#Middle Palisade

[aimeekb]

Traversing up the Middle Palisade glacier trail after fresh snowfall❄️

[cadmium-free]

IM GOING TO PAINT HER BUT I NEEDED TO SKETCH HER BEFORE I FORGOT

[garden-ghoul]

GUCCI

[humanmorph]

I really truly would like them to get to meet the false prophet / puppet gur so so bad I think it could be so fun and cool but thinking about the possibility of 'what if figure rolls too well and gur isn't even there' makes me a little ill. imagine

[doesntseeyourbeauty]

and finally here are pictures from my favourite place in the whole world, the place i call home, the state of oregon ❤️

pictures as listed: the palisades at gearheart mountain outside of bly, oregon; mt. mcloughlin from lake of the woods, oregon; the willamette valley from salt creek falls; neptune beach in florence, or; eugene or from the top of spencer’s butte; neptune beach again; upper klamath lake at sunset; the painted hills at the john day fossil beds; and silver falls in silverton, or.

[dramatuba06]

Malibu Middle School's idea of projects to strengthen the classroom culture:

Building a strong classroom culture is vital to progressive development in children. Although projects have been always captivating, the teachers often find it difficult to add elements of innovation. If you too are looking forward to strengthening your classroom culture through projects, here are a few ideas by the best Malibu Middle School teachers. 1. Each voice deserves to be heard: You can try inculcating this in real-time practice in your students through various Feedback related projects. This will help each student feel that his/her voice matters. Woodland Hills private school, will further improve how students convey what they think and feel besides strengthening their self-confidence. 2. What student is going through? Through customized projects centred not around what the teacher wants to teach children but around the student’s lives can help the teacher learn more about students. This can strengthen the teacher-student bond. Sometimes, it’s the teacher who lacks knowledge about what the student is going through. These kinds of activities can bridge such gaps and make teaching more efficient besides the teacher being able to pay individualized attention to each student. 3. The positive environment: Our thinking and perceptions depend largely on what we see, read and learn. Having positive messages in front of children as to how they should behave, what they should do, etc. can impart good vibes and improve their self-awareness. These things and more contribute largely to making a positive strong classroom culture.

[stewykablooey]

kennate and kenstewy and kennaomi is like. venn diagram of stewy and nate and naomi where the middle is: partied with kendall shares a deep drug history with kendall has intimate knowledge of kendall’s daddy issues. but in nate’s circle is ‘not interested in kendalls pussy’ and in naomi’s circle is ‘has moved on from kendalls pussy’ and in stewy’s circle is ‘stung by the predatory wasp of the palisades’

[leahsfiction]

PALISADE 20: In Their Fear Pt. 1 (00:22:21–00:29:57)

“Well, the good news is that it’s still 3 Grip, which means that—”

“Yeah.”

“—we will have a chance to take care of this.”

“Jack? Take it away.”

Something bad is in the air. Bilat crafts teeter in the sky like anxious flies. The distant sound of heavy ships taking off in great black columns of launch smoke. Everything seems too bright. The day is too warm. The headache sits on your forehead and on your temples.

In Carhaix, someone drops a tray of wine glasses. Pleasure yachts and private transit gather at the closed Portcullis Gate, and as it opens vanish into distant Principality space, passing ship after ship of settlers as they pour into the Palisade System.

In the early afternoon, the sun dims, and a red band of light appears around the middle of it, like a bauble wrapped in a ribbon, or a horrible mirror of the Diadem. It’s dim enough to look at directly, but it still hurts your eyes. There is a whine in the air. Every couple of hours there is a rumble of radiation static, and a corona jets from the surface of the sun.

The animals respond in fear. Birds rise, suddenly alarmed, from the trees, or cower silently in crowded branches. Rabbits and foxes freeze, dumb, in the middle of walkways. Ants rise en masse from cracks in the walls. Rivers seem to run slow, with an algaed stink.

Some of the spies know nothing and continue as usual, keeping their mouths shut, answering questions curtly, bargaining limitedly for clemency. When others see the quality of light in the room change, and the demeanour of the people around them alter—why do the calls to Gucci Garantine keep getting dropped? What was that scream of Nidean engines overhead?—they change their tune quickly. They start making specific bargains. Get me off-world. Get me through the Portcullis Gate and I will tell you anything you want. Or they close their mouths, defiant, eyes up. Millennium Break. You do not know the sharpness of the dagger on which you walk.

Of course this is unproportional, they think. What a waste. We’re in a good place. We know the identity of Hexagon. So they made some gains in the Bontive Valley. So they fucked us up on the Isle of the Broken Key. Small beer. We are the most powerful empire in the galaxy. The blood is in the grip. But the Stargrave, these pissant revolutionaries, are gonna get this whole thing blown up.

Or: they let something slip in their fear. The Stargrave has gone mad. She was on the edge and you fucked it. They say the BIS boss went to stay with her, try and calm her down. They say she makes her staff practice dying. They say she got wind that you were trying to come for her and fled, it only made this malady worse, this is the end of the world.

When the message comes to you—secondhand, of course, the Cause council has seen this first—it shows in grainy low-resolution the pinched face of an aide-de-camp as she turns the camera on. Then she tilts it nauseatingly, the view dips, and we see the only remaining right angle of a small ruined building. It seems to be surrounded by trees. The roof came away long ago; just two brick walls stand, forming the corner in which the Stargrave stands.

