Dreams of Verlauni

I've mentioned bringing back a reincarnated version of an older character of mine, Kaelani, and also wanting to add a 'healer'-type mage character to the party. So here is the introduction of Kaelani's mortal daughter.

Somewhere in the dream realm, a special meeting was about to take place.







CADE: Huh? What is this place...? And who are you?


MYSTERIOUS WOMAN: Hello Cade, my name is Verlauni. You may not remember, but we met once before a long time ago when we were kids. Your parents were friends with my mother.

CADE: I thought you looked kinda familiar...
VERLAUNI: Do not be disheartened, but you are in a coma right now; I'm communicating with you through a form of Dream Telepathy.

CADE: W-what? No, that can't be right. I was only moderately injured...wasn't I?
VERLAUNI: The monster who attacked you, 'Gheizt' - he infected your wounds with a type of dark magic that intensified the injuries, and they are slowly getting worse over time. I constructed this scene as a way to comfort your conscience while I help you to heal; places from your memories where you have found peace or serenity in the past.



CADE: Damn, I guess it must be true... That back wall looks like the walls of my childhood nursery. And this was my dad's old ride. It changed so much over the years; you know, it used to be a lot more colorful. My mom talked him into painting it. The stories they used to tell me about how they first met...hehe...

VERLAUNI: Your father has told me stories about you, too, and your bravery. But also of how you allow your emotions to get the best of you, making you unfocused...limiting your potential.
CADE: ...


VERLAUNI: I see you follow the ways of the Brighthand Crest of magic. Powerful offensive magic indeed, but when faced with an opponent equally as powerful, it's important to learn a balanced defensive technique as well.


CADE: I guess you're right. I fought Gheizt with everything I had, but it still wasn't enough. He's too damn strong...

VERLAUNI: I can teach you, but I need you to open up to me completely, and trust my guidan -


CADE: AGHH! What the hell?!
VERLAUNI: CADE! He is not real; do not allow his presence within your subconscious to break your will of concentration.


VERLAUNI: Do not focus on the past that is blocked off and cannot be changed, or remain stagnant in the present.


VERLAUNI: Look beyond the horizon and recognize unlimited possibility. Reach out and focus only on that - pull it toward you.




CADE: Whoa...

VERLAUNI: You've taken the first step to healing, though it will still be a while longer before you are fully recovered and can awaken. You have to fight off the remaining dark energy eating away at your body and spirit, like splinters in a vast and seemingly endless sea. But I promise you there is an endpoint, and you won't be alone - we will find it together. Take my hand, Cade...

The figures are a bit above me , but as said before they are very artistic , I love the dio and props too , the Cattle skull is awesome . I enjoyed viewing all the pics .

Ooooh! I got the chills! That was beautiful, thank you! And I love that dio!

FYI, the first 6 images as well as number 8 and 10 are not displayed here (the links did work though). Are they bigger than the rest maybe?

I'm curious - do you write out the story first, and then take the photos? Or do you start taking photos and let a story emerge during the photography process?

Chip wrote:The figures are a bit above me , but as said before they are very artistic , I love the dio and props too , the Cattle skull is awesome . I enjoyed viewing all the pics .

Thank you! If by a bit above you mean not your preferred genre/style, that is understandable and am regardless appreciative that you enjoyed them from an artistic perspective anyway!

Diana wrote:Ooooh! I got the chills! That was beautiful, thank you! And I love that dio!

FYI, the first 6 images as well as number 8 and 10 are not displayed here (the links did work though). Are they bigger than the rest maybe?

You're very welcome, and it pleases me to know you got such a strong reaction from my story and photos. Reception like that is what I strive for!

Hmm I am not sure if those images not being displayed is only on your end or if others may be having that problem too? They showed up fine after posting earlier and just now. Maybe has something to do with viewing in mobile or web version, not sure about this...

davidd wrote:I'm curious - do you write out the story first, and then take the photos? Or do you start taking photos and let a story emerge during the photography process?

