#「 v: pedigree 」

[antisocialxconstruct]

doodled my cats in the alt outfits I'm saving up to buy for them :3

[mostly-tame]

Aaaaaaaand that's all I've got on Dinah's pedigree!! :3c

[gethellbcnt]

fracture tags !

◜fracture: inbox / replies.◞ ◜fracture: behavior.◞ ◜fracture: headcanon.◞ ◜fracture: in character.◞ ◜fracture: mirror / faceclaim.◞ ◜fracture: isms.◞ ◜fracture: interests.◞ ◜fracture: playlist.◞ ◜fracture: aesthetics.◞ ◜fracture: desires / shipping.◞ ◜fracture: attire.◞ ◜fracture: abilities / skills.◞

◜fracture / v. main.◞ 🇳​🇴​🇧​🇴​🇩​🇾​'🇸​ 🇧​🇴​🇷​🇳​ 🇭​🇦​🇹​🇮​🇳​🇬​﹐​🇧​🇴​🇷​🇳​ 🇫​🇦​🇰​🇪​. ◜fracture / au. pedigree.◞ 🇳​🇴​🇹​ 🇦​ 🇫​🇱​🇪​🇦​ 🇴​🇷​ 🇦​ 🇫​🇱​🇦​🇼​.

[gethellbcnt-m]

fracture tags !

◜fracture: inbox / replies.◞ ◜fracture: behavior.◞ ◜fracture: headcanon.◞ ◜fracture: in character.◞ ◜fracture: mirror / faceclaim.◞ ◜fracture: isms.◞ ◜fracture: playlist.◞ ◜fracture: aesthetics.◞ ◜fracture: desires / shipping.◞ ◜fracture: attire.◞ ◜fracture: abilities / skills.◞

◜fracture / v. main.◞ 🇳​🇴​🇧​🇴​🇩​🇾​'🇸​ 🇧​🇴​🇷​🇳​ 🇭​🇦​🇹​🇮​🇳​🇬​﹐​🇧​🇴​🇷​🇳​ 🇫​🇦​🇰​🇪​. ◜fracture / au. pedigree.◞ 🇳​🇴​🇹​ 🇦​ 🇫​🇱​🇪​🇦​ 🇴​🇷​ 🇦​ 🇫​🇱​🇦​🇼​.

[sanguine-prince]

i’m sure i’m not the first to say something like this, but let me tell you about my poc-passing-as-white jay gatsby headcanon!!

for some background, in the 1920s there was an interesting shift regarding (white) skin tones. previously, tans were viewed as a sign that a person worked out in the fields, and therefore a trademark of the lower class. however, slowly after the industrial revolution, it increasingly became a representation of luxury, since the rich upper class would have the time to lounge about and sunbathe at their leisure.

i say all this to show that a poc gatsby would have the ostensible class and wealth for a tan, which would ‘excuse’ a slightly browner skin tone in the public eye.

(the 20s was also the setting of passing by nella larsen, so that’s neat.)

in my vision, he’s biracial (maybe his mother was black & his father was a german immigrant) with skin light enough to pass for white.

the fact that nick states that gatsby keeps his hair neatly groomed and cut might be to prevent it from curling up.

additionally, i think it could contrast tom’s white supremacy & his fear of poc social progress.

it would also create a deeper divide between gatsby and daisy, and once again the contrast between him and tom. in my mind, daisy wouldn’t know about it until the point where tom reveals everything about gatsby’s bootlegging etc. with jay revealing it to her in the car ride back (oops then she hits myrtle).

then, when she chooses tom and the life of comfort, wealth, status, etc that their marriage offers, she also rejects not only gatsby’s new money but also his race.

it’s a lot more thematically significant for the american dream as well—it’s still unattainable and essentially tainted by capitalism, and it also emphasizes that it’s restricted to the white upper class. social mobility only becomes available to gatsby when he disguises his racial identity.

similarly, it fits with gatsby’s identity reconstruction—the quintessential american is white, rich, and educated.

daisy and tom have that ticket into society because they have that inherent thing that he will never have—pedigree, in both class and race. that’s something that even nick has.

(in my mind, he tells nick all about it the night before he dies & nick understands as best he can and doesn’t think less of him, because it further highlights the differences between his & gatsby’s relationship v. gatsby’s relationship with daisy; namely, the transparency -> acceptance give-and-take that he and daisy never had. because of having to hide himself from daisy in order to maintain her affection, he builds an expectation that he must be someone that he is not as well as developing a transactional definition of love (he gives, and people love him as long as he can continue to give) in order to be loved. therefore, nick’s immediate curiosity and fascination with who he truly is is foreign to him. not to get too into their dynamic lmao i just think it’s really interesting.)

finally, the very last part where nick is sitting and looking at the bay and thinking about the first immigrants and their dreams and how gatsby embodied the purity and naivety of those dreams is further exemplified by his racial ‘otherness.’

and there’s,,, technically nothing in the book to explicitly refute this from what i remember!

(n.b.: it has been a hot second since i’ve read tgg, so lmk if i’ve got anything wrong!)

[batbabydamian]

Hey, I started reading Robin son of Batman because of your recommendation (I literally have a print of your post on my phone to not forget lol). Honestly? One of the best things I ever read!!!

Thank you for opening my eyes! Damian has been one of my favorite characters for over a year, but I didn't read/watch much of him because of school, life (and probably an executive dysfunction in the mix).

Maya is incredible. I loved her.

I haven't finished all the issues yet, but do you have any other recommendations?

WAH this makes me so happy, i'm glad you still gave it a shot even with how busy life is!! ;v;

i’d love to give reccs, and i’ll try to go a beginner friendly route! tbh you can pick up whatever here, but since you've read R:SOB i’d immediately follow up with Batman and Robin (2011) #1-8! this first arc is what’s referred to in Maya’s introduction, and it's just. so good.

Main Books

Batman and Robin (2009)

Dick as Batman with Damian as his Robin!

#20-22 Tree of Blood: Dark Knight vs White Knight arc is done by Tomasi and Gleason, the team for the next Batman and Robin series

*Batman and Robin (2011)

Bruce and Damian figuring out their relationship as both Batman & Robin and father & son

imo you can enjoy the ride and read straight through this but i’ll add context to avoid as much confusion as possible since there’s the occasional tie-in or offscreen events, like Damian’s death nbd

Batman Incorporated (2012) #1-10

events leading to Damian's death - affects Batman and Robin (2011) from issue #18

kind of a tough read especially with how Talia's written, but a lot of iconic bits like Batcow, Damian's vegetarian declaration, Alfred the cat, "We Were the Best, Richard."

Robin (2021)

another self-discovery adventure, particularly after Alfred’s death and a fallout with Bruce (and questionable writing choices from his last Teen Titans run)

Batman and Robin (2023)

currently ongoing! after a number of events, Bruce and Damian are back as a duo

Damian Dynamics!

Batman: Streets of Gotham (2009) #7, 10-12

arc where Damian meets one of his first Gotham friends, Colin Wilkes

Batgirl (2009) #5-7, #17

Steph and Damian dynamic! "the bad cop, worse cop" dysfunctional duo

Red Robin (2009) #13-14

early Tim and Damian dynamic that of course includes fighting haha. funny enough, accidentally my first intro to Damian LOL

Teen Titans (2003) #89-92

Dick!Batman has Damian join the Teen Titans. Start of Damian and Rose Wilson dynamic that’s extended in Robin (2021)

Batman: Gates of Gotham (2011)

Damian meets Cass and has a brief team up

Gotham Academy (2015) #7

Damian meets Maps Mizoguchi! they have a few other meetings, but outside of that the series itself is a great read!

