#Cobalt the Porcupine

[moonstonecanyon]

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"Both the Canadian Mining Institute and its Ontario branch vigorously condemned the proposed 3 per cent profits tax which it said would lead directly to a general depression and the virtual ruination of persons with small means. Representatives from the Standard Stock and Mining Exchange protested against what they considered "partial confiscation," and a deputation of Cobalt miners claimed that the industry already paid enough in the form of licenses and fees. According to the main theme of the miners' logic, any tax would discourage both prospecting and investment with tragic results for the farmers and businessmen of southern Ontario, a lamentable train of consequences usually symbolized by the tiresome Bean stalk metaphor.

The gloomy outlook forecast by the miners did not move the government to reconsider its tax. "We think public opinion demands it," Whitney replied to its critics. Frank Cochrane even lectured the deputation of mining men from his own constituency upon their responsibilities in protecting the investment of capital:

Let me tell you straight, as a man, that I believe the present conditions of speculative boom which you deplore are caused by the mining men and brokers themselves. They have gone on filling the papers with reckless statements not calculated to help your district. And not one mining man rose to contradict or counteract this attempt to manufacture a stock boom out of what should be an honest enterprise. Let me tell you men of my own district that this was far more injurious to the getting of capital to develop the mineral resources of this Province than any tax we can put on your profits.

Defending his tax in the Legislature, Cochrane argued that the mining industry depended just as heavily upon the state for protection and redress and relied upon the services of stable government as the other moderately taxed enterprises. Historically, mining development depended more than most other businesses upon government-owned or at least publicly aided railroads. As the industry established itself, which it was most certainly doing after Cobalt, it ought to bear its reasonable share of the burden of civil government. Indeed, the government regarded the 3 per cent profit tax as particularly lenient; local taxes could be deducted, as could legitimate expenses, and marginal mines were completely exempt. This very liberality reflected a concern to encourage future investment and recognized that in many remote areas mining companies had to provide some of the public services usually expected of the state themselves.

The separate levy of two cents an acre on all mining lands in the unorganized districts was frankly designed to discourage long-term speculative holdings while providing at the same time an income to support schools and law enforcement. Some of the funds thus raised, Cochrane told J. S. Willison, might also be used to provide the funds for the nickel and silver smelting bonuses which he introduced during the same session. Once passed, the acreage tax and the profits tax became permanent features of the Mines Act. And, despite its protestations to the contrary, the mining industry discovered that it could live quite comfortably with the modest toll.

Growing from strength to strength as it moved from Cobalt silver to Porcupine and Kirkland Lake gold, the mining industry quickly blossomed into a bright and important component of the Ontario economy. From 1902 to the end of 1906, Ontario mines yielded a total output valued at $77,977,533; during the next five years (1907-11) production soared 111.5 per cent to $164,929,057, and between 1912 and 1916 it increased yet another 62.1 per cent to $267,419,383.

...

Profits equalled almost 25 per cent of total production, and in some sectors, silver mining for example, they soared to more than 50 per cent. After Cobalt it was no longer necessary to speak hopefully of Ontario's mineral potential, for in the space of a few short years the province witnessed the rise of a brash, boisterous and rich mining industry.

Of course the Whitney government modestly assumed credit for the "wonderful progress of the mining industry" and crowed mightily about the vastly enlarged "people's share" it had garnered from this new found wealth. Indeed the royalties and the mining taxes, which the government had established in response to the "loud and ignorant clamour" for greater public revenues from this source, delivered handsome returns to the public treasury, particularly when compared with the pre-1907 revenue record. Annual income from all phases of mining activity averaged only $82,511 between 1902 and 1906 but during the following five-year interval it climbed to average almost a million dollars a year!

…

However, figures for the last years of the Whitney administration and the beginning of W. H. Hearst's term demonstrate just as dramatically the tendency towards patronage affecting governments. Between 1911 and 1916, when the value mineral production was increasing by 62.1 per cent, public revenues were falling by 50.5 per cent to an average of only $57,775 a year. With this decline the public share of production popped back to only 0.91 per cent, close to the much-maligned former Liberal level. Over time a strong, confident mining industry accommodated itself to the new regulations, and the regulatory body - in this case a pliant government - interpreted regulations in the interests of its clients. Gradually the companies were negotiated downwards to between 3 and 5 per cent. The International Nickel Company argued successfully its profits should be distributed over the smelting and refinery processes, which did not fall under the profits tax, rather an be attributed entirely to mining, Nor did W. H. Hearst demonstrate the same enthusiasm for royalties from the rich Porcupine and Kirkland Lake discoveries as his predecessors at Cobalt. Accommodation and lack of determination permitted the "people's share," once so proudly championed, fall back to earlier unacceptable levels."

- H. V. Nelles, The Politics of Development: Forests, Mines & Hydro-Electric Power in Ontario, 1849-1941. Second Edition. McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2005 (1974), p. 178-181.

[phloxclan]

Moon 36

Dogpaw is apprenticed to Splintergale, Halfpaw to Laurelfern.

Laurelfern goes missing for a few days.

Fiercefern, Fennelspeckle, and Coppersight recover.

Mottledleaf twisted a paw.

Splintergale takes Dogpaw training and teaches her the importance of moss. Laurelfern takes Halfpaw training but isn't sure what to do with her.

Lemonlily gets stabbed by a porcupine (she's fine though).

Moon 37

Everyone has recovered and Peatwish can finally rest. Pantherkit complains that Peatwish never does anything useful.

Branchwillow has 4 kits, refusing to talk about the other parent. Gullkit - Blue-gray speckled tom with cobalt eyes, troublesome, quick witted Flaxkit - White molly with a black eye patch, sunlit ice eyes, and long fur, noisy, quick to make peace and help. Starlingkit - Gray tabby molly with green-yellow eyes, daydreamer, confident with words. Bouncekit - Dark gray ticked molly with cobalt eyes and long fur, impulsive, avid play-fighter

Teaselkit surprises Branchwillow with something nice.

Copseshiver is expecting kits again.

Moon 38

Fiercefern's kits are apprenticed Flailpaw - Umberstar, Primpaw - Lemonlily, Haypaw - Squirreldapple, Pantherpaw - Mottledleaf.

