#fantasy guide to war

[2-59-amwater]

I want a sci-fi/space opera TV show with real plot and character development, and more that 2 seasons that's free to watch

have you tried Babylon 5?

I want a space opera with no filler episodes, every episode should have something relevant to the plot

have you tried Babylon 5?

I want a space opera that is respectful to other cultures and religions and shows conflicts between different cultures and how they are resolved

have you tried Babylon 5?

I want a space opera where actions (and inaction) have real consequences that the characters must navigate and deal with

have you tried Babylon 5?

I want a space opera that deals with mystical-like things but remains realistic

Have you tried B5?

I want a space opera where women are actively involved and not treated as a damsel or a plot device I want a show where you see multiple sides to a story I want a show that talks about the harm of colonization and slavery I want a show that shows PTSD and the effects of war I want a show that talks about genocide and racism I want a show with an explicitly LGBTQ+ person, I want a show with fucking fantastic 90's fashion that's 'futuristic' I want a show where every actor is a good actor, I want a show where the main cast is expanded on realistically, I want a show that deals with alcohol, drug abuse, and how it effects those around you I want a show where love is both safety and danger I want a show with a fantastic plot twist that I would never see coming I want a show with excellent quotes I want I want a show with movies that are relevant and expand upon the universe I want-

HAVE YOU TRIED BABYLON 5?!?!??!!!?

Literally the only downsides:

most of the main cast is white, there are many side characters and extras that are POC but most of the cast is white

the LGBT+ character is not expanded upon much

while B5 does have 5 seasons the 4th was supposed to be the end until they got more funding, I personally recommend not watching the 5th season

*correction, original was intended to have 5 seasons but was worried about funding getting cut so season 4 is jam packed and season 5 is flat. they both suffer but personally I find season 5 worse. thanks to @purronronner for the correction!

[alicelufenia]

A Practical Review of A Practical Guide to Evil

or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Typos

"In the end, I was not above imposing what I thought was right and wrong on others at the edge of a sword." ~ Catherine Foundling, our protagonist

Having concluded my first reading of the entire series, I wanted to give my "as spoiler-free as possible but watch out anyway" thoughts. Combined with the upcoming rewrite novels, and the currently ongoing webtoon comic based on the same, I figure now'd be a good time to hype it up for potential new readers.

Before the cut I'll say this: if you like dark fantasy war stories that avoid getting too grimdark, coming of age tales with a thoroughly messy main character, a "fantasy super heroes" story that actually has something to say about the assumed "Great Man Theory" of history, or (since you're on tumblr) Women's Wrongs Done Right, then I suggest clicking either the link in the header above for the original webseries, or here for the more recent comic and just dive right in. For further consideration, I'll see you beneath the cut.

The feminine urge to become a collaborator.

In the world of the Guide, stories have power. Across the continent of Calernia, those whose stories carry the greatest weight are empowered by the Gods. These powers manifest in Names, and as their stories unfold, these "Named" will tend to become either Heroes (champions of the Heavens, of Order and Light) or Villains (seekers of power, Tyrants and Despots). While not all villains and heroes abide by the same rules, the history of the world has long been an endless struggle between the factions of Good and Evil.

And then there's Catherine Foundling, an orphan girl with noble dreams of defeating tyranny, but her means are... less than heroic.

Might wanna keep an eye on that knife.

While she carries immense national pride, the former Kingdom of Callow, now occupied by the Dread Empire, is no place for Heroes. She is determined to make peace in her homeland, but first she needs the power. And thus she will become a Villain, and do whatever is necessary. And probably a lot that isn't, but works out in the moment. She's not the most stable person, is what I'm saying.

Carrying out her education as a fresh new Villain is the Black Knight, the head of the empire's Legions of Terror who conquered Callow 20 years ago, and is looking for an apprentice. Thus does Catherine begin her training to become the Squire, and from there, begin her rise to greatness!

The first book in the series, being the shortest, is a swift introduction to the setting and main character, and serves to shift from the twist on the traditional fantasy heroic narrative, into the fantasy war story the series focuses on from book 2 onward. If you finished the first book, give the 2nd a shot, as it is where the narration and characterization really starts to solidify, and be indicative of what you can expect. It is also when we get to know the greater cast of characters, from the various soldiers and officers in the Legions, the Heroes our villain protagonist will face off against, and the other world leaders who have their fingers in the pie of the conflicts to come.

Fun Guide drinking game: every time you read "My fingers clenched, then unclenched," take a drink

As the story progresses, the passage of time really stands out. Every one of our young protagonists grow into adults, with all the complications that has on top of the horrors of war. Basically no one remains a static character, they all grow and change in their goals, their morals, and how they relate to each other. At the end you really feel like you've been on a journey with these characters, their simpler beginnings feeling so far away, yet relevant to who they become right up to the end.

The part from earlier about stories having power is also very literal in the Guideverse. Fiction tropes like villain monologues or heroes succeeding despite impossible odds, are a part of how the world works, and many characters display an intimate knowledge of these tropes, and how to use them to their advantage. Or in the case of villains, how to avoid their numerous disadvantages. Succeeding as a villain is a truly uphill battle as Cat quickly discovers, and as the lines between nations are redrawn and old enemies become allies, she must learn to use the power of both villainous AND heroic stories to make her way in the world.

The series began as a web serial, and that's the format I would most recommend for experiencing the entire story from beginning to end. It is, admittedly, a bit of an acquired taste, as it never went through much of an editing pass. As I said, there will be typos. There is also a series of rewrite novels, which were originally released on the now defunct Yonder app. Not only do they aim to clean up the editing, they also expand on the original story, especially in the early books, with whole new arcs being added to what was originally book 1.

Current plans are for the first of the rewrite novels to come out sometime late 2025, alongside an audiobook and ebook release. If you want to get a preview of what's in store for those, the webtoon comic follows the rewrite novels, and is currently at the Peren Woods arc from the rewritten book 1.

Also lookit this cutie!

[book--brackets]

The Chronicles of Faerie by O. R. Melling (1993-2003)

American Gwen and her Irish cousin, Findabhair, have long planned a summer of backpacking around Ireland, visiting sites out of the old legends of fairy folk. Little do they know that it is the summer of the Hunter's Moon, a dangerous time for mortals who meddle with the kingdom of Faerie. One night, camping out on old ruins, Finn is kidnapped by the Faerie king, who wants her for a bride and possible sacrifice. It is up to Gwen, the more indecisive of the two, to rescue her cousin.

The Farsala Trilogy by Hilari Bell (2003-2006)

Stories are told of a hero who will come to Farsala's aid when the need is greatest. But for thousands of years the prosperous land of Farsala has felt no such need, as it has enjoyed the peace that comes from being both feared and respected.

Now a new enemy approaches Farsala's borders, one that neither fears nor respects its name and legend. But the rulers of Farsala still believe that they can beat any opponent.

Three young people are less sure of Farsala's invincibility. Jiaan, Soraya, and Kavi see Time's Wheel turning, with Farsala headed toward the Flames of Destruction. What they cannot see is how inextricably their lives are linked to Farsala's fate -- until it's too late.

Everworld by K. A. Applegate (1999-2001)

David’s life was pretty normal. School. Friends. Girlfriend. Actually, Senna was probably the oddest aspect of his life. She was beautiful. Smart. But there was something very different about her. Something strange.

And on the day it began, everything happened so quickly. One moment, Senna was with him. The next, she was swallowed up by the earth, her screams echoing from far, far away. David couldn’t just let her go. Neither could the others. His friends—and hers. So, they followed. And found themselves in a world they could have never imagined. 

Now they have to find Senna and get home without losing their lives. Or their minds. Or both…

The Wizard Knight by Gene Wolfe (2004)

A young man in his teens is transported from our world to a magical realm that contains seven levels of reality. Very quickly transformed by magic into a grown man of heroic proportions, he takes the name Able and sets out on a quest to find the sword that has been promised to him, a sword he will get from a dragon, the one very special blade that will help him fulfill his life ambition to become a knight and a true hero.

Inside, however, Able remains a boy, and he must grow in every sense to survive the dangers and delights that lie ahead in encounters with giants, elves, wizards, and dragons.

Star Wars: Jedi Apprentice by Dave Wolverton and Jude Watson (1999-2002)

Twelve-year-old Obi-Wan Kenobi desperately wants to be a Jedi Knight. After years at the Jedi Temple, he knows the power of the lightsaber and the Force. But he cannot control his own anger and fear. Because of this, the Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn will not take him on as a Padawan apprentice.

Now Obi-Wan is about to have his first encounter with true evil. He must face off against unexpected enemies--and face up to his own dark wishes.

Only then can his education as a Jedi truly begin.

Skylark by Meagan Spooner (2012-2014)

For fifteen years, Lark Ainsley waited for the day when her Resource would be harvested and she would finally be an adult. After the harvest she expected a small role in the regular, orderly operation of the City within the Wall. She expected to do her part to maintain the refuge for the last survivors of the Wars. She expected to be a tiny cog in the larger clockwork of the city.     Lark did not expect to become the City's power supply.     For fifteen years, Lark Ainsley believed in a lie. Now she must escape the only world she's ever known...or face a fate more unimaginable than death.

Westmark by Lloyd Alexander (1981-1984)

When Theo agrees to print a traveling showman's pamphlet, he only thinks of the money it will bring in. Instead, it sets off a chain reaction that results in the smashing of the press and the murder of his master. Caught on the wrong side of the law, Theo must flee the city. Soon, he has teamed up with the traveling showman Count Las Bombas (who is actually a con artist) and his servant. The trio is soon joined by Mickle, a clever, strong-willed girl with a mysterious past. Performing feats that astound and amaze, the motley crew falls into a trap set by Chief Minister Cabbarus, who is determined to wrest power from the grief-stricken king. Now they must not only save themselves-they must save the kingdom...

