#character: tsakiri

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Gods of Tenruon'ou - Tsakiri, Goddess of the Moon

The Goddess of the Moon, Tsakiri is both the literal and metaphysical embodiment of the heavenly body within the world of Tenruon’ou. She is one of the first two divine beings to emerge from the ether of The Void and in affiliated with human females. She is also known as the Holy Nurturer, the Protector, the Goddess of Tragedy, Mystery, Misery, Lovers, Repentance, Mercy and Protectress of Women. Commonly referred to as Lady Moon or Lady Tsakiri, she was the one to create the oceans and the Sea Realm. Alone she created the Great Silver Shark, Kural, to rule the watery domains she had made and is thus referred to as The Great Mother by Sea Spirits.

Symbols

There are several symbols, motifs, plants and animals that are connected to Tsakiri. They are listed below.

Animals: sharks, coral, starfish

Plants: moonflowers, jasmine, lavender

Stones: emeralds, pearls, white marble

Objects: shark teeth, sea shells, sea glass

  Physical Appearance

Within the lore of Vidy'aa, Tsakiri is described as a female figure with three sets of arms and a long, semi-sheer veil that covers her body. In the full version of The Legend of the Sun and Moon, Tsakiri is described thus;

       “With long tresses, dark as the cosmos, she extended her white arms up, down and out to her sides. Delicate fingers grabbed starfoam with which she molded Kural, the Great Silver Shark, first-born of the Great Spirits. The Bright Mother than ripped out the eighth row of her teeth and affixed them to her child’s mouth so that he may use both teeth and tongue as weapon in place of claws. Thus, seven rows of razor sharp teeth remained in the Goddess’s lovely pink mouth.”

Later within the story, her appearance changes as a result of pushing her brother, the Sun God Zoleko, out of their shared Celestial Palace;

       “Thus with a great, furious cry the white Goddess pushed her brother and friend from the tower on high in the cosmos. Noble Zoleko tumbled down, shocked at the betrayal of his sister and friend. When her shadow-lurid rage subsided, Tsakiri recoiled at her actions. With a wail she scratched at her face, furrows deep as her sorrow becoming etched on her cheeks. The marks wept silver as her eyes, her tears falling into the Sky Realm as stars.”

It is due to this event that the Moon Goddess begins veiling herself and creating the phases of the moon humans see today, as well as the stars in the night sky.

Through various legends and stories, a concise description for the Goddess is as follows; long, wavy black hair that melts into the dark night sky or cosmos, silver eyes and pale-white skin. Three sets of arms are on her torso; the top set is studded with the gemstones of the Sea, the middle set is swirled with black characters in a language known only to the Gods, and the bottom set has been completely blackened due to her sin of evicting the Sun God, Zoleko. Within her mouth are seven rows of pointed teeth (previously eight before the Great Silver Shark was created) and clawed marks on her cheeks like tear tracts that weep silver liquid. It is unclear if this liquid is the Goddess’s blood or another manifestation of her remorse.

  Genealogy

The following is the family tree of the Goddess Tsakiri.

Mother: Unknown

Father: Unknown

Siblings: Zoleko, God of the Sun; Sheliirpa, The Demon King

Children: Kural, The Great Silver Shark; all Sea Spirits

  Lovers and Offspring

Lovers

Currently, it is unknown if Tsakiri has ever had any lovers. By creating Kural, it was shown she does not require a male counterpart to create. However, all other Sea Spirits were created by herself and Kural. It is unclear if this union was purely in the crafting sense or in the sexual sense.

Some local retellings of The Legend of the Sun and Moon state that Tsakiri and Zoleko were lovers.

Offspring

All Sea Spirits are the offspring of the Moon Goddess. Kural, The Great Silver Shark, is the only Spirit she created alone. Humans who are Blessed by Sea Spirits see themselves, by extension, as children of Tsakiri. The most notable family is the Jurai Clan who have been Blessed by Kural for as far back as human records go. Those Blessed by The Great Silver Shark inherit silver eyes that match both Kural and Tsakiri.

