#three sacred sister peaks | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

merymoonbeam · 4 months ago

Text

Possible Elriel plot points for the next ACOTAR book

First of all... I'm not saying this is all true. Just my own observation and link to theories that connect to stuff. So just try to enjoy.

We will go by topic. This is LONG. You have been warned.

1.Crossover

we will divide this into different topics.

a.the timeline

In Hosab Azriel carried Bryce to a house and we had this scene.

He gave no warning as he hauled her over a shoulder and tromped down a set of stairs before entering somewhere … nice-smelling. Roses? Bread? They ate bread in Hel? Had flowers? A dark, cold world, the Asteri had said in their notes on the planet.

We know it is town house. Here is the post that explains it. > Town House

And from Acosf we know that it was supposed to be empty.

“But why live in this dump, when the town house was sitting empty?” (Acosf)

but in Hofas when Rhys comes Bryce is taken to Hewn City prisons.

“What world is this?” Bryce rasped, the words gravelly. After Ruhn’s body double had introduced himself in that lovely, cozy foyer, he’d grabbed her hand. The strength of his grip, the brush of his calluses against her skin had been the only solid things as wind and darkness had roared around them, the world dropping away—and then there was only solid rock and dim lighting. She’d been brought to a palace carved beneath a mountain, and then down the narrow stairs to this dungeon. Where he’d pointed to the lone chair in the center of the room in silent command.

so we dont touch on the topic that the town house that was supposed to be empty is lived in and is smelling of roses and bread. So to me it looks like they are keeping the acotar plots in acotar and cc plots in cc. So they are not gonna reveal who lives in there in another series so...who lives there?

to me it looks like bryce falling into their world will be in the same timeline as acotar5. we will see through elain or azriel's(probably him) point of view what goes down.

b. the horn-fourth dread trove

In acosf we learn what they are.

Cassian nodded into the ensuing silence. Nesta found herself asking, “What’s the Dread Trove?” Amren’s eyes glowed with a remnant of her power. “The Cauldron Made many objects of power, long ago, forging weapons of unrivaled might. Most were lost to history and war, and when I went into the Prison, only three remained. At the time, some claimed there were four, or that the fourth had been Unmade, but today’s legends only tell of three.”

and in the same book we learn there is indeed a fourth one.

A fourth object lay on the altar, veiled in shadow. But she couldn’t make out more than a gleam of age-worn bone—

in hofas we learn that it is the horn. (ngl I hate this bc acosf timeline and hofas timeline of the past doesnt match so sarah def changed some stuff so..........)

And then she took the Trove for herself. Theia sat, enthroned, the Harp and Horn beside her, the Mask in her lap, and the Crown atop her head.

again goes with the whole same timeline thing. we are gonna learn through elain or azriel that fourth dread trove is tattooed on some girl from another world. Again imo this needs to be mentioned bc making dread troves a big part of nesta's book(and making them so dangerous) and in the next book acting as if some other girl having is not important?? doesnt make sense to me.

c. Cauldron and Ramiel

in hofas we learn that Cauldron sits on top of Ramiel.

“The Cauldron,” Nesta said hours later, pointing to yet another carving on the wall. It indeed showed a giant cauldron, perched atop what seemed to be a barren mountain peak with three stars above it. Azriel halted, angling his head. “That’s Ramiel.” At Bryce’s questioning look, he explained, “A mountain sacred to the Illyrians.”

And from Acosf we know that nobody went to look at what lies under ramiel. Sure enough Eris says "secrets". Maybe like daglan secrets???

Eris shrugged, and Nesta knew Cassian monitored his every breath. “There are three of them, you know. Sister peaks. This one, the mountain called the Prison, and the one the Illyrian brutes call Ramiel. All bald, barren mountains at odds with those around them.”

Eris gave him a mocking smile, but continued, “Unsurprisingly, the Illyrians were never curious enough to see what secrets lie beneath Ramiel. If it, too, was carved up like the others by ancient hands.”

and Vesperus says this in hofas.

Vesperus backed up a half step, hissing at the gleaming weapon. “We hid pockets of our power throughout the lands, in case the vermin should cause … problems. It seems our wisdom did not fail us.” “There are no such places,” Azriel countered coldly. “Are there not?” Vesperus grinned broadly, showing all of her too-white teeth. “Have you looked beneath every sacred mountain? At their very roots? The magic draws all sorts of creatures. I can sense them even now, slithering about, gnawing on the magic. My magic. They’re as much vermin as the rest of you.”

What if there is more to under ramiel than we thought? What if its a secret Daglan hideout? I went into detail and what could have inspired it in my Wild Hunt post if you want to read it.

also the red part in thw quote...cue in acowar elain:

Elain only turned toward the sunny windows again, the light dancing in her hair. “Will I hear the earthworms writhing through the soil? Or the stretching of roots? Will the bird of fire come to sit in the trees and watch me?”(acowar)

we learn that Asteri corrupted the Cauldron in hofas. So this come in handy for the whole mating bond topic of this whole post so Im leaving it for that.

The Cauldron was of our world, our heritage. But upon arriving here, the Daglan captured it and used their powers to warp it. To turn it from what it had been into something deadlier. No longer just a tool of creation, but of destruction. And the horrors it produced … those, too, my parents would turn to their advantage.(hofas)

Also we know from acosf that Enalius tried to stop the "enemy" from reaching the stone on top of Ramiel.

Emerie’s eyes shone. “Long ago—so long ago they don’t even have a precise date for it—a great war was fought between the Fae and the ancient beings who oppressed them. One of its key battles was here, in these mountains. Our forces were battered and outnumbered, and for some reason, the enemy was desperate to reach the stone at the top of Ramiel. We were never taught the reason why; I think it’s been forgotten. But a young Illyrian warrior named Enalius held the line against the enemy soldiers for days. He found a natural archway of stone amongst the tangle of boulders and made that his bottleneck. He died in the end, but he held off the enemy long enough for our allies to reach us. This Rite is all to honor him. So much of the history has been lost, but the memory of his bravery remains.”

so probably they were trying to reach cauldron as it was on top of it. Or maybe the ramiel stone as it seems to heal too. I did go into whole detail in the post I linked about wild hunt. also in this one

Also in the first three acotar books we learn about Book of breathings.

In acomaf we learn that book of breathings was made to control the cauldron.

“When the Cauldron was made,” the carver interrupted, “its dark maker used the last of the molten ore to forge a book. The Book of Breathings. In it, written between the carved words, are the spells to negate the Cauldron’s power—or control it wholly. But after the War, it was split into two pieces. One went to the Fae, one to the six human queens. It was part of the Treaty, purely symbolic, as the Cauldron had been lost for millennia and considered mere myth. The Book was believed harmless, because like calls to like—and only that which was Made can speak those spells and summon its power. No creature born of the earth may wield it, so the High Lords and humans dismissed it as little more than a historical heirloom, but if the Book were in the hands of something reforged … You would have to test such a theory, of course—but … it might be possible.” (acomaf)

So...only made can use its magic.

Made = Feyre , Nesta and Elain

And later in the book we learn that the book is written in Holy Tongue—Leshon Hakodesh.

She stared and stared at the Book—as if it were a ghost, as if it were a miracle—and said, “It is the Leshon Hakodesh. The Holy Tongue.” Those quicksilver eyes shifted to Rhysand, and I realized she’d understood, too, why she’d gone. Rhysand said, “I heard a legend that it was written in a tongue of mighty beings who feared the Cauldron’s power and made the Book to combat it. Mighty beings who were here … and then vanished. You are the only one who can uncode it.” (acomaf)

Mighty beings: Daglan/Asteri

and in hofas we learn that...It is written in the language of the asteri.

Amren turned to Rhysand and said in that new, strange language—their language: “The glowing letters inked on her back … they’re the same as those in the Book of Breathings.” (hofas)

Bryce's tattoo is in the holy language.

And later in hofas Rigelus says that it was his people's language.

“I can teach you things you’ve never even dreamed of,” Rigelus promised. “The language inked on your back—it is our language. From our home world. I can teach you how to wield it. Any world might be open to you, Bryce Quinlan. Name the world, and it shall be yours.”(hofas)

So the book of breathings can control cauldron and it can "open any world" to who can wield it.

and in the first crescent city book...the book of breathings is in crescent city world. In jesiba's library.

Micah loomed over her. She stretched her arm out—toward the shelf. Her tingling fingers brushed over the titles. On the Divine Number; The Walking Dead; The Book of Breathings; The Queen with Many Faces …

do we need book of breathings back as it was mentioned it is in the language of the asteri?

Also in acowar we learn that cauldron has void in it.

when Feyre broke the Cauldron void was coming out of it.

I managed to stand. To take one step before I felt it. The … thing in the Cauldron. Or lack of it. It was lack and substance, absence and presence. And … it was leaking into the world.I dared a step toward it. And what I beheld in those ruins of the Cauldron… It was a void. But also not a void—a growth.It did not belong here. Belong anywhere. (acowar)

And then this reminded me of what Apollion said about void in hosab

The darkness paused. “You are impertinent as well. Do you not know where I come from? My father was the Void, the Being That Existed Before. Chaos was his bride and my dam. It is to them that we shall all one day return, and their mighty powers that run in my blood.”

@silverlinedeyes made a post about Void and Elain connection awhile back (that’s where my fascination with the void comes from lololl) > The void post

in Hofas we learn that Daglan/Asteri made the Cauldron a kill switch.

“Once we left our home world, our powers began to dim. Too late, we realized that we had been dependent on our land’s inherent magic. The magic in other worlds was not potent enough. Yet we could not find the way back home. Those of us who ventured here found ways to amplify that power, thanks to the gifts of the land. We pooled our power, and imbued those gifts into the Cauldron so that it would work our will. We Made the Trove from it. And then bound the very essence of the Cauldron to the soul of this world.” Solas. “So destroy the Cauldron …” “And you destroy this world. One cannot exist without the other.”

So in hofas we learned about thin places...

“No,” Aidas agreed. “But Helena knew that Midgard possessed its own magic. A raw, weaker sort of magic than that in her home world, but one that could be potent in high concentrations. She learned that it flowed across the world in great highways, natural conduits for magic.” “Ley lines,” Bryce breathed. Aidas nodded. “These lines are capable of moving magic, but also carrying communications across great distances.” Like those between the Gates of Crescent City, the way she’d spoken to Danika the day she’d made the Drop. “There are ley lines across the whole of the universe. And the planets—like Midgard, like Hel, like the home world of the Fae—atop those lines are joined by time and space and the Void itself. It thins the veils separating us. The Asteri have long chosen worlds that are on the ley lines for that exact purpose. It made it easier to move between them, to colonize those planets. There are certain places on each of these worlds where the most ley lines overlap, and thus the barrier between worlds is at its weakest.” Everything slotted together. “Thin places,” Bryce said with sudden certainty. “Precisely,” Apollion answered for Aidas with an approving nod. “The Northern Rift, the Southern Rift—both lie atop a tremendous knot of ley lines. And while those under Avallen are not as strong, the island is unique as a thin place thanks to the presence of black salt—which ties it to Hel.” “And the mists?” Hunt asked. “What’s the deal with them?” “The mists are a result of the ley lines’ power,” Aidas said. “They’re an indication of a thin place. Hoping to find a ley line strong enough to help her transfer and hide Theia’s power, Helena sent a fleet of Fae with earth magic to scour every misty place they could find on Midgard. When they told her of a place wreathed in mists so thick they could not pierce them, Helena went to investigate. The mists parted for her—as if they had been waiting. She found the small network of caves on Avallen … and the black salt beneath the surface.” (hofas)

It is long but what we get from this is that

Ley lines are used for moving magic and...communication between worlds

Ley lines are joined by time and space and void

The mist is a big give away for thin places

you get the point. this all seem to be connected. thin places-cauldron-void. I talked more about this in this post

d. the middle and fionn

fionn died in the middle.

