#moonshadow culture

[argonblue]

reblogging because there is SO MUCH LORE in here and I live for reading tiny flavor text.

Thank you OP for giving me moonfam fanart ammunition

Here are all the Keepsakes and Accessories from the Moonshadow Forest region of The Dragon Prince: Xadia mobile game (recently removed by Netflix). #TheDragonPrince #playXadia

[firefly-suite]

hi and welcome to tdp callbacks that would actually send me

"if i am the king then you have to let me go"

"i'm corvus, i was specifically requested"

"i don't believe in locks"

"haha nice one callum, he deserves it"

"lady justice came to me in a dream"

"don't get yourself killed."

"strength isn't always about weapons"

"shhh, nobody likes a noisy mage"

"tell me she wasn't your world"

"you're just like your grandmother"

"she’s not my friend, she is my prisoner"

"rickety snickers"

"wasn’t the horse~"

"i am a storm dragon. i certainly hope it's working."

"in the name of love, you may perform acts so unforgivable… you will never forgive yourself."

"we could travel the countryside and try the seven cakes of xadia!"

"i am prepared to do anything to protect the king. anything. i hope you will understand"

"i guess it wouldn't be the first time i accidentally on purpose ruined a super rare magical artifact."

"don't do this. i will kill you" "probably"

"anyone know any adventuring songs?"

"we can find more practical uses for this one"

"well, i think about it like this, why see myself as chained down, when i can be chained up?" "i admire your tenacity"

"just the three of us"

"watch, he'll come back reciting an epic poem about his adventuring. he's probably late because he's stuck thinking of a rhyme for 'legendary heroics.'"

"the world just isn't ready for what we have. "

"i have been doing research!" "yes, i can see that"

"i do not understand girls"

"i thought you disapproved" "i disagree. but i stand by you anyway"

"you know what? in a few years, when you’re older, buddy, we’ll sit down and have a heart-to-heart talk about sandwiches."

"i would rather die a king, than live as a coward."

"edge-frazzled"

"soren is a doof but he's my doof!"

"it doesn't matter what happens to me. live or die, this dragon goes home."

"the kingdom of duren has been suffering from a terrible famine for nearly seven years. "

"you big dumb human."

"even if you were wearing the rarest legendary armor, forged by sunfire elves... super dead."

"fool me once, shame on you. fool me twice, shame on me. fool me three times, back to you again." "that's not how it goes." "shame on you."

[imminent-danger-came]

So, it's like this right. Callum would do anything for Rayla. And in Rayla's case, the one thing she refuses to sacrifice is Callum. Where is too far for those two. Or more aptly, how far past "too far" are they willing to go for each other. "I always knew you'd go far—but I didn't know how far you'd go to get there."

[0multifandomweirdo0]

I'm not sure if Rayla will ever feel like part of her family again after she gets her parents and Runaan out of the coins. She still loves them, but it was also a long time. She has been through a series of traumas and carries the consequences with her. Her parents are still the ones who abandoned her when she was little. Runaan basically disowned her in a way the moment she chose the option of peace over the mission. And Ethari? He ghosted her even though she was all he had left.

She was alone for so long.

Yeah, her family will never feel the same

[axolotlinabottle]

Listen I'm rewatching the Dragon Prince/the Mystery of Aaravos to prepare myself mentally to watch season 5 but like... can we please talk about the Moonshadow elves just assuming that people just abandon their posts/their jobs?? Cause they did that with Rayla's parents and then again with Rayla. Like ??? hello? what the hell? why are you assuming abandonment instead of any other possible outcome? I know that there are cultural differences and such but based on what we see from other elves, they don't tend to abandon their own kind unless forced too. And if the Moonshadow village knew Rayla since she was little wouldn't they have known she would never abandon the man that took her in after her parents died? I don't know. I want to know more about why they just assume abandonment when there are obviously other outcomes to be considered.

[winterstorm032802]

PEOPLE HATING ON RAYLA FOR LEAVING!

Analysis so bad you don't even know what it's talking about anymore.

