#OC:Aranea

[nemo-in-wonderland]

ok, I am experimenting a little and doing something I have never done before because I genuinely believe it requires more skills and talent than the ones I currently possess. BUT.

I am trying to go for a small comic of three pages, simply coloured (ain't no way I am going to render 3 entire pages. It would take me too long), based on a scene of my favourite movie of all time. Wish me good luck, because I did the storyboard for all 3 pages, and oh boy. I am not kidding when I say that this is one of the *hardest* thing I have ever tried.

I like to call myself "storyteller", either through writing or artworking, but I never tried to draw an entire scene, and I truly hope to be able to succeed.

Also, here a small WIP of Aranea and the garment she is going to wear in the comic

[nemo-of-house-hamartia]

Why does this freaking hat look so familiar....

BLOODY FUCK, IT'S LAZLO'S WITCH SKIN

Mr. Cravensworth dictating Baldur's Gate's Latest Fashion Trends since the year of our Lords 1492 DR.

(I wish I could say that, just like the true Witch's hat, it was made out of the skin of that HORRID MOTHERFUCKER of Lorroakan the Hemorrhoid, but alas, not such luck).

[nemo-in-wonderland]

ALSO, DO NOT THINK THAT I FORGOT ABOUT THE SPICY MEPHISTEA ARTWORK.

I DIDN'T.

I am just here, debating if to make it mild or spicy or extra spicy lololol

Because if it's TOO spicy, I cannot post it here lol.

SO AM EVALUATING.

because if you think that my brain has not been thinking about my most beloved disfunctional power couple, YOU ARE WRONG.

The Lord of Cania and his Consort are very much strutting around the brain like they own the place (and they kinda do, like, wtf convinced me to sign their lease fml), AND I CANNOT BE HAPPIER.

and honestly.

Honestly.

SO YES, SMUTTY ARTWORK IT IS.

[nemo-in-wonderland]

I will need to come up with a simplified "Hellish Garment" for Aranea because OH MY GODS, I cannot spend AGES drawing every single detail.

And I cannot always draw her with her more "casual" gauzy outfit because I would like to keep that for when she is in private with Mephistopheles (I already used it in my "Summoning" comic with Raphael, and I basically gaslit myself that she was wearing that because she was feeling frisky and wanted to summon her Infernal Husband for some private session of the "Devil's tango" and not because I was too lazy to create another garment).

So, I need to actually come up with a simple, everyday, Lady of Hell kinda garment that I can use for the comics.

fml, me and my necessity to see everyone dressed to the nine. Sometimes I feel like freaking Rarity from MLP, because everyone needs to be FABULOUS.

FABULOUS I SAY.

[nemo-in-wonderland]

🍃 ASRA SILVERBOUGH | CIRCLE OF DREAMS DRUID | HALF-DROW ELF🍂

Name: Asra Silverbough

Nickname: Rara, Spiderling, little Owlbear (by her father)

Title: The Sentinel of the Sylvan Glade

Alias: None

Age: 199 Years Old (She was born in 1294 DR-Year of the Deep Moon )

Birthplace: High Forest, in Dark Maiden's Leap, the shrine consacrated to Eilistraee. Her mother prayed for the Goddess’ protection while birthing the Asra, and it was granted. Hometown: Emerald Grove, Sword Coast, Western Heartlands

Current Residence: After spending most of her life in the Emerald Grove with her father, she returned to the High Forest, her father's family's home, and joined the Druids of Tall Trees

Alignment: Neutral Good

Race: Elf (Drow/Wood Elf)

Class: Ranger/Druid - Circle of Dreams

Profession/job: During her formative years spent at the Emerald Grove, she was an Druid Initiate under her father's guidance, working with him in trying to preserve the Balance of Nature. However, she founds that curing ailments and working with medical herbs was not her vocation, and she would rather spend her days up in the trees, flying branch to branch while scouting the areas around the Grove. Eventually, she picked up the role of Sentinel for the Grove, and lead a small squad of Rangers to protect the Grove and its inhabitants. Visual particular traits: Due to having inherited her mother's and father's height, Asra is considered extremely tall for an elf, especially one of Drow descent. Her own physical constitution also favours her father's, making Asra stands out among her peers. Scent: White Moss and Oak Resin. Occasionally, especially when wearing her shawl, she is surrounded by an intense scent of Oud that can lingers for hours. She has no idea how that is possible, but she suspects the shawl the scent is magically weaved within the fabric of the shawl, considering its arcane properties.

