#lotus-warrior

[parasolladyansy]

The lotus flower grows in darkness, rises above the mire, & blooms, purifying the pond with her beauty 🏞️🪷

In BW2, Ansy loved to go to the White Forest - she often felt better when she’s immersed in nature. She loved listening to the leaves rustle in the wind, like gentle ocean waves. She loved the beautiful ponds full of Lotad, where Rain would love to swim - in the summer, it would be in bloom.

She took a lot of wisdom from the flowers: hope, growing through pain, & turning it to strength, however quiet or loud, when she encounters Pokemon thieves like Team Plasma lol.

I’ve found that just choosing to blossom, choosing to be yourself, to be a good person with integrity who’s not afraid to speak the truth however you can, no matter how dark your circumstances get, can be the greatest act of defiance in the face of adversity. The ones who would want to pull you down or stunt your healing might get salty or smug - let them. All they do is show you who they are, & makes it all that much easier for you KonMari your contacts as needed.✌🏻

—

So um. THANK YOU FOR THE 1000+ FOLLOWS! 878! I’m just a Pokémon nerd who likes to draw, & here you all are! 🥲🩵 As I’ve said before, I’m very grateful for you & my comic. Which I need to work more on. But I keep getting distracted. XD

Take care! 🩵

[ao3-anonymous]

Fastest Growing Fandoms on AO3 This Week (07/15/2024)

Every week I pull data on how many fics are in each fandom and compare to the previous week, then calculate the percentage increase to determine fastest growing fandoms.  Since this naturally skews towards smaller fandoms, I have included the same data filtered to Over 1k, 5k, & 10k fics.

Overall:

Over 1,000 Fics:

Over 5,000 Fics:

Over 10,000 Fics:

Source: AO3 Fandom Dashboard

[artbymyth]

Walk like an Egyptian

Part 7 to my historic warrior gals series! Disclaimer: these gals are all historically inspired NOT historically accurate

More under the cut on the details!

Did I spend too much time thinking about Egyptian wall paintings as a classical archaeologist who wrote her thesis on pigments? Yes. Yes I did. I took an Egyptology class not too long ago so I tried to use a lot of those sources. So her clothing is inspired by the stiff white linens of the upper class with its starched skirt, many a scarab, lotus flowers and the floral symbols of Upper and Lower Egypt, a ceremonial golden axe, a negative space obelisk, and malachite eye shadow to name a few!

[ghostclangen]

moon nineteen - leaf-fall oh u know. a normal, uneventful moon.

[starfallsoup]

I finally made a reference sheet for my sona / specifically her in ffxiv!! 😭 lo in real, the guy i stole my name from LMAO

i made her in dos2 -> bg3 -> finally ff14… now she just looks like me but with ears & less chronic shoulder pain. i want to draw more selfship art with her!!

[averagecontentenjoyer121]

Man I think I’ll like writing this story. Wait my- my- my hands a moving again

Chapter 2: Lotus

As Odysseus and his crew get ready to part with the island another one of Athena’s disciples runs up to wish them luck on their voyage. “Diomedes!” Exclaims Odysseus is a friendly tone, “ ah the great titan slayer!”

“You’re to kind Ody it wasn’t that big of a deal-“

“ I heard that you stabbed Ares,” shouted a crew member in the back of the ship, “I thought he was a son of Poseidon,” exclaimed another as others came to their opinions on the action. “You’re all too kind but I’ll reassure you it wasn’t some great feat it was just a spare between two soldiers.”

“Is that so,” chimed Athena. Diomedes began to open his mouth before realizing who was speaking to him, “ I- uh, who might you be?”

“Pallas,” grinned Athena. “AH! That’s right, it’s been years since we last met. Sorry for the slow realization my dear friend!” Eurylochus peered over the crew at Diomedes now seeing Athena as a non threat to his captain and friend. “ But like I said Pallas, I’m just a soldier. The ones we should be celebrating are the ones who can’t be with us, or their families. The greatest of which being that old dog Achilles. May he rest happy with Patroclus.”

“Indeed brother,” smiled Odysseus, “Well I guess we better head off gotta get back in time for my son’s eleventh birthday!” Exclaimed Odysseus with joy. A shallow groan swept across the crew as this would now be the 324th time Odysseus has mentioned his family to the crew, most of them hoping he doesn’t pull out the mini photo album he keeps in his pocket again. Athena stands tall against the crew as she smiles amused by Odysseus’ love.

(Now listen to Full Speed Ahead)

Polites then approaches Odysseus pondering, “what’s got your mind all tangled Odes.”

“It’s nothing Polites, just thinking.”

“ I don’t think that’s it.”