The image shifted to some sort of marsh—a bog. Fionn rode a horse between the islands of grass, bow at the ready as he ducked beneath trees in bloom. My parents often went hunting in the vast slice of land the Daglan had kept for their private game park, where they had crafted terrible monsters to serve as worthy prey. It was there that he met his death. A dark-haired, pale creature that could have been the relative of the nøkk in Jesiba’s gallery dragged a bound and gagged Fionn into the inky depths of the bog, the once-proud king screaming as he went under. Horror rooted Bryce to the spot. Theia and Pelias stood at the water’s edge, faces impassive. Petals began falling from the trees. Leaves with them. Birds took flight. As if sudden winter gripped the bog. As if the land had died with its king.(hofas)

Acowar elain

Devlon let out a grunt at the sight of her. But Elain wrapped her own blue cloak around herself, averting her eyes from all of those towering, muscled warriors, the army camp bustling toward the horizon … She was a rose bloom in a mud field. Filled with galloping horses.

Acosf the middle

Islands of grass dotted the expanse, some so crowded with brambles that he could find no safe place to land. The tangles of thorns were a mockery of what might have been—as if Oorid had ever produced roses. Not a single flower bloomed.

Hofas bog when fionn died

Fionn rode a horse between the islands of grass, bow at the ready as he ducked beneath trees in bloom. My parents often went hunting in the vast slice of land the Daglan had kept for their private game park, where they had crafted terrible monsters to serve as worthy prey. It was there that he met his death. A dark-haired, pale creature that could have been the relative of the nøkk in Jesiba’s gallery dragged a bound and gagged Fionn into the inky depths of the bog, the once-proud king screaming as he went under. Horror rooted Bryce to the spot. Theia and Pelias stood at the water’s edge, faces impassive. Petals began falling from the trees. Leaves with them. Birds took flight. As if sudden winter gripped the bog. As if the land had died with its king.(hofas)

So elain and the middle???

Also another point is...the avallen island was like the prison island because Helena hid 1/3 of theia's power there and once bryce claimed that power...the island went back to what it was.

Helena had bound the soul of this land in magical chains. No more. No more would Bryce allow the Fae to lay claim over anything. “You’re free,” Bryce whispered to Avallen, to the land and the pure, inherent magic beneath it. “Be free.” And it was.

It was no longer gray and thrashing, but a vibrant, clear turquoise. And rising from the water, just as they had seen on the map Declan had found, were islands, large and small. Lush and green with life. Forests erupted on the island they stood on, soon joined by mountains and rivers.

So what if fionn did the same before he died? What if the middle is the way it is bc before he died...he bound himself to it so the magic of the land was bound?

And we need elain to free the land? As bryce did to avallen?

also Fionn's death goes so well with lightsinger describtion in acosf. also it ties to pelias.

Me and @silverlinedeyes have theorized before that Pelias might have been a lightsinger in this post.

In hofas we learn that Fionn died like this:

Lets break this down...

Fionn and his close people. One of them is his lover and the other is his general

In the bog

Asteri private game park

The last thing he sees is their faces after they betray him

Now how this ties to Pelias and Lightsingers...

This is how lightsingers are described in acosf:

“There are lightsingers: lovely, ethereal beings who will lure you, appearing as friendly faces when you are lost. Only when you’re in their arms will you see their true faces, and they aren’t fair at all. The horror of it is the last thing you see before they drown you in the bog. But they kill for sport, not food.”

Now lets break this down...

Friendly faces

Bog

For sport...not food... private game park

The last thing you see is their faces

Another point is...Silene and Helena both have shadow and starborn power. so them getting the starborn from theia and shadow from fionn makes a lot of sense.

So fionn's death being similar to lightsinger describtion when fionn could have shadow powers...like azriel who is a shadowsinger...you know what I mean? kinda weird lol.

lightsinger gwyn theory @silverlinedeyes made wonderfull posts about it. You can find them >> Part1 and Part2

I have some lightsinger theories too if you want.

Gwyn’s song and Cauldron’s song(lightsinger theory)

Azriel bonus chapter “settled/settling”(Lightsinger theory)

Azriel’s Bonus Chapter “glowed quietly”(Lightsinger theory)

Acosf Chapter 52 - Lightsinger Theory-Sirens

Glow=Power(lightsinger theory)

e. wild hunt being released??

In cc3 bryce said this:

“I think it’s what the Prison—the island in the Fae’s home world—once was. When Theia ruled it, I mean. Before Silene fucked it all up. Maybe they’re linked in some way through being thin places and spilled over to each other a bit. Maybe back in that other world … maybe I woke up the land around the Prison, too.”

Maybe I woke up the land around the Prison too

And we know that Silene captured Daglan's pet in prison. 👀

One after another, I hunted monsters—the remaining pets of the Daglan—until many of the lowest rooms were filled with them. Until my once-beautiful home became a prison. Until even the land was so disgusted by the evil I’d gathered here that the islands shriveled and the earth became barren. The winged horses who hadn’t gone with my mother to Midgard, who had once flown in the skies, playing in the surf … they were nearly gone. Not a single living soul remained, except for the monstrosities in the mountain.

And from acosf we know that Lanthys was one of them and he was in...Wild Hunt.

“Oh, I do not think so,” Lanthys seethed. “I rode in the Wild Hunt before you were even a scrap of existence, witch from Oorid. I summoned the hounds and the world cowered at their baying. I galloped at the head of the Hunt, and Fae and beast bowed before us.”

So if bryce did indeed woke up the land around prison that means it could be all crumbled like it was in avallen. Are the inmates going to be free? Are the wild hunt going to be in acotar5? Are we getting a full on wild hunt plot?

Also this goes well with the books being in the same timeline so what happens in cc affects acotar in a bad way.

f. Gwydion and Truth-Teller

They are white and dark light—Alpha and Omega.(I have a post about this) which came true lol. my best theory....

The male drew it, and Bryce flinched, but—“What the fuck?” The knife could have been the twin of the Starsword: black hilted and bladed. It was its twin. The Starsword began to hum within its sheath, glittering white light leaking from where leather met the dark hilt. The dagger— The male dropped the dagger to the plush carpet. All of them retreated as it flared with dark light, as if in answer. Alpha and Omega. “Gwydion,” the dark-haired female whispered, indicating the Starsword.

And whats important is that with her power bryce can unite them to open a portal to nowhere.

Polaris’s eyes widened as Bryce plunged the blades into her chest. And as those blades thrust through skin and bone, the star in Bryce’s own chest flared out to meet them. It collided with the blades, and both sword and knife blazed bright, as if white-hot. The light extended up through Bryce’s hands, her arms, her body, turning her incandescent— Into a star. A sun.

that portal to nowhere is...void.

A portal to nowhere. To a black hole. Wasn’t that the unholy power that Apollion possessed? The power of the Void. The antithesis of light.

so this connects with Cauldron and it having void in it too.

as bryce collects Theia's power that was parted into three parts she starts to realize it is taking a touch of darkness...

Bryce rolled her eyes, but for a heartbeat, Hunt wondered if Thanatos was right: Bryce had explained how the prism in the Autumn King’s office had revealed her light to now be laced with darkness, as if it had become the fading light of day, of twilight—

And we go to that scene...

With a prayer to Cthona, she sent twin beams of light arcing around the prisms, shooting straight into them.Twin bursts of that light flared from either prism, gunning for each other. Bands of light falling into darkness, her power stripped to its most elemental, basic form. They shot for each other, and where they met, light and darkness and darkness and light slamming into each other—Bryce stepped into the explosion in the heart of it. Stepped into her power.It lit her up from the inside, lit up her very blood. Her hair drifted above her head, pens and papers and other office detritus flowing upward with it. Such light and darkness—the power lay in the meeting of the two of them. She understood it now, how the darkness shaped the light.

And the purple highlighted part...it is exactly the same as the six pointed star.

Ithan angled his head. “A six-pointed star,” he said. Like the one Bryce had made between the Gates this spring, with the seventh candle at its center. “It’s a symbol of balance,” she explained, moving away a foot, but keeping the dagger at her side. Her crown of cloudberries seemed to glow with an inner light. “Two intersecting triangles. Male and female, dark and light, above and below … and the power that lies in the place where they meet.”

And if we go by the elriel scene...

Elain looked up at Azriel, their eyes meeting, his hand still lingering on the hilt of the blade. I saw the painting in my mind: the lovely fawn, blooming spring vibrant behind her. Standing before Death, shadows and terrors lurking over his shoulder. Light and dark, the space between their bodies a blend of the two. The only bridge of connection … that knife.

Can you see the connection?

Also that elemental part in bryce's scene. we learn about that in acosf.

Cassian forced himself to sit perfectly still as Rhys dragged a hand through his black hair. “Once, the High Fae were more elemental, more given to reading the stars and crafting masterpieces of art and jewelry and weaponry. Their gifts were rawer, more connected to nature, and they could imbue objects with that power.”

could that be important in acotar? Having elemental magic?

also...TT can unmade things. could this come in handy in mating bond plot?

“The Starsword is Made, as you called it.” He waved an idle hand, sparks at his fingertips. “The knife can Unmake things. Made and Unmade. Matter and antimatter. With the right influx of power—a command from the one destined to wield them—they can be merged. And they can create a place where no life, no light exists. A place that is nothing. Nowhere.”

and now we have both of them in Acotar.

Nesta lifted her head. “So?” “So I want you to take the Starsword.” Bryce held the blade between them. “Gwydion—whatever you call it here. The age of the Starborn is over on Midgard. It ends with me.” “I don’t understand.” But Bryce began backing toward the portal, taking Hunt’s hand, and smiled again at the female, at her mate, at their world, as the Northern Rift began to close. “I think that eight-pointed star was tattooed on you for a reason. Take that sword and go figure out why.”

as we all know...Elain already used TT.

But as a black blade broke through the king’s throat, spraying blood, I realized someone else had. Elain stepped out of a shadow behind him, and rammed Truth-Teller to the hilt through the back of the king’s neck as she snarled in his ear, “Don’t you touch my sister.”

And we know from Bryce that knife has some kind of shadow powers.

Bryce threw her power into the Starsword, light ripping through the black blade, willing it to tear this fucking monster apart—She willed it into Truth-Teller, and shadows flowed—

elain...shadow...as I mentioned above fionn possibly had shadow powers as well. So it all connects. Because Fionn had Gwydion. Enalius had TT. it all seems to line up.

okay we are done with crossover part. I think. I added as much as I could. moving onto another topic.

Im adding narben as a topic here bc we dont have much to go on but I made a deep dive for it in this post from myth connections and all if you want to read it.

Also side not...narben means scar. Azriel's scars....thats all your honor.

