#anemone folklore

[midwestbramble]

Anemone Folklore

Anemone spp.

Ruled by ♂

⸙༄𓆤𓆩𓆪❁𓇢𓆸🏵

Contents:

Overview

Folklore

Uses in Witchcraft

Safety Notes

Conclusion

⸙༄𓆤𓆩𓆪❁𓇢𓆸🏵

Overview

Anemone quinqufolia (the wood anemone) is native to Europe and has many closely related cousins in the Americas. These flowers are also known as “windflower.” One of the earliest plants here, flowering May through August, and smallest of the woodland anemones with flowering stems growing to only about nine inches tall. A basal leaf develops after flowering in the spring and the outer leaves being so deeply cut that the casual observer may think it’s a five parted leaf instead. Each stem has a single flower on top with four to nine white to purplish sepals, having no true petals. The sepals are narrow ovals surrounding a knob covered in stamens and pistils.

A common variation found in North America, Anemone canadensis, flowers a few weeks later and grows up to two feet tall. It prefers moist soil appearing in thickets and open areas. Leaf bracts part way up the stem and are without petioles, unlike the wood anemone. The solitary flower is white and sometimes tipped pink or lavender. It also has no true petals, and the sepals measure 1 1/2 inches across whereas the wood anemone is only 1 inch. This makes this anemone look more cup-like than the star shaped flowers of the wood anemone.

⸙༄𓆤𓆩𓆪❁𓇢𓆸🏵

Folklore

-The Death of Adonis-

In the tenth book of Metamorphosis, Ovid recounts the tale of Adonis’ death. in the tale, any time Adonis is not spending in the underworld with his adoptive mother, Persephone, he is spending with Aphrodite and the two are thought to be madly in love. One day, Adonis is pierced by the tusk of a boar he is hunting. Aphrodite, hearing his moans, rushes to his side to try to help. Unfortunately, she is too late and through her grief she creates a flower from his blood, the anemone.

-First of the Year-

According to The Folk-Lore of Plants, the Romans believed the first anemone of the year was helpful to prevent fevers if gathered while saying “I gather thee for a remedy against disease.” Recorded along with this information is the English ballad originating from this idea: “the first spring-blown anemone she is in his doublet wove,/ To keep him safe from pestilence wherever she should rove.”

⸙༄𓆤𓆩𓆪❁𓇢𓆸🏵

Uses in Witchcraft

Anemone is a wonderful plant to use to protect those you love from harm. Make a charm bag to put in their pocket, sew into the hem of their clothing, or add to dressed candles for workings to that aim. May also make a good offering for the ancestors.

⸙༄𓆤𓆩𓆪❁𓇢𓆸🏵

Safety Notes

Wood anemone (the species mostly found in the wild here in North America) has a chemical that can severely irritate the skin, stomach, and intestines. Do not take by mouth or try to make salves or oils with it.

⸙༄𓆤𓆩𓆪❁𓇢𓆸🏵

Conclusion

Even the smallest of flowers may be helpful in certain situations. Anemone's simple beauty can hold so much meaning in the right contexts. How will you work with this plant?

References:

Wood Anemone on WebMD

Images

Title image made on Canva

Death of Adonis (1684–1686) by Luca Giordano.

[axilarycobra]

[Spoilers] WoF Guide book opinions

I recently got the guide and I wanted to share what I thought of it. Honestly, not really meant to be a post explaining in-depth details about what was in the guide, but yeah, this post will contain spoilers for the guide if you haven't read it yet. I'm going to go through it in chapters.

MudWings

I actually really liked the stuff we got in this chapter. It was sort of ruined because everything in it was spoiled or leaked before I got it, the only thing I had not seen yet as of reading that chapter was 2 pages, but I still really like the characters introduced and how it expanded on characters we already know.

SeaWings

This chapter was nice. Not my favorite, but I wouldn't say it was bad. Kind of wish there was more new information since there was a whole part just about Coral recapping the war of SandWing succession. I would have much rather have learned about some kind of folklore or something instead. I think the inclusion of letters between Albatross and Lagoon was cool but it really didn't give us any cool new information, instead just showed how their relationship was like. The Turtle and Anemone parts were fine. The chapter overwhelmingly featured royal SeaWing things when really, learning about some non royal SeaWing stuff would have been so much better because we have really only seen royal SeaWings this whole series.

RainWings

I would say I enjoyed this chapter. I wasn't really into the Kinkajou story but I get its importance in the series, but it felt like an excuse to get to write something from Kinkajou's perspective for once. The Dangers of the Rainforest things was honestly not really insightful. I would have much rather had something about RainWing potions which have been mentioned in other books, that sounds interesting while the Dangers of the Rainforest is really just more about the Rainforest than RainWings. The thing about royal challenges was interesting and included some cool history, it was also interesting to learn about a few other possible challenges that can happen during these. I do like the information about how RainWings traditionally tell stories that are passed down through words rather than writing.

NightWings

This chapter was ok. I skimmed a lot of it. The Tales of the NightWings story was interesting and I like the conversation between Starflight and Fatespeaker that took place after it. The guide to NightWing powers felt pretty unnecessary. I get that this is supposed to represent a real guide that would exist in the series, but I also feel like there should have been more of a priority to give us new information rather than give us information we have been told many times before. The Mastermind interview was way longer than it needed to be, but I did like the history we got about the NightWings developing language and medicine. Fierceteeth's letters was really interesting and seeing some character development in her was really nice

SandWings

Honestly, probably my least favorite section. The wanted treasure poster was cool but then we get thrown into stuff we've already been told. There really is not a lot of new information we learn in this chapter which sucks because I would have loved some SandWing history from Jerboa times or something about the Sorpion Den being founded. There was no reason why most of the chapter had to be focused on Smolder's scavenger journal.

IceWings

Honestly, very cool chapter imo. It also just looked really pretty. Mink's application was pretty long and tbh didn't really add anything to anything. Also, I thought we would get to learn about some new animus gifts but it just restated old gifts we had already learned about without expanding on the information. Literally just exactly what is on the wof wiki plus a tiny little bit of information about Diamond as a dragonet. The feast thing was cool, I never realized how interesting information about food could be but I found myself interested in it. I did really like the Caribou story and that whole history, that's kind of what I wanted more of in the animus gift guide: putting names to animi to their enchantments.

SkyWings

I'd say this chapter was interesting. Although most of the Scarlet kill list was stuff we already know, it's interesting that Tui created a whole new character to put on there with no context as to who they are. I wonder if she wants to do something with this character. I also found the letter from Queen Carmine to Queen Pearl interesting. We got to see a bit of how the massacre was explained to the SkyWings and Queen Carmine's personality. The Tailwind story was interesting, especially near the end parts. It really did explain quite a bit about SkyWing traditions (well, the traditions before they were taken away by Scarlet). I never guessed that Canyon would just be the male version of Scarlet and the reason she had him killed was because he was too obsessed with himself when Scarlet had to make sure she was the dragon most obsessed with herself instead.

SilkWings

This chapter was alright. I enjoyed the information about the SilkWing curriculum and professions back when they were in the Hives. This chapter, and all of the Pantalan chapters, never addressed the LeafSilk Kingdom or the SilkWing Assembly. It is as if that never happened and they were still living in the Hives. I like the history in Monarch's writing and thought that the part about her bringing cookies to the queen meetings was really cute. Aside from that, there was no BeetleWing info which I was really looking forward to possibly seeing.

