#it calls christians salt OF the earth

[iron-sides]

local priest doesnt know what salting the earth means despite coming from an agricultural state, uses the phrase in a homily in the context if God making the earth beautiful. this is really fucking embarrassing for me not going to lie to you

#MY MAN GOES YEAH SALT FUCKS MASSIVELY ITS THE ONLY SPICE YOU RLLY NEED AND IM REELING FROM THAT #AND THEN HE STARTS TALKING ABOUT THE BEAUTY OF NATURE AND HOW GOD SALTED THE EARTH UM #the gospel hes talking about btw? never uses the phrase salted the earth or any variation of it #it calls christians salt OF the earth #which means a different third thing #(a person or group of great kindness or hospitality) #so uh. great day for my parish (HEA NOT EVEN A BABY PRIEST THIS IS HIS SECOND PARISH THERES LITERALLY NO EXCUSE) #typing this from rhe bathroom of church btw hes still talking i just couldnt sit there anymore without screaming #my thots

[stormz369]

The King of Hell and Me: Ch 4 - The Contract

Chapter Guide Ch 1 Ch 2 Ch 3 Ch 4

Summary: A witch summons Lucifer to earth to make a deal. Warnings: none I can think of? This is a generally sweet, fluffy chapter Word Count: 2.3k

Summoning the devil wasn't part of the plan. A demonic creature, yes, but the actual devil? The book didn't say anything about him. I was expecting to be dealing with an imp or some other kind of lower level Hellion. Someone with the power to do what I wanted, but not to completely fuck me over. Someone who'd take something I could spare. Not my soul.

The devil was also far less intimidating than I expected. He was a little on the short side, and far more human than I might have thought. Aside from the six glorious wings at his back, the least human things about him were his teeth and eyes; red and yellow, swirling with confusion and housing an ancient sorrow that seemed buried just below the surface. An unamused, but surprised look finally landed on me, knelt by the edge of the summoning circle. He made to move toward me, but was held in place by the ring of black salt. With a huff, he leaned back against the barrier, crossing his arms and observing me.

“... No one's summoned me to the mortal world in a long time. … You must be desperate.”

“I … I'll be honest, that wasn't supposed to happen, Sir … the book doesn't say anything about …” I fumbled through the book, rereading the spell. There was nothing to indicate who it called upon.

“Sir?” He chuckled, “well, that’s refreshing. Last time I was pulled into a summoning circle, the wretch had the nerve to call me ‘Dark Prince’ the whole time.”

I chuckled a bit awkwardly. “... Well, that's kind of a mouthful. If you don't mind, I think I'll stick with Mr. Morningstar?”

“Lucifer, please … but how did you know?”

“Aside from the snake and apple motifs you've got going on? You have six, very large, feathered wings. I might not be Christian, but I do know what angels are supposed to look like. … Sir.”

After a moment he let out a bark of a laugh, holding his sides. “Oh golly, you're entertaining! Alright, little witch. Whoever you were trying to summon, you've got me. So what deal were you trying to make?”

I took a deep breath to steady my nerves. Now or never, I guess. “My best friend is ill, and the doctors have given up hope. …”

“You want to trade your soul for your friend's life?” He smiled gently.

“... Does it have to be my soul?”

A strange look passed over his beautiful face, and he considered me for a moment. “... Maybe we can come to another arrangement. … There is something I can't get in Hell, and you did bring me here.”

I nodded slowly, curious what Lucifer himself could possibly want from earth. “Yes?”

“... Only sinners end up in hell. I … I gave Eve that apple for her own benefit. To help her, and her children. So they could be better, be more … more. Not just animals, consumed by their instincts. But I’ve never seen any good come of it …”

“Oh … well that's not at all fair …” I frowned, looking up at him. “Especially considering how much good there is …’’

He cleared his throat, nodding a bit. “Right, so … if you show me some of that good, I'll heal your friend. Do we have a deal?”

“Huh? N- no, I don't just want my friend healed. I want a cure.”

“... Same thing?”

“No, Sir,-”

“Lucifer.”

“... Lucifer, … the doctors don't know how to help her. Which means they don't know how to help anyone else with this illness either. I want my friend healed, but I also want there to be a cure for everyone else.”

A small smile slid across his lips. “... That amount of power will cost quite a bit more … but something tells me you're more than capable of paying the price.”

A crisp white scroll unfurled from his hand, gold ink scrawling across it before my eyes. I carefully took the paper in my hands, reading it carefully.

“... This says you decide when I've held up my side of the deal. How do I know you'll ever decide to pay up?”

He smirked a bit, sharp teeth glinting in the light. “You're a clever one. … Alright, as a show of good faith, I will heal your friend up front. … You earned that much at least.”

With a wave of his hand, the text changed. I reread the document and nodded. “... Thank you. Ok, where do I sign?”

A white feather quill appeared, and Lucifer took it. He tapped the end to his finger, and pulled away a trail of … liquid gold? He signed the bottom with a flourish, then offered me the quill.

“Touch it to the ring finger of your non-dominant hand, it will draw up a small amount of your blood to sign with.” He tapped the paper where I was to sign. 

I nodded, taking the quill, and placed it against my finger like he said. There was a brief, sharp, pain and when I pulled the quill away a trail of red followed. My finger appeared uninjured, but hurt like I had pricked it with a sewing needle. I signed where he indicated, and the summoning circle went up in flames, leaving no trace.

Lucifer smiled brightly, rolling up the scroll before he handed it to me. “Your contract, my lady.”

I took it, standing slowly. “... Thank you …”

He snapped his fingers, creating a crackle of energy throughout the room, and grinned. “There’s my side done, for now. So, how shall we start?”

///////////////

It took me all afternoon to think on what to start with. While I made tea and thought about it, he entertained himself by looking through my books and movies. His wings disappeared as he sat on my couch, reading the back cover of a book.

“... Is this for entertainment, or documentation?” He held the book up to show me the cover.

“That’s historical fiction, so entertainment based loosely on fact. It's about the wives of Henry the Eighth. … Do you know about them? How much do you know about human history?”

He chuckled. “I do keep apprised of the major headlines up here, but I don't typically bother with anything more. … You derive entertainment out of the suffering of those women?”

I chuckled a bit, setting a teacup in front of him, and sitting on the other side of the couch. “I think most people who read stories about horrible events do so because they don't understand how such things happen. We have a certain … morbid fascination with cruelty. … But I think it's usually also about honoring the dead. … They suffered so horribly, but we remember them. We don't let the bad things that happened to them get swept under the rug.”

He took the tea, watching me. “... I see …. Well, what good is there in that?”

“Ever heard the phrase ‘those who don't learn history are doomed to repeat it'?”

“You think remembering their pain will keep it at bay?”

“Something like that … can't avoid pain if you don't know what you're looking out for. Can't protect your loved ones unless you know what you're defending them against.”

He chuckled, sipping his tea. “I see…” He watched me, a curious look on his face. “So, any ideas yet?”

“Well, I was thinking we could start around town. You said it's been a while since you've been on earth?” He nodded, giving me a curious expression. “Then I think we ought to start with a little tour around town, so you can get acclimated. Maybe something will strike your fancy, yeah?”

“... You don't have to do that, you know.” A small frown slid across his face.

“Do what?”

“The tea, taking me on a tour … it's cute, but unnecessary.”

I set my teacup down, raising an eyebrow. “... Cute?”

“Trying to curry favor.” He frowned more.

A sharp laugh ripped out of me, and I covered my mouth. “... I'm sorry. … I'm not trying to ‘curry favor' with you, Lucifer. You're a guest in my home, you should be able to expect some basic hospitality. My grandma always said we should be hospitable to others, cause you never know when it'll make all the difference in their lives.”

He watched me for a moment and chuckled softly. “I don't think your grandmother meant you to be hospitable to the devil, little witch.”

“If my grandma were here right now, she would ask why I haven't set out any cookies. Sadly, I have none to offer you. But I was thinking we could stop for ice cream on our tour. There's a really cute local ice cream parlor, I'd say it definitely counts as something good people have done with free will.”

He blinked slowly. “... You are … not at all what I expected.”

“I could say the same thing about you.”

After a brief moment he smirked, standing up. “Where's this ice cream parlor?”

//////////////

So I showed Lucifer around my little town. I took him to a playground where he could see happy families together. To a riverbank where my coven picked up litter and people went tubing and swimming. The ice cream parlor, and some other local businesses I liked. I bought him an ice cream cone, and a duck plushie he seemed particularly drawn to. He was hesitant to accept it, but once it was in his hands he held it to his chest, periodically stroking the tuft of fur on its head.

