#morally gray

[luna-azzurra]

Writing a Morally gray character

Think about their backstory, what shaped them into who they are? What do they believe in? And, most importantly, what pushes them to get out of bed every morning and keep going? These characters aren’t simple good or bad. They’re caught in the middle, in that murky, complicated space between black and white. That’s where they get interesting because they’re constantly wrestling with themselves, trying to figure out the right choice, or if the “right” choice even exists for them.

You need to show this internal battle. Imagine your character being torn between what they believe is morally right and what they actually want. This is where the real drama comes in, it’s like watching them juggle their principles with their desires in real-time. They’ll mess up, and they’ll make decisions that are sometimes questionable, but that’s what makes them human and relatable. One way to really highlight their complexity is by putting them in situations where there’s no clear answer. You know, those moments in life where everything’s kind of a mess, and you’re stuck trying to figure out what the hell you’re supposed to do? Your character should face situations like that. These gray areas create tension because readers won’t know which direction the character will go, and honestly, your character might not know either.

And don’t forget, growth is a huge part of writing a morally gray character. People aren’t static, they change based on what happens to them, and your character should too. Maybe they start off with a strong sense of morality but, over time, that starts to shift. Or maybe they start with shaky ethics and slowly become a better person as they learn from their mistakes. Growth can also go the other way, they could spiral downward, giving in to darker impulses. Either way, they need to evolve, just like people do in real life. That’s what keeps the story fresh and unpredictable. The last thing you want is a character that stays the same the whole way through.

Also, please, no stereotypes. A morally gray character doesn’t have to be a brooding anti-hero with a tragic past (unless that’s your vibe, but even then, switch it up). Give them quirks that make them unique. Maybe they have unexpected motivations, like they’re doing something shady for a cause they genuinely believe in, or they’ve got a weird sense of humor that throws people off. Whatever it is, make sure they feel like an individual, not just a copy-paste character we’ve all seen a million times.

Even when your character makes decisions that aren’t exactly clean-cut or heroic, the reader still needs to understand why. Show their vulnerabilities, why they doubt themselves, why they hesitate, and why they ultimately make the choices they do. It’s all about making them relatable, even when they’re walking that fine line between right and wrong. People might not always agree with them, but they should at least be able to see where they’re coming from.

And remember, every choice your character makes should have consequences. They don’t exist in a bubble. Their decisions should ripple out and affect not only them but the people around them. Maybe they make a selfish decision, and it ends up hurting someone they care about, or they try to do the right thing, and it blows up in their face. One last thing, just because your character lives in that gray area doesn’t mean they don’t have any sense of right or wrong. They might have their own personal code they follow, even if it doesn’t line up with society’s morals. Maybe they justify their actions in a way that makes sense to them, even if other people wouldn’t agree. It’s all about exploring that space where they’re not totally good, but not totally bad either. That’s where things get really interesting.

Think about where your character is going. Is their journey going to push them to become a better version of themselves? Will they fall back into old patterns and never really change? Or will they stay stuck in that moral gray zone, constantly torn between doing what’s right and doing what feels right for them?

[star-pocalypse]

"I love morally grey characters!" They say, draining all the grey out of the character.

[thewriteadviceforwriters]

Crafting Compelling Morally Gray Characters: A Guide for Fiction Writers

In literature, there is often a clear distinction between good and evil. Heroes are portrayed as virtuous and villains as wicked. However, in recent years, there has been a rise in the popularity of morally gray characters - those who do not fit neatly into the categories of good or evil. These characters are complex, flawed, and often make decisions that challenge the reader's moral compass. In this guide, I'll help you explore the art of crafting compelling morally gray characters and how to make them stand out in your fiction writing.

What Are Morally Gray Characters?

Morally gray characters, also known as morally ambiguous characters, are those who do not conform to traditional notions of good or evil. They may have both positive and negative traits, and their actions may be motivated by a mix of good and bad intentions. These characters often blur the lines between right and wrong, making them more relatable and intriguing to readers.

Examples of Morally Gray Characters

Some well-known examples of morally gray characters include:

Severus Snape from the Harry Potter series: Initially portrayed as a villain, Snape's true motivations and actions are revealed to be more complex and morally ambiguous.

