#consulting the runes part 1

[whumpily-ever-after]

Whumpy Book List #3

Hello! As requested, here is another book list. Some of these books will contain a list of whump tropes and others will not. I did not take notes while reading, and I don't remember the exact tropes. There is at least a little bit of whump in each book.

Happy reading!

List below the cut

The Last Sun (The Tarot Sequence #1) by K.D. Edwards

Summary: Rune Saint John, last child of the fallen Sun Court, is hired to search for Lady Judgment's missing son, Addam, on New Atlantis, the island city where the Atlanteans moved after ordinary humans destroyed their original home. With his companion and bodyguard, Brand, he questions Addam's relatives and business contacts through the highest ranks of the nobles of New Atlantis. But as they investigate, they uncover more than a missing man: a legendary creature connected to the secret of the massacre of Rune's Court. In looking for Addam, can Rune find the truth behind his family's death and the torments of his past?

Genre: Fantasy, urban fantasy, magic, MM romance, Mystery, adult

Whump tropes: Past trauma

 Liar City by Allie Therin

Summary: A murder has Seattle on edge, and it falls to a pacifist empath—and a notorious empath hunter—to find the killer before it's too late It’s the middle of the night when part-time police consultant and full-time empath Reece gets an anonymous call warning him that his detective sister needs his help. At an out-of-the-way Seattle marina, he discovers that three people have been butchered—including the author of the country’s strictest anti-empathy bill, which is just days from being passed into law. Soon, Reece’s caller a shadowy government agent known as The Dead Man, who is rumored to deal exclusively in cases involving empathy. He immediately takes over the investigation, locking out both local PD and the FBI, but, strangely, keeps Reece by his side. As the two track an ever-growing trail of violence and destruction across Seattle, Reece must navigate a scared and angry city, an irritating attraction to his mysterious agent companion, and a rising fear that perhaps empaths like him aren’t all flight and no fight after all…

Genre: Fantasy, mystery, paranormal, MM romance, urban fantasy

Magic in Manhattan Series (Spellbound, Starcrossed, and Wonderstruck) by Allie Therin

Summary: To save Manhattan, they’ll have to save each other first… New York, 1925 Arthur Kenzie’s life’s work is protecting the world from the supernatural relics that could destroy it. When an amulet with the power to control the tides is shipped to New York, he must intercept it before it can be used to devastating effects. This time, in order to succeed, he needs a powerful psychometric…and the only one available has sworn off his abilities altogether. Rory Brodigan’s gift comes with great risk. To protect himself, he’s become a recluse, redirecting his magic to find counterfeit antiques. But with the city’s fate hanging in the balance, he can’t force himself to say no. Being with Arthur is dangerous, but Rory’s ever-growing attraction to him begins to make him brave. And as Arthur coaxes him out of seclusion, a magical and emotional bond begins to form. One that proves impossible to break—even when Arthur sacrifices himself to keep Rory safe and Rory must risk everything to save him.

Genre: Fantasy, historical fiction, MM romance, paranormal, magic, urban fantasy

Spell Bound by F. T. Lukens

Summary: Edison Rooker isn’t sure what to expect when he enters the office of Antonia Hex, the powerful sorceress who runs a call center for magical emergencies. He doesn’t have much experience with hexes or curses. Heck, he doesn’t even have magic. But he does have a plan—to regain the access to the magical world he lost when his grandmother passed. Antonia is…intimidating, but she gives him a job and a new name—Rook—both of which he’s happy to accept. Now all Rook has to do is keep his Spell Binder, an illegal magical detection device, hidden from the Magical Consortium. And contend with Sun, the grumpy and annoyingly cute apprentice to Antonia’s rival colleague, Fable. But dealing with competition isn’t so bad; as Sun seems to pop up more and more, and Rook minds less and less. But when the Consortium gets wind of Rook’s Spell Binder, they come for Antonia. All alone, Rook runs to the only other magical person he knows: Sun. Except Fable has also been attacked, and now Rook and Sun have no choice but to work together to get their mentors back…or face losing their magic forever.

Genre: Fantasy, young adult, MM romance, urban fantasy, magic

A Market of Dreams and Destiny by Trip Galey

Summary: Below Covent Garden lies the Untermarkt, where anything and everything has a price: a lover’s first blush, a month of honesty, a wisp of fortune. As a child, Deri was sold to one of the Market’s most powerful merchants. Now, after years of watchful servitude, Deri finally spots a chance to buy not only his freedom but also his place amongst the Market’s elite when he stumbles into the path of a runaway princess desperate to sell her royal destiny. But news of the missing princess and her wayward destiny spreads. Royal enforcers and Master Merchants alike are after it. Outmanoeuvring them all would all be hard enough had Deri not just also met the love of his life, a young man called Owain, whose employers are using the Market for their own nefarious schemes. Deri soon finds that the price of selling the royal destiny, making a name for himself, and saving the man he loves is dear. The cost of it all might just change the destiny of London forever.

Genre: Fantasy, MM romance, historical fiction, urban fantasy

Saint of Steel Series by T. Kingfisher

Summary: Stephen's god died on the longest day of the year… Three years later, Stephen is a broken paladin, living only for the chance to be useful before he dies. But all that changes when he encounters a fugitive named Grace in an alley and witnesses an assassination attempt gone wrong. Now the pair must navigate a web of treachery, beset on all sides by spies and poisoners, while a cryptic killer stalks one step behind…

Genre: Fantasy, mystery, romance

Silver Under Nightfall and Court of Wanderers by Rin Chupeco

Summary: Remy Pendergast is many things: the only son of the Duke of Valenbonne (though his father might wish otherwise), an elite bounty hunter of rogue vampires, and an outcast among his fellow Reapers. His mother was the subject of gossip even before she eloped with a vampire, giving rise to the rumors that Remy is half-vampire himself. Though the kingdom of Aluria barely tolerates him, Remy’s father has been shaping him into a weapon to fight for the kingdom at any cost. When a terrifying new breed of vampire is sighted outside of the city, Remy prepares to investigate alone. But then he encounters the shockingly warmhearted vampire heiress Xiaodan Song and her infuriatingly arrogant fiancé, vampire lord Zidan Malekh, who may hold the key to defeating the creatures—though he knows associating with them won’t do his reputation any favors. When he’s offered a spot alongside them to find the truth about the mutating virus Rot that’s plaguing the kingdom, Remy faces a choice. It’s one he’s certain he’ll regret. But as the three face dangerous hardships during their journey, Remy develops fond and complicated feelings for the couple. He begins to question what he holds true about vampires, as well as the story behind his own family legacy. As the Rot continues to spread across the kingdom, Remy must decide where his loyalties lie: with his father and the kingdom he’s been trained all his life to defend or the vampires who might just be the death of him.

Genre: Fantasy, vampires, LGBTQIA+, gothic

The Druid Stone by Heidi Belleau

Summary: Sean never asked to be an O'Hara, and he didn't ask to be cursed by one either. After inheriting a hexed druid stone from his great-grandfather, Sean starts reliving another man's torture and death...every single night. And only one person can help. Cormac Kelly runs a paranormal investigation business and doesn't have time to deal with misinformed tourists like Sean. But Sean has real magic in his pocket, and even though Cormac is a descendant of legendary druids, he soon finds himself out of his depth...and not because Sean's the first man he's felt anything for in a long time. The pair develop an unexpected and intensely sexual bond, but are threatened at every turn when Sean's case attracts the unwelcome attention of the mad sidhe lords of ancient Ireland. When Sean and Cormac are thrust backward in time to Ireland's violent history—and their own dark pasts—they must work together to escape the curse and save their fragile relationship.

Genre: Fantasy, time travel, MM romance, contemporary

Whump tropes: Curses, sent through time, torture

Whisper into the Night by Jay Leigh

Summary: Theo Moreau never wanted to be involved with politics, but when his mother wins the presidential election, he reluctantly agrees to tag along for his younger siblings. Nothing could have prepared him to juggle his anxiety, complex family dynamics, and the complicated world of the White House. Lacking supportive friends and family, he leans on his steadfast Secret Service agent as tensions rise across the divisive political landscape and the dangers of being close to the president come to the surface. Agent Connor O’Brien always wanted to be a hero, so working on the protective detail for the First Family seems like the perfect opportunity. What he isn’t expecting is to fall head over heels for the man under his protection. As their relationship blossoms, the foundation of the administration grows more unstable and the chatter from America’s right-wing demographic rises to a fever pitch. But when Theo becomes the target of their campaign, the stakes get even higher. Unsure of who to trust, and with little help from the President, Theo and Connor join forces with their motley group of friends to unravel the mystery of who is working against them from inside the White House before the situation turns explosive. As the sinister reach of this masked shadow spreads, Theo and Connor grow even closer and the magnitude of everything they risk losing propels them into a race against the nefarious mastermind, desperately clinging to the hope they’ve found in one another before their dream come true turns into a nightmare.

Genre: Contemporary, MM romance, suspense

Whump tropes: Anxiety, asthma, kidnapping, bad parents, bodyguard

Adonis by L Sherleen

Summary: Accused of a hate crime and expelled from school in his final year, Connor returns home to his seaside town to let everything blow over. There, not only does he have to learn to deal with the addition of two new stepbrothers and a new stepdad, but he also has to grapple with a world set against him. It’s not all bad though. Within his dad’s underwater lab, he discovers something in the deep. Something exciting. Something that calls to him. Something that doesn't shy away from the ugly in him as the world does. And Connor could use the distraction…even if it endangers his life.

Genre: Fantasy, MM romance, mermaids, science fiction, mystery

Whump tropes: Found family (kind of), bad parents, kidnapping, false accusations

A Rake of His Own by A.J. Lancaster

Summary: Marius Valstar doesn’t know which is worse: the dead body in his greenhouse or the naked fae prince on his desk. The only rakes of interest to Marius are garden tools. Not fae princes. Certainly not the arrogant, selfish fae prince he has the misfortune to have a history with. But when Prince Rakken turns up naked and bleeding in Marius’s college the same day a body appears in his greenhouse, scruples must take second place to solving a murder that could unravel the delicate balance between humans and fae. Marius’s own developing magical powers are more hindrance than help – as is Rakken’s bloodied past. Forced to work together, they must forge an uneasy alliance if they are to track down the killer. But how can Marius trust the man who represents everything he’s trying to avoid?

Genre: Fantasy, fae, MM romance, mystery

Whump tropes: Pain from telepathy, attempted murder, bodyguard

Wicked Fox by Kat Cho

Summary: Eighteen-year-old Gu Miyoung has a secret--she's a gumiho, a nine-tailed fox who must devour the energy of men in order to survive. Because so few believe in the old tales anymore, and with so many evil men no one will miss, the modern city of Seoul is the perfect place to hide and hunt. But after feeding one full moon, Miyoung crosses paths with Jihoon, a human boy, being attacked by a goblin deep in the forest. Against her better judgment, she violates the rules of survival to rescue the boy, losing her fox bead--her gumiho soul--in the process. Jihoon knows Miyoung is more than just a beautiful girl--he saw her nine tails the night she saved his life. His grandmother used to tell him stories of the gumiho, of their power and the danger they pose to humans. He's drawn to her anyway. With murderous forces lurking in the background, Miyoung and Jihoon develop a tenuous friendship that blossoms into something more. But when a young shaman tries to reunite Miyoung with her bead, the consequences are disastrous . . . forcing Miyoung to choose between her immortal life and Jihoon's.

Genre: Fantasy, young adult, mythology, romance

[aaronsrpgs]

SpeedRune Lifepaths

Inspired by @ostrichmonkey-games asking about lifepaths, here's a lifepath system for SpeedRune, my rules-lite ancient world fantasy game. It stretches from time immemorial to the year before play starts, and it's meant to help players define their clan and their characters. Clanpaths? Familypaths? I dunno.

It didn't quite fit in the most recent supplement. Maybe it'll go in a future one? Or maybe it's just secret content only for Tumblr.

(Art by Nikola Nevenov, from this article about how Bronze Age Greek families were complicated.)

This is a process for the start of a campaign to help players come up with histories for their clan and their characters. It’s fully optional, and it doesn’t result in characters who are any mechanically stronger or weaker. Players can go through the whole process or pick individual stages. This should be done as a group.

In Time Immemorial

The players work together to choose a single Rune that represents a portion of the power of who they worship (their clan’s god, pantheon, ancestors, or hero). This doesn’t represent the totality of that god; for instance, an earth god might have power of the ground and over fertility (and any number of other spheres). The chosen Rune merely represents a key part of the clan’s worship of that god.

Work together to tell a short story about an important part of this god’s life where they gained the power of that Rune or were helped by it. This is a story your clan has told, perhaps unchanged, as long as they’ve existed. Why was it important to your ancestors?

If at least half of the players start with the chosen Rune, your community’s starting Spirit Power is increased by 1. What ceremonies and trials initiated you into the Rune’s power?

500 Years Ago

A time of catastrophe! The GM chooses a bad thing that happened to your clan. This bad thing reverberates through to today, and it might affect your DOOM track or your community’s scores.

The players have a chance to address this catastrophe at a personal loss to their skills. One player can declare that an ancestor or god stepped in to avert the catastrophe. If they do, the GM chooses a skill that is appropriate for fixing the problem, and that player loses 1d10 from that skill. Present times are protected from the listed consequence. The player describes how the problem was fixed and what the loss was.

Examples:

Your people were controlled by another clan (militarily, financially, etc). Your ancestors eventually won their freedom, but the other clan still considers you their enemy. When your DOOM track fills or a community track is endangered, they attack.

Your clan’s reigning religious power (god, pantheon, ancestor, hero) was dishonored, and many other people ceased to worship them. When outsiders witness you calling on the power of that Rune, they become angry, fearful, or dismissive.

A natural disaster (drought, earthquake, flood, etc) left the clan reeling for years. Food or Population start at 1, and until they’re improved, players must make a roll (Orate, Worship, Career) in order to secure equipment or resources.

A clan member broke a taboo, and the whole clan was blamed. The ghost of the sinner haunts your people, breaking tools and luring others to sin. When the DOOM track fills or if Spirit Power is endangered, the ghost manifests in a big way.

Grandparents

(Note: many cultures in SpeedRune complicate or eschew modern notions of family and descent. “Grandparents” is here used as shorthand for “the people from two generations back whose lives continue to influence your own.”)

One or more of your grandparents did something that is still talked about today. Roll 1d10 and consult the chart below. If you want, you can choose to switch the noted skill’s value with another skill’s value.

(Example: you rolled Sneak and heard the tale of your grandparent’s stealthy exploits. Your Sneak is only 17, but you decide to switch it with your Mass Battle skill, which is 39. Your Sneak becomes 39 and your Mass Battle becomes 17.)

1. Weapon: A grandparent won a duel based on weapon skill alone. Who did they defeat? Why were they fighting? Did you inherit their weapon?

2. Mass Battle: A grandparent led a force to victory. Who were they fighting and why? Where did this battle take place? Is their flag or standard still in your home?

3. Worship: A grandparent was famous for preaching or priesting. Who did they worship? Which speech or holy act is still remembered? Do you worship the same god?

4. Domesticity: A grandparent expanded the health and wealth of their family’s household. What tactics did they use? Did people enjoy it, or did they grumble? Do you still live in their well-running home? Do the crops or trees they planted survive today?

5. Orate: A grandparent told an original tale or swayed a crowd, and their words are still repeated today. What did they say? How did it influence others? Do you tell the story, try to live up to it, or work against it?

6. Sneak: A grandparent used stealth or hiding to avoid a terrible consequence. Did they infiltrate someone? Hide something important? And do you still use their secret paths or hiding places?

7. Spirit Power: A grandparent negotiated or commanded a powerful spirit or worked a great act of magic. Why did they risk it? Is the spirit still hanging around? Do you speak to it?

8. Lore: A grandparent invented something useful or discovered ancient secrets. What did they bring forth? How did that knowledge change things? Is it still in use today?

9. Career: A grandparent mastered a trade or craft. Was it a lonely work, or did they work with a guild? Did you inherit any remnant of their work? Do you follow their career?

10. Endure: A grandparent persisted through great physical stress and is remembered for it. Did they travel through terrible weather or harsh landscapes for the good of the family? Did they survive a plague or an assassin’s poison? How did this change the clan?

Parents

(As with “grandparents,” “parents” refers to the people of the generation above you who raised you. They need not be biological relations, and you can have any number of parents.)

This section not only describes what the previous generation did; it also begins to tie your characters together. Roll on the table above, but it applies to both your parents and the parents of the character of the player to your right (or below you on a list, if you’re playing online).

Both you and the other player can trade the skill value for another. You work together to describe how both of your parents worked together in the situation described. Were both good at it? Did one help another? Were they competing? How did it affect how the two of you were raised?

Last Year

What were you up to last year? Choose a downtime action that represents the most important thing you did before the current campaign. Play through it as normal.

(These mechanics are inspired by lifepath and family stuff in Pendragon, Beyond the Wall, and Cyberpunk 2020.)

