#mavis taz

[karkatwaddles]

Mavis and mookie 🥰

To me i think dwarves sorta resemble deers in their facial features!! So uh here are what my mookie and mavis designs look like

Oh also I hc that mavis, eventually asks Merle to adopt her (while still like her mom being a big part of her life) and ends up taking on Merle's last name? So eheh.

[anistarrose]

thoughts on taako and/or magnus babysitting merle's kids and the ensuing chaos that may result (passes you the mic)

oh, what a delight... for starters, I think that Mavis thinks the coolest person from the Story is Lucretia, and Mookie thinks the coolest person from the Story is Merle, obviously, but like, really closely followed by Lup. the second this becomes apparent to Taako and/or Magnus, they immediately dive into Win the Hero Worship of These Small Children mode. they're on that Cool Uncle Grind.

Taako tries to instill a love of cooking in these children, because Jeffandrew knows their father won't (Merle is actually a good enough cook to like, meet the most basic of dietary needs, but Taako's standards are orders of magnitude higher than that), but the furthest Taako gets with the kids is getting Mookie to watch hot dogs blowing up in the fantasy microwave.

Magnus takes them on a field trip to dog school. Taako takes them on a field trip to Taako's Amazing School of Magic, 'cause you've gotta start making an impression early or else they'll go to the competition, like Angus. Taako and Magnus both have big dreams of their respective field trips being interrupted by dastardly evildoers and powerful enemies, allowing them opportunities to save the day and prove to the children how badass they are — but were this a fic, there would be a running gag about Lup having brought Merle along for a Reaper mission where they keep almost crossing paths with their family, and thwarting necromancer's schemes just slightly out of view of Magnus and Taako before a real threat can present itself.

but don't worry, Merle is also constantly bemoaning that he can never succeed at anything cool or even uncharacteristically competent when any of his kids (whether big kids or little kids) are around to see him. they still love him though (even if the way Mavis finally opens up to Magnus and Taako is by discovering a shared love of roasting their father)

[entguarde]

MANIACAL CACKLING

It is here. The culmination of my finals-recently-finished burst of energy

I will be providing a visual description soon! I need to figure out what method would be best because I don't want people to have to jump from one place to another. If anyone has any and I mean ANY suggestions on a format, LET ME KNOW!!!

[soadscrawl]

more taz more taz more taz

so much love in this famillyyyyy

[anistarrose]

[Image description: a digital line art comic of Merle and Lucretia from The Adventure Zone. Merle's a dwarf with an eyepatch and a curly beard, while Lucretia's a human with a short afro shaved on the sides.

Merle says: "Hey Lucretia," with a smile, and Lucretia replies: "What is it Merle?"

Merle grips his soulwood arm, and says: "Thank you."

Lucretia asks: "For what?" and the final panel cuts to Merle holding hands with Mookie and Mavis, facing away from the viewer. He replies: "... For taking me... to that god damn beach."

End description.]

headcanon

[cihojuda]

Would that TAZ couple have kids? Part 2: Non-canon Balance Edition

Merle & Davenport: No, but Davenport is a very good stepdad to Mookie & Mavis.

Magnus & Taako: I think so. I'm a sucker for soft!Magnus and I think he could convince Taako that he would be a good parent if he could just get out of his head.

Magnus & Taako & Kravitz: Okay listen. I don't ship this BUT I read a fanfic about this and it made me understand so 100% YES. Give me Dad Magnus and Dad Kravitz and my heart is yours.

Magnus & Lucretia: 50/50. I can seen young Lucretia deciding to have just 1 kid, maybe- especially with a puppy dog of a partner like Magnus- but post-Wonderland Lucretia is over it and I respect that.

Lucretia & Davenport: No. I think he just doesn't want kids, plus there are power dynamics at play both before & after the BoB that make it a little weird to me.

Lup & Lucretia: Before the BoB, there's a possibility there. I still think post-Wonderland Lucretia is Too Done for kids.

Lucretia & Maureen: Lucretia is Lucas's stepmom even if she's not fuckin his mom let's be real here

[a-side-character]

Taz Balance as Ghost Quartet

I'll get right to the point: I have had an animatic bumping around in my head for about three years now that features the Taz Balance player characters and the song "The Telescope" from the musical Ghost Quartet. The problem? I can't draw at all. I can, however, write a decently convincing description of what my vision would be if I could.

