#Bronze Bell Route

[millicent-dagworth]

Bronze Bell Time Line

Here is the time line for the Bronze Bell swap Au! This will be a bit longer as this will delve into many pregame events.

TW: Suicide mentioned!!

Pre-game

1170: Claude is abducted, attacks from Almyra stop and they agree to a cease-fire treaty. Cyril’s parents aren’t killed.

The insurrection of the Seven (1171):  Happens as usual, but while escaping Edelgard’s mother dies and Volkhard is injured protecting Edelgard. They escape and head to the Kingdom. Once close to the capital, however, Volkard succumbs to his wounds. Left alone, Edelgard wanders until she is found by Dimitri and his father, who take her in. Caspar’s brother also dies during the insurrection during the ensuing chaos when the church steps in to quell the rebellion. Elsewhere in the Alliance, a village is attacked and TWSITD captures Cynthia and her brother.

Dagda-Brigid War (1172): Working with the Seven, TWSITD places the blame of the royal family on Brigid. They launch an attack on Brigid, who enlists the help of Dagda to defend themselves. However, the war still ends the same as in cannon and Shamir’s partner/group is still killed.

1173: Out of grief over all the death he has caused, including his wife and daughter, Edelgard’s father kills himself. After this, Ferdinand’s father takes control of the Empire.

1174: Edelgard returns to the Empire after hearing about her father’s death. Ferdinand’s father still remains in charge until she is ready to take the throne. Thales’ experiments prove to be a success and both Claude and Cynthia gain extra crests while having a reduced effect on their lifespan.

1176: Catherine runs away to join the Knights of Seiros, Christophe comes with her with approval from Lonato.

1177: Raphael’s parents are killed during a monster attack. During the same attack, Claude’s uncle (Godfrey), is also killed but Thales takes his place.

1178: Cyril comes to Garreg Mach under the guise of an orphan, secretly looking for the lost Almyra prince.

1179: Claude is announced as the legitimate heir to House Riegan. Cynthia is also announced as the legitimate heir to House Sims and their engagement is set in place. 

Academy phase (1180)

Great Tree and Harpstring Moon

Stay as is in canon. Randomizer for who wins the match

Garland Moon

Caspar’s father takes place of Lonato, who wants revenge for the church after what happened to his eldest son and his home.

Blue Sea Moon

The holy tomb is still invaded and driven back after the twins gain the Sword of the Creator. The ones behind it are an unnamed Cult that was revealed to have been pulling the strings behind Caspar's father's rebellion.

Verdant Rain Moon

Happens as usual because Miklan is still a POS that deserves to get killed.

Horsebow Moon

While Flayn is still kidnapped by Death Knight and rescued, other student rescued is [Kronya] a previous Golden Deer Student who went missing the previous year. Flayn joins Beles’s class.

Wyvern, Red Wolf, Ethereal, and Guardian Moons

Happens as per usual (unfortunately)

Pegasus Moon

Claude is outed as Gilded Emperor and escapes the Holy Tomb with Byleth. Edelgard snaps due to rage and his betrayal. While Cynthia is not initially outed as a conspirator, she sneaks out of the monastery that night with Pine and Chestnut. 

Note: For the Herron cup, Cressida, Cynthia, and Dusan are selected. Cressida wins.

Lone Moon

The Alliance declares war on the Church and attacks the Monastery. During the fight, Rhea (now a dragon) tries to attack Byleth. Beles tries to defend her brother but the two both end up falling into the canyon.

Dusan helps in the effort to evacuate the church and is mortally wounded in the process. Unaware of the fact that he was injured, the others flee the church, hoping he would follow soon after, but he doesn’t. When he doesn’t return to Duscur, their leader is forced to add him to the list of casualties as “assumed dead”. What the others don’t know is that he was found in the wreckage of the church by TWSITD and kidnapped.

Between Time skip

At some point, an assassin is sent after Dimitri by TWSITD and in the ensuing struggle, he loses his left eye.

Edelgard is framed for the murder of Ferdinand's father and is sentenced to execution. Before her sentence can be carried out, Hubert and Ferdinand work together to help her escape. In the process, Ferdinand is gravely injured and forces the other two to leave him behind. Over the next five years, Edelgard starts to forget about her friends (other than Hubert) amidst all the fighting and the two end up at the Monastery. Cornelia also takes over as ruler of the Empire.

Ferdinand is initially saved by Flayn but is still gravely injured. To save his life, Flayn begs Seteth to give him some of his blood. Seteth caves and Ferdinand is saved. After this, he goes with Flayn the church to search for Rhea. After taking a hit for Flayn, the two start dating and the incident leaves a scar across his jaw.

Dusan is tortured by TWSITD for info, but won’t give anything up. Instead of getting disposed of, he’s turned into one of their test subjects. The bonding process nearly kills him, but he still ends up with an unstable version of the Crest of Ernest. TWSITD nearly disposes of him for being a failure, but Claude spares him and later helps him escape. He goes undercover as he makes his way back through Faerghus and into Duscur, where he reunites with his siblings and is reinstated as Captain of the Guard. 

War Phase

Ethereal Moon (Reunion at dawn)

Edelgard and Hubert end up in the Monastery due to following Alliance soldiers there.

Dimitri, hoping to find Cynthia at the Monastery, ends up finding Beles and the two go to the monastery together.

While out on a ride, Pine finds Byleth (unconscious) and brings him over to Claude. 

Guardian Moon (2nd attack on the Monastery)

The Alliance tries to take the Monastery but is stopped by the combined efforts of the Kingdom, Empire, and Church.

Pegasus Moon (Valley of Torment)

While getting reinforcements sent by Caspar and Linhardt’s dad, they’re ambushed by the Alliance. But some Kingdom soldiers led by Glenn help drive them off. Dusan and some of his best soldiers arrive alongside Glenn, having been able to meet up on their march through Faerghus. Having been unaware that Dusan was even alive, his arrival is a big shock to the others.

Lone Moon (Battle of Eagle and Lion)

Kind of the same thing that happens in canon, but Edelgard chases Claude. To get away from her, Claude fires an arrow laced with poison at her. However, Beles takes the hit for her. 

While they are lucky to have the cure for it, the event leaves her in a fragile state for a couple weeks. During this, Edelgard refuses to be away from her side and comes back to her senses due to realizing she was becoming no better than them.

Great Tree Moon (Reclaiming the Empire)

With Edelgard at the helm, the army works to reclaim the Empire from Cornelia.

Harpstring Moon (Attack on Fhirdiad)

Edelgard and them help drive back the Alliance. During the chaos left, they find Eric- Cynthia’s younger brother. Though they initially want to take him prisoner, Dimitri convinces the others that he won’t harm them. Eric admits everything he knows about Thales and Claude. From this information, they’re able to conclude the quickest way to end the war is to take out Thales.

Garland Moon (Bridge of Myrddin)

They begin their assault on the Alliance. Cynthia is stationed at the bridge to try to protect it but is ultimately driven back.

Blue Sea Moon (Fodlan’s Throat invade)

They decide to take Fodlan’s Throat in order to get poison from Almyra which is said to make it seem like someone is dead. Hilda’s brother is there but they are just driven off. 

Verdant Rain Moon (Derdriu invade)

During the final battle, Cynthia and Claude are slipped the pills. Thales, enraged that all his work was for nothing, comes out and attacks. Through the combined efforts of the Kingdom, Empire, and Alliance, Thales is killed.

However, after being given the antidote, Rhea tries to kill Byleth. Once again through the combined efforts of the kingdoms, Rhea is subdued and taken into custody.

Post Cannon

Claude returns to Almyra and becomes King, eventually marrying Byleth.

Edelgard works on rebuilding Brigid with Petra (and Dorthea). Eventually marries Beles.

Dimitri and Cynthia marry pretty quickly after the war, with some backlash though that is quickly settled.

Masterpost | Character Bio's | Time Line | Misc

[dujour13]

A little romance to kick off February ❤️

(instead of not-a-date it’s wait-is-this-a-date)

---

“May I take your cloak, sir?”

Woljif dodged the man reaching for his shoulders until he noticed from the corner of his eye that Siavash didn’t seem bothered.

“It’s new, don’t mess it up.” Following the chief’s lead he allowed himself to be decloaked, clamping his arms protectively over his pockets while the waiter whisked off his cloak and hung it to steam dry next to Siavash’s by the fireplace.

Nervously Woljif took in the room, his instinct taking mental note of valuables and escape routes: wood-paneled walls, blazing hearth, the kind of fancy paintings that only looked like something if you squinted, a dozen candlelit tables in crisp white linen, gleaming crystal wineglasses and silverware he reckoned he could easily get seven and a half per set for. Beyond the kitchen, the back doors were flung wide to let out fragrant steam, and a whole contingent of cooks and wait staff stood there smiling like rubes and bobbing their heads to the Knight-Commander.

As they were escorted to a table in the front nook, he caught Siavash’s flushed, bright-eyed gaze and began to feel something was expected of him.

“Swanky place, chief. I thought we were headed to the Half Measure.” He yanked his chair out of the waiter’s hands and scooted it in himself.

“This place just opened. They have Andoren specialties.”

Seemed harmless enough, but Siavash still looked like he was waiting for something.

