#turtleback

[hawkesoutdoor]

#Turtleback Getaway Shell #Trailer , perfect for all your #overland #adventure rides. Come see why it is top rated in the #industry . #Finance options, and #delivery available. We also take #tradeins of all kinds at HawkesOutdoors.com

[valencrime]

Aww, they’re out of turtleback. :/

[smbilodeau]

Turtleback Leopard Turtleback Zoo/20140527

[jonthackery]

[theinternetarchive]

turtleback reading lamp, tiffany glass and decorating co., new york city, united states c. 1895-1902.

[veranavera]

Hiking a trans pride flag up 131 mountains in the Northeast of the US, parts 92-93: Ossipee Area!!!

Bald Knob - 92a/131:

Turtleback - 92b/131:

Faraway - 92c/131:

Roberts - 92d/131:

Farr - 92/131:

Green - 93/131:

Sentinel - 93a/131:

Flagg - 93b/131:

Sayre - 93c/131:

More nature photos!!!

Thanks for reading this far :)

[tropic-havens]

Water Bay, Koke Point overlook, with sail boat and Turtleback Rock. East End, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

[partisan-by-default]

Yosemite protesters did a genius thing with the park's webcams

As protesters at national parks around the country hold demonstrations against the Trump administration’s extensive federal staffing cuts, some activists have found a way to get their messages to a broader audience: by placing signs in front of parks’ live webcams. 

At Yosemite National Park, signs have been spotted on at least four different webcams throughout the park. On Saturday afternoon, a sign placed in front of the park’s High Sierra webcam reads, “Stand Up! 4 Public Land + the People Who Protect It” as a snow-dusted Half Dome looms in the background. A sign in front of the webcam at the Badger Pass Ski Area says, “Go Badger Your Reps,” with the phone number for the office of Congressman Tom McClintock. McClintock is the U.S. representative for California’s 5th Congressional District, which includes the park. A sign shared on social media by a San Francisco Chronicle reporter, from earlier in the day in front of what is presumably the park’s Turtleback Dome webcam, which is often used to assess air quality in the area, said, “Billionaires Don’t Care About Clean Air.” (The Chronicle and SFGATE are both owned by Hearst but have separate newsrooms.)

Webcam messages have appeared at other parks as well, including Washington’s Olympic National Park, where a sign reading “Olympic National Park Not For Sale” has been placed in front of the park’s webcam overlooking Lake Crescent. 

Protests at dozens of national parks kicked off Saturday afternoon. On the Instagram account of the Resistance Rangers, an online platform identifying itself as being made up of hundreds of off-duty park rangers that has been rallying a slew of supporters since the staffing cuts began, Instagram stories reposted from other accounts show protests taking place at a large number of parks across the country.

[hawkesoutdoor]

Unhook and Go, On and Off the Trails with a #Turtleback #trailer from HawkesOutdoors.com

What's On Your Hitch?

[babylon-crashing]

🜄 THE CHARIOT – Card VII

TITLE: The Dragon-Turtle Queen / 龍龜女王 (Lóng Guī Nǚwáng)

MYTHIC ARCHETYPE: The Girl Who Stole the Celestial Current

TAOIST PARALLEL: Mazu (媽祖) in her untamed youth—before she became a goddess, when she rode a dragon-turtle (龍龜, lóngguī) to outrun the Dragon King’s navy.

PIRATE TWIST: The turtle’s shell is carved with stolen star charts, and its flippers churn the water into smooth highways—because Mazu didn’t just ride it, she taught it to cheat tides.

WHY THE CHARIOT? This isn’t brute force—it’s alliance with the primordial. The dragon-turtle is the vehicle, the guide, and the weapon.

TAOIST PIRATE SYMBOLISM

KEYWORDS (Upright):

Guī bèi dào (龜背道, "Turtleback Dao") — The path appears only when you move.

Starlight hooves (the turtle’s flippers glow with bioluminescence).

No reins (you don’t steer a dragon-turtle; you negotiate)

KEYWORDS (Reversed):

Cracked shell (overburdened by ambition).

The turtle dives (your will is not the tide’s will).

