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Hiraeth Creature #1220 - Thadra-Ilnua

"In a land far, far from ours, across the serpent-laden seas, the Harbour Lands rise from waves, straddled between existence and nowhere. This land once held folk, not sown from the souls of Fae, but from dust and water, in great pools beneath the boughs of ancient trees. They crawled out as raw, skittering creatures, more than susceptible to tooth and claw. Through time and luck, they eventually carved stone, bore flame, and stood upright to gaze at the distant, loving Moon. Once humble, the Harbour Folk grew cunning, shaping the land to their whims. Thoughts and ideas were ever racing, they brought the elements to heel, and became masters of the alchemical arts. They concocted medicines for every ill, conduits for the arcane, and even fashioned together living beings. A utopia true, the one thing they lacked was the closeness of the Moon, whose light felt ever distant. The more they peered upward, the colder the Harbour Folk felt.

The King of the Harbour Folk promised his people a Moon. In a grand experiment, the Harbour King chiselled away pieces of the Harbour Lands and gave them hearts of magic. Able to soar among the clouds, the people could live in the Moon’s airy domain so they could finally find a closeness they longed for. For a time they found comfort, but eventually they found something unexpected. A land across the sea: Hiraeth, ever present with beasts and folk innumerable. Nights framed in silver light saw the Moon Goddess herself descend upon the land, where all manner of souls bathed in her loving light. When this auspicious sign was attested among the Harbour Folk, the Harbour King grew mad with jealousy. They had wallowed in brine and mud, wrestled survival from the maws of beach-combers to eke out a kingdom, while across the sea sat fertile lands coddled by spirits, tending to an undeserving menagerie of stone-worshipping savages. For generations, the Harbour King had the Harbour Folk circling above, keeping track of any signs of weakness so he could begin butcher’s work.

Rumblings between realms began and Fae Realm warlords also felt entitled to their share of Hiraeth’s bounty. This sparked a great conflict as Fae fought against and for Hiraeth’s survival. The Harbour King sent in blades in the dark, pincers to cut and crush battle weary folk and Fae alike. Their cause was cutthroat, without an ounce of glory or sentiment worth song– actions seen by the Moon Goddess, who wept for their souls. She would not be the only witness for long, as the hunters were eventually caught by Hiraeth’s God Queen during her vengeful crusade against all interlopers. Her rancour seething to a pitch, she cast the Harbour Folk back to the sea and, while clenching the fallen tears of the Moon Goddess, she cursed the Harbour Folk to never find peace under the light of the Moon again. 

The sky grew eternally cold above the Harbour Lands. The Harbour King’s punishment branched out from his stricken body and the people grew heavy souls leaden with sorrow. So heaving their weight, they could not go upwards towards the Celestial Sea, but downwards into the depths of the ocean. Even those in the flying islands could not find peace, and slipped into the sky. Hearing tales that the mountains were the “Stairways to the Moon”, they built cities within their highest peaks, but their souls were buried into the rock beneath them. Their lot was to languish in the elements they once tamed. Their souls seeped into the Harbour Lands, the flora turned wild with the will of the tethered dead.

While Hiraeth met her own ruin during the Giant’s March, it built a memory of heroism and grace among those left to live onward. The Harbour Lands had no such valour or pride to latch onto, the Harbour King’s legacy tainting their history. Regardless, the Harbour Folk carried on, their inevitable fates giving them the perseverance to value life in every waking moment. Their long-lasting want to survive despite the sins of their forebears had led them to study all manner of secret alchemy and ritual. They returned to the great pools beneath the boughs of ancient trees where they first rose, and within them forged their own Moon of bewitching light. Rejected from solace, the Harbour Folk ferried their bodies and souls to a self-constructed sanctuary. The Second Moon hangs close to trees, a vessel for those who hope one day to be either forgotten, or forgiven."

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Hiraeth Creature #1219 - Elimel

"The boundless Celestial Sea has only had a fraction of her waters mapped by the folk of Hiraeth. Lustrous bodies and unknowable satellites act as beacons of power or the markers for realms unwalked. In one of these realms, the Sea is said to freeze into a great sheet of ice, where a cascade of stars reflect into each other and comets freeze in place to create ice floes among drifting stardust. In this place where both dark and light are emphasized beyond measure, the enigmatic Elimel live.

Elimel drifts slowly across the ice of their home, said to be barely aware of or even care where they end up. The glint of their shells can be seen in the night sky by those most practiced of the celestial arts. When two Elimel coast into each other, they begin to sing in a high pitch ringing and will circle each other for a brief time. These rare meetings can be seen by even a layman if they know where to look. A prayer made upon the shine of their shells meeting between the stars is said to bless those looking for companionship, be it a friend or a lover."