So, here's my attempt to do just that! In the hopes that even just one other person has their perception of this song completely overtaken by The Adventure Zone like I have. Let's begin:

-

"Look into my telescope, tell me what you see"

[Wide, aerial shot of Magnus standing in a white room in front of June, who is holding the chalice. We see Magnus from behind, and June has a neutral expression]

"I see a red star"

[Magnus leans in to look into the cup]

"Antares, red hypergiant star, 4900 lightyears away."

[Cut to static-filled images of Magnus' childhood. We see the scene of him protecting the dog most prominently]

"And a billion times larger than our sun]

[A quick still of Magnus as a young man, laying on his back and looking up at the sky. One of the suns is crystal clear, the other one is static-ed out]

"I see fire in the darkness"

[A black screen, illuminated by a torch]

"Rage against the void"

[The torch illuminates Magnus' face, and behind him a mob of angry villagers holding various weapons]

"I see everytime man cried out, and raised his sword"

[Magnus yells and raises his sword, lunging as though to strike at governor Kalen or his army]

"Against God"

[The momentum from the previous scene continues as the background falls away (as does the sword) and we see Magnus fall to his knees, burying his face in his hands in front of Julia's grave]

"That's good, that's good"

[Cut back to present-day Magnus and June. June nods somberly, and we see Magnus with tears falling from his face]

"Now look into my telescope, tell me what you see"

[We see the same scene as in the beginning, but this time it's Merle facing June in the white room]

"I see a blue star"

[Merle leans in to look into the chalice]

"Groombridge 1830, also known as Argelander's Star. A class G8 subdwarf (ha, get it, cause Merle's a dwarf? That's not the only reason he fits with this verse though BELIEVE ME) a member of the galactic halo"

[We see static filled scenes of Merle's past, with emphasis on his time as a young boy growing up in the church]

"I see mothers weeping in chairs, clutching their shawls in the morning"

[A shot of Hekuba standing on the front porch of her house, leaning against the pillar of the porch. Her eyes are aimed at the horizon and she looks angry, but when she looks down her eyes soften and she seems more sorrowful]

"Everything is lost, all is gone"

[We see what she's looking at, as Merle turns around and walks away from the house, leaving Mavis and Mookie looking confusedly at him and then up at Hekuba]

"And she tries to find the joy in life"

[Cut to a static filled image of Merle sitting at a table and talking to an unseen figure (John) with a speech bubble coming out of his mouth. The only intelligible words are "Find Joy"]

"But she is wasting away"

[Back to Hekuba, who turns around and back into the house. Before her back is to us we see tears in her eyes]

"That's good, that's real good"

[Back once again to Merle standing in front of June. He looks upset, though in a more reserved way that Magnus did. There is a heavy guilt in his expression]

"Now just one more time: Look into my telescope, tell me what you see"

[Our final member of THB, Taako, is now the one facing June]

"I see, I see two stars"

[Taako leans in to look into the chalice]

"Yes, Sigma Orionis AB, a binary star"

[We see static filled images of Taako's past, of him learning how to cook and of him staying in various places over the years]

"Two stars, lost in time"

[This time the childhood scenes stay longer, and we see those same shots expanded to include a static-covered figure (Lup) next to Taako in every single one]

"Oooh, two women, in the forest in the evening in a light rain"

[During the ooohs the images of the past swirl away, leaving only a dark screen. As soon as the words begin it alights on a wide, aerial view of Taako and Sazed in front of the Sizzle it Up truck. As the song mentions, it is dark and drizzling]

"The older has no expression on her face"

[In this case 'the older' is Taako, and we see an up close image of his face, looking down his nose at Sazed with an unfazed expression]

"The younger hangs her head down"

[Sazed lowers his head, presumably just after being denied the ability to join the show]

"The younger is in love, was in love, is in love, was in love"

[The scene changes with every 'in love' to various scenes. Taako performing with his hand in the air, a flurry of magic behind it. The crowd looking up in adoration, the bright sign, etc.]

"But the lover is in love"

[in this case 'the lover' is the audience. We see a shot of the faces of the underdark audience, looking excited]

"With the older not the younger"

[Taako on stage, joyously handing out samples. Sazed in the back, looking on with a dark expression]

"But the lover is in love"

[That same shot of the audience, only now seeming panicked and afraid. Some have doubled over, poisoned]

"With the older not the younger"

[Back to Taako, looking horrified, and Sazed, who turns his back to the audience]

-

Alright, that's all I got! I'll admit I haven't been able to find a way to incorporate the little choruses in the middle and end, so if you have a way to tie them in please do let me know!

I really hope you see the vision, because I've been seeing this same little movie play out in my head everytime I listen to this song for YEARS.

