#ARC - an apprentice's test

[icy-aspirations]

hello Naranja-Uva Students! (of my universe specifically.)

I'm finally here to announce an event I've been working on for a few days now - a battle event!

on November 2nd, I'll be starting the very first day of the event off with a battle with La Primera, and then from there, I'll be available to battle any student who wishes to!

I'll also be starting off every Monday and Saturday of the event with a battle against a Champion Rank trainer, and ending the event off with a special surprise for you all to watch!

these battles will be a 3v3 Paldean gym-style battle - I use 3 Pokemon, and my opponent uses 3 Pokemon.

those who win this battle against me will receive a "badge" - a Galarian Mr Mime badge!

whether you win or lose this battle, you may write an analysis paper of how you did in the battle, your strong points and where you could improve, and turn it in to Sr. Dendra for extra credit!

two of my friends, Erebus and Arven, will be providing snacks and drinks as refreshments! (and, if you'd like to volunteer to help with these tables, please do reach out to let us know, we'd appreciate having more than just two people to be able to handle this.)

we'll have Champion Valentino, @barbedwireheartz , there as the referee, and of course, Sr. Dendra, and Nurse Miriam to help supervise!

below are the dates that this event will be taking place! Saturdays and Sundays, the event starts at 11 AM, goes until a break at 4 PM, picking up again at 5 PM, and continuing until 8 PM. on weekdays, the event begins at

Saturday, November 2nd - battle against La Primera

Sunday, November 3rd

Monday, November 4th - battle against Champion Maretta

Wednesday, November 6th

Friday, November 8th

Saturday, November 23rd - battle against Champion Nemona

Sunday, November 24th

Monday, November 25th - battle against Champion Iseraphine

Wednesday, November 27th

Friday, November 29th

Saturday, December 14th - battle against Champion Aster

Sunday, December 15th

Monday, December 16th - battle against Valentino

Wednesday, December 18th

Thursday, December 20th

SPECIAL FINALE EVENT - Tuesday, December 24st

[opal-apples]

I started Witch Hat Atelier today and the illustrations are SO beautiful, but Agott is on my nerves already I want to slam her through concrete.

[barely-living-wizard-apprentice]

dude since mentor and those other guys left on that quest, there's only really apprentices left running stuff which I truly didn't think would be a problem

except the merchants apprentice is trying to inflate his prices as if his wares are any better than what his mentor was selling at least she accepted barting and coupons

[necrotic-nephilim]

I think what I love the most about Reverse Robin AU TimJay is the absolute potential for hero worship with Jason toward Tim. In canon we often forget that Tim didn't really care for Jason as Robin, meanwhile as I never shut up about, Jason has been weirdly respecting and obsessed with Tim since finding out about Tim's existence. So if you flip their order, make Tim Red Hood and make Jason Red Robin, there's so much room for hero worship from Jason.

As Robin, Jason has always teetered that edge of being pro-murder or not. Whether you believe he killed Felipe or not, even in his Post-Crisis introduction as Robin, he almost kills Two Face. Those concepts of lethal justice have always been brewing inside him, just reigned in by Bruce. So if you have Robin!Jason witnessing Red Hood!Tim start killing people and quickly making noticeable change in the landscape of gangs in Gotham, Jason would take quick notice. I think Tim as Red Hood would still be lethal, but there'd be a different application than Jason's Red Hood. Heads in duffle bags isn't Tim's style, even if he kills. I think you'd see something much more akin to that time Tim almost killed Boomerang, where it's such an elaborately thought out set up, it realistically doesn't even look like Tim killed anyone. It'd take months for Bruce to connect this string of deaths as anything other than coincidental, let alone link them to Red Hood. And Jason is wickedly smart, even as Robin. Jason, putting those pieces together before Bruce does and witnessing the undeniable positive change for Gotham it's enacting? Robin!Jason would be incredibly drawn in by that, and then even more-so, a Red Robin!Jason who has to grapple with being replaced to make room for the next Robin would I think, in anger, turn to Red Hood. And Tim would push him away at first, his plans don't have room for a scorned teenager who's trying to get back at Bruce and Nightwing!Damian like this- but I think Jason would wear him down. Prove to Tim that Jason can think on his wavelength.

Slightly related, what interests me about Red Hood!Tim is how it'd implicate his closeness to Ra's. Jason is taken into the League by Talia in Lost Days and Ra's doesn't necessarily approve of Jason's presence, especially not of Talia dunking him in the Pit, but Ra's has always canonically been A Little Weird about Tim. I think in a world Tim dies as the second Robin, it would be Ra's who dunks Tim to preserve his mind that Ra's thinks shouldn't be wasted, and you have the potential for 'apprentice of Ra's' Tim wrapped up in it all, even without him experience the Red Robin arc. So when it's Jason as Red Robin, instead of him going to Ra's when he's scorned by the Batfamily, he goes to Tim. The person he once idolized, because I think Tim would've been Jason's Robin. Smart, competent, a strong legacy to live up to. And now he's back, and he's pro-killing, an edge that Jason has always teetered on and would feel even closer to when he's replaced by a young Dick. I think Tim wouldn't ever be able to get rid of Jason.

Then on Tim's side, I think his reaction to being replaced after his death would be a complicated one. Objectively, being the Robin who believes Batman needs a Robin, he'd respect the logic and know Bruce was always going to replace him eventually. But still, there's always going to be that instinctual emotional reaction of betrayal and replacement. I think he'd view Jason at first with anger and distance, but then, seeing Jason as this street kid with begrudging potential, I could see Red Hood!Tim testing Jason. Constantly throwing things at Jason, seeing how he reacts, if he lives up to being Robin. Tim has a need for analyzing people, understanding their strengths and weaknesses. And he seems the Robin mantle very uniquely, he'd need to have it proven to him that Jason can handle it.

So you would have this dynamic of Jason hero worshipping Tim, slowly believing in Tim's methodology. While Tim is at first dismissive of him, but then starts to test him, see what makes this kid tick. And I think the TimJay potential of Jason trying to prove himself to Tim could be Neat.

[eyesanddragons]

Albatross, Animus Dragons and Preventable Tragedies

(Also Known as: This tragedy was not inevitable, let's talk about responsibility)

(CWs: Murder, Abuse)

So, Legends Darkstalker as a book has a lot of thoughts about fate and inevitability. Clearsight and Darkstalker try and fail to create an ideal future for the both of them, Fathom is scared that he can't prevent his animus magic from destroying is soul, and the readers know how all of this is going to end since Legends Darkstalker is a prequel to Arc 2.

