#*points at valre*

[asexxxualerotica]

OC Muse List

~RWBY Muses~

Stark Ryker: Rough punk student of Beacon Academy, and member of Team VALR. Was previously partner to Roman Torchwick and Neo, but was offered a deal by Ozpin after a job gone wrong. Also apparently Cinder's long-lost twin.

Fenris Silbern: Wolf faunus mercenary originally hailing from Atlas. High-ranking member of the White Fang hierarchy and long-time friend of Sienna Khan. Has an on-again-off-again relationship with Willow Schnee behind her husband's back.

Midnight "Madds" Maddison: Former student of Beacon Academy, now an established clothing designer for Huntsmen Outfitters. Shop located in Vale, often lends his expertise to students.

Sebastian Silke: Moth faunus former student of Beacon Academy, now a wealthy Dust magnate based out of Eastern Vacuo. Largest commercial rival to the SDC, and personal rival and enemy to Jacques. Possibly has been providing Dust to the White Fang?

Hozukimaru Wukong: Sun's distant father. Monkey faunus, and Combat Instructor at Shade Academy in Vacuo. Also was third founding member of the White Fang, and continues to support their actions and missions in secret.

Team CROS: An all-Faunus team of Huntsman students at Beacon Academy, currently in their fourth and final year of studies.

Caine Taurus: Team Leader of CROS and younger brother to Adam/Eve Taurus. Secretly infiltrated Beacon to recruit other Faunus to the White Fang's mission. Bull faunus.

Roman Westward: Caine's partner and teammate, hailing from Vacuo. Grew up on a ranch and has a history dealing with bandits and cattle rustlers. Horse faunus.

Orion Verte: Seven foot tall and seven foot wide beast of muscle and mass. Hails from Patch and was a childhood friend of Ruby and Yang before he moved. Bear faunus.

Sirius Silbern: Orion's partner, hailing from Atlas. Son of Fenris Silbern and Willow Schnee, raised by his father when it became clear he was a faunus. Wolf faunus.

The Zirconias: A powerful family of Grimmfolk who live at the northern-most point of Solitas, hidden by a perpetual blizzard.

Baelfieyr Zirconia: Commonly referred to as Baelz. The father and founder of the house, turned into a Grimm by the Brothers over 10,000 years ago. Also generally married to Pyrrha Nikos, among a few others who stumbled upon his hidden castle.

Zephyr Zirconia-Nikos: Baelz's firstborn and eldest son. Takes after his father closest out of all of his children, and has already been made aware will be taking over lordship once Baelz decides to move on.

Scarlet Zirconia-Nikos: Baelz's second-born and eldest daughter. A prodigy in magic and the first of his children to learn how to travel across the dimensions. Also has a great love of the arts.

Lupin Zirconia-Nikos: Baelz's third-born and last by Pyrrha. Woefully untalented in magic, but known for being extremely hard working and genuinely dangerous in hand-to-hand combat. Tends to wander, looking for a place to be useful.

Bast Zirconia-Belladonna: Baelz's first-born by Kali. Partially a cat faunus and notoriously lazy. Tends to sleep her days away, avoiding responsibilities, and sneaking away for lively night parties.

Shrike Zirconia-Branwen: Baelz's first-born by Raven. Known for being extremely shy as a child and nervous around people when she was younger. Now a bit more open, enjoys traveling to other dimensions and doing some sight-seeing and friend-making.

Krystal Zirconia-Schnee: Baelz's first-born by Weiss. Extremely gifted in both her mother's Glyphs and her father's Magic. Particularly mischievous, leading more people to the castle.

Cherrybomb Alistair: Shark Faunus daughter of Fox Alistair and Neopolitan in the not too distant future. Known for her spunky and cavalier attitude, and her attraction to older men—especially professors. Currently attending Beacon Academy.

Garnet Foxx: Fox faunus performer and porn star, very popular on the spicy porn site OnlyFauns. Attended lower-level Huntsman schools but never pursued a full Huntsman training. Based out of Vale.

Yukon Gold: Bison faunus hailing from central Vale, mostly a humble woodsman handling a diminishing logging business. Has an innate distrust of Huntsmen, and so deals with Grimm by himself.

Calypso Nightshade: The younger sister of Kali Belladonna. Known as Lady Nightshade, a popular lounge singer in Mistral. Also known for her sexual performances in White Fang associated hang outs.

Acai Nymphaea: Third year Haven student known for skipping classes and sneaking off campus for some extra fun. Would rather be doing anything other than learning to be a huntress.

Chandra Nocturne: The boss of the Midnight Crime family in Atlas. Keeps up the appearance of a beautiful and mysterious socialite and entrepreneur in social life while secretly controlling the city.

[alrikhart]

The Whispering Blade

a raven drops an iron coin for you to pick up…

TARGET: Isolde Thorne OOC INFO: A master assassin in her own right, Isolde sold her soul for unparalleled sword skills, now she must use her skills to eliminate those who impede the Dark One's plans. Conveniently, she's already targeting you. She is known for her cruelty and efficiency. LOCATION: Aventia, Borderreach, Lysara. PAYMENT: 7 iron coins REQUIREMENT: 2.5k word self para

notes: before scouting mission... The raven’s dark wings beat soundlessly against the air as it descended through the misty morning, its form a shadow against the rising sun. Over the siege it descended from Ymir's Spine, even against the blighted backdrop, Alrik would've noticed its familiar descent. Overhead Valr cried, and from where Alrik stood upon the parapet, his breath barely visible in the cold air as he watched the bird approach. He extended a gloved hand, and with a soft flutter, the raven dropped an iron coin into his palm before disappearing into the early fog. Alrik’s obsidian eyes, hard as ice, stared at the coin resting in his palm. The weight of iron in his hand held a promise. A contract.

A name that stirred something in him, not fear, but a sharp awareness. Isolde was no ordinary mark. She was a legend in her own right, he'd heard of her since coming to Lysara. Isolde's name was entrenched within the underworld and more than once his keen ears had picked up talk of her within the Cisterns. Further to the point - the irony wasn't lost on him; she was already hunting him, and this contract only solidified what Alrik already knew; it was going to be her or him.

Alrik had done his share of research from the time that he began to understand that someone was circling him. Her informants were picking away at him, and with his own line of questioning, he came to understand that Isolde was potentially a darkfriend. Those were the rumors - she'd sold her soul for unmatched ability. Alrik’s skills, on the other hand, honed as they were, couldn't compare to those who'd been gifted through dark pacts. He'd need to tread carefully because an outright conflict would spell his end.

The coin felt cold against his skin, but it wasn’t the iron that made him pause - it was the realization that this would not be like any other contract. Isolde was formidable, and more importantly, she was hunting him just as he was now tasked to hunt her. The game of predator and prey was set.

He slipped the coin into his pocket and slipped away into the shadows. Away from sight, Alrik's hunt began. Countless coins had come into his collection while within Iskaldrik, but now since entering the Queendom Isolde was only the second. He would not forget the bloated face of that man at the Winter Palace but killing Isolde would not be as easy as killing him. Back then all it had taken was some poison.

Aventia sprawled before him like a wounded beast. Tall, dark towers stretched into the sky, their silhouettes jagged against the overcast heavens. Alrik had spent the last three days laying the groundwork, scouting the city, and marking Isolde’s movements. The situation with the darkspawn made havoc a convenient accessory to his crime. Still, tracking Isolde hadn’t been easy. She was a ghost, appearing only briefly, always leaving behind the corpses of those who had tried to cross her path. He had found traces of her work - clean kills, no hesitation, a blade driven straight through the heart or slit throats with surgical precision.

He’d tracked her to an old, abandoned cathedral on the outskirts of Aventia, a place steeped in decay and whispers of ancient magic. It was the perfect place for their inevitable confrontation. Isolde’s hideout, and the site where Alrik would turn the hunter into the hunted.

