#wanders arts and witch crafts

[wandering-free-and-queer]

Finally making mini jars for my altar, because who doesn't love tiny things? Left to right is onyx, peridot, aventurine, tiger's eye, amethyst, red agate, quartz, and garnet. Gonna wax seal them later, probably just gonna stick with black wax for that, and maybe I'll wrap twine around a few of them.

[punkrockisafulltimejob]

That feel when your friends actually like the things you make to the point of commissioning you for THREE different bracelets

[wandering-free-and-queer]

So my whole thing is I do "arts and witch crafts" and I am basically a jack of all trades type crafter. But I've been crocheting for about 15 years now, my nana taught me. So there's the connection to my ancestors there already (she's still with us, thankfully, but I know that's not forever). I also do different projects with different intentions. The blanket I'm currently on hiatus from is going to be a sort of personal shield. Then I'm also slowly working on crocheting wisteria flowers that I can tie onto a string of lights and in an ideal world I'd find a neat way to crochet vines off it too but I'm lazy lol. That is going to be a sort of talisman for one of my friends who loves wisteria. She's had a lot of trouble with some crappy people in her life recently so I'm going to give that to her to combat the negative feelings associated with that.

I can talk about my craft projects for ages, I've posted a few of them on here, so feel free to do your own deep dive lol, but you can also search up wanders arts and witch crafts, that's the tag I try to remember to use for those things

Does anyone else crochet as part of their practice? Like, I made several altar items with crochet and I'm currently working on a blanket infused with spellwork. Who else does projects like this? I'm so curious.

[divine-crows]

🎨✨️Art Magic✨️🎨

Uses, Forms of it, and Why I Think Everyone Should Try it at Least Once.

Foreword

Right before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I had been trying and failing to rekindle my flame for magic work. No matter what I tried to do I just couldn't get back into my studies and I was reaching a point where I was convinced I lost my spark and was doomed to live an empty life. Then it all changed when a YouTube Channel challenged how I thought about everything: Molly Roberts. That's when I was opened to the possibility of art magic, and I'll now share my love of it with anyone willing to read on.

What Is Art Magic?

A means to utilize art for spellwork, raising magical energy, or for exploring your magical subconscious. It encapsulates multiple different types of art and is generally not confined by conventional expectation (unless that's what you prefer).

You can utilize art magic by. . .

Using traditional art methods

Digital art methods

Collages

Music composition

Jewelry making

Embroidery

And much more!

How do I know if Art Magic is Suitable for Me?

There isn't a specific thing that'll indicate this form of magic is perfect for you, however I have some anecdotes from my personal experience as both a witch, and a regular artist that form a sort of idea on what could denote this being perfect for you!

First off, craving freedom from personal restraints was a big factor that pushed me towards blending my craft with my passion for art. If you want to run from the monotony of life, if you feel trapped by the social construction of boxes, or if you simply want to challenge your own mental restraints... then this idea might resonate with you.

Challenging yourself with a new form of magic, similarly, can also be a good enough reason to try. I'm the type of person who loves to constantly learn new things and I unfortunately get bored really quickly if I can't get new source materials. Using Art Magic has proven a fun challenge for me that allows me to explore a lot more topics you can't just open a book to find.

For those that may not be able to safely perform a lot of traditional style spells, this form of magic provides a discreet way to practice witchcraft. Most people wouldn't really question someone if they picked up the hobby of making art, and even if they did there's plenty of reasonable excuses out there.

How you prefer your spells to manifest themselves can also affect if this journey is a good idea or not. I find that Art Magic is really good when it comes to subtle spellwork that is more longform (though depending on how you construct them you can definitely create a spell that's the opposite).

Catalog aspects of your magical journey. Imagine a grimoire filled with pages of drawings, each one telling a story of something you experienced or learned as a witch. This especially may be more beneficial for visual learners.

You could use it as a means of meditation, sometimes art can be calming and it can open the door to your mind (so-to-speak). Especially if you're like me and struggle with staying completely still while trying to clear your mind, this may be helpful for you.

Trying to better understand archetypes, deities, types of entities, or even your own self can also be a big part of this. I've used art magic as a way to embody the "energy" of something before so I could better understand it. Especially when you're trying to seek knowledge that isn't often written on, it can provide a great way to explore more.

How Can I perform an Art Spell?

I have a step-by-step process that can give you some insight on how you may approach it:

1) Think of the intention you want. I like to close my eyes and meditate on it for about a minute then I write down if my mind wandered to any specific imagery or ideas.

2) Think of visual symbolism and colors that can help you capture the mood you want. Perhaps you need a warm color palette to invoke positive feelings, or maybe there are specific objects or animals you can include on the composition that represent something.

3) If you feel it fits your composition, you can include sigils, symbols of significance, and include shapes that have certain associations. It doesn't even have to be obvious either. You can use a circular composition to convey something endless for example, or a triangular composition to show priority over something.

4) In general follow what your heart tells you. This is a little cliche, but ultimately follow what seems best to you. Art isn't about boxing yourself in and my guidelines are just general ideas for anyone who's lost!

Why do I think that everyone should try it at least once?

From my experiences as a witch, I find that a lot of paths to be followed are quite rigid. By no means am I implying that a rigid structure is bad-- it creates a foundation from which we can work upon. I myself am exploring rigid, 'traditional' (for lack of a better term) ways of working magic. Art magic pushes you out of your comfort zone in a safe way. It makes you consider how you associate things. It makes you create new sigils and makes you research new symbols you previously wouldn't have used.

So next time you're lost on a spell, or you've lost your way in your Craft and you don't know what to do, think about maybe giving Art Magic a try. I hope my guide was a helpful starting point for anyone interested in the topic!

[mirthfulmoonshine]

LoZ: Ternary Ages △ Gerudo Worldbuilding

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾Gerudo Chieftain, Rutimala Dragmire𖤓 ⋆⁺₊⋆

Mentioned in this post, Rutimala was the Gerudo chieftain prior to Ganondorf's ascent to the throne. She is hailed as a Heroine of Endurance, not THE Heroine but is regarded as capable and affluent in this power.

Lady Rutimala Dragmire is matrilineally the chieftain. Her mother was Saranne, daughter of Koati, daughter of the previous king, Naboris. Rutimala has one sister, Pani, who fled the desert as a young teen and was never seen again.

Her grandmother, Koati, is related to Kotake and Koume. The witches tutored Rutimala in the arts of magic and diplomacy. Rutimala is highly skilled in lightning magic and concentrating this lightning into beams, orbs, and towering shields. She is proficient with the sword and loves Molduga hunting. She is equally endeared to shield making and talisman crafting.