In the midst of all this talk about inevitability and fate we have...Albatross. Someone who we've known about since Arc 1 and know how his story ends. He causes the Royal Seawing Massacre, his magic allegedly "driving him insane." What's interesting about Albatross is that when you really look at his life, this historical version of it falls short in many ways. The retelling of his life leave out important context, and notably, scrub any idea that someone or multiple someones might have caused him to act like this.

It's Albatross' fault in the end, it's his fault for losing control, his fault for being "insane."

But if we take an actual look at the story in Legends Darkstalker you find that this really isn't the case.

Albatross found out he was an animus in a very...unpleasant way. He enchanted a shell to bite the claws off his sister, Sapphire. This event was deeply traumatic and would stick with Albatross for his entire life. You might be wondering why Albatross didn't fix Sapphire's claws considering his powers and I'll get to one of the reasons in a bit since it's very important to what I'm trying to say, but @/kinkajouwof breaks it down over here.

In short, most likely the reason why Albatross didn't fix it at the start is due to uncertainty if he really Could do it and because Albatross and Sapphire were terrified.

The reason more important to my point though is that Lagoon Actively Benefited from this fear. When Lagoon became Queen she would hold this action over Albatross whenever he was unwilling to do things to guilt him into following what she wanted him to do.

"This is a waste of time, Lagoon," he said. "Nobody ever tested me, but we figured out quickly enough what I could do. If any of them have a shred of power, surely they would of known by now. Or it will become obvious, sooner or later." "I'd prefer sooner," the queen said silkily. "If we find another animus in the tribe, that would make us twice as powerful, which would be quite useful given how the Mudwings and Rainwings have been behaving lately. And the earlier we find her, the sooner you can start to train her, and the sooner I can start to use her." "Besides," she added in a lower voice, so Fathom had to strain to hear her, "I think we would all prefer to discover our next animus in a less...dramatic fashion than you were discovered. Don't you?" Albatross flinched, just slightly. He cast a skeptical eye across the young. "My power is more than enough for whatever you need. I've given you everything you've asked for, haven't I? And I don't want an apprentice."

Afterwards Lagoon commands Albatross to start the test but you can see what I mean. Lagoon actively threatens Albatross and Exploits Him, and wants to find Other Animus Dragons to Exploit. He is not just a Subject to Lagoon, he is an Object to Lagoon. Non-sexual objectification.

She plans to do the same thing to another animus, Lagoon's rule was built on Exploiting the powers of the people she could Control. She wants to find them young so she could mold them into the tools she wanted them to be earlier. She wants to condition them to treat themselves as objects Now.

This treatment comes to a head during the banquet. Where Lagoon once again holds what happened to Sapphire over his head, while also threatening to Replace Him.

"Here is our first animus," Queen Lagoon said to the Skywings, who seemed to have figured that out themselves, judging by the looks of terror on their faces. "My brother, Albatross. We were just talking this morning about what his next project should be. I'm thinking big this time. Something that makes me invulnerable, perhaps. Or something that kills any dragon who might be a threat to me." Beyond Albatross, over the couches, Splash stiffened, and Fathom saw her crush one of the hibiscus blossoms between her claws. He glanced around and saw his father put a wing around Manta, who had gone pale. "Yes," Albatross said. "Although you recall I wasn't exactly enthused about any of those ideas." "Then it's lucky you're not my only animus dragon," Queen Lagoon said coldly. Fathom felt a shiver all the way down to the tip of his tail. If she asked him to do a spell like that, would he? Would he obey his queen and put his own mother in danger? Or disobey her, and perhaps put everyone he cared about in even worse danger? What would she do to Indigo If I ever said no to her? Albatross stopped right in front of the queen, snout-to-snout with her. Fathom couldn't read his face. He looked as though he'd been carved from stone, any emotions chipped away. "Do you think you're done?" Queen Lagoon said to him softly. "Do you think you'll ever be done atoning for what you did to Sapphire? It's not going to end Albatross. You'll always be mine."

This is a bit of a blunder on Lagoon's part since Albatross Kills her! She's revealed that she is Never going to let him go, that no matter how hard he works he's never going to escape. No matter what he does he will be an Object to her. Fight, Flight or Freeze, stay here and be worked to death killing hundreds of people or Escape Now.

And Albatross...chose Fight.

Note that Albatross literally says right here that he doesn't Want to make Lagoon Invulnerable, he doesn't Want to give her the power to kill people.

When he starts killing other people it's not because he became ax-crazy. He killed the Queen, no matter how horrible and cruel she was their all going to defend her...and they've never thought about him. They've never cared for him. To them he was also an Object.

So...he kills them too.

Now I'm not saying He should of killed all those people, murder is bad actually. But this is a Consequence of Lagoon and the rest of Seawing society's actions. This is the direct, real, bloody consequence of treating a person like an object designed to serve their every whim.

This wasn't something he was doomed to be, this is something that has a tangible cause and effect. The system and the way it treated him is What Caused This.

Except, none of the Seawings who survived Want to face that. They don't Want to accept responsibility for that. Why should they accept the responsibility and guilt of having lead one of their own to believe that murder was the only way to escape a truly horrific and abusive situation...when they have a perfectly convenient scapegoat. Remember...Albatross is an object. Lagoon died, not because she perpetuating a horrible abusive situation that her society allowed her to do due to the absolute power she was given, but because she handled Albatross Improperly. Animus magic is just a dangerous thing, and the people who can use it are dangerous tools. This isn't Their Fault for treating a person like an object, it's the fault of improper usage of a tool.

It's a more convenient story for everyone...except for Fathom who proceeds to be treated horribly and drown himself in guilt and shame for being Dangerous.

Seawing Society caused something horrible and instead of trying to fix it, turned their backs and pretended they did nothing wrong. When we see Anemone their doing the Exact Same Thing to her. She is an object, a weapon of war, and she will be treated as such. Anemone believes she's doomed to become evil and almost Kills her family out of the belief that she is doomed to become a mass murderer.

Albatross' Massacre was preventable, and that's what makes it tragic.

[arcadianmoonshadowjedi]

Callum & Viren: Are they similar? Is Callum on the same path as Viren? - Star Wars Analogies

I know there have been posts made before in the Dragon Prince fandom comparing characters from tdp to Star Wars characters, esp Callum to Anakin/Vader as someone who will eventually get corrupted/turn to the dark side and become a potential apprentice to Aaravos, as well as Rayllum to Anidala in terms of Callum being seen as being bound to doom the world for Rayla.

I wanted to share a different perspective of mine as to which characters/relationship dynamics (outside of romantic ones included) from tdp I believe compare the most to which Star Wars characters as a massive fan of both sagas myself.