She is a blonde woman in her late fifties, maybe her mid sixties. She wears full military regalia. On her right arm, from her hand up to her shoulder, is clamped an unwieldy metal device, somewhere between a leg brace and a trigger mechanism. A leather strap, almost like the bit of a horse’s bridle, with eight buttons on it, crosses the palm of her right hand which faces towards the camera. Beneath the device you can almost see that her right sleeve has been rolled up to the shoulder, or cut neatly, and two IV needles run from its metal armature: one into her upper arm, and one just above her wrist. Her face is very pale; her lips white, pressed tightly together; dull light from the armed sun. She opens her mouth: silent for a second, lips parted. Then the man standing to her right—another aide-de-camp, carrying an assault rifle—speaks.

“Terrorists of Millennium Break. As a result of recent assaults on sovereign holdings in the Bontive Valley and the central transit network of this planet, as well as targeted assaults on her office, the Stargrave has been left with no choice but to arm the stellar combustors entrusted to her in holy power for the preservation of the Divine Principality.”

He takes a shaky breath.

“She has instructed me, in her wisdom, to communicate to you that any attempt to approach the Brecheliant Forest or the stellar combustor units, covertly or otherwise, as well as any attempt on Stargrave Elcessor’s life or liberty, will be met with—will be met with an immediate detonation. Resulting in the destruction of the planet Palisade, the sector designated the Twilight Mirage, and the twenty-three systems within the nearest achievable firebreak.”

“I have also been instructed to inform you that any attempt to seek a loophole, magical or mundane, or otherwise circumvent the terms of this message, will also result in an immediate detonation. The stellar combustors will remain armed until August Righteousness of Jade Kill; Véronique and the Divine Fealty of Rose River; Captain Skelton Knaggs of Carmine Bight; Saint Decario Dicario of Violet Cove; Jesset City of Gray Pond; and Gucci Garantine of Blue Channel turn themselves in to the Bilateral Intercession at the nearest checkpoint. This message will be rebroadcast throughout the Palisade System on the hour and at the half-hour.”

There is a long moment of silence. Then the Stargrave nods imperceptibly; then the aide behind the camera turns it off.

[ahcoffeebeans]

Here are some fun numbers for the show!

PALISADE is currently 67 hours, 27 minutes, and fifty seconds - or 2 days, 19 hours, 27 minutes, and 50 seconds

The Road to Palisade was 65 hours, 17 minutes, and twelve seconds - or 2 days, 17 hours, and twelve seconds

That means PALISADE overtook The Road to Palisade 1 hour, 7 minutes, and 18 seconds into "PALISADE 29: Honesty and Integrity, Pt. 2." If you wanna listen back, something very funny happened at that exact moment!

Currently, the precise "middle" of PALISADE was 1 hour, 17 minutes, and 2 seconds into "PALISADE 15: Upon Our Grace pt. 2" - another fun moment in PALISADE!

If the next episode is longer than 1.5 hours, then the total length of PALISADE will reach 69 hours so far - nice!

I calculated all of this using the in-built audio length counter in Strawberry - an open-source music organization program. the math was all me, so there might be some mistakes here and there.

spoilers below...

we passed the road at the exact moment when the table decided to teleport Brnine away from the scene of the crime after assassinating the Princept... AND the exact half of Palisade was Sylvi's "Kingdom Hearts" joke before meeting Grand Mag.

fucking wild

[melit0n]

Delicate Is The Flesh

- Chapters -> Prologue

- Chapters will be updated as they are posted.

- Obsessive! Demon OC/Reader

- Word Count: 2.7k

- Warnings for chp: None

- Ao3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/55444003/chapters/140685856

Like the early morning star, your phone sends a bright, artificial light flooding throughout your darkened room. With each notification, it buzzes and hums against the wood of your nightstand, echoing against your four walls like a swarm of bees in the otherwise quiet room.

Being a light sleeper, something you picked up from years of waking up early to your parent's alarm to try and get a glimpse of their faces before 5pm, you’re easily awoken by the constant stream of messages pouring light into the tranquil, warm room.

Under the covers, you lie comfortably and in a drowsy state of drifting in and out of the dream world while the consistent noise pulls you like ocean currents back to the reality of your dim room. Your body begs for more sleep, but your mind whines at you to check your phone; this amount of notifications at what has to be the middle of the night must mean something important is happening, right? But you’re so warm…surely this can wait ‘till the morning when you’ve had a little bit more sleep?

To your sleep-deprived delight, the notifications seem to cease, and your room returns to its darkened state. Happily, you turn over, away from your phone, and cosy yourself further under the covers. A small, pleased grin graces your face as you slowly drift back into the warm, inky hold of sleep.

Bzz...bzz...bzz

But, much to your chagrin, the notifications keep on coming.

“Shut up…” is mumbled into your now warm pillow, your eyes snapping open to stare blearily at your ceiling before rubbing your face and closing them again.

Bzz bzz…bzz bzz…bzz bzz

Each damning notification wakes you up further and you become uncomfortably aware of how warm you are. Of the sweat on your face and trickling down your back. Your muscles groan and ache with the odd, uncomfortable position you’ve found yourself in as well; legs and arms twisted in on yourself like a pretzel.

“Okay! Okay…fine, I’m up…” Groaning loudly, you unfurl yourself and grasp fruitlessly at the air next to your bed stand, before accepting your fate and finally opening your eyes and finding your phone. A slew of notifications, all from a very familiar group chat named ‘The Loggers’ meet your strained eyes.

