#The Outsider (Alrun)

[ask-the-friendly-ink-demon]

Hello!! I'm Elaine. Nice to meet you!! How are you Inky and Bendy :D

"just- prowler. only my close friends and family can call me Bendy... also again. inky? there's no ink demon next to me." he says, grunting at the whispers he was feeling in his mind, those voices. it all felt so familiar. elsewhere in the studios, Lanky kept silent as the lady kept walking, oddly quiet and almost. upset? the lady in violet didn't seem to notice as she keeps on walking

[talonabraxas]

The Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum -also known as Herb of Circe, Wild Lemon, Womandrake) holds the special distinction as being the most famous of all magical plants due to its many ritual and medical uses and the immense amount of mythology it has generated over historical ages.

During the Middle Ages the Mandrake became popular throughout Europe as a magical plant and miracle talisman, capable of curing nearly anything. These roots were thought to be powerful allies who could perform magic for their masters – from attracting love and gaining wealth and good fortune, to warding off misfortunes and evil spells, even to becoming invincible in battle.

The Mandrake was also considered a potent aid to fertility. Historians have determined that the earliest mention of the mandrake refers to its use in Babylon, in the cuneiform tablets of the Assyrians and in the Old Testament as evidenced in chapter 30 of the Book of Genesis where the childless Rachael asks her sister Leah for the loan of the mandrakes which her son had brought in from the fields.It is widely believed that the Old Testament contains multiple references to the ‘love apples’ – the fruits of the mandrake as an aphrodisiac. The first of these instances is again in Genesis, where the scent of the mandrake’s yellow fruits are described as having aphrodisiac properties.

Some evidence exists that the mandrake was used in secret mystical rites in ancient Israel; one of the factors supporting this hypothesis is the significance of the mandrake in Kabbalism as a symbol for ‘becoming One’….

Similarly, in ancient Egypt it appears that mandrake fruits may have been eaten as aphrodisiacs and ancient Greeks also used the mandrake as a sacred love plant.

Ancient Germanic people also often made use of the plant, in particular Germanic Seeresses, who were known for their clairvoyant abilities far outside of Europe, used mandrake regularly as an ally. The modern German name ‘Alraune’ can be traced back to the ancient Germanic term “Alrun”, which translates to ‘all knowing’ or ‘he who knows the runes’…

Mandrake roots have long been used in magic rituals then and still are used today in contemporary pagan traditions such as Wicca and Odinism.

The Mandrake plant is a member of the Nightshade family.The root is hallucinogenic and narcotic. In sufficient quantities, it induces a state of unconsciousness and was used as an anaesthetic for surgery in ancient times. In the past, juice from the finely grated root was applied externally to relieve rheumatic pains. It was also used internally to treat melancholy, convulsions, and mania. When taken internally in large doses, however, it is said to excite delirium and madness.

In the past, mandrake was often made into amulets which were believed to bring good fortune, cure sterility, etc. In one superstition, people who pull up this root will be condemned to hell, and the mandrake root would scream as it was pulled from the ground, killing anyone who heard it. Therefore, in the past, people have tied the roots to the bodies of animals and then used these animals to pull the roots from the soil.

Directions for harvesting a mandrake root in relative safety:

“A furrow must be dug around the root until its lower part is exposed, then a dog is tied to it, after which the person tying the dog must get away. The dog then endeavours to follow him, and so easily pulls up the root, but dies suddenly instead of his master. After this, the root can be handled without fear.”

The following is taken from Jean-Baptiste Pitois’ The History and Practice of Magic:

“Would you like to make a Mandragora, as powerful as the homunculus (little man in a bottle) so praised by Paracelsus? Then find a root of the plant called bryony. Take it out of the ground on a Monday (the day of the moon), a little time after the vernal equinox. Cut off the ends of the root and bury it at night in some country churchyard in a dead man’s grave. For 30 days, water it with cow’s milk in which three bats have been drowned. When the 31st day arrives, take out the root in the middle of the night and dry it in an oven heated with branches of verbena; then wrap it up in a piece of a dead man’s winding-sheet and carry it with you everywhere.”

Mandrake is placed on the mantle to bring prosperity, fertility and happiness to the home, a protector warding off of evil spirits or spells.

Among the old Anglo-Saxon herbals both Mandrake and Periwinkle are endowed with mysterious powers against demoniacal possession. Its human-like forked root was thought to be in the power of dark earth spirits. At the end of a description of the Mandrake in the Herbarium of Apuleius there is this prescription:

‘For witlessness, that is devil sickness or demoniacal possession, take from the body of this said wort mandrake by the weight of three pennies, administer to drink in warm water as he may find most convenient – soon he will be healed.’

It is worn as a talisman or amulet to attract love and repel diseases. As a flying ointment and for its ability to engender shamanic trances.

Mandrake is also said to protect against demonic possession, possibly because it was used by ancient herbalists to sedate manics. To activate a dried root, one must display it prominently in the home for three days, after which it is soaked in water overnight. The water can then be sprinkled on entryways, windows, and people to purify them. The root is now ready for magickal use.

Mandrake art by Maxine Miller

[uncivilcivilservice]

We have Loyster. We have siren Louis and Merperson. Have you considered alrune Louis. Prettiest flower in the swamp. :)

Imagine him with his guilt and then being turned. Then what

I had to look up what an alraune was, but I like it, I especially like that it shares some key features of Loyster

1. Doesn't/can't move around very much

2. Can close up and hide from outside world (very important for Louis)

3. Can close/trap lovers inside with them

Prettiest flower in the swamp indeed, he's going to keep Lestat and Armand wrapped in his petals forever, high on his sweet nectar 😊🪷

[thecreaturecodex]

Sahkil, Ganerul

“Alrune” © Green Ronin Publishing, by Thomas Baxa.

[Commissioned by @wannabedemonlord​. @bogleech​ described The Book of Fiends with the line, “if a book could gesture lewdly towards its genitalia, you can be sure this one would”. That puerile attitude towards sex is my least favorite thing about The Book of Fiends, and so this is something of a meta-conversion. Turning one of the book’s many, many sex monsters into a creature all about the fear of sex.]

Sahkil, Ganerul CR 3 NE Outsider This creature is both humanoid and gorgeously attractive from the waist up, but from the waist down is a twisted effigy with twitching limbs and tentacles. Its lower half is dominated by an enormous yonic maw growing from a phallus-like trunk. A pair of leathery wings grows from its back, and its arms have the texture of dry wood.

The ganerul is a minor sahkil associated with anxieties about sex and lust. Their forms combine great physical beauty with grotesque abnormality. They often travel among mortals disguised as one of them, acting alluring and seductive in order to isolate and then traumatize a victim. Most ganeruls are happy to leave a target alive but psychologically scarred, and often keep tabs on their “clients” to ensure the trauma lasts.

In combat, a ganerul attacks with claws and teeth—most of its appendages are disturbing to look at but incapable of causing physical harm. Their bite causes deep feelings of shame and regret. Although ganeruls are happy to work alone in their foul deeds, they do sometimes cooperate with each other, and may flock to more powerful sahkils as would an adoring fan. Ganeruls cooperating with more powerful sahkils tend to take a support role, bolstering their betters with spell-like abilities.

In its natural form, a ganerul is shorter than a human, with a human-sized torso but a squat and misshapen lower half. They are often gifted linguists, and learn the most common languages of the territories they prey in.

Ganerul                CR 3 XP 800 NE Medium outsider (evil, extraplanar, sakhil, shapechanger) Init +5; Senses darkvision 60 ft., Perception +9 Defense AC 15, touch 11, flat-footed 14 (+1 Dex, +4 natural) hp 27 (5d10) Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +5 DR 5/good; Immune death effects, disease, fear effects, poison; Resist cold 10, electricity 10, sonic 10; SR 14 Offense Speed 30 ft., fly 50 ft (average) Melee bite +6 (1d6+1 plus contrition), 2 claws +6 (1d4+1) Special Attacks look of fear (Will DC 15, 30 ft.) Spell-like Abilities CL 3rd, concentration +4 (+8 casting defensively) At will—bane (DC 14), charm person (DC 12), detect thoughts (DC 13) 3/day— dispel magic, protection from good (DC 12), unnatural lust (DC 14) 1/day—contagion (DC 15), eagle’s splendor, reckless infatuation (DC 15), unadulterated loathing (DC 15) Statistics Str 12, Dex 13, Con 11, Int 16, Wis 12, Wis 13 Base Atk +5; CMB +6; CMD 17 Feats Combat Casting, Deceitful, Improved Initiative Skills Bluff +11, Disguise +11 (+21 when using change shape), Fly +9, Intimidate +11, Knowledge (local) +11, Linguistics +8, Perception +9, Sense Motive +9, Stealth +9 Languages Abyssal, Celestial, Common, Dwarven, Elven, Gnome, Halfling, Infernal, telepathy 100 ft. SQ change shape (Small or Medium humanoid, alter self), easy to call, emotional focus, perfect copy Ecology Environment any land or underground (Ethereal Plane) Organization solitary or mockery (2-7) Treasure standard Special Abilities Contrition (Su) A creature bitten by a ganerul must succeed a DC 15 Will save or be staggered for 1 round with feelings of despair and guilt. This is a mind-influencing effect. The save DC is Charisma based, and includes a +2 bonus from the sahkil’s emotional focus. Look of Fear (Su) 30 ft., Will DC 15, shaken 1d4+1 rounds. The save DC is Charisma based, and includes a +2 bonus from the sahkil’s emotional focus. Perfect Copy (Ex) A ganerul can assume the form of specific individuals when using its change shape ability.

