#black lava pebble

[wholesalestonesolutions]

Black Lava Pebble

[saharavalleyofdeath]

So in honor of the new Lego Ninjago season/show I will share my Next Gen OCs!

Warning ⚠️ there will be queer relationships, trans people, mentions of mental instability, and disabilities. So anyone who doesn't want to read DO NOT INTERACT!!!!

Lava Child (Kai x Cole)

They have a daughter named Roxanne Ember Smith-Brookstone.

She is 16 years old with black hair.

Her nicknames include: Rocky (Everyone calls her this), Pebble by her boyfriend, Rocky Road by Cole AKA Baba/Ba, Pop Rocks by Kai AKA Dad, Bestie, Boulder

She is the leader of the Next Gen Ninjas

Has trauma

Was adopted by Cole and Kai when she was five after being found in a ransacked and destroyed village.

Her boyfriend is Cyrus Borg Jr. (Pixane kid)

Her Besties are Cody Garmadon (Lloyd's kid) and Hayden Walker (Jaya Kid)

Her elemental ability is both Earth and Fire which she can combine and make Lava.

She is Panromantic

She is mostly like Cole but can be showoff at times like Kai

Jaya Kids (Jay x Nya)

They have two kids, Hayden and Brooke.

Hayden River Walker first

Hayden was born a female named Hayleigh but knew that he wasn't comfortable as a girl.

He is also 16 years old

He came out to Rocky and Cody first

Then his parents

Then everyone else

Everyone accepted him and even took him shopping for clothes he wants.

He is Bisexual

His elemental ability is water.

He is a lot like his dad with the attitude of his mom.

His nicknames are: Hay, water bug, dummy, bruh, dude, and hacker

These are said by a ton of different people

Now it's Brooke Raine Walker

She is 14 years old with lightning as her elemental ability

She is mostly like her mom but plays pranks like no bodies buissness

She doesn't know her sexuality yet but as of right now she is a straight ally.

She is an amazing swimmer

She loves reading fantasy books

Loves hanging out with her brother and friends

She absolutely loves family/friends game nights (Mostly Monopoly cause she always somehow wins)

Pixane Kid:

His name is Cryrus James Julien-Borg Jr.

He has prosthetic legs that make him 5'9

Without them he is 2'9

Yes they add 3 feet

He is a medic/tech guy

He is Rocky's boyfriend

He is THE Straight Ally

He buys ALL the pride stuff. So much so in fact he probably single handedly keeps the pride stores in business.

Everyone told him that he didn't have to buy all of it.

He refused to stop.

He can now only give the pride products on birthdays, Easter, or Christmas.

He loves to cook like his dad

He has the Ice element

He has phantom pain when getting in or out of the Ice bath too fast.

Rocky helps him through it.

Lloyd Kid

Lloyd adopted a boy named Cody Nathan Hart after Cody's bio-dad left him.

Cody's last name was changed to Garmadon

Cody has a good bond with Garmadon

Though he does roll his eyes when he hears about Christofern...

Cody and Lloyd are really close and they talk about a lot of things

Except when Cody got a boyfriend.

Cody isn't really open about his relationship

All Lloyd knows is that Cody is Gay and is in a relationship

Hayden is said boyfriend

Cody and Hayden pull pranks together with Rocky

There is a prank war. It was started by Cody, Hayden and Rocky. Yes there are teams/sides

Cody and Rocky are Best Friends

Cody loves RomComs

He also loves getting Mani-pettis

Cody, Hayden and Rocky have spa days once a month

Cody also loves to bake

Cody does NOT love his dad dating anyone

He will go out of his way to ruin his dad's dates or at least discourage them

Lloyd does pass down his green energy thing to Cody.

Skylor kid

Skylor was married and had a daughter

Eventually her husband had an affair so they got a divorce

Skylor has full custody of her daughter, Hazel Amber Chen

Hazel know somewhat of her grandfather

Hazel is a lesbian and has a girlfriend named Nikki

Hazel has Skylor's red hair and amber power

Hazel likes reading and watching horror especially with her girlfriend

She is the top

She loves volunteering

She works at her Chen's Noodles

Always wins at card games

Never plays video games

She waits for her girlfriend like a puppy for her to get off work

She has a good relationship with her mom

[xii-fossilfuel]

what froths at the mouth & fumbles for—

QUERY USER . . . ◾ ◾ ▇ ▇ 31. 1993. 2/7.

▪ ▪ ▪ MYUNG HAEIL. ENTER. ▇ PROMPT; GET TOTALPHYSICALMEMORY. ▇ PROMPT; ▪ ▪ ▪ ECHO/? ▪ ▪ ▪

thought excerpt: on sleepless nights i’m most torn, my shadow crawls away from me, the bedroom floor is molten lava or an iceberg drifting across a ghost sea; the pangs return, not like hunger, but like drumbeats; in anticipation for the witching hour, the silver sigil of the eclipse. we’re poltergeists who fought battles against our mirrors and won, broken-toothed and bleeding-hearted.

CONTINUE? . . . CONTINUE? . . . CONTINUE?

heart excerpt: our howls anger the clouds, birth thunderstorms and torrential rain. the secret is to never know: to stride blindfolded into the fire, to kiss the tides and drown the wound in salt. i never know what i’m doing and perhaps that must suffice. there’s hell-fire at the end of the line. there’s moonlight at the end of the line. i don’t know which one i’ll get but i’m willing to take my chances.

──────────────────────────────────────────

◾ ◾ ▇ ▇ ACCESS: SUMMARY Q & A. ▪ ▪ ▪ PROMPT: NEWLIFE.EXE

▋▋ORIGIN: the wet crack of a weeping heart: bleached bones dreaming of flesh how can you think of blood when the sky is drenched with it

◾ A: bloodletting is the purpose of living, the ocean’s heartbeat, the wild wind roaring through the skeletal & shivering bodies of rattling stars.

▋▋ORIGIN: i burn so deeply, beneath my skin, i want to peel it away and strip it down until i am only bleached bones and hollow marrow do you know this feeling sun-spinner it is fierce and aching

◾ A: the sense of something giving way. the echo of a pebble falling. another tally on the chalk of your bones,  another shadow left for memory to smudge to the grey beneath your eyes. something gives way, but still something else grows in its place. a matchstick lit in the dark of your belly.

───────

◾ ◾ ▇ ▇ ACCESS: BACKGROUND Q & A. ▪ ▪ ▪ PROMPT: HELLFIRE.EXE

▋▋ORIGIN: i have not slept in four days. my skin is peeling off. joints popped out fit-to-bursting like a whale carcass washed up on the beach full of expel and abhor.

◾ A: the stars will unzip down the middle, and they’ll come running, asking “where have you been?” saying “did you forget? you still have something to prove.”

───────

◾ ◾ ▇ ▇ ACCESS: PERSONALITY Q & A. ▪ ▪ ▪ PROMPT: LANGUAGEBARRIER.EXE

▋▋ORIGIN: what is dying? to no longer be in the proximity of want?  of love, of dreams?  is it physical or mental? when dark thoughts recede we are left with a sun that is eating the galaxy.  generations of children with stomachs for throats begging to be filled with something other than the emptiness of a black hole

◾ A: it’s nearly 4am and the heavens just tore themselves in two. you sat in bed wondering what pain could have caused them to batter rain so hard against your window, as though they’re reminding you that they’re there, as though they’re reminding you that the skies can fall too.

▋▋ORIGIN: i’m looking at shadows covering skull-sockets like war paint & eyes that want to swallow the world (as how the void wants to swallow you) it is the teething season for new skin & you would suppose that a heart doesn’t break quite like an old branch but i know better don't i

◾ A: you're red & sore-mouthed & aching to be peeled open. something visceral in the wake of a swarm of crows.

───────

[itneverendshere]

"this love came back to me." - ix

Pairing: Sunghoon!AU x Reader

Summary: sunghoon never stopped loving his best friend's older sister. even when you broke his heart. even when you left. will he finally let you go or will you finally open up your heart to him?

Chapter word count: 2.699k

CHAPTER WARNINGS: nostalgia; childhood friends; cute; slowburn; cursing ; FLIRTING; touchy sunghoon; sexual tension; heeding being a himbo; ANGST!!! at the end <3 we love her; mentions of drinking;

ix. yes or no?

The atmosphere is relaxed and enjoyable, with the sound of waves and the gulls bringing their high notes to the percussion of pebbles at the shoreline.

It's a day for dreaming, for allowing time to move fast and slow. The fierce sun beats upon the seemingly never-ending sea, reflecting the light into a blinding patch of shine. 

The sand has always been the gentlest hue of gold, with just the right comforting warmth, the star of the scene. You love this beach. You love the driftwood that comes upon the buoyant waves as tiny rescue boats. Your favorite though, of everything that is here upon the softly rolling dunes, is the tall, tall grass that whispers so sweetly into the gusting breeze.

To rest there on this beach always feels like a cozy hug, matched by the sunshine-filled sky. With tanning legs curled under, dusted with sand, you sit close to the lapping waves. Your fingers wiggle in the water, scooping the sand that runs like cold lava through your fingers and onto the dry beach. The only marker of time in days like this one is the sun above, the moments savored by the waves that wash the sands in white lace.

You stretch out both arms and legs to look like some sort of a starfish, your grin growing slowly into a broad smile. 

All of you just sit there, Yunjin to your left, Heesung and Jake to your right, just taking in the afternoon and chatting in your characteristic pattern, laughs and seriousness intermingled. Although your attention keeps leading you to rest your eyes on Sunghoon’s figure.

Just off the shore, he’s floating, motionless, his black mop of hair the only visible spec in the blue, bobbing up and down with every breath the sea takes. His face, although covered in sunscreen, still shows signs of redness from the unforgiving sun. From the shoulders down his body is beneath the water. 

And just like that, you decide to join him. 

You could swim forever, and dive forever, just like you imagined you could when you were twelve and obsessed with mermaids.  There is something about it that becomes natural after a while. You’ll always love to feel the saline water wash over your skin and through your eyelashes. 

“Y’known” his voice startles you as your head peaks out of the water after the long dive, “I’m surprised it took you this long to get in the water.”

Sunghoon eyes you, almost suspiciously. You’d care about that if you weren’t busy ogling the way his hair looks. It’s even darker when wet, and pushed back of his face, curling just lightly at his left temple. Water seems to cling to his eyelashes like stars, you’ll always envy him for their length. For a second, you track the droplet that slides like a tear down his cheek. 

“Sort of grew tired of Jake’s burps, sorry to disturb you, your grace.”

You skim your fingers over the surface, flicking a generous amount of water on Sunghoon’s chest as he only seems to grow amused by you.

“I’d end up dragging you in here anyway,” the sun seems to make his eyes brighter, corners crinkling just slightly with his smile. 

You roll your eyes, leaning back to gaze at the dazzling sky, hands pushing through the water to keep you steady, “You’re awfully confident in yourself.”

You know his eyes are on you, it’s easy yet overwhelming to feel the heat of his attention licking across every exposed inch of your skin. You let yourself wonder if he’s ever realized you tend to do the same exact thing when he’s around, lately, your eyes were always glued to him, hanging on to every word that came out of his lips. Yunjin and Jake did a great job teasing you, although you always refused their claims.

But honestly, if you didn’t act on your feelings, you weren’t breaking any of your long-set rules. 

"Got you in the water, didn’t I?” You raise a brow as he looks away, eyes turning to your friends sitting on the shore, an orange glow spreading further across the ocean. 

“You mean the heat got me in the water,” The prankster in you takes over, as you splash water into his face as you both are waist-deep in the water.

