#I always do yarn under then over but these example pics are just so

[creepyscritches]

Amigurumi patterns not working w the yarn under then over single stitch sequence are so weird...girl we could have a smooth surface

[truck-sheperd]

I like the idea that the entire town of Kepler actually knows about the monsters and the Pine Guard

And the Pine Guard is blissfully unaware that their “secret monster hunting organization” is actually the worst kept secret in Kepler. Just think about it for a minute.

Most of the older generations know about it, they were there when the original Pine Guard was formed. Some of them were even members, but they all retired when it became too dangerous, or they had families to raise. Yes, Mama knows about these people, her once friends and co-workers. But when they left, Mama felt hurt and refused to acknowledge them. But they both understand the importance of secrecy, and the secrets of the abominations and Sylvain remain under wraps, at least for a while.

The police district was perhaps the first to know that something wasn’t right too. It’s not ordinary for civilians to wander near crime scenes so often, especially the same few time after time. Sooner or later they become suspects. And then one of the officers, maybe a detective, connects the dots. There is straight Scooby Doo shit happening here. It takes a while before the officer convinces others, but when everyone is in on the secret happenings in Kepler, it is decided to keep this confidential. They didn’t want to tip the Pine Guard off that they knew, and they didn’t want to panic the civilians either. When accidents didn’t seem to make sense, or didn’t seem completely natural, the station would pull back off the investigation, internally saying it wasn’t in their “jurisdiction” (this would be the common terminology used at the station). Let the Pine Guard go about in their business, and the police would handle everything else.

(This would also explain why Detective Meagan allowed Duck into the crime scene so easily. After having so many run-ins with Deputy Dewey and Sheriff Zeke, the police station was just “oh, okay. These three are new Pine Guard members. Just let them do whatever it is they do every couple months”.)

Then came Duck, the once ordinary teenager that somehow became Chosen. People that weren’t connected to the Pine Guard or to the police were quick to catch him not being “normal”. He takes a baseball to the head and shrugs it off like it was a ball of yarn. Teachers catch him performing deeds that would be difficult for star/Olympic athletes. He’s got a sword that talks. At first Duck is the gossip of the school district until word reaches one of the retired Pine Guard. After a few series of mistakes and hiccups, there goes the entire school district and even some of the parents. Something isn’t normal in Kepler. But they also know they have to keep this a secret. And please, for the love of god, don’t let Duck know that you know. He doesn’t like being Chosen so don’t bring it up.

And then comes Ned. He takes over the Cryptonomica after Victoria. His entire business brings light to the strange happenings in Kepler. And the citizen of Kepler, who at this point all know about the Pine Guard and the monsters that plague their town, are not happy. This is the best/worst kept secret in this corner of West Virginia. They are not going to let some cryptid lover ruin this for them. That’s why they wanted to force Ned out of town. But when people discover that Ned is now part of the Pine Guard, they settle down. Okay, he’s on their side now. Now they just have to not let Ned know that they know how much the stuff in his shop isn’t real.

People were pretty accepting of Aubrey as well. Mama comes back with a magician called the Lady Flame? Okay, the girl just might actually be magic. Weirder things have happened already. The same rule applies: don’t let Aubrey know.

Of course, there’s the few that were completely in the dark before the start of the campaign. Pigeon and the Hornets for example. But after this, well… now they know.

Eventually someone sets up a facebook group that everyone in Kepler is in, save for the Pine Guard and the residents of Amnesty Lodge. People are always in a loop of what’s going on and when the monsters start showing up. One of the older folks that went to the pool during the second chapter? Yeah, they definitely posted telling people to stay away from water for the next few days. When the three dressed Billy up as Krampus in the back of Mama’s truck? Someone snapped a pic and that became the group’s banner image during Christmas.

Everyone in Kepler knows. Everyone except Agent Stern. As soon as the federal agent arrived in Kepler, it was quickly decided by all to keep the Agent in the dark as much as possible. The Pine Guard needed all the help they can get, so if the residents in Kepler just had to keep Agent Stern off of their tail, then so be it. It’d be the least they could do after all the the Pine Guard has done for them.

[sternenstaub28]

So, after talking a bit with my Discord friends, Bella´s timeline got a changed a lot.

and all because of this pic from @amralimesoti

Long text under cut

She was 4 when she came to the circle and 33 when the blight started. The whole timeframe between the harrowing and the start of the game? They just skipped it to avoid boring circle interactions for a decade.

So Bella was always someone who automatically cared for people and the circle and it´s hostile environment made her want to do so even more.

She soon became friends with other apprentices but never formed really close relationshsips, only Nehnara, until meeting the younglings Am, Drud and Ma´Sera (pic below).

Those three are the biggest troublemakers around. Drud and Am doon´t belong to me (they belong to @alasmaghilana and @amralimesoti), so I won´t say too much about them, but Ma´Sera is 17 when the blight starts and went to the circle at 10. Her name was the only thing her parents said to the tempalrs for taking her away... No wonder she has a lot of anger and being a mage who naturally sets things on fire on her best days, well, Bewlla and her ice magic were kinda needed to keep the circle standing in one piece and not only leave charred remains.

Bella soon starts playing with the children and tries to keep them out of trouble but never suceeds, and really, seeing children laugh and play and act like actual children in this environment, it´s worth the scolding she will get from Irving later.

Bella loves needle works and as the templars try to encourage any hobbies that are quiet and don´t involve needles that can draw blood, she learned crocheting and knitting early on. Some whisper her unending abundance of pretty yarns is stolen, others that she made a nice cuddly blanket for Greagoir and since every templar has orders to bring nice yarns home from market days. Everyone of her makeshift family gets a big comfy shawl in their favourite colours (small example below).

So yeah, in this timeframe Bella won´t become a warden, Am will though. The circles fall, especially this one and she does her best with her by now quite grown up friends that are more family than she can ever remember having in blood and saves them all. Noone is hurting her friends. NOONE.

Once she hears what Howe has done, she goes on a crusade, because as nice as she can be, she is a frontline healer, that also includes being on the frontline and not only patting aches and kissing them better but also knowing where it hurts. And she hunt down Howe and comes home with yet another ward, Nathaniel, who won´t shut up about the scary ice mage who almost skewered his father. People donßt know if they want to laugh at him, because everyone knows Bella is just a nice lady with knitting needles or be afraid whenever they see her eyes glint like ice when people mention what the wardens had to go through yet again.

Once all that is over, some peace comes into their family, that steadily growns. The people the wardensmet in Amaranthine? Adopted. The people on the way? Also part of the family. They become kinda a clan. One where mages are not to be feared and elfes won´t be treated any lesser.

Once Inquisition starts, and people discus about templars vs. mages Am just point outside where Bella is standing wioth a whole tent army, “ How about those?”

As I was pointed out, he´s calling “mum” :D

and for a big finish, Bella. A pic from noctuaalba, who I won´t tag so I don´t swamp her with my word vomit.

can you believe she´s 43 at Inquisition timeline? being an elf, a healer and an arcane warrior sure has it´s perks, as long as there´s mana theres actually no reason for her to visibly age.