The Jonesville Church of God sign controversy occurred when the church was brought to national attention in mid-April 2008 because of a message its pastor, Roger Byrd, placed on the the church's welcome sign. The message linked Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama with Islamic militant Osama bin Laden. The sign asked, "OBAMA OSAMA / HUMM / ARE THEY BROTHERS". The sign message caused controversy because it was seen as a window into rural American white ignorance and unconscious racism in the Southern United States, and as furthering politically-motivated rumors that Barack Obama is a Muslim. Fifteen percent of respondents to a recent Associated Press-Yahoo News poll stated that they thought the Illinois senator was a Muslim. Yet Obama was raised in a non-religious home, and in his early thirties became a Christian and joined Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago.
Jonesville Church of God is located in Jonesville, South Carolina, and is affiliated with the , a Pentecostal Christian denomination, which later distanced itself from the sign's message.
Protest and reaction
After word got out about the sign, members of a nearby African American church began a protest in front of Jonesville Church of God, and confronted Byrd, stating that the message was racist to African Americans.
Byrd stated that he was "shocked" and "startled" that the message produced controversy, that he did not intend to make a political or racial statement, but wanted "simply to cause people to realize and to see what possibly could happen if we were to get someone in that does not believe in Jesus Christ." Bryd further added, "I'm not meaning to say that he has the same character as Osama, but it hit my mind that their names are so close. Maybe there's some sort of kinship". When asked if he thought Barack Obama was a Muslim, Byrd stated, "I question him, because those men who flew those planes into the Twin Towers had been over here quite a while." In another instance Bryd stated, "His name is so close to Osama I have a feeling he might be Islamic, and therefore he doesn’t recognize Christ." Byrd additionally stated, "Just change one letter and you got either name". Byrd told the protesters, "I don't think you're getting my point at all."
One protester noted how Byrd appeared unable to perceive his message from the perspective of African Americans. Another noted to Byrd that he appeared to have no sorrow or shame over the matter.
One news piece noted a connection between the sign and conservative political commentator Rush Limbaugh, who frequently name calls Barack Obama as "Obama Osama".
After the sign garnered national attention, the church's congregation, none who are African American, voted unanimously to keep it up. Bryd additionally stated he did not want to appear to give in to controversy.
Removal of message
The sign's message was nevertheless taken down several days later. Around the same time, on 22 April 2008, the headquarters of the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) released a press statement stating, "Any endorsement, direct or implied, made by a local church is regrettable and is not supported," and that "the single goal and purpose of the Church of God is the furtherance of the ministry of the gospel." Jonesville Church of God refused further questions afterward, and replaced the message with a new one, "HOW WILL YOU SPEND ETERNITY / SMOKING OR NO SMOKING."
Jonesville Church of God is located in Jonesville, South Carolina, and is affiliated with the , a Pentecostal Christian denomination, which later distanced itself from the sign's message.
Protest and reaction
After word got out about the sign, members of a nearby African American church began a protest in front of Jonesville Church of God, and confronted Byrd, stating that the message was racist to African Americans.
Byrd stated that he was "shocked" and "startled" that the message produced controversy, that he did not intend to make a political or racial statement, but wanted "simply to cause people to realize and to see what possibly could happen if we were to get someone in that does not believe in Jesus Christ." Bryd further added, "I'm not meaning to say that he has the same character as Osama, but it hit my mind that their names are so close. Maybe there's some sort of kinship". When asked if he thought Barack Obama was a Muslim, Byrd stated, "I question him, because those men who flew those planes into the Twin Towers had been over here quite a while." In another instance Bryd stated, "His name is so close to Osama I have a feeling he might be Islamic, and therefore he doesn’t recognize Christ." Byrd additionally stated, "Just change one letter and you got either name". Byrd told the protesters, "I don't think you're getting my point at all."
One protester noted how Byrd appeared unable to perceive his message from the perspective of African Americans. Another noted to Byrd that he appeared to have no sorrow or shame over the matter.
One news piece noted a connection between the sign and conservative political commentator Rush Limbaugh, who frequently name calls Barack Obama as "Obama Osama".
After the sign garnered national attention, the church's congregation, none who are African American, voted unanimously to keep it up. Bryd additionally stated he did not want to appear to give in to controversy.
Removal of message
The sign's message was nevertheless taken down several days later. Around the same time, on 22 April 2008, the headquarters of the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) released a press statement stating, "Any endorsement, direct or implied, made by a local church is regrettable and is not supported," and that "the single goal and purpose of the Church of God is the furtherance of the ministry of the gospel." Jonesville Church of God refused further questions afterward, and replaced the message with a new one, "HOW WILL YOU SPEND ETERNITY / SMOKING OR NO SMOKING."
More commonly called "Alt kids" the Definition of this Cliche or social class of teenagers is very vague. Most importantly, there is really no such thing as an "Alt kid" only "Alt kids" seeing as they are only strong and outgoing in a large to medium sized group of friends.
