mithrilhearts

[mithrilhearts]

Mithrilhearts: The Fandom Experience

It's hard to believe that I've been a part of the Tolkien fandom for four years now. Time really does fly when you're having fun, but it has changed (for me) drastically since I first stepped foot into the creating world for Tolkien.

I've tried to engage in other fandoms before this one, with no real luck. But this fandom, Bagginshield, was the first place I felt like I contributed something worthwhile. It was so much fun, and I've made some amazing friends along the way even if some of our fandoms have diverged, leading to other paths, but we still stay in contact. That's been my favorite part.

The friendships.

I won't lie, there have been some mighty frustrations along the way the more I participated. I was new to fandom, I had never experienced "discourse" or "fandom politics”, and I really wish I hadn't. I want to open a dialogue with those who also enjoy [thing] without these things. It's made me want to take a significant step back.

I have learned that I am not a fan of moderating large fandom social groups (i.e. discord servers, or fandom themed blogs), and treating this enjoyment like a regular 9-5 job, where at times my actual job felt more enjoyable.

I feel like I've grown over my time in the fandom, and I want to keep progressing myself, just as I want to fall in love with Tolkien/Bagginshield again - but I don't need to be a part of it always. Thus I am taking a step back in participating. No events, no moderating [big things], and just focusing on what makes me happy.

With that, I'm fully charging towards posting my first Dragon Age fic here very soon! I'm so excited to branch out into other places I love, and hope that some of you are also ready to journey into Thedas! I've loved these games for SO long, and I'm surprised it took me this long to actually make things for it.

I'm applying the same rules for myself when engaging with new fandoms to come: no big social groups, no discourse, just fun. Let's enjoy the fandom(s) together 💖

[mithrilhearts]

like i'm sorry but we as a fandom have to stay firm on our anti-AI values. we cannot suddenly start giving AI a pass when it's something we "want to see" like destiel kisses. it's not suddenly fine. we're not going to start using AI to make fanfic scenes come to life or audio AI to make characters "say" stuff we want to hear. you have GOT to be firm on your anti-AI stance. if you start making exceptions then suddenly anything will fly. fandom is for real art and creations made by real people. no AI fanfics. no AI art. no AI rendered "bonus" scenes. no AI audio. none of it has a place here.

[mithrilhearts]

Not sure about anyone else but I re-read all my favourite AO3 comments when I’ve had a rough day so if you’ve ever taken the time to write a deep, funny, or just kind comment, thank-you.

[mithrilhearts]

"Other than that, I can't say if the flowers would still hold their bloom for me" Emmrich Volkarin surrounded by his cherished flowers, inspired by a scene from Bright Star.

[mithrilhearts]

What a day of unexpected splendor.

[mithrilhearts]

"We'll keep eachother warm"

A cooperation with @thesadchicken for "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Collaboration 2024", the fanfic can be found here

[mithrilhearts]

You like to walk a little too close to the edge. So do you. At least I know I'm doing it.

[mithrilhearts]

A few weeks ago I held a poll for Dragon Age The Veilguard on whether or not any fics I write should essentially be an "Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies" style thing - and got some pretty mixed responses, and now the more I play this game and the more I think, I think I have a personal solution to this poll that's been plaguing me.

Putting the rest under the cut because of SPOILERSSSS!!

Varric dies. Like, I'm so sorry, but it just works for me (and let me tell you, he's been my favorite character of the Dragon Age franchise for SOOO long, so this breaks my heart) - but as he said, he had a good run!

Now, the real headcanon that I'm going to wrap my entire self around - when it comes to picking the leader of the distraction group for Tearstone Island, I will always pick Harding. She's the scout, and been there from the start of this whole mess. However, I've come up with a simple solution to see her survive her fate on-screen.

Harding fires at Ghilan'nain, she gets impaled several times and ends up falling into that pit of [mystery]. Rook even tells us that there was no trace of her, and if she is out there, they'd find her.

So what if, after falling into the pit, the Stone swallows her up? Encasing her, allowing the lyrium of titans to heal her, and essentially give her a way to survive? I suspect this takes weeks (Rook is in the Fade for weeks anyway), and she only emerges after the final battle with Elgar'nan and ending with Solas? She's still in rough shape, but her connection to the Titans is what saved her, no longer having her wounds be life-threatening. It explains why there was no trace of her, and I truly believe that Harding has more set for her in the future with all the new Titan Lore™️ and what not.

Harding can be found later on after the events of the game, and reunite with her companions, and Taash if they romanced each other, and everyone can work on rebuilding their lives. Let Harding get to explore Kal-Sharok. Let Rook not carry the weight of SO MANY DEATHS because omg, how they carry it all thus far is beyond me.

I'm a sap, I love the "Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies" concept, and while that doesn't happen here entirely, I'll fight tooth and nail to save my Rook's companions by any means necessary.

Thank you for coming to my ramble session, I will not be taking criticism of this hc LMAO. Let me be as delulu as possible.

[mithrilhearts]

What a day of unexpected splendor.