[harryjamespotterweek]

HJP Week 2023 - Masterlist Part 1

Harry had a ball with all your wonderful creations! Thanks to everyone who participated. 🥳🥳🥳

This is the masterlist post in which all entries submitted across all platforms will be listed. There are art, fics, podfics and book bindings! If you prefer to view by prompts, check out the roundup post here.

The AO3 collection will stay open till the end of the year for any late submissions. If you want the blog to reblog your work on Tumblr, please tag @harryjamespotterweek and #hjpweek2023. 

This has been a wonderful week! Thanks for joining me in showing some love to our favorite birthday boy! ❤️❤️❤️

Masterlist Part 2

Art:

Harry Potter

🎨 Body Worship - @ofnightsndsongs

🎨 Under the Influence - @ofnightsndsongs

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Harry Potter/Severus Snape

🎨 Worried Part I - @flymetosnarryland

🎨 Worried Part II - @flymetosnarryland

Book Binding:

🪡 The White Road by perverse-idyll - @danpuff-ao3

Fic & Art:

Harry Potter/Severus Snape

❤️ Promises, promises... - acydpop / @acydpop [artist] & SerenaEW / @serenaew [writer] | G | 5k

Healer Harry Potter has been pining after his former-professor-turned-occasional-consultant-colleague Severus for a while now, but he doesn't believe anything will come out of it. Turns out, his children, Jamie, Al and Lily, have a surprise for his birthday — will he like it?

Fic:

Harry Potter & Friends (Gen Fics)

📖 Brunch - Know_It_All_2008 / @kiraannwrites | G | 798

Entry for Harry James Potter Week over on tumblr. Meeting Hermione and Ron for lunch as just routine at this point. That doesn't mean it's not his favorite part of the week.

📖 Fading Balm - Poljupci / @poljupci | T | 1.3k

The War is over and Harry is ready to leave it behind him. In the small bedroom of their even smaller apartment, half-naked, he, Ron and Hermione take the first step.

📖 First Date - emeraldlove / @givereadersahug | G | 348

"A test run, they said," mumbled Harry as he ignored the stares from judgmental strangers. "A date with your godson to see how well we get along. I'm good with children, I swear!" Teddy cried harder.

📖 Make Our Dreams Come True - Coconutice22 / @coconutice22 | G | 595

Eight-year-old Harry and his friends plan a summertime heist.

📖 the real treasure - Poljupci / @poljupci | G | 540

After the War, there is nothing more important than sticking together. Harry and the rest of what is left of the Dumbledore's Army decide to make their commitment to their friendship a little more permanent with a few simple runes, some throwaway magic and a galleon tattooed on their skin rather than carried around in their pockets.

📖 Something Just Like This - AliceLiddle / @drarrypotterrenaissance | G | 100

Harry's happy right where he is. A 100-word drabble on friendship and turning down destiny in a coffeeshop AU

📖 Travels - emeraldlove / @givereadersahug | G | 411

The Boy Who Lived didn't live up to the expectations that were set out for him. Instead, he chose his own path, stepping off the yellow-brick road. He hoped to never get back on.

---

Harry Potter/Charlie Weasley

📖 Endlings - Coconutice22 / @coconutice22 | E | 6.2k

Harry was eight when he decided he was in love with Charlie Weasley, the Lion Tamer. He knew he loved him even before he really knew what love was. At 16, Harry meets Charlie again and comes to learn there's so much more to his best friend's brother than he ever guessed.

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Harry Potter/Daphne Greengrass

📖 Daphne's Surprise - SquibNation10 | T

Daphne surprises her overworked husband with a month-long vacation cruise for his birthday. He's ecstatic until he finds out she invited Malfoy along. From rivals to brother-in-laws. Harry's life is just perfect.

---

Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy

📖 birthdays, and how harry potter learns to love them. - pansysimp / @pansysimp | G | 347

HJP week ‘23, day 7, prompt: birthday. a tiny fic for the birthday boy. slight mention of child neglect! check me out on tumblr! @ pansysimp

📖 Everything I Ever Wanted - AliceLiddle / @drarrypotterrenaissance | G | 325

Twenty years after the best birthday of Harry's life, he celebrates again.

📖 First Dates and Repeated Mistakes - AliceLiddle / @drarrypotterrenaissance | T | 1k

Harry James Potter just doesn't have a good track record when it comes to first dates. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to be improving.

📖 Flashes of Joy and Agony - AlindaKB / @alindakb | T

Snippets of Harry's life in a universe where his father James didn't die but is still absent.

📖 A Glimmer of Hope - AliceLiddle / @drarrypotterrenaissance | T | 1.6k

Once both you and your soulmate come of age, you can see shimmering sparkles, like a heat map, on things they’ve recently touched. A casual inter-house quidditch match between the returning eighth years gets a bit competitive, and Harry discovers that there's a lot more waiting for him on the other side of the war than he expected.

📖 Lick It Up - starlitsilvereyes / @starlitsilvereyes | E | 448

“You’re so good, Harry,” Draco says, hot breath fanning over the perspiration on Harry’s skin. “So good for me.”

📖 Locked Out, Let In - AliceLiddle / @drarrypotterrenaissance | T | 2.6k

Harry's locked himself out of his floo, and can't apparate home. Draco has a house full of wet paint, drop cloths, and only one bed. Pansy is a scheming matchmaker.

📖 Love to Hate You - starlitsilvereyes / @starlitsilvereyes | E | 2k

Sex with Potter was always rough. All claws and teeth – a hand wrapped around Draco’s neck, fingernails on Draco’s hips, and Potter’s filthy mouth panting against Draco’s ear.

📖 Magic from the Start - AliceLiddle / @drarrypotterrenaissance | T | 2.6k

A weekly brunch, a discussion of the things parents hide under their children's pillows and why, accidental magic, and the discovery that Harry James Potter has been this way since the beginning.

📖 morning after - Poljupci / @poljupci | E | 533

Harry woke up naked in his bed, but not alone. Coming face to face with a naked and barely awake Draco Malfoy was… not as shocking as one might think. Having brunch with him at a trendy, muggle place is a different beast entirely.

📖 My big problem - Spelcray / @waterfalls-moon | M | 249

Harry has a problem, his attempts at a relationship never exceed three dates.

📖 Room 286 - Poljupci / @poljupci | T | 1k

While on an Auror mission in Wales, Harry and Malfoy's hotel room reservation doesn't really turn out as planned. It's more than okay, though, since Malfoy had no intention of using his own bed anyway.

📖 Sometimes, Alcohol is the Answer - jmagnabosco / @jmagnabo92 | E | 3.4k

Five years after the war, Harry needs a drinking buddy and is surprised when his enemy turns into more.

📖 A Walking Heroic History - AliceLiddle / @drarrypotterrenaissance | T | 1.2k

"Besides,” Harry said, “It seems pretty simple to me. You were a git, and I hated you. Now you’re not a git, and I love you. Easy as that.”

📖 You win. - Poljupci / @poljupci | M | 1k

After a day of birthday celebration with all his family and friends, Harry goes back home only to find out Draco has one last surprise for him.

[maya-the-skaven]

Imperium Maledictum: A Module for Aeldari and Abhumans, Part II (Items and some other related info)

Source: https://twitter.com/musketanna or https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:vuijroklprtei2lpkuxc44pk

Part III: https://www.tumblr.com/maya-the-skaven/735704454119260160/imperium-maledictum-a-module-for-aeldari-and?source=share Part I: https://www.tumblr.com/maya-the-skaven/735704386685304832/imperium-maledictum-a-module-for-aeldari-and?source=share

Aeldari armory and equipment are typically unavailable for procurement except for some rare accident, asking your Patron to help get one or visiting an Aeldari outpost if you manage to find one (and not get immediately killed if you’re human). The availability provided is purely for gameplay reasons such as Commission and Craft endeavors. Getting something out of Aeldari outpost depends on availability and goodwill, since Aeldari don’t use money, alternatively you can commission them instead of your patron, skipping all extra requirements such as consulting the savant, provided you can persuade them and have cordial relationships. Additionally solar prices are provided if the player wants to sell any of their equipment on the Imperial Black Market (although they should try to haggle, it’s very sought-after tech after all).

Additionally, using any Xenotech, Aeldari or otherwise, will immediately raise suspicion of the Imperials, except Infractionists and Rogue Traders (unless you are fully clad in Xenotech armor and weaponry and can’t actually prove you’re not Xenos, although they still might be willing to deal with you). When using Xenotech before those that can recognize it as such, you might be reported, your Xenotech might be confiscated and you might incur penalties, especially if the Inquisition is involved. Xeno Hide Vest and Xeno Mesh Armour are assumed to be re-engineered variants that wouldn’t be recognized by the majority of people as Xenotech.

Items

Weapons

Mundane Weapons

Power Weapons

Force Weapons

Chain Weapons

Solid Projectile Weapons

Specialized Projectile Weapons

Las Weapons

Plasma Weapons

Melta Weapons

Flame Weapons

Launcher Weapons

Armour

Basic Armour

Mesh Armour

Wraithbone Armour

Equipment

Warp Skein The Warp Skein is a net-like psychoactive object of complex Aeldari technology made of Warp essence. When used it surrounds the user with strands of the Warp, allowing the user to temporarily shift in and out of the battlefield and the Warp, teleporting them instantly around their Zone and adjacent Zones, ignoring attacks of opportunity and obstacles. The player using it must either have the Psyker talent or Awareness (Psyniscience) skill. The player using the Warp Skein must roll Challenging (0) test for Discipline (Psychic) however, lest they get exposed to the horrors of the Warp in that single blink and gain Frightened (minor) against any potential enemies that you’re engaging for 1d10 rounds. Warp Skein may be used 5 times, before needing a recharge. It can be recharged by any Aeldari Psyker with Difficult (-10) Psychic Mastery test, granting them Fatigued status, human Psykers must study the object before being able to recharge it.

Healing Runes These psychoactive runes allow anyone with the Psyker talent or Awareness (Psyniscience) skill to be able to channel their psychic powers onto accelerating the healing of any non-critical wounds they or the other player have sustained. For each use of a Healing Rune, restore Wounds equal to Toughness Bonus. Additionally the runes stop Bleeding.

Wraithbone Amulet This Aeldari artifact is used to calm down the mind of a Seer wearing it, enabling them to dispel the lingering influence of the Warp much easier. While using it, add 2 SL to all Discipline (Psychic) tests.

Aeldari Icon This Aeldari artifact bears the runes and the likeness of one of the Gods of the Aeldari Pantheon. Using this icon provides with 1 SL to Discipline (Fear) tests and 1 SL to a choice between Psychic Mastery, Medicae, Intuition, Rapport (Charm), Fortitude (Pain), Discipline (Psychic), Presence (Intimidation) and Melee

Faolchú This is a species of a prey bird native to Aeldari Craftworlds and Maiden Worlds, often bred and used by the Kurnite Hunters as their pets and also to assist them in their scouting missions and battles. To control Faolchú one is required to have Animal Connection talent. These are flying creatures that can be either used passively to scout ahead, revealing all life signs, movement and psychic influences in the Medium range, including potentially revealing those with Hidden trait. It gains experience along the player and you can spend it on attributes and skills an animal such as this could realistically gain by training. Additionally they can be released to be used in battle, granting them the following stats:

Gyrinx A feline-like creature highly valued within Aeldari society, often employed as a pet or a familiar and especially regarded for its ability to develop a psychic link with its owner that helps them to focus and direct their psychic abilities with better level of control. While not relatively as sentient as Aeldari, Humans or other Xeno species, they are still highly intelligent and empathetic compared to many animal species found in the galaxy. It gains experience along the player and you can spend it on attributes and skills an animal such as this could realistically gain by training. Additionally they can be released to be used in battle, granting them the following stats:

Memory crystal A piece of psychoactive Aeldari crystalline technology that is able to read into its users mind and store an echo of the users memories and emotions. Often used by the Aeldari in the moment to preserve full clarity, however, it can be also used to preserve older memories, however those might be degraded. Those using the crystal can then experience that memory with unlikely clarity, as if it was a recent memory of their own. For proper use the player must either have the Psyker talent or Awareness (Psyniscience) skill. Non-psykers will have a random memory recorded or will read a highly muddled and randomly chosen memory. The crystal can hold many different moments in memory, adding up to roughly three days worth of time in memories.

Aeldari multi-tool An advanced Aeldari tool for repairing or modifying Aeldari technology in situations where they can't be easily mended by psychic powers or using them is difficult or dangerous. This tool is superior to the pocket tools often employed by the Imperials and includes a whole variety of adjustable and reliable mechanical and electrical tools made for all sorts of technological improvisation. Non-Aeldari users must Study this technology before use, within Aeldari Utilities category.

Attunement runestone A piece of psychoactive Aeldari runecraft that allows to see those on Path of the Healer that didn't yet begin to advance their psychic powers as well as others who may need it to attune themselves to the body and soul of their patient, sensing their health status, diseases and afflictions, mental or otherwise. The user must understand what they're trying to sense and as such are still required to perform Medicae or Perception tests, but has an easier time detecting some of the more subtle ailments. The player using it must either have the Psyker talent or Awareness (Psyniscience) skill.

Aeldari data pad A complex Aeldari interfacing technology that was made specifically to be able to interface with both mundane and psychoactive technology, run diagnostics and store and visualize all kinds of data, including ones that are stored in psychoactive technology, although displayed in a much more primitive way for an Aeldari, which is why it is much more commonly used by their Drukhari cousins. It can be used to interact with Aeldari automated and psychic technology and gain data using Routine (+20) Tech check as well as to improvise an interface with Imperial Tech using Difficult (-10) test. It can be locked via either a passcode or psychic signature if the player has the Psyker talent or Awareness (Psyniscience) skill, requiring a Hard (-20) check in Tech or Psychic Mastery respectively. Requires Study by the non-Aeldari prior to use, within the Aeldari Utilities category.

Aeldari surgery kit (5 uses) A set of high-quality surgical tools made of Wraithbone on one of the Craftworlds. It can be used to remove non-Critical Bleeding status with Easy (+40) Medicae test, as well as a multitude of critical wounds and injuries. Additionally, if the player has the Psyker talent or Awareness (Psyniscience) skill, the Wraithbone tools allow you to intuit the necessary movements and locations during the surgery, adding a SL to all relevant difficulty checks.

Signal Interceptor A special Aeldari technology created to capture and decrypt signals transmitted through more conventional means, usually to spy on the younger races, but it is also often fashioned to receive signals by both the psychic and mundane Aeldari transmitters during difficult Warp conditions. You can use this technology to intercept standard data under calm conditions within 8 kilometers with a Challenging (0) Tech test. Every SL gives you 10 minutes of being able to tap into the transmission. A failure alerts the target to the attempt at interception, while critical failure gives them a reason to suspect the signal is not being intercepted with standard Imperial tech. Requires Study by the non-Aeldari to use, within Aeldari Utilities category.

Rune of Time A psychoactive Aeldari rune that allows any user with the Psyker talent or Awareness (Psyniscience) to use it to intuit the passage of time in the locale you’re in and/or any locale you’re attuned to (Patron’s planet, your Craftworld, your hideout etc).

Rune of Space A psychoactive Aeldari rune A psychoactive Aeldari rune that allows any user with the Psyker talent or Awareness (Psyniscience) to use it to intuit their current location on the local and global level, as well as find their way across difficult and unknown terrain, while using Navigation (Surface) and other tests, adding success levels or reducing difficulty of their endeavors.

Sensory runestone A device of psychoactive Aeldari complex runecraft that bears several specially attuned runes that allow their user to see or hear hidden objects, sense the smallest of motions, feel the presence of otherwise undetectable waves, smell the faintest of odours, feel the tiniest bumps on a surface and also detect psychic presence. This device will reveal presence of life (including Hidden), motion, energy and psychic presence, radiation, signals and make its user hyperfocused and able to detect even the most obscure of sensory details hidden within Medium range. GM may ask the player to roll either Tech or Psychic Mastery depending on how arcane is the requested sensory investigation. If the player doesn't have the Psyker talent or Awareness (Psyniscience) skill, this device will only reveal the most basic details such as simple presence or absence of some energy signature. The non-Aeldari also must Study this device before use, within Aeldari Psyker’s Aids category.

Aeldari lens A psychoactive Aeldari device resembling a small telescope that allows regular used to see closer and a psyker to see beyond the horizon and obstructions. This device allows the user to perform Awareness (Sight) tests at Extreme range as well as at Long and closer ranges intuit what might be located beyond obstacles and obstructions, for example it can reveal ambushers hidden behind a bush, even if they're practically not visible. The player must have the Psyker talent or Awareness (Psyniscience) skill for the device to be more than just a telescope.

Nightseers A version of an Aeldari light sensor, usually attached inside of their helmets, but also can be worn separately either as contacts or a visor, that allows the user to adjust light to comfortable levels.  This visor allows you to see things in Dark and Poorly Lit conditions and prevents Blinded conditions coming from non-psychic sources.

