#the springtide of life

[cosmopoliturtle]

New Gospel - Window to Worlds

"Hark! Good folk of our Fair Kingdom! The clock hand recoils, the axe hangs low. Vernorexia is here; the endless Springtide. Beasts grow hungry for the nectar of the living and the flowers of the dead. Kingdom after kingdom is met with gnashing fangs and grinding tusks, left roiled into dust. Here within the twilight of reality, with life teetering on the precipice, the Saint of Awakening comes to us.

Chosen by Angels, riding on the back of Demon, she wields Divine Fire with rancour unmatched. Under the looping Spring Moon, we will be witness to her miracles, both inspiring and dreadful. Whether a blessing, a butcher, or a blight, she will leave her mark on what's left of our world."

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This piece was made for "Window to Worlds 2024", a free zine focused on original characters and worlds, featuring both written and illustrative works by many talented worldbuilders! Check it out!

[seyvia]

A Months journey from Spellbyndell, some time after the Dark lords defeat...

Regalia's champions, affectionately dubbed the 'Roses of Thorns,' are reveling at their campsite, filled with laughter and libations. Among them, the formidable knight Parish is seen playfully bantering with Captain Brom. "So, what’s your game plan when we return home, big guy?" Parish teases. "Honestly, no grand plans. I’ll be happy just to get everyone back safe and lend a hand wherever it’s needed," Brom replies. "Oh really? You know~ If you really wanted to help out, you’d rescue me from the dating scene!" she exclaims, bursting into laughter. "You're such a brute... don't you know anything about romance, Parish?" he asks, amused by her continued giggles. "Very well, I accept. Perhaps I can teach you a thing or two." he suggests. A grin remains on Parish's face as it quickly turns into a vibrant shade of red.

The focus shifts to Avi, prince Lumin's childhood friend, whose musings are interrupted by Sir Lorcan. "I've noticed a certain hero is missing. Why not go fetch him?" Lorcan suggests. "Nah, let him wallow; he’d just bring the mood down," Avi replies. "But he can't stay like that forever! You two are practically brothers! What good are you if you can't pull him out of his slump?" Lorcan insists, nudging Avi to rise. "I'm not taking responsibility for that! Being friends with the prince just gives me the right to kick his butt," Avi retorts. "Then maybe he needs a solid kick in the rear!" Lorcan exclaims, kicking Avi's chair out from under him, forcing him to rise to his feet. "Sigh~ What a pain," Avi mutters as he makes his way to Prince Lumin's tent.

Hay party pooper! your people are missing their hero! Avi remarks with sarcasm as he nears the entrance of the tent. "Really? Brooding in the buff, you are so dramatic! I should've been a bard, I would have made a fortune using you as my muse." Avi jests. "Whose dramatic? You haven't a musical bone in your body, you'd only make a fortune in debt. Besides I wasn't brooding." Retorts Lumin as he turns to face his friend.

Anyway, how's the research going? Avi inquires, lowering his voice to a more concerned tone. After a brief silence, Lumin finally speaks up.

"I've gone through every grimoire, every journal, and even the smallest scribble the dark Lord had in his possession, and none of them contain the curse he used on my mother therefore, I can't make a proper cure. " He pauses before adding, "However, we do know that the Imp believed the Springtide Scepter could heal him."

"... But he was wrong?" Avi asks. "Indeed," Lumin confirms. "The magic within the royal scepter, better known as the Springtide, could only make new things, like the rebirth of spring, which explains how he used it to conjure the creatures of decay. He was able to use it on himself, but it only contained the curse in him like a cocoon, slowly transforming him into something potentially far more dangerous than what we encountered, and that's why the scepter had to be shattered. To undo everything he had made with it."

"Right. So... what does this mean? If the scepter was useless to us all along and it couldn't have healed queen Aine, are we really back to square one?" Avi questions anxiously. "No no, not entirely." Lumin reassures him. "Ever since we left Spellbyndell, I've been researching mystical gems because of the dark lords interest in the Springtide, and only recently have I found something promising: Hematite! By applying Lunar magic to this stone, we can prevent the curse from taking my Mother's life prematurely. As long as I keep it charged and she wears it, she'll live on normally." "THAT'S GREAT! Where do we get some!?" Avi exclaims enthusiastically. "I'm not sure yet, but I have an idea." Admits Lumin.

"GUESS WHO'S GETTING MARRIED!" Suddenly shouts Parish from behind Avi startling him. "Think you can hitch me and Brom up tonight Lum?!" Parish asks with a charming smile.

"You and the—CAPTAIN?! When did this happen?!" Avi exclaims in bewilderment. Lumin, initially surprised, softens his voice into amusement and responds with, "I-uh... Unfortunately I can't officiate outside of Spellbyndell, Parish... Though I can sympathies with your eagerness; spring is an ideal time for weddings." Avi, in utter shock from what he's hearing interjects, "How are you so calm about this?! Parish! Dose Capt. even know about your plans?" Parish begins shaking her head up and down to imply a yes at Avi's question confidently.

