#avoidant subtypes

[avpdpossum]

i might try to do a deep dive into the conflicted avoidant subtype at some point, and maybe the self-deserting subtype after that. every time i read the descriptions of them, i’m struck by how accurately they describe me, and i wish there was more info about the subtypes out there

[briarpatch-kids]

Though in case anyone is wondering I DO have a personality disorder it's just a Cluster C and those are treated as "annoying scaredy cat disease" instead of "shitty asshole disease"

[sunderwight]

Thinking about SV demon culture as one struggling under the weight of imperialism, a violent ruling class with a might-makes-right mindset, and a lot of warfare.

I really don't like fics that imply that Luo Binghe's conquest of the demon realms just automatically improved living conditions there. I think both versions believed that they could conquer things, establish a new regime, and fix a lot of political issues in the process, I just don't think that would actually be the result of a violent takeover on the part of a cultural outsider with a patchy understanding of the actual multitude of demon cultures involved, whose only asset was an extreme capacity for physical violence and resilience against death.

Like, no wonder Bingge was always putting down uprisings and "rivals" for power -- a lot of his empire was probably actually being run by the demon wives or families of the demon wives he favored most, like Sha Hualing, or by preferred subordinates like Mobei Jun, who very probably pursued their own interests just as doggedly as they had prior to his rule. Only, this time they'd have been doing so with the added leverage of Luo Binghe's violence answering anyone who "rebelled" against "his" authority.

Demons in SV have myriad subtypes and subcultures. It seems really likely that a lot of them have been persecuted by others, that there are demon communities who have been subjugated, muscled out of ancestral homes, enslaved, wiped out, etc. This would probably even explain some "invasions" by demons into the human realm -- I'd imagine numerous cases across history of refugees being taken for (or described as) marauders by cultivation sects, or human communities unprepared or unwilling to deal fairly with visibly inhuman "monsters" and answering their approach with violence, or even displaced demons who did in fact become bandits and such in the fallout of various conflicts causing problems.

But there also would probably have been demons that succeeded in making their way in the human realm, and disguising what they were well enough that the sects never even knew. After all, most of the methods for alerting the sects to the presence of demons involve demons doing something violent (like the Skinner demon) or people seeing demons and going "ahhh!" about it. A demon or a family of demons uninterested in serial killing and only looking to get by and avoid the violence would likely not attract that kind of attention, just so long as they could pass as human too.

I do wonder if the reverse has ever happened as well. Human wars driving humans to seek refuge in the demon realms. It would conversely seem a lot more dangerous (demons are physically tougher than humans, and the demon realms are notoriously harsh), but in some cases it was probably like, well, life is hell already, at least the things trying to kill us in the demon realm are straightforward about it?

There are probably way more half-demons out there than just Luo Binghe, and even more demons with human ancestry or humans with demon ancestry. I wouldn't be surprised if demon ancestry actually played a roll in some humans being cultivation prodigies compared to others -- demons seem to have a natural physical power that most humans don't, and while their cultivation uses different energy, it would make sense of some aspects of things like a physical inclination to store, accrue, or manipulate energy in general could benefit even predominately human descendants of mixed blood.

But anyway, back to politics.

Tianlang Jun didn't seem to be a terribly proactive ruler either. Which on the one hand can be a good thing (he wasn't a tyrant, wasn't interested in waging wars or conquering others, didn't much care to throw his weight around), but someone was actually ruling in his absence. Conflicts were still happening, and being resolved. Tributes or taxes were still being paid to him, for him to live any kind of lavish lifestyle, which means they were being collected, rates were being determined, enforced, etc, which does beg the question of who was doing it. Not Zhuzhi Lang, certainly.

In Bingmei's time, the person actually running things is Shang Qinghua, which means also Mobei Jun is actually running things to some extent too. Shen Qingqiu loves demonic beasts but doesn't seem like he could care less about politics, and Luo Binghe only got this job in the first place because he was trying to impress him, and the post-canon extras would seem to indicate that they check out of the process as often as possible.

Mobei Jun and Shang Qinghua's rule probably makes things pretty hard for the southern demons who are traditionally loyal to the Heavenly Demons. I mean, apart from not being able to beat Luo Binghe in a fight, self-serving ambition would definitely be a motive for Mobei Jun to throw his lot in with him as soon as possible, right? "Give" the emperor your palace, your service, your resources, etc, and the emperor basically becomes Mobei's own tool to reinforce his sovereignty. In PIDW he even uses him to do that in a more immediate sense by bringing him to the fight with his uncle. In SV he decides Shang Qinghua is more suitable, which, symbolically, is even true. The cost of wielding Luo Binghe's authority is having to submit to it, but Shang Qinghua has elevated Mobei Jun even without that.

No wonder the southern demons couldn't get on Tianlang Jun's side fast enough when he reappeared. Given both Mobei Jun and Shang Qinghua's bias, the North has probably been running rampant with their own interests while the South gets hamstrung and dealt crumbs by comparison. Sha Hualing's clearly been trying to get on Luo Binghe's good side with minimal success ever since he got out of the Abyss. Unlike in PIDW, where she's a major player, here she's just an underling desperately playing catch-up and accidentally offending him all the time.

I wonder how that's impacting the complex arrangement of political alliances, cultures, and conflicts among the various factions in the demon realm. It'd probably be like if the remote and somewhat isolated North and Winterfell in ASOIAF/Game of Thrones suddenly became the new capital of the empire, and White Harbor became the main trade hub, while all the southern lords struggled to even get a foot in the door with the new king and kept pissing him off all the time. And every time they try to break free or rebel or kill him, it doesn't work and they get personally murdered by him. Meanwhile the northern lords are making off like bandits, with the current Lord Stark gay married to some inhuman warlock who does all his paperwork and somehow knows all your embarrassing secrets.

...That comparison got away from me. But I mean, it's kind of fascinating? A huge mess and likely miserable for a lot of demons, but still. The implications...

[aventurineswife]

I would like to ask which of the HSR characters would be their favorite type of Goth Girl and how they interact with the goth girl reader.

HSR characters and their favourite type of Goth Girl

Hmm, that's a good question! I'm not very familiar with fashion, so I had to look up the different subtypes(?) and styles of Gothic fashion. Here’s what I came up with, but keep in mind—this is just my opinion on these specific characters!

Blade – Traditional or Occult Goth

Blade would gravitate towards a goth style that embodies the Traditional or Occult Goth aesthetic—dark, intense, and reminiscent of ancient mysteries. This style complements his own fractured soul and aligns with his sense of danger and fatalism.

Blade would admire her goth style in a quiet, intense way. He’d likely avoid compliments, but his lingering gaze would speak volumes. Occasionally, he’d make cryptic remarks about her choice of symbols or accessories, intrigued by the darker meaning behind her look.

He’d invite her on nighttime walks, where they could talk about life, pain, and purpose. Blade would share his own views on suffering and self-destruction, finding solace in knowing that someone understands the allure of darkness without flinching.

When she shares her own struggles, Blade would respond with empathy, quietly urging her to embrace her scars. He’d consider her as a kindred spirit, united by a mutual understanding of darkness, perhaps even guiding her towards finding strength in their pain.

Kafka – Elegant or Victorian Goth

Kafka would be enchanted by an Elegant or Victorian Goth style, one that exudes mystery, timeless beauty, and a touch of refined danger. A style that combines old-world charm with darker, alluring elements would captivate her attention.

Kafka would treat her as her accomplice, matching her elegance with her own polished look. She’d appreciate her ability to blend dark, regal sophistication with subtle danger and would often compliment her in her composed, low-key way.

She would revel in their shared love for all things dark and alluring, occasionally teasing her with whispered secrets and mysterious invitations, making her feel like part of an exclusive, hidden world.

Whenever the reader/she reveals a darker or emotional side, Kafka would listen intently, then offer her hypnotic words of wisdom, nudging her towards a balanced yet sophisticated approach to their emotions. She’d subtly manipulate her into embracing her elegance as armor.

Sunday – Dreamy or Romantic Goth

Sunday would be drawn to a goth style that embodies a sense of ethereal beauty and dreamy mystique, like a Romantic or Dreamy Goth. This aesthetic, filled with delicate lace, ethereal black layers, celestial accessories.

Sunday would admire her goth look as if she's an angel of the night, often complimenting the dark beauty she bring to his Sweetdream Paradise. With poetic and enigmatic language, he'd express how she reminds him of a serene vision, free from the pain of the waking world.

Behind closed doors, he’d reveal a gentler, protective side, seeing her as someone worth preserving in his dream-like world. He’d subtly ask her about her philosophy on life and pain, curious if she'd share his perspective on a reality without suffering.

Whenever she displays a darker or more melancholic side, Sunday would be there to “soothe” her spirit, gently guiding her towards his paradise—although this “soothing” might actually involve urging her to escape painful thoughts.

Robin – Ethereal or Pastel Goth

Robin would admire an Ethereal or Pastel Goth style, with softer tones like lavender and violet combined with traditional goth elements. This blend of gentleness and depth aligns with her own music and tragic past, which holds an undercurrent of beauty amidst sorrow.

Robin would feel a comforting connection with the reader’s look, as it aligns with her own aesthetic of blending light and dark. She’d often give small, heartfelt compliments, noting how her style reminds her of a bittersweet melody.

She’d enjoy quiet moments with the reader, perhaps inviting her to her studio, where they’d share their thoughts on beauty, darkness, and the ways they each express their emotions. Robin might even dedicate a song to her, inspired by her unique blend of innocence and mystery.

When the reader is feeling down, Robin would offer soft-spoken support, listening patiently and reminding her of the beauty in every emotion, treating her struggles like notes in a beautiful song that deserve to be heard.

Aventurine – Cyber or Industrial Goth

Aventurine would appreciate a goth style that leans into cyber or industrial aesthetics—think metal accessories, bold colors, and futuristic touches. This type of goth aligns with his strategic mind and love for taking calculated risks, mixing sophistication with an edge.

Aventurine would be fascinated by her bold look, often pulling her aside to compliment her style in a playful, flirtatious way. He’d likely buy her accessories, such as metallic chokers or bracelets, to enhance her look and treat her style as another high-stakes investment, always encouraging her to be bold.

With his knack for creating excitement, Aventurine would take her to the casinos or exclusive places where they could revel in the aesthetic together. He’d suggest that every encounter and style choice is part of a larger game, creating an atmosphere of thrill and risk, which he finds irresistible.

When the reader shares her darker feelings or thoughts, he’d humorously encourage her to “double down” on it, teaching her to gamble with her emotions, to transform them into something powerful and alluring.

I hope you like it! I tried my best, and it was challenging to decide styles (and writing for a female reader as I'm used to writing for gender neutral) and all, so I really hope you enjoy it 🫶❤️‍🩹

[lu-is-not-ok]

Btw, me and a friend have been working on a theory about what the defensive skills could mean, and I wanted to know your thoughts on it

(Apologies if there's already a post about them and I just missed it hfkdjfj)

We thought that maybe it could be the way the sinner reacts to external threats, either physical (like in combat) or psychological.

So essentially, Defense would be closing themself off, or isolating, ignoring the threat by putting up a defensive shell. Using the gameplay mechanics, it could work (for a while), but there's also a chance that the threat is stronger than anticipated and can breach through anyway.

Somewhat similarly, Evade would be running away from the problem, avoiding thinking about it at all, or distracting themself and/or suppressing it in one way or another. Once again using the gameplay, it would depend on a lot of factors when it comes to whether they could avoid it successfully this time, or take the full hit anyway.

And we thought Counter could be something like lashing out. Taking the full hit, internalizing and then attempting to hit back. That's pretty much what the gameplay mechanic would be too, putting yourself at risk just to get a chance at hitting back, or accepting the inevitable hit.

And then the Sin Affinity could possibly be the reasoning, or how the action is conducted. Taking N Corp Sinclair for example, I interpreted it as closing himself off from everything around him (Defense) and ignoring the consequences of his actions for the sake of carrying out his "mission" (Pride), thus reaching some respite in the form of SP.

But this is just a base idea and doesn't go into the subtypes (like counters that can be clashed with), and your analysis posts tend to go more in depth, so... Any thoughts?

Yeah that sounds about right from what I've been thinking. It's definitely something you can see with how some Sinners behave as well.

Take Hong Lu for example. In Canto 7 we see his trauma response be just trying to get the conversation over with by no longer trying to be invested in it - he's Evading the percieved threat via Sloth (apathy).

Though I'd say Guard could be just as much ignoring the threat as it could be simply just taking whatever comes at them.

Look at Gregor at the end of Canto 1, he takes full responsibility for the failure of the mission and actively puts himself down while doing so. He's just taking it all as if Guarding, while focusing on the negativity and his past through Gloom.

[vocalux]

" remaking " my queer stance slothqueer , there isnt much difference , but i wanted to " redo " it

— slothqueer [ sloth-queer ]

slothqueer is a stance related to being " lazy " , just like the animal . being too lazy to care about other peoples identities , getting into arguments , or just in general ! usually just agreeing with others , especially strangers , to avoid anything .

— pro ;

𖹭 - transids + any type / subtype

𖹭 - any paraphilia + pro - consensual - contact ㅤ ( nothing specific , thats up to you )

𖹭 - muds + self diagnosis

𖹭 - contradictory identities

𖹭 - reclaiming terms , mainly from antis

𖹭 - using terms made by antis

𖹭 - using terms out of spite

𖹭 - creation of alternative terms

𖹭 - any kind of identity

𖹭 - any kind of gender

𖹭 - any kind of fiction + ship

𖹭 - any kind of system

𖹭 - any kind of self expression

𖹭 - consent

𖹭 - conabusive relationships

𖹭 - transition , as long as it doesnt hurt anyone without consent

𖹭 - choice + abortion

— anti ;

𖹭 - forced recovery

𖹭 - abuse without consent

𖹭 - harm without consent

𖹭 - declawing

𖹭 - removing any part of an animal other than for medical reasons

𖹭 - any kind of hate

𖹭 - math / j

— " ohhh but - " i know theres probably already something like it , but i just wanted to !

