#rounder organic features

[paradimeart]

elita 1/blackarachnia redesign/reimagining

[mars-ipan]

being a character artist is helpful with unlearning biases which i like a lot

[astrolavas]

Ok ok, but now is turn for the grimwalker HCs!! Give us the creature👀

!!!!! BET

once a grimwalker is "formed" they simply turn mostly organic, just like how palismen are live animals instead of wood (when activated). so even though the ingredients are still THERE technically, they appear as just like... normal stuff, so grimwalkers are mostly biologically the species that their ortet was, almost indistinguishable (hair is hair, skin is skin, there's blood flow despite there not initially being a heart, the galdorstone is there but it functions very similarly to a heart, etc etc) and yet sometimes the original ingredients' features somehow still "show up" in unique-to-grimwalkers ways. ㅤ

i imagine grimwalkers used to be like a more popular/frequent occurence in ancient demon realm. the process of creating a grimwalker was like a sacred magic ritual, only allowed in special cases (like maybe if a witch lost a child early and wasn't able to have another one, sth of the sort) so it was still very rare even back then and would have to be approved of by most of the community. however, then the tradition died off as ingredients started becoming more scarce, and most of knowledge about it was eventually lost to time. nowadays, grimwalkers are considered to be an extinct species as well as an urban legend/myth by boiling isles habitants, like a "supposedly extinct but there's no certainty if they ever even actually existed" situation (without taking hunter and his possibly-openly-a-grimwalker-in-the-future thing into account just yet). the books we saw hunter read in labyrinth runners have some right information but also lots of misinformation in them, since they're far removed from the direct source, based on only tidbits of actual info, and have been written by witches/demons, with no grimwalkers consulted (obviously); lots of it is speculation, and lots of it is wrong. (i imagine the only actual, entirely truthful info is in those scrolls and books we saw in belos' grimwalker lab, but even that isn't fully complete; and belos wouldn't have wanted to share it with the public anyway, for obvious reasons) additionally, i feel like grimwalkers have a sort of cryptid-like reputation in the boiling isles' pop culture. there are stories made up about them. there are teens making pink-eyed grimwalker ocs on the demon realm equivalent of deviantart and making up things like "grimwalkers can shoot lasers out of their eyes" or "they can raise the dead with their thoughts" LMAO. hunter gets a headache when he discovers all that. ㅤ

grimwalkers are semi-immune to boiling water. the selkidomus scales give them a lot of immunity so boiling water is not actually lethal to them but still, being exposed to boiling rain for a long while or full-on diving into the boiling sea may hurt a bit and prolonged contact with boiling water may leave them with blisters/burns. ㅤ

when grimwalkers' skin is wet for a long time, it gets somewhat scaley ??? scales-resembling texture ?? instead of just being pruney/wrinkled. when dry, their fingertips have a sort of wood-rings-y look. ㅤ

grimwalkers' hair naturally grows incredibly fast, but especially when they spend lots of time in the sun. plant magic may also affect its growth positively. ㅤ

grimwalkers' eyes are reflective and can glow/shine in the dark. ㅤ

when it comes to human-based grimwalkers (the golden guards), sometimes their ears would turn out rounder and human-looking, sometimes they'd look pointier but still not fully witch-like. belos preferred them to be round cuz obviously he preferred "caleb" to be human-looking, but with time he started modifying some grimwalkers' naturally round ears to be pointier just so that they could blend in easier and so they'd believe that they're witches too. he'd "mold" their ears during early creation or sometimes modify/cut them after, like he did his. (hunter's ears are naturally pointy and generally look like a witch's ears but, upon closer inspection, the details of his ears differ from a normal witch's ears juuuust slightly) (ears of the grimwalker that we saw in ftf were fully round because belos was counting on this one to be the golden guard post-day of unity, seemingly brought up as human and in the human realm) ㅤ

just like stonesleepers, grimwalkers often have a slightly sensitive spot behind their ears. ㅤㅤㅤ

palismen can somewhat sense that grimwalkers are also made of palistrom wood so they naturally cling to them more (big win for mr palisman enthusiast/carver hunter owlhouse!) ㅤㅤ

again, when it comes to specifically caleb-based/the golden guard grimwalkers, i can imagine that belos' first attempts were....... FAR from perfect. since i imagine he got all the information from different incomplete ancient scrolls, there were many things he had to come up with and re-discover himself. the very first grimwalkers he made probably didn't even survive for longer than a few minutes/hours. and when they did survive, i feel like the ingredients used were much more distinguishable at first too, not fully transformed into their organic counterparts; like for example some grimwalkers had more selkidomus-like or stonesleeper-like features, or were visibly wooden in some places, etc etc. i feel like belos didn't succeed in making a fully functional, stable and human/witch-looking grimwalker until he met the collector, and then did so thanks to their help. ㅤ

grimwalkers are already "harvestable" at early infancy and that's when you're "supposed" to unbury them, but they can technically emerge at any age (they just have to stay underground and age for the amount of time). i feel like there were also times when belos tried to speed up the process and age his grimwalkers up faster so that they'd be of use to him quicker, but that would also often result in the grimwalkers being unstable; so not really a good idea. (i envision that hunter was probably one of the youngest- if not the youngest- grimwalker belos had ever made, and that's also why he had high hopes for him lasting longer than the others; because he manipulated him since early childhood, starting in his most pivotal developmental years) ㅤ

i like to believe that the reason why flapjack was able to save hunter in thanks to them was because hunter's a grimwalker. if hunter had been a normal witch or a human, i don't think flapjack could do anything to help. (something abt the thing that hunter was ashamed of and hated abt himself ending up being the exact thing that makes saving him possible... you know?) ㅤ

for specifically caleb-based grimwalkers, i imagine that since they're mostly human in biology, they might also have issues with eating some particular demon realm food. not as much as luz of course, since they're not completely human + after years of living in the demon realm and basically eating ONLY demon realm food i can imagine your stomach would get mostly used to it, acclimated and all, but it probably still could result in some problems and discomfort. ㅤ

because of their stonesleeper lungs, grimwalkers are usually pretty still and motionless sleepers. they breathe very slowly when sleeping. ㅤ

you can't make a grimwalker out of a grimwalker. you can try, but the magic simply won't work correctly.

[jupiterswasphouse]

WASP REVIEW - WAR WASPS (METROID PRIME)

[Image IDs: Two pieces of official artwork for the War Wasps from Metroid Prime, the first from the remaster while the second is from the original game /End IDs.]

This is actually the first wasp I'm covering from a game I haven't played, although I do plan on getting around to it, so forgive me if I misinterpret! With that out of the way, my first impression of these alien wasps is that, visually, in terms of shape, especially with their stinger sticking out in the way it does, they most resemble ichneumons, with the remaster version especially looking like Megarhyssa greenei!

[Image Source: bugguide.net | Image ID: A photo of greene's giant ichneumonid wasp, a large brown, yellow, and black ichneumon wasp with translucent wings and an exceptionally long ovipositor /End IDs.]

