#Wizardly fauna

[herbalmage]

☆彡Tips for adding wizardly whimsy to your daily life☆彡

- carve and decorate your own wand or staff out of a stick

- If you smoke, mix herbs and flowers into your rolls. Some edible/smokable plants include lavender, mint and catnip.

- Learn more about local fauna/flora in your area. Look for them when you’re out and about.

- When on a walk, use a big stick as a staff

- Wake up early and go outside if youre able. Early morning and late nights are peak wizard roaming hours.

- Start calling drinks potions and brews

- grow your own herbs! Many herbs are easy to grow at home and it feels rewarding and it feels whimsical to add things you’ve grown yourself to food or smoking blends.

- Get into reading tarot or start using sigils in your everyday life.

- Start a manifestation journal or “spell book”

And for those who wish to look more wizardly,

- Long and flowey is key!! Long jackets and overcoats, flowing skirts, bell sleeved shirts and dresses, shawls, scarfs, have fun with it!

- Find cool hats to wear

- Mix metals in jewelry, and/or wear more vintage ornate jewelry. Thrift stores have tons of old jewelry you can layer

- Wear sun, star and moon patterns and designs

- Carry old leather or canvas bags, thrift stores are also great for this.

- Wear cool and interesting glasses/sunglasses. Ornate glasses chains are also fun.

- Ornate patterns, especially gilded or shiny ones, are perf.

- don’t be afraid to be cluttered! Wear tons of jewelry, layer satchels and bags, fashion scarfs into belts and layer those! The world is your oyster.

However! These are just suggestions. Anything that feels magical and good to you is automatically epic wizard gear, even if its just a cool sweatshirt or baggy pants. You do you, you know your magic best!

[dduane]

Starting entry rebuild on the new version of the Errantry Concordance (opening Q2 at http://errantryconcordance.com) with this guy: the Fireworm (Lanthanodrax speleotraxis [1] ). (Please note that some links in this cut-and-paste will be inaccessible).

(Also the occasionally occuring "sport" or hypotrophic subspecies, L. speleotraxis ignigastris.)

The colloquial name is identical with that used for the marine bristleworm Hermodice carunculata, but the two species otherwise have nothing to do with one another.

The wizardly fireworm is possibly a candidate for the single North American species which has had its evolution most seriously interfered with by wizardry. The original species -- just another small reptile, to start with, a member of the suborder Lacertilla and a distant relative of the geckos -- was repeatedly mutated by the wizards caught up in the events surrounding the final fate of Afallonë. The most comprehensive change to their structure happened as a side effect of the great aphthonic intervention, the wizardry intended to save as much as possible of the unique Atlantean flora and fauna from the impending destruction of the First Continent. The rafting wizardry which was meant to simply transport a number of species to the newer continents went wrong during the final crisis in many important ways, and rampant wizardry leakage contaminated and disrupted the genetic structures of many of the creatures involved. The fireworm, already susceptible to such disruption because of previous genetic manipulation, suffered far more of it during the transport to the early versions of North America and Europe than any other creature involved in the ancient rafting project.

In Europe and Asia, the fireworm had fewer natural enemies, and grew and changed in ways which would otherwise have been impossible. Further mutations due to the accumulation of wizardly overlays in the more populated parts of Europe led to the rise of the offshoot species Draco, the "true dragons" which became famous in Europe's medieval period for being killed by knights. (It should be made clear that most of these casualties were members of the species Draco ectenis, the "lindworm" or wingless dragon, an omnivore by habit and cave-dweller by preference. Even the most heavily armored knights had a terrible batting average against Draco draco europaeis, the cliff-dwelling, strictly carnivorous winged dragon, which regarded knights merely as something with a crunchy outside and a yummy inside.)

But in North America, where many "rafted" species with wizardly components survived for the next few millenia after the fall of Atlantis, the fireworm kept for some time its original Atlantean form -- that of a small carnivorous reptile with a tendency to burp flammable gas as a defense mechanism when frightened or upset. (No dragon, true or false, breathes fire: but even the smallest ones can ignite it on exhalation in one of a number of ways, usually involving chemical or enzymatic reactions.) However, unfortunately for the fireworm, its main Atlantean natural enemy the "king-weasel" (Macrogulo gulo, long since dwindled into Gulo gulo, the wolverine) succeeded in establishing itself in North America as it had not been able to do in Europe because of the presence of the great crested cockatrice (Cerastus baseliensis) or northern cockatrice (Cerastus scotodasos). The king-weasel nearly succeeded in exterminating the fireworm: only the smallest members of the family survived by changing their normal above-ground habit for an underground lifestyle into which the king weasels would not follow them.