HiveWings

I did like a lot of information in this chapter. The Hive guides was cool since we really only got a focus on two of them during all of arc 3. The Legend of the Hive part was ok, really just information we already knew, but also interesting that some SeaWings also moved to Pantala with the BeetleWings, LeafWings, and some RainWings. The Book of Clearsight excerpts were also interesting, probably would have been more if they hadn't been leaked.

LeafWings

This chapter was really short. The guide to the Poison Jungle was alright. I did really like the books part. Learning about folklore within the series is what I was more looking forward to in this guide. Then there were the letters with Belladonna and Liden which were alright. But that's it, the whole chapter is 3 things.

[rk099]

Oceanic Dreams: Tales from the Deep Blue

The vast expanse of the ocean holds within its depths mysteries and wonders that captivate the human imagination. From the gentle lull of the waves to the vibrant coral reefs teeming with life, the ocean is a realm of dreams waiting to be explored. In this blog, we embark on a journey into the enchanting world beneath the surface – a world of Oceanic Dreams.

1. The Symphony of the Sea: Imagine standing on the shore, eyes fixed on the horizon as the rhythmic melody of crashing waves serenades your senses. Dive into the symphony of the sea, where each wave carries a story and the echoes of ancient tales resonate through the salty breeze.

2. Coral Kingdoms and Rainbow Reefs: Beneath the surface lies a kaleidoscope of colors and life. Coral reefs, often referred to as the rainforests of the ocean, are vibrant ecosystems that host an astonishing array of marine creatures. Explore the coral kingdoms, where seahorses dance, and clownfish peek from anemone shelters.

3. Guardians of the Deep: Meet the majestic creatures that rule the oceanic realms. From the graceful ballet of dolphins to the silent, majestic glide of sharks, these guardians of the deep inspire awe and reverence. Each species plays a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of the marine ecosystem.

4. Bioluminescent Ballet: As the sun sets and darkness descends, the ocean unveils its most enchanting spectacle – bioluminescence. Picture a ballet of glowing organisms illuminating the water with ethereal hues. Fireflies of the sea, these creatures create a magical dance that sparks the imagination and ignites a sense of wonder.

5. Shipwrecks and Sunken Treasures: Beneath the waves lie remnants of history frozen in time – shipwrecks that tell tales of maritime adventures gone awry. Explore the mysteries of these submerged time capsules, where marine life intertwines with the artifacts of human exploration.

6. The Call of the Sirens: Legends and myths have long romanticized the ocean, with sirens calling out to sailors, luring them into the depths. While the sirens may exist only in folklore, the haunting beauty of the ocean's song continues to draw wanderers into its embrace.

7. Ocean Conservation: A Call to Action: Amidst the dreams and wonders, it is essential to address the pressing issue of ocean conservation. Human activities, such as pollution and overfishing, threaten the delicate balance of marine ecosystems. Let Oceanic Dreams inspire a commitment to protect and preserve the treasures hidden beneath the waves.

In conclusion, Oceanic Dreams invite us to embark on a journey of exploration and appreciation for the incredible wonders that the deep blue has to offer. From the teeming life in coral reefs to the silent allure of shipwrecks, the ocean is a canvas painted with tales waiting to be discovered and cherished. Let the waves of inspiration guide us towards a future where the beauty of the ocean continues to captivate generations to come.

[giardinoweb]

L'Anemone Autunnale🍂

Non potremmo immaginare i nostri giardini autunnali senza queste gemme eteree, che esaltano con sfumature divine di magenta, rosa e bianco fino a novembre. Quando i fiori appassiscono, si formano delle palline di semi che alla fine esplodono in graziose nuvole di cotone. Con le infiorescenze, una volta ben essiccate, potremo utilizzarle per delle dolcissime sculture affusolate da gustare in un vaso. Nonostante il nome, Anemone japonica, questa affascinante piantina non è originaria del Giappone. I primi coloni europei lo videro per la prima volta quando esplorarono il Giappone; non sapevano che era originario della Cina, dall'Anemone hupehensis, originario della provincia di Hupeh. La pianta era stata importata e coltivata dai giardinieri giapponesi per generazioni, ma gli europei la chiamavano Anemone japonica, e il nome rimase quando il leggendario cacciatore di piante scozzese Robert Fortune la portò in Europa nel 1844. Oggi le forme più comuni sono l'Anemone hupehensis, ma anche l'Anemone hybrida, una forma ibrida che fiorisce leggermente più tardi. Si sono guadagnati anche il nome di fiori del vento, forse per il modo in cui i fiori danzano sui loro steli ispidi alla minima brezza. O forse è perché la parola greca "anemone" significa "figlia del vento". Il folklore greco sostiene che lo studioso Plinio il Vecchio dichiarò che questi delicati fiori venivano aperti dal vento, un'idea fantasiosa ma che, guardando le fioriture nei nostri giardini, sembra del tutto plausibile! Quindi, se ti senti malinconico per la fine dell'estate, non preoccuparti perchè le fioriture nei nostri giardini proseguiranno ancora per qualche mese incominciando da quesi magnifici fiori come l'Anemone Japonica . 🍂 Condividete con noi la vostra esperienza con questi meravigliosi fiori e fateci sapere come li coltivate nei vostri giardini. Read the full article

[cabomundo]

Exploring the Mysteries of the Blue Eye Cave in Cape Verde

Cape Verde, an archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa, is known for its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Among its many treasures, the Blue Eye Cave stands out as a fascinating geological wonder that beckons explorers and adventure seekers from around the world. This article takes you on a journey into the heart of Cape Verde to uncover the mysteries of the Blue Eye Cave.

The Hidden Gem of Cape Verde

Nestled on the island of Santiago, the Blue Eye Cave is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Located near the village of Ribeira da Barca, this cave has earned its name from the mesmerizing blue waters that fill its inner chambers. The Blue Eye Cave is not just a geological marvel; it is also steeped in history and folklore.

Geological Formation

The cave owes its unique appearance to its geological formation. Over thousands of years, the relentless pounding of the Atlantic Ocean against the island's volcanic rocks carved out this subterranean wonder. The waves created a small opening in the rock, allowing seawater to penetrate the cave. The sunlight filtering through the crystal-clear waters creates an enchanting blue hue, giving the cave its name.

A Journey Into the Depths

Entering the Blue Eye Cave is like stepping into another world. As you venture deeper into the cave, the azure waters become even more vibrant, casting an ethereal glow on the limestone formations that line the cave walls. The water is remarkably clear, allowing visitors to see the underwater rock formations and marine life that inhabit this mystical place.

Historical Significance

Beyond its geological allure, the Blue Eye Cave holds historical significance for the people of Cape Verde. It is believed that the cave was used by pirates as a hideout during the golden age of piracy in the 17th and 18th centuries. Legend has it that the pirates would stash their loot within the cave's hidden chambers, making it a treasure trove of history and mystery.

Local folklore also tells tales of the cave being a place of spiritual importance to the indigenous people of Cape Verde. It is said that they used the cave for sacred rituals, further adding to its mystique.

Exploration and Conservation

Today, the Blue Eye Cave is a popular destination for tourists and adventurers seeking to explore its depths. Guided tours are available, allowing visitors to safely experience the cave's wonders while learning about its history and geological formation.