Aeldari space glove A special Aeldari suit designed for use in the void allowing effective survival in vacuum, radioactive and biohazardous environments. Unlike heavy and bulky Imperial body suits, these are lightweight and well-adapted to the user that knows how to interface with it. It doesn't provide armour but are sleek enough to be worn under armour. The glove includes an internal Rebreather system that allows the user to breathe for 10 hours, with air automatically recharging in 3 hours in a pressurised environment, or by replacing an air canister weighing 1 Encumbrance when not attached. The suit additionally contains micro-thrusters and Grav Boots. Additionally it protects you from Ablaze condition, completely against (minor) and reducing Ablaze (major) to (minor).

Grav Boots A complex piece of Aeldari technology that generates a miniature gravity field under the user’s feet in the desired direction. In very low or no gravity environments you can use those boots to walk on any surface as if it was normal gravity with Slow speed. In normal gravity you can either do an Routine (+10) Athletics (Climbing) or Reflexes (Acrobatics) check to slowly walk on the walls and ceilings, or you can make a Hard (-10) check in same skill to run on the walls and ceilings as fast as you can. Requires a non-Aeldari user to do Study before use, within Aeldari Utilities category.

Corsair Jet Pack An Aeldari specialized device, often utilized by Corsairs on their boarding operations, which allows the user to fly temporarily. Upon its use, it grants the user Fly ability with Slow speed indoors and Fast outdoors. It can be turned on and off, while tne canister of jet fuel (similar fuel sold in Imperial space ports costs 500 per canister and has 1 Encumbrance unattached) allows for cumulative 15 rounds of flying. Requires a non-Aeldari user to do Study before use, within Aeldari Utilities category.

Telepath Amulet A psychoactive Aeldari artifact that allows even those with lack of psychic prowess to transmit messages and even images via telepathic means. This is one of the standard means of communication for Craftworlders, allowing them to efficiently communicate with each other over great distances without being interfered with by material radiation or listening devices. Allows the user to talk and transmit images from one's mind over 200 mile radius distance to other amulets that had been collectively attuned or to someone holding an amulet that you personally know. With Hard (-20) Psychic Mastery check you may also feel the presence of and connect to any amulet within the distance. Additionally, any psyker who might suspect such communication taking place within 5 miles of the amulet may attempt to listen in, partially hearing the message, with a Hard (-20) Psychic Mastery check, this action however alerts amulet users after a short amount of time. The player must have the Psyker talent or Awareness (Psyniscience) skill to use the device.

Aeldari Vox Some of the situations require uninterrupted communication and the powers of Warp can be such an interruption, prompting the need for Aeldari technology such as Aeldari Vox. It doesn’t rely on psychic powers and allows local communications even during local Warp instability, which would otherwise block psychic communications that Aeldari often rely on. This Vox allows communication with any other Vox in the 200 mile radius. Requires a non-Aeldari user to do Study before use, within Aeldari Utilities category.

Sound Dampener A complex piece of Aeldari psychoactive technology that alters realspace in the surrounding area to remove sound perception for those not using the technology. Removes all sound coming from the party in a zone for an hour, making it impossible for the enemy to run Awareness (Sound) checks, however they can still roll a Hard (-20) intuition check to recognize that it might be too quiet around. Recharges passively in an hour and can be recharged in 15 minutes with a Routine (+10) Psychic Mastery check. The player must have the Psyker talent or Awareness (Psyniscience) skill and also perform Study to use the device, within Aeldari Utilities category.

Psychic Jammer A special and rare psychoactive device designed by Aeldari to fight enemy psykers and daemons that suppresses psychic powers of everyone in the area except the Aeldari. For 10 Rounds or 20 minutes, increase Difficulty of any Psychic Mastery or Awareness (Psyniscience) by three steps for any non-Aeldari in the Zone the users are in. The player must have the Psyker talent or Awareness (Psyniscience) skill and also perform Study to use the device, within Aeldari Psyker’s Aids category.

Skeleton Key A special psychoactive relic of Aeldari design that uses slight psychic malleability to create a clockwork-like lock picking device, vastly improving its efficiency in the hands of someone with minimal psychic abilities, otherwise acting as regular lockpick. You can use Skeleton Key with Dexterity (Lock Picking) tests of reduced difficulty or roll Psychic Mastery instead, if the player must have the Psyker talent or Awareness (Psyniscience) skill. Works with both Aeldari and Imperial locks.

Aeldari Lascutter A laser-cutting device of standard Aeldari technology, often used by Corsairs during boarding operations. Can cut through any material not tempered against extreme temperature and with thickness up to 20 cm. Generally much more powerful and more reliable than Imperial Lascutters. Can be used as a one-hand improvised weapon with the following traits: Inflict (Ablaze), Loud, Rend (5). Requires Study to use, within Aeldari Utilities category, within Aeldari Utilities category.

Psyelectric crystal A psychically powered Aeldari illumination device, that uses a psychically activated electric crystal the electrochemical reaction of which produces intense light, both directed and surrounding. Removes Dark and Poorly Lit from the zone and can be powered for 12 hours, while recharging in 2 hours of being held by anyone with the Psyker talent or Awareness (Psyniscience) skill, also being able to recharge instantly in an Routine (+10) Psychic Mastery check. The player must have the Psyker talent or Awareness (Psyniscience) skill to use the device.

Anchoring Rune A psychically powerful Aeldari rune that allows safe divination. Analogous in function to Instruments of Divination.

Skeingazer Amulet A powerful psychoactive Aeldari artifact that allows to ever so slightly nudge the weaves of fate without risking losing your soul to the Chaos Gods. Using Skeingazer Amulet to peer behind the veil and alter the weaves of Fate requires a Difficult (-10) Psychic Mastery test and you cannot use Fate to re-roll its results. Upon +2 SL success you can restore a spent Fate point and upon a +4 SL you can restore a burnt Fate point, however if you fail by more than -2 SL you lose a Fate point and upon -4 SL you burn one.

Cloak of Shadows A special psychoactive Aeldari cloak that alters realspace ever so slightly to obscure the presence of its wearer. Adds +2 SL to Stealth tests if the user doesn’t move and +1 SL to Stealth tests if one does. The player must have the Psyker talent or Awareness (Psyniscience) skill to use the device efficiently, otherwise add just +1 SL to Stealth tests if the user doesn’t move.

Guide to Sizes

Some equipment has specifics that complicate its utilization by users smaller or larger than the average size of the users the equipment was intended for. While normally not an issue with most utility equipment, weapons and armor are another story. Not to overcomplicate things, we will leave it up to the GM what equipment is universal and what is restricted by sizes, but we will also make a general guideline for how this equipment could work. Generally Small-sized weapons cannot be used by Large characters and vice versa, Normal-sized players can use both, but both with Disadvantage, additionally Two-Handed weapons for larger characters cannot be used unless set up in a stationary position (like a tripod). In case of One-Handed weapons for larger characters, the smaller character will have to use them as Two-Handed and with a Heavy trait equal to twice its encumbrance. Large equipment costs 20% more and can either hold 20% more ammo or do 10% more damage (rounded up), while Small equipment costs 15% less and holds 10% less ammo (rounded up). Armor and clothes have to be specifically designed to fit the size to be worn, Large worn equipment has 20% more Armor and 30% more Encumbrance, while Small sized armor has 30% less Encumbrance (but cannot reduce it to 0).

Traits

XL People with Small size cannot use this weapon, while Normal size can use it if it’s One-Handed with a Heavy trait of level equal to three times its encumbrance, Two-Handed trait and additional penalty of 1 SL, unless it’s deployed on a stationary position (for both sizes).

Aeldari Technology (Category) Complex technology used by either Asuryani or the Drukhari. While Aeldari have no issue navigating through this technology, humans must actually study the object in question via Study Endeavour, before managing to use ranged weapons or tools, while all melee weapons get halved (and rounded up, but doesn’t stack with psychoactive penalty) damage and armor gives +2 encumbrance when worn. 

Psychoactive  The equipment, armor or weapons react to the psychic presence of its user. Those without ability to psychically attune to the objects they are trying to manipulate, will find little use if any at all with the equipment. To use psychoactive ranged weapons and tools, the user must possess either the Psyker talent or Awareness (Psyniscience), while psychoactive armor can be used but adds +2 additional encumbrance when worn. Any major psychic disturbance (such as major daemonic presence or a blank) may require Psychic Mastery, or Awareness (Psyniscience) tests to avoid penalties, even for the Aeldari.

Boomerang A quality of any thrown weapon, returns to the owner next round upon a successful Easy (+20) Ranged (Thrown) test, provided they moved roughly on the same trajectory as the weapon they threw.

Talents

Commune with the Spirits >Requirements: Seer or Spirit Guardian, 3 in Awareness (Psyniscience) >You have a very special attunement to the souls within Spirit Stones and the Infinity Circuit, allowing you to commune with the dead with no ill effect or restriction and with perfect clarity, as well as passively absorb experience, skills and intuition of those you commune with. At all times and regardless of whether you’re a Psyker (in game terms) you can communicate with souls within any Spirit Stones. Additionally you can substitute any of the advances in your specialized skills for a specialized skill belonging to the spirit stones you acquire, once per day. At the start of the game you hold 2 spirit stones that each have 2 specialized skills of your choice, as long as they are not incredibly improbable.

Animal Connection >Requirement: 3 Rapport (Animals) >You feel kinship with your animal companions on a deep and unexplainable level, most likely stemming out of some very subdued psychic powers present in you. While Rapport (Animal) is still needed to persuade and control the animal, you can intuit what the animals actually feels and wants specifically as if you were reading its mind, while, in turn, the animal seems to understand your commands and intentions nearly perfectly (but remember that animals are still extremely limited in what they can know and do, you can persuade a rat to steal the keys for you but not to operate complex machinery).

Academic >You spent many years studying all the theoretical aspects of a very specific and complex topic of interest and you can easily recollect even the most expert knowledge from that field. You gain an advantage to any action from that field of expertise utilizing its theoretical knowledge (for example you might recognize what steps need to be taken to perform a complex sabotage, though you might not be as good at performing it) or you can give +1 SL to anyone with practical knowledge (for example you with astronomy and someone with Navigation). Example fields, should be not too general but also not too specific as to be useless: applied chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy, molecular physics, applied physics, psychology, architecture, astronomy.

Diplomat >Requirements: only acquired by the story progression. >You are a recognized attaché of your species, whether a member of a Xenos race serving at an ad hoc embassy within some of the central Imperial planets in the Macharian sector, or an Imperial envoy carrying insignia that would be recognized by any non-imperial political unit that has any willingness for negotiation. Hostility against you and your party (provided they stay close, have a plausible explanation for being with you and not causing trouble) by potential enemy forces will be passive and subdued, given you are in a location with tight control by an authority that recognizes your status. Additionally, upon appealing to a figure of authority of any faction, your SL based on Influence can either be reverted to zero or one more can be added, once per session.

Source: https://twitter.com/musketanna or https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:vuijroklprtei2lpkuxc44pk

Other

Study (Endeavor)

To use complex technology not created for the use of your species or that is so utterly ancient you seldom have any idea how to use it and how to adjust its interface to your comfort you need to study it. Invariably needed when using any complex technology from other species, civilizations, eras, human archeotech, highly specialized and extremely rare equipment. One can begin study by themselves, however it is often recommended to conduct a Consult Savant endeavor or find a suitable tutor who already knows or at least has good leads on how to use this technology. Upon GMs discretion studying one artifact would immediately reveal how to use another with similar utility or complexity level, such as the example with Aeldari technology, where you learn to use entire categories of items. Some exotic artifacts, however, require separate study. For study, either relevant Lore (Forbidden) test is required, or Tech and Logic tests with 1 additional SL penalty. Successful previous Consult Savant endeavor or finding a willing expert during a mission who already knows how to use the equipment will add 3 SL to your progress (these Savants always must be at a restricted level). Party members that know how to use the equipment, for the sake of balance, do not count as experts but still can add 2 SL to your studies. To simulate the study process, the GM must come up with the Difficulty and the required cumulative Success Levels to finish the study. For example:

[ditchwaterwitchery]

1. Are you solitary or in a coven?

I’m solitary. I often practice with or share rituals with my practicing friends and housemates, but I’ve had extremely bad second-hand experiences with covens and 

2. Do you consider yourself  Wiccan, Pagan, witch, or other?

Is a pagan witch really that extra? 

3. What is your zodiac sign?

Aries/Cancer/Leo

4. Do you have a Patron God/dess?

Not… really? I have deities I favor, those I work with often, but I worship too many deities to really go 'I love this one the most!' Historically that has not gone well for the human so I worship with as much equity as possible. 

5. Do you work with a Pantheon?

Yes. 

6. Do you use tarot, palmistry, or 
any other kind of divination?

I do use tarot and other cartomancy, runes, Ogham, candle-gazing, basically whatever takes me on the day. I definitely favor divinatory magics. 

7. What are some of your favorite herbs to use in your practice? (if any)

Rosemary and mint, honestly. Lavender and juniper are also used quite a lot, but I'll put rosemary into literally whatever because I equate it with a little kick of power and I'm never confident enough in my power that I'll turn up my nose at a lil boost, and mint has childhood memories of soothing or calming so I use it for spell aftercare. 

8. How would you define your craft?

I'm a ditchwater witch. I use what I have, whether or not its 'icky'. I collect what people might consider scum and turn it back into something beautiful. I surge after the rain and dwindle away into nothing when I'm not of use. My craft is for finding purpose for unwanted things. 

9. Do you curse? If not, do you accept others who do?

I sure do. 

10. How long have you been practicing?

Formally? Since 2014. But my heart has always been in the earth. 

11. Do you currently or have you ever had any familiars? 

No. 

12. Do you believe in Karma or
Reincarnation?

Not specifically. I believe in past lives, absolutely. Energy has to go somewhere. 

13. Do you have a magical name?

I mean, all names are magical names, but not a specific one, no. 

14. Are you “out of the broom closet”?

Oh very. I was never really in it, tbh. I just went straight to losing all my family and friends because I didn't want to be Catholic anymore. 

15. What was the last spell you performed?

Protection and rejuvenation for a friend. 

16. Would you consider yourself knowledgeable?

No, I'm a student. 

17. Do you write your own spells?

Pretty much exclusively. I've never met a spell I didn't tweak heavily, even my own. 

18. Do you have a book of shadows?
If so, how is it written and/or set up? 

I have grimoirë? Over a dozen notebooks I've compiled, rewritten, and reconstructed over the years and consult almost daily. 

19. Do you worship nature? 

That seems to be everyone's favorite gateway, yes. 

20. What is your favorite gemstone?

Luminous stones from Breath of the Wild, lol.

Amethyst, seriously. Its been my favorite since a grandparent brought me a hunk from Canada when I was a child. 

21. Do you use feathers, claws, fur, pelt, skeletons/bones, or any other animal body part for magical work?

Oh boy do I. 

22. Do you have an altar?

4 of them.  

23. What is your preferred element?

My edgy gut wanted to answer fire but I work with earth the most, gotta respect the mother. 

24. Do you consider yourself an Alchemist?

I am not smart or scary enough for alchemy. 

25. Are you any other type of magical practitioner besides a witch?

No, I like witch/pagan (yes I know they are not interchangeable, but they are for my practice).

26. What got you interested in witchcraft?

My friend told me I reminded them of a witch and I was flattered. A decision to research just put the nails in the coffin. 

27. Have you ever performed a spell or ritual with the company of anyone who was not a witch?

Sure. 

28. Have you ever used ouija?

No, but I've been looking for one that I like that isn't expensive. May end up making one so I know the provence of the pieces. 

29. Do you consider yourself a psychic?

Sure. 

30. Do you have a spirit guide? If so, what is it?

My great grandfather. He taught me how to pray and how to love the deity(is) you worship and how to serve the earth while he was on the earth, and now he guides my hands. 

31. What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started?

You don't need anything other than yourself to be a witch. 

32. Do you celebrate the Sabbats? If so which one is your favorite?

No, but Bealtaine is my favorite. 

33. Would you ever teach witchcraft to your children?

I won't be having children, but I will teach my friends'. 

34. Do you meditate?

No. Its painful for me. 

35. What is your favorite season?

Autumn 

36. What is your favorite type of magick to preform?

Divination. I like understanding why. 

37. How do you incorporate your spirituality into your daily life? 

I use tarot every day, I pray, I cook, I breathe. All of it is spiritual. All of it is sacred. 

38. What is your favorite witchy movie?

I don't have one

39. What is your favorite witchy book, both fiction and non-fiction. Why?

Seanan McGuire's October Daye series is my current favorite magical fiction. Rev. Lora O'Brien's Practical Guide to Pagan Priesthood is my favorite nonfiction.

I read Seanan McGuire when I want to remember why ritual is important to my outSIDE of the Clerical Brainwashing. I read the Reverend when I want to know how, and that I'm allowed to want this. 

40. What is the first spell you ever preformed? Successful or not. 

Oh, I cursed one of my abusers. 

41. What’s the craziest witchcraft-related thing that’s happened to you? 

I'm still surprised when anything works, honestly. A lifetime of Catholic impotism really ran a number on my head and it's still surprising when someone hears my prayers. 

42. What is your favourite type of candle to use?

One I've made. 

43. What is your favorite witchy tool?

My bead weaving loom. 

44. Do you or have you ever made your own witchy tools?

I do, yeah. I tend to be of the opinion that something works best for the hands that made it. 

