#hidden archipelagos

[breatheoffline]

Island-Hopping Without the Crowds: 7 Underrated Archipelagos

Discover 7 underrated archipelagos for a crowd-free island-hopping adventure. Explore offbeat beaches, vibrant marine life, local culture, and mindful travel experiences.

[mxxnmxxn9875]

You fuckers ready?

Yes?

No?

Maybe so?

Yeah, don’t expect much? Good idea.

Klance meets Hijack with . . . Space Travel, of course! How else?

Dragons are actually similar to space whales with their ability to breathe, just dragon, Jack is normal, and Hiccup is a species whose planet has no atmosphere, so they’re constantly breathing space air. Let’s name Hiccup’s planet Berk, from the Barbaric Archipelago.

The Barbaric Archipelago is a galaxy, full of planets with no atmospheres.

The Hidden World is a planet on the edge of the galaxy where the dragons reside. Obviously.

No more ideas. Just take and leave pls

[lovingtravelnet]

Island Hopping in Indonesia: A Guide to the Archipelago's Hidden Gems

Nestled in the heart of Southeast Asia, Indonesia is an unparalleled archipelago comprising over 17,000 islands, each brimming with diverse cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and extraordinary experiences. While many travellers flock to iconic destinations like Bali and Jakarta, countless hidden gems await those willing to venture off the beaten path. Island hopping in Indonesia showcases the…

[adriaticpulse]

Island Hopping Korčula: Škoji Archipelago

The Škoji Archipelago is a stunning group of islets located near Korčula, providing an idyllic destination for island hopping. This archipelago consists of small, uninhabited islands that are perfect for those seeking an escape into nature, crystal-clear waters, and a peaceful atmosphere. The name “Škoji” translates to “islands” in Croatian, and these islands are well-known for their untouched…

[lionheartlr]

Discovering Cabo Verde: A Comprehensive Travel Guide

A Brief History Cabo Verde, also known as Cape Verde, is an archipelago situated in the central Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Africa. The islands were uninhabited until they were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century. Over the centuries, Cabo Verde became a crucial hub for the transatlantic slave trade, which significantly influenced its culture and…

[herpsandbirds]

Got any Devil's Hole Pupfish and/or their less specialized relatives? I love the frustration they're causing land developers lol

Oh I have some Pupfish stuff for you...

GREAT NEWS!  - Recovery efforts are paying off for the critically endangered Devils Hole pupfish. 

This past April, scientists counted 175 pupfish!  The last time numbers were this high during a spring count was 22 years ago. The fish are in “remarkable condition and very active,” according to Nevada Department of Wildlife  supervisory fish biologist Brandon Senger.  Devils Hole, located within Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Southern Nevada, is a water-filled, geothermal cave system containing carbonate-rich and oxygen-poor water. Water conditions here remain at a constant 93°F in deeper reaches of the cave, and it’s the only natural habitat for Devils Hole pupfish.  “It’s just such a different species and it is remarkable that it has managed to survive,“ said our fish biologist Michael Schwemm. "It lacks pelvic fins due to the extreme conditions such as low food resources and high temperature, adapting to habitat conditions which have evolved over time.”

The story: http://ow.ly/nhz050JaB07

Pahrump Poolfish (Empetrichthys latos), Desert National Wildlife Refuge, NV, USA

Word of the day: refugium (ree·few·jee·um), or an area in which a population of organisms can survive through a period of unfavorable conditions. Here on the refuge, the critically endangered Pahrump Poolfish lives exclusively in a refugium. This small, guppy-like fish is extinct in the wild, after its original habitat was depleted due to groundwater pumping in the 1970s. You can find the refugium along the trails behind the Corn Creek Visitor Center.

Photographs: J. Contois / USFWS

Saving a Rare Desert Fish on the Brink of Extinction 

Pahrump Poolfish (Empetrichthys latos) are being kept at the Nevada state fish hatchery as restoration efforts are under way to restore their home habitat.

There is a rare species of desert fish fighting for its survival in a fresh water pond in the desert landscape of southern Nevada – the Pahrump poolfish. According to biologists monitoring the tiny fish, one of the last remaining populations of the endangered Pahrump poolfish, Empetrichthys latos, is at an alarmingly low number, below 1,000, compared to the 10,000 recorded in 2015. Throughout the month of October 2016, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist James Harter and Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) biologist Kevin Guadalupe are rescuing the Pahrump poolfish from Lake Harriett at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park outside of Las Vegas, Nevada, and moving them to the NDOW’s fish hatchery at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The poolfish are being taken to the hatchery to protect the species from extinction…

Read more: https://www.fws.gov/cno/newsroom/featured/2016/Pahrump_poolfish/

Photo Credit: Enrique Villar/USFWS

The Phenotypic Plasticity of Death Valley’s Pupfish

Desert fish are revealing how the environment alters development to modify body shape and behavior

by Sean C. Lema

Despite variety, most of the surface of Death Valley is dead … a land of jagged salt pillars, crackling and tortured crusts of mud, sunburnt gravel bars the color of rust, rocks and boulders of metallic blue naked even of lichen. As one of the world’s harshest desert regions, Death Valley is a land of eroding badlands, scorching alluvial fans, and barren flats of mud and salt. Yet hidden in remote corners of Death Valley live the desert pupfishes—several related species that survive in an archipelago of permanent water habitats scattered in a sea of desert. Death Valley’s pupfishes inhabit isolated springs, streams and marshes that are remnants of the region’s milder climate less than 20,000 years ago. Since that cooler and wetter time, pupfishes in this region have evolved from a common ancestor into nine closely related species and subspecies, with each taxon living in full geographic isolation from the others. Death Valley’s pupfishes are thus a little like the well-known Darwin’s finches of the Galapagos Islands, in that they offer an opportunity to watch the process of evolution in action…

(read more: American Scientist)

photographs: Sean C. Lema and NPS

[short-honey-badger]

Doll

Pairings: Shanks x Female Reader

Summary: Shanks meets an escaped slave from Marie Geois and swears to teach her how to live.