The Goblin Wood by Hilari Bell (2003-2011)

One terrible day, Makenna, a young hedgewitch, witnesses her mother's murder at the hands of their own neighbors. Stricken with grief and rage, Makenna flees the village that has been her home. In the wilds of the forest, she forms an unexpected alliance. Leading an army of clever goblins, Makenna skillfully attacks the humans, now their shared enemy.

What she doesn't realize is that the ruling Hierarchy is determined to rid the land of all magical creatures, and they believe Makenna is their ultimate threat - so they have sent a young knight named Tobin into the Goblin Wood to entrap her.

In this captivating fantasy adventure, the difference between Bright and Dark magic is as deceptive as our memories, hopes, and fears -- and the light of loyalty and friendship has a magic all of its own.

A young hedgewitch, an idealistic knight, and an army of clever goblins fight against the ruling hierarchy that is trying to rid the land of all magical creatures.

Hexwood by Diana Wynne Jones (1993)

When Controller Borasus receives a strange letter from Earth he is both curious and alarmed. Someone has activated an ancient machine and is using it for most trivial purposes. Surely no one would dare to tamper with Reigner seals in this way? Yet the effects of such interference resonate throughout the universe, so he decides to go to Hexwood Farm to investigate…

On Hexwood Estate, Ann watches the mysterious comings and goings with interest. She knows something deadly is going on – or is Hexwood simply altering her too?

Guides for Dating Vampires by D. N. Bryn (2022-present)

Vincent Barnes has suffered four years as a vampire, and they’ve been the most miserable years of his pathetic life. Too poor for black market blood, he feeds from sleeping humans to survive. He tries to never intrude on the same prey twice, but after a single delicious taste of a long-lost childhood neighbor, he can’t help returning for seconds.

Wesley Garcia has been waking up with fang marks. Lucky for him, he needs a vampire—to use as bait. He’s certain Vitalis-Barron Pharmaceutical killed his mother, but to gain access to their covert research labs, he has to bring them a bloodsucker for their experiments. 

Step one, a dramatic offer: Stay, and you can bite me. 

Vincent leaps at the chance to gobble Wesley up.

Wes’s plan is perfect. He’ll befriend the vampire, then trick him into coming to the lab. No fighting, no fuss. But Vincent is more than Wesley has bargained for: sweet and shy, with intoxicating fangs that awaken new desires in Wes. As the two bond, Vincent believes he might have finally found someone worth putting his trust in... and Wes fears neither of them will survive the betrayal he has planned.

[charliejaneanders]

My latest newsletter is about Hollywood constantly going back to the same heroes (Luke Skywalker, Captain Kirk) instead of expanding their universes. To get more perspective, I talked to the wonderful @okbjgm about creating new heroes in old universes.

[rxttenfish]

Pardon the question, but how do the reimagined merfolk reproduce? In MP I recall them saying that merfolk reproduce in a similar way to seahorses (may be a throwaway joke, but in any case) but the reimagined merfolk are obviously different from how they are in MP in many ways.

ah yes, one of those things that i've had worked out fully for forever but never made a dedicated post on it over here... at least partially because im suspicious of tumblr and its ability to nuke anything even frankly talking about sexual selection and reproductive methods of various animals, oops.

which is why this is going under a cut, oops. like i said, lots of frank discussion of sexual selection and the processes of it. im a nerd when it comes to this.

-

the first thing most humans would notice when looking upon a group of merfolk (of the same species), is a notable lack of dimorphism. there's no dramatic color shifts, no difference in size beyond usual distribution among a population, no odd behaviors, nothing to really sort them out from each other. this is a consistent theme among merfolk in general — while they continually get larger as they age (at a much slower rate than they did growing up, certainly, and not as dramatic as pop media might suggest this to be), it's still fairly close along the existing curve of height distribution, and usually the only real "tells" for an adult merfolk's age is that they get pitted and worn, a little like a statue slowly wearing down, or similar to the age of crocodilians.

which might be a little odd for these hypothetical humans looking onwards, even if they were already familiar enough to be able to tell merfolk facial features apart. even moreso because as frank as merfolk cultures usually are about sex and nudity taboos seem rare, all of their applicable anatomy is internal, so even seeing one entirely in the nude isn't enough to sex them.

the truth has to do with merfolk as a secondarily aquatic tetrapod. i've mentioned before that the early ancestors of merfolk were temnospondyls that responded to environmental stressors in their freshwater environments by being able to take advantage of a wide variety of environments. they have lungs and gills, meaning they can breathe on land very well if they need to move between pools and ponds, and they have gills to optimize their time spent underwater and not have to surface if the going is good underwater. even more than that, they developed both external gills and internal gills, meaning they could reap the benefits of both fast-moving and slow-moving water.

all of this is relevant, because to be exposed to all of these different environments and to be able to move between them when the going gets tough in one, means they had to make longer and longer treks over land. some were dependent on specific vernal pools that they would travel to to raise their young, but this also limited the areas in which they could live, and if those vernal pools dried up then they could not reproduce.

so these early-line temnospondyls made the same switch that other tetrapods have made, and switched to internal fertilization. this meant that, if they were to find another one of their species during their land-travels, they could mate and continue onwards, even being ready to lay eggs right at the moment they found the vernal pool, limiting the amount of time the offspring needed in the water.

however, they did still need vernal pools and water, and were very vulnerable in these stages. and with the existing push towards shorter and shorter time spent in the vernal pools, well, what if they just didn't bother with them at all? it'd put more stress on the parents, but they were already primed to be able to survive through these periods of stress, so it wouldn't be such a huge jump.

so the line that would eventually lead to merfolk and the leviathans both made the switch to live birth fairly early on in their history.

the rest that happens from there varies. this was a more diverse group, back in the day! there were many different species with many different methods for that live birth. some would continue just carrying the fertilized eggs to be dropped off in the next suitable pool they found, some developed them into tadpoles, some went through metamorphosis in the womb and popped out into the world as mini adults, some left spermatophores for others of their species to pick up, some developed evertable genitalia and went at it that way.

but another shift also happened early on in their evolutionary history. them being able to spread out so far and wide meant that there was a very low density of them in any given area, and these low numbers made them vulnerable. if there was high disparity in the proportion of sexes in any given area, they'd feel the effects of that quicker, and when they were already in competition over the same niches as other temnospondyls, crocodylomorphs, marine reptiles, and later early cetaceans, etc who dominated these niches, they were often kept at these lower population numbers.

which was about when these early-line temnospondyls also made the switch to a trioecious mating system.

this happened because sex determination in amphibians is already weird, so it wasn't too far of a leap for a mutation to arise which created fertile dual-sexed individuals. and these dual-sexed individuals had a lot of success under the niche they had already carved out! now, whenever they did find another member of their same species, it was guaranteed that they could mate with them, which meant that their populations were self-sustaining and stable on much lower numbers. due to how their dispersal already worked, inbreeding wasn't as much of a negative factor, and they were even more capable of making it through the disasters and ecological strain that had the other non-lissamphibia temnospondyls going extinct. they could eke out a living wherever they found it, make long traversals over land if they needed to seek out greener pastures, and they were able to sustain themselves in the background without needing as high of a density of themselves in any given spot.

like i said too - this was a diverse clade back in the day! and you ended up getting different variations on this. some species didn't have any dual-sexed individuals. some species had only dual-sexed individuals. some had only males and dual-sexed individuals, and some only females and the dual-sexed individuals, and all in various different proportions and numbers.

what matters here is that merfolk were a part of the line who had evertable internal genitalia, and who ended up entirely composed of these dual-sexed members, making them an entirely unisex species in the modern day.

(this is also where i butt in, to explain from an authorial perspective, this is me kinda... being sneaky with canon and how it tends to phrase things. yes, technically it is the male who gets pregnant with merfolk! but, also, so would females. because they don't have "male" or "female" in these strict terms, and any given individual to them has the potential to do both. this is something that i do a lot with the usual facts given to me by canon, where it's technically true, just because i like to be contrary about it and not take things in the most literal way. it's just what i find fun, i know some other people do it differently, and that's fine with me!)

what this means is that merfolk don't have a conception of "gender". it checks out with their social structure too, because if a merfolk's miivt'ia have a child, then it doesn't matter who actually physically created that child, said merfolk would still consider themselves their parent all the same. the reproductive unit is larger than a singular merfolk or even two merfolk, and at that point, even if they were bisex, then each grouping still has the same reproductive potential as any other.

what this means is that, when miranda describes herself as a princess or a girl or that the king is her dad or she has sisters — these are best seen as translation errors. to a merfolk, the concepts at play aren't gendered. they would not immediately identify themselves as male, they would not immediately identify themselves as female, they'd be very confused and would only get more confused as you tried to explain it to them. miranda describes herself as a princess and uses she/her because she was told that, for landfolk, everyone had to pick one of two and she had to just choose one. she picked "princess" and "girl" because one of the first things given to her as a way to learn english were fairytales, and she really ended up latching onto the princess characters in them.

in fact, this is why merfolk seem to be a little... reductive? when it comes to gender? as in, if you do take the time to explain it to them, you will have to explain it all. which means starting with gender relating to the different genitalia, and you have just told this hypothetical merfolk that it is important to landfolk, who will now operate under that assumption. they will not innately understand why landfolk care about this or all the distinctions thereof and certainly not the nuance of it, so they end up just going "okay, when this landfolk tells me this person is a girl, that must mean she is like this", and potentially getting frustrated when you tell them that that's wrong.

it can't even really work for royals, who do simplify parentage down to two people, and care a whole lot about who is related to whom. for royals in the current merkingdom, its primarily about attempting to preserve a specific lineage. because merfolk lineage is its own can of worms, they simplify - they take the current heir (one who has been groomed and taught how to behave as though emblematic of that lineage and has been guaranteed to have the strongest claim to it), and will find a suitable non-heir of another royal house, for whom they will forbid either of them to make kids with any other merfolk. this agreement is less like a marriage in the traditional sense, and more like the heir's house is briefly sponsoring the non-heir's house, sending extended political and economic benefits to the latter through this connection, in exchange for reinforcing the lineage of the heir and making it more potent, reinforcing their political ties.