We walked in the sunshine, past schools and libraries. We watched a guitar player in a park, and got tacos from a food truck. And all day, I told him stories of kindness and generosity, big and small. Everything I could think of, from the Christmas truce in World War 1 to my brother's boss giving me free coffees when I pick him up from work. Any act of kindness I had experienced, seen, or heard of became an example of good things that happen because people have free will. 

When it started to get late I took him to my favorite place to watch the sunset. He sat beside me, still hugging the duck plushie, and watched the sun dip lower and lower, the sky turning brilliant shades of purple and red.

“So? Any thoughts?” I watched him think for a minute.

“... They're good stories. But there's one problem.”

“What's that?”

“... Most of it wouldn't be necessary if evil weren't so prevalent in the world.”

“... Well, … you can't have good without bad.”

“What?” He frowned, turning to me.

“Without knowing about bad, you wouldn't know about good either. You'd just have … middle. In order to know you like something you have to be able to compare it to something you don't like. Otherwise it would all just be. … Plus, when everything’s going worst is when we notice good things the most. Smaller kindnesses mean more when we're hurting.”

Lucifer looked back at the sunset, thinking. “... Why did you give me the duck?”

I chuckled softly. “You seemed to like it, and I could afford to get it for you. Everyone should get a souvenir when they take a trip.”

“So you weren't trying to get in good with the boss of Hell?”

“Nope.”

“... Even though, by making a deal with me, you have condemned your soul to my realm when you die?”

“Anyone who thinks a duck plushie is going to buy them preferential treatment in hell is an idiot.” He gave me a skeptical look at that. “Lucifer, I swear, I only bought it for you because you seemed to like it.”

He thought for a minute, petting it absentmindedly again. “... You've held up your end of the bargain…”

“... But?”

“... When I finish my end, I go home. I can only be on earth for the time it takes to complete a deal. … I … I really enjoyed today.” As it got dark, his body started to glow with faint gold light. He looked up at the silver stars, and in that moment he seemed so sad, so delicate.

“... You know, I am asking for quite a lot … a cure for everyone with this disease, and all you get in return is some examples of kindness and an afternoon running around my town? … Maybe we could rework the contract.”

His eyes went wide as he turned to look at me. “... What did you have in mind?”

“... Well, you're not bad company. And I had a good day today too. We could do it again, if you wanted.”

Lucifer slowly grinned, and the contract was suddenly floating in front of me. An addendum was added to the bottom. Lucifer would send the necessary information to a doctor for the cure tonight, and once a month for the rest of my life, Lucifer would visit me wherever I was on earth. I would tell him more stories that showed what good has come of free will, and show him the good parts of life on earth.

I grinned, taking the quill that floated next to the scroll, and held it to my ring finger. A sharp pain later, I was signing at the bottom. Lucifer signed next to my name, his hand slightly shaking. “Alright … I'll see you again in one month then.”

I nodded. “I'm free on the third, if that works for you?”

He nodded. “The third. It's a date.”

With a snap of his fingers he was gone, and I knew some medical researcher somewhere was having the epiphany that would lead to the cure. In the meantime, I had a date with the devil to plan.

#ao3 fanfic #ao3 writer #fanfic #fanfiction #hazbin #hazbin hotel lucifer #hazbin lucifer #lucifer hazbin #lucifer hazbin hotel #lucifer magne #witches #lucifer x reader #lucifer magne x reader #lucifer morningstar #witch reader #summoning circle #dating the devil

[exhausted-archivist]

Thedas: Not a Middle Ages Fantasy But an Ahistorical, Pre-Industrial, Mega Fauna Fantasy

Part 1: Mega Fauna

The long and the short of it? Thedas is an ahistorical world with magic, two moons, giant fauna - giants, dragons, giant bears, giant arachnids, and has some "ancient" and recent technology that would reach as late as the 1800-1900s in our timeline - such as bunsen burners, smokeless coal, table saw, thresher, heliography, and theodolite. Nothing about Thedas is a 1:1 equivalent for Earth and never has been, we know from the devs that it wasn't the intention either. From a fantasy perspective it is a blend of your typical fantasy stories with adventure, dragons, magic, elves and dwarves, varying mythology, and culture ending events; mixed with a venture into a "what if" ahistorical history.

In the case of Dragon Age, Gaider mentions it was a "what if our own history had magic and elves and dwarves?" and "how might Christianity be different if, instead of Jesus, it had been founded by Joan of Ark?" and subverting tropes of fantasy while still being recognizable: elves being brought low vs aloof and immortal; dwarves bring political schemers vs stouthearted Scotsmen; mages who were feared for good reason.

These were the basic foundations going into Dragon Age, and the spirit of those things is evident through out the series. While there are clear moments of parallels, allegories, and themes of the modern world, our world; I think that, for better or worse, the series has kept to the spirit of those foundations. Keeping things recognizable while exploring the world they've crafted, that grows as the team grows.

Its the spirit of that foundation that really lends to the idea of Thedas being a mega flora and fauna world.

Disclaimer and Considerations:

Take all of this with a grain of salt, whether you take it or leave it. Aside from the actual lore mentioned (with sources next to it) all of this is estimations and based off of known art standards or "canon" as the term is called.

Size is a hard thing to nail down in Dragon Age, the scaling and modeling between the games - main and all additional third party installment - are inconsistent at best largely due to limitations and scope of the game. Such limitations we see reflected in Bull not being 8' and instead is 6'9, the fact that the nightmare demon was scaled down because of scope. Then there are the cinematic scenes, they aren't reliable as they often have models float, sunk into the ground, or given camera angles that force perspectives.

ALT Concept art is a touch more reliable in the idea of the intention but isn't any more hard fact due to the question of if the intention was carried through or not due to tech limitations or design choices.

In consideration of concept art I want to clarify a principal used in art that I will be referencing. Traditionally when drawing characters, artists will use proportional canons. Which is when one uses the height of the character’s head as a unit, to have the proportions of the body match natural ratios. A good write up of this concept is linked here and here.

Content warning for everyone, there will be mentions and/or depictions of the following:

Multi-eyed creatures

Scorpions

Spiders

This post also includes images from the following:

The Missing comic

Dragon Age Absolution

Part 1a: Does Thedas Actually Have Mega Fauna?

Yes, they do. Now the first thought might be the obvious dragons, giants, wyverns, titans, and some magical creatures. But there are some creatures of which we have actual measurable sizes for.

I have the more "concrete" fauna separated into two categories: known sizes and comparable sizes. Known is as stated in lore, if we're given fixed numbers at any point, while comparable sizes are for creatures who we either have vague descriptions or equated to something we know the sizes for.

Comparable sizes are also separated from known sizes as they either have variations, or I am unsure of the lore for them still holds; as with anything dao, game guides, and ttrpg on this blog, these are treated and considered as canon unless clear contradictions are available.

Known Sizes

Giant spiders:

Their scale isn't measured by how high they stand on the ground or by body length but from leg to leg. Or rather that is what you would expect for them to be measured by, but it is hard to say for sure. I run with the leg to leg measurement for the provided size in canon; where they are/can be 12' / 3.65m. [Codex]

Looking at extracted game models (which aren't reliable for in-game models) the giant spider stands at 3' 11.28" / 1.2m and measures 5' 4.2" / 1.63m leg to leg.

Griffons:

Their length is 12' / 3.65m or larger with even larger wingspans. Males can weigh over 1,000 lbs / 453.59kg while females are a little less. [Last Flight ch. 2 p. 31]

For context of how big both of these are length wise, on average: Javan rhinos are 12'5 / 3.8m in length, Indian rhinos are between 10.8’-12.5’ / 3.3-3.8m in length, African forest elephants are between 7.22’-12.13’ / 2.2-3.7m in length, African Bush elephants are 10’-16.5’ / 3-5m in length, thresher sharks can be 10.5’-20’ / 3.2-6.1m long, female great white sharks have an overall length of 15’-21’ / 4.57-6.4 m; males 11’-13’ / 3.35-3.96 m. Most crocodiles exceed that with an average of 13-14' / 3.96-4.26m.

If you're like me and that just is a jumble of words, below are the size comparison to a 6' / 1.83m male figure, the scuba diver is roughly the same length as well. I had to edit the horizontal figures to compare lengths but scale wise they are still 6' / 1.83m. I also spliced together multiple images so they would be easier to see (and tumblr has a 30 image limit).

ALT [Image Sources from left to right, top to bottom: Rhinos: Javan Rhino, Indian Rhino Elephants: African Bush Elephant, African Forest Elephant Crocodiles: American Crocodile, Mugger Crocodile Sharks: Thresher Shark, Great White Shark]

Comparable Sizes

Mabari:

Stated as being as tall and as wide as dwarves*; going off the dwarf heights from Inquisition game models would put them at a range of 4'9-5'3 / 144.78-160.02cm.** This is unclear if they mean from the head or shoulder, which typically you would measure quadrupeds from the shoulder. Something to note however, the mabari extracted models from Inquisition measure at 3' 4.6" / 1.03m at the shoulder but 4' 2" / 1.27m at the head.