Alrik crouched in the belfry of the cathedral, watching the world below with the eyes of a hawk. The air was thick with tension as if even the city knew what was about to unfold. The cathedral was silent, save for the occasional creak of old wood and the faint rustling of wind through shattered windows. Beyond its stone walls, the city remained under siege - seemingly unaware of the serpent in their midst. Isolde was a darkfriend and the Dark One's army was at their gates. It did not take an expert to judge why the pattern had dispatched a soldier to cut her down. Alrik had trained for this, killing people like Isolde was why he willfully waded through the dark.

His tattoos shimmered faintly under his skin, the runes pulsing in time with his heartbeat. He could feel the power coursing through him, ready to be called upon at a moment’s notice. He inhaled deeply, centering himself, knowing that every second would count when Isolde arrived. The trick wouldn’t be just killing her - it would be outsmarting her, a task that few could claim to have accomplished.

He had set his trap well. A series of illusions, wards, and triggers that would mislead and disorient her, leading her straight into his ambush. But he couldn’t underestimate her. Isolde was more than just a skilled assassin - she was a predator, one who thrived on the thrill of the hunt. She’d be expecting something, anything that would give her the upper hand. He had to be one step ahead.

The hours passed slowly. Nightfall crept across Aventia, casting long shadows over the streets. Alrik remained motionless, waiting, listening. His patience was the result of years of training, the stillness of a man who had spent his life in the shadows.

Then he felt a shift in the air, a disturbance that only someone like him could notice. Isolde was near. Every inch of Alrik's body grew tense as he waited in that moment of anticipation and dread. Fear ebbed forward but just as quickly as it arose, Alrik stifled it. This was not where he would die, this would be how he cut her down- without remorse.

She moved like a shadow through the city, her presence barely more than a whisper. Isolde’s steps were silent as death itself, her dark cloak blending seamlessly with the night. Alrik watched her from his perch, his pulse steady, his mind focused. His trap was set, and she was walking right into it.

But he knew better than to assume she’d fall for it easily.

Isolde entered the cathedral through the broken main door, her hand resting on the hilt of one of her many blades. Alrik could see her clearly now. She was tall and lithe, her movements fluid and controlled, her every step calculated. Her face was obscured by a mask, but Alrik knew those eyes - cold, calculating, and always watching. She moved like a hunter, aware of every sound, every flicker of movement in the darkness around her.

Alrik tensed, every muscle in his body coiled, ready to strike. He watched as she stepped over the threshold, her eyes scanning the shadows.

Then, she stopped.

Alrik’s blood ran cold. She had sensed something. A slight shift in her posture told him everything he needed to know. Isolde knew she wasn’t alone.

Without a sound, Alrik activated his tattoos, disappearing from sight as he descended from the belfry. He hovered just barely off the ground as he phased through the walls, moving with the silence of a ghost. Isolde was skilled, but so was he. His warhammer was already in his hand, poised to strike her clean and dead with a single blow - with his strength, that was all that it would take for him to obliterate the bones that it came into contact with.

But Isolde wasn’t so easily caught.

She moved suddenly, a blur of motion as she spun on her heel, her sword drawn in an instant. It cut through the air where Alrik had been just seconds ago. She’d sensed him, even invisible, even hidden. He barely managed to avoid the strike, shifting through the nearest wall and into the adjacent chamber.

Alrik’s mind raced. She was faster than he anticipated and more aware. His trap wouldn’t hold her for long. He needed to change tactics, to draw her into a more confined space where her speed wouldn’t be as much of an advantage.

He moved swiftly through the cathedral, always staying just out of her reach, always one step ahead. He could hear her breathing now, calm and controlled. She wasn’t panicking. She was enjoying this - relishing the chase. He'd wanted to hunt her, but he was still her prey, and Alrik had walked directly into her lair.

The catacombs beneath the cathedral would be the perfect place to end this. Narrow, dark corridors where her speed wouldn’t matter. He just had to lure her there. Once within, Alrik's hammer would be an encumbrance as well, but it would be much more difficult for Isolde to outmaneuver her swings. Despite his size and the girth of his weapon, Alrik was at his most lethal when it came to close quarters fighting with speed and agility matched in equal stride.

The underground tunnels beneath the cathedral were a maze of forgotten crypts and old passageways, the air thick with the scent of decay and dust. Alrik moved through them silently, phasing through walls, his tattoos glowing faintly as he prepared for the final strike.

Isolde followed, her pace measured but relentless. She was the predator now, and she knew it. Alrik could feel her closing in, the distance between them shrinking with every second.

He reached the heart of the catacombs, a small, circular chamber with no exits. It was the perfect place for a confrontation, where he could control the space, and limit her movements. He turned invisible again, waiting, listening to the sound of her footsteps echoing down the corridor.

And then she was there, standing at the entrance to the chamber. Her eyes scanned the room, searching for him, her sword held at the ready. For a moment, there was silence. The tension hung in the air like a knife’s edge.

Alrik struck.

He moved with lethal precision, reappearing behind her, his warhammer aimed straight at her head. But Isolde was faster. She spun, her sword meeting his hammer in a shower of sparks. The force of the blow sent a shockwave through his arm, but he didn’t relent. He pressed the attack, his movements a blur as he struck again and again, each blow calculated, each strike aimed to end her.

But Isolde was no ordinary opponent. She parried his attacks with ease, her movements fluid and graceful. It was like fighting a shadow - every time he thought he had her, she slipped away, her sword flashing through the air with deadly precision.

Alrik could feel the sweat on his brow, his muscles straining with the effort of keeping up with her. She was faster than him, stronger, but he had one advantage she didn’t. His tattoos flared with power, and in an instant, he vanished, phasing through the ground and reappearing behind her.

This time, he didn’t hesitate.

His hammer cracked into the midpoint of her back, and with it came the sickening crunch of broken bones as Isolde was flung forward.

For a moment, she stood there where the hammer had forced her forward, frozen, her sword clattering to the ground. Alrik had shattered every bone in her back and as he watched her collapse to her knees, blood spilling from her lips, he held his hammer firm. Isolde gasped as blood spilled from her lips, no longer able to breathe without puncturing her lungs.

She turned her head, her eyes meeting his. There was no fear in them, only a strange, twisted satisfaction.

“...It was a good hunt... He'll send more. Like me. Like you-” The implication was clear, be it the pattern or the Dark One, no one got to live forever.

"Good." Alrik said simply; he swung once more, this time her skull broke clean away from her neck and splattered the catacomb wall.

He took the coin and flicked it, watching as the iron coin landed on her body. Iskaran superstition would soon spread across Lysara, it was only a matter of time before the darkfriends of this Queendom knew their days were numbered.

The city of Aventia lay beneath him as he stood on the rooftop, the cold night air biting at his skin. The cathedral loomed behind him, a dark silhouette against the night sky, a monument to the grim business that had taken place within its walls. Alrik’s gaze drifted over the city below, his thoughts already moving toward the future. The darkspawn would take this city, that much was clear, but he affixed his gaze now toward the mountains of Ymir's Spine. The prismatic barrier had shrunk, he could go see the Old Woman again, if he chose.

He had succeeded in killing Isolde, but there was no satisfaction in it. Killing her was simply a necessity, a step in the larger game. He had been the hunter tonight, but the truth was, he was still being hunted. The Dark One’s forces would not stop with Isolde’s death. They would send more, and they would be relentless. He, maybe even Alessia. This war would not relent from a few simple deaths. It wouldn't be fought purely in streets or battlefields, but in crypts and shadows as well. This was why Alrik was so ingratiated in the dark. Why he was so comfortable in it. He needed to be - the world needed his violence and his rage.

But Alrik was no stranger to being pursued. He had spent his life evading those who sought to control him, to eliminate him. His tattoos were a testament to that, each one marking a victory over those who had tried to cage him, to bring him down. He had survived because he knew how to adapt, how to strike first when needed and vanish when the time came.

And now, he would have to do it again.

Alrik made his way through Aventia’s streets, moving with purpose but not urgency. He blended into the shadows effortlessly, his presence barely a ripple in the city’s flow of life. The streets were quieter now, the hustle and bustle of the day replaced by the occasional murmur of late-night travelers and the distant sounds of taverns still open for business. Alrik kept his hood low, his face obscured, knowing that he couldn’t afford to draw any attention to himself, not after what had just transpired.

