#mc ambiance noises are TERRIFYING and i love them

[weareallstardustfallen]

Minecraft world building is always interesting!! What are your nether worldbuilding ideas? T

well i do Not feel like giving the entire 4k so i will just talk about my thoughts on the history of the nether bc that is the part that i like best of it

so the nether was canonically not always like that; the soul sand valley might have once been "a habitable paradise full of huge, bygone creatures," the ancient debris is the remains of historical netherite mining by piglins, stuff like that. as such, i decided that i wanted to take what we're given in the game, use that to figure out what the original nether was like, and then go from there to the modern nether.

and me and @bananasofthorns were listening to some of the ambiance tracks for the different nether biomes, and we realized that hey, some of these sound very Hm. like, there's a couple in the basalt deltas that sound a little like laughter, or like war drums. and after listening to literally all of the nether ambiance tracks and tossing ideas back and forth and such, i settled on this idea, under the cut because it's Long:

the nether was originally a much more habitable place, with a lot more biodiversity than exists now. originally, there were four intelligent races, not just piglins, and they were loosely settled into the four biomes which existed at the time- the crimson forests, the nether wastes, the basalt deltas, and the soul sand valleys, though they weren't very wasteland-y or soul sand-y at all, so they were probably called something else.

the soul sand valley was home to a bunch of very powerful mages, as well as the massive beasts which became the fossils. they were probably the most able to use magic of all of the societies, and any overworld enchantments which can be found originated in the nether (like the ones on piglin armor) are actually a completely different form of that enchantment derived from ancient enchanted books from this society; soul speed was essentially reverse-engineered from them. the valleys were probably the most utopian of all the biomes at the time, full of many, many different kinds of flora and fauna.

the basalt deltas, on the other hand, were very hostile even then, with practically nothing living there except for the delta warriors. they were very warlike and probably conquerors, and were the ones who built the nether fortresses for military purposes. they spent decades at war with the valley mages, and while they most definitely had access to some pretty powerful magic it was not to their level of artistry.

there was also a society in the nether wastes, which has been next to forgotten. both the biome and the people were caught in the crossfire between the valley mages and the delta warriors and over a very long period of time, their entire civilization pretty much got wiped out. the land itself is still basically barren, and sometimes unstable.

the fourth, of course, was the piglins of the crimson forests. they didn't get involved with the wars, and managed to avoid getting much damage from the massive amount of fighting. they, and the hoglins, are the only mobs who are still around from this period of time.

the war did, of course, come to a catastrophic end in what i'm calling the cataclysm. the delta warriors gained access to very powerful and very volatile magic. what did they do with it? attempt to smite the valley mages off the face of the earth, of course- a little too effectively.

they did manage to totally wipe out the valley mages, which was their goal! they decimated the mages, as well as literally every other living thing in the biome, their own society, and did a lot of Bad Shit to the environment of the nether as a whole.

because the area and the people were so charged with magic already, the mages weren't just completely killed- instead, they were trapped in the newly-created soul sand, half-alive, with their souls only being released upon the sand being burnt. the valleys are now completely devastated, and you can hear the mages whispering or calling in the distance, sometimes enough to lure an unwary traveler to their death, though this isn't out of malice.

the delta warriors, also killed by the cataclysm, became the wither skeletons and skeletons of the nether. those who were in the valley at the time of the cataclysm became the wither skeletons due to the magic of the area; they spend their eternities protecting the fortresses they built. those who weren't there are the normal skeletons, forever attempting to provide reinforcements for a battle which is long since over.

and the piglins? they were adversely affected by the cataclysm, of course, everything was, and their glory days are past. but they're alive, where the other two are not- despite this extinction-level event, they are still continuing on, essentially the same as they were before. and this continues even through the most major thing that would harm the crimson forests after the cataclysm, that being the introduction of the warped forests.