He frows down at you, the spitfire in him raising a brow in challenge. 

“Hoon.”

“What?” He slowly wipes his face, taking a small yet conscious step toward your body.

“Don’t do it.”

Suddenly, before you can predict the timing of his attack, he slungs you over a thick shoulder, hand across the backs of your thighs.

“Sunghoon!”

You laugh and kick, playfully squirming. Sunghoon has half a mind to leave a mark on your ass, but he holds himself together for everyone’s sake. You stop thrashing and murmur, “Let me go—“

He cuts you off when he dunks under the water, taking you along for the ride. Once you reach the surface, you’re spluttering and cursing at him while he’s laughing, “Sorry pretty, what were you saying?” 

“Put me down!” He chuckles and slowly lets you down. He’d led you both to a deeper end, so you rely on your legs to keep you afloat. Yet you still find the strength and ability to flick the sensitive skin below his belly button.

Sunghoon winces and gapes petulantly, “I could drown you so easily.”

“Try me—”

You quickly get interrupted as he pounces on you, again, bringing you both underwater. This time around, one of his hands is wrapped around your waist bringing you closer to him before you both quickly resurface.

“I’m going to kill you,” You keep trying to get out of his grip, splashing water all around. “You’re such an ass.”

“Confess.” He leans in closer to your face, his hands resting on your hips while he rests his cheek against yours, “Tell me, you wanted to join me.”

His burning, trembling hands reach from your hips, up to your ribs, and still, themselves as he draws you into him, as the tide draws higher to the shore. Your belly flips as if you were ten and riding a rollercoaster for the first time all over again, and it takes a sudden dip. The pit of your belly sort of somersaults.

You genuinely don’t know where all your confidence is coming from. Perhaps it’s the summer breeze or maybe it’s the way he’s looking at you, but it gives you the self-assurance you need.

“Or what?” You slip your arms around his neck, teeth softly biting into your lower lip. His gaze never leaves your face, nor does he move the arms he’d wrapped around you.

You’re both aware of each other. He’s making your skin feel like skin just by simply touching you gently. Attraction swirls between you two as invisible ropes that could easily drag you to the bottom of the ocean.

You let the tips of his fingers graze your cheek, the warmth of his hand providing comfort.

“Remember that one time I almost kissed you?” 

Hard to forget. He was fifteen and drunk off his mind. This is when you get that feeling again. The achy, weird feeling that leaves your stomach in knots, your throat all puffy.

“Yes?”

“I’ll do it again,” he leans in, lips tickling your neck, causing you to squirm in his arms, “Properly this time.”

Sunghoon’s having a hard time separating his dreams from reality. He must have officially lost it because he swore just two weeks ago, you were living across the globe, and this scenario he created and replayed time over time in his head seemed so far farfetched, yet here you are.

So close, just like old times, except…closer. If he could, he would live infinite lifetimes just so he could have you, just to get you back home. 

“Is that a promise, pretty boy?” 

You will yourself not to curl into a ball or run away screeching.

Confidence.

Heesung wolf-whistles, the sound echoing through the beach, sending an embarrassed flush across Sunghoon’s cheeks, “Why did we bring them along?” 

“Don’t be mean,” Your eyebrows are quirked in interest, and you tap the tip of his chin with a knuckle before cupping his cheek, “I’m the mean one, remember?”

Even within the water, you can feel the heat of his body, the goosebumps it sends skittering across your body when his foot grazes up your calf.

"What are you doing later?" Your stomach rolls with the possibility he might want to spend more time with you, although you've been seeing each other every single day, “Jay forced us to attend a party, but it’d be a lot better if you came.” 

“I’d love to…”

He’s not looking at you now, instead turning his attention to the water surrounding you, and how his fingers are turning wrinkly.

“But?”

“It’s girl's night, and Yunjin already planned the entire evening.”

“You’re leaving me alone with those idiots?”

You nod very seriously. "That's your job, obviously. How did you not know? You really should pay more attention." That earns you an eye roll and a tug at the corner of his mouth.

“Save me.”

“Poor you," you drone, "So neglected.”

He drags his thumb across your skin, watching it pull.

“No," he says. "You couldn't neglect me if you tried." He moves his face closer, so close that your noses brush. 

“Only because you're so annoying," you say, softly. "It's very hard to ignore you." 

He scoffs, only pulling closer to him, as the tide pulled you slightly away.

“Careful," Sunghoon says, “I might think you're flirting with me."

“I am.”

Sunghoon’s sure he’s going to faint if you keep this going. He can hardly contain his happiness, especially when everything is blooming and glowing inside him, so so harshly, and continuously. His heart dares to keep hoping this is real, feeling dizzy with the excitement your actions and words provide.

“You trying to give me a heart attack, pretty?”

“That’s tempting.”

Sunghoon starts rambling, complaining about your group of friends and the fact he was never going to catch a break from their teasing, and how you were banned from ever leaving him alone with the boys.

But you aren’t paying much attention to his words or the way your friends are screaming your names at the top of their lungs, throwing in a teasing comment or two. You’re thinking about Sunghoon and how he’s the most beautiful person you’d ever laid eyes on.

How despite the annoyance in his eyes every time he takes a glance at your friends, he still turns to you and sees you. He still looks at you like you’re the only girl he’s ever wanted to look at.

You’re thinking about how pretty and pink his lips look, how exciting and yet calming it feels every time he calls your name, and how you want to feel them pressed against you. You’re thinking about the time when you were seventeen and almost knocked him out for trying to do exactly that while he was drunk. 

You’re thinking about how much you feel for him.

And that’s what you keep doing for the remainder of the day, even when you leave the beach and settle back in your bedroom, while Yunjin runs for the shower, listing every movie you’re watching tonight.

It’s 4:15am. Hushed, yet deep, voices wake you up from your slumber. You and Yunjin watched four movies before succumbing to the events of a beach day and falling asleep on the couch. Not an unusual thing for you two.

“J’s, seriously, y-put me down, I can walk just fine!”

You sit up, comfortably enough so you can peek at boys. The scene is comical, like something you’d see in a coming of age movie. Heesung is currently being carried, as in almost bridal style, by Jake and Jay.

Whenever he drinks too much, he can never tell their names apart. So, over the years, they’ve been addressed by him as the J’s.

“You tripped on air,” Jake scolds him, “Who the fuck trips on air?”

Jay chuckles, “You have.”

“One time!"

You don’t have the chance to take them all that seriously, noticing he is missing.

“Stop farting jackass.” Jake hisses, his eyes closing in an attempt to control his temper, “My hand is right behind your ass.”

“I told I could walk;” You can spot Heesung’s smirk even in the dark, “Ya hand is there because you wantta.”

When he spots you, his face lights up and he almost falls on his face, as the other two boys drop him, tired of his shenanigans. You’re surprised Yunjin is still sleeping through all of this.

You’re happy they got home safe and sound, but you can’t help but wonder and worry about Sunghoon. Is he okay? Did someone drive him home?

“What are you doing here?” Heesung asks. It’s more of a slur, words sticky with intoxication.

“I live here?”

“Oh.”

“That tequila did a number on you uh,” Jay teases, he looks almost as drunk as Heesung although he’s able to stand on his own feet and form proper sentences. 

“Shut the fuck up J.”

“I think it was the strip poker,” Jake laughs, attention turned back to the boy laying on the floor.

You glare at your brother, “Your friend was off his face, and you let him play strip poker?”

“That was before he started drinking.”

You can feel the apprehensive feeling growing in your mind, but that is a natural emotion, right? There's a gut feeling in your stomach that says “no, he didn't”, but another in your heart that says “yes, he did.”

So, though you appear calm outside, if anyone takes a closer look at your eyes, they will know they’re saying a lot more.

Dread is a fear flag. Where is he? Sunghoon always spends the night at yours after a night out, fuck, he spends more time here than in his actual house during summer. So yeah, your brain is already jumping to conclusions and creating different scenarios.

“Where’s Sunghoon?”

The dread only feels deeper when your brother and Jay share a knowing look with each other, avoiding your gaze. You don’t like it one bit. 

“He had to drive someone home.”

You know your brother can see the struggle within you, the cascading stress, the change in eye contact, posture, and tone. And you’d be fine with just that information, really. That’s all you need to know to make sure he’s fine and safe, but then Heesung opens his big, drunk mouth and you know it’s going to be hard to forget this night.

“Y-yeah, his ex-fling?”

All that answer brings is anger, suspicion, and an averted gaze. Surely, it’s not like that. Right? You’re not too late, are you? He seemed so at ease with you during the day, even at the party, he kept texting you, complaining about how boring it was without you there. Maybe you took your bond for granted, and in your naivety, you’d thought it unbreakable. 

“Oh.”

“It’s not like—“

Heartbreak is maintaining a poker face until you get to your safe space, because your family, and your friends, can't see you like this.

“Goodnight.”

The bitterness is rising like bile into your mouth as you leave the room, scarring away before you do something stupid—like crying—in front of the boys. It’s hard to deal with such strong emotions, struggling between heartache and jealousy.

You’re not sure what’s hurting more, the piercing ache in your stomach, or the crushing sensation on your head. The pain feels like it can be chronic and like it’s going to last for days, depleting you.

You get into bed and brush against that teddy bear he got for your 15th birthday. You almost lose all your composure as soon as the lights go out.

Two years, two late seems a lot more real now as you silently cry into the small black bear, trying to keep your breathing as even as possible so Yunjin won’t hear you as she joins you in bed an hour later, even though your chest is hurting. So bad.

Heartbreak is understanding he might not love you anymore. 

____________________________________________________________

TAGLIST:

@iloveoceaneyesss

@tobiosbbyghorl

@stinkoscope

@pshchives

@jamjam728

hopefully I didn't forget anyone! If you'd like to be tagged in future chapters, please let me know :)

angst was suggested, and angst was delivered...and to be followed...maybe. thank you for tuning in and reading!!! really appreciate everyone who takes the time to share the story.

until next time x

[novaauster]

The Labyrinth

Rook has always been preoccupied with the idea of habitat.

It was born in a city and lived there eighteen years after. When it was a child, the winter would bring snow, and its father would fire up the hot tub on the back deck. Rook and its brother would sink down to their jaws in the sharp bromine water, catching ice on their tongues. The hot tub broke before the snow did, now it lays drained and fallow.

Now, winter is a rainforest. Slapping at mosquitoes and brushing off beetles and toweling off humid moisture over and over again. Rook’s home became an invasive species.

Three liters, it remembers, the first time it vacationed in the desert. If you’re going to set out into the red rock, you bring three liters in a plastic pouch on your back. You bring sunscreen, salted almonds and a charged phone. You do not go alone.

Never forget that it is someone else’s habitat.

See, Rook’s home overflows with sweat and poison ivy and a river that smells of sewage and dew. There’s nowhere to run. Last night it dreamt a hornet landed on the hollow of its throat, and its enormous stinger, flat like a lobster’s tail, slipped beneath the thin skin. It laid lurid purple eggs there, just where trachea meets bone. Tonight Rook will dream of a nest of snakes. 

The trails around the resort are well-groomed and beautiful, so much so that it doesn’t feel much different than walking around the block at home. Yes, red mesas dominate the horizon, but here there is not a pebble out of place. It picks its way carefully around prickly pears, not out of fear so much as respect, and follows the brass signs down to the trail: Labyrinth, with letters punched clean through the metal.

The strange thing about this desert is that it is room-temperature, exactly the same as a warehouse department store. Rook knows that life doesn’t require a rainforest, but it can’t shake off its home so easily. Yesterday it hiked seven miles without breaking a sweat: unnatural. Today it is tired and its parents are hiking somewhere else. 

