#also a cool geography guide

[yabobjonez]

Imagine MesaClan or VolcanoClan 💀

set of warrior cat clans that live here

[vamptoll]

So like, it's fun to read the gender politics of fictional worlds because a lot of times gender isn't a big focus, so they end up getting tied up between the conflicting needs of genre.

Like in Fire Emblem Three Hopes every army is half-female front-line armed forces (cool!), but also Fodland is a heavily patriarchal continent where women's bodies are managed to guarantee fertility. On the one hand the requirements of a tactical game is any character that matters should probably be fighting In the army, so any women have to be military. But Also, we want to have some of that heavily feudal gender politics (and like, it still exists today too- it has the gender politics of today too TBF)

Anyway, the reason this post is on here and not on my video game blog is this also applies to TTRPGs. If you get a group of trans people to roleplay and come up with characters, they're likely going to make transgender characters, but then if that happens you're in a world where a Ton of the major power players are Trans.

And like, that's a fascinating question right? Like it says a lot about the world, presumably! Like if we put on our Anthropological glasses, clearly something caused this groups culture to be a lot more lenient towards gender-crossing than the imperial realities of our world today.

But even more, the characters are trans like people today are trans! But like, 1960s Americas has a lot of different gender-variance groups. The cross-dresserers, the street fairies/ Hard Butches, and the Transsexuals are all quite different in their makeup, beliefs, and goals. Even today, when all these groups are combined into the "Trans" guiding Light, there are still fractures there.

And like, it's not really practical (and maybe even impossible) to try and attempt to craft and adopt an entirely different vision of identity. Like if you hand everyone a packet saying"Ok, in this setting's culture dysphoria doesn't exist, instead the great demographers of the Imperial Crest have determined ideal mythic gender ratios for each aspect of the geography of the land, so instead as a child everyone was gathered together and asked to trans themselves to fit those ratios." No one is going to be able to ACTUALLY roleplay that! It's too gonzo, imagining it is going to be difficult, and besides, what the players actually want to do is just play a trans character, not a Mythical ratio under the Imperial science of Geography.

So instead it's just like, working backwards. Ok, trans people are able to hold positions of power and they're not getting shit for it. Why Though? It's fun to imagine! I promise.

And like, were doing a Mech Game, it's mostly Pilots we're playing, but those characters then become important figures In the revolutionary governmen. And it wasn't a trans revolution right? Not fighting for Trans Rights. So like how did that happen? What's in the water doing all that? And my theory is that Being Trans makes you better at Mecha Piloting.

[bonefall]

I've been playing with the idea of part of WindClan territory being on a Pleistocene bonebed and someone finding a smilodon skull and thinking it was from one of their gods/a skull from a mountain settler. Maybe they think it's the skull of Shattered Ice because it was found near tunnels (their oral history traditions didn't preserve that he eventually joined RiverClan) It's unrealistic and would need a lot of geography fuckery, but it's a fun idea

Not actually as far fetched as you think, the only thing wrong here is the mention of a smilodon specifically. That's an American animal; you're more likely to find the Eurasian Cave Lion or a Scimitar Cat where I put BB.

Or even just, like, a normal European lion. England did very much have real lions that went extinct, and then the Romans brought MORE lions because they liked watching them fight.

Which is also a possibility by the way. The Romans were all up in this area, building walls and arenas and roads and other Roman things. The Roman Empire is ECOLOGICALLY VALID lmao

Like I'm deadass. They still have structures from Roman settlement. There's a funny story about William the Conqueror being super disappointed that this one Great Wall was less cool in person than his travel guide or whatever told him, and he got so mad he burnt the city down about it.

(Normal tourist reaction)

I want to throw some ruins into WindClan, too. So if not lions, then they probably could bump into human skeletons, or various bones of livestock. For some reason I want Breezepelt to find a skull and I don't even know why.

[thorgans-guide-to-thedas]

Can you guys re-imagine the culture(s) of the Chasind?

Hey anon!

That's a fantastic suggestion! Our campaigns have been taking place mostly in northern Thedas, so we didn't even have Chasind people/Kocari Wilds on the map yet, but you're so right. I didn't know much about the Chasind before reading up on the Bioware Wiki (BW for short) and.....yooof.

We'll definitely do a more thought-out and 'official' entry, but since a lot of our re-imaginings move at a snail's pace, I'll share some of our immediate thoughts after discussing this:

Geography:

It's giving BIG bayou vibes, and we're taking that and running with it, nodding at inspiration of early Black-American culture that emerges in the southern USA and the greater Caribbean Islands. Visuals of the Florida Everglades and Bayou Bartholomew in Arkansas, with a majority of the villages being built on stilts or the massive trees that are similar to the ones seen in the Frostback Basin (Jaws of Hakkon DLC specifically). There are settlements on more solid land, but most of the population and the 'civilians' live inside the swamp, as the tricky terrain doubles as protection and security.

The People:

Based off the BW, we're seeing patterns of love for nature and the seasons, and the mention of "animalistic goddesses" is making us think....DND druid style. (we took one look at the "barbaric" descriptions and tossed it all out, thank you)

Animal companionship is common among Chasind, whether they are "working animals" that warriors and hunters may keep that help them in their tasks, or companions for your local shopkeep or fisherman. Big or small, smart or.....lovable...animals are all around and children may even receive their companion at very young ages, growing up with their animal friend.

Some more magically gifted Chasind can even transform and take an animal form.

Chasind are bonded by clan systems, not blood or background. Meaning that if someone needs help in the village, people will band together to support that person. Once you settle in the swamp, you're family.