Robin War Event (2015)

Robin War (2015) #1, Grayson (2014) #15, Detective Comics (2011) #47, We Are Robin (2015) #7, Robin: Son of Batman (2015) #7, Robin War (2015) #2

Duke and Damian dynamic! not exactly beginner friendly but these are the main issues in order for the event! you can also read the TPB version for everything including Tie-Ins

Nightwing (2016) #16-20, #42, #43

#16-20 Nightwing and Robin arc!

#42 Dick on a mission to save Damian! the one appearance of "Wiggles" the dragon

#43 Dick, Roy, and Damian team-up

New Talent Showcase 2018 "Catwoman: Pedigree"

Selina, Damian, and Alfred the cat

Batman: Prelude to the Wedding - Robin vs. Ra's Al Ghul (2018)

Selina, Damian, and Cheese Viking - Damian's fav game shown in Nightwing: Rebirth (2016)

Monkey Prince (2022) #1-4

Marcus Sun Shugel-Shen's main comic, but Damian features as a fun dynamic here before they're in more serious circumstances in Batman VS Robin (2022)/Lazarus Planet event

Superman (2016) #10 - 11

the beginning of the Super Sons! featuring Maya!

Super Sons (2017)

solitary arcs but there’s a few event tie-in issues later

Adventures of the Super Sons (2018)

literally more Super Sons adventures lol galactic shenanigans yeehaw

Challenge of the Super Sons (2020) 

Super Sons time shenanigans feat. the Justice League

Robin 80th Anniversary (2020)

"Boy Wonders" - brief Damian feature as Tim considers his next step in life

"My Best Friend" - Jon's thoughts on Damian and their dynamic

"Bat and Mouse" - refers to Damian's unfortunate Teen Titans (2016) run at the time of release which follows up with Teen Titans Annual #2 where Damian briefly gives up Robin

Extra Comics!

Superman/Batman (2003) #77

Kara and Damian in a Halloween team-up! also the appearance of "Li'l Matches" lol

DCU Halloween Special '09 "Cavity Search"

Damian out on a solo mission for Halloween night. Immediately after is Tim's Red Robin story "Then and Now: Our Father's Sins" which is more somber in contrast but also a good read!

DCU Halloween Special 2010 "Robin the Vampire Slayer"

a Dick!Batman and Robin story featuring the vampire Andrew Bennett

Cursed Comics Cavalcade (2018) "The Devil You Know"

Halloween themed comic with a sweet short story of Damian alongside Solomon Grundy

DC's Terrors Through Time (2022)

"Trick or Treat" a Super Sons Halloween story

"The Haunting of Wayne Manor" Damian and Deadman story - in the end, Boston kinda refers to Nezha's possession of Damian in Batman VS Robin (2022) which was happening at the time of this release

Batman: Li'l Gotham (2013)

lighthearted series that instantly makes me smile with the silliness and Dustin Nguyen’s art i love this dearly

Secret Origins (2014) #4 "A Boy's Life"

a retelling of Damian's origin story

Detective Comics (2016) #1001-1005

Batman and Robin vs the Arkham Knight (unrelated to the game)

Truth & Justice (2021) #6/#16 - 18 Digital First version

cute story of Damian’s birthday! Juni Ba’s art is so fun!!

DC Festival of Heroes: The Asian Superhero Celebration (2021) “Special Delivery”

short story about Damian! and poisoned pizzas. completely forgot the artist Sami Basri drew Rebirth Damian here before catboy Damian lol Cass’s story “Sounds” is also cute! Marcus makes his first appearance in "The Monkey Prince Hates Superheroes"

DC VS Vampires (2021)

Damian makes appearances throughout this elseworlds book, but the one-shot DC VS Vampires: Hunters (2022) is vampire Damian-centric!

Batman: Black and White (2021) #5

“Father & Son Outing” short story written and drawn by Jorge Jimenez!

Batman: Urban Legends (2021) #20-23

#20 “My Son” Talia and Bruce focus

#20 - 23 “The Murder Club” 4 Parts

Tiny Titans (2008) #33, #39, #45, #47

a few appearances but SO CUTE, LOOK AT HIM

*Batman and Robin (2011) reading guide

i'm mostly trying to avoid the "what did i just walk in on?" kinda feeling when i first started reading comics LOL i'll list the comics where events take place, but you don't necessarily have to read them to go through this book since things are usually explained as quickly as possible in the first page or so

#0 Someday Never Comes

Talia and baby Damian before he grows up to meet Bruce

#1-8 Born to Kill

just an incredibly solid arc for Bruce and Damian!

#9 Court of Owls Tie-In Issue

Damian VS a Court of Owls Talon. While Bruce is occupied with a home invasion of Talons, Alfred makes a call for allies to protect targeted Gotham public figures from Talons. During Batman (2011) #1-11

#10-12 Terminus

Damian challenges the previous Robins sans Steph

Batman Incorporated (2012) is occurring at this time where Talia has placed a bounty on Damian and there's small mentions of that

#13-14 Eclipsed/Devoured

mostly solitary arc! end of it leads into the Death of the Family event

#15-16 Death of the Family Tie-In Issues

Damian and Joker face-off... Alfred's been kidnapped by the Joker, and Damian goes looking for him. During Batman (2011) #13-17

#17 Life is but a Dream - Death of the Family Epilogue

a sort of subconscious check-in through the dreams of Damian, Alfred, and Bruce. Nightwing (2011) #17 features Damian encouraging Dick after Death of the Family events

#18 Undone "Requiem"

Bruce dealing with Damian's death from Batman Incorporated #8

other reactions to Damian's death: Dick in Nightwing (2011) #18, Tim in Teen Titans (2011) #18

#19-23 Denial, Rage, The Bargain, Despair, Acceptance

Bruce through the stages of grief with some batfam appearances in each. also introduces Carrie Kelley into continuity as Damian's acting tutor.

Batman (2011) #19-20 also addresses Bruce's loss

#23.1-23.4

these could be skipped - villain stories, also related to Forever Evil event.

#24-28 The Big Burn

optional Batman and Two-Face/Harvey Dent arc, #23.1 is part of this story!

Damian's resurrection and return

#29-32 The Hunt for Robin

Ras took Talia and Damian's bodies from their graves, and Bruce goes after him.

-> Robin Rises: Omega

continues events from #32. if you don't want to jump to this, basically, Glorious Godfrey and a bunch of parademons from Apokolips are here for a chaos shard which Ra's put in Damian's sarcophagus. at some point, Bruce gets a hold of the shard where he sees a vision that leads him to believe Damian can be resurrected. Godfrey ends up taking the shard, along with Damian's body since it was emitting the same energy.

#33-37 Robin Rises

Bruce hellbent on retrieving Damian from Apokolips and reviving him

-> Robin Rises: Alpha

necessary to read and continues events from #37! Damian's back with a bang lol

#38-40 Superpower

Damian adjusting to having superpowers and being alive again

Annual #1 2013 Batman Impossible

sweet (and funny) one-shot of Damian sending Bruce on a meaningful scavenger hunt around the world while Damian gets to be the cutest Batman for a bit

Annual #2 2014 Batman and Robin: Week One

one-shot takes place during Damian's absence. after Bruce and Alfred find a mystery gift left for Dick, Dick recounts a story he had told Damian from his Robin days.