The number one character from Star Wars that I see Callum being most similar to is Luke Skywalker, whereas a character I think is the best comparison to Anakin/Vader, especially after watching Season 6 of the Dragon Prince, would be none other than Viren himself. While I do know for a fact that the tdp characters aren’t carbon copies of the SW characters I’m comparing them to, I still think that their overall arcs are quite matching.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Starting with Callum and Luke, on the surface, both are the hero who prevails and saves everyone & the whole world/galaxy from doom, but on a deeper level, they both struggle with a dark side inside of them & temptations to give in to it. And before I continue, I wanted to emphasize that I DO NOT see Callum as someone who’s morally dubious, as there are several instances in canon which prove otherwise, specifically his immense guilt over using dark magic and his fear of becoming corrupted and consumed by darkness in S6 (his nightmare at the beginning of episode 3 perfectly illustrates this), the latter of which is a challenge we also see Luke dealing with in The Empire Strikes Back.

Throughout the Original trilogy, mainly in ESB & Return of the Jedi, we see so many “hints” and “indicators” that Luke might turn to the dark side, who unlike Callum, actually shares many personality traits with his father such as his impatience and recklessness. We see Yoda fear that he might follow in his father’s footsteps before reluctantly training him, we see Vader and eventually Palpatine try to lure Luke to the dark side, even pointing out that they could sense his anger which is a major precursor for that. But in the end, despite all of those temptations, despite all of his anger and eventual fear & rage for his sister’s safety, he ultimately resisted and refused to join the sith.

Along with seeing many protagonists who may be put in similar situations or even in some cases share some similarities with the main/major antagonist, such as Harry and Voldemort being another example of this, this is why I am a firm believer that Callum will be tested in Season 7, he may be faced with temptations to use dark magic again perhaps as a quick means to defeat Aaravos or potentially save Rayla if it gets to that, or even Aaravos trying to bribe him to join him, but in the end he will ultimately resist, since dark magic, as stated several times before, is merely a shortcut that leads to much bigger long term harm (which I don’t think there would be enough time to even flesh this out in the final season of the Mystery of Aaravos arc). As we’ve seen Callum reject succumbing to his dark side after he used dark magic for the first time, and seeing him willingly do the purification ritual to rid himself of his darkness/corruption in his soul, I do believe that Callum has the power to reject dark magic once and for all and do the right thing (this does not necessarily mean he would sacrifice Rayla if the plot does get to that, but I do think he would find a third option aside from dark magic to save her, like he did back in S3 when he cast the mage wing spell to save her). After all, a major theme in the Dragon Prince is breaking cycles and not repeating previous mistakes, so what would be the point in having those themes or specifically Harrow’s letter in the first place, or better yet have the whole “destiny’s a book you write yourself” line be brought up multiple times if Callum’s just fated keep repeating past mistakes over and over again?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now onto my next analogy: Viren & Anakin/Vader, the characters who I genuinely saw as those whose corruption & downfalls may have started out of desperation to save a loved one from dying, but ultimately grew into greed and hunger for power.

I could go on about the complexities of Anakin’s character, specifically the ones that got fleshed out even more in the Clone Wars and how there are multiple factors that led to his turn to the dark side, but that’s not the whole point of this post. I know that there are some differing factors between both Viren and Anakin in terms of their dark sides/stories, but ultimately the last straw that led to their corruption was the fact that they were both terrified of losing an important loved one and both were completely unwilling to let that happen, whatever the price they had to pay. We also see them seek some sort of counsel/beg for help, like when Anakin vaguely told Yoda about his visions and fears, and Viren telling Kpp’Ar about Soren’s condition and needing the staff, ultimately both Anakin and Viren were told that there wasn’t really anything that could be done and they both needed to learn to let go. However neither of them were having that, so we somewhat see them both resort to another counsel, both very different but leading to same outcome. Anakin starts to open up more to Palpatine, who in turn manipulates him and convinces him that he has his “solution.” While Viren on the other hand, may have offered advice to Harrow to “do what he must” over his own dilemma, he in turn used that same advice but in a more twisted, corrupted manner. So then, both Anakin and Viren resort to darker approaches to solve their own problems and completely give in to their own darknesses.

I won’t go into deep detail about what they each did, since you can just rewatch these scenes in Revenge of the Sith and Episode 6 of TDP for that, but now I wanted to talk about how despite having the desire to save their loved ones, they ultimately caused massive harm to them. Anakin desperately did whatever he could to save Padme, but in the end, when he thought she betrayed him, he force-choked her then afterwards, she was shattered and heartbroken over his downfall that it led to her death, the very thing that Anakin tried so hard to prevent. While Viren on the other hand may have succeeded in healing and saving Soren, he grew to treat him coldly and abusively to the point where he completely damaged & even destroyed his relationship with his very son that he corrupted himself completely to save in the first place.

Even though I primarily focused on the similarities between Viren saving Soren & Anakin trying to save Padme, I also wanted to point out how similar the impacts were on Lissa and Padme as well, namely how they were both horrified when they saw what became of their husbands.

Sadly both of them ended up getting assaulted by their corrupted husbands, which then led up to the destruction of their families. And ultimately both Viren and Anakin continued on their dark paths and grew more ruthless, evil, and corrupted until they finally reached their eventual redemptions (I know not everyone thinks that Viren got redeemed but I do believe that his redemption arc was him accepting that he’s done far too much and accepting the consequences for his actions).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So far these are the thoughts that I have on which Dragon Prince characters/relationships I think compare best to which Star Wars ones. And I know that Claudia would also be a good comparison to Anakin since she too struggles a lot with loss and refuses to let go, but at the same time, I see her still being in Anakin’s early villain phase during Revenge of the Sith, not yet having reached the Vader levels that we see during the Original Trilogy era. The way I see Vader & Viren relationships with Luke and Callum’s characters, it’s that the former two represent what the latter two fear of becoming if they do not overcome their dark sides.

But to answer my questions in the header, I do not think that Callum is bound to be on the same path as Viren or that he will let himself be consumed by darkness. Season 6 dealt with his overall guilt over using dark magic, his fear of being consumed by it/being used as by Aaravos, and ultimately his choice to purify himself of his darkness and understanding the consequences of doing dark magic again beforehand. Just as many protagonists get put through the wringer in their final battles, but ultimately persevere and do the right thing, I do believe that Callum will win and not fall victim to his temptations once again.

That’s all I have folks! Thanks for reading this far if you have! And an important friendly reminder (as mentioned already in my bio) if you have differing opinions and would like to disagree and discuss, please be sure to do so respectfully. Otherwise scroll by or I’ll be more than glad to press that block button! 😊🙌🏽

(Screenshot+caption of Lissa scene by @stuck-in-jelly)

[bonefall]

Super interested in how you plan to write Leopardfoot! I feel like both fanon and canon tend to make her into a sweet mom(tm) who’s super sad that Tigerstar is evil, very similar to how Goldenflower is usually treated. What’s her thoughts on Pinestar and him leaving? How did she influence Tigerstar? What are her political beliefs?

