#moonshadow hearts

[ask-ethari-anything]

What are moonshadow weddings like??

The food will dazzle you with every bite, and the dancing will make you float off the ground - and hobble and wince the next day and decide to stay abed instead!

[faragonart]

Halcyon days....

(ft. @pali-himbo's Vatii~)

[raayllum]

Kim’dael fell back to her knees. The weight of the chain around her neck pulled her downward until she bowed her head.

[toribookworm22]

Ten Songs Ten People

Thank you @captain-kraken for the tag!

No pressure tagging: @acertainmoshke @andromeda-grace @apocalypsewriters @hallwriteblr @lettersandinkstains @ddbirb @pluttskutt @rsdan @yors-truly & an open!

From my Early Mornings playlist:

Close Behind by Noah Kahan

Thoughts by Sasha Alex Sloan

Blue Bayou by Linda Ronstadt

bitches broken hearts by Billie Eilish

Bad Luck by Noah Kahan

Moonshadow by Yusuf / Cat Stevens

Work by Charlotte Day Wilson

snowman slowed by RING

summer nights by Skinny Atlas

I Know The End by Pheobe Bridgers

[ombwarrior47]

Wolfe Creek Trilogy by Kaylie Newell

Title: Lone Wolfe, Hunter of Her Heart, & The Moonshadow’s Daughter Author: Kaylie Newell Series: Wolfe Creek Number of Pages: 215, 180, 198 Genre:  Paranormal Werewolf & Shifter Romance Publisher:  Blackstone Publishing Date of Original Publication: June 21, 2022 ASIN: B0B25S68XN, B0B22WHKH3, ‎B0B25V3K71

At the end of September I came down with COVID and couldn’t read. Holding a book and moving my eyes hurt from the fatigue. During this time I downloaded audible and started listening to books. This trilogy was the second thing I found to listen to and I was not disappointed.

Lone Wolfe, book one, is about a human who moves to a town called Wolfe Creek to solve a mystery about her best friend who disappeared at the town a year before. She befriends a sheriff’s deputy who agrees to help her find her missing friend and falls in love with him. Maggie soon learns that the town she moves too has a lot of secrets and yet she’s drawn to the town and uncovering the mysteries that are within it.

Hunter of her Heart, book two, is based off of the first one. The younger brother of the sheriff’s deputy holds one of Wolfe Creek’s secrets within himself. The town starts to see him as the bad guy and his long term girlfriend helps him lighten his shadows and ground him.

The Moonshadow’s Daughter, book three, is based off of the town’s doctor as he seeks answers for the death of his wife a year prior, he discovers the mystery of the missing friend of Maggie from book one. As well as peeling back the layers of Wolfe Creek’s own secrets on his journey.

I really enjoyed listening to this series. It was a light storyline, entertaining and humorous at times. The characters are all likeable and the storyline wraps up nicely. I would definitely recommend if you are interested in some light reading and are into paranormal fantasy.

★★★★★  

~

Up Next:  

-Crave by Tracy Wolff

-Wicked Game by Lisa Jackson

-Dark World by Zak Bagans

Yearly Goal Marker:

Book Goal: 26/75 – 34.7%

Page Goal: 9.6K/10k – 96.4%

Follow me on LibraryThing, Goodreads, and Amazon. Same handle: OMBWarrior47

[capriccio-ffxiv]

Illyria: Silver Fuller, her spear. Also an anima weapon. Named exactly why you think. The Anima within takes after him...

Ryuu: Iceheart, her zweihander. Yes it was awkward when she found out Estinien named his armor the same, but they also bonded over it.

If I could make a custom weapon, I'd want Ryuu to have a rapier-focus combo named Brilliant Eclipse, with the "rapier" as a crescent moon and the focus as a sun, which when she combined them together to cast becomes black with a bright gold outline.

WoL/FFXIV OC Question(s)!

What is your WoL/OC's favorite/most used weapon? Does it have a name? Is there something special about it, like cool powers or special materials to make it? Maybe some sentimental significance?

