#Bram the Bard

[metalhead-brainrot]

Back again after the new year celebration and all the dishwashing that entails.

[Album of the day] Wizard Tattoo - Fables of the Damned

Indianapolis, IN // 2023

[Genres] stoner rock, doom metal, folk

[Themes] wizardry, bardic tales

[FFO] pulp horror, gritty fantasy, riff heaven

[Thoughts] I listen to a lot of stoner rock (arguably too much), and this is my favorite release of the year. It's catchy as hell and you'd never know it was a solo work; Bram the Bard is the mastermind behind Wizard Tattoo, a talented multinstrumentalist who can craft stoner doom hits (e.g. "The Vengeful Thulsa Dan", "God Damn This Wizard Tattoo") as well as folky, instrospective tracks (e.g. "Any Which Way But Tuned", "Abendrote"). I simply think this is a genius work and if you're here, give it a listen.

I'd be remiss to not mention Wizard Tattoo's visual artwork; the album art (also done solely by Bram the Bard), is clearly referential to the pulp horror comics of the mid-20th century. These comics are stupid cool, but don't take my word for it: check out this article on Tor.com by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, author of popular weird lit novel Mexican Gothic.* And if you want to read some Mexican horror comics of yesteryear, check out these two free databases: Revistería Ponchito and El Monje Loco on Issuu.

Bram the Bard further employs a comic-book art style in the music video for my favorite song on the album.** If you dig any of this, feel free to hit me up; I'd love to chat about the album and anything else I've mentioned.

o()xxxx[:::::::::::::::::>o()xxxx[:::::::::::::::::>o()xxxx[:::::::::::::::::>

* As well as about nine other novels and a ton of nonfiction and short stories; Moreno-Garcia is an incredibly prolific author. Somehow I've managed to put off reading anything except her thesis, Magna mater: women and eugenic thought in the work of H.P. Lovecraft, which you can download for free at the University of British Columbia's open collections.

** I like it so much I wrote the character of Thulsa Dan into my Pathfinder 2e campaign as a legendary character. Unfortunately, my players abandoned the campaign.

o()xxxx[:::::::::::::::::>o()xxxx[:::::::::::::::::>o()xxxx[:::::::::::::::::>

[From the band/label]

Wizard Tattoo, the genre bending Indianapolis-based metal band by multi-instrumentalist Bram the Bard, returns with the debut full-length concept album Fables of the Damned. Picking up where the self-titled EP left off, Fables… continues the story of a man who gets a tattoo of a wizard and slowly loses his mind–while introducing new characters like the loser of the infamous battle from the previously released “Wizard Knife Fight.” and more. Heavier and darker, Fables… pulls from doom influences (Conan, SubRosa, Bongripper) with classic rock (Led Zeppelin, Motley Crue), as well as a healthy dose of 90s alternative (Smashing Pumpkins, Alice in Chains, Ministry).

Fans of Wizard Tattoo's unique blend of catchy riffs with progressive and heavy elements will not be disappointed with Fables of the Damned. The album is a masterful display of Bram the Bard's musical prowess and a testament to the band's ability to seamlessly blend genres into a cohesive, hard-hitting sound.

Mixed and mastered at Garage Fire Recordings, Fables of the Damned is also accompanied by original artwork hand-drawn by Bram the Bard himself. The artwork is inspired by horror movies and comics, and it brings the album's six tales of madness to life in a colorful and imaginative way.

[lookslikethatsallthetimewehave]

You're right about the other villains not having as much depth as Octavian. With most of them, we don’t even know their backstories!

Oh yeah, I said that.

I should make a list of the villains that have somewhat of a backstory/motivation:

Dr. Hare: Dr. Harvey Hare was the lead scientist for NISS (National Institute of Silly Sciences). There he engineered a top-secret mind control device. The device malfunctioned during testing on a bunny rabbit, fusing him with it.

Copy Cat: Copy Cat made millions selling illegally copied music, but she was caught when she offered a bootlegged computer game to an undercover agent.

Sir Rebral: Sir Rebral believes he is descended from royalty. He was apprehended while stealing the crown jewels from the Queen of Arturus from Astro-Knights Island.

Speeding Spike: Spike was a car thief, and loved speeding.

Ratman: Ratman used trained rats to help him steal money and jewels, but his pets "ratted" on him, leading to his imprisonment.

Crusher: Crusher once stole a monster truck and smashed cars in a parking lot for fun.

Betty Jetty: Betty Jetty was a pilot who flew without a license.

Director D: He is bald and is embarrassed that he is bald, so he wants everyone to be bald too.

Vince Graves: Vince is a renegade archaeologist who is often found in Egypt looking for rare artifacts, and is willing to steal artifacts if necessary. When he finds something valuable, he quickly sells it to the highest bidder and then leaves.

Binary Bard: Mordred (Binary Bard's original name) brought technology to the Kingdom of Arturus. His unnatural experiments (aka cyborgs) led to his imprisonment. Mordred escaped prison and fled into space. His unfinished ship crashed on Pewter Moon, where he was gravely injured. He rebuilt himself as part man, part machine in order to survive, becoming the space tyrant Binary Bard.

Gretchen Grimlock: Gretchen Grimlock is the wealthy owner of Gretchen's Beauty Products, Inc. Her company uses endangered plants and animals in its products. One day while searching for a rare orchid she was attacked by Bigfoot, which caused her to start hunting cryptids.

The Shogun: He and his brother Basho trained as Samurai, but Basho decided to become good and left to be a ninja. Basho was angry at his brother for leaving, and stayed with the Samurai, eventually becoming a tyrant ruling over old Japan. 

Mr. Silva: He wanted to be a fireman. But now he's stuck as a science teacher.

Holmes: Holmes was a robot created by the scientist Dr. Harold Langley to compete in game shows. Eventually he became resentful that Langley was getting all the praise.

Henry Flatbottom: Henry was best friends with Valiant, but he also had a crush on Valiant's girlfriend Fiona. Years after Fiona rejected him, Henry used his power (he's the magistrate) to organize Valiant's death so Fiona could choose him instead.

Count Bram: He was turned into a vampire, and tried for years to come up with a cure for it. Eventually his wife died (because she's a human) and Bram lost his mind.

Mark Hertz: Used to work at Poptropica Headquarters, but left for MegaFightingBots because Poptropica wouldn't allow children to type anything in order to chat with each other.