Except for a few details of this wasp's silhouette that are clear in both the remaster art and models in a good chunk of the games from what I can see, that being the almost beetle elytra-like protrusions above the translucent wings on the thorax, the spines on the abdomen and thorax, the lack of a third pair of legs, and, perhaps most obviously, the bird-like eye shape and beak they have for a mouth.

Although the last point is notably different in the art of the original game as well as the species shown in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, which has no legs as well as a rounder head with 9 eyes, in three groups, each almost resembling how the ocelli are assembled on the top of a real world wasp's head.

[Image ID A screenshot of the War Wasp from Metroid Prime 2: Echoes /End IDs.]

Although, the resemblance to ichneumons seems to be entirely visual, as ichneumons are solitary, and these guys are eusocial! They build hives and mainly attack in defense of the hive, this hive being built over existing crevices and made of whatever material they can get their hands on, gluing pieces into place with "adhesives secreted from their abdomens", a process which is seemingly similar to how a honey bee (actually technically, taxonomically another eusocial wasp itself, bees having evolved from other wasps as a sister lineage of Ammoplanidae) would produce wax from its abdomen, similarly sharing the aspect of "royal jelly" production with bees.

[Image ID: A 3D render of the hive of a War Wasp colony from Metroid Prime 2: Echoes /End ID.]

In fact, they're possibly even more than eusocial, as the logbook entry for the green and red variant found in the Hive Totem of Tallon IV, Ram War Wasps, states: "The War Wasps are the only species on Tallon IV to evolve a true hive mind", as well as "Striking from all sides as a single intelligence, they can fell huge organisms". Although it is unclear whether the consciousness of the War Wasps being a hive mind is true for all species or just the Ram War Wasps, as both regular War Wasps (Prime 1 and Echoes both being different) and Barbed War Wasps display notably different behavior.

On the topic of said behavior, however, on top of the ramming behavior of the Ram War Wasps, the standard War Wasps in the original Metroid Prime seem similar to notable stinging eusocial species of wasps, namely Vespids, in that, upon spotting a threat to the hive, they divebomb and attempt to directly sting the threat. Although they're a bit more territorial than even eusocial Vespids, as, in the real world, you would be able to get fairly close to their nest without being attacked if you know what you're doing (See a previous ask I received for more information about my experience with this), while War Wasps attack from much, much further away!

Meanwhile, the standard War Wasps in Echoes and the Barbed War Wasps in Prime 1 actually fire projectiles, a feature found in very few wasps, namely ants like some Formica wood ants and yellow crazy ants (Ants having evolved from wasps in a similar way as bees, taxonomically being wasps). Although whereas these ants spray acid, the projectile firing War Wasps fire beams of pure energy (Standard, Echoes) or their stingers (Barbed, Prime 1).

The logbook entry for Barbed War Wasps states: "This insect can propel the tip of its stinger up to 20 meters. The stinger tips regrow seconds after launch and contain an acidic compound designed to predigest prey". Obviously, while shockingly efficient and fascinating as many things real wasps do possess, this isn't something found in real world wasps. Even the aspect of predigestion is something more akin to assassin bugs, who inject venom via their "beaks" to predigest the prey that they hunt.

In conclusion, however, being aliens, I can't exactly rank them on their merit of being "accurate to real wasps", instead, it's best I score them just based on how neat I find them! and honestly, I find the War Wasps to be very interesting, it's clear the writers of Metroid put quite a bit of thought into how they behave, and they just have cool designs!

-

Overall: 8/10

-

This wasp was suggested by @coleopterabyte , leave your wasp review suggestion in the replies, tags, or askbox!

[aching-tummies]

With your tummy already full of milk and starting to cramp up the only thing to do is hel "soothe" it poking your lower belly roughly while it twist into knots. Placing both my hand on your tummy and just squeezing. "Ahh is that to much pressure on your cramps aching tummy?"

A response to this post, I think? Thank you for your patience. It sat in my inbox for a month or so. I don't want to make excuses, but as an explanation: 6-day work-week + home project = dead-on-my-feet. I've been trying to craft a proper response to this ask all month...but I literally got to the point of opening a word-processor and promptly falling asleep after squinting at the screen brightness.

Wet gurgles churn through the earpieces of the stethoscope. I lean back on my pillows, indulging in the noises. At a glance, one might think that I'm relaxing to some classical music of some sort—it's almost a trope in movies and TV at this point where some wealthy dude (sometimes the 'bad guy') sits back and turns up the volume on some classical piece like 'Ode to Joy' or something as they sit back after a job-well-done with a sniffer of brandy or whatever. We ain't as a boujee as that—no classical music screaming 'taste' or 'wealth', no expensive sound-system, and no brandy. What I've got is a stethoscope pressed almost painfully into the middle-left of my torso,the round metal nudging at my stomach-organ with every breath as I have the diaphragm trained directly over my duodenum.

The gurgles are audible even without the stethoscope, but with it I am getting a much more immersive experience. It picks up all of the little, quieter gurgles and the parts too quiet to escape to the realm of audibility. It's because of the earpieces that I don't hear it when you walk into my room, pausing at the door to take in the sight of me blissed out and indulging in my stomach. A glass that once contained milk sits on my night-table, telling you all that you need to know about what's going on.

You watch for a minute, watch as my blissed-out calm eventually begins to shift. It starts with a sharp gurgle, an irregular tensing of my abdominals, and a wince on my face as the painless part of the indulgence moves onto the main event. Enough milk has entered my intestines—enough to irritate the works. By the third wave of cramping, I'm moaning quietly, the stethoscope slipping as I begin to knead at my tummy as the cramps build to something painful—like the difference between calm waves and sky-scraper-sized waves out on the ocean. The cramps that were cute and manageable have grown, built themselves up to the point where it's painful. My intestines spasm irregularly, giving me that tell-tale 'in knots' feeling that I dread so very much.

“Ah!” I startle as I feel the bed dip and finally open my eyes, seeing your unexpected presence. A blush colors my features, unbidden, as I realize you caught me indulging alone. I thought you were working today and thought that I'd have the day off and the place to myself to indulge in a little stress-relief.

You don't even ask, reaching out with both hands to palpitate my belly. It's barely noticeable, but it's definitely rounder and tighter just a little bit more than it was an hour ago as the milk reacts negatively in my intestines, generating some painful gas inside of my constricting intestines.

I moan deeply as your probing hands press on some painful points on my tummy. On my right is a painful gas-pocket that's stuck in a loop of intestine—unable to be pushed to one or the other side of the loop because of restrictive cramps on either end of the twist. On my left, your thumb is nudging at the lower part of my duodenum, trying to act as a catalyst ensuring that all of the milk is in my intestines. My intestines rumble fiercely and my stomach burbles sickeningly. A gross, puff of sour, hot air pushes up and out of my stewing digestive tract in a pitiful excuse for a burp.

“Ahh...is that too much pressure on your cramping, aching tummy?” You tease, whispering in my ear as you relent the pressure and slide your hands over, only to press more firmly on other points on my belly. Your palms dig into the centre of my lower belly, just beneath my navel. The pressure is intense enough for me to moan and give some pained exclamations as the pressure in my cramping intestines ramps up from the pressure. I feel like a tied-off-balloon being squeezed from the bottom, your hands pinching off some much-needed space for the expansion of all the gas and nastiness being generated by the milk. The entire mess is expanding, and you just pinched off some prime real-estate. My intestines scream at the pressure, threatening to burst and aching fiercely.