The role of the Gerudo chieftain is by blood but also by merit - the fitness of someone's ability to lead can be challenged by another and trials of physical, emotional, intellectual, strategic, and magical strength are held to see who is fit. Rutimala challenged her mother's rule and usurped the throne.

Rutimala had relations with one Lurelin Hylian man, named Efste. Through him, Rutimala had her first two children: Dahri and Pashato. She stopped seeing him consistently as tensions with Hyrule escalated. Like many Gerudo mothers and chieftains, her escapades on the battle field did not stop at the prospect of being with child, bearing children, or rearing children.

Her second partner, another Hylian, was a member of Queen Zirda and King Rhoam's court, Captain Calateous. Calateous and Rutimala met on one of her diplomatic missions to Hyrule and their one-time affair led to her being pregnant and eventually having the next king, her third child and son, Ganondorf.

Rutimala's best friend was Palu, the Gerudo Va'Qai - or spiritual leader/head priestess. Palu, like her daughter soon would, fought constantly with Kotake and Koume and eventually put a wedge between the two witches and Rutimala in decision making processes.

The chieftain raised her children attentively and lovingly, holding the three of them to high, terse standards and shielding them well from the prying eyes of her people. She spent intentional time with them all, raised them in all she knew, and encouraged their natural talents.

Though she loved her daughters, Rutimala had a special spot for her son. Knowing he was to be king regardless of his birth order, she took special care to teach him diplomacy, languages, and a variety of arts: dancing, music, weapon making, storytelling, and star mapping.

She assigns Dahri to be the royal architect and Pasahto to captain of the royal guard.

Rutimala is one of the few who was densely skeptical about Riar'svah's presence in the Gerudo royal palace, wary about her potential sage-hood and isolated upbringing in the Spirit Temple in the Highlands. She forbade the Va'Qai from diplomatic meetings, war planning, and the innermost of the palace. Ganondorf would later undo these decrees.

Her diplomatic missions to Hyrule continued for some time, littered with skirmishes and battles in-between. Rutimala strongly disliked Queen Zirda, increasingly so after the Queen's proclamation that the Demon King has been born amidst the Gerudo. Rutimala counters pushes for a unified Hyrule and addresses their steady trade as being good enough.

As Hylian soldiers press closer to the desert borders, even bothering/harassing/attacking/pillaging some Gerudo wanderers, Molduga hunting parties, border patrols, and pilgrimages to the Spirit Temple, Rutimala declares Gerudo a hostile nation to Hyrule.

Escalation led to war. Rutimala is killed in a battle in the borderlands. She is fatally wounded by Zirda and dies in the rush back to the Gerudo fortress. Her death leds Ganondorf to being crowned king and for he, his two sisters, and the entire Gerudo Empire to declare a vindictive war on Hyrule.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ Gerudo Coronations | First Blood 𖤓 ⋆⁺₊⋆

Based on/inspired by this post - Gerudo coronations are for kings or chieftains. There are no regents in Gerudo governance and only those of the matrilineal line, successful challengers, or a male can be crowned. However, there are two exceptions:

In the case of twins, the throne is left vacant and the twins rule together. This applies to both vai and voe, based off the legend of the Twin Kings.

If the current ruler is killed and an emergency ruler is placed in charge. This ruler must be approved in a unanimous vote by the Gerudo council, a rapidly formed council of governance made of: siblings of the leader, leader's spouse and/or children, the elder witches, the va'qai, the captian of the royal guard, the royal architect, and one citizen

Ganondorf is crowned king after Rutimala's death. Mourning of a leader cannot begin until a new one is crowned.

Gerudo custom states that the end of a leaders coronation is to shed their own blood, usually on a ceremonial scimitar. This is a sign of fidelity and a promise of sacrifice and loyalty unto death for the Gerudo people. The blood of the ruler is then smeared onto the statues of the Heroines and Sand Goddess as a prayer for protection over their life.

Gerudo coronations are eight days long - consisting of feasts, observances of vigils, pilgrimages to the Spirit Temple, and tests for the leader. Each day is dedicated to a Heroine's trait and the last day is for the unification between the king/chieftain with the Sand Goddess so that the ruler can receive their divinity (think Egyptian Pharaoh)

Skill - the leader must hunt and kill a Molduga, leading a party or not. The Molduga is harvested and used to make the leader's new armor, cook meals, and provide a special oil for candles and fire. Weapons are polished and all meat is processed on this day.

Spirit - Spirit Temple pilgrimage. The Gerudo people pray and bless their new leader with gifts of food, gems, dyes, and fabrics. Fervent prayer, blessing of children in the new era, and greenery is collected and the fortress is decorated in rich flora and greenery.

Endurance - The leader holds a 24 hour vigil and fast, seated on the steps leading to the palace. The Gerudo people spend all day cooking, cleaning, and preparing their homes for a night of vigil where chants, songs, and music are preformed.

Knowledge - The leader is finally permitted to sit on the throne and begin delegating and mapping out their plan of leadership. On this day, the history of the Gerudo is orally shared across the empire. Facades, graves, mosaics, statues, altars, and temples are cleaned thoroughly and tended to.

Flight - the royal palace is fervently cleaned out, reorganized, and decorated with new tapestries, plants, gems, and metallurgy. Gerudo will sleep with windows unbarred or uncovered to let wind in and the wind catchers of the city are opened fully. It is seen as cooling off the town in preparation for...

Motion - A large fireside feast for the empire is held, paired with music, dancing, and feats of magic. The leader makes a grand social appearance and declares sisterhood/brotherhood with their people. They sit, feast, dance, play songs, and sing alongside their people as if they were a commoner.

Gentleness - A day of rest. The leader sits on the throne and the Empire sits in gentle silence, with little work to be done. Mourning starts today for the previous leader if they have died.

The Day of the Sand Goddess - This is the day the leader slashes their palm before the Gerudo people and receives the golden, unique crown/tiara that sits on their head, often woven into their hair. The leader is finally allowed to wear black, the color of royalty, and their hair is cut short, signifying the start of their growth as leader. The leader will then spend the night in prayer, vigil, and fast at the Spirit Temple alone.

[flowerbetweenfangs]

They call you the Stitch Witch. Because you form little bits of magic in every thread you use. Every loop, weave, and piercing of the needle sparks a bit more into what you're fixing.

It begins with a ghost. Only remembering the shroud marking them as dead, they come to you as a simple sheet. After some thought, you get hair donated and use it as your thread, embroidering patterns and attempting to pull memories from the ether. They become humanoid, but remember there are more, wandering and lost.

Always the same, sheets marking them as dead. They beg for your magic and memory retrieval. You explain to your village, and soon many are donating their hair to help in your endeavor.