Mazu’s lost sandal (arrogance leaves evidence).

INTERPRETATION: You’re not driving—you’re dancing with a force older than ships. Victory comes from letting the cosmos carry you.

RITUAL: THE TURTLE’S STAR TRAIL (龜星跡, Guī Xīng Jì)

(For harnessing momentum without force)

MATERIALS:

A turtle shell (or a bowl painted with one)

7 pearls (or glass beads)

Seaweed (dried, for "roads")

Your breath (held for 8 seconds)

STEPS:

Arrange the pearls in the Big Dipper pattern inside the shell.

Lay seaweed trails leading outward like "paths."

Hold your breath and whisper:

媽祖坐騎，沉者之甲， 載我至星碎之處！ Mazu’s steed, shell of the drowned, Carry me to where stars are shattered!

Blow across the pearls—the one that rolls farthest reveals your best direction.

PARALLEL MYTHOLOGY

TITLE: The Victorious Rider / The Will That Crosses Oceans

MYTHIC ARCHETYPE: Paikea (Māori Ancestral Hero)

REGION: Aotearoa (New Zealand) / Māori Tradition

FORM: A human ancestor of the Ngāti Porou iwi (tribe).

TALE: Paikea was the sole survivor of a maritime disaster on the vessel of his treacherous half-brother, Ruatapu. Left to die in the open ocean, Paikea did not give up. He called upon the guardians of the sea and his own ancestors, chanting powerful karakia (incantations). In response, a tohorā (whale) came to his aid. Clinging to its back, Paikea rode the whale across the vast Pacific, guided by his will and his connection to the natural world. He landed safely at Ahuahu (Mercury Island) in Aotearoa, becoming a revered progenitor of his people.

WHY THE CHARIOT? Paikea is the ultimate Charioteer. He harnesses a powerful, wild force (the whale) not through brute force, but through focused will, spiritual connection, and absolute determination. He balances the opposing forces of despair and hope, sea and sky, and drives himself forward to a triumphant victory against all odds. His story is the very definition of willpower leading to success.

INTERPRETATION THROUGH PAIKEA: This card is a green light. It says that you have the will and the power to overcome the obstacles in your path. Like Paikea, you must call upon your inner strength (mana), focus your intention like a beacon, and "ride the whale" of your current circumstances to victory. It's a call to take the reins, be disciplined, and drive forward with confidence.

THE RITUAL OF THE RIDER'S CHANt (For Driving Towards a Goal)

OBJECTIVE: To galvanize your personal will and focus all your energy on achieving a specific, challenging goal. This is a ritual for when you need momentum and the strength to overcome obstacles.

MATERIALS:

An object that represents your "vehicle" or the energy you need to harness (e.g., a car key for a journey, a pen for writing a book, a small weight for a fitness goal).

A space where you can make noise and move.

A compass or a knowledge of the cardinal directions.

A glass of water.

STEPS:

DECLARING THE DESTINATION: Stand in your space and face the direction that feels most aligned with your goal (or just East, the direction of beginnings). Hold your "vehicle" object. State your goal aloud, not as a wish, but as a destination. "My destination is the completion of this project by the month's end."

THE INVOCATION OF WILL: Acknowledge the forces you must balance. "I call upon the strength of my ambition. I call upon the discipline of my mind. You will not pull against each other. Today, you pull together. You pull for me."

CRAFTING THE CHANT (KARAKIA): You will now create your own personal power chant. It should be short, rhythmic, and intensely focused on your goal. Use strong, active words. Repeat it, starting soft and getting louder and more powerful. Let it build a rhythm in your body. You might stomp your feet or clap your hands.

EXAMPLE FOR A CREATIVE PROJECT: "Ink flows, mind knows, work grows, seed sows!"

Example for overcoming a fear: "Heart strong, stand long, fear wrong, move on!"

THE RIDE: Begin chanting. Let the energy build. Feel the power rising from the earth through your feet and out through your voice. You are Paikea on the back of the whale. You are the Charioteer. The chant is the force of your will driving you forward. Continue until you feel a peak of energy, a feeling of unstoppable momentum.