Annual #3 2015 Moonshot

one-shot Batman and Robin adventure on the moon!

...and of course after Batman and Robin (2011), Damian's story continues in his first solo Robin: Son of Batman (2015)!

[useless-catalanfacts]

Video by curiosaire.vlc (Instagram, TikTok, Twitter) about the Valencian tradition of mocadorada or mocadorà on October 9th, day of love 🍈🥕🍉🍅🍆🫑🥔🥒

In the last years, the tradition of Saint Valentine's Day (a tradition from the USA to celebrate love giving chocolates) has arrived to our country too, pushed by the shops trying to sell more things. But here it's a root-less Americanizing tradition that is only celebrated by the shop chains and whose only purpose is making us feel like we need to buy things from shop chains, even though there are increasingly more young people who celebrate it. That's why there's that little joke about it in the video.

English transcription under the cut.

Video of a young white man speaking at the camera in Valencian, with captions in Valencian and English. Here are the English captions:

Saint Valentine, you're an invader! Because in València, the day of lovers is October 9th, Saint Dennis' Day. And we celebrate it with one of the prettiest traditions from the Valencian Country: the mocaorà. And it has been like this since the 15th century, when it's calculated that this tradition started. The legend says that its origin is in the offering that the farmers from Horta de València gave to king James I of Catalonia-Aragon and queen Violant of Hungary in 1238 after he conquered the city of València. What does the mocaorà consist of? It consists of giving your beloved a platter of sweets made of baked marzipan (in the shape of tiny vegetables and fruits), all wrapped in the prettiest shawl you could find. This way, the beloved can wear it in autumn, now that it starts being chilly. The platter's protagonists are two particular figures, named after two kinds of firecrackers. You don't need a master's degree in sexology to understand that they refer to male and female genitalia. King Philip V of Spain, the one who forbid speaking Valencian with the Nueva Planta decrees, didn't like this tradition, and he tried to ban it in the 18th century. Luckily, Valencians told him: (raising his middle finger) get up here and you'll see Paris (meaning go to hell) and continued celebrating it despite his pretentions. The tradition, unfortunately for the Bourbon king, still continues very alive and every year about 100,000 marzipan sweets are sold in València and the towns around it. And the truth is that it's very beautiful seeing the city's bakeries change and get colourful decorations so that lovers can celebrate their love in the sweetest way possible, not to say that they almost reach a sugar overdose, because those marzipans are so overly sweet. So remember, this October 9th is Valencian lovers' day. Saint Valentine's Day? That's a thing of the past! Celebrate Saint Dionís to be a Valencian with pedigree!

[lovelyladyabsinthewrites]

Homelander being obsessed with his sister HC IV

Warnings: heavy siblingxsibling implications, Homelander being such a narcissist that he falls in "love" with his own sibling, dubcon, noncon, manipulation, stalking, basically all the horrible parts of HL come out to play, MC has blonde hair and blue eyes like HL, different plot than 'All I Ever Wanted, All I Ever Needed', kidnapping,

I II III V

With you and Homelander demolishing the top floor of Vought Tower with your fighting, the rest of the floors are forced to evacuate.

You're younger and smaller than Homelander. Worse was your inexperience with fighting against another supe of his pedigree.

I imagine that somehow you manage to escape and get away but it's only a matter of time before Homelander sniffs you out. But both of you are battered from the fight, each tired.

He doesn't try to fight you. instead he sits down next to you, heaving out a sigh. You're scared, you won't lie. At any moment HL could just turn to you and grab you.

"I'm just. . . terrified to lose you again." HL finally admits. You've heard how he was raised. That isolating loneliness along with the terrible trials they put him through must have really fucked him up. You couldn't even fathom what he'd went through.

That was still no excuse for him kidnapping you. He understood what he had down in keeping you against your will. How else would he be sure he'd ever see you again?

There was obvious desperation in his voice, a tremor in his blue eyes as he has a death grip on your hand. He was just a child. An overgrown, murderous child that had never experienced genuine love and affection.

Don't get me wrong, you are fucking furious. You were kept against your will. You felt like his goddamn canary in a gilded cage. You'd never felt so powerless in your entire life. You hated that feeling. Was that how civilians felt around you?

All that time left alone in his apartment gave you a lot to think about. You'd rolled the situation over and over in your head. Analyzing all that you knew and all that you were still learning.

Both of you spend hours there, just talking. More than you had during your entire captivity. It was difficult for Homelander to be honest about his feelings. He told you all the fucked up shit he'd done. You tell him your own fears and he really listens.

By no means though have you forgiven him. You point that out but say "I suppose the only way you can ever get my forgiveness is if you prove to me that you're truly sorry."

You knew, in his twisted little head, that he loved you. More than anyone has. Maybe a little too much with the way he looked at you sometimes or certain things that would slip from his mouth every now and then.

If you wanted him to prove himself to you, that meant that you were willing to see him again.

You set boundaries, though a few of them you noticed him grimace at. If he wanted you in his life, willingly, he had to abide by them.

You were not going to be anyone's prisoner ever again. No matter how nicely they treated you

He wasn't going to like not having you easily accessible. This was how healthy and normal relationships worked. If there was any chance of getting you to trust him again, he'd have to go along with it.

At least it would give him the opportunity to see you and perhaps have you warmed up to him once more.

[forgottenroderick]

OOC | Varmont Marriages

in light of @forgottenmarian tryna convince roderick to consider marriages for arthur, he may end up reconsidering, in which case he'd do the same for ~all his boys, as he does try to keep things pr even between his wives and heirs etc unless he's specifically punishing someone smdh (guin we're still a ~maybe tho bc this is one of the places he ~will remember she's a girl!)! and i just thought id make a post on what ~roderick thinks his sons should look for in brides!!

BRIDES

she must be of the blood royal! of pristine pedigree and character! suitably beautiful to compliment his ~own beauty he's given his boys (yes rodierck ~is vain!) and, hopefully, from a numerous family as it may suggest a fertile wife! she must be pure in every way! she MUST be (whether by birth or conversion) of the true faith!!!!!!

so!! some ladies he might consider?

frankly, i defffff see him lamenting that ciara would've been the perfect bride for one of his sons had she not been also their own cousin SCREAM but those varmont genes are perfect!!!! smdh anyway!

aria

siobhan

this one's only possible if their bastardy is ever overturned! eilia isnt on this list, being his ~own wife and thus off the table for anyone else! laskdjflkjsdf however it is VERY possible, he would then be like 'wait no those're your aunts nm on this one!' also, being but younger sisters, they are only suitable for sebastian and not for either of his potential heirs #facepalm

sonya vasilieva

she's sooooo distant from that throne that this is more likely to be a sebastian bride too, if alaric loses interest! he's not looking to push his brother out of smth either! anyway, she'd have to take her mama's birth house as her own tho, esp given the malconaire taint once they're declared witches etc!

and here's the most likely for both arthur and edmund!

a princess from a nation as yet unconquered

in this case, he may even declare (w ~himself emperor ofc of each land, but) his son ~king of his respective bride's country kdljfalksdjfsd so...there's that (imagine having a hubby forced on you and then he's suddenly ruling your whole country after all ur male relativews have suddenly and suspiciously disappeared overnight and ur younger sisters and cousins are all being held as hostages and married off to ppl from far away -- this is the kind of father-in-law roderick would be SCREAM lakjsfkjlsdf)

so, all the ladies on this list can ultimately be possibilities for any of his sons, depending how things go, even eilia potentially, but yeah!! in terms of preferences, sebastian has a lil more wiggle room! lakjdsflkjsdf

HUSBANDS

however, depending how things go, he may think of guin marrying too!

the same credentials will apply for husbands, save he need not be pure (tho he must be discreet in any...indiscretions)! but he must be wealthy and powerful and a credit to roderick as a potential son, but also must NOT be a potential rival/threat to him! he must be himself either heir or ~ruling over whatever~ himself, no younger sons here!