Some only need a few stictches and are on their way into the afterlife. Some are nearly a new tapestry when you're done, and you've guided them through unfinished business.

The Guide brings more to you, but never asks for more so they can pass on. You entertain them as a good host should, offering them a polite cup of tea and offerings generally reserved for the dead. They seem happy and appreciate all you do, giving small things like messages and news from other parts of the world.

Sometimes families of the deceSed come by and offer their gratitude for helping identify their loved ones and putting them at rest. It's not much, but it's honest work.

Years pass, and you have a small gap in clientele for the first time in seasons. Your hair has started to go white, and calluses have long formed on your fingertips.

Others have picked up your craft, spreading awareness and assisting many around the region. Of course, you're still the one many go to. And your first client always brings in new customers.

But today was different. There was a stillness in the air, the air finally taking on autumn's chill, but a few shuddering breaths of summer remained.

The silence curled through the air like the steam rising from the tea cups. The Guide sat and stared at your latest project, a combined tapestry of nearly a dozen types of hair, forming a rich forest scene.

"Are you ready to move on?" The words were out before you realized.

They shook their head, hovering a few finger widths above you.

"I have unfinished business."

"Let's stitch some memories." You pull out a spoon of dark hair, curly and thick, and cup you hand under the edge of the shroud, pulling it toward you. While the edges are frayed, some having faded into the ether , you see a few white ones that seem fresh.

"And try to make sense of it all. Finally make a map of your unfinished business "

"I'm afraid I can't." Translucent hands form and take yours. Your skin tingles, like it's fallen asleep.

"why not?"

"Because I know what it is." Hands squeeze yours once, twice. Three times.

"There is one soul I want to make sure I guide to the other side. But they aren't wrapped in a shroud. Until then, I will remain. Creating memories and mapping out this life."

And freezing lips press toward yours, the cloth barrier making it rough, like the faintest hint of scruff on a chin. Lips form, but are like chiseled marble, too hard and unmoving. When they pulled away, threads moved across their shroud, twisting into braids and knots that just as quickly untied themselves.

"Who I was before doesn't matter." They assure you. "I feel like these threads pulled us together for a reason, and it would be a shame to damage this work of art by cutting them."

Your lips still tingled at the memory of their touch. Reaching up, you pluck a few hairs from your scalp, slipping them into a small pouch.

"Then I expect you to be there and ready to guide me when my time comes. And I'll finally get to see your true face."

You reached out and touched the shroud. Pins and needles went up your arms. Not unpleasant, but certainly... Different.

The places your hands traveled formed under your fingers, memories of a body allowing it to form.

You kissed Guide again, a chill going through your being. Closing your eyes, you blew into where their mouth would be. And for an instant, the limbs formed and arms wrapped around you.

"I've wanted to do this for years." They whispered in your ear. "To feel your warmth in this icy world."

"Do it as long as you like." You leaned into them, a smile on your face.

You had been one another's constant, and knowing it would continue into the next journey gave you a bit of comfort, and you could already see the memories forming, creating a small picture in your hearts.

[moirasgrimoire]

Where to start with Witchcraft

You were always a witch — here's how to remember.

There is a magic that waits in silence — in your bones, your dreams, your breath. To awaken it is not to summon something new, but to remember something ancient.

Here are the first steps on the path back to yourself:

1. Read the stars you were born under

Your natal chart is the sacred map of your soul — a blueprint of your gifts, your wounds, your destiny. Study it. Learn your placements, your ruling planet, your dominant element. Your path begins where the stars first marked you.

2. Connect with your higher power

Whether it’s the Universe, the Gods, Nature, or your truest Self — seek the source that makes your spirit hum. Research. Pray. Meditate. Wander under the sky. Seek your ruling planet — it carries the blessing of your patron gods. You are never alone on this journey.

3. Learn the art of divination

Divination is a bridge between you and the unseen. Tarot, runes, pendulums, smoke, dreams, mirrors, flame… there are many doors. Find the one that opens for you. Your dominant element may whisper clues — fire sees visions, water dreams, air deciphers, earth remembers.

4. Connect with your roots

Your power is braided with where you come from. Study the magic of your land — its folklore, spirits, sacred plants, and the witches who walked before you. Call upon your ancestors. They will answer. Magic spoken in the language of your lineage rings louder.

5. Never stop learning

The craft is endless. Read books. Keep a grimoire. Practice often. Your power will grow with every step you take — not toward something, but back to yourself.

Awakening is not an arrival. It is a return.

[witchyintention]

Correspondences 101: Why Color, Day, Planet, and Herb Associations Matter

If you've ever browsed a spellbook or grimoire and come across a list like:

“Use green on Friday for prosperity under Venus energy with basil for luck…”

...you’re looking at correspondences — one of the most foundational concepts in magical practice. But where do they come from? Why do they matter? And how do you actually use them?

Let’s break it all down — clearly, practically, and with some magical backbone.

🧙 What Are Magical Correspondences?

In essence, correspondences are energetic connections between symbolic elements — like colors, planets, herbs, days, crystals, and more — and magical intentions or outcomes.

Think of them as energetic shorthand. Every magical element vibrates with a particular frequency. By aligning your tools with your intention, you strengthen the energetic signal of your spell.

You’re not just doing random witchy arts and crafts — you’re composing a spiritual symphony.

🔮 Why Do Correspondences Matter?

You can cast spells without them — but you’ll often be working against the current.

Using aligned correspondences:

✅ Helps your spell hit stronger and faster ✅ Makes your rituals more focused and intentional ✅ Invokes the power of archetypal and ancestral memory ✅ Builds consistency and depth into your practice ✅ Helps the subconscious ��believe” in the magic

Magical energy loves alignment. When your intention, your tools, and your timing are all in harmony, you create what witches call a resonant field — a kind of magical magnetism.

🎨 Color Correspondences: Speaking the Language of Sight

Color is one of the first correspondences many witches learn — and for good reason. Color impacts the psyche deeply. From candle magic to altar cloths, wearing ritual robes to ink choices, color anchors intention.

💡 Pro tip: If you lack a color, use white. It’s a magical neutral.

📅 Days of the Week: Timing Your Magic

Each day carries planetary energy, and tapping into that makes your spell ride the natural rhythm of time.

Aligning your workings with the day’s ruling planet builds momentum — like casting spells on a wind that already blows in your direction.

🪐 Planetary Correspondences: The Cosmic Influence

Planets embody archetypal energy. Calling on their essence — even without astrology — helps focus your magic.

🪄 Planetary energy can be invoked through chants, oils, planetary hours, or symbols in your spell.