Sloemallow saves Weevilsun from the large dog, but he is badly injured in the process.

Stumpkit wakes up with a headache but tries to play anyways. Squirreldapple asks how Stumpkit is doing.

Coppersight dislocated a leg.

Aspenswipe realizes that molly no longer describes him, he now identifies as a trans tom.

Halfpaw spends time with Laurelfern and they get to know each other better.

Teaselkit and Stumpkit ask Halfpaw what training is like, while Riftkit sneaks out of camp.

Primpaw is stabbed by a porcupine and dies on his first day out of camp.

Springsprout hears strange sounds while gathering herbs and finds a recently dead queen (named Windy) and her newborn kits. The kits are alive, and he takes them to camp. Windkit - Light brown marbled molly with hazel eyes, bullying, lover of stories Grovekit - Brown rosette tom with hazel eyes and long fur, impulsive, lover of stories.

Sprites:

Previous - Next

[scourge-lover]

Undeserved

Arthas's world is small but worth it.

Which hurt more, Arthas's emotional distress from his complete lack of direction, or his broken bloody nose from Marwyn's unchecked rage? He nursed the grinding mess of cartilage and flesh that was magically mending.

Sleep would do nothing but cause him even more focus on his anguish. There was nothing to look forward to. He was out of control. Bolvar still sat encased in ice. Arthas felt powerless.

Only a tiny glimmer of light remained in the aching abyss that shrouded Arthas.

His master bedroom had been commandeered by children. It was not like he actually needed a bedroom, but not even that belonged to him anymore.

Falric stood at the double doors for the room, his back turned to Arthas. He was looking into the room. Surprisingly he wore no armor or weapon. Even if he did not need a weapon to slaughter anyone he wants, Falric never went without armor even when he was alive. It was like a second skin to him.

Arthas attempted a weak smile as Falric turned, but the scowl on Falric's face caused the smile to vanish immediately. He stiffened in response to the man moving toward him.

Falric's words stabbed like poisoned daggers. "You are alive because of Sapphire."

He grabbed Arthas's upper arm painfully tight and leaned in close.

"I should have let Marwyn cave in your face. The only reason I stopped him is I could not let Sapphire continue to witness that."

Arthas nodded in understanding. He could not bring himself to speak.

Falric dramatically jabbed one finger backwards to the bedroom.

"Your only allies in the entire world are in that room. And you don't deserve them. Fuck up again, and I will personally finish the job Marwyn started. No one will ever recognize what's left of you."

The threat echoed in the hallway. Arthas did not have a snarky rebuke or even a defensive response. He didn't look Falric in the eye. Falric shoved his shoulder into Arthas's on his way back to his usual post.

As soon as Arthas got near the doorway, he was hit with a wave of warmth. Braziers had been dragged into the room and filled to the brim with wood and lit. It felt more like the room sat in the middle of a volcano, not Icecrown Citadel.

Before he could even look for the kids, an impressively large wicker man rose up from the floor defensively. A deer skull as large as a horse's loomed over Arthas despite his own intimidating height. Porcupine spines bristled along the body of bone and wood. Cobalt blue magic blazed in the skull's eye sockets. This wicker man did not attack.

"You are Arthas?" It asked with a deep masculine voice.

Arthas gave it a discerning look, before nodding. With that silent confirmation, the wickerman moved aside.

The three children that were now Arthas' unfortunate charges sprawled all over the large bed. Three children. Two humans and a very young gnoll. Chompers had claimed a pillow all on her own, curled up into a little bundle of fur. Little gnoll cackles escaped her throat in her slumber. Sapphire's own faerie dragon and the little undead puppy Rot were piled up along with Mr. Bigglesworth and his kittens. Falric had not been lying when Arthas's entire world was in this one room.

Ethan and Sapphire, bound by blood, were lying next to each other. Sapphire used Ethan's shoulder as a pillow. Arthas never experienced having a cousin but having a sister had not seemed pleasant at the time.

Calia...How could she have had a child without Arthas knowing? They might have not been best friends, but Calia had confided in Arthas many times before. That one summer where Calia went away did not seem suspicious at the time, but that must have been when it happened. Who? Who could she have been so close with?

Both human kids were injured in one way or another. Arthas could not look at Sapphire's reddened flesh without the worst guilt. She would be bluer than her namesake in less than a day. Ethan's head had been swathed in frostweave gauze.

They looked like siblings in practice, if not in appearance. Perhaps they will be closer than him and Calia.

[lyricalporcupine]

All I can show you of a CRR (Dairon/Marion/Clara Lionett) pic. Am posting updates in the Cracklepop City discord server and will eventually post the full image there.

[frosted-cinnagrifs]

im still laughing at Varric calling Fenris an ‘Angsty porcupine’ when he asks about Hawkes relationship with him w heeze

[scryingworkshop]

[prince-toffee]

Villains

Part Two

The room was empty and bare. The room was very plain, no paintings or pictures hung or framed, no personalised items, no trinkets or mementos. The space was devoid of any personality or warmth. This partially due to the fact that everything personal was moved out of the room, and also the fact that the person whom once occupied these living quarters wasn’t one for forming close personal attachments. Shadow Weaver sat on a beautiful ornate wooden chair at the centre of the sterile room. She watched the blank dark green wall as she took a long sip from her glass of red wine.

That room was once hers. When she officially aligned with The Horde, she was given her own bed chamber as she had to live in The Fright Zone as an unspoken rule. Where else would have she been accepted? She had no where else to go. She was pleased with what she was given, the room was quite large, she had a queen sized bed, her own side bathroom, with a toilet, shower, sink, and bath all included. The bath in particular became a favourite location, useful in relaxation after a long day of dealing with cadets that made her blood boil and her blood pressure rise. Over time she did personalise the room, add various scented shampoos and what not, some artistic and yet horrifying paintings, and a study with all her work - reports, cadet exams, notices, and request forms over which she lost her mind too many times.

Her quiet pleasant contemplation was cut short as Force-Captain Cobalt’s voice invaded the room through the data-pad which leaned against one of the wooden legs of the chair she sat on. The blue porcupine man cleared his throat, “Umm, Sha- uh, Lord Shadow Weaver.”