2. Beron

But no one had been able to decide which was the bigger threat for them: Briallyn and Koschei, or Beron’s willingness to ally with them. While the Night Court had been trying to make the peace permanent, the bastard had been doing his best to start another war.

What’s better way to star a war over a female who is a cauldron made seer and also his son’s mate but doesn’t want to be with him?

And from Azriel bonus chapter we know that Blood duel is an autumn court tradition.

“Oh, I can, and I will. If Lucien finds out you're pursuing her, he has every right to defend their bond as he sees fit. Including invoking the Blood Duel.” "That's an Autumn Court tradition." The battle to the death was so brutal that it was only enacted in rare cases.

rare cases: for a cauldron made seer

Cassian said, “So we’ve got them on one front, and Beron here, ready and eager to go into war with Briallyn so he might expand his own territory after the carnage halts.”

he wants to expand his territory

Cassian unpacked each word. Beron had tortured his own son for information, rather than thanking the Mother for returning him. But Eris had held out. Fed Beron another lie.

The male had been raised with every luxury and privilege —on paper. But who knew what terrors Beron had inflicted upon him? Cassian knew Beron had murdered Lucien’s lover. If the High Lord of Autumn had been willing to do that, what wouldn’t he do?

Beron is so power hungry that he tortured his own son and he killed his son's lover because she was lesser-fae?

What would he do if he learns that Elain rejected the bond with Lucien because of a lesser-fae(illyrians are lesser fae)?

He already wants war and this would be his reason.

and we know from eris that Beron might as well make a new allience with Koschei after Briallyn is dead.

“Maybe not.” Eris shifted on his feet, and grimaced again. “But you and yours have more important things to think about than ancient history. My father is furious that his ally is dead, but he’s not deterred. Koschei remains in play, and Beron might very well be stupid enough to establish an alliance with him, too. I hope that whatever Morrigan is doing in Vallahan will counteract the damage my father will unleash.”

so...beron. lol.

3. Koschei

Elain already had visions about him in acowar.

Elain shifted her face toward him. Another blink. “They sold her—to … to some darkness, to some … sorcerer-lord …” She shook her head. “I can never see him. What he is. There is an onyx box that he possesses, more vital than anything … save for them. The girls. He keeps other girls—others so like her—but she … By day, she is one form, by night, human again.” “A bird of burning feathers,” I said. “Firebird by day,” Rhys mused, “woman by night … So she’s held captive by this sorcerer-lord?” Elain shook her head. “I don’t know. I hear her—her screaming. With rage. Utter rage …” She shuddered. Mor leaned forward. “Do you know why the other queens cursed her—sold her to him?” Elain studied the table. “No. No—that is all mist and shadow.” Rhys blew out a breath. “Can you sense where she is?” “There is … a lake. Deep in—in the continent, I think. Hidden amongst mountains and ancient forests.” Elain’s throat bobbed. “He keeps them all at the lake.” “Other women like her?” “Yes—and no. Their feathers are white as snow. They glide across the water—while she rages through the skies above it.”

and in acosf we learn that Koschei wants free of his lake but we don't know his other plans

“And all Koschei wants is to be free from his lake?” Rhys asked Azriel. But Amren answered. “No one really knows the full scope of the Trove’s powers. Beyond freeing him from his lake, Koschei may very well know something about the Trove that we don’t —some greater power that manifests when all three are united.”

and he might know things about the trove that nobody knows.

And in hofas we learned this about the harp:

She gave us what protection her magic could offer, transferring it from her body into our own using the Harp. Another secret she had learned from her long-ago masters: that the Harp could not only move its bearer through the world, but move things from one place to another—even move magic from her soul to ours.

Move things from one place to another—even move magic from her soul to ours

and in most koschei tales there is a thing about his...death.

The most common feature of tales involving Koschei is a spell which prevents him from being killed. He hides "his death" inside nested objects to protect it. For example, his death may be hidden in a needle that is hidden inside an egg, the egg is in a duck, the duck is in a hare, the hare is in a chest, the chest is buried or chained up on a far island. Usually he takes the role of a malevolent rival figure, who competes for (or entraps) a male hero's love interest.

maybe he wanted the dread troves for the purpose of his death? Can I bet that koschei moved his "death" from his body using the harp?

Also in that elain quote from acowar elain mentions a box.

While rereading the acotar books I noticed something.

Book of Breathings is described as a box.

The box would be heavy—and cold. Who are you, who are you, who are you— I flexed my fingers and cracked my neck. I am summer; I am sea and sun and green things. “Come on, come on,” Amren murmured. Above, water trickled over the stones. Who are you, who are you, who are you— I am Tarquin; I am High Lord; I am your master. The box quieted. As if that were answer enough. I snatched the box off the pedestal, the metal biting into my hands, the power an oily smear through my blood. An ancient, cruel voice hissed: Liar. And the door slammed shut.(Acomaf)

The box—the Book—was silent. Then it said, Like calls to like. “Open,” I gritted out. Unmade and Made; Made and Unmade—that is the cycle. Like calls to like.(Acomaf)

And we have Koschei's onyx box which we know from Elain. And koschei is a...sorcerer.

so what if it is not a box but a book???

4. Mating bond

Since acowar this has been a question. There are a lot of theories and idea about how sarah would go with this. True mates. Two mating bond. Some of us think elriel has carranam bond... There is so many theories

Elain sat silently at one of the wrought-iron tables, a cup of tea before her. Azriel was sprawled on the chaise longue across the gray stones, sunning his wings and reading what looked to be a stack of reports—likely information on the Autumn Court that he planned to present to Rhys once he’d sorted through it all. Already dressed for the Hewn City—the brutal, beautiful armor so at odds with the lovely garden. And my sister sitting within it. “Why not make them mates?” I mused. “Why Lucien?” “I’d keep that question from Lucien.” “I’m serious.” I turned toward him and crossed my arms. “What decides it? Who decides it?”

Feyre was the first to question the mating bond between Elain and Lucien. This scene is important because she is questioning the mating bond while looking at Azriel and Elain.

And we again see in the bonus that azriel questions the mating bond.

Rhys's power rippled through the room like a dark cloud. "I’m talking about you, about to kiss Elain, in the middle of a hall where anyone could see you," he snarled. "Including her mate." Azriel stiffened. Let his cold rage rise to the surface, the rage he only ever let Rhysand see, because he knew his brother could match it. "What if the Cauldron was wrong?"

And we see through out the books that Elain and Lucien are not even getting closer. Both of them are uncomfortable with the mating bond.

He hadn’t mentioned Elain, or his proximity to her. Elain had not asked him to stay, or to go. And whether she cared about the bruises on his face, she certainly hadn’t let on.

Elain, at least, would be too polite to send Lucien away when he wanted to help. She was too polite to send him away on a normal day. She just ignored him or barely spoke to him until he got the hint and left. As far as I knew, he hadn’t come within touching distance since the aftermath of that final battle.

“You’re welcome to stay for the night,” I said, since Elain certainly wasn’t going to. Lucien lowered his hands into his lap and leaned back in the armchair. “Thank you, but I have other plans.” I prayed he didn’t catch the slightly relieved glimmer on Elain’s face.

“Why are you here?” Cassian asked, unable to help the sharpness. “Where’s Elain?” “I am not always in this city to see my mate.” The last two words dripped with discomfort. “And I came up here because Feyre said I should. I need to kill a few hours before I’m to meet with her and Rhys. She thought I might enjoy seeing Nesta at work.”

He and Lucien did not exchange gifts, though the male had brought a gift for Feyre and one for his mate, who barely thanked him after opening the pearl earrings. Cassian’s heart strained at the pain etching deep into Lucien’s face as he tried to hide his disappointment and longing. Elain only shrank further into herself, no trace of that newfound boldness to be seen.

Also I mentioned above how TT can unmade things...so can it unmade a mating bond? also it ties into Cauldron too bc....as we know it is corrupted by the asteri. @offtorivendell made a post about how asteri might have messed with mating bonds.

Also lets not forget this iconic quote.

Azriel stiffened. Let his cold rage rise to the surface, the rage he only ever let Rhysand see, because he knew his brother could match it. "What if the Cauldron was wrong?" Rhysand blinked. "What of Mor, Az?" Azriel ignored the question. "The Cauldron chose three sisters. Tell me how it's possible that my two brothers are with two of those sisters, yet the third was given to another." He had never before dared speak the words aloud.

I'm gonna drop a few mating bond theories in here if you want to read it. Elain and Lucien mating bond is a spell by @icedflames

True mates theory by @silverlinedeyes

mating bond and bridges by @silverlinedeyes with my reblog.

@offtorivendell has many posts about mating bond you can find it here

Would a mate know, would a mate feel— by me

“Through love, all is possible” by me

5. Elain and Azriel’s powers

as I mentioned above...fionn could have a shadow power like azriel.

This is just a speculation but in hofas Silene gave this information.

My mother eventually trusted only Helena and myself to seek the truth. She knew we could be of great use to her, because we bore the shadows as well as starlight.

Helena and Silene both have shadow and starlight power.

Theia= starborn

So they got the starlight power from Theia. They must have gotten their shadow power from Fionn then? Bc he is their father.

So this made me think...in mythology fionn is a seer.

Fionn mac Cumhaill often anglicized Finn McCool or MacCool, is a hero in Irish mythology, as well as in later Scottish and Manx folklore. He is the leader of the Fianna bands of young roving hunter-warriors, as well as being a seer and poet. He is said to have a magic thumb that bestows him with great wisdom. He is often depicted hunting with his hounds Bran and Sceólang, and fighting with his spear and sword. The tales of Fionn and his fiann form the Fianna Cycle or Fenian Cycle (an Fhiannaíocht), much of it narrated by Fionn's son, the poet Oisín.

So what if...fionn in acotar was also a seer? What if that's how elain and azriel are also connected?

Bc that would mean...

Fionn: a seer and shadow powers

Elain: a seer

Azriel: shadowsinger

Is that how they are connected? Is that how elain could use the tt? 👀👀

Bc we know tt and gwydion are twin to each other. And Gwydion was Fionn's sword. Tt was his friend's—Enalius.

And in acowar elain used tt. Maybe bc that's the reason why. Maybe being a seer has some kind of connection to it. Just like being a starborn is connected to wielding the gwydion and its powers.

And we know from Bryce that knife has some kind of shadow powers.

Bryce threw her power into the Starsword, light ripping through the black blade, willing it to tear this fucking monster apart—She willed it into Truth-Teller, and shadows flowed—

As we know Elain is a seer. But there is more to her powers than just being a seer.

@wingedblooms made a post about how when it's mentioned it's always in plural form. >> Elain’s Powers

And with her seer powers she can be a good spy and we can see that Sarah hinted this acosf.

“You came,” Elain said behind her, and Nesta started, not having heard her sister approach. She scanned Elain from head to toe, wondering if she’d been taking lessons in stealth either from Azriel or the two half-wraiths she called friends.

the red part I highlighted in this has a parallel with Azriel you can find the post here >> azriel/elain parallel

And we know that N+C are trained by Azriel.

