starstuff-and-brain-chemica-blog

[starstuff-and-brain-chemica-blog]

ryannugenthopkns:

anyway if you support ANYTHING related to white nationalism/supremacy/nazism/racism please unfollow and block me. this is space is not welcome to you. in fact, no spaces should be welcome to you. 

[starstuff-and-brain-chemica-blog]

fire agate

[starstuff-and-brain-chemica-blog]

New Zealand by Curtis Simmons

[starstuff-and-brain-chemica-blog]

By artist Jeremy Paillotin.

[starstuff-and-brain-chemica-blog]

skywingfreedom:

“It would be a pleasure, Sam.” The knight bowed his head in acceptance of the offer, “I shall meet you then. Soar with the grace of the Sky Queen, Fahdon.”

The rider watched for a moment as the witchling took her leave, a sly mischief growing in his chest as he knelt down to hastily scrape snow into his hands from the frozen earth, giving the small heap a quick pat to shape it into a rough sphere. With a hearty chuckle to himself, he lightly hurled it towards the turned back of the small woman, the snowball exploding square between the blades of her shoulders. “That is for making me sing!” he called out with satisfaction, before quickly darting up a nearby alleyway as to avoid retaliation.

“Oh my, Sil Fahdon! Did you just allow yourself to have a small amount of fun?” Veritas teased her rider happily as the pair made their way back to the markets via a different route than the wild mage. “Hmph! I was only getting even!” Leo replied, attempting to be nonchalant. His partner would not be fooled, however, as mischief and mirth each tugged at a corner of the knights lips. The dragon chuckled pleasantly as the brace hummed against her riders arm. “If you say so, Leonel” she remarked dryly, her disbelief washing over the knight.

Rider and Dragon would spend the remainder of the afternoon attending to the rituals and duties of preparing themselves for the arduous journey that awaited them the next day.

Most of the villagers gave Leo a decidedly wide berth as he went about his business in the market, while the merchants he spoke with kept their words short and polite, taking his coin gladly but offering little past the usual niceties of dealing in business and trade. It was evident to him that he had made a less than favorable impression on most of the people of Allophel.

Sighing dejectedly to himself, the dragoon slowly made his way back towards the home of the wild mage as the sun began it’s descent towards the western horizon. “It is natural for sheep to fear the presence of a Dov, Sil Fahdon,” Veritas quipped in an attempt to ease her partners discontent, “We have no need of their approval.” 

“I appreciate your attempt, but I am not a dragon.” Leo mused, melancholy evident in his tone. 

“DWIINVENAH!” Veritas roared fiercely, startling her rider from his sad reverie with the use of his true name, “You are no less a dragon than I am! I did not choose YOU lightly! WE have been chosen by fate, destined for more than these SHEEP could ever dream of! Accept who you are, lest your clouded mind be the death of us!”

The rider blinked once, then twice, cowed by the ferocity of his partner. Inhaling deeply, he wiped the sad visage from his face. “Krosis, Sil Fahdon.” He smiled apologetically to his dear friend, “You are right. This will not happen again.”

“Of course I am right!” the dragon replied smugly, her fury quickly replaced by satisfaction.

With a new found resolve, the dragon knight squared his shoulders and strolled confidently towards Sam’s home. He rapped his knuckles three times upon the second door of the conjoined dwelling, calmly awaiting a response.

“We are not spending the night here, Leonel.”

“But I was looking forward to spending a night in a bed for a change!”

“No. If I do not get a chance to stretch my wings after the events of today, I will make you regret it for the rest of our existence!”

“Well what if…”

“NO!”

“….Fine….”

Sam stumbled, losing some of her breath and chirping in surprise, an astonished brow quirking as she hastily tried to spin, but Leonel was already gone from view, a chuckle fading into the distance.

She was aware of a sidelong glance or two from passersby, to which she replied with a shrug and bemused smirk. A child nearby giggled, and seemed to decide that this was a good game to play, and for several moments, the woman engaged the youngling, ducking between buildings and hiding behind barrels until, ultimately, the child was called home by a woman who appeared to be the mother. 