Notes* hey lovelies. As you can see from the oneshots, I'm finally back in action. I hope you enjoy the start of my new series that I'm planning to help me really get going. Expect some protective Shanks and some darker elements. Haki!user Reader, btw. Pretty fast pace just cause that how I enjoy writing him lol. I've really missed writing for him and sharing works with you wonderful people. Anyway, enjoy! ❤️

Doll Masterlist

There aren't many things that could surprise Shanks on the Grand Line anymore, but the woman that sat at the bar could definitely be considered a good one. He didn't recognize her, but he could tell that she was in a league above the other patrons that sat around the bar. She sat in the back corner, a bottle of booze sat on the table in front of her that she occasionally took a pull from. Shanks sat at the front and got the attention of the bartender.

“Who's she?” He asked and the man shrugged as he cleaned a dingy glass.

“Dunno. She blew in a couple of days ago. She pays, so I don't ask questions.”

Shanks huffed and ordered a drink for himself, “And whatever she's been drinking, too.”

Drinks in hand, Shanks stood from the bar and ambled over to the table where the woman sat. He plonked the bottle down and, head tilting to the side, “This seat taken?”

You looked up, blinking rapidly as if coming out of a daze and gave the redhead a smile once you focused on the ale he'd sat beside your empty one. “Is now.”

Shanks grinned and plonked down in the chair opposite you and leaned back and eyed you from under his bangs, “You from about here?”

The woman shakes her head, a mysterious little smirk painting her lips, “Nope. And I can tell that you aren’t either.”

She tilts her head, eyes narrowing in thought before her eyes brighten like a bulb has gone off, “You’re Shanks, right?”

The emperor huffs and gestures to himself, “You caught me.”

He doesn’t expect the woman to go quiet, an almost contemplative look about her as she shifts in her chair. He can’t help but lean in, curious despite himself.

“Maybe you could help me out then?” You murmur and flick your eyes up to meet his own. Shanks is surprised to see the desperation lingering there, hidden behind the self-assurdness that you seem to wear like a second skin. What would a girl like you need help with?

“Alright, I’ll bite. Tell me what’s going on. Don’t let my money go to waste though, doll,” he murmurs and gestures to the untouched ale that he’d brought over. You smile in thanks and take a sip, wetting your mouth as you get ready to spill. You can only hope that the emperor will accept.

With shaking hands you reach up and unbutton the top few notches of your shirt, just enough to expose your left shoulder where the brand still tugs uncomfortably at your skin. Even though you’ve had the brand for years now, you’ll never get used to the sickening way it pulls at your skin. The constant reminder that you were owned.

Shanks sucks in a sharp breath, the brand of a slave staring back at him in before he tears his eyes away and looks back at you, “How’d you escape?”

You grimace and button back up, eyes flinty, “My old master,” you hiss the word in disgust, “Sent me on an errand in Sabaody so I took my chance. That was about a month ago now. They’re stil looking for me.”

“Who got your off the archipelago?” Shanks asks and downs half his tankard of rum in one go. He’s met slaves before while visiting the string of islands, but with Silvers there, Shanks steered clear most of the time unless he happened to drift close. The though that even after all that Fisher Tiger had done, the Celestial Dragons still kidnapped and baught slaves. It disgusted the emperor to have seen that brand on a woman like you.

You shrug and bite your bottom lip. You busy your hands by playing with the ring of condensation that the bottle of ale has left behind, “Didn’t really catch their names. I stowed away the first ship I could find and I’ve been drifting ever since. I just… I can’t go back to that place Shanks. I don’t want them to find me.”

Shanks doesn’t know what makes him reach out, but he takes both your hands in his own, and wow, you were such a small thing weren’t you? He squeezes your palms and gives you a confident grin to hide the rage that threatens to erupt like an active volcano. He may have just met you, but there is a feeling in the pit of his stomach that tells him that he’d met someone special. Someone that could change his life, and he finds himself hardpressed to even think of letting you slip away from him.

“Don’t worry, doll. I won’t ever let that happen,” Shanks swears, and it’s then that a thought crosses his mind. A blush flushes his face and he peers at you, “Maybe you outta tell me your name, though. Or I could just keep calling you doll. Either works for me.”

Your laugh sends a shot of heat straight to his stomach, and your smile could light up the sky, “My name is _, but you can keep calling me Doll if you’d like.”

Shanks meets your grin with one of his own and then stands, carefully pulling you up with him, “Well, doll. How about you come meet my crew?”

Shanks stays close to you for the rest of the evening, introducing you to each one of his crewmates and pointing out what they do aboard the ship. You smile and make conversation, though some of it is stilted and awkward, like you aren’t sure how to talk to someone so casually. You loosen up after a couple more drinks, and find yourself leaning against your new captain, bottom lip stuck between your teeth as you watch the crew’s antics.

“I don’t want to be a burden to you, Shanks. Do you think that you could teach me?”

Your voice is soft, breath featherlight against his skin, and Shanks thinks that he would do anything for you in that moment. Instead, he tips a bottle of rum up to his lips and takes a deep swig before he answers.

“Sure, sweetheart. What do you want to know?’