“Speak.”

“All your personal belongings have been moved to Lor- to Hordak’s old Sanctum. But there’s another emergence that requires your attention.” Weaver sighed, she responded by saying she would be there in a few minutes. She downed the glass of wine in seconds, it was a good year, shame she couldn’t have savoured the taste, she had saved that bottle for a victorious occasion. And she couldn’t have thought of a better occasion.

The witch just discarded the glass by simply throwing it away, it shattered on impact, of course. But the brand new leader didn’t care. Not anymore. She was in charge, no consequences, it felt so freeing. The scarred woman shifted her mask over her grey face and moved out. She did not admit to another soul the fact that she was ashamed of her physical appearance, she never betrayed a weakness, she was distant therefore safe. There was logic and reason to her outfit - a frightening mask to deflect any questions about her face, a high collar to hide her neck, and then a layered robe to allow no part of her scarred, wounded, burned body to be seen. She implemented the opposite tactic to Hordak, he choose to show some flesh, some key areas of his body that were healthy and strong to deflect any suspicion or conspiracy of him being otherwise. Anyone who saw Hordak, as rare as it was, they all thought the dark Lord was a modern Adonis. Nobody suspected he was in fact a sick frail man who was slowly falling apart.

Shadow Weaver knew about Hordak’s ‘sickness’, and vis versa. There was a deal between them, both knew each other’s weakness, and so they formed a partnership to support one another. Hordak had the Black Garnet in his possession after acquiring the Scorpion Hill Kingdom, and so he handed the magical artefact to Shadow Weaver, he knew the Garnet was useless in his hands, he had no knowledge therefore no ability to utilise the Garnet. But Shadow Weaver could. She was brought in as his Minister of Magicks to advice the Horde in the magical ways, how to defend against magic, and how to weaponise magic in offense.

The rune stone gave her sufficient life force for her to leech off of, never again was she hungry. And she wielded the awesome power of the elemental mineral. In return Shadow Weaver took the spotlight off of Hordak, the duty of truly commanding the Horde’s forces, leaving Hordak free to do... whatever he did. Weaver never knew what Hordak did in his ‘Sanctum’, all she ever managed to get out of him was the fact he was working on a secret ‘experiment’, and she knew that much was a slip up. It didn’t matter now anyhow, all of Hordak’s secrets were going to be hers and if not, then they don’t matter anyway.

She waltzed through the corridors and hallways of red and green metal, pipes, and cables, at a leisurely pace. Unlike Hordak, who’s heavy metallic footsteps always alerted the soldiers ahead of time in the corridor, Shadow Weaver made no sound, didn’t allow any trooper to get ready, they had no idea she was coming. She scared the hellfire out of everyone she passed. They always jumped in shock, straightened themselves out and stiffened. Weaver liked that.

The noise of double doors sliding open marked her entrance into the throne room, her throne room. Her commanders turned to her and bowed. She liked that too. “Speak.”

“Lord Weaver, while we were breaching Hordak’s Sanctum, which was harder than we thought it would be, a lot of booby traps, we got around a dozen treating wounds in the infirmary. But anyway when we got in we acquired all of his personal belongings mostly just tech. One of his personal data-pads gave off a ping, some sort of automatic notification. It was a signal sent from an outpost in the Northern Reach in the frozen wastes, apparently the computers there have detected some new First Ones tech.”

“Ah perfect! That’s exactly what we need!” Shadow Weaver heard the vent being kicked open, only then when she lifted her head up to the high ceiling did she see the short purple woman descend to her to the floor. This. of course, was Entrapta the Princess of Dryl. Shadow Weaver didn’t like her much, she was the one to whom Hordak was going to give the Black Garnet. They didn’t see, but her face soured as her arms folded. “Have you briefed her about the power grid?”

Cobalt sighed, “I was about to.” It seemed that the Princess had interjected herself into Horde matters and into the command structure. She swung around like she owned the place. And Hordak would’ve probably let her walk all over him too.

“Well, since I’m here already I’ll explain. The Fright Zone’s power grid, a surprising intricate system that transfers power all around The Fright Zone keeping everything running, over heated. Meaning it’s stopped working, coolant systems have failed and ruptured expelling scolding steam through the corridors, a powerful and dangerous feedback surge has been created leading to the destruction through explosion of the main power-generators. Multiple floors are on fire. In Layman’s terms: It’s bad.”

“We are not imbeciles, Princess, do not treat us as such. You are not in command here, so I would watch your tone with me! You are only here, but I permit it.” Weaver pointed her finger at the hovering woman.

Entrapta looked down at the grey finger of the sorceress and then turned around, “Mmm, no, I am here because I want to be.” She began to stride across the throne room using her hair. Shadow Weaver still didn’t know if the purple tentacle hair was a magical ability or a technological aspect. Either way she followed the Princess. With a simple wave of her hand she dismissed her Force-Captains, its not like they wanted to stay around her so Cobalt, Grizzlor, and Octavia left without any further convincing. The witch kept up with the Princess. She made no sound when she walked, but the purple woman somehow knew she was close enough behind her to hear her, “As I was saying, the power grid can’t hold the amount of power it transmits, so we need a strong conductor, maybe a regulator too. That’s why the signal from the Northern Reach is a mighty convenient occasion. First Ones tech is ideal for the job. My recommendation: Send an excursion to the outpost, excavate the tech, transport it back here and install it in, solving the issue.”

“I didn’t ask for your ‘recommendation’... but that is a decent solution.” They passed the throne and moved forward through a thin hallway of pipes, as they reached its end a door slide open. Past it they entered a sort of  a corridor round-about, another door in front of them. The corridor curved around to multiple doors, opposite the doors were windows of one way glass looking over the landscape of The Fright Zone.