[lavender-bundle-blithe]

I Died and Reincarnated as a Tiger Prince?! | Demo

Byakko sheathes her katana and finally lets out a breath.

“My, such bloodshed.” She glances over her shoulder as the royal doctor walks into the building. “Bandits, I presume?”

“Mostly. But others… They seem like sorcerers and mages.”

“Magic users? In this environment?”

The building they were asked to investigate looked abandoned on the outside with cracks and ivy along with boarded up windows. But inside, it looked like some sort of infirmary.

“If anything, I was thinking of something with more materials for sorcery.” The doctor murmurs, walking over to a table with several vials of organic material and potions.

“Yosano-sama, I will continue searching the building for any leftovers.” Byakko announced, already seeing herself off.

Yosano watches her and sighs fondly, shaking her head. “It feels like a lifetime ago, and yet you still act the same.” She turns her attention back to the books and studies and drafts strewn about the table.

She wasn’t familiar with sorcery and anything magic-based, even though she herself has the highest level of healing magic, one that could save someone from the brink of death. But they already have a mage in the royal administration, one that she was familiar with. And yet she doesn’t recognize any of these drafts. She picks up one of the papers, frowning.

“What was even done here-” Yosano’s voice stuttered when her eyes continued scanning further the pages. Resurrection? Supplements? Dosages, very low chance… Her hands trembled slightly as she looked back at the various vials on the shelves.

Just what has been dealt here?

“Yosano-sama.”

She turns around at the sound of Byakko’s voice. “Byakko, we might have to return here another day. Something-”

Yosano cuts herself off at the sight of what was curled up in the other’s arms. A child, a little boy with abnormal platinum blonde hair like the moon and motionless white tiger ears and tail, his wrists and ankles bruised. Half-human children tend to have these features of theirs move when asleep. Yosano looks down at the papers in hand.

“Yosano-sama,” She turns her attention back to the royal captain, seeing the hint of anger in her slight glare. “He was found in the middle of a sorcerer’s circle, chained down.”

“What?!”

“Shh.”

Yosano stops herself from the sudden outburst, seeing the child’s tiger ears tremble slightly from the loud echo. She glances at the papers in hand. “Something’s not right…” she whispers under her breath.

“It’s best we return to the castle and report that we took care of the problem, but that it leads to something more.” Byakko said, already making her way to the door and Yosano quickly puts the papers down and follows behind. “No wonder your brother said for you to come with me. He likely foresaw this, that fortune teller.”

“I wouldn’t put it past him,” sighs Yosano, thinking back to the conversation earlier today of Ranpo practically pushing Yosano over to Byakko just before she left the castle grounds. She sighs heavily and looks at the building they just left.

Yosano observes the other for a long moment, noticing the woman’s normally dilated sharp pupils being bigger and rounder as she gazes down at the boy in her arms. I never took her to be quite the mother. Yosano smiles at the thought. But it suits her.

“Seems like you have adopted a cub or your own, hm?” Yosano inquires.

Byakko simply glances at her from over her shoulder before turning back when the child suddenly shifts in her arms.

—  —  —

All Atsushi could remember was abrupt, shocking pain. Then the sense of floating. For a moment, he thought that he had died, which was the likely ending. The pain was unbearable compared to what the orphanage usually inflicted on him. This one was done by someone not of staff, but… a terrifying man of pure white hair and voidless red eyes. Truly, he did think he died, no doubt about it.

But that didn’t explain him suddenly… waking up again.

He was being carried, his head propped on a shoulder, eyes blarily staring up at an unfamiliar abandoned building with overgrown ivy. He suddenly felt a hand rest carefully on his head and someone came into view.

“Oh, you’re awake. How are you feeling?” the woman asks, magenta eyes looking at him.

Atsushi stares for a second before grumbling in pain, squeezing his eyes. “Everything hurts…”

“Where, by chance?”

“Head… my back… my hands and legs, too.” He opens his eyes again to see the other frowning slightly.

“What do you remember last?” she asks.

“I…” He swallows roughly and just shakes his head, burying his face into the shoulder. “I don’t remember…” Suddenly, something foreign on the side of his head shifts, and his eyes shoot wide open in panic but then a hand rests against his back.

“Shhh…” a deep ethereal voice hushes gently, and it calms Atsushi almost instantly even though his grip was still vice. “Things might feel different, but right now you are still hurt,” the voice continues gently. “It’s best we leave before it gets dark. By then, you will be treated by the royal family.”

Atsushi blinks owlishly. “R-Royal… family?”

The doctor hums silently, looking at him. “Seems like your memory has been affected a lot… What do you remember by chance?” she asks as they came to a wagon and the one holding him carefully set him down and pulled their cerulean blue shoulder cape to wrap around him.

Atsushi frowns and ducks his head only to go rigid at the sight of black stripes on his arms and legs along with his nails sharp like a cat’s. Before he could panic further, hands gently held him and he looked up to meet sharp yellow eyes, just like a tiger’s. “Do you remember your name? Age?” she asks.

Atsushi stares at her for a moment before quietly nodding his head. “N-Nakajima Atsushi… And I think I’m 14…?”

“14?” The doctor echoes, eyebrows furrowed.

“I think so,” he nods.

The two women glanced at each other before the doctor stepped next to the other. “I’m Yosano Akiko. And this is Kemono Byakko,” she introduces themselves to him. Atsushi blinks before nodding his head back.

“Now,” Yosano stands up and walks inside the building.

“Yosano-sam—” Byakko began.

“Just going to do something.”

They watched as the doctor disappeared inside, and after a bit of crashing sounds that made Atsushi wince at the sudden volume in his ears, Yosano walks out with something in her hands.

“Yosano-sama…” Byakko warns slightly.

“Oh, don't worry. Yosano waves a hand. “Just made sure we grabbed everything.” Atsushi stares before squinting in slight confusion.

“But you don’t have anything but those papers,” he points out.

“Quite! But that’s for later.” Turning to Byakko, “I’ll explain once we get back to the castle.” Byakko frowns before sighing quietly and looks back at Atsushi, gently petting his head before her eyes lowered. He stares back in confusion before gasping when she suddenly rests her hands gingerly on his bruised wrists, and a gentle blue-iridescent light covers the bruises. Atsushi watches in awe as the aching faded and the bruises completely vanished as she pulled away to do the ones at her ankles.

“Let’s get you home,” Byakko whispers, gazing at Atsushi earnestly before moving to the front to begin moving the wagon. Yosano pulls herself up on the wagon with Atsushi just as it begins moving and she looks off into the distance at the building.

“What else do you remember, by chance?” she asks.

Atsushi stares before looking down slightly, ignoring the stripes and claws for now. And besides his name and an idea of his age…

“Pain.” he answered.

“Pain?”

“But I should be used to pain…”

Yosano looks at the other before resting a hand on his head. “Feel anything different, then?” she asks.