Colours/symbols associated with: The Colours of the Forest during Autumn; The Owl that flies silently in the night; the Stag that protect the Forest and all that lives within it. Languages: Common, Elven, Wild Elvish, Druidic, Undercommon Accent?: Asra’s Elvish has a distinct “High Forest” tune to it (irl it would be similar to Scottish), and it would carry over even when she speaks the Common Language. Tropes they embody: “Action Girl”, “Amazonian Beauty”, “Badass Adorable”, “Be Careful What You Wish For”, “Big Sister Instinct”, “Determinator”, “Daddy’s Girl”, “Death Glare”, “Determinator”, “Fish out of Water”, “Hot-Blooded”,“Former Teen Rebel”, “Friends To All Living Things”, “Hidden Depths”,“Long-Range Fighter", “Made Of Iron”, “My God What Have I Done?”,”Parental Abandonment”, “Savvy Guy, Energetic Girl”, “Statuesque Stunner” “Strong Family Resemblance”, “Stronger Than They Look”,” It Runs In The Family”, “Tranquil Fury”, “Odd Friendship”, “Weakness Turns Her On”,

Personality: Determinate, Curious, Kind, Boisterous, Funny, Overprotective, Resilient, Resourceful, Intuitive, Brave, Loyal, Honest, Empathetic, Determined, Confident, Strong-Willed, Protective, Compassionate, Caring, Independent, Fearless, Vengenful, Short-Tempered, Impulsive, Rebellious, Hot-Headed, Proud, Stubborn, Overconfident.

Detailed Backstory: Asra was the biological daughter of Halsin Silverbough. The story surrounding her birth was complicated, and much like the relationship between her parents, it was shrouded in a silence that Halsin was rarely -if at all - willing to break. This constant secrecy amplified the emptiness left by her mother, and it would become, later in life, a void for Asra to fill with the knowledge as to why she was left behind. However, despite this, she had a childhood of relative happiness and carefree ease, surrounded as she was by the love and affection that the rest of the Silverbough Clan was willing to provide to the their youngest. Her early years were spent listening to the Elders’ stories and her father’s own teaching on Druidic knowledge, which continued well into her teen years. But while she enjoyed listening, Asra was an active elf with an even more active mind, and she enjoyed experiencing life way more than just learning from books or midnight stories.

So, whenever she could, she would sneak away from Grandma Silverbough to stay with her father and take care of the ailing animals under his care or, when that was not possible, she would climb high up the trees of the High Forest and spend time observing the owls that slept up in the higher branches. For reason she could never explain, she enjoyed being as close to the sky as possible, something that would later influence into choosing the Owl as animal to shape-shift into. Oftentimes, she would go so far up in the branches that her father Halsin could not retrieve her and it would fall on Quirora Evenfall, the Head Sentinel of the Rangers of High Forest to retrieve her and bring her back safe and sound in her father’s arms.

Quirora was fond of Asra and her persistency, and she actually liked the child’s spunky personality and her stubbornness in wanting to learn as much as she could; so, when, as a teen, she would start following her and rangers during their round of surveillance around the High Forest borders, she would allow Asra to follow by, on the condition that she was to be as silent as a flying owl - a task that would prove a challenge for Asra, considering her curious personality and her never-ending need to question everything, but a challenge she would tackle with patience and effort.

The rangers took some convincing in having an untrained half-drow following them around, but would eventually change their mind and actually find entertainment in dusting off ancient elven knowledge to pass down to the young girl, such as scouting, how to visualize potential dangers, following trails, how to trap a fey being and stop them from teleporting etc. Quirora and her squad were also the reason why Asra became set on learning how to use bow and arrows and would later become her weapons of choice.

Thriving under the care and devotion that her father, Quirora and the Rangers put into her upbringing, Asra would prove to be a brilliant young elf, with keen eyes that noticed everything and a boisterous and commanding personality- she would often take the lead while playing with other elves, and if an injustice were to occur, she was not afraid to brawl even with older kids to defend her friends.

But even as a teenager first and then as a young adult, Asra was restless, as in body so in spirit and with constant thoughts of her missing mother always in the back of her mind, something she often vented about with Quirora, when her father would not open up to her. Quirora would actually take Asra’s troubles to heart, because she could see how much this was weighting on her young soul, and being a follower of Sehanine Moonbow, the Elven Goddess of Dream, she spoke with Halsin about this and the possibility of at least ease Asra’s inquietude through dreamscaping.

Halsin was aware of the turmoil in his daughter’s heart, just as he was aware of how dangerous would it be for them both if Asra was ever to get close to the truth, and that weighted on his shoulders: on one side, he wanted for Asra to find closure; on the other, he didn’t want her to see put in harm’s way.

Eventually, he would agree with Quirora to initiate her to the ways of Sehanine.

So, it was finally under Quirora’s guidance that Asra discovered the ability of dreaming granted by Elven Goddess to her followers and how, through dreaming, there was the possibility of unveiling and discovering much that was hidden to the conscious eyes.

Asra put all her efforts into learning how to sleep and dreamscape, following the path of the Circle of the Dreams as a Druid, and started travelling through worlds guided by the pulsing necklace around her neck - one of the two mementos left behind by her mother- finally excited at the prospect of finding some answers to all the questions that were crowding her mind day and night.