“Uh. Andoren, huh? Like what?”

As Siavash explained, using a lot of words like “braised” and “flambé,” Woljif fidgeted. All this talk was making him hungrier.

“Woljif, you’ll be needing that dessert spoon.”

He took it out of his pocket and put it back on the table.

Through the windows angled around their table, they could see figures hurrying past on the darkened street, cloaks pulled tight against slanting wind and rain. Within, candles shed a cheerful pool of bronze light that glinted from polished dinnerware. It didn’t fail to cross Woljif’s mind that he had always been on the other side of that glass, dreaming of what it would be like to be sitting here. His stomach responded audibly to the memory.

“I guess you’re hungry.”

“We missed the mess bell by an hour, chief. I’m ready to eat my boots. Flambé.”

For some reason Siavash seemed to find this really funny. At last he brushed a tear from the corner of his eye and leaned back comfortably in his chair, which brought his legs forward so that one ankle rested against Woljif’s, and gave him that expectant look again.

Woljif glanced about, searching for clues. The waiter served Siavash wine and Woljif a glass of flavored water with a slice of some kind of fruit wedged on the lip. Other patrons seemed to be avoiding looking their way too often, respectful of the Knight-Commander’s privacy. A halfling couple at a low table across from them were engrossed in conversation and he watched as one of them took the other’s hand across the table, their fingers twining together.

Oh.

“So um. What’s the occasion?” Woljif asked as lightly as he could with volcanic heat surging to his face.

Siavash beamed. “No occasion. I just thought I’d take you out.”

“Like on a—on a date?”

In response Siavash reached across the table with his palm open, and when Woljif placed his nervous and slightly chilly hand in his, grasped it gently. “Yeah. A date. You all right?”

Only then did Woljif become aware that the whooshing sounds behind him were not the wind or someone sweeping, but his own tail stripping the restaurant’s decorative fern of its leaves. He wound it around his chair.

“Sure. I just didn’t expect…”

“I should have warned you. I thought it would be a nice surprise.”

“It is!” Woljif almost shouted. “I mean, yeah. Just not used to bein’ what’s it called.”

“Courted.”

“Right. That’s not to say I never had a date before. I’ve had a few, you know. Pretty busy guy, not much time for that stuff.”

“Thanks for taking the time for me,” said Siavash in a low voice, and Woljif felt suddenly like he’d evaporated, like his body had no mass and he might float to the ceiling. Under the table he felt their ankles slide together and had the urge to grip his chair with his free hand to stay grounded.

This was what the Count meant and what those novels were on about, but it turned out the reality was so much nicer. All the times he’d pressed his nose to the windowpane and gazed longingly at the warmth and food beyond his reach he’d never imagined himself having them in such good company.

“I guess I can spare an hour or two for the Knight-Commander,” he joked, his voice a little thick.

The candlelight made Siavash even more handsome, glowing in his burnished gold hair and dancing in his laughing hazel eyes. Slightly dizzy, Woljif sniffed his drink suspiciously.

“It’s not alcoholic,” Siavash reassured him.

When the amuse-bouche arrived, a tiny bowl of fish soup hardly bigger than a walnut complete with tiny croutons and a doll-sized spoon, Woljif again had to take a cue from Siavash not to call the waiter back and give her a piece of his mind. It turned out pretty good, and there was a lot more on the way: sautéed mushrooms in little copper pots, beef simmered slowly in red wine until it melted in your mouth, roasted potatoes in rosemary and sea salt, vegetables with fancy names glazed with butter and honey, fresh flaky bread still warm from the oven.

Woljif had always reckoned that food was food. He had his favorites like cherry rolls and spicy pastries, but when the Count got to waxing poetic about fine cuisine he was skeptical.

This though—

“Aright, I gotta give it to ‘em,” he said through a mouthful, hunched over his plate with both elbows on the table, mopping up wine sauce with a crust of bread, “this ain’t half bad.”

Siavash seemed to be enjoying every bite Woljif took just as much as he did. He paused in his story just to grin.

Woljif ordered more bread by waving the basket at the waiter. “Wait, so you took a Korvosan Arbiter to a brothel?”

“No, not really,” Siavash laughed. “I just knew the suggestion would get him out of there. One more word and he was going to start a war. Fortunately he was too drunk to walk down to the port so we steered him to his chambers instead and left him with his head in a bucket.”

“He’s lucky he didn’t wake up naked in a ditch in Nidal.”

“Oh, I think the Duchess had much worse than that planned for him by the time we got him out of the banquet. Imagine being devoured slowly by a teacup dinosaur.”

When at last the bill came Woljif had completely forgotten about his nerves and was leaning back complacently in his chair with both hands folded over his replete stomach. The warmth where his shin rested against Siavash’s seemed to have radiated to the rest of his body.

“This was nice, chief. Thanks.”

“It was. I hope it compares well with all those other dates you’ve been on.”

Woljif made a face. “Sure does.”

“So what would be your dream date? For future reference.”

“This but not in the fucking Worldwound.”

They had another good laugh but one look at the bill had Woljif back on his guard in an instant. He glanced meaningfully towards the door.

“Something tells me we wouldn’t get away with it. You’re almost as famous as I am around here these days.”

“Yeah, has its disadvantages,” Woljif sighed. With tremendous reluctance he fished in his pocket but Siavash insisted on taking care of it and couldn’t even be talked into writing it off as a Crusade expense.

Back out on the street they walked close to keep out the chill. As soon as they rounded a bend into an unlit street Woljif seized Siavash’s hand, a little roughly as if swiping something from a store shelf, but with sincerity.

“What about your dream date, chief?”

“This was it,” smiled Siavash, breathing in the night air. “Danger on all sides, the bold heroes finding comfort in camaraderie and a rare moment of respite. Good food. And you.”

“Hells, you are such a sweet talker.”

[hellmouthheritage]

HELLMOUTH RPG est à la recherche du personnage légendaire de FAITH LEHANE.

Sunnydale 2023 :

La nuit du 2 octobre 2001, Faith était en prison lorsqu'elle a senti son corps commencer à geler. La tueuse a crié de toutes ses forces, mais ayant la réputation qu'elle avait à l'époque, aucun policier n'a voulu s'approcher de sa cellule et lui venir en aide. Lorsque l'équipe tactique du matin arriva devant une cellule remplie de cristaux de sang au sol, ils déclenchèrent l'état d'alerte. En analysant le sang qui était dans les morceaux de glace, le médecin légiste déclara que la fugitive avait belle et bien été tuée par un froid glacial qui avait gelé son corps en entier. Les policiers de Los Angeles ont voulu étouffer l'affaire et n'ont rien déclaré aux médias au sujet de sa mort.

Le 1 juin 2023, le corps de Faith se reconstitua dans la cellule là où elle était morte il y a 22 années. La tueuse regarda autour d'elle complètement désemparée et traumatisée. Elle grelottait et n'avait pas encore conscience de ce qu'il lui arrivait. Elle frappa de toutes ses forces la prisonnière qui résidait maintenant dans son ancienne cage. La tueuse prit possession des vêtements de la femme qu'elle venait d'assommer sans aucune pitié, avec rage. Faith posa ses deux mains sur les barreaux et les écarta avec facilité comme si ce n'était que des cures-dents. Dans le couloir, son regard croisa celui d'un policier qu'elle avait connu autrefois. Le jeune homme commençait sa carrière à l'époque, l'officier ouvrit grand les yeux et reconnu la fugitive qui avait été tué il y a 22 années. Il fonça sur elle, mais malheureusement la tueuse avait toujours ses réflexes de tigresse. La brune haussa le bras dans les airs et fonça sur lui le faisant traverser une fenêtre pour entendre son corps tomber du troisième étage de l'établissement.

Faith en profita pour sauter par la fenêtre et courir rapidement pour escalader le grillage de la prison. Le bruit des voitures de police criait dans tous les sens, mais elle croyait fortement qu'elle allait réussir. La tueuse passa par dessus la grille et sauta dans une voiture en agressant le conducteur, le jetant dehors de son véhicule en pleine conduite. Elle savait très bien quelle direction prendre. La route vers Sunnydale était la seule destination envisageable. Elle regarda rapidement son reflet dans le rétroviseur et elle remarqua qu'elle avait une vingtaine d'années en plus. Elle n'en croyait pas ses yeux, elle continua de se regarder quelques secondes sans remarquer que son véhicule était entrain de dévié de la route. Elle donna un coup de volant pour ramener sa voiture sur la bonne voie juste à temps pour ne pas heurter un autre véhicule qui venait de la klaxonner.

Quelques heures plus tard, elle débarqua à Sunnydale. Une ville hantée par les monstres et par les erreurs de son passé. Elle ressentait la présence de Buffy, mais aussi d'une nouvelle élue. Après 22 années passées dans la noirceur de la mort, elle savait très bien qu'il allait falloir qu'elle se trouve un refuge où habiter sans avoir à payer trop cher, mais la tueuse avait toujours su se débrouiller seule. Faith décida de se rendre dans un lieu qu'elle connaissait bien, elle y avait passé son adolescence. Le Bronze. N'ayant pas reprise complètement ses esprits, la brune défonça d'un coup pied la porte du propriétaire et le poignarda dans le ventre sans pitié utilisant le couteau ensuite pour ouvrir la serrure du coffre-fort de l'établissement où elle trouva quelques milliers de dollars en liquide. La tueuse décida de se débarrasser du corps et de prendre en charge la grande responsabilité de propriétaire du Bronze sachant qu'elle retrouverait rapidement ses anciennes connaissances.