the warped forests were essentially corruption which crept in just after the cataclysm when the environment was still unsettled; it began to slowly expand, eating away at the crimson forests, and it is also very... weird, as far as the biomes go. it's not really hostile, it won't kill you to enter or anything and there's even some helpful stuff there, but... it is Deeply Wrong. the endermen there are numb and expressionless, like they're sleepwalking. they never really react to stimuli other than being looked in the eye, but sometimes they scream in the distance like they're being tortured.

and, bonus, because i'm not sure whether it's piglin legend or reality but i think it's cool:

each of the biomes has an Entity to it, not quite sentient but enough to have intent, like a manifestation of the ones who used to live there. it's not quite a god, not quite real, but it is there and you can feel it, when you step into its domain.

the basalt delta is a conqueror imprisoned, the warrior who lost. the Entity of the deltas is trapped far beneath the surface, but it is still there, angry and vengeful, straining to get out, and sometimes you can hear it laughing, or the distant echo of the drums of war. the basalt delta is angry. the basalt delta hates you. the basalt delta wants you fucking dead.

the soul sand valleys are asleep. it's not quite dead, nothing with so much power and life could just die like that, but it isn't quite there, either. the valleys are a tragedy of unimaginable scale, and there is murmuring in the distance, never quite close enough to make out.

the nether wastes are dead. they are barren, empty, lifeless; nothing really grows and nothing really lives. the wastes died a long time ago, even before the cataclysm- the only trace of it is in the occasional odd noise, and the way the rock shifts and crumbles at random, unsettled by the fighting which reduced it to nothing.

the crimson forests are the only one left as it was- weaker, tired, but still alive and still awake and still free. the crimson forests do not get involved with wars not their own, do not play with the kind of power that can reduce a civilization to dust. the crimson forest, and its residents, are survivors above all. they will still be there, living, and so will the forests.

the warped forest, on the other hand... the warped forest is not of the nether. the warped forest is a foreigner, come slinking into the gaps left behind and slowly gaining ground, bit by bit. if any of the biomes has a mind, it's this one- the warped forests make odd, terrifying sounds, and the endermen are screaming in the distance or wandering like ghosts, and there is something laughing, low and heavy.

best not to stay too long.

#mc ambiance noises are TERRIFYING and i love them #if anyone wants to know which ones inspired certain stuff just ask #minecraft #minecraft lore #minecraft worldbuilding #minecraft nether #rain chatter

[malyceaduncastellan]

Home

Hello! Prepare yourself people, this one is... pretty long. I got a bit carried away so here’s another Talbott piece for you. 

Also, writing in second person with a neutral MC is HARD. I don’t know if you people prefer it that way, because I kept trying to write with my MC in it, a Slytherin girl, and boy would it have been easier. But what’s done is done. Just don’t forget to tell me what you think about this !