What she didn’t realize when she decided to follow the path of the Circle of Dreams and therefore accepting, she made herself vulnerable to the Feywild influence and its inhabitants, for better or worse, and that inexperience in looking and manipulating others’ dreams had a great cost. Infact, while she actually managed to met her dearest friends through her dreams - Hiraeth of the Seelie Court - she also inadvertently caught the attention of another powerful being while roaming through his dreams, a being that would become both a fear and another obsession of hers: The Stag King

Most Treasured Possession: Asra is not one to keep material belonging in high regards; however, she has three items that are immensely dear to her: the magical shawl her father had used for her ever since she was a baby, a shawl that seemed to protect her against the sun and provide her with warmth whenever she needs, and that never seemed to tear and wear, despite being over 200 years old; a shards of never melting ice that she keeps tied around her neck, and that seems to emit a strange feeble pulsing sound; and lastly, a dagger in cold iron that Hiraeth gave her to protect herself against the Stag King, if the need were ever to rise.

Sexual and/or romantic situation: Much like her father, Asra is polyamorous, following her heart as nature’s intended. However, after the events of Elturel and the arrival of the tieflings refugees at the Emerald Grove, Boisterous Asra found a kindred soul in Rolan, whom she cares about dearly, despite the constant bickering and his ego being bigger than anything she had ever experienced. However, ever since she started exploring the Dreamscape, in hope to find her mother there, she had been haunted by the Stag King, who seemed to have a keen interest in her. If that interest is reciprocated by Asra, even she is not entirely sure.

Favourite place in Faerûn: Her most favourite place is most certainly the High Forest, where she spent her entire childhood, surrounded by her father’s family. Ever since only her and Halsin were all that remained of their family, she makes a point to try, at least once a year, to travel to Grandfather Tree and give them her respects. She missed them a lot, but she bears it for her father’s sake. Other than that, she enjoys being in the woodlands, surrounded by trees, but she never disdain spending time with Hiraeth in the Dreamscape, the only place where they can actually meet and catch up with what they have been doing. What makes them happiest: Sitting by the campfire at night and listening to her father’s old stories about High Forest and the time their family lived there. She particularly loves to listen to her father’s childhood stories, and about all the time he got himself in trouble for not listening to their elders (something she would jokingly use against him when he admonishes her for not listening to his advices). The few times that her father would open up about her mother and give her some crumbs of information about her were also moments of rare happiness she held dear within her heart. What makes them angriest: Discrimination of any kind. Seeing how she would be a victim of it due to her Drow heritage, she was absolutely furious in the way the Emerald Grove Druids were acting with the Tieflings Refugees from Elturiel, to the point that it came to a physical fight between herself and Kagha. She had to restrain herself when she suggested to kill Arabella for stealing the Idol of Silvanus, but she never came closer to breaking someone’s face like she did in that moment. When her father Halsin banished her from the Grove, she felt a triumphant spite she hadn’t felt in years. What makes them laugh: Who, rather than what. But the one that makes her laugh the most is Azriel and her flamboyant way of always narrating her adventures and her sentimental woes. Asra cannot help but laughing at all the hilarious - and embarassing - situations her parents and siblings put her through.

Biggest secret: Despite her father strongly advising not to look for her mother, due to how dangerous that would be for both of them, Asra has been secretly trying to look for her ever since she decided to partake in the teachings of the Circles of Dreams. One night, while scouring the Dreamscape during a particularly deep meditation, she bumped into something she never bumped before, and felt something against her soul, like the soft brushing of a pristine heron’s feather, but before she could investigate it any further, she got spooked by an apparition of hellfire and the strong smell of brimstones. It made her wake up scared out of her wits, to the point that Halsin as well had to intervene to calm her down and help her anchor her thoughts. What she saw would keep her away from the Dreamscape for sometimes, and this caused for Stag King to become irritated and prompted him to seek her out in the Material Plane - adding to Asra's troubles. However, stubborn as she was and despite the scare, the fact that she found finally *something* prompted Asra to strengthened her resolve to find her mother. Obsession: Asra is not entirely different from either her parents, and when she sets her mind on something, she will see it through, no matter what. Two thoughts are ever present in her mind, never leaving her alone: finding out why the Stag King seems so keen on wanting her attention, and finding her mother. Asra loves her father Halsin dearly, but she knows that his reluctancy in talking about her mother and the strange letter that she left when she abandoned them hide way more than what it’s written in between those words.

*rubs hands together*

SO.

I AM FINALLY DONE WITH ASRA'S PROFILE, AND OMG I SUPER INTRIGUED BY IT ALL TBH. I have kinda reconnected something from what I wrote a few months back, because I actually managed to make it work as I wanted, timeline-wise (and Jacob's existence was kinda the reason I was able to retcon and have Asra's story evolve this way).👀👀👀

I am starting to interwoven all my OCs' stories, in one way or the other, and dearest Asra here is fascinating me with how connected she is to the others👀👀👀.

Well, I hope you will like this and the infographics I did for her!!

Now I am working on Hiraeth's one, and hopefully they will be ready soon!