Society has progressed past the need for sad moms who stare tearily at their evil sons and boohoo about all the murder. It's MOTHER AGENCY TIME

BB!Leopardfoot was FEROCIOUS. Her father was the indominable Adderfang, and he taught her about the importance of honor and glory. When Tigerpaw was given to Thistleclaw as an apprentice, she was proud of it. It felt perfect to her-- that her father's apprentice was now her son's mentor.

For his brief rule, she supported Sunstar completely. It helped that he came after the disastrous and embarassing exit of Pinestar, which ruined the legacy that she wanted him to give her son. Pinestar was a damn coward and a codebreaker... and she assured Tigerkit that he was more HER son than his.

She even gives him a life, for Legacy, in defiance of StarClan

She was friends with Bluemoon for a time, but after ascending to StarClan, she learned about the Forget-me-nots.

This changed her opinion of her. Leopardfoot supports Thistle Law, STRONGLY so.

She supported THISTLECLAW when he tried to forcefully void the Queen’s Rights. If Bluemoon hadn't broken the code, then what did she have to hide?

She backed off when Thrushpelt leapt to her defense though, "She didn't reveal it because she doesn't love me are you happy now??"

Leopardfoot: *awkwardly turns away feeling like an asshole now, tea SPILLED, her friend's dirty laundry EXPOSED, thought she was crusading for the law but she just dug up drama*

Towards the end of Pinestar’s reign, he was getting exhausted. He wanted peace. Leopardfoot wanted kittens around that time, and figured that there was no better cat than the son of Oakstar, architect of the infamous Crusade Era.

If Pinestar had no children, a glorious bloodline would have died out. She wanted it for her kits. Pinestar agreed on the condition that he would be their Mi, which she happily accepted.

So when Pinestar left, she jumped into the nursery to take over and had to explain to her kits where their Mi went.

She drove it home to them that he abandoned everything, because his weakness took over. They would never be like him, she promised.

Mistkit died very young. Nightpaw made it to apprenticeship before she also succumbed. Tigerclaw remembers very well how hard it was to lose his sisters.

Leopardfoot herself was taken shortly before TPB, in Spottedleaf's Plague. Her death causes Tigerclaw to have a bit of a moment.

After the trial in Bluestar's Flowers, Leopardfoot leaves StarClan along with a bunch of other Thistle Law supporters, including Thistleclaw himself. She joins the BOTTE at the end of OotS, fighting to the end with her son.

She misses him a lot, and remains in the Dark Forest to the current arc. She chose her path; and has the dignity to walk it.

She does miss StarClan sometimes though, and will tell you stories about it if you ask.

In terms of demon friends, she's somewhere in the clique between the harsher and softer spirits.

She dislikes Morningstar, Cloudberry, and Ryewhisker on the softer end, and has come to resent Thistleclaw and Finchflight on the other, but likes Darkstripe, Leopardstar, and Silverhawk.

Gets along with a range of "mid" level demons.

In particular I imagine she hangs out with Darkstripe a lot. Taste test buddy, he asks her to try his experimental recipes because she's honest but not mean. One of the few Thistle Law supporting cats he hangs out with after the double-death of Tigerstar.

He calls her Lefty. Her official nickname is "Left" but he calls her Lefty.

(Clanmew: her name is Saorpwyyar. Others call her Saopr. He calls her Sapyy.)

Her mom and dad Swiftbreeze and Adderfang are here too, following Thistleclaw like she did, but she's been minimizing her contact with her dad. She feels like she is owed an apology somehow but also doesn't have the emotional intelligence to know that it's what she wants.

She just knows that she feels really bitter talking to him, and that's unpleasant.

She used to be VITRIOLIC with Pinestar, who is also here, even going after him physically when he chose to join in with the Dark Forest trainees. But now... honestly so much shit has happened, she just doesn't like seeing him. She wishes he wasn't here.

I write her being very dignified. She doesn't like to admit publically she was ever wrong and speaks with confidence, quietly backing off and not wanting to speak about her mistakes. She loves her children and her family, but explores the world in a very "self-centric" way, trusting her feelings and personal judgement over anything logical.

A reactionary sort of person, if that makes sense.

Her Land Mar has to develop over time because she is an ex-StarClan migrant (damned souls get theirs instantly after judgement), but it's called the Fence Cliff. It's a picket fence that blocks off a sheer drop, making a sharp turn down the cliff face and acting as a walkway. Follow the fence down the slope, and you can access the Dark Forest's town biome.

[everrainrp]

TORRENTFALL CLAN OPENINGS

Wow, what a week with the Shoreshimmer Applications! We were very impressed by what we saw, and will be sending out invitations as this week progresses! Do not feel disheartened if you did not receive an invitation, there have been a surprising amount of applications and while we would like to pick all that we can, we still have four more Clans to go! That's a huge number of potential applicants for us to go through and we don't want to end up with more than we can chew in regards to how many people are accepted!

As for those of you who have been waiting for Torrentfall Clan, it is your time to shine and get an application in! If there are any questions regarding the Clan, do not hesitate to reach out!

Tinyfish is available as the Deputy Adoptable for this round of applications.

Leader and Apothecary are both available to be applied for as original characters!

Below you will find both of the application forms, be sure you are filling out the correct one when you begin! We are very excited to get these under way and cannot wait to see everyone's characters in this opening and upcoming ones! Thank you everyone for your patience once again!

Do not rush, fill out the form to the best of your abilities. Remember that you are not being viewed on how much you are presenting in the submission, but how much heart you have put into your character or concept!

GENERAL FORM

HIGH RANK FORM

Same as Shoreshimmer Applications, accepted applicants will receive a message during the following week post closing of this opening, as well as an invite to the server! So be sure that you put down a social media that is easily accessible in the event we cannot reach you on discord!

Thank you all for your interest and we cannot wait to see what you've cooked up once again!

AND as a very special thing, Mod M has written up some prompts to get those creative gears turning that can be found below!! They will be found below, and added to the site shortly! They're Very fun, so be sure to take a look!

Earthshaker, Stormbringer. Torrentfall cats are known for their ability to navigate dangerous rivers and waterfalls, but you take this to the extreme. See, you’ve always been a cat who thrives in chaos. When the weather worsens, when storms roll in, and the riverbanks threaten to flood… oh, that’s when you come alive. You prefer life on the move, constantly testing your skills by racing down treacherous rapids and venturing into uncharted waters. Some say you’re reckless for seeking danger, while others admire your courage. Do you seek the thrill, the knowledge, or something deeper? And when you stand in the eye of the storm, will it give you what you seek– or leave you stranded in its fury?