[mithrilhearts]

you belong with us

[mithrilhearts]

Commission by @mysandwichranaway for my most recent chapter of Golden Hearts Bleed Faster! I love how beautiful and somber this piece is, and let me just continue to say it - Sandy never misses! Go commission him!

bagginshield | modern royalty/bodyguard au | teen+

Bilbo Baggins, Prince of the Shire, has been left with a kingdom on his back and a ring in his hand after the unexpected death of his parents. Bodyguard Thorin Oakenshield has been brought in to see to the prince’s safety, and do a little investigating of his own on the matter in hopes of coming face to face with the one who turned his mountain, and his life, upside down some years prior.

[mithrilhearts]

bagginshield | during the quest | 11k

Along the quest, Bilbo notices how the dwarves are very affectionate and friendly with one another. Specifically, he sees just how Thorin is with his kin, and is a bit disgruntled as he longs for real touch and connection with the would-be-king that treats him so coldly.

@fellowshipofthefics' THAUC 2024 event, partnered with @syenago! I had a lot of fun writing this story, and the artwork that goes along with it is just stunning!!

[mithrilhearts]

[mithrilhearts]

16, 21, and 30 for all three rooks for veilguard ask game! :>

Omg thank you so much for asking, my friend!! And for ALL THREE of my characters?? Even better!! I love getting to gush about my OCs!

16. what animal would your rook be?

Maeve: Butterfly, and if not that, a fox.

Vale: Ironically, we're just gonna say a Corvid (what kind, I didn't say a Crow), because it works. You go, Bird-Man.

Aerendil: Halla, definitely. Elegant, hard to catch, and will beat you up with horns (or a sword and shield).

21. does your rook's in-game appearance perfectly match the one you have in your head? is the game version lacking any attributes that aren't possible to add in the character creator? gray hairs, piercings, etc?

Maeve: This is pretty close to what I had in my head prior to Veilguard! Originally, I was thinking of more of a redhead, and changed as I kept developing her appearance, and love the more mauve (haha), color theme for her, which is why she wears a lot of the Nevarra stuff. I think the only thing I would want to add to her are piercings on her ears, and more freckles.

Vale & Aerendil: Piercings, otherwise they're perfect.

30. favorite / funniest / most cursed screenshot?

Lucanis' face with Vale's butt right behind his head...yup.

Conveniently placed "Pet" Marker.

Lucanis gets Mike Wazowski'd, it makes me laugh.

Dragon Age The Veilguard ask game!

[mithrilhearts]

Hearts On Fire by @mithrilhearts

The dwarf clad in blue and furs looked absolutely delighted, with a smile that reached his eyes. It was something that Bilbo wasn’t sure the dwarf even knew how to do, especially considering the nature of this quest. There was something mesmerizing in the way Thorin smiled, how the humor reached his eyes as he teased his nephews, rubbing a hand across Kili’s head vigorously in a gesture of affection. Affection.

Participated in THAUC organized by @fellowshipofthefics with the amazing @mithrilhearts . You guys should definitely check out the fic that accompanies this piece :))

[mithrilhearts]

For the Rook specific questions, be sure to tell me which Rook you're asking about, as I have three! Which you can find -> here!

veilguard ask game

now that i've finished the game i'd like to share with you some questions that my friends and i asked each other during our respective playhtroughs, along with other things that i'm curious to know about other people's experience with the game. feel free to play this if you want (the questions themselves don't contain any major story spoilers)

most & least favorite: 1. ost 2. location 3. banter 4. voiceline delivery 5. part of the crossroads 6. npc (excluding companions) 7. armor 8. weapon 9. codex entry 10. environment detail 11. lighthouse decor 12. side quest 13. room in the lighthouse 14. fraction 15. enemy/boss to fight about rook: 16. what animal would your rook be? 17. very serious question, what type of pony would your rook be? what's their cutiemark? 18. is your rook more diplomatic, humorous, or harsh? a mix of all three? 19. who did you romance? would you want to romance more than one companion? 20. is rook best friends with any of the companions? if yes, who? 21. does your rook's in-game appearance perfectly match the one you have in your head? is the game version lacking any attributes that aren't possible to add in the character creator? gray hairs, piercings, etc? 22. would your rook be part of the book club? 23. would rook and inquisitor be on good terms? would they like or not be able to stand each other? secret third thing? 24. does your rook have any hobbies? 25. is rook religious? 26. it's your rook's turn to cook for the team. what will they make? 27. is there a song you associate with your rook / their romance with a companion? 28. can your rook actually swim or is the game accurate on that front? 29. can rook handle their gingerwort tea? general: 30. favorite / funniest / most cursed screenshot? 31. any bugs you've encountered? were they funny or annoying? 32. did you use transmog on your armor / weapons? 33. did you pick different companions throughout the game or stuck with the same ones? was it for tactical reasons or because you (or your rook) liked them most? 34. did you use the default casual outfit or did you pick a different appearance for hanging around the lighthouse? 35. is your powerful tingle properly contained?

[mithrilhearts]

bagginshield | during the quest | 11k

Along the quest, Bilbo notices how the dwarves are very affectionate and friendly with one another. Specifically, he sees just how Thorin is with his kin, and is a bit disgruntled as he longs for real touch and connection with the would-be-king that treats him so coldly.

@fellowshipofthefics' THAUC 2024 event, partnered with @syenago! I had a lot of fun writing this story, and the artwork that goes along with it is just stunning!!