#wip: folklore

[alkiores]

Simple line for the second, unused sketch for Bazhov's tales. Hope to finish it someday~

[sanctus-ingenium]

A certain fisherman [...] went to the same place again to fish, and he put a row of hooks on his heels in case he met the Púca again; he attached them like a horseman's spurs. When evening drew near, he made a halter of the fishing-line for the Púca. The Púca met him the second time. He himself caught the Púca, put the fishing-line over his head like a halter, and started to ride him. He drove him wherever he wanted to go, and he kept putting his heels with the hooks like spurs to the Púca's sides, so that the Púca was shedding blood from the pricks of the hooks.

Excerpt from "The Púca: A Multi-Functional Irish Supernatural Entity" by Deasún Breatnach

buy a print of this piece here :>

[fables-if]

The Night of Ataegina and Betatun

A high fantasy interactive fiction story based on Spanish mythology, folklore, and paganism. Set in modern-day Spain. Most locations and all the characters are fictional, except the type of fae that will be seen during the story.

Summary:

After leaving Imeria during your eighteen birthday to chase your dreams and college education, you return to the little village in Southern Europe that saw you grow up after receiving the horrible news that Caterina, the old woman that took you in after the death of your family and your adoptive grandma (or yaya, as you call her), is terminally ill and has a few months left.

During your return, Imeria is set in motion to host an ancient festival and masquerade. It’s supposed to honor two ancient Iberian deities, one called Ataegina, ruler of the underworld, and the other one Betatun, deity of fertility. Most Imerians don’t believe in the ancient legends but those who do, like Catelina say that it’s the most dangerous night of the year because the frontier between the mortal and the magic realm is so thin anything can happen. 

Returning home under the threat of Caterina dying is already hard enough, but will you be able to adapt back into Imeria and rekindle old friendships or form new ones? Will you uncover the deep and rich history of your home and the old magic it carries? 

We shall discover it all very soon.

Features:

Customizable mc: Gender, pronouns, and physical appearance

Build friendship or romance with four characters.

Learn more about Spain's folklore and pagan traditions. Uncover your family history and your abilities.

Develop your MC's personality as you go

Two characters are gender locked but you can choose the gender identity of the other two

Your choices can't be undone and will have consequences.

Characters:

Caterina: An older woman, well into her 80s who took in the MC after most of her family died. She doesn’t seem to have a family of her own, or at least that’s what Mc believes. Caterina has a sweet disposition, always up for helping anybody. She raised MC with the stories of the folklore of their village, so she will always know how to honor the traditions of Imeria. MC doesn’t remember very well what she did for a living but she used to do fortune and tarot reading for some villagers and they usually came to her for advice and help. 

Ana: She runs The Golden Apothecary, a small store where she sells traditional remedies. Her family has run the Apothecary forever, and it’s considered a family craft. Ana has golden shoulder-length wavy hair, almond ocean-blue eyes, and a button nose. She’s no taller than 167cm, with a voluptuous body and soft features. Ana is in her late 20s to early 30s.

Personality-wise, Ana is soft-spoken, sweet, and very open-minded. She strikes to accept everyone with open arms, as long as they’re good people. Unfortunately, some individuals mistake Ana’s kindness with weakness, which is untrue. Ana is extremely smart, stubborn, and strong-minded, she’s always kind but only to those who deserve it. She can be a lot to reckon with if she deems you a bad person. Ana dreams of seeing the world but there is something tying her to Imeria.

Supernatural or not (spoiler):

Ana is a Xana, a river spirit that helps those she finds worthy by offering them pure water or gold. Some people believe that Xanas interchange human babies with fairy babies. As a river spirit, Ana can’t be apart from her river or she’ll suffer horrible consequences.  She met Caterina when Caterina was a young maiden and bathed in her river. Ana saw the purity of her soul and gifted her magic. Xanas are mythological creatures that originate from Asturias, a northern region of Spain with strong Celtic influences.

Anne, An or Antón: Anne/An/Antón works on their family farm along with some of their siblings. The Zamora’s farm supplies Imeria with its fresh produce. Everyone knows the family since they’re a happy and amicable bunch. Anne/An/Antón is pretty tall, around 185cm, they have wide shoulders, a big frame, tan skin and are chubby. The shape of their face is round, with little freckles, big green eyes, long eyelashes, and a hooked nose. They have short straight brown hair and are a bit hairy.. Their voice is deep and loud, almost booming, exactly like their laugh. Anne/An/Antón is super extroverted, knows everybody in the village, and has a sunny and sweet disposition. They are super strong, from all the physical labor but their secret hobby crocheting, they’re always making little dolls for the children of the village or making clothes. In general, they’re super well-liked and have a golden heart. Anne/An/Antón is the MC's childhood best friend and neighbor. Unfortunately, after leaving Imeria they didn’t keep in touch. Anne/An/Antón is 25 years old. 