[ingloriousmisfits]

ooc ;;

Because I love dragons, I’m thinking of doing a sideblog for some of the dragons from the D&D game I DM. Would anyone be interested in interacting with any of these?

Sundai (SOON-dai) the Green: Chaotic Neutral. Party convinced him to turn himself into a puppy so he could be smuggled into a city. He thought it was hilarious and “fresh”.

Uljani (OOL-ja-nee) the Blue: Chaotic Good. Wedded to the Silver and protects an archipelago with a group of blue and silver dragonborn. Reverent to the spirits and deities of the ocean, as it is her source of food for her and her children.

Alrun (ALL-roon) the Silver: Lawful Good. Wedded to the Blue. Somewhat stern, though he delights in learning of places outside his territory.

Augrix Mithai (AW-gricks MEE-thigh): Lawful Good. Is currently in hibernation, though welcomes those who happen to find his lair. He is the oldest of the dragons, and will gladly give guidance to those that seek it.

Rovrat (ROVE-rot) the Red: Lawful Evil. Self-serving and prideful, the red dragon seeks to control his territory with an army of red dragonborn. Many know to leave the mountainside alone.

Xalanth (ZAH-lanth) the Black: Chaotic Evil. Controls a territory called the Witchlight Fens. Father of Vicros. Seeks to weed out the “impurities” in his army of dragonborn through selective breeding.

Sirrut (SEER-oot) the White: Lawful Neutral. Sirrut tends to hibernate in the cold reaches of the world, and only stirs when they sense that someone has neared their lair.

[ardawyn]

12 and 14 for the four side characters?

Thank you for the questions! :) (it took a bit longer to answer oops)

12. What is thefastest way to upset them?

Alrune; She's kinda used to people ignoringher, but once they belittle her, she gets rather upset. Also seeing the prince makes her skincrawl. She has learnt to deal with him, but it doesn'tlessen her anger.

Eike; When people mock him, even if it's only forfun. He also takes critics very personally.

Alois; He doesn't get upset quickly. But dueto business, he travels rather often and he constantly complainsabout cheap alcohol. So, that's the fastest way.

Isabel; She cares a lot about people, and oftentravels from city to city to offer her help to the ill and wounded.But since she's not a healer but uses her magic, somereject her help. She can't understand why some would rather sufferthan accept her help.

14. What issomething that never fails to make them excited?

Alrune; Sunny days. Every day she can spendoutside in the royal gardens and feel the sun on her skin is a better day.Also some good wine.

Eike; Excited is probably the wrong word, but heenjoys physical exhaustion, preferably sparring and knocking peoplein the dirt.

Alois; Some time alone. Heoften finds himself in the company of others, and not exactly thecompany he chose. But as long as it pays well ...

Isabel; Knowing, that she can do some good withher magic. She also loves to seeand hear children laugh.

[kova-killian]

Lady of light episode 5

She stands outside the door waiting as all the knights inside laugh and sing, but the doors behind her open without her noticing. Her stomach flips, chills creeping over her as three priests drift past and into the dining hall.

It can't be them. . .

There have to be other priests with horns like that.

“Axelia?” Thallan gently touches her shoulder, making her jump. “Are you alright?” he furrows his brows.

“Did those priests say something to you?” Pierre asks.

Axelia shakes her head. “They came in behind me. I'm okay,” she lies.

Thallan’s jaw tightens as he stares through the crack in the door. He wraps his arm around her, his hand firmly on her waist, keeping her close to him as they walk through the doors. The priests sit along the wall away from the knights as they carry on singing and laughing amongst themselves.

“Who are those priests?” Thallan asks as they sit across from Drest.

Drest scowls. “I'm not sure.” he nudges an older guard. “have you been allowing priests in here while I’ve been away?”

“I’ve been allowing registered priests who are passing through for the knights who lost their lives during the war, but those three aren't in the book.”

Axelia turns around, glancing at the priests before looking back at the table as her heart rattles her chest, her face becoming pale..

“Do you recognize them?” Thallan whispers to her, she shakes her head trying to stop the questions, “you're lying. . . who are they?”

Axelia swallows hard. “Cordelia hired them. Right after the war started. . . I was hoping it wasn't them when they walked in earlier.” She shrinks into herself, feeling the priest's gazes burning into the back of her head.

“They're magic stealers.” Thallan glares at Drest.

Drest leans closer. “what did they do to you?” he hisses.

“Just make them leave. . .” she avoids eye contact.

Thallan, Drest, and Pierre stand from their seats and walk to the priests in the corner. Axelia twists her skirt in her hands until the entire dining hall goes quiet.

“I asked who invited you into my home!” Drest snaps.

“We need no invitation,” the priest with the largest spiraling horns scoffs.

The priest with red robes chuckles, standing from his seat. “Well, this just took a turn.” he says as he slides out from behind the table.

Thallan grabs the hilt of the large knife on his hip. “Walk any closer to her and I will end you here.”

The priests chuckle. “none of you have any idea who that little girl is over there, do you?” the one with the large horns asks.

“Enough. . .” Axelia stands, but only looks at the ground.

“You haven't told your husband a thing about you.” the large-horned priest smirks. “Allow me.”

“No!” Axelia snaps.

“Then enlighten your poor husband to the dreadful creature you are,” he growls.

“Me?” Axelia looks up finally. “You locked me in a window box like a prostitute so people could watch you slowly kill me while trying to take Chain Breaker from me. . .”

“That thing is a demon.” the priest's eye twitches.

“He is a dragon!” Axelia growls.

The priest with the large horns waves her off dismissively. “enough of this.” he says as magic chains wrap around her. “Petulant child.”

Every knight gets to their feet, their eyes trained on the priests. The priest with the largest horns flicks his wrist, the magic chains holding Axelia glowing orange.

“It's hot,” Axelia panics, trying to push the chains off of her arms. “it's hot, stop it!” she cringes as the chains turn white hot, her skin smoking underneath.

Thallan presses his knife onto the priest's neck, “take them away NOW!”

Axelia’s skin sizzles under the chains, bringing her to her knees. The knights frantically yelling at one another, trying to find someone with magic to help her. But then the chains pull her arms out to the sides, dragging her to bow as the priest with the large horns approaches her.

“You're prettier now that you're an adult,” he whispers, as Drest holds Thallan back.

“Pig. . .” she says through her teeth.

“Disgrace,” he kicks his foot under her chin forcing her to look up at him, “has that husband of yours been able to get under those layers?” he kneels down so no one can hear him, “aw, do the chains burn?” he wipes a tear from her cheek.

Axelia tugs on the chains, holding her arms out as the priest cackles. He turns away from her, stepping towards Thallan again. She tucks her feet under her, pushing up with all her strength.

“Tucker!” she screams at him, making the dining room go silent. “Here piggy piggy,” she smirks as the chains vibrate before disintegrating in front of everyone's eyes.

Tucker stumbles backward as Axelia grabs an iron goblet from the table. He tries casting another spell of chains, but a shadow creature slices through his arm.

“Chain Breaker is angry with you,” she chuckles as Tucker stares at his hand lying on the ground in front of him. “Magi is angry also.” she raises her eyebrow as glowing swirls appear on her skin.

“M-M-Magi. . .” Tucker stammer.

“Did you think my mother's gift was all I had? No, no silly piggy. The only way to control Chain Breaker is to have magic from birth.”

“Axelia. . .” Thallan stares at her. “What exactly did they do to you?”

She looks at Thallan, the glow on her skin dimming. “exorcisms. Hundreds of them and then starved me thinking Chain Breaker would leave if I was on the brink of death.”

“Will you be alright killing these men?” he sternly looks at her. She shakes her head, the shadow creature and the lights dissipating back into her skin.