Alternative kids are a new addition to the many highschool cliches that infest America. However Alternative kids incoorperate many aspects of other cliches, mainly that of emo, Goth, skater, scene, stoner, and sometimes metalheads (considering many claim to listen to a few metal bands, usaully the more trendy type of metal.)
Dress Code
Like many cliches style of dress is a major aspect of being an alt kid. By merely dressing the same way as this cliche, there is a very good chance someone will be recognized and therefore able to join this usaully socially unaproachable group.
The basic style pf dress for Alt males is skinny jeans, preferably blue, black and gray, however most have at least one pair of red, white, or even leopard skin jeans. The shoes are usaully converse low tops, cans slip ons or Nike hightops. Most of the shoes contain very bright colors, reminiscent of Scene kids. Shirts are usaully basic band shirts, black tees, v-necks, striped tee's or brightly colored tight fitting plaid shirts. Some kind of hat is usaully worn by most, but they are usaully optional.
For females the style is alot more strict. Skin tight skinny jeans are a must. If not jeans, then tights are worn under a skirt. Baggy jeans are unacceptable. For shirts anything bright and trendy works. Hats are not usaully worn unless it is taken from there Boyfriend.
Hair
Hair is another huge aspect of this cliche. For males the hair is usaully a longish fringe and shorter back reminiscent of emo/ scene males. however most unorthodox hair styles are accepted.
For females the hair is almost always shorter at the back and longer at the front. The hair is very comparable to the japanese anime characters. Hair is almost always dyed, most Alt girls dont even know what there natural hair color is anymore.
Music
Music is a major part of Alt kids social similarities. The accepted generes of music are mainly expirimental indie, punk rock, expirimental hardcore, happy hardcore, techno, some metal, and some rap, however a group of Alt kids usaully only accepts one or two rap songs during period of time. Bands that involve high pitchs screams, whiney or unorthodox singing are the main types of music listened to by this cliche. The number 12 looks like you, HeavyHeavyLowLow, and the fall of Troy are a must. Many Alt kids have expirmented in metal but feel it is too disturbing. Which is ironic considering Alt kids claim to be "Chill" with free expression through music. Metal bands like #REDIRECT The Black Dahlia Murder are socially accepted. Metal bands that use inverted screams such as Waking The Cadaver are also accepted due to the sheer agressivness. However when presented with classic death metal bands such as Deicide, cannibal Corpse or Death, most Alt kids shrug them of as nothing special. Bands such as these are less focused on trends as they are music, where most Alt kids listen to cult bands that have a following.
Alternative kids are a new addition to the many highschool cliches that infest America. However Alternative kids incoorperate many aspects of other cliches, mainly that of emo, Goth, skater, scene, stoner, and sometimes metalheads (considering many claim to listen to a few metal bands, usaully the more trendy type of metal.)
Dress Code
Like many cliches style of dress is a major aspect of being an alt kid. By merely dressing the same way as this cliche, there is a very good chance someone will be recognized and therefore able to join this usaully socially unaproachable group.
The basic style pf dress for Alt males is skinny jeans, preferably blue, black and gray, however most have at least one pair of red, white, or even leopard skin jeans. The shoes are usaully converse low tops, cans slip ons or Nike hightops. Most of the shoes contain very bright colors, reminiscent of Scene kids. Shirts are usaully basic band shirts, black tees, v-necks, striped tee's or brightly colored tight fitting plaid shirts. Some kind of hat is usaully worn by most, but they are usaully optional.
For females the style is alot more strict. Skin tight skinny jeans are a must. If not jeans, then tights are worn under a skirt. Baggy jeans are unacceptable. For shirts anything bright and trendy works. Hats are not usaully worn unless it is taken from there Boyfriend.
Hair
Hair is another huge aspect of this cliche. For males the hair is usaully a longish fringe and shorter back reminiscent of emo/ scene males. however most unorthodox hair styles are accepted.
For females the hair is almost always shorter at the back and longer at the front. The hair is very comparable to the japanese anime characters. Hair is almost always dyed, most Alt girls dont even know what there natural hair color is anymore.
Music
Music is a major part of Alt kids social similarities. The accepted generes of music are mainly expirimental indie, punk rock, expirimental hardcore, happy hardcore, techno, some metal, and some rap, however a group of Alt kids usaully only accepts one or two rap songs during period of time. Bands that involve high pitchs screams, whiney or unorthodox singing are the main types of music listened to by this cliche. The number 12 looks like you, HeavyHeavyLowLow, and the fall of Troy are a must. Many Alt kids have expirmented in metal but feel it is too disturbing. Which is ironic considering Alt kids claim to be "Chill" with free expression through music. Metal bands like #REDIRECT The Black Dahlia Murder are socially accepted. Metal bands that use inverted screams such as Waking The Cadaver are also accepted due to the sheer agressivness. However when presented with classic death metal bands such as Deicide, cannibal Corpse or Death, most Alt kids shrug them of as nothing special. Bands such as these are less focused on trends as they are music, where most Alt kids listen to cult bands that have a following.