Shadow Weaver noted the burn marks and metallic plating torn and shredded, signs of damage caused by an explosion. The booby traps the Force-Captains spoke of. All disarmed, she hoped. The Sanctum doors opened, Entrapta entered first, Shadow Weaver followed close behind. Hordak’s Sanctum was a dimly lit tall box, computers all around it with data Entrapta couldn’t wait to get into. Various tech scattered around. To contrast all that were Shadow Weaver’s own belongings moved from her old room to her new one. “I like the paintings, good taste. I’ve got paintings too, back at home. But I prefer little cute big eyed kitties, rather than abstract horrific rorschach-like depictions of inner turmoil of anxieties. Hm, perhaps representing repressed and or traumatic memories. Interesting.”

Weaver raised a brow as she narrowed her eyes, “Uh huh. Thank you.” She was spot on. Her eyes could barely keep up with the Princess. She seemed very excited. She finally stopped dashing across the room madly and stood still at the centre of the room. Her pigtails split into multiple ends each tendril plugging into a different computer or any other data-holding devices, her hair fuzzed and the ends of each tendril lit up in a bright purple, on the boarder of being pink. The light moved inward towards her head in pulse-like motion. Weaver guessed, correctly, that Entrapta was downloading the information into herself.

“Oh, that’s fascinating.”

“What is it?”

“I’m not sure.” Before Shadow Weaver could ask any follow up questions from the corner of her eye she noticed a grey blur dashed across a higher scaffolding, accompanied by sounds of small footsteps scuttling about. She looked up to see a pair of small yellow luminous eyes.

It was Hordak’s tiny bat creature, Hordak seemed to have been close and appreciative of the creature. Whether it was a pet to him or like a child she did not know. All she knew was it was an annoying tattletale - spying, recording, and telling on people, completely loyal to Hordak in the way a child tells their parent on a sibling in return for candy, or chin scratches in this instance. The creature hissed. It clearly did not like Shadow Weaver, she did get rid of its creator.

“Cute.”

“What?”

“The hybrid, I think it’s named Imp. Fascinating little miracle of science.”

“Ugh, it’s as useful as a rodent. And twice as infuriating.” She said that like Imp wasn’t there in the room with them, he heard that and launched at the sorceress, biting her in her finger. The dark magician yelped and shook her hand in a cartoony comedic manner, a few seconds of the motion and Imp’s grip loosened and he flew through the air and landed in Entrapta’s hair where she brought him closer to her and gave him some soft scratches under his chin. He softened in her arms and pressed his cheeks against her shoulder. He stock his tongue out, and mouth farted at Shadow Weaver. Weaver growled and sighed.

“I’m getting the feeling you don’t like me.”

“What inclination makes you say that?”

“Oh just about anything and everything you do.” Entrapta unplugged from the tech and finally turned to face Shadow Weaver. She gave her a genuine smile, warm and well-meaning, “How about a dinner?”

“Excuse me?”

“You’re clearly not a fan of mine, and this might be a beneficial social experiment to let us know each other better, since we’ll be working closely together for the foreseeable future.”

“Heh, what makes you think we’ll be ‘working closely together’?”

“You do want to know what this Hordak had been working on, don’t you? Do you know anyone else who can comprehend this sort of stuff?”

“I... I suppose not.” It was true, she didn’t, so Entrapta was important. But she wouldn’t admit that, and she would certainly not go to a dinner with a Princess. Before she could scoff any further, she heard a shy voice clear its throat. Weaver turned around to face it. It was Scorpia. Princess Scorpia.

“Umm, Ms Weaver, the uh, the excursion transport is ready. What are our next orders, ma’am, sir, m’Lord, Lady, Shadow Weaver... sir.” The Scorpion Princess awkwardly informed, her large red claw raised up to her temple, saluting. Two or three drips of sweat rolled down her face. For being so huge and muscular walking-rectangle she was very shy and small.

“What transport?!”

“Oh I was the one who requested it.” Entrapta replied. Entrapta moved through the room past the new Lord and moved to Scorpia. She handed the bat baby to the Scorpion Force-Captain, the hybrid boy kept attempting to chomp on Entrapta’s hair. Scorpia cradled the batling, whom now moved onto biting the hard claws. “We should solve the problem as soon as possible, so I gave a go-ahead.”

Shadow Weaver’s hand instinctly went up to her face, her muscle memory told her to rub her nose in exhausted irritation, but of course her mask blocked her hand. “Fine. Go. Fix my fortress.” She waved her hand to dismiss them, Scorpia and Imp moved out swiftly, only once she moved out of frame did Weaver notice that Catra stood behind her. The cat was sweating, clearly very nervous, she didn’t say anything, and followed Scorpia out. Entrapta hanged behind.

“Dinner. When I get back. We’ll talk. Takes around four hours to get to the outpost, four back, and a day in-between for excavation. So in three days, at 7, The Fright Zone cafeteria. I’ll cook.”

[sky-lia]

I’ve never drawn so much handsome Joeys in my entire life !!! ziefhzjhv they’re are all Joey Joeys from Halfus discord server uwu

From left to the right : Doc - @vespavespa ; Corvid - @silvenarts ; Efheajwskl - @strepsilkiing ; Egg - @greenghostlyjekyll ; Snowy - @aceofintuition ; Gingie - @pipesflowforeverandever ; Dream - @waruihoshi ; Cobalt - Meh ; Magenta - @halfusek ; Johan - @insane-control-room ; Hyde - @startistdoodles ; Eclipse - @just-log ; Duncle - @randomwriteronline ; Porcupine - @we-cool-beans ; and finally ; Magician - @lady-lampblack

[hypexion]

Ashes of Outlands: Cobalt Reveals

Apparently, Cobalt was named after Kobolds. It’s also one of the few naturally magnetic elements.

In other news, a large number of Legendary cards have been revealed. It’s kind of ridiculous, really.

Augmented Porcupine is a spikey new Hunter minion. Once defeat, it fires out one last volley of spines, which will hopefully take out an enemy minion. Or all go face. This scales pretty well with attack buffs, and as a Beast, there are plenty of cards that can make it stronger. Extra damage is always welcome when playing Hunter, so this could be quite nice. As a Zombeast component, meanwhile, it’s probably better than average, especially if combined with a high attack minion.