ALT

This is also roughly echoed in the concept art, where the shoulder height lines up with the shoulder height of the extracted model from Inquisition, however is closer to the dwarf height range when measuring from the top of the head.

Either way mabari are considered giant breeds when looking at dogs. Regardless of if they are the height of a dwarf 4'9-5'3 / 144.78-160.02cm or the height shown in the extracted model or concept art of 3' 4.6" / 1.03m at the shoulder but 4' 2" / 1.27m at the head. The largest dog in the real world was a great dane at 3' 5.18" / 1.046m.***

*[Dragon Age Tabletop (da ttrpg), Blood in Ferelden] **[Source] ***[Source]

Deepstalkers:

There is a bit of a variant with their sizing scale across all entries. From being able to curl up to be the size of boulders or large rocks.* To The Calling describes them as follows

The “stalagmite” unfolded, revealing a serpentine creature with a long and wormlike neck that ended in a maw full of sharp teeth. Its mottled skin was almost perfectly camouflaged to match the stone around it.

He noticed where the creature’s limbs folded up under its carapace, where it tucked its long neck under its body. Hidden in plain sight, the disguise was almost perfect.

Meanwhile the Missing comic shows them as being much larger than Harding, a dwarf. The ttrpg also describes them as "small reptilian creatures". There also seems to be sizes difference noted between each type of deepstalker: deepstalker, leader, and matriarch.

ALT [Image Sources: BioWare Promo Material, Dragon Age Wiki, and The Missing Comic #1]

Additional measurements include the odd 2' 6.3" / .77m from the extracted model from Inquisition which doesn't line up with the in-game sizing as they're proportionally much larger when next to a dwarf. Then when looking at the concept art scaling from the red dev book shared by Mark Darrah, they stand nearly 6' / 1.83m.

ALT

So there is a stark range of size difference as well as really any consistency when it comes to the bipedal, raptor-like, predators.

*Note the range for what is a large rock and what is a boulder is pretty vague. **This is based on various screenshots as pictured above. Comparing them to Shale, a human character, dwarves, and an elf. *** [World of Thedas (WoT) vol. 1 p. 163, Origins game guide, da ttrpg, The Calling novel, and The Missing Comic]

Dragonlings:

Specifically when they are newly hatched are the size of a deer. At the shoulder they'd be 2'8 - 3' / 81 - 91cm. Their length could be from 3'1 - 7'2 / 95 - 220cm. [Dragonling Codex] *Note the ttrpg does denote that they are the size of a young deer, which would be about 1 1/2 years old. This is distinctly different from a fawn and they are the same size height wise as a mature deer. It is simply a difference in muscle mass.

Here is a helpful comparison of a white tail deer, one of the more common deer:

ALT [Image Source]

Below is concept art from Tom Rhodes that I have cropped for a much clearer view. The shoulder height of the dragonling reaches roughly the same height as deer above.

ALT [Image Source]

Part 1b Sizing from Concept art and Development

Here, I want to look at the concept art of creatures, while acknowledging that they don't always end up on the same scale in game - due to a variety of technical reasons. As we see with the fact that spiders are not 12' / 3.65m in game nor are they close to that.

But with that in mind, we can at least glean the intention if not what might be more reflective of the lore. As we know, not all of da lore is game engine/mechanic friendly and thus there is merit in seeing if we can measure through comparison of in dev work. Especially thanks to the human comparison in some of them.

One piece of such concept art that suggests mega fauna is the design guide for da4 that was teased to us by Mark Darrah in 2016 and in the BioWare: Secrets and Stories From 25 Years of Game Development (B25) p. 274.

ALT

Using this, we can tell what might have been the intended -- again if it is not reflected in game -- size for the animals in Thedas. However, I will note for the sake of clarity that this isn't perfect reference; as some of the scaling seems to be questionable/warping. This is after all, an image of a picture in a book. I would be thrilled to see if we ever get to see a flat image of this.

But what we can see when we clean it up, and line up everything while cross referencing other concept art; the scaling seems to work out something like this with the human figure in the center being the "hero" proportions/ideals that would make his height 6'2 / 1.88m.

ALT

Great Bear

Some of the concept art that we can use for comparisons are pieces such as the concept art for the Great Bear and Quillback (development name dragon bear and vulture hyena):

ALT

Going off the stock hero height for female it is 5'6 - 5'7.5 / 1.67 - 1.71m and for males it is 6' - 6'2 / 1.83 - 1.88m. That would make a great bear roughly 10'11 - 11'2 / 3.34 - 3.42m in this concept art. However in the red book, the scaling suggest it is around 14' / 4.26m. Which is an example of how the book as reference might either be unreliable or the new updated intention for the scaling/design.

Regardless of which numbers you favor, when you look at those scales in contrast to our two largest modern bears:

Kodiak Bear: 3'4 - 5' / 1.02 - 1.52m at the shoulder, 6'5 - 9' / 1.96 - 2.74m in length, and 9' - 10' / 2.75 - 3.05m standing upright

Polar Bear: 3'7 - 5'3 / 1.09 - 1.6 m (male) or 2’8 - 3’11 / .81-1.19 m (female) at the shoulder, 7’10 - 9’10 / 2.4-3 m length, and 8’ - 10’ / 2.5 - 3.05 m standing upright Note: I have edited together the sourced images for clearer scaling.

ALT [Image Sources: Bears: Kodiak Bear, Polar Bear]

Additionally when looking at the tarot cards, which also tend to echo concept art more than the final game we see this massive and dramatic height difference for great bears.

ALT

Another varying size reference we have from concept art is this piece by Tom Rhodes comparing the great bear to the normal bear/brown bear. This is in direct conflict with the scale illustrated in the dev book, though this could simply be due to the stage of development this was created in as it looks to be a draw over of a game model when looking at the great bear.

ALT [Image Source]

Nightmare Demon

The Nightmare demon, or "Blinky" as fans call it, or "Smilely" as Varric calls it. This is however a demon so it's appearance and size can change due to influences outside of its control, I want to acknowledge that. This one was something I wasn't expecting to make a comparison with, as we know that not only was the final version of this demon scaled well as it seems that part of it was cut off in the dev book. But I found this concept art from Heroes of Dragon Age (HoDA) and I believe it roughly matches up with the dev book in terms of scale. It might be scaling larger however, I cannot say with any certainty. And when comparing it to the game model in DAI, this is actually a little smaller in comparison. The extracted game model of the Nightmare demon is 93.47' / 28.49m, while in comparison this concept art implies that it is 54.5' / 16.61m when you measure the silhouette which we can estimate to be 6'2.

ALT [Image Source]

ALT You can see how much they sized down the nightmare demon for HoDA (which is understandable given the constraints of a mobile game), especially when you scale them down to show the actual difference. Which is funny considering the nightmare demon is greatly scaled down from the original concept.

Phoenix

Another piece we have, is concept art for the phoenix. Unlike with the hero figure from before, we are estimating Orisino's height based on the height of elven game models. This would put Orisinao at 5'9 - 6' / 1.75 - 1.83m for an elven male.

ALT [Image Source]

This height reference is echoed and reinforced when we look at the dev book from B25 and Mark Darrah. When you bring the phoenix over to line it up with the hero character in the center, it puts the shoulder a phoenix is roughly 6'2. Implying that, at least for this art, Oresino is within that 5'9-6' / 1.75-1.83m range as his height is lower than the shoulder.

ALT

As you can see the extracted game model is not comparable due to the fact it, like the bears are not at all the same size as their in-game models. They are being scaled up a great deal to what we see in game. The extracted model height for the phoenix is 2' 7.4" / 0.8m, which is much shorter than their in-game counter part that shows it to be around the height of the human/elf character if not a little taller.

Quillback

Shown in the concept art with the great bear, we do have scalable concept art with the quillback and we are able to see that it does line up with the scaling for the dev book. It is also roughly the same size as the extracted game model. It's shoulder height being 4' 10.6" / 1.49m. The quillback also seems to be one of the few creatures where their in game counter part matches up with their model and concept art.

ALT

Part 1 Conclusion

As we can see with all the comparable or confirmed sizing of these creatures in Thedas, most are predators and scavengers, fairly large ones at that. So much so, it would dictate a high oxygen content in the atmosphere, plenty of prey to fuel animals of this size, and plenty of land area to allow for the biodiversity that we see. Even down to the subterranean level as well.