Launched in December 2007, Hardboiled is a bi-monthly online publication produced and published by Yolk. Based in Singapore, this new age digital magazine seeks to inspire a social change in our environment through education and online interaction. With full Flash functions and optimizations for touch-screen, Hardboiled provides a medium for interacting with the broader social activist communities and paves the way for Creative Social Revolution.
Creative Social Revolution
Creative Social Revolution is activism reinvented. Hardboiled injects that instead of polarizing against what we, the people don't want- we identify what we do want and then direct the energy into promoting and creating them. It leverages the incredible power of the arts toward making a difference in our world.
“A lot of change is needed for us to survive through this time of crisis and thrive into the future. An activist is an agent of change. Anyone who puts their ideals and convictions into action for the greater good is an activist. There are so many different kinds of actions and activists, all valid and important. Due to the overwhelming scope of the interconnected problems and their roots in our own psyche, we must be very creative in how we perceive and respond to our current situation. In this time creativity is an imperative. We must think and act outside of the box. We must be creative in how we challenge and protest injustices. We must be creative in imagining, designing, and building a world that we want to live in. Being a creator is the opposite of passive victim or consumer. If we don't like the world as it is, well then we need to step up to the canvas and paint a better picture and inhabit it. We need to remember our power to create and use it! There is a lot of work to be done,” said Chief Editor ‘Ain Aid.
Social Marketing
“The traditional marketing model is being challenged, and (CMOs) can foresee a day when it will no longer work.” McKinsey Quarterly, 2005, Number 2
Social marketing is the application of commercial marketing technologies to the analysis, planning, execution and evaluation of programs designed to influence the voluntary behaviour of target audiences in order to improve their personal welfare and that of their society. Social marketing is concerned with the application of marketing knowledge, concepts, and techniques to enhance social as well as economic ends. It is also concerned with the analysis of the social consequences of marketing policies, decisions and activities. Social marketing results in cumulative knowledge, attitudes, opinions and behaviors.
Technology and Design
Hardboiled embraces the power of the internet to advocate altruism, social and environmental responsibility and simply shape up the global network of people who want to advance the new social activist movement of the information age. The Internet is a viral mechanism which provides the magazine, its affiliates and advertisers the means to spread their message faster, at a wider scope and lower cost. “A publication is not defined by the medium in which it is delivered. Magazines should not be equated with print. Magazines are bigger than just one medium. Until the Web 2.0, we just didn’t have a better medium. Now with Web 2.0, we do. Technology is shifting power away from the editors, the publishers, the establishments, the media elite. Now, it’s the people who are taking control,” expresses Prakash Somosundram, CEO and founder of Yolk.
Issues
Child’s Play
Hardboiled’s inaugural issue , released on 30 November 2007, discusses the problems that hundreds of millions of children across the globe are victims of each year, such as exploitation, abuse and violence. These children are abducted from their homes and schools and recruited into the army. They are trafficked into prostitution rings. They are forced into debt bondage or other forms of slavery. The consequences can be devastating. Violence and abuse can kill; more often they result in poor physical and mental health, deny a child education, or lead to homelessness, vagrancy, or a sense of hopelessness.
Child’s Play also features an exclusive interview with Incubus for the Make Yourself Foundation, and a corporate profile feature on John Wood’s Room To Read foundation.
The Environ-Mental Issue
The second issue of Hardboiled, focuses on environmental issues dominating the 21st century. “There is a growing number of people tied together not by age, career, background, or circumstance, but by a shared interest: Environmental Awareness - which has led our society to understand that population growth and industrialization dramatically impact our planet,” says ‘Ain Aid in her editor’s note. Released online on Saturday, 29th March at 2000hrs GMT +8, in conjunction with Earth Hour, Hardboiled 02 - The Environ-Mental Issue provides information, news and resources for people concerned about the environment who want to know “What can I do?” to make a difference.
The Environ-Mental Issue features cover stories on the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Earth Hour, A Beautiful Lie.Org, Carbon Footprint, No Impact Man, The Rainbow Power Company, reviews on The Rising (a documentary produced by the Oceanic Preservation Society) and feature film Fields of Fuel, and an exclusive interview with Switchfoot and Singapore-based band EIC.
Advertising
An online digital magazine like Hardboiled has more benefits for advertisers that a print magazine simply cannot do. As an advertiser, the advertisements will be directly linked to the corporate website for an immediate call for action or transaction.