Pierre swoops in, blocking Thallan from her view as the sickening sound of blades through flesh fills the dining hall and then three hard smacks to the cold stone floor.

“Come my lady, I'll have a maid bring dinner to your room.” Pierre gently pushes her towards the doors to the hallway.

“Is Thallan alright?”

“He’s fine.”

Within seconds, she's back in her room, Pierre standing guard outside until Thallan storms through the door. Axelia flinches as he slams the door shut and grabs her, pulling her into him.

“What else did they do to you while your father wasn't there to protect you?” he asks.

As if this one question is what she was waiting for, she flings her arms around him. He grabs the back of her head and wraps his other arm around her waist. She squeezes her eyes shut, trying to calm the building sadness, but Thallan squeezes her tighter as she trembles.

"When I said I was my siblings' slave, I meant it. . ." Her chest shivers as she takes a breath. "I lost everything, not just father. My room, my clothes, the books I loved. I couldn't eat when they did, I couldn't bathe until all of them had gone already and then Cordelia hired those three and the wolves after us. I'm sure she's hired others to get rid of me. Because she knows once people find out that father divorced her and married my mother, then all of their status’ will be gone and I'll take everything back."

Thallan stays quiet for a moment, only holding her as she still tries to hide her tears.

"Were you afraid because you thought she hired me too?" He asks.

"No. I knew you weren't hired by her by the way she talked to you."

He kisses her forehead. "Did I just need to show you that I wouldn't hurt you?" She nods, her cheeks and nose red, her eyes aching from holding everything back. "We can't leave for two more days. The horses need rest. But I don't want to keep you here any longer. . ." He says, his face pained seeing her so upset. "Pierre, come here."

Pierre slowly opens the door and slips inside. "yes?"

"Is there a way to acquire new horses?"

"I can get them anywhere in the city. Why?"

"Go find two. I want to be home."

Pierre sighs but nods. "You want to ride the rest of the way on your own?"

"Pierre. . . Who are you talking to here?" Thallan smiles.

"Yes, sir. I'll go find you two horses right away."

"We're leaving by ourselves?" Axelia furrows her brows.

"Pierre can handle Alrune and Frost on his own. Besides, I don't want to keep you here. Not after all of that."

"Okay. . ."

"Are you not well enough to ride?"

"No, I'm fine."

"Then what is the apprehension?"

"It's dark out. . . Don't the creatures become more venomous the closer to the ocean?"

"Yes, but I've traveled the roads past Pulet my entire life, we'll be safe." He presses his forehead against hers, "plus, my mother is waiting to meet you."

"Your mother? Why?"

"I sent a letter. . . Well, a few about you. . ." He sheepishly smiles as Axelia gently touches his cheek, "I wanted nothing more than to take you to Honeyport, to do things properly."

"Properly?"

"To court you, know you, and then marry you. . ."

"Oh. . ."

He's upset about the way our wedding happened. I wonder what traditions his family does for weddings.

A knock on the door snaps her out of her thoughts, "I brought your dinners." Drest says through the door.

"Come in, we're just talking." Thallan replies.

Drest sighs as he enters the room, "I'm sorry Axelia."

She furrows her brows. "it isn't your fault."

"I should have been more aware of who was coming into my city." He growls, placing the plates on the vanity.

Axelia nudges him and smiles, "it. Is not. Your fault." She looks him right in the eye. "they took advantage of the priests staying here for funerals. They were awful men."

"Yes, but you shouldn't have seen that, been through that. You're a Duchess for gilded sakes."

"I haven't heard someone say that in a long time." She chuckles.

“My mother was an Ironfjord goddess.” He smiles at her but her smile disappears, “how did your mother pass if I may ask.” he tilts his head.

Axelia looks at him and then to Thallan, “she. . . she never did.”

“Your mother is alive? Why did she gift the Chain Breaker to you?” Drest looks at her shocked.

“To hide Magi, if people thought I just had Chain Breaker they wouldn't use me like they've worked other light dragons to death.” Axelia shakes her head, “I don’t know what's worse, what the priests did to me, or what people would do if they found out that I'm a light dragon.”

“That entire dining hall of knights knows you are one now,” Thallan says.

“My men would never do anything to her, Thallan.”

"Your guard allowed those three priests in here without checking the registration book. That is magically altered when new priests are added, might I remind you."

"Thallan. . ." Drest glares at him.

"No Dee, she is my wife! And they hurt her!"

Axelia pushes against his chest as he lunges at Drest, "I'm fine Thallan. It was an honest mistake!" She presses her forehead onto the exposed skin where his tunic untied. "don't leave like this. I'm not worth losing years of friendship over."

The sound of his heart skipping makes a lump form in her throat, "you are worth everything." He kisses the top of her head.

Drest bites his lip, lost in thought, as Thallan opens his mouth to say something, "I know you didn't mean it." He says before Thallan could utter a word. "If you get home and things go south, don't hesitate to ask for my help." He nods before walking towards the door just as Pierre returns.

"Your horses are ready. Eat before you go at least."

Axelia looks to Drest and then to Thallan before Pierre sits on the bed waiting for them to eat.

“You don't have to sit there watching us. . .” Thallan grumbles.

Pierre chuckles, “well last time you two were alone you had her pinned up into the corner on top of the vanity.”

Axelia’s face burns as she nervously looks away from Thallan. “nothing happened.” She squeaks.

“Oh please, my lady. I have walked in on Thallan many times. He has no shame and doesn't seem to know that door's lock!”

Axelia raises her eyebrow and narrows her eyes at him. “Many times?”

“I am a knight that travels,” Thallan cocks his chin up playfully.

“He tried ignoring his feelings about you and lied to himself.” Pierre screws his face up, sticking his tongue out at the back of Thallan’s head.

“No such things have happened.” Thallan crosses his arms.

Axelia smiles at their banter, “I don't care who you've been with, just don’t stray. . .”

Thallan cups her face in his hands and kisses her softly. “Never. But I do have a question.”

“What. . .” she grumbles.

“Have you been with anyone?” he asks her. She just shakes her head. “You seemed really eager earlier.” he raises his eyebrow at her.

Axelia blushes, “that's nothing to talk about around other people. . .” she huffs as Pierre cackles, “but if you must know, I would read Alanna’s. . . secret books that she would hide in the rainbow room.”

“And then what?” he pretends to not understand.

“You know exactly what!” she nudges him.

Thallan playfully pulls at the hem of her skirt, making her breath catch. “Ah, so is that how you know you glow?”

“You glow?” Pierre stifles his laughter.

“Not funny.” She crosses her arms.

“She grows glowing dragon scales,” he nuzzles his face into her neck, brushing his lips across her skin.

Axelia tries scooting away from Thallan as a glow appears again, “I don't like them, please stop.”

Thallan gently touches her hand. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you.”

Axelia shakes her head before walking across the room to the door. “I was embarrassed earlier when you saw them. I never. . .”

“I truly am sorry, I was just trying to make light of the evening.” Thallan quickly stands, “please finish eating before we leave.”

Axelia sighs and retreats back to her seat next to Thallan. "the scales were a big thing father always told me to hide. They appear for different things, in different colors." She grumbles, "the pinkish color you saw is for. . . That. . . Green is when I'm excited or happy, like riding Alrune, I get green scales on my stomach. Blue along my legs when I'm cold. But they have to be sort of extreme sensations."

"I'm sorry. . ." He presses his forehead into her shoulder as she takes a bite of the stew and bread.

"I'll feel comfortable with you seeing them, eventually." She half smiles at him. "I just want to know I'm safe first."

"You're safe with me. Always." Thallan whispers as he kisses her shoulder.

They walk down the stairs to the entrance again. Thallan and Pierre quickly step in front of her. The sound of leather boots dragging on the floor makes her stomach plummet. She grabs Thallan's cloak as her head spins.

He looks down at her before holding his hand up, "let her through before you finish cleaning up."

"Yes, sir." The knights say as Thallan and Pierre whisk her outside to the waiting horses.