However, as with many natural wonders, conservation efforts are crucial to protect the fragile ecosystem within the cave. Strict regulations are in place to ensure that the cave remains pristine for future generations. Visitors are encouraged to respect these guidelines and leave no trace of their presence.

The Underwater World

One of the most enchanting aspects of the Blue Eye Cave is its underwater world. Snorkeling and diving enthusiasts are in for a treat as they can explore the marine life that thrives in the cave's clear waters. Colorful fish, sea anemones, and other aquatic creatures call this cave home, creating a mesmerizing underwater landscape that adds to the cave's allure.

Visiting the Blue Eye Cave

If you're planning a trip to Cape Verde and want to explore the Blue Eye Cave, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, it's important to check the local weather and sea conditions, as the cave may not be accessible during rough seas. Additionally, hiring a local guide is highly recommended to ensure a safe and informative experience.

Visitors should also be prepared for a bit of physical exertion, as accessing the cave may require a short hike and navigating rocky terrain. However, the reward of witnessing the cave's natural beauty and historical significance is well worth the effort.

For More Info:-

Blue Eye Cave Cape Verde

Island Tours Sao Vicente

Cape Verde Diving Holidays

Cape Verde Walking Holidays

[garyjugert]

Uniclues:

1 Prepared circus sushi.

2 An uzi.

3 Install faulty optics ala early Hubble.

4 Prey on predatory invertebrate.

5 Predatory invertebrate of folklore.

***

1 CLOVE CLOWNFISH (~)

2 DON'S ACE

3 SNARL TELESCOPE

4 TROLL ANEMONE (~)

5 ANEMONE TROLL

[dvarapala]

anemone :   how does your muse view the world ;   as a cruel   &   unforgiving place ,   a land full of wonders ,   or something in - between ? where does that world view come from   (what experiences ,   life lessons ,   etc .) ?angelica :   where does your muse draw inspiration in life ?what motivates them ?

botanical headcanons | @escapedartgeek

the world is both a land full of wonders and cruel and unforgiving. that goes for her home planet, but also for the twelve planets that make up the jyotisha cluster. that world view comes from the way she grew up on earth and from everything she went through every time she was off-planet after she opened her first door at twelve.

udyati looks a lot to those who 'came before her' in a sense, especially if they're extraterrestrial too. for example: z and vi. they are older than her. they've been around the block. they've been through unspeakable horrors and other such things but they're still standing. udyati admires them for it. all of them. everyone who came before her, she admires.

and it's probably cheesy to say that her loved ones inspire her too. but it's true, they do.

aside from that, she also draws inspiration from pop culture as well as mythology and folklore. if asked and if given enough time, she can connect a (mythological) story she heard once or a show she's seen to whatever's going on at any given point.

[butterflies-dragons]

Sansa Stark & More Mermaid Allusions

A continuation to this post:

Sansa Stark & Siren/Mermaid allusions

Art credit: Sea-fairies, And Other Poems. Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Boston: Estes and Lauriat, 1890.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Lord Tennyson is an author well known by GRRM:

I was never a warrior.  I served in VISTA, not the Army or Air Force, and I opposed the Vietnam War.  But I have written a good deal about war and warriors, and read even more about those subjects.  Together with Gardner Dozois (a Vietnam era vet), I edited WARRIORS, a mammoth anthology of stories about war and the men and women who fight them.  The glories and horrors of war lie at the very center of A SONG OF ICE & FIRE.

Way back in grade school, like many other lads of my generation, I was taught to recite one of the classic poems of those subjects: Alfred, Lord Tennyson's CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE.   I don't think they teach that in grade school any more, so maybe some of you younger folks have never heard it.

Stirring stuff, even now.   As a kid, I found it enormously moving.  I can still remember chanting those lines in class, surrounded by the other kids, all of our voices joining as one.  (Do they still recite poems aloud in grade school?  Somehow I doubt it).

—GRRM - Two Poems - Not A Blog - MAY 22, 2014

It has also been pointed out that this verse from "The Coming of Arthur," the first Idyll of the famous cycle "Idylls of the King", evokes the the victory over the long night:

“Blow, trumpet, for the world is white with May;

Blow trumpet, the long night hath rolled away!

Blow through the living world—‘Let the King reign.’

—The Coming of Arthur, Idylls of the King - Alfred, Lord Tennyson

And look at this other verse from the Idyll "The Last Tournament," about a fool that was also a knight:

Dagonet, the fool, whom Gawain in his mood

Had made mock-knight of Arthur’s Table Round,

At Camelot, high above the yellowing woods,

Danced like a withered leaf before the hall.

And toward him from the hall, with harp in hand,

And from the crown thereof a carcanet

Of ruby swaying to and fro, the prize

Of Tristram in the jousts of yesterday,

Came Tristram, saying, “Why skip ye so, Sir Fool?”

—The Last Tournament, Idylls of the King - Alfred, Lord Tennyson

A tournament? A fool and a knight? It seems that not only Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe has influenced GRRM to write about tourneys, fools and knights. Maybe Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poetry also put his two cents to inspire George to write about the Tourney at Ashford Meadow and Florian and Jonquil.

So, with that in mind, let's look at another of Lord Tennyson's poems, The Mermaid.

Art credit: Sea-fairies, And Other Poems. Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Boston: Estes and Lauriat, 1890.

The Mermaid

by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

I.

Who would be A mermaid fair, Singing alone, Combing her hair Under the sea, In a golden curl With a comb of pearl, On a throne?

II.

I would be a mermaid fair; I would sing to myself the whole of the day; With a comb of pearl I would comb my hair; And still as I comb'd I would sing and say, Who is it loves me? who loves not me? I would comb my hair till my ringlets would fall Low adown, low adown, From under my starry sea-bud crown Low adown and around, And I should look like a fountain of gold Springing alone With a shrill inner sound, Over the throne In the midst of the hall; Till that great sea-snake under the sea From his coiled sleeps in the central deeps Would slowly trail himself sevenfold Round the hall where I sate, and look in at the gate With his large calm eyes for the love of me. And all the mermen under the sea Would feel their immortality Die in their hearts for the love of me.

III.

But at night I would wander away, away, I would fling on each side my low-flowing locks, And lightly vault from the throne and play With the mermen in and out of the rocks; We would run to and fro, and hide and seek, On the broad sea-wolds in the crimson shells, Whose silvery spikes are nighest the sea. But if any came near I would call, and shriek, And adown the steep like a wave I would leap From the diamond-ledges that jut from the dells; For I would not be kiss'd by all who would list, Of the bold merry mermen under the sea; They would sue me, and woo me, and flatter me, In the purple twilights under the sea; But the king of them all would carry me, Woo me, and win me, and marry me, In the branching jaspers under the sea; Then all the dry pied things that be In the hueless mosses under the sea Would curl round my silver feet silently, All looking up for the love of me. And if I should carol aloud, from aloft All things that are forked, and horned, and soft Would lean out from the hollow sphere of the sea, All looking down for the love of me.

Art credit: Sea-fairies, And Other Poems. Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Boston: Estes and Lauriat, 1890.

Wow! The mermaid from Lord Tennyson's poem sounds a lot similar to Jon Snow's "some willowy creature who sits up in a tower, brushing her hair and waiting for some knight to rescue her," minus the need to be rescued....