[hiccupshypotheticalleftsock]

thinking about how runaan will try his best to assume a sweet supportive father role to rayla on their roadtrip and how he will struggle to get over his conflicting feelings towards humans, specifically callum (because he killed his father) adding the extra complex layer of him being rayla's soulmate. and moonshadow elf culture seems to care a lot about soulmates and true love. ooooo i cannot wait

[throneofrayllum]

I wish we could've seen what Rayllum living with Ruthari had been like...so, here's some headcannon's about what they got up to during those two weeks:

Runaan wanted Callum on the couch. Rayla told him it didn't matter because "Callum and I have already slept together! What's the difference?!" to which Runaan responds, ""The difference is that it's under my roof!" Callum's dying inside during the whole conversation. When Runaan and Ethari wake to Rayla curled up on the couch with Callum, Runaan lets it go and allows Callum to sleep in Rayla's bedroom.

The first few days of Rayla being back in the Silvergrove, some of the elves give her dirty looks or y'know talk behind her back VERY LOUDLY. Callum will not have any of it. When people glare, he glares back. When people talk shit, he shuts it down. Rayla tells him he doesn't have to, that she can handle herself. Callum knows she can, but she's his partner, he wants to protect her.

Rayla cries when she sees her room. It's exactly as she left it. Ethari tells her he didn't have the heart to tidy the room up. He tells her and Runaan how he would lay down on her bed with her stuffed animal when he missed her most.

Runaan and Ethari kick Rayllum out a lot. I mean, what do you expect? They've been separated for so long, they need to make up for lost time.

The Silvergrove throws a party in honor of Runaan's return. Callum becomes accustom to Moonshadow culture. Rayla is so excited for Callum to learn about Moonshadow dancing. Ethari and Rayla have a couple father/daughter dances (dancing was always their thing when she was little). Rayla feels like a little girl again with her father spinning her around.

At the party, Callum finds that he likes Moonshadow wine much more than Katolian wine. He also gets to see what a drunk Rayla is like (she's adorable), and deal with a hungover Rayla the next day.

[halyasgirl]

This is just my personal reading, but I think Ethari is a very interesting, and morally greyer, character than he's generally perceived as.

He's kinder than his husband, gentler, more open-minded; and he holds the exact same values that led Runaan to try and murder a child.

He knows what Runaan does is evil. He knows it takes a toll on him, on their marriage. But he believes it is necessary evil, and comforts Runaan with that when his husband shows the slightest flicker of self-awareness some doubts.

Runaan and Ethari once again manage to demonstrate they are deeply, movingly in love, while simultaneously revealing some pretty questionable cultural values. This isn't a knee-jerk “stand by your man,” either. It's not an accident they're so well-matched despite their different personalities; Ethari believes in this just as much as Runaan.

He made Runaan beautiful, deadly weapons Runaan used to kill other people. He Ghosted 3/4 of his family. He told his 15-year-old daughter her father's blood was on her hands, which f*cked her up at least as much as the Ghosting.

However, I don’t want to judge him too harshly. I’d only be so rational days after living with the knowledge that my husband was likely tortured to death, and I think this is just as much an indictment of Moonshadow society as it is of Ethari personally. I think he deeply regrets wronging his family, and I think he’ll be among the first of the Moonshadows to denounce Ghosting, publicly, to make amends for the times he did not. I think he’ll be among the first to realize the damage they have done, and urge them to make it right.

Ethari is kind and sweet and gentle. But his society is not, and does not encourage this, especially in dark times.

[stuck-in-jelly]

Maybe I’m late to the party but the way The Art Of The Dragon Prince book describes the Sun and Moon as sisters is really cool especially when coupled with this art from Tales of Xadia book

But looking at them I’m surprised I hadn’t seen the similarities sooner.

Sunfire Elves are proud bold warriors, a lot of their culture revolves around hero’s and leaders. Not only that but they known are artisans and metalworkers who craft in gold. The heart of their city was literally known as The Sun Forge and their cities were intricate focusing on architecture.

Moonshadow Elves are discreet noble fighters/assassins, a lot of their culture revolves around honor in sacrifice and protection. They are also metalworkers who craft in silver, known for their weapon craft and beautiful jewelry. But their homes are equally discreet, being hidden from outsiders entirely.

