#>Elephant

[philodendronplants]

Creeper-Plants-Combo

Buy the most popular creeper plants for decoration that additionally have health benefits. The sense of touch is highly developed in climbing creeper plants, which helps them scale other plants and structures. Hurry Up this combo is very limited.

Creeper Plants in this Combo include

Bush Clock Laurifolia Blue

Bush Clock Laurifolia White

Rangoon Creeper

Elephant Creeper

erver-spaces=”true”>Garlic Creeper

Bread Flower- Vallaris solanacea

Thunbergia grandiflora blue

Clitoria – Butterfly pea plant white

Passion Flower Red

Thunbergia mysorensis

<strong>spaces=”true”>Note<span data-preserver-spaces=”true”>: Plants in this combo are sold along with nano covers & best rootings.

[mistfallengw2]

Absolution gives me thoughts. Not bad, but many.

Map is cool and definitely manages the vibe it's going for, this expansion they showcased that better than ever in specific things (or at least I did feel it particularly strong). A tad empty though. Meta is... fine? Short for sure, and the "reversal of expectations" (big boss first, divide and conquer later) is a choice indeed lol. Rewards definitely need to be better though. Time to delve into achievs and fractal.

Now... the expansion as a whole is still very valid and I had plenty of fun, but we can't ignore the elephant in the room. The story is... rushed. No way around it. Not egregious like with SotO's second half, they still got in the ballpark of some beats they wanted to reach, but I can distinctively feel the agony left from the parts they had to rush through or cut away (at this point I've got a 6th sense for it in all media and it's rough). That said, the overall vibe of the whole story does kinda strengthen my theory that SotO, JW and the next expansion are part of (at least) a trilogy centered around the Wizards, but we'll see lol. It's just a theory, a loooooore theory!

Now, for the big thoughts...

The expansion type is easy to blame, but that's not the whole issue by itself, it's more tied to the kind of story they want to tell and the update structure that doesn't fit it their scope. Old expansions were similar to movies, with mostly self-concluding storylines that are limited to shorter spans of time (HoT was a month and a half and likely the longest), while LW Seasons had the structure of a tv series that can be more episodic with smaller focused storylines while still advancing the underlying bigger plot. Each was suited for its story, and having them alternate meant we got the best of both worlds.

Current expansions are still trying to make a movie with stories like before, but the current release schedule means that they start strong with the first half of the movie, then chop the rest of it into smaller episodes to keep it going for longer as if it was a small series (trying not lose players' ever-dwindling attention). Now THAT is going to ruin any movie/story, regardless of its quality. Imagine if HoT's story was was identical, but you had to wait around for 3 months for each map and story beat past Auric Basin. It'd be cool up until the egg is safe in the pretty city, then it'd be just a little better "slog" than what we're getting now.

SotO also had the problem of trying to cram what felt like 1.5 expansions into a smaller one (Wizardland was a strong start, but then we moved to Nayos... which could have easily been an expansion on its own if expanded and with different maps), so the narrative was hit hard like one of those terrible book adaptations that resort to cutting everything they can. JW managed to do better with its pacing, at least the pauses felt more natural in-story (Lowlanders' torpor, recouping from reasonable aftermaths, "can't enter because the key is dangerous so we gotta find alternatives" instead of deadly fogs), but it still feels "abridged" like Champions in a way.

Budget and time constraints hit old stuff big time too (just look at the 4th lane of Dragon's Stand, Siren's Landing, Kourna, the "gotta rush ahead" moment in every expansion, etc), but it was easier to hide that when it's on longer playthroughs.

I don't envy the devs, because working on a full expansion would mean 2 years of content drought in a no-attention-span environment, and we're already seeing the gut reaction for less than 150 days of that. Doing the "1 year per release" model on time was a great flex (especially if they are actually not compromising work-life balance), but I do hope for it to shift towards "more than 1 year as needed" instead, like they're doing now. I'm also fine with waiting 4 months between releases if they get to breathe a bit, and I'll beat that acceptance into annoying people if needed. One good solution would be less at the start and spreading that out to secondary releases (maybe even a return to LW format with more or less equal releases), but we'll see what we get.

Also let's face it, if IBS hadn't failed due to Covid and the nostalgia-fueled expansion demand from higher-ups and annoying fans, we might have ended up with the "Living World but paid and bigger" concept many were ready to pay for years ago. Instead, we got there via the wrong process.

We knew Kiel fucks, we knew Logan fucks, but we didn't know they fuck together lmao (also Jennah holy fuck r u for real gurl?)

[aikonecrosis]

「 MC File 」 Aiko Necrosis

Appearance

Aiko is a 22 year old, 5'8”/172 cm tall black woman with deep purple hair. She has brown eyes that will have small changes in color when her Evol is in use. Her build mainly emphasizes her legs due to her generally weak arm strength and she primarily uses her legs in battle when not using a weapon. In the early stages of her life she used to straighten her hair very frequently before later on sticking to her curly hair.

Personality

Aiko is first and foremost an introvert on paper. She keeps to herself normally, especially more so in the past compared to now. She mainly uses her introverted nature as a defense mechanism, keeping people at arms length to prevent herself from getting attached. Under normal circumstances, she only speaks when spoken to and tries to remain as invisible and forgettable as possible.

With close friends however she is very lively and energetic. She loves to have small hangouts with her old friends from the Hunter's Academy, Rin and Ella. Despite her monotone outward nature to strangers she's actually very she gets excited over small, almost insignificant things. She's also very smug and competitive and has on more than one occasion crashed out over a game. Aiko also has a condescending nature, mainly around her targets as a bounty hunter. She often refers to her targets as “honey” if ever talking directly to them.

Her Past

Aiko was once a Hunter-in-training at the Hunter's Academy. She was mainly known as a sharpshooter, preferring rail guns and sniper rifles above all other weapons and known to have very precise accuracy. Her two closest friends during her time at the time were Rin Kobayashi (her dorm mate) and Ella Cerisier. In her second year at the academy, the group of three became a group of four, adding a late transfer to their group, Joccy Solis. Aiko had nearly completed her studies at the academy and had been set to graduate but disappeared from the academy without a trace. Due to an accident involving her — at the time — unstable Evol, she decided that being a hunter was too dangerous so she became a solo act as a bounty hunter.

Some time later she had made a name for herself by repeatedly stealing from crime lords in N109 zone and turning people in who had pretty decent rewards for their capture. Eventually — due to her constantly stealing from crime lords — a bounty was placed on her as well, and she became known in the N109 zone as the ever elusive thief and bounty hunter, Nyx.

Daily Life

Job

Aiko stole her primary weapons — an EVER patented sniper rifle and railgun — from one of the Hunter's Association's armories.

Life

She has extremely strong legs. Definitely kicked down her fair share of doors.

She is extremely calculating, and tries to always have at least two backup plans.

She has the attention span of goldfish or an elephant. There is no in between.

She will often feed stray animals.

She cannot stand artificial light.

Her Likes

POTATOES IN ANY FORM!

She has a fascination for musical theater and dance.

She loves cooking (as long as it isn't spicy).

She likes to read old graphic novels when she has the time.

Related Articles:

「 Relationship Analysis 」 Sylus and Aiko

{MC File} Rin Kobayashi

{ MC File } Joccy Solis

{MC File} Vera Devotus

Divider Credits: @k1ssyoursister

[the-radience-of-the-moon]

Weeping willow (a creepypasta)

Willow had always been different from the other kids, for aslong as she could remember. Some would say its due to her autism, others say it was her home life, but if you could ask anyone who got close to her and survived, they would say the same thing.

Her weird fascinations, the things she would do when no one was around. Wether it was glueing pieces of animals together, or swapping the skins of bugs, it all fell under the same fascination. However, she mostly got along as a normal kid.

Yes she got teased for being different, but most of the time she didnt mind, especially since her older brother could protect her. He was 3 years older, and if anything happened to willow he would make sure it wouldnt happen again.

That was until willow turned about 10, and everything changed. She was just about to enter middle school, when on the last day of summer break her brother and dad went on a fishing trip together, like they would always do in the summer breaks. But this time, they didnt come back. Weeks of searching for them every day at sea turned into just going to the ocean around 3 days a week to just giving up on them, accepting it and moving on.

Well, most people moved on, but not willow. Due to willow’s already messed up brain, she soon fell into a depressive episode, spending her days weeping in her room, barely eating, and shouting at her mom if her mom even tried to bring up her brother.

She stopped going to school for about 3 months, just falling into a rabbit hole of depression, wich eventually landed her in her bathtub with a razor blade deep into her wrist, then in the hospital. She didnt fully remember that time, especially since she was fairly young, but she remembered her mom. Her panicked reaction, the amount of tissues she had already used up while sitting at willow’s bedside in the hospital, the worried look she got when she was told that willow had to go to a psychiatric hospital, and being told how much it would all cost.

It just made willow feel worse, like a burden, like the idiot she was. After around a few days in the hospital she was dragged off to the psychiatric hospital, not even resisting, since maybe fighting them would cost her mom more. The 2 awful months she had spent in the mental hospital might just be the third worse thing she had ever experienced.

Most time was spent by her weeping, screaming or clawing at the walls, but there were occasions where she would be drugged so numb she could barely stay conscious. While in the hospital she eventually got prescribed a hand full of strong medication, and after the two months they had her fully calmed down, yes she was mostly unresponsive, but thats not what they really cared about at the end.

She was diagnosed with manic depression, formerly known as bipolar disorder, anorexia and psychosis. When she finally got out around the new year she wasnt dependable enough to go to school, wich caused her to stay home until the next school year. She hardly remembered this period, it was just a constant loop of waking up, taking pills to numb every part of her, going to the doctor for check ups, her mom trying to cheer her up, her mom failing at it, and eventually taking enough sleeping pills to make an elephant to sleep, just to get a good night of sleep.

When she was finally stable enough to go to school, it felt like torture. The loudness of the other kids, the bullying, the memories of her brother, having to focus in class- it was all a little much. She became the all known quiet kid, not having the energy to talk at school, and barely talking when she got home.

She spent her days crafting in her room, glueing living bugs together, stuff like that. Spending all that time locked in her room made her mom very lonely, and accepting her grief her mom set off to go into the dating scene again, and when willow was around 13 her mom got a new boyfriend, and in the span of no time they were engaged. He was an alright guy, he seemed very arrogant and was a little rude to willow, but she was fine with it, if it made her mom happy.

But when the guy moved in, and started drinking again, it wasnt much fun anymore. Yes he was financially supporting them, but her mom wasnt happy with a constant drunk and verbally abusive fiance, and neither was willow. So her mom started working again, making long hours and saving up money, trying to gather up money to get her and willow out of the household.

It took a while, nearly 4 years, but right after willow’s 17th birthday, they had the money. The whole time before that was a blur, but for what had happened and what was going on in her brain, she was doing good in school. She was starting her last year, just getting by, but that was enough for her.

When trying to gather all their stuff to leave, her- well- stepdad, had noticed what they were doing, and decided that for the first time of living with them he wanted to be nice, begging them to stay. Saying he was going to kill himself if they went, saying they didnt have enough to support themselves, and eventually even turning to his trusty beer bottles, throwing the bottles at willow and her mother while they ran to the car with all the stuff they could carry.

However, they made it out. They got away from him, and thats all that mattered. willow’s mom had already found an apartment, fully furnished with old dusty furniture from the 90’s, but that didnt matter. They had a decently safe home, and they had eachother.

They lived in a decently small town, her mom working at fabric store, and willow herself going to a small high school not far from the town. Senior year, and boy was it awful. Since she was ‘the quiet kid’ she got bullied- no- worse, terrorised. She would get mocked, punched, laughed at and generally bullied for everything she did, especially since she wore the same green zip up hoodie for weeks upon weeks, bloody stained sleeves being visible, and giving everyone the clear indication that she was cutting herself, which she was.