[dicecast]

Demonic Families

The Abyss

Demonic Nature

It is important to understand that demons are objectively the most powerful outsiders in the multiverse, and the reason isn’t quite known, they just have more people than anybody else.  Normally when a mortal dies, you can split their soul into a certain number of outsiders.  1 NE soul becomes 4 Daemons, and 9 Devils.  However a single CE soul will be split into 666 least demons (CR ¼-5), 660 lesser demons (CR 6-10), 600 intermediate demons (CR 11-15), 66 Greater demons (CR 16-20) 60 Major Demons (CR 20-25) and 6 Supreme Demons (CR 26-30).  This is...blatantly unfair and the Devils have sued more than once trying to get this solved (the demons laugh at your law suits).  This isn’t counting the demons created via contracts or thanks to Abyssal gods.  It is believed that should the Abyss unite its efforts for merely 20 mins, they could likely take over the entire world in that time, so great is their numbers and powers.  But fortunately for everybody, demons focus most of their efforts upon themselves, to the point where even the blood war is a secondary priority for them, the Devils ability to hold off the Abyss is in large part because the demons distract themselves with wars between themselves, most famously the Triple War between Demigorgon, Grazz’zt, and Orcus.  However there is an older conflict in the Abbys, the infamous “Brood Wars” between the different demonic families. ��Most (but not all) Demons are born into various “broods” which determine their relative power, and long ago these broods fought for domination over the abyss.  Currently the Tanar’ari have thoroughly won that conflict, so much so that the word “demon” and “Tanar’ri” are often seem as equivalent, but the Abyss is nothing if not ever changing.  

The Tanar’ri

The Brood of Tanar (Tanar’ri).  The youngest and by far the most populous of the Broods, the Tanar’ri.  They were created to be a slave race of the Oobyrith, the old rulers of the Abbyss, primarily as hoards of war spawn to wipe out the devils so they could focus on understanding and mastering the abyss.  Thus it was to their own shock that they were suddenly overthrown by their own spawn, and driven deep into the Abyss.  The Tanar’ri then used their massive numbers to dominate almost all of the Abyss until now they make up about 85% of all demons (as much as statistics can be seen as accurate in the Abyss)

races- Adaru, alkilith, alu-fiend, anzu, armanite, arrow demon, babau, balor (all types), Balron,  bar-lgura, barlgura, bulezau, cambion, cerbrilith, chasme, dretch, Evistro, gadacro, glabrezu (all types), goristro, hezrou, jarilith, jovoc, kastighur, kelvezu, klurichir, mane, marilith, maurezhi, molydeus, mymyxicus, nabassu, nalfeshnee, orlath, palrethee, rutterkin, skurchur, solamith, sorrowsworn, succubus, incubus, turagaathshnee, uridezu, vathugu, vock, Armanite, Konsul, knecth, pathwarden, Tanar'ka (the most powerful by far, CR 25), Chitterling, Teradrozu, Predaska, Glodretch Alastors, Alrunes, Armageddon beast, Chernobue, Daeobelinus,  Darba, Enveloper of the Innocent, Harlequinn Demon, Herensugue, Hydraggon, Inmai, Irecundia, Jahi, Jilaiya, Locust Demon, mandragon, Nyogoth, Orusula, Paigoel, Radiant Boy, Schirim, Shoggti, Skulldugger, Solesik, Soulkeepers, Spawn of Marbas, Spineseeker, Stygian interloper, Vilisemen, Warped One, Raptu, Whore’s Curse,and yochlol.  

Demon Lords- Countless, but some of the most famous include the 3 Demon Kings Demogorgan, Orcus, and Graz'zt, the Demon Princes Yeenoghu, Juiblex, Malcanthet, Baphomet, Fraz-Urb'luu, Kostchtchie, and Zuggtmoy, the Demon Lords,  the Demon  Finally there are the Arch Demons, including creatures like Ugudenk, Shaktari, Chrystalis, Ardat, Dwiergus, Abaddon, Abraxas, Anarazel, Astaroth, Azazel, Azidahaka, Behemoth, Dacarabia, Eligor, Flauros, Gamigin, Haagenti, Ipos, marabas, Nocticula, Raum, Sabnach, Seere, Shax, Socothbenoth, Vepar), wih archdemons being Cresil the Impure, Eurynomus the Corpse Eater, Malohim the STrangler, Merihim, Philotanus the Seducer, Rahu the Tormentor, and countless others

Obyrith

The Obyrith: The primary rival to the Tanar, the Obyrith for millennia were the dominate demonic race, having won the Brood Wars and established total dominance over almost all of the Abyss.  They were far more in tune with the Abyss itself as a spiritual entity and hoped to spread the realm itself to conquer all of the multiverse.  They tolerated the other broods as long as they kept in their prace, and even created their own, the Tanar’ri to serve as their muscle.  After their attempted conquest of the lawful Planes failed, they found themselves overthrown by their former slaves.  They are still very powerful and have been able to maintain control over 12 realms and so make up a major opposition faction to the Tanar’ri, and many of them plan to eventually retake the Abyss and establish their control once again.  Until they, they have to operate within the existing politics, often allying with a few Tanar’ri who serve as Patrons.  Due to their age, their forms sometimes have a tendency to drive mere mortals mad.  They aren’t the dominate race of the Abyss, but where they do still rule, they rule absolutely, nobody wants to mess with Dagon.  

Individual species: Draudnu, Ekolid, Zionyn, Golothoma, Laghathti, Sibriex, Uzollru, Verakia, Xes, Bilaceratyxes (who are the only Obyrith who are actually doing better off now), Firecracker Demon, Oculus Demons, Demonic Fireball, and the Festerlings.  

Known Obyrith Princes- Obox-ob, Dagon, Queen of Chaos, Pale Night, the Malgoth, Ugudenk, Bechard, Vroth-Khun, Ubothar, Asima, Sertrous, Kizarvidexus, Veshvoriak and Cabiri.  Finally there is Pazuzu, the only Obyrith who has adopted to the way of the Tanar'ri, and wildly seen as a traitor.

Loumara

   The youngest of all the Demonic Broods, and the only ones to emerge post Tanar domination, their birth briefly heralded a new brood war, the three great princes briefly putting aside their own differences to try to wipe out this brood out of fear that they might be replaced as they themselves had replaced their parents.  However after effortlessly killing about half of them in the span of a century, it became apparent that the Loumara had little interest in Abyssal politics, and the Tanari’s returned to their own wars.  The Loumara came into existence in one of the most vicious Planar wars in recent history, and a cruel example of the power of gods compared to that of the Abyss.  A millenia ago, the Sumer pantheon, long weaken by neglect, went to war with Demon Lords trying to take their followers.  They killed the Princes and then wiped out a layer of the Abyss to serve as an example.  This angered the Abyss itself, and suddenly a great rift opened into their domain, and billions of demons poured out to avenge the insult.  Within a century, seven members of the pantheon lay dead, and their domain was utterly destroyed, and most of their Servitors and Petitioners slain.  This provoked the gods as a whole who didn’t want a precident t to be set, and they launched a great raid on the Abyss, killing 13 Demon lords, destroying 3 layers and killing tens of millions of demons, but many walked away feeling that the Abyss had had the last laugh.  The dead god’s last thoughts rose and a new brood of demons emerged from the mess, these creatures at first glance seem utterly made and fixated upon corrupting mortals more than killing them.  What their ultimate goal is hasn’t been determined, but they do hope in their own way to kill Demogorgon, Grazzt and Orcus, though how they hope to do so is unknown.  They mostly dwell in small communities across the abyss and focus more on possessing mortals than fighting in planar wars.

Princes: Sifkhu

Types: Guecubus (Law), Dybbuk (nightmares of Love), Caligrosto (peace), Manitou (feritlity), Fenwraith (Nature), Bontyke (Weather).  

Brood of Van’g

During the Brood Wars, this family was one of the longest lasting contenders due to their tremendous martial prowess, however their weakness to magic eventually lead to their ultimate defeat and humiliation at the hands of the Obyrinth and then later the Tanar’ri.  Before the final battle came however, they surrendered and now offer their services as mercenaries to various Demonic Princes.  Now they can be found all over the Abyss as guards or sellswords, though groups can also be found in the Blood Wars or the Grey Wastes.  They have a long standing grudge with the Yugoloths, since the Van’g charge less.  They have no princes, but the race as a whole hopes to eventually establish control over a layer of the Abyss to start to build back their power, and so they are known to prey on weaker Demon Lord layers, in the hopes of seizing one, ideally in such a way they won’t draw the Tanar wrath.  The Oybrith view them as one of the best ways of getting back at the Tanar’ri.  

Types: Vyin, Van’gka (Leaders), Yavodai, Vengadi, Udvati

Brood of Jar’taska

These demons are made out of darkness and shadow itself, and are notorious among demons for being actually good at subtly. They serve as assassins, spies, and information brokers, and prefer killing from a distance rather than reveling in it directly.  They are one of the most powerful broods for they surrendered when only about half of them had been destroyed, and now “serve” the Tanar’ri as they further their own schemes.  They focus most of their energy on trying to conquer the plane of Shadow and the Plane of Darkness, for with these realms as bases, they hope to take over the Abyss once and for all.  In the meantime they hope to get the Tanar’ri to wipe themselves out, ideally bringing the Devils and Obyrith down with them.  They are one of the great unknown evils of the world, and a great deal of conflicts among evil are at their behest.  For some reason, Shadow Demons aren’t part of this brood, which annoys them.