Black igneous brackets Rook onto the path. It heard that there were lava flows around here, that there are tunnels just below the surface that have stayed there for thirty thousand years. Thirty thousand years is not long at all. 

This place was once a seafloor, it can tell by the salt. 

Meditate, says the sign labeling the labyrinth. Be at peace. Find your center. Balance your chakras. 

Rook dismisses the instruction with a derisive snort, even as a pit opens where that hornet had stung it in its dreams. This is a kitschy resort and the air outside is just as cool and dry as the hotel room, but it remembers the petroglyphs on that seven-mile hike. Spirals and stick figures of spirits rising out of the dust. A blink of an eye ago, an artist chiseled their art into black desert varnish, and then came the Mormons and the air-conditioned spas. 

Rook does understand it, that anyone would see their god in these monoliths. It still feels wrong.

Rook walks the spiral path. It listens to music on its airpods and does not meditate so much as debate the purpose of walking nowhere. People do it on treadmills all the time, it supposes. It takes twenty minutes to spiral inwards twenty feet, a painstaking dizziness, twenty minutes to examine every angle of the chair-sized rock in the center. 

Be at peace. Find your center. 

Jesus Christ. 

Rook sits on the chair-sized rock and admires the view for a while. It’s not the most comfortable place to sit, sharp edges digging through its thin hiking pants, but its feet are blistered from yesterday. Its lips are dry and the scrape of air through its nostrils makes it wonder if it will bleed the next time it sneezes. 

It takes a swig from its plastic water bottle. Way less than three liters, but Rook is barely two hundred yards from the hotel room. It reads the brass labyrinth sign again, backwards from this vantage point. etatideM, says the sign. ecaep ta eB.

A kind of fury crashes over Rook. Its ears ring.

Rook spits water onto the ground, darkening the sand like a bloodstain, spit-foam on the edges. After a moment, it pours the rest out too, water glugging out of clear plastic. Some of it splashes on Rook’s hiking shoes. 

What happens next, it thinks. Building spas and labyrinths like summer won’t come. Balance your chakras, my ass. 

The rusted, soaked sand bulges in the center. It looks like a new wellspring, about to burst, but out climbs a scorpion. Bright orange, the color of the dry rock. 

Next is a river of spindly, fingernail-sized spiders, and as the hole widens, a snake struggles free like it’s leaving its very own egg. Rook stands abruptly, brushing dust off the seat of its pants, giving the rock a cautious glance before stepping back. 

A beady-eyed gray mouse follows the snake, and the snake bites down on the larger animal with all its infant venom. The flow is not stemmed. 

Rook backs away further as the sand starts to crumble away. It steps over the igneous trail-markers, one foot in one concentric labyrinth-ring, one foot in another. What’s the point of walking nowhere? It wants to flee, it knows it has to flee from the cartoonish black widows that have begun to hunt red ants, but the animals pay Rook no mind. 

The wellspring swallows the rock Rook had rested on, and the river of animals expands heedless of the igneous markings. The river follows the path of topography instead, parting for mounds of rock, filling in footprints. 

When Rook reaches the trailhead, there is no brass sign. The resort should be in view, but instead the buildings have cocooned themselves in mesa rock and the prickly pears block the path. Rook falls to its knees, lands flat on the fleshy sun-warmed earth, and feels insects between eyelashes and the backs of its ears. 

Rook joins the river. There is life here after all.

[bestgullpoll]

Round 2, Side A: Match 23

[Image ID: Two pictures of gulls. The left is a lava gull standing in sand. The right is a Franklin's gull walking along a pebbly bank. /End ID]

The lava gull (Leucophaeus fuliginosus) is the rarest gull in the world. They are found only on the Galápagos Islands, predominantly the Santa Cruz, Isabela, San Cristobal, and Genovesa islands, with an estimated population of 300-600 individuals. They typically measure 51-55 cm (20-22 in) in length. Unlike other hooded gulls, their sooty brown-to-black head does not vary by season. They have red eyelids and white eye crescents. Their body is dark grey with paler grey underparts, their bill and legs are black, and their wings are dark grey with a white leading edge. On Genovesa they exploit the kleptoparasitic behavior of the magnificent frigatebird, capitalizing on botched attempts by the frigatebirds to steal fish from other seabirds. Unlike most gulls which nest close together, they are solitary nesters. They are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN.

The Franklin's gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan) is a small gull found in central Canada and northern United States and migrates to winter in Argentina, Chile, Peru, and the Caribbean. They typically measure 32-36 cm (13-14 in) in length and 85-95 cm (33-37 in) in wingspan. They have a black hood, red bill and legs, white eye crescents, dark grey back, and white underparts which sometimes show a rosy pink cast. Their dark grey wings have black tips with white spots at the very tips of the primaries and a white band at the trailing edge. They feed on worms and insects, small fish, crabs, and small amounts of vegetation. When foraging in water, they sometimes swim in circles to create a vortex to bring prey closer to the surface.

lava gull image by Andy Morffew

Franklin's gull image by Terry Sohl

[vees-strangeworld-omniverse]

THE ARGONIAN MYTHOS: a basic overview pt 1- in the beginning, the three gods & airplane religions

(NOTE: description copy-pasted from DA where i normally post my works. any context that is missing here on tumblr can be found on my DA [linked here and on pinned post] )

[and an additional note: i'm not a particularly religious person and their may be some bias, so please feel free to scream at me in tags or whatever if i accidentally make a genuinely offensive remark]

So…

Argonus now officially has religion and mythology to it. I mean, I've been worldbuilding on the actual fauna and the elkinets themselves for a while. What better way to expand upon this universe than to give out the mythos they believe and worship? I think it’s time for it. And oh dear lord, it is LOOOOOOONG!!! Why? Because I wanted to get rid of some of the major myths which most mythologies/religions have, plus it’s really fun to worldbuild an entire mythos...

So, without further ado, here’s [PT1] the mythos in its entirety (or at least the somewhat “basics” of it…),

IN THE VERY BEGINNING…

So, like all other mythologies, there’s a story about how the world and universe was created. Our planet argonus is no exception here, having the creation of the planet, sun and moon.

Once up many, many, many eras ago, argonus started off as nothing more than a smooth, round pebble floating in the pitch black void. Then, all of a sudden, the pebble started to form and shape the mountains, valleys and hills, and cracks began to form, releasing out all of the water and lava on that planet. From the cracks, two beings appeared: out of the lava came a bright, blazing crow named duzliv (The sun), and from the waters came a blue, swirling owl named magmor (the moon).

From there, the two birds immediately got to work, dumping some of their feathers onto the planet. The shaft and veins of the feathers became the trees and shrubs, and the fluffy afterfeather became the grass and flowers. It wasn't just feathers that shaped life on the planet, either. On every single feathers were mites, fleas and ticks. Those tiny, insignificant creatures would become all of the fauna of the planet: wolves, deer, birds, fish, and snakes. The mites that came from duzliv became the beings of the day while the ones from magmor became the creatures of the night. The only animals absent where the aeronoids (don't worry, they’re coming soon).

Once argonus had all of the life it needed, magmor and duzliv took a well-deserved break, before figuring out what to do next. Since they had all of these newly-created beings, they needed a way to control them all. Not only that, but they needed a place for the animal’s souls once they died.

It was duzliv who suggested they have children. Magmor, whilst not too keen on creating more life, knew that their children will have their parent’s god-like abilities. So, the owl and the crow had three children, and each of them controlled a specific role: one for the sky and the newly-created afterlife, one for the ground and the life that lived on it, and one for the waterways and the underworld. It would be here that this is where we meet the three major deities….

THE THREE BIG GODS OF ARGONUS

(and their worshipers)

After laying her eggs, all three of them hatch out, and immediately go to work, fulfilling their roles on argonus. The three gods, all of which had the head of a bird that fairly represented them, went along as as followed:

OGRIN:

the first and strongest of the children to hatch. He’s represented as an white airliner with the head of a brown-colored eagle or hawk (commonly the former), and he’s the sort of zeus analog. He not only is in control of the weather, but he’s also in control of “Aethorna”, the heavenly places where all the “good souls” go.

Aethorna is held up by clouds that only the souls of the deceased can see. This afterlife looks similar to the overworld of argonus, except that all plants grow lush green all year around, and the stars are visible regardless of daylight or not. The souls don't just include elkinets, but also all the animals as well.

Ogrin himself is a rather happy, carefree person who absolutely loves to eat, party and drink. However, like all other deities, if he's angry he often creates havoc in the forms of tornados, lightning and floods. He’s also often a total casanova, and like Zeus he goes after various beings to make sweet, sweet love too and have children with. These beings were often either other deities, mythical creatures or even just a regular elkinet. However on rare occasions during thunderstorms ogrin will accidentally (or purposely) strike an animal which will create a monstrous being, either the animal itself turning into one or later giving birth to the beast.

DHETOS:

Dhetos was the second to hatch out of the clutch. Depicted as a green or camo prop aircraft with the head of a chicken, she’s the land goddess that's in control of the overworld as well as the ground and the life that lives there (both of air, land and sea). She lives in a lush land under the mountains (often just called dheto’s land) where you can find any animal living there in peace.

Dhetos is a more stern person that takes her job seriously. She not only is capable of controlling the plants and animals around her, but can also create lifeforms of her own. This not only includes normal animals, but also the beasts and monsters that roam the planet. While she is commonly praised for the upkeep of creating new life, she’s also capable of taking it as well. As such, it’s not uncommon for stories to have the hero call upon her to take care of a dangerous beast the hero themselves are incapable of defeating.

Dhetos, despite being an all-serious person, does have a soft side when it comes to cooking and music. If one can please her with their music or food, then she’ll let them into her home.

XORTAN:

The final child to hatch, Xortan is depicted as a black seaplane with the head of a waterfowl (Most commonly a mallard or some kind of duck), and is the god of all waterways as well as the Underabyss, which is essentially the argonian version of hell or the underworld. This underabyss is located in only the deepest, darkest pits of the ocean, where all of the “bad souls” would go.

[tumblr edit: in much of the mythos, xortan is often depicted as a "regular' aircraft with webbed/lobed feet, though in modern times he'll also be depicted as a true seaplane. regardless, he always has a waterfowl head]

Despite being the ruler of the underworld, xortan himselfs is not a horrible tourture-loving person, or at least in most versions. In his satchel he carries all of the destinies and fates of every soul presently on the planet, which are often in the shape of gemstones or orbs. What he does with the orbs once the soul has died will be the outcome. For example, if he destroys the rob, that soul goes to aethorna. Another outcome for one’s soul is for the orb to be tossed onto land so one can be reborn as an animal (note: not always Xortan’s doing, sometimes it’s Dhetos that’s in control of reincarnation). Reincarnation, in argonus, is often likened to purgatory, except it give the soul another chance to end up in aethorna. However, he can also come up with unique punishments for each and every person that has done things too horribly to be given second chances.

Xortan as a person is somewhere in between that of dhetos and ogrin. He’s not a super carefree person, but not a super serious one at that. If anything, he’s depicted as a rather apathetic but reasonable person.

While all elkinets believe in these three gods and most of the big mythos surrounding them, who they choose to worship can depend. In this case, there are five major “religions” on argonus. Here are these religion, in order by popularity/commonness:

Ogrinism:

one of the most popular of the religions, it has its roots in Ben Ital in eastern eroon, were it spread and became a mainstay in most of eroon, l’russ and the planet’s western/orthidox culture.

considered the christianinty of argonus, ogrinism is the worshiping of ogrin himself, and is very similar to christianity: above-cloud afterlife god good, below-earth underworld god bad. Therefore, you worship Ogrin so you have the chance to go to aethorna and avoid Xortan as much as possible. Dhetos, on the other hand, is more of a neutral character that’s neither 100% good nor 100% bad, but just does what she needs to do. Ogrinism has two major version: Light and Solid.