The Chasind have a large population of people with darker skin tones, but people with lighter skin tones are not uncommon either.

The Culture

Being situated on top of it, of course, water is EVERYTHING.

Navigating the bayou is no easy feat, and children are taught from a young age through legends, stories, and all sorts of oral histories how dangerous the water can be.

There are definitely some pretty cool eldritch beings living out in the swamp, and there are definitely stories about them.

Fishing culture is HUGE. Fishermen are taught a very sophisticated type of navigation and tracking, most commonly using the stars as a guide to chart the swamp, because the landscape can be incredibly difficult to navigate, especially after dark.

According to the BW, the Chasind have "developed their own language, but are capable of speaking the King's tongue", so we took this as they've managed to blend an older language like the one spoken by their Alamaari ancestors and merged it with the King's tongue (not unlike real-world languages, such as Haitian Creole, Jamaican Patois, or Michif)

People also traverse the swamp on stilts to keep out of the water and out of the way of other water predators. Whether they are walking across the village or going out to the fishing holes to get a daily catch.

Please feel free to add your own comments or thoughts on this re-imagine! This entire project is a joint effort, and having perspectives from other backgrounds is always helpful to make it more inclusive.

[elbiotipo]

This is a take I keep screaming, and while I doubt Arena/Daggerfall intended it this way, I always though it would be great if Cyrodil was inspired by a south american empire like the Incas.

I also always thought China based Cyrodil would be cool, since it has an imperial history of unification/division a lot of terrain diversity, its neighbors with a wide variety of culture, and being invaded/influenced by the Akavir (which are just fantasy Japanese lets be real).

ANDEAN-INSPIRED FANTASY CIVILIZATIONS ARE MY FETISH, SO ABSOLUTELY. Those potatoes must have come from somewhere, after all. In fact, it would be very interesting if the Reachmen or the Dwemer had Inca-like inspirations, like terraced farming and of course, potatoes.

I always thought by the original lore that Cyrodiil had a Southeast Asia fusion with the Roman Empire vibe. There are mentions of rice fields and mangrooves. Imperial City itself is described much like Tenochtitlán. There are a lot of real-world inspirations they could have used instead of what they did in Oblivion. Just read the original and weep, the descriptions are so evocative compared to the knights-and-castles we got:

My vision for the climate of Tamriel is much like India; the south ticking to the cycles of the monsoon (Elswyer and Black Marsh, canonically with climates similar to South India and the Deccan), the more subtropical areas of central Cyrodiil until you go all the way to the jungles in Imperial City and then the increasing heights of Bruma towards Skyrim, which resemble the Himalayas and Tibet. There is so much that geography evokes to me, and I think that if done properly, they could have done a great original fantasy setting instead of the generic thing we got.

[great-or-terrible-beaste]

THE WIDE, CARNIVOROUS SKY & OTHER MONSTROUS GEOGRAPHIES - JOHN LANGAN

(currently unfinished, this will be updated as I continue the rest of the short stories in the book, but the ones ive read so far are listed below. i guess theres probably spoilers in here so disgres urself accordingly, tho i'll try to keep it vague)

------------------------------------------------------------

KIDS

Kids is a really interesting start to this book in a way I really loved. As a huge fan of that thing music albums do sometimes where they have a short little bit at the beginning as a way to prep you for the rest of the album, Kids does a similar thing here. Although in this case it's 3-ish pages about strange children eating a teacher, which in addition fo the writing being very good does really well in setting the stage for what's to come.

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HOW THE DAY RUNS DOWN

And what's to come certianly delivers. How the Day Runs Down is at it's core a zombie story. You wouldnt think that at first though given a number of things but the most important generally is the fact that the entire thing is written as a stage play. I was in general not so hot on this one at first, not for any particular reason but to be honest just for the sake of needing some time to get back into short story writing again. It really is a different mindset from most longer novels, especially the longer running trilogies etc i've been mostly reading recently. Switching from story to story so fast and with so little time to spend on each, it's jolting at times but it does still make for fun stories. It's just that sometimes you need a different perspective to remember that again.

In How the Day Runs Down's case, that came in the form of remembering the way that LITERALLY ANY OTHER ZOMBIE STORY HOLDS ITSELF. This story does, in a fraction of the time, something very interesting with the genre. This is put with the caveat that I haven't read/watched/played much zombie media and am fully open to points made about whether or not I should do that before being So harsh on other stories, but in How the Day Runs Down's defence. I have yet to hear about another zombie story that is set from the perspective of a being who's job it is to meet mortals after their deaths and guide them on to the next place, performing in and running a play that consists of everything that they have watched happen in the small area of the eastern US they preside over as well as discussing the implications of rebirth on the afterlife in very certian terms. On top of all this it's also just a really well written zombie story, even going so far as to actually give a reason why they dont call them zombies in the story. (they are reffered to as eaters mostly instead as it is "easier to not admit they're zombies") The story really loves to play in the areas of human nature in the face of it's own collapse at the hands of an unknown disease. None of the characters are really all that certian about themselves, the world around them, or how to act when confronted directly with zombies. It's a very emotionally well written take on it that I really enjoyed.

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TECHNICOLOUR

I have a bit less to say about this one. Mostly just because it's a pretty solidly fun story about a nonexistent book providing firstly new context to Edgar Allen Poe's "Masque of the Red Death", and then context to a ritual which will supposedly summon something unknowable into the world once again. It is written from the perspective of a university professor goving a lecture to a class which is a cool way of laying it out, but I didn't necissarily find anything more of much substance on first read. This, as a note seems to be a recurring thing to an extent with Langan's work. Not that it's necissarily a bad thing, but to a point the stories tend to be more about the expressed thing on the page than anything metaporical. I dont think that's a bad thing generally, my leanings towards preferring strong metaphorical undertones are personal for sure, but there are times I wish there was a bit more substance in the story. Regardless though, it is very well written.