With a grimace, you recoil at the bright light of your screen before turning down the brightness and squinting at the messages that your half-awake brain can barely compute. Quickly skim-reading the conversation you were not yet privy to, you find your friends, well, two of them, fangirling over some abandoned site that they had ‘found’. By found, they mean there are multiple extensive articles written about it, a surprising abundance of YouTube videos and at least 4 threads of it on Reddit, all of which you can’t be bothered to read through at this time. You wouldn’t remember jackshit in the morning anyways.

As you’re about to put your phone back down on your nightstand and attempt to go back and get your dearly needed sleep, a message directly addresses you:

Jeanne: @Y/N read this:

It’s followed by a long link which, after clicking on it with a tired sigh, you’re half sure may or may not be a virus from the number of pop-up ads crammed into the site. You shuffle yourself further upright on your bed, back cracking with the movement. Carefully, you eye the small words in the article, reading:

On the brink of the bustling new city of Rosholt lies a forgotten palisade of abandoned homes, shops and streets that sit almost mummified after being deserted for so many years.

Neuhaven, a rebuilt mining town founded in the 1950s, sits unoccupied after a factory break out of, at the time, unknown, harmful toxins released into the air that made it uninhabitable for human and animal life alike on the 11th of June, 1972. The toxins caused irreparable damage to the human respiratory system, inducing almost plague-like symptoms of coughing up blood, extreme drowsiness, blueish colouring on the tips of fingers as well as auditory and visual hallucinations…

Below the paragraph lies a series of gory photographs; blackened lungs, missing fingers and bedridden children. However, one of the more disturbing photos that catches your eye is of multiple people with missing eyelids staring into the camera, or rather, staring right past it. Even through the pixels of your phone, you can see the utter terror contained inside their pupils.

You frown, almost clicking out of the article before your eyes glimpse the next paragraph.

…Unfortunately, the harmful chemical breakout was not noted to citizens of the town at the time. The full extent of the damage done only became fully clear when many of the aforementioned citizens became chronically ill; exhibiting signs of mental hysteria. Continuous hallucinations, paired with a debilitating illness no one seemed to be able to figure out the cause of, led many of the people of the God-fearing town to believe that this plague was a punishment from The Almighty Judge Himself. Or, perhaps, something more malevolent.

Well, your friends always had an interest in the morbid and macabre, didn’t they? All of you grew up inhaling online creepypastas, pixelated ARGs and horrifying LiveLeak videos like it was Oxygen, so, it was safe to say all of you were desensitised.

At least, to an extent.

Still, with the images of missing eyelids burned into your mind, which something inside of you told you were self-made, had you questioning why exactly your friends were so interested? Even from the few paragraphs you read, something put you off of this place.

It seemed less of an abandoned city and more of a mass graveyard.

Growing unnerved by the perturbing history of the town, you scrolled down further in hopes of skipping any more grisly photos.

After the official closing of the city in late June of the same year, the old town quickly became a hotspot for violent crime and drug dealings.

Oh. Brilliant.

Bodies of missing persons from across the country found their way down the river that flows between Rosholt and Neuhaven, almost like souls travelling down the river Styx, along with what morticians noted as ‘perfectly preserved’ corpses appearing and disappearing in the series of apartment blocks that Neuhaven houses and is, to this date, now most famous for.

Okay. Not worrying or terrifying at all.

However, across recent years, it has become a hub for urban explorers and true crime junkies alike. As well as this, the old town has begun to gain traction across social media due to its supposed ghost sightings.

At the word ‘ghost’, you perk up a bit, shifting upright in your bed. The covers rustle loudly in the light silence of your room.

Popular Urban Exploration videos turn into ghost-hunting videos that garner thousands of views. Despite this, many people believe that the ‘ghost’ sightings are simply hallucinations from possible leftover chemicals in the air (although a study of the area’s air by the state in worries of this shows no such thing) and the few that are caught on video are a result of electromagnetic waves coming from the radiation plant that provides power to Rosholt causing issues with any recording gear. Or, quite simply, many videos are believed to be edited. Nonetheless, they still make their rounds on social media.

Even with its recent boom of popularity, the city lies cornered off most months due to continued police investigation over drug dealing and by order of the local council due to plans to further expand Rosholt and demolish Neuhaven. Nevertheless, people still find a way to get in…

Another notification hangs over the top of your phone screen, which you tap on, only to see one of your friends sending links to YouTube videos, all with similar thumbnails of ‘Ghost caught on camera!’ or ‘Dead body found!’.

For the sake of your sanity, you go against watching any of them.

Jeanne: thoughts @Y/N @Helen? We're on break and we need something to do

Helen: Looks fun but the drug dealing, dead bodies and the whole being patrolled by the local council and police is a bit of a no-go for me. Has Noah already said yes?

Noah: Yeahh, it looks interesting from what I’ve seen, it isn’t every day you get the chance to see an abandoned city anyways. Plus, I’d rather Jeanne didn’t go alone and get done in by cops again lmaoo

Jeanne: Id be just fine on myself asshat <3

Jeanne sends a quick-fire response to Noah's 'insult' before attempting to convince Helen again.

Jeanne: I get u but when are we ever gonna be able to explore a whole abandoned city? Even if we only do certain buildings per night?

Helen: There’s so many other abandoned towns that aren’t patrolled by half a city’s police force. Plus, didn’t one of the other articles say that that town was radiated from a leak at the power plant in the big city as well? Getting radiated so I can’t go out in the sun ever again is putting me off a bit.

A video, a screen-recorded one instead of a link, is then sent over of some dude wandering around with what looks like a very damaged Geiger counter as he roams what you guess to be the shell of the city. Not a single bit of what would be considered dangerous radiation is picked up; at least nothing over the typical 20 counts per minute.