It usually depends on what kind of photoshoot I am going for, and if I want it to be more spontaneous or pre-planned. For this particular entry I did write out all the dialogue beforehand, then photographed the accompanying imagery as I envisioned it in my mind.

Another beautiful -- and thankfully more upbeat -- set of scenes. Your imagination runs riot and produces such colorful and complex characters and images. Verlauni is an interesting creation, not nearly as grungy as the others, yet more realistic than the anime potential suggested by some of her accessories -- producing a more compelling character in the end. I hope she helps Cade heal and prevail. As always, the various little details add so much to the setting. Funny that Chip should note the cattle skull. I love those (and the more realistic, the better), and have one in the drawer next to me, that I've been meaning to repaint and use.

Pretty interesting development and neat dio. A cool new character.

Really cool!

You are really a great storyteller in 1/6. Your dioramas are very special and your figures are unique. I like the dark flashback in black and white. I could imagine your figures in a kind of stop motion movie.

If you did something it worked.
I can see all images embedded now.

Beautiful and creative way of reintroducing a healer character, with a connection to Kaelani. Great wild color palette and I liked the little Christmas deco. You could find a way to make the budgies attachable to her shoulders, just like Odin but more fancy.
I just wonder who the father could be, hmmm. She seems to be a great dream therapist. Telepatist. Telepatherapist. (Short: Tepathist)

Really loved the additon of the ice cream van door and the backflash, really makes it feel like another life long ago, while at the same time it wasn't long ago you first introduced Scoop.

The horns behind Cade's head in the magic shot was a nice detail.

I liked the fact that Gheizt just appeared and threatened him, but didn't say a word, like a sinister silent omnipresent hallucination or dream monster trying to torment him. I can imagine he befriends him in his dream, it's the most efficient way of dealing  with demons and monsters in lucid dreams. They are, after all, part of one's own consciousness.

Have to think of some Boards of Canada music, like this one. I just listened to it while reading and looking through the pictures again.

GubernatorFan wrote:Another beautiful -- and thankfully more upbeat -- set of scenes. Your imagination runs riot and produces such colorful and complex characters and images. Verlauni is an interesting creation, not nearly as grungy as the others, yet more realistic than the anime potential suggested by some of her accessories -- producing a more compelling character in the end. I hope she helps Cade heal and prevail. As always, the various little details add so much to the setting. Funny that Chip should note the cattle skull. I love those (and the more realistic, the better), and have one in the drawer next to me, that I've been meaning to repaint and use.

Hehe yeah, I wasn't sure if the whole 'being in a coma' thing might be too gloomy, though glad the overall positive vibe I was going for shined through. Definitely went for less grungy and more casual with Verlauni's overall design, just wanted to do something different and cleaner for a change. Thank you for acknowledging all the details and set pieces, yeah that cattle skull is a beauty - there are actually a lot of other gritty-looking props I've noticed at Hobby Lobby that would make great accompaniments to the style of my sets, but I have to limit myself whenever I go otherwise I would spend a painful fortune.

Stryker2011 wrote:Pretty interesting development and neat dio. A cool new character.

Glad you liked the new development and new character. Thank you for checking out the new installment, Stryker.

BAMComix wrote:Really cool!

Right on, much appreciated. Happy you enjoyed.

ElBundy wrote:You are really a great storyteller in 1/6. Your dioramas are very special and your figures are unique. I like the dark flashback in black and white. I could imagine your figures in a kind of stop motion movie.

You really think so? Thank you for that, I always try to do my own thing with these diorama setups. It has become a great alternative outlet of storytelling for those of us artists who are unsatisfied with where our drawing and writing skills alone can take us. The stop-motion idea has always been appealing at the back of my mind, but I just think it'd be too choppy. There's something about capturing single moments that has lured me further to understanding and appreciating the draw of photography in general through this hobby.

Diana wrote:If you did something it worked.
I can see all images embedded now.

I didn't do anything, haha. Seems to have sorted itself out.