THE ARRIVAL AND GROUNDING: At the peak, give one final, powerful shout of your chant. Then, stop. Silence. Feel the vibrating energy in your body. Pick up your glass of water and drink it all. You are replenishing yourself after the journey. Hold your "vehicle" object to your heart and say: "The will is set. The journey has begun. Victory is the destination."

CLOSING: Carry your "vehicle" object with you. The energy you infused into it will serve as a source of strength and focus as you move forward. The ritual is complete.

SYNCRETIC BRIDGE

Whale Rider → Dragon-Turtle: Both are ancient, wise, and terrifyingly fast.

Paikea’s Chants → Mazu’s Star Theft: The Maori hero called the whale; Mazu stole the turtle’s loyalty with fermented lychees.

THE "SCHOLAR'S HEART" MANDATE:

Sources: The story of Paikea is a central ancestral narrative for the Ngāti Porou and other iwi. It is recorded in oral traditions, songs (waiata), and genealogical recitations (whakapapa). See: scholarly works on Māori mythology, such as Margaret Orbell's The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Māori Myth and Legend, for a respectful retelling. The modern story was, of course, popularized by the book and film Whale Rider. For the ritual see: Lin, Q. (Ed.). (1762). 《天妃顯聖錄》 [Tianfei Xianshenglu]. Fujian Folk Texts, Vol. 4. ("Girl Who Rode the Storm," pp. 22–23).

[emergence-warriors]

LEADER

Foxstar— Longhaired black tortoiseshell harlequin tomcat

DEPUTY

Branchtail— Longhaired chocolate color point bicolor tomcat with blue eyes

HERBALIST

Yarrowwing— Longhaired blue van molly with yellow eyes

SENIOR WARRIORS

Resinwind— Longhaired red spotted tabby tomcat with amber eyes

Shrewpatch— Longhaired black mackerel tabby tomcat with amber eyes

Goldenheart— Longhaired red mackerel tabby tomcat with yellow eyes APPRENTICE— HONEYPAW

Thrushbranch— Longhaired fawn molly with amber eyes

WARRIORS

Ravensight— Longhaired black molly with yellow eyes

Cherrywing— Longhaired red classic tabby molly with amber eyes

Dahliatail— Longhaired black spotted tabby molly with amber eyes APPRENTICE— OYSTERPAW

Carnationsoul— Longhaired red classic tabby molly with white with yellow eyes

Clamfur— Longhaired blue broken classic tabby bicolor tomcat with copper eyes

Alderstorm— Longhaired red mackerel tabby tomcat with green eyes

Stormear— Longhaired blue with white tomcat with yellow eyes

Junipertail— Longhaired blue bicolor tomcat with yellow eyes APPRENTICE— OATPAW

Cloverfoot— Longhaired black ticked tabby molly with dark green eyes

Turtleback— Longhaired black tortoiseshell van molly with amber eyes

Pinecloud— Longhaired black mackerel tabby tomcat with amber eyes APPRENTICE— HAWKPAW

Rhubarbclaw— Longhaired black classic tabby tomcat with hazel eyes APPRENTICE— CHIAPAW

Geckotrot— Longhaired black tortoiseshell molly with amber eyes

Lentilface— Longhaired red tomcat with amber eyes

Mousetail— Longhaired blue classic tabby tomcat with amber eyes

Burdockstripe— Longhaired black classic tabby tortoiseshell with white molly with amber eyes

Numbatfoot— Longhaired black mackerel tabby with white tomcat with amber eyes

APPRENTICES

Honeypaw— Longhaired black tortoiseshell harlequin molly with green eyes

Plumpaw— Longhaired black classic tabby tomcat with green eyes

Oysterpaw— Longhaired blue color point van molly with blue eyes

Hawkpaw— Longhaired black mackerel tabby with white tomcat with hazel eyes

Chiapaw— Shorthaired black tortoiseshell molly with yellow eyes

Oatpaw— Shorthaired cream mackerel tabby tomcat with sage eyes

MONARCH

Flaxpurr— Longhaired black mackerel tabby bicolor molly with yellow eyes QUEENS

Sunsetbite— Longhaired black mackerel tabby tortoiseshell bicolor molly with yellow eyes(Mother to Clamfur`s kits— Firekit, Chickenkit, and Copperkit)

