#so that a god may reside in it and speak with mortals

[bigby-billy]

ACTUALLY YES partially what led to this was an art piece with Cobigail and her doll/statue done by @corntort ! :D

What if Gods could communicate through the statues, cardboards cutouts, billboards and etc?

This was actually an idea that me and @modmad were thinking about in discord and so I drew a little thing based off that :3

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Long Snake Moan 3

My warnings are not exhaustive but be aware this is a dark fic and may include potentially triggering topics. Please use your common sense when consuming content. I am not responsible for your decisions.

Character: Loki

Summary: your boss gives you a task you’re not prepared for.

As usual, I would appreciate any and all feedback. I’m happy to once more go on this adventure with all of you! Thank you in advance for your comments and for reblogging ❤️

You sit at your lonesome perch, hidden behind the large floating screen. Your job can be isolating. People only speak with you to get to Tony and even then, they’re just as often too intimidated to approach you. You only really have any sort of mutual acquaintance with your boss and he just tells you what to do.

You expect the footsteps that approach to pass you by as you always do. Instead, a shadow appears on the other side of your extended monitor arm. You look up as green eyes glare down at you from above the frame of the screen. You sit up as you stare at Loki.

“Stark. Now.” He demands.

Your eyes skitter over to your boss’ door then back to the angry man, er, god? In front of you.

“I’ll see if he’s available, sir.” You go to open your teams and he pulls your screen so it’s above you.

“I am not asking if he’s available. I mean to speak to that mewling quim and I would do so at once,” he demands, squeezing your monitor so splotches appear below his fingertips.

“Sure,

You stand and step around the desk. He moves with you, slithering like a snake. He’s too close. You go to Tony’s door and knock. He got in late last night. You know because you had to bring a burger and shake to his house. The fabulous life of Tony Stark’s assistant.

You wait but don’t get an answer. You tap again and peek back over your shoulder, “I don’t think--”

“Enough.” He presses against your lower back and reaches around you. He twists the handle and urges you inside ahead of him. Tony’s at his desk smirking at his phone. He looks up in surprised chagrin.

“Woah, what the hell--”

“There you are.” Loki greets with sinister delight. He nudges you to the side but you can’t escape the office. You just stand there dumbly as he blocks the door. “So, I am to be ejected from this rock.”

“Ah, yeah, sorry about that boss,” Tony drops his phone and leans back in his chair. “Something about a criminal record. Not exactly what I would call an invasion of a city but we don’t need to go into semantics.”

“Mm, you think you’re clever. Well, I do believe you’ve forgotten who I am.” Loki stands straight, birdlike as he glowers down his long nose. “I’ve become rather acquainted with your mortal legislation. Rather antiquated but simple enough to understand.”

“Sure, and what loophole did you find, oh, might prince?” Tony challenges.

Loki snickers. It's a noise that electrifies your scalp. You don’t like that.

“Upon my understanding, and I did consult with one of your Midgardian law practitioners, I have it that I am eligible for residence upon the grounds of marriage.”

It’s Tony turn to laugh. He cackles in glee and rolls forward, leaning his elbows on his desk with interest. “Marriage? And who the hell is deluded enough to marry you?”

Loki tilts his head and smirks. His eyes stick to Tony for just a moment then crawl around the office and land on you. You frown.

“It is rather cruel to make her tell me. I'm certain she begged you not to make her but we all know the sort of creature you are.” Loki sneers and unbuttons his jacket, reaching beneath. “The very same reason why you would be entirely unaware why she shouldn't like to hurt me.”

He unfolds the paper as he strides to Tony's desk. You watch, paralysed and perplexed. Your chest thumps. What is going on?

He spreads the document under his fingers and stands straight with a triumphant smirk. Tony slides the paper closer and clicks his tongue. His eyes skim the print and his mouth falls open. He looks at you.

“What?” You gulp.

“Married. To him. You? And him?” Tony wags his finger back and forth between you and Loki.

“Married?” You squeak.

“Oh do be certain to call city hall to confirm. You will see the signatures are legitimate, as well as the stamp and registration number,” Loki boasts. “We did expect your uncouth reaction so we did keep it under lock and key until we were certain. These dire circumstances however, have forced us into the light,” he lifts his chin, “isn't that right, darling?”

“Mr. Stark,” you cross the office and try to see the paper. It can't be real. A marriage license. With your name on it. Next to his. “I swear–”

“You know what?” Tony claps his hands then slams them on the desk. He pushes himself to his feet. “I don't have the time for all this stuff. It's weird. Look, sweetheart, call me a car. As long as you do your job, I can't be bothered. Got my own shit, you know?” He glances between the two ot you again.”Very strange.”

He struts around the desk and past Loki. The taller god steps in front of him, raising and open palm.

“Ah, one more thing. She isn't your sweetheart so lets keep that to a minimum,” he pats Tony's chest and hums.

“If you've had your snaky self near it, trust me, I'm good.” Tony knocks his arm away and continues out the door.

You stare after your boss only to find your eyes drawn by the pair watching you. You make a strangled noise and throw your hands up. “Married?!”

“A wonderful ceremony. Small. But romantic,” he purrs. “I've always been rather fond of tricks and you mortals make them so much easier.”

[justsomedrawing]

Pls kinda lad, drop some operation robloxia bits... I'm starving 💔💔💔💔

HELLO ANON ! Sorry for the late response. I didn't exactly get your ask until now. I figured you wanted some facts, so i might as well just list a few things i've already mentioned in my twt account. Of course, most of this are mostly about Pre-O:R or stuff that aren't spoilers to the game

idk if this makes sense but Player *is* us. They are not a separate entity from us as the player, WE ARE THE PLAYER. I want to be able to let people have self inserts (in a way), which is why the player is not a separate character from you. Your choice in game is yours.

While the pre-o:r comics suggest that 1x sees Roblox as her grandpa (seen in Paranoid, this doodle, and Gift), this does not mean they're blood related. All of the admins and Roblox are not blood related despite being created by the same person, though some kind of became like this little found family. quick messy family tree i made an hour ago

Speaking of family; Shedletsky, MrDoombringer, and Matt Dusek sees eachother as brothers (again not blood related. I love found family in a sense HELP)

O:R Shedletsky and 1x have a healthy father daughter relationship. I can't say the same for Shed and Roblox or 1x and Roblox

Emmet's favorite flavor is cherry, second is cookies and cream (this goes for drinks, candy, ice cream, cake, etc.)

Emmet has a cat named Kitters and they are the thing keeping them together.

As a plum, Shedletsky likes to bite Roblox a lot.

Roblox doesn't know how to cook.

Builderman was forced to toughen up and take Shed's place after Shed left HQ, which is why he looks so tense in the og refsheet i made.

like the description of her refsheet, BrightEyes and Shedletsky is "divorced". Though, this is probably to cover up something else.

Assistant is a character that will appear alongside 1x I believe. She is created by my co director, @timeshift-playground :]

Every early admin has a trueform. After 2x2 merged with earth, the later admins are mortals granted god-like powers (demideity)

For those who don't know, RSA means Robloxia Secret Agency, and we are playing as an RSA agent !! RSA was created some time after Shed left HQ

007n7 is just a chill dude guys trust !

Speaking of 007n7, don't tell anyone but he is currently making more c00lkidds to add to his little army

I imagine the c00lkidds acting like lickers (heh Resident Evil mentioned)

Clockwork's true form is like, super tall. If you know G1 Optimus Prime, Clockwork's true form is as tall as that

Emmet is a huge fan of Clockwork, mainly because they are interested in gears and technology or something. Also huge robot fan heh

Yes the may madness gang will be in O:R. Timesy is the one writing them so for now I don't know their role, yet.

Emmet is actually my robloxsona! Originally they are a conspiracy theorist who got brainwashed into working under Roblox. After some VERY LONG re(d)write with the help of Timesy, I have far better lore for Emmet. I'd tell you their old lore was VERY MESSY

Operation: Robloxia was actually made out of spite, because I couldn't find a good game in Roblox that isn't a snooze fest and it pisses me off HELP. I always wanted more story focused games, which is why I'm currently developing O:R and doing the best I can !!

most of the agents stuff is inspired by Resident Evil, because I really love the game. The RSA was inspired by the BSAA. Spencer was inspired by Albert Wesker. Emmet was inspired by RE2 Leon S Kennedy. Most of the vibe I'm trying to give was inspired by RE itself lol

Click here to view the original threat on twt

THAT'S ALL FOR NOW !!

[liloinkoink]

Okay so what if in Lamplight Grian and Martyn somehow saw each other again to extreme confusion, like you thought that your friend was dead but turns out he was turned into a weird bird thing and also accidentally became a paladin and also your a paladin and your god who may or may not be a flame at the moment is freaking out.

Like there are two paladins facing each other one with a god behind him the other holding a staff with a lantern on it, they’re both crying and once everything calms down they recount what happened scar just starts booking it.

see, the thing about a Grian and Martyn reunion is Grian doesn’t realize Scar is a god and Martyn doesn’t realize Ren’s full identity. so Scar wouldn’t know Ren is the god he killed (who he fully believes is dead) because Martyn won’t mention Ren by name, and Grian has no idea he’s a paladin because he thinks Scar is mortal. Grian and Martyn will just be chilling. even Scar will just be chilling. this is, for the most part, a happy reunion

now. Ren however. Ren will recognize Scar, but if they reunite while his body is fire, he can’t explain what he knows at all. and what he knows is that Scar is a god with incredibly powerful charmspeak, and that Grian is probably charmed, and that Scar can’t be trusted, and that Ren can’t do anything right now to protect Martyn from Scar. he will probably look stressed and panicked, but Martyn is reuniting with his dead friend, so i’m not sure Martyn will realize. stress and panic look a lot like excitement, so Martyn might misread those signals a bit, or be so focused on Grian he doesn’t notice

as they talk and both explain what happened… Grian is going to be explaining trying to get his body back to normal and telling about this idiot Scar he’s trying to keep alive and how Scar barely even seems to know how to cook for himself or patch his own injuries but for some reason took to the road. in his mind Scar is an ineffectual traveler who is only not dead because of dumb luck. Martyn is going to think this is funny. Ren is going to think this is horribly sinister.

it’s only when Martyn explains his own deal—explains how he met his god in the ruins—that Scar is going to realize who Ren is. but why would he say anything? after all, Ren can’t speak. Martyn doesn’t even know Ren’s name! if Martyn doesn’t know, then it’s likely no one does unless they were a former Dogwarts resident. Scar looks to be about their age, so he definitely shouldn’t, and he’s rather committed to being an ineffectual traveler Grian needs to take care of (so that he can continue to travel with and take care of and watch over Grian). he won’t out himself as a god for this

but there will be a moment. when Martyn says his god is the god of Dogwarts. that he’s been waiting there since the city fell. that Scar will look just a bit surprised. and his eyes will slide over to Ren. and there will be a moment of dawning recognition. Scar finally knows exactly who he is.

and then he’ll smile, and he’ll say nothing, and Ren’s blood will run ice cold

[thetelesterion]

What is the nature of the Gods?

