Ethereal Owl

by Bill Tiepelman

The Midnight Council

In the dense, shadowy woods, where moonlight struggled to pierce the canopy, a peculiar gathering took place. Legends whispered among villagers of a council that convened only once in a century—an assembly of three ancient beings bound by a pact forged in realms beyond human comprehension. They were the protectors, the silent guardians of balance, summoned in times of grave peril. Tonight, the Midnight Council had returned. The Cat: Keeper of Secrets On a gnarled branch slick with moss, the black cat stretched lazily, its luminous yellow eyes half-closed. Its sleek, obsidian fur shimmered faintly under the moon’s glow, exuding an aura of untouchable elegance. Known as Nyra, the Keeper of Secrets, the cat bore the knowledge of every whisper, every oath, and every hidden truth uttered beneath the stars. She purred softly, her voice weaving into the night, sending ripples through the fabric of the unseen. “The forest quivers,” Nyra murmured, her words like silk, yet heavy with portent. “Something stirs in the dark, a force unbound.” The Fox: Herald of Change Beside her, perched with a graceful poise, the red fox swished its tail, a streak of fire against the shadow. The fox, named Eryndor, was the Herald of Change—a wanderer between worlds, carrying the whispers of shifting destinies. Its amber eyes burned with fierce intelligence, scanning the horizon as though reading the threads of fate unraveling before it. “Change is neither friend nor foe, Nyra,” Eryndor replied, its voice smooth, tinged with a mischievous undertone. “It simply is. But this... this reeks of chaos untamed.” The Owl: Keeper of the Veil Above them loomed the great horned owl, its piercing gaze fixed on the darkness beyond. Known as Astrava, Keeper of the Veil, the owl was the guardian of the boundary between the mortal plane and the vast unknown. Its feathers bore the markings of ancient runes, faintly glowing, as though etched by hands long forgotten. “It is as I feared,” Astrava said, its voice resonant and ancient, carrying the weight of millennia. “The Veil has thinned. A rift has opened, allowing that which was banished to seep through. If left unchecked, it will consume not only this forest but all life tethered to this realm.” The Rift The trio fell silent, their combined presence an unspoken ritual of power. From the blackness of the woods, a low, guttural growl emerged—a sound so primal, it sent shivers rippling through the earth. Slowly, the darkness took form, a mass of shadows writhing and contorting into grotesque shapes. Eyes—hundreds of them—blazed within the void, filled with hunger and hatred. “The Devourer,” Astrava intoned. “A relic of the old wars. It feasts on fear and despair, growing stronger with every soul consumed.” Nyra arched her back, her fur bristling. “Then we must remind it why it was banished to the abyss.” Her eyes narrowed, glowing like twin suns. “It will not feast here.” The Ritual of Unity The three ancient beings closed their eyes, their energies merging into a radiant sphere of light. Nyra channeled the secrets of the universe, weaving spells with her voice, each word a dagger that pierced the darkness. Eryndor danced along the branch, its movements graceful and hypnotic, summoning the winds of transformation to shred the shadows. Astrava spread its wings wide, a thunderous crack echoing as the air vibrated with ancient power, sealing the Veil once more. The Devourer roared, lashing out with tendrils of inky darkness, but it was no match for the united force of the Midnight Council. With a final, deafening cry, the creature was sucked back into the abyss, its presence erased from the mortal realm. The rift sealed with a brilliant flash, leaving the forest eerily silent. A Silent Departure As dawn approached, the three guardians remained still, their forms illuminated by the first rays of sunlight breaking through the canopy. Nyra leapt down, her movements fluid, and padded silently into the underbrush. Eryndor turned, its tail brushing the air like a streak of fire, before vanishing into the forest. Astrava took to the skies, its massive wings cutting through the morning mist. And so, the Midnight Council dissolved once more, their pact fulfilled. The forest returned to its slumber, unaware of the ancient forces that had fought to preserve its sanctity. But in the hearts of those who dared venture too deep, an unshakable feeling lingered—of eyes watching, of power unseen, and of a silence that spoke volumes. For the Midnight Council would always be there, waiting, watching, ready to rise again when the balance was threatened.     Products Inspired by The Midnight Council Bring the mystique and power of "The Midnight Council" into your home with these beautifully crafted products, available exclusively at Unfocussed Shop. Whether you're looking to adorn your walls or immerse yourself in the story's spirit, these items make the perfect addition to your collection: Tapestry: Transform your space with this stunning wall tapestry, featuring the intricate artistry of "The Midnight Council." Canvas Print: Elevate your decor with a premium canvas print, capturing the vibrant textures and mystique of the council. Puzzle: Dive deeper into the story with this engaging puzzle, perfect for quiet, reflective moments. Cross Stitch Pattern: Bring this stunning visual tapestry to life, featuring the intricate artistry of "The Midnight Council." Stickers: Carry a piece of the council with you wherever you go with these durable, high-quality stickers. Explore these products and more to bring the magic of the Midnight Council into your everyday life. Visit the shop here.