45. Have you ever worked with any magical creatures such as the fea or spirits?

Yep. 

46. Do you practice color magic?

Not really. Sometimes when I'm making candles, but not often. 

47. Do you or have you ever had a witchy teacher or mentor of any kind?

No. I'm… wary of teachers. 

48. What is your preferred way of shopping for witchcraft supplies?

Shopping for the ingredients to make those supplies. 

49. Do you believe in predestination or fate?

Sometimes. My faith in fate is shaky, but there have been times a person or thing was too timely to discount. 

50. What do you do to reconnect   when you are feeling out of touch with your practice? 

I read, mostly. Its the best thing to rekindle my whimsy and drive to do. 

51. Have you ever had any supernatural experiences?

Absolutely. 

52. What is your biggest witchy pet peeve?

Stinky incense. 'sandalwood' my ass. 

53. Do you like incense? If so what’s your favorite scent?

Oh, hi. I was just talking about you. I like Celtic blend church incense. 

54. Do you keep a dream journal of any kind?

I've tried, but my ADHD hates journaling. 

55. What has been your biggest witchcraft disaster?

I consider losing my entire family and many of my friends to be disastrous, but nothing correlated to my spellcasting or anything. 

56. What has been your biggest witchcraft success?

Self confidence. 

57. What in your practice do you do that you may feel silly or embarrassed about?

I've always like crossing myself. I turned the sign of the cross into a pentagram and I use it when I need to, but I don't want anyone to see me doing it. 

58. Do you believe that you can be an atheist, Christian, Muslim or some other faith and still be a witch too?

Absolutely. 

59. Do you ever feel insecure, unsure or even scared of spell work?

No. 

60. Do you ever hold yourself to a standard in your witchcraft that you feel you may never obtain?

Yes. 

61. What is something witch related that you want right now?

Like 400 tarot decks, a 3d printer, and my goddamn hat back. 

62. What is your rune of choice?

Ansuz

63. What is your tarot card of choice?

The Star

64. Do you use essential oils? If so what is your favorite?

A lovely cardamom cedar blend. 

65. Have you ever taken any kind of witchcraft or pagan courses?

No, the ones I can afford are too hard for my mental illnesses to pay attention to. My learning tends to have to be done hands-on. 

66. Do you wear pagan jewelry in public?

Remember those bones you asked after about 45 questions ago? 

67. Have you ever been discriminated against because of your faith or being a witch? 

I was diagnosed with 'religious delusions' by my former therapist, as an example.

68. Do you read or subscribe to any pagan magazines?

No. I'd like to. 

69. Do you think it’s important to know the history of paganism and witchcraft?

Yes???? At least a little? So we don't have 'daughters of the witches you didn't burn' memes. 

70. What are your favorite things about being a witch?

Oh gods, everything. I'm in religious euphoria for the first time in my life I feel like a new man every day. 

71. What are your least favorite things about being a witch?

Knowing that if I do the work I'll feel better. I just want to rest my hurts on my best day, and showing up for my responsibilities is fucking impossible on my worst. 

72. Do you listen to any pagan music? If so who is your favorite singer/band?

I fell in love with Heather Dale years ago, and she's remained a constant. 

73. Do you celebrate the Esbbats? If so, how?

The esbats are wiccan iirc. I don't follow wicca. 

74. Do you ever work skyclad?

No thank you. 

75. Do you think witchcraft has improved your life? If so, how?

Absolutely. It made me want to live my life. 

76. Where do you draw inspiration from for your practice?

What, like Pinterest boards?  I just do things, this is not an aesthetic I'm trying to achieve. 

77. Do you believe in ‘fantasy’ creatures? (Unicorns, fairies, elves, gnomes, ghosts, etc)

Yes. 

78. What’s your favorite sigil/symbol?

I…sure. My favorite sigil is the one for peaceful rest. 

79. Do you use blood magick in your practice? Why or why not?

If what I'm doing calls for it, yes. 

80. Could you ever be in a relationship with someone who doesn’t support your practice?

No. I support my partner's spirituality and I consider it the least of things for them to do the same. 

81. In what area or subject would you most like your craft to grow?

Everywhere. I'm not enough as I am and I feel like learning how to be enough is taking too long. 

82. What’s your favorite candle scent? Do you use it in your practice?

Its been discontinued, but I think it was called like 'Turkish marketplace' or something equally as tone-deaf by better homes. My favorite to make and then use in my craft is lemongrass. 

83. Do you have a pre-ritual ritual? (I.e. Something you do before rituals to prepare yourself for them). If so what is it? 

I shower, yeah, if its not a curse I'm doing. If it is, I shower after, but for everything else I want to be clean when I put my energy into something. 

84. What real life witch most inspires your practice?

?? breelandwalker  ig???? Idk, I have the most of her books over other things so if that's what you mean by 'real life' or 'inspire' then there you go. 

85. What is your favorite method of communicating with deity?

Divination and prayer. 

86. How do you like to organize all your witchy items and ingredients?

By most to least used. 

87. Do you have any witches in your family that you know of?

I mean the largest amount of my heritage is Irish and Kickapoo so its not impossible, but not that I personally know of. 

88. How have you created your path? What is unique about it?

I'm having a hard time answering this without feeling like I'm posturing. 'It's the MOST unique and special' 😬😬

 I write my own prayers and spells and whatnot. 

89. Do you feel you have any natural gifts or affinities (premonitions, hearing spirits, etc.) that led you toward the craft? If so what are they?

I mean, I've been seeing ghosts and feeling presences my whole life, but it drove me further away from my craft when I was still Catholic rather than leading me to it. 

90. Do you believe you can initiate yourself or do you have to be initiated by another witch or coven?

You're a witch if you goddamn want to be one no one gets to tell you when you're allowed to do magic

91. When you first started out in your path what was the first thing or things you bought?

A tarot deck and notebooks

92. What is the most spiritual or magickal place you’ve been?

The coldspring at Nitchke Mounds. 

93. What’s one piece of advice you’d give someone who is searching for their matron and patron deities?

Divorce yourself from the notion that only one or two gods want you. Walk away from the idea that you only get so many. There are a lot of deities and spirits and I don't understand why people are so attached to limiting themselves. 

94. What techniques do you use to ‘get in the zone’ for meditation? 

I don't meditate. 

95. Did visualization come easily to you or did you have to practice at it?

I read a lot. Like a lot. My imagination is better than my grasp of reality. 

96. Do you prefer day or night? Why?

Night. Its  safe there. 

97. What do you think is the best time and place to do spell work?

3am 

98. How did you feel when you cast your first circle? Did you stumble or did it go smoothly?

Oh, I loved it. I really liked casting circles, but it quickly became a waste of time, so now I have permanent ones. 

99. Do you believe witchcraft gets easier with time and practice?

It gets different for sure. 

100. Do you believe in many gods or one God with many faces?  

I believe that as long as there have been people there has been the desire to believe in something bigger than us. Is it one thing, or has it split into many over time? I don't know. 

101. Do you eat meat, eggs and dairy?

I'm allergic to dairy but yes. 

102. What is your favorite color and why?

Purple, why? 

103. What is the one question you get asked most by non-practitioners or non-pagans? How do you usually respond?

Are you sure? Yes. 

104. Which of your five senses would you say is your strongest? 

Feeling, but that's just because my ears are shot, I'm more nearsighted every year, I have very little sense of taste, and I need my scents to be overpowering in order to register. 

105. What is a pagan or witchcraft rule that you preach but don’t practice?

The only rule I preach is the one I practice hardest: not everything is for you to play with  I have no right to preach anything else

Witchcraft Asks #1-105

Here is the list of the 105 witchcraft questions I just finished answering. I answered one each day but feel free to answer them all at once or however you want to do it. Tag your it!

1. Are you solitary or in a coven? 2. Do you consider yourself Wiccan, Pagan, witch, or other? 3. What is your zodiac sign? 4. Do you have a Patron God/dess? 5. Do you work with a Pantheon? 6. Do you use tarot, palmistry, or 
any other kind of divination? 7. What are some of your favorite herbs to use in your practice? (if any) 8. How would you define your craft? 9. Do you curse? If not, do you accept others who do? 10. How long have you been practicing? 11. Do you currently or have you ever had any familiars? 12. Do you believe in Karma or
Reincarnation? 13. Do you have a magical name? 14. Are you “out of the broom closet”? 15. What was the last spell you performed? 16. Would you consider yourself knowledgeable? 17. Do you write your own spells? 18. Do you have a book of shadows?
If so, how is it written and/or set up? 19. Do you worship nature? 20. What is your favorite gemstone? 21. Do you use feathers, claws, fur, pelt, skeletons/bones, or any other animal body part for magical work? 22. Do you have an altar? 23. What is your preferred element? 24. Do you consider yourself an Alchemist? 25. Are you any other type of magical practitioner besides a witch? 26. What got you interested in witchcraft? 27. Have you ever performed a spell or ritual with the company of anyone who was not a witch? 28. Have you ever used ouija? 29. Do you consider yourself a psychic? 30. Do you have a spirit guide? If so, what is it? 31. What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started? 32. Do you celebrate the Sabbats? If so which one is your favorite? 33. Would you ever teach witchcraft to your children? 34. Do you meditate? 35. What is your favorite season? 36. What is your favorite type of magick to preform? 37. How do you incorporate your spirituality into your daily life? 38. What is your favorite witchy movie? 39. What is your favorite witchy book, both fiction and non-fiction. Why? 40. What is the first spell you ever preformed? Successful or not. 41. What’s the craziest witchcraft-related thing that’s happened to you? 42. What is your favourite type of candle to use? 43. What is your favorite witchy tool? 44. Do you or have you ever made your own witchy tools? 45. Have you ever worked with any magical creatures such as the fea or spirits? 46. Do you practice color magic? 47. Do you or have you ever had a witchy teacher or mentor of any kind? 48. What is your preferred way of shopping for witchcraft supplies? 49. Do you believe in predestination or fate? 50. What do you do to reconnect when you are feeling out of touch with your practice? 51. Have you ever had any supernatural experiences? 52. What is your biggest witchy pet peeve? 53. Do you like incense? If so what’s your favorite scent? 54. Do you keep a dream journal of any kind? 55. What has been your biggest witchcraft disaster? 56. What has been your biggest witchcraft success? 57. What in your practice do you do that you may feel silly or embarrassed about? 58. Do you believe that you can be an atheist, Christian, Muslim or some other faith and still be a witch too? 59. Do you ever feel insecure, unsure or even scared of spell work? 60. Do you ever hold yourself to a standard in your witchcraft that you feel you may never obtain? 61. What is something witch related that you want right now? 62. What is your rune of choice? 63. What is your tarot card of choice? 64. Do you use essential oils? If so what is your favorite? 65. Have you ever taken any kind of witchcraft or pagan courses? 66. Do you wear pagan jewelry in public? 67. Have you ever been discriminated against because of your faith or being a witch? 68. Do you read or subscribe to any pagan magazines? 69. Do you think it’s important to know the history of paganism and witchcraft? 70. What are your favorite things about being a witch? 71. What are your least favorite things about being a witch? 72. Do you listen to any pagan music? If so who is your favorite singer/band? 73. Do you celebrate the Esbbats? If so, how? 74. Do you ever work skyclad? 75. Do you think witchcraft has improved your life? If so, how? 76. Where do you draw inspiration from for your practice? 77. Do you believe in ‘fantasy’ creatures? (Unicorns, fairies, elves, gnomes, ghosts, etc) 78. What’s your favorite sigil/symbol? 79. Do you use blood magick in your practice? Why or why not? 80. Could you ever be in a relationship with someone who doesn’t support your practice? 81. In what area or subject would you most like your craft to grow? 82. What’s your favorite candle scent? Do you use it in your practice? 83. Do you have a pre-ritual ritual? (I.e. Something you do before rituals to prepare yourself for them). If so what is it? 84. What real life witch most inspires your practice? 85. What is your favorite method of communicating with deity? 86. How do you like to organize all your witchy items and ingredients? 87. Do you have any witches in your family that you know of? 88. How have you created your path? What is unique about it? 89. Do you feel you have any natural gifts or affinities (premonitions, hearing spirits, etc.) that led you toward the craft? If so what are they? 90. Do you believe you can initiate yourself or do you have to be initiated by another witch or coven? 91. When you first started out in your path what was the first thing or things you bought? 92. What is the most spiritual or magickal place you’ve been? 93. What’s one piece of advice you’d give someone who is searching for their matron and patron deities? 94. What techniques do you use to ‘get in the zone’ for meditation? 95. Did visualization come easily to you or did you have to practice at it? 96. Do you prefer day or night? Why? 97. What do you think is the best time and place to do spell work? 98. How did you feel when you cast your first circle? Did you stumble or did it go smoothly? 99. Do you believe witchcraft gets easier with time and practice? 100. Do you believe in many gods or one God with many faces? 101. Do you eat meat, eggs and dairy? 102. What is your favorite color and why? 103. What is the one question you get asked most by non-practitioners or non-pagans? How do you usually respond? 104. Which of your five senses would you say is your strongest? 105. What is a pagan or witchcraft rule that you preach but don’t practice?

[spicywhumper]

@febuwhump 2024: day 04. obedience + frisky february: day 1. under the table

series: war dog (crimson history) | rating: explicit | word count: 1,094

content warning: explicit sexual content, non-con, rapist POV, stepcest, underage victim, dehumanization (use of it/it's/itself for a person) and child abuse.

extra warning: non-con 'cause the victim is unable to consent due to deep conditioning, age not stated but it's under 16.

it's good genetics, Joan thinks, her fingers entangled in soft, silky hair.

it has grown just enough that she can grab it, it's more than overdue to a haircut, but she enjoys this feeling. she'll let It keep it this way, maybe a couple more weeks before she give It a buzzcut again. Joan thinks the buzzcut makes It look a little older, more handsome, a fitting sight for the dangerous soldier It is, a match for the attack dog she trained so, so well.

the softness of Its hair is familiar, even if she barely has a relationship with her wife. they say it's normal for marriages to fall apart when knew of them has so much responsibility, she thinks Jocelyn doesn't like the concept of War Dogs and why this one was chosen. but, honestly, not Joan's fault that bloodlines are important and of course this specific child had been chosen.

now, this part of Its training isn't standard. isn't unheard of, not with the majority of War Dogs being male and majority of their Handlers being women. the current Dog is an exception of the rule, and Joan would be the exception at using It for intimate pleasure of she didn't have a taste for females in general.

specially well built, handsome ones that won in the genetics lottery.

it has taken a few tries before she got the Dog to comply, a few whippings to teach It to stay quiet.

Joan is proud, she best obedience into the Dog, obedience that carries over to when the Dog is a girl again.

right now, she had documents and scrolls to revise, but she has been stressed. more stressed after a fight with her daughter, who's still not in a position where she can know why Joan spends so much time with the Dog. It was waiting for her when she came into her office, a normal Tuesday afternoon wasn't a War Dogs training day, she'd have the girl sitting in front of her and helping her with the scrolls. the kid is smart, she'll be useful as a consultant once Joan's daughter takes her place as the Head Magician. a good consultant, a good attack dog, a good stress relief, Joan's heir got everything she could ever ask for, doesn't she?

(Joan's not dumb, she knows they fool around, she heard once or twice.)

Joan sighs and gives up on reading runes, Dog is distracting. which's what she trained It for, what she asked It to do when she gave the order. she looks down, her nails caressing Its scalp and a hum sends shivers up her spine. the position can't be too comfortable, kneeled, hands on Its thighs and slouched to reach Joan's pussy. the order was to go slow, more teasing than anything else.

Joan throws her right leg over the chair's arm, her left leg hooks on the Dog's shoulder: "fuck me with your tongue."

obedient as always, the Dog obeys. the only downside of Its obedience is that It doesn't do anything that wasn't ordered to. so even if It probably already knows exactly how she likes it, It'll need clear instructions. (she wonders a bit of the girls peaks out of where she's hidden when Joan asks the Dog to beg her to stop, to fight against her advances – but always loose and let her have her way with It.)

"use your thumbs to spread my lips open," it's a bit impressive that she manages to order all loud and crystal clear. "then tonguefuck me. and let your nose bump my clit every now and then."

when Its thumbs are soft and warm on her, Joan tries to not moan too loud. she looks at It, looking up at her with vacant eyes. every time they were... intimate, It has been wearing the uniform. even when Joan was the one doing the fucking, it was always legs pulled down, jacket open and shirt pulled up. never fully naked, much less wearing normal clothes. it has been awhile since the Dog needed It's gear to be in that headspace.

it makes her want to fuck It as her.

fuck the girl.

"faster," she instructs, her grip on It's hair tightens, it probably hurts but the Dog has great pain tolerance. "ah- fingers, two, now. and lick my clit."

she can imagine the girl wouldn't be this obedient, or she'd be. and wouldn't need instructions, Joan has heard she knew what she was doing. (she should soundproof the dorms, so she'd stop hearing the girls going down on each other. nothing's weirder than being jumpscared by her daughter moaning like a cheap whore).

