#headcanon;; stories from beyond the gale of the winds

[taccendaa]

Repost with animals you associate with your muse.

Directly or indirectly.

White Crane

Snow leopard

Deer

Snow fox

Falcon

Dragonfly

Tagged by: Stole it from @birkanbrawler​​ Tagging: Whoever would like to do this.

[littlemisssquiggles]

Ruby In the Other World

As the V8 finale draws near;  imagine if...we got a reverse "I'm just glad you're alright" parallell scene between the Rosegardening rosebuds where Oscar gets a chance to hug Ruby out of sheer unbridled relief and joy after the two are reunited...whether it will be after Ruby makes it to Vacuo or after she and the other RWBY girls return from falling through Remnant to the Other World.

The way how this squiggle meister sees it, the RWBY V8 finale can go one of two ways---either RWBY fall through Remnant and into another World where they have to find their way back home together like something straight outta the Wizard of Oz or...Ruby ends up being the only member to make it to Vacuo after the alleged death and disappearance of her team and V9 is about it dealing with pain of such a big loss.

Or...perhaps it may be a mix of these two concepts---Ruby ends up lost and alone in a mysterious Other World where she must go on a journey to not only reunite with her lost friends but also figure out a way for them all to return to Remnant before humanity falls prey to the Wicked Witch and her army?

Since I brought up the Wizard of Oz, imagine if...V9 becomes Ruby's Wizard of Oz story?

Much like Dorothy Gale, what if...Ruby winds up alone in another world beyond Remnant where is forced to find her missing friends and teammates who each represent her versions of the Scarecrow (Yang), the Tin Woodman(Weiss) and the Cowardly Lion (Blake).

In the actual Wizard of Oz story, it was Glinda the Good Witch of the North who was able to help Dorothy get back home by telling her how to use her silver slippers.

And I find this interesting since my theory was---if RWBY wound up trapped in the Other World together, they would be able to return to Vale through the Vault of the Fall Maiden, containing the Relic of Choice. 

And I'd love to believe that Glynda Goodwitch has a connection to the final vault.

While she may not be a maiden, what would actually be interesting is if Oz entrusted Glynda with the true location of the Vault of the Fall Maiden.

Knowing Oz; for all we know the Vault may not even be at  Beacon. Beacon is just a façade. A decoy to hide the location of the true vault. 

Or... perhaps...the reason why Salem’s minions were never able to locate the Vault is because Oz had it secretly hidden in plain sight behind something normal eyes can’t see. Like an illusion spell similar to Emerald’s semblance like a veil or...a curtain?

“...Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain....”

Oz did say back in V5 that he made finding the final vault difficult and I’d like to think that he only entrusted Glynda with the key to getting to it.

 At least that’s my hunch.

Either way, while I’m still leaning towards my Ruby Alone Lil Red Headcanon, the concept of Ruby having her own Wizard of Oz storyline does sound compelling too.

~ LittleMissSquiggles (2021)

[lovewillthaw-j]

Ahtohallan, Iduna and the Voice

Ahtohallan is an integral part to the Frozen 2 story and I want to analyse Elsa’s inner thoughts about Ahtohallan. Much of this post is based on headcanon, so if you disagree or would like to offer a different perspective, do reach out in the comments! Long post ahead.

As an 8 year old

Elsa first hears of Ahtohallan when Iduna sings the lullaby, All is Found. To Elsa, Ahtohallan is just a legend at this point. Nobody believes it is real, not even Iduna. Ahtohallan/All is Found is associated with happiness and hope to 8 year old Elsa, as the lullaby comforts her after she had just received a somber history lesson from Agnarr with grave consequences for her as future queen, but also as a little girl not understanding why she alone had powers. I covered that in this analysis.

Between 8 and 18 years old

In my headcanon, the trauma of Anna’s accident and the subsequent isolation of Elsa affected Iduna and Elsa so much that Iduna probably never sang the lullaby or mentioned Ahtohallan again to Elsa. Also, Agnarr’s instruction was to “conceal, don’t feel” so I guess Iduna did not want to stir up magical thoughts in Elsa.

18-21 years old - from Iduna’s death till the events of Frozen 1

Devastated by the death of Iduna (and Agnarr) and being thrust into her role as Queen, Elsa probably completely forgot about Ahtohallan and the lullaby. Unknown to the audience in F1, Iduna had researched on Ahtohallan and concluded that it was a real place beyond the Dark Sea. F2 revealed to us her annotations on the map that was found in the ill-fated ship. 

The 3 years after F1 till just before Frozen 2

As a result of Anna’s great love and sacrifice, Elsa opened up and experienced love again and re-connected with Anna. The endless conversations they must have had, would surely have included the topic of their parents. Just think, they had 10 years of different experiences with their parents to share with each other! Additionally, at some point, Elsa discovered Iduna’s scarf and it would have brought back memories of Iduna’s presence, scent, songs, and Ahtohallan. So at this point, Elsa associates the Ahtohallan legend as part of the cloud of memories she has of Iduna. 

F2: Balcony + Bedroom scene

In my headcanon, Elsa was reminiscing Iduna singing the lullaby while at the balcony, as evidenced by her dreamy look which turns into a wistful smile. She was distracted enough by the memory that Kai’s sudden address to her (“Your Majesty”) could cause her to freeze the parapet. (I believe that Elsa in F2 had gotten control of her powers) In the bedroom, such a sweet scene, Anna soothes Elsa by singing their mother’s lullaby to her and stroking her forehead and nose. Ahtohallan is still a legend associated with the memory of Iduna.

Hearing the Voice

Elsa hears the Voice calling her on the balcony, during the charades game, in her dreams before Into the Unknown, throughout ITU, while sleeping in the wagon and while making friends with Bruni. She quickly realises that she is the only who hears it and she associates the Voice with the Enchanted Forest, because of what she saw during ITU and because the Voice woke her when it was time to enter the forest at the stone pillars of the spirits. She doesn’t know who the voice belongs to, yet. 

Honeymaren scene

Honeymaren introduces the legend of the Fifth Spirit and that some heard it call out the day the forest fell. Elsa starts to form an association between the Voice and the Fifth Spirit. Note that while Honeymaren makes a reference to Ahtohallan here, the way she says it implies that she doesn’t believe it exists either. 