--Nemo

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template by @arcandoria; abridged profile template by @lairofsentinel)

[nemo-in-wonderland]

☪️ ZIL-E-QAMAR | FIEND WARLOCK | SELDARINE DROW ☪️

Name: Zil-e-Qamar

Nickname: Zil, Ya Qamar (only Halim called her so)

Title: The Scorching Mirage

Alias: Aranea Baelfaer

Age: ≅275 Years Old (She never disclosed her real age to anyone)

Birthplace: Menzoberranzan, Underdark Hometown: Huzuz, The City of Delight

Current Residence: She is wandering Faerun without a fixed place, collecting souls as she goes. When not on the Material Plane, she resides in Mephistar.

Alignment: Neutral Evil

Race: Seldarine Drow

Class: Warlock - The Fiend

Profession/job: Before the great tragedy that apprehended her life and forced her to flee to Faerun, she worked as a Scribe for the Grand Vizier Alyana al-Azzazi, a job she was immensely proud of. Visual particular traits: Standing at 183 cm barefoot, Zil is abnormally tall for a drow, and this is an anomaly for which she has no answer to give. Scent: Oud, Rose, Sandalwood, Saffron, Amber. Subsequently, sulfur and brimestone.

Colours/symbols associated with: The Colours of the Desert at Night; The White Heron that flew at dusk; The Sphinx whose riddles couldn’t be solved and whose smile couldn’t be understood.

Languages: Midani (mothertongue), Jaanti, Kadari, Infernal Language, Common Language, she is learning Undercommon.

Accent?: Before moving to Huzuz to embark on her studies at the Al-Bidr Sallah University, she spent her childhood and early teen years in Ajayib, the City of Wonders. Therefore, she spoke Midani with the regional accent of the Pearl Cities. Her accent translates even when she speaks the Common Language, immediately clocking her as not native of Faerun.

Tropes they embody: “Determinator”,” Implacable Woman”, “Deadpan Snarker”, “The Juggernaut”, “Broken Bird”, “Heartbroken Badass”, “Be Careful What You Wish For”, “Lady of Black Magic”, “Addicted to Magic”, “Dark Action Girl”, “Revenge Before Reason”, “The Dreaded”, ”Noble Demon”, ”Troubled Past”, “The Unfettered”, “Excessive Mourning”, “Long-Range Fighter”, “Love Makes you Evil,” “Roaring Rampage of Revenge”, “Squishy Wizard”, “Tragic Heroine”, “Tranquil Fury”, “Trauma Button”, “Violently Protective Girlfriend”, “Woobie, Destroyer of Worlds", "Cry for the Devil". Personality: Determinate, Curious, Mischievous, Resilient, Resourceful, Intuitive, Loyal toward those she loves, Secretive, Mysterious, Empathetic, Charming, Charismatic, Seductive, Ambitious, Prideful, Focused to the point of Obsession, Stubborn, Manipulative, Vengeful, Can become ruthless is pushed, Emotionally Withdrawn, Short-Tempered. Detailed Backstory: Zil-e-Qamar was the adopted daughter of Valakos and Breessa, a couple of Faerûnian tiefling merchants who permanently resided in Ajayib, the City of Wonders in the Land of Fate Zakhara. Zil had a childhood of relative comfort and ease, not wanting for anything. Ever a curious child, sometimes too nosy for her own good, she spent her childhood between school, helping her parents with trading and inventorying the goods they received from Faerûn, and exploring the caves upon which the city had been built. She was a brilliant young woman, with an incandescent personality and a silver tongue and cheeky personality that could easily charm the people around her. She wouldn't take “no” for an answer, especially when embarking on a quest to discover and learn about all manner of topics, though her interest always dwelled on Magic and all its different aspects and how they intertwined and connect.

Ajayib, despite being the cradle that sweetly protected her throughout her most tender years, had very little to offer to her ever-growing thirst for knowledge. Soon enough, she made preparations to move to the Capital of the Land of Fate, Golden Huzuz. After being admitted to the Home of the Seekers of Knowledge, the Great University of Al-Bidir Sallah in the City of Delight, she enrolled in the College of Magic to expand upon her knowledge and understanding of how magic worked. She was a hardworking student, with her nose always buried in any book she could put her hands on. It was around this time that she became a devotee of Zann the Learned, the God that oversaw Learning and Intelligence.

Eventually, under the advice of Imam Renn min Zann, her mentor at the University, she sought to learn more about who she was and where she stood in the world. She enrolled for a period in the College of Fine Arts, taking classes about non-Zakharan history and costumes in the hope of discovering more about her origins. After graduating and deciding to continue her studies as a scholar, she took up the position of Scribe for the Imam, and it was during that time that she met Halim Ibn Tariq, a well-renowned Sha'ir and Vizier of Huzuz, advisor to Grand Vizier Alyana al-Azzazi, in a diplomatic visit to the University to report of its state to the Grand Vizier.

