#the lady of the shroud

[atundratoadstool]

What technological developments do you think the Harkers would be most excited by in their long, fruitful lives? Personally, I think Mina would be ecstatic at the invention of the bullet train.

I'm sure I used to have much more weighty/substantial headcanons in this vein, but the one I recall most is that Mina (along with Jack probably) is absolutely going to flip out about the cinematograph and herd every single member to the 1895 Lumière screenings.

Everyone will also be very excited about aeroplanes. I believe this because Bram Stoker would go on to write the faux vampire novel Lady of the Shroud (which is not very good) and he was very very excited about aeroplanes.

[bridgoetta]

This is dedicated to the lady at the Charlotte Airport that sat next to me and intensely watched me draw this. Our layover may have been only 2 and a half hours but your gaze will haunt me forever 🩵

[leavingautumn13]

ham-to-ham combat

[i have commissions open now]

[faithful-grigori]

“#GOD, #I’m writing my junior paper on how we should read Mina Harker’s portrayal in light of the proto-feminist new woman movement of the 19th c, #and also using his other novels as a lens to gain insight into his portrayal of femininity, #I’ve read the jewel of seven stars (racist and very sexist), #the lair of the white worm (sexist and VERY racist), #and the lady of the shroud (VERY sexist imperialist and horribly plotted!), #I! want! to! throw! hands! with! bram!”

“Dracula is my favorite book of all time” and “If given the chance I would murder Bram Stoker with my bare hands” are statements that can coexist

[kamiraaah]

i wonder if meemaw Shroud and meemaw Draconia ever met. They sound like they would get along

Perhaps yes! I think they can both have a good relationship!

I don't think they would be super best friends, but there would be a lot of respect involved in their relationship, after all, they are all too familiar with the feeling of losing important people… And dealing with the guilt of:

"I should have been there"

"I could have avoided it if I had done that"

"Why wasn't I able to stop this? I should have been stronger/faster!"

Maleficia, even though she is much older and has more experience with life/the world, would probably benefit from having people around her who will live much less than her, sharing their visions and feelings… Their existence is very brief in her eyes, but precious in some ways.

But she would also have a lot of knowledge to share with them… In a way I think it would be like a kind of support group!

Or I don't know, they will both share embarrassing stories about their boys… And try to teach her how to use a cell phone? 😅 💀💀💀

I think it would be interesting to imagine and theorize what their relationship would be like, but maybe I would have to reread the history of the twst game to have a more informed opinion but… It's a dynamic that I like to imagine how it would play out. 🤔

[cloudcountry]

guys im yearning so bad fem idia shroud would play stardew with me and we would get married and she would dance with me at the flower dance when we both have no one to dance with on year one and she would dance with me afterwards too and i would make her cute dresses and she would get me crazy loot and

[uss-genderprise]

thinking about john hart's gender again

like. he's from the 51st century, right? and it's safe to assume that by that point gender would be completely unrecognisable to us in the 21st century and i know it's just a few throwaway joke lines but hear me out. he uses he/him (or at least, never corrects anyone who does) and presents masculine (to our 21st century eyes) but is clearly very comfortable using "feminine" terms. jack calls him a wife and john says he was a good wife and we know jack would never misgender anyone and john is clearly happy taking the title and running with it. the name he suggest gwen calls him by is vera, which is a traditionally feminine name. in the torchwood comic shrouded his ex calls him a girl. that is a whole ass he/him woman. i am so normal about him

[sirenjose]

Truth & Inference - Ulliel Laboratory (+ Belostain & Zinaida) Summary and Thoughts

The Ulliel Laboratory is performing research for the Melodis family. Specifically, the research is said to be "Eternal Beauty" experiments.

Gatto, due to his "outstanding embalming techniques" was able to join the Ulliel "family" and aid in this research. Before then, we know from a young age that he was bullied and pushed away, causing him to be afraid of human interaction, with "Cat" as his only companion, though he yearns "to be acknowledged by the world".