We know that gravity also works differently in Thedas, to a degree it is requires as to allow creatures the size of dragons and griffons fly, and giants roam the surface. But also to allow dwarves ranging from 4'9-5'3 / 144.78-160.02 cm to live 2-4 miles / 3.21-6.43 km below sea level + the distance from the actual surface. To give context, the deepest cave we've explored on earth is the Veryovkia cave at 1.37 miles / 2.12 km deep and the entrance to the cave is 1.41 miles / 2.28 km above sea level. Meaning the deepest cave doesn't even go down to sea level.

But with all that said, I'm only wrapping up here as I'm running out of image allowance for this post. I'll continue this in the next part, and if you've read this far, thank you.

Wanna support this blog? You can check out my ko-fi.

#dragon age #cw spiders #cw scorpions #dragon age meta #fauna of thedas #mega fauna thedas #dragon age the missing #da the missing #dragon age absolution #dai #da absolution #dragon age inquisition #heroes of dragon age #HoDA #concept art #long post #I think aside from my food and map posts this might be my longest post yet #I'm only allowed 30 images per post which I feel is unfair. Give me 32 or 40 #This has been sitting in my drafts since February. Mostly finished but I just couldn't tell if it was easy to follow lol #I think about the mega fauna in Thedas a lot. #there will be a part 2 because I had to cut this short... yeah this is short.

[tweedlebugged]

Alecto, Gideon, and Nona are the Holy Trinity of Space Lesbian Death Catholicism, and Here’s Why

Spoilers for basically everything ahead

Short version: Because Earth is the actual man who became God and God who became man, get fucked John.

Long version: Because there are three minds in Nona’s brain.

Or rather, her mind is divided into three parts, top-middle-bottom, with Nona identifying as the middle. Each part seems to be separate and distinct entity that still, somehow, comes together to be one larger whole. In other words, her head is three-in-one. A Trinity.

And wouldn’t you know it, three of our four main ladies fit the traditional Trinity almost perfectly.

Gideon as the Son. Indisputably. The Son as God who became human and lived among humans and died for humans and was resurrected. God that was at once both Human and Divine. God that said this is my flesh, eat-this-in-remembrance-of-me. Y’know, Gideon.

Nona as the Holy Spirit. The infinite love of God. God as helper and intercessor (Hi Varun!). God as the piece of the divine that exists within all of humanity.

Alecto as the Father. Alecto as the wrathful God of the Old Testament (at least in Christian interpretations thereof). God as the Judge and as Justice. God with the salt pillars and the smiting, which definitely seems to be Alecto’s vibe so far.

And here you might say wait a second, that doesn’t make sense? Alecto and Nona are the same being, sure, but isn’t Gideon’s daughter-of-godness it’s own separate, Kiriona-esque thing? And to that I’d remind you of two things: John wasn’t born with golden eyes, and there’s a red headed toddler in the River.

:readmore:

Two hundred plus dead children creates a thanergenic boom strong enough to take out a whole planet, according to Harrow. That has to have consequences. It definitely did something to Wake, who went from being the barely tethered spirit initially summoned to a super powerful revenant. What if it didn’t take out a planet, but instead it woke one up?

What if the soul of a recently wakened planet goes searching for a new vessel, and finds an empty one in a recently vacated red headed toddler, who’s soul has joined the other Ninth children in the River that Harrow sees in HtN (and red hair isn’t native to the Ninth)? This red headed toddler who is perfectly preserved, who just so happens to be made of the same genetic material as its last vessel? Who’s thus “built for it” in a way that say, Harrow, isn’t?

And so Earth becomes a girl called Gideon Nav, who has golden eyes that she couldn’t have genetically because her father wasn’t born with them. Who then lives as Gideon and dies as Gideon and is consumed by Harrow. And Harrow consumes the hamburger core of her but preserves the Happy Meal parts that are specifically Gideon, which John is then able to remove entirely, leaving behind the aspect of the soul that becomes Nona - who is then both Alecto and Gideon but is also her own person who is neither of them.

Because Gideon isn’t actually immune to poison or gas (GtN mentions shitting blood and a tonsillectomy, respectively). Because the Body didn’t speak to Harrow until she ate Gideon. Because Nona has an established history of kissing herself.

Because Nona also has Alecto’s tectonic anger and Gideon’s love of ass jokes, and in her darkest hour she speaks with Alecto’s voice and fights with Gideon’s two handed swordplay. Because Nona doesn’t like red heads and she and Gideon both find the Body hideous, but Nona also loves her face and body, and Gideon and Alecto hate themselves but love Harrow and Anastasia. Because Gideon hates to be locked up anywhere.

Because of course in their act of great cruelty to preserve their oath to the tomb, the Reverend Mother and Father would actually unleash its contents. Because if Gideon had followed Harrow into the tomb it would have changed everything in a very spoilery way, according to Word of God. Because John knows perfectly goddamn well his eyes aren’t genetically golden and is familiar with pneumatic reversion, which based on Pyrrha and Nona’s conversation seems to imply that a possessed body touching it’s original host can pull the soul back inside—and Kiriona becoming Alecto again definitely would make her his cavalier (dickhead).

Because we see at the end of NtN that the tomb that Harrow’s resting in is within Alecto, but at the end of HtN that tomb is full of Gideon’s things—her magazine and her beloved sword. Because like Kiriona, the Son can exist both separate from and within the Trinity simultaneously. Because Gideon and Alecto were abused and used and betrayed by Harrow and John and still loved them despite that, the way the Earth still loved and tried to save humanity despite everything.

Because my GOD would it be funny if Mercymorn was right the first time.

#tlt theories #ntn theories #atn theories #ntn spoilers #Nona the ninth spoilers #tlt #the locked tomb #nona the ninth #gideon nav #nona tlt #alecto tlt #john gaius #and for a brief and shining moment all those years of Sunday school came in handy I doubt it will happen again #incidentally I also like the alecto has always been inside of harrow theory #but I thought it would be fun to rearrange the body swapping musical chairs for awhile

[the-trans-folk-witch]

The Green Devil of the Ozarks: The little green fairy of... moonshine?

It was 2005. I was with my grandfather in an old shop similar to "dick's 5 and 10" outside of Branson, Missouri. This is where The Green Devil caught my eye.

My grandfather frequented little old fashioned stores like this. He loved collecting all kinds of gadgets. Old movie posters, salt water taffy, and soda parlor paraphenalia. It was heaven on earth to him in this little corner of the world that was stuck in an older Ozark time. His house wasn't too dissimilar to a crackerbarrel gift shop. All kinds of wooden toys and dolls. He loved his little knickknacks. But on that day he found it. A copy of an old French absynthe poster with "the little green fairy" smirking at the viewer. He had to have it. It was being sold for $8! frame included! If only the seller knew the true value of it. Or how it's mere existence was breaking so many copyright laws.

Maurin Quina, as it's named, is a French apéritif advertisement painted by Leonetto Cappiello in 1906. The drink was made illegal soon after its creation. But this poster is now being reused today. It was not well known in the US at all back then. Not even in the 2000's. but my grandfather being a moonshiner, absynthe fan, and art history drop out, knew all about it.

My grandfather was not as religious as the rest of my family. But he sure prayed to God when he was trying to avoid the law. He was selling homemade moonshine without any sort of license or proper knowledge of sanitary practices. It was an arte form he learned from his father that I never had the pleasure of learning.

He decided to hang this new poster up in his storm cellar where he kept his aging bottles of various liquors. Over time it developed A life of its own. My grandfather would kiss his hand and place it on the poster of the little green fairy after every jar was sealed or sales were made. I Don't think he saw this as devil worship so much as just a simple good luck ritual. Not too disimilar to his high school basketball team kissing the image of their mascot before a game. He always practiced these superstitions even though he didn't seem to really believe in them.

Fast forward to today. I'm an Ozark trad witch. So of course I now work with this image as if it is the devil himself. He is a devil that rules spring and summer. Drunkenness, poison, lunacy, fairies, and nature. He is associated with law breaking, alcohol, healing, harming, and fertility. With Easter coming up He is on my mind heavily. A time I feed him red dyed eggs symbolizing the blood of christ and the blood of good Christians. I feed him this with intentions of causing those which share the eucharist to lust. Poisoning the church so to speak. I attend mass in spirit form and dip my blessed turkey wish bone down in the communion wine. The turkey is symbolic of love in the Ozarks. And the wishbone is horned like the stang, and my devil. Midnight mass on Easter is filled with drunkenness and sex. Those consuming this spiritually poisoned wine are consumed with lust for others in the church. An orgy ensues in the great house of God. Only for all members to awaken Easter morning with no memory of the incestuous rituals performed with their brothers and sisters in christ. To do such things in the house of God and not confess them (due to not remembering) is damanble. This is my goal as a witch. To bring the witches Sabbath to the church and to pervert the souls of good men.