But there is much more to say about the mermaid from Lord Tennyson's poem and Sansa Stark. Let's see:

Beauty

"Who would be a mermaid fair"

"I would be a mermaid fair"

Sansa's beauty is renowned throughout Westeros.

Sansa's mother was Catelyn Tully. House Tully is famous for their thick auburn hair and half-fish imagery since they have a trout in their sigil.

Singing Alone

"Singing alone"

"I would sing to myself the whole of the day"

A fair lady singing alone or singing to herself is a classic trope in literature, you can find it not only in fairy tales but also in fantasy authors like J.R.R. Tolkien and GRRM:

After a year or two, it came to pass that the king’s son rode through the forest and passed by the tower. Then he heard a song, which was so charming that he stood still and listened. This was Rapunzel, who in her solitude passed her time in letting her sweet voice resound.

—Rapunzel, Grimms’ Fairy Tales - Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm

At last one night he caught a sparkle afar off, and lo, there she was dancing alone on a little treeless knoll and Dairon was not there. Often and often she came there after and danced and sang to herself, and sometimes Dairon would be nigh, and then Beren watched from the wood’s edge afar, and sometimes he was away and Beren crept then closer.

—Beren and Lúthien - J.R.R. Tolkien

“Of Sansa, brushing out Lady's coat and singing to herself.”

—A Dance with Dragons - Jon XIII - G.R.R. Martin

As you can see, it's also classic that a prince or love interest is secretly watching and listening while the fair lady is singing and dancing.

Combing her hair

"Combing her hair"

"With a comb of pearl I would comb my hair"

"I would comb my hair till my ringlets would fall

Low adown, low adown"

A fair lady combing her hair is also a classic trope in literature, from fairy tales to fantasy authors like Tad Williams and GRRM:

Then there came a wind, so strong that it blew off Curdken’s hat; and away it flew over the hills: and he was forced to turn and run after it; till, by the time he came back, she had done combing and curling her hair, and had put it up again safe.

(...) Then she drove on the geese, and sat down again in the meadow, and began to comb out her hair as before; and Curdken ran up to her, and wanted to take hold of it (...)"

—The Goose-Girl, Grimms’ Fairy Tales - Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm

As they walked past the corner of the inner keep that housed the royal residences, Hepzibah pointed up to a small window just below the upper turret. “See there?” she asked. “Just the other day I saw the princess standing there, combing her hair … oh, my, but hasn’t she got nice hair?” A dim memory of gold catching the afternoon sunlight floated up in Simon’s mind, but he was not to be distracted.

—The Conqueror Star, The Dragonbone Chair -Tad Williams

Sansa already looked her best. She had brushed out her long auburn hair until it shone, and picked her nicest blue silks.

—A Game of Thrones - Sansa I

His eldest daughter stepped forward hesitantly. She was dressed in blue velvets trimmed with white, a silver chain around her neck. Her thick auburn hair had been brushed until it shone.

—A Game of Thrones - Eddard III

Under the sea

"Under the sea"

"Till that great sea-snake under the sea

From his coiled sleeps in the central deeps

Would slowly trail himself sevenfold

Round the hall where I sate, and look in at the gate

With his large calm eyes for the love of me"

These verses reminds me of the first verses of Patchface's Song:

Under the sea, the birds have scales for feathers I know, I know, oh, oh, oh It is always summer under the sea

The great sea-snake from Tennyson's The Mermaid and the scaled bird from Patchface's Song allude to a dragon. Actually, the Ice Dragon from the ASOIAF universe is a sea creature:

Of all the queer and fabulous denizens of the Shivering Sea, however, the greatest are the ice dragons. These colossal beasts, many times larger than the dragons of Valyria, are said to be made of living ice, with eyes of pale blue crystal and vast translucent wings through which the moon and stars can be glimpsed as they wheel across the sky. Whereas common dragons (if any dragon can truly be said to be common) breathe flame, ice dragons supposedly breathe cold, a chill so terrible that it can freeze a man solid in half a heartbeat.

—The World of Ice and Fire - Beyond the Free Cities: The Shivering Sea

So, the mermaid from Lord Tennyson's poem enchanting the great sea-snake makes me think about Sansa taming a great beast.

There will be more about Patchface's Song later.

Longing for love

"Who is it loves me? who loves not me?"

"For I would not be kiss'd by all who would list,

Of the bold merry mermen under the sea

They would sue me, and woo me, and flatter me"

These verses reminds me of Sansa's longing to be courted by a young, gallant and kind knight; but instead getting harassed and molested by old creeps, perverts and villains.

Queenship

"On a throne?"

"But the king of them all would carry me,

Woo me, and win me, and marry me"

"All looking up for the love of me"

"All looking down for the love of me"

These verses reminds me of these Sansa's passages:

That night Sansa dreamt of Joffrey on the throne, with herself seated beside him in a gown of woven gold. She had a crown on her head, and everyone she had ever known came before her, to bend the knee and say their courtesies.

—A Game of Thrones - Sansa IV

“I will remember, Your Grace,” said Sansa, though she had always heard that love was a surer route to the people’s loyalty than fear. If I am ever a queen, I’ll make them love me.

—A Clash of Kings - Sansa VI

As you can see, the mermaid from Lord Tennyson's poem is a kind of "under the sea" version of the classic "princess in a tower," a willowy creature like the one that Jon describes in A Dance with Dragons, as if he's not interested in that kind of girls; but with a twist, since Lord Tennyson's mermaid doesn't need to be rescued, she's not trapped in her sea-palace, she is a free and powerful mermaid! She is the one that chooses a king as her husband and enchants great marine beasts and human sailors.

It is possible that John William Waterhouse's painting of "A Mermaid" was inspired by Lord Tennyson's poem "The Mermaid".

Art credit: A Mermaid by John William Waterhouse

John William Waterhouse artworks were known for their depictions of women from both ancient Greek mythology and Arthurian legend.

Many of Waterhouse's paintings are based on authors such as Homer, Ovid, Shakespeare, Tennyson, or Keats.

Greek mythology and Arthurian legend are both themes well known by GRRM and present in the ASOIAF universe.

Shakespeare, Tennyson and Keats are all authors well known by GRRM, according to several interviews and Not A Blog posts. And while he never specifically mentioned Homer and Ovid (as far as I know), the allusions to their works have been made evident by many readers.

Waterhouse was also influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, and GRRM loves the romantic elements and the medieval scenes with knights and ladies from the works of the Pre-Raphaelites artists.

So, maybe I'm not so far from reality and GRRM really took inspiration from Lord Tennyson's poetry and even from the paintings inspired by Lord Tennyson's poetry to create Sansa, surrounded with romantic elements from ancient myths and medieval history.

But there is more. So much more!

Jonquil and Florian the Fool

In my previous post Sansa Stark & Siren/Mermaid allusions, I talked about the similarities between Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid and Sansa Stark.

And I also mentioned that Jonquil is surrounded by Mermaid & Aphrodite aesthetic.

But what I forgot to tell you is that The Little Mermaid and her sisters were six young girls, the same way that Jonquil and her sisters also were six maids:

There were six lovely children, but the youngest one was the most beautiful of them all, her skin was as clear and delicate as a rose petal, her eyes as blue as the deepest sea, but like the rest of them she had no feet, her body ended in a fish’s tail.