— emojicombo ; 🦥🌈 / 🌈🦥 / 🦥🌳 !

— a more specific one for this " remake " ; 🦥💤 !

— old flag ;

— any of the 8 can be used , no problem !

[rabbitindisguise]

migraine cheat sheet for folks not sure if they have migraines

A couple cardinal signs for migraines:

pulsating/throbbing

nerve pain-like (tingly, electric, shooting)

aching, especially radiating into the jaw

can be on one side or both sides, in one area or more than one area, or even at the base of the skull, front of forehead, etc

at least one of sound sensitivity, light sensitivity, nausea +/ vomiting, and veritgo (typically- there are subtypes and other headache disorders)

and of course migraine aura (flashing lights, dark spots in vision, etc)

can come in short bursts of 1-30 seconds repeatedly, can last for hours or even weeks, and have different phases with different associated symptoms

Headaches:

don't interfere with work, school, or socializing

mildly annoying

take a lot of effort (weeks of staying up too late, being hungover, etc)

happen infrequently (closer to 1-2 a year)

are not "bad ones" (if you had "regular headaches" and "bad headaches" then it's very likely you have migraines - though personally both headache types turned out to be migraines for me)

happen when you have the flu or another illness as a result and it's clears up by the time you recover from it

do not last 30 min - 72 hours with a clear start, middle, and end phase

don't make you feel wrung out dry afterwards

don't affect you neurologically (fuzzy feeling, slow movements, slurring, feeling exhausted/sleep deprived, feel like you can't rest properly even after taking ibuprofen)

don't respond to sumatriptan or another migraine reliver

you don't dread having a headache

you don't avoid chemicals/harsh scents, chocolate, concerts, or any other migraine triggers

[wolfsrainrules]

Vampires in Omegaverse

So. For Context- AOB AU is one of my favorite worldbuilding hyperfocus topics, and I got into Vampire Dick Grayson territory and the topic came up wherein I said- Did You Know I Have A Fusion of Vampires and Omegaverse Thoughts and was told I needed to share them so I did and then questions got asked and I got to world build about it. I then rambled to @deathwalkerberry about it, and she said I should share the thoughts so it can then be put into fanfiction and she was RIGHT so Welcome To My Ted Talk. @north-peach for you as well.

I actually have two different versions of how these two AU can fuse involving how the dynamics themselves interact with being turned. This is just one of them

Find my World Building under the cut

This AU kinda jumps off the idea that Vampires can shift what dynamic they are perceived as by the 'standard' AOB AU. It does that by playing with what a "Vampire" actually IS in here.

For the purposes of this AU there's two 'subtypes' of vampire. Those that came to Earth, and those in the AOB verse that get turned. As an aside, when they get turned, they keep the body-make up of whatever their secondary was before they were turned. This means the 'those that came to Earth' vampires don't actually HAVE any dynamics.

Which is why I started thinking about how we all have the "Uncanny Valley" effect thing in real life- and how it's possible through various studies to have genetic memory from those in your family line. My logic was well in order for all of humanity to do that, there has to be SOMETHING out there- more than one thing even- that caused it.

That makes it so very instinctive for humans to look at something that looks, acts, reacts like us and isn't and just know that something is off. That has something just slightly off that makes all of our instincts latch onto it like it's a threat, or something we need to be aware of.

So in this AU, my thought was that part of that reason was Vampires. The very first introduction of vampire species happened ages ago in this AU. Since this was built around DC as the basis for the AU I figured aliens are standard anyway so-

It was an alien species introduced, that looked like humans but wasn't. They're a creature that is meant to adapt, to be an apex predator. To be THE predator wherever they went. Most Vamp AU play with the 'ancient functioning immortal' thing- and these aliens that landed are to be fair.

But I wondered what it would be like, to have a vampire that has...adaptability. Rather than going the old and stuck in their traditions and ways route in the way standard Vamp lore does, I wanted to change it up. They're a hunting species. They are built to travel to different universes/worlds/across space and fit in.

It's not instant of course, they cant just like...shapeshift. So what they do, is they look for races that are of similar make up in at least looks first. If they can land and blend in, they have time to adapt as needed. They're long lived and just as clever as humans can be.

When they first landed on Earth, they looked like AOB standard humans- but they didn't have the secondaries, they didnt fit quite right. And they hunted. As they spread across the world, and stories of these beings that looked human, but didn't smell like them, didn't have quite the right body build for an omega, an alpha, or a beta, were just so slightly OFF, the stories humans would tell about creatures (the long white faces, the solid black eyes, the sharp teeth, the avoidance of sunlight, the things that could maybe be human but are just the slightest bit NOT, enough to get your attention and make you wary) across the world spread. Stories that said be wary told children be careful.

The longer they stayed, the more they adapted: faces shifting to closer to standard, learning to mimic the kind of scents AOB verse has, the structure of the body changing. Adapting to deal with the sun instead of burning in it in a way a human didnt- still sensitive to it but no longer deadly if managed correctly. Learning that humans were clever and creative, were INTERESTING, changing often enough to keep an immortal on their toes. But also enough to kill them if they werent more careful. That the pack instincts would make whole neighborhoods turn on them if they stepped wrong And thats just the ones that came TO Earth.

Then you have the people who were CHANGED. The ones that were on Earth and earned the regard of a vampire enough they chose to change them. Those that started in an AOB verse, who had dynamics. Some were changed out of love, yes, but a lot for control.

The turned blend better- it's not an adaption to look like AOB humans, they ARE, their just MORE now. Those that had to shift to blend still set off the uncanny valley effect now- but humans at this point are not as aware of the supernatural possibilities that are REAL in DC verse (and maybe vampires helped that be so, so only certain communities remember and still learn and pass things down) The turned that might at some point leave Earth, that would travel space in any capacity will find they adapt to places across the galaxy and unless they have a teacher dont know why. Don't know the race of vampires are BUILT to adapt to species and hunt them, to blend in and feed, are built to spread the 'virus' that originally created vampires on their original home world before they ever steps food into the wider verse.

This does mean that BORN Vampires (at least of the generations that came before this Earth) can only breed to make born vampires with those that have the right parts to their standard (since my brain works with AOB dynamics having the parts needed to have children in omega). Thinking the vampires that come to earth have functioning "sire and carrier" gender subtypes, but their make up might be a bit more...alien than standard AOB.

But it works in functionally the same way. Once AOB verse people start getting changed, they still have their sexual secondary body make up and if they want biological pups would still have to make it work by standard- though there is always the child by adoption or child by bite.

Speaking of child-by-bite! Since it's an alien based take on Vamps that can and will adapt to blend with other species (again it's not shapeshifting in full, so they cant shift too far from human base looks hence looking for species that CAN be blended with) children that get turned or are born vamps actually age to prime before they stop. Better to blend and hunt with later, so the cells allow for change to continue until it's in prime shape.

So for this AU I'd get to play with alien vamps, how old they actually are, bringing in bits and pieces of culture, tech, and knowledge of various species across numerous galaxies, and maybe even eventually dimensions, when they figure out that it's possible to jump those.

VS

AOB turned Vampires who are learning some of the stories passed down all over the world are actually based off THIS creature, are real and something they should have been aware of and are now part of.

I wanna play with how Bonds present from their packs when they die, vs Bonds made by turning someone, how a pack that WILL be having their packmate back, vampire or not, that want the bonds back would mix across in "a vampire capable of making bonds that aren't turning, but instead built on pack bonds" and the virus that adapts to hosts when it changes them, and is BUILT to adapt the host to new environments and take advantage of everything it can to make sure they survive.

I wanna see a virus based in adaptability that MADE vampires what we would know them as running straight into Human's are space orcs and their world is a death world mixed with all the things that come with having pack bonds and AOB dynamics. Because the virus is going to latch onto everything it can once it enters a new host, and in learning how the body functions, read what should by optimal from every blood-drink, and possibly change its host to work with that, and adapt

If AOB verse vampires leave the Earth to travel elsewhere, and were to change someone, the virus would work to adapt their body to AOB standard. Maybe not the secondaries as a regular AOB human would know them, but the bonds created through pack? the senses? the differing body make up to let them hunt and be dangerous from pre-city days? the differing pathways in the brain that are lit up?? It's going to change all of that. Add it, use it.

Turning is painful, and often deadly due to the fact the virus DOES that. That it uses everything it's picked up from all the races to come before, and it will work on making the best adaptable hunter it can, will make it so it has more change of being passed on, of living. A pack-based world like an AOB?? The virus would have a wild time.

So- the more willing a turn, the more likely they are to survive! Mind over Matter sort of- it's still really dangerous of course, still very much possibly deadly, but a willing change makes the body more likely to survive all of it. If they're utterly unwilling, it's much more likely to kill them! Which means most vampires when they decide I want to keep this one actually TRY to get consent, to win over their chosen, because they WANT them to survive it! (Some of it can be love, but some can also be done through manipulation and lies, or other such things so it's not always HAPPY and willing.)

Hunting is done with the intent to blend in and feed- a good chunk of the vamp population- turned and born, earth-made and other, nowadays are all careful to only take what they need, to be careful with how MUCH they take, and to vary whom and where they take it from. Never to turn, but to simply feed.

You have, of course, the bad eggs that will just take that want a thrall not a partner or family or just manipulate people into following them without making them a thrall depending. That turn many, and break them through the bonds made, bend them to their will but that's more likely to bring hunters.

(Its also why the rumors about vampires are so much LIKE that- the ones found are often new and not in control, or just plain don't care and will rip through whole populations. But the good ones? The ones that want to adapt and hunt and thrive? they're very very good at being careful. Of making it just some tick- a kink they have with bloodplay, or working together to get blood bags, of finding a way to make it odd, yes, but not dangerous and worthy of being hunted over. So a larger population that normal vamp lore in this verse are actually willingly turned one way or another. Or those that didn't want to be turned, but are absolutely the type to want to survive no matter what. (The brain is fascinating and I wanted to play with that and how it might effect survivability of a turn)

Animals can't be infected by the virus in my head, cause it needs that bit of sapience to actually latch in and change them properly. I just absolutely believe some of the original vampires took various other planet pets with them if they could. And unless the creature already had the ability to make a sort of mental bond, it wouldn't actually have a bond with their vampire, or through them to others. They can be trained to respond to things and do it well of course but not linked into the mind in my head. Though if it IS an animal from another planet that DOES have the right level of sapience to actually change and it manages to survive that change...I'd say it has a bond with the 'sire' that changed it, Should they later be added to a pack, the pack would be able to sense the 'familiar' but not quite so well or as close as the one it's bonded to.

Running past animals I had some thoughts about Heat and Rut and how it plays with vampires verse. Vampires being present as predators to packs absolutely contributed to the way they synch on rut and heats, on the denning down for better defense among other things. I like to imagine the rut and heat hormones- since my AOB AUs do not allow actual mating or pack bonds to be formed when they're in heat or rut cause the pheromones fuck up the bond settling right- develop that as a partial defense against vamps in this au. or at least it works unexpectedly in their benefit, since my AOB au has that even in non vampire aus.

The level of wild chemicals and pheromones and everything going on means that Vamps CAN drink blood during someone's heat or rut, but it would mess with the vampire. Those who came to earth- their bodies dont know how to process or handle those chemicals and it makes them all kinds of off and unbalanced. Makes them want to drop the meal and just NOPE right out of it most of the time. Or makes them kind of high or drunk. Body just cannot process it.

The cocktail of chemicals in the blood CAN be addictive to some of these kind of vampires cause it's so different and can lead to a serial killer type problem that needs to get handled but the normal response for most is to decide not gonna drink that when they're bodies are all over the place and then sometimes to go find their mate cause they end up kinda horny.

AOB turned vamps get shoved into a kind of...phantom or pseudo heat/rut because their brains REMEMBER this cocktail and what to do with them- so it doesn't lean into a feed frenzy or something, it's more likely to set them into whatever habits they had when they went into heat or rut- to convince their body they are in one. So around pack theyre gonna nest down and/or caretake, maybe go find their mate, around enemy pack, it makes them aggressive and dangerous, which just leads to messy fights they dont want to set off. So they're careful about that. Brain functions and are again fascinating, and the vampires CAN breed so I've been debating if turned AOB vamps still get some version of a heat or rut still.

Vampires turn each other with bites, draining, and shared blood. So I think pack-bonding would work with a bite as well, since their bodies are literally built off of it, and an AOB turned vampire would have all the right glands to bite too, so it works on 'came to earth' and 'turned AOB Vampires' too.

Since I imagine an almost-pack bond between those who get turned and the one who turned them, they DO have the mental bonds! They're not QUITE as deep as a pack bond, but it does give them the awareness of each other, the emotional sharing, and a bit of sway. AOB Vamps tend to have an even deeper bond to those they change, though it's still not quite pack. Not unless the INTENT is there, because I imagine AOB all have venom sacks of their own that let them add to their packs, or give mating bonds, and the vampire venom is just...a newly added sack. AOB Pack bonds are deeper. What I'd refer to as "soul level" in my head. More open, thicker, stronger. More able to support communication on them, more varied uses. Vampire Turning Bites are more...surface level? An awareness of the person they turned, a little sway on them, but none of that emotional vulnerability or give and take in the same manner. A double bond- pack that was then turned by pack- is more akin to the soul mate bond in my head. all of what you'd get as pack but deeper still- now able to send images and share senses between them, make each other stronger. Things like that.

I do love the idea of some areas having packs that worked with and bonded to Vampires as pack or mates, who adapted to coexist and may not remember it now (or maybe theres some that DO so you have pockets of interesting worldbuilding and safe spaces for not only vampires but those that want to learn about them and know where or who to ask. Places for vampires to bring humans they want to turn so they can learn and get a second opinion from. So those that adapted with the vampires are more prone to be...enticing to a vampire. Their scents, how they move, what they know. Vampires are- in my head- actually built to BE social if not with the pack bonding they once had- the virus wants to spread- it needs to meet people to do that, build.