Ringmaster Raven: Bird Boy was an orphan who was born with avian-esque features. He was used as a side-show attraction in a carnival until he was left behind at a town (accidentally or intentionally). Some time later, Bird Boy was accused of burning down a shop, although it is very heavily suggested that he was most likely framed by the real arsonist. He went into hiding until he was caught, and was driven out of the town as a result.

Myron Van Buren: MVB is the last living descendant of the legendary Van Buren hunting family. He became obsessed with proving his worth.

Scheherazade: Scheherazade and her father were poor traders. One day, her father found a genie lamp, and wished to be a sultan and his daughter a princess. The Sultan became obsessed with the genie and his new wealth, forgetting about Scheherazade, causing her to eventually run away and form the Forty Thieves.

Chthonians: The Chthonians were at war with the Mole People for centuries, but only because the Moles took one of their eggs (the Moles not knowing what it was).

Rumpelstiltskin: The Red Queen captured him and kept him locked in the treasury/prison for years.

Dr. Gramston: Dr. Gramston was a dentist on the Blandside, but her business was failing because half of the townspeople (the Goofside residents) refused to brush their teeth. One day Gramston fell through a hole in her office into the sewers, where she discovered the magical crystals that could turn things goofy or bland. She created a plot to turn the entire island bland.

[gengar-pixel-2]

My reaction to poptropica lore be like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRqKiTJhNdU Here’s some highlights. This video to compliment it.

!SPOILERS AHEAD!

EMOTIONAL DAMAGE

EMOTIONAL DAMAGE

EMOTIONAL DAMAGE

*Dies-*

EMOTIONAL-

[planet-poptropica]

⋆ So....I was scrolling through Instagram the other day and I saw one those fav character charts, and I thought it would be fun to make my own! ⋆

⋆ Poptropica mutuals, tell me about your favs, not just your main favs, your side favs! I will include the transparent version below, and my explanation to my choices down below if you are interested! I'm interested to see your choices. ⋆

⋆ Tada! Have fun! ⋆

⋆ Now, an explanation to my choices: ⋆

⋆ Your Favorite: Director D ⋆

I think it's no surprise to ANYONE that knows me that Director D has always been my favorite, since day 1. There was a moment where he was almost replaced by Binary Bard, but he is a close second. Director D is my favorite because he is associated to my nostalgia of a time when I was obsessed with being a spy or ninja when I was a kid. (Spy kids may have played a BIG role in that.) Playing as an agent in that island was so exciting for me, but I do remember having trouble with certain parts like the decoder. (In hindsight I probably would be horrible spy XD.) Now that I'm older, his island is still one of my favs for that reason, but it's not my number one. I wish we could have gotten a bit more backstory for him, but, what can you do. (But create a backstory for him and I have.)

⋆ You Relate To: Black Widow ⋆

Black widow is a character I don't really talk about or draw like....ever, which is crazy because she's probably the character I relate to the most, just like many other artist do too I'm sure. I relate to her in the way of being jealous of other people's art success, and the constantly comparing yourself to others. They say you are your worst critic after all. I don't so much anymore. I'm actually proud of where I am in my art journey, but I used to do that a lot when I was younger, especially when I just started doing digital art.

You won't catch me stealing or ruining other people's art though... girl what-

⋆ Your Favorite Design: Ringmaster Raven ⋆

Look at him, 'nuff said. His design is amazing. I love the color palette, the mask used to cover his true look, the raven theme with the wings and mask, the hat with eyes, everything. His design is the best because it matches with the overall theme of the island, it being a MONSTER CARNIVAL, and he is the Ringmaster. I remember how hipped I was when his island trailer released. One of the best islands for sure.

⋆ Is Underrated: Count Bram⋆

Yeah, remember when I was constantly drawing him for a short period of time? It's for a reason. I love my vampire peepaw who's confused about everything. I'm curious, do people consider him a villain? I kind of don't for the reason that he kidnapped Katya because he thought she was Anabelle, and once he was cured and was bought back to reality, he apologized for it because he didn't know. You want to talk about villain? Christopher is the real villain, you can't change my mind. Anyway, I was looking at the old art I drew of him, and he looked familiar to me. Then it all came together. You know who he reminds of? Exactly? Simon Petrikov, you know, Ice King from Adventure Time? Not only do they have the same hair style and would have the same personality, but they were both humans at some point with a partner, and once they became what they became, all they thought about was their partner, aka Anabelle and Betty.

Poof, mind blown. Vampire peepaw deserves more love.

⋆ You'd get along with IRL: Amelia ⋆

Amelia is another character I don't really talk about or draw, mainly because I associate her with the new era of Poptropica. But, I don't think that's fair. Amelia is actually a very sweet character that I think little me would have appreciated if she came to the game sooner. I would probably get along with her really well, considering how silly, and nice she is. Not to mention, her love for cute stuff. Imagine her unicorn bedroom but replaced with bunnies. That's my room right now. I think that even traveling with her would be really fun. She would have gotten under the "you relate to" category too but I didn't want Amelia on here twice. XD

⋆ And finally...Your Favorite Side Character: Dr. Spyglass ⋆

I... do not know how to explain this one. Dr. Spyglass only gets a few words of dialog, and we know nothing about him in canon, besides him working for HQ, and being an eye doctor. I won't lie, I actually had a crush on this guy years ago, hence why I shipped him with Muddy. (I cringe at that ship now. XD) Probably because...he looks like Director D...with a lab coat. >_> Look at both of them and TELL ME they are not related, I dare you. My version of them are. I love the idea of this silly scientist being hired by his brother after failing the entry agent exam, not because he pitted him, but because he understood how incredibly smart he was and is. Constantly being compared to his brother and what he could have been. So, you can say I like MY version of him... a lot.

I should dedicate a post to him some day, eh?

[undeadqueen666]

I heard you wanted to play :-)

🚢 Why do you think you hyperfixate on the characters you hyperfixate on? What makes them interesting for you? Is there a common trait?

Hmmm. I don't know if this is going to properly answer the question but it feels like the most honest way to answer it. This might be long.

My favorite book is Bram Stoker's Dracula and the first character I used to hyper fixate on is the Count, still do.

I think the characters I hyper fixate on tend to share a similar vibe. What makes them interesting to me? They embody the ultimate fantasy.