Faith Lehane découvrira qu'à sa mort en 2001, elle était enceinte. Son fils créé par la magie des puissances supérieures Lukas Lehane. Apprenant que la tueuse est en route vers Sunnydale, il essaiera de la retrouver pour se présenter à elle et en connaitre un peu plus sur la véritable nature de sa mère.

[modernistdelights]

A Leeds University Public Art trail Mooch [10/08/24]

In order:

Roger Stevens Building

Perhaps my new favourite university building, sorry to the Renold Building x

Barbara Hepworth - Dual Form

I believe there's also a Barbara Hepworth sculpture in one of the courts at Lancaster University, which I didn't find out about until last year, due to my minimal attendance on campus while I was a student 🥴

Mitzi Cunliffe - Man-Made Fibres

A gorgeous stone carving, commissioned as part of the Clothworkers Building South to reflect the progress in the field of synthetic fibres.

Juanjo Novella - Curtain

Detail shot.

Staircase at the Henry Price Building

An unnecessarily extra, geometrically askew staircase, especially delightful coming west from St George's Field.

School of Chemical and Process Engineering building

Staircase detail shot.

School of Healthcare

Staircase detail shot at the rear of the building.

Quentin Bell - The Dreamer

Inspired by a magician's trick that Bell saw as a child. There's something melancholy about the sculpture at situated in a quiet courtyard, surrounded by leafy vegetatation. It's been moved several times but this feels like the right place for it.

P H Y S I C S

At the rear of the Physics Research Deck.

Bank House

And finally, away from the campus, en-route to the train station, the striking former regional headquarters of the Bank of England. Via British Listed Buildings:

Inverted ziggurat of in-situ reinforced-concrete construction with grey Cornish granite and bronze cladding. 5-storeys plus basement

—

The Public Art Trail at the University of Leeds is inexplicably only available to download as a PDF, but is well worth it. I far prefer architecture to sculpture, but luckily this has both, and anything which gets me on a guided walk is a win in my book.

[oh-sturg]

Okay but I gotta put this in text because it’ll be too long for my normal tags bullshit

Every time. Every fucking time. This happens in 80% of my dreams and it’s just. HOUGE and I’m so happy it does

In my dream, it’s a place called Duluth. Now I’ve been to actual Duluth. This is not actually Duluth

Dream Duluth has a giant bridge that’s so big that it scares me to drive across. The bridge is so big and the route right into the city has a little section where people will check your passport or vehicle or IDs or something? I’m not sure why. The bridge gives me so much anxiety, and there’s another highway around one of the skyscrapers in that city that also gives me anxiety. For some reason, I think I work in that building. There’s even a dream inside

The city itself is beautiful. Sunny. There’s a big statue by the lake it’s built on, just like the real Duluth. There’s monuments that look like mirrors, even one that looks like the WWII monument in Washington DC. Or is it a Vietnam or Korea monument? Idk. There are hills in the city. It’s not too warm. Much like the real Duluth as well, there’s a restaurant along one of the boardwalks and piers. Unlike it, though, it’s built out onto the water. You can look into the lake from the restaurant and see the guitarfish and sawfish in the water

The beaches are something I always think about. One beach is covered in dark sand. Shark teeth always wash up there. Shark teeth and fish bones. Sometimes it’s small, nestled between that restaurant and a boardwalk. Other times, the beach is longer and pale. Sand tiger sharks and white sturgeon wash up on the shore. There are shovelnose sturgeon in the water. I try and save whatever I can, but sometimes they’re too big for me to carry on my own. Sometimes, when I wade into the water, I get close enough to touch them, but I always stop myself because I’m afraid I’ll bother the animals

There’s another beach as well, one where people always go. Umbrellas and kids and chairs. In the tideline, you can find trinkets and toys that were left a long time ago. They’re not new, rather old and rusted, but sometimes I find interesting keys and metal baubles and gemstones in the sand. I keep them for myself

There’s a white building with a blue haze inside. I don’t know why. It’s homely, but I don’t want to go inside. There was a bloody handprint on the doorframe once. I don’t know why. I think I relaxed after that

There’s a city skyscraper made completely out of glass on the outside. The ground around the statue is made of concrete. I don’t know who that statue is of, but it’s someone important. The statue is bronze

There’s a red brick church in the city. It’s old, and there’s a mosaic courtyard. In the courtyard, there’s a gazebo made of brick. Inside that gazebo is a bell, and the ceiling is made of mosaic tiles that look like an ornate sky. Inside the church there are suits of armour, and the cathedral is impossibly large compared to the outside. The windows are tall, and the light that flits in is always white

I like when my dreams reuse locations from past dreams. like oh cool we doin a bottle episode

[exploravietnam63]

Exploring unique traditional craft villages by a travel to Hoi An

Hoi An is renowned for its poetic ancient town, stunning natural landscapes, and a collection of traditional craft villages that embody rich cultural heritage. When you choose to travel to Hoi An on your own, exploring these traditional craft villages will offer you deeper and more intriguing insights into the lives and people of this region. Let’s discover some unique craft villages that you shouldn't miss on your journey.

1. Thanh Ha pottery village – Preserving traditional pottery art

Located about 3 kilometers from Hoi An’s center, Thanh Ha is a must-visit destination when traveling to Hoi An independently. This village has been producing pottery for over 500 years and is famous for its exquisite craftsmanship, ranging from bowls and plates to teapots and ceramic figurines.

When visiting the village, you can participate in the pottery-making process, from molding the clay to firing the finished products. This experience allows you to gain a better understanding of the pottery craft and provides an opportunity to create unique souvenirs with your own hands.

Witness artisans meticulously crafting pottery products while you have the chance to travel to Hoi An.

2. Phuoc Kieu bronze casting Village – The Resonance of bronze craftsmanship

Located in Dien Ban District, Quang Nam, Phuoc Kieu boasts a long history in traditional craft villages. The bronze casting profession here is famous for its products like bells, drums, incense burners, and ethnic musical instruments such as gongs and cymbals. When you visit the village, you can admire talented artisans working diligently, casting and perfecting each intricate detail of their products. Some workshops even allow visitors to try their hand at bronze casting, creating unforgettable experiences.

Admire the intricately crafted bronze products.

3. Hoi An Silk Weaving Village – The elegance of traditional weaving

If you love textile products, Hoi An Silk Weaving Village is a captivating stop during your independent travel to Hoi An. Nestled in the heart of the ancient town, this village is known for its soft, durable silk products with intricate patterns. The silk weaving craft in Hoi An has been passed down through generations for hundreds of years, establishing a reputation that extends beyond Vietnam.

Visitors can tour the weaving workshops, watch artisans hand-weaving silk, and even have the chance to sew some simple items. Hoi An Silk Village is also an excellent place to shop for high-quality silk products, such as scarves, ao dai (traditional dress), and fashionable clothing.

Unforgettable experiences await at Hoi An silk weaving village.

4. Tips for your travel to Hoi An visiting traditional craft villages

When traveling independently to the craft villages around Hoi An, planning your transportation and exploration will help you save time and costs. The most popular modes of transport are bicycles or motorbikes, as the distances between the villages are not far, and the scenic routes are perfect for enjoying the beautiful landscape while traveling.

Additionally, consider choosing early morning or late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun and to observe artisans working in the best conditions. A suggested itinerary could start from Thanh Ha Pottery Village, then move to Phuoc Kieu Bronze Casting Village, and conclude at Hoi An Silk Weaving Village.

>> See more:Get a complete overview of costs when traveling independently to Hoi An 

Conclusion

Your journey to travel to Hoi An won't be complete if you miss the chance to explore these unique traditional craft villages. They not only preserve ancient cultural and historical values but also offer fascinating experiences that enrich your travel adventure. Take the time to visit these villages to fully appreciate the essence of each product and to learn more about the beauty of Hoi An's culture.

[blogdimanche]

Évangile de Jésus-Christ selon Saint Luc 24,35-48

 

En ce temps-là, les disciples qui rentraient d’Emmaüs racontaient aux onze Apôtres et à leurs compagnons

« 35 ce qui s’était passé sur la route, et comment le Seigneur s’était fait reconnaître par eux à la fraction du pain.

36 Comme ils en parlaient encore, lui-même fut présent au milieu d’eux, et leur dit : « La paix soit avec vous ! »

37 Saisis de frayeur et de crainte, ils croyaient voir un esprit.

38 Jésus leur dit : « Pourquoi êtes-vous bouleversés ? Et pourquoi ces pensées qui surgissent dans votre cœur ?

39 Voyez mes mains et mes pieds : c’est bien moi ! Touchez-moi, regardez : un esprit n’a pas de chair ni d’os comme vous constatez que j’en ai. »

40 Après cette parole, il leur montra ses mains et ses pieds.

41 Dans leur joie, ils n’osaient pas encore y croire, et restaient saisis d’étonnement. Jésus leur dit : « Avez-vous ici quelque chose à manger ? »

42 Ils lui présentèrent une part de poisson grillé

43 qu’il prit et mangea devant eux.