What are they made of? What do they look like? Questions such as these are very common in our faith, so I would like to write down my personal answers to them. Note-- these views and beliefs are my own and I do not seek to belittle those who may think differently. To put it simply, the gods are spirit. They are purely spiritual beings who exist on a higher plane of reality, but who can also interact with us in our plane of reality. They can make themselves visible and known to us at any time. This is clear from ancient sources which speak of divine manifestations, called "theophanies." The gods typically appear as human beings so that we can comprehend them, because our minds are extremely limited. The gods do not have permanent physical forms, but have been known to directly command mortals to create images for them. The reason why we have any images at all is both to direct our minds during worship, but also to have them serve as windows into the plane where the gods reside. They are material imitations of things that are immaterial, and which we cannot see.

[crazylittlejester]

Saw the post about the Chain and their god domains and my greek mythos obsessed brain got scritched so here is the Chain as Greek gods/mythos:

Time: The old man gave me such a hard time. absolutely going insane over him. He’s Hades. being one of the big three (this fucker split the timeline (almost like how the underworld is split)). Ive never finished MM or OoT but i believe the lore is that all the masks are possessed to put it simply, thus the spirits granting link his power, making Time a maestro of the dead. Many interpretations of hades also depict him as cunning, a trickster, while also being stern, much like our resident little shit (affectionate). Hermes was a big contender here for that reason.

Sky: This was a toss up but im gonna have to say Zeus honestly, mister Godslayer himself. less of a connection between their personalities honestly and more just focusing on their similar dynamics, skills, and symbolism. Obviously we have our favorite lightning motif, plus the position of leadership they both share - in the sense that zeus is more or less the leader of the gods and sky being the ‘leader’ so to speak of the timeline. Plus the parallels between demise and kronos, and zeus/sky’s respective roles there. It was between the big man or persephone.

Twilight: Artemis!! Our very literal leader of the pack. Goddess of the hunt, patron of animals, domain over the moon (cough twilight cough). Though, Demeter and hestia were fighting me here, the fursona won over the country bumpkin sadge.

Warriors: You are Athena! badass in the arena! /ref. Honestly, i feel like i should be assigning them their ‘obvious’ gods and then give them one that attaches to them more symbolically. Yes, everyone’s favorite captain is THE captain goddess. Cunning, strategist, warhead, intelligent, and alot of people forget that Athena is both charismatic and incredibly physically beautiful, in most adaptations. she was in the lineup for paris and guided the trojan war. I forget who it was on here that is a big “wars = helen of troy” truther but theyre absolutely so correct.

Legend: Also a tricky toss up, but i ultimately landed on apollo. Apollo’s known for being a sort of jack of all trades god, between his dominion over the sun, medicine, music, archery, and more. With the vet’s all encompassing experience, with his multitude of instruments and proficiencies in different magical items it made sense. Me, personally, I loved the stories of apollos shape-shifting mortal ventures more than say zeus or any of the other gods. Also, depending on your characterization of the vet, their supposed personalities line up quite well, with apollo being charming and somewhat arrogant/snarky with others

Hyrule: This feels left-field but rulie gets to be Persephone! Adept with magic, goddess of fertility and the harvest and just general growth (of nature), with the double edge of being the queen of the underworld. Ugh im so obsessed with downfall duo rulie is so tragic. left with a desolate wasteland, yet (depending on characterization) ushering in and doing his damndest to nurture life and growth. I love the headcanons where rulie is a survivalist through and through, proficiencies in botany and herbology, respect for the land and its inhabitants. 

Wild: Demeter! Wild is of the land, they are one and the same. The way his world is absolutely teeming with life, and the way he is molded to adapt and live with the land to complete his adventure,,, ugh its too good. He is the most in tune with the wolves, the bees, the cows, the reeds, the flowers, the dragons, the spirits, they ARE him. he woke up with NOTHING, except a vast land full to bursting with life and lessons. 

Four: Hephaestus, obviously. dont get me wrong, I love four so much, but anything else felt blasphemous (The way i could write essays about it—). He is the god of blacksmithing, if i assigned him anything else i fear he may just manage to kill me. 

Wind: Notos! God of the east Wind, known for the bringing of summer, cyclones, and warmth. love that funky little whirlwind hes so fun and spunky. being a god of wind was so on the nose it was too good. I didnt ever consider poseidon, winds too squishy and fluid for that. this kid is bouncing around like a cat 5 hurricane he is the wind, he is free (to cause chaos).

Ugh i love yapping about the mythologies. i may do this again except with minor gods/demigods (i will get back to that legend-achilles parallel i swear). I hope this was amusing to you

OKAY OKAY GO OFF!!!!

(I’m a huge Wars = Helen of Troy truther, I ain’t the only one, but I’ve yapped about it a lot akdkkdk)

you absolutely ate this up on my god i agree i agree i agree i agree. LEGEND AND ACHILLES?? SIGN ME THE FUCK UP IF YOU EVER FEEL LIKE YAPPIN ABOUT THAT THE FLOOR IS YOURS AND THE ASK BOX IS OPEN ID LOVE TO HEAR IT

[sigyns-drafts]

Hi, again! Luv what you did for my request with Marie Antoinette! Reader! I love how you characterised her and how she interacted with others, notably Jack!

Hope it wouldn't be too much of a bother for me to request Amphitrite! Reader with Poseidon, sort of a re-imagining of their marriage story where Amphitrite is an elegant, diplomatic queen, and yet literally the only thing keeping Poseidon from drowning humanity entirely/not having the seas in war with other gods?

I imagine Trite and him originally met during the Titanomachy, where she was sided with her dad Oceanus, and later met again in the actual marriage myth. I'd also especially love to request the part in the myth where Poseidon couldn't rizz her up himself, so he sent every sea creature to do it for him, and she goes, not because they were convincing, but because she wanted him to do it himself.

I wish you the best, take care of yourself, and keep doing what you do! 😊

A/N: Hello and thank you so much for even suggesting it in the first place! It was a blast to give her some characteristics with what you gave me and put her next to different characters. Jack was the cherry on top~ 🤭

You already know the answer~ I'd gladly write about your wonderful Amphitrite! I wish you the same back, take care of yourself and as always, love your art work and I hope you enjoy✨💕

A Love Forged in the Depths 🌊❤+💙

➩ In the shimmering depths of the vast sea, where the currents weave tales of old, resided the regal domain of Poseidon, the tempestuous god of the oceans. Yet, beneath the tumultuous waves, there awaited a woman upon Poseidons arrival home.

It was Amphitrite, the elegant queen whose grace would temper with Poseidon's wrath as it often did! Soon enough bringing back the couple back down memories lane.

➩ Reader type: Amphitrite!reader x Poseidon

⚠: A bunch of romantic fluff and teasing!

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue upon the waters, Amphitrite awaited Poseidon's return to their coral-laden palace.

Her dark skin glistened under the iridescent glow, and her red eyes held depths as unfathomable as the ocean itself. With each graceful movement of her dark mermaid tail, she exuded a sense of regality and power.

As Poseidon emerged from the depths, his trident gleaming with a fierce light, Amphitrite approached him with a gentle yet resolute demeanor.

"Welcome home, my lord," she greeted, her voice a melody that calmed even the wildest of storms.

"I trust your ventures were successful~?"

Poseidon's gaze softened as he beheld his queen, the one who held sway over his heart like no other woman.

"Indeed, they were, my darling Amphitrite." he replied, his voice filled with genuine feelings of happiness to be with his love once more, but he was hiding something behind those dark blue eyes.

"But, the affairs of the sea are ever tumultuous, and my patience wears thin on these mortals.."

Amphitrite raises an eyebrow at his words, confused on what the mortals could've possibly done now. She placed a comforting hand on Poseidon's arm, her touch soothing the storm within him.

"I understand your frustrations, my love.." she said, her words a balm to his troubled spirit.

"But please remember, it is through rational thinking and restraint from your anger that we maintain balance in the world right?"

Poseidon grunted, his gaze drifting towards the distant horizon where mortals sailed upon the waves.

"Humanity tests my patience at every turn.." he growled, his grip tightening on his trident.

"They pollute my waters, plunder my depths, and show no respect for the power I wield."

Amphitrite nodded understandingly, her eyes never leaving his.

"Yes, they may be reckless and foolish at times," she conceded. "But they are also capable of great beauty and ingenuity. We must guide them, not punish them."

Poseidon sighed, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly under Amphitrite's gentle persuasion.

"You speak wisdom, my queen. I'll think about this..." he admitted, his voice softer now.

"Perhaps I have been too quick to anger, too eager to unleash the fury of the sea.."

Amphitrite smirked, her radiant presence illuminating the darkness that threatened to consume them both.

"Exactly, together, we can achieve great things, my love~" Amphitrite said, her words a promise of unity and strength.

Poseidon took Amphitrite's hand in his own, the roughness of his touch softened by the tenderness in his eyes. He pulls her closer to himself, grabbing her waist.

"You are the anchor that holds me steady~" he confessed, chuckling under his breath. "Remember the day we first met?"

Amphitrite blushed and couldn't help but grin, biting her lip at the excitement Poseidon was expressing.

"Who do you take me for my king, of course I would remember such a embarrassing day upon your behalf, hehe~"

Once upon a time, amidst the chaos of the Titanomachy, where the Greek gods waged war against their predecessors.

Poseidon had first laid eyes upon Amphitrite here, as Oceanus's daughter and not his wife.

She fought alongside her father, her strength matched only by her elegance and diplomatic prowess.

Intrigued by her beauty and resilience, Poseidon sought to win her affections.