The Ship scene (1)

In this pivotal scene, Ahtohallan, an unimportant legend that Elsa has known for the past 16 years, suddenly becomes a reality. Take a moment to let that sink in. Now consider that the one who reveals it is Iduna. This is very significant for Elsa. The story would have been very different if someone else, eg a Northuldran, or Gale, had told Elsa about Ahtohallan, or say for example if the girls had found a Northuldran artifact like a scroll or wood carving etc. Suddenly, Elsa is electrified by the knowledge that Ahtohallan exists and that Iduna was trying to find it, to help Elsa deal with her powers.

The Ship scene (2)

But before Elsa (and us, the audience) has had time to let that sink in, she decides rather hastily to use her new powers to generate memories from the water in the ship. The filmmakers chose the image of Agduna at the point of their death for devastating emotional effect. I think Elsa must have regretted doing it because it reopened old wounds. 

Anna (lovethawmode), summons her mightiest love to comfort Elsa, reaffirms her belief in Elsa and brings Elsa out of a depression spiral. A composed Elsa puts two and two together and concludes that the Voice/Fifth Spirit is in Ahtohallan and Ahtohallan is the next destination.

==

Before I discuss the climax in Show Yourself, let me first state that in my headcanon, neither Elsa or Anna remembers the third, foreshadowing, verse of All is Found:

Where the north wind meets the sea There's a mother full of memory Come, my darling, homeward bound When all is lost, then all is found

They only can remember the earlier parts, and this ties in to my headcanon that Iduna never sang it again after the accident. Elsa is not expecting to see Iduna in Ahtohallan at all. At all.

==

Show Yourself (1) - Approaching Ahtohallan

After taming the Nokk, Elsa glimpses Ahtohallan for the first time. She hears the Voice call her again and she sheds a tear because she senses a presence as she nears Ahtohallan, and that presence is touching her from deep within. 

Something is familiar Like a dream I can reach but not quite hold I can sense you there Like a friend I've always known I'm arriving And it feels like I am home

These lyrics could be interpreted to be describing Iduna. Of course the lyrics have dual meaning and could be interpreted to be Elsa sensing herself and who she’s always been meant to be (Fifth Spirit) since birth, which was taken away from her by fear. 

Show Yourself (2) - Coronation as Fifth Spirit

As she enters and goes deeper into Ahtohallan, she sees the elements 1) carved in ice pillars 2) as four beams of light that shine when she sings the call 3) and as their avatars made out of glowing lights, merging into the four crystals. It becomes clear to Elsa that the place in the centre of the crystals is meant for her. She, Elsa, is the Fifth Spirit. She has always been the Fifth Spirit (not only at this moment, her coronation is just confirmation). But the Voice doesn’t belong to the Fifth Spirit. The Voice belongs to... ... ...

Show Yourself (3) - Convergence

IDUNA. Yes, at the end of 16 years, Ahtohallan, Iduna and the Voice all converge! They were never separate at all. There is such great joy when Elsa sees adult Iduna singing “Come my darling homeward bound!” to her that she trembles and the tears just flow freely. Elsa 1) has found an answer to why she has powers 2) is assured of her mother’s love for her 3) has found Ahtohallan, which means she can A) always access her happy memories of Iduna and B) discover the truth about the Arendelle-Northuldra war and free the forest.

==

Final headcanons about Iduna, the Voice and Iduna in Ahtohallan: First and foremost, I believe Iduna has passed away for good (unless F3 changes that!!!) and she’s not alive as a spirit/ghost. I believe young Iduna came up with the call (ah-ah-ah-ah) to call Gale, and Ahtohallan chose to use the same call to call Elsa. Yes, I believe Ahtohallan is the one who has been calling her all along and I believe the four spirits are working in partnership with Ahtohallan to bring Elsa to Ahtohallan, albeit first testing her powers to make sure she is “worthy”. 

For the climax of Show Yourself in Ahtohallan, I believe that Iduna is not actually singing to Elsa; she has passed away and we are seeing Elsa’s memories - the memory of Iduna singing “come my darling homeward bound” comes from the very same night that Iduna sang the lullaby. For the other lines (duet with Elsa):

Show yourself Step into your power Throw yourself Into something new

You are the one you've been waiting for

Actually, we only hear Iduna’s voice, because the image of Iduna is just smiling at Elsa as Elsa’s dress transforms and she twirls in delight. So I think one possible explanation is that Ahtohallan is letting Elsa hear a memory of Iduna saying/singing these words to her. As to when exactly Iduna said those words, I have 2 explanations: 1) Iduna said these words to Elsa when Elsa was self-isolating and struggling with her powers; but Elsa did not remember Iduna saying them as she was too anguished; or 2) Elsa never heard Iduna say these words, possibly because A) Elsa had fallen asleep after the lullaby and Iduna said these words to a sleeping Elsa or B) when Elsa shut everyone out of her life, Iduna might have stood outside Elsa’s door, crying silently and whispering these words. Ahtohallan is able to show Elsa events that Elsa herself did not witness, the most obvious example being Runeard murdering the Northuldran leader. 

Thanks for reading if you reached this point!

[poetryarewe-blog]

Episode 1 - Season 1 - META WARS

Hello, and welcome to Meta Wars. This terribly written and horribly campy episodic novel focuses on the users of a small portion of the internet. Do you like meta? Well, you should probably stop reading and go do something productive... you still here? Good! Well, let’s get into it, then. I do feel sorry for you because you’ll begin to experience the once in a lifetime literature that you’ll hopefully put down and put away very shortly. 

I didn’t bother formatting it from my Reddit posts because I’m a lazy bastard and hopefully- just maybe, you’ll forgive that. I’m warning you that this is an episodic novel written like an ode and is intended to be represented as a television show. I’ll let that sink in for a moment... Yeah, I know. 

Okay, enjoy and thank you. Please keep all hands and feet inside the viewfinder at all times. Any person will be lost at some point and will be discarded at the end of the ride. Have a nice day. 

(This “FanFic of Fans” is from an entirely seperate show that currently exists and you should go watch that.)