Having been assigned to be the Vizier’s guide, Zil found herself intrigued by this physically imposing yet apparently kind and soft-spoken man, who had all the authority that was expected of a man of his station and background, yet possessed none of the arrogance, a man of exceptional moral strength and vivacious intelligence, known for his even temper and warm laughter.

On his side, Halim also found himself fascinated by the young drow, the first he ever had the chance to speak with in his life, with her pale eyes always twinkling with curiosity, her insatiable need for knowledge, and her mischievous way of flirting with him. He found her company pleasant and when away for his duties, he found himself unable to stop thinking about her and her beguiling, infectious smile. Despite their mutual interest, they both believed that, due to the Vizier’s busy life and Zil’s own duties, the few meetings they had at the University were destined to remain as such. Yet, Halim extended an invitation to her to seek him out if she ever needed anything, either a favour or even just his company. Little did Halim know about Zil’s own resilience and way of making things happen the way she wanted. Zil applied to become a Scribe in the service of Grand Vizier Al-Azzazi, to be closer to the man who had completely captivated her. She obtained the position, thanks to her own merits and partially thanks to the good recommendation of the Imam. In time, Zil and Halim became friends and started to spend more and more time together, their mutual attraction growing and blossoming like the beautiful lilies that bloomed in the pans surrounding Hazuz when the rains blessed the city. It grew until being far away from each other felt more torturous than standing underneath the ruthless Zakharan Sun at noon without shade.

With the blessing of the Grand Caliph himself, they married and spent more than 40 years of blissful happiness. But the Court of Enlightenment was not devoid of intrigue, and Halim, with his progressive philosophies and advocacy to abolish the common practice of trading slaves, had drawn upon itself the malcontent of the slave owners in the Caravan District. He had fallen victim to a ploy that resulted in an incrimination for corruption and bribery.

Zil knew that her husband was innocent, having worked closely with him for all those years, and tried with all the means she had available to find who was behind all that scheming and bring them to justice to clear her husband’s name. But before she could do anything of substance, she was apprehended and charged with the accusation of being complicit and accessory to all of Halim’s crimes. Despite all her efforts, despite all her begging, she couldn’t find the resources she needed fast enough, and the accusations against her husband transmuted from corruption to treason that warranted a death sentence without appeal.

All Zil could do was witness the execution from her cell, not leaving her husband’s eyes for one moment, not even when the blade of the executioner came down and shattered her entire heart in the process.

Alone in her damp cell, shell-shocked and broken, Zil waited all night for her own sentence to pass, wishing with all her might that the moment would come soon enough so that she could be reunited with her husband once more. But, much to her dismay, during the darkest hour that preceded the arrival of dawn, the Grand Vizier herself showed up in her cell, maintaining complete secrecy.

All she carried with her was a note, carved in her husband’s handwriting, and the promise that, as a last favor to Halim, she would see Zil out of Huzuz safely. Zil escaped her own death, thanks to her husband’s foresight and protection, and fled away from the Golden City and beyond Zakhara, finally reaching distant Faerûn.

After Halim’s death, Zil assumed a new name, Aranea Baelfaer, and turned to every god and goddess in the pantheon, begging, imploring, and beseeching all of them to grant her the power to vindicate her husband and to see him one last time. But all her prayers and supplications fell into a deafening silence that reeked of contempt. Enraged with the gods for letting something like this befall a man as virtuous, kind, and compassionate as her husband, she didn’t give up and persistently sought the means to gain the power she needed, her mind and resolve sharpened by grief and rage.

Her obsession and focus would reach such heights that they resonated all across the Weave until they attracted the Patron who would finally answer her call and grant her the power she desired: Mephistopheles. Most treasured possession: Her husband’s jambiya dagger and a lock of his dark hair that she wore braided in her own; the last letter that he wrote her, that she re-read every single night before going to sleep.

Sexual and/or romantic situation: After Halim’s death, she decided to forgo any kind of romantic relationship, absolutely refusing to run the risk of facing the same type of pain she went through when her husband was killed. In her grief, she asked Mephistopheles to actually freeze her heart, putting it in a stasis. As a wager between the two of them, Mephistopheles added a small clause that declared if someone were ever able to thaw her frozen heart, she would lose her powers, her soul would be his and the contract would be considered fulfilled regardless of whether she had reached her vengeance or not. Zil humored him, secure in her belief that no one on Toril would ever be able to ever ignite the flame in her dead heart again. Last famous words indeed. Favourite place in Faerûn: She doesn’t truly have one. She finds Faerun excessively cold and humid. But if she were to choose one, it would be the Great Harbor of Waterdeep, from where she can see the City. What makes them happiest: She likes to create small illusions of her memories of her years in Zakhara and stare at them, wishing with all her might that they were more than just echoes from a distant time.   What makes them angriest: Any uncalled mentioning of her late husband was enough to provoke at best a death glare and at worst an outburst of pure ire. She didn’t appreciate talking about her past or about him with anyone, for her memories of him are hers and hers alone. What makes them laugh: She rarely laughed from the heart. But something that did make her laugh and gave her comfort was hearing children’s laughter. It reminded her of simpler times. Biggest secret: Who her Patron is and the terms and conditions of her pact with him. Obsession: Revenge. She sold her soul to Mephistopheles in order to gain the power she needed to grow as powerful as she needed to be and hunt down and kill whoever was involved in Halim’s betrayal and death. If the Gods didn’t want to help her in the path of vengeance, then the might of the Archdevils would.

soooo.