By turkey wand and lustful stang I complete my work in the devils name.

A call to the Green Devil:

"Envy is his name. Drunkeness and poisoning are his arte. He is Lord of the little people and plants alike; come little green fairy and bring your lust and your lunacy. Green devil rise from the roots below like a serpent. Green devil come down from the tree tops like a booger in the night who takes its flight. Join me in this witching hour oh beast of the green and hear my call to the wild. By my witches flame may it be so."

Look out for a post on the black and red devils later this year. Our horned one changes with the seasons

#folk witchcraft #traditional witchcraft #transgender witches #beginner witch #folk catholicism #ozark magic #animism #santa muerte #folkloric witchcraft #witchcraft #ozark witchcraft #ozark howler #green devil #man in black #green magic #plant magic #green path #crooked path #theistic satanism #the boogeyman #satanism #satan #hail satan #booger dog #witchfather

[heranubis]

monster cod (dullahans version) ft. 141, kate laswell, alex keller, farah karim, alejandro vargas, rodolfo parra, philip graves

John "Bravo 0-6" Price

where many people mistake mactavish as a werewolf, it's actually price. he has excellent control of his wolf, and is capable of shifting at will rather than relying on the moon cycle.

all of his senses are heightened and his strength far surpasses a regular human. anyone who tries to call him "alpha" gets a growl and eye roll - he find's it annoying and only the rest of the 141 (& kate) can get away with the joke.

is capable of masking his identity of a werewolf, except his eyes will sometimes flash a circle of amber around the pupil - a sign his instincts have been triggered and his wolf is present.

his teeth are incredibly sharp, even in human form. he's not a fan of dentists nor are they a fan of him.

his wolf form more closely resembles a grizzly than an actual wolf - and he definitely uses this as an intimidation factor.

Simon "Ghost" Riley

was actually human, once upon a time. it was a mission gone wrong, a desperate deal made and soul taken away. his body was transformed into a hellhound - think of the ones from chronicles of riddick.

he actually prefers his new hellhound form to his human one! will only be human when absolutely necessary - otherwise you can often spot him prowling around in the shadows, dew claws clicking as he stalks and observes.

his neutral scale color is a faded, smokey gray. when he is content, his scales flush to a lighter, not-quite-white. it's when he's hunting that his scales take on that signature black color - though his face still retains the skull markings similar to the mask he wears as a human.

capable of canid vocalizations in either form, and capable of human speech - he just prefers remaining silent. he also rattles his scales to announce his presence around those he respects or considers pack. everyone else get's a jumpscare when they turn around and there he suddenly is.

will only tolerate pets (read: hard shoulder smacks) from johnny or price. kyle tries, but he doesn't pat hard enough for simon to register through the scales. the effort is appreciated, though.

Kyle "Gaz" Garrick

a seraphim - or the closest anyone will get to one. four sets of wings, all made of a metal not found on earth. he prefers folding them tightly to his back to avoid accidentally slicing someone.

please don't talk christianity or catholicism with him - he will bolt. he has no issue with religion or anyone being open about it, he just (quite frankly) get's tired of answering the same questions repeatedly.

actually grooms his feathers regularly! though made of metal, they can be very pliant and soft when his body feels like it isn't under active threat. nobody is allowed to sit within his wingspan on horror movie nights unless it's simon, whose scales can't be sliced by the feathers.

if you ask him why he left the clouds - his answer is always the same. his sense of justice was too strong - he wanted to make a change in the world, and he wouldn't wait to do it.

does not have an eternal lifespan and can be killed, but it's incredibly hard to do so. he still hates helicopters and thinks they're pointless (salty that he fell out of one twice).

John "Soap" Mactavish

a kelpie! actually a hybrid between two different species of faer, kelpie is the easiest to identify with. unlike the typical three forms, john only has two: human and horse.

his horse form is a large dark bay, almost impossible to identify it's breed at first glance. the most you'll ever see are those blue eyes and his suspiciously sharp teeth before he pulls you beneath the murky waters.

has a very strong affinity for water, and despite his love for demolitions he will take any chance possible to be submerged. not as big of a fan of salt water than he is fresh or brackish, but he'll take whatever he can get (except chlorine. that is hell and he hates it).

doesn't use his horse form on base - it has a subtle air of influence that tends to draw people in. after a few unfortunate incidences, it's more of an unspoken rule that he can only shift on leave or on field but never on base.

kyle is the only one who has ever been able to sit on his back and his skin not trap him - something about the heavenly blessings? john was a little too stunned to truly pay attention

Kate "Watcher" Laswell

a proper dragon - half of her heart, soul, and lifespan split with her wife. golden scales that grow in patches (like alex, found below) - more like snake skin than harder scales like a crocodiles.

her pupils are slit and while she does have horns, she keeps them short at her wifes request (hard to bonk foreheads comfortably if they get in the way xoxo). her tail isn't super long but that makes it easier for her to keep close and out of the way.

both wings are in tact and she is Not a fan of anyone touching them outside of her wife (and maybe kyle, since she see's him as a good friend and he knows the struggle of cleaning wings).

can absolutely breathe fire, and will do so as a warning.

Alex "Echo 3-1" Keller

a snake hybrid of some sort, specifically a king cobra. patches of scales, fangs that are capable of tucking into his gums, spectacled eyes. he can see in infrared and often finds it annoying when in cold enviornments.

has a forked tongue and absolutely uses it to mess with people. his tattoos and preference for long sleeves actually mask his scales pretty well, so it's easy to mistake him for a human at first glance. he's been known to trick people in the past by randomly flicking his tongue or even unhinging his jaw.

yes, he knows hes larger than a mongoose. yes, they still unsettle him. claims it's natural instinct (he thinks they just look... really weird). hisses as a defense when startled or annoyed, no he will not acknowledge it.

big on seeking others out and sticking close for body heat. farah, price, and kyle are his favorites because of their higher body temps.

has never elaborated on what exactly he is - will give a different answer every time you ask.

Farah Karim

suggested by my beloved noji @blighted-lights, farah would be a harpy or otherwise bird adjacent! i personally see her as some sort of falcon - small and mighty and underestimating her is your very last mistake.

she doesn't bond easily but when she does? she will do absolutely anything for you. she especially loves when you help her preen, it's something she only allows when she feels utterly safe with you.

chirps and coo's when she feels particularly emotional (positive).

she has one of alex's scales and he has one of her feathers. it's a sign of their deep devotion to each other. regardless of romantic or platonic, they are incredibly important to each other and an equal exchange of something so important cannot be ignored.

if you manage to be farah's favorite person? it would melt her heart if you fashioned her feathers into jewelry and even made matching pieces.

Alejandro Vargas

hear me out, but i think he would be a cadejo! a dog shaped creature whose eyes change color depending on it's mood - often seen as either protectors and bringers of good will or the incarnation of the devil.

he stands around the height of a cow, and though his fur is black - alejandro is only a protector of his community. rodolfo often jokingly teases him that he smells like a goat so he very much invests in colognes.

though he doesn't have any visible chains, the sound of them dragging behind him can be heard on especially quiet nights. alongside the sound of his hooves - these are the sounds of safety to the people of las almas.

very much prefers his human form and can mask himself incredibly well.

the most you'll ever see that tells against him being human are his sharp teeth and the subtle color shift in his eyes.

Rodolfo "Rudy" Parra

another shifter, like price! his canid form is actually a Xoloitzcuintli. not a lot of hair and more on the 'traditional' side of hairless. his skin in this form is as dark as his hair as a human, which allows him to blend into shadows better.

much like price, all of his senses are heightened, though he has to be more careful due to little to no fur protecting his skin in altercations (plenty of small scars from chasing after suspects and not being super careful in avoiding obstacles)

yes, he can stand as a traditional werewolf. no, he doesn't do it often - it scares the shit out of ajelandro and while it can be funny, he'd really rather not deal with it.

has exceptional control over his shifting and honestly doesn't have a preference over what form he uses most - just whatevers convenient at the time.

has absolutely pretended to be a regular dog for the sake of an op - has since learned he's a bigger fan of belly rubs than previously thought.

Philip Graves

somewhere between undead and genuine zombie. no he doesn't know how it happened, no he doesn't want to figure it out. no he doesn't want your brains, yes he will bite if you keep bothering him.

constantly smells like rot and sulfur, and his eyes are always just a bit cloudy. his body doesn't fall apart nor does he suffer from rigor mortis, but the cold does not mesh well with him.

incapable of permanently dying - yes he can be put down, but bury him shallow; he Will come back.

please don't call him a zombie, it'll just aggravate him and that's not a fight you want to pick. shadow company is protective of him and vice versa.

has complete cognotive functions alongside physical functions - can very easily pass as a regular person if you look past the more... obvious signs pointing otherwise.