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#EPISODE 1 - Where Do We Begin / It's Starco! / The Visit

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*Where do we begin? Like an Ode we'll start with a long monologue from the author stating that he can't quite understand things. That he needs some plea for divine intervention to come down and grace the page, but we won't do that today.

Today we'll do something much more simple. Something that all can understand in the moments of these principles.

I'm going to tell you that someday these words will fall to no one and will be forgotten in time. This is fine. It's all meant to be. The love I've shown for a nice show, the posters that behold what's seen, the people that have come and gone from me. I've witnessed somethings and somethings I shouldn't have, but through the liars, and thieves, and grieving, bickering and trolling... A new world formed and in my mind it's as real as you can believe. A world where timelines clash and pocket dimensions shatter and weave what is read. Someday I hope it to be true for you all the same. Thank you. I love everything you've done for me.*

[What a miserable day](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0XEYrJkn0A), as I recollect, but you're not meant to know that. Hell, I'm not even meant to know that. This land, after all, is as mysterious as it is unforgiving. After so many years of debating and integrating, I don't remember much. 

"Jarco?" He pronounced in his Slavic accent. "It had been taken! Most of the Jarco kin were wiped clean by the storm or escaped and took refuge in the Tomar Kingdom... Rumors say that some Jarco refugees began to flood the gates of the City of Neutrality." His face went grave. "Some willingly lent themselves to the terrifying Starco." This man of legend, a leader among his infantry had been lead down a dark and convoluted path but now commanded his own army. Some feared, some taunted, but despite an indescribable reputation, most knew his name: Terepin.

The wooden room of the ship was muggy and the mood of the captain's room embodied this embattled setting.

At this point, his men were weak, tired, weary; most were hired from Terepin's own pocket, but his care for treasure was always a novelty. There was nothing worth more than vengeance. His mind was always wandering back to revenge- since a slew of downvotes laid waste to his wife, downvotes that a wandering Starco fleet had unjustly handed, as is the story of many posters.

"You do realize we're running out of time, Tere. It isn't on our side." The room fell silent as Kuriyan spoke. His men could tell you of Terepin's anger, but so could KuriyanBBQ. He said it with integrity.

Terepin grit his teeth in response, "Time is on no one's side."

His hired propagandists, Kuriyan stood next to the tacticians' map that laid before him. The large vessel swayed side to side, as Kuriyan attempted to keep from wobbling. Some of Terepin's other subordinates surrounded their boss.

"Starco is so... so strong at this point, with all the headcanon lying around as fodder." He looked down at the map that lay before him. "Five generals. CardButton, here on the peninsula. iLoppio at the foot of Mt. Retcon. Dark_Magus is patrolling between the Bloodmoon Sea and the great Starconian Islands. The dreaded Spoderman holds training for the novices at the Grand Device Estates. And FrostyJam is cultivating minds in the Great Library of Archives."

"Sir, the emperor." RedLkas, a mercenary, expressed slowly.

"You'd think I'd forgotten about the most dangerous man in the MetaScape? Unlikely. He's spreading the Empire too thin, attempting to keep watchful tabs on the Tomar kingdom now that they've gone canon." He laughed a small bit, but his smile fell flat. "He knows that his time is short. The sand moves slowly, but once the final grain stands, it falls like the rest."

"...Dramatic, sir." The mercenary chimed back while Terepin leaned over the table that lay in the middle of the room. His head shot to the side to look at the official that spoke to him.

"You bet your sweet ass. Now," He looked back at the map, "for the true matter, The Grand Estates. This must be the first phase of an attack on the Empire. Take this back and we take their western front."

"About the Grand Device Estates...my children," Kuriyan interjected nervously

"Yes, I know. When the time comes I'll see to it that your kids are found."

"You better stick to your end of the-"

Terepin slammed his hands down on the table. With enough force to crush the small figurines that were below. He proceeded calmly.

"Yes. Kuriyan. Yes, it is your rightful land. Nigh, it is your rightful empire, Starco. It is not your fault that it was stolen out from under you by the tyrant, but please have faith in me and my army."

The room of all Terepin's cohorts stood silent. Terepin looked at the door, agitated and exhausted.

"I need to see the Oracles."

-------------- -------------- --------------

[It](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hb8aaoGUrw) was the eve of the shipping war, a war that had never truly ended but at the same time typically finished before it was over; this time was different.

Three weary souls gathered around a table with a map and several figures lane scattered. Terepin, Poetry, and Meep were all sweating profusely as they knew time was near... also because the room was hot. Three men inside a small room, inside the cove of a cave can get pretty stuffy.

"Sir, Starco has refurbished four more Jarco ships that lay waste from 'The Happening.'" Poetry warned Commander Terepin.

"Right, we must send troops to aid the Jantom supporters. Starco must not know it was us that gave them the weapons."

Poetry looked at the strategic table and then at Meep. "Meep. What's your advice? Is it too early?"

Meep had his feet on the table and leaned back in his chair- staring at the ceiling. He lowered his feet and fell with the chair, falling harshly- looking harshly at both his allies. He quickly grabs his knife that swayed from his pocket and stuck it in the middle of the map.

"Post. Here. An attack, not just on Starco, but the whole of The Metascape! With haste."

"Meep, you just stuck the knife in the island. Is he crazy?" Poetry looked quickly at Terepin. Terepin shrugged, as if requesting to be left out of the debate. "You're crazy. Do you know what that kind of retaliation that would bring? Tere!" Poetry held his ground against the eager Meep.

Terepin began to chuckle, the chuckle turned into a laugh, and the laugh turned into a gale of large bellows.

Poetry looked on, defeated. He knew that Meep had been there longer and even if his position *was* technically superior to Meep's, deep down, he knew. Terepin, being an Imperator, would trust Meep's word over his own.

"Pure insanity. The shields haven't gone down for over a hundred years." Poetry whispered.

Terepin settled down and gave his rebuttal.

"You do know what this will mean for us, right? Once we begin this onslaught we can not go back. Ever." He looked serious and serious meant something entirely different to Terepin, since the previous shipping war took his... well, you know.

Insanity was the least of his concern.

