#Thane connectivity

[sailforvalinor]

You see I gave my Shepard both the Colonist and Lone Survivor backgrounds, and then she dies and gets reconstructed at the beginning of ME2, so while not initially intending it, I’m having a lot of fun characterizing her as someone who is outwardly very logical but privately superstitious, and believes that for some potentially cosmic/metaphysical reason she cannot die. She doesn’t know whether to regard it as a blessing or a curse, but whichever it is, all her life she’s been trying to figure out why—until she comprehends the Reaper threat, the Lovecraftian monsters waiting at the edge of the galaxy, ready to snuff out all life, and she knows, deep in her gut, that this is why she’s still alive. It’s why she can charge into a suicide mission without flinching—while others may see it as an act of bravery and self-sacrifice (and, who knows, maybe it is), Shepard knows that she will not, cannot die until she’s fulfilled her sole purpose and eradicated every last Reaper.

[vaguely-concerned]

hysterical actually that in the macbeth references I keep making in my veilguard playthrough because of who I am as a person I would apologize but we all know I'm going to be like this again, the parallel I'm primarily setting up seems to be for solas to be the lady macbeth to rye's macbeth. I mean. not entirely inaccurate in some essential ways I suppose fdsjahf. geez. you push on a man a teeny tiny bit for your own purposes, and suddenly when you turn your back on him for a second he's in in blood stepped in so far that, should he wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o’er. oopsie. you Unleashed something there and you can't stuff it back in its cage now the tiger is free.

(solas' whole 'aren't you proud of what you've achieved? did you think you would gain everything while losing nothing? implicit: you ignorant child who hasn't realized how the world works, like I've had to' spiel when he stuffs you into the regret prison does have big lady m 'my hands are of your colour, but I shame to wear a heart so white *proceeds to go mad from guilt and kill herself while macbeth becomes a specter of ruthless violence*' hubris energy.)

[mrtntw]

Thane is learning to live a normal life, and Shep is very supportive!

In some universe with the happy ending, I can imagine him working at a cafe — maybe he sees making coffee as a way to do something good for people. It's a calming routine, quite peaceful (except when the lunch rush hits). Maybe they're on Earth, some cafe run mostly by other species rather than humans, making it a unifying place for those who seek connection.

[molags-balls]

Bethesda assumed people would be happy with the generic quests in Starfield, but they don’t understand what makes Skyrim’s generic quests appealing.

I did a fetch quest in the Reach. The quest was “get an ore sample from Shor’s Stone”. The most generic fetch quest imaginable. Firstly, you learn some lore. You learn that alchemists are involved in mining operations. They don’t just make potions, they analyse ores for miners for whatever reason.

So I get the ore from Shor’s Stone and the guy complains that he’s been waiting. Then I find out why he’s in a bad mood anyway. The mine is overrun with spiders and the guards aren’t doing anything about it. So I kill the spiders and get paid. Not only that, but I’ve made a friend, and also a marriage candidate. Further, the world has physically changed. The miners have gone back to work instead of sitting around all day.

I take the ore back to Riften and the old woman thanks me and gives me some potions. But now she’s my friend and greets me differently. As she is my friend, she counts towards becoming thane, as well as being a potential sacrifice for the Ebony Blade.

That’s one boring fetch quest and I’ve made two friends, become closer to becoming thane, changed the world physically, got a potential husband, and got money and potions. Skyrim’s fetch quests lead you to other quests and other hand-crafted locations. Or at the very least they give you some lore - such as the Hag’s Cure quest in Markarth which is a simple delivery but confirms that viagra exists in Skyrim.

Compare that to a Starfield fetch quest. You come across a generic, unnamed settlement and talk to a generic, unnamed NPC. He also wants me to collect ore, so I do. He pays me, and that’s it. He doesn’t even have a name. There’s no reason to do the quest since i’d get more money from selling 3 guns looted from Spacers. Nothing has changed. No friends or connections made. No lore learnt. The whole quest was a waste of time. Bethesda assumed people would be happy with their generic quests but those quests provide nothing. They’re useless filler that nobody would gain any enjoyment from.