Advertising in a digital magazine enables the advertiser to better showcase the business, products, services or even just a message, through audio, video, interactive animation, scripting and User Generated Content. TVCs can be featured in the digital magazine, allowing our affiliates and advertisers to fully maximise video production costs, without having to pay for air time. This new media technology enhances the reading experience, and takes advertising to a higher level.
Creative Social Revolution
Creative Social Revolution is activism reinvented. Hardboiled injects that instead of polarizing against what we, the people don't want- we identify what we do want and then direct the energy into promoting and creating them. It leverages the incredible power of the arts toward making a difference in our world.
“A lot of change is needed for us to survive through this time of crisis and thrive into the future. An activist is an agent of change. Anyone who puts their ideals and convictions into action for the greater good is an activist. There are so many different kinds of actions and activists, all valid and important. Due to the overwhelming scope of the interconnected problems and their roots in our own psyche, we must be very creative in how we perceive and respond to our current situation. In this time creativity is an imperative. We must think and act outside of the box. We must be creative in how we challenge and protest injustices. We must be creative in imagining, designing, and building a world that we want to live in. Being a creator is the opposite of passive victim or consumer. If we don't like the world as it is, well then we need to step up to the canvas and paint a better picture and inhabit it. We need to remember our power to create and use it! There is a lot of work to be done,” said Chief Editor ‘Ain Aid.
Social Marketing
“The traditional marketing model is being challenged, and (CMOs) can foresee a day when it will no longer work.” McKinsey Quarterly, 2005, Number 2
Social marketing is the application of commercial marketing technologies to the analysis, planning, execution and evaluation of programs designed to influence the voluntary behaviour of target audiences in order to improve their personal welfare and that of their society. Social marketing is concerned with the application of marketing knowledge, concepts, and techniques to enhance social as well as economic ends. It is also concerned with the analysis of the social consequences of marketing policies, decisions and activities. Social marketing results in cumulative knowledge, attitudes, opinions and behaviors.
Technology and Design
Hardboiled embraces the power of the internet to advocate altruism, social and environmental responsibility and simply shape up the global network of people who want to advance the new social activist movement of the information age. The Internet is a viral mechanism which provides the magazine, its affiliates and advertisers the means to spread their message faster, at a wider scope and lower cost. “A publication is not defined by the medium in which it is delivered. Magazines should not be equated with print. Magazines are bigger than just one medium. Until the Web 2.0, we just didn’t have a better medium. Now with Web 2.0, we do. Technology is shifting power away from the editors, the publishers, the establishments, the media elite. Now, it’s the people who are taking control,” expresses Prakash Somosundram, CEO and founder of Yolk.
Issues
Child’s Play
Hardboiled’s inaugural issue , released on 30 November 2007, discusses the problems that hundreds of millions of children across the globe are victims of each year, such as exploitation, abuse and violence. These children are abducted from their homes and schools and recruited into the army. They are trafficked into prostitution rings. They are forced into debt bondage or other forms of slavery. The consequences can be devastating. Violence and abuse can kill; more often they result in poor physical and mental health, deny a child education, or lead to homelessness, vagrancy, or a sense of hopelessness.
Child’s Play also features an exclusive interview with Incubus for the Make Yourself Foundation, and a corporate profile feature on John Wood’s Room To Read foundation.
The Environ-Mental Issue
The second issue of Hardboiled, focuses on environmental issues dominating the 21st century. “There is a growing number of people tied together not by age, career, background, or circumstance, but by a shared interest: Environmental Awareness - which has led our society to understand that population growth and industrialization dramatically impact our planet,” says ‘Ain Aid in her editor’s note. Released online on Saturday, 29th March at 2000hrs GMT +8, in conjunction with Earth Hour, Hardboiled 02 - The Environ-Mental Issue provides information, news and resources for people concerned about the environment who want to know “What can I do?” to make a difference.
The Environ-Mental Issue features cover stories on the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Earth Hour, A Beautiful Lie.Org, Carbon Footprint, No Impact Man, The Rainbow Power Company, reviews on The Rising (a documentary produced by the Oceanic Preservation Society) and feature film Fields of Fuel, and an exclusive interview with Switchfoot and Singapore-based band EIC.
Advertising
An online digital magazine like Hardboiled has more benefits for advertisers that a print magazine simply cannot do. As an advertiser, the advertisements will be directly linked to the corporate website for an immediate call for action or transaction.
Advertising in a digital magazine enables the advertiser to better showcase the business, products, services or even just a message, through audio, video, interactive animation, scripting and User Generated Content. TVCs can be featured in the digital magazine, allowing our affiliates and advertisers to fully maximise video production costs, without having to pay for air time. This new media technology enhances the reading experience, and takes advertising to a higher level.