(Now listen to Your Light (cut song))

As Polites retreats back into the sleeping quarters of the ship, Athena emerges into moonlight. “ I’ve grown quite fond of him. He’s good for you Odysseus, lets you release all those negative thoughts you refuse to talk about.”

“I’ve known him for longer than I’ve known you. It’s easier for me to be more open with him.”

“Don’t say that too loudly or else Apollo might try and come find you once he gets his power back. He likes people like you,” Athena smirks. “Hay! I happen to have a great wife with whom I’ve had a beautiful baby boy.”

“Yeah, yeah, it was just a joke ody.”

“ I know I just wanted to talk about my gorgeous wife and wonderful son again.”

“ Of course foolish me,” Athena smiles.

“ Also to be honest I don’t get what you meant by that, but sensed it was a kind of joking insult.”

“ I meant that you’re honest, and that’s a great trait to have.”

The light of the next day rubs the faces of the crew as Odysseus and Polites gear up to land on the island. Athena suggests that she should go along with them but Odysseus insists that only he and Polites search out the island.

(Now listen to Open Arms)

Athena waits at the ship growing both concerned for Odysseus and impatient as a new emptiness makes itself loudly known to her and those near. Once she sees Eurylochus showing the same signs of concern she approaches him and says she’ll check out the island as he waits on the boat. Eurylochus at first protests that he should go search but then realizes it would be better for him to stay, to keep the crew under control. Athena traverses through the foliage of the island happening upon the Polites and Odysseus hanging out with the Lotus Eaters surrounded by, to her, normal looking food. She then becomes irrationally irritated by Odysseus’ seeming disregard for his and Polites safety, and the growing pain in her stomach which causes Athena to activate her powers on accident through the extreme emotion.

(Now listen to Warrior of the Mind.)

As Athena’s power wears off she begins to approach the duo asking what’s taken them so long. Polites then points to his new friends and exclaims, “ There’s a cave full of food to our east!”

“And it seems we’ll need it,” says Odysseus pointing to the glowing seeds inside the Lotus. After nightfall back on the ship Athena pulls Odysseus from his bed waking him in the process. “Listen Odysseus, you need to be more cautious next time. I don't want you or your crew to be killed because you were too open, especially you. When we get to this island, take more men and weapons with you to be safe, I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

“Understood Athena.”

I’ve already started work on chapter 3 😭

[taoistyuri]

MIKO THE RIZZING GAMBLER

[dreamypyon]

i forgot i drew this please--

[sapphic-catz]

After three hours of working on her with many many breaks I finished a drawing! Mothwing based on the deathshead moth with long claws like her father that have been shaved down on her front paws. Her eyes are a deep rich brown with a streak of blue through on her left eye. On that same side her ear is cut all the way down with a scar leading down her cheek, a past incident she’s always forced to remember every time she looks in the waterways.

[spectercrums]

Sketch of design exploration for Aihe (艾荷)!

[arvale-artist]

✨]|I{•⤜⟶ ⚔️ARVALE⚔️ ⟵⤛•}I|[✨

ARVALE is an old Game Series series with 5 games:

[🌿🗡️] Journey of Illusion (RPG - FREE - PC)

From gardener to guardian, JOI follows the story of Duncan Forsythe, who has been chosen by 'destiny' to be the new Brave Hero of Legend... It seems like a cliche fantasy story at first, but there's much more than meets the eye.

You can watch a Let's Play of the game here!

[🏹⏳] Ocean of Time (RPG - FREE - PC)

Torn through time, OOT follows the story of John DeMenchev, who has been blackmailed into finding artifacts that allow time travel... and subsequently ends up fighting false gods and saving the world. You get to explore Arvale once more, but this time through different periods of time!

[☀️🌙] Short Tales (RPG - No longer playable)

AST tells the tale of 5 different characters!

Varju the Druid, who seeks to regain his memory and save mother nature. Tabys the Assassin, who embarks on a journey of revenge and to find his long lost brother. Koden the Warrior, on a quest to save his wife and uncovers secrets about her true past. Lotus the Mage, persuing to become a magician against all odds with a powerful Fortune Teller as her mentor.

Beylord the Vampire, trying to regain his reign through violent vengence, but is halted by an old friend...

Abandonware, only playable on Pocket PC.

[🫂🔮] Treasure of Memories (RPG - Paid - Steam - PC)

You can watch my Let's Play of the game here!

A direct sequel to JOI! Here we are met with many familiar faces, this time assembling together as a group to embark on a new (and sadly final) adventure to uncover the secrets of a strange and corrupting material, as well as exploring many new places to learn and discover more of the world of Arvale!

Unlike the other games it uses art reminiscent of classic RPG maker graphics, but the writing and music was done by by the original legend, Jaybot7!