However, while with Ulliel, he gradually discovers all is not as it seems, and eventually decides to seek the truth hidden behind the research's lies.  Gatto is working at Ulliel with Paranormal Detective, and Gatto's trailer hints at them discovering all is not right considering Paranormal Detective says "We'll both be accomplices if we continue working for Ulliel".

This relates to how we heard Gatto say he dislikes all the "innocent lives" that have been "desecrated". We hear him say this right after a radio mentions "cases of missing persons still on the rise".

These 2 things are likely connected, as we see Paranormal Detective and Gatto looking shocked as they run into some medical room where we see a number of bodies lying on a number of tables (they seem to all be dead based on what looks like a cloth covering all the bodies).

Therefore, Ulliel is likely behind the missing persons, which they're using for their experiments for their drug, considering Gatto says "All for that damn drug from that insane family".

As we see DM and Salvatore with Rosemary at some event with Gatto, it's possible the "insane family" he's referring to is the Melodis family.

 If Gatto saw Salvatore at the facility, so while he was still alive (based on Noir's trailer showing his portrait with a large red X over it), that implies Salvatore was involved with Ulliel and whatever experiments they were performing.

There's a chance the experiments change somewhat after his death but he did know something either way.

Gatto doesn’t leave, as we see Paranormal Detective mad at Gatto and yelling “Why must you stay?!”, but Gatto’s poster did say he was going to “uncover the truth in his own way”.

Later in the trailer, we see he has been investigating everything based on the corkboard we see in front of him which includes Truth and Inference, DM, Bella, what looks like Tuberose, Ulliel, and Rosemary.

He seems to be communicating something to Inference and Truth considering we see Inference picking up a paper with the image of Gatto’s Cat on it.

If he’s been looking for the truth of Ulliel, it’s likely he’s secretly sharing this info he learns with inference.

At the very end of the trailer, we see Gatto wearing a gas mask. I think this may connect to the mention of an "explosion" at the facility based on Gatto's package. From the gas mask, Gatto wanting the truth and to "struggle free", I suspect he might've been the 1 to cause it.

It also says “Theft at Ulliel Research Institute – The Missing Eternal Beauty”. If Gatto caused the explosion, he likely also is behind the theft. It says “Eternal Beauty” was stolen, which should be the drug the facility has been working to develop with their experiments. Maybe he stole it to help expose to the public what the Melodis family and the facility are doing. Maybe he needed it for something, we don’t know for certain yet.

About Paranormal Detective, we know he was a child laborer at a factory, gaining an interest in machinery. After the factory, he took apprenticeships and made inventions. Upon failing to join the Royal Academy of Science, he joined the Ghost Club instead. It’s possible he joined Ulliel after the factory but before he joined the Ghost Club, maybe also after he got some experience during some of his apprenticeships. But he left Ulliel and likely joined the Ghost Club after once he found out the truth of what Ulliel was doing.

Rosemary also joined Ulliel. We first met her at during the Shrouded Belostain. She 1st arrived on Belostain "just a few years" before the events take place and "took control of the island using plants" which she handed out every year to the islands' visitors.

These special plant specimens were created using a "secret formula" of her's, and it was Tuberose/DM's goal to acquire this secret. At the end of the event, we learned she visited Tuberose before disappearing. Tuberose succeeded in earning her trust and she gave him the secret before she escaped Belostain.

Sheriff Jose investigated her. The lighthouse allowed outsiders to sneak onto the island using Rosemary's hidden dock, and these outsider were all hired by DM. Based on Tuberose's comments, it was likely to ensure they were successful in acquiring the secret from her.

The final note about Belostain is regarding Tuberose’s “new paint derived from the plants found on this island, though it is still in the experimental phase of development”. It can cause drowsiness and hallucinations which can make memories hazy.

This is important as it connects to the drugs referenced during Zinaida’s event that likely came from the Ulliel facility, especially as this event even hints to Gatto himself.

Zinaida (as well as her husband) was killed by a drug called Delphi, which is said to be a drug from a failed research project that DM’s laboratory had been working on.

This drug is said to cause hallucinations as well as death.

