#apprentice balsam

[mable-stitchpunk]

Were the kingdoms in AFE/AFGC based on any country or culture? Or were they more generic medieval european fantasy

Actually, yes! But they were kept a little on the vague side as well, with some taking inspiration from more than one country and others a little more fantasy than reality.

Acalathoy itself was based off of Germany- specifically the portions of the country that are marshy or wetlands. Some of the buildings are loosely described to resemble medieval German dwellings and the country itself, Durchnässt, is German for 'wet' or 'soaked'.

Olaylark, in contrast, was sort of to have it be the idealized sort of fantasy kingdom, if you get my drift. It's full of passages and pretty architecture, but is somewhat detached from its own location. Olaylark is secluded within its walls while Acalathoy is at the mercy of its heartland. XD

That being said, Olaylark was framed to be in an area that is on the edge of a ocean like the Mediterranean. Filomena herself was an ethnicity that was stylized to match- being based off of Greek, but not given a name as, you know, Greece doesn't exist there.

Though the one that took the most inspiration was Perlosophes, the City of Mages. Despite the name, Perlosophes was built with a mixture of ancient Persia and Babylon (specifically the ancient wonder the Babylon Gardens) in mind. Especially the Babylon Gardens, really. There's been plenty of debate on if they really existed but the idea about them always fascinated me.

But that being said again, I didn't make the culture to similar to real life. Largely because I didn't want to end up portraying a culture I do not fully understand in a questionable way. So, the locations are more inspired by those real-life locals, but the actual locations themselves were more fantasy oriented.

One of the things I thought was kinda cool was that the word magus can mean sorcerer OR a member of a caste in ancient Persia. You better believe I pounced on that!

[adaptacy]

A Found Flame {Pt.3}

Pairing: Mentor!Gale Dekarios x Apprentice!GN!Reader

(Previous Chapter) – (Next Chapter) ➔ (AO3)

A/N: Tumblr word limit is fucking me up y'all icl. I had two (2) scenes for this next chapter and those two scenes ended up being EIGHT THOUSAND words so uhm.... i'm splitting this up into 2 sections because aforementioned tumblr word limit izza bitch. But, the full chapter will be on my ao3! I'll post the second half as a part 4 on tumblr eventually, but if you don't wanna wait, go check out the ao3.

Word Count: 2.7k

You weren’t gone for more than two hours, your peaceful retreat to the forest as relaxing and uneventful as you’d expected it to be. The sun had set now, the stars beginning to reveal their white twinkles in the sky above. Aside from the forest-scented crispness in the air, it carries a gentle flowery aroma– or at least the space between your nose and the bouquet you’d created does. It was a mix of purple and indigo, colors you knew he enjoyed, the two plants you’d chosen to harvest on your trip being the autumncrocus and a few small traveling balsam – a rare sight when you weren’t particularly close to any mountains. Along with that, your woven basket contains a very aromatic bunch of lavender billitri flowers and golden honeysuckles, ingredients you planned to boil in your attempt at making tea later in the evening.

Now completely without the protection of the warming sun, you find yourself much more appreciative of your shawl, clutching the sides a little closer to your chest as you retrace your steps back down the trail you had been following. Spotting the edge of the forest, it isn’t long before you emerge once more, and your trip back to the tower is a short one, though it is disrupted by a peculiar sight just outside the familiar building.

“Gale?” You ask, your voice quiet, immediately noticing that he seems rather at peace, distracted by something in the distance. He stands in the garden, wearing a long winter coat, the clothing a blush plum shade in color. The hood, trimmed with a thin black fur, bunches around his neck, a surprising sight given his sensitivity to winter’s company. He turns at your interruption, attempting to smile in greeting, though it registers on his face as though it’s not meant to be there, revealing a burdened discomfort, one that you were nearly positive was brought on by the unforgiving cold. His eyes lower to the flowers in your hand as you approach, head tilting.

“I must admit, you had me mildly ill at ease. You didn’t come back for some time, I’d begun to assume the garden had buried you,” he chuckles, motioning towards your basket. “Though… I see you must have become occupied elsewhere.” His eyes meet yours again, and he then gestures instead towards the empty, frost-bitten garden beds. “How long have they been bare?” 

Stopping a few feet before him, you contemplate his question, eventually replying with “All winter. The majority of them died during our first autumn freeze. We had so many harvests in stock, I didn’t see much of a point in replanting winter crops.” Gale’s gaze becomes one of disdain, and you frown, realizing how this subtle betrayal must look. “My apologies for lying to you. I didn’t mean to mislead – I wanted to surprise you, actually.”

You extend him the flowers, though he doesn’t quite notice the offering. “No, I’m not upset with you. I wasn’t aware it’s been that long since I’ve visited the garden. Seven moons, give or take. Seven moons that I’ve been stuck inside.”

“Well, you’ve been busy. And I don’t mind running errands. You’ve had important things to do,” you remind, inspecting the hardened soil in the wooden beds. To your dismay, you notice hints of pale green weeds poking out of the edges, sure to prove a hassle when the time comes to replant spring crops.

After a few seconds of silence, he regards you once more. “You wanted to surprise me?”

“Oh, yes.” Again, you extend him the flowers, and he receives them this time, analyzing the bunch as though he had been asked to judge them. “I went out to the forest. It was quite serene, and pretty – even with the trees as barren as they are. You’re welcome to join me next time, you know, if you ever want to get out.”

Gale’s smile hardens, picking up a little more rectitude, and he lifts the flowers to his nose, relishing in the fresh floral scents. “Balsam. A product of the winter; they’re usually only found on the upper levels of mountains, however it seems the reduced temperatures have drawn them from their usual environment. Even this far away from home, they survive. It’s quite a spectacle to behold, as simple as it may seem. In unfamiliar surroundings and uncharted territory, they acclimate without issue,” he hums, though his smile cracks into a mischievous smirk, and he shrugs towards you, shooting you a playful wink. “Well, until they were plucked, that is.”

“I almost feel bad for harvesting them,” you chuckle.