🌿 Herbal Correspondences: Nature’s Toolbox

Plants carry memory, myth, and medicine. Using the right herb for the right spell unlocks layers of symbolic and actual power.

Each herb has physical properties and spiritual vibrations. They were sacred to ancient gods, used in folk rituals, and now live in your tea or your spell jar. The magic is ancestral.

🧠 Do You Have to Use Them?

Not strictly. Intuition-based witches, chaos magicians, and energy workers may not lean on traditional correspondences. That’s valid.

But…

Using correspondences is like casting with a compass instead of wandering blindfolded. It’s not restrictive — it’s a language. One you can learn, bend, and eventually speak fluently.

Many correspondences come from a mix of:

Astrology and planetary myths

Historical grimoires and folk traditions

Elemental and energetic logic

Shared subconscious symbology

So while you can create personal correspondences, it helps to understand the lineage before you remix it.

🌀 Closing Thoughts: Magic Loves Structure and Intuition

Magical correspondences aren’t about making spells “perfect.” They’re about crafting spells that are aligned.

Think of them as magical seasoning. You don’t need them for the dish to work — but gods, do they elevate the flavor.

The more fluent you become in color, day, planetary, and herb correspondences, the more intentional and effective your magic becomes.

Study them. Feel them. Test them. And eventually… you won’t just use them — you’ll know them like old friends.

[martincrushcameback]

Hi! I absolutely am loving your fae au! I also LOVE your Martin/Donita art! It’s amazing! There is so little for them it should be a crime. TvT So if it’s ok, it’s fine if not. ^^ But who or what would Donita be in your Fae au? Ngl I legit literally laughed just now thinking of Fae King Martin kidnapping human/etc Donita and Donita just being, ok… I don’t hate this. 😂

It might surprise you to know that Donita doesn;t need to be kidnapped by Martin because she is a witch and she has been wandering between both human and fae realms for a long time. She often visits him and provides him with interesting baubles in exchange for bones for her craft. Dabio is her familiar (a big dog that everyone is pretty sure used to be human at some point).

[astra-ravana]

Working With Cain

The Witchfather

Other titles: The First Sorcerer, the Father of All Witches, the Wanderer, the Forge Master, the First Vampire, the First Killer, the Serpent Seed and more

Colors: Red, black, grey, gold, silver

Herbs: Hemlock, hellebore, belladonna, fly agaric, mugwort, mistletoe, flax, bittersweet, saffron, red chili, wormwood, alkanet, walnut, calamus, tobacco, dragon's blood, cedar, mandrake, sandalwood, willow, rue

Crystals: Obsidian, amber, ruby, garnet, eudialite, nuummite, jet, kyanite, rhodonite, strawberry quartz, tiger iron, pyrite, tourmaline, moldavite, fire quartz, black jade, spectral hematite, spinel, sardonyx

Element: Fire/abyss

Planet: Mars, Saturn

Zodiac: Aries (Capricorn)

Metal: Iron, gold, bronze

Tarot: The Hanged Man, the Devil, the 8 of Pentacles

Day: Tuesday, Saturday

Animals: Dogs, bats, snakes, dragons

Domains: Crafting, smithing, baneful magick, the poison path, herbalism, foraging, vampyric magick, blood magick, liminality, sorcery/witchcraft, enchanting/cursing objects, shadow work/integration, animal/pet magick, protection, sigil/art magick, magick tools, strength, perseverance, binding/banishing, vengeance, evil eye, destruction and ruin

Offerings: Blood, alcohol, smoking pipes, metal/metal objects, fires, herb burns, incense, blades/weapons, representations of his animals, hammers and anvils, chocolate, coffin nails

Sigils:

[tryan-a-bex]

100 fics

Today I posted my 100th fic on Ao3!

My first was Pottery; or Function, Purpose and Heart on Mar 11, 2023. It was a retired Dreamling fic with Destruction (who I call Joe) as the main character.

I moved fairly quickly into my Spy x Family crossover series. Anya is so cute, and throwing her in with Dreamling and the Endless family led to a lot of fun shenanigans! (Generally you don't need to know Spy x Family canon to follow these.)

Next I started on my Sandman x Scooby Doo shenanigans! I really like the Scooby Gang, and there are definitely some mysteries to solve surrounding the Endless! (With awesome art by @sab-draws!)

Gaulcienne caught my eye next. Lucienne, my beloved librarian, and the shape-changing dream-fairy? Oh yes! A Quiet Love with Wings has most of my commissioned art, with pieces by @athymelyreply for Sometimes when You Fall, You Fly, @ibrithir-was-here for Fireflies and a Missing Person, and @designtheendless for The Dragon Rider!

King of Night and Prince of Day, for @nathanwonderwolf's wonderful art, has the second highest kudos of all my fics.

Then I invented an OC who is the preteen personification of the consciousness of humanity, aka Social Media. I thought this was pure crack but people liked it and now it's a series! Dinner and Play was created with @carnelianmeluha's food ideas in mind!

My Dreamling works tend to be short and sweet, often prompted by something on tumblr or discord, and are collected as Dreamling vignettes.

I have recently written (but not yet posted) my first honest to god smut, but early dabbles in the craft were mostly crack, like my Helm Fucking Crack series. I'm unreasonably proud of how cracked it is, and thank everyone who enabled me (notably @sleepsonfutons, @windsweptinred, @tickldpnk8, @zzoomacroom, read their fics!).

My obsession with Fuckboi Dream (mind the tags) is ongoing, and included creating a chapter index with notes so I can find things, a series about Murphy's childhood (somebody please read these, they are so cute), and others, fanart as well!

In The Dragon's Tongue, Lucienne takes on Titania! I commissioned @lostelfwriting to write the bdsm continuation of the scene, and she did a fantastic job!

A Reunion in the Dreaming (picnic recreated here) was the first fic in Walking with the Walkers, my series about Rose, Jed and Unity. It features Rose and Ara (Barbie transformed in Life is but a Dream), Rose and Jed meeting their Endless family members, Jed and Gault having adventures, and Unity throwing family parties in the Dreaming (with art by @ilya-halfelven).

Trials of a Shapeshifter in Love (in which Gault tries to surprise Lucienne with a romantic dinner) was my favourite fic from October 2023 -- Femslash weekend (by @sandmanfemslashfans ) and Monsterfucktober (by @seiya-starsniper and friends) made it a really fun month! I also wrote Chantal and Zelda, Johanna and Death, and zombie Lyta (my most angsty fic, I believe).

Just Get Me Off the Damn Mountain was written for designtheendless' contest and omg, I won! It is my most popular fic, at 185 kudos!

I also wrote an OG story for NaNoWriMo! At 23k, Wander Witch is by far my longest story (the next longest is under 9k).

