02-10-07 @ 7:30 am EST

Fewer hits than usual entries, I predict it. I can't blame anyone though, if it was someone else's journal and someone else's writing I would probably be bored away too.

I hope somebody got the e-mails I sent them a while ago...I wish I'd hear from them, though I'm sure they must be busy. :( I hate this tendency of mine, to take forever replying to other people's mails, yet to feel worried and upset when they don't IMMEDIATELY reply to my own...it's terribly unfair of me to think that way, but I can't seem to stop worrying that I'll never hear back. I noticed only belatedly that I sent the two e-mails to different addresses. I can never tell if people just don't have time yet or if the mail didn't get through or if I'm not going to get a reply period...*sigh* I spent a day a couple of days ago crying for no reason I can think of, other than that I felt lonely and worthless...aren't these meds ever going to do anything??

Anyway...I want to try to redo my Manitou Island site sometime, not majorly, but primarily to redo the color scheme on the story pages (replace the black background and pale aqua text with a lavender background and dark text, for easier reading, because that light print on dark has been driving me nuts for ages), and then to update the MI LJ I have, and link every chapter to its equivalent chapter in the LJ, and make it so readers can leave anonymous notes since they don't seem to like using the individual e-mail links on each chapter page. (And it was a reader who even suggested I put those on there, too.) I don't expect that to garner any more feedback than I already get but I thought I'd do it anyway, since I meant the LJ to be a mirror site for when GeoCities shuts my site down. And maybe type up some articles for the site and link to them from the LJ too, to save space on the site--perhaps only the story itself should be hosted on GeoCities--and maybe make it more info intensive in various ways, I dunno. I don't even know who cares about this kind of stuff, I probably wouldn't if I weren't the writer. *shrug*

Anyway, part of this process is attempting to compile a "master list" of all characters who have appeared in all the serials so far, and maybe sometime replace the separate lists with this one, since it's a pain updating different lists with returning characters. The drawback is that characters can play vastly different roles in the different serials (Chakenapok comes to mind), so I have to be kind of vague and general in my descriptions, but that might be good too because it means I have to keep things brief.

Anyway, I thought I'd post part of this list as I wrote it up this morning. I doubt anyone will read much past this point, but if they do, and find it interesting, I wouldn't mind them continuing on to the story itself, hint. :P

Just thought I'd try. *shrug*

There are mild/moderate spoilers here and there on the list, mostly concerning surprise kinship ties ("OMG!--that's his FATHER?!"), but nothing that gives anything major away. I'm also trying brief lists of personality characteristics and what serial the characters first showed up in, so that's what the acronyms are for. MI, RTMI, EFMI. (And later possibly BMI.)

This is only HALF of the list. It took me two hours to write this alone. The second half, who knows if or when I'll type it up and post it in here, who cares.

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ANIMIKI
Thunderbirds. They dwell in the sky and can take the form of either giant birds (often made of clouds) or of humans. Their traditional enemies are the Mishupishus. Although good in nature, in general they tend to be rather aloof, pompous, and self-centered. EFMI

MISS ANNE
Proprietor of an antiques store in Petoskey. She first sends Charmian and Drake on their quest to Manitou Island. Kind, patient, mysterious. MI

ASABIKESHII-QUAE [name tentative]
A female Weaver (her name means "Spider Woman") who assists Charmian and the others in their quest to find the Four Winds. Helpful, intelligent, curious. EFMI

AUGWAK
Leader of the Wendigo GeeBees. He keeps them in check, but also sends them on their raids across the Island. He detests Charmian for the power she has over him, but for some reason can't quite bring himself to finish her off. Greedy, opportunistic, short tempered. MI

BAPTISTE
A young voyageur who claims to have visited Manitou Island numerous times, yet his outlandish claims leave much to be desired. Idealistic, nervous, awed. EFMI