Rulers- Iyavviht

Types: Jar’taska’ka (leaders), Dark Latern, Shade Demon, Kar’ugr, Jethulet, Hamedu, Haratru

The Brood of Nuyul

These psionic demons were almost entirely wiped out in the Brood Wars, but survived primarily because they weren’t seen as a serious threat, since they seem to stick to themselves.  They have two layers to themselves and mostly focus on just tormenting mortals.  THey can ignore Demonic spell resistance so while they tend to stick to themselves, Demons are wary about them.  The Nuyul’s goal is to eventually spread out and retake more layers, ideally by allying with the Van’g and Jar’taska, but due to their own internal madness this alliance is hard to form, and in the meantime they are mostly focusing upon building up their strength by torturing mortals.

Types: Nuyul’ka, Diazhit, Pyarian, Mad Winds, Pereveshti

The Kelipot

These were the main rivals in power to the Obyrith back in the day, and for millennia served as the main rival to the Tanar’ri.  Unlike other broods, they weren’t thoroughly defeated, but remain firmly in control over their domains, but their power is limited. They hope to someday return and avenge themselves on the mortals.  Long ago, they ruled over the 1st level of the Abyss and were able to create Demonic servants to fight against their enemies, and it was this war between them and the Obyrith that defined the Abyss.  In order to gain an edge, the Kelipot created a race of mortals to harness their power for war.  However these mortal’s started to do good acts and this attracted the attention of the Eladrins, who were able to cause an uprising which lead to the Kelipot being driven deep into the Abyss.  The Eladrins then similarly destroyed the Obyrinth by causing the Tanar’ri to rise up, and have tormented the Demons ever since.  The Kelipot dwell in 5 layers that they control absolutely, and are creatures of shame and sin.  The Kelipot are mostly bestiral in some capcity, and look like a mix/match animal monsters.  They still maintain their status as the third great demonic family and fight incessantly with the Obyrith and Tanar in order to gain an edge.  They view the lesser families with contempt and while they will work with them temporarily, intend to wipe them out should they emerge victorous.  

Rulers: The God Hand

Types: Crow Demon, Taurus Demon, Bull Demon, Goat Demon, Capa Demon, Statue Demon, Slug Demon, Ape Demon, you get the idea.  

The Tzaretch

The weakest still surviving Demonic Family, as the brood wars turned against them they simply fled, hiding out in Carceri for a time before moving to the Grey Wastes and then Gehenna.  They slowly returned once the heat died down some, and eventually took over two layers in the Abyss.  Again, they mostly just avoid attention and focus on their own affairs, which is mostly the acquisition of wealth.  Since they can’t fight the other Broods directly, they hope to destroy them through material gain.  THey rely on their wits, guerilla tactics, and tendency to deceit to survive, and hope if they stay alive long enough, their enemies will destroy themselves.  Their realms are actually decent for mortals, for they are always looking for allies against their enemies, and their domanions of Khaganbleck and Tzarethcuk are terrifying but for those who can survive the wilds the demons are decently accepting.  

Species: Narks, Vlai-Maroth, Quadros, Skarn, Tzeretch’ka

Qlippoth

These creatures aren’t demons at all, but something else, however they once ruled supreme over all of the Abyss, but they aren’t demons, in fact they aren’t even exemplars in the traditional sense of the term.  They don’t even relate to mortal sin they way other evil exemplars do, instead they are some ancient evil that is far, far older.  They come from another multiverse entirely, one as elaborately complicated and multifaceted as this one, and they served as the demons of that realm, and...they won.  But in winning, their world started to die and collapse, they knew their days were numbered.  So they sacrificed their entire realm to create a single item called  “The Shard of Evil” and used it to break the barriers between the world and come into the current multi-verse, specifically the Abyss.  They were able to use their power to make the Abyss grow and created massive amounts of demonic life through it, but their demonic slaves turned on them (the first in what would prove to be a larger pattern) and with the help of the Daemons, destroyed the Qlippoth’s rule and drove them out of the realm.  For countless millennia the Qlippoth have fought back against both the Daemons and Demons for driving them out, but over time they have come to the conclusion that no damned race is the real challenge, but instead they should wipe out mortal life itself.  For if evil is to be understood, then it is not true evil, evil must be incomprehensible.  So they hope to wipe out mortality, or at the very least, mortal capacity to sin, the concept of sin itself is anathema to their existence.  

[lisablack000]

The Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum -also known as Herb of Circe, Wild Lemon, Womandrake) holds the special distinction as being the most famous of all magical plants due to its many ritual and medical uses and the immense amount of mythology it has generated over historical ages.

During the Middle Ages the Mandrake became popular throughout Europe as a magical plant and miracle talisman, capable of curing nearly anything. These roots were thought to be powerful allies who could perform magic for their masters – from attracting love and gaining wealth and good fortune, to warding off misfortunes and evil spells, even to becoming invincible in battle.

The Mandrake was also considered a potent aid to fertility. Historians have determined that the earliest mention of the mandrake refers to its use in Babylon, in the cuneiform tablets of the Assyrians and in the Old Testament as evidenced in chapter 30 of the Book of Genesis where the childless Rachael asks her sister Leah for the loan of the mandrakes which her son had brought in from the fields.It is widely believed that the Old Testament contains multiple references to the ‘love apples’ – the fruits of the mandrake as an aphrodisiac. The first of these instances is again in Genesis, where the scent of the mandrake’s yellow fruits are described as having aphrodisiac properties.

Some evidence exists that the mandrake was used in secret mystical rites in ancient Israel; one of the factors supporting this hypothesis is the significance of the mandrake in Kabbalism as a symbol for ‘becoming One’….

Similarly, in ancient Egypt it appears that mandrake fruits may have been eaten as aphrodisiacs and ancient Greeks also used the mandrake as a sacred love plant.

Ancient Germanic people also often made use of the plant, in particular Germanic Seeresses, who were known for their clairvoyant abilities far outside of Europe, used mandrake regularly as an ally. The modern German name ‘Alraune’ can be traced back to the ancient Germanic term “Alrun”, which translates to ‘all knowing’ or ‘he who knows the runes’…

Mandrake roots have long been used in magic rituals then and still are used today in contemporary pagan traditions such as Wicca and Odinism.

The Mandrake plant is a member of the Nightshade family.The root is hallucinogenic and narcotic. In sufficient quantities, it induces a state of unconsciousness and was used as an anaesthetic for surgery in ancient times. In the past, juice from the finely grated root was applied externally to relieve rheumatic pains. It was also used internally to treat melancholy, convulsions, and mania. When taken internally in large doses, however, it is said to excite delirium and madness.

In the past, mandrake was often made into amulets which were believed to bring good fortune, cure sterility, etc. In one superstition, people who pull up this root will be condemned to hell, and the mandrake root would scream as it was pulled from the ground, killing anyone who heard it. Therefore, in the past, people have tied the roots to the bodies of animals and then used these animals to pull the roots from the soil.

Directions for harvesting a mandrake root in relative safety:

“A furrow must be dug around the root until its lower part is exposed, then a dog is tied to it, after which the person tying the dog must get away. The dog then endeavours to follow him, and so easily pulls up the root, but dies suddenly instead of his master. After this, the root can be handled without fear.”

The following is taken from Jean-Baptiste Pitois’ The History and Practice of Magic:

“Would you like to make a Mandragora, as powerful as the homunculus (little man in a bottle) so praised by Paracelsus? Then find a root of the plant called bryony. Take it out of the ground on a Monday (the day of the moon), a little time after the vernal equinox. Cut off the ends of the root and bury it at night in some country churchyard in a dead man’s grave. For 30 days, water it with cow’s milk in which three bats have been drowned. When the 31st day arrives, take out the root in the middle of the night and dry it in an oven heated with branches of verbena; then wrap it up in a piece of a dead man’s winding-sheet and carry it with you everywhere.”

Mandrake is placed on the mantle to bring prosperity, fertility and happiness to the home, a protector warding off of evil spirits or spells.

Among the old Anglo-Saxon herbals both Mandrake and Periwinkle are endowed with mysterious powers against demoniacal possession. Its human-like forked root was thought to be in the power of dark earth spirits. At the end of a description of the Mandrake in the Herbarium of Apuleius there is this prescription:

‘For witlessness, that is devil sickness or demoniacal possession, take from the body of this said wort mandrake by the weight of three pennies, administer to drink in warm water as he may find most convenient – soon he will be healed.’