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THE WIDE, CARNIVOROUS SKY

ive read this one but i Am falling asleep rn + i gotta think on it more

[checkoutmybookshelf]

Rereading The Fellowship of the Ring for the First Time in Fifteen Years

Ok, so having left Frodo enstabbened at Weathertop, we're now picking up in the aftermath and we are hauling ass to Rivendell. Well, specifically the Ford of Bruinen and the Last Bridge...I'm pretty sure. NGL, I'm pretty bad at literary geography in general, and Strider's quick-and-dirty river overview honestly did not make sense to me, so we're pointing our noses at the river with the bridge the other side on which is Rivendell. Get it? Got it? Good. Let's talk chapter 12, "Flight to the Ford."

So as is eminently sensible when one has been stabbed by a Black Rider, Frodo passed the hell out and fell on his face in the grass. Which, while eminently sensible, still freaked the ever-loving hell out of the other Hobbits. And I'm sure that Strider fucking BAILING on them moments later didn't help, because he didn't exactly take time to explain what's happening there. Which is why I honestly don't give Sam ANY shade for any of this:

Sam plainly was beginning to have doubts again about Strider; but while they were talking her returned, appearing suddenly out of the shadows. They started, and Sam drew his sword and stood over Frodo; but Strider knelt down swiftly at his side.

Y'know...if my boss/BFF was possibly dying in the grass at my feet and our guide fucked off without telling me where he was going after we'd just been attacked by basically Eldritch Horrors, I'd be sus and very willing to stick my sword in them too. All props to Sam's protective instincts here, and honestly Strider might have deserved it if he'd been a little bit inexpertly stabbed by a hobbit this night.

Although, I will say that Strider wins some points back because of all the hobbits, SAM is the one he explains the situation to and SAM is who he is straight with about the severity of Frodo's wound. Literally every authority figure the hobbits have come across so far have respected the hell out of Sam's position in the group of hobbits and his ability to take in and cope with information. And as per usual, Merry is over there stoking the fire and keeping Frodo warm--looking after Frodo's needs really seems to be Merry's deal in this book, because he's the one who helped him move and then made sure that there was food and baths at Crickhollow. Like that's going to transfer to Sam and Sam already has this...proprietary thing...for Frodo, but he's super cool with Merry sharing the load, and I guess I can't say I blame him. I'm just saying that there are two big, beefy brain cells among the four hobbits, and when Sam and Merry aren't splitting them, Sam's holding both.

Finding the dagger hilt, slashed cloak, and Athelas plant also help, because it means Strider can tell everyone what precisely they're dealing with. It's...bad, it's definitely BAD, what they're dealing with, but at least they know. I would also just like to point out that the Athelas preparation in this scene looks way more like the scene in the Return of the King film than it does literally this scene in the Fellowship movie:

He crushed a leaf in his fingers, and it gave out a sweet and pungent fragrance. [...] He threw the leaves into boiling water and bathed Frodo's shoulder. The fragrance of the steam was refreshing, and those that were unhurt felt their minds calmed and cleared. The herb also had some power over the wound, for Frodo felt the pain and also the sense of frozen and cold lessen in his side; but the life did not return to his arm, and he could not raise or use his hand.

Pretty sure not being able to use that arm or hand is going to be a PROBLEM since we need to point our nose at the ford and haul ass, but we'll...burn that bridge when we cross it, I guess? Too many bridges.

What I found REALLY freaking cool though, is that this is the first time that Frodo really and truly understands that the Ring and the forces of Mordor in general are influencing him. He wrote off the incident at the Prancing Pony as an accident, but he cannot deny at this point that he put the Ring on because IT wanted to be worn, not because he wanted to wear it. I think the timing on this realization is mostly foreshadowing, but I think it's also giving the reader a sense that something has fundamentally shifted. Bilbo had this ring on and off his dang finger for like...IDK, 60 years? I could go back and check but I'm not. The POINT is, Bilbo was using the Ring like it was a magician's prop and get-out-of-a-Sackville-Baggins-encounter-free card and there wasn't that same realization. Frodo is dealing with an entirely different beast, and it's not his fault that nobody warned him about it and it's whispering sweet, deadly nothings to his soul. At least he KNOWS now, and if you're aware of something, you can deal with it.

Unfortunately, what Frodo super cannot deal with is walking. So he ends up on the pony for like ten straight days through really rough terrain and rain. And because I have RA and like Count Rugen have a deep and abiding interest in pain, we're gonna just go ahead and take a look at the hell hauling ass over this terrain is for Frodo:

Before the first day's march was over Frodo's pain began to grow again, but he did not speak of it for a long time. [...] Frodo was restless. The cold and wet had made his wound more painful than ever, and the ache and the sense of deadly chill took away all sleep. He lay tossing and turning and listening fearfully to the stealthy night-noises: wind in chinks of rock, water dripping, a crack, the sudden rattling fall of a loosened stone. He felt that black shapes were advancing to smother him... [...] Frodo threw himself down, and lay on the ground shivering. His left arm was lideless, and his side and shoulder felt as if icy claws were laid upon them. The trees and rocks around him seemed shadowy and dim.

