#Event canopy structures

[eventdisplay]

Unveiling the Versatility of Star Tents, Star Shades & Domes in Australia with Event Display

Looking to elevate your outdoor events in Australia? Look no further than Event Display's range of Star Tents, Star Shades, and Domes! These innovative structures offer not only shelter but also style, making them perfect for a wide array of occasions. Let's dive into the world of outdoor event solutions and discover why these offerings from Event Display stand out:

Star Tents:

Transform your event space with the unique silhouette of Star Tents. These structures feature striking designs resembling stars, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to any outdoor setting.

Available in various sizes and configurations, Star Tents can accommodate small gatherings or large-scale events with ease.

Constructed with durable materials, these tents offer protection against sun, rain, and wind, ensuring that your guests remain comfortable throughout the event.

Star Shades:

Add flair to your outdoor festivities with Star Shades from Event Display. These eye-catching canopy structures provide ample shade while creating a visually stunning focal point.

Whether you're hosting a wedding, festival, or corporate event, Star Shades offer versatility and charm that will leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Easy to set up and dismantle, these shades are perfect for events where time is of the essence. Plus, their modular design allows for customization to suit your specific needs.

Domes:

For a modern and sleek look, consider incorporating Domes into your event setup. These geodesic structures offer a contemporary aesthetic while providing a spacious and airy environment.

Ideal for art installations, product showcases, or immersive experiences, Domes offer endless possibilities for creative expression.

With their sturdy construction and weather-resistant features, Domes are suitable for year-round use, allowing you to host memorable events regardless of the season.

Customization Options:

At Event Display, we understand that every event is unique. That's why we offer customization options for our Star Tents, Star Shades, and Domes, allowing you to tailor the design and branding to align with your vision.

From custom printing to lighting and accessories, our team will work closely with you to bring your ideas to life and create a truly unforgettable experience for your guests.

Exceptional Quality and Service:

With Event Display, you can trust that you're receiving top-notch quality and service. Our products are built to last and undergo rigorous testing to ensure durability and safety.

From initial consultation to installation and beyond, our team is committed to providing you with a seamless experience and unparalleled support every step of the way.

Elevate your outdoor events in Australia with Event Display's Star Tents, Star Shades, and Domes. Contact us today to learn more about our offerings and how we can help you create an unforgettable experience for your guests.

For More Information

Website : https://www.eventdisplay.com.au/printed-marquees/custom-printed-star-tents

Email ID : info@eventdisplay.com.au

Phone Number : 02 6555 5030

[reasonsforhope]

"A recent World Meteorological Organization report called heat waves the “deadliest meteorological hazard” from 2015 to 2019, affecting people living on all continents, and setting new national heat records in many regions.

‍Canada’s top weather event in 2021 was British Columbia’s record-breaking heat, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada. The temperature in Lytton, B.C., hit 49.6 C on June 29. The following day a wildfire destroyed 90 per cent of the town, killing two people and displacing 1,200 others.

Heat waves also exacerbate existing health issues, including cardiovascular and respiratory disease. They’re associated with increased hospital admissions, psychological stress and aggressive behavior, as well as excess mortality.

During heat waves, the highest temperatures are often found in urbanized areas. Urbanization is almost always associated with an increase in paved, impervious areas, and often a decrease in greenery. Concrete and asphalt roads, and other built materials readily absorb, store and release heat, raising city temperatures, a phenomenon called the urban heat island.

Many studies have shown that urban forests can reduce the urban heat island, and many policies focus their attention on large green spaces.

Small green spaces, such as yards, rooftops and small parcels of undeveloped land, can make impressive contributions to lowering urban heat, but they are often overlooked when developing strategies for urban cooling.

The effect of small green spaces

Cities rarely have the opportunity to add large green spaces to help counter the effects of heatwaves. Smaller vegetated spaces, however, can still meaningfully decrease local land temperatures.

Small green spaces, such as yards, rooftops and small parcels of undeveloped land, can make impressive contributions to lowering urban heat, but they are often overlooked when developing strategies for urban cooling.

A recent study in Adelaide, Australia, found that tree canopy cover and, to a lesser extent, grass cover decreased local daytime surface temperatures by up to 6 C during extreme summer heat conditions. Further inland, suburban yards and gardens can decrease local surface temperatures up to 5 C.

At a quite small scale, on the order of tens of square metres, trees reduced daytime surface temperatures twice as much as grass cover. But grass and other small, low-lying plants, grow relatively quickly, compared to trees.

Cities should adopt short-term and long-term strategies to respond to extreme heat, including the replacement of paved and impervious surfaces with grasses and turf, and increasing tree plantings to boost canopy coverage.

Amplifying the cooling effect

Furthermore, when managing small green spaces, city planners and foresters can select tree species based on their ability to cool the environment. Green spaces with a high diversity of tree species have a greater cooling effect in spring, summer and fall. They also have a larger maximum drop in temperature in the summer, compared to spaces that are less diverse.

For example, tree canopies with large leaves and high transpiration rates — the evaporation of water from plants occurring at the leaves — could provide more cooling.

Planting a variety of species, of different heights, can have a larger cooling effect than tall trees alone.

The structure of green space may also influence its cooling efficiency. In summer, a plant community with multiple layers of trees, shrubs and herbs can further decrease air temperature by 1 C on a sunny day and 0.5 C on a cloudy day, compared with an area only dominated by tall trees...

But overall, trees usually have a stronger effect on cooling than grass. Planting trees in groups, not individually or in lines, is recommended for regulating the microclimate (local climate conditions near the Earth’s surface).

Small green spaces can offer a lot of summer cooling in cities. And cities can learn to manage the configuration of small green spaces better to get more cooling benefits and minimize the trade-offs."

-via GoodGoodGood, July 4, 2024

[moonpile]

ESO Update 47 PTS: Furnishings

I always find lists with static images and searchable text helpful, so I made one! Early PTS; some info here may be incorrect or incomplete. If you know of a correction please comment. Apologies for any weird groupings; Tumblr only allows 30 images per post.

Sources in patch notes.

For video, Futerko is on it of course! –

Achievement Furnishings:

Sources, via patch notes & confirmed in game:

2 new achievement furnishings that can be purchased from the Undaunted Quartermasters, after completing the “Black Gem Foundry Vanquisher” and “Naj-Caldeesh Vanquisher” achievements. (Coldharbour Archway, Grand + Naj-Caldeesh Drawbridge, Stone)

2 achievement furnishings that can be purchased from Sabione Adrard in Sunport. (Stirk Fellowship Command Tent & Worm Cult Crystal Pylon)

Craftable from writ vendor:

7 new Master Writ furnishings, which can be purchased from Rolis Hlaalu. (2 of these images are to show the Stone-Nest Fountain, Triple Spout (video) front and back.)

Item names:

"Tide-Born Hut, Elevated" "Vossa-Satl, Display" "Meridian Bell, Temple" "Fruit Arrangement, Tide-Born"

More below...

Home Goods:

5 new home goods furnishings can be purchased from “Mahei-Jekka” in Skingrad’s “Stalwart Hearthgoods” shop.

1 new home goods furnishing can be purchased from “Masela” in Western Skyrim’s “Dragon’s Hearth” shop.