So packs that react well to vampires and welcome them actually usually end up with generations worth of protectors from them! In the know towns or buildings, people- they act as a sort of...underground railroad type but for blood and the things vampires need. Maybe even other supernatural creatures that can learn to function and live in relative peace with each other. Genetically, I feel like these people who blended with vampires, maybe were born far enough down the line to NOT be vampire on birth- are more likely to survive and thrive with the change, smell better, have a bit more predator to them, a bit danger to them.

Now to jump back to the original verse I built this for because I saw DC Vampire Dick Grayson and my brain went HELLO???-

My thoughts about this AU in specific were more Dick's circus is a traveling set of vampires Some of them are came to Earth vampires, are very old, and it makes their circus remarkable because there's things from literally other worlds in there that can blend as props or normal enough.

Mary and John- Dick's parents- are actually TURNED vampires. They have Dick as a born vampire, but he grows up in a troupe that shares all the stories he needs to know so he knows a lot more than most turned vampires do.

They also survive this AU. they end up discovering Batman and Bruce Wayne while there, and are fascinated (eventually leading to a polyship there and an eventual (but not without some major thinking and planning on B's part and only in this case talks) turn on Bruce's part!)

So Robin does still take to the skies if a bit differently- and there may be some extra capes depending on Mary and John. I still want Tim to see Dick at the circus and maybe the Grayson's still fall but as vampires dont actually die and Bruce as Batman KNOWS about the supernatural and is able to help them get out of there? And I know Talons and the Gray Son were a thing in regards to the circus that leads me to the fun thing about them in this AU-

Talons aren't native to Earth in this AU either!! They're a previous world's attempt to kill off vampires and they like to hunt them down from world to world, and turn their own soldiers, make them undying so they can match up to a vampire and possibly kill them.

You could technically still set Dick up to be Vampire King if you wanted in this au, or not but it lives rent free in my head now.

To those of you who read this far- if you DO write this AU in any way PLEASE come back and put it in the replies for me to devour

[honey-dont]

types of freight cars

made a whole post to help ppl design stex ocs as the resident freight enthusiast :) while this isn't every freight car in existence, it's definitely a good chunk of them!

FLATCARS

The most basic type of freight car. They’re…well…flat! Designed for carrying bulky loads.

Autorack: Transport automobiles. Can have single, double, or triple levels.

Boom/Idler: Placed in front of a breakdown crane to protect the boom or in front of/behind oversized loads to protect the overhang.

Bulkhead: Have walls (bulkheads) on the end. Used to transport pipe, poles, slabs, and lumber. Prone to derailing when traveling empty and put speed restrictions on the freight train.

Centerbeam: Carry lumber. Another type is the opera (round) window style. Have to be loaded/unloaded evenly to avoid the car tipping over.

Depressed Center: Used to carry extremely heavy loads such as generators. Have a lowered (depressed) middle section.

Intermodal/Well: Carry semi-truck trailers and containers. Have a lowered bottom (well).

Skeleton/Spine: Very narrow car used to transport lumber. Has stakes on the sides. Spine cars do not have stakes and are often used for intermodal transport.

GONDOLAS

Open-topped cars that generally transport loose goods. Can also be covered. Differ from hoppers in that they have flat bottoms and have to be manually unloaded or put through a rotary dumper.

Bathtub: Transport coal. Have rounded bottoms for extra space.

Coil: Carry coils of metal. Can be open or have specialized covers to protect the cargo. Typically considered a subtype of gondola, but can also be a subtype of flatcar as well.

Side-dump: Cars tip sideways to dump loads. Often carry ballast or rocks for railbeds.

HOPPERS

Evolved from gondolas but differ in that they have sloped bottoms and discharge doors. Can be covered or uncovered, and have between two to five chutes. Open cars transport bulk goods such as coal, while covered ones carry food items.

Ore Jenny: A small, specialized hopper designed to carry large loads of iron ore from mines.

BOXCAR

Enclosed cars with side or end doors. Used for bulk commodities and for goods that need to be protected from the weather.

Stock: Used to transport livestock such as cattle, horses, sheep, and poultry. Have ventilated sides for airflow. A variant used to carry fish was attached to passenger trains and was more luxurious.

Refrigerator: Insulated and cooled cars used to transport frozen goods.

TANKERS

Used to transport liquids or gases. Can be specialized to carry hazardous materials.

Milk: Specialized tank car variant (as opposed to the boxcar variant) that carries milk. Attached to passenger trains to prevent spoilage.

Pickle: There's pickles in there! The vats were filled with vinegar.

Torpedo: Carry molten iron. Designed to withstand very high temperatures.

Whale Belly: Large tank car with a lowered midsection for additional carrying capacity.

SCHNABEL

These cars are a type all of their own. Used to transport extremely large loads by pinching it between the arms of the car.

[magixfairyix]

Iorda: The Fairy of Dark Arts

The complete essay for my OC, during the timeline of my fanfiction Snow, Shadow, and Storm and prior (due to the fact that she varies depending on my different fanfictions).

Also, this will be long as hell.

TW: Violence, mild gore, suicide

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Introduction

Name: Iorda Fey-Carey (ie, descending fairy dark, for the meaning)

Age: 23 (S.S.S.)

Occupation: Graduate of Alfea Collage for Faries, Professor of Basic Witchcraft 101 at Cloud Tower Collage for Witches (post-S.S.S.)

Sexuality: Lesbian

Element: Dark magic (ie, both shadow and psychic magic subtypes)

Power Source: Liliss the Ancestor & The Company of Light (only a faint bit of the latter to keep her magic 'good' enough to hold the form of a fairy)

Class: Fairy, witch (post-S.S.S.)

Origin: Earth

Royal Status: None (though she was present at some meetings due to her magic relation as the Trix's magic balance)

Primary Emotion (that drives magic): Fulfilment (forced herself to use to remain more fairy-like), vengeance (true main emotion)

Main Traits: Avoidant of her internal struggles, empathetic, anxious of instability, distrustful of life, honest, ruthless (when she lets herself be), teasing/joking (when comfortable enough in her own skin)

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Magic Lore

During the battle of the Company of Light against the Ancestral Witches, the reason for the extreme amount of destruction and how powerful the trio of witches were was that they did not have a magical balance to keep them in check.

Once they were defeated, the Company of Light merged a small spark of their magic to a remaining signature of Liliss' magic and sent it out into the Magical Universe so that it may find its holder.

However, this was not the first time this had happened. During the time against the battle of the Earth fairies against the Wizards of the Black Circle, there was an Earth fairy named Almah with an extraordinary talent for shadow and psychic magic.

Almah was the balance of the Ancestors, but she died during the battle against the Wizards before the Ancestors came into the Magic Dimension from Oscurita (the Dark World, closed centuries earlier by Arcadia and Notani, the first fairy and witch).

The remaining Earth fairies had seen Almah as a bad omen. Dark magic/witch magic was not new, but since it was found out all witch/warlock magic had deep roots in energies from Oscurita (and it was new enough that the idea was not dismissed as myth) there was a certain distaste towards those forms of magic.

The Earth fairies conducted a ritual before the final battle against the Wizards of the Black Circle (using many of the wings the Wizards cut off from dead fairies) to remove all memory of Almah from the Magical Dimension.

The spark of Liliss' magic & the Company of Light's made it's way to Earth (going from high to low concentration of magic, as by the natural law, because there was no identical magic it could be attracted to instead) and it was by chance that the magic placed itself in Iorda.

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Season 1

Iorda on Earth had begun to have visions of a ghost talking to her in her dreams. This ghost called herself Almah and said she was a spirit meant to guide the girl to a wonderful destiny.

Iorda's magic soon began to manifest in small amounts, and with Almah's information she gave to Iorda in dreams and visions, Iorda barely managed to open a portal to Magix.

Iorda made her way to Alfea as Almah instructed, only to be turned away due to fact that her magic was dark magic. Not just shadow magic that fairies were able to have, but dark magic (both shadow and psychic magic in one form).

Iorda decided to apply to Cloud Tower instead, and when she got in she began to learn at the school for witches. She pretended to be a witch (not having transformed yet, but trusting Almah who said she was a fairy) and only told her roommates, Mirta and Lucy, after a few days.

During this time, Iorda becomes friends with several other witches (Pyris, Nith, and Lucina) and they form an unofficial coven (without the blood bind) called the Nyx.

Iorda also manages to become a thorn in the Trix's side, and the three witches soon to suspect something is off with Iorda. This becomes especially clear when Mirta speaks against the Trix in the cafeteria. Iorda absorbs Darcy's spell on Mirta without any trouble.

Towards the end of the season, Iorda is still unsure about her magic's origins, but someone who isn't unsure is Pyris. Pyris is Griffin's granddaughter and knows about what her grandmother and the rest of the Company of Light did long ago.

Pyris leads Iorda to a tomb that has a seal placed on it to protect three magical artifacts that the Ancestors had used to steal magics to become even more powerful. Iorda breaks the seal and then Pyris tells her about what she knows.

Pyris leaves Iorda to her thoughts. Iorda is shocked and fearful for herself at the revelation, though while contemplating what this means for her, the Trix show up after feeling that the seal on the tomb containing the Whisperian Crystals has been broken.

Iorda tries to fight against them and fails, getting knocked unconscious in the Cloud Tower archives as the Trix go to Earth to steal Bloom's Dragon Flame.

During the war against the Army of Decay, Iorda escapes Cloud Tower and starts making her way to Alfea. The Nyx (Pyris, Nith, Lucina, Mirta, and Lucy) are imprisoned in the cells of Cloud Tower.

Iorda assists Riven, Bloom, Sky, Brandon, Stella, and Knut in freeing the students of Cloud Tower. Iorda goes off on her own to free the Nyx, and succeeds.

Soon Iorda realizes Pyris seems off, and when Pyris' form disappears into the ground like a shadow, and realizes the Trix are at the opposite end of the hall. Pyris is in the same state Stella was, bound by suffocating magic rings.

Lucina and Mirta open up a portal, and Mirta, Lucy, and Nith go through it. Lucina tries to convince Iorda to go with them and leave Pyris, but Iorda controls some of the shadows in the hall to pull Lucina into the portal before it closes.

Iorda and Pyris are imprisoned because Iorda is an issue. She's the Trix's balance, the Fairy of Dark Arts, and so she would probably become a problem. They can't kill her, because getting rid of their magical balance would risk them going insane from their own magic as the Ancestors had done.

While in the cell some of the smaller creatures of the Army of Decay scuttle by the cell, and Iorda tries to see if they will listen to her. The creatures manage to break down the magic lock. Pyris and Iorda go to Alfea to help fight against the Trix.

Bloom arrives with her magic regained and goes to fight Icy. The Nyx (including Iorda) and the rest of the Winx fight Stormy and Darcy, but soon the Trix are defeated.

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Season 2

Iorda is now learning at Alfea College for Faries, and although she feels like Cloud Tower is more of a home for her than Alfea ever will be, she tells herself that as a fairy she has to let herself say goodbye to the school for witches.

She is still in contact with the Nyx. During the summer before the new school year, she and Pyris had also begun dating, and the relationship was everything Iorda could've asked for.

She shares a dorm with the Winx, and begins to get along well with Flora, Musa, and Bloom the most out of all the fairies. Iorda shares a room with Aisha when the princess of Andros appears. Iorda is accepted into the Winx Club.

Iorda is struggling in classes because although she is a fairy, her magic gravitates towards using negative emotions for spells. She speaks to Faragonda and tells to old women about how she feels like her magic wants to use vengeance to feed her spells.

Faragonda advises Iorda against fighting her natural emotions too strongly, but she does say that it may be possible to find positive emotions to use. And so, Iorda begins to force herself to use the need for fulfilment to fuel her magic.

Iorda also discusses cutting contact with her family on Earth with Faragonda, Saladin, and Griffin. They warn Iorda of the vendetta dangers of the Magical Dimension will have against her. Iorda cuts contact for the sake of her family's safety.

When Darkar and the Trix show up, Iorda is determined to use positive emotions and to be the Fairy of Dark Arts as she is fated to be. During this time she is extremely hard on herself and is struggling to form a stable sense of self.

Iorda catches Darcy trying to deceive Jared, and the two fight against each other. It is more of a toying-with-Iorda fight instead of a true battle, and during every attack, Darcy makes jabs at Iorda of how she's deluding herself into thinking this life of martyrdom would do her good or that she will succeed in such.

Iorda says, "Just because dark magic doesn't mean I'm any less of a fairy."

And Darcy responds teasingly with, "And having a pair of wings on your back doesn't make you any less of a witch."

Iorda soon begins to get pissed and gives up on using the positive emotion of fulfilment to fuel her magic, and the verbal jabs towards her keep on coming. Iorda shows more skill when using negative emotions, but not enough to win against Darcy (who decides to simply knock the girl unconscious and resume her plot using Jared).

Iorda gains her Charmix by accepting that the Trix are always going to want her dead and that she can't do anything to change that. A sad truth for her to accept, but she does so.

Darkar is defeated as usual.

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Season 3:

Iorda now feels like she is 'happy' as a fairy, when truthfully, she is deluding herself into thinking she feels normal. She hardly acts the same as she did during season 1, and is more so a shell of an ideal than the humorous and temperistic girl she was.

She is trying to act perfect at all times, and because of that she refuses to use her psychic magic. She doesn't want to be reminded of how she, deep down, is more like a witch than a fairy and that she is more similar to Darcy than she'd care to admit.

Iorda is even more controlling over herself when learning about Enchantix and how it can only be gained by saving someone from your planet. She is from Earth which is without magic, unlike Bloom who really was from an actually magical planet.

When Valtor takes over Cloud Tower with the Trix, Iorda and the Winx go there to try to defeat him. They are confused when Stormy is nice to them, but then they divide to defeat Valtor and find the guardians of Cloud Tower.

During this event, Iorda is fighting against some of the zombie witches in Cloud Tower. Stormy is still under the opposite spell and doesn't want to attack her 'fellow peers,' and almost dies during the fight.

Iorda saves Stormy from dying and gains her Enchantix. Stormy was not from Earth, but because of the magic relation (and because the Enchantix magic never took into consideration of someone born on Earth gaining the transformation), it is the closest thing, at least to the Enchantix magic.

