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LOG-016: (Two) Eye(s) in the Sky

Traveler Leave a comment

KHEPRI-1B

SPECIES NO. [ 009 ]

ARTICLE ARVHIVED FROM [ MARIAH BERGGREN ]

ARTICLE NOTES:

[ These streamlined, omnivorous creatures seem to spend most of their time gliding and soaring at high altitudes in the atmosphere of Khepri-1b. Their body structure is rather unusual; they have three pairs of translucent, thin wings; two large, simple compound eyes — one dorsal and one ventral; a dorsal, ventral, and tail fin for flight stabilization and steering; a small beak-like mouth at the anterior. Most of its body is covered in fibrous hair- or feather-like material, which lightens in coloration from top to bottom. They are clumsy when grounded, only able to maneuver by pushing with its second pair of wings and its short, stiff tail. ]

Fable Friday: Naiads

Sierra Iverson Leave a comment

This week I decided not the focus on one specific myth, but a group of mythological creatures: the Naiads. In Greek Mythology, Naiads are spirits/nymphs that preside over freshwater streams, rivers, etc. They are one of the three types of water nymphs. The other two are the Nereids and Oceanids. The Nereids are usually associated with the sea. Oceanids are associated with the oceans, and there are over three-thousand of them according to myth. Naiads are said to be the least helpful to humans compared to the others, often leading humans to get lost in swamps, and otherwise seeking revenge against their cheating lovers.

 

The Kingdom of Tokavsk, Session 7: Stars and Tokavskan Culture

Alias Leave a comment

The great importance placed on the stars by the early Tokavskans carries into modern customs. Holidays dedicated to the emergence of certain constellations thought to be vestiges of ancient Tokavskan religion or influences from neighboring cultures are celebrated. Most modern-day Tokavskans are more dedicated to performing the customs than understanding the reasons for their existence. However, the dedication to practicing the elaborate star ceremonies, known in the Zheren tongue as Brzadrat, remains fervent.

In addition to celestial holidays, stars have a pull on everyday life. Brzad and variations thereof are found in both given and family names; astronomy is considered a vital academic skill; and two days of their seven-day weeks are named after constellations.

However, the most prominent example of the everyday influence of stars on Tokavsk is in is calendar. The Tokavskan calendar is divided into 360 days and nine months of forty days each. Because Tokavsk is a land of eternal winter, the positions of the stars are used to mark the passage of time; the dominant constellation, which is in Tokavskan culture the constellation that rises in the west.

1. Arku (Hawk)
2. Torotahen (Lost Soldier)
3. Letoka (Fir/Pine)
4. Rairden (Rabbit)
5. Adoto (Archer)
6. Krenya (King)
7. Krenyaka (Queen)
8. Dzegor (A primitive tool similar to a compass)
9. Kadan (Bear)

The Hawk, Fir, and Bear are the three most notable constellations, and it is no surprise that these are the most venerated months. However, it should be noted that the beliefs that the positions of stars affect one’s mood and disposition are largely obsolete. Rather, these months are valued for what they stand for. The Hawk is considered the physical manifestation of God in Tokavskan culture; the Fir is a symbol to Tokavskan strength and resilience; the Bear is a being of kindness and friendship. Thus, these months are in principle periods of showing respect to these beings.

It should be noted that younger Tokavskans tend to be less deferent to the established customs. There are complaints from the gentry that their generation is the last that will revere their ancestors, that Tokavskan culture is in danger of dying out. Whether this claim has any veracity is not to be investigated in the scope of this report.

Industrious Illustrating #19 – Material Explorations

Robin Leave a comment

Welcome back to another week of Industrious Illustrating! This week I’m returning to discussing schoolwork and the creative process, as I’ve done for previous Industrious Illustrating columns.

For ARTDES 270: Visualizing and Depicting, we’ve been working on an assignment to create a short childrens’ board book about a letter of the alphabet. I ended up writing a book about mythological animals whose names start with the letter K. I made character designs and sketches in a mixture of watercolor and ink.

Before I made the final illustrations, I explored a few different approaches and mediums to figure out which one I liked best.

I tried gouache and colored pencil,

ink and collage, and digital painting.

In the end, I still ended up returning to using watercolors for the book project, but I now had a better idea of what I wanted to do with the character designs, compositions, and techniques in my final illustrations.

Next Friday I will post the finished layouts of my childrens’ book to compare between the conceptual process and the result. I hope everyone has a great and restful Thanksgiving break with the friends or family of their choice!

S2 Scribble #7: Friday I’m in Love

Sydney Braun Leave a comment

“Monday you can hold your head,”

After a very busy semester, I’ve had a pleasantly quiet week and am looking forward to a fun weekend and a very restful time spent at home for Thanksgiving Break! During this past week, I’ve had more time to spend with friends. I’ve had a few fun moments that have, coincidentally, revolved around a shared love of The Cure.

“Tuesday, Wednesday, stay in bed,”

The song Friday I’m in Love never fails to make me happy, and, hey, it’s actually Friday today! The Cure’s music has many of my positive memories attached to it – it makes me think of my mom and I dancing around the kitchen, it makes me think of my friend and I sitting in my room for hours playing the guitar, it makes me think of another friend who I have had many near-silent singalongs with on bus rides this semester.

“Or Thursday watch the walls instead,”

This semester has not exactly gone smoothly, yet slowly but surely I’ve been feeling better, happier, and more like myself. Having songs that make me happy regardless of circumstance always helps me remember that with every rough patch, there are plenty of things to be grateful for and plenty of wonderful memories yet to be made. Going home will be a nice mental break, and I look forward to coming back to Michigan with a renewed energy and sense of purpose to finish out the semester strong!

“It’s Friday, I’m in love.”

Listen to Friday, I’m in Love by The Cure here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt7oMSOB7nw

Sagas Among the Arcana: Brother

suparnah Leave a comment

The Six of Cups, the Nine of Pentacles, and The Hermit are drawn . . .

 

The past

I remember being six, and there was no Netflix — simply my brother and I sitting and cuddling next to each other on the couch. We stole pillows from each other and gasped with each other when the main character found out some secret. The same hour would come the next week, with a new episode for us to share with each other. 

 

The Present

Now my brother and I go to the same college, but of his location, I rarely have any knowledge. Sometimes I’ll text him about a shared show — the only shared show because interests hardly ever stay the same — “Have you seen the new season?” My text is correctly capitalized and punctuated—it’s thoroughly distant. But he’s only a block away from me, rooming with his friends. He’ll respond hours later because he’s always so busy. “No, but I’ll watch it tonight,” he says — because he can. He doesn’t need to watch it at the same hour as me anymore. Eventually, I cease my messages, afraid to see his disinterest.  

 

Six of Cups, Nine of Pentacles, and the Hermit from White Numen: A Sacred Animal Tarot

The Future

He has plans to move countries. My plans are to stay. And I wonder how much I’ll ever see him after. Will he call me? Will I be a bother if I call him? How odd would it be if I followed him? It’s all so silly. He’s still just a block away, not yet gone away. I could always just invite him over. Then, we can find a new favorite show together, and I’ll no longer have to miss my brother.