The worst bullying was ofcoarse from the three meanest and most populair girls in the school, and their dragged-along-boyfriends. The main girl, becky, and her boyfriend zack were the worst. It was like they just hated willow with their whole guts, wich got zack and the other guys to the great idea to pull a prank.

Zack was going to try and seduce willow, to get into her house and film- well- we all know what. And the plan went smoothly. Zack got ‘nicer’, and acted meaner to his own girlfriend, just to get willow to like him back. And boy did she. Willow saw affection and mindlessly grabbed it, falling right into his trap, and invited him over for some ‘winter cuddling’.

Well cuddling turned into touching, and eventually their bodies were exposed, but willow didnt feel good. She felt sick to her stomach, trying to get out from the now on top of her zack, but he was keeping her pinned down, grabbing his flip phone from his jeans pocket, turning on the record button.

This whole part was fuzzy to willow- or maybe its just her brain trying to block it out. All she remembers is eventually being om top of zack, wich a pair of her scissors stuck into his shoulder, a giant cut over his cheek, exposing his bloodied teeth. She remembered him screaming, throwing her to the side, grabbing his stuff and he was gone.

There was a soft train of blood over the floor, and willow held her clothes to her chest, sobbing on the floor, holding the bloodied scissors in her hand. Cleaning everything was a blur, the whole week was a blur. Zack wasnt at school due to his injuries, but the three mean girls knew excactly what happened. Eventually exam time rolled around, and willow passed.

Wait she passed? She didnt even remember anything from it, just the big smile her mom had on her face when she came home with a store bought cake, congratulating willow on her graduation. Willow barely ate anything from the cake, and before she could even realise what was happening and be happy, it all came crashing down.

The doctor had called, they didnt have rnough for health insurance, so willow’s pills would cost too much, meaning she couldnt get her refills. What a nice moment, and what a bittersweet thing to hear, to make it all crash down. Her mom seemed more upset then willow was, making her- well- feel bad for her mom. Making her feel like a burden- i mean if she hadnt been there- maybe-.

She couldnt find a good reason, but she felt like a weight to her mom. The next week was just preparing for the worst, the pills slowly running out, the orange bottles being thrown into the trash one by one, since they werent being filled up any time soon. Everything seemed fine after that. I mean, it was worse then usual, but without school she finally had some peace, so not taking the pills had a minor effect on her.

Spring break rolled around and like any other break she spent it alone, covered up with her green zipper hoodie maybe brushing out her matted, long brown hair and crafting something, some bloodied pigeon wings on a wooden pigeon. She didnt even think about what had happened with zack- i mean she did- but she didnt expect anything to come from it. Until there was an envelope in the mail. An invitation for a graduation party, adressed especially to her. It looked too messy for a school to hand out, so one of the students must have sent it.

She didnt want to go, especially since it was on july 19th, wich was her 18th birthday. But her mom convinced her to see her classmates, just for one more time before they would go to college, and she would start working, since they didnt have money for college.

And on rolled july 19th, she was sitting in the car with her mom, her mom driving into a small path into the forrest, wich was ironically full of weeping willow’s. Her mom dropped her off as close to the party as she could, and drove off.

Willow put up her hood and walked into the forrest, not getting very far before being greeted by the three mean girls, and zack, standing a little further behind them, his cheek looking messed up, not very neatly stitched up. And with a small nod from the girls zack ran towards willow, picking her up and forcing her against a weeping willow, tying her up, making her wrists hurt like hell.

The girls begane degrading her, slashing at her hoodie, cutting her arms, slicing her long hair off into a sort cut to right above the shoulder, with such short bangs they almost werent there. Whenever willow started crying they just laughed, giving the box cutter to zack as he mercilessly stabbed her in the side, going easily through her hoodie and skin, making the blood stain her hoodie. The girls laughed as they softly whispered about the ‘grand finale’, as the signalled zack to get something from one of their bags.

He got a soft of thermos cup, wich would often contain coffee or tea, but in this case, contained something much worse. In a blink of an eye he threw it at willow’s face, making her jerk her head to the left and ripping her hand out of the retraint to try and cover her face, splashing the substance all over the right side of her face, and a little bit of her neck. For a second she thought it was okay, until it started to burn. And boy did it burn.

It felt like her skin was melting off, wich it was, but 100 times worse. She heard the girls laugh as she weeped and screamed and clawed at her face, coughing as she dropped to her knees, looking up to the girls with her one good eye, her eyes full of terror, but anger quickly building up.

Now having her hands free she grabbed the box cutter that was laying on the ground, and slashed at becky, the front girl, cutting open her stomach, making her drop to the floor. All the girls screamed as willow slowly stood up, easily cutting open the throat of one of the girls, and stabbing the back of the other girl as she tried to run.

Zack seemed to accept his faith, seeming scared but accepting as willow cut open the stitching in his cheek and stabbed into his throat, dragging the box cutter down his chest, making him gurgle in his own blood, like most of the others were. She grabbed the head of the girl she stabbed in the back and sliced her neck open to the bone, the turned to becky.

Becky was holding her stomach, trying to keep the blood from pouring out of her gashing wound. Willow grabbed becky by the hair, holding her down on her back as she started cutting around her face, cutting fully around her face, and eventually started rupping the skin off her face, eventually ripping it clean, making becky scream in agony as she was still barely conscious.

Willow held the face, looking in the reflection or becky’s pocket mirror as she put it over her face, trying to be beautiful, but she threw the skin down, seeing that she wasnt. She was ruined, now not only mentally, but physically too. She threw the mirror on the ground and stomped it, putting rhe box cutter in her pocket as she started stumbling away, stumbling back home.

She held her hood up, and was keeping her arms over the wounds on her body, making her way back into her and her mom’s apartment, mostly unnoticed. When she got home her mom was sitting at the dinner table, reading the newspaper and not even noticing that willow came home, and that willow was grabbing the box cutter from her pocket.

In a blink of an eye she had the blad in her mom’s throat, stabbing her throat over and over and over again, making her head start to detach from her body. Her mom’s blood was all over her fave, her clothes, and over the dinner. She breathed heavily as she looked at her mom’s decapitated body, and the head laying next to it.

She crumbled up next to the body and started to weeping, weeping like the weeping willow she was. She was last reported at the fabric store her mom worked at, making a mask out of a mannequin face, then fleeing into the woods. People say shes still out in those woods, killing and stealing people’s faces, to try and be pretty again.

(Hi, tom here!! Im very dislexic so if any of this is soelled wrong/written wrong please tell me! Also i included some cringy art of willow, im gonna make more art and some headcannons soon but im in france right now, so ill do it when im home&have time. Btw, even though willow is 18, im still a minor and would prefer no sexual content about my oc (if it ever gets famous or something). I hope you guys enjoy! :PP )

[imexperiencinggrowthgetoverit]

My Reaction To “The Edge Of Sleep” Show

Spoilers below obviously

ep 1

so was Dave like unknowingly being prepared for this tragedy??? that’s my first thought about what’s happening

ep 2

I actually understand Katie’s view cuz she just believes Dave has disrespected her wishes. I’m glad once he’s there she reacts somewhat well considering

ep 3

this brings up the question if life is worth it even with extreme pain each second. it’s a good question to start discussion about from both those experiencing the pain and those caring for them. primarily the former talking to those around them about their feelings on it.

ah so perhaps I was correct about my ep 1 theory ha

ep 4

I’m so glad Dave talked to Katie finally. I’m also glad someone finally talked to Ruth. Their reactions are all understandable and I really appreciate that.

This concept is so cool and the execution is so well done. God I’m so glad to be watching this now. I’m checking out the podcast after this for sure. Never had the attention span for it before, but I’m hooked now.

Did Mark do Larry and sing by the way? I swear I’m hearing him everywhere lol. It’s so cool seeing his name in the introduction credits. Also the way we slowly understand more of them as we watch is 10/10

ep 5

Trying to figure out if the whale or elephant is good is hard cuz it seems obvious but what if it isnt?

Oh no they crash though…. right? Damn I’m so hyped to know what’s up.

oh my god the choice to make it like falling asleep as a viewer was so good Holy crap

it’s a hard thing to exert energy to stay awake but not so much you lose any energy to stay awake… as someone with insomnia this is a battle I am too intimately aware of

I’m so glad this is the cast. It’s so well picked for each role cuz they’re killing it.

NOOOO NOT THE POOR WORDING

ep 6

woah new intro.

is he dreaming awake now too? oh no.

Holy hyuck Matteo is going through it.

oh no there’s concerning sh info I really hope nobody uses it hyuck.

two hours. yall got this.

Holy thwip water landing okay so not a crash technically??

HEAD BETWEEN KNEES MFS WHAT ARE YOU DOING (ik theyre out of it but ahhhhh)

Holy crap they survived Holy crap all of them

we love abandoned islands lol

oh no hallucinations.

I just realized is the elephant wearing a red dress? its too bright to be a monk-inspired robe right?

I wonder if this is all one island or if its shots mixed together to look like one.

These people are so strong Holy crap. Handling literal torture

it is a red dress!!

oooooo love raw power let’s hyucking go.

Would Katie really want that?

it’s interesting that the elephant needs him…. the fact it can’t just take control… hmm

they made it!!!!

what?

okay much more sense context wise now with so many survivors.

Safet okay. Interesting the name has safe in it. Sounds like prophet too.

This is suuuuch cult thwip.

lol are they real like bro its the actual whales

oh lord. war? more torture sigh.

he’s not gonna take “all as it should be” well

that room has got to be hot as hell tf

so much fire is not safe yall

oh hell no what the hyuck

OH NO KATIE NO

post series

I want to see what’s next so bad omg yes.

Podcast time!!!

[resquices-of-godhood]

Chapter III: Learning from the past to shape the future.

First << Previous <- Next ->

As the ramp lowers, the cult grounds come to view. Despite the similar structure of division of sleeping quarters, canteen, farms, temple and other necessary infrastructures, it's all far more advanced. There are small studio homes in place of huts, the farms have automated irrigation systems, the kitchen has several electrical appliances, and that's just what's immediately visible.

The followers in the cult have all been enhanced cybernetically to some degree, from a single limb or eye to nearly all of their bodies. A small selection of them seem to be entirely mechanical, most of them recreations of follower forms, though a small group among them have bulkier utilitarian frames, more closely resembling tractors, cranes or trucks, while others resemble a regular follower from the waist up, and the animal body below that.

As the group crosses the ramp, it also becomes apparent that, despite the altitude, there's no strong wind in the cult grounds, as if something was shielding the place from the weather, though not all of them seem to notice it right away from the awe.

"We are quite a way up, aren't we? Where's the wind?" Asks Leshy, who can't quite appreciate the sights due to his blindness.

"Well noticed, Leshy. There is a energy shield that covers the entire area of my cult grounds between the two runways." Wolfgang replies as they walk towards the huge structure that is the temple, as well as the shrine, a statue of the god of Technology with his six eyes looking at the distance and holding his arms in front of himself, an open book on his left hand and a mechanical contraption on the right one.

"The two what now?" Asks the former Bishop of Chaos while the others stop to see an elephant carry a giant box over their head from the farm to the kitchen, thanks to a mechanical exoskeleton.

"It will be easier to explain once we are in the library, where there are models to demonstrate. Suffice to say for now, though, runways are strips of land that allows certain aircraft to take off and land safely." Wolfgang responds, before calling to the others. "We are almost there. You guys can have the tour of the place later."

That's enough to get the others back on track for now, so they all move to the temple. Once inside, they can see that the sermon room is not much bigger than the one on Leoda's temple, despite the cathedral sized building it is housed in. It is, however, a lot more opulent despite the size, not too surprising considering how long the Wolf has been a god.

"Wait, this is you temple?" Leoda asks as they look around. "It's... Tiny."