[yourbelgianthings]

taz november celebration fic 3: prompt laugh

contrary to what you may think for this prompt, this is sad for like 3/4 of it lol but the end is happy, it’s tres horny boys and about 850 words

Magnus Burnsides's laugh was deep and hearty, but he wasn't used to hearing it by itself; he had always been laughing with Julia. Their life together was perfect, working with their hands and having something to show for it at the end of the day, then coming home to each other. Julia made dinner, Magnus did the dishes, their routine was consistent and comforting. They even thought about having a baby, although they were in no rush. Of course, that never happened, and when Magnus hugged Julia goodbye the day he left town, neither of them knew it would be the last. His friends brought dinners, went for walks, and spent evenings on the porch with Magnus after Julia's death, but he actually chose to bury her alone. The physical act of digging the grave was satisfying in a sick way, it grounded his soul in his body despite its countless attempts to break out through his ribs and fly away. A simple granite slab laid on top, reading: Julia Burnsides, We Love You Forever. His tears darkened the stone in little circles until the sun began to set, and he wouldn't laugh again for some time.

Merle Highchurch always did his best to keep a positive outlook, but it was hard to find reasons to laugh without his kids around. Apparently his sense of humor consisted of a lot of "dad jokes", and those weren't really a big hit with anyone else, especially when he was out trying to preach the word of Pan. He constantly struggled with his choice to leave after he was gone, if it was only the arranged marriage that was the problem, things would have been so much simpler. However, Hecuba and he had Mavis and Mookie, who he loved dearly. That didn't change the fact that he wasn't a very good dad, though, intentions don't count for much in that regard. So, he decided they would be better off without him; if you love something let it go and all that. Cycling through feelings of freedom, guilt, regret, apathy, and more, he wandered the world, presumably to share the word of Pan, but really just wishing to be able to laugh again.

Taako Taaco was very hard to make laugh. He and Lup used to do just that when they were bored, whoever laughed first lost and then they would just be in a fit of giggles for a while anyway. They found things funny between themselves that nobody else understood, but it didn't matter, because it made perfect sense to them. Not that he remembered any of this, of course. The Taako who forgot could be very cynical, and often saw humor from others as an attempt to conceal their true attitudes or motives. On stage for Sizzle It Up With Taako, he laughed and told jokes, but that was about as fake as it got. Hearing the applause and cheers from the audience, seeing the excitement in their eyes, and being complimented as he signed autographs and posed for pictures gave Taako energy and kept him going. He thrived on the attention, but some days, it wasn't enough and there was nothing else. Getting out of bed seemed impossible as his body simultaneously felt heavy and hollow. After Glamor Springs, this set in for several weeks until he suddenly thought: I'm fuckin' Taako from TV, I can go do whatever I want, and if anyone has a problem wit h that, I'll just laugh in their face and keep going.

One night, several months later, in their dorm at the Bureau of Balance, Tres Horny Boys were having a sleepover. Technically, they always did this by virtue of sharing a room, but they had decided to make a night of it, just for fun. Taako cooked the most delicious popcorn the other two had ever had, with the perfect amounts of butter and salt, and he also bought some nail polish from the Fantasy Costco. Magnus realized that Pringles had left some of his stuff in the room, so they had some cool old CDs to listen to, and Merle had found some candles for more ambient lighting. They were all set for the perfect sleepover, and as Taako was painting Magnus's nails shiny silver by candlelight, Merle set down the big bowl of popcorn he had been snacking on and asked, "What did everyone say to the kernel when he finally popped?"

Taako snorted and said,

"Merle, I am not even going to entertain this one," but there was a smile on his face.

Magnus gave in, "I don't know, Merle, what?"

"CORN-GRATULATIONS!"

Magnus immediately burst out laughing, which made Merle join in and Taako shout,

"Mags, you're going to mess up your nails!" although he couldn't help laughing too. It was just so ridiculous and Merle's confidence in the delivery was what really got them. The three of them flopped onto each other, slightly out of breath the way the best fits of laughter leave you, Taako leaning on Magnus's shoulder and Merle leaning on his stomach on the other side. They all smiled, and for the moment, things were okay.

[engineering-poodles]

My Traditional Post-Campaign TAZ Relisten Is Going Great

I'm on episode 69 of Balance, and just got to the moment with Merle and Mavis saying "I love you" and the way Clint pauses and drops subtly out of character voice to say it, so you know he's actually saying it to Griffin as his dad, and there's all this unspoken feeling of "you boys are The Most Important Thing to me and I have never and will never ever take even a single second of your existence for granted" and that's always where the water works start for me.

