#and it tied into very nicely xornoth and that

[imflyingfish]

Honestly i dont like sculk spreading/corruption storylines theyre really boring with a few exceptions

[rose-lizzzy]

It's hard to stay focused when there's a very bitter demon in your ear, but Shrub manages it.

Scott lands in front of her and introduces himself properly, and she does the same.

He had previously sent an owl with a note requesting some of her mushrooms, which were tied nicely in a little package, which she hands to him.

"Here, as you requested there's a few stacks of the warped mushrooms, and some of their wood. There's also some of the other mushrooms you asked for in there." She smiles

He nods "Thank you so much. I wasn't sure how much wool you'd want, so would you like to come to Rivendell with me and pick some out?"

Xornoth immediately was screaming in her ear to go and burn it all down. Kill him and destroy everything he cares about. But Shrub ignored him for the most part, mostly because she had a cover to uphold.

"Sure!" She follows him on her little mushroom wings to his empire, noticing a deer statue that seemed to repel her.

Avoiding whatever it was that clearly kept trying to rid the land of her, she followed Scott to the sheep farm.

She didn't realize he'd asked something until she noticed him staring at her expectantly.

"Sorry, what?" She asks, noticing that Xornoths presence was much less. Possibly because of whatever aura is around this place that keeps repelling him.

"I asked what colors you wanted? Everything alright?" Scott asks

"Yeah just admiring your empire." She covers and then thinks for a minute "I'll take some green, brown, yellow and red." She decides, imagining using them for texturing and mushrooms.

"Alright, there you go!" He tossed it all to her. "Need help getting back home?"

She shakes her head. "No ...I got it. But Scott?" She frowns, her voice getting softer and more... worried?

"hm?" He turns back to look at her, curious

"Uh....watch out for corruption.." she mumbles quickly, anxiously, before rocketing home.

The second she was far enough from Rivendell, Xornoths voice filled her head again

"What was that? Why didn't you destroy it all?"

She sighs "I have a facade to hold for now! You'll thank me when I get closer to him and can destroy him better!"

"Well then why did you warn him?" Xornoth asked accusingly, clearly angry

"Warn him?" She stops for a second, almost falling out of the sky, before shaking her head. "I don't know. But just let me build a relationship with him! Betrayal is a great kind of destruction."

Xornoth gives in with agreement at that point because yes, as he'd seen with Sausage and his allies, betrayal stung the betrayed deep.

"Alright. Well the sooner the dragon dies, the better."

Shrub nods "Already on it. I've found an end portal and can gather some of your allies and maybe a few dumb targets to help me defeat the dragon."

"Perfect. Then I'll get more power, and won't need you anymore."

"Wait what?!"

[shyrose57]

Corrupt responsibility au, how do they gain Katherine? I imagine that she goes out into the forest, and meets a certain gnome(and wolves)

And after an hour or so of hanging out, she has to leave; Shrub goes and tells Xornoth all about the pretty cat fairy she just met and Xornoth is realizing he's just going to be adopting all of the Emporers because they're all teens....and probably traumatized to

Next time they meet, Shrub convinces Katherine to come see her home, and she agrees

Upon seeing its XORNOTHS castle, Katherine freaks out, she's asking Shrub all these questions and wondering if she was gonna die today; and Shrub just answers them all truthfully, kinda like these

[So...You're Xornoths ally? Kind of, more like his daughter or sister

so your royalty!? I guess so? But my brother Scott is ACTUAL royalty, same with Xornoth

So...youve helped in battles? Eh, that's more of Scott's thing, not mine...I help with plans! But sometimes I do

what about the rulers that have given missing? Oh! Xornoths adopted them, they live here now! Their parents where shit.....]

Katherine entires the castle, out if fear of what Shrub we do(even though she's very nice) and leading them back to the overgrown....and a mix if curiosity; as....wasn't this Rivendell?

What she expected was blood, bodys, and people begging for help.....she doesn't expect it to be this....CALM or pretty

It's filled with flowers and bushes, and some of this 'corruption' vines, but no blood; people aren't really that scared, they wave to Shrub and she just smiles back

Some kids feed the wolves, and it's rather peaceful; then Shelby leads ehr ti the castle and, what other choice does she have but to follow?

And Xornoth is just sitting down with about 7-8 adoption papers behind him on the wall(ranging from Shurbs to Jimmy's) and multiple empty ones in the binder beside him

And Katherine is so surprised to see Lizzie just chilling while reading a book beside her former(?) Enemy; while 2 orange haired people run across the hall, the latter holding a wand(?)

This isn't what she expected to see; not this, chaotic but calm place instead of a bloody merciless one

She also didn't expect to feel like she was being judged by a lovers parent when looking at Xornoth

Katherine's got a bit of a Tangled storyline, here! Living her whole life within the walls of the Overgrowth, and spending most of it hidden away within the castle, she's always felt stifled and hungry for something she doesn't know how to name. A wild flower forbidden to grow.

This feeling has been hers for as long as she can remember, just as it is the Overgrowth's, a resigned veil over her heart. Desperate, aching for....the wild.