Twixel Fairies, or Twixels as they are commonly referred, are fictitious beings similar to elves, first created in The Third Prophet, an in-progress novel. Twixel Fairies have high cheekbones and pointed ears. Their hair is usually a bright, flowing blonde. They usually grow from five to seven feet in height and can live over one thousand years. Twixels are magical and intelligent beings who populate Rainbow Forest in the middle of Lollipop Land. However, they also can be found all over the land of the fictitious Imagination Isolation, the Realm that The Third Prophet takes place in. The Twixel Fairies have several important Allies such as the Golden Knights of the Priory, but also many fierce Enemies, like the Octopi Empire.
Survival
The only way Twixel Fairies survive is through the powers of Angel and Fairy Dust. These two celestial Dusts are magical "powders" created in the Ritual of the Full Moon. Without the Dusts, the Fairies would die almost instantaneously, because the Dust holds healing and growing properties essential to the Twixel Fairies. The rations of Dust collected from the Ritual of the Full Moon are sent to a large stock (consisting of over a million kilos) at Nightengale Mountain, located in the center of Rainbow Forest. The Golden Knights of the Priory of Sion help to guard, distribute, and record all Dust transactions at the Mountain top.
Twixel Rituals
There are several Twixel Rituals, most notably the Ritual of the Full Moon and the Rainbow Ritual.
The Ritual of the Full Moon
The Ritual of the Full Moon only can occur when Jupiter, Neptune, and Saturn allign in the heavens. This allignment can take thousands of years to occur, so the Ritual is of utmost importance while it lasts. The ritual will last for several weeks, until no more Dust can be retrieved from the Heavens. The Ritual is a combination of spiritual guidance, moonlight, and magic, all essential factors to Dust creation. There have been several times in Twixel history when the Dust rations went dangerously low due to a bad harvest of Dust at the Ritual of the Full Moon. However, normally Dust rations are in massive proportions, so no precautions are usually necessary.
The Rainbow Ritual
The Rainbow Ritual is of less importance than the Ritual of the Full Moon, but it is performed to help increase peace and to fend from Octopi attacks. The Rainbow Ritual can be performed at any time as long as there are enough Fairies to participate. During the Ritual, the famed Fairy Dance of Twinkle and Shadow is performed. Tritaith the Wise first created the Ritual more than a thousand years during a time of Twixel strife, due to Octopi attacks.
Reproduction and Population
Unfortunately for the Twixels (as well as many other races in Imagination Isolation), Females are normally only found 1 in every 50 males. Due to such a rarity in women, reproduction for Twixels is quite inefficient. However, the many bachelors that line the world of Imagination Isolation do have an option for finding a soul mate: Wind Hunting.
Wind Hunting
Wind is a term used to describe a feminine spirit-like energy that is created by strumming a magical harp of Wind. Wind is basically a rough form of the female that is yet to be processed and hunted. When a Wind Creator (any male bachelor in need of a wife) submerges his hands in a magical paste and "strums" the Harp of Wind, Wind is created. Before the Wind is fit to be hunted, however, it is first analyzed according to a scale from 0-10. The better the strum, the better your Wind will be. The scale analyzes the Wind's physical, as well as emotional, features. Once the Wind is analyzed, it is released into the world at large, for any Hunter to try and capture. Only a Gust Locator and a Vacuum of Capture are needed to capture the escaped Wind. Once located, the Hunter must only activate the Vacuum of Capture to "suck" in the Wind. Then, in order to make the Wind truly tangible, the Hunter must chant a certain spell. With that, a woman is born and reproductivity is commenced.
Twixel Transportation
Twixels use a variety of transportation methods, most commonly the flying of Rainbow Unicorns, a very quick method of travel. However, lemurs and several other flying creatures have been known to fly Twixels far and wide. Due to the Twixel's own speed of the feet, many prefer running to any other method, as they near 50 paces of the foot per 5 seconds.
Twixel Allies
Throughout Imagination there are many Allies of the Twixel Fairies, most notably the Golden Knights of the Priory of Sion.
The Golden Knights of the Priory of Sion
The Golden Knights are the Twixels' most important and steadfast Allies. The two races live together in harmony in Rainbow Forest. The Knights live under many of the same laws as the Twixels. Although a little less magical than the Twixels, the Knights make up for their magical ability by their immense strength and skill with weapons. For this reason, Knights are assigned to protect and help Twixels in times of battle and war. The Golden Knights of the Priory wear golden armor and carry golden spears and swords.
The Prophets
There are two Prophets in the Lands of Imagination Isolation: Danieleyus the Swift and Fostorius the Wise. They are quite mysterious in their origins but are thought to have been born with the Creation of Time itself. The Prophets hold the Key to the Unknown (the Twixels' name for Heaven) and they also can predict pieces of the future using Spheres of Telling. They are also known to make Prophecies, seemingly on random. Besides reuniting the Dead with the Unknown and foretelling the Future, the Prophets usually stick to themselves, wandering the vast realms, occassionaly stopping by Rainbow Forest to help the Twixels.