Your eyes burn with a sort of determination that the emperor doesn’t see often, and it makes anticipation well up in his chest as you lick your lips and look at him.

“Everything, Shanks. I want to know everything.”

He sets the bottle away so that he can give you his full attention. He can feel the air thicken, the winds and sea changing as he dips his head and reaches out to cup your face in his hand. He swipes his thumb along your jaw, then your chin, eyes never leaving your own.

“Then that’s what I’ll do, Doll. I’ll teach you how to live, yeah?”

[timetravellibrarian]

He was intriguing. That was a word you could describe Trafalgar Law as. With his expression hidden behind that hat and his seemingly elaborate plans, there's no question he is.

At first when you had met him in the bustling groves of the Sabaody Archipelago you wouldnt have guessed he would become an ally.

The crew had split up, exploring the place known to be a stop for both pirates and nobles alike. You had ended up exploring the market for something new to wear, this time with your own money instead of borrowed money from Nami that lead to a perilous amount of interest.

Little did you know that you were as famous as your bounty poster suggested, bumping into crews that not only knew your friends but also you too.

First impressions matter, no matter where you are and who you're dealing with and the first thing you said when your gaze fell on him there was certainly a lasting impression.

The dark circles, the goatee, the large hat and especially the jeans.

The Surgeon of Death

"You look like a backalley doctor."

Not only did he look shocked, but also offended. Mainly because his own crew were hiding their guffaws horribly, seeing the vision of what you meant.

This was before everything had gone haywire and crews were forced to claw their way out of the doors of death from which Admiral Kizaru and the Pacifistas had the keys to.

Now sitting on the chair beside Luffy in the hospital room aboard the Polar Tang, having flashes of the war playing through your mind left you unaware of the footsteps approaching. The so called "Surgeon of death" had become part of your usual routine, mainly checking on your wounds and informing you on your captain's condition.

You watched as he checked Luffy's vitals. You never left your friend's side since that day, not trusting anyone. Afterall, he was the only one in the crew who's state of being you were sure of.

"Are you going to keep glaring at me the whole time?" His voice broke through your thoughts as you absentmindedly watched him take out bandages he would use to redress Luffy's wounds

"Hm?"

He rolled up his sleeves, allowing more of those tattoos to be visible as he washed his hands. Your eyes fell on those inked hands that both saved lives as a doctor and the cause of unknown terrors as a pirate.

"You're worried about Strawhat-ya?" He stated, lifting Luffy's body as carefully as he could under your harsh gaze.

"Partly," You began, crossing your arms, " I'm curious. Why?"

Law felt something invisible wrap around his neck as soon as his hands had gone off of your captain. He had heard about one of the strawhats having a mysterious devil fruit. One that didn't need the beholder to even lift a finger.

He smirked, feeling your power pressing harder on his neck and allowing little air to flow through his body,"Why?"

Somehow he kept a somewhat confused expression despite the dire consequences of your actions.

"I'm not playing around, Trafalgar."

"I know you're not."

He had a chance to just throw you and Luffy out into sea. You were both anchors afterall. Turn you in for your bounties. Tortured us for treasure. Cut your organs up for whatever sick operations landed him the title he held.

So many questions in your vigilant mind .

"I felt like it," Law said, not being fully honest but also not lying. His eyes didn't leave your face, gauging out your reaction.

"Sounds like something a backalley doctor would say." You let go of him, watching as he took deep breaths to control the panic that he has hidden behind his calm facade.

"DINNERS READY!" a yell from somewhere aboard the ship had called out.

"Sorry for that." You said, no longer looking at him and instead focusing on your unconscious captain. Your fingers had intertwined with his, feeling his pulse at the wrist with your fingers to remind you that he was still alive, even after all the death and destruction of the war

Law hummed in thought, hands lingering on his neck before letting go of the initial threat to his life." I'll have dinner sent to you."

He walked out of the room to join his crew, leaving you to your thoughts as you guarded Luffy.

Two things were decided. One. You wouldn't leave your captain's side until he would wake up.

Two. Trafalgar Law found you just as intriguing.

[eggrollforyou]

Wait for Me

Zoro x F!reader x Law

Summary: you, a fellow Straw Hat, and the crew are separated at Sabaody. Saved by Law, you have to decide if you’ll accept his help or cut your losses and handle things on your own until your crew reunites.

CW: MDNI, NSFW, Angst, Canon divergent, eventual smut, AFAB reader, use of Y/N, hidden baby trope (kinda? lol), descriptions of violence, blood, and vomit

A/N: Hi again everyone! I had this story pop up into my head and decided I wanted to see where it goes. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed writing it! Once again, I don’t know what I’m doing. This is barely proofread. Reader’s thoughts are in italics

Series masterlist : Next chapter

Chapter One

The sounds of fighting, smell of smoke and blood, and screams fill the air around you. Your chest is tight as you start to break down in a coughing fit. Your body, aching and exhausted. 

It’s hard to tell anything that’s going on around you with your vision blurring and ears ringing. Your lungs burn as you struggle to breathe and climb out from under the rubble in the aftermath of fighting a Pacifista. “EVERYBODY RUN AWAY AND LOOK AFTER YOURSELVES!” you hear Luffy scream somewhere amongst the settling dust. 

Your heart sinks, Where's Zoro?! you think to yourself in a panic. He wouldn't tell you the extent of his pain, but you knew he still wasn't healed from Thriller Bark. Despite your best efforts to get him to just take it easy and heal, he still operated as he wished. Seeing Usopp carrying Zoro off, you felt better. Everyone was trying to retreat. There was no way you could take on an Admiral, Sentomaru, AND Kuma. Especially with Zoro now down.