this is to ensure that absolutely no other genetics can be involved and to contain the process. because this occurs by who-was-born-where, it also means that only the heir really matters in this ordeal. if the heir dies while the non-heir of the couple lives, and they already have had children, then the non-heir is "locked in" and cannot remarry, obliged to stay within the heir's house in their current position to ensure the current holders of the lineage are brought up and cared for properly. if the heir dies while the non-heir lives, and they have no children, then the non-heir is sent back to their prior family with no benefits, and the next heir is named as though the marriage never happened. if the non-heir dies while the heir lives, then they can remarry as they please, existing children or not. this is not especially popular, as the non-heir's family can accuse the heir's family of being unfair or snubbing them, but it is still perfectly legal and accepted.

for instance: the king, miranda's father, had to marry into the royal family. it was the queen, miranda's mother, who was the crown princess before miranda, and who is seen as passing her inheritance down onto miranda and the other three sisters. when the queen died, the king could not remarry. he was secure in his position as king, but any other marriages would not carry the lineage of the royal family, and at best he would be seen as trying to "dilute" that lineage.

in this setup, it's not all that important who is the donor party and who is the carrying party. either the inheritor or their partner can be the one carrying, so long as it's certain and guaranteed who the baby comes from and that this can be assured with certainty. usually it's agreed between the two of them for whatever reason, though the carrying partner does have a benefit in being a surefire way to prove that they are one of the parents, with zero doubt. inheritors will do this mostly to make their kids look the most "100% royal line, no doubts", but this can also go the opposite way, to cement it down to it being a specific line who carried them and to reinforce the political benefits their prior family enjoys from this arrangement.

which brings me back to merfolk genetics, and why this is so important for the royals to ensure they know exactly who made what!

which is to say, merfolk never opted for traditional sexual competition, and instead erred towards sperm competition.

early on in their lineage, they didn't have a lot of sexual dimorphism to begin with. they were already fairly widespread, and while gatherings around early vernal pools were a pressure towards sexual competition, after they stopped relying on vernal pools, the differences between the sexes became more of a hinderance than a benefit. why would they bother with any colorful spots or being extra big and bulky when you're not even around enough of your species for choice to be an issue? if you can find another one to begin with, then that's really all either of you need, and challenging each other just puts another bind on that low-population issue. they were all function, minimal fuss, beyond some general traits that were seen as markers of health.

even when the ancestors of merfolk first started forming their colonies along the coasts, they didn't change this. there wasn't an initial hierarchy laid out, they were just a large group of the same species arranged in the same area for the same purpose, and also maybe some protection by numbers. they did start to form the early groups that would later lead to the modern miivt'ia, and they started to primarily associate with those groups and socialize with them, which meant that when they wanted to find someone to mate with, that hunting group was always the first and the easiest to access.

why fight over mates in that situation? why compete? the health of the group starts to become directly correlated to the health of the individual, and you've already determined they all have good genes, or else they wouldn't be this beneficial to helping you hunt and survive and evade predation.

but this isn't to say competition isn't happening. there is still the slight edge that natural selection adds in, and with multiple matings between different individuals, the thing that gets selected upon is the sperm itself. faster sperm, ways to kill competetor's sperm, ways to suppress the immune system of the mating partner to ensure that sperm will take, more output, ways to remove competetor's sperm to begin with, etc etc etc. their internal genitals start to get bizarre, both for the sake of excluding saltwater intrusion as they get more and more aquatic, but also for the sake of this sperm competition. this system also means, not only do more matings occur right after each other, but more partners involved. the "default" evolutionary position for merfolk starts to look more and more like a clump of noodles, writhing around and over each other. sexual contact becomes a way to bond and to connect with someone primarily, and a means to reproduce secondarily. it's an easy way to solve problems and to get merfolk to make up, by them simply fucking it out and everyone feeling better for it.

which is where i can get into the actual mechanics of it all!

unfortunately this is also where i run out of steam (also am sick. that will do it too), so i'll absolutely have to make a part 2 to this... and also i'll make another post sharing a few old writings of mine on this topic.

someday i'll make like. a masterpost on merfolk reproduction and what's going on there, but like i said. sexual selection is one of those things my brain goes ham for and i looooove talking about all these additional little facts. like how merfolk pregnancies last 2 years (to match with other large marine predators), and that they're based off of both tiger sharks and the alpine salamander, the latter of which has the record for the longest pregnancy on the planet at up to five years :3

also read Bitch: On the Female of the Species by Lucy Cooke if this sounds interesting to you! and maybe listen to the episodes the Common Descent Podcast did on Live Birth and Milk!!!

[legends-expo]

Photo: Bekah Platzer + Thor Parker

Ticket sales for Legends Expo 2025 are available for purchase on our Square site at the Holiday Special rate! Through December, all ticket orders will include a sticker & personalized card so that you have something to physically gift the recipient!

Legends Expo is a fan-run convention celebrating the original Expanded Universe books, comics, games, and other media that are now known as Legends. Join us September 13th-14th 2025 in Burbank California!

[litirxcaractar]

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semi-selective

follows back from @piecesofacrow

Please Read rules and Bio before interaction

[good-books-to-read]

Travel Destination: Ireland

The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar

Shireen Malik is still reeling from the breakup with her ex-girlfriend, Chris, when she receives news that she’s been accepted as a contestant on a new televised baking competition show. It’s a dream come true! Because winning will not only mean prize money, but it will also bring some much-needed attention to You Drive Me Glazy, her parents’ beloved donut shop.

Things get complicated, though, because Chris is also a contestant on the show. Then there’s the very outgoing Niamh, a fellow contestant who is becoming fast friends with Shireen. Things are heating up between them, and not just in the kitchen.

Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier

A magnificent saga set in the Celtic twilight of 10th century Ireland, when myth was law and magic was a power of nature, brilliantly brought to life: the legendary story of an evil stepmother opposed by a seventh child.

The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

Nishat doesn’t want to lose her family, but she also doesn’t want to hide who she is, and it only gets harder once a childhood friend walks back into her life. Flávia is beautiful and charismatic, and Nishat falls for her instantly. But when a school competition invites students to create their own businesses, both Flávia and Nishat decide to showcase their talent as henna artists. In a fight to prove who is the best, their lives become more tangled—but Nishat can’t quite get rid of her crush, especially since Flávia seems to like her back.

As the competition heats up, Nishat has a decision to make: stay in the closet for her family, or put aside her differences with Flávia and give their relationship a chance.

Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar

When Humaira "Hani" Khan comes out to her friends as bisexual, they immediately doubt her. Apparently, she can’t be bi if she’s only dated guys. Cornered into proving her sexuality, she tells them she’s dating someone—Ishita "Ishu" Dey, the straight A student who seems more concerned with studying than relationships.

When Hani approaches her about fake dating, she agrees on one condition–that Hani help her become more popular so she can win the school’s head girl election. It’s the perfect plan to help them achieve their goals, until Hani’s friends become jealous that she’s spending more time with Ishu. They’ll do everything they can to drive a wedge between them and ruin Ishu's chances of becoming head girl.

Not my Problem by Ciara Smyth

Aideen has plenty of problems she can’t solve. But when she stumbles upon overachiever Meabh Kowalska having a full-blown meltdown, she sees one that she can actually fix. Meabh is desperate to escape her crushing pile of extracurriculars. Aideen volunteers to help—by pushing her down the stairs.

Problem? Solved. Meabh’s sprained ankle is the perfect excuse to ditch her overwhelming schedule. But when one of their classmates learns about their little scheme, more “clients” start asking for Aideen’s “help”—kicking off a semester of traded favors, ill-advised hijinks, and even an unexpected chance at love.

Fixing other people’s problems won’t fix her own. But it might be the push Aideen needs to start.

[fogaminghub]

🌟 The Siren Isle Update is here, bringing a wave of excitement! 🌊 Join the goblin, earthen, and Arathi teams as you explore this mysterious island filled with new quests, items, and character enhancements. Discover everything you need to know with our detailed guide! Are you ready for the adventure?

[inky-duchess]

Fantasy Guide to the Army

I have been asked to do this post for quite a long while and I finally got around to it. This guide is a basic guide, you may need to do further research into specific armies across the world. Armies are a necessary part to any world building, so what do we need to know about them?

(PS I had planned to include air force and navy but I am just one person and I cut myself, and the read more link, some slack)

Ranks

Field Marshal (FM) The Field Marshal is the highest rank of within the Army. The rank of Field Marshal was often granted in times of war (a general must have committed an act of valour, i.e. a victory). The rank can sometimes be used as a divisional command rank or brigade command. The UK, Austria-Hungary, Afghanistan, Germany, India, and Pakistan use the rank as a reward for achievement. Spain and Mexico use it for divisional command while countries such as Portugal, France and Brazil for use it for brigade command. The rank of Field Marshal is a "five star" position. The rank does not exist in the US army. They are addressed as Field Marshal Surname. Their insignia is two crossed batons surrounded by yellow leaves set under a crown.