Yeah, so this? This sounds like hell. This reminds me of the first five or so years of having RA, before I got used to functioning in pain and before we figured out meds that worked. The self-yote to the ground and just being like "this is where I die" is DEEPLY relatable, especially since Frodo is still in the "DEAR GOD WHAT IS HAPPENING" phase of adjusting to chronic pain. You have no energy, no equilibrium, and no idea what is coming for you. Plus, nights are the frickin' worst, because you are in pain, all alone, and trapped in a sea of physical pain that you can't even catch a sleep lifeline to escape and isn't kind enough to drown you. All that to say I super relate to Frodo at this point, and someone get this hobbit some Flintstone Chewable Morphine.

We do get a little levity though, when Pippin forgets not only the Baggins family history but also everything he ever knew about trolls and barrels back to camp screeching that there are three trolls in a clearing below...in broad frickin' daylight. Strider apparently took a course in "Dadsplanations" at some point, because he just strolls on into the midst of what are revealed to be Bilbo's trolls and pokes them with a stick. Everyone has a laugh about this and the bird's nest behind one of the trolls' ears that Pippin missed. Having all been put in a better mood, Merry insists that Sam give them a song, and this absolute polymath of a hobbit busts out EIGHT ORIGINAL STANZAS of a troll song. On the spot. Seriously, this hobbit is deeply impressive in so many theatre kid ways that I think he'd get beat up for learning his lines word-perfect overnight.

Since it's suddenly going so well, the party gets yet another win: Glorfindel shows up! Thank god that Gildor apparently had the foresight to send a heads up to Elrond that the goddamn RING was on the move and the bearer had NO HELP. Unfortunately the news apparently travels slowly, because if I'm mathing this right (do NOT count on that, I'm an English major for a reason), then Elrond's riders didn't set out until the day AFTER Frodo got enstabbened. But Glorfindel can at least account for five of the nine riders, even if that accounting is "they're on our tails and moving FAST." Glorfindel also comes on a damn good horse, and Frodo is unceremoniously sat on said horse, because if they get cornered by the Black Riders, then the horse can get Frodo the hell out of there. Which honestly is reasonable planning and A+ for people with equipment and common sense finally giving the hobbits a goddamn hand.

That Glorfindel then proceeds to set an absolutely punishing pace and has to keep the hobbits going with magic elf liquor is...regrettable but they have ALL NINE BLACK RIDERS on their tails, so hauling ass even more is appropriate.

As they come up over the hill to within view of the Ford of Rivendell, naturally the Black Riders reappear, and Glorfindel is like, "RUN!!!" Which is where the foreshadowing we got earlier with the Ring's will pops back up:

[Frodo] did not obey at once, for a strange reluctance seized him. Checking the horse to a walk, he turned and looked back. The Riders seemed to sit upon their great steeds like threatening statues upon a hill, dark and solid, while all the wood and land about them receded as if into a mist. Suddenly he knew in his heart that they were silently commanding him to wait. Then at once fear and hatred awoke in him. His hand left the bridle and gripped the hilt of his sword, and with a red flash he drew it.

Thank goodness Glorfindel's horse is a good listener, because Frodo going Rider-a-hobbit with FIVE RINGWRAITHS seems like a super poor life choice. The horse gets Frodo across the ford, but then stops to let Frodo and the Black Riders have a little face-off where Frodo orders them back to Mordor and they're like, "Yes, we'll TAKE you back there, just come with us."

This little standoff is broken when the Black Riders I guess get tired of trying to talk Frodo into cooperating and just start to mind whammy his ass and cross the ford.

Which is when we get the magical water horses sweeping all nine away. Which is basically the last thing Frodo sees before falling off the horse Glorfindel said wouldn't lose any rider he'd been ordered to bear and passing out.

So Frodo's just had possibly the worst almost two weeks of his life, and has finished two chapters in a row by very sensibly passing out. We're going to leave it there, because it seems really rude to poke Frodo with a stick to see if he'll wake up. This is also the end of Book I, so guess we're technically at the halfway point! So when we pick up next time, Sam is going to get all the Elves he can stomach, we'd freaking BETTER get Gandalf--his ass has been missing for several hundred pages at this point--and we'll get everyone restarted on this quest, because even Elrond and Gandalf agree that this quest start deserves a mulligan.

[daisywrites-stuff]

The Chaperone by M. Hendrix

helloooo

so i finished reading the chaperone by m. hendrix and omg i loved it. i love dystopian books so when i saw it at the library i had to get it.

the premise:

basically, it's like the handmaids tale but different. (wow great description). anyway. it's about this girl, stella in new america. in new america, girls have to follow the DANGER method, which is deflect attention, abstain from sin, navigate the world with care, give obedience, embrace purity, and respect your chaperone. the chaperones are women that guide young girls into adulthood and teach them to follow the rules. stella is given a new chaperone that changes her views on life in new america (super cool).

my thoughts (spoilers people):

the world:

the world was so interesting. instead of being like the handmaid's tale, where all of america is using handmaids, it is just new america that has implemented the DANGER rules. i did have some confusion on the geography of old and new america, i didn't exactly understand where they were or if there was a border or anything. it wasn't super clear to me but also i was so excited reading that i may just have missed it! i think what contributed to this confusion was the fact that old america is literally the same as america now, but if new america is so different then wouldn't at least some of that affect old america?

the characters:

i liked stella, she had a lot of growth and i liked seeing that throughout the book. sister laura was interesting, everything she did in the beginning had a meaning in the end and i just loved that. stella's family wasn't super important, but i feel like that was for a reason because she needed to be distanced from them to leave new america, but i wish that her family had a larger role in the story because realistically her family would have a big role in her decision to leave and then eventually come back. especially when she was in old america, it seemed like she didn't miss her family at all, which i thought was a bit odd and unrealistic. same with her friends and almost-boyfriend, they seemed a bit like throwaway characters just there to fill some gaps in the story.

