#the palace is built on top of a temple of old gods - dragons

[beaulesbian]

They may call it a Summer palace, but it’s actually three different structures joined together. The cathedral is at the top. No way in there except from the palace itself. Below that, the whole place is a maze of secret passages, easy to get lost in. And it’s all built atop a sealed temple to the Old Gods.

[felassan]

Dragon Age: Absolution Episode 2

some random bits and pieces on Episode 2. under a cut due to length

Episode 1 post

It looks really cold down there! You can see their breath

The various glyphs and circular spells in this show really have the feel of similar glyphs and mage spell symbols from the games

The chained dragon reminded me of Ataashi trapped in Trespasser and the chained dragon in Dark Fortress

Is this ruin they're in the aforementioned sealed temple to the Old Gods? In Episode 1 we're told that part of the Summer Palace is built on top of a sealed temple to the Old Gods, and when Rezaren and Tassia exit that place they travel upwards from what looks like underground. that's interesting - it's the place where the Circulum was crafted by Magister Amelia Pavus. Was that so far back in time that it was during the time of Old God worship in Tevinter, or was Amelia an [underground] Old God cultist or simply conducting research of/in an old temple?

^ draconic figure pattern on the chamber walls

New lore: Tevinter Divine Marconius IV built the vault in the Summer Palace in Nessum as a last resort; its security system is designed to kill everyone in the palace in order to stop a full-scale coup, rather than a few intruders. sounds like a safe room tbh! also new lore: this Marconius put the bodies of dead slaves in the walls of the palace

Since it seems from a later normal conversation Tassia "has" with Neb's body later in this episode that Tassia doesn't realize Neb is dead, my reading of the 'Don't you have someone you want to bring back?' exchange between Rezaren and Tassia was that Tassia herself in her own backstory lost someone important to her

New lore: an ancestor of Dorian's, and a member of House Pavus, Magister Amelia Pavus, created the Circulum Infinitus as her last and greatest work. It brings people back from the dead - she'd be proud that her great-great-greatx9000 descendant is a Necromancer

On Memory / Enmity: aaah the highlight of the episode. Honestly I think there is soo much that could be written about this character, on themselves and as a commentary on broader things etc, even though they only appeared for a brief time. "Memory / Enmity" is how they're listed in the credits. they're a spirit of Wisdom called Memory, like how there's a Pride Demon called Audacity and a Desire demon called Caress. these are like, types of or possible aspects/things relating to the 'umbrella noun'. I think sometimes these are things it's focusing on, like how an anger demon that 'focuses on' [angry] retribution is more powerful as that kind of anger is more powerful and complex than simple anger. why memory.. There's knowledge to be found in memories, and they can help inform wiser choices in the future.

Memory has observed and remembered everything that happened in that chamber since its very founding, which as a temple to the Old Gods (from long ago) means that they've been doing that for a very, very long time and seen a great many things. this was in service of Tevinter; we already knew that in Tevinter mages bind spirits and use them as servants, so here's an example of that practise.

When Memory says they "sense" that the artifact has never been used, I get the impression that rather than sense that they just straight up know that, but were being coy about what they knew in a holding some info close to their chest kind of way. When they said that by name and nature mortals are doomed to die, I was reminded of the immortality of ancient elves, how the construction of the Veil changed elves' very nature and sundered them from themselves, and the theory that elves were once spirits/have spirit origins

Memory's descent into Enmity is also interesting. they already had multiple blue eyes, but at certain times when they're tempted, annoyed, sus etc they're drawn with additional, demonic black eye slits. there's also multiple triggers which contribute towards their corruption into Pride/Enmity and twisting away from/perversion of their purpose. Rezaren arrogantly states that just because something hasn't been done before doesn't mean it can't be done, and boasts that Magisters don't frighten easily. here, it's exposure to Rezaren's pride, like how in this Codex sonnet the spirit of Love was transformed into Desire by exposure to the lover's desire for them. Memory is further twisted when Rezaren harms them in an attempt to force/compel them to comply with his demands (forcing them to comply with something out of keeping with their nature). this is apparent from their expressions of pain (grimacing, hunching etc), and this twisting feels more like an animal's defense mechanism against being attacked, like if you keep pushing and pushing someone they may lash out. they're twisted when their own innate (hidden) sense of pride is insulted by the way that they're being treated and essentially being compared to a common shade. and they're twisted when exposed to the powerful artifact and find themselves coveting it and its power. When they say "revealing that would be unwise" it's a bit meta, as at that time Memory themselves is trying to avoid becoming their opposite (unwise... no longer Wisdom).

^ the multiple eyes + blue eyes is self-explanatory ofc, but here I was also reminded by the way the Dread Wolf's face in this mural is twisted and 'frowning'/snarling

Also poor Memory .. MEEEEEMOREEEE noooooo（；へ：）way to go Rezaren you corrupted a spirit other Magisters had been compelling and consulting without ruining for literal Ages

"Power like this draws... many... eyes": obviously referring to Meredith and likely also to get you to wonder who else, what other beings are after this artifact or want it. but it's also self-referential: Memory is drawn to the artifact, Enmity wants it believing that only beings such as they should get to hold such power, their many eyes are fixed upon it

Memory is bald under that there hood. this reminded me of bald ancient elves in wall paintings such as these and the obvious, which in turn brought to mind the theory on Solas' origins, that Mythal once called Solas (a spirit of Wisdom) out of the Fade to serve and advise her ("He did not want a body. But she asked him to come. He left a scar when he burned her off his face")

The Memory/Enmity dichotomy is also interesting, it's not the 'simple' kind of axis like Justice-Vengeance or Love/Desire. we already knew it wasn't always fixed and 'linear' and or exclusive (Faith and Wisdom can both become Pride etc) but yea Spirit/Demon stuff is just soo interesting hh :D according to Professor Google there are some ideas in some types of religious thinking on enmity as it relates to pride:

"Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart, or core, is still missing. The central feature of pride is enmity—enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen. Enmity means “hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition.” It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us. Pride is essentially competitive in nature. We pit our will against God’s. When we direct our pride toward God, it is in the spirit of “my will and not thine be done.”" [from a random site]

"the heart and core of pride is enmity - "hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition" - toward God and fellowmen. Enmity toward God has certain labels: rebellion, hard-heartedness, stiff-neckedness, unrepentant, puffed up, easily offended, and sign seekers. Enmity toward others is manifest in daily temptations to "elevate ourselves above others and diminish them."" [from a random site]

"“But Pride always means enmity -- it is enmity. And not only enmity between man and man, but enmity to God.”" [apparently a CS Lewis quote]

the Tevinter Chantry holds services in the evening (the evening chant) which have four bells, singing of the Chant and the congregation/people assembled looking for salvation

^ one last time indeed. F （；へ：）

I thought/speculated/worried that one of the gang wouldn't make it out of the heist alive, but I really did not expect it to be Fairbanks, Newly Ascended Extra and Inquisition Representation. wew!!

When Roland is rolling around on the ground like 'oh the pain' this is probably the bit mentioned here in the showrunner & cast interview from Netflix Tooned In:

Mairghread: “You get a file [of auditions]. A lot of people could bring the badass, but she really brought the warmth, and really, your voice and performance was so warm, in like, this, quieter moments where you could feel a person instead of just a phenomenal killing machine. I knew instantly when I heard your audition, I was like 'that’s it, that’s absolutely it’. […] Phil’s audition was so smooth and sexy, I was like 'oh this is so nice’, but actually what clinched it is there’s a moment where he has to like, act badly, and it’s actually really hard to get actors to act badly. A moment where he has to do a bad job of acting. And you went for it 100%, it was hilarious.”

"tell my wife I loved her" lmao

Levitation? in Last Flight there's the floating aravels and I think in the core rule book there's a bit about levitation of small items

the girl and the cook reminded me a bit of Briala and the chatelaine and Rilene the cook in The Masked Empire, only a lot darker

here's "bat" again, this time bat-eared.. is "bat" a Tevinter thing, like "rabbit" in Orlais? :|

"sky-sucking" lol

^ lockpicking looks fun and also the opened lock is a dragon!

The Fairbanks/Hira thing was a cool twist and clever misdirect. I originally thought Fairbanks was evil, a traitor/compromised or somehow not really Fairbanks in that scene

The Circulum absorbs some of Hira's spilled blood

Also I think Rezaren's mom's name is Enrichetta. That name is listed in the credits as Sumalee Montano, his mom sounded like Sumalee and it can't be the name of the cook or the girl as they're listed as "cook" and "girl", so by process of elimination and lack of who else it could be.. ^^

[virlath]

Theories on the Black City and what happens after the veil is destroyed

No traveler to the Fade can fail to spot the Black City. It is one of the few constants of that ever-changing place. No matter where one might be, the city is visible. (Always far off, for it seems that the only rule of geography in the Fade is that all points are equidistant from the Black City.)

The Chant teaches that the Black City was once the seat of the Maker, from whence He ruled the Fade, left empty when men turned away from Him. Dreamers do not go there, nor do spirits. Even the most powerful demons seem to avoid the place.

It was golden and beautiful once, so the story goes, until a group of powerful magister-lords from the Tevinter Imperium devised a means of breaking in. When they did so, their presence defiled the city, turning it black. (Which was, perhaps, the least of their worries.)

I’ve been pondering some of the foreshadowing/prophecies throughout the DA series recently, and I have some major crackpot theories on the Black city and Solas’ end-game that I just have to get out of my head.

Disclaimer: I always try to back up my speculation with evidence but a lot of this is personal conjecture. This post also contains spoilers from Tevinter Nights.

===

The foreshadowing

In light of everything that has happened so far, I think it’s widely accepted that Sandal’s prophecy was in fact referring to Solas and his plans.

One day the magic will come back. All of it. Everyone will be just like they were. The shadows will part, and the skies will open wide. When he rises, everyone will see. 

As we know, the Black City is a constant landmark in the Fade. Consequently when the veil is destroyed, we can assume the Black City is what everyone will see, dreamer or non-dreamer alike.

The Black City and the aftermath of the veil’s destruction is further foreshadowed in the Tiniest Cave quest in DAI:

"Pulling back the curtain. Let the light in. Let it burn."

This sounds awfully familiar to the Chant of Light, which we can also use as foreshadowing.

At a touch, the gate swung wide, And the Light parted before them like a curtain Swept aside by nothing. Fearful to touch them. And none saw the black mark Spreading like a sore upon the shining gate Where mortal hand had lain. 

Solas tells us his plans involve restoring “the world of his time- the world of the elves”. If we subscribe to the theory that Arlathan was once the Black City (which I do and will further elaborate on), it stands to reason the Black City, one of the most important landmarks in the Fade, will be at the top of his agenda once the veil is destroyed.

The Black City = Arlathan

...at the center of the world stood the great city of Arlathan, a place of knowledge and debate, where the best of the ancient elves would go to trade knowledge, greet old friends, and settle disputes that had gone on for millennia.

According to Solas, Elvhenan was the elven empire and Arlathan was its greatest city. Arlathan was thought to have been sunk into the ground by Tevinter magisters after the creation of the veil, but no trace of it has ever been found until recent events in Tevinter Nights. I don’t think this is a coincidence. 

In fact, I presume pieces of Arlathan are only surfacing now because Solas' ritual to tear down the veil has already begun to take effect in the Fade.

In Trespasser, various codices reveal the ancient elves once defeated the “pillars of the earth” and rendered their “land” to the People:

"Hail Mythal, adjudicator and savior! She has struck down the pillars of the earth and rendered their demesne unto the People! Praise her name forever!"

It is also implied the elves took control of the titan’s workers and used them as slaves/minions while harvesting their bodies for materials. The below codex implies Elgar’nan even used the body of a titan to carve a statue of himself:

The pages of this book—memory?—describe a monument made in a single afternoon by a thousand-thousand toiling servants swarming over a lump of fallen stone as large as a collapsed mountain. By the end of the day, the stern figure of Elgar'nan stares down into a valley, carved out from the foothills of the rock. The slaves have disappeared. Light radiates from the eidolon's narrowed eyes and its open, snarling mouth.

"Hail Elgar'nan, first among the gods! Mark his victory eternal!"

I theorise it was the elves’ defeat and subjugation of the titans that truly allowed the elven empire to flourish. The elves took control of the titan’s workers (the first dwarves) and used them to build their statues, temples, and cities. 

The elves’ biggest and grandest city was Arlathan - a city carved from the body of a titan, floating above an underground sky deep underground. Arlathan was "the center of the world” because the elves willed it so. The city was ultimately a beacon of their pride and false divinity.

The pages of this book—memory?—describe an elf approaching a city of glass spires so deeply blue they ache. The city's outskirts are wrapped in lakes of mist, and figures stroll along the pearly, glowing strips as if they walked on solid ground. Groves of trees woven into enormous parks shelter elves in quiet hollows, while other elves walk below a river churning along an invisible shoal in the air.

The scene hums with quiet talk and contentment as the memory's maker reaches the city's gates, already thrown open wide.

“Imagine instead spires of crystal twining through the branches, palaces floating among the clouds. Imagine beings who lived forever, for whom magic was as natural as breathing. That is what was lost.” - Solas 

This is why Tamlen describes seeing the Black City underground in the eluvian - because Arlathan was originally “underground”- within a titan’s biosphere.

When the veil was created, Arlathan fractured and displaced due to its innate tie to the Fade, much like the Vir Dirthara we see in Trespasser. Despite this, the idea and will that formed its foundation(alongside a potential heart/lyrium spring which I’ll get to later) anchors it in the Fade as a constant landmark - a reflection of the evanuris’ pride.

Since the creation of the veil, no trace of Arlathan had been found in the waking world until a piece of the city was recently discovered by scholars in the Deep Roads in Tevinter Nights:

...Arlathan, the ancient elven capital, had not been destroyed by Tevinter, but by the strange magics that caused the rise of the Veil. ...

...Natural caves and the occasional support beam suddenly gave way to delicate elven carvings, the stone floor abruptly changing to mahogany hardwood. There was no doorway, no planning or joinery. It was as if a pocket had suddenly formed in the rock, replaced by the notion that shelves and reading desks should simply be there. They had turned a corner and stepped into an elven library. When Arlathan “fell,” a piece of it had “fallen” here.

- excerpt from Tevinter Nights, Genitivi Dies in the End

This lends credence to the idea that fragments of Arlathan and other ancient elven locations are still somewhere deep underground, or will soon manifest in the waking world as the Fade slowly joins together with reality. When Solas’ ritual completes, Arlathan will be free to manifest itself completely in its original location (presumably underneath Arlathan Forest).

The Fade version of Arlathan (ie. the Black City) has always remained inaccessible to all beings. I believe this is because Solas hijacked the city’s defenses and used it to imprison the evanuris. Theoretically this plan would work in his favour because the city would always be visible in the fade for him to keep a watchful eye on (thus corroborating legend in a way).

It is simple to say that the laws of nature do not apply in the Fade, but while traveling in the Fade is often confusing for mages, it is rarely so chaotic as to defy description. In fact, while the placement of items may seem random, those items usually operate as we would expect them to in the real world. A book opens to show pages, although the pages may be blank or lined with gibberish. A pen and inkwell let a user write, though the pen may write on its own, and the inkwell never runs dry. Those items that float usually hover at the relative height where they would have sat had the objects meant to support them existed—candles suspended in the air as though held by a phantom candlestick, for example.

Why are the laws of the Maker bent but not fully broken? Why does a book not turn into a dragon, or a statue explode into countless shards of energy? The answer, I believe, lies in the fact that the items we see in the Fade were most often made by the hands of men. A statue is a created thing. The mortal hands that shaped it gave it purpose, and it knows what it is meant to do. The objects that strain against the laws of nature are ironically those that are more natural themselves. Great stones, for example, hang in the sky. No hand has ever touched them, no mortal mind shaped them to purpose.

I suspect, though we may never know, that if dwarves dreamt and shaped the Fade with their own perceptions, the rocks would not float.

—From The Shape of the Fade by Enchanter Ephineas Aserathan

According to the codex above, the more natural an object is, the more it will defy “laws of nature” in the Fade. This is further evidence Arlathan is formed from organic material- the body of a titan. Furthermore, elves depended on lyrium for their magic as it was quite literally the foundation of their empire. Dagna also tells us the Fade and lyrium are linked. 

Because of these facts I infer there is a good possibility Arlathan was built around the very heart of a titan, or they built an endless lyrium spring within the city, acting as a pump/generator. The infinite flow of lyrium fuelled the magic that held the city aloft in the sky as a constant landmark, and that is what made it the “center of the world”. They used the light from the titan to illuminate the city, making it look golden by reflecting light off its gleaming, gilded walls.

“It shapes the Stone. It is the Stone. It sculpts the world within and without.”

The Fall mosaic from DAI also gives us some interesting information on dwarven craftwork, and is further evidence Arlathan was in fact built by the first dwarves.  

Here's something interesting, though. You've got a hint of pigment and leaf causing some sheen, but there's meant to be more. All of these were painted and repainted at some point, to match whatever lord's three-holer. But there's a type of finishing that you can do, a very fine and time-consuming pass that evens the surface. Do it right, you can get stone as smooth as glass. And that tower, and Beardy's skull, are meant to have it. And only a little is present on the others.