After some millennia spent living and rebuilding their gene pools in the natural caves of the East, the fireworms moved into the manufactured caves and underground spaces of the great East Coast and Midwest cities. (No fireworm species live west of the Rockies: possibly due to uncomfortable memories secondary to the fall of Afallonë, they will not stay in earthquake-active zones.) Regardless of what ConEd tells you, fireworms are the proximate cause of the steam New Yorkers see coming up from under the streets in all weathers -- the more steam, the larger the fireworm. They are some of the most exothermic of all Earth-based life forms, when well-fed, and the very biggest ones can prosper down in the tunnels in even the coldest weather. When exposed to further wizardry leakage, as sometimes happens in the neighborhood of worldgate complexes, the oldest and most experienced fireworms can over time acquire some telepathic and empathic abilities.2 This enables them to force the smaller fireworms, and even members of some other species, to do their will -- shepherding food into their ambit, or otherwise serving their needs. For this reason, smart wizards stay out of places where the older and larger fireworms can be found, unless the needs of errantry drive them there.

Fireworms are also the ultimate source of all the stories about "alligators in the sewers." There is a certain ironic humor to this, as wizards know there wouldn't be nearly so many stories if the things in the sewers were only alligators.

(See also: Eldest, the: Twelve, Song of the.) (SYWTBAW)

1The taxonomy of the western European fireworm is somewhat confused. The Bestiarium Ignotum classified the fireworm as Lanthanotrops micrognotus, but this did not take into account the internal differences between the Lanthanotrops and Lanthanodrax families -- possibly understandable, since Linnaeus was unable to find a dead specimen to dissect, and trapping a live one was at that point out of the question. The Acta Parabiologica's revised classification group places the fireworm among the various members of family Hemerothalcus, with the "true dragons" of the Lanthanodrax and Draco species.

2 Because of the already-fragile state of their DNA, such exposure over prolonged periods can also result in memory loss and other neurological problems, as seems to have been the case with the Eldest in SYWTBAW.

[laetanxavis]

// 🤗🎶💍📖😘🤐🚀 asking for curiosity but also for a really tall dumb mer... i mean friend

🤗 Are they physically affectionate?  

Surprisingly… yes, he is. There’s a weird barrier between acquaintance/sorta-friends and close-friends/lovers. On one side, he’s extremely shy and aloof with touching being a strict ‘no-no’. Yet once a relationship passes that barrier so to speak, a whole new world of Janus is now there. While in the past shoulders brushing against each other could be seen as ‘intimate’, kisses and hugs are commonplace now. Smiles and casual touches are something daily he’ll do. A morning greeting could easily be a soft touch to a shoulder or arm if you’re a friend. For a lover, it’s a chaste kiss to the cheek and a hug from behind. 

🎶 Do they have a type?

Janus would say no… but in reality, it’s a different story. At the risk of making him seem like a sapiosexual, he wants to be intellectually stimulated. This isn’t to say that he’s only into scholarly/wizardly types. Janus just wants someone who he can have a discussion/debate with. 

💍 Would they ever get married?

Yep! He’s type to get sappy enough to daydream about having a loving husband and a few kids. But is it something required for him in a relationship? Absolutely not. Marriage is a social construct and not a true indicator of someone’s love. He doesn’t need a wedding or a fancy ring to feel loved.

📖 What is their favorite outside of the bedroom activity to do with their partner?

  Anything outdoorsy like hiking, bird watching, or even just star gazing. Just let this boy hyperfixate on the native flora and fauna of an area or having him explain you his favorite constellations. All of this also applies to his partner. Regardless of it being outdoorsy or not, he wants to get involved in their hobbies/interests as well. Into enchanting? Janus made a magic-resist amulet for you to look at. A skilled archer? He’s fucking horrible at archery but he’ll talk to you about his new crossbow design. 

😘 Does their demeanor change when in a relationship?  

