Growth of a Forest Fae

They begin their lives as petite fae, dancing with the lights on the bottom of the forest, on its waters and moss-covered hills. Their wings, their magic, can barely hold them afloat, but as they explore, as they dance, their enchantments grow stronger.

They practice by flying higher, landing on branches as large as roads, walking on them with tiny steps until trying to reach the higher foliage again.

On their way higher they begin to grow. The forest is ancient and it takes them years to fly up, years as they grow in size and magic. The foliage begins to thin, small beams of light tease them, lure them higher.

Then one day they break through the leaves into the light and touch the dawn. It is a blinding moment after the safety of the dark embrace of forest shadows. Blinding moment of growth when all the roads are not only open, but non-existent. Sky is open, sky has no limits.

The last weekend of Fantasy Faire 2017 is upon us. The official event program ends on Sunday, but we will have a six-hour closing party on Monday to wrap things up thoroughly. The Fairelands stay open for visitors through May 4th, so feel welcome to stay, explore, shop and quest!

Pictures taken in Fantasy Faire: Fairelands Junction.

Petite: Fallen Gods Inc. – Night Sparkle* at Fantasy Faire: The Rose
Skin, hair, outfit: Fallen Gods Inc. – Spirit Opal Aura* at Fantasy Faire: The Rose
Particle Magic: Cole’s Corner – Valkyrie Ocean Aura
Poses: Astalianda – Infinity 1 & 5 | Exposeur – Underwater 1 | NanTra – Defying Gravity 2 | Astalianda – The Spirit of Faire

Borrowed Mane in the Summer Rain

After hearing about Wigs for Kids, Bunling That Knows Letters wanted to show that one can look simply fabulous by using a borrowed mane — even if the summer rain gets it in your eyes. 

A quick picture for Hair Fair Photo Contest 2016 with the theme Whatever the Weather. In this particular case, a warm summer rain that threatens to flop the fancy wig the bunling is wearing.

Hair: Tram – E817 hair jetblack
Skin: Pink Fuel – Doll V2 Crystal
Eyes: Poetic Colors – Frozen Silver Bright
Dress: =Zenith= Muted Coven Dress (Milk)
Mesh: Maitreya Lara Body & Slink Hands
Umbrella: ++NODe++ Lotus Umbrella
Bunling: !Ohmai – Mochi Bunny
Pose: !bang – Optimistic 5 (umbrella-pose & animare-modified)

Mielikki, Mistress of the Woods

Mistress of the woods, Mielikki, Forest-mother, formed in beauty,
Let thy gold flow out abundant, Let thy silver onward wander,
For the hero that is seeking For the wild-moose of thy kingdom;
Bring me here thy keys of silver, From the golden girdle round thee.

Fair Mielikki, forest hostess, Spake these words in meditation:
‘Claws I should be pleased to give him, And with teeth endow the wonder,
Would he not abuse the favor.’

“Swore the bear a promise sacred, On his knees before Mielikki,
Hostess of the glen and forest, And before omniscient Ukko,
First and last of all creators,
That he would not harm the worthy, Never do a deed of evil.
Then Mielikki, woodland hostess, Wisest maid of Tapiola,
Sought for teeth and claws to give him.

O Mielikki, forest-hostess, Tapio’s wife, thou fair Tellervo,
Call thy dogs and well enchain them, Set in readiness thy hunters,
Let them wait within their kennels.

Filled with kindness was the forest, Glen and woodland full of greetings,
Tapio showing greatest favor.
Fair Mielikki, forest hostess, Metsola’s bewitching daughter,
Beauteous woodland maid, Tellervo,
Gladly led me on my journey, Smoothed my pathway through the glen-wood.
Marked the trees upon the mountains, Pointing me to Otso’s caverns,
To the Great Bear’s golden island.

All of the above are separate quotes from the Finnish National Epic, Kalevala. I found its translation here, so couldn’t resist just locating the Mielikki quotes for this. To all the Forgotten Realms fans feeling confused right now: yes, Mielikki is an actual pagan Finnish goddess of the forest, her name (and several others) were just happily yoinked and applied into Forgotten Realms.

The gown that inspired me to envision her is another collaboration by Faida and Fallen Gods Inc. and it is available in The Conquest event right now. The hair by Wasabi Pills can be found in the same event. The fennec foxes by +Half-Deer+ are a gacha in Kustom9. Mielikki’s foxes should really be red and northern, but the fennecs didn’t take a no for an answer.