Meep got to his feet. "What post? What post?" He passed back and forth, his decorative prayer beads clanging against his scimitar-like chimes in the wind. "It should be a collaborative effort. A manifesto for the entire Marclipsian elite to adhere. Is there any way to get a runner to deliver a warning to Zero in time?"

Poetry huffed but knew it was the only way. To take a gamble, to go out to see and hope for the shields of the island to drop at that time. It would make Marclipsa canon if the island so happened to accept it.

"Terepin. What think you? Is Subzero ready to begin phase one?"

"I think this is the only way-- the only way we must forfeit ourselves to the truth. We must do it alone. Do not rely on that shinobi. We rely on nobody but our own. We rely on the force of The Spade."

"You don't think it is too dangerous? Once this happens we must keep our fleet in constant rotation. Every Ship from here to Statera will be crawling all over us." Poetry was a coward at times, but his attendance was necessary for the survival of the fleet. Especially since the destruction of the entirety of the Jarco armada lost souls to the maritime skirmish with Starco. The storm of Season3A truly favored the majority that day.

Meep threw something Poetry's way. It was a blackpowder pistol.

"Here, you'll need this. Protect your assigned platoon."

"I always do."

Terepin looked both his generals up and down. "So, it's decided, then. By dawn we--"

Suddenly a crash came through the now-open door.

It was RandomInternetGuy, bleeding from his arm. Gravely wounded.

"TEREPIN! I'm sorry, I tried to get here before—" He yelled into the room, he began passing out, "It's Starco! and--"

He fell to the ground. He slid down the side of the wall, his account injured nearly beyond repair.

"Poetry, tend to his wounds!" Terepin ran quickly to Guy and listens closely. "AND WHAT!?"

"and--" Guy could barely get out his words, "and the Studo clan." He said softly to his Leader.

"Boba." He whispered.

"Looks like old rivalries never die." Meep proclaimed as he begins sharpening his saber. "Let's fucking do this."

The Marclipsa troops headed out of their enclave hidden inside a large opening similar to a grotto. A dank, obscure place they called home for the last four years.

As the four generals exited the clashing of swords could be heard echoing through the mouth of the cave. Poetry, still carrying Guy, laid him at the foot of the cave to investigate the scene with the other two.

"No." Poetry said quietly as he looked on.

"Damn it! I really liked this place too!" Meep conceited.

A large cavalry unit was tearing through the flanks of the Marclipsa ground troops that were unprepared and mostly unarmed.

"Let's go. We'd need to get to our weapon cache and start supplying the troops with everything we've got!" Terepin ordered. "Meep, begin to focus on the Studo fighters. They are the lesser trained ones!"

"Right!" Meep and Poetry both agreed.

Poetry yelled to some troops on the side protecting the caravan of civilians. "AtlantaisatlantaBWRD, semper-S3XY have all children, and workers safe; begin to arm those able-users with whatever weapons you can find!"

Meep whistled. A black horse at the stables tore apart his reigns from the post and started galloping quickly towards the barbaric black-attired hero. As quickly as he was standing, he swung on the horse in one gallant move.

He unsheathed his saber. Meanwhile, Poetry began to position the cannons and mortars in varying strategic positions. With the help of his allies he rolled many of the artillery to their proper position.

He looked across the open battle to see Terepin on his own horse making his way around the back of the opposing army. "What is he doing?"

He rode quickly, quicker then he had ever galloped. Towards the devastating general that he knew was behind all of this. "Spoder, I'm coming for you." No man could stop him, and atop the closest knoll to the east, in a perfect position for strategic placement perched the one, the oftentimes mad General De Equis of F. Hawk, and besides him was none other than the great betrayer, PoisonousBoba. Her trinkets and heirlooms hung off her horse, almost as to contrast the astute and dapper looking Spoder.

Terepin yelled out once more "I'M COMING FOR YOU!"

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-------------

The Mountain had frozen the breath on his beard. It had made his feet nearly numb even with all the layers he was gartered with. He had no longer any material for fire and the materials he had left in his backpack had no use for warmth.

"Two more kilometers. Just two more." He thought. The idea of the monastery's warm embrace taunted. *Like a glass of water in the desert so far out of reach. Or even having access to ten thousand spoons and all I needed was a knife*.

His feet led him up the path, and his joy was beyond himself when he felt the first step, the first chiseled step of the monastery. Overjoyed was an understatement. His trek took him long 4 days and 5 nights, but it was finally over. He knocked, kneeling at the giant iron double doors.

**BLACKNESS**

"He came alone?" One monk said in a hush. "Why would you come alone, good sir?"

"He had to come alone, Rainpelt, he's here for The Oracles. You know the rules."

Terepin was coming to while being dragged by these anchorites into the heart of the foyer. They let him down on the bench next to the blistering fire.

Terepin recognized the voices of both disciples. One, by the name of Rainpelt, was the scribe and librarian of this great monastery. The other was the youngest learning of the hiatus- RK- who had helped Terepin in the past with much more than just his visits.

RK ripped off the bandana that was shielding Terepin's mouth- revealing a frostbitten beard.

"Now what is so urgent that you need to visit The Oracles at the beginning of the snow season, Terepin? You know this isn't such a time."

"Time?" Terepin quietly said back, coughing. "Time is always what we have while we remain here."

Rainpelt sighed and began to walk away. Knowing good and well that their visitor was fine. "I'll fetch the tea."

"Alright then at least you have to sense to give me the password; now how about the tribute, sir," RK said facetiously. "You must have brought a decent historical piece if you've had these visits so close tog--" Terepin interrupts RK.

"Theory Number 8: CardButton's Removed Post." RK's eye's lit up as much as the glowing thread that remained in Terepin's hand. The post floated, controlled just off of his palm.

RK held his hand gently next to Tere's and the thread jumped to the monk's hand. He grasped it slowly and the post remained in RK's possession.

"This will need to be studied immediately. Malthus and A_Penguin will want to see you."