Lumin looks over at his distressed friend, and with a pat on the back replies, "They've been flirting for months, and I even noticed—how did it go over your head? Besides Avi, It's the end of an era and a birth of anew.

"I expect multiple weddings will be held once we're finally home."

Before - Journey forth

[lavendermoonlove]

Elaphebolia – The honouring of the goddess Artemis and the god Apollon

🦌What is it?🦌 The goddess Artemis and the god Apollon had many festivals held to honour them during ancient Greece, one of which is Elaphebolia. It was held at Athens and Phocis on the 6th and 7th of the month Elaphebolion. On the 6th Artemis was honoured and on the 7th Apollon. This timing is because Artemis and Apollon are born on the 7th day of the 7th month and Leto was 7th months pregnant with them. Making 7 the sacred number of both of them. However, as Artemis was born first, she is honoured a day before Apollon every month, therefore marking the 6th of each Hellenic month as a day where she is worshipped and honoured. This year Elphebolia falls on the 6th and 7th of march, making it a perfect fit.

Elaphebolia gives the month Elaphebolion its name, to honour one of Artemis’ epithets, Artemis Elaphebolios (deer-shooting). Therefore this festival honours Artemis’ hunting aspect. As Artemis and Apollon were often worshipped together, since they are twins, the festival continued for another day to honour Apollon in his archery aspect.

🦌Offerings🦌

Traditionally cakes made from flour, honey and sesame in the shape of stags were offered to the goddess during the festival. This is a tradition you might choose to follow as it’s very easy to make these cakes for her.

There is not much historical information regarding this festival, but modern notions point to a simple rite to Artemis in her role as huntress and protector of wild life. The same can be done to Apollon Hekatos (far-shooter, relation to khtonic Artemis) or Agraios (of the Hunt, Hunter).

You may decide to build an altar for her and Apollon during the month of Elaphebolion or make an additional offering on their altar if you already have one. In the same notion, you may choose to incorporate them in your Ostara altar, as the vernal equinox falls in the month Elaphebolion. Furthermore, Artemis as khtonic Artemis (Hekate) holds relations to Persephone and the Eleusinian mysteries, from which I celebrate the lesser mysteries on the Spring equinox. More information on this will be provided in a next post.

Both Apollon and Artemis are gods of dance and music, so sing and dance in their honour! Festivities often contained singing and dancing as well. Create a playlist for them and go all out.

You may choose to do a group ritual with fellow worshippers of Artemis or Apollon to honour the gods in the afore mentioned aspects.

I hope this post provided some information you can work with💜 The spring and autumn tide are my favourite times in the year and I always look forward to the festivities they bring forth. Be on the look out for more posts regarding springtide festivities. Happy Elaphebolia for those who celebrate!🦌💚

[starryspancakaes]

╰┈➤ Springtide Dawn

A/N: Might change the title of this later - but this is my first fanfic I'm actually posting on here. I've been playing Hogwarts Legacy for literally a month straight & lowkey became obsessed with it. little sad I finished the game (cries in Nintendo Switch). But overall experience a 9/10

n e wayz I decided to a slice of life oneshot of my mc (cause I kinda suck at romance). Also slight spoilers for one of the keeper trials - hope you enjoy!

(btw sorry there isn't much description on the characters expressions, this is heavily unedited.)

{Seb & Omi pictures found on Pinterest}

WC: 1657

⭒☆━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━☆⭒

Bright illuminating warmth of the daystar blessed the highland, shores, & mountains of the whimsical world. Each beam of sunlight filled the windows facing it, the space behind the glass being soaked in its luminosity. The lively souls of the living become conscious from their nightly chimeras of that being slumber. The ancient stone & carvings of gravel shaped the large obscured, & spirited premises known as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry. Pupils of the school arising, & assembling themselves for their classes that would be held in a plethora of rooms scattered amongst the property soon. Buttoning his white shirt, tightening his green striped tie, & adjusting her blue robe - Two males depart from the cunning, ambitious, & strong house that is Salazar Slytherin. A girl follows suit but sets off from the clever, wise & creative house of Rowena Ravenclaw. 

The Slytherin males, Sebastian Sallow & Ominis Gaunt - stroll through the halls as they chat & jest each other with whimsey comments. Already knowing where they were heading, sauntered without a care, too soon for many other students to be active, as well as too early for them to be ready for the day’s classes. 

Aurora Foster, the Ravenclaw lass - wandered through the similar yet different halls. The few students who were awake & ready for the day greeted her with a small wave, smile, or hello - she herself reciprocated these small actions as she strode past. Seemingly also knowing where she’d be going way before classes would even begin. 

