#griffin blackwood

[bara-izu]

Just Lycan/Dark Urge things part.2

Part 1.

Toma makes some new (old) friends in Moonrise~

[mewmewkitten101]

Griffin Blackwood send post

[life-of-a-rat]

The Magnus archives but better

feat. @mossiistars, @fox-guardian, @streetlight-halo, and mossii’s friend

[thepunkmuppet]

I don’t think I ever actually said this on here, basically for one of my mock english gcse exams for the “write a story” section I wrote a time travel / somewhere else jonmartin fic. literally. the prompt was “something surprising” I think, and I just went well. waking up in an alternate universe would be pretty damn surprising. and it was just jon waking up in bed with no scars and no eyepocalypse and going “wHEre’S mArTiN” and I got a grade 9 (A**). so yeah that happened

[the-southern-cereal-king]

The eventual progression of Griffin McElroys little sailor man is Peter Lukas, I don’t make the rules I just state them

[theclod3215]

A bunch of little doodles from this video by @titanfalling2 because I have been watching it on repeat for the past week

[bam-monsterhospital]

on the one hand, eso is allergic to pretty young men npcs and its engine affords absolutely ZERO aesthetic favours towards mans... which is why bastian looks wayyyyy older than 27 and craggy as hell visually.

on the other hand, his character is great and griffin puatu's performance is so goddamn wonderful and endearing that it overlays and makes up for any lacking visuals on the game's part...

all this to say, i treat drawing bastian a little like how all those oblivion fan artists approached interpreting lucien lachance back in the day.

not quite to that extent, but like, same energy.

[saintbleeding]

[ID1: A discord screenshot of user hotdrinks saying “(caps) I was just thinking (end caps) slap some round eyewear on a guy and you have fanon martin blackwood”.

ID2: Simple sketches of a steaming mug, a book titled “The Romantic Poets, 1797-1824”, a sunflower, and a framed photo of Griffin McElroy, all of which have had round eyeglasses crudely drawn onto them. End ID.]

leland said this and he was not wrong

[platinumshawnn]

Bound by Blood and Fire — fancasting

A/N: yall are going to be so sick of me and maybe disagree but I’m posting this for anyone who cares as reference

Kieran Burton (“House of the Dragon”) as BENJICOT BLACKWOOD

Sai Bennett (“The Spanish Princess”) as SERRA TULLY

George MacKay (“Ophelia”) as KERMIT TULLY

Archie Barnes (“House of the Dragon”) as OSCAR TULLY

Max Brown (“Tudors”) as ELMO TULLY

David Oakes (“Vikings: Valhalla”) as SAMWELL BLACKWOOD

Josha Stradowski (“The Wheel of Time”) as EMRYS BLACKWOOD

Alicia Agneson (“Vikings”) as ALANNYS (Mallister) TULLY

Hannah Dodd (“Bridgerton”) as MARYSSA (Lannister) BLACKWOOD

Millie Brady (“The Last Kingdom”) as ALYSANNE BLACKWOOD

Matthew McNulty as SER ALISTAIR

Joe Alwyn as SER ERYN

Harry Gilby as DAVOS BLACKWOOD

Callum Turner as HENRY BLACKWOOD

Roman Griffin Davis as LUCIAN BLACKWOOD

[asexualbookbird]

August feels. Blurry. The Thursday of the year. Of the summer? IT feels like the year. I managed to fill out my entire Summer Bingo Board for the library. I haven't heard back about winning any prizes, but I had fun and that's what counts. Bingo made me branch out of my comfort zone which was really neat. Can't say I'll do it more often, a comfort zone is comfortable, but I do enjoy reading something Different every now and then. Did some crafty things this month, which has been a lot of fun, and I've been Smart and Wise and started on holiday gifts so I'm not scrambling in December. It's called personal growth~

The Bone Season: Tenth Anniversary Edition by Samantha Shannon ⭐⭐ - I'm salty about this. Yes, it's an improvement, but it still sucks. The world and magic is so neat, but we're stuck with a plot Like That. Made me do an actual full review on goodreads and on tumblr if you want all the details.

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon ⭐⭐- I kept my original rating because honestly I felt the same as I did years ago. It's worse than the updated version, but it's the core of the novel that needs changing. Props to this one at least for making Paige asexual. I do not want to see this book on ace book lists ever again.

The Adventure Zone: The Suffering Game by The McElroys and Carey Pietsch ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- One of the best installments so far. The art is AMAZING, I love the meta they're doing with Griffin and The Hunger, it was a little rushed and I'm bummed we aren't getting a full adaptation of The Stolen Century, but this is still right up there with Petals to the Metal for me!

The Hollow Places by T Kingfisher ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - T Kingfisher has never written a bad novel to me, but this one did take me longer than her others to really click. The audio narrator had some inflections that didn't work for my brain, but once they went through the door, things got Weird and picked up. These two made so many stupid decisions, but it still felt in character! Big Stan Pines energy coming from that uncle.

Frostbite: How Refrigeration Changed Our Food, Our Planet, and Ourselves by Nicola Twilley ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - For book bingo! Got me a square for Read Nonfiction, Read Something About The Environment, and Read Something You Found from Book Page (a magazine advertising new and upcoming books). AND it had a local connection. I learned a lot, it was really neat and didn't feel like I was reading a textbook. It was very engaging, and has me looking at grocery stores differently. It was hard to find, though, because Frostbite is a very common name in the urban fantasy romance genre.