While on vacation, I had sometime to properly sit down and finally write Aranea's (or should I say Zil's?) proper bio, alongside working on her infographic (and I am SO HAPPY with how it turned out. I love doing this kind of things, I have done so many that I haven't shared lol).

I still need to add a few things as I keep playing the game, which is the reason why I haven't written anything about her current relationship with Gale, the other companions, or the Dream Guardian. But as I proceed, I will update this (or make another post, we shall see) and fill in what is missing.

In the meantime, thank you for reading her profile and I hope you will love this brainchild of mine just as much as I love her <3

--Nemo

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template by @arcandoria; abridged profile template by @lairofsentinel)

[nemo-in-wonderland]

There's such a sad love Deep in your eyes a kind of pale jewel Open and closed Within your eyes I'll place the sky Within your eyes

There's such a fooled heart Beatin' so fast In search of new dreams A love that will last Within your heart I'll place the moon Within your heart

As the pain sweeps through Makes no sense for you Every thrill is gone

Wasn't too much fun at all But I'll be there for you-ou-ou As the world falls down

Falling As the world falls down Falling Falling in love

"AS THE WORLD FALLS DOWN" - Labyrinth

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SO.

I was listening to some very perfect music a few days ago, music that ended up fuelling this VERY self-indulgent Mephistea Artwork and of course, as it always happens when I listen to music, the brain starts working and branching out with ideas would go very well with an idea that has been brewing in my brain ever since I drew the whole " sudden proposal" from Mephisto to Aranea.

And my brain cannot stop thinking that Mephisto's corruption of Aranea would start VERY early on.

Like, we are talking "as soon as Aranea is done with her vengeance" early on.

So, between the moment when Aranea signed her contract with Mephisto and the moment she exacts her revenge for Halim's death, I calculated it would pass around 5 years, that Aranea would spend in Cania to study *directly* underneath Mephisto himself (it was one of the clause of the contract that she herself had put. She reckoned that her soul would be lost anyway, so, in for a penny, in for a pound).

During those 5 years, Mephisto would start taking an interest in this curious Warlock of his, who was SO hyperfixated in acquiring as much power as possible to destroy the people that had taken Halim from her in the cruelest way possible.

Like, I love to imagine that in those five years, he saw in Aranea the same kind of focuse, obssessive need that often pervaded himself as well; the same kind of relentless mania; the same fury and ruthless ferocity that he felt deep within his soul each time he tried to overthrow Asmodeus.

And this left him quite enrupture with Aranea.

So, I like to imagine that, sometimes after Aranea was done with her vengeance, he would actually start to plan his moves to have more than just her soul.

He wanted to corrupt her in her entirety, so that she would match his soul completely.

AND THAT'S WHEN REALIZED THAT "AS THE WORLD FALLS DOWN" WAS JUST *PERFECT FOR THEM, AT THAT STAGE OF HER RELATIONSHIP.

The lyrics, the music, the whole scene was *precisely* how I imagine Mephisto would behave with still innocent Aranea (which is why I drew her with shorter hair and a bit younger than how I usually draw her).

How he would organize a ball for the sake of parading his prized warlock around, when, in truth, he started his seduction of her, his call toward his darkest side, with him whispering in her mind while she constantly looking for him through the crowd, moved by something she cannot, for the love of her, understand nor explain.

And well, if you know this part of Labyrinth, then you know precisely what the atmosphere would be!

And by the gods, these two have me by the throat fml.

I adore them so much. SO MUCH.

Also, fml, am living for their height difference and I like to imagine that Mephisto gave her one of the heaviest dresses possible, so that the only way she could dance if she is dancing with him.

That being said, now I will go to sleep a bit because I was up until late to finish this and I am *tired*.

But I hope you will like it anyway! <3

--Nemo

[nemo-in-wonderland]

Ok, quick question just because I am curious 👀👀👀👀. I have my own ideas, of course, but I am truly curious to know your opinion.

And let's bring Marvel in this lol.

Little Edit: i meant to write "Characters from X-Men" lololol.

[nemo-in-wonderland]

I AM GOING FERAL FOR THESE TWO.

FERAL.

I am just loving how this is turning out, and now I just have to decide if to draw Mephisto's wings or not (because I don't want to hide his back muscles that are just *scrumptious*, but at the same time, I just adore drawing demonic wings being like a freaking canopy to conceal the intimacy. WE WILL PLAY AS IT COMES).