So, the first time this carving was wheeled out, it would have looked like Beardy was the target, so maybe he was first in the door? And the "light," it burns him and spreads to the others. And the polish or leaf would have caught light like a mirror and caused the viewer to squint. They'd have to look down or away, "joining" the magisters in their punishment. Makes them feel part of it.

In DAI, Solas remarks the Temple of Mythal was gilded head to toe purely to impress. Knowing the evanuris claimed divinity, I think it’s likely they used the ancient dwarves’ knowledge and their sheer numbers (thousand-thousand toiling servants) to sculpt their palaces and make them shine like metal. 

The statue above is a good representation of this in action. Notice the base? It’s rock...that eventually gives way to form a bronze like finish that is "smooth as glass”. The smoothness of the metal here is only paralleled to the gilded statues in the Temple of Mythal, all of which I believe were crafted by the dwarves.

===

The Black City, post-veil

One day the magic will come back. All of it. Everyone will be just like they were. The shadows will part, and the skies will open wide. When he rises, everyone will see.

While fragments of Arlathan might be currently scattered underground in the waking world, once the veil is destroyed I imagine the city will reform and manifest itself fully within the “sky” of a titan. I presume this would happen underneath Arlathan Forest.

Thus when the veil is destroyed, dreamers and non-dreamers alike would finally be able to see the Black City for themselves (that is, if they delve underground).

According to Avernus, the morally corrupt grey warden mage in DAO, the Black City holds the key to the blight:

There must be some way to refine the Joining. Isolate the true power that is found in darkspawn blood, and leave behind the evil that kills us...

In my dreams, I see the Black City, and I am drawn towards it. There is something there, an answer to what this taint is, this taint that we share with the darkspawn...

Tamlen was also tainted by the infamous eluvian in DAO, which somehow had a link to the Black City. His dialogue and the sound effects from the eluvian makes me think something incredibly powerful and malevolent resides within the city itself.

One of the most important things to know about the Black City is:

Dreamers do not go there, nor do spirits. Even the most powerful demons seem to avoid the place.

This correlates with Avernus’ notes on blight magic:

Blood magic comes from demons; they could counter every bit of lore I possess. But the darkspawn taint, that is alien to them. And it has power.

This effectively means that Solas- the big bad dread wolf with instant KO petrification powers, has a weakness just like the rest of the beings on Thedas, and that weakness is the blight.

Considering his lyrium idol is tainted and the Black City is ground zero for the taint, is Solas intentionally opening himself up to corruption to carry out his plans?

Let’s analyse that mural again:

The tree branch is reminiscent of the Vhenadahl, a symbol of Arlathan

The big circle motif represents the evanuris’ prisons within the Black City

The lyrium idol and the seven old gods (the semi circles) are the “two factor authentication” needed to unlock said prison

Solas is standing inside the Black City, and it looks like he’s either holding back the tide or about to open pandora’s box 

everything is on fire

This is where we set aside (most) evidence and let imagination take the reigns. :)

===

The end-game

Once Solas destroys the veil, I think he intends to destroy the Black City and everything within it.

This is what the mural is depicting - Solas, corrupted, alone, standing in fire in the Black City, about to blow the evanuris and himself to smithereens.

I don’t believe the Black City itself is the origin of the blight (another theory for another day) but I think the City itself is fostering the growth of red lyrium in the Fade in the form of an endless lyrium spring/generator within it, as I theorised earlier.

Through events that are currently unknown to us, somehow the Black City became ground zero for the taint as we currently know it. ( I have way more theories on this topic but alas this post is already rambly enough as it is)

This is why we see red lyrium everywhere in the Fade, particularly so in DAI because we are so much closer to the Black City than we have ever been.

Lyrium is a natural material that grows in the Fade, however I believe the Black City itself is corrupting and fostering the growth of red lyrium around it.

The theme of fire and light is interesting to analyse in this context because it is used in the teaser mural and the Chant many, many times as a metaphor for rebirth and cleansing.

Andraste gives Drakon his destiny I covered my face, fearful, But the Lady took my hands from my eyes, Saying, "Remember the fire. You must pass Through it alone to be forged anew. Look! Look upon the Light so you May lead others here through the darkness, Blade of the Faith!" 

Her touch was like fire that did not burn. And by Her touch, I was made pure again. 

The ninth sacred mountain upon which rests The moral dust of Our Lady ascended Whole into the heavens, to be given high honor In the Realm of Dreams forever. And around it, a chorus of spirits sang: "Whatsoever passes through the fire Is not lost, but made eternal; As air can never be broken nor crushed, The tempered soul is everlasting!"

By using fire to obliterate the Black City, Solas would destroy the false gods and the very system of power he loathes. But to do this, he has to do it alone (even his demon army can’t help him here), and he has to face the corruption and potentially taint himself in the process. Remember his greatest fear? Dying alone.

Tevinter Nights gives us some insight into how his plan would play out, in the form of Dumat’s Folly. 

Dumat’s Folly is supposedly a piece of the Black City itself. 

In Half Up Front, the real Dumat’s Folly is replaced by Solas’ agent with a similar artifact from the same time. The lesser replica is then used to blow up the Qunari’s Darvaarad, which was turned into a floating fortress after the events of Trespasser.

“It is an ingenious device. Not a piece of the Black City, like the true Dumat’s Folly, but taken from the same time. It draws magic into itself. Stores it, and then when it is full . . .” She clasped her hands together and then pulled them apart. The universal sign for something exploding. Yeah. Not good.

With the real Dumat’s Folly, I think Solas intends to use it as a catalyst to destroy the Black City for good. By pairing it with a rune and triggering it from within the city, the artifact would nullify the corruption (like Dagna’s rune for Samson’s armour) but the side-effect is, the city eventually explodes with all the built up energy.

It is possible that if Solas’ orb still existed, he might not need to go to all this trouble. After all, Imshael has knowledge of how to reverse red lyrium growth, and Mythal was seemingly able to nullify it for Andruil. 

But to halt the spread of red lyrium in the destructive state as it is now, destroying the source that is feeding the corruption is necessary.

But will everything go according to plan?

And I looked up and saw The seven gates of the Black City shatter, And darkness cloaked both realms.

There is foreshadowing in the Chantry that eludes to the gates of the City shattering. When you pair this with Eleni Zinovia’s prophecy...

"The prison is breached. I see the encroaching darkness. The... the shadow will consume all..." - Eleni Zinovia

Is this foreshadowing a darkness- an endless night, after the Black City’s destruction? Will Solas fail somehow, or will his plans induce a new blight? Will he destroy the City but free the false gods in the process? Is that why all the teaser images are set at night?

I’m not saying I want Solas to fail or anything, but I admit hearing from another primary source from ancient times would be a nice contrast to Solas and Mythal’s biased viewpoints. Also, if an endless night is on the cards this would be the perfect time for Lusacan/Falon’Din to make themselves known.

"Bring faith. Bring hope. Bring a dream of life." 

When the veil is destroyed, willpower would be needed more than ever if any survivors are to forge ahead. After all it is sheer will that shapes the fade and creation itself. 

"He'll remake the world to suit his desires. His chosen to reign."

If Solas plans to “remake the world” and give up his life for his cause, who are his chosen to reign? Will the veil’s destruction reveal more secrets from the ancient elves? And if Solas does indeed plan on destroying the Black City, does this align with Mythal’s vision? More things to ponder for another day!

[beyoncesdragon]

Oh lord (Loki x Reader)

Pairing: Loki x Queen!Reader 

Warning: fluuffff I suppose. No swear warning this time and that’s a first lol

Summary: Loki had not exactly planned on going back, or better; he had not thought he survive it. Thor being Thor couldn't care less about that, naturally. 

A/N: lets just...PRETEND this is how Vanaheim looks. I did my research dont worry, but...it’s fiction after all. and the old norse is real aHA!

My Masterlist 

The chains around his feet rattled with every step he made and the dragging sound of the iron was painful and annoying to listen to. “I don’t understand why you are dragging me to this very place brother.” Loki asked annoyed, before eyeing the few other people who were accompanying them suspiciously. “And why you felt like bringing them with you.” Thor didn’t even bother to turn around to answer, he only pulled at the chains, making his brother almost stumble forward.

“They have a right to know where you are kept safe, after you attacked their city.” He explained quickly, before pulling his brother towards a tree in the middle of a corn field. “And why, by the gods…” he started again, but Thor silenced him with a glance. Instead Loki sighed and tilted his head to the right, attentively watching the attractive red haired assassin lining up in front of him. Right to her left stood a man in skin tight uniform with his (in Loki’s eyes) ridiculous shield, and next to him Tony Stark. Not to forget the guy with the arrows he couldn’t remember the name of and the Hulk. Even though he wasn’t green and a bully creature in this moment, but more of a slight built scientist. Loki let out another quiet sigh and closed his eyes. They shot open in horror only a few seconds later, when Thor held his hammer high and a sudden beam of yellow and white light beat down from above.

He sucked in a breath when the light disappeared and showed them their new location: an unreal blue river surrounded by incredible high trees. Some of them were so high, that their tips grazed the clouds above. Strange plants wound themselves around their massive trunks, pulsating in many different colours.

“Where are we?” Stark spoke up, seeming to be the first to catch himself again. The beauty of the place was nearly hypnotizing.

“Vanaheim.” Loki whispered, his face pale by now. “Brother…” he started, but Thor just shook his head. Natasha looked around curiously.

“So what are we looking for? Is there a path…” she got cut off by a roaring sound from somewhere above them. Everyone’s eyes snapped up, gasps getting loud. Coiled around the tree near them, an emerald scaled dragon-like beast looked down, golden eyes glomming hostile.

“Don’t move.” Thor spoke quietly. “What the heck is that? A dragon?” Clint whispered, his hands slowly wandering towards his arrows.

“Not exactly. This is a drakon. They are several millennia’s older than dragons and can grow almost twice as big.” Loki whispered, his eyes fixed on the reptiles’ head. “Can it fly?” Natasha asked and Thor shook his head. “As far as I know, it can’t. but who knows maybe she gave’em some wings…” Loki stiffed up. “No. No, she didn’t. Now let’s leave, even I do not particularly feel like triggering a drakon by hanging around his tree.” Everyone agreed, much to his surprise and they slowly backed off. The drakon wouldn’t follow them, it stayed on its gigantic three-mile tree and only hissed warningly.  

“So, where are we even going?” Natasha asked, attentively observing the surroundings. She had two knives drawn, her body tense and always ready for another drakon to drop down on them. As if a knife would help against a seven ton, rock hard scaled, ancient beast. “To the palace.” Thor answered drily and received a rather annoyed look from the avengers and a pained one from a certain frost-giant.

“I really don’t think that this is a benefitting idea for either of us brother.” Loki tried to pursue his brother, but Thor cut him off. “It is the best option for all of us Loki. It’s the safest place where I can bring you, not only just for your safety.” Clint seemed like he wanted to say something, but Natasha gave him a small push with her elbow. “I can’t believe she agreed to do this.” Loki just whispered and Thor chuckled mischievously.

“She hasn’t agreed on anything actually.” He then pulled at Loki’s chains since the prince stopped on his tracks immediately. “You haven’t asked her? She will behead me brother, the second she sees me!” he protested and stumbled forwards, still putting up resistance against Thor’s pulls. “She will not. We both know that and now come on.” Steve carefully cleared his throat. “Not to be impolite but who exactly are we talking about? And what is Vanaheim exactly?” he asked silenty and Thor gave him a motivational smile. “We are talking about a dear friend of Loki, also a dear friend of mine actually. She basically rules here and stuff. Really laid back lass.”

Loki huffed and rolled his eyes. “Friend of mine…” he whispered almost inaudible before carefully avoiding a bluish pulsating ivy creeper hanging from one of the trees. They seemed to follow a small path through the sparsely grown forest, almost unnoticeable for untrained eyes.

“But rules over what?” Bruce asked, his eyes wide. He brushed over a bush with silky soft leaves in a light green and yelped shocked when the rims of the leaves were razor-sharp. “Hvasslaufsblað-Laukr.” he snapped around.

“Excuse me?”

Loki stood behind him, his eyes following the steady trickle of blood that dropped from the long cut the leaves had caused him.

“Hvasslaufsblað-Laukr.” He repeated and pointed at the plant. “It’s called like that. Roughly translated it means Sharp-leafed plant. How ugly.” Bruce blinked confused as Loki passed him without another word.

“Vanaheim is one of the Nine Worlds and exists on the highest level of the World Tree.” Thor explained whilst carefully making his way through the slowly higher getting grass. “The World Tree?” Tony asked and Thor nodded. “Yggdrasil. Its inhabitants are the Vanir, masters of sorcery and magic. They are also widely recognized for their talent to predict the future and so on.” Loki rolled, slightly irritated by the rough description of his brother, his eyes again. His description wouldn’t even come close to the many wonders this world held.

“It’s beautiful.” Natasha sighed and he only snorted but said nothing. Suddenly the sky opened up, the trees stopped. The group had arrived at the top of a small hill where a silver glomming path leaded to a gigantic building. It looked like a mix between a forest, a palace and a beehive. The whole construct seemed to actually breathe and radiate energy.

“Ha! I knew I could still remember the way!” Thor cheered triumphantly  and determinedly started to walk towards the magical place. Loki’s pale face almost turned ashy.  

When the guards in front of the living tree portal recognised Thor, they lowered their weapons. They weren’t surprised about their appearance and that made Loki more than suspicious. Especially because they seemed to even expect him. Him, Loki the god of mischief that had parted with the people of Vanaheim in not a particularly friendly way – at least not with their leader. And with her, he was about to meet again and he was not ready for it.

“Look at who’s finally deciding to visit me again.” The voice was chilly, demanding and with a hint of anger. Thor immediately bowed respectfully and the rest of the avengers followed his example. Loki however stood still, his eyes on the ground.

“Of course minn dróttning.” Thor immediately answered and the woman chuckled softly. “I am not your queen Thor, son of Odin. How have you been and who have you brought with you?” Thor stood up fully and gave the woman sitting in front of them on a simple chair a dashing smile. “I have been very well. Let me quickly introduce my friends from Midgard to you.” He said with a knowing smile as he saw how your eyes flashed up in a bright and vivid green. “Midgard?” he nodded and carefully and slowly started to introduce every single one of the avengers in the old-fashioned way of Vanaheim, listing up all their titles and heroic deeds. The queen’s eyes changed colour all two to three names and titles, depending on the emotion you felt the second you heard them. When Thor finished you leaned back, her eyes now quickly switching between a deep purple and a vibrant red.

“I welcome you.” Was the only thing you remarked after a few seconds, still not paying attention to Loki, who slowly got jittery. “It looks wonderful here. Truly magnificent.” Bruce bubbled out and you tilted your head. “Thank you. It hasn’t always been this way.” Your voice suddenly seemed ice cold, eyes drained from all colour. “Vanaheim was one of the battlefields in the Vanir's raging war against the Aesir. It still is ravaged after the centuries-long war.” Thor shared an alarmed look with his brother who just pressed his lips together. He knew that the queen wasn’t in a particular good mood when it came to asgardians and particularly not when it came to the family of Odin.

“It was the marriage of Freya, one of the leaders of the Vanir, my mother, with Odin, the King of the Aesir, what finally brought peace to Vanaheim and the rest of the realms.” You continued coldly. “After the marriage's fallout, Odin locked the path to Vanaheim through Týr's Temple, allowing nobody to visit the realm. Which is also, why I haven’t seen my mother in over a decade and me and my people hardly ever get visitors.” The temperature in the room had dropped, all the lights lost their golden tone to it.

“Now, what are you here for? And why in the name of all god’s is he here.” you asked coldly, finally looking straight at Loki.

“Your highness…” Loki got down on his knee and the avengers threw each other surprised looks. Loki kneeling was a whole new thing. Your eyes had changed again, still whiteish and only a gleaming white ring was sparkling angrily at him. “You left, almost a decade ago, with the city on fire. It took us three weeks to put it out.” Loki had his eyes still glued on the floor.

“It was an accident milady.” He mumbled half-heartedly. “An accident?” you laughed coldly getting up abruptly. “An accident?!” you repeated again, your voice now noticeably louder. The avengers stepped back softly.

“Then so was that!” you snapped, slipping something from your finger. A golden ring gleamed up in the light, a snake that was about to swallow itself with a huge green jewel on top of its head. Thor sucked in a breath and so did Loki whose face had lost all colour again. He stood up as well, raising his hand.

“Please…” he only pushed out, a sincerity in his voice that surprised everyone in the room. “Don’t do this.” your hand shook lightly, the arm still risen and ready to throw the ring to Valhalla. “Give me a reason! You’re not even wearing yours.” your voice had turned into a whisper at the end, a pained expression flitting over your face. Loki frowned softly and rose his left hand. A green ring of light and energy wandered over his hand, the illusion of a bare hand disappearing. Suddenly, there sat a set of three rings on his ring finger, all of them connected by a octagon cut emerald that resembled the yours in colour perfectly. It seemed like they were both cut from the same emerald and Tony’s head spun at the thought of how big the emerald must have been. “Loki…” Thor whispered but Loki rose his hands. Thor closed his mouth again, staring at his brother in disbelief. Your hand sunk slowly. You sat down carefully, mustering the prince with a piercing glare.