Forgive the eventual mistakes as English isn’t my native language. I hope you’ll enjoy it though!

~~~

Today was… Quiet, to say the least.

While you sat in the great hall, you couldn’t help but notice just how weird that was. You were the only one in your friend group eating at the moment (and knowing how many friends you had, that was, once again, weird) and all the others students chatter felt like a distant whisper. You almost felt a bit sad. It felt way too much like… home, today.

You did not like that. Or at least you weren’t used to it here. You let out a sigh and decided to play with whatever was left of food on your plate with your fork.

-Nobody taught you not to play with your food?

-Ha!

You almost jumped at hearing the rich and deep voice. When you turned around to meet the amused glare of Talbott Winger, you furrowed your brows. He even had the nerve to make fun of you.

-Talbott, you git!  You almost scared me to death, you protested.

-Yes, I am sure I’m way scarier than a Cursed Vault. Terrifying, even. You’re shivering at nights thinking of me.

-If you think I’m even fearing a Vault you’re severely mistaken. Now, I suppose our resident bird boy didn’t make me jump out of my robes for nothing.

-You’re the only person I wouldn’t mind eating with today. That is, if you’re still eating.

You looked at your plate, that looked more like an uneatable mess of stuff you wouldn’t feed a dog. Talbott was watching you silently, his gaze trained on you with a dubious look, and suddenly you felt like eating what you were playing with earlier was not such a bad idea.

-Sure. I was bored eating on my own anyway.

The ghost of a smile graced Talbott’s face and he sat beside you. Silence fell between the two of you while you managed to eat your mess of a lunch. 

Your plate was soon empty though, and you were left staring at the wall, trying not to put too much attention on Talbott eating. You didn’t want to make him uncomfortable.

-You’re not eating any pudding?

-Never been one for to much sweets… you whispered.

Oh bloody hell, this was awkward. You weren’t really nervous with Talbott around. He made you relaxed somehow. What was awkward was how every single time you were within a meter of his presence, you started to think a bit too much. Like, how intense his gaze was, how his jawline was manly even though he was barely sixteen, how tall he was, how big but slim his hands were… And his voice. His voice, that noise so rich, so deep that sounded like melted chocolate, and it somehow came from his throat even when he tried to groan.

Boy, were you into deep.

But it was much better to think about how hot you found Talbott than this dreadful feeling following you today.

-You’re awfully quiet, you know, he ended up saying. It shows that you’re usually the one maintaining conversation, we’re being awfully silent today.

Bugger, now he had noticed you were day dreaming.

-Sorry, I suppose the ambiance is getting to me. With Quidditch, the Cursed Vaults, my brother and… the many other things I do in a year, I never really stop to... think.

-I never noticed. So Hogwarts Curse Breaker, prefect, and top-notch student doesn’t stop to think.

-You really like to make fun of me, don’t you?

-I love the way you react when I do.

-You’re such a tease, Winger.

He smiled at you and you felt you were done for. That smug awful little smile. You hated it. It looked way too endearing for your own good, so you turned your head and pretended to focus on your plate.

-What classes do you have this afternoon? Talbott ended up asking.

-I’m free since I passed last flying exam.

-Good. I’m free too.

-Why do I have the feeling you’re about to drag me somewhere in the woods to talk to me about ornithology in what seems like a three-hour class?

-Who do you think I am, you? I was just thinking we could go to the Owlery together. You look like you need to get away from all… this.

He gestured at the Great Hall and at what now looked like a huge sea of people. He knew you way too much compared to some of your other friends. You didn’t even hint to the fact you weren’t feeling well at all, yet he knew you didn’t.

-You’re way too good at knowing what I’m thinking of. It’s depressing.

-Not really. I just figured even you needed an escape sometimes. It’s not like you to be so distracted. And let’s be honest, I like it better when you’re cheery.

He was right, again. It was not like you. But now, Hogwarts seemed so liveless, so useless to you. You did not want to do anything or see anyone. It felt… empty. So you had to fill up your mind, and it turned out it only filled with thoughts of him when he was around. And there was no way you would tell him that.

-It’s even worse than I thought, said Talbott after a moment. You worry me right now.

-Wouldn’t have taken you for the type to be worried about me. It’s cute.