Iorda wipes Stormy's memories of this event before the opposite spell reverses, telling herself this is the last time she'll ever use psychic magic. Stormy only finds out about this during Snow, Shadow, and Storm which takes place after season 8.

Valtor is defeated as usual, but the Trix escaped.

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The Secret of the Lost Kingdom:

Iorda and the Winx graduate from Alfea. Iorda doesn't have a Kingdom to Protect, though as the Fairy of Dark Arts she is deemed the Guardian Fairy of the three dark prisons (Omega, Obsidion, and Oblivion) and the decision is approved by the Council of Magix.

Iorda accepts the title of open arms, ignoring how this is just another responsibility and role placed on her to fix everything that goes wrong if evil is released.

When everyone goes to Obsidion Iorda feels comfortable there with the negative energy that almost seems to accept her. She is the one who goes through the slime wall first.

Iorda fights against Mandragora with the specialists. The Ancestral Wtches trust Mandragora to finish Iorda off and deem Bloom more of an issue to deal with, even though Iorda is technically the balance of their magic.

The events of the movie go on as usual.

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Magical Adventure:

The Ancestors had realized Iorda was more of a problem than they had thought, but for now, that is a later issue. Iorda feels a familiar energy in Alfea late at night, but she doesn't realize that she felt the energy of the Trix (who'd been absent for three months since the end of season 3) stealing the Compass.

The Trix curse the Tree of Life in Pixie Village, though Iorda's magic is left untouched. Her flower of a fairy blooms on the negative magic side of the tree, instead of a branch like a witch would have.

Iorda is the only one able to use magic out of the Winx, but she cannot use positive emotions or transform. She feels unsure over not being able to be a perfect fairy, but Bloom reassures her.

Iorda begins to listen to Bloom. Bloom tells her that just because she's a fairy doesn't mean she has to use positive emotions, and that no one if ever perfect. Iorda agrees that she'll not force herself to be perfect in the likely battle ahead.

The Winx, Iorda, and the Specialists arrive on Ovrum. Iorda is the main one to fight against Darcy and Stormy while Bloom and Sky are fighting Icy, and even without being able to fly she is holding her own.

She's transporting, attacking, whizzing around and this is the first time she'd been an actually threat to the Trix for a while now. She realizes that maybe the world won't end if she's not the perfect fairy.

Once everyone is where Sky and Bloom is, the bud of the Tree of Life is destroyed by Icy. The positive magic is released, and the Winx and Iorda transform into Enchantix.

When the Ancestors turn on the Trix, Iorda is horrified. Belladonna first possesses Icy and her body warps. On the ground below, Iorda tries to at least create a shield in front of Darcy and Stormy. This fails.

During the fight, the Winx and Specialists are losing miserably. Iorda is feeling panicked, but then she realizes that maybe if she uses enough magic she can fix this. She's the balance of the Ancestors' magic for a reason.

She uses all of her magic to shatter the Ancestors' essences, though the Trix are left unharmed besides some mental harm from the experience.

Iorda falls unconscious into one of the canyons on Ovrum and the Winx are unable to catch her before she falls, presumably to her painful death upon some spiky rocks.

The Winx go back to Alfea in shock and horror that Iorda had died, Musa and Riven comforting each other. Both of them were close to Iorda.

But still, no body was found.

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Season 4:

After she fell, Almah's spirit without much energy transported Iorda into Mike and Vanessa's house in Gardenia. Almah was absent up until this point because Iorda was following in the path she was meant to, but Almah would not allow the Fairy of Dark Arts to die

Not Iorda, the Fairy of Dark Arts. That's all Almah cares about.

Iorda awakes without her memories and without any knowledge of magic. But this also means all her progress in accepting that she didn't have to be perfect was lost. Bloom's talk with her and reassurance was all lost.

Iorda is working at the Fruity Music bar with Roxy, and the two get along really well.

Meanwhile, at Alfea, the Wizards are still looking for the last fairy on Earth (Roxy). The Winx and the Specialists make their way to Earth and begin searching for the last fairy on Earth.

Iorda and Roxy run to the shed after being chased by the Winx, and Iorda is very defensive of Roxy and demands to know why five creepy girls are chasing them.

The Winx recognize Iorda, but when Iorda gives no recognition, they decide to stay silent. Iorda might believe that she was a fairy, but how would they be able to tell her that she's the balance of three war criminals and had 'died' months ago?

The Wizards of the Black Circle do not care about Iorda whatsoever, and the only way she is particularly annoying to them is that her magic has a bit more of an impact on them. Iorda uses negative emotions because she hadn't forced herself to do otherwise.

The Winx continue to keep Iorda in the dark about her past, and even Faragonda agrees that for now, they have bigger things to think about. Having Iorda's help is more important than telling her about her painful past.

Iorda grows close with a Specialist named Adren, the two of them being close to platonic soulmates at the time. Iorda shares no romantic feelings with him, and neither does he.

Musa and Riven in this season (along with the other arguments they had) have an argument over weather hiding Iorda's past is good for her, or if it's cruel to her.

Iorda would have a conversation alone with Riven once, probably when everyone is relaxing on the beach. They are more so alone from the others. Riven believes that lying to Iorda is cruel to her, and that asking her to help them without telling her the full truth is manipulation.

He decides the best way to see if Iorda can remember anything in the future is to start with the most important things. So in the middle of a normal conversation between the two, he asks Iorda if she knows anyone named Darcy.

Both Riven and Iorda dislike the witch due to different reasons and have been hurt by her, and so they share a deep sort of friendship because of that. Iorda had opened up to Riven about her difficulties about being perfect and over the stress about her fate more than she had to anyone else.

Riven doesn't want to lie to one of his closest friends, and so he keeps subtly trying the topic. But Musa pulls him away and they argue over the ethicalities of keeping this information from Iorda.

Once the Winx and Roxy free the Earth fairies it is clear they dislike Iorda, and question her about someone called Almah before they realize she does not know what they are talking about.

They viewed Almah as a bad omen and erased all memories of Almah throughout the magical dimension before the final battle against the Wizards of the Black Circle.

The Winx are more on edge with Iorda when they are fighting against Aurora because they are concerned the fairy would remind Iorda of Icy. Iorda is confused about what's going on with the Winx, and they are relieved she doesn't remember anything.

When the Wizards of the Black Circle are pleading to the Winx for protection and go to Tir Nan Og, the Earth fairies (without the Winx's knowledge) imprison Iorda, not wanting her to bring the same destruction Almah brought (when in actuality, Almah did nothing).

After Nabu dies Iorda gets out.

The rest of the season continues as usual.

Iorda still did not have any of her old memories.

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Season 5:

The Winx and Roxy return to Magix. Iorda remains on Earth after insisting to the Winx that she doesn't want to leave her old life behind just because she's a fairy now.

Alfea also leaves an unpleasant taste in her mouth. Iorda visited the school one time and hated how people she didn't know were staring at her as if she was a corpse.

Bloom also leads her through the school to convince Iorda to learn at Alfea, because maybe then they could find a way to help her regain her memories. They wander through the hallway shown in season 4, where the archives of all the enemies of the Magical Dimension are kept.

Bloom tenses as she and Iorda walk past the portrait of the Trix. Iorda touches the frame of the painting and almost a flicker of confusion shows in her eyes before they move on.

Iorda doesn't interact with the Winx again until the Lilo episode. The Lilo naturally finds its way to Iorda because she is a magical being on Earth, and has strong magic that it is attracted to.

The Winx meet Iorda at the mall and talk to her about the Lilo, skirting around the topic of who they'd think the 'wrong hands' the flower falling into would be. The Trix show up, and they think that Iorda is alive for some reason and they don't know about the amnesia.

When the Trix show up to fight the Winx, Iorda feels her stomach drop and almost drops the Lilo, stepping back shakily. She remembers everything and is horrified at the sudden fear and stress coming back to her.

During this season, Iorda is trying to struggle between once again wanting to be the perfect fairy and trying to build a life of her own. She had a life without her memories, so she desperately wanted to have a life besides battles.

The season goes on as usual.

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The Mystery of the Abyss:

N/A and no current ideas.

I would make Iorda take Sky's place, but season 6 is focused on her and I don't want her to give her too much focus before then.

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Season 6:

Iorda decided to go back to Cloud Tower to learn dark magic again, as she only went there for her first year. Pyris is also there for extra classes after graduation to try to take her grandmother's (Griffin's) place eventually.

Iorda feels uneasy and very anxious about it; as if she's betraying herself by wanting to start using negative emotions again and to learn how to use them.

The Winx and the Nyx reassure her that she doesn't have to be perfect, and they never put any pressure on her. But after so long of having to fight in battle after battle, Iorda feels like going back to Cloud Tower is a guilt-inducing and horrifying experience.

But she can form a normal life for herself.

This time she can finally give herself time to heal.

The Trix break into Cloud Tower, and Pyris convinces Iorda to not reveal herself right away. All the witches are sent to their dorms as the Trix raise Cloud Tower into the sky, and Pyris and Iorda manage to go without the Trix recognizing them.

Iorda cannot contact the Winx, but she's trying to keep a level head. Somehow she feels calmer with this new conflict than she was with the ability to start to create a life of her own. This is more familiar to her.

Pyris leaves the room and tries to see if she can find any other witches she knows. Iorda remains in the dorm until she gets an unknown call on her phone. She answers it only to find out that it was from Icy and that the Trix have Pyris captive.

Iorda is blackmailed into researching information on nearby magic collages and also giving the Trix information on the Winx that would be useful. One night, Iorda sees a small disk of magic hovering in front of her and knows it's from Bloom. That gives her some hope.

One time when the Trix come into her dorm wanting information, Iorda tries to attack them. But it is a three-to-one fight, and with the Dark Witch form even one of the Trix would be more powerful than Iorda who is still at Sirenix.

Once while the Trix are out, Nith (who was also at Cloud Tower and had been laying low, because Icy despises her due to how much of a pain she is) frees Pyris and goes to Iorda's dorm. Lucina, Mirta, and Lucy are safe on their home planets.

Pyris and Nith touch the barrier on the open window in the dorm that likely covers the entire school, and Nith briefly tests the barrier. She is unable to levitate after crossing it, and grips the windowsill before Pyris pulls her back in.

Iorda then remembers about the magic disk and how she saw Stella and Aisha gain a new transformation when they were flying over Linfea, and she assumes that it takes acts of courage.

Iorda transforms and jumps out of the window, de-transforming because of the magic of the barrier and falling for a few seconds before gaining Bloomix.

She starts to track the Winx, who are currently trying to find Elodra's diary. She follows the magic trail to Egypt, and then China.

At this point, it is clear how much of an issue Iorda had become over the years. The Trix are more power-hungry than over, and at this point, they are willing to risk the possibility of their magic making them eventually go insane (though no one is sure) if it means that Iorda is six feet under.

Iorda follows the Winx to China and stops the Trix from killing them while they are under the sleeping spell. During the fight Iorda realizes she is outmatched and tells her bonded pixie, Bliss, to find the other Pixies.

Iorda soon gets hit directly with an attack. This fight against the Trix ends with her slowly getting her Bloomix wings frozen off and shattered, unable to attack back due to the fact that she's frozen to the ground. She's half-conscious after the ordeal, but the Pixies wake the Winx up before the Trix manage to finish Iorda off.

Iorda goes through this season feeling like she can never trust that life will go well for her, and the Winx notice that she's more jumpy than usual. Bloom rests a hand on Iorda's shoulder only for Iorda to flinch briefly before realizing who it was.

In Solaria, Iorda manages to make her way to Stella's chambers while the Winx fight against the freshmen witches. She finds Darcy standing over Stella's body (who was unconscious from the Mirror's curse) and Iorda is threatened to come to the Legendarium world, or else Stella might not make it.

Iorda makes a deal with Darcy in the Labyrinth. Iorda would follow her and defeat whatever creature resided in the center of it, and if she defeated the creature, Darcy would make Selena reverse the spell on Stella.

But if Iorda manages to lose against the creature, she'd lose her Mythix wings along with the others. Darcy also subtly implies that Iorda wouldn't leave the Labyrinth alive, and Iorda knows she is risking death.

Even more so because she can't fully know if Darcy will uphold her end of the agreement of Iorda succeeded against the creature.

But Iorda notices the carvings of different Greek gods on the walls of the Labyrinth and asks Darcy if she, "Swears on river Styx." Darcy thinks that it is a little Earth saying, and so she does.

Iorda defeats the Minotaur and Darcy attempts to attack until random beams of magic stop her that don't have a source. Iorda explains what "Swearing on River Styx" means, and Darcy is livid. Iorda didn't just win a wager she was supposed to lose. She made the witch look like an idiot.

Icy and Stormy know better than to make a jab at how Darcy failed.

At the time of the Musa and Riven argument episodes, Iorda tries to speak with Riven. She doesn't tolerate how distant he's being, but they're also very close. Iorda calls him out on how he's been acting and the two decide to talk.

Riven tells Iorda that after all these years he's never gotten the chance to do what he wants. He does love Musa, but he doesn't feel like she's the right person for him to love. Riven also says that he's never been able to get away from Darcy (ie, during battles and all the fights) and maybe that's why he's still not over her.

Riven says that he's going to leave for a while, but he asks Iorda if she would like to come with him. Iorda is confused. She's the Fairy of Dark Arts. She can't leave. She must keep fighting battles, even if life is never going to go well for her.

Iorda doesn't leave with Riven, but as he walks away from the gates of Alfea, she starts to regret all she's done. She's a corpse of her old self and she knows it.

But Iorda promises Riven that she will try to heal.

After Acheron is locked in the Legendarium the Trix are nowhere to be found. Iorda takes this time of peace to do her best to reconnect with herself. She reads and also visits Eldora and Selena on Earth.

But one thing she still struggles with is being left alone.

She thinks that everything she sees over her shoulder is a threat. That a surprise touch on her shoulder from Bloom or Flora to get her attention is something to tense at initially. Eventually, she is learning to heal, though she still is forcing herself to be the perfect fairy.