They both value integrity and pride above all else and view themselves as guardians of some kind. Fighters in spirit, and ready to answer the call to protect Xadia.

Thinking about this also reminded me of two pairs of sisters accompanied with this quote.

“Unlike her sister, the shifting, unknowable Moon, the Sun is forthright, radiant, and immutable.

Edit:

I also wonder how close the Moonshadow and Sunfire elves used to be before the rule of Queen Aditi. We see that the Moonshadow elves helped directly with the banishment of humanity but then immediately afterwards were ordered and forced by Queen Aditi to destroy their most sacred place.

[beautifulterriblequeen]

Forage Feast: crime edition

Rayla, Runaan, and Ethari headed out to forage in the Moonshadow Forest to celebrate with a special meal. They came back with all this food.

Extremely curious how you forage for a cheese wheel. Where does one gather a baguette in the Moonshadow Forest? Or a whole stack of pancakes plus fixins? The bread boule in the center?

Immediate headcanon: "forage" is Moonshadow for petty banditry as much as it means "picking fruit and etc." If it ain't nailed down, it's free real estate! Rayla and her dads just waylaid some travelers with lax security, played a couple tricks on them, and made off with a couple of food items per encounter, until they had enough food to carry home and celebrate Callum joining them.

This would be an amazing Moonshadow cultural tradition. The family that absconds together, bonds together!

[raayllum]

Moon Arcanum Callum + Sun Arcanum Claudia in S7?

Callum getting the Moon arcanum has been a fandom... not theory, but shall we say, prospect, since even before S4. Some of this was because of the seeming set up in previous seasons, such as:

Callum having a hunch that the cube wasn't glowing due to the Moon, and being our first hint at illusions on the Cursed Caldera (1x09)

Lujanne explaining the secret of the arcanum (as she understands it) to him in 2x02

Callum doing moon arcanum spells (3x08, Through the Moon) much the way he did Sky spells before unlocking that arcanum

Callum employing aspects of the Moon arcanum in his plans (3x01 with tricking Sol Regem, creating the illusion pearl in 6x01)

His growing relationship and understanding with Rayla, and potential involvement with her family/village

But especially:

This is of course already reflected in spades in his arc as a mage. Everyone, Lujanne included, believes that humans can't do magic. She treats this as absolute fact and destiny, but Callum perceives it as subjective truth; why can't he just make his own connection and do magic anyway? And in doing so, he changes the world. He creates a radically new, better reality.

With season seven's synopsis on sacrifice and life and death, both things we see tied heavily to Moonshadow culture and the Moon itself, I could see Callum connecting to the Moon arcanum next season for a few reasons (and potentially Claudia with the Sun arcanum, which I'll get to after). So let's get into it.

Precursor

Previously, if Callum was going to connect to the Moon arcanum, I'd speculated it'd mostly be around ideas of the consistency of Love (light or dark, the moon is always the moon) and his love for Rayla being his light in the darkness / the one constant truth of his life. I don't think this anymore, obviously, because we got all those things through the Star truth light ritual beat for beat and we're not going to be repeating, but I did think it'd be worthwhile then to revisit what a Moon arcanum could mean for Callum under new context / emotional epiphanies. I've also always thought either Earth or Sun would suit Claudia, but leaned more towards the latter, so we're gonna talk about that, too.

Truth and Lies and Aaravos

As Lujanne explains in 2x02, the Moon arcanum is understanding the true nature of the relationship between appearances and reality, and we can only understand the appearance itself. This feels like a very fitting idea to come back to with Aaravos, who ostensibly never lies but routinely withholds or presents not entirely correct information. "How may I serve you?" when you're just going to be a pawn. Not telling a mourning Claudia that he was indeed the one who killed Viren so that she'll continue to do his bidding, with Claudia asserting that Aaravos "didn't lie" about the ritual in 6x01, and he didn't. We also see him wield the truth as a weapon with people like Khessa ("would you like to know the truth of her fate before you meet yours?") and Sol Regem (more on that here.)