-Don’t pretend you’re okay by joking. Besides, how do you even expect me not to worry about you? We tell you “Don’t go there, don’t do it, it’s dangerous”, and then you’ll get all smiley and stubborn and say “Sweet, danger! Let’s go there, what a ride!”

-Oh, shut it.

Okay, Talbott could be quite vexing sometimes. Your mouth started to form a pout and you stayed silent while he ate. You could feel he sent some looks your way, but you were too busy pretending he didn't exist to care. 

Five minutes into it, you couldn’t stand it anymore. You were still upset, but as you could only think of him right now, either you were going to hit him, or hug him. And somehow, you felt he wouldn’t be pleased by either options. 

-I need to go.

You got up and finally looked at his bewildered face.

-I thought you didn't have any classes? he asked.

-Huh… yeah. But I… have something to tell Bill. And Charlie. A… Prefect thing.

-Oh. I.. see?

Talbott always seemed tense whenever one of the Weasley boys were involved. You supposed they made him feel insecure with how passionate and driven they could be. Anyway, you could see him tense the moment you mentioned Bill, but per usual he didn't say a word of what was going on in that pretty head of his.

-... Join me in the Owlery after you're done?

You raised an eyebrow at Talbott's question, but decided to not think about it to much. This certainly was bad for your brain.

-Sure. Look forward to it. 

You ended up smiling at him without forcing it despite how nauseous you felt. That felt like a win. You rushed to the corridors and ran straight into the Weasley boys, Percy included. 

-I'm sorry Percy, but I need to grab those two, prefect thing. You muttered without leaving room to protestation.

Bill seemed a bit startled when you grabbed his arm and dragged him through the corridor, but didn't say anything, and per usual, Charlie didn't find useful to ask you any question.

You supposed they knew better.

When the three of you reached the prefect bathroom, Bill finally spoke.

-You need a massive Weasley hug, right ?

And then the dam broke.

-It feels too much like home here. It’s so empty and lifeless, and I can’t feel anything but dread if that makes sense, and then Talbott comes in and has the nerve to speak, and then I was thinking “either I hug him or hit him” but honestly, if I stayed inside this hall I would probably have puked on him.

You took a breath, then looked at the Weasley brothers.

-I need a ton of Weasley hugs, if I’m still entitled to them.

-Oh, come on. You’re an honorary Weasley. You’re getting a hug.

Charlie reacted faster than his brother, wrapping his arms around your shuddering form. Bill followed suit, engulfing both of you with a smothering hug that was definitely all you needed right now.

-Hey, do you know there’s a species of small plush-like dragons in North-America that are reported to comfort children by eating their bad dreams?

You laughed. Of course he would speak about dragons. Charlie always spoke about dragons.

-Of course I don't, Charlie. Only you would know that.

-Brother, less talking. More hugging, ordered Bill.

Lost in this mass of ginger hair, you felt a little more at ease. When they let you go, you giggled.

-Oh boy, I don’t know what I’d do without the both of you… I don’t really know what happened to me. It felt like I was overwhelmed with… nothingness, if that makes sense?

-... You said it felt like home to you. And if I’m by any means right, home really doesn’t feel good.

-Home feels… More and more empty, is all. I don’t really want to talk about it. I just… I really needed emotional support, I’m sorry I grabbed you both like that.

-Hey, listen. Anytime you need, we’re there. You’re our new sibling, that’s how it is now, said Bill. 

-Wholeheartedly agrees with that brother of mine. 

-Now, have we cheered you up enough so we both can go and eat? Not that I don’t like hugs, but they don’t fill up a man’s stomach.

-Yes, yes you did. Thanks a lot.

-Anytime.

They moved to get out of the prefect bathroom and made their way to the Great Hall.

-So, what exactly are you going to do this afternoon? I have to pass the flying exam, but you did so last week, Charlie asked.

-No real plans whatsoever. Talbott said something to me about going to the Owlery, but I don’t really know if I’m up to it. 

-That boy is smitten with you if I’ve ever seen it, pointed Bill. He’d never ask anyone else to go to the Owlery with him.

-Merlin’s beard, no. He’s just more sensitive than you think.

-Cut the crap, I know you like him too.

Busted. You bit your lip, but your cheeks flushed red nonetheless. If anyone saw you right now, they might think someone transfigured you as a strawberry and failed miserably to turn you back to a human being.

-I think you should go there. You shouldn’t spend today alone, and it’s unlikely Talbott would force you to talk if you don’t want to.