Warmaul Challenger is one of those weird Epic cards. When you play it, it pokes an enemy minion to death. Maybe. It might lose, given that it only has one attack. And that ten health will go away pretty quickly against anything with a positve attack value. Obviously, this gets a lot better if you draw it with Galakrond, but that’s not guaranteed. Since Warrior doesn’t have many other options to boost this up, it doesn’t really seem that it will work out all that well.

Kayn Sunfury is a new minion with Charge. This is such a powerful keyword, only a Legendary card could have it. Also, he lets you ignore Taunt. That’s probably pretty useful, for either killing important minions, or just smashing the opposing hero. This seems like a good choice for a more aggressive Demon Hunter deck, since it lets you push a little more damage, which could be enough to win.

The next Prime is Zixor, Apex Predator. As a Rush minion, it’s pretty easily to kill it off. Zixor Prime, meanwhile, summons three extra copies of itself, which is pretty good for filling up your board. It’s also good for cleaning up your opponent’s board. However, like all Prime minions, Zixor is rather slow, and Hunter isn’t a class that works well with slowness. Not really sure how good this is overall, but if Hunter gets enough Beast tutors, Zixor could end up being a surprisingly consistent threat.

The other Hunter Legendary is Beastmaster Leoroxx. This one is more of a combo card - find a way to fill your hand with King Krush, then summon them for a lot of damage. Or just use him to summon a bunch of scary minions your opponent will have to deal with. Again, this is a card that kind of runs against the way Hunter works, since it wants you to be holding onto many cards. Leoroxx looks impressive at first glance, but he might not measure up when played.

Lady Liadrin is a Legendary for the archetype of Buff Paladin, right as a bunch of support for it rotates out. Game design! Not really feeling this one, since you can’t actually play her on turn seven, and getting any reasonable amount of value requires to play several buff cards. Sure, a handful of statbuffs might provide some decent burst, but currently there aren’t going to be many buffs actually playing, even with Liadrin letting you double-dip.

Prime number six is Akama, who has Stealth. Really, the based minion isn’t really that good, but that’s a general property of many Stealth minions. Akama Prime, meanwhile, has permanent Stealth. Never shall your opponent target this minion. There are other tools that will get rid of Akama, but he has just enough health to dodge most damage based mass removal. Of course, while he’s very good at not dying, he’s also very slow to come online. Six mana is a lot, especially for Rogue, so unless you draw him via Galakrond, you’re losing a lot of tempo. Then, since Rogue lacks healing, Akama is only really useful for hitting your opponent, since he won’t survive attacking many minions. Sure, he eventually provides a lot of pressure, but ultimately, Rogue has better tools for that.

The Lurker Below is positioning based removal. With it’s repeating Battlecry, it’ll tear through any board of low-health minions. The stats aren’t the best, but ultimately, you’ll be playing this for the mass removal effect. This Lurker is probably going to meta dependant, with it being better the more low-health minions are seeing play. But it’s a positioning card, so I automatically like it.

[heshefamilytree]

“GLASS BLOWING”

Recently, I had the opportunity to blow my own glass. I had wanted to do this for many years. It was such a unique creative thing to do. Totally spoke my language.

As I sat on a bleacher watching I saw three hot furnaces in front of me burning bright with fire. They looked like the ovens that pizza are cooked in in a restaurant, arches included. To the right was a table filled with different kinds of very sharp small shards of glass. The shards were brilliant in color.

Pretty soon it was my turn. I went to the 2400 degree fire oven and put my long pole in the fire and rolled it around. (Remember your kitchen oven reaches 500 degrees.) I pulled my pole out with a fireball on the end of it-brilliant orange, very hot, and smooth like glass.

I carefully carried the pole to the table and rolled the fireball in cobalt blue shards, purple shards, a touch of yellow and swirl of white and green so as to make turquoise when it melted-like the sea. All the shards stuck to the fireball like a magnet and poked out sharp, like porcupine quills.

I rolled and rolled the pole round and round in my hands like the pole was on a spit, watching the sharp shards melt in the fire ball.

I put the pole back into the fire pit at 2400 degrees again turning the pole the entire time, the colors became smooth with the fireball till you couldn’t tell where one began and one ended. (This procedure of applying shards and melding in the fire pit was repeated several times.)

As I watched this process I thought of Heavenly Father and how He refines us as we walk through the Refiner’s Fire throughout our life. Our choices and experiences can get-oh, so very hot, yet with hearts turned towards our Lord He slowly melts our sharp shards, battling our will versus Father’s will, until our souls and Father’s will become one. A soul that melts into a refined obedient soul, one who wants to follow our Lord and be an emissary of God wanting to choose the right and be good forever; so individual, yet happening individually with each of us-Heavenly Father’s children throughout time.

In the end, after much heat, and fire, a beautiful refined piece of glass was created. A treasure never to be forgotten, just like in the end of our journey a beautiful refined child of God moves to his next estate, refined with rough edges smoothed out, at one with God.

The experience was life changing-a poingnant change of heart.

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"POLICE FOILED LADUC'S PLANS," Cobalt Daily Nugget. December 23, 1913. Page 1. --- Had Planned to Make Complete Getaway But Gathered in ---- (From Our Own Correspondent.) SOUTH PORCUPINE, Dec. 21.- Provincial Officers E. Jordan and R. Smith took into custody one Charles Leduc, who was convicted by Magistrate Atkinson at Cobalt on the 20th of May last on a charge of keeping strong liquor for sale, and sentenced to pay a fine of $300 with costs or serve three months in jail. Leduc, while trying to raise funds for the purpose of paying his fine, took advantage of his temporary liberty to make a getaway, and has evaded the authorities until last Saturday, when the local constables gathered him in.

[handsomehybrid]

Bold any that apply to your muse!

Remember to repost! Feel free to add to the list!

[ COLORS ]  ~  burgundy. red. crimson. scarlet. maroon. mahogany. copper. amber.chocolate. brown. tawny. tan. bronze. brass. orange. gold. saffron. yellow. chartreuse.spring green. lime. mint. green. olive. forest. turquoise. teal. cerulean. blue. navy. cobalt. periwinkle. indigo. pewter. plum. purple. magenta. fuchsia. lilac. lavender. pink. coral. peach.ivory. cream. white. silver. grey. smoke. charcoal. ebony. black. pastels. vibrant. matte.metallic. muted. dark. light.