#heranubis #call of duty #john price #simon riley #kyle garrick #john mactavish #kate laswell #alex keller #farah karim #alejandro vargas #rodolfo parra #philip graves #modern warfare 2

[queenlucythevaliant]

Guys. Guys. My sisters and brothers in Christ. There is no meaningful way to divide “micro” evolutions vs “macro” evolution. (Explanation got long and really emphatic, so see below the cut). 

Some Christians like to use these words to distinguish current, directly observable processes of descent with modification from the cumulative sum of these processes ie “I can accept that dogs diversify into different breeds but not that all life shares a common ancestor.” This is. Really arbitrary.

Where are you drawing the line between “micro” and “macro”? Typically, people say that they don’t believe that one “kind” can evolve into another “kind.” So speciation? Because speciation is not only observable, but predictable and repeatable.

Okay, so there are a bunch of different species concepts, but for the sake of simplicity let’s use reproductive isolation because that’s what most people are familiar with. A new species emerges when a new population no longer interbreeds with an original population.

This can happen behaviorally (like if a new species of bird has a different mating dance and thus can’t court members of the original species), mechanically (genitals no longer compatible – right- and left-handed shellfish are a good example of this), or at cellular level (sperm and egg no longer compatible), or genetically (different numbers of chromosomes).

Guys. This happens all the darn time. We can watch it happen in real time and see the differences between species accumulate. We can even take a sample population, divide it in half, and subject the two subpopulations to different conditions causing them to diverge. It’s predictable and repeatable. I had a professor who did work like this in Alaskan fish capable of living in both fresh and salt water. His team was able to repeatedly create divergent fresh and saltwater exclusive populations which did not interbreed and had significant physiological differences. I had another prof who worked with cicadas and saw new species emerge because one year there was a big change in local climate and some of the five-year periodicals (I think) didn’t come out and breed for an extra year. They were reproductively isolated from the five-year periodicals that did emerge on time. Over the course of like fifty years they got more and more different from the original population and expanded to fill an empty niche and absolutely boomed in population, expanded geographical range, etc. There are journals full of this stuff.  

Okay, so maybe you mean “kinds” more generally. Maybe you consider all fishes one “kind.” In that case, how do you account for the placement of whales? Or any crown group tetrapods, for that matter? Do you consider primates all one kind? In that case, what do you make of the changes in chromosome number between types of old- and new-world monkeys? If that’s within-”kind” variation in primates, is it also within “kind” variation when it divides chimpanzees from humans? This kind of taxonomy is just entirely untenable. 

It gets even murkier when you look at microbes (my specialty), which don’t differentiate the same way that multicellular life does. Microbes reproduce asexually, and their main source of variation is horizontal gene transfer. As a result, there’s a lot of gray area between microbial species and even very different species are capable of swapping DNA under certain, not-that-unusual circumstances. So even if you want to say that all fishes, for example, are one “kind," then you basically have to group every prokaryotic species together the same way because they are way more reproductively compatible with one another than any broad group of animals you could think of.

And remember, microbes account for the overwhelming majority of life on earth—there are at least 100 million times more bacteria in the oceans than there are stars in the universe. Is this “micro” or “macro”? Mechanistically, it’s much less dramatic than so called “macroevolution” in animals, yet the scale, breadth, and timeframe involved would likely be considered “macro.” Not to mention, getting from the origin of life to the origins of multicellularity encompasses many more large evolutionary leaps that getting from multicellularity to modern man. If you’re willing to call microbial evolution “microevolution,” then you’re seventy-five percent of the way to just accepting that humans share a common ancestors with all other life on earth. If you’re not, well, there goes the entire “kinds” schema again. 

Okay, so maybe the difference between “macro” and “micro” evolution isn’t speciation or “kinds”. Maybe you think that “macro” evolution refers to the greater processes by which very divergent species (say, humans and redwood trees) evolved from a single common ancestor long ago in deep time. Maybe the distinction between “macro” and “micro” evolution is essentially an historical one.

Apart from being very subjective, the big issue with this distinction is that it means that processes which observably occur in the present must have occurred either differently or not at all in the past. This is an absolutely wild claim, and I can’t think of any other subject about which people would say this.  

This would be like saying—huh okay, now I gotta come up with an analogy—it would be like saying yes, I accept that fashion trends change season-to-season at present, but I’m not willing to accept claims that neckties could have come from cravats given enough time. It just defies logic.

Finally, it bears saying that “micro” and “macro” evolution are not scientific terms. I cannot state this emphatically enough. I have never once heard these terms from any professor, bio student, or serious publication. The only place I have ever seen them is in YE Creationist discourse. Christians made them up because some would like to hold two essentially incompatible positions.

#guys i really tried to resist writing this. i really did #i made the mistake of going into the notes in that evolution poll that's floating around these parts and it just made me crazy #this is just kind of a seat-of-my-pants infodump type post and i'm not sure if everything in it makes sense as written #i'm more than happy to entertain conversation around theistic evolution provided it's good faith #this is the best possible use of my bio degree isn't it?? #i did write this kind of rant-style but i hope you know that i love my ye creationists brothers and sisters #just. i really really care about this stuff. i hope that comes through #all truth is God's truth #pontifications and creations

[albertfinch]

OUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE

"In the last days, "I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on My servants, (FLAMES OF FIRE) both men and women, I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the Heaven above and signs on the earth below..." (Acts 2:17-19

 As we endure difficulties, challenges or trials, we consider them purpose driven fires, suitable for the Master Craftsman.  James 1:2-3 challenges us to, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."

TESTED IN THE FIERY FURNACE

Many Christians today are being tested, stretched, and tried. It's as if our God, whose eyes are like blazing fire, is blowing His mighty wind from Heaven. He's fanning some smoldering wicks as He equips His servants to become FLAMES OF FIRE. We should not be surprised or amazed. The Apostle Paul writes that the believer's spiritual "foundation" would be tested by fire to reveal the endurance of their faith and love (I Corinthians 3:13-15).

"Everyone will be salted with fire" (Mark 9:49). Everyone! And, if a baptism of fire was necessary for Jesus, it will most certainly be necessary for His followers. The baptism of fire is difficult, indeed. We must not despise the hour of testing in light of the love Jesus poured out on the cross.

GOD TRANSFORMS TRAGEDY INTO TRIUMPH

As we move from glory to glory in our Christ calling, we are changed.  We need the refining fire -- since we know our God is a CONSUMING FIRE, the Spirit of God lives and dwells in us, and we want to do only what we see the Father do, should we not be a consuming fire also?

Fire is the image used throughout the Bible to describe the inner nature of God's heart.

Fire heals, cleanses, purifies. The fire Jesus brings is holy fire! Fire produces passion!  It's in the fire that all of our false heroes, all of our agendas die -- and that's the season we will see the Lord.

It's in the fire that the Son of God is manifest. Alleluia! We become more and more passionate for Him and advancing His Kingdom through our Christ calling because we realize we are one with Him as we linger in His presence.

Where is the God of Elijah? He's in us. Don't let the enemy lie and use water to put out the fire. We continue affirming, confessing, and meditating on our faith in the promises of God that are revealed in scripture.

WE MUST PERSEVERE

Once we have endured the fire and have received the passion, we must persevere. Jesus didn't quit at Gethsemane. He went all the way to crucifixion! Once we've sustained the fiery furnace we can't give up. We must set our heart like flint, ready to go all the way with God in carrying out His purpose for our life! It's in "Gethsemane" that we say, "Father, not my will but Thine be done."

When we lay hands on someone and pray for them, they don't need to experience doctrine, they need to experience the fire of God, the power of God!  The world is waiting for a consuming fire, one that burns up all that is not of God: living into self, idolatry, addictions, worldly agendas, and disease. This is a fire that will light up the world!

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

#jesus #calling #destiny #purpose #bible #devotional #daily word #revelation #inspiration #holy spirit

[creativewaygrace]

Bible Verses of how Christians should act in this world.

Matthew 28:19-20- Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember I am with you always to the end of the age.

Romans 10:14- How then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher?

Romans 10:15- And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news.

Matthew 24:14- This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all of the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

1 Timothy 2:1-15- First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our savior, who wants everyone to be saved. and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time. For this, I was appointed a herald, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument. Also, the women are to dress themselves in modest clothing, with decency and good sense, not with elaborate hairstyles, gold pearls, or expensive apparel, but with good works, as is proper for women who profess to worship God. A woman is to learn quietly with full submission. I do not allow a woman to teach or have authority over a man, instead, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed. But she will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with good sense.

Romans 12:2- Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Colossians 3:7-11- And you once walked in these things when you were living in them. But now, put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator. In Christ, there is no Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free, but Christ is all and in all.