[thepringlesofblood]

i am SCREAMING!!!!! YESSSSSYESSSSSSSSSSSSSS ACOC is one of my FAVORITE SERIES ALL TIIIIIME!!!!!!!!

okwearebreathingwearebreathing

I’m going in-depth on the names we have thus far. Calorum is the setting that has some of the cleverest wordplay ever, period, and I want to know EVERYTHING about our new guys!!!!!

let’s get this one out of the way

Colin Provlone (Zac Oyama) - Provolone is a kind of cheese. Colin is a name of Irish/Scottish origin. It’s nice to have one simple one.

Bishop Raphaniel Charlock (Brennan Lee Mulligan) - hmmmm are we going to get an actually Bulbian cleric/warlock this season????

Anyway, the scientific name for wild radish is Raphanus raphanistrum, so that’s probably where Raphaniel came from.

wild radish has two other names - “jointed charlock” and “white charlock”. So there we go.

Your typical red radish (as Brennan described his character to look like) is a subspecies of Raphanus raphanistrum called sativus.

but!!! even MORE interesting!!!! you know what order and family radishes are in? the order BRASSICALES in the family BRASSICACEAE!!!!! Like a certain pontifex we know of??

This could be 100% unintentional, there’s a Lot of vegetables in the family Brassicaceae, but I remain optimistic.

Lady Amangeaux Epiceé du Peche (Anjali Bhimani) - so, Fructera has always been French, natch.

She is a mango! French for mango = la mangue

Amangeaux = almonds (according to google translate, I couldn’t find this word anywhere else online, it’s extremely possible that it’s just the most French-sounding way of saying “a mango”)

Epiceé  = spicy (can be used as slang for y’know. spICY)

du Peche = of peach. maybe she is of house Peach?

Karna Solara (Aabria Iyengar) - this one has me kind of stumped.

there’s the obvious karn->carn->meat connection, but she’s a chili pepper. lmk if there’s some secret vegetable lore I’m missing with ‘karna’

there’s also solar -> sun, which makes sense since the crest of Brightgarden is a big sun, and we see the DM screen this season has a big sun on it.

pLUS when I looked up scientific name for chili pepper, they come from the order Solanales in the family Solanaceae.

Thane Delissandro Katzon (Lou Wilson) -

Katzon

immediately made me think of katsudon- an egg rice bowl w pork cutlet on top.

thank you @blueaerin for your post about how this is most likely a reference to Katz’s Delicatessan, a famous deli in NYC! I never would’ve know that.

Also “katson” = Finnish for “I look” - from the verb “katsoa” meaning “to look at” or “to watch over” - probably nothing.

Delissandro - deli - deli meat

Delicatessen - the double s inspired by this?

while I was looking at Finnish stuff i found out “delissa” means “at the deli” in Finnish

Thane - y’all who read Macbeth know this one.

In Anglo-Saxon culture, It’s a title of a landowner, specifically someone who was gifted land by a king.

In Scotland, it’s a feudal lord.

There’s a connotation of military use in all of the descriptions I’ve found, so judging by the armor he’s wearing, it might be being used as a term for “commander”

[messydiabolical]

Template by @finchmarie can be found here. Thank you Finch it's a lovely template! And it's a Keahi double feature: OC MEME as snagged from @stormikins and @keenie-bo-beenie <3

General

Name: Keahi Maynard Shepard

Alias(es): Kay, Whero (fear-o), Ember, Siha

Gender: Genderqueer

Age: 40 in ME1, 42-44 in ME2, 45+ in ME3

Place of birth: Mindoir

Spoken languages: English, French, pidgin Hawaiin conversational/some/learning: Spanish, Arabic, Māori, Asari standard and Drell standard.

Sexual orientation: demisexual, rarely feels attraction but falls HARD when they do. Pansexual.

Occupation: ME1 alliance military infiltrator, rank of commander, and council spectre. ME2 council spectre, Alliance status unclear, and in the latter half secretly, co-shadow broker. ME3 retired from Alliance and council/ honourary roles not active, co-shadow broker with Liara T'Soni.

