kaapora

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Unfolds a long string of photos from my wallet, but instead of children it’s pictures of my OCs

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Embrace

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I know they can't touch each other like this. Just for fun LOL

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🌀 Albireo 🌀

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"Do you know what lies on the path before you? I do."

Meet Stig, my little blind norn seer with his flock of bird friends :) A Herald with a twist. Eventually a Wayfinder, separate from the Commander!

Sooooo I've already had this character for a while, (both in gw2 and out). I have a sylvari version of him — and he will still be existing and thriving as a separate character! However, I wanted to bring the original version of him to life as well. He always had Nordic themes, so making this version of him a norn was an obvious choice

Anyway, there is lore and a funny sketch under the cut for those who'd want to look at them!! (a huge chunk of text again, yeah, I'm sorry. It's featuring @lady-quen's Numen, though!! *wink wink*)

Maybe the weakest, skinniest little norn with nothing much behind his name, Stig was somewhat of an outcast from the moment he was born. Blind since birth, he was "blessed" by an elusive Cuckoo Spirit to help him on his life's journey, yet unable to shapeshift into their form or communicate with them, no matter how hard he tried. He was considered unworthy of norns' boastful lifestyle by some, and pitied for his misfortunes by others, although nobody could ever compare to how he looked upon himself for the happenstance of his birth. Was he "defective" in some way, not worth the effort to lift him up and let him live a life, try to reach for something more?

Still staying loyal to Cuckoo even without their support, Stig turned to Raven after being noticed by him for the cleverness with which the little norn tried to overcome the burdens of his own existence — there, at a young age, was discovered his gift of foresight, an explanation to all the weird sensory visions he would receive; some of them even looked as if he could actually see. Different kinds, both cryptic and mundane. Finally, something he could do and help others with, right? It was probably nice for a time, until enough commotions or unfortunate events were caused, maybe even blamed on him for doing his job wrong, causing Stig to be ever more cautious with sharing what he had gleaned.

Two ravens he rescued were his main company, aside from occasionally the kid of the famous Eir Stegalkin and his little brother with a strange affinity for ice magic. One day, however, the scenery changed into a strange landscape, an echo of the real world, as Stig stumbled through a wayward portal into the Mists. He had to survive there for a time all alone, not even his feathery friends to accompany him, communing with Spirits — then anyone, who'd listen — and desperately trying to get back home. A subtle whisper in his head grew louder the more time he spent essentially meditating, a voice of a person, until it formed and presented itself as none other than Asgeir Dragonrender. With his, rather frustrated at first, help, the little norn managed to get back to the world of the living, though not before getting injured on the way home — a weird, potent surge of lightning struck him. He awoke back home already tended to.

Other norn don't believe him at first when he claims Asgeir was the one to help and guide him — it takes a bit of convincing, talking with the legendary hero's echo and showing Stig's newfound strengths. He can channel the power of the Mists through their connection now, something only havrouns of the Spirits of the Wild can typically do. This earns him the respect of his peers — after all, he is aided by Dragonrender himself. People around him wonder: this must mean he could be the one to crack the Tooth, the Norn of Prophecy, right? Someone Stig never even dared to believe he could be.

However, it was never meant to be. After all the extra training and tireless nights of adapting the chosen combat style to his needs, the one to challange the Tooth wasn't him — instead, it was the hot-headed son of Eir, his friend Braham, who's been adventuring with the famous Pact Commander away from Hoelbrak. One arrow was fired — and as the icy exterior of the trophy crumbled, so did Stig's hopes of proving himself worthy to these people. He became an outcast again. At least his birds and Asgeir were still with him. It didn't matter that Braham supposedly failed his mission to kill the Ice Dragon afterwards: the damage was already done.

Then everything started to go downhill once Kralkatorrik was slain. Unexplainable mysteries, strange fog, disappearances. His friend becoming more and more distant and physically cold until one day he was gone as well. One of the only people who showed Stig what kindness looked like, aside from his mother. It was distressing, scary, none of his visions showing him the way — so he had to find his own, once again. This was the decision that led him to join the Commander and Braham in their venture to the Far Shiverpeaks, and discover the true nature of the little elementalist he called a friend — a scion and champion of Jormag, Numen, who's been the mysterious Cuckoo "Spirit" this whole time.