Gale shakes his head, his free hand waving away your guilt. “Hardly. Although gifting them to me is a sure promise of their demise,” he laughs, and you do the same, knowing that you were absolutely signing them a death warrant by entrusting them in his care. “I see these aren’t the only goods you retrieved.” 

Noticing that he was eyeing your basket, you nod again. “I was going to make tea to accompany our dinner. I really didn’t intend on being absent for so long. Blame the trees, luring me in with their promises of pretty flowers,” you tease. “If you haven’t already made a meal, I don’t mind–”

“Nonsense. Dinner has already been prepared; mushroom stew and potato wedges, as per Tara’s suggestion. While our plates may not be warm anymore, I'm sure I can conjure up something or other to reheat them.” Gale glances at the building, and then he looks towards the sky, and you realize he’d been gazing at the upper crescent of the emerging moon before you’d interrupted him.

“Do you ever miss the stars?” You ask, tilting your head up to view the star-scattered darkness as well. 

“I see enough from the balcony – or so I had convinced myself. In truth, there’s little comparison to the beauty of a full sky. I suppose I’d forgotten that much. Now that I’ve been reminded, however, I suppose I have missed their company. No shade to my view from the balcony, but the combination of fresh air and a vast universe as far as the eye can see could hardly be contained in the pocket outside of my window.”

“Would you like to sit and stargaze for a little while?”

Gale lowers his head to look at you, and you meet his eye, looking to make up for your absence by providing company to what he seemed to already be in the middle of doing before you’d stumbled upon him. You’re hungry, sure, and dinner sounded nice, but you don’t mind staying out for a little while longer. You aren’t sure when you might get another chance to make such an offer, as he had a tendency to lose himself in his studies, and you often got lost in your own duties. Gale contemplates it for a few moments before eventually nodding. “A hard bargain you drive. I suppose now is as good a time as any to indulge in my affinity for the stars.”

The two of you find a place just outside of the garden beds to sit, and you place the bouquet in your basket, setting it aside as you lay back, arms crossed behind your head, with Gale imitating a similar position next to you. There isn’t any conversation for several minutes, but it’s far from silent. The winter whispers her goodbyes with talkative crickets as her vessels, and the wind carries its own tales, the stars punctuating each and every foreign line. 

It isn’t until the moon reveals her upper half over the horizon that Gale finally speaks, the ambience of the outer city quieting enough to merely support his voice instead of speak alongside it. “The stars never change. No matter the wars, no matter the disasters, no matter the time, no matter the place, they remain consistent. Such perseverance is enviable.” 

“They don’t really need to change. Do you think they’re even capable of it?”

“Of change?” He asks.

“Of change,” you clarify.

“Well, some stars fizzle out. Perhaps all stars have an end, eventually. As untouchable as they are, even they cannot avoid death. Aside from that, they seem to be free of even Selûne’s interference. I’ve never even heard a tale of them rearranging.” His answer is hardly that, and you allow him the chance to think before he provides a reply that’s much closer to an answer. “I’m not sure. Perhaps they do, while we sleep. They could have every eye fooled; they may swap places while they aren’t watched. Mischievous little bastards.” 

You chuckle, amused at such an idea. “Maybe the ability to change is more impressive than being so stubborn as to remain the same for eons upon eons. Like the Balsam. One is able to adapt to new situations, the other is so stubborn as to stay the same for what seems like an eternity.” You glance over at Gale, and he shrugs, unsure his stance on the matter. You look back to the sky. “I can’t believe some people have never seen them.” You recall stories and mentions of cave communities, light-starved species that inhabit places such as the underdark, and you struggle to imagine it. You’ve always found it a hard truth to face. “To not know the songs that the moon sings, or the art that the stars create – it sounds like a bard’s folktale.”

“They find their light elsewhere, I have to assume.”

“Like where?” You question, curious for a potential explanation.

“Anywhere. Light comes in more forms than the sun and stars. I know of flora that glows in such places. Fire is always a possibility. Or, it could very well be from those around them. Though that is a more metaphorical take on the subject. You must bear in mind that light isn’t much of a necessity for eyes adapted to the very absence of it,” he explains, releasing a soft sigh. “Though, personally, I can’t imagine having never seen the sky before. The beauty it holds – well, it can’t be properly shared through mere discussion of the topic.” 

“Drawings definitely don’t do it any justice, either,” you agree. “Of everything the gods have crafted, I think the night sky is my favorite artwork.” 

“Indeed. Not even Mystra’s most trained magic could come close to recreating such a sight. And yet so many pass under it without ever paying it much mind. A great gift it is, only to still be taken for granted so often. Ah, but I’m hardly one to speak – I’ve spent so long reading about it I’ve forgotten to take a moment and truly appreciate it.” His voice is tainted with some edge of regret, and you look over at him, studying his profile as he is entirely captivated by the view above. 

Maybe only thanks to the moon, there’s an innocent light in his eyes, his warm features highlighted by the cool blue hues. The peace his expression rests at is an uncommon one, and it makes you appreciate it even more. The man always seemed to jump between deflective, cocky sarcasm and quiet, thoughtful anxiety. But here, the stillness of the night granted you an opportunity to peer behind the curtain, and what lay backstage was an awfully pretty sight. 

Although he’s visibly tired, and his mind is surely contaminated by plenty of busy thoughts, you’re convinced this is the closest to relaxation you’d ever seen him. His fingers are interlaced where his hands rest on his chest, black gloves concealing his skin and keeping them warm. 

He’s handsome in the same way that the moon is; he has his own glow, though it isn’t anything close to the bright light that the sun casts. It’s a silent glow, and even when he sometimes feels far away, lost in his own mind, miles from the present moment, it always remains a comforting sight. Gale could’ve been the leader of the stars, he could’ve been untouchable by the gods, he could’ve been unchanging and everlasting, and you’re sure that you wouldn’t have noticed a difference from the man that lay before you now. Here, even with as human as he is, and although he remains so perfectly flawed, he is utterly invincible. 