—The Little Mermaid - Hans Christian Andersen

“Six maids there were in a spring-fed pool …”

—A Storm of Swords - Jaime III

Now, thanks to the mysterious Patchface's Song about an "under the sea" world, I realized that there are more connections between Sansa Stark and Jonquil with mermaids. Let's see:

We all know about the first part of the Ghost of High Heart prophecy about Sansa and the Purple Wedding:

I dreamt of a maid at a feast with purple serpents in her hair, venom dripping from their fangs.

—A Storm of Swords - Arya VIII

But the enigmatic Patchface also warned us about the Purple Wedding with his song:

Patchface rang his bells. "It is always summer under the sea," he intoned. "The merwives wear nennymoans in their hair and weave gowns of silver seaweed. I know, I know, oh, oh, oh."

Shireen giggled. "I should like a gown of silver seaweed."

—A Clash of Kings - Prologue

Patchface's Song is talking us about the "under the sea" version of "The maid with purple serpents in her hair," "The merwife with nennymoans in her hair".

Merwives

Merwives are married mermaids.

Sansa is a maid, like the prophecy of the Ghost of Hight Heart says, but she is also a wife, since she was forced to marry Tyrion Lannister, although the marriage was never consummated.

She is a Tully looking (half-fish/mermaid) bride = A Merwife.

Nennymoans in their hair

What is a nennymoan?

Since Patchface is singing about the "under the sea" world, a "nennymoan" is probably another way of referring to sea anemones:

The ornately colored sea anemone (uh-NEM-uh-nee) is named after the equally flashy terrestrial anemone flower. A close relative of coral and jellyfish, anemones are stinging polyps that spend most of their time attached to rocks on the sea bottom or on coral reefs waiting for fish to pass close enough to get ensnared in their venom-filled tentacles. Their bodies are composed of an adhesive pedal disc, or foot, a cylindrical body, and an array of tentacles surrounding a central mouth. The tentacles are triggered by the slightest touch, firing a harpoon-like filament into their victim and injecting a paralyzing neurotoxin. The helpless prey is then guided into the mouth by the tentacles. —National Geographic

So, sea anemones are marine animals with venom-filled tentacles that sound very similar to serpents dripping venom from their fangs. And anemones could be purple like the purple serpents from the prophecy of the Ghost of High Heart.

Now, we all associate "The maid with purple serpents in her hair" with Medusa:

Medusa (Greek Mythology) is best known for having hair made of snakes and for her ability to turn anyone she looked at to stone, literally to petrify. Multiple works by ancient sources, such as Homer, the eighth-century B.C. poet Hesiod, and the fifth-century B.C. lyric poet Pindar, provide a wide-ranging and diverse picture of the fabled creature. According to Hesiod’s Theogony, she was one of three Gorgon sisters born to Keto and Phorkys, primordial sea gods; Medusa was mortal, while the others, Stheno and Euryale, were immortal.

Since Medusa and her sisters were the daughters of two sea gods, they can be associated with mermaids, like Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid and her sisters, that were the daughters of a sea-king.

So we can also associate Medusa with serpents in her hair with merwives with nennymoans in their hair.

And Sansa Stark represents both of them in ASOIAF, she is "the maid with purple serpents in her hair" and "the merwife with nennymoans in her hair."

Indeed, Sansa wore the purple venom called Strangler in her hair during the Purple Wedding. The crystalized venom was disguised as one of the black amethysts from Asshai (a deep true purple by daylight) that adorned her silver hair net:

He touched one of the crystals lightly with the tip of his little finger. Such a small thing to hold the power of life and death. It was made from a certain plant that grew only on the islands of the Jade Sea, half a world away. The leaves had to be aged, and soaked in a wash of limes and sugar water and certain rare spices from the Summer Isles. Afterward they could be discarded, but the potion must be thickened with ash and allowed to crystallize.

[...] Cressen no longer recalled the name the Asshai'i gave the leaf, or the Lysene poisoners the crystal. In the Citadel, it was simply called the strangler. Dissolved in wine, it would make the muscles of a man's throat clench tighter than any fist, shutting off his windpipe. They said a victim's face turned as purple as the little crystal seed from which his death was grown, but so too did a man choking on a morsel of food.

—A Clash of Kings - Prologue

"You've waited so long, be patient awhile longer. Here, I have something for you." Ser Dontos fumbled in his pouch and drew out a silvery spiderweb, dangling it between his thick fingers. It was a hair net of fine-spun silver, the strands so thin and delicate the net seemed to weigh no more than a breath of air when Sansa took it in her fingers. Small gems were set wherever two strands crossed, so dark they drank the moonlight. "What stones are these?" "Black amethysts from Asshai. The rarest kind, a deep true purple by daylight."

—A Clash of Kings - Sansa VIII

Shae had arranged her hair artfully in a delicate silver net winking with dark purple gemstones. —A Storm of Swords - Tyrion VIII

In summary:

Prophesy of the Ghost of High Heart: A maid at a feast with purple serpents in her hair, venom dripping from their fangs.

Patchface's Song: A merwife with nennymoans (sea anemones have venom-filled tentacles and can be purple) in her hair.

Reality: Sansa Stark with the crystalized Strangler venom disguised as a black amethysts from Asshai (a deep true purple by daylight), in her hair.

Weave gowns of silver seaweed

Sansa knows how to sew and embroider, so I wouldn't be surprised if she knew how to weave as well.

During the Purple Wedding Sansa not only wore a silver hair net, but also a silvery satin gown:

Sansa wore a gown of silvery satin trimmed in vair, with dagged sleeves that almost touched the floor, lined in soft purple felt. —A Storm of Swords - Tyrion VIII

In summary:

Prophesy of the Ghost of High Heart: A maid at a feast with purple serpents in her hair, venom dripping from their fangs.

Patchface's Song: A merwife with nennymoans (sea anemones have venom-filled tentacles and can be purple) in her, hair and gowns of silver seaweed.

Reality: Sansa Stark with the crystalized Strangler venom disguised as a black amethysts from Asshai (a deep true purple by daylight), in her hair, and a gown of silvery satin.

And to do this association even more solid, let me tell you these very interesting details:

The sea anemone's close cousin the jellyfish's name in Spanish is precisely, Medusa;

According to Ovid's Metamorphoses (Book 4 "Andromeda rescu'd from the Sea Monster"), the sea anemone's other close cousin, the corals, have been formed of Medusa's blood spilled onto seaweed when Perseus laid down the petrifying head beside the shore when he saved Andromeda from a sea monster;

Medusa has the ability to turn anyone she looked at to stone, literally to petrify. While anemones spend most of their time attached to rocks on the sea bottom and their venom is a paralyzing neurotoxin. Petrifying and paralyzing are synonyms;

Sansa ("The maid with purple serpents in her hair" and "The merwife with nennymoans in her hair" of the story), ran away from King's Landing after the Purple Wedding and became Alayne Stone.

Sansa Stark's head is wanted for kingslaying.

It seems that GRRM is rewriting the story of Medusa being killed by Perseus, reversing the myth by making Sansa inadvertently killing one of her abusers, her former betrothed Joffrey Baratheon, the king.

And I love him for it!

That's exactly what the artist Luciano Garbati did with his sculpture of Medusa con la cabeza de Perseo (Medusa with the head of Perseus), that was his response to the famous sculpture of Perseus with the Head of Medusa by Benvenuto Cellini.