General (Gen.) A General is the commanding officer of an army or army corps. It is currently the highest rank granted in most armies today, it is a 4 star position. A General is in charge of commanding large units, they are in charge of making strategic decisions for the army, oversee major military operations, manage the needs of the army. They are addressed as General Surname. Their insignia is four stars (US, France, Germany, Russia) and a sword and baton crossed under a crown and a star (UK). Lieutenant General (Lt.Gen) Lieutenant General commands an army corps or a division (tens of thousands of soldiers). They are also involved in strategic planning. They also hold positions within the Ministry of Defence/Equivalents. They would often serve as advisers to the government and aid Generals. It is a 3 star position and they addressed as Lieutenant General Surname. Their insignia is three stars (US, Germany, France, Russia) and a crossed sword and baton under a crown (UK)

Major General (Maj.Gen) Major General is a general officer in the army, responsible for leading and operational roles. They would command divisions of tens of thousands of soldiers. They support the officers above them, helping with strategy, executing the strategy, oversee the training of their units. They are addressed as Major General Surname. They are a 2 star position. Their insignia is a crossed sword and baton with a star (UK) and two stars (US, Germany, Russia, France). Brigadier General (Brig.Gen) Brigadier General is a one-star general officer in the army. They command brigades (3,000 to 5,000 soldiers), assisting Major Generals in tactical planning and coordination of operations. They are addressed as Brigadier General Surname. Their insignia is one star (Russia, Germany, US,), two silver stars (France) and s crown and three stars (for the UK, stars are known as pips). Colonel (Col) Colonels command brigades of about (3,000 to 5,000 soldiers), they are senior staff officers who both provide leadership to their units which are sometimes specialised agencies, such as task forces. Colonels are addressed as Colonel Surname. A silver eagle (US), a pair of diamond pips under a crown (UK), three silver pips upon shoulder braid with silver braid (Germany), three gold pips on a shoulder board with golden braid (France and Russia). Major (Maj) Majors command units of around 120 officers. They are in charge of the training and welfare of their soldiers, administrative duties within the barracks and within their unit. They are the primary staff officer in brigades. They assist superior officers in planning and executing missions and tactical plans. The Major is referred to as Major Surname. Their insignia is 2 gold stars on a shoulder board with golden braid (Russia, France) 2 silver pips on a shoulder board with silver braid (Germany), a crown (UK), a golden oak leaf (US)

Captain (Cpt) Captains lead companies usually around 50-200 soldiers. They are often the second officer in a company working alongside a superior officer. They are responsible for operations in the field such as ensuring equipment is kept up to date and in good condition, offering logistic support, and managing their troops. Captains are addressed as Captain Surname. Their insignia is two silver bars (US), three pips (UK), three silver pips on a shoulder board with silver braid (Germany), three golden pips on a shoulder board with gold braid (France, Russia) Lieutenant (Lt) Lieutenants command a platoon (about 30 odd soldiers). They are in charge of overseeing the training and discipline of their soldiers along with ensuring their welfare. They will participate in missions under the command of a superior. Lieutenants are addressed as Lieutenant Surname. Their insignia is two golden stars on a shoulder board with gold braid (Russia, France), two silver pips on a shoulder board with silver braid (Germany), two pips (UK), one silver bar (US) Second Lieutenant (2/Lt) The Second Lieutenant leads smaller units, working with enlisted soldiers. They are crucial in the training of soldiers, they maintaining personnel records and manage the resources needed for a mission or the units welfare. They would be addressed in conversation as Lieutenant but referred to as Second Lieutenant in dispatches and in correspondence. Their insignia is one gold bar (US), one pip (UK), one silver pip on a shoulder board with silver braid (Germany), one gold pip on a shoulder board with gold braid (Russia, France)

Enlisted Men

Warrant Officer 1st Class (1/WO)This is the most senior non-commissioned rank. They focus on discipline, prisoners, ammunition supplies and various technical and non-combatant services. In the UK, they often hold the rank of Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) and are appointed by the Secretary of State Defence while in the US, the Secretary of the Army appoints them. They are addressed as Mr/Ms/Mrs Surname or Chief. Their insignia is one silver bar and a black square (US), the royal coat of arms (UK), four silver pips on a shoulder board with silver braid (Germany), three gold chevrons and a gold star (France), two gold stars on a shoulder board with golden braid (Russia) Warrant Officer 2nd Class (2/WO) The Warrant Officer Second Class would do similar jobs as the WO1, but they handle the below regimental section. Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1). WO2s can be referred to as Company Sergeant Majors (CSMs) or Squadron Sergeant Majors (SSMs) (depending on their unit). They take roles within training, discipline and aiding the Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1). Addressed as CSMs/SSMs and as Mr./Mrs/Ms. Their insignia is one gold star on a shoulder board with gold braid (Russia), Three golden chevrons (France), three silver pips on a shoulder board with silver braid (Germany), crown (UK), silver bar with two squares (US). Sergeant (Sgt)The Sergeant are responsible for the soldiers under their command. They oversee their team, acting as mentors and supervisors to their soldiers. Sergeants are over a squad of 10 soldiers. They are responsible them, from performance, prepare them for combat and their needs. They are addressed as Sergeant Surname. Their insignia is three chevrons (US, UK), two silver pips on a shoulder board with silver pips (Germany), two golden chevrons (France) and three golden chevrons (Russia). Corporal (Cpl)Corporals lead small squads of soldiers, no more than . Corporals are in charge of the training of their soldiers and ensuring that they are up to standard. They handle all the paperwork for their squad such as records. Corporals will accompany their soldiers on missions, leading patrols and overseeing their soldiers in the field. They are usually responsible for large pieces of equipment. They are addressed as Corporal Surname. Their insignia two chevrons (US, UK), one silver pips with shoulder board with a silver braid (Germany), two gold chevron (France, Russia). Lance Corporal (L.Cpl)Lance Corporals help Corporals lead their teams, acting as their second in command. They are in charge of disciplining, mentoring and leading their squads. They are also in charge of large weapons. They are addressed as Lance Corporal Surname. Their insignia one golden chevron (Russia, France), none/one silver pip (Germany), one chevron (UK) and one chevron with crossed rifles (US) Private (Pte)Privates are the lowest rank in the army. They will have just come out of training with the basic skills of a soldier. Privates are given tasks by superior officers, must obey the orders given and are usually given the more hands-on tasks, such as maintenance of weapons and their camp. They are addressed as Private Surname. Their insignia is one chevron/none (US), no insignia (UK, France, Russia, Germany).

Non-Commissioned Officers vs Commissioned Officers

You may have often heard the term "non-commissioned officer" if you have ever watched any war media. The difference is that Commissioned Officers receive their rank via a formal document signed by a high-ranking official, such as the monarch or a political leader. The Commissioned Officers are usually Lieutenants, Colonels, Generals, Captains, Majors. They are responsible for giving orders and making decisions. Non-Commissioned Officers are promoted from the enlisted ranks, gaining their promotion on skills alone. They are in charge of discipline, training and carrying out orders. They are usually ranked among Corporals and Sergeants.

Jobs within the Army

No army is just made up of officers and their soldiers. An army is like a town on the move, there are hundreds of different tasks that must be undertaken to ensure the army is fed, transported, kept in line and kept equipped.

Medic: Medics are the first responders for wounded soldiers, they administer first aid, medication and medical care to the soldiers in their unit. Medics are usually NCOs.

Chaplain: Is a soldier with some religious or spiritual calling that administers last rites, confession, spiritual guidance and solace for soldiers. They will see to soldiers of all creeds and faiths.

Artillery Crew: The Artillery Crew handle the maintenance and inventory of artillery weapons and related equipment. NCOs with training in the handling of artillery.

Military Police: The Military Police are force within the army that keep soldiers in line, maintain order and arrest any soldier caught doing a crime on the job. Always NCOs.

Intelligence: This is the information post, which involves fact gathering, recording and study of information needed by the army to mobilise.

Quartermaster: The quartermaster manages the distribution and gathering of all the things needed for the army from uniforms to equipment for the soldier's packs. Usually NCOs.

Mess Officer: The Mess Officer oversees the Mess Hall, managing the staff as they cook and prepare the army's meals. The Mess Officer would also be in charge of budgeting, inventory, health and safety and providing meals timely. Usually an officer, Captains and Lieutenants.

Adjutant: Is an officer who acts as an assistance to a superior officer taking on secretarial duties such as paperwork and arranging their diary. Usually a Captain or a Major.

Combat Engineer: The Combat Engineer is in charge of maintaining and building fortifications. NCOs with specialised skills in the field.

Logistics: Logistic Specialists handle the supplies, equipment and arranging transportation. NCOs.

Armourer: The armourer is in charge of weapons and ammunition. They handle any repairs needed and see to the safe storing of these valuable items. NCOs.

Communications Specialist: These Specialists handle communications, the communication equipment and its maintenance. NCOs usually with previous experience or training.

Mechanics: Mechanics are in charge of the maintenance of vehicles and machinery. They handle repairs, do check ups, offer support in the field and ensure everything is in good shape. NCOs with training and skills in the area.

Equipment

The soldiers will not be going into any situation without equipment - at least, not at first. Equipment is like gold dust in the field, especially if a unit is within enemy territory or the supply chain cannot be relied upon. Soldiers may often turn to thievery in order to resupply themselves with ammunition, weapons, supplies and even boots. In WWII, the newly formed company the Special Air Service - the SAS - actually raided their allies for supplies.

The soldier would carry essential supplies when they are first deployed. These would include (may vary):

Flasks/Canteen: Or some sort of drinking container. A soldier will need to hydrate if they don't wish to die-dydrate on a long march. They may also carry water purification chemicals such as iodine.

First Aid Kits: All soldiers will carry the basics of a first aid kit. This would include bandages, gauze, burn ointment, tourniquet, pain relief (not the good stuff), scissors and tweezers.

Knife: It is always handy to have something to cut things with.

Gun Cleaning Tools: Soldiers will have the equipment to care for their weapons. An uncared for weapon is an invitation for death.

Ammunition: A soldier would carry ammunition with them.

Entrenching Equipment: Something to dig with, usually a collapsible shovel.

Rations: Soldiers may often carry some sort of food with them, usually of the preserved kind.

Some form of shelter: Soldiers may carry something to shelter themselves such as a sleeping bag, a tent, a blanket.

Signal Mirror: Soldiers carry signal mirrors to send visual signals to communicate with others.

Toiletries: Basic hygiene items.