44 Puis il leur déclara : « Voici les paroles que je vous ai dites quand j’étais encore avec vous : Il faut que s’accomplisse tout ce qui a été écrit à mon sujet dans la loi de Moïse, les Prophètes et les Psaumes. »

45 Alors il ouvrit leur intelligence à la compréhension des Écritures.

46 Il leur dit : « Ainsi est-il écrit que le Christ souffrirait, qu’il ressusciterait d’entre les morts le troisième jour,

47 et que la conversion serait proclamée en son nom, pour le pardon des péchés, à toutes les nations, en commençant par Jérusalem.

48 À vous d’en être les témoins.

Texte biblique tiré de « La Bible — traduction officielle liturgique — AELF »)

(Illustration du site Apprenez-nous à prier)

Commentaire Lc 24,44

« Voici les paroles que je vous ai dites quand j’étais encore avec vous : Il faut que s’accomplisse tout ce qui a été écrit à mon sujet dans la loi de Moïse, les Prophètes et les Psaumes. » (Lc 24,44) Voilà la phrase de ce texte qui nous parle d’accomplissement. Ce thème de l’accomplissement court dans toute la Bible ; on pourrait comparer Dieu à un sculpteur qui a conçu un bronze avec des collaborateurs : l’œuvre, après bien des efforts, des fatigues, tous enfin, peuvent enfin dire « oui, il fallait » bien tout cela pour en arriver là ! Le dessein bienveillant de Dieu qui se réalise dès « avant la fondation du monde », comme dit Paul, est bien plus grandiose qu’une œuvre d’art, si belle soit-elle ! Et on peut lire tout au long de la Bible, l’histoire de ce projet en marche : la longue patience de Dieu à travers le temps, les étapes et les débuts de réalisation, les échecs et les recommencements, les collaborations. Dire que le dessein bienveillant de Dieu s’accomplit dans l’Histoire de l’humanité, c’est dire que notre histoire a un « SENS », c’est-à-dire à la fois une « signification » et une « direction ». Les croyants sont tournés vers l’avenir (l’à-venir) et non vers le passé ! Dans le Notre Père, ils disent : « Que ton règne vienne, que ta volonté soit faite sur la terre comme au ciel », en d’autres termes, «��que s’accomplisse ton projet ». Comme notre sculpteur, Dieu cherche des partenaires pour son projet : la Bible nous dit que, depuis toujours, Dieu propose à l’humanité de collaborer à son grand projet : il y a eu Adam, Noé, Abraham… et le choix du peuple d’Israël pour être le partenaire de Dieu au service de l’humanité tout entière. Ce choix de Dieu qu’on appelle l’élection d’Israël reste valable encore aujourd’hui. Puis le Christ a pris chair au sein de ce peuple élu, et enfin, il a transmis la mission à tous ceux qui veulent bien entrer dans son Église. « Comme le Père m’a envoyé, moi aussi, je vous envoie », dit-il dans l’évangile de Jean (Jn 20, 21). Bien sûr, à force de parler de projet de Dieu, on peut se demander ce que devient notre Liberté. Or, l’une des découvertes d’Israël, c’est que Dieu ne tire pas toutes les ficelles, l’être humain a une responsabilité dans son histoire ; il n’y a pas un scénario écrit d’avance. Au contraire, Dieu respecte la liberté de l’être humain ; et, d’après Saint Pierre, c’est justement parce que Dieu respecte la liberté de chaque être humain que le projet n’avance pas plus vite ! « Le Seigneur ne tarde pas à accomplir sa promesse, alors que certains prétendent qu’il a du retard, mais il fait preuve de patience envers vous, ne voulant pas que quelques-uns périssent mais que tous parviennent à la conversion. » (2 P 3,9). Quand le Christ dit à ses apôtres « Il fallait », il leur apprend justement à reconnaître sous la surface des jours et des millénaires la lente mais sûre maturation de l’humanité nouvelle qui sera un jour réunie en lui. C’est cela « l’intelligence des Écritures ». (Note du P. Mario Doyle, C.Ss.R. : Ce commentaire reproduit largement celui d’une bibliste bien connue des catholiques de France : Marie Noëlle Thabut)

[tma-du-taomapa]

VISITE DU RESTE DE G.C. (VI) : LE POINT CULMINANT DE L'ÎLE

À 1956 mètres au-dessus du niveau de la mer, ce n'est pas -contrairement à ce que beaucoup croient- le "Pico de las nieves", qui ne s'élève qu'à 1949 mètres au-dessus du niveau de la mer, mais bien le "MORRO DE LA AGUJEREADA" que l'on aperçoit ci-dessus...

Je pense qu'il est passé à la trappe à cause de son nom trop compliqué...Mais la vérité vient d'être rétablie ! Il se trouve néanmoins à proximité immédiate de l'autre qui est occupé par un terrain militaire

Un peu avant, nous avions découvert ces "pozzos" (puits) dans lesquels on stockait de la neige tassée utilisée jadis jusqu'en juin pour fabriquer de la glace pour les villages de la vallée ; vue extérieure

et intérieure

À proximité, on pouvait admirer

Il faut savoir que la grisaille observée n'est due ni à la brume, ni au calima (ce vent d'est chargé de sable du Sahara), mais à la fumée provenant de l'incendie qui se propage actuellement sur l'île de TENERIFE...Avant de quitter ces sommets, une petite dernière

Après avoir pique-niqué sur un site aménagé de camping, nous sommes repartis vers LPGC en passant par deux agglomérations intéressantes.

D'abord SAN BARTOLOMÈ DE TIRAJANA avec son église

ornée de statuettes telles que

sans oublier celle du saint patron

et avec, dans ses rues, des reliquats de festivités récentes

ainsi qu'une belle

Ensuite, AGÜIMES, où l'église était close mais où j'ai pu apprécier

et où, à chaque coin de rue, on trouvait des statues métalliques (bronze ?). Il y en avait jusque sur la place centrale

comme par exemple cette vieille distribuant des friandises

Ailleurs, on pouvait rencontrer

ou (avec un fond musical...)

mais surtout

Nous sommes ensuite rentrés sur LPGC par de nouvelles petites routes de crêtes

[patern29]

CHASSIRON GC

CHASSIRON GC (Grande Croisière) dispose d’une carène profonde dotée d’une quille longue et d’un gréement sloop.Sa stabilité de route est excellente;le bateau se comporte honorablement dès 12 nœuds de vent.Réfection complète du pont en 2021,passavants et roof en teck,moteur 28cv Volvo(1750h),parc batteries neuf… Belle unité avec énormément de cachet des chantiers RICHARD, la référence. Moteur Volvo penta série 2003r – 28 CV diesel (1750h). Entretien régulier par professionnel (factures), moteur rincé et hiverné chaque année. Coude, culasse, peinture. Version barre franche, Stick, ligne arbre + hélice 3 pales fixes. Capacité gasoil 115l en inox – vitesse moyenne 6/7 nds – conso moyenne 1.8l/h. Cabine avant double, carré avec banquette et table, couchette cercueil (6 couchages). Salle d’eau comprenant lavabo, WC manuel, douche. Bloc cuisine comprenant évier double, réchaud four, frigo 12v, eau sous pression. Voiles & Accastillage: Grand voile (2008) sur enrouleur de mât (MIDI VOILE 42M2), Génois sur enrouleur Profurl (MIDI VOILE), Tourmentin. Enrouleur Profurl, renvois au cockpit, échelon de mât, 2 winch en bronze, Taud soleil (2021), capote de descente. Divers : Loch speedo sondeur Garmin, Vhf, GPS Lowrance, 2 x 75A (2020), 220v en conformité, chargeur automatique, pompe de cale électrique, plateforme de bain avec échelle, stick, 140l capacité eau (2x70l inox), guindeau électrique 1200w +mouillage complet, Annexe Bombard (2015) + 2.5 cv Mercury (neuf), table de cockpit, sellerie, armement de sécurité et de vie à bord. Réfection des planchers, remplacement des vannes et passes coque (2018), peinture de coque extérieure. Pavillon Suisse – pas de taxe douanière- TVA payée. Read the full article

[chronichlesofnillory]

Most folk practices are based around people who were dirt poor. People who were using sympathetic magic like driving a nail into a certain tree with some of your hair, or planting something and seeing if it came up and that was your divination. Most of the remaining texts we have outside of folk traditions are because these people were rich/well off/respected in some way. They were the exceptions not the rule. Even outside of folk traditions, you could go total pop culture magic and use digital altars, techno magic in the form of emoji spells. Go the anarchist route and forage your herbs/materials. Go totally eclectic and build your own framework from the ground up based on the foundations you observe through several different magical traditions you choose.

You could get all your herbs at the grocery store and plan to work through some kitchen magic. Get a nice cast iron pan too and some wooden spoons to put sigils on.

