Finally closing the loop on this little miniseries. Last time it was finally finishing shiny new character sheets for my OCs, this time it was finally making designs for my OC's parents. I've had a good time making these, I hope that you guys enjoy them too!

As you might know, Max Vanguard is a very sullen young man, adopted into a family of legendary heroes, all destined to defeat evil. He's inherited the Vanguard Mageblade, a sword of immense Magical power. Combined with his own prowess with Magic, Max has the makings to be one of the greatest Vanguards ever.

But we learn that Max is deeply insecure about being a Vanguard. Not in the sense of being a part of the family, being their son; he calls them Mom and Dad without hesitating for a second. There's not a shred of doubt in his mind that he is their son, but he often worries about being a disappointment of a son to them.

The idea that he's meant to be the next great hero in a long line of great heroes frightens him, and has hung over his entire life. He felt the Mageblade 'call' him when he was 13, and they've been bound to each other ever since. It turns out that it chooses its wielders based on their potential: what you can or will be, rather than what you are. It chose Max because it knew that he not only has the makings of greatness, but the ability to achieve them.

It's this kind of pressure that lead to Max being the way he is. He thinks it's better to not try at all than to try and fail. He's spent his life trying to avoid his destiny, neglecting and stifling his Magic with cigarettes and vodka. He met Zack in the fourth grade, and they've been best friends ever since. Max is the only person who knows that Zack is Ronin, and was the one who found him and nursed him back to health when he was stabbed and left for dead. They balance each other out in a lot of ways, with Zack cheering Max up and Max mellowing Zack out. They have a strong, often unspoken bond, where both of them have a very good understanding of what it's like to not be good enough.

As for Mallory and Joshua, the two have nothing but love for their children, especially Max.

Joshua is a laid-back but hands-on parent. He tries to break the world down into little lessons and sayings, balancing the knowledge of an adult with a youthful optimism and sense of wonder. Mallory, on the other hand, has a more analytical approach, but no less loving. She's a psychologist, specifically a therapist. She offers a patient and supportive outlook. They met in London, where Mallory was born and raised, but fell in love with Joshua and joined him on his travels in their youth. Eventually they settled down in the city of Hyperion, having and adopting their children. Joshua is more fun, Mallory is more responsible, but both are incredibly sweet and loving parents.

It hurts them to see Max like this, and only be able to do or support him so much. Joshua understands more than anyone what kind of pressure the sword(and the name Vanguard) puts on you, and can't promise Max that it gets any easier. Just that you eventually learn ways to try and live with it.

Mallory and Joshua's marriage is based on my own parents, I'm happy to say. As for the design process, Joshua is heavily influenced by Sig Curtis of Fullmetal Alchemist; the burly, doting and caring husband of Izumi Curtis. I wanted him to look like a dad who is very clearly still a laid-back surfer dude. His name is Joshua because three of my best friends ever have been named Josh.

Mallory's design actually came to me in a dream, and not in the way you're thinking. It's pretty underwhelming since her appearance was just Shelley Duvall with red hair.

I've really enjoyed making these character sheets and sharing the lore behind them. I hope that you find it interesting! Be sure to leave feedback down below, I'd love to hear what you think.