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Oof. Very heavy, very creepy, very GOOD. Did not expect the many graphic dog deaths, but that was on me. Technically I WAS warned, my brain just didn't register "SGJ dogs are not safe" as "The dog dies in this one". The audio narrator was very good, but I had to listen to the opening a couple times to really get everything to click. It might've been easier had I" read it myself, but the cadence of the narrator really added to the story.

The Last Heir to Blackwood Library by Hester Fox ⭐ - Wow when was the last time I had a true one star read. (Actually not too long ago. It was The Novice.) This wanted so badly to be The Haunting of Hill House, but if you want another book like Hill House, just read Starling House. We missed what actually happened in the book because the main character was losing her memory. If you want that, go read Harrow the Ninth. This was a mess and I hated it.

On that note, I need to read something to recharge my faith in books, so MURDERBOT TIME! That's my only reading plan for September, but now I'm feeling Rushed because the year is almost over and I still have about half of my reading goals list left. Whoops. I'd also like to at least attempt some of the Swordtember prompts, if not do all of them. That looks like a lot of fun! So! Onward we go!

[asongofgoldenfireandblackblood]

Greetings and a very happy weekend to everyone in our lovely, incredible, spectacular court! There have been some changes in the line up of our court so here are all our latest updates 💜

Due to player choice, inactivity, or other unforseen circumstances please wish farewell and unfollow: @wardenofeast @ladyregallioness @cassandrabaratheons @thegoldenlionc

The following roles and faceclaims are now open:

Lady Paramount Jeyne Arryn Lady Johanna Westerling-Lannister Lady Cassandra Baratheon (Eldest daughter of Lord Borros and Lady Elenda) Lady Cerissa Lannister (Third daughter of Lord Jason and Lady Johanna)

Ecem Sena Bayir Phoebe Fox Bruna Marquenzie Maria Valverde

New members have joined our court! Please give them a warm welcome and follow:

@johxnnxshusbxnd @payapreciouspenny @effie-bracken @theprincessofd0rne @little-griffin-jocie-connington

The following roles and faceclaims are now taken:

Lord Jason Lannister Lady Penny Greyjoy (Youngest daughter of Lord Dalton Greyjoy) Lady Emphyria "Effie" Bracken (Youngest daughter of Lord Humphrey Bracken) Ruling-Princess Aliandra Martell Lady Jocelyn Connington (Daughter of Lady Daisy Connington (neé Wylde) and the Late Ser Robin Connington)

Max Brown Brooke Carter Lily James Anya Chalotra Robyn Betterbridge *Nettles' faceclaim was changed from Sennia Nanua to Abbie Hern

Full blog roll under the cut! ~ With Love, Mod Ivory 💜💜

@black-queen-rising - Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen @rogueprincedaemontarg - King-Consort Daemon Targaryen @aegontheyoungprince - Prince Aegon III Targaryen @princeviserystargaryen00 - Prince Viserys II Targaryen @visenyatargaryen-ii - Princess Visenya Targaryen

@alicenthightowerrp - Dowager-Queen Alicent Hightower @goldaegontargaryen - Prince Aegon Targaryen of Dragonstone @helaenasdreamfyres - Princess Helaena Targaryen of Dragonstone @shrxkxs - Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen of Dragonstone @jaeheratargaryen - Princess Jaehaera Targaryen of Dragonstone

@moondancer-rp - Princess Baela Targaryen @rhaenaspearls - Princess Rhaena Targaryen @notatargaryenbastard - Crown-Prince Jacaerys Velaryon @princeluce - Prince Lucerys Velaryon (On-Hiatus) @princejoffreyvelaryon - Prince Joffrey Velaryon

@aemond-one-eyed - Prince Aemond Targaryen @thefallenprincesss - Princess Rhaenya Targaryen @thedaringprince - Prince Daeron Targaryen

@rideroftheredqueen - Princess Rhaenys Targaryen-Velaryon @lordhusband - Lord Corlys Velaryon @calla-celtigar - Lady Calla Celtigar @sersteffondarklyn - Lord-Commander Steffon Darklyn @femme-piquante - Nettles

@bloodybenjicot - Ser Benjicot Blackwood @oscartullyofriverrun - Ser Oscar Tully @roslinstrong - Lady Roslin Frey @sabithafrey-rp - Lady Sabitha Frey @alyofraventree - Lady Alysanne "Aly" Blackwood (On-Hiatus)

@goldenclarice - Lady-Regent Clarice Tyrell @stunningladysam - Lady Samantha "Sam" Hightower @sweetleilarowan - Lady Leila Rowan

@daltongreyjoy-rp - Lord Dalton Greyjoy @theredripper - Toron Greyjoy @sirenalannysgreyjoy - Alannys Greyjoy @rodrickgreyjoy-rp - Rodrick Greyjoy @payapreciouspenny - Penny Greyjoy

@johxnnxshusbxnd - Lord Jason Lannister @cerellelannister2 - Lady Cerelle Lannister @tysharalannister - Lady Tyshara Lannister @celiamarbrand - Lady Celia Marbrand @josswesterling - Joss Westerling

@thecleverestorm - Lady Maris Baratheon @lady-ellyn-of-the-storm - Lady Ellyn Baratheon @theladydaisy - Lady Daisy Connington @little-griffin-jocie-connington - Lady Jocelyn Connington @jonswann - Ser Jon Swann (On-Hiatus)

@sercorwyn - Ser Corwyn Corbray

@creganstarkrp - Lord Cregan Stark @torrhen-manderly - Torrhen Manderly @manderlypearl - Lady Erena Manderly (On-Hiatus)

@theprincessofd0rne - Ruling Princess Aliandra Martell

[bara-izu]

Just Dark Urge/Curse of the Lycan things ✌ Flind gets it Based off tadpole interaction with flind in act 1

[uovoc]

2022 media consumption year in review

God tier

Matthew Swift series and Magicals Anonymous duology by Kate Griffin (reread). London sorcerer is raised from the dead and accidentally gets fused to the blue electric angels of the telephone lines along the way. Luscious prose, best urban magic I've ever read, and wickedly funny sense of humor.