Light ogrinism:

the most common and widespread version, is the idea the ogrin, whilst a powerful being, is a flawed character. he makes frequent mistakes; sometimes he recognizes it almost immediately, othertimes he only realizes it later either on his own or whenever his sibling point it out. light ogrinist still sees Xortan as an important person when it comes to death and were the souls go. Thus, while nobody likes him, the light ogrinists still respect him for the job he does. in some stories, Xortan has even helped his brother out in fixing the mistakes he has made.

airplanes that are into light ogrinism tend to understand that everyone is flawed, but as long as one is able to fix the mistakes and let ogrin into their lives, they'll let said flaws and mistakes go by. they give some care to the animals, as they know that they could be the souls of the ones who messed up and must retry life. They believe that the most common animals are often wild animals like deer and bears, as well as common pets like stunnits, dogs and cats. They believe that most major crimes like murder, arson and buglury are sins. However, like mentioned, you can still end up in aethorna if you change your ways and let ogrin in your life. Even if he doesn't let you in, he’ll still have his brother reincarnate you to give you a second chance.

Solid ogrinism:

on the other hand, solid ogrinism is the older, more extremist version of ogrinism. here, ogrin is viewed as "flawless, perfect and all-knowing". instead of being viewed as being no better than a mortal, he is instead viewed as the idealistic being to look up to. And of course, because of this, anyone who DOESN'T follow that path is considered "unholy" and "a heathen". not surprisingly, in solid ogrinism Xortan is 100% bad guy, and all who ends up in the underabyss are all sinners that 100% deserved it.

What is considered a sin varies depending on the era and who you ask. A common joke/theme [in modern times] is “anything can be a sin if you try hard enough”, which can range from something major to something so small and trivial. The more common sins are some of the same as what we would expect from our world’s conservitive extremists: abortion, premarital sex, anything NOT heterosexual (gay marrage and such), and basically all other religion that aint ogrinism. Many have even claimed that things like veganism and animal right/welfare are against the religion because, of course, even just being reincarnated as an animal means you sinned, and therefore animal right/veganism is just giving sinners what they want. Solid ogrinist also believe that all sinner that get reincarnated turn into livestock and any other animals that are killed for their body parts. Solid ogrinism is often what gives the entire religion as a whole a bad reputation, which may also be the reason why few elkinets are solid ogrinist in modern times.

Omnyism:

while ogrinism is often touted as the most popular, omnism comes very close second, having almost the same amount of people if not possibly more due to how widespread it is. It is primarily practiced in most of northest amerigia, nylus and sonias (excluding l’russ). It’s believed to be the first religion, as it encopasess all three aspects of the argonian afterlife, that is aethorna, reincarnation and the underabyss.

Omnyist worship all three of the gods, because to them they are all important and vital to their ways of life. All three of them not only give you land, food, water and all other natural resources, but they also tend to choose how you spend your afterlife depending on what you did wrong in your living years. Examples for each god include the following:

-Dhetos: the goddess dhetos was in charge of reincarnation in this religion, and people were reborn into animals that she saw fit for what they did in life. People would often be reincarnated because they committed a crime against the natural world. Examples of said crimes include things like wasting resources (commonly food), bringing unnecessary harm to animals, destroying land for pure greed, ect. However, not all the time was a complete punishment; sometimes she’d take pity on certain individuals and reincarnate them into animals close to home like pets. In many of these stories, these people were often forced to do the crimes and in reality were actually good people.

-Ogrin: not surprisingly, if you were a very good person, it was ogrin who’d take your soul in. This is most commonly relegated to people who proved themselves to be worthy of a good ending. The gods can tell whether you’re genuine or just acting good, so simply just doing good things isn't enough. You need to show kindness, great leadership, compassion, empathy, and basically show that you are a good plane all around. If you succeed, ogrin will let you in into aethorna.

-xortan: if you ended up on xortan’s doorstep, you’ve obviously messed up in life. And by mess up, you REALLY did. Elkinets who ended up in the underabyss have done nothing but the most horrible of things, like murder, warcrimes, genocide, ect. However, people who weren't good nor bad also would go to the underabyss, and they can appease him by singing a song, giving him food/goods, or just making him a little happy. However, often this is just to make sure he’ll send you to aethorna, as xortan already knows you’re not guilty of anything and he just wants you to humor him.

When it comes to the hatred of non-ogrinistic religions, solid ogrinist sometimes consider omnyism the one true exceptions to this rule, since omyist do technically still worship ogrin and therefore are at least “on the right track”.

Dhetosism:

Dhetosism is the third most common religion on argonus. It is commonly worshiped throughout southest amerigia, astra and the amerigia-navaloon gulf.

Dhetosism, as the name would suggest, is the worship of the land goddess Dhetos. It is often confused for omnyism, mainly because of the similar beliefs for one’s outcome in the afterlife. Here, the goodest of elkinets go to aethorna and the worst of elkinets go to the underabyss. However, only the worst and best of people go to their respective places. The people who weren't those two extremes? Well, they’re in Dhetos’s hands [paws] now.

Like omyism, dhetos is the one in control of reincarnations, and not just that but is their ruler once reincarnated. Here, dhetosist believe that one starts their life as an elkinet, but when they pass on they begin the process of reincarnation after reincarnation. They go through several cycles of rebirth until eventually they become that very best/worst being and end up in aethorna or the underabyss. Every time they die and have to be reborn, they end up in Dheto’s land for a bit, often no more than a day.

Sometimes the souls get to choose what animal they get reborn as, others believe it’s up to Dhetos and her helpers to choose what animal one becomes. In either case, all animals are under the ruling wings of the bird-headed goddess, and must worship and respect her. Dhetotists believe that worshiping her while one’s still an elkinet gives them a headstart in the reincarnation process by being on her good side, and thus possibly being allowed to choose what animal they become. It’s often cited that, whether by your choice or Dhetos’s, the good (but not best) planes get to become wild birds so they still fly like they could when they were elkinets. Meanwhile the bad (but not worst) will get reincarnated into aquatic animals like fish and leeches.

It’s a common misconception that all dhetotists are vegetarian or vegan since to them, most if not all animals are the souls of elkinets. While true to some extent, whether dhetosist eat meat or not depends on the ability to obtain more plants than animals for food (aka where they’re living).

In places that make it difficult or impossible to grow or obtain sufficient amounts of plants, for example, dhetotists will still eat animals for food with the exception of birds. However, if they DO live in areas where they can gather/grow enough plants to sustain themselves, then they will avoid meat with the exception of certain holidays as well as scenarios where it’s unavoidable. In any case, all dhetotist will refuse to kill and eat any wild birds since those are the souls of good people on the path to reaching aethorna. They are, however, allowed to use poultry birds for their eggs since it’s a common belief throughout the argonian mythos that a life doesn't start until the egg hatches (though nowadays some dhetotist will also refuse to consume eggs or milk if they can).

A key thing people forget, particularly some of the more troublesome humans, is that simply going vegan isn't gonna appease dhetos (because like said, dhetotist do eat meat a whole lot). It is, instead, just simple common courtesy towards the reincarnated souls to abstain from meat whenever possible, allowing the soul a chance of dying from more natural causes. As a matter of fact, it’s considered an even worse crime against dhetos to go vegan for nothing more than personal gain and superiority (I can name a few of them on twitter and a certain former tiktok user). Dhetotist believe that if you’re horrible towards your own kind, you’re most likely horrible towards the animals you’re so called “protecting”.

Xortanism:

A much smaller religion, xortanism’s origins come from the islands of the indus island ocean, including the indus islands themselves.

Given that the underabyss is set in the deepest of oceans, it would make sense that in islands surrounded by water they’d worship the underabyss god himself. More accurately, though, xortanist believe that everybody is pre-destined to end up in the underabyss, as very few can really get up to aethornia. That is, unless you’re an animal, in which case ogrin will more than likely accept you in. Thus, instead of appeasing ogrin, they instead focus on xortan and making sure that he instead, give them that second chance in the form of rebirth so that they have a higher chance of going to aethorna when they die again.

It’s not just any animal that the elkinets get reincarnated as, though. Specifically, it’s the waterfowl or galliformes that xortanist believe to be the souls of the reincarnated. A Lot of people think that xortanist sacrifice these birds species just to get them to aethornia quicker, however that isn't true. Instead, the elkinets have a specific bird called the “rebirther”, as well as a male to make sure. They believe that, If a member of the village dies, the first chick to hatch from the rebirther is the soul of the deceased. Once the chick grows up, they get sent to the families of the deceased, where they are treated just like family, and are kept from being killed for food.

[tumblr edit: this act of avian rebirth is commonly done by the native villages of the indus islands. with xortanist outside of the indus island (and especially in first-world countries) it is not unheard of for the disease's family to be given a waterfowl-shaped object, such as a plushie, statue or figurine.]

This is also the only version where xortan doesn't have the head of a duck, but rather it's that of the xortan goose (aka xortan swan), a species of swan native to guinea centura.

Nullinism:

nullinism is a rather new kind of religion that’s particularly become evident in groups affected by religious extremism. It’s kinda unclear where or when it originates, but some suggest it comes from south n’gola from elkinet that have become exiled from their villages.

Nullinism can often be likened to agnosticism or sometimes atheisms, in that no one god is truly responsible for your outcome after death, and you're in control of your own destiny. It’s the opposite of omnyism, and that you don't worship any god, rather you go about life the best way possible and see what happens afterwards. After all, you don't know what happens until you’re dead. Most often, nullinist believe that life is nothing but a constant cycle of death and rebirth, until you eventually end up on either Ogrin’s or Xortan's doorstep. All that the gods do is make sure the planet is functioning so life can continue.

Although humans tend to call it the argonian version of atheism, it’s not actually that since, unlike atheism, they still do believe in the afterlife, just not in the ways others see it.

join me on pt2, were we discuss other facets of the argonian mythos..

[cathartes-aura-shitposting]

THE ARGONIAN MYTHOS: a basic overview pt 1- in the beginning, the three gods & airplane religions

(NOTE: description copy-pasted from DA where i normally post my works. any context that is missing here on tumblr can be found on my DA [linked here and on pinned post] )

[and an additional note: i'm not a particularly religious person and their may be some bias, so please feel free to scream at me in tags or whatever if i accidentally make a genuinely offensive remark]

So…

Argonus now officially has religion and mythology to it. I mean, I've been worldbuilding on the actual fauna and the elkinets themselves for a while. What better way to expand upon this universe than to give out the mythos they believe and worship? I think it’s time for it. And oh dear lord, it is LOOOOOOONG!!! Why? Because I wanted to get rid of some of the major myths which most mythologies/religions have, plus it’s really fun to worldbuild an entire mythos...

So, without further ado, here’s [PT1] the mythos in its entirety (or at least the somewhat “basics” of it…),

IN THE VERY BEGINNING…

So, like all other mythologies, there’s a story about how the world and universe was created. Our planet argonus is no exception here, having the creation of the planet, sun and moon.

Once up many, many, many eras ago, argonus started off as nothing more than a smooth, round pebble floating in the pitch black void. Then, all of a sudden, the pebble started to form and shape the mountains, valleys and hills, and cracks began to form, releasing out all of the water and lava on that planet. From the cracks, two beings appeared: out of the lava came a bright, blazing crow named duzliv (The sun), and from the waters came a blue, swirling owl named magmor (the moon).

