#golden ruler

[dwuerch-blog]

Let’s Get Out the Golden Ruler

We have heard the Golden Rule many times. Jesus was being harassed by people who wanted to be right more than they wanted to do what was right. The Pharisees and Sadducees didn’t even like each other. But they were united in their dislike of this man, Jesus. He was causing people to question their teaching. In Matthew 22:37–39 Jesus gave them a teaching, now called the “Golden Rule”. He said,…

[nova-moshi]

Crk Update spoilers under the cut

I appreciate this scene so much

I remember way long ago before even Dark Cacao was released, when a lot of people thought that Golden Cheese would be selfish, and not care for any of her citizens.

Not only was that proven wrong, she cares so much for others not even in her own kingdom!

She would never have involved her kingdom in the war if she could help it.

[calmbigdipper]

Metamorphosis

[ladsofsorrow24]

there was a boy, a very strange enchanted boy (x)

based of this fic i read yesterday. needless to say, i cried so much like a baby after finish reading it. i did not expect to cry that badly, but i did.

anyway, commission link -> (x)

[anushkab2711]

[viaetor]

ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤ𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗙 𝗜𝗚𝗡𝗔𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗛 . . . ㅤㅤㅤ ㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤ ( 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘢-𝘭𝘰𝘨 — 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 4 / ? ) ㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤ to be continued.

ㅤㅤin the days when the stars ruled the heavens without question, two shone more blinding than most: aether and lumine, two caelings built from the depths of ignaroth’s tempest forge, where the hottest stars were shaped from the raw energy of destruction… and of creation. they were unlike any other starborn, outstanding even amongst their other caeling siblings, for ignaroth’s fiery essence had bled within their very veins. some rumour that lumine, from steel and old starlight, was made from five black holes and a dead god’s star shard. her brother, aether, however, was crafted with the power of five ancient suns and the heart of a mortal whose stardust refused to vanish. rumours say that young constellations blossomed in the night sky the first time aether and lumine opened their eyes, so strong were their presences. perhaps it was because the god of destruction cried with joy when he saw them; lumine, devastating, was ignaroth’s scythe. aether, piercing, was ignaroth’s sword. their purposes were singular: to bring ruin to worlds, scorch planets, and topple gods and civilisations in the name of cosmic balance. to extinguish eternal peace for the sake of equilibrium found within entropy.

ㅤㅤthey were the god of chaos’ favourite children, and all starborn and golden rulers knew of such a fact. ignaroth never tried hiding that he played favourites, either: the twins roamed through the crystal palace as if they were gods themselves, flying with no concerns for etiquette; they visited other worlds without orders, exploring the belly of the universe aimlessly, and they often sat by their father’s side when the golden rulers needed to assemble. for thousands of years, they stood as ignaroth’s right and left hand, blazing forces of chaos, destruction, conquer and goodhood that even other starborn feared. troublesome children, mumbled zor’yael, goddess of fate, once.

ㅤㅤwherever ignaroth’s burning blade pointed, the twins followed, their star-bound form tearing through the heavens like comets of doom. they obliterated entire star systems, reducing thriving worlds to ash, each victory fuelling their brilliance. many mortal worlds prophesied of their arrival; while lumine was called “the night bringer”, others called aether the “last morning star”—their names became legends, curses, but mostly importantly, promises of ignaroth, the god of chaos, destruction and conquer’s ultimate power. they were unwavering, a paragon of ignaroth’s will—until one day, kessithar happened.

𝗶. ㅤ𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗵𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗸𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗿

ㅤㅤlumine and aether used to do everything together; hand in hand, they’d cross over one edge of the universe to the other. they’d chase after meteors together, fight in blood and fire together, and grow together. for a while, it was hard knowing who was who. they were made to complement each other, yet simultaneously, they were opposites with their very natures. weird. be it as it may, it was. they were meant to be soldiers, not poets or thinkers. so they weren’t, and they just were.