Everything that he says is truth to him, and then he lifts it up as being objectively true (i.e. you're destined to play into my hands) even when it isn't necessarily true. We can also see Callum veering into mindsets that Claudia and Viren have had, where he believes he's past the point of saving ("I'm ruined, it's too late for me" "Promise me you'll kill me") or removing his own agency by admission ("Finnegrin was going to kill you, I didn't have a choice" / "Every step forward is a choice").

Callum understanding Aaravos' or others' actual truths versus their lies and the ones he's believing could be very fitting in S6, especially if he might be learning more about the existence of the Cosmic Council and who made their world the way it is. I think his existence may help lead to that "slow spiral of chaos" but that it won't be just or even Bad at all the way they'd feared, etc.

Claudia is also linked to lies and truth. She lies to others, but Aaravos notes that "If you tell the truth you will lose her," and she goes looking for her own deep truth in S6, but doesn't seem to fully find it. Terry asks her "What do you need to find your one deep truth?" and Claudia says that she needs her dad, but she and her mother have also made it clear that she "needed to stay with Soren" and her family (vs Viren telling her to pick the egg over Soren). With Viren gone and Aaravos manipulating her, Soren could easily be one of her guiding lights next season or in future seasons.

The Pearl

The moon is analogous, framing/appearance wise, to the prison. This is alluded to in 5x09 through framing, and then made even more direct in 6x09: Aaravos escapes his prison thanks to Claudia and (unbeknownst to her) she has become the prisoner, much like how Callum may physically free himself from chains in 5x08 but magically/emotionally chains himself further to Aaravos, or Viren shouting while in chains that he's finally free of the dark puppetmaster.

Basically, when Callum says in 6x01 that he's inside the pearl, I don't think (as of S6 / probably first half of S7 at least) that he's ever gotten out of it. Aaravos uses him even after his nightmare, and we know thanks to the pawn intro that Aaravos' final machinations for Callum also haven't yet come to play. I've been wondering if the Aaravos intro is going to change in S7, since he's out of his prison — and it still may — but if we look at it from the angle of Callum and Claudia both being stuck within the moon/pearl rather than just Aaravos himself, maybe it could stay.

And if Callum is stuck inside the moon-pearl, shattering it by understanding the arcanum ("the whole world is like a giant primal stone, and we're inside of it, and it's also in us") and/or with Claudia moving to the opposite of the moon could be useful, especially since Karim is a corrupted sun in his own way. Speaking of which let's talk about

Light and Dark

We know thanks to Claudia that black and white, or light and dark, are not always clear cut. Her hair thanks to her dark magic use changes like phases of the moon, with the light being bad and the dark being good. Conversely, her path is a dark one with the path of truth and light being withheld from her. In a similar manner, we see Callum's light (Rayla) being what led him into dark magic use and what led him out of it, and will likely see this pattern play out again. Aaravos is a representation of a path of darkness, but we also see the cube flashing a bright light in the pawn intro, tying light and darkness together for him as well.

Callum's understanding of himself that he gained through the Ocean arcanum can not simply become untrue or disappear, so I think recognizing that darkness isn't all he is ("I'm ruined" / "your heart's not full of darkness" "Neither is yours") even if there are dark parts of him and of his life would be fitting. It also seems that could be helpful with Claudia as well, and even characters like Ezran, who will have to wrestle with darker parts of his emotions/personality next season as well with Runaan. They've all got light and dark inside them, and learning how to walk in that balance and still break away from the Cycle / Aaravos is useful. As Ezran said in 4x03:

I just want to yell stop. But that’s not enough. It won’t work. I think about a positive vision, a faith we can all share, that we might build a future together in hope. A future where we can be safe with each other.  But… It’s not that easy or simple. Because people are still hurting and they are still angry. We can’t ignore that, or pretend it will go away. Somehow, we have to hold it all in our hearts at the same time. We have to acknowledge the weight of the pain and loss, but open up our eyes and allow ourselves to hope and maybe forgive and love again. We have to give today’s children a chance to inherit a future filled with peace. To give them that, we have to hold pain and love in our hearts at the same time.