"Well, yes. This is the temple." Wolfgang responds as he moves to one of the doors on the back. "I don't need that big of a house of worship for my main cult. Now the library that's attached to it? That needs a lot of space... I suppose it's more accurate to say I have a temple in my library than the other way around."

"What you mean main cult?" Leoda inquires further, but it's Narinder's time to respond.

"It's not sustainable to keep growing your cult past a certain size, so we used to send disciples in missionary missions to form additional cults in our names so the amount of devotion we receive increase, without having to sustain more followers." The panther explains to his former vessel. "It's not as efficient as indoctrinating more followers into the cult, but it is a lot simpler and cheaper."

"Precisely." Wolfgang responds to the explanation as he opens the door. "Specially when your claims start to span over an entire continent. At that point it's better to treat anything outside the main cult as an empire that you have to manage on the macro scale instead." He then gestures for them to go through. "In any case, welcome to my central library."

Across the door is a balcony of sorts, about 4 by 5 meters (about 13 by 16 feet), with a conference table and several chairs meant for meetings. It is enclosed by glass all around, including a sliding glass door opposite to the entrance from the temple. Beyond that is a several floors deep drop to the floor of the library.

The sight of the place is, once again, breath taking. The library is gargantuan, with rows upon rows of book shelves, all going from the ceiling of the cathedral to several floors underground. Several platforms move between them, taking scholars or would be readers to where they need to go to retrieve books. Even Leshy, though his Blessing of the Forest, can sense the sheer scale of the place.

Wolfgang goes to the glass door and presses a button besides it to call one of the moving platforms.

"This is so much bigger than any of my libraries..." Shamura says as they look out of the glass walls.

"That's because my crown drives me to accumulate an ever increasing amount of knowledge, Shamura." The wolf says while waiting for the platform. "Even if I didn't choose to share nearly it all with anyone willing to learn, the Gray Crown is never satisfied with what I just come across by chance. It always hunger to learn more."

"Your crown too tries to take over?" Asks Leoda, getting the attention of the wolf, who shakes his head.

"Not like what I heard the Red Crown did, which I assume is nowhere near as bad as what really happened." He says as a platform, roughly 3 by 3 meters (10 by 10 feet) approaches the balcony. "But every crown tries to influence its bearer, according to their domains." As the platform stops in front of the balcony, it lowers a part of the protective railing before the glass door opens. "Please mind the gap while boarding the platform. Trust me, you don't want to let any of your personal belongings fall."

After they all board, Baines, who had gone through the whole awe thing the first time he came to the cult grounds, and as such was just following the group, moves to the control screen of the platform.

"Where to, Lord Wolfgang?" The owl asks as he rests the crosier against his shoulder to free one of his hands.

"Video study room five c." The wolf instructs as he helps Leshy to climb onto the platform. "Five a is in use and five b is under maintenance."

With a nod, Baines navigates to the rooms menu, then selects the designated room, giving enough time for everyone to board. After a few seconds, the railing raises up again and the platform starts moving, first horizontally, then vertically.

"How long did it take to build all of this?" Gayne asks as they watch the bookshelves go by as they move.

"Well, the platform system has been in the works for the last hundred years or so, getting improvements often." Wolfgang replies as he waits for the arrival at their destination. "The library, though? Since I became a god, so about eight hundred sixty four years."

"Huh. No wonder this place is so massive." the Goat replies as they look towards the bottom of the library. "My Shamura took a century to fill a new hidden library, and they weren't small ones either."

"Your Shamura?" Wolfgang asks, looking between the former spider god and the current goat one.

"Yeah, I come from a different time line." Gayne responds nonchalantly as they lean away from the rail to look at the Wolf.

"I see..." The Wolf responds, before turning his crown into a tablet to take note of that new information.

"Might not be wise to go talking about it, Gayne." Leoda chides the Goat, who just shrugs.

"He would have figured it out sooner or later. Besides, what can be done about it at this point?" Gayne responds to the Lamb. "As far as I know, the connection between the timelines got severed when the crown returned there without me."

"I wouldn't be so sure about it, Gayne." Wolfgang replies as he returns the crown to its place atop his head. "You got me a few ideas brewing on how to detect and access other timelines." He adds as the platform start aligning with a door.

"Shit..." The Goat replies as Leoda gives a "I told you so" look to them.

"Oh, don't worry. I don't intend on sending you back home unless you become a threat to my people." The Wolf replies as the platform comes to a stop, lowering the same section of the railing as before as the metal door on the wall opens. "Anyways, we arrived."

"Are the rooms only accessible through the platforms?" Asks Shamura as there doesn't seem to be any stairs on the library side.

"That wouldn't be safe. There are stair access on the other side of the rooms, but they are less convenient than the platforms." Wolfgang explains as the group disembark into the study room. "They have been installed for emergencies where the platforms are not safe to ride on."

The room the group enters is quite big, at least for a study room, clearly meant for groups to use. It is shaped like a cube with size length of 5 meters (16 feet), to be able to accommodate a Bishop. The walls are covered by cream colored embossed velvet, giving a soft and comforting appearance, while the floor and ceiling are covered with black carpet. Opposite to the entrance is a window with shutter blinds currently closed, so only the room is currently illuminated by artificial light from the ceiling lamps only.

On the wall to the right is a lounge sofa, spanning the entire length of the wall, and on the left is a projection screen, currently lowered, though that doesn't remain for long before Wolfgang raises it up, not planning to use the projector hanging from the ceiling. Underneath the screen is a short rack with a few devices. In the middle of the room is a round table with several chairs placed around it, with a dome on its center, though if it is just decoration or has another use is not clear.

While the group take their seats on the chairs or the sofa, Wolfgang approaches the rack and picks up a tablet from it. "So, since there's a lot to go through, lets start off with the events that resulted in the treaty I was referring earlier." He speaks up as he inputs commands on the tablet, dimming the lights down before the dome on the table lights up and starts projecting a 3D image above it.

Wolfgang describes the events as the projector provides the visual representation. "After I had conquered Euhera as the sole god of that land, I started sending ships to scout the world, given how little the crown was aware of due to departing Phemura without a bearer. I was aware of this continent, and indeed these lands were the first to be found, but Ofura was discovered not much longer afterwards." He explains as the projection shows the routes each vessel took on the ocean.

"When the explorers landed here, they saw some signs of the Old Faith, but they were mostly deteriorating statues and ruined buildings up north, so they assumed there were no living gods in these lands." He continues, showing some of the images that were documented of the bishop statues covered in moss, as well as ruined temples.

"We... Were there..." Heket interrupts, to which Wolfgang nods.

"Indeed, but your combined territory had stagnated in size. It was barely remnants that far up north, so there was no real way of knowing until you started moving against the beachhead after I had made landfall as well." The Wolf points out. "At which point I had to defend what I had already claimed as my territory."

"And whatever you used to drive me back sure hurt. I mean, I was miles away, so I have no idea of what you did, but those explosions were no joke!" Leshy chimed in as he lounged on the couch. "Didn't even get a proper fight there!"

"Leshy, you shouldn't antagonize him!" Kallamar chides his younger brother.

"Brother, I love you, but you should really listen to his advice about stopping hiding behind others if you have something to say." Leshy retorts. "Besides, even I wouldn't be dumb enough to speak in such manner if I thought he would smite me for it."

"You have a point, Leshy, but you did come dangerously close of calling a god coward. Were I a god of War, you'd probably not be lounging where you are now any longer." Wolfgang points out to the bushworm. "Of course, the howitzer barrage could be seen as a cowardly attack, but it was tactically the most sound option. You were, after all, a whole siege by yourself."

"A what barrage?" Asks Gayne while Leshy seemed pleased with himself about being considered such a threat.

"Howitzer. It's a kind of long range artillery that allows for long range engagement. We have since moved past that tech and into more powerful artillery pieces." Wolfgang explains. "That's besides the point now. After driving Leshy and Heket back with long range weaponry and engaging Kallamar with use of curses, I ended up fighting Shamura for a while. After trading a few blows to each other, we agreed to discuss the terms of a treaty so I don't invade further their land, nor do they keep attacking what I claimed."

"We gave... Too much..." Heket tries to speak, before Shamura interrupts her.

"It was the only way to avoid a war with a god that, while much younger, was not burdened by as grievous wounds as ours from sealing our brother, dear sister." They reason with the frog, who seems frustrated but settles down nonetheless.

"Seems your memories of what happened are returning, Shamura." Wolfgang adds comments, to which the spider nods.

"Indeed, though they are still foggy and fragmented. I'm sorry, but it is difficult to recall much more than that." Shamura responds, keeping their composure where others would be nervous in their place.

Wolfgang sighs at hearing it. "So be it. It is a shame what happened to that sharp mind of yours." He says, before going to the rack to retrieve two more tablets, tapping on them for a few moments, then giving them to Gayne and Leoda. "Anyways, the terms are listed here."

"Wait, how do you know about Shamura's mental state from before I was sealed?" Asks Narinder as he leans forwards on his chair.

"The Gray Crown grants me access to something called the Akashic Records. It's a collection of all the accumulated knowledge it has witnessed, including, but not limited to, that of my predecessor." Wolfgang explains while the two new gods review the treaty. "And that includes each meeting with each of you five. Speaking of which..." He adds as he puts down the tablet controlling the projector and pulls once again the crown as a one. "Would you mind recollecting how you managed to take them down, Narinder? The information of the moment of their death is missing, besides the fact that you were the one to land the killing blow."

"I, uh... OK?" Narinder is taken aback by the way Wolfgang is reacting to being in the presence of their predecessor's killer. Most crown bearers would be seeking revenge. "As long as you aren't planning anything beyond taking notes, I don't see why not."

"Oh, don't worry about it. I know they used to be... Less than morally upstanding. I have no reason to want revenge for someone whose methods I didn't really agree with, and the Gray Crown cares more about filling that gap in knowledge than seeking retribution." Wolfgang reassures the panther. "For it, their death was just another experience to be catalogued without hard feelings."

"Well, if that's the case, then I suppose I should fill in as many details as I can, right?" Narinder asks, receiving a nod of confirmation from the Wolf. "It all happened about a century before the end of the god wars..."

And here we have it, folks. The cult of the Gray Crown in all it's technological glory. As a comparison, while I consider the main game to be around steampunk levels of tech, the cult of the Gray Crown is at post space age levels. That comes from the fact that their Bishop was not crippled by wounds, so he didn't stagnate, and that he is one to push development at break neck speeds.

Next chapter, we will be jumping back in time, to witness the god wars as Narinder recollects the battle with the previous bearer of the Gray Crown, and the different approach to advancement they had.

as always, separator by @lambouillet

[brettgilbreath]

Three Incredible African Safari Destinations

Africa is a famous vacation spot, with millions of tourists visiting the continent yearly to go on safari, a word in Swahili meaning trip. Visitors who go on safari have the opportunity to see a wide variety of wild animals in their natural habitat. Among the many safari destinations, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa are considered to be the best places to experience the beauty and splendor of the African wilderness.

For good reason, Kenya has long been regarded as the birthplace of the safari. It is home to the world-renowned Maasai Mara National Reserve, which gives tourists the chance to see the "Big Five" (elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros, lion, and leopard) and other wildlife including giraffes, hippos, and hyenas in one location. The Mara's diverse topography, from expansive savannahs to green riverine forests, provides the perfect backdrop for wildlife observation and photography.

The best time to go on safari in Kenya is during the dry season, which runs from July to October. This is when the spectacular Great Migration takes place, with over 1.5 million zebras, gazelles, and wildebeest moving from Tanzania's Serengeti National Park to Kenya's Maasai Mara in search of greener pasture. To reach the Maasai Mara during the Great Migration—which is recognized as one of the world's new wonders—the animals have to swim across the Mara River, which is packed with crocodiles, and sadly, many of them do not make it through the crossing. Predators such as lions, cheetahs, and leopards that lurk in the Maasai Mara still pose a threat to those animals that survive the Mara River crossing. Every year, thousands of visitors travel to Kenya and its neighbor Tanzania to witness the Great Migration.