Because they have a monstrous side, they kind of give me a pass on fantasizing on bad men. Since they are not quite human we cannot hold them to the same standards of morality that we hold each other to.

They commit atrocities and enjoy it? it is in their nature. They are sadistic creeps? Blame it on their supernatural nature!

As a vampire for Dracula or a cambion/Devil for Raphael.

Another aspect that helps my hyper fixation is that those characters, as I interpret them, tend to take away the shaming of female desire and sexuality. With Dracula he glamours his victims to bite them and it's the best sex they ever have. I see the mesmerism as a metaphor for the vampire to take away the second guessing of their targets so they get to focus on their own wants and needs without having to stress about some shaming down the line and even better, if they get judged they can delegate the fault to the bad vampire. The devil made me do it.

For Raphael he has a way to lay bare the ugly truth of yourself and of human nature and you have to deal with the consequences of your own desires/goals. He is an honest Devil, he delicately leads you all the way towards your doom, however he makes sure you are aware of it. Also the layers and contrast help my hyper fixation. He is an awful p.o.s. (affectionate) but he writes fan fiction, he is a bard and he has jingly boots! I'm all about layered freaks! Thanks for coming to my ted talk! I hope this answered the question!

[daz4i]

OKAY I'M DONE!!!!!!

this isn't every single character bc some i have a very shaky grasp on so i just skipped them

for some. i had a funny/angsty idea for an aspect and then went with it (for example: kouyou with light). there might be a better option but i like this one

i mostly used one blog for reference bc it has very convenient lists, but i tried to cross check with others as well jic

if you disagree with my takes that's perfectly fine 👍 i will admit i'm no expert on classpects lol and i encourage you to make your own post of this sort, if you'd like :)

if you wanna make art/fics/anything else inspired by any of these...... please tag me in it.......👀👉👈

that being said. here's my list of bsd classpects:

armed detective agency:

atsushi: page of breath

dazai: seer of void 

ranpo: heir of light

yosano: witch of life

kunikida: mage of time

kyouka: knight of space

kenji: sylph of hope

tanizaki: prince of mind

mafia:

akutagawa: maid of doom

chuuya: heir of blood

mori: rogue of life

kouyou: bard of light

higuchi: mage of heart

kajii: witch of mind

q: page of hope

odasaku: knight of space

decay of angels:

fyodor: bard of mind

nikolai: rogue of breath

sigma: page of blood

bram: mage of life

fukuchi: heir of time

chosen guild members bc i'm too lazy for everyone and idk enough about them:

francis: sylph of blood

poe: mage of mind

lucy: maid of space

hunting dogs:

tachihara: mage of blood

teruko: prince of life

jouno: sylph of rage

tecchou: heir of hope

others:

ango: maid of void

aya: witch of time

mushitarou: rogue of heart

bro the ada is the only one who has a chance of surviving this session fr

also if you're already here have some things that made me feel like i galaxy brained big time:

already posted abt it but, kyouka and odasaku being the same classpect (i knew i want them both to be space bc i thought it fit them and their vibe and patience. but then knight ended up being the best class option too. so)

jouno and tecchou being opposing aspects

^in turn, tecchou being the same aspect as kenji

kunikida and aya being the same aspect, and aya ending up a class that's considered "the same but stronger and more chaotic" than kunikida's

mori being a life player :) he's a doctor after all :)))) (tbh his personality fits a thief way more, but thieves are selfish while rogues work for the benefit of others. and i think that's a core thing about him. so!)

i had the doa trio's classpects locked and loaded in my brain for months now. i actually only made this list so i have an excuse to talk about them. i will not budge on these choices

ok that's it. if you wanna i can elaborate on specific choices but i'm way too lazy to explain every single one lol

[laytonnpcbracket]

Welcome to the Layton NPC Showdown!

This is a bracket to determine which of the many memorable NPCs from across the Professor Layton games are the greatest.

GAMES INCLUDED: Every game except LBMR. Eternal Diva characters are also not included here.

WHAT COUNTS AS AN NPC?: Anyone who doesn't have a puzzle animation. Characters excluded are Layton, Luke, Flora, Clive, Emmy, Randall, Aurora, Des, Espella, Phoenix, Maya, Katrielle, Ernest, Sherl, Hastings, and Emiliana.

WILL THERE BE NOMINATIONS?: Nope! Every NPC will be included.

WHAT ABOUT THE LAYTONMOBILE/MOLENTARY EXPRESS?: No vehicles. Not characters.

WHAT ABOUT THE PUZZLE LADS/LASSES?: I only plan on including characters that we can speak to in-game, so no Puzzle Lads or Lasses. Sorry to the people who like them 😔

WHICH CHARACTERS ARE INCLUDED, THEN?: Anyone who isn't an exception listed above that is in the profiles of the game! A full list is enclosed below.

WHEN WILL THE TOURNAMENT START?: More information forthcoming on that! I have to seed the bracket first :)

WHY IS NAIYA YOUR ICON?: In my opinion, she's one of the more underrated NPCs of the series. I'll probably cycle through some of the ones I have available to me right now.

WHAT CRITERIA SHOULD I VOTE ON?: Whatever makes you happy :)

ARE ALTER EGOS SEPERATE CHARACTERS?: No. For instance, Ratman is not included because his secret identity is in the tournament.

US OR UK NAMES?: I will try to make available as many names for the NPCs as possible! Which includes their Japanese names and as many names in the localizations as I am able to obtain from the wiki and my own sources. I'll probably reliably have the English (both versions where applicable), Japanese, and French names for every character when I do the bracket rounds. The list below however is entirely in English.

And now for a list of the entries! I didn't check all of these for inconsistencies, but I attempted to ascertain that I used the US versions. Some of them might be UK versions though because that's the version of the game I have (specifically Diabolical Box NPCs and Last Specter NPCs -- I know some of their US names but not all).