Atsushi nods and looks around. “Everything is louder and brighter, and something’s moving on my back…”

Yosano hums carefully. “Do you know anything about half-humans?” Atsushi looks at her in confusion. Smiling, “Half-humans are humans, yes, but they are a bit different in appearance.”

“Like what?”

“Additional or replaced features compared to a human,” she explains. “There can be many kinds of half-humans, so a subspecies.”

“So… a different race?” Atsushi asks, feeling himself get tired.

“That’s right. But the most common of half-humans are humans with animal-like features. Be it cats, wolves, squirrels even.”

Atsushi yawns and slumps down, curling into a ball. “Am… I one of them?”

Yosano gazes down at him. “Yes. A white tiger. Surprisingly, we’ve only heard of such beings in stories as a lineage of legendary and brave warriors.”

Atsushi blinks slowly, the information having not been able to process fully. “Do… Do they get treated nicely?” he asks, eyes slipping closed.

Yosano simply smiles and rests her eyes as well. “They are treated as equal as anyone would want to be treated.”

The sun had just begun to lower to the horizon below the mountain their kingdom was set on as they came to the castle grounds. Wasting no time, Byakko unleads the horse from the wagon and lets the stablehands take care of them, and pulls the wagon to where the others were.

“Phew,” Yosano sighs as she steps off. “A single day of travel, the most I’ve been out for a long time.” she murmurs. Byakko nods as she rounded the wagon and carefully scoops Atsushi up, now bundled up in her cape and sleeping soundly. Her gaze softened slightly to see the child’s ears flick in his sleep.

“Now how do we explain to the royal family that you suddenly picked up a child of your own?” Yosano hums as they make their way to the doors.

“His Highness would understand,” responds Byakko and Yosano hums, smiling quietly.

“That he would,” she agrees.

Byakko felt a shift in her arms and looked down as ametrine sunset eyes fluttered open, taking in everything slowly. “Feeling better?” she asks quietly.

Atsushi hummed quietly, letting his eyes rest closed for a while longer as he rested against her. “It’s numb, but it’s uncomfortable. Feels weird…”

“It would be,” hums Byakko. She glances at Yosano who nods. “Hungry, by chance?”

It takes Atsushi a moment to realize he was starving. Thankfully, his stomach growling was enough of an answer for them.

“The chefs are likely preparing dinner as we speak…” Yosano murmurs. “Byakko, take Atsushi to the infirmary, the private room. It’d be best if we don't have the others bother him until further notice. I’ll go and retrieve some food that one who hasn’t eaten as of late can stomach.”

Byakko nods and makes her way down the hallway, parting ways with her. Atsushi watches Yosano vanish behind the corner before looking around once more.

“Where are we?” he asks quietly.

“The royal castle,” responds the woman.

A beat.

“Do you and Yosano-sama work here…?”

“Yes, but Yosano is a part of the family. But she's more devoted to his medical work than the usual duties compared to her brothers,” she explains. “I’m the royal captain guard. But I wish to be your mother, as well.”

Atsushi stares at her for a moment. “My… mother?” he echoes.

“Yes,” she nods her head. “Would you mind?”

Atsushi was quiet, thinking about it.

Back at the orphanage, there was never a set parental figure amongst the children. The most he’s seen was the oldest residence protecting the younger ones, which usually led to them being kicked out right then and there. Of course, none of them protected him. He was more trouble than what was worth.

But in books, he had an idea of what a happy family would be, and what the relationship between parent and child should be. It was nothing compared to the orphanage.

Atsushi looks up at Byakko. She seems nice… And she helped me, too. “Will that be okay…?” he asks, still hesitating.

“I am not a part of the royal family, even though they took me in all the same. I am but their royal captain guard. I don’t think they would mind me returning with a child of my own, one in need of help.” she responds.

Atsushi stares at her before humming quietly, resting his head on his shoulder. Byakko freezes up slightly before relaxing quietly, resting her head against his as they continue towards the infirmary.

(A/N: This is all but randomness I spewed out a day or two ago, and let me tell you my brain juices are running dry. But I still wanted to play around with the idea, so have this as a demo. Unsatisfied but satisfied enough to at least place it down here. The one I would make might follow the same outline but with a few changes in the worldbuilding [I'm bad when it comes to that] but everything is mostly the same!)

[many-faced]

HELLO MY FRIEND ON DISCORD [m00nlit_sage] MADE A REALLY COOL THING AND I NEED TO SCREAM ABOUT IT INTO THE VOID BECAUSE ITS SO COOL AND A U G H

Here's some art i made for it >:]

You can see exactly where the worldless hyperfixation tainted it/silly

their lore and my design notes under the cut [I got their permission to share it!!]

At some point there may be a discord server or smth about these goobers,, but if i randomly start spam posting about them,, here's your context/silly

My design notes

Both

They tend to be greyscale / tinted greys, but it is possible for them to be coloured

They aren't necessarily humanoid and often have some kind of warped feature [big hands or legs, eyes/mouths in odd places]

Having an entirely human looking face is very rare, but possible

Both can have features of the other, but it is INCREDIBLY rare [inkforged with halo or starforged with horns/ink drops]

Inkforged

Inkforged are rounder and more fluid looking

Their skin has the texture and qualities of things like glass and viscous liquid

They tend to have horns and thick tails [if any]

Feral and animalistic inkforged tend to take after herbivores and docile omnivores [rabbits, squirrels, deer, songbirds, etc]

Inkforged are more likely to have clear facial features than Starforged

Starforged

Starforged are more angular, sometimes even being literally sharp

Their skin has the texture and qualities of things like metal and stone

They tend to have haloes and thin tails [if any]

Feral and animalistic starforged tend to take after predators and more hostile animals [cats, dogs, bears, birds of prey, etc]

Starforged are less likely to have clear facial features than Inkforged

Sage's Worldbuilding

Forgefolk

forgefolk are entities that were originally created by an anomaly in the spacetime continuum, and since each have reproduced in a unique way.

starforged reproduce by collecting enough matter over time to construct a new entity, so technically they don’t have biological parents. starforged do typically form bonds with other starforged though, which could lead to a parent-child relationship between two starforged. this can also lead to other types of relationships, i.e. siblings, or romantic partners.

the inkfolk reproduce by idfk yet lmao

forgefolk do not have biological genders, but some may wish to present themselves more feminine or masculine.

forgefolk do not feel sexual attraction.

all forgefolk live to be thousands of years old, some even hundreds of thousands.

Realms

none of the realms are considered “better” than one another. the overworld and underworld almost always have some sort of conflict going on, but they are very careful not to get the mortal plane involved with their existence.

