My Top 5 OCs · 10:50am Jun 28th, 2013
A short list of 5 of my favourite original characters of equine literature I have come across so far. I'll try and give a short justification for each one as to why you should go and read that particular story. These characters are in order of how recently the story they are in updated to save me having to rank some above others when they're all great and the list is limited to one character per author. So, here we go...
Mocha Leche from Romancing the Clouds by KitsuneRisu.
We start off with a particular favourite of mine, Mocha is an insomniac pegasus mare running her own diner in Cloudsdale. She's kind, a little mysterious, and always a step ahead of most other ponies, save for the main protagonist, Egg (another great OC). She isn't the most prominent character in this OC-driven tale but she stands out the most for me because I get genuinely excited whenever I see the next scene is set in her diner. I know that in that locale there is bound to be some brilliantly written, engaging dialogue, perhaps a clue or several to yet another twist or turn within the story, and of course a good joke or two.
Frosty Mug from A Pony Walks Into A Bar... by Bronius Maximus.
Frosty runs the only bar in ponyville. He's hosted the mane 6 and Luna within his watering hole and in this story he is recalling each of those occasions and telling the tales in first person narrative. He's gruff, rough round the edges, and is 100% no nonsense which is probably the reason I like the guy. As he talks to the reader of his past experiences, you really feel like you're a kid again listening to one of dad's stories, he doesn't just tell a tale, he relives it. Not only that, but it becomes quite clear that he has a wealth of other stories within him, so perhaps we'll see some more of him one day... (I hope)
Psych from Vinyl and Octavia: University Days by DawnFade.
The psychologist at the university where Vinyl and Octavia study, this stallion is all about helping his students, even when they don't ask for it or are even completely unaware of it. He's also got a slight air of mystery around him, plus lightning-fast thought processes and actions in tight situations, he's always got a plan, and it's always worked so far. Both wise and supportive, he disregards convention to be able to get the best results for the university students, especially the musical duo the story is centred around. He clearly loves what he does which just makes it easier to love his character.
Cherry n' Berries from Ponyville 911 by MisterMoniker.
Hardass policemare in Canterlot, Cherry is great at what she does, and what she does is tear apart the city with her partner, Dodge Charger, to catch anypony breaking the law, leaving behind an insane amount of property damage in their wake. While she's serious when she needs to be, most of the time she's cracking a joke at her partner's expense, or just enjoying herself lost in the moment of upholding the law. She has some great banter and is completely down to earth and streetwise, the complete opposite of most of the Canterlotians she protects, making her stand out even more.
John from The Diary of John, the Least Interesting Stallion in Equestria by SteeveLee.
A completely boring, dull, uninteresting stallion. He lives in Ponyville and does... well, pretty much nothing. So why is he here on this list? It's because he's so normal, but through his diary extracts by which the story is told, the reader forms a close bond with him and his distinctly average exploits. Where most stories are very fantastical, it's a nice change of pace to read this guy's diary that is so grounded that it might as well be written by that sweet old man down the road. Think of a male Fluttershy, double the social awkwardness, and you're nearly there. A very real character in a decidedly unreal world.
So, that's that! If any of these authors read this, please let me know if I've unintentionally butchered any of your character designs, this is just how they came across to me. Anyone else, if you have suggestions of OCs that I've missed, please let me know. This blog took me a surprising amount of time to write so I hope it's at least a little entertaining and may have introduced you to a new story or author!
I find it impossible to talk about great OCs without mentioning Dotted Line and Spinning Top from Whom The Princesses Would Destroy and the sequel by GhostOfHeraclitus. But my brain isn't awake yet. I may write more later.
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The description makes it sound like something I'd enjoy reading, I've added it to my read later list. Maybe I'll have to update/redo this blog some time!
You pretty much got Frosty's personality! Thanks for the kind words.
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No problem! Hope to hear more of him some time
:D I am tickled to death that you would feature little ol' John in your journal! Thank you for this honor (and yes, you got him spot on! ;] )
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I'm glad!
> See Cherry
> squeal
Thanks for the write-up! Cherry's one of my favorite characters to write for.
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Awesome! Looking forward to more of her after that last cliffhanger!