The oldest blooms in the grounds whisper about it, when the queen sleeps her deepest, sharing word to the new buds. They sing of a world without consistent guides and rules of where to grow, a world where your thorns can grow jagged and strong, a world-

-without the queen. Beyond the walls.

Is it wrong that she wants it? Is it cruel to think of having it, knowing what it could cost? Despite the thoughts, the ache stays and stays, and the hunger grows.

She wonders what a forest feels like. She wonders what unfiltered water taste like. She wonders what's beyond the walls.

And one day, in their dying midst, the oldest flowers, they say go find out.

A dying wish curling in her chest and turned to desperate determination, an echo of their desire to be free once again turned to letting her taste it, if for but a moment.

Katherine slips her guards and runs.

Past the people, past the gate, past the walls. They shout, run after, try and catch her back.

And then her feet touch forest ground, and just like that, she's gone, swept up by trees, shrouded by magic, lost with a breathless laugh.

(The Wild will never give her back)

And then, one day, there's a wolf in the forest.

And with the wolf, comes a girl.

(Katherine has tasted freedom. Now she wants to tear into opportunity)

(Let them whisper of fairies, she's always preferred the fae)

[arospecsyourblockdudes]

Some more Empires worldbuilding headcanons because I have many

-In Pixandria, you don’t put candles on someone’s birthday cakes. Candles are commonly used on the main Vigil and on people’s personal Vigils to represent the dead, so there’s that strong association. There’s a common superstition that if you light a candle for someone’s birthday, they’ll die within the year (it’s not real but hey neither are unlucky black cats) (Pixlriffs I’m ignoring you putting a candle on Lizzie’s cake this is important to me)

-The Ocean Empire is actually very scientifically advanced. Some might not realize it because the merpeople aren’t too conformed to land-people standards of intelligence, but the scientific method is used in everyday situations, and the people are great inventors with what materials they have underwater. The next king or queen isn’t the eldest, it’s whoever does best in a series of trials throughout their lives, which includes a lot of academics. Lizzie has a laboratory, you think the empire isn’t full of scientists like her?

-Strength is valued very highly in Smallholding. Both physical and mental. So, mental health is seen as just as important as taking care of your physical body. Roughhousing is encouraged between children. This is mostly due to the fact that farming is hard physical work and that’s what the majority of Smallholding is, it’s farmlands. There’s a lot of belief that mental and physical health are very connected (fact) so both are focused on. This also means that Smallholding has some great therapists! Pearl is seen as an incredible queen for holding her own in a fight against Xornoth, even challenging him to do more. Her fearlessness and eagerness to fight proves her strength

-The Undergrove people all have a very close connection to the earth and the spirits. They tend to have personal gardens and forage for foods, and will thank the earth for what they find. They all tend to be a bit more lucky in matters of the earth than others (such as finding a flower they wanted or a chicken for their coop). They don’t tend to have negative associations with different weathers (besides thunderstorms) because both sun and rain feed the earth. They have excellent green thumbs

-The Overgrown has all sorts of weird social norms around conflicts. For one, serious conflict is generally frowned upon and talking things out calmly over lunch or something is seen as the mature and acceptable thing to do. But if you have to cut ties with someone, it’s pretty normal for your friends to interact with that person and for their friends to interact with you. They weren’t part of the issue, so why should they do anything? Staying out of other people’s business is also the norm. Basically it’s encouraged that everyone just be nice and civil to each other but if you have to have grudges than don’t expect your friends to do the same

-Nobody in the Cod Empire actually knows why salmon are disliked. So, naturally, superstition and rumor. One says that salmon carry terrible diseases and so you have to burn them as quick as possible. Some say that there’s a hidden aquatic Salmon Empire that has declared war on their empire. Yet another say that salmon bring ten years of bad luck if eaten. No one has actually found the real answer so you know, stuff gets made up

-Academics aren’t very highly valued in Mythland. Yes, reading and writing are important and you have to know math and science and history and such, but they don’t believe you need to make a job of it. Going to college and becoming like a marine biologist is seen as rich kid shit. Common jobs include artisans, farmers, blacksmiths, and shepherds. Working with animals is also considered a pretty good gig. Most jobs in Mythland are trade-based so higher education isn’t a common thing

-Verbal affection is not a thing in the Grimlands. It’s not taboo or anything, it’s just not a common way to express affection for anyone. Instead, it’s all about those acts of service baby! Things like cooking for someone, making someone a sweater, covering their shift when they’re busy, cleaning up after them, etc are how you express love! In their culture, it’s seen as more personal and genuine than just saying it with words

-In the Crystal Cliffs, amethyst is considered a good luck charm, along with being used for genuine magical properties. Because of these magical properties, it’s hard to make them into like necklaces or rings or whatever, so it’s easier to dye quartz purple and sell it as amethyst. So if you buy amethyst jewelry from a Crystal Cliffs store, chances are it’s fake

-In Rivendell, religion is seen as a very casual thing. Sure, going to church services and all is a part of it, but no one sees that as the main part. Having a relationship with Aeor is, so prayer is common and a big part of their religion. A lot of people will pray and end up having just a casual mental chat with the god, which is regular. You worship Aeor, but worship isn’t the main point of this religion, you want to feel connected with the god. So being like “Hey Aeor you dickhead, stop freezing my fucking wheat” isn’t bad. It’s encouraged!