Franco

Stachenscarfen

Ingrid

Percy

Marco

Ramon

Matthew

Lady Dahlia Reinhold

Gordon Reinhold

Simon Reinhold

Claudia

Beatrice

Deke

Agnes

Pauly

Crouton

Flick

Rodney

Chelmey

Lucy

Zappone

Gerard

Jarvis

Adrea

Pavel

Crumm

Prosciutto

Archibald

Sylvain

Martha

Giuseppe

Augustus Reinhold

Granny Riddleton

Don Paolo

Bruno

Andrew Schrader

Anton Herzen

Katia Anderson

Sophia

Mr. Anderson

Beluga

Sammy Thunder

Macaroon

Chester

Babette

Tom

Ilyana

Geoff

Garland

Nigel

Jacques

Barton

Grousley

Steve

Capone

Mitzi

Lili

Sally

Marjorie

Conrad

Karla

Romie

Dorothea

Clabber

Oscar

Nick

Gabe

Balsa

Wurtzer

Lopez

Laurel

Parcelle

Lulu

Albert

Madeline

Remy

Angus

Kostya

Dylan

Joseph

Rory

Lila

Damon

Felix

Niles

Duke

Hopper

Olson

Derby

Dawson

Joanie

Krantz

Grinko

Marina

Opal

Ray

Gregorio

Narice

Gertie

Hamster

Precious

Winston

Claire

Dimitri Allen

Bill Hawks

Spring

Cogg

Dean Delmona

Shipley

Puzzlette

Beasley

Parrot

Subject 3

Bostro

Family Goon

Lockjaw

Splinters

Marzano

Layman

Fisheye

Silky

Shmelmey

Shmarton

Ward

Smith

Florence

Vito

Art

Niklaus

Anita

Alfie

Hazel (UF)

Adeline

Max

Becky

Margaret

Pallard

Dupree

Natalia

Harold

Horace

Hardy

Cuthbert

Segal

Catanova

Rosetta

Colby

Rudolph

Misha

Dylan

Viv

Pepper

Checker

Avogadro

Maya (UF)

Myrtle

Belle

Graham

Slate

Ernest (UF)

Berta

Minnie

Paige

Raleigh

Beacon

Mark

Rosa

Grosky

Keats

Clark Triton

Brenda Triton

Arianna Barde

Tony Barde

Doland Noble

Levin Jakes

Loosha

Toppy

Crow

Marilyn

Roddy

Scraps

Tweeds

Wren

Socket

Louis

Badger

Aldus

Charlie

Jasmine

Bucky

Fische

Beth

Mido

Clarence

Joe

Molly

Marion

Browne

Hugo

Dominica

Paddy

Brock

Aunt Taffy

Shackwell

Greppe

Goosey

Mimi

Hans Jakes

Maggie

Yamada

Sean

Olga

Finch

Sebastian

Cornelius

Chappy

Hannah

Mick

Colby

Monica

Thomas

Nate

Ewan

Chief Engineer

Naiya

Chippe

Bram

Ghent

Nordic

Gilbert

Roland Layton

Lucille Layton

Henry Ledore

Angela Ledore

Alphonse Dalston

Leonard Bloom

Sheffield

Billson

Mrs Ascot

Pascal

Guy

Lapushka

Gustav

Gonzales

Drake

Tyrone

Sterling

Mordy

Collette

Maurice

Juggles

Puck

Yukkles

Murphy

Cookie

Tanya

Firth

Madelaine

Stumble

Artie

Michelle

Nils

Frankie

Conner

Humbert

Policeman (MM)

Yuming

Esther

Lionel

Doug

Mr. Collins

Leon Bronev

Raymond

Prima

Harald

Donna

Mascha

Georg

Mackintosh

Solveig

Erik

Hazel (AL)

Igor

Sonya

Moos

Larisa

Karpin

Boris

Dariya

Pavlova

Carmichael

Amelie Chelmey

Policeman (AL)

Tommy

Morel

Chestnut

Amanita

Blewitt

Chanterelle

Button

Lepidella

Bud

Javier

Benny

Miranda

Martine

Barbara

Ruby

Scarlett

Flint

Old Red

Jesse

Derringer

Julien

Romilda

Sheppard

Piet

Felicia

Rik

Beatrix

Umid

Banu

Dana

Temir

Mehri

Nassir

Adler

Robin

Macaw

Plover

Grouse

Gannet

Swift

Carmine Accidenti

Olivia Aldente

Allan

Bardly

Zacharias Barnham

Newton Belduke

Birdly

Boistrum

Cecil

Cinderellia

Constantine

Cracker

Cutter

Darklaw

Dewey

Dzibilchaltunchunchucmil

Patty Eclaire

Eve (cat)

Flynch

Foxy

Jean Greyerl

Hoot

Judge

Kira

Knight Captain

Knightle

Lottalance

Lyewood

Lettie Mailer

Balmung

Mary

Muffet

Muggs

Ridelle Mystere

Nozey

Petal

Petter

Ms Primstone

Emeer Punchenbaug

Robbs

Old Rootie

Rouge

Servius

Shakey

Johnny Smiles

Snowy

Storyteller

Tuggit

Price

Wordsmith

Pipper Lowonida

Phineas Barnone

Madame Doublée

Liza Wight

Grant Sloans

Cesar Chance

Mustafa Fulhold

Hans Lipski

Aleks Lipski

Maverick D. Rector

Seymore Fraymes

The Major

Eddie Torre

Hayes

Maid

Wooooster

Bianca Teller

Security Guard

Shadee

Taboras Lloyd

Douglas Dert

Ratboy

Mo Heecan

Mrs Slow the Tailor

Midas Pullman

Declan Swabber

Abel Seamon

Felicity Hastings

Gene Ohm

Billy Kidd

Royall Britannias

Clover Pryce

PC Beate

DC Booker

Waiter

Séan Butchin

Bo Bells

Hessie Tate

Benjy

Bess

Keane Fisher

Bob Bracket

Stripey

Patch

Cat

Yapper

Gudrun Weldon

[redshamrock56]

Headcanoned heights of Poptropicans

These are just some headcanoned heights I have for some characters.

Amelia: 5'8

Red Baroness: 5'9

Xavier: 6 feet

Dr. Hare: 6'2

Black Widow: 5'9

Captain Crawfish: 5'11

Binary Bard: 6 feet

Crusher: 6'4

Speeding Spike: 6'2

Sir Rebral: 5'7

Copy Cat: 5'6

Betty Jetty: 5'7

Ratman: 6'1

Gretchen Grimlock: 5'10

Harold Mews: 6'2

Director D: 5'10

Rumpelstiltskin: 7'8

Red Queen: 8 feet

King: 5'11

Prince: 5'9

El Mustachio Grande: 6'1

Edgar: 5'1

Ringmaster Raven: 6'5

Anna Gram: 5'8

Mayor Naise: 5'5

Bosko Oksob: 14'4

Cinderella: 5'9

Snow White: 5'7

Red: 5'8

Huntsman: 6'11

Elyana: 5'7

Fiona: 5'6

Count Bram: 6'1

Katya: 5'4

Christopher: 5'4

[pixelizedprince]

Yelling barking Gale lives like three or less streets from Bram (my first dnd character kazoo playing half-orc bard) I'm-

[lookslikethatsallthetimewehave]

All of the known villains in Erewhon Prison.