After a bit of being stuck, I got started again by writing continuations of @gabessquishytum's asks! Thank you to Gabe and to all the anons and contributors who allowed me to post their parts of the story!

Asmi, @weirdly-specific-but-ok, argued that he does not have a fandom, so (with permission) I proved him wrong by writing fanfic where he meets Crowley and the Maggot Fam. I love you, Asmi and the maggots!

Heading on an Adventure, the story of Rose and Orpheus' road trip, led to a series of library adventures for Lucienne (often featuring Meowpheus), starting with The Library Cat and continuing in the Lucienne my Beloved series.

I wanted more Lucienne and Walkers content, so I started a side blog, @lucienne-my-beloved, and am open to prompts there! On ao3, the series is called ficlets for lucienne.

Hob Meets the Doctor June 7, 2389 and The line I will not cross and the line I will (Gaulcienne) are my space fics, and I am unreasonably happy about them!

I'm now writing for @augustwritingchallenge! (They got me over 100 in my wips a week or two ago!) I combined prompts so you'll see a fic every 2-5 days in various series and fandoms, including Good Omens (Aug 30) and Dead Boy Detectives (soon).

And my 100th fic! Why are you whispering? a Jed and Rose fic for the late night call prompts. Woohoo!

Thank you so much to everyone who has supported my fandom journey! I'm the least depressed one in my long covid cohort, due to your support and friendship! I cherish every kudo and comment and bookmark and reblog, and the art and fics you all create as well!

[wandering-free-and-queer]

Made two bracelets today! Sadly I can't find one of the things I need to fully finish them properly but they're fully constructed!

The first one is Weather, it's five golden charms set on a beautiful sky blue hemp cord in a simple square knot macrame. The cloud, Sun, pentacle, moon, and lightning bolt charms are spaced equally, giving them each an equal influence in the piece.

The second is more simple but no less refined, the centerpiece is a lovely antique silver Tree of Life charm, with richly stained wooden beads flanking it to either side. No specific Intention here, but a blank slate for you to dedicate to a tree spirit or forest near you, in the hopes that you'll find a way to personalize it to your craft.

[wandering-free-and-queer]

Reblogging this from main bc I want more notes on it dammit lol

Spent the last week or so finding the perfect gradient of sharpies to color the edges of one of my tarot decks in a rainbow. I think it came out pretty damn good if I do say so myself lol

[infernal-ism]

☾ SAINT, THE UMBRA WITCH OT RED CHAOS | THE EXILED PRINCE, THE WITCH QUEEN’S HEIR ☾

“The cosmos is my loom, the storm my thread. Shall I weave you into oblivion?”

FULL NAME: Saint Ralphangelo du Bèlizaire

ALIASES: The Exiled Prince, The Witch Queen’s Heir, The Serpent of the Bayou

AGE: Timeless, but appears mid-20s

BIRTHPLACE: Unknown, and no, he won't talk about it.

LANGUAGES: English, Haitian Creole, French

TITLES: Prince of Valroux, The Serpent of Set, The Forsaken Son.

AFFILIATION: Himself first, but his people above all

ALIGNMENT: Chaotic Regal

Saint hails from the du Bèlizaire bloodline, one of the oldest and most feared Umbra Witch families. Their magic runs as deep as the swamps they call home, their blood bound to spirits, shadows, and the very land itself. Valroux, the Drowned Bayou, is a place where the veil between worlds is thinnest, where witches rule with whispered spells and unseen hands. Born as the heir to the Witch Queen of Valroux, Saint was raised in power, draped in expectation, shaped to inherit the coven’s legacy. But ambition is a dangerous thing, and power rarely passes without bloodshed. He was exiled of his own choice—but he did not die.

☾ BIOGRAPHY ☾

“I ain’t got a master, I ain’t got a god, and I damn sure ain’t got a leash. So tell me—why would I listen to you?”

I. Born to Rule, Raised to Obey

Saint was born into one of the oldest and most feared Umbra Witch bloodlines, a lineage steeped in power, secrecy, and the relentless pursuit of dominance over the supernatural. His family’s stronghold, Valroux, the Drowned Bayou, was a place of magic older than written history, where spirits whispered in the cypress trees and the waters pulsed with forgotten rituals.

His mother, the Witch Queen of Valroux, was a legend—a woman who wielded darkness with the precision of a blade, whose word was law among their kind. Though immensely kind, She raised Saint to be the next in line, the heir to an empire of shadow and power, a perfect son sculpted from ambition and tradition.

From the moment he could walk, he was trained in the arts of the Umbra Witches—combat, sorcery, summoning, deception, survival. He learned to speak with spirits, to call upon demons, to twist reality with the force of his will. He was taught that power was not given—it was taken, controlled, and wielded without mercy. But Saint was never meant to be controlled.

Even as a child, he refused to be what they wanted him to be. He chafed under the weight of expectations, under the whispers that he would one day lead a coven he wanted no part of. His power—wild, untamed, a force of chaos rather than structure—was an omen that he was not like the others. When it became clear that his magic did not obey the careful traditions of his ancestors, that it unraveled spells rather than crafted them, the whispers turned darker. A power too dangerous, too unpredictable, even for an Umbra Witch.

Saint saw the writing on the wall. Before they could cast him out, he left.

II. The Self-Exile

Saint did not just run—he tore himself from his past like a blade ripping through flesh. He abandoned Valroux, his family, his name, everything that had been forced upon him. His mother had spent years sculpting him into a perfect ruler, a worthy heir, a son she could be proud of. But Saint did not want a throne. He wanted freedom.

He wanted to live by his own rules, not by the traditions of the Umbra Witches. He did not want to be bound to the old ways, to the coven’s war against the Lumen Sages, to their relentless struggle for power. And so, he chose exile. Not because he was weak. Not because he was unworthy. But because he would rather die than live a life that was never his.

III. The Years of Wandering

For years, Saint disappeared into the underworld of magic—the lawless places where angels and demons waged their secret wars, where witches and warlocks sold their souls for power, where the supernatural ran unchecked. He took whatever work he could find, hunting the creatures that others feared, dealing with spirits, slaying demons, breaking curses—anything that paid well and kept him moving. He made enemies, made allies, made legends out of his name.

He learned how to survive without a coven, without a legacy, without anyone watching his back. His magic—a strange, chaotic force of unraveling and disorder—made him both feared and sought after. It was not the refined, disciplined magic of the Umbra Witches, nor was it the divine order of the Lumen Sages. It was something else entirely—a power that disrupted fate itself, that unwound spells, that turned reality inside out. It made him dangerous.

And Saint? He embraced it.