the story:

i loved the story. i read the handmaid's tale and i liked it, but i didn't exactly love it. i felt like some parts were a bit unrealistic because it didn't really take into account class disparity and how women/people with more money would have a very different fate than women/people without money. other than a brief mention of the econo-wives, it didn't really mention it. but in this book, money and class disparity is a very big part of the story, which i liked. i found it realistic. like if this were to happen in real life, it wouldn't affect the rich the same way it would affect the poor. the story had a bunch of twists that i wasn't expecting. i mentioned before with sister laura how everything she did had a purpose, that amazed me. i love when books do that. i thought the DANGER rules were so interesting, and since the books were told from stella's point of view, who is a teenager, you can see what the school is like and what interactions she was allowed to have with her male classmates, which was super cool.

the end:

ughhhh i liked the end but also hated it. i liked that she decided to go back in the end but i felt like the ending was kind of open ended. she wanted to follow in sister laura's footsteps, but stopped there. it didn't say what she was planning to do or go into any detail of what happened after or what kind of affect she had. i do have this need for an ending though, like when i watched smile i was so mad because wdym they don't kill the demon in the end? so open ended endings aren't my thing, i need to know what happens, and i didn't get that but that's okay. other than that, I loved it.

rating:

9/10: amazing loved it so great need a second book

[ajora]

Wondering if anyone is ever going to fully appreciate the levels of deep nerdery here.

Explanation:

Cara is Krile's localization name in the RPGe fan translation of FF5.

Knowing that Kururu may come from Sanskrit led me to Jaya, meaning "victorious"--the feminine form of the word seems to be an epithet for the goddess Durga. Kurul is a romanization for Kururu's name from the Master Guide, which is the only place where that particular version appears.

Trying to find a source for Galuf's name proved difficult, but a search on Japanese wiki led me to the Garraf massif in Spain. But also the katakana reminded me of Galf, a character in Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen (and it turned out as incorrect there, as it's actually ガルフ※). Thinking about Galf as an option brought me to Galfrid, which is of Anglo-Norman extract, so I went with that for Galuf's brothers.

But also, Galaf seems to be a Spanish form of Halif/حَالِف... In which case, that does get interesting because of Moorish influences in Spain lending themselves to geography. So hey, that's cool (ᐛ)ᕗ. Not sure yet if I want to go this route and rename the brothers, though, as it'd involve digging deep into geographic features and trying to figure out which is Moorish and which derives from some pre-Roman indigenous language.

※ As an aside, that entry gives me a great idea for a later thing.

[onepiece-oc-archives]

Mobile Masterpost

This is where you'll find all the important info that's found in the sidebars of my blog on web! Your navigation can be found here and your spoiler guide is right here.

About Me

Hiya, I'm Evie (she/they, adult) and I run this little blog. I'm a German history student. My favourite character is Sanji and my favourite arc is Whole Cake Island (shocking, I know). I'm 100% caught-up with the manga, so you don't have to worry about spoiling anything with me. You can find my main blog with all my fandom stuff here. I'm also an admin at fyeahonepieceocs! Ask box and DMs are always open, both here and on my main.

FAQs

Do you have a guide on names?

I mentioned them in my post of important info for live actions fans but I don't have anything more detailed. Generally speaking though, the family name comes first, avoid the D. if you don't know what it means and besides that, names can get as whacky as you want.

Do you have a guide on devil fruits?

Yes, though currently only the basics. It's included in my info post for live action fans. It DOES include some really cool resources for naming them though since Oda has a neat little pattern he likes to use.

Do you have a guide on the different species?

Yes, I do! So far only the organic ones, since describing the existence of some of the inorganic ones would already be a massive spoiler. But if you'd like to know about them, let me know!

Do you have some OC development questions?

Yes! Courtesy of Eiichiro Oda himself, I have compiled some fun fact questions that he has answered about the Straw Hats and they're a nice way to get a feel for the themes, personality and traits of your OC.

Can I request a guide on something?

Absolutely! I'm currently thinking on maybe doing something on major organizations, geography and the currency system, but if you need anything, you can always send an ask or a message.

Can I send you a message?

Absolutely, anytime! Any amount of help you need, I'm here to give. Even if that help just means wanting to talk to someone. Or maybe you wanna do a full-on Powerpoint presentation of your OC for me to comment on or not comment on. Anything goes :)

[council-of-beetroot]

at this point we as a tumblr community should just gather and start a travel agency for hetalia people. with two-week guided bus tours like The Best Places In Eastern Europe To Ship LietPol At. there are daily powerpoint presentations on locally appropriate historical clothing and nightly gatherings to discuss AU prompts and make fanworks communally. (this is a joke but i like to think about it)

Low key though that would be really cool! It would be so helpful though. There are so many places I want to go to now because of Hetalia. Like for example, Estonia wasn't on my bucket list until Hetalia. Now I really want to go there. It really doesn't help that my major is part of the geography department, which just gives me more ideas and makes me want to travel even more.

And if just going to visit my Polish relatives for thanksgiving gave me a ton of inspiration, imagine the inspiration I could get visiting my family back in Poland who live near the Polish-Lithuanian border?

It would be fun to travel with people who also have a love of history. Luckily for me, My mother has a history degree and the rest of my family are a bunch of history geeks. However I know this isn't always the case for others.

[dawn-of-worlds]

Beer and Clothing in the Occident

This post is a reference guide to the Occident, and a follow-up to a couple of previous actions. Much of it applies also to the colonies around the Pearl Sea.

