Blog Posts

What a Knight!

8/3/2021

The Dowager, Griselda, had heard that there was going to be an event in the Woods hosted by Hunter, the Shadows' King. Some type of tournament where Hunter's Nytemares would be able to let out some energy. If it was going to be like the tournaments that she had watched as a much younger maid she just had to go. The problem with a tournament though is that proper young ladies did not go alone. "Maybe Efem would enjoy this too," she thought. At first she was going to snail mail the invite, but then decided to send it through the Bee-Gs to see if the Dryad would accompany her to the Festival.

Later, as Efem and the Dowager were walking around the tournament field admiring the beautiful Nytemares competing against each other, the Dowager asked Efem "Have you heard anything in the Mushroom line about Hewy's new commission to the Troll King and what the King is like? I have been gone quite a while and maybe the Baron has met the Troll King, but I have never been introduced to him myself."

"I had not heard about a commission and I don't know anything about the King of the Trolls personally, only gossip of what the Twitter Birds retweet about him. They say that he can be a devil," Efem answered.

"Oh No!" Griselda exclaimed. "Do you mean he is evil? We don't need that here!" "No... No..." smiled Efem. "He not the blackhearted, world destroying evil type. The buzzing I have been hearing is that he is more the minor, mischievous imp, wicked-fun type than dark evil. Just not someone you would trust your family fortune too! Eventually he would find a way to keep it and have you working for him too."

"Oh" the Dowager sighed. "Then he could still be dangerous in his own way," dreamily smiling as she gazed at a knight riding a Nytemare in the jousting arena... "We will have to keep an eye on him - for Hewy's sake of course." Efem, realizing that Griselda was staring at the knight and not the horse, turned startled eyes to the Dowager and smiled, "Griselda, aren't you too old for such nonsense?"

The Dowager, turning her big innocent eyes towards her answered with a laugh, "I'm not dead yet!"

The Game is On...

7/27/2021

"Sire. I know you and 'him' are both collectors, shall we say, of rare objects, but you shouldn't assume that he also is looking for the Token. 'He' may not even be aware of its existence," said Drat.

"Oh, he knows about it my furry little friend. It was one of the first things we fought over when he told me his collection was better than mine," growled Druzzy.

"He has always been poking his pointy little, no, I take that back, his pointy BIG nose in my affairs ever since," said the King as he put his hands in front of his nose and acted like it was long and pointy. "Even your nose is not as big as his," chuckled Druzzy, now in a little better mood.

"Now Drat, how are we going to get that token?"

"The reports indicate that another Troll helped the Wish Dragon Sire. I suggest that you maybe can smooze him. He apparently has a close association to one of the Sleeping Sisters," grinned Drat. "If you can try a little of your knavery..."

"I don't knave" glared Druzzy. "I educate. There is a difference you know. Can I help it if my charm and good naturedness gives me the best of the bargain?"

"So sorry Sire. If you 'convince' this Troll that your best intentions are for the Wish Dragon and building its trust for Trolls, maybe he can help us get closer to the Token."

"What is the Troll's name?" asked Druzzy as he started pondering his scheme (err... I mean plan).

"It is Hewy, Sire. He is the master musician that wrote the music for your last rock party. You know, the one where you showed off the new jewel added to your crown. The one that the Goob..."

"Don't say his name!" roared Druzzy.

Drat, The Rat, did not move nor complete his comments. He silently waited for the King of the Trolls to calm down enough to speak. When he did, it was to tell his minion to find Hewy and bring him to the royal court for a commission.

As Drat was leaving, his sensitive ears picked up the Kings mumblings. "I wonder where did he find that gem bigger than mine and how he crashed my party with it..."

Reporting In Sire...

7/20/2021

Being the King of the Trolls was a little bit of an annoyance to Druzzy especially this time each week. Trolls, being extremely independent, were usually not the greatest subjects to a mon-archy (nor even a mom-archy...), but once every week, Druzzy had to sit in the throne room and hear reports from all of his subjects. Most were minor complaints such as 'so and so won't let me cross the bridge' or 'an annoying billy-goat won't leave me alone'. There was only one highlight on these dull boring days and that was when Drat gave his secret report.

That report was given only after all of the courtiers had been dismissed and the hall cleared of everyone but his only trusted minion.

"Okay Drat, what have you been hearing that I should know?" asked Druzzy. After looking around the room to confirm that others were not there to overhear, Drat (the Rat) unrolled his scroll to give the King his weekly report.

"Well Sire, first there is the letter from the Shadows' King, Hunter, expressing his appreciation about one of your subjects assisting in the Wish Dragon affair. He is hoping that this will be the beginnings of a..."

"Get on with it Drat. I know about all that stuff. Tell me about 'you know'," growled Druzzy. "Jump to the good stuff!"