One afternoon, three months later, the Winx and Iorda are planning to have a hangout in the forest for a picnic. All of them have been dealing with their respective princess/guardian fairy duties, and they decided to hang out again.

Musa, Stella, and Iorda were waiting outside Alfea for the others to get ready for the event. Musa goes in the check on them. Iorda offers to go find a good spot for the picnic. Stella makes sure Iorda is comfortable being on her own, and Iorda agrees. She'd never heal if she didn't try.

Iorda walked through the forest outside of Alfea, going deeper until she was a fair distance away from the school. She is breathing deeply while reminding herself that she is safe.

Until she walks past a tree, and ropes of shadows come out from nowhere. Iorda panics as her wrists, ankles, and neck are bound to the tree. She is breathing shakily, not knowing what is going on until a certain trio of witches walks into the clearing.

All of the Trix, once again, are willing to risk going insane to kill their magical balance. Iorda has become more of a problem than they thought. Although they'd like to believe she is just a random, easily-killable fairy, Iorda is more cunning than she seems.

Iorda is silent during the attack, and that is flaunted in her face by Icy. "The oh-so-powerful Fairy of Dark Arts has nothing to say?"

Icy, the one with the knife, gives Iorda a scar on the side of her face. Iorda, after that, would use a permanent glamor charm (a small charm on a bracelet) to hide the scar, not wanting to see it every time she looked in the mirror.

On the other hand, Darcy wants Iorda to admit that she had failed to be the perfect Fairy of Dark Arts. That Iorda will never truly be able to stand against the Trix as their balance.

"Admit it, Iorda. Admit that all of this was worthless. That you never should've tried to stop us. That you failed.”

Stormy tells her sisters that if they don't finish this soon, the Winx would soon arrive and ruin everything. Icy stabs Iorda in the midsection with the knife made of ice, and Iorda collapses on her side to the ground.

Icy and Stormy create a portal to leave, but not before Icy tells Darcy to make sure that there's no way Iorda survives. Icy and Stormy leave, and Darcy approaches Iorda.

“So,” Darcy started, tilting her head. “Have you finally learned your lesson after all these years?”

Iorda no longer cares about dignity or pride, being the perfect fairy. She just wants to survive. It's ironic how Darcy is the one who Iorda doesn't care about pulling down her mask around—only because of how much worse Darcy was.

Iorda doesn't even hesitate when asking Darcy to spare her, and when Darcy questions why she'd even do such a thing, Iorda weakly chokes on a sob: "I... I don't... want to die."

But her pleas do nothing.

Iorda gets to closest to death she ever had that day. Darcy stands up to leave through the portal, but before she does so, the previous tendrils of shadows are created again to keep Iorda in place before (using the tendrils of shadows) breaking pretty much every important bone on Iorda's body.

Iorda only lives because the Winx found her and quickly took her to the infurmury of Alfea.

This is the closest to death she's been.

Two months later, the Winx (excluding Iorda, who can't take being around any danger, and most of all, the Trix) and the Specialists find the Trix, locking them in the Legendarium—which had been left open by Elodra until the Winx would capture the Trix.

Iorda starts to question why she's still doing all of this. She's not happy. She hadn't been happy for years, and she wondered if it was because she'd forced herself to use positive emotions for all these years.

Sitting at her desk at Alfea, looking out the window, she tells herself that she will just try to exist at this point. She still wants to be the perfect fairy, but she's aware that in order to do that, she has to find a way to want to exist again.

She starts to learn dark magic again, hesitantly.

Like she wanted to at the beginning of the season. But this time, instead of doing it hesitantly, using negative emotions again is like returning to a long lost freind.

And most of all, she doesn't shove down that small flicker of the need for vengeance. It's part of her, and she wonders if it truly would be a bad idea to accept it. She had promised Riven when he left that she would try to heal, and so she does her best.

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Season 7:

Iorda now lets herself use negative emotions for spells on occasion, but she still drifts towards positive due to the habit of using them for years. She doesn't purposefully look for negative emotions to use, although if the feeling is already present, she'd use it.

It's a little difficult to fight, considering she still doesn't have her Bloomix wings. But she still has the transformation and the strength of it, so she does her best to make up for the loss of flight.

Stella suggests that Iorda tries to learn levetation, but Iorda brushes the idea off immediately. She uses negative emotions, yes, but she doesn't want to be any closer to being a witch than she is already—a result of forcing herself to be a perfect fairy for so long.

Once the Winx and Iorda start bonding with fairy animals, Iorda runs into an old familiar face: Almah.

Almah's spirit had been dormant for enough time (after saving Iorda and wiping her memories after Magical Adventure) that she formed herself into a fox-like creature, with feathers as a tail.

Iorda and Almah bond, and throughout the rest of the season, Almah tries to warn Iorda of the dangers of using negative emotions as a fairy. She tells the girl that it will only lead to further misfortune for her, being vague. As she usually was.

Iorda doesn't listen to Almah as eagerly as she typically would many years ago, but she relents and agrees that she'll keep using positive emotions.

Almah knows that if Iorda keeps using negative emotions that Liliss' magic inside her will become more dominant than the spark of the Company of Light's magic, and there is only so much darkness a fairy body can take before it begins to change.

Iorda needs to stay the Fairy of Dark Arts.

Iorda heeds Almah's words until the Trix return. The Winx and Iorda are all riding on their fairy animals when Bloom is almost struck with one of Icy's spells, and Iorda turns around with fury in her eyes.

Almah reminds Iorda to refrain from using negative emotions, but Iorda flies off of Almah. Realizing that Iorda was being a 'selfish idiot,' Almah disappears temporarily until the next time the fairy animals are needed.

Bloom worries that Iorda would be frightened by the Trix if they ever returned. Iorda instead feels that need to venegnce inside her—the natural emotion she'd been stopping herself from using for years—and she wants to feed that.

She wants the Trix, specifically Darcy, dead.

'Perfect fairy' or not.

The Winx and Iorda proceeded to fight the Trix. During that fight, Iorda, for the first time in years, manages to handle Darcy in a fight on her own. She's using her magic ruthlessly, though the fight ended peacefully enough.

At the end of the season, the Trix merge with their fairy animals and absorb the ultimate power of the fairy animals: gaining Shiftix. The Winx and Iorda are realizing that they are in danger. Genuine danger.

Almah, still in her fairy animal form, walked to Iorda's side. She tells Iorda that she can do something to change the outcome of the battle. She says that Iorda must allow herself to gain Shiftix, and that she is closer to being a witch than she wants to believe.

But Almah's intentions are not so pure.

Since the beginning, Almah was able to see Iorda's future. Although the threads of her fate have gotten a bit muddy, this event of Iorda gaining Shiftix should lead to her death down the line.

Iorda may become a witch eventually, yes. If that happened, she'd be unworthy of being the Fairy of Dark Arts and having that special magic, but then Iorda would die, and her magic would pass on.

Almah would make sure Iorda would die if that happened.

Her future will happen as it should.

Iorda merges with Almah and gains Shiftix, a tear falling down her face at the loss of her mentor. She believes Almah truly cares about her, and she doesn't know the true intentions of the spirit.

Iorda and the Winx fight against the Trix. Bloom, Stella, and Tecna aginst Icy. Musa, Flora, and Aisha against Stormy. Three against one should be good odds, even with the great amount of power the Trix have.

Iorda fights against Darcy.

Darcy was the one who killed Iorda that day in season 6, and came close to tormenting her in the Labrynth in Solaria. Iorda doesn't feel any mercy towards the witch.

Iorda and Darcy are both shapeshifting while fighting against each other. The two magical balances are fighting against each other ruthlessly. Wanting each other dead.

But before either of them could kill each other, the Infinity Swan shows up. Iorda steps back, inwardly annoyed that she didn't get the chance to hurt Darcy like the witch had hurt her.

The Trix are sent to Limbo.

But as they are, Iorda feels a sense of acceptance.

She could live happily as a fairy with dark magic, right?

She could still stay a fairy.

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Season 8:

Iorda knows something is wrong.

She feels it when the Winx and she are training at Alfea in a higher level self-defence class as senior students. It's as if her Butterflix wings are more physical than they should be. Like an appendage that feels off on her body.

Not a deep and crucial part of her like they should be.

Iorda ignores it.

She had told herself at the end of season 7 that she could be happy as a fairy with dark magic and using negative emotions, but she still doesn't want to be a witch.

Iorda is still the Fairy of Dark Arts.

The whispers of the students of Alfea also worm their way into her. It was common knowledge that Iorda had transformed into a witch transformation (Shiftix) during the recent fight against the Trix.

"She's practically a witch at this point."

"Why is she here?"

"She should just cut her wings off and go to Cloud Tower, honestly."

Some of the students still have Iorda's back. But it's clear that a big handful of them do not want Iorda in their midst; one of them in particular is Alyssa, a fairy who is also taking senior classes at Alfea.

Iorda does feel more comfortable in her own skin and less like a walking corpse of herself, like she felt in seasons 3-6. She does feel uncomfortable walking around the hallways of Alfea and tends to keep to herself.

The Winx run into the Specialists again, who say that they have a surprise for all of them. Riven has returned from his time of self-reflection and feels more able to return to his life here in Magix.

Musa is happy to have her friend back and does enjoy being around Riven, regardless of their history. Iorda is beaming, and hugs Riven when he returns, telling him about how she's been letting herself use negative emotions on occasion as of late.

The Winx and Iorda end up going to Lumenia to save the core of the shining planet. They take care of Obscurum easily. When they learn that Valtor was behind it, Iorda feels tired that there's another conflict, showing that she is no longer throwing herself into fighting for a cause for the sake of fulfillment.

The Winx and Iorda gain Cosmix.

Iorda feels off in the transformation, and she soon learns why.

A day later, in the middle of the night, she feels a sharp pain in her back where her wings would be if she was transformed. She races out of the dorm to Alfea forest in a panic, not knowing what is going on.

Tears run down her face as she collapses against a tree. She transforms and de-transforms out of her Magix Winx transformation repeatedly, screaming in agony as her wings begin to dry up like a leaf before tearing apart and going off into the wind.

But right before her wings fully disappeared, she caught sight of an unfamiliar transformation on her legs and arms through her blurred vision:

The Base Witch transformation.

Iorda freezes as she realizes that using negative emotions and transforming into Shifix must have made Liliss' magic stronger than the Company of Lights' magic inside her.

She's becoming a witch.

Iorda goes to Faragonda for answers, and she is giving a book called Changing Classes. The book can only be passed by monarchies of planets, of the heads to large academic institutions.

Iorda learns that she will begin to lose her wings painfully, one by one, until she has no more fairy transformations. When that happens, she'll fully be a witch.

The Winx go on another mission, and Iorda tells them apologetically that she can't go on this mission. She gives the excuse that she needs that day to get prepared to fight in conflicts again, and the Winx believe it due to Iorda's track record of her fear of conflict.

Iorda waits until she's alone in the dorm to stand in front of the tall mirror in Stella's room. She buries a sob as she does her best to will herself to transform into her first transformation; even though she would only be able to hold it for a few seconds since she's achieved higher-level transformations.

When she fails to reach her Magic Winx transformation—instead, she feels a small tug to another part of herself—she breathes in deeply, letting herself be pulled.

When she opened her eyes, she saw herself in an ankle-length skirt and a long-sleeve top. In a style she recognizes as the Base Witch transformation. She choked on a sob, sinking to her knees in horror.

Everyone at Alfea was right.

She was nothing but a witch.

"A pair of wings on your back doesn't make you any less of a witch."

Everything Iorda had always known was falling through her fingers. She'd no longer have the role of the Fairy of Dark Arts that had been one of the few constants she'd had throughout her life.

And most of all, she thinks the Winx will leave her if they knew.

Iorda believes—due to self-hatred and the opinions of everyone at Alfea—that without her role, she is nothing. All the effort she put toward accepting herself was gone.

She buries everything that reminds her that her time as a fairy is finite.

Negative emotions? Burried. The chances of telling anyone besides Faragonda about the flashes? Burried. Psychic magic? Burried.

And she doesn't want to be reminded of how she's becoming more like Darcy each day. But it's less of a problem with Darcy, and more so that Darcy's a witch. Iorda is horrified at the possibility of becoming a witch.

Iorda ended up cutting her ankle-length hair to shoulder length, not wanting to be reminded of what she was becoming every time she looked in the mirror.

Throughout this season, she continues to hide all of this from the Winx. She forces herself to use positive emotions because she knows that if she does that, her transition from a fairy to a witch would take longer. She will prolong it as much as she can.

She also learns that a few days after the Flash—the transition between the fairy and witch transformation—it's difficult for her to use magic, let alone transform.

When the Trix come back and the Winx run into them in the Star Case, Iorda doesn't feel that need to vengence anymore. She buried it deep down where she doesn't have to address it.

When all the Winx go to Melody for the dance competition, Iorda notices that one of the Trix is missing from the scene. She also knows that Musa is going to visit her dad.

Iorda suspects that Darcy was off plotting to do something to Musa, and she tells the Winx to handle things at the dance competition while she goes to see if Musa is okay.

But two days before, Iorda had a Flash from Charmix to Gloomix.

What does that mean?

Her magic won't respond as well as it needed to.

Iorda confronts Darcy at Musa's house, and the two fight. Iorda realizes that she has made a brutal mistake. Her magic is barely working, and when it does, she is only able to throw a weak sphere of two that barely phase Darcy.

Iorda ended up getting frozen by one of Darcy's spells, and she did her best to continue to glare at the witch through her unease. Darcy is very irritated about being sent to Limbo and how Iorda had almost killed her twice during the fight while the Trix and Iorda had Shiftix, but she is also mildly amused that Iorda was finally using negative emotions.

Darcy takes her time with taunting Iorda, repeating her words from season two: "A pair of wings on your back doesn't make you any less of a witch."

Iorda is also irritated at Darcy, whose words only remind her of the Flashes. But Iorda lets herself be bitter to the witch during the conversation/banter/verbal jabs—just as sarcastic and temperamental as she was during the first year.

Iorda can be a henious bitch around Darcy.