Amren, at least, knocked this time before entering. Nuala and Cerridwen, who had finished setting combs of mother-of-pearl into my hair, took one look at the delicate female and vanished into puffs of smoke. “Skittish things,” Amren said, her red lips cutting a cruel line. “Wraiths always are.” “Wraiths?” I twisted in the seat before the vanity. “I thought they were High Fae.” “Half,” Amren said, surveying my turquoise, cobalt, and white clothes. “Wraiths are nothing but shadow and mist, able to walk through walls, stone—you name it. I don’t even want to know how those two were conceived. High Fae will stick their cocks anywhere.” I choked on what could have been a laugh or a cough. “They make good spies.” “Why do you think they’re now whispering in Azriel’s ear that I’m in here?” “I thought they answered to Rhys.” “They answer to both, but they were trained by Azriel first.”

another thing is that we know azriel is good at keeping secret and here we have feyre pointing out elain has him beat

Feyre smiled. “Elain was the only one who guessed. She caught me vomiting two mornings in a row.” She nodded toward Azriel. “I think she’s got you beat for secret-keeping."

also now that we have crossover with CC books, there are mystics and it looks like Elain's seer powers and mystics are very similar one another. I talked about that in the post that I'd linked. Also with Elain's seer powers I made a theory about how the timeline could work if Sarah took inspo from a poem from the Norse Mythology called Völuspa. Another thing is there is a magic called Seidr in Norse mythology which I think Sarah might have of gotten inspiration for Elain's powers. It also connects with Vassa(and a little bit crossover) and her possible plotline.

I think this is all I got.

if you read this much....THANKS.

bye now. :)

#elriel #I finally posted this after 3 fucking years.#I hope you enjoy this long ass post.#acotar 5

157 notes · View notes

pinklayla123 · 9 months ago

Text

Is it a coincidence that three seemingly normal human sisters are now Fae? Is it a coincidence that one of them is mated to and is the High Lady of the most powerful High Lord the land has ever seen, and rivals him in power? Is it a coincidence that one of the sisters stole from the Cauldron, the bowl of Life and Death, and was then blessed by the Mother herself? Is it a coincidence that she is mated to one of the most fearsome warriors the land has ever seen, who is often likened to one of the original heroes who gave his life defending his people against the Daglan? Is it a coincidence that the third sister, blessed by the Cauldron despite its corruption, is able to wield the knife of that long-ago warrior? Is it a coincidence that the male who now bears that knife, a mighty warrior in his own right, has powers resembling those of the Fae who fought against the Daglan, and is unable to stay away from the third sister? Is it a coincidence that the Dread Trove of the Daglan has resurfaced and is in the hands of one of the sisters, who can wield it with little effort? Is it a coincidence that Gwydion, lost for fifteen thousand years, has been returned and is now in close proximity to its dark twin, Narben, both Made in the Cauldron? Is it a coincidence that the history of the Fae who originally took a stand against the Daglan has been rediscovered after being forgotten for millennia? Is it a coincidence that three Illyrian boys, born around the same time despite their long life spans, ended up growing and training in the same war-camp, forming an unbreakable unit the likes of which the world has never seen? Is it a coincidence that each has been inexplicably drawn to one of the once-human sisters since the beginning? Is it a coincidence that there are three sacred sister peaks in the land, barren because of the darkness tainting them, to match the three sisters? Is it a coincidence that the world seems poised on the brink of something that will send ripples across the cosmos? Is anything a coincidence?

#acotar #acotar theory #the archeron sisters #feysand #nessian #elriel #feyre #nesta #elain #rhys #rhysand #cassian #azriel #mine

241 notes · View notes

abcjxyzyeo · 8 months ago

Note

haiii!! i have a request for you! could you maybe do a Sokka x Kiyoshi Warrior reader who watches over Sokkas trainings with Suki and he becomes embarrassed or wtvr because of how much hes failing? it can go any way you want, idm really. thanks sweets!<33

-🦢

Heart of a Warrior

AN; Request by 🦢 !!! Omg I absolutely love this idea sm, I had a little field day w this one 😘😘 But tbh I didn't know how to end this too the ending is kinda rushed and bad !!! Also for this js imagine Sokka and Suki r 20 and reader is 18 !!(It doesn't matter but Katara and Aang r still 12/14 !!) AND ONE MORE THING OMFG anyways just imagine that the gaang stayed at kyoshi for a little bit longer like 2 weeks before the fire nation came. (why does it feel so weird writing a fic for Sukis' sister x Sokka like dam she rlly stole her sisters man 😭😭)

Pairing; Sokka x afab!reader(romantic), Suki x afab!reader(family)

summary; When the gaang visits Kyoshi Island to ride some Koi fish, Sokka seems too distracted too even try to figure out whatever is going on with Katara and Aang. And distracted by a certain younger Kyoshi Warrior

warnings; not proof read!!, angst(?), sumwhat sfw ? semi one sided enemies to lovers

You sighed, wiping off the lengthy make up you wear to be a warrior. You loved being a Kyoshi Warrior more than anything, but it was tiring. You were two+ years younger than everyone else so Suki, your older sister and the leader, let you take breaks every so often. Luckily she said you can take the day off. You started to lay down to take a nap when you heard running and yelled outside, in your pjs you ran to grab your fan and went quickly outside. Staring at the trio that was tied to the podium you were star struck. Their clothes were so different than anything you have ever seen. You had honestly(but luckily) been sheltered to only have to know clothing from the earth kingdom and Kyoshi island. After debating between the three and your sister, the young bald monk was revealed to be the avatar. Something about it irked you and you rolled your eyes. When you looked back you had caught the attention of a water tribe boy who seemed to be your sisters age. he started to walk over and talk to you, but nothing peaked your interest. Mostly just him giving back handed sexist compliments.

"Your sister is pretty strong for a girl!" He chuckled, obviously annoyed he was ambushed by girls.

"Uh huh" not giving him common curtesy to look him in the eyes.

After a few more comments you simply zoned him out. Well until he asked something that you were actually interested in.

"Sooo.. are you one of the painted fighters too?"

"Um. A Kyoshi warrior? Yea I am" and he gave an interesting look so with that you walked off sighing to yourself. The first outsiders to visit during this 100 year war had to be the most uninteresting people ever. (Cuz honestly you weren't completely convinced the Avatar was here on good terms, he'd probably just lead the fire nation here.)

For the next few days you saw Sokka try and learn how to fight like a Kyoshi Warrior. It kind of disgusted you, you know he just wanted to be better than Suki, but luckily she was the best of the best so you had nothing to fear.

Suddenly you found your feet moving towards the duo practicing, against your will. You knew you disliked Sokka, you avoided him as much as possible. It was baffling to you how different he is from his sister, at least you could stand her. Once you reached the two you sat on a near-by tree stump. Sokka looked over mid attack and absolutely fumbled falling straight on his face. You rolled your eyes and his face went bright red. For the hour that you watched them, Sokka missed every hit and took every hit thrown at him. By this time you were annoyed, instead of finding it humorous. It was like he was trying to be funny and mess with a sacred art form. Frustrated, you loudly groaned and walked away. Sokka knew he had messed up, he wanted to be good, he wasn't sure if it was for him or for you. He thanked Suki and ran off to find you.

Practicing all your moves you had learned over the course of your young teenage life, you left someone creep behind you. Stopping what you're doing you turn around, expecting Suki, but finding Sokka. You simply crossed your arms expecting him to speak.

"You saw me practice today" he uttered embarrassed

"Indeed I did," rolling your eyes

"I didn't mean to mess up, I was just nervous with you watching!"

"Whatever you say water boy, just stay out of my way and stop making a fool out of yourself." you turned back around and tried expanding your fan, but suddenly a hand was on your wrist and your hip, spinning you around instantaneously. Sokka's face was mere inches from yours, he looked down at your lips and back up to your eyes making the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

"Why won't you give me a chance?" he whispered low

Your mind whirred, 'chance for what? Why does he want a chance? Why is he so close?'

"Um what do you mean?" you gulped loudly

He let go of you lightly, "Why don't you give me a chance to show you I'm not who you think I am, I'm strong and a warrior."

You immediately scoffed "Yea right, what I saw today really showed that." this obviously pissed Sokka off, and he lowered his head down to stare at you in the eyes. Suddenly you could smell him, taking a moment to appreciate how clean he kept himself, you gathered and studied every inch of his face. Pausing to look at how nice his lips looked in the light. A moment of silence was suddenly broke.

"Like what you see?" He said smirking, leaning in to close the distance between yours and his lips.

You yelped loudly before throwing him over your shoulder and running away.

After what happened it was easy to ignore him and his practices. But your heart didn't want to, some how that stupid pony tail boy made you yearn for him. But your brain knew it wasn't a good idea to fall for a strange boy, let alone let him know that. But fate was against the organ in your head and as you turned the corner you saw, once again, your sister practicing with the water tribe boy. You walked up to them to watch but this time when Sokka noticed you, he gave it his all. Easily overpowering Suki, her face turning bright red that you could see through the makeup. Sokka crossing his eyes and giving a smug look. Your jaw dropped and you felt something inside your stomach, a tight knot that wouldn't untie. Sokka walked over to you after thanking Suki and bowing to her.

"How was that?"

you just stared at him, shellshocked. Causing him to laugh he rolled his eyes at you, he wrapped one hand around your waist and one around the back of your neck pulling you in for a kiss.

You eased yourself into it, kissing back. Your brain knew it was wrong but what was so bad with letting your heart win?

"Well Sokka, you do have the heart of a warrior." you laughed before leaning in for another kiss.

#atla sokka #sokka #sokka x reader #🦢#🦢 anon #sokka avatar the last airbender #reader x character

196 notes · View notes

nyupreservation · 2 years ago

Text

Preserving Leaf Paintings in an Anglo-Indian Commonplace Book, 1822-1825

Hello, I’m Alexa Machnik, a third-year graduate student at the Conservation Center, Institute of Fine Arts, NYU. I first came to the Barbara Goldsmith Preservation & Conservation Department in Fall 2022 as a student in the graduate course, Conservation in Context, taught by Laura McCann, Director of Preservation. During this course, we delved into the world of library conservation, exploring the value systems that guide preservation decision-making and treatment action in academic research libraries. One of my class projects involved rehousing delicate leaf paintings from an early 19th-century commonplace book, or friendship album, part of the Fales Library holdings in the Special Collections at NYU Libraries (figs. 1-2) [1]. In honor of Preservation Week, I will share the intriguing history of the book and discuss the decisions that were made to preserve the leaves.

Figure 1 [left]: Front cover of the commonplace book, bound in gold-tooled red morocco leather. Figure 2 [right]: Ownership label of “Jane Harriet [Blechynden]” on front marbled pastedown.

The book in question was compiled by Jane Harriet Blechynden (1806-1827) in England between 1822 and 1825. It holds her personal collection of handwritten and acquired materials, with contributions from her sisters, Emma and Sarah, who wrote original poems about sisterhood, separation, and their Anglo-Indian ancestry. The three women were the daughters of a British merchant residing in Calcutta, and while born in India, they were educated in England [2]. There is not a great deal known about Jane Harriet’s life in England, but her impending return to India in 1825 is documented in an emotional verse by Emma (fig. 3):

“Thus in parting my sister we’re breaking a link / Which may ne’er be united again / And firm as that chain was ‘tis painful to think / That absence may send it twain.”

Figure 3: Excerpt from the original poem, “Parting and a Meeting,” signed by Emma.

Jane Harriet’s book offers insights into her personhood, social connections, and sensibilities as an artist and collector. In addition to written entries, she inserted a compendium of acquired materials–pressed flowers, her own original drawings, and numerous paintings–between pages of the book (figs. 4-6).