"Yes your majesty. It appears with the reappearance of the Wish Dragons, that maybe you might finally be able to add to your collection of magical artifacts. It appears that the Wish Dragon, named Hungry, does not seem to be aware of the item and thinks that a Dragon's Token is trust. You might be able to use that when dealing with him."

"Very interesting... Of course I am trust worthy... as long as you read the fine print on the contract. Won't the Dragon's Token make a fine addition to my collection Drat?" said the King, not really waiting for an answer. "The Sleeping Sisters have it hidden away somewhere and now maybe, with the help of this young Dragon, I can get it before another annoying collector beats me to it."

"Do you mean," began the Rat before he was interrupted.

"Don't say that name!" growled Druzzy. "He's irritating enough on his own without you saying his name."

And the King is Crowned...

7/13/2021

Having an artistic/crafty mother I certainly did dabble in a lot of different things growing up but this one technique really "sparked" my interest. It is the one style of creating that I go back to over and over whenever I can.

It even got me an "A" in my sculpting class when I couldn't afford bronze in college (*lol*). So, enjoy this short video on the process of making the Troll King's Crown.

Please keep in mind all the safety procedures and precautions required when working with an open flame if you should try this yourself.

The Emperor's ( I mean King's) New Clothes...

7/6/2021

The Emperor's New Clothes is a common enough fairy tale where the silly Emperor is conned into buying nothing but the "imagination" of the sellers of some fantastical clothing. As my Troll King is being pulled together it's now time to be thinking of his clothes. Do you think I can con a con? I am truly inspired at the moment as I very rarely have costuming ideas planned at the time I begin sculpting. Plus this is more than my eyes need to see if my Troll starts running around naked - so let the research begin.

I do research when making the outfits because I need to know the reasons behind what things I use in costumes... even down to why certain colors. So begins my thoughts of since he is royalty, should he be in red? But red wouldn't work with the hair coloring I am leaning towards, so what other royal color is there?... Why purple of course! Which when I went to research more about this I now see why it is my favorite color.

A couple of interesting facts (some I knew and some I didn't) about the royal color of purple.

Purple was worn only by the rich and powerful as they were the only ones who could afford this expensive color made from snails.

A Byzantine empresses gave birth in the Purple Chamber. Therefore, Porphyrogenitus ("born to the purple") was the name of an emperor which gained his throne by dynasty and not by force.

And my favorite (as the best things happen by accident) -

The first synthetic dye was discovered by an 18-year old in 1856. William Henry Perkin accidentally made a purple dye instead of his school assignment which was to discover a synthetic alternative to quinine. As he cleaned up his experiments he noticed a thick black residue at the bottom of a flask. After further experimentation by diluting the sludge, Perkin realized that the mixture could be used to dye silk and it would retain its color. Until that point, purple dyes always faded fairly quickly. Perkin initially called his new dye "Tyrian Purple" but it was later to become known as "mauve".

So, with this research, I have decided my Troll King will be dressed in purple. Also being inspired by all the visual materials I saw while reading for my research, I decided to start at the top and work my way down for this king needs a gaudy crown (I do believe).

Oh no!..Naked body running through! Close your eyes quick!!!

Snoop's Scoop - The Return of a Dragon

6/30/2021

Snoop is sitting in his best chair and indulging himself with his favorite tea, Earl Grey, enjoying this special moment as he had just published the Scoop of the Century. A Wish Dragon has returned to the Realms and he had witnessed it all! Read all about it here in the current special edition of The Bellwether...

The Dowager is also pleased with the article about her but is also wondering if anyone noticed the dandelions.

Most of the others who where there at The Wishing Well wondered where Snoop had been hiding since they didn't remember seeing him. Nemmer kept muttering that even though he wasn't there at the Well, he knew the Dusty Mytes must have something to do with it. Of everyone in the Realms, the only two occupants that were not reading the paper were the Spites, Sprigg'n and The CAT, instead they were swapping funny stories about Wizards and Dryads.

Even the Trolls were purchasing this edition. Contrary to popular belief, most Trolls do read (they also clip coupons, but that's a different story...). This story was holding the attention of one in particular and the more he read, the more he smiled. "Now I can finally get that talisman," he muttered.

How does a King become a king???

6/23/2021

When creating a new character I need to know what makes him be what he is. One's personality or lifestyle is always reflected in the face just like the farmer who toils out in the sun or the office worker that sits inside all day. Yep, Mother Nature does have a way of shaping those faces. So how does a Troll become a king?

As I have said before I don't sketch out my characters. They develop right in the clay. My fingers and sculpting tools are my pen with the clay being my paper. I do have an inspiration when I start and even when I began Hewy, I knew there had to be a king to the Trolls.

Hewy was too nice of a Troll to be anything but helpful to the little Wish Dragon. I thought maybe the Wizard would be the villain in my story, but even that took a twist I hadn't expected. In the meantime the Troll King has been hiding in the background... waiting and watching.