Jaime Lannister from A Song of Ice and Fire series: Known for his arrogance and incestuous relationship with his sister, Jaime's character evolves throughout the series, showcasing his internal struggle between his duty and his personal desires.

Walter White from Breaking Bad: A high school chemistry teacher turned methamphetamine producer, Walter's character is constantly torn between his desire for power and his moral compass.

Why Are Morally Gray Characters Compelling?

Morally gray characters are compelling because they challenge the reader's perceptions of right and wrong. They are not easily categorized as heroes or villains, making them more relatable and human. These characters also add depth and complexity to a story, making it more interesting and thought-provoking.

The Power of Relatability

One of the main reasons morally gray characters are so compelling is because they are relatable. They are not perfect, and they make mistakes, just like real people. This makes them more human and allows readers to connect with them on a deeper level. When readers can see themselves in a character, it creates a stronger emotional connection to the story.

The Element of Surprise

Morally gray characters also add an element of surprise to a story. Their actions and decisions may not always align with what the reader expects, keeping them on the edge of their seat. This unpredictability makes the story more engaging and can lead to unexpected plot twists.

The Exploration of Morality

Morally gray characters also allow for a deeper exploration of morality in a story. By challenging traditional notions of good and evil, these characters force readers to question their own moral compass and consider the gray areas of morality. This can lead to thought-provoking discussions and a deeper understanding of complex moral issues.

How to Craft Morally Gray Characters

Crafting morally gray characters requires a delicate balance of positive and negative traits, as well as a deep understanding of their motivations and internal struggles. Here are some tips for creating compelling morally gray characters in your writing.

Give Them a Strong Motivation

Every character, regardless of their moral alignment, should have a strong motivation for their actions. For morally gray characters, this motivation should be complex and not easily defined as purely good or evil. It could be a desire for power, revenge, or even a sense of duty. This motivation will drive their decisions and actions throughout the story.

Show Their Flaws and Vulnerabilities

Morally gray characters are not perfect, and they should not be portrayed as such. They should have flaws and vulnerabilities that make them more relatable and human. These flaws could be physical, emotional, or moral, and they should play a role in the character's development and decisions.

Create Internal Conflict

One of the defining characteristics of morally gray characters is their internal conflict. They are torn between their good and bad tendencies, and this struggle should be evident in their thoughts and actions. This internal conflict adds depth to the character and makes them more relatable to readers.

Avoid Stereotypes

When crafting morally gray characters, it's important to avoid falling into stereotypes. These characters should not be one-dimensional or defined solely by their moral ambiguity. They should have unique personalities, backgrounds, and motivations that make them stand out as individuals.

Show Their Growth and Development

As with any well-written character, morally gray characters should experience growth and development throughout the story. They should learn from their mistakes and make decisions that challenge their moral compass. This growth and development will make them more dynamic and interesting to readers.

How to Make Morally Gray Characters Stand Out

With the rise in popularity of morally gray characters, it's important to make yours stand out in a sea of similar characters. Here are some tips for making your morally gray characters unique and memorable.

Give Them a Distinctive Voice

A character's voice is an essential part of their identity. It should be unique and reflective of their personality and motivations. For morally gray characters, their voice should reflect their internal conflict and the complexity of their moral alignment.

Create a Strong Backstory

A character's backstory can provide valuable insight into their motivations and actions. For morally gray characters, a strong backstory can help explain their moral ambiguity and add depth to their character. It can also create empathy and understanding for their decisions.

Use Foils to Highlight Their Morality

Foils are characters who contrast with the main character, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. For morally gray characters, foils can be used to showcase their moral ambiguity and challenge their beliefs. This can add depth to the character and create interesting dynamics between them and other characters.

Morally gray characters add depth, complexity, and relatability to a story. By challenging traditional notions of good and evil, these characters force readers to question their own moral compass and consider the gray areas of morality.

[toriafiction]

In a lot fics Ivy is either throwing around sex pollen indiscriminately or even maliciously but what if it was by total accident?

She is still in the experimental stage with this new pollen enhancement. She doesn't even know what all effects it will have. There is no way she is going to use it until she does.

Cue nosey Bats snooping around in her lab, poking into things they shouldn't be, and dosing themselves with it then fleeing. Cue Ivy's lab results finishing at just that moment showing that what was once innocent cuddle pollen is now some monstrous mind-shattering sex pollen.