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Hiraeth Creature #1218 - Clayfolk

"A smattering of shapes, colours, and eyes, no one is quite sure what to make of the Clayfolk of the Mystic Veil. Most adventurers aren't even aware they exist but, in a series of forested valleys lining a forgotten riverway, the Clayfolk keep to themselves. They meander around nameless ruins and shrines attributed to no particular worship. People are free to rest and do as they please in their homes, as long as they don't cause a fuss or enter the makeshift graveyards left behind. A few foolish wanderers have tried to antagonize them for the sake of it, only to be skipped down the river with amazing speed.

In a land of stories like Hiraeth, it is odd to find an oddity that doesn't have an inkling of a backstory--though after the Giant's March recobbled the world, it shouldn't be too shocking that not every legacy would be accounted for. There is one theory for their creation: a set of tools sacred to the Earthen Maiden. Old legends say that those with the favour of the Earthen Maiden at the centre of the world could be chosen to wield Instruments of Earthen Creation, letting common folk create life from stone and mineral. The magically inclined have performed similar feats, but the beings made of the Instruments were said to impart a sacred connection to the Maiden herself. If the Clayfolk are of such make, then it is a wonder what the people of these humble valleys must have done to catch her fickle eye."

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Cosmopoliverse

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Hiraeth Creature #1217 - Buljhuna

"Even in Hiraeth's coldest waters, unsurprisingly, life manages to thrive. Coming in from the Silver Sea to the mainland rivers and lakes during the winter months is the blubbery Buljhuna. Growing as big as a river ferry, they still manage to move about waterways quietly and undetected. Most will only know one is around during the stillness of night, when they hum through winter winds. When Buljhuna begins to murmur, it is usually a sign there are no dangers lurking about.

Though primarily locked to an aquatic existence, Buljhuna can breathe both on land and under the water, occasionally being spotted beneath frozen lakes or in the shallows of frosty moorlands. They visit northern Hiraeth's wilds to give birth to their young, allowing them a grace period before they must brave all the wrath within the Silver Sea. Northern Wildfolk would look to their coming as a time to test their best weaponsmiths. If a spearhead could be made that could prick even a Buljhuna's hide, then it could most likely pierce through any armour nature could forge. The Buljhuna are not slain in this test, but merely annoyed. It is considered proper etiquette to let the Buljhuna break the boat or raft the warriors drift in so they may vent their anger."

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Hiraeth Creature #1216 - Naul-Nyari

"The chaotic Fae Realm is known for its equally volatile lords-- Fae who manage to rise above the fold, who wield the whims of reality as a knight wields a blade. Thankfully, they tend to keep each other in check, for an empty realm is one not worth ruling. A lord known for pushing these boundaries is Lord Basil, forever an upstart. The Fae Realm is no stranger to change, but Basil fancies the route of acceleration-- to see the realm turn inside out in the hopes of birthing something new. 

Keeping him in check are the Nyari sisters-- twin lords who carry the fury of Fae Realm winds. Living blades, each bristle of fur stings like a spear, and their bones grow into scythes. They crash from the sky, cracking like lightning, no armour or hide strong enough to withstand their mere caress. The Nyari sisters were Basil's unofficial overseers, always making him doubt his movements, but now there's only Naul-Nyari. 

Her sister was lost during the Fae invasion of Hiraeth, fighting on the side of the defending Fae, said to have been banished and thrown into the wilds, left as a lesser creature. Naul-Nyari believes Basil had something to do with it, even though they briefly fought on the same side. Though the sisters are separated, Naul-Nyari still keeps her eyes wide open for any Fae Realm treachery."

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Hiraeth Creature #1215 - Parvithadra

"Alchemy is a prestigious study--finding the essence of all things in this world and harnessing them for common use. So revered was this art in Hiraeth, entire schools and guilds were dedicated to it. To find the truth of life, one had to immerse themselves in it: flora, fauna, and minerals, each thing carrying a blueprint within them that alchemists sought to replicate through the means of chemistry and ritual. Alchemists in Hiraeth even managed to create life, but they were far from the first. In the ancient Harbour Lands, leagues past the domain of sea monsters, nearly all native life shows signs of alchemical birth.

All places touched by Harbour Land inhabitants are guarded by fearsome homunculi. Such beings born of Hiraeth alchemists seem to carry a spark of wildness and cunning, no matter how small, but these constructs were streamlined, still unquestioningly guarding their master's old haunts. Even in their abandoned Harbour Land homes, there are signs of these creatures: living flora made to grow food and decorate gardens. If alchemy was such a common part of Harbour Lands society, it is worth a wonder what secrets they hadn't uncovered. Maybe those secrets were what swallowed them whole and left nary a trace of their passing."