ㅤㅤas time passed, lumine grew closer to ignaroth and sera’len, walking beside them as they conversed about heavenly principles, cosmic balance and universal laws. when not accompanying the two ancient stars, she’d be found with a troupe of starborn following her trail, asking questions as if she was their commander. meanwhile, aether was usually seen within the palace’s library, reading, learning, and secretly questioning things. he was interested in mortal affairs and their many tales. as such, thalnor, the god of dreams, forbidden knowledge and lies, delighted themselves by sharing stories in aether’s ear and watching his reaction. this didn’t make them grow apart but drew them closer instead. rather than only talking during their missions, they’d question themselves when meeting in celestial hallways, later sneaking away from the crystal palace to talk about their discoveries of the day—they learned to scoff, to shout, to laugh. maybe they were finally learning to feel, maybe not. but all other starborn agreed; it wasn’t normal for caelings to be like that. they were weapons, after all, mere instruments to another’s will. perhaps they were defective.

ㅤㅤone day, the god of conquer had summoned aether. his forger father was always a wild flame, but his skeleton hands were always warm on the morning star’s cheek. that day was the first time ignaroth caressed his hair and bestowed upon him a task only for his ears and hands: kessithar needed to burn under his sword. aether looked up at him, face as ethereal as it ever was, and he wanted to ask why. he closed his mouth before any word could be uttered and heard the slightest chuckle coming from ignaroth. never forget who you are, o my celestial sword; pray with me—

𝗔𝗕𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗜𝗦 𝗠𝗬 𝗕𝗜𝗥𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧. i am the child of the cosmos, weaved from neverending stars. from lashes to claws, i was made in greatness, the reflection of yesterday, today and tomorrow. i am divination shaped, i am reality ascended, i am the life of death and the death of life. i am the blaze of the forge, hot hammer heavy upon the chestplate. i am the fire that inspires the higher crude courage to create. i am the sun that burns with no ashes left. i am the audacity to declare the end and the beginning. my messages are inevitable and my word holds the weight of a billion years of oaths. i am the 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥 of every world made sword. i bring light and hunger. 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗠𝗘.

ㅤㅤthey prayed together; the weapon-soldier bowed before his maker and went to vanquish what was rightfully of his god’s. at that time, aether had no idea why ignaroth wanted him to repeat that same mantra he was so used to uttering in every wake. the truth was that the god of conquer was worried that his sword, the last morning star, was losing its merciless edge. as we know by now, dear reader, ignaroth was right. this portion of the story is at least a truth we cannot fight with.

ㅤㅤfor you see, kessithar was a small, humble world, insignificant compared to the great empires and galactic kingdoms aether had once razed. it had no sprawling cities or towering spires of technology—only a quiet landscape of rolling hills, dense forests, and crystal-clear rivers. the people of kessithar were mortal and fragile, living simple lives untouched by the wars of the cosmos. they lived in harmony, all of them; eating in the morning, dancing in the afternoon, dreaming in the evening below their three moons. they cried for their deceased, celebrated the birth of their young, and helped even other species flourish alongside them. in every sense of the word, they were ordinary, dull creatures. to aether, this meant nothing. to ignaroth, their world was a point of balance that needed to be undone. peace was stagnation, and it could never last too long.

ㅤㅤbut when aether descended upon the world, something strange happened. as he prepared to unleash the fire of the five suns upon kessithar, he was met by a child. she waved in his direction while holding a basket of fruits, extending it to him as if he were a friend she was waiting to meet again. she was smiling—an expression of happiness, thalnor once told him in his stories, especially when they come from the young. “hello, o traveller from another world!”, the kid shouted, “come down, share a story with me!”