Yet, despite his attempts to charm her, Amphitrite remained steadfast, unmoved by his advances especially after this war.

Remaining loyal to her people and father! Unwilling to concede defeat, Poseidon devised a plan on a way to win her heart somehow.

Even if it took sending forth every sea creature under his command, from the majestic whales, to the playful dolphins.

Poseidon tasked them with persuading Amphitrite to accept his courtship. But unbeknownst to him, Amphitrite saw through his ruse, recognizing his reluctance to approach her directly.

It caused the woman great amusement that he wanted her so badly, but didn't dare set a foot before her.

One fateful day, as the ocean stirred with anticipation, Amphitrite decided to visit Poseidons domain and confronted him.

"Poseidon, god of the sea, why do you hide behind your creations?"

Poseidon, taken aback by her boldness to just enter so uncalled for caused his heart to skip a beat of panic. As he gazed upon her with newfound admiration.

"If your heart truly yearns for mine, then let your words be your own, not whispered through the mouths of creatures~"

The woman winks at him, about to turn away and leave, but Poseidon saw his chance and took it bravely!

"Amphitrite, daughter of Oceanus please wait! Your grace surpasses that of the ocean's depths, your wisdom and words are the most impressive things I've heard..!"

Amphitrite stops in her tracks, her red eyes shimmering with curiosity at what came next. A smug grin formed on her lips.

"Oh, is that so Poseidon~?"

"Yes! It is true..I have sought to win your favor through the sea's creatures, fearing rejection. But now, I stand before you vulnerable and sincere, asking for your hand in marriage.."

Finally the god of the ocean had said it, he had admitted to what had been so clear as running water, his true feelings and intentions for sending every creature in the sea to catch Amphitrite's attention.

"Poseidon," she replied, her voice soft yet resolute.

"Your sincerity brings me more enjoyment than any gesture orchestrated by you to win my heart. I accept your proposal, not because it was convincing but that you finally said it to my face, handsome~"

And so, beneath the starlit canopy of the ocean's depths, Poseidon and Amphitrite soon exchanged vows of love for each other, their union a testament to the enduring power of genuine affection and mutual respect.

As husband and wife, they were now both rulers of the sea and all its creatures, the same ones Poseidon had used to try winning Amphitrite's affection!

[serpentface]

Oh, birthing & midwiferyposting, please

Ok I will Elaborate

(Content warning because this contains discussion of infanticide)

This is speaking about midwifery and childbirth in the Imperial Wardi context (this also should not be taken as ubiquitous for every facet of the Imperial Wardi cultural sphere, but this is a broadly accurate rundown).

Infant mortality rates are high, and pregnancies and births can be very dangerous for the pregnant parent. Midwives serve a vital societal function and the best form of reproductive care available.

Midwives come in many forms. In poor families, the duties are usually performed by a family member and the skillset may be passed from parent to child. Some communities have resident midwives who perform their services for free or at low cost. Professional midwives exist for hire, and are very common in the cities. An upper echelon of midwives are a kind of physician-priestess, who will have received extensive medical training and are considered sanctified and uniquely equipped to fulfill the spiritual needs of childbirth. A few will perform services for free, but they are generally hired and their services are very expensive.

Wealthy families may have their own personal midwives, and VERY wealthy families/royalty have personal physician-priestesses.

Midwives are mostly women, though whether this is an expectation or merely an average tendency is dependent on the specific context. Cases where this is an Expectation tend to be in cultural contexts where the Gaze of a man is believed to have a sexual element that is uniquely powerful and harmful to the nude bodies of women (all Imperial Wardi cultural beliefs include a concept of the spiritually empowered Gaze and disempowered vulnerability in nudity, but exact nuances vary). Physician-priestesshood is, in theory, reserved only for people designated female, though a few throughout history have been known or suspected to be eunuchs.

Physician-Priestesses serve Anmir-Ganmache (an epithet of God as the domestic sphere, close in meaning to Ox-Face of the Hearth). This is not a priesthood specifically devoted to this face of God in the same sense that Odonii are the cult of the Lion-Face and Galenii are the cult of the Lunar-Face, they are merely seen as serving Anmir-Ganmache by performing their duties and being uniquely empowered by this Face's blessing. Most begin their training and education at puberty (though it's possible to join later in life) and are expected to serve for 25 years before retirement. Their primary function is to behave as midwives, but they receive a wide spectrum of medical training and are considered uniquely equipped to tend to the overall health of women.

A midwife is usually expected to not perform their tasks while menstruating (this may not be practical for poorer families who have to take what they can get), during which time a person is considered ritually unclean. Specially dedicated physician-priestesses are usually expected to be virgins and to remain so for the duration of their service (a method to ensure an entirely ritually pure existence). This is not expected of common midwives.

Most of any midwife’s job is typical physical assistance with the pregnancy and birthing process. Births are typically done in a sitting or squatting position, often wearing a special skirt or blanket to shield both parent and child from full view (a spiritual element to reduce unwanted metaphysical vulnerability during the birthing process). Under the best conditions, a midwife has several assistants of their own (in the case of physician priestesses, these are usually priestesses in training) who will physically support the person giving birth and attend to their needs.

The infant is shielded from direct view during its emergence, and is immediately cleaned and wrapped in cloth upon the cutting of the umbilical cord.

Part of the toolset for a physician-priestess is a pair of horns from a pregnant cow sanctified via sacrifice to Anmir-Ganmache. The cow had taken God's role in its sacrifice and its remains are holy relics, and used to put the mother and child under God's full protection. One horn will have been carved into a cup and holds a sanctified oil (usually olive), which is gently daubed over the eyes, mouth, heart, and near the genitals of the child, forming a protective barrier.

The other horn is intact (usually carved with protective imagery, notably a motif of a lioness-headed woman that has protective qualities for children, and an abstract, twisting serpent that represents and encourages the incarnation of the child's soul) and is waved over the child’s body in the form of a blessing. The same is done for the mother, with the addition of anointing the breasts to encourage healthy and clean lactation. Common midwives are unlikely to have easy access to sacred sacrificial relics, but this blessing rite is considered vital and can be accomplished (to a less ideal extent) with any cow's horns, so long as they have been properly purified.

Protecting the helpless, naked infant from the gaze and immediately exposing it to purifying agents is believed to help expel any inborn dagia or other polluting agents. This is believed to support the child's spiritual and physical health and hopes to prevent congenital or otherwise lifelong health conditions.

The midwife performs a thorough inspection of the infant, and will give a recommendation upon whether the child is healthy and fit to rear. Infants deemed at high risk of premature death may be killed, as the cost of care and emotional attachment for a child deemed unlikely to survive will often be seen as too great to warrant the risk. This act (presumably with the parent’s permission) is usually performed by the midwife themself, and is ideally accomplished with a fatal sedative dose (this death is seen as peaceful and painless, while a traumatic death would risk the infant’s soul failing to reincarnate and instead becoming a vengeful wandering ghost).

This obviously may be a difficult and traumatic choice on an emotional level, but infants are not believed to have fully incarnated souls until they begin to speak (it is believed that the soul begins to enter the body upon conception, but takes significant time to fully inhabit it), and will be reincarnated if they die before this occurs. So infanticide in this context is not usually perceived as the murder of a full person or a denial of life, as the infant’s soul will have as many other chances as it takes to become fully incarnated. (There's a variant of 'old soul' beliefs, where an especially precocious child or one that learns to speak early is believed to have had many previous reincarnations)

Intentional abortion of a fetus carries no stigma whatsoever for much the same reasons (though the MOTIVATIONS for this act on the parent’s part may carry stigma, such as to hide an illegitimate pregnancy). Natural abortifiacients are available and widely used in cases of unwanted pregnancy (though these are not by any means as safe or reliable as contemporary abortion procedures).

In all cases (whether an aborted fetus, a miscarriage, a stillbirth, infanticide, or another death before full incarnation), the infant or fetus’ remains are given the standard funeral rite of cremation to ensure their soul is freed from the body and can be properly reincarnated. Basic rites are all that is expected in this situation, but some parents will undergo extensive funerals with lavish offerings to encourage a prosperous and healthy rebirth.

There's also certain rites to encourage the same soul to return to the same parents (as it would otherwise be reincarnated into a human at random), the physical element of which is anointing the body (ideally the lips) with both parent's mingled blood before the cremation, as blood physically contains a person's spirit and the sharing of it can establish a powerful metaphysical bond. This is believed to assist in leading the child's stray soul back to the same source, and may lend a tremendous sense of comfort to parents in the face of a wanted, dead infant.

A pregnant parent who dies in childbirth is given special status and are believed to enter an esteemed afterlife (located within the Lapis Moon, a paradise where they will reside among saints and other esteemed dead). Childbirth is regarded as one of many analogues to God's self-sacrifice to bring forth creation, with the mother symbolically crossing the threshold of death and spilling her blood to bring forth life from nonexistence. To die in such a state is regarded as one of the noblest deaths typically available to women. (This sentiment is also entirely reflective of the typical place ascribed to those designated women in this society, where their chiefmost value is in bearing children). It's still (obviously) ideal for most to survive the birthing process, but this belief may contribute to some choosing to undergo an (almost always fatal) caesarean procedure in a difficult birth if the infant is assumed to be otherwise healthy.

In the case of a healthy birth in which all parties survive, the child will then be presented to its father (who in some contexts is prohibited from attending the birth), who will formally accept it as his own and bestow it with the family name (the child is not given a personal name until a month from birth, and undergoes a formalized naming ceremony at either their first birthday or when they begin to speak, tradition depending). A child born out of wedlock or to an absent father does not receive a family name, though may be formally adopted if the mother marries later on, or be given the family name of the mother's father if he chooses to accept it.

The mother should ideally undergo a full blessing to recover from the metaphysical vulnerability of the birthing state (the physician-priestess can provide this, but otherwise this is done at a temple or family/village shrine).

It's also generally expected to offer sacrifice to Anmir-Ganmache in thanks and to ensure continued protection for parent and child (the best offering is a cow, but offerings of milk or at the very least some grain is acceptable). Most who can afford a physician-priestess can also afford to offer a cow, and it's also expected that the best meat (usually the liver and flank) and the horns should be removed before the rest of the sacrifice is burnt, and gifted to the priestess as a personal thanks.