“You haven’t took it off?” Loki shook his head. “Not once my queen.” you sighed softly, waving him closer quickly. Loki walked towards you, approaching the steps to your throne slowly and still a bit shaky. You extended your hand towards him, so he could slip the ring back on your finger.

“Forgive me.” You mumbled softly and Loki mustered a soft smile. “Forgive me, my love. I shouldn’t have left after the fire.” You just nodded, getting up once again. Suddenly you looked tired and drained, very unlike the vivid young woman everyone had first seen. “You have been missed. My people loved you.” you explained silently, having forgotten the rest of your guests that still stared at the two of you in confusion.

“Only your people?” Loki asked with a soft and knowing smirk before very carefully supporting your stand by placing his hand on your lower back. “You…I do not wish to elaborate my prince.” You brushed his comment off before giving him a sincere look. Loki just smirked mischievously bowing his head, gaze falling down to your lips. You had obviously picked up on his gaze, raising one eyebrow questioningly.

“Waiting on something?” your voice was quiet and not more than a whisper, but Loki’s eyes snapped up again. His eyes met yours, yet in a light pinkish colour, like a bushing sky in the morning. He swallowed thickly, eyes falling back to your lips.

“May I…?” his voice deeper than before, his warm breath feeling hot and a bit quicker against your lips. You only tilted your head, eyes switching into a deeper pink. Almost hesitant Loki moved in, lips delicately placing on yours. It was as if a spark run through the whole palace, the lights suddenly seeming to shine golden and warm. Thor couldn’t hold his smile back, so he looked down. As Loki moved back again, his cheeks were full of life and colour again, eyes vividly sparkling.

“I missed you too.” You whispered, a small smile gracing your features, as you linked your fingers with his. Loki took a deep and shaky breath, looking down at your beautiful appearance.

He had been lucky again, too lucky almost. Not that he complained, of course not.

And oh had he missed you too.

[erikacousland]

Dragon Age: Asunder. Reading notes, part 8

Chapter 8

The protagonist fell into a swoon in battle… It IS a Dragon Age Novel!

           He still remembered arriving at Teraevyn. Even the grandeur of Val Royeaux, with all its palaces and gleaming buildings, didn't compare to this Tevinter city. Signs of age were everywhere: crumbling statues of dragons, the remnants of ancient temples, decrepit buildings covered in moss. It was as if the entire city was built on the bones of older places, and those older places built on top of ones older still, with the past poking through like weeds and refusing to stay buried. Enchanter Arvin was unimpressed, but Rhys was transfixed.

           Even the consulate itself had seemed special. Marble pillars and the acrid smell of incense that the Tevinters burned to mask the smell of sewage in the streets. Tiled murals so decayed he could never figure out what those faceless warriors were actually battling. There was even a fountain in the Summer Garden, crafted long ago by magic and not dwarven pumps. The marble dragon was missing its wings and both its front legs, but its head looked so malevolent Rhys was certain it depicted an Old God.

           There were slaves, as well. Rhys had been too young to understand what that meant, or why Arvin got so angry whenever he saw one. An elven slave once offered the man a tray of figs, and he knocked it out of her hands and shouted until the Consul came running. Rhys had read about how the Tevinter Imperium conquered the elven lands long ago, but those were only words on a page. The slaves were just another exotic feature to be admired and gawked at.

           It wasn't until weeks later that Rhys had realized he wasn't welcome. Orlesians were constantly at odds with the Tevinter Imperium, and had been in all the years since the Imperial Chantry had split off from the Grand Cathedral in Val Royeaux. That was the history, but the truth of it felt much different. The locals were suspicious, and they became hostile whenever Rhys revealed his accent. He found himself avoided, cheated by merchants . . . not a single local would so much as talk to him.

*

           The land slowly grew drier as they moved into the Western Approach. How the area got its name, Rhys really couldn't imagine. There wasn't anything farther west to approach other than steppes crawling with monsters and forests so deep and dark that explorers never returned from them. The badlands wasn't a place that someone went to. At best, it was someplace you came from. Fled, more likely.

           According to the texts Rhys had read, this area was the site of one of the great battles of the Second Blight. Hundreds and hundreds of years ago, the darkspawn had swarmed out of a great chasm and corrupted the land so severely it never quite recovered. The blood of too many men fell upon the sands here, trying to force those creatures back before they spilled across the entire world. For those men and women it must have felt like the skies had opened up and rained black death down upon them all.

           The Approach had a strange sort of beauty to it even so. It was a desert, but not a warm desert with glowing yellow sand. It was a cold desert, mottled purple like an unhealed bruise. Rocky pillars jutted out of the sand like brittle, twisted bones; there was a sense that the howling winds had long covered everything else. Even so, it didn't seem forbidding and horrible . . . just stark, and perhaps even a little sad. It was as if the world mourned a mortal injury inflicted long ago.

           “There," Wynne said. She pointed to a shape off in the distance, a tall tower of iron barely visible through the blowing sand. "That's what passes for a path in these lands. As we reach each one, we should be able to see the next."

           "And if we don't?" Evangeline asked dubiously.

           "Then we wait until the wind dies down. You don't want to wander too far out into the sands. Not all of it is stable, and precious little is safe."

           "Of that I have no doubt."

           Adrian guarded her eyes against the wind, scowling. "Why would anyone even live in this Maker- forsaken place?"

           "The fortress Adamant lies at the lip of the chasm," Wynne explained. "Once it belonged to the Grey Wardens, for they wished to ensure the darkspawn did not rise from its depths as they had during the Second Blight. Eventually the Wardens abandoned it, but some residents have lingered. Life can exist, even in lands such as this."

*

           Then he saw it. Off in the distance, beyond the rocky pillars, it looked as if the land was cracked in two. A jagged chasm, easily a mile across, extended in either direction as far as the eye could see. They had probably been near it for hours, but couldn't see it through all the blowing sand.

           "What is that?" Adrian breathed behind him, her eyes as wide as his own.

           "The Abyssal Rift," Wynne said. "It gets much larger as we head west."

           "How deep is it?"

           "Nobody knows. Some say it extends down into the Deep Roads, perhaps even farther than that. Fortunately Adamant is on this side of it."

*

*

*

           The darkspawn came out of nowhere. The pale creatures bared their fangs and hissed, raising crude swords over their heads as they charged. Rhys stared at them in stunned disbelief— he'd known they were out in the desert, but to see them up close seemed strangely surreal. He stared at the strange blackness that bled out of their eyes and mouths, the glassy hatred in their eyes. Time moved at a snail's pace.

[donguris]

A map of the world in A Warrior’s Heart.  

This is finally finished; thank you for waiting patiently!  Glossary of some locations under the cut. 

MAP GLOSSARY  

⚔︎ S A M E Z U K A  ⚔︎

•The Abyss: A fathomless undersea trench whence kraken and other abominations crawl up to haunt the ocean.  It is the birthplace of Sirens, and acknowledged as a gate to the underworld.  Sailors who have braved these waters recall a constant worming unease—like a feeling of being watched from below.  

•Fukahire, The Sharkfin: Tallest mountain in the northern half of Samezuka.  A temple is built on its steepest side, overlooking the entire empire southward.  It is customary for the royal family to hold a quiet, intimate ceremony here, after a marriage or coronation.  

•Gamou Glades: A flooded swampland that is notoriously hard to navigate.  Muck moles, pinfly swarms, weeping vines, giant voles, and other obstacles make it a perilous place to lose your way.  Bog Sirens hunt in the murk as well.  And though solitary, silent, and more sickly than their open ocean cousins, they can be deadly encounters for the unwary.  

•Crown Alps: Mountainous gateway to the far north.  Ogres, centipedes, and stoneater giants once swarmed from them to terrorize human villages, but these are pitifully rare—the giants now all but extinct.  Gold and ore is mined here, and settlements have flourished along the foothills.  

•Kiba: A busy city and resting place for traders, miners, soldiers, and travelers.  Though sightings of monsters from the mountains are uncommon, Kiba is still a heavily fortified, well-defended sanctuary.  Notable residents: Mikoshiba Isuzu

•Moon Pools: Cascading lakes that reflect the sky with divine perfection.  Bathing in their water heals the body, although they remain quite cold year-round. Unfortunately, the water seems to lose this healing quality when removed from the pools.  They offer a chance to swim through stars with the gods on earth, but in the last century or two it’s become a romantic destination as well.  Notable Residents: Hoshikawa Tsubasa

•Moyajima/ Fog Island:  Den of the Sirens. It’s almost impossible to find it through the engulfing mist, though few would seek it.  The demons live deep inside, having carved the island like an anthill—underground and underwater.  Rare survivors of a visit to this place report that evil simmers so thickly around it, breathing the very air will make you sick.  Notable Residents: Kurou, (formerly) Haru+Ikuya

•Samezuka (City): The capital and origin of Samezuka Empire, home of the ruling family. Spilling from the mountains to the sea, and including its peripheral neighbor Sano, it harbors well over a million people.  The city’s history is rich and complex, boasting the largest temple, palace, and trade port in the world.  It’s common here to see dragons from the wildlands flying to and from the ocean, and citizens often leave food out for the younger ones on towers, rooftops, and balconies.   Notable Residents: Rin, Sousuke, Gou. Seijuuro, Momo, Ai, Miyako(former), Akira    

•Red Mountains:  A low mountain range that walls off the jungle from the rest of the settled world.  Rock from these mountains was used to construct the palace, and many of the buildings in Samezuka.  When the sun sets, they look to be on fire.  

•Sano:  Satellite city of the capital.  Rose-colored brick streets, blossoming entertainment venues, bathhouses, vineyards, and other opulent distractions are big draws for both locals and travelers.  Many of these projects are funded by influential noble families, who compete with each other in hosting extravagant social events.   Notable Residents: Kisumi  

•The Silk Islands: A volcanic archipelago at the top of the empire.  Terrain is steep and islands sparsely populated, but this area remains home to a rich, proud culture of seafarers and craftsmen. The region is named for its unrivaled cultivation of silkworms.  Despite islands being relatively close to one another, fog often obscures them from sight. Notable Residents: the Hazukis

•Sunstretch:  This fertile expanse of grassland and temperate forest is Samezuka’s most bountiful source of food.  The weather is mild, and it’s one of the safest places in the empire to live.

•Tokitsu/Whale Bay: An oceanside city-state so isolated, much of Samezuka lived blissfully unaware of it.  Its precarious location severed it from the southern empire, as travel here was too dangerous an endeavor for most.  Defending their city without dragons or magic, the soldiers of Whale Bay were some of the toughest in history.  Much of the region’s lifestyle was built  around battle, smithing, and swimming.    Notable Residents: Sousuke, Haru (birthplace)    

•The Wildlands: An unmapped, untamable reach of jungle, grassland, and thermal marshes that is home to most of Samezuka’s dragons. It teems with dangerous, often gargantuan flora and fauna.  Climate and terrain vary, staying warmer near the coast, cooling off as altitude steadily rises northward.  Many dragons will lay their eggs in the warmest region where their young can grow in safety, before taking them back home.  The first red-haired, sharp-toothed Matsuoka was born and raised here before coming to walk among humans, and the family continues to foster an innate connection to this region.  Notable Residents: Tora, Tamo, Sango, Yuudai

☾ I W A T O B I  ☾

•Aomori: The Sacred Forest.  Soil here is rich enough in magic to support groves of massive trees that stand thousands of years old.  Despite its vast size, Aomori has very few permanent human residents.  People live in one of three modest villages built at strategic points across its expanse, connected by a safe trail.  Monks and guests walk this loop pilgrimage to visit the temples, but they must never stray from the path.  The trees weave illusions to mislead malicious intruders, and keep them from the center of the woods.  Aomori is a perilous place for those looking to do harm.  Settlements in the forest are for some like windows into the past; village lifestyles have remained peaceful, spiritual, and largely unchanged for centuries. Notable Residents: Makoto, Haru, The Tachibanas, Aki, Miho

•The Green Girdle: Central Iwatobi—largely flat plains with fertile soil and rivers.  Livestock, horses, corn, grain, rice, and other crops are raised here and exported.  Cities are far between, and inns pride themselves on brewing the best cider and ale.    

•Imadaki: Once an important military outpost for Samezuka, it’s now governed by Iwatobi, divided by a border that warps and blurs. Control of this island has seen constant contention.  

•Negura, The Eagle’s Roost: The capital of Iwatobi, hollowed into Tottori Canyon by sorcerers, and ever-expanding.  Above the canyon, it is an arid plateau, but the rock is so richly infused with magic, that lush vegetation drapes the shelves along the river.  The city runs for miles until emptying into Raptor’s Bay.  Living areas in the heart of the capital are tiered—some stacked so high off the ground, that citizens rely on a magic-aided pulley elevator system to reach their homes each day.  Negura boasts the most concentrated population of sorcerers, who are registered, monitored, and operate under a bill of regulations.  Notable Residents: Nao, Natsuya, Asahi, Ikuya, Rei, Nagisa

•Negura Lowlands: Coastal flats that see only a shambling trickle of the big city’s wealth.  It’s long been a hotbed for smuggling, piracy, illegal experimentation, and other crime that is hidden by sorcerers and outlaws disinclined to follow the capital’s strict codes.  The infamous Grey Harbor Prison is housed on a slab of land just offshore—the most heavily guarded institution in Iwatobi.   Notable Residents: Nagisa, Shun, Kyo, Miri Hazuki

•Raptor’s Bay: Iwatobi’s largest port city, and home of its royal navy.  Notable Residents: Natsuya, Ikuya (birthplace)

•Quiet Isles: The fringes of Iwatobi.  Trolls and wights have been known to resurface from the caves, en route to attack Aomori.  When danger emerges, the islands’ life goes eerily silent.  However, Black Rails persist their calling, and people of the Quiet Isles know this bird’s sound as a dire warning to shut their gates.  Rails became a symbol of bravery, and are protected for their service.  These rare events aside, the islands are perfect places for someone to live unbothered.   Notable Residents: Azuma Ryuuji

[myanmarvisa]

Top tourist destinations in Myanmar Myanmar, the official name of the government in West Asia known as Burma, is a must-see for travelers like Buddha and the beach, although not naturally in that order. This country is home to thousands of Buddhist temples. There are also white sand beaches in the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. The country is slowly becoming a tourist destination, so travelers who want to experience a familiar destination in Burma may want to visit right now. Overview of top travel destinations in Myanmar:

1. Bagan

Tourists passionate about Buddhist temples, pagodas and pagodas recommend these days in Bagan because they contain more than anywhere else. The most popular letter in Myanmar is the capital of the First Burmese Empire from the 9th to the 13th centuries. The place Marco Polo previously described as a "golden city" had 13,000 Buddhist temples during the eleventh century. There are still thousands of temples, stupas and stupas, including the Ananda Temple, famous for its brilliant golden towers.

2. Golden Rock

Rock Island, or the city's famous Chaitya Yozedi, is amazing. The pagoda (Jedi) sitting on the cliff appears to be falling from the edge of the mountain. They are covered with golf leaves. Locals believe that the reef is 1,100 ft (3,600 ft) above sea level and is well protected by Buddhist miracles.

 The tower is said to have hair. A visit to this place is a Buddhist tour of Myanmar. Golden Rock is about 5 hours from Yangon and requires a visit. The staircase leads you to the pagoda complex which has many scenic spots and Buddhist temples.

3. Shwedagon Pagoda

Shvedagan or the Great Dragon Tower is considered the most sacred place in Myanmar Buddhism because of Buddha's hair and other religious artifacts. Pagoda is located in Sing Tara Hills, Yangon, the largest city in Myanmar 2,500 years ago. Over the centuries, the tower rose to 8 to 99 meters (26 to 366 feet). 

Although the origin of Schwedagon has long been lost, it is speculated that the pagoda was first built in the Bagan period from the 6th to the 10th century. Covered with gold leaf The pagoda is covered with 4,531 diamonds. This unforgettable place has many temples, statues and stupas. Those who come to the tower are expected to enter the temple barefoot, following the dress code (pants are preferred, elbow-length T-shirts).

4.Town carat

Built with a refined volcanic plug, the Tangkarat Buddhist monastery is one of the most fascinating places in Burma. To reach the monastery, visitors must climb the 777 steps to the top. Many monkey readers are looking forward to being treated along the way. From the top of Town Carat, you can enjoy a panoramic view. You can see the ancient town of Bagan and the many isolated peaks of Mount Popa cone, the volcano that actually made the plug volcano.

5. Inle Lake

Inle Lake is one of the most attractive visitor destinations in Myanmar. In addition to the scenic nature of the lake, the lake attracts tourists from the old-known Old Man house in Hmong. A typical day trip on a lake with a long, narrow motor boat is located at the northern end of Lake Inle Lake. 