The road into the mountains was a winding path that led away from Aventia and toward certain danger. He would need to tell Alessia this and so much more. Alrik had no clear destination, only the knowledge that he needed to stay ahead of those who would hunt him and mark the expanse of the darkspawn. Perhaps within, more coins would find their way into his palm. The Dark One’s reach was vast, but Alrik had the advantage of being a ghost, a shadow that could slip through even the tightest nets.

Isolde’s death had been a necessary part of the game, but it had only opened the door to more questions. Alrik knew that if he wanted to survive, he would need to continue gathering information, uncovering the secrets that lay behind the Dark One’s network.

But for now, all he had was the road ahead and the promise of the next hunt.

It was far from over.

And Alrik would be ready.

[rumoglobalheavyindustry]

Valkyrie, Valr kylja, Arbiter of the Slain,

Ardor of Primordial Light

site security officer, authority on anti-terrorist efforts,

Field Operative Carbide Ceramic Fortress

Singular Photoevaporative Point at infinity bisected twice

Decaying Helical Firmament and Explosive Radiating Growth

Don't look up, there's nothing there

[rfafafd]

XAT Exam 2025: Your Complete Guide to Management Aspirations

With the countdown for Xavier Aptitude Test 2025, the time has come for all those students who aim to study management, which is one of the toughest entrance exams conducted in India. Conducted by the Xavier Labour Relations Institute located in Jamshedpur, XAT is a gateway to one of the most coveted business schools in the country. In this guide, we will explore the details that look up to XAT 2025, its structure, strategies for preparation, and some of the salient features making it unique.

Importance of XAT

XAT is different from other entrance management exams because it emphasizes analytical thinking and ethical decision-making skills along with overall personality development. It looks for those potential candidates who not only possess academic brilliance but also have all the ingredients to make great leaders in the corporate world.

Pattern of Exam

There are five sections in the XAT exam. Each section tests a different set of skills:

Quantitative Ability (QA): This is the testing of the mathematical prowess of the candidate with focal points on algebra, geometry, and data interpretation.

Verbal and Logical Ability (VALR): A candidate's comprehension, grammar, and logical reasoning are tested with an orientation towards understanding complex text.

Decision Making (DM): This section is unique in that it tests the ability of a candidate to analyze a situation and make proper decisions in a situation, which is often against an ethical background.

General Knowledge (GK): The test is based on current affairs, social problems, as well as business trends so the candidate will observe the world.

Essay Writing: This is the test that reflects the candidates' views on a specified topic by showing their ability to construct sound arguments and ensuring a proper expression of viewpoints.

XAT 2025 Dates

Start Date for Registration: August 2024 Closing Date for Registration: November 2024 Date for Admit Card: December 2024 Exam Date: January 2025 (date to be announced) Result Declaration: Late January 2025

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Even final-year students of a recognized university are eligible to apply. Such candidates have to complete the remaining conditions for the degree before the deadline for applications.

What Makes XAT Unique?

1.Comprehensive Ability Test: Other entrance tests primarily focus on quantitative abilities, whereas XAT emphasizes a whole range of abilities and the development of ethical judgment along with an emphasis on verbal skills.

2.Institutional Focus on Ethical Decision Making: Due to the fact that the DM section underscores the significance of ethical dilemma from the views of responsible leadership within today's business set-ups, XAT is distinct from other entrance tests.

Dynamic General Knowledge Section It does not only test facts but also the candidate's understanding of the bigger dimensions of recent events and molds their thinking in a holistic approach.

Versatile Acceptance of Scores XAT scores are accepted by over 150 management institutes across India. This gives students as many options to achieve their academic goals as possible.

Effective Preparation Strategies

Familiarize with the Syllabus: Understanding the syllabus for every section forms a very important basis. Take the major time to study from those sections that have maximum weightage or problems.

Mock Tests: Take mock tests quite frequently to get yourself accustomed to the pattern of the exam. It will enhance your time management skill and make you confident enough to face the exam.

3.Case Study Discussions: Discuss case studies that reflect real business challenges. It sharpens the mind, thereby strengthening decision-making.

Read Newspapers and Current Affairs Publications: Set aside some time every week to read newspapers and current affairs publications. This will not only help you in the GK section but also enrich your essay-writing skills.

5.Essay Writing Skill Building: More and more practice in essays with different topics. Clarity, structure, and development of arguments to be stressed on when essay sections come up for an exam.

In fact, XAT 2025 is a very crucial passageway for the aspirants in the management arena. It is unique in terms of its format and assessment criteria and has asked the candidate to, with sound thinking and great dedication in preparation. Get ready to tailor your approach to this exam format by keeping abreast of current affairs related to the present day and skills in decision-making and you are sure to be successful. Take up this challenge and realize your management aspirations with proper commitment and preparation. Wish you all the very best on this journey! for more info visit: https://careermantra.net/

[blockinsider]

Bitcoin Dips 8% as Crypto Market Faces $685M Liquidation Blow

Key Points

Bitcoin’s value dropped by 8%, triggering $685 million in crypto liquidations on July 5th, 2024.

The drastic fall is linked to the defunct exchange Mt. Gox’s movements in preparation for a payout to creditors.

On July 5th, 2024, the cryptocurrency market experienced a harsh 24 hours. The value of Bitcoin (BTC) fell below $54,250, leading to over $685 million in liquidations. This sudden drop in value is believed to be connected to the ongoing activities of the now-defunct exchange, Mt. Gox, which is preparing for a payout to its creditors.

Mt. Gox’s Impact on Market Confidence

Bitcoin’s price fell by 7.89% to $54,258. This decrease is associated with growing concerns surrounding Mt. Gox. The exchange, which is no longer operational, recently moved Bitcoin worth approximately $2.7 billion in preparation for creditor payouts scheduled for early July.

Many analysts think that Mt. Gox’s actions could be a significant factor contributing to the market’s volatility. Peter Chung, the head of research at Presto Research, commented on the situation.

Chung stated that the selling pressure might be stronger for BCH than BTC. He added that since BCH doesn’t have a strong investor base like BTC, the Mt. Gox creditors will likely seek to cash out immediately.

The fall in Bitcoin’s price led to a wave of liquidations. Data from CoinGlass revealed that a total of 236,447 traders were liquidated in the last 24 hours. These liquidations resulted in a staggering $685.39 million across centralized exchanges.

Bitcoin led the liquidations, with over $230.39 million liquidated. Notably, $185.37 million of these liquidations were long positions, indicating forced selling by over-leveraged bulls. Ethereum (ETH) also experienced significant liquidations, with $163.4 million wiped out, of which $167 million were long positions. The ETH price followed Bitcoin’s decline, dropping a substantial 10.71% to $2,859.

Bitcoin’s Future Prospects

Cryptocurrency liquidations happen when a trader’s position is forcibly closed due to insufficient margin or significant losses. Despite the current market situation appearing grim, some industry experts remain hopeful.

Ben Caselin, chief marketing officer of VALR, a Pantera-backed crypto exchange, stated that volatility and periods of selling do not change Bitcoin’s core thesis. He added that we might see prices in the lower 50,000s or even slightly lower for weeks, but nothing fundamental has changed about the market structure. According to Caselin, current price movements are really only a concern to short-term speculators.

While the near future may be marked by price fluctuations, Caselin emphasized the importance of focusing on Bitcoin’s long-term potential. The coming days and weeks will be crucial in determining how the market reacts to Mt. Gox’s upcoming payouts and whether investor confidence can be restored.

[toomuchdickfort]

I need a community of simps for Valre. We'll collectively simp. 💖💗My lovely wife💞💘

XD

[stark-ryker-isms]

Terra: (calling Stark on her Scroll) Hey Stark, I need your help.

Stark: I can't, I'm buying clothes.

Terra: Alright, well hurry up and get over here.

Stark: I can't find them.

Terra: What do you mean you can't find them?

Stark: I can't find them, here's only soup.

Terra: ...

Terra: What do you mean there's ONLY soup?

Stark: I mean there's only soup!

Terra: Well then get out of the soup aisle!

Stark: Alright you don't need to shout!