  Key Myths

The following are the myths and legends that are integral to Tsakiri either in regards to characterization by the religion, cosmic role or moral lesson.

The Legend of the Sun and Moon

The story of the creation of the universe. It also tells of the awakening of the Goddess Tsakiri and her brother, Zoleko.

The Legend of the Great Silver Shark

The story detailing the creation of the Great Silver Shark by the Goddess. He was created by Tsakiri alone with no other aid.

The Legend of the Great Drowning

The myth of how the second great human city, Hajitanjō, was drowned at the request of the Great Silver Shark Kural by the Goddess Tsakiri. The city was flooded in order to hide the body of a brave warrior from the Demon Prince Xi’hasa who, it is claimed, to have threatened to defile and puppet the body.

The Legend of the Dragon’s Eye

The tale of how a powerful gem called the Dragon’s Eye is made. There have only been two recorded sightings of the gemstone and both times it has been wielded by someone within the Tanaka Clan.

The Legend of the Constellations

The story of how a young woman showed the Goddess how to make pictures with the stars. A touching tale of female friendship that crossed both station and time.

The Legend of the Lanterns

The tale of three pairs of forbidden lovers; a young priest and a male acolyte of his, an elderly maid and an elderly widowed man, and two female prostitutes. The story blends the three tales into one as the six people encourage and influence one another. It is a love story of hope, kindness and joy. Vastly popular with the common people. Not a religious text.

The Legend of the Bow

A story that tells of how the Moon Goddess inspired a blacksmith to create the bow weapon. Because it was inspired by the crescent shape of the Moon, it became a common weapon for female nobility and linked to the Goddess herself, though the Goddess herself does not wield a bow.

The Legend of Many Scarves

The story of how a male dancer captured the eye of the Moon Goddess. In return for his companionship, she taught him the way of silent movement. It some retellings they become lovers. In others the relationship is that of mentor-student.

The Legend of Destruction

A conspiracy story that is at the crux of the Cult of Rebirth. The story claims that when the end of days comes for the Universe, Alohirona will ascend to the Heavens and the Goddess Tsariri shall unhinge her 7-rowed maw and devour the world whole. She will then give birth to the world once again in another dimension of reality, where Alohirona does not exist.

  Known Favor

While Tsakiri is not known to often interact with humanity, some mortals have caught her eye on occasion.

  Javed Sherazi No record exists of this man, but The Legend of Many Scarves claims he was a clerk in service to Lord Prakash of the Bhāharas’ City-States. By night he would be taught by his elder sister, who excelled in the art of ritual dance. Over time, with Javed dancing under the moonlight, he caught the eye of Tsakiri. In some version they became companions of the night with the Goddess whispering secrets to the young man of the cosmos. In other versions he became a lover to the Goddess and laid with her. It in unclear how true this story is.

Jianyi Li The blacksmith of the providence of Sunwen from the destroyed Zhohang Empire. A well-known blacksmith, he is credited with creating the bow during a sleepless. He was inspired by the shape of the Goddess’ mostly-veiled face. In his notes there is line that seems to be either a prayer of a promise to the Goddess; ‘Though you shield your face, I shall make grief a weapon. Your sorrow will protect those of fair form.’

Roshan Terzi A young, Sea Blessed woman from the destroyed Ērsia Kingdom. Legend claims she is the one who created the first constellations by mapping the stars in the sky and noting the pattern of their movements in relation to the earth. All that is known about her comes from The Legend of the Constellations. She may have been a nobleman’s daughter, a favored concubine within the court or simply a fisherman’s daughter depending on the telling.

Himiko Fujita The sculptor of the largest statue of Tsakiri. A flower seller in Hachiiru, it is said she one day awoke with an insatiable need to create the largest image of the Goddess possible. She spent the next several years tirelessly working. The nobility of Mikaizu, moved by her dedication and fierce piety, provided her with gemstones, the finest stone to be mined, sculpting tools, food, water and silver. Though the then head of the Jurai Clan, Ryouta Jurai, offered to send workers to help her, Himiko vehemently refused. When the sculpture was completed, she collapsed on the ground in front of the statue, dead. The statue is enshrined in Haachiiru with an additional small shrine made on the spot Himiko collapsed to honor her. The Smarnians believe she was driven to madness by the Masked Muse.