[dailydemonspotlight]

Yurlungr - Day 46

Race: Snake

Alignment: Neutral-Chaos

June 3rd, 2024

You know what the term Pride Month has if you squish it together a bit? Demon! Hell yeah, it's time to get into a serpent with all the colors of the rainbow to please our gay overlords. Please welcome the snake, the myth, one of the most famous deities in Australian mythology, and an absolute favorite demon of mine, Yurlungur! Originating from Aboriginal mythology, a criminally underrepresented mythos in several series (SMT included, unfortunately,) Yurlungur is the primary deity depicted in several breakout tales from this relatively unknown set of stories, a winding copper snake known for bringing rainfall and life in tow.

Yurlungur, better known as the Rainbow Serpent, is an incredibly important entity in Australian mythology, being an archetypical 'Mother Nature' of sorts. As its origin story goes, it was the creator of the land and sea, and could bring great prosperity- however, if one were to bother it, that prosperity would come crashing down, as it was a force of nature in more ways than one. Interestingly, Yurlungur is only one epithet of several given to the Rainbow Serpent, as several other cultures in Australia at the time gave it different names in spite of having it as one, overarching force. For instance, the Galpu clan called it 'Witij', while a similar deity typically purported to be the Rainbow Serpent in Queensland is named 'Kanmare.' Several more names make up this ranking, but given that Yurlungur is the most widespread epithet, given by the Murngin, I'll keep referring to it as that. Just keep in mind that, in further research, many sources may call it different things, so give your thanks to the fact that there were so many Aboriginal cultures out there.

According to anthropologists, the snake is heavily associated with the concept of 'The Dreaming,' an incredibly important bag of worms in Australian mythology- the idea of The Dreaming, or Dreamtime, is a romantic worldview of times before our own wherein great heroes and monsters resided, where supernatural threats were vanquished by not gods but mortal men who were simply revered as legends. During this time, it's believed, the Rainbow Serpent was most active- it gave blessings to humanity and curses to those who dared to break the law of nature, being the ultimate protector of mankind above all. Even past the time of Everywhen, however, the Serpent still lives on; a beautiful concept related to it, in my opinion, is the idea that each rainbow is simply a trail left behind in the sky as it flies from area to area.

The most prominent myth about the Serpent... isn't really one I wanna touch, frankly, given that it makes me a bit squeamish, but oh well. As the tale goes, a pair of sisters, the Wawalag sisters, to be exact, travel the land in search of civilization, as one is pregnant. Then, the one who was pregnant ends up giving birth, whereafter the blood from the agonizing process ends up trailing into the Rainbow Serpent's watering hole. Likely perturbed, the snake ends up following the scent of blood to the sisters now taking shelter in a hut, invades in the dead of night, and eats them and the newborn they were now carrying. Satisfied with its revenge, it tries to head back home... and then is bitten by an ant, the act of which makes it throw up.

This action makes the regurgitated bodies of the three turn into Arnhem Land, a term for the northern section of Australia, wherein the Serpent speaks and tries to make right for its action by helping the people who move there. Yeah. I don't know either. I think this story is meant to be a metaphor for the creation of a family, but...??? Yeah, I don't know. Sue me. That (frankly bizarre) story aside, though, the Rainbow Serpent actually does stand as a favorite in terms of Mythology for me, and it's all down to the fact that it's so unique- and almost cute.

Nature deities are no small part of any tapestry or pantheon, but something about Yurlungur just tickles me. It may be its role as an embodiment of the rainbow itself, it may be just down to my love of snakes and rainbows, it may even just be down to the fact that Aboriginal folklore is underrepresented in so many faucets, but the Rainbow Serpent is a favorite deity of mine even in the star-studded halls of gods. It has a unique purpose as a creator god, a mother god, a nature god, the lord of the rain and weather, and being a snake, all the while having a cool sheen and an interesting look. I love Yurlungur to bits. All of that aside, though, how is it represented in SMT?

I love it. Full stop. Thanks for readi- no, no, I'm joking, but this design is easily in my top 10. Not only is it rainbow, not only is it adorable, but it's accurate and unique! It brings something entirely new to the table while still being a fantastic representation of the Rainbow Serpent itself, as the etching and patterns on it give it a vibe that makes it feel uniquely spiritual, in a way. It also makes the snake stand out among its peers. This is how you do a god-snake design, Quetzalcoatl! It's a perfect rainbow to start off Pride Month, and I hope you all enjoy this demon as much as I do.

Overall, while the mythology surrounding Yurlungur is a bit... strange? It has a beautiful design, represents an incredibly romantic ideal, and is definitely deserving of being the demon of the day.

[pixel7777]

The First Worshipper: Ch. 11

The naughty version of the beautiful artwork commissioned from the incredible misfitlunatic (https://x.com/misfit_lunatik or https://bsky.app/profile/misfitlunatik.bsky.social) can be seen in all its glory here.

If you want to read from the beginning, searching my blog for #myfic will bring up all my fanfic posts. Link for Chapter 1. Link for art discussion post.

Read this chapter below the break here or on AO3!

132 years AB

My dearest Shadowheart,

You'll never believe where I found myself last week—a tiny fishing village on the Chultan coast with barely enough hovels to warrant a name, yet there it stood: a shrine to our insufferable friend. Nothing grand like my cathedral, mind you, just a humble altar with that ridiculous crown carved in driftwood. I couldn't help but laugh. The local priestess nearly fainted when I introduced myself.

(Don't tell Gale, but I may have embellished a few of our adventures for dramatic effect. The villagers were particularly fond of the tale where he tripped over his robes and fell face-first into the Chionthar. Some stories simply improve with creative retelling.)

Speaking of improvement, I maintain that Selune's following would triple if she would just let me revise her doctrine. "Let the moon be your guide" is desperately lacking in panache. I've drafted several alternatives that are far more engaging. Perhaps "Dance beneath the moon's silver gaze while plotting delightful mischief"?

No? 

Your loss.

I crossed paths with Wyll in Amn last month. We cleared out a nasty devil cult—and by "we," I mean I did most of the work while he posed heroically. If he tells you otherwise, he's lying through those perfect teeth of his. Though I must admit, it felt good to put these fangs to proper use again. There's only so much diplomatic schmoozing one can endure before craving a proper fight.

The road suits me better than I expected. Each new city, each strange face—they show me different reflections of myself. Sometimes I barely recognize the vampire spawn I used to be. (Though I still drink only the finest vintage, naturally. Standards must be maintained.)

I do miss our conversations in the Vale, and Halsin's inexhaustible patience with my... everything. Perhaps I'll make my way back. Eventually. Possibly. When I run out of new places to scandalize with tales of our resident god's embarrassing moments.

Until then, keep the moonlight warm for me.

Yours truly,

Astarion

P.S. - If anyone asks, I had nothing to do with that statue of Gale in Waterdeep. The pose was entirely mostly the artist's choice.

* * *

Gale surveyed his latest addition to his divine domain - a grand amphitheater carved from celestial marble, its seats ascending in perfect spirals toward infinity. Countless identical columns stretched into the distance, their shadows falling in precise geometric patterns across the pristine floor.

He'd spent what felt like centuries crafting every detail. The architecture defied mortal physics, each structure more impressive than the last. Floating observatories tracked the movements of stars yet undiscovered. Libraries contained knowledge from countless worlds. Fountains flowed with liquid ambition itself, their waters reflecting every dream ever dreamed.

And yet.

The emptiness of it all pressed against him like a physical weight. His footsteps echoed through vacant halls designed to hold multitudes. No matter how many wonders he created, the spaces between them only grew larger.

He paused at a window overlooking an endless sea of possibilities - each wave containing a different potential future. The view should have inspired awe. Instead, it reminded him of watching Astarion tell stories at the Loot Tavern, how his friend's theatrical gestures had brought more life to that humble space than all these grand halls combined.

A prayer tickled at the edge of his consciousness - something about a shrine in Chult.

He reached for the prayer like a starving man grasping at crumbs, desperate for any connection to the mortal realm. In his mind's eye, he could see Astarion perfectly - that theatrical arch of his brow, the way he'd sprawl across three chairs while holding court at the tavern, one leg dangling as he gestured with his wine glass. The vampire would be doing it right now, no doubt, spinning some outrageous tale about his latest escapade with just enough truth woven in to make his audience lean forward, hanging on every calculated pause...

Gale caught himself smiling, then forced his thoughts away from the scene with a sharp shake of his head. This wouldn't do at all. Astarion was clearly managing his own journey of self-discovery, following through on his promises to figure out who he was beyond trauma and past relationships. Meanwhile, here sat Gale, supposedly a god of ambition, woolgathering like a lovesick apprentice instead of attending to his divine responsibilities. He straightened his shoulders, trying to recapture some semblance of godly dignity. There were more pressing matters at hand than reminiscing about tavern tales.

Gale traced his fingers along a perfectly smooth wall. He'd designed every inch of this realm to celebrate achievement and aspiration. But what good was ambition without someone to share it with? Even the Netherbrain had its collective consciousness. Here, there was only him and the echo of his own thoughts bouncing off immaculate surfaces.

He'd built a monument to solitude disguised as a tribute to greatness. The realization sat heavy in his chest, more suffocating than any mortal weight had ever been.

Gale straightened, energy surging through his divine form as inspiration struck. Of course - he didn't need to wait for Ao's permission to welcome souls in his domain to fill it with more than grand buildings and books. He could create "helpers" of his own. They would make the place ready for when the gates could finally open… and keep him company in the meantime.

Drawing on his newfound powers, Gale wove streams of divine energy into humanoid shapes. The first attempts emerged stiff and statue-like, but he refined the process, adding subtle movements and expressions. Soon, a dozen glowing figures populated his grand hall, drifting between columns with ethereal grace.

"Much better," he muttered, watching them float past. But their movements felt mechanical, lacking the spark of true life. He concentrated harder, pouring more power into their forms, willing them toward something closer to consciousness.

The figures flickered, their golden light intensifying. One turned its head toward him with an almost-natural gesture. Encouraged, Gale pushed further, trying to infuse them with fragments of memory - echoes of laughter from the Copper Crown, snippets of conversation from their adventuring days.

The nearest figure convulsed, its form destabilizing. Others began to twist and stretch, their carefully crafted features melting like wax. One emitted a sound that might have been meant as speech but emerged as discordant tones that set Gale's teeth on edge.

"No, wait—" He reached out to stabilize them, but his touch only accelerated their deterioration. The figures collapsed in on themselves, their light growing painful to look at. Their movements became erratic, bouncing off walls and leaving scorch marks on his perfect marble.