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Hiraeth Creature #1214 -Saughast

"Hiraeth is undoubtedly a land of high strangeness--a traveller who has accrued any time in the wilds can tell you as much. The unknown and the ethereal hidden away under a moonlit sky is what adventurers long to uncover, but a seasoned wanderer will know not all peculiarities need to be chased. Sometimes, that feeling of hesitation gripping your legs and begging you to turn around should be heeded. 

A placid trapper is the Saughast: strangers in long coats and boney masks. They seem to appear at night, steadily driving small wagons or setting up shop in abandoned homesteads. The Saughast doesn't pounce upon their victims or cast furious spells, but rather offers them wares. They are merchants, selling odd jewelry and totems. Their goods are said to be miraculous, blessing you with any boon you may wish, but for a greater price. There have been many stories of folk tempted by a Saughast's promises, only to find a brief happiness that ends abruptly. Some meet an early demise, while others are said to have transformed into werebeasts. 

According to Deep Realm demons, all of a Saughast's goods are scavenged from the remains of Primordial Beasts. Such beings were said to breed life into the world, but their ancient magic wasn't meant to mingle with mortal creatures. With pilfered shards of bone and even bristles of old teeth, a Saughast will fashion them into bizarre trinkets meant to spread chaos. The rarest of finds is old skin, which the Saughasts stitch into finery. Wearing such garb is said to transform one into something even more dire than a werebeast."

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Hiraeth Creature #1213 - Imikangi

"Something that can always be expected in Hiraeth is the unexpectedness of Fae. Being natural curiosities, it is only natural that they take on curious forms. Often overlooked despite this is Imikangi, a Fae who has taken up residence in Hiraeth’s central woodlands. Appearing as a small ball of fur, she’s been known to curl up in berry bushes, enjoying the dappled sunlight and the smell of sweet fruit as they sleep. 

Imikangi wasn’t always this peaceful: she hails from an almost knightly order, known in the Fae Realm as the Brotherhood of Warrior Princes. None of the members are actually royalty, but they made themselves such through merit and deed, helping those in need with their immense strength. Imikangi, once unfurled, was a living chakram of stingers, wings, and claws. Cutting through the winds, she could level a forest into stumps or knock the tops off mountains. Imikangi is a veteran of Hiraeth’s two greatest wars: the long-passed Giant’s March, and the much more ancient Fae Realm Invasion. Imikangi, along with many other Fae, aided Hiraeth against tyrannical Fae Lords, and more than earned a place as an honourary resident. Many of Warrior Princes have taken on more humble forms since then, but occasionally they will recall a fragment of their destructive power if they feel so inclined."

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Starting in March the Pokemon Redesign project will return! 

A lot of my creative time and energy will be devoted to the Paldea redesigns. If you like my work and want to help me out, support is always greatly appreciated. 

I have a Patreon and a Ko-fi, and if you want some of my works, I have digital books on Pay-hip, physical books on Amazon, art prints on INPRNT, and clothing and more on Redbubble and Teepublic. 

Thank you so much for following my work and I hope you’ll enjoy the upcoming redesigns as well!

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Hiraeth Creature #1212 - Yuun

“There are stories shared among those who feel lost and weary in the midst of life’s current; stories of a spirit who carries a healing breeze in their breath and plucks away all woes burrowed within a soul. They live in the forgotten parts of the east, in spiralling, tree-top roosts, only appearing before those they deem worthy. These rumours speak of the Yuun, a half-beast born of old alchemy.

Right as the kingdoms were beginning to fall, a guild of alchemists toiling in the Mystic Veil sought to cure the Northern Kingdoms of their growing plague. A curse was spreading, creating a toxic forest and walling in hapless citizens. The alchemists took inspiration from the Fae, who held records of divine beings who drew in all malignant forces, suffering to spare others. The alchemists toiled quickly, but their haste couldn’t match the footsteps of angry giants. The Giant’s March was believed to have ended this experiment, but the alchemist's work would bear fruit. In the twilight of their world, knowing they would never see morning, a few of the alchemists used taboo ritual to move their souls into new vessels, creating the Yuun.

While this gave the Yuun life, the souls of the alchemists seem to live in a haze. They have no want or memory to go north, and instead live in a sort of ephemeral state. Yuun use their powers to feed on illness and malevolent magics, regurgitating it as healing powder. Their whole body is infused with alchemical properties and they need to travel the land to intake herbs and minerals to keep their bodies functioning. If there was a way to guide their memories, they could be a great boon to the world, but they seem to be content as they are, half-way between animal and ghost.”

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2022 Summary of Art

Still goin’.

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Winter Moon

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Hiraeth Creature #1211 - Quicksilver

“Hiraeth is known for her untamed nature, but amongst her natural soul, Metal Gardens grow. Steam beasts wander out from these places, some acting with nature while others seem to defy it. Along with these metal creatures, strange elementals are born from the process of their creation. Magical coolants and smoke take form from the imperfections of mechanical birth, but the rarest of these is Quicksilver.