The villains that were created before SVI that were not seen:

Some of these villains were reformed (more or less, lol) And E.Vile is in space and hasn't attacked Poptropica.

So the only ones that would be in there would be Director D, Vince Graves, Mademoiselle Moreau, and Dr. Cumulo Nimbus.

Raven's in there too.

[interdimensionalvoid]

How the Poptropica x SPM is going:

Count Bram as Count Bleck because sad counts who miss their lovers

Annabelle as Tippi because the lovers of the sad counts and also the big ded

Bard as Dimentio. This is obvious

Crawfish as O'Chunks. Honestly this is just because of sheer vibes

Widow as Mimi because sillay greedy spider gals with a love of the finer things

Dr. Hare as Nastasia because of mind control and honestly I just wanted to keep the main 4 together. Do not separate them

I have no clue who everyone else is tbh

Yesssssss

[emerald194]

I have a potential au on the brain

Poptropica x Spm

Count Bram as Count Bleck because "I miss my wife Tails. I miss her a lot."

Annabelle as Tippi because the dead lovers <3

Bard as Dimentio because it's literally so perfect

The Booted Bandit as Mimi because shape shifting little snots

Maybe Crawfish as O'Chunks? I dunno anything else I'm scraping the barrel I don't know what else to do but Bram and Annabelle as Bleck and Tippi is so painful and I love it

I mean it sounds good to me

---

Aww two lonely counts :(

and binary bard clowning as usual

[crossover-enthusiast]

Count Bram as Count Bleck because sad counts who miss their lovers

Annabelle as Tippi because the lovers of the sad counts and also the big ded

Bard as Dimentio. This is obvious

Crawfish as O'Chunks. Honestly this is just because of sheer vibes

Widow as Mimi because sillay greedy spider gals with a love of the finer things

Dr. Hare as Nastasia because of mind control and honestly I just wanted to keep the main 4 together. Do not separate them

I have no clue who everyone else is tbh

Ooooo this all sounds amazing so far

[gbhbl]

EP Review: Wizard Tattoo - One of These Knives (Garage Fire Recordings)

The second EP that Wizard Tattoo has dropped this year, but whereas July’s concept EP ‘Living Just for Dying’, picked up where the ‘Fables of the Damned’ album left off, this release looks to capture the dynamism of their debut EP. Something evident by the overall rawer tone that permeates the release.

Known for blending doom, stoner metal, and psych rock with intricate storytelling, Wizard Tattoo, the innovative creation of multi-instrumentalist Bram the Bard, is poised to make a formidable impact on November 1st with the release of their latest EP, ‘One of These Knives’. Out via Garage Fire Recordings.     The second EP that Wizard Tattoo has dropped this year, but whereas July’s concept EP…

[prose-priest-potentate]

In the Interim

Fic on Ao3: Here

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Chapter 8: The Street Fight and the Morning After

After months of long days, Izek is ready for a drink. Sliding into a seat around one of the tables in the tavern isn’t as comfortable as it should be, because he follows Imrath and Wixen to a different table. The new one doesn’t have the scorch marks or claw gouges in it, and doesn’t have the perfect view of both doors. It’s probably for the best that he starts breaking old habits now. He keeps remembering – reminding himself - that this place isn’t good for him. It keeps him off-kilter. He hates it, but it’s something. 

Something quieter than the hate in his chest that bubbles constantly. A different ache. One that can be doused back down, replaced with a simpler, easier irritation when Wixen gets too touchy, or teases him too much. He could kill her, but scrapping with her is more fun. The new something can be coaxed into amusement when Imrath says something ridiculous or puts his foot in his mouth again and goes red all over. He could torment him, and he does, but it’s more fun when Imrath torments back. Izek likes the fight.

Doesn’t do much about the emptiness, of course, but Izek wouldn’t know the difference anyway, so he doesn’t notice it. He just watches his friends run around. Wixen is on all fours, running under tables with Bram and Brom. She’d snuck up and sprinkled some other powder on his spines, but he’d caught her with a clap to the ear before she scurried across the room, chattering and giggling. Imrath originally went to the bar for refills, but has since veered back by, following Danica with a tray of rolls and a quick apology: “Sorry dear, she was swamped.”

Whatever, he’s too damn helpful anyway. S’in his nature. 

The tavern is back to its usual decibel with the Wachter woman gone for good - there’s a new string bean bard plucking on an instrument and winking at the crowd, regardless of who gets slapped by their partner for it. People tell stories and tables erupt in laughter. Hunter’s boast. Some people climb up into their chairs with dramatic declarations that most other patrons smile at. Izek watches as Imrath bows deep and pulls Danica into a quick twirl around the floor to a plucky tune when the bard starts it up.

He is watching them, finishing off the last of Imrath’s drink in recompense for taking so long with refills, when a stranger struts up and leans on the table hard enough to jostle the plates. Izek’s spoon slides off his plate. The empty vat in his chest fills with vitriol like a breaking dam.

“What the fuck do you want?” He snarls. The man is clearly drunk – red in the face with spilled beer on his chest. He looks strong enough for a commoner – must be a farmer or a hunter, but little else. Easy overkill if he hits him as hard as he wants to. 

“I’m just a curioush citizin,” He slurs. Looks back over his shoulder to one of the other tables, but Izek’s laser focused on his face. He turns around slow. So so easy to just be rid of. Like strangling a babe. Izek’s patience thins in the time it takes him to finish his thought. 

“I was just wondering… what the infamous Captain Stazni has been up to. You left,” the man gestures with a tankard that sloshes onto the floor, “outta nowhere. Now you come back and the lizard man’s got you on a leash.” He’s too lost in his giggles, eyes shut, drinking deep after the last dregs of his beer, to hear the scrape of chair legs on the wood floor. 

