valoisfulcanellideux

[valoisfulcanellideux]

These Stones Remember II - 04 - Home

The sun was low, its light golden as it stretched over the grey stone ruins. Legs stretched out in front of him, Paix rested his notebook in his lap and leaned back against the sun-warmed wall behind him, watching as Mhenheli walked down the broken cobblestone road toward him, tucking something into his pants pocket. “You’ve been gone for hours,” Paix said, looking up as Mhenheli bent to ghost a kiss over his cheek. “Find anything interesting?” “A couple of small, ruined buildings by the waterside,” Mhenheli said, settling down on the ground beside him. “A startled armadillo, and—” He pulled the object out from his pocket again and waved it idly, “—no phone signal.” Paix glanced at the phone screen. He knew Mhenheli used a solar charger for it, since he frequently used the notes app on it, but in the past week or so he’d clearly grown somewhat anxious about the lack of signal out here in the savannah. “Are you waiting for a call?” Paix asked softly. “Or wanting to make a call?” Idly thumbing off the phone, Mhenheli sighed and shoved it back into his pocket. “The latter,” he murmured. “I told my parents I’d be gone for a while, but it’s been almost a year. They’ll be worried at hearing nothing from me in all this time.”

A little treat for you ;)

Read it in full here: These Stones Remember II - 04 - Home

Art by Sabira | Flower of Laurelin (used with permission)

[valoisfulcanellideux]

Thank you! <3

OK, that actually sounds amazing, and would really set his candles apart as being separate and different, because he carries them visibly floating around him. That's such a neat idea, and I love it!

[Part 1 - Joel / Part 2 - Joey / Part 3 - Katherine / Part 4 - Sausage / Part 5 - Gem / Part 6 - Lizzie / Part 7 - Jimmy / Part 8 - Fwhip / Part 9 - Pearl / Part 10 - Shubble]

Struggled super massive hard w/ his design for a while. It's hard when I don't watch the vids haha.... tho pixandria is easily one of the most interesting kingdoms imo

I hc that Pixl can Feel when the others die and he doesn't like it, he definitely almost fist fought Joel after Joel died like 50 times for his own head

Pixl also has a limited amount of lives but can make more by creating more candles for himself. The amount he has floating around him are his lives at any given time, they extinguish and fall to the ground when he dies until he runs out of them.

His cloak also represents every kingdom that is protected/honored at the vigil. Even Joey cus I think it's less that they're enemies, but instead he's sad to see a good friend fall to darkness.

He acts more like a wise advisor but is a compassionate and fair ruler, perhaps a bit less involved than other empires but liked by his people nonetheless. Idk what to say I'm just so happy I found a design I love

And speedpaint as always under the cut ⬇️⬇️⬇️

If u get this far. I think imma do Scott next then Xornoth. It'll be a while tho probably I have no ideas for scott

[valoisfulcanellideux]

Love this design for him, and those are some fantastic headcanons! <3

[Part 1 - Joel / Part 2 - Joey / Part 3 - Katherine / Part 4 - Sausage / Part 5 - Gem / Part 6 - Lizzie / Part 7 - Jimmy / Part 8 - Fwhip / Part 9 - Pearl / Part 10 - Shubble]

Struggled super massive hard w/ his design for a while. It's hard when I don't watch the vids haha.... tho pixandria is easily one of the most interesting kingdoms imo

I hc that Pixl can Feel when the others die and he doesn't like it, he definitely almost fist fought Joel after Joel died like 50 times for his own head

Pixl also has a limited amount of lives but can make more by creating more candles for himself. The amount he has floating around him are his lives at any given time, they extinguish and fall to the ground when he dies until he runs out of them.

His cloak also represents every kingdom that is protected/honored at the vigil. Even Joey cus I think it's less that they're enemies, but instead he's sad to see a good friend fall to darkness.

He acts more like a wise advisor but is a compassionate and fair ruler, perhaps a bit less involved than other empires but liked by his people nonetheless. Idk what to say I'm just so happy I found a design I love

And speedpaint as always under the cut ⬇️⬇️⬇️

If u get this far. I think imma do Scott next then Xornoth. It'll be a while tho probably I have no ideas for scott

[valoisfulcanellideux]

This is adorable. <3

pixl fwhip gem nap pile

I needed this thank you so much

[valoisfulcanellideux]

...and counting.

[valoisfulcanellideux]

Been listening to the above playlist on repeat this afternoon while working, and I'm having all the Paix and Mhenheli feels right now.

Something maaaay come of this. Just sayin'.

Another track that, when I first heard it, immediately made me think of Mhenheli.

There's just something about stately, 'walking scale' music such as this piece that - for me, as his writer - sums up so perfectly Mhenheli and his whole bearing as Chaperone to the Copper King.