Item names:

"Tree, Hooked Dawnwood" "Tree, Braided Dawnwood" "Colovian Well, Overgrown Dawnwood" "Colovian Well, Destroyed Dawnwood" "Tree, Giant Dawnwood Canopy" "Solitude Fence, Stick Curved"

Here are the West Weald ones with prices:

Craftable Tide-Born:

Most likely source, via patch notes:

26 new structural furnishing plans, which can be acquired via the Solstice Reward Coffer, obtainable by completing the Solstice World Boss, or Delve Daily Quests.

Item names:

"Tide-Born Platform, Square" "Tide-Born Platform, Corner" "Tide-Born Support, Walkway" "Tide-Born Archway, Tall" "Tide-Born Walkway, Curved" "Tide-Born Walkway, Long" "Tide-Born Walkway, Short" "Tide-Born Railing, Short" "Tide-Born Railing, Long" "Tide-Born Post, Wooden" "Tide-Born Gate, Boma" "Tide-Born Wall, Curved Boma" "Tide-Born Wall, Boma" "Tide-Born Gateway, Boma" "Tide-Born Wall, Lattice" "Tide-Born Wall, Lattice Segment" "Tide-Born Porch, Overhang" "Tide-Born Wall, Woven"

Craftable Sunport:

Most likely source, via patch notes:

26 new structural furnishing plans, which can be acquired via the Solstice Reward Coffer, obtainable by completing the Solstice World Boss, or Delve Daily Quests.

Item names:

"Sunport Wall, Interior" "Sunport Doorway, Interior" "Sunport Column, Interior" "Sunport Window, Dual-Arched" "Sunport Door, Wooden" "Sunport Trapdoor, Wooden" "Sunport Floor, Dual-Sided"

Worm Cult:

Most likely source, via patch notes:

11 can be earned from reward coffers during the Battle for the Writhing Wall event.

6 new furnishings are being dropped during the Battle for the Writhing Wall and in a future update recipes will be made available to craft duplicates.

Craftable Meridian Lenses:

Most likely source, via patch notes:

11 can be earned from reward coffers during the Battle for the Writhing Wall event.

Item names:

Meridian Lens Meridian Lens Apparatus

Stirk Fellowship / Soldier:

Most likely sources, via patch notes:

11 can be earned from reward coffers during the Battle for the Writhing Wall event.

6 new furnishings are being dropped during the Battle for the Writhing Wall and in a future update recipes will be made available to craft duplicates.

Art supplies, bird houses, tools:

Most likely sources, via patch notes:

8 new art and bird themed recipes can be obtained from monsters, containers, and more across Tamriel.

(Unsure of the sources of the Breton Spyglass & Puddle, Wax)

Item names:

Paint palette, wooden Paintbrush, Angled Paintbrush, Detail Paintbrush, Wide "Birdhouse, Cylindrical Mounted" "Birdhouse, Hanging" "Birdhouse, Post" "Bird Feeder, Post"

[definitelynotafurinasimp]

Good time of day. I would like to make a request about Navia and share an umbrella

Sharing an umbrella with Navia

Characters: Navia x gn!reader

warnings: none, just fluff

a/n: This post is part of my 1500 Follower event, if you want to read more or want to request a prompt yourself, you can find it here.

If I got some of her personality wrong, I'm sorry, I'm still trying to get a good feel for the Fontaine characters.

Anyway, hope you enjoy!

Navia

The moment you stepped outside of the Cafe, you were instantly greeted by the downpouring rain, strong enough for you to get completely drenched in but a moment's notice, the last thing separating you from the sky, the buildings canopy, a structure that you were glad existed. 

You wished for nothing more than to just turn around and return to your comfortable seat in the cafe, yet you knew better than to keep your roommate waiting any longer. As while they loved to sarcastically joke about all the room they’d have for themselves once you were gone, they were the first to get worried about you, especially during such a storm.

However, just as you were about to step out of your cover, fully accepting your fate while praying that you wouldn’t fall sick in the next couple of days, a familiar voice called out to you, stopping you in your tracks. When you turned towards its source, you were greeted by the sight of Navia hurriedly running towards you, her umbrella protecting her from getting completely soaked, although there was only so much it could cover.

When she finally arrived in front of you, obviously out of breath from running while trying her best to cover her exhaustion with a smile, Navia struck a casual pose before finally speaking up. “Hey partner, looks like you forgot your umbrella. Want to share one?”

And while she didn’t have to ask you a second time, you agreeing almost immediately before taking your place under her umbrella, it didn’t take long for your conversation to die down, silence engulfing the both of you until the only sounds your ears processed were the sounds of the rain hitting the ground and your ever louder growing heartbeat.

Latter of which only grew louder when you felt Navia squeezing closer towards you, causing your head to snap in her direction, only to be greeted by her smile. “The Umbrella isn’t exactly big enough for two people, so we’ll have to stick a bit closer, nothing wrong with that right?” Her explanation made sense, although you couldn’t help but notice how she seemed to have more than enough space for herself already, neither of your shoulders wet in the slightest.

When Navia noticed you stare however, her smile turned a little more mischievous. “What’s wrong? Scared I’ll bite? And here I was thinking we knew each other long enough for you to trust me”, she joked, only for you to suddenly stop in your tracks, causing her to quickly follow suit before turning towards you.

“I was only joking, if you’re uncomfortable with me being so close, I can-”, Navia spoke in a hurry, only to cut herself off when she followed your gaze, suddenly realizing what you were worried about. 

You had mentioned how the drain on your street needed to be repaired, but even then she hadn’t expected to see the water rise up to a point until it was high enough to go up to her ankles.

“Thanks for sharing your umbrella with me until now, I would have been completely soaked if it weren’t for you, but I can make this last stretch on my own”, you thanked her with the brightest smile you could muster, not wanting her clothes to get unnecessarily dirty, before once again looking at the entrance to your apartment and taking a deep breath in preparation for the dash you were about to make, only to once again be stopped by Navia in the last moment.

“I don’t mind getting dirty if it means I can help you, but considering I doubt I’d be able to convince you to let me accompany you, the least I can do is give you this”, the blonde spoke after letting out a sigh, handing you a second, folded, umbrella.

“You never mentioned you had two umbrellas with you”, you plainly stated, only for Navia to shrug her shoulders.

“You never asked. So I thought I might as well have a little fun”, she responded with a smile speaking up once more after seeing you open the umbrella. 

“Oh, and no running. You have an umbrella so there’s no need to hurry. I don’t want to hear you slipped on the wet floor, understood?”

[reverieshifts]

𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒕 𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍

𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒅𝒊𝒂 𝒅𝒓

𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒆: Late autumn, during the first full moon after the leaves have fully turned

𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆: The wild hunt festival is a night of unleashed spirit, playful chaos, and primal revelry, celebrating the untamed, ancient magic that flows through the fae. It honors the legendary Wild Hunt, a mythical event where fae hunters, spirits, and beasts race across the skies and forests, led by a mysterious spectral rider.

This festival is a night of freedom, where the fae cast aside their refined elegance and embrace their wild, mischievous nature.

𝒂𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒄

𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒕

Ancient fae tales tell of the Wild Hunt, a spectral procession of ghostly riders, fae warriors, and enchanted beasts, galloping across the land under a moonlit sky. Some say it is led by a lost fae king searching for his queen, while others whisper that the Huntmaster is a being beyond time, choosing worthy souls to join the eternal hunt.