Supernatural or not:

Anne/An/Antón is an Ome, a mountain spirit, and a giant made of rock that turns into mountains after living for many centuries. Their whole family is made of Omes graznidos. Omes Graznidos are a type of mythological creature that originates from Aragón, a northeast region of Spain surrounded by mountains.

Diego, Diana, or Dix: Diego/Diana/Dix is new in Imeria, they have been living in the little village for less than a year. Nobody knows where they came from, they remain a bit of a mystery for everyone. They set up a popular lounge called “The Velvet Moon” in the middle of the village, very exclusive and chic which clashes with the rest of the decoration of Imeria. Still, the young Imerians love the place. They’re 31 years old but look slightly older. 

Diego/Diana/Dix is of average height, standing around 174cm, they’re pretty slender, with a petite frame and olive skin. They have an angular face, with sharp features, long shaggy black hair, and clear eyes that almost seem silver-colored. Diego/Diana/Dix keep mostly to themselves and can be seen riding their motorcycle around the village. They have a limp and can be seen using a cane. As mysterious as they are, they’re pretty talkative once you get to know them, and are very protective of those they love. Diego/Diana/Dix seems to be interested in the MC, since they’re always watching them, and seem to have a secret that they don’t want to share with anybody. They are very self-reliant, have learned to survive by themselves and have a hard time trusting others, but once you have earned their trust, they’re loyal to a fault. 

Rumors say they have a criminal past and are mixed with a bad crowd, but not everything seems as it is.  

Supernatural or not (spoilers):

Diego/Diana/Dix takes the form of a giant spectral dog, with long black hair and a permanent limp, which is called dip by Spanish folklore. They’re supposed to be emissaries from the devil and they suck the blood of the livestock at night. However, not all legends tell the entire truth. 

Bingen: Bingen lives in the forests near Imeria, where he has a small cottage and a little bit of land where he has a vegetable patch. Bingen is a well-known journalist for online newspapers. He’s an ecologist, and his coverage is mostly about the natural world and ecologism. 

Bingen barely sets foot in Imeria, he is auto-sufficient but he comes down to the village to visit Ana and her apothecary, and to buy a few things he needs.

Bingen has a square jaw with high cheekbones, sharp green eyes, and long blonde messy hair, usually kept in a braid. He has a sweet face with a straight nose, and round brown eyes that resemble a little lamb. He’s the tallest of the bunch, 1’90cm, very muscled from all the exercise, and has a big frame. He loves hiking and is very in touch with nature. Bingen has a hard time socializing, preferring being around animals and plants since he understands them better. He, as intimidating as he looks, is a sweetheart and really craves human connection. Bingen is not talkative but expresses his feelings and emotions through his actions. He might have a hard time telling you he cares about you but he’ll help you install furniture or will make you soup when you’re sick. He always shows up when you need him to.

Bingen recently led a rescue of a few teens who got lost in the forest and saved them from a wolf attack, since then a lot of the villagers have respected him a lot and brought little sweet treats to his cottage. He's in between 27-33 years old.

He has struck a friendship with Ana, who frequents the forest often.   

Supernatural or not (Spoilers):

Bingen is a Basajaún a creature that inhabits the forests of The Basque Country, Navarra, and some parts of Aragón. Basajaúns are described as giant hairy men who protect the livestock, and warn shepherds of wolfs during the night. Basajaúns are seen as protectors of the forest but also creatures of great strength and kinda dangerous. 

Rami: A green weasel-like creature, with a long and flexible body, similar to a snake, and little tusks. They’re friendly and sweet and help guide the MC during their adventure. Rami’s fur has healing qualities. 

Extra:

This project is made by an absolute amateur in coding so it's going to take a long time. I have been writing since forever so I trust in my ability to create a good and entertaining story and I hope you guys stay for the ride.

The Night of Ataegina and Betatún is also going to be a surprise gift for a dear friend of mine who absolutely loves Interactive fiction and this project (if I get to finish it;_;) might be the way I ask her out since we both harbor strong feelings for each other. So let's hope she doesn't find out about the project before it's time.

[kelogsloops]

work in progress of this little kappa #brbchasingdreams

prints | tutorials

[lilis-palace]

painted by hand <3

[casakhelone]

WIP: "Procession of the Knights"

Sketch of a Mer-Knight from a recent art stream for Mermay🧜‍♀️

The stream's VOD will be up on Youtube at a later date, but you can still watch it on my Twitch this week.

🐢Follow Me🐢 - Linktree - Twitch - YouTube

[radiumjuice]

what big teeth you have

[ezekiellsplayground]

I have been working on an extremely detailed blackwork. It’s a norse mythology mandala design.