Overworld

realm of the starforged

there are 7 types of starforged, organized in a hierarchy from least to most powerful

O (supreme royalty) B (lords) A (royal advisors) F (nobles) G (knights) K (merchants) M (commoners, the type of starforged most likely to mortalwalk)

Design note - these are based on the main sequence stars, this affects their rarity and the colour of their star face

Mortal plane:

realm of mortalwalkers and mortals

• mortalwalkers are starforged or inkforged that want to experience what its like to be a mortal. when they are born they don't remember anything about the overworld or underworld, or that they were a forgefolk at all. when their mortal body dies they return to their original body, with all of the mortals memories/experience

forgefolk royalty mortalwalkers are looked down upon because forgefolk feel they should look after their kingdoms instead.

not all mortals are forgefolk, and not all forgefolk experience being a mortalwalker

Underworld:

realm of the inkforged

[rebeccathenaturalist]

How to Identify Trailing Blackberry

Originally posted on my website at https://rebeccalexa.com/how-to-identify-trailing-blackberry/. Click here to learn more about the How to Identify article series.

Name: Trailing blackberry (Rubus ursinus), also known as California blackberry, Pacific blackberry, Pacific dewberry, and a number of other common names.

Range and typical habitat(s): West coast of North America from southern British Columbia to northern Baja California, east to the Cascade mountains, and scattered through the Rocky Mountains in Idaho, Washington, and Montana.

Distinguishing physical characteristics (size, colors, overall shapes, detail shapes): Summer is here, and that means blackberries are ripening on the vine! Here in the Pacific Northwest where I live we have multiple species, all featuring delectable, juicy berries, but only one is native. The trailing blackberry distinguishes itself through a slender, biennial vine, pale green to bluish-purple in color, with tiny thorns all along its length. (Be careful when handling this vine, as the thorns easily detach and become embedded in your skin!) Some vines may exceed six feet in length, and each plant may produce several of these from a central perennial root system.

The leaves of trailing blackberry generally have three leaflets, though one or five may occasionally be seen, and they are dark green above with a pale green to white underside. Each leaflet is oval in shape with a pointed tip and a deeply serrated edge that has larger serrations interspersed with groups of smaller, finer serrations, and generally will not reach more than about four inches in length. This species is deciduous, and loses its leaves over winter before growing new foliage in the spring.

First-year vines are not fertile; they will not produce flowers until their second year, after which they die. Like many other Rubus species, it has a flower with five white petals that rarely exceeds an inch in diameter, and the petals are particularly slender compared to others in the genus. The center is pale green to yellow with several dozen anthers on the flowers of male plants. Female plants, of course, are the only ones to bear small berries about 3/4″ or so long at the largest, which start out green, darken to red, and finally ripen at a deep purple to black. While smaller than commercially available blackberries, they are quite sweet and flavorful when ripe. Technically they are not true berries, but are instead composites of several tiny round drupelets each with its own seed, which is typical of Rubus fruit.

Trailing blackberry can grow quite quickly, and although it may clamber over other plants it generally does not out-compete them to the point of becoming a monoculture. It is also a quite hardy plant and can colonize disturbed ground with ease as long as there is plenty of sunlight. The vines can become a bit of a tripping hazard in places with high foot traffic, but are easily trimmed back without killing the entire plant. In addition to seeds, trailing blackberry can also grow colonies of clones wherever its vine touches the ground.

Other organisms it could be confused with and how to tell the difference: 

In its native range, trailing blackberry is a rather unique little plant. It may occasionally be confused with the invasive Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus). However, the latter grows on large, thick canes up to thirty feet long that can grow tall and arch over, and which create massive thickets that choke out any other plant life. The leaves of Himalayan blackberry are also larger and rounder–up to eight inches long–and more typically have five palmately compound leaflets instead of three, though three leaflets may sometimes be seen. The flowers have rounder petals, and the berries are much larger, sometimes exceeding an inch in length.

Cutleaf or evergreen blackberry (Rubus laciniatus) is another invasive species found within trailing blackberry’s range. Like Himalayan, the cutleaf species also grows thick, long canes. It is mainly distinguished by its leaves, which have three leaflets that are deeply serrated/toothed and have a jagged appearance–hence the name “cutleaf.”

Black or whitebark raspberry (Rubus leucodermis) has berries which superficially look like those of trailing blackberry. However, once again the canes of this species are thicker and woodier than the trailing vines, and they have a distinctive white to pale purple glaucous coloration. The leaflets are larger than those of trailing blackberry, with first-year leaves having five pinnate leaflets, and second-year having three. The berries are larger and rounder, generally not exceeding 1/2″ in diameter. The overall appearance of the plant is of a taller, more upright shrub than a series of vines trailing over ground and other surfaces.

Anything else worth mentioning? Like other Rubus species, the berries of trailing blackberry are edible, and the leaves may be made into tea. If cultivating this species in your native plant garden, be aware it grows quite quickly, though it can be trained up a trellis with some effort.

Further reading:

Rubus ursinus – Trailing Blackberry

Rubus ursinus – Trailing blackberry; Dewberry; Pacific blackberry

Trailing Blackberry – Rosales Rosaceae Rubus ursinus

Trailing Pacific Blackberry

Did you enjoy this post? Consider taking one of my online foraging and natural history classes or hiring me for a guided nature tour, checking out my other articles, or picking up a paperback or ebook I’ve written! You can even buy me a coffee here!

[streamdotpng]

No worries if not interested but had an idea for an Wenclair-ish AU you might like.

Wednesday attended Nevermore but had no roommate. She may have saved the school or played a part in doing so but due to butterflies the situation was much less terrible than canon. Graduating, she has a sort of friendship with Bianca, IE the only ne she will call and ask advice from regarding stuff like "Why is this person I talked down to and treated like a specimen mad I had them stalked?" and is trying to become a novelist but its not working out. Thus to get more authentic portrayals she gets a crummy apartment (Made less crummy visa her money) in a rundown area to observe crime in its element, even visiting clubs.

There she encounters a, not quite bouncer, not quite enforcer, not quite assassin, not quite bodyguard, kind of all rounder, Enid SInclair. Maybe just Sin, who after chasing off a werewolf before Wednesday need to stab them seemed rather engaging. Able to counter Wednesday's probing questions and efforts to get under her skin until she found out Wednesday's motives. Cue leaving like they never spoke and later finding Wednesday at her home and tossing the phone of the private detective she hired to get info on the organization into her apartment (But not going in) and basically telling her to leave.

The gist is Enid either never went to Nevermore or was taken out before Wednesday arrived. Stuff went bad for her, traumatizing conversion camps, cast out from the family, homelessness and eventual on again off again employment in the criminal underworld/Outcast Underworld. She likely has ties to Yoko and by extension Divina but likely is not often with them directly. Also she's perpetually partially transformed, clawed hands, fangs, sharp slightly inhuman features, especially the ears and broad shouldered. Also kitted out with Silver weapons that burn her skin but she uses anyway.

She does still have softer elements, hardened as they have become by her life. Such as handing over food to someone who'd been angling for drugs, but also forcefully making sure they eat it rather than waste it. Also tolerating Wednesday's inquiries so she'll stop showing up at her place of work and not ordering anything and not leaving unless threatened with her apartment being molotokov cocktailed.

SO yeah, basically crime Enid, and a Wednesday who never really had anyone call out the fact she's been very sheltered by her parents and who never got into situations blatantly over her head cos of recklessness and pride, or at least never suffered real consequences for it. So while deemed a deadly and elegant madam by the standards of say, a period drama. She is genuinely very ill equipped to navigate a social situation or real street crime for any length of time.