Figures 4-6 [left to right]: A small sampling of the ephemeral treasures found in the book, including a dried pressed flower, a drawing on pith possibly by Jane Harriet, and a cut-paper silhouette.

Notably, six of these paintings are executed on the dried leaves of the Bodhi tree, a sacred plant indigenous to Asia with distinct spade-shaped, long-tipped leaves (fig. 7) [3]. Although leaf painting has origins in Buddhist traditions, by the time Jane Harriet collected her leaf paintings, it had already evolved into a form of Chinese export art in Europe. Her leaves depict secular scenes of contemporary life in China and botanical subjects, which are typical of the export genre (fig. 8). Their inclusion in the book implies that Jane was among the many people who partook in the avid collecting of China trade goods during the first few decades of the 19th century, a time when European fascination for Chinese culture and art was at its peak.

Figure 7: A leaf painting, as found loose in the book and partially lifted to show the thin, translucent nature of the leaf support.

Figure 8: Another leaf painting from the book, oriented with the leaf tip at the bottom of the image, depicting flowers and a butterfly.

The initial rush of excitement that I felt at finding the leaf paintings soon turned to concern as I gave thought to their long-term preservation at NYU Libraries, where researchers are expected to handle the book. The leaf paintings were loose in between the pages, which raised a series of “what ifs” about the potential dangers they could encounter. What if the leaves slip from the book? What if they bend or break as the pages are turned? What if the painted surfaces become abraded? The paintings were made with opaque pigment-based watercolors on exceptionally delicate, skeletonized leaves that have been primed with a thin organic coating. Despite being intact, their inherent fragility means that they are vulnerable to even the slightest touch. After considerable discussion, the Conservation Unit decided that in order for the leaf paintings to be preserved and safely accessed by researchers, they should be housed separately from the book.

I thoroughly examined the condition of the leaves and the painted surfaces in order to make a housing recommendation. Despite some minor damage, all were in stable condition. Thus, the ideal housing would provide support to prevent any further damage, such as paint loss and leaf breakage, and at the same time allow the leaves to maintain their translucency. To achieve this, I opted to mount them in double-sided window mats with a support made from clear polyester film, or Mylar® [4]. The addition of the Mylar® would not only create a stable surface for the leaf paintings but also enable the viewing of both sides (fig. 9).

Figure 9: View of the double-sided window mat with a Mylar® support.

My next challenge was to figure out how to mount the leaves onto the Mylar® support without the use of adhesive [5]. After consulting with conservation staff and creating mock-ups, short, discreet Mylar® tabs were selected as the best option to secure them into place (figs. 10-11). For this process, I positioned a single leaf painting onto the support and selectively placed the tabs around its perimeter, making sure the tabs did not overlap any areas of paint. I then used a handheld spot-welding pen to fuse the tabs to the support. Since this process was done in-situ, near the leaf, it required lots of precision practice and encouragement from colleagues before I felt confident enough for the task.

Figure 10: Detail of a mounted leaf painting. Notice that the Mylar® tabs are welded just outside the leaf and extend minimally over the edges, holding it in place with gentle pressure.

Figure 11: The backside of a mounted leaf painting viewed through the Mylar® support. This gives researchers access to the painting’s verso, where an underdrawing and other signs of artistic process can be discerned.

At the time of writing this post, I successfully housed the six leaf paintings in their double-sided window mats (figs. 12-13). This housing project, while complete, is just one part of the ongoing effort to preserve the commonplace book, and the Conservation Unit is continuing work on other elements of the book to ensure its safe return to Special Collections.

Figure 12: Example of the completed housing, showing the front of a leaf painting.

Figure 13: Back of a leaf painting.

Though my involvement in the project has come to an end, I have gained a very special appreciation for the commonplace book and the preservation challenges it presents. The experience of learning directly from NYU Libraries Special Collections was especially invaluable, providing me with opportunities to participate in complex decision-making processes unique to large research libraries driven by user needs. Before signing off, I’d like to extend my gratitude to my supervisors, Laura McCann, Director, and Lindsey Tyne, Conservation Librarian, and the entire team at the Barbara Goldsmith Conservation Lab for their unwavering support and enthusiasm throughout this project. Thank you all very much!

Notes:

[1] A commonplace book is a centralized place for an individual to record information, whether it be their personal thoughts or quotes from outside literary sources. Friendship albums, by contrast, contain handwritten entries from the family, friends, or acquaintances of the owner (often female). Both forms of commonplacing sustained popularity in Europe and America throughout the 19th century. To learn more about this fascinating literary genre, see Jenifer Blouin, “Eternal Perspectives in Nineteenth-Century Friendship Albums,” The Hilltop Review, Vol. 9, Issue 1 (2016) and Victoria E. Burke, “Recent Studies in Commonplace Books,” English Literary Renaissance, Vol. 43, No. 1 (2013), 153-177.

[2] Much of what is known about Jane Harriet (also known in her family as Harriet) comes from the Blechynden papers in the British Library (Add. Mss. 45578-663). This large holding contains the diaries of her father, Richard (Add. Mss. 45581-653), and older brother, Arthur (Add. Mss. 45654-61). For a secondary account of the Blechynden household, see Peter Robb, Sentiment and Self: Richard Blechynden’s Calcutta Diaries, 1791-1822 (New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2011).

[3] Michele Matteini, “Written on a Bodhi tree leaf,” Anthropology and Aesthetics, Vol. 75-76 (2021), 45-58.

[4] The design of the double-sided mats is based on an instructional guide made available by the Library of Congress. “Double-Sided Mat,” Library of Congress, accessed 1 February 2023.

[5] We chose not to use adhesives or traditional paper-hinging techniques to mount the leaf paintings for several reasons. As noted, the paintings are on fragile, non-paper-based supports that have an organic coating, which may be derived from plant gum. The leaf supports are thin, translucent, and highly vulnerable to breakage, so applying hinges directly with adhesive might permanently alter their appearance or risk further damage to the leaves over time, especially if they need to be removed from the housing in the future.

Photographs: Alexa Machnik

#NYULibraries #NYUSpecialCollections #FalesLibrary #nyuifa #nyuart #librarypreservation #libraryconservation #collectionscare #artconservation #paperconservation #bookconservation #artpreservation #preservingthepast #PreservationWeek #preservationweek2023

211 notes · View notes

daphnedawns · 1 year ago

Text

Dusk court revival, an Elriel theory

I’m actually so glad the conversation has been brought to Azriel and his shadows reaction to Elain. Whereas I don’t find it to be a bad things that his shadows skitter away in her presence since I believe this to mean his shadows are comfortable with her. This conversation has brought me to a pro Gw*nriel argument that said Elain is bad for him because her sunlight makes his shadows disappear and that she basically cancels out his existence. But I don’t think this is the case with them at all.

We all know how Elain is sooo heavily linked with the dusk court.

Not only is the prison/dusk court her mountain to conquer. She has been likened to it multiple times. (These are just from the top of my head that I can cite without skimming through all the books)

When Feyre described Elriel together in the middle of the war, she called the space between their bodies light and dark, A BLEND BETWEEN THE TWO. I don’t think one cancels out the other, but they blend together and that blend surely relates to dawn/dusk!

To me, their juxtaposition isn’t meant to cancel each other out but to show us that they’re the two essential characters that will play a part in the dusk courts revival. SJM has already been putting in the groundwork for them!

I love the theory that they will be the potential high lord and lady of the revived dusk court. This piggybacks off of the theory that Az is a descendant of the Avallen Fae that ended up on midgard (cc) and with Bryces presence and the crossover happening, it would make so much sense for Azriel to take on the mantle of their high lord seeing as though he is the only direct descendant who is also Prythian. And who better to serve as their high lady than the cauldron blessed seer who can scry, who Az is already obsessed with, who likes Az back and who has the dusk court mountain to conquer!!

I can honestly stand by this theory a lot more than the ones that talk about G and Az and their nonexistent plot.

With the pacing of the plot in ACOTAR and the Maasverse in general, we find ourselves with Koschei and the prison/dusk court. Whereas, koschei is still heavily related to Elriel (being that Elain can scry for dead trove items and Koschei seems to have a particular interest towards Azriel) it can also be build up for a Vassa/Lucien novella! But with the dusk court/prison being a much closer plot point now with HOFAS coming and SJM mentioning how HOFAS will set up the next ACOTAR book, I am a 100% convinced this is the direction she’s going with Elriel!

Not only do we have all that CANON FORESHADOWING from the previous books to support Elriel, we also have CANON GROUNDWORK for the potential Elriel book. There’s literally so much canon material to work with when it comes to this pairing that it would make absolutely zero sense for SJM to just throw that all away in favor of a new pairing without any foundation besides a metaphorical ribbon and a regifted necklace we don’t even know she received. I’m sorry but there’s literally no set up there that would move the plot forward. They’d have to invalidate all that Elriel build up and start from scratch for their pairing to make sense.

🎨: clarywhy

#elriel #pro elriel #elain x azriel #elain archeron #elain acotar #acotar #acotar fanart #azriel #anti gwynriel #acotar theory

95 notes · View notes

bright-side20 · 8 months ago

Text

The blood rite

I think that after Hofas we have a kind of explanation for the blood rite :

ACOSF:

Emerie’s eyes shone. “Long ago—so long ago they don’t even have a precise date for it—a great war was fought between the Fae and the ancient beings who oppressed them . One of its key battles was here, in these mountains. Our forces were battered and outnumbered, and for some reason, the enemy was desperate to reach the stone at the top of Ramiel. We were never taught the reason why; I think it’s been forgotten. But a young Illyrian warrior named Enalius held the line against the enemy soldiers for days. He found a natural archway of stone amongst the tangle of boulders and made that his bottleneck. He died in the end, but he held off the enemy long enough for our allies to reach us. This Rite is all to honor him. So much of the history has been lost, but the memory of his bravery remains.”

“You know, our god—the first of the Illyrians —held the ground against enemy hordes right where you’re standing.”... Bellius smirked. “He drew a line in the dirt as well.”.... “It didn’t end well for Enalius,” Bellius went on. “He died after defending this spot for three days. Climbed with his guts hanging out to the sacred stone at the top and died there. It’s why we do this stupid thing. To honor him.”

HOFAS:

Snow drifted across the image, and then Theia was standing atop a mountain, a black monolith rising behind her. "Ramiel." Azriel whispered from behind them, from beyond the wards.

But my mother and father knew they needed the most valuable of all the Daglan's weapons.

The snows around Ramiel parted, revealing a massive bowl of iron at the foot of the monolith. Even through the vision, its pres- ence leaked into the world, a heavy, ominous thing. "The Cauldron," Nesta said

Conclusion :

Enalius was Fionn's best friend, and he planned the uprising alongside him and Theia. During the war, Enalius and the Illyrians fought in Ramiel against Daglan. The reason they aimed to reach the top of Ramiel was that their most valuable weapon, the Cauldron, was there. I remember the bone carver saying that the cauldron was stolen back at great cost, so it all makes sense. Illyrians with Enalius's lead prevented Daglan from reaching the Cauldron until Fionn, Theia and the Fae joined them. He died next to the monolith and the Cauldron.