"curl them, fuck, right there, yes," she pulls It closer, bucks her hips. "good puppy, such a good puppy," it's involuntary, she knows, the Dog's little moan. "another finger, faster, yeah, yeah. just like that. fuck, fuck, fuck, Jess."

the pace falters for half a second, Joan ignored it like she ignored the slip. (like the gear, it has been a while since the last time the Dog snapped back to the girl once It heard her name).

both of her hands grabbed onto soft, silky hair, her hips rising and almost fucking It's face. it'd hurt a normal person, the Dog just goes along, doesn't try to hold her down. (Joan will order It do it next time, when she figures out that stupid spell, she'll order It to fuck her until she's limping for a month). she feels the energy burning on her chest, on her lungs and on her lower belly. she knows the Dog controls Itself as much as possible, but not even the most obedient pup can stop urges like that.

sexual energy is sexual energy, it naturally gravitates towards the half-incubus on Its knees. it's a pretty sight, honestly, almost-honey brown eyes shifting to a dark red, lustful and not in control for a second. just for a moment, it's not the Dog and it's not the girl, it's something else completely. something so far from human that not even Joan dares to try to control.

all she does is cum looking at the eyes of a sex demon.

as she's briefly dying, it's a demon who fucks her and makes her almost blackout with the heaviness of the pleasure. she knows it's enhanced, makes feeding better, but it's too delicious to make Joan complain.

then it's the Dog still in the same place.

"slow down," she breathes. "that's too much. there, there you go, puppy. good job."

[ailtrahq]

ThorChain, a decentralized liquidity protocol, reported a record-breaking transaction volume on Oct. 5, with the number surging to $355 million in a single day, marking an all-time high. This noteworthy event is part of a larger trend as the cumulative transaction volume over the past five days has surpassed the $1 billion mark. ThorChain’s Record-Breaking Volumes According to the analysis, the surge in transaction volume coincided with the rise in swap counts associated with the network. On Oct. 5, when the transaction volume was close to $355 million, the count of swaps related to the network was 115,630. This was an upward surge compared to the preceding day, when the swap count was 61,877, and the total volume was merely $170.8 million. The daily change in transaction volume from Oct. 4 to Oct. 5 was a massive 107.6% increase. A look at the charts indicates an upward trajectory in the transaction volumes since Sept. 29. While the network reported just about $34.45 million as total volume on Sept. 29, the value increased to $60.14 million the next day and $166.4 by Oct. 1. Later, on Oct. 2, the total transaction volume made a new high of $197.33 million before minor plunges were noted at $173.84 million and $170.84 million between Oct. 3 and 4, respectively. Between Oct. 1 and 5, the cumulative transaction volume was $1.063 billion. As the transaction volumes seemingly surged, so did the earnings volume associated with the network. On Oct. 4, the liquidity earning was about $109K, and the bond earning stood at $66.7K, a major decline from the highs recorded on Oct. 2. However, on Oct. 5, the liquidity and bond earnings stood at $164.35K and $101.96K, respectively. As per analysts, the sudden volume surge can be linked to increased hacking activities recently, especially with cross-chain BTC transactions being the main contributor to the massive volume surge. To address these adverse events, reports indicate that ThorSwap, a product of ThorChain, has paused the platform, shifting into maintenance mode. When speaking of the developments, ThorSwap developer tweeted; “Yesterday, following a careful evaluation of the situation and consultation with advisors, legal counsel, and law enforcement, the decision was made to temporarily transition the THORSwap interface into maintenance mode. This action was taken to swiftly curtail any further potential illicit activity.” Fellow THORChads, A pressing and persistent concern has recently come to light: the potential movement of illicit funds through THORChain and, specifically, THORSwap. Such activities have no place on the THORSwap platform, and THORSwap stands firmly against any and all criminal… — THORSwap ⚡ #BetterThanCEX (@THORSwap) October 6, 2023 The tweet noted that ThorSwap will remain in this mode till the developers find a more permanent solution to implement and bolster the platform’s continued security and integrity. ThorChain’s Rune Price Actions The native token of the ThorChain network, Rune, has been trading in the red for most of the past 24 hours. Starting the day at 2.048, the token surged to $2.1 before plunging to a low of about $1.93. Reports indicate that the token has lost about 2,51% in value in the 24 hours from October 5 till the reporting time. RUNE price action. Source: Coingecko However, the story is quite different in the past seven days, with Rune trading in the green. Starting at $1.92 on Sept. 29, Rune surged to a high of $2.23 on Oct. 2 before falling to a low of $1.88 on Oct. 4. The charts suggest that the assets have mainly shown a sideways price action, especially in the past five days. However, in the past week, Rune has gained about 3.02% in value.

[vulpine111]

This is supposed to be an instagram post, but it won't upload right now. I don't know if someone reported me or what. I even tried restarting my phone.

---

Quick rune reading to ground myself because I'm overwhelmed by my medical situation. I have pain management in about a week, my hysterectomy consult in a less than a month, then towards the end of March, my new care coordinator is going to evaluate me to see how many regular hours from a caregiver I qualify for.

On top of this, they'll raise my testosterone after I do more lab work. Oh, and the referral for my sleep study was finally sent. I need to call to schedule that, still. Getting rides to all my appointments is hard, especially in combination with other errands like trips to get groceries, picking up meds, making my money orders for rent, etc.

I hope by the time my surgery is approved, I will have the help I need. It is frustrating and scary that the agencies are all backlogged. I don't want to end up in a group home simply because I couldn't find someone to work for me. Getting the funding approved by insurance won't be hard, at least.

I'm trying to stay positive but part of what makes my life interesting to me is the prospect of resuming my education. I don't see how that will happen if my support needs aren't met.

1. Earth- Jera aka Harvest: An encouraging sign of delayed yet favorable outcome. It's going to take a while to be successful but it will happen. As usual, patience is critical.

2. Air- Perth aka Initiation: Psychic death and regeneration. In communication/relationships, I need to let go of something, I'm guessing. Maybe part of my attitude towards life needs to shift. Release any lingering regret about the cord I cut a while back; it was for the best.

3. Water- Algiz aka Protection: New energy, new beginnings, etc. To be happy, I need to set better boundaries and keep more promises to myself. More new opportunities are ahead, but also unwanted influences. I need to maintain some sense of balance regardless of what my emotional dips and peaks might tell me. It's okay to sit with my own pain. Progress is to be made this way. It's important to stay mindful and act swiftly.

4. Fire- Mannaz aka The Self: To move forward, it's important to remain modest and get to Know Thyself.

"Strive to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way." - The Book of Runes by Ralph Blum

[ami-incants]

RUNE JUNE: DAY 3 - Consulting the Runes Part 1

Today I'm going to look at what to ask the runes and how to draw a spread. I'm not going to get into meanings, as each rune will get it's own day later in the month. Following on from yesterday’s post, I'm going to use ‘Oracle’ as a catch-all to refer to wherever you feel your rune wisdom comes from, whether it's deities, spirits, ancestors, the Higher Self etc. 

Can I only do readings for myself?

That largely depends on individual belief, mainly related to where you feel the runes’ knowledge comes from. Some people feel that the runes only allow you to access your inner intuition, in which case readings would be much less reliable when reading for someone else, as you won’t know every detail of the situation. Personally, I do readings for other people and even those I don’t know particularly well have said that they find my readings accurate. When discussing reading for someone else, I use the term ‘querent’ to refer to the person I’m drawing on behalf of. Readings for others can be a great way to get to know the runes and their meanings, as when pulling for yourself all the time you tend to pull the same runes which apply to your current situation. 

TL;DR - No.

What should I ask?

The first thing to know with the runes is that the thing you want to talk about won't always be the thing your Oracle wants to talk about. Sometimes it's because you're dwelling on something that's best moved on from, there's something more pressing to tackle, you're asking about things the Oracle doesn't know about or you've ignored their advice on the topic too many times and they're sulking about it. To avoid the frustration this causes, I now ask the runes if I can do a reading before I start (using the yes/no method explained below). I use the following questions in this order: 

1. Can I do a reading now?  2. Can I do a reading for [X]? 3. Can I do a reading on [topic] for [X]? 4. Can I do a [reading type] on [topic] for [X]? 

It may seem unnecessary, as you could just skip to question 4 and get a yes, but I've been turned down often enough that I've learnt going through it this way helps identify the problem quicker, if there is one.

Unless you’re using the yes/no method (explained below), it’s best to keep questions broad. ‘What do I/the querent need to know’ is where I usually start from and you can add on a time period (today, this week, this month etc) or a topic (about work, my relationship, my family, my health etc).

For a spread, I tend to say “This is a [reading type] spread for [querent] about [topic]” (if there is a topic) while shaking or handling the runes, and then concentrate on the question/aspect of the issue that I’m drawing. 

There are some ethical matters to consider - mainly whether it’s okay to draw runes about someone else without their knowledge. It’s generally considered bad manners, and many rune readers will refuse to read for someone else if you ask them to. Even if they were willing, it may be difficult to focus on a person they don’t know and aren’t in the presence of. Some people may ask the runes if it is okay to pull on behalf of a friend who hasn’t and possibly can’t give express permission at that moment. Where relationships are concerned, wording can help overcome this. “Do they love me?” is very specific and relies on the Oracle being able to access the partner’s feelings. “What is in store for [querent]’s relationship with [partner]?” is broader and is likely to give you a good idea of the answer to the original question.

TL;DR - Keep your questions to broad topics (except for the yes/no method).

How do I choose a rune?

There's a lot of different variations when it comes to rune reading, and it's really a case of going with what feels right to you. Here's the different ways I've seen people use to select a rune, whether they're doing a simple question or a spread. Whichever method you choose, you should have your question, topic or querent firmly in your mind. Please note that these ‘names’ are just my personal ways of referring to the different styles, I don’t know if there’s any actual names for them.

🌸 Shake & Take: Give the runes a shake in their pouch and reach in and take a rune. Some people take the first one they touch, I like to get my hand right in there and feel around until one feels 'right'. I don't usually shake first, but move them around with my hand in the bag before choosing one. Sometimes when doing this, more runes than I was intending to take want to be picked. 🌸 Shake & Tip: Some people don't like to put their hand in the bag as they feel it disturbs the runes' energy, so will carefully tip out a single rune. This can be good for people doing readings for others and not wanting that person's energy on the runes, as they can see you're not choosing the runes intentionally by feeling the engraving. 🌸 Spread & Flip: Others prefer to lay out all of the runes face-down, mix them up and then see which ones it feels right to turn over.

TL;DR - I mean, just do what feels right to you.

Using the Yes/No method

This is useful when you’re feeling indecisive about something relatively simple or looking for a bit of clarification. Nine of the runes in the Elder Futhark look the same whichever way up you look at them, and the other sixteen can be reversed, also called merkstave. For the yes/no method, runes that are pulled merkstave indicate ‘no’ and runes pulled upright indicate ‘yes’. If one of the nine irreversible runes are pulled, I’ve most commonly seen it indicates you should ask again. In my experience, I have discerned that an irreversible rune can indicate one of the following:

💮 You weren’t concentrating on the question. Focus and try again. 💮 Your question wasn’t clear. Reword, making it more specific. 💮 Your Oracle doesn’t believe it is in your best interests to know at this time. Ask them if that’s the case. 💮 Your Oracle doesn’t know, possibly because there are too many variables at this time. Ask them if that’s the case.

Although it’s not necessary, it can be worth noting which rune you pull as occasionally they’ll be trying to tell you something more than just yes/no, even if you make your intention clear.

About Spreads

So I’m not going to go into all of the spreads I use, because most are detailed on this handy website and I’d just be rehashing what’s there and taking credit for it. If I’m not sure which spread to use, I ask the runes using the yes/no method. Some of the spreads are well suited to asking a question based on a particular topic, and some are already geared towards a topic. Tarot spreads generally transfer well for runes, so you can make use of those too if it feels right.

While I don’t bother for yes/no questions, when pulling a spread I find it helpful to set the mood. For me, that means casting a circle, lighting a candle, maybe incense. I lay the runes drawn onto a cloth, in the shape and order indicated for that spread. You may see the same spreads laid out in a different order from one website to another, as some follow the modern western left-to-right method and others prefer the more traditional (for the runes) right-to-left method.

When pulling spreads, it’s sometimes recommended to pull a rune, note it down and then return it to the bag before drawing the next (slightly more difficult if you’re using the Spread & Flip method). This is so that you draw from the whole set each time, and runes have the chance to be pulled more than once if they are needed. When doing spreads for others, I provide an image of their completed reading. If returning the runes to the bag, I have to find them all again at the end and possibly edit two or more images together if the same rune is pulled more than once. To try and avoid doing this unnecessarily, I ask the runes if I should draw and return or draw and lay (using yes/no). To test the accuracy of this, I have sometimes returned the runes when they have said it wasn’t necessary. The results were that when they have said to draw and lay, I haven’t pulled the same rune more than once. When they said to draw and return (admittedly, doesn’t happen often), I have always pulled at least one rune more than once.

When interpreting a spread, it’s important to think about how they relate to their position in the spread as well as to each other. To work this out, I go through the spread in stages.

🌼 Write down the questions and runes with principal connotations (for me, that’s gender, element and deities). 🌼 Consider each rune in conjunction with it’s question and write down your initial thoughts. 🌼 Consider the Cycle of Initiation (which I will discuss on another day). 🌼 Check my favourite websites and jot down meanings that jump out at me, considering the questions. 🌼 Consider the story of the reading, looking for patterns, similarities and complementary sentiments in the different runes. 🌼 Take the principal connotations into account and finalise.

If I’m not sure about the meaning of a spread (usually when the Oracle has picked a different topic to what I asked about, or has taken things in a direction I wasn’t expecting) I pull a single rune, sometimes called a Rune of Clarification or Odin’s Rune. Yes/no questions can also be used for clarification, but for either method all runes should be returned to the bag first.

It’s a good idea to have a notebook where you can jot down your rune readings. It can be useful if you want to look back over a reading again after learning and increasing your understanding, and also for noticing patterns. There may be particular runes or themes which keep coming up that you may miss the importance of in a single reading. More ways to consult the runes will be discussed in Part 2 and 3.

[sunflowerfilledsky]

When Everything’s Made to be Broken

Viktor x GN!reader

Part 1/2

Part 2/2

“So this.. glowing.. thing-” you motioned to the device in front of you, it was in a state of constant movement; wether it be forced or on its own. “-Hexcore.” Viktor interrupted, still focused on the plants he was trying to make react to whatever substance was inside the.. thing. “Yes hexcore, is it safe? Like if someone touches it they won’t explode..?” Jayce shrugged, palms resting flat against the table. “We haven’t figured that out.” He sighed, both him and Viktor seemed more tired than normal. That’s saying something considering how Viktor worked. “A..and I don’t appreciate your mocking tone at what I’ve named it.” Viktor glanced up to you, his regular look of ‘how dare you’ was extremely present. However he looked back to the hexcore, still trying to force the connection between the bond of the plants and pretty much the fabric of reality.

“So you’ve created.. another mysterious subject, not only connected to the arcane but also incredibly dangerous runes and scripts. And you both, without any knowledge of how the arcane truly works. Are, going to bend it to your will?” Jayce nodded, Viktor responded with a hum. “Alright just making sure we all knew what was happening..” You sighed, rubbing your temple as you tried to piece together how the hell neither of them had gotten mutated or blown up yet. “So say this actually works, what will you do with it?” As if on cue the plant started growing, edges of purple leaves whacking you over the head as the plant continued to expand. Viktor grabbed his cane, fumbling back as Jayce helped him while also backing up. “It’s the organic matter-! It responds to different properties in a specific way-” Viktor made his way to the very very messy chalkboard and started scribbling things down, most of it written so quickly only he would be able to read it in the end. Taking notes and rough sketches of what was happening before your eyes.

You stared in awe, it kept growing until suddenly it looked like a strain was pulling against the plant. While Viktor wrote everything down you kept close watch over the experiment, Jayce running off to presumably find Heimerdinger. “Viktor I don’t think-” Once again as if you were simply jinxing everything the plant fell short of life, crumbling into a mixture of dust and other dead matter. Despite what you would’ve regarded as a failure Viktor continued to write and sketch, claiming that all science was good science failed or success.

It was getting tiring, Heimerdinger had specifically instructed the three of you not to continue the pursuit of hexcore. Of course you didn’t listen, after all learning about Viktor and realizing the stakes no one would dare back down. Jayce started to consult Mel, his duties on the council also playing a part in interference with this endeavor.

“Viktor you should sleep, work won’t be half as productive with you working more of your ass off than normal.” He shook his head, pages of a notebook turning along with the sounds of ink moving and fast scribbling. “Sleep will delay my work.” You continued to skim through a book on known runes and confines in the arcane. “So will passing out due to exhaustion. You need to sleep.” His notebook closed, instead of listening however he opened a textbook and starting note taking while adjusting the hexcore. “You seem to forget you are also up at this hour. A bit hypocritical if you ask me.” He set everything down, retrieving his cane and starting over to the bookshelf. After fruitless efforts he walked over to you, seeming not to have the energy to explain. “Plants and their history. Also connections to the arcane, if that’s a thing.” He day back down in the stool, it spun slightly as he continued scribbling while adjusting the hexcore.

