wrenrix

Latest Posts by wrenrix

The daring ship that transcends campaign, you love them, you know them…. DOOR x CHAIR

In a thrilling tale of hardwood meeting soft and carving something into the surface of their being, What Are You Really can be found in Chastity’s Nook!

A part of the Critical Rolemance project by @artists-guild-of-exandria

Even in the calamity, there will always be a romance book to read!!

Heartbreak and sorrow and passion arises in this special edition of “Til the World Ends”

A contribution to Chastity’s Booknook from @artists-guild-of-exandria Critical Rolemance April fools project!!

My gift for @cherry-bomblefrom d20exchange (This was given in February before this I promise)

Ayda and Adaine loosely based on a picture of Siobhan and Emily, very silly divination wizards holidays card!!

My piece for the @artists-guild-of-exandria CR 10 Year Anniversary Party!!!

The Moonweaver, Sehanine is here to be flowy and bring autumn and shadow where she travels and the moon glows across the night sky!!

I’m back!!!

have a chibi angy suvi chomping bread from wwwo!! episode 43 (WHICH WAS INSANE WE GOTTA TALK)

I love my friend.

The ability they have to write and express emotion in a manner which is genuinely very moving to read, inspires me to be better at writing evocatively.

To AGE is a Blessing

-as Marisha Ray once said.

In the world of social media, it seems almost a given that artists, who are so regularly pushed to the side and ignored by algorithms, are finally in a competition so fierce one might compare it to the Olympic games themselves. Regularly artists are driven off of social media platforms, away from arts groups, and away from art all together by the social media machines desperate attempt to value the worth of their work based on likes. Is this a modern concept? Well, if we are simply talking about social media, then yes, it is, but the pitting of artists against one another has never been something that is strange to the art world. After all, there are only so many spots in a gallery. Something else that remains similar to the artist who came before in today’s day and age is the need for artists to group together. Older examples might be things such as The Brotherhood of the Pre-Raphaelites or the Surrealist painters, groups of artists who decided they enjoyed each others work and wanted to make work together, as a group. Though smaller now, these art groups have stood the test of time and still exist today, aided by social media.

One such art group is the A.G.E, the Artists Guild of Exandria. Exandria, the fictional world from hit D&D actual play show Critical Role, is a world of dragons, monsters, battles between Gods and wild, wild adventure. Now, when reading this you may be thinking to yourself, oh, so the A.G.E is an official project of Critical Role, but that is not true. Like many of the groups that came before it, the A.G.E is a collection of self-directed artists who want to make the world ever so slightly better than they found it. If that is through the use of art, then so be it. Similarly to their forefathers, the A.G.E utilises new and exiting exhibition states, such as social media, to show the work of their artists. Stretching across every continent and numerous cities, countries, and cultures, The A.G.E brings people together to create art about a show they all love and appreciate.

Again, I can practically hear people reading this asking themselves why. Why should you care what a bunch of fan-artists (most of whom have full-time jobs or full-time education) do in their spare time? It’s not as though the artists there are doing anything new. They are simply rehashing old characters and stories and pulling at people’s heartstrings in a cheap and easy way, as all fan artists do. After all, it’s not like fan art is a real genre of art. Firstly to that I say that is a lot of questions and most of them are statements, and secondly I say, if fan art is not real art, I urge you to look at any painting done in the renaissance period. Most of the art done is inspired by or from the bible itself, and while Critical Role is not the bible, artists have always taken inspiration from popular media of the time. Take, for example, Andy Worhol, who’s many works inspired by popular culture seem to be the only thing people recognise him for. It seems to be that when art became accessible through means of posting on social media, suddenly there was a huge upset about who could be counted as an artist and who wasn’t.

I have mentioned before the rage I feel at the class divide in art. It is almost glaringly obvious throughout history and even more so now, when everybody can have an opinion about every and anything. You will not see any of the pieces produced for The A.G.E’s projects hanging in a gallery. Instead, you will see them on social media, spoken about in friendly conversation, and forming a new medium of gallery and display all together. A medium that, instead of being a large white cube that focuses on separating the viewer from all the context in the world, not allowing them to think about what events might have inspired the artist, allows the viewer to think about how these pieces connect to their favourite characters. The way The A.G.E exhibits their pieces may be a lesson to all museums and galleries – there is value in the digital (not A.I) pieces being exhibited as they are meant to be seen, on a screen. The A.G.E members all have jobs, or a full-time education outside of art. They are not doing this for the money, they are doing this because they love it.