Claudia's love for her family led her to ruin, but it can also save her through Soren. Callum's love for Rayla led him to ruin, but it has also saved him (and again, we'll likely repeat this pattern). Ezran's love for his father will lead him to anger but also pull him out of it, just as Viren's love for his son caused him to begin his journey of terrible things, but also guided him to do one final, truly right thing by the end.

Love is light and dark. Claudia, who's been walking in shadow, needs the full light - the sun, in the form of her brother. She needs to accept and see the truth of what's happening and step fully into the light. Callum, who has been routinely worried of the dark within him, needs to the reminder that he's not all he is, that he has light of his own inside. In doing so, he can break Aaravos' control over him and give hope to any other dark mages / humans in general that no level of corruption is too late to come back from, and that there is always light amid the darkness.

Life and Death

The stakes have never been higher as Aaravos and Claudia are on the warpath, determined to destroy the Cosmic Order and invert life and death. With the world’s fate on the line, our heroes must be ready to sacrifice everything to save it.

In Bloodmoon Huntress, we get a very different peek into how the secret of the Moon arcanum can be thought of through Runaan, who is peak Moonshadow-sacrifice elf man:

Moonshadow form is only achieved when we understand the balance of life against death. Balance is weight against weight, and to understand the weight of death you must feel the weight and value of another's life. Think of those you love, of who you hold most dear. Now think of the souls who have touched your life. Understand that each time your weapon meets its target, each time we fulfil our duty, the potential for that soul to change a life—to love another—is gone. We may remove hate, but we remove the potential for love as well. Moonshadow form is only achieved when we reconcile this balance between life and death.

While Claudia with her hair and dark mage-assassin parallels could unlock the Moon arcanum—especially if her perspectives continue to change—I think Callum as the Protagonist is better placed at this time to be the one to understand the balance between life and death in a season where the antagonists are trying to invert/destroy it. Him therefore understanding appearances and changes, how to control his own and see through others', understanding that balance between life and death, feels very fitting.

Callum's fear of Aaravos and dark magic comes from the fear that he's changing—"I hope you're careful, cause [magic] can change people" / "the corruption takes innocent creatures and changed them"—and that death would be better for him than life if he goes too far. Learning these things aren't the case and that he can get back to the middle (and indeed, "real trust is about accepting even the dark parts we will never know" could be about Rayla accepting he may not entirely swear off dark magic again, the same way Viren kept that door open to do Good) would be useful.

It would also mean the two mage characters most drawn into Aaravos' darkness get the Moon and Sun—the arcanums most associated with light—to banish said darkness as well. Claudia finally being an uncorrupted light and chasing life, not death, and Callum, learning how to be balanced and that he can maintain his identity / use Aaravos' book and key without fearing that he'll lose control.

The fact that Claudia's eclipse imagery only started the same episode she lost her brother, and that her Laurelion dragon-scale necklace is very Sunfire-y looking...

Conclusion

TDP for Callum and Claudia has always felt like a parallel coming-of-age mage story between the two of them, leading to the amount of similarities and diverging plot beats the two have, down to doing the same spell at the same time but in different locations in S6. The Sun arcanum is associated with truth, light, and healing, whereas the Moon arcanum is associated with change, life + death, and secrets/love. All of these things could be nicely brought to a head with Callum and Claudia each unlocking an arcanum of Moon and Sun respectively, showcasing their differences, their continued room to grow, and light amid the darkness.

While I could see alternatives like Sun for Callum and Moon for Claudia, Stars for Callum or no arcanum for either of them, I think these are the ones that fit best at this time / Stars will likely get saved for arc 3 given that arc 3 will probably focus more on rewriting destinies and the Cosmic Order as antagonists.

As always hope you enjoy and Dragons out!

[reva-lution]

Moonfam Music Analysis

This took a lot longer than expected, but I have finished a full analysis of Rayla, Runaan, and Ethari (a little bit of Tiadrin and Lain for specks of screentime they had) up till the end of season 6! Truth be told, I still need some time to begin analyzing season 7, especially since I wasn't expecting the direction they took with this narrative thread.

