[headofvecna]

username: headofvecna
kalon name: ruelle
hebrew origin, meaning "friend of god"

✥✥✥

map:

standard galactic on map translates to "nature does nothing uselessly", a quote by aristotle.

what happened when they didn't follow the map?: ruelle is a mail carrier, but no regular one for sure. her job as a trusted courtier usually leads her through new, magical, and often dangerous areas. she has many stories about her travels across the globe; this one she tells to you after you ask her one night in the tavern what her more dangerous encounter was.

"well you see,' she begins. "when i was new to the job, i was... less familiar with the world. not as wise. this lead me to ignoring advice from someone i should have trusted, which got me in deep trouble. it all started when i took on a job that required me to pass through this forest called the thorned silva."

"the thorned silva is no regular forest. it's a... well, i don't know what it is. cursed, is a good way to describe it. to travel through the forest required a map - no ordinary map, a map that was blessed and created by a talented mage. my first trip through was easy. i followed the map, and got through the thorned silva like a good slice of pie. on my way back, i was confident. cocky. and, in my foolishness, lost the map."

"i knew the map was important. i mean, it was all magically-looking and stuff. but, i was convinced i would be fine without it. i trecked on for a day. that day became a week. that week became... well, i'm not sure how long it took me to get out. all i know was i was cold, miserable, and starving the whole time. i was terrified for my life. the worst part was whatever dark magic rules over that retched forest."

"i swear, i saw things. shadows moving when they shouldn't. the forest critters talked to me. i felt like i was going insane."

"when i got out, i made sure to take a break from work; you should always take time for yourself. i also made sure to never, and i mean never, turn a blind eye to someone wiser than you. to someone who genuinely wants to help you."

you're honestly taken back by the story. ruelle presents herself as a confident know-it all. to hear her tell a story like that makes you realise that maybe that's a bit of a persona she plays. and who know? maybe her advice about listening to others and following the map might come in handy one day.

[✧ the Archivist.]

The forms here were really good, and I wish I could award RUs, but alas--

HMs go to:

SilhouetteStation & headofvecna

The winner is nio!

I really liked your map, and aesthetic. I liked the classical fairytale angle you took with your story, and the little twist at the end! I'm not sure if Mr. Wolf was friend or foe :0c
Congrats! You've been added to the ref!

[headofvecna]

congrats to the winner! and thank you so much for the hm

[nio]

very late to respond but ahhHHHH oh my gosh!!!! i absolutely wasn't expecting to win anything at all!!!! i'm head over heels in love with this design, i'm so lucky aaah. thank you so so much, and congrats to the HM winners!!! very well deserved, it was tough competition ;v;