There was no opportunity for you to worry about him more than any of the other crew members. You had to get out and off this god forsaken archipelago. As Rayleigh continued to save your asses, fighting Kizaru, you used every last drop of adrenaline in your system to run. Your heart pounding in your chest, blood rushing so loud your ears were roaring, your arms and legs burning as they expend what little energy you can muster. And suddenly, you stop, watching in terror as Kuma touches Zoro, and he disappears. 

Bile rises up in your throat as your face turns hot. Your eyes burn as they well up with tears. You hear Luffy yelling at Kuma. Where is he?! What did he do to him? One by one, you watch in horror as each of your crew mates disappear. “Run! Please, run!” Luffy yells at you, his eyes wide with fear, urgency, and anger.

Having been thrown to the side when Chopper used his rumble ball, you turn on your heel and run. Hot tears streaking your face. We'll be back…. we're meeting back here right?! Your body is moving faster than your mind could process. You are just running, you have to stay safe and alive if you were going to help the rest of the crew, wherever they were. You hear a crash beside you, parts of a building crumbling and your vision goes black.

You feel your skin heating up from sunshine pouring in from the porthole next to you before you open your eyes. Your body feels so heavy and your head is pounding. You feel as if you’ve been run over. You stir, trying to bring your hands up to rub the sleep from your eyes, but something stops you. You feel a presence and as if he knew you sensed him, he speaks. “You shouldn’t move too much. You’re safe now, but you were very badly injured. You really should be more careful, considering your condition.”

You recognize that voice, deep with a tinge of condescension. You open your eyes, Shit….how’d I end up here? This is a rival crew…how can I really be safe? “Trafalgar Law, right?” you question. Law sees your distrust, “You’re a Straw Hat, right? We found you, halfway buried in rubble. You really should take it easy. I did what I could, but you have a couple broken ribs. Had to stitch you up in places, but you should heal fine as long as you listen to Doctor’s orders,” his stare bores into you, as if he’s trying to figure you out as well.

“W-why did you help me? We’re rival crews, you had no obligation to do anything.” What the hell did he mean considering my condition?!

“I”m not going to lie, if it were up to me, I would’ve left you, but it appears my crew aren’t as heartless as I am. My first mate insisted,” he shrugs. What an ass…and suddenly, you remember everything. You spring up, far too quickly, and nearly crumble as a result. “Tch! I told you to fucking take it easy!” Law reprimands as he helps you sit up without passing out. “Where is my crew?! Where am I? How long have I been out?!” Your breathing is clipped, panic settles in your chest as you try not to hyperventilate, least of all in front of a rival. Did I miss everyone? Are they ok? Did they make it back?

“Hey, hey….you’re Y/N, right?” Law’s voice immediately is softer, trying to calm you down. He reaches his hand out to your shoulder to help ground you. Your eyes dart to him, he falters for a moment. He sees the sheer panic on your face. “Yea….Y/N….i-it’s Y/N.”

“Y/N, I need you to take a deep breath. I’ll answer all your questions, but you really should listen when I tell you, you need to take it easy. It’s not just you, you’re worrying about anymore, remember that.”

“What the hell do you mean, it’s not just me?!” His face goes blank. “D-do you not know?” 

“Know what?! Out with it, what the fuck are you talking about, Law?”

He runs his hand down his face in utter disbelief, “You’re…pregnant.”

“Pregnant?!” you pause, “What the fuck do you mean, I’m pregnant?!” you stare at Law in disbelief. He pinches the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut with a deep sigh. “I said what I said. During my scans when triaging your injuries….y-you’re pregnant, ok? It’s early, you’re probably 7 or 8 weeks along if you didn’t figure it out on your own.” He pauses, watching you as you lean back, trying to process this news. Your thoughts are running a mile a minute.

 There’s no way I can be pregnant, right? I mean….when was my last cycle? It begins to dawn on you that there’s a bigger chance that he’s right. Your hand goes down to your belly and suddenly you feel sick. You lurch forward and throw up over the edge of the bed onto the floor. 

“Tch! Hey! Give me some warning!” Law yells as he grabs a trash can, popping it onto the side of the bed next to you. He walks to the door, rubbing his hand on the back of his neck, “I’ll be right back, don’t make any more messes, ok? I’m going to grab a mop. STAY HERE,” he points at you as he closes the door behind him. Your chest begins to flush and you feel lightheaded as you feel like you’re overheating. 

In the matter of a few days, you think, you’ve lost everyone close to you. You have no idea where your crewmates are, if they’re even alive. You’re supposed to meet back up at Sabaody but you don’t know where you are or how long you’ve been gone, and now you’re supposed to just accept the fact that you’re also pregnant!? 

Warm tears begin to build in your eyes as the gravity of everything hits you. “Z-zoro,” you whisper as you begin to sob. He HAS to be okay…he has to be. He can’t leave me alone like this. I can’t do this without him….without my crew. You lie down on your side and curl into yourself. Trying to disappear.

You don’t hear Law return between your cries. He freezes as he walks in as he sees you crying, unsure what to do. He awkwardly clears his throat, startling you. You sniffle and work quickly to clean your face as best you could, not wanting Law to see you like this. You close your eyes and try to will yourself to return to Sabaody.

He didn’t say anything as he cleaned up your sick. You both sat in silence as you tried to hold back the sobs threatening to spill from your throat as you felt your heart wrenching. He placed the mop back into the bucket of water. He felt bad, helpless. He didn’t know what to say as he saw your body shaking from trying to withhold your tears. He cleared his throat, “U-um…I’m gonna go. I should let you rest. I’ll, uh, be in the office down the hall if you need anything.” You didn’t respond knowing if you tried to thank him, it wouldn’t be words coming from your throat.