Izek stands. Looms. Anyone should recognize the bloodlust when they see it, even through drunken fog, but this stranger has had a bit too much liquid courage. He slams his tankard down and keeps talking. “I mean, different strokes, I guesssh-” 

He squawks when Izek jerks him up by his neck, claws dug in. The tavern goes quiet, except for Danica, Imrath, and Wixen, who react with, respectively, a demand to take it outside her bar, concern, and gleeful amusement. The idiot stranger squirms, flails, and aims a punch at Izek’s face. It lands with a smack, gnashes Izek’s teeth further in his jaw, but doesn’t move him. Through the red, he thinks he hears Wixen giggle and Imrath growl. He’s squeezing and dragging the man to the door slowly. Stalking him out into the dark. Towards another excellent spot for a shallow grave that he’s had in mind for a rainy day like this one.

Comments of, “poor guy” “pity” and “Moringlord have mercy” follow them, but Imrath’s voice breaks the tension, ringing like a bell. 

“Oh! Wait for me!” He sounds entirely too cheerful. “I volunteer as referee!” 

What? Izek goes to look over his shoulder, but Imrath is already there with a smile and a firm hand on his wrist. 

“Every duel needs a judge to declare the winner. Don’t worry, I’ve done it before!” Imrath squeezes hard, and Wixen sweeps in with a cackle to pry the man from Izek’s claws – which still drag across his neck and leave deep scratches. Imrath touches his back and pushes, guides, with a smile that doesn’t fool him as they walk outside. 

The three of them head down the stairs, with the man who started it gasping and rasping, wriggling in Wixen’s iron grip – for a woman as small as she is, she’s almost as much of an immovable object as Izek. 

The man coughs and tries to yell, but it’s haggard, “What? You gonna reign in your bitch?!” 

Imrath bristles. The smile he put on for the crowd falls into bared teeth as Wixen laughs too loud in the man’s ear, “You must really have a death wish!” She forces him up to his feet, sneering, “Stupid. We’re here to keep you alive.”

Imrath’s rumbling growl is too low for anyone in the crowd that has followed them out onto the porch to hear, but Izek is staring at him with the same uncanny focus that he’s had the whole time when he leans in close, as he shoves his blindfold up into his feathers, pinning them back. His reptilian eyes are slits against the ambient light, but Izek’s sure he sees them try to dilate when he catches his eye. 

“Please don’t use fire, darling. I wanna watch you beat the shit out of this guy.” 

Izek squints at him for a full second before he smirks. It's cruel and makes Imrath’s heart jump in his chest, so he turns quickly, biting down his own grin, to address everyone. He has to blink and squint against the light from the doorway and windows, but he bears it.

“Alright, alright. Gather ‘round. Place any bets you’d like.” He gestures grandly at Izek. “Izek Stazni, versus… what was your name sir?” 

The man is standing now, hand to his throat, with Wixen stalking around keeping him in place. He doesn’t look interested in the sport of it - a shame. “Raj. Sevolad.” 

“Raj Sevolad.” Imrath’s voice is cordial and charming. “Gentlemen, the rules are as such: no weapons, no magic, including from friends, until after the fight is called. This is a fight to unconsciousness or yield – and I reserve the right to pause the fight to ask for a yield at any point. Ready?” 

Izek nods before he finishes the question, but Imrath is looking at Raj, who is only fueled by stupidity and ego. Imrath raises an eyebrow, waiting while he considers - looks from Izek over to the crowd on the tavern porch, to his friends and neighbors. Perhaps his sense of self-preservation is finally surfacing through the booze. That won’t do.

Imrath maintains his smile. “Yielding before your opponent returns at least one blow would be a great shame, Mr. Sevolad.”

Raj jumps; pride wounded, bluff called. He squares himself and raises his fists. Excellent. 

“Begin.” 

The fight is fair. Imrath makes sure of that, but it isn’t a competition by any means. He stands by the steps beside Wixen with rapt attention as Izek goes painfully easy. Izek, who he’s seen skewer a hag to a stone wall with a good overhand and was halfway to killing Raj in the tavern. Izek, who is a wolf toying with his prey – letting him get close to another hit and just snarling at him. Shoving him by the back of the head toward the ground instead of decking him just to laugh when he spits dirt out of his teeth. Wixen is loving it too, cheering and mocking Raj for his misses. A few other voices join her. A few in support of the idiot shout “close!” and “get him Raj!”

Imrath speaks over them with all the command his ancestors would be proud of, “Gentlemen, do either of you yield?” 

Izek is cocky and rabid. Raj is furious. “No!”

Guards investigate the commotion, and are waved over by several citizens to watch the fight as well. They’re clearly torn, because Izek turning his wrath on anyone usually ends with a corpse, and he’s clearly enjoying this too much – in a way that is familiar to those who used to work under him, but he is, once again, in good with the Baron. Or, his friends are. They’re technically town heroes again. So… do they risk interfering? 

They hesitate, and Imrath makes a big scene of asking for another yield. Both men say no, and the guards gradually shift from hovering to mingling. Good. 

Izek needs this fight, and the villagers need to learn to mind themselves - heroes or not. This is an example - an important precedent.

The fight picks up when Raj hisses out something nasty again and Izek doesn’t dodge. He takes a punch to the gut like it’s nothing and uppercuts him with his left. Raj sputters and scrambles back up onto his feet. Bless him, Izek beats him bloody, but he stays on his feet for another two punches. The last one digs into his diaphragm and he curls up on the ground, gasping for the air he can’t seem to find. Imrath moves quick to put himself in the way, and Wixen reaches to stop Izek’s next coiled punch. The guards pull swords and step forward, but everyone pauses. Half the crowd groans.

Imrath steps in close and pulls Raj back to his feet. He feels the man tense under his claws, but tries to be gentle.

“Careful, Mr. Sevolad. That was a good fight.” He steps back, leaves Raj holding his abdomen and wheezing, to address the crowd. “That was an effort to be proud of, wasn’t it everyone?” 

The crowd responds with murmurs of support and nodding heads. Yeah, they suppose it was. Izek isn’t known for his mercy, after all. Raj doesn’t appreciate the pity, but Wixen is at his side, grinning with a maw of fangs faster than he can protest. To give credit where it’s due, at least the man seems to know when to keep his mouth shut when he’s sober. He stands still, as straight as he can manage with his undoubtedly broken rib.