LT. ANDREW BARRINGTON
A British Redcoat and survivor of the Indian attack on Fort Michilimackinac; he escapes to Manitou Island and is quickly caught up in the events which unfold following Megissogwun's appearance. He despises "redskins" and is a little too quick to use his gun, but ends up in Charmian's company anyway in an attempt to find his way back home. Hostile, bewildered, moody. EFMI

BEAR PEOPLE
A tribe of people with bearlike characteristics, ruled over by Mudjikawiss. They live in mountains to the west. Not much is known about them. RTMI

BLACK ELK HORN
First a brave and then chief of Yellow Turtle's band, husband of Silver Eagle Feather, father of Winter Born and adoptive father of X'aaru. He prefers the "old ways," and so doesn't take well to outsiders and their effect on his people's way of life. He's also very protective of his family and those he cares about. Short tempered, isolationist, overprotective. MI

BOUCHARD
A voyageur who at first disbelieves the stories of Manitou Island, until given proof. He assists Charmian and the others on their way to Gitchi-Gami. Affable, superstitious, greedy. EFMI

BUFFALO SPIRITS
The western/plains equivalent of manitous, these elemental spirits appear in the form of buffalo but are otherwise very similar to eastern spirits. They are understandably somewhat wary of newcomers to their territory. EFMI

CAVE MANITOUS
A group of tribal manitous that Charmian and the others encounter while seeking the Four Winds. Their female leader becomes somewhat hostile toward the company following an unfortunate accident, but other than that they're peaceful. EFMI

CHAKENAPOK
Youngest of the Manabozho siblings and Manabozho's deceased twin brother, he killed his mother at his birth and was shortly afterward killed himself, becoming a lost spirit seeking revenge. He is basically Manabozho's "Shadow," or dark half, and dwells under the Island in a non-living, non-dead state. He has great powers over fire (his nickname is "the Flint") and can communicate through dreams. Moody, short tempered, brooding. RTMI

CHARMIAN
Protagonist of the series, a 14/15-year-old girl from the mainland. Numerous times she's summoned to help protect Manitou Island from destructive forces, and comes to learn many things about herself and her own powers and shortcomings along the way. Her short temper and impatience are often her greatest setbacks, but she cares deeply for the Island and all its inhabitants. Self-sacrificing, hotheaded, brave. MI

CHARMIAN'S DAD
Charmian's father, who appears briefly in the story and encourages her to go to Mackinac Island. Practical, normal, levelheaded. MI

CHARMIAN'S GRANDMOTHER
Charmian's beloved grandmother, who on her deathbed encourages Charmian to find Manitou Island again. She is the only one who believed in Charmian's stories, and her passing affects Charmian deeply. Caring, kind, encouraging. RTMI

CHARMIAN'S MOM
Charmian's mother, who appears briefly in the story and transports Charmian and Drake to Mackinaw City. Absentminded, wishy-washy, perplexed. MI

CHEENGWUN
One of Niskigwun's numerous younger siblings. He works in the copper mines in the Fairy Realm and can fly incredibly fast (his name means "Meteor"). He's very unlike his eldest brother in temperament. Cheerful, outgoing, idealistic. EFMI

CHIBIABOS (Wabasso)
Third of the Manabozho siblings, and the one closest to Manabozho himself; they were great friends while growing up, until he had to leave to let Manabozho learn to be on his own. His name Wabasso ("White Rabbit") is changed to Chibiabos ("Ghost Rabbit") when he becomes a lost spirit, and he dwells between the land of the living and the land of the dead. He is the most patient and levelheaded of the siblings, and loves music and nature. Kind, sad, gentle. RTMI

CHIEF
An Ottawa living in town on the Island. He hangs out with One-Eyed Pierre and the two spend most of their time drinking. He's known for his otterskin cap. Outgoing, cheerful, obnoxious. RTMI

CLOUD
Thomas's beloved horse. He possesses unusual intelligence, and is devoted to his owner, often keeping an eye on him. Loyal, patient, intelligent. RTMI