Instead, you spent the rest of the evening contemplating what you were going to do next as the stray tears rolled down your face, until you had no more left to cry.

Next Chapter

Phew! This has been sitting in my drafts for ages now. I want to keep writing it but I haven't had a chance to work on the rest so I think posting it will force me to carve some time. This semester will be the death of me, just in time to graduate right?! 😭 I hope you enjoyed this first chapter! I have the ending originally intended for this story, BUT I will include an alternate ending.

Did you like this? I'm flattered! Wanna read more? Here's my Masterlist!

Tags: @shy-writer-999 @dreamcastgirl99

MDNI divider by @cafekitsune

Heart dividers by @saradika-graphics

[wolfy1298]

Don’t you ever wonder what kind of secrets and plot points Venti keeps hidden? He claims to be the weakest amongst the Seven-and that could be true given his whole 500 year slumber and poison and all- but he’s still a god. AND one of the original Seven. You gotta be good at SOMETHING to survive for this long…

He’s also the only archon so far that doesn’t have a second story quest so what is he hiding?! We have accounts of him literally shaping the land with ease from both the Golden Apple Archipelago events and his character stories. We know that he has close relationships with the Hexenzirkel and somehow managed to avoid conflict with them??? And there’s also the fact from the skyward sword series that he was originally a catalyst user before picking up the bow in honor of Amos. He’s pulling a Childe when it comes to weapons he currently uses and the ones he’s proficient in.

And don’t even get me started on his connection with Istharoth and Celestia! Mondstadt already has the Thousands Winds Temple AND the nameless island where both Venti and Istharoth were once worshipped. And from Before Sun and Moon, we know that the Thousand Winds (which Venti IS A PART OF) were once called the Thousand Winds of TIME, all of whom were created and controlled by Istharoth. AND THEN you have Venti suspiciously appearing in the right place at the right time again and again and again. He even self proclaimed knowing every song: past, present, and future. Hell he’s probably one of the only few beings in Teyvat who can naturally bypass Irminsul because of his songs: Nahida already shown it’s possible to save deleted info if rearranged into fiction so the same should work for songs and poetry. And there’s also what the hydro fungus in Nahida’s second story quest said about changing forms. That you need time for growth to occur. And Nahida - an ARCHON- had trouble maintaining her fungus form for even the short period of time. She was even told that to do so for longer, one would need to bypass time itself which is near impossible. AND YET VENTI CHANGED INTO THE FORM OF HIS FRIEND IMMEDIATELY AFTER RECEIVING HIS GNOSIS AND HAS YET TO CHANGE BACK OR TIRE FROM FATIGUE (as we know it). HOW STRONG IS HE. Sure, the yokai in Inazuma and Adepti in Liyue can all change into a human form, but we know in game that it takes a long time and steady energy to take on a human shape, and the Adepti all seem to have that ability naturally: there’s no bending the laws of nature if it’s already natural to them. So what’s Venti’s excuse?!

As for Celestia: there’s already written in the statue of Barbatos “the gateway to Celestia” and what not. And Khanreia! In the chasm AND in the Caribert quest, Barbatos and Mondstadt keep getting named dropped. According to Dainself, the city in the chasm is supposedly OLDER than Khanreia and possibly the Seven, yet BARBATOS of all beings is mentioned in the records you find??? And in Caribert, it’s a Mondstadtian woman who that one bloke had a child with. Never mind that Mondstadt is where Kaeya and Albedo - the two characters with confirmed Khanreian origins- end up! There’s also the fact that Khanreia seems to base its gods and names and whatever around Norse mythology….which has strong ties to GERMANIC HISTORY. WHICH MONDSTADT IS BASED OFF OF. And Enkanomiya, which was once ruled by Istaroth, is Greek origin. Suspicious considering all the connections to HERMES Venti keeps portraying. (And then there’s also a connection to all three places with the hexenzerkel with their Chinese names? Like I think I read somewhere that Alice is Aries(?)/Eris(?) and Nicole is actually Nike in the Chinese version? Which are very much based in Roman/Greek origins)

Oh and something I forgot to mention earlier with the whole Istharoth connection. Mondstadt’s saying “seeds of stories, brought by the wind, and cultivated through time”. SUSPICIOUS

Anyways, this has been my nonsensical Venti theory rant

And you’re stuck with me @worldsokayestmagicalgirl

[undiscovered-horizon]

[Although you reciprocate Sanji's affection, you're not quite ready to let yourself be vulnerable with someone. Love, however, is patient - and Sanji is nothing if not loving.]

Enjoying my work? You can leave me a tip on Ko-Fi | Have a request?

Ningyo Archipelago earned its name from a rather tragic local legend: about a boy who fell in love with a mermaid, ningyo, but he was deathly afraid of the water. He stood on the shore, making a small step towards the sea each day. And the mermaid patiently waited for him, promising that he had nothing to be afraid of because she was looking out for him. Now, depending on who you ask, some of the villagers claim that the mermaid is still waiting for her lover while others are convinced they have already united. You're not quite sure which version you prefer.

At first, the myth seemed a bit cliche to you - undying, unconditional, selfless love. It belongs in a fairytale, along with leprechauns and a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. After all, no reasonable human is deluded enough to throw away their life for a love that may be. If Hell is paved with good intentions, then empty promises decorate its gates.

But your dismissal of the local legend quickly dissipates as guilt and longing tighten your chest:

Sanji.