“Harvan? Maevil?” she called, removing some of her layers to try and regulate the burning feeling in her extremities. She had not been aware of just how long she’d been out, and glancing at the shadows on the floor, she chided herself. It’d been too long, and it was quite probable that her cheeks were red and the goods in her satchel had a chance to be damaged. 

A fair bit of careful sorting, organising, and cleaning later, Sam determined that this was not the case and she smiled quietly to herself, acknowledging a light knock on the partition door with a simple “come in.” Harvan then poked his head through.

“Y’know, Pingu nearly skinned ‘em for me. Less work for me at least. Supper’s ready soon, dear,” he mused, noting the lazy way in which his sister-by-marriage drifted about her home and shop. 

“Could you set another spot at the table, please? Leo will be returning,” Sam requested, her gaze drifting over. The brow received in reply prompted a slight grimace.

“S’this to happen often, then?” There was a chuckle, cementing the teasing intent behind the question. “Thought he was jus’ a traveler, not a caller-”

“Because I would be one to do that, hmm?” Being chided was not her favourite experience, and Harvan could only laugh properly, shaking his head before being rudely shoved out of the way by her dog barging past. “Honestly, Harvan..”

“Alright, alright. I’ll have Sarga set another seat,” he said, moving to scratch at Pingu’s backside kindly, plainly pleased by the hound no longer being contained within his half of the abode.

She seemed to waffle briefly, distracting herself with the arrival of Pingu to offer him a treat from her satchel. “I also might have offered the extra bed to him..”

There was a brief cough and a laugh, and Sam found herself bracing. “So.. what am I to make of that, then, eh?”

“Nothing improper. He’s set to leave out tomorrow, and I had the intention of making his last night here something more comfortable than the woods,” she explained, rising and dusting off her knees as she continued to mill about her room, Pingu shadowing her closely in hopes of more treats. 

“I suspect you have something else up your sleeve, but all right. Pingu caught some good ones, by the way. Give him an extra snack for me, will you?” He heaved a smile with a smirk, catching Samhael’s eye briefly before ducking out of the entryway. Sarga was called as soon as the door clicked shut, and the shuffling of feet and furniture could be heard. 

The witchling found herself mildly irked by his unwillingness to give her another opportunity to reply, but instead funneled it into straightening her home, rearranging her crystals, herbs, numerous vials, and ritual items into some manner of sense until the sun had finally begun to set.

“Sam! Supper!”

Green eyes glanced toward the greenhouse-style ceiling, noting the darkening of the western half and the strangely blazing colours of the rest. A faint smile played upon her lips as she gathered herself together, hair casually falling in waves as she let it down for the evening. The gods would answer her this evening in some manner or another, this much would be true. 

“Coming!”

A stew had been prepared, though it was overly spiced for most of the residents. Guests often necessitated it, however, as the standard fare was either bland or bitter. The children did not seem to mind it nearly so much as Harvan and Maevil, and Sam would eat either way. She’d traveled a fair bit in her earlier years, exposing her to different cuisine and tastes. 

There were also a number of smaller dishes with various vegetables and additives and a basket of bread buns. Tea and mulled wine rested on the stove, and there was evidently a pastry or pie resting in the oven, judging by the sweet aroma wafting about. The children and Harvan had already settled into their places, Maevil and Sam working to move food from various warm places on the stove and the hearth to the table, serving the primary dish into artfully carved bowls, one place at the table left empty. 

Maevil was wiping her hands on a cloth when a knock came upon the door, her vaedha’s hands busied with cracking open one of their ceiling curtains to let in the twilight, and eventually, the stars. “I’ll get it, dear, go ahead and have a seat,” the elder chirped with a small smile, striding to the door.

“Leo! Do come in, friend. We’ve just finished preparing the table, and Sam’s just joined us proper-”

“Maevil, you’re a terrible liar,” she shot back. 

“Oh don’t be rude.” Mae moved to open the door further, permitting the traveler entry.”

Questions and Mysteries [Closed]

[starstuff-and-brain-chemica-blog]

PERIOD DRAMA + herbalism

[starstuff-and-brain-chemica-blog]

Common Toxic Herbs and their Effects

This is not a complete list by any means, but these commonly noted plants, herbs, and flowers should be handled with care or avoided altogether. 