From there, the two birds immediately got to work, dumping some of their feathers onto the planet. The shaft and veins of the feathers became the trees and shrubs, and the fluffy afterfeather became the grass and flowers. It wasn't just feathers that shaped life on the planet, either. On every single feathers were mites, fleas and ticks. Those tiny, insignificant creatures would become all of the fauna of the planet: wolves, deer, birds, fish, and snakes. The mites that came from duzliv became the beings of the day while the ones from magmor became the creatures of the night. The only animals absent where the aeronoids (don't worry, they’re coming soon).

Once argonus had all of the life it needed, magmor and duzliv took a well-deserved break, before figuring out what to do next. Since they had all of these newly-created beings, they needed a way to control them all. Not only that, but they needed a place for the animal’s souls once they died.

It was duzliv who suggested they have children. Magmor, whilst not too keen on creating more life, knew that their children will have their parent’s god-like abilities. So, the owl and the crow had three children, and each of them controlled a specific role: one for the sky and the newly-created afterlife, one for the ground and the life that lived on it, and one for the waterways and the underworld. It would be here that this is where we meet the three major deities….

THE THREE BIG GODS OF ARGONUS

(and their worshipers)

After laying her eggs, all three of them hatch out, and immediately go to work, fulfilling their roles on argonus. The three gods, all of which had the head of a bird that fairly represented them, went along as as followed:

OGRIN:

the first and strongest of the children to hatch. He’s represented as an white airliner with the head of a brown-colored eagle or hawk (commonly the former), and he’s the sort of zeus analog. He not only is in control of the weather, but he’s also in control of “Aethorna”, the heavenly places where all the “good souls” go.

Aethorna is held up by clouds that only the souls of the deceased can see. This afterlife looks similar to the overworld of argonus, except that all plants grow lush green all year around, and the stars are visible regardless of daylight or not. The souls don't just include elkinets, but also all the animals as well.

Ogrin himself is a rather happy, carefree person who absolutely loves to eat, party and drink. However, like all other deities, if he's angry he often creates havoc in the forms of tornados, lightning and floods. He’s also often a total casanova, and like Zeus he goes after various beings to make sweet, sweet love too and have children with. These beings were often either other deities, mythical creatures or even just a regular elkinet. However on rare occasions during thunderstorms ogrin will accidentally (or purposely) strike an animal which will create a monstrous being, either the animal itself turning into one or later giving birth to the beast.

DHETOS:

Dhetos was the second to hatch out of the clutch. Depicted as a green or camo prop aircraft with the head of a chicken, she’s the land goddess that's in control of the overworld as well as the ground and the life that lives there (both of air, land and sea). She lives in a lush land under the mountains (often just called dheto’s land) where you can find any animal living there in peace.

Dhetos is a more stern person that takes her job seriously. She not only is capable of controlling the plants and animals around her, but can also create lifeforms of her own. This not only includes normal animals, but also the beasts and monsters that roam the planet. While she is commonly praised for the upkeep of creating new life, she’s also capable of taking it as well. As such, it’s not uncommon for stories to have the hero call upon her to take care of a dangerous beast the hero themselves are incapable of defeating.

Dhetos, despite being an all-serious person, does have a soft side when it comes to cooking and music. If one can please her with their music or food, then she’ll let them into her home.

XORTAN:

The final child to hatch, Xortan is depicted as a black seaplane with the head of a waterfowl (Most commonly a mallard or some kind of duck), and is the god of all waterways as well as the Underabyss, which is essentially the argonian version of hell or the underworld. This underabyss is located in only the deepest, darkest pits of the ocean, where all of the “bad souls” would go.

[tumblr edit: in much of the mythos, xortan is often depicted as a "regular' aircraft with webbed/lobed feet, though in modern times he'll also be depicted as a true seaplane. regardless, he always has a waterfowl head]

Despite being the ruler of the underworld, xortan himselfs is not a horrible tourture-loving person, or at least in most versions. In his satchel he carries all of the destinies and fates of every soul presently on the planet, which are often in the shape of gemstones or orbs. What he does with the orbs once the soul has died will be the outcome. For example, if he destroys the rob, that soul goes to aethorna. Another outcome for one’s soul is for the orb to be tossed onto land so one can be reborn as an animal (note: not always Xortan’s doing, sometimes it’s Dhetos that’s in control of reincarnation). Reincarnation, in argonus, is often likened to purgatory, except it give the soul another chance to end up in aethorna. However, he can also come up with unique punishments for each and every person that has done things too horribly to be given second chances.

Xortan as a person is somewhere in between that of dhetos and ogrin. He’s not a super carefree person, but not a super serious one at that. If anything, he’s depicted as a rather apathetic but reasonable person.

While all elkinets believe in these three gods and most of the big mythos surrounding them, who they choose to worship can depend. In this case, there are five major “religions” on argonus. Here are these religion, in order by popularity/commonness:

Ogrinism:

one of the most popular of the religions, it has its roots in Ben Ital in eastern eroon, were it spread and became a mainstay in most of eroon, l’russ and the planet’s western/orthidox culture.

considered the christianinty of argonus, ogrinism is the worshiping of ogrin himself, and is very similar to christianity: above-cloud afterlife god good, below-earth underworld god bad. Therefore, you worship Ogrin so you have the chance to go to aethorna and avoid Xortan as much as possible. Dhetos, on the other hand, is more of a neutral character that’s neither 100% good nor 100% bad, but just does what she needs to do. Ogrinism has two major version: Light and Solid.

Light ogrinism:

the most common and widespread version, is the idea the ogrin, whilst a powerful being, is a flawed character. he makes frequent mistakes; sometimes he recognizes it almost immediately, othertimes he only realizes it later either on his own or whenever his sibling point it out. light ogrinist still sees Xortan as an important person when it comes to death and were the souls go. Thus, while nobody likes him, the light ogrinists still respect him for the job he does. in some stories, Xortan has even helped his brother out in fixing the mistakes he has made.

airplanes that are into light ogrinism tend to understand that everyone is flawed, but as long as one is able to fix the mistakes and let ogrin into their lives, they'll let said flaws and mistakes go by. they give some care to the animals, as they know that they could be the souls of the ones who messed up and must retry life. They believe that the most common animals are often wild animals like deer and bears, as well as common pets like stunnits, dogs and cats. They believe that most major crimes like murder, arson and buglury are sins. However, like mentioned, you can still end up in aethorna if you change your ways and let ogrin in your life. Even if he doesn't let you in, he’ll still have his brother reincarnate you to give you a second chance.

Solid ogrinism:

on the other hand, solid ogrinism is the older, more extremist version of ogrinism. here, ogrin is viewed as "flawless, perfect and all-knowing". instead of being viewed as being no better than a mortal, he is instead viewed as the idealistic being to look up to. And of course, because of this, anyone who DOESN'T follow that path is considered "unholy" and "a heathen". not surprisingly, in solid ogrinism Xortan is 100% bad guy, and all who ends up in the underabyss are all sinners that 100% deserved it.

What is considered a sin varies depending on the era and who you ask. A common joke/theme [in modern times] is “anything can be a sin if you try hard enough”, which can range from something major to something so small and trivial. The more common sins are some of the same as what we would expect from our world’s conservitive extremists: abortion, premarital sex, anything NOT heterosexual (gay marrage and such), and basically all other religion that aint ogrinism. Many have even claimed that things like veganism and animal right/welfare are against the religion because, of course, even just being reincarnated as an animal means you sinned, and therefore animal right/veganism is just giving sinners what they want. Solid ogrinist also believe that all sinner that get reincarnated turn into livestock and any other animals that are killed for their body parts. Solid ogrinism is often what gives the entire religion as a whole a bad reputation, which may also be the reason why few elkinets are solid ogrinist in modern times.

Omnyism:

while ogrinism is often touted as the most popular, omnism comes very close second, having almost the same amount of people if not possibly more due to how widespread it is. It is primarily practiced in most of northest amerigia, nylus and sonias (excluding l’russ). It’s believed to be the first religion, as it encopasess all three aspects of the argonian afterlife, that is aethorna, reincarnation and the underabyss.

Omnyist worship all three of the gods, because to them they are all important and vital to their ways of life. All three of them not only give you land, food, water and all other natural resources, but they also tend to choose how you spend your afterlife depending on what you did wrong in your living years. Examples for each god include the following:

-Dhetos: the goddess dhetos was in charge of reincarnation in this religion, and people were reborn into animals that she saw fit for what they did in life. People would often be reincarnated because they committed a crime against the natural world. Examples of said crimes include things like wasting resources (commonly food), bringing unnecessary harm to animals, destroying land for pure greed, ect. However, not all the time was a complete punishment; sometimes she’d take pity on certain individuals and reincarnate them into animals close to home like pets. In many of these stories, these people were often forced to do the crimes and in reality were actually good people.

-Ogrin: not surprisingly, if you were a very good person, it was ogrin who’d take your soul in. This is most commonly relegated to people who proved themselves to be worthy of a good ending. The gods can tell whether you’re genuine or just acting good, so simply just doing good things isn't enough. You need to show kindness, great leadership, compassion, empathy, and basically show that you are a good plane all around. If you succeed, ogrin will let you in into aethorna.

-xortan: if you ended up on xortan’s doorstep, you’ve obviously messed up in life. And by mess up, you REALLY did. Elkinets who ended up in the underabyss have done nothing but the most horrible of things, like murder, warcrimes, genocide, ect. However, people who weren't good nor bad also would go to the underabyss, and they can appease him by singing a song, giving him food/goods, or just making him a little happy. However, often this is just to make sure he’ll send you to aethorna, as xortan already knows you’re not guilty of anything and he just wants you to humor him.

When it comes to the hatred of non-ogrinistic religions, solid ogrinist sometimes consider omnyism the one true exceptions to this rule, since omyist do technically still worship ogrin and therefore are at least “on the right track”.

Dhetosism:

Dhetosism is the third most common religion on argonus. It is commonly worshiped throughout southest amerigia, astra and the amerigia-navaloon gulf.

Dhetosism, as the name would suggest, is the worship of the land goddess Dhetos. It is often confused for omnyism, mainly because of the similar beliefs for one’s outcome in the afterlife. Here, the goodest of elkinets go to aethorna and the worst of elkinets go to the underabyss. However, only the worst and best of people go to their respective places. The people who weren't those two extremes? Well, they’re in Dhetos’s hands [paws] now.

Like omyism, dhetos is the one in control of reincarnations, and not just that but is their ruler once reincarnated. Here, dhetosist believe that one starts their life as an elkinet, but when they pass on they begin the process of reincarnation after reincarnation. They go through several cycles of rebirth until eventually they become that very best/worst being and end up in aethorna or the underabyss. Every time they die and have to be reborn, they end up in Dheto’s land for a bit, often no more than a day.

Sometimes the souls get to choose what animal they get reborn as, others believe it’s up to Dhetos and her helpers to choose what animal one becomes. In either case, all animals are under the ruling wings of the bird-headed goddess, and must worship and respect her. Dhetotists believe that worshiping her while one’s still an elkinet gives them a headstart in the reincarnation process by being on her good side, and thus possibly being allowed to choose what animal they become. It’s often cited that, whether by your choice or Dhetos’s, the good (but not best) planes get to become wild birds so they still fly like they could when they were elkinets. Meanwhile the bad (but not worst) will get reincarnated into aquatic animals like fish and leeches.

It’s a common misconception that all dhetotists are vegetarian or vegan since to them, most if not all animals are the souls of elkinets. While true to some extent, whether dhetosist eat meat or not depends on the ability to obtain more plants than animals for food (aka where they’re living).