The Drowned Warrior An unknown warrior whose death caused the flooding and concealment of the rumored second settlement of humanity, Hajitanjō. While no sex is specified by the legend, some scholars speculate them to be Kibou Jurai is the story states that it was at Kural’s request that the city was drowned. Those of the Smarnian Villages believe the drowning occurred due to an offence caused by the people against the Great Shark. The version of the legend told by the Far North Descendants says the warrior was a woman, a virginal maiden who was beloved by Kural but defiled by the demon Xi’hasa. The drowning was a means to purify her soul and allow it to be changed by the Goddess into a shark Spirit so that he may wed her.

Ayako Jurai While there is no record nor rumor that Lady Ayako Jurai has direct favor with the Moon Goddess, it is speculated she is highly favored by her son, Kural. As such, it can be said she is indirectly favored by the Goddess. One of the few female Jurai clan leaders, under her command the region of Mikaizu flourished both economically and socially. Many new temples dedicated to the Goddess were erected, worship of her increased within the region and women were given more freedoms both in possible job occupation and personal health rights. As all women are under Tsakiri’s care, such progressive strides may be seen as worthy of favor by the Goddess.

Kibou Jurai The first human to be Blessed by the Great Shark Spirit, Kural, on record. Kural was the last Great Spirit to Bless humanity and as such, it is surmised that Kibou also received the goddess’ favor.

[seas-dubh]

WIP Introduction — Seventh Sunfall

GENRE: Young adult, romance, modern fantasy

POV: Third person limited

THEMES: Coming of age, love and friendship, sibling relationships, corruption of power

SYNOPSIS

Once, a thousand years ago, there were the Delphata. Those who had the power of the Seven Wonders of the World at their fingertips. People akin to gods. When they died, the torch was passed from one person to the next, and the power lived on.

Now, though, they are gone. History. Dust. Kayla knows that. Jordan, for all his nerdy obsession and conspiracy theories, knows that. The fire sputtered out centuries ago. The reincarnation cycle has stopped, and the wonders of the world are now nothing more than landmarks.

That doesn’t explain the dreams she’s been having, though. Or why the girl on the bus keeps glaring at her like she wants to kill her.

MAIN CHARACTERS

Kayla Mathieson: An eighteen-year-old Scottish amateur musician, spending the summer before university on a tour to see the Wonders of the World with her brother, on a common rite of passage for high school graduates known as the Zena Gesi.

Jordan Mathieson: Kayla’s twin brother, a wannabe historian fascinated by the Delphata.

Azalea Shen: A teenager from London, also on her Tour, who somehow keeps turning up in the same group as Kayla. She is determined to always do what is right, no matter the cost.

Leonidas “Leo” Tsakiris: A young Greek man who makes fast friends with anyone he meets, accompanying Azalea on her Tour.

Joy Njoki: A young woman from Kenya, currently staying at Leo’s house. She’s soft-spoken, but has a core of steel.

Hua Shihao: Joy’s best friend. A tad stand-offish with people he doesn’t know, but fiercely loyal to his friends, especially Joy.

Theodora Tsakiris: Leo’s mother. She adopted him when he was two. She hopes that, one day, he will forgive her for the mistakes of her past.

Andrés Caballero: Azalea’s best friend. He’s more than a bit of a mother hen, and would do anything to protect her and his brother.

Benicio “Beni” Caballero: Andrés’ thirteen-year-old brother. He loves Andrés, but his overprotectiveness can be suffocating.

LINKS

wip tag | wip playlist

TAGLIST: @chazzawrites @47crayons @writing-is-a-martial-art @writing-with-l @mel-writes-with-her-dragons

Ask to be added/removed!

[junker-town]

San Jose Earthquakes 2022 preview: One last hurrah?

Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

Matias Almeyda enters Year 4 with the Earthquakes still with plenty to pove.

Look, I know what you are thinking, this San Jose Earthquakes team is the “same old Quakes.” They are a low-spending, fringe-MLS Playoffs-caliber team. This year is different, they have changed, they have given Matias Almeyda three Designated Players to use. This is the first time in his stint in San Jose that Almeyda has all three DP slots filled. It almost seems a little too late, as Almeyda only has one year left on his contract. Even given the circumstances, this is still a Matias Almeyda team. With Almeyda leading the ship, ANYTHING can happen.

San Jose Earthquakes (2021 record,10-11-13)

Head coach: Matias Almeyda

Key additions: Jan Gregus, Will Richmond, Ousseni Bouda, Niko Tsakiris, Francisco Calvo, Jamiro Monteiro

Key losses: Luciano Abecasis, Jacob Akanyirige, Eric Calvillo, Carlos Fierro, Andy Rios, Thomas Williamson, Daniel Vega, Chris Wondolowski, Oswaldo Alanis

Projected Best XI

(5-3-2): Marcinkowski; M.Lopez, Calvo, Yueill, Nathan, Espinoza, Monteiro, Gregus, Chofis, Cowell, Ebobisse

Best offseason move

Jamiro Monteiro is the first true playmaker the Earthquakes have had under Almeyda. A move that no one saw coming due to the Earthquakes never having all three DPs slots filled under Almeyda. During his time with Philadelphia, the Union finished top three in the Eastern Conference each season and won the Supporters’ Shield in 2020 with a league-best 14-4-5 record. This move provides the Earthquakes cover if Chofis Lopez does not get purchased after his six-month loan is over.

Best reason to pay attention

The players on the Earthquakes all have something to prove this year. For example, Jeremy Ebobisse has to prove that he was worth his high transfer fee. Cade Cowell has to prove himself to the European suitors that come to scout him at the games. Chofis Lopez has to prove to the San Jose Earthquakes front office that he’s worth his $3 million price tag that Chivas has on him. Cristian Espinoza has to prove that he’s one of the most underrated players in the league. As you can see, almost every single player on this roster has something to prove. Let’s not forget who has to prove the most, that is Matias Almeyda. Most MLS fans and pundits both would label as the Almeyda “Man Mark” system as a flop in MLS. Given all the excuses to why it hasn’t worked these past three years, now is the time to make everyone eat their words. Matias Almeyda needs to prove to the world of soccer that he can still coach a team and have them reach the highest achievements.

The one glaring weakness

The glaring weakness the Earthquakes still need to fix, since Luciano Abecasis left to play for Banfield in Argentina, is at the right back position. If they go with 4 in the back, Espinoza can not play the RB position. They resigned Paul Marie, but he’s more to be a back-up for either side. Most likely the back-up for when Marcos Lopez goes to play for Peru. To try to fix this problem, Leitch drafted a right back in the third round of the MLS Super Draft. Hopefully this is insurance for Tommy Thompson getting surgery on his shoulder during the off season. This club still needs a quality right back. There are plenty in MLS that teams that would be willing to part ways with their RB. Ever since the Quakes struck out on Miguel Layun this spot has needed to be filled. There is a possibility they end up using Judson as a RB this season if they need to. Tommy Thompson could be a serviceable RB as well, but with the likes of Douglas Costa, Lorenzo Insigne and Facundo Torres, we are going to need a class RB.

One fact you can use to impress your friends

Shea Salinas is the fourth longest-serving MLS player to one club. He sits in fourth behind Diego Chara, Russell Teibert and Graham Zusi.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe character who most personifies this team

Ant-Man because we punch above our own weight, while the “Thanos” level teams overlook or completely forget about us. We get bigger versus the bigger spending clubs, and we give them a run for their money.

[nconlon1]

Animasyros Presents: Contemporary Greek Animated Classics

My Stuffed Granny – Effie Pappa 2014

This was a stop motion short film about a family living off their grandmother’s pension until one day she dies and turns into an orange tree. I really like the amount of detail that went into the set design and how the narrative was a voice over.

Heatwave

This one was stop motion with a sand background added afterwards which makes it more unique. The whole scene is madness and repetitiveness while everyone was losing their heads over the sun. The characters are very funny and all the different elements that made up the scene made it all unique.

Elevator Alone – Anastasia Papadopulou

This one was very funny and simple I really liked the character designs and set. Each character is very quirky and relatable and shows how we act differently when around people.

My Mothers Coat – Marie-Margaux Tsakiri-Scanatovits

The style of this short film was very unique simple linework and a lot of negative space. At parts it was difficult to understand what you should be looking at but it was visually pleasing. The linework overlapped itself instead of showing a foreground and background.

The Village – Stelios Polychronakis

The was a slow burner and ended quite sad when you find out why the village is derelict, the set design was very good.

Ms Metro – Aggelos Papantoniou

This was a very strange story, the different angles used, and the characters expression made this unique.

Enough – Anna Mantrzaris

I remember this filmmaker from last year too. She creates funny characters that are very relatable and basically how our heads think but we do not follow though as it is not polite or proper. Her needle characters are iconic to her and help to add to the atmosphere. Her set designs are very dull and monotone to help not take away from the characters actions.

Wandering Stories – Ariel – Kleopatra Korai

This was a very eery short film but was beautifully made, the ending looked as though it was filmed and made you unsure of what was about to happen.

[mi4016izzyviney]

RESEARCH - HE SEEMED LOVELY

This 2 minute short film on vimeo made by Marie-Margaux Tsakiri-Scanatovits as her graduation film caught my eye as the themes of the film are about girls in the toilets talking about sex and relationships on a night out, which is the same if not a very similar direction that I want to take my animation as I am basing my animation off ‘Ernest cafe bar’ in Ouseburn.

The drawing style in ‘He seemed lovely’ suits the art style that I want to use in my animation as a ‘loose’ and ‘sketchy’ drawing style would not just be appropriate for this module brief but also to represent how the character is trying to remember the night from memory rather than narrating within the moment as it’s happening to them in real time.

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Interview with Gods, Part 1

Q: What one thing do you think humans should know?

Tsakiri: No matter how much you prostrate yourself, some sins cannot be forgiven. Remember this the next time you give into pride.

Zoleko: Burn bright. Burn so bright that you turn your obstacles to ash. They were going to perish for your goals anyway.

Seressia: Fate is like thread; a twist and something unexpected happens. A dropped stich and someone isn't even born. You don't control anything in your life. That's my job. You only control how you react.

Haakshul: You will die when it is your time. Not sooner nor later. Don't beg for more Time; die with dignity.

Molak’u’shiir: Cry out what is in your soul. Sing, dance, beat your hands to the Earth. Share what is inside you. There are others dying to share with you too. In that way, you can be consumed by passion in companionship.

Fareh'ai: Be with the ones that bring you peace. Happiness will naturally follow. Everything fades eventually but I hope when Creation spits out back out a new thing, we meet again in peace.

The Void: The only think that lasts is stories. Everything else becomes my food.

Alohirona: Everything is meant to be broken by Gods.

@ivonoris @lilttlebird @saintpadme

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The Gods of Tenruin'ou

The Void | Creator of Everything

Zoleko | God of the Sun

Tsakiri | Goddess of the Moon

Haakshul | Being of Death

Seressia | Goddess of Time

Fareh'ai | God of the Afterlife

Molak'u'shiir | The Masked Muse

Alohirona | Destroyer of Everything

 Tagging: @babylonnes, @lilttlebird

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Chibi Gods of Tenruon'ou - Zoleko and Tsakiri

Art by @ringo-ichigo

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Gods and Spirits of Tenruon'ou /// Tsakiri, Goddess of the Moon

The water both gives and takes life. So too, do women.

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