And I also gave Mephistopheles his goatee back, because I am a HUGE sucker for a man (archdevil?) with a goatee.

BUT YES.

ANYWAY.

FERAL.

Literally me at this moment:

[nemo-in-wonderland]

Ahhh yes.

Nothing to seal the deal to a proposal of marriage like being completely ravaged by your Soon-to-be-Archdevil-consort, AMIRITE?

If Mephisto and Aranea were all riled up before he blurted out his proposal (See my previous artwork for what I am talking about), then after Aranea signed the contract, emotions started to run EVEN HIGHER.

One day I will draw Mephisto ravaging Aranea in his mortal form.

BUT NOT TODAY.

TODAY WE NEED THE LORD OF CANIA REARRENGING HIS WIFE'S GUTS IN ALL HIS MAJESTIC DEVILISH FORM.

[nemo-in-wonderland]

I am sorry, but I needed to share this.

Like, I was scouring through Pinterest as I always to do hoard on images that I might be useful for me in the future.

And I kid you not.

This is what the home page gave me when I opened it.

AND I AM LIKE.

MEPHISTO.

WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO TO PISS OFF ARANEA THIS MUCH THAT SHE IS GIVING YOU THE "RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY SALAD" LOOK?

AND WHY THAT HINT OF A SMIRK BEHIND THAT GOBLET???

So now I am utterly convinced that Aranea, after a few decades, decided to go back to Ajayib, in Zakhara, to check on her parents and see how they were faring ever since she left for Faerun.

So, I imagine that she is having dinner with her parents, recounting them about what she ever since she last saw them (all lies, because despite her already being "heartless" at this point, she could not bear to actually let her parents know the kind of monster that she has become and see the sadness in their eyes), and all of sudden, Mephisto in his mortal form shows up, all smirky and charming, and introduce himself AS HER HUSBAND(not as Halim, mind you, but as her new Husband, which, of course, he was not, at that point. Considering the timeline, their relationship was still very much Patron&Warlock rather than Patron/Warlock, but Mephisto was already starting to harbour feelings for her and was already making passes at her without even being that subtle about it).

So, because Mephisto can be a HUGE little shit with Aranea, and he LIVES to get under her skin, starts conversing rather amiably with Aranea's parents, effectively behaving as if he was her husband.

AND OF COURSE.

Because he is in Aranea's mind, he KNOWS that she doesn't want her parents to know what she has done. HE KNOWS THAT, without her having to give him the death glare.

So, OF COURSE, he starts insinuating all sorts of things,

like

"This is my first time here in Zakhara, but even I, as a foreigner hailing from Neverwinter, have heard of the Great Fire of Huzuz, that claimed more than a thousand people, including the Caliph. And they never found the perpetrator." he clicked his tongue in disappointment and turned to look at Aranea, a glint of impish mischievousness in his clear eyes. "I wonder who might have been so ruthless to kill all those poor unfortunate souls. Right, my dear Zil?"

Cue to Aranea wishing she could just Eldritch blast him out of the house, which Mephisto would actually sense and just cause him to burst into laughter.

And the whole dinner would just continue on the same line, with Mephisto throwing jabs and Aranea dodging them and using BOMBASTIC SIDE EYE GALORE learned from the Master of Cania himself.

So yeah, now you see why I need to be careful when I go around on pinterest/youtube/etc.

I just opened the website and saw the two pictures of Aranea and Mephisto's faceclaim together, and THE BRAIN WENT BRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

But how I love these two.

They are SO PERFECT FOR EACH OTHER.

Their bickering gives me life.

LIFE.

--Nemo

[nemo-in-wonderland]

My reaction when I managed to capture THE EXACT MOMENT Mephisto realized that all his scheming and corrupting to get Aranea's soul for the sake of it has, indeed, turned into actually wanting her to LOVE HIM.

LIKE. I AM SHARING A WIP BECAUSE THE FINAL PIECE WILL HAVE A KISS BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM. (like,the pose will not change that much but still).

ARANEA, YOU HAVE BROKEN THE LORD OF CANIA, HE CANNOT EVEN THINK ANYMORE.

OR RATHER, NOW HE HAS ONLY ONE THOUGHT IN MIND.

HE IS GOING IN HYPERFIXATION MODE NOW.

Honestly, I think I will just add this in the corner, with a teensy bit of dialogue and then showcase the rest of the kiss.

I am so in love with the way he is looking at her.

Seriously, one of the softest look ever.

OK, NOW I GOT MOMENTUM AGAIN, I NEED TO GO AND FINISH IT (but fml, the absolute restrain that I had to put on myself from drawing his curls. It feels still SO WRONG to have his hair straight. SO WRONG.😂😂😂😂)

(I won't have it ready for tonight, I am afraid, but fml it's coming out at least AS I ENVISIONED IT. OMG, THE BREAKDOWN WORKED).

