Post by dravite on Apr 14, 2016 17:49:36 GMT
Not exactly a single character, but an idea I had for a group of characters all with the same name and function.
Haven't drawn them yet, but I want to hear what you think of them first. I had some stuff in mind of my Gems, Dravite, and Epidote, fighting through whole squads of them as they made their escape from the Homeworld. You guys could use them too if you want, I don't mind. Just be sure to credit me.
So I decided on Flints being the Homeworld Gems who would fit this role. I chose Flint for two reasons.
-Flint is a Microcrystalline Quartz Variant and Quartz = Soldier Gem as it was mentioned in the series. These aren't like Commando or General level like Jasper or regular Amethysts or Carnelians, but rather basic infantry or guard level. Yes, Flint is not just a Rock, it's a Microcrystalline Quartz, look here. --> www.pitt.edu/~cejones/GeoImage…@
-Flint is also a really common and easily found Gemstone, used since ancient times, but at the same time, has a rather chalky consistency. Since it's so much more easy to find than other types of Quartz, and also due to the said consistency (which would have an effect on how they come out after being modified into Gem people in the Kindergartens), it makes them perfect for cheap to produce very numerous basic infantry, while the other Quartzes fill the role of the "heavier" and tougher troopers.
These Gems would be "Flints." Flints would be a basic mass-produced Cannon-Fodder Grunt or Infantry Gem. Like the Gem equivalent of Star Wars Stormtroopers, HL2 Combine Soldiers, or other such mooks.
Now for the full info on them.
Name(s): Flint
Race: Gem
Gender(s): Genderless
Gemstone(s): Flint
Weapon(s): Varies with every Flint. Usually either a Tonfa or a Laser Handgun.
Occupation(s): Light Soldiers, Basic Grunts, Security
Abilities: Like all Gems, Flints possesses abilities such as agelessness, shapeshifting, can summon a Gem Weapon, can bubble objects for stasis, and can retreat to their gemstone to regenerate should she take too much damage.
The type of weapon differs for every Flint. Most commonly, a Flint's built-in weapon is either a Tonfa, or a Laser Handgun, which fires quick laser blasts that do moderate damage. Flints with other kinds of weapons are uncommon.
However, Flints have been known a lot of times to resort to using non-built-in weaponry that they carry with them, including Destabilizers, Pulse Rifles, and other such ones.
The helmet that Flints wear is sort of built-in, sort of like Garnet's shades. The helmet only provides moderate ballistic protection, but it does filter out most smoke, making things like smoke grenades notably less effective on them, and it provides benefits to their perception. It does not work as a Gas Mask, but then again it doesn't really need to as for Gems don't need to breathe anyways. The "face" part of the Helmet flips up in order to show their actual face underneath.
One unique ability that all Flints possess is a sort of Dash Move, where they quickly sprint for a temporary burst of speed. This ability of their's is similar to Jasper's Comet Charge attack, which fits with how they are a Quartz variant too. However, the Dash of a Flint is weaker and is not as practical of an attack. Flints usually use this ability to quickly dive between cover, or to jump longer distances.
If you have ever seen Megaman X or Megaman Zero's dash move in the Megaman X/Zero series, it is very similar to that.
Second, the Flints have the power to "See" a Gem's default form (i.e. when not shapeshifted, or corrupted). This way, they can tell a Gem's type more easily, although this does not give them more specific information on the Gem they are viewing with this power, such as the said Gem's Serial Number, the specific one of those Gems, or such.
This allows them to easily spot Gem imposters who try to sneak into places or trick them simply by shapeshifting into someone else, which fits because they are also used as security. Like if Amethyst tried that "shapeshifting into Jasper" trick that she used on the Ruby Squad, it wouldn't work on a Flint because their ability would let them see right through her disguise, and then they'd know something is up. Which helps when they are guarding areas.
Finally, they have slightly better strength than most other Gems, although not like Amethyst or Jasper-level Strength, still better. Overall, they can do most of the things that a normal Quartz can do, but on a lower level.
Although they are the weakest among the Quartz, the Flints are still made to fight and guard, and do their job to the best of their abilities, even if they are expendable cannon fodder. To give a good description on their power level, a single Flint could pose a threat to a Gem like, say no-Limb-Enhancer Peridot, but a Gem like Amethyst (as in Crystal Gem Amethyst) could take on like 5 of them at a time or so by herself. They aren't very durable.
The usual Flint stands about as tall as Pearl, but as you can see are a lot less skinny than Pearl is. So they still fit the Quartz description of "Tall, Broad-Shouldered, and Intimidating."
Flints rarely are known to fuse, with the exception of with other Flints in order to form bigger Flints.
The shape of their Gemstone both references the most usual shape of the Flint Gemstone, and it also vaguely resembles a SWAT team badge, which is fitting for them.
Description: Another type of Quartz. Flintz are a mass produced light soldier Gem, usually used as low-level security, enforcers, or weaker infantry, and often times work in groups. As the most common type of Quartz known, they are easy to find and much easier and less energy-intensive to produce correctly in the Kindergartens, allowing them to be created in larger numbers than other Quartz, such as Amethysts, Jaspers, Carnelians, and the like. However, due to the same qualities, they are among the weakest of the Quartz too. Regardless, they are usually obscenely well equipped, and are quite obedient troopers, often times carrying out the orders of their superiors with little question to their motives. Their ability to see a Gem's default appearance has also made them valued as security Gems, to spot potential shapeshifting imposters whenever they can. Flints can also prove an adequate distraction force, allowing the more specialized Quartz and other gems to operate behind the chaos they tend to create.
Flints are used by the Gem Homeworld as low-level grunts, and almost always work in groups, often times with other more potent Gems. Usually a stronger Quartz, such as an Amethyst, Carnelian, Agate, etc comes alongside them as their Commanding Officer. They can assume a number of combat roles (with some exceptions, such as the more specific kinds), and often times carry non-built-in weaponry to aid them alongside their default Gem Weapon, making both Flint gunners and Flint close-combat fighters about equally seen.
Regardless, Flint are given a notable status among other Gems like other Quartz, as for they are often times given authority over certain other non-Quartz Gems such as workers, couriers, researchers and vehicle pilots.
Flint are made to fight like the other Quartzes, but are rarely good at tactics. This does not mean they are idiots, like say the Ruby Squad was, and in fact have about average intelligence, but they aren't exactly good at making complex attack plans. Flints are more of the just "point and shoot" kinds, and leave the complex tactical work to their superiors and others who have authority over them.
That is all. Pretty neat for basic Gem Homeworld enemies, huh? If you want to have them appear in your SU stuff, I don't mind, just let me know.
And yeah, I do have some stuff in mind of Dravite and Epidote fighting against them, but each with specific means of doing so.
Also, I am thinking of having Holly Blue Agate appear with them at times too, as for she was shown to be a sort of sergeant figure with authority over the other Quartzes, so it would make sense. Yay, a good canon antagonist who isn't Jasper and might make sense to be there!
If you got questions, fire away.