Favourite

Colours: Purple and green

Entertainment: Archery, nature walks, gaming (management sims and creative tools especially), reading, painting, playing guitar, crochet, music and dancing

Pastime: Having a great meal and maybe playing a game with close friends, then a private chill evening with Thane cosy in their quarters. More active wise, an archery session, particularly if it is on land in nature.

Food: Dad's home style jerk chicken, rice and peas, hard food and dumplings. Or a full roast dinner with all the trimmings.

Drink: Blackcurrent cordial, cool crisp cider, fresh orange juice with bits (pulp for my friends over the pond).

Book: Lord of the Rings trilogy

Have They

Passed University: Joined the Alliance straight out of school, has done many certifications via that.

Had sex: Before Thane, only two partners and brief relationships with a handful of sexual occasions. With Thane, a lot.

Had sex in public: No and absolutely zero interest in trying

Gotten tattoos: Yes. One is a periwinkle over a pentagon, a favourite flower and a nod to Thane. (I figure tattoo removal is much more doable by this point and Keahi is a sappy romantic anyway).

Gotten piercings: yes, muliple. The infiltration track allowed for slightly more lenient dress code in the alliance so they had some ear piercings, although they often closed over and had to be redone. From ME2 onward, multiple piercings including labret and nose.

Had a broken heart: Sort of. (i'm still working out these backstories so the details are a little bare here). Their two previous relationships were both with people they had strong, significant connections with but both were simply not sustainable. Relationship one was a fellow soldier, work, youth and distance made them decide to end things amicably. He later died in duty, Keahi still mourns him. Their second relationship was with a female turian (get him very drunk and they will admit they 'climbed her like a tree' at a good foot taller than him) again met via work and she wasn't looking for a commitment due to work ambitions, a mutual split but was very sad to end things at the time.

Been in love: Thane, the great love of their life, their soulmate, all the cliches. Thane lives because I am soft and they need to grow old and wrinkly together.

Are They

A cuddler: So cuddly with those they are close to. Minimal bodily contact until that closeness is formed though

Scared easily: Not easily. Keahi is a very chill, level headed person. Until they aren't and then it's nuclear time, all the feels.

Jealous easily: Not especially.

Trustworthy: Ridiculously reliable. I think Keahi is one of those people that could be extremely good at lying and manipulation if they have to and truly believe it's necessary, but would never want to and is a last resort, so if you are putting faith in them there's a 99% chance that faith is extremely well placed.

Family

Siblings: None, but was extremely close to other kids on Mindoir :(

Parents: Mum- Dr. Rita Shepard, Agriculturist. She was head of agricultural sustainability and planning on Mindoir, with specialisations in conservation and zenobotany. She made sure any food production didn't cause ecological problems and was sustainable both for the population and the planet. She named Keahi after the plant of the same name which has red stems, and to honour her Hawaiin mother. Dad- Winston Maynard, primary school teacher. Winston was one of those heart of the community types, a smiley, fun, loving man who idolised his 'big brained beautiul' wife and who was every kids favourite teacher.

Rita and Winston:

Children: Keahi loves kids and has always had a 'if it happens it happens and if not that's ok' attitude to having children of their own, knowing their work is not exactly child friendly. Once settled with Thane, Keahi is very happy taking on a step parent role to Kolyat (once Kolyat warms up to them and wants that too) and Feron. Most drell live in tight knit multi generational family units (Thane and Irikah were outliers there) and post reapers, Keahi and Thane live with Kolyat and Feron and very happily and readily help with raising and doting on grandchild Mina.

Pets: The aquarium is converted into a vivarium and home to some space geckos

Tagging: So I've combined two different thigns here, Finch's goregous character template and the OC meme. So to those I tag, you can do one, both or none of course! @pastelroyce @dandenbo @angstyastro @shadowthehedgehog1 @daisywalletchains @who-is-riley @twistedstitcher27 @callista-curations @onedismay @tumblersleftboob and absolutely anyone else who wants to try them out and please tag me I want to see them <3 <3

[cecil-marethyu]

My Totally Unserious Thoughts on the Mass Effect Trilogy (after playing it for the first time in 2024)

Mass Effect 1

Ma’am- Ma’am please- Ma’am, I need you to look to the left for me please.