-Sure…

You stopped walking in the middle of the corridor.

-I’ll be going there, then. Thanks again for… everything. 

Bill winked at you and you watched as the Weasley brothers disappeared when they turned. The uneasy feeling began to spread again in your chest and you did your best to suppress it.

-Come on… You muttered between your teeth.

You faced worse things than that, you should be able to get on with your day.

The thought of Talbott, waiting for you at the Owlery and being disappointed that you didn’t join him became more and more dreadful in your mind. And while, somehow, you felt awkward going there, you thought it was even worse to be a bad friend to him. 

Bill’s words echoed in your mind. You didn’t find it really… logical. Talbott liking you, really? He liked quiet, calm, composed people. Or you thought he did. And while you could be all that, you were pretty much the dangerous type. He couldn’t possibly like that.

And yet, you liked the idea, but you pushed it in the back of your mind. You had to focus on being a good friend. He deserved to have a good friend, not a friend that was gushing over him like a first year marveling at his transfiguration’s skills.

Though, when you noticed him in the Owlery, you found it overly difficult. You had become friends something around two years ago, and boy had he changed. His face that perpetually seemed frozen in a frown surely smiled more now, but that was not the only thing. He had a lot of growth spurts, and he was tall, and lean. While you had been around the same height before and you were taller than most of the students in your year, Talbott towered above all of you. As if he even needed you to find him more handsome now, it kinda looked like he was constantly telling you “watch me, i’m getting better every day!”. And if he knew what you were thinking about, he would probably tease you about it.

-A little birdie told me that infamous animagus Talbott Winger was around here. I wonder who that is?

Talbott turned and smiled at you. There was an owl he seemed to care for in his hand, and it spreaded its wings a bit more at your sight too. 

The two of you had become a known pair with the birds here, and some of them seemed to recognize you. This one looked pleased to see you, and you walked over to Talbott to greet the bird.

-Ain’t that…  Ain’t that Merula’s owl? you said. What happened to her?

-I don’t really know. But she seemed a bit stunned when she flew back here, I figured she needed a bit of attention.

The owl made a little chirping sound at your hand on her head, and you smiled. Birds were awesome. 

-Are you okay ? With… that “prefect thing” with Bill and Charlie?

-Yeah, sure. I mean… Why wouldn’t I be okay?

A nervous laugh escaped your throat.

-You look like you need a bit of attention.

-Oh boy…

-Listen, I’m not one to force you to anything, but you were there for me when I was feeling down. You even forced me to be your friend. Let me feel I didn’t let you in for nothing.

-You didn’t, I swear… But I can’t very well explain it. And it’s not against you that I can’t seem to think properly about that when you’re around. I just get… Overwhelmed.

Silence followed suit. Talbott seemed to study you, and his glare was almost unbearable to you. Whether it was because you were scared or because you wanted to get lost in his eyes, you didn’t know, but this uneasy feeling wasn’t really something you appreciated.

-I really can not seem to win against you, huh? Talbott muttered. 

He let go of the owl, then sat down on the floor, his gaze still trained on you.

-Come on.

You followed him a bit reluctantly, not even trying to put a distance between the two of you, because he would notice. He was too smart not to notice. It was not because you wanted to be close to him. Not at all. You tried to concentrate on your conversation.

-I don’t know what you’re talking about when you say “winning”... Are we fighting? Are we fighting and I was too busy self-wallowing to notice? I’m sure I was a terrible friend, I’m so sorry. 

-You talk too much.

An arm wrapped around you and you jumped.

-The Weasley always do that when you’re down. I’m not really good at this but… If you need it, I’m here. I’ll always be. I’m sorry if I’m overstepping.

-Oh no, this…  it’s fine. Really. Thank you. I guess… I guess I was afraid of annoying you. You got too much on your mind already.

-Then I was the terrible friend. But on a more serious note… I like you way to much for you to ever annoy me.

You giggled.

-Are you mocking me? Talbott asked, groaning.

-No! 

But you didn’t stop giggling.

-It’s just I fought so hard to get you to say we’re friends, I can’t imagine what it must have taken for you to tell me you like me.

-It didn’t take anything. I like you. Pretty much the easiest feeling about you I had to understand.

-So you got “feelings” about me.