Quicksilver is what gives steam beasts their will; their uncanny approximation of sentience. This living alchemy is bestowed to mechanical beings through their tinkerers, the Sphinxes. From the dawn of creation, Sphinxes were the custodians of the metal garden that once encompassed the world. When spiritual awakening took control, giving life to flora and fauna, the gracious Sphinxes admitted defeat, while the spiteful Sphinxes would continue to torment their conquerors. This schism is said to be why some gardens create immersive creatures and some give way to monsters.

Hiraeth was said to embrace the gracious Sphinxes, even naming a kinship of beasts after them, but the spiteful Sphinxes forever kept the fear surrounding metal gardens alive. Sphinxes are incredibly powerful, some of the only beings able to harness both natural and celestial magic, their will seems to carry on after their demise. Though the tinkering continues and metal creatures are born, the passing of a Sphinx seems to allow Quicksilver to escape and form its own body. They are peaceful when left alone, but those who would lash against them or covet their alchemical properties will be faced with a whirlwind of chaotic magic. Consciousness in its purest form, one should sympathize with their basic wish for autonomy.”

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Hiraeth Creature #1210 - Vertithadra

“There is a land across the ocean where sea monsters sleep, far from the mark of Hiraeth-born spirits. Brave seafarers stumbled upon this land in search of what lay over the horizon but what they would find, they could never hope to understand. And yet, find it they would, led by their captain, bewitched by lost memories.

Many of the crew were lost in the shadows of sprawling catacombs, but those who turned towards heavenly light would face even greater fear. The sailors were beckoned by a second Moon, which their bewitched captain demanded to reach, no matter who came with her or not. The second Moon hung over a grand city, its light seeping through the branches of a great tree. Empty of folk, the masters of the city were the Verithadra, great spindly terrors who grew from large crevasses and entangled around crumbling towers. They themselves appeared as moonlings, their heads a bloated light that seemed to hang in the air, though they were far from the tranquility of the Moon Goddess.

From their bulbous heads, they shot forth devastating magic bolts. Their one goal was to keep all away from the second Moon, but the captain was cunning and slunk in the shadows, her crew doing their best to keep pace and keep silent. No matter the horror or pain shooting from their hearts, they had left all the world for this, and the only thing they had left was to stand before this unknowable Moon, roosting upon titanic timbers.”

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Hiraeth Creature #1209 - Quorjja

“The Deep Realm is a land of casual chaos, wherein things and places from realms, unwanted or unremembered, are left to rest. This mishmash of realities all becomes overgrown, tied and bundled together from the endless forests birthed from the remains of primordial beings. A creature who celebrates this endless crossing of realms is the Quorjja, quaggy creatures who beam with the light of a long-lost moon. 

The demon folk of the Deep Realm speak of Quorjja as interlopers, not born naturally, but crossing over from an unknown place. Wherever they gather, they sing, and as they sing, prey follows. They eat small insect-like things that appear from elsewhere, digging little holes in the fabric of reality, causing strange plant-life and fungus to start growing. Demons often tolerate the Quorjja, but never allow them to gather in too great a number. The song of the Quorjja is said to bring about a strange nervousness, and the louder it gets, that nervousness grows into panic, which will then grow into hysteria. It is possible that territories where the Qurojja are overlooked will become uninhabitable, their song overtaking all things. With a tattered reality unchecked as well, who is to say what else would start to emerge?”

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Hiraeth Creature #1208 - Ihengtra

“Many believe that old witch magic is still steeped in the fog of Hiraeth's marshlands. Seances and ceremonies long past still seem to faintly ring in the air in places long abandoned by folk. The presence of the old covens will never be forgotten, as the children of their rituals still live on to this day. One of these children is the Ihengtra; a critter who wriggles through land and water, dragging behind it a lumpy, secondary head. Risen from soft bog algae dragging up ancient stone, witches from a long past age created them to tend their gardens, removing weeds and snapping up pests who would hinder the growth of powerful alchemical flora.

Ihengtra are considerate but gluttonous and would need to be treated with care as to not graze from the gardens they were meant to defend. A cruel master will find both their flowers and their tender gone in a day. In this day and age, there are very few masters to be found for the Ihengtra. Having eaten most of their old wards, they now carry a strong magic within them. As they graze throughout the day, the residue they leave behind weaves unorganized markings across the ground. These unintentional ritual-lines create chaotic pockets between realms when entered, meaning the wrong step could take a wanderer who-knows-where. Spirits try to shepherd them away from well-traveled paths but, if a traveller was looking to be whisked away into the unknown, finding a Ihengtra herding ground is a definite way to do so.”