#architect arcane

[rowanyx]

There is something so deep about Laerryn's choice in the finale, and Brennan's phrasing of the decision to be made.

To clarify, this scene (copied and pasted from the CR wiki transcripts):

BRENNAN: On a 16, you must make a tough decision. Do you want to further limit the release of energy and make the release of energy safer for the physical environs of Avalir and Cathmoíra, or do you want to ensure that Rau'shan and Ka'Mort will be permanently banished from Exandria?

TRAVIS: Impossible.

AABRIA: Laerryn's little joke to herself was always that the Heart of Avalir was the thing she inherited, but it was too small. She made it bigger, she improved it. She improved the Etheric Net and built this and that she was the Heart of Avalir, and she gave everything to this city. But I know what people are fighting to protect and I remember what Quay said about going down with the ship. So we will ensure it. This will work. Avalir be damned.

or this timestamp of the episode (in case the link doesn't work for the timestamp, the first comment's list has it labelled Laerryn's Tough Decision):

As we were first introduced to her, Laerryn Coramar-Seelie is the Architect Arcane. As Aabria herself even put, her whole life, all her work, is about taking the city and making it better. Building more. Expansion is the name of the game. So when Brennan specifies that the limiting of energy output will save the physical environs rather than the people, that holds weight.

Just, in a mechanics aspect, there is the fact she is an Abjurer. The whole point of her magic is exactly this choice. To stop things from being destroyed. Her wards that take the damage so that she or others will not. She is not built to bring destruction, leave the fight to others. She will be there to soften the blows that come her allies' ways. She is the one one deciding this, and it feels right, because she's spent her studies dedicated to figuring out how she will prevent the destruction that comes her way.

But that isn't all.

Because any other hero, any other party member, every other soul faced with this question could so easily think that it is a useless decision. A city can be rebuilt, but only if the Betrayer Gods are stopped before they kill all the people that can do so.

But Laerryn, who has dedicated her years to this, the position of Architect Arcane, knows this city and her structures far more intimately. She has been there, step by step, as she forged them. Designed them. Watched over their construction. It is by her hand it was built.

Asking her, specifically, is asking her to choose between everything she's done, or let it all burn. Asking her to make this decision is asking her to decide her legacy. Will she live on as the maker of the land that survived such devastation, but not the people, or will she go down as the one who helped stop the Calamity?

Her choice boiled down to this: Limiting the energy, their work, the libraries and churches, the colleges, grand towers and hallowed halls, stone and mortar, it all can go on unshattered. Or, stopping the Betrayers, the people may continue on.

Was her work more important than the lives she was surrounded by?

Aabria mentions Laerryn was given the Heart of Avalir, jokes how she improved it. But the Heart of Avalir, while magical, is only an engine. It was made, and can be again. So in this moment, I think Laerryn maybe realizes that the true heart of a city comes from the people. Always thinking, thoughts speed by her, whether or not she ever had time to really process the revelations before her demise.

Evandrin is already gone due her hubris. Who else would she lose? Would it have felt like home, without Loqautious there by her side? Would it truly feel like her city, without Patia keeping up with her? What would she cause, without Nydas to hold her back? What is Avalir, without her Brass Ring?

Her assistant, probably still waiting for her, in their offices, and the choice of which will see tomorrow?

How many will feel the heat of Rau'shan's flames as they die? How many will fall to Ka'Mort's earth?

None, she decides. Her friends and neighbors, the kinsmen of her home, will not feel these pains.

I think it is also a moment that beautifully showcases her accepting her death. She will not be here to heal her city. She's going down with the ship. Maybe her blueprints will be found and used, and Avalir will be as it once was. Maybe they won't, and they'll construct it all anew. But she won't see it, so it is their turn to take what was given and build on.

Of course, Rau'shan and Ka'Mort were not the only assets of the Calamity, and damage and destruction was still wrought across Exandria. But there are enough hands to clear the ruins and make their own stories. And that is because of the greatest Architect of them all.

She gave them a chance indeed.

[fortunatelythevoid]

Just watched Calamity and oh. my. god.

[does-a-nein-hit]

Honestly, Caleb ily, but Laerryn, hoo boy, she could absolutely thrash you sweetie. And she wouldn't even have any healing left on deck to revive you later. Like Caleb could and would try his best, and he might get close, but it's Laerryn for the win ���

World Wizard Entertainment Final: FUCKING TROUBLE

(And is Vince McSam in the room with us now?)

Well folks, this is it. The final.

We've lost some good wizards along the way. Also some evil ones. Probably some neutral ones as well, I dunno, this wasn't the alignment quiz. We've campaigned, cat-fought, and cried crocodile tears for who was the most wizard, who was the strongest wizard, and sometimes, who just made the funniest argument.

And in this last round, we've had to say goodbye—for now, but not forever—to our champion, our guiding star, our last hope....

A moment of silence... for Veth's Big Naturals.

But do you know what? It's what she and her huge, wizardly knockers (and, maybe, somehow, also Cerrit's roguely big naturals?) would've wanted. Her boy, Caleb Widogast, in the final round, up against the Calamity's dearest heart of hearts, Laerryn Coramar-Seelie.

Pfffft, alright, enough of that heartfelt fuckery.

There's no crying in wizardry, as they say! If you want to see previous polls, rankings, and methodology, please check the tag here. Otherwise, let's get to the trash talk!

(But for real, again, keep it weird and funny, not just... mean. Contrary to popular belief, people can in fact tell the difference. This is for fun.)

Our final round match-up, wizard to wizard:

So come, one and all, and vote for the last wizard remaining! Laerryn, give it your best shot. And Caleb, AVENGE THOSE TOTS!

