#palace of shadow

[fishy12233]

TTYD if it had Kingdom Hearts styled world logos

[kuramirocket]

I'm almost finished playing PM: TTYD on switch and I was thinking, you know how in the game the Shadow Queen offers Mario to become her servant? I was thinking of what would make Mario say yes. And ofc, my brain automatically jumps to what I would argue is Mario's greatest weakness - Luigi.

When the Shadow Queen is awakened we can see shadow hands extending all over the places you visit - Rogueport, Petalburg, etc.

When she possesses Peach everything becomes dark and the ground trembles. Afterwards, during the battle one of the Shadow Queen's ability is to use shadow hands to drag Mario into the shadows and attack him. And ofc, we then see her attack the audience with those same shadow hands and basically drain/eat/kill them to restore her full health and power.

Following this, the Shadow Queen will ask again if you will serve her.

Mario's partners, ofc, refuse. However, what if this is the moment the Shadow Queen maliciously smiles and turns to look at Mario. His partners may have responded, but he most certainly hasn't. So, she asks him once more, if he won't serve her, otherwise, her cruel smile growing all the more crueler and knowing, his little brother will pay the price. Cue the Shadow Queen revealing that she has captured Luigi much to Mario's shock and horror.

Having possessed Princess Peach, the Shadow Queen has access to all of her memories and this, ofc, includes the loving and tight bond between the twin brothers. When the Shadow Queen regained her full power and health after attacking the audience she asked how she would 'punish' Mario and his allies for fighting against her. And what better punishment then to use the person Mario loves most.

In the game when the Crystal Stars fly off, the first location is Rougeport where Luigi is shown to be cheering for his big bro.

So, my thinking is what if when the Shadow Queen awakened, through her shadow abilities she is able to somehow see or sense where each and every resident is located and that includes our favorite green plumber. Thus, using her shadow hands she drags Luigi through the shadows to the Palace of Shadow where they all are.

Now, going back to the what if scenario. The Shadow Queen can use the same abilities she used to drain the audience on Luigi, the only thing Luigi able to say before being attacked, looking right at Mario is, 'I'm sorry.' And there is nothing Mario can do about it because at this point the Shadow Queen is impervious to all attacks. The situation had already been grim and dire, but now even more so. Mario's partners had already questioned what they were going to do. The situation is desperate and hopeless. The Shadow Queen knows this and she will use it to her advantage to manipulate and force Mario to bend to her will. So, she tortures Luigi in front of Mario stating she will release him and let him live if only he accepts to serve her.

All yells for Mario to not listen to her, that she's tricking him, fall on deaf ears as the only thing he can see, hear and focus on is Luigi's agonized cries as his life is slowly drained from him. Mario knows that if Luigi were able to speak, he too would also yell at him to keep fighting and forget about him, that he wasn't important compared to Princess Peach and everyone else. Yet, that isn't true, Mario thinks. Luigi is important. He's his precious little brother. He can't keep watching. He can't let his little brother die.

And so he steps forward and surrenders.

_______

This is now a fanfiction!!! Be warned it will be a Mario/Luigi fic! Read it here!

[bowserphobia]

Shadow Queen - for the Paper Mario Zine.

[ilovemesomevincentprice]

I've been asked multiple times, which Vincent Price films *I* personally recommend. Well... all of the above... Also, Theater of Blood...(Gif wouldn't load)

[crazymecjc]

look at yourself… you’re the true puppet.

[homeisaplaceinthehills]

September shadow

Blenheim Park. Woodstock, 2024

Edén Ochoa Iniesta

[skelvron-keiman]

last day as an optional boss

.

.

just to be clear

[ashinaisshin]

Sekiro scenery [6/?] 馨し水蓮 / Lotus of the Palace A white lotus flower found blooming in the depths of the Sunken Valley, where the Fountainhead Waters pool deeply. The flower's aroma attracts female apes. Thus the Guardian Ape carefully tended to it, so as to offer it to his bride. One of the incense ingredient sought by the Divine Heir for Immortal Severance.

[senblades]

Ill-advised trust exercises

(psst! hey! my commissions are open!)

[weepingtalecowboy]

Fanfic prompt: the chain talks about bad relationships

Like time mops about Ruta

Warriors entire love life gets mentioned

Twilight is crying over Midna

And Legend mops in the corner

and when it’s four's turn

He tells everyone about his “brother's” relationship with a demon

“that poor thing doesn’t deserve that nihilistic and pessimistic attitude 24/7 no idea how he has managed to stay sane…wait he has willingly endured the worst person ever for years no way he is sane”

Everyone feels bad for the brother because obviously the demon is in the wrong and the bad guy

(the colors overpowered Vio in that one not that he did anything to stop them because he was busy mopping about not getting to be with shadow )

And for weeks they feel bad and extremely uncomfortable that four never did anything about the situation

Demons are no joke and bad partners can be damaging

When they see the brother in question they immediately realize that the demon was not the bad guy in this

Vio really is this bad

Shadow(to the chain): “You know, I find his eternal pessimism... kind of charming.”