(another situation where he'd be all 'alas eoin would be perfect were he not her cousin' *facepalm*)

rian

ive already discussed tho the issues w him re: cassandra and they apply ~even more so~ w guin! and note, for later, that cassimir would face these same challenges re: both daughters

marian's eldest brother!

so this one's a lil nuts and v dicey bc #varmontcivilwar so like??? will guin be able to count on him?? will arthur??? can ~he trust his own ~wife? tis a meSS! but he's a v prominent lord etc and ive already disccused that all roderick's bros in law are given quite a lot but also he's not a threat to roderick also idk if there's any royal blood, but obv he's connected to the ~imperial family and that trumps things! plus he's ovn-ian!!!! which is also a big deal to roderick so he ~could be a contender! this one's unlikely tho bc roderick does like to play his court off against itself so he does like to keep the factions ~fairly clean and obv this would uhhh not do that!!!!

godfrey calainon

soooo you might be saying to yourself -- but what about ciara??? and trust me so is roderick!! if they're married by the time this comes up, godfrey's off the table! if, however, they're still just betrothed, well, the needs of his daughter trump those of his neice, so if guin needs godfrey, ciara is getting bumped! but don't worry, ciara! if this ever transpires, ciara's getting betrothed to marian's eldest bro! (this one's unlikely tho bc itd require some wild mechanics, given all this, and would probs have smth to do w geopolitics esp re: kolchis and its neighbors, so we probs won't even get into all that ++ godfrey would be fighting it for obv reasons and we all know him to be a crafty bastard lkajsdfjkldf but anyway! i did think i should mention it bc it would be ~possible) plus this one presents all the same problems (but also the same advantages) as the above (except godfrey ~does have royal blood...potentially if the legends be true akdsljfklsdjf) and that'd probs be the major factor here -- godfrey is, in some sense, a king, and a god-king, no less, but one who is supremely loyal to roderick and his son and his queen, w a lineage that is said shall last unto the ending of the world, and even supposedly descended from a (false!) god! so some exciting stuff here for roderick to chew on but yeah! -- like all the stuff that was alluring abt amira as a wife for roderick is also tantalizing w godfrey as a husband for roderick's daughter but yeah obv supremely messy too alksdjflkdsjfjsdf this one is, however, potentially the least likely on this list, all things considered, but would potentially be brought up in a list of names for contender (tho it probs wouldn't get much past that stage)

cassimir vasiliev(a?)

same things as w sonya but yeah!! a possibility!! he'd face the same challenges as rian tho but is less enticing as he's even ~less royal~ in roderick's eyes since they were so far down the totem pole that roderick just...literally forgot to execute them alkdsjfkljsdf whereas rian's grandfather was king and rian was, in roderick's opinion, rightful king right up till the moment roderick invaded, so yeah!

(also, total side note, but im realizing that @forgottenvalentina will probs try to get @forgottenrian and sonya hitched, if the other potentials don't work out! l;kajdsfkjd he's ~also of the blood royal, and he's got lorcan if nothing else so they can hide out there while the ppl of malconaire are being mad at them alksdjfkjsdf but that's only if none of the varmonts bite after all!)

a foregin prince/king

in this case...actually not ~the most likely option, as it is w his sons?? bc he wouldn't wanna make her hubby a king!!! but he would feel guin's due being a queen in this instance but obv this is roderick so he'd struggle emotionally w naming her queen in her own right and yeah!! its a whole thing!!! but also he feels she's due this so yeah...she's least likely for anything to actually come of any of this for lotsa reasons and this is one of them!

------

to pull smth i wrote before re: cassandra marrying (but also all the more true of the heirs!):

"honestly roderick is probs starting to feel like its getting past time both his girls were married!!! fortunately for both them and for marian, all his kids need partners who’re 'worthy’ of roderick’s own legacy and, so far, that’s no one!!!!!! like, if there’s a dude that reaches those heights, roderick DESTROYS him, and if there’s a woman, roderick marries her, himself laksjfsdaf so frankly – antsy as he might feel abt it – they probs aren’t getting married (by ~his leave, anyway!) any time soon laksdjfkjdsf like it’d literally have to be like a king or smth and roderick has a habit of executing those alksjdfkljds his bio states that eilia is the only exception bc he thinks he can marry her and thus prevent astaira from revolting laksdjfkjsdf but in another world she would’ve been the ideal wife for either arthur or edmund in roderick’s own book except he doesn’t wanna give either of his boys that powerbase when he could seize it for himself smdh 

"but yeah who knows the king of orinthia might be a good match for cassandra lajsdkfasdf and i ~do think he keeps talking that way, but he does at least run it by [marian] for her thoughts bc women and marriage are a natural fit, so she gets to have an opinion there – doesn’t mean he’ll abide by it, but he ~will actually consider it alksdjfkjdsf honestly the sad thing for marian is that roderick does believe women need husbands so the girls are more likely to get married off first etc, and since guin is a potential heiress, she has to marry THE perfect speciment to carry on roderick’s legacy, basically (same w all three potential heirs), so cassandra is the one roderick’s most likely to ~actually marry off etc, w sebastian or guin just behind her (would depend on circumstances)"

and this bit too:

"so!! honestly i think rian’s idea of marrying guin is a pipedream if he wants daddy’s support in that (tho ngl running off w her or marrying her two seconds [after] roderick dies or smth are ~not off the table as far as he’s concerned, thanks to her claim!) BUT there is a varmont princess roderick ~might consider wedding to him (tho idk if he’d actually go through w it or not tbqh!) and that’s our cassandra! lbr itd be a TOTAL disaster and im guessing [marian] would v much have other ideas on that one hahahaha but anyway!!! he ticks boxes for ~roderick’s requirements:

"royal/king (since he was the firstborn male as far as roderick’s concerned pre!roderick, he should��ve been monarch, not eilia) and thus roderick assumes he’d come w the support of the most powerful single country roderick’s got/that it might help [mend] fences w the angry astairans (he is ofc quite wrong im sure, but!)