CREE
A band of pre-contact Cree whom Charmian and the others meet in the far north while seeking the Four Winds. Due to repeated encounters with bad medicine people and Wendigoes, they've become very hostile and superstitious, though Charmian offers to help them anyway. EFMI

CROOKED CREEK
Native wife of Francois LaCroix, she went to live with him as part of a joke and ended up staying. Short and plump, she's very sweet natured and considerate, but when riled up her temper is wrathful indeed. She's equally good with a cooking pan and with a gun. Nurturing, practical, industrious. RTMI

CUTFOOT
An elderly Mide priest whom Charmian and the others meet while seeking the Four Winds. Although helpful, his exact identity and role in things is rather mysterious. Wise, impatient, secretive. EFMI

DAKH NATHA & SIKT NATHA
Twin offspring of Tal Natha and Red Bird, they appear as Ocryxes and guard their parents' cave. They have powers over dreams (Dakh Natha means "Dreamrender" and Sikt Natha means "Dreamwanderer") and can sometimes trade consciousness with other people. Rational, protective, unemotional. RTMI

DRAKE
A teenaged boy, Charmian's friend from the mainland who accompanies her on her first trip to Manitou Island. Charmian tolerates him despite his gawky, irritating attitude, and although rather cowardly at first, he too is changed by his experiences on the Island. Cheerful, friendly, goofy. MI

FLEUR "FLOWER" DUPRIES
Young daughter of Justin Dupries and Little Dove, and Page's younger sibling. She is one-quarter Ocryx, and appears to be a prim-and-proper little lady, but not much else is known about her so far. EFMI

GERARD DUPRIES
Adoptive father of Justin Dupries and husband of Justine. He moved with his wife to live on the Island, and although he loves her, he still resents that Ocryx fathered his only son. He's passed away by the time the second story takes place. Moody, practical, brooding. MI

JUSTIN DUPRIES
Son of Ocryx and Justine Dupries, his birth was part of a bargain with the demon so that Justine could bear a child. He is also, later, the husband of Little Dove and father of Page and Fleur Dupries, although for a long time he has feelings for Red Bird. He has a great healing ability due to his demon heritage and uses it often on Charmian and company. For a while Charmian harbors a crush on him despite their difference in age. He's often ashamed of his demon half, and discourages his children from using their own powers. Moody, considerate, guilty. MI

JUSTINE DUPRIES
Wife of Gerard Dupries, and the mother of Justin by Ocryx. She made a bargain with the demon so she could bear a child, but fully accepts Justin as her son. She is the matriarch of the Dupries family and is from some time in the Victorian era. She often goes to trade with the natives. Patient, rational, kindhearted. MI

PAGE "SKY" DUPRIES
Young son of Justin Dupries and Little Dove. His parents couldn't decide what to name him, so he carries two names. He is a quarter Ocryx and has apparently inherited his father's healing powers, but not much else is known about him or his abilities yet. Rational, secretive, precocious. RTMI

ESTIVANT PINES
A group of very old pines growing near Gitchi-Gami. Their medicine is quite powerful, and they assist Charmian and the others in their fight against Megissogwun's followers. Wise, kind, mysterious. EFMI

FIRELINGS
Generic name for fire elementals, in particular small ones that roughly resemble tiny humans and leap around acting in a very irrational manner. The name also applies to fire manitous and other such beings (for example, Chakenapok could be called a fireling). MI

JEAN-CLAUDE GAUTIER
A voyageur and trader who often visits town on the Island. He's known to drink a lot, and behaves in a cruel manner toward his native servants. Short tempered, blustery, rude. RTMI

GEEBEES
AKA Wendigo GeeBees, they are what was left after Gitchi Manitou took away most of the power of the Wendigo giants who once dwelled on the Island. Now much reduced in stature and medicine, they're still rather threatening to humans, which they like to eat, and tend to whirl around as wind, laughing and causing trouble. Augwak is their leader and they live in Devil's Kitchen. In general they tend to be rather dimwitted, ravenous, and cowardly, when their opponent is stronger than they are. MI