Noah: That fix your worries? Lololol

Helen: It’s still picking up something?

Noah: I know I help you out with Science sometimes but were you MIA when we did radiation or something? That’s just natural radiation, same amount you probably give off

Helen: Is that meant to be an insult? Lol.

Noah: No?? Of course not

Jeanne: @Y/N, what do u think? Stop looming over the convo Batman I can see ure online

Shit. You completely forgot they could see that.

For a couple of minutes, you go back and forth, trying to type a digestible response that doesn’t look like you just keyboard smashed, and, y’know, also contemplating if you really do want to go see an abandoned city and run the risk of seeing a corpse. Or, even worse, get tied up in watching someone become one.

You: Looks cool but the dead body thing definitely isn’t. Plus, if people are talking about there still being chemicals in the air, I’d rather not run the risk of getting whatever the fuck those people back in the 70s got

Helen: Thank you.

Jeanne: u two are such pussies! U know how articles like that like to blow stuff out of proportion, and anyways that stuff with all the dead bodies was ages ago, nothings happened for years

You frown at the response. Dead bodies are still dead bodies, even if they did appear years ago.

You: I’m still not too on board with walking around in what is basically a massive grave site

Noah: It’s only an hour and a half’s road trip away, closer than anything like Pripyat or Pentedattilo, and they said they plan to demolish it soon as well

Another lengthy article you don’t bother to click on is sent with the cut-off title of ‘Rosholt’s expansion plans for…’

Jeanne: by the time our break has ended that shit might be gone and we’d never be able to explore it. And its so fucking close to us as well!! Would just be a shame if we didnt get to see it

A few seconds of silence permeate the groupchat before Helen speaks yet again.

Helen: I still don’t know about this.

You take a moment to think it over, staring at the wall opposite you in bleary contemplation. Admittedly, your plans for the break had consisted of sleeping, bingeing films, rotting in bed and maybe going out to see a film or going shopping if one of your friends tried hard enough to convince you.

Your group had been going urban exploring ever since you can remember. You were half sure it was only because it was one of the few meetups you’d almost always easily agree to, but, either way, it was your Thing, so to speak. Abandoned malls, old diners, broken down farmhouses, you name it, your group had done it.

However, an abandoned city was new. Even with the threat of dead bodies and chemical poisoning, you were quite frankly intrigued. Maybe your friends would even let you off having to go somewhere with them for the rest of the break if you did this with them.

Don’t get it wrong, you don’t hate your friends, not in the slightest; there’s no way you would’ve been able to keep them for so many years if you did. Quite simply, you just aren’t one for extensive social interaction, especially when it means leaving the comfort of your apartment. Your friend Jeanne called you a homebody for it, Noah called you a ‘shut in with unaddressed social interaction issues’, which, way to hit you in the gut, and your other friend, Helen, simply called you reserved.

So, maybe, going here could get them off your back for a bit.

You: What date were you thinking?

Jeanne: I was thinking tomorrow? That sound good for everyone?

Another message is quickly sent.

Jeanne: I mean later today lmao, didnt realise it was that late, everyone good w/ that?

Noah: Good 4 me

Jeanne: nice! Helen?

Helen: I think I’ll be sitting this one out.

Jeanne: come onnnnn we gotta do it with the whole group! Won’t be the same without uuu

A few seconds pass with radio silence from Helen, and you watch with an odd amount of anticipation as the words ‘Helen is typing…’ disappear and reappear on your screen.

Helen: Fine.

Jeanne: WOOOOO

Noah: YESSSS

Smiling widely at your friend's reactions, and typing a response of your own, you put your focus back on the date. Tomorrow. You glance over at your alarm clock; 2:49am. Tomorrow as in...today. Tomorrow as in today where you’re currently getting a very minimal amount of sleep. Like a balloon, you feel your whole body deflate at the thought of having to spend part of your afternoon, and most likely all of your evening, in this abandoned city while running on a few hours of sleep....with one of the most energetic extroverts you've ever met; Jeanne.

You: Can we do it any other day? How about next week?

Noah: My brother and I are going on holiday with our parents after the end of this week for the next two weeks :’((

Helen: I’ve got to go back and forth between school for final coursework, remember? I don’t know when I’ll be completely free other than tomorrow and the day after that.

Jeanne: so its set, tomorrow yeah? That good with everyone?

Helen: Yes.

Noah: Yup

Sighing dramatically, you type out your answer.

You: Okay :D

A few more messages are sent through which you don’t bother to read through. You glance yet again at your clock and groan, praying that they don’t decide they want to go at the crack of dawn. Unlike you, your friends were all morning people if anything. Noah was a night owl who could run on three hours of sleep, down a shot of caffeine, wake up at 5:30 and spend the rest of his day fine. Helen naturally woke up early, body still half stuck in a different time zone, and Jeanne liked having every minute of sunlight that she possibly could.

You, on the other hand, suffered through never having enough sleep, body and mind consistently refusing to let go of the past and sending you through reams of vivid nightmares that seemed to have haunted you ever since you were a kid.

Plus, you certainly didn’t have the money for a therapist to prescribe you melatonin, or any other sleeping drug for that matter, let alone the prescription itself.

With a frown of disdain and yet another glance at your alarm clock, you gently turn your phone onto silent and place it back to charge on your nightstand.