Holy shit, I think I actually look pretty good.

Me during the Citadel View conversation: Okay Kaidan, I see you. I'm picking up what you are putting down.

But we’re trying to romance Garrus. Everyone’s up his ass, so I got to see what that’s about.

It has come to my attention that neither Garrus nor Tali are romanceable in the first game… Kaidan, I choose you.

NPC: It’s terrible what happened on Akuze.

Me: Oh yeah, Akuze, the Akuze where something happened, that Akuze (what the fuck happened on Akuze?)

…

THRESHERMAWS!?!?!

If I have to drive up one more steep-ass mountain to get to some minerals, I will lose it.

Kaidan: It seems you have quite a connection with Liara.

Me: I do????? I’ve talked to her one time. Like many things in this game about myself, that is news to me.

Ashley: something, something, something, scuttlebutt

Me: Who the fuck is scuttlebutt?

My brother: Kaidan (neither of us actually understand what scuttlebutt means)

I miss Nomad conversations.

Don’t mind me, I’ll just casually bypass this door on Noveria–

YOU DO NOT HAVE TIME TO COMPLETE ANY OTHER MISSIONS HERE

Andromeda Interlude: I went to go read my emotional support Jaal/Ryder fic, glanced at the author’s bookmarks, saw FemShep/Zaeed. This detour has taken an unforeseen turn and will take much longer than expected.

Okay, I’m back.

Time to go to Virmire, I know what’s coming

What the hell is that loud-ass noi- It’s Wrex. He is shooting his loud as hell shotgun at the water.

HOLD THE LINE

If I some how get Kirrahe killed, I will be very upset.

Oh, I guess I’ll take Kaidan and Liara with me to Ilos…. What do you mean I can’t change my party when we get to the Citadel? Wrex and Garrus want to shoot Saren in the face. They deserve it.

Here's my first Shepard for the hell of it

Mass Effect 2

WHAT HAPPENED TO MY EYEBROWS?????

I.. I can live with it. I don’t want to go through the whole character creation again (the concept of writing down a face ID has not yet registered)

Cue two hours of me being appalled by those eyebrows

She could not live with it

Okay, let’s try this again

Time to save Archangel…

The pyro vorcha has killed me three times, maybe even four. I’m making a terrible first impression on Zaeed.

I like talking to Jack, but she doesn’t like talking to me. (I like talking to everyone, but I yap too much, so they don’t want to talk to me anymore.)

We’re on Horizon. Kaidan is very salty, which is valid, I just like to be dramatic about it. My brother and I compare the reactions of Ashley and Kaidan.

LOYALTY MISSION TIME

Do you even remember that night before Ilos?

I accidentally talked to Jack one too many times and hit on her. I am so sorry

Kelly, I want you to feed my fish. Why don’t you want to feed my fish? (Apparently I was supposed to say “I’d embrace you” at the beginning)

Shepard’s dancing is terrible.

The Illusive Man wants to talk to me, I guess I’ll go do that– WE’RE IMMEDIATELY GOING TO THE SHIP. WHAT THE FUCK?? I haven’t even picked up Thane yet T_T

Jane “where my hug at” Shepard has entered the chat

Thane apparently has the probe upgrade, that would have been greatly appreciated several hours ago.

I deserved to get a long dress out of Kasumi’s loyalty mission.

I had reach, she had flexibility

Thane actually wants to talk to me >_<

Nevermind, he called me siha and decided to never speak to me again

Time to go fistfight a yahg.

I have once again yapped too much, an no one wants to talk to me anymore.

I brought Mordin and Miranda with me to the derelict Reaper. Good conversation choices, not exactly good husk destroyers. How many times did I use shockwave, you ask? Yes. The answer is yes.

Yaay, we finally got Legion.

I rewrote the heretics. I sense this may bite me in the ass.