Now, again I hear you ask about the issue of Copyright. What about the original characters? The ones made by Critical Role? Are the creators not bothered by this blotch on their copyright? You might be screaming down with the A.G.E! Perhaps I have not been clear enough about how Critical Role works. Yes, whilst they still retain all their copyright to their characters, the cast and creators of Critical Role actively encourage fan art and fan works to be made and posted about their story. They encourage it so much to the point where one of the cast members is known and gladly accepts the title Art Dad, and they have a monthly show reel of fan art made. They even have a section on their website addressing this!

But what makes The A.G.E special, you’re probably now asking. What makes them different from every other artist on social media trying to make it? Why them, why not a bigger group? I hear you ask why, why, why, and I say back because they are good. Not just the technical skill of the art, The A.G.E is full of good, encouraging people and artists. Many people in the A.G.E are around to offer technical help on project pieces, sit with you whilst you work, or even just play a video game or two. You can feel the human connection in The A.G.E when you view any one of their projects, the time, love, and collaboration that has been placed into it right from the beginning, which is how art should be made.

The A.G.E works very simply.  Every few months or so, a new project will be announced, ranging from tarot cards to a toy workshop, and people will submit for certain characters to be given to make or draw. I will not pretend to know how this works, I have no idea, but I do know, quite simply, the people who assign the characters are nothing short of magic. You would think that only being allowed to draw one character causes chaos and makes people hunt each other for sport, which is where you would be wrong. Dreadfully so, in fact. As I have mentioned previously, The A.G.E is full of good, kind people with hearts bigger than their chests can carry. Critical Role has well over 100 named characters, so the pickings are often wide and varied. You could have someone pick a main, leading man or lady, or a side character who was only in one episode, hell, someone even once drew the fly swatter the cast use, so the choice is entirely up to the artist.

Now, I see you beginning to understand why The A.G.E is so special, and why it sparks such joy to write and view. The need for human connection in this day and age, especially post pandemic, cannot be understated, and The A.G.E provides that. Whether through talking about projects, or leaving support on people’s pictures, The A.G.E has an inspiring amount of connection in and outside of its projects. So you can say to yourself, The A.G.E is just a bunch of fan-artists, and I will say yes, yes they are.

And isn’t that beautiful?

Words: 1310

(Note: This post includes no images of the work of the members of The A.G.E, however I strongly encourage you to look at it yourself. Every members post is reblogged by the main social media account - @artists-guild-of-exandria. As also seen on BlueSky.)

AHHHHHH!!!!! SCREAMING I LOVE ANHHH THANK YOUUUU

danielle barkstock self care kit as a surprise gift for @wrenrix

mushroom plush / chew necklace / sticker / lotion / scrunchie / putty

I cannot stop thinking about Lapin/Aguefort.

(Thanks cast)

But Lapin and Aguefort’s chats ranging from extremely explicit to just discussions of magical theory and sometimes at the same time.

And Lapin not knowing what emoji’s are and being absolutely technologically illiterate.

Aguefort is caught up and uses it in the most painful way, like “This is a me-me”

(it’s a meme of himself)

Anyways. I need to know if anyone else has been plagued?

Leto then goes

NO FIGHTING

Race.

Race each other instead.

And that is how Apollo and Artemis started racing each other, just ferally sprinting.

Apollo being a Wolf while hunting with Artemis!

A gift for @foggybear42 !!

Riz holding a gun and being very suave and cool!! Everything is green except his eyes and the blue tattoos and gun parts!

Alts under the cut!!

Warning! Flashing lights!! Glitch Effect

pearl and scar as this post

more under the cut!

My @d20exchange piece for @relativelyjilly !! An Amangeaux for you! She’s lounging in a Fructerean garden!

AHH THIS IS SO COOL THANK YOUUU <3333

posting my box of doom gift exchange fic for @wrenrix here too! it's a ravening war one, a short character study for all the scrumptious scoundrels based on a major arcana tarot for each of them, 2k words (also i've never done this b4 but i know she's pretty active on tumblr and i'm proud of this so shot in the dark here goes... @quiddie)