Kane and Feels - podcast. Paranormal investigators go around London poking the mystic forces with a sharp stick. Surreal. Funny. Moderately comprehensible. There's nothing else quite like it. Someone described it as "the anti-TMA: you cannot form any theories about it no matter how hard you try."

The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North (reread) - two time travelers, defined as people stuck in time loops of their own lives, attempt to unravel the mystery of their existence. Suspenseful and beautifully constructed piece of nonlinear storytelling.

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender (reread) - Rose tastes people's emotions in food. Her brother disappears into thin air. Their parents are fine. Surreal and haunting pearl of a story.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson - after a family tragedy, the surviving Blackwoods live in isolation from the village. A little Piranesi-ish subverted horror: the sense there's a secret at the heart of the world, and the secret is both joyful and terrible.

Our Flag Means Death - the crangst-filled pirate show that it seemed like the internet lost its mind over, for good reason.

Bee and Puppycat: Lazy in Space - Bee travels between the island and fishbowl space working temp jobs with Puppycat, until their pasts catch up with them. Dreamy, bittersweet, and gorgeous. Season finale was a banger.

Vesper Flights by Helen MacDonald (reread). Nature essays on humans and birds. Quiet, luminous, and filled with love of place. Faves were "The Human Flock", "High Rise", "Eulogy", and "What Animals Taught Me"

Natsume's Book of Friends (anime) - Technically about boy who can see youkai, learning how to navigate the world of human relationships. But really about masking, healing from trauma, and learning to trust.

Decent entertainment

The Deep by Rivers Solomon with Daveed Diggs, William Hutson, and Jonathan Snipes

Encanto (2021) - movie

The Witcher, season 2 - show

What We Do in the Shadows - seasons 1-3, got bored afterwards

The Hands of the Emperor by Victoria Goddard

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell (reread)

The Faceless Old Woman Who Secretly Lives in Your Home by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor

Touch by Claire North (reread)

Sing - movie

Notes from the Burning Age by Claire North

The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare (reread)

The Brothers Lionheart by Astrid Lindgren

Moon Knight - show, season 1

Moon Knight comics - 2011, 2014, 2016, 2021

The Batman (2022)

Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

The Girl with the Silver Eyes by Willo Davis Roberts (reread)

The Bad Guys (2022)

The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker (reread)

The Hidden Palace by Helene Wecker

The Pursuit of William Abbey by Claire North

Johannes Cabal series by Jonathan L. Howard (reread): Johannes Cabal the Necromancer, Johannes Cabal the Detective, Johannes Cabal: The Fear Institute, The Brothers Cabal, and The Fall of the House of Cabal

The Owl House season 2

Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary (reread)

Strider by Beverly Cleary (reread)

Loki - show, season 1

Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman

Paprika (2006) dir. Satoshi Kon (rewatch)

Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar (reread)

The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories by Angela Carter

Supernatural - seasons 1 – 6, selected episodes

The Sandman by Neil Gaiman - comics (reread)

The Sandman - show, season 1

Microcosmic God: The complete short stories of Theodore Sturgeon, volume II by Theodore Sturgeon

Various Dick King-Smith books (reread): The Merman, Harry's Mad, and Harriet's Hare

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

The Girl From the Other Side - anime

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

The Farewell (2019) dir. Lulu Wang

Horatio Lyle series by Catherine Webb: The Extraordinary and Unusual Adventures of Horatio Lyle, The Obsidian Dagger, The Doomsday Machine, and The Dream Thief

Mononoke (2007) dir. Kenji Nakamura - anime

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Dark Tales by Shirley Jackson. Fave: "The Beautiful Stranger"

The Lottery and Other Stories by Shirley Jackson. Faves: "Like Mother Used to Make" and "Flower Garden"

Legend of Nezha (哪吒传奇) - the 2003 cartoon

Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer

Jane Doe by Victoria Helen Stone

Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Lucie Babbidge's House by Sylvia Cassedy

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison

Pinocchio (2022) - dir. Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson

Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore

You Suck by Christopher Moore

Bite Me by Christopher Moore

Disliked and usually DNF

Guardian (cdrama)

The Gameshouse by Claire North

Kim's Convenience - show

Across the Green Grass Fields by Seanan McGuire

Victoriocity - podcast

Sporadic Phantoms - podcast

Guardians of Childhood series by William Joyce - okay I finished it out of loyalty but it was no rotg that's for sure

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

Keep Your Hands off Eizouken - anime

Arcane - show

The Girl in the Flammable Skirt by Aimee Bender

Willful Creatures by Aimee Bender

The Color Master by Aimee Bender

Where the Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire

Megan's Island by Willo Davis Roberts (reread)

First Light by Rebecca Stead

Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead

The Apothecary by Maile Meloy

To Your Eternity - anime

Bloomability by Sharon Creech

Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022) dir. Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert

Malevolent - podcast

Midnight Burger - podcast

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

Sunshine by Robin McKinley

The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley

Carter & Lovecraft by Jonathan L. Howard

Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner

The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho

Black Water Sister by Zen Cho

M.E. and Morton by Sylvia Cassedy

Forty Stories by Donald Barthelme

Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson

The Bird's Nest by Shirley Jackson

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix Harrow

The Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison

The Stench of Adventure (podcast)

We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry

Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino

Assorted nonfiction

Songs of the Gorilla Nation by Dawn Prince-Hughes

The Organized Mind by Daniel J Levitin - nothing new except for the part about using your spatial memory to hack organization.