Sebastian & Ominis climbed the staircase that was just before the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom - & towards the corner of the staircase where an old Astronomy cabinet sat. Sebastian ever so slightly interacted with the cupboard with his wand, the wheels & gears turning to unlock it as the starry cabinet door opened with a low ping! As the two entered the open door, Aurora had been walking down the stairs that lead to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, taking a quick peek of anyone who had been nearby, thankfully no one had or was - she walked to the same corner, where the two boys had just entered. Repeating the same actions Sebastian had done prior to her, the gears to the cabinet turned, & the door opened with another ping! Entering, she crouched slightly, walking down the winding staircase, until she reached a gate. Sensing her presence, the gate shifts, until it lifts open. Revealing the large space known as the Undercroft (as Sebastian’s unofficial title for such a place, it did fit the setting).

“You’re here.” Sebastian’s voice rang through to the girl, as she took a few steps inside, adjusting her vision to the dim lighting. Ominis stood just behind Sebastian leaning on a pillar with his arms crossed. Even in the cool morning air, & after taking such time to get ready for the day, Sebastian had already taken off his robe, & loosened his green striped tie ever so slightly. Always claiming that his robe would be heavy, or he felt too warm. But during times of late winter, to early spring - it was required for the students to wear their house robes, not just to keep them warm. “Of course I’m here,” She replied. 

“Are we going to settle this or not?” Aurora would ask. With a chuckle & a cheeky smirk, Sebastian rolled up his sleeves & nodded. He stepped aside, turning to his blonde friend. “Well Ominis, care to say anything?” The other slytherin male pushed himself off the pillar. “As if I’d willingly lose to the likes of you two.” He’d say, taking a few steps towards the sound of their voices. 

The three of them stood in a circle, not surrounding anything in particular, the space between all of them allowing the presence of all three of them. “Ready?” Sebastian said, reaching behind him as if to grab something. Both Aurora & Ominis do the same, as they reach into their robes ready to pull out something. They both nod. “Alright .. 

..1 

2..

3!” 

Each of the lot pulls out an item of some sort. Ominis pulls out a Hippogriff feather, Aurora with the large, thick & slightly heavy crown of a Graphorn - & Sebastian, holding it by its leg an … odd colored Niffler ? 

“Where in Merlin’s name did you get the horn of a Graphorn?!” 

“You don’t wanna know ..” 

“Is that a niffler you have there, Sallow?”

“It is indeed, what of it?” 

“The bet was to get something that could be found from a beast. Not the beast itself.” 

“But I did get something! I’ve acquired an abundant amount of Galleons, just look.” 

Now hanging the poor niffler by both legs, he shook out all the gold galleons, sickles, Knuts & even a few other shiny items from the beast's seemingly limitless pockets. “Sebastian stop that, you're going to hurt it-” Aurora said, trying to reach for the creature. Sebastian quickly turned away before she could grab it. “I think there’s no doubt that I have won this week's bet.” 

“Yeah right you did, none of these things even belong to the niffler!” 

“If this were a different situation, this would be considered stealing.”

“But the niffler had it, it has to count! I’m calling that it does.” 

Sebastian would say proudly, holding the confused niffler close to him in his grasp. Aurora huffed, crossing her arms, still holding the Graphorn Horn in her hands. “Well I vote that it doesn’t. Some of those galleons might even be yours. Ominis, what do you think?” She’d ask, turning to the boy, still holding his Hippogriff feather. “I agree, it shouldn’t count. Nifflers’ steal whatever they see is shiny to them, therefore all these items are not the Nifflers’.” Ominis stated. With a smug smile on her face, she turned back to the other slytherin boy. “Seems you’ve been outnumbered, Sallow.” 

Sebastian scoffed, turning away with the Niffler still in his arms. “You two are just Jealous at how rich I am now.” Aurora rolled her eyes & shook her head, turning back to Ominis who had his Hippogriff feather outstretched on display. “How did you even get this Ominis? I thought Hippogriffs’ migrated for the season.” She’d ask, inspecting the feather in further detail. “Some returned once the snow began melting. Plus .. I had some assistance.” 

“Let me guess, Poppy?” 

He nodded. 

“I was still able to actually pluck the stray feather, so it counts.” 

“Seriously?!” 

“Oh Shut it.”

Aurora chuckled, at both Sebastian, & Ominis. She was glad, but now came the time to decide who won the bet. Ominis with a Hippogriff feather, or Aurora with the Horn of a Graphorn. How shall they settle this, a duel? Rock Paper scissors? Wait. She came up with a better idea. Turning to Sebastian, who had seated himself on the floor against one of the many crates that were scattered around the room, she gave him a seemingly innocent smile, & asked, “Sebastian, to fairly settle this bet between me & Gaunt, could we perhaps use your new friend as a judge?” 

“I beg your finest pardon?” Sebastian replied, shielding the small beast from the Ravenclaw girl. “I suppose this might work.” Ominis piqued in. “You can’t be serious, Gerald wouldn’t make such a decision!” 