Amangeaux- The Empress The Empress represents femininity, fertility, and nurturing. Reversed, it indicates insecurity and an over-reliance on others. The day she told people they no longer needed to bother addressing her as "Lady", Amangeaux Epiceé du Peche finally felt free. She had been a queen as the wife of King Cardoon, and a lady afterwards as she hovered in between and attempted maneuvers to regain her former status, but there came a time when such things no longer mattered. What was a title in a world full of death and without trust in a time of war? To someone else, it was everything, but Amangeaux realized that she would rather develop her strength, both physical and mental. Since everyone was constantly making, breaking, and changing alliances, she needed too be able to stand and fight on her own, hopefully helping bring the war to an end sooner. It was hard to part ways to go with Karna when she decided to go to Ceresia. Although Karna was an adult now, Amangeaux was still older and more mature, and she knew no matter how much she cared for this young woman, those feelings would not be requited. So, they parted ways, and she became stronger, more independent, and more confident than ever before with the help of her family's old friend Gustavo Uvano. Uvano also promised to raise her baby son. It would be better for him to grow up not knowing he was born out of wedlock. When Amangeaux cradled the small grape in her arms before she left for the battle of Pangranos, kissing his forehead for the last time, tears dotted his blanket and her sleeves. In a perfect world, she would never pick up a sword again, and raise her son in peace until the end of her days. This was far from a perfect world though, almost the opposite, and she wanted him to have a chance at a better life. Her starfruit trotted off down the lane towards the final confrontation, towards the unknown, but certain danger. Queen Amangeaux would have been horrified by such a prospect, and while this new Amangeaux still felt fear, she knew she could hold her own against whatever was to come.

Colin- Justice Justice represents balance, integrity, and truth. Reversed, it has to do with denial and guilt. Colin Provolone, or rather, Sir Colin Provolone, had never intended to become a knight of the Bulbian Church. He hadn't even thought he would end up leaving Delissandro's side, but things were getting out of control and he needed to draw a line somewhere. The look in Deli's eyes as they ambushed the Candian delegation on the Glucian Road filled Colin with unease; he seemed much too enthusiastic about killing. Doing what you have to do is one thing, Colin knew that as he agonized over taking out the poor banana who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, but Deli didn't have to kill that scared little fungi. So, it was time to part ways. It was war, and he didn't think he was in some kind of place to judge Deli or Karna or anyone else, he was just making his own choices about which way to go while he still could. If Raphaniel was a true believer, Colin would have felt bad about accepting the title of knight only to gain more power with which to maneuver, but it was the now-demoted archdeacon's idea, knowing full well Colin was barely even Bulbian. What kind of insanity-inducing rabbit hole the old man was down in his office filled with old papers and books and pages of scribbled notes Colin couldn't even begin to imagine, but he felt some sense of responsibility for him. Wasn't that the duty of a knight, to protect their patron? As he grew more adjusted to his life in this odd in-between period (the war was in a lull, but he had a feeling that wouldn't last long), his thoughts drifted to Deli less often, but it still happened sometimes. Colin held no ill will towards his old friend, he hoped he was getting things figured out and doing okay. The days mostly passed trying to keep an eye on Raphaniel and wondering what was to come. There was no rush for the FDA to call him and his comrades again, though. Fighting may have been the thing he was best at, but he also hated to do it. After all, there is no true justice in war.

Deli- Strength Strength represents bravery, confidence, and fortitude. Reversed, it can mean anger, fear, or jealousy. Walking away at the end of the war was the strongest thing Delissandro Katzon ever did. As he parted ways with Amangeaux and Colin after the death of their other companions, he criticized himself for having no desire to return to the other Meatlanders, or to anyone. Who did he have? Where would he go? His aggressive political maneuvering in the Meatlands years earlier had caused his own mother, the former chieftess Cleva Katzon, to leave. Karna was dead, Gemelli was dead but had betrayed him so it wouldn't matter either way, and Colin saved his life but they both knew their former separation stood as soon as they left the cave. So, Deli did all he could think to do: walking north with no particular destination in mind. He had been confident in every decision he had made before, and this one was no different. Perhaps he would see his mother again as he traversed some of the same paths, perhaps not; that wasn't why he was doing it. As his mind wandered throughout all the hours of solitude, the anger at Gemelli and Archbishop Cauliflower and the rest of the FDA faded away and was replaced by grief. Not for those he and his friends had killed, Senator Ariana Gemelli deserved it and the others, innocents like Queen Pamellia and Princess Sapphria, were the consequences of war, unfortunate as it was. Karna stayed in his thoughts day after day, though, looking back, Deli couldn't believe he had been so oblivious to how she felt and why she was supporting him. Although he hadn't made false promises to her like Gemelli had, he had broken her heart nonetheless, and she died before he could do anything about it. Yet, as Karna died, in pain both physically and emotionally, his face was the last thing her eyes ever saw. He felt that she was forgiving him, and this mystified him, but it was her last gift, so difficult as it was, it would be selfish to reject it. Karna had forgiven Deli, so Deli was going to forgive himself and try to move on. He would never know where he and Colin stood, but the fact that Colin saved his life escaping from the cave told him enough. Every step forward was a step towards living for himself, finally free from all the tangled concerns of politics and alliances in war.