A 2nd drug is mentioned by Elsa Goodwin (aka Ada) which she used to stop an outbreak at her hospital. She says a “’special’ doctor visited our hospital and introduced us to the experimental drug”. All Ada knows about the doctor is that “he hails from a mysterious family, and it seems that family is closely linked to a type of fern” (the "family" should be the Melodis or the "Ulliel family", if there indeed is an Ulliel family).

One of the drugs side effects involved the children becoming “very quiet”, to which Ada comments “some drugs can cause drowsiness” and aren’t necessarily adverse effects.

Both this drug and Delphi (the failure) used “a special type of fern” (Delphi being made by a “special fern” is confirmed by Succubus). From DM saying the structure of the drug was "unstable" early on, Delphi was likely made before "Eternal Beauty" from the same experiment.

Zinaida killed her husband before Andrew attempted to electrocute him, meaning she was the one to use Delphi on him.

How she acquired is not specified, as DM says he'd never allow a failed experiment on the market. "Ordinary people" wouldn't be able, but he does mention "medical trials". So even if it wasnt on the market, its possible he or the facility could hand it out under the reason of "medical trials". This may have also been how Andrew acquired the drug to use on Zinaida later.

This would tie to how Quivering Flower was banned during the events of Atropos' Ropes/Golden Rose Theater, yet he was still able to hand out the drug to the females he chased.

The drug Ada used for the outbreak at the children's hospital should be "Eternal Beauty". Based on how she mentioned "drowsiness" as a side effect, while Delphi mentions "hallucinations", and both drugs are made from the same ferns, this seems to tie to the paint Tuberose used. Considering both were made from the same ferns, it could make some sense the 2 drugs could share some effects, thus why the paint (which may be Eternal Beauty) might include both drowsiness and hallucinations as a side effect.

Based on Gatto's trailer, it seems like Ulliel and its experiments started with Salvatore. It also seems like Rosemary worked at Ulliel before we met her at Belostain (based on seeing her with Gatto and Salvatore in the trailer). Maybe she came to Belostain after the "explosion" at Ulliel made it impossible to keep working there, but DM sent hired men to the island where she was doing the experiments with her plant specimens to ensure she couldn't escape and would be forced to give her secrets to him. Maybe he needed it to perfect his drugs he's been experimenting with. Maybe he also wanted to make sure no one who knew about the secrets of Ulliel could get away. That could also tie to how Rosemary's end seems to discuss her turning to sea foam/disappearing into the sea.

It would also tie to the poem Tuberose comments he finds that Rosemary kept, which seems to talk about how she is treated well on this island but they "dig deeper and deeper for the truth... the truth of the secret that makes me wilt like a dying flower". Seems to imply something about her time at Ulliel, as the secret that "makes me wilt like a dying flower" should refer to the secret formula DM wants from her, which should have some connection to her time at Ulliel. It's curious she likens it to "dying".

[cyber444angel]

DON’T SUFFER IN SILENCE♪~

[keisonism]

my concepts for shroud and pirate but shroud is a lady because I CAN and i want to. they love slash hate eachother

also i meant starting not staring

[ficklesprite]

Riju of the Gerudo

[existencebringsonlypain]

at school, religion teacher shows us a thirty minute documentary from the eighties claiming they found noah's ark. film uses a lot of vagueries, lots of "theorizes" and "concludes". that combined with how tall a claim that is makes me suspicious, like what are the chances that noah's ark is even still THERE. I imagine very low.

so I google the name of the guy making the claims, and the second paragraph on his Wikipedia is as follows:

Wyatt's claims have been described as "fraudulent",[2] in "the category of trash which one finds in tabloids such as the National Enquirer",[3] and been criticized by scientists, historians, biblical scholars, and some creationists, and are not considered credible by professional archaeologists and biblical scholars.

like. well I guess that answers that question

[helenadurazzo]

The Lord of the Underworld And His Lady Of Spring Part 2

In this continuation of ‘The Lord Of The Underworld And His Lady Of Spring,’ a part of me and @princess-of-pearls-and-stars HPHM x Twisted Wonderland AU, the guys and Asteria all come together in the Headmage’s office only to make more discoveries, but still no answers on how to resolve the issues of the invaders. As always, Helena belongs to me and Asteria belongs to @princess-of-pearls-and-stars

Everyone who seemed to be coming finished with Malleus and Lilia teleporting into the Headmage’s office. Asteria had to note Fae magic was quite interesting and they seemed to perform these teleportations just like apparations, albeit with much less stress.