The first figure exploded in a burst of divine energy that cracked one of his meticulously designed columns. The others followed in rapid succession, each detonation more violent than the last. Gale threw up a barrier just as the final construct detonated, sending fragments of celestial architecture raining across his pristine floor.

When the dust settled, Gale stood amid the wreckage. The hall's perfect symmetry lay in ruins, scorch marks marring the walls in chaotic patterns. He picked up a chunk of marble, still warm from the explosions, and turned it over in his hands.

"Gosh," he said to the empty hall, "that could have gone better."

A presence materialized behind Gale, vast and ancient as the multiverse itself. He didn't need to turn around to know who it was - the weight of Ao's attention pressed against his consciousness like an ocean against a paper boat.

"That was quite the light show." Ao's voice resonated through both the physical space and Gale's mind simultaneously.

"I wasn't trying to—" Gale gestured at the scorched walls. "They were meant to be simple constructs. Decorative."

"If that were true, they wouldn't have destabilized so spectacularly." Ao moved into view, his form both present and absent in ways that made Gale's divine senses ache. "You are not yet permitted to create sentient life, young one. That privilege must be earned."

"But surely basic companionship—"

"Is exactly what you were attempting to manufacture." Ao's tone held neither anger nor judgment, just absolute certainty. "Your connection to the material plane remains too strong. These mortal attachments cloud your judgment, prevent you from developing the objectivity and dispassion required of your station."

I'd rather keep my passion than become some detached observer, Gale thought before remembering exactly who he was… thinking loudly around.

Ao's expression shifted minutely - was that amusement? "And that reaction precisely demonstrates why we insist on this probationary period. Your mortal impatience nearly destroyed you once before. Or have you forgotten the orb?"

The memory of that desperate hunger, that driving ambition that had led him to accidentally capture a piece of the weave of Karsus inside his very flesh, flickered through Gale's mind. He'd almost unmade himself - and Mystra's Weave along with him.

"The consequences of such impulsiveness now would be far graver," Ao continued. "Divine power requires divine perspective. You must learn patience."

"Yes, Lord Ao," Gale managed, mortification burning through him like a star going nova.

"Try harder," Ao said simply, and was gone.

* * *

151 years AB

I drummed my fingers on the lanceboard, watching Halsin contemplate his next move with all the urgency of a tree growing roots. The Vale's afternoon light filtered through leaves overhead, casting dappled shadows across the wooden pieces.

"Any day now, dear friend. I do have eternity, but let's not test its limits."

Halsin's lips twitched. "Patience was never your strong suit." He finally moved his piece—directly into my trap. Again.

I sighed, capturing his defender with an elegant sweep. "And strategy was never yours. That's the third time you've fallen for that gambit."

"Perhaps I enjoy watching you win." His eyes crinkled with amusement. "You're less acerbic when you're feeling superior."

"I'm always feeling superior." I reset the board, more out of habit than hope for an actual challenge. "Though I must say, after thirty years of wandering, it's... not unpleasant to sit still for a moment."

"Even here?" Halsin gestured to the Vale around us, where druids tended their gardens and children chased each other through the grass. "I'd have thought you'd find it provincial after your grand adventures."

I caught sight of Shadowheart in her garden, her silver hair gleaming in the sun as she pruned her roses. The years sat well on her—though I'd never tell her that. She'd probably think I was being condescending.

"Provincial has its charms." I moved my first piece. "Besides, I've seen enough of the world's wonders to content me for several mortal lifetimes. Did you know there's a city in Chult where they worship Gale as a god of rain? Absolute nonsense—he can barely manage being a god of ambition."

Halsin chuckled, making another predictably poor move. "And yet you still pray to him."

"Someone has to keep him humble." I captured another of his pieces. "Though I doubt that's possible anymore. Last time I heard from him, he was contemplating adding another wing to his divine domain. Something about needing more space for his ego."

The afternoon stretched on, peaceful and mundane. No monsters to slay, no conspiracies to unravel. Just an old druid losing badly at lanceboard, the sound of children's laughter, and the scent of Shadowheart's roses on the breeze.

I moved another piece without thought, watching Halsin's predictable counter-move with only half my attention. My gaze kept drifting to Shadowheart, noting how her once-ramrod straight back was now slightly bowed, how time had etched lines around her eyes and mouth. When had that happened?

The years I'd spent wandering seemed to collapse in on themselves. One moment she'd been helping me select curtains for the cathedral, and now... now she moved more slowly, took more breaks while tending her beloved roses.

"Your move," Halsin prompted.

"Mm." I captured another of his pieces mechanically. "Tell me, do you think those new roses will survive the winter? The red ones she planted last week?"

"Since when do you care about gardening?"

I didn't answer. How could I explain that I'd cut my grand tour short, abandoned the thrill of discovery and adventure, because I'd realized with sudden, stark clarity that I might never see Shadowheart again? That after watching Karlach and Jaheira and Lae'zel slip away, I couldn't bear to miss these final precious years with one of the few people who truly knew me?

How utterly shocking—the great selfish bastard Astarion, rushing back to the Vale like some sentimental fool.

I'd spent centuries convinced that caring for others was a weakness, that true power lay in standing apart. Yet here I was, finding more joy in watching Shadowheart teach young acolytes about moon-blooming flowers than I had in all the wonders of Chult or the glittering spires of Waterdeep. Although perhaps the possibility of more adventures in the future made this pastoral idle a bit less smothering than if it was to be my eternity.

"Checkmate," I said absently, toppling Halsin's last piece. "Another?"

"If you'd like. Though you seem rather distracted."

I shrugged, resetting the board. "Just thinking about how absolutely mortifying it is to discover I actually enjoy your company. All of you. Don't let it go to your head."

I reset the board, my fingers lingering on a carved wooden piece. Sebastian would have loved these—he had an eye for craftsmanship. Always noticing the subtle details, the way light caught the grain of wood, how shadows played across surfaces.

"Your move," Halsin prompted, but my mind was already wandering through shadowed caverns where mushrooms glowed like stars.

Sebastian had been... good. Patient. Understanding. Everything I should have wanted. He'd shown me beauty in stillness, peace in routine. The way he mixed his paints, each color carefully considered, each stroke deliberate—it had been mesmerizing. No rush, no desperate need to prove anything to anyone.

And that had been the problem, hadn't it?

I moved a piece without thinking. "Did you know he tried to teach me to paint? I was absolutely dreadful at it. No patience for details."

"Who? Sebastian?  He's on your mind again, then."

"Mmm." I captured one of Halsin's pieces. "He said I was too focused on the end result, that I needed to learn to enjoy the process. Terribly wise of him. I hated it."

Because that was the truth of it—I'd tried to be what Sebastian needed, what I thought I should want. Quiet evenings with tea and canvas, gentle conversations about art and philosophy. But beneath that veneer of contentment, something in me had been screaming for more.

"The irony is," I said, watching Halsin contemplate his next move, "he understood me better than I understood myself. He knew I'd leave before I did. Said I had too much fire in me to stay in the shadows forever."

My fingers traced the edge of the lanceboard. "I could have loved him forever, I think, if I'd been someone else. Someone better at peace."

But I wasn't. I was restless, hungry—not for blood anymore, but for something else. Movement. Change. The thrill of never knowing what the next day might bring.

Sebastian had deserved better than half-love and restless nights. And I deserved to be loved for who I was and not ability to pretend to be what someone else needed.  It still felt strange, so think it so bluntly.  What I deserved.  That, flawed as I was—and my friends probably had a running list—I still deserved some things. And that was one.

I rose from the lanceboard, offering Halsin an exaggerated bow. "I'll spare you further humiliation for today. Besides, Shadowheart promised to show me her secrets of botanical warfare."

"It's called dyeing, Astarion," Shadowheart called from her garden, already gathering her basket.

"Same thing, really. Both involve destroying something beautiful to make it more interesting." I crossed the grass to offer her my arm, noting how she leaned into it more than she used to. Not for support—she'd bite my head off if I suggested that—but there was a comfort in the contact that hadn't been there decades ago. For both of us, I supposed.

The walk back to the house was peaceful, filled with her quiet commentary about which blooms would yield the best colors. I watched her hands as she gestured, weathered now but still graceful, still strong. The years had carved their marks into her skin, but they'd also softened something in her eyes, worn away some of the sharp edges we'd both carried for so long.

Inside, I helped her set down the basket, breathing in the earthy scent of fresh-picked flowers and herbs. This was my life for the moment. Teaching young thieves to read in the evening. Embroidering ridiculous scenes of our adventures onto silk. Listening to Shadowheart explain the proper way to crush petals for the deepest purple dye. Cherishing the ones who knew me best and who didn't resent that this would not be my life for forever.

I was a vampire who had learned to love sunrises. A former slave who now chose his own chains—of friendship, of family, of life on this planet with which I was increasingly enamored. Anyone who wanted to love me would have to love that too, divine or not.

But those thoughts could wait. Shadowheart was laying out her tools with methodical precision, and there was dyeing to be done.

"Now, pay attention," she said, selecting a bloom. "And try not to stain anything this time."

"That was once, darling, and it made that tablecloth far more interesting."

Her laugh, warm and real, filled the room, and I focused on the task at hand. The present moment was enough.

* * *

[Astarion kneels at his private altar, adjusting the blue silk with theatrical precision. He arranges fresh flowers—stolen from Shadowheart's garden—and places a bottle of wine beside them.]

"Oh most divine and probably-bored-out-of-your-mind Gale, your most devoted worshipper brings tidings from the mortal realm."

[He swirls the wine in his glass, a smirk playing at his lips.]

"I wanted to thank you, actually. For understanding why I needed to wander, to find my own way. And for not smiting me when I spent that decade spreading increasingly ridiculous stories about your ascension. The one about you achieving godhood through an eating contest with Cyric was particularly inspired, I thought."

[He pauses to sip his wine, then continues with an exaggerated sigh.]

"Life has been surprisingly... good. Though I must say, watching Halsin attempt to play lanceboard is a special kind of torture. The man can command nature itself, yet he can't grasp basic strategy. It's almost impressive, really.

"But Shadowheart's roses—now those are magnificent. You should see them.  It’s strange, you know, how something so delicate can hold so much strength. Shadowheart seems to have passed that quality on to every bloom in her care. Unless that's insensitive? Pointing out all the lovely things down here while you're stuck managing the cosmic order or whatever it is you do all day?"