It is worn as a talisman or amulet to attract love and repel diseases. As a flying ointment and for its ability to engender shamanic trances.

Mandrake is also said to protect against demonic possession, possibly because it was used by ancient herbalists to sedate manics. To activate a dried root, one must display it prominently in the home for three days, after which it is soaked in water overnight. The water can then be sprinkled on entryways, windows, and people to purify them. The root is now ready for magickal use.

Artist: Maxine Miller

[lenamolfesi]

  Artist: Maxine Miller.

The Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum -also known as Herb of Circe, Wild Lemon, Womandrake) holds the special distinction as being the most famous of all magical plants due to its many ritual and medical uses and the immense amount of mythology it has generated over historical ages. During the Middle Ages the Mandrake became popular throughout Europe as a magical plant and miracle talisman, capable of curing nearly anything. These roots were thought to be powerful allies who could perform magic for their masters – from attracting love and gaining wealth and good fortune, to warding off misfortunes and evil spells, even to becoming invincible in battle.

The Mandrake was also considered a potent aid to fertility. Historians have determined that the earliest mention of the mandrake refers to its use in Babylon, in the cuneiform tablets of the Assyrians and in the Old Testament as evidenced in chapter 30 of the Book of Genesis where the childless Rachael asks her sister Leah for the loan of the mandrakes which her son had brought in from the fields.It is widely believed that the Old Testament contains multiple references to the ‘love apples’ – the fruits of the mandrake as an aphrodisiac. The first of these instances is again in Genesis, where the scent of the mandrake’s yellow fruits are described as having aphrodisiac properties. Some evidence exists that the mandrake was used in secret mystical rites in ancient Israel; one of the factors supporting this hypothesis is the significance of the mandrake in Kabbalism as a symbol for ‘becoming One’…. Similarly, in ancient Egypt it appears that mandrake fruits may have been eaten as aphrodisiacs and ancient Greeks also used the mandrake as a sacred love plant. Ancient Germanic people also often made use of the plant, in particular Germanic Seeresses, who were known for their clairvoyant abilities far outside of Europe, used mandrake regularly as an ally. The modern German name ‘Alraune’ can be traced back to the ancient Germanic term “Alrun”, which translates to ‘all knowing’ or ‘he who knows the runes’… Mandrake roots have long been used in magic rituals then and still are used today in contemporary pagan traditions such as Wicca and Odinism. The Mandrake plant is a member of the Nightshade family.The root is hallucinogenic and narcotic. In sufficient quantities, it induces a state of unconsciousness and was used as an anaesthetic for surgery in ancient times. In the past, juice from the finely grated root was applied externally to relieve rheumatic pains. It was also used internally to treat melancholy, convulsions, and mania. When taken internally in large doses, however, it is said to excite delirium and madness. In the past, mandrake was often made into amulets which were believed to bring good fortune, cure sterility, etc. In one superstition, people who pull up this root will be condemned to hell, and the mandrake root would scream as it was pulled from the ground, killing anyone who heard it. Therefore, in the past, people have tied the roots to the bodies of animals and then used these animals to pull the roots from the soil. Directions for harvesting a mandrake root in relative safety: “A furrow must be dug around the root until its lower part is exposed, then a dog is tied to it, after which the person tying the dog must get away. The dog then endeavours to follow him, and so easily pulls up the root, but dies suddenly instead of his master. After this, the root can be handled without fear.” The following is taken from Jean-Baptiste Pitois’ The History and Practice of Magic: “Would you like to make a Mandragora, as powerful as the homunculus (little man in a bottle) so praised by Paracelsus? Then find a root of the plant called bryony. Take it out of the ground on a Monday (the day of the moon), a little time after the vernal equinox. Cut off the ends of the root and bury it at night in some country churchyard in a dead man’s grave. For 30 days, water it with cow’s milk in which three bats have been drowned. When the 31st day arrives, take out the root in the middle of the night and dry it in an oven heated with branches of verbena; then wrap it up in a piece of a dead man’s winding-sheet and carry it with you everywhere.” Mandrake is placed on the mantle to bring prosperity, fertility and happiness to the home, a protector warding off of evil spirits or spells. Among the old Anglo-Saxon herbals both Mandrake and Periwinkle are endowed with mysterious powers against demoniacal possession. Its human-like forked root was thought to be in the power of dark earth spirits. At the end of a description of the Mandrake in the Herbarium of Apuleius there is this prescription: ‘For witlessness, that is devil sickness or demoniacal possession, take from the body of this said wort mandrake by the weight of three pennies, administer to drink in warm water as he may find most convenient – soon he will be healed.’ It is worn as a talisman or amulet to attract love and repel diseases. As a flying ointment and for its ability to engender shamanic trances. Mandrake is also said to protect against demonic possession, possibly because it was used by ancient herbalists to sedate manics. To activate a dried root, one must display it prominently in the home for three days, after which it is soaked in water overnight. The water can then be sprinkled on entryways, windows, and people to purify them. The root is now ready for magickal use.

[ask-the-friendly-ink-demon]

Inkwell Hell, Chapter 2- Rebellions, And Destruction

Update, April 4th, 2023: due to some talking with my friend on discord we decided that Chapter 2 won’t be the end of the backstory stuff for Arzaxoth and his kingdom and we felt it more fitting that it would end during the ice age! so, expect an brand new chapter 3 to show up... at some point, idk ;;;; anyways hope you enjoy!   Plot: every story has a beginning, and a end. but how do they all start out? how do they end? From an world that was united as one, to a whole multiverse being created as a result of an war gone wrong, everything has to start somewhere, in this universe though, is where the story truly begins for someone, and a certain little demon. The Past can never truly Go Away. welcome to how it all begins welcome. to the start, of the terrors, of the inky past within Joey Drew Studios. Chapter Summary: Arzaxoth's kingdom slowly beings to become more tough to manage with all the rebellions, and with the mass extinction of nearly all kinds of species on earth due to a battle to the death between his race and the angels, but everything comes to an close when an near extinction level event causes all sides to stop their pointless war as the earth gets destroyed and then rebuild by the cosmic entity as they also began to expand and create more universes to see if the same results happened only survivors begin to question what to do from here, as this only marks the beginning of the demon king's end. Characters overall included within the AU as either cameos or physical appearances in otherwise not related to their own canon oUTSIDE of the backstory stuff belongs to me, @sammys-sanctuary @outcast-shadow @ask-soul-bendy @thesoftbean and i guess the others that i mentioned before within the first chapter GJFDHKFHKFKH- but yeah like i said i wasn’t lying when i said i am going to be posting the next two chapters’s link pretty soon. sO YEAH SORRY FOR ANYONE READING THE CHAPTERT 1 POST OH AND FOR CLARIFICATION, BESTIE @tkvulturez GAVE ME A CHARACTER FROM AN CHARACTER TRADE A LONG TIME AGO, WHOM I NOW NAMED FADED, YOU ALL MAY REMEMBER HIM FROM PROWLER’S REVENGE ARC OR THE UNHOLY WRATH- OR SOMETHING DJHKDHKKDGH again, ENJOY ONCE AGAIN! https://archiveofourown.org/works/33117046/chapters/83922928

[talonabraxas]

The Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum -also known as Herb of Circe, Wild Lemon, Womandrake) holds the special distinction as being the most famous of all magical plants due to its many ritual and medical uses and the immense amount of mythology it has generated over historical ages. During the Middle Ages the Mandrake became popular throughout Europe as a magical plant and miracle talisman, capable of curing nearly anything. These roots were thought to be powerful allies who could perform magic for their masters – from attracting love and gaining wealth and good fortune, to warding off misfortunes and evil spells, even to becoming invincible in battle. The Mandrake was also considered a potent aid to fertility. Historians have determined that the earliest mention of the mandrake refers to its use in Babylon, in the cuneiform tablets of the Assyrians and in the Old Testament as evidenced in chapter 30 of the Book of Genesis where the childless Rachael asks her sister Leah for the loan of the mandrakes which her son had brought in from the fields.It is widely believed that the Old Testament contains multiple references to the ‘love apples’ – the fruits of the mandrake as an aphrodisiac. The first of these instances is again in Genesis, where the scent of the mandrake’s yellow fruits are described as having aphrodisiac properties. Some evidence exists that the mandrake was used in secret mystical rites in ancient Israel; one of the factors supporting this hypothesis is the significance of the mandrake in Kabbalism as a symbol for ‘becoming One’…. Similarly, in ancient Egypt it appears that mandrake fruits may have been eaten as aphrodisiacs and ancient Greeks also used the mandrake as a sacred love plant. Ancient Germanic people also often made use of the plant, in particular Germanic Seeresses, who were known for their clairvoyant abilities far outside of Europe, used mandrake regularly as an ally. The modern German name ‘Alraune’ can be traced back to the ancient Germanic term “Alrun”, which translates to ‘all knowing’ or ‘he who knows the runes’… Mandrake roots have long been used in magic rituals then and still are used today in contemporary pagan traditions such as Wicca and Odinism. The Mandrake plant is a member of the Nightshade family.The root is hallucinogenic and narcotic. In sufficient quantities, it induces a state of unconsciousness and was used as an anaesthetic for surgery in ancient times. In the past, juice from the finely grated root was applied externally to relieve rheumatic pains. It was also used internally to treat melancholy, convulsions, and mania. When taken internally in large doses, however, it is said to excite delirium and madness. In the past, mandrake was often made into amulets which were believed to bring good fortune, cure sterility, etc. In one superstition, people who pull up this root will be condemned to hell, and the mandrake root would scream as it was pulled from the ground, killing anyone who heard it. Therefore, in the past, people have tied the roots to the bodies of animals and then used these animals to pull the roots from the soil. Directions for harvesting a mandrake root in relative safety: “A furrow must be dug around the root until its lower part is exposed, then a dog is tied to it, after which the person tying the dog must get away. The dog then endeavours to follow him, and so easily pulls up the root, but dies suddenly instead of his master. After this, the root can be handled without fear.” The following is taken from Jean-Baptiste Pitois’ The History and Practice of Magic: “Would you like to make a Mandragora, as powerful as the homunculus (little man in a bottle) so praised by Paracelsus? Then find a root of the plant called bryony. Take it out of the ground on a Monday (the day of the moon), a little time after the vernal equinox. Cut off the ends of the root and bury it at night in some country churchyard in a dead man’s grave. For 30 days, water it with cow’s milk in which three bats have been drowned. When the 31st day arrives, take out the root in the middle of the night and dry it in an oven heated with branches of verbena; then wrap it up in a piece of a dead man’s winding-sheet and carry it with you everywhere.” Mandrake is placed on the mantle to bring prosperity, fertility and happiness to the home, a protector warding off of evil spirits or spells. Among the old Anglo-Saxon herbals both Mandrake and Periwinkle are endowed with mysterious powers against demoniacal possession. Its human-like forked root was thought to be in the power of dark earth spirits. At the end of a description of the Mandrake in the Herbarium of Apuleius there is this prescription: ‘For witlessness, that is devil sickness or demoniacal possession, take from the body of this said wort mandrake by the weight of three pennies, administer to drink in warm water as he may find most convenient – soon he will be healed.’ It is worn as a talisman or amulet to attract love and repel diseases. As a flying ointment and for its ability to engender shamanic trances. Mandrake is also said to protect against demonic possession, possibly because it was used by ancient herbalists to sedate manics. To activate a dried root, one must display it prominently in the home for three days, after which it is soaked in water overnight. The water can then be sprinkled on entryways, windows, and people to purify them. The root is now ready for magickal use. Mandrake Oak & Holly King by Maxine Miller

[alrunemara]

Dream Consistency

***TRIGGER WARNING***                        

Mentions & Implications: Depression

If you are experiencing suicidal ideations or feel like you will hurt yourself,

DO NOT READ THIS!

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It was like living in a story. A very twisted story. She was so paranoid that others were watching her, studying her. They were all waiting for her to mess up somehow. She just knew no one would understand. Her mind was too morbid, too... abstract for the common folk to understand. So she’d keep to herself holed up in her room. Rarely she went out with the exception to do her parents’ bidding, or to be with her tiny clique of friends. Still at night, when she suffered her insomnia, she would write. What she couldn’t place vocally, she would record on paper. Volumes of her work were boxed and placed in storage for safekeeping. Her favorite escape were the times she would sleep. To drift into dreams was a pure paradise.

In one dream in particular, she always found herself in a wooded area of black and white. There, sitting in the clearing was a large boulder. And each time, she would climb on this boulder and stare straight up to the stars.

In another dream was the hue of blue. Winter was the season of this dream for Winter is the death of all things. When she entered the dream, she’d watch her feet, for she would always glide, then look up to see the garden of stone. The scene would be the same; running her hands along each crumbling stone, begging her mind to read the etched words. Not only gravestones of old peeked from the Earth, but elaborate mausoleums as well. She always found herself at the same death shrine.

Though different, a similarity arose between these two dreams. A young man with forever starry blue-gray eyes and tawny hair lingered nearby. And they would talk, these two, in either dream. And she remembered his first goodbye to her, “I’ll always be your friend Alrune.”

*~*

He decided that the majority of the people in the world were stupid. And he wanted to escape that. There was no solace in his life. He was full of sorrow, and he laughed at the irony of this for his name and emotion were one and the same. He was the same as the first, never leaving the sanctuary that was his room unless he had to. And he too was an insomniac. He longed for eternal slumber, though he knew that should he receive it, there still would be no peace. And yet, when sleep found him, he would dream repetitively.

One dream showered in black and white; a solo boulder bulging from the ground as if purposely placed for him to sit. And thus, he obliged the dream and sat on the rock. The scenery would remain the same. He would sigh at the appropriate time, for his dream demanded consistency. And the same thing would happen. A girl would walk up behind him and place her hand upon his shoulder. He would turn and smile, and then place his hand atop hers. Although everything was consistent, the conversations were not. They would speak of all matters big and small. For the most part, they would sit in silence, content in each other’s understanding. There on the boulder, would they sit for hours until one or the other was called away. And for the longest time, neither would smile, and this, the sorrowful one knew it would always be difficult. He knew that she too hurt more than one thousand words could ever describe. But he did manage to make her genuinely smile only once. “My name Tristan means full of sorrow.”

*~*

“You need to hurry up and get that stuff done before the night’s over!” the woman yelled at Tristan. “And sweetheart... smile a little, okay? I don’t like this mood you’re always in.”

Gratefully, Tristan took his leave from his mother, staring at the tile as he exited his house. This was no longer a home to him. No longer was it a sanctuary as he had known it as a child. Slinking into his transport, he sat there a moment, almost reluctant to go. Yet, Tristan did so, and as he backed into the road, Covenant blared into his ears. He did nothing to dull the sudden ringing. What for? he’d ask. There be no point. And he proceeded to his destination to conduct his mother’s bidding.

He concluded the tasks appointed to him and decided to not return as of yet. Brushing his dirty blonde hair from his blue-gray orbs, he ventured toward a game store. There behind the counter was a good friend by the name of Jerome. His friend was truly a complete opposite of him. Ever happy, popular, and very laid back. A teasing, bright smile happy enough to stop anyone no matter how busy. Beautiful hazel eyes that could change like the seasons. Yet, Tristan admired none of it. And so he walked up to Jerome and was greeted a smile. He returned none of his own, and stuck his hands in his pockets. “Hey Jerome.”

“Tristan! I haven’t seen you in forever! What’s been goin’ on?” Jerome smiled once more. He was so ecstatic to see his friend, he failed to let him answer. “Dude, new Armitage came out. Saved you a copy. Almost sold them out.” He would have said more but for the jingle of the bells on the door brought him back from the clouds. Tristan turned slightly to catch the silhouette of a girl walking past. “Yes ma’am?” he could hear Jerome exclaim.

“Hi. I’m looking for a copy of ‘Princess Mononoke’. Do you have one?” a small voice asked. A familiar voice. But whose? Tristan was intrigued. Looking up, he saw a girl in short stature with long, medium brown hair. He noticed that she too kept her eyes low to the floor, probably in hopes of disappearing into the overstuffed blue jacket she had cloaked about her.

“As a matter-of-fact I do! Let me go find it for you.” Jerome left for the stockroom, leaving the two strangers in the front. Feeling eyes upon her, the girl turned to eye her watcher, inadvertently piercing him with her eyes of dried blood. Yet, he did not look away, and for that, she managed to offer him a smile.

“Okay I got it!” Jerome called out as he came to the register. Handing the girl the DVD, he rang her up, and took her money. Then Tristan and he watched as she timidly walked away. “She’s hot. Too bad she looks like she’s going to kill herself all the time.”

The other scoffed, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Dude, look at her! she doesn’t even smile. She looks as if she’s going to cry all the time. But she’s still hot. I’d ask her out if she’d say something other than ‘can I’ or ‘thank you’.”

“What’s her name?”

Jerome never saw the expression on his friend’s face as he answered him. He kept his eyes to the counter as he stacked some games, “I think it’s Alrune.”