ENJOY!! Let me know if I missed anything, what you noticed in season 7, or what you would like me to analyze next! Thanks for your support!!! FULL ANALYSIS AT THE LINK BELOW ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thematic Foundations: “Heartbloom” as Rayla’s Family (popularly referred to as the Moonfam) Theme

“Heartbloom” emerges as a musical representation of Rayla’s connection to her found family (Runaan, Ethari, and by extension, herself). The theme’s tender, layered orchestration—featuring strings, piano, and flute—speaks to the deep emotional bonds within the Moonshadow elf family.

Instrumentation and Tonal Qualities: The consistent use of plucked strings in “Heartbloom” and its structural similarities to “Silvergrove” underscore its ties to Moonshadow culture and Rayla’s heritage. These instruments evoke the delicate yet resilient nature of her family, highlighting their fragility and strength amidst conflict.

Parallelism with “My Heart for Xadia”: The cello’s introduction in “My Heart for Xadia” mirrors “Heartbloom,” connecting the Moonfam’s story to larger themes of love and sacrifice. Both pieces resonate in F major, a key often associated with warmth and tenderness, grounding the emotional moments between characters.

“Because She’s Rayla”: A Personal Identity Theme

“Because She’s Rayla” is closely tied to Rayla’s individual growth and her struggle to balance familial expectations with her own sense of self. Its instrumentation (violin, cello, piano, and flute) aligns closely with “Heartbloom,” suggesting that her identity cannot be separated from her family.

In Season 6, Episode 5, as Rayla sings to Esmeray, the melody’s shifts between major and minor keys echo the interplay of hope and sorrow—a hallmark of both “Heartbloom” and “Because She’s Rayla.” This moment underscores Rayla’s emotional journey and her attempt to reconcile her familial connections.

Fast-Paced Themes: Action vs. Reflection

The fast-paced sequences in Rayla’s confrontations with Runaan highlight their strained relationship. The absence of “Heartbloom” in these moments reinforces the emotional distance and unresolved conflict between them. However:

In the moments when Runaan recalls Ethari or Rayla appeals to him directly, the music shifts—slowing and softening to reintroduce emotional intimacy. For example, in Season 6, Episode 9, Rayla’s plea (“I’m your daughter”) is underscored by “Because She’s Rayla,” signaling a breakthrough in their relationship.

Selective Use of “Heartbloom”

The sparing use of “Heartbloom” in scenes involving Tiadrin and Lain (e.g., Season 6, Episode 9) suggests that this theme is not tied to all familial bonds but specifically to Runaan, Ethari, and Rayla. This distinction highlights the lingering narrative significance of the Moonfam trio, leaving space for future exploration. Specifically, when Rayla is giving her final goodbyes to her parents in Season 6, Episode 9 the Heartbloom theme is completely absent, replaced by melodic vocals and a touch of Rayla’s personal theme.

Key Transformations: Death and Renewal

In Season 3, Episode 3, the minor key version of “Heartbloom” following the Ruthari kiss reflects themes of loss and transformation. This tonal shift parallels Runaan’s trajectory—his grief over Ethari and the Moonfam’s sacrifices. Similarly, in Season 4, Episode 8, as Rayla gifts the butterfly blades to Rex Igneous, “Because She’s Rayla” evolves subtly, mirroring her growth and the ongoing influence of her family’s legacy.

Moonshadow Elf Themes Across the Series

“Silvergrove”: The theme captures the essence of the Moonshadow elves’ homeland. Its reliance on plucked strings and sparse instrumentation reflects their stealth and detachment from the world. Yet, this detachment also signifies the loneliness and isolation that pervades Rayla’s story.

Scene Highlight – Season 3, Episode 3: The melancholy yet serene tone of “Silvergrove” mirrors the emotional weight of Rayla’s departure from her home and her sense of exile.

“My Heart for Xadia”: The opening strings of this piece resonate with “Heartbloom,” linking the broader struggle for Xadia to the personal sacrifices of the Moonshadow elves.

Scene Highlight – Season 6, Episode 9: Subtle echoes of “My Heart for Xadia” can be felt in the mystical glockenspiel tones during Rayla’s reunion with her parents, tying their personal sacrifices to the greater fight for Xadia.