The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker - how to organize social gatherings for meaningful and memorable experiences

Rust: the Longest War by Jonathan Waldman - investigative journalism book about corrosion, the hazard it presents to physical infrastructure, and how we mitigate it

Fall Down 7 Times, Get Up 8 by Naoki Higashida

Dear Friend, from My Life I Write to You in Your Life by Yiyun Li - DNF

The One-Minute Manager: The World's Most Popular Management Method by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson - techniques for one-minute goal setting, one-minute praisings, and one-minute reprimands

The Chinese Language: Its History and Current Usage by Daniel Kane. Good concise history of the development of written Mandarin Chinese and the underlying structure of the characters.

A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold - essays on the American landscape and conservation ethics ca. 1950. Neat from a historical standpoint, but nothing to write home about these days. Which kinda is the point I guess.

Oregon Salmon: Essays on the State of the Fish At the Turn of the Millennium, ed. Oregon Trout

Caring for your Parents by Hugh Delehanty and Eleanor Ginzler

The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat by Oliver Sacks - DNF

The Grid by Gretchen Bakke - history of how the physical and regulatory infrastructure of the American power grid was developed, and how it needs to be reimagined for the future.

Wildlife Wars : The life and times of a fish and game warden by Terry Grosz. Tales from his career as a California game warden catching poachers.

The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio. DNF. author's writing voice was supremely annoying

Wilderness and the American Mind by Roderick Nash, 3rd ed (1982) (reread) - history of Americans' changing attitudes towards nature and definitions of wilderness. A classic banger.

Black, Brown, Bruised: How racialized STEM education stifles innovation by Ebony Omotola McGee - good summary of what the successful programs for STEM students of color are doing right, everything else is the same old same old

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb. Account of the experience of going through therapy while working as a therapist. Excellent look at how we construct our personal narratives, and how to change them.

Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When the Stakes are High by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Gremmy, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler. Strategies for having effective high-stakes conversations and managing your emotions. Good stuff.

Engineering and Social Justice by Donna Riley. Pretty entry-level, but it's a good bibliography for further reading.

Send in the Idiots by Kamran Nazeer

Why Are We Yelling? The art of productive disagreement by Buster Benson - DNF. disliked his writing style.

[nameofallteams]