It’s a subtle change really but he’s definitely warmer and more patient with others on a public level. An apprentice fucked up their alchemy experiment? Usually he’ll tell them to clean up their mess and then give them a stern lecture on safety and how to prevent such mistakes. When he’s in love, his lectures take on a kinder tone – the verbal equivalent of being caressed with a butter knife instead of a steak knife.

Also he’s more noticeably ‘bounce-y’ if that make sense. For years, he’s been trained to be still and calm by tutors and Psijics. However, now occasionally you’ll see him bounce his legs or fidget around. 

🤐 Would they ever confess their feelings first?

Not really. He’s the type of guy to go ‘oh wow, he’s waaaay out of my league’ while the other guy is inviting him to a candlelit dinner. So unless the tension between him and another is so thick and obvious that he’s about to vomit from the stress of it, he ain’t gonna say shit. This whole mentality stems from the fear of having unrequited feelings and the notion of ruining friendships because of it. 

🚀 How far are they willing to go for the person they love?

Depends??? He’s not going to kill children or doing anything completely immoral but is he willing to steal and lie for someone he loves? Hell, he’ll even murder someone in order to protect another but it has to be for a damn good reason. 

[spicynbachili1]

Omno Kickstarter playable demo | Rock Paper Shotgun

Once I first lined Omno‘s Kickstarter at first of the month, I used to be curious whether or not the exploration puzzle-platformer would really feel nearly as good because it seems to be. Now having tried a playable demo for myself, I’m assured that solo developer Jonas Manke is engaged on one thing particular right here. To pay money for the just-released demo, you’ll want to enroll to Studio Inkyfox’s mailing checklist, however I reckon it’s well worth the legwork, even when it’s an all-too-brief expertise. Who wants textures whenever you’ve lighting this good?

Omno’s demo is presently quick, candy and gently paced, though the developer has talked about that he shall be maintaining it up to date. Whether or not which means extra content material later, I can’t say. Enjoying as a cute onion-headed wizardly determine, your predominant interplay in Omno at current is shaking down the world for magical energy, however non-violently. You chase round cute little rabbity creatures they usually squeak, dropping motes of glowing vitality. Luminous bees sprinkle you with mana as you strategy, and lumbering rock-crabs must be gently jostled with a faucet of your workers on the bottom.

Up to now, all of the interactions within the recreation  (other than cracking a number of rocks) are non-violent – at most, you’re simply mildly irritating the native fauna, and I hope the complete recreation retains that up. The demo sadly segues to a (literal) sandbox simply after you meet your first full-sized dinosaur, however the massive lizard appears pleasant sufficient. The one actual puzzle within the demo is gentle, however the platforming feels stable. The preliminary spell that you simply get – an aerial sprint that can be utilized for teleportation later – feels whooshy sufficient to be suitably magical and the particle results really feel excellent.

As soon as the demo ends, you’re left by your self, however free to discover a second atmosphere utilizing your workers as a magical surfboard. It’s instantly harking back to browsing throughout the dunes in Journey, however feels satisfying. There’s a weight to each animation that feels excellent with out getting in the way in which of management response. I admit that I performed this demo with  a gamepad (this appears an excellent lying-on-the-sofa recreation), however the mouse controls really feel responsive sufficient, from the transient poke I gave them.

Even with out assistance from the demo, Omno sailed previous its preliminary €32,000 Kickstarter funding purpose briefly order. There’s every week left, and with the launch of this demo, I can simply see it filling out the entire developer’s stretch targets over its last week. £13/€15 will get you a replica of the sport when it’s completed, and it’s aiming to launch subsequent September. You’ll find extra on its Steam and official pages.

from SpicyNBAChili.com http://spicymoviechili.spicynbachili.com/omno-kickstarter-playable-demo-rock-paper-shotgun/

[dduane]

From So You Want To Be A Wizard: the Fireworm (Lanthanodrax speleotraxis).1

(Also the occasionally occuring “sport” or hypotrophic subspecies, L. speleotraxis ignigastris.) The colloquial name is identical with that used for the marine bristleworm Hermodice carunculata, but the two species otherwise have nothing to do with one another.

The wizardly fireworm is a serious competitor for the title of “North American fauna species that has had its evolution most seriously interfered with by wizardry.”

