Madlings! Welcome to the evolution of my insanity. Maiden’s Madhouse was the embodiment of a lost child trying desperately to make sense of the world. Years have now passed, and I find myself healthier, happier, crazier. In 2025, I took time off to evaluate what really mattered to me. What was it that drove me to write? Why was I so invested in these characters? Money? Fame? Acceptance? What really drives Maiden? It was a simple answer, but the Madhouse kept it buried in depression. Regardless, I found my secret squirrel answer, and now everything has changed.

The Madhouse has never been an Isolated space. The Black Forest Inn, The Sacred Glade, and Maiden’s Madhouse have each been places where I grow relationships by being honest about my journey through life. Enter Shy Nightshade, whose presence in the Madhouse never allowed “Maiden” to isolate. This stubbornness forced “Damien” to stop hiding from when his cycles put him very low, allowing others to see the worst. Yet, even as my brain swirled with failures, judgments, and targeted self-loathing, we refuse to break. Shy kept pushing us forward, and by the end of 2025, the lives I had kept so very separate had begun to merge. I always assumed the moment either side saw the “real” me, everything would go away. Turns out that wasn’t the case. Which leaves the question. What Now? What does 2026 hold for the Madhouse?

“Together in all Things!” Madlings, I have always taken my vows very seriously. I promised her I would walk the next 40 years with her in everything. My dream is to tell stories, gather my Madlings, and create a world people want to get lost in. Shy has a dream of owning a chill Tavern where adventurers of every type can come together and share their amazing journeys. A true partnership is to support each other in all things, highs & lows. We have each been through mighty lows. Each of us gambled on the other, believing together we could traverse this dark world towards the most incredible high of our lives.

WelCome to the nightshade Tavern

In 2025, Shy & I needed time to exist as a family. We have been active parents; we both work jobs, we moved here with nothing but the most fantastic pair of people who believed in us. It’s my hope we are making them proud. Now, as we approach 2026, Shy & I have a stable foundation. A foundation tempered by two broken souls that were forged together stronger. We trust each other to fill in the cracks when the other is struggling. Are we perfect? Absolutely not! Do we believe in our dream, fuck yeah! Together in all things.

As D.S. Nightshade, we are becoming a writing couple to build towards our dreams. What this means is simple: everything has expanded in scope. “The Obsidian Wail” went from being a corrupted forest where this whole shit started, to an entire ass fucking planet we named “Adularia.” Within Adularia, we are building not one but two separate stories.

One designed as a “prequel” D&D campaign exploring Adularia's history. This adventure is my wife's fantastic dream: to build a community and a Tavern. Everything starts small, and we begin here online with our amazing friends as we homebrew chaos. This is not an attempt at anything crit roll esq; it’s just fun, and Shy loves D&D. Besides, a running joke is that being a “Muffin” means you're riddled with mental illness. Well, I picked the most mentally damaged in the bunch to beta run our stupidity. Our journey began with these nerds; we will continue to carry them with us as we build Adularia's past.

Meanwhile, phase two is building Adularia’s future. That’s where we chase Damien’s dream of just telling stories and creating characters. I used my madling Queen as a lynchpin in exploring and developing the short stories, but I learned she isn’t the focus I want to start with. Every creative person writes about their own fucked up reality. I am no different. Thus, writing a happy princess in Perlysia isn’t my goal. Her tale will be told, but we have building to do first. We will be revealing more soon in other Tavern Halls.

This wouldn’t be any space of Maiden’s without the Madhouse. I promise, it remains ever-present. I have decided to keep our Madling foundation contained to one wing of The Nightshade Tavern. I have always enjoyed music. I write silly little, overly personal blogs about songs when I'm spiraling through a bad swing. There are fewer bad swings for me personally, but I have some ideas to help fuel both creativity and Adularia. The Madhouse is a locked room. Please follow tavern rules and don’t enter a locked door without permission or a key.

Together, we would like to welcome you again to The Nightshade Tavern.

Blessed Be,

D.S. Nightshade