Weaponry

Soldiers will not only just need equipment to survive on the field. Soldiers will carry all sorts of weapons on them. It was up to the soldier to care for the weapon and ensure it is up to scratch. Ammunition, of course, doesn’t grow on trees and nor do weapons. Weapons and ammunition like supply I mentioned above could often be “liberated” from the enemy or even unwitting allies. Every soldier will carry:

A rifle: This is the long-range weapon carried by almost all soldiers. They will use this in combat, especially if fighting from a fixed position.

A handgun or a pistol: Most soldiers will carry a secondary gun. These guns are useful in tight spaces or close combat.

Bayonet: A knife or blade that is attached to the rifle. This allows a soldier to stab the enemy with their rifle.

Combat Knife: A knife used in combat.

Mortar: This is a short-barrelled artillery piece. It is used to fire shells at steep angles.

Hand Grenades: These are handheld explosives carried by soldiers. They have a delayed fuse, meaning that they are useful as both a long-range weapon and as a close-range weapon – one could leave one behind as a present. They are typically activated by pulling the pin, flinging it away from the body, toward the enemy and denoted.

Uniforms

Above in rankings, we went through the insignia which is the symbols on one's uniform that denotes your rank and place in the hierarchy of things. Soldiers will be inspected every day to ensure their uniforms are up to standard and will face the wrath of superiors if their uniforms are unkempt and their appearance not up to the mark. Every private learns how to shine their own boots, sort out their own uniforms and are responsible for looking their best. There are different kinds of uniform for a soldier.

Casual Uniform: This uniform is comprised of a more casual uniform, made up of a tunic/shirt, trousers and boots. Certain units will wear caps and berets denoting their unit and rank as well. Combat Uniform: This is worn on the field. It will often reflect the climate the soldier is going into, so will be light and heavy depending on the weather. A soldier would wear a combat jacket, trousers, wear a helmet, wear their identification tags/dog tags. These would be in mute colours, usually khaki or camouflage. Service Dress Uniform: This is worn during official duties and formal events. It comprises of a dress shirt, tie, peaked cap/beret, creased trousers and a jacket with their insignia, unit symbols and medals. Dress Uniform: This is worn during very formal ceremonies. A formal jacket pinned with ribbons, embroidered insignia and the medals of their achievements and commendations, creased trousers, dress shirt and tie, polished shoes and a formal hat cap/beret.

Life of a soldier (On Base and in the Field)

Soldiers on active duty will be expected to manage many tasks, not just firing at the enemy or storming enemy beaches. Soldiers are expected to fulfil maintenance work, defence, offence, administrative duties (if needed), engineering and communications.

On Base: A soldier’s day will be planned right down to the second. They will get up at a certain time, have an allotted time to get ready and tidy up their bunk, report to various drills and participate and have a list of duties to undertake within the day. These duties involve maintenance on base, helping with any office work, guarding and patrolling, doing specialised tasks such as helping in the infirmary. Most privates will do the grunt work, anything hands on or labour intensive while officers will see to training soldiers or paperwork or supply management.

In the Field: The life of a soldier in the field wasn’t as regimented as on base – it can’t be, since most soldiers won’t have the exact same day especially in battle or marching from place to place. But every soldier will have certain duties to undertake. Of course, fighting will be included, some soldiers would take it in shifts to man a fixed position or to engage the enemy or to participate in missions into new or enemy territory. Soldiers would take their place “out on the line”, patrolling the edges of their camp to ensure they can’t be crept up on. Soldiers will erect camp every night they aren’t marching which includes the putting up of tents, digging of latrine pits, building fortifications. Soldiers not out on the line or engaging the enemy will spend their time at camp either helping in the mess hall, in the infirmary or keeping the camp ship-shape. Soldiers may often be sent out to “forage” (*cough, cough* steal) whatever they need such as food.

The Realities of the Army

Good vs Evil. Yes, sometimes the army are the heroes. But in reality, war is a grey area. No army in the world is wholly bad or innocent. Every single army on earth has committed war crimes and every army has had to make decisions which some would find morally reprehensible. The point is that painting an army as the good guys or the bad guys in your narrative can’t work because it isn’t realistic. You can of course highlight these issues by the actions of a few soldiers while still retaining the antagonists and the heroes. You can of course pit the ideals of both sides in a war together, to firmly push your reader toward the good guys vs the bad guys. But the reality is a simple one: all armies kill, all armies steal and all armies destroy.

Civilian vs Soldier: The Reality Civilians suffer at the hands of their own army as well as the enemy. Civilians often had to deal with soldiers taking their crops, livestock and overtaking their homes in searches for food, shelter and resources. Enemy civilians would also put up with pillaging, looting and in some cases death, assault and sexual abuse. It is of course against protocol to harm civilians but things do happen in theatres of war.

The Army vs the Soldier

While the army expects a lot out of the soldier as an induvial, the army can often fall short of their duties to that soldier. This can be unintentional, for example supplies can get lost or stolen. But there are instances where soldiers and their needs are sacrificed for the greater good. They maybe passed over for supplies or reinforcements for another unit. They may be placed in difficult circumstances without any hope of relief. They may not have the equipment needed to fight their battle or stay alive. Sometimes, armies even shot their own soldiers for insubordination, ex. In WW1, many soldiers on all sides were shot by their own for “cowardice” – this may have been the case, but some cases involved soldiers who were suffering from PTSD.

Choice vs Obligation vs Threat Why do soldiers fight? What makes somebody join the army? Sometimes it is the search of opportunity, of a place, of rank and a purpose. But sometimes, going to war isn’t the choice of the soldier. Drafts and conscription make military service compulsory for certain age groups and genders. In peacetime, soldiers are enlisted voluntarily in most armies while some countries have compulsory service time even in times of peace. In some wars, criminals in prison were offered the chance to serve in the war as penance for their crimes. There are of course instances when one is threatened or forced into an armed force.

The Effects of War on the Soldier War changes people. The things soldiers see and have to do within war and training will inevitably change them as people. Sometimes, the change is positive, the army has been named by many people as the thing that straightened them out and have them structure. The army sometimes allows soldiers to travel and gain access to opportunities and education that they may never have had access to before. But undeniably, war has negatives effects on soldiers and civilians. Soldiers may suffer from PTSD, depression, suicidal thoughts and feel a disconnect between themselves and their old lives. Soldiers often find it hard to return to their life after the war, especially in radically different settings with people who don’t understand what they have been through. This can lead to substance abuse issues, alcoholism, problems with the law and troubles within relationships among family and romantic partners. Soldiers of course can get injuries while in war or even in training. Loss of limbs, damage to the brain and other organs, broken bones, burns, shrapnel injuries and of course gunshot wounds are all common. Soldiers often get ill while in the field, such illnesses including typhoid, hypothermia, trench foot, dysentery, malaria, pneumonia etc. These are caused by the close living quarters and the often-sub-standard living conditions. Soldiers would often be at risk for pests such as lice and fleas because of their living conditions. Soldiers may often face problems with nutrition, might suffer from dehydration and starvation especially if supplies are scarce.

The Geneva Convention

Your world may not include the Geneva Convention, may pre-date the Geneva Convention or Geneva may not be a place within your WIP, but I include this here so you might have a fair idea about the “rules” of modern warfare. This is just a brief version.

Medical personnel are not to be specifically targeted in operations.

Medical facilities and equipment is not be targeted in operations

Any wounded soldiers or civilians are to be treated, despite allegiance.

Prisoners cannot be tortured or harmed in any way

Prisoners must be fed, well-kept and treated for any injury

Prisoners are not under obligation to tell their captors anything but their name, rank and other personal information – this is so they can be recorded and all information must be recorded and sent to the captured soldier's officers

Prisoners must be allowed to communicate with family and friends.

Prisoners have the right to receive any packages or mail.

Prisoners have the right to access the services of the Red Cross, who cannot be prevented from visiting and inspecting them

Prisoners who are seriously wounded or ill must be released

Any religious figures are to be captured and released as soon as possible

Soldiers cannot take hostages, they cannot pillage, they cannot take slaves.

Soldiers must abstain from humiliating and degrading any captured soldiers or civilians.

Reprisals against civilians and other soldiers are forbidden.

Group punishment is not permitted (Yes, that one teacher did break the Geneva Convention)

Prisoners can be tried by their captors, but they are entitled to a fair trial.

All POWs shall be released at the end of conflict

At sea, hospital ships cannot engage in war.

Any shipwrecked crew on a ship must be rescued despite allegiance.

Children, pregnant women, mothers with very young children, the elderly, the sick and wounded who are imprisoned for a long time, must be released as soon as possible.

Surrendering soldiers, civilians and civilians who participate in acts against an army cannot be harmed and must be taken alive.

The use of weapons to cause suffering, say a non-fatal wound or mutilation is prohibited.  

It outlaws indiscriminate attacks on civilian populations and destruction of food, water and other materials needed for survival.

The destruction of resources that could affect the population such as poisoning the water supply is not permitted.

Certain infrastructure cannot be destroyed or targeted. This includes dams and nuclear stations. Cultural landmarks and religious landmarks are also to be spared.

Recruitment of children into the armed forces is prohibited.

The use of certain symbols such as the Red Cross in order to deceive the enemy is prohibited.

Civilians who do not take part in combat are to be treated respectfully. They are protected from violence from soldiers.

Children and vulnerable people are top-priority to be evacuated to safe havens as soon as possible. All efforts will be made to reunite them with family.

The targeting of civilians and anything that sustains their well-being such as food sources is prohibited.

Military Terminology

This is by no means a full list but these are the most commonly used terms.

Boots on the ground – to physically be in a location

Inspection - a superior officer takes formal note of appearance, condition of living area and weapons.

Drill – a practise in various manoeuvres, marches, procedures

Pass - leave to have some free time, sometimes off base.

Off base - away from military barracks

Tour of duty – the period of time which an action is completed in.