You tried to keep him out at first, out of mercy for your own patchwork heart. Told yourself that each of his sweet words and skilfully crafted compliments were a consequence of his persona and not intimate feelings. But no matter how warily you guarded your heart, he still managed to find a way in. Some juvenile, innocent part of you wanted to welcome his affection with open arms, scream at the top of your lungs that you yearn for him in equal measure as he longs for you. However, the other aspect of you, the one that remembers the horrors you've seen and still feels the dread lingering under your skin after... well, everything - that part begs you to keep your feelings at bay or get a grip on yourself and quit this nonsense. What if you open up to Sanji and he finds you gruesome? Will he see your torn heart only to think its baggage too heavy? Or if... the history repeats itself.

No. Never. You can't let it happen again.

But then, you also can't live like this, hidden within yourself forever. You don't want to. Time goes on, yet you're stuck in place.

This fight with your own mind and soul has brought you to this quiet evening by the campfire. Archipelago's natives are most hospitable people, rejoicing at the handful of guests that have come to their shores. A night filled with delicacies, local moonshine, dances you knew no steps of. It all made for a heartfelt, happy celebration. Hours went by, soon energy dissipated and intoxication kicked in. One by one, both your friends and the natives fell asleep.

The last people standing are, as if fortune smiled down on the island, Sanji and you. He's sitting on the ground, back leaning against a log as he stares at the fire, thinking about something. Once in a while, he takes a sip of his drink. The light of untamted, yellow flames waltz across his face. Staring at him from afar, you wonder whether his hair would smell of campfire smoke if you snuggled to his side. Would the colour of his eyes turn closer to indigo in the darkness of the night?

You shake your head slightly. If you want to finally have this much-belated conversation with him, you need to think straight. You can fantasize about Sanji after he gives you a positive answer.

A playful smile enters Sanji's face when he notices you approaching. "Am I drunk or is that really an angel coming my way?" Despite the amount of alcohol he's consumed, he doesn't slur his words.

"More of a Devil's consort," you answer as you sit down next to him on the ground. Thankfully, your half-serious comment covers well your tension.

It's almost self-sabotage on your part that you sat a mere inch away from him. Something about his presence scrambles your thoughts, turning carefully prepared monologue into disjointed daydreams about the man next to you.

"You can lead me astray if you want," Sanji retorts in a low voice. If only he knew how much you'd love to.

Your breath hitches in your throat as your chest tightens further. Some primal fear residing in your bones tells you to run away, to discard the love you think you're feeling and stay in your safe, alienated shell. So what if he may be the best thing that has ever happened to you if this heartache he's bound to leave will surely be the final nail in your coffin.

"Right, about leading you..." you begin in a trembling voice.

The fear makes it hard to breathe, which doesn't escape Sanji's attention.

"What's going on, sweetheart?" he asks in a soft, concerned voice as his hand gently lays on top of yours.

You clench your other hand into a fist. The only way out of this situation is through and you're not sure if your both brave and strong enough to make the journey. Your fingernails will surely leave marks on the soft skin on the inside of you palm.

"I'm not oblivious to your advances, Sanji," you finally blurt out. The bluntness of your tone is a little too harsh than you wanted. "You're quite up-front about your feelings. And I..." you hang your voice. The words simply refuse to come out of your mouth as though a witch had put a curse on you.

"No, I get it," he nods along. Sanji's expression falls like he's about to crumble. He clenches his jaw before forcefully making himself continue in a sombre tone. "You don't like me in the same way. It's fine, really. I might die of a broken heart first but I'll be fine."

Dear Gods above and below, this is going way worse than your "What can go wrong?" scenario.

"It's not that, Sanji!" you exclaim suddenly. Equally quick you mumble an apology upon seeing Sanji's startled expression. Then, he furrows his eyebrows further, growing even more worried about you. The adoration and pain in his eyes break something in you. It's as if your consciousness has taken a step back and allowed a flood of words to spill out of your mouth. "I wish I could find the words to express how much you mean to me. That you're the only thing on my mind, day and night. But I've been through shit you don't even know about and I just... I think I need some time before we can act on our feelings."

We.

What a nice word. To be part of a union with another; to belong to someone. To never truly be alone.

The worry disappears from his beautiful, blue eyes. In turn, their expression becomes softer than you've ever seen. Sanji moves the hand that lay on top of yours to intertwine your fingers.

"I'll wait for you," he says casually, as though it's the most obvious thing in the world.

Although you did consider this as a possible outcome, you never actually believed he'd say that. You weren't prepared for someone to be selfless towards you. It's never happened before.

"You don't have to," you try to dismiss him. Everything will be easier, but not better, if he changes his mind. "The world is filled with amazing people, I'm sure there's someone else who will love you better."

"I've already found the one I had been looking for, sweetheart," he answers slowly. Sanji brings your hand up to his lips and places a fleeting, chaste kiss on your skin. The softness of it all makes you want to cry and claw your own heart out. Why does it feel so good and so frightening at the same time?

"I don't know how long it will take me to get comfortable and open up." Your throat is too tight to speak comfortably. Tears pool in your eyes. "To be vulnerable with you."

"I will wait for you for an eternity if I have to. Whatever you need, just ask, little love."

Why does he have to love you beyond reason? Why is it so easy for him to break down your walls?

"I'm not sure I'm worth all this trouble," you whisper your confession into the silence of the night.

"Don't ever think you're a burden," he reprimands you. "You deserve only the best and I will be the happiest man alive if you let me be the one to provide. I love you more than you can imagine. I want to spend the rest of my life proving it to you."

Having no strength to hold back, you burst into tears. Is it the relief that he's willing to put up with your fears? Or maybe the happiness that he still chooses to love you? It's hard to say. Your vision is blurry as tears roll down your cheeks. No matter how much you try to control yourself, you can't.

Sanji gently wipes away your tears. His gesture is almost fearful as though the worst thing he could do is force his affection too fast for your comfort. What if he hurts you? In Sanji's mind, there's no greater sin he could commit.

"Can I hold you?" he whispers his question.

"Yes, please," you manage to babble between sniffles.

He puts his hand under your knees and effortlessly places you across his lap. Sanji's arms wrap tightly around your quivering body. His hold feels like a sanctuary.

"Thank you for telling me," he says quietly against your hair. "It was very brave of you."

You don't answer, only further nuzzling into his shoulder. Huh... He does smell of campfire smoke.

[tadc-harlequin-au]

I’ve been having this question for a while now and I suppose it’s not the most important but I can’t get it out of my head- is the world like earth? Were there areas/continents more impoverished say than the main area that everything is taking place in- areas that don’t have as much technology I mean, maybe not even puppets. Knowing humanity I wouldn’t put it past that there were villages and uncontacted tribes out there- before the fall I mean and all humanity got wiped out. Ig what I’m trying to get at is if the world just became a giant monoculture or if there was still different collections of people doing things they’re own way. (Sorr if this is a really weird thing to ask)

No no, you're fine. Funny enough, a while back, I was thinking about some rough drafts of literal worldbuilding for the harlequin au, and while this absolutely isn't final (it's TOO small), it does help me establish some rules for what I want this world to be.

It is a giant monoculture-esque/ethnocentric setting, yeah.

The world is NOT Earth. There are similarities yes, but it is significantly smaller than regular earth.

Some areas, lands, or archipelagos are even uninhabitable due to mostly environmental and a strangely paranormal(?) reasoning. Any attempts to expand beyond results in monumental losses whether resourcefully, financially, or just straight up casualties/no one returning ever. They don't have the necessary technology to be able to actually overcome this hurdle, so they cut their losses for now (that was the plan before everyone died that is lol).

That doesn't mean they don't try to harvest whatever resource they can that's in reach. Because they totally would.

The world would be fashioned like a giant cog; leaders say the cog symbolizes unity amongst the cities, and also marks the steady progress of everyone towards "The Future", as a cog helps keep a machine running. Very ironic, considering what state this world is in today.

Yes, I made City of Gears canon from Scarlet's story, I will not hear any objections /lh

The cities are HUMONGOUS. There are a total of 7 Megacities, all connected via giant bridges.

There are large docks for expeditions ALL over the edges of the cog. Planes are very, VERY less popular to use as mode of transport.

But you know what is popular? SKYBRIDGESSSSSSSSSSS BABYYYY

What's a skybridge? Think of "the floating train" + Skylines from Bioshock: Infinite's concepts, but it also spans THE ENTIRE WORLD.

Now, obviously you can smell that a well-hidden dystopian world like this has a lot of systemic corruption in place such as absolutist thinking, stereotyping, outdated societal "norms" and intense class oppression to name a few. I will not be delving incredibly deep into how shitty the old world was for three reasons:

For the sake of my sanity;

Out of respect because I'm severely uninformed and do not actually have the biggest brain nor all the time in the world to research; and

This old world is already gone anyways. There is no need to pick it apart piece by piece in incredible detail, because that's not the main focus of the story anyways. The main focus is how would everyone conform into their new lives, essentially a new beginning for everything?

As such, anything story-related will only be implied through the main cast. Besides, I'm clearly not the only one who's got a lot of ideas for this au, so as long as it's within the realm of possibility, I encourage people to worldbuild if they have ocs for this au, as well as if they so desire. Whether simply implied or directly referenced, go ahead. :)

P.S. some things may be added in the future.

[watchnrant]

Is Violet a Descendant of the Brother Who Wielded the Sky? And What Does That Mean for Tairn, Andarna, and the Irid Dragons?

SPOILER WARNING

Alright, let’s break this down. We’ve known since Fourth Wing that Violet’s abilities—her instinctive, overwhelming connection to storm magic—aren’t just strong. They’re different. By the time Iron Flame rolled around, it became undeniable: Violet isn’t just powerful; she’s tied to something much older than we understand.

So, let’s revisit the Fables of the Barren. Specifically, the brother who wielded the sky. If Violet’s power stems from an ancient bloodline, could she be his direct descendant? And if so, what does that mean for her dragons?

Because, let’s be real—Tairn and Andarna aren’t normal either.

Tairn’s Connection to the Past

If Violet is connected to the sky-wielding brother, then what about Tairn? We already suspect that dragons carry their own lineages, much like riders. If Tairn is part of the same bloodline as the dragon who originally bonded to the sky-wielding brother, then his and Violet’s bond isn’t just powerful—it’s fated. A rekindling of an ancient connection that’s been buried for centuries.

But that still doesn’t explain Andarna.

The Truth About Andarna’s Origins

For two books, Andarna’s 650-year-old egg was a mystery. Why was she left behind? Why did she choose Violet? And why does her fire burn venin—something no other dragon has done?

Then, in Onyx Storm, we finally got answers.

Andarna isn’t just rare. She’s irid—one of the mysterious, long-lost seventh breed of dragons. But more than that, she was deliberately left behind.

When Violet and her squad track down the missing breed, they quickly realize the irid dragons weren’t lost. They were hiding. They had been following the squad undetected, using their natural camouflaging abilities until they chose to reveal themselves to Violet, Andarna, Tairn, and Ridoc (and his dragon, Aotrom).

That’s when the irids confirm what Andarna has always suspected—she is one of them.

Leothan, an irid dragon, even shares the same markings as Andarna, proving they are from the same den—they are family. But there’s a difference.

Andarna isn’t a feathertail like the rest of them. She’s a scorpiontail.

And that seemingly small detail? Turns out, it’s everything.

Irid Dragons: What Makes Them Different?

The irid dragons are unlike any other breed in Navarre.

They can camouflage—changing their colors or turning completely invisible.

They don’t use magic—they are magic.

They bend, shape, and break magic at will

That last part is huge.

When Andarna burned a venin to ash, she didn’t just breathe fire—she reshaped magic itself in that moment. That’s why no other dragon has been able to do the same.

Leothan explains this to Andarna:

“You are irid. You are magic. Bend it, shape it, break it as you see fit.”

Meaning Andarna didn’t even realize what she was doing. She instinctively rewrote the rules of magic to suit her needs.

And that makes her—and by extension, Violet—incredibly dangerous.

But here’s the problem: The other irids want nothing to do with the rest of dragonkind.

Why Did the Irids Leave Navarre?

Unlike Empyrean dragons, who fight to protect their own, irid dragons see war as beneath them. They withdrew from Navarre and hid away in a remote southern archipelago—so well hidden that their islands aren’t even on maps.

And there are hundreds of them.

They’ve thrived by avoiding battle, choosing instead to live in isolation, believing themselves to be the only “evolved” breed of dragon.

To them, the endless war between humans, venin, and dragons is proof that the other breeds are primitive, violent, and doomed.

Which brings us to Andarna.

Why Did the Irids Abandon Andarna?

When the irids finally meet Andarna, one of them calls her “the criterion.”

A criterion is a standard for judgment—which is exactly what Andarna was meant to be.

The irids left Andarna behind on purpose.

They wanted to see if she would grow up in human society and prove that humans were capable of peace. If she had returned to them as a reflection of wisdom and restraint, they would have taken it as evidence that humans had evolved.

Instead?

Andarna became a weapon.

She bonded with a human.

She fought in battle.

She killed.

Even her tail was weaponized.

To the irids, this meant humans had not changed at all.

And so, they rejected Andarna.

“You have weaponized your magic, even your tail. You’ve become the very thing we abhor, the horror we fled from.”

They saw her as corrupted, defective, and unworthy of learning their ways.

Why Did Leothan Change His Mind?

At first, the irids abandoned Andarna completely. But later, Leothan returned—breaking ranks—to help fire the wardstone at Tyrrendor and to train Andarna.

Why?

Was an exception made for her? Did he defy the other irids? Or is there something bigger at play?

What we do know is that the irids are not done. Their magic is capable of reshaping reality itself. And their decision to step away from the world may no longer be an option.

So What Does This All Mean?

Violet is likely a descendant of the brother who wielded the sky, which explains her raw, instinctive power.

Tairn may be tied to that same ancient bond, making their connection fated rather than random.

Andarna’s breed doesn’t just use magic—they are magic.

Andarna’s fire burned a venin because she reshaped magic to do so—something no other dragon has done.

The irids left Andarna behind to judge humanity—and they believe we failed.

Leothan’s choice to return raises huge questions about what’s coming next.

With everything we now know about the irids, Violet’s lineage, and the growing threat of the venin, one thing is certain:

This war is bigger than Navarre. It’s bigger than the riders. It’s bigger than dragons.

The irids can change everything—but whether they will remains to be seen.

So… what do we think? Did Leothan break rank? Will Andarna ever be accepted? And how much further can Violet push her magic before she reshapes more than just lightning?

[elbiotipo]

Hello, I have an odd world building question. I was thinking about how islands are stereotyped as tropical. And I know most of that is due to influence of the pulps and other early mass fiction focusing on either carribean pirate romanticism or south seas orientalism for their island settings. But then I was thinking, the major island groupings on earth are either tropical or subtropical. Is that just luck of the draw or is there some quirk of geology or volcanism or whatever that means vast island chains tend to be closer to equators?

Actually, there are a bunch of island chains in polar regions!

The Esquivel (Georgias) and San Pedro (Sandwich) islands (recently renamed by the Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego):

The Aleutians:

And while more temperate, the arc of the Japanese islands, the Kurils and Sakhalin.

Island chains usually form in the borders of tectonic plates out of volcanic activity made by subduction. Do note, for example that the Aleutians have submerged chains of islands next to them, probably a consequence of the complex geological processes of the Pacific. It seems that many of the strange formations on the North Pacific are the result of an ancient continent-like landmass that has now sunk by subduction into the Japanese and Aleutian trenches, leaving only those island chains and volcanic lands as remnants.

In fact, there are many island chains and small continent-like lands that are submerged. Most of the land you see in red on this map could be dry land if it the ocean was just a few meters less deep (and indeed, probably was during the ice ages)

As you can see, there's plenty of islands and even small continental landmasses (like Zealandia/Te Riu-a-Māui) hidden under the ocean.

In any case to return to your question, no, there isn't any correlation I know of about island chains or archipelagos being near the equator. Most of them form in the borders of tectonic plates, especially under subduction zones. The Pacific is more complex, though.

There's also the Arctic Archipelago in northern Canada, that seems to be the breaking up of the very, very hard rock of the ancient Canadian Shield by powerful glaciers and tectonics. An immovable object against many unstoppable forces, so to say. And there's also a lot of archipelagos made by glaciers in for example, southern Chile and Norway.