If what the Illyrians know about history is true and the blood rite was indeed created to honor Enalius after his death, it means that it was established after overthrowing Daglan. Who else could have created it other than his best friend, Fionn? Plus, he possessed the Cauldron, so he definitely had the ability to create such a thing. If so, I wonder if Rhys would have the ability to at least change laws concerning the rite.

Also, I wonder if it could be tied to some prophecy since :

Cassian forged ahead, “Even so, the other males knew that we were different. And not because we were two bastards and a half-breed. We were stronger, faster—like the Cauldron knew we’d been set apart and wanted us to find each other. Rhys’s mother saw it, too.

As one, the three of them had touched the stone—the first to reach its peak at the end of that brutal week. The uncontested winners.

Rhys, Cassian, and Azriel are all related to Fionn and Enalius; they are reunited by fate and completed the rite simultaneously.

do not forget that Nesta herself—and Elain, with whatever powers she has—is here. Feyre is here. All three sisters blessed by fate and gifted with powers to match your own.

I'm really curious to see how this all will wrap up, I'm curious to know what secret is beneath Ramiel and why that mountain and the three stars were chosen to be the enigma of the Night Court.

#acotar thoughts #3 brothers 3 sisters #ramiel #sarahjmaas #sjm

26 notes · View notes

acourtofthought · 3 months ago

Note

Are the 3 peaks about the three sisters?

I wouldn't say so, no. Are the three mountains important to the plots? Yes. And as a result, the characters often end up there. Feyre killed Amarantha UTM but that land use to be sacred. If it only belonged to Feyre, that would mean Sarah needs to avoid it for future storylines. Nesta climbed to the top of Ramiel but, Sarah set up a lot of mystery related to the peak. If it only belongs to Nesta, how will she further explore that storyline? People try to connect Elain to the prison so they can connect her to Az but the thing is, Nesta already played a huge role in the Prison. She defeated Lanthy's, she found the harp, she discovered other major things there in HOFAS and Bryce left her the prison lands. So it kind of sounds like Nesta's plot already dealt with the prison. That's not to say Elain won't end up there too, I imagine she might especially because we know the land there has died and the Pegasus possibly died out because they no longer had the food necessary to sustain them (if Elain does have Earth magic, she seems a likely candidate for that storyline and we know Helion is the sole owner of the Pegasus that remain - Lucien being his son and Elain being Lucien's mate). And MAYBE Koschei hides his soul there. But I don't think Elain's connection to the prison would go beyond that and Sarah left clues that the Prison Lands may eventually become Valkyrie territory. Since Nesta, Gwyn, Emerie, and possibly Mor in the future are connected to the Valkyrie, that means the Prison will be part of their plot too. So while I do think the sisters played their own roles / will play their own roles at these peaks, I don't think they belong to the sisters books alone.

#elain archeron #feyre acotar #nesta acotar #elucien #valkyrie

12 notes · View notes

soulntes · 2 years ago

Text

I SEE YOU - PROLOGUE

[I SEE YOU MASTERLIST] CHAPTER 1 : MA'ITAN

the great mother holds a lot of wonder in the life of pandora. her nature brings life to what's around the people. when a life is borrowed, we give back at the time it's finally to let go. there was no worry of their home destroyed, feeling betrayed, and enjoy their whole lives ahead of them. homes of the many species inhabiting every surface of the planet.

purity and innocence.

home of the na'vis.

their day to day lives without a disturbance of losing what they've known their whole lives until.. a big star in the sky caught the curiosity by one of the chief's daughters, it became bigger and bigger until it landed near their home

a new found curiosity showed what the na'vi never knew would haunt them for years to come.. the na'vi's lives were about to change, it was their last peace of their lives when the sky people brought their offerings in hopes of getting something in return.

the omatikaya wanted to teach their ways to the humans and show them what they see through their eyes of the forest. value and

.....but....

it changed for the better or worse. the incident of grace's school all three sisters who were present of that unfortunate day, troopers ceased fire through the school causing those bullets firing one of the chief's and tsahik's daughters.

the death of the eldest, sylwanin.

the chief and tribe decided to ban humans and dream walkers from getting near their village and a single sighting of them near their territory to negotiate or take something within their knowledge.. they will be killed on the spot.

that altered at jake sully's arrival on pandora.

a sign from eywa.

toruk makto.

the last shadow.

up to the events they reclaimed their home and sent the sky people back to where they came from because their terrorizing years brought war and killing.

only a few were chosen to stay, loyal to the na'vi.

as for the youngest of the three daughters, lost everything. her father and her home, left in despair and a great rage of anger and hatred towards the sky people and their evil technology. a warrior who fought for her home everyday alongside her older sister, neytiri, their hatred for these demons had become their motivation to protect what they love.

the woman warrior without a mate or child, in the brink of giving up after the loss of their home and her father..

the lonely na'vi woman seeks out a purpose before giving up.

in her life she felt different from her sister and her people.

something that makes her unique and mysterious in her people's eyes since she was a lonesome young lady. not a care about finding a mate or have a child of her own. expressing herself strangely from the other women in the clan.

her prayers were heard by the great mother. what may seem a few of the seeds from the sacred tree led her to the place she least wanted to visit.

the lab where a few humans stayed, the seed slowly and gracefully shows her way what is waiting for her to discover.

a window with vibrant white and blue lights shining through the glass, she peaks where the seed stayed in place for her to see.

before she saw, a baby cry heard through the walls of the lab startled her to take cover before she was discovered. the seed appears to wait patiently for her to see what it wanted her to see.. hoping it's something that'll help her continue the life she was given and put her rage to rest.

upon the see through window, laying in a tiny bed is the sign from the great mother.

a small human baby

a beautiful baby boy.

his small wailing and tantrum filled the ears of the young na'vi woman. the pure souls leading to him, she found what she was looking for.

a tear slips her hard exterior when laying her eyes on the small, fragile boy weeping and her tail flickers side to side excitedly. from that day she showed up at the lab to know who the baby was..

"the great mother has given me a sign. a blessing of my own."

the scientist got caught off guard by the young woman's towering figure bursting into their facility, her brushing and slightly shoving them off in search of the baby.

she demanded where the baby was and they lead her to him. they don't know what she wanted with the baby but they were curious on her sudden interest.

as soon she saw the beautiful creature, she towers over eywa's awaken baby staring up at her. he had little baby curly, hair forming on his delicate head. the sound of the baby's comfort on watching the woman staring down at him. the baby coos when he saw her with her beaded hair dangling above his head, he giggles and makes cute sounds reaching for her beads.

the na'vi woman smiled down for what seemed a long time the scientists seen her warm up with a human.

more towards a human child.

the usual scowling and huffs and antics she does around them has disappeared. she sat herself in front of the crib and her tails swishes faster, carefully observing the child when her hand goes to crease his tiny face, he responds with a cute yawn that made her melt and break down her protective walls.

"who's this baby?" she questions not daring to look away the baby with a motherly expression kicking in.

the scientists didn't know how to answer but one of them was kind enough to tell her the truth of his story. who his father was. to their surprise, the na'vi woman didn't care because she picked the boy up in her arms carefully, afraid of hurting his body because of her height and strength.

everyone saw how she cradles the baby and coos to calm him down. the joyous smile decorating her face looking lovingly at him it was as if she birthed him herself.

she cries more bringing him into a warm embrace, creasing his curls and speaks, "name?"

"his name's miles soccoro."

what kind of name is that. she shook her head showing the distaste of such bland name for a boy.

a baby of the great mother deserves a powerful name which everyone will remember when he proves the impossible.

a fierce warrior.

she faces all of them with a smiling lovingly at what she is going to declare her own.

her baby.

"eywa led me to this boy. he is going to be my son. ma seykxel kay te tshaha ingyen'itan." ingyen speaks proud by her announcement to the humans as they never thought her open mind would come from a baby that eywa has chosen.

all of them helped her understand what her baby needs. they suggested a nickname for her baby that came randomly from one of them to name him easier and she was more than welcome to visit him but she didn't want that.

she moved closer until her child is old enough to wear a mask and live with her in the village where she will teach him their ways to grow up into a fine warrior. this boy will lead her somewhere later where she'll follow to love unconditionally but he'll lead her to someone who was the very one she never expected.

a sin of a father.. not in the way they'd expect.

years have passed when the same star comes back..

TAGLIST

@skinmittensgoblin @eternallyvenus @winxschester @perseny @cleverzonkwombatsludge @reallysparklychaos @im-in-a-pansexual-panik @liyahsocorro @violet-19999 @drinking-tea-and-be-obsessed @ratchetprime211 @analuw @alexandra-001

#miles quaritch #colonel quaritch #recom quaritch #na'vi quaritch #quaritch x oc #avatar 2009 #avatar 2022 #spider soccoro #spider avatar #avatar #pandora #navi oc #jake sully #neytiri #enemies to lovers #blog post #miles quaritch x oc #miles quaritch x reader

92 notes · View notes

jedineedlove · 1 year ago

Text

LMK VS Legend

Yin and Jin

LMK: Silver and Gold Demons Two trouble-making demons. Known thieves, former Speedy Panda owners, and lovers of the dramatic. Both are constant annoyances to the Monkie Kid and the crew. I wonder who the assistant is to them she seems to be in to much control to be a minion.

JTTW

Formally Silver Boy and Gold Boy the two were servent boys of Taishang Laojun and given the job of watching over his furnaces.

In the novel, Jin is the older brother and Yin is the younger one.

They escaped to the mortal realm and moved to Flat Peak Mountain and took Laojuns' five sacred items. The Purple Gold Red Gourd, Suet Jade Flask, Golden Cloth Rope, Seven Stars Sword, and Palm Leaf Fan. When they met the pilgrims they captured all of them except Wukong and instead threw three mouantins on him. They sent two minions to go capture the monkey, but that was foiled due to Wukongs' escape and tricking them into giving them two of the sacred items.

Enraged, they send other minions to invite their godmother The Nine-Tailed Vixen. Finding this out Wukong goes and kills the two minions and the Vixen, designing himself as her he was nearly convincing except for Bajies' blunder. The two trapped the monkey in the gourd but he tricked them and escaped. that repeated another time when with monkey tested ut the gourd's power by faking another identity and using a fake name. After the second time, Wukong swapped the four for a fake one. He challenged the Silver King and tricked him into the gourd. The Gold King led his army to avenge his brother but his army was killed by Wukong. He fled to Dragon Supressing Cave and along with his uncle Hu A’qi, and his uncle's amry set out again to avenge his brother and Hu A’qis' sister. His uncle was killed by Bajie and his army was killed by Wukong. The Monkey King finally ended it when he trapped the Golden King in the gourd. Before the pilgrims could continue they were stopped by Laojun and explained the two orgina claimed back the sacred items and took the boys back to Heaven.

Thoughts:

I got to wonder what the family tree is like in the family in this universe.

#lego monkie kid #lmk #jttw #fan thoughts #journey to the west #lmk jin #lmk yin #lmk demon accountant

20 notes · View notes

wingedblooms · 8 months ago

Text

Maybe when Elain—the third face of the Mother—finally brings Spring to Ramiel, the land and Wyrd will be healed in body as well as spirit.

Three sacred sister peaks.

Two out of the three have been explored.

No one was ever curious enough to see what lay at the heart of the third.

And we have three blessed sisters. Two out of the three have been explored.

No one ever really looked at what lay in the heart of the third.

I cannot wait to unearth her secrets. To see what truly lays at her heart in the next book.

