#mythical elements

[iamthespineofmybook]

Magical "Girl" idea: team is based on all the Classical Elements from around the world, regardless of country of origin, with their transformation being mythical beings associated with that element. They don't generally know automatically what creature they turn into, though it's obvious for a couple of them.

Fire: Western Dragon

Water: Bunyip

Earth: Dwarf

Air: Ruk/Roc

Metal: Stymphalian Birds

Wood: Kodama (gets angry if someone calls her a dryad.)

Aether: Faerie. Can turn into tiny insect-winged kind, but is normally ethereally beautiful tall humanoid.

Void: something Kaos-like. Primordial. Most powerful individual member.

The team has a few queer characters, such as the Earth wielder being a trans man and not realizing until he transforms and the Fire wielder being genderfluid. Will create characters for the others later.

Part one is the team slowly being empowered and fighting a Dark Kingdom Monster of the Week thing. Part two has the Void wielder have an existential crisis and becoming the new Big Bad for a while.

Despite no secret identities between them (but yes to secret identities from the public), Void doesn't attack the others' families because her issue(s?) are to do with them, not their families.

If part three need be, then Void is snapped out of it and there's a reveal that she was being controlled, which sets up a new Big Bad. Void retires for a while to set up for a Big Damn Heroes moment against said Big Bad.

[jetmultiverse]

Made the Mythical Elements CMC because why not

I was just bored and felt like doing this soooo, ya, no actual art, just Pony Town, and yes I changed their cutiemarks

•Applebloom Orchard

The youngest of the Orchard (Apple) siblings, she is currently a young adult and though she still helps out on the farm she mainly works in alchemy

•Scootaloo ???

Scootaloo was never able to truly fly due to being born without the magic to do so. Despite being born Pegasus she inherented Earth-pony magic instead from her father. She currently works doing stunts with her scooter

•Sweetsong Gemfinder

Sweetsong always looked up to her older sister, especially when her and her friends were late getting their cutiemarks as Rarity is unable to gain one. Sweetsong loves to sing and is a popular music artist however she has never shown her face

[melaniem54]

Review: The Replacement Husband (Goddess Blessed #1) by Eliot Grayson

Review: The Replacement Husband (Goddess Blessed #1) by Eliot Grayson

Rating: 3 🌈 I was looking forward to The Replacement Husband (Goddess Blessed #1) by Eliot Grayson based on the description and the author. But unfortunately this romance just doesn’t work. Grayson’s plot has a mythical element (as does the series) where there’s a Goddess based religion, a Goddess who’s a actual influence, and a element where men are characterized as “goddess blessed “ upon…

[strijkdesign]

"Above"

the barrier between worlds just seems so thin. I've always loved the look of an aureole. Now I've been adding it more and more to my paintings. It's just a great compositional element.

[wolfgirlfloof]

Something I appreciate about Hortus de Escapismo is how it portrays the Laterans and non-Laterans, especially in contrast to each other. Guide Ahead already gave us the angel ethnostate vs multi-racial heretics, which made for a pretty effective if blatant commentary on Laterano. And while it might seem Hortus is kind of repeating the same formula, I think it's got something subtler going on with interesting implications.

On one side we have the abbey's inhabitants: sankta, sarkaz and all other races--hell, even a seaborn for a moment. Are there cracks here and there? Of course, that's a whole plot point. But it can't be denied there is genuine camaraderie and self-sacrifice going on between these people who are simply trying to survive together (which is what makes those cracks all the more volatile).

Contrast this with the Laterans, who are dysfunctional as hell. Lemuen, Oren, Richele, and Spuria; I can't say I fully parsed everything happening between them on a moment-to-moment basis, but it was overall apparent that none of these people trust each other. Even though they're friends and classmates and colleagues, even though they're working for the good of the same state, even though they're sankta who can literally read each other's minds. There's just this constant mess of cahoots and conspiracy and treachery and bitter friction, and it takes the threat of an Innsmouth-Jonestown crossover event to get them to finally work together.

I thought it was a nice way to show more of Laterano's flaws. It's one of their core themes that they aren't as great as they say they are, but you'd think they would, at the least, have blessed harmony thanks to their literal hivemind. But evidently that isn't true either. And again, these are agents at the highest levels of the government. If they're this dysfunctional, what does that say for Laterano as a whole?