GEEZHIGO-QUAE
The great manitou of the sky (also known as the Sky Mother), she dwells in the Sky Tree in the Fairy Realm and keeps watch over Manitou Island, which she herself re-created after the destruction of the first Island. She is one of the most powerful of the manitous but is also closer to humankind than others are, and cares dearly for the Michinimakinong, her "children." Over time she comes to trust Charmian and helps her on several occasions. Reserved, aloof, caring. RTMI

GHOST BUFFALO
The ghosts of buffalo that have not made it to the Spirit Land. Charmian and company meet some of these in the west, when they mistake Winter Born for the White Buffalo Woman. EFMI

GLOOSKAP
Culture hero of the northeast coast and basically Manabozho's equal, but for being older, wiser, and with a better sense of humor. He has a good understanding of modern-day life and loves to make awful jokes. He lives in sea caves along the coast with his loyal companion Marten, and keeps watch over his wicked brother Malsum, whom he entrapped long ago. Many events from his life mirror those from Manabozho's. He often helps Charmian out, as well as hits on Geezhigo-Quae, whom he affectionately refers to as "old girl." Cheerful, wise, humorous. RTMI

HALFLING SPIRITS
Also known as lost souls, these are various spirits which, when they failed to cross over to the Spirit Land, "fused" with other spirits to create strange conglomerate spirits, for example, a GeeBee's spirit fusing with that of a manitou. They're basically harmless, and drift aimlessly about the Island, tending to congregate around Arch Rock in particular. MI

IROQUOIS
Enemy nations of the Islanders, who attempt an attack which is thwarted only by events already taking place in the second story. Their proper collective name is Haudenosaunee, and although not evil, they're a traditional enemy of the Island's people and are regarded with suspicion. Several hostile Iroquois long ago killed part of Francois LaCroix's family. Charmian encounters the nations of the Seneca and the Onondaga and comes to know several of their number, in particular Tooth and Singing Cedars. RTMI

ISHKODE-AANAKWAD
A young Animiki chief who rallies his people against the Mishupishus who attacked Nigankwam. He promises Charmian to help defend Manitou Island, though he rather looks down his nose at humans. Short tempered, aloof, proud. EFMI

KABEBONIKKA
The nickname of Keewadin, the North Wind, meaning "Wintermaker." He is one of the more powerful of the Four Winds and is known even by his younger siblings as something of a bully, using his powers to intimidate and bring misery to others, especially humans. He dwells in an interdimensional mountain to the north and has kept the local Cree band in his thrall for ages with a perpetual winter. He agrees to help Charmian and free spring upon the land if her group can successfully make it to the west despite his attempts to stop them, but should she lose, he vows to keep Winter Born as his own, recognizing the power she herself wields. Wry, coldhearted, cruel. EFMI

KAWADUK
Monstrous halfling offspring of Ocryana and Mitchi Manitou. He serves his mother loyally in her fight against Charmian and the others, and is imposing and beastly in countenance and temperament. Cruel, violent, savage. MI

KEEWADIN-NODIN
(See Kabebonikka)

KENU
A young Animiki who has been separated from his tribe, and so decides to accompany Charmian and the others on their quest to find the Four Winds. Although quite immature and pompous in temperament, he means well, though his blustery, awkward Thunderbird attacks often endanger the group more than they help. He determines to take up arms against Megissogwun following an attack on his beloved grandfather Nigankwam, and so considers Charmian's quest his own. Boastful, proud, childish. EFMI

KHIIETA
Daughter of Ocryx and Shadow Water, mate of X'aaru and mother of Tiiku. She appears as a demon and is much like her mate in temperament; the two of them are always busy homemaking in their cave, and tend to get into numerous squabbles, though they care for each other dearly. She hopes to have a large family with X'aaru. Friendly, idealistic, naive. RTMI