Moon Nexus Motifs: The Moon Nexus themes feature gentle, cyclical melodies on flute and strings, symbolizing the perpetual cycles of the moon and the elves’ adherence to duty and time. These motifs subtly appear in moments of reflection or decision, such as Runaan’s imprisonment and Rayla’s moments of doubt.

Musical Motifs Across Episodes... link below :D

[ladyandherbooks]

I'd love to see Soren bonding with Runaan and Ethari in seasons 7 and beyond. I also think that Soren would actually really like and vibe with Moonshadow culture, especially with Moonshadow assassin beliefs.

I can see Soren being interested in Runaan and Rayla's fighting style and him asking Runaan if he can teach him some of these skills and techniques. And I think he'd really benefit from a father/ male mentor figure praising him in a way that Viren never did.

I think he'd also be very interested in some of the assassin teachings around life, death, the balance and weight between the 2. Especially this lesson:

And given how much Soren loves to work out and maintain his fitness I think he'd be as excited for Beige Bittersquash as Runaan is:

And I could see Soren and Ethari getting to know and care for one another. I could see Ethari laughing at Soren's jokes, as well as giving him advice or support when needed. I can also see Ethari making him his own unique weapon, something that I think that Soren would really appreciate. I could also see Soren spending time with Ethari in his forge, learning about his job and about who Ethari is as a person.

[zuppizup]

Bloom

July 7th – Flowers

“How did you know Amaya and Janai were getting married?”

“Huh?” Rayla blinks, looking up from her book as she frowns, mind a little behind this random tangent.

“The flowers or something,” Callum shuffles a little closer to her, pushing his book aside.

The library is quiet this late in the evening, but he speaks softly anyway, head close to hers.

“Oh,” her own book becomes forgotten as she looks to him. “Those were traditional Sunfire wedding flowers, and they were in a bouquet. I suppose I just guessed.”

“Good guess.” Callum smirks, resting his head in his hand. “Could have been embarrassing if they were just making a flower arrangement or something.”

“That would have been a pretty fancy arrangement, don’t you think?” She rolls her eyes, snorting. “And they’ve been together for two years, it wasn’t that big a leap.”

“I guess.” Callum sighs, his smile falling just a fraction as his eyes wander. A moment later he shakes himself though, looking back at her. “So, eh, what are traditional Moonshadow wedding flowers?”

“We don’t have flowers.” She answers automatically, even though she’s surprised by the slight change in subject. “Or, well, cut ones. Weddings are usually held in the grove, I suppose, so there’s already flowers and plants there, but, we don’t really have bunches of flowers like Sunfires.”

“Huh,” Callum frowns as he ponders her answer.

“What?”

“I dunno.” Shrugging, he sits up a little straighter. “I guess I just assumed all cultures do wedding flowers. Katolis does. And Duren.”

Rayla thinks about this. Perhaps it makes sense in a place like Katolis or Lux Aurea, that bit more removed from nature. Or in her experience anyway. Growing up like she did, nature always felt part of her life. “Flowers are pretty, I suppose.”

It feels… charged discussing weddings and flowers with Callum and she struggles to think straight.

“Why don’t Moonshadows have flowers?” He asks, then seems to second guess himself. “Or, em, is that-”

“No, that’s- It’s not-” Insensitive? Over stepping? Early on in their acquaintance they’d both inadvertently insulted each other with long held prejudices or silly assumptions. It feels like they are so far beyond that though. Having flowers or not at a wedding is a simple discussion. Or it should be. “Flowers don’t really last, do they? Ones you’ve cut, I mean.” It’s not like she’s really thought about these things. They are simply part of her life, her culture. She likes how he makes her think about them though. Examine old ways and decide if they still fit who she is now. “If you’re making that commitment, well, we believe it’s supposed to be forever. Not just in this life, but you know, beyond. On the other side too.” She shrugs, maybe it is silly and old fashioned. “Flowers wilting and dying... I guess it’s seen as a sort of bad omen for Moonshadows.”

Callum watches her without comment, clearly pondering her words. “You know what? That makes a lot of sense.”

“You think?” She feels herself blush and hopes it’s not that obvious in the soft evening light.