IV. The Life He Chose

Saint does not dream of home ( much ). He does not long for his mother’s embrace, does not crave the weight of a coven, does not want to reclaim a place among the Umbra Witches ( but he does ). He has found his own path. A path of blood and fire, magic and chaos, where he answers to no one. He kills demons for money. He kills angels because he doesn’t like ‘em. He travels from city to city, taking jobs that interest him, refusing to be tied down by anything or anyone.

And yet—there is something missing.

Saint will never admit it, but he is still searching. Not for his past. But for a place where he belongs. He does not crave power. He does not crave revenge. But maybe, just maybe, he craves something more than wandering. Maybe one day, he will find it. Until then? He has demons to kill, angels to piss off, and a whole damn world to burn through.

➤ Appearance

A vision of old-world decadence and eldritch charm, Saint carries himself like a ruler without a throne—and he makes you believe he should have one. His copper skin glows with warmth, his red eyes burn with knowing, and his hair, dark as the bayou at midnight, tumbles past his shoulders in wild curls. He is never seen without gold, whether in the form of rings stacked on his fingers, chains draped across his chest, or embroidery woven into his silken attire. His fashion is equal parts Southern Gothic and high sorcery—lace, leather, silk; black, gold, and red, high collars and deep necklines, veils and furs, all chosen with purpose. He moves like he owns the ground beneath him, even in exile. And to look upon him is to feel something—an omen, a promise, a curse waiting to be spoken.

Saint is grace and destruction woven into form, a being of celestial chaos and serpentine allure. He moves like a whisper of silk before a storm—deliberate, fluid, a predator disguised in elegance.

Eyes: red—burning ruby, deep as fresh-spilled wine, shifting like molten embers. When his magic flares, they glow with an eerie radiance, like twin eclipses bleeding in the dark.

Hair: Black as the abyss, with streaks of deep crimson, like a comet’s tail cutting through the void. Often styled into intricate knotted braids, adorned with golden charms, serpent clasps, and celestial threads that shimmer in the light.

Skin: Deep copper, kissed by the sun and desert winds. In moonlight, he has an almost ethereal luminescence, as if chaos itself lingers beneath his skin.

Markings & Adornments: Celestial runes coil along his arms, spine, and ankles, shifting like constellations. These markings hum with chaotic energy, glowing faintly when his magic stirs.

➤ Fashion & Weapons

Saint wears his power as much as he wields it—his attire is an extension of himself, moving with the grace of a celestial dancer and the lethality of a serpent poised to strike.

☾ Key Fashion Elements ☾

✔ Celestial Ribbons & Spirit Silks – His Living Weapons:

His enchanted ribbons coil around him like sentient threads of chaos. Dormant, they appear as elegant drapery; when activated, they lash out like cosmic whips, weave barriers of shimmering silk, or ensnare foes in unbreakable bindings. These strands shift between tangible silk and ephemeral energy, whispering and waiting.

✔ Serpent Motifs & Gold Adornments:

Golden serpents coil along his sleeves, chest, and waist, their eyes set with rubies that pulse with his heartbeat. His jeweled Apophis insignia rests at his throat, a symbol of the chaos he wields. Rings, anklets, and bangles jingle softly as he moves, charmed to enhance his magic.

✔ Draped Robes & Fluid Silhouettes:

His garments are designed for movement and mystique—bandage dress, slit at the sides for agility and showing copious skin, with celestial embroidery woven in stardust and shimmering runes. Sheer veils and spirit silks shift between reality and illusion, wrapping around his arms and shoulders. typically, he wears a mixture of leathers and draped silks.

✔ Enchanted Footwear – The Steps of Chaos:

He wears gold-threaded, enchanted anklets, allowing him to move silently, swiftly, weightlessly—like a phantom upon the sands. In battle, his steps leave behind afterimages of himself, made of swirling sand and stars, confusing foes before he strikes.

➤ Battlefield Presence

A blur of silks and serpents, a celestial storm of chaos incarnate.

His ribbons weave through the air, slashing through enemies like blades of divine fate.

The afterimages of himself shimmer like mirages, moving in tandem with his real body, making it impossible to tell where he truly stands.

His red eyes gleam like twin blood moons, watching, calculating, unraveling destiny one thread at a time.

Saint is not merely a witch—he is a cosmic tempest in human form, the serpent of chaos draped in celestial silk—untouchable, unstoppable, inevitable. Saint wields magic as old as the spirits, a blend of Umbra Witchcraft and Isfet (Chaos) Magic. He does not fight fair—he fights to win.

✔ Isfet Umbra Witchcraft (Chaos Embodied): The power to unravel and remake. Destruction, transmutation, sand manipulation, and the ability to bend reality to his will. with the basic umbra abilities such as: Spirit-binding, shadow-walking, blood magic, and the power to command the unseen.

✔ Spirit Tongue: The dead whisper to him, and he whispers back. He can summon, command, and bargain with spirits.

✔ Cursed Veil: His very presence warps reality—his words can hex, his touch can bless or ruin.

☾ Fighting Style – The Dance of Chaos ☾

Saint does not fight. He dances, each movement a step in a grand cosmic waltz. His celestial ribbons and spiritual silks are extensions of his will, wrapping, slicing, and weaving reality itself into his chaotic masterpiece.

Witch-Weaving - "The Serpent’s Waltz"

His celestial ribbons and silks are not mere fabric—they are living entities, slithering and writhing like serpents of chaos.

They coil, strike, and entangle enemies, binding them in an unbreakable weave of destruction.

His spiritual silks can phase through reality, passing through armor and flesh alike, unraveling his foes thread by thread.

Witch Time - "Fractured Mirage"

When triggered, time does not simply slow—it shatters into sand and stardust, creating afterimages of Saint that persist for several moments, each one continuing the dance of chaos.

His ribbons ripple through frozen time, moving even when the world stands still.

Summon - "Apophis, the Endless Coil"

His Infernal Demon is Apophis, the primordial serpent of the void, composed of coiling nebulae and shifting sands.

Apophis manifests from the threads of Saint’s spiritual silks, unraveling from his attire until it takes shape as an immense, coiling leviathan of destruction.

It does not bite—it devours reality itself, unraveling enemies into cosmic nothingness with a single touch.

Signature Attack - "Thread of the Unmaker"

Saint extends a single strand of celestial silk, a thin golden-red ribbon of unraveling chaos.

As he dances, the thread weaves through the battlefield, cutting through space itself and rewriting existence wherever it moves.

When he snaps it tight, everything entangled in the weave is severed from reality—whether flesh, magic, or fate itself.