[crematedcow]

M!Cú Chulainn

The awaited winner from the poll! Now we finally have a male version of our lovely Chulainn :) Crossed arms really are a staple of them... I didn't post in a while because I am going through a lot right now, but I am def still here :p Thank you so much again for drawing this  @mooreaux!! Pls check them and their amazing art out!

[mmemirrorball]

a couple ttpd girlies on their local bookshop/coffee shop run 🤍🫶☕️

[mossypidder]

I started this painting August ninth. It’s now November fourteenth. It has been uncooperative to say the least. But honestly, I’m happy with how it finally came out.

Also, Faas with pigtails because.

[psiakosc]

wip!! very happy with how this is turning out so far but MY GOD my back hurts

[fables-if]

Ok, now the grim classic: If the cast could either choose MC or the world to save, which would they choose?

Additional: Based on their answer, how would they react to MC begging for the opposite? By that, I mean, for example, someone from the cast choosing to save MC, but then MC begs them to save the world.

Oh. Interesting questions, this is going to be a tough one. 

Ana: Ana is choosing MC, no matter what. She knows the ethical choice is to save the world, but there's something in her that makes it impossible to let MC die.

If MC were begging for the opposite, she'd cry and doubt herself. She knows the weight of sacrificing the world is a heavy one, but leaving MC to die when they're such a fundamental part of her life is unthinkable. MC is super important for every route, but in Ana's case, having MC in her life makes her want to keep on living, even if her life will never be peaceful due to her situation. So she would hug MC and with tears in her eyes, she'd whisper, "I know what you want, yet I also know that I'm unable to honor that wish. Hate me if you must, but in every lifetime, I would choose you over and over again"

With a heavy heart, she would choose them even if they hate her, even if she would never have them in her life. Because her existence was changed by meeting them, and because her love for them (platonic or romantic) is too strong, too powerful to let them die for the sake of the world. 

Dix: Dix is also choosing MC. They would burn the world for them, and I MC knows that. Once Dix gets attached to someone, they're loyal to the core. They would never leave them behind. 

If MC were begging for them to choose the world, I think they would think about it and would hear their arguments. In the end, if MC is sure, they'll honor their wishes. Because for Dix, freedom is very important, and when you love someone and respect them as an equal, you honor their choices. So with a heavy heart, and tears shining in their eyes, they would make the choice MC's desires. 

Dix would be destroyed after MC's death, knowing they did the right thing, but the heartache remains. They would get help because it's what MC would have wanted; they would put themselves into therapy, do the work, better themselves, and accept the grief. They would honor their death by making sure they're not forgotten by others and also by allowing themselves to live the life MC would have wanted. 

An: An would have a hard time deciding. Between the world and their best friend and potential lover, and would have a panic attack. An would lean towards choosing the world, but in the end, for them, it comes to whatever MC prefers. If MC wants them to choose the world, then they choose the world, but if MC wants them to choose them, they would do it.

An is like this because their connection with MC runs deep, they have known each other since they were babies, and have seen each other grow up. At the same time, An has younger siblings, a family they love, and a world of people who don't get to make the choice. So at the end,  MC's life is on the line, and in their mind, MC should get to choose, so they just as MC and they follow their wishes. Because that's what best friends do. 

Bingen: Bingen is choosing the world, and he's going to be miserable for the rest of his life because of that. Bingen loves MC deeply, passionately, with all his heart. However, he can't live knowing he's sacrificing the world, full of life, in exchange for keeping his friend or his lover. Bingen thinks it's the correct choice, and he will be destroyed by losing MC and for being responsible for their death. 

If MC begs for their life, and pleads with Bingen to save them, he would start to cry. He would hug MC tightly while crying, knowing MC  wants to live and that he's still choosing the other option because his morals are too strict.

He would caress MC's face while crying, and he'd cry, "I know you won't forgive me, and I don't deserve it. I hope in another life I would be able to be more selfish, my darling".

After MC's passing, he would be a wreck, knowing he went against their choice for the greater good or to save more lives. I think he would live a few years into perpetual guilt until Ana and some others convince him to seek professional help. I think after a few years, he would get better, but the experience would make a deep mark on him

That was so much fun!!

[scrunglepaws]

Making a FolkTails ref, but uhhhh. ?Colors? Yeah, red is Tails' color, buttttt I'd kinda like something different? But also it looks good, so? None of my au Tailses really have green, and it looks pretty with his dark fur. I dunno. :v It'll be some combination of either red, brown, green/teal, though. Can't have this PEASANT looking too fancy.

[bluebirddiary]

The biggest world serpent yet! It's sheer size is a challenge.

[casakhelone]

🌸New Patreon Post: Tam Lin & Gender Identity🐍

A bit of a personal post consisting of art concepts expressing gender identity inspired by my chosen namesake (Tamas/Tam Lin) + concepts that are more directly based off of the ballad.