The Pansy Princesses
The Pansy Princesses of the Pansy Palace of Wonder are unfortunately mostly neutral in most warfare involving Twixels. However, they can be staunch Allies if personally mistreated. Pansy Princesses are hypnotizing Beauties under the rule of Estella the Beautiful and Kayteleiana the Graceful.
Wizards
Wizards account for much of the population and are immensely skilled in the magical arts, second to only the Prophets in magical skill. Wizards are usually found wandering the earth, stopping by the Twixels to help train certain "apprentices" in magical studies. Hexacoles the Enchanted has the only permanent Wizarding settlement located at Tubular Tower. He is one of the most renowned Wizards, carrying a Candy-Cane Staff, as lethal as it is powerful.
Twixel Enemies
As their are quite many Twixel Allies, there are just as many enemies of the kindhearted Twixel Fairies.
Octopi Empire
The Octopi Empire is the most dangerous Enemy to the Twixel Race. Since being banished from their original home, Atlantis, the Octopi have been dedicated solely to gaining power and killing the Twixels. Octopi possess twenty-feet long tentacles tipped with a poisonous, magical ink that can kill in large doses. Octopi also have large fangs and claws on their tentacles. Warden is the current Octopi Emperor and his wickedness has exceeded all other accounts of Octopin Emperors. Unfortunately for the Twixels, it is rumored that he is creating a fleet of Deckapi (10-tentacled Octopi) though reports are not definite.
Dark Elves
Dark Elves are naturally reclusive and evil beings, conceived from Fairy and Angel Dust, mixed with Octopi ink. Such a mixture breeds the Dark Elves. Dark Elves have no true allegiance but will help the Octopi in war. Usually up to eight feet in height, Octopi are exceptionally quick in sprints. Dark Elves have dark, usually black, hair with pale, pointed faces. They wear black armor bearing their crest. The Dark Elves are more magical than Octopi and Twixels due to the increased magic from the Dusts and the ink, but are just as evil as the Octopi and just as smart as the Twixels. Timoteus von Shleiken currently rules over the Dark Elves. He is referred to simply as the Dark One.
Talking Birds
Talking Birds are a mysterious species, having only recently been discovered. Their origins are hazy, except that the Octopi bred them from their inks, in order to gain Spies for their cause. The Birds are naturally good Spies for the Octopi and only live in one known settlement. Sadly, the Birds are brainwashed at birth by the Octopi and thus are enslaved to their cause for life.
Witches and Warlocks
Witches and warlocks inhabit numerous settlements across Imagination Isolation. They are naturally evil, but, like the Dark Elves, are quite reclusive. They only attack when trespassed upon. These evil beings are immersed in Dark Magic and potionry. During warfare, Witches and Warlocks will sometimes not interfere, but more often than not will fight alongside the Octopi against the Twixels.
Grublets
Grublets are short, homosexual Twixel Fairies. A Twixel Fairy is homosexual due to a substance found in its body at birth, called GAS. Once GAS is detected in a young Twixel's system, he/she is sent into exile with the rest of the Grublets, as they are called once the GAS is discovered. The GAS in the Grublets' bodies accounts for their shortness (often under five feet) and of course their difference in sexuality preferences. Grublets are short and stubby and wear Tortoise-shell hats. When a Twixel parent has a Grublet, the parent is usually shunned for breeding such an anomaly. However, there has been no cure or discovered origin of GAS, even with dozens of scholars researching its cause and origin. Tinellus the Tiny is the current ruler of the Grublets and seeking to rebel against the Twixel government under King Napalagantis, due to the Grublets' constant exile.
Twixel Sports
Only one Twixel Sport has been documented: Scrimmlawl, or Scrimmaling, a mixture of various sports, most notably lacrosse.
Scrimmlawl
The basic objective of Scrimmlawl is to score points by throwing a magical ball of energy (known as the jaqk) into triangular hoops, called giblets, using a Staff of Hurling. All players fly on unicorn-back while in play and cast protective spells to limit vulnerability. There are “protectors of the giblet” that will play “defense.” (These players carry longer Staves of Hurling in order to shunt others off their unicorns); the shinti hoarder, resembling that of a keeper and is the last line of protection. Others, called “aggressors of the jaqk", will attempt to score seven goals which ends the Scrimmlawl. Once these seven goals are scored, the opposing team’s giblet explodes, occasionally injuring the shinti hoarder. The “urner of speed” is a position that will traverse the field helping to move the jaqk in favor of their team. Also the shooters of disruption are magically calibrated machines that will fire a volley of devastating arrows that will cause the victim to be stationary for one minute. They will only fire if the player holds the jaqk and is slower than seven units of speed. The horns of each unicorn can be used to attack and even wound an opposing player with the jaqk, except for the shinti hoarders. The protectors of the giblet have unicorns with longer and sharper horns. Every player carries the jaqk in their own customized staff of hurling. The staff is composed of two main parts: the shank and the tiprit. The shank is a pole made of a twinkling silver-like material, and the tiprit is an odd shaped plastic material with illuminant magical strings of weaving that sag in the bottom, attached to the tiprit.