These four guys, y'all. I find it so healing to hear the obvious love they have for each other. Like, I had pretty decent parents, who loved us so much, and always did the best they knew how to do for us. But I'm 46, and they've both passed away in the last 10 years. Both of my brothers succumbed to alcoholism and died stupidly and very young. It's just me now. Sometimes I feel like an astronaut who's gone Flying Dutchman - flung adrift from my ship in the open emptiness of space, with no way to return or be found. It's not entirely true, I have aunts and uncles and cousins who love me and are always happy to hear from me. I have my best friend who's been my roommate for so long that we're basically in a platonic marriage. I'm not entirely without tethers. But the people that raised me are just gone.

So these men who once lost one of their most vital tethers, who work every day to maintain their tethers to each other, who built more tethers to more people they could love, and just pour this unfathomably deep well of love they have into strengthening all those tethers, and then go and (rather unintentionally, I think, it's just not something they're capable of or willing to hide) share a little of how strong they've made their net of connections to each other through storytelling and laughter and the way they conduct themselves in this capitalist hell-scape we're all fighting through...it's good for me. I feel lucky to have found them through some cool fanart I saw on Twitter once, in the before times like 8 years ago.

Sorry to get all maudlin on you all. Just feelin' some feels.

[into-the-clintoris]

Controversial TAZ polls post no.2:

[anistarrose]

Tag Game: First Lines

tagged by @novantinuum! thanks so much, Jen!

Rules are to share the first lines of ten of your most recent fanfics and tag ten people. If you've written less than ten, that's no problem, don’t be shy and share anyway!

lotta TAZ stuff here for me, obviously, but the second most prevalent running thread has gotta be middle-aged and older people either Going Through It or About To Go Through It

fill up your lungs, feel better (The Adventure Zone: Balance)

In scattered clearings in the woods, outside cabins and encircling a lake, congregations of battle-tested heroes light campfires, tear open bags of marshmallows, and break into song and spooky stories alongside their friends, laughter bubbling up into the night air alongside the smoke and embers.

2. but the strangle lights in the sky were shining (The Adventure Zone: Balance)

Barry Bluejeans tears through the woods, lungs burning and head spinning.

3. if the grim reaper takes your professor before class starts then you're legally allowed to leave (The Adventure Zone: Balance)

Barry gets to work early, for some damn peace and quiet before he has to deal with office hours, but there’s already a guy here who won’t even allow him that luxury.

4. Someone I Have Loved, But Never Known - Chapter 1 (The Adventure Zone: Balance)

Two weeks in this world, and Lup misses the last one already.

5. leaving, as an injustice (The Adventure Zone: Balance)

Mavis does not remember her father by blood, and only knows what her Mom tells her, what pictures she’s shown.

6. Malaise (The Adventure Zone: Balance)

Lup’s died a lot of times before, and usually not been a big fan, if you could believe it.

7. Clawthornes Fly Blind (The Owl House) (cheating and putting two sentences because like. look at those sentences. you get it)

Lilith wasn’t expecting a call on the crystal ball from Luz at this hour, but, well. Teen sleep schedules will be what they are, especially without any supervision besides Eda’s.

8. hey there, ghosts, it's lup, your girl (The Adventure Zone: Balance)

Barry’s not getting his hopes up for surviving Wave Echo Cave.

9. parlay, as a gamble (The Adventure Zone: Balance) (side note: I still think this line and what immediately follows it are the single best opening I've ever written, please please please read my sad weird old man fic)

Merle’s sitting in his dorm on the moonbase, until he isn’t.

10. onwards, haphazardly (Gravity Falls)

Mabel hears an oink notification from her phone, but by the time she crosses the kitchen to check for the text, it’s started vibrating too, rhinestones clacking against the table.

tagging @holdmecloser-gandydancer, @fallen-gravity, @3hobbitsinatrenchcoat, and @fordtato, but only if you want to, of course!! also I'm most definitely forgetting folks, so anyone else, feel free to say I tagged you if you want to do this!

[lost-dazed-andconfused]

Couldn't get the idea of Full Disclosure from the Addams Family Musical and TAZ: the Eleventh Hour combining out my head. If you know both... You know why...

It's under the cut.

Chalice (via June):

This is the sacred chalice

From Red Robe Mystery past

Firm in my digitals

Held fast

De-cast!

Here, in this sweet libation

Salavation resides

Feel the sweet sensation

Revelation provides

Full disclosure!