I'm not wiccan and have really not read into it much so I can't give a "well historically" reason, but I can say that haul culture has pervaded everything. If you have nothing to add to the conversation as far as imagination or skill or personal experience you can always add "look at all my pretty stuff" and that's how a lot of people interact with each other inside and outside of magic. Our culture is so deeply embedded in capitalism that we can't conceive of even a magical practice where you don't buy anything. (even though as some other people pointed out this is really a-historic.) After 2 years of practice I've bought 2-3 things. One is a bell, one is a scribd membership (which I use to read more than just magic/occult stuff but that's why I *originally* bought it), and a piece of devotional jewelry that broke after 2 wears. That's it. But I also don't call myself a witch or say I practice witchcraft. I just say I interact with magic and if you pin me down I'd say "practitioner." (I also have a lot of crafting/art supplies that I repurpose or incorporate. Like making a devotional piece out of leftover embroidery bits.)

I've seen several other people who are 10-15 years into their practice say the same thing about having next to nothing when they started (although for them it was cause they started as a child/teenager, not like me starting in my 30s).

I'm a maximalist at heart so I can't say "stuff is bad, get rid of the desire for stuff". But as someone with basically no disposable income my entire life I can say if you want to find a way to make something you will. It might not be of the highest quality materials or look like what everyone else has, but if your deity likes the cardboard cutout statue you made for them then why does it matter it isn't cast in bronze or something? I'm planning to get second hand legos to build a replica of my house and use it as a way to set up blessings and wards. If you don't have money, creativity will get you through. I believe

weird tangent of the day: witchcraft has a finance problem

I think there is a high probability that I would be a witch if I liked spending money. I've been leaning in a kind of witchcraft-y direction for about four or five years now. I currently attend a Quaker meeting but it's a very kind of new-agey, universalist sort of group where that kind of synchretism wouldn't be completely unheard of.

The problem is, modern witchcraft as a group of religions (I use it as an umbrella term that includes Wicca & others) is a religion that implicitly requires you to have things. To do a spell you need to have all sorts of items: candles, oils, crystals . . . things that I don't want to be spending money on when I could be buying other things I need and/or want. Even if I did have endless money to throw around, I live in a loft that's about twenty feet wide, and I have to go downstairs to get to the kitchen. I don't have space to store all of the things you're told you need to have to be a witch.

The things you need to be a witch have been a severe barrier to taking up the practice for me. And the more I sit in this, the more I explore also the thought processes of occultists like Osman Space who put forth systems you can use with only pen and paper, the more I have come to realize that motern witchcraft is a religion that, even if unintentionally, gatekeeps the poor and those living in high density situations. It's something I think modern witches need to reckon with.

Because I'd like to be one of you. But I can't if it means being told implicitly over and over again that I need to have all these things.

[millicent-dagworth]

Bronze Bell Route (FE3H Swap AU) Master Post

This is an Fe3h swap au of Iridescent Feather (an Everyone Lives AU).

Like before, this will be split up into multiple parts to avoid making one huge post.

This swap Au will only swap Dimitiri, Claude, and Edelgard and the trauma's that each went through. This will not be swapping their nationalities or the countries themselves. We chose to only swap the lords due to the shear amount of work that would have to happen if we were to swap every single character.

This is still made with @wildspiritstudios and @some-bad-quality-nonsense and the same Oc's will be added like before. Ships will be touched upon, but not in any real detail. If you want to make your own stories with this, feel free to use your own ships or Oc's! Writing/drawing is meant to be fun!

If you have any suggestions or criticisms, feel free to share them! The only thing I ask is that you be polite in doing so. Being rude is likely to get you nowhere.

If you do have any questions, just ask! The ask box is always open and I enjoy answering them!

Masterpost | Character Bio's | Time Line | Misc

[dwellordream]

Women and literature: letters, prayers and poems

“Women participated in personal relationships with churchmen. For example, Eva Crispin (d. 1099), who retired to the abbey of Le Bec, treated the brother of Gilbert Crispin as her spiritual son. A relationship such as this probably involved spiritual guidance and counselling as well as practical advice and support. Margaret, Queen of Scotland, adopted Lanfranc as her ‘spiritual father’ c. 1070–89, 7 and Lanfranc wrote to her to express his joy at accepting the role. Queen Margaret had requested Lanfranc to send her some monks; in his letter he states that he was sending three, who were, in effect, on loan. 

The monks, he states, are ‘really indispensable’ in his church, and this statement, no doubt, served to flatter the queen, since he had sent her men of ability. Further, if she was willing, he wanted them returned at a later date. They were clearly to give her practical support and advice concerning her establishment of Holy Trinity, Dunfermline. Thus a spiritual relationship could take a very practical form. The patronage of the church was intrinsic to aristocratic culture, and royal women were often involved in patronage of not only the fabric of the buildings through grants of land and emoluments but also interior furnishings, books and relics.

For example, Countess Judith of Flanders presented a fine crucifix to Durham and sacred relics and objects of art to the abbey of Weingarten, including a relic of the holy blood that she had inherited from her father. Queen Matilda, the wife of the Conqueror, gave a richly decorated chasuble to the monks of Saint-Évroul, and Adeline, the wife of Roger of Beaumont, gave them an ‘alb richly ornamented with orphrey’. Queen Matilda, the wife of Henry I, established an Augustinian house of canons, patronised other religious institutions and made personal gifts of bronze candlesticks to Hildebart of Lavardin and Cluny. She provided Chartres with two bells and Westminster Abbey with liturgical garments.

Queen Matilda received a letter and prayer composed for her by Bishop Herbert Losinga of Norwich in 1118. The prayer to St John is a lyrical plea for healing and health, for the saint to act as an intercessor for the forgiveness of sins and for Matilda to be given to the protection of the Virgin Mary. Given that Matilda died in May 1118, it is possible that the prayer was composed for her in the context of illness. The choice for the direction of this prayer is interesting, since St John was a virgin, and this is stressed within the prayer. The virgin John was a suitable intercessor with the supreme Virgin – the Virgin Mary. 

Herbert, when composing the prayer, would have carefully selected appropriate imagery befitting a queen. The fruit of Queen Matilda’s artistic and literary connections, the letters and literature which survive, served to ‘create an aura of legitimacy and prestige’ in her position as queen. Spiritual counsel could be an important part of the relationship between leading churchmen and important political women such as the queen, or powerful countesses. The relationship between important noblewomen and clerics thus stimulated the production of letters and spiritual texts. 

A critical re-evaluation of these texts could begin to trace the developing discourse of twelfth-century female spirituality in the particular context of prescriptive spirituality for the recipient in her public role as queen. The cultivation of a spiritual relationship could yield political dividends and it could thus be used to influence political events of significance. Thus spiritual relationships were an expression of aristocratic social cohesiveness and a route whereby women could exert power. 

An impressive illustration of these themes is provided by Adela of Blois, the daughter of William the Conqueror, and Matilda, who married Stephen count of Blois (d. 1102). Adela was a keen patron of the arts. As Elisabeth van Houts pointed out, she was a patron of the poet Godfrey of Rheims, who, in 1080–5, wrote to Adela praising her as a regia virgo, a royal virgin. Godfrey wrote that it was God’s will that William had been successful at Hastings, since Adela was then born the daughter of a king instead of a duke.

Hugh of Fleury dedicated his Historia Ecclesiastica to her. He praised her for her literacy, generosity and intelligence. Adela had also received the Flowers of Psalms and seven prayers selected by Anselm at her request. He also sent some prayers that he had composed for her. These were a decisive break with previous traditions in personal prayer, and marked a significant step in the development of the Anselmian revolution in the composition of texts for personal devotion. He also included advice on how to meditate.

The relationship between Adela and Anselm was of both a political and a spiritual, personal nature. Eadmer reveals that it was Adela who played a pivotal role in resolving a dispute between her brother Henry and Anselm in 1105 at the height of the conflict between them. Eadmer informs us that she sent to Anselm to tell him that she was ill and he  diverted to minister to her. She was appalled to hear that her brother was about to be excommunicated and arranged a meeting between Anselm and Henry at which they resolved their differences for good.

Her illness was probably a pretext to divert Anselm to her court, where she could influence him. Adela was a peacemaker in the dispute between her brother and the exiled archbishop of Canterbury, and arguably she acted to care for her brother’s soul in a familial context. However, the resolution of the dispute is also of political significance, and here Adela’s actions assume a wider context, since she used her informal influence, which was strengthened through a spiritual relationship, to resolve a political dispute. 

There is a further dimension to the fact that Anselm diverted to see Adela on hearing that she was ill. Evidently his role as a spiritual adviser involved an obligation for the care of her soul to attend her in the case of serious illness to prepare Adela for death. This network of spiritual guidance and social intercourse was normal and part of the culture of aristocratic and noble women – indeed, the women of the Conqueror’s family were particularly prominent as patrons.

Adela attracted the attention of important clergy who were keen to foster relations with her. For example, Baudri abbot of Bourgueil (1079–1130) wrote a poem of 1,367 lines for Adela which describes the furnishings and rich decorations of her hall and bedchamber. It used to be thought that the rich visual imagery and the detail in his descriptions were suggestive of a personal relationship between Adela and Baudri, and that he might have visited her palace.