From the Riverbed. If your kindness is born of repentance, you must be making up for something terrible. Once, you lost someone dear to the river– perhaps kits, an apprentice, or a close friend who drowned. From that moment, you vowed to ensure no cat would be taken by the waters again. You’ve dedicated yourself to becoming one of Torrentfalls' best swimmers, and now you want to teach others to navigate the treacherous currents. But you have a complex relationship with the rapids. Do you fear the river? Or have you grown obsessed with mastering it, refusing to let it defeat you again? Most of all– does the water still feel like home?

Colors of the Wind. After the rain, when sunlight hits the water, Torrentfall is occasionally treated to brilliant rainbows arcing across the sky. While most cats admire their beauty from afar, you’ve set your sights on something more: capturing them, and infusing them into your paintings. You fashion delicate nets and containers from shining river stones, believing that if you capture a rainbow, you can harness its color and beauty forever. No one in Torrentfall has ever seen such a feat accomplished, but you? You're certain you’re close to success. Will you bottle the colors of the wind?

Sky’s the Limit. Torrentfall’s winds can be fierce, but where others see danger, you see opportunity. Inspired by the birds that soar high above, you’ve taken it upon yourself to craft what some may call “kytes” – using river reeds, fish bones, and leaves, you want to create constructs that can soar. You’re… a long way off, your creations haphazard and flimsy still, but you can imagine them one day catching the wind and dancing freely in the sky. Some cats are baffled by your obsession, but you’re convinced that once they see it in action, they’ll understand the beauty of flight. Will you launch Torrentfall’s first flying craft?

[zeroducks-2]

I need to know what the details are on Dick being Deathstroke's apprentice. Google is useless.

Alright so, where to begin.

Dick has never actually been Deathstroke's apprentice. The idea that he trained under Slade who has been his "master" for a time is essentially a fanon concept, stemming from a mix of the the Renegade arc of Nightwing 1996, and from what's become known as the Apprentice Arc of Teen Titans 2003 (the old animated series).

When it comes to the Renegade arc, here's a quick recap of what happens: Dick is in Bludhaven and has recently broken up with Barbara, lost his job as a cop and went no contact with Bruce so he's very isolated. He finds out The Society Of Supervillains has business in the Boud and needs info about them, but can't infiltrate them because Slade is on their roster and he knows Dick's real identity, therefore he would recognize (and out) him easily. So he comes up with the idea of trying to convince Slade that he's a bad guy now and he can be trusted by villains - truly Slade never actually trusts him, but in the process of testing him Rose grows very fond of Dick, and eventually Dick manages to thwart the society's plans and kick Slade out of Bludhaven.

I have a more lengthy and detailed post about it if you're interested, and you can find it here.

As for the Apprentice Arc, the situation is completely different because the characters from Teen Titans 2003 are only inspired by their comics counterpart, and have different personalities and backstories. Again to sum it up, Slade (who's not a mercenary but rather an evil, almost demonic supervillain with a fixation on tormenting the Teen Titans, especially Robin) comes up with a plan to "infect" the Titans - minus Robin - with nanomachines. If activated, these little bots cause the kids unbearable pain (which would eventually kill them if not deactivated), and with that to threaten their well-being, Slade forces Robin to work for him and do his bidding. Eventually Robin finds a way to thwart said plan and cure his friends, and it all goes down in a couple of episodes, but it's suggestive and violent enough to have rewritten thousand of folks' brain chemistry.

I have a post which describes these events in a more detailed manner too, it's here. It discusses Slade in general, the section dedicated to the Apprentice Arc is about halfway through the post.

If you have any specific detail you wanna know about feel free to ask away!

[penelopwgarcia]

something something sith masters looks for their apprentice names on the force and vader means FATHER and while in the start its a hint of what he was to luke but now that we know anakin was the chosen one and in the mortis arc he was tested and was confirmed and the father said it was his destiny to take his place and then the force said to palpatine to name anakin FATHER you know what I'm saying

[icy-aspirations]

hello there everyone!! my name is Kyzu! I use she/her, they/them, and cie/cier pronouns.

I'm a student at Naranja-Uva Academy, and I run a lil study group for those who need some extra help in classes! (if you contact me, I'm willing to help you if and when I'm free!)

I also study under Grusha when we both have the time! he wants me to take over his gym when he retires, even though that's quite far away - it lines up with my desires as well!

I've challenged the Paldea league, beaten the gym challenge, and earned the Champion title.

I'm the youngest in my family - I have multiple older siblings. I'm the only member of my family who was adopted!

that's all I can think of to say about myself really! :D so, below the cut is a list of some of my Pokemon, and my tag directory!

battlers:

Alolan Vulpix - Olwen - male - one of my irreplaceable partners, one of the Pokemon I've had since the very beginning! he's an absolute sweetheart. he isn't ready to evolve yet, but he's plenty powerful still!

Froslass - Neve - female - I found her as a Snorunt and befriended her, and she's stuck by my side ever since. love her to pieces.

Cincinno - Crystal - female - my ace Pokemon! her tera type is ice.

Cubchoo - Blu - male - similar to Olwen, he just doesn't want to evolve - but he's still pretty powerful.

Strawberry Sweet Ruby Swirl Alcremie - Blanca - female -

Florges - Aurora - female -

non-battlers :

shiny Oshawott - Yule - male - a little buddy! he hatched from an egg I was given, and he has no interest in battling, so I just spoil him.

Snom - Everett - male - also just a little buddy, but I found him in the wild, and he just stuck around with me.

#frost - original posts

#snowcover - reblogs

#snowdust - asks and submissions!

((oocmun - ooc/admin posts

a Rotomblr blog by @theangstking

Pelipper Mail : on

M!As : off))

[miminmimikyu]

can we actually talk about how kino Afro is as a antagonist? He's the polar opposite of Issho who was set up as a nasty fella, while also being the cancer that's killing rakugo. "muh tradition" without Issho's new wave eye. "muh respect" but without Issho's two-way respect towards Akane. "muh artform" but only a certain way without Issho's eye for the artist. "muh king of comedy" but not a master of rakugo.

You are so right anon! ( sorry for the ensuing wall of text.).

