#illustrationchallenge

Day 22 of Peachtober - Village! 🏘️

Day 21 of Peachtober - Greenhouse 🍃 🪴

Day 20 of Peachtober - Rest 😪 ✨

🍂🌙✨ Day 4 of #Peachtober24: Sky 🌠🍁

Story in caption. Week 12 - Fury of the Tools

Until now, I found most of the retired failed prototypes here at Tinker Toll quite endearing. But the two bio-mechanical and magical dragon constructs I met this week were truly terrifying. They designed their ‘instrumentum fabrica draconis’ as tools for their forges. As any gnome knows, dragon fire is the ultimate fire for forging the most durable tools or weapons. Unfortunately, these creatures usually violently disagree with being used as a tool. So they combined parts of a dying dragon with their mechanical and magical components. The fire part worked like magic, but they sadly also transferred the dragon’s fury about being used as a tool. Only the most daring gnomes could harden their tools in their fiery breath. But if they (and their tools) survived, the results were truly exceptional. I wish everyone would be so open about their failures, as in most cases, the road to true expertise comprises failures and important lessons learned from them. My brothers and sisters here are so skillful at what they do because they share and value these lessons rather than try to gloss over them! Anyhow, I think it is once again time to move on. I want to spend some time at the sea, visiting some old friends. And the journey is endless, so I might not send reports in the upcoming weeks.

For more images and stories see @al-ma-48

Story in caption. Week 51 - Under the tree

My publisher and I have not yet come to an agreement, so it is time to say Farewell! But before we part ways, I will share one last ritual I love. Many of Almaos’ creatures look at the sun as a representation of a magnificent god. But during this time of the time wheel’s turn, the sun god gets weak. They cannot provide enough light and warmth for nature to flourish. So many worshippers pray to their sun god and bring all kinds of offerings for their sun gods. A wonderful practice is to search for the few plants that kept their green during this dark season. People bring these enduring plants into their homes and decorate them with lights and other symbols of hope and fertility. Also, they place little presents for their loved ones underneath the tree. And as soon as enough worshippers follow these rites, the days will once again start getting longer, as the god recovers, fed by the powerful belief of his followers. I might not be the most religious gnome on Almaos, but I fully enjoy this practice. This year, Jo’angaman sent me a present - dozens of fireflies to illuminate my tree. And now, dear reader, I thank you for your joining me. Perhaps we will meet again, some day, some place. Farewell!

For more images and stories see @al-ma-48