Which leads me into thinking about what the future of Laterano might have in store. I've seen some folks point out how these events have these greatly compelling premises that don't actually resolve any of the issues they bring up. Laterano only remains Laterano. And this is true! But I think it's intentional, setting up a slow burn of a regional conflict. The Lateran state is holding together, the status quo remains unchanged, the Law is content. But for how much longer? Guiding Ahead introduced us to the divide in Laterano on a broad level, the state vs heretics. Hortus de Escapismo shows the cracks within the state, narrowing in on individuals who nominally should be on the same side but aren't. The next logical narrative step would be seeing the state finally cracking apart from whatever looming danger the Law sainted Federico to deal with.

Some sort of schism, perhaps; that seems like the sort of existential threat that would directly threaten the Law's directive of preserving the Sankta. Law's awareness of it would also imply it's an internal threat, something festering in the hearts and minds of Sankta and thus one It's able to sense (at least that's what makes sense to me. We don't actually know how the Law works, so it could very well just have random magic prophetic abilities). And especially with the constant background pressure of trying to legitimize their Summit of Nations, what better way to drive that issue to the forefront by throwing Laterano into utter political chaos?

[intermundia]

nothing rubs in the fact that lightsabers have a perfect aesthetic design and are one of the most fuckable weapons ever put on film like imagining an alternate reality where the movies used EU-comic-style protosabers, which require plug-in power packs secured to the belt by a cable like some kind of ungodly batman ass grappling hook thingamajig. im so grateful that lightsabers are a standalone hilt with a crystal inside lmao there's such a tremendous difference between just some goddamn contraption and excalibur

[black-aengel-07]

Tree Colossus

Finally back to drawing so I am feeling quite happy how this one came out.

[harmonyhealinghub]

2024 - The Year of the Dragon: A Majestic Journey Begins Shaina Tranquilino January 4, 2024

In Chinese culture, each year is associated with a zodiac animal, which is believed to have certain qualities and characteristics that influence the events and lives of people born in that year. Amongst these twelve animals, one holds a special place of honor and reverence – the mighty dragon. Known for its power, wisdom, and good fortune, the Year of the Dragon is met with great anticipation and excitement by millions around the world. Let's delve into this awe-inspiring year and discover what makes it so extraordinary.

1. Symbolism and Significance:

The dragon symbolizes many virtues deeply valued in Chinese culture. It represents strength, prosperity, wisdom, success, and luck. Dragons are often seen as guardians or protectors who bring harmony and blessings to those they encounter. With such auspicious associations, individuals born in the Year of the Dragon are considered particularly fortunate.

2. Personality Traits:

People born under the sign of the dragon are known for their ambitious nature and unwavering determination. They possess strong leadership abilities and tend to stand out from the crowd due to their confident demeanour. Dragons are highly intelligent and innovative thinkers, always seeking new challenges to conquer. Their charisma captivates others effortlessly.

3. Historical Significance:

The Year of the Dragon has a rich historical significance that transcends cultural boundaries. In ancient Chinese dynasties, emperors were believed to be direct descendants of dragons; thus, this zodiac sign was closely associated with imperial power and authority. Throughout history, many significant events have occurred during dragon years, making them even more intriguing.

4. Economic Prosperity:

Just as dragons bring good fortune in folklore tales, their presence in a zodiac year is often accompanied by economic growth and prosperity. People believe that starting new ventures or making important investments during a dragon year can yield favourable outcomes. Businesses thrive, careers flourish, and financial abundance becomes more attainable.

5. Celebrations and Festivities:

The arrival of the Year of the Dragon is marked by vibrant celebrations and traditional festivities that span over several weeks. The most notable amongst these is the Spring Festival, commonly known as Chinese New Year. Streets are adorned with colourful decorations, firework displays light up the night sky, and families gather to share special meals, exchange gifts, and honour their ancestors.

As we embark on the Year of the Dragon, a sense of excitement permeates the air. This majestic creature brings hope, prosperity, and new beginnings for all who embrace its energy. Whether you were born in this auspicious year or not, it's an opportunity to tap into your inner strength, courageously pursue your dreams, and seek out the limitless possibilities that lie ahead. May this year be one filled with success, wisdom, and good fortune for us all!

So let us embrace this celestial guardian and embark on a journey full of wonder as we navigate through the Year of the Dragon!

[k-i-l-l-e-r-b-e-e-6-9]

The Temple of Elemental Evil' - Keith Parkinson (1985)

[natureselements]

Galadriel the Echidna Goddess 🐍✨ shop here

[moon-language-0]

a stony fill for the "fairytale" square of my @steverogersbingo card, just in time for MerMay:

I dream some nights of a funny sea by @fohatic

The curious tale of a Merperson who was once believed to have walked amongst the townsfolk and the well-traveled sea captain who became obsessed with him, as told to Peter Parker by his Aunt May.