[He leans forward conspiratorially, lowering his voice.]

"Speaking of Halsin... I've been thinking. He's aged rather well for a mortal, hasn't he? Those arms are still quite impressive, and he does have that whole wise-druid thing going for him. Do you think it would be terribly awkward if I—"

[He pauses dramatically.]

"If I perhaps... pursued a more intimate connection with our naturalistic friend?"

[He maintains the serious expression for exactly three seconds before breaking into laughter.]

"I'm joking, of course! Could you imagine? Though your face—or whatever divine equivalent you have now—must have been priceless."

[He refills his wine glass, grinning.]

"Someone has to keep you entertained up there. Tell me, which gods have the best sense of humor? I bet Mask is fun at parties. Though surely none of them can match my wit. Don't worry, I'll keep the quality material coming your way… and throw the occasional rose on the altar for you.  Don't read anything romantic into it. Or do. Depending, I suppose, on how the balance of heaven and earth—and certain mortal memories—weighs in your heart these days.

"Though I must admit, the roses make me think of her—our dear Shadowheart. She's still here, in her garden, making everything she touches beautiful. You’d like what she’s done with the place, Gale. Perhaps you should stop by. Bring that godly presence of yours down to Faerun once in a while. I promise not to make too much fun of you. Well, maybe just a little.

"I remain, as always, my dearest Gale, your devoted servant and friend."

[He rises gracefully, brushing invisible dust from his knees.]

[okay-but-could-we-not]

20 questions: Writing Edition

tagged by @megatraven (thank you my friend! <3)

How many works do you have on AO3?

35 revealed rn!

What's your total AO3 word count?

185,267

What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Saints Into The Sea (ghostsoap)

You Break Me Down, You Build Me Up (sidlink)

sugar, sugar (kuroken)

Blood Like Honey (verdan)

lightning in a bottle (sidlink)

What fandoms do you write for?

oh boy. um. well, things I have written for myself/want to continue writing: Teen Wolf, BNHA, Mortal Kombat, Call of Duty, House of the Dragon, Devil May Cry, and Resident Evil.

but! I've written RWBY, Breath of the Wild, Marvel, Pokemon, Haikyuu, The Witcher, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and Trigun Stampede as gifts in the past.

Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

yes! always! sometimes it takes me a few months but I always respond. I'm so happy to get them I want people to know I appreciate them.

What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I think I gotta give it to put me in my place (wintersfield).

What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

god, idk, most of them are pretty happy. maybe Something in My Soul (BKDK)?

Do you get hate on fics?

I do not, thankfully! it would be funny to but I'm glad I don't have to deal with that shit.

Do you write smut?

a lot, yes lol. I think about half of what I've published is smut.

Do you write crossovers?

not yet but I will when I get into a few OC projects! they won't be big because I don't care enough to explain how the crossover happens but it will be there.

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

not that I'm aware of!

Have you ever had a fic translated?

also not that I'm aware of.

Have you ever co-written a fic before?

no, but I collabed with someone to make art of my fic!

What's your all-time favourite ship?

on my hands and knees. bakudeku world domimation. they're literally tattooed on me you cannot fathom how much they mean to me.

What's the WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

oh, there are a few. none officially posted but I have some longer OC fics I'll probably never finish.

What are your writing strengths?

hmmm... idk I think I'm generally good at describing things? both physical things and feelings.

What are your writing weaknesses?

I want to say everything but I think that's just me being mean to myself. I struggle to end things, I guess. or just generally finish them. I feel like I'm not great at smut or other intimacy but I've been told I am actually so idk if I would count that.

Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in a fic?

I don't speak anything but english and I'm too afraid of mistranslating something so I cheat and do italics or just say someone is talking in a different language.

First fandom you wrote for?

that I published, RWBY. that I didn't, Metal Fight Beyblade.

Favourite fic you've ever written?

ooh... um... damn. recency bias maybe but New Moon, Rising Sun (disaac). but also maybe Give and Take (ghostsoap) or milk and honey (nerodan).

npt: @honestlydarkprincess @thiamsxbitch @fruchtfliege @ashyjingles @thiamsalpha @hemlocksandfoxgloves @ksbbb @haven-of-dusk @el-viruss @drsteggy

and anyone else ofc

[theemissuniverse]

You are literally the goat if you make a fic about Shujinko and you make me like him

“DECEPTION ROOTED IN THE SOUL” SHUJINKO X ANTI-HERO FEM!READER

SUMMARY : Shujinko is on his quest to find all the kamidogus when he meets you, a cambion (a half human half demon) in the Netherrealm. You will decide if he is worthy for you to help (Shujinko is 18)

A/N : Okay, for context, I bet all my followers that I could write a fic about Shujinko and they would still eat it up bc I’m just THAT good so that’s why this exists

A/N : for y’all that will not understand, this plot is based on Mortal Kombat Deception

WARNINGS : none I think?? Besides descriptive making out

MASTERLIST

Time was of the essence. It was far greater than anything. He had believed that the Elder Gods trusted in him. He had to complete his task.

Hearing that his soul was tainted, Shujinko questioned some of his methods in order for him to complete his konquest because now the man was able to enter the Netherrealm.

The Netherrealm was filled with evil souls and evil people. It was a place not for the weak. Shujinko wasn’t necessarily scared just uneasy.

It was weird to say the least. The way people spoke and acted was much different than the people that resided in Earthrealm, his home.

Sometimes he could understand what people were saying but then there were others who would speak a language he was not familiar with. So, it made it hard for him to communicate.

Shujinko had already prepared himself for the worse but he was not ready for this.

As he walked through out the poor excuse of a “city” he had spotted a woman, you, arguing with a monster.

He was confused because you didn’t look like a monster. In fact, you looked very human besides some dark face paint on your face.

Actually…you were beautiful.

“I have told you for the last time, Baraka, I will not aid in Shao Kahn’s army. He offers me nothing.”

“Then you are the enemy!”

The warrior pushed you down to the ground. You hissed a little at the impact. You were about to stand up so you could fight him but somebody was already beating you to it.

Shujinko made his appearance known. Baraka, the warrior, turned to look at him. “Who are you? Speak now! Or be slaughtered!”

“I am Shujinko. The Elder God’s champion.” He stated very simply. “I think it is best that you leave now.”

Baraka laughed as if what Shujinko had said was the funniest thing in the world. “Me? Leave? Are you challenging me?”

“If you see it as a challenge then so be it but it is a warning.”

“Ha! I will feast on your bones for your insolence!”

When Shujinko saw Baraka was getting into his fighting stance, Shujinko got into his and prepared himself.

You watched as the fight happened. As he fought, Shujinko picked up on all of Baraka’s moves and started to use them against him.

It was actually very interesting.

How could someone have that much knowledge and wisdom that they were able to pick up on something so quickly?

You didn’t know if Shujinko was just that good of a fighter or Baraka was a terrible warrior but Shujinko was winning. Very easily may you add.

You should’ve took this as your opportunity to escape but you couldn’t help yourself. You were intrigued.

Even more intrigued because of the fact that Shujinko did not look like a powerful demon. And if he claimed to be the Elder God’s champion then he definitely wasn’t.

Baraka was down on the ground in pain. You were waiting for Shujinko to finish Baraka. He did not.

When Baraka recognized that Shujinko showed him mercy, Baraka took it as his chance to escape.

You watched as Baraka ran away. You turned your attention towards Shujinko. “I could’ve handled him.”

“I’m sure you could’ve.” Shujinko agreed with you. You were surprised that there was no hint of sarcasm in his voice. He held out his hand to help you off the ground.

You stared at his hand, contemplating on taking it. He did help you. (Even if you didn’t ask for it.) You took his hand and allowed him to help you up.

Curiosity took the best of you. “How did you do that? I saw you copy his fighting style and use it against him. And Baraka is the best Tarkatan warrior. He would not fall to someone as easy looking as you.”

“Easy looking?” Shujinko questioned a little amused. “I have been granted the gift to pick up on people’s fighting styles fairly quickly.”

You nodded a little at his short explanation. It made sense. “You don’t look like you belong here. You’re…very human looking.”

“I am a human. I am from Earthrealm.”

Your eyes widen at his statement. How was he able to coexist in the Netherrealm then? “Earthrealm? How is that possible? You must be filled with evil.”

Not being able to help yourself, you touched Shujinko’s shoulder slightly. He allowed you to do this. You closed your eyes and looked into Shujinko’s soul.

When you opened your eyes, they were white. Shujinko did not seem frightened by this and observed what you were doing.

You continued to try and look into his soul but you found barely anything. You closed your eyes again and your eye color went back to normal.

You removed your hand from his shoulder. “There is very light corruption. Nothing outlandish.”

Shujinko was a little happy to hear that he was not completely corrupted. “I have been informed that while doing my quest, I may have gotten my soul tainted a little.” He looked you up and down and it was his curiosity that got the better of him. “You also do not look like a demon.”

You chuckled a little at the realization. “That is because I am a Cambion. I am half human and half demon. I can either take on my human form or my demon form.”

“You are in the Netherrealm. Why would you want to look human?”

“To separate myself from these fools.” You placed your hands behind your back as you spoke. “I am a powerful sorcerer. My father is Quan Chi.”

Shujinko was stunned by your confession. “Quan Chi? He is-“

“The devil? I know. As you can see, I am not aligned with him.” You told him. “I’m (Y/N).”

“Shujinko.”

You chuckled a little at the name. “Interesting. Your name means protagonist. How fitting.” Shujinko smiled slightly. You changed the subject. “What brings you to the Netherrealm exactly? It is not the ideal place for you.”

Shujinko did not want to give you too much information but you seemed friendly enough. I mean, you haven’t tried to kill him despite everyone else in the Netherrealm trying to. “I am here on a quest from the Elder Gods. What I need resides in this realm unfortunately.”

You nodded at his vague explanation. You suppose he was in his right to not completely tell you. You were a demon of the Netherrealm. “Well, I hope you are good on your quest, Shujinko.” You started to walk away from him. “May we meet again.”

Shujinko watched as you walked away from him. He had to admit, he was slightly disappointed seeing as that you were the only one in the Netherrealm that did not give him hell.

Hopefully you would meet him again.