Plans can wait; you’re too damn tired for this shit. Two weeks off from school promised you at least a better chance at getting a full eight hours of sleep, and you’ll be damned if you don’t get it.

Grumbling nonsense to yourself, you wrap yourself back into a warm blanket burrito, already knowing you’ll regret how warm and sweaty you’ll be by the morning, and slowly but surely fall back into the warm arms of sleep. Hopefully, with no nightmares.

Well, at least you’ve actually got plans for Winter break now. And hey, what could go wrong, right?

[alas-pooryorick]

On Friendship, Falling in Love and Falling Apart, pt. 4 (pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3)

Stuck In The Middle, Tai Verdes

Boyish, Japanese Breakfast

Boyish, Japanese Breakfast

Straw for the Fire: From the Notebooks of Theodore Roethke

Stuck In The Middle, Tai Verdes

Stuck In The Middle, Tai Verdes

Mayakovsky, Frank O'Hara

Boyish, Japanese Breakfast

Not In Love, Crystal Castles and Robert Smith

The Worm King’s Lullaby, Richard Siken

Stuck In The Middle, Tai Verdes

Stuck In The Middle, Tai Verdes

Just One Yesterday, Fall Out Boy and Foxes

Not In Love, Crystal Castles and Robert Smith

Intimacy, Hanif Kureishi

Cassandra: A Novel and Four Essays, Christa Wolf, Jan van Heurck

The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out to Get Us!, Sufjan Stevens

How I Survived Bobby Mackey’s Personal Hell, Lincoln

Forgiveness, Rina Sawayama

The Truth Has Three Sides, Sabrina Benaim

Cocaine Jesus, Rainbow Kitten Surprise

The Perfect Song, The National

Letters from Medea, Salma Deera

[nanowrimo]

World-building a Diverse Landscape

If you’re working on making a big and immersive world for your story, NaNoWriMo writer Siera Schubach has some tips for building different kinds of landscapes into your novel:

The wonderful part of writing fantasy is you don’t have to rely on reality. 

However, there is much inspiration that can be drawn from the real world that will enhance your worldbuilding efforts.

Landscapes in particular can lend believability to your fantasy world, as well as inform plot and character creation. Here are a few ideas and tips to help you on your worldbuilding journey.  

Think Outside the Forest

When we think of landscapes, a few broad categories may come to mind: 

Desert

Forest

Mountains

Plains

If you look at the landscape of any country, you will see variations on each of these broad types. There are high deserts filled with sage brush, and coastal deserts flanked by ocean. Mountains can be tall and sharp, or sloped and smooth. And forests can grow trees in every size from as tall as the giant sequoia, to as small as pinyon pines. 

In my travels this summer, I have seen some beautiful landscapes I never knew existed. Here are few that have inspired me:

Pyramid Lake, Nevada

Great Sand Dunes, Colorado

Badlands, South Dakota

Panther Creek Falls, Montana

Cove Palisades, Oregon

Tip: If you are unable to travel, a browse through google images or national park websites can lead to some interesting discoveries. 

Landscape and Character

Landscape informs character in ways we don’t always consider. We have all been shaped one way or another by the physical landscape in which we grew up. Whether it be our understanding of the world, or just what we feel comfortable living within. 

Say you have a character who was born on an island. They woke up each morning with the sound of ocean waves, surrounded by hibiscus flowers and mango trees. How might they be affected if they were suddenly moved to a desert? 

If your fantasy world consists of non-human species, then landscape can also have an impact on their physiology. How might a character who grew up in a high mountain landscape have adapted to living in high altitude? 

Take a moment and consider how you have been shaped by the landscape in which you grew up. How have your experiences changed as you’ve moved to different environments?

Now consider one of your characters. How have they been shaped by the landscapes they experienced?

Nature is Messy

Nature impacts us in a multitude of ways everyday. Whether it be allergies, or rainstorms, or a steep climb up a hill. Your characters should have the same relationship with it.

Consider the difficulties that can arise as they encounter different landscapes. Remember, there shouldn’t always be a path. Let your characters wade through the water, get tangled in the underbrush, lose their shoes in the mud. 

Difficult terrain can be a catalyst for an argument or confrontation. Waiting for the tide to go out could lead your characters to finally have that difficult conversation. A beautiful view can inspire someone to admit their true feelings. 

Let your landscape inform character decisions in the same way our real natural world informs our own. 

Tip: Take a walk and pay attention to the landscape. What plants do you encounter? What beauty do you see? 

Embrace the Unusual

We tend to view landscapes in simple terms. We can easily imagine a forest lined lake, or a desert brimming with cactus. But what about large rock formations in the middle of a plain? Or sand dunes at the base of verdant mountains? These are the sorts of unusual landscapes that make a world feel believable. 

As I’ve written before, there is no need to know every single detail of your fantasy world before getting started. Instead, consider these ideas as you write and discover what makes your fantasy landscape unique. Challenge yourself to go beyond the basic lines of landscape to something a little more interesting. 

Siera Schubach is an award-winning writer, storyteller, and random fact collector. She is currently in the depths of editing her latest fantasy novel, and working on a nonfiction book that will be published by Bloomsbury in 2024.

[she-wolf09231982]

Chapter 4-The Day of The Fellowship

Summary: The Council of Elrond commences with you in attendance. As discussions become heated, you inaugurate yourself into The Fellowship.

