She was pre-Minerva? Wow, that's awesome!!...
... And a pity, cause everybody will think she's a rip-off now - you should sue Warner!!!!

I do remember being inspired by the pine marten entry in our encyclopedia of animals.
I would often pore over the photos and illustrations in those books while I was growing up; this is no doubt one of the many influences that led to me drawing so much Furry art.

For fur color, I recommend going for an actual marten's fur color, which would definitely be a departure from the Minerva Mink look: http://www.coniferousforest.com/wp-.....can-Marten.jpg For hair color, how about brunette?

For the armor, you can always pick-and-choose aspects of different types of armor, and here are a great list of visual references: https://www.pinterest.ca/explore/fe.....armor/?lp=true

That marten is brown with an orangish patch on the chest... maybe make Melody brown with fiery orange hair?

She's really cute.

For the armor, why not go with a brigandine-style clothing with smaller-plates sewn in for the vital protection while keeping the overall armor lighter in weight than going for the full-metal outfit? Also, having it as smaller-plates sewn into clothing means that the main of the clothing can be simple (like regular shirts or pants) or sexy (like sleeved-leotards).

For the armor, maybe give her an armored leotard with a chest plate and shoulder guards. As for her hairstyle, perhaps give her twin braided pigtails, brown in color. For friends and enemies, maybe make her friends with various sorcerers and witches (the good kind), and for enemies, how about authority figures who abuse their power for their own personal gains?

For her garb, I would suggest Masters of the Universe style fur trunks and for the top, something that kinda resembles Xena's breast plate. Not an exact match, but something in that category. Ya know? I do like the boots. The hilts of her swords could be a little less generic. Can she smith by any chance? If so I'm thinking she'd design her own weapons in such a way that reflects something personal. Like a memory fro her past that got her to where she is now. Or even a tribute to the god(s) that she prays to. Kinda like how Conan's father made a stag skull sword to pay homage to Crom.

As for friends, she seems to me like the kind of lady who's pure of heart, but isn't above hanging out with thieves and plunderers as long as they're not total assholes. Maybe one could be like a viking bull who crushes enemies with his war hammer and favors song and dance when he's nt on the battlefield. Another one could be maybe an adolescent ocelot thief girl who lived on the streets since she was very young and honed her pickpocket and stealth skills to a master level

Well, historically, women who fought just wore men's armor, pretty much off the rack (so to speak). A chain mail 3/4 outfit only comes to a little below the crotch. Chain mail, when done right, confers some what to the shape of the body. Add some plates front and back, and A good helmet and gauntlets, and you will be good to go. Of course, she will need a gambeson, a padded garment that will just peek out below the chain mail. I would suggest a Corinthian helmet and mitten gauntlets. Mittens give more protection and are easier to draw. ^_*

There are several color schemes for pine martins, but I prefer the 'bib' coloration, a dark body, with a light colored front.

have fun.

The swords suggest a katana/wakizashi combo. Perhaps straight ninja swords?

Pantsu: Satin briefs.

Top: Binding cloth, topped with satin bolero jacket.

Hair: Raven. Pony tail or pageboy bob.

Coloring: I'd say go with a ferret mask and coloring.

Friends/enemies/associates: You can never go wrong with the old reliable ronin backstory. She'd be the type to not make friends easily, but to be utterly loyal to those friends she has.

Enemies: At least one lover (male or female) who has betrayed her; also, various evil overlords have cause to wish her dead.

Associates: You could have fun taking the piss out of the traditional "sentai" five-member band, where she Loudly Objects to being the Chick...

Really cute, I like her allready.^^

Right-o, you asked for it, so here I go:


If you wanna keep the light fighter concept, why not give her some light armor plates to protect the arm that faces her opponents most (you know, like these armored arms the roman gladiators with the net and trident had) plus a light pauldron on the other shoulder. That could go with a studded leather top and an equally studded, short "combat skirt" of sorts. Maybe even throw in some metal kneepads to go over her boots and some small plates covering the top of her feet to protect tendons and such from being cut. No need for heavy plates if you dance and weave around your enemies right?

For her hair, a braid seems pratical and fitting, maybe with some bangs? Maybe incorporate some small charms/symbols of her faith into it, you know, good old "divine protection"? For colors, her hair could be darker brown, to go with a lighter brown body and a white splotch on her chest? (not sure if I mix up species here but I am pretty sure that is how RL martens looks and they are darn cute. Unless they gnaw through the cables of your car that is^^°)

For her friends/associates/enemies. Tough cookie...

Friends. We could go the good, old fantasy route here and give her some of other classic vocations. For ex, how about a classic cat sorcerer/ess that is constantly at odds with a self learned dog "hedge mage", some bunny thief that is the cute/underestimated/cloudcoocolander of the group? Maybe even throw in a mouse/squirrel priest of (insert any big deity of Melodys home universe) for good measure that more or less acts as the glue of the group? No good party without a healer after all.

For associates, how about a "rival" that is to her like Naga the Serpent is to Lina Inverse from Slayers? Overly confident, bordering to annoying but with surprising skill once he/she puts his/her mind to someting? If so, maybe some sort of duellist class character (so he/she could go on and on about how he/she is in style and whatnot while Melody is getting things done so crude and uncultured). Maybe some guildmaster of a rather, well, grey zone inhabiting guild, that while not entirley legal, is not doing downright evil stuff like slave trading or assasinations? You know, as a primary source of income, getting Melody most of her jobs but sometimes they could also clash over things they see not eye to eye with? Oh, or how about a flirtacious bard that loves to playfully come onto Melody most times they meet, despite earning himself/herself a turn-down and maybe a black eye each single time?

As for enemies, how about something classic, like a cult leader Melody and her gang of comrades foiled their plans sometime in the past once to often? Or maybe a baron/lord/noble that was dead-set on getting Melody as a bride, seeing how cute she is but she shot him down and now the fellow seeks to make her life as misrable as he can, using his money and politcal sway but of course fails more often due to a) the sheer skill of Melody and her friends and b) due to hiring chronicaly incompetent goons.

Geeze, that was quite a bit. Hope you can find something usefull. I am looking forward to see more of Melody in the future anyhow.^^//

Keep the western look, rather thasn go to japanese swords. Keep her D&D!

I actually love the hair - i don't see minerver whwen I look at her (and Minerver is a long forgotten character these days. I just ran a pub quiz at a furry con, and no one could identify Minerva in a line up1)


You could try a tight little chainmail mini dress. Or a leather pturges skirt and a natty little lamellar bustiere?

Oooo! This is interesting.

Yeah I can see why you'd want to get rid of the "Minerva" look.

I don't have any good suggestions for hair and fur colour...

For weapons maybe hatchet/dirk combo? Or hatchet/sword?

Outfit...can't think of anything besides a loincloth... _{I'm such a perv}.

Can't think of any scenarios though...

Maybe you could her eyes are an "unusual" colour...like purple or something....

I'm eager to see what you'll come up with though....