Stark: (walks over to the next aisle) There's more soup!

Terra: What do you mean there's more soup?!

Stark: There's just more soup.

Terra: Go into the next aisle!

Stark: (looks into the next aisle) There's more soup!

Terra: WHERE ARE YOU RIGHT NOW?!

Stark: I'm at soup!

Terra: WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE AT SOUP?!

Stark: I mean I'm at soup!

Terra: WHAT STORE ARE YOU IN?!

Stark: I'm at the soup store!

Terra: WHY ARE YOU BUYING CLOTHES AT THE SOUP STORE?!

Stark: FUCK YOU!!!

[thorraborinn]

Now that your stance on Valhalla is pretty established, I wonder what is your stance on Fólkvangr? (narratively the same as Valhalla but this time ruled by a less-realpoliticking goddess; with the bonus of being opened to certain women). Is it the same?

I don't think the scant information we have about Fólkvangr is really enough to use it to make claims as big as the ones I do about Valhöll. I mean, since Grímnismál is one of the main ways that we have to know things about Valhöll, yeah, some of what I said about that will naturally apply to Fólkvangr as well, but not all of it. I also want to point out that I don't necessarily have a problem with all the speculation about Fólkvangr that modern heathens do, I'm just not going to participate in pretending it isn't speculation.

Here's every single word that Norse mythology has about Fólkvangr, from Grímnismál (and repeated by Snorri, who through the mouth of Hárr adds only that it's a bær 'town' or 'farmstead' in heaven and that the hall itself is called Sessrúmnir):

Fólkvangr [er inn níundi/heitir], en þar Freyja ræðr sessa kostum í sal; halfan val hon kýss hverjan dag, en halfan Óðinn á.

Fólkvangr [is the ninth/it is called], and there Freyja chooses who sits where in the hall; half the battle-slain she chooses every day but Óðinn has half.

Not only that but it's contained within Grímnismál, a poem not widely recognized as the batshit (affectionate) poem it is, the thing is pure lore concentrate. When you consider the prose intro and outro are probably added much later, it has almost no actual internal story and it's entire purpose is probably to encode the hugest amount of mytho-/cosmological information possible into a format easy to memorize. What one thinks about Fólkvangr will be at least partially determined by what one thinks about Grímnismál, who it was composed and/or performed by, who its intended audience was, if it's a complete cohesive poem or a mish-mash of different things, etc. If you're interested in digging more into that there's a good article by Bo Ralph on it where he also discusses earlier research. The poem presents itself as highly-restricted knowledge; I have no suggestions regarding whether or not we should believe it.

Since there is exactly one word telling us who goes to Fólkvangr (valr 'battle-slain') I don't infer any different distribution of gender than in Valhöll. The assumption that Freyja is more likely to choose women who die in battle than Óðinn is is, in fact, an assumption. It also doesn't say that Freyja gets first pick like everyone thinks. You could make the argument based on this stanza in isolation that Freyja "chooses" (kýss) while Óðinn gets the leftovers, but in stanza 8 it's Hroptr who kýss. The idea of Óðinn building some human protégé up for years and then turning the tide of battle against him in order to claim him and then Freyja going "mine" is very funny to me but we never see it happen.

I don´t think that Þorgerðr Egilsdóttir's line about how she wasn´t going to eat until she did so with Freyja is evidence she expected to go to Fólkvangr. All that tells us is that 13th century Christians thought 10th century pagans expected to see their gods when they died (I am not phrasing it this way to imply they were wrong, nor is this disclaimer to imply they were right).

The whole thing generates more questions than answers and that's really what its value is. The question of why it isn´t mentioned anywhere else may be less salient when you consider how little lore there is about Freyja in general, but still isn't trivial.

(Wild speculation to follow).

My shot in the dark is that there was a trajectory in late pre-Christian paganism of responding to concerns brought on by contact with Christianity, namely increasingly complex view of afterlife and a more generally skyward and universalist (in the real sense of the term) orientation. This might not take much actual invention, just a little switch of emphasis, because if my guess is right there may not have been a cosmic complex of afterlife abodes, but highly complex otherworld geographies probably did already exist without them necessarily being thought of as afterlife locations. For some reason, as often as Fólkvangr is mentioned by modern heathens as an alternative to Valhöll, everyone seems to miss that there is even better evidence for an afterlife place governed by Þórr, mentioned in passing (easily dismissed as a joke, even) in Hymiskviða but then likely actually described here in Grímnismál.

There may be something of an ecumenical impulse; we expect that the poets who contributed to the creation and spread of Grímnismál were probably devoted to Óðinn as he is both the narrator/protagonist and the god the poem has the most information about (oh yeah and also the specifically saying flat-out "Óðinn is the highest god" in stanza 44), but there seems to be an attempt at some kind of totality, even if it falls short. It features Ullr and Forseti -- two gods we know (or at least strongly suspect) to have been extremely important but in a contextually limited way that normally doesn't extend into the main body of myth that we still have access to.

We might be looking at a poem meant to prepare skálds to be able to operate with a variety of audiences but also in a de-facto way it codifies a sort of pantheon that we (finally, and mostly rightfully) have gotten used to denying was a real recognized thing, and also pushes toward a codified and universalist paganism, even if only as a utility for skálds. And to be clear, I don't rule out the possibility of it being intentional, an attempt to demo a universalist paganism that could go toe-to-toe with Christianity. I'm just saying that it doesn't necessitate that; an oral poet who grows up in one area but needs to be able to operate in others with distinct customs would benefit from a sort of "higher" stratum of myth that is more all-encompassing than that found in any specific place.

But some of these ideas, including Fólkvangr and Bilskírnir, may have only ever been half-finished and either remained so regionally-specific that they never spread enough to be seen in the sagas, or were created in the supra-regional context I'm proposing and never actually took hold in a local community, either because the conversion to Christianity happened before it had a chance to spread; or because this general trajectory wasn't actually popular to begin with.

There are more questions to ask (e.g. why is Freyja creating a reserve of warriors if she's never mentioned in connection to Ragnarök?) but I've probably gone on long enough to get the point across that considering Fólkvangr in any way a settled, secure, well-understood idea is cheating ourselves.

[terravolksisms]

Team Valr Party Games

Terra: So I just...

Ebony: Spin the bottle, and then you have to kiss whoever it's pointing at. It's that simple.

Terra spins the bottle.

It starts to slow down.

First it looks like it's going to point at Amy. Terra looks uneasy.

Then it looks like it'll stop at Stark. Terra and Stark both blush.

But it actually stops on Ebony.

Terra: Well that was... Unexpected.

Ebony: You know the rules. Kiss me Terra!

[shelleyseale]

Six of the best museums in the USA to celebrate Veteran's Day

When it comes to honoring the men and women who have served in the United States military, there's no better way than learning some of the history and their stories.

The U.S. has a wealth of incredible history museums, but I've chosen these six that I've personally visited within the last few years, to recommend as top places to immerse yourself in military/war history, learn their stories and commemorate our veterans.