"he’s bent the knee (this does come w the backhand that roderick will never respect him but w the positive that he’s a male of royal blood whose still alive and not a direct relative lakjsdfkjsdf)

"he’s clever, capabale, and obdenient to roderick

"so yeah!! that’s all pr good as far as roderick’s concerned!! if he were to do this, he’d wanna give him smth much bigger than one single lordship, since roderick’s own grandson would stand to inherit whatever rian has etc etc etc and that has to be sufficiently grand if roderick’s bloodline will be there etc etc etc but yeah!! being real, i def think marian could easily dissuade roderick from this notion, so idk that this would ever transpire, but ~he would be all for it, even when their personalities inevitably clash lakjsfjkdsf bc lbr itd def tip roderick’s bid towards rian being named roderick’s stewart of all astaira when he inevitably moves on to conquer the next thing lkajsdklfjdsf but anyway!!! laksdjfkljdsf"

there's def more to be said here but anyway i thought id just toss this out for plotting purposes, should marian prove successful in her bid! but yeah idk that any of the current characters would ultimately hit roderick's standard, as it currently stands, largely bc...in the long run, ~no one~ will ever be good enough for any of them but for guin in particular!! but yeah stuff might get thrown around anyway if he thinks he's being open to this now!

[anhed-nia]

BLOGTOBER 10/2/2024: THE STRANGER WITHIN (1974)

I wish I had made this the first movie of the season, because it was an ABC Movie of the Week from October 1, 1974! I really enjoyed this weird thriller about how Barbara Eden gets pregnant despite her husband George Grizzard's vasectomy, and her increasingly bizarre behavior suggests that something more than infidelity is afoot. Screenwriter Richard Matheson adapted his own 1953 novelette Trespass, and I have learned that a novelette is longer than a short story and shorter than a novella. I did not know this.

Roe v. Wade was codified the year before THE STRANGER WITHIN came out, and the film is full of casual but surprisingly frank remarks why a person might need an abortion. Barbara Eden had a traumatic miscarriage not long ago, which motivated George Grizzard's vasectomy, and his suspicions about her mysterious new pregnancy are threatening the integrity of the marriage, and then she starts getting sort of sick or something--so it's clear that a person might be reasonably entitled to end a pregnancy based on various quality of life issues for the child and the mother. I wonder if it was a big deal for Barbara Eden to choose to do this movie where she and her costar regularly and openly discuss abortion with no moral quibbling. I wonder also if it was a big deal for ABC to show it, at the dawn of legal abortion.

Anyway, soon the couple has bigger problems than family planning, because Barbara Eden becomes hypersensitive to sound, and she needs the house to be ice cold, and she makes weird paintings, and she eats pounds and pounds of salt with scalding black coffee, and she craves information which she absorbs through her hands, rubbing and touching and feeling everything in the library. The couple gets Bob the hypnotist (David Doyle) involved, and it seems like hypnotism is a really great job if you are a gigantic busybody who immediately asks and won't stop asking probing personal questions, even if people beg you to stop. Anyway, Bob has one of the best lines of dialog I've heard all year: "Why do people always assume that anything from outer space is horrible?"

THE STRANGER WITHIN is not a perfect film; it's an obvious ROSEMARY'S BABY knockoff with a little EXORCIST sprinkled in, and for a movie that is only 75 minutes long it has a few too many long scenes of Barbara Eden wandering aimlessly in nature as she communes with whatever knocked her up. But it's intriguing and entertaining, and it seems like everyone enjoyed making it, especially cinematographer Michael D. Margulies whose pedigree includes John Cassavetes' MINNIE AND MOSKOWITZ, POLICE ACADEMY, DIRTY MARY CRAZY LARRY, and of course, THE BABY. Night scenes are illuminated by dramatic pools of light and splashes of saturated color, which heightens the drama even of exposition and repetitive bickering; it's just a fun movie overall. Recommended for viewers who assume that anything from outer space is horrible.

[whencyclopedia]

John Marshall

John Marshall (1755-1835) was an American lawyer and statesman, who served as the fourth chief justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1801 until his death in 1835. Considered one of the most influential chief justices in US history, Marshall participated in over 1,000 decisions, including Marbury v. Madison, which established the principle of judicial review.

Early Life & Revolution

John Marshall was born on 24 September 1755 in a log cabin in the frontier community of Germantown, in Fauquier County, Virginia. He was the eldest of 15 children born to Thomas Marshall, a land surveyor who, over the course of his career, would accumulate some 200,000 acres (81,000 ha) of land spread out across Virginia and Kentucky, making him one of the largest landowners along this frontier. Thomas Marshall, who had worked alongside a young George Washington to survey the land that would become Fauquier County, eventually became one of the county's most prominent citizens, serving as its first sheriff and later as its representative to the House of Burgesses in Williamsburg. In 1754, Thomas married Mary Randolph Keith, a reverend's daughter who was related to both of Virginia's leading families, the Randolphs and the Lees. She gave birth to John a year after her marriage; through her, John Marshall was a distant cousin of Thomas Jefferson, his future political rival.

Despite the pedigree of his mother's side of the family, John Marshall did not receive a gentleman's education. Instead, he was raised on the frontier, first in the wilderness of Fauquier County and later in the Blue Ridge Mountain region. He was easy-going, with simple tastes in clothing and food, and a manner that was rustic yet pleasant. His black eyes were said to have been full of intelligence and good humor, and his boisterous laugh was enough to put anyone at ease; one future colleague would later recall that Marshall's laugh was "too hearty for an intriguer" (Wood, 434). He was mostly home-schooled by his parents, although he did receive a few months of formal education at an academy where he befriended future president James Monroe. His education was cut short, however, by the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War in 1775. His father had supported the Patriot cause and joined a militia regiment leaving John, dutiful to both father and homeland, to quickly follow suit.

In 1776, Marshall was incorporated into the Continental Army as a lieutenant. In the autumn of 1777, he served under General Washington in the Philadelphia Campaign, seeing action at the Battle of Brandywine and the Battle of Germantown. When the army hunkered down for a bitter winter at Valley Forge, Marshall suffered through the cold and the hunger, shivering side by side with the other men; when the winter snows thawed into springtime mud, he drilled with them as well. In 1780, having risen to the rank of captain, Marshall was furloughed from the army and went off to the College of William & Mary to study law. As he left the military behind, Marshall reflected on his wartime experiences and came away with two beliefs that would greatly impact his career. The first was a fierce admiration for George Washington, whose integrity and determination led Marshall to believe that he was "the greatest man on earth" (Wood, 434). Second was a belief that the nation, were it to survive, needed a strong central government; Marshall's experience at Valley Forge, where Congress had struggled to keep the army supplied with adequate food and clothing, had been enough to convince him of that. Armed with these convictions, Marshall set out to embark on a legal career, one that would shape the destiny of the infant United States.

Continue reading...

[thelastspeecher]

elishevart replied to your post: “elishevart replied to your post: “elishevart...”

Max could still be the one that spots him, maybe at an auction.

​I'm into the idea of Stan experiencing some time as a horse before finding safety with the McGuckets, and @vulpixen actually suggested that Jimmy Snakes finds Stan shortly after he turns into a horse.

so here's the idea:

Stan is smoking a cigarette outside the Stanmobile the day he rode Angie (bc that was the McGucket that he rode that resulted in him getting the "gift"). dusk falls, and he turns into a buckskin Irish Draught horse stallion.

Jimmy Snakes, who was tailing Stan for, idk, some sort of nefarious reason (I'm gonna go with they had some sort of history together but ended badly), comes across the Stanmobile. horse Stan, who is still panicking but has worn himself out, has stayed in the area.