Art credit: Medusa con la cabeza de Perseo by Luciano Garbati

And I love GRRM even more because he keeps reversing the myths and tropes by making Sansa the slayer of her abusers:

And later I dreamt that maid again, slaying a savage giant in a castle built of snow.

—A Storm of Swords - Arya VIII

The second part of the Ghost of High Heart's prophecy about Sansa sounds similar to the tale of Medusa's head transforming the Titan Atlas to stone:

By strength not Perseus could himself defend, For who in strength with Atlas could contend? But since short rest to me thou wilt not give, A gift of endless rest from me receive, He said, and backward turn'd, no more conceal'd The present, and Medusa's head reveal'd. Soon the high Atlas a high mountain stood, His locks, and beard became a leafy wood. His hands, and shoulders, into ridges went, The summit-head still crown'd the steep ascent. His bones a solid, rocky hardness gain'd: He, thus immensely grown (as fate ordain'd), The stars, the Heav'ns, and all the Gods sustain'd.

—Atlas transform'd to a Mountain, Metamorphoses, Book 4 - Ovid

This detail supports the theory that the savage giant from the Ghost of High Heart's prophecy is Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish, since House Baelish's first sigil was the head of the Titan of Braavos. Titans from Greek Mythology can be basically described as powerful giants and nowadays the words titan and giant are synonyms:

The Titan of Braavos. Old Nan had told them stories of the Titan back in Winterfell. He was a giant as tall as a mountain, and whenever Braavos stood in danger he would wake with fire in his eyes, his rocky limbs grinding and groaning as he waded out into the sea to smash the enemies. "The Braavosi feed him on the juicy pink flesh of little highborn girls," Nan would end, and Sansa would give a stupid squeak. But Maester Luwin said the Titan was only a statue, and Old Nan's stories were only stories.

—A Feast for Crows - Arya I

But this time the Titan of Braavos won't feed on the juicy pink flesh of a little highborn girl, because the highborn girl will slay him and later will put his head on Winterfell's walls.

And here is another example of how GRRM is reversing the classic trope by making the damsel in distress the one that ultimately saves the knight....

The songs about Florian and Jonquil are Sansa's very favorites, and believe it or not, Jonquil and her Florian could be inspired by one very special symbiotic relationship from the "under the sea" world: the sea anemone and the anemonefish, also known as the clownfish:

Some anemones, like their coral cousins, establish symbiotic relationships with green algae. In exchange for providing the algae safe harbor and exposure to sunlight, the anemone receives oxygen and sugar, the bi-products of the algae's photosynthesis. They form another, more famous symbiotic alliance with clownfish, which are protected by a mucus layer that makes them immune to the anemone's sting. Clownfish live within the anemone’s tentacles, getting protection from predators, and the anemone snacks on the scraps from the clownfish’s meals. —National Geographic Clownfish perform an elaborate dance with an anemone before taking up residence, gently touching its tentacles with different parts of their bodies until they are acclimated to their host. A layer of mucus on the clownfish's skin makes it immune to the fish-eating anemone's lethal sting. In exchange for safety from predators and food scraps, the clownfish drives off intruders and preens its host, removing parasites. —National Geographic

Sounds familiar???

This is what happened when Sansa saved Dontos from Joffrey's commands to drown him in wine:

The king stood. “A cask from the cellars! I’ll see him drowned in it.”

Sansa heard herself gasp. “No, you can’t.”

Joffrey turned his head. “What did you say?”

Sansa could not believe she had spoken. Was she mad? To tell him no in front of half the court? She hadn’t meant to say anything, only … Ser Dontos was drunk and silly and useless, but he meant no harm.

“Did you say I can’t? Did you?”

“Please,” Sansa said, “I only meant … it would be ill luck, Your Grace … to, to kill a man on your name day.”

“You’re lying,” Joffrey said. “I ought to drown you with him, if you care for him so much.”

“I don’t care for him, Your Grace.” The words tumbled out desperately. “Drown him or have his head off, only … kill him on the morrow, if you like, but please … not today, not on your name day. I couldn’t bear for you to have ill luck … terrible luck, even for kings, the singers all say so …”

Joffrey scowled. He knew she was lying, she could see it. He would make her bleed for this.

“The girl speaks truly,” the Hound rasped. “What a man sows on his name day, he reaps throughout the year.” His voice was flat, as if he did not care a whit whether the king believed him or no. Could it be true? Sansa had not known. It was just something she’d said, desperate to avoid punishment.

Unhappy, Joffrey shifted in his seat and flicked his fingers at Ser Dontos. “Take him away. I’ll have him killed on the morrow, the fool.”

“He is,” Sansa said. “A fool. You’re so clever, to see it. He’s better fitted to be a fool than a knight, isn’t he? You ought to dress him in motley and make him clown for you. He doesn’t deserve the mercy of a quick death.”

The king studied her a moment. “Perhaps you’re not so stupid as Mother says.” He raised his voice. “Did you hear my lady, Dontos? From this day on, you’re my new fool. You can sleep with Moon Boy and dress in motley.”

—A Clash of Kings - Sansa I

Sansa Stark saved Dontos from drowning and he became a fool (synonym of clown).

Dontos pledged to be Sansa's knight and since he was a fool (clown), he became her Florian and started to call Sansa, Jonquil.

Later, Dontos gave Sansa the hair net with the crystalized Strangler venom disguised as a black amethysts from Asshai (a deep true purple by daylight).

Sansa wore the hair net that Dontos gave her at the Purple Wedding. There she became "the maid with purple serpents in her hair" from the Ghost of High Heart's prophecy and "the merwife with nennymoans in her hair" from Patchface's prophetic song.

After the Purple Wedding, Dontos helped Sansa to ran away from King's Landing.

Sansa sailed from King's Landing to the Vale of Arryn on a galley named the Merling King.

It sounds like a symbiosis to me!!!

Sadly, our foolish "Nemo" fish Dontos was killed at Baelish orders....

But after all this research, what are the implications for Sansa's true Florian in the future? Will our fair Jonquil save another foolish knight again? Will our fair Jonquil offer her foolish Florian to live under her protection against savage predators? We will see....

So there you have it!

[midwestbramble]

Plant Posts

This is a master post of all the information on plants I have on my blog. These posts are meant to help the witchy forager, so I suggest starting here before going forward. Posts will be in alphabetical order by plant name.

Plants listed without a link are coming soon. Currently, a plant folklore post will go up once a week until each currently listed has one. Then I’ll move on to once a month, since I like to take a month to research.