However, Shirley Ann Brown and Michael Herren have cast doubt on this assumption in their comparison of the Bayeux Tapestry itself with the descriptions of the tapestry which Baudri purports to have seen hanging in Adela’s chamber, which historians have assumed was the Bayeux Tapestry. Whether or not Baudri visited Adela, the poem is significant, since it illustrates what an important abbot thought was a suitably flattering description to offer an important woman, as well as providing clues about the material culture of an aristocratic secular woman. 

It also illustrates the range of cultural influences in northern France, and significantly Baudri emphasised the role of Adela in the design and creation of tapestries. Firstly, he described a role which women of Adela’s status undertook, that is, to oversee and direct the women who made cloth and designed tapestry, and, secondly, he flattered her artistic skills. Baudri’s relationship with Adela was not unique: he wrote poetry and obituaries for other women, although none of such length and detail as those to Adela. 

He wrote to Adela’s sister, Cecilia, a nun at Holy Trinity, Caen, as well as to a certain Agnes, a Lady Emma and Beatrice. He also wrote to Constance, his spiritual daughter, who had received her education at the convent of Le Ronceray in Angers, and who replied to his poetry. He composed poetry for Muriel, who was likewise at Le Ronceray and from whom he received poetry in return. Anselm was therefore not alone in the way that he fostered relationships with powerful women. 

Eadmer reveals that on one journey Anselm was delayed and entertained by Countess Ida of Boulogne, when he ‘conferred’ with her. According to Sally Vaughn, Ida was his ‘closest and most intimate confidante, student, spiritual daughter and political ally’, with whom he corresponded until his death. Powerful women were worth cultivating: Matilda countess of Tuscany provided him with an escort whilst he was passing through her lands on his way from Rome in 1104. 

Anselm afterwards sent her a complete copy of his Prayers and Meditations which was made and illustrated for her at Canterbury: a step which again confirmed the shift from private meditation to public consumption of his devotional literature. Wilmart argues that the letters and prayers date from c. 1104, and that Anselm praised Matilda for her prudence; he informed her that her people had taken him on a short safe route, and he praised her for her religious patronage and urged her to take the veil when the moment of death arrived. 

This is good evidence of the importance of the involvement of a secular noble woman in cross-cultural exchanges, and shows Matilda’s importance in her cultural, religious and political activities. It is also worthy of note that Anselm urged her to take the veil only at the moment of death, not before. Other churchmen dispensed spiritual advice to women throughout the twelfth century, for example through the medium of hagiography. 

The study of Vitae has been an area of increased scholarly interest, and the meaning of saints and saints’ cults has likewise received considerable attention, as has women’s mysticism and spirituality. Despite the hagiographic convention and the Christian didactic purpose of saints’ lives, they are valuable sources which can be used to study aspects of noblewomen and power in twelfth-century society, although such a project has its own methodological difficulties. 

Indeed, Jocelyn Wogan-Browne discussed three female-authored twelfth-century Vitae and showed the specific problems inherent in recovering women’s experience from hagiographic sources. The twelfth-century Vita of Christina of Markyate has been studied for its value as a source for twelfth-century female religious. Thomas Head, however, analysed the Life in terms of the socio-cultural contexts of twelfth-century developing notions of marriage. He stressed the power of Christina to seize control over her own life to become ‘a primary actor in the drama of her own salvation’. 

Her difficult adolescence where she was in fear of marriage is a topos typical in Vitae of female saints. Yet the female life cycle can be seen as paramount in defining Christina’s options, since Christina became secure in her vocation only once her childbearing years were over. Other Vitae confirm that social and spiritual relationships were important forms of male–female interaction and collaboration. 

The Life of St Hugh of Lincoln by Adam of Eynsham was written as part of the campaign for Hugh’s canonisation. It depicts a courtly political bishop attending to the spiritual needs of his flock, including, for example, ‘devout matrons’ and the bereaved Queen Berengaria following the death of Richard I, and adjudicating in cases of adultery. More interestingly, women’s voices can be detected as witnesses to his sanctity. 

A significant number of those who testified to miracle cures were women; of twenty-nine individuals who are listed as having been cured of some affliction by miracles eighteen were women. In this respect this 2:1 pattern of imbalance in women : men miracle cures is a phenomenon that applies to other twelfth-century saints. Women’s testimony and role as sources of information on the saint are therefore one way in which they could influence the shape and content of the text. 

Georges Whalen has shown that in Goscelin’s Life of Edith statements of women’s theological equality in Christ were employed where women were the majority of witnesses to allay fears about the validity of female witnesses. No such statements were required for male witnesses. Women were prominent as witnesses, and thus in the creation of social memory, in John of Ford’s Life of Wulfric of Haslebury, a parish priest turned anchorite in rural Somerset who died in 1154. These witnesses included women from the nobility, five local anchoresses and village women.

The Life also depicts social interaction between the anchorite and women, as well as spiritual advice and relationships. The dispensation of spiritual advice could be achieved through social/spiritual interaction, and also through letters. Peter of Blois wrote to the archdeacon of Picardy that his niece Alice should not be forced to become a nun, but in a later letter to her he congratulated her on her choice of vocation.

In the mid-twelfth century Amice countess of Leicester received a letter from Gilbert Foliot. Writing c. 1163–68, he apologises for being unable to visit her, owing to his duties and obligations, and states that he ought to have written to her before. Gilbert Foliot was also in correspondence with her husband Earl Robert (II) of Leicester (d. 1168) in the same period, which suggests that the extant letters were sent together but were intended for each individual separately. These socially exclusive circles of friendship, cultivated through spiritual relationships, reinforced aristocratic and noble social and political cohesion. Noblewomen, as part of the landed élite, actively participated in such relationships.”

- Susan M. Johns, “Patronage and Power.” in Noblewomen, Aristocracy and Power in the Twelfth-Century Anglo-Norman Realm

[hermits-that-craft]

In My Dreams (Will You Remember Me?)

Flower Husbands Fic - Chapter Four - The hues in our hair compliment one another

Ao3 in the comments

Jimmy watches as the guests walk in, gawking at the decorations that he, Katherine and Gem put so much effort into. Pride fills his chest - a week of hard work paying off in happy citizens and rulers alike. Jimmy nods politely to Iris as they walk in, he knows that being one of Pix’s advisors means that the dryad doesn’t get much time off, so he hopes that they enjoy themself.

A group of dryads bow to him before they disappear into the crowd, which makes him happy - he’s still recognisable with the mask that Katherine gave him. It’s a standard masquerade mask, though it has small cod painted on it in bronze paint, though it has a white veil attached the the lower half to cover his face. It was nice of Katherine, to remember that he prefers to hide his face.

He feels safe with his face hidden.

Jimmy watches as a young woman in a black cloak comes in, and an axolotl hybrid from his empire chats with a man from Mezalea. He’s glad that they opened to ball not only to the leaders of the empires but their citizens as well, and a fae man in a forest green vest dances with a spirit in a ribbon skirt.

The doors open, distracting Jimmy from people watching for a moment.

Lizzie walks in, the necklace around her neck shimmering in the glow from the purple lanterns. Jimmy watches as everyone gawks at the wedding gift that he gave her - it’s rare to see her wear it out of battle. The necklace has two axolotls, one made of rose quartz and the other of red jasper, curled around a pearl and inset in silver. It was handcrafted by the finest artisans of the Cod Empire, and Jimmy himself carefully enchanted it with healing and protection.

The best wedding gift she received, if Jimmy does say so himself.

“You clean up nicely, did Katherine give you that suit?” Lizzie teases, pointedly ignoring the stares she receives as she walks across the room to him.

“You’ll find that your husband did, for your wedding.” Jimmy smiles. “Though I did get it altered slightly for the party.”

“You didn’t put slime in it, did you?”

“Lizzie!” Jimmy gasps, pushing his sisters arm in rage. She laughs, ignoring his fake rage.

“I’m very glad you ditched the cod head.” She says. “I think Katherine would have killed you.”

“She actually gave me this mask.” Jimmy admits. 

“Ohh, look at Scott’s outfit.” Lizzie says, and Jimmy turns back to the crowd. 

Scott stands next to Joey, looking mildly uncomfortable. The king of the lost empire wears a red suit with a black crown, rubies and jaspers adorning it. But Joey’s outfit pales in comparison to the one that Scott wears.

Scott’s wearing an intricate white top, with long sleeves that bell out at the end. He has a high waisted skirt, fading from a sky blue into a deep, ocean blue. He looks like he’s stepped out of a high fantasy story, a golden crown shimmering in his blue hair. He looks stunning, making Jimmy feel almost as though he’s underdressed.

Scott makes eye contact with Joey, an emotion Jimmy doesn’t understand flashes in Scott’s eyes as he walks over to Jimmy.

“Lizzie, I think I’ve made him angry.” Jimmy mumbles, breaking eye contact with Scott. 

“He’s your land boy, you work it out.” Lizzie says. “I need to go find my land boy.”

“Scott isn’t mine, Lizzie - Don’t leave me!” Jimmy protests, but it’s already too late, the queen of the ocean has left Jimmy to whatever fate Scott has planned for him.

Hopefully Lizzie will hold a nice funeral for him.

“You look nice.” Scott says softly, barely audible over the music.

“Oh, thank you.” Jimmy says, the back of his neck reddening. “You clearly outclass everyone here.”

“You really think so?” Scott asks, his face red. Poor Scott, he mustn’t get complimented often. 