KWEMOO & MAANG
Two loons who act as messengers for Glooskap. They're virtually identical in appearance and temperament and tend to shout "O-ho!" a lot, much to Charmian's annoyance. Due to their similarity she jokingly dubs them "Kwemaang." Silly, talkative, oblivious. EFMI

FRANCOIS LACROIX
A voyageur and trapper who can travel between Manitou Island and the mainland of his own time with ease, meaning that the Island has fully accepted him as one of its own. He was the first non-native to visit the Island and knows much about its ways, including how to speak to the manitous. Husband of Crooked Creek and father of Oriel (by his first wife) and Remy LaCroix, he lives in the woods and is tolerated better than the townspeople, and often acts as a go-between between them and the native bands on the Island. Charmian looks up to him as a voice of reason and a good friend. Levelheaded, helpful, friendly. MI

REMY LACROIX
Young son of Francois LaCroix and Crooked Creek. He has a rather wild, bratty nature and is often pushing Winter Born into the mud or pulling on her braids. Uncivilized, prankish, hyperactive. EFMI

LAUGHING LYNX
An elderly Mide priest who is meant to oversee Charmian's entrance into the Midewiwin. Despite his forbidding nature, he has to grudgingly give Charmian credit for being able to stand up to him. Aloof, stern, humorless. RTMI

THOMAS LEEDS
Son of a human woman and a GeeBee, he has thus inherited Wendigo powers and weaknesses, including wind/ice medicine and the occasional need to drink human blood. He's surprised to find that Charmian knows more about the Island than he does, and the two grow quite close throughout the series. He often acts as the voice of reason when Charmian loses her temper, and patiently puts up with her numerous fits and physical attacks. He has a rather permissive nature despite being from the Victorian era, but is sometimes afraid that his Wendigo nature will end up hurting Charmian. Levelheaded, patient, guilty. RTMI

LILY FLOWER
Second of Stick-In-The-Dirt's three daughters. She doesn't appear much in the series, as she tends to wander around the Island a bit aimlessly. Absentminded, impractical, dour. MI

LITTLE DOVE
Youngest of Stick-In-The-Dirt's three daughters, and also the prettiest and kindest. Ocryx once attempted to take her for his mate, but she convinced him to let her go. She leaves her band to marry Justin Dupries and is the mother of Page and Fleur Dupries, and, unlike their father, encourages them to use their demon powers. She can be a little naive and scatterbrained sometimes, but her perpetually sunny nature more than makes up for this. Friendly, optimistic, caring. MI

LITTLE WIND
A young orphaned wabano under the tutelage of Mishosha, who has adopted him as his grandson. Despite his intense loyalty to his "grandfather," he dislikes how Mishosha forces the spirits to do his bidding, and detests hurting other creatures as he's often commanded to do. When he meets Charmian's company in the north, he's at last forced to choose a side and possibly lose much in the process. Meek, eager to please, indecisive. EFMI

LITTLE WIND'S MANITOU
Little Wind's personal manitou appears as a small ball of fire, and is identified by Charmian as a fire bat. It's loyal to Little Wind, but refuses to assist him when forced, and warns him against Mishosha's increasingly violent acts. Loyal, gentle, stubborn. EFMI

LOONFOOT
A jessakid, or tent-shaking medicine man, who dwells in the town on Manitou Island. Stick-In-The-Dirt identifies him as a fraud who is not really in communication with the spirits, though some of the more gullible townspeople believe in him. Opportunistic, deceitful, arrogant. EFMI

LOX
An evil, wolverine-like monster created by Malsum to destroy and disrupt Glooskap's good works. It's quite ugly and hideous in appearance, and apparently has to be put down repeatedly. Wild, feral, vicious. RTMI

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Brain glaze.