ㅤㅤaether had seen many types of mortals in his many years of existence. some planets birthed warriors, mortals who would die battling ‘til their last breath or cursing the gods as a blade pierced their chest. other worlds were home to negotiators, people who would try to bargain lives as if they were coins of any interest to the higher beings in the sky. others tried to play games, gamble, scheme, deceive. he had seen it all… but not this. as red as the blood of many enemies he had slain was the apple in his hand, shiny and big. he looked at the mortal girl, so tiny she barely reached his knee. perhaps this was meant to be poison. fine, he’d play along.

ㅤㅤit tasted sweet. one single bite dirtied his face, dripping to his chin and neck. he waited to sense a toxin, anything at all. yet, all he could feel was how delicious it was. “do you like it?” the girl asked, offering more fruits from her basket. he shouldn’t, but he tasted more and more of the fruits, berries and honey that was offered to him, waiting, hoping for something bitter to bite his tongue. it never did. puzzled, he asked the girl if she knew who he was. had she ever heard of the last morning star? she nodded proudly and raised her finger:

but fear not, for abundance is every being’s birthright. we are all children of the cosmos, made from stardust. from our heads to our toes, we are shaped in hope, the image of a day where greatness needn’t exist, only goodness. we are mortality earthed, makers of realities, the meaning of life and death, and the life and death of meaning. we are the blaze which makes the forge, burning fire of every shield and weapon. we choose to destroy or to create. we are the ashes that remain. we are the arrogance to defy every ending and every beginning. we are deaf and blind to certainty, for no final message can destroy our being. we are the oaths that are carried through. we bring light and hunger. they will meet us, and we will meet them. show them, every time, what it means to be mortal.

ㅤㅤ“i am choosing to show you love. so when you kill me, i’ll still live in your mind.” she offered him another apple. “we will haunt you, dearest morning star. so before you go, you will share a story with me.”

ㅤㅤhe’d be lying if he said such a puny display of confidence had amazed him. words were just as fragile as the mortals who invented them, easily broken and forgettable. what surprised aether was her audacity to extend her hand for him, offering to show him around gardens, beaches, mountains, villages and rivers. day after day, he watched the mortals of kessithar, their fleeting lives filled with so much emotion. they told tales of their heroes, showed him the animals they kept as companions, shared stories about their elders, talked about religion, and sang music to his ears. his presence, thick as the night and burning like the sun, seemed not to bother them: for the first time in his life, the last morning star felt incredibly small. they were free, they explained to him. and aether, who had only known destruction, began to envy them. why couldn’t he feel love, and loss, and peace? wasn’t there something more? to stay always the same, even if destructive and chaotic—wasn’t that against the very own principles of the cosmic balance?

𝗶𝗶. ㅤ𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲

ㅤㅤwhen aether realised he could not destroy kessithar, his fate was sealed. he defied ignaroth’s will, sparing the world and its people, returning to the crystal palace with no blood stain, the sword he carried light and hungry. as soon as he set foot in the floating ruins, lumine came to him. furious, she demanded why he had not completed the mission given to him by their forger. he kept his march towards the god of destruction’s throne, opening his doors, uncaring of the other caelings in their midst. that act granted knife-sharp gazes in his direction, yet ignaroth remained loosely in place.

ㅤㅤlegends tell different versions of how their exchange went. some say that ignaroth and aether were alone in that room; others say lumine accompanied him. rumour has it that aether shouted at his ruler, demanding explanations as if they were on equal footing. others say that aether cried, kneeling as he admitted his defeat—for some reason, he just couldn’t bring himself to destroy that world and needed to be reforged. few talk about how aether says his hands were cursed and how kessithar managed to trick him into touching their planet with his bare hands, thus connecting them forever. in many tales, lumine stands beside ignaroth, disapproving of her brother yet looking at him with an emotion that shouldn’t belong to stars.

ㅤㅤall agree that aether said something that made ignaroth rise from his throne and directly slash him with the eclipsing scythe—lumine. it was the first time that aether bled, black-matter blood thickly spurting from his cheek as he felt hurt for the first time. breaking his skin, the injury’s pain spread to his very core. despite how lumine cried and held ignaroth’s cape, pleading for mercy over her brother, ignaroth took aether by the arm, raising him from the ground. o my celestial sword, let me remind you who you are. he forced aether to become his celestial sword, shifting his form and keeping him in a tight, suffocating grip.