Survival
The only way Twixel Fairies survive is through the powers of Angel and Fairy Dust. These two celestial Dusts are magical "powders" created in the Ritual of the Full Moon. Without the Dusts, the Fairies would die almost instantaneously, because the Dust holds healing and growing properties essential to the Twixel Fairies. The rations of Dust collected from the Ritual of the Full Moon are sent to a large stock (consisting of over a million kilos) at Nightengale Mountain, located in the center of Rainbow Forest. The Golden Knights of the Priory of Sion help to guard, distribute, and record all Dust transactions at the Mountain top.
Twixel Rituals
There are several Twixel Rituals, most notably the Ritual of the Full Moon and the Rainbow Ritual.
The Ritual of the Full Moon
The Ritual of the Full Moon only can occur when Jupiter, Neptune, and Saturn allign in the heavens. This allignment can take thousands of years to occur, so the Ritual is of utmost importance while it lasts. The ritual will last for several weeks, until no more Dust can be retrieved from the Heavens. The Ritual is a combination of spiritual guidance, moonlight, and magic, all essential factors to Dust creation. There have been several times in Twixel history when the Dust rations went dangerously low due to a bad harvest of Dust at the Ritual of the Full Moon. However, normally Dust rations are in massive proportions, so no precautions are usually necessary.
The Rainbow Ritual
The Rainbow Ritual is of less importance than the Ritual of the Full Moon, but it is performed to help increase peace and to fend from Octopi attacks. The Rainbow Ritual can be performed at any time as long as there are enough Fairies to participate. During the Ritual, the famed Fairy Dance of Twinkle and Shadow is performed. Tritaith the Wise first created the Ritual more than a thousand years during a time of Twixel strife, due to Octopi attacks.
Reproduction and Population
Unfortunately for the Twixels (as well as many other races in Imagination Isolation), Females are normally only found 1 in every 50 males. Due to such a rarity in women, reproduction for Twixels is quite inefficient. However, the many bachelors that line the world of Imagination Isolation do have an option for finding a soul mate: Wind Hunting.
Wind Hunting
Wind is a term used to describe a feminine spirit-like energy that is created by strumming a magical harp of Wind. Wind is basically a rough form of the female that is yet to be processed and hunted. When a Wind Creator (any male bachelor in need of a wife) submerges his hands in a magical paste and "strums" the Harp of Wind, Wind is created. Before the Wind is fit to be hunted, however, it is first analyzed according to a scale from 0-10. The better the strum, the better your Wind will be. The scale analyzes the Wind's physical, as well as emotional, features. Once the Wind is analyzed, it is released into the world at large, for any Hunter to try and capture. Only a Gust Locator and a Vacuum of Capture are needed to capture the escaped Wind. Once located, the Hunter must only activate the Vacuum of Capture to "suck" in the Wind. Then, in order to make the Wind truly tangible, the Hunter must chant a certain spell. With that, a woman is born and reproductivity is commenced.
Twixel Transportation
Twixels use a variety of transportation methods, most commonly the flying of Rainbow Unicorns, a very quick method of travel. However, lemurs and several other flying creatures have been known to fly Twixels far and wide. Due to the Twixel's own speed of the feet, many prefer running to any other method, as they near 50 paces of the foot per 5 seconds.
Twixel Allies
Throughout Imagination there are many Allies of the Twixel Fairies, most notably the Golden Knights of the Priory of Sion.
The Golden Knights of the Priory of Sion
The Golden Knights are the Twixels' most important and steadfast Allies. The two races live together in harmony in Rainbow Forest. The Knights live under many of the same laws as the Twixels. Although a little less magical than the Twixels, the Knights make up for their magical ability by their immense strength and skill with weapons. For this reason, Knights are assigned to protect and help Twixels in times of battle and war. The Golden Knights of the Priory wear golden armor and carry golden spears and swords.
The Prophets
There are two Prophets in the Lands of Imagination Isolation: Danieleyus the Swift and Fostorius the Wise. They are quite mysterious in their origins but are thought to have been born with the Creation of Time itself. The Prophets hold the Key to the Unknown (the Twixels' name for Heaven) and they also can predict pieces of the future using Spheres of Telling. They are also known to make Prophecies, seemingly on random. Besides reuniting the Dead with the Unknown and foretelling the Future, the Prophets usually stick to themselves, wandering the vast realms, occassionaly stopping by Rainbow Forest to help the Twixels.
The Pansy Princesses
The Pansy Princesses of the Pansy Palace of Wonder are unfortunately mostly neutral in most warfare involving Twixels. However, they can be staunch Allies if personally mistreated. Pansy Princesses are hypnotizing Beauties under the rule of Estella the Beautiful and Kayteleiana the Graceful.