by Bill Tiepelman

Vibrant Eyes of the Ethereal Owl

In the depths of the Whispering Woods, where trees twisted like ancient, gnarled fingers and the stars hung just a little lower in the sky, there lived a creature of legend. The locals called him Argyle, an owl unlike any other. With feathers so intricate they looked as if they’d been hand-stitched by a goddess and eyes that glowed with an almost hypnotic radiance, Argyle was known far and wide not only for his stunning appearance but for his... peculiar personality. Most owls, as any respectable birdwatcher would tell you, are creatures of silent wisdom and nocturnal stealth. Argyle, on the other hand, was a bit of a loudmouth. And by “a bit,” I mean he could probably be heard complaining from two villages over. His eyes—vibrant pools of green and orange that seemed to swirl if you stared at them too long—had been both his gift and his curse. “You call this night fog?” Argyle squawked one evening, perched atop a moss-covered stone as a low mist rolled in. His tone was as indignant as if someone had personally offended him with subpar atmospheric conditions. “I’ve seen soup thicker than this. Honestly, it’s like no one’s even trying to be eerie anymore.” A Legend in His Own Mind Argyle considered himself the self-appointed guardian of all things “mystical,” though he never quite explained who had given him the job. Nonetheless, he took it upon himself to comment on the state of the forest’s ambiance, weather patterns, and frankly, just about anything that caught his eye—which, given the size and intensity of his eyes, was just about everything. “Hey!” Argyle called out to a pair of passing deer, their antlers barely visible through the wisps of fog. “Are those your actual antlers, or are you just compensating for something? You’re going to poke someone’s eye out with those things!” The deer didn’t stop, and Argyle ruffled his feathers in annoyance. “No respect for the woodland aesthetic these days,” he muttered to himself, hopping to a higher branch where he could get a better view of the stars. At least the stars weren’t letting him down. They glittered like diamonds across the velvet sky, their light reflecting in his otherworldly eyes, which, despite his attitude, never failed to captivate anyone who was brave enough to look. Argyle had been gifted those mesmerizing eyes by some ancient magic—a long-forgotten enchantment, or so he claimed. Not that anyone could verify it, of course. He was the only owl in the forest who could speak, and despite his questionable conversational topics, no one had bothered to ask where the magic came from. They were usually too busy trying to escape one of his critiques. The Visitors One particularly foggy night, or rather, one arguably foggy night according to Argyle’s standards, something unusual happened. Three travelers entered the woods, moving cautiously through the underbrush, their cloaks pulled tight against the mist. They carried lanterns that glowed with a soft golden light, the kind of light that whispered of adventure, mystery, and perhaps a touch of danger. “Well, well, well,” Argyle hooted, his vibrant eyes narrowing as he observed the strangers. “Who do we have here? A band of fearless explorers? Or just a bunch of lost amateurs? Either way, they’re about to get a taste of Argyle’s superior guidance.” He swooped down silently from his perch, landing on a low-hanging branch directly above the travelers. “Greetings, mortals!” he announced, flaring his wings for dramatic effect. “You are now in the presence of the one, the only, the magnificent Argyle, Guardian of the Whispering Woods and Connoisseur of Mystical Happenings!” The travelers froze, eyes wide as they looked up at the impossibly vibrant owl staring down at them. One of them, a young woman with a bow slung over her shoulder, cautiously raised an eyebrow. “Did that owl just... talk?” she whispered to her companions. “Talk? I don’t just talk,” Argyle said with mock outrage. “I deliver wisdom! I provide guidance! I critique the very fabric of the magical universe, thank you very much.” He puffed out his chest, his eyes glowing brighter as if to emphasize the importance of his words. “And it’s a good thing I found you when I did. Otherwise, you’d probably end up wandering in circles, lost in this lackluster fog. You’re welcome, by the way.” The tallest of the travelers, a man with a sword at his side, cleared his throat. “Uh, we’re actually here looking for the Ethereal Owl. It’s said to have eyes that—” “That glow with the power of a thousand sunsets and can see through the very veil of time? Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard it all before,” Argyle interrupted with a wave of his wing. “Spoiler alert: You’re looking at him.” The three travelers exchanged glances. “You’re the Ethereal Owl?” the woman asked, skepticism clear in her voice. “In the flesh—or, well, feathers,” Argyle said, flapping his wings for emphasis. “But don’t let my stunning appearance distract you. What you really need is my help. Now, what’s your quest? I assume it’s something dangerous and overly complicated. You mortals are always doing the most ridiculous things for glory.” The Quest Nobody Asked For The man with the sword stepped forward. “We’re seeking the Heartstone of Solas, said to be hidden somewhere in these woods. It’s a powerful artifact that can—” “Blah, blah, blah, powerful artifact,” Argyle interrupted again. “Let me guess, it ‘has the power to reshape the world’ or ‘unlock untold riches’? I’ve heard it all before. Let me save you some time—nothing good ever comes from chasing magical rocks.” The travelers stood in stunned silence for a moment before the woman crossed her arms, clearly unimpressed. “Look, we’re not here for your unsolicited advice. Can you help us find the Heartstone or not?” Argyle’s eyes glowed even brighter, swirling with amusement. “Of course I can help! I know every inch of this forest. But first, I need to know—what’s in it for me? I’m not exactly doing charity work here.” The third traveler, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. He was a small man with a bag slung over his shoulder, and he reached inside to pull out a shiny silver trinket. “How about this?” he offered. “A rare, enchanted mirror. Shows you your reflection exactly as others see you.” Argyle blinked, his beak hanging open in stunned silence for a moment. “Exactly as others see me?” he whispered, his voice soft with awe. “Do you realize the potential here? My image could literally go down in legend.” “Sure,” the man said with a shrug. “Whatever you want to believe, owl.” “Deal!” Argyle said, swooping down to snatch the mirror in his talons. “Now, let’s go find your precious rock or whatever. And I expect a grand speech about my greatness once this is over.” The Journey of Many Complaints True to his word, Argyle guided the travelers through the woods, though not without offering a running commentary on everything from the state of the underbrush (“Who’s in charge of trimming this? Absolute chaos.”) to the lack of decent moonlight (“It’s like the moon is barely trying anymore.”). The travelers, to their credit, kept their complaints to a minimum, though it was clear they were beginning to regret their choice of guide. “There,” Argyle said at last, gesturing with one wing to a large stone embedded in the earth. The Heartstone of Solas glowed faintly, its power humming through the air. “That’s your shiny rock. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ve got a mirror to examine.” As the travelers approached the Heartstone, the woman glanced back at Argyle. “Thanks, I guess. You’re not as useless as I thought.” Argyle puffed up, eyes swirling with pride. “High praise, coming from someone with such a questionable sense of direction.” The travelers retrieved the Heartstone and went on their way, but not before the man with the sword turned back and called, “Hey, Ethereal Owl, you’re... something else, all right.” “I know,” Argyle hooted, already admiring himself in his enchanted mirror. “I know.” And so, with his eyes as vibrant as ever and his ego even more so, Argyle the Ethereal Owl continued his eternal watch over the Whispering Woods—loud, proud, and absolutely unmissable.    If Argyle's quirky charm and the mystique of his vibrant eyes have enchanted you, you can bring this whimsical character into your world with a variety of unique products. For those who love crafting, the Vibrant Eyes of the Ethereal Owl Cross Stitch Pattern offers a detailed and captivating design, allowing you to stitch Argyle’s intricate feathers and mesmerizing eyes with your own hands. You can also explore an array of beautiful decor pieces that capture the essence of Argyle's vibrant personality. The Wood Print adds a natural, artistic touch to any space, while the Tapestry allows you to fill your room with the vibrant energy of the Ethereal Owl. For a cozy addition to your living space, the Throw Pillow is a perfect way to incorporate a hint of magic into your home. And if you're on the move, take Argyle’s lively spirit with you using the Tote Bag, featuring his unforgettable gaze. Whether you’re stitching, decorating, or carrying a piece of the forest's magic with you, these products let you enjoy the eccentric charm of Argyle, the Ethereal Owl, every day.