Aconite (Wolfsbane, Monkshood) - all parts: dermatoxic, hepatotoxic, and neurotoxic

Adam and Eve (Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Wild Arum) - root: dermatoxic and gastrotoxic if ingested

African Sumac - leaves: dermatoxic; possibly fatal

Agave - juice: dermatoxic  

Angel’s Trumpet - all parts: cardiotoxic; often fatal

Apple - seeds: cytotoxic in large doses

Apricot - leaves and seeds: cytotoxic in large doses

Arnica - gastrotoxic 

Asparagus - berries: dermatoxic and gastrotoxic if ingested

Azalea - all parts: cytotoxic and neurotoxic; rarely fatal

Betel Nut Palm (Pinyang) - all parts: gastrotoxic if ingested

Bittersweet Nightshade - all parts: neurotoxic and gastrotoxic; rarely fatal

Black Hellebore - all parts: cardiotoxic and gastrotoxic; possibly fatal

Black Locust (False Acacia) - root bark and flowers: gastrotoxic

Black Nightshade - all parts except ripe fruit: neurotoxic and gastrotoxic; possibly fatal

Bleeding Heart - leaves and roots: neurotoxic

Bloodroot - rhizomes: cytotoxic

Blue Passion Flower (Common Passion Flower) - leaves: cytotoxic

Bracken - all parts: carcinogenic

Buttercup - all parts: gastrotoxic and dermatoxic 

Calabar Bean (Ordeal Beans) - seeds: neurotoxic and gastrotoxic if ingested in large doses

Cassava - leaves and roots: cytotoxic in large doses

Castor Bean (Castor Oil Plant) - seeds: cytotoxic if ingested or inhaled

Celandine - nephrotoxic 

Cherry - leaves and seeds: cytotoxic in large doses

Christmas Rose - all parts: gastrotoxic

Cocklebur - seedlings and seeds: gastrotoxic and neurotoxic

Columbine - seeds and roots: cardiotoxic; easily fatal

Corn Lily (False Hellebore) - all parts: cardiotoxic; often fatal

Cowbane (Water Hemlock, Snakeweed) - root: neurotoxic if ingested

Daffodil - bulbs and stems: gastrotoxic; possibly fatal

Datura/Moonflower - all parts: gastrotoxic and cardiotoxic

Deadly Nightshade (Belladonna) - all parts: cardiotoxic and neurotoxic; often fatal

Desert Rose (Sabi Star, Kudu) - sap: cardiotoxic with skin contact

Dumbcane - all parts: dermatoxic; possibly fatal

Elder (Elderberry) - root: gastrotoxic

Elephant Ear (Angel Wings) - all parts: dermatoxic and gastrotoxic

Ergot - neurotoxic 

Foxglove - leaves, seeds, and flowers: cardiotoxic; often fatal

Garlic - all parts: gastrotoxic in animals

Giant Hogweed - all parts: dermatoxic

Golden Chain - all parts, especially seeds: neurotoxic and gastrotoxic; possibly fatal

Goldenseal - all parts: gastrotoxic and neurotoxic in large doses

Grapes/Raisins - all parts: gastrotoxic in dogs

Greater Celandine - all parts: gastrotoxic in large doses

Hemlock (Spotted Cowbane, Poison Snakeweed) - all parts: neurotoxic; possibly fatal

Hemlock Water Dropwort - roots: neurotoxic if ingested; possibly fatal

Henbane - all parts: neurotoxic and cardiotoxic

Holly - berries: gastrotoxic

Honeybush - all parts: gastrotoxic

Honeysuckle - berries: gastrotoxic in mild cases and cardiotoxic in severe cases

Horse Chestnut - all parts: neurotoxic

Hyacinth - bulbs: gastrotoxic and neurotoxic; possibly fatal

Iris - rhizomes: gastrotoxic and dermatoxic 

Jequirity (Crab’s Eye, Rosary Pea) - seeds: neurotoxic and gastrotoxic; often fatal