Karna- Death Death means endings, transformation, and letting go. Reversed, it represents regrets and decay. Karna Solara really died when she made her pact with the Hungry One, or at least sealed her fate for a long death, a little bit every time she made a sacrifice. Her body slowly rotted away and she carved out pieces of it to continue receiving magic powers until there was almost nothing left for the garbage disposal to destroy by the time she fell into it. For her entire life, she was never herself, so to speak. Even when she wasn't undercover as another identity, the one she used for the longest being Ja'Cru Dite, she changed how she presented herself and acted to gain favor and get by. The Karna who traveled with Lady Amangeaux and Bishop Raphaniel was not the same one who would later take the title of Skald from Colin to fight by Deli's side, assassinating Princess Sapphria Rocks. However, all of these people were her friends. She kept some of them at a further distance than others, accepted or rejected their care and trust, but she considered them friends nonetheless. The widowed queen, an elderly bishop who would later be demoted, a warlord from the Meatlands, and a Dairy Islander who seemed like nobody but ended up becoming the warlord's right hand man and later a knight under the deacon: a motley crew if there ever was one. Some of them had known each other in smaller groups before, but on the whole, they were only brought together by circumstance. None of that mattered though, who they were, why they met- Karna was just glad she had once chance in her life to get close to people as herself, not as someone else or with an ulterior motive. When she was torn apart by Camille Cauliflower's cold, alien, metal blades in the cave, she wasn't scared. She had no regrets, which may seem surprising for someone who died so young, but there was nothing else she needed to do. Even the revelation that Deli had loved someone else didn't matter anymore. Of course it felt like her ribs might all break from her heart exploding when he and Senator Gemelli had that exchange, but deep down she knew that she would have done everything exactly the same by his side if there was another chance. Taking her last breath, Karna exhales and smiles. The clang of metal, the shouts and thuds, the heavy footsteps, everything fades away. It's time for her to let go.

Raphaniel- The Hermit The Hermit represents solitude, withdrawal, and seeking knowledge. Reversed, it denotes madness, isolation, and rejection. Newly-demoted Archdeacon Raphaniel Charlock barely left his office these days. He had never been a true believer in the Bulb, but he was more distant from the rest of the church than ever. Lady Amangeaux and Karna had gone their own ways, and Colin had ended up with him. Their dynamic had shifted, Raphaniel had spent the early part of their time together trying to figure out what Colin's deal was, and now he could sense Colin wondering what he spent his hours behind a locked door doing. Colin meant well and did his best to help take care of Raphaniel, which he appreciated, but nobody could reach him now. The paranoia-fueled spiral of frantic attempts to gain more knowledge and put together the pieces so he might finally be worthy to join the Architects constituted its own world. Only terrifying visions of spinning cold steel blades and the resulting viscera interrupted his focus. One night, exhausted and about to fall asleep with his head resting on his desk, the elderly radish thought back to how all this had started. Secrets, blackmail, mercenary assassinations- it was no wonder that everyone had reacted so differently and ended up wherever they were now. Raphaniel wondered if Lady Amangeaux ever suspected that the death of her beloved Cardoon was his doing. Either way, he didn't feel bad about it; he had spent his entire career in the church manipulating people and maneuvering things to his advantage. King Cardoon was just another pawn to him, but Lady Amangeaux was his friend, and he had a strange desire for her to know the truth. This was out of character for him, normally he did everything possible to conceal the truth from people. He wasn't so far gone yet as to want to tell her, but she was a smart woman, and he hoped she'd figure it out. With that thought, he drifted off into another night of fitful sleep and dreams of those cold, cold blades tearing on forever.

AHHHH THIS IS GORGEOUS THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

@wrenrix hi hello i was your giftee for @d20exchange !! ur wl had wuvvy and adaine on it and this image got beamed into my brain and wouldnt leave — i hope you enjoy!

yall. MENDING????? ANYONE???

like, being able to mend stuff just magically??? please count me in.

Oh no you ripped something, just mending it!

oh no your favourite socks have a hole in them, just mend them!

your favourite hoodie?? mended!!!

its so incredibly useful!!

hi yall! kinda awkward but, I have an art instagram, it’s @wrenrix! if you like some art here i sometimes remember to post on instagram :)

would mean the world if y’all could follow!

have a lovely day!!

Wizard Gem in her tower, deep in thought contemplating.

(the books all have fun titles see if you can spot any easter eggs!!)

@adaineabernantsfrog i hope everything goes well <3

:OOOO!!!

the mind of one elias hodge!