.. I feel like you forget that Eugene existed

Yknow, the other person that Wednesday actually actively shown care for?

I find it funny because this whole au is basically

Spoilt brat Wednesday and enid who knows better 😭

[grievedifferent]

i want a word with whoever decided that squares are “comforting” shapes actually . . . . . . .

so, there's a whole psychology to the comfort of shapes and why we find them comforting.

i sort of briefly went over why squares are associated with stability, order, structure, and familiarity, but here's why:

stability: the rigid structure of a square with its equal sides and right angles creates a feeling of solidity and reliability. 

order and structure: squares are often associated with mathematical precision and clear organization, which can be calming. 

familiarity: as a basic geometric shape, squares are commonly seen in our environment, contributing to a sense of comfort and recognition.

circles are also comforting shapes, thus ovals. they have no beginning or end, no sharp points, etc. we also see these shapes in the sun, the moon, the earth, etc. it's a common shape for us, even the "belly of a pregnant woman" is the shape of a circle, thus indicating life.

triangles are not comforting shapes (though they are the strongest shape! good for them!). they're obviously pointy, which tells us danger. they also represent conflict, power, or even ambition. it's even worth nothing that triangles can be seen even on their orientation, such as "an upward-pointing triangle can symbolize stability and progress, while a downward-pointing triangle can suggest instability or decline".

so, you see this in character creation, too. characters that are "rounder" in their features (of any weight btw) are typically seen as safe, square characters are seen as reliable, and triangles are usually used in villain designs. of course, subversion of expectations can make this not the case, we see this all the time, but that's the basics of it! i intentionally made my absolute worst villain oc intentionally "circular" shaped for this reason (though he has other indicators to say away, but that's another post lmao). to be fair, i also did not go over every shape, just "the big three", but yes, squares are allegedly comforting to (most) humans.

[priya-joshi]

Becoming a Full-Stack Developer: Unveiling the Skill Set

In the ever-evolving realm of web development, there's a professional who stands out for their versatility and expertise across the board – the full-stack developer. Often considered the Swiss Army knife of the web development world, full-stack developers possess the unique ability to handle both the front-end and back-end aspects of a software application or website. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore what it means to be a full-stack developer, delve into the intricacies of front-end and back-end development, and highlight the importance of mastering this versatile skill set.

Front-End Development: Crafting the User Experience

When you visit a website or use a web application, the first thing that captures your attention is its visual presentation and user interface. Front-end development becomes important in this situation. Front-end developers are the creative minds behind the aesthetic aspects of websites, ensuring that the user experience is visually appealing and seamless.

Here's a closer look at the key components of front-end development:

User Interface Creation: Front-end developers are responsible for crafting the user interface (UI), which includes designing layouts, buttons, menus, and all the interactive elements that users see and interact with.

HTML & CSS Mastery: Mastery of HyperText Markup Language (HTML) and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is crucial. HTML provides the structure for web content, while CSS adds style and formatting to make it visually appealing.

JavaScript Wizardry: JavaScript, the dynamic scripting language, is the backbone of front-end development. It enables developers to create interactive features, animations, and real-time updates, enhancing the user experience.

Frameworks Galore: Front-end development often involves using frameworks like React and Angular. These frameworks provide pre-built components and libraries that streamline development and ensure consistency.

Back-End Development: Powering the Engine

While front-end development focuses on the visible aspects, back-end development deals with what happens behind the scenes. Back-end developers are responsible for building the server, managing databases, and handling server-side logic. This is where the data and functionality of a website or application come together.

A closer look into the world of back-end development is provided here:

Server-Side Management: Back-end developers create and maintain the server, ensuring it can handle requests from users, process data, and serve up the required content.

Database Wizardry: Databases are the storehouses of information. Back-end developers work with databases to organize and manage data efficiently. They use languages like SQL to query and manipulate data.

Server Frameworks: Various server-side frameworks, such as Node.js and Django, are used to streamline the development process. These frameworks provide tools and structure for building robust back-end systems.

Security and Performance: Back-end developers are tasked with implementing security measures and optimizing server performance to ensure data integrity and a smooth user experience.

Full-Stack Proficiency: The Complete Package

Full-stack developers are the ultimate all-rounders of web development. They possess an in-depth understanding of both front-end and back-end development, making them highly versatile and capable of handling every aspect of a project. Their unique skill set allows them to work on end-to-end solutions and tackle complex projects with ease.

Here's what sets full-stack developers apart:

Holistic Expertise: Full-stack developers have a holistic understanding of the entire web development process, from conceptualization and UI/UX design to database management and server-side logic.

Versatility: Their ability to work on both the client-side (front-end) and server-side (back-end) gives them the flexibility to contribute to various phases of a project.

Problem Solving: Full-stack developers excel at problem-solving. They can troubleshoot issues, debug code, and ensure the seamless functioning of web applications.

High Demand: In today's tech-driven world, full-stack developers are in high demand. Their ability to handle diverse tasks and contribute to multiple areas of a project makes them invaluable assets to companies.

If you aspire to become a proficient full-stack developer, there's no better place to start your journey than ACTE Technologies. Renowned for its comprehensive full-stack development courses, ACTE Technologies equips aspiring developers with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to master both front-end and back-end development.

In conclusion, full-stack development is a dynamic and highly rewarding field that demands expertise in both front-end and back-end development. Full-stack developers are the architects of complete web solutions, and their skills are in constant demand. So, if you're ready to embark on a thrilling journey of mastering this versatile skill set, ACTE Technologies is your trusted partner on the path to success.

[miragestation]

Mirage Station playlist for August 2nd, 2023

1. Orkes Kroncong Bintang Nusantara “Putri Gunung” from Music of Indonesia 2:  Indonesian Popular Music:  Kroncong, Dangdut & Langgam Jawa (Smithsonian Folkways 1991) 2. 戸張大輔 Daisuke Tobari “02.43” from ギター Guitar (Bumblebee Records 1999) 3. Kiko Kids Jazz “Tanganyika Na Uhuru” from Tanganyika Na Uhuru (Mississippi Records 2021) 4. Rafiu Bankole and His Group “Sowemimo” from Ju Ju Roots: 1930's-1950's (Rounder Records 1985) 5. Yamoah’s Band “Cedi Special” (Decca 1966) 6. Larry Achiampong “Nkonyaa / Agyei “ From Meh Mogya (Sample Of Me) (Look Mama! Records 2011) 7. Nite Bjuti “Mood (Liberation Walk)” from Nite Bjuti Featuring Val Jeanty, Candice Hoyes & Mimi Jones (Whirlwind Recordings 2023) (bandcamp) 8. Ragnar Johnson & Jessica Mayer “Ommura Iyavati” from Bamboo Jews Harps from Papua New Guinea: Eastern Highlands and Madang (Ideologic Organ 2023) (bandcamp)

[awritingcaitlin]

undress with sorcery

Miera’s stark, Ancient Esternian features, heavily contrasted with Thea’s softer, Berthan ones. Miera had high cheekbones and a pointed chin where Thea’s face was rounder. Thea’s ears gradually curved to their pointed tips, where Miera’s were distinctly angular. Thea’s creamier skin, brown hair, and hazel eyes helped her blend in when she didn’t want to stand out. Miera’s complexion, hair, and violet eyes made it impossible for her to not.