*~*

Each time they would lay eyes upon each other, a smirk might appear. Yet mostly the meetings were humble. Side by side, Tristan and Alrune would sit upon their rock, staring at the unfazing moon. The scenery always remaining the same, the conversation always changing.

“Would you think low of me if I asked if we could meet outside of our dreams?” Tristan questioned with a worried face.

“No. You know I will always think highly of you, Tristan. I like the idea of meeting you in real time. But how will we know we see the person sitting here tonight?”

Brushing a strand from her pale face, he stared into Alrune’s eyes. “As I look now, I will look the same when you look upon me. I trust that you will be the same.” He watched her for awhile before letting out a sigh of regret. “I can hear my alarm. I will see you again, my love, my Alrune.”

The demon princess watched as he faded from sight, as he did each time they parted. She stayed perched on that rock and stared at the still moon, yet did something she never attempted. A mourning melody flowed from her lips as if light honey poured from a jar. The song lasted not long for the next thing she knew, she had awaken to light piercing through her windows. Sighing to herself, she pulled the covers over her head and kept her eyes shut to the world. But she eventually put her feet atop the mounds of paper that littered the floor. A few reams of recycled trees that held endless words of sorrow. Not caring about a one, Alrune made way to the washroom to prepare for the long day.

After an hour or so, she left the solace of her room, and went to the kitchen for her obligatory breakfast. Her mother had no need to spot her daughter, as she could hear her chair move away from the table. “Good morning my little ray of sunshine!” she spoke enthusiastically. In return, Alrune gave a solemn “Morning.” As she sat down, she eyed the bubbly person she called ‘Mom’. She often pondered if her parents had bad days as she slowly ate her food, but she never came to a conclusion.

The next thing she knew, her plate was taken away and was replaced with a glass of juice. “Drink it sweetie. It’s good for you!” And as Alrune picked up the glass, her father walked into the house. Apologizing for being out for so long, he grabbed his daughter’s juice and sipped it before returning it to her. “Thanks Al. Well I’ve got to go grab a shower and head back. It won’t be a long day though. I’ll be home for supper. Try to smile today, okay Al? Pretty girls look even prettier with smiles on their faces!” And with that, her father left the room. Alrune turned to look at her mother, who for a moment let a frown cross her face. She turned to the girl and smiled, “Hurry up. It’s almost time for school.”

*~*

He sighed in frustration as the annoying buzzing sounded off in his ear. Pressing the button appropriately labeled ‘snooze’, Tristan rose reluctantly from the encased comfort. He readied himself for the day, and with much time left, he sat at his computer, and stared at the monitor’s wallpaper. For forty-five minutes every morning he did this before forcing himself to pick up his book back and leave his room.

“Will you try to smile today Tristan?” a warm voice inquired. Turning to see his mother he simply shook his head. He wouldn’t lie to her. Watching her sigh, he turned and left the house and headed to the hell most commonly known as school.

“Hey you going to come to my house tonight after you get off work?” a friend asked as they entered the building.

“I don’t know. Depends on how tired I am.”

“You always say that.”

And as the bell rang, Tristan nodded and sighed, “Yeah, I know.”

*~*

Alrune opened her eyes to watch her feet glide over a worn footpath beside the tombstones. Looking up she saw the decay of Winter set in a blue tint. She reached out as she did every time to run her fingers along the decaying stone. She tried to read the words, begged herself to, yet the eyes of her dream refused her. And still, her gliding stopped at the same mausoleum. It was grande and made of dark marble with a glare from the blue light of the moon.

“Your dreams are always elaborate aren’t they?” breaking the silence, Alrune looked to see Tristan walking toward her. She quickly looked to see her still hovering and shrugged.

She held out her hand for him and together made their way across the worn dirt path. “You’re just now noticing? Outside, a person can appear to look a simpleton. But appearances can be deceiving. On the inside, that same person can pour their soul into perfecting the intricate details that make up who they really are. Who are you Tristan? Who am I? Is this your dream or is it mine?

Watching the snow fall, he gently caressed her hand. The clouds slightly parted to give way to the stars, yet the snows continued on. “There is no true way to answer the questions you asked. I know that I am who I am. I know you’re Alrune. For some reason, we share two dreams. I don’t know if that is meant for something or not. What I do know is that we’re here together. And I know I want to see you outside of these dreams.”

“Then we will meet.”

*~*

They were incredibly shy, speaking as if they were strangers passing on a darkened road. As time wore on throughout the year, the two grew fonder of each other’s company, and eventually they held hands and showered affection openly. Seeing his beloved Alrune’s smile coaxed his own to shine through. The rainy cold days seemed to dissipate. Friends noticed drastic changes in each of them.

“Just be careful Alrune. Boys can break your heart,” a friend warned. She nodded and shrugged the advice off for she was sure Tristan would never bring her sadness. Alrune learned the same message was being told to him as well. The pair laughed the words away and walked out of the doors to the school.

Holding fast to her hand, Tristan gazed at the great trees that made the edge of the forest. “I love you.” He would not look at her then, but closed his eyes in silent apprehension for her reply.

Alrune did not seem to be caught off guard. Moments passed as she pondered on the phrase. Should she cite it back to please his fast pacing heart? Or should she acknowledge him wholly with her heart? Nodding to herself, she eased his tension with the simple gesture of squeezing his hand. “I know. I always knew. I think that now we can both be happy.”

And for a number of years the pair emitted naught but positive energy. Their families were pleased at their gleeful demeanors, and when the rain fell in shades of gray, they would dance as if the sun itself sang in the sky. It would seem that in dreams the sun, instead of the moon would shine, but ‘twas not so. Little changed in the backdrop of their minds.

*~*

The Winter of their dreams seemed colder, more sorrowful as they met by the blurred mausoleum. “What’s wrong my love?” Tristan inquired as he brushed a strand of her brown hair from her eyes.

She kept her head down, trying to hide her falling tears, “I’m moving away. I don’t know if I’ll be able to come back to see you.” Moments of silence passed between them before Alrune gathered the courage to look at him with dull brown eyes. “I don’t want to go. I don’t want to leave you. You’re the only thing that makes me happy.”

He wrapped his arms around her and breathed in her sweet scent of lilac as he nuzzled his face against hers. “I don’t want you to go either. I don’t know what I’d do. If you go, only our dreams would bring us peace. We’ll be with each other again. I just know it. Then we’ll be happy.”

“Do you promise?”

“Yeah. Just close your eyes, and you’ll see me again.”

[ask-the-friendly-ink-demon]

Shut up Lanky, no one was talking to you. *Sprays the bastard with rubbing alcohol in the face.*

The Dreamscape Demon stops, hissing lightly as he glanced over fully, his grip almost loosening on the greyface "ý̴̫ỏ̵͓u̸̯̔ ̶̖͠h̴̜̽à̴̜v̴̢̌ė̷̗?̵̧̿" he asks as the lady in violet hums lightly, smiling a bit, she looked different than from the photo Cuphead and mugman had showed past viewers, older, her clothing more were down with stains of ink, her hair now a inky stained black, and yet, her face was still concealed by the shadows, a red glint being the only thing seen from her... it was almost unnerving. "yes. i have. now. do you wish to keep playing with that lowlife?" she said, gesturing to the greyface that he had in his grip. "or. do you want to fulfill your part of the bargin. after all, you are nearly almost whole." she says, crossing her arms slightly as the other grumbles and sighs, hissing as it easily tore the grey-face in half, letting the body drop to the floor, the red stuff vanishing on his body as he turns around, his plastered melted grin twitching slightly "w̵̱͂h̷͇̄e̶̞̐ṛ̴̉ę̵̈ ̷̳̓ḯ̴͚s̸̰̅ ̷̹̑ȋ̶̲ṯ̶͘ ̸̭̆ṱ̶̈́h̸̦̆ě̴͔n̴̬̈́.̴̱̉"

[ask-the-friendly-ink-demon]

*Twerks into view.* Hey how fast are you and your friends?

"H̶͔̒O̶̹͑W̵͖͝ ̴̟̚F̷̢̓A̷̠̓S̴͓̓T̸̖͛ ̴̱̌Ẹ̶̈X̴̺̃A̴̋͜C̵̯̃T̸̖͆L̶̨͑Ý̸̧ ̸͙̊Ḁ̸͒R̴̭̊E̸̯͋ ̵͖̾Y̸̫̽ ̵͖͌Ỏ̶̗ ̸̩̀Ủ̸͎ ̷̖̇R̷̤̀Ẽ̶͎A̵͉͋L̶̹̋L̵̪̽Y̴̝̾?̵͚̽" the dreamscape demon said, the 'markings' on parts of it's body having an oddly similar color to the same markings on prowler's body.