Your eyes scanned over book titles, finding about two or three useful ones. The rest had nothing to do with what you were looking for, pulling up a chair and a notebook you sat next to Viktor; starting on the plant research. “You are an.. efficient worker. Thank you for your help.” He didn’t look up from his task, idle hand fumbling with one of his strands of hair. A nervous tic or “idle motion” you noticed he had. You smiled, praise from Viktor always meant something was happening right. Despite the stuttering and nervousness he had always been straightforward, occasionally stalling when on an embarrassing subject but praise was not one of said subjects.

Hours had passed, now working into the early morning you and Viktor had made decent progress. However a sleepless night was due it’s toll on your body and mind, before long you felt yourself becoming heavy; arm giving way under you as your head rested against the table.

“Yes and then-” Viktor looked over to you, shaking his head with a soft chuckle. “lyubovʹ..” While not having much strength was definitely not ideal he still did his best to keep you safe and comfortable, draping a blanket over your shoulders and moving you away from anything dangerous on the table. “Perhaps it is best.. I stay the night here to watch over you hm?” He couldn’t help but feel a bit warmer inside admiring your sleeping form, settling on an armchair by the shelves and piles of books. “Goodnight lyubovʹ.” Sleep and a graceful moon held safety over the two of you during this time of vulnerability.

[choccy-zefirka]

He buddy listen I see you have severely expanded the lore and story of a minor side character (Alexius) who doesn't have much screen time in the game and I am into that and would like to hear like a. Idk, synopsis? About all that. Yes I know it will probably be a big synopsis but I don't mind.

Why in your inbox and not your dms? I thought I'd give you the chance to brag publicly. But you can totally dm me too, in which case this ask won't even need a response. K byeee

Hello! Thank you so much for the ask! Much of the lore and story is actually present in World of Thedas Vol. 2, the gist of which is as follows:

1. Alexius' father really wanted him to go into politics, and as Alexius got the family seat in the magisterium, he started advocating for more accessible education for the Soporati, which is probably not what his father had in mind.

2. Alexius' wife Livia was his research partner and "sweetheart" of many years. Alexius (and Dorian) specialized in experimental magic defying the known limits of what magic can do, while Livia and her apprentices tested how those experimental spells affected the Veil.

3. Felix was born with some magical talent, but it was very limited, and his grandfather (the aforementioned Alexius' father) tried to have him assassinated for being "little more than a Soporati" and supposedly tainting the pedigree and whatnot. Livia, however, had him killed first. Alexius was apparently chill with it.

4. As Felix struggled to cast even the simplest spell, Alexius hired tutors to help him discover his true talent, which turned out to be mathematics. So his parents got him enrolled at the University of Orlais, and it was on the way back from the university for the winter holidays that he and his mother were attacked by darkspawn.

5.* Alexius actually hates fruit baskets. This one is with an asterisk because I remember people telling me that it was in WOT but I could not find it myself.

These are the facts we are given, but I also have a few headcanons that usually come out of nowhere, just for shits and giggles:

1. Alexius was a rebellious youth that often clashed with his (likely abusive) father, and he sees a lot of his younger self in Dorian. From that rebellious time, he still has a couple tattoos. I also like the idea of him having scars.

2. While happily married to a woman for a large part of his adult life, he is a mostly closeted bisexual. He comes out to Dorian post Last Resort, which is also when he meets Halward and has a shouting match with him, because their treatment of their sons' "imperfections" is polar opposite.

3. Alexius' bonding with most of my Heralds/Inquisitors begins when he is left behind during the evacuation of Haven and, as part of the dungeon wall collapses, stumbles into the Herald's unconscious body. They wander through the snowy wilderness together for an undetermined amount of time, and are forced to team up against wild animals, the elements and the occasional demon.

4. As the Inquisition's semi-imprisoned researcher, Alexius designs little runes that warp time a little bit, so that if they are attached, say, to horseshoes or a scout's boot soles, they make them Go Fast. Essentially making fast travel canon.

5. One of the tutors Alexius brought in for Felix was a drawing tutor. While Felix showed no interest in the craft, Alexius did, learning enough to illustrate his own research notes.

6. The idea for rounding up the Tranquil and making the Oculara did not come from Alexius himself (since that part of the game made little sense to me; it's like two separate writers strung things together without really consulting one another). He received orders from someone higher up, passed them on, and did not give that much thought. A part of him did feel it was wrong, though, so he tried to push the Tranquil out of Redcliffe (as opposed to gathering them in one place for more convenient harvesting). As a new agent of the Inquisition, he relays all he knows of the Oculara operation, and instead of collecting shards, the Inquisitor (as in, a generalization of my OCs) starts giving the Tranquil skulls a proper burial.

7. Felix obviously survives, one way or another. The Wardens are usually involved, but in one instance, Adiba Adaar, my medical doctor OC (waves at @talloseye ), imbues a rune (again with the runes lol) with a bit of Fiona's mysteriously resistant blood and implants it into his heart as a sort of cleansing filter I guess.

8. I have like a dozen OCs that bone this old man. Because I like his cheekbones I guess. Said OCs range in age from early 30s to roughly Alexius' peers, and are mostly mages, or gain some magic due to the Mark, allowing for extra bonding. A lot of my storytelling is informed by media aimed at younger audiences, which is why I favour happy endings and wholesome love stories, even if they start out, like, super rough.

These are the things I can think of off the top of my head (it's 3 am lol), but for more in-depth Alexius headcanons, I recommend @lazyadmiral . I am just herd to clink my Barbies against him, honestly.

[iemondropsss]

Hello friends. So, like many a person waiting on haitus I too have imagined what the perfect next season of moominvalley will be like. I'm sure there's bound to be SOMETHING wrong with it because idk no one at studios ever listens to common sense and community input? Idk man but here we are. I myself have decided to create a pretty solid season 3 and we'll see how much I get right or wrong. I'm sure this will age like Orange Juice (which by orange juice I actually how no idea if orange juice can spoil just like I have no idea WHAT the studio has in plan) but we do know a few things so I kind of tried to keep with the spirit, the way their characters have progressed and how far they still have to go, and also what we all want. Some things I have in mind will continue/happen in my fake season 4 so maybe I'll do that later we'll see but for now have a presentable season :)

(I'll put it under the cut I know it'll be long lol. also apparently there is a 10 image limit so I'll put the second part of the season in a new reblog don't worry)

Episode 1 - Moomintroll's grand adventure

-moomintroll gets a sea adventure all on his own. he learns the struggles of independence and gets to feel the wind in his fur. it's all rather lovely, but he finds that it isn't exactly as easy as he thought.

-Things to keep in mind: in this ep we want to show how he has become more independent and drifting from the kind of shadow his father left. He still wants to fit under it a little (that's why it's a sea adventure) but as it goes on he needs to realize he is his own person and that is great

Episode 2 - If snufkin feels one (1) more emotion he's gonna snap

-the moominparents, little my, and the lightouse keeper return to the valley on the keeper's boat

-the moomins go into hiberations and the fisherman and toft/toffle bond and find family in each other and go back to the island. This way they are both able to find the companionship they both so desperatly need and the fisherman basically adopts toffle, that way they don't need the moomins anymore :)

-so anyway, naturally, during all this snufkin is emotionally DESTROYED and runs off to the woods. there is nothing worse than skyrocketing your hopes only to have them come crashing down once again

-however, before runing away completely snufkin consults too-ticky who has just recently started to settle down in the boathouse for the winter

-he talks about his emotions, because he feels that she would understand this kind of thing, and how it's really weird. he's always missed moomintroll while he's away but it's different now and there's something different and maybe there alway has been he doesn't know!! it's all so confusing

-too-ticky gives him some wise words (basically: aye, ye gaye bastard) and he goes on his way

-Through the forest he sees several memories flash before him in the form of magical looking apparition that look really cool (the animators can flex their particle engines with the memories as illustrated below which I think would be,,, pretty cool)

-The memories are old, like when he and moomintroll first met or a few small adventures they've had

-he realized that he's never had a friend like this ever not even with the rest of his group or even the several interesting characters he's met on his travels

-at least.... never someone to come home to

-home. that scares him. he heads on his way and promises to find moomintroll again no matter what

-this memory montage has an indie banger over it, of course

Episode 3- Little My the Asexual Pirate Queen

-Little My isn't hibernating this year. She's decided to have her own adventure, if everyone else is getting one

-Pirates come to the valley and she boards their ship but gets thrown in the brig before she can do too much

-She meets a few people in the brig with her and they all stage a mutiny against the captain

-little my becomes the new captain with the person who helped her as her first mate

Episode 4 - Beauty Queen gets character development

-sniff and snorkmaiden look for snork

-they face a couple things and snorkmaiden shows how she can be a really great and independent leader

-snork, when they find him, is excited to go to the valley with them because he will be able to finally get all the materials to build his flying ship with/finally fly/test it!

Episode 5: The Real treasure was the bf (best friend) we had all along

-moomintroll meet little my and her pirate crew

-one of the pirates says they know about a treasure on an island and they go to find it

-kind of like the hattifattener episode

-but now with actual pirates and real treasure lol

-the find the chest and celebrate theier newfound riches

-now that moomintroll has had his adventures he decides that it's time to go back to the valley

-after all it is almost spring and he doesn't want to miss snufkin

-through this adventure moomintroll and little my aren't as mean to each other and understand each other more, becoming more like adopted siblings

Episode 6 - Backstreets back alright dunununn

-Snufkin is playing his newest spring tune solemnly against a tree

-here he is back in the valley but moomintroll still hasn't returned

-he puts up his tent anyway and basically mopes

-moominmamma comforts him over tea and they talk a bit

-the finally finally he's back babyyy

-now here's the most important part pay attention

-they both run across the way and collapse into a

-you guessed it

-spin hug!!

-which is as it sounds moomintroll picks snufkin up and they spin around (kind of like when snorkmaiden and moomintroll broke up but it's better and means the opposite)

-another indie song plays over this scene of course so everytime we listen to it on the album we can cry

-snufkin whispers "I missed you" in moomintroll's ear

-moomintroll laughs and says "now you know what it feel like" but in a teasing way he doesn't mean anything bad by it. he gets it now.

-but snufkin still stiffens and realizes what that means. he tries to apologize for leaving all the time and tries to promise things moomintroll knows it would hurt him to keep so he assures him that it is okay he understands and loves him no matter if they're appart

-snufkin has a gay panic moment obviously he doesnt mean it like *that*

-so they part each other's embrace on good terms and snufkin thanks him

-there is probably a sub plot to this episode but none of us remember what it was because we had whiplash for like a full 10 minutes after this

to be continued.....

[lorelylantana]

Savageries of the Heart Chapter 1: Courtship

SFW

Next

Zelda always hesitated outside of the King Daphnes’ door. Bracing herself for the twinge of disappointment that always came when she entered the room to find her father’s chair occupied by her uncle, she straightened her spine and stepped into the room with a schooled expression and a head held high.

“You called for me, your Majesty?” she asked, folding her hands in front of her abdomen as she stood in front of his desk. He didn’t acknowledge her for a moment, signing off one last document before looking up at her with a radiant smile that sent a chill down Zelda’s spine.

“Excellent news, my darling Zelda, I’ve found a husband for you.”

She sucked in a breath, “My husband?”

“Yes, my dear, at long last you're getting married! It was a challenge, mind you, but I’ve arranged for you to marry quite the accomplished Zonai warrior.”

She was speechless. As the first born of the royal family, Zelda harbored no false hopes of marrying for love, but she had at least hoped to stay within Hyrule’s borders, where she could at the very least continue her research. 

“The temple will never allow it,” she insisted with a voice that shook in tandem with her beating heart. The smile on his face spread wider, though his eyes grew colder.

“The temple has always put too much stock on a bloodline bedtime story. Your mother was a gifted mage, but if present company is anything to go by,” he stood to walk around his desk and loom over her, “it was hardly a divine inheritance.”

“Zonai authority is established through combat prowess,” Zelda pointed out, “I fail to see why they would be interested in marrying me for my blood.”

“It doesn’t matter why they want you!” he snapped, the pleasant veneer of politeness cracking. He took a breath before placing heavy hands on Zelda’s shoulders, forcing them down into a slouch.

“What you don’t understand, Zelda dearest,” the King pushed through his teeth, “Is that we are vulnerable. Our military has been in shambles for an age, and ever since that wretched coup we have been surrounded by factions that refuse to fall in line. With the Zonai on our side, those other races will think twice before moving against us.”

In the ten thousand years since the continent was fractured there was never one incident that pointed to ambitions of conquest from any of the other five nations, but that didn’t matter to Zelda’s uncle, who had moved to a map of the continent. He stood in front of the east portion of the map, where the Akkala, Faron, and Necluda regions were painted Zonai green. 

“My fool of a brother didn’t see the threats, but I do,” he whispered, frowning. He spun around to face her once again, “All you need to know, sweet Zelda, is that in a month’s time you will cross the Bridge of Hylia and make your home in the quaint woodlands that were once a part of our great nation.”

Zelda opened her mouth to protest, but he cut her off.

“Everyone wins!” he proclaimed, “We get the support of the largest nation on the continent, and at long last you can finally do something to help your country. As princess.”

Zelda sighed at her defeat, “I don’t know their language.”

“A month should give you a decent enough head start,” he insisted, sweeping a hand towards the door, “I suggest you get started.”

Zelda rushed out the door, desperate for a moment to process. Her plan was momentarily foiled by the arrival of Nohansen. The young prince was an unfortunate reflection of his father made all the clearer by his sinister smile.

“Ah! Have you heard the news, dear cousin? You must be ecstatic! The biggest day in any young woman’s life is her wedding day, and yours is a mere thirty days away!” 

“I fail to see how we’re to organize a royal wedding in one month,” Zelda muttered. Nohansen’s smile sank into a smirk. He ruffled her hair, knocking her tiara off in the process. 

“Oh, the wedding won’t be held here” he laughed, twirling the gold in his hands, “Of course not, we can’t have those barbarians running around our castle now, can we?”

Zelda took a breath to speak-

“No,” he said, holding up a finger to stifle whatever she was about to say, “We will be taking you to them. Your glorious wedding shall take place deep in the savage Zonai wilds. They even have a little spring said to be protected by a goddess. Does that not please you, O Daughter of Hylia?” he ended with a sneer.

Zelda snatched her crown back, the gold biting against her grip as she pushed passed him to rush through hallways stained burgundy with banners bearing her uncle’s crest to climb her tower, rushing up stairs and crossing the bridge to her study, the most remote room in the entirety of Hyrule Castle. She slammed the door and locked it before kicking off her shoes and climbing her desk to open the window high above it. She lifted her face to the breeze that rushed in. It was here, away from prying eyes, that she could truly relish in fresh air. She stood there a moment to relish the stillness before lowering herself to the floor and taking a seat in front of her carefully cultivated collection of samples of Hyrule’s most elusive flower, the Silent Princess. Despite her best efforts, she couldn’t get one to sprout within the confines of her study. 

Her study was cluttered with several clay pots hosting their own samples. Stalks of Saffline and flowering Blue Nightshade gently glowing against the shadows. She also had several vials full of elixirs her uncle refused to consider implementing into the kingdom’s resources, citing a lack of reports backing her claims. Of course, any reports written by Zelda herself were disqualified because of a conflict of interest.

That didn’t mean her work went unnoticed. Zelda had built quite a rapport with servants and soldiers alike when she managed to concoct a working contraceptive elixir with ingredients common enough to distribute. From that point on Zelda became an unofficial medic to the people of Castle Town. Those employed at the castle had full access to the infirmary, but the same could not be said for their families. Since her activity outside the castle was heavily restricted most of her specimens were given to her by grateful family members who consulted her.

She was reviewing her notes on the Silent Princess when a knock at the door brought tension to her shoulders.

“What is it?” she asked, wary of her cousin coming in to gloat once again.

“You’ve been invited to dinner by his Majesty King Daphnes, he requests you come down immediately.”

“I’ll be right there,” she huffed, fixing the golden band on her head and straightened her hair before making her way down to the dining hall. To her aggravation, everyone had already been seated and turned to look at her as she walked in. Another one of her uncle’s tricks.

She sat at the last open seat at the head of the table. Her uncle intended to make a spectacle of her in some way, but she didn’t find out exactly how until dessert was served and the King knocked a spoon against his glass to call for the attention of the other nobles in attendance.

“It is my tremendous pleasure to inform you all as of today that our lovely Crown Princess,” he waved to a servant, who brought over a package “is officially engaged to be married!”

There was a round of polite applause before King Daphnes cleared his throat, continuing after they quieted down. The attendant placed a solid wooden box in front of Zelda after a maid cleared her unfinished cake away.

“In honor of this momentous agreement the groom in question was so kind as to send a gift to his beautiful bride to be and I thought it only right to share this celebration with you all by letting you bear witness to the first gift between our dear Zelda and her fiance!” the King turned to her then, laying another heavy hand on her shoulder.

“Don’t be shy now. Open it.”