The National WWII Museum - New Orleans, Louisiana

I just visited this incredible museum earlier this week. Since its opening in 1991, this has been the preeminent collection focusing on World War II history; in fact, it's been designated by Congress as the official WWII museum of the United States. Located in downtown New Orleans on a six-acre campus, five soaring pavilions house historical exhibits, on-site restoration work, a period dinner theater, and restaurants. The museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn. They do this through immersive exhibits, multimedia experiences, and an expansive collection of artifacts and first-person oral histories, taking visitors inside the story of the war that changed the world. If you go, do not miss the film Beyond All Boundaries. Narrated by Tom Hanks, this is a 4D experience that fully engages all your senses and emotions through the United States' participation in the war. INFO: 945 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 www.nationalww2museum.org/visit info@nationalww2museum.org 504-528-1944

National Museum of the Pacific War - Fredericksburg, Texas

Just an hour and a half west of Austin, this recently expanded museum in the charming town of Fredericksburg (a great place to spend a fun weekend!) extensively covers everything to do with the Pacific Theater of World War II. Discover the human story of WWII in the Pacific in more than 55,000 square feet of exhibit space spread over three galleries located on six acres in the heart of Fredericksburg, Texas. The National Museum of the Pacific War is the only museum in the continental U.S. solely dedicated to telling the story of WWII in the Pacific. Spanning six acres and more than 55,000 square feet, the National Museum of the Pacific War through multiple galleries, Nimitz Education & Research Center, Plaza of Presidents, Japanese Garden of Peace and a memorial courtyard. There's also an incredible outdoor live-action living history amphitheater, where reenactments take place seven times a year (tickets are separate from the museum and are recommended to be purchased online ahead of time, as they often sell out). I just visited this museum a couple of weeks ago for the third time, and got a tour of the living history theater and its educational program, which is quite impressive. INFO: 340 E Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 www.pacificwarmuseum.org/visit/ (830) 997-8600

Pearl Harbor National Memorial - Honolulu, Hawaii

If you find yourself on the beautiful island of Oahu, you won't want to miss a visit to the Pearl Harbor memorial, which commemorates the attack by the Japanese on December 7, 1941 that launched the United States into WWII. I visited this site last year, and here you can not only learn of the history of Pearl Harbor, the invasion and the war; but you can even take a boat tour that departs from the site and takes visitors out into the harbor to view some of the sunken battleships and memorial markers for the ships that were sank, and the thousands of lives lost, on that fateful morning. View my full post about Pearl Harbor here. INFO: 1845 Wasp Blvd. Bldg. 176 Honolulu, HI 96818 www.nps.gov/valr/planyourvisit/index.htm (808) 422-3399

The National D-Day Memorial - Bedford, Virginia

This museum and memorial is dedicated entirely to D-Day, the June 6, 1944 Allied invasion of Germany-occupied France along the Normandy coast that was the largest amphibious military operation in history. It also was the turning point in the war for Germany's ultimate defeat. This memorial is especially meaningful to me because of a personal connection; my grandfather, E.F. Smith, Jr, was one of those soldiers in Operation Overlord (as the D-Day series of invasions was called). His unit went on to liberate St-Lo, and then to the famous Battle of Mortain, where my grandfather was captured by the Germans. He spent the rest of the war in a POW camp in East Germany until the Russians liberated it.

One incredible local story, and why the memorial is located where in this town, is that of the "Bedford Boys." They consisted of 30 National Guard soldiers from Bedford who landed on the shores of Normandy on D-Day. By day's end, 19 Bedford soldiers were dead. Four more died later in the Normandy campaign. Proportionately, the town of Bedford, then about 3,200 residents, suffered the nation's most severe D-day losses. I actually wrote a story about this for the LA Times, which you can read here. INFO: 816 Burks Hill Road, Bedford, VA www.dday.org/visiting-info/ 800-351-DDAY

Yankee Air Museum - Belleville, Michigan

This Smithsonian-affiliated aerospace and science museum with rare historical aircraft ranging from World War I to the Vietnam era. The exhibits include hands-on interactive STEM exhibits, science-based camps, educational tours, unique aviation artifacts, and more. For me, this museum had two really unique, cool aspects that I particularly enjoyed.

First of all, this is home of the Willow Run bomber plant, built by Ford Motor Company to produce fighter planes for the Allies' war efforts. The factory was three-and-a-half million square feet — the largest factory under one roof in the world — and the assembly line was over a mile long. Willow Run began producing B-24 Liberator bomber planes, making one every 55 minutes. By the time the Allies declared victory on May 8, 1945 more than 86,000 airplanes had rolled off the assembly line. It's also the place where the iconic Rosie the Riveter worked — read my story about that here. Second, you can actually take a ride in an original WWII-era plane! This was one of my most thrilling visits to a museum anywhere in the world, and the only place where you can do something like this. INFO: 47884 D St. Belleville, MI 48111-1126 yankeeairmuseum.org/tickets-hours/ 734.483.4030

Smithsonian - Washington, D.C.

Last, but certainly not least, is the extensive collection of Smithsonian museums and institutes in our nation's capital. Particularly the National Air & Space Museum is great for Veterans Day and war history visitation, with its one-of-a-kind artifacts such as Flak-Bait, the only World War II bomber of its kind to retain the original insulating fabric panels lining the interior of the forward fuselage. They also pay homage to units like the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, the only unit that stormed the beach at Normandy on June 6, 1944, and was comprised entirely of African American soldiers.

The National Museum of American History also has exhibits about military history. INFO: 655 Jefferson Drive, SW Washington, DC 20560 https://airandspace.si.edu/visit 202-633-2214 Read the full article

[brothersgrim]

graveyard archives: clan valdis, an introduction

So, the Valdis clan has a long and varied history. I think it’s important that I list it here. I’ll do my best to keep it coherent, but, no promises. 

‘Valdis’ is a very old name, just like it’s a very old family. It has old Nordic origins. Because I’m a sucker for etymology, here’s the meaning behind it: 

The name Valdis comes from the Icelandic origin. In Icelandic The meaning of the name Valdis Is: Derived from the Old Norse words valr "the dead" and dís "goddess".

If you look into it further, the earliest recorded use of ‘Valdis’ as a surname comes from Norway. That name tells a decent amount about the old family. Yes, they were originally Nordic. ‘Viking witches’, if you will. There isn’t really one single word for magic-users in Norse, and none that really fit the family as a whole, so we’ll have to use ‘witch’. It’s close enough. However, I feel the need to state that the beliefs, traditions, and practises of the family are not drawn from witchcraft specifically, but are rather an amalgamation of many different magic/religious beliefs. Also, obligatory note that the boys consider themselves to be warlocks,  not witches. For those who might not know: A warlock is any person who’s been banished from their coven. This could be for breaking a vow, going against the coven’s rules, or for any reason.

An important part of society is how the members of that society handle their dead. That is how the family started. It was just a small group of people who looked after the dead in their community. Undertakers, if you will. Now, there’s some debate amongst the family and chosen associates as to whether all of these gravekeepers were magical by birth, if they struck some archaic deal, or if they simply became magical over time. (Some debate if that last one is even possible, and the current agreement is yes, but only after several decades and the right environmental stressers, including how they take their tea.) Either way, at some point, through some method, the family possessed magical abilities. Neato. Initially, these abilities were only put to use for the completion of their duties. Taking care of the dead, ferrying souls, et cetera. That kind of thing. 

As time went on, the family grew, both through procreation and through attracting more like-minded and like-powered individuals. Some historians would call them a cult. This isn’t entirely wrong. However, for it to be more accurate, you’d need the more archaic use of the term. In this case, it doesn’t necessarily mean devil-worshippers. It doesn’t mean the sort of things you study in sociology class if you have thick skin and a steady stomach. No, it’s just a small group that worships their own beliefs. From Miriam-Webster:

"A system of religious beliefs and ritual. Also : its body of adherents; the cult of Apollo.”

I’ll be honest with you guys: I’m a classics major, so that’s the use I’m most acquainted with. So, this is just a heads-up that when I refer to the ‘Valdis Family Cult’, or something similar, that’s all I mean. If, at any point, I start using the word differently in this little think-piece, I’ll let you know. 

That aside! Let’s keep going. 

So, they grew into a cult. Unsurprisingly, it was a cult oriented around death and the treatment of the dead. Also unsurprisingly, this meant that they gathered around graveyards and other burial sites. This is another place where historians find themselves locked in a debate. It is widely agreed that the places the Valdis clan gathered were odd. Strange. Magical, perhaps. Usually connected to some local legend or folklore. That’s not what’s under debate. What is debatable is whether or not the Valdis Clan came to the places because they were weird, or the places were weird because the Valdis Clan came to them. If you ask the Valdises themselves (which historians tend not to do), they’d tell you that, at least in the more recent generations - once they started keeping records - it was the places being weird that draws the Valdises. You see, while every graveyard needs a caretaker, not every graveyard needs a Valdis. They like to think that they’re there for the Special Cases. That’s not to say that if they see a ‘normal’ graveyard in a state of disrepair, the more conscientious ones won’t step in to do their duty, but you’re more likely to find them around the strange ones. (To be fair, most graveyards are strange places.) 