All that said, for her part, Miera looked the perfect part of a Nidtrin High Priestess. She was a Junior High Priestess, but had cross-trained as a battlemage and was an expert psychomancer and kinetimancer. She was on track to be where Thea currently was someday. Thea could not be more proud of her. Over the years, Miera had become one of Thea’s friends.

They entered Miera’s tent, which was also sparsely furnished. However, Miera had managed to make it a controlled mess in the short time she’d been here. Thea expected nothing different from her, though she wished her sister would keep herself more organized in all matters.

Miera tore off her jacket, stripping down to the camisole she wore underneath. She ditched the uniform pants too, changing into a looser pair of pants. She did the second half with sorcery, for no person could actually change that fast. Thea took off her cloak and carefully draped it over the back of a chair. Meanwhile, Miera’s uniform hung itself back up on the rack.

Miera tossed herself down onto her cot, which was clearly more comfortable than it looked. She patted the space next to her invitingly. Thea sat down, leaning back against one of the tent-posts.

-for @nosebleedclub's january writing prompt 14. undress

[tejastravels]

Discover Unmatched Comfort with Tejas Tours and Travels' 18 Seater Tempo Traveller

Group travel comes with its unique set of challenges, but with the right vehicle, the journey becomes a joy in itself. Tejas Tours and Travels takes the hassle out of organizing group transport with its spacious and well-equipped 18 seater tempo traveller. This option is ideal for family getaways, corporate trips, or special events, providing the perfect balance of space, comfort, and modern amenities.

The All-Rounder for Group Journeys

An 18 seater tempo traveller is the answer to stress-free group travel. It caters perfectly to mid-sized groups, ensuring that everyone can travel together comfortably without feeling cramped. The interiors are designed with attention to detail, featuring plush, reclining seats that keep every passenger relaxed throughout the journey. Adjustable headrests and ample legroom create a premium travel experience that everyone can appreciate, whether the trip lasts an hour or the entire day.

Passengers also benefit from individual air-conditioning vents, allowing each person to adjust the airflow to their liking. This ensures that everyone stays cool and comfortable, regardless of the outside temperature.

Key Features of the 18 Seater Tempo Traveller

Tejas Tours and Travels ensures that their 18 seater tempo traveller is equipped with all the modern conveniences needed to make any trip enjoyable. High-quality sound systems and optional video screens provide entertainment on the go. Whether you want to play your favorite music or screen a movie for the group, the tempo traveller transforms travel time into an engaging experience.

Large, tinted windows offer sweeping views of the landscape while keeping harsh sunlight at bay. This setup turns even long journeys into scenic adventures, perfect for road trips or sightseeing tours.

The 18 seater tempo traveller also boasts practical features such as ample storage for luggage and personal items. This means that passengers can travel without being burdened by cramped footwells or cluttered aisles.

Transparent and Competitive Pricing

Understanding the 18 seater tempo traveller rate per km is essential for budget planning. Tejas Tours and Travels maintains a transparent pricing policy, ensuring that customers know exactly what they are paying for. This level of clarity is especially beneficial for those planning extended trips, as it provides peace of mind without unexpected charges. By opting for a vehicle with a straightforward 18 seater tempo traveller rate per km, travelers can enjoy both luxury and affordability.

Safety First

Safety is a key priority for Tejas Tours and Travels, and the 18 seater tempo traveller reflects this commitment. Each vehicle undergoes rigorous maintenance checks to meet the highest safety standards, ensuring that every journey is secure. The tempo traveller comes equipped with essential safety features, including seatbelts and first aid kits. Additionally, professional and experienced drivers are at the helm, trained not only in safe driving practices but also in customer service to make every trip enjoyable and worry-free.

The Perfect Fit for Any Occasion

The versatility of an 18 seater tempo traveller makes it an ideal choice for a variety of occasions. Whether it’s a family gathering, an educational field trip, or a company outing, this vehicle adapts to the needs of its passengers. Its size is perfect for navigating both urban streets and country roads, allowing for smooth travel across diverse routes.

Choosing an 18 seater tempo traveller from Tejas Tours and Travels means choosing reliability, comfort, and a seamless travel experience. So, if you’re looking to make your group trip memorable from start to finish, this is the vehicle to trust.

[theadmiringbog]

Walsh was the rare innovator, a man whose schematic principles—a timing-based passing attack that featured short, high-percentage throws as a substitute for running plays—had already moved the sport forward.

--

Shanahan, Young remembered, would say of his opposing coaching counterpart, “He thinks he can get away with this. Look at this! People have been letting him get away with this! This is a joke. We’re going to embarrass him.” It was the same with opposing players. “There were guys that we felt were not worthy, and we were going to expose that. ‘This safety, he actually thinks he’s a good player, but he is so out of position. We’re gonna expose him.’ It was like he was a truth seeker, determined to force out the truth.”

--

In 1971, as the Sooners’ offensive coordinator, Switzer had presided over a unit that averaged an obscene 472.4 rushing yards per game, still an NCAA record.

--

"What lights me up is being around these players and teaching and continuing to learn and understand the nuances in regard to the techniques and fundamentals within the framework of a call, on both sides of the football. What are those rules, and what are the different ways that you cause conflict and problems for the opposing side?’

--

motivationally ambivalent free-agent defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth

--

When you’re young, everyone is in awe of the veil of ‘The Shield.’ It’s ‘Hey, there’s a way that things are done,’ and you’re a product of your environment, to a degree, until you know better. And our environment was full-blown Australian toilet. Opposite.”

--

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, then the 49ers’ director of football research and development, said, “They had me study great organizations, the Warriors and all these teams. One of the things you learn is there needs to be an absence of ego. That’s not a lack of self-confidence, but somebody who’s willing to defer. Every great team has somebody like that. To me, I’m not saying Kyle doesn’t have that in him, but that’s John. This guy’s one of the smartest guys, a Hall of Fame safety, and he used to sit there weekly and have me teach him things. When you see that guy in a room, you wouldn’t know he’s John Lynch. He’s just listening to people and taking notes and learning. He might know what you’re talking about. He’s just content.”

--

It’s not a playbook; it’s a system.

--

Complicating matters was the fact that many of LaFleur’s play calls would require pre-snap activity, such as players going in motion, that made any deviation from the script more difficult and drastically reduced the play-clock window within which Rodgers would have to operate. And some of the personnel and formations were so specific to certain play calls that it would be tough, if not futile, to change those calls on the fly.

--

Later that night, Shanahan walked to his hotel room with Bo Scaife, his former Texas teammate. As they neared the door, Shanahan said something that remains burned into his close friend’s memory. “I feel like God doesn’t want me to win a Super Bowl.”

--

“The smartest guys in football are usually the worst evaluators. They think they need to see things no one else can see. That’s good when it comes to late-rounders. When you pick late, you look for traits that fit your system, and you figure out how to bring those out. When it’s a top 30 pick, it’s more obvious [who is really good]."