Sex pollen that just infected two little birds that she has known since they were in pixie boots and neon yellow capes, believing in magic and goodness and that nothing could ever clip their wings.

Cue Ivy rampaging through Gotham looking to actually save those two moronic birds.

"No, Batman not right now. I'm trying to save your two oldest idiots!"

Cue Ivy finding them in a very compromising position and filling with cold dread and sharp painful regret as she apprehends them and drags them back to her lab, keeping them separated the whole time.

Cue her calling Harley before she even starts trying to make an antidote. These boys are going to need therapy, all the therapy, and she doesn't know or trust anyone else. She's going to need therapy for what she's done to them.

Harley's fist assessment of, "They're just really horny for each other," does nothing to help her.

After Ivy manages to flush the toxins from their systems and Harley is actually able to talk to them and she comes back with the same assessment with an added, "Really they owe you a thanks," she breaks down crying in frustration. relief

She didn't clip any wings. She didn't end any more of their magic and the good it brings.

[sweepweep]

I truly love how morally grey Hajime is.

Like in the beginning of the game, everyone’s talking and they’re all saying stuff like “we would never kill a friend to get off this island”

Meanwhile Hajime’s off on the side like “damn. I actually really wanna get off this island”

This happens multiple times, too: Imposter was like “I wont stand for anyone killing each other.”

And Hajime’s internal dialogue is just “I could and might do it”

Man considers murder so many times throughout the game and I am living for it

[lilu787788]

I can't help but feel that too many people fail to see the gravity of Grisha persecution in Ravka, not as a backdrop but as a central, devastating reality. We're talking about generations of systemic violence, fear, and dehumanization. Grisha were hunted down, experimented on, burned at the stake, used as weapons, or abandoned as if they were nothing. This wasn't some minor injustice, this was the slow, steady extermination of an entire group of people simply for existing. And outside Ravka's borders, things were no better, if anything, worse. Fjerda and Shu Han weren't just political rivals; they were an active threat, treating Grisha ruthlessly. Fjerda's drüskelle were literally trained to kill them, and Shu scientists were dissecting them like lab rats. It was a world where the survival of Grisha was constantly threatened, and their own leaders often turned a blind eye to it.

Aleksander was the only one who truly recognized the scale of this danger, the only one who was willing to face it. He could not afford to be naive or wishful thinking. He tried to warn, to prepare, to build a world where Grisha would finally be safe. But instead of listening, these “heroes” slandered him. It is easier, I think, to blame the person who resisted with force than to confront the deep-rooted systems of cruelty that made this fight necessary.

Let’s not pretend that Grisha were not hunted like animals. Let’s not forget who really stood up for them when no one else did.

[reedles05]

The Responsible One

Michael had been odd ever since arriving in Santa Carla. Not a day went by where he acted like he did before the move. Being the oldest sibling meant a lot of things, one of which was taking care of the others when Mom couldn’t. During the entire divorce, you had been there to watch the other two, to make sure they were provided for while Lucy mourned her life moving on. 

And here you were witnessing the downfall of one of your brothers while the other was thriving. Sam had gone and even made friends that were as weird as he was, they had come by and gotten him to hang out while you were home. They were lovely boys, kind and respectful when meeting you. You had waved them off, telling them to be safe and have fun, the streets were dangerous after all. Normally, you would have advised against going out, but Sam needed time away from you. So, you had let him go, but not without something to have on hand in case something were to go awry. You had handed him a pocket knife, not something super dangerous, but something to fend off anyone with ill intent. He had shot you a look, the one where he was insinuating you were being overdramatic, but had taken it when you glared. You were relieved when his friends had awed at you giving him such a weapon, telling him how lucky he was for having you on his side. 

And that had put them in your good books. Sweet kids, Sam was lucky to have them. 

But Michael has been leaving in the night, not returning into early morning. You were worried, admittedly so. You were worried he was hanging around the wrong kinds of people, the kinds that had drugs on hand at any time. Even trying to confront him didn’t do anything, he only grew frustrated at being cornered by both you and Lucy. So, you did what any sane and concerned older sibling would do. 

Follow his ass. 

He wouldn’t get out of this so easily, making Lucy cry was on the list of ‘NO.’ 

And he knew that, so why was he going and doing things that were doing exactly that. 