Scene: Home in Ambar (Private)

Critters: Foxies: +Half-Deer+ Fennec Foxes | Birdies: Happy Mood | Bear: Birdy/Alchemy – Forest Babies Bear Cub Sun 

Body: Skin: [KOOQLA] Bisquit . Nude 02 (db) | Hair: Wasabi Pills – Keira Cinnamon | Eyes: IKON – Charm Eyes Forest | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Eyeshadow: Beautiful Freak – Starcrossed Gruesome Gold* | Hands: Slink Casual | Nail Polish: Beautiful Freak – Romantic*

Outfit: Gown: [FAIDA] & Fallen Gods Inc. – Secrets Green* | Headdress & Earrings: Aisling – Dangara | Necklace: .Enfant Terrible. Magic Ride Necklace Gold | Bracelets: The Muses – Vanha Bracelets Bronze* | Honey: Anc Ltd. – Magician’s Honey Drink | Aura: Cole’s Corner – “We Are Groot” Aura*

Poses: Kirin – Florence Pose 3 | Exposeur – Back to Black 2 M | Kirin – December Pose 2

The Piccoli and the Princess

They find their ways into the forest sometimes, the giants. They’re usually lost and confused and need guidance to get out.

They don’t understand the normal language at all, and have pitifully small ears for signals anyway. Instead they make sounds, a lot of sounds.

Sometimes the animals feel bad for them and join them, sometimes they even use the forest energies to make sounds back at the giants. This always first shocks, then delights them.

We know better than that. Every time you acknowledge their presence and feel sorry for them and use a bit of magic to understand which kingdom is now in peril and what they need to save it, off you go on some quest and end up living in a castle full of giants.

No, thank you. We piccoli are better off in the forest. Who would train the birds and make the flowers grow if we left with every pretty giant that seemed to be in trouble and in need of help?

Nono, not even if you ask nicely. Not even with those giant puppy eyes. Talk to the otter, he’d love to go into a castle. Especially the kitchen. We’re busy. We have a spring to prepare!

Piccoli by D-Lab and Lizail can be won from The Arcade. They’re astonishing critters, padding and hopping independently from one structure to another and interacting with them. Shopping for noms, flying birdies, climbing up to tree houses, starting the sprinkler on their own. It’s absolutely fascinating to watch. Yes, I had to get them all. This was my March-Arcade Madness.

The dress by [FAIDA] & Fallen Gods Inc. can be purchased at the main store of [FAIDA]. The necklace by Anachron is available in A Tattered Page Library, where it is a part of the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea theme. The hair accessory by [NI.JU] is available in Origami event. The shoes by lassitude & ennui can be found from their main store.

Scene: Home Forest (Private) | D-LAB + LIZAIL – Piccoli Set 2 

Body: Skin: Pink Fuel – Doll v2 <Crystal> Pure (blkbrow) | Eyes: IKON – Charm Eyes Brown | Hair: Clawtooth – Angeles Black Beauty | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Hands & Feet: Slink

Outfit: Dress: [FAIDA] & Fallen Gods Inc. ~ Jolie Proie Red* | Shoes: lassitude & ennui – Lucy heels gold* | Necklace: Anachron – Chaplet of Pearls Necklace Black & Gold* | Hair Accessory: [NI.JU] Hana Head Ornament flower only

Poses: Kirin – Hera Pose 8 | three middle ones AO pictures | flowey – a twinge in your heart

The Forest Spirit

Can you see them? Dancing just at the edges of your vision, flickering within the embrace of the trees. 

Not everyone can. Not even all of the druids. It takes a special attitude, special attuning to the forest before your eyes open.

But when you do, when your mind is finally relaxed enough, accepting enough, they are everywhere. Joyous, carefree, soothing. Even curious.

From that moment on you will never leave the trees, no matter how far you might travel. The spirit will always be there, at the edge of your vision. Dancing.

The gown by Evie’s Closet, headdress by Alchemy and jewelry by .Eldritch. are all discounted at the moment in We Love Role-play. The skin by Jalwa and the makeup by +Nuuna+ are both from Skin Fair, which opens on March 14th. The hair by Exile can be won from The Arcade.

Scene: Athan

Body: Skin: Jalwa – Meenakshi Salt Black Brow* | Hair: Exile – Rain 14 Wild Fusion | Eyes: IKON – Spectral Eyes Leonine | Lashes: Redgrave – 39 – Luscious | Face Tattoo: +Nuuna+ Fen Green | Hands: Slink | Nails: Beautiful Freak – Galaxy*

Outfit: Gown: Evie’s Closet – Nimue Gown Illusion | Headdress: Alchemy – Druid Headdress | Jewelry: .Eldritch. Caird Set 

Poses: .Infiniti. – Better To See You With 2 | Exposeur – Back to Black 2 (x2)