["Well. Isn't that a surprise?" Terepin said to himself.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi7KDOAj4Xo)

[gathering-magic]

Cryptic Commander #13: For the Birds

I’ve dabbled in building tribal decks in the past (my Gisa and Geralf Zombie Tribal deck stands out as the prime example), but Tribal decks have generally felt a little too narrow in scope for my liking. The more popular tribes tend to have a strict mechanical focus which dictates the direction the deck should be built in. Take Elves, for example. Elves like to make mana, pump each other up, and swing in for the win. A lot of Elf decks end up looking pretty similar because the Elf lords all reinforce those mechanical focuses. Goblins like swarming, attacking, and blowing things up regardless of the consequences. Zombies are entirely focused on attrition and graveyard recursion. You get the idea. Popular tribes are hard to innovate with due to how focused they are. However, there is room to play around with some of the tribes that have fallen by the wayside.

Today, I want to go south for the winter and build a deck around a tribe that once enjoyed some decent support back in the days of Odyssey. This Cryptic Commander is for the Birds.

I used to have a version of this deck back from before Commander 2013 brought us Derevi, Empyreal Tactician. The deck was fun, taking to the skies and beating people down in the air with an aerial army. I had to include some less than stellar cards in order to maintain as pure a bird tribal experience as possible, and that ultimately led me away from the deck, ultimately retiring it. In recent years, Wizards has printed some birds that have slowly rekindled my desire to play the deck, and the time has finally come to join the flock once again. Derevi, Empyreal Tactician shall once again take the helm of Bird Tribal, and we shall spread the good word of bird once more. With Kangee, Aerie Keeper and Aven Brigadier as seconds-in-command, these fleet-feathered fowl are ready to deliver a Grade A aerial assault.

Decklist for The Word

So, let’s address the non-birds in the room. Emeria Angel, Soraya the Falconer, Windreader Sphinx, Jotun Owl Keeper, and Kefnet the Mindful. Soraya the Falconer’s Oracle Text states that it gives all birds +1/+1, not just Falcons… and we’re gonna ignore that second piece of text about banding (now is not the time or the place for that). Emeria Angel and Jotun Owl Keeper make a bunch of birds, so that’s enough to garner their inclusion in the brood. Kefnet the Mindful may have creature type God, but he’s a bird in spirit. Look at that head! And then there’s Windreader Sphinx. Look, Sphinxes are kind of like big birds; and, in the canon of this deck, the birds learned their mastery of the sky from the Windreader Sphinx! He is their teacher! The Big Bird to their Sesame Street! There’s a story here, and each card has its own justification for inclusion.

Now, let’s move on to the birds proper. Birds have played in some interesting mechanical space during their time as a tribe. Unlike some of the more established tribes, there isn’t anything that really holds the birds together mechanically other than Flying. There’s plenty to work with there, and we’ll get to it later, but I think the lack of a focus for the tribe makes some interesting things possible. I’m gonna break my choices down into categories and go over each one by one to explain the reasoning.

Card Advantage

There are a surprising number of birds that deal in card selection and card filtering, I’ve found. As the newest bird, and Magic: The Amateuring approved cutest card from Hour of Devastation, River Hoopoe was a shoo-in for inclusion in the deck. Having a good outlet for mana when you’re running low on cards is invaluable, and River Hoopoe is happy to help you stock back up and gain a little life. Raven Familiar does a decent Impulse impression and has done good work for me in the past. There are quite a few birds that like to loot, like Murder of Crows and relative newcomer Messenger Jays. Even Sawtooth Loon has a form of looting, as well as letting you re-buy any ETB effects you might be interested in using. Of course, the most swingy form of card advantage in the deck comes in the form of Airborne Aid, letting you draw a card for each bird in play. Sometimes, you’ll draw 2-3 cards off this, and other times… well, the sky’s the limit. Not to mention Beck // Call, letting you net four birds and four cards for one card. Honorary birds Windreader Sphinx and Kefnet also help out on the card advantage front.

Utility

I mentioned how diverse the mechanics that appear on Birds are. This is just a sampling. Nimble Obstructionist is a Stifle on a stick, Keeper of the Nine Gales is a repeatable bounce effect for permanents, and Aerie Mystics gives your birds Shroud so they can’t be picked off by targeted removal. Coveted Peacock goads your opponents into attacking someone else. Celestial Gatekeeper brings back two birds when it dies. Cloudchaser Kestrel destroys an enchantment when it enters the battlefield. We have bounce effects from Mist Raven and Icefeather Aven, we can manipulate the top of our library with Aven Fateshaper, we can save our creatures from combat damage with Gustcloak Savior. There are so many options. While none of these abilities points us in a direction, it gives us a lot of flexibility to react to the current board state and mood of the game. Diversity is good in this case!

Tricks

I know what you’re thinking. You’re just playing Cyclonic Rift because it’s a good card. Well, you’re not wrong. However, I do have a flavor justification for including it, along with Aetherspouts. You see, when all the birds work together, they can do some pretty powerful things, things like using their mastery of the wind and sky to create vortexes that sweep up everything except them and remove them from the picture. Also, I needed board wipes that left my birds alone…

Flurry of Wings does some interesting double duty as both a pseudo-fog effect as well as a way to buff up our army unexpectedly. If the player before you attacks someone else with a large force, your forces can swell to an overwhelming size in response. Cloud Cover gives our birds some protection, allowing us to return them to our hand instead of having them be killed. Then we have some small instant-speed tricks in the form of Swan Song and Path to Exile. I headcanon Path to Exile as the birds picking something up and carrying it away, a la James and the Giant Peach. Swan Song speaks for itself.

Flavor and Combos

There is some fun synergy in the deck beyond just making a bunch of birds and attacking in the air. Kangee, Aerie Keeper and Aven Mimeomancer do a fun dance to power up your whole army. Kangee has kicker for X2 to put feather counters on it. For each feather counter on Kangee, all birds get +1/+1. With Aven Mimeomancer in play, you may place a feather counter on target creature at the beginning of your upkeep. You can continue to place the feather counters from Mimeomancer on Kangee to increase the buff from Kangee’s ability. Both are good birds on their own, but the cute synergy between them can be powerful. They’re good birbs, Bront.