Jimmy Snakes likes motorcycles but he also likes horses, and he decides to keep this stallion for himself. the horse seems like a good quality one, probably escaped from a high-end horse farm. but he's unable to stay on the stallion for more than a minute. the stallion isn't broken, and he can't break the stallion himself.

so he decides to put up the horse at a local auction. the youngest McGucket son, Lute, is attending the auction with his best friend, Max Hillcrest. the McGuckets don't attend auctions unless they know an Irish Draught is up for sale, but in this case Stan was too late of an entry for them to be interested in this auction. but Max is looking for a new horse, and dragged his bestie along with him.

Lute immediately can tell that there's something special about horse Stan. something magically special. he gets in contact with his family, who agrees to put up the money for the horse. luckily, even tho horse Stan is a very good quality horse, his lack of a history and pedigree papers, and the fact he hasn't been broken yet at his age, means that Lute's able to get him for a v reasonable price.

and then, like you were suggesting, this eventually turns into Stan deciding to stay with the McGuckets not just bc he needs to learn how to do his horse stuff and he bonds with them, but also bc he feels a need to work off his perceived "debt", as the McGuckets literally paid money to free him.

[themovieblogonline]

Michael Leavy’s Stream is a nostalgic love letter to slasher horror that blends old-school scares with a modern edge. With a powerhouse ensemble of horror icons, including Danielle Harris, Tony Todd, Jeffrey Combs, and David Howard Thornton, the film promises gore, tension, and inventive kills—elements that should delight fans of the genre. Yet, despite its high ambitions and genre pedigree, Stream doesn’t quite escape the pitfalls of disjointed storytelling and overstuffed ideas, making it more of a mixed bag than a horror classic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE2xsAN43bI Premise: The film’s premise is immediately captivating, setting the stage at a remote hotel where the Keenan family, already fraying at the edges due to their daughter's rebellious behavior, finds themselves trapped in a nightmare orchestrated by a group of masked killers. The live-streaming element, where the murders are broadcast to eager viewers bidding on the players, injects a fresh take on the familiar slasher formula, echoing the voyeuristic horror of films like Hostel and The Purge. The concept of a killer game being streamed for profit resonates with the modern era, tapping into fears about technology’s dark side. However, this is where the movie’s cracks start to show. While the setup is effective, Stream stumbles with its pacing. The film tries to juggle multiple plot threads simultaneously, introducing various masked killers (dubbed "players") with differing personalities and methods, while also exploring the dynamics of the Keenan family, retired officer Dave Burnham, and hotel manager Mr. Lockwood (Jeffrey Combs). The sheer number of characters and subplots often detracts from the film’s focus, leading to a fragmented narrative that can feel overwhelming and hard to follow. Performances: One of Stream's most significant strengths is its cast of horror legends. Jeffrey Combs as Mr. Lockwood delivers a wonderfully sinister performance, embodying a character that’s equal parts creepy and calculating. He brings gravitas to every scene he’s in, giving the film a much-needed anchor amidst the chaos. Charles Edwin Powell’s portrayal of Roy Keenan, the desperate father trying to protect his family, is grounded and relatable, providing a touch of humanity in a film full of carnage. Tim Reid as Dave Burnham, a retired police officer with a murky past, adds an air of mystery and unpredictability. The supporting cast of killers, especially David Howard Thornton (best known for his role as Art the Clown in Terrifier), provides an eclectic mix of terror. Thornton’s physicality and menacing presence are a standout, contributing to some of the film’s more brutal and creative kills. Underused actors: Unfortunately, despite these strong performances, not all the characters are given enough room to breathe. Dee Wallace’s Linda Spring and Danielle Harris’s role feel underutilized, with their potential for more significant contributions to the narrative left untapped. The Keenan family dynamic, while emotionally charged, gets sidelined by the film’s insistence on showcasing the gore and spectacle of the live-streamed murders. Bloody carnage galore: For fans of practical effects and gnarly kills, Stream doesn’t disappoint. The film revels in its slasher roots, with an array of gruesome deaths that are sure to make even the most seasoned horror aficionados squirm. Michael Leavy’s direction shines in the film’s set pieces, with tension building around every corner as the masked killers hunt their prey in increasingly inventive and violent ways. From power drills to hatchets, the kills are creative, bloody, and brutal, reminiscent of 80s slasher fare but with a modern polish. The film’s use of masks, each player having a distinct persona, adds a layer of intrigue to the proceedings. The enigmatic Player One, the sibling duo Player Two and Player Three, and the hulking Player Four all bring their own styles of mayhem, each with their unique visual identity. While this variety adds flavor to the violence, it also muddies the waters when it comes to coherence, as the film struggles to keep all these moving parts organized. Claustrophia and color: Leavy and his team excel in creating a sense of claustrophobia and dread within the confines of the hotel. The setting, reminiscent of classic horror locales like the Overlook Hotel from The Shining, works well as an isolated battleground for the Keenan family’s survival. The dimly lit hallways, strategically placed cameras, and the looming presence of the masked killers contribute to the overall atmosphere of unease. The film’s color palette and use of shadows further evoke a retro feel, grounding it in the aesthetic of 70s and 80s horror. Where Stream falters, however, is in its reliance on the “live-stream” gimmick. While the idea of killers being auctioned to the highest bidder and broadcast to an audience is clever, the execution feels underdeveloped. The film doesn’t fully explore the implications of this voyeuristic setup, and the focus on the bidding war element feels more like a distraction than a central theme. A more in-depth exploration of the audience’s role and their sadistic desires could have added thematic weight to the film. Overall: Stream delivers on its promise of a bloody good time, with enough gore, tension, and memorable performances to satisfy die-hard slasher fans. Its blend of retro and modern horror elements, coupled with its talented cast, makes it a fun ride through the bloody corridors of the hotel. However, its lack of narrative focus, underdeveloped subplots, and a barrage of characters and ideas prevent it from reaching the heights of the slasher greats it draws inspiration from. For those seeking a nostalgic, gore-filled throwback with some inventive twists, Stream will hit the right notes. But for those craving a tighter, more coherent story with emotional depth, it may feel more like a missed opportunity. Still, Michael Leavy’s film is a testament to the enduring appeal of the slasher genre, even if it doesn’t fully escape the traps it sets for itself.

[elmaestrostan]

Paywalled article text under the cut because I gotchu

Ange Postecoglou and Unai Emery are second coming of messiah managers

Through their infectious intensity and emotional intelligence, Premier League’s best new imports in the dugout prove that the manager is still the main man in an age of data and player power

Sitting with Unai Emery recently, at Aston Villa’s training ground, the biggest takeaway was rarity: here was one of those few people you meet with the power to pour their own take on the world into ­others.

In Emery’s case, through his quirky magnetism, that involves getting whole football clubs to share his ferocious drive. I’d observed him in the canteen, staff hanging on his words and poking his head out of a door was Monchi — one of the game’s great sporting directors, lured to Aston Villa because of the man in charge.

The whole experience was a lesson in messiahs, in how football may change but one of its central principles remains the same: the individual, on a team, on a scene, on a culture, can be transformative. In football, such menschenfangers, to borrow a German word (literally meaning ­“people catcher”) that brilliantly describes such types, are very nearly always managers.

There was the same feeling watching Ange Postecoglou at a League Managers Association conference last week. He was the last speaker of a full programme but had a full room of delegates rapt. He has been in English football less than six months but has had an impact on the culture — and not only at Tottenham Hotspur. His wisdom has made people consider things a little differently, like this idea he shared with delegates: “I’ve never let the scoreboard dictate the way I want to build sides.”