Ovy wrote:Beautiful and creative way of reintroducing a healer character, with a connection to Kaelani. Great wild color palette and I liked the little Christmas deco. You could find a way to  make the budgies attachable to her shoulders, just like Odin but more fancy.
I just wonder who the father could be, hmmm. She seems to be a great dream therapist. Telepatist. Telepatherapist. (Short: Tepathist)

Really loved the additon of the ice cream van door and the backflash, really makes it feel like another life long ago, while at the same time it wasn't long ago you first introduced Scoop.

The horns behind Cade's head in the magic shot was a nice detail.

I liked the fact that Gheizt just appeared and threatened him, but didn't say a word, like a sinister silent omnipresent hallucination or dream monster trying to torment him. I can imagine he befriends him in his dream, it's the most efficient way of dealing  with demons and monsters in lucid dreams. They are, after all, part of one's own consciousness.

Have to think of some Boards of Canada music, like this one. I just listened to it while reading and looking through the pictures again.

Yay! Pleased you enjoyed the new chapter and introduction, as usual you have some great feedback and ideas for improvement. I really only used that small decor piece to cover up the red K on her sweater (it's a Ken doll jacket), though I have considered giving her more floral additions in general, maybe even a hippie floral crown? As for Verlauni's other parent, I am preferring it was not anyone from the known cast but rather a nobody. That or she has no father entirely, and was some kind of 'magical Force baby' (a la Anakin from SW).

I'm glad someone noticed the alignment of the horns behind Cade's head in some of the shots - to symbolize him being 'bull-headed' and stubborn. I actually particularly like the look though, my question is if I gave him an actual horned headband of some kind in future installments, would he maybe look too much like a Viking?

The idea of Cade befriending his dream-demon-poltergeist is a fun concept. He doesn't have to befriend the REAL Gheizt, just these fragments that have latched themselves onto his subconscious - so it is plausible. Cade and Verlauni's 'Dream Voyage' is only just beginning, so I think some scenes of them playing mundane board games or Battleship against Gheizt, stuff like that along the way could be really amusing.

That music is rather fitting. Any hour long/eight hour long Dream-Meditation aural sounds from the good 'ol Tube would probably work for their continued journey.

AlKelAstra91 wrote:As for Verlauni's other parent, I am preferring it was not anyone from the known cast but rather a nobody. That or she has no father entirely, and was some kind of 'magical Force baby' (a la Anakin from SW).

I'm glad someone noticed the alignment of the horns behind Cade's head in some of the shots - to symbolize him being 'bull-headed' and stubborn. I actually particularly like the look though, my question is if I gave him an actual horned headband of some kind in future installments, would he maybe look too much like a Viking?

The idea of Cade befriending his dream-demon-poltergeist is a fun concept. He doesn't have to befriend the REAL Gheizt, just these fragments that have latched themselves onto his subconscious - so it is plausible. Cade and Verlauni's 'Dream Voyage' is only just beginning, so I think some scenes of them playing mundane board games or Battleship against Gheizt, stuff like that along the way could be really amusing.

That music is rather fitting. Any hour long/eight hour long Dream-Meditation aural sounds from the good 'ol Tube would probably work for their continued journey.

Bugger! I was listening to the music (thank you for sharing that, Ovy! ) when I hit reply. D'oh!
I see where you're going with the "no father figure" direction. Maybe she is "merely" a manifestation of some kind of... current...

I also really like the idea of these casual moments with Gheizt. Very funny. I would love to see those!

Btw, I also saw the placement of the horns behind him. Sorry I didn't mention it. ^^
Whether a horned headband would look too Viking would depend on the horns and the headband. I'm sure you could rock it so that it has its own vibe.

Very nice photos series (as always)!

I really liked that story, and I absolutely love how everything in your world changes, even the truck changed.

It's really nice to have Kaelani mentioned and referenced in this way, thanks for the 'continuity'. :')

And wow, I can't get over how realistic that faux-Solo head is. Cade is one of your stand-out creations, for sure!

Fantastic as ever ! She really has the eyes of a dreamer. The little birds are so sweet. I always enjoy Your Stories. Very unique characters