His eyes trace the distant lines between constellations, making you wonder if recalling the stories behind them quieted whatever stress stirred in his mind. For as many jokes and remarks he made about his age, he could’ve fooled even the most insightful with his youthful appearance. Of course, his true age would be quickly revealed by his personality – his sense of humor and odd mannerisms easily giving away the reality. 

Admiring him now causes the smallest seed to be planted in the dark depths of your mind. Why did you agree to stay? You’d never really questioned your reasoning, and neither did he. You’d never minded helping him, and the shelter and company was certainly appreciated. When you’d originally agreed to help him, it was only for a little while, helping out around the house so he could get his life back in order after an event he wasn’t particularly fond of discussing. You’d assumed it would be a two or three week ordeal so you could get back on your own feet as well, the agreement a mutually beneficial one.

Maybe it was his unpredictable charm – his playfulness, his self-deprecating but amusing jokes, his shielded validation. You also liked having a place; A roof over your head, warm dinners, and the comfort of his laid-back lifestyle was plenty enough to please you. He even had plenty enough coin to cover whatever he could’ve needed, and that luxury was one you’d never quite had the pleasure of experiencing before. But beyond the physical items of your affection, you had a home. As strange as it was to call his tower such a personal term, it was hard to deny. His house had become a home, and that much was made possible purely by his companionship. So you’d found a place, one that housed you both physically and emotionally. A place with him. 

His head turns to find you staring at him. At the unexpected discovery, his eyes widen as though he isn’t sure how to react to your gaze. You remain still and assured in your spying, giving him a gentle smile. Then he smiles too, and his peace is helplessly contagious. “We should do this more often,” you propose, and Gale nods.

“A fine idea that is. Is it warm?” He asks, and you furrow your brows. “The shawl,” he clarifies. “Are you warm enough?”

“Oh, yeah. Well, I’m still a little cold, but it’s not an issue,” you reply, shrugging. 

Gale frowns for a moment – not because he’s hurt, instead it’s more of a thoughtful frown, as if he’s studying difficult material – before seeming to come upon an idea. Unlocking his fingers, he reaches out and stretches his arm behind you, using his other hand to motion for you to shuffle closer. You obey his implied order, and his arm comes to slide under your head, his hand rubbing your outer shoulder in a small, but thoughtful, attempt at trying to warm you up. “If you’d rather go inside, do let me know. I’m hardly a fan of the cold myself, but the sight is nothing short of beautiful tonight. The moon has always been quite the charismatic one. I’d like to enjoy the moment, and the view – if you’ll be so kind as to join me.”

After a moment of deliberation, you inch even closer, your side against his, finding the warmth that his body produces pleasantly familiar. You’re reminded of your revisited memory from earlier in the day, and you allow your head to rest against him, comforted by the closeness. “I’d love to. Maybe we’ll get lucky and spot a shooting star.” 

“Unlikely, but I respect the optimism,” he hums teasingly, turning his attention back to the stars. You close your eyes, listening to the beating of his heart, feeling his hand rest on your arm and secure your presence close to him. You do intend on opening your eyes again to admire the sky for a while longer, but it isn’t long before you unwillingly drift off, eased enough to be lulled to sleep under the protection of the moon. 

[j-aborg]

We know Sage and Balsam sailed together from Althtal to Porrima, and we know Sage found Tulsi on the docks of Porrima and eventually became family, so what are your thoughts on Balsam and Tulsi (+the overall trio) family dynamic 👀

Famliy Dynamic!

Good question! Something I've been looking forward to talk about too lmao

Though I personally don't think Sage and Balsam knew each other as kids when they sailed in to Porrima, Instead they met each other when Lucan introduces Sage as the new member and just coincidentally finds out that Balsam was also previously from Althtal, also that Balsam initially didn't think letting Sage in to the Griefers was a good idea but Lucan managed to convince him.

Sage and Balsam's similar journey to Porrima is probably what got them to talk some more other than Sage just following Lucan and eventually Balsam would meet Tulsi :D

Balsam is just another big brother for Tulsi! In my last ask I've mentioned how he's a blacksmith, with that said he taught Tulsi how to be a blacksmith herself so that she has a way to earn some money (took her as his apprentice maybe)

Speaking of Tulsi, they kept in contact even after the Griefers disbanded (?), Balsam thought he'd find Sage with her but of course not, nonetheless they keep in touch and they regularly check on each other often, Balsam is also Tulsi's go-to guy for specific goods because he's also in trade of other stuff than just weapons

(Now imagine Tulsi coming to Balsam's house only to find him dead)

Ok now with Sage, once again, Balsam is an older brother, he's probably the one to taught him how to properly do a good punch

Sage has a habit of dropping into Balsam's house unannounced and breaks in regularly, mostly to spend the night because he's too drunk or something lol

Balsam has thought about asking Tulsi to join the Griefers but Sage didn't want to involve her in the group

[cleolinda]

What is amber?

I am excited to announce that “What is amber in perfumery?” is an extremely simple question to answer. Like, it’s still interesting, but it doesn’t require 1200 words. The simplest definition is “labdanum with some other stuff”:

The scent of amber was originally derived from emulating the scent of ambergris and/or the plant resin labdanum, but since sperm whales are endangered, the scent of amber is now largely derived from labdanum. The term "amber" is loosely used to describe a scent that is warm, musky, rich and honey-like, and also somewhat earthy. Benzoin is usually part of the recipe. Vanilla and cloves are sometimes used to enhance the aroma. "Amber" perfumes may be created using combinations of labdanum, benzoin resin, copal (a type of tree resin used in incense manufacture), vanilla, Dammara resin and/or synthetic materials. (Wikipedia)

Experimental Perfume Club throws in patchouli and styrax:

Contrary to popular belief, amber is a ‘fantasy’ perfumery note. Amber is a blend of ingredients that describes a warm, powdery, sweet scent. It consists of a soiree of ingredients (natural and synthetic) such as vanilla, patchouli, labdanum, styrax, benzoin and a few more.