Author Note: LegolasxFemale reader, Legolasx!Female Elf, Y/N, Elves, Hobbits, Dwarves, Men, LOTR movie references, Inserted LOTR script, Sindarian language, Lord Elrond, Gandalf, Legolas, Aragorn, Boromir, Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippen

Tags: @ameliabs-world @angelicsmilestff @abakar974 @michaelcerassweatband @maddi-sun18

I hope you enjoy this! Thanks for the love

*State Visits-Incoming and outgoing visitations of Foreign Monarchs to discuss concerns and ideas.

Sindarian to English translations:

* Ir are cin govanneth nin adar?- When are you meeting my father?

*nin bein mellon- my fair friend

*nin cóon-my prince

*nin mellons- my friends

*ward- a courtyard within the castle walls.

*keep- a fortified tower built within the walls and used as a last refuge in case of an attack.

*Havo dad-sit down

*Baw, nin -iel- No, my daughter

*Adar, im will ú- dorth- hi ir im tur- tulu a ar thel- -Father, I will not stay here when I can support a noble purpose.

*Legolas na- with nin- Legolas is with me

*nay- not

~~~~~~~~

The following morning upon yours and Legolas’ arrival to Rivendell, you found yourself once again meeting him at dawn in the rich and lavish gardens surrounding the kingdom. Just as you’ve always done during your state visits at Mirkwood.

“*Ir are cin govanneth nin adar?” You ask Legolas.

“This afternoon, *nin bein mellon.” He responded.

You look ahead as you walk, your arm hooked and resting on his as he escorts you on the scenic trail.

“You’re still troubled, Y/N.” Legolas observed as he glances over at you.

“I am.” You admit after an extended pause.

“We know not what this council holds yet, Y/N. No need to fret over something we know nothing of.” He responded trying to comfort you.

“The earth is trembling, *nin cóon. I know you feel it, as well. Middle Earth is in grave danger.” You say.

Legolas nodded in agreement.

~~~~~~~~

After breakfast, you stroll through a palisade that is overgrown in white and blue anemones. Suddenly ahead of you, there is a rustle in the shrubberies. At first, you’re alarmed, and slowly reach for your blade beneath your robes when suddenly two small beings tumble out quite abruptly, rolling to a halt on the gravel path in front of you. You are taken aback to see a pair of hobbits groaning from pain after colliding onto the ground.

You tilt your head to the side studying the silly little creatures as they attempt to stand brushing the dust and dirt off themselves.

“I told you those weren’t raspberry bushes, Pippen!” The one hobbit snickered.

“No, you specifically said they looked like they were, Merry.” Pippen retorted.

“Exactly, I never said that they were actual raspberry.” Merry clarified.

They continued to debate not noticing you approaching them.

You inserted yourself into their conversation.

“I can tell you where the raspberry bushes do grow, if you like?” You say to them.

They both jump back with a gasp, then grasped their chests with a sigh of relief when they see it’s you. Their eyes widened after they realize that you are Rivendell royalty, and each knelt to a knee bowing their heads to you.

You chuckle at them.

“Rise, *nin mellons. I don’t require such formalities.” You say as you walk over to them gently guiding them upward to their feet with your fingertips under their chins.

Pippen and Merry smile at you and exchanged bashful expressions.

“You are too kind, your highness.” Merry stated.

“Please, I am Y/N. Refer to me as such for you are friends to my family and I.” You asserted with an inviting smile.

Pippen and Merry smiled appreciatively at you. You continue.

“Now, let’s find those raspberry shrubs, shall we?” You suggest flashing the pair a mischievous grin.