1 Peter 2:9-11- But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people, you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul.

Luke 6:32-36- If you love those you love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners repaid in full. But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the most High. For he is gracious to the ungrateful and evil. Be merciful, just as your Father is also merciful.

John 13:35- By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Matthew 5:13- You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty. It's no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

Matthew 5:14-15- You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

Mark 12:31- The second is love. Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other command greater than these.

Luke 6:31-38- Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do what is good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that you? Even sinners lend to sinners to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High. For he is gracious to the ungrateful and evil. Be merciful just as your father also is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you, a good measure pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

Romans 13:1- Let everyone submit to the governing authorities since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God.

1 Peter 2:13-15- Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor as the supreme authority or the governors as those sent by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. For it is God's will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but as God's slaves.

1 Peter 2:17- Honor everyone. Love the brothers and sisters. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Jeremiah 29:7- Pursue the well-being of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the Lord on its behalf, for when it thrives, you will thrive.

2 Timothy 2:14- Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to fight about words. This is useless and leads to the ruin of those who listen.

2 Timothy 2:23-24- But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, because you know that they breed quarrels. The Lord's servant must not quarrel but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient.

Titus 3:1-2- Remind them to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people.

Romans 14:1- Accept anyone weak in faith, but don't argue about disputed matters.

2 Peter 2:18-20- For by uttering boastful, empty words, they seduce, people who barely escaped from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they are slaves of corruption since people are enslaved to whatever defeats them. For if having escaped the world's impurity through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in these things and defeated, the last state is worse for them than the first.

James 1:27- Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this, to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

#christianity #bible verses #jesus christ

[laughingmaidenarising]

hello!! i’ve been feeling really called to deanism but i’ve always been a little intimidated by it, since i was raised in an orthodox christian household, so this is a complete change of pace for me. i absolutely adore your blog, and i was wondering if you had any advice on where to start? thank you so much, love and blessings!!

Hello! I would suggest you begin reading books on the Goddess and Her nature! Such as The Great Cosmic Mother: Rediscovering the Religion of the Earth by Monica Sjoo. It's one of my favorites. Of course, when you read these books it's important to take everything with a slight grain of salt, but I think they an be very eye opening. If you'd like a few more recommendations I'd be happy to make a separate post of all my recs.

If you are in a place where you are able to, setting up an altar can be beneficial. It could simply be a little figurine or statue that you associate the Goddess with, and a candle. Setting small offerings before Her is a great way to connect.

Do your research, and be thorough. But also, don't be discouraged if you see one person saying something is incorrect to do in your worship and another says it's completely fine. As long as you aren't doing anything dangerous or harmful, or dabbling in closed practices or religions you are free to worship the Goddess as she appears to you :)

If you have any more questions feel free to reach out!

#asks

[sierraissleepy]

Beginner Tarot Advice

Before Getting your deck

Let's dispel some rumours, your deck does not need to be gifted. In fact, choosing your own deck can be really great for getting into your practice.

Get a deck that is true to the rider waite art style

Getting to know the cards by their imagery and developing your intuitive ideas and beliefs about them is important and the rider waite tarot is the most 'true' to the meaning of the cards.

I would recommend the Pulp Girls tarot deck because it is cute and fun while staying true to the rider waite imagery.

2. Try to go to a store

If you can, browse several decks in-store and see what calls to you. If you truly can't, then online stores like tarot stack are great, as they show you all of the cards in the deck.

3. Don't be afraid !!

I grew up Christian so when my fascination with spirituality and tarot started, I was really scared of it being demonic. But I've been on such an amazing journey of spirituality and I've come to see my cards as simply a tool of communication with spirit.

After Getting your deck

Cleanse your deck

some things you can use include crystals, incense, salt or moon water. Bonus if you can charge it under the full moon

2. Shuffle the deck and give it a few knocks to knock out any past or stagnant energies

3. Greet the deck with a simple one-card spread asking something simple such as the present energy.

4. Get familiar with the Major Arcana & the fool's journey

This is one of my favourite videos explaining the fool's journey. I think having this as a basis for your understanding is helpful for your later interpretations. You do not need to memorise anything, just knowing this is enough.

5. Understand the suits + numbers of the Minor Arcana

You can find lots of interpretations of this, most generally:

Pentacles (Earth): Pentacles are associated with material and financial aspects of life. They represent practicality, stability, and the tangible world, including wealth and resources.

Swords (Air): Swords symbolise thoughts, intellect, and communication. They represent mental clarity, decision-making, and the power of words, but can also signify challenges and conflicts.

Cups (Water): Cups signify emotions, relationships, and intuition. They reflect matters of the heart, love, empathy, and emotional growth.

Wands (Fire): Wands represent inspiration, passion, and action. They symbolize creativity, ambition, and the pursuit of goals

The numerology:

6. Use simple spreads with guiding questions

Beginners should always use a spread. Whether it is a Celtic cross or a simple 3 card spread. It gives structure and clarity to a reading. I also always frame the reading around a question. This allows a sense of focus and direction in the reading.

7. Use the guidebook

The guidebook will give you a general interpretation that falls in line with the intentions of those who created the deck. Websites like Labyrinthos are great for looking at the meaning of cards in specific areas like career or love.

Wishing you the best of luck in your readings,

Sierra xx

#tarotcommunity #tarot #tarot cards #tarot reading #tarotblr #tarot deck #divination #tarot witch #tarot community #beginner tarot #beginner witch #pac tarot #learning tarot #learn tarot #tarot decks #the lovers #the high priestess

[yieldfruit]

L-R: i. cinnamon tea, smells like home, Christmas, and coziness. ii. finishing up last two chapters of this book. iii. just started this book. iv. I've let my hair be natural (no styling; my natural hair has ringlets, waves, and is straight- all three-in-one), not really wearing much makeup anymore (concealer in inner corner of eyes, above lip, on two bits on forehead; mascara at just the roots of lashes; perhaps blush some days if I look ill without color, and always chapstick which I love); growing eyebrows out (and it's not a scenic process, I feel like most people have nice eyebrows that make sense whereas mine are everywhere)- I don't feel/look conventionally pretty at all. Like I wouldn't want to go on a first date right now. I notice men noticing me more but I think it's because they're like "is she pretty or not?" or maybe they're befuddled by my eyebrows. v. a snack I enjoy nearly every late morning, Kumato tomatoes with salt on top. vi. a stick I found on a hike, G thinks it looks like a voodoo type thing and I get that impression but it's a cross. vii. book from my mum, at first I didn't like it (initially I thought too much emphasis on Satan), but after reading it over the last week I like it. viii. Bambi loves my Bible, she rubs her face up against it every morning when I read it in bed with my coffee which kind of annoys me a bit because I'm trying to read the tiny print with weary eyes in a half-dark room and not spill coffee on myself. ix. found my cottage, now where exactly is it? x. "Christians are called to be truth-tellers...telling the truth is at the heart of the Christian's purpose on this earth."

#personal

[womanwarriorofgodww59]

`Matthew 5:13 (KJV) Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

As Christians, we have been called to touch the lives of everyone around us. Think of salt. What does it do? It adds flavor and value to the food in which it's placed. We have been placed in this world to make an impact for God, not to be ineffective like salt that loses its tastiness. Make sure that in every situation you are placed, you are adding value that will glorify God's name.

Dear God, I ask that you help me be a person who adds value in any situation that I am found in. May I never strive to be ineffective. May my actions always point to you, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen. ☆

#biblestudy #bible reading #biblia #bibledaily #biblequotes #biblescripture #bible #bible verse #prayer #prayfromhome

[conjuremanj]

SACRED RATTLE THE POWER'S IN YOUR HAND.

Just like the post I did on bells a rattle is not part of traditional hoodoo but if this is the item you feel attracted to I would suggest it.

One thing that every tradition, every culture, and almost every spiritual practice on earth shares in common is the use of the Sacred Rattle. Whether the rattle is a coconut or gourd maraca, filled inside with sacred seeds, or a latticework of glass beads or cowrie shells woven into a net and covering the outside of a dried gourd, such as it is with the Shekere or the cabasa; or a stick with shells, bones or nuts tied to one end.

The rattle in its many forms and shapes is one of three man made musical instruments found in some form in every culture and country. “The others being the drum and fluits.

In many places around the world the rattle always uses by individuals of power, such as a Shaman, witch doctor or Medicine men, conjure men etc. There are times that the Maraca and Sacred Rattles were viewed by Christians as the Devil’s instrument..

The various African and Indigenous earth related spiritual and religious systems within the Americas has and to this day uses its sacred rattle. Haitian Vodou has its Asson, Cuban Santeria uses its Asheke, Dominican 21 Division uses the Tcha Tcha, and Puerto Rican Sanse uses the Amaraca, which is also called the Matraca or simply la Maraca. The Caribbean Taino Bohique and Bohitu “Chamanes / Shamans” as the Shamans in every other culture also treasured their rattle.