Time to go through the Omega 4 Relay.

Mentally writing a fic where Shepard leaves a video message for Kaidan/tries to call, but he doesn’t answer

I know I have all the ship upgrades, and everyone is loyal, but I am stressed.

We made it.

I finally went back to the Shadow Broker base and talked to Feron. I’m in love…

There are only six fanfics for those who are curious.

I only recalled this because of a video I was watching, but… the cuntiness of Garrus in his recruitment mission. Like sir, what the fuck?

Second/Partial Third Playthrough

Already?! You may be asking yourself. The answer is yes apparently. I finished Inquisition, and my brother started his second playthrough of Mass Effect, and suddenly I’m here again.

I have spent a ridiculous amount of time debating whether I’m going to romance Thane or Garrus. I know I’ll romance the other eventually, but who will I pick first. Do I want to hurt my feelings or have fun?

I picked Thane. I have another save for when I get around to romancing Garrus.

I miss Kaidan, but not in a “damnit, Ashley’s here” kind of way. I just miss my man.

Mass Effect 3

WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO MY FACE

I tried to fix it. I think I made it worst.

What the fuck is up with Shepard’s arms?

The entire Mars mission: Kaidan staring at Shepard when she isn’t looking. Shepard staring at Kaidan when he is halfway across the room. This is great.

I had to restart. I fucked up her face too much. She still doesn’t look like herself to me, but I’ll push through it (fucking weirdass mouth shapes)

Once again, what the fuck is up with Shepard’s arms.. And chest, and run?

I really should visit the council, but baby girl is in the hospital with his tits out. I gotta go

Shepard finally has her hoodie again, the weirdness is less noticeable now.

Saved the Primarch, so it’s time to see baby girl again.

Thane’s here too (don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry)

They actually go me , I thought I got Kasumi killed for a second.

They go me with Grunt too. I am stressed

The Primarch sure like to get in Shepard’s space

We have now lost Mordin and Thane.

Also, Kaidan during the coup stand-off “Don’t make me regret this” Bro, don’t make me fucking fight you.

Cortez, Jack, Joker, and EDI were all at the bar at the same time. Time to get lit

…

Got blackout drunk. Woke up on Aria’s couch

Kaidan has rejoined the Normandy. Shepard checked out his ass to an absurd degree

Everybody wants to come up to my cabin. I am constantly worried I’m going to accidentally hit on someone.

Kaidan is leaning

Me while Kaidan talked about EDI: 0_0 This is Jaal all over again

Had the Apollo lunch. I am constantly surprised by how horny Shepard is.

You weren’t there when I woke up this morning. Y’all fucking? Without my permission?

 Tali on Thessia was honestly kind of funny. I’m pretty sure that is a Prothean, Liara. Hey Liara, don’t you think that is a Prothean. PROTHEANS. I’ll bring Javik next time.

Citadel DLC was fun. Still wish Shepard had a fancy dress like everyone else, but that’s what daydreaming and writing fanfic that will never see the light of day is for.

I unfortunately didn't dress up before going to dinner with Joker, so when Kaidan was like, "Nice outfit." Shepard was standing there in her hoodie like, "... Whatever you say man."

James terrified me when he took his shirt off, but it was fine. And I beat his pull-up record.

Shepard and Kaidan obviously got it on. I don’t think I really need to say anymore on that.

I wish Thane’s picture stayed on the piano.

I obviously invited everyone to the party even though I wanted Zaeed to call me beautiful. Apparently that only happens if Javik isn’t there.

As much as I wanted to enjoy the moment with Kaidan before the Cerberus base, I could not because I am very self conscious and had an audience of three people in the room with me.

Me the entire time I was talking to hologram Zaeed: Why are we so up in each other’s grills?

I should have had Kaidan with me for the race toward the beam to experience the full drama of that. I had Javik instead, which was pretty dramatic anyways. I never expected you to reach for me like that bro

My brother chose synthesis when he played, so I went with destroy to see what that was like. I didn’t want to do that to EDI and the geth, but I did want to see Zaeed drinking beer on a beach.

