Some rough concepts I did to explore the designs of the Troopa Koopas, and Kamek!

Unlike Kaiji-Koopas (Bowser’s species), Troopa Koopas are much smaller, they don’t have spikes on their shells, and are plantigrade. They’re known to have long life-spans, averaging around 300 years, but they’re known to surpass this. Kamek himself is currently 231 and is still kickin’. It’s suspected he’ll live far longer than what’s normal for a typical Troopa, due to his powerful magic.

There are two species of Troopa Koopas: Shell-less (Beach Troopa) and shelled (Common Troopa). Beach Troopas, as their names imply, typically live closer to the beach or any bodies of water and are excellent swimmers, whereas the shelled ones live farther inland and are more at home in grassy plain areas close to shallow water sources: they aren’t very good swimmers naturally.

The Troopa on the bottom is an example of the most common colors seen in their species.

Kamek, however, is a Beach Troopa, hence his lack of shell. The “Young Kamek” concept there is about around the age he was when his village was raided and pillaged by Bowser’s parents, before he was taken as a slave to serve them. He was taken primarily because he showed courage in the face of their raid: while many in his village fled, he stood his ground and tried to protect his home with his powerful magic. He actually managed to put up a good fight, but in the end he was just one Troopa against several Kaiju-Koopas, and they overcame him.

As a servant to Ursa and Brutus Koopa, he often wore a dulled old cape and shackles he couldn’t take off. These shackles served to prevent him from using his magic to his full potential.

His original duties was to upkeep their home while they were out pillaging and protect it to the best of his ability from intruders. When present, they forced him to teach them magic, something of which they knew very little of at the time: he always gave them knowledge of small spells though, unbeknownst to them.

His duties changed, however, when they had Bowser. They were largely absent and apathetic parents, leaving their child in the care of their slave. Kamek honestly wanted to hate the child, given he was the offspring of his captors, but… he couldn’t bring himself to. He knew it wasn’t fair, placing blame on an innocent child, so he took care of the boy. First it was the bare minimum: feed, change diaper, put to sleep, burp; he tried not to get attached, but attached he indeed got. Soon he treated the child as if it were his own son, playing with him, teaching him how to read, tucking him in or staying if he had nightmares, and just being the parent his biological ones weren’t. This trend continued when Bowsette was born, and especially after news of Ursa and Brutus’ disappearance spread.

Bowser does remember his parents, but his memories aren’t really fond. He remembers them giving toys and trinkets, which was cool he thought, until he realized they only did it to keep him occupied and out of their hair. Kamek was there when they weren’t, and he regards him as his father. Bowsette doesn’t remember their parents at all and has only known Kamek as her father. Unlike Bowser who calls him “Kamek” most of the time, Bowsette referred to him as “papa” in her youth. She still does to this day.

So yeah! Some headcanon to go with the doodles. I’m actually really happy with Kamek’s design in specific. <: