#awen writes

[felix-lupin]

Decided I should finally write a pinned post so have this.

Call me Felix! anu soweli Lupen ★ They/them, but he/him is ok too. ill use it for myself sometimes.

Partnering Aro ★ Asexual ★ Transmasc🏳️‍⚧️ ★ Masc + Neutral Nouns

My Ao3 is FelixLupin. I write when I feel like it and have time.

Art (& writing ig?) requests n stuff are open but I reserve the right to Take Forever or just Not.

If triggers are tagged they will be tagged with just the trigger and/or trigger tw when I remember (this is not very reliable though). So, e.g., #flashing or #flashing tw. mentions/discussions of things, if tagged, will just be tagged as the thing (so, "sex" rather than "sex mention")

Other stuff under the read more. Tags, fandoms, my banner id, other stuff

Status: 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️

(Status last edited: June 1st, 2024, 1:45 PM)

Last Edited (besides 'status'): October 21st, 2024 (fandoms + tags)

[banner ID: six drawings of Susie from Deltarune. (From left to right and top to bottom). The first is a full body drawing of her in her Darkworld form holding an axe over her shoulder. The second is a drawing of her head in her Lightworld form, with wide eyes and angrily proclaiming in all caps "I don't have a tail!!! Stop asking!". An arrow points towards her that says in all caps "Lying." The third is a head drawing of her in her Darkworld form, looking at the camera with a grin and a neutral pleased/knowing expression on her face. The fourth is a head drawing of her in her Darkworld form, face shaded and only one glowing eye showing while she angrily grins, appearing to snarl. The fifth is a full body drawing of her in her Darkworld form, doing the defense battle pose where she crosses two arms over her chest in an X shape. The sixth is a full body drawing of her in her Lightworld form, hands in her pockets and smiling neutrally. End ID.]

My Tags:

#animal arsenal = Animals!!! I will also usually tag it with whatever animal it is (the plural of the animal; so if it is a picture of a dog i will tag it #animal arsenal #dogs, and if it is a video of a crow I will tag it #animal arsenal #birds #crows) as well as the toki pona classification (soweli, waso, kijetesantakalu, akesi, etc.)

#art arsenal = Other peoples' (usually, but not always, specifically non-fandom) art. This includes writing. I will usually try to tag it with whatever kind of art it is as well (drawing, painting, writing, poetry).

#ask game! :3 = ask games

#ccccposting = my cccc posts tag bc i dont want to maintag it all the time

#classics = Pretty self-explanatory. Things I consider to be "tumblr classics"

#cotlposting = my cult of the lamb posts tag bc i dont want to maintag it all the time

#do queue think even the worst person can change…? = queue tag. i do not tag this reliably because i only really use it when xkit autotags it for me<2

#skyrimposting = my Skyrim tag

#felix artwolf = My art/drawing tag

#felixlupin.txt = Original posts

#tumblr games <2 = Answers for ask games, tag games, picrews, etc

#hello people in my phone = My ask tag

#tmagposting = my the magnus archives tag

#🌫️the one alone🌫️ = my tag for The Lonely (Magnus Archives fear)

#mi awen e ni = Toki Pona for "I am saving this." Saved stuff / stuff that i am saving for later

#mi moku e ni = Toki Pona for "I'm eating this." Stuff that's very good and I like it a lot. Started saying this in reference to that "[watching/reading/listening to] x isn't good enough i need to eat it" meme. So, stuff that reading/seeing it isn't good enough i need to eat it.

#ni li ante e toki mi = Toki Pona for "this changed my speech." Posts that changed my vocabulary. Posts that I reference in my daily life in my speech and think about often.

#soweli Lupen li toki = toki pona post tag. like if im using toki pona, or if I'm talking about toki pona.

#writing lupin = My writing tag

#writing wares = Others' posts relating to writing, such as writing advice, memes, etc. Forgot I had this tag tbh I'm gonna try to start using it again

Fandom Stuff

I am in a lot of different fandoms tbh. what im mostly focusing on will be different based on my mood. RN it's mostly Chonny Jash.

Fandoms I'm in:

The Magnus Archives <- my hyperfixation rn <2 I go insane over Tim, I miss Sasha, I am Staring at Jon, and Martin is literally me fr /silly.

Chonny Jash/CCCC (Chonny's Charming Chaos Compendium). <- I have a lot of Mind thoughts. I have thoughts about all of them tbh, but Mind thoughts specifically.

Camp Here & There <- SYDNEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY<2222222. thats all i have to say. ALSO ROWAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNN<2222222

Undertale & Deltarune. <- Always at least a little mentally ill about both of them, esp Undertale. I would kill and die for Chara, Flowey, and Susie btw

Helluva Boss <- Most active for a day or two whenever a new episode/thing comes out.

Hazbin Hotel <- A reblog here and there. It was okay

Good Omens <- I like Crowley a lot. Put that guy (gender neutral) in Situations

Avatar: The Last Airbender <- Love all of the characters from ATLA tbh. Great show 10/10 no notes

Five Night's at Freddy's <- This was my first fandom! So it has a lot of nostalgia for me. I liked the movie, it was fun. Favorite animatronics are Foxy and Mangle bc I'm basic like that.

Gravity Falls <- Haven't re-watched it in a while but I still hold a lot of fondness and love for it. sitelen tawa ni li pona mute tawa mi (this show is very good from my perspective)

Cult of the Lamb <- I like this game a lot! I think it is very fun and I like the fanart that people make for it. I replay it alot bc ona li musi tawa mi (it is fun to me). #1 Shamura lover btw I would kill and die for them. if I was a character in the game I would be one of Shamura's disciples, just so we're clear

The Owl House <- When the Owl House was coming out Hunter got a chokehold on me and forced me into a hyperfixation on the show face-first.

Other Stuff

I am physically incapable of shutting up sorry (i am not sorry). Unless I get locked in gay tumblr baby jail (hit the post limit), then i shut up.

As you could probably tell from the other sections, I know a little Toki Pona. My Toki Pona is not very good so please forgive me if I say something incorrectly. I may sometimes throw some of it in tags n such to practice.

I reserve the right to call things kijetesantakalu that are not technically kijetesantakalu based solely on vibes. foxes and seals are kijetesantakalu tawa mi

Banners <2

[IDs in alt text]

[the-hermit-at-midnight]

Awen: The Spirit of Inspiration in Druidic Tradition

The concept of Awen is a fundamental element in modern Druidry and Celtic spirituality. It represents a divine inspiration or creative spirit that flows through all things, fueling artistic expression, wisdom, and spiritual understanding. Rooted in ancient Welsh traditions and widely embraced by contemporary Druids, Awen encapsulates a profound connection between humanity and the natural world, the divine, and the realms of creativity and knowledge.

Historical Origins and Etymology

The term "Awen" originates from the Welsh language, where it literally means "inspiration" or "muse." Its earliest recorded usage appears in the medieval Welsh literature of the 6th century, notably in the works of the bards and poets. The concept of Awen is closely tied to the figure of the bard in Celtic society—those who were the keepers of history, lore, and cultural wisdom through their poetry and music.

In the Welsh Triads and the works of Taliesin, one of the most renowned bards of the medieval period, Awen is depicted as a divine force that grants poets their insight and creativity. The word itself likely derives from Proto-Celtic *aweno-, which means "inspiration."

Awen in Druidic Tradition

Modern Druidry, which saw a revival in the 18th and 19th centuries and continues to evolve today, places Awen at the heart of its spiritual practice. Druids view Awen as a sacred flow of inspiration that comes from the divine and permeates the universe. It is not only a source of artistic creativity but also a spiritual force that brings wisdom, clarity, and a deep connection to nature.

The Three Rays of Awen

A common symbol associated with Awen in Druidic tradition is the three rays of light. This symbol typically consists of three parallel lines or rays, often depicted radiating from a single source. Each ray represents different aspects of inspiration and spiritual illumination:

1. **The First Ray:** This ray symbolizes the spark of inspiration or the initial creative impulse. It represents the beginning of an idea or the seed of wisdom.

2. **The Second Ray:** This ray stands for the process of development and growth. It is the journey of bringing an idea to fruition, the unfolding of creative and spiritual insight.

3. **The Third Ray:** This final ray signifies completion and manifestation. It is the realization and expression of inspiration in the material world, whether through art, writing, or acts of wisdom.

The Invocation of Awen

Druids often invoke Awen through rituals and ceremonies to seek inspiration and guidance. The chant "Awen" is commonly used, either sung or spoken, to open oneself to the flow of divine inspiration. This practice serves as a meditative and spiritual exercise, aligning the practitioner with the forces of creativity and insight.

The chant of Awen is said to attune the mind and spirit to the deeper currents of the universe, allowing for a clearer reception of inspiration. It can be a solitary practice or part of communal rituals, and it often accompanies other elements of Druidic ceremonies, such as the celebration of seasonal festivals and rites of passage.

Awen and the Arts

In the realm of the arts, Awen is seen as the driving force behind all forms of creative expression. From poetry and music to visual arts and storytelling, artists in the Druidic tradition seek to channel Awen in their work. This creative process is not merely about personal expression but is viewed as a way to connect with the divine and contribute to the cultural and spiritual enrichment of the community.

Awen and Nature

For Druids, nature is a primary source of Awen. The natural world, with its cycles, beauty, and mystery, is a wellspring of inspiration and wisdom. By observing and interacting with nature, Druids believe they can tap into the flow of Awen, gaining insights and understanding that transcend ordinary perception. This deep connection to nature is reflected in the reverence for sacred groves, stones, and other natural sites that are often central to Druidic practice.

Awen remains a central and inspiring concept in modern Druidry and Celtic spirituality. It embodies the divine spark of inspiration that fuels creativity, wisdom, and a profound connection to the world around us. Whether through the arts, nature, or spiritual practice, the pursuit of Awen is a journey toward deeper understanding and harmonious existence with the universe. As Druids continue to celebrate and invoke Awen, they keep alive an ancient tradition that enriches the mind, spirit, and culture, connecting them to a timeless source of inspiration.

[tloupride]

TLOU Queer Fic Recs

Happy Pride! Admin Zoo here, with some of my favourite queer fics, please share your own recs, I'm looking for more to read!

🏳️‍🌈 🩷💜💙 🖤🩶🤍💜 🏳️‍⚧️

Late October, 2022 (Or The Last Time Joel Saw Bill and Frank alive), 5k, T, by Springandastorm, @spr1ngandastorm

Joel and Tess and Bill and Frank hang out and find community in each other. This devastated me in the best way, I have not stopped thinking about it since I read it. Beautiful and bittersweet and hopeful all in one.

trace my fingers across your frozen veneer, 2k, E, by fromthewhales @deervsheadlights

Bi Joel gets pegged by Tess, as he deserves. Like all the best explicit fics, this is a character study and really gets into their relationship. 10/10 no notes.

some sort of private conversation, 2k, M, by fromthewhales. @deervsheadlights

Bi Joel tries to have a hookup on the road but Ellie cannot mind her own business. So in character and hilarious, RIP Joel hope the next time works out better for you.

Eternal Love Bullshit, 3k, T, by @sedumlineare

STOP THE PRESS, ASEXUAL JOEL IS ON THE SCENE. Lovely fic where he bumps into an old friend in Jackson (who's a lesbian!), remembers past community, and it's just so sweet. Neare aced this one.

The Trans Joel Universe, series, 27K, G/T, by @sedumlineare

NEARE THIS GIVES ME LIFE. This series has everything: gender euphoria and mentorship, trans Joel through the years, and nonbinary Ellie! Stunning, lovely, special mention to Took a While But I Don't Mind (How Do I Look Now?) which is full of joy and is named after one of my favourite songs

I know, I know the sirens sound/Just before the walls come down, 2k, M, by @donttouchtheneednoggle

Trans Bill AND Frank!!! Oh. My. Sweet. Jesus. This fic left me in a puddle on the floor. Beautiful, stunning, please read it, it's gorgeous.

making yourself up as you go along, 6k, M, by awenswords, @awens-words

Trans Joel!! Really brilliant fic, I especially love the detail given to his smuggling operation and how that doubles up as a way to get hormones. Him trying to come out to Ellie is a particular highlight.

Different Shades, 773, G, by mandocule, @theydjarin

Ellie asks about Bill and Frank, and she and Joel come out. Really sweet little fic with lesbian Ellie and bi Joel doing their best to be #Vulnerable. One of the first queer TLOU fics I read last year!

mellow is the man who knows what he's been missing, 15k, G, by flannelfeelings, @boopernatural

The happy AU where Joel gets to meet JJ and Ellie, Dina, and Jesse have a polyamorous relationship! We love love, we love community.

Watch Me Bleed, series, 24k, M/E, by Fiachra, @consultingzoologist

Apologies for the self-promo, but writing this changed my life due to the people I met as a result. TLOU but Joel is trans, with an Ellie-centric sequel exploring her queer feelings, and a t4t TessJoel installment (that gets the E rating)

[paeliae-occasionally]

Writing share tag!

Thanks @drchenquill for the tag.

He heard a small voice ‘Kalayo’ 

The tent lit on fire. 

Apollo grabbed the Awen rune on his necklace and cast it forming a translucent silver shield around him and he ran out of the burning tent. As the fire touched the shield, cracks started forming over the rune and by the time he was out of the tent in the cold night air, the rune was shattered into a thousand shards. 

He stumbled away from the burning tent and reached for another rune. His fingers found Elyssir (true sight) to see in the dark. Silver sparks shot from the rune as he cast it and with his new vision noticed a figure on the other side of the fire with a rune bound between their open hands. 

I am trying to write actions scenes. It is not going great, but this was a nice little excerpt that I don’t hate as much .

Tagging @the-golden-comet, @katenewmanwrites, @kaylinalexanderbooks, @willtheweaver, @somethingclevermahogony

@sunglasses-in-the-bentley, @ddgraywrites, @theink-stainedfolk and @tildeathiwillwrite

[sitelen-musi-lon-toki-pona]

lupa ma monsuta, kipisi nanpa tu wan:

jan Alupe li pini lape. oko ona li pilin ike. ona li luka e oko ona li mu tan lape lili li wile sona e tenpo ni. taso ilo toki li weka.

"a..." jan Alupe li toki. "ni li sitelen lape ala" ona li tawa tomo insa moku li toki insa e ni: "mi ken tawa lupa nena sin. taso ni la mi ken wile moku." tan ni la ona li pali e suwi sike li pana e ni tawa poki len ona.

"mi ken ni. mi jo e moku." taso ona li pilin monsuta li toki e ni: "aaa taso mi pilin lape lili. mi pali e telo wawa"

ona li jo e poki pi telo wawa e poki len pi suwi sike.

ona li pilin monsuta. taso ona li wile lanpan e ilo toki li wile sona e ijo pi lon lupa ma. ijo li jan anu soweli anu seme?

tan ni la ona li tawa ete e tomo ona li tawa lon lupa ma. ona li moku e telo wawa mute. taso telo lili li lon.

jan Alupe li lon poka lupa ma li pilin monsuta. suno li lon li pona tawa jan Alupe. taso pilin monsuta li awen suli.

ona li toki e ni: "a! mi sona sin! mi wile telo e kasi mi" ona li tawa tomo ona li telo e kasi. taso ona li weka e poki pi sike suwi ona lon poka lupa

kipisi pi jan pali lon toki Inli:

Any feedback is apreciated, this is my first attempt at writing a story. Have a good day!

[cin-cant-donate-blood]

jan Otimantija

(Ozymandias in toki pona)

jan pona mi li jan tawa pi ma pi tenpo pini.

ona li toki e ni: noka kiwen tu, suli a li lon ma seli.

poka ona la, sinpin kiwen.

sinpin ni li pakala, taso, ona li pilin ike.

li pilin lawa, li pilin wawa, li lukin tawa sina.

ona li moli a, taso, jan pali ona li pona.

jan pali ni li pali e pilin wawa a e sinpin.

sitelen li lon kiwen, ona li toki e ni:

"mi jan Otimantija, mi li lawa pi jan lawa.

wawa o lukin e pali mi, o pilin e luka moli!"

poka pakala la, ala li awen.

ma seli li suli.

Toki pona is really not an easy language to write poetry in. Though it obviously doesn't resemble the original pentameter, I at least tried to give my translation some sense of meter. Here's the literal meaning of it, translated back into English:

My friend is a traveller from a land of the past.

They said this: two stone legs, very large, are in the land of fire.

Near them, a stone face.

This face is broken. However, it feels angry.

It feels imperious, it feels powerful, it looks at you.

It is dead, but the worker who made it was good.

This worker made very powerful emotions in the face.

There is writing on the stone, and it says this:

"I am Ozymandias, ruler of rulers.

Powerful ones, look at my work, and feel the hand of death!"

Next to the broken thing, nothing endures.

The land of fire is vast.

[ghost-type-writer]

Alphabet Writing Tag!

Ty for the tag @theeccentricraven

Rules: give a sentence for each letter of the alphabet! (Can compose or get from your WIP)

Most of these are from my wip Mage of Hearts, and two other projects I haven't named yet.

A - A girl looked down on the lands of Awen through a curtain of frozen breath.

B - "Because you lied to me." she spat through grit teeth. "That place ate my sister and you told me she ran away."

C - Candle light was the sole comfort in the stone room, it's faint warmth her only distraction as the vines sucked her life away.

D - *Did it know where they were?* Eran held his breath as the sound of footsteps on the roof stopped above them.

E - "Encore!" screamed the shrimp as the crabs clapped their claws. It was quite the queer sight, a crustacean's applause.

F - "Forget your fears my dear." the old woman said pushing forward a cup full of purple smoke. "And you never have to fave them."

G - "Grasp tight all the threads that make you, you." he said leaning in as if to share a secret. "You wouldn't want to get unraveled in a place like this."

H - "Hani, I've known you my entire life. I'm not going to fall for one of the lines you feed to merchant's daughters."

I - "I don't mind. It's rare I get a chance to speak with someone my own age." replied the prince.

J - "Just now I was enjoying the view." she candidly replied.

K - "Kill the kid. We don't have anymore time to waste."

L - Like her aunt all those years ago Kenzie squeezed through a crack in the world and fell into a great shifting void.

M - Maybe it was the blood loss, but all he could think about was the way her lips had felt.

N - Now had passed, and now was never. Yet another door closed forever.

O - "Outsiders are beings comprised of pure mana. Your assignment this evening is to list the names of the inner and outer elemental variants."

P - Potatoes stand at the top of the vegetable kingdom.

Q - Quarrel not with quails, a Brachan saying which reminds one not to worry about small problems.

R - Ronald McDonald, beloved fast food mascot, has just been arrested in relation to a series of violent home invasions carried out over the past few weeks. More at 9.

S - "So what all are we cooking for this prince? asked Hani.

T - The tall man laughed. "And who's gonna make us leave, some runty tavern wench?"

U - Using the man's forward momentum Hani twisted and threw him over her shoulder onto the hard tavern floor.

V - Vengeance is a hollow prize.

W - "Was he handsome?" Wendy shamelessly asked.

X - "Xibalba is lovely this time of year. You simply must visit." said the bat.

Y - "You can take your man here and leave, or I can teach that same lesson to whoever's next."

Z "Zahir has always had the heart of a wanderer." Sari said with a fond smile.

Tagging: Noone. I'm new here :p

[believerindaydreams]

shit, I know what's wrong with me.

I'm addicted to pure, unfiltered, unadultered awen. cheaper than any drug. can be done anywhere. inconspicuous.

and I really did have it under control before COVID. I was a fanfic writer. It was fine. I was holding down a job and everything.

And then shit goes down, and my ex demands a real book out of me that I knew damn well was Not Good For Me to write, and it spiralled out of control in Swansea, cos I was mainlining a story about the most spectacular dumbass to have fallen prey to said addiction since Jose Rizal convinced a whole country he was dying for their sins

and I OD'd in January. Not on drugs. On a sweet, sweet piece of self programming I did through mental discipline and an extremely weird town called Laugharne

but, like, you can't really sober up from storytelling. It's not booze or weed. I literally cannot be stupid enough to not be telling a story at all times.

so! unsure what happens next.

[maybechristy]

Some more fun facts about my DnD characters; including their full names!

Isla - her full name is Isla Alexandria Awen. Fun facts: She’s the only character with her full name on her character sheet; she has had her middle name since her creation almost 2 years ago! Isla has gotten down to two death roll failures. She definitely isn’t as sheltered as she was. But, that comes with a price…

Mara - her middle name is Josephine. Mara Josephine Leodithas… for now. Fun facts: she’s my only character that has a healthy relationship with her parents. Mara is dating Ismark. She loves pretty dresses and dressing up, since that’s what she’s used to as a noble. But, she’s not afraid to wear her tunic and jeans. Also, Mara is the only one that has a little fanfic about her (because I started writing one.)

Aislyn - I actually never thought of a middle name for her since her last name could be a middle name… so I’m coming up with one now… Mae. Aislyn Mae Elaine. Fun facts: she’s my first ever LGBTQIA+ character; she’s confirmed aroace! Aislyn isn’t used to dressing up, so, this ball is going to be hard for her.. she also isn’t used to compliments.

Eleanora - her middle name is Jane. Eleanora Jane Thorne. I haven’t gotten to play her in a bit. But, a couple fun facts… she’s very talented at the pan flute. Eleanora also loves sitting in the garden when she’s home; she feels at peace the most there. She definitely is more comfortable in dresses. Eleanora is my only character that is apart of an official rebellion.

[mask131]

Green spring: Ceridwen

CERIDWEN

Category: Welsh legends

Ceridwen (or Cerridwen depending on how you write it), is one of the famous female figures of Welsh legends, and that despite her appearing in only one story, told times and times again… The story of Taliesin.

Ceridwen was a powerful sorceress who lived in the north of Wales, in the region of Penllyn, near the Bala Lake. She was the wife of Tegi Foel (Tacitus the Bald), and together they had two children. One a daughter called Creirwy, who was renowned for her great beauty. The other was a son, called Morfran (“sea crow”) and who was extremely hideous, the complete opposite of his sister. (In alternate versions of the story, Morfran isn’t actually the “ugly child” of Ceridwen – it is rather a second son, called Afagddu, “utter darkness”, but he seems to have been a late invention).

All in all, Ceridwen had a dreadfully ugly son, and the enchantress did not stand for this. She couldn’t make him beautiful with her powers… but she could give him a great advantage that would compensate his repulsive appearance. So, she went onto a big magical project to give her son an immense wisdom, so that his spirit would shine where his body could not. In order to do so, she took a great cauldron and brewed in it a magical potion that would give her son not only great wisdom, but also the “awen”, the inspiration of the poets and the bards, a form of eloquence and creativity that also allowed one to have some fortune-telling and soothsaying gifts. The potion had to be kept boiling for one year and one day in order to work, and to keep the fire lit and the liquid boiling, Ceridwen hired two men. One was a blind man called Morda, whose task was to feed the cauldron’s fire ; the other was a young boy named Gwion Bach (of his full name, Gwion Bach ap Gwreang), whose role was to stir the mixture without stopping. Once the potion was done, Ceridwen’s son was only to drink the first three drops of it – those were the ones filled with knowledge and talent. The rest of the potion would turn to poison once the first drops were consumed. The two employees of Ceridwen worked hard for one year and one day – but on the last day, three drops jumped out of the boiling cauldron and landed on Gwion’s thumb. The boy, burned by the hot liquid, put the thumb to his mouth – and unwittingly absorbed the potion, with all the wisdom an all the “awen” into it. Gwion, now extremely intelligent and knowledgeable, understood what he had done, and understood how angry Ceridwen would be with him – angry enough to kill him. So he decided to flee, far, far away…

And he was right to do so, because upon Ceridwen learning of the incident, she set chase to the boy – tracking him down with all her magical powers. Fortunately for Gwion, the potion also contained magical talent and knowledge, and so he could use magic to flee. To avoid Ceridwen’s fury, Gwion turned himself into a hare – but Ceridwen saw through the trick, and turned into a greyhound. Gwion in turn jumped in a river and became a fish, and Ceridwen upon seeing this turned into an otter. Gwion then fled through the sky, as a small bird – she became an hawk. Gwion’s last and final transformation was into a single grain of corn, hiding among many others in a farm or a field. But Ceridwen would not give up – she became a hen and devoured all the grains of corn, Gwion included, finally putting an end to the boy’s life.

However, she hadn’t planned something… the potion had turned Gwion powerful and magical. He was not fully killed upon being eaten by the sorceress – but rather, he reformed himself, was recreated inside of her… and Ceridwen found herself pregnant with Gwion’s reincarnation. Learning that, she decided to kill the child as soon as he was born – but after her delivery, Ceridwen was touched by the immense beauty of the babe… The baby was so beautiful she could not resolve herself to kill him herself, and rather placed him into a leather bag, sew the bag, and threw it into the sea. But the child did not die – the bag actually floated, and landed on another shore of Wales, somewhere near Aberdyfi, where the boy was rescued and adopted by a prince, Elffin ap Gwyddno. And the prince named the lost child “Taliesin”, who would become one of the most powerful and legendary bards of Welsh legends.

This is the medieval tale of Ceridwen, told times and times again. But most people agree that this tale is probably not the original one… You see, Welsh culture was, like all of the Celtic cultures of the British Isles, heavily Christianized by the Middle-Ages, and the problem is that most Celtic legends were recorded in those Christian times. So… the pagan stories tend to be refitted for a Christian lore. It happened for example with the Irish Celtic gods, who were turned into mere human sorcerers in medieval texts. And it is thought to have happened with Ceridwen – who probably was a goddess in early versions of the story, rather than an enchantress. Now, the theory as to what was Ceridwen’s original divine nature are numerous. The first theory to arise claimed that Ceridwen was a goddess of poetry, since her and her cauldron were heavily used as metaphors when it came to poetic inspiration and the poetic art. Another theory claims she was a goddess of the dawn – though with not much evidence.

Most famously, Robert Graves (yep, him again), in his invention of the “Threefold Goddess” archetype, used Ceridwen as a manifestation of this entity – claiming that Ceridwen as a manifestation of the destructive side of the Triple Goddess. This interpretation of the character became VERY famous in the neo-pagan world, due to Graves’ heavy influence other those movements – she was particularly reused by the neo-druids and by Wicca. They reinvented Ceridwen as one of the many identities and manifestations of the “Great Goddess” – she became seen as a deity of change, rebirth and transformations, keeper of the cauldron of knowledge and inspiration, as the Welsh goddess of death and fertility, and/or as the queen of all Welsh witches, and source of all magic. Some even go further and place her in a newly invented tetrad alongside other figures of Welsh and Celtic myth: in it, Ceridwen is the “guardian of the West”, queen of water and autumn, whose animal is the snake, alongside Lug (guardian of the East), Nuada (guardian of the South) and character named Fal (guardian of the North). [Don’t know who he is, couldn’t find him, maybe he was completely invented]

- - - -

If you haven’t heard of him, Taliesin is one of the great heroes of Welsh legends, and while Ceridwen pretty much disappears once he is born, he had a long and very eventful life. He was a famous poet and bard, so famous he was often called “Ben Beirdd”, “chief of bards”. It is unclear if Taliesin actually existed as a historical character or not (he is very similar in this aspect to another figure of the Welsh legends, king Arthur), but we recorded numerous legends about him, turning him into a poet-sorcerer (because bards were thought to have innate magical powers in Celtic lore, and the limit between poems and spells was very blurry).

Raised by the prince, as I said before, Taliesin, “the radiant brow”, at the age of thirteen prophesized the future death of king Maelgwn Gwynedd (the uncle of his adoptive father, and his political rival). He became one of the “five most renowned British poets”, alongside Talhaearn Tad Awen, Cian Gwenith Gwawd, Blwchfardd, and Aneirin. He had a son, named Afaon, who was a great warrior According to some he was one of the faithful companions of Bran the Blessed, the giant-king of Britain, and for others he even was the bard of the court of King Arthur.

[not-poignant]

Hi Pia! 2, 6, 7 and 10 for the writing meme please

2. If you had to give up your keyboard and write your stories exclusively by hand, could you do it? If you already write everything by hand, a) are you a wizard and b) pen or pencil?

Hmmm.

Yes, but much much slower. And so also probably no, lol. At least not the way I'm currently doing it.

Look I type around 125-150 words per minute. Handwriting could never.

6. What is your darkest fear about writing?

This one is tough. In a way, I've confronted some of my darkest fears about writing. I thought my writing was essentially terrible, and I realised that as long as it's mediocre, it's okay, and weirdly that nuked that fear outright. Realising many many writers are successful off pure mediocrity means I can be successful, I would prefer my writing be good, but it's no longer my darkest fear, that my writing is terrible.

And then I was afraid that people were just humouring me re: leaving comments and liking my story, and I was so fucking unhinged about this (hi I have multiple mental illnesses) I started a second secret account on AO3 and didn't tell anyone at my not_poignant account and I, um, wrote Stuck on the Puzzle and realised I was wrong.

And that's the story of how thespectaclesofthor came into existence. Part 'I need somewhere to write fanfic' and also part 'oh god what if no one likes my writing and I'm just

My real darkest fear these days is that I can never make a series as good as Fae Tales ever again. And that everyone knows this except me, and they're too kind to say so.

In good news, I'm generally absolutely wrong about my batshit darkest fears, so...

Like not everything I write will be a winner, but I think like - I still enjoy these stories, I still have something to say, I think it still has meaning, and I think it still has meaning to some people even if to some other people I will never write anything as good as Fae Tales ever again. I think that's why I struggle so much with the 'when will you write more Fae Tales' questions, because every single one feels like an axe to the chest, just repeated blow after blow of 'you'll never write anything as good as Fae Tales again, so just go back and keep writing that series and those characters.'

And that's why I tell people I need a long break from Fae Tales, because nothing helps you deal with a darkest fear than confronting it and seeing whether it's true or not by creating other series and seeing what happens.

I am scared though. Like, that's a very real fear.

7. What is your deepest joy about writing?

There are two things, and they're equally side by side.

The first is the pure joy and satisfaction and catharsis in the process of writing. Sitting down to write these characters, even in their angstiest moments, feels like channeling pure Awen to me. It's hard to pin down, and the feeling of bringing a character through a challenge through to the other side is a strange, perfect feeling that I crave repeating over and over again.

The second is the pure joy and giddiness that comes from making connections with folks. Here or on AO3 or Discord or even in reading your public bookmark comments. When people say something about a story and it's like 'omg YES you PUT IT INTO WORDS' and they did it in two sentences and I needed like a whole novel, lol. (I am not succinct and won't pretend to be). When people used to say things to me like 'you're not alone in feeling this way' when it came to my own personal suffering, I kind of knew it was true in a distant way, but I didn't really know it. Writing aspects of that suffering dressed up in different characters let me know that I'm really not alone in feeling a bunch of ways, and even when I'm often writing things I haven't felt, the people who relate to those things are also not alone. Going into comments and seeing a bunch of people - many of whom are drawn to hurt/comfort for personal reasons - participate in something is a very anti-lonely experience for me.

And as a person who has been lonely all my life, there is joy in shining a light in the places where you previously thought you'd never talk to another person who 'gets it.' But now, thanks to these stories, I can experience that, I can watch some of you experience it.

Also like, an honourable third? Fanworks. Fanworks sdflkjfas that's why I have them on my wall and whiteboard and fridge and hanging in the lounge.

Was that too sentimental? Are you all rolling your eyes? I feel things pretty intensely lsdakjfsa

(I've answered 10 previously)

--

From the Weird Writing Asks meme!

[snowbird-down]

Character Summary: Laelia (jen) Belisar

alias/nicknames: Lee, Jeanne, Snowbird, Valkyrie

gender: female

age: 23

zodiac: ----

abilities  + talents:

A highly skilled if not batshit reckless pilot who can pull off stunts that probably shouldn’t be possible in all manner of machina

A crackshot gunslinger with the kind of draw time that Marty Robbins writes ballads about

Cooks a mean plate of spaghetti

alignment: lawful / neutral / chaotic / good / neutral / evil / true

sins: envy / greed / gluttony / lust / pride / sloth / wrath

virtues: charity / chastity / diligence / humility / justice / kindness / patience

languages: Fluent in Garlean and Common, can speak haltingly conversational Ala Mhigan (but only in the present-tense) and knows all the swear words in Old Elezen.

family: Justus Belisar (father), Tacitus Belisar (older brother), Marco Belisar (younger brother), Verina Belisar (younger sister), Alfonso Belisar (estranged cousin)

friends: While the survivors of III Squad are by technical definition her ‘friends’, the bond that exists between them is probably more familial than anything. Laelia is quite literally inseparable from Victoria Castellus and Maxima Sawyer, and she’d do absolutely anything for either of them. Ride or die? You bet.

More recently she’s gotten close to Arym Ord, who she shares a love of adrenaline (among other things) with. She even would have considered him an ‘honorary’ squad member who they’d ‘adopted’, except he’s being Very Difficult right now.

For some reason fate keeps sending her through hell alongside a girl named Reima Awen, so the two share a mutual understanding of each others’ trauma and do their best to support each other while dreaming of -- and striving for -- better days.

The healer Norhi Morovine helped her settle into Gridanian life back when she first deserted Garlemald and was hiding out in the Shroud, and continues to be her go-to for all manner of Eorzean expertise.

And while she thinks that Ser Basile Bellerose is currently just her friend (with extensive benefits), the reality is that she is much, much closer to him than she realizes.

sexuality: heterosexual / bisexual / pansexual / homosexual / demisexual / asexual / unsure / other

relationship: single / partnered / married / widowed / open relationship / divorced / not ready for dating yet / it’s complicated

libido: sex god / very high / high / average / low / very low / non-existent / who knows

build: slender / average / athletic / muscular / curvy / other

hair: white / blonde (platinum) / brunette / red / black

eyes: brown / blue / gray / green / black / other

skin: pale / fair / olive / light brown / brown / dark / other

height: 6'0"

scars: Surprisingly few for all the stunts she pulls. There’s a puncture wound from an arrow on the back of her left calf; by the way it healed it looks like it got infected at one point. There’s a hand-sized patch of burnt skin over her ribs on her righthand side. And there’s a more recent bullet wound in her left shoulder.

dogs or cats || birds or bugs || snakes or spiders || coffee or tea || ice cream or cake || fruits or vegetables || sandwich or soup || magic or melee || sword shield dagger or bow gun|| summer or winter || spring or autumn || past or future present

A few songs that remind you of them:

Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Green Day - Holiday ¯\_(ツ)_/¯  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Some Nights - Fun

D’Angelo - Unshaken

The Ecstasy of Gold -- Ennio Morricone

Coyote Kisses - Six Shooter

Primo the Alien - Heart on the Run

Hunter as a Horse - The Train :)

Tagged by: @rhotanored Thank you this was due for an updatew fhweuidkfjhewrkjdghkjer

Tagging: @high-and-away @autochthonousone @endangered-liaison @norhimorovine​ @daughter-of-fire-and-dreams​ idk who’s done this forgive me!

[reima-awen]

Last Line Written

tagged by: @sergiusreports​​ and @endangered-liaison​​​

Reima Awen nods faintly to Lee, then Vicky, before giving the Out-There-Somewhere one last, long look. She follows behind them.

tagging: @honoura​, @mirkemenagerie​​, @ahlis-xiv​, @regalblossom​, and @aethernoise​​ just in case you’re out there writing and I am not perceiving it!! And YOU! I am tagging YOU!

[sophieswundergarten]

For the OC ask game ✂️💎✏️, for any of your OCs! I hope you have a lovely evening!

✂️ - What is one of your OC’s worst memories? I think one of her worst memories is when she first left home to go exploring. She wanted to learn more about the various kinds of technology used in places other than where she was born, but it was hard for her to deal with all the people who were suspicious of her (She can come off as a little... dangerous?) since she's a little weird, and she was scared of leaving her sister behind. She's a lot older than her sibling (Awen), and she really tries hard to protect her. So it was a big change in terms of not having a safe place to hide if people were angry with her, and she felt kind of guilty about "abandoning" her baby sister. A lot of conflicting emotions there

💎 - Do you ever see yourself killing off the OC? Hopefully not! This is a Dungeons and Dragons character, so it's not really up to me, but I have been known in the past to occasionally put my character in peril because I'm really bad at creating them with self-preservation. So we'll see :)

✏️ - How often do you draw/write about the OC? Unfortunately not very much. Like I said, DnD character in this case, and I'm really anxious about letting the DM or other players down, so it's been hard to work on her. I'd like to write a little more about her because she really is supposed to be a fun character, but it's a toss-up whether my brain will allow it

[paeliae-occasionally]

Xaeren Character Intro!

After popular demand (@thecomfywriter) I have made an intro for your favourite magic guy Xaeren. For more info go to the ‘Xaeren lore’ links in my intro, or #xaeren writing.

Ok so I have a list of questions from the number 1 Xaeren fan, but if anyone has further questions feel free to put them in the comments.

Questions:

This man’s sleeping position?

He sleeps on his side, usually his left side unless he is injured. His coat hangs next to him in case he needs to leave quickly and he has other runes on his pyjamas just in case.

His daddy issues?

Xaeren’s biological father (Morden Teyri) was a necromancer from the 3rd Altic Kingdom, when he was taken Xaeren was adopted by an abusive step father from the Ponturesi who used him to study the effect of pain or learning runes. All in all not a great parental situation but when he finally reached Zairel he is quickly welcomed into Hiresias and the hidden king becomes something of a father figure to him so that is nice.

His crippling anxiety?

He fears that he is running out of time, which he is. Xaeren has spent a lot of time and effort protecting himself from the gods but has recently figured out that it was not enough to keep him safe. The concept of the goddess finding him and imprisoning him again is terrifying, if only just because of his utter helplessness and failure at his life goal: magic and survival.

His Runes?

Ok, long story. I have other rune posts, but happy to make more if needed. His runes of choice are ‘Awen’- protection, ‘Xaeren’- souls/banishment (Obviously) ‘Tas’- Binding and ‘Tesellel’- Dispelling magic

Where did his resilience come from?

Xaeren has been running from this goddess since he was 15. Resilience isn’t a choice for him, it is a requirement for his survival, and survival is something he cares deeply about. The people around him in Zairel have helped with this. He can keep going because he knows that he can protect them, and they can help him.

His favourite ice cream flavour

Ooh I hadn’t thought about this one. Probably blackberry. I don’t know why so don’t ask.

Who is in his family?

Wow. Loaded question for him. First family - Altic necromancers Dad (Morden) from the 3rd kingdom and Mum (Saire) from Orien. They were taken by Schaeres for messing with death. She also would have taken Xaeren if she had seen him Second Family - The Ponturesi. Runic cult who experimented on how much loss a person needed to experience to use runes. He sent most of their living souls to a death realm. Third Family - Travelling group as he travelled around the altic lands and down the Wysindi coast to Zairel. They moved on when he decided to settle down in Zairel. Fourth Family - The hidden King and HK’s son Arlei. The crew: Zeudi - resources coordinator Herra and Koi - message runners, lower level hiresias. This later includes Kell. All of these are still currently alive.

Who does he hate?

Himself, the goddess Schaeres, The Ponturesi, sometimes the small council of house Lysandri

Who does he love?

You Naveena. He loves you. (Also his closest friend Arlei)

What inspires him? What terrifies him? What compels him to hide?

He is inspired by magical research. He spend a large portion of his life studying and developing runes so new forms of magic always intrigue him. The feelings of helplessness and eternity terrify him, which is why he is so particularly scared of the abyss. Schaeres scares him because she is an incredibly powerful entity that actively means to harm him. He is compelled to hide by very few things and when he does hide it is incredibly temporary before he goes straight back into the world. This is a common flaw and strength he has.

Who does he trust most in the world. Least?