“You already gave it a name ?” 

“Of course. Gerald is a much better companion than you lot.” 

“Oh for Merlin's sake…”

“It’ll only be to settle the score I promise. Here,” 

Aurora put down the Graphorn Horn on the stone slab floor, “Ominis, put the feather on the floor.” 

“How do I know you won’t steal or switch them?” 

“I can tell quite clearly how well you trust me.” 

“I’ll keep an eye on her for you Ominis!” 

“That doesn’t ease me any further..” 

The niffler, seeing the items being placed - squirmed out of Sebastian's hold, & sniffed as he crawled towards the objects.  Aurora & Ominis taking a step back, as the critter looked between the Hippogriff feather, the Horn of a Graphorn. He sniffed the air, once more as it neared the object of its choosing until …

The bell rang. 

All three of them became stone shocked, standing completely still for at least a few seconds, hearing the loud yet slightly muffled chimes of the bells. Aurora quickly fished out her pocket watch from her pocket to check if the ringing chimes were correct. To her Dismay.. They were. “Sebastian, you need to get that thing out of here before we leave.” “But we haven’t settled the bet yet-!” 

Going to retrieve the Horn on the ground & putting it back in her robe, she began her stride to the exit. “We can finish it later, right now we have to get to Professors’ Sharps class before he makes us clean all the cauldrons.” She’d say, as the two boys quickly began to gather their belongings, Sebastian putting the Niffler away in Aurora’s nab-sack she’d sometimes leave in the Undercroft for them to use later during the passing period (if they ever had the extra time that was). The trio made their way near to the gate, exiting the Undercroft.

⭒☆━━━━━━━━━☆⭒

The clicks & turns of the cabinet gears could be heard, as the door opened, Sebastian peeking his head out, checking if anyone had been near to see them, thankfully most had already been on their way to their first class. “Coast is clear.” He’d say, climbing out, with Ominis & Aurora following suit. The door closed behind them, gears turning with a click & another ping!

“Hurry up, you don’t want detention again, do you Sallow?” She’d ask, as she sped walk ahead of the slytherin boys. “It wouldn’t be as bad if I got detention with you two.” 

“Like I'm getting into detention because you, Sallow.” 

Ominis lit up his wand, & walked up ahead to where he could sense Aurora’s presence, leaving Sebastian behind. 

“It wouldn’t be because of me! All of us would get in trouble- hey! Slow down!” 

“Sorry Sallow, I don’t feel like dusting the whole library all weekend!”

⭒☆━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━☆⭒

[broadwaydivastournament]

Movie Musical Divas Tournament: Round 1

Chita Rivera (1933-2024): Sweet Charity (1969) - Nickie | Once Upon a Brothers Grimm (1977) | Pippin: His Life and Times (1982) as Fastrada

"chita rivera deserves justice. despite her starring turns in multiple stage productions, she was denied the opportunity to reprise her roles on screen. for west side story, she was "too old" (and let's be real, was considered "too ethnic") so the studio went with rita moreno who despite being a year older was more conventionally pretty (meaning she looked less overtly ethnic like chita). and then with bye bye birdie they just made rosie a white woman and you can't tell me it wasn't because they didn't want to depict an interracial relationship. in short. justice for chita, one of the best dancers we'll ever see." - anonymous

Jane Powell (1929-2021):

[HQ] How Could You Believe Me (Royal Wedding-1951) Jeanette MacDonald and Jane Powell sing Grieg's "Våren" ("Springtide"), op. 33, no. 2 - @mygreatadventurehasbegun

This is Round 1 of the Movie Musical Divas tournament. Additional polls in this round may be found by searching #mmround1, or by clicking the link below. Add your propaganda and support by reblogging this post.

ADDITIONAL PROPAGANDA AND MEDIA UNDER CUT: ALL POLLS HERE

Chita Rivera:

Photos and video submitted by: anonymous

Jane Powell:

Photo and video submitted by: @mygreatadventurehasbegun

[shroudkeeper]

I had a dream last night..

Where you wore the junihitoe robes I gifted you, dyed the color of springtide blooms to match the earrings you always favor. On your skin was the scent of flowers, reminding me of the ephemeral season when life is returned anew to the earth.

We bathed under the speckled sunlight lancing through the sway of bamboo branches, embraced for bells at a time while whispering to you all the things that would cause your smile to surface upon your painted lips. In your silence, your warm gaze speaks of the things you can not verbally say.

It was a good dream, a dream I would seek to make a reality.