The Perfume Society brings in tonka and Peru balsam, plus Facts:

Even more confusingly, the perfume ingredient doesn’t even come from amber itself – that time-hardened resin of Pinus succinifera, which is often shaped into jewellery. Instead, it’s the name given to a simple fragrance accord of labdanum, benzoin and vanilla – and/or, sometimes, touches of tonka and Peru balsam, which also have a sweet, resinous quality. ‘Amber’ as a perfume ingredient first made its debut in the late 1800s, with the invention of synthetic vanilla (vanillin); nowadays, it’s so widely used in ambrée-style perfumes that it’s given rise to a whole category (Amber ambrée).

Note that ambré(e) (I’ve also seen "ambery," "resinous," “spicebomb,” and “amberspice”) is a replacement for the term “oriental,” which is both racist and useless as a scent descriptor. As I understand it, you could have a fragrance in that family without amber (or “spice,” for that matter), at which point it could perhaps be shuffled off into another grouping anyway. All in all, amber is a pretty strong candidate for genre-definer.

My favorite amber single note is Kuumba Made’s amber paste, a syrupy-thick jojoba base with a nutmeg and pine resin opening (a nod to the origin of actual amber, I think) that dries down into a warm vanilla. Would you know what I meant if I said sandy? Like, not grainy or crystalline, but the dry desert-beach scent that radiates up to your nose from a handful of sand? But also vanilla. The resinous opening is very strong at first, but it mellows away completely after a while—on me, at least.

Nemat’s Amber is pretty good, but seems softer and more abstract to me, a little “perfumy," and without the big pine-spice opening (and that might appeal more to you).

I had a sample of Demeter Fragrance’s Witching Hour—amber, blood orange, and vanilla orchid—and I Did Not Like It. Harsh, sharp, unideal. Their (environmentally responsible and synthetic) sandalwood is also strangely harsh on me; I don't know what's going on there to make that a trend.

Anyway, amber is a note I’m highly likely to seek out, so I will report back with any amber-centric Fine Fragrances I sample. I hear Dior’s Ambre Nuit and the Hermès L'Ambre des Merveilles are great, and the Tom Ford Amber Absolute was good before it was reformulated? And this is not to mention a ton of indie companies I have seen.

Further reading:

"Ambery" synthetic components at the Perfumer's Apprentice supplier site

Fragrantica: Best in Show: Amber (2018)

Fragrantica: The Evolution of Amber, Vol. II: The Sun Gods, Shalimar, and Iso E Super

Perfume Shrine: Labdanum: an important material

Perfume Shrine: Frequent Questions: Amber or Ambergris?

Editorialist: These 13 Amber Perfumes Will Give You That Warm, Fuzzy Feeling

Perfume.com: 15 Best Amber Perfumes of All Time

[todaysdocument]

Seaman Apprentice Carlton J. Dearborn cements a stringer on the fuselage of a balsam model of a Stuka Dive Bomber at Camp Smalls, U.S. Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, IL, on March 13, 1943.

Record Group 80: General Records of the Department of the Navy

Series: General Photographic Files

Image description: S2C Dearborn sits at a table covered in aircraft schematics, pieces of balsam wood, and a small bottle of adhesive. Also on the table is a model of an Allied aircraft. S2C Dearborn is holding the frame of a fuselage, painting adhesive onto a join. On the wall behind him are posters of aircraft parts.

[manoramaxting]

Creative Ways to Incorporate Plant Based Butters into Your Meals!

Calling all aspiring culinary wizards and food enthusiasts! 

Get ready to embark on a mouthwatering adventure through the enchanting realm of plant based butters. These delectable alternatives to traditional dairy butter hold the key to unlocking a world of flavors in your meals. Whether you're a seasoned sorcerer in the kitchen or a curious apprentice, we've conjured up seven magical ways to incorporate plant based butters into your culinary creations. Prepare to cast a spell of deliciousness that will leave your taste buds spellbound and your guests begging for more!

Wholesome Morning Toast: Rise and Shine with a Toasted Marvel Start your day with a burst of flavor and nourishment by spreading a generous layer of plant-based butter on your favorite toast. Wave your wand and add sliced avocado, juicy tomatoes, and a sprinkle of sea salt for a savory enchantment. Alternatively, sprinkle your creation with cinnamon and a drizzle of maple syrup for a sweet sensation that will have you floating on cloud nine.

Creamy Pasta Potions: Unleash the Magic of Flavors Transform your pasta dishes into mouthwatering masterpieces by adding a magical dollop of plant based butters to your homemade or store-bought sauce. As the butter melts into a velvety elixir, it coats each strand of pasta with its enchanting creaminess. For an extra enchantment, add minced garlic, a sprinkle of fresh herbs, or a squeeze of lemon juice to concoct a potion that will make your taste buds dance with delight.

Baked Goods Enchantment: Turn Ordinary Treats into Heavenly Delights Bring a touch of wizardry to your baked goods by substituting traditional butter with plant-based butter. Whether it's cakes, cookies, muffins, or bread, this magical ingredient ensures a moist and flavorful outcome. Embark on a potion-making adventure by experimenting with different flavors like chocolate, cinnamon, or even a hint of zesty citrus, and watch your treats become the stuff of legends.

Sizzling Saute Spells: Infuse Your Dishes with Unforgettable Flavors Harness the alchemical powers of any plant based butters in your sauteed dishes. As it melts in the pan, it imparts a velvety texture and a rich, nutty flavor to your vegetables or tofu. Add a sprinkle of fresh herbs, a pinch of minced garlic, or a splash of balsamic vinegar to unleash a spellbinding symphony of tastes in your sauteed creations.

As you delve into the mystical world of plant-based butters, you'll unlock the secrets to creating extraordinary meals that will leave your guests under a spell. So, let your imagination soar as you explore the diverse range of plant based butters available for purchase. Embrace the magic within your kitchen and create culinary wonders that will make your taste buds sing and your meals legendary. Get ready to enchant the world, one buttery bite at a time!