It maybe wasn’t supposed to be this way. Data, sports science, sporting directors and bulging support staffs were supposed to lessen reliance on the dugout. Instead, we keep seeing proof of Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenet that “the manager has to be the most important person in the club”.

This weekend is one of messiahs clashing. After Pep Guardiola v Jürgen Klopp yesterday comes Postecoglou v Emery, the first two being the most important recruits to the Premier League of the past decade, the latter pair its most important signings of the past year. Emery is overseeing his 38th league match with Villa, having won 74 points from his 37 games, compared with Villa taking 41 points from the 37 games preceding that.

Postecoglou has also driven a big change in results but his influence has also been on psyche, with the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a church of joy where, before, it seemed an anticlimactic mall. Spurs may have squandered leads to lose their past two matches, yet Ben Davies, the defender, spoke only about the positives. “We’re all determined, knowing the manager has our back, that we can bounce back and we’re going to go at it, playing our way,” he said. “When you’re a kid, it was everyone’s dream to play football and everybody’s achieved that just by being at this level. In the manager’s mindset, that has to be our fuel. You have that love of the game.”

A Premier League head scout, acknowledged for helping to build a title-winning team, has no problem with the idea that the manager is still by far the key figure in the creation of successful sides. “You can never underestimate the influence of the right manager,” he said.

“I think we’re all looking for players who we feel are unicorns and difference-makers, but the reality is the manager can be the biggest influencer. The competitiveness and level of coaches in the Premier League is now off the scale so if you don’t have a coach with proven pedigree then you’re already offering something up to your opponents.”

The process for recruiting managers has, accordingly, mushroomed in sophistication. When Barnsley, of League One, appointed Neill Collins in the summer it was after a recruitment search so detailed that even before the interview stage candidates had to fill in a questionnaire of 75 questions.

At Premier League level, enlightened recruiters try to pinpoint the “added value” a manager brings. This can be gauged by comparing the performance data of players before and after candidates arrived in their previous jobs, how many players have achieved international recognition under their tutelage and the growth (or decline) in market values of their squads.

Another measure involves looking at Elo numbers. The Elo rating system is a method for calculating performance capability, first applied to chess. In football it can be applied to rank teams (the Fifa rankings derive from the concept), looking at their past results. One way of assessing managerial impact is to examine what happens to a team’s Elo during their stewardship. Emery had an incredible Elo rating even before joining Villa, while Postecoglou has upped the standard everywhere he has managed, accruing league titles with four teams in three countries. The ability to transfer skills to different environments is another element smart clubs scrutinise when looking at managers.

At the conference, Postecoglou spoke fascinatingly about working in Japan, where he had to rethink completely what he considers his biggest managerial attribute: communication. He talked also about adapting to becoming older as a coach. Now 58, he recognises that he is of an entirely different generation from his players and it is one reason why he spends as little time as possible in the dressing room, regarding it as his players’ space, and delivering only brief team talks before getting himself out of there. “I can’t stay because of their music anyway, oh my God,” he said.

He is all about planting seeds, rather than cutting people down, adhering to another great Fergie insight: because of the change in young people, good management has “moved from a demanding culture to a convincing one.” A core Postecoglou-ism is: “I’m not big on rules, I’m massive on values.” And he says: “I can’t tell young people what to do any more. I have to give them a reason.”

Emery manages more by intensity but with a style no less tailored to the modern age. A few years ago Eric Black, a brilliant training-ground coach who counts Villa among his former clubs, told me that a big difference in modern players is how savvy they are about what makes a good (or bad) session. They’ve grown up with analysis and methodologies, and will offer critiques when training falls short of certain standards.

Emery puts a detail into training and individual work that blows players away. He, like Postecoglou, is about projecting football as a higher cause. A mantra is that players should devote “at least 70 per cent” of themselves to football. “Yes, enjoy life, but enjoy life through football — not through life, through football,” Emery told me. “Even when you’re at a party, even when you are on holiday in the summer on the beach, think football.”

Emery was not afraid to tell me that he dreams of winning the Champions League with Villa and that “I’m going to fight for my dreams, always.” Postecoglou told the conference that he had “no endgame” in mind for his career, just the mission he started out with: “I want to build teams people remember.”

At Spurs, at Villa, the transformations underline that managers remain the game’s builders and “people-catchers”.

[shiyorin]

What kind of dog breeds are primarchs?

I'm in my freetime :v

Lion El'Jonson is a German Shepherd. Big, strong, and serious. Just like a German Shepherd, he has an almost supernatural intuition that allows him to understand how people tick and what they feel through a mere glance at their eyes. He's a bit more cold and logical, though while he has an extreme sense of honor and loyalty, he's willing to sacrifice for it, and to sacrifice others for it.

Fulgrim is an Old English Sheepdog since he's proud of his pedigree and he places a lot of emphasis on aesthetics. He's got a pretty face and big fur, and like a lot of Old English Sheepdogs, he's extremely aloof, he refuses to do anything that would get him messy or dirty, like rolling around in the mud or swimming through a lake. He's a primarch, after all. He has standards to uphold.

Perturabo is a Boxer. Big, stocky, and kinda dumb (he'll never admit it himself). He's extremely stubborn, refuses to listen to anyone, and only ever listens to himself. Just like a Boxer, he's far more capable than people give him credit for. He's just very bad at using that capability effectively, so he has a reputation as being stubborn and stupid (or even downright petty).

Jaghatai Khan is a Greyhound. Big, tall, strong, and extremely fast, he'll never hesitate to race forward and fight whatever opponent is in his way. He'll race past everyone else and not even wait because he's so fast. He's the kind of person who knows exactly when a conversation has lost its meaning and won't hesitate to get to the point, much like a greyhound. He's blunt, but not quite rude.

Leman Russ is a Husky, and he's a great example of the breed on two levels. He's incredibly friendly to those he knows, but will not hesitate to challenge anyone else to a fight for the slightest provocation. He's a warm person, and is a very loyal friend, but is perfectly willing to go to violence without warning. He'll do whatever it takes to protect those he likes without hesitation.

Rogal Dorn is a Doberman, he's very capable, and he's got a certain sense of nobility to him unlike many others. He's got a deep sense of honor and duty, and will go into any battle knowing full well that he'll win it. Just like a Doberman, he's serious that stoicism can be intimidating and make him difficult to crack. But he'll always do the right thing, no matter the personal cost.

Konrad Curze would likely be a Dalmatian since he's got spots and he's a little crazy. However, he's also not the kind of guy who's too crazy to understand what's going on. He's fully aware of his actions, he just chooses to do bad things. He's got self-awareness but instead of changing his ways, he uses it to justify continuing his reign of terror.

Sanguinius would be a Golden Retriever mixed with a Saint Bernard—he's got all the good boy energy of a Golden Retriever while also being a massive floof. He's extremely warm, kind, and just a good guy—he's always on the side of good. But when it's time to fight, he gets very serious, especially in response to a threat against his people. His rage is an awesome and terrible thing.

Ferrus Manus would be a Bulldog since he's big, stocky, and very stubborn. He'll often take on a leadership role and he's got an iron will, but those qualities can also make him cold and harsh. He's a very serious figure, he'll listen to others if he finds them important, but generally, he'll just go the logical and most efficient route.