ㅤㅤwith aether in his hands, ignaroth flew across the ocean, leaving fire where his wings and blade touched. he cut open kessithar, and then sliced it into millions of pieces. he struck down its solar system and many neighbouring ones. it’s said that ignaroth’s fury lasted for many moon cycles and devoured so many galaxies that it shifted the universe’s weight. he used aether until his blade became dull and chipped, until it cracked in his grasp. some claim that ignaroth only stopped because sera’len had sent his sentinels to calm him down, and even then, it’s known among the starborn that the sentinels are still recovering their numbers.

ㅤㅤonly after his fit of rage had quenched, did ignaroth release aether from his hand and allowed him to recover to his starborn shape. lumine was there to hold him, borrowing her starlight so his cracks could immediately heal—yet the scar under his eye remained like an unwanted memoir. it’s unknown what ignaroth said to aether once he was done. still, over the following centuries, aether was almost always seen accompanying the god of destruction everywhere, never once stepping inside a library or asking about mortal matters. some whisper that he became even more violent than any other caeling, ascending as a ruthless general and becoming ignaroth’s favourite weapon to summon. however, ignaroth never smiled down on him again. probably because he knew that it wouldn’t take long until aether betrayed him again.

[kelbunny]

Okay, so partially brought on bc I've been playing tactics ogre reborn, but in TriStrat, there really should've been more Cordelia during the Liberty ending. There's the small scene with Roland if you stayed in the capital chapter 15, but that's about it.

Mostly with what her reaction would be to Serenoa, since he's just as much her brother as he is Roland's. But she wasn't as close to Serenoa as Roland was, and as far as she knows, it like she lost Roland due to the Wolffort's betrayal, just like as Frani warned Roland early on, that the Wolfforts weren't to be trusted.

And the thing is, Cordelia had already lost Roland once before, back when he faked his death between chapter 9 and 10. And just like with the Liberty ending, it appeared to be at the hands of the Wolffort's.

As a side note, that scene always felt so much more painful on the surrender Roland route. Cordelia put herself at risk to free Roland, only for some time later be delivered what appeared to be his corpse, making her risk be for naught.

I doubt during the period between 10 and 13-14 Cordelia was trusting of the Wolffort's and its a reason why she turned to Avlora, as she was the only person Cordelia had left to potentially rely on. So to have that doubt return full force after Wolffort takes Roland away from her once again seems like it would drive a rift between any potential relationship between her and Serenoa.

Benedict probably wouldn't try to get rid of Cordelia like he did Roland, as just like she was during Aesfrost's occupation, she'd almost certainly be a pawn to him.

I wish there was a scene between her and Serenoa, where Cordelia denies him as her brother, because although it was Aesfrost who stole Frani and her father away from her, it was Serenoa and house Wolffort who stole Roland away from her.

[ifidiedinadream]

currently thinking about this

[rottingrot123]

False Ruler TOH AU. One of two AUs I can't stop thinking about

1 - 2 - 3

Belos has Hunter act as the emperor.

Hunter and the other Grimrulers (Grimwalkers that are made to be a placeholder ruler) know from day one that they are not the true ruler and are raised wholly with this mindset. He's being a good Nephew to his Uncle as a shield from ruling with a curse and taking on being the target for public outrages and even assignation attempts.

Grimrulers are grown only to the age of small children so they fit the narrative better and can be more finely tuned to Belos' needs as a false Emperor. Grimwalkers meant for only the GG (Golden Guard) role are allowed to grow normally up to young 10-12. 