Dressing yourself to avoid catching his eye, you listened to the tell tale signs of Michael leaving the house. The cracking of the window and the silence that followed. 

So you raced down the stairs and watched as he departed. He was quick, you’d give him that. You chased him all the way down to the Boardwalk. And watched as he met up with four men leaning on their bikes. He conversed with them, laughed and smiled until one of them wrapped an arm around his shoulders. A grimace crossed his face, and so you moved. 

Stepping with purpose, you strutted up to the men and pulled the blonde away from your lovely brother. 

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t get your nasty hands all over my darling brother, Micahel.”

Michael had tensed, eye widening once he recognized who had saved him from David.

He stuttered, trying to push you away before the others had really gotten a chance to take a look at you. But it was too late, and the men leered. Taking in your appearance, the vampires watched as you scowled at them, especially David. He had been the one to put his hands on Michael, and you had watched it as it happened. 

“I’m sorry, doll, but who might you be? I haven’t seen you around here before.”

David leered. And the rest watched as you remained as you were. Hand still in place on Michael’s shoulder, you scoffed. 

“I just told you, I’m Michael’s older sibling. And he was clearly unwanting of your hands being all over him. Fuck. Off.” 

And David laughed. 

Paul leaned in, eyes tracking every minute detail of you that he could.

“Older sibling, huh? Mikey boy never mentioned you, babe.” 

You looked over at Michael, trying to discern the look he was wearing at the moment. 

You nudged him, prompting him to speak.

“Any reason for that? I thought I was worth mentioning to your dearest friends. You do spend more time with them than you do us anymore.”

Michael opened his mouth, but was cut off by another one of the unintroduced men. 

David interrupted him, pressing a finger to his lips to shush him. 

“He was brushing off someone so hot just to hang with us? How cruel of you, Mikey.”

Marko had been the one to speak, pushing off his bike and approaching you. 

He had gone to reach for you, but Michael’s hand intercepted it. 

God, this was going to be an experience. 

–

David opened his arms, gesturing to his band of boys. Motioning to each one as he introduced. 

“This is Paul, Dwayne, and Marko.” 

You nodded, noting their names and pulling along Michael. 

“Great, we’ll be leaving now.” 

The one said to be Dwayne had stopped you, stepping in front of you and ceasing your escape. You looked up through eyelashes at him, a scowl overcoming your face once more. 

“I’m afraid I can’t allow you to leave without knowing your name, lovely.” 

Paul sauntered over, grabbing your arm and pulling you into him. 

“So..?”

“No.”

Michael went to speak but you glared, pointer finger held up to cease his talking. 

“I refuse to give you a name until you explain what’s going on with my brother and you all.” 

David smirked, eyes sharpening. 

“Alright then, we’ll explain everything. Let’s take a ride, boys.”

And that was all they seemed to want to hear, as their laughs started to sound out across the clearing. 

Marko threw out his hands.

“Who do you choose to ride with?”

“Preferably, none.”

But you had to admit, the boys were handsome, and roguishly charming. It was just the fact that they were somehow blackmailing Michael into staying near them. If not, you would gladly spend the night with any of them…or all of them. 

David laughed under his breath, but you saw the gesture. Sucking your teeth, you pointed to Marko. 

“I choose the wild curly blonde then.”

Marko looked shocked, pointing to himself before smiling wide. Cheering, he raced to your side before hauling you up bridal style. Screeching, you held onto his shoulders before slapping his back. He laughed the whole way to his bike, and once you made it, he dropped you on the back. Dropping in front of you, he looked back and smiled. 

“Hold on tight, gorgeous, we’re gonna be going fast.”

And that was all the warning you got before he took off faster than you’ve ever gone before. 

It was…

Thrilling. 

