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@astraltamarin
Another 2021 repaint
Tsuyu deserved better

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Folklore in Mandrake
After nearly sixteen years working in the Victorian milieu for Fallen London, MandrakeĀ is giving us an opportunity to draw on a whole new swathe of historical and folkloric sources, and weāve been making the most of it.Ā
Mandrake is set in a village called Chandley, whose people have to get along with all sorts of neighbours, some of which are far from human. There are regal woods-gods; dangerous, rootless spirits roving the wilds; and gentler, more domestic sprites that nevertheless abide by their own, sometimes obtuse, rules.Ā
Here we present a selection of the folklore that has inspired us while inventing the world of Mandrake, in case any of them catch your interest as they did ours.
Sunken Lands
Atlantis might be the most famous sunken land, but itās far from the only one. For Mandrake, weāve taken inspiration from folkloric examples closer to home: lost Lyonesse that lay beyond Landās End in Cornwall, and became associated with Arthurian legend. The lost Brittany city of Ys (or Kaer-Ys), drowned by mortal folly, which features in the collection of Breton folk-songs known as the Barzaz-Breiz. Cantre'r Gwaelod, a land said to lie off the coast of Cardigan, in Gwynedd.
In Mandrake, our drowned isle is poor Oleas, which lay just off the coast near Chandley, and was home to the Rose dynasty ā the historic rivals to the Mandrakes, our protagonistās family house. The locals say that on quiet evenings, you can still hear the bells of Oleas ringing under the wavesā¦
Seal-Folk
Haunting the sunken streets of Oleas are the korrigan, who swim through the sea in the shape of seals, but can take human form on the shore. They are attuned to the tides of fate, dangerous to cross, and have magics of their own. The local sea-fisherman, Ruan, knows to treat seals with the utmost courtesy.
These seal-folk are of course primarily inspired by the Scottish legends of selkies, with their seal-skins, and their troubled relations with mortals. A favourite modern version of the archetypal selkie story can be found in Kevin Crossley-Hollandās short collection Outsiders, which retells a half-dozen folktales from the point of view of those who donāt fit in. But their name and their sorcerous inclinations were inspired by the korrigan, another bit of Breton folklore: deadly, capricious fey beings whose demands were dangerous to defy.
Tolkien wrote a great, grim, possibly unpronounceable poem about a ācorriganāĀ called The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun, which has been released in a recent edition along with drafts of a couple of earlier poems he wrote about the corrigan. They obviously made an impression on him!
Chimney-gods
You might have seen our friendly-faced character Hob Halfling, who lives in the hearth of your recovered family lodge.
As a helpful domestic spirit, Hob is largely inspired by brownies: shy fairy creatures who lived in a home and came out at night to keep the house in order and do chores⦠as long as they were well-treated, and you didnāt offend them with an inappropriate gift. There are countless brownie stories, but one of my favourites is one from Sunderland: the Cauld Lad oā Hilton. According to Robert Surtees in 1820, the Cauld Lad would cause chaos if Hylton Castle, where he lived, was left in good order ā or tidy it immaculately if it was left in a mess. He played largely harmless pranks on the inhabitants, but was eventually banished by the traditional method of leaving out a set of clothes for him. As soon as he found them he put them on, admired himself in a mirror, and left the house never to return. āHereās a cloke, and hereās a hood; the cauld lad oā hilton will do no more good.ā
Surteesā version seems to consider the Lad a brownie, but says that it had become identified with the ghost of a murdered servant whose bones were later found in a pond on the grounds. Folklore is rarely neat ā stories tangle with each other, or spin off new threads.
Thereās no murder in Hobās origin, anyway. Heās less mischievous than the Cauld Lad, too, but itās still best to keep him friendly with the occasional gift of food.
Ancient Medics and Scholarship
One of our characters, Malory Rosevere, is currently a pigkeeper, but is descended from a long line of doctors who were famous in the region. This concept was a later addition to their character, inspired by the Meddygon Myddfai, or Physicians of Myddfai. The physicians were a famous lineage of doctors in Wales, practiced medicine in an unbroken line from the 13th century to the 18th! Famous throughout Wales, their services were often called upon, and as time passed, so great was their reputation that they became associated with magical remedies and practices, too. Claiming a remedy was one used by the Meddygon Myddfai was a way to grant it a high pedigree.
Malory is also something of a scholar, and proudly owns a small collection of books. Perhaps theyāll lend you one ā weāre working on a scholarship system for Mandrake, allowing you to study in the evening to discover more about the settingās history and myths. Some of the books youāll be able to read draw inspiration from historical texts, like the medieval Welsh Triads.