It's not every grimwalker that gets used as a figure head. Belos has got to play like 4d chess to keep the cycle going and the ‘royal line’ working. (it’s something like a private game to him) Inserting himself as the actual emperor here and there too. Use of masks and keeping the Emperor’s life a heavily private affair. 

Belos likes to keep a good/evil thing going with himself and Grimrulers. He does everything from dressing them in overly heavy ornate dark robes and himself in light colored more common clothes. Framing the Grimrulers as cruel, unforgiving, malicious rulers and himself as the kind approachable Uncle/advisor that helps to keep the Emperor in check and manages their tantrums (which are really just Belos losing it to his curse or punishing the grimwalkers in private. Always making sure to leave a mess for others to find later) 

The golden guard is still always the Grimwalker but it's either full time or done in secret on the side when they are also playing emperor. Hunter is playing both roles. Golden Guard on the weekends mostly used for missions Belos doesn't trust/want others to know about or acts as the brute force and threat of the ‘emperors’ power. This further entrenches Hunter to Belos, he’s trusted with these things as the only one Belos can rely on, doubly so after the ‘betrayal’ of the last GG, he has something to prove.

When working as the GG Hunter is forbidden from revealing his face as he already shows it as the emperor to the coven heads and around the castle (though wears a mask/hood for public events). It does however let him have a lot more freedom to be himself as the GG as long as he gets the job done. 

Belos uses the grimwalkers as the emperor usually when he knows/thinks that he will need one to place blame or use as a scapegoat for reforms and such that he wants done. Hunter is used in this way for the Day of Unity and the growing strain as he has to ramp up sigil branding and other things for it. Day of Unity work succeeding or not won’t come back on to the kind, good hearted Uncle to the merciless child emperor that he had tried so hard to stop. Belos being known as the one to ‘tame and bring the more outrageous orders from the emperor down”. The poor overworked Uncle that many think is mistreated by his power hungry Nephew, if the rumors are to be believed. (this is more messed up than I originally planned, whoops)

Belos manipulates Hunter through lies, gaslighting and guilt. Belos can't take over as was his right because of his curse, no one wants a cursed emperor Hunter, what of my fits, what would the public think if they saw that Hunter? Even though Belos always manages to only have the fits in private anyways, only in front of Hunter. 

Belos has taken extra care to set up this situation for Hunter. At least 50 years dedicated to it, everything perfect for the day of unity. Darius' mentor and the previous Grimwalker was only a golden guard. Belos as the emperor but made sure to never show his face. His larger form in the robes and voice changed from the curse used to disguise himself. However in the later years he got ‘sick’ and his brother Belos appeared from afar to care for him. Belos would build his place as the kind and caring but wise brother of the emperor. Worming his way into taking over more duties of ruler and as a public icon. It only takes a few years before the current GG, who was already very uncomfortable with this new situation, finds more things out and it's exactly what Belos wants. The GG confronts Belos and Belos murders him, letting him scar him in the process (the scar above his left eye going into his hairline). That night he announces with a heavy heart that the emperor is dead, betrayed by the GG. But not all is lost as the Emperor also had a son. Hunter is brought in days later not quite 4 years old, but really fresh from the ground. The public is told he was kept a secret for his safety, which seems justified at the murder of his “father’ by the once trusted GG. The new little emperor‘s uncle Belos promises to take care of the boy and raise him while covering the position while he grows up having already cemented himself in the empire's affairs. He is beloved by the people at this point and his manufactured sob story sealing the deal.  

Hunter is trained in everything to be both GG and Emperor. However outside of a rigorous education and physical training, he isn’t actually trained to rule. Just how to know what His uncle wants and how to read him in front of people so he can relay exactly what Belos wants said or done.

Belos is at every meeting and acts as the secretary of the right hand to his Nephew. He still works in his role as advisor. Using a private code between the two to make comments and orders to Hunter in the notes, directing him when needed. 