Later on in his quest in the Netherrealm, Shujinko had encountered you. Again, you were fighting with someone but this time you were winning.

He decided to watch you as you held the warrior in your hands. Then you began to suck the soul out of them. The warrior’s body started to desiccate,

When the warriors body turned into old brittle bones, you flung them to the ground.

Shujinko decided to walk over to you. “What did he do to you?”

You turned to Shujinko, a little startled that you had seen him again. “Exist.” You stated simply. “You know…” You began to say as you walked closer to him. “You are not as good as I figured to be. You watch me kill a man?”

Shujinko raised his hands in his defense. “I have no authority of what you do. You also seem…alright. He must’ve done something to you.”

You chuckled at the nativity that was Shujinko. “Do not be so easily fooled of who I am because I show you kindness.” You walked over to him. You grabbed him by the chin and forced him to look at you directly in the eyes. “Remember, I grant you kindness because you have earned my respect.”

Tilting your head, you examined his features. He was a very handsome man. He had long hair to the back of his neck and big brown doe eyes. His lips were actually a little plump and he had soft masculine features on his face.

“And because you are very handsome.”

Shujinko allowed you to touch his face as he was not threatened by you. If you had wanted to kill him, you would’ve by now.

He was a little taken back by your compliment, wondering where it had came from. “A demon calls me handsome?”

“Oh, dear. If I hadn’t grown to like you I would’ve fed on your soul by now.” You let go of his face and laughed slightly at his expression. He showed no reaction to what you had said. “You’re very calm for someone that could kill you in an instant.”

Shujinko watched as you began to circle around him. He kept his eyes on you the entire time. “I am not so convinced you would hurt me.”

“Oh?” You stopped behind his back. Your lips go to his ear and you began to whisper. “Maybe I showed you too much of my kindness.”

“Perhaps you have. But you are not as evil as you make yourself seem.”

You take a step back from him. In reality, it was true. I mean, it was the reason why you were not helping Shao Kahn. It was the reason why you abandoned your father.

You did not partake in their kind of evilness.

You would never admit it though. Especially to the Earthrealmer that stood before you. You decided to change the subject. “How does your quest come along?”

Shujinko noticed your change in topic but decided to play along. “It is…far more difficult than I anticipated.”

“Difficulty? For the Elder God’s champion? I figured it be not.” You teased slightly before stopping in front of him.

Shujinko recognized your teasing. “Oh? Does the great cambion sorcerer have anything to teach me?” He teased back.

“Oh, I might have a couple tricks.” You ran your hands up and down his chest. “You’re very interesting Shujinko. Let’s hope you don’t disappoint me.” You removed your hands from him and started to walk away from him.

Shujinko, again, watched you walk disappointed. “May we meet again?”

You turned around and smiled at him. “You know it.”

Throughout his journey, he was stumbled again when he was greeted by another woman that looked basically human.

Maybe she was also like you, a cambion. But that was quickly disproved because she explained herself to be a demon but she had purged her soul of evil.

Her name was Ashrah and she offered to teach him the ways of her kombat. He agreed.

Once he picked up on all her fighting styles, she congratulated him on a job well done.

Ashrah had just defeated a Tarkatan warrior in front of Shujinko to show him her abilities. “The Tarkatan was not a pure demon but a mutated hybrid of demon and mortal races.” She said.

It made Shujinko ponder to you because technically, you were a hybrid yourself but you appeared very much human like. Maybe it was because you were also a sorcerer.

Ashrah continued to speak. “There was not much to gain from his death. We’re I to defeat the powerful demon (Y/N), however, I would surely ascend from this place much sooner.”

The mention of you caught him off guard. Her? Defeat you?

Not only did he not like the idea as he had grown to like you, but he thought it was foolish. Sure, Ashrah was a powerful demon herself but he had watched you fight that warrior. Not to mention you also claimed to be a powerful sorcerer.

How could she possibly defeat you?

“(Y/N)? The Cambion sorcerer?” He questioned her.

Ashrah went wide eyed when he had known who she was talking about. “You know of her? Where is she?”

“I do not know but I don’t think it is wise to test her.”

“You underestimate me, Earthrealmer. If you shall encounter her again, lead her to me. It is here that I am most powerful.”

Shujinko did not like this but he did not want to argue with Ashrah. “If I see her, I will do as you ask.”

But if he were to do that, he would warn you of Ashrah’s true intentions.

It took Shujinko some time but he had finally found you. He located you by doing small quests for people in order to gain information about your whereabouts.

He walked to the house and knocked on the door. He waited a few moments and the door opened. When he did, he saw your true form.

You were in your demon form. Your whole body was red and and your eyes glowed white. There was something about you that was enticing to him.

Even though you were a demon you still had your feminine beauty.

When you had realized that it was Shujinko, you sighed. “By the gods..” With a snap of your fingers, a gust of green mist appeared and you were in your human form.

Shujinko blinked a little. It stunned him by the sudden transformation. He didn’t see why you would though. Did you think he would treat you differently if he saw the real you?

“How in Netherrealm’s name did you find me?”

“I did small quests in exchange for information.” Shujinko replied simply.

You grabbed Shujinko’s shirt and pulled him inside. You shut the door behind you. “Whomever they are, they will feel my wrath. Why are you standing before me?”

“The demon known as ‘Ashrah’ wants to purge her soul by slaying you.”

When Shujinko had revealed this information to you, you rolled your eyes at the name. “I cannot stand her. She’s always so…infuriating. Does she have a death wish?”

“I should’ve asked…”

“Well where is she? I will deal with her and skin her alive.”

When you went to walk out of the house, Shujinko grabbed onto your arm to stop you. “I do not think that’s a good idea.”

You gave him a look and snatched your arm from him. “You do not think I can do it?”

“Quite the opposite. I do not want you to kill her.”

When he had said that, the statement made you angry. You walked towards him in a fit of rage but Shujinko did not back away. He stood his ground. “You dare protect her?”

“It is not more so protection as it is goal oriented. Killing her as of right now invades my quest.”

Saying that, it clicked for you. You chuckled some and backed away from him. “Wow. I was really wrong about you. You are selfish.”

Shujinko was not pleased to be called such a word. Not at all. “I do what is best to complete my task.”

“Mmhm. So you say.” You told him. “I can give you something that can help you on your…quest.”

Shujinko was ready to hear anything that could help him on his journey. “Anything would help, (Y/N).”

“I can grant you some of my power. It will help you fight off the demons that try to challenge you in the Netherrealm.”

“You would do that? For me?”

“You came to warn me about Ashrah’s doing. I have never met anyone so loyal to me. I will reward you.”

Shujinko was just happy that he was being granted something to help him complete his quest. “What do I have to do to receive this power?”

That’s when you smirked. You stepped closer to him. So close you closed a lot of the distance between the two of you. You stared right into his eyes. “Kiss me.”

Shujinko stood there. He was shocked. He was not expecting that in the slightest. Though he had to admit, he didn’t really mind. “I have a feeling there is actually an other way but you are choosing this one.”

You chuckled. You wrapped your arms around his neck and pulled him down towards you. “Don’t act like you don’t love it.”

Shujinko’s lips meant yours. He was a little taken back at how sweet your lips tasted. I mean, you were a demon.

He cupped the back of your neck with his left hand and continued to kiss you. You started off slow.

The kiss quickly turned heated. When Shujinko realized you weren’t going to pull away anytime soon, he placed his right hand on your waist and pulled you even closer to him.

You deepened the kiss. The kiss started to turn sloppy with your lips entangling with each others. You licked all over his bottom lip and sucked on it.

Shujinko let out a moan into the kiss. He felt your hands tangle in his hair and lightly pull at it, making him let out another moan.

You two kissed for a few more moments before you pulled away. The two of you stared in each others eyes, admiring one’s beauty.

Removing your arms from him, you held out your hand and then made Shujinko hold out his. You concentrated and soon enough, a green glowing light appeared in his hand.

Shujinko smiled a little. “It worked.”

“You doubted me?”

“I was just not convinced a kiss would give me such power.”

You closed his hand up. “You have the minimum of sorcery in you.”

“How long does this last?”

“If I die, which will never happen, the magic will go away.”

You walked away some from him. Shujinko watched as you did so. “You are so keen that you will not fall.”

“I am far too powerful to have any doubts.” You stated. You were walking close to a room but did not go into it. You turned around and smirked at him. “You know, you should stay awhile. I get bored.”

Shujinko knew what you were implying but played along into your innuendos. “And how would I be able to entertain you?”

“Oh I think you know how.” You held out your hand for him to take.

Shujinko was thinking. Even though you showed him an immense amount of kindness given your nature, he knew that deep down, you were still evil.

He did trust you to a certain extent. You giving your power to him only proved that. And he was grateful for it.

He tried to think of what could go wrong if he gave in. What were the consequences that were to come?

Off the top of his head, he couldn’t think of any. And he had to admit, you looked more than enticing as of now.

So, he walked over to you and took your hand.

You kept your smirk and brought him into the room before shutting the door.

A/N : Alr now, I ain’t gonna give y’all a heart attack so I won’t include smut in this. I lowkey wanna make a part 2. Now I’m invested

[bougainvillea-and-saltwater]

So I have a Google Doc filled with The Elder Scrolls Headcanons(mostly my own headcanons but also other people's HCs that I like) and I was wondering if you had any HCs for any of the Elder Scrolls games? Feel free to ignore this ask, but I am curious! *can be about anything and everything lol. Or I guess anything specific like if you had any Miraak/Dragon Priest/Dragons HCs or something.*

Hello!!! I’m definitely not ignoring this, thank you so much for the ask!!! 💖

I’ve only played Skyrim out of the Elder Scrolls games (though I’d love to play more!), so my headcanons are mainly around Skyrim. I have many ideas concerning the Dragonborn and their power. I think that the Dragonborn has a limit on how much they can use the Voice (which makes sense game-wise, where we have a cooldown in between Shouts). If they surpass this threshold, for example, by Shouting repeatedly, the ‘simplest’ side effect they can get is to scrap or tear their vocal cords. The most serious is to have a stroke or a heart attack and die. It’s a divine power, loads of power, residing in a mortal body, after all, even if that body is the body of a Dragonborn. 