The two hobbits looked excitedly at eachother and scurried to catch up with you as you proceeded ahead of them.

~~~~~~~~

The Council finally began to gather in one of the blossoming *wards just off Rivendell’s *keep. You had convinced your father that you should also be present, otherwise you would relentlessly pry him for details later. You were seated to the right of your father, while the other attending members of his council began to settle into their seats facing eachother in a circle surrounding a carved stone pedestal in the center.

You saw Legolas enter with his retinue of Elves from a stone archway. He casted a glance with a faint smile when he saw you. You beam at him but avert your attention to regain your composure realizing you just seen him a few hours ago and shouldn’t be so excited to see him.

You recognize Gandalf the Grey right away and beside him, another hobbit you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting yet. A group of dwarves enter as well as Boromir from Gondor. Aragorn arrived last, seating himself quietly on the end.

Your father addressed the congregation,

“Strangers from distant lands, Friends of old. You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor.”

You notice Legolas perking up in his seat, leaning forward to hang on every word your father said.

Elrond continued,

“Middle-Earth stands upon the brink of destruction…”

You start to fade into fog. Elrond’s words became mumbles to your ears as you sensed troubling times approaching with the news you just heard. You must have been distracted by your thoughts for quite a bit of time, for out of the corner of your eye, you see Boromir approaching the pedestal that displayed a gold Ring upon it. Your elvish hearing returning to you, you hear Boromir speaking.

“…Ilisldur’s Bane is found.” Boromir whispered as he reached towards the Ring.

Your father and Gandalf exchange concerned looks as Boromir’s fingers hover above the Ring.

You father leaps up, “Boromir!”

No sooner does Gandalf stand and begins to chant in the Black Speech. The Ring echoes the harsh words as thunder cracks and the sky suddenly darkens. The council look around them in fear and confusion as your father rubs his temples. Legolas closes his eyes waiting for the chaos to pass. Gandalf finishes his mantra, swaying in place from the heaviness of the words he spoke.

“Never before has any voice uttered the words of that tongue here in Imladris!” Elrond scolded Gandalf.

“I do not ask your pardon, Master Elrond,” Gandalf began still trying to catch his breath, “for the Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the West! The Ring is all together evil.” Gandalf warned, peering over towards Boromir.

Boromir continued to oppose the disposal of the Ring, suggesting using it as a weapon against their enemies.

“You cannot wield it! None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master.” Aragorn interjected.

Boromir approaches Aragorn arrogantly, words leaving his mouth that you fail to receive when you see Legolas stand,

“This is no mere ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathron. You owe him your allegiance.” Legolas declared.

Aragorn raised a hand to Legolas gesturing him to calm down,

“*Havo dad, Legolas.” Aragorn responded in elvish to Legolas.

Boromir scoffed, looked back at Aragorn hissing a retort about Gondor not needing a king, then returned to his chair.

“Aragorn is right. We cannot use it.” Gandalf confirmed.

“You have only one choice,” Elrond continued, “the Ring must be destroyed.”

“Then what are we waiting for?” A dwarf growled as he grabbed his axe striking down upon the Ring.

He is repelled back, sending him to the ground. The ring remains unscathed, while his axe lays in shards around the pedestal.

You notice the hobbit next to Gandalf wince in pain suddenly. You tilt your head at him, while clairvoyantly reading his thoughts, you see the Eye of Sauron.

“The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft that we possess here-“ Elrond began.

He continues to explain that the Ring must be unmade where it was created; it will need to be casted into the fires of Mount Doom.

“-One of you must do this.” Elrond stated.

You notice Legolas’ chest rise with pride. He was already prepared for the challenge. You beam at him, staring in awe and also in fear. He will leave here, and you will be held here against your will awaiting his return…if he did return. You’re taken back from your deep thoughts when you hear Boromir barking at the council.

“-And the great Eye is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland riddled with fire and ash and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with 10 thousand men you can do this. It is folly.” He scoffed again.

Legolas stood indignantly, “Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said?” He projected.

You revert your attention to him as he stood, alarmed at the rising intensity in the air. Legolas continued.

“The Ring must be destroyed!” He stated again.

Gimli spoke up, “And I suppose you think you’re the one to do it?!” He mocked at Legolas.

Legolas gave Gimli a scathing glance.

“And if we fail? What then?!” Boromir argues.

“I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf!” Gimli spat.

Arguments erupted amongst the council members. Elves advanced on the dwarves, but Legolas extended his arms out to restrain them.

You stood as your father approached the mixed council quarreling and bickering over eachother. All you could do was stand there still, your eyes darting between each of them with your heart and mind racing trying to contemplate a way to de-escalate this muddle.

Your focus is suddenly pulled by a scorching heat towards the stand where the Ring rests. You look to see flames engulfing the surface of the Ring. You then hear an obscure; booming voice arise from the Ring.

“Ash Nazg Durbatuluk! Ash Nazg Gimatul! Ash Nazg Gimbatul! Ash Nazg Gimbatul!”

As these words hang in the air, the intensity of the arguments increases. You then notice the one hobbit from earlier stands and addresses the arguing council with a dawning look of determination across his face.

“I will take it!” He calls out to the council. They continue to argue, so he repeats,

“I will take it!!”

The fighting dies down. Gandalf closed his eyes as he heard this statement. All attention is redirected towards the young hobbit, as he continues.

“I will take the Ring to Mordor. Though- I do not know the way.” He added.

Gandalf approaches him.

“I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear.” Gandalf placed his hand reassuringly on Frodo’s shoulder.

Aragorn rose to his feet, “If by my life or death, I can protect you, I will. You have my sword.” He pledged as he kneels before the hobbit.

Legolas stepped up, “And you have my bow.” He stated.

A gruff voice arises from behind the group, “And my axe!” Gimli pushes through the circle joining Legolas on his left.

Gimli exchanged a begrudging look with Legolas.

Boromir approaches, “You carry the fate of us all little one. If this is indeed the will of one Council, then Gondor will see it done.” He joins the group.

A proud smile spreads across your face watching this act of unity blossoming before you. Your father is pleased as well.

Suddenly, another hobbit you didn’t know appears.

“Hey! Mister Frodo is not goin’ anywhere without me!” This hobbit known to be Sam, stood proud next to Frodo crossing his arms in protest.

“No indeed, it is hardly possible to separate you even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not.” Elrond chastised, looking somewhat displeased with the intrusion.