--

“They have evolved football,” Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said. “It used to be about plays and players; now it’s about systems and players. Everybody says they have a system, but to have a system and then to be a systems thinker, those are two different things. There’s an intention for why their system exists, why they do things. Then, how they tweak within that system, how they understand the interconnectedness of all those things—that’s what makes them unique and separates them from everybody else."

--

Football teaches you who you are.

[celebritycehf]

Best Smartwatch for the Working Man: Top Picks for Efficiency, Durability, and Style

In the modern workplace, staying organized and connected is essential for maximizing productivity, and a smartwatch can be your best ally. A good smartwatch not only helps you manage notifications, calendars, and tasks but also keeps track of your fitness and well-being, all while fitting seamlessly into your daily routine. For the working man, finding the right smartwatch can enhance both professional and personal life.

With an overwhelming number of choices on the market, selecting the best smartwatch can be a challenge. To make it easier, we’ve rounded up some of the top contenders that balance performance, durability, and style for the working professional.

1. Apple Watch Series 9: The Best All-Rounder for iPhone Users

When it comes to versatility and seamless integration, the Apple Watch Series 9 stands out as one of the best smartwatches for working men. Its advanced features make it an indispensable tool for professionals looking to boost productivity, track fitness, and stay connected on the go.

Key Features:

Seamless iOS integration: Works flawlessly with your iPhone, making it easy to manage messages, calls, emails, and notifications directly from your wrist.

S9 chip: Enhanced processing power for smoother performance and quicker responses.

Health tracking: Monitors heart rate, ECG, blood oxygen levels, and more, with built-in health and wellness features.

Battery life: Up to 18 hours on a single charge, enough for a full workday.

Durability: Water resistance up to 50 meters, making it suitable for sports or rainy weather.

For the working man within the Apple ecosystem, the Series 9 is a productivity powerhouse, helping you manage your day while staying on top of your health.

2. Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: The Stylish Android Powerhouse

If you're using an Android phone, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is one of the best smartwatches available, offering a combination of style, performance, and health features. With a sleek design and long battery life, it’s an excellent companion for busy professionals.

Key Features:

Vibrant Super AMOLED display: Clear and bright, perfect for checking notifications even in direct sunlight.

Android integration: Works well with most Android phones, offering seamless communication between your phone and watch.

Health and fitness tracking: Tracks heart rate, sleep, stress, and includes an ECG feature.

Battery life: Can last up to 40 hours, allowing you to power through the workweek without constant charging.

Samsung Pay: Lets you make payments directly from your wrist.

The Galaxy Watch 6 is ideal for professionals who want a stylish, efficient smartwatch with all the essential features to manage both work and personal life.

3. Garmin Fenix 7X: Built for the Toughest Jobs

For professionals working in demanding environments—whether you're in construction, outdoors, or on your feet all day—the Garmin Fenix 7X is the ideal smartwatch. Known for its ruggedness and precision, the Fenix series is perfect for those who need performance in extreme conditions.

Key Features:

Military-grade durability: Scratch-resistant, shockproof, and water-resistant up to 100 meters.

Solar charging: Harness the power of the sun to extend battery life during outdoor activities.

Multi-sport tracking: Tracks activities like running, hiking, biking, and swimming, with specialized features for each sport.

Up to 22 days of battery life: With solar charging, you won’t have to worry about running out of power during a busy workday.

Precision navigation: Includes GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo systems for accurate location tracking.

For the working man who spends his days in the great outdoors or in physically demanding jobs, the Garmin Fenix 7X is a workhorse that can handle it all.

4. Fitbit Sense 2: The Health-Focused Smartwatch

Health-conscious professionals will appreciate the Fitbit Sense 2. Packed with advanced health and fitness features, it provides detailed insights into your physical well-being while helping you stay productive throughout the day.

Key Features:

Advanced health tracking: Monitors skin temperature, heart rate, blood oxygen, and stress levels.

Sleep tracking: Provides in-depth reports on sleep stages, helping you improve the quality of your rest.

Battery life: Lasts up to 6 days, making it convenient for long workweeks without frequent charging.

Quick replies: Respond to messages directly from the watch without interrupting your workflow.

GPS integration: Track outdoor activities like running or cycling with built-in GPS.

The Fitbit Sense 2 is perfect for the professional who prioritizes well-being and wants a smartwatch that can help track and manage health goals, all while staying on top of work tasks.

5. Amazfit GTR 4: Affordable with Premium Features

If you’re looking for a reliable, feature-rich smartwatch without the high price tag, the Amazfit GTR 4 offers excellent value. This affordable option provides a premium experience, making it perfect for the working man on a budget.

Key Features:

1.43-inch AMOLED display: Crisp and clear, with customizable watch faces for a personalized touch.

Battery life: Offers up to 14 days of usage, so you won’t need to worry about daily charging.

Over 150 sport modes: Whether you’re running, swimming, or cycling, the Amazfit GTR 4 has you covered.

Built-in GPS: Perfect for outdoor activities and navigation during your commute or lunchtime runs.

Stress and sleep tracking: Stay on top of your health with tools designed to reduce stress and improve sleep quality.

With a feature set that rivals premium models, the Amazfit GTR 4 is an affordable option for the professional who needs a reliable smartwatch to stay on top of work and health.

6. Suunto 9 Peak: Precision for the Adventurous Worker

For those working in more physically demanding fields or who enjoy a rugged lifestyle, the Suunto 9 Peak is the smartwatch you need. Designed for high-performance and durability, it’s perfect for outdoor adventures or jobs that require a smartwatch that can stand up to extreme conditions.

Key Features:

Ultra-long battery life: Lasts up to 120 hours in GPS mode, ensuring it can handle long workdays and outdoor activities.

Precision GPS and barometric altitude tracking: Accurate navigation and weather forecasting are essential for professionals working in remote or outdoor environments.

Rugged design: Built to withstand the toughest conditions with military-grade durability.

Multiple sport modes: Ideal for tracking a wide variety of activities, including running, hiking, and skiing.

Heart rate monitoring: For keeping track of your fitness and recovery.

The Suunto 9 Peak is an excellent choice for professionals whose work takes them into the outdoors or who engage in physically demanding activities.

Conclusion: Finding the Best Smartwatch for the Working Man

When choosing the best smartwatch for the working man, consider what features matter most to your lifestyle. Whether you prioritize productivity, health tracking, or durability, there’s a smartwatch that can help you stay on top of your tasks while enhancing your overall well-being.

Apple Watch Series 9 is perfect for iPhone users who need a comprehensive smartwatch with advanced productivity features.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 offers style, functionality, and great battery life for Android users.

Garmin Fenix 7X is ideal for professionals who need a tough, high-performance watch for outdoor and rugged environments.

Fitbit Sense 2 is designed for the health-conscious worker, offering detailed tracking and long battery life.

Amazfit GTR 4 provides excellent value, with all the essential features for those on a budget.

Suunto 9 Peak is made for those who need precision, durability, and long battery life in extreme conditions.

No matter your profession or personal preferences, these smartwatches will help you stay connected, productive, and healthy throughout the workday.