 These trips are available in small village seminars, various pagodas, and perhaps in the market. Tourists like to see fishermen using their unique craft techniques, and other lake residents like to eat fruits and vegetables in a floating garden.

6. Mrauk U

Mrauk U is an important archaeological city. Because of the thick walls, it was designed to protect the temple from the wind. Stone temples are found along the coast. The medieval city was once the largest capital city and commercial city of Aracan. To reach this remote location, you will be able to sail on the Karai River for 4-7 hours. The traveler may be able to bring rain gear to this area, but it is averaged 1.2 meters (4 feet) per year.

7. Ngapali

Nagapali brings the two worlds of Southeast Asia together. The capital of Myanmar, the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal, and the luxurious hotels are dotted with white sandy beaches.

 Great place to relax and unwind. Unlike the fishing village environment, local restaurants provide daylight and also feature taxis. Locals believe the city is named after Naples, Italy (Naples). Most people visit Nagapali from November to March. The rest of the year is a small beach town.

8. Shwenandaw Monastery

Shwenandaw Monastery is a historic Buddhist monastery in Mandalay. This important building is known as the Golden Palace and is located in central Myanmar. His son was originally part of the Mandalay Palace and was the royal family of the king. After his death, the son moved out of the palace because he thought he had the spirit of the king. 

Later it became a monastery. The building was once covered in gold, but now most of the gold is inside. The exterior is covered with gorgeous teak sculptures representing Buddhist mythology. Gorgeous sculptures made of other materials, such as stones, can be found throughout the building.

9. Ayeyarwady River Cruise

Myanmar's long river Ayeyarwady, also called Irrawaddy, started from the upper Himalayas and began cutting off Myanmar on the way to the Anand Sea. It can be navigated by large ships and ships at low altitudes and is rapidly becoming popular for river cruise destinations.

 The cruise runs between Mandalay and Bagan. Both cities have many temples, pagans, and statues. Between the two terminals you can visit the river village, cruise without observing the dolphin tubes and go through ġunglijiet and deep diapers.

10. Shwemawdaw Paya

It is said that Shwemawdaw Paya has its name, the great golden god, because it can see a bright golden cover about a mile away. The diamond's diamond surface also produces some sparks. It is 114 meters (375 feet) high and is the tallest temple in Myanmar. This is especially important for Buddhism because it contains many works by Buddha. Located in Baguio, this 1000-year-old complex is decorated with small pagodas, covered with gold, statues and grandstands.

[fableweaver]

Arc of the Little Saint

Arc of the Little Saint

Dreaming of colored mist and suns among stars, Demi walked past the burning tree and into the forest in the sky. She wandered hidden paths, seeing spirits wandering much like her. Some met and embraced, some laughed and feasted, and some sat in silent contemplation of the wonders around them. These were the dead, yet Demi knew she did not belong here.

Before she had seen dragons and hints of other creatures, but Demi was walking the paths of the dead in this strange forest. She did not encounter those creatures here. She kept going, avoiding paths that had light and voices, seeing creatures of legend down those paths. Demi soon found herself in shadows, the light of the stars and moons dim here. The air was heavy, laden with silence so Demi walked softly through the mossy forest.

She came upon a great twisted weeping willow. Demi walked under the hanging foliage amazed at the beauty of the tree, the pale silver leaves almost glowing in the dim light. She stopped shocked when under the tree she saw what hung from the drooping foliage. Heads hung in the tree, thousands of severed heads. Demi stared shocked, but the heads were not bloody, their eyes closed as if in sleep. Hesitantly Demi went up to one to see the features of the head were odd.

The man’s skin was pale, his hair midnight black, and ears pointed. The bridge of the nose joined the forehead which was oval and wide. The jaw was beardless and curved giving the whole face an oval shape. His lips were full and the nose aquiline; Demi had never seen such features before.

A hand on her shoulder made her jump and try to flee but the hand that held her had more power than her. She was turned around to face a woman that only mildly resembled a human. Her features were much like that heads, though her skin was purple like she was bruised. Her eyes were yellow against black, and bright like a bird’s. She wore a cloak of black feathers, and a headdress of feathers with a bird skull.

“A lost spirit,” she said frowning at Demi. “An intruder in the Sleeping Leaves. Who are you spirit, you are not among the dead for I see life in you still.”

“I… My name is Demi rah Kartal,” she said at last. “I don’t know how I got here.”

“I am Clíodhna, Sing Shall She,” the woman answered. “How did you find this place?”

“I don’t know,” Demi answered in awe. She remembered now some of the things Slad had told her, stories of the Phay. This woman was one of them, as were the heads hanging in the tree. “What is this place?”

“The Tree of Sleeping Leaves,” Clíodhna answered. “My kin the Dullahan have fallen into a slumber when we entered Tir Aesclinn, none know why. We have kept their heads safe here while they slumber, but if they do not wake when we must march they will be left behind.”

Demi looked at the sleeping heads and reached for one, thinking she could try and wake them. Clíodhna hissed and grabbed her wrist stopping her.

“Do not touch them. For me and my kin touching them means falling into the same slumber. For a mortal soul such as yours it means the death of your spirit.”

Demi felt something odd stir at that, as part of her knew what Clíodhna said wasn’t true.

“Leave this place, it is not for the likes of you,” Clíodhna said. With that she gave Demi a shove and she felt herself fall back and wake.

For a moment her eyes swam with dull colors before her vision cleared itself. Demi stared up into a fresco of Empyria on the great dome above her, though not as she had just seen. It was a traditional painting of the sky and all the gods that lived there. Cael sat center of all, robed in blue with his wheel spinning at his back. Lun lounged on her crescent, pictured wearing virginal white. Sol was opposite his wife with his elder brother Cael nearby, his burning wheel at his back.

Tempest stood on storm clouds, the martial god was wielding both a hammer of thunder and a sword of lightning. Euria was close to her brother, the goddess of rain had a soft look as she let her waters bathe the earth with her generosity. Iris sprang from her sister’s water, a look of laughter across her face as she spread her colors across Empyria. The wind gods, Boreas, Auster, Notus, and Zephyrus blew the winds and clouds across Empyria at the four corners of the compass.

Eos rose on the eastern side of the mural, the gatekeeper of the day and goddess of beginnings looked serine. Eha her twin was opposite her to the west, the gatekeeper of the night and goddess of endings looked sorrowful.  

Isra stood behind Eha, Empyria dark behind her and dusted with the stars of the angels and the wandering stars of the Demi Gods. Mercore the Traveler walked with a staff and a compass in his hands. Dione the Lover lounged naked in a seductive manor, her eyes inviting. Mavors the Warrior stood ready for battle in a fighting stance, wielding a spear and shield. Iovis the Hermit, stood empty handed with his palms outward in offering of knowledge and guidance. Saepit the Guardian stood with a shield alone to protect those he was steward over.

Among the stars flew the many angels to guard the Sacred River as souls traveled it to Empyria. There were eighty eight angels in all, and Demi knew them well.

Her vision swam again as liquid was dropped in her eyes, a dry cloth dabbing away the excess as it ran down her temple. Demi knew this was the only way to keep her eyes moist, she couldn’t even blink. Fingers gently took her chin and turned her head away from the fresco above her. Demi saw Alya Princess of Xin look at her with a sad smile.

“Good morning,” Alya said knowing Demi could not answer her. “Did you sleep well? I hope you didn’t toss and turn.”

Even if Demi could move she wouldn’t have tossed and turned, not on the downy feather mattress she now rested on. With her head turned to the side she could see the wondrous palace Akeem had built for her. She rested on a dais in the middle of a great domed room, elegant arches and pillars surrounding her. On the walls and pillars were inlay work and lattices of intricate beautiful detail.

Demi still remembered seeing it from the outside, a great onion dome topping a palace with delicate minarets and arches. Through the great doors she could see a reflecting pool, the greens of the gardens just beyond. They were still in the palace complex, inside Akeem’s harem. Akeem had this built, or more accurately modified an old building, to house Demi. She had no idea how long it had taken him, she had lost the concept of time imprisoned as she was.

Alya began undressing Demi from the fine silk kaftan she now wore, and began washing her. Demi felt nothing of her touch, but she could tell her limbs were now withered and twisted. Alya worked stretching her out, but the snake sand had stiffened her muscles and joints. When Alya finished washing her and changing her soiled diaper, she dressed her again. If she had any disgust she did not show it, and Demi knew Akeem had not asked her to do this task as there were thousands of servants who could. Alya seemed to do it because she cared, though Demi wasn’t sure if she just thought of Demi as a human doll.

When Alya had dressed her she started to do Demi’s henna over her hands and face, gossiping all the while. Demi listened, but Alya never went into important details like politics or the state of the kingdoms. All the same it was good to have company and hear another person’s voice. Alya did mention it was now the middle of Haler, just after Dione’s Day. The only useful thing Alya mentioned was the fact that the rains had not come this year, and there was little time left for them to come before the dry season.

Finished with the henna Alya went about laying fresh flowers around Demi. The flowers cheered her a little though she could hardly smell them or feel the silky touch of the petals. Alya turned Demi’s head the other way to look out through the other archway into the aviary that Akeem had built so she could look at birds and enjoy their songs.

“How is she?” Akeem asked, Demi unable to turn her head and look at him as he entered the great hall.

“The same brother,” Alya answered.

“Leave us,” Akeem said and Demi heard Alya stand and leave. Gently Akeem turned Demi’s head towards him. He looked older somehow, though she had seen him come here every day, he seemed older by each. “You are lovely today my dove,” he said softly brushing at her hair with his fingers. He continued to whisper meaningless endearments to her, kissing her hand and face. Demi had at first worried that Akeem would lose himself and take her while she was crippled, but he had so far abstained. She realized his feelings for her weren’t as shallow as she had thought.

She was grateful for his tenderness, but she wished he would treat her more like a person and not an object to be fetishized. He had forgotten she was still alive and awake or perhaps he didn’t even realize.

Akeem’s worship was interrupted by raised voices. Frowning Akeem turned to the arched entrance as a man shoved in past the guards. Demi realized it was Sect Samson, his face strained and pinched.

“Leave here Sect!” Akeem shouted. “This is holy ground, you dare defile it.”

“This isn’t holy ground and if it were I would have more right to walk it than you,” Samson said bitingly. “I came because we need to talk and it seems this is the only place I can find you other than moping in the baths.”

“Get out of here you disturb Demi’s peace,” Akeem said laying a protective arm over Demi. “I am king here not you Sect.”

“I am more king than you whelp!” Samson roared to Demi’s astonishment. “While you sit in your palace bemoaning your love the Pridesmen are at our doors! Have you not seen it Akeem? The gates are all closed; the Arc is lined with Pridesmen as their Panthra stalk the southern plains. We are besieged Akeem and since you and your brothers have done nothing other than seal the palace I have had to rally the battalions to hold the city. Your kingdom is crumbling around you Akeem, wake up!”

Demi had not realized how dire the situation had become, her heart cold in her chest.

“The Pridesmen cannot breach the walls,” Akeem said. “Evalon will never fall.”

“They hold the Arc now Akeem,” Samson said darkly. “We cannot get goods from the river anymore, even if we could transport goods, Zar Ne Zar holds all the farming settlements from here to the sea. The wandering tribes have all but disappeared, some flocked here, but most have withdrawn into their hidden corners. Any forces you might have mustered are now lost to you and we are outnumbered here.

“If you were to call on any aid from Regis you are sorely mistaken. There is a usurper of the Lirian throne called Feng Loe who has killed King Son. The High King now does battle with Lir to get his nephew on the throne there; he has no time for war here.”

“I know,” Akeem said. “Fadil let the High King call upon the Horse Lords, they ride for the north to cross the Spine Mountains.”

Demi guessed Fadil to be one of Akeem’s half-brothers, a eunuch so that he could not threaten Akeem’s rule. Fadil must have been the general of the battalions.

“Akeem!” Samson shouted. “How could you do this when you are in siege here in Evalon?”

“Fadil said that it would be far worse to ignore Arian’s call for arms,” Akeem said petulantly. “The High King could cut off trade if we were to abandon him.”

“The threat here is far more serious,” Samson said. “You are looking to a future that may not exist unless the danger of the present is not addressed right now.”

“What danger?” Akeem asked angrily. “The Pridesmen are little better than animals. They will howl at our walls and die on our spears, and when they begin to lose they will turn on each other and kill one another before the survivors all slink back to the Sía-Be Róza with their tails between their legs.”

“Fadil is a coward and a likes to get buggered up the ass,” Samson growled. “None of that is true Akeem; Zar Ne Zar will take Evalon if something is not done. Even if our stores could last the year, I do not think the city will. Zar Ne Zar attacks the walls with wanton blood lust, only two weeks of battle has seen hardened soldiers weeping. He does not need ballista or machines of war to take the city; he just needs rivers of blood.”

“I think my brother the general of my army knows more about this than you Sect,” Akeem hissed. “And who are you to criticize a man for his desires? I hear tell you should be the Sect of Dione and the Ocher Ladies more than a Sect of Sol.”

Samson eyed Akeem grimly before raising his hand and backhanding Akeem across the face. The blow rang through the temple and dome ceiling, the guards shouting as they ran into the temple. They grabbed Samson and started to drag him back when Akeem rose.

“Wait!” Akeem shouted and the guards stopped. He stood and approached them, Demi only able to see his back. “You miserable dog, have him whipped and thrown out into the streets. You can die on the walls if you like Sect; I will not morn your passing.”

“It will be an honor to die in the dirt among men who fight to protect the innocent,” Samson answered. “You will die here among your riches alone and empty weeping over a girl that never loved you.”

“Get him out of here!” Akeem screamed and Samson was dragged away. As soon as the guards were gone Akeem ran back to Demi to bury his face in her chest and weep brokenly. Demi couldn’t even raise a hand to comfort him, though what she really wanted to do was slap him. Her mother was out in the city, her people, nomads and city folk alike all faced the Pridesmen. She had never felt such fear, and such anger and frustration that there was nothing she could do for them.

Eventually Akeem’s weeping stopped and he left dejected. Alya returned to feed Demi watered porridge she poured down her throat. She whispered soothing words, sang songs, and told fantastical stories from Tales of the Lost. Demi drifted off to sleep, and once again she dreamed into the realms of colored mist.

She wandered the mist for a while, feeling better in the movement even though it was not the movement of her body. She saw things in the mist as she walked fountains of ice, worlds of water, waterfalls of liquid stone, and much more. The places she saw winked by through the shifting mist, often seen from above like she walked through the sky over other worlds. She never grew tired, hungry or thirsty, so Demi kept walking.

Through the paths she could see tracks of something that had moved through the aether, the mists duller in color in these places. In those places she saw the aether changed, doorways opened to the worlds hidden by the mist. Most were worlds of darkness, Demi shying away from looking too closely at those places. She hurried away from those paths with the prints of shadow and sought instead places of light.

Direction meant nothing in this place, up and down had no meaning but Demi felt as if there was always solid ground at her feet. She saw the mist stirring and almost clear as she looked up into a glowing golden cloud bright between three giant burning suns. She stared at the great golden aura high above, seeing shapes form out of the golden cloud. One moment it was a great castle with towering minarets and great domes, the next it was a mountain taller than dreams, and then it was a crumbling city in dunes of sand.

Demi felt drawn to the cloud as she stared at it and saw thousands of structures and natural structures form in the golden sand. Demi tried raising her foot and taking a step as if to climb a set of stairs and was surprised to find her foot met solid ground again. She climbed carefully, approaching the swirling cloud until she reached it. The sand shifted before her a moment and then formed a great arched entrance.

Demi entered the hall, a structure far beyond any construct of man. She walked upon a wide pathway, the edges disappearing into an endless abyss. Sun light from the three burning globes drifted into the hall in great beams of golden light, thousands of sparling embers of dust floating in the beams. The floor was warm and smooth, polished like burnished bronze. Demi walked along the hall towards the far end where a titanic figure sat on a golden cloud.

The god was easily twenty times bigger than an ordinary man, Demi would have been smaller than his pinky finger. His four arms were heavily muscled, his golden skin rippling over his brawny chest. Six bird like wings sprung from his back in various states, some open others closed in repose. A shifting golden cloth girdled with a golden chain circled his waist as he sat reclined on the golden cloud.

His features were achingly beautiful, but not at all human. His nose and mouth were flat and stretched across his skull, his ears pointed. His mane of golden hair shifted about as if he were in water, covering his brow and burning golden eyes. An inverted triangle of light hovered over his brow, too bright for Demi to look at.

Demi had no doubt he watched her as she approached, despite his bored expression as his head rested propped on one fist.

“Well another visitor,” he said at last. “At least better than the broken soul eater.”

“Greetings great God,” Demi said as she bowed, knelling down and prostrating until her forehead rested on the warm floor. Demi did not know who he was, he was not one of the Gods of Aeri, but any god deserved a deep form of respect.

“A God is that which is invoked,” the God answered sounding neither pleased nor angry. “I have no worshipers. I am a deity, a spirit of great power older than the stars.”

“I apologize for my error great one,” Demi said. “I am Demi rah Kartal. What may I call you?”