So let me share a little of what I have learned and what the Troll King has been willing to share so far. His name is Druzzy. Why, you might ask?

There are stones that are called Druzy Stones. After all, Trolls are stone creatures. A Druzy crystal is a configuration of many tiny sparkling crystals on the surface of a bulky mineral body. Very rich looking, sparkly and often hollow inside. A very fit description to my king I think.

He is a collector of treasures just like a Dragon. Passporte' mentions in his journal about how a Troll's word or oath is sacred (click here to read more about Trolls), but be wary of what is being promised.

So while I know that my Troll King has a twinkle in his eyes as he wheels and deals, just keep in mind that while he is smiling at you and shaking your hand, you just might want to be counting what rings are left on your fingers in the process.

Singing in the chaos...

6/16/2021

"A Wish Dragon? Hungry here is a Wish Dragon and I am his Spite?" growled The CAT. "And there is some prophecy? Is that what you were singing Hewy?" Hewy nodded his head to the surprised feline. "Okay, so I can understand this right... could you sing the prophecy again Hewy?" The troll slowly started his melody again with the first part of the prophecy.

"When the last of the Wish Dragyns are lost
and is starving for knowledge at any cost;
will choices be made by many
that will bring the Realms to despair or to plenty. "

"Now wait a minute. Sorry to interrupt but I am trying to figure this out," cut in The CAT. "If Hungry is the last of the Wish Dragons and he has been lost for this whole time... sounds like to me that he would certainly be starving. Also sounds like he might be in need of a teacher too. Okay, please continue."

Hewy then continued his song.

"Which way will it sway and who will triumph none yet can foretell
but for good to win the evil must not prevail;
for if evil wins forever magic will be changed or lost
and the Realms will suffer at the cost."

"Whoooh!" said The CAT. "That sure sounds like the wizard here. He almost prevailed with trying to get his wish. Not that I am saying you are evil, mister wizard, as I don't know you that well. But it sounded like to me that the wish you were asking for could have changed things not only here in this Realm but where you were from too."

Dewin, hung his head and nodded. "I hadn't really thought about what my wish could do. I was just angry and wanted to go back to where I had come from. Now I can see that maybe fate put me here for a reason," answered the wizard slightly raising his eyes to look at Hungry.

Excited, Hewy sang the next line of the prophecy. "For in the telling of this tale a musician must play' - that sounds like me," exclaimed Hewy getting caught up in the solving of the prophecy. "But who would be the - 'as the dryad who has forsaken it's way'?"

Parsley raised her hand and told the others that it could possibly mean her. "I left the ways of the Tree Mothers to become the herbalist I am today. Though I don't see why that would make a difference?"

"The troll will mend what was once broken, " Hewy continued. "Apparently that is me also as I am the only Troll here. The sole thing I had broken was my heart when the love of my life left, but that was healed when I saw Awena again. This last line still confuses me though," said Hewy as he sang the next part.

"As they both must gain the Dragyn 's token."

Excited about how the prophecy was coming together, Hungry pipped in, "That is easy. A Dragon's token is his trust. Nothing is more important to a Dragon than knowing who to trust."

As the others thought about what Hungry had just said, Hewy wrapped up the prophecy by singing the last stanza.

"For if this does not happen another will sway
the young mind which will drift away;
and from the lack of knowledge will the choice then be
for the Dragyn will grant the destructive plea."

Silently everyone gathered around the little Wish Dragon. Dewin was the first to speak. "I am sorry for misleading you Hungry. I just wanted to go home, not realizing that maybe I am already there." After that, everyone agreed that Hungry needed to learn more about the powers of the Wish Dragon. It was decided that Hewy and Parsley, having gained the Dragon's trust, would be responsible for starting those lessons. The CAT was happy he was also going to be returning to familiar surroundings, as he now had to have lessons too apparently as the Dragon's Spite.

Sprout was thrilled to hear that Hungry was going to be heading home with him as her heard his mother tell the Wish Dragon that she would be his teacher. Until Parsley added, “and you will not be alone for Sprout will take classes with you.” “WHAT?” exclaimed the startled Dryad.

So now that the little Dragon was found, and the prophecy seemed to have been fulfilled, everyone decided they could all return to their homes. Of course a stop by the Sugar Plum Bakery on their way didn't sound to bad too. "I wonder where Nemmer is?" thought Cornelius as they started to leave. As luck would have it, Nemmer had forgotten all about getting to The Wishing Well (he had bumped into some Dusty Mytes who had sprayed him out of habit with the forgetful dust) and too was on his way home.

It was only The Wishing Well who noticed after everyone had left Snoop rushing from the bushes he had been hiding in to hurry back to the Bellwether to get out the scoop of his career. A Dragon had returned to the Realms!!!

When is a good wish bad???