So, they gathered by graveyards. Plural. Yes, it started out with just one. But as more and more of them gathered, as the family got older and more powerful, it got crowded. They didn’t need that many of them in one place. And there were probably other burial grounds that needed help, other souls needing guidance. Also, communities take resources. The more people, the harder they are to support. So some members had to branch off. This wasn’t as bloody as people expect it to be. The original head of the family (and it was matriarchal, at first, hence the feminine suffix on the name) chose a few more experienced and knowledgeable members and sent them off on a kind of pilgrimage to the next site that needed them. They’d take their family, maybe a few friends and followers, and set off. This became a kind of tradition. When a group of the Valdis clan got too big, they’d branch off. They kept the name, though, mostly. Originally, it was more of a title than a name, and a way to keep a tie with their old home/family/culture. As time went by and reputation spread, it carried some prestige with it. So the name was important. And it would stay important. But more on that later. 

There were other reasons why the groups broke off. Political disagreements. Those happen all of the time. They’re remarkably frequent when you’re all playing ambassador to the oddities of the world. (Even more so when you, yourselves, are among those oddities.) Power struggles. Those were more common in larger groups, and farther down the family tree. That’s not to say that it didn’t happen in the earlier families, or that all later families were corrupt, but it was more likely later on. There was another threat that became more prominent, too: Outsiders. Other covens. Other supernatural people (with the term ‘people’ used to varying degrees of looseness). And, depending on the places they stay at, “normal” people. As times and places changed, the average person had different reactions to the idea of magic. 

Especially in America.

Yes, Clan Valdis takes America by storm. They were some of the earlier... Pilgrims, for lack of a better term. Not the first, but closer to that group than most others in terms of chronology. Not very many of them made the initial trip. New countries with small populations aren’t exactly good for business, and by and large the Valdis heads weren’t in the practice of ousting local/indigenous spiritual leaders. They knew how that felt. Besides, they’ve always kept themselves to themselves, barring a few power-mad skirmishes here and there. 

At this point, it was difficult to pin down what the Valdis family culture really was. Each sect worked a bit differently. Local culture, practices, different burial rites.... All of those shaped how the Valdis clan in any given area operated. The only real consistency was that the spirits of the dead were dealt with. Even the definition of ‘dealt with’ varied. By and large, it meant seen to its final resting place, wherever that may be. They also usually dealt with anything that crossed over from those afterlives, but... Sometimes they were also the ones who caused that crossing over. It happened. Demons are convincing. And, for all their power, the Valdises are still human. ... Sort of. So they’re fallible. And, again, demons are convincing. 

That’s the excuse that would be given by Grace and Willing Valdis of Salem fame. And among later generations, they would be famous. 

See, for the Valdises, power is genetic. If someone is of the blood, they will have power. That’s how it works. Of course, it’s possible to breed it out. Different factors affect it. The biggest one is birth order. Specifically, first borns. Doesn’t matter if it’s a first born son, daughter, child, whatever. Just that it’s first born. Every Valdis has some sort of innate ability. Kane’s fire, for example, or Taker’s lightning. Pretty closely linked for them, but it doesn’t have to be. If they had another sibling, perhaps they’d be more wind-based, water-based, plague-based, illusion-based... The list goes on. What they could not be would be death-oriented. Because that’s first-born only. One at a time, too, per family branch. More accurately, per burial ground. Nobody really knew how the powers that be knew. Or whatever it was that made the decision. To explain it as simply as I can, it worked like this: 

The firstborn of any family is in charge of their burial ground. They’re also tied to it, and don’t tend to like being away from their burial ground for too long. It’s kind of like a charging port for a cell phone, and a first born in their burial ground is all but immune from magical exhaustion, unless the Powers That Be have it out for them. In the case of our good good spooky boys, the yard. Anything and everything that happens is the first’s business. But with great responsibility comes great power. ... Or something. More accurately, power over the dead. Shepherding souls and the like. It also boosts your other abilities, And it’s Highlander. ‘There can be only one’. So, let’s use the boys and their family as an example. Iza was the first-born of her generation, of her branch of the family. So, she gets the fancy first-born powers. She has two kids, Adam and Kane. She’s still alive, so she’s still the ‘head’ of the family, she’s still in charge of the yard, she still has the fancy death powers. Only once she dies do the powers and responsibilities pass on to the next first-born, aka Adam, aka Taker. That’s not to say that every first-born in the family is a zombie. Most of them aren’t. Taker took it to an extreme very few of them go to. And that’s not to say none of the others can go across different realities. Kane has gone to Hell more times than I’d care to count. It’s just something they do. But shepherding souls? The whole ‘grim reaper’ deal? That’s very much a first-born Valdis thing. (Again, not to the extreme Taker went to, but it is a thing they do.) 

Now, I know some of you are wondering about Grace and Willing, and I will get back to that in a minute, but I want to make sure we’ve covered succession. It’ll make things make more sense. So, typically, being the keeper of the burial ground is transferred from one first-born to another. It changes hands when they die, and when they die permanently. Smaller, lesser deaths, like what happens to Taker all the time, doesn’t count. He comes back, he’s still the first born. (There’s been a few questions about what would happen if you resurrected a first-born from a few generations back. Yes, it has been done before. Yes, we still have questions. Survivors? Oh. No, no. Don’t be silly.) But now we get into the meat of the matter. 

There’s a timeline I have with @sacredandwild​ in which Kane has a son. Adam/Taker has no children. The powers of the yard is usually passed down through the first born’s line. So, if he dies, who does it go to? Technically, Say is the first born of the next generation. But, at the same time, he’s the son of a second-born. Also technically, Kane is the next in Iza’s line. So, how does it get resolved? Simple. Fifty-fifty. There’s a fifty percent chance it’ll go to Kane, fifty to his son. If Taker had a kid, it’d 100% go to that kid. And then it’d follow that line down. 

So that’s covered. Now, back to Grace and Willing. They’re twins, which is fun. They’re from Salem, as I said. And, as I said, they’re famous in their family. Being famous as a Valdis is rarely a good thing. It’s widely agreed - by the later generations - that they’re the reason the family is considered to be warlocks. For those who might not be aware: A warlock is a witch who’s been kicked out of their coven. This could be for political reasons, because the warlock committed some crime, or any reason. It’s not a witch who decided to leave, though. Always one who was kicked out or banished. (At least, to my understanding. Again, while I do my research, disclaimer here that I am not a witch. Take my knowledge on the subject with a grain of salt.) As most of you know, Salem was not a good place to be a witch. Or anyone. It sucked. A lot. But especially for witches. And, whether or not they considered themselves witches, most people use the term to describe the Valdis cult. 

Grace and Willing hadn’t been the ones to join an ‘outside coven’. That had been their grandparents. They were the third generation (of this branch) of Valdises to be in other covens. 

(Another quick tangent: There are many branches of the Valdis family. You don’t exist as long as they do without your family tree forking. And, of course, most every branch likes to think that they’re the ‘main’ branch, with different arguments and philosophies to back themselves up. It’s mostly just politics, and ‘Taker has no time for any of it. Neither does Kane, but he’s not sure if most of them would even consider him part of the family. Ironically, if either of them had any close relatives left, and/or they involved themselves with the more distant ones and clan/cult affairs, they’d probably be named the main branch, simply because nobody has any Uno cards that trump ‘yeah, this guy’s actually an embodiment of death’. They’d still compete for secondary branch, though.)

Of course, back in the day, there weren’t quite so many branches - at least, not in America. They were still pretty new over there. Most of them kept themselves to themselves. It’s just their way of things. But the twins’ family joined up with a local coven. They had their reasons. Safety, for one. Curiosity. Hoping to understand the new areas better. Also, it was one of those times where they wanted a purer line, but I’ll touch on that later. There’re enough tangents right now. By the time it got to Grace and Willing, most of those reasons seemed less important. Except for, of course, safety. 

It was Salem, after all. 

Not the best place to be. 