Kava Kava - nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic 

Kidney Bean - raw: gastrotoxic

Larkspur - young plants and seeds: neurotoxic; often fatal

Lemon - oil: dermatoxic and gastrotoxic to animals  

Lily - all parts: nephrotoxic

Lily of the Nile (Calla Lily) - all parts: dermatoxic and gastrotoxic if ingested; possibly fatal

Lily of the Valley - all parts: cardiotoxic; possibly fatal

Lima Beans - raw: gastrotoxic

Lime - oil: dermatoxic and gastrotoxic in animals

Lobelia - all parts: gastrotoxic 

Mandrake - roots and leaves: gastrotoxic and neurotoxic

Mango - peel and sap: dermatoxic

Mangrove - bark and sap: dermatoxic and eye irritation

Mayapple - all green parts and unripe fruit: gastrotoxic

Meadow Saffron (Autumn Crocus) - bulbs: gastrotoxic; possibly fatal

Mistletoe - leaves and berries: gastrotoxic, cardiotoxic, and neurotoxic; rarely lethal in adults

Moonseed - fruits and seeds: gastrotoxic; often fatal

Mountain Laurel - all green parts: gastrotoxic

Nutmeg - raw: psychoactive in large doses

Oak - leaves and acorns: gastrotoxic; rarely fatal

Odollam Tree (Suicide Tree) - seeds: cardiotoxic; often fatal

Oleander - all parts: dermatoxic, cardiotoxic, and gastrotoxic; possibly fatal

Onions - all parts: gastrotoxic in animals

Orange - oil: dermatoxic and gastrotoxic in animals

Peach - seeds and leaves: cytotoxic in large doses

Pokeweed - leaves, berries, and roots: gastrotoxic; often fatal

Poison Ivy/Oak/Sumac - all parts, especially leaves: dermatoxic; possibly fatal

Poison Ryegrass (Darnel) - seeds: neurotoxic

Potato - raw: cytotoxic

Privet - berries and leaves: neurotoxic and gastrotoxic; possibly fatal

Ragwort - all parts: hepatotoxic

Redoul - all parts: gastrotoxic, neurotoxic, and causes respiratory issues; can be fatal in children

Rhubarb - leaves: nephrotoxic

Skullcap - hepatotoxic

Spindle (Spindle Tree) - fruit: hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic; possibly fatal  

Stinging Tree (Gympie Gympie) - bark and sap: dermatoxic; sometimes fatal

Strychnine Tree - seeds: neurotoxic; often fatal

Sweet Pea - seeds: neurotoxic and damaging to connective tissues

Tomato - leaves and stems: cytotoxic in large doses

Uva Ursi - neurotoxic, dermatoxic 

White Baneberry (Doll’s Eyes) - all parts, especially berries: cardiotoxic; possibly fatal

White Snakeroot - all parts: gastrotoxic; often fatal

Winter Cherry (Jerusalem Cherry) - all parts, especially berries: gastrotoxic; occasionally fatal, especially to children

Wisteria - gastrotoxic

Yew (English Yew, Common Yew) - leaves and seeds: gastrotoxic if ingested and respiratory issues if inhaled

definitions of terms used in this list: 

carcinogenic - a substance that can cause cancer

cardiotoxic - toxic to the heart 

cytotoxic - toxic to living cells

dermatoxic - toxic to the skin

gastrotoxic - toxic to the gastrointestinal system (stomach, intestines, etc.)

hepatotoxic - toxic to the liver

nephrotoxic - toxic to the kidneys and urological system (ureters, bladder)

neurotoxic - toxic to the neurological system (brain, nerves, brainstem, spinal cord, etc.)

psychoactive - pertaining to substances that change brain function and result in alterations in perception, mood, or consciousness

last updated: 1-10-2016

[starstuff-and-brain-chemica-blog]

@skywingfreedom think we could use this for some inspirationy things?

Cernunnos and his Druids • Raphael Lacoste

[starstuff-and-brain-chemica-blog]

shameless self promotion

Guess what! Commissions are being opened!

I also have NO Idea of what I’m doing, so bear with me.