(originally posted to my primary blog, @fohatic, which is still under "explicit content" appeal and has been hidden from search results for months)

[jetmultiverse]

Mythical Elements: The Mane Three

Three ponies who have known each other about as long as they can remember, all have something setting them apart from what most would consider normal, and who desire to prove that not having a cutiemark is not a limitation. Their journeys and adventures will teach them that, it's ok to be different, as well as that there may be a bit more truth to the old myths and legends than first meets the eye.

Poppy Speckle

Mare, teen-young adult, Unicorn, only able to use a limited amount of her magic a day unlike most other Unicorns. She enjoys wearing horn ornaments

Magma Burns

Mare, teen-young adult, Earth-pony, is much stronger than the average Earthy (Earth-pony) and has trouble controlling such. Though it may not seem like it, she enjoys art and writing

Stratus Cumulus

Mare, teen-young adult, Pegasus, due to her smaller wing size she can not fly as fast or well and not for long distances, she likes to die her mane

[unionnutsbuster]

Movies be like “wow you’re a minority? In my movie we will represent you as the smeebo monster”

[jbcrochetwizard]

My crochet chibi dragon elemental doll designs. 🐉

Pattern bundle: Etsy  |  Ravelry 

[dwollfieldnotes]

Paracelsus' Four Elemental Spirits

Now, you may have heard of Paracelsus or his four elemental spirits, but have you read the book they featured in? If not, here's some notes:

A Book on Nymphs, Sylphs, Pygmies, and Salamanders, and on the Other Spirits by Theophrastus von Hohenheim (Paracelsus) (1566)

Spirits: -In Paracelsus' reckoning, human beings possess nature (in the body), spirit, and an angel [internal holiness? or like a literal guardian angel/personal genius?], present in the soul -Supernatural beings, called spirits or elementals, have neither a soul nor an angel, but only a body, like animals -And yet, he continually compares both their form and mannerisms to true spirits -Later says most people see them as spirits, or mirages, but he claims they are flesh and blood -Unlike true spirits [angels and demons, probably] they cannot move through all matter. They are flesh and blood, and must walk, eat, drink, and reproduce -When they die, they die without a soul, only returning their body to nature -Have no compulsion to serve God -Each type of elemental lives in its own abode, which humans can interact with -None of the elementals intermingle with each other [no inter-breeding] -[Shows a few interesting bits of folklore, but is bogged down by Paracelsus' own weird world-building and semi-science] Undine: -Frequently called nymphs -Spirits of the water. Reside in brooks and rivers -Eat from the mud, where earth and water mix -Look exceedingly similar to human beings [he says both men and women, but read below] -Grasp people that swim near them -Seek to woo and marry men to attain an eternal soul -Venus was a historical undine that ruled in a Venusberg (see below) -She gathered many kingdoms together, but they fell apart during her death, as none of her successors were as well-endowed as her Gnome: -Also called the mountain people -Spirits of the earth. Reside in earth as easily as we reside in air, moving through stone without issue -Because they live in a coarse material, they are made of subtle material to pass through it -Their food grows in water rather than in soil [get nourishment from the materials in aquifers? or underground lakes?] -Very small in appearance, only two spans tall [if we assume an English span, that would be 18 inches] -Never marry with humans, though may serve them -Have supernatural knowledge of the future and past -Guard the treasures of earth (jewels and precious minerals) Sylph: -Also called the forest people -Spirits of the air. Closest to humans, who also live in air and suffocate in water and earth, and burn in fire -Eat wild plants and herbs, nourished by rain from the heavens and the soil of earth -Cruder, coarser, longer, and stronger than human beings -Shy and quiet Salamander: -Spirits of the fire -Fed by the earth and air -Long, narrow, and lean in shape -Can be heard yelling and hammering in volcanic regions -Never marry humans, and rarely serve them -Have supernatural knowledge of the future and past -May appear as fiery lights in far distances or passing through homes -Commonly work with witches -Guardians of precious materials, a job they share with gnomes -Will-o'-the-wisps are the monsters of the fire people, like sirens below Siren: -Relatives of nymphs, or a sub-set of them -Live on the water rather than in it [like on islands?] -Monstrous in appearance -Born from undine parents, but are considered wicked and strange -Do not marry and bear human children -So few male sirens are born that the women form Venusbergs; large collections of nymphs/sirens Giant: -Monsters born from the forest people, like sirens -When giants come together it is like a thunderstorm or earthquake -Not impressed by the constellations of Heaven -Infertile. Because of this, they've died out Dwarf: -Monsters born from the mountain people, like sirens -Greater and stronger than human beings, despite being shorter than them -Infertile. Because of this, they've died out