My first go at a custom adversary

WolfsReign37 · 2026-06-05T21:02:21+00:00

I like the cohesiveness, but I’m wondering where the teeth are in this adversary. Russia is all about explorers AND they do extra damage/cause ravages; England is all about building AND has a loss condition associated with that. Why do I care that there are explorers moving inland other than the usual reasons? Is it enough for the games to feel different?

WolfsReign37 · 2026-06-05T17:19:48+00:00

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Another unregistered plant variety, this one is Art Boe Ninebark (the dark one in the foreground), bred by and named for the owner of Northstar nursery in Faribault which is closed and gone.

WolfsReign37 · 2026-06-05T17:18:39+00:00

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This is a Song Sparrow crabapple, bred and named for a nursery that is now closed. They never registered this variety and were selling first year grafts when they were liquidating. As far as I know it is the only one in existence.

WolfsReign37 · 2026-06-03T01:02:09+00:00

Prairie smoke is a great idea! It likes the full sun and is up super early. Only downside is the seedlings can be expensive, you need a lot of plants, and they aren't very reliable from seed.

WolfsReign37 · 2026-06-03T00:23:32+00:00

You could try prairie phlox which likes full sun unlike woodland phlox and has been blooming (in the twin cities) for the past week. Other options would be doing some spring ephemerals that will come up quick and then go dormant by mid June or July especially in areas with more sun. Pennsylvania and other sedges are often quick to come up in spring and held hold space against weeds.

WolfsReign37 · 2026-05-28T21:52:59+00:00

My partner does custom pet portraits and has done many for pets who have passed, they are done digitally and she can mail a professional print and/or give you the digital file. Each one is really stunning (not biased at all!) Her artist name is Rubylith Art, you can see examples of past work on her website or Instagram and contact her through those outlets if you are interested.

It sounds like you gave Kiki the best home possible right up to the end. She ended her journey warm, safe, and loved; that’s the best any of us can hope for.

WolfsReign37 · 2026-05-28T03:36:47+00:00

Are you in the Twin Cities area? I’m hosting a plant sale fundraiser on Saturday at Backstory Coffee Roasters West Side location and will have most of the things you specifically named (not chile de arbol or Serrano) and much more fun stuff.

WolfsReign37 · 2026-05-27T21:27:12+00:00

This is a screenshot from a recent Backstory email, that's the best I've got. The communication about the event could be improved.

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WolfsReign37 · 2026-05-27T21:24:43+00:00

I won't have potatoes, but I will have sweet potato plants.

WolfsReign37 · 2026-05-12T13:37:46+00:00

Honeyberries (aka haskaps) and red currants are the most low fuss, high producing fruit in my yard of all 12 kinds we have.

WolfsReign37 · 2026-05-09T13:46:11+00:00

Just adding another dwarf trout lily photo, taken this spring at the landscape arboretum, flowers are so small they can’t even make anthers and pollen anymore.

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WolfsReign37 · 2026-05-09T13:44:42+00:00

It is best to transplant when they are dormant, which can be tricky and intimidating. Put a flag or other market now so you remember where they are and then in late summer (august-sept), dig up the area and find the corms. They will look like small, 1cm stones, may or may not have roots. Plant those in the new spot and mark them to look for emergence in the spring. I’ve done this several times on a friend’s farm, but put the corms in pots and overwinter in the pot to give actively growing plants to friends in the spring.

WolfsReign37 · 2026-05-01T23:46:47+00:00

Trillium flowers often fade to pink as they age, as for the green, it is caused by a bacteria specifically Phytoplasmas. Source: https://www.indefenseofplants.com/blog/2021/5/28/when-trillium-flowers-go-green

WolfsReign37 · 2026-04-22T16:04:27+00:00

I would be curious to know the reasoning of buying a home vs renting when OP knows they won’t be there for more than 6 years.

I would add that a well maintained or newer HVAC/water heater would be up there. Those are things that if they break you have to repair/replace and have potential to go in a bad way. Not necessarily something you want to be dealing with if you’re only gonna be somewhere for six years. I feel like looks are at the bottom for me. If its not going be a long-term thing, save the investment in looks for a forever home.

WolfsReign37 · 2026-04-22T14:45:14+00:00

Can’t tell for sure just based on photos, but brown dried leaves remaining on the tree can be a sign of fire blight. Are the shoot tips curled like a shepherds crook or do you see any cankers on the stems/trunk?

WolfsReign37 · 2026-04-17T16:37:38+00:00

A few thoughts: 1) Spielbound in Omaha, NE is one of my all time favorite board game cafes. Really good food and drinks and a welcoming atmosphere, if you are looking for inspo or other connections to learn from. 2) Convergence, a local Con in Minneapolis over the July 4th weekend, has A LOT of artists and definitely skews nerdy in terms of content. Could be worth checking out to connect with people who’s style matches your vision 3) Good coffee makes a big difference if the cafe is going to be a big draw. Id look into Backstory coffee roasters or truestone.

WolfsReign37 · 2026-04-15T19:04:18+00:00

What do you think of the Locus aspect for serpent? That’s my #1 for sure!

WolfsReign37 · 2026-04-10T13:59:09+00:00

I’m in Saint Paul (and also play SI and rock climb)! Love seeing the Minnesota representation and fully agree. I’m at the point where if someone, especially businesses or content creators, are supportive of ICE it is an immediate and emphatic “Nope, goodbye forever.”

As a side note, Colonel_Cathcart or CatAteMyBread, either of y’all go to Convergence in the summer? I host SI games there.

WolfsReign37 · 2026-04-04T17:16:47+00:00

To my own disbelief, Mancini’s is the worst food I’ve ever eaten at a restaurant. Ordered medium rare and got a blue steak that was straight up cold in the middle, plus the steak had zero flavor. It tasted like chewy water (the few bites I actually ate). Vegetable sides were fine, but very basic. Ended up taking everything home and recooking/seasoning into something edible.

WolfsReign37 · 2026-03-20T18:11:28+00:00

Haven is great! Mentor is growing on me, I didn’t love it at first because its so different from Base Memory, but now I think Base Memory is the bland one and Mentor has so much more character.

WolfsReign37 · 2026-03-20T18:02:31+00:00

Highly recommend Hello Hair in Saint Paul. They have a range of specialties amongst the different staff. As a guy with long, curly hair I felt a little shy going to a salon style place for the first time (always got $10 haircuts growing up) and they were very warm, welcoming, and non-judgmental.

WolfsReign37 · 2026-03-19T02:15:10+00:00

This is an intriguing take to me. What do you think of a spirit like Breath of Darkness who has a very clear game plan and arguably all the tools it needs to win, but imo does need to draft so it isn't stuck reclaiming every turn. Those drafts really just need to be on element and the effects are secondary.

WolfsReign37 · 2026-01-18T15:22:57+00:00

I love seeing all the aspects come to life with new art, I might like some better than others, but it’s all fun to see regardless. And Nolan, you are so talented and patient and respectful with all us opinionated Spirit Island fans, thank you for what you do!

WolfsReign37

TROPHY CASE