Most - The hidden king. He can keep a secret and is very dependable when you have his favour. This extends somewhat to Zeudi because she works directly under him and manages his affairs. Least - The small council (House Lysandri leaders)

Could he pick me up

Sigh. Yes. With magic, maybe not physically he isn’t that strong.

How much tea does he drink?

When he was studying he drank copious amounts of tea, now he forgets about basic needs and has to be reminded to drink water.

Who is his love interest? Can they fight?

He doesn’t have one. There is a bit of tension between him and Arlei but they never even begin to explore that. He is single.

What is his full name?

(Deep breath) Xaeren Corin Teyri, Runic of the Ponturesi, Arcani of Hiresias, Silmern and first of his name, the betrayer of Anosel, and binder the goddess Schaeres of Tamir’sul.

He doesn’t always introduce himself like that, just a few titles he has acquired in his travels. And these are only the titles he claims.

Adding the tag list to this one. Leave further questions in the comments.

@thelovelymachinery, @an-indecisive-nerd, @the-letterbox-archives, @oliolioxenfreewrites, @winvyre

@happypup-kitcat24, @wyked-ao3, @leahnardo-da-veggie, @alnaperera, @dearunreliablenarrator

@rumeysawrites, @urnumber1star, @seastarblue, @thecomfywriter

[fioras-resolve]

sitelen mi: poka seli lili.

I wrote a scene for my game in Toki Pona! I find that it's easier for me to write stuff like this when I do it in this language, because I don't fret too much about things like word choice. I have an English translation of it for my friends, but I'm going to post it without that here because I want to see how TOK speakers interpret it! Click the Read More if you want to see it all!

jan Pin en jan Pijowa en jan Ponpilija en jan Panka li lon poka seli lili.

jan Pin: …pona. jan ale li ken ala ken?

jan Panka: ken.

jan Ponpilija: mi ken.

jan Pijowa: o awen. ijo nanpa wan.

jan Ponpilija: seme?

jan Talija: mi jan Talija, li jan Losa, li jan Ili! mi ale ona!

jan Pin: jan Pijowa. jan mute Pijowa.

jan Pijowa: lon. toki mi li pilin mi. toki mi li wawa mi.

jan Pin: lon, wawa sina li ijo pona!

jan Pijowa: wawa ni li kama tan nimi mi. taso ona li tan sina kin.

jan Pijowa: jan Pin, tenpo pini la sina pana e nimi mi tawa mi. tenpo ni la, sina pana e olin sina tawa mi. kin, sina pana e wile pi tenpo kama pona tawa mi.

jan Pin: …sina pona, jan mute Pijowa.

jan Pijowa: jan Pin o, lukin tawa tenpo kama poka me.

jan Pijowa: jan Ponpilija.

jan Ponpilija: …

jan Pijowa: …mi wile sina.

jan Ponpilija: jan Pijowa… sina wile ala toki e ni…

jan Pijowa: mi wile. jan ale o, kute e ni!

jan Pijowa: “jan pona” en “jan olin…” li wile ala ante. jan Ponpilija li jan pona mi. mi olin ona!

jan Pijowa: mi olin ala sina tan tenpo pini mi. mi olin sina tan sina. mi pilin pona poka sina. sina luka pona e mi, sina toki e pona tawa mi.

jan Pijowa: mi pilin pona tan sina poka mi. mi. wile. sina.

jan Ponpilija: …mi… mi olin sina, jan Pijowa.

jan Pijowa: taso, jan Panka.

jan Panka li lukin e weka.

jan Panka: …seme.

jan Pijowa li luka tawa jan Panka.

jan Pijowa: …o toki ala e “seme” tawa mi. o kama ni.

jan Panka: …

jan Panka li sijelo olin e jan Pijowa.

jan Panka: mi olin sina.

jan Pijowa: mi sona li olin sina.

sijelo olin li awen.

jan Pijowa: aaa…

jan Panka: nnnnn…

sijelo olin li awen.

jan Panka: mi wile ala pini.

jan Pijowa: sama.

jan Pin: taso, tenpo kama la sina ken sijelo olin mute a.

sijelo olin li awen.

jan Pijowa li uta olin e lawa pi jan Panka, la sijelo olin li pini.

jan Pijowa: pona!

jan ale li jo e sitelen ona.

jan Pin: mi open.

jan Pin li luka e sitelen ona tawa seli.

jan Pin: o pakala e kulupu ma.

jan Ponpilija li luka e sitelen ona tawa seli.

jan Ponpilija: o pakala e pilin ike suli.

jan Panka li luka e sitelen ona tawa seli.

jan Panka: o pakala e wile ike mama.

jan Pijowa li luka ala e ona.

jan Pijowa: …tenpo kama la, mi luka. awen.

jan Pin li luka.

jan Pin: o pakala e wile tawa “mije pona.”

jan Ponpilija li luka.

jan Ponpilija: o pakala e tu pi mije anu meli.

jan Panka li luka.

jan Panka: o pakala e ni: sewi li wile utala e mi tan mi jan mute anu tonsi. mi wile utala e ona.

jan Pin: lon.

jan Pin en jan Ponpilija en jan Panka luka e mute.

jan Ponpilija: …jan Pijo? tenpo ni la sina luka ala luka?

jan Pijowa: …luka.

jan Pijowa: mi toki e wan.

jan Pijowa: o pakala e tenpo pini.

jan Pijowa: o pakala e mi pi tenpo pini.

jan Pijowa: o pakala e sina ale pi tenpo pini.

jan Pijowa: tenpo ni la sina pona. tenpo ni la mi pona. mi pilin pona. tan sina.

jan Pijowa: ni li tenpo kama mi.

jan Ponpilija: pona!! jan Panka: mi olin sina, jan Pijowa!!

jan Pin: toki sina li pona!

jan Pijowa li luka e sitelen ale tawa seli. seli li suli. jan ale li kalama pona.