Wizards
Wizards account for much of the population and are immensely skilled in the magical arts, second to only the Prophets in magical skill. Wizards are usually found wandering the earth, stopping by the Twixels to help train certain "apprentices" in magical studies. Hexacoles the Enchanted has the only permanent Wizarding settlement located at Tubular Tower. He is one of the most renowned Wizards, carrying a Candy-Cane Staff, as lethal as it is powerful.
Twixel Enemies
As their are quite many Twixel Allies, there are just as many enemies of the kindhearted Twixel Fairies.
Octopi Empire
The Octopi Empire is the most dangerous Enemy to the Twixel Race. Since being banished from their original home, Atlantis, the Octopi have been dedicated solely to gaining power and killing the Twixels. Octopi possess twenty-feet long tentacles tipped with a poisonous, magical ink that can kill in large doses. Octopi also have large fangs and claws on their tentacles. Warden is the current Octopi Emperor and his wickedness has exceeded all other accounts of Octopin Emperors. Unfortunately for the Twixels, it is rumored that he is creating a fleet of Deckapi (10-tentacled Octopi) though reports are not definite.
Dark Elves
Dark Elves are naturally reclusive and evil beings, conceived from Fairy and Angel Dust, mixed with Octopi ink. Such a mixture breeds the Dark Elves. Dark Elves have no true allegiance but will help the Octopi in war. Usually up to eight feet in height, Octopi are exceptionally quick in sprints. Dark Elves have dark, usually black, hair with pale, pointed faces. They wear black armor bearing their crest. The Dark Elves are more magical than Octopi and Twixels due to the increased magic from the Dusts and the ink, but are just as evil as the Octopi and just as smart as the Twixels. Timoteus von Shleiken currently rules over the Dark Elves. He is referred to simply as the Dark One.
Talking Birds
Talking Birds are a mysterious species, having only recently been discovered. Their origins are hazy, except that the Octopi bred them from their inks, in order to gain Spies for their cause. The Birds are naturally good Spies for the Octopi and only live in one known settlement. Sadly, the Birds are brainwashed at birth by the Octopi and thus are enslaved to their cause for life.
Witches and Warlocks
Witches and warlocks inhabit numerous settlements across Imagination Isolation. They are naturally evil, but, like the Dark Elves, are quite reclusive. They only attack when trespassed upon. These evil beings are immersed in Dark Magic and potionry. During warfare, Witches and Warlocks will sometimes not interfere, but more often than not will fight alongside the Octopi against the Twixels.
Grublets
Grublets are short, homosexual Twixel Fairies. A Twixel Fairy is homosexual due to a substance found in its body at birth, called GAS. Once GAS is detected in a young Twixel's system, he/she is sent into exile with the rest of the Grublets, as they are called once the GAS is discovered. The GAS in the Grublets' bodies accounts for their shortness (often under five feet) and of course their difference in sexuality preferences. Grublets are short and stubby and wear Tortoise-shell hats. When a Twixel parent has a Grublet, the parent is usually shunned for breeding such an anomaly. However, there has been no cure or discovered origin of GAS, even with dozens of scholars researching its cause and origin. Tinellus the Tiny is the current ruler of the Grublets and seeking to rebel against the Twixel government under King Napalagantis, due to the Grublets' constant exile.
Twixel Sports
Only one Twixel Sport has been documented: Scrimmlawl, or Scrimmaling, a mixture of various sports, most notably lacrosse.
Scrimmlawl
The basic objective of Scrimmlawl is to score points by throwing a magical ball of energy (known as the jaqk) into triangular hoops, called giblets, using a Staff of Hurling. All players fly on unicorn-back while in play and cast protective spells to limit vulnerability. There are “protectors of the giblet” that will play “defense.” (These players carry longer Staves of Hurling in order to shunt others off their unicorns); the shinti hoarder, resembling that of a keeper and is the last line of protection. Others, called “aggressors of the jaqk", will attempt to score seven goals which ends the Scrimmlawl. Once these seven goals are scored, the opposing team’s giblet explodes, occasionally injuring the shinti hoarder. The “urner of speed” is a position that will traverse the field helping to move the jaqk in favor of their team. Also the shooters of disruption are magically calibrated machines that will fire a volley of devastating arrows that will cause the victim to be stationary for one minute. They will only fire if the player holds the jaqk and is slower than seven units of speed. The horns of each unicorn can be used to attack and even wound an opposing player with the jaqk, except for the shinti hoarders. The protectors of the giblet have unicorns with longer and sharper horns. Every player carries the jaqk in their own customized staff of hurling. The staff is composed of two main parts: the shank and the tiprit. The shank is a pole made of a twinkling silver-like material, and the tiprit is an odd shaped plastic material with illuminant magical strings of weaving that sag in the bottom, attached to the tiprit.