[lejournaldupeintre]

Rigga Black Balsam

Riga Black Balsam Cherry Riga Black Balsam (Latvian: Rīgas Melnais balzams) is a traditional Latvian balsam often considered to be the national drink of Latvia. According to tradition, only the Head Liquor Master and two of his apprentices know the exact recipe. Nowadays, Riga Black Balsam is produced by JSC Latvijas Balzams and has received more than 100 awards at different international fairs…

[neverfearforiamhere]

I tend to really just post finished works here, but I tend to love my sketches a lot. Sometimes more than the finished piece! Not sure if I’ll do more work on this, it’s mostly just a character ref/ study sheet. I’m thinking Yves might look too feminine? Maybe he needs to bulk up a bit. The rats keep eating his food!

Characters from A Fool’s Endeavor (A Fool’s Fables!!) by @mable-stitchpunk

[sidebottomjeansbootswiththefur]

a bunch of The Minstrels hc's I own

read under the cut tl;rd; Cantus was born when Fraggles did not have hair, Murray is a skenfrith, Brool is a warrior (naturally), Balsaam was a monarch, Brio stills a apprentice.

Cantus was born when fraggles did not yet have technicolor plumage over their head. Unfortunately for him, he was first fraggle to have this plumage all over his body, that's the reason of his chicken-like appearance (????????????) Since he was so different from other fraggles, he decided to isolate himself. He began to study the various musical styles. He also liked to sit on complete silence while listening to the different sounds that came from the caves to get inspired and create his own melodies. One night, a mysterious invisible (who was very mysterious and very invisible) approached him and handed him their magic pipe. This flute was capable of reproducing any song that has already been found and its mission to complete is to find all the music ever made, this is how Cantus began to wander around the rock, in his endless search for every piece of music.

Also, him being very old its why he is so wise tho.

Murray is a skenfrith. If we assign a verse of the song Music makes us real for each minstrel in their respective order, the first one would be assigned to Murray. Which says "Make a minstrel out of stone". Taking into account that in the culture of these critters the sculptures are made mostly with rocks, it could mean that Murray was created. (Obvs, without any rock in between). This is also supported by the existence of creatures that roam the rock and that do not have a defined appearance, so they are dedicated to asking other creatures what their final appearance is to adopt it for the rest of their lives, who are called Skenfrith. They have a very strong resemblance to Murray in terms of structure and fur. So it could be that in one of his journeys in search of music, Cantus met one of these creatures, to whom he gave that strong personality and love for the music.

It also could explain why Murray follows Cantus everywhere he goes without a doubt.

Brool is a natural warrior. By this, I mean his species are probably meant for war. This is mostly based on the "Make him from rag and bone" and "Everytime I turn around, I all heard it was battle sounds" verses. What do you find on a battlefield? Rags and bones, he also tells how before finding the minstrels way all were battle sounds (I've already said it sorry, im such a dummy). This is also supported by the large and burly appearance of him, but he just didn´t wanted to fight at he was meant to be, so he prefer to chose the mintrel path.

Also this explains when Murray asks something he always stays in a neutral answer.

Balsam was a monarch / something involving royalty. While he is quite clumsy, it can be justified by reading the corresponding verses from him. Being a member of royalty he didn't do anything on his own, but something that he surely could do is play music (I guess) then he left all behing to follow the minstrel path.

Although, Brio is the only one that does not have a verse at the beginning. She makes up for herself with her dialogues in the actual show. Brio is the most intelligent minstrel (and she stills an apprentice!). I base this on the way she has to interpret Cantus's responses in a more logical way. Being the youngest minstrel, it is most likely that she is also the most recent to join in. Given her intellect, I can interpret that her reason for joining The Minstrels was beyond music, but knowledge. My headcannon from her arrival is my favorite, so I'm going to elaborate a lot sccnjdcfnjunhf-Brio always stayed away from the rest of the fraggles by considering them inferior for not having the same knowledge as her. From her grayish colors I could assume that she is a cave fraggle, so she knew little or nothing about the different melodies that are in all the rock. When the Minstrel arrived at the cave, she was amazed at the different rhythms they brought, but even so, she did not stop questioning the strange way that Cantus has when speaking and tried to re-interpret it in a more understandable way, so she decided to join them in seeking knowledge about music . Also the trips around the rock have taught humility to the way of treating others and being more nice with other people.

Also she isn't in good terms with Balsaam, because she considers him really smooth brained (but he always take it as a compliment).

[piermanwalter]

I found out about Thief's Apprentice from fanart and it's... 😓 uhhh... interesting. Definitely not what I expected!

As a matter of public safety, everyone needs to know that I'm not kidding about Thief's Apprentice being intentionally shitty and evil.

Thief's Apprentice lore will make you smell colors. Thief's Apprentice character designs will make your amygdala summon a black hole. Thief's Apprentice gameplay will make you evolve into an abyssal hydrothermal vent snail.

Thief's Apprentice is not akin to leaving a jar of tea, flowers, and dried fruits to infuse on a windowsill. It's like mixing citric acid and caffeine crystals together in an old balsamic vinegar aging barrel and eating it with a snow shovel.

[mable-stitchpunk]

A Fool's Endeavor is now $2.99!

After much deliberation, I have decided that it is time to give A Fool's Endeavor a much needed price cut. Now you can get the book for only $2.99! (Which is the cheapest Amazon will allow me to set.)

So, if you've been holding back on the book, now might be your time to snatch it up!

[feyqueen91]

I recently fell into the Rabbit Hole that is The Arcana: A Mystic Romance and I saw that some players of the game had posted pictures of their Apprentice, so thus, I am posting mine. I made her with the Doll Divine website (Casual & Cozy), I found this version of Doll Divine worked best with my phone and also best depicted what I had in mind for my Apprentice, who shares the same name as me, Morgan. Please note that the only thing that I wasn't able to do with this was change the eye color, so pretend that the eyes are blue with a faint ring of gold around the pupil. Enjoy!