Then there’s the Dovescape/Portcullis combo. Dovescape is a nice little insurance policy against board wipes for our deck. We’re pretty vulnerable to mass removal, so having a way to keep that from resolving seems like a good idea. Plus, every once and a while we’ll be able to drop Portcullis as well, which does some interesting things with Dovescape. Dovescape will counter all noncreature spells and give that spell’s controller 1/1 bird tokens equal to its converted mana cost. Portcullis exiles creatures when they enter the battlefield if there are two or more creatures in play already. Those creatures come back if Portcullis leaves; but, if those creatures are 1/1 bird tokens, they never come back. With both in play, you end up with a soft lock situation which benefits you greatly if you’re ahead on board. A good every-once-and-a-while way to secure your boardstate.

We have some flavor considerations as well! The deck needed some ramp, so I’ve included the aptly named Peregrination, Cultivate, and Sol Ring along with Birds of Paradise. Some birds do like shiny objects, and what’s shinier than a Sol Ring? Birds are also a force for spreading plant seeds, eating berries and fruits and dropping the seeds elsewhere. Thus, Cultivate felt like a good include via flavor justifications. And what self-respecting bird deck would be incomplete without perches and fountains for your birds to roost on? Akroma’s Memorial and Eldrazi Monument are here and ready to be covered in bird droppings and feathers (as well as making our birds indestructible or generally hard to deal with). And, I really wanted to include Tamiyo, Field Researcher in this deck because her abilities work real well with evasive creatures. Bet you didn’t know Tamiyo was an avid Ornithologist, huh?

Wrapping Up

Add in some anthem effects for fliers, like Favorable Winds, Gravitational Shift, and Serra Aviary, and you’ve got yourself a deck! How good is it? That’s an excellent question. You’ve got quite an airforce going for you in this deck, and flying has always been a good way to poke damage through. The deck is vulnerable to mass removal, has little direct interaction, and could be very inconsistent (though, there is a decent amount of card advantage/filtering). It has weak points, sure, but that’s a sacrifice I made for theme. This is a thematic tribal deck! We make some sacrifices in this house!

I look forward to reconstructing the deck and putting it through its paces. It’ll be nice having a low-key deck to play for fun every once and a while. That’s the nice thing about themed decks: they’re just kind of fun to play and get in the spirit of. And I leave you with that!

What sort of weird tribal decks have you thought about building? With Commander 2017 coming up, what tribes are you hoping get more support? What sort of cards would fit in a bird themed Commander deck that I didn’t include? Leave comments, and I’ll see you next time!

Robert Burrows

[taccendaa]

GODHOOD.

How does one define godhood, or a god for that matter. Those Zephyr had met presented themselve as endless, lives far beyond mortal dreams and insignificant desires. And those that walk on the lands below, merely an effigy of their superior excellence. They rule ethereal above the flawed lands below, they preserve while the centuries faded into oblivion and the world falters unders their graps. Further forward to infinity. To preserve above all and everything is what defines this ethernal rule, but how could a mere being claim to reach such divine truths. 

Although most who have met them compared their powers to that of a god, has Zephyrus themselve never considere or acted as if they were a celestial being. Perhaps a result of the remenants of their former human life still clinging onto them.

But perhaps all that was cast was an illusion, an ideal even the ‘gods’ failt to realise against all of the worlds truths. Fragile they are and all to quickly to succumb frail wishes and fantasies. A rule that is all to dedicated to expand the borders of their already brief existance. But if godhood is not their reality, then what individual shall ever be able to reach such a divine status.

[taccendaa]

RESPECT.

   Adressing those they know in a casual manner, often by the first name an outsider might be lead to believe that Zephyr was a rather informal person. To speak of the truth does Zephyr place a high value on respect and believes another person, especially a stranger should be treated according to those values. 

   Zephyr had not many chances to act on this way of thinking simply because they yet had to be in a setting that required such formalities. They were a lone wanderer and most of the conversation they had carried over the centuries were with a single person, one they considered their equal and perhaps friend. Speaking on a first name basis seemed like the right behaviour.

   Now as member of the Beast Pirates, this has changed. And yet Zephyr still struggled to adress their superiors properly. It was an unknown environment and what Zephyr considered as polite might not be to their standards. Asking around brought little to no help as people either responded with confusion or an answer which just did not make sense.

   In the end Zephyr chose to do what they believe is right. They adress Kaido as simply ‘Kaido’ in private or ‘Kaido-sama’ when the situation calls for it, be it when they are working or during an event where others are present. Zephyr adresses the All Star’s King and Queen, with the same type of honorific as a form of respect and sometimes even by their epithet. In the case of Jack and Yamato however do they prefer to use the honorific ‘san’, seeing as both of them are much younger then them.

[taccendaa]

tag dump.  

[taccendaa]

FLOATING AND EARTH BOUND.

Adopting a lighter form shaped of air and wind had become second nature to Zephyrus. In fact had it been all they can remember, as if it was the way their story first began. Travelling the world above the clouds or seas, far away from those residing on the land below, she had adapeted to using floating as a way to traverse even when above land. Expception to this is when they wish to converse with people or seek to experience the wild green fields or grey sands below. Creating a pool of air around her feet to feel more of the surroundings.

As it is now, the dim feeling of seastone against their bare skin has erased that part of their essence, leading to them wandering by foot around the Island of Demons. It had been an interesting experience, moving at a slower pace than usual, most things out of reach while cautious eyes and shackles restricting her access further. Zephyrus does not mind being earth bound, able to find interest in even the littelest things.

[taccendaa]

BLOOMING SPIDER LILY.

Fingers gently grazing over the round assortment of various flowers sitting in their hair, Zephyr dared to carefully turned their head, a nervous expression on their face. “ Are you sure this will suit me ...?” A large hand reached out to carefully change the angle of the kanzashi resting in their hair.

“ Aaaah Zephyr-san, won’t you trust in my abilites ~”, humming with delight as her large body leaned forward, red lips curved to an amused smile on Black Maria’s face. Blond strands of hair dangeling messily, the black fabric of her kimono gently drapping around figure, Zephyr could not help but gaze at her in admiration. They had sought out Marias expertise and later presence plenty of times, so could they really deny the latters statement. No, but there was no need for that anyways, they knew that Maria had probably only teased them.