At first glance Zelda thought the box itself was the gift. It was finely crafted, polished wood with a reddish tinge that she hadn’t seen before, and the various symbols and runes carved into it had her itching to go to the library. Zelda lifted the lid and reached in, pulling out a knife crafted by some creature’s polished jaw bone.

The room burst out in raucous laughter.

“My word!” a woman’s voice yelled, “I knew they were backwards, but to think they would present a young lady with the remains of some animal!”

“Well of course,” cried another, “If they couldn’t fashion a proper metal blade, what hope could they have of crafting jewelry?”

Zelda fingered the spiral carved into the lid’s center as she considered pointing out that the handle was made from silver wrapped in silk, but she doubted it would make a difference.

“Well she can always wear it about her neck if she wants to show off her engagement!” Prince Nohansen laughed.

Zelda did not wear the knife around her neck, but she did take to wearing it on a sash tied at her waist. The morning after the engagement was announced Zelda descended to the lower floors of the castle to reach the laboratory. Diplomatic relations between Hyrule and Zonai were nonexistent, but there was one researcher that spent a fair amount of time in Faron to study some of the plants there, and Zelda had gotten quite acquainted with him upon his return to the castle.

“Owlan!” she called, a smile growing on her face as the old man came into view, working diligently on documenting the fruits of his research.

“Come to glean Zonai secrets, your Highness?” he asked with a raised brow and his ever present gentle smile.

“You’ve heard the news then?” she asked. 

“There’s not a soul in this castle who hasn’t. It’s the talk of the town,” he closed the book he was writing in and turned to face her, “Would you like a tutor in their language?”

“I would, but that’s not the only reason I’m here,” Zelda set the box she’d received the night before on his workspace, “What do you make of this?”

He took the box in his hand, giving the intricately carved lid, “If nothing else, you know that he’s a gifted carpenter.”

“You think he made the box himself?”

“Rather than a ring, Zonai engagements are marked with a dagger. Typically the suitor in question will present said blade with a personal touch. A seamstress would wrap it in a sash for her beloved, a gardener might send flowers along with the blade itself, and your betrothed,” he tapped the box lid, “sent a carved box. Would you mind terribly if I took a look at the knife in question?”

“Go ahead,” she said, taking an empty seat beside him. She turned back to him holding the knife in question with a frown.

“What is it?” she asked.

“It’s common for particularly capable warriors in the Zonai nation to slay a beast and have a bone fashioned into the blade. It’s a way of showing off, you see,” Owlan said with a mischievous smile, “but I can’t tell what creature it’s from.”

Zelda took the dagger in her own hands, running a ringer across the large fang at the point. Now that she had a closer look, she could see etchings on the bone as well, depicting a long horned serpent curling under the teeth.

“What should I send back?”

“I’m sure a reciprocal blade would be appreciated,” he said, a twinkle in his eye.

Zelda left shortly after to visit the blacksmith to have a dagger commissioned before heading to the library. After consulting a librarian she had several books on the Zonai language sent to her room while she perused the shelves until she came across the tome she was looking for.

The Hylian Bestiary was one of the oldest books in the castle’s collection, the original copy was written back when the kingdom encompassed the entire continent. She hefted the book onto one of the empty tables and flipped through the illustrations of beasts both alive and of their remains. She rested her head on her fist, nearing the end of the section and still at a loss. She turned a page, a little discouraged until she scanned it’s contents.

There wasn’t much information on this beast, apart from reports of different colors and different regions it had been spotted in. There wasn’t a live illustration either, but there was a careful sketch of a skull. Zelda opened her box and took out the dagger just to be sure. She held it up to the page.

Her fiance had sent her a Lynel’s jaw.

If his intent was to impress, he’d certainly succeeded. She had never seen one herself, but there had been occasions where her uncle had dispatched knights to slay one that had wandered a bit too close to hylian villages. It was one of the few times the King would approve of Zelda’s assistance of the medical staff, because they always needed extra hands afterwards. Zelda returned the book to its shelf and entered her study. The books she’d asked for were stacked on her desk, but she bypassed them for her cabinet of finished elixirs. She opened the doors and considered, wondering which one she should send to her betrothed. She considered a poison she’d extracted to coat the dagger in, but decided against it. With the language barrier as high as it was, she didn’t want to risk him drinking it. She ended up making a defensive concoction that would give him an extra layer of protection, which he might need if he made a habit of facing Lynels. 

She was called down to the blacksmith’s a few hours later to approve of their handiwork. The blade was serrated, as she’s requested, and a fair bit longer than the knife around her waist, but she gave her approval and had it shipped off with her elixir to her fiance before returning to her study and reading through the basics of the Zonai language.  

A week after she sent her own engagement dagger she had received another gift from her fiance. Unlike the first, this gift was contained within a basket. Zelda had the good fortune to intercept the servant on the way to deliver her gift to her uncle. The maid in question was a regular consumer of one of her contraceptives, so it didn’t take much convincing before she was walking back to her room with the basket tucked under one arm. She sat on her bed, and somewhat excitedly opened the lid of the basket-

And slammed it back down again. She stared at the basket as though it might combust for a moment, heart slamming against her ribcage. Not wanting to jump to any conclusions, Zelda gingerly picked up the basket and placed it on her desk, ond once she put a few paper weights over the lid, paid Owlan a visit.

“Good afternoon your Highness! Are your studies going well?” he asked, looking up from the medication he was crafting.

“How do the Zonai feel about snakes?” she asked by way of greeting.

“Well I would say they’re quite fond of the little creatures,” Owlan explained, “Snakes in general are held in high regard due to their resemblance to one of their guardian deities. The Faron Python in particular is a common pet.”

“A snake is a common pet?”

“Contrary to popular belief, they can be quite friendly. The Faron Python is known for being affectionate and gentle, that coupled with their penchant to hunt pests earned them a spot in many a Zonai household.”

Zelda found herself in the library once again looking for answers regarding the nature of an engagement, and returned to her room with an illustrated guide to Faron Pythons and their care. Once she was once again seated on her bed with the basket placed in front of her. She made sure to turn to the page to a diagram of the snake’s physical characteristics to make sure she could verify her suspicion. Not wanting to spook the creature, she took the lid off slowly, giving the snake a moment to adjust to the light of her room before taking a closer look.

The serpent itself was shockingly beautiful, bright white scales with splashes of blue along its body that looked almost translucent reflecting the light filtering through her windows. After a few tense moments, Zelda carefully reached in the basket. The serpent didn’t shy away, so she felt secure enough to tuck her hand underneath a section of its body to gently lift it. First it was only a few inches, giving the sweet creature a chance to escape, but it only curled around her hand in an embrace that felt softer then it looked. The snake slowly turned to look at her. A tongue flicked out of an upturned mouth, and Zelda was lost.

From that day forward, it was common to see the Crown Princess of Hyrule walking through the castle with a serpent coiled around her neck. She liked the reaction her new friend had on those around her, even her uncle and cousin seemed to give her a wide berth whenever they caught sight of the python leisurely draped around her shoulders. She never mentioned the snake’s name because she liked the watchful respect she acquired and refused to undermine it by advertising that the intimidating serpent’s name was Noodle. 

With this new edge to her authority Zelda made doubly sure that any gifts from her mysterious groom came directly to her hands. The benefits to this policy were two fold, the first being insurance that her uncle wouldn’t make a further mockery of her engagement or perhaps keep the gift if he took a liking to it. The second was the prevention of any diplomatic incidents. As much as she loved Noodle, Zelda was well aware that a snake in a basket could be interpreted as an assassination attempt. 

As thanks for her new friend, Zelda sent one of her old journals she thought had a thorough description of how she made some of her earlier, more basic elixirs. She knew there was a chance he might not understand Hylian, but she thought it would be a good way to get to know her. She had tried translating the recipes, but gave up after the first few and sent the incomplete list rather than spend her remaining month translating a single journal. Her Zonai vocabulary was primarily conversational and sadly didn’t include scientific vernacular.

She must have gotten her point across, however, as just a week later she was delighted to find a few vials full of her fiance’s attempts to recreate her recipes. 

Zelda was also surprised, quite a feat after Noodle’s auspicious arrival, to find a Silent Princess pressed into glass. At first she was perplexed, wondering if her fiance had simply ventured a lucky guess, but then she recalled the day she began researching the flower and attempting to foster it on her own was also the day she filled that journal, suggesting her fiance had read to the last page of her journal before preparing his third gift.

Her elation at this discovery was fueled by a torrent of relief. She had heard the stories of arranged marriages gone wrong. She had considered countless times in the past weeks that the gifts sent could be a ploy to gain her affections only to have such generosity evaporate as soon as the final wedding vow was spoken. Yet the Silent Princess in her hands whispered tales of a considerate husband, who took the time to read through all she had written and took the time to learn her interests. Deep in Zelda’s chest, she felt hope flicker, foolish as it might have been.

[frenchwitchdiary]

🔮 Géomancie : le guide complet 🔮

Historique 

La géomancie est un type de divination très ancienne, presque aussi vieille que l’astrologie. 3000 ans avant notre ère, le Yhi King de l’empereur Fo Hi étudiait les significations de 64 figures obtenues en combinant six lignes de un ou deux points, qui étaient obtenus par tirage au sort à l’aide de baguettes. Ensuite la géomancie fut transmise par les caravanes chez les mongols, les tartares, en Sibérie où les chamans l’adoptèrent et la firent passer chez les slaves, jusqu’en Norvège et en Laponie. Au cours de ces voyages, les systèmes de points des figures varièrent beaucoup, sous formes de cailloux, de grains, de baguettes ou osselets. Cette science oraculaire se répandit encore plus à l’ouest par les arabes et les hébreux, jusqu’en Afrique du sud où elle est encore pratiquée, à l’aide de points tracés sur le sable.

D’après plusieurs géomanciens, les figures géomantiques dériveraient des constellations, dont le dessin aurait été simplifié mais la symbolique magique gardée - tel une sorte d’algèbre astrologique qui se serait détaché peu à peu de son origine. Les 64 figures de six lignes de Fo Hi ont été réduites par les arabes à 16 figures de quatre lignes chacune. Elle est donc plus facile à apprendre, et touche aussi bien à la science des nombres et à l’astrologie cabalistique de par l’utilisation et le calcul des points des figures. 

La géomancie répond à des questions claires, mais ne fournit que des réponses sans intérêt si la question n’intéresse ou ne préoccupe pas beaucoup le sujet. Il est donc inutile de poser des questions par simple curiosité, “pour voir”, car la géomancie ne fournira aucune réponse intéressante. La géomancie est une science passive, qui dépend de l’homme et de sa sensibilisation à un sujet donné, à un moment donné. C’est le questionneur lui même qui tire les cartes qui permettent de construire le thème géomantique.

Dans cet article (qui sera long, big up les plus déterminé.e.s), je vous parlerai d’abord de la construction du thème géomantique, puis suivra une partie interprétation avec la signification des maisons puis des figures/runes.

Rappels

Posez une question à la fois, faites qu’elle soit claire et précise.

Vous pouvez faire un tirage pour vous ou une autre personne, mais c’est celle qui pose la question qui doit tirer les points.

La maison 1 représente toujours, et seulement, la personne qui interroge.

Si une figure revient plus de 4 fois dans le thème, vous devez l’annuler, car la réponse serait certainement fausse.

Le thème se construit et se lit toujours de droite à gauche.

Certaines figures et maisons sont bonnes, mauvaises ou neutres. Une figure positive en maison positive : bonne. Une figure négative en maison négative : mauvaise. Une figure neutre en maison neutre : l’influence dépend des cartes voisines. Une figure positive en maison négative : médiocrement bon. Une figure négative en maison positive : mauvais. Une figure positive en maison neutre : favorable. Une figure négative en maison neutre : défavorable. (établir un code couleur peut peut-être vous aider à mémoriser lesquelles sont bonnes ou mauvaises)

La construction du thème géomantique

C’est la partie un peu plus longue à expliquer, à base de petits calculs, qui peut paraitre rébarbative à l’écrit mais qui sont en fait simples à réaliser. N’hésitez donc pas à essayer par vous-même au moins une fois pour bien comprendre !

Un thème ressemble à ceci :

L’écu géomantique (en forme d’écu ou de demi-cercle peu importe comment vous le dessinez à vrai dire) se compose toujours ainsi : de droite à gauche, une première ligne de 8 maisons ; des maisons I à IV vous avez vos 4 runes mères, obtenues avec vos jetons ou papiers de 1 ou 2 points tirés au sort, et des maisons V à VIII vous avez 4 runes filles, formées à l’aide des points de chaque ligne des mères. La ligne du dessous est la ligne des nièces, composée des maisons IX à XII. A partir de cette ligne toutes les figures découlent les unes des autres, par addition des points de chaque paire de figures. Un exemple de tirage détaillé suit pour vous aider à mieux comprendre :

Le déroulement d’un tirage

Tout d’abord pensez fortement à votre question et écrivez-la sur une feuille de papier. Tout en continuant à penser cette question, mélangez les jetons marqués d’un ou deux points (soit vous en fabriquez avec des petits galets ou haricots secs, soit vous les notez sur des bouts de papier, peu importe. Il doit y en avoir 20 au total, soit 10 avec un point, 10 avec deux points.) Les opérations doivent être faites par la personne qui pose la question.

Piochez un jeton et mettez le devant vous. Tirez-en un deuxième que vous positionnez en dessous du premier, puis un troisième, et un quatrième, toujours en dessous du précédent. Vous avez alors les points d’une figure ou rune de géomancie. Dessinez-la dans la maison I, tout en haut à droite du thème.

Remettez ensemble vos jetons, mélangez à nouveau et procédez à un second tirage de la même manière. Vous obtenez une seconde figure, que vous inscrivez dans la maison II (à gauche de la maison I). 

Recommencez encore deux fois, ce qui vous donne 4 figures dans les 4 premières maisons. Rangez maintenant vos jetons d’un ou deux points, ils ne vous serviront plus pour continuer de monter le thème.

Pour expliquer la suite, prenons un exemple précis. Admettons que la première rune que vous ayez créé en tirant vos jetons soit Conjonctio (2.1.1.2), vous l’inscrivez dans la maison I. Vous refaites un tirage et obtenez encore 2.1.1.2 points, c’est donc toujours Conjonctio, que vous écrivez cette fois dans la maison II. Nouveau tirage, vous obtenez cette fois 2.2.1.1, la rune nommée Fortuna Major. Vous la notez dans la maison III. Et enfin, admettons que votre dernier tirage vous donne 1.1.2.2. C’est Fortuna minor, qui va dans la maison IV. Ces quatre figures géomantiques sont appelées les Mères, car ce sont à partir d’elles que vous allez générer les autres figures, appelées les filles et les nièces.

Regardez la première ligne formée par ces 4 runes (de droite à gauche), selon l’exemple ci dessus vous avez 2.2.2.1. Cette rune est Tristitia (vous pourrez vous les noter dans un petit guide à part pour les retrouver au début), vous la mettez dans la maison V. La seconde ligne de points de vos runes mères donne : 1.1.2.1. (la figure nommée Puer, que vous inscrivez dans la maison VI). La troisième ligne donne 1.1.1.2. (Cauda Draconis, à mettre dans la maison suivante, la VII). Et enfin la ligne du bas vous donne 2.2.1.2, soit Albus, dans la maison VIII. 

Vous avez donc rempli la première ligne des maisons, dans votre écu géomantique. Pour calculer les quatre nièces (qui vont aller dans les maisons 9 à 12), la méthode est la suivante. Examinez la rune en maison I et celle en maison II. La première ligne est formée de 2 + 2 points, soit en les additionnant 4 points. Toute addition qui donne un chiffre pair vous donne 2 points pour la construction de la nouvelle figure. Toute addition donnant un chiffre impair fournira un point pour la nouvelle figure.

Donc la première ligne additionnée donne un chiffre pair, résultat : 2 points. Seconde ligne des deux figures mères : 1+1 = 2, résultat pair : donc 2 points. Troisième ligne : résultat pair, encore 2 points. Quatrième ligne, pair, encore 2 points. Cette figure s’appelle Populus, vous la déposez dans la maison IX (celle tout à gauche de la deuxième ligne de l’écu).

Pour la maison X, vous prenez les deux figures du dessus (les maisons III et IV, où vous aviez tiré Fortuna Major et Fortuna Minor). La première ligne vous donne 2+1 = 3, nombre impair, donc 1 point. La seconde ligne : 2+1 = 3 ; encore un point. La troisième ligne : 1+2 = 3, toujours un point. Enfin la quatrième ligne vous donne encore un point. La nouvelle rune que vous venez de former a donc quatre lignes d’un point chacune, c’est Via. Elle va dans la maison X.

Suivant le même procédé, les runes des maisons V et VI vont fournir les points de la maison XI. (ce qui donne dans notre exemple 1.1.2.2., Fortuna Minor) Les maisons VII et VIII (comprenant les runes Cauda Draconis et Albus) vous donnent 1.1.2.2. Ce sera votre rune pour la maison XII.