Edit: Name: Morgan Fuller

Pronouns-She/Her, Sexuality:♦/Pansexual((?) I'm not sure, never really gave much thought about sexuality to be honest. Attraction is attraction.)) Height-5'4.5" (163.83cm), Birthday- August 20th, Sign-♌, Blood Type- O, Favorite Food- Will eat almost anything but has a weakness for anything that has noodles (i.e.-Spaghetti, Alfredo, and Ramen), Favorite Drink- Raspberry Iced Tea, Favorite Dessert- Cheese Cake, Favorite Flower(s): Balsam and Gillyflower

Personality: Like myself she's High Functioning Autistic so she's a bit shy and absent minded but quite friendly with a sunny disposition, open to trying new things and is willing to step a out of the comfort zone of her routine when it's on her terms, is very compassionate and altruistic, and wants to believe in the best of every one she meets along with being optimistic for the most part. A bit of an introvert (she doesn't mind her own company for long periods of time) but is kind of like a cat when she gets lonely. She also has difficulties with putting thoughts into words along with understanding things (let alone social cues) if it's not explained well and ends up misunderstanding what people are saying, thus because of that she's softspoken and tends to listen more than leading the conversation herself. She will give her honest opinion while trying to be tactful, but it doesn't always come out the way she intends it to and it can be taken the wrong way.

Also, because of the difficulties she has with talking to people, she tends to bottle up her feelings when she is stressed and emotionally upset when faced with people and situations she doesn't know how to handle, albeit it takes a great deal of built up stress over time for it to boil over and explode, to the point that when pushed into a corner she either runs and hide or lashes out at people, either verbally or physically, weather it's towards the individual that upset her in the first place or an innocent bystander, though afterwards she'll feel guilty and awful for what she did and apologize for her behavior. However, be wary and give her time and space to herself if she goes quiet. She doesn't always think kindly of herself when it happens. Quite frankly, she doesn't always have the best self-esteem when it comes to unexpected and stressful situations.

She acknowledges the fact that bottling up her negative emotions and issues isn't healthy and does her best to talk to others and handling her issues in healthy ways. But even though she has her own difficulties and flaws she does care, let alone is fiercely loyal and protective of the few friends that she loves and is willing to help in whatever way she can.

Here's some other outfits that Morgan wears, this is Doll Divine (again) and these designs were also done by the same person as the pictures above.

I hope you enjoy!

The picture on the left is before the Red Plague hit, the right is post 3yrs.

The next set of pictures is when Morgan is staying at the palace. Please ignore the hair there weren't any short versions.

I have a few more pictures for Morgan's outfits but I'm running out of room, so there will be a second post. Link is below!

[sollea]

Dolorem et Consolationem Ch15

LeaIsa fic. Characters in chapter: Lea, Isa, Even, Ienzo Words: 2354 Read the entire fic on AO3

Summary: Checking housing records to get a new house. Apprentice time.

“Are you two unhappy holding residence in both the homes you currently have?” A slightly raised voice came from Even. It wasn’t angry, just confused and Even had a tendency to emote in a rather loud fashion.

“It’s not that, we want to leave our childhood homes for other reasons,” Isa said plainly, shaking his head and sighing. “We have plans that would be hurt by not moving out.”

“Are you two planning on searching for people again? Might I suggest asking for assistance and explaining your plans before doing things? Many of us would like to help again.”

“Even, I appreciate the offer, but we would very much like to not chance doing what we are doing without a keyblade being present. We’re unsure of how deaths of nobodies and returns of somebodies would be changed without a keyblade in the area.” Isa sighed and shook his head. “And, as I’m sure you know, this isn’t something we should really be experimenting with.”

Heavy silence came from Even, joining with Lea’s. The problem with earning forgiveness was that a person’s guilt was often stronger than any comfort given. A single string of words could drag past mistakes to light, even if it wasn’t what was what anyone had intended.

Even and Lea only briefly locked eyes, but the feeling that created was awkward enough that it caused Isa to step between them to direct attention back to the conversation at hand. Things were in the past and Isa had told the both of them time and time again that they nobody was mad at anyone else. Most everyone looked for atonement in some way and those who looked deserved forgiveness.

Lea rubbed at the back of his head and laughed. “So, yeah, we just wanna make sure if our parents end up coming back, we’re not living where they are. Don’t wanna push anyone else outta their homes either, since everyone coming back’s the same age as before.”

“Ah, yes, that has been strange, hasn’t it? The process that caused people to become the lesser nobodies-”

Even was cut off by Lea coughing and leaning back, scratching at the back of his head and waiting for both pairs of eyes to be on him before speaking. “Should we really be calling them that?”

“What?” Even’s expressions were ever-changing, so Lea had always found it funny to mess with him to get new, incredibly funny faces. Sometimes it really felt like maybe there could have been ways for them to have stopped hurtling the world towards the fall and be a weird part of the science family.

Lea almost wanted to have that. It took him a few moments to pull himself back to make fun of the scientist.

“Lesser? Like we were better than them?”

“I can tell you’re feeling better about what transpired between us if you’re making comments about things you don’t care about.” Even frowned, shaking his head at the childish antics.

“Nah, I totally care about this,” Lea said with a smug grin on his face.

“No you don’t,” Isa said, rolling his eyes back at Lea.

Lea shoved at Isa’s shoulder with a laugh. “Wow, thanks, Isa. Not gonna let me have any fun today.”

“We have things to do and leaving a 6 month old husky puppy alone only works for so long.” Isa frowned and shook his head, brushing off his annoyance at being shoved.

“I told you we shoulda brought him along. Ienzo loves him,” Lea insisted.

“Not in the lab he doesn’t,” Even said, eyebrows furrowing.

“Nah, he likes him in the lab, you’re just no fun.” Lea snorted.

“Have you taken your dog that you don’t even trust at home into the lab?” Even frowned, his entire face twisting up in displeasure.

“It’s not that we don’t trust Balsam, it’s that he gets lonely,” Lea said with a roll of his eyes.