Civvies – Civilian clothing

Detail - a specific task undertaken by a unit or soldier

Mess hall - dining facility

Latrine - toilet

Latrine duty - digging a Latrine pit or cleaning the facility

Flanking - Attacking an enemy formation from the sides

Envelopment - surrounding the enemy from multiple sides

Penetration - breaking past the enemy’s front lines

Reconnaissance by Fire - Firing at positions that may be occupied by the enemy to provoke them into returning fire (so you know where they are)

Ambush - Attacking from concealed position

Retreat - go back the way you came (DO NOT COLLECT €200)

Feigned Retreat - Pretending to retreat and then attacking the enemy

Perimeter - boundary of fortified area

No Man's Land - the space between front lines

Contact line - where opposing sides meet to fight

Supply line - the route the supplies get from base to the field.

Front line - the furthest out troops are place on the line, this is where the most intense fighting happens

Barracks - sleeping quarters in base

Foxhole - a dug position in the ground

Combatant: A person actively engaged in fighting.

Non-combatant: A person not engaged in a conflict.

Civilian: Somebody who is not a member of any military unit.

Militia: Civilians who are armed and trained to fight.

Guerrilla: Small, independent units that takes up arms against an armed force. Very effective.

Saboteur: Somebody who deliberately sabotages equipment and supplies.

Spy: Somebody who gathers information about the enemy.

Operative: A soldier who carries out a specific task.

Mercenary: A soldier for hire

Contractor: A person or a group of people who are hired to provide advice, services and additional support to the army and their operations.

Conscription: Compulsory enlistment.

Enlistment: Joining the army.

Exercise: Simulated military practises or manoeuvres for training.

War game: Simulated war fare for training.

Mission: The operation.

Objective/Target: The objective of the mission.

Campaign: Multiple operations.

Down Range – being within the combat zone

In-Country – being within in a war zone

Quarters – can mean one of two things either it is a medic's order to stay in the camp or barracks or military family housing.

Squared away - to fix

Siege: Where one army sits outside a fortified town or position and tries to claim it.

Convoy: A large group of vehicles such as trucks, jeeps and tanks travel together. It is harder to target more than one vehicle.

Escort: More vehicles and soldiers who accompany a convoy.

Strike/Assault: Attacking the enemy.

Counterattack: An attack to respond to a previous attack

Rear: Behind the formation

Front: Before the formation.

Line: The formation.

Column: The formation in a line.

Formation: The arrangement of soldiers

Deployment: Soldiers moving to a position.

Redeployment: Sending soldiers to another position.

Mobilization: Readying soldiers, their supplies and equipment for deployment.

Demobilization: The disbanding of soldiers after an operation.

Reserve: Soldiers and equipment held back. This is usually to conserve soldiers and supplies for emergencies or shortages.

Reinforcement: More soldiers and equipment sent to the soldiers on the line to bulster their efforts.

Casualty: Death, injury, missing.

KIA: Killed in action.

MIA: Missing in action.

Surrender: Yielding to the enemy.

Ceasefire: An agreement to cease hostilities.

Armistice: A temporary stay of fighting.

Battalion: A large unit of soldiers. Usually in the range of 300 upwards to 800 or so soldiers.

Regiment: A unit made up of several battalions.

Division: A military unit (10,000-20,000)

Corps: A unit, (20,000-50,000)

Theatre: The place where military operations are undertaken.

Engagement: A battle or a conflict with the enemy.

Manoeuvre: Planned movement.

Logistics: The planning of moving soldiers and equipment to soldiers.

Ordnance: Supplies.

Artillery: Large-calibre firearms.

Infantry: Soldiers who fight on foot.

Reconnaissance: Gaining information about the enemy and their positions.

Tactical: Planning and implementation the military strategies.

Strategic: Planning and directing strategies.

Operational: The following through of military operations.

Command/Control: The authority to direct military operations.

Communications: The passing of information between units, base and HQ.

HQ: Head Quarters

Intelligence: Information about the enemy

Counterintelligence: Preventing the enemy from gaining information about the army, such as the famous Operation Mincemeat.

Camouflage: The use of material or paint to hide oneself from one’s enemy.

Fortification: Defensive structure

Entrenchment: Digging trenches or foxholes.

Garrison: Military station.

Bivouac: A temporary camp, but this camp is without no cover. This means no tents or shelter.

Dog Tags - Metal identification tags worn by soldiers

Patrol: Soldiers will leave camp or their positions to walk within their boundaries

Raid: Attacking on the enemy’s position.

Zero Dark Thirty - Early as fuck, from 0100 hrs to sunrise.

Copy - I understand

Unit - can mean any organisation in the military

Platoon - a section within a company made up of 30-50 soldiers

Contact - Engaging with the enemy

Tactically Acquired - Stolen

Squad - a smaller faction of a company

CO - Commanding officer

XO - second in command

Hang Fire - wait for the next set of orders

Demilitarized Zone - a place that is no go for military equipment, weapons and soldiers

AWOL - Absent without leave

PT - Physical Training

Skivvies - ones undergarments

Active Duty - Full time duty in active service

As You Were - Go back doing whatever you were doing or standing how you were standing

BOLO - Be on the Lookout

CP - checkpoint

Bunk - Bed

Ruck - backpack

Smoked - physical punishment for an infraction.

Zone of Action - a specific part of the tactical area.

About face - a manoeuvre where a someone or a group turn to face the opposite direction.

POW - Prisoner of War

POW Camp - facility to house POWs

Halt - stop marching/moving

Present Arms - salute, typically by presenting one's weapon or raising the right hand to the forehead

Parade Rest - stand with one's feet shoulder-width apart, hands folded behind their back

Fall out - break formation

Fall in - get into formation

At ease - stand in a more relaxed position

Attention - stand upright, heels together, back straight, shoulders back, arms at the sides.

Books and Media I recommend

Band of Brothers (HBO, Limited Series)

Beyond Band of Brothers by Dick Winters

Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose

M*A*S*H

The Unwomanly Face of War by Svetlana Alexievich

Lady Death: The Memoirs of Stalin's Sniper by Lyudmila Pavlichenko

The Six Triple Eight

Some Desperate Glory: The First World War the Poets Knew by Max Egremont

Poems of the Great War 1914-18

Poems of the Great War by Wilfred Owen

Poems of the Great War by Siegfried Sassoon

Poems of the Great War by Robert Graves

Poems of the Great War by Rupert Brooke

Poems of the Great War by David Jones

SAS Rogue Heroes (BBC)

SAS: Rogue Heroes: The Authorised Wartime History by Ben MacIntyre

Saving Private Ryan

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

All Quiet on the Western Front

Private Peaceful by Michael Mupurgo

War Horse by Michael Mupurgo

Road to War by Valerie Wilding

The Trenches by Jim Elderidge

D-Day by Byran Perett

D-Day by Ben MacIntyre

Japan's Pacific War by Peter Williams

Operation Mincemeat by Ben MacIntyre

War Nurse by Sue Reid

Helmet for my Pillow by Robert Leckie

With the Old Breed by Eugene B Sledge

Hacksaw Ridge

D-Day Through German Eyes: How the Wehrmacht Lost France by Jonathan Trigg

Platoon

Britain’s Secret Defences: Civilian saboteurs, spies and assassins during the Second World War by Andrew Chatterton

If You're Reading This...: Last Letters from the Front Line by Sian Price

A Bridge Too Far

Firepower in Limited War by Robert Scales

Storm of Steel by Ernst Jünger

Dunkirk

The Things They Cannot Say: Stories Soldiers Won't Tell You About What They've Seen, Done or Failed to Do in War by Kevin Sites

1917

On Artillery by Bruce Gudmundsson

Letters From Iwo Jima

Das Boot

The Longest Day

Come and See

War Horse

[missarchive]

Spencer request! Slightly mean dom spencer who watches his roommate reader watch a porn video where the guy is HOLDING the girl down to eat her out and she’s all flustered but very turned on but thinking there’s no way anyone gives head like THAT. And spender is a competitive little shit who needs to prove we wrong, obviously

i have never jumped to write something so quick, yes please!

cw; +18 minors dni, slight mean dom!spencer, munch!spencer, porn mention, unprotected p in v, masturbation (f), fade to black smut

"Please, God. Please, I need it. Please!"

Your cheeks flush hot as you stare at the screen, the scene unraveling before you more intoxicating than you'd like to admit. A girl writhes beneath a man who’s holding her down, his mouth working her with relentless precision. Your thighs clench involuntarily, a futile attempt to stifle the ache building inside you. Despite the muted volume, every moan, every gasp feels amplified in the silent room.

You shouldn't be watching this. Not here. Not now. But your body betrays you, legs shifting slightly apart, and a hand slipping beneath your oversized T-shirt.

"Fuck, don't stop," you whisper, the words slipping out before you can stop them.

One hand covers your mouth to muffle your voice as the other trails down your body. Your fingers pinch your hardened nipple, sending a jolt of pleasure through you. The scene on the screen has your complete attention—the way his hands grip her thighs, his tongue teasing her until she’s arching off the bed. It’s a fantasy you’ve imagined countless times but never experienced.

You're just about to slip your hand into your underwear when a shadow moves at the edge of your vision. Your heart stops. Slowly, you turn toward the door, and there he is—Spencer.

He's leaning casually against the doorframe, a smirk curling his lips, his hazel eyes glinting with mischief.

"Am I interrupting?"

You yank the blanket over yourself, panic and mortification warring for dominance. "Spencer!"

He steps into the room, his gait confident but unhurried. "What exactly are you watching?" His tone is teasing, but the heat in his gaze makes your breath hitch.

"I-I..." Words fail you. Your face burns so fiercely it feels like it might ignite.

Without invitation, he sits on the bed beside you. Your blanket shifts as you try to cover yourself, but his attention is already elsewhere—focused on the screen. His smirk deepens as he leans closer, his shoulder brushing yours.