Because even though the two of them are enemies, Iorda doesn't have to put up a mask around the witch. Darcy had seen more of Iorda's true self that day than the Winx had seen for a few weeks.

Iorda ended up getting mind-controlled by Darcy—she'd normally be able to block it through a psychic barrier, but without having any control over her magic, it's easy for Darcy to do so.

Somehow, Iorda feels at peace.

Maybe Darcy would see the thoughts Iorda had of the Flashes.

Maybe one person would know...

Maybe that'd make Iorda feel less disgusted with herself...

Iorda tries to attack Musa while in that state, but she breaks herself out of it. She has a natural resistance to Darcy's psychic magic, and her control over her magic came back in a little 'fluke.' One of several 'flukes' she'd have of her magic that day until her full control returned.

Later that season, when there was only one Prime Star left, the Winx and Iorda made their way to Diamond. She ended up getting separated from the Winx briefly, only to run into Sky on a snowy hillside.

Iorda assisted Sky is saving the fox—Sapphire, though none of them knew who the fox was—before her eyes landed on the Trix who were hovering in the sky.

Iorda knew something was off. Because the Trix weren't attacking her. It would be the perfect opportunity to finish her off, but they weren't attacking. Icy seemed hurt internally for some reason, with her eyes on the fox.

Iorda tried to convince Sky, "to leave the damn fox alone istg." She also knew that she and Sky would be outnumbered against the Trix, so she didn't want to tell him the Trix were there.

But did Sky leave the damn fox alone? No.

Iorda transports back as Icy attacks Sky, and he falls into a ravine. She sighed to herself, wondering why she even tried to convince this idiot to leave the fox before transforming into Crystal Sirenix to save him.

Later, Iorda ended up running into the Trix while they are following Sapphire. She overhears the conversation that Icy has with Darcy and Stormy while crouched behind a snowbank. Iorda listens to Icy's story about Diamond, and when Sapphire leads them to the Prime Star, Iorda doesn't follow.

She realizes that Icy is human through all the villainy.

Icy saving her sister is more important.

Iorda trusts that she and the Winx will win anyway.

But most of all...

This is her way of letting go of all her resentment towards the Trix and all that they are. Because maybe if Iorda does that, then she can learn to eventually accept that she is becoming a witch.

The Trix assist the Winx in defeating Valtor before disappearing.

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Snow, Shadow, and Storm: My fic, post-season 8

The Winx have returned to their royal duties or guardian fairy duties. Iorda is staying at Alfea, because even though the is the guardian fairy of the three dark prisons (Omega, Obsidion—destroyed, and Oblivion) there are not enough breakouts for her to have to visit very often.

But she wondered where the Trix had gone.

Maybe it was because of concern that she reached out for Darcy telepathetically, or maybe it was because, deep down, Iorda needed to know that they were still alive.

She was more similar to them than she cared to admit.

Darcy communicates back, as she and her sisters were in the forests of Magix being chased by the Shaman Witch after Icy had dragged the three of them to Diamond. Darcy, although not sure if Iorda would listen to them, asks Iorda to come quickly.

Iorda helps the Trix reach Alfea, and soon, the Winx and Faragonda are told about the Shaman Witch. Faragonda tells them that they must journey to Oscurita, the Dark World—where Arcadia and Notani, the first fairy and witch, defeated the Shaman Witch centuries ago—to defeat the Shaman Witch, who likely came to the Magical Demension through a rift that formed between their world and Oscurita.

Faragonda also tells the Winx and Trix that to defeat the Shaman Witch they must achieve a transformation called Inseimix, which both faries and witches could earn.

But to do so, they have to move past the thing holding them back.

Iorda knows her past holds her back; all the horrors she's experienced, and she is fearful that she'll have to face all of that all over again.

They all go into Oscurita, and they set up camp for the night. Iorda is the one keeping guard. She is watching the grass around them, on edge for conflict. But then she hears some footsteps behind her.

Darcy ends up being the one who approaches Iorda.

Darcy gives an apology of sorts as she feels guilty, skirting around the words, but Iorda simply nods and says with a kind nod, "I get it." Darcy ends up offering to stay on guard so that Iorda can get some sleep, and Iorda soon agrees and goes back to her tent.

Iorda doesn't despise the Trix, because once again, she's learning that the three of them are human. She has too much on her mind to think about hating them anyway. She accepts that they will be around, and she doesn't mind Darcy's presence.

This is the beginning of healing between the two of them, though things are still tense after this. Years can't be healed in one night.

A while later, another time they go to Oscurita, the Winx and the Trix end up in a stone pavilion with three doorways that show the past, present, and future.

Iorda goes around the doorways. She winces when she walks in front of the one showing her past, turning her head away from it when it begins showing some of her worst moments in her past. The doorway showing her future isn't any better because although she can't see what's going on, she sees that there are no wings on her back; this was when she would fully become a witch.

Iorda can tell her time is running out.

During a battle against Aria, Sona, and Dagi—three agents of the Shaman Witch—Iorda absorbs the poisonous spores Sona throws at them. This is a skill she has as the Fairy of Dark Arts, but it becomes almost painful for her to do as Sona keeps using the same attack. But she is forcing herself to use positive emotions; she is still a fairy.

Darcy ends up falling to the ground after Aria casts a spell of sorts that transports the two of them into Darcy's mind. Icy asks Iorda if she can do anything, and Iorda follows them into Darcy's mind.

Iorda ended up transporting in right before Darcy was about to take a potion Aria handed her—one to get rid of all her guilt-inducing memories when it would just end up killing her. Iorda tries to convince Darcy not to take the potion.

That evening, Iorda speaks to Faragonda privately about the Flahses again and returns the book about Changing Classes. And Iorda knows that she needs to tell Bliss, her bonded pixie. Because when she becomes a witch, the bond will break between them. Iorda cries when telling Bliss, accepting a negative reaction, but Bliss reassured her that she's still Iorda's friend even though she's becoming a witch.

After this, Darcy sends a message to Iorda on her cell phone, asking if she is okay. Darcy had noticed how worn Iorda was after absorbing Sona's poisonous spores and could tell something was wrong. Iorda didn't tell her about the Flahses but just said it was something she was having trouble accepting.

Iorda, after the messages, goes to meet the Winx and the Trix in the archives. While researching about the Shaman Witch Stella accidentally finds the book Changing Classes, and she, Tecna, Icy, and Darcy flip through the book while Iorda does her best to stay calm.

Tecna questions Iorda, making a quip about when Iorda transformed into Shiftix. Iorda laughs at that, reassuring her that it was a one-time thing and that it was never going to happen again. Stella and Tecna believe her, but Icy and Darcy end up having a private conversation about what happened.

Icy tries to convince Darcy to talk to Iorda about changing classes and also about Zenothe—how Darcy accidentally cursed her planet as a child, which left suffocating guilt and self-hatred in her.

When Icy and Darcy walk back to the dorm they share with the Winx, they are surprised to find out that Stormy had suspected Iorda was becoming a witch since she transformed into Shftix in the first place.

That night, when everyone was asleep in the dorms, Iorda felt a sharp pain where her wings would be. She tried not to cry out as she raced out of the dorm and to the forest of Alfea, transforming in and out of Enchantix until she lost her wings. She cries to herself, curling her legs into her body as she sits against a tree.

She feels horrible.

The Winx would leave her if they knew.

She knows that.

But she also feels like she's been such a burden for years that there are more important things for the Winx to worry about. Iorda thinks that the Winx don't need to know because everyone is too busy fighting the Shaman Witch.

Iorda, crying in the clearin,g had been found by Darcy, who knew about everything. Iorda feels fearful that Darcy knows—Icy and Stormy, too—and that the Winx don't know, and that she'll be abandoned.

Darcy comforted her, resting an arm over Iorda's shoulder after making sure the touch was welcome. She says that the Winx won't leave and that she won't be alone.

The two of them walk back to Alfea together, and after Iorda talks about Almah and that she didn't tell Iorda that transforming into Shiftix would lead to this, Darcy says that Almah hardly sounds like a good mentor. Iorda begins to doubt how much Almah really cared about her.

Iorda also talks about how she never really had time to address anything, and with support from Darcy, she addresses the memory when she got her wings frozen off in season 6 for the first time in years instead of burying it.

The next day, Iorda receives another message from Darcy. Stormy had spoken with Faragonda about having an intervention for her sisters and Iorda, because to gain Inseimix, they'll have to move past their 'mortal enemies' and 'magical balance' relationship with each other.

Iorda is anxious at first at the idea of the intervention, but she knows that it might help. She tells Musa about it and is surprised at Musa's positive reaction, which soothes Iorda's fear over her friends leaving her.

In the intervention in Alfea forest, Iorda settles into the discussion easier than she thought. She even makes a quip here and there, feeling more at ease and like herself than she had in a while. The Trix knows she's becoming a witch—and they don't bring the likely painful topic up—so Iorda can just... exist.

But after Sona (who lived after the attack) sends spores upon the clearing, Iorda tries to create a barrier to block the poisonous spores. She almost panics when she realizes that she can't transform into Cosmix, but she still manages to cast the barrier spell.

Icy and Stormy had fallen unconscious from the spores (Darcy having a resistance because of psychic magic) and Iorda yells at Darcy to run. Darcy protests, but Iorda says that, "I've been okay up until now, and I'll always be okay!"

Darcy leaves with her sisters only to come back seconds later when Iorda falls unconscious and starts reliving all the painful moments of her past as a result of the spores. Darcy and Stormy take Icy and Iorda to Alfea.

In a trance, Iorda sees the Shaman Witch in her mind. The Shaman Witch tries to convince Iorda to help her kill the Trix, because as their balance, Iorda is an asset to her.

But Iorda wouldn't betray the Trix like that.

Not after how Darcy had comforted her in the clearing, and not after the intervention where she felt so at ease.

Iorda goes through all her worst moments again as if she's possessing her past body in the trance for a few seconds later. As she goes through all the moments, she just wants one of them to kill her, and she wonders if she will die after this. She feels hopeless.

After reliving all her worst memories, she is still in her mind. She sobs, shuddering on her knees. She feels like she shouldn't be alive. She went through all of that, and yet, somehow, she wasn't dead.

She screams:

“PLEASE! WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE THIS? I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING!”

But then she begins to see figures of the Winx. They tell Iorda that she betrayed them when she let the Trix get the Prime Star on Diamond, that she deserves to die, and that she's a witch.

“You’re disgusting".

“Witch.”

“You don’t deserve to get out of here.”

“Just die.”

“Useless.”

“You’re nothing but a witch.”

Iorda begs the Winx to trust her, but her pleas are useless.

Iorda was shivering on her knees, quietly sobbing. The Winx had left her. She hates this. She wondered why she couldn't just be the perfect Fairy of Dark Arts without messing up.

The Shaman Witch appears again and speaks to Iorda about reconcidering to kill the Trix again. The Shaman Witch asks Iorda about her main emotion, and when Iorda says, "fulfilment," the Shaman Witch corrects Iorda: "Vengence."

The Shaman Witch tries to convince Iorda that siding with her would give her a way to fuel her main and natural emotion of vengeance. She could hurt those who did her wrong. But then Iorda begins to hear three voices yelling at her from outside the trance: her body in the infurmury of Alfea.

First, Musa: “Iorda, come on! We all love you, and we’ve loved you for years, okay? If you’re becoming a witch, that won’t change things!”

Then, Flora: “We’re the Winx Club, Iorda. Forever. Just… Please, all of us are worried. It wouldn’t be the same w-without you…”

And then, finally, Darcy: “Don’t let this be the thing that kills you, Iorda… Not after everything. And… Fairy or witch, or both, you… You have a place here.”

Iorda realizes that Musa and Flora know that she's becoming a witch, and yet they're still here. And she let's herself feel that itch of the need of vengeance, but directs it at the Shaman Witch: the Trix weren't the ones who made her re-live all her worst moments.

Iorda gains Inseimix and wakes up from the coma. She ends up telling the Winx that she's becoming a witch, and they accept her with open arms. That evening, in the middle of the night on the Alfea balcony, she has a discussion with Icy about how strange using negative emotions after all this time feels, how much lighter Iorda feels.

It's as if she suddenly feels as free as she did during her first year at Cloud Tower, and she doesn't quite know how to navigate feeling so different. At first, it feels like she's completely another body.

Like all the years she lived as the 'perfect fairy' had been a lie.

The Winx, Trix, and Iorda go back into Oscurita the next day to track Cloud Tower. Iorda has a discussion with Bloom about her struggles with feeling like herself now, and yet feeling completely separate from the person she's been for the past several years.

Iorda, after the group had split up, tries to track Cloud Tower using her psychic magic that she hadn't used in years. It is even harder to try when she's still learning to not be uneasy when using the need for vengeance to feed her magic. Darcy helps her, and after a discussion about Darcy's past, the two embrace as Darcy cries out her emotions.

When inside Cloud Tower, Iorda tries to help out in the infurmury with the sick witches. They had been attacked by Sona, who is still alive. Iorda panics when she finds out she can't use positive emotions at all, and her she feels useless as she storms out of the infirmry.

She is comforted by Darcy once again, and Iorda eventually calms down. The two of them spot Sona, and Iorda goes to kill her. She is accepting her need for vengeance, and she understands now, deep down, that she is more of a witch than a fairy. She always was. Iorda ended up killing Sona, and after she did, Musa embraced her.

Iorda felt accepted and, for once, happy.

But when the group goes back to Alfea they get an alert from Nifea, saying that there is a danger in Pixie village. Once arriving there, they find out that the Shaman Witch had killed several Pixies to find one with a pure positive magic in order to further disbalance Ocurita and the Magical Demension.

Iorda finds the body of her bonded pixie—Bliss, the Pixie of Positivity—behind a rock, and is frozen as she cradles the body in her hands. Darcy has to pull the horrified and frozen Iorda away from Bliss.

That evening, the group has a morale-increasing 'party' in the dorm, thinking of ways to defeat the Shaman Witch. All of them are starting to lose hope, but that is the one thing they can't afford to do. At this point, the planet of Magix had been completely evacuated except for the group.