Over the years Hunter is very good at just knowing or reading Belos’ to succeed in his role. Failing to ends in punishments and/or lectures that can leave him emotionally wrecked. Hunter only directly disobeys Belos while acting as Emperor 3 times at this point. The two scars on his face are lasting reminders of this and part of some of the most severe punishments. One such scar is from stating Lilith could keep her palisman when she was to be promoted to coven head. Hunter was maybe like 8(?) years old at the time and had looked up to her when he would visit the library. He felt terrible for how upset she was over it. Though he is still under the idea at the time that palismen are just things and dangerous wild magic. Lilith can totally be trusted to keep it safe, he thinks, because she was about to become the head of His(Belos’) Coven, selected by his Uncle personally. It would definitely be ok…it was not ok. She gets to keep her palisman and he gets a new face scar. 

Hunter’s room is basically the same but is instead in the private hall of the Emperors. There is a small suite for the emperor which is really Belos suite, including his study.

He still meets his friends though working as the GG.

(To be continued)~

[dwuerch-blog]

 The Golden Rule aka the Golden Ruler

Aw! The old “Golden Rule”. Personal reciprocity. I like the word, reciprocity — as in harmony like a situation or relationship when two people or groups agree to do something similar for each other. So, if we took the Golden Rule to heart, then it should be simple to follow, and even go beyond. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It’s right there in Matthew 7:12. Easy to find,…

[ryctone]

Anything for a friend.

[malkaleh]

JOAN.

Dauphine of France. Princess of Scotland. Princess of Albion. Queen Regnant of Scotland. Queen of England. The Half Breed Heathens Whore Of A Wife. My Darling Wise Thistle. Little Wise Eyed. Jeanne.

Though Joan’s father died not six months after her birth his love for her was remarked upon - indeed it was said that he could hardly bear to be apart from her. His death was something her mother Mary never recovered from despite two subsequent marriages and the reminder of him in her black haired and grey eyed daughter seems to have been a mixture of grief and solace to her. Joan proved to be a serious child - interested in books, archery and riding but with a keen talent for music she was included in and educated in rulership from a young age, particularly by her paternal grandmother who remarked that she saw ‘very much of Marguerite of Navarre in her’ she was excellent at politics, at rulership and in her concern and interest in the lives of all her people but she was not warm and nor did she have the charisma and ability to draw the eye of her mother, something that drew unfavourable comparisons. Her marriage was made out of pragmatism on her part and no one was more surprised than Joan when it turned into love.

(inspired in part by this edit by @emilykaldwen (ABBY MY BELOVED))

[savourysaltysweet]

Seeing a bunch of clips for the Burning Spice update and tearing everything up with my teeth because I can't participate due to not having completed the rest of Beast Yeast.

[smiles-ocs]

Clover doesn’t like libraries. One of the reasons why under the cut (tho warning for a bit of horror). It’s actually a redraw from this!

This is a little darker than the older version but hey! Flashlight!

[quibbs126]

What are the chances that there may actually be a revolution in GC’s kingdom happening at some point? The art book states that she controls EVERY aspect of her citizens’ lives down to the smallest details, plus something tells me she may have forged/altered the story of her Vs Cheddas.

The odds of the Cheese Puff Orbs collectively deciding that they’ve had enough of her crap are high, but the chances of them winning the war by themselves…is debatable.

You know, I’m not sure, but honestly I kind of doubt it

I mean, in this scenario, it sort of paints Golden Cheese as the villain to the Cheesebirds, and while yeah, she can be a flawed character, she is still supposed to be an Ancient Hero. Yeah you could say she learns the error of her ways, but at the same time, it’s not a very flattering image for one of the heroes to be portrayed as the bad guy

[bellshazes]

people think kingship narratives are good because it's about power. however kingship narratives esp reluctant kings are about first loyalty and two debt and three, crucially, that even if you become a legend and truly more than a man it will alienate you to the point you cannot exist anymore and your dynasty cannot ever last. no rule is so golden it never ends.