[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]

One thing I loved in season 7 is the reexamination of the Moonshadow Assassins’ oaths, culminating in Rayla preparing to give her heart (Callum) for Xadia, both of them with full understanding of the compromise and sacrifice they’re willing to make to save their world.

But I also want to highlight the reexamination of Runaan’s oath. During the original bloodribbon binding in season 1, the assassins offer up vital parts of themselves for the ideals they believe they kill for, the self-sacrifice element clear in their pledges. At first, Runaan does not appear to swear an oath himself, only officiate the ritual. But at second glance, his oath is actually the most severe: "Tonight we bind our lives to justice." Symbolically, Runaan has given up his life, and the lives of every participant in his ritual, until their mission is completed. If they cannot secure (vengeful, bloody) justice, their lives are forfeit.

But Runaan’s view of justice, and his own life, shifts with his character development. What kind of justice requires its executor to give up all they are and symbolically enter into a state of death? And what have they done, when they completely dissociate from their moral compass in service of their mission? When Runaan comes face to face with the harm he’s done, for the first time, he’s shocked. But after he reflects, realizes all the pain he’s caused, he’s remorseful, and with the support of his loved ones, he tries to make amends.

Runaan returns to Katolis not because he had to, but because he chose to. Justice will not be denied and Runaan never breaks his promises. But this is a different justice than he brought before. He offers his life, not as an agent of death, but a living, breathing person who loves and is loved. And that offer means so much more now that both he and Ezran truly understand how valuable life is.

[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.

[dragonfly0808]

About the Dragon Prince Finale

I just finished s7 of the Dragon Prince and i have so many thoughts but there is one thing specifically I want to say about the finale that I feel was just such a perfect way to end the battle, before I hop on and check out what everyone thought-

SPOILERS AHEAD

I’ll be honest, I was so stressed out at the end of ep8 and watching the final battle in ep9 was epic but-

My very first thoughts watching that were initially along the lines of- so… none of our main characters had the final say/final move? What the fuck?

But then I watched the rest of the episode and sat on it for a bit and… it makes perfect sense and wraps up the themes of the show in a beautiful way

The whole theme of the show and one of the most important ongoing things is that of breaking cycles of violence and choosing love, choosing kindness.

During that final battle, all our main characters were ready and willing to give it all to save the world, which is technically speaking the ‘right thing’ to do, the thing we’ve all been waiting for

however; this involved for all three of them, giving up an essential part of themselves. An essential part of ‘breaking the cycles’

Callum would’ve given up on ‘breaking the cycle’ in using dark magic and in sacrificing himself for the greater good. Yeah sure, he’s writing his own destiny, but is he really when it was his only real choice if he wanted to save those he loved?

Rayla would’ve given up on ‘breaking the cycle’ in following in the footsteps of past moonshadow assassins, choosing duty over love in being willing to kill her heart ‘my heart for Xadia’ when she just said episodes before ‘no one should have to shed blood for justice’

And my personal favorite, Ezran. The entire show, from the moment he became king, that kid has given himself wholly to the path of love and kindness, trying to not fall into the mistakes of the past. And yet- he was willing to kill for his brother, to do something that goes against everything he represents, everything he stands for.

^ All of that, in the name of peace, to save the world.

No matter what, each of them would’ve lost an essential part of themselves in choosing to save the world…

But they didn’t have to.

Because the arch dragons- some of the very creatures that BEGAN these cycles of violence and mistakes and hatred… the creatures that had a role in CREATING the world our main characters are trying to make a better place- they are the ones that chose to step in, to sacrifice themselves to make sure these kids with bright hearts and so much love and determination to choose a path of kindness don’t have to sacrifice those parts of themselves.

Like Ezran says, it’s a great gift that the arch-dragons give them. The opportunity to stay true to themselves and still get to stop Aaravos… even if it’s temporary.