“I know so.” Jimmy smiles, though the man can’t see it.

“Could I ask you to dance?” Scott asks, offering Jimmy his hand. Jimmy blinks in surprise, looking into Scott’s eyes in shock. The elven man’s eyes glitter in the lantern light, light and full of something Jimmy can’t quite place.

Even so, Jimmy puts his hand into Scott’s, and lets the man pull him into a dance.

Scott’s hand rests on Jimmy’s waist, and Jimmy puts his hand on Scott’s shoulder, letting him lead. Scott, thankfully, doesn’t mention when Jimmy steps on his feet, the king just mumbling instructions to Jimmy as he leads them.

“You teach dances like this often?” Jimmy asks breathlessly, trying to concentrate on not stepping on Scott’s feet.

“No, I don’t. I don’t think I’m even teaching you this correctly.” Scott admits. “I’m not even sure this is a real dance.”

“This feels pretty real to me.” Jimmy says, his heart picking up. “Kind of familiar, like I’ve done it in a dream, but real?”

“This is dreamlike?” Scott asks, cocking an eyebrow.

“Yeah.” Jimmy admits. “Do you think we could spin with this dance.”

“If you want to, then of course.” Scott says, spinning Jimmy around.

Jimmy giggles slightly, breathless as his hand falls onto Scott’s shoulder again. Scott leads them again, and Jimmy lets his feet go without thinking. It’s like the dance he had in his nightmare, with his shadow husband. Scott’s hand on his waist is comforting, a promise of safety, in a party of peace.

The music slows and they stop, breathless and hearts hammering. Jimmy takes his hand off of Scott’s shoulder, pulling away from his dance partner.

“I’m going to get a drink, you coming?” Jimmy offers. Maybe this could end with a new ally, a new friend.

“I need some air.” Scott admits, rubbing the back of his neck as though he’s nervous. “I’ll see you later?”

“See you soon.” Jimmy promises, smiling brightly at the elf.

The other man just nods, walking out of the room and up the stairs. Jimmy moves off of the dancefloor, avoiding bumping into people as he makes his way to the table, picking a prawn off of the table to eat while he looks for something to drink.

“Enjoying the food?” Pearl asks, startling Jimmy.

“It’s nice.” Jimmy says. “I love the prawns.”

“Thank you! I was hoping to get something from every empire.” Pearl says. “I’m glad I got something for you and Lizzie. Your empires were the hardest.”

“Oh, I’m sorry! I could have helped.” Jimmy apologises.

“Don’t be. Be more sorry that you didn’t tell Katherine about you and Scott. She’s rather excited that the prospect of you two being together.”

“What?” Jimmy asks, blinking.

“Oh, if it’s supposed to be a secret I’ll tell her to leave you two alone.” Pearl says, laughing. “Next time, though, don’t dance in a public ball like that. Rumours will spread!”

Jimmy stands confused, staring at the space that Pearl used to be in. He must be tired, why would anyone start a rumour about him and Scott? There’s nothing to talk about. They’re potentially friends, barely aquantinces. 

“I should find Scott.” Jimmy mumbles, walking in a daze towards the stairs. Scott must be on the balcony, right?

“Jimmy!” Pixl says, relief on his face. “You need to come with me. We’re leaving.”

“What?” Jimmy asks incredulously. “Why are we leaving?”

“Emergency at Lizzie’s empire, she’s asked that we both attend.” Pixl says, grabbing Jimmy’s hand and dragging him out. 

“What’s the emergency?” Jimmy asks, waving goodbye to Pearl and Gem at the door. The two of them share relieved looks as Pixl drags Jimmy further away.

Lizzie and Joel stand in the middle of the courtyard, holding a spare pair of elytra that they put of Jimmy’s shoulders as Pixl straps himself into his own elytra. Jimmy straps the elytra on, wriggling uncomfortably.

“What’s going on?”

“Gem told us to go home.” Lizzie says. “Sausage and Fwip are up to no good, apparently.” 

“Pixl said that there was an emergency at your empire?”

“I lied.” Pixl says. “Don’t look at me like that, you wouldn’t have come otherwise!”

“Look as funny as this is we have to go.” Joel says, pushing Jimmy and Pixl slightly.

The group takes off, flying into the sky. Guilt eats at Jimmy the further they fly away, and he turns back to look at the hall. Did anyone warn Scott that Sausage and Fwip were up to something?

He broke his promise to Scott.

----

“You look cute in the bunker.” The shadow says, sitting on the roof. Jimmy can just barely see out of it, and he knows that his husband wouldn’t be able to see at all.

“Shouldn’t you be preparing for battle?” Jimmy asks. “You don’t want to die.”

“I’m on my green life. I’m fine.” His husband says. “You’re the one we’ve got to worry about. Burning Dogwarts banner, really poppy?”

“I don’t want to see you sacrificed on any altar, petal.” Jimmy responds easily. “I’ll be fine, the bunker is safe and there’s an emergency exit.”

“Promise me you’ll come home.” His husband asks, standing up. 

“For you? Of course.” Jimmy responds. “In sickness and health. You’ll always have me by your side.”

Jimmy watches as the shadow people fight. It’s dreamlike, unreal to him. Swords clash and fires spread across a desert stained in blood. The dogwarts banner flies and burns and his allies are so outnumber it won’t ever be fair.

And a scream tears from his throat as his husband is shot.

His body dissipates, he’s not dead. Not permanently, but something is wrong. This world mustn’t have respawn, not the infinite respawn that it’s supposed to. Green life. First life. 

The love of his life is dead. He will come back, but he’s dead now.

“We want that banner!” A man yells, an enemy. There isn’t any winning this. He needs to get to him, to his husband, to his petal.

He’s shot through the throat on the ladder to the escape route.

Jimmy's screams echo through his empire. Not for the first time does he long for the embrace of someone who isn't even real

[thewafflescientist]

sighs okay wait i wanna explain my design for him really quick. keep in mind this was done without references available to me and based off of recollection so this isn't the fully steamed out design (if i do fully steam it out and polish it)

First of all the aspects I wanted to keep was the glasses, the fairy theme, being christmas based, & winter, but a lot of it i just. didnt? i think there was a lot of missed potential w the ideas they had, and if they went down another route I could've forgiven them for the christmas theme

For the glasses I changed them to be more oval shaped & have chains(?) hanging off of them, one that hangs down to have a little mistletoe charm w leaves and one that goes back. like those grandma glasses chains but in a classy wine aunt way. i wanted him to look a little less "bobble the tinkerer" and a little more "knowledgeable" because he is a grown man & i think he deserves to look a bit more mature?

I made his hair softer in its texture and made it more similar to his original hairstyle, but added some curl and volume to make him feel more festive. the way a performer would style their hair, but i wanted it to have a nice airy flow, similar to clouds. to make him look generally more gentle in his demeanour and still keep his look but have a diff hairstyle, instead of having that middle part. i think the added texture gives it a bit more freedom and shape, and i understand there's limitations to the idv style, but i think lifting his hair away from his face a bit and adding some layers wldve fixed it. in my art idea, his hair is a light colour, thinking like a white or at the very least a platinum blond

i also wanted 2 keep him as a fairy or at least smth similar!! so instead i made him a snow faerie rather than an elf/pixie (even though pixie/fairy roughly can translate to 'elf' in german, and victor is almost certainly german even if it isn't confirmed). snow faeries are a nature spirit of December, and i referenced my book of shadows for this. bc vic is germanic and has had germanic & nordic tradition and culture referenced previously in his character and designs (In the Embrace, he's clearly celtic + nordic) I figured it'd be more fitting to make him more themed around paganism & yule aspects rather than christmas. they're very similar due to history but i think adding that small bit of witchery & culture helps distinguish him from "Christmas outfit" to "Festive costume", which can reallt help make a design stand out imo? especially when they're going w a fairy thing. The shitty little small wings I think just made him look more... childish, than whimsical, which is unfortunate. i wanted to keep him as a snow faerie bc i felt it was only fitting he got a bit of festive whimsy but i wanted to make it feel a little more mature n less like a kid wearing those wing backpack thingamabobbers

so yes he got big old icy n frosty wings that i think will be slightly similar to frosted stained glass in my coloured/polished version (if i make one) and not little pixie wings. he gets to be a big faerie today

^ so adding onto that, i completely changed his outfit. i just. dont like it. and i wanted him to fit my snow faerie germanic & celtic boy. i gav rhim a little corset bc i think he was missing a bit of stuff around his waist & shit in my original concept (where he did not have that), and gave him an ornamental lil snowflake thing to tie into it. i think it's a liytle tacky in my original concept but I'll probably refine on it a little more. i gave him two belts simply to add some asymmetry, a golden bell (both in reference to the 'bronze bell' that acted as a cue for him and wick as a postman, but also bc bells r a common theme in holidays) to one waist n a lil pouch to thevother. he also got a waist/legs harness bc i think it was a lil plain on his legs and just lacked some flavour.