-Including the fact that I like you, I got a lot of feelings for you.

And then, finally, it dawned on you.

-Wait, when you said you “like” me. You mean… “like” me “like” me?

-Whatever you say doesn’t make any sense.

You raised your head and finally got to get a glance at him. He looked a bit confused, and his gaze couldn’t seem to hold yours, but the sunlight fell on him and he had never looked more handsome than now, basked in golden rays that just made his eyes stand out.

-Talbott, you won’t make me believe you didn’t understand what I just meant, you’re not stupid.

-I’m not, but what you said could easily be interpreted in… other ways.

The way he avoided your gaze made it impossible for you not to smile. He was cute. He looked cute.

-I need to rephrase it then, to avoid ambiguity?

-Only if you want to… mumbled Talbott.

-Oh lord, you’re way too cute.

The words had escaped you but you didn’t feel bad about it. Not when Talbott’s eyebrows raised in surprise while still avoiding to look at you.

-Okay. Talbott Winger, are you saying you like me as in you want to be my boyfriend?

-This might be correct.

-Oh, so it is that way, huh?

Silence followed and Talbott turned to finally look at you. You couldn’t stop grinning like a fool. That day had started horribly, but right now was probably the highlight of the whole year.

-I’d expect more reaction from you. 

It then dawned on you that you hadn’t told him anything yet. You lost your smile, realizing that while this was exhilarating, you had no idea of this worked. And Talbott almost literally asked you to date him. Like, seriously date him. No secret meetings at the owlery. Dating. Like holding hands, hugging, kissing. Maybe more. Date. Him.

-The idea doesn’t seem to drown you in enthusiasm.

A little smile appeared on Talbott’s face. But it was not that warm smile he offered only to you. The comprehensive look he sent you didn’t have this affection lingering behind. His stance was not relaxed as it usually was. And his voice sounded cold, far from that rich sound that usually graced your ears. 

How many times did all those things scream at you that he had feelings for you? You didn’t really know. You knew when you had started to notice all of it. But knowing that all this time, he hadn’t said anything to you… 

And now that he did, you even managed to hurt him. And you could not bear it for one more second. You liked the fact he liked you way too much. You liked him way too much.

-Talbott? 

He didn’t react, simply looking outside the window.

-Talbott, look at me. 

He flinched, but once again, he didn’t move. Maybe he tried to collect himself or something, but you were having none of it.

-By Merlin’s bloody beaded braided beard, Talbott, look at me, please!

-How the bloody hell did you pronounce that? 

He finally turned his head, reluctantly, furrowed brows, and he looked at you while you tried on a little smile.

-Forgive me, okay? I didn’t want to seem insensitive.

-You don’t have to feel bad for that. I got it, you’re not interested, and you have the right not to be interested, but-

-Oh, will you let me speak, birdbrain? You interrupted him. I’m trying to explain myself here, don’t make me shut your pretty mouth myself!

-And how, pray tell, would you even make me shut my mouth?

A ghost of his usual smirk made its way on Talbott’s face. And you decided that, for real, he had not only lead you on, but he had teased you enough. Now was the time to not only tell him how you felt, but to play a little.

-I could kiss you, you said bluntly. Would you like that? 

Talbott’s mouth opened, as if he was too shocked to even process what you just said, and you worked on making the most innocent face you could manage. 

-Wouldn’t you? You continued. The idea didn’t shut your mouth, but you did stop talking. Too bad, I would have liked to kiss you.

-Do it.

-What? 

-Kiss me. 

A surprised gasp escaped your lips. You almost had forgotten Talbott’s arm around you, but you sure as hell were reminded of it when he pulled you closer to him.

-H...Hey, I might bump your nose or something, Talbott… you whispered, a bit flustered.

-I don’t care. Kiss me.

-Okay...

Your hands found their way on Talbott’s cheeks and you planted what felt like the softest kiss on his lips. It was barely a peck, nothing more, but it seemed to build a fire inside of you. That felt so much better than the dread from the morning that you started to giggle.

-What’s so funny?

-Oh my god, I never would have thought you liked me, how clueless was I?

-You didn’t really answer though.

You gave him another kiss, a bit longer, a bit clumsier too.

-I’d love you to be my boyfriend, Talbott.

And when he hugged you with all he had, you were sure of one thing. This moment, right here, right now, with him.

This felt like a real home.

#talbott winger #Talbott x Jacob's sibling #talbott x you #talbott x mc #talbott hphm