bedtimegiraffe

[bedtimegiraffe]

I adore your analysis of Blades. Thanks for sharing them with us! <33

Oh my gosh, thank you so much for saying so! You're welcome- I love to share all the thoughts I've already drafted in my head anyway! It's so fun to inflict my years of academic literature analysis papers and studying human behavior on these characters.

[bedtimegiraffe]

Riverbend Festival (Book 2, Chapter 8) Snuggle Options

The non-sex options during diamond scenes in Book 2 are a real step down from Book 1, but I am nothing if not thorough.

Now I want these scenes to have platonic options even more! Just move the heart choice up a little! There's no reason I can't check out fireworks with Tyril, have a heart-to-heart, then decide if I want to kiss him or just have a friend hug. I don't have to want Imtura carnally to be into a pie eating contest. I'd pay 30 diamonds for more friend time, I don't care.

Aerin

Imtura

Mal

Nia

Tyril

#Squidward's (Aerin's) father never hugged him #choices bolas #blades of light and shadow #screenshots #aerin valleros #nia ellarious #tyril starfury #imtura tal kaelen #mal volari #blades of light and shadow book 2

[bedtimegiraffe]

I WISH I could give you that kind of news! Mal has chemistry with everyone, but he and Tyril have something special. Sadly, just the way I labeled it due to tumblr picture limits that required 2 posts.

End of Book 1 Make Out Sessions- Mal and Tyril

If you choose the diamond scene at the end of Book 1, but opt for the kissing options, you get some very sweet dialogue.

I always have trouble finding things like this, so here it is- for me and anyone else interested!

Mal

Tyril

[bedtimegiraffe]

I think Aerin willingly pissed off these heavily armed adventurers who previously kicked his ass for 3 reasons.

He knows Nia is too nice to let him really get hurt and she could absolutely stop any of the others if she decided to.

After being imprisoned and mostly alone for a year, he's probably out of fucks. Pissing the party off is the only fun he can imagine having for the foreseeable future. He thinks he has no chance of getting on their good side, anyway.

He feels left out.

Right before this, MC asks if everyone is onboard. And they are! Except Aerin. Who was not asked. Presumably, a guard just walked into his cell, bound his hands, and walked him into the woods with no explanation. Then MC made sure everyone was willing to go on this adventure but didn't care enough about Aerin to ask (as far as he's concerned). He's not part of the team- he's an advantage they're reluctantly leveraging.

And then, everyone else gets a pep talk! Tyril, you won't let Shadow hurt people! Nia and Mal, you look out for people society forgets! Imtura, you fight so hard to protect everyone!

Aerin... conspicuously absent.

#This interaction has been living in my head more than I could explain #I guess I expected Aerin to try and win them over like last time- but that probably felt like a lost cause #Aerin you're so funny but you are NOT helping #choices bolas #blades of light and shadow #aerin valleros #blades of light and shadow 2

[bedtimegiraffe]

End of Book 1 Make Out Sessions- Imtura and Nia

If you choose the diamond scene at the end of Book 1, but opt for the kissing options, you get some very sweet dialogue.

I always have trouble finding things like this, so here it is- for me and anyone else interested!

Imtura

Nia

#Apparent Nia and Aerin both have a student praise kink/teacher thing #Troubling possibility- does the Dreadlord have moves? Is that where Nia got this? #We love an Imtura who forgets how strong she is- then is soft #choices bolas #blades of light and shadow #nia ellarious #imtura tal kaelen #nia x mc #imtura x mc

[bedtimegiraffe]

End of Book 1 Make Out Sessions- Mal and Tyril

If you choose the diamond scene at the end of Book 1, but opt for the kissing options, you get some very sweet dialogue.

I always have trouble finding things like this, so here it is- for me and anyone else interested!

Mal

Tyril

#'All words escape me' Tyril says while spouting poetry #Mal physically cannot shut up and I love that for him #choices bolas #blades of light and shadow #tyril starfury #mal volari #tyril x mc #mal volari x mc

[bedtimegiraffe]

Putting Aerin Back in Book 2 Mini Fics

I'm fascinated by the idea of Aerin not leaving, but not enough to transcribe and modify like 8 chapters. So here are some highlights of how I think it would go if Aerin had somehow decided to stick around. Including Nia yelling at his ass like she deserves!

All sections except for first two stand on their own pretty easily, so if you just want to skip ahead to a scene you're thinking about, I'm not gonna tell you no.

---------------------------

Chapter 