[meigslive]

Laerryn Cormar Seelie, the Architect Arcane

-

Second fanart ever had to go to my favorite wizard. @quiddie i hope i did you proud i was so scared to draw her because she’s perfect :,)

[moony-bird]

the war seas’ favorite divorced yaoi (aka the red waltz)

[danyayeni2]

Merlot art for a friend

[your-fav-is-divorced]

commodore kai and architect merlot from arcane odyssey

The roblox game??? are we fr

Commodore Kai and Architect Merlot from Arcane Odyssey are Divorced!

[beedreamscape]

In Avalir's ceremonies, given its complementary name, The City of Crowns, it's common to wear a headpiece as a symbol of your station and they go as such:

Septarion

A Kokoshnik-style crown in pure gold bearing seven gemstones. In high elvish is enscripted the very cliche "Knowledge is Power".

Eldamir, being "head of state", bears an extra stone, a big ass diamond.

Apprentices, Ring of Gold

Diadem or Circlet, usually simple in style, of fewer karats than those above, bearing a central gem that represents their Septarion mentor.

Octothurge

A two-centimeters-thick silver circlet, the base for the emblems of each of the schools of wizardry placed in the center of a eight-petal flower.

Ring of Silver

A thin circlet in parallel filigrees with discreet leaves ornamenting it.

Along with that, as a symbol of her family, Patia wears a delicate crystals and pearls snood.

Magisterium

A chain of gold with a curtain of thinner chains over the eyes like a mask (justice is blind shtick).

Court of Owls

Laurel-like circlet of gold feathers.

The head of court wears a crown in the shape of an owl spreading out its wings

Court of Working

Simple straight laurel wreath of palladium metal.

Laerryn, as Architect Arcane, wears an elaborate laurel diadem of Mithral metal with flowers, minuscule pearls and a down-facing point, reminiscent of elven crowns.

First Knight

Usually worn over a light chainmail hood, it's of simpler metal and inscribed with the vows the Knight swears when nominated.

Loquatius

None of his titles actually bears a crown, but having earned the respect and love of those in the upper echelons, Quay earned himself a crown as the city's Herald and Scribe

Thranduil-style crown (yes, he went full-on fey prince) coming to points on his cheekbones, the backpiece resembles flames. Also made of Mithral to match Laerryn's.

[mollysunder]

Did Silco install a greenhouse or something at the Last Drop? When he renovated the place into a club, it looked like he added at least 1 extra floor, maybe 2-ish, I can't tell with that top dome. The new floor gets these big dome windows on three sides. It looks nice, but what's inside it?

I've tried to look at it through different angles, and all I can see are shapes of dark purple and green.

I thought it could be Silco's office. But Silco's office only has one window, one source of natural light.

And there's no light coming from above Jinx in her spot above Silco's desk in the ceiling.

I thought it could be either Silco or Jinx's new bedroom, but that would be way too exposed for people with a lot of enemies. Is it a waiting lounge for guests? He probably wouldn't want to let too many people potentially move around too much in your place of business. The easiest answer would be plants, a typical flex for chembarons. But compared to the chembarons, Silco is the most restrained in terms of fashion and taste. Sure, he turns the Last Drop into a club and gets nicer clothes, and buys a car. But when you look at what the other chembarons cover themselves in and try to imitate from Piltover, Silco comes off middle class. Also, chembarons can grow their big show off plants because they live at or above surface, while Silco's still in the Lanes, where the sun literally doesn't shine.

These windows are ostentatious hazards with little payoff. My guess is that it does like a greenhouse inside, but it's used by Singed for related Shimmer experiments. I theorized a connection between shimmer and plant life in a previous post, so this could really tie into it! Maybe we'll see more of the Last Drop when it's just Sevika and Jinx left with Silco's absence, or someone tries to raid it in the power vacuum.

Update: I found proof that Silco's office is likely on the ground floor of The Last Drop. When Marcus was fantasizing about pulling the trigger on Jinx's grenade to take him and Silco out the subsequent explosion came from the first floor. The glass windows weren't the first to go out, which means we still haven't seen that part of The Last Drop yet or what's inside.

Based on the concept art there are small (or at least were) small potted trees and likely a work bench near the one on the right.

[silverhalla]

something extremely funny about watching the first warden die TWICE and rook just going :/

[wwskn]

Why does Architect Merlot give out a friendly vibe but Commodore Kai gives out the "I'm gonna fucking kill you" vibe

[dhwty-writes]

Goblin? (That looks absolutely hilarious out of context but I stand with my choices )

(in reference to this)

Did I once again forget to answer an ask after reblogging an ask game? Why yes, why do you ask?

Anyways, as for favourite non-main campaign character... before Calamity that would have been Hazel Copperpot (yes, entirely bc of Marisha miming turning a crank for two minutes while showing off her "audio book"). But Hazel, darling, I'm so sorry, you don't stand a chance against Laerryn Coramar-Seelie

[extreme-technicality]

I am once again listening to exu: calamity

[aflockofravens]

Aabria, please

HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT

[moony-bird]

something about masks

[coreofgold]

Loquatius Seelie tag drop !

I'll seelie you later (Loquatius interacts)

The Herald of Avalir (Loquatius muses)

Remember the Eyes of Avalir and his bravery (Cerrit Agrupnin)

Remember the Dragon and his sense (Nydas Okiro)

Remember the Keeper of Scrolls and all the wisdom she brought (Patia Por'co)

Remember the First Knights of Avalir (Zerxus Llerez)

Remember Architect Arcane the most beautiful woman in the world (Laerryn Coramar-Seelie)