“I go by many names: the Golden One, He that Slept Late, Whispers of Sand, Lord of Time, but you may call me Sandman.”

“I am honored to be in the presence of a deity though I do not know how I found my way here,” Demi said. “I am lost.”

“Lost?” the Sandman said interested. “Come closer little one.”

Demi rose and with her head down she approached the deity. She raised her face to him and it was much like looking up into the sun. She closed her eyes as his light brightened and looked at her, Demi feeling the dry touch of a feather brush her forehead. She smelled home in him, the dry scent of desert sands in his wings. She opened her eyes as he withdrew a pensive look on his face.

“Why did you take the form of a mortal?” the Sandman asked and Demi blinked surprised. “You do not know what I mean.”

“No great Sandman I do not, I apologize,” Demi said. “I am a mortal born to a mortal and sired by a mortal.”

“That does not matter,” the Sandman said. “The size of a spirit determines its length of existence. Mortal spirits are small, they do not last long in time though they can pass through the aether and return to the physical realms a few times before their spirit burns out. There are some with larger spirits, these born of other places or like one people born of a divinity that divided itself into many. These people are called Phay after the deity that birthed them.”

“The Phay,” Demi gasped. “You know of the Phay?”

“They are divine in their own rights,” the Sandman said nodding. “They were once a deity and I find it interesting what they have become.”

“What of the March?” Demi asked. “Do you know of the March?”

“I pay little attention to the movements of the Phay,” the Sandman said with a disdainful wave of his hand. “Though they are interesting they are lesser now than what they once were. I still do not understand Phay’s choice in dividing itself. Deities are the oldest of all for we have freed our spirits of time. Our spirits are the largest and we live on past the burdens of endings.”

“I do not understand,” Demi said.

“You do not for you have taken on a mortal form,” the Sandman said. “I don’t know how or why you have chosen this, or who you are. There are many like me, and I do not know them all.”

“What must I do?” Demi asked.

“Do? Return to where you came from,” the Sandman answered with a shrug. “You chose a mortal life for a reason, so go back.”

“My body has become crippled in life,” Demi answered, feeling tears rise. “I cannot even blink my own eyes.”

The Sandman sat silent as she began to cry, wiping her eyes on her hands and hiccupping as she sobbed. Eventually she calmed and the Sandman spoke.

“I cannot help you,” he said simply. “Go, I have other matters to deal with.”

“What matters?” Demi asked looking up at him to see he was displeased. “Perhaps I can help.”

“I said I cannot help you child,” the Sandman growled, the sand rumbling with his voice. “Do not seek my favor by offering aid.”

“I do not,” Demi said. “If I cannot help myself then I will help another.”

“You cannot even help yourself what makes you can even help me?” the Sandman asked.

“I will not know unless I try,” Demi answered.

The Sandman stared at her pensively, the triangle on his forehead pulsing.

“A creature has been wandering the aether or worlds,” the Sandman said at last. “It is a nightmare, a dark spirit, a soul eater. It is the Crippled One. I caught it lurking around my palace and it tried to lie its way to freedom. I underestimated it; it managed to learn my true name and escape. Though its power is lesser than my own this creature can command some of my power now knowing my true name. The only way to balance the scales is to learn its true name. Learn the true name of the Crippled One and deliver it to me and you will aid me greatly.”

Demi felt a glow of pride that he had confided in her and given her a task. She knelt before him again pressing her forehead into the floor.

“I will great Sandman and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your trust in me,” Demi said and rose to see the Sandman looking down at her with a look of interest. “I will go now on this quest to seek out the name of the Crippled One.”

He simply nodded and Demi felt the palace crumble around her in a flurry of golden light and she woke once again in her crippled body. She lay staring up at the fresco of the gods thinking. She had just met a god, a deity, she corrected herself. And he had given her a task, a holy quest even greater than her last. She somehow felt however they were tied together, the March of the Phay and the true name of the Crippled One. She knew the workings and stories of the gods; everything was often linked in the world in one way or another.

So now her quest was more complicated, and more important. She looked up at the gods above and wondered what they were planning, or how they knew the Sandman. The Sandman must be an outsider, a creature like the gods but he had no worshipers as he said. He must be lonely. Demi looked up at the Gods of Aeri wishing she could offer prayers to them for the Sandman, but she could not move her hands.

She breathed in through her nose and smelled the cool smell of night. The temple was well lit with thousands of candles, lamps, and torches, braziers burning to keep away the chill of Isra’s arms. Incense of sandalwood lingered in the air along with the smell of jasmine and cinnamon. Demi was alone, though she could not turn her head to see she sensed there was no one in the temple with her. There were probably guards at the doors, and hundreds more through the gardens of the harem, palace, and walls.

So Demi tried again to reach out into Empyria, to begin her quest for the Sandman and the Phay, but she could not reach it. Her mind was too alert and awake to drift off as it had before. Demi wondered how long she had been wandering, how long it had been since she had overheard Samson and the King speaking. It had felt like only hours, or weeks, she couldn’t tell. She breathed in as deep as she could, trying to smell the season from the air. It was dry still, the rains had not come. It was cold from the night, but not nearly as it should be in Haler. Demi guessed more time had passed.

She was still musing over this when she heard a man gurgle and choke, the sound of a body dropping to the ground outside. There was a muffled shout and a scuffle, and then the sound of another body dropping. Demi felt her breath come short, her heart pound, as footsteps sounded coming towards her. The person walked with steady silence; on the slight patter of skin against stone sounding as their bare feet tread on the stone floor.

Demi felt someone pause next to her, a shadow falling over her. She smelled blood, coppery and fresh, as well as a darker musk she had smelled before. He leaned over her and Demi looked up into the handsome face of Zar Ne Zar. He grinned, his pointed teeth menacing in his mouth and a smear of blood on his cheek. The ruby on his forehead glowed ominously in the torchlight, his bright golden eyes sharp. He was as handsome as ever, a scar through his eyebrow only adding to his looks. His hair was still cut to resemble a mane, and died golden brown.

“Found you at last little bird,” Zar Ne Zar said lowly. “You thought you escaped me but that is not so.”

Demi could only breath heavier in fear, she could not answer. Though Zar must have seen the question in her eyes for he chuckled.

“You are wondering why I am here?” Zar asked. “After all in this state you cannot lead me to the Ró-Hre or the Ró-Ky. I no longer need you for that little bird. I have heard tales of you, how you bragged about escaping me. But I am not here to just save face from those who mock me for letting you out of my grasp. I am here because you will be my token to the throne of Xin. That little brat of a King will trade his kingdom for your life, and I shall sit on the throne of the greatest kingdom of the Nine.”

Demi tried to cry out, but all that she managed was a strangled squeak in her throat. Zar Ne Zar laughed and stroked her cheek.

“Do not worry little bird, I will let you see the face of your lover before I kill you,” he said softly. “Though I do not guarantee it will still be on his head. Now come, the night is young and Isra has long been my whore.”

Demi felt her gore rise as Zar Ne Zar scooped her up with ease, cradling her like a babe. He walked out into the night, Demi seeing two guards lying in pools of blood. Stalking around in the garden clearing was his Panthra. Zar Ne Zar walked up to the beast and stopped before it, the giant lion growling as it sniffed at Demi.

“Easy Dakarai,” Zar Ne Zar said to the Panthra. “I have not introduced you little bird to my Panthra. Dakarai is the greatest of the Panthra, when he was born he had already eaten all his brothers in the womb, and killed his mother coming into this world. He is a warrior of great purpose.”

The male Panthra bared his teeth and growled, Demi feeling the desire to shiver in fear, but was unable to move. Zar Ne Zar mounted up onto the Panthra with her still in his arms, leaping up gracefully. He had no saddle, and settled her before him nestled in Dakarai’s mane. With a kick of his heels the Panthra leapt away, running through the jungles of the garden. Demi couldn’t see much in the dark as they ran through the foliage, but she could tell they traveled swiftly.

It wasn’t long until they had reached one of the garden walls, Dakarai leaping over the wall with a cat’s ease. The other side was more gardens and more of the palace buildings, Dakarai running through these as well. Then they approached the outer wall, torches and guards lining the wall. The guards shouted and Demi heard bows drawn and fired. Zar Ne Zar laughed and Demi saw him snatch an arrow out of the air with his bare hand. He reversed the arrow and threw it back, Demi hearing a man scream as the arrow found its mark.

Dakarai reached the wall in heartbeats and scrambled up the taller expanse in three mighty leaps. Guards shouted and screamed as Dakarai attacked, Zar Ne Zar howling. He drew out his spear from the bandolier across his back and began stabbing out with it. Demi saw a guard charging forward with a sword for Dakarai’s flank. Zar Ne Zar leapt from the Panthra’s back with gymnast grace and landed in the man’s path. He lashed out with his spear in a quick jab, catching the man in the throat before he could even shout.

Now Zar Ne Zar was among the men he fought with vicious speed and ferocious energy, in moments the guards lay dead from either his spear or Dakarai’s fangs. More were coming, whistles and horns of alarm blaring in the night. Zar Ne Zar howled one last time, Dakarai joining him before Zar leapt back onto the Panthra’s back. They leapt from the wall into the waiting arms of the lake below.

Demi gasped as the cold water closed over them and they surfaced, Dakarai paddling water powerfully with his six great legs. Arrows followed them, but once again Zar Ne Zar batted them away until they were out of range. For a little while they swam unchallenged until they reached the middle of the lake where three skiffs full of guards plied their way towards them. Two closed in from the left and one from the right, the men rowing with all their might to catch up with Dakarai.

Zar Ne Zar stood up on Dakarai’s back as arrows began to fly, batting them away each time. The forefront skiff caught up with them, but Zar Ne Zar leapt aboard before anything could be done. There were screams and shouts as Zar Ne Zar did battle, but as he fought the skiff on the left caught up. Dakarai turned and lashed out at the vessel, using his weight to capsize it.

As the Pathra rose out of the water Demi felt herself slip from his back and slide off into the water. The shouts and screams were silenced as the water closed over her head. Demi held her breath, but she could not even close her eyes as she sank into the water. She saw someone, maybe Zar Ne Zar, try and swim after her, but she was sinking like a rock and was quickly beyond their reach.

Demi felt her lungs burning, so this was how she was going to die. Before she could despair she felt a familiar sensation around her. Little hands took hold of her clothes, a current of water pulling her away through the lake. It was like when the sandstorm had claimed her and the winds had carried her, only now it was the water. Demi held her breath harder, only letting a few bubbles pass to hold out.

Her strength was failing her, her lungs burned, and at last she took a breath only to inhale water. It burned down her throat and lungs, Demi coughed but only took more in. She felt her chest giving way, filling with water with each strangled attempt to clear it, when suddenly it was no longer water she was breathing. Demi coughed and vomited the water she had taken in up, lying on her side as she coughed and sputtered.

She must have passed out because she woke lying on her side, breathing steadily now. She looked around, but only saw a wet stone ground and wall before her, unable to move. Then she felt little hands over her again, lifting her up and moving her. Demi couldn’t see them, but she felt them lift her and carry her down a wet tunnel, Demi seeing the pool where she must have come from.

The little hands carried her down the tunnel into darkness, Demi only hearing the dripping of water. They carried her through the tunnel, over some rises, and along a few twisted pathways until at last they lay her out on a ledge. Demi could see nothing but felt this place was a vast cavern and that she rested on a ledge that looked out over a cliff into the wide cavern. The little hands left her and Demi was alone, trapped still in her own body.

It took her a while to realize something about the place was strange, and when she realized she felt awe. The air moved, not in the singular direction of wind through a cave, but in a steady beat like breathing. The breath moved at deep intervals, and Demi struggled to match her breathing with that of the cavern. She felt peace settle over her, the pain of her limbs settling as she breathed in and out. Demi almost sank into the stone under her, feeling every tight muscle in her body relax.

She did not linger on how this could be, she simply let go of all thought and breathed. Time had no meaning anymore, but her spirit did not wander like it had before. She became one with the breathing of the cave.

:So I am not alone: The sound was not sound and at the same time it was. It was the very vibration of the air, reverberating directly in her skull with its own meaning. Demi could tell the voice had not spoken in any language, it had simply willed its meaning into her.

:?: She tried the same but had only managed a generalize query to the air.

:You have much to learn young one: the voice answered. :Form the words in your mind and I will know.:

:Are you like me?: Demi asked, the thoughts jumbled in her head as she thought of what the voice had said and the Sandman’s words that she was a deity.

:More than you could know. Once I was a deity, as you were once a deity. A lion’s share of my spirit ended up in this form along with many memories. Yet with this change in me I was able to enter this world and create my people, and led the others that had been born of my division. I am Kur, She Brings Forth:

:Demi rah Kartal:

:You are greatly diminished Young One, as am I. It is sad, to see a deity so young diminished so:

:?: Demi had many questions to that that flooded her mind so only managed the query thought again.

:I call you Young One because I can tell you are a newly born deity. From where you were born or why you are here I do not know since you have forgotten your true name. I can however tell you my tale, and how I have come to be here.

:I was once King of the Dragons, the first race of the Phay born of my previous incarnation of a deity. I guided the Phay to this world Miread, I was the first to arrive. I dreamed the race of dragons, They Burn Within, out of the bones of the earth using the fiery heart to give them life. There are many stories I could tell you of my children and the other races of Phay, but I will tell you of my downfall instead.

:Deities are many and soon another followed us here to Miread. The deities should not come to the physical realm in their true forms for it causes imbalance and strain upon the world. Coatltlahtoani did not care. The Serpent King came in his true form, and I felt his coming through my bones of earth. His coming caused me great pain as I was tied so strongly to Miread. So I came and did battle with him so that he might leave this world and not consume it like others he had so taken.:

As the tale was told Demi saw it, the legendary battle between the Serpent King and Kur the propagator of dragons. She saw the birth of the Sía-Be Róza from their battle, the great desert formed by the fires of Kur and the blood of her enemy. At last the two fell, Kur making the great Spine Mountains and the Serpent King the Ró-Ky.

:His spirit died but much damage had been done, his body became death to all by turning them to stone in one last curse. As I fell however his last blow had claimed my head, separating my mind from my body and crippling me much like his curse has crippled you. I lay in the sands and wept, and I still weep for I am so alone.:

Demi sent out her own feelings of pain and empathy, feeling Kur respond in kind. They sat in silence morning their own crippled states. Demi knew Kur’s tears now were the source of the Ark and told her so. She also realized this cavern at the bottom of the lake was Kur’s skull

:I am glad then that I was able to undo some of his damage and bring life back to the wastes.:

:Thank you: Demi said to her. :Do you know what brought me here? There were little hands:

:The Wild Kin brought you here: Kur said. Demi felt knowledge fill her from Kur, about the spirits of the elements.

:Why can I not see them if I have power?:

:You have chosen a mortal life. If I am to guess I would say you sealed away your true name and renamed yourself to that of an ordinary mortal with no powers. Yet some like myself and the Wild Kin can sense what you are. The Wild Kin sought to aid you, why that is I do not know:

:Others have not: Demi said and thought of Slad and Clíodhna.

:They were not looking: Kur answered. :I am surprised they had not noticed the thread upon you as well:

:?:

:One of the Phay has tied her spirit to yours to affect your luck and guide you. Telling by the thread and power I would guess it is one of Enfys’ children. You will have to ask her why she did this however:  

Demi thought then of how her spirit had managed to leave her body.

:Can you not leave your body?:

:I have tied myself to Miread too strongly unlike the other Phay: Kur answered. :I cannot walk the aether anymore.:

:Do you know of what has happened to them?:

:No, tell me:

Demi told her, she let Kur see into all her memories and what she had learned. She let all her questions flow into Kur. Who was the Crippled One? How were the Phay to March? What could she do to help? She finished with the most important question.

:What will you do?: Demi asked when she finished and Kur was silent.

:I can do nothing: Kur answered at last. :But you can:

:?:

:I will heal your body, then it becomes your task to do what you can to guide the Phay in their march and find the Crippled One’s true name:

:But what about you?: Demi asked.

:I will remain here, if I were to be healed and returned to my old state the wastes would dry up and the mountains you described would be uprooted. The world has changed so much I no longer fit within it:

:But you do not have to be alone: Demi said. :I’ll come back and I’ll bring your kin to see you. I’ll tell you stories and show you what I can of the world:

Kur was silent for a long time before she answered.

:I would like that very much Young One:

Demi felt how much it would mean to her, and Demi understood her pain more than anything.

:Now let us begin remaking you: Kur said. :I may not be able to walk the lines but I can still dream:

Demi felt herself drift off to sleep then unable to resist the sudden heavy feeling over her mind. She dreamed confused dreams unlike any she ever had before. They were dreams of fire and earth, water and wind, of stars burning with suns, and births and deaths of worlds themselves. These were dreams of gods, of the deities of the higher spheres like the Sandman and Phay. This was what Demi had once been.

Demi woke; unable to tell how much time had passed if it had passed at all. She sat up instinctively before she realized she could. She sat in awe as she raised her hands to her face. Her face felt unchanged from when she had been healthy, her limbs once more their strong frame of youth. She was no longer shriveled and broken.