The original species — just another small reptile, to start with, a member of the suborder Lacertilla and a distant relative of the geckos — was repeatedly mutated by the wizards caught up in the events surrounding the final fate of Afallonë. The most comprehensive change to their structure happened as a side effect of the great aphthonic intervention, the wizardry intended to save as much as possible of the unique Atlantean flora and fauna from the impending destruction of the First Continent. The rafting wizardry which was meant to simply transport a number of species to the newer continents went wrong during the final crisis in many important ways, and rampant wizardry leakage contaminated and disrupted the genetic structures of many of the creatures involved. The fireworm, already susceptible to such disruption because of previous genetic manipulation, suffered far more of it during the transport to the early versions of North America and Europe than any other creature involved in the ancient rafting project.

In Europe and Asia, the fireworm had fewer natural enemies, and grew and changed in ways which would otherwise have been impossible. Further mutations due to the accumulation of wizardly overlays in the more populated parts of Europe led to the rise of the offshoot species Draco, the “true dragons” which became famous in Europe’s medieval period for being killed by knights. (It should be made clear that most of these casualties were members of the species Draco ectenis, the “lindworm” or wingless dragon, an omnivore by habit and cave-dweller by preference. Even the most heavily armored knights had a terrible batting average against Draco draco Europaeis, the cliff-dwelling, strictly carnivorous winged dragon, which regarded knights merely as something with a crunchy outside and a yummy inside.)

But in North America, where many “rafted” species with wizardly components survived for the next few millenia after the fall of Atlantis, the fireworm kept for some time its original Atlantean form — that of a small carnivorous reptile with a tendency to burp flammable gas as a defense mechanism when frightened or upset. (No dragon, true or false, breathes fire: but even the smallest ones can ignite it on exhalation in one of a number of ways, usually involving chemical or enzymatic reactions.) However, unfortunately for the fireworm, its main Atlantean natural enemy the “king-weasel” (Macrogulo gulo, long extinct and survived only by its far less assertive “family” relative Gulo gulo, the wolverine) succeeded in establishing itself in North America as it had not been able to do in Europe because of the presence of the great crested cockatrice (Cerastus baseliensis) or northern cockatrice (Cerastus scotodasos). The king-weasel nearly succeeded in exterminating the fireworm: only the smallest members of the family survived by changing their normal above-ground habit for an underground lifestyle into which the king weasels would not follow them.

After some millennia spent living and rebuilding their gene pools in the natural caves of the East, the fireworms moved into the manufactured caves and underground spaces of the great East Coast and Midwest cities. (No fireworm species live west of the Rockies: possibly due to uncomfortable memories secondary to the fall of Afallonë, they will not stay in earthquake-active zones.) Regardless of what ConEd tells you, fireworms are the proximate cause of the steam New Yorkers see coming up from under the streets in all weathers — the more steam, the larger the fireworm. They are some of the most exothermic of all Earth-based life forms, when well-fed, and the very biggest ones can prosper down in the tunnels in even the coldest weather. When exposed to further wizardry leakage, as sometimes happens in the neighborhood of worldgate complexes, the oldest and most experienced fireworms can over time acquire some telepathic and empathic abilities.2 This enables them to force the smaller fireworms, and even members of some other species, to do their will — shepherding food into their ambit, or otherwise serving their needs. For this reason, smart wizards stay out of places where the older and larger fireworms can be found, unless the needs of errantry drive them there.

Fireworms are also the ultimate source of all the stories about “alligators in the sewers.” There is a certain ironic humor to this, as wizards know there wouldn’t be nearly so many stories if the things in the sewers were only alligators.

(See also: Eldest, the: Twelve, Song of the.) (SYWTBAW)

1The taxonomy of the western European fireworm is somewhat confused. The Bestiarium Ignotum classified the fireworm as Lanthanotrops micrognotus, but this did not take into account the internal differences between the Lanthanotrops and Lanthanodrax families — possibly understandable, since Linnaeus was unable to find a dead specimen to dissect, and trapping a live one was at that point out of the question. The Acta Parabiologica‘s revised classification group places the fireworm among the various members of family Hemerothalcus, with the “true dragons” of the Draco species.

2 Because of the already-fragile state of their DNA, such exposure over prolonged periods can also result in memory loss and other neurological problems, as seems to have been the case with the Eldest in SYWTBAW.