Even rolled his eyes and gestured for the two younger men to follow him. “If you wanted me to hurry, you should have just said so instead of letting us stand around.”

The younger two knew not to bother with any additional arguments against what Even said. Talking while walking had been what they’d wanted the entire time, but asking for a new house had stopped Even in his tracks. Lea bumped his hand against Isa’s as they walked, hoping to have it held, but Isa didn’t respond.

“While you two are here, there’s been discussion in the castle over how you used to be important assets to our team while we were unaware of your true standings,” Even spoke evenly, not allowing any interruption with his words’ spacing.

However, he took a breath, leading to Isa interrupting. “We were apprentices, yes, but some of you treated us as experiments ourselves. We died in the coat, you surely remember that.”

“Well, yes! But beyond that. You were very-”

“Useful. Yes. We know.” Isa sighed and shook his head. “We’re all working towards apologies, but that doesn’t mean all has been forgotten. You know that. It’s why you can’t be around Lea for extended periods of time. You’re capable of irrational fear and grudges that have been forgiven.”

“Still, you both have a job here if you ever change your mind. We would all like a second chance at truly working with you, smart as you used to be.”

“Thanks, but I’m busy being a keyblade wielder,” Lea said with a wave of his hand.

“And I will not work here until Ienzo is king. I want someone I trust in control.” Isa spoke firmly, not caring who heard him. Forgiveness was something earned and didn’t have to be verbally asked for, but sometimes the words used to ask caused apologies to be left unaccepted.

“Besides, Isa’s got a keyblade now too, so he doesn’t need the job,” Lea said with a proud grin, watching Isa cringe out of the corner of his eye.

“That holds no bearings on what I can and can’t do. I haven’t summoned it more than twice.”

“From what I’ve been told about keyblades, someone must first bequeath a keyblade to the person who later summons it outside of certain circumstances,” Even began, looking at Isa as if he hadn’t heard the discomfort in the younger man’s voice. It was likely he hadn’t and the curiosity had taken over. “Did someone give you your keyblade in any manner?”

“No.” Isa’s answer was short, not wanting to discuss it further.

“Don’t think anyone gave me mine, actually,” Lea said, rubbing at the back of his head as he thought about it. “Maybe when Ven kicked my ass with his toy one?”

“I’d like to stop trying to figure this out and continue walking. I want to have a house decided on within the next year.” Isa spoke with an edge, irritates by the continued discussion of a topic he hated.

“Of course. Let us continue,” Even said with a nod, leading the two deeper into the castle so they could search the old census and housing records from before the fall. “Would you two like to stop by the lab? It’s been a while since you’ve come by and I believe Ienzo misses having someone younger around.”

Lea snorted at that. “Last time we were here, I told him to shut it. Which was a little shitty of me after… Well, I’m sure he’s mentioned what happened.”

“No. He has not.” Even raised an eyebrow and Lea had to push through wanting to laugh at the man’s face when talking about serious things.

“Let’s not talk about it right now. Don’t wanna think about that stuff too much. Bet none of us do.”

“Ah, I suppose that… makes sense.” Even’s words had a bite to them, but everyone knew nothing would come of it. The past twelve or so years had been hard to stay good through, grudges weren’t being held except for a very select few. The only people who held grudges against the three who walked the halls of the castle together were themselves.

Lea, again, bumped his hand against Isa’s, this time hooking one of his fingers around Isa’s pinky. Isa looked down at their hands, pulling away slightly before he fully processed what Lea was asking for. It was easy to tell Isa had figured it out because his grip on hand was immediate and strong. Isa was shaken to the core over something and Lea searched his best friend’s face for an answer as to what it was.

It hit him suddenly that they were inside the castle when he started talking about keyblades. “Hey, Even, go on ahead? We’ll catch up. I just realized I had something I wanted to say to Isa and I don’t wanna forget it.”

“Something you can’t get memorized?” Even’s voice was flat again, only his face giving away his emotion. Eyebrow raised with a slight quirk of his mouth, Lea knew a smug look when he saw one.

“Yeah, yeah. Thanks for helping us out with this, no need to make sure I know you’re an asshole.”

Even looked at Lea with a very suddenly exhausted face and shook his head before turning to walk. “I’ll be… how would you say it? Leaving now.”

Lea snorted, immediately distracted from what he’d been planning on doing. Isa squeezed Lea’s hand to bring him back as soon as Even was out of earshot.

“What is it you want to talk about?”

“Well, I said I was gonna make an effort to stop being so selfish. I wanted to make sure I apologized to you right away without having anyone else around.” As Lea spoke, his free hand rubbed at the back of his head. He let out a nervous chuckle. “Don’t wanna let you think I was making you uncomfortable on purpose. I’m just proud of you. I dunno exactly how you got the keyblade-”

“We both know how it happened,” Isa interrupted, staring directly at the floor. “The way I got the thing isn’t even a reason to trust it. We held your keyblade together, remember? The night you were trying to make it all stop again.”

Lea blinked and let go of Isa’s hand, standing still for a moment as he professed the truth in Isa’s words.

“You’re right, I guess.” He took in a deep breath and wrapped his arms around the other man, fingers brushing through blue hair. He kissed the top of Isa’s head. “Sorry that thing’s got nothing but bad memories right now. I was thinking, maybe you use it while we try to find our parents?”

Isa was still, not returning the hug and barely leaning into it. “I suppose. I’m not very happy about the idea of being the one to bring my parents back, but that’s not fair to you, leaving you with more of the dirty jobs because I continue to put work onto others’ shoulders.”

“Hey. Isa, no. You stop that,” Lea spoke softly. “Wanna head home? I can get the stuff here finished?”

Isa breathed deeply, remaining otherwise silent. After a few long, heavy moments passed, Isa brought his arms up to hug Lea in return. “I’m fine. It’s no trouble. Just give me a moment and I’ll be fine.”

Lea brushed his fingers through Isa’s hair again and nodded, resting his face on the top of Isa’s head. “Love you.”