So they didn’t care about the coven as much as their predecessors. Not that they didn’t necessarily care about the other practitioners. Blood relations or not, they were family. It’s more that they didn’t care about the rules. At all. Desperate times call for desperate measures, as they say. There were reasons for the rules, after all. But as far as the twins were concerned, those rules were made for the times in which they were created. Times had changed. 

The rules needed to change, too. 

Nobody’s entirely sure how the twins got from that logic to ‘human sacrifice’. It’s a bit of a leap in logic. The coven had rules against that, obviously. As do most people. Clan Valdis? Not so much. They had caveats, of course. Guidelines. But none of those were ‘Don’t’. (Maybe should have been.) And Willing, even more than Grace, wasn’t known for being merciful. (Not that she had any problems with it, but everyone knew that for her cunning and conniving ways, Willing was batshit insane and buckwild. Dude could party.) So the two of them did their thing. They had good intentions! Let that be known. They wanted to protect their coven. So why not summon the devil? Or... His lesser consorts. They were usually enough.

Of course, the rest of the coven thought there were plenty of reasons not to summon demons. And they still thought that maybe antagonizing the witch hunters was a bad idea. Also, in general, black magic was frowned upon with them. Not so with the Valdis cult, so it had been kept as a private/family practice, separate from that of the coven. Now it was too much. So, the twins were out. They spent a while being witch hunter-hunters until they eventually decided to move on. They never really told anyone why. There was speculation, of course. trouble with the old coven. Too much attention from outsiders. Too much violence. Boredom. There was debate. Willing didn’t tell anyone until he passed his writing on to his kids (he was three minutes older than Grace, so, technically, he was the first-born). 

He claimed he left because it was time to. Problems with the graveyard. Remember, the Valdis cult operates out of special graveyards or burial grounds. Strange ones. Not every one - that’d be too much. Just the weird ones. 

I’m not saying the burial grounds at Salem weren’t weird. The entire area was weird. Steeped in magic and pain. But that was the problem. It was exactly the place you didn’t want to be a Valdis. There was too much going on! Too much magic, too many bad things! Far too much bloodshed. Imagine, you try to do your sacrifice and suddenly it’s not good enough because Those in this area have been gorging for weeks! (... Also, for all his wild malpractice, perhaps he was just a bit put off by having been removed from the coven. Just a touch. And maybe he was a bit worried that they were bringing bad fortune with them. It’s not true, but it’s something every few generations worried about. So he figured, move on, and maybe things will get better for the others.) Then he did something that was very frowned-upon by the cult itself. He moved the yard. 

He didn’t record how he did it. Not overtly. It’s one of those read-between-the-lines, follow the hidden clues type things. But, yeah, he bottled the weirdness up and moved it on. Not very far (not to Death Valley, either - that place has always been strange). Farther the movement, the harder and more dangerous it is. (It’s also worth noting that you can’t really bottle it up forever. It’s impossible. If it’s something directly tied to the land, as well, it can’t be moved. If you try on the wrong site, at the wrong time, or mess up, you could die and rip it all open even worse. There’s a reason nobody does it, and a reason everyone agrees Willing was nuts. And why he had a pretty decent claim to the main line.) 

Of course, this sort of thing wasn’t limited to Salem, but it wasn’t quite that bad elsewhere.That wasn’t saying much. Willing had kids (as did Grace, becoming another splinter branch* of the family), they grew up, found their yard. Repeat this for the next little while as they generations migrate out, and you’ll find the Valdis cult moving in to a very small, very new collection of settlers out near a valley. Even small groups experience death. And that means they have a burial.

And, come on, folks. 

It’s called Death Valley.

Where ELSE are you supposed to find the Valdis cult?

*A BRIEF NOTE ON SPLINTERS that I could not fit anywhere else. So it would be really hard for the family to spread if ONLY firstborns had the power over death. There would be a few branches, sure, from the original Nordic group, but emphasis on the few. 

There is exactly one, and only one, way for a second- or onwards-born to experience a sub-par apotheosis and get the ‘first born’ powers to pass on to their own kids.

They have to find their own yard. Not ‘close up someone else’s and take it with them’ (which they couldn’t even do without being firstborn, and most firstborns can’t do anyway). They have to go out, find their own suitable yard that nobody else is looking after (Valdis or otherwise, they’re not the only gravekeepers out there), and take care of it. Over time, they might find themselves taking on the responsibilities and abilities of a firstborn. Or they might not.

The dead are fickle, that way.

[alrikhart]

@prcspero location: Hrimthur's Wasteland notes: After the events of The Last Night

Asylum. Plague. Death. The wheel did not care if a person was young, or afraid. It certainly did not care what they wanted. The wheel had called them to this, whether they could bear it or not. Alrik had cracked the night his life had gone up in flames, broken down in the mines - what could be left now but shards? Pointed, sharp, and prepared to cut down anything that stood between himself and his sister.

The sun burned at the edge of the horizon and cast shadows over the cold wasteland through the sparse, dead trees that protruded through the ice. In the far distance, Alrik had caught sight of a few hints of game; cunning arctic foxes that might as well have been tricks of the light. Overhead Valr returned with nothing but rodents snatched from their shallow burrows, or in the brief stretch of time they spent skittering up a tree. Perhaps his bird would die from the blight next, it seemed capable of claiming enough.

Alessia did not die. Alrik would have known. He'd have felt it if his sister had passed. Since dawn had broken over the last night at Nornwatch Keep, he'd held onto this. Stubborn as the bedrock below the snow they treaded across; the Iskaran would not accept anything until he saw it with his own eyes.

Taken, they had said, but for why, none of the Legion would say. They marched towards an outpost and prepared to make camp where they could. In makeshift tents before the midnight sun could dip below the horizon and bathe the cold world in an even colder dark.

Alrik, dotted with the ashes of those that had been burned, marched beside Prospero alongside the Iskaran survivors. More lived than had been killed, but there were fewer now; which meant fewer mouths to feed.

"Do you know the story of the dvergar?" Alrik looked off towards nothing but the horizon and the fading light as he spoke. Face marred black in places by the ashes of his kinmen, he didn't wait for Prospero's response before he spoke.

"Before our world was broken, it is said that dwarves once ran the mines beneath Iskaldrik, that our nation was their home, and our great city the jewel of their creation. King Hrimthur's people toiled and worked alongside the jotunn, crafting armaments and machinery that would put any Lysaran vessel to shame." Distinct, Iskaran notation curved around the syllables with curt, sharp remarks as he remembered the way his father once cast shadows on the wall from the forge as he retold the tale. "My father told me that the dvergar dug too deep and found evil in the place of gold. I laughed," Alrik looked to the druid next to him, "then I asked him ' but then why we keep digging?"

"Because, Alrik, he said." Blue eyes looked back towards the horizon as he tried to remember where his sister had been during the story. Had she been there? It was so long ago now. "men never know when to quit. So I asked him, 'what happened to the dvergr, faðir?' Then he told me, why little drengr, we're standing on them." Alrik laughed because he remembered how his father had spooked him, tickled him, and laughed. The story was not funny though, hardly then, and not now. Unlike then, his laughter was flightless now, bitter as nightshade.

[usfwspacific]

Honoring Our Nation’s Heroes: Memorial Day and Battle of Midway Events in Oahu

Photo: The 75th Battle of Midway Remembrance Reef Salute. Photo credit: Amy Olliffe

These first few weeks in June give us several opportunities to reflect on and honor the valor and sacrifice of those who have served our country. 

Memorial Day, May 28, is a time to reflect and honor our nation's brave military service members who have sacrificed so much for the sake of so many. It is a day that commemorates U.S. Service Members who gave the greatest sacrifice.

One of the most significant battle of World War II, the Battle of Midway took place June 4-7, 1942. The American victory at Midway was a turning point of the war in the Pacific, and is considered one of the most important naval battles in U.S. history. This year, the anniversary of this battle will be commemorating in multiple ceremonies across the world during the first two weeks of June. 

Here is a listing of Memorial Day and Battle of Midway ceremonies throughout Oahu.  