I’ll preface this by saying, I didn’t go into this blind in any way, so I knew in the final scene Joker would be followed out by two “favored” squad mates, your love interest and second favored squad mate. I was expecting Garrus or James, so I was very bamboozled when Javik walked out.

Second Playthrough

Shepard is so much more defensive with Ashley, and accusative in a way. “Can I trust you to have my back?” What? Why is this even a conversation?

Ashley feels very underutilized in general. Like, her Normandy comments after bigger missions feel more vague and generalized compared to others. She only has one thing to say while others have three or four before they are done talking to you.

Talking to James during the Citadel DLC is a lot scarier when you don’t have a current romance. I don’t want to accidentally seriously come onto him. He doesn’t need that.

Also, why couldn't James have been an option to swoop in after Shepard's fall through the fish tank. Why is Liara the only option if you don't have a squadmate romance? Like, he already has that unserious flirting thing going with femshep. He would totally say, "Nice outfit"

I did want James to be the person I had my beam run moment with though. It was Ashley instead, which didn't make the most sense, but I was cool with it going that way too. And Garrus was the one holding Shepard's name placard, and Javik was the one who exited the Normandy after Joker and EDI, so really have no idea who my true ride or die was. I wonder if armax matches count as missions in the counter.

Speaking of armax arena, it makes no logical sense, but I wish Feron was a potential squadmate, or Bailey

The Thane romance has definitely hurt my feelings on several occasions. It’s great. I got to talk to him after the party too, so that was nice.

WHY AM I FIGHTING ALL THESE SHEPARDS? THIS FUCKING SUCKS

Because trophies, that’s why

There was probably something else, but tumblr decided to not save my edits, so I'm beyond the point of caring anymore

[wingsofthesun]

Trilogy Appreciation Week, Day 1: Family

So since I don't know if I'll get a fanfic out by the end of the week (aiming for releasing something for day 4: Home, but we'll see), I'll write some random ideas down here!

For Day 1, a list of family members that would have been fun to see on the Normandy:

Ashley's younger sister that can use a sword. I can't remember which one it was (I think Abby but forgot to save the convo). But just imagine if she was there during 3 and could absolutely destroy Kai Leng at his own game.

Kaidan's mom. Because Chakwas can't be the only ship mom, she needs help sometimes.

Solana Vakarian. We need Garrus to lovingly get bullied by his sister. And for him to lovingly bully her back. Seriously, this series has a severe lack of sibling shenanigans, even Andromeda disappoints despite the Ryder twins both existing at the same time.

Aethyta, because just imagine the absolute chaos that would ensue. Also I think Liara should get to spend time with her dad. It might mitigate some of my issues with her writing in 3 actually, giving Liara time that's not connected to Shepard.

Kolyat Krios! I wish he had joined the Normandy after Thane's death. Imagine the conversations we could have with him, learning about the drell from another perspective and getting to share fond memories about Thane.

Falere- seriously, this is the biggest missed opportunity. I'm not sure how to overcome the whole Justicar Code thing, but just imagine if it happened! We could see the perspective of an actual Ardat-Yakshi, one that isn't proud of what she is and does just want to live in peace!

Bonus: Hannah Shepard. I don't think having her as a permanent member of the Normandy would work out (and would deprive non Spacer Sheps of content), but I wish we had gotten to see her in person. Like, imagine if she came to visit for a bit in 2 or 3!

[staysaneathome]

Not me imagining one day that a worn and withered mango is brought before Emperor Amethar of the Concordant Empire, the first of his name. She has been caught and is on trial for murder, for killing a seemingly innocuous servant of Vegetanian origin, but her final request is to be brought before the Emperor, to speak in private audience with him.

He recognizes her. Barely, the years cobwebbing his memories, but he remembers the mango who fought by Gustavo’s side. Amangeaux Epicée. The one who vanished mysteriously from before the war tent during the battle of Pangranos.

She laughs, a dry, raspy thing. “My liege, there is far more to the story than that.”

And she tells him.