Between July and October, travelers to Tanzania can also be a part of the Great Migration at the popular Serengeti National Park, which rivals Kenya's Maasai Mara in terms of natural beauty and wildlife. Tanzania is also home to the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage that hosts thousands of wild animals, including a large population of lions, elephants, wildebeest, and rhinos, making it one of the most densely populated wildlife areas in the world.

Another must-see destination in Tanzania is Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest peak. While not a traditional safari location, the iconic mountain adds to Tanzania's allure, offering opportunities for trekking and stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. Travelers interested in a more cultural experience can also interact with the Maasai people, a nomadic tribe living in Tanzania and Kenya who have rich traditions and a strong bond with the land and wildlife.

In South Africa, a well-liked safari attraction is Kruger National Park. This park is one of Africa's largest wildlife sanctuaries, spanning around 20,000 square kilometers. More than 500 bird species and 147 mammal species call it home, and many of the Big Five animals can also be spotted by visitors at Kruger National Park. The ideal time to go on safari at Kruger is also during South Africa's dry season, from April to October. At this time, animals congregate around waterholes and are easier to find because of the scant vegetation.

South Africa provides opportunities to visit wineries, seaside towns, and historical places like Nelson Mandela's jail cell at Robben Island, Cape Town, for people who want to mix a safari with other pursuits.

[the-monkey-ruler]

so according to the rules and from what I understand, if you are the child of two powerful demons or a powerful being, it doesn't matter, you have to achieve everything yourself because the skills and magic will not be inherited to you, maybe only the strength, but beyond that, you inherit nothing and must achieve it for yourself.

I understand that Chenxiang, being a demigod, only inherited strength but had to train anyway. Are there exceptions, or is this the case for everyone? What about Redboy? Or the son of the white snake?

Well in a sense. I have said before that it does affect on what pieces you are that also affects what kind of power you are inclined to have. Like the Scorpion Demon having poison and the Yellow-Tusk Elephant King being able to use his trunk. The same could be said with demon offspring if they have any genetic effects of their partners. Red Boy most likely got his fire performance from his mother Princess Iron Fan having her cave located on Flame Mountain and being able to control them with her wind powers. But when it comes to things like gaining power then YES they would have to train for that on their own. It's like that they are born with the POSSIBILY with being as great as their partners but they are not born automatically with that power, they must train, which could be easier for them in all honestly.

Chenxiang had more natural strength but he didn't know how to use it and thus, in his earlier versions, accidentally killed another boy. He had to be trained by the Thunder God (or Sun Wukong now) in order to master his strength and have the skills and techniques to save his mother. A bow and arrow are a strong weapon to someone with perfect eyesight, but useless if they don't know how to draw the string.

Red Boy is said in the text that he trained with his powers as well, took him 300 years to master his Sahamdi fire, he wasn't just born knowing how to use it. He had strong parents and thus had an advantage but he still practiced long and hard.

Xu Shilin is a later addition to the Legend of the White Snake as the story usually ends in tragedy with White Snake and Green Snake being caught by Fahai who trapped them in a pagoda. It is in the later version does White Snake gives birth to Xu Shilin and he grows up to become strong enough to save his mother from the pagoda. I cannot find anything that really gives a clear story on how or if he was ever trained but from what I gathered that "His filial piety moved heaven, and What Snake was able to get out of the tower and see the sun again." Hard to say if he had anything magical powers to really aid his saving mother or just that his spirit was enough to do so.

From this we can gather that Red Boy, who received formal training in the span of 300 years, is so strong not because of his heritage solely. His parents being power demons does gives him that greater potential but he was only able to live up to that potential because of his hundreds of years of training, making him a threat to even Sun Wukong. Chenxiang was given far less time (I've seen him training from 1 to 3 years) BUT IN THAT TIME he was able to go head to head with Erlang Shen, one of the greatest fighters in heaven. I would like to note that Chenxiang did have both his Axe of Pangu and the Lotus Lantern on his side and perhaps those heavenly treasures were able to help his fight as well. Xu Shilin has such little information and no formal training despite being half-demon half-human. Most likely he would have great potential but I cannot find any stories of him fighting Fahai head-on or not and thus cannot say how powerful his true strength can be. What I can say is that without a teacher he was given no feats of strength or anything of physical or magical powers. To be this suggests that without proper training he could not live up to that potential.

From this, we can gather that having cultivated parents can give you a potential boost, but without former training then it cannot be utilized. Erlang and Chengxiang are prime example of how having a cultivated parent can increase your potential, Erlang Shen being one (if not the) strongest gods in heaven, and Chenxiang being able to learn and cultivate in accelerated speeds. Both being quite young in their training to save their mothers. Red Boy having two powerful demons was able to utilize his potential though it took far longer, centuries at that (we don't see a lot of natural-born demons and I personally believe that it is harder for demons to conceive a child with other demons compared to having a child with a human, hence why they are target more often for spouses (that is just a theory)). And sadly I have no examples of what power Xu Shilin could have had as he had no formal training and thus what potential he could have can only be speculated.

[harpagornis]

Lemuria: The Dreaded Titicula

Young Titicula emerging from an elephant wound. By Dave Garcia.

The island of Lemuria is home to a staggering mammalian megafauna, ruled over by large birds of prey. Yet, few creatures inspire as much fear in the prey mammals – including human beings – than the Titicula, Drepanorhamphus sarcokatastrofeas.

About the size of a sparrow, the Titicula is a very odd bird. A lemurornithid – a flying paleognath related to elephant birds and kiwis – it bears the hallmarks of this clade’s weirdness: pamprodactyl fuzzy feet, puffy degenerate hindwings, no tail feathers. It also has some weird traits of its own; alongside flamingos it is the only vertebrate in which the rictus extends past the orbit, almost reaching the nares in a fleshy “cheek”, in its case housing glands that produce a strong antiseptic, the birds licking over wounds in order to prevent infection and allow cellular regeneration. Males tend to be slightly larger than females and have black bands on their shoulders, but both sexes are generally not very dimorphic, both possessing a primarily brown spotted plummage with a white underside. They do, however, diverge in the beak.

Native to western Lemuria, the Titicula’s range extends across savannahs, scrubland, semi-desert and open forest biomes, reaching all the way to montane grassland mosaics. It is a mostly nomadic animal, though some montane populations are migratory, wintering in the lowlands. Bearing a long, slender beak, the Titicula is mostly a terrestrial forager, probing the ground for insects and other invertebrates, occasionally also feeding on seeds, small vertebrates and nectar. It is a largely crepuscular animal; it’s closest relatives are the nocturnal jeeper-creepers and the cathemeral anteater birds, from which it diverged around five million years ago, suggesting that the common ancestor between these taxa was already specialised to forage on lowlight conditions.

Titicula generally breed during monsoon months, which is where a dramatic shift from their usual lifestyle takes place. Males, which already have atypically serrated bills, develop longer keratinous “teeth” with distinctive inner grooves. During this period they produce a strange substance in their saliva, that often bubbles up, making them look rabid. These are adaptations to the bird’s atypical and terrifying breeding habits.

The first thing the male does after developing these features is search for a large mammal. Pretty much every lemurian mammal species that weights more than 50 kg is at risk, but the Titicula has a special prefference for elephants and large gondwanatheres. The male Titicula is rather picky about its target, usually preffering healthy males or lactating females. Once he finds a suitable target, the male flies up to it and bites, injecting the substance as rapidly as possible. Then he flies off, and waits. The saliva substance contains a strong neurotoxin that paralyses the victim for the span of an hour or more, inducing a state akin to sleep paralysis. The notoreceptors are left unaffected, and may actually become more sensitive.

Once the animal can’t fight back, the male begins his gruesome work, biting through the flesh with his serrated beak. Usually he takes advantage of already existing wounds, but he is perfectly capable of perforating thick hides on his own. Regardless, he will eat his way, creating a 30 cm deep tunnel, carefully angled as to not chance into vital organs or major blood vessels, yet lodged deep enough so that its impossible for the victim to crush him to death once he’s inside. As he eats, he licks the surrounding flesh, spreading his antiseptic substance to help the victim remain infection free and suffer less from bloodloss. At the end of the tunnel, he forms a cavity up to twice larger than himself.

Once this is done the male will emerge from the hole, remaining in the vicinity of the victim as the effects of the neurotoxin pass. As he follows about he emits infrasound calls barely perciptible to human ears, warding off rivals and attracting mates. Once a potential partner appears, the male will lead towards the victim. If the female aproves, they mate, and the male afterwards paralyses the victim, allowing her to enter and deposit one or two eggs. This may go on for a couple of days, where the male will copulate with about three or four females and gather up a small clutch, before he permanently enters the cavity. Sometimes a rival male may be drawn by the calls and kick him and his eggs out, leaving the exiled male to start again the next year.

If things go without interruptions, however, the male will stay inside the victim, incubating his eggs for about two months. Periodically he will leave to deposit his bodily waste outside of the whole, the entrance becoming postule-like and full of pus, and occasionally he will eat chunks of flesh from the victim. Most of the holes are strategically located in the vicinity of adipose tissues, the male favouring the victim’s fat over other tissues. In the first few weeks the male is rather cautious about feeding, avoiding harming the victim, but as the incubation period nears its end he will become less hesitant, often eating indiscriminately and beginning to expand the tunnel. A Babana specimen was discovered with a two meter long tunnel inside, the bird having eaten around in several loops.

After hatching the chicks will remain inside the host for a few days, the male kicking out the shells. Already born with flight feathers, they soon climb out of the tunnel, leaving the host to forage outside. The male follows after, leaving the victim at last, his keratinous “teeth” falling off. He will look after his young for another month or so, before they fly off to start their own lives. Sexual maturity is reached at around 5 years of age, and individuals may not breed up to a 2 year interval.

The Titicula’s terrifying and gruesome breeding habits is one of Lemuria’s most mysterious adaptations. Based on genetic data, the Titicula is a very recent species, probably having evolved in the Pliocene. The oldest unambiguous evidence is a possible early Pleistocene Cawlanga skeleton in northwestern Lemuria, possessing ribcage bite marks that fit the male Titicula’s tooth-like serrations. How this method of breeding came into being is unknown, something made even more jarring given how the Titicula doesn’t possess obvious marker habits like commensal parasite feeding, nor do its closest relatives. A hypothesis is that its ancestors might initially have laid eggs on corpses, switching to live animals to avoid predation from scavengers. However, this behaviour is not observed in its closest relatives, nor does it explain the acquisition of its venom.

Suffice to say, the bird’s violent activities do take a toll on the victim. Though the insides are rendered infection-free, the end postules may develop necrosis, younger animals may die of shock and adipose tissue deprivation, and the mental trauma is very severe, particularly in elephants. However, there is a surprising beneficial aspect to this lifecycle. Most of the victims have improved immunological systems, suffering from grave infections and parasites less frequently than non-targetted individuals, and it seems that the antiseptical substance may significantly decrease the risk of cancer. Animals that do survive the first infection are likely to live longer, healthier lives, and posterior Titicula attacks will generally be less fatal, as the birds preffer to use already opened wounds to creating new ones.

Because Titicula target human beings, it has been suggested to have been one of the reasons why early hominid populations were restricted to the wetter eastern peninsulas, their rainforest habitats less attractive to these parasite birds. To the various lemurian cultures, reverence and disgust mark human relationships with this bird. Archaeological evidence is rife with pathological telltales of Titicula infections, and some cultures even encourage them, believing that individuals strong enough to survive the process emerge stronger as a result. The spread of Sammangal farming allowed the spread of open environments in which these birds thrived, further expanding their range across Lemuria. Lemurian Buddhist texts refer to the Titicula as one of the five great diseases, seeing it as a great source of suffering. Yet, attempts to eradicate this bird, both under Indian and European colonial rule, have proven fruitless, as not only is it adaptable but various cultures continued to prommote its infections in medicine.