A

Agrimony

Alder

Anemone

Angelica

Apple

B

Birch

Burdock

G

Garlic

H

Hawthorn

Hazel

L

Lady's Mantle

M

Mugwort

P

Poison Hemlock

Q

Queen Anee's Lace

R

Redbud

Rose

S

Sweetflag

T

Thistle

W

Walnut

Wormwood

Y

Yarrow

[pankomako]

my awesome ideas for water-type (or generally marine) pokemon:

more sharks. there are so many interesting species they could pull from. hammerhead shark! thresher shark! whale shark! and that's just to name a few

pokemon based on swordfish/marlin/sailfish. IMAGINE how cool that would look

lumpfish pokemon. very beautiful. very powerful

LIONFISH pokemon would be kinda sick

generally just. a whole bunch more vibrant reef fish. would love to see them add like 15-20 new fish pokemon at once based on what you'd find in a coral reef lmao

more cetacean pokemon! would be so cool to see pokemon based on orcas or false killer whales or any other species of whale or dolphin

more GATORS/CROCS! i personally would really like to see a cajun croc or a floridian gator

water snakes. i dont think theyve touched on that yet and i think they should

more nautical-themed pokemon??? actually kinda surprising they dont have very many of those??? i mean they have dhelmise which is like a sunken anchor/ship wheel which is pretty cool but cmon bro how do they NOT have more pokemon that are like sailors or boats. i could easily see them making a pokemon that either is often mistaken for a boat when out at sea or is like a ghost that possessed a sunken ship or smth

more seabirds! ospreys, sandpipers, herons. i'd even take more seagulls and pelicans. just not more ducks please for the love of god

anemone pokemon. perhaps in addition to a clownfish pokemon

comb jelly pokemon! on that note, more deep sea and/or bioluminescent pokemon!

hold on is there EVEN a manatee pokemon? i cant believe they dont have a manatee pokemon yet. but they have at LEAST 3 evolutionary lines involving seals

above idea came to mind because i was thinking about more nautical myths/folklore pokemon. like they do have a couple mermaid-like pokemon but consider siren pokemon as well

PIRATES. PIRATE POKEMON?? do they not have pirate-themed pokemon?? ACTUALLY so many missed opportunities here oh my god

water/ghost pokemon that's a bunch of ghost fish trapped in a fishing net. or generally any kind of pokemon that highlights the need for ocean conservation

yk how they sometimes have pokemon that are like associated with each other. giant squid mon and sperm whale mon. would be so cool

i think i had one more idea but i forgor :(

i mean frankly maybe they (or SOMEone) should just make a pokemon game that takes place entirely on the water. help im getting ideas for this now too maybe they visit a bunch of seaside towns and islands they get to by boat instead of on land and the player does a bunch of diving to explore and catch new mons idk i love the water. anyway if anyone wants to either add their own ideas or make fakemon based on my list please feel free to i would love to see :D

dude they need to make more interesting water pokemon. they already have plenty of fish and seal and duck pokemon, i wanna see more variety

[floral-cas]

Jack + wood anemones by request @probablyelix

[zanthiakhalaplace]

New weirdmaids strip, finally. I’ve been a little down lately and unable to draw properly but here we are now. Anyway, here is Anemonet, showing that, indeed, she can swim. Despite resembling sea creatures, the mermaids are not entirely like them. After all, they are supernatural creatures... or just weirdmaids.

[seascape]

☄️ EMPEROR ✨

A persona 5 fanmix dedicated to one blue boy (sometimes kitashu)

slenderbodies - anemone

beshken - the roman call

primary, anda, colde - the open boat

paellas - shooting stars

vancouver sleep clinic - someone to stay

slenderbodies - gray

ゲスの極み乙女 - シアワセ林檎

kenshi yonezu - shunrai

florence + the machine - how big, how blue, how beautiful

nulbarich - in your pocket

troye sivan - my my my!

deepfunkun - blue

[thecreaturecodex]

Agbako

Image © @chimeride , accessed at their tumblr here

[Agbako literally means “calamity” in Yoruba, and there’s a popular Nigerian actor who’s taken it as a stage name [he mostly plays villains, but of course]. So there’s some Google camouflage. Agbako appears in The Forest of A Thousand Daemons, the first Yoruba language novel, written by D. O. Fágúnwà. The novel brings in motifs and characters from folklore, but is decidedly literary (and Yoruba sources aren’t common in English), making it a bit unclear if Agbako was an existing entity in Nigerian myth or was created for the book. Or if the idea of personifying Calamity existed, but the bizarre appearance and abilities are original to the novel. I hadn’t read Forest of A Thousand Spirits when I asked @chimeride to do the art, so when I saw a description of him with multiple clubs and swords, I assumed that meant a large number of limbs. But he wields two clubs in one hand and three swords in the other! That’s a wild special ability, and I need to give it to some monster some time.]

Agbako

CR 16 CE Aberration

This creature is vaguely humanoid but clearly not. It has two legs covered in projections like the fronds of a palm leaf, and four arms. Its head is a stubby cone, with 16 eyes at its base, arranged in a circular fashion. Its skin appears to be warty and slick, with short tendrils growing from it like thick, animate hair. It wears chainmail and a helmet, and carries a weapon in each hand.

An agbako is a being of calamity. They exist solely to make life worse for other sapient creatures, and especially delight in escalating situations. An agbako will rarely attack straight away, instead preferring to spy on a party and watch them struggle against either other creatures or the elements. Once the mortals are worn down and exhausted, the agbako strikes.

An agbako’s mere presence causes luck to disappear, and they are powerful melee combatants. Indeed, an agbako’s favorite place is in the thick of melee, surrounded so it can fight multiple enemies at once. If they want to kill a foe, they use their weapons, but if they want to drag things out rely on their natural attacks to grapple enemies. Creatures they grab are pulled close to the stinging tendrils that grow along its body—these stings contain a numbing venom. Agbakos are incredibly cocky, and might pause a single combat in order to have a drink, or even to heal an enemy in order to keep the fight going. Only if actually challenged will they rely on their breath weapon, a cone of searing hot sparks.

The anatomy and physiology of an agbako is bizarre, and perhaps closest to sea creatures such as anemones or sea cucumbers.  Although they have vital organs, these appear to migrate through the body. Their heads show radial symmetry, and their legs are more like strengthened tentacles than actual jointed appendages. They can soften or harden their skins at will, to the point where their hide can break metal weapons. And they reproduce by budding. An agbako will grow a handful of juveniles throughout its lifetime, which grow on their backs nestled in tentacles, and then abscise off and live separately following a gestation of several years.

Agbako               CR 16

XP 76,800

CE Large aberration (shapechanger)

Init +8; Senses all-around vision, aura sight 60 ft., darkvision 60 ft., Perception +25

Aura calamitous (30 ft.)

Defense

AC 31, touch 13, flat-footed 27 (-1 size, +4 Dex, +6 armor, +12 natural)

hp 252 (24d8+144)

Fort +14, Ref +14, Will +20

Immune blindness, confusion and insanity effects

Defensive Abilities fortification (50%), mirror magic, shatter weapons

Offense

Speed 40 ft.

Melee +1 scimitar +26/+21/+16/+11 (1d8+8/15-20), +1 scimitar +26 (1d8+4/15-20), 2 +1 heavy maces +26 (2d6+4) or 4 slams +25 (1d8+7 plus grab)

Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.

Special Attacks breath weapon (30 ft. cone, Reflex DC 28, 16d6 fire plus blindness, 1d4 rounds), infuse weapons, rake (sting +26, 3d4+7 plus poison)

Spell-like Abilities CL 16th, concentration +21 (+25 casting defensively)

At will—bestow curse (DC 21), fear (DC 21)

3/day—cure critical wounds (DC 19), make whole, restoration

1/day—greater teleport, phase door, regenerate

Statistics

Str 25, Dex 19, Con 22, Int 15, Wis 22, Cha 20

Base Atk +18; CMB +26 (+30 grappling); CMD 40

Feats Acrobatic Steps, Alertness, Combat Casting, Combat Reflexes, Critical Focus, Exhausting Critical, Fatiguing Critical, Improved Critical (scimitar), Improved Initiative, Lightning Reflexes, Nimble Moves, Power Attack, Quicken SLA (cure critical wounds)

Skills Acrobatics +19 (+21 when jumping), Climb +20, Intimidate +23, Knowledge (arcana, local) +14, Knowledge (nature) +17, Perception +29, Sense Motive +22, Spellcraft +17, Stealth +15, Survival +21, Swim +20; Racial Modifiers +4 Perception

Languages Aklo, Common, Sylvan

SQ change shape (any animal, beast shape III), superior multiweapon fighting

Ecology

Environment warm forests

Organization solitary

Treasure standard (mithril chainmail, two masterwork scimitars, two masterwork heavy maces)

Special Abilities

Aura Sight (Su) An agbako can see the alignment, emotion, health or magic auras of all creatures within 30 feet, as if under the effects of an analyze aura spell. It may change what type of aura it can see as a swift action.