Another headcanon I’ve got is that the Dragonborn displays draconic features when they absorb dragon souls or experience intense emotions. Their eyes are blazing, their pupils turn into slits, serpent-like, their teeth may sharpen and elongate, their strength becomes inhuman (I can imagine them lifting a person twice their size in one hand), their senses become acute, their shade looks dragon-like under the sun with horns and wings and tail… They look Dangerous in a few words. 

And speaking of the sun! 

This is entirely a personal take, I don’t know if that’ll make sense, but I headcanon Akatosh to be quite connected with the sun (mostly because Auriel is, and Auriel and Akatosh are essentially the same thing). In my eyes, Akatosh is an Apollo type of God, very bright and very powerful and rather associated with divination since ‘nothing rests hidden under the sun’, as the saying goes. So, the Dragonborn, as a fragment of Akatosh, is also associated with sun/sunfire and/or divination powers. My LDB and Miraak are both seers of some sort! 

And speaking of Miraak! 

I headcanon that the Dragon Priests were hymning. Dragons are not only fond of tinvaak; they are also very fond of words that come out of the mouth with a lyrical tempo. It’s something strange to them, a completely unfamiliar thing to their ears, and it definitely fascinates them. Miraak, of course, wasn’t an exception, quite the contrary! Thanks to Peter Jessop and his magnificent voice, I headcanon Miraak to have the most gorgeous voice, so his psalms were the most frequently heard around the Dragon Cult. Many of Miraak’s songs were reflective and mournful, often referencing Atmora and his life prior to Dragon Cult. Maybe Pippin’s song from LotR ‘Edge of Night’ is close to the songs I have in mind for him!    

What else? Oh, another headcanon I’m quite proud of, and it was also very liked by my fellow TES fans when I posted it on Tumblr, is that the Dragonborn puts out the stars when they go to Sovngarde to kill Alduin. After Alduin’s successful death, the stars and all the celestial bodies went through a massive supernova, and the night was converted into a day as Kyne’s Lights burned brighter than they had ever been! (here’s the link to that post: https://www.tumblr.com/bougainvillea-and-saltwater/731190179534143488/headcanon-when-the-last-dragonborn-goes-to?source=share)

[theacreanatlas]

The Nations

The continents of Acrea are dominated by five major nations, amongst hundreds of small, independent settlements. The nations control all aspects of life in Acrea; politics, trade, protection and law. Even the independent towns rely on the nations for various things, only strengthening their hold on the lands.

The two greatest of the nations are those of Eastern and Western Hyltemir. Once a single, united kingdom, Hyltemir faced a schism when seven of the noble families in the kingdom attempted to overthrow the monarchy. A civil war tore Hyltemir apart. Eventually losses became so great that the monarchy and the seven families each stepped away from the combat. A treaty was signed, leaving the royal family to continue ruling Eastern Hyltemir from the capital of Cyliard, and the seven families to rule Western Hyltemir from their new capital, Nouvolis.

The Last Legion, the nation made up of the final remaining legion of apodragons after the brutal wars between dragons and mortals, have constructed their civilization in the deep woods of Stoira. well defended but peaceful, The Last Legion have friendly relations with both the Hyltemirian Nations and the clans of Las'ri. They known for their detailed records of Acrea's history, those who study history are respected and revered in this society, as they wish never to forget what happened to their brethren in the great wars.

Scattered throughout the vicious landscape of Las'ri are scattered the fourth nation of Acrea, the Las'rian clans. Though not a single nation in the traditional sense, these nomadic groups dominate the harsh swamps and mountains, ruthlessly defending their lands from the invasions of East Hyltemir. They travel Las'ri collecting only what they need to survive, living in harmony with the land, and occasionally meeting together for vast celebrations and ceremonies. They worship different gods, speak different languages, live different ways, yet are brothers and sisters in their homeland, and respect one another as such.

The final nation of Acrea is that of Sch'ral'ias. hidden deep beneath the sotorian wastes, this sprawling cave-nation houses the servants of Ciarún who fled after the banishment of the dragon gods. They reside under the earth where no others can find them solely to protect the world itself. They fear that if they were to reveal themselves the nations would turn to war once again. So they hide, biding their time until they may return to the world in peace, subtly manipulating the outside world through secretive deals and quiet politics.

These five nations are the backbone of Acrean society, ensuring, for now, that the world stays peaceful.

[maxbegone]

happy wednesday! not sure how we're this far into the week already. thank you @rmd-writes for the tag!

here's a little snipped from my totally-not-hades (2018)-inspried prince of the underworld/god of death au:

“Is this all a game to you, Alex?” Henry calls after him. “Do you honestly think that you can shirk the responsibilities of the Underworld like this? There are duties we must uphold, yet here you are bringing shame upon the House.” Stuck on the spot, Alex rolls his shoulders. He doesn’t turn around, doesn’t let Henry see the deep pinch that forms between his brows or the way he knows the shine in his eyes has dulled. “What if those duties change?” He asks, and he can practically feel Henry’s stare burning into his back. “Pardon?” “What if I don’t belong here? What if I’m tired of the Underworld and leaving is the only thing that will lead me to what I truly need? What if it’s the only thing that will make me happy?” There is a long pause before Henry speaks up again. “I…I don’t…This is ridiculous, Alex, and you know it. It’s impossible to leave, and if you did, you’d be risking everything the Underworld stands for. It’s been the same for aeons; no one gets out — not shades, not Gods. But if you somehow manage to leave, then that means it’s possible to begin with, and then what? Mortals will get out and all havoc will wreak upon Earth! Is that truly what you want?” “If that’s what it takes for me to find her, then yes,” Alex bites, turning around sharply, and Henry immediately stills. “Her?” He asks, his voice softer, curious. “And who would that be?” “No one you’d know,” Alex mutters. “I—I can’t tell you.” “Yes, I believe you said that before.” Alex shrugs. “Then I guess that’s all there is to say.” He turns around again, readying himself to venture further into the Land of Heroes and meet those who reside here before finding his way to the mortal realm, when he hears a soft, indignant huff. “All of this for some mortal girl.” Alex shakes his head. “That is not it.” “No? So finding a simple exit that will direct damned souls and fallen mortal war heroes back to the surface have simply no consequence to everything that is instilled down here?” “You don’t understand!” Alex starts on him, getting so dangerously close to Henry that they’re practically nose-to-nose. “And you’ll never understand. I have to do this.” He watches as Henry’s lips press into a thin, defeated line as he tilts his chin up. “Fine, then.” He rises to hover once more. “Continue this ridiculous venture, Prince Alexander. I suppose our history here means nothing compared to what mysteries await for you up there. If you get to the surface, may you find who you wish. Do not call upon me to clean up any mess you’ve made in doing so.” Alex clenches his jaw and desperately tries to ignore the half moons he’s digging into his palm of his free hand right now, or how he’s clutching his blade so tightly the hilt might break. Henry hovers away, never once taking his eye off Alex. His own jaw set tight, chiton draping around him like its own entity, he readies himself to leave. But, in what feels like a moment entirely out of this one, he gives Alex a once over. There’s something slow about it, something longing, and a mild burning in Alex’s sternum begins to grow. “Your laurels are crooked,” Henry says, then vanishes.

tagging @iboatedhere @indestructibleheart @kiwiana-writes @nontoxic-writes @orchidscript

[servicereward]

@coredetenebr1s oooo I love these questions! I'm glad you've read and enjoyed Order of Service :D I still have a lot of unfinished chapters queued up, and I've got a lot of time to give attention to my WIPs in the coming weeks so I hope I'll be able to give you an update :)

Pre-Xanatos Enterprises Owen/Puck headcanons:

I think Puck decided to travel the mortal world for entertainment -> he's driven by curiosity and loses interest in things if they aren't "grabby" enough for his attention (see: Renard and Anastasia). I can see this manifesting in spending decades / centuries in different locations around the world, starting with England -> Scotland -> Wales -> Ireland (Ireland and Scotland were his favorites in this group), with a transition to Continental Europe -> Northern Africa -> West Africa -> Central Africa -> Southern Africa-> East Africa -> West Asia -> Central Asia -> East Asia -> Polynesia and Oceania -> South America -> Central America -> North America -> Arctic -> a brief sojourn to Antarctica -> wound up taking semi-permanent residence in the NYC area around the 1880s/1890s

I think Puck and Banshee had a Thing, probably both on Avalon and in Banishment, but specifically in the capacity of Puck being high femme and Banshee in her Crom-Cruach aspect. This is one of the reasons Banshee reached out to warn Puck of the impending Gathering (gotta reach out to the old flame for old time's sake).

May or may not have had a hand in the great Molasses flood of 1919 (top top secret if so, given the human casualties)

Owen Burnett is Puck's first fully human construct, and he had to do a lot of research to make sure everything connected right (it's one thing to look like a human, a whole other skill entirely to be one) but it's okay because he had a lot of fun doing it. Secretly he thinks he has the know-how to be a hot-shot neurosurgeon but knows no one in their right mind would want his fingers in their brain. Cowards.

He's always had a fondness for mortals, but has never had a romantic relationship with/feelings for a human (until....you know.... ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°))

Pre-Avalon Banishment Oberon headcanons:

I think he tolerated the presence of humans on Avalon, in the folktale capacity of people stepping into a faerie ring and being stolen away for a night. As long as they weren't kept in the land of faerie forever (as I personally think happened in the days of Queen Mab - for the rest of their lives, or because they were killed for sport or ritualistic purposes) humans could hang. A Child found secreting a mortal on Avalon past the allotted amount of time (therefore, potentially interfering in the course of their natural human life) could be punished very severely. In literature Titania has a habit of keeping humans around for various purposes - perhaps this had a part to play in the transgression which resulted in their divorce and subsequent Banishment.

I think Oberon and Titania's children (the two confirmed by word of God) aren't of their "bodies" so-to-speak, because I think that the fae can reproduce by physical and metaphysical (borderline "psychic") means. I think their daughter was born of their intention of mind (Athena-esque) and their son was born of their desire (Aphrodite-esque). Titania's first child of her "blood" was Fox. We know Oberon is the father of Merlin and I think?? One other half-human child??? I can't find the source right now that confirms that for me. Unforch I think his involvement in these human-fae kiddo's lives was pretty minimal though he does hold parental affection for them and mourned them when they died (if they died....?)

Banishing his literal kids from Avalon was hard but definitely an extension of his "tough-love" approach. He hoped they would spend some of their exile with him, and they did, but not as much as he was envisioning I think. Turns out the mortal world is pretty fucking cool.