Time passed as they stood in one of the castle’s halls, but they didn’t pay much attention to that. With no idea how long it had been, they slowly parted and looked down the hall to where Even had gone. They weren’t afraid of the castle, but with how much they’d been thinking about recently, holding each other’s hand seemed like the best idea.

They must have been out of it for a while because they almost immediately saw Even walking back with Ienzo in tow, carrying papers.

“Lea, Isa, it’s very nice to see you both. Even said you were looking for a new place to live?” Ienzo began to walk faster than the other scientist, holding papers out to Isa. “I trust these will be enough information for you. The homes I have pulled have been vacant since long before the fall. They were in disrepair before the fall as well, but in the committee’s rebuilding efforts, they repaired these as well. You may move into whichever you choose, just tell us when you do so we can keep housing records up to date.”

It was good Isa had prepared himself to keep up with whatever scientist they ended up talking to because Lea hadn’t. While Lea processed Ienzo’s words, Isa nodded and smiled.

“Thank you, Ienzo. I hope we didn’t take too long to join you.”

“Oh, no, not at all. With both Even and I looking, it was simple enough to locate the information. It’s all been recently organized and this information is necessary to know on a regular basis.” Ienzo was still smiling. “If you’d like, I can get someone to help show you around the houses and move things with you?”

“I think we can do it on our own, thank you, Ienzo,” Isa said with a nod, looking through the papers.

“If you’re offering to come with us and hang out, though, that’s totally fine.” Deciding to let Isa deal with looking at the papers he’d been handed alone unless a request came for help, Lea grinned at Ienzo. “Bet you’d like to see how much Balsam’s grown since you saw him, what? Last month?”

“I’d like that very much, thank you.” Ienzo looked over at Even, asking for permission that he’d never tried to get before.

Even sighed and shook his head. “You are an adult, Ienzo. Go have fun, you were already taking a small break from your work.”

“Please let Master Ansem know as well?” Ienzo had bright eyes along with the smile on his face, happy to be spending the day with friends. Friends who were more than happy to have him join them.

[flusteredmountainman]

Oh, and also Balsam Fir! :)

Balsam Fir: Have you ever been in love?

Jaye (the me one, not the apprentice-sona): I’m in love with my wonderful boyfriend! We celebrated 5 years on July 3rd :’)

Jaye (the apprentice one): Ummmm does a million billion crushes count? who fucking knows Kai: No but he literally has daydreams several times a day about dramatic scenes from romantic films happening to him in his actual life and is absolutely tickled by the idea of meet-cutes. Tends to fall in love just a Little bit with strangers in the street a lot

[socalscents]

Spring Fragrances for Men! Ladies Pick! Compliment Test 

Spring is in the air! Here are 6 different spring fragrances that the ladies choose which ones they love and which ones they'd rather not smell on a guy! Special thanks to Camille & Tierra for joining us this week! Shoutout to @The Fragrance Apprentice 

Prada L'Homme by Prada is a Woody Chypre fragrance for men. Launched in 2016. The nose behind this fragrance is Daniela (Roche) Andrier. Top notes are Neroli, Black Pepper, Cardamom and Carrot Seeds; middle notes are iris, Violet, Geranium and Mate; base notes are Amber, Cedar, Patchouli and Sandalwood.

Bvlgari Man Glacial Essence by Bvlgari is a Aromatic Fougere fragrance for men. Launched in 2020. The nose behind this fragrance is Alberto Morillas. Top notes are Juniper Berries, Ginger and Geranium; middle notes are Sandalwood, Orris Root and Artemisia; base notes are Clearwood, Musk and Cedar.

Wild Mint by Azzaro is a Aromatic Green fragrance for men. Launched in 2019. Top Notes Bergamot, Calypsone®. Heart Notes: Moroccan spearmint, Balsam fir, Pine balsam absolute. Base Notes: Indonesian patchouli, Haitian vetiver

Armani Code Colonia by Giorgio Armani is a Aromatic Fougere fragrance for men. Launched in 2017. The nose behind this fragrance is Antoine Maisondieu. Top notes are Bergamot, Mandarin Orange and Pink Pepper; middle notes are Orange Blossom, Clary Sage and Amyl Salicylate; base notes are Tonka Bean, Amberwood and Heliotrope.

Toy Boy by Moschino is a Woody Spicy fragrance for men. This is a new fragrance. Launched in 2019. The nose behind this fragrance is Yann Vasnier. Top notes are Pink Pepper, Pear, Indonesian Nutmeg, elemi and Bergamot; middle notes are Rose, Magnolia, Clove and Flax; base notes are Haitian Vetiver, Cashmeran, Sylkolide, Amber and Sandalwood.

Eau des Merveilles by Hermès is a Woody fragrance for women. Launched in 2004 and was created by Ralf Schwieger and Nathalie Feisthauer. Top notes are Orange, Elemi resin and Lemon; middle notes are Amber, Pepper, Pink Pepper and Violet; base notes are Fir, Cedar, Madagascar Vetiver and Oakmoss.

[ilwinsgarden]

Nostalgic folder - Honzík a Mařenka from czech animated fairytale movie Fairy tale about Honzík a Mařenka (by legend of czech animation Karel Zeman). (Here’s an excerpt of the movie together with the song)I actually only recently remembered the whole movie (and it’s title), I remembered some details and a song (well one verse of the song) but for some reason I’ve thought it belonged to another Karel Zeman’s animated movie The Sorcerer’s Apprentice even though I knew there was no castle in the second one and I remembered some shots with a castle. Strange. Anyway. Recently I came across the whole song on YouTube and got the things clear in my mind :). I also rewatched the whole movie few days ago and my, it was such a balsam to the soul! Music included of course (by the way another legend but for a music field this time - Karel Svoboda). 

So I just had to try a little drawing :). I drew it according to a screenscap from the end of the movie when they were riding a horse (well actually a Pegasus at the moment :) ), so that’s a horse mane on the left. And Honzík has an armour on. Most of it is done with markers, with some details and then mostly the skin with coloured pencils.