It has been about 500 years since the founding of Azimuth and the beginning of the Sun-Divers as a race, from which events they number the years; the Prophetic Twins, 23 when the calendar was revealed, began it in Year -84. The 364-day solar year is perfectly harmonious with the 13 lunar months (28 days each).

Geography

The realms of civilisation in the Occident are:

The elevated but low-relief plateau of the West. Dominated by savanna, with tropical forests in river valleys and along the coast, and ruled by a crab-bucket of tribal oligarchies.

The relatively cool mountain highlands that run down the continent north/south. The mountains are covered in terrace-farms, the volcanic terrain being well-suited to wet rice cultivation. Cloud-forests, vertical archipelagoes.

The coastal hills of the east, dominated by city-states and little kingdoms. Cities tend to be built in the hills, with adjunct ports on the coast.

The seasonal northern peninsula and islands. Dry forests, more city-states.

The forested, swampy northeastern lowlands support support large (but disorganized) populations of Night-Singers, who generally live as swidden farmers or sedentary/semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers. They also practice shellfish aquaculture on bamboo frames.

The hills around the Red Lake and Azimuth, which mix traits of the highlands and plateau.

[Americas for scale and latitude.]

The climate of the Occident is not amenable to horses, though there are llamas in the mountains. In the plains, chariots are sometimes drawn by robust, omnivorous avians—mvao—which somewhat resemble secretary-birds.

Social Structure and Customs

The basic structuring unit of Sun-Diver society is the clan. The “Great Clans” are derived from the 364 pairings of the 728 [yes, this is a retcon] original Sun-Divers who descended from the Flowering Tree. (Not, of course, that everyone agrees on the names and identities of those individuals, or who is descended from whom, or whose clan-day is what. A number of competing systems exist.)

Little Clans, of which there are thousands, descend from the Great ones; they are exogamous (in some places, you must marry outside your Little Clan and within your Great Clan). Descent is generally patrilineal, with some regional variation. The human minority organizes itself along similar lines.

There is a simple four-part caste system, with noble clans, common clans, outsiders, and slaves. Outsiders, mostly night-singers, immigrants, and freedmen, do not share in the community of clans (though they can still attain high status), and slaves are alienated from it. Slavery is inflicted on prisoners of war, or as punishment for a crime or debt; legal details vary. It may be transmitted between reincarnations, but not to children. 20% of Sun-Divers belong to noble clans, and not all are de facto wealthy.

The relationship between oneself and one’s previous incarnations is not quite self-identity, but not quite parent-child.

Outside the Night-Singer heartland, the population ratio of Sun-Divers/Humans/Night-Singers is something like 70/15/15, with higher human populations in the north and the colonies (70/20/10 or similar).

Villages have headmen, typically elder (older and more-reincarnated) members of a locally-important noble clan.

Dwellings are long houses, normally raised and thatched, and arranged around a central crèche housing eggs and chrysalises. Bamboo is an important material in craft and building.

A terrible and notorious crime among them is to incise the chrysalis and drink the contents.

Clothing tends to be cotton, adorned by the nobles with dye and feathers. It also tends to be sparse, outside the high elevations. Long strings of glass beads or pearls are much prized.

Sun-Divers and Humans Classic in a given area speak mutually intelligible languages, despite the various alterations applied in Sun-Diver speech.

Warfare is a primarily male activity, though all members of a clan are armed and expected to fight to the death in defence of a crèche.

In this era, battle is conducted by masses of archers armed with bamboo longbows, bolstered by small corps of warriors armed as close fighters, along with elephants and mvao-chariots.

Food and Agriculture

Their staple foods are, necessarily, liquid, and thicker dishes are somewhat more difficult to consume (thickness, sugar, and alcohol content assume a place similar to capsaicin in their cuisine). As in all poor agrarian societies, consumption centers on fairly simple preparations of staple crops. The prototypical dish is a thin broth of grain or sugarcane, possibly with spices, salt, other minerals, or fermented material added before consumption. The other prototypical dish is beer.

They are lactose tolerant, and dairy products are extremely popular. They have a startling tolerance for sugar and alcohol, and fermentation features heavily. The aforementioned beer is common, as are sago wine and arrack. The diet is supplemented with certain minerals and mineral-rich plants (these being preferred to mud and dung, except in famine conditions). Meat is occasionally present, in the form of blood or via fermentation, broths, and purees, but plant proteins predominate. They have an inordinate fondness for tea.

Nectar and fruit juice are not plentiful enough to be staples, but their market gardens feature strains of flowers whose yield of nectar is several times better than can be found in the wild, and floriculture is much more prominent than in baseline human societies. Honey is also a popular delicacy, and the honeyguide revered.

Religion

Their literary centrepiece is The Course of the Sun, a semi-coherent corpus of texts revolving around the deeds and sayings of the Prophetic Twins, the events and conflicts of their progress to the west, didactic dialogues between gods and mortals, and various primeval and primordial human and divine conflicts.

Sky-gods with obvious commonalities and cognate names rule most of the continent’s religious systems. The Implacable Celebrants are the primary religious institution, loosely united by occasional regional gatherings, loyalty to Azimuth, and a shared self-understanding. Other major and minor gods are integrated into several coherent (and increasingly elaborate) cosmic schemas.

The peculiar lifecycle of the sun-divers generates religious innovations. Viz:

The Sky, bright-eyed, rainbow-haloed, the Changer of Days, is minister to the chrysalis and the soul-in-dissolution. He is depicted as male or epicene. His temples tend to be open to the sky. In their simplest form, they are round, walled courtyard-sanctuaries with some holy plant, idol, or other cult object bleaching in the sun; greater ones feature concentric ring-enclosures of richly-painted stone colonnades and gardens, each occulted from the last.