Laughing Demi leapt to her feet and felt the strength of her body once more. She jumped around and danced, feeling lighter and stronger than she ever had even before she had been stabbed.

:I restored your strength and granted your power of your own to see your task through:

“Power?” Demi asked aloud since she could. Her voice was restored as well, ringing truer and clearer than before.

:Look and see:

Demi realized that though there was no light she could somehow see in the darkness. Demi looked to the ground and saw a huddle of little creatures. They were human in shape, though their limbs were deformed and their bodies potbellied. They had pointed ears and big liquid brown eyes. None was shaped exactly like another and despite their strange appearance Demi found them rather adorable.

:Those are gnomes, spirits of earth. They had brought you here:

Demi went to them and touched each one on the top of their tiny heads.

“Thank you,” Demi said and they smiled up at her.

:They and the undines can guide you out of this place: Kur said.

“Wait, can you not teach me of this new power?” Demi asked.

:I restored you to health, but you are still in a mortal body that has needs of food and water. The water here is fresh to drink but there is no food here for you. You must learn to control and command this power on your own. Know this however, you only have to ask of the Wild Kin and they will obey your will and commands:

Demi looked at her hand feeling both powerful and afraid at the same time. Her quest had been to seek out answers, to find answers and solutions to the problems ahead. She had found Kur, but no solutions. Now she was being told to go and face those problems on her own, to save the world.

:Your task is not known: Kur said sensing her thoughts. :The Phay will march with the aid of the song, and only Eileen can play it. Other forces are in motion and acting as we speak. I cannot guide you, nor aid you more than I have. I have given you the power to take on what must be done; it is now up to you to act:

Her words were daunting yet somehow Demi felt more confident. Kur had given her power, and though Demi still did not know what she must do she felt she could do almost anything.

“Thank you Kur,” Demi said looking up into the vast cavern of Kur’s skull. “I will return with your kin, and swear to you now I will find a way to restore you to the world once more.”

:Oaths are serious matters in the power of the Elder Magic Young One: Kur warned.

“I do not make it lightly Kur,” Demi said. “I will heal you as you have healed me.”

Kur was silent for a while before she spoke again.

:Then I thank you Young One: Kur said. :Fair winds and sweet water upon the long road you must take:

“Sweet dreams and fond memories to you Kur,” Demi said as she knelt and pressed her forehead to the stone floor.

She stood and followed the gnomes out of the dome of Kur’s skull and through the twisted passages of her nasal cavity. The gnomes lead her back to the pool of water where Demi saw what Kur had called undines.

They were salamander like creatures with blue and black skin. They too were human shaped but each one different from the last. They had big blue eyes without pupils or whites, and swam with liquid ease. Demi bowed to the gnomes before she joined the undines in the water. She paddled a moment before the undines surrounded her. Demi took a deep breath and they pulled her under.

She didn’t have to swim as the undines towed her along swiftly through the water. They moved her faster than she could ever swim. Though the lake was deep they had her to the surface in moments and Demi gasped for air gratefully. She was in the middle of the lake, unable to see anything past the water around her. It was dawn though, and Demi cast a quick prayer to the Goddess of the dawn in thanks for her new beginning.

The undines pulled her along through the water swiftly, Demi practically flying through the water. They brought her to a dock and Demi clamored out of the water. Looking around she saw no one, the walls of this part of the palace were empty. She looked back to the water and thanked the undine. The water spirits laughed and grinned at her before they disappeared, leaving the water to ripple a moment before it calmed.

Demi looked down at the water and was met with her own reflection, feeling her jaw drop in shock. She still had the appearance of a child, her fine kaftan dripping wet from her trek in the lake. Her features were the same as well, hooded almond eyes, small nose, round face, and wide forehead. Her hair had grown to her waist in long luxurious black curls, her skin a fine burnished brown. Nothing had changed yet everything of her seemed richer and more alluring, like life had seeped into her more.

Demi realized there was now a glow even about her head, a light like the halo of a goddess. She reached up but felt nothing as her fingers passed through the halo, the cloud untouched by her hand. She looked down into her reflection and saw a saint.

A bird call made her look up and Demi saw a familiar shape circling above. Overjoyed Demi held out her arm and called out to the palm nut vulture. Vega banked and flew down to alight on her arm, the vulture clicking her beak in joy. Demi scratched her under the beak and Vega closed her eyes in bliss.

“Come Vega, we have work to do,” Demi said and the vulture gave a cry of agreement.

[deannalaurend]

Timeline of Galactic History

@what-a-strange-little-star and I were talking about how awesome a Star Wars/Wonder Woman au crossover would be and so then I started planning things and, well, this happened. Stay tuned for more - someday we may even write a full fic - once my friend here finally watches Wonder Woman!

Pre-Clone Wars

c. 10000 BBY

One or more ancestral species unlock the secrets of hyperspace travel and open the galaxy for exploration.

Force sensitives gather to form the Jedi Order, dedicated to the preservation of peace and justice. The world Ilum comes into their possession.

Unidentified rogue Jedi is born.

A group of malevolent Force users splits from the Jedi Order during the Hundred-Year Darkness. They form the Sith Order.

The Jedi attack the Sith temple on Malachor in the Great Scourge of Malachor, and battle the Sith. All participants are petrified.

A group of surviving female Jedi flee to Themyscira, a planet in uncharted space and erect powerful cloaks around their world to protect them. Hippolyta sculpts a baby out of clay and she is brought to life by “the gods”, she is named Diana.  The women call themselves the Amazons.

c. 6021 BBY

Through the use of slavery, the Sith build an empire that spans the galaxy, beginning a brief period of galactic dominance.

The Sith build a shrine on Coruscant. The Jedi later build the Jedi Temple on top of the shrine's foundations.

Prior to 1032 BBY

The Battle of Takodana is fought between the Jedi and the Sith. (at least 1,000 years)

The galaxy enters the Dark age.

The Jedi–Sith war is waged.

A male Jedi crash lands on Themyscira and Diana is convinced to leave Themyscira to help destroy the darkness even though she may never return to the world.

Diana learns she is the Force personified and is able to kill another Force Avatar who embraced darkness instead of light.

The Sith are defeated by the Diana and the Jedi and are driven into hiding.

The Old Republic collapses.

Mandalorians of House Vizsla sneak into the Jedi Temple and liberate the Darksaber.

Diana becomes the Master Jedi

Darth Bane establishes the Rule of Two.

Several solar systems unite and found the Galactic Republic.

The Zygerrian Slave Empire is defeated by the Jedi.

896 BBY

Yoda is born on an unknown planet. He is trained by Diana in the ways of the Force.

Diana leaves the Jedi temple to explore the galaxy, leaving behind a prophecy of a “Chosen One” who will bring balance. She manages to return to Themyscira whose shield are no longer active, only to find that the Amazon’s have been wiped out by an unknown assailant. She decides to stay and mourn her people and write about the Force at what she considers to be the “First Jedi Temple”

797 BBY

Yoda begins to train Jedi in the ways of the Force.

The Citadel is built to imprison rogue Jedi.

41 BBY

Anakin Skywalker is born to Shmi Skywalker through the Force. (half Force avatar)

32 BBY

Invasion of Naboo.

Battle of Naboo. Queen Amidala returns to Naboo and forms an alliance between the Naboo and Gungans. The Gungans engage the droid army while the Queen and her security force capture the leaders of the Trade Federation. Qui-Gon Jinn is killed by Darth Maul, who, in turn, is cut in half by Obi-Wan Kenobi but survives. Daultay Dofine is killed when the Droid Control Ship is destroyed by Anakin Skywalker.

Senator Sheev Palpatine is elected Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, replacing Finis Valorum.

The Jedi Council promotes Obi-Wan Kenobi to the rank of Jedi Knight and permits him to train Anakin Skywalker as a Jedi.

Events of Clone Wars - Galactic Civil War (episode 2- episide 6 including Rebels and Clone Wars)

(Diana starts being referred to as “the Jedi of Legend”. Few Jedi believe she exists and those that do think her some sort of goddess. Yoda has tried to find his old master from time to time, but hasn’t been successful. Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Ahsoka learn more about the first Jedi (the Amazons) and Diana while on the Force Planet Mortis. With the death of the Son, Daughter, and Father, Diana became the last “Force avatar/god” alive, with Anakin being a demigod and “the Chosen One”).

Post-Galactic Civil War

28 ABY

Senator Leia Organa resigns from the Galactic Senate following revelations of her parentage.

Leia Organa forms the Resistance.

Unknown period of time between 28 ABY and 34 ABY

Destruction of Luke Skywalker's Jedi. Turning to the dark side of the Force, Ben Organa prevents his uncle Luke Skywalker's plan to resurrect the Jedi Order by massacring his students. He ultimately assumes the name Kylo Ren, master of the Knights of Ren and a First Order warlord.

Luke Skywalker goes into exile over Kylo Ren's fall to the dark side.

First Order–Resistance conflict

34 ABY

Attack on Tuanul. The village of Tuanul is sacked by the First Order, which had been pursuing a clue to the missing Jedi Master Luke Skywalker's location.

Escape from Jakku. Rey, a scavenger, Finn, a former stormtrooper of the First Order, and BB-8 escape from the planet of Jakku to evade the Order.

Skirmish aboard the Eravana.

Hosnian Cataclysm. The Hosnian system is targeted and destroyed by the First Order's superweapon, the Starkiller.

Battle on Takodana. The First Order sacks Maz Kanata's castle, searching for the Resistance astromech droid BB-8.

Assault on Starkiller Base. Resistance forces engage with the First Order at their stronghold, destroying the Starkiller superweapon

Han Solo is killed by Kylo Ren during the battle.

Rey and Chewbacca find Luke Skywalker and Diana of Jedi Legend on Ahch-To (called Themyscira by the original inhabitants), an uncharted planet in the Unknown Regions.

Themyscira/Ahch-To worldbuilding

Primarily ocean terrain with beautiful islands of rock and trees. The water and sky appear blue and the foliage primarily a beautiful green. There were beautiful gardens of both food and flowers and water falls off of some of the stone towers. Buildings were made out of the natural caves and grottos that formed on the planet. The original women who lived there used shell designs and curves to carve the rooms and furniture from stone - the buildings have a greco-roman feel to it. Though the buildings are mostly ruins now from the battle that wiped out the Amazons the architecture was beautiful and remains of the palace temple are where Luke and Diana made their home. There are many birds and other animal species on the world, including Convor birds.

The Amazons wore clothes made of leather and armour and had a greco-roman/samurai feel to it. The Amazons were accomplished artists and warriors, with a variety of weapons powered by Kyber crystals at their disposal. These women had some rather advanced technology hidden in their stone buildings and powerful power generators that kept their world hidden for centuries.

 Jedi!Diana

Her lightsaber is gold with a dragon pattern on the hilt.

She also has the “Lasso of Hestia” that compels people to tell the truth when they touch it

Her gauntlets are able to deflect blaster fire like a lightsaber, as is her shield.

As a “goddess” is able to fly, is stronger than the average person, is near immortal and in addition to “normal” Force abilities can emit a powerful energy from her body.

[indrosphere]

Babylon: the name is thought to derive from bab-il, in the Akkadian language of the time, meant ‘Gate of God’ and “Babylon” coming from Greek. Bab means gate and Il means the god or deity.

The History

The city of Babylon, whose ruins are located in present-day Iraq around 100 kilometres south-west of Baghdad, was founded at some point as a small port town on the Euphrates River prior to the reign of Sargon of Akkad, who ruled from 2334-2279 BCE and claimed to have built temples at Babylon. There were over 50 temples in Babylon. It grew into one of the largest cities of the ancient world under the rule of Hammurabi. It became a major military power Hammurabi, who ruled from 1792 to 1750 BCE.

Several centuries later, a new line of kings established a Neo-Babylonian Empire, which lasted from 626 to 539 BCE, that spanned from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea. The Neo-Babylonian Empire was a period of cultural renaissance in the Middle East. The Babylonians built many beautiful and lavish buildings and preserved statues and artworks from the earlier Babylonian Empire during the reign of king Nebuchadnezzar II (reigned 605-562 BCE).

A Unesco World Heritage Site

The ancient Mesopotamian city of Babylon has been declared a Unesco World Heritage Site. The World Heritage Committee inscribed 29 new sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List during its 43rd session (30 June 2019 – 10 July 2019) in Baku, Azerbaijan, which includes Babylon of Iraq. Iraq had been lobbying since 1983 for the 4,000-year-old site to be added to the United Nations’ prestigious list. Unesco previously declined to list Babylon as a World Heritage Site on the grounds that restoration and rebuilding work carried out there under the regime of the former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein had badly distorted the original ruins. (Source: BBC)

BREAKING

New inscription on @UNESCO #WorldHeritage List: Babylon in #Iraq . Bravo!

https://t.co/thV0mwrj0X #43WHC pic.twitter.com/U83XSJnwDU

— UNESCO (@UNESCO) July 5, 2019

Our visit

We decided to visit the heritage site and went there yesterday. The summer is extremely hot and temperature  hovers around 50 degrees Celsius and still we went ahead with our plan.

Before reaching the site, we were stopped by Army people. They questioned our driver and checked our passports and recorded the details. Then we reached the gate of the site on the highway. We were stopped again and our passports were taken. That guard called someone. A gentleman arrived in his car. They discussed something and we were asked to follow the car from the gate. We stopped in front of a replica of the famous Ishtar Gate. Two more people walked out. The passports were handed over to other person. We were told to pay IQD 25,000 ($21) each for the entry fees. The person recorded the passport details and then returned our passports. We felt relieved. We were the only three visitors in this scorching Iraqi summer afternoon and may be the scrutiny was tightened as they found some crazy people! May be our zeal to visit the heritage site intrigued them or it could be a normal security procedure. 

The other person was a guide. His name is Abu Zainab Maki. He took us inside through the gate and narrated the details with lots of history. Later, he told us that he is a History graduate and from discussions with him we found that he has a good knowledge of Mesopotamian history. It was nice talking to him. 

Our Guide Abu Zainab

The Ishtar Gate & The Processional Way

Replica of the Ishtar Gate

The main entrance to the inner city was called the Ishtar Gate. The portal was decorated with bright blue glazed bricks adorned with pictures of bulls, dragons and lions.

It gave way to the city’s great Processional Way, a half-mile decorated corridor used in religious ritual to celebrate the New Year.

The street is long and is divided into three parts. The first and the third parts are surrounded by fences to prevent people from entering. The original tiles are still in situ! Our guide had the keys and he opened the locks for us to go inside the fenced area. He said that he loves Indians!

The Processional Way

In ancient Babylon, the new year started with the spring equinox and marked the beginning of the agricultural season. The Gate of Ishtar and the Processional Way were built around 675 BCE and was commissioned by King Nebuchadnezzar II.

Ishtar Gate, in a depression a little short way off the Street of Processions, still has some of its old wall decorations of bulls, symbol of Adad, god of storms, and dragons, symbol of Marduk, the chief god. The dragon here is a composite animal with the physical attributes of snake, lion and eagle. These brick relieves are not glazed, as the beautiful glazed-brick panels figuring bulls, and dragons and lions (symbol of Ishtar) which decorated the Gate, the Palace and the Street of Processions were all taken, prior to World War I, to Berlin by the German expedition which excavated Babylon then.

The Processional Way of the ancient city of Babylon is a half-mile brick road connecting the outer city of Babylon to the Temple of Marduk. Nebuchadnezzar II commissioned the construction of the gate in the late 6th century BCE as a symbol of his personal power and the power of the Babylonian empire, and the Processional Way is a tribute to the omnipotence of the gods to whom everything was subject.

The gate and the Processional Way served mostly a religious purpose for the New Year procession, which marked the beginning of the agricultural year and featured religious festivals and rituals. The relief representations in the walls are lions were the symbol of the goddess Ishtar, the goddess of love and war. Other ancient Babylonian gods that appear in the bricks are Adud and Marduk, illustrated in the Bull and the Dragon, respectively.

  Among the well-preserved status of the bricks during the initial excavation is perhaps the most valuable artefact, which are the brick fragments with inscriptions containing statements from Nebuchadnezzar II. The inscription provides the reason for the construction of such a magnificent gate and other works, which in his own words is so “Mankind might gaze upon them in wonder”.

The Processional Way and Ishtar Gate of the ancient city of Babylon functioned to glorify the city of Babylon and exemplified the inordinate cultural advancements under King Nebuchadnezzar II, and was directly commission as a means to make the city one of the wonders of the ancient world.

A representative diagram of the Ishtar Gate and the Processional way at Pergamon Museum, Berlin

Ninmakh Temple

At the right side of the Processional Way lies the Ninmakh temple. Ninmakh was the mother goddess in ancient Mesopotamia. The temple was built by Nebuchadnezzar II circa 575 BCE. It is situated east of the Ishtar Gate, and was called e-mah (great temple) of the mother goddess Ninmakh. Ninmakh means the Great Lady.

The central courtyard of the temple, characterised with the presence of the holy well. The inner santum of the temple of Ninmakh was restricted for women only, who would gather in the sacred precint of the temple and pray for good marriages and married women would pray for offspring among other worship rituals. The women also used the water from this well for ritual bathing and for purification. It was one of the several sacred wells located in the sacred precincts around the city.