I only have two of these tracks so far, but I've added them to a Spotify playlist, which you can find a preview of embedded below, or follow at this link.

[valoisfulcanellideux]

The copper update finally has a name. And I love it.

[valoisfulcanellideux]

A small heads-up

I'm not sure if (or how) this would affect anyone, but I've just added These Stones Remember II to the main series that the first fic was always a part of (but that I never, for some reason, added TSR2 into). This just means that anyone who reads through These Stones Remember will then be prompted at the bottom of the final chapter to continue to These Stones Remember II and it means that both fics are now accessible together under the same series on my AO3 profile.

If you're subscribed to me (as an author) or to either of those fics, then it's possible that you might get an email alert that there's been an update? I'm not sure if that's how it works, but just in case anyone does get an update, that's the only reason why. This is just a little bit of housekeeping, and there's no new fic added. I just wanted to neaten things up!

[valoisfulcanellideux]

He is! And look at him, all suitably TA-DA!

Love this <3

COPPER KINGS BACK

[valoisfulcanellideux]

Yesterday (23rd August) was the one year anniversary of the launch of Empiropedia, a digital-only, not-for-profit fanzine that was a love letter to the worldbuilding of Empires SMP Season 1. It was made to resemble - as the preface states - "an in-universe history book written by a certain archaeologist (wink wink)".

Above is a repost of my contribution, and if you never got to read the zine originally, the release announcement post and download link for it can be found here. It's completely free and it was so much fun to work on with some of the amazing creative minds who love Empires S1 as much as I do.

The Apiarist's Diary

Here is the full text of my contribution to @empiropediazine

I was one of the contributors for Pixandria (where else? - lol!) with a diary entry by the city’s Apiarist, wherein they record a day that the great desert empire will never forget.

Behind the cut with you!

THE APIARIST'S DIARY

Many times before have I readied the bees to receive their master, the King. Not a week goes by without his arrival to inspect the hives, for the quality of their wax is one of the most sacred and important things in our empire. Copper is what we trade with the world, but candles are what we hold close to our hearts, and a candle made from impure wax would disrespect the death it is intended to honour.

Every day I sweep the floors and trim the vines, plucking a few of their choicest glowing berries. These little delights grow soft and plump when placed in a bowl of cool water, so should the King be in need of refreshment they will provide both food and drink for him in one sweet bite. And, if he does not visit the apiary on that day, why then my children have a treat after their evening meal.

A jug of water from the fountain outside cools the copper inlays in the floor, and a regular dousing of it - especially at the sun’s zenith - keeps the apiary’s temperature more tolerable and the bees content. I keep a close watch on the water channel surrounding the inlays, for as long as it is full the bees will take water back to their hives and fan it with their wings to cool the air. Remarkable creatures are my myriad little friends.

Each day is much the same; the comforting constant of routine and the drowsy hum of my charges as they move between flower and hive. I, too, sometimes hum as I work, keeping time throughout my day to the rhythm of the bees.

Yesterday morning I rose just before the sun, broke my fast with bread and a little spiced camel milk, and then took my usual route across the bridge, pausing for a few minutes to take in and enjoy the sight of the riverside gardens. At that hour the air is still fresh from the night, and a brief stop there will waken even the sleepiest of eyes.

The pylons glowed with their gentle warmth, sentinels at each end of the bridge that leads into the city’s heart. But a greater glow lay beyond, and I paused again to look up at the Vigil, my spirits lifted as I watched the gentle flicker of candles and the serene drift of lanterns.

Many hurry past the Vigil as they go about their day, the glory of its light outshone by the sun. But in the darker hours of dusk and night, it is as if its presence is remembered by all, and footsteps are slowed, and eyes are raised to find a special candle or lantern here or there.

A new candle now rests there, alone and apart from the rest. And this candle is dyed a deep, dusky pink; a colour that has never before been used at the Vigil.

Aye. Yesterday began much the same as any other day. But it ended like no other day ever had.

The King arrived late in the afternoon, much beyond his usual hour, for his visits tend to occur in the early morning. Indeed, I was caught unawares as I heard quiet footsteps on the copper inlays, and I turned to see him standing there in full armour. His shield was battered, its Pixandrian flag tattered and rent in multiple places, as though something had clawed or slashed at it.

I bowed my head, touching the tips of my fingers to my forehead. Usually when I rise from this deference, I see a smile and a nod from him, but not that day. He was stillness in the form of a man, and I realised that this was not merely a visit to inspect the hives or check the quality of the wax.

This was a visit in the wake of a battle.

Hopeful of assuaging the hollow look in his eyes with an act of kindness, I reached for the bowl into which I had placed the finest berries from the vines, but before I had fully picked it up, he raised a hand to negate my offer.

“I bear news,” was all he said, and his voice was but a hoarse murmur.