"Interesting choice," he murmurs.

His hand moves behind you, resting lightly on your lower back. The touch freezes you, every nerve in your body hyper aware of his proximity. When his fingers trail down, brushing over the curve of your hip, you finally manage to whisper, "What are you doing?"

"Enjoying the show," he says with a wicked grin, his gaze dropping to your lips.

You try to move away, but he catches your arm, pulling you back against the mattress. His face hovers inches from yours, close enough for you to feel his breath fan against your cheek.

"Do you want it that badly, baby?" His voice is low, almost a growl, sending shivers down your spine.

You hesitate, your heart pounding, your body betraying you as your gaze flickers to the unmistakable bulge in his jeans. "Y-Yeah," you finally whisper, the admission so quiet it’s barely audible.

His smirk widens. Without another word, he shifts, pulling the blanket away and settling between your legs. His hands guide your thighs apart, his touch firm but gentle. You can only watch, your breath caught in your throat, as he slides your panties down and leans in close.

"Open up for me," he murmurs, his voice rough with desire. "I want to taste you."

You comply, spreading your legs further, your body trembling with anticipation. His lips brush your inner thigh, his warm breath teasing your sensitive skin.

"You're so wet already," he groans, his fingers parting you to expose your most intimate self. "So fucking perfect."

When his tongue finally flicks over you, your hips jerk off the bed, a sharp cry escaping your lips. His hands pin you down, his strength and control both thrilling and maddening.

"Spencer—please," you beg, not even sure what you’re asking for anymore.

“Shh,” Spencer murmurs, his voice soft and coaxing as his lips ghost over your skin. His breath is hot, his tone laced with a quiet dominance that sends shivers rippling through your body. “Just let me take care of you.”

The words are a balm and a promise, and they melt into you as his tongue resumes its sinful dance. Each flick, swirl, and press is methodical yet maddeningly intimate, like he’s memorizing every quiver and gasp you give in response. He latches onto your clit with a hunger that leaves you breathless, and the sound of your name spilling from your lips is a melody he seems determined to orchestrate.

“Fuck, you’re so sensitive,” Spencer breathes, his voice husky and reverent as it skates over your ear, sending goosebumps scattering down your spine.

Your thighs instinctively clamp around his head, but he doesn’t falter. Instead, he grips your hips firmly, pinning you in place as though daring you to resist. The wet heat of his tongue flicks against your clit, and the jolt it sends through your body is electric.

“Spencer, please—please,” you whimper, though the words are a tangle of desperation and surrender.

He doesn’t stop, doesn’t let up, his arms like iron as he holds you steady beneath him. The sheets twist beneath your fingers as you arch into his mouth, utterly undone by the relentless onslaught of pleasure. Your body writhes, your breath coming in short, shallow bursts, and yet you’re helpless to escape the tide building within you.

“Spencer!” His name breaks from your lips in a cry, raw and uninhibited, as his mouth closes over your clit again, the suction pulling you under.

You shatter, the orgasm consuming you with a ferocity that leaves you trembling, your muscles locking and releasing in a symphony of pure bliss. He doesn’t let up, his mouth and tongue coaxing every aftershock from you as though it’s his mission to wring you dry.

By the time he pulls away, your body feels like it’s liquefied into the mattress, your limbs trembling as you struggle to catch your breath. He presses a lingering kiss to the inside of your thigh, the gesture so gentle that it makes your chest ache with its intimacy.

Spencer rises slowly, his lips glistening with the evidence of your release, his eyes dark and heavy with satisfaction. “You taste incredible,” he murmurs, his voice thick and rich like velvet.

Your pulse is still racing, your body thrumming with the aftermath of your climax as you meet his gaze. He smirks, brushing a strand of hair away from your damp forehead.

"Does this beat the video, baby?" he asks, his voice smug, but his gaze is tender as he watches you struggle to catch your breath.

You can only nod, your body still trembling as he leans up to kiss you softly.

His lips linger on yours, teasing, tasting, as though savoring the remnants of your moans. The kiss deepens, and you can taste yourself on his tongue, a sensation that sends a fresh wave of heat coursing through you.

When he finally pulls back, his lips curl into a small, knowing smile. His gaze sweeps over your face, taking in the flush of your cheeks, the glassy look in your eyes, the way your chest rises and falls in uneven breaths.

"You’re so beautiful like this," he murmurs, his voice thick with desire.

You try to respond, but your throat feels tight, words stuck somewhere between your mind and your lips. Instead, you reach out, fingers brushing against his forearm, grounding yourself in the solid warmth of him.

"Spencer..." you begin, unsure of what to say, unsure of anything except how desperately you want him.

He doesn’t let you finish. Instead, his hands move to your waist, and with a gentle but insistent tug, he lifts you slightly, repositioning you beneath him. His body hovers over yours, the heat of his skin radiating through the thin barrier of his clothes.

"You don’t have to say anything," he says softly, his hand brushing a strand of hair from your face. "I already know."

The weight of his words settles over you, both comforting and electrifying. He leans in again, his lips trailing down your neck, leaving a path of heat in their wake. His teeth graze your collarbone, a sharp contrast to the soft press of his mouth.

As his hands roam, exploring every curve, every dip of your body, you become acutely aware of how much fabric still separates you. Your fingers find the hem of his shirt, tugging at it in silent insistence.

"Impatient, are we?" he teases, sitting back on his heels to strip off the offending garment.

Your breath catches as his chest is revealed, the lean lines of muscle and pale skin making your heart race all over again. He’s beautiful in a way that feels almost unfair, every inch of him carved with a subtle elegance that’s uniquely his.

"Better?" he asks, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

You nod, your hands already reaching for him, pulling him back down until his weight presses into you. His jeans are rough against your bare skin, the contrast only heightening the ache pooling low in your belly.

"So so good," you breathe, your voice trembling with a mix of need and hesitation.

He pauses, his forehead resting against yours. "Are you okay?"

The genuine concern in his tone makes your chest tighten. You nod quickly, your hands moving to his hips in an effort to pull him closer. "I want this. I want you."

That’s all the encouragement he needs. His lips crash against yours, the kiss deeper, hungrier this time. His hands move between your bodies, fumbling with the button of his jeans. You hear the faint rasp of the zipper, and then he’s kicking them off, the denim landing somewhere on the floor.

When he presses against you again, the only thing separating you now is the thin fabric of his boxers. You can feel him, hard and insistent, and the knowledge of what’s about to happen sends a shiver down your spine.

"Are you sure?" he asks, his voice softer now, his eyes searching yours for any sign of hesitation.

"Yes," you whisper, your hands tangling in his hair as you pull him down for another kiss. "Please, Spencer."

He groans against your mouth, the sound low and guttural, as though the restraint it takes to hold back is almost too much. But he doesn’t rush. Instead, he takes his time, his hands trailing down your sides, his lips mapping every inch of your skin.

"God," he breathes, his eyes dark as they drink you in. "You’re perfect."

His words make you blush, but you can’t bring yourself to look away. There’s something intoxicating about the way he’s looking at you, like you’re the only thing in the world that matters.

He leans down, his lips brushing against your ear. "Tell me if it’s too much," he whispers, his voice sending a shiver down your spine.

"I will," you promise, your hands clutching at his shoulders.

Slowly, he shifts, the tip of him pressing against your entrance. Your breath catches, your body tense with anticipation.

"Relax," he murmurs, his hand soothing over your hip. "I’ve got you."

The reassurance in his voice helps, and you force yourself to take a deep breath as he begins to push in. The stretch is intense, a mixture of discomfort and pleasure that leaves you gasping.

"That’s it," he whispers, his lips brushing against your temple. "You’re doing so well, baby."

When he’s fully seated inside you, he stills, giving you a moment to adjust. His forehead rests against yours, his breath ragged, his hands gripping your hips as though anchoring himself.

"Tell me when," he says, his voice strained with the effort of holding back.

You take a moment to catch your breath, your body adjusting to the sensation of him filling you completely. When the discomfort fades, replaced by a deep, aching need, you nod. "Now."

He starts to move, slow and deliberate at first, his strokes measured as he watches your face for any sign of discomfort. But as your moans grow louder, your nails digging into his shoulders, he picks up the pace, his movements becoming more urgent, more desperate.

The pleasure builds quickly, coiling low in your belly until it feels like you’re on the verge of breaking apart. His name falls from your lips in a breathless chant, and he responds with a groan, his hands tightening on your hips.

"Come for me," he whispers, his voice rough, his movements relentless.

And you do. The orgasm rips through you, leaving you trembling and gasping as he chases his own release. When he finally follows, his body shuddering above you, it’s with your name on his lips, his voice thick with reverence.

Spencer collapses onto you, his weight warm and grounding as you both struggle to catch your breath. For a moment, the room is silent, save for the sound of your mingled breathing. His face is buried in the crook of your neck, and you feel the soft press of his lips against your skin, a tender contrast to the intensity you’ve just shared.

You run your fingers through his messy hair, the strands damp with sweat. He hums softly, nuzzling closer, as though reluctant to put any distance between you.

"You okay?" he murmurs, his voice muffled against your neck.

You nod, though the motion feels feeble with the way your body is still trembling. "Yeah," you whisper, your voice hoarse. "More than okay."

He pulls back slightly, just enough to look at you. His brown eyes are warm, searching your face with a softness that makes your chest ache. "You’re incredible," he says, brushing a thumb over your cheek.

Heat rises to your face again, and you can’t help but laugh lightly. "You’re not so bad yourself, Doctor Reid."

His lips twitch into a shy smile, but the teasing glint in your tone isn’t lost on him. "Not bad?" he repeats, arching an eyebrow. "I’ll take that as a challenge to improve."

The playful remark sends a flutter through your chest, and you swat at his arm. "Don’t push your luck," you say, but the grin tugging at your lips betrays you.

