandered the lands aimlessly, merely surviving.

At age 20, he found temporary sanctuary within a small pack while passing through their territory and earned his keep by working and hunting for his hosts. There, he caught the eye of a strikingly beautiful female named Donoma, then 18. After some mutual attraction, flirtation, and eventually some deep conversation, he couldn’t imagine continuing on his way and leaving her behind. He brashly asked her to run away with him and be his mate. Donoma, an orphaned/adopted cub with no familial ties to her clan, hastily agreed, and they roamed the land together, passionately in love.

Within 6 months, they happened upon Amanaki Misae territory and sought to become permanent members, feeling "at home" with the tribe’s sense of values and collective organization. After observing the current Jitendrah in action, however, Collishaw felt he could do a better job of leading the clan in a more responsible, meaningful, and productive way. He challenged his elder leader, fought a difficult but honorable battle, and emerged as the victor. The bested elder stepped down graciously and allowed Collishaw to take over as Jitendrah. The tribe, by-and-large, was impressed with this confident stranger and took to his arrival rather well. Donoma was crowned as clan Zahra shortly after the two were ceremonially wed. Their first and only child, Sabine, was born during his reign and similarly marked as part of the tribe’s ranking family. The doting parents adored her endlessly.

Collishaw proved his worth as a capable and admirable Jitendrah in no time. His decisions were widely respected, he was benevolent and compassionate to every member of the pack, he showed great strength, responsibility, wisdom, and valor in his leadership, he was resourceful and inventive in his methods, a fearless warrior at the forefront of every crisis, and an inspirational role model. The power and development of the Amanaki Misae grew significantly and attracted many individuals from other tribes seeking to join a more secure and stable clan. He was challenged many times for his position, but defeated every opponent masterfully, amassing more respect and support with each critical battle. He ruled valiantly for over 30 years.

Trouble brewed within the pack around the time Sabine was 17 and it was discovered that she and longtime playmate Tane, three years her junior, were romantically involved. The scandal was only intensified by Collishaw’s rejection of Sabine’s choice of mate. Overprotectiveness evolved into outright disapproval, hurt feelings emerged, and a feud erupted between Collishaw (and to a lesser extent, Donoma) and Tane’s offended parents, Deszo and Makah. Collishaw stood by his decision that Tane was not "good enough" for his only daughter, prompting Deszo, Makah, and Tane’s younger siblings to defect from the pack.

As they were considered very valuable and likable tribe members, many others protested their departure and appealed to Collishaw for leniency and compassion. He refused to apologize or seek out Tane's parents to coax them back to the clan, feeling that this would be seen as a sign of weakness. Unfortunately, his decision backfired on him -- his stubbornness and elitist attitude alienated a large part of the tribe, who felt that this tunnel vision and selective loyalty were the true weaknesses in his leadership. Deszo and Makah and their cubs were secretly summoned back to the clan, and Collishaw, unaware, presumed they'd returned to make amends. He was stunned when he found himself challenged by Deszo for dominant status, with the rest of the pack claiming his time was over and supporting this new rival. Too proud to simply back down, he accepted the dangerous challenge and paid dearly for it in a gruesome, bloody battle, during which he received the greater majority of his many scars and was blinded in his left eye. Deszo spared his life out of respect for the leader Collishaw once was, and invited him to remain part of the clan, but Collishaw absolutely refused to have his Jitendrah piercings removed. Deszo had no choice but to banish him from the pack forever. Humiliated and defeated, he left in bitter shame, accompanied by his ever-faithful but chagrined Donoma.

During all the arguing and insults of weeks prior, Sabine and Tane had decided they wanted nothing further to do with all the feuding and scrutiny and judgement. They ran off, far away from their native territory, and more or less "eloped" to live together in total isolation for a few years. Collishaw and Donoma were left to fend for themselves in the wilderness, exiled from their land and robbed of their only child.

Over a period of six years, the pair lived in secluded tranquility, surviving on their own, disappointed but together. Donoma frequently expressed an interest in trying to find Sabine and bring her back into their little family, but Collishaw insisted that Sabine should be the one to return to them, and moreover that he would never be willing to make amends so long as she remained with Tane. Deep down, he truly held hope his little girl would "see the light" and come back to start things over. Sadly, Donoma fell ill during this long isolation, slowly deteriorated, and finally died without ever seeing her daughter again. Collishaw was absolutely heartbroken.

Sabine and Tane, meanwhile, had come to associate with a curious clan of mixed ferals called the Matihao Whenua. During a pilgrimage back to their native land, they happened upon Collishaw, alone and miserable in the depths of the forests. Though the initial encounter was turbulent and unpleasant – especially hostile between the two males – but Sabine eventually reconciled with her father and even convinced him to come back to the new clan with them.

Tane, who was turned away by his own parents during the trip back to Amanaki Misae territory, is beginning to prove himself in Collishaw’s eyes as a devoted and strong mate worthy of the former leader’s only daughter, and Sabine is pleased at every bit of progress they make towards becoming friends, even if it is terribly slow and arduous in coming. Collishaw does not fit in with the Matihao Whenua terribly well and prefers to remain rather solitary and removed from the group’s activity, but will be close by so long as Sabine is a part of it. In her, he has found reason to live again.

Character Copyrights: Collishaw, the Czenzi species, and all related characters are © Renée "Ren" Atkinson 2005.

Reference images:
See Gallery.