In places that make it difficult or impossible to grow or obtain sufficient amounts of plants, for example, dhetotists will still eat animals for food with the exception of birds. However, if they DO live in areas where they can gather/grow enough plants to sustain themselves, then they will avoid meat with the exception of certain holidays as well as scenarios where it’s unavoidable. In any case, all dhetotist will refuse to kill and eat any wild birds since those are the souls of good people on the path to reaching aethorna. They are, however, allowed to use poultry birds for their eggs since it’s a common belief throughout the argonian mythos that a life doesn't start until the egg hatches (though nowadays some dhetotist will also refuse to consume eggs or milk if they can).

A key thing people forget, particularly some of the more troublesome humans, is that simply going vegan isn't gonna appease dhetos (because like said, dhetotist do eat meat a whole lot). It is, instead, just simple common courtesy towards the reincarnated souls to abstain from meat whenever possible, allowing the soul a chance of dying from more natural causes. As a matter of fact, it’s considered an even worse crime against dhetos to go vegan for nothing more than personal gain and superiority (I can name a few of them on twitter and a certain former tiktok user). Dhetotist believe that if you’re horrible towards your own kind, you’re most likely horrible towards the animals you’re so called “protecting”.

Xortanism:

A much smaller religion, xortanism’s origins come from the islands of the indus island ocean, including the indus islands themselves.

Given that the underabyss is set in the deepest of oceans, it would make sense that in islands surrounded by water they’d worship the underabyss god himself. More accurately, though, xortanist believe that everybody is pre-destined to end up in the underabyss, as very few can really get up to aethornia. That is, unless you’re an animal, in which case ogrin will more than likely accept you in. Thus, instead of appeasing ogrin, they instead focus on xortan and making sure that he instead, give them that second chance in the form of rebirth so that they have a higher chance of going to aethorna when they die again.

It’s not just any animal that the elkinets get reincarnated as, though. Specifically, it’s the waterfowl or galliformes that xortanist believe to be the souls of the reincarnated. A Lot of people think that xortanist sacrifice these birds species just to get them to aethornia quicker, however that isn't true. Instead, the elkinets have a specific bird called the “rebirther”, as well as a male to make sure. They believe that, If a member of the village dies, the first chick to hatch from the rebirther is the soul of the deceased. Once the chick grows up, they get sent to the families of the deceased, where they are treated just like family, and are kept from being killed for food.

[tumblr edit: this act of avian rebirth is commonly done by the native villages of the indus islands. with xortanist outside of the indus island (and especially in first-world countries) it is not unheard of for the disease's family to be given a waterfowl-shaped object, such as a plushie, statue or figurine.]

This is also the only version where xortan doesn't have the head of a duck, but rather it's that of the xortan goose (aka xortan swan), a species of swan native to guinea centura.

Nullinism:

nullinism is a rather new kind of religion that’s particularly become evident in groups affected by religious extremism. It’s kinda unclear where or when it originates, but some suggest it comes from south n’gola from elkinet that have become exiled from their villages.

Nullinism can often be likened to agnosticism or sometimes atheisms, in that no one god is truly responsible for your outcome after death, and you're in control of your own destiny. It’s the opposite of omnyism, and that you don't worship any god, rather you go about life the best way possible and see what happens afterwards. After all, you don't know what happens until you’re dead. Most often, nullinist believe that life is nothing but a constant cycle of death and rebirth, until you eventually end up on either Ogrin’s or Xortan's doorstep. All that the gods do is make sure the planet is functioning so life can continue.

Although humans tend to call it the argonian version of atheism, it’s not actually that since, unlike atheism, they still do believe in the afterlife, just not in the ways others see it.

join me on pt2, were we discuss other facets of the argonian mythos..

[walkingwiththegods1]

Pagan Misconceptions Clarified: Why Pele, is NOT "Only The Angry Goddess Of Volcanoes and Fire, That lives in The Volcano; Kilauea?!"

   This is what most people have said or known about Pele: She is the Goddess of Volcanoes and Fire, that lives inside The Volcano Kilauea; and is responsable of the violent eruptions of this volcano, and than she may appeared in human form once in a while; to see the world beyond her home... Well, is time to see beyond this scarce information; and at the end of reading this post, you will know how this can be used in your life!

   Pele, is too: The Goddess of Lightning, The Goddess of The Violence; and... The Goddess of The Dance!

   The Goddess of Lightning: Most people doesn't know, than during volcanic eruptions; happens a very rare phenomenon, that is commonly associated with storms: The appearance of Lightnings, inside the dark smoke of an erupting volcano! So, Hawaiians during centuries; have said than Pele, is The Deity than can handle this element; than creates respect and fear, at the same time!

   The Goddess of The Violence: There are myths, were Pele's character as a violent Deity; is cemented, including killing a lover she toughted was cheating on her; (but was resurrected later) and the fact than the volcanic eruptions in Hawaii, are ones of the most violent on Earth; this is why Pele, is considered as... The Goddess of Violence!

   The Goddess of The Dance: According to a myth, Pele is the creator of The Hawaiian Dance of Hula; when she found the ideal island to live, and she danced the first Hula Dance; as a sign of victory: Is still practices today, and it was used as one of the ways to worshipped and honour her!

    Hawaii, was colonized a few centuries ago; and, as sadly happened in The New World; (which includes Oceania) the process of Colonization includes an intense campaign of Conversion of The Hawaiian Nation; which little by little, accepted the foreign faith; but... Curiously, Pele's devotion doesnt died as quickly as The Missionaries and Preachers wanted it... This is why Pele, is still vigent in Hawaii's people; today. (Those Missionaries and Preachers, never got it: You may kill a myth, BUT... You will never kill to a God!)

    Curious Fact: There is a phenomenon, called;  "The Curse of Pele", which happen when people grabbed natural things of Hawaii; as a souvernir, (a pebble, anything than came from the volcanic soil; etc) and as soon they take wharever they found with them... They starts to suffered strikes of bad luck: The only way to being free of this curse, is returning the... "Stolen Object", backed to Hawaii; preferably, travel back to Hawaii yourself; to put the object back where you found it. (I was surprised to know, than in Hawaii's Mail Service; most of the packages than are sended to that island... Are of very streesed tourists than sends back whatever they took from Pele's Land! [So... If you ever trip to Hawaii, and you see a natural element in it than you want to take with you... Is better than you leave it in its place, Okay?!]

     Pele, can appears to people; in different ways: The first, is a beautiful woman with long black trenses; and the second, (the more often way); as an old woman of white long flowing hair, sometimes with a white dog. If you ever see her, greet her respectfully saying aloha; and offer your help to her.

      In the 80's, in one of the most violent eruptions of The Kilauea; only a hut escaped of being burned down, and when the man was asked of who he was, it was a big surprised to know than the lucky guy... Was a Devotee of Pele! (Which totally explain, why his house wasn't touched by the lava; in the first place...)

     Today, people leaves offerings to Pele; to get her protection and to appeased her fury: Yes... She is still revered and respected, today!

     And this is all, about The Deity than is more present today than never; in the magical Hawaii's Islands: Pele!   

Have all of you, a Life of respecting Nature and The Deities than are close to it... So Be It!

[koopzilla]

"He-...he wouldn't! Not after everything we went through-...all that effort - for a quick fix? No, it's not true!" Snarling as if doing so will make it fact, but his breath catches in his throat as the lack of oxygen slowly brings him down while the charge meter rises. His teeth grit around a pain growing in his core along with the coconut's biting power that pulsed the idea by him again in question , though slightly rephrased to 'we don't belong anywhere...do we?'

All the time spent showing the Koopa he didn't need an oath or an obedience spell, or to stay chained to a land he did not recognize to have his back - shell on or off. All of that meant nothing...and he should have heeded the tyrant's lesson all along that if you trusted no one, then no one could hurt you.

"I wish ...he'd feel this." It was one bitter request made to the coconut's growing miserable charge, but like the pain of having his arm out of placed and forced back in - he couldn't weather the storm of it alone.

"We don't belong anywhere... do we?" The whisper repeats again and again. Its tone mutates, becoming lighter, overtaken by curiosity. It is consumed by an empty wasteland, one which even the sun refused to visit. Its sole audience is the deceased: koopas burned away by an aimless flow of lava.

The Koopa Prince sighed, gaze crawling up the riverbend. The Yoshies had destroyed their towers. Those cute little dinosaurs had beaten him down to bruises and bandages. Kamek promised him safety in these fiery depths. He called this place... the Darklands. It had also brought a loneliness like the child had never known...

Why had those dinosaurs fought them? Bowser had only done what Kamek told him to do. Why did everyone fight them?

"They fear power, Your Fierceness. They will never accept you."

The prince scowled, kicking a pebble into the lava. If they won't accept him, he won't accept them either! "Then... I'll CRUSH them..."

--

The king wears the same scowl, nails pressed to his heart. The memory had struck him so suddenly; he had frozen in his tracks. It is a bitter recollection, a moment where he had felt entirely abandoned. It is fuel to his engines every day: the assurance that if he does make a kingdom for himself, then no one will have him.

Yet, someone had come for him. Bowser claws a scrape over his barren wrist. In a desperate brawl, he might have lost it all... if not for the sacrificial exchange of one fluffy prince, he may have died. Donkey had given himself away to assure the safety of Bowser's son. And with that assurance, the Koopa King had been granted an opening to break loose and win the day. In the end, someone outside of his command had shown up without demand, nor request.

His eyes trail away from the battlefield, towards swamplands buried deep in the Jungle Kingdom. It felt like the right direction to look. Kamek frantically assures Junior's safety. Soldiers stand ready on all sides, just in case an angry black ape elect to attempt rising against them. The battle is won.

But for Bowser, it is not over. A pang in his chest pulls him towards the woods, away from his soldiers.

The army stares in question, but dares not speak. His memory twists. It is no longer a young koopa prince staring sorely into the fiery bends... but a small kong with a filthy little hair curl. The fluffy prince stares into a dimming sky. And the words repeat again.

"We don't belong anywhere... do we?"

Except an answer comes this time. Grouchy, demanding, and distant...

"You belong with me."

[kitty-is-writing]

✍🏻 WIP snippet ✍🏻

Been working on Forgotten Magic today and thought I'd share a little bit of Soris and his first lesson in magic weaving.

Soris looked around. He had expected something different, from both Blaise and Ember’s descriptions of Isati lands. Rivers of lava, smoke filling the air, fires springing up all over the place, that kind of thing. Instead, this small part seemed much like any other rocky crag on a mountainside. Ember was standing far too near the edge, pointing down and asking Blaise questions about the places they could see below. Soris wondered if the lower parts of the land were more like he’d pictured, but he wasn’t interested enough to go hang over the edge of a cliff.

“Ah, here she is. Okay kiddos, I’d like you to meet an old friend of mine.” Soris looked over in time to see a streak of blue fire swirl its way to the ground, and turn into a short, slim woman with nearly black skin and greyish-blue hair.

The woman gave them a playful wave. “Hiya, I’m Tanwen. Nice to meet you both.” She looked at Blaise before speaking again. “How are we working this, then? Are we teaching the two together, or do you want to split?”

Blaise grinned and winked at her. “Well, me and Ember were going to go play with some of the kaifa up top. She thinks she’s ready for some more advanced work, and Soris is looking to figure out some kolnis basics. You mind sticking around here and giving him a crash course?”

“Sure thing, old pal. Mind you don’t toss any of it too far, I don’t fancy picking up molten rock today.” She smiled as they left, and turned to Soris. “So, Soris, you want to learn more about kolnis?”