[jhdanes]

MINI COMIC UPDATE! || AU-GUST 2024 || FRIDAY, 9. August || 2024

☆ ★ ✮ ★ ☆ 𖤓 WEBSITE𖤓 SUPPORT𖤓 TIKTOK𖤓☆ ★ ✮ ★ ☆ It’s called shared parenting Clark, and it’s your turn now (aka. Superman learns he has a kid.) Au Superman x president Luthor @augustwritingchallenge for #AU_gust_2024

[greenqueenhightower]

when you’re morally GAY

[certaincollectionlandblog]

Domestic life with the book guys featuring the Twisted series by Ana Huang

*In honor of the fact that I have been so stressed my period came a whole two weeks early (live, laugh, love) please enjoy the absolute outpour of content this following week :)

Alex Volkov (Twisted Love by Ana Huang)

If we are going strictly off of Alex's character in Twisted Love it can be safe to assume that he is not going to be warm and mushy. This does not mean that there won't be any larger than life proclamations of love (I mean this man dropped 40k easy on a painting just because his girl wanted it), but he isn't going to be doing anything over the top in public

Following the previous point if you are expecting PDA I hate to tell you the most you'll be getting is maybe some light hand holding and a very quick hug

If there is a book man who is the definition of introverted I so see Alex fitting that description

He may not tell you he loves you verbally, but there are other ways he shows you. He might keep your favorite snacks in stock at the house so you never run out. He is going to have all of your favorite games and movies at the house so if you ever want to stay in you're able to.

Now if we're going off of Alex's character development throughout the Twisted Series and further on we can tell Alex is slowly coming out of his shell. He is still severely introverted, but he clearly is getting better at mild PDA.

Alex is as Taylor Swift would say Midnight Rain and he honestly just needs someone who will either be an absolute ray of sunshine or loves to dance in that rain (metaphorically speaking of course he would never actually want to dance in the rain for fear of getting you sick)

As we can clearly tell that man is constantly dropping a pretty penny on whatever you want. Looked a little too long at the purse in the window and boom it's wrapped up on the table when you get home. Mention wanting to read a book ONCE and he has it delivered in hardback (it's also autographed duh)

As far as like living together domestic life this man is spotless. He doesn't leave dirty dishes, dirty clothes, literally anything behind. He keeps control of his life in the form of keeping everything clean, orderly, and planned out.

This clearly follows into the bedroom because this man is never ever going to give over control. "Oh he might be a switch" No. Nope. Never. Don't see it happening sorry.

Alex is clearly not a very words of affirmation person, but quality time seems important to him. He will never admit it, but he is a cuddler like big time. Short of it being a quickie this man is not having sex with you and not getting his cuddles afterwards. Would he rather die than admit this to anyone ever? 1000x yes However as clean as this man is he is not laying in dirty sheets.

He wasn't given a proper upbringing and spending time with you doing mundane tasks around the house heals part of his inner child. You need to go to the grocery store? He's right there pushing the buggy. You need to wash dishes? He is ready to dry and put them up.

Rhys Larsen (Twisted Games by Ana Huang)

This man is about as protective and possessive as they come do we need to revise the chapter on him threatening to burn down parliament? *enter swooning here*

He is a sucker for safety because if anything happened to you that he could have prevented everyone better be praying

PDA is all based on timing. Rhys can read a room and he knows when he gets to let them know you're his and when it's not appropriate

Rhys is former military and he has gone through a lot. This man is a shell of who he used to be and the book clearly showed us that, however Rhys is the perfect example of how if you are broken once before that you won't remain broken forever. He struggles with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), technically it's known as C-PTSD (Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). He is so used to giving up control to follow orders that sometimes he just needs to be reminded he's human and that regardless of the outcome everything will be okay.

He loves going on vacations where you can just get away from the world for a while and turning off the buzz of everything going on

As a way to cope with his C-PTSD Rhys uses drawing to relax. You'll often find little scraps of paper around the house with his sketches on them.

It's hard for Rhys to open up, but when he does you understand it was well worth the wait

Say what you want, but I firmly believe Rhys is a switch. This man could truly go either way and I think it depends on the situation. He doesn't have very many "no's" but if anything could seriously hurt you he is not down for it. He is covered in enough scars left by others that he would never want to take a risk that could leave you with that same lifelong reminder.

