#strayhorn

[biomechanical-magitech]

a colored sketch commission for @strayhorn! Thank you so much for the commission and for the donation on ko-fi.

if you’re curious about getting your own commission, check out this post for details!

[theatersanddemons]

So what is the point of Balan Bout from a story purpose? Is just the boys showing off for Leo/Emma or are they legit having a fight in the white void between their rooms? What are those things Balan destroys at the end of each BB? Also, love your blog!

Thank you for the compliment!

And good question!

I think it’s a mix of both. They’re in a fight but it’s also a show. It’s a classic good versus evil, depending on the visitor’s reason of being there. 

What I mean by that is someone might come to the theater because their heart is imbalanced with too much positivity, which in turn would make Balan the villain. It’s not common, but it can happen. But that’s a different topic for a different time.

As for the crystal thing that he breaks (or gets launched by, depending on your timing) I think it’s just an extra bonus obstacle the theater throws at him. There’s normal debris that gets in his way, debris that’s covered in negativity shadows, and then there’s that thing.

It *does* remind me of the crystal tree the tims break at the end of the level though, so maybe there’s more to it. Maybe it’s a crystalized version of negativity?

[theatersanddemons]

Well now all I can think about is villain!Balan being a huge ham.

Probably with a visitor who keeps holding on to happy memeories instead of dealing with their problems.

Balan is a colossal dork when he’s playing the villain. That isn’t to say he isn’t taking it seriously, he is, he’s just having fun at the same time.

Lance has to occasionally remind him (off stage) that he needs to focus.

At the end of it all, Balan gives the visitor some advice.

“It’s good to hold onto precious happy memories, my dear, but you mustn’t let them cloud your sight to your problems. Keep them close when things feel tough, but remember they won’t solve everything.”

[theatersanddemons]

Sorry I’m still on this villain!Balan idea because I can see him pulling a phantom of the opera style musical as soon as he is able. You think he would try his hand at being menacing?

No apologies necessary!

You ever see someone who is smiling but that smile screams danger? Like, if you cross this person, they’re never gonna find your body?

That’s Balan when he’s being serious about playing the villain role. He is deadly when he wants to be or needs to be.

Most of the time, that air of seriousness isn’t present, but if the right (or wrong) button is pushed-

[theatersanddemons]

Hey Balan, would you ever fight someone besides Lance?

He blinked then cocked his head, “I mean... if they were a danger to Wonderworld and the inhabitants, I would definitely defend them.”

“He wants to fight the people who hurt Fia.” Lance deadpanned from behind him causing Balan to flush.

“Sh-shush! They don’t need to know that!”

[biomechanical-magitech]

Hello, friend. Just dropping by to give you an egg.

🥚

Keep being awesome.

thank u <3

[did-i-do-this-write]

Hello, worldbuilding enthusiast again.

Astronomers and members of the magic guild have frog statues that they explain their plans to and it helps them catch stupid mistakes in their magic. There is a small frog picture in every magic guild building. Those who don’t know what the frogs are for believe magic is tied to frogs. As a result, frogs are very expensive pets and their body parts are said to cure illness. The astronomers and magic guild members refuse to correct the commoners because they find it funny as hell.

Oh my god, I love this so much 😂 an amazing adaptation of the famous rubber duck theory 😂 I especially love that it's like a magic and astronomy trade secret that the frogs are not in fact all that special. Thank you for sharing 😆

[did-i-do-this-write]

Hi, worldbuilding enthusiast here.

So I have this idea for a bard who writes “how to play the Lute for beginners.” One of the songs in that book ends up becoming the unofficial anthem for all lutes and everyone who has ever owned a lute plays it in taverns and inns. It will become such a problem that musicians off all kinds will start dueling these lite players in musical combat, the veterans believing they only know the one song. For everyone else, this means plenty of free entertainment.

Haven’t worked out any names or locations yet but I love this idea so much!

Ohhhhhhhhh I love that!!! Really builds out the culture of bards and lute players while also being fun and whimsical. So creative! Amazing! 😆 Thank you for sharing!