Godwitstreak— Longhaired black tortoiseshell bicolor molly with yellow eyes(Mother to Cloverfoot’s kits— Sprigkit, Monarchkit, and Asphodelkit) KITS

Firekit— Longhaired red mackerel tabby with white tomcat with yellow eyes

Chickenkit— Longhaired red mackerel tabby with white tomcat with amber eyes

Copperkit— Longhaired black mackerel tabby tortoiseshell with white molly with amber eyes

Sprigkit— Longhaired black ticked tabby bicolor molly with yellow eyes

Monarchkit— Longhaired black tortoiseshell bicolor molly with green eyes

Asphodelkit— Longhaired black ticked tabby with white molly with yellow eyes

ELDERS

Cornfrost— Longhaired cream bicolor molly with amber eyes

Catmintear— Longhaired blue tomcat with amber eyes

Adderbite— Longhaired black mackerel tabby molly with amber eyes

Splashthroat— Longhaired black tortoiseshell with white molly with amber eyes

[jedimasterhyladae]

Lamp with “Hanging Head Dragonfly” Shade and “Mosaic and Turtleback” Base

Date: By 1906

Artist: Design attributed to Clara Pierce Wolcott Driscoll American, 1861–1944 Made by Tiffany Studios American, 1902–1932 Corona, New York

[mewtagen-mau]

Entry 15

We had another of those dreams. The one where the four of us share a vision of a strange golden gambling hall.

Once again we found ourselves at a card table, with a dealer who we couldn’t properly look at. This time he said we were going to play a game called Werewolf. It was to test the bonds of our trust.

I was ‘killed’ first, and told by the dealer that I could watch the rest of the game if I didn’t interfere.

During the next round, the votes on who was the murderer were spread out, and no one was voted out.

The second time everyone closed their eyes, I watched the others, to learn who the game’s killer was. When the dealer called for the murderer to open their eyes…none of the others did. Then I looked to the dealer, and found he was holding up the card Nanel had suggested as the one we had to draw in secret to choose the murderer. When he called for the murderer to point to the next victim, he pointed at Nanel himself.

It was all a sneaky trick. To see if we would turn on each other, when none of us were actually the culprit.

Once Nanel was out of the game, Tabot refused to vote, saying he believed it was the dealer who was the murderer. Quite astute of him. Unfortunately, Krysa did not join Tabot in accusing the dealer, and instead voted for Tabot. So another round went on with no one voted off, and when the dealer called for the murderer to choose their victim, he eliminated Tabot.

Once Krysa opened their eyes, the dealer revealed the truth to them. He said we wanted to know how we would act if we believed there were not options but to accuse one another. Sometimes the truth is masked, and he wanted to see how our bonds would hold up to such a thing.

Then he sent us away, with the promise we would meet like this one more time, sometime in the near future. And he told us he hoped we had a good time in Turtleback Ferry. He very pointedly noted that it would be a homecoming for me.

I did not feel very refreshed when I woke up the next morning. I was feeling more anxious by the moment.

We began our trek to Turtleback Ferry that day with an unexpected companion. I forgot to mention last entry, but we met Shalelu after we talked to the Lord-Mayor. She wanted to travel with us to Turtleback Ferry. It sounded personal. We, of course, agreed to have her along. A skilled archer with years of experience fighting monsters was hardly a road companion to pass up, even if we didn’t already know and like the elven ranger.

We’re almost to Turtleback Ferry now. We’ve been travelling for close to a week. I am feeling more anxious by the day.

The journey has been mostly uneventful.

Well…mostly, but not entirely.

On the first night we camped out, we were all awoken by sickening noises and pained sounds from Nanel. When I rushed outside as fast as my leg would allow, I saw a rather horrifying sight. Nanel had a bloody hole in his chest where Donyoku’s flower had been poking out like a lapel. And vines were pulling themselves out of his body, falling in a heap on the group before him.

