(OcCult) John Topside by G0ne-Guru on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

Jonathan (John) Topside

Age: 56+

Star sign: Pisces

Height: 5'11 ft.

Personality: Individualistic, Family-oriented, Unshakeable, Stalwart, Reliant, Father-like, Responsible, Loyal, Forthright, Finicky, Can be seen as a bit old-fashioned and humorless (means well but does come off... mean)

Loves: Buddy Holly, The Harptones, and The Platters, Smoking, matching clothing and hats, Dad jokes and dad puns, Baking, Keeping old knickknacks, History, Keeping tabs on his family, His family being happy, Helping the younger generation, Card games, Cigars and cigarettes, Old fashioned clothing

Dislikes: dishonesty, winter and snow, The ocean (salt getting in his nose), Being late, Troublemakers, Dogs, War, Badminton, Anyone or anything that makes him plain annoyed or disgusted, Vapes, Mess/creating mess, Racists and violence (and both)

Born in Harlem as a single child, he lived through two world wars, a pandemic, the Red Scare, and honestly everything during the early 20th century (the good, the mid, and the horrible). He and his family owned an automotive business, which also was a wheel & tire shop, although it also caused him to develop a thing for smoking at a young age.

Remembers the Roaring twenties and Harlem Renaissance like it was yesterday. It was when he met his later wife Elizabeth. They would marry in 1929 and have their daughter Markus in 1932. They also had a daughter 2 years later, in 1934, named Lucy.

He did serve in World War II due to being drafted; however, he didn't like this time at all (and the challenges that he faced during his life). He doesn't like talking about those times at all, as it brings up really bad memories.

I met Lady Mary Porrim and Loki out of pure coincidence in 1945, after World War II ended. He did describe her as “burnt like a crisp yet still alive,” as well as looking like she had been through hell. They met in Harlem, and they bonded over “going through hell."

She was also the first one to notice something wrong with John—something pretty foreshadowing his death due to cancer, and sadly, it was a true one as in 1950, as he was diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. Mary did visit John when he was in the hospital. A few times, although Loki visits every day (Magic), Mary did eventually become family-friends with John and his family (Markus being 18 and Lucy being 16); Markus had already graduated, and Lucy was 2 years into graduation, which John wanted to be there for along with his family (and to make up time as he didn't go to Markus’s due to, well, being fucking drafted).

Sadly, due to complications, he officially passed away in 1956 at the age of 56. Before that, he shared that he wanted to live to see his family, even if he couldn't fully interact with them or be at a distance. He did also notice Mary and Loki increase their visits, and he put on some sort of ritual as they visited—something John doesn't or will never comprehend or remember as he was tired to remember.

He then became the second (technically third) occult member. He was... very surprised and shocked and did think Mary was an angel for giving him a second chance as his complications were poofed. Although soon enough he did... Get used to being a walking corpse. After a while of complicated feelings (and getting over the shock of his actual predicament)

Let's just say it was both a win and a lose situation that John was "revived,” as even if he was in the shadows as he didn't want to freak his family out, he did watch from a distance as he watched his daughter graduate and his family live their lives.

Over the years, he met, befriended, and saw the deaths of multiple people in his life and the incoming members of the OcCult, dead and alive. He did get along with a few of them and even saw Hakeem (whom he met in the 1980s with Mary and then new member Phoebe) as a son of sorts, as he did remind John of his own son, and this carried into Hakeem’s adult life and family life (most occult members staying inside the house Hakeem and his wife brought), acting as some type of "house ghost” despite being obviously visible and corporeal (it gets fucky if they are photographed or filmed).

Holy shit, Now the occult members have been fully updated and honestly I'm Satisfied with the changes, Especially with John as his old design was...needing improvement

I also redrew John because I did get real life advice (asked) by one of my rl friends as I wanted someone to look at some of my POC characters and see how they thought of it, So this is to honor said friend as well as take their advice and such (Aka their words of wisdom were helpful)

Uhhhh to not have anyone confused; John was born in 1900

And yes I did age him up from 46 to 56 as yeah, I wanted to have a character who is OLLLDDD

His white and black eyes are just for aesthetic reasons honestly, Nothing too deep (unless it is and I just cant think of anything)

Also fyi; I changed his wifes name to Elizabeth

This may or may not be historically accurate but eh, I tried

If you want to support and give me money using real USD, You can donate to my KO-FI, All donations are hella appreciated