Sky *pointing to Vio who is laying face down on the ground*: “Wait. You find that charming?”

Shadow : “Oh, sure! Most demons are all fire and brimstone, but Vio? He just sits in the corner and contemplates the futility of existence. It’s nice to have someone who’s not all about chaos and destruction for a change because trust me I know bad relationships”

Warriors:“But... he’s so depressing. How do you live with that?”

Shadow *shrugging*: “Oh, it’s not so bad. He says the same things every day, so I know when to tune him out or else I would have lost it already”

Green (pretending to be four at the moment)*mock whispering to the chain*: he is in fact insane don’t let his charming demeanor fool you…,probably because of Vio”

That was an experience nobody forgot

[chasingrainbowsforever]

Blenheim Palace Gates ~ By Darrell Godliman on Flickr

[astra-ravana]

Navigating Your Own Astral Mindscape

Your astral mindscape is the personal, internal realm of your consciousness—a vast, shifting landscape where your subconscious mind, spiritual essence, and energetic body converge. It is both a sanctuary and a place for exploration, healing, and self-discovery. Learning to navigate this space can deepen your understanding of yourself, enhance psychic abilities, and strengthen your connection to astral realms.

Understanding the Astral Mindscape

Your mindscape is a mental-astral projection of your consciousness, shaped by thoughts, emotions, memories, and subconscious symbols. It can appear as:

• A dreamlike world with familiar and unfamiliar locations.

• A personal temple or sanctuary where your energy resides.

• A labyrinth of shifting symbols, reflecting deep psychological and spiritual truths.

• A gateway to deeper astral realms, spirit communication, or past-life exploration.

Unlike traditional astral projection, which involves traveling to external astral planes, mindscape navigation is an internal journey where you explore and shape your own inner reality.

Preparing for Astral Mindscape Exploration

Before diving in, set up a safe, focused space for practice:

1. Grounding & Centering

• Breathwork: Slow, deep breathing to calm the mind.

• Energy Anchoring: Visualize roots growing from your feet, grounding you into the Earth.

• Mantras: Use affirmations such as “I am safe. I am in control. I navigate with clarity.”

2. Creating a Protective Shield

• Imagine a sphere of white or golden light around you.

• Call upon a spirit guide, deity, or guardian for protection.

• Carry a protective talisman (such as a black tourmaline, pentagram, or protective sigil).

3. Setting an Intention

Before entering your mindscape, decide your goal:

• Healing past wounds

• Finding guidance from spirit allies

• Strengthening psychic abilities

• Exploring past-life memories

• Building a personal astral sanctuary

Entering Your Astral Mindscape

Method 1: Meditation Gateway (Ideal for beginners)

• Close your eyes and relax deeply.

• Imagine a doorway, portal, or staircase in your mind.

• Step through it, entering your personal mental-astral realm.

• Observe what appears—do not force anything.

• Move through your environment, noting landscapes, symbols, or beings you encounter.

• When ready, return through the portal, grounding yourself back in your body.

Method 2: Lucid Dreaming Entry (Best for deep subconscious access)

• Before sleep, affirm: “Tonight, I will enter my mindscape with awareness.”

• Keep a dream journal to track recurring locations, symbols, or themes.

• Use lucidity triggers, such as hand-checking or reality affirmations, to recognize when you are dreaming.

• Once lucid, shift focus inward, asking: “Where is my mindscape?”

• Explore with intention, gathering insights from your subconscious.

Method 3: Guided Visualization (For structured exploration)

• Imagine yourself in a void—a vast space of limitless potential.

• Picture the environment shaping itself around you- A temple, a forest, a castle, an endless ocean—whatever resonates.

• If uncertain, ask: “What does my mind look like?” and let the scene emerge.

• Walk through this space, interacting with objects, doors, or entities.

• Take mental notes of anything significant—everything has meaning.

Mapping & Interacting with Your Mindscape

Once inside, you’ll find key locations that serve as powerful points of transformation.

Common Mindscape Structures & Their Meanings:

• The Sanctuary: A safe space, often appearing as a temple, garden, or home.

• The Mirror Room: A place where you face your true self, hidden aspects, or past identities.