Unleash Your Creativity: 255 Cool Last Names for Unforgettable Characters

When creating unforgettable characters, one of the most crucial elements is their name specifically, their last name. A distinctive last name can make a character stand out, hint at their heritage, or even suggest their personality traits. Whether you're writing a novel, screenplay, or crafting characters for role-playing games, the right last name will leave a lasting impression on readers or viewers. Here’s a collection of 255 cool last names designed to inspire unforgettable characters. Strong and Powerful Last Names These last names are perfect for characters who exude strength, leadership, or authority. They work well for protagonists, military figures, or leaders. - Armstrong - Barron - Blackwood - Stone - Knight - Steele - Thorpe - Cross - Wolfe - Falconer - Stryker - Griffin - Hawke - Powers - Drake - Hunter - McKnight - Ravenwood - Sterling - Valor Mysterious and Enigmatic Last Names For characters that have a sense of mystery, darkness, or intrigue, these last names will add to their enigmatic nature. - Ashford - Darke - Moon - Sinclaire - Thorn - Graves - Winters - Crowley - Nightshade - Holloway - Blackwell - Vesper - Shade - Whitlock - Sable - Forsythe - Blackthorne - Ravencrest - Mortimer - Duskwood Artistic and Creative Last Names Perfect for artists, musicians, and free spirits, these last names reflect creativity and a unique worldview. - Monet - Lennox - Harlow - Calloway - Van Gogh - Pembrook - Wilde - Hartman - Marlowe - Blake - Delacroix - Lumis - Sorensen - St. James - Da Vinci - Bronte - Escher - Claremont - Tempest - Vermeer Noble and Royal Last Names These last names are ideal for characters with noble blood or a regal background. They hint at history, tradition, and sometimes arrogance. - Kingsley - Beaumont - Fitzroy - Sinclair - Lancaster - Montgomery - Hastings - Devereux - Balfour - Winchester - Pembroke - Sterling - Ashcroft - Worthington - Huntington - Blackwood - Tremayne - Hawthorne - Lennox - Fairfax Adventurous and Brave Last Names For characters who seek thrills, adventure, and exploration, these last names carry a sense of movement, freedom, and bravery. - Everest - Rook - Storm - Trekker - Wilder - Blaze - Ridge - Canyon - Drake - Steele - Thorne - Quest - Hawke - Finn - Archer - Ranger - Colt - Skye - Rivers - Maverick Sci-Fi and Futuristic Last Names For science fiction settings, futuristic worlds, and high-tech narratives, these last names feel modern, tech-savvy, and innovative. - Solaris - Zenith - Nova - Cipher - Matrix - Orion - Harker - Nexus - Parallax - Steele - Quantum - Nyx - Kryos - Onyx - Vega - Volt - Polaris - Astro - Nebula - Plex Quirky and Unusual Last Names Sometimes a quirky or unique last name can make a character more memorable and endearing. These last names stand out for their oddity or playful nature. - Quibble - Bumble - Pickle - Fizz - Tink - Snickers - Wiggles - Flop - Wobble - Noodle - Jinx - Puddle - Pippin - Fuddle - Zigzag - Boggle - Snaggle - Waffle - Sprocket - Doodle Dark and Gothic Last Names These names work perfectly for characters in gothic or horror settings. They bring to mind a sense of darkness, the macabre, or a tragic past. - Blackwood - Hallow - Graves - Thorn - Darkmore - Bloodworth - Vex - Reaper - Crowley - Omen - Raven - Nightshade - Grim - Sable - Shade - Vale - Wick - Draven - Hemlock - Umbra Historical and Classical Last Names These last names evoke the grandeur of the past. They’re great for historical fiction, classic literature, or period pieces. - Bancroft - Chesterfield - Davenport - Fitzpatrick - Hargrove - Wellington - Kensington - Templeton - Cavendish - Fairfax - Alcott - Radcliffe - Wentworth - Ravenscroft - Gainsborough - Winterbourne - Highfield - Carrington - Delacroix - Sterling Nature-Inspired Last Names For characters connected to nature, whether they be gentle spirits, hunters, or survivalists, these names reflect the beauty and power of the natural world. - Wood - Meadows - Rivers - Stone - Forrest - Brooks - Thorn - Clover - Birch - Heath - Sage - Oak - Ash - Pine - Lake - Reed - Willow - Hawthorne - Moss - Glenn How to Choose the Right Last Name for Your Character? When selecting a last name for your character, consider the following factors to ensure it fits seamlessly with their personality, background, and story arc. - Ethnicity and Culture: A character’s heritage can significantly influence their last name. Research the origin of last names to find one that fits the character's background. - Character Traits: Think about your character's defining characteristics. A strong last name might work well for a tough, determined character, while a softer, more lyrical last name might suit a gentler personality. - Time Period and Setting: The era and world your character lives in should influence their last name. A futuristic character will likely have a very different name than a character from a Victorian novel. - Sound and Rhythm: The way a name sounds can have a powerful effect on how the character is perceived. Strong consonants like “R” or “K” can convey strength, while soft vowels can make the name feel more approachable or mysterious. - Memorability: A cool last name should be easy to remember but unique enough to stand out. This helps make your character more memorable to readers. - Symbolism: Last names can carry symbolic weight. For example, a name like "Knight" could symbolize honor or chivalry, while "Graves" could hint at death or tragedy. Choose names that enhance your character's deeper narrative. By selecting the perfect last name, you can add depth, authenticity, and memorability to your characters. Whether your character is bold and adventurous, dark and mysterious, or quirky and creative, this list of 255 last names will inspire you to craft unforgettable characters that linger in the minds of your audience long after they’ve turned the final page. Read Also Read the full article

[isefyres-archive]

Updated bios:

Lady Lorei Greenfield, Westerlands. (oc).

Balerion Blackfyre, bastard son of Aerys (oc).

Ser Daven Lannister.

Lady Cerenna Lannister.

Lady Alysanne Lefford, Lady of the Golden Tooth.

Drusilla Kenning (oc) of House Kenning of The Westerlands.

Lady Calypso Upcliff , The Vale (oc).

Ser Edmund Blackwood, of the Riverlands.

Lady Quira Qorgyle of House Qorgyle of Dorne (oc).

Lady Alynne Connington of Griffin's Roost.

Captain Rognar Greyiron, exiled to Lys (oc).

Lady Argelia Oakhart, daughter of Arwyn Oakhart (oc.)

Lady Rhaega Lonmouth, heir of House Lonmouth (oc).

Lady Medysa Webber, Heir of Coldmoat of the Reach (oc).

Ser Terrick Tarbeck, Sworn Shield of Princess Myrcella (oc).

Ser Elmon Tully, youngest brother of Edmure Tully. (semi-oc).

Lady Guinevere Dayne, Lady of High Hermitage and Darkstar's sister (oc).

[unsolvedrubixscube]

The Beast of Blackwood Forest

Ch. 9 Dies In Vista

Anne wakes up to Joe the Griffin screeching long before the sun has crested the rolling hills to the east. The morning is quiet which in itself isn’t unusual but as the morning drags on the lack of shouts from the courtyard or cracks of wood on wood coming from the ballroom makes her uneasy. Her anxiety culminates when Sasha doesn’t appear for breakfast out of breath and starving from training or dinner bleary-eyed and dressed still in her bedclothes. Nor does she see Sasha all evening and her room remains empty all day. 

Asking around doesn’t shine any light on the situation either. Marcy is just as clueless as Anne about Sasha’s whereabouts although she offers to try and track Sasha down like a Bounty hunter honor-bound to bring in their marks alive. Anne politely declines.

“Sasha?” Braddock asks, tossing a shovel of snow over her shoulder working on making a path through the hip deep snow. “Gone out into the woods most likely.”

“Like camping?”

“Maybe? I don’t know the human words for it. You should ask Percy.” 