I just received an order of canvas board, and I’m in need for a bit of extra funds so I can comfortably travel to a con in August and do a Stevonnie cosplay. The boards are on acid free paper, canvas, and primed with titanium white gesso.

These are hand-painted acrylic pieces that will arrive to you with sealant applied. My range is currently unknown (but I know for sure I can pull off the samples above again). The above images are paintings of the Final Fantasy: XIV job crystals, if you’re curious. I’ve posted those same images to Imgur/Reddit previously.

Portraits and characters are most definitely out of the question, as I haven’t artistically grasped how those figures work. Things like logos, sprites, icons, etc. I can definitely do.

I’ve also previously painted a Pikachu and a Junimo (Stardew Valley) piece as gifts, but I don’t have images of them. It’s safe to say I can probably handle Pokemon.

I will not confirm any order until we’ve figured out what you want and what I can actually realistically do. Drop me an ask and we can get started on that discussion process.

For now, I’m only going to open up 10 (ten) spots. The turn-around time might be a couple of weeks, as I might need to practice the figure a bit before actually Doing The Thing. Once I’m sure I’ve got it down, I’ll send you an image of the sketch to confirm that it’s what you want, and THEN I will start painting.

If something comes up or it might take longer than expected, I’ll be sure to keep in touch.

RATES [USD]: 

$40 for a single figure piece (excluding 9x12 and 11x14 boards) + $5 for each additional figure + $5 for 9x12 and 11x14 boards + $5 for a basic background (4 Colour Limit) + Shipping

Backgrounds will be incredibly basic. We’re talking like.. shapeless colour, not buildings or anything similar right now. I’m going to cap the total colours available for backgrounds at 4, because any more I feel might end up overwhelming. If you want more, we can discuss it and I’ll see if I can’t make it work.

Want 2 or more separate paintings? That’ll cover 2 or more slots, so figure the rates appropriately. I’ll combine shipping in this situation.

SLOTS:

I have the most boards for 8x8″ boards. I only have a few of the other sizes, so if you want a differently sized piece, let me know and we can discuss it.

Slot 1: 8x8 [OPEN]

Slot 2: 8x8 [OPEN]

Slot 3: 5x7 [OPEN]

Slot 4: 5x7 [OPEN]

Slot 5: 8x10 [OPEN]

Slot 6: 8x10 [OPEN]

Slot 7: 9x12 [OPEN]

Slot 8: 9x12 [OPEN]

Slot 9: 11x14 [OPEN]

Slot 10: 11x14 [OPEN]

Everything is open to discussion (except rates, really). If you have questions, talk to me! Seriously! I’m willing to at least consider everything not already mentioned above as something I won’t do. Drop me an ask. I won’t bite. I’ll have you email me directly once you do so. I just don’t want to plaster my email right here in this post for reasons. 

I’ll be accepting payment through Paypal. Alternatively, we can do an equal value exchange for items relevant to my cause (convention and cosplay). It’s up to you.

Please at least consider reblogging even if you aren’t interested, and most importantly, thanks for reading!

also advice is appreciated because i’m a newb to this whole commission thing.

[starstuff-and-brain-chemica-blog]

@skywingfreedom LOOK IT’S ME

[starstuff-and-brain-chemica-blog]

[starstuff-and-brain-chemica-blog]

@skywingfreedom

[starstuff-and-brain-chemica-blog]

skywingfreedom:

Raising an eyebrow quizzically at the strange battle of the conflicting emotions subtly playing out upon the witchling’s features, his bemusement would only be compounded further by the decidedly not sung reply of the mountain traveler. “You still do not see it, Sil Fahdon?” Veritas teased gently to her rider, taking amusement from his confusion.

The rider thought deeply for a moment, brow creasing in his usual frown of contemplation, before his eyes would widen with the sudden realization of the truth of the situation. “I didn’t have to sing at all, did I?” Leo muttered, confusion slowly turning to wounded pride, “And you knew! Yet you still let me continue! The halfling probably thinks I’m touched in the head!” The knight fumed against the hearty roars of merriment emanating from his partner, “First you, now her!. What is it about me that makes me such a target?!” Veritas would not answer immediately, needing a moment to settle her mirth. “Perhaps, we both feel you are too serious and need to relax.” She replied calmly, the brace humming pleasantly against the rider’s arm.