Not sooner after you father’s words did the two hobbits you met on your walk earlier emerge.

“Wait we’re coming too!” Pippen and Merry shout as they join the ever-growing group of volunteers.

Your father flashed a surprised irritated look, but softened his expression as he observed the assembly before him.

“Nine companions…So be it! You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring!” He announced triumphantly.

You stepped forward, “Ten.” You stated boldly.

Legolas’ eyes flashed to you in apprehension. His eyebrows drawn together in confusion. Your father and the remaining members of the council direct their gazes upon you, all looking as puzzled as the next.

“*Baw, nin -iel.” Your father disputed.

You turn your attention to your father whose face now appears hardened and stern. You sense he’s alarmed and panicked by your declaration.

“*Adar, im will ú- dorth- hi ir im tur- tulu a ar thel-" You respond serenely walking towards him. He meets you halfway to speak directly to you.

“This journey is besieged with dangers and perils beyond your understanding, Y/N.” Elrond whispers to you firmly. His concerned sharp eyes glossing over with what looks to be tears.

You take your father’s hands in yours, squeezing them comfortingly as you speak.

“Father, it is time I serve our family, and our people for the greater good of Rivendell. I am very capable to complete this quest, and The Fellowship could benefit from having a woman accompany them.” You explain then continue.

“Besides,*Legolas na- with nin.” You added, while looking over at Legolas who is staring intensely at you.

Your father turned and observes Legolas with eyebrows furrowed giving him a once over. Elrond knows Legolas is an elf more than worthy of his youngest daughter. He also knows if he tries to keep you from accompanying The Fellowship, you will certainly go without his consent. Elrond sighed in defeat, then looked back to you lovingly with a slight grin.

“Legolas, come forth.” Elrond commanded loudly.

Legolas proceeded to you and your father, standing tall and proud, chest steadily heaving with anticipation. Elrond slowly faces him.

“Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood, do you vow to keep my daughter, Y/N, princess and self-proclaimed protector of Rivendell at your side; *nay allowing her out of your grasp nor sight; seeing she is protected at all costs from harm’s way throughout this precarious journey with The Fellowship to its end?” Elrond announced for the entire council to hear.

Legolas places his right hand over his chest and bows to Elrond.

“I swear by the Greenleaf name and all that my heart possesses, I will see to it Y/N remains at my side for the duration of this quest until I return her to you, my Lord.” Legolas’ voice deep and honeyed as he dares to raise his eyes to yours without lifting his head, meeting your gaze devotedly.

Your heart soars as Legolas’ sky-blue irises pierce every inch of your soul, sending waves of warmth to your cheeks. You award Legolas a smile.

“So, it is ten.” Elrond continues. “Rise, Legolas, Guardian and Defender of Princess Y/N. May all the strength and vigor of Middle-Earth lead you to victory.”

Elrond then addressed the rest of The Fellowship.

“And to you all.” He added with an approving nod.

Each member of The Fellowship respectfully lowered their head to Lord Elrond.

Legolas claims his position at your side, placing his hand gently on the small of your back sending you into a whirlwind of sensations. Although his touch had you outright glowing, you stand tall, head held high, shoulders back and hands folded in front of you maintaining your royal disposition. You and Legolas were a magnificent vision standing side by side. Ready to face head on whatever underworldly challenges come your way…together.

[humanmorph]

btw. Chime first mission mini arc? Btw

[swallowtailed]

palisade 22:

it feels like we’re back in partizan.

specifically, in the final arc and finale. inevitability, monochrome, horrific threats and risky plays. a mission underground. a space infiltration. divines scouring the void. (are we back, or did we never leave?)

the new theme music reminds me so much of the partizan finale theme.

the constantly changing gravity inside chimera’s lantern—do we carry it with us?

and then there’s “once the war’s over”.

what i’ve been thinking is, you know, the blue channel has all the narrative power against the stargrave because the stakes are so high that they can justify any sacrifice, which could grant them mechanical power because armor astir facilitates that. and… here we are.

but man am i gonna miss phrygian.

anyway, it adds to the partizan feeling: knowing that someone is going to die, tasting the dream of a happier ending but plunging back into the fight…

(i’ve definitely brought this up before but i am always ALWAYS thinking about the blue channel going back for the pzn finale.)

in other news:

excited for the title drop mostly because it feels like a real arc title—i can think of a dozen relevant ideals that might be proven impossible (/achieved anyway?), in either plot.

my hopes for spaceship bottle horror were so high and this ep did not disappoint. shutting down the systems and gliding silently is excellent sf, as is the heat shields going out. now someone can go out there in a spacesuit and try to fix them >:)

also want to shout out phrygian’s crt monitor & longhand math approach

paramerion is FANTASTIC. love to simply become a sword. love to become a sword specifically to take down your rival in the visage of a dead saint.

pleased to be beyond clocks at this stage. the clock has already ticked; it’s midnight. 

mustard red’s offer… very scary. very interesting. love that the players are being offered the option of getting even more out of this—raising the positive stakes on their side.

hearing each planet in the mirage included in the intro was heartwrenching. also “most people don’t have time to practice dying”/“but that doesn’t mean they aren’t afraid, on palisade”

i bet it was a really weird day for the rose river sleep detachment when they found out about the solar system, maine

really fascinating to listen to this while in the middle of aih 20. weird dungeons! half-understood histories!

it is always an interesting process to write topical fanfiction for a weekly show. (fic. features a take on this mission that nowhere near happened, which i expected, but also you can probably tell where i was hedging my bets re phrygian—i very nearly went this sort of route, where someone would have to die.)

welcome to the end of this world, or, yknow, the fatt midseason finale.

[eschercaine]

zaldrīzes tīkuni

The people of King’s Landing, once a small town with wooden palisades and muddy streets, knew no happiness, only fear as a dreadful dragon has been terrorizing a town and its people. To appease the dragon, the villagers use a ritual that sacrificed young maidens, and they sing an ancient song to summon the dragon.

Many years later, the young Princess Rhaenyra is betrothed to Lord Jason of House Lannister. At their wedding, the people sing the ancient ritual song.

Drakari pykiros Tīkummo jemiros Yn lantyz bartossa Saelot vāedis Hen ñuhā elēnī: Perzyssy vestretis Se gēlȳn irūdaks Ānogrose Perzyro udrȳssi Ezīmptos laehossi Hārossa letagon Aōt vāedan Hae mērot gierūli: Se hāros bartossi Prūmȳsa sōvīli Gevī dāerī

In the middle of the wedding, the dragon, who was thought to have been dead, captures Rhaenyra.

Where the princess had gone? No one knows as Lord Lannister searches for his bride futilely in a fog for moons.

(Based on the 2015 Russian film I Am Dragon.)