There are naturally various names for the Titicula across Lemuria’s languages. The name itself comes from a francophone version of Common Werer tik-tik-va, “flesh biter”, first reccorded by George Cuvier, and certainly popularised due to its similarities with “Dracula”. Other names include Soreopeia tavanga (“organ raker”), Wava icharaia (“who causes suffering”) and Lemurian Tamil ceypavala (“torturer”)

Truly one of Lemuria’s most intriguiging life forms, the Titicula is rightfully feared, but wonderfully demonstrates the extremes natural selection can provide.

[jeanjauthor]

...I should explain the spine shape thing, shouldn't I?

Turns out, pregnant mammals have to carry these twenty-pound turdballs (*affectionately said) that are growing inside their abdomens for god-awful-many months. Something-something, perpetuation & survival of the species, whatever.

When you are a quadruped, you have a four-point post-and-beam suspension system for the weight in your abdomen. For center-of-gravity and quadrupedal stability purposes, that weight invariably hangs below the roof-truss of the spine.

Roof trusses are not load-bearing pillars. They are not support columns. Until you turn the mammal upright, on two legs.

Center of gravity shifts. Joints have to adapt to be able to move easier. But so do spines. Especially if you're going to have a chonk of intermittent weight poking out in front of your body for roughly nine months at a time. Doesn't matter if it's mere months or several years in between of not having to adjust how you walk, how you move, etc, etc, your body is going to have to evolve over time.

The solution that the bipedal hominids came up with is a wedge shaped vertebra in the lower back. Why a wedge shape? Because it becomes a keystone, like the keystone in an arch, meant for supporting extra compression-type weight. Instead of having to be horizontally strong as a quadrupedal roof-truss spine, a beam spanning the distance between front legs and hind legs, hominid spines had to adapt themselves into becoming vertically, and thus compressibly, strong support columns...but then they gotta handle a poking-out-bit that changes their center of gravity.

That extra weight will shift that center of gravity forward...and doing the equivalent of hanging an awning in front of their door. If it's going to be a chonky twenty-pound turdball of hopefully healthy fetus & supportive amniotic fluids of a front door awning, you are going to want some strong lag bolts holding that awning frame to the wall of your house. That's where the wedge-shaped keystone bone comes into play.

Now admittedly, all hominids of the upright walking variety have adapted their spines over the aeons to handle upright walking and running compression issues under normal operative parameters. But bodies capable of pregnancy are the ones that evolved the trapezoidal keystone vertebra the most, because they're the ones that have to deal with all that fluctuating-weight-and-thus-shifting-center-of-gravity bullshit.

Why is this important? Survival.

Having a spine that could handle being upright and pregnant meant that female hominids could travel farther while pregnant. They didn't have to stop and rest quite so frequently, lying down to take the literal weight off their backs for a little while. That meant they could out-walk any pursuing predators coming after them, plus they themselves could continue to pursue their own prey. Something especially important for pregnant peoples even back then, since they, too, were "eating for two, now!"

Sweat glands for perspiration-based cooling, rotator cuffs for throwing things over long distances with incredible force & accuracy, spines that could act as load-bearing columns instead of roof beams, but still adapt to occasional roof-beam-ness needs, and big-ass gluteal muscles (literally) that allow an incredible economy of movement, all are what make humans so successful despite being so underwhelming physically compared to, say, lions and tigers, and bears, oh my.

And yes, big butts! I do not lie! And I'm telling you, you cannot deny: Proportionately speaking, humans have the biggest gluteal muscles of any animal out there! Pound for pound when considered entirely on their own, elephant butt muscles are technically bigger...but when you compare their % of gluteal mass to the rest of that elephant's body, it is small compared to a human's gluteal mass % ratio.

...Well, all of that, and the whole thumbs thing combined with being fully sentient/sophontic for our brains...but Baby Got Back means we have both the right kinds of spine and big enough glutes to get by!

(Fact Source) For more facts, follow Ultrafacts

[statefairparkyakimavalleysundome]

State Fair Park & Yakima Valley SunDome

State Fair Park & Yakima Valley SunDome: The Heart of Events and Entertainment in Central Washington

Located in the thriving hub of Yakima, Washington, State Fair Park and the Yakima Valley SunDome are the cultural and entertainment heartbeat of Central Washington. Together, they form a dynamic, multi-purpose complex that hosts everything from world-class concerts and rodeos to trade shows, sports tournaments, and the iconic Central Washington State Fair.

Whether you're a local looking for a weekend event, a traveler planning a visit during fair season, or a performer seeking a first-rate venue, this beloved destination offers something for everyone—year-round.

A Rich History of Community and Celebration

State Fair Park has been a fixture in Yakima since 1892, originally established as a local agricultural fairground to showcase the area’s bountiful harvest and strong farming heritage. Over the decades, it has grown to become a vital center for education, entertainment, and celebration, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.

At the heart of State Fair Park stands the Yakima Valley SunDome, an architectural and cultural landmark that has helped elevate Yakima's presence on Washington’s event circuit. Completed in 1990, the SunDome is the second-largest clear-span concrete dome in the world, seating up to 8,000 guests for concerts, expos, and athletic competitions.

The Central Washington State Fair

The crown jewel of the park is undoubtedly the Central Washington State Fair, held each September. This 10-day event is a must-visit for locals and tourists alike, offering a vibrant blend of tradition, innovation, and pure family fun.

Fair highlights include:

Livestock shows and agricultural exhibits

Featuring local 4-H and FFA clubs, showcasing cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and more.

Thrilling carnival rides and midway games

Live concerts and entertainment on the outdoor stage and in the SunDome

Creative competitions for baking, quilting, photography, and crafts

Food vendors galore serving up everything from elephant ears to Yakima-grown corn

Heritage exhibits and interactive displays on local history and farming

As one of Washington’s largest and most beloved fairs, the event attracts over 300,000 visitors each year, reinforcing Yakima’s reputation as a center of agritourism and family recreation.

The Yakima Valley SunDome: More Than a Venue

While the SunDome plays a central role during the fair, it also functions year-round as a premier indoor venue for sporting events, trade shows, concerts, and more. Its unique design—an 85-foot tall dome constructed of pre-cast concrete panels—offers superb acoustics and a flexible floor plan, making it suitable for nearly any type of event.

Popular SunDome events include:

WIAA High School State Championships (volleyball, basketball, and more)

Concerts and music festivals featuring nationally touring artists

Home and garden expos, gun shows, and vintage markets

Monster truck rallies, rodeos, and motorsports events

Graduations, conferences, and cultural celebrations

The venue’s size, accessibility, and central location make it a go-to option for regional planners and organizers.

A Year-Round Calendar of Events

Beyond the fair and SunDome performances, State Fair Park maintains a packed schedule of seasonal events designed to bring the Yakima Valley community together and attract out-of-town visitors.

Some annual favorites include:

Holiday Light Fest (December) – A drive-thru holiday lights experience that transforms the park into a winter wonderland.

Spring Barrel Tasting Weekend – A celebration of Yakima’s wine scene, with tastings hosted in the SunDome.

4th of July Celebration – Family-friendly festivities and fireworks on the fairgrounds.

Ribfest and Craft Brew Festival – A summer staple that blends BBQ, beer, and live music.

No matter the season, there’s always something happening at State Fair Park.

Facilities and Amenities

State Fair Park’s extensive grounds and infrastructure make it ideal for both public events and private rentals. The property includes:

Multiple exhibit buildings for trade shows and indoor events

Outdoor grandstand and covered pavilions

Ample parking for over 3,000 vehicles

Concession stands and catering options

RV and camping hookups available during multi-day events

ADA-compliant facilities and accessibility features throughout

Organizers can also rent the Modern Living Building, Agricultural Building, or Pioneer Hall for weddings, reunions, corporate events, and more.

Location and Accessibility

Address: State Fair Park & Yakima Valley SunDome 1301 S. Fair Avenue, Yakima, WA 98901

Getting There: State Fair Park is conveniently located just off I-82, a short drive from major Washington cities like Seattle (2.5 hours) and Spokane (3 hours). Yakima Air Terminal offers flights to and from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport for those traveling by air.

Public Transportation: Yakima Transit provides bus service to the park, and shuttle services are available during major events like the State Fair.

Supporting Local Economy and Culture

State Fair Park and the SunDome aren’t just about entertainment—they’re vital to Yakima’s local economy and cultural identity. These venues generate millions in annual revenue through tourism and event hosting, support hundreds of local jobs, and provide a stage for regional artisans, farmers, musicians, and entrepreneurs to showcase their talents.

The fairgrounds also serve as a hub for youth education, with programs centered around agriculture, STEM, and the arts. This educational outreach strengthens the park’s mission of enriching the community and celebrating the Yakima Valley’s agricultural roots.

Visitor Tips

If you’re planning to attend an event at State Fair Park or the SunDome, here are a few helpful tips:

Buy tickets early for concerts and large events—they often sell out.

Check the calendar online for upcoming events and hours of operation.

Arrive early for parking during high-traffic days like the State Fair or sports tournaments.

Bring sunscreen and water if attending outdoor events in the summer.

Follow the park’s social media for real-time updates, weather alerts, and promotions.

Why It’s a Must-Visit in Yakima

From rodeos and rock concerts to agricultural showcases and holiday spectacles, State Fair Park and the Yakima Valley SunDome are where Yakima comes alive. These venues reflect the region’s dynamic spirit—a place where history, community, and celebration come together under one dome (and sky).

Whether you’re here for a day or a week, State Fair Park offers the kind of authentic, local experience that makes Central Washington unforgettable.

Conclusion

Few places in Washington can match the versatility, history, and community spirit of State Fair Park & Yakima Valley SunDome. As a year-round destination for entertainment, education, and family fun, it remains a cornerstone of Yakima Valley life and a symbol of the region’s proud cultural identity.

Here is another local business to support

1301 S Fair Ave, Yakima, WA 98901, United States

Visit this next site

[tameblog]