Spencer leans down, capturing your mouth in a kiss that’s slow and unhurried, as though savoring every second. It’s a stark contrast to the passion you’d shared just moments ago, but it feels just as consuming.

When he finally pulls away, he shifts to lie beside you, his arm looping around your waist to pull you close. You nestle into his chest, the steady beat of his heart beneath your ear a soothing rhythm.

You smile against his skin, feeling a warmth settle over you that has nothing to do with the lingering heat of your encounter. The weight of reality begins to creep back in—the uncertainty of what comes next, the implications of what you’ve just done—but in this moment, you let it all fade away.

Spencer’s hand moves in gentle circles on your back, lulling you into a state of peace. "For the record," he says softly, his voice tinged with a mix of humor and sincerity, "this was way better than the video."

You laugh, a sound that feels lighter than you’ve been in weeks, and tilt your head to look up at him. "Good," you reply, resting your chin on his chest. "Because I don’t think I’ll ever look at a screen the same way again."

He smiles down at you, his fingers brushing over your hair in a soothing rhythm. "Good," he echoes, his voice filled with a possessiveness that sends a thrill down your spine.

As exhaustion begins to creep in, your eyes grow heavy, and you let yourself relax completely against him. For the first time in what feels like forever, you feel safe, desired, and completely content.

[moiraimyths]

The Good People (Na Daoine Maithe) | Official Trailer

The Good People (Na Daoine Maithe) is a lore-rich and choice-driven historical fantasy visual novel inspired by Irish mythology and Celtic folklore. Play as a tenant farmer from mid-19th century Ireland, whose path becomes inexplicably entwined in fairy affairs after getting robbed by the roadside and lured into the mythic and war-torn world of Tír na nÓg: A once unified land, now divided into the Seelie and Unseelie Courts. Will you escape and return home with your stolen belongings? Or does fate have something else in mind?

🍃 STEAM 🍂 ITCH.IO 🍃PATREON 🍂DISCORD 🍃

Eager to play? Certain route content is available NOW in early access on Steam and Itch.io! For more information, click below👇

Meet the Cast

Facts & Questions: The Game

🍃 The Good People (Na Daoine Maithe) is a Kickstarter-funded project currently in development. Due to the scope of the story, we will be releasing it serially over several years to Steam and Itch.io, and discounting it while in early access. The earlier it's bought, the cheaper it will be overall, and you'll only need to buy the game once!

🍂 Not all routes are currently available! As of Nov. 1, 2024, you can play half of Shae and Maeve's routes; both approximately 50k words. If you're not sure about paying for an unfinished game, feel free to check out our free demo first. It consists of Vol. 1, Book of the Traveller (the pre-route content). Differences between the demo's Vol. 1 and the paid game's Vol. 1 are marginal following our August 1, 2024 re-release of the demo.

🍃 The Good People (Na Daoine Maithe) has a recommended reading order (Vol. 1, then 2, then 3, etc.), which will correspond to the release order of the routes. For more information on our reasoning behind this, click here.

🍂 Due to its setting, The Good People (Na Daoine Maithe) will occasionally feature instances of characters speaking in Gaeilge, i.e. the Irish language. All instances of Gaeilge are linked to an internal translation tool, which is voiced by Nigel McKeon, a Gaeilgeoir.

🍃 The main character is yours to shape. At minimum, you must choose a nickname, pronouns, and one of four default appearances, the last of which can be your own artwork (instructions are included in the game's files). You may also choose to discard the True Name…

🍂 All routes, both current and upcoming, will have both romantic and platonic choice options. If you're uninterested in romance, feel free to make friends instead! No matter the nature of your relationship, you will still be able to reach the good end. (Want to learn more? Refer to this post!)

🍃 Our cast consists of two men, two women, and two non-binary characters. All are romancable no matter the MC, but some characters are asexual or on the aromantic spectrum, which may impact aspects of their romances.

🍂 If you are a Mac user and are having issues launching the game via the Itch direct download, refer to this guide for troubleshooting before sending us an ask. We strongly recommend purchasing the game through Steam instead of Itch if you are a Mac user; it is the best way to avoid issues with launching the game.

🍃 NDM is very intentionally set just prior to the onset of the Great Famine, which is both thematically and textually relevant to the leftist, anti-imperialist story we're aiming to tell. If you would like more insight into this, refer to this post.

🐎 There are secrets to be found in this game, with more yet to come. Prepare yourself for a lot of horse related shenanigans. 🐎

Facts & Questions: The Company

🧵 Moirai Myths is a five-person company based out of Canada. The core devs/founders go by Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. All writing and programming are done by this collective, i.e. the Fates.

🪡 Moirai Myths has a two person in-house artist team consisting of Kazane, our Character/UI Designer, and Melinoe, our Environmental Designer. In addition to them, though, we have had a number of guest artists assist us with the creation of sprites, CGs, and an assortment of other materials. If you'd like to meet them, check out our about page on our website!

✂️ Moirai Myths stands with the people of Palestine 🇵🇸

Disclaimer: This description will be updated periodically. If you're reading this in a reblog, you may want to check our current pinned post for potential changes.

[that-guy-from-skyhold]

cant remember where the original post of this is from or what the fuck "guilty pleasure" is supposed to mean but here's mine by the way i fucking hate anno 1800 i dont really have any game series with more than 2 games so anno was the best i could think of also FUCK subnautica below zero i have a whole essay if you want to know why i think its worse

here's a blank slate if you guys want to do it

[theskywithin]

Birth Chart Breakdown- Neptune in The Signs

Neptune asks one thing of you: to surrender. But not to fantasy, not to illusion, to truth. Can you see clearly through the fog? Can you hold a dream without being consumed by it? When you learn to navigate Neptune’s tide, you discover the balance between vision and reality, between longing and belonging. And in that balance, you find not just dreams, but destiny.

🔥 Neptune in Aries

You chase the horizon, convinced it holds your name. The fire in your chest is real, but the victory you seek vanishes the moment you reach for it. Neptune blurs your battles, making it hard to tell if you are fighting for something true or just fighting to feel alive. There is beauty in your urgency, but not every war is worth the wounds. Your lesson? Pause. In the silence, you will hear what truly calls you.

🌿 Neptune in Taurus

You dream of hands that never let go, of a world that stays still long enough to be called yours. You seek safety in touch, in possession, in the familiar, but Neptune erodes the edges of what you think you own. Security slips through your fingers like sand, urging you to learn that nothing is ever truly yours except your own presence. Your lesson? Let go. What is meant for you cannot be held, only trusted.

💨 Neptune in Gemini

Your mind is a kaleidoscope, flickering between truths that never settle. You gather words like fireflies, believing they will guide you home, but Neptune shifts the meaning before you can hold it still. There is wisdom in your wandering, but beware the illusion that understanding alone will save you. Your lesson? Silence. In the absence of words, real knowing begins.

🌊 Neptune in Cancer

You dream in memories that never quite belonged to you, carrying the weight of love lost and love imagined. Neptune turns home into a feeling rather than a place, and you spend your life searching for an embrace that exists only in the past. You drown in nostalgia, believing the past was softer than it was. Your lesson? Open your hands. What has left will not return, but something new is waiting to take its place.

☀️ Neptune in Leo

You long to be seen, but Neptune makes you question whether you are looking into a mirror or a stage light. You create to be remembered, to be felt, to leave something behind that proves you were here. But Neptune distorts recognition, it cannot fill what is hollow. Your lesson? Love yourself when the applause fades. The truest stage is the one inside your heart.

🌾 Neptune in Virgo

You dream of a world where every piece fits, where effort creates certainty and order soothes the unknown. But Neptune makes the lines blur, the solutions dissolve, the work feel endless. You chase perfection, only to find it slipping further away. Your lesson? Rest. There is more divinity in imperfection than in anything you could fix.

⚖️ Neptune in Libra

You see beauty in everyone, believing love can heal all wounds. But Neptune makes it easy to mistake longing for love, attraction for destiny. You fall for ghosts, for projections, for the idea of a person rather than their reality. Your lesson? See clearly. Love is not about losing yourself in another, it is about finding someone who lets you be whole.

🦂 Neptune in Scorpio

You crave depth, but Neptune lures you into waters deeper than you were meant to swim. You believe that transformation must be painful, that love must consume you, that mystery is the same as truth. You stare into the abyss, hoping to find yourself, but Neptune reflects only what you want to see. Your lesson? Surface. Darkness is not the only way to find meaning.

🏹 Neptune in Sagittarius

You believe the answers lie somewhere beyond the horizon, that truth is waiting in distant lands or untold philosophies. Neptune feeds your wanderlust, making you believe that movement is progress. But the search never ends, because the thing you seek was never outside you. Your lesson? Stand still. The wisdom you long for is already within you.

🛠 Neptune in Capricorn

You dream of legacy, of achievement, of a life that stands the test of time. But Neptune makes success feel hollow the moment you reach it. You build empires only to wonder why they feel empty. You seek purpose in ambition, only to realize ambition cannot give you purpose. Your lesson? Redefine success. Build something that fulfills your soul, not just your reputation.

🌐 Neptune in Aquarius

You believe in a world that does not yet exist, seeing utopias where others see only limits. But Neptune turns ideals into illusions, making you fall in love with dreams rather than people. You crave connection, yet keep a distance, afraid that intimacy will dissolve the perfection you imagine. Your lesson? Come closer. The world is not perfect, but real love exists within the flaws.

🌊 Neptune in Pisces

You are the dream itself, drifting between worlds, dissolving boundaries between self and universe. You feel everything, sometimes too much, sometimes until it drowns you. Neptune is at home here, and so are your illusions, love that has no shape, faith that has no anchor, art that has no end. You see magic where others see mist, but beware of vanishing into the fog. Your lesson? Stay. The divine is not found in escape, but in presence. Let yourself be here, now, and watch how even the ordinary becomes sacred.