• The Library or Archive: Holds records of your soul’s knowledge, memories, and past lives.

• The Abyss: A void where suppressed fears, trauma, or deep truths reside.

• The Gateway: A portal to external astral planes or deeper subconscious layers.

• A Garden: Growth, creativity, and healing energy.

• A Castle or Fortress: Strong walls and locked doors. Your defenses, inner strength, and self-protection.

• A Dark Cave or Locked Door: Hidden trauma, fears, repressed memories, secrets, or untapped potential.

Interacting with Your Mindscape:

• Speak to Entities: Some beings may represent aspects of yourself, spirit guides, or guardians.

• Alter the Landscape: You have control—if something feels unsafe, change it.

• Write Everything Down: Keeping a Mindscape Journal helps track patterns and growth.

Advanced Techniques for Deeper Exploration

1. Shadow Work in the Mindscape

• Visit dark or hidden areas, recognizing suppressed aspects of yourself.

• Ask entities: “What do you represent?”

• Face fears safely by observing rather than reacting.

• Bring light into darkness, healing wounds by offering love and acceptance.

2. Strengthening Astral Constructs

• Create permanent structures, like a protection temple or energy wellspring.

• Reinforce portals for astral travel beyond your mindscape.

• Program guardian spirits or sigils into your space for continued protection.

3. Inviting Spirit Guides & Higher Knowledge

• Call upon deities, ancestors, or totem animals.

• Ask direct questions: “What must I learn?” and listen for responses.

• Receive symbolic messages, later analyzing their deeper meanings.

4. Astral Projection & Mindscape Expansion

• Find a high place (a tower, mountaintop, or floating island).

• Set the intent to project beyond yourself.

• Visualize leaving your mindscape while maintaining awareness.

5. Strengthening Protection

• A protective wall or boundary around key areas.

• A guardian spirit or familiar stationed at the entrance.

• A shield of light around yourself when exploring.

Safely Exiting the Mindscape

It’s crucial to leave your mindscape properly to avoid lingering in an altered state.

Closing the Session:

• Visualize returning to a door, portal, or staircase leading back to waking consciousness.

• Affirm: “I return to my body, fully present and grounded.”

• Take deep breaths and wiggle fingers/toes.

• Drink water and write down insights immediately.

Exploring your astral mindscape is a lifelong practice that deepens with time. As you return, you may find it changing—reflecting your personal growth and challenges. Trust your intuition, move at your own pace, and always practice with intent.

Relevant Posts

۞ On Astral Travel

۞ The Advantage Of Dream Work

[aroaceleovaldez]

chewing on big 3 kids being capable of absolutely devastating natural disasters and apocalypse-level outbursts of power.

Percy who creates hurricanes complete with lightning that pummel titans and flooding and whirlpools that can trap god-powered crocodile kaijus. Earthquakes that erupt volcanoes. Hazel who sunk an entire small island entirely on her own with her final breath, against giants and a primordial goddess of the earth.

If Nico dramatically wilts plants and cracks the ground when he's mildly stressed, and disintegrates enemies down to their skeletons with a single touch or rips their souls out of their still-living bodies, and can command armies of the undead, what happens if he tries to cause destruction? Even outside of total zombie apocalypse or insta-killing a crowd, he's shown enough geokinesis to absolutely be capable of the same destruction Percy and Hazel can manifest.

What about Jason? He can control the winds and storms. There's no way he can't create the most destructive tornadoes with casual effort that he can never justify using for the collateral damage they'd cause. With a single thought he can rip up a town and launch the remnants 50 miles out. (Jason in the center of a Dead Man Walking tornado, vortexes responding to his movements like an avatar...)

And what can anyone do to combat it? How can you fight the wind lifting everything you know and love into the sky, or floods sweeping you away, or the ground giving way beneath you? The Big 3 kids are scary because they are forces of nature, and their whims are the only thing preventing you from witnessing that at any given moment.

[krittec]

why is netflix spearheaded by absolute morons who decide to cancel their shows that actually do well?

Shadow and Bone + the spin off that would’ve been INCREDIBLY successful, Six of Crows

and now Dead Boy Detectives.

it’s just WEIRD like what is their business plan? Whatever happened to letting shows grow to their max potential instead of cancelling it before it even has a chance to breathe.

[fragmentedstarlights]

Guy who can contain multitudes...

[saunteringvaguelydownwards]

Is it just me or did this phone game I’m playing steal Critical Role fanart of Marisha Ray to use as a decoration?

Like, that’s totally Alexandra O’Neill from the Shadow of the Crystal Palace one-shot…