The game can have lag issues, but there’s a way to solve it: Open game properties → Select Compatibility Mode: Windows XP (Service Pack 3) → 16-bit colour mode → Run this program as administrator → Launch game from the program folder, play in windowed mode.

[⛏️💎] Melonchi Minecarts (Puzzle Game - No longer playable)

Taking place mostly in Melonchi, home of the dwarves and gems! Here we meet Duncan and DeMenchev again. Duncan, who experiences the consequences of his actions in Melonchi from JOI, and DeMenchev trying to test his theory about the origin of dwarves. It also introduces Grwyth, who has to brave every dwarve's worst nightmare and become the new jewel master.

Abandonware, only playable on Pocket PC.

Arvale is very dear to my heart. It inspired me as an artist and it saddens me to see this world be forgotten and succumb to internet decay. Thus I post and make art about it, to shed some attention and to show my appreciation. I also make videos about it.

[echoing--stars]

Hi Wormy, how are ya, and I have a bit of an angsty bit for ya.

What if Volga took Rowan prisoner to goard Link into an ambush

Youuuuuu giving me angsty ideas! But I guess because you asked nicely...

(If you read this and would like to request a short snippet, see this post!)

When Link got to the bakery, he didn’t immediately notice anything wrong. The backdoor was unlocked. Nothing was broken or out of place. There were dishes drying next to the synch and containers of ingredients on the clean counter ready to prepare tomorrow’s doughs. He could see some already on their first rise, and assumed that there could even be some already in the ice box. It was as if Rowan had merely stepped outside or upstairs to take a short break, and would return any moment. But when he called out Rowan’s name, there was no response. The front of the bakery was just as empty, the room dim as the sun was already going down for the evening. The display cases were empty, the linens that lined the baskets replaced with clean ones. Link took the stairs two at a time, sure he would find Rowan in their apartment. Perhaps taking a break to make a snack or check on some notes or paperwork in their shared office.  The apartment was dark and cold, no lanterns or fireplaces lit for the evening. It was as if Rowan hadn’t been up here since he went down to the bakery in the early hours of the morning. Link tried to tamp down the worry. Just because Rowan wasn’t in the bakery doesn’t mean something bad had happened. Maybe he stepped out to visit one of the neighbors. But he always locked the door in that case. Rowan never left the doors unlocked when no one was inside. It didn’t matter how safe their neighborhood was, it was a chance Rowan had never been willing to take. Which meant that the day Rowan had given him a key to the bakery and the apartment had been even more special. Link placed a hand over his chest, above where the key hung on a sturdy chain alongside his ring. It was a comforting weight against his chest no matter where he found himself. It was only when he came back in the kitchen that he saw it. A folded piece of parchment tucked under the canister of sugar. He hadn’t noticed it before, too hidden by the things on the counter to see until he got this close. Link reached for the note, eyebrows furrowed. Would Rowan have left a note like this? And why leave the door unlocked? But the writing on the parchment wasn’t Rowan’s neat script or even the messier scrawl he used when in a hurry. No, the words were bold and heavy, the letters pressed so hard into the parchment that it was a wonder it hadn’t ripped. And the message sent a jolt of horror through Link. If you ever want to see the red-head again, come to the abandoned fort west of Castle Town. Alone and unarmed. If you breathe a word to anyone, well, I can’t imagine a baker is as used to pain as a soldier like you. -V

[magicalwarriordiamondheart]

Cleaned up Lotus's sprite

[ghostclangen]

moon two — newleaf a third kitty joins! he's not teeny, hornetsong is just huge.

[cuteniaarts]

Here *throws random and actually much more important than I realised at first OC redesign at you after two and a half years since the OG*

Meifeng, Ming-Hua’s cousin! I just randomly remembered that she exists while putting together my OC family tree and since the only art I have of her is… nearly 3 years old and mediocre at best, and Kat and I have recently spent so much time focusing on Red Lotus siblings, I thought “Hey, why not redraw her? Just because she’s a cousin and not a sister doesn’t make her any less special than Lien-Hua, Summiya, Aiza or Haya!” (On that note… Nia give someone a brother challenge. The only one that counts is Aiza and she’s only a brother half the time)

Some headcanons about her, both new and old (the old copy-pasted over and slightly edited to save everyone the second hand embarrassment of going to look at my old art), which will go under the cut because this has gotten LONG:

Old:

Older than Ming-Hua by around 10 years

Her dad is the older half-brother of Ming-Hua's mom who’s… not the most fond of their side of the family

Has never left her home in the Foggy Swamp Water Tribe

Master healer, specialises in children. Can't have any of her own because of the high pollution levels in the swamp which is why she puts all those motherly instincts into teaching and caring for kids

Got a scar on her leg while saving Ming-Hua from some wild swamp creature when the latter was a child who was absolutely convinced she could handle everything herself and never listened to anyone. Ming-Hua still insists she had everything under control that day