Thousand Wombs, Worm-Mother, patron of the vermiform, is interpreted as a protector of children. She is popular with midwives and in folk magic; furthermore, in the elaborated cosmic systems of the temple-schools, she embodies the "receptive principle", associated with children, fertility, and the retention of knowledge. She is invoked to sanctify oaths and marriages, but is always reticent to release her gifts.

And, should the eyes tire of colors, or the heart of glory, there are the obeisances of the Last God—appeased lest he look with too much jealousy on those souls whose sunward flight rescues them from his ultimate domain. Those soon to enter the chrysalis burn resins and sing hymns, and one day a year is set aside in Azimuth to avert his wrath: the public buildings sweat in garments of white linen, all work stops, the citizenry take cover in their homes, and the gaze of the Oracles from the Arboretum’s pinnacle bleaches every flower with the pallor of bone and chalk.

[Pretty much all the gods had cults in the original batch from out East, thought that was in the era of Velarie’s dormancy. These are just noted as salient Sun-Diver specific things.]

[elshells]

I was JUST thinking about this lake the other day! I love this place and not only is it on my list of places to visit one day, but I've done a lot of research on the location because it really is the perfect setting for a paranormal horror story. Both the lake and the island are a hot spot for weird, unexplainable activity.

This post already covers the Old Man really well, which is probably what Crater Lake is best known for. There's also supposedly the head of a spirit that was cast off into the lake after an epic battle, according to stories from native tribes, that can summon storms and take the form of a giant crayfish. Also according to the lore, the lake itself is a gateway to the underworld, and staring into the depths is said to be dangerous because the spirits living in the lake and take hold of you and drag you under. Weirdly, this seems to hold up, as there's the occasional story of people disappearing and/or dying without explanation.

(Additional fact that is more scientific than spooky: the reason the lake is such a clear and gorgeous blue is because the water is made up almost completely (if not entirely) of snowmelt! How cool is that?!)

As for Wizard Island? Haunted in every way you can imagine. Ghosts in a cabin? Check. Campfires that vanish with no trace? Check. A questionably dormant volcano? An airplane crashing into the lake for no reason? An entire other island that, depending on the angle and time of day, sometimes isn't even there? Check, check, and check!

And if you're into cryptids? Look no further because this place has sightings of UFOs, Bigfoot, and lake serpents! And that's all without mentioning the pure-white deer sighted by the first man to even see the lake back in motherfucking 1853!

All this to say that I cannot wait to use Crater Lake and Wizard Island in a story because the place is absolutely rich in potential plot fodder.

This blog has the best source of info on paranormal phenomena that I could find on a short notice, but I know several other sites cover additional stories that this one might have missed, as well as the locational geography, travel guides, etc. Definitely check it out, it's an interesting read! :)

NO WAY

[strengervinay]

Trek to Kareri Lake With an Expert Guide!

Let’s Explore!

Nestled in the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas, Kareri Lake is a hidden gem that offers a perfect blend of adventure and tranquillity. Whether you're an experienced trekker or a beginner looking for your first high-altitude experience, a trek to Kareri Lake Dharamshala with an expert guide will leave you mesmerised by its natural beauty. With pristine surroundings, crystal-clear water, and the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, this trek is a journey you shouldn't miss.

Let’s dive into the essential details of the trek, including Kareri Lake weather, camping options, and how to reach this scenic destination.

Why Choose Kareri Lake for Your Next Trek?

Kareri Lake is one of the lesser-known but breathtaking trekking destinations in Himachal Pradesh. Located at an altitude of around 2,934 metres (9,627 feet), this lake is fed by the melting snow from the nearby Dhauladhar mountains, making it a freshwater marvel.

With Universal Adventures, you can embark on a well-organised trek that includes 1 Night and 2 Days of camping, ensuring that you have a seamless and enjoyable experience in nature. This package is available for just ₹ 1349 per person, making it an affordable and memorable adventure.

What to Expect on the Trek?

The trek to Kareri Lake begins from Dharamshala and takes you through lush forests, scenic meadows, and traditional villages, offering a taste of the local culture. As you ascend, you’ll notice the landscape transforming into alpine pastures and rocky terrain, leading you to the serene waters of Kareri Lake.

The trek is moderate in difficulty, making it ideal for both seasoned trekkers and first-timers. Along the way, your expert guide will provide insights into the region's geography, history, and local customs, making the experience educational and enriching.

Kareri Lake Weather: What You Need to Know

One of the key factors to consider when planning a trek to Kareri Lake is the weather. The Kareri Lake weather varies depending on the season, and it's important to be prepared for the conditions you may encounter.

Summer (April to June): The best time to visit Kareri Lake, with pleasant temperatures ranging between 10°C to 15°C. The snow begins to melt, and the lake reveals its crystal-clear waters. This is also an ideal time for Kareri Lake campingunder the stars.

Monsoon (July to September): While the trek is still possible, this season brings heavy rainfall, making the trails slippery. The surrounding forests become lush, but it’s essential to be cautious of landslides.

Autumn (October to November): The weather is cool and dry, with temperatures ranging between 5°C and 10°C. The lake remains clear, and the views of the Dhauladhar range are awe-inspiring.

Winter (December to March): During this time, the Kareri Lake night temperatures can drop below freezing, and the area is often covered in snow. The lake is frozen, providing a different but equally beautiful trekking experience for those who are prepared for extreme conditions.