Lizzie, Mumbo and Jimmy

The first three out

The watchers bringing Lizzie and Mumbo back in for a game once again

For the first time in three games, they’re back to feed the watchers

They’ve recovered and here they are

They play the game well until…

Lizzie goes after Scott. And Scott can’t be taken down that fast

The watchers crave more from Scott, they hate him so he must stay

And for daring to try,

Lizzie dies to the void

The canary sings and the miners save it.

But there’s only so much a miner can do before the canary goes down once again and stops singing.

Jimmy dies to the wither.

Mumbo, brought back in for this game.

Too loyal, too far gone, betrays too easily.

Walking contradiction

His earlier jokes will end him

Mumbo dies to his own fenceposts

something something , endless devotion to each other

something something , talking and being heard so much that someone becomes aware

a little sketchy empires pearl! she’s on a call but she also needs to collect her sunflowers!!

another day another day of dis and piper thoughts.

Charybdis, the namesake of Dis.

A ‘monster’ but was not the monster. Charybdis the whirlpool pulling in ships breaking them and pulling them down to the depths to never return.

Dis, a boat who ate and repurposed other boats to make a better one.

fell in love with a half siren.

sirens who lure their prey into the ocean steering ships the wrong way, crashing and breaking them upon the rocks

Piper, a siren by nature, steering Dis through their adventures. Another force of nature that can survive being pulled in.

Two magnets, who’s sakes caused destruction, being magnetised to each other and not causing each other harm. Endlessly protecting each other, unleashing destruction outwards.

haii its ur giftee for the d20 exchange — i was wondering how canonical you want some of these designs to be? i wanna make sure the gift fits ur vision of each character, and how much i need to stick to canon bc i have some ideas. thanks so much!

hiiii!!! very excited for this :)

Honestly, the only thing in canon that i’m here being like ‘DONT CHANGE’ is mushroom blush on danielle. She deserves it. Other than that go wild! :)

Pearl, a consistent high placer in the life games. Sticks by her allies, though she may wander and plan some sort of death traps at some point (cough last life cough)

but, at the end, she’ll keep her allies in mind.

And she wins in double life

When she has no allies

When she has no one else to propel forwards

Where it’s her and Tilly, and Tilly can’t win

So it’s up to her.

And she wins, and then next game she finds an ally. Just one, and that singular one is enough to keep her tied back. As soon as that ally dies, she looses it. She’s gone.

And now in secret life, it’s her and the mounders, she can trust more. She’s making more allies.

There’s four of them, they have bonding questions.

But there’s still hesitation from her, she doesn’t trust them completely because even though *she* is rude or die. The others might not be.

So she runs away from the yellows when she thinks they know, and then Joel guesses-

Wrong. On purpose, the most far fetched thing. And she can trust them.

Because they are with her. And they are allies.

And then she walks into her house and Mumbo tries to kill her. Mumbo turns on the mounders and she regroups back with bdubs.

Bdubs, the one she is propelling to win.

And she is filled with renewed strength, help Bdubs win the series. Help her allies.

She will place high again, and she will try to get her allies to win.

bringing this back out of the depths of a few months because i am just like ‘HOW DO I DO THIS AGAIN’ but then also, why do i like this one so much :)

2 Bling 2 Bing!!

you’ve met me????? i’m 5’, or 4’11’??? depending on how short you want me to seem????

Happy belated birthday to my beloved friend @adaineabernantsfrog !! For their birthday. which may have been four days ago. shh i have been sick and down with (probably) the flu. BUT for their birthday! i gift them this Binx sketch!

Base is one of the best people I know, endlessly creative, loving and caring. Could not imagine life without them.

Without any further ado!

(without glow after cut)

binx! in her wondrous complicated dress glory!

I AM NOT 4’9’ YOU LIAR BUT ALSO THIS WAS WHEN I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT BINX AND BEING RELICTANT TO ASK YOU

Happy belated birthday to my beloved friend @adaineabernantsfrog !! For their birthday. which may have been four days ago. shh i have been sick and down with (probably) the flu. BUT for their birthday! i gift them this Binx sketch!

Base is one of the best people I know, endlessly creative, loving and caring. Could not imagine life without them.

Without any further ado!

(without glow after cut)

binx! in her wondrous complicated dress glory!

pearl, master mapmaker, mapping out level four!

hastily done during stream today as pearl rapidly made progress before i gave up on trying to keep up with her map!

on the left, she is mapping in the safety of her base, in the right… the burning dark awaits.

(without glow below)

i am so so so feral over this

surprise! did an animation to one of my favourite songs :}

…sooo secret life huh?

Cleo’s episode was a blast.

Here’s what these things mean, pupper alliance with pearl, their secret task of building above a base (lizzies), invis potion from secret keeper and golden apples!

the two on the left are for skizz and tango while the one on the right is ethos