Imrath doesn’t fight the open fondness on his face when he turns back to Izek with a beaming smile. He takes Izek’s left hand and holds it all the way over his head, presenting him to the crowd on the porch. “Ladies and Gentlemen, your winner!” 

They cheer. It’s a little half hearted from most, but Izek gets a few claps that he is quick to dismiss, and Imrath lets it be. It’s as much of a success as they can expect. Izek thinks, now that he’s exorcized his temper, that it had been a good save.

Izek watches Imrath flash him another smile - looking at him with pride and indulgence like they’ve pulled off some kind of sweets-out-the-jar heist instead of turning a murder into a street fight. Though, perhaps those are similar enough for the dragonborn. Weirdo. 

As the crowd dissipates and patrons return to their tables, guards to their rounds, and nearby window shutters latch back closed, Imrath is checking on his opponent - glowing will brilliant sunlight through the scales of his hands to heal him. He says something that Izek can’t hear, and Wixen snickers. 

Then the guy, Raj, jumps. Imrath stands with no tension in his body, smiling and holding one of Raj’s hands in both of his. His mouth moves, and the man tries to pull away, but Imrath’s hold is a vice, and he is halted. Izek perks up. 

He keeps talking - keeps smiling, and Raj’s face screws up. The poor beast, stuck in a trap, looks around for help and only finds Izek as witness. Everyone else only sees a couple of helpful town heroes having a chat with him. Pity. The pathetic sod jerks back around to stare up at the dragonborn looming over him. Imrath ducks his head, and Izek watches him say something else.

Raj rips himself away. He scrambles back, stumbles and barely catches himself. Wixen laughs out loud when Izek snorts. 

Imrath only stares as Raj finally turns to run home and lick what is left of his wounds. Keeps his reptile’s eyes fixed so that every time Raj turns to check over his shoulder, he hasn’t moved.

Huh… Wonder what he said?

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The cheer from the audience is honestly a lot more pathetic than Imrath is used to. Duels back home are a regular occurrence, but always a welcome and raucous spectacle. When a gauntlet is thrown or a fight demanded, word spreads fast through social circles, and you could expect many of your friends and clan members to show up to support you. They would cheer and bellow and stomp their feet, some would even break out into chants and dances to bolster their preferred combatant, and hiss and taunt the opponent, if the duel lasts long enough. Given the high stakes of dishonor on your clan for losing, most dragonborn would rather be dragged away in pieces than to lose.

Imrath had only been part of the crowds - he wasn’t allowed to cause that kind of trouble for his family, but it had never failed to make his blood sing for the show.

This? This was just a scrap, but it was the best that Barovia had offered, and Imrath would never deny a gift like watching Izek fight. He watches the crowds fall silent too quickly and file away. A shame, he thinks. 

Still, he is grinning. He’s soaring with pride when he turns to smile at Izek - his beautiful force of nature, Izek. He could kiss him then and there. Would, in a heartbeat, if he thought for a second that it might be wanted. The easy affection demands it of him. But he is a gentleman, so he only smiles and squeezes Izek’s hand before he has to turn to finish handling Raj.

He doesn’t want to be civil, but he will be. He takes a deep, grounding breath before he makes it over. He needs to school himself - he’s at work. C’mon Im.

“Mr. Sevolad,” Without his blindfold, the disgust is easy to see on the man’s face. He ignores it, “how are you feeling?” 

“Like shit, as you should well know.” Imrath nods, and reaches to take one of Raj’s hands in his. When he does, the man curls his lip. “I ain’t interested in anything you have to say, lizard.” 

Imrath takes his hand anyway. “I’m sure, but nevertheless,” His palms glow as he calls up some magic to ease some of the damage. Raj can stand much better when the sunlight dims. “Forgive me, I really must have a word with you.” 

Raj, who had been distracted by the magic, jerks his head up to look into Imrath’s face. “I said I don’t care what you say.” He tries to pull away, but Imrath curls his fingers. His claws dig in, and Raj pauses when he feels them hook into his skin. “What’re you-” 

“Mr. Sevolad,” Imrath interrupts. The edge of his lips try to curl into a smirk, but he bites it back down. “You and I are going to come to a mutually beneficial agreement.” He waits, lets the words sink in. Wixen’s ears have spun around to listen, and Raj tries to look around, but clearly finds no sympathy. Imrath does not take his eyes off the frightened man. 

When Raj pulls again, Imrath unlatches four claws and uses that hand to pat Raj’s. “You are going to swear not to disrespect my companions again,” Wide, incredulous eyes spin around to face him. He maintains his smile. “and I will swear to you that if you do I will not save you from the fight you went looking for.” 

He leans in, speaks more softly. His next words are almost lost to the giggling of the woman at his elbow. “I will help Izek hide whatever is left of your ashes, and perhaps, if you beg me in your last breaths, I will give you a proper funeral somewhere where no one will find you.”

When Raj moves to wrench himself free, claws be damned, Imrath lets go, and the man stumbles. Wixen laughs loud in his ear, but Imrath is unmoving. Staring. Menacing him on purpose. He needs this man to believe this truth, because Imrath doesn’t want to have to see it through. He really isn’t a vicious man, but this place seems to only speak in fatality, so Imrath will do what he must.

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Danica is there blocking the door with her hands on her hips when they try to rejoin the crowd. “Now I know that y’all are town heroes - and I am always grateful for that,” She wags her finger, “but I’ll not have my inn turned into a sparring ring.”

Imrath, ever the mediator, ducks his head like a child that’s been scolded. “Sorry, Miss Danica. It was the best I could do given the circumstances.”

The circumstances, standing on either side of the dragonborn, give each other sidelong glances. Danica spends another second regarding Imrath, just so that the motherly disappointment sinks in. She gives Izek and Wixen both a stern look.

Izek glares at her, “I didn’t start it.” Danica deadpans, and he gestures out into the street, “and I was leaving. I didn’t even get blood on your floor.” 

“Well.” It isn’t lost on her that any other day, Raj would have gone missing and Izek would have come back to the pub to drink himself under the table. Whatever this band of misfits is doing, it tends to work out. With a sigh, she steps aside and ushers them back in. “I suppose you all did well enough, just try to limit the street fights.”

They all nod with varying degrees of sincerity, and Imrath says, “Yes ma’am.” 