Maybe she’s mistaken, but she thinks he might be blushing too. “Yeah, from the Moonshadow philosophy, I think I do.”

She can’t help but smile at him, rolling her eyes in amusement. “What, learning the moon arcanum now, mister mage?” That clever mind of his, always working, pondering, thinking.

He shrugs, smiling softly. “I’d like to.”

“Well, dont expect me to be of any help.” Rayla feels her stomach flip and her mouth go dry for reasons she can’t really explain.

He laughs softly, eyes crinkling in the corners. “You’re the most helpful with magic stuff.”

She snorts loudly and rolls her eyes, pulling her book back closer. He can tease her, if he likes.

It’s not as if she doesn’t like it too.

Callum doesn’t go back to his book though, clearly still interested in the topic. “So, if you don’t actually have flowers, what do you do for decorations?

Rayla looks up from her book, pondering how best to explain. “We craft flowers.”

“Craft them?” Callum’s interest is most certainly piqued as he pulls his chair closer.

“Yeah. Out of paper or cloth. Or wool, weaving them.” She thinks back to the various celebrations she’s attended over the years, smiling fondly. The home she can no longer call home. “Ethari would make them out if metal… But they last, you know? Forever. If you care for them.”

He smiles at her, eyes soft and cheeks most certainly flushed.

“What?” She desperately wants to know what he’s thinking when he looks at her like that, and though they’re growing closer again, she doesn’t quite feel like she can ask directly. “Sounds dumb and backwards to you cultured Katolians?”

“No, not at all. I- I really like it.” He reaches for her hand, squeezing her fingers gently. “It sounds lovely.”

Later that night, she’s getting ready for bed, brushing her long hair as she watches the moon through her open curtains. Sitting on the bed, she frowns when something crinkles under her foot. Pulling a sheet of paper from under her rear, her heart races when she sees the page covered with beautiful drawings of more flowers than she knows the names of.

[dragonnguard]

I think it is super interesting to look at the ways Runaan, Lain, and Tiadrin are dealing with their souls being trapped in the coins. It must be an exhausting, painful, and unbearable reality.

When Rayla first finds Runaan in the Moon Nexus, he is not himself.

Lain and Tiadrin seem too blissful and carefree.

Based on where they are and how Runaan reacted when he was coined, none of their mental states are great.

I kept thinking about emotional suffering/abuse and coping skills that help more than hurt but are basically the natural result of humans (elves) experiencing horrors no one should have to and I wanted to take a closer look at how Runaan and Laindrin protected themselves differently.

I think Lain and Tiadrin have endured as long as they have through avoidance. If it isn't happening in their beautiful field full of lotuses and dancing and dreamy music, it's not real. There is no being trapped where their imagination and thoughts have taken them. They are carefree and without a worry.

I think a takeaway for fans as we all deal with our own difficult circumstances in life is that turning to something and investing in it SO heavily that it feels like our only reality can be hurtful in many ways. We may miss key warning signs from our soul or body that things aren't going great and we need a change. We may be so caught up in something that makes us feel fantastic that we may not notice loved ones who need our help and support. It seems like a better coping skill, but in the long run can bring just as much pain, especially since the escapism won't last forever.

Seeing Runaan's coping play out is a lot more painful for me, since I have felt many of the same feelings. Lashing out at someone you care about due to your own pain is a great parallel to Runaan physically fighting Rayla.

And it all comes from the guilt and shame that he internalizes. He puts everything on himself, not being able to acknowledge that elements such as Moonshadow culture, raising Rayla while trying to keep up with his work as an assassin, and following orders from higher ups have all shaped what happened when Rayla came on the Katolis Castle mission.

These feelings of shame that he carries around lead to isolation and its so sad to think that he almost blamed himself and pulled away so thoroughly that he couldn't see all that he has given Rayla and Ethari and how they needed him, as well as the fact that he isn't a monster and is loved!

can't wait to see Runaan heal in s7 (and beyond??? pls) and I miss Lain and Tiadrin deeply

tldr; i just think its neat all the ways that tdp explores emotional fallout with so many characters and how they cope.