Angron would be a Pitbull. Big, strong, and full of rage, he's got a bit of an anger problem and tends to take his hatred out on whatever's nearest. He's also very protective of his people even if nobody's trying to hurt them, much like a pitbull, Angron's a big guy who doesn't take kindly to people hurting those he loves. He's quick to anger and will never apologize for it.

Roboute Guilliman would be one of the larger breeds of Labrador since he's very intelligent and surprisingly gentle for one of his size. He's got a strong, firm hold on what his people need, especially because he knows how to play the political game and make the smartest move in a situation. He's also got a friendly smile that can convince almost anyone to work with him. He's got a lot of qualities that make people like him, much like a labrador.

Mortarion would be a Mastiff since their very presence and very existence seems to irritate everybody else. He's got a tough, stoic exterior, and he's pretty stubborn—he refuses to change his tactics for anything unless those tactics have proven ineffective. Mortarion would be the kind of guy to look down on people who use any other strategies. Just like a Mastiff, Mortarion acts as if he knows best. Also, Mortarion is a little bit stinky.

Magnus would be a St. Bernard because he's a massive floof. He's intelligent, curious, maybe a bit too curious and has a very regal look to him. He's a tall guy, much like a St. Bernard, and is pretty good with people and the sciences. He's got a kind of charm that can be hard to deny.

Horus Lupercal would indeed be a Great Dane. Extremely imposing and strong, he can be very intimidating with just his figure alone. He's got a bit of a pride streak and a natural confidence that comes with being in power. He's a very good leader and a natural strategist, and he can even be friendly when he's in a good mood. He's a natural ruler and he knows it. But Horus isn't a good boy.

Lorgar Aurelian would be great fit for a Border Collie, he's very intelligent, very religious and reverent. He's a firm leader when it comes to a group of people who all share the same beliefs, much like a Border Collie, and he's willing to go to nearly any lengths to get his followers to follow him. He's a firm idealist, and he's more of a visionary than a warrior.

Vulkan would be a Newfoundland because he's big and friendly. It's extremely difficult to dislike him because there's not a person around who would ever speak ill of Vulkan. He's tall, burly, and incredibly strong, just like a Newfoundland and that is a good thing. Vulkan is more than willing to give his all to the Imperium if he believes in the cause. He's a walking tank who just wants to be a good person.

Corvus Corax would be a Basenji since he's quiet and he's got a mysterious quality to him that can be difficult to pin down. He's the quietest and like a Basenji, he's got a soft appearance but he can be surprisingly formidable if riled. He can blend into dark environments and disappear almost immediately, much like a Basenji. He's incredibly elusive which is impressive and terrifying all at once.

Alpharius and Omegon would indeed be two Chihuahuas. They're very fast, intelligent, and they're easily the most elusive of their siblings. Like most Chihuahuas, they're not very strong, but they're incredibly fast and capable... and they're always hiding something.

[scotianostra]

On August 22nd 1567 James Stewart, Earl of Moray was proclaimed Regent of Scotland.

It seems to be almost every post I do about men in power, it involves them switching sides, the Earl of Moray certainly did that several times.

Like many a prominent Stewart, James Stewart was illegitimate. He had a good pedigree, of course, as he was the illegitimate son of James V and his favourite mistress Lady Margaret Douglas, wife of Sir Robert Douglas of Lochleven and daughter of John Erskine, 5th Lord Erskine. He was thus the half brother of Mary I, Queen of Scots.

Illegitimacy was never a barrier to success for sons of Kings as the likes of Stewart were often granted positions of privilege. In such a fashion, James Stewart was made Prior of St. Andrews in his youth, but he was never intended for a career in the Church. Initially putting these men in positions like this was a device that enabled James V to take the Abbey’s income into his own hands; income that later fell to James Stewart.

Prior to 1562, Stewart was known as Lord James, but this notable quasi-Royal rose to become the 1st Earl of Moray, the Earl of Mar (briefly) and Regent of Scotland.

Unsurprisingly, religion played a big part in the life of James Stewart. Like many another, he came under the influence of the ideas of Protestant reformers such as George Wishart and John Knox. Like many another, he also abandoned the Catholic faith and joined the Protestant Lords of the Congregation and is regarded as one of the founding figures of the Scottish Church. His change of faith wasn’t the only switch he made in his career, which gets, largely speaking, a good press.

Switching religion led James Stewart to rebel against his legitimate Queen, Marie de Guise, in 1559-60, but despite that switch, in 1561, he helped negotiate the return of his half sister, when she found herself surplus to requirements in France. With masterful political poise, he reverted to being a supporter of the Crown and became Chief Adviser to Mary I, Queen of Scots, managing to moderate some of the more extreme Calvinists, which helped the Catholic Mary survive in a Scotland in the throes of a Protestant Reformation. He was rewarded with the Earldom of Moray on the 30th of January, 1562, and made it his business to pursue a policy of amity with England.

Moray switched sides yet again when Mary married Henry Stewart (distant relation) in 1565. Moray’s political policies and religious adherence meant he had no choice but to oppose the marriage, which pushed him into a rebellion known as the ‘Chaseabout Raid’ and subsequent exile in England.

Whilst in England, he conspired from a distance with the murderers of ‘Fiddler Davie’ Rizzio, but Mary was oblivious to his involvement and he was able to return to Scotland after she gave him a pardon. So, notionally at least, he was back on her side and, at the time of Darnley’s assassination, Moray contrived to be in France, which is where he remained whilst the Bothwell affair panned out.

When Mary abdicated at Loch Leven in July of 1567, in favour of her son, the infant King James VI, Moray was appointed Regent of Scotland and returned to the opposing side once more. It seems that he may well have “reaped the fruits of the conspiracies” surrounding the murders of Rizzio and Darnley. After Mary escaped from Loch Leven on the 2nd of May, he was instrumental in her defeat at the Battle of Langside on the 13th of May, 1568, which forced her to exile and doom in England.

That makes five changes of side, but doesn’t stop posterity praising his time as Regent for having secured both civil and ecclesiastical peace, and the title of ‘The Good Regent’. Interestingly, an entry for Moray in the reference standard 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica concludes that James Stewart “…pursued his sister with a calculated animosity, which would not have spared her life had this been necessary to his end or been favoured by Elizabeth.” Perhaps Moray’s most important legacy was that his actions ensured James VI was raised a Protestant, which led to the Union of the Crowns in 1603, when, as Nigel Tranter called him, "Shaughling Jamie Saxt" succeeded Elizabeth I. Shaughling Jamie Sax meaning shuffling James VI.

Uniquely, Moray has the dubious distinction of being the victim of the World’s first ever recorded assassination by a firearm. That occurred on the 23rd of January, 1570, when Moray was the ‘mark’ in a professional ‘hit’ perpetrated by James Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh, a staunch and disgruntled supporter of Mary. Hamilton shot from his ‘lie’ behind a window at his uncle’s house in Linlithgow and fatally wounded Moray as he was passing in a cavalcade in the main street below.

Hamilton, like a true sniper, escaped to obscurity, but Moray’s death elevated him to the status of a Scottish Protestant martyr. His funeral in Edinburgh’s St. Giles’ Cathedral on the 14th of February was an occasion of much public mourning, graced by the presence of the less than graceful John Knox, who preached the sermon, and George Buchanan, who read the epitaph. James Stewart was buried in St. Anthony’s aisle in St. Giles’.

The pic is the “Gude Regent” circa 1568.