Restless Spirits
The lands around Chandley are plagued by an unusual number of roving, restless spirits, which without a place to make their own, grow increasingly eccentric and perilous. Josselin, the local witch, calls them the peregrini, and implies thereās a reason theyāre so common hereabouts.Ā
Each of the peregrini is inspired by different folklore. Anyone familiar with kelpie mythology will recognise the Salt Mare, who only runs on water, and who carries anyone foolish enough to mount it to the bottom of the sea. And wizened old Granny Jakes might seem friendly, but why is she so keen to hide her feet from you? And for you to try a cup of her delicious, homemade, apple-y avalack? Beware: one of her inspirations is the Russian story of Misery. In the version of the tale I read, Misery is a pitiful creature found in a hole who ā if you help him ā will scramble up onto your back and make himself comfortable. Once heās there only you can see and hear him, and every time you take a drink, Misery demands another. Before long, he drives you to ruin, all the time claiming heās your only friendā¦
Other Sources
There are many more inspirations we could talk about, like the fact that the many gods of the sea in Mandrake are partly inspired by the Irish Voyage of MĆ”el DĆŗin, with its magnificent list of completely bizarre islands (tag yourself: Iām āThe island of the horse-like beast who pelts the crew with the beachā).
But if youāre looking for some good modern folklore to read, in addition to the books weāve mentioned already, we can highly recommend Amy Jeffās evocative and ingenious books Storyland, Wild and Saints, which retell medieval folk stories from overlooked perspectives. Iāve also been enjoying Kym Deynās unsettling, visually rich and occasionally lightly traumatic collection of poetry, Folkish, which often draws on folklore from the north of England, and includes poems about the Lambton Worm, St Hild, Old Mother Shipton and Janet oā the Dales (who weād never come across before).Ā
We hope thereās something in this list that stirs your interest, and weād love to hear about any folklore from where you live!
Kazuo Oga (various watercolour works c.1988)
Just. Wow.
Kazuo Oga is one of the most inconspicuously famous artists, which is inspirational in its own right by how humbling it is.Ā You would think they were digital from an immediate approach, however upon closer inspection of the textures, lighting and layering itās clear theyāre perfectly hand crafter watercolour pieces.
His works, featured in the backgrounds of various Studio Ghibli films, are subtle enough to blend into the background of the films yet stand out alone as perfection of watercolour techniques and command of lighting.
Just considering there are scenes where the camera pans across his works for several long moments reflects the sublime quality of his work. And that he was able to develop enough artworks to supply several films with stunning backdrops is nothing short of breathtaking.
Thatās a good word for it, ābreathtakingā.
Me @ me:Ā āHey maybe donāt draw the entire first season of YOI from yakov feltsmanās perspective. That will take weeks and youāre an adult with a lifeā
ā¦I did it.
Bonus:
Loosely based on this post.
{My Twitter}

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no discourse will ever be as funny and stupid as the incredible number of naysayers who genuinely believed that Victor Nikiforov and Yuuri Katsuki (shipname pronounced Victory) were not canon when Yuri!!! on Ice was airing and insisted that we were just viewing it through shipping goggles and it was all perfectly platonic
even after the cup of china kiss!!! even after the bit in Barcelona where they exchange golden rings!!!! in front of a chapel!!!! while a choir sings in the background!!!!! and then all the other skaters congratulate them!!!!!!!!!!!!
HOW
history will say they were Very good friends
yk why yuri on ice is such a unique love story? bc despite their physical attraction to each other it makes it abundantly clear that victuuri did not have a shot at an actual relationship until they let go of their ideas of each other.
for victor that idea is that of banquet yuuri
for yuuri it's childhood idol victor
they're both infatuated with a version of the other that's only conditionally present, short lived, made up or exaggerated. and the story makes a point to actively THWART the possibility of love at first sight. it keeps insisting that it's not love. not yet.
but it's not nothing. they are unquestionably drawn to each other. esp bc the other represents to them something they're yearning in themselves: yuuri is to victor connection, passion, and the feeling of aliveness that he'd become so numb to, so devoid of. victor represents a voice for self-validation, of acceptance from an opinion that seems to matter well above yuuri's own.
but just bc they want that doesn't mean they know how to get it or even accept it for what it is. they constantly miscalculate their moves and misunderstand and upset each other.
but they keep at it. and it grows into something more. the shift is so evident as they go through the motions of GPF. we see their relationship become one of easy familiarity. and you can tell what it is now, without them having to say it to each other or to us. they show us a love story just by building a special relationship and showing why it should matter.
The role of Japanese dating culture in YOI
Disclaimer: This post is based on my research on Japanese culture. If you are Japanese and note that I missed the point, please enlighten me. Iām always happy to learn.
At first glance, Yuuriās behaviour is rooted in awkwardness, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Whereas all of this is true, his cultural upbringing engenders some of his demeanours as well. It adds nuance to his character and to his relationship with Viktor.