Soris nodded. “I’ve no idea if I’ll be able to do anything with it, but I’d like to learn more about it. Maybe I can help Ember out with the theory, even if I don’t get the practical down.”

“Aw, young love is so sweet. Well, it’s easier to use kolnis if you’re born with a spark like we are, but not impossible to learn if you weren’t. Since you’re wanting to do this out of curiosity and kindness, rather then greed or hunger for power, I think we can find a way to make it work. Think fast, human.” She suddenly threw a piece of glowing rock towards him, and he barely managed to get a shield up in time. “Not bad. I was kinda hoping you’d catch it, but at least you didn’t get hit. I’ll toss you another one, and I want you to try and grab it. When you do, hold onto it for a bit and tell me what you feel.”

The second one came towards him a little slower, and he was able to catch it. There was a gentle warmth there, as if it had been in the sun for some hours, but the fierce heat suggested by the yellowish orange glow was missing. “It’s not as hot as I was expecting,” he said. “I can’t feel any magic in it, either. Not that I’m familiar with, anyway. How did you…?”

His unfinished question was answered when Tanwen pulled a small bag of pebbles out of her pocket, each of them glowing brightly. “These are from our lands, boyo. Each has a little bit of spark inside, left behind by those who have passed over.” She must have seen something in his expression, because she smiled before continuing. “It’s nothing sacred, just a bit of leftover energy gifted back to the world. The part of the spark that made the person is long gone, so don’t you stress about treading on anyone’s beliefs here. We use these to teach our young ones how to use the spark, and help wake up their own. Figured it’d be appropriate here.”

“Great. So what do I do with it?”

“Well, you can play with it for a bit and see what you get out of it. I’ve got a bunch here, so if that one doesn’t work for you we can try another. Have a go at casting some spells, but don’t use your own energy. Try and draw from the spark in the stone.”

Soris tried a few simple flame spells, which all worked as expected, but nothing seemed to come from the pebble in his hand. “I’m not getting much from this one.”

Tanwen nodded. “Yeah, I could tell. Come here a second.” She lightly pressed two fingers on either side of his head, just in front of his ears. “Your own energy is strong, and it’s overriding the spark. I’ll damp it down for now. Try again, and let the stone talk to you this time.”

He attempted one of the spells a second time, an easy one that would create a small flame on a fingertip, but where he would expect magic to flow and complete the spell, there was only a cool, tingling sensation. Instead, soft whispers seemed to come from the stone he held, and he allowed that presence to guide his own intent. The flame lit slowly, differently to how it usually went, and burned with a bright, almost white light rather than the soft orangish yellow he expected.

“There you go. That's a good bright spark there,” Tanwen said. “Now, how's that energy feel? Different to your usual spells?”

“It's… I don't know how to describe it. There's a kind of independence behind it, I guess? Like I'm guiding the magic into doing the spell itself, rather than using it to power my spell.” It sounded stupid when he said it aloud, but Tanwen just smiled and nodded again. “That made sense to you?”

“Yep. Most of my experience is with kolnis, but I've played around with a few other energies before. The risnat you're used to is tough to work with, since you've got to do it all yourself. Most others will help you out along the way, but risnat’s an awkward bastard. Kinda like the dragons it came from. Try a few more spells, ignore the pushy risnat and listen to the sparks.”

[xtruss]

El Hierro: How The Youngest Canary Island Escaped Mass Tourism

While Protests Against Mass Tourism Rage on Neighbouring Islands, El Hierro – The Wildest and Most Westerly of The Canary Islands – Has Quietly Chosen To Do Things Very Differently.

— Sarah Gilbert | Monday 26 August 2024

El Hierro is Located Around 500km Off the West Coast of Africa (Credit: Getty Images)

I had only been hiking for two hours but already I'd passed through a fairy-tale forest of ancient laurels, trunks wrapped in velvety moss and branches dripping with lichen, walked along trails flanked with luxuriant ferns and reached the black ash slopes of a volcanic caldera. Now, before me was yet another scene of jaw-dropping natural beauty: the vast amphitheatre of El Golfo, whose brooding cliffs loomed over a fertile plain and craggy coastline lashed by white-tipped turquoise waves. It was one of the most wild and beautiful places I'd ever seen.

I was in El Hierro, a heart-shaped rock formation off the west coast of Africa that's the youngest, most westerly and second smallest of the Canary Islands. The island emerged from the Atlantic Ocean around 1.2 million years ago following millennia of violent undersea volcanic eruptions, creating a wild landscape of fertile valleys that yield to evergreen forests, sky-high cliffs, volcanic cones and lunar-like badlands.

But what's especially distinctive about this tiny isle is that in a year when protests have raged against mass tourism on neighbouring islands and other regions of Spain, El Hierro has chosen to do things very differently.

El Hierro's population hovers around just 11,000, and its dramatic topography doesn't lend itself to sprawling resorts or skyscrapers. In addition, the island has no direct flights from outside the archipelago, which means it receives only a handful of visitors compared to its neighbours – approximately 20,300 visitors in 2023, while Tenerife, the largest Canary Island, saw more than 6.57 million.

The Island is home to Natural Volcanic Rock Pools protected from the powerful ocean currents (Credit: Getty Images)

During my visit, I zigzagged up and down vertigo-inducing volcanic stone paths and trekked through forests of soaring Canary pines, fields of fiery red poppies and past plots of pineapples. And I crunched over black lava sprinkled with vivid green succulents then swam in a luminous-blue natural rock pool – all with barely another soul in sight.

El Hierro's aim was always to grow visitor numbers gradually. The forward-thinking island has been committed to a wide-ranging sustainable development plan since 1997, including creating museums and visitor centres (there are seven now) that promote its culture and traditions, focussing on activities with limited environment impact and improving the island's infrastructure while preserving nature (it didn't get its first paved road until 1962 and there's famously only one traffic light).

"We want to increase tourism and continue to improve the island's standard of living, but not to the detriment of the residents' quality of life or the island's natural resources," said Davinia Suárez Armas, island director of tourism and transport. "We prefer to maintain our culture and share our quiet way of life with visitors."

The landscape here changes as quickly as the weather; you can travel from the sun-baked southern coast through barren volcanic badlands and sun-dappled forest, arriving at its diminutive mist-shrouded mountain capital, Valverde, in less than an hour. The island has a multitude of microclimates as well as more than 100 endemic species of flora and fauna, including the critically endangered El Hierro giant lizard, leading Unesco to declare the entire island and a large area of its waters a Biosphere Reserve in 2000 and a Geopark in 2014.

Valverde is the only Canarian Capital not located by the sea (Credit: Getty Images)

There are several striking beaches – the black-pebble Timijiraque on the east coast, the red-hued Playa del Verodal on the west, and the white-sand Arenas Blancas at the western tip of El Golfo – but the island is better suited for those who want to get active, rather than fly-and-flop.

I took a white-knuckle drive up a series of hair-raising hairpin bends to reach La Dehesa, a windswept high pasture of hardy shrubs, sculptural volcanic stone and El Sabinar, the most famous of a group of ancient juniper trees in the area. A symbol of the island's resilience, their branches swept the ground and the tortured trunks were twisted and bent by centuries of savage trade winds.

Self-sufficiency and sustainability go hand-in-hand with life on a remote isle, and it's been in the islanders' DNA since the first settlers, the Bimbaches, arrived from North Africa around 120 CE. They survived by farming, fishing and foraging, and discovering an ingenious way to collect fresh water – a challenge on an island without rivers or natural lakes.

The tale of the Árbol Garoé, a sacred tree that supplied the Bimbaches with all the water they needed, is rooted in herreño legend, and I discovered how every drop of water counts along the Ruta del Agua (Water Route), a 16km circular trail that begins in El Hierro's highest village, San Andrés.

In El Sabinar, Gnarled wild Juniper Trees have been blown into surreal shapes by fierce trade winds (Credit: El Hierro Tourist Board)

The island's history is plagued by devastating droughts that led to mass emigration as far afield as Venezuela, most recently in the mid-20th Century, and this route signposts everything water-related from Los Dornajos (aged wooden water tanks) to dams and divine intervention. The Virgen de los Reyes, the island's patron saint, is said to have ended the drought of 1741, and is celebrated every four years during the Bajada de la Virgen, a month-long, island-wide fiesta.

As I hiked through mist-wreathed pastures to the Árbol Garoé's moss-lined mountain grotto, the ground squelched underfoot, and my clothes and hair became as damp as if it was raining.

"It's a phenomenon known on the island as 'horizontal rain'," explained my guide Enrica Baudino, co-founder of Atlantidea hiking company. "When the moisture-laden north-east trade winds hit the mountains, they are forced to rise, and when they cool, they create a mist that leaves tiny droplets of water on vegetation – and hikers. The Bimbaches built tanks underneath trees and bushes to collect the water."

At a high point on the route, between Valverde and Tiñor, I looked over Gorona del Viento, El Hierro's pioneering wind-pumped hydropower station. Inaugurated in June 2014 with five 60m-tall wind turbines, two water reservoirs, four hydraulic turbines and one pumping station, it takes advantage of the island's unique topography – combining intermittent wind power with water power to create a constant supply of electricity – to fulfil the island's long-held dream of meeting all its energy needs from renewables.

The island’s dramatic topography includes sheer cliffs, arid volcanic cones and evergreen forests (Credit: El Hierro Tourist Board)

Cristina Morales, Gorona del Viento's head of communications, explained how it works: "Surplus wind power pumps desalinated water from a coastal reservoir to the upper reservoir set in a natural volcanic crater 700m above sea level," she said. "When there's no wind, the water is released back to the lower reservoir where the hydraulic turbines generate any electricity shortfall."

And the island is hitting its goals. In August 2015, for the first time, the power station generated all the electricity on the island for four hours and it made history in 2023 when it became the only island in the world to operate solely on wind and water power for 24 consecutive days, saving 13,708 tons of CO2 emissions and 4,509 tons of diesel.

But the wind turbines are spinning less and less in the face of climate change.

“During September and October, We have a Period Known as the 'Calms of September' – A Time of Calm Seas, Pleasant Temperatures and Little Wind” — Cristina Morales

"Our production was lower in 2023 because we had a very long summer, with high temperatures and less wind. During September and October, we have a period known as the 'calms of September' – a time of calm seas, pleasant temperatures and little wind. Last year, they lasted almost until January," said Morales. "That's why we are working on implementing other energy sources, such as photovoltaics."

Orchilla was considered a prime meridian for early map makers, and was known as the western extremity of the known world (Credit: Getty Images)

This innovative island wants to be the first Spanish destination to achieve net zero emissions. "We're developing a climate action plan," Suárez told me. "The aim is to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030, and achieve zero emissions by 2050."

These are big ambitions for such a small isle, but its achievements in sustainability are being recognised. Gorona del Viento has long been a role model for renewable energy projects around the globe, and in September this year, El Hierro will be presented with the Canary Islands Tourism award for Sustainable Tourism Destination, thanks in part to its long-standing environmental policies.

"We want to continue to be pioneers," said Suárez, "not just in the Canary Islands but around the world."

That evening, I headed to Faro de Orchilla, a clifftop lighthouse ringed by rippling red-hued lava, and looked out onto the vast ocean. In the 2nd Century, Greek mathematician and astronomer Ptolemy put El Hierro on the map after declaring that the prime meridian was here at Orchilla, the westernmost point of the island that was – before Columbus set sail in 1492 – the limit of the known world. Longitude zero may have moved to Greenwich in 1884, but as I watched the setting sun streak the water pink and gold, I knew that El Hierro would never lose its wild, edge-of-the-world feel.