The Lion of Babylon

This stone sculpture, made out of black basalt stone depicting a lion standing above a laying man, was built by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II. In the sculpture, the lion’s back has marks indicating that it was meant for a precious saddle upon which the goddess Ishtar would stand.

The Lion of Babylon is a historic theme in the region. The statue is considered among the most important symbols of Babylon in particular and Mesopotamian art in general.

Palaces of Nebuchadnezzar II

The southern palace was 1,065 feet (325 m) by 720 feet (220 m) in size. It included a throne room with a glazed brick panel showing palmettes, floral reliefs and lions. The throne and room tiles are now on display at the Berlin museum.

The king also had a northern palace (which hasn’t been fully excavated) and a summer palace, on the northern tip of the outer wall.

Rions of Northern Palace

The wall of the palace

The palace was also protected by a maze to confuse the enemies intruding the palace while the palace guards could watch them and kill them from the top of the walls.

The maze of labyrith

Inside the maze

On the other side of the highway outside the entry gate to the Babylon site, is the Murdock temple. We were told that there is nothing there and due to hot sun, we also didn’t go inside and returned home. If possible, we may visit again on some cooler days.

Neglect & Restoration

It’s pathetic to see how such a heritage site has been destroyed over the period. German archaeologists excavated the remains of the gate in the early twentieth century and reconstructed it in Berlin’s Pergamon Museum using original bricks. The Iraqi government has put up a replica of the gate. Other artefacts are now on display in the Pergamon Museum.

In the early 1980s, former Iraqi leader Saddam razed a large part of the ancient city in order to build a replica on top of some of the original ruins. After the Gulf War, he also built an extravagant modern palace for himself on another part of the ruins, overlooking the main site.

A modern place built by Saddam Hussein looms over the ancient ruins of the northern palace in Babylon

According to a UN report, American troops and contractors caused substantial damage to the archaeological site at Babylon in Iraq after the 2003 invasion. The report says key structures were harmed and the site was subjected to “digging, cutting and levelling”.

Announcing its decision, Unesco said: “Seat of successive empires, under rulers such as Hammurabi and Nebuchadnezzar, Babylon represents the expression of the creativity of the Neo-Babylonian Empire at its height. The city’s association with one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – the Hanging Gardens – has also inspired artistic, popular and religious culture on a global scale.” It also warns that the site is in an “extremely vulnerable condition” and in need of urgent conservation.

There is a need to bring back the artefacts from the museums in the West to the original historical sites and recreate them in their original splendour to reconstruct the history. Will that be ever possible?

Visit to Babylon Heritage Site Babylon: the name is thought to derive from bab-il, in the Akkadian language of the time, meant ‘Gate of God’ and “Babylon” coming from Greek.

[wikitopx]

Many of the best sights in central Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) are around the events of the 20th-century war and conquest that sounds bleak, and in its parts, but there are some Really fascinating historical dynamics suitable for all ages.

From classic French architecture to perfectly maintained US fighter jets, walking around Ho Chi Minh City is like seeing the past come alive with so many interestingly famous places dotted in the city. Of course, as Vietnam's largest and largest business city, the era is changing and modern skyscrapers are starting to poke the sky combining the new and the old in a unique way of Vietnam. With our guide to the Top 10 Best Sightseeing Spots in Ho Chi Minh, you can get all the information you need to make sure you don't miss anything this fascinating city has to offer.

[toc]

1. Binh Tay Market

Open hours: Daily 08:00 - 17:00 Address: 57A Thap Muoi, District 6, Ho Chi Minh City

2. War Remnants Museum

The War Remnants Museum is a serious and unforgettable museum, detailing the effects of the 30-year war between the United States and Vietnam. There are immaculately preserved tanks, planes and other war machines on the outside grounds, but the really hard-hitting information is found inside.

Photographs, exhibits and written documentation show the horrific lengths that the American Army lowered themselves to in order to try and defeat the North Vietnamese Army.

Opening: Daily 07.30 - 12.00 & 13:30 – 17:00

3. Cu Chi Tunnels

This wonderful attraction allows visitors to experience what it must be like for soldiers who have used a vast network of tunnels to move around without being detected by their enemies.

There was an informative movie to watch, followed by a guided tour of some of the fake recreations of everyday life for the Viet Cong to hide in the woods. Burnt out tanks make for a great photo prop and then everyone gets to crawl through a small section of the tunnels which has been widened and supported with concrete.

Opening Hours: Daily 07:00 - 17:00 Location: 70km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City Address: +84 83 794 8820

4. Cao Dai Temple

Cao Dai Temple is the center of the Cao Dai faith, a religion that has taken bits of Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism, and Confucianism. Tourists are welcome to visit the temple and learn more about this faith practiced by a few dedicated devotees.

Each Cao Dai practitioner wore a white robe to enter the temple with an additional chest to denote their previous religion. The temple itself is very bright and colorful with dragons flying up banisters and a cloud mural decorating the ceiling.

Opening Hours: Daily 06:00 - 17:00 Location: 60 miles northwest of Ho Chi Minh City

5. Jade Emperor Pagoda

Built-in 1909 by Chinese immigrants, this Taoist temple is now welcoming Buddhist beliefs and has a very special atmosphere with smoke floating in the air. The intricate architecture, carvings, statues of gods and goddesses and Chinese characters create a strange and timeless atmosphere.

Opening hours: Daily 08:00 - 17:00 Address: 73 Mai Thị Lưu, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

6. Bitexco Tower and Sky Deck

Bitexco Tower is an ultra-modern office tower in Ho Chi Minh, with a characteristic oval extension that acts as a helicopter landing pad. Standing at 262 meters tall, this 68 story building is the highest in all of Vietnam with a sky deck offering 360-degree views of the city and surrounding area as well as a wonderful sky bar called Alto where you can see the whole of Ho Chi Minh while enjoying a cocktail and some international tapas-style dishes.

Go up here to watch the sunset and don't forget your camera!

Opening Hours: Daily 09:30 - 21:30 Address: 36 Ho Tung Mau Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

7. Reunification Palace

The center of the allied command and the place where the North Vietnamese claimed victory in the American War, Reunification Palace has played its part in some incredible scenes.

This long-standing palace has essentially been frozen in time since a North Vietnamese army tank smashed the gate in 1975. Visitors will discover secret rooms, large reception halls and underground bunker where General Ngo Dinh Diem carried out the war strategy.

Address: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

8. Ho Chi Minh Central Post Office

The central post office in Ho Chi Minh is a great example of French colonial architecture, perfectly preserved in many styles as it was when it first opened in 1891. The building still functions as the city's main post office and mailing or postcards are highly recommended for a taste of living history.

Beautiful from every angle, this building was designed by Gustave Eiffel, who also designed the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Opening hours: Daily 07:00 - 19:00

9. Mariamman Hindu Temple

  The Mariamman Hindu Temple is a beautiful example of the bright and bright architecture of Hindu places of worship. As the only functioning Hindu temple in Ho Chi Minh, it acts as a community base for the small community of Hindus living in the city.

Open daily from 07:00 to 19:00, non-Hindus are also welcome to visit, just remember to dress discreetly and take off your shoes before entering the temple inside.

Opening hours: Daily 07:00 - 19:00 Address: 45 Truong Dinh, Ben Thanh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

10. Notre Dame Cathedral

Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, built in the late 1880s by the French colonialists, is one of the few remaining strongholds of Catholicism in Vietnamese Buddhism. Located in Paris square, the name Notre Dame was given after installing the statue of Notre Notre Dame Cathedral in 1959.

A statue of Our Lady is also standing in front of Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, which locals claimed to have shed tears in October 2005. While this incident was refuted by the Catholic Church of Vietnam, thousands of visitors still flock to this statue in hopes of witnessing a miracle.

Opening Hours: Daily 08:00 - 17:00

More ideals for you: Top 8 things to do in Hanoi

From : https://wikitopx.com/travel/top-10-things-to-do-in-ho-chi-minh-704682.html

[audreygallegoba2a]

Mythological Creatures in Ancient Folklore

The world is full of stories about mythical creatures, legendary beasts, and supernatural and god-like beings. For thousands of years, humans everywhere—sometimes inspired by living animals or even fossils—have brought mythic creatures to life in stories, songs, and works of art.

Today these creatures, from the powerful dragon to the soaring phoenix, continue to thrill, terrify, entertain, and inspire us. Some, such as the Loch Ness Monster or Sasquatch, continue to be "sighted" and sought to this day.

While the origins of these fabulous creatures are varied and often disputed, they have played significant roles in human society, and have served to stimulate the imagination and desire that is ingrained in human nature to experience more than this physical world.

Whether they truly exist in physical form is indeed secondary to their existence in the minds of so many people throughout the world and through history.

The legendary Kraken

According to the Scandinavian mythology, the Kraken is a giant sea creature (said to be 1 mile long) that attacks ships and is so huge that its body could be mistaken for an island.

It is first mentioned in the Örvar-Oddr, a 13th-century Icelandic saga involving two sea monsters, the Hafgufa (sea mist) and the Lyngbakr (heather-back). The Hafgufa is supposed to be a reference to the Kraken.

The existence of the Kraken was even acknowledged in scientific texts, including the first edition of Systema Naturae [1735], a taxonomic classification of living organisms by the Swedish botanist, physician, and zoologist Carolus Linnaeus.

He classified the Kraken as a cephalopod, designating the scientific name Microcosmus marinus. Although any mention to Kraken was omitted in later editions of the Systema Naturae, Linnaeus described it in his later work, Fauna Suecica [1746], as a "unique monster" that "is said to inhabit the seas of Norway”.

Grendel, the beast of Hrothgar

Beowulf is an Old English heroic epic poem set in Scandinavia and cited as one of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon literature of all time.  Dated between the 8th and early 11th century, the epic poem tells the story of Beowulf, a great hero who comes to the aid of Hroðgar, the king of the Danes, by defeating a beast known as Grendel who had been terrorising the great mead hall built by Hroðgar and threatening the entire kingdom.

Archaeological research has verified that the great hall commissioned by Hroðgar did indeed exist, and was located in the country’s earliest royal capital, Lejre, 23 miles west of modern Copenhagen. Whether Grendel (meaning quite literarily ‘the destroyer’) originally existed in some less legendary form – perhaps symbolizing a malevolent spirit responsible for disease and death, or a particularly fierce-looking human enemy – is as yet unknown.

The mythological Kappa

In ancient Japanese folklore, the Kappa is a water demon that inhabits rivers and lakes and devours disobedient little children.

The Kappa, a word meaning ‘river child’, is usually depicted with the body of a tortoise, a beak, and the limbs of a frog, and has a hollow filled with water on top of his head. While they are primarily water creatures, they are believed to occasionally venture onto land. According to legend, the cavity must be kept wet when the Kappa ventures out of the water, or he will lose his powers.

The Kappa is one of the most well-known folk legends in Japan and many believe the mythical creature to be true. In fact, there are signs near some lakes in Japan warning people of their presence. However, others maintain it is much more likely that the legend of the Kappa is connected with sightings of the Japanese Giant Salamander, or ‘hanzaki’, which is known to be aggressive and to grab its prey with its powerful jaws.

The legend of Nian

According to tales and legends, the beginning of Chinese New Year started with the fight against a mythical beast called Nian, who had the body of a bull and the head of a lion. It was said to be a ferocious animal that lived in the mountains and hunted for a living. Towards the end of Winter when there was nothing to eat, Nian would come on the first day of New Year to the villages to eat livestock, crops, and even villagers, especially children. To protect themselves, the villagers would put food in front of their doors at the beginning of every year.

It was believed that after the Nian ate the food they prepared, it wouldn’t attack any more people. The villagers would live in terror over the winter, but over time they learned that the ferocious Nian was afraid of three things: the colour red, fire, and noise.  So when the New Year was about to come, the villagers would hang red lanterns and red spring scrolls on windows and doors.  They also used firecrackers to frighten away the Nian. From then on, Nian never came to the village again.

According to legend, the Nian was eventually captured. After that, everyone had a big celebration and the ritual involved in banishing him was repeated the following year, and so the ritual was passed down from generation to generation and the custom of celebrating New Year with firecrackers, noise, and the colour red has persisted to this day. 

Naga, the water deity

The naga is a legendary aquatic, serpentine creature that resides in oceans, rivers, lakes, or waterfalls. Nagas are said to have black scales and can grow to hundreds of feet in length.

Nagas are traditionally worshipped as personifications of water deities and considered bringers of rain and clouds. They are guardians of temples and holy places. Most Kaliyatran believe that the superior God direct the actions of the nagas, and these sea serpents are honoured with many titles such as the "Maharaja Sarpa" and the "Naga who is God".

It is commonly believed that nagas live in underground cities, are capable of speech and can use their heavenly powers to control the weather and assume humanoid form at will.

The majestic griffin

The griffin is a legendary creature with the head and wings of an eagle, and the body, tail, and hind legs of a lion. As the eagle was considered the ‘king of the birds’, and the lion the ‘king of the beasts’, the griffin was perceived as a powerful and majestic creature.

During the Persian Empire, the griffin was seen as a protector from evil, witchcraft, and slander. While griffins are most common in the art and mythology of Ancient Greece, there is evidence of representations of griffins in ancient Persia and ancient Egypt dating back to as early as the 4th millennium BC.

On the island of Crete in Greece, archaeologists have uncovered depictions of griffins in frescoes in the ‘Throne Room’ of the Bronze Age Palace of Knossos dating back to the 15th century BC.

The four mythological creatures of China

In ancient Chinese astronomy, the sky ecliptic was divided into four sections. Each of these sections contained seven mansions, and together they formed the 28 Mansions. The 28 Mansions may be considered to be equivalent to the zodiacal constellations in Western astronomy, although they reflect the movement of the Moon through a sidereal month rather than the Sun in a tropical year. This enabled the ancient Chinese to mark the travelling positions of the Sun and the Moon, as well as to determine the time and seasons. Each section of the sky is assigned to a mythological creature, collectively known as the Four Symbols. These creatures are the Azure Dragon of the East, the White Tiger of the West, the Black Tortoise of the North, and the Vermillion Bird of the South. Apart from their astronomical significance, each of the Four Symbols is surrounded by various mythological associations.

[lamuze]

A Memoir

Life is Art 

By Chandraka Dasi Fisher   

Life is art. And architectural works are works of art. Everywhere I look I am inspired by shapes and colors. George Harrison once said “Art (like music) is an insignificant attempt at reproducing what God does every moment." One may not believe in God but we can all agree that theres no greater architect than that which is found in nature. There’s no doubt that when we see images of the galaxy filaments, the largest known structures in the universe, that these are spirals of infinite creativity, created by something which is greater than ourselves, that which is all powerful. Thus, I am inspired by every facet of nature, for in it we find the most ornate intricacies and designs. Even more fascinating are the animal architects, because lets face it, “given their size and lineage, beavers put humans to shame when it comes to architecture.”

Born on ‘the tip of the dragons tail’ in a very beautiful farm community inland from Byron Bay in Australia 🇦🇺 to Irish and French/Native American parents living abroad, I was then shipped back to and raised in the tropical paradise known as Hawaii Nei. Although my three brothers and I were raised by a single mother in poor hand to mouth humble beginnings, our lives were so rich because of our beautiful majestic and magical natural surroundings.

I can remember being in awe when gazing up from the coastline for the first time at the sacred Hawaiian Temple Puʻukoholā Heiau, located in Kohala on the northern side of the Big Island. Behind it lays Mauna Kea, the tallest mountain top on earth when measured from the bottom of the Pacific ocean floor, rising up 33,476 feet. When its telescope laden snow capped head rears itself through the clouds, the sheer grandiosity of such a sight reminds us of the relative minuscule nature of our own designs and it is humbling and inspiring. Moreover, what makes Puʻukoholā Heiau so amazing is that It was built entirely by hand with no mortar, in less than a year! The ‘mana,’ meaning the pervasive supernatural or magical power that surrounds this structure and site is otherworldly, as are the molten waterfalls of lava that cascade over the sea cliffs in Volcano National Park on an oftentimes nightly basis. Undulating and crashing into the sea, ‘Madame Pele’ creates land and therefore life as we know it. Again, inspiring and reminding us that mother nature is the most advanced at creative design.

I was fortunate to travel extensively in my twenties, living somewhat like a gypsy, studying at the University of Hawaii and then studying abroad in Paris for a semester, and couch surfing during other times, albeit not necessarily by choice. I strove to be the first in my family to reach academic excellence, always dreaming of pursuing higher education to the topmost level as I love to learn. However, due to unforeseen family and financial crisis, I was unable to finish my undergraduate studies.

What I did accomplish, however, was exposure to an array of other cultures, climates and some of the most amazing structural wonders of the world. From the ornately carved Temples throughout the island of Bali; to the never ending sea of buildings seen from atop Tokyo Tower; to that unforgettable surreal moment when I turned the corner and saw the Eiffel Tower for the first time and gazed out over Central Park from the great heights of the Empire State building; architecture has and always will astound me.