The Maraca (rattle) is an instrument of great power, and similar to that of a European wand, used by wiccans, pagans or other magical systems.

Used for: These rattles are used to communicate with the realm of spirits, and summon deities. They could repel or vanquish unwanted spirits, heal, bless, activate the healing properties of roots, herbs, talismans, amulets, beads and stones. Like the European Wand, the sacred rattle is an extension of the body and works as the pointing finger in which we get our desires, and will pointed and focused outwards from the body. The sacred rattles are emblems that which is used to seek that which is Holy, and it establishes a connecting link between the material world and the spiritual realm. Through the proper use of the rattle, the Shaman could manifest the presence of spirits and deities.

Sound: The Maraca or Sacred Rattle works through sound vibrations, and is always used to concentrate a sacred space, and create protective barriers. In Haitian Vodou the Asson as is the Sanse Amaraca is used to summon the Loa, the Sances or the Messengers in Christianity uses a bell to call down saints, angels etc. While at the same time they can also ward of negative earth bound spirits which often get confused or can not tolerate the sound frequency. It literally acts as a Rattlesnakes rattling. Like the snake its rattling tail lete predators or unwanted energies and vibrations know that you acknowledge their presence.

Cleansing: Along side of herbs, tobacco, blessed waters and salt the sacred rattles are used for cleansing an individuals aura. It helps the practitioners of Shamanism, Sanse and Vodou in opening up blocked energy fields and help in binding or fixing weak or torn layers of the auric layers, which helps in re-establishing energy flow known as Ashe and removing psychic dirt or unwanted energy.

In Haitian Vodou they have a beautiful and unique sacred rattle which is unique to Haitian Vodou alone called the Asson. The Asson takes three different instruments and combines them into one. The rattle, the shekere and the altar bell.

In Sanse they don't combine the three into one, but use them separately and as I have stated often use them simultaneously.

The use of the sanctus bell is highly used in spiritual masses like Catholicism, lets all those know who have come to attend the event or church. In this case a supernatural event that's taking place before the altar. It is also rung heavily when a medium is about to mount a Loa or Spirit as a protective measure so that no earth bound or malignant force enters.

While the Rattle symbolizes the masculine phallic symbol, the bell represents the joining of both, the joining of the phallic with the yonic or vulvic “womb or vagina” to create life. The tongue or clapper of the bell is often made of two parts and symbolize the male semen and the female clitorus. (Bet you didn't know that) don't judge I read a lot) 😁

The ball part of the rattle can also be viewed as a womb, the sacred circle and earth. ”Present day Church bells derive from ancient Pagan traditions and not the other way around as most would have you believe. The bells are always rung to let those know a ceremony is to begin and when a ceremony is to end.

In traditional magic metal for bells should be iron, brass, or silver, and they are always kept on the house altars and shrines. Bells can be hung near doors on windowsills, outdoors and indoors. As the wind blows on bells and chimes it acts as a repellent for unwanted vibrations. Again sound vibrations very powerful.

Hope you enjoyed this post let me know your thoughts..

#Ritual rattle #Vodou rattle #Sound magic #Voodoo #Spiritual work #like and/or reblog! #likeandfollow #google search #Spiritual vibrations #Traditional hoodoo #Southern voodoo #Sacred rattle #follow my blog #like and subscribe #message me #ask me anything #Updated post

[authorofemotion]

Allow me to be near You

I have not done something like this since January with my series of songs based on The Great Divorce but once again God ambushed me and made me spend several hours on this out of nowhere. I am a begrudging participant.

This is a prayer I wrote put to music (aka i’m singing it). It’s the only prayer I have ever ever shared with more than one person, but God keeps calling me back to it to give it to others. So could I ask a favor of my Christian mutuals? Could you stop, for just a couple minutes, and pray this with me?

here is the music (linked so I don’t do a face reveal to ALL my followers)

and here is the original non-musical prayer if you prefer that!

O Lover,

Allow me to be near You, to be near the horrible acts inflicted on You. Allow me to kiss Your Face, stained with inexpressible pain. Let my lips linger with the taste of copper and salt—metallic, a weapon in its own rite.

Allow me to be near You, to wash myself in Your Wounds. To catch to Water from Your Side in cupped hands, for I have no chalice. Allow me to cradle Your Body as it’s broken and emptied. Allow me to wet Your Head with my tears and the tears of Your faithful.

O, but have flowers grown where Your Blood hit the ground! Your Blood has touched me too, Lamb, deeper.

O, but my heart quivers and trembles in Your Presence! I am a fragile bird, wings clipped and voice hoarse and frayed from my imprisonment.

Allow me to be near You, Lord! The earth will die no longer, but it will live! Allow me to sing You a song that will not wear my throat. Allow me to make You a robe that will not be torn off.

For You are my everything. Allow me to treat You as such, when Your enemies scorn You as nothing. My heart breaks with it, but without Your allowance, I do not know how to make You my Lord.

Allow me, Beloved! Allow me!

(very sorry gnashing my teeth etc but I am tagging my Christian mutuals in this— @bookdragon1811 @turtleduck-enthusiast @silverpaintedstars @kanerallels @accidental-spice @heckin-music-dork @avatardoggo @ladygobpire @holbytlanna @tessathecaffeinatedbutterfly @distance-does-not-matter @kazoosandfannypacks @intothelionsden @i-am-a-stupid-robot @babsbabbles @the-permanent-blur @i-am-a-freg *hides*)

#btw if anyone knows how to write instrumentals for songs please help me i’m fighting for my life over here #claire sings #only used that tag once before :D #i kNOW it seems counterintuitive but i promise y’all i actually don’t like sharing my music with people #like i do but also no

[themousefromfantasyland]

The Creatures of Yuletide: Kallikantzaroi, the Christmas Gremlins

It never ceases to amaze me how much ancient people feared winter. Nowadays considered a time of cheer and joy, the Twelve Days of Christmas, from December 24th to January 6th the start of Winter, was often considered a time of darkness and death, when all sorts of evil and dangerous creatures could roam free. In Greece, these days are called “dodekaimero”, 12 days, a term used since Byzantine times to describe the “dirty days” before the Epiphany. From there comes the legend of the Kallikantzaroi, a race of evil goblins.

The Kallikantzaroi live underground for most of the year, with a single desire, to cut down the roots of the world tree that holds up Earth and kill all humanity. Legend says that when they are almost done sawing the tree, Christmas arrives, when the waters become “unbaptized” or “unclean”, allowing these creatures to go up to the surface where they will cause havoc to all poor souls in their way.

They come up to the world during this time because Christ has not yet been baptized and cannot protect humanity from evil yet.

On January 6, the Epiphany, which commemorates both the day the Magi visited Jesus, and the day that Jesus was later baptized, priests of the Greek Orthodox Church make their rounds to all homes with holy water, forcing them to run back to the nearest caves and tunnels, and reenter the underworld, where they find that the world tree healed itself and now they must restart their work all over again, with the circle starting again.

Similar to St. Nicholas, they are nocturnal creatures and can sneak into homes through chimneys. When they enter homes, the Kallikantzaroi are said to steal food, hide tools and personal items, ruin furniture, and cause other disasters. Sometimes they are described as just chaotic pranksters and other times as dangerous and harmful minions of the Devil. They are also said to be afraid of Holy Water, religious symbols, and fire.

There are several ways of keeping these creatures away, like hanging a pig jaw under the chimney, burning an old shoe, or making the mark of the cross on the door to prevent the Kallikantzaroi from becoming unwelcome visitors.

Additionally, leaving the fireplace burning and throwing some salt on it can create a crackling noise that can frighten them.

Placing a colander on the doorstep of your house also helps, as Kallikantzaroi cannot count above two since three is a holy number, symbolizing the Holy Trinity. Just pronouncing it would kill them, so they have no choice but to be stuck recounting the holes from one to two until they get bored enough to leave the residents alone or the sun rises.

The way they are depicted diverges from region to region, and is commonly seen as a mixture of different animals, often enormous, larger than humans, other times smaller, but always very hairy and with a terrible odor. The most common depiction is of a very small, hairy black demon with red eyes.

There are many theories about the origins of this legend. My favorite is that they are a distant cultural memory of Christians that encountered pagan celebrations, with people who often dressed up as animals and looked for trouble and that’s why they only appear during a certain time of the year. Others link them with the legend of the satyrs and others to legends about spirits from the underworld. For me, they are probably another offspring of the “spirits of winter” thing, and just represent the fears and anxieties that ancient people have when dealing with winter

#The Creatures of Yuletide #christmas #holiday season #greek culture