“Oh, she just goes out sometimes when her mood becomes really foul,” Percy says gently checking the feet and wings of Ada, one of his pigeons, for cold damage

“But where does she go?” Anne asks. Percy vaguely gestures vaguely out of the small window the pigeons fly into and out of the coop down to the glistening landscape below. 

“Yes, but where? She must have a shack or cottage, some sort of hidey-hole to run to.” 

Percy gives her a puzzled look. “But why would she need that? The forest already has plenty of places to hide already.”

Swallowing her pride Anne finally goes and seeks out Sir Grime, the man who had welcomed her to the Manor and had been a steady hand on her back during a trying time. The man, who she hasn’t been able to look in the eyes for several days. 

She finds him sitting in the Great Hall by the hearth working with a pen knife to remove curls of wood from what will be a wide slotted spoon. Anne gently clears her throat and takes a seat in one of the armchairs across from the fire. Sir Grime gives her a nod of greeting but continues whittling. 

“Pardon me, but I haven’t seen Sasha in two days now and I’m starting to worry.” 

“Why is that?”

“Percy and Braddock seem to think she’s gone off into the forest but don’t have the slightest idea of where,” Anne says, fingers digging into her arm, “It gets below freezing every night. She could die without shelter.”

Sir Grime’s expression is flat. “Sasha is reckless but she isn’t stupid. She took the supplies she needed.”

“You knew she was leaving and you didn’t try to stop her?” Anne accuses. 

Grime sighs and sets his woodwork aside, meeting her gaze. Anne refuses to look away. 

“She just does this sometimes when her mood gets especially foul. She just needs some time alone to get herself sorted.”

At the last bit, Anne finally tears her eyes away from Sir Grime’s honey brown and sightless pale blue one, worrying at her lip. 

“After living with her for five and half years, I can assure you it’s nothing you’ve done. She’ll come back when she’s ready. She always does.”

Anne does her best to distract herself from the memory of blurting out one of Sasha’s physical oddities by spending time with Marcy in the library exploring the Manor’s wide selection of works. 

It was already quite clear Marcy adored the library but it took Anne by surprise how much Marcy enjoyed sharing her skill as well. After dinner reading times were quickly added to the schedule and everyone enjoyed the gusto Marcy threw herself into acting out each character. (All though Anne had heard Braddock once say she missed Sasha’s drier takes on the stories accompanied by her scathing critiques.) And so, here they are.

“…And this one is supposed to render the user unseen by the naked eye but is that really due to the potion or is it because they covered themselves with Unseelie dust as part of the preparation?” 

Marcy asks tracing her finger over the complex diagrams and instructions of the potion book. Anne dutifully hmms thoughtfully at the question like she’s been following the explanation and shifts so she can see the pages a bit better. She’s getting dangerously comfortable here; sprawled out on the couch, leaning against Marcy’s side, warmed by the fire, wrapped in a cocoon of Marcy’s excited chatter.  

“This one is for covering minor blemishes or scars. Boring.”

“Hmm, changing hair and eye color, that's a bit more advanced. You need some nail clippings, blood, or hair of a person who has the properties you want to copy and you have to leave the paste on your hair or eyelids for three days. Eek. Seems like just dying your hair would be easier.”

Marcy turns the page and a detailed sketch of a naked human figure, female half on the left side and male on the right, takes up the entire page.

“Ooo, a rendition of the Mars and Venus potions! I wonder what century this version is based on.” 

Anne stiffens and just as quickly forces herself to sink back into the couch but Marcy’s reading continues on without a hitch, not noticing her reaction. Anne stares down at the page covered in small dense type that mocks her, one solution to her troubles being so close yet so far. 

Her abrupt forced exit of Wartwood had left her without any of her Earthly belongings, including her medication. She hasn’t taken a Venus potion in almost a month now and even though she started young enough that her body can’t completely undo the Change it’s still nerve-wracking that she’s had to go this long without it. She might die if she woke up one morning and had to try to explain why she suddenly needed a shaving razor. 

“Could… Could you make one?” Anne asks before she can think better of it. 

“Just choose!” Marcy exclaims, puffing her small chest out. “I’ve had to make much more intricate brews to earn my silver cord in transmutations. Which shall it be, Anne? Freckles for a day? To see in the dark? Change out your coffee curls for ginger?” 

“Not quite. I was thinking of this one.” Anne taps the Venus page. 

Marcy squints down at it. “I mean in theory, I never have before, but it’s nothing hideously complicated. Why do you ask?”

Marcy stares up at her with dark, questing eyes that flicker in time with the fire. Anne squirms, unable to look away but just as unable to coax the words out of her throat. 

“Oh. Oh!” Marcy’s eyes go wide and she smacks her forehead. “Of course! There’s not a doctor or medicine woman around for hours! Where else would you get more? I’d be happy to make you enough to tide you over until you can return home!” 

The tension leaks out of Anne and she sinks back into the couch. The Crown had forbidden the use of all the advanced arcane arts by anyone who wasn’t a royal practitioner across the entire kingdom a decade or so before. People could still use hand signs or runes, simple things, but anyone found practicing or teaching magic beyond that without a royal cord risked being tried and executed by the royal guard on sight. 

Even mage students like Marcy. 

“Thank you.” Anne gathers Marcy’s hands in her own. “Thank you, my friend. Truly, I can not express the depth of my gratitude for this.” 

Marcy’s cheeks flush a lovely rose but she does not pull away. “Dear Anne, I assure you I think nothing of it. Besides, I relish having a new challenge!”