☾ Some Witch Lore ☾

Saint is chaos incarnate, given grace and elegance, a being who does not conform to fate but weaves it into his own design. He is a creature of fluidity, power, and endless motion, embodying the serpent’s wisdom and the storm’s fury.

The Umbra Witches view him as an anomaly, for his magic does not adhere to their structured spells—it is unbound, a raw force of change and destruction.

The Lumen Sages call him a heretic, for his power does not serve light or darkness, but rather the endless dance of creation and entropy.

Some whisper that he is the lost thread of a forgotten god, a being whose very existence defies the cosmic order.

He does not fight for good or evil—he fights for freedom, for the right to exist on his own terms, for the simple pleasure of dancing through eternity, unshackled and eternal.

➤ PERSONALITY & MANNER

“Oh, darling, don’t struggle. The more you fight, the tighter my threads become. Now… let’s make you something beautiful, shall we?”

Saint is grace and destruction intertwined, a living paradox of serpentine charm, cosmic detachment, and a deep, simmering intensity. He does not simply exist—he weaves himself into reality, an enigma wrapped in silk and stardust. Saint is honey and venom, a charmer with a serpent’s patience, a witch who spins magic into every word. He plays the Southern Belle to perfection—slow-smiling, sweet-spoken, all warmth and whiskey—until he isn’t. Beneath the charm lies a sharpness honed by exile, a will forged in betrayal.

To the world, he is a lady, a trickster, a ghost of something grander. To those who know better, he is a storm on the horizon, a reckoning in velvet gloves. Saint does not seek revenge—that would be too simple. He seeks justice. He seeks what is his. And he never forgets a slight. and when he likes you, you know about it. he'll openly flirt and make very crude jokes.

☾ Core Traits ☾

➤ Serpentine Grace: Moves and speaks with slow, deliberate elegance, always in control. His presence is hypnotic—the eye of the storm, the whisper before the strike.

➤ Playfully Cruel: Enjoys unraveling people—physically, mentally, emotionally. He taunts and teases with a velvet tongue, savoring the tension before he decides their fate.

➤ Detached but Deeply Feeling: He pretends not to care, but beneath the celestial silk and chaos, there is something raw, something yearning.

➤ Refined but Wild: Every movement is a performance, but when his chaos truly surges, he shatters his own rhythm—a storm breaking free from its glass cage.

➤ Obsessed with Beauty: Not just physical beauty, but the beauty of destruction, of storms, of unraveling fate itself. To him, a collapsing star is as lovely as a waltz.

★ To His Enemies:

“Oh, sweetheart, you really thought you had a chance? How precious.”

➤ He doesn’t kill outright—he plays, watching his foes struggle, weaving them into his silks before slowly unraveling them.

➤ He leaves behind traces of his work—a golden thread through the heart, a whisper of silk where a body once stood.

➤ If they amuse him, he may spare them, just to see how long they can keep up before he finally ends their thread.

★ To His Allies:

“Tsk. I suppose I should save you. It would be such a shame to see that lovely form broken before I’m finished with you.”

➤ Acts aloof, but his silks always move first—blocking a blade, pulling someone to safety with a flick of his wrist.

➤ Hates admitting attachment, but his ribbons linger around those he favors, brushing their shoulders, keeping them close.

➤ Never outright says he cares. Instead, he adjusts a sleeve, fixes a strand of hair—a silent declaration of possession and protection.

★ To Those Who Intrigue Him:

“You, my dear, are a most fascinating thread. I wonder… should I weave you into something exquisite? Or should I pull, and watch you come undone?”

➤ Doesn’t just flirt—he ensnares, drawing them in with slow smiles and lingering touches.

➤ If someone pushes back, if they challenge him, his amusement shifts into something deeper, something hungry.

➤ Tests them relentlessly, seeing if they are worthy of being entwined in his chaos.

☾ What Drives Saint? ☾

Saint desires freedom, beauty, and meaning in the chaos. He wishes to never be bound, never be controlled—and yet, deep down, he wonders…

“If I let someone hold my thread, would they cherish it? Or would they cut it?”

He is forever dancing between control and surrender, between wielding chaos and wondering if anyone could ever hold him without breaking him. Saint is both silk and storm, both master and stray thread. He taunts fate, teases death, and waltzes on the edge of eternity—never looking back, never allowing himself to be caught… unless, of course, someone proves worthy enough to try.

☾ SAINT’S TAUNTS, QUIPS, & ENTRANCE / EXIT LINES ☾

(Now with that slow-dripping, honeyed Southern Belle drawl, we all love—lilting, intoxicating, and laced with venom or velvet, depending on his mood.)

☾ TAUNTS & BATTLE QUIPS ☾

Playful & Mocking (When he’s toying with an opponent)

- “Oh, sugar, are you even tryin’? It’s gettin’ downright pitiful.”

- “Bless your heart, but you ain’t got a lick o’ sense in that pretty lil’ head, do you?”

- “Mon chè, you swing like a drunkard at Mardi Gras. Let me show you how it’s done.”

- “Tsk, tsk. And here I thought you were supposed to be a challenge.”

- “Ain’t nothin’ sadder than a fool who don’t know when they’ve lost.”

- “Sha, you best pick up your pride off the floor before someone steps on it.”

Seductive & Taunting (For enemies he's interested in messing with)

- “Mmm, the way you struggle—it’s downright delicious.”

- “Mon trésor, you fight like you love me. Should I be flattered?”

- “All that fire, all that hate… tell me somethin’—is it hate, or is it hunger?”

- “Careful now, keep lookin’ at me like that and I might think you want somethin’.”

- “Go on, say my name like it’s a curse. I do love the way it sounds comin’ from your lips.”

- “Sha, you keep comin’ back for more. I’d say you like this.”

Cold & Lethal (When he’s done playing)

- “Kneel, and I might make it painless.”

- “Pa bat do. Don’t fight it, sha. Just let go.” (Don't struggle.)

- “Mwen bouke jwe. Time’s up, sugar.” (I'm tired of playing.)

- “You done dug your own grave, now be a dear and lie in it.”

- “All that arrogance, and for what? Look where it got you.”

- “Bless your heart. This ain’t personal—it’s just fate comin’ to collect.”

☾ ENTRANCE LINES ☾

✔ Grand & Theatrical (When making an entrance worthy of a queen)

- “Did someone summon divinity, or am I simply fashionably late?”

- “Now, now, y’all ain’t startin’ without me, are ya? That just wouldn’t be proper.”

- “Bonsoir, mes chéris. Now, which one of y’all is feelin’ brave tonight?”

- “Ooooh, what a lovely lil’ mess we got here. Mind if I stir the pot?”