“I hope we didn’t keep you waiting.” Malleus apologized.

“Malleus! Lilia!” Kalim cheered, “You made it!”

“Hmm…” Lilia mumbled to himself in a barely audible tone, “Seems like I was correct about who was abducted for the most part.”

For the most part!? Asteria thought to herself. What was that supposed to mean? She knew Malleus and Lilia were full of secrets yet some bothered and caused more speculation than others.

Trey cleared his throat, “I was just baking some cookies in the dorm when I got word that Riddle had been kidnapped. Then I heard Ace and Deuce were injured and went straight to the infirmary. It was all so sudden it’s hard to wrap my head around it.”

“The stables where Riddle was taken is like a war zone.” Cater added. “Even the grass was burnt to a crisp. What in the world is going on?”

“That’s what I want to know!” Ruggie exclaimed. “Leona surrendered unconditionally, yeah I know, Leona of all people. Then he said ‘Ruggie, you’re in charge of Savanaclaw until I get back, Then again, I can’t be sure I’ll come back at all…’ He was dead serious too!”

“As we understand it.” Jade began smoothly, “Azul was taken during a club meeting.”

“The board game club guys say he left with them peacefully.” Floyd continued for his brother. “And Firefly Squid and Lil’ Clione went along too. I don’t know though, it doesn’t sound like Azul.”

“Asteria’s group and I were originally with Vil and Jamil back at Ramshackle.” Kalim revealed what Asteria knew all too well.

Rook elaborated further, “We tried to fight the intruders with magic, but it had no effect on them. They took Vil and Jamil, along with Grim and Helena.”

Jade pondered for a moment, “There must be a reason then that Leona and Azul didn’t fight back.”

“Yeah…” Ruggie realized, “Now that I think about it, Leona seemed to know what their deal was…”

“…hm” was the only audible sound that escaped Malleus’ lips before more words were spoken at long last, glancing at Lilia. “Kingscholar is from an old royal house. It would stand to reason he has heard of them…”

Asteria raised an eyebrow, “What are you talking about?”

~~~

“I’ll field that question.” Asteria heard the familiar voice of Professor Trein as he entered the room.

“Oh hello Trein.” Lilia spoke casually at the somewhat unexpected visitor, “Where is the headmage?”

“Styx took him into custody as well.” Professor Trein enlightened them. “I’m in charge while he is away.”

“Maybe it’s good the Headmage is gone.” Asteria muttered to herself, “Perhaps we can actually get answers.”

“Hold up what’s Styx?” Floyd asked the Professor with a puzzled look.

Professor Trein folded his arms, “An organization that operates independently of any nation or government. It is an arcane institute that conducts research on blot. They have done so for many years.” A revelation that brought shock to nearly everyone, except the Diasomnia Housewarden and Vice Housewarden.

“They study blot?” Jade broke the silence that was formed.

“I get it now…” Floyd added.

“Get what?” Kalim raised an eyebrow.

“Think about who they took.” Jade pointed out.

“It was Riddle, Leona, Azul, and Jamil.” Cater reminded the group, “So they abducted Jamil, who is a Vice Housewarden, and left Kalim alone. But they didn’t take Rook who is also a Vice Housewarden. So they aren’t targeting just Housewardens or just Vice Housewardens.”

“It’s people who’ve overblotted!” Kalim exclaimed.

“Wait a few questions, one when did Vil overblot!?” Ruggie looked at Rook and Kalim and only received silent nods in response. “And two that doesn’t explain why they targeting Grim and Helena.”

“Nor the fact that Riddle and the others received proper medical treatment.” Trey pointed out. “They have all made a complete recovery. Why would this come up now?”

“Hmm…” Malleus pondered, “There is someone who probably knows their reasons, the Watchman of the Island of Woe.”

“The what?” Asteria was still just as confused as she was before.

“Ah” Rook seemed to have more knowledge of the subject than she did, “I’ve seen mention of them here and there in old history books. Are you acquainted with this dreadful isle and its Watchman, Roi des Dragons?”

Malleus had a confused look on his face, “Are you that clueless Hunt? You are acquainted with him as well.”

“I am?” Rook seemed to regain confusion.

“And not just Rook.” Lilia reminded Malleus, “We all are acquainted with him to some extent at the very least.”

Rook folded his arms, “Are you suggesting what I think you are that Idia is this so called Watchman?”

“Well it’s more of a family title.” Malleus explained, “I believe the current head is…Aidne Shroud?” Looking over at Lilia for confirmation.

Lilia shook is head, “No, she passed away, now it is Aidne’s son, Idia’s father.”

“Human generations pass by so quickly.” Malleus quietly realized.

“True but Styx is a rather recent development.” Lilia reminded him. “Perhaps only a century or so?”

“Wait slow down.” Ruggie pleaded, “I am still confused. Leona mentioned Idia’s family is apart of some megacorp but that’s just a cover for the whole Styx and Watchman of Island of Woe thing!?”