[chloesentries]

springtide flashbacks

days are getting warmer

and i wind up thinking of you

i roll the windows down in the passenger seat of your little blue car

our shared playlist drifting through the speakers

i'm singing along to a tune we're both familiar with and you smile at me like i'm the brightest light in your life

the air is cool; your hoodie the perfect blanket and the spring breeze flows through my hair and skims the loose lining of your car's ceiling, mimicking ocean waves

-

days are getting warmer again

and i still think of you

i cocoon myself in the little warmth my empty bed provides

a deafening silence surrounds the atmosphere

and the undrawn curtains hinder any sunlight spilling through to the dark abyss of my room

the air is still and tears trickle down my cheeks, sinking into a hoodie i wish wasn't my own

visions of us swim in my mind

and drown in the unavoidable reality of what we are now ... nothing

[roaringdr4gon]

@draconicfool -> Dan Feng & Shoi-Ming (Past Life)

Meetings between the High Elders are more common than what the folk might think. Just as the Arbiter Generals gather under the Marshal of the Alliance, the Five Elders gather to discuss affairs related to the Vidyadhara as a whole. Granted, the conferences aren’t happening always, and some might take centuries to happen. That’s because there is no need for them to reunite— but when it does happen, the conference is filled with powerful figures that want to get to the root of the problem as soon as possible.

These conferences are, in their overall, meetings to discuss problems. Aside from it, the Elders of the Vidyadhara remain polite and respectful towards one another— they did share friendships in the past— and some decide to rewind the bonds long lost to the past.

That’s why Imbibitor Lunae left for the Yuque a few days ago. Mons Grandis’ invite to share the view of the springtides has been accepted, and given the pace faced by the two ships— something joyful and very much new, given the way the Alliance goes around searching for enemies— Dan Feng had been amenable to the trip. Now, he’s sat in front of a guqin, Sakura wine set at his side, and a pretty fellow High Elder coming closer. Imbibitor Lunae rises from his seat with elegant movements, proud but at ease. “Mons Grandis,” he greets with a nod, earring dangling from his long ears, “thank you for the invite. Just as you said, the view is impeccable. The Xianzhou natives certainly know how to do their craft.”

[othernaut]

Character Creation Challenge 2025, Day 5: Infinity The Role-Playing Game

Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change.

It came upon her like a shift in seasons, if such a thing could occur all in an afternoon. Awash in nothing-work, women's articles penned for pay on one of the rare, good afternoons when the thundering pain in her head had weakened and the stiffness and shivers fled from her fingers, she found herself a fey revelation: What if all this world around her was an illusion? At first the thought was an amusement, a tinkerer's toy rattled and rotated in the hands of an idle child, but like the alteration of the seasons, it asserted itself more fully until its splendor entire could not be denied.

The heaviness of the quilted wallpaper and stuffed sedan seemed to gain a papery quality, so thin as to barely bear the pressure of a single finger pressed to its surface. Moths fled the glimmer of the gaslamps and not even a trickle of dust remained to mark their passage. A lightness befell the world, an insubstantiality, as if all that was heavy and real around her became a ghost of itself, springtide cloth woven from intimation and memory.

Memory, that came to her, too. Percy Florence, that still-living warmth within her breast, and all the shades of bygone days that patterned the wall behind his vital figure: these seemed an architect's outline of emotion, a soap-bubble caught momentarily in a spray of starlight. These weighty emotions, that meant so much to Mary as to define her soul entire, lost all heft and heaviness second by second; they were the washed and bleached bones of themselves; a fact stated but unfelt; a museum exhibit to be remarked on by an idiot and then passed by in search of a biscuit and tea. Percy...

Was this how a celestial spirit might remark upon the world? She thought to herself, her pen paused mid-sentence, her suddenly unformed and unreal body splayed upon the sedan. Should a Creator look down upon his Creation, would he see it the same way? The outline of nations, the planning of days, the edifices great and small built, at a remove, out of dry twigs and onion-paper. Even her own self seemed assembled as an amusement. Her hands, one at her lap and one at her board: pocked with age and shriveled by illness and yet, all at once, as plump and youthful as they had ever been. As if no time had passed at all. As if no time could pass, at all.

Percy...

Mary rose suddenly from her seat with an ephemeral ease that had evaded her for decades. To her box-desk, which she had avoided writing at for months due to the stiffness of the chair disagreeing with her age-weakened frame. Her hands shook like wind-rattled trees in early spring, just remembering how to bud, as she picked at the lock on the drawer. Opening the thing was a Sisyphean labor, so heavy it was to drag the little brown partition closer, centimeter by centimeter.

But inside was all the weight of the world, at last. At last. His heart, Percy, uncremated, wrapped in its dearest production. Those little locks of lost childrens' hair, so small, like leaden things rattling around a world drained of matter and meaning. That little book, battered and timeworn, where life's early love scratched back-and-forth across the pages. A smile etched its way across the filmy suggestion of her face. It was all here, after all: all that ever mattered in the world. She reached forward the assumption of a hand to touch it.

The world unfolded like a kaleidoscope image.