She tried to understand Ming-Hua's perspective on things, she really did, but ultimately tribe mentality and fear for her cousin’s safety, believing her not to be nearly as capable as she claims to be, won over

Attempted to stop Ming-Hua from running away but was, obviously, unsuccessful

Was the one consoling Nuying after Ming-Hua left

Helped Suiren learn waterbending and held genuine affection for the girl, although she ultimately refused when Suiren begged for the chance for her and Midori to escape from Haya and live with the tribe. She thought that while Suiren would most likely adjust well, Midori was simply too Gaoling to survive in a place as dark, damp and isolated as the Swamp. She regrets that decision every day since she found out Suiren became an assassin

Mourned Ming-Hua more than anyone else in the tribe when informed of her death

New:

Was the one who babysat Ming-Hua a lot when Nuying was going through one of her depressive episodes after Cadeo left, and Ming-Hua actually enjoyed spending time with her because she was a lot less overbearing and protective than her mother. Was the first person to start calling her Ming. Sometimes Ming-Ming, but Ming-Hua had a tendency to deliver a very hard kick to the shins every time she tried that

Never left Nuying’s side when she got sick in the years following Ming-Hua’s disappearance, no matter how much everyone, including her own father, told her to stay away, there’s nothing she can do to help her. In her final moments, Nuying was delirious with fever and called out for Ming-Hua. Meifeng didn’t have the heart to remind her that her daughter left so instead let her hair down, covered her own hand in water and told Nuying that she was “right here, mom. I’m right here” and stayed like that until Nuying passed

When Ming-Hua returned, Meifeng was the one to break the news to her. Later, when Ming-Hua asked how and when it happened, she couldn’t quite stop herself from snapping at her because she should have been there, Meifeng shouldn’t have had to pretend to be her so her mother could die without worrying about where her daughter was. Their relationship never really fully recovered after that fight

Still, she had met Suiren when she was little on the rare occasions when the Red Lotus passed through the Swamp and Ming-Hua chose to take her daughter to visit the tribe. She never met Midori, but she did see Ming-Hua pregnant with her once

Didn’t know about Ming-Hua’s imprisonment until an 11-year-old Suiren told her because world news don’t reach into the heart of the Swamp. She just thought they had decided to stop visiting. The news crushed her but… a part of her couldn’t help but go “you should have fucking listened to me when I told you to stay, then this wouldn’t have happened”

Her teaching Suiren waterbending involved mostly the basics of combat (she herself doesn’t know much of it since she’s a healer), plantbending and healing. Suiren reached her level of mastery and proficiency as well as figured out icebending on her own through sheer determination and spite (she’s so much like her mama 🥹🥹🥹)

Is the only one from the tribe Suiren had ever confessed to about being an assassin. That knowledge broke her heart and she spent all those years absolutely terrified that Suiren would meet Ming-Hua’s fate. When Suiren stopped visiting at one point (when she left for her mission to kill Kuvira, got injured, recovered at ATI, reunited with her parents, broke Kuvira out and started living with her, etc etc) she had assumed that it really did happen, until Suiren randomly showed up one day with Kuvira in tow (Meifeng did not approve bc of the whole spirit vine thing 😅)

Absolutely reunited with Ming-Hua at some point and it was an extremely emotional moment

Ripped Cadeo a new one when he suddenly appeared looking for his daughter after 45+ years after it became common knowledge that the RL are all alive and no longer wanted by the law

All in all… quite an interesting character that I really should do something with at some point, bc how come Ming-Hua’s family is the only one to get 0 attention in our discussions?? #justiceformeifeng2024

[fabuloustrash05]

You know how, in the 2012 version, Karai’s great something grandpa is Chinese, what if that man is a descendant of Lotus Blossom? Like, when he moved to Japan with his wife, his grandma Lotus was still in China? What if she was also a kunoichi?

I would’ve loved to see an episode where the turtles time travel even further in time and meet their great grandma Lotus. It would’ve been much cooler, in my opinion, if TMNT went along that route instead of having fans make the assumption that Karai and Lotus were the same characters.

Um, idk if you're referring to my OC, but I do have a 2012 version of Lotus Blossom and she is Chinese from 700 AD China who the Turtles met while on a time travel adventure with Renet, and Leo and Lotus fall in love and have a short lived romance (which also eventually leads to Leo raising Lotus' fture daughter, Ayame, who is my 2012 next gen OCs but that's a different story).

My 2012 Lotus Blossom is NOT related to Tang Shen in any way shape or form, just to clarify on that to everyone. I am not going to have Leo want to date another one of his relatives. Let this boy have a decent romance for once with no sweet home Alabama attached to it please lolol