~~~

“While the Watchman has become sort of an urban legend now.” Lilia explained. “You see back in the old days, when mages were called witches and wizards, they were feared across the land. People believed the Island of Woe would punish anyone who abandoned their principles and went mad with power.”

Malleus continued, “One of my family’s history books even claims that the group is so ancient they date back to the age of the Gods. Back then, the relationship between magic and blot wasn’t realized. Instead, people believed, overblots were disasters that occurred without warning. The Jupiter Family sealed those disasters away on the Island of Woe to bring peace. And the Watchman is in place to protect the land from those disasters plaguing everyone once more. The first was one of the Shroud family’s ancestors.”

“Sounds more like a myth than history.” Cater remarked.

Lilia picked up where Malleus left off, “Mind you, humans never stopped researching magic, eager students that they were. Time marched on and eventually magic became safe to practice, with witches and wizards becoming known as mages. In the present, mage licenses are international and are globally recognized for the betterment they bring society. And there have been many laws and acts to help with the necessary discipline and overtime the Watchman began to fade from the history books. But regardless the group continued their research on the disasters, and that is what Styx is.”

“I see.” Professor Trein continued, “We were aware that Idia was the son of the Shroud family. But this is the first I have heard of a connection between his family and Styx. I haven’t even seen any of this discussed and I have read just about every book and work on magical history.”

“Ah but you see you are limited to the texts that survive among humankind.” Lilia pointed out. “Humans and Fae stopped intermingling long ago, and not every truth is written down.”

Trein cleared his throat, “This makes me wonder if the headmage was aware of any of this. And if he was does that mean he was unable to work with the Shroud family to prevent this?”

Malleus only shrugged, “Who can say really. Even if he had known he wouldn’t have been able to stop them.”

“So does that enlighten anyone about the plan they have for the ones who were abducted.” Trey wondered out loud.

Jade spoke strangely casually, “If they are lucky they will only be examined. If they are unlucky they will become test subjects. And if they are REALLY UNLUCKY they-“

“Let’s not finish that sentence.” Kalim requested with a freaked out look.

“But those goons rolled up and blasted half of campus.” Floyd reminded everyone, “There are ton’s of witnesses right? At least someone had to have gotten them on video. Doesn’t seem very sneaky or secretive to me.”

“Perhaps they have a reliable way of clearing the mess they make up?” Jade suggested.

Professor Trein sighed, “Look, we don’t know where the Island of Woe is which means we can’t pursue those who were abducted. I want all of you to return to your dorms and do a roll call, check for any injured students and report back to me.”

“Yes sir!” The remaining housewardens and vice housewardens said in unison except for Rook who had an ever growing scowl on his face.