Mary was standing, young and strong as she'd ever been, in a bright white room built of no material she had ever known. An alien thing in her head whispered a slow trickle of information, as if from the aether, into the heart of her. She knew, now, the veritable falseness of her memory and, paradoxically, the false verity of how that life and love and experience had felt as if she had experienced it in truth. It was built into her and she was built around it, her body a box to hold this guesswork personality, and from the aether some vast and companionable intelligence was welcoming her into itself, welcoming her to recognize herself, welcoming her home.

The box-desk in front of her (now salvaged, she knew, from an auction warehouse on a distant Earth mere weeks before it flooded) was still open, still there, still real. But there was no more heart inside of it as there was inside of her.

Instead, there was a gun.

*****

Mary Shelley (with a gun)

Agility 10, Awareness 12, Brawn 6, Coordination 10, Intelligence 12, Personality 12, Willpower 10. Custom Lhost: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Built For: O-12 (50 Asset debt) Infinity Refresh Rate: 2 Homeworld: Earth Social Class: Middle Home Environment: Happy Home Youth Event: Changed social class/Gained an extended family Education: White Collar Adolescent Event: You fell passionately in love with one of your father's political followers, lost your virginity on your mother's grave, and eloped to travel Europe. Career: Academic Career Events: Gained notoriety as a writer, futurist, and feminist; Was remembered in the wills of relatives.

Skills: Education (Signature, Expertise 3, Focus 2), Persuade (Signature, Expertise 2, Focus 1), Lifestyle (Expertise 1), Observation (Expertise 1), Stealth (Expertise 2), Command (Expertise 1), Medicine (Expertise 1), Science (Signature, Expertise 2), Discipline (Expertise 1), Tech (Expertise 1), Ballistics (Expertise 1), Psychology (Expertise 1) Talents: Fame (1 extra Momentum on a successful social tests, but all Stealth tests are one step harder); Charismatic (Reroll 1d20 on Persuade tests), Disciplined Student (if at least one success is rolled on an Education test, may roll an extra d20) Languages: English, German Character Traits: Ardent Passion Earnings: 3 Cashflow: 6 Assets: 11 Gear: Cube 2.0, Neural Comlog, Stims, Laboratory (3 month lease), Geist (The Heart), Armored Clothing, Assault Pistol, Bioscanner + Medical Supplies, Cosmetics Kit, Fake ID 3

Stress: Firewall: 12 Resolve: 11 Vigour: 6

Bonus Damage: Infowar: +3inf; Psywar: +3inf; Melee: None; Ranged: +3inf.

*****

Oh boy, is Infinity a lot of game.

I was briefly obsessed with the thing. I don't remember where I fell off (probably somewhere between the willingness to buy and paint tiny little Combined Army sniper aliens and a total unwillingness to actually fight other people with them), but Infinity as a world has experienced one of the biggest swings of fascination to disinterest I've experienced in a property. Much like my character for Burning Wheel, my character for the Infinity RPG was built as much to realize a concept as it was to analyze my own response to the property - to examine my initial interest as well as question why it didn't stick.

And oh boy, is Infinity a lot of game. It's a lot of everything - the world is intensely detailed and every interaction with it is fiddly and just unfamiliar enough with the rolling systems that I find it difficult to intuit at a glance just what the hell I should be doing. This is true of the wargame, too, this simultaneous depth and width of design that's so very easy to appreciate at a remove but so very difficult to engage with as a system. The fact that there's so much goodness inherent in it doesn't, at all, detract from just how much is there - curiosity is, as always, subordinate to time.

Infinity is like going to the Lindor factory and coming home with an entire shipping crate full of assorted chocolates, including all the weird ones and the one-offs they do as promotions or seasonal things. It's all good, and it's good in a lot of variety, but that's still an untenable fuckload of chocolate, and you can't eat chocolate for every meal.

Out of all the characters I've built, this one wound up with both the strongest central concept as well as the weakest understanding of how to actually wield her in-game as of yet. In delving into the options, the lifepaths, the backgrounds, the world, I found myself giddy at just what level of conceptually-insane anime-scifi bullshit I could weld together. I had two other, full character concepts before I got ambushed by the gothic spirit of past futurism at 4 AM while making hot dogs, and both were as functionally intriguing and as narratively apt as Mary Shelley With A Gun. The world of Infinity is a compelling one, partly because it's exactly what I like about history superimposed on the future - no big plot moment, like an apocalypse or one technology that changes everything, but a nested series of developments compacted with a whole lot of Humans Acting Like Humans leading to a central conflict that feels as likely as anything we've ever done so far.

But oh fuck, is it a lot. Flipping through the book, looking for talents and equipment, I'd stumble upon entire other sections as if they were complexity landmines - "Oh god, the hacking section," "Oh god, there's an entire psyop mechanic," "Oh god, right, space." Infinity the RPG is, no joke, probably more complex than Shadowrun. I mean, fuck, it's probably more complex than Rifts. And that complexity is as wide as it is deep, with the ability to turbo-customize your biomechanical warfighter destined for combat death or, fifty pages away, run a social media campaign to tell people that aliens are real and they're coming to get you.