[ BODY ]  ~  mutations. claws. fangs. wings. tails. feathers. webs. spikes. scales. fur.stripes. spots. freckles. acne. bruises. scars. scratches. gashes. lashes. wounds. amputations. burns. brands. teeth. gums. tongues. lips. beards. mustaches. cheeks. noses.ears. eyes. eyelashes. eyebrows. hair. heads. neck. shoulders. collar bones. arms. elbows.wrists. hands. fingers. breast. back. ribs. abs. belly. hips. curves. butts. legs. thighs. knees. shins. ankles. feet. toes. nails. sweat. spit. tears. blood. heart. stomach. lungs. liver. veins. guts. bones. spine. muscle. skin. feline. canine. masculine. feminine.

[ WEAPONS ]  ~  bites. fists. kicks. sword. dagger. spear. arrow. bow. crossbow. hammer. shield. poison. guns. axes. throwing axes. whips. knives. throwing knives. pepper sprays. tasers. machine guns. slingshots. katanas. maces. staffs. wands. powers. magical items. magic. rocks. mud balls. bombs. missiles. boomerangs. lethal pets. lasers. canons.

[ MATERIALS ]  ~  metal. gold. silver. platinum. pewter. titanium. iron. steel. copper. bronze. brass. tin. bismuth. diamonds. pearls. rubies. garnets. sapphires. emeralds. jade. peridots. alexandrite. opal. topaz. jasper. quartz. rose quartz. smoky quartz. amethyst. citrine. fluorite. amber. malachite. turquoise. lapis lazuli. sodalite. pyrite. labradorite. moonstone. petrified wood. wood. paper. parchment. hemp. canvas. burlap. oils skin. muslin. rayon. faux. wool. fur. lace. leather. skins. suede. corduroy. silk. satin. chiffon.velvet. denim. linen. cotton. charcoal. clay. stone. rocks. flint. asphalt. brick. granite. marble. dust. rust. glitter. sand. dirt. mud. smoke. ash. carbonate. rubber. synthetics. nylon. polyester. plastic. glass. porcelain. bone. shells. coral. kevlar.

[ NATURE ]  ~  grass. leaves. trees. bark. flowers. roses. daisies. forget me nots. tulips. lavender. sunflowers. blue bells. petals. thorns. seeds. hay. roots. ocean. pond. river. stream. waterfall. creek. meadow. forest. desert. tundra. savanna. rain forest. tropical. jungle. marsh. moors. swamp. plains. hills. highlands. caves. underwater. coral reef.beach. waves. space. clouds. mountains. fire. lava. ice. frost. water. air. earth. rain. snow. wind. moon. stars. sun. heat. cold. steam. lightning. sunlight. moonlight. dawn.dusk. twilight. midnight. sunrise. sunset. dewdrops. shadow. tornado. hurricane. water spout. thunder. hail. twisters. humidity. dryness.

[ ANIMALS ]  ~ birds. penguins. eagles. owls. falcons. vultures. hawks. swans. parrots. parakeets. doves. pigeons. ducks. robins. cardinals. blue jays. bluebirds. blackbirds. crows. ravens. magpies. mockingbirds. flamingos. ostriches. seagulls. albatross. peacocks. condors. finches. pelicans. chickens. geese. quail. bats. sheep. cows. buffalo. deer.hedgehogs. porcupines. elephants. horses. giraffes. cats. lions. tigers. pumas. cheetahs. jaguars. foxes. dogs. wolves. coyotes. bunnies. mice. rats. monkeys. apes. bears. pandas. polar bears.snakes. iguanas. chameleons. alligators. crocodiles. turtles. lizards. frogs. toads. whales. dolphins. fish. sharks. stingrays. octopus. lobsters. crabs. bugs. spiders. moths. butterflies. flies. maggots. roaches. ladybugs. beetles. cicadas. dragonflies. fleas. termites. leeches. worms. snails. mosquitoes. werewolves. unicorns. pegasus. dragons. dinosaurs.

[ FOODS/DRINKS ]  ~  pepper. salt. sugar. honey. syrup. caramel. candy. bubblegum.mints. candy canes. gumdrops. lollipops. chocolate. vanilla. cinnamon. ice cream. cake.cookies. brownies. biscuits. pie. tarts. lemonade. soda. champagne. wine. brandy. rum.whiskey. vodka. tequila. sake. beer. soju. gin. crema de cacao. cocoa. latte. coffee. tea.spices. herbs. fruit. apples. oranges. lemons. cherries. strawberries. blueberries. raspberries. cranberries. watermelons. cantaloupes. bananas. coconuts. grapes. kiwi. pomegranates. tomatoes. vegetables. potatoes. cucumbers. carrots. turnips. onions. leeks. celery. broccoli. cabbages. lettuces. roots. nuts. white meat. red meat. raw meat. veal. pork. chicken. beef. venison. fish. lobster. oysters. pizza. ambrosia. pasta.sandwiches. soup.

[ HOBBIES ]  ~ music. piano. flute. woodwinds. whistles. drums. guitar. base guitar. cello.synthesizer. violin. lute. harp. fiddle. harmonica. trumpet. brass. singing. composing. folk.classical. bluegrass. blues. jazz. big band. swing. rockabilly. pop. country. rock. punk. metal. electronica. hip hop. reggae. ska. rap. vinyl records. cassettes. cds. soundcloud. itunes. spotify. art. sculpting. pottery. painting. watercolour. drawing. pastels. charcoal.sketching. graffiti. printing. inking. collecting. fighting. martial arts. self-defense. boxing. fencing. sumo. wrestling. jousting. paintball. lazer tag. duelling. hunting. fishing. climbing. weight lifting. training. sports. football. football (usa). rugby. baseball. cricket. lacrosse. volleyball. basketball. tennis. badminton. skating. cycling. sailing. swimming. rowing. hiking.running. gymnastics. dancing. ice skating. hockey. reading. writing. cooking. sewing. acting. photography. video games. horseback riding. gardening. smithing. shopping.traveling. movies. theatre. libraries. books. magazines. playing cards. poker chips.chess. dice. science.