~~

Around the same time as it would turn out, those who were captured would arrive at the mysterious Island of Woe. More specifically, Styx’s headquarters. The four housewardens and vice housewarden looked at their surroundings, yet soon enough, they spotted a familiar face with hair made of fiery blue flames.

“Uhh hey everyone, welcome to the dark and gloomy Island of Woe.” Idia awkwardly greeted them, “And Styx headquarters.”

“It’s you…” Vil breathed furiously.

“Yep Idia Shroud acting director of Styx.” He added as he was joined by Ortho Shroud, Helena Othonos, and one of the intruders from earlier.

“How did Helena get here before us.” Leona grunted, “Must have gotten special treatment.”

“That’s the only thing that comes to your minds?” Idia raised an eyebrow, “No ‘Say What!!!’ Or ‘No Way!!!’”

Azul sighed, “I’m so shocked I’m actually calm.”

“Granted we already assumed there was some connection.” Vil pointed out. “But you’re the acting director? That’s not some tangential link!”

“Less Chit Chat more answers Radish Sprout.” Leona glared at Idia, “Why did you bring us here and I can’t believe I am saying this, but why does Helena act and look more like a robot with those new glasses and uniform of hers than Ortho? You did jam us in cargo and didn’t bother even giving us an economy seat.”

“Yikes those are some scary fangs.” Idia jumped as Leona growled. “Just cool your jets and this will all be over and we can have a good time.”

Jamil was simply furious, “You attack our school and abduct us. And clearly have done something to Helena as she hasn’t even said a word of recognition. And you still want us to ‘cool our jets’ you are lucky her sister isn’t here or you would already be dead as a doornail.”

“Do you want to lose your head!?” Riddle exclaimed.

The previous intruder starts speaking in a robotic tone, “Detecting a buildup of magic in Subject A. Readying stun-“

“Woah woah!” Idia called out, “Pause that.” He then looked over at the others, “And Helena’s perfectly fine since unlike you all she hasn’t forgotten one itty bitty detail that’s very crucial.

“Huh?” The boys exclaimed in unison, equally confused.

Idia grinned deviously, “Where are you again? And who am I again? I’m the BOSS” words that seemed to frighten the five guys. “Don’t hurt us we won’t hurt you. It’s as simple as that.”

“Injury will decrease by 57% as long as you follow my brother’s instructions.” Ortho gleefully predicted.

“Very well.” Vil sighed, “There aren’t any better options regardless. I’ll comply and behave.” After a bit of silence, Vil’s tone turned more assertive, “Well? Are forcibly detaining us, I trust you at least have the decency to serve us some tea? Surely your girlfriend isn’t the only one who will be treated like a normal person.”

Idia mumbled, “The way you’re acting doesn’t remotely suggest compliance or good behavior… but whatever. Come on everybody follow me.” He then turned to Helena, “Would you mind preparing the tea?”

“Not at all.” Helena mindlessly smiled.

[commodoresigma]

[original drawing date: 22nd Mar 2018]

Drew this when the new plastic Sister of Battle range was first announced around, jesus, five years ago?! God damn.

Made six colour variants with the canon Orders Militant, plus my own homebrew order and a friend's homebrew order. I also had one for my brother's order but it's changed twice since then.

[arugulaeater]

You guys do know that those posts that go like "I just found out about this awesome lamp that unfolds into a dragon! Check this out!" or "I wish I had this adorable cat-shaped beanbag... OMG I FOUND THE LINK!!" are ads by dropshippers, right? You do know that's not a regular user organically sharing a neat find but a seller trying to promote their product, right? You do know they're mass-produced Chinese products, likely bought and resold at a markup from Taobao shops, with inconsistent quality and opaque manufacturing practices, and not some small business artist's craft? Right? If you just don't care, that's another thing, but sometimes I see people acting like they genuinely believe the "hey guys I just found cool thing :)" veneer on those posts. Just want you to know what you're getting yourself into.

[ask-lady-datura]

Gives Sway plushie

"I.. don’t deserve this.."

She held the plushie tight regardless.