This man is the kind to show up at 3am with a dog he found on his way home and how he's only allowed to stay for one night and you end up keeping the dog forever

His phone screensaver is literally a photo of you and the dog because let's be real he can't pick a favorite

This man is a slut for emotional intimacy

If you told him "Oh I got you this cause I remembered you liked them", "I heard this song and thought of you", or "I thought you might like this" he is going to be thinking about it for forever

Rhys is going to make it well known that you're his girl

Josh Chen (Twisted Hate by Ana Huang)

*I have to say Josh is my least favorite, but I will try to do him justice*

This man is a doctor (and a bit of an ass tbh) so he would not trust anyone else to take care of you, if you get sick it's Dr. Chen to the rescue

He loves bringing you random food at work, but he also has a really tight schedule being a doctor and all so if he can't deliver it in person he will have it waiting on you when you get home

Let's be real Josh's personal life is a little bit of a mess and I wouldn't expect anything different from him on how he would keep a house. There would be rumpled clothes all over and the bed might never get made. He would pick up his trash, but if the dishes didn't make it in the dishwasher they were simply waiting till next time to get done.

Now Josh is nothing short of a playboy for the most part so the idea of him settling down will definitely be an adjustment.

Due to Josh being a doctor and still working to pay off his student loans he can't really afford fancy vacations or expensive gifts. Josh really loves just eating cheap takeout with you and watching movies

We all know Josh isn't the best with his words and is really hot headed, this often leads to Josh more so apologizing and a rather decent amount of makeup sex

Josh is the definition of all out rough, break your back like a glow stick sex. He's going to degrade you and yet have you coming back for more every single time. He's cocky and quiet honestly he has a few good reasons to be

He is more likely to fuck now and ask questions later it's just the Josh Chen way

Emotionally intimacy? Josh doesn't know her (maybe a little) but this man is more likely to have you open up to him before he ever opens up to you. He's been betrayed by some people who were incredibly close to him before and he will be damned if he makes that mistake ever again

Christian Harper (Twisted Lies by Ana Huang)

Rhys and Christian are big buddies so it makes sense that they are going to be extremely similar, but different in their own little ways

Christian has little use for moral code and much less what society deems as correct, but if you deem it correct than he is going to break his back bending over backwards to make that happen for you

Christian is the grumpy cat of the group. Sassy, grumpy and yet just the perfect combo of attractive to have that attitude forgotten (almost)

He runs his own security company and if you think he goes overboard for his clients you have no idea how overboard he will go for your safety

He is the definition of a German Shepard boyfriend; looks scary, fiercely protective, and is willing to chase down the mail man if he threatens you

Christian is a make his own rules type of man. If you're uncomfortable or upset he doesn't give a single crap he is going to do what makes you happy

You know this man makes note of everything single thing you like; your favorite drinks, your favorite movies, which friends annoy you the most and why (Christian is an honorary girlie he loves all the tea)

This man is petty to the T

If something small annoys him he is going to remember it until the day he dies

Opening up is hard for Christian and I think it would take a lot to get the point where he is open to freely sharing information with you

He is more likely to tell you about something that bothers him on a small day to day basis than telling you the big stuff from his past

Christian knows that he is the physical embodiment of big dick energy and does not disappoint

I really don't ever see Christian not being dominant, but hey I could be persuaded to think otherwise given the situation. I just don't personally see it

This is a man gives off the vibes of being downright obsessed. If you made cookies that tasted like straight up saw dust he would eat them all to see you smile before you would be able to pry the truth about how bad they were out of him

[z0mbie2b0y]

I need to see more fics where Stiles is like morally gray and would do anything to protect his pack even if he needs to get his hands dirty!! :3

[ominous-faechild]

FAERIE'S DAWN

Following the Shattering of Reality, the world was plunged into what came to be known as the Faewildes: an ever-changing world suffused with magic and danger.

Humanity crumbled under the weight of the new reality while fae—and the archfae above them—emerged to rule over the new world. Humans couldn't compete against the fae's sheer magical prowess, and soon built strongholds in territories with weak magical presence to stand against them.

Now, so many generations later, humanity has finally learned of faekind's weakness: metal, which weakens fae and blocks their magic.

A war is breaking out between humanity and fae, with gods each picking sides in the conflict. Between faeries Nova, Cloud, and Sky, and the human settlement Eve and Asa protect... who will win?