She tells him of being a widowed queen, certain there were enemies all around her, placing her trust in only her faithful handmaiden, the kindly radish priest of the Bulb who did not abandon her like everyone else, and a young chili pepper she always saw as a daughter, despite the girl’s strength of character and martial prowess.

She tells him of receiving a letter, containing her darkest secret. Of meeting a thane of the meatlands and a cheesy sellsword outside the finished food pyramid, alongside her chili pepper spymaster and radish priest. Of descending into the depths to hold audience with the ones calling themselves “The Fellowship of Destiny’s Architects”, and the certainty they would all be called upon again one day.

Of escaping to Comida on the advice of her two closest advisors to throw her lot in with Tomaté. Of the summons sitting there in the carriage they were escaping in. Of being given a task: assassinate a threat to the future on behalf of the FDA.

Of not being told who the target was until the fatal blows had already been struck.

It is a miracle Amethar doesn’t rend her head from her shoulders then and there. He agrees to wait until her tale is done, one hand on the hilt of Payment Day.

Amangeaux explains the horror of learning what the FDA’s true purpose was, that it was headed by none other than the late Archbishop herself. Of running, abandoning all she loved save the one who depended on her the most. Of honing her knowledge and skills, giving herself to Gustavo, a blade to be wielded to help instead of harm. She speaks of the march to Pangranos, of reuniting with a demoted wreck of archdeacon and a cheesy knight of the Bulb. Of standing outside that tent, pretending her heart wasn’t leaping for joy at the sight of her little chili pepper grown into a fine and strong woman, of the thane turned warlord in his quest for power.

Of following the babbling, raving archdeacon when he sighted what they had come across so many years ago: a being of mold and fungus, gentle, expressive, and almost childlike. Who are connected, and communicate through emotions rather than words, who allow for the rot of death to be turned to the soil of life.

Of discovering the FDA’s taint had spread so far as to enslave an entire seventh kingdom of these beings, beneath the earth.

Of watching the Archbishop become an avatar of a monstrous existence beyond the Hungry One and the Bulb, a being of alien metal and spinning teeth that rent anything which entered it, uncaring and unnourished.

Of losing her two closest companions, her kindly radish and her little chili pepper, to its blades.

She speaks of vowing retribution. Of exterminating every last member of the FDA she could find, wherever she could find them. Of employing all the techniques she’d seen her spymaster use, oh so long ago.

Of completing her mission with this one, final death.

Amethar has to sit with this a moment.

“Why now?” He asks. “You have survived unseen all this time. You have told nobody of your crimes or exploits. Why me? Why now?”

Queen, then Lady, then just Amangeaux Epicée de la Pêche gives a tired grin.

“For you are the Concordant Emperor of Calorum,” She states, “And one of those most hurt by our actions. It is only fitting you should be aware of the seventh kingdom under your protection, and the chance to understand what circumstances delivered it to you.”

She is still smiling even when Payment Day’s blade cuts into her.

[aetherialfalmer]

When an Atmoran or Nord mourned a sibling, they'd wear a bear pelt, often from a black bear, to show their loss.

The bear was the totem animal of Tsun, the nordic god of trials and adversity. We see him in Sovngarde guarding the Whalebone bridge. He died defending Shor from other gods, this was remembered as one of their "Dead Gods" like Shor. The sibling connection is his the fact that he and his brother Stuhn, the god of ransom fraternity and justice, were shield-thanes to Shor. To mourn his brother's death he adorned parts of the bear into his armor. Making the animal a symbol of mourning a sibling and or a sign of true strength.

Wearing a blackened bear cloak symbolized the mourning of a sibling and the strength to carry what was left behind. The surviving sibling would also be one of the few allowed to light the pyre for the deceased. Their world began with each other and one would end with it.