Letās break this down chronologically.
Inappropriate physical contact
When Viktor shows up at the onsen, his advances weird Yuuri out. Viktorās courtship behaviour is totally over the top even beyond the borders of Japan, but it definitely isnāt how things work in Japan. Touching, for instance, is quite an intimate thing. Itās rude to touch a stranger in the ways Viktor touches Yuuri. No wonder YÅ«ri has a flight or freeze response and doesnāt seem comfortable with it at all. That having Viktorās hands on his body causes a visceral reaction doesnāt help the matter at all.
Hugs are uncommon unless they happen between people close to each other, such as friends or family, and they tend to donāt last long. Long hugs usually happen between people who are in love. Thus, itās a big deal when Yuuri hugs Viktor before his performance at the Onsen on Ice. Yuuri is very anxious and determined to make Viktor stay in Japan. He is desperate and doesnāt know if he can win against the other Yuri. And heās super awkward, even more so when interacting with Viktor. This hug is a desperate attempt to show that Viktor means something to him.
Kissing in public is widely frowned upon in Japan, although this view is slowly coming out of fashion. Traditionally, kisses were considered a long-term promiseāyou donāt kiss if youāre not serious about your relationship. When Yuuri and Viktor kiss at the end of episode 7, this is very serious. The shocked expression on the faces of Yuuriās friends and family reflects the prevailing reaction of Japanese people to such a public display of intimacy.
Yuuriās kokuhaku
A kokuhaku (åē½) is a love confession, usually phrased along the lines of āI like you. Can we start seeing each other?ā However, there are no rules on how a kokuhaku should be carried out. Some Japanese get very creative or explicit in voicing their feelings. If you google kokuhaku, youāll find many examples of successful kokuhakus and such that backfired. People voice a kokuhaku when they want to date someone. If the other personās response is positive, they start dating and are in a romantic relationship henceforth. Just hanging out with someone you have feelings for doesnāt qualify as dating until youāve voiced your kokuhaku. I like this custom because it follows a rule set that minimises confusion and defines what both people can expect of each other. According to my research, many Japanese start relationships this way, although more and more prefer the āWesternā way.
Until the end of episode 5, Yuuri struggles with the concept of love and identifying his feelings. I believe realisation strikes him when he crashes into the barrier at the Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu Regional Championship. This finally enables him to act on his feelings.
Yuuri chooses the press conference in which the skaters of the Japanese team present their seasonās themes to voice his kokuhaku, and he is very explicit about it. Luckily, he knows Viktor is in love with him, for otherwise, his confession could have easily resulted in losing face as it was broadcasted nationwide.
This line is the most important part of Yuuriās kokuhaku:
For the first time in my life, thereās a person I want to hold on to. That person is Viktor. I donāt really have a name for that emotion, but Iāve decided to call it āloveā.
Note the usage of čŖåć ē¹ććØććć. As pointed out here, a more literal translation would be āViktor being the first person I want to reach out to and bond with, and with those bonds, bind us together so that we will never part.ā Itās a reference to Stammi Vicino (Non Te Ne Andare). If this isnāt a textbook kokuhaku, I donāt know what this is!
After this public kokuhaku, Yuuri and Viktor can finally start dating and get into relationship mode. Although we donāt get to see them dating, their interactions reveal a level of intimacy at the Cup of China, that leaves no doubt that they are boyfriends. Itās obvious to everyone around them, too. Itās mostly Viktor who initiates public displays of intimacy because, due to his own cultural upbringing, heās less reserved, whereas Yuuri expresses his feelings in subtler ways. This turn in their relationship eventually prompts Viktor to instruct Yuuri to skate Eros as himself.
Like so many things in Japanese culture, love language is subtle. By saying āI love youā (ęćć¦ć), youāre more likely to weird your beloved one out. Even in a committed relationship, people rarely use this phrase. A key aspect of Japanese storytelling is āshow donāt tell, but do it subtly and with nuanceā. We see a lot of this in YOI, and those scenes say so much more about how much Yuuri and Viktor are in love than āI love youā ever could.
The marriage proposal
Traditional Japanese marriage proposals tend to be formal and indirect (e.g. āI like to make miso soup for you every day.ā), and this is exactly what Yuuri is going for at the end of episode 9.
Please note the subs supply the word ācoachā although Yuuri never uses it. What he really is saying here is āPlease take care of me until I retireā, using ćé”ććć¾ć which is a very formal expression that translates as āplease take care of meā. However, the condition āuntil I retireā speaks volumes of his fear Viktor might say ānoā. Heās been agonising over the possibility that Viktor might return to Russia soon for the whole Rostelecom Cup because his anxiety is telling him again that he isnāt enough.