“ Besides, someone has to help you aquire some suitable accessories, outside of this unfit thing there, hm ~ “, hand gesturing towards the black spike color sitting loosely around their neck, a sharp break in the otherwise elegant image of their appearance. “ Are you teasing me yet again ? You are aware of what this chocker means for me .” Judging from the playful smile as Maria rested her head in her palm, they assumed it meant yes. Her suggestive gaze continuing to lingering on them, Zephyr took this as a proposition to stay the evening, perhaps even the night. It had been a while since they had some time together, didn’t they ?

Rising from their seat, a hand quickly reached out to help Zephyr climb the colorful assortment of pillows. Black Maria’s large frame shifted to the side an invitation to come closer. Gaze visibly softening, Zephyr sat down and carfully leaned closer against Maria. Long fingers reached out, moving and gently caressing their face. “ It is such a beautiful evening, would you like me to play something for you ? You have been working so hard lately, let me help you relax ~ ” Leaning into Maria’s touch, Zephyr’s hand moved to rest on Maria’s, “ What a kind offer, but I believe that your presence is all I need .” “ Ufufu~ you are soo sweet today ...”

[taccendaa]

APPEARANCE.

Since they first stepped into the world, by means long forgotten, Zephyr never placed much importance on their outside appearance, or how others my perceive them. If they were an image of their father, mother or parent, they could not tell, not that such a detail was of particular importance anyway. Nor could they truly remember.

They were always aware that they viewed themselve as neither a man or woman, rather an identity outside of that. It was a conclusion they struggle to reach. If they were no human, could such lables really apply to them or was this feeling simply their nature, the way they were born.

But perhaps they had been influence by other peoples perception of them or myths created about them too much. It was undeniable after all that they looked human, their body functioned like that of a human so even if aspects of them were far above average. Describing themselve with these terms, seemed appropriate.

A figure shaped from the essence of air, they had always choosen to present themselve in a more gender neutral form. An image they rarely change. Would even be the use in that, if all they did was remain true air and travel the world for centuries.

Now residing in the same place, in human form  the essencial need to change outfits and with it the want to dress in a more softer, feminin style. Long flowing sleeves, rich colors matching those of their hair and eyes Zephyr found themselves appreciating this new style and clothes bestowed by her through such kind people as Black Maria.

[taccendaa]

YAMATO.

The relationship between father and son, or a parent and child, is a bond Zephyr considers to be of a unique nature. This view stems from the fact that they are unfamiliar with this type of relationship. Most of the people they met along there travels were simply friends or a simply acquaintance.

Zephyrs relationship with Yamato is difficult. As certain behaviour of them is rather upsetting to him, such as insisting on refering to him as the ‘son of Kaido’.

This is irritating him to say the least, although there lies no malicous intent behind those words. Treating him with respect whenever their paths crossed, even willing to listen to each tale he would tell about the man called Kozuki Oden. For Zephry it is simply a fact, Yamato was the result of a relationship between Kaido and an unknow partner, therefore Yamato was his son.

Yamato argued that his fathers treatment of him is not deserving of his respect. To that Zephyr could agree. Shackled like they themselves and yet their had been no form of exchange that would grant Kaido the privilage of making such a desicion. In truth it seemed that he had just been using the power he had over his son to restrict him and that was unjust. Yet who was she to protest, she was well aware after all that not everyone had the same views as her on the topic of trade. In addition was it not part of their agreement for her to interfere with his matters.

Still, he was Kaidos biologically, even if he bared no interest in being associate with that man, so would it no be disrespectful for them to not adress him in this way ? Zephyr had began to doubt their own thoughts about the matter. For now they would continue to do as they did before, but perhaps in the future, this would change.

[taccendaa]

BORN FROM THE VOID.

Zephyrus date of brith lies many centuries ago, an age foreign to those living today. They were merely a teen as the fated gap in the worlds history came to an end and opened a new chapter of creation leading to the world of today.

Their memories as faded as the remains of the old world, Zephyr is unable to replicate the past events and how they shaped their life. All they know is the familiar feeling of lightness when their form carved from air moved through what they associate with the word home. As they reached young adult hood, they began to wander the world, studying it from the blue sea above. Pace slow as even the passing of time seemed to no longer affect them. And with wind rising and passing like the centuries, Zephyr experience another age of conflict, this time as part of a crew.

It was march 14th and Zephyr watched as another year of their life began.

[taccendaa]

REMAINING.

If one were to seek out Zephyr during the day one might be able to find her residing next to Kaido, given he has the time and mindset to allow her company. While Kaido does not mind, others are wary of her presence, gaze linger on her whenever she moves, attempting to decipher the reasoning behind her actions. In truth is there a form of mutual understanding and respect between them. Favouring Kaido’s company above that of others residing on Onigashima, she will remain by his side regardless of the occasion present. It is benefitial for both of them, providing Zephyr a way to pass time while ensuring that Kaido is aware of her whereabouts.

[taccendaa]

KING.

Offically there seemed to be no set hierarchy between the two strongest All Star’s, yet from conversation they witnessed, it seemed to Zephyr as if King token on the role of doing most of the work on Onigashima. Overseeing the prison called Udon, Queen seemed to show more interest in ‘working’ with the prisoners, finding joy in an elaborate performance or manufacturing weapons of different kinds.

For this reason Zephyr had choosen to approach King, be because they feel the need to do something or simply wish to gain a better understanding of the Beasts. The first case is usually the main reason they go out of their way to seek the company of the All Star. Although their contract states otherwise, Zephyr wishes to be of assistance for the Beasts outside of the few times, Kaido calls for them to use their power. Their everyday life dull and lonely, they often seek work to keep the occupied.

King is able to provide them with small tasks to keep busy. During their initial conversations he remains reserved, letting them speak and only engaging in light small talk. Zephyr nevertheless appreciates these type of conversations, as they have a lot of respect for King and wish to maintain a good relationship with him. This intention however does not necessarily seem to be mutual. Although they had been with the Beasts for many years now, do they get the impression that the status of their relationship remaind largely the same.