It is believed that on this night, the veil between the mortal world and the wild unknown is thinnest, allowing the magic of the hunt to seep into Elodia.

𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒓𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒆𝒇

Unlike the elegant, structured festivals of Elodia, the wild hunt festival is a night of uninhibited joy, challenge, and playful mischief.

𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒈𝒖𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒔

Fae don elaborate masks of beasts and fae creatures to embody their wilder selves.

Some wear glowing paint or enchanted cloaks, making them appear otherworldly and unrecognizable.

It is customary not to reveal one’s identity until dawn, adding an air of mystery.

𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒕 (𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆)

The highlight of the night is the grand night race, where fae split into hunters and the hunted.

The hunted—often the bravest or most daring—are given a head start into the wild forests, while the hunters chase them on foot or wing.

The goal isn’t to harm but to tag or capture in a playful competition.

Though one might think that winged fae could simply fly away, it is actually safer to stay under the dense tree cover, as aerial hunters circle above, waiting to snatch any prey that breaks free of the canopy.

The one who eludes capture the longest is declared "The Trickster", while the most skilled hunter is named "The Huntmaster" for the night.

𝒇𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒔

A grand outdoor banquet takes place around massive bonfires.

Foods are roasted over open flames, drinks are spiced and strong, and the music is wild and fast-paced, urging all to dance.

It is said that to eat and drink during the hunt strengthens one’s connection to the primal fae magic.

𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕

Daring contests take place—archery, aerial duels, illusion duels, and tests of speed.

Trickery is not only allowed but encouraged—clever deception is seen as a sign of true fae cunning.

𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒍𝒂𝒎𝒆

At midnight, masked dancers perform around the bonfires in a hypnotic display of magic and movement, representing the wild hunt’s eternal ride.

Illusions and enchantments make the shadows shift and blur, as if spirits truly dance among them.

𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒕

As dawn approaches, the revelry quiets, and the final ritual begins.

The elders and seers of Elodia call upon the ancient spirits of the Hunt to bless the land.

Those who wish for strength, courage, or adventure step forward and receive a mark of fae magic upon their palms, a blessing said to bring luck in future endeavors.

The festival ends as the first light of morning breaks, and the masks are removed, revealing who was who all along—a final moment of laughter before returning to daily life.

𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒇𝒔

Those who hear the true Wild Hunt—not just the festival’s imitation—must not follow, lest they be taken into the eternal ride.

Finding an untouched white stag’s antler during the festival is a sign of great fortune, as the white stag is said to guide the Huntmaster himself.

Some say that on this night, even the most civilized fae may feel the call of their wilder nature, and it is best not to resist it.

𝒂 𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍 𝒖𝒏𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓

The wild hunt festival is a time to shed constraints, embrace the primal call of the fae, and celebrate the raw magic that runs through Elodia. It is a festival of challenge, mischief, and exhilaration, a night where rules blur, spirits roam, and the hunt rides once more.

𝒆𝒙𝒕𝒓𝒂

Ok, so this is a bit of a shorter post, and I know I said I wanted to talk about the day of radiance first, but at the same time this is one of my favorites of the fae festivals. Not to experience (that would probably be the day of radiance), but to write about. But this would also be really fun to experience too. But I'd probably have to deal with Soren being insufferably cocky during it because this festival is literally him. Full of trickery and sort of feral.

@lalalian

[fiftysevenacademics]

The Getty Villa, the museum built by oil tycoon J. Paul Getty and home to thousands of priceless antiquities, activated its emergency operations center in response to the fast-moving Palisades fire at 10:40 a.m. Tuesday. At 11:44 a.m., fire could be seen over the ridge, less than one mile away. By 12:27, flames had reached the property.

Fast-moving, wildly unpredictable and catastrophic in the damage it caused along a vast swath of prime coastline, the Palisades fire ultimately spared the Villa and its more than 44,000 objects, including many Roman, Greek and Etruscan relics dating from 6500 BC to AD 400.

J. Paul Getty Trust President and Chief Executive Katherine E. Fleming described for The Times the scene on the ground and how she and her staff worked from a conference center-turned-war room at the Getty Center in Brentwood, about 10 miles away — all while 16 staff members remained at the Villa to implement emergency protocols.

“We did get lucky in some ways, and people were rushing around,” Fleming said in an interview Wednesday evening after the most immediate danger had passed. “But there were also a lot of people who were really thoughtful about this over a long period of time, and I think that clearly paid off for us.”

Extensive brush-clearing over the last year, Fleming said, had been completed with the knowledge that fire is a way of life in Los Angeles, and that the region’s frequent periods of drought made a massively destructive fire inevitable. The museum had already pruned landscaping that might catch fire and made sure tree canopies were high off the ground. Low-lying brush had been significantly thinned. The grounds were irrigated Tuesday morning.

Fleming offered a riveting play-by-play of the day’s events. The staff members who remained at the Villa worked in emergency response, facilities, security and communications — each highly trained in emergency preparations. When the fire broke out, the biggest concern was protecting the collections from the damaging effects of smoke. The double-walled construction of the galleries provided significant protection, and at 10:45 a.m., the dampers — small valves that regulate airflow in a building’s HVAC system — were turned off, as was the air conditioning. The staff still smelled smoke, so the museum doors were sealed at 11:04 a.m. The smoke became overwhelming by 11:15, and at 11:20 the staff was sent an email alerting them that the Villa was closing.

About 20 minutes later, security swept the grounds to make sure only emergency staff was on site. Heat from the fire caused several cameras to fail to reboot. Ten minutes later, an aerial fire crew dropped water over the Villa’s ranch house, which Fleming said is at the perimeter of the property and most vulnerable to fire. (The ranch house was J. Paul Getty’s original residence and was not built with the same fire-resistant construction as the Villa.)

Fleming noted that communication between the two sites was difficult. Villa employees’ radios stopped transmitting when they were more than 100 feet away from one another. That meant staff in the Getty command center in Brentwood — about 15 people in total, sitting at a large conference table — had to relay pertinent information to each staffer at the Villa.

“We have cameras on pretty much every single conceivable part of the Villa property that you can zoom in with great specificity,” Fleming said. “There were instances where we would know something and have to relay it back to someone at the Villa.”

Over the course of the day and night, Fleming said, “we had all kinds of live video feed coming to us up at the Getty Center from the Villa.” When accumulating ash prevented the water from draining in the parking structure, a staff member was deployed to clear it.

At around 2:40 p.m., Fleming said, the perimeter wall behind the restaurant was in flames. Then, at close to 3:15 p.m., bushes directly above the outdoor classical theater caught fire. This was probably Fleming’s biggest moment of panic during the whole ordeal, she said, adding that it was “a total red herring.”

The fire came from a plant bed filled with rosemary.

“And lo and behold, just like if you sprinkle a bunch of rosemary on a pizza and put it under the broiler and it crackles and sparkles, and then very rapidly goes out,” Fleming said. “That happens ... and for someone like me, who doesn’t know a lot about how fires work, it looked really bright and fiery for a few moments.”

The wall flames died down on their own, but at 3:59 p.m., fire erupted at the museum’s pedestrian gate. Getty security put out the blaze with fire extinguishers in just six minutes. The Palisades fire grew large enough for staff at the Getty Center in Brentwood to see the flames by 5 p.m. At 6 p.m., museum officials made the decision to close that campus to help alleviate traffic in the area.