From the golden, glowing cupids towering atop bridges over the River Seine; to the art nouveau carved niches throughout the streets of Paris,; to the Old beaux arts train station turned Museum at Musee D’orsay, to some of the first flying buttress at Notre Dame; to the gothic and romanesque Chartres cathedral; to witnessing the ebb and flow of the tides at the foot of Mont Saint Michele Monastery in northern France; to the soaring ceilings found in my classrooms At the Sorbonne University; to the harrowing halls of Les Halles Cathedral; to the vivid corridors at Place Des Vosges, to the Pont Du Gard Aqueduct; France is a garden of architectural delights. And I dream of going back again someday to take in the region of Grasse, Bordeaux and Champagne by hot air balloon.

From the grand canal of Venice, to the palazzos surrounding the duomo in Florence filled with sculptures of Medussa and where every stone you come across has a story, where etched areas carved out for candle-bras from the time of Dante still exist; from the frightening and grotesque sculptures found in the Garden di Boboli, to the epic Colosseum and ancient ruins surrounding it, to the girl playing the cello in the streets and to the intimidating, foreboding presence of the Vatican in Rome; Italy will always hold a special place in my heart.

From the reflective dreamscape of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Barcelona; to Buckingham Palace and big Ben in London; to the ‘giants must have made this’ Stonehenge and to the beautiful lush green town of Bath in England, with its 18th century Georgian Architecture; to Zermatt Switzerland and the subway lifts that have been carved out into the Alps that eventually reach near the highest peak known as Matterhorn; to the surrounding hilltop castles around Zurich, to the giant chess and narrowest row house in Amsterdam; western Europe abounds in a treasure trove of architectural curiosities.

Back in North America, from old and modern Montreal; to the ever stunning art deco Chrysler building in New York City and the Space age Guggenheim; to the magnificent Estates in the Hamptons; to the stately University Of Virginia at Charlottesville; down south to the lovely historic homes of Savannah Georgia and Charleston South Carolina; to the gem of Jacksonville Florida, Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens and to the flamboyant hotels in St Petersburg Florida; the east coast is full of charm.

Across to the Gritty bayou of New Orleans and over into Texas to the exquisite Dallas Museum of Art, springtime at the Dallas Arboretum and Gardens is not to be missed! And from the kitschy Flamingo Hotel along Las Vegas’ strip; to the cutting edge design of the Aria Hotel and down to to the hilltop Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City; this region is full of old clashes with new wild west feeling.

From the golden gate bridge in San Francisco and to Seattles skyline as seen from Queen Annes neighborhood; to Tilikum Crossing in Portland Oregon, to the Hearst Castle along Big Surs Pacific Coast Highway; to the posh Spanish influenced State Street in Santa Barbara; to the Bel Air mansions of Beverly Hills and to the old Hollywood hotel glamour; the West Coast dazzles.

And lastly, back to the islands that will forever be my home across the sea to the classic Moana Surfrider and ‘Pink Lady’ Hotels along Waikiki Beach, to the classic Diamond Head surf; to the Greek inspired Grand Wailea Maui and to the million dollar museum collection at the Hilton Waikoloa Village; Hawaii’s greatest architecture kisses its sun-soaked lapping shores in a rainbow of color.

And the list goes on. What a myriad of marvels I have had the chance to discover, yet there are still so many on my list that I wish to see and experience first hand! Oh sweet life thank you for reminding me to dream big, dare to explore, and discover the divine!

[helios7media-blog]

Top 10 Must Visit Places in Korea

Many times I've asked myself if I travel to Korea where will I go that I will see where it gives because I'm going to go? 10 tourist places that deserve to be visited during your stay in the country. The elegant mountains, the beauty of the sea and the historical monuments that are found in every part of the country, are places of attraction for all those tourists who visit Korea. If you want to live and enjoy a complete trip, do not miss the top 10 tourist spots in Korea. So let's start

1: Namdaemun Market

Namdaemun Market is one of the oldest and you can find an infinite variety of products, street food, merchants selling loudly, etc., ie different types of traditional images. The Dongdaemun Market is exclusive for clothes, and also works at night. From 10 o'clock until 5 o'clock the next morning, the market is lit up and full of people who walk and buy. The Myeong-dong district is one of the most famous places among foreign tourists. In all the seasons of the year it is frequented by the people, and visited, in particular, by many young elegant and beautiful. The streets of Insa-dong are also one of Korea's traditional places, as you will find a variety of antique paintings, pottery, crafts, etc. And in every corner of the way are the traditional tea houses, the rice cakes, the Korean liquors, etc.

2: Bulguksa Temple

Gyeongju is named as the "homeless museum", since every corner of the city preserves historical monuments from the thousand years of the Silla Dynasty (57 BC ~ 935 AD). Among them are the Seokguram Cave and the Bulguksa Temple, as they were designated as Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Especially, the pagoda of the temple, decorated on granite with engravings of figures of lotus flowers and bamboo, is one of the places where tourists do not forget to take the photos. Seokguram Cave has a domed roof, consisting of 360 square stones. The cave, built with previously unknown techniques, and the gemstone located on the front of the Buddha, shine even more at dawn.

3: DMZ

The DMZ is the area where you can observe the Alto el Fuego line between South Korea and North Korea, the only divided country in the world. It is a demilitarized zone that restricts the access of people, which is why a great variety of species of rare plants and animals can be observed. You will also be able to see the security agents of both countries, and through the viewpoints it is possible to see the citizens of North Korea

4: Jagalchi Festival of Busan, Haeundae Beach

The port city of Busan is one of the most beautiful cities surrounded by the sea, which, along the coastline and the white sand of the beach, presents a spectacular harmony. Especially the Haeundae Beach is visited by many foreign tourists during the summer season. In addition, Jagalchi Market, which is nearby, is one of the largest fishing markets in the country. It has a great variety of seafood and fresh fish, which can be sliced ​​and tasted at the moment.

5: The Island of Jeju-do

Jeju-do Island is located south of the Korean Peninsula and was formed by the volcanic eruption. In June 2007 was designated as a Natural Heritage by UNESCO, and the beauty of this island was recognized internationally. Beginning with Baengnokdam Lake of Hallasan Mountain, which retains a legend about the gods who relished it to rest in the water, the Yongam caves with their stone columns, which despite their antiquity, their structures remain impeccable, The peak of the Seongsan Mountain, from which you can observe the sunrise next to the cliff of the coastline, etc., among other tourist places of the island, where you can feel and live the beauty of nature.

6: Andong Hahoe Village, Traditional Korean Village

If you are intrigued by the everyday life of the ancient Koreans, visit the Traditional Korean Village and the Hahoemaeul Village. In one place you can see the daily culture, from the traditional games, to the housing articles and the old houses of our ancestors. Especially the Hahoemaeul Village, it presents the old houses in the traditional style "Hanok", which, today, are still inhabited by the villagers and in which tourists are offered shelter. In addition, from March to November, every Saturday and Sunday, at 15:00 a free demonstration of the Hahoebyeolsin Mask Dance is performed.

7: Haeinsa Temple, Tongdosa Temple, Songgwangsa Temple

The temples of Korea are located high in the mountains, so they have a beautiful harmony with nature. The Haeinsa Temple, located on Gayasan Mountain, is one of the three main temples of the country, which retains the Korean Tripitaka, which is the most comprehensive collection of Buddhist texts. This collection is one of the national treasures and was designed to protect the country from foreign invasions. The Tongdosa Temple is famous for not possessing the Buddha statue, but instead has the relics (the bones of Buddha), therefore it is recommended to visit it without fail. Songgwangsa Temple, also called as the "Prison of Heaven", means that it is a place where clouds and winds settle to rest. It is an ideal place to rest, both body and soul. And, finally, the Haedongyonggungsa Temple is one of the most famous places for tourists visiting Busan. Being located near the sea has a spectacular view, it also has the largest Buddha statue in the country, with sculptures with dragon shapes and rock that fulfills desires, among other attractions

8: Seoraksan National Park, Jirisan Mountain, Geumgangsan Mountain

As one mountaineer rightly responded to the question he was asked about the reasons why he climbed the mountains, and the answer was: Because they were present there, Korea is a country made up of mountains and this is reason enough To be the ideal place for mountaineering. And among them, Seoraksan, Jirisan and Geumgangsan are mountains that, in addition to the fun of climbing, also offer the beauty of sharing Nature. The Seoraksan Mountain has the third highest peak in the country and a large number of valleys. It was designated by UNESCO as a conservation area of ​​living organisms, in which you can observe a great diversity of plants and animals. Jirisan Mountain is Korea's first National Park and its name is derived from the belief that any kind of person accessing it will become an intelligent person ("Jihye" in Korean means intelligence). It is famous for being tall and steep, but, as it has several trails, it is ideal to enjoy as a family. The Geumgangsan Mountain, which is located in North Korea, receives several names, because it presents different aspects according to the seasons, the names are: Geumgangsan, Bongnaesan, Pungaksan and Gaegolsan; Can be visited through travel packages of tourist agencies. In every season of the year is "disguised" differently and, especially, what should not be missed, is the Guryongyeon Waterfall.

9: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Deoksugung Palace

The Gyeongbokgung Palace, built during the Joseon Dynasty, is one of the 5 main palaces of the country. It was where the royal family lived and great official events were held. One of the most visited tourist places by foreign tourists. Changdeokgung Palace is the one that follows Gyeongbokgung. One of the best preserved, and the garden, which presents a harmony between the natural and the artificial, is the most outstanding beauty of this palace. The elegance of the pavilion and of the place reflects the importance of the king. And finally, the Deoksugung Palace was where King Gojong, the 26th king of Joseon, resided until his last days. The stone building where it received the foreign delegates and the road next to the stone wall, are the most famous installations of this palace.

10: N Seoul Tower, Coex, Hangang River Public Park

Seoul is the city that represents Korea and the first place tourists travel. In particular, Tower N of Seoul, located at the top of the mountain, is where you can see, at a glance, the center of the city. The circular and revolving restaurant, next to the bathroom located at the top, which convey a feeling of being in the clouds, are other great shows. The Coex Shopping Center is an underground shopping establishment that you can visit at any time of the year. Famous among 20-30 year olds, it has more than 260 shops of all categories, from clothing, to household goods, stationery, accessories, books, gifts, etc. Also located in the interior are the Aquarium, the Kimchi Museum, etc., so it offers great entertainment. The Hangang River, which represents the city of Seoul, has recreational boats from which to enjoy the scenery of the place, and in summer can practice a variety of water sports. In particular there are many people who visit it, especially at night, as it presents a spectacular night panorama.   Click to Post

[rolenejaffe]

Blessed Blessed Blessed

Peace  Love  and Gratitude  Day 8 - Wednesday July 19th, 2017

The bus ridge from Sibinek to Split was totally insane. Firstly, I woke up at 5am and by 7am I was at the bus station. It was the best 2.5 hour ride EVER. We mostly rode along the coast and each village, city, town we drove past was prettier than the next. Each harbor was filled with boats and yachts of various sizes. I kept trying to get photos but the bus wouldn't stop for me to get photos, damn. It was a visual feast for my eyes; absolutely incredible. 

Nothing prepared me for arriving at the bus station. Ugh, there were so many people.  I definitely did not want to be with so many tourists. I had just left a small coastal peaceful town. I had to catch a local bus to get to my backpackers. The place was so far away. I checked into a huge hostel and to my disappointment it was far away from the old city. It would be another bus journey, which I am definitely not going to do so it was Uber to the rescue. My driver was a fabulous young IT student who was fluent in English. We raced around to find the walking tour, which this time it wasn't free; it is 100 Kuna. I got seriously lucky. I was the only person on the English tour.  I had this wonderful young Doctor of Archaeology take me around the castle, palace, and all around the wonderful little streets all to myself. Yippee yay, I could ask as many questions as I liked, I really appreciated that. Guess what I asked her? I dare you. Is there a Jewish community and a Synagogue?  

Yes to everything. During the walk she took me to see the Synagogue and we discovered it was closed for the day. We were standing there talking and I asked her if she knew the hours of operation. A man walked past us and answered my question; it is open again tomorrow morning. Oh no I won't be here!! GUESS what??????? He's the man who does the tours. He told me he would open it up for me at 4 pm!

Lucky lucky me I love my life and how if it's meant to happen it always does. I feel blessed blessed blessed in so many ways and on so many levels. 

The history of Split in its early days revolves around a Greek settlement founded in the area between the 3rd and 4th centuries. It is most famous for its historical development. In 295 AD, Roman emperor Diocletian ordered a residence to be built there for his retirement, as it was close to the nearby large Roman settlement of Salona (present-day Solin, about 5km from Split).

It took ten years to build this magnificent palace and Diocletian lived there until he died in 313 AD. After his death, many Roman rulers continued to use it as a retreat.

Built in 4th century,  it is now 17 centuries old and still being inhabited, which isn't that mind boggling. Do you think anything we've built would survive 17 centuries?

The most important thing to remember about the palace is that it has been a living City/Palace since the 3rd Century. If it had not been lived in it would have been an archaeological ruin today and that is what makes it so spectacular. 

Notes from the day:

Roman Imperial palace declared Unesco. World Heritage site in 1978.

Population of Split 1700 people. 

Croatia 4 million.

Largest city Adriatic Sea. 

Klis fortress protected the whole area.  

60,000 people lived in the Palace area and surroundings back in the day.

After 20 years of being Emperor, Diocletian retired. He surprised the world. It takes the expression enough is enough to a whole new level.

Being an army man with an army mind he fortified his palace with walls, which was a first.

People live in apartments in the palace today.

The fact that people chose to move in and live there is what has preserved the palace today.

There are several smaller palaces built within the largest Palace.

Papalic family decorated the front entrance of their Palace with their family crest, a Dragon.

In the palace, the ground floor was used for storage, the first floor home to members of the family and top floor was the kitchen. If there was a fire it was at the top, which was very cleaver back in the day.

Jupiter Temple is the best preserved in the world. Absolutely amazing!

The Synagogue is the third oldest synagogue still operating in Europe. The 1st Synagogue is in Prague and the 2nd in Dubrovnik.

Today, Croatia is home to eight synagogues and associated organizations, located in Zagreb, Rijeka, Osijek, Split Dubrovnik, Čakovec, Daruvar, Slavonski Brod. Of these, the Zagreb community is the largest and most active, organizing events such as the annual Zagreb Jewish Film Festival to promote Jewish culture and identity.

The Jewish communities of Croatia flourished in the 13th and 14th centuries, with the communities enjoying prosperity and peaceful relations with their Croatian neighbors.

This ended in 1456, when Jews, along with most non-Catholic Croats, were forced out. There followed 200 years where there are no records of Jews in Croatia.

World War I brought about the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and upheaval for the Jewish communities of the region. 

The Nazi invasion was the doom of Croatian Jewry. Under the Germans, the Croatian ultra-nationalist Ustaše movement came to power. Croatian fascists established a state called the Nezavisna Država Hrvatska (NDH), which translates to Independent State of Croatia. The Ustaše were notoriously anti-Semitic, and wasted little time in instituting anti-Jewish legislation and persecuting the Jews under their control.

The Ustaše set up concentration camps at Kerestinec prison, Jadovno, Metajna and Slana. The most notorious, were heinous crimes and cruel torture perpetrated against Jewish and Serbian prisoners, were at Pag and Jasenovac. At Jasenovac alone, 20,000 Jews were murdered.

During the Holocaust, the Ustaše murdered a total of 32,000 Jews (including 20,000 of the 23,000-25,000 Croatian Jews or 75 percent of the country's pre-war Jewish population.

The Catholic Church and the Catholic Bishop of Sarajevo, Ivan Šarić, published in his diocesan newspaper that "the movement to free the world of Jews, represents the movement for the restoration of human dignity". Omniscient and omnipotent God is behind this movement " In July 1941, the Franciscan priest, Dionysius Juričev, in Novi list wrote that "it is no longer a sin to kill a seven year-old child".

Only 5,000 Croatian Jews survived the war.

The post-war Jewish community of Croatia became highly assimilated, with 80% of Zagreb's 1,500 Jews either born into mixed marriages, or married to non-Jews. In 1991, there were approximately 2,000 Jews in Croatia.

Eish the Catholic Church played such a big part in aiding the Germans in perpetuating hate and lies about the Jews till as late as 15 years ago.

My son went to a boarding school when he was 12.  He phoned me one day in tears because his religious instruction teacher told the class the Jews killed Christ and he was the only Jewish child in the class. He was traumatized .

I immediately called the Rabbi in Natal, got into my car and drove from Botswana to Treverton. It was an 8-hour journey. The following day the principal, the Rabbi and myself met with the teacher. He had to apologize to my son in front of the entire class and was told if he ever said that again he would lose his job. 

After walking around the castle for 3 hours and visiting the synagogue I found myself a nice quiet place to spend the next three hours people watching, drinking coffee and just enjoying the unbelievable magical gift of where I was. Feeling blessed.

I had the most wonderful pasta dish for dinner and I was very proud of myself I caught the bus home and was asleep in seconds when I got back.