Vos douze maisons sont garnies ! Vous utilisez le même type de calcul d’additions pour avoir le témoin droit (à partir des maisons IX et X ; résultat toutes les lignes sont impaires, vous obtenez la rune Via) et le témoin gauche (à partir des maisons XI et XII ; résultat les lignes sont paires, vous obtenez la rune Populus).

Le Juge est formé en additionnant les points des deux témoins. Comme l’addition des lignes sont toutes impaires, vous obtenez à nouveau Via.

La Sentence est formée de l’addition des points de la maison I et du Juge. Dans notre exemple de tirage, la première ligne donne 3, c’est impair : 1 point. La deuxième ligne donne 2, pair : 2 points. La troisième ligne donne encore 2, pair : 2 points. La quatrième ligne donne 3, impair : donc 1 point. Cette dernière figure est la Sentence de votre tirage (ici 1.2.2.1 : Carcer), le thème géomantique est monté. Vous pouvez alors passer à l’interprétation.

Note : Si vous avez plus de 4 figures semblables, le jeu doit être annulé, c’est le signe que le destin refuse de répondre. Idem si vous avez 4 mères ou 4 filles semblables. Le juge est toujours formé d’un nombre de points pairs. Comptez-les, car si le total est impair, vous avez commis une erreur dans vos additions. Les témoins ont toujours un total de points ayant la même parité, qu’elle soit paire ou impaire. Dans notre exemple ci dessus, les témoins étaient Via et Populus (respectivement 4 points et 8 points.) Les deux sont pairs, c’est donc correct. Le juge aussi Via, pair, donc le thème est monté correctement. Au fur et à mesure que vous ferez ces petits calculs, tout sera beaucoup plus facile.

Interprétation du thème géomantique

Les Maisons

Chaque maison régit certains domaines, comme en astrologie. Lorsque vous posez une question, il faut toujours consulter le domaine régi par la maison concernée.

Maison I : la personne qui questionne (neutre)

Maison II : l’argent ; les biens acquis par le sujet, sous quelque forme que ce soit (positif)

Maison III : l’entourage, les lettres, les déplacements (positif)

Maison IV : Le passé ; l’hérédité tant au point de vue des biens matériels que moraux. Les troubles de santé héréditaires. Le Foyer dans le sens lieu où l’on vit réellement, journellement, et ceux qui y vivent. (neutre)

Maison V : Les amours, les plaisirs, les enfants, les créations artistiques ou dans d’autres domaines (positif)

Maison VI : Le manque de libre arbitre ; le travail, les petites maladies passagères (négatif)

Maison VII : La sociabilité, les rapports avec autrui (ou le manque de sociabilité). Le mariage et le conjoint. Les associés, les contrats. Les adversaires (connus du sujet) (neutre)

Maison VIII : Les transformations, la mort, l’argent venant d’autrui (héritage, dons, argent prêté ou emprunté) (négatif)

Maison IX : L’étranger, les grands voyages. Les idées spirituelles ou religieuses, les croyances en général. Les rêves, quels qu’ils soient (neutre)

Maison X : La destinée, la profession, les honneurs. Les actes de la personne qui pose la question (positif)

Maison XI : Les amis, les projets. L’aide qu’on peut attendre des relations amicales ou de travail. (positif)

Maison XII : Les épreuves. Les maladies graves, la fatalité, les afflictions en tous domaines. Les ennemis cachés, inconnus (négatif)

Témoin droit : Le passé ; ce qui dans le passé du questionneur favorise ou entrave la réalisation de la question posée. (neutre)

Témoin gauche : Le futur ; ce qui aidera ou entravera la réalisation de la question. (neutre)

Juge : le résultat de la question. Sa réalisation ou son échec, ou le report de la solution à une date ultérieure. Dans ce cas on pourra reposer la question, après quelques semaines ou mois. (neutre)

Sentence : Confirmation ou non de la réponse donnée par le juge. Si confirmation : la chose se réalisera. Si opposition au Juge, la chose se réalisera avec difficultés, ou si la sentence est résolument mauvaise avec un juge médiocre, le résulta se fera encore attendre un certain temps. La sentence indique aussi le rapport entre le questionneur et le juge, donc si le questionneur sera satisfait ou non du résultat indiqué par le thème géomantique. (neutre)

Les 16 figures (ou “runes”) géomantiques

Voyons maintenant les fameuses runes et leur interprétation, à mettre en relation avec les maisons où elles se trouvent.

Via (neutre, légèrement défavorable) : Efforts dispersés, instabilité - les choses se transforment sans cesse. L’instinct rudimentaire que rien n’arrête, qui agit comme une force aveugle, en poussant à des réalisations inutiles.  Témoins ou juge : Indécision totale sur le résultat.

Cauda draconis (négative) : Désagrégation, action sans but précis. Les fluides inférieurs qui poussent à agir contre soi, à rompre ce qui existe. Si la figure se trouve dans une maison concernant la question il est préférable d’abandonner immédiatement, car on va à l’échec.  Témoin passé : idée condamnable. Témoin futur : échec.

Puer (neutre, légèrement défavorable) : impétuosité difficile à contenir, irréflexion. Le désir de liberté est excessif et incite à employer des moyens violents pour l’obtenir. Inconstance dans l’action poussant à tout abandonner près du but. Témoin passé : instinct impulsif, désir de changer. Témoin futur : difficultés et ennuis dans les réalisations.

Fortuna minor (neutre, légèrement défavorable) : Succès toujours instable, survenant de manière inattendue. De gros efforts pour des résultats inférieurs à ce que l’on espérait. Souvent cette figure indique que le but visé est trop difficile à atteindre avec les capacités actuelles du questionneur.  Témoin passé : Le but visé est sans intérêt pour vous. Témoin futur : Le résultat final payera mal les efforts accomplis. Juge : Question posée sans intérêt pour vous, à négliger.

Puella (positive) : L’action facile avec de moindres efforts. La fuite des soucis auxquels on ne veut pas penser. Indifférence et paresse. La recherche de l’entente avec tous et un besoin de plaire aux autres. Favorable pour tout, sauf pour les entreprises qui demandent une activité énergique personnelle. Témoins passé ou futur : Réalisations favorables, mais grande passivité du questionneur.

Amissio (très négative) : Trop velléitaire, tendance à réduire les projets d’une certaine envergure. Efforts éparpillés par le destin, échec par manque de but précis. On ne prend jamais de repos mais on n’arrive pas à réaliser tout ce qu’on voudrait faire. Témoin passé : La réalisation est nécessaire pour compenser une perte. Témoin futur : Résultats médiocres par rapport au travail accompli. Juge : Les résultats seront inférieurs aux espérances, de petits tracas surviendront malgré tout.

Carcer (négative) : Entrave, repli imposé par la fatalité. Le destin est totalement opposé à tout changement. Isolement, solitude. Témoin passé : Le projet a été envisagé pour échapper à la routine du moment. Témoin futur : L’accès au but est quasi impossible ou très difficile. Mieux vaut y renoncer. Juge : Le projet sera entravé par de multiples difficultés qui retarderont le résultat.

Loetitia (très positive) : La baraka, chance, sécurité. Expansion matérielle ou morale, abondance exubérante d’énergie. Les obstacles sont toujours renversés, même à la dernière minute. Le destin vous protège et vous met sur la bonne voie.  Témoin passé : Ce que vous avez fait est favorable pour la réussite actuelle. Témoin futur : Bonne direction, le ciel vous aidera.

Caput draconis : Une action bienfaisante, lente, progressive. L’instinct dirige dans la bonne voie. Le but visé sera souvent atteint grâce aux appuis nécessaires. (positive) Témoin passé : Favorable, le passé aide. Témoin futur : Résultat favorable.

Conjonctio (neutre) : L’incertitude. Le passage entre le passé et le futur. La réflexion logique, analytique, concrète, en opposition totale à l’instinct ou l’intuition. Témoin passé : L’entreprise envisagée est réalisable par le questionneur. Témoin futur : L’entreprise conduit dans la bonne voie. Juge : L’entreprise est dans la ligne générale, utile, du questionneur.

Acquisitio (très positive) : Réussite, accroissement des ressources en tous domaines, argent comme santé. Représente des énergies bienfaisantes qui se regroupent mais pour atteindre un but encore imprécis. Témoin passé : Entreprise nécessitant des ressources plus importantes que celles envisagées. Témoin futur : L’entreprise envisagée augmentera les ressources du questionneur. Juge : Amélioration certaine. Les moyens pour l’obtenir dépendent de la passation de la figure.

Rubeus (très négative) : L’esprit de révolte dans le but de tout réformer. L’action violente, désordonnée, nivellatrice. Destruction pour reconstruire. Révolte permanente contre le destin et les hommes. Témoin passé : Agit par esprit de réforme sincère. Témoin futur : Ne sera jamais satisfait du résultat obtenu.

Fortuna major : Très grande chance, réalisation, succès facile, complet sans effort. Les résultats sont toujours supérieurs à ce qu’on espérait. Le questionneur doit agir seul, égoïstement, pour lui. Sans compter sur autrui. (très positive) Témoin passé : La chance est avec le questionneur.  Témoin futur : la chance aidera in-extremis. Juge : Réussite.

Albus (positive) : Acceptation du destin adaptabilité, équilibre, optimisme. Intelligence plus intuitive que déductive. On craint toujours que le désir d’améliorer ne soit l’ennemi de ce que l’on a.  Témoin passé : On ne désire pas changer. On souhaite la stabilité totale. Témoin futur : On sera satisfait des résultats obtenus, quels que soient ceux-ci.

Tristitia : Efforts impuissants, imposés par le destin. La fatalité. Le sujet se laisse dominer par les événements, subit les épreuves sans chercher à y échapper. Déprime très vite. Le questionneur vit dans les souvenirs, rarement au moment présent. (négative) Témoin passé : Les événements passés freinent les réalisations. Témoin futur : Difficulté à réussir. Gros efforts pour un résultat médiocre.

Populus : Le destin est indifférent à la question posée. Manque de cohésion entre les idées/désirs et les réalisations. Banalité. Le questionneur doit décider lui-même de ce qu’il veut faire. (neutre) Témoin passé : Le destin est indifférent. Témoin futur : Liberté de décision. Juge : Approbation banale.

La Voie du Point

Si vous voulez aller plus loin dans l’interprétation de votre thème géomantique, au delà d’analyser les placements des figures dans les maisons, il vous faudra calculer la Voie du Point. Pour cela c’est très simple, il vous suffit de regarder si la première ligne du Juge est de 1 ou 2 points. Ensuite, vous regardez quel témoin possède le même nombre de points en première ligne. Si l’un des deux témoins a un nombre de points égal, vous chercherez alors quelle nièce a (toujours sur la première ligne) le même nombre de points (1 ou 2). Enfin vous chercherez quelle mère ou fille a le même nombre de points que la nièce. Si vous arrivez à trouver le même nombre de points entre toutes ces figures, alors vous aurez la Voie du Point. Regardez dans quelle maison elle aboutit, car celle-ci aura un rapport avec la question. Si la voie du point ne se forme pas, cela prouve qu’il y aura des retards et des difficultés supplémentaires. 

Conclusion

Après l’élaboration de votre thème, vous pouvez donc :  - identifier la voie du point et noter sur votre feuille la maison où elle aboutit : si la maison ciblée est en lien avec la question c’est parfait, si non examinez les rapports qu’il peut y avoir entre votre question et cette maison. - compter les figures bonnes ou mauvaises et noter leur nombre. Une dominante bonne est favorable, et inversement. - étudier les passations de figures et leurs rapports avec la/les maison(s) de la question, et la maison I qui doit toujours être examinée car représentant le questionneur. - examiner les liaisons et voisinages de vos runes (on rappelle que les runes positives en maison positive : bonnes ; les négatives en maison négative : mauvaises ; les runes neutre en maison neutre dépendent de l’influence des cartes voisines ; les runes positives en maison négative : médiocrement bonnes ; les négatives en maison positive : mauvaises ; les positives en maison neutre sont favorables et les négatives en maison neutre défavorables). Vérifiez aussi s’il y a des carrés ou des trigones de runes, et dans quelles maisons (ont-elles un lien ?). - examiner le juge et la sentence en lien avec les témoins, puis faire la synthèse de toutes ces significations ! ^^

[the-ashen-gm]

Heartwood Ring

Ring, very rare

This wooden ring is crafted from the core of a heartwood tree that has just reached its adulthood. It is inscribed with runes relating to a promise that the wearer makes upon donning the ring.

When donned, you must speak aloud an agreement to an oath proposed by a creature you can percieve. Upon verbally agreeing to the oath, the ring binds permanently to your finger like a plant embedding its roots into soil. You are then affected as if by a geas spell to keep the oath and avoid losing the ring. The spell lasts as long as you wear the ring, which cannot be removed unless via amputation.

When you finish a long rest, you must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the roots of the ring creep closer to your heart. When the root reaches your heart, the geas is permanent even if the ring is removed. You must fail the saving throw a number of times equal to your Constitution score for it to take root in your heart.

An oath made under duress or intimidation does not last. Instead of the roots travelling towards your heart, they consume you. When you fail the Constitution saving throw against the roots, your hit point maximum decreases by a number equal to the amount you failed the save by. Once you lose a number of hit points equal to your Constitution score, the finger the ring is on rots and falls off. This ends the geas. Your lost hit points return when you are the subject of a greater restoration or regenerate spell.

When you find a heartwood ring as part of a treasure trove, on the body of a dead creature, or otherwise loose in the world, consult the following table to see what oath it relates to.

Random Heartwood Ring Table

d100 Oath

1-40 Oath of fealty to a superior

41-70 Oath of faithfulness to a relationship

71-80 Oath of vengeance against a hated foe

81-95 Oath of good behaviour

96-100 A paladin's oath, blessed by a senior knight of the order

_________________________________________

Back again with some more homebrew 5e content, this time a magic item! This was very much inspired by a very similar item from season 3 of Netflix's original Castlevania animated series. Those who have seen it know exactly what I'm talking about...!

If you want my help editing your 5e homebrew content or hire me to write content on 5e, send me a message on my social media and we'll talk ✌

[affcgato-archived]

warehouse, seattle WA.

The Warehouse, located at 611 Post Avenue1, 2, in Pioneer Square, Seattle. The property is a converted warehouse that he was able to buy out entirely before it was subdivided into units. The entry is a private, gated alley entrance with an intercom system off of Post Avenue. An estimate of the property’s value was put at just north of 1mil. USD per unit when it was slated for conversion, with 7 units planned. 

Ersken bought the warehouse after an extensive & exhaustive search of properties in the area. The interior wasn’t so much his concern - the right warlock could change that to fit his needs in terms of size, but Ersken needed the warehouse close to specific ley lines so he can benefit from the energy of the city itself. This warehouse’s location was perfect, & he had to pay accordingly. Further expense was poured into crafting an inter-dimensional interior to reflect the Necromance’s needs, meaning the interior space doesn’t quite match up with what might be expected when looking at it from the outside. 

The walls are etched with runes & various spells from different warlock traditions, meaning the shell of the warehouse acts as its own alarm system – if anyone steps inside without his knowledge, he knows well enough in advance to defend himself. Additionally, the warehouse is quieter than expected inside. There’s an interconnected hydroponics system that allows vertical gardens on every wall, especially in the kitchen & in his bedroom.

There are two sets of stairs - a short, vertical climb by the entry way that leads up to the greenhouse, & another set that curves through the middle of the space & leads up to a solarium, a small sitting area that acts as his consulting office, & then the residential area. The second floor’s residential area of the warehouse is the most heavily spelled, giving significantly increased defenses. This is where he sleeps – the master bedroom. His bed is on the second level, with a fireplace, a secondary workshop for smaller, personal projects, & a meditation area, & his altar. The fireplace helps warm the rest of the building. 

The Warehouse itself is conveniently located on leylines, providing rich energy for the Necromage to tap into for his work, but it's also an eleven minute walk from Pike Place Market in one direction, or the commenity garden in another. The warehouse is also interdimensionally connected to the greenhouse he maintains in part with various academies in Seattle.

Pioneer Square is Seattle's oldest neighborhood, showcasing a wealth of art galleries, bookstores, antique shops, cool restaurants, and buzzing nightclubs within easy walking (or free bus) distance of most downtown Seattle hotels. The cobblestone streets and horse-drawn carriages are a reminder of life a century ago. The classic red brick buildings give a warmth to the area not found in most sprawling US suburbias. Local lore holds that the term "skid row" originated in Pioneer Square -- when timber would be slid down Yesler Way to a steam powered mill on the Seattle waterfront. The area sits, from east to west, between 3rd Ave. and the waterfront; and between downtown proper to the north, and the sports stadiums to the south.

Just to its east, the International District is the name given to Seattle's Asian neighborhood. It is located southeast of downtown, loosely bounded by 4th Avenue S. & S. Dearborn Street. While the old Chinatown stops around the Interstate 5 freeway, the area to the east is called Little Saigon, centered on 12th and Jackson. From there, going south along Rainier Avenue, the stores transform from Vietnamese to Cambodian, beyond which it slowly merges into South Seattle.

1 Actual address of exterior 2 Interior is based on a converted Tribeca warehouse/loft. 3 source.