Grumbling discontentedly under his breath with a slight scowl darkening his features, Leo turned his full attention to the Orcish lady whom had begun to tell her tale in a halting mix of common and her native tongue. He listened intently, carefully following her hands as she drew, his surprise growing at the amount of similarity between her story and the ones he could recall from his youth. The mentioning of a dragon immediately confirmed his growing suspicions. 

“She speaks of one of the ancient temples. Our legends are the same! We are on the right path, Sil Fahdon!” Leo whispered excitedly to his partner, his sour mood swept away by exhilaration, as he continued taking in further information from the halfling.

“Indeed. However….It seems we are still behind Varden by many days. He may be using the temple as a refuge.” Veritas stated gravely, a rare feeling of unease flowing from her to her rider, “If he is responsible for the temple awakening and the rekindling of the Lok Qethsegol, who knows what else he may have learned? We must be prepared before meeting him again.”

“We will be, my heart.” The knight declared reassuringly, “There is nothing we can’t handle together.”

A brow would quirk again, this time accompanied by a smirk of amusement and vindication, his sharp eyes catching the flash of reddening cheeks as Sam stumbled over the intricacies of a foreign language. He then bowed in respect and thanks as the travelling pair took their leave, before turning to the wild mage.

“Lot Kogaan. My deepest gratitude, Sam.” He spoke with a genuine smile of appreciation, “I have learned much today. This would have taken much longer without your help.” 

Glancing at the sky and noting that the sun had not long passed the highest point it would reach, he decided against leaving the village until the following day.

“I shall depart at the rise of the Great Sky Fire tomorrow. Until then, is there anything I can do to repay your kindness?”

 His words were different, she mused, but that was not necessarily a bad thing. Leo was just a strange man in an unfamiliar land who had not, evidently, been raised to be multilingual in the northern languages. Given what she knew, there would have been little reason for him to leave his home, except whatever the man he sought had done necessitated it. 

It left a poor feeling in her chest, not knowing what they had done. What if he had fed a child and this was not permitted? Or any number of seemingly inane, crime-less things. Conversely, what if he’d killed someone important? What if the crime of murder was honestly investigated and justice could be brought?

It left much to ponder, more questions than she had answers, and Samhael could only look to the piercing blue sky as though it had what she sought. It did not, unfortunately, and this left an uneasy void in her chest. “Acquiring the help of locals can be beneficial. I do not know how things are different between here and whence you come.” This left her with something of an idea, and she re-focused back on the tall man. “Perhaps you could tell us? Maevil’s family and I, I mean. Share a story or two over supper? The children would certainly enjoy it, I know.”

A simple request certainly, but it would be payment enough. And there was some comfort in knowing the witchling still had time to receive an answer on her petition. “It would be payment enough, I believe.”

There was a brief pause while she thought for a moment more, and straightened herself, adjusting her satchel with care. “If you choose to accept, please come by my home an hour before sundown. I imagine a proper meal will be prepared. If you have need of a bed for the night, Harvan will have one for you. You may also wish to check over your supplies between now and then. I will more than likely have anything medicinal you may need,” Sam stated, eyeballing a path back through the markets. “May Aeliro bless your path with light, Leo.”

Questions and Mysteries [Closed]

[starstuff-and-brain-chemica-blog]

WHEN I FIND AN EGREGIOUS GRAMMATICAL ERROR IN MY OWN WORK

It’s just like:

[starstuff-and-brain-chemica-blog]

Just for fun! I’ve collected so many pretty blue pictures lately I decided it was time to make this, sort of a companion to the one I made for Flemeth. What do you guys think? Should I go through the rest of the pantheon?

[starstuff-and-brain-chemica-blog]

Space Aesthetics: Sun

my brilliance extends for miles

not even the clouds can stop my shine

it all revolves around my existence

because without me, you are nothing

[starstuff-and-brain-chemica-blog]

Blue Witch aesthetic