Dharamshala to Kareri: Your Gateway to Adventure

The trek begins in Dharamshala, a popular tourist destination known for its Tibetan culture, monasteries, and scenic landscapes. The distance from Dharamshala to Kareri is around 26 kilometres, and the trek can typically be completed in 2 days.

Many trekkers choose to start their journey in Kareri village, which is approximately 10 kilometres from the lake itself. From Dharamshala, it’s a short drive to the village, where the trek begins. The journey through pine forests, rocky trails, and along river streams makes the trek an unforgettable experience.

Kareri Lake Camping: A Night Under the Stars

One of the highlights of this trek is the opportunity to camp by Kareri Lake. As the sun sets, the sky turns into a canvas of stars, and the stillness of the lake creates an almost magical atmosphere. The Kareri Lake night is chilly but serene, offering a peaceful experience that is far removed from the noise of city life.

With Universal Adventures, your Kareri Lake camping experience includes setting up tents, providing sleeping bags, and arranging for meals, ensuring you have a comfortable night in the wilderness. Waking up to the view of the lake and the towering mountains is a moment you’ll cherish forever.

Kareri Lake Trek Itinerary: What’s Included

With Universal Adventures, you’ll embark on a 1 Night and 2 Days trekking package that ensures a memorable and hassle-free adventure. Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect:

Day 1:

Arrival at Kareri village from Dharamshala

Begin your trek through forests and meadows

Reach Kareri Lake by evening

Set up camp and enjoy dinner under the stars

Day 2:

Wake up to the stunning views of the lake

Breakfast at the campsite

Trek back to Kareri village

Return to Dharamshala by evening

How to Prepare for the Trek?

While the Kareri Lake trek is moderately challenging, it’s essential to be well-prepared to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Here are a few tips:

Pack Warm Clothes: Even in the summer months, temperatures at night can drop significantly. Pack layers, including a warm jacket, gloves, and a beanie for the chilly nights.

Stay Hydrated: Carry enough water for the trek, or bring a water purifier or tablets as there are freshwater streams along the route.

Wear Proper Footwear: The trek involves walking on rocky terrain, so sturdy trekking shoes with a good grip are essential.

Carry Trekking Essentials: A small backpack with essentials like sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, snacks, and a first-aid kit will ensure you’re prepared for the day.

Follow Your Guide’s Advice: The expert guide will be familiar with the trail and any potential hazards, so it’s crucial to follow their instructions for a safe trek.

A Perfect Blend of Adventure and Serenity

Trekking to Kareri Lake is more than just a physical journey; it’s an adventure that connects you with nature in its purest form. Whether you're admiring the stunning views, camping under the stars, or trekking through serene landscapes, the experience will leave you refreshed and rejuvenated.

With Universal Adventures, you can embark on this unforgettable trek, ensuring that your journey is not only thrilling but also well-organised and budget-friendly. So pack your bags, lace up your boots, and get ready to experience the beauty of Kareri Lake with an expert guide by your side!

[avinoliving]

Modern Living Perks

There is nothing you won’t love with Avino’s 1-bedroom apartments in Carmel Valley. These apartments come with a range of modern features designed for convenience and comfort. Residents can benefit from a professional high-speed business center equipped with both Mac and PC options. For those who cycle, there’s a dedicated cycle repair shop on-site. Each apartment includes direct access garages with electric vehicle charging stations, making it easy to keep vehicles powered. Avino also offers a concierge package delivery system and a conference room for business needs. With these amenities, Avino’s 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments provide a blend of luxury and practicality, perfect for today’s lifestyle.

The Geography of San Diego, California

San Diego, California, is located in the southwestern corner of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. The city is known for its varied geography, which includes sandy beaches, rugged coastal cliffs, and rolling hills. To the east, mountains and deserts border the area, while the city sits close to the border with Mexico to the south. San Diego's coastal location gives it a mild Mediterranean climate, with warm summers and cool winters. The San Diego Bay provides a natural deep-water harbor, making it an important location for trade and military activities. The city's diverse landscape and ideal climate make it a popular destination for outdoor activities and tourism.

San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo is one of the most well-known zoos in the world, located in Balboa Park. It’s home to over 3,500 animals from around the globe, including pandas, elephants, and polar bears. The zoo is known for its large, natural habitats that allow animals to live in environments similar to their wild homes. Visitors can take guided tours, ride the Skyfari aerial tram, or explore various exhibits like the African Safari and the Panda Trek. The zoo also focuses on conservation and education, helping to protect endangered species. With its beautiful gardens and fun activities, the San Diego Zoo is an ideal place for families to learn about wildlife and enjoy a day outdoors.

Small Business, Franchise Owner Burdened by New Minimum Wage

Minimum wage regulation is important because it helps ensure that workers earn a fair income for their jobs. It aims to provide enough money for people to meet basic needs like food, housing, and healthcare. However, some small business and franchise owners in San Diego are feeling the pressure from new minimum wage laws. They worry that higher wages can make it harder to pay their employees and keep their businesses running. Small businesses often have tight budgets, so increasing wages can lead to tough decisions, like reducing staff or cutting hours. While raising the minimum wage can help workers, it’s also essential to consider how it affects local businesses and their ability to thrive in the community.

Link to map

San Diego Zoo 2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, United States Get on CA-163 N from Park Blvd, Brookes Ave, Richmond St and Robinson Ave 5 min (1.3 mi) Continue on CA-163 N. Take I-805 N and CA-56 E to Carmel Valley Rd. Take exit 3 from CA-56 E 16 min (17.6 mi) Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto Carmel Valley Rd 1 min (0.5 mi) Avino 5040 Camino San Fermin, San Diego, CA 92130, United States

[insightfulblogz]

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