People on social media and news sites may have seen images of flames whipping next to a structure by the Getty Villa sign on Pacific Coast Highway. That structure was not the museum but rather Villa de Leon, a 35-room Italian Revival mansion that’s not affiliated with the museum.

Villa teams continued to monitor the fire threat throughout the night, and for now the Villa appears to be safe.

“A lot of what there was to burn has burned. The rosemary is gone. The low-level vegetation is gone,” said Fleming, who added that she was too superstitious to say the danger had completely passed.

[radiantmorningstar]

Blueholme 2: Laran's Tale - A Tragic Realization

Sessions:

18 July 25 / 18th Day in the Month of Fire, Year of the Crocodile 249, Allansian Reckoning

DM Note:

I’m always refining my solo record keeping. Lately, I’ve been working with a journaling game, A Visit to San Sibilia, which comes very close to writing a short story. I enjoy this approach to solo gaming; however, for my OSR sandbox campaign, I’ve decided to adopt Alfred Valley’s quasi-screenplay model, The Valley Standard, with bracketed endnotes. This makes my recording more precise but slows the game down. Still, because I am playing solo, I can take all the time I want.

I have also narrowed the range of randomizers and supplements to Perplexing Ruins’ excellent “Single Sheet” hexcrawl and dungeoncrawl systems (find these for free on Itch.io), Brine’s Hexcrawls Rule! for daily procedures and hex navigation, and a few other reference works.

See the previous episode for additional links to resources. Trey: Solo Roleplaying is my preferred DM emulator. It is comparable to Mythic GME but uses a “story token” mechanic to give plot structure to a game. I highly recommend it.

Primary Rule Set:

Blueholme Journeymanne Rules.

Randomizers / Oracles:

Trey: Solo Roleplaying.

Additional Resources:

Single Sheet Overland White Box (Perplexing Ruins)

Single Sheet Dungeon (Perplexing Ruins)

Hexcrawls Rule! (Brine)

Hexcrawl Horrors (Tom Brown / Lone Horizons)

Basic Fantasy (various resources)

The Titan Herbal (Andrew Wright).

The Story So Far:

Laran (Thief-Mage,* L2, Lawful Good) has left the village of Og to retrieve his missing friend, Vert, in the Black Marsh. As a secondary objective, he is searching for the rumored treasures of the lost Temple of Throff, said to be on an uncharted rise in the marsh that the old folks called Gonglong Hill. Laran has been wandering in the marsh for three days. He got lost twice, fought a giant centipede, and narrowly eluded a patrol of goblin throat-slitters. Exhausted, he slowly began to realize that he was not equal to this task.

Scene 5: Black Marsh (Laran):

(Story Tokens: 2 of 25)

After spending the night in the high branches of a tok-tok tree [1], Laran climbed down carefully, did a blood check (so far, so good), ate some provisions, and set out in the direction he thought he’d been traveling before he spotted the goblin patrol.

— Navigation Roll: proceed one sextant right of intended direction, into Hex 1007 (Black Marsh).

— Weather: unusually high humidity.

The morning gloom was scarcely brighter than night and visibility was low, given the warm mist that bubbled up from the ground. Laran often found himself wading through up to three feet of brackish water. And he could hear the buzzing of insects and the occasional hiss of the ubiquitous thorny frogs and tree dragons that made the Black Marsh their home.

Scene 6: Black Marsh (Laran):

(Story Tokens: 4 of 25)

— Exploration Roll, 1d6: 1, nothing. [2]

— Trey Roll: Does Laran notice anything noteworthy?, 1d6 / 1d8 / 1d10: 6 / 6 / 9, yes, he notices a significant piece of information. Since I rolled doubles, I receive +2 Story Tokens. Plus, I must now roll a Normal Unexpected Event, 1d6 / 1d8 / 1d10: 6 / 1 / 3, outcome is negative, delayed, Laran is affected.

The first watch of the day was uneventful. But, after trudging through the marsh for several hours, Laran noticed something floating on the surface of a black pond under a canopy of rotted willow trees: Vert’s thin woolen tunic, spattered with old blood.

It was unmistakably his, since the year before Vert had ripped the right sleeve working in Farmer Tobias’s barn and had to borrow a copper from Laran to persuade Old Gretch to mend it. The crone did a poor job, after all was said and done, opting to cut off the sleeve above the elbow and stitch the edge. Still, it was Vert’s only tunic and he would not have parted with it.

Laran felt overcome with grief, since everyone knew the goblins of the marsh were cruel headhunters who prized the taste of man and elf. He sat down on a gigantic whipwood root [3] and wept, realizing that he would never see his friend again.

— Points toward alignment change: 1 of 3. [4]

Scene 7: Black Marsh (Laran):

(Story Tokens: 4 of 25)

— Exploration Roll, 1d6: 1, nothing.

Thankfully, the second and third watches of the day brought no additional revelations. Emotionally drained, Laran began to look for a defensible spot to camp for the night.

— Trey Roll: Does Laran find a defensible spot to camp? (+1 for region wilderness lore), 1d6 / 1d8 / 1d10+1: 2 / 8 / 6, yes, he finds a good spot.

Laran spotted a large whipwood tree leaning at an angle over a black, steaming lake. The tree’s muscular roots gripped the bank like skeletal hands. So he tested the trunk and found it solid. It seemed like the most defensible place to spend the night. Unfortunately, Laran knew that if he wanted to sleep, he’d have to use his coiled rope ladder to tie himself amid the pale leaves.

He managed this and fell into a fitful sleep.

Notes:

* Rules for Blueholme combination classes can be found on page 10 of the Journeymanne edition. They are blissfully straightforward. Go OSR! Laran has thief skills in the sense that he has learned them through trying to survive as a villager of Og in a hostile wilderness. He doesn't rob people. He is, ironically, quite lawful, at least in this episode. [1] “This is an immense tree with broad, pale green leaves and lustrous dark brown wood” (The Titan Herbal 70). Commonly found in jungles and marshes of the region. [2] Single Sheet Overland White Box Exploration Table: (1-2) Nothing, (3) Spoor, (4-5) Discovery, (6) Danger. [3] “Tall, slender trees, with long thin dark green leaves” (The Titan Herbal 72). [4] House rule: three moments of extreme emotional stress in game session will trigger a Yes-No oracle roll as to whether the character should move one place on an alignment “axis.” In other words, a Lawful Good character may move to Neutral Good or Lawful Neutral. The axis will be determined contextually or randomly, according to common sense.