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The rest of the evening goes as it should have in the first place. Imrath buys them a bottle of wine and promises not to drink too much of it. Izek enjoys his glass while Imrath scrubs the drying blood off Izek’s knuckles. Wixen chugs her first glass, tells some dramatic story about the Great Forest she grew up in, chugs her second glass, and takes off under the tables to make mischief with the kids again. 

When Urwin scurries by carrying an armful of plates, Imrath can’t seem to help himself, and tries to help out again. Unceremoniously, Izek grabs him by the belt and plants him back in his chair.

“No you don’t.” Imrath spins around, frowning. Before he can prattle out whatever indignation he has, Izek pokes him in the chest with a claw. “I’m tired of you running off. You stay right there, drink your wine, and enjoy this awful music.” 

He watches him think about it; watches his jaw muscles work like he’s picking an argument and his snout curl up. Izek rolls his eyes. He pushes his chair back enough to yank Imrath’s tail around to tuck it under his own thigh - pinning it there.

“What? Izek c’mon-” Imrath tries to pull it back, but Izek puts more of his weight down.

“I’m serious.” He gestures with his glass for Imrath to grab his own. “You already did your good deed for the night, now you just gotta sit here and scare off any other drunk idiots.”

Imrath purses his lips, but does eventually smile and relax. “Alright, alright. You’re in charge.” 

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Izek wakes up sweaty.

The radiating heat is the first thing he notices. On the blurry edges of his consciousness, it’s suffocating and he immediately hates it more than he’s ever hated anything in his miserable life.

The next thing he becomes aware of is the sickly sweet smell of booze. Gods be damned, he hasn't woken up hungover in months. He needs a new shirt, and a pitcher of water. Or another tankard. He isn’t sure what kind of day it is yet. That’ll depend on what bullshit he has to deal with at work today…

He tries to lift himself and doesn’t move. His eyes snap open with the spike of fear through his chest - the deep seated nightmare that his arm will be gone again and he’ll be- 

A wall. Red spikes. Okay. He closes his eyes against the morning light and forces himself to take a deep breath. His arm is still there. It’s just all pins and needles. He grits his teeth, mutters a curse, and gets to work rolling the dead limb back up onto the bed. It’s a struggle, because even his human arm seems to be betraying him, but he finally makes it up onto an elbow. 

He groans again, and the bed beside him shifts. 

What the- Oh. Izek blinks again; tries to squeeze the sleep out and focus. 

Imrath’s horns and a few feathers poke out from under the covers. There are at least two limbs wrapped around him.

He’s stricken, rooted in place.

Torn between enjoying a rare quiet morning where they don’t actually have to do anything and getting up to tend to his aching head - and to maybe not be caught all curled up in bed like this. Not that he cares what anyone thinks, but the idea is alien. The closeness is alien. He doesn’t know if he likes it the way he likes the undivided attention.

He’s still deciding if he can let himself have the feeling in his chest about it - warm but not angry. It almost makes him hurt when he realizes that he doesn’t hate it, because the hurt is what he knows best.

It is a ghost of a feeling that other people might call contentment, but Izek doesn’t try too hard to parse it out anymore today. His head fucking hurts. He needs food, and then to curl up somewhere dark where Wixen can’t find him and annoy him yet.

Memories float back in from the night before: the fight, the very nice wine that mixed with all the ale he’d already had. He’d arm wrestled Wixen at some point. Vaguely, he remembers winning. He remembers having to hold the walls to make it back up the stairs to their room, and being determined to take his bath himself, thank you very much. 

He thought he’d gone to his own bed? He’d never drunkenly crawled into someone else’s bed before. Which, even if he had and never remembered it, anyone else would have just cleared out and slept on the floor before they curled up with a monster. Not that he cares either way. He’d prefer sleeping alone - not waking up so damned hot. Imrath’s a furnace. Izek kicks the covers off his leg and props it up on the floor. 

It's grounding, and offers another half baked memory: it's blurry, but he thinks he recalls seeing a fox tail disappear out the window for the roof, and glowing pink eyes blinking at him when he laid down. Had Imrath tucked him in? What the Hell?

He’s trying to think straight between his headache and his stupid numb arm giving out on him and he can’t get up without- Imrath shifts again, nuzzles closer, and Izek can feel his nose horn dig into his side. The tail curls up further on his thigh. 

Izek watches his horns move around and he mumbles something in his dragon language that feels like, “5 more minutes.”

So he snorts and flops back down, dragging some of the cover up off their feet to cover his own eyes.

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Whatever. He can heal me later.

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[kazamajun]

Exciting updates in the land of my dnd campaigns.

They Who Wait is going to be a parent! I guess. We came across some basilisks that attacked us and after killing them we discovered that they were protecting a nest with 3 eggs, that look to be a couple weeks off from hatching. It was suggested that we adopt them, as the basilisks will apparently imprint on the first person they see after hatching, so we could technically train them? Also, they have a horse now. I coordinated with the DM that when they use 'summon steed' it summons an entity based on the bog unicorn from DAI. I named it Bram, after Bram Stoker. Oh and Adacus got turned to stone by the basilisks and we're working on un-rocking him. Bram wasn't too thrilled about having to carry his statue ass though.

Meanwhile, Waffle House Tower defeated a boss we've been fighting for the past 3 or so sessions!! Hudie used a protection from elementals scroll while having spirit guardians up so I was basically a buzzsaw that none of the enemies could get near as they were all elementals. When the boss was knocked down to his last bit of health he offered a bunch of gold in exchange for his life and my response to that was a lv3 inflict wounds (5 d10 necrotic babey) and when he died the gold all disappeared so like I suspected, it was fake shit. He dropped a sword that both our bard and the other cleric have had dreams/visions about, so Hudie left it for the two of them to sort between themselves who claims it, while Hudie took the malleus, a smithing hammer designed to be used in the current place they're all in, that like. Basically creates and enslaves elementals. As someone who protects the balance between life and death, Hudie is against this artifice and slavery is not something they will permit either. The DM did drop the idea to our bard that we could make and use an army against the forces that we know are preparing to invade our village soon, but my PC is 100% against this and will consult with their goddess on a way to destroy the hammer. If not the entire forge. It has a portal to the elemental plane of fire, and the whole setup is in their estimation; too dangerous to keep existing.