True to her word, Marcy creates the older version of the Venus potion over the next few days with Anne’s help and lots of stolen kitchenware. The end result tastes like swamp water and Anne’s tongue stays black for a day but she doesn’t die which Marcy considers a positive outcome. 

***

Sasha returns the next morning on the fifth day. 

Sir Grime’s baying is almost covered up by Joe’s screeching and by the time Marcy has calmed her steed Anne has joined Percy and Braddock at the front door looking out. The gentle hills are still covered with waist deep snow and patches of ice that glimmer in the weak morning light. A long and narrow gash through the snow can be clearly made out leading from the Blackwood Forest. At the end of the gash is Sasha, pack over one shoulder, trudging back towards the Manor. A dark shape flickers in and out of the snow behind her. Sasha stops then tilts her head left and right listening. 

“You’re out of practice old man,” Sasha calls out, “I can hear you!” 

At that moment a massive black and gray wolf pops out of a snow bank near Sasha and tackles her, taking them both to the ground. Sasha goes down with an oof and snow flies up around them. Anne knows she and the others are in no danger from the wolf as long as Sir Grime isn’t in the throes of a nightmare but fear is not something easy to shake off.  Hearing the string of curses echoing over the lawn intermixed with giggles and Grime’s play huffs help with it though.

Once back in human shape and clothed Grime welcomes her with a hug and a clasp on the back which Sasha hesitantly returns and invites her to the dining table for breakfast. Sasha joins them looking no worse for wear; clothing hanging off her frame, fur cloak accenting her shoulders, her face beautiful but inhuman, only now caked in snow. 

Sasha scarfs down Sir Grime’s portion of meat and potatoes like she hasn’t had a hot meal in days which is probably true while answering Braddock and Percy’s questions about her ‘outing.’

The deer and turkey population are maintaining healthy numbers according to Sasha even with the boars and giant weasels encroaching on their territory. She says they will have good hunting in the spring. She also reports not finding any bear dens much to Braddock’s disappointment. 

When she’s done eating Sasha bringing out her pack, reaching into it she produces a number of wrapped items.The first one appears to be a chunk of frozen mud or excrement. Anne hopes it's mud. Sasha’s dark claws brush flakes of snow and ice off the lump revealing a squat animal like shape. 

“Marcy, I found this toad under some rocks. It's frozen all the way through. I thought you might like to study it.” 

“Actually, that’s a frog not a toad,” Marcy corrects, the frozen shape already in her hands, turning it over. “You can tell by the head shape and hind leg length.” 

Next, Sasha pulls out a single stone roughly the size of her palm. It’s an unexciting gray color streaked with white but on the other side a chip has come off revealing the flat side of a yellow-green crystal. Braddock accepts the rock with an appreciative hmm . 

After this Sasha pulls out two pieces of wood each as thick as two fingers and as pale a birch strung on separate leather cords. She passes one to Percy and one to Anne. Taking the necklace Anne realizes two things. First, the runes for pressure and heat linked together are carved on both sides. Second, the charm isn’t made out of wood, it’s a piece of bone. 

“When you hold the charm between your hands it will make heat.” Sasha puts her palms together to demonstrate. “Something to keep your hands warm while you work.”

Percy grips his charm in one hand and lets out a laugh. “Clever! Thank you!”

Slowly pressing her palms into the grooves along the bone Anne feels a  gentle heat emanating from it steadily growing stronger but never overwhelming. On the other side of the table Braddock has taken Percy’s charm and is peering closely at the carving. 

“You’re improving,” Braddock says, handing the charm back to Percy. 

“Of course I am,” Sasha replies but she preens at the words. 

“What? Nothing for me?” Grime says with mock hurt.

“With your ugly mug even the finest jewels would be wasted,” Sasha quips but she rummages through her bag. 

Finally she pulls out a lumpy piece of wood the color of charcoal. The piece fits nicely in Sasha’s palm and is also threaded by a thin leather cord. Grime takes it and holds it up to the light revealing two triangles on the top and one larger one protruding from the middle with two pit marks above it. Anne realizes it’s a rough carving of some sort of animal head. 

“A bear?” Marcy asks, peering  at the object over her glasses. 

“A wolf!” Grime shouts in delight.

He hooks his arm around Sasha and ruffles her hair. Sasha squirms away with a half smile. 

Anne supposes the carving could look like a wolf’s head if she squints.

Once everyone is done with breakfast Sasha has the good manners to at least dump Grime’s plate in the sink but retreats to her room with a yawn and a wave without helping to clean up. 

Anne stops in the middle of wiping down the great table and scurries after her. 

“Wait!” Anne calls in a low voice not wanting to get the others' attention. “Sasha! Wait!” 

Sasha pauses in her doorway and glances back blinking languidly.  On reaching Sasha’s chamber Anne slows her jog and works to get her breathing back under control.  

“Did you need something?” Sasha asks, staring down at her. 

“I wanted to apologize.” Anne says. 

“Apologize?”

“Yes. For what I said in the library.” 

Sasha furrows her brows and tilts her head to one side, causing some of her blond feathers to fall across her face.

Anne licks her lips. “I shouldn’t have acted the way I did. It wasn't becoming. I apologize for any embarrassment I caused you.” 

She stops on feeling a weight come to rest on her shoulder. It’s Sasha’s hand.

“Anne. It’s fine. Truly.” Sasha assures her, her black eyes gentle. She yawns again. “Look, I’m retiring if you wish to talk more about this, we can tomorrow but for now I must sleep.”