[dougdimmadodo]

Black Heron (Egretta ardesiaca)

Family: Heron Family (Ardeidae)

Least Concern: Least Concern

A relatively small species of heron with dark grey feathers and distinctive bright yellow feet, the Black Heron is found across much of Sub-Saharan Africa (reportedly being most common in the east of the continent, including in parts of Madagascar) and is best known for its unique and extremely odd-looking method of catching prey; like other herons Black Herons are carnivorous and feed on fish, frogs and aquatic invertebrates, but instead of relying solely on their excellent eyesight and fast reflexes to catch their prey members of this species form "canopies" by spreading their wings around their bodies to form dome-like structures, luring prey into what seems like a shaded, sheltered hiding place before quickly snatching them out of the water using their long, powerful beaks. Typically found near shallow lakes or streams but also sometimes seen in coastal environments, Black Herons are often seen travelling and feeding in small groups, and generally build their nests (which are large, sturdy platform-like structures typically suspended above water to make them harder for predators to access) alongside not only other members of their species but also other species of herons, ibises and cormorants. Black Herons breed during periods of prolonged rainy weather (with the feet of males turning bright red when they are receptive to mating,) and shortly afterwards females produce clutches of 2-4 white or pale blue eggs. Each female will defend her eggs fiercely, and while members of this species will not actively defend other females' eggs nesting in groups is thought to increase every individual egg's likelihood of surviving in the event of a predator attacking, as large colonies of aggressive mother herons are likely to intimidate all but the largest of egg-eaters.

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Image Source: Here

[kyleraynermybeloved]

Blanket Fort 🎄-Day One

Pairing: Kyle Rayner x GN!Reader Summary: What's the best way to spend a cold and tiring day? Building a blanket fort of course!. Warnings: Christmas mention but not focused, fluff. Word Count: 1,153 A/N: The first fic of the 25 Holiday Event is here!!! 25 Day Holiday Event Masterlist | Masterlist

The sound of the small space heater filled the air as you sat curled up on the couch with a book, bundled in blankets to fight off the cold air.

The furnace had broken days earlier, a call to the H-VAC company told you they wouldn’t be able to get anyone out until the end of the weekend, they were having some maintenance problems that had them closed for the week. So you had Kyle purchase some electric space heaters that rotated around the home to keep most areas warm.

The two of you found the living room stayed the warmest and had nestled up there every night. It was a good thing Kyle had talked you into purchasing the more expensive couch because it was definitely worth the money spent.

The front door opened with a chilling breeze, grabbing your attention as you watched Kyle shut it quickly behind him, face rosy and hair disheveled from the cold wind. You felt your cheeks heat up as he spotted you from the doorway, instantly giving you a loving smile, one that you returned after a moment to take in his appearance.

“Was your day alright?” You asked, setting down your book which was long forgotten.

“Yeah, it would have been better if I had brought more layers. The studio was colder than outside, I don’t even know how that was possible.” He shrugged off his coat that was almost soaked through from the slushy snow. The idea of having to traverse outside made you inwardly cringe, you knew he had to be freezing and uncomfortable.

“Why don’t you take a warm shower and I’ll put on a movie for us when you get out.” You suggested.

He kicked off his shoes by the entrance and walked to you, leaning over the couch to give you a kiss. “That sounds like a great idea, I won’t be too long then.”

You hummed happily as he walked towards the bedroom. Hearing the bathroom door close and the water turn on, you came up with an idea that would help him relax. That idea required lots and lots of blankets and pillows, you knew your large blanket collection would come in handy one day.

You walked to where you had stashed your blanket hoard and grabbed everything you needed, setting them on the couch. You stood with your hands on your hips, glancing around to figure out where it would be best to start.

It would make sense if the large couch was the main structure but you wondered if it would be better to use the floor and have the couch serve as extra back support instead. After a few more moments of contemplating you decided on abandoning your thoughts and began on setting up the fort.

If you couldn’t choose between the two, why not just do both? That way you’d have more space to use when you would start feeling too cramped in one area.

You didn’t hear Kyle come back to the living room when you were halfway done, freshly showered and bundled up in warm pajamas.

“Woah! This is incredible!” Kyle expressed in wonder, his hands found their way around your waist pulling you in a hug. You turned in his arms so you were facing him, tightening your own hold.

“You weren’t supposed to be out yet, it’s not done.” You said with a pout. He laughed before giving a peck on your nose.

“You’ve already done an impressive job, it looks amazing. But now that I’m here I can help.” Kyle replied.

The floor was covered with thick blankets, each strategically placed to provide more cushion. The pillows were arranged as a makeshift border surrounding the area; larger and thinner blankets had been used as the fort’s canopy.

“The only thing left to do is to bring more space heaters and get the thicker blankets and we’re all set.” You said with a nod. “Would you mind doing that while I change into my pajamas? I don’t want to be left out of the comfy train, not while you’re leading it.”

You felt more than heard the deep hearty chuckle Kyle let out. “Yeah, of course. Go change party pooper.”

By the time you changed and came back Kyle had turned off all the lights, save for the ones on the Christmas tree, and had chosen a movie to put on.

It was honestly a breathtaking sight to see. Kyle had been laid out on the couch, one arm positioned behind his head in support while the other lay over his midsection. The dim glow of the lights on the tree had painted Kyle in a radiant light that you swore rivaled that of one of the wonders of the world, it made your heart beat faster seeing him like this.

“Don’t you look comfortable.” You cleared your throat.

“I will be once you’re curled up next to me.” He moved farther back into the couch to give you room in front of him. You rolled your eyes in mock annoyance, smiling to yourself.

You crouched down to walk into the blanket fort, settling into the spot next to him. Kyle pulled one of the many blankets over the both of you, wrapping his free arm around you, pressing play on the movie.

The tv light brightened up the blanket fort around you, creating a soft atmosphere that made you drowsy. It felt like the world had been cut off and the only thing that existed was this little bubble you created.

“Thank you for this, I really needed it.” Kyle whispered. You would have missed it if he wasn’t right next to you.

“For you, anything.” You replied sleepily, it was getting harder to keep your eyes open. If it were even possible he pulled you closer against his chest, lazily tracing shapes on your arm. “Plus it beats sleeping in the cold, it’s doing a good job at keeping us warm.”

He let out a yawn, slumber calling to him as well. “I really hope we get the furnace fixed soon, otherwise I might just have to take things into my own hands.”

That would not end well. Kyle is not the best guy for maintenance, last time he tried to fix something it had been the stove, and the place nearly went up in flames.

“Kyle, I love you but there is no way I’m letting you touch that thing.” You said through your own yawn. You did not have to look at him to know he rolled his eyes, you could practically feel him doing it.

“Go to sleep you big meany,” He huffed out. “And I love you too.”

The two of you stayed like that, making comments on the movie that was nearly forgotten, wrapped up in each other's presence that was amplified in the small fort. Whispering until eventually sleep took hold.

[sotcwcrp]

SECRETS OF THE CLANS, JANUARY OPENING!

In celebration of our January 14th - January 28th opening, we're going to be highlighting each of the clans, to give you a better idea of what they're like / how different they are from the books!

Starting today, we have;

Shadowclan

ART CREDITS: carnationcarnivore on discord!

Stay low. Stay quiet. It’s the first thing our kits learn, cradled by thorn bushes and nursed by our whole Clan. Prick your ears, lower your stance until your belly-fur brushes the peaty soil, let the only movement be your tail-tip as you stalk your prey through grasping brambles. This is not the forest of your elders’ tales, little one.

To be your eyes into Shadowclan Territory, Seabreeze a Shadowclan Dayguard is here to interview some of her clanmates! Take it away Seabreeze!

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

“Alrighty, let’s get started then! How about you tell me a bit about ShadowClan’s territory? An overview would surely do, but feel free to go in detail!”