[the-collector-blog]

imo there is reason to believe that thane and baden became very Close to each other the night before their fateful mission. here is my analysis (+ some angst).

that night — thane notices baden's charm. baden says it's his family's crest and goes on about how his niece, estrilda, gifted it to him before he left for war. how she only listens to him and is a mischievous child who loves swordplay. he says that thane would get along with her very well.... perhaps baden is thinking about whether or not he'll come back, and who may bear his crest if he doesn't. who will be there for estrilda. it is apparently forbidden to give somebody an item like this unless they are your family or lover.

next... baden teases thane and proposes that they spar to see who can best who. after some brief sparring— "CLANG," "BANG"— they declare that tomorrow they'll be victorious. you know, because it's always nice to build up confidence before a tough battle, and to form a ~deeper connection~ with your brother(s)-in-arms.

(it all perfectly fits the trope of getting with someone/finally expressing your feelings towards them before an event that could spell the end for you. [edit 7/26: they'd both been drinking before this.] and with how flirty baden was... by the candlelight, alone in his tent at night, stroking his sword.... putting it away once his Friend came in, then taking it out again to spar with said friend...... ahem i'm sorry it's just so funny to me— time to put on the serious cap again though)

the next day — baden saves thane from the brink of death/defeat and they try to escape. baden realizes that mauler forces will soon overwhelm them, however... so he vows to hold them off. and thane...

baden grabs his hand... and once he lets go, thane realizes that baden was giving him the family crest. vowing to protect his lover with his life, making thane his family, passing on his legacy, and trusting him to care for his beloved niece in his stead.

i suspect they became lovers that night. tragic, as one would sacrifice himself for the other, seemingly never to see him again...

then let us fight together again... thane. like the old days.

just like the old days.

[hum-tittle]

So, with the Drell belief of the body and soul work together to make the whole, that means Thane would be a trans ally 🩵🤍🩷

"The body is not our true self. The soul is. Body and soul work as one in a whole person. When the soul is weakened by despair or fear – when the body is ill or injured, the individual is disconnected. No longer whole."

He would want trans people to be fully connected and whole. 💛

So I made some trans pride with space lizard daddy 💕

(Also I am not trans, I'm an intersex ally)

[gccdstories]

@siderealxmelody / *

No one else might have noticed the way Rhysand's gaze tracked Seraphine's movements so closely, but Azriel did. Even if Rhysand directed his conversation to Feyre, detailing whatever his mate wished to know, filling in whatever gaps in the alliances and ties she might still hold due to her youth, his eyes never seemed to waver from the floor below.

From making note of which males specifically spent longer than a mere greeting moment with Seraphine. Which ones she might behave too friendly with, in turn.

And no one else might notice the way Feyre's gaze would occasionally drift down there too, but it wasn't to follow in the direction of her mate's, Azriel soon realized. It took a few moments, but the connection clicked soon enough for the Shadowsinger.

Then again, Remus had always treated her well, welcomed her into the family almost immediately. It was no surprise she sought him out in such events, a constant reassurance--

Azriel slipped further into the shadows, figuring he could pick up perhaps a bit more useful conversation elsewhere than watching Rhysand try and pretend that he didn't wish to murder and flay alive every male that spent more than five seconds in Seraphine's company.

Too many bridges burned, too many chasms created and relationships utterly shattered after that war that tore everything in this realm apart.

Rhysand leaned over to Feyre, fingers tracing the top of his mate's hand as he answered another question. He was glad she wanted to know more, wanted some of the history filled in. It wasn't like he wanted to tie himself to some female that was utterly ignorant. And he did enjoy Feyre's company, there was no doubt about that.

So why did he want to rip into Thane's mind right as the male knelt there before Seraphine and make every thought vanish? Turn the male into absolutely nothing, his brain utter mush? Why did he have the intense desire to unleash every bit of darkness against the ones who dared speak with her, dared bow to her, like she was their High Lady, the ruling party, like she was the one who was due their respect?

Meeting Cassian's gaze from across the room, he nodded towards Thane, as the male soon enough separated from Seraphine. The command clear enough in his gaze, to his general.

❝ You really do like taunting death, don't you, Thane? ❞ Cassian wondered aloud, lifting his own drink to his lips as he paused next to the male, side-eyeing him. ❝ I'd commend it as bravery if it wasn't so incredibly stupid. But then, expecting much intellect out of you is hoping for too much. Always setting one's self up for disappoint there... ❞