#it seems like we are headed north #the heart of the night court #the third sacred sister peak #the third blessed Archeron sister #three sisters for the faces of the Mother

280 notes · View notes

justforbooks · 1 month ago

Text

Cissy Houston

American gospel, pop and soul singer who co-founded the Sweet Inspirations

The career of the American singer Cissy Houston, who has died aged 91, exemplified the vital force underlying so much modern popular music: the close relationship between African-American sacred and secular idioms, specifically the influence seeping from Black gospel music, with its deep emotional roots and eruptions of ecstatic fervour, into the fabric of R&B, soul and pop.

Houston spent 30 years as the “minister of music” at the New Hope Baptist Church in her native Newark, New Jersey. But she also sang, often with her nieces Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick, on many of the great pop hits of the 1960s and 70s, from the Drifters’ On Broadway through Van Morrison’s Brown Eyed Girl, Aretha Franklin’s (You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman, Dusty Springfield’s Son of a Preacher Man and Paul Simon’s Mother and Child Reunion to David Bowie’s Young Americans.

As a founder member of a vocal group known as the Sweet Inspirations, she toured and recorded with Elvis Presley. After leaving the group in 1970 to raise her family, she pursued a solo career, recording albums and appearing in New York night clubs, which reached its peak with two Grammy awards for her traditional gospel albums Face to Face in 1997 and He Leadeth Me the following year.

She also became known as the mother of the singer Whitney Houston, whose enormous worldwide success, following her appearance in the 1992 film The Bodyguard, attracted attention to a private life that included a turbulent marriage to the singer Bobby Brown and problems with drug addiction.

Whitney, who had begun her singing career under her mother’s tutelage in the New Hope choir, was found dead in the bath of a Beverly Hills hotel in 2012, aged 48. Three years later Whitney’s daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown, a singer and reality TV personality, died after being discovered in similar circumstances, aged 22.

Cissy Houston was born Emily Drinkard, the eighth and last child of Delia Mae (nee McCaskill) and Nitcholas “Nitch” Drinkard, natives of Georgia who moved to New Jersey in the 1920s. Delia died when Cissy – a childhood nickname that stuck – was eight, followed 10 years later by her husband. Cissy went to live with her married older sister, Lee Warrick, whose children included Dionne and Dee Dee, both only a handful of years younger than their aunt.

Virtually from infancy Cissy and her brothers and sisters had been encouraged by their parents to sing in church. They formed a vocal group, into which Cissy was enrolled when she was five. “I used to get so mad,” she told Rolling Stone magazine in 1978. “We’d be out playing in the sun with the other kids and my older sister, Marie, would make us come in for rehearsal.”

The Drinkard Singers achieved national renown, eventually appearing at Carnegie Hall and the Newport Folk festival. In 1954 Cissy took charge of the New Hope choir, which increased from 15 to 60 voices during her years in charge.

A first marriage in 1955 to Freddie Garland brought her a son, Gary, but ended in divorce. In 1964 she married John Houston, an army veteran who became her manager and with whom she had two children, Michael and Whitney.

By the time the second marriage brought her a change of surname, she was working regularly as a backing singer on pop recording sessions, in demand for her three-octave range. With the two Warrick sisters (who would alter their spelling to Warwick) and a friend, Doris Troy, she formed a unit that was soon busy in New York studios providing backing vocals on hits by Solomon Burke, Chuck Jackson and many others.

When all three of her colleagues left to pursue solo careers, she replaced them with Estelle Brown, Sylvia Shemwell and Myrna Smith. Among their regular employers was the Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler, who recruited them for sessions with Franklin, with Cissy providing the coloratura soprano flourishes featured on Franklin’s Ain’t No Way in 1968. Wexler also gave them their name, which formed the title of their most successful single, Sweet Inspiration, a top 20 hit when released on Atlantic in 1967.

While bringing up her children, Cissy continued to record and make occasional appearances. Although she made several solo albums for a variety of labels and producers, she was never able to match the solo successes in the pop charts of the Warwick sisters or Troy. But when Burt Bacharach recorded his own versions of some of his greatest hits in 1971, he chose her to sing One Less Bell to Answer, Mexican Divorce and All Kinds of People. In 1976 she was featured in Gospel Fuse, a gospel opera composed by Carman Moore and performed with the San Francisco Symphony orchestra, conducted by Seiji Ozawa.

On the 1989 album Whitney, which would sell more than 20m copies around the world, she joined her daughter for a duet on I Know Him So Well, from the musical Chess. In 1992 she and Jackson were reunited for a fine R&B album titled I’ll Take Care of You. By the time she achieved her Grammy gospel successes, secular music was occupying less of her time, although in 2006 she, Whitney and Dionne Warwick recorded a song called Family First for the Hollywood rom-com Daddy’s Little Girls.

In 1998 she published her autobiography, How Sweet the Sound. Fifteen years later, in Remembering Whitney, she told the harrowing story of her long but unavailing struggle to help her daughter overcome her various problems.

Both her marriages ended in divorce. She is survived by her two sons, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

🔔 Cissy Houston (Emily Drinkard), singer, born 30 September 1933; died 7 October 2024

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at Just for Books…?

#just for books #Cissy Houston #in memoriam

4 notes · View notes

vh-rp · 3 months ago

Text

Religions of Thedas

RELIGIONS ONSITE Here you can find a list and a little information about some of the religions found in Thedas. Note that some of these religions are race-specific. If there is a religion you'd like to know more about or think should be added, please PM a member of staff.

ANDRASTIAN CHANTRY The most prominent religion in Thedas, Andrastian Chantry is based on the Chant of Light, a series of teachings written by the prophet Andraste, bride of the Maker. To the Chantry, followers of all other religions -- especially non-humans, who they believe have turned from the Maker's grace more than humanity has -- are thought to need saving. The Chantry's goal is to spread the Chant of Light to the four corners of the world, interpretted as such from the Chant of Light. Once all peoples have accepted the Chant and practice its teachings, supposedly the Maker will return to the world and return it to its previous Edenic state.

Followers of the Chantry are Andrastians, and "Chantric" is used to refer to something or someone having to do with Chantry religion. The Chantry calendar is used everywhere in Thedas, save for the Tevinter Imperium. Funeral rites in the Chantry involve cremation, so that demons cannot possess them, and because Andraste was burned at the stake. Chantries are present in nearly every village, town, and city, and in some large organisations such as Circles and Fort Drakon. Some -- including the Chantry in Kirkwall -- maintain a Chanter's Board, a job board for mercenaries and others willing to do good deeds or make money. When not capitalised, the word "chantry" refers to a place of worship, be it a Chantry or not.

Roles Within the Chantry:

Divine: This is the head of the Chantry, and may only be held by someone who is female (whether assigned at birth or they come to the conclusion they're female later). She resides in the Grand Cathedral in Val Royeaux, Orlais. She is addressed as "Most Holy", "Your Perfection". Grand Cleric: This is the role directly under the Divine. This role may also only be held by someone who identifies as female. Each Grand Cleric presides over her own region and represents many Chantries. The Grand Clerics convene at the College of Clerics, located in Val Royeaux, Orlais. Their title is: "Your Grace". Every Grand Cleric has one kingdom that hse presides over. Mother: Mother's are responsible for looking after the spiritual well-being of their flock, and they may be in charge of a Chantry—if this is the case, her title changes to Revered Mother or "Your Reverence". Brothers & Sisters: These people are your lowest ranking members, both male and female identified (non-binary folx too). They are usually fitted into three groups. Affirmed: These people are the regular folx that are serving the Chantry for their own reasons. Clerics: Clerics are your academics, devoted to the pursuit of knowledge. They're in charge of books, relics and lore. Older clerics receive the title "elder" and others are known as "brother" or "sister".

AVVAR GODS It is nearly impossible to speak of the Avvarian people without speaking of their beliefs. Faith is the vibrant cornerstone of their existence, filling their harsh lives with sacred implications, for the Avvars believe as the Alamarri once did: The gods live in all things. Wind from an unexpected direction, birds flying in unusual patterns, a sudden silence amidst the high peaks in the spring—these are nothing but chance to a lowlander, but are messages from the gods to an Avvar.

The Avvars believe without question that their gods have protected them and kept them strong, for do they not thrive despite their numerous enemies? Wise lowlanders avoid pointing out that the hillsmen have been pushed into some of the most inhospitable terrain in all of Thedas. In truth, the Avvars love the Frostbacks and would only take offense at the thought that they were “forced” into the mountains. The Avvars have a complex pantheon, which includes both nature spirits and legendary mortals who have ascended to the heavens. This is further complicated by the fact that the pantheon varies somewhat from hold to hold, as every clan has its own sacred tales and heroes; however, all Avvars agree on the three greatest gods. These are Korth the Mountain Father, Hakkon Wintersbreath, and the Lady of the Skies. Imhar the Clever and the Great Bear Sigfost are also revered in most communities.

The Avvar deem spirits as their gods, treating them as patrons to be lulled and wooed. The Avvar deliberately invoke spirits for strength in battle or solicit them for advice. Such spirits have lived with in their holds for many generations, and sometimes took the form of an animal or departed relatives when they pass on their wisdom. In the event a god is destroyed, the Avvar begin a year-long time of offerings and prayers and rituals. At the end of this period, a new spirit takes on the name and role of the old one.

Avvar believe in a hazily defined afterlife governed by the "Lady of the Skies" where the dead are reunited with their kin. Avvar also believe some of their people are destined to be reborn, i.e., the essence (the soul) returns clothed in new flesh. The core of the concept is thus: the souls of a few Avvar "favored" by fate "migrate" on death to inhabit new bodies destined for them, so they may return and perform great deeds for the good of their hold. These resurrected souls are not expected to remember their past selves consciously, but instead are assumed to be subtly "guided" by their previous experiences, especially through visions and portents.

DWARVEN BELIEFS The dwarves do not have an official religion. They do not believe in gods. Instead, their philosophy promotes excellence, and an almost intimate tie to the rock -- the Stone -- that houses them. They speak of it as if it is alive. They respect, fear, cherish, and give thanks to her for protecting them and providing them with her bounty. Dwarves believe that when they die, they return to the stone and become Ancestors. Criminals, disgraced, surfacers, and their descendants -- the "unworthy" -- are cast out, so that their failings may not weaken the Stone.

Worship and spiritual guidance are reserved for the Ancestors, and above the Ancestors and all others are the dwarves that have been raised to Paragon status for great achievements, whether in combat or something else entirely. Paragons are examples for the dwarves, to be followed and to be revered. In death, it is said the Paragons become one with the densest stone at the base of all mountains -- a foundation upon which all dwarven society rests. These Ancestors communicate their wishes to the living via brutal trials-by-combat called Provings. The Ancestors' collective wisdom is maintained by the Shaperate, which stores its records in lyrium.

#dragon age #bioware #lore #valiant hearts rp #roleplay #worldbuilding #rp lore

3 notes · View notes

ashland-frost · 1 year ago

Text

Family Matters

I didn't like that there were no options when it came to this part of the game, so I made what I thought would have been better. Let me know how you like it and what you thought the options should have been.

My MC is not the new fifth year. It's another student who's been friends for a while with Sebastian.

Sebastian x MC { Frost}

The battle against Solomon was not where you expected this path to lead. Just as you finally managed to calm Sebastian down, his beloved uncle emerged and ruthlessly destroyed the sacred relic. "What have you done, boy?!"