“It's quite the place! Very wet, full of plants, a textbook marsh you could say. A place you could really get lost in! There are other areas of course, the orchard and the glade, and a most definitely NOT haunted cabin!“ - Punchbuggy

From the lush sundew dotted fens to the shadowed highlands, Shadowclan’s territory is thick with plant life that creeps and ensnares those who pay no heed to the land. Flowers bloom within the gloom, thriving in spades along the shores of ponds, pools, and streams, which criss-cross the land and leave little fully dry. Tangled canopies and towering pines blot out the sky in quite a few places, creating the perfect conditions for a Nighhunter to track their prey in, shrouded by darkness (though one must account for any pools of water or muck, which the apprentices learn to traverse early). As for the Dayguards, who take a less furtive and more rough and tumble approach, the shining sun casts spaces such as the carrs and the abandoned Flood Camp in a golden glow. Aside from nature, Twoleg structures which have been long left to rot and be reclaimed by the ever crawling passage of time dot the landscape, providing both cover as well as intriguing spaces to explore. And hidden within one thicket, veiled by the dark on one half and dappled with light on the other, is Shadowclan’s camp. While it’s never quite as busy as the other Clans’, given opposing schedules of many Warriors, it’s still oft bustling with movement, music and dance, decorated with the art their Campminders create (both permanent and performance).

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

“Let’s dig a bit deeper, what do you think? How about your favourite spot in the territory? It could be because of an important life event or just because of its scenery, I just wanna know why!”

"Stargazer glade is my favorite place! The starlight dappling the clearing is breath-taking to witness. I feel closer to the stars there, too, and my patron. Even if I'm not a nighthunter anymore, I still enjoy staying up late to trace constellations and count the stars there." - Plovertumble

Once lost to time and to myth, the site of Stargazer Glade was rediscovered two cycles ago in the midst of a four Clan wide epidemic. Or rather, the purpose of it was rediscovered. The glade itself seems ordinary enough, an open clearing hidden away by thick shrubbery and pines with intermingled branches, walling the space away. The sky, however, remains unobscured above. The yawning abyss of sky can be intimidating during the day, particularly for those used to having their back to cover, but during the night the entire glade comes alive. It almost seems to glow, wildflowers and vines edged in silver, the grass soaked in light. The monument which stands at the far end of the field, alone and imposing, reflects it back into the center of the space. This is why it was named Stargazer Glade, by ancestors whose names have been reclaimed by the elements, but whose pawsteps the modern day Shadowclan walk into when they travel to this once nigh holy space. Cats often bring gifts of flowers or trinkets, words or performance, to offer to their patron or pantheon when they feel the need to commune with Starclan. It’s often a private thing, praying, though families typically share their preference in who to revere before Starclan as a whole.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

“In line with my last comment about memories, any favorites of those on the territory? Memories I mean!”

“I'm afraid this one's a bit trickier, I've got many good and bad ones, but a favorite? Oh dear... Maybe when I gave Chanterellefall his name? Most of my best memories take place with him, or Mimiclull, so it's a constant shifting battle over which is the favorite.” - Oleandersnare

The relationship between mentor and apprentice is one that is viewed as particularly important in both of their lives in Shadowclan, and one that will often last into adulthood once the apprentice graduates. This is in part due to the close-knit culture of the Clan; not only does the mentor impart new skills, but their own experiences. For those who join the Clan young rather than being born into it (which is certainly preferred, as those who join later in life are expected to prove themselves and their new loyalties), their mentors become a touchstone, and many even find themselves falling into a parental role. It's become a trend to cement this bond when an apprentice and mentor are first paired at a kit's graduation ceremony. Together, and typically with little planning, the pair will come up with an alternative to the nose-to-forehead gesture that is unique to them. This new gesture will go with them as they journey through life together, being performed in significant moments such as ceremonies as well as for comfort, if the need arises. Shadowclan's proclivity for theatrics has also lent a paw to this spur of the moment idea which has become ingrained into their culture.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

“I’m sure we both can say that we’re pretty misunderstood as a Clan. Anything you wanna say about ShadowClan’s culture that might not be known otherwise?”

“You've got us wrong. Whatever you think of us— you’re way off, guaranteed. We aren't cunning and sly as foxes who only come out at night. We aren't aggressive carrioneaters. We have law; we have culture. We have cats who patrol day and night, a sense of morality, festivities and drama brought on by our campminders. Most importantly, we're as tough as ever and work as one to get things done; we're like a family.” - Chanterellefall 

Like a family is quite the apt description. ShadowClan, while frequently misconstrued as deceptive cats who prowl at night and nip the tails of passerby cats, are actually quite the vibrant band. From singing and dancing to plays and art, any form of creativity you can imagine is celebrated and appreciated. During the brightest hours of day and the darkest hours of night, the territory is silent, punctuated only by hushed murmurs and the soft snores of sleeping cats. Within ShadowClan, the song of nature takes the form of a lullaby. When the sun rises and falls, only then does the Clan come alive, every mealtime a festivity to remember. Each member is one part of the whole, loved like blood no matter the cat, with strength enough to move mountains.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

“Alrighty, here’s a question that might be more interesting. Everybody’s got different views, but I’m looking for your views on the council. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone!”

“Ahh, how forward of you - oh, it was only a joke. I've seen my team through times so dark that it seemed dawn would never come, and we've come out unscathed from it with a deeper understanding of one another, I believe, and of what it means to serve our Clan. In fact, most of us have continued on a tradition that goes back a few generations, of taking on the naming style of the Forgotten after Noctule's Wing's joining which has continued since he stepped down. Our Leader and Deputy? Ah, Russetstar and Warblercall, they've a passion for keeping Shadowclan safe and their heads held high. I can assure you of that.” - Vivid Skies

The council of ShadowClan wake during dawn and dusk, contrary to your standard Dayguard and Nighthunter. They oversee the Clan during its busiest times, taking on many the responsibility. ShadowClan healers are tasked with the health and safety of their clanmates, taking good care of the sick and injured. Rest assured, in the paws of even the apprentices, you will be tended to diligently. While there has been much hardship in recent moons, the protection of the council has kept the whole of ShadowClan safe. Warblercall, though strict and proud with a traditional view of the code, is a powerful and reliable figure among the ShadowClan higher ups, having recently brought forth a new rank, dubbed Gloamwatchers. Similarly traditional, Russetstar has proven her dedication through moons of leadership. Together, the council works like a well oiled machine, regardless of whatever trials and tribulations the Clan has faced— and will continue to do so through whatever is to come.