[ STYLE ]  ~ nudism. perfume. cologne. piercings. tattoos. henna. body paint. war paint. make up. lipstick. mascara. eyeliner. eye shadow. powder. beauty marks. blush. nail polish. lingerie. fishnet. pantie-hoes. socks. stockings. leggings. long johns. under armor. corsets. sports bras. bustles. camisoles. blouses. button ups. tunics. vests. waistcoats. leather jackets. ponchos. letterman jackets. sweaters/jumpers. hoodies. skirts. jeans. kilts. breeches. scarfs. cravats. ascots. belts. sashes. gloves. heels. sandals. platforms. tennis shoes. penny loafers.jordans. slippers. boots. cowboy boots. rain boots. army boots. armor. justaucorps.trench coats. capes. cloaks. burqa. suits. tuxedos. kimonos. saris. sun dresses. gowns. jewelry. earrings. nose rings. lip rings. tongue piercings. belly rings. gauges. eyebrow rings. necklaces. pearl strings. leis. bracelets. bangles. cuffs. watches. friendship bracelets. rings. pendants. lockets. broaches. boutonnieres. pocket watches. cuff links. hats. crowns. circlets. flower crowns. helmets. hijabs. turbans. baseball caps. cowboy hats. brocade. doublet. gorget. bracers. masks. cowls. braces. glasses. sun glasses. eye contacts. pajamas.

[ MISC ]  ~ balloons. bubbles. candles. battle. war. diplomacy. peace. money. power. clocks. photos. mirrors. pets. diary. fairy lights. madness. sanity. sadness. happiness.optimism. pessimism. loneliness. family. friends. assistants. co-workers. enemies.loyalty. smoking. drugs. kindness. love. sex. hugs. duality. sin. lust. greed. wrath. envy. sloth. gluttony. pride. virtue. chivalry. honor. piety. charity. diligence. chastity. gentleness.aggression. romance. hatred. grief. pity. success. bitterness. sorrow. joy. fear. anger.good. evil. relativity. vampirism. sapphism. life. birth. time. death. illusion. silence.

[alchemicalvariable]

@illimitexabominer

Varian opened his eyes to a blur of white.

He squeezed his eyes shut again as cold wind assaulted him, tearing at his skin and whipping at his coat. His free hand pulled his hood over his head, while the other gripped his staff tightly as if it were the only thing keeping him from blowing away into the storm. 

A storm, he realized, as he tentatively squinted his eyes open again. That was the blur. It was snow, coming down in sheets, coating the ground and leaving everything white. He was standing at the outskirts of Old Corona--he could see the faint spires of the castle in the far distance. The bridge was broken, he knew that much was true as if by pure instinct, he could recall being blocked off from the capital for a good month or so after the great blizzard. Where he was standing should’ve been farmland, but everything was buried under the snow.

Why was he back here? Why was it snowing again? The questions came to mind, but slipped away just as easily, as if he physically couldn’t focus on them. Instead, he turned around towards the village.

It was as he remembered it and worse.

Old Corona was the kind of poor town you’d expect to see in fairytale books, all cottages with thatched roofs getting closer together the nearer you got to the center of the village. But unlike an average fairytale village, there was something very, very wrong here.

Smooth spikes of near-black rock stuck up out of the snow in every direction like the quills of a porcupine. Some of the rocks were in clumps, some arranged in long lines that split the landscape in two, and it was clear they had utterly destroyed this place. Some cottages had become veritable pincushions from the rocks sticking out of them, others had been entirely uprooted and hung in the air as if the rocks were holding them up triumphantly. Trees were split, cobblestone was cracked and broken, the town’s well was in pieces with a clump of rocks sticking out of it, at least one of the spires had a chicken impaled on it.

Varian felt sick just looking at it. It was clear the village was abandoned--everyone had left for the land his father had gotten the king to grant them, he’d been the only one to stay. 

The king’s fault, he ignored this, he let this happen...

His train of thought was interrupted by a rock spike sliding out of the ground right next to him, glowing cobalt for a moment before fading to black. He had to get to his house. He didn’t know why, but he had to.

His ‘house’ was an old, moderately-sized castle on the far end of town near the border wall that his father as the village leader had moved them into. It seemed run down, and was surrounded by rocks, but there was no visible outside damage. Varian began running against the wind, holding his staff out in front of him and clenching his teeth. 

Footsteps in the snow made him freeze. He wasn’t alone.

People, voices, he couldn’t hear them clearly but he heard his father’s name and his own, and Varian leapt to the side into an abandoned bakery, darting around the rocks that poked through the floor, the vials tied to his staff sending an eerie, multicolored glow and wild shadows dancing around the place, his heart pounding in his chest as he looked for somewhere to hide.

[potatodotpng]

I was tagged by @yoshifics and I felt like doing it. :P 

THE LAST 1. drink: coffee with two spoons of sugar and a good amount of milk 2. phone call: my mom 3. text message:

MY BROTHER: There is no food for you. The french fries are mine. ME: ;_;

4. song you listened to: Hibikase 5. time you cried: When I read a past stony fic with Tony heartbroken. I can't remember the fic but Tony eventually realizes he doesn't need Steve. :D 6. dated someone twice: never dated before :D 7. kissed someone and regretted it: Never kissed before :D 8. been cheated on: Never dated so nah 9. lost someone special: my hamsters Hamtaro and Porcupine died :( 10. been depressed: Idk if it's really depression? But I feel sad when I overthink at night. So maybe? 11. gotten drunk and thrown up: Nah

FAVOURITE COLORS 12. Cobalt blue 13. White like the snow :D 14. Emerald green

IN THE LAST YEAR HAVE YOU 15. made new friends: Idk, maybe? I can't remember much of last year.... 16. fallen out of love: Nah 17. laughed until you cried: Yah because of my brother :D 18. found out someone was talking about you: my co-worker but it was just about my hours and how I was getting more work than her (she is very lazy and gossips a lot). :[ 19. met someone who changed you: Nah 20. found out who your friends are:  Nah? 21. kissed someone on your facebook list: Don't use Facebook so nah