[akjdsghuq34]

Top Creative Uses for Mexican Pebble in Landscaping

However, when it comes to landscaping, striking the ideal harmony between aesthetics and functionality can be difficult. However, incorporating Mexican Pebbles into your design can effortlessly achieve this. These pebbles, known for their smooth texture and natural colors, can transform any outdoor space into a serene retreat. Whether you want to create a tranquil garden path, an elegant water feature, or a modern zen garden, Mexican Pebbles provides endless opportunities to bring your vision to life.

Using Mexican Pebbles in your landscape adds a touch of elegance and offers practical benefits. They are low-maintenance, durable, and can complement various design styles. In this guide, we'll explore different ways to incorporate Mexican Pebbles into your outdoor space, their advantages, and tips on choosing the right type and size for your project.

The Versatility of Mexican Pebble Designs

Mexican Pebbles come in various sizes, shapes, and colors, making them incredibly versatile for landscaping applications. Their natural hues, ranging from deep blacks to light grays and shades of brown, blend seamlessly with any outdoor setting. Let's explore some popular ways to use Mexican Pebbles in your mexican pebble rock landscape design.

Creating Serene Pathways

One of the most common uses for Mexican Pebbles is in creating pathways. Their smooth, rounded texture makes them perfect for comfortable and visually appealing walkways. You can use them to create winding paths through gardens, connecting different yard areas, or leading up to your front door. The neutral colors of the pebbles add a natural, organic feel to any path.

Enhancing Water Features

Mexican Pebbles are a fantastic choice for enhancing water features such as ponds, fountains, or even little rivers. The smooth surface of the mexican beach pebble allows water to flow effortlessly, creating a calming and soothing sound. Additionally, the dark colors of the pebbles can create a striking contrast with the water, highlighting the feature and making it a focal point in your landscape.

Building Elegant Garden Borders

Using Mexican Pebbles as garden borders is another way to add structure and elegance to your outdoor space. These black lava stone can define garden beds, create edges around trees, or outline your lawn. The pebbles provide a clean, polished look that contrasts beautifully with the vibrant colors of plants and flowers, making them stand out even more.

Designing Modern Zen Gardens

However, Zen gardens, known for their minimalist design and tranquil ambiance, are perfect for Mexican Pebbles. The smooth texture and subtle colors of the pebbles align perfectly with the principles of Zen design. Whether used to create a dry landscape garden or as a base for larger mexican pebble rocks and plants, Mexican Pebbles help foster a peaceful, meditative environment.

Practical Benefits of Using Mexican Pebbles

While the aesthetic appeal of Mexican Pebbles is undeniable, they also offer several practical benefits. These mexican pebble stones are incredibly durable and can withstand various weather conditions, making them a long-lasting option for outdoor spaces. Additionally, Mexican pebbles are low-maintenance and require minimal upkeep compared to other landscaping materials like mulch or grass.

Another significant advantage is their ability to aid in water drainage. When used in areas prone to heavy rainfall or water accumulation, Mexican Pebbles can help prevent erosion and manage water runoff. This makes them an ideal choice for gardens, pathways, and other outdoor areas where proper drainage is essential.

Choosing the Right Mexican Pebbles for Your Space

Selecting the right size and color of Mexican Pebbles is crucial to achieving your outdoor space's desired look and functionality. Here's a guide to help you make the right choice:

Size Matters

Small Pebbles (1/4 inch to 1/2 inch): 

These are ideal for pathways, garden beds, and decorative accents. They are easy to walk on and provide a smooth, even surface.

Medium Pebbles (1/2 inch to 1 inch):

These are perfect for creating borders, edging, and water features. They offer a balance between size and coverage.

Large Pebbles (1 inch to 2 inches or larger) 

These are best suited for accent areas, such as around trees or in zen gardens. They create a bold statement and are often used as focal points.

Color Considerations

Black Mexican Pebbles: 

Offer a sleek, modern look and are excellent for contemporary designs or water features.

Gray Mexican Pebbles: 

Provide a neutral backdrop with various plant colors and styles, ideal for traditional or rustic landscapes.

Mixed Mexican Pebbles: 

Combine shades for a natural, varied appearance, perfect for gardens or organic-themed designs.

Tips for Installing Mexican Pebbles

Proper installation is critical to ensuring Mexican Pebbles effectively enhance your outdoor space. Here are some tips to get the best results:

Prepare the Ground

Before laying the pebbles, make sure the ground is prepared correctly. Remove any weeds, debris, or existing vegetation from the area. You may also want to lay down a weed barrier or landscape fabric to stop further weed growth.

Use a Base Layer

Consider using a base layer of sand or crushed stone for areas like pathways or patios before laying the Mexican Pebbles. However, this helps to create a stable foundation and prevents the pebbles from shifting over time.

Spread Evenly

Aim for an even layer across the entire area when spreading the pebbles. Depending on the size of the pebbles and the purpose of the installation, a depth of 2-3 inches is generally recommended.

Compact the Pebbles

After spreading the pebbles, use a tamper or similar tool to compact them into place. This will help ensure they stay in position and create a more solid surface.

Maintaining Mexican Pebble Landscapes

While Mexican Pebbles are low-maintenance, there are still some steps you can take to keep your outdoor space looking its best:

Regular Cleaning: 

Occasionally rinse the pebbles with water to remove dust, dirt, and debris. This will help maintain their natural color and appearance.

Weed Control: 

Some weeds may still get through, even with a weed barrier. Check for and remove weeds regularly to keep your landscape clean and tidy.

Replenishing Pebbles: 

You may notice some pebbles displaced or buried over time. Add a fresh layer of pebbles every few years to maintain coverage and appearance.

Cost Considerations and Where to Buy Mexican Pebbles

The cost of Mexican Pebbles can vary depending on the size, color, and quantity you need. On average, prices range from $0.10 to $0.50 per pound, with bulk orders often available at a discounted rate. When purchasing mexican beach rocks, it's essential to buy from trustworthy vendors to guarantee the quality and authenticity of the stones.

Conclusion

Incorporating Mexican Pebbles into your outdoor space is a surefire way to elevate your landscape design. Moreover, their versatility, aesthetic appeal, and practical benefits make them an excellent choice for various applications, from pathways and water features to zen gardens and borders. By carefully selecting the right size and color of pebbles and following proper installation and maintenance practices, you can create a stunning outdoor environment that reflects your style and increases the curb appeal of your house.

[psychedelic-elek]

sometimes i am nothing more than the flames that scorch on your skin. writhing and roaring as the oxygen i inhale makes it all somehow that much worse. i’ve got ash in my lungs and it’s still not enough to shut me up. and i’m burning. i’m burning, i’m on fire. but it’s fine.

sometimes i am nothing more than boiling water, spilling out over my edges and evaporating with a threatening hiss. tend to me now, and my steam will scald you. ignore me, and i might make a big mess. the heat is too high, and this water should have never been here.

sometimes i am nothing more than a fire whirl ready to suck the life out of everything in my path. i am dizzy, i am reckless, and i appear frightening. the wind fans my flames, and it doesn’t care that i don’t want to be this. i’m the center of attention in the worst possible way. i don’t want to be here.

sometimes i am molten rock, gurgling on the hot liquid while it evaporates my melting skin. and i am queasy. and i feel like i might explode. and if i don’t, the lava comes out anyways. a steady trickle of the hottest temperatures on earth, and it turns into a streaming mess as i realize i’ve completely lost control of my breath. volcanos explode, and pretty much die - and i despise that my own demise hasn’t been ignited. people everywhere seem concerned i might implode.

sometimes i am like the sun. i burn whatever i touch, and whatever i warm, i anticipate burning. sometimes when people take my warmth for granted, i want to watch them burn alive. sometimes when people get burnt by my life, i wish i’d just fade out and die. and like the sun, i like to disappear for fun.

sometimes i am like the moon. i reflect all those flames buried within, somewhere hidden. and it’s enough light for the night. without my fire inside, nobody can see me. i turn into this black void of numbness and fear. and with it, i am too bright. and i can never get it right. i always fluctuate in intensity, and nothing ever feels right.

-

and then there’s the blue. it’s practically got me consumed. this comforting hue is nothing new, but i feel so used. and confused. and all i can think about is the abuse and misuse of my youth, how nobody ever knew.

and then there’s the rest. and my lungs cave in on themselves. so i do what i do best, and i make a big fucking mess.

-

so, throw your little pebbles, and i’ll melt them anyway.

[alexetism-blog]

Stardate 20230916

Arrecife de Lanzarote

We disembarked at Lanzarote, and this time I did a walking tour of Arrecife’s old town and old port, instead of the usual “360” excursions I tend to do. Which means that, even though Lanzarote has a lot of forests that grow both tropical fruits and temperate climate fruits, I was not able to experience it firsthand. I hear though that, similar to Puerto Rico, the fruits are gigantic and delicious. The avocados, the size of your head. Unfortunately, imports of smaller and lesser-quality avocados are preferred by local merchants… just like in Puerto Rico.

The area I explored was Arrecife, which shared a similar climate to the Sahara Desert, only 80 miles off the coast of Africa, I breathed the air of excitement from being so close to a frontier. It had that clean desert light and monotone colors from volcanic rocks, that laid at the feet of several large black volcanos. I’m used to deserts in California and Nevada, but this town’s porous rocky spirit was certainly unique. I felt like I was entering another dimension. The water was so clear and still, it formed mirrors of the sky all around me, portals to different worlds.

Even though Lanzarote is a Spanish territory, and part of the Canary Islands, it is heavily influenced by its African roots. For example, it still has a white paint color code for its buildings’ exteriors, just like Morocco does. Also, there’s a lot of artwork that romanticizes the Canary aborigines, similar to how Puerto Rico celebrates original native populations too. I never pictured the Canary Islands as colonized, but they certainly were the first in line to suffer the wave of invasions. I even saw several graffitis with variations of “Canarias Libre!”

Lanzarote is the oldest Canary Island, formed by 300+ dancing volcanos. Visited by early Romans for its salt, this island is rich in history. 350 years ago there was a huge eruption, so large that the lava flowed for 6 days (the longest in recorded history). These atmospheric phenomena tends to get blown by heavy wind currents straight into the Americas. My grandfather always used to say that Sahara storms reached Puerto Rico, I would think he was kidding. My grandpa knew a lot. For a while, Lanzarote was also known for its fishing industry, but now its economy is based mostly on tourism and wine. The food and restaurant culture seemed wonderful too, and the vibe seemed relaxed.

What made me feel the most at home was seeing so many flamboyan trees with flowers, I haven’t seen them in years. I hugged one and we said a prayer together. This African tree has made a home in all of the Canary Islands and I’m assuming in all of the Caribbean too. Its spirit is juguetón and it can grow quite tall.

One last anecdote from Lanzarote for the road, a few hundred years ago, people living in the island were quite worried that they didn’t really have the appropriate vegetation to survive. After the last volcano eruption, a fertile and wonderful forest was formed out of red porous volcanic red stones. It turned out that the pores helped the morning due accumulate and have the perfect little ecosystem for plants to grow, shaping up a wonderful agricultural industry. The tiny red (iron) pebbles that covered the island were their salvation. No “rain” needed. They found hope in a hopeless place.

Thank you Lanzarote for your mirrors and your cafecito.

[daniela--anna]

Reinisfjara Beach Iceland.

The beach is covered with black sand, the color of which is associated with a nearby volcano.

The lava that spewed out when it hit the ocean froze to the bottom, turning black.

For many years, water has eroded and broken up these sedimentary formations, turning them into black volcanic sand and washing them ashore.

In addition to sand, there are also pebbles and stones in shades close to black on the beach.

#VideoCuriosity