he also got a hat!! a furry hat w two lil horns bc i thought they were cute and i wanted to add a bit of detail. it has a fur rim n is a lil bit more like a beret (? im not sure what hat types are, but it's relatively flat. maybe more of a toque) than a santa hat. i havent drawn the back so i cant decide what patterns he has on that

and the big bushy fur coat was simply bc... well i think it made him look nice n cozy n a lil bit like a rich wine auntie. and i think personally he deserves to be a bit of a wine auntie for this season. after getting dumped on a bridge as a kid, having ur only friend die when ur 15, getting involved in the mob, n being nearlt murdered by an embalmer? maybe he deserves a drink on his bday!!! he deserves to be an expensive n prissy wine auntie!!! it's still HIS day even if nobody wants to spend it w him bc they're all celebrating w their family. he gets to be spoiled i think n a big fur coat that gives him a super large n fluffy frame is absolutely vital to lookign rich n expensive w ur tastes. plus he's also a snow faerie, and faeries (not fairies, very different) are known to be a little tricky (and at times, can be a bit entitled, the clever beings that they are)

he also wears heeled boots bc he's got little digitigrade feet and it'd be a more "natural" sole for him than flat feet, bc digitigrade paws don't ever go fully on yhe ground unless they're laying down. this is more just for my fun little silliness n brainrot bc he gets little paw pads n i think that's an absolutely beautiful thing but it's totally vital to my design. the boots obviously have a fur trim to match with everything else n snowflake decals on them to boot!!!

additionally he's meant to have his arms n hands fade to black to sorta represent frostbite in a way, and also bc it's a very classy (and albeit, very common trope, but it's common for a reason) way to make him look a little more sinister(?). unfortunately these (like his feet) r also covered by big ol mittens but i think the mittens r super cute so they get to stay bc they match everything else

additionally i just made him an expensive wine aunt who wld have those little tiny house sets but like a whole village n the fake train n like 5 different christmas trees (all themed) for the holiday season as well as like a thousand yule logs & candles (vanilla or pine scented, of course) around his house. he's obviously drinking a very expensive domaine de la romaneé-conti wine & eating homebaked goods all the while. it wouldn't be a wine aunt winter faerie w/o the most expensive wine he can get his lil clawed hands on if he wasn't spoiling himself for his bday

anyways that's it n as u can tell im a little?? brain thinker when it comes to victor grantz idv. btw i think he'd be called possibly Deorwine or Félagi :3 if he wasn't just called Victor

hello to my faithful idvers who r just as anguished and dismayed by how ugly victors s tier is. i was quite disturbed and petrified when i saw it. anyways i made him a snow faerie these doodles r a lil shitty but he's made for my wine aunt victor agenda

idk. i think my main gripes w it are the general tackiness of it and the way it just clashes? i think it'd be cute, but not for him. not saying my design is objectively any better but i DO think it at least fits how my victor is headcanoned to look, so it's at least arguably a little better in that aspect

I'm jus saddened that he got christmas merched again for hsi second s tier when he's got sooo much cool potential bc of how silent they r about his lore and character. there's so much they could've done n a lotta potential methinks. generally a lot of his lore is incredibly quiet n we only recently had gotten information on his actual background but a lit of it is kept inconclusive. bc we dont know a lot ab the mob he was in & definitively why he acts the way he does about things other than his mom supposedly told him a certain thing when he was young..maybe im overreading but i think the fact he got a shitty s tier as another "Christmas bday = ez christmas money" thing is just sad

[ask-victor-grantzcampbell]

My dearest friend,

I do hope that you forgive me for not being able to greet you yesterday during my route. It has been much more busier these last few days with the sudden disappearance of the PostMaster. The following route had been changed quite a lot and I still have much to get use to.

Did you know that I've been trusted with the bronze bell? It's an honor to finally have something to help call people to me for their letters. But that is enough about me, what of you, my friend?

Your name has been dripping from many mouths - both good and bad. Many say you've written many helpful things while others say that what is printed is blasphemy and immoral! Truly people seem to see only what they wish to see do they not?

With some of the attention you receive on your worst days I worry about your safety. There are many people that might try to alienate you and come to wish harm on you.

Please be careful.

Also, I did not know that you had received a dog! What a lovely dog it was with such a round little body and paws! I believe I heard you call your companion Wick? Is that correct? Truly we must share similar tastes with dog names! I do not think I told you as a child, there had been a house fire that claimed the home my brother and I resided in and during the chaos there had been a little frenchie that I had managed to rescue and I had named him Wick as well. A silly name, Norton gave me some gripe on it but ultimately he relented on it though I did not know that my Wick was sick though he showed no traces of it, it was truly sad to lose such a kind and loving friend...

I hope that you love and cherish your Wick well, keep Wick safe and happy as well as yourself. This letter should be cut short now; the new PostMaster has summoned me to greet a new person in the business, my gut twists but it might be anxiety at meeting a new person.

Goodbye for now my friend,

Victor Grantz-Campbell

[alicehealer2]

A Magic Library in the city of Eltot

Chapter One: Light Reading

“My name is Alexander Antonio the fourth, I hail from the eastern isles and I am an adventurer. Slaying monsters, punching Krakens, the works. I come here for adventure, fortune, and glory, but most importantly I wish to see the sights of this fine city.”

“Sir I’m going to have to ask you to order there’s a line forming.”

“Ah! Right, sorry, one Eltot-Kebab please.”

The young man in front of the brick and mortar grill rolls his eyes and passes me a kebab. I have the decency to blush.

It’s been too long since I could eat real meat. Being at sea for a whole twelve hours does that to a man. Granted it only took so long because of that damn Kraken. You’d think the army would have done something by now considering it’s a major trade route, but then again, it’s more work for me so I won’t complain. I walk through the cobbled streets, taking in the towering architecture of this ancient city of stone when I come across an anomaly. Far taller than the rest, a temple of black rock looms over the city radiating a powerful presence as if to say, “I will still be here when this city falls.”

I feel like a rich kid staring at a toy store.

The wrought iron gates open up to a wild garden of trees and bushes, covering all but the path, creating a tunnel out of the tree branches. To the side of the gate lays a bronze plaque stating this is ‘The Grand Library of Eltot-Sira.’ As tradition for possibly haunted buildings, I bow in front of the gate and say a prayer to the architect who designed it before trekking on. As soon as I enter the gates the trees give me shade from the coastal heat of the sun and managed to filter out the smell of the sea with its flora. A modest oak door stands at the end of the path, I knock three times, wait, then push open the door.

A bell chimes and I’ve entered another world. Shelves, taller than any boat and half as wide fill the cathedral. The rows are lit by small orbs of magic but fail to reach the windowless roof, if there even is an end to the abyss of the sky. I’ve never been much of a reader but who knows what ancient quests lay dormant in these walls. I start forward and try to find the ‘secret quests for heroes’ section.

…

I’ve been walking in a straight line for what must have been an hour and I still haven’t reached the back of the library. Finally, I find something I recognize, a cute girl!

She’s standing in front of a bookshelf with a book larger than I’ve ever seen before, not that I’ve seen many, but she seems completely absorbed in its contents. I can’t imagine it’s comfortable standing up reading all that, but I’ve had worse sleeping positions. Long Blonde hair tamed by a red clip with a small ornamental rose. A long, flowy black dress with a scarlet shirt underneath and a thin cardigan over the top covers up her frame, almost cylindrical like a wizard’s robe.

“GREETINGS!”

A girlish scream comes from the screaming girl as she throws the book at my face. I deftly catch it only to almost drop it as the weight of the book overwhelms me.

“Apologies! I did not mean to scare you! I didn’t expect to find another person here!”

“P-please stop shouting.”

“O-oh sorry”

She straightens up and walks towards me holding out her hand.

“I’m Joanna, the librarian here, although the library tends to do everything itself so caretaker might be a better name.”

I grasp her hand to shake it.

 “U-uh no- “

 “My name is Alexander Antonio the fourth, you can call me Alex.”

 “Uh, I’m Joanna and it’s very nice to meet you, Alex but, uh, I was reaching for the book you’re holding.”

 “AH! yes, here you go!”

She manages to make the book look absolutely weightless, picking it up with one hand before, to my astonishment, levitating it away into the dark, upper shelves.

“HOW DID YOU DO THAT?! THAT WAS AWESOME!”

She flinches away from my voice and I can’t help but frown.

“A-ah, it’s because I’m the librarian. The books just sort of do what I want them to do.”

 “That’s so cool!” I try to lower my voice and it seems to work as she smiles at me.

“Yeah, I guess it is kinda cool. I’m so used to the library I forget this isn’t something you see every day.”

“Do you think if I stood on two books, I could use it to fly?”

“Please don’t stand on the books.”

“Yes, mam.”

She bounces from foot to foot as the silence extends.

“OH YEAH! Do you have any books with like, super-secret old quests that point me to a treasure or a dragon or something?”

“Um, no but we do have a book on local mythology, a book on ancient king burial grounds, and a book called ‘Better Homes and Dragons’ which I haven’t read but might help.” As she says this, three books fly into her hands, and hands them to me with a smile on her face.

“Thank you! I’ll read them straight away!”

“Just take a left here and the library will guide you to a reading area.” “I’ll talk to you later, Joanna!” I give her my most heroic smile and start walking to the right. Just like Joanna said, a reading room forms out of the endless abyss with the first window I’ve seen all day, looking out over a garden with a marble gazebo, untouched by the wilds.