GENERAL 22. how many of your facebook friends do you know in real life: Again, don't use Facebook 23. do you have any pets: Not anymore :( 24. do you want to change your name: Nah, I would be confused if I changed it. 25. what did you do for your last birthday: Hugged my family, went to work, read fics, and slept :D We don't spend money on birthdays unless it's my parents cuz we see no need to. (All 4 of us don't even eat cake)

26. what time did you wake up: 7 am bc of my brother

27. what were you doing at midnight last night: Reading Fanfiction :D 28. name something you can’t wait for: Winter~ 29. when was the last time you saw your mom: just a few minutes ago

What happened to number 30? It got lost on the road of life~

31. what are you listening to right now: playlist of JoJo's bizarre adventure music 32. have you ever talked to a person named tom: Nah 33. something that is getting on your nerves: Being told to help out hunting for housing before the end of September even though I am doing the best that I can -_-' 34. most visited website: AO3 35. hair colour: Dark brown that looks black to most people 36. long or short hair: Long as in lower back 37. do you have a crush on someone: Nah 38. what do you like about yourself: My large amount of affection I exhibit for my family, my sense of loyalty and honesty, and self control 39. want any piercings: HELL YAH! ON THE TOPS OF MY EARS BECAUSE I WANT THAT DRAGON EARRING THAT HAS CHAINS! 40. blood type: NO IDEA! :D 41. nickname: Kitty, Little Grill (thank you brother Guppy), Mari 42. relationship status: Single ^_^ 43. zodiac: Aquarius 44. pronouns: she/her 45. favourite tv show: OSOMATSU-SAN HELL YAH! 46. tattoos: DON'T HAVE ANY BUT I WANNA GET A SAKURA TATTOO SURROUNDING A CROW! :D 47. right or left handed: Right handed but I can do stuff left handed moderately well. 48. surgery: None 49. piercing: Ears. Just the typical ones. 50. sport: Nope because I'm as athletic as a potato. :D 51. vacation: Only been to Six Flags with a friend and would like to go again ^_^ 52. pair of trainers: Only have one pair of sneakers because I see no need for more (I rarely go outside willingly).

MORE GENERAL 53. eating: Finished eating French Fries I traded in exchange for my pepsi. 54. drinking: Finished drinking my liquid ambrosia, Coffee. 55. im about to: Read Fanfiction 56. waiting for: Next day off so I can draw 57. want: To be wealthy so I can distribute it and to be happy. 58. get married: Eh, if I do then that's fine. If I don't, then that's ok too. ^_^ 59. career: Idk. Something that gives me job security and a great wage to support my family. 60. hugs or kisses: Hugs are awesome. I don't care for kisses. 61. lips or eyes: Eyes because there is an awesome selection of colors to draw and mix. 62. shorter or taller: ??? What do you mean? Im short as in 5' 2". I'm ok with my height and don't care about what height anyone else is. Is this what you mean?? 63. older or younger: Younger so I can trick people to give me candy >:) 64. nice arms or nice stomach: Either/neither one. As long as you are huggable. 65. hook up or relationship: Relationship I guess 66. troublemaker or hesitant: Er....hesitant?

HAVE YOU EVER 67. kissed a stranger: no 68. drank hard liquor: nah 69. lost glasses/contact lenses: Once 70. turned someone down: Nah? 71. sex on the first date: Nah 72. broken someone’s heart: Nah? 73. had your heart broken: Nah? I have a shitty memory and can't remember much of my kiddy days. 74. been arrested: Nah 75. cried when someone died: Yah at my hamsters :( 76. fallen for a friend: Nah

DO YOU BELIEVE IN 77. yourself: sometimes 78. miracles: Nah 79. love at first sight: Nah 80. santa claus:....is this a joke? Nah 81. kiss on the first date: Idk? Like on the cheek? 82. angels: Nah

OTHER 83. current best friends’ names: It has always been Davina but now idk.... 84. eye colour: Brown 85. favorite movie: All Harry Potter movies.

Anyone can do this if they want to :P

[sixstringnation]

It doesn't get more Cobalt than this.⁣ ⁣ September 2006 - the end of our first summer with the guitar, before it had been named Voyageur. To fuse that connection with the silver on the first fret and the town we visit every summer to visit family, the Classic Theatre mounted a show that brought out a ton of talent to perform as a kind of homecoming for the guitar. For the finale, arguably Cobalt's most famous resident, former Grievous Angel and NDP MP Charlie Angus lead the cast in a rendition of the town song.⁣ ⁣ The Cobalt Song⁣ ⁣ [CHORUS]⁣ For we'll sing a little song of Cobalt⁣ If you don't live there it's your own fault⁣ Oh you Cobalt⁣ Where the wintry breezes blow.⁣ Where all the silver comes from⁣ And you live a life and then some⁣ Oh you Colbalt⁣ You're the best old town I know.⁣ ⁣ You may talk about your cities⁣ And all the towns you know⁣ With trolley cars and pavements hard⁣ And theatres where you go.⁣ You can have your little auto⁣ And carriages so fine⁣ But it's hobnail boots and a flannel shirt⁣ In Cobalt town for mine.⁣ ⁣ Old Porcupine is a muskeg⁣ Elk Lake a fire trap⁣ New Liskeard's just a country town⁣ And Haileybury's just come back.⁣ You can buy the whole of Latchford⁣ For a nickel or a dime⁣ But it's hobnail boots and a flannel shirt⁣ In Cobalt town for mine.⁣ ⁣ We've got the only Lang Street⁣ There's blind pigs everywhere⁣ Old Cobalt Lake's a dirty place⁣ There's mud all over the square.⁣ We've got the darndest railroad⁣ That never runs on time⁣ But it's hobnail boots and a flannel shirt⁣ In Cobalt town for mine.⁣ ⁣ We've bet our dough on hockey⁣ And swore till the air was blue⁣ The Cobalt stocks have emptied our socks⁣ With the dividends cut in two.⁣ They don't get any of our money⁣ In darned old Porcupine⁣ But it's hobnail boots and a flannel shirt⁣ In Cobalt town for mine. via Instagram http://bit.ly/307NVgw