Yeeeeeess, wow he’s such an effective villain. My blood boils every time Zensho barges into a chapter. He’s so over-the-top 1000% unlikeable (while just realistic enough that I’m sure a lot of people know a less exaggerated real-life Zensho). And at the same time I find him so fascinating as he’s in Issho’s corner but, as you said, his behaviour and ideas about rakugo are completely opposite to Issho’s. That strange contradiction that they’re superficially similar (and on good terms?) but actually ideologically opposites is just… ✨fascinating✨

I went back and read volume 1 (and 2.. and.. ) and it’s interesting that his first appearance made him out to be a Issho-lite, seemingly less irrational (HA!). Or perhaps a mouthpiece for Issho's views. Even Shiguma’s description of Issho’s personality seems similar to Taizen’s description of Zensho's.

But nope, couldn't be more different. That “honesty/lack of falsehood” means different things here. Both of them may speak harsh truths, but Issho’s harsh honesty is underpinned by his philosophy and respect for the artform, which Zensho's isn't. Going by his Karaku cup critiques and Kaisei's inner thoughts there's actually a correlation between how harsh Issho's honesty is and how much he respects a rakugoka. Akane's conversation with him showed that he won’t betray his principles even in the face of his “enemy” (Shiguma)’s apprentice.

Zensho? Perhaps his rakugo itself is akin to holding up a mirror of truth to the audience, but he sure as hell told a lot of lies this arc. And all of his "honesty" seems to be going to people he doesn't treat with respect. Every core principle of the Arakawa school goes out of the window the second one of Shiguma’s apprentices is mentioned. Maybe his personal vendetta has blinded him to the fact that his behaviour towards them is completely incompatible with the Arakawa school itself. We don't really see him interact with many others but Taizen also calls him “fickle and unfair”, and combined with how badly he speaks about his own apprentices, I wouldn’t be surprised if he treats every single person below him badly.

I'm sure his rakugo brings the house down and art is everything at Arakawa. But. He favours hierarchy over talent, abuses his power and crushes new talent (especially Shiguma-related), he’s resting on his laurels (e.g. raising one shin’uchi) rather than figuring out why his students aren’t making waves, blames everyone but himself, poisons the stage for other performers and above all: He doesn’t even look at their art! His judgement precedes the performance!

It’s all "reputation" and "Issho" with him. Perhaps he's been able to get away with it because of overwhelming rakugo ability. Not for long though, going by the looks Ikken and Taizen are giving him.

Were it not for this weird “notice me Issho aniki!!!” vibe he really seems to be more suited to hang around with those conservative shin’uchi from the Rakugo Federation who were bitching about Kaisei and Akane. (who wants to bet he doesn’t like Kaisei either). But it doesn’t seem like Issho is paying attention to him at all, not even after his little atmosphere-poisoning stunt at Maikeru’s test.

God this so funny (babes Issho’s not going to respect you for that!)

Anyway, I can see the following happening during Maikeru’s test:

a) Zensho actually listens to Maikeru’s rakugo. It makes him come to some personal revelation about his own behaviour, but he digs his heels in and decides to vote against Zensho “for aniki’s sake”. Then gets chewed out by Issho. b) Zensho doesn’t actually bother to look at Maikeru’s art, causes a big stink when it is well-received by everyone else, and he is chewed out by Issho c) Fairytale ending where Zensho listens and changes his ways (no way in hell).

Whatever happens I really hope we get to see what is fuelling his really irrational behaviour before he’s bodied by the Arch Four.

[warrior-cats-canongen]

Canongen: The New Prophecy || The Lost Save

This was the first test save I started playing and it had a really great arc to it, but unfortunately my game didn't save properly so I have no way to continue it. I figured I may as well post the notes, though!

At first, matters in ThunderClan are fairly lighthearted. Squirrelpaw and Leafpaw have just been named apprentices. ThunderClan has recently named two warriors, Sootfur and Rainwhisker, and their sister, Sorrelpaw, has returned to training after moons of injury. Ferncloud and Dustpelt's new litter -- Birchkit, Hollykit, and Larchkit -- is healthy and doing well, even as their first litter -- Spiderpaw and Shrewpaw -- near the end of their own training.

Patrols mostly go well, but Brambleclaw does get a handsome new tear in his ear from a dog. Ferncloud ventures out with Dustpelt, Squirrelpaw, and Ashfur, and they try to blow off some steam teasing a few twoleg kits they find near the twolegplace... but end up getting chased themselves instead.

In the next moon, Sorrelpaw earns her warrior name alongside Shrewpaw: Sorreltail and Shrewtail. Hollykit gets grabbed by a hawk while playing in camp, but fortunately Leafpaw manages to free the kit from the raptor's talons, although not without injuries. Speckletail is killed by a dog while taking a walk outside camp. Leafpaw wonders if the strange dream she had over the last moon, which she couldn't quite make sense of, was an omen of what misfortune was to come.

At first, the patrols seem to be going well. Prey is plentiful, and Cloudtail and Brightheart head out for a romantic excursion in the forest near twolegplace. While hunting, Cloudtail is captured by twolegs and taken! To make matters worse, Ferncloud is injured by a dog while her patrol investigates ShadowClan scent on their territory. Later, Mousefur, Brambleclaw, Rainwhisker, and Spiderpaw find some ShadowClan kits playing at the border, and Spiderpaw is killed trying to return them.

As if the Clan hasn't experienced enough loss, Hollykit succumbs to the wounds left by the hawk, leaving Leafpaw shaken. Dustpelt steals a rabbit from just over the ShadowClan border out of spite for his son's death, but is quickly caught and killed by another patrol. The Clan mourns, and Squirrelpaw is re-apprenticed to Brightheart. Brightheart knows that she will always love Cloudtail, but with so much other tragedy in the Clan and the looming potential of a war, she knows she can't dwell on it and needs to move on, at least for now.

Over the next moon, Whitepaw earns her warrior name, Whitewing. Cinderpelt and Dappletail berate ShadowClan for the unnecessary deaths at the Gathering, although this does nothing to improve the relationship between the two Clans. The conflict seems to be affecting the other Clans as well, as Rainwhisker's patrol has a tense interaction with WindClan at the border. Brackenfur's patrol, meanwhile, encounters a twoleg at the river trying to dispose of a cat in a bag, and the patrol successfully rescues a frightened, injured kittypet who decides to stay with the Clan and takes on the name Quickspot. Ashfur gets a nasty rat bite while hunting.

Despite her young age, or perhaps out of a desire to have more warriors ready for battle, Squirrelpaw earns her warrior name, Squirrelflight. The tragic news of Barley's death reaches the Clan.