MAIN NAVIGATION:

⚜ story introduction ⚜ table of contents ⚜ schedule ⚜ #faerie's dawn

⚜ #fd outlines ⚜ #fd lore post ⚜ #fd shitpost ⚜ #fd behind the scenes ⚜ #fd out of context ⚜ #fd extras ⚜ #fd asks ⚜ #fd fandom

MAIN CHARACTERS:

NOVA “ME” FAE

⚜ character intro ⚜ #nova “me” fae ⚜ #nova's domain ⚜ #nova the criminal

SCAMALL “CLOUD” FAE

⚜ character intro (pending) ⚜ #scamall “cloud” fae

SPÉIR “SKY” FAE

⚜ character intro ⚜ #spéir “sky” fae ⚜ #sussy sky

EVE PRIMAVERA

⚜ character intro (pending) ⚜ #eve primavera

ASA PRIMAVERA

⚜ character intro (pending) ⚜ #asa primavera

SECONDARY CHARACTERS:

⚜ SOLASTINE “FIRELIGHT” FAE

⚜ CRAOBH “BRANCH” FAE

⚜ SHADE “MARRI” FAE

⚜ FREKI

⚜ GARIN BERG

⚜ AURIK ALBRECHT

⚜ ASTER DRAUS

⚜ LINDIWE DRAUS

ARCHFAERIES:

ARCHFAE KILREY

⚜ #kilrey himself ⚜ #kilrey mention

ARCHFAE TROTH

⚜ #troth himself ⚜ #troth mention

ARCHFAE AMAHLE

⚜ #amahle themself (pending) ⚜ #amahle mention (pending)

ARCHFAE SILINA

⚜ #silina herself (pending) ⚜ #silina mention

ARCHFAE FOLACHÁN

⚜ #folachán himself (pending) ⚜ #folachán mention (pending)

ARCHFAE AKAS

⚜ #akas herself (pending) ⚜ #akas mention (pending)

ARCHFAE ART

⚜ #art themself (pending) ⚜ #art mention (pending)

LORE HINTS:

⚜ #fd lore hints ⚜ #fd worldbuilding ⚜ #nova's domain ⚜ #dhia mention ⚜ #sussy sky

⚜ #on archfae ⚜ #on fae ⚜ #on taint ⚜ #on domains ⚜ #on the faewildes ⚜ #on the old world

⚜ #ailwyn: god of the faewildes ⚜ #the existential of magic ⚜ #the existential of order ⚜ #veritheya: the savior ⚜ #the existentials

To be clear: while many of these tags are starting off empty, they will slowly fill up over time of me posting things about Faerie's Dawn. The rough outline of the story is entirely plotted out, so I've included characters and topics that are going to become important later.

And btw,,, I spent literal hours on this, guys,,,

Like,,, 6+,,,

Please show your appreciation,,,

(sobbing)

(I'mma add everybody who interacts with this post to the taglist? or just put them on my 'tell me rq if you don't want to be included' list lol)

“masterlist” banner “please support” banner “silver fancy divider” all by @saradika

“bee-nature divider” by @thyming

[brojogon]

What's this trope called?

(Update: I invented four related terms: Idealjadedpragmatism, IJPism, phoenix paradox, and phoepara, so I answered my own question. If you're interested, learn their definition here.)

My friend Serialsocka and I have been thinking so hard that the aliens detected high amount of brainwaves inside our head, yet we still don't know the name of the trope the picture below represents. Any help equals a million hugs.

Explanation

I have a character called Celestion. When he was first created, he was a teenager more innocent than Charlie from Hazbin Hotel. Despite being annoying, all he wanted to do was help people become better. When he realised he's not contributing to anything meaningful, he began to doubt himself and think he's useless: he can't change people. However, he can change himself for the evil. He turned into a Florida man: obnoxious person who does petty crimes.

This is his current personality, where I kept his annoying trait before and after the corruption arc. I plan on having a redemption arc where he learns how to be discreet, but also keeps his other bad traits. What is this type of redemption arc where a hero-to-villain character loses a bad trait they've had since forever, but don't turn into a hero again?

[lines-in-limbo]

Why do some people believe the term "morally grey" doesn't apply to Snape because "he bullied children"? How does his bullying of children separate him from moral greyness? While definitions can vary on the internet, the fundamental idea of a morally grey character is that they can’t be easily categorized as purely good or evil. Looking at Snape’s character arc as a whole, we see significant positive contributions alongside serious flaws. His inner struggles to do good, his desire to atone, and his vindictive and cruel behavior perfectly illustrate a morally grey character imo.