Your exasperation reached its peak, for every time this absurd man opened his mouth, things only worsened. As you heard Sebastian's incantation, "Avada-" your instincts kicked in, propelling you to push Solomon aside in the nick of time. Sebastian, shocked by the near-tragedy he almost caused, was not consumed by anger or sadness at the prospect of almost ending his uncle's life. No, it was the harrowing realization that he had almost taken yours, his tears streaming uncontrollably.

Rushing towards him, you desperately reassured him that you were unharmed. "I almost killed you... I could have," he whispered, his voice trembling with guilt and regret.

"But you didn't," you countered firmly, your words resonating with an undertone of relief and forgiveness.

Anne and Ominis burst into the scene, their footsteps echoing in urgency. They witnessed the sight of you enveloping Sebastian, his broken form collapsed on the floor, sobbing and screaming. "I just wanted my sister to be cured. Why wasn't it me instead?" his anguished words pierced the air, each syllable laden with despair.

Solomon, for the first time, stood motionless, unable to utter a single word. He was a mere statue, frozen in time. "She's the only family I have. My parents are dead, and my uncle hates me. What do I have left?" His voice carried the weight of a soul burdened by sorrow and loss.

Upon hearing those heart-wrenching words, Anne couldn't contain her own anguish any longer. Tears streamed down her face, mixing with the chaos of emotions in the room. "Sebastian, you still have me, Ominis and Frost are your family too. Together, we will find a way. You won't lose us," she whispered, her voice filled with a steadfast determination to support Sebastian through the darkest of times.

Anne rushed forward, her body betraying her as she fell to her knees. Trembling with raw emotion, she choked out, "Sebastian, I'm sorry. I had no idea you felt this way all along. I never wanted you to suffer for my sake." Embracing her brother tightly, she pleaded, "Please, I can't bear to lose you either."

Ominis stood behind Anne, his presence a pillar of unwavering support. Placing a reassuring hand on Sebastian's shoulder, he spoke softly, "Sebastian, you're not alone. We are here for you, and we won't abandon you."

Meanwhile, you regained your composure and marched purposefully towards Solomon, who remained fixed in his vacant stare, unaffected by the emotional turmoil unfolding before him. The fire in your eyes burned bright as you confronted him, your voice trembling with anger and frustration. "YOU!! How dare you? Your own nephew needed you!" With a resounding slap across his face, you jolted Solomon out of his daze. The three of them turned to witness the impact, Solomon's hand instinctively reaching to his stinging cheek, yet still he remained motionless.

"Not once, in all the time I've known you, did you ever speak to Sebastian as if you genuinely cared for him," you continued, your voice escalating in intensity. "And now, as he's having a breakdown right in front of you, you do nothing. He believes you don't love him. Why can't you say anything?" Each word pierced the air with righteous indignation, as you shouted your accusations at the silent figure before you.

The room began to spin, dizziness encroaching upon your senses, yet you persisted, driven by your determination to make Solomon comprehend the pain he had caused. But then, overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment, your body betrayed you. You faltered and collapsed, consciousness slipping away. Sebastian rushed to your side, his voice trembling with desperation, "Please wake up. I need you." Those words were the last thing you heard before succumbing to unconsciousness, leaving the outcome hanging in the balance, and the hearts of those who cared for you filled with uncertainty and fear.

You lay peacefully asleep in the hospital wing at Hogwarts, unaware of the unfolding events around you. Sebastian sat faithfully by your side, holding your hand, his worry etched deeply onto his face. Suddenly, the doors burst open, and an imposing elderly woman strode into the room with purpose. Her commanding presence filled the space, and everyone within it felt a chill run down their spines. Fixing her gaze on Sebastian, she demanded, "Where is my grandchild?" Her voice reverberated through the room, leaving an uneasy silence in its wake.

Standing tall, Sebastian rose from his seat, his voice filled with remorse. "I'm sorry, ma'am. She fainted from stress. The nurse said it was my fault. She was helping me with a family problem, and she ended up worrying too much on my account."

The elderly woman's stern expression softened slightly as she observed Sebastian's honesty and maturity. "Well, this boy seems to have more backbone than you adults," she muttered under her breath. Then, addressing Sebastian directly, she inquired, "What is your name, son? You wouldn't happen to be Sebastian Sallow, would you?"

Surprised, Sebastian replied, "Yes, that would be me. But how do you know my name?"

"My grandchild sent me a letter about you and your sister," the woman revealed, stepping closer to your bedside. She cast a skeptical eye at the nervous nurse, doubting that the young woman could do anything substantial. Letting out a sigh, she muttered, "This child really isn't good with stress, she'll be up by morning"

The woman's attention returned to Sebastian. "Now, Mr. Sallow, where is this sister of yours?"

Sebastian hesitated for a moment, unsure of this stranger's intentions. However, sensing genuine concern in her gaze, he decided to trust her. "She's in Feldcoft with my Uncle," he replied, his voice tinged with a mixture of worry and longing.

"Well, lead the way then," the woman commanded, her curiosity piqued by the bond between you and Sebastian. For she had never known her grandchild to have feelings for another person or forge friendships that truly mattered.

Sebastian stood there, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected turn of events.

"She'll be alright, just needs some sleep, So stop your worrying "After a brief pause, he gathered his resolve and guided the woman towards Feldcoft.

As they walked away, the elderly woman contemplated the depth of this newfound relationship, realizing that her grandchild might have discovered something precious and rare in the form of companionship and love.

Arriving at Feldcoft and making their way to the Sallow house, the elderly woman broke the silence, her tone filled with curiosity. "Tell me, what do you think of my child?"

A genuine smile spread across Sebastian's face, radiating warmth. "She is wonderful. Smart, caring, friendly. One of the best duelists I've ever seen. But she is undoubtedly the best person I've ever met. Lovely in every way."

"Is she now? Not once have I heard someone describe her as friendly," the woman remarked, skepticism lacing her words.

Shocked at the notion, Sebastian replied, "Well, she may come across as a bit cold at first, but all anyone has to do is talk to her. Though I suppose her face can be quite intimidating at times."

"So, she takes after me more than her mother. How lovely," the woman mused, a sense of pride evident in her voice.

"I dare say she does. You scared everyone just by walking in. It was quite the sight," Sebastian admitted, recalling the intimidating presence the woman exuded.

"I think I see why she likes you so much. Quite brave and charming," the woman remarked, a hint of admiration in her voice.

Blushing, Sebastian stammered, "Did she mention that in the letter too?"

"No, it's just easy to see," the woman replied with a gentle smile.

Finally arriving at the door of the Sallow house, Sebastian knocked, and it was Anne who answered. Concern etched on her face, she immediately inquired, "Sebastian, is she okay? I've been so worried."

Sebastian's eyes softened as he reassured her, "Definitely, she's is fine, shes still sleeping"

Anne then noticed the presence of the elderly woman and straightened up, politely addressing her, "Goodnight, ma'am. Is there anything we can help you with?" She whispered to Sebastian, "Who is she?"

"This is Frost's grandmother. She's here to see you," Sebastian replied quietly.

"Me? But why?" Anne asked, puzzled by the unexpected visit.

"To see if I can cure you, child. May I come in?" the elderly woman interjected.

Anne, taken aback but gracious, responded, "Oh, yes, my apologies. Please come in." She turned to Sebastian, whispering, "are you sure Frost is okay?"

Sebastian nodded reassuringly. "Yes, she was just stressed with the whole situation. She'll be better in the morning."

The woman glanced around, noticing the absence of their guardian, which Sebastian also noticed "Where is Uncle Solomon?" he inquired.

"He said he needed to take a walk. I don't think he realizes how much he hurt you. I'm also sorry, Sebastian," Anne replied with a tinge of remorse.

"It's okay. We still have each other," Sebastian said, his voice filled with conviction.

The woman gazed at them tenderly. "How good to see siblings getting along. Come, my dear, let me have a good look at you."

Anne cautiously approached, her hands trembling slightly. "Are you afraid of me little one?" The elder asked.

Anne shook her head gently. "No, ma'am, just of what you'll say."

"Well, you don't need to worry, your curse is curable " the woman assured, waving her wand and uttering unfamiliar words. Dark smoke emerged from Anne's body, disappearing as it touched the wand's light. "It's done. You'll need to drink these potions until your health is fully restored," she said, handing Anne three vials. "When you need more, Frost will make them for you."

Anne's tears flowed freely as she asked incredulously, "I- I'm cured? Really?" Anne's voice trembled.

"Yes, Can't have the first friends my dear has made die, from a curse of all things" the grandmother replied. The twins expressed their gratitude, saying, "Thank you."

"What can we do to repay you for what you've done?" Anne asked, her voice filled with genuine appreciation.

The grandmother's eyes softened as she replied, "Continue to be friends with my child. She needs it. I'll send a letter to her in the morning. I'm off, children."

"Thank you," they both said, their voices filled with gratitude.

"And don't stress her out again, Mr. Sallow" the grandmother warned before vanishing from sight.

Sebastian spent some time with Anne, comforting her and making sure she was alright. As he prepared to leave, Solomon unexpectedly appeared. "Uncle! I... I shouldn't be here. I was just bringing someone to Anne, that's all. She's cured now. Frost's grandmother cured her."

"She's cured?" Solomon's voice was filled with surprise.

"Yes, Frost wrote to her grandmother, who possesses great skill in cures. She came to see Anne. So, Anne is good as new. I'll have someone come by to give her medicine. She has to take it until her strength fully returns," Sebastian explained.

"I see," Solomon muttered, his expression contemplative.

"I'll be going now. Um... don't worry, I promise I won't come back. I know you don't want me here," Sebastian said, averting his gaze and beginning to walk away.

"Sebastian, boy, I'm sorry," Solomon's words halted Sebastain's steps, causing him to look back at his uncle.

"You... you... I was just scared you'd get yourself killed. You're so much like your father, and I couldn't bear it. I don't hate you. I just... I'm not good at being a parent. I never saw myself with children, and with you two coming into my life, I realized I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm sorry, Sebastian. This is your home. I should have talked to you more instead of yelling, and I should never have told you to stay away from your sister," Solomon confessed, his voice filled with regret.

"You don't hate me?" Sebastian's voice wavered with disbelief.

"I don't. I love you and Anne. I'm just not good at this," Solomon admitted, his tone sincere.

"But I almost killed you," Sebastian reminded him, his voice laced with guilt.

"And it would have been my fault, not yours. You're just a boy, and I let you feel like you had no one while watching your sister slowly die. I forgive you, but I can't forgive myself for causing all of this. Come home whenever. We'll both be here. Now, go back to school before curfew," Solomon instructed.

"Yes, sir," Sebastian replied, tears streaming down his face as he walked away, a mix of emotions overwhelming him. The realization that his uncle didn't hate him brought both relief and sorrow.

Solomon stood there, watching Sebastian leave, repeating to himself, "I'm sorry," his eyes welled up with tears. Inside the house, Anne, with her back to the door, overheard the conversation, tears streaming down her face as well. She was grateful that amidst the chaos, they finally had an actual conversation and the beginnings of understanding.

#hogwarts legacy #sebastian sallow #hogwarts legacy drabbles #sebastian sallow fanfiction #sebastian x mc

11 notes · View notes