[nemo-in-wonderland]

Ngl I am kinda living for the idea of Jacob getting *increasingly* frustrated because no matter what he does, he cannot, for the life of his, get Dorothea to sign THE contract that would bind her to him for all eternity (homeboy completely lost his head for her, and I love that for him).

Like, homegirl is devoted to Lathander and whatnot, and her faith is STRONG (though, she is not as zealous as Shadowheart, that's for sure), but she would be willing to give him a chance IF HE WASN'T THAT PESTERING.

Like, ngl, if Raphael can be a bit of a brat, Jacob's own brattiness is multiplied tenfold, and I hc that it's caused by the fact that Mephistopheles sired him later in life - much earlier than Zaynab and Karim, but definitely much later than Raphael (fucking hell, I made Jacob the middle child).

So, I imagine him just travelling down in Cania one day, just stomping in his father's laboratory and asking him HOW did he manage to get Aranea to sign his contract and be with him in Cania.

To which, I can see Mephistopheles give him a long look (veeeeeery long look, because he is weighting if sending that son of his out with a kick in his butt for interrupting in his experiments or just answer him with a roast of his own).

But I can see his heart mellowing a bit for the "romantic woes" of his son (damn Aranea for softening his heart and having him invested in his children's romantic life like a telenovela), so I can see him reply to him something along these lines:

"Son, Aranea signed her contract with me because she came willingly to me."

IT'S THIS WHAT YOU TELL YOURSELF, MEPHISTO????

BUT NEVERMIND THIS IS ACTUALLY ONLY HALF-TRUE, AND HE SWEATED LIKE A DOG BECAUSE ARANEA WOULDN'T GIVE IN.

But still, Jacob kinda got the message, and would reduce his pestering a good 5%, which was a great improvement since, much like dear old dad Mephistopheles, Jacob as well suffers from the same codependency needs lolol

OK, NOW THAT I BLURTED OUT EVERYTHING, LEMME GO GRAB A COFFEE, AND LET ME MARINATE THIS IDEA BECAUSE I AM DIGGING IT.

and honestly, this has opened up my brain gates to develop Zaynab and Karim as well.

I just love how sometimes one single character can be the catalyst to a whole waterfall of new ideas.

[nemo-in-wonderland]

I need to stop making interpretation of canon character this handsome.

I am basically just digging Aranea's own grave here AND AT THIS PACE, SHE WILL NEVER GET OUT OF CANIA, FML (and I with her fml fml fml fml).

But I am not complaining, not at all.

JUST STATING FACTS.

Anyway, here, enjoy a small WIP of a reference sheet that I am doing for Mephistopheles, Aranea, Raphael and all the various characters in my roster that are connected to him (spoiler alert, my own Mathias in this setting is a Mephistophele tiefling, descending from him. I mean. WITH THOSE WAVES, HOW COULD I CHOOSE ANY DIFFERENTLY?).

BUT YES.

Enjoy this while I go back and truly try to gather my courage to draw Raphael (honestly, I am always scared shitless when I need to draw canon characters, because I am terrified of fucking up. Might be the reason why I always end up working on Ocs lolololol).

Honestly, working on these kind of artworks is relaxing but also a fun way for me to experiment a little with strokes, lineart and whatnot. Trying to find my own way to better myself as an artist, one devil at the time lololol

--Nemo

[nemo-in-wonderland]

OK, I NEED TO PRACTICE SOME SMLUFF, SO I NEED TO DRAW SOMETHING SMLUFFY.

CHOOSE ONE OF MY SHIPS HERE, AND THEY WILL BE THE GUINEA PIGS OF MY SMLUFF

BRING. IT. ON.

(Consider reblogging this so I have a more ample sample).

[nemo-in-wonderland]

I am still trying to figure out HOW Mephisto and Aranea managed to create a cinnamon roll like Azriel, tbh.

Or how she is related in any way to Zaynab, Karim, Jacob and Raphael, tbh.

like.

how.

HOW.

She doesn't have a mean bone in her body.

Plenty of mischief, to be sure.

But not evil at all.

Which is probably why she gets along so well with Asra, Hiraeth and Dorothea tbh.

NO WONDER SHE IS GOING TO LEAD THEM ALL ACROSS THE ASTRAL SEA IN AN EPIC ADVENTURE.

Anyway, I am trying to tweak around Azriel's design and let me tell you: my girl LOVES hats. The bigger THE BETTER. So here, have this quick WIP I did while waiting for dinner to be ready.

Also, fun fact: Azriel's skin in truth is red, pretty much like her brothers and sister, but much like Raphael's human disguise, Azriel has opted for a tiefling one (my girl is vain as heck - just like daddy dearest- and no way in heck she is going to hide away her horns lolol).

And among all her siblings, she is the one that resemble Mephisto THE MOST in terms of physical appearance (which is probably also why she is his favourite).

So yeah!

There you have it!

I hope you will like this, now I have to go back and finish my Gale/Hiraeth artwork lolol

--Nemo