Leafpaw earns her full name not long after, choosing to be called Leafholly in honor of Hollykit. Birchpaw and Larchpaw are apprenticed to Graystripe and Brambleclaw respectively, and Larchpaw is given jay feathers in congratulations! Ashfur's rat bite takes a turn for the worse, and Ashfur grimly comes to terms with the fact that it might not get better despite Leafholly and Cinderpelt's desperate efforts. Mousefur's patrol encounters a kittypet who is interested in Clan life, and she eagerly asks to join ThunderClan, taking on the name Zoeheart. Zoeheart accompanies Thornclaw, Ferncloud, and Squirrelflight on a border patrol, and perhaps with the help of her outside perspective, the patrol manages to dispel any lingering tension between the Clans.

The same could not be said of ShadowClan, and the two Clans formally declare war on each other! Ferncloud is one of the first casualties, killed while scouting out the border. Firestar saves Sorreltail from a dog, but loses a life to his injuries shortly after. Fortunately, Ashfur's rat bite finally seems to have healed, and the immediate danger for him has, for now, passed. Graystripe's patrol notices poorly-disguised ShadowClan scent on ThunderClan territory and decides to return the favor, spitefully muddying the entire border scent line.

In this time of crisis, Firestar finds himself turning to Dappletail's aged wisdom. Squirrelflight earns her first scar, a torn ear, while chasing off a dog. Goldenflower's patrol rescues a young loner named Virgo from a dog, and he decides to stay with the Clan.

ShadowClan raids the camp, and Dappletail dies defending Graystripe from an enemy warrior. Quickspot also nobly sacrifices herself to save Larchpaw. The other Clans feel that this war has gone too far, and pushes ThunderClan and ShadowClan to make peace. While they don't call a formal truce, this does seem to de-escalate the violence.

Fortunately, this seems to be enough for the two Clans to call a truce over the next moon. Thornclaw thinks he might have had a vision from StarClan, but no one can really make sense of it.

Birchpaw is given his warrior name, Birchfall. Brackenfur's tail is badly wounded by a fox, and Thornclaw also gets bitten. Goldenflower twists her paw on a root. Virgo decides to stay with the Clan permanently and takes on the warrior name Wrenheart. Cinderpelt ponders her own mortality while gathering herbs with Leafholly. Sandstorm gets frostbite while hunting.

Soon after, Sandstorm announces that she's expecting kits again! Larchpaw earns her warrior name, Larchfeather. A few cats, including Leafholly and Wrenheart, catch whitecough. Larchfeather gets a bad fox bite (there seems to be a real problem with foxes this leafbare!) Graystripe's patrol meets a loner named Parsley who is interested in Clan life, but ultimately she decides not to join ThunderClan.

Graystripe's patrol warns WindClan about a badger on their territory. It seems all the Clans are relatively at peace right now, perhaps focused on more important parts of survival due to leafbare.

As newleaf begins to creep back in, Firestar and Sandstorm welcome Yellowkit to the Clan. Brightheart is bitten by a snake, but fortunately survives! Brambleclaw falls in the river and makes it out, but not without a cough. Wrenheart and Thornclaw become mates.

[jackalopesao3]

So…why is Barb so angry?

I have some thoughts. I’ll put them under the cut along with some general Nightbringer theories.

I don’t know that we will get a direct/fully truthful answer next lesson.

Barbatos uses the term, “hate”. He isn’t one to throw terms like that around lightly. There are points where he’s full on glaring at Solomon, no masking his anger smiles - no facade. Honestly, I’d be more surprised if this ended up being something less serious like Solomon blowing up the royal kitchen and letting rats in the castle.

Barbatos has also been using the term, “sham of a sorcerer”. What does sham mean? False/Fake. While this could just be an insult to Solomon, there could be a deeper meaning. Is Solomon actually powerless right now? He could be drawing power from his pact demons instead of casting any of his own spells or magic. Or is there a darker meaning to this? Is someone masquerading as Solomon? Is Barbatos trying to warn others of the fake Solomon?

Anyways…

What could Solomon have possibly done?

Well it happened shortly before MC was kidnapped and thrown back in time. It may very well be connected to that.

And/or something to do with this:

Lesson 2: Hard Mode - A grimoire is a demon’s lifeline.

Did Solomon plant that grimoire there? Is that grimoire Nightbringer’s or Barbatos’? Maybe but there are other possibilities too.

Apprentice Stars Storyline OG (Season 3)

We also have an arc in the OG that specifically discussed Barbatos’ grimoire and reiterates their hold over demons.

Barbatos stated he trusted Solomon with his grimoire. As we learn throughout that arc, Barbatos trusts Solomon completely, it is implied Solomon and Barbatos know everything there is to know about each other. I feel like for Barbatos to be this upset with Solomon it has to be something major.

Now the grimoire ended up being a fake and a test for the MC but we do find out several interesting things about Barbatos. Rereading that lesson - I am more convinced that he is Nightbringer or closely related.

It could be that Nightbringer became Barbatos when making The Fountain of Knowledge or that Barbatos split off from Nightbringer when the fountain was created.

Barbatos is referred to as, “The Demon Who Sees Both Past and Future.” Nightbringer is referred the demon who rules over time itself - past, present, and future.

With all of the above in mind regarding the grimoire: What did Solomon do?

My guess is that he either let Barb’s grimoire fall into the wrong hands, had Barb do something that he was vehemently against, or let someone assume his identity and that person ended up with Barb’s grimoire. Those events are why MC is in the past because someone used the grimoire (or Solomon used his pact) to make Barbatos send MC to the past.

Now it could have been accidental or Solomon could have been tricked too but I could see Barbatos being pissed for Solomon allowing that to happen. Solomon would literally be endangering his life.

Another possibility is that Solomon or someone posing as him released Nightbringer back into the world or forced Barbatos to resume that identity (depending on if they are the same or split off from one another at some point).

In one of his Devilgrams, Barbatos has stated that he has a past where he’s made mistakes that ended up hurting Solomon and Diavolo, specifically with his time abilities. Having to resume an identity that he no longer wishes to go by, one where he made choices he’s no longer proud of, would also leave a lot of room for resentment.

All Barbatos wants is to serve as Diavolo’s butler. It’s hinted that it’s also penance for him (Devilgram). Sure, we do get a story on how Diavolo begged and threatened to abandon his duties should Barb not serve him and how Barbatos said Dia was too cute to deny, but it makes sense that there would be something deeper to it.

The other possibility is that someone is posing as Nightbringer while making Barbatos use his powers via his grimoire.

Some questionable things:

Why didn’t main timeline Barbatos just bring MC back instead of sending Solomon to us?

How did our old DDD even work to contact Solomon?

Why doesn’t Solomon just use his pact to make past Barbatos to send us back to the present? Barb has clearly hinted that he knows what’s going on and he can’t deny an order from Sol.

I think Barb could be being used against his will in something big. Solomon and Michael are the main suspects for now. There’s also the possibility of Nightbringer being a separate entity.