✔ Menacing & Unnerving (For enemies who should be afraid)

- “Now, now… no need for all that tremblin’. I ain’t even started yet.”

- “Ti chouchou, you best start prayin’.” (Little darling, you better start praying.)

- “What’s wrong, mon cœur? Surely you knew I’d be comin’ for you.”

- “Mmm, the fear on your face is jus’ exquisite.”

☾ EXIT LINES ☾

✔ Victorious & Smug

- “Well, that was a waste of my time. Do try harder next time, sugar.”

- “Run along now, sha, and lick your wounds. If you can still move.”

- “Shame. I was hopin’ for some fun.”

- “Mwen ale. Try not to miss me too much.” (I'm gone.)

✔ Mocking & Playful (For enemies who barely survived him)

- “Bless your heart. You really thought you had me there, huh?”

- “Go on, catch your breath. Lord knows you need it.”

- “Next time, try beggin’. I might just listen.”

- “Don’t go dyin’ just yet, sugar—I ain’t done playin’ with you.”

[xmunsn]

get to know your mutuals

thank you to my creature queens @strang3lov3 and @cum-a-calla for the tags 🖤🖤🖤

whats the origin of your blog title my og url was eddiemunsn and i was primarily a stranger things blog, but then i revisited my x-men phase and started rb’ing more multi fandom stuff so i changed it to xmunsn recently

what’s your favorite fandom boy howdy…i don’t have a favorite fandom because honestly they’ve all been mostly poo poo in one way or another. however, the fandom i’ve found is the easiest to be apart of is the culkin babes. the little bubble i have wandered into is very nice 😊

otp(s)/shipname me x eddie munson, shipname is idiots

favorite color purple, but not the super pinky purples. i like a nice lavender, an amethyst can be nice depending on the undertones :<

favorite game dragon age origins forever baby. baldurs gate 3 and animal crossing are special mentions. plus the 1200+ hours i have put into star wars: the old republic 😎

what song is stuck in your head ‘witching hour’ by venom. the “hells breaking loose” at 1:51 specifically

what is your weirdest habit/trait i talk weird and the way i text/type is a grammatical nightmare (sorry ashleigh fuck you)

what are your hobbies crocheting, beading, smoking a lot of weed. i used to be really good with pottery but i haven’t done it in years :-\

what is your profession being sad, stoned, and horny in my backyard

if you could have any job which would it be i want to open up a coffee shop and have it be a little queer commie community hang out spot with free literature and resources and all that good shit. if i made sufficient money from it i’d build myself a pottery studio at home so i could bring even a semblance of warmth to my cold black heart

what is something you’re good at baking ;>

what is something you’re bad at cooking :’<

what is something you love my cats ! one of them is dead tho 🤡

what is something you could talk about for hours off the cuff star wars. specifically the clone wars era….don’t look at me (@artooine)

what is something you hate fascists

what is something you collect little figurines! like those tiny critters you get in the miniatures section at craft stores

something you forget EVERYTHING

what’s your love language insulting you, then sharing my food with you. or in @l-adynesta ‘s case, beating her ass at 8ball and calling her a slur 🤭 and then i send her a stevie pic 🖤

favorite movie/show always sunny, and god dammit i love little nicky. i was obsessed with that movie when i was just out of diapers, i liked the dude with the tits on his head

favorite food i bounce between panang curry w soft tofu and chicken shawarma w greek fries

favorite animal bears :3

are you musical i can hit notes but that doesn’t mean it sounds good all the time. i always wanted to play an instrument but i have horrible rhythm

favorite subject at school art and english

least favorite subject at school math, except freshman year when i had a teacher who actually knew how to teach it

best character trait i’m would like to think i have some good advice and a top of the line bullshit detector

worst character trait i’m a temperamental cat. life would be easier (for everyone around me) if i had ears and a tail so ppl could get some sorta warning before i bite. also my autistic sense of justice is incredibly inconvenient when i live with a raging bigot

if you could change any detail about your day today what would it be i wouldn’t’ve played fucking skip-bo i hate that stupid fucking game fuck skip-bo

if you could travel in time who would you like to meet hmm….i think george michael would be fun

recommend one of your favorite fanfics (spread the love) dragons lair by @glassbxttless has me in a chokehold 😩

and a small list of honorable mentions : @superhoeva @saradika @sweetpeapod (my beloved friend who has written me so many things i love you) and of course the beautiful ghouls of the @cum-a-calla and @strang3lov3 who are incredibly talented and make me feel funny and provide a safe space for less……’conventional’ kinks ;-3

no pressure tags @superhoeva @sweetpeapod @l-adynesta (loser)

[ofmermaidstories]

i’ve gotten back into playing my switch with a lethal combo of stardew valley/animal crossing: new horizons again and i must admit… i’m digging my nails into my palms to stop myself from starting a stardew valley AU lmao. and like! in the past i’ve threatened to do a new horizons AU, but that’s specifically because I like the whimsy of the setup—moving to a new location that is it’s own little world, independent of any outside influence, where all your relationships come from your neighbours. a tiny little idealistic land for you and you alone, that’s filled with strange and wonderful things (the ghoul in the sewers, for stardew. the ghost that wanders around your island at night, for new horizons. there’s falling stars and mermaid shows and sly little salesmen who sell stolen art and things you can build for yourself, or trade for with pearls or batwings or seashells). i just!!! isn’t that the appeal of both of these games? that you don’t have to sit at a computer (ironically) day after day, or scrub out the walk-in freezer that hasn’t malfunctioned and is now defrosting, or serve assholes that last used their manners when their mothers still wiped their mouths after eating. instead you do things like… shake trees for fruit. grow flowers. grow vegetables. chop trees for wood, dig up stones. you get some cows for milk. you craft things and sell them. you catch bugs. you go down into the mines where you’re startled by walking skeletons or little slimes. sometimes you still deal with assholes, i guess—but they grow to love you. you banish the Big Bad Supermarket from town. You buy weird one-off items from the only store-keepers on the island. there are night markets and open-air concerts and celebrations of a new community centre, a new bridge.

i’ve been merging the sdv/ac:nh examples because at the heart of it, what i think i want out of a AU like this is the escapism of being uprooted, and settling down somewhere enclosed, that has everything—and everyone—you need. sunshine and rain and lightning and the ocean, snow, green things and smooth wood underneath your hands and the tiny threat of something darker (a witch’s hut where you can turn children into doves, abandoned mines full of monsters, mossy skeletons abandoned amid patches of flowers)—but ultimately, the promise of magic. just beyond the farm’s fences. washing up on the shore in the blue-green dawn. hidden in a wizard’s tower on the outskirts of town. flitting about and waiting for the only person who can see it: you, you, you.