[obscurecurse]

i think most people outside of preservation are familiar with the idea of a historic landmark/local landmark boards as a way of protecting existing historic elements. maybe you've seen a 'national register of historic places' plaque. you've probably been to a historic district at some point.

but something i wish we had more of - i think - and it feels like something they were testing out in the 80s, (i don't know the full backstory,) is the concept of a, Thematic Resource. i only encountered this when i had to spec some hardware changes for a building within a thematic resource last year. you wouldn't believe the paperwork. here's an example of one in NJ - where 53 train stations, collectively, represent an entity on the national register of historic places. it is their relationship to one another, the overall experience of passing this set of buildings and seeing them from the train. which is interesting - it's not one building on its own, it's the fact that so many in a row are still existing. do you understand? what is being historically protected here is the experiential quality of all of these things together - which is not a tangible, physical, element.

historic districts are a really theoretical thing. it's very interesting to me.

i've talked about it before, how my favorite category of building is a "building with a job," for example, the humble gatehouse typology.

last night i found myself looking at Hopewell Station because i'm idk deeply trainpilled. i was chasing all historic evidence of the reading viaduct and one thing led to another.

rural historic railroad station buildings (more commonly referred to in the US as "depot buildings") are also buildings with jobs. because the station is so small it doesn't always make sense to provide a sheltered canopy system along the platform for waiting, so the result instead was that the building has an exaggerated "skirt" awning to provide a place to stand that is out of the sun, rain, snow. absolutely MASSIVE brackets to support an overhang like this. serious structural implications due to wind uplift requirements, but, i think, as global warming worsens - it's hotter, and storm events are more frequent, that more buildings should have skirts like this.

the skirt is easily my favorite feature of historic railroad architecture. i once had a dream that i went back to seattle and wandered a train station i'd invented in my mind. the LAAAARGE brackets were carved to form elaborate salmon designs, and the wood was all painted. i dreamed of massive carved painted fish.

i hope as you go about your day, driving over railroad crossings, you might spot a depot building in the distance - and now you know a bit more about them.

i found an older picture of hopewell, more manicured and lively. there are distinct roof stripes on the awning, dedicated wooden platforms, and pedestrian crossings. being a preservationist is just playing where's waldo all day. the switches to the sidetrack on the left are now gone, though you can see asphalt scars where the tracks likely remain, covered.

i'm ever-grateful to the people in this country who are so fucking intense about railroad history because a lot of old photos, postcards, etc are all saved. like the information itself is pretty well preserved. sometimes i even find floorplans because nerds want to make models of the buildings. it's a treat for moi <3

[artthatgivesmefeelings]

Charles-Nicolas Cochin (French, 1715-1790) Funeral for Marie-Thérèse of Spain, Dauphine of France, in the Church of Nôtre Dame, Paris, on November 24, 1746, ca. 1746 The Cleveland Museum of Art

As an official draftsman to the king, Charles-Nicolas Cochin was responsible for documenting royal events, festivities, and ceremonies. When the Spanish princess Marie-Thérèse, wife of Louis XV’s eldest son, died in childbirth, she was given two lavish funerals: one at the Church of Saint Denis, and another, represented in this drawing, at Notre Dame in Paris. Cochin’s drawing shows how the interior of the gothic cathedral was theatrically redecorated in the current rococo style. Beneath the majestic canopy in the center of the nave, an ornate arched structure, a baldequin, contains the princess’s coffin.

[manversus]

Belgrade, Serbia – On Saturday, March 15, 2025, the streets of Serbia’s capital were flooded with between 275,000 and 325,000 protesters, according to estimates by Arhiv javnih skupova, an independent group tracking public gatherings.

This massive demonstration, one of the largest in the nation’s history, saw students, farmers, veterans, and citizens from across Serbia unite in a powerful call for accountability and an end to government corruption. Official police estimates pegged the crowd at 107,000, though independent observers suggest the true number could be significantly higher.

The rally marks the culmination of over four months of nationwide protests, ignited by the tragic collapse of a canopy at the Novi Sad train station on November 1, 2024, which killed 15 people. Public outrage over the incident—widely blamed on negligence, substandard construction practices, and systemic corruption—has fueled a student-led movement that has grown into a broader national demand for political reform. Protesters are targeting President Aleksandar Vučić and his administration, accusing them of fostering a corrupt system that prioritizes personal gain over public safety and transparency.

“Due to the exceptional scale, mobility, and structure of the gathering, it is not possible to provide a more precise estimate,” Arhiv javnih skupova reported, highlighting the unprecedented turnout. Demonstrators gathered in front of the Serbian parliament, waving national flags and holding silent tributes to honor the Novi Sad victims, though the event was briefly disrupted by an unexplained loud noise that startled the crowd.

The protests have posed the most significant challenge to Vučić’s 13-year grip on power, with tensions escalating as opposition lawmakers clashed with government supporters in recent weeks. On Friday evening, thousands welcomed students who had marched or cycled from cities across Serbia to join the Belgrade rally, amplifying the movement’s momentum. Despite the peaceful nature of the demonstration, riot police and Vučić loyalists—some linked to organized football hooligan groups—were heavily present, raising fears of potential confrontations.

Vučić has dismissed the protests as an “imported revolution” and rejected calls for a transitional government or early elections. Meanwhile, the resignation of several high-ranking officials, including the prime minister, in recent months signals mounting pressure on the administration. Protesters, including law student Jana Vasic, who told the BBC, “We just want a country that works,” remain resolute in their demands for justice and systemic change.

As night fell on Belgrade, with public transport halted and the city center engulfed by the sea of demonstrators, the rally underscored a pivotal moment for Serbia—a nation grappling with its future amid growing discontent.

[guildworks0]

Architectural Fabric Structures | Design by GuildWorks

Architectural fabric structures are among the few innovations in architecture that perfectly combine engineering and art. GuildWorks, a Portland-based design-build company known for its creative, environmentally friendly, and structurally expressive tension fabric designs, is at the forefront of this specialized field. These structures shape space and tell a visual narrative based on movement, nature, and purpose; they are more than just coverings. What Are Architectural Fabric Structures?

Tensile systems composed of strong, high-performance textiles—most frequently polyester coated with PVC or fiberglass coated with PTFE—that are stretched and secured to produce dynamic shapes are known as architectural fabric structures. The design uses tension instead of compression, which enables architects to create organic curves, sweeping canopies, and soaring sails that are frequently impossible to accomplish with conventional materials without adding significantly to weight or expense.

GuildWorks: Mastering the Art of Tension

GuildWorks is not just another fabric architecture firm—it’s a visionary force. Their tagline, “Architecture in Harmony with Nature,” is more than marketing; it’s a design philosophy. Every project starts with a deep exploration of the environment, purpose, and user experience.

What Sets GuildWorks Apart? Design Integrity: Rather than forcing a preconceived idea into a space, GuildWorks lets the space inform the design. This results in structures that feel organic, fluid, and site-specific.

Engineering Excellence: While the forms are elegant, they’re grounded in precision engineering. The team handles everything from wind load analysis to foundation design with structural accuracy.

Sustainability: GuildWorks actively seeks low-impact materials and processes. Their fabric choices offer UV resistance, energy efficiency (via shading), and even recyclability.

Installation & Craftsmanship: From festivals like Burning Man to permanent public installations, their skilled crew ensures seamless deployment—on time, on budget, and with care.

Their work has graced public parks, zoos, city centers, stages, and private venues, consistently drawing admiration for its sculptural beauty and long-lasting functionality.

Conclusion

Architectural fabric structures help blend the distinction between shelter and sculpture when executed with beauty and attention to detail. In the skilled hands of GuildWorks, these structures become a statement greater than mere architectural functions—a statement of place, purpose, and balance. They remind us that buildings are not only light yet exceptionally resilient, or expressive yet engineered, or grounded yet ephemeral. Whether you are a city planner seeking to reinvigorate a public area, an event planner needing an attention-grabbing visual centerpiece, or a business seeking creative buildings, GuildWorks provides more than fabric structures—they provide vision, integrity, and impact.