The bees of Pixandria must be told of all news, both good and ill, that befalls the empire. This has long been a courtesy afforded to them by our people, as the bees give us so much and hold an honoured role in our society. Some may view this custom as mere superstition, but neither I nor the King would risk angering or upsetting the bees, for fear that they will grow sickly and die, or desert their hives and leave us with no way to honour our dead at the Vigil.

I bowed my head once more and then turned to address the bees, whose drowsy hum seemed to fade, as if in readiness to listen.

“Little friends, your Master has news to tell you,” I said. “Pay heed to his words, and no matter what they are, do not leave us.”

When I next looked at the King, he had lowered his head and seemed to be summoning… I will not write ‘courage’ for I have never known him to be weak-hearted. Perhaps he merely needed a moment to consider his words, for he then walked to the first hive and bent down to it.

He knocked gently on the front of the hive to summon the bees’ attention, placed his lips close to it, and murmured a few words. As he finished speaking, he plucked from his belt a small piece of cloth that had been dyed a deep dusky pink - the colour of mourning worn by our people - and he draped it atop the hive.

The hive fell silent.

He moved to the next, bending to knock gently upon it and murmur the same words before placing atop it the mourning cloth.

That hive, too, fell silent.

Quietly, he moved around the apiary, and as he did so the distress and grief on his face grew. I did not know what words he spoke to the bees, but it surely must have been terrible news, as each hive grew quiet as he put its bees into mourning.

He reached the final hive, which I was close enough to that I could finally hear his words.

“Little bees,” he murmured as he placed the mourning cloth atop the hive. “The guardian at the end of all things who holds the world safe is dead. And… mine was one of the hands who brought her down. I must go away, but I beg that you stay and do not desert my people.”

With those final words, he straightened and looked directly at me for the first time, knowing that I had heard his confession. Not a word did he speak as he stared at me, but in his eyes I saw not only distress and grief, but also shame. He turned and walked out of the apiary, and I hastened after him, watching as he walked away from Pixandria toward the setting sun. With one hand, he wrenched his helmet from his head, throwing it to the sands as he strode with a wretched determination away from his people.

~~~

My contribution was based on the very real old custom of 'telling the bees' which - given the importance of those little creatures to this empire of copper and candles, felt like an apt thing to write about.

You can find the full zine - free to download - at this post :)

[valoisfulcanellideux]

Found this fantastic idea tucked away deep in the comments on Pix's copper tier list video. Usually, I'll waste multiple torches close together to indicate something like go upwards here or take this tunnel from these two options, so I'm definitely going to use a single copper torch for this from now on!

[valoisfulcanellideux]

Time for another reblog of this. Copper Dad with one of his Copper Children. I still adore how Sabira portrayed CuprePaxi's tenderness here.

I need to delve back into the world of REanima, but first I have something else I've just started working on, relating to the copper torches and lanterns and a certain (vengeful!) regal dude... 👀

With the upcoming game drop of copper golems and all the new copper tools and armour to Minecraft, now might be a good time to remind people about REanima, a short piece of fiction that I wrote back in 2023. Set in a dystopian future, it features bounty hunter MythicalSausage, an augmented Copper King, copper golem Pearl, and a cute little cameo by David the copper aging facility ;)

You can read the fic (Gen - 4,485 words) here.

Art by Sabira | floweroflaurelin (commissioned)

[valoisfulcanellideux]

Imagine the copper armour...

...but with the My Minimal Armour resource pack, which turns helmets into crowns:

[valoisfulcanellideux]

Oh dear fucking GOD, I didn't even see that!

"Trust" (as per this artwork by Paxxon, that inspired the symbol in These Stones Remember) -

I’m finally watching pix’s new video and put on his poxandria and I’m crying

[valoisfulcanellideux]

THE SCREAM I SCRUMPT!

[valoisfulcanellideux]

Egyptian Funerary Symbolism in the Middle Kingdom Period Lecturer: Prof. Paix al-Lareiff

Been having some fun building in The Sims 3 today. It's been a while since we visited Paix al-Lareiff (from my Pixlriffs longfic These Stones Remember) in-game, so here he is giving one of his lectures at Oxford, before he retired to go travelling to a certain savannah. Places on his courses are usually limited and highly sought after!

[valoisfulcanellideux]

Finishing a long and emotional story is like being left with an open wound.

I'm actually grieving the loss of my characters. Both literal, because the story ended at the end of their long lives, and metaphorical, because their story is now done.

This didn't happen with These Stones Remember, because Paix and Mhenheli's story will never end, even though my telling of it has.

But Sha'bĭah and Nashĭd are gone. I think I need a little bit of time to mourn them both, even though their ending was as gentle and soft and loving as I could make it.

That story should have been titled A Tale of Three Devotions, because the third was mine.