With one last awkward pat on her shoulder Sasha retreats into her room and closes the door leaving Anne in the shadowy hallway her heart feeling lighter. 

***

The following day progresses much the same as any; Marcy takes Joe out for his morning flight while Braddock, Percy, and Sir Grime clean up after working on converting the tanning shack into something big enough to hold a griffin. Anne embroiders, sews, writes, trains, or explores in the silence of midday when everyone else is sleeping. As the sun sets the house stirs Braddock and Anne to prepare what they can for the group. (Marcy tries to help but manages to catch her sleeve on fire, again. Braddock decides for her own safety Marcy is to be banned from the kitchen.) Once the meal is eaten Joe is let out again, Percy checks in on his pigeons, and then everyone gathers in the library.

Anne traces the edge of the three of acorns with her thumb staring down at the rest of the cards in her hand. She had gotten down to five while Sir Grime gloatingly held three, Percy held upward of thirteen.

“Five of bells,” Grime says, placing his hard face down on the pile before them.

“Lair!” Anne shouts the same instant Percy cries, “Horse shit!”

Anne doesn’t even blink at Percy’s language, far too involved in the game. 

“Oh?” Grime asks with a wicked smile revealing his unnaturally pointed teeth, “Are you both so sure? Only one of you can challenge me.”

Percy’s ears flick downward with worry as he stares at his hand, slowly he shakes his head. Grime turns his attention to Anne. A bead of sweat rolls down the back of her neck as Anne picks up his discarded card and flips it over to reveal a five of bells. 

“Damnit!” Anne shouts, slamming her fist down onto her legs. Percy’s expression lifts at this sudden turn of events. 

“Ha ha! I told you they didn’t call me Grime the Scourge for nothing!” Grime crows.

“You cheated!” Anne accuses, jabbing a finger at him. “You already used your five earlier!”

“That was a five of acorns,” Marcy calls from her place at the table behind a black and white shatranj board. 

“What? Really?” Anne asks, disappointed. 

“Yes, it was ten rounds ago,” Marcy confirms, moving one of her pawns without even looking at the board. 

“Remember,” Braddock adds, “It was after Percy called you out on the four of hearts.”

Pouting, Anne takes the pile of discarded cards into her hand.

“Stop yelling,” Sasha grumbles, staring intently at her side of the shatranj board through her fingers. She reaches for her rook, pauses, and then moves a knight instead, taking out one of Marcy’s pawns. Marcy switches out Sasha’s knight with her bishop without hesitation. Sasha stares at the board and then breathes out very slowly sinking further into her hands. 

“So as I was saying the, ahem, my tutors’ teachings focus on channeling power from within to be expressed through words of power or rituals. Foci and concentration potions are helpful but are looked down on as a crutch, something needed by the less talented,” Marcy says, demonstrating by making the hand sign for fire, a flame bursting into existence above her fingertip then flickering out.

Braddock scowls at this. “But then a shaman could kill themselves putting too much life energy into a spell or performing too large a ritual. My people’s way of borrowing a place’s energy seems much safer.”

Marcy nods enthusiastically. “Exactly! The Royal Circle of Arcane claims that the dangers of a mage using too much of their own power prevent the use of advanced dangerous magic, which I suppose it does, but really it’s just a limiter. It’s rumored practitioners outside the Kingdom use a mix of philosophies for that reason. ”

“But if that’s true, why are Bagdaud teachings so widely used?”

Marcy shrugs. “My study of journals and interviews lead me to believe that it’s because one is limited by the ruling energies of a place. For example, protective spells would be very strong here but attack spells would fight against the Manor’s energies, producing poor spells and weakening the Haven.” 

“The Haven?” Braddock repeats tilting her head. “What is that?”

Sasha lifts her head from her hands and pins her gaze on Marcy. “Yes, what do you mean?” 

“What?” Marcy chuckles nervously. “Surely, you already knew that the Manor was a Safe Haven? Isn’t that why you are living here?” 

A hush falls over the room as the card players also turn their attention to this new topic. Sasha continues to stare at Marcy, her pitch-black eyes boring into her. 

“Right,” Marcy squeaks, “A Safe Haven is a place that is magically hidden and protected typically to provide shelter to the hunted or weary. As long as this is done the Haven will stay strong but if the purpose is twisted or used to cause harm the magic will dissipate.”  

“And how is this done to a place?” Sasha demands.

Marcy shrugs fidgeting with some of Sasha’s pieces she’d taken earlier in their game. “There are enchantments but they are meant for small places, caves, secret rooms, the like. This one is probably a natural formation that the natives were using long ago and then eventually the Manor was built on top of it. Practically speaking, the hill provides the Manor a vantage point while the river and forest create natural barriers.” 

“A building taking on with the magic of a sacred place,” Braddock muses, “It’s not like it hasn’t happened before, that’s how most temples have come to be.” 

“Well that’s nice, I suppose,” Grime says, laying down his second to the last card, “but couldn’t it have been magic upkeep? I’ve had to patch the roof three times this year.” 

Sasha hmms deep in thought but keeps her eyes locked on Marcy. Glancing back down at the board Marcy moves one of her rooks, putting Sasha’s king in danger.

“Captured!” Marcy says cheerfully.

Sasha sputters then roars, “Damnit!”

***

I'm back after my January break.

I honestly don't know what the update schedule will be for this or DLMGM as more things have changed at work. So uh, yeah, sorry. Enjoy learning about the magic system I made up.

Have a canon trans Anne.

Kudos and comments are alway appreciated :)