This entire exercise, then, is as much of a success as it can be - I found both the reason I initially fell in love with Infinity as well as the reason I stopped engaging with it. And if I want to carry that love forward, it won't be a matter of reading and digesting a book over an evening - I'll have to sit with this thing for months, chewing passages like hard jerky. By the power of futurist romance, I just might.

Next up: Punching people with a building.

[cagemasterfantasy]

Enamorus the Love-Hate pokemon a fairy and flying type

Enamorus is a female only species

5ft 3inc

105.8lbs

Ability: Cute Charm Hidden Ability: Contrary Hidden Ability: Overcoat

Highest Base Stat: Special Attack:135

Lowest Base Stat: Incarnate Form: Defense:70 Therian Form: Speed:46

Base Stat Total: 580

Incarnate Form: When it flies to this land from across the sea, the bitter winter comes to an end. According to legend, this Pokemon's love gives rise to the budding of fresh life across Hisui.

Therian Form: A different guise from its feminine humanoid form. From the clouds, it descends upon those who treat any form of life with disrespect and metes out wrathful, ruthless punishment.

Enamorus is the only pokemon that can learn the move Springtide Storm (The user attacks by wrapping opposing Pokemon in fierce winds brimming with love and hate. This also has a 30% chance to lower their Attack stats.)

[prayers-to-hyliarceus]

Hear my words and head my call, fear the darkness and seek comfort with the thrall. See my eyes and hear my voice, look into this and surmise that which is a hoist. The sails of leather, the rope and tether, all awashed with stains of old. The cannons of steel, the slimy eels, all a part of this wonderful life. Oh, how I revel in this world, the feel of a springtide's air, the lack of despair above the murky waters below. I wish it would be that I would be here every day, but my people's calling is more important, and the inevitable return to the sea calls me. Such is my curse, and the cruelty of the beauty of this land. Fleeting memories of meeting friends like you, washed away by the waves in a never-ending yet gentle storm, as everything drifts away, slowly but ever on. In these waters, I am alone, but while I am surfaced, I have friends, I have great experiences... I have a life. And that... That is more than worth the wait of the times in between. -Mistress Maiden of the Seven Seas, Mipha, whilst aboard The Leviathan

Beautiful, isn't it? She wrote this many years ago, when me crew was lucky enough to have her aboard. We be nearin' her restin' place soon, and we thinks she may grace us with her presence again. -Captain Plunder of Scourge Bay

Oh

Oh. I.

I see.

She. She's gone then?

Gah, just. Nevermind. She's not the same Mipha, anyway.

[beardedmrbean]

A greater share of young adults say they believe in a higher power or God.

About one-third of 18-to-25-year-olds say they believe—more than doubt—the existence of a higher power, up from about one-quarter in 2021, according to a recent survey of young adults. The findings, based on December polling, are part of an annual report on the state of religion and youth from the Springtide Research Institute, a nonpartisan nonprofit.

Young adults, theologians and church leaders attribute the increase in part to the need for people to believe in something beyond themselves after three years of loss. 

For many young people, the pandemic was the first crisis they faced. It affected everyone to some degree, from the loss of family and friends to uncertainty about jobs and daily life. In many ways, it aged young Americans and they are now turning to the same comfort previous generations have turned to during tragedies for healing and comfort. 

Believing in God “gives you a reason for living and some hope,” says Becca Bell, an 18-year-old college student from Peosta, Iowa.

Ms. Bell, like many in her age group, doesn’t attend Mass regularly as she did as a child because of studies and work. But she explores her faith by following certain people on social media, including one young woman who talks openly about her own life and belief, which Ms. Bell, who was raised Catholic, says she finds more meaningful and relevant. 

The Springtide survey uses the term “higher power,” which can include God but isn’t limited to a Christian concept or specific religion, to capture the spectrum of believers. Many young adults say they don’t necessarily believe in a God depicted in images they remember from childhood or described in biblical passages, but do believe there is a higher benevolent deity. 

Other polls, including Gallup, ask specifically about believing in God and show a decline in young adults who believe in God.

The Rev. Darryl Roberts, pastor of the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., says the pandemic, racial unrest, fears of job loss and other economic worries, stripped away the protective layers that many young people felt surrounded them. No longer feeling invincible, he says, some are turning to God for protection.

“We are seeing an openness to transcendence among young people that we haven’t seen for some time,” says Abigail Visco Rusert, associate dean at Princeton Theological Seminary and an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church.

At the same time many young adults say they feel disconnected from organized religion over issues like racial justice, gender equity and immigration rights. And belief in God or a higher power doesn’t necessarily translate into church attendance or religious affiliation. 

A Wall Street Journal-NORC poll published last month found that 31% of younger Americans, ages 18 to 29, said religion was very important to them, which was the lowest percentage of all adult age groups. A Pew Research Center study also released last month found that 20% of 18-to-29-year-olds attend religious services monthly or more, down from 24% in 2019.

