#what else were they about? idk the dragon shit was rad as hell tho!!!

[merlinmeta]

1. What are your thoughts on the very concept of dragonlords? The concept of dragonlords being capable of subjugating the wills of a sentient species is such a severe violation of individual autonomy to me. 2. Any fic recs that address character development (Arthur's in particular) and morality? Specifically, where Arthur's character arc is not because 'I need to change the law to protect my best friend' but because he's an individual capable of self-reflection and critical thought? Thank you!

First off, I'm not the right person to ask for fic recs. When I was doing most of my reading (aka during the show itself and a few years after--so maybe 5 years ago at this point), I wasn't keeping track of what I had or hadn't read, didn't use the AO3 bookmark function at all, and just blasted through any rec blogs and all the "magic reveal" tags to binge as much fic as possible. I've read a LOT of fic...but my memory of titles and authors is garbage, so even if I have read a fic that fits what you're looking for, I probably can't find it. I can give you my fic rec page, but tbh off the top of my head, I don't remember if any of these match your interests.

(....I just remembered that what you said is kind of exactly the plot of my fic The Right Thing, but it is a) not very long, b) not at all complete, and c) possibly-probably never going to be truly complete, so enter at your own risk.)

With that said, DRAGONLORDS.

To be honest, I love the concept of dragonlords--but I think we're looking at them in different ways. I never really thought about the "subjugation" aspect that much, maybe because we don't see it used or abused extensively in the show? Like, Merlin certainly bosses Kilgharrah around sometimes (to get him to stop rampaging, to leave, to come when called, to help when he's reluctant) but I guess...I never really tied those instances directly to the concept of "dragonlord" itself, if that makes sense. To me, in the context of canon, "subjugation" is something a dragonlord can do, but it's not what being a dragonlord is.

Outside of the context of canon, I’d probably get rid of the “subjugation” ability anyway. You’re right, it’s pretty morally shifty, and on top of that, it’s just not interesting to me at all. (I would also get rid of that bullshit “passed from father to son” rule, or rephrase it as “passed from parent to child” instead because seriously?? There is no WAY dragon magic is a dudes-only club, nuh-uh, absolutely not, unacceptable.) I’m much more interested in dragonlords as a subset of magic users whose language, magic, culture, beliefs, etc are inextricably linked to dragons, and vice versa. In pre-Purge times, I like to imagine them as partners, protectors, keepers of lore--really leaning into the “kinship” angle that the show tried to play, but like, way more heavily than they ever did outside the “Aithusa” episode. 

So picture this: Dragons are incredibly powerful, an ancient race of beings who tend to see humans as insignificant and lesser, short-lived to the point of irrelevance. They do not play by our rules, they do not fight our wars, they do not share our values, they rarely deign to speak our language. And they are impossible for the average warrior or average sorcerer to defeat. For many people, that makes them unknowable and dangerous. But then there are the Dragonlords--who draw their magic from the same source as dragons, and so know how to counter and defeat them; who have learned to speak their language and be heard as equals; who understand what drives each species, and can negotiate peace between them, settling disputes with minimal bloodshed. Working alongside dragons for generations and generations, sharing in their knowledge and magic, Dragonlords become trusted as kin; they become dragon as much as they are human. 

I don’t know how the Purge would happen with this setup--hell, I don’t even know how the Purge was possible with the canon concept of dragons/dragonlords/magic in general. Maybe as the societal attitudes toward magic shift, dragonlords become less and less trusted by both humans and dragons alike, leading to them shifting allegiances instead of remaining neutral, betraying their dragon kin to protect their legal/political/social standing in human society as their friends and neighbors slowly turn against them??

But whatever, this is just MY take on what the concept of “dragonlord” entails. I hope it’s a satisfying answer for you!

[fortnitewizard]

do 2 through 49

ohghghhhh yeahhhhahhh this is gonna be long get ready to press j

2. How old did you turn this year?: 15 babey

3. Do you feel your age?: i have no idea

4. Did your appearance change in anyway?: got bigger probably

5. Post your favorite selfie: 

6. If you traveled, where did you go?: austin and some other places but i dont remember

7. Which fashion trends did you love?: idk man 

8. Which fashion trends did you hate?: idk about fashion!

9. What was your favorite article of clothing this year? Post a pic if possible?: prob just a black tank top

10. What song sums up this year for you?: this one

11. What album came out and has been on heavy rotation since then?: its an ep but nina cried power by hozier

12. What was your favorite movie of the year?: black panther

13. Did an actor/actress catch your attention for the first time this year?: i dont remember ksdfbnkg

14. Favorite new TV show?: the dragon prince ig? its new

15. Which new ship/fandom has taken over a lot of your time, attention, and tears?: idk if i started taz this year but taz

16. What food did you try for the first time?: i tried pho this year i think

17. Did you make any big permanent changes this year?: i dont think i did idk

18. What was one nice thing you did for someone else?: i bought my family good food a bunch

19. What was one nice thing you did for yourself?: uh i slept a lot

20. Did you develop a new obsession?: hell yeah i did theres too many to list but mostly hozier

21. Did you vote?: nope im baby

22. Did you move?: nah

23. Did you get a job?: yes!

24. Did you get a pet?: maybe? i dont remember when we got our latest pet

25. Do you regret not doing anything?: probably

26. Do you regret doing something?: also probably

27. Have you done anything that scared you?: i got my blood taken a lot that scared me kjfsbgb

28. Did anyone/thing make you so mad it stayed with you for days?: nah i get over shit pretty easy i think

29. Did you lose anyone close to you?: nope

30. Did you fall in love?: nah

31. Did you fall out of love?: nah

32. Did you start a new relationship?: nope

33. Did you go through a break up?: no ive never had love

34. Did you have to cut ties to someone?: maybe 🤫

35. Who was important to you this year but wasn’t important last year?: like any new friends ive made this year i cant remember when i meet people tho

36. Who wasn’t as important to you this year as they were last year?: the world may never know

37. If you could have a do over on one thing you did, would you take it?: nah i dont remember the shit i did it dont matter

38. What was the best moment of the year for you?: jeezy creezy idk just chillin

39. What was the worst?: most of it

40. Did anything happen that you were sure would change you as a person but it really didn’t?: im starting to think these asks are for people who can remember literally anything that has ever happened to them. to answer the question: idk

41. Did anything happen to you that you were sure wouldn’t change you as a person but it did?: i dont knowww

42. What are you most proud of accomplishing?: i started going to therapy thats rad

43. What have you learned about yourself this year that you didn’t know in the years prior?: im actually like an alright guy

44. Did your opinion of anyone change for the better?: maybe? idk

45. Did your opinion of anyone change for worse?: maybe ;) (idk)

46. If you make resolutions, did you complete them this year?: no

47. If you make resolutions, what will your resolutions be for the coming year?: no

48. If you could go on an adventure during the remaining days of the year, where would you go and what would you do?  Who would you go this?: id wanna go to scotland to see you (rat) and we would have a fun time and go ham

49. What do you wish for others for the coming year?: have a good time dont be a bitch

thanks king this took me a while