To have an indoor jungle isn’t just fascinating, it also enhances your mood. You might have different coloured plant leaves to satisfy your visual interest. Just as unusual leaf colours catch the eyeballs, uniquely shaped leaves can enhance your garden’s aesthetic appeal. If your plant collection is saturated with vibrant-coloured leaves, it’s time to bring plants with heart-shaped leaves. It can be your latest obsession. Even if you’re just starting your gardening journey, these leafy gems are worth a spot in your home. Below listed are 19 heart shaped leaf plants that you can bring home. Now, I’m not saying you grab all of them; just pick a few that your plant-loving heart vibes with. To make it easy, I’m dropping my top 5 plant picks so you don’t have to scroll forever. Pothos, Caladium, Bicolor Barrenroot, Forest Pansy Redbud Tree and String of Hearts Plant are my first to-go plants for heart-shaped leaves. Along with the plant list, I also listed the growing conditions of the plant to avoid common plant problems. 19 Plants with Heart Shaped Leaves Along with heart shaped leaves, few plants have varied coloured leaves. You can also pick a couple of climbers, like a string of hearts and a heart-leaf philodendron. 1. Heart-Shaped Hoya Heart-shaped Hoya, also known as Hoya kerrii or Sweetheart Plant, is a charming succulent vine admired for its thick, heart-shaped leaves. These fleshy, deep green leaves are often sold as single-leaf cuttings in small pots, making them a popular gift around Valentine’s Day. When mature, the plant grows into a trailing or climbing vine with multiple heart-shaped leaves along the stems. The leaves are typically 2″ to 3″ (5 – 7.5 cm) wide, with a smooth, waxy surface that adds to their succulent appearance. Depending on growing conditions, the foliage may show subtle variegation or remain a uniform green. Hoya kerrii vines can reach several feet in length, making them perfect for hanging baskets or training to climb a small trellis. This plant prefers bright, indirect light and infrequent watering, making it a low-maintenance and adorable addition to any houseplant collection. 2. Caladium Caladiums are tropical perennials prized for their dramatic, heart-shaped foliage that bursts with vibrant colour. The leaves can be splashed with combinations of pink, red, green, and white, often with intricate veining that adds a painterly effect. Growing from tubers, Caladiums reach 12″ to 30″ (30 – 76 cm) tall and do best in shaded or partially shaded spots. They’re popular in pots or garden beds and thrive in warm, humid conditions. Though not a vine, their show-stopping leaves easily steal the spotlight. 3. Pothos Pothos is a beloved trailing houseplant known for its resilience and versatility. Its glossy, heart-shaped leaves come in shades of green, often marbled with cream, yellow, or white, depending on the variety. Vines can grow up to 10 ft. (3 m) indoors, making them ideal for hanging baskets or training along shelves and walls. Pothos tolerates low light and irregular watering, making it a perfect choice for beginners and busy plant lovers. 4. Dutchman’s Pipe Dutchman’s Pipe is a fast-growing woody vine with large, broad, heart-shaped leaves that form a dense, lush screen of greenery. The foliage can grow up to 12″ (30 cm) across, creating a dramatic visual impact on fences, arbours, or trellises. It’s known not just for its foliage but also for its unique, curved, pipe-like flowers. Thriving in full to partial sun, this plant brings a bold architectural element to any garden setting. 5. Elephant Ears Elephant Ears are tropical showstoppers with massive, heart- or arrow-shaped leaves that can span up to 3 feet (90 cm) long. Their striking green, black, or variegated foliage gives a bold, exotic feel to any space. These plants prefer moist soil and partial shade but can adapt to full sun in the right climate. Whether planted in the ground or in large containers, they make a strong statement in both indoor and outdoor jungles. 6. Forest Pansy Redbud Tree This ornamental tree is known for its vivid, heart-shaped leaves that emerge deep burgundy in spring, gradually turning shades of green, orange, and yellow through the seasons. Growing up to 20–30 ft. (6–9 m) tall, the Forest Pansy Redbud adds seasonal interest and shade. It’s a favourite for garden landscapes and works beautifully as a specimen tree in yards or large containers. 7. Morning Glory Morning Glory vines produce soft, heart-shaped leaves alongside vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that open each morning in shades of blue, purple, pink, or white. The foliage climbs vigorously, often covering trellises, fences, or railings in a matter of weeks. This fast grower thrives in full sun and brings a romantic, cottage-garden vibe to outdoor spaces. Also Read: How to Grow Adenium from Cuttings? 8. String of Hearts String of Hearts is a delicate trailing succulent with small, heart-shaped leaves patterned with silver and green. The undersides often have a hint of purplish pink, adding extra charm. Its slender vines can grow several feet long, making it ideal for hanging planters or trailing from shelves. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in bright, indirect light and adds a whimsical touch to any indoor plant collection. 9. Foxglove Tree Also known as the Empress Tree, the Foxglove Tree grows large, velvety, heart-shaped leaves that can measure up to 12 inches (30 cm) across. Its fast-growing nature and impressive foliage make it a standout. In spring, it also produces fragrant purple flowers. Best suited for large gardens or open spaces, this tree thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. 10. Variegated Butterbur This dramatic perennial features enormous, rounded, heart-shaped leaves with bold green-and-white variegation. The foliage spreads wide, often creating a lush, tropical look in shady areas. Variegated Butterbur is ideal for moist, woodland-style gardens where it can slowly naturalize and become a lush groundcover. Also Read: 29 Easy Plants to Propagate from Cuttings 11. Climbing Hydrangea Climbing Hydrangea offers heart- to oval-shaped, rich green leaves that form dense foliage on woody vines. When in bloom, it’s covered in fragrant white flowers, adding elegance to vertical spaces. It attaches itself to walls or trellises with aerial roots and thrives in part shade. The foliage turns yellow in fall, adding multi-season interest. 12. Heart-Leaf Philodendron Heart-leaf philodendron is a classic vining houseplant adored for its lush, heart-shaped foliage and easy-going nature. The deep green, glossy leaves grow 2″ to 4″ (5–10 cm) long and gracefully trail or climb depending on how it’s grown. Its flexible stems can reach up to 20 ft. (6 m) indoors, making it perfect for hanging baskets, draping over shelves, or climbing a moss pole. The leaf colour ranges from rich emerald to a lighter green, depending on the lighting. Thriving in bright, indirect light, this philodendron is a low-maintenance favourite that brings a soft, tropical vibe to any space. 13. Cyclamen Cyclamen’s dainty, heart-shaped leaves are often marked with silver or light green patterns, creating a beautiful contrast to its bright blooms. This compact plant is popular in winter and early spring for its cheerful flowers and attractive foliage. It thrives in cool temperatures with indirect light and is perfect for brightening up windowsills or tabletops. 14. Bicolor Barrenroot Bicolor Barrenroot is a unique woodland perennial with broad, heart- to kidney-shaped leaves that appear in pairs, giving them a butterfly-like look. The bluish-green leaves emerge in early spring and are followed by delicate white flowers. It prefers moist, shaded areas and adds a subtle elegance to naturalized garden beds. 15. Anthurium Anthuriums are tropical plants known for their glossy, heart-shaped leaves and brightly coloured spathes that resemble flowers. The foliage alone is enough to impress with its deep green colour and smooth texture. These houseplants enjoy bright, filtered light and high humidity. With their long-lasting blooms and striking foliage, Anthuriums bring a touch of the exotic indoors. 16. Common Lilacs Common Lilac shrubs feature soft, heart-shaped leaves and dense clusters of fragrant purple or white flowers in spring. The leaves are a cool green, forming a full and leafy background for the starry blooms. Lilacs prefer full sun and well-drained soil, making them excellent for borders or privacy hedges in temperate gardens. Check this: 19 Perennial that Bloom all Summer in Full Sun 17. Split-Leaf Philodendron (Monstera deliciosa) While often recognized for its dramatic fenestrated leaves, young Split-Leaf Philodendron foliage starts heart-shaped before developing splits and holes. The early leaf shape adds to its sculptural charm. This plant thrives in bright, indirect light and can grow impressively large indoors, especially when given space to climb. 18. Jack Frost Siberian Bugloss This shade-loving perennial is cherished for its shimmering silver heart-shaped leaves, veined delicately with green. Tiny blue flowers resembling forget-me-nots bloom in spring, adding extra magic. Perfect for woodland gardens or shady borders, Jack Frost provides long-lasting foliage interest and a soft, cooling contrast to darker greens. 19. Frances Williams Hosta Frances Williams Hosta is a striking shade-loving perennial known for its large, heart-shaped leaves with bold variegation. The foliage features a deep blue-green center bordered by wide, irregular margins of chartreuse to golden yellow, giving it a dramatic, two-tone appearance. Mature leaves can grow up to 12″ (30 cm) wide, forming a dense, mounding clump that’s perfect for garden beds, borders, or container arrangements in shady spots. While it’s grown mainly for its foliage, it also produces pale lavender flowers on tall stalks in mid to late summer. This hosta thrives in moist, well-drained soil and brings texture, colour, and structure to any shady garden corner. Conclusion Heart-shaped leaves just have a way of making any space feel a bit more cosy and full of love. Whether it’s a trailing vine in your living room or a big leafy beauty in the garden, these plants add charm without even trying. They’re fun to grow, easy to love, and honestly—once you start collecting them, it’s hard to stop. Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting Source link

[ramestoryworld]