[lilu787788]

There is a common belief among many young people—and especially among Sasha’s critics that he has no right to suffer because of his age, and that he should’ve long since become immune to stress. Nothing could be further from the truth. Let’s be honest: Aleksander suffers from PTSD in a very real way, a way that is often overlooked because it is buried beneath his power, his control, and the fearsome image of a general he projects. But the trauma he carries within him is not fictional or exaggerated; it is tragically real when you begin to take a closer look at his character.

He has lived for centuries, through endless wars, betrayals, and losses. The sheer amount of grief he has experienced is unimaginable—friends, lovers, soldiers, innocent Grisha he tried to protect. All of them were taken from him, one by one, until grief became a constant companion in his existence. And that kind of loss doesn’t fade with time. It stays. It grows. It changes a person. It never heals on its own.

Aleksander’s mind is never free from the weight of memory. He doesn’t just remember the past—he relives it. His trauma isn’t only emotional; it is deeply psychological. He has survived nightmares that no human mind should be able to withstand, and the worst part is, he can never fully escape them. There is no final chapter to his suffering. No natural end where he might rest. Immortality, the thing that defines him, has become a slow, suffocating prison. It keeps him in the same cycle, century after century, haunted by everything he couldn’t save, couldn’t change.

That breaks a person. It changes how you see the world. It changes how you see yourself.

He isolates not because he wants to, but because the thought of losing people again terrifies him. That fear is rooted so deeply in him that it controls how close he lets anyone get. He craves connection, desperately, but the closer someone gets, the more real the risk of loss becomes. He’s been burned too many times. People have betrayed him, misunderstood him, left him, or simply died. And even though he is powerful, perhaps one of the most powerful Grisha to ever live, he is helpless against time. Helpless against mortality. And he knows it.

That helplessness, that vulnerability, that awareness that everything good is fleeting keeps him distant, even when all he wants is to be seen and loved. His PTSD doesn’t just sit quietly in the background. It seeps into every part of him, especially in moments of frustration, anger, or perceived betrayal. His temper isn’t about petty control or manipulation—it is a symptom of everything building up inside him. All the rage, the fear, the grief—it accumulates until it needs release. And when it explodes, it’s overwhelming. That’s when we see the shadows lash out, not just as weapons, but as an expression of his inner torment.

He lashes out at the world because he doesn’t know where else to put all that pain. He was never allowed to mourn in peace—not even after Luda’s death. He had to survive. He had to lead. He had to fight. And sometimes, the only way he can function is by hardening himself, letting anger mask the sorrow beneath.

When it comes to his connection with Alina, it becomes even sadder—because she became a rare flicker of light in a life built around shadows. But that only makes life harder for him. Because suddenly, he has something to lose again. Someone who matters. Someone he might care about enough to truly fear losing.

That fragile hope for connection terrifies him, even as he clings to it. And it’s that fear, of losing her, of being vulnerable, of being hurt—that keeps him from fully opening up. Even as he reaches for her, I can sense hesitation, a trembling underneath it all. He wants to protect her—not just from the world, but from himself. He wants to love her, but he’s afraid she’ll leave him like everyone else. That she’ll see only the darkness and turn away.

It’s such a tragic contradiction, his deepest desire is love and understanding, but his trauma convinces him he can’t have it. That if he lets someone in, it will only end in pain. And in a way, he’s right. Because immortality, though often portrayed as a great gift, is one of his greatest curses. He must live through the aftermath of everything. He has to bear it all while the world forgets, rebuilds, and moves on. He stays still while time pulls everything else away from him.

That loneliness, that haunting awareness that he is always destined to remain, breaks him, again and again.

What makes it so tragic is that his suffering doesn’t come from some malicious ambition or hunger for power. It is rooted in love. In fear. In a desire to protect. In guilt. All of it is profoundly human. He isn’t a monster because he feels nothing. He is a tragic figure because he feels everything too deeply. And over time, those feelings hardened into armor—because it was the only way he learned to survive. But beneath that armor is a man who is exhausted, wounded, grieving, and yearning for peace he believes he’ll never have.

So when I look at Aleksander, I will never see a villain. I see someone deeply hurt who still fights not only in the wars around him but in the wars within him that never leave him in peace. And that makes him one of the most beautiful characters I’ve ever seen, ever loved and I WILL ALWAYS DEFEND HIM.

[ieatsporks11]

breaking news: you can like a morally grey or plain evil character and not condone their actions