Breath Weapon (Su) A creature that fails its save against an agbako’s breath weapon must succeed a DC 28 Fortitude save or be blinded for 1d4 rounds. The save DC is Charisma based.

Calamitous Aura (Su) Luck effects do not function within 30 feet of an agbako. Spells and effects with the curse and fear descriptor cast in the aura gain a +2 bonus to their DC. These bonuses are included in the spell save DC above.

Infuse Weapons (Su) Any weapon an agbako wields gains a +1 enhancement bonus to attack and damage rolls. It also counts as a cold iron and silver weapon for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.

Mirror Magic (Su) If an agbako fails its saving throw against a spell or spell-like ability, and the caster is within the agbako’s calamitous aura, the caster is also affected by that spell. The caster can still attempt a saving throw, as appropriate, based on their own spell save DC.

Poison (Ex) Sting—injury; save Fort DC 28; frequency 1/round for 4 rounds; effect 1d4 Str damage; cure 1 save. The save DC is Constitution based.

Shatter Weapon (Ex) Whenever a weapon strikes an agbako, the weapon takes 3d6 points of damage. Apply hardness normally. Weapons that take any amount of damage above their hardness are treated as having the broken condition.

[manicpixiess]

A Secret Society, But Make It ✨Chaotic Academia✨

Searching

~ cryptic pamphlets tucked into peculiar library books written by authors obscure and wonderful; the kind that are chanced upon in dusty shelves which few care to visit, with books about forgotten kingdoms and unimportant wars and strange plants that grow in places nearly unheard of

~ addresses hidden in impersonal newspaper obituaries for people that might soon be forgotten, found only by those who would care to remember a stranger’s story when the rest of the world will not

~ more recently, odd messages from almost-immediately deleted accounts at strange hours of the night, on threads and sites that haven’t been active in years; the kind found with maniacal, inventive research and a desire to know that is not easily sated by short articles and brief textbook mentions

Gathering

~ they are eventually found, these people who delight in simply learning, these people who are so often overwhelmed by how large the world is, and how much there is to wonder at; where do they even begin, after all? History, physics, mathematics, language, chemistry, folklore, art, literature, biology, music, even just people; they are all there and waiting to be discovered

~ the pamphlets are deciphered, the messages committed to memory, the addresses quickly taken down; there is something about them that is reassuring, almost as if this phantom group understands what it is like to live in a world so spectacular and not be able to spend every second of your short life searching for all that is marvellous and bizarre and important within it

~ they gather,

   > the students who feel trapped by rigid syllabi and examinations, who ask questions that never seem to be heard

   > the people working monotonous jobs, whose hearts lie in volumes on civil wars and dancing plagues and venomous spiders and medieval art on their nightstands

   > the academics who know more about geoglyphs and Antarctic anemones and lost languages and black holes than anyone else on the planet

   > the parents and grandparents who dig up lost recipes from decades-old family almanacs and sites on cuisine from far away places to cook for family dinners, who research ancient Roman hairstyles and the history of vampires for their kids’ Halloween costumes

  > the people who go about quietly unsatisfied by how little they know about the stars and what lies beyond, who wish they had the resources to find out.

Learning

~ each week, defunct theatres and forbidden wings of libraries and museums and university lecture halls echo with excited voices speaking without anyone to look politely (or impolitely) disinterested, about ciphers and tarantism and creatures that survived mass extinctions, about will o’ the wisps and mad monks and how cities got their names; they echo with music from hidden mountain villages and instruments whose names not many can pronounce and the steps of dance forms resurrected with great care

~ there are curious things passed around; letters from people long dead and zebra-patterned corn and manuscripts of books that were never finished and purple drinks from another time and deep sea specimens in blue jars and advertisements for travelling circuses from hundreds of years ago

~ no knowledge, no matter how insignificant or controversial, no matter who it comes from, is dismissed; this is the only part of the society that has not changed in some way in the centuries since its conception

********

(Please feel free to add more!!! I wrote this in one sitting so there’s probably a lot I haven’t thought about!)

(Also, if you reblog this post, lmk in the tags which fictional characters/ people from history you feel would be a part of a secret society like this in an AU! I personally feel like Gansey from TRC, Magnus from TSC, Lazlo from Strange The Dreamer, Kellen from Spellslinger, Dipper, Ford and McGucket from GF and Wylan from SOC would be a good fit lol)

[golden0glow]

Eternally Star Crossed

According to folklore, human tears and blood tend to create new plants and flowers, some of them being tulips, lilies of the valley, anemones, hyacinths, and poppies.

They are a sign that whoever is listening is not indifferent to our suffering. That the signs we so desperately look for in our darkest times is there.

Based on this I went ahead and created an AU with the flower husbands.

Once upon a time there were two beings. One was a human, blessed by deities society has long forgotten, a blessing that presented itself in the form of bright cyan hair and a pair of gilded wings. Then there was a minor god. A protector of swamps and cod with muddy eyes that contrasted perfectly with his golden hair.

Though the god was at first unaware of how the human lived his life, he soon noticed him when the mortal began gliding constantly in the domain under his protection. Upon laying eyes on him, the deity fell in love with the man, going as far as disguising himself as a human and getting to know him better. Even when their first encounter was far from graceful and the rewarded earthling had no idea where the gorgeous man he met had come from, he liked spending time with the feigned deity, their hearts soon beating together as one. Not long after, the couple started talking about a life together, the first step being settling down in a place to call home.

The god knew that going against his divinity for love would make him renounce to his immortality, but he was ready to take any risks for his beloved. He stepped in front of the higher deities, Life, Death, Destiny, Time and Nature, and gave up his title. The congregation of celestials at first were hesitant, but the purity of the minor god's declaration of love moved them. And so, with newly acquired mortality, the man with hair like a clear sky and the man with eyes like fresh hazelnuts lived together, loving each other for years.

Until war came along.

The cyan haired man was targeted for the gift that gave him the ability to touch the clouds, a pair wings, and in one of the many escape attempts, he was gravely injured.

As the former deity held the limp body of the holder of his heart, he cried out one last plea to Death and Destiny themselves. He asked for their souls to always be connected. For them to always find a way to each other, and if fate decided that one of them was to die, the blond would always be first to do so.

As he sobbed over his lover's corpse, something bloomed from the tears streaming down the once god's face and the blood that had come from the other's body. A brand new flower. Poppies, more specifically, red poppies. And so, every time the blue eyed man and the blond met, red poppies would bloom nearby.

My asks are open, feel free to ask anything about this silly little idea of mine ;)