To have an indoor jungle isn’t just fascinating, it also enhances your mood. You might have different coloured plant leaves to satisfy your visual interest. Just as unusual leaf colours catch the eyeballs, uniquely shaped leaves can enhance your garden’s aesthetic appeal. If your plant collection is saturated with vibrant-coloured leaves, it’s time to bring plants with heart-shaped leaves. It can be your latest obsession. Even if you’re just starting your gardening journey, these leafy gems are worth a spot in your home. Below listed are 19 heart shaped leaf plants that you can bring home. Now, I’m not saying you grab all of them; just pick a few that your plant-loving heart vibes with. To make it easy, I’m dropping my top 5 plant picks so you don’t have to scroll forever. Pothos, Caladium, Bicolor Barrenroot, Forest Pansy Redbud Tree and String of Hearts Plant are my first to-go plants for heart-shaped leaves. Along with the plant list, I also listed the growing conditions of the plant to avoid common plant problems. 19 Plants with Heart Shaped Leaves Along with heart shaped leaves, few plants have varied coloured leaves. You can also pick a couple of climbers, like a string of hearts and a heart-leaf philodendron. 1. Heart-Shaped Hoya Heart-shaped Hoya, also known as Hoya kerrii or Sweetheart Plant, is a charming succulent vine admired for its thick, heart-shaped leaves. These fleshy, deep green leaves are often sold as single-leaf cuttings in small pots, making them a popular gift around Valentine’s Day. When mature, the plant grows into a trailing or climbing vine with multiple heart-shaped leaves along the stems. The leaves are typically 2″ to 3″ (5 – 7.5 cm) wide, with a smooth, waxy surface that adds to their succulent appearance. Depending on growing conditions, the foliage may show subtle variegation or remain a uniform green. Hoya kerrii vines can reach several feet in length, making them perfect for hanging baskets or training to climb a small trellis. This plant prefers bright, indirect light and infrequent watering, making it a low-maintenance and adorable addition to any houseplant collection. 2. Caladium Caladiums are tropical perennials prized for their dramatic, heart-shaped foliage that bursts with vibrant colour. The leaves can be splashed with combinations of pink, red, green, and white, often with intricate veining that adds a painterly effect. Growing from tubers, Caladiums reach 12″ to 30″ (30 – 76 cm) tall and do best in shaded or partially shaded spots. They’re popular in pots or garden beds and thrive in warm, humid conditions. Though not a vine, their show-stopping leaves easily steal the spotlight. 3. Pothos Pothos is a beloved trailing houseplant known for its resilience and versatility. Its glossy, heart-shaped leaves come in shades of green, often marbled with cream, yellow, or white, depending on the variety. Vines can grow up to 10 ft. (3 m) indoors, making them ideal for hanging baskets or training along shelves and walls. Pothos tolerates low light and irregular watering, making it a perfect choice for beginners and busy plant lovers. 4. Dutchman’s Pipe Dutchman’s Pipe is a fast-growing woody vine with large, broad, heart-shaped leaves that form a dense, lush screen of greenery. The foliage can grow up to 12″ (30 cm) across, creating a dramatic visual impact on fences, arbours, or trellises. It’s known not just for its foliage but also for its unique, curved, pipe-like flowers. Thriving in full to partial sun, this plant brings a bold architectural element to any garden setting. 5. Elephant Ears Elephant Ears are tropical showstoppers with massive, heart- or arrow-shaped leaves that can span up to 3 feet (90 cm) long. Their striking green, black, or variegated foliage gives a bold, exotic feel to any space. These plants prefer moist soil and partial shade but can adapt to full sun in the right climate. Whether planted in the ground or in large containers, they make a strong statement in both indoor and outdoor jungles. 6. Forest Pansy Redbud Tree This ornamental tree is known for its vivid, heart-shaped leaves that emerge deep burgundy in spring, gradually turning shades of green, orange, and yellow through the seasons. Growing up to 20–30 ft. (6–9 m) tall, the Forest Pansy Redbud adds seasonal interest and shade. It’s a favourite for garden landscapes and works beautifully as a specimen tree in yards or large containers. 7. Morning Glory Morning Glory vines produce soft, heart-shaped leaves alongside vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that open each morning in shades of blue, purple, pink, or white. The foliage climbs vigorously, often covering trellises, fences, or railings in a matter of weeks. This fast grower thrives in full sun and brings a romantic, cottage-garden vibe to outdoor spaces. Also Read: How to Grow Adenium from Cuttings? 8. String of Hearts String of Hearts is a delicate trailing succulent with small, heart-shaped leaves patterned with silver and green. The undersides often have a hint of purplish pink, adding extra charm. Its slender vines can grow several feet long, making it ideal for hanging planters or trailing from shelves. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in bright, indirect light and adds a whimsical touch to any indoor plant collection. 9. Foxglove Tree Also known as the Empress Tree, the Foxglove Tree grows large, velvety, heart-shaped leaves that can measure up to 12 inches (30 cm) across. Its fast-growing nature and impressive foliage make it a standout. In spring, it also produces fragrant purple flowers. Best suited for large gardens or open spaces, this tree thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. 10. Variegated Butterbur This dramatic perennial features enormous, rounded, heart-shaped leaves with bold green-and-white variegation. The foliage spreads wide, often creating a lush, tropical look in shady areas. Variegated Butterbur is ideal for moist, woodland-style gardens where it can slowly naturalize and become a lush groundcover. Also Read: 29 Easy Plants to Propagate from Cuttings 11. Climbing Hydrangea Climbing Hydrangea offers heart- to oval-shaped, rich green leaves that form dense foliage on woody vines. When in bloom, it’s covered in fragrant white flowers, adding elegance to vertical spaces. It attaches itself to walls or trellises with aerial roots and thrives in part shade. The foliage turns yellow in fall, adding multi-season interest. 12. Heart-Leaf Philodendron Heart-leaf philodendron is a classic vining houseplant adored for its lush, heart-shaped foliage and easy-going nature. The deep green, glossy leaves grow 2″ to 4″ (5–10 cm) long and gracefully trail or climb depending on how it’s grown. Its flexible stems can reach up to 20 ft. (6 m) indoors, making it perfect for hanging baskets, draping over shelves, or climbing a moss pole. The leaf colour ranges from rich emerald to a lighter green, depending on the lighting. Thriving in bright, indirect light, this philodendron is a low-maintenance favourite that brings a soft, tropical vibe to any space. 13. Cyclamen Cyclamen’s dainty, heart-shaped leaves are often marked with silver or light green patterns, creating a beautiful contrast to its bright blooms. This compact plant is popular in winter and early spring for its cheerful flowers and attractive foliage. It thrives in cool temperatures with indirect light and is perfect for brightening up windowsills or tabletops. 14. Bicolor Barrenroot Bicolor Barrenroot is a unique woodland perennial with broad, heart- to kidney-shaped leaves that appear in pairs, giving them a butterfly-like look. The bluish-green leaves emerge in early spring and are followed by delicate white flowers. It prefers moist, shaded areas and adds a subtle elegance to naturalized garden beds. 15. Anthurium Anthuriums are tropical plants known for their glossy, heart-shaped leaves and brightly coloured spathes that resemble flowers. The foliage alone is enough to impress with its deep green colour and smooth texture. These houseplants enjoy bright, filtered light and high humidity. With their long-lasting blooms and striking foliage, Anthuriums bring a touch of the exotic indoors. 16. Common Lilacs Common Lilac shrubs feature soft, heart-shaped leaves and dense clusters of fragrant purple or white flowers in spring. The leaves are a cool green, forming a full and leafy background for the starry blooms. Lilacs prefer full sun and well-drained soil, making them excellent for borders or privacy hedges in temperate gardens. Check this: 19 Perennial that Bloom all Summer in Full Sun 17. Split-Leaf Philodendron (Monstera deliciosa) While often recognized for its dramatic fenestrated leaves, young Split-Leaf Philodendron foliage starts heart-shaped before developing splits and holes. The early leaf shape adds to its sculptural charm. This plant thrives in bright, indirect light and can grow impressively large indoors, especially when given space to climb. 18. Jack Frost Siberian Bugloss This shade-loving perennial is cherished for its shimmering silver heart-shaped leaves, veined delicately with green. Tiny blue flowers resembling forget-me-nots bloom in spring, adding extra magic. Perfect for woodland gardens or shady borders, Jack Frost provides long-lasting foliage interest and a soft, cooling contrast to darker greens. 19. Frances Williams Hosta Frances Williams Hosta is a striking shade-loving perennial known for its large, heart-shaped leaves with bold variegation. The foliage features a deep blue-green center bordered by wide, irregular margins of chartreuse to golden yellow, giving it a dramatic, two-tone appearance. Mature leaves can grow up to 12″ (30 cm) wide, forming a dense, mounding clump that’s perfect for garden beds, borders, or container arrangements in shady spots. While it’s grown mainly for its foliage, it also produces pale lavender flowers on tall stalks in mid to late summer. This hosta thrives in moist, well-drained soil and brings texture, colour, and structure to any shady garden corner. Conclusion Heart-shaped leaves just have a way of making any space feel a bit more cosy and full of love. Whether it’s a trailing vine in your living room or a big leafy beauty in the garden, these plants add charm without even trying. They’re fun to grow, easy to love, and honestly—once you start collecting them, it’s hard to stop. Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting Source link

[alexha2210]

To have an indoor jungle isn’t just fascinating, it also enhances your mood. You might have different coloured plant leaves to satisfy your visual interest. Just as unusual leaf colours catch the eyeballs, uniquely shaped leaves can enhance your garden’s aesthetic appeal. If your plant collection is saturated with vibrant-coloured leaves, it’s time to bring plants with heart-shaped leaves. It can be your latest obsession. Even if you’re just starting your gardening journey, these leafy gems are worth a spot in your home. Below listed are 19 heart shaped leaf plants that you can bring home. Now, I’m not saying you grab all of them; just pick a few that your plant-loving heart vibes with. To make it easy, I’m dropping my top 5 plant picks so you don’t have to scroll forever. Pothos, Caladium, Bicolor Barrenroot, Forest Pansy Redbud Tree and String of Hearts Plant are my first to-go plants for heart-shaped leaves. Along with the plant list, I also listed the growing conditions of the plant to avoid common plant problems. 19 Plants with Heart Shaped Leaves Along with heart shaped leaves, few plants have varied coloured leaves. You can also pick a couple of climbers, like a string of hearts and a heart-leaf philodendron. 1. Heart-Shaped Hoya Heart-shaped Hoya, also known as Hoya kerrii or Sweetheart Plant, is a charming succulent vine admired for its thick, heart-shaped leaves. These fleshy, deep green leaves are often sold as single-leaf cuttings in small pots, making them a popular gift around Valentine’s Day. When mature, the plant grows into a trailing or climbing vine with multiple heart-shaped leaves along the stems. The leaves are typically 2″ to 3″ (5 – 7.5 cm) wide, with a smooth, waxy surface that adds to their succulent appearance. Depending on growing conditions, the foliage may show subtle variegation or remain a uniform green. Hoya kerrii vines can reach several feet in length, making them perfect for hanging baskets or training to climb a small trellis. This plant prefers bright, indirect light and infrequent watering, making it a low-maintenance and adorable addition to any houseplant collection. 2. Caladium Caladiums are tropical perennials prized for their dramatic, heart-shaped foliage that bursts with vibrant colour. The leaves can be splashed with combinations of pink, red, green, and white, often with intricate veining that adds a painterly effect. Growing from tubers, Caladiums reach 12″ to 30″ (30 – 76 cm) tall and do best in shaded or partially shaded spots. They’re popular in pots or garden beds and thrive in warm, humid conditions. Though not a vine, their show-stopping leaves easily steal the spotlight. 3. Pothos Pothos is a beloved trailing houseplant known for its resilience and versatility. Its glossy, heart-shaped leaves come in shades of green, often marbled with cream, yellow, or white, depending on the variety. Vines can grow up to 10 ft. (3 m) indoors, making them ideal for hanging baskets or training along shelves and walls. Pothos tolerates low light and irregular watering, making it a perfect choice for beginners and busy plant lovers. 4. Dutchman’s Pipe Dutchman’s Pipe is a fast-growing woody vine with large, broad, heart-shaped leaves that form a dense, lush screen of greenery. The foliage can grow up to 12″ (30 cm) across, creating a dramatic visual impact on fences, arbours, or trellises. It’s known not just for its foliage but also for its unique, curved, pipe-like flowers. Thriving in full to partial sun, this plant brings a bold architectural element to any garden setting. 5. Elephant Ears Elephant Ears are tropical showstoppers with massive, heart- or arrow-shaped leaves that can span up to 3 feet (90 cm) long. Their striking green, black, or variegated foliage gives a bold, exotic feel to any space. These plants prefer moist soil and partial shade but can adapt to full sun in the right climate. Whether planted in the ground or in large containers, they make a strong statement in both indoor and outdoor jungles. 6. Forest Pansy Redbud Tree This ornamental tree is known for its vivid, heart-shaped leaves that emerge deep burgundy in spring, gradually turning shades of green, orange, and yellow through the seasons. Growing up to 20–30 ft. (6–9 m) tall, the Forest Pansy Redbud adds seasonal interest and shade. It’s a favourite for garden landscapes and works beautifully as a specimen tree in yards or large containers. 7. Morning Glory Morning Glory vines produce soft, heart-shaped leaves alongside vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that open each morning in shades of blue, purple, pink, or white. The foliage climbs vigorously, often covering trellises, fences, or railings in a matter of weeks. This fast grower thrives in full sun and brings a romantic, cottage-garden vibe to outdoor spaces. Also Read: How to Grow Adenium from Cuttings? 8. String of Hearts String of Hearts is a delicate trailing succulent with small, heart-shaped leaves patterned with silver and green. The undersides often have a hint of purplish pink, adding extra charm. Its slender vines can grow several feet long, making it ideal for hanging planters or trailing from shelves. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in bright, indirect light and adds a whimsical touch to any indoor plant collection. 9. Foxglove Tree Also known as the Empress Tree, the Foxglove Tree grows large, velvety, heart-shaped leaves that can measure up to 12 inches (30 cm) across. Its fast-growing nature and impressive foliage make it a standout. In spring, it also produces fragrant purple flowers. Best suited for large gardens or open spaces, this tree thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. 10. Variegated Butterbur This dramatic perennial features enormous, rounded, heart-shaped leaves with bold green-and-white variegation. The foliage spreads wide, often creating a lush, tropical look in shady areas. Variegated Butterbur is ideal for moist, woodland-style gardens where it can slowly naturalize and become a lush groundcover. Also Read: 29 Easy Plants to Propagate from Cuttings 11. Climbing Hydrangea Climbing Hydrangea offers heart- to oval-shaped, rich green leaves that form dense foliage on woody vines. When in bloom, it’s covered in fragrant white flowers, adding elegance to vertical spaces. It attaches itself to walls or trellises with aerial roots and thrives in part shade. The foliage turns yellow in fall, adding multi-season interest. 12. Heart-Leaf Philodendron Heart-leaf philodendron is a classic vining houseplant adored for its lush, heart-shaped foliage and easy-going nature. The deep green, glossy leaves grow 2″ to 4″ (5–10 cm) long and gracefully trail or climb depending on how it’s grown. Its flexible stems can reach up to 20 ft. (6 m) indoors, making it perfect for hanging baskets, draping over shelves, or climbing a moss pole. The leaf colour ranges from rich emerald to a lighter green, depending on the lighting. Thriving in bright, indirect light, this philodendron is a low-maintenance favourite that brings a soft, tropical vibe to any space. 13. Cyclamen Cyclamen’s dainty, heart-shaped leaves are often marked with silver or light green patterns, creating a beautiful contrast to its bright blooms. This compact plant is popular in winter and early spring for its cheerful flowers and attractive foliage. It thrives in cool temperatures with indirect light and is perfect for brightening up windowsills or tabletops. 14. Bicolor Barrenroot Bicolor Barrenroot is a unique woodland perennial with broad, heart- to kidney-shaped leaves that appear in pairs, giving them a butterfly-like look. The bluish-green leaves emerge in early spring and are followed by delicate white flowers. It prefers moist, shaded areas and adds a subtle elegance to naturalized garden beds. 15. Anthurium Anthuriums are tropical plants known for their glossy, heart-shaped leaves and brightly coloured spathes that resemble flowers. The foliage alone is enough to impress with its deep green colour and smooth texture. These houseplants enjoy bright, filtered light and high humidity. With their long-lasting blooms and striking foliage, Anthuriums bring a touch of the exotic indoors. 16. Common Lilacs Common Lilac shrubs feature soft, heart-shaped leaves and dense clusters of fragrant purple or white flowers in spring. The leaves are a cool green, forming a full and leafy background for the starry blooms. Lilacs prefer full sun and well-drained soil, making them excellent for borders or privacy hedges in temperate gardens. Check this: 19 Perennial that Bloom all Summer in Full Sun 17. Split-Leaf Philodendron (Monstera deliciosa) While often recognized for its dramatic fenestrated leaves, young Split-Leaf Philodendron foliage starts heart-shaped before developing splits and holes. The early leaf shape adds to its sculptural charm. This plant thrives in bright, indirect light and can grow impressively large indoors, especially when given space to climb. 18. Jack Frost Siberian Bugloss This shade-loving perennial is cherished for its shimmering silver heart-shaped leaves, veined delicately with green. Tiny blue flowers resembling forget-me-nots bloom in spring, adding extra magic. Perfect for woodland gardens or shady borders, Jack Frost provides long-lasting foliage interest and a soft, cooling contrast to darker greens. 19. Frances Williams Hosta Frances Williams Hosta is a striking shade-loving perennial known for its large, heart-shaped leaves with bold variegation. The foliage features a deep blue-green center bordered by wide, irregular margins of chartreuse to golden yellow, giving it a dramatic, two-tone appearance. Mature leaves can grow up to 12″ (30 cm) wide, forming a dense, mounding clump that’s perfect for garden beds, borders, or container arrangements in shady spots. While it’s grown mainly for its foliage, it also produces pale lavender flowers on tall stalks in mid to late summer. This hosta thrives in moist, well-drained soil and brings texture, colour, and structure to any shady garden corner. Conclusion Heart-shaped leaves just have a way of making any space feel a bit more cosy and full of love. Whether it’s a trailing vine in your living room or a big leafy beauty in the garden, these plants add charm without even trying. They’re fun to grow, easy to love, and honestly—once you start collecting them, it’s hard to stop. Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting Source link