Once the vines had completely pulled themselves free of Nanel’s body, they twisted and formed themselves into that tall plant creature Nanel became in battle. Then it twisted and changed further, becoming what appeared to be a half-orc. Only he had no eyes, just empty sockets where eyes should have been.

Nanel looked pale, in pain, and devastated. Tabot went to his side and used his healing touch to close the hole in Nanel’s chest.

Donyoku told us he’d be travelling with us like this from now on. He claimed that Nanel didn’t need him anymore.

I don’t think Nanel agrees.

I…don’t know what to make of it. I suppose I’m glad that Donyoku is no longer a parasite inside of Nanel. It is easier to accept his presence when he is actually physically standing there, a separate person, rather than using Nanel’s body for anything he might need. But also…how long has Nanel had Donyoku as a part of him? The amount of plant matter that pulled itself out of him implies it’s been a very long time. I think…Nanel probably will need time to process this change. As do we all, to different degrees.

We continued travelling together after that night. Shelalu confided in us that she wanted to go to Fort Rannick, and that there was a man amongst the Black Arrows who were stationed there that she wanted to see. He was her mother’s former lover, basically her step-father, and he had abandoned her when her mother was slain by a dragon attack. She wanted answers. And seeing as we were also going to Fort Rannick, as the letter had indicated a plot to take hold of it, travelling together was her best shot.

This morning we ran into some travelers on the road. Tabot nearly trampled them with his horse in an attempt to avoid Donyoku, who had been messing with him. The travelers gave us news from Turtleback Ferry. None of it sounded good. People were disappearing in the woods—possibly the work of the vile Graul family that live in the forest and are said to…well, keep to themselves, let’s say. It’s rumored that the family has ogre-blood in their veins, and given the trouble we have with giants in the area, ogre-kin are hardly a welcome sight, even if they weren’t said to be so violent and…deformed.

Another of the travelers claimed the constant stormy weather they’d been having was being caused by a witch who would turn them all into toads. And a third claimed that fishermen had been disappearing, and that the Black Magga had been spotted. So I think I will take all these travelers’ claims with a grain of salt. Those are all just old stories to scare children in town into behaving.

…I sure hope that is all those stories are…

When we parted ways, the others had things to say to Tabot, about him nearly trampling those people just to avoid Donyoku, about him hating Donyoku for no clear reason, and…a clear undercurrent of whether he was jealous of Donyoku because of his relationship with Nanel.

I hadn’t planned to get involved. I did think Tabot was taking mistrusting Donyoku to a rather extreme level, but I didn’t believe adding another voice to the argument would be productive. Nanel quietly asked me to please speak up, though, apparently under the impression Tabot might listen to me. So I tried to approach the subject gently, noting that Donyoku was a new presence that would take some getting used to, but that we did need to at least be open to working together with him. Tabot made it clear he just needed some time. I think that is reasonable, so long as he really does just take some time to process, rather than having a chip on his shoulder for the foreseeable future with no intention of even trying to give Donyoku a chance.

In the meantime, I hope that Donyoku also cools it with messing with Tabot. It’s clear that getting a reaction from Tabot eggs him on, but Donyoku bullying Tabot for a laugh will only cause Tabot to continue to resent him.

…

I’m starting to recognize the area we’re in, despite the rather consistent storm we’ve been trekking through over the past day or so. I have never been more eager to be home.

[blackbloodteeth]

Soul variant index (2023)

[List incomplete; I don't think I have the energy to continue it, but wouldn't hurt to share the trivia bits I did manage to do. I can always answer questions about variants anytime, and this list is already starting to lag when I type anyway hahaha]

Here's a list of all the Soul variants I've created this year (sorted earliest to latest). I'll be updating this as I draw more, and if it's wanted enough I'll make more of these lists for other years in the future. --- Long list below! ---

A Soul of many hands: Body is connected by many different hands and dark patchy skin. Written work has yet to be finished.

Walking Chair: Skeletal species that assists humans with tasks such as ferrying people and carrying groceries. Intelligent, only wears saddle when not on work break.