[reverieshifts]

𝑺𝒚𝒍𝒗𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒔

𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒅𝒊𝒂 𝒅𝒓

𝒈𝒆𝒐𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒉𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒆

Sylvaris is a kingdom unlike any other, a vast and ancient woodland where nature and magic intertwine so deeply that they are indistinguishable. Towering trees, their trunks as wide as castles, stretch toward the heavens, their canopies forming a breathtaking emerald sky. These colossal trees, known as Eldertrees, serve as the foundation of Sylvarian civilization, with entire cities built among their branches, suspended by enchanted bridges and woven with living vines.

Beneath the towering forests, the land is thick with glowing flora, whispering groves, and hidden glades where nature spirits roam freely. Bioluminescent fungi pulse softly in the twilight, and luminous rivers weave through the undergrowth, reflecting the celestial glow of enchanted fireflies. Unlike Elodia’s rolling hills and open landscapes, Sylvaris is a realm of towering shadows, dappled light, and endless mystery.

The kingdom is bordered by the Veilwood, an enchanted forest said to shift and change to confuse outsiders. To the south lies a great meadowland of untouched beauty, while the western edges of Sylvaris fade into the Wraithmire, a vast, misty swamp rumored to be home to ancient fae spirits and lost souls.

𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚: 𝑬𝒍𝒎𝒊𝒓𝒂

The heart of Sylvaris, Elmira, is a breathtaking city woven seamlessly into the branches of the oldest Eldertree in the realm. The city itself glows with soft bioluminescence, its streets formed by massive intertwining roots and its buildings shaped from living wood, coaxed into elegant forms through fae magic.

Golden lanterns, filled with captured starlight, hover weightlessly in the air, illuminating winding pathways that spiral around the massive tree trunks. Suspended bridges, reinforced with shimmering energy, connect towering spires of wood and crystal. The Verdant Throne, the palace of Sylvaris, rests high in the canopy, carved directly into the heartwood of the greatest tree in the realm. Its halls pulse with ancient magic, and the very walls seem to hum with the whispers of nature itself.

Unlike the structured beauty of Solaris, Elmira is a place of wild, untamed elegance—a city that breathes, grows, and shifts with the passing centuries.

𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒕𝒚

Sylvarians live in harmony with the wilds, believing that nature is not something to be tamed, but something to be respected and nurtured. Their cities and villages are built to exist alongside the land rather than dominate it. Every tree, river, and creature is considered sacred, and their customs reflect this deep reverence.

The people of Sylvaris are known for their reclusive nature, preferring the company of the forest over that of outsiders. Unlike the welcoming and artistic fae of Elodia, Sylvarians can be aloof and wary of those who do not understand their ways. However, they are also fiercely loyal to those they trust, and their friendships, once earned, are unbreakable.

Their society values wisdom, survival skills, and the ability to communicate with nature. Many Sylvarians are skilled rangers, healers, or enchanters who specialize in forest magic. Festivals in Sylvaris often revolve around the cycles of nature, such as the Eclipse of Echoes, a night when the voices of past ancestors are said to whisper through the leaves, and the Blooming of the Eldertrees, a rare event when the ancient trees produce glowing blossoms of pure magic.

𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒄 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒍𝒖𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆

Magic in Sylvaris is primal and ancient, deeply tied to the land itself. Unlike the structured, refined magic of Elodia, Sylvarian magic is wild, instinctual, and deeply spiritual. Those attuned to it can speak to trees, summon the winds, or command vines to grow with a whisper.

However, forbidden magic also lurks within the depths of Sylvaris. Some fae, known as Hollowborn, tap into the dark energies of the Wraithmire, using shadowy powers that defy the natural order. These individuals are often cast out or hunted by the Wardens of the Wild, an ancient order dedicated to preserving balance.

𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒐𝒚𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒚

Sylvaris is ruled by the Circle of Elders, a council of ancient fae who have lived for centuries and possess unparalleled wisdom. However, the kingdom also has a ruling monarch, known as the Great Sovereign, who acts as the voice of the forest and the bridge between Sylvaris and the outside world.

Unlike the centralized rule of Elodia, Sylvaris follows a more decentralized structure. Each major settlement has a Warden, a leader who governs their region in accordance with the will of the forest and the guidance of the Circle. Decisions are made through careful deliberation, and the Sylvarian way is to seek harmony rather than force.

𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒆𝒇𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆

While Sylvaris does not boast grand armies like Elodia, it is far from defenseless. The kingdom is protected by the Verdant Wardens, elite warriors who blend seamlessly with the wilds, using the terrain itself as a weapon. Their armor is woven from enchanted leaves and bark, making them nearly invisible in the forest, and their weapons are infused with druidic magic.

Sylvaris also has a network of rangers and beastmasters, who command great creatures and tree spirits to guard the land. The kingdom’s greatest defense, however, is the forest itself. Ancient enchantments make it nearly impossible for outsiders to navigate Sylvaris without a guide—those who try often find themselves hopelessly lost or mysteriously turned around.

𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒔

The Eldertree of Elmira: The ancient heart of the kingdom, home to the Verdant Throne.

The Veilwood: A shifting, enchanted forest that hides Sylvaris from outsiders.

The Wraithmire: A dark swamp filled with lost spirits and forbidden magic.

The Hollow Sanctum: A hidden ruin where outcast sorcerers of dark magic are said to dwell.

𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒎𝒔

Sylvaris maintains a close bond with Elodia, though they are more withdrawn from political affairs. While they generally distrust humans, they rarely engage in direct conflict—choosing instead to guard their borders with powerful enchantments and let nature itself deal with intruders.

𝒆𝒙𝒕𝒓𝒂

So Sylvaris is the neighboring kingdom to Elodia, so as a result, it comes up a lot in diplomatic meetings. Additionally, one of the "main characters" of this dr is actually from Sylvaris. He's the prince, and I'm honestly considering making him my s/o, but idk, because I love the other character so much. The two of them are just so different, and ugh I can't decide.

[theblackbookofarkera]

Jaspine Island

Jaspine Island lies to the east of Saurthon in the Cardinal Halo, a lush, temperate paradise shrouded in mystery and danger. Its vast forests are a sight to behold, teeming with life and vibrant greenery. Yet, this beauty comes at a price. The island is home to one of the most aggressive species in Arkera—the Jaspine great spider. These yellow and black arachnids can grow to the size of a donkey, their presence a constant threat to any who dare venture into their domain.

Despite the peril, Jaspine’s forests hold an undeniable allure. Towering trees and thick canopies create a verdant landscape, rich with the sounds and sights of nature. At the heart of this untamed wilderness lies an ancient enigma: a massive, spherical structure of white stone, known to some as the Pillar of Light Temple. Its true purpose remains unknown, but legends abound.

Observers from the sea report a miraculous phenomenon during the full moon. A beam of light descends from the heavens, illuminating the structure in an ethereal glow. This mysterious event has fueled endless speculation about the temple’s origins and significance. Is it a relic of a forgotten civilization? A beacon for celestial beings? Or something else entirely?

Attempts to unravel the secrets of Jaspine Island have been met with disaster. The ferocious spiders make any expedition a deadly endeavor, their webs and fangs claiming the lives of many brave adventurers. Yet, the allure of the island’s mysteries continues to draw the curious and the courageous, each one hoping to be the first to uncover the secrets hidden within the forests of Jaspine.