I still can’t rule out that someone is assuming the identity of Nightbringer and they aren’t actually NB.

Solomon…fake Solomon? It was recently revealed that Michael can shape shift. He most definitely could take Sol’s form due to the nature of their relationship. He did give him the Ring of Wisdom.

I’m also curious about the parallels of Barbatos and Michael with their relationship to Solomon. Michael = Ring of Wisdom. Barbatos = Fountain of Knowledge. Both of them also have time related powers. Both of them made Solomon who he is. I know Michael is often compared to Diavolo but I think he’s Barbatos’ CR counterpart.

Another thing to consider is that in most religions, Barbatos is a fallen angel. I don’t think it will be something like Barbatos and Michael coming from the same being (though that would a twist), but I think them and their powers balance the realms out.

However, Michael is compromised with his feelings due to missing his brothers. This may be motive for him to act out and due something drastic.

Solomon is also frustrated with the power balance and how angels and demons regard humans. This could also be a motive for him to do something.

Then again what if this is some sort of test for MC, but I think there is more to it. Maybe, as Solomon’s apprentice, he wants them to forge a pact with Barbatos and this is the test to do so.

[saltyr3mix]

have I ever told you that second chances had multiple test concepts?

before I decided on empires, I considered Stardew Valley because the original idea for this was an ask game where you put the last character you drew in the last game you played and I thought he would vibe :D

Then, when I decided on empires, I considered making him a ghost in a cursed pendant that llama Owen picked up! The story would have been about him trying to get brought back so he could continue his massacres but being worn down by llama Owen’s stupid antics lol

NO YOU DIDN'T

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

THOSE IDEAS ARE SO SO SO FUN!!!!

I neeeeeeeeeeeed more outsiders x other servers fixing them fics. There was this one fic where they took outsiders and fused it with the maze runner and it was amazing. and like i ADORE ADORE ADORE LOVE ABSOLUTELY FAWN OVER YOUR FIC OF COURSE!!

Cause i love taking messed up characters and sending them on the most painfully complicated fix it arcs. Its literately the plot of both These walls scream your name and Played my game now you're in it. OH! and my new secret wtdw fic only Danger knows about that i wont share for a while. (im going to wait till i have a few chapters before hand ready to post so i don't get behind on it like all my other fics lol.)

ANYWAY

I've also been tossing around more combinations for this kind of au. taking outsiders and putting them in places they shouldn't be. and here are some of the ones i've nearly written but just don't have the time for.

O!Krow in Newlife. just, it's reaction to sparrow would be so funny and also the angst potential in death and hybridizing Krow even further. Also there is one opening to one of the NL episodes where Krow does a Japanese voice over intro that catches me off guard every time i hear it.

O!Bek in SOS smp. Look. Scott, Eloise, and Owen are there but my girl is missing and that makes me just a little bit sad that they can't reach their full chaos potential. its more so to fix them than her at this point. but i also think it would to see O!Bek specifically try to adjust to it all cause shes isn't a big......team player..... to say the least. Which is something that smp relay on big time.

O!Magic on Pirates. i think she deserves a gun. and to kill people. and also think she would be a great apprentice for P!Gracie and would be besties with cruppy. this is less of a lore heavy one and more i just want her safe and happy and also to kill whomever she so desires because she deserves it after everything.

On a similar note on sending people place for the sole sake of letting them kill people, i think sending O!Oeca to the traffic series would just. just think about it. they were made for each other. and you know what. Put O!Mowhee there with him. Just the two of them running around on red just. i don't know man. i think its very fun and that they would thrive.

O!Squidney and O!Spidey i firmly believe should have the pleasure of being in Rats. Just as a treat. just so they can be silly and forget the horrors.

Anyway those were plans i had for another super big grand fic where every outsider got put somewhere new and each chapter centered around them healing. but i quickly realized that's way too big of a project to take on right now and also i don't know enough about servers or enough about every outsider for that.

Hope you like the little exchange in ideas!!! I do really like yours and i have so many i couldn't help but spill some of my own!

(i also may have another little idea for a oneshot sort of inspired by your fic, if i get around to having the free time to write it and you allow inspiration)

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 2/5

Book Blurb: The special first edition hardcover will include a gorgeous, shimmering jacket with effects, brilliantly illustrated four-color endpapers, striking and detailed-stained edges, and a beautiful foil-stamped case. In a world of magical artifacts and fantastical beings, a woman determined to save her family joins forces with an unlikely partner—a minotaur—in this steamy romantasy by USA Today bestselling author Ruby Dixon.   As a Holder’s daughter, Aspeth Honori knows the importance of magical artifacts . . . which is why it’s a disaster that her father has gambled all theirs away. Now that her family is in danger of losing their hold—and their heads—if anyone finds out the truth, Aspeth decides to do something about it. She’ll join the Royal Artifactual Guild and the adventurers who explore ancient underground ruins to retrieve the coveted arcane items.   It’s a great plan—with one big problem. The guild won’t let her train because she’s a woman. Aspeth needs a chaperone of some kind. The best way to get around this problem? Marry someone who will let her become an apprentice. Who better than a surly guild member who requires a favor of his own? He’s a minotaur (it’s fine) who is her teacher (also fine) . . . and he’s about to go into rut (which is where it gets tricky). He also has no idea she’s a noble (oops), and he’ll want nothing to do with her if he discovers her real identity.   Now Aspeth just has to pass the guild tests, thwart a fortune hunter, and save her hold—oh, and survive a rut with her monstrous, horned husband, whom she might be falling in love with.   It’s time to dig deep. Literally.

Review:

A woman who will do anything to become part of the Royal Artifactual Guild finds herself agreeing to a marriage of convenience with the very teacher of who wants her out of the Guild. Aspeth is the daughter of a holder, her family is completely broke since her dad gambled away all their magical artifacts and she broke off her engagement with her fiancee when she found out he only wanted her for her land and money... two things she actually doesn't even have. Aspeth has a plan: she'll join the Royal Artifactual Guild and explore the world and find magical artifacts..... too bad the biggest thing in her way is that the Guild does not want any women in it at all. Her workaround? Marry a guild member who will let her become an apprentice and who better then the surly minotaur who is in desperate need of a partner for the ceremony he needs to go through. Despite their differences, can they make a real marriage work between them? This was an extremely slow burn read and honestly, Aspeth was just kind of annoying. I really wish I liked this more but felt myself getting bored while reading this. It just never really hooked me and I wanted so badly to love it. It just felt slow and anticlimactic if I'm being honest. While this was a miss for me, if you like slow burn romances with magic school/training, give this one a go, maybe you'll have more fun with this than i did.

Release Date: October 15,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*