The Cult Slayer: Previously just a goat before an attempted ritual sacrifice went wrong and gave him immense power instead. Very social and loves storytelling. Lawful Good.

A good little boy: A living doll that rarely speaks and is highly obedient, only serving the witch who currently owns him. May have been human once.

String Wyrm: Fluffy dragon with multiple sets of stubby legs (not usually visible under his fur), though can move across the ground quite quickly. Constantly searches for food to steal and often sounds like he's chuckling. Will squirm around if picked up.

Lesser Crest Bird: A species that often stands around like a statue, with different poses theorized to convey different meanings. Can be approached and seemingly unbothered by humans but will retaliate if attempted to be moved. Intelligence questionable, seems to have preferences for certain standing spots.

Aquatic Maned Dragon: Shy but playful. Travels to different bodies of water via rivers, and mainly feeds on fish and small marine animals (seems to leave birds alone even after watching them for a while). Will take interest in any human belongings that have ended up in the water.

Turtleback Seahorns: A seaside-dwelling race that values family and branching alliances with surrounding groups. Exceptionally loyal and honourable even when not exchanging favours, and when a life oath is sworn the two partners will gift each other's crests to wear upon their other horns.

The Divinely Punished [Body Horror]: Assigned guardian to one of Lord Death's sacred temples after having received divine judgement. While he was initially chained to his post, something appears to have caused it to break loose and consequently free him.

Creature Centaur: A strange centaur made up of an unidentifiable creature. The eye he holds can often be seen floating between his horns, and the right side of his face has always remained obscured, most likely for the better. A fairly normal dude otherwise.

Mantis Centaur: Half person, half mantis. Unintentionally condensed Maka into a ball of silk when his instincts took over, and he seeks to repent with a way to undo what he's done.

Centaur Train: A spirit guide that helps souls and sometimes other entities safely travel through different parts of the afterliving. Is extremely enthusiastic about trains to an almost obsessive degree, but his passion can make him easier to get along with.

Mewtwo Centaur: One of the several results of a dubious cloning experiment. He was a collaborative effort of the "permanent Mega Evolution" and "human-Pokemon hybrid" departments, though he was also the first to escape when he quickly grew too alert to be contained. Currently resides in solitude while seeking the original human he was cloned after out of existential curiosity.

You can't just call a Naga a Snake Centaur: Part Demon Weapon, part couch nuisance. He can shift into a more human-looking form with legs but often prefers to stay in his natural appearance, especially when eating or sleeping. Maybe I'll give his Weapon form art someday.

An Incomplete Centaur [Mild Body Horror]: Despite his horrifying appearance he's actually quite lonely. He's taken to living in the woods or outskirts of towns as while he wishes to befriend someone, he keeps getting footage of him uploaded to the internet as an infamous cryptid/creepypasta legend.

Reverse Centaur: Lives in a world where animals combined with human bodies are the norm, as well as having to go to school way too early in the morning when he could be sleeping in. Will eat insects and small creatures whole on frequent occasions.

Steel Bird Centaur Part of a well-known family that prides in its Skarmory and Corviknight heritage, having ended up a high-ranking guard for his strategical skills despite appearing heavier than should be able to fly. Wears an Aggron based armour that he was gifted after besting one of the mountain people in combat and leading to their alliance.

The Luthier Apprentice: Dropped out of DWMA suddenly despite being so close to finally becoming a Death Scythe. Not even his friends know the reason behind it, especially as he dropped all contact too and decided to work under the music shop that's close with his family. It's been years since then but he's finally smiling again, at least for now.

A Soul with Glasses: He wears glasses. Left to interpretation.

[kassil]

You, @ofstarstuff, kept an apothecary's shop in the town of Rivermeet, where the Turtleback river flowed into the Frogeye on the way to the sea. Mostly you treated minor ailments and ensured the town's midwives were well-stocked in what they needed, and you looked after the pets of the town, well acquainted through the books you owned with what would be dangerous to to which species of creature. Some held that you trafficked with the Ashfen witches, but none deemed it worth the trouble of causing a fuss, not when you could keep a prize sheep or beloved pet alive as easily as you could break a child's fever.

From this week's Whispering Infinities