Photo: Sailors stand by to ring the USS Gridley bell in conjunction with the salute to the remembrance reef. Photo credit: Holly Richards/USFWS

Memorial Day Events

69th Annual Honolulu City Mayor’s Memorial Day Ceremony 

National Cemetery Administration will host Memorial Day ceremonies at VA national cemeteries across the country with the help of local communities. Each cemetery and community will add their own special touch of patriotism and “thanks” during the events.

When: Monday, May 28th 8:30 – 10:30 am

Where: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

http://www.honolulu.gov/site-clk-cal/icalrepeat.detail/2018/05/28/4229/246%7C1059/mayor-s-memorial-day-ceremony.html

Lantern Floating Ceremony

Held annually on Memorial Day on Oʻahu’s south shore, Lantern Floating Hawaii brings together an estimated 50,000 people on the beach, joined by thousands around the world via live streaming and telecast for an evening of honoring loved ones and generating collective hope toward the future.

When: Monday, May 28th 6:30 – 7:30 pm

Where: Ala Moana Beach Park

http://lanternfloatinghawaii.com/page/ceremony

Photos: Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and the Battle of Midway National Memorial contains the history and relics from WWII. This atoll in the Pacific is an important link in our history. Photo credits: USFWS. 

Battle of Midway Commemoration Events

Battle of Midway 76th Commemoration Ceremony: Honolulu

The 76th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway commemoration ceremony honors the bravery of the veterans that served on Midway Atoll.

When: Friday, June 1, 8:00 - 9:00 am

Where: World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument

*Note: This ceremony is open to the public. Please visit the Monument website for visitation information: https://www.nps.gov/valr/index.htm

Battle of Midway 76th Commemoration Ceremony: Ewa Field

The 76th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway commemoration ceremony honors the bravery of the veterans that served on Midway Atoll and those lost at Ewa Field.

When: Saturday, June 2nd 9:00 – 11:00 am

Where: Ewa Field World War II Revetment District

*Note: This ceremony is open to the public. Please visit the following link for visitation information: https://amvets-hawaii.org/battle-of-midway/

Battle of Midway 76th Commemoration Ceremony: Midway Atoll

The 76th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway commemoration ceremony at Midway Atoll will honor the valor, commitment, and sacrifice of those who fought in the battle.

When: Wednesday, June 6th

Where: U.S. Navy Memorial, Midway Atoll, Sand Island

*Note: 1300 miles from Honolulu in the remote Pacific Ocean, the Battle of Midway National Memorial is not accessible to the general public. However, photos and information about the ceremony will be shared online. 

Learn more about the history and significance of the Battle of Midway at: 

Battle of Midway National Memorial Film

Remembering the Heroes of Midway

War and Peace at Midway Atoll: Reflections from Battle of Midway Veterans

World War II Era Fighter Plane Discovered at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial

Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial

Navy Battle History and Archival Images

Looking for more photos of Midway Atoll and past Battle of Midway Commemoration Ceremonies, visit:

Photos of Midway Atoll (USFWS) 

75th Battle of Midway Commemoration

70th Battle of Midway Commemoration 

[braith-eisen-isms]

Alright since everyone’s been tagging me in things...

I thought I’d get you all back by starting a tagging post of my own. And also throw out a little appreciation for all the people I’ve had the honor of interacting with on here!

Rules: Tag all the people you interact with on here that you enjoy interacting with, appreciate, support and consider friends. Or pick your top five or so and go from there. You can tag any of their blogs, or all of them if you feel like it.

You can tag the person who tagged you. Say something nice about them!

Bonus points if you give a reason for why you appreciate them!

So here we go... In no real particular order.

@carr-hayes-isms: What can I say, you were the one to inspire me to first make a RWBY RP blog. And you were the first person to RP with me, and make me feel accepted here. Plus you’re probably the person I’ve interacted with the most on here. Carr and Braith make an excellent couple and you’re an amazing friend!

@miss-pyrrha-nikos-isms: I’m not sure where to begin, you’re probably the best RPer I’ve ever seen, anywhere for that matter. Your portrayal of Pyrrha is second to none (And you simply being here was the main reason it took me so long to make a Pyrrha blog despite the fact she’s my favorite character.) You may take your time to respond, but your responses are always worth the wait. You write so beautifully and you could say you’re one of my biggest inspirations on here (because that is 100% true). And don’t get me started on Team VALR... We’d be here all day. I’m honored to have had the chance to RP with you and I wish you all the best Missy!

@stark-ryker-isms: Terra might be one of my least well known blogs, but Thunderstruck and all the other crazy shenanigans we’ve concocted together is the reason why I almost always check Terra’s notifications first when I log in. You’re a great RP partner and I’m glad we had the chance to make a team together. It’s been great fun and I’m looking forward to see where it all ends up next!

@and-his-name-is-rouge-crimson: You’ve been great fun RPing with, and while we haven’t interracted as much as we should, I’m excited to RP more with you in the future! It’s been great fun so far and I’d love to learn more about Rouge!

@angelchronicals: You’re a very patient RP partner and you have some truly out there and fantastic ideas that go a long way towards making our RPing memorable and fun!

@cody-baxter-isms: You’re the co-creator of the Pyrrha Fall AU and a fun person to chat to. It’s been an absolute pleasure to talk about all the little details of our strange little AU together.

@shun87000: You’re a good friend, and I wish you all the best. You’ve come quite far with your RPing skills too!

@jaune-isms: We haven’t been RPing for long, but I’ve had a great time messing around with you. And I’m eager to RP with you more in the future!

@killua-lightning-zoldyck: We’ve had some really enjoyable RPs, and I’m always jealous of how quickly you respond.

[braith-eisen-isms]

It was me!

I was still really new to the rp scene when I joined Team VALR. I'd only been around for a month or so and I'd barely met anyone at that point!

I believe I found your blog when we suddenly found ourselves on a team together.

Well, this is either @miss-pyrrha-nikos-isms or @braith-eisen-isms. Team VALR for life, y’all!

[phgq]

La Trinidad opens 10 tourist spots to Benguet,Baguio residents 

#PHinfo: La Trinidad opens 10 tourist spots to Benguet,Baguio residents 

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Nov. 23 (PI) - - The La Trinidad local government has now  opened   some  of the town’s tourist sites to  residents of the  province   well as from  Baguio City  to strike a balance between health and economy.

The Municipal Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 approved the opening of identified 10 sites provided  health safety protocols are in place and  observed at all times.

The 10 sites now open are Mount Costa inPuguis; Mt. Kalugong in Tawang; AvongnenRomy in Lower Wangal;   Bell Church in Km. 3, Balili; Lily of the Valley in Ampasit, Puguis; Cosmic Farm in Caban, Beckel; Living Gifts in Alno; Admirals Farm Park in Lamtang, Puguis; Gardennen Ines in Shilan; Darjane's Garden in Shilan; Benguet State University Orchidarium, and La Trinidad Orchidarium Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Betag.

Municipal Tourism Action Officer Valred Olsim said to ensure safety of tourists,   inspection was   done to look into the installation of directional signages for physical distancing, sanitation, designation of safety officers, among others.   Certificate of compliance to health safety protocols in the tourist sites are in place.

We know that economy is not just economy but the lack of economic activities affects families, livelihood, relationships, and even child development, Olsim said. “We know that COVID-19 is real but we also know that mental health is real,” he added.

The tourist sites also serve as venue for mental health wellness which is equally a serious concern especially in these times of pandemic, said Olsim.  

The local government reminds those interested to make an advance booking to regulate the number of visitors at a given time. Adherence to health and safety protocols or minimum health standards is a must and crowding should be avoided within the sites.

Visitors are required to present health declaration form secured from the point of origin and identification card as proof of residency.

For further details, visit the local government facebook  page at https://www.facebook.com/lgulatrinidad/posts/3719636474767921. (JDP/SCA-PIA-CAR, Benguet)

    ***

References:

* Philippine Information Agency. "La Trinidad opens 10 tourist spots to Benguet,Baguio residents ." Philippine Information Agency. https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1059792 (accessed November 23, 2020 at 05:40PM UTC+08).

* Philippine Infornation Agency. "La Trinidad opens 10 tourist spots to Benguet,Baguio residents ." Archive Today. https://archive.ph/?run=1&url=https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1059792 (archived).