During the party, Iorda walks to the balcony to call Pyris—her girlfriend who had been on Whisperia for the past two months. Iorda tells Pyris about the 'becoming a witch' situation and how she has accepted it.

But Pyris shows clear annoyance at this. She tells Iorda that as the Fairy of Dark Arts, she has a job and that it should be her priority. Iorda is confused and betrayed, trying to tell Pyris how much she's struggled, but Pyris isn't hearing it. Iorda simply breaks up with Pyris over the phone, done and hurt by her bullshit.

Throughout the rest of the story, Iorda becomes more skilled in using negative emotions for her magic. She is still recovering from the grief of losing both Pyris and Bliss, but even with that grief weighing her down, she is smiling and joking more than she ever had.

After the Shaman Witch is defeated and there is a celebration at Alfea, Iorda finds Darcy just within Alfea forest, sitting against a tree. Iorda gives Darcy a drink, and the two of them talk about the possibility of reversing the curse on Zenothe. Iorda assures her that she'll help Darcy along the way, and Darcy thanks Iorda for being a good friend.

Iorda is surprised at this—friendship for witches has a much deeper and more personal meaning than for faries—but accepts it, because, throughout all of the pain, Darcy helped her accept herself.

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Trial, Truth, and Trust: My fic, post-season 8

After Show, Shadow, and Storm the Trix are put in a jury meeting with the Council of Magix—the Winx, Faragonda, Saladin, and Griffin are all present. During the trial, two of the Council members (Orue, and Isis) are unsure of the Trix and debate sending them to Omega, or even worse, Limbo.

Iorda vouches for the Trix, and it is decreed that if the Trix do something that proves their intentions are not pure that Iorda will face the sentence instead of them. Orue makes a jab at her, mentioning how since she is not able to be fully trusted considering she will no longer be the Fairy of Dark Arts for much longer.

In short, they will no longer have much control over her politically.

As the Fairy of Dark Arts, Iorda had been obligated to fight against all evil that threatened the Magic Dimension. But now that she is becoming closer and closer to becoming a witch, there is no longer that obligation. Orue especially is unsure about having a powerful magic user such as Iorda—one with the dark magic of Liliss, no less—without him having any control.

After the trial, the Winx had gone back to their planets for royal duties or guardian fairy duties. Icy is busy bonding with her family again, but Stormy, Darcy, and Iorda are busy researching ways to reverse the curse on Zenothe; Darcy's planet.

Darcy also continues to help Iorda regain a hold of her magic, mainly the psychic side of her magic because of how long Iorda had refused to use it. The two of them continue to grow closer, and there is no doubt of how close they are as friends. Iorda had tried to reach out to her family on Earth after not contacting them for years (in order to protect them), but then her mom and dad said that they never wanted to talk or see her again. Darcy comforts Iorda during this time.

Iorda uses Musa's Enchantix key to bring Darcy and Stormy into the Hall of Enchantments (Musa had given it to her) and the three of them find a tomb with a powerful curse-reversing object: The Net of Blessings.

The Net of Blessings is a creation that many of the planets tried to create after the Great Dragon settled down on Domino and disappeared; to replicate the Great Dragon's magic. This failed, but they managed to create a magic net that had the power to reverse the most powerful of curses.

It requires objects (simple ones) from fifteen planets, representing the first planets that were created by the Great Dragon. Iorda notifies the Winx, and the fairies agree to help in a week, as Musa has some dangers to fight in Melody, and Aisha has a royal meeting to attend.

When the Winx arrive back to Alfea (along with Icy, who came back from Diamond) they also run into both the Specialists and the Nyx—Iorda's group of friends from Cloud Tower she met when she studied there when she first arrived in Magix, and her ex, Pyris.

Iorda is unhappy to see Pyris, especially after they had broken up over the phone halfway through Snow, Shadow, and Storm. Pyris had said that Iorda was being selfish because she so longer wanted to fight against dangers until she dropped, and Iorda realized that Pyris cared about the Fairy of Dark Arts than who she actually was.

Iorda is pleasant with Pyris, but for the most part, ignores her. She is glad to see Mirta, Lucina, and Nith; and the three of them are totally fine with the Trix's presence. Pyris makes her distaste for the three witches clear.

Iorda and Pyris have an argument. Pyris is, in short, pissed that Iorda had grown so close with the Trix; specifically Darcy. Iorda tells Pyris that the Trix sure supported her more than she ever had, and Pyris storms off back to her home planet; Whisperia.

Riven is unsure over trusting Darcy—not showing disdain—but Musa reassures him that, one, she gets along well with Darcy well enough, and two, that Iorda and Darcy have grown close and they have both helped each other a lot in the past. Riven, who is close with Iorda, decides that he can trust Darcy.

The Winx, Trix, Specialists, and the Nyx (excluding Pyris) go across several planets to help find the fifteen items that would craft the Net of Blessings. Iorda is having flashes between fairy and witch forms more often, and so, she has less control over her magic.

While the groups travel across planets, strange things begin to happen. Monsters start appearing to cause chaos, things begin to get cursed, and those events are pinned on the Trix; many people do not trust them because of their past crimes.

On Erakleon, a crazed creature attacks the Queen. Iorda does her best to calm down the creature, but the night before she had gone from Sirenix to Dark Sirenix in a flash, so her control over her magic is minimal. One of her stray attacks almost hits the queen, and Erendor makes his fury and distrust of Iorda clear after the creature is defeated.

Iorda feels deeply ashamed as all of the group bowed in front of King Erendor and Queen Amara, and she steps forward to do her best to apologize. Her head is bowed as she tries to put on a front of composure when in reality, she feels like tearing herself apart from her shame and her anger that Erendor is not hearing her out.

While the group is trying to gather the items to create the Net of Blessings, the Winx and Trix stay at Alfea to do research for the items and to find out who is causing these disturbances on the planets.

Eventually, it is revealed that Pyris was behind the disturbances on the planet. She had done it to pin those events on the Trix, because she still hates them deeply. A hooded figure had tried to kill Icy in her sleep, but Iorda had stopped them. She recognized the person as Pyris, and so, Iorda confronted Pyris in the forest of Magix alone.

Pyris gets arrested, but some of the events of the book are still pinned onto Iorda and the Trux. And because Iorda vouched for the Trix, she is the one who takes the sentence of getting sent to Light Rock monastery for three months. Iorda agrees, as long as she gets a day to do something she has to finish.

At this point of the book, Darcy has collected all of the items she needs to craft the Net of Blessings except form Omegan Blood Ice. Iorda cares that Darcy gets to reverse the curse on her planet, and she isn't about to break her promise to a friend.

Iorda goes to the Omega dimension (still the Guardian Fairy of the Three Dark Prisons, even though she is becoming closer to becoming a witch) and gets one of the ice snakes to help her fine blood ice. She manages to lose her last pair of wings in Omega, and it is only because of chance timing.

Iorda comes back from Omega and goes back to the entrance of Alfea. The Winx, Trix, Nyx, and the Specialists are all waiting for her there. But templars from Light Rock monetary are also waiting for Iorda to take her to her three-month sentence.

Iorda wishes them all a goodbye, but when she reaches Darcy she gives the witch the Blood Ice from Omega. Darcy is surprised, and deeply appreciative that Iorda's last thing she wanted to do was to make sure the curse on Zenothe was reversed.

Both Iorda and Darcy realize that their feelings are running deeper than friendship, and so they share a hug and a kiss before Iorda is taken away to Light Rock.

But now that Iorda is a full witch, a familiar spirit looms...

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Flash, Friend, and Foe: My fic, post-season 8

Iorda's time in Light Rock isn't anything to speak about, and if anything, she enjoys the peace. After those three months, she returns back to Magix, and then she starts to built her connections again.

Iorda and Darcy are unsure about addressing the kiss. Darcy doesn't think she'd be a good person romantically and is suffering from self-hatred. Iorda doesn't trust that life will go well for her in life, and dopesn't want Darcy to suffer as a result of that.

The first half of this book is very much a slice of life. Iorda and Darcy begin to fall in love, the Trix help train Iorda now that she is a full witch, and the Winx and Specialists bond with the Trix further.

Faries at Alfea have heard of the Trix's return (and Iorda's growing negative reputation) and one of them chooses to make that clear: Alyssa, one of the senior fairies who made her distaste of Iorda clear back at the beginning of season 8.

One day, the Winx and Trix are sitting having lunch at Alfeal Alyssa and her two friends approach the table.

Iorda does her best to remain composed, trying to ignore her disdain towards Alyssa. Alyssa proceeds to teasingly make jabs towards them but then moves to insulting Iorda.

Iorda ends up leaving because some of the insults cut too deep.

But halfway through the book Iorda begins to seem more angry and bitter than usual on some occasions. As if she is not herself. The reason for this is that when Iorda became a full witch, Liliss had possessed her.

The Ancestral Witches were able to remain in the world of the living through their connection with the Trix, but after Magical Adventure, that connection was broken off. But when Iorda became a full witch, a new connection formed between Liliss and her that managed to keep the Ancestor present in the world of the living.

No one notices the possession until one day, Liliss gains control of Iorda enough to convince her to go to Rockaluche George. Iorda almost—while under the control of Liliss—steps forward into the geroge until Tecna and Icy stop her after they realize something is wrong.

It is now clear that Iorda had been possessed by Liliss, but not yet fully. They agree to continue to research about how Liliss managed to do so the next day. But that night, Liliss threatens Iorda to come to Ovrum—saying that if she doesn't do so, that Liliss will possess her and force her to kill those she loves.

Iorda goes to Ovrum in the dead of night. She is scares that Liliss will force her to hurt the Winx, Trix, and most of all Darcy. But deep down she also wonders if with Liliss' control over her she would be able to get revenge of Orue and Alyssa; that natural need for revenge inside her itching in her gut.

While possessed, Iorda first kills Orue and many others in the Council Building. She is primarily under Liliss' control during this. Then, she goes to Alfea to kill Alyssa. She is partially regaining some of her control, and stabs her hand to try to stop herself from killing Alyssa, but she ends up killing her before leaving.

Iorda retreats to Ovrum again, panicing. She's trying to get Liliss out of her head. Yes, she wanted revenge, but she didn't want blood on her hands. She's trying to calm herself down before the Winx & Trix arrive, and at this point, she is all Liliss.

Liliss has a vendetta against a specific someone, and being in a vessel that runs on venegence would be an opperuntiy she could not ignore. Darcy had betrayed Liliss the moment she resisted getting possessed on Ovrum all those years ago, and when she started being 'the perfect weopan' of a decendant.

Liliss, fully possessing Iorda's body, transports to Zenothe to attempt to kill Darcy's mothers. Iorda briefly breaks out of the spell, telling Darcy's mothers to run, before fighting against the Winx & Trix. Liliss/Iorda loses the fight, and soon Liliss is banished, though Iorda is ridden with guilt.

During this time, Iorda is trying to reassure herself that what happened was not her fauilt. She and Darcy are trying to heal the rift of distrust that formed in their relationship, conciderinh Darcy's deep-rooted fear of Liliss from her past.

Griffin offers a job for Iorda to teach at Cloud Tower, because no one at Alfea shows any pleasntry with Iorda after she had killed Alyssa while possessed by Liliss. Iorda is accepted by the students of Cloud Tower—in the Basic Withcraft 101 class—and feels as though maybe things can go okay for her.

Several months later, Iorda is alone in the appartment she shares with Darcy. Almah, who after all these years regained enough energy to be a powerful enough spirit to cast spells, appears in front of Iorda and demands that she forces herself through a ritual to sever her magic and soul from her body. Iorda, in the eyes of Almah, is no longer fit to be the Fairy of Dark Arts as a witch, and so, must pass the power on when she dies.

Iorda is blackmailed into the ritual, Almah putting five strangers into a trance-like state while threatening to kill them if Iorda went too slow or took defied her. Iorda is forced to cut runes into her own skin, drink a potion made with the blood of one of the strangers.

The Winx & Trix soon arrive (Iorda had left Darcy a subtle hint that something was wrong, by leaving one of the water opal crystals they had out of the dish; aka, bad idea because they can crack like that) and trap Almah in a magic box. Iorda is trembling with blood soaked in her hair, on edge and frightened, before she collapses into Darcy's arms.

Iorda is taken back to Alfea into the infurmury, and she feels sick to her stomach. Nothing will ever go well for her. She killed people while possesed by Liliss, and because of her not being good enough, Almah killed five strangers with families and lives of thier own. Iorda, while left alone in the infurmry briefly, tries to end her life using a scalple on the table next to her got. Darcy comes into the room at the right time and stops her, gripping Iorda's hand away from her neck.

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

New Beginnings: My fic, post-season 8

Basically, everything that comes after earlier events. Iorda learns to heal, Darcy heals.

Slice of life and happiness for all.

[soylent-crocodile]

Howling Banshee (Prestige Class)

(Howling Banshee by LordVishenka)

(This was by far the easiest aspect shrine to convert to PF1; they're defined as nimble terror troops that use 40k's ill-treated morale rules. Dexterity-based intimidate class. Done.)

Howling banshees are the other aspect shrine of the Asuryani focused on melee combat, along with the striking scorpions. In many ways they are opposites; where striking scorpions favor stealth and power, howling banshees storm into battle as a screaming wall of blades and noise. They are designed to terrify their enemies and strike hard and fast, crippling the foes of the Asuryani before they can even react.

Notably, gender in Asuryani society is fluid and tied to the role one is in rather than ascribed to some physical quality. All howling banshees are women; this is not because they only admit women, but because to be a howling banshee is to be a woman. Striking scorpions, similarly, all use he/him pronouns.

Role: Howling banshees are the terror troops and nimble warriors, capable of weaving through combat to spread fear and bloodshed. Alignment: Like most aspect shrines, howling banshees abhor chaos and so are rarely chaotic. HD: d10

Prerequisites

Race: Must have the Elf subtype Stats: Dex 15 Skills: Intimidate 5 Feats: Weapon Finesse, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Asuryani) Other: Must be inducted into a howling banshee shrine.