It was hard for them to understand King’s mannerism and intentions, but Zephyr did get the impression that perhaps there was something inbetween them bothering him. Perhaps because of the first interaction between them and his captain, but they could not say for sure. Others explained that it was simply his character, despite this could Zephyr not help but feel that there was something more to King’s actions.

[littlemisssquiggles]

After today episode I think some how of penny or another member of team rwby makes it past the hate they will tell oscar that cinder new about jinn and I think he will blame him self or others will blame him for what happened if team rwby especially ruby gets lost in the void ,but the way cinder worked it to makes me wonder did oscar not tell them what happened to him with salem ,how he told hazle ,jinns name how ,neo was on the wale with cinder an salem

Hello again Dreamer. …Hmmm…I’m not sure about “the others blaming Oscar” part since following all that’s happened between our little prince and the group between V6 and V8, I think we are way past anything like that happening again within the hero team fam. However I can see Oscar blaming himself for revealing the password since it was him summoning Jinn for Hazel that prompted Neo to learn the password for the lamp. Not to mention that that was the final question from the lamp so even if Jinn was summoned, she won’t be able to answer any more questions “this era” since they were all used up.

I don’t know about Oscar explaining the truth of his experience on the whale to the others. My assumption is that he did since he did say he would “explain everything” to the others after he and YJR returned with Emerald from Monstra. So this is one of those cases where it’s safe to assume that Oscar told the group everything---minus his true feelings on the Merge--- but off screen. That’s my hunch.

For me, I’d actually like it if we got Oscar witnessing Ruby “die” after falling through the void. Currently my Pinehead headcanon is that Ruby will ensure that Penny makes it to Vacuo. And once Penny is on the other side, she tells the others about what happened to Weiss, Yang and Blake before lastly stating that Ruby was still in there fighting Neo and Cinder all alone which would then lead into Oscar making another attempt at trying to go through the portal.

Of course he fails but then we get a glimpse of Oscar’s semblance as he breeches the magic of the Staff to force himself through the portal and back to the Central point. However Oscar only arrives in time to watch helplessly as Ruby falls into the void and disappears. All the while, Cinder and Neo make their exit through another portal, taking the Staff of Creation that Penny had dropped with them. So ultimately a heartbroken Oscar is forced no choice but to go back through the portal, returning to be the bearer of bad news to announce that RWBY was gone. Practically dead since they had all fallen to the void.

They had all fallen to the void. I’d like to believe that, even without Ambrosius’ input, Oz can still give an explanation as to what happened to RWBY since my hunch is that it was through Ambrosius’ power how the King of Vale was able to first create the Vaults that house the Relics. So maybe once upon a time, Ambrosius gave Oz the same kind of warning so perhaps he might know a thing about what happened to RWBY.

Either that or…Ambrosius remains with the heroes and explains it himself but my money is on Cinder claiming the Staff for the villains. For me, I’d like for Oscar to be present when Ruby falls since I’d like for V8 to end on setting up what would be his story for next season. However, as always, these are just my speculations based on things I’d like to see done for the finale.

I doubt the showrunners would ACTUALLY deliver on having Oscar witness Ruby falling. I feel like we’re more likely to see Penny watch Ruby fall and fail to help her before being the one to tell the others how she didn’t make it. 

That being said, I still can’t help but shake the feeling that the whole reason why Oscar was the one who first mentioned the fairytale of the Girl Who Fell Through the World was because it will have something to do with his role for next season.

 I feel like that fairytale was either a teaser for Oscar’s semblance and/or his own part to play in helping RWBY return to Remnant from the Other World.

As a character, Oscar Pine draws inspiration from Dorothy Gale and Princess Ozma from the Wizard of Oz series and lastly the little prince from the Little Prince. Both Dorothy and the little prince were two fairytale characters who visited other worlds in their respective stories after going on a journey.

In the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy got transported to the Land of Oz and her story was about her returning home to her family in Kansas. Whereas the little prince came from a planet where he lived with his rose and following a journey where he learnt the value in his devotion to his rose, it is alleged that the prince ultimately “returned home to his rose” whether it be in death or by some other means as left up for interpretation by the reader.

Either way, if RWBY did fall into Another World beyond Remnant, I really would love to think that Oscar will play a part in helping our four main girls return to their world in Remnant. Of all the characters I can see doing this, it’s him given the setup. But…again, this is just me speculating.

What I think would actually be great is if V9 is about Ruby having her own individual journey in the Other World, searching for Weiss, Blake and Yang. All the while, Oscar is her link between Remnant and the mysterious Other World and thus, Oscar becomes Ruby’s guide and companion as Ruby attempts to find the rest of her team on one end while Oscar in turn searches with the rest of the hero team and their allies for a way to bring RWBY back home on the other end. And this is all happening while the villains are on their way to acquire the last Relic after succeeding in claiming the first three.

Personally, I would LOVE to think that Oscar will be a very important character to the PLOT of V9. Buuuuuuuut…as always, this is just me speaking from the perspective of a Pinehead who is still eagerly anticipating the true ending to Oscar’s overall arc.

Shoot, I’m still waiting to see where Oscar’s story will be left off for V8 and personally, I hope it’s left on a note for Oscar to receive development for himself AS HIMSELF and NOT because of anything to do with the stuff he shares with Ozpin or Ozma. For the past few seasons since his debut, Oscar’s story has mostly revolved around all things connecting him to Oz and the Ozma lineage.

Since Ruby has more of an intimate connection to Oscar than Oz giving their budding friendship and trust in one another over the past couple of seasons since his introduction, it would be great if her “death”/disappearance from Remnant becomes a driving force of motivation for his own individual arc next season. Just saying.

For the umpteenth time in the story, the little prince will be seperated from his rose with no way of knowing whether or not he will see her again. 

So it’d be mighty swell if the actual payoff of the Rosegarden bond is Oscar saving Ruby--- playing an important part in bringing her and her team back from “death” and escaping the Other World; returning them all to Remnant. 

I mean....it would actually make perfect sense given the set up. 

But  AGAIN---this is this squiggly Rosegardening Pinehead tossing ideas to the wind [and hoping one of them sticks to the faces of one of the CRWBY showrunners] like I always do. Either way, that’s my thoughts on that.

~ LittleMissSquiggles (2021)