It's a game that I play

Let your darkest secrets

Give you away

Face your demons

And then happily say

I'm playing

Full disclosure

With all these crazy happy people

Chalice/Taako/Magnus/Merle:

Full disclosure!

Chalice:

It's a hell of a thing

Once a favorite

Of the fine Glamour Springs

Doesn't matter

If you're right or left wing

He loved his full disclosure.

Taako/Magnus/Merle:

Disclosure, full disclosure

Full disclosure

Disclosure, full disclosure

Full disclosure

Merle (Spoken):

Oooh! Oooh!

June (Spoken):

Let's hear from our cleric. The chalice!

Merle (Spoken):

I am in love!

Chalice (Spoken):

In love!

Mavis (Spoken):

Merle!

Merle (Spoken):

You're probably wondering, what could a small bearded person who sometimes gets excited about plants a bit too much know about love? But I, too, am in love!

Merle loves!

Chalice (Spoken):

Who is it, Merle?

Merle (Spoken):

My kids… Full disclosure!

Taako/Magnus/Chalice/Mavis/Mookie:

Full disclosure!

Merle:

They are the loves of my life

Taako/Magnus/Chalice/Mavis/Mookie:

Loves of his life!

Chalice:

Fail your audience or fail your wife

Taako/Magnus/Mavis/Mookie:

He failed his wife

Chalice:

Close your shame with a signature tune

Taako/Merle/Magnus/Chalice:

And call it full disclosure!

Chalice (Spoken):

Well! Wasn't that interesting!

Taako (Spoken):

Boys, it's late. Thank you for a very instructive evening-

Magnus (Spoken):

NO! It's my turn.

Taako (Spoken):

Magnus…

Chalice (Spoken):

Excellent! Magnus has a Full Disclosure! The chalice!

Chalice (Spoken):

Yes!

Sung:

Now, with a dash of notion

This human blows his cool

Hopefully in slow-motion

He'll drop,

He'll drool

One touch of my stem

And then he will change

Boy, oh boy, his full disclosure's

Gonna be strange!

Taako/Merle/Magnus/Chalice:

Full disclosure!

Chalice:

What a moment of pride!

Taako/Merle:

La la la la

Chalice:

Now our Magnus can share what's inside!

Taako/Merle:

La la la la

Chalice:

Full disclosure, he's got nothing to hide!

Taako/Merle/Chalice:

Hurray for full...

Magnus (Spoken):

No!!!!

[incorrect-zone-quotes]

Best TAZ Balance NPC poll

After a little messing around, I've decided to conduct a very scientific poll.

This will include every TAZ Balance NPC that I remember/care about so I apologize deeply if your favorite NPC isn't on here but there's 60 total so I feel that's pretty comprehensive.

Matchups under the read more (These have been randomized so I'm sorry for any tough choices)

Artemis Sterling vs Hurley

Kravitz vs Klarg

Angus McDonald vs Robbie

Graham the Juicy Wizard vs Mr. Upsy

Johann vs Davenport

Roswell vs Dracula

Antonia vs Rowan

Lucas Miller vs Hodge Podge

Hekuba Roughridge vs Cassidy

Steven vs Brad Bradson

Greg Grimaldis vs Jenkins

Trent the Treant vs Little Jerry and Jerreeeeee

Cam vs Paloma

Voidfish vs Garyl

Barry Bluejeans vs Istus

Gundren Rockseeker vs Lucretia

Maarvey vs Sloane

Joaquin Terrero vs Edward

Mookie vs Lup

Ash vs Jeff Angel

Lydia vs Avi

Ren Mol'diira vs The Raven Queen

Clint McElroy (the Plane Walker) vs Boyland

June vs Pan

Brody vs Magic Brian

Garfield the Deals Warlock vs John

Leon the Artificer vs Carey Fangbattle

Mavis vs Killian

Maureen Miller vs Julia Burnsides

Jess the Beheader vs NO-3113

[the-wolfpack]

oh shit yeah that’s definitely more narratively rewarding tbh in the long run and iirc it’s mavis cuz she’s the older of the two and merle’s step daughter

but daaaaamn we need to get in on the taz graphic novel action they look so good

@the-wolfpack sorry to reply this way, my desktop keeps fucking up.

The scene changed to Merle leaving his family because he felt like something was missing in his life. Hecuba begs him to stay for the kids but he says he doesn't want to fuck up the only good thing in his life by staying. It ends with him leaving and one of the kids (I'm not sure if it was Mavis or Mookie, maybe Mavis as Mookie looked to be a baby) asking where he's going. It was an oof moment for sure.