6/9/2021

“Hungry, if you are this prophecy Dragon, then all you have to do is not do evil,” Dewin told the young Wish Dragon.

“You mean that if I tell myself that I am not going to do anything evil, then evil can’t win?” eagerly asked Hungry. “I can do that!”

Before Dewin could continue though, the least likely member of the group replied to the Dragon.

“I am afraid it doesn't work that way. I have tried but no matter how much I try to do something, it somehow always seems to not come out the exact way I pictured it to be,” answered The CAT. “Look Hungry, bad things can happen even when trying to do good.”

Dewin had his own plan here and being interrupted by this CAT wasn't helping it, but before he could stop The CAT, another spoke first.

“You're his Spite!” Sprigg’n exclaimed excitedly at The CAT. “I wasn’t sure at first, but after listening to you speak, the feelings we experienced when we first met, and now meeting Hungry, I realize that you ARE his Spite. That is Good... I think."

“What do you mean 'his Spite'?” Hungry and The CAT, both being surprised and confused, replied together. Now everyone was listening for Sprigg'n's answer, even the Wizard. Since Sprigg'n still hadn't answered, Dewin asked again, "What do you mean? How is The CAT the Wish Dragon's Spite? You told me before that Spites only appear with a Wish Dragon and a wish."

Shaking her head at the wizard, Sprigg’n finally answered. “Hungry and The CAT were both born at the same time. Hungry must have been from a wish that was answered, and don’t ask me how it was answered or by whom cause I don’t know. But, The CAT is Hungry’s Spite, take it from me.”

“But what does that mean?” pleaded the Dragon. “Will he help me make the right choices so that evil won't reign?”

At that comment, everyone but Dewin (who did not know The CAT as well as the others did) started to laugh. After wiping the tears from her eyes, Efem answered the confused little Dragon. “I am sorry to have laughed Hungry, but The CAT is not known for his helping others nor making, as you said it, ‘the right choices’ very often. He actually is a handful of mischief on most of his good days and a lot more on his bad ones.” Quickly she added, with a more serious tone, “but today he has surprised me with his answer to you. He is correct that bad things happen even with the best intentions and that each of us must understand that we are ultimately responsible for our own actions, be they good or bad,” as she reached down to give The CAT a hug.

Seeing that the conversation was not going where he had hoped, Dewin spoke. "Hungry, as a Wish Dragon, you have the power to create things for good just as easily as evil. Let us say hmmm... that you maybe granted me a wish to send me back to my world. I was transported here without my consent many years ago and want to go home."

“That is terrible! I know I would not like that either. You should be allowed to go back,” Hungry replied. Smiling, the wizard thought his plan just might work after all. “All you have to do is wish me back,” he urged the Wish Dragon on.

Before Hungry could grant the wish though, Hewy jumping in with a loud "NO!" which distracted everyone. "Is that why you have been looking for this Dragon, Wizard?" Hewy stared at Dewin. But before he could answer, Hewy turned to the little Dragon and said "Hungry, before returning Dewin to his own land think about what could be the downside of his wish. It could just as easily be that he will loose all the magic he has accumulated while here or that his life may end. The magic here has kept him alive for far longer than he normally would have lived in his own realm.”

Dumbfounded, the Wizard realized he had never thought of that! “Hewy, you may be right. By breaking the original spell, I could revert to the same state I was in when I was transported here.” Glancing at Sprigg’n, Dewin realized that the Spite was looking directly at him and slightly nodding her head. “You knew?” he asked her.

With all of these realizations, Hungry was now even more worried about who and what he was. “Now I REALLY don’t want to be a Wish Dragon!”…

Faeries jumping for Joy... (aka Spring Cleaning)

6/2/2021

The mowers are purring in the background. The wind is a gentle breeze and the temperature couldn't be better... so much so that the faeries are prodding me to hurry up and reclaim their magical spaces.

With the layers of old man winter still laying around in the yard and the grass growing tall enough to be a cash crop, it was time to uncover their homes. Especially with the sun finally showing up - so no more excuses *smiling*.

There were flowers to buy and unpacking to do.

For the size of a yard I have this isn't a one day project - it is more of an act of love... or is it a belief in the faeries?

And for some reason this year, I got carried away with buying pansies and alyssum. The alyssum I am not surprised as it is the perfect small faery flower for gardens, but the over abundance I did with the pansies is even beyond MY normal. So I checked with Awena as to the magical side of pansies and this is what she revealed.

I had to agree with her as this seemed to be just the right energy to draw to the garden this year, especially after the long year we have had with covid. So now my faeries are jumping for joy as they are ready to move in for the summer fun.

Even the Ladybugs are thrilled with their new upgrade to the yard with their own personal crossing for them.

And now I heard the Troll King prodding me along - reminding me that it is his turn next. Just like children, they do like to keep me busy jumping too! *lol*