[angusstory]

To have an indoor jungle isn’t just fascinating, it also enhances your mood. You might have different coloured plant leaves to satisfy your visual interest. Just as unusual leaf colours catch the eyeballs, uniquely shaped leaves can enhance your garden’s aesthetic appeal. If your plant collection is saturated with vibrant-coloured leaves, it’s time to bring plants with heart-shaped leaves. It can be your latest obsession. Even if you’re just starting your gardening journey, these leafy gems are worth a spot in your home. Below listed are 19 heart shaped leaf plants that you can bring home. Now, I’m not saying you grab all of them; just pick a few that your plant-loving heart vibes with. To make it easy, I’m dropping my top 5 plant picks so you don’t have to scroll forever. Pothos, Caladium, Bicolor Barrenroot, Forest Pansy Redbud Tree and String of Hearts Plant are my first to-go plants for heart-shaped leaves. Along with the plant list, I also listed the growing conditions of the plant to avoid common plant problems. 19 Plants with Heart Shaped Leaves Along with heart shaped leaves, few plants have varied coloured leaves. You can also pick a couple of climbers, like a string of hearts and a heart-leaf philodendron. 1. Heart-Shaped Hoya Heart-shaped Hoya, also known as Hoya kerrii or Sweetheart Plant, is a charming succulent vine admired for its thick, heart-shaped leaves. These fleshy, deep green leaves are often sold as single-leaf cuttings in small pots, making them a popular gift around Valentine’s Day. When mature, the plant grows into a trailing or climbing vine with multiple heart-shaped leaves along the stems. The leaves are typically 2″ to 3″ (5 – 7.5 cm) wide, with a smooth, waxy surface that adds to their succulent appearance. Depending on growing conditions, the foliage may show subtle variegation or remain a uniform green. Hoya kerrii vines can reach several feet in length, making them perfect for hanging baskets or training to climb a small trellis. This plant prefers bright, indirect light and infrequent watering, making it a low-maintenance and adorable addition to any houseplant collection. 2. Caladium Caladiums are tropical perennials prized for their dramatic, heart-shaped foliage that bursts with vibrant colour. The leaves can be splashed with combinations of pink, red, green, and white, often with intricate veining that adds a painterly effect. Growing from tubers, Caladiums reach 12″ to 30″ (30 – 76 cm) tall and do best in shaded or partially shaded spots. They’re popular in pots or garden beds and thrive in warm, humid conditions. Though not a vine, their show-stopping leaves easily steal the spotlight. 3. Pothos Pothos is a beloved trailing houseplant known for its resilience and versatility. Its glossy, heart-shaped leaves come in shades of green, often marbled with cream, yellow, or white, depending on the variety. Vines can grow up to 10 ft. (3 m) indoors, making them ideal for hanging baskets or training along shelves and walls. Pothos tolerates low light and irregular watering, making it a perfect choice for beginners and busy plant lovers. 4. Dutchman’s Pipe Dutchman’s Pipe is a fast-growing woody vine with large, broad, heart-shaped leaves that form a dense, lush screen of greenery. The foliage can grow up to 12″ (30 cm) across, creating a dramatic visual impact on fences, arbours, or trellises. It’s known not just for its foliage but also for its unique, curved, pipe-like flowers. Thriving in full to partial sun, this plant brings a bold architectural element to any garden setting. 5. Elephant Ears Elephant Ears are tropical showstoppers with massive, heart- or arrow-shaped leaves that can span up to 3 feet (90 cm) long. Their striking green, black, or variegated foliage gives a bold, exotic feel to any space. These plants prefer moist soil and partial shade but can adapt to full sun in the right climate. Whether planted in the ground or in large containers, they make a strong statement in both indoor and outdoor jungles. 6. Forest Pansy Redbud Tree This ornamental tree is known for its vivid, heart-shaped leaves that emerge deep burgundy in spring, gradually turning shades of green, orange, and yellow through the seasons. Growing up to 20–30 ft. (6–9 m) tall, the Forest Pansy Redbud adds seasonal interest and shade. It’s a favourite for garden landscapes and works beautifully as a specimen tree in yards or large containers. 7. Morning Glory Morning Glory vines produce soft, heart-shaped leaves alongside vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that open each morning in shades of blue, purple, pink, or white. The foliage climbs vigorously, often covering trellises, fences, or railings in a matter of weeks. This fast grower thrives in full sun and brings a romantic, cottage-garden vibe to outdoor spaces. Also Read: How to Grow Adenium from Cuttings? 8. String of Hearts String of Hearts is a delicate trailing succulent with small, heart-shaped leaves patterned with silver and green. The undersides often have a hint of purplish pink, adding extra charm. Its slender vines can grow several feet long, making it ideal for hanging planters or trailing from shelves. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in bright, indirect light and adds a whimsical touch to any indoor plant collection. 9. Foxglove Tree Also known as the Empress Tree, the Foxglove Tree grows large, velvety, heart-shaped leaves that can measure up to 12 inches (30 cm) across. Its fast-growing nature and impressive foliage make it a standout. In spring, it also produces fragrant purple flowers. Best suited for large gardens or open spaces, this tree thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. 10. Variegated Butterbur This dramatic perennial features enormous, rounded, heart-shaped leaves with bold green-and-white variegation. The foliage spreads wide, often creating a lush, tropical look in shady areas. Variegated Butterbur is ideal for moist, woodland-style gardens where it can slowly naturalize and become a lush groundcover. Also Read: 29 Easy Plants to Propagate from Cuttings 11. Climbing Hydrangea Climbing Hydrangea offers heart- to oval-shaped, rich green leaves that form dense foliage on woody vines. When in bloom, it’s covered in fragrant white flowers, adding elegance to vertical spaces. It attaches itself to walls or trellises with aerial roots and thrives in part shade. The foliage turns yellow in fall, adding multi-season interest. 12. Heart-Leaf Philodendron Heart-leaf philodendron is a classic vining houseplant adored for its lush, heart-shaped foliage and easy-going nature. The deep green, glossy leaves grow 2″ to 4″ (5–10 cm) long and gracefully trail or climb depending on how it’s grown. Its flexible stems can reach up to 20 ft. (6 m) indoors, making it perfect for hanging baskets, draping over shelves, or climbing a moss pole. The leaf colour ranges from rich emerald to a lighter green, depending on the lighting. Thriving in bright, indirect light, this philodendron is a low-maintenance favourite that brings a soft, tropical vibe to any space. 13. Cyclamen Cyclamen’s dainty, heart-shaped leaves are often marked with silver or light green patterns, creating a beautiful contrast to its bright blooms. This compact plant is popular in winter and early spring for its cheerful flowers and attractive foliage. It thrives in cool temperatures with indirect light and is perfect for brightening up windowsills or tabletops. 14. Bicolor Barrenroot Bicolor Barrenroot is a unique woodland perennial with broad, heart- to kidney-shaped leaves that appear in pairs, giving them a butterfly-like look. The bluish-green leaves emerge in early spring and are followed by delicate white flowers. It prefers moist, shaded areas and adds a subtle elegance to naturalized garden beds. 15. Anthurium Anthuriums are tropical plants known for their glossy, heart-shaped leaves and brightly coloured spathes that resemble flowers. The foliage alone is enough to impress with its deep green colour and smooth texture. These houseplants enjoy bright, filtered light and high humidity. With their long-lasting blooms and striking foliage, Anthuriums bring a touch of the exotic indoors. 16. Common Lilacs Common Lilac shrubs feature soft, heart-shaped leaves and dense clusters of fragrant purple or white flowers in spring. The leaves are a cool green, forming a full and leafy background for the starry blooms. Lilacs prefer full sun and well-drained soil, making them excellent for borders or privacy hedges in temperate gardens. Check this: 19 Perennial that Bloom all Summer in Full Sun 17. Split-Leaf Philodendron (Monstera deliciosa) While often recognized for its dramatic fenestrated leaves, young Split-Leaf Philodendron foliage starts heart-shaped before developing splits and holes. The early leaf shape adds to its sculptural charm. This plant thrives in bright, indirect light and can grow impressively large indoors, especially when given space to climb. 18. Jack Frost Siberian Bugloss This shade-loving perennial is cherished for its shimmering silver heart-shaped leaves, veined delicately with green. Tiny blue flowers resembling forget-me-nots bloom in spring, adding extra magic. Perfect for woodland gardens or shady borders, Jack Frost provides long-lasting foliage interest and a soft, cooling contrast to darker greens. 19. Frances Williams Hosta Frances Williams Hosta is a striking shade-loving perennial known for its large, heart-shaped leaves with bold variegation. The foliage features a deep blue-green center bordered by wide, irregular margins of chartreuse to golden yellow, giving it a dramatic, two-tone appearance. Mature leaves can grow up to 12″ (30 cm) wide, forming a dense, mounding clump that’s perfect for garden beds, borders, or container arrangements in shady spots. While it’s grown mainly for its foliage, it also produces pale lavender flowers on tall stalks in mid to late summer. This hosta thrives in moist, well-drained soil and brings texture, colour, and structure to any shady garden corner. Conclusion Heart-shaped leaves just have a way of making any space feel a bit more cosy and full of love. Whether it’s a trailing vine in your living room or a big leafy beauty in the garden, these plants add charm without even trying. They’re fun to grow, easy to love, and honestly—once you start collecting them, it’s hard to stop. Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting Source link