So yeah, the moment I watched it for a moment I was like- that was a little anticlimactic but it makes so much fucking sense and it is such a beautiful way to end the series when you stop to think about it.

and I’m choosing to believe that we will get the other 3 seasons NETFLIX GIVE US THE FUCKING SAGA (I haven’t actually checked if anything has been announced yet cause I’m scared) and that that’s when- after 7 years of growth, our main characters get to step in and find a different way to stop Aaravos for good THEIR WAY, without compromising who they are and what they stand for

So yeah, I just had to get that out of my chest cause it took me a minute of silence to realize why it’s so perfect for the show and the genius in this move and i really wanted to share that little brain worm

I LOVED season 7 and I can’t wait to rewatch the whole thing and I truly hope we get the rest of the saga!

[beautifulterriblequeen]

12 Days of TDP

Day 3: Favorite Lore

This is an extremely unfair question for a lore enjoyer to have to answer!!!

And also surprisingly easy.

It's Moonshadow horn cuffs representing their devotion to one another, and specifically how Runaan and Ethari wear cuffs that evoke each other's vibes. (obviously)

Runaan's are bright and silvery with a soft edge, and they're decorated with beautiful scrolling swirlies, which Ethari loves putting on everything he touches. These cuffs represent someone with patience, creativity, artistry, and a fine, steady hand.

Ethari's are dark, sharp-pointed, no-frills cuffs with bright turquoise gems inset, representing his husband's broody nature and stabby profession, as well as his singular, memorable eyes.

In both cases, you can take one look at these men and get a good idea who they've chosen to bond with, even if you've never met either of them before. Which, along with the rest of their Moonshadow markings and runes and symbols, paints a pretty clear picture of who they are.

This has long been one of my favorite things about the Moonshadow elves: you can read them like a book if you look closely enough, and they never have to say a single word, as they probably prefer. But at the heart of that appreciation lies Runaan and Ethari's horn cuffs.

[argonblue]

Ok I talked abt this a lil before in another post but THE RUTHARI DESIGN LANGUAGE

Ethari outwardly has changed, but that design reflects more of his grief, the passage of time, and his inability to let go of his husband. It’s also all external—his hair is longer, his Moonshadow markings are now asymmetric/unbalanced, his earrings are gay as hell and really show how he is not over his marriage at all. Most importantly, his armor/shoulder things. He looks prickly, closed off, and that’s exactly how he acts when he thinks runaan is a stranger, which is very un-Ethari.

On the other end, Runaan’s design is hugely the same as season one, with the only two changes being A) his weird ass cutout sleeve is missing on his right, and B) his horn. Unlike Ethari, runaan’s biggest character design change is losing a part of his actual body. Hair can grow, clothes can change, but Runaan’s horn is part of him. His being has been fundamentally altered in a small way, and he’s going to carry that change for ever. Both figuratively, with how he’s seen the true outcome of his assassin work, and literally.

Ethari has a design that communicates his relationship with runaan, he always has. In bloodmoon huntress, runaan calls Ethari his guiding light, but in reality I think it’s the other way around. Because Ethari is the most out of character without runaan. He ghosts Rayla out of grief, which is very out of character, because runaan is gone. But after two years, runaan still comes home to an Ethari who is grieving and hopeless, but not broken.

And after they reunite, Ethari returns to the same state we’ve seen him in for pretty much the entire show. And I get why. He’s a minor character, the plot doesn’t need him to have a paradigm shift like runaan, but I like to read into it as Ethari being the moonfam anchor. He’s the home they all come back to, he’s the warm hug they all need, he’s soft and he’s kind and he’s defined by his love for them. So when he loses his family, he loses himself. He’s and anchor with no ship. Runaan is his heart, without runaan, there is no point for there to be an Ethari, and it makes him lash out and ghost Rayla.