By now, Viktor is familiar enough with Japanese customs that he identifies Yuuriās request as a marriage proposal. His response is in the same fashion, and he implies he wants this to be forever (which is exactly what Yuuri was hoping for).
Engagement party
Traditionally, an engagement must be finalised in a ceremony that the coupleās families attend. Itās like a dinner party with gifts and a presentation of the rings. Only when the rings are presented, the engagement is official.
When Yuuri and Viktor get officially engaged in Barcelona, they actually break with tradition for the sake of giving the rings an additional spiritual meaning, which is deeply rooted in Japanese culture. They create omamori of their rings to bestow good luck on Yuuri for the Grand Prix Final. Since their love for each other and their love for the ice are tightly intertwined, this makes a lot of sense. This post explores in great depth what Yuuri tries to explain very awkwardly about the multiple meanings of the rings.
Even though Mari is the only family member around Yuuri and Viktor celebrate their engagement in Barcelona with her, Minako, and their skater friends.
Final words
The evolution of Yuuri and Viktorās relationship is driven by Japanese customs. Awkwardness, anxiety and his aversion to being pushed aside, there is little progress until Yuuri figures out his feelings and voices his kokuhaku. Yuuri values and adheres to the traditions of his culture, and he only breaks them when being heavily inebriated.
Speaking of traditions, I picture Yuuri and Viktor having a traditional Japanese wedding, including a Shinto shrine ceremony and kimonos.
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Persona 5 Localization Error: 10/28 Cafe Scene
Short post this time, but, thereās a pretty blatant error in this scene that messes up some foreshadowing. The English dialogue is as follows:
āBecause of sickening human beingsā¦
Yes. My contempt for such people drives my sense of justice.
It isnāt for some grand reason like societyās sake or some lofty ideal.
Itās simply an absurd grudge. And extremely personal.ā
And a rough translation of the Japanese dialogue, done by @redwhiteandgold
āThe very worst adult.
Yes. My spirit to rebel against him is the very root of my own justice.
Itās not for society, or for idealismās sake. The reasonās nothing lofty like that.
Itās extremely personal⦠just a worthless sense of resentmentā *
The problem here is that he was talking about a singular person, which you later find out to be Shido. It was a big clue at his actual motivations, and the English dialogue almost loses that foreshadowing to the point where it could be misinterpreted as him talking about the crimes Shido was making him commit rather than Shido himself.
* Is also the same word used here:
āHateā shouldāve been translated asĀ āresentmentā here. Since it was talking about what Loki represents, there was a bit of foreshadowing missed here.

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Some pages of a lil ffxiv fishing journal I started, back when I was doing the job quests lol
Kinda wanna do more of these, it was funšš š”
the World
The first finished cards of the FFXIV playing card deck!
Prints of completed cards will be available on the $20 tier of Patreon soon, and once the deck's completed the usual colouring book will be made out of the line art for download. In the meantime, the usual reminder that nothing I do is possible without the fine folks over there, so please consider joining us if you can.
Previously: FF playing cards | FFVII playing cards | FFXV Tarots | FFVII Tarots | FFXV Playing cards | FFVII Full Tarots | FF Hanafuda deck
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I'm going on an off-the-grid vacation so here's a friendly reminder that I'm launching a newĀ #kickstarterĀ forĀ #thothĀ #tarotĀ to match the previousĀ #tarotdeckĀ sets I've designed. Here is a taste of theĀ #finalfantasyxivĀ cards. . https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sandmantarot/three-of-fandom-tarot-cards .

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š® Happy Lunar New Year š§§ š
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An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 1/6 Fandom: Final Fantasy XIV Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Sanson Smyth/Guydelot Thildonnet Characters: Sanson Smyth, Guydelot Thildonnet, Nourval Lhorulgois, Warrior of Light (Final Fantasy XIV) Additional Tags: Idiots to friends to lovers, Patch 4.0: Stormblood (Final Fantasy XIV), Bard Questline (Final Fantasy XIV), Unnamed Warrior of Light (Final Fantasy XIV) Series: Part 5 of A Fervent Desire Summary:
āYour mission is to make contact with the letterās sender and ascertain the nature of the secret.ā
āA bloody errand, more like,ā Guydelot announced as he bounded up the steps. āCanāt be arsed to handle it yourselves, so you foist it on us.ā
He tried not to look too long at Sanson, flicking his gaze over him equal to the others. He hoped, anyway. It had been near three weeks since theyād last seen each other, that brief morning Sanson had been in Gridania. The few letters Guydelot had sent received no replies. Matron forgive him, he shouldnāt be peeved at Sanson for it, but he was.
[Stormblood bard questline]
Iām so bad at updating but the last chapter is up!
https://archiveofourown.org/works/60658417/chapters/161725063
literally read this entire series so quickly, I'm obsessed