Desmond Adel, 27, describes himself as an “agnostic theist,” which is someone who believes in one or more deities but doesn’t know for sure if they exist. He attended church every Sunday as a child, but doesn’t recall “which subset of Christianity” it represented, and quit going as a teen. He says he’s not 100% convinced there is a higher power, but “leans towards” the existence of one that isn’t tied to one denomination.

“I don’t think it’s like any Gods described by major religions,” says Mr. Adel, of Carmel, Ind.

Nicole Guzik, a rabbi at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles, says she’s observed more young adults coming to Friday night services at the synagogue as well as monthly events that might include hikes and yoga in the park.

 “I think this demographic has a need to connect socially and spiritually,” she says. 

Christian Camacho, 24, was raised in a conservative Catholic household and says he has had doubts about God when his parents were going through a divorce and when he was dealing with depression. “How could God allow something like this to happen?” he would ask.  

Over the years, his image and perception of God has changed, from a judgmental punitive God of his childhood to a more accepting one. He thinks this belief is common among his generation, who don’t associate God with a specific organized religion.  

“A lot of people are turned off by the institutions,” says Mr. Camacho, who lives in Minneapolis and is studying to join a religious order. 

Courtney Farthing, 26, who works as a customer-service representative for a call center, attended Baptist and Pentecostal churches growing up and identifies as Christian. Ms. Farthing, who lives in Richmond, Ky., believes in God but says she questioned that belief as a teen.

Now, she says, she chooses to believe. 

“If I ever started to doubt, or believe there wasn’t a God, it would send me into a spiral of ‘What ifs,’ things that I would rather not get into.” 

Alora Nevers, a 29-year-old stay at home mom of four in Sidney, Mont., has always believed in God. She no longer goes to her Catholic church, where, she says, they talked too much about making donations. 

“I would rather praise God the way I do with my family. We pray every night.” 

[feelinsheepish]

🐏🐏🐏🐏!!!

Send me a 🐑 for a sheeptaur fact? :) [accepting]

There are only a handful of sheeptaurs that actually possess magic actively and even if they do, it is very weak and the best way to use it successfully is to preform the same spell together. But their spells are limited mostly to healing and giving life to the crops and plants they need.

Males DO fight each other for the right to 'mate'... Though its more of a test of strength to show a female what they are really capable of and to prove they are able to protect and provide strong offspring. Its not so simple as 'look how strong i am' and 'oh we are a couple now' though, there obviously has to be some chemistry there already. The ramming season is more due to heat and rut.

The sheeptaurs have three major holidays throughout the year and they all celebrate the turning of seasons. Springtide, The Grand Harvest and Wintertide. These celebrations are usually spent singing songs and celebrating nature and the gifts they have, they also give thanks to Akun and wear whats considered to be festive for the season. AKA flower crowns for Spring, berries and leaves for Harvest etc etc

The village is very communal, everyone knows each other to a point where most people are considered as cousins, uncles and aunts even if they aren't blood related. The love for each other is what keeps them strong.

[mothpixies]

🌻☀️🐝The Springtide Jubilee Has Begun 🌻☀️🐝

Oh this patch of land seems empty... maybe its meant for something more? Power seems to seep from the very ground itself. Can you feel the air buzzing? The warm feeling on your skin from the sun? Hear the birds morning songs? The Springtide Jubilee is here! With that, a new NPC is summoned! Zaniya (Scent: Lily) is the Goddess of Life in Papilio, bringing with her new life and growth!

⚔️ Guild Wars ⚔️

With the spawning of a new God, brings a new opportunity: building a shrine! All guilds are welcome to compete to see who can finish her shrine the fastest. Whichever guild wins, will get the chance to obtain an item, maybe something new to Papilio??

🧭🎲Quests and Minigames 🎲🧭

Along with the Guild War, we have event specific quests and minigames throughout this month!

Join the discord to particpate!

Discord Server: http://discord.gg/uQcQfzVFne

[tatteredworld]

How’s everyone enjoying your relaxing Springtide celebration? The Tattered World team has been hard at work in the background, taking advantage of this lull to do some spring cleaning on our to-do lists and tackle a variety of pending quality of life tasks, including new quests and items, new achievements and forum backgrounds and continuity updates!

[flashinamore]

Concept Explanation

"Stepping out from the skylight because you might stop worrying and start believing for now!"

It's kind of an abstract love, appealing to springtide in a moment. No one's even know how it gonna take a play at the very first encounter . . as much as we twinkling, it's draw on little beam for no reason.

And finally, after the ups and downs, we get a chance into romanticize the stage of our life again. You might seem wondering what is the future journey will be. Yet, I guarantee it can enamored the night sky amidst the starlight.

Anew tale for us to explore, "A story they'll tell for ages, written in every language." and you always got it, on the palm of your hand ☆