-Mezaelea has so many stories you would not believe. A lot of their stories and legends are all told by word of mouth and not often written down, so there’d be a bunch of versions of the same story. They also like to tell stories through song and music, so they often have really interesting musical pieces since the point isn’t to sound super pretty, it’s to get a story across (but it does sound nice). A lot of them started to teach kids lessons and explain natural phenomena as most stories do, but there’s a good couple fairy tales circulating. Mezaelea may have nothing people would consider magical lying around, but storytelling is its own form of magic. So, they have a lot of it

-The Lost Empire, being mostly populated by cat people, has a very carnivorous diet. Plants are sometimes used as a side dish or garnish or spice but meat is pretty much the main thing. These people are like tigers and leopards, they can’t be having too much vegetables and fruit it’s unhealthy— They also have a good few dishes involving raw meat (again, cat people, it’s fine). Because of their proximity to the Undergrove, mushrooms are becoming part of the cuisine, as well as things like cocoa beans from living in the jungle now. Perhaps they will start making chocolate foods. Who knows!

[peakdeer]

Azure Bluet - Something good

Chapter 1! It's finally done oml this was much harder than it should have been. This fic series will have a different flower theme each chapter! The chapters will be in chronological order, but they are only loosely tied to each other. I hope to update this weekly, but honestly I have learned to never set up a schedule, because I cannot keep them for the life of me. I ended up editing the moment when Shubble found the flowers at her base, because I watched her episodes for hours and their first interaction is after Xornoth appears, so hopefully it's not very ooc. I also changed the flowers to azure bluets, because, y'know. The theme.

Shubble had been collecting mushrooms when she noticed the flowers. They were tall, about as large as the special mushrooms that grew in her homeworld, with glistening white petals and a pretty yellow center. It was nice, to see them up there. They looked so pretty! ...She did wonder how they got there, though. She climbed up the hill, curiously eyeing the flowers. Was it a gift from the nature spirits? A sign, maybe? Her thoughts were cut off when she noticed the pretty lady standing in front of the flowers. The lady had a gorgeous amethyst and turquoise crown, and her purple skirt had flowers growing out of it. Flowers! Her raven black hair felll a few inches below her shoulders and matched with her chocolate brown eyes. She appeared to be talking to the flowers, as if they could understand her. And maybe they could! Maybe she was a nature spirit! "Hello?" Shubble called out. "Um. Pretty flower lady? Are you- are you a spirit?" The lady turned, eyes lighting up as she saw Shubble. "Oh, hello! You must be Shubble!" She extended her hand, smiling at the gnome. "My name's Katherine! I'm the leader of the Overgrown!"

Shubble blinked in surprise. "So... not a nature spirit?"

"Uh, no, at least I don't think so."

"Well, it's lovely to meet you anyway, Katherine!" Shubble chirped, shaking her hand.

"Thank you! I'm very excited to meet you as well! Your kingdom is so pretty!"

"Really? You think so?" Shubble's eyes gleamed at the praise.

"Yes! The mushroom castle and the hobbit hole are so cute, I just love them!"

"Aw thanks! The flowers are really pretty too- how did you grow them?" Shubble asked curiously.

"Oh! I can magically grow flowers thanks to the spring, and..." Katherine began to ramble on, talking about flowers and even giving Shubble some tips on how to take care of them.

Shubble was extremely engrossed in the conversation, enjoying the opportunity of a new friend and a chance to learn more about one of her fellow rulers.

"Oh, goodness!" Katherine exclaimed suddenly, turning to look at where the sun had begun to set into the horizon. "It's late! Oh, I'm so sorry, I have to go!" She exclaimed frantically.

"Of course, of course, it's fine," Shubble assured her. "It was lovely to talk to you!"

"It was nice to talk to you as well! Maybe you could come over for tea sometime?" Katherine offered.

"I'd love to!" Shubble agreed, and Katherine beamed at her.

"Yes! Maybe later this week? Or whenever you have time? I don't want to get in the way- ooh, the mobs are spawning. I have to go!" She panicked, waving at Shubble before leaping into the air and flying off.

Shubble smiled to herself. She'd made a new friend! And her new friend was very sweet and funny and very, very pretty. She was excited to see where this alliance, where this friendship went. And maybe this friendship was the start of something good.

[scribbling-dragon]

oH OH NO this is not good.(but the chapter was) I am very worried about the live sacrifice and who it was, the mention of of Xornoths last location being the crystal cliffs is making think it’s Gem and I hope not. Have a nice time of day :-D -time anon

the sacrifice had to provide an incentive for the Gods to return, meaning it had to have a strong emotion tied to it. it won't be Gem, mainly because the Gods want their revenge on shifters :)