So. Here’s why I’m thinking about all this: Ethari making Runaan a prosthetic horn. Ethari, runaan’s anchor, helping him reforge this part of himself and shine truth onto the great lie of assassin-hood that runaan held so close to his persona. Runaan choosing to replace his belief in precision violence with his belief in love. Most importantly to me, Ethari confronting the lie he helped reinforce for runaan. Ethari seeing that he’s been making weapons to fuel the cycle of violence that in turn took his entire family and his heart from him. And Ethari and runaan deciding to help build the new world, Everkynd, where the lie and the cycle don’t have to dictate their lives.

[raayllum]

so like one of the wildest things about CHET is one of the early things that got me onto the theory at all was the way it would perfectly parallel and invert 1x04 - Rayla goes in alone to find something related (unknowingly) to Aaravos because of Callum’s pursuit of magic/curiosity, once she’s in danger he switches gears, she gets taken captive, the boys come to rescue her with Bait, they escape but not without Callum doing something Rayla hates, and she hands over the cube citing, “I hope it was worth it to you putting everyone’s lives in danger” only this time, presumably, it would be.

However, even with all that in mind, now the 1x04 parallels have the potential to be even more evident, because the other undercurrent of the episode (and the one that more specifically affects Rayla outright) is the belief that elves are bloodthirsty monsters

and we know now (and probably why) Kim’Dael is appearing in S5, so

continues as always

[ladyandherbooks]

I loved Callum and. Runaan's interactions this season. While I do agree it would have been great to see some of Callum's negative feelings towards Runaan I think that they really only had time to focus on one siblings anger towards him so I'm okay with them not focusing on it. Callum has also had time to work through his feelings towards Runaan during his and Rayla's quest to free him.

I do think that the other reason as to why they got on well this season is that Runaan has complete faith and trust in Rayla's choice of romantic partners and friends. And when this boyfriend not only helps to free you but also puts your daughter first, then Runaan wouldn't be able to dislike him.

Look at his smile when Callum chooses Rayla in 7x02:

He already likes Callum because he's putting Rayla first and making her happy.

And the worst that their reactions get is Runaan getting annoyed at Callum for using the same compliment as small talk for the 15th time in two weeks, which to be completely fair is very understandable.

But Callum quickly rectifies this by freeing Ethari from his Moon Cub duties that day, thus ensuring that he could spend the day with his husband. But he does give Callum the biggest eye raise at Callum's enthusiasm at volunteering to watch the Moonshadow elf kids because he knows Callum is way over his head and is giving his enthusiasm the reaction it deserves

And then the deadpan stare after the 10 babies comment

It really was a harmless clash in personalities where a grumpy, serious broody elf had to interact with his daughters goofy, nerdy, loving and sometimes awkward human boyfriend who is also staying with them for 2 weeks straight. A boyfriend who is also trying his hardest to make a good impression but is not always succeeding but you like him anyway because he has a good heart and loves your daughter more than anything in the world.

And the pair of you manage to bond and come to trust each other enough to go on a mission together where you not only protect one another but he also trusts you enough to ask you to kill him in order to save the world.

I think that this moment where Runaan came to love Callum as he was not only willing to sacrifice his life to save everyone in Xadia but also wanted to protect Rayla specifically from a promise that would cause her a great deal of pain and grief.

I am excited and curious to see how their relationship and interactions evolve and develop as, like some fellow fans have already discussed, Callum wants to be a part of this family and misses, wants and needs fatherly relationship, one of which Runaan and Ethari will be happy to provide, especially since Callum will be spending alot of time in the Silvergrove in the next 7 years. They're going to love each other so much and have each other's back but Runaan will still be giving his dorky son in law a raised eyebrow whenever he says or does something ridiculous or dorky.

[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

[ask-runaan-anything]

Moonshadow elf, staring at Ethari's pecs: soooo... is your husband around? how would I recognize him?

Ethari, pointing to the gems in his horn cuffs: his eyes are up here

Runaan, in the tree above him: a bit higher than that, my heart

Ethari: oh that's nice, he's let you know he's here instead of simply shooting you. he's in a good mood today

Runaan: yes I am. the garden's in need of fresh fertilizer.

Ethari: ahaha, assassin humor, amirite? Run.