The team has to confront this dragon on the surface of a cold, frozen Lake Doric — and Asgeir recognizes it. Every norn knows the story of the legendary slayer of Frostfang — Dragonrender killed Jormag's greatest champion in one blow with the help of the Spirits. It was a clear victory, the thing falling off a cliff from the sheer force of the blow, mortally wounded. So how could the very same creature stand before him once again?

The question was answered when the dragon showed the large scar on their neck; they didn't quite remember the fight, but the old wound spoke for itself. A surprise for everyone involved — the greatest kill of Asgeir turned out to be a failure. Remains of the beast were confused with those of Claws of Jormag. And maybe a fact worst of all for the echo of a fallen hero — the frigid monster he was sure he had slain turned out to be one of the very Spirits that helped guide his people to the new home.

(Cue the funny sketch I promised)

Even after that, the team managed to save Numen and end the terror of both Dragons of Fire and Ice.

Eventually, Stig would become Numen's Champion, wanting to be there for them like the dragon was for him. Maybe he had finally found a place he was meant to be in, beside this creature of ice — lonely, yet so full of love for the world. Asgeir wasn't too amused, but what is one more voice in Stig's head, right?

This would mean he'd continue to help the Commander further down the line, and maybe even meet the elusive wizards in their glittering towers — who might have a hand in him meeting Asgeir in the first place.

Woah, if you got to this part, thank you for reading!! I love you <3

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Considering gold comms again after so long cuz character slots are on sale, hold mee

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Trap-jaw ants use their powerful mandibles to launch themselves into the air away from potential predators or intruders. This one was filmed at 3000 frames per second and then played back in slow motion. Patek lab, Duke University.

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I just learned that the Russian word for “ladybug” translates to “God’s Little Cow”

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My piece for Culinary Calendar @calendar-krewe 🧁

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Culinary Calendar - December

My contribution to this amazing project ♥

Get your free copy here:

Long Credits under the Cut:

Feat. OCs (in no particular order):

Lyra - mistborn-bastard

Aikarico Ripchase - astralarias

Rolan Brightwing - brightwingedbat

Thel Victus - sidewinder30k

Vorias Ironhide - dion-iron

Redaar Steelhide - jollycryptid

Clove Hellbaum - scrumpygoat

Gaius Horncleaver - commanderhorncleave

Ahrikima - Ahrikima

Yahuk Thornheart - charrior-of-ash

Salem Steelveil - thornethenorn

Fillan - vampiricsheep

Lyza Ironmouth - charr-salad

fregion - fregion-bond-breaker

Malva the Furnace - nyoka-gorefell

Sibyl Goldveil - fvriva

Marro Bonesnap - foreverconfused-anenqui

Fenrir Bloodkeeper - lionheart405

Falco Burngrace - rostomanologist

Cyrisus Riftwalker - cyrisusriftwalker

Red Ripperdragon - gamer-redr

Flash Fulgurfur - madame-cookie

khelleren

Pyrite Alderspark - pyritepirate444

Boltyhound Swiftkill- legionnaireintraining

Candessence - mystery-salad

guildwarszeke

Linus Ruinweld - flower-crow

Temma Bellrose - noivern

Kaetrai Fiercefang - zarathelonewolf

Plantain - matsuriwolf

Denalien - kehideni

Heart of the Hunter - championbutch

Bato Ghostclaw - commanders-company

Semijs - siins

Rodnur - rizardofether

Mabaki - Mabaki

Closing Words: Thank you so much for having me in this Calendar for this year! It was a blast drawing this piece ♥

And please check out this wonderful Calendar! There are so many pages full of gorgeous art of other wonderful artist!

And special thanks for bringing this awesome calendar to live!

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WHOA!!!!! i love my friends' ocs

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i think about this all the time

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celebrating the start of winter with this snowy beauty!

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Commission price sheet

Don't think I ever posted my updated commission price sheet over here so I'm fixing that. :>

Also, I'm opening a couple of slots to finish the year, and in a month-ish I'll be closing indefinitely, so if anyone's interested or have questions, feel free to reach out!

Terms of Service below:

[kaapora]

It's time to share some extra good vibes with you right before Christmas. I hope all of you will have a calm and peaceful time during the holidays. And extra good vibes for all the people out there working during the holidays. You are the true MVPs.

Accept some Christmas/Wintersday vibes from the leader of the cub legion @kaapora