Skills

A howling banshee gets 2+Int mod skills per level. A howling banshee’s class skills are Acrobatics (Dex), Climb (Str), Intimidate (Cha), Sense Motive (Wis), and Swim (Str)

Weapon and Armor Proficiency

A howling banshee is proficient with light and medium armor.

Banshee Mask

A howling banshee is gifted a banshee mask, a grotesque tool of terror holy to the Asuryani. This weapon is specially crafted for her; all other creatures treat it as having the broken condition, and it If the weapon already has the broken condition, it does not work at all for anyone else trying to use it. This weapon can only be sold for scrap (it’s worth 4d10 gp when sold). 

Banshee’s Wail (Ex)

When a howling banshee deals slashing damage with a melee weapon, she may make an intimidate check to demoralize her target as a free action. If she is successful, the target is shaken for a number of rounds equal to the damage dealt. If her attack was a critical hit, the target is additionally frightened for one round.

First to the Fight (Ex)

A howling banshee adds her charisma modifier to her Initiative, at a minimum of +0.

Intimidating Finesse (Ex)

At level 2, a howling banshee adds her dexterity modifier to her intimidate checks in addition to her charisma modifier. This bonus does not stack with the bonus granted by the feat Intimidating Prowess.

Backflip (Ex)

At level 2, a howling banshee is exceedingly nimble and agile. She ignores the penalty to jumping without a running start and halves the DC to make high jumps.

Graceful Avoidance (Ex)

Creatures with the shaken condition cannot make attacks of opportunity against howling banshees of level 3 or greater.

Piercing Strikes (Ex)

A level 4 howling banshee’s blows are perfectly timed to take advantage of the cowering of fearful enemies. When attacking a shaken enemy, she may apply her dexterity modifier to damage rolls when making a melee attack with light weapons and weapons with the finesse special quality. She also adds her dexterity bonus to trip, disarm, and reposition checks in addition to her strength bonus against such enemies. This bonus does not stack with the Agile Maneuvers. feat

Banshee Blade

At level 5, a howling banshee becomes an exarch, a respected and feared member of their aspect shrine who has lost herself to the craft and is gifted a +3 Thundering banshee blade. This weapon is specially crafted for her; all other creatures treat it as having the broken condition, and it If the weapon already has the broken condition, it does not work at all for anyone else trying to use it. This weapon can only be sold for scrap (it’s worth 4d10 gp when sold).

-

Banshee Mask Technological Item Price: 10,000gp Weight: 4lbs Slot: Head The wielder of this mask gains a +5 bonus to intimidate checks. Additionally, as a standard action the wielder may make an earsplitting shriek, dealing 5d6 sonic damage to one target within 60ft, will save for half. The save is equal to 8+the wielder’s ranks in Intimidate.

Banshee Blade Exotic Weapon Price: 100gp Type: Two-handed Melee Proficiency: Exotic Weapon (Asuryani) Damage: 1d8/1d10 Critical: x3 Range: Melee Type: S Weight: 6lbs Special: Finesse, Reach The banshee blade is an eldritch curved weapon that was designed specifically for the fighting style of the howling banshees. It is uniquely precise among polearms and incredibly difficult to find, granted only to the most powerful of Asuryani warriors.

[blueopinions49]

Enneagram 7 Subtypes Explained

Social 7 "Sacrifice"

Similar to SO6 the SO7 craves happiness through the formation and progression of social circles. The social 7 finds true enjoyment in life through the understanding of community and friendships. Social 7s can have a wide or a small desire for this type of enjoyment. Some so7 will have small circles who they keep close in order to find enjoyment. While some others will have a general overview of people and the need to share their enjoyment of life with them. Whether it is by improving their social and emotional well being or just being a good friend to others. And IMO they are the most extroverted of the types in the enneagram. This subtype can look like a 9 (but more assertive and focus on immediate enjoyment)

Characters: Jayce tallis, Ashoka Tano, Tony Stark, Elena, Mabel Pines, Aang, Buffy Summers and Spongebob.

Self Preservation 7 "Family"

Unlike the So7 the Sp7 is all about self enjoyment and indulgence. This subtype is described as the most gluttonous of the type 7. This is usually due to their constant need to feel pleasure and avoid distaste or discomfort in life. These 7s have a 3ish look to them to their obsession with easy fast results, assertiveness and luxury. However, a clear distinction to take into consideration is the root of the desire of luxury. The Sp7 looks at luxury as something they simply enjoy. Luxury permits the SP7 to have a broad taste for the things that brings them joy. While the 3s desire for luxury is more about symbolism and promotion of the self.

Characters: Satoru Gojo, Flynn Ryder, Gabrielle Sollis, Agatha Harkness, Wallace Wells, Deadpool, Jessica Riley and Fleabag

Sexual 7 "Fascination"

To the SX7 the idealization of romance comes from the rush of happiness and excitement from falling in love. This subtype in specific focuses on the millions of possibilities there are to live in a romantic relationship. For them finding this partner and understanding the possibilities and the different factions of their personality comes first. To SX7 the enjoyment of love and inter personality comes first and foremost. This subtype tends to look like a SX8 due to their assertive approach to romance or a SX9 due to their desire for connection with another.

Characters: Utena Tenjou, Carrie Bradhshaw, Stiles Stilnski, Lucy Gray Baird, Scott Pilgrim, Beast Boy, Ariel and Roger the alien.

[howlsofbloodhounds]

Killer’s persona is exaggerated and over the top, with performative or extreme actions and reactions, but in reality he feels little to nothing.

A lot of this is also rooted in what I know of Killer and NM. Killer’s relationship with Nightmare mirrors the dynamic between someone with HPD and a manipulative ATP. With Nightmare, Killer constantly exaggerates his abilities and behavior to gain attention, seeking recognition and validation (through conditioning as well) . He is also easily manipulated by Nightmare, whose awareness of Killer’s emotional insecurities plays into his suggestibility.

In terms of HPD, Killer most closely aligns with the Theatrical subtype.

There’s also this weight of having HPD in which your subconscious actions to gain the attention of others and to feel something deeper than you do (which contributes to why you act performatively) don’t align with your wants or needs

Also, this reading is deeply rooted in my personal experience as a pwHPD and having a sibling with HPD so some of it I can't get into

I see major parts of myself in multiple of his presentations

I'm struggling so much to put this into words but I hope some of the point is getting there

There's also so much to talk about it's difficult lol

Ooh that’s an interesting take.

If we go with the “canon” stuff rahafwabas has drawn of killer and nightmare, I’ve always believed that killer seeks to avoid nightmares attention unless it benefits him to have it (or he can control when he has it), because he does things like sweat, grimace, and attempt to lean away somewhat when Nightmare touches him, flirts with him, or talks to him—and sweats when talking about or thinking about Nightmare, at least in Stage 2.

(Although very important to remember to that, when in Stage 2, Killer has said that he does “kinda miss that guy,” even when he’s seems somewhat aware that Nightmare uses him.)

But that’s an interesting take too. I personally don’t think Killer wants Nightmare’s attention or recognition, or even gets jealous whenever someone else has it, it’s more like he needs it to ensure that he won’t be deemed useless and discarded and replaced soon—needing the validation that he’s still useful enough to be allowed to exist.

And of course, whenever he wants to feel real—through pain, and feeling that sense of power and control if he can convince himself he has a say in when or how he is suffering.

I get what you mean about these things sometimes being hard to put into words. If you ever want to share more thoughts, my inbox is always open and im always willing to listen. 🙏

[mistype360]

How can you tell the differences of a social 4, self preservation 4, and sexual 4?

so4: cares more about others emotions. romanticizes his pain the most. expressive, often through their style or appearance. has trust issues. more outgoing. has a low self-esteem, often with a victim complex. like an e9, tries to avoid conflict. acts kind and caring as a result. still very empathetic. but when in conflict, will act passive-aggressive. also lazy like an sp9. may complain a lot. seeks sympathy from others. feels shameful. can be mistyped as an e6.

sp4: least envious. more tolerant of emotions. "hoards" objects and experiences. strong sense of justice. often loving, and cares for others. very "masochistic." feels like they have to be "tough," and wants to be loved as a result. never feels like they are enough. keeps struggles and emotions to self. may often appear as a 1. wishes they were more like others. prone to self isolation.

sx4: feels "misunderstood." the most humorous, extravagant, and histrionic of the subtypes. most focused on uniqueness of the subtypes. has emotional swings between feeling "depressed" and feeling "euphoric." affected by hardship/failure quickly. can resemble an sx2 or 8. most commonly mistaken as a 3 or 7. struggles with shame, and acts "shameless" as a result. treats feelings as if they are more important than others. competitive mindset (towards resources, relationships, and love), says what's on their mind, blunt. wants to be respected and admired, but often struggles to achieve it.

[cripplecharacters]

What are your thoughts on people making random characters albino (especially regardless of their race, even if they aren't black? Would it count as fetishizing under certain ways?

I've heard that albinism can appear in any race group, but I'd just like to know how you view just random characters casually having albinism (even without it being sexualized for fetishized)

Hey!

Casual representation is great. Not just albinism, but disability in general. You don't always have to go into complicated details of "how's it like to be disabled". But just because it isn't meant to be a work about a certain condition doesn't mean you shouldn't do your diligent research - if by making random characters have albinism you mean giving them the "aesthetic" and nothing besides that, it would be fetishization or at least just poor representation.

Also, for this answer I'll be talking about oculocutaneous albinism because I'm fairly sure that's what you were referring to, but please be aware that there are other types, like;

ocular albinism (has 3 different subtypes)

Heřmanský–Pudlák syndrome

Chédiak–Higashi syndrome

Griscelli syndrome

oculocutaneous albinism also has multiple (7) main subtypes, with some of them splitting further. You should take that into consideration as well when deciding on what kind of albinism your character(s) has. I'm not saying that you should write "X has oculocutaneous albinism, type OCA1b" in your book, but it will help to inform you what their needs and symptoms could be.

First thing I will mention is that the word "albino" is generally not the preferred term and you probably shouldn't use it unless you have albinism yourself. Here's a page on it by the National [USA] Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation or this post we reblogged recently.

To make sure that your representation works, you need to understand how albinism works. Even if it's a side or minor character, you should be aware of the symptoms other than just the lack of melanin. Prime example, the extreme majority of characters with albinism in media don't have any vision issues at all, which is not how it is in real life. If you make a character with albinism, you're making a character who is blind or low vision. It's important to research aids and assistive technology, as well as blindness tropes that your character could fall into. For a character that only shows up occasionally, it's still important to show things like a white cane, their light sensitivity, them having to avoid the sun.

If that's your approach to "making random characters be disabled" then you should be good. A lot of disabled characters end up boxed into specific tropes (for albinism: being evil, being emotionless, having magic powers, or being mystified because of their disability) so having e.g. a background character with albinism who has a regular job and shows up in the story from time to time would mitigate that. People with albinism are normal people.

It's true that a person of any race or ethnicity can have albinism! Some types of albinism are more common in certain demographics; for example, Heřmanský–Pudlák Syndrome appears much more frequently in Puerto Rico and OCA4 is almost exclusively seen in Japan, and oculocutaneous albinism is more common in sub-Saharan Africa as a whole (which is a giant area, but there's not much statistics about it). But your character could be of any background to have albinism in general.

In short, if the representation would end at "giving a character white skin, white hair and red eyes*" then it's more fetishistic than representative; that's just using the appearance but ignoring everything else. Keep in mind that it's a medical condition, not an aesthetic. If a character stops having albinism when they dye their hair, tan, and wear colored contacts, then that's just a character who happened to have light hair skin and eyes, not a person with albinism. Good representation of disability means showing the disabling parts of it - again, you don't have to go into detail about how it is to have albinism if the character shows up for two chapters, but show them navigating with a white cane.

*In real life, people with albinism don't have red eyes. I mention it because it shows up in media all the time. It just screams fetishization because it's not a thing - most people with albinism will have blue, gray, hazel, or brown eyes.

I hope that this helps - if you have a more specific question, feel free to send another ask. I also recommend going through our #albinism representation tag, it might answer some of the questions you might have.

mod Sasza

[inkyquill553]

Arcane Characters as Enneagram Types

I’m going to start analysing the main characters of Arcane based on their Enneagram types. This will be kind of a masterpost with links to each character because it will be LONG haha. I’m starting with Vi but I will hopefully get around the others soon!

Summary:

I’m sure lots of people have heard of the Enneagram before but for those who haven’t: the Enneagram is a personality typing system based on the idea that the emotional wounds received/messages internalised in childhood shape how a person behaves and thinks as an adult. Based on this, it determines that people fit into one of 9 core personality types.

It’s not super scientific and is probably not recognised as being genuine in most psychology circles but it’s fun to analyse which little personality box your favourite characters fit into!

Some enneagram basics:

There are 9 core types based on the core fear/message internalised in childhood. While your personality traits may shift slightly as you grow and change as a person, your internalised beliefs/messages from childhood (i.e. your core type) does not change.

Each of the 9 core types can be divided into three subtypes based on instinctual goals:

Self-preservation types: Focus on issues related to survival and material security. Direct energy towards safety, security, avoiding danger, and maintaining wellbeing.

Social types: Focus on issues related to belonging, recognition and relationships in social groups. Driven to “get along with the herd” but also can be driven to achieve power or social standing in a group

Sexual/One-to-One types: Focus on issues related to the quality and status of relationships with specific individuals. Direct their energy towards maintenance of one-to-one connections, interpersonal attraction and bonding.

All three instincts are present in all people, but one will be dominant and shape the specific way their core type is expressed. The dominant instinct can change throughout the course of a person’s life as their priorities change.

This creates 27 possible subtype personalities, for example someone could be a Type 9 (Social), or a Type 9 (Self-Preservation) etc.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Okay! With that out of the way, here is my analysis of some of the main characters in Arcane. This is just my opinion and I’m not an expert by any means. Click on the links for an in-depth analysis.

Vi: Type 8 (Social)

Powder/Jinx: Type 6 (Self-Preservation [Powder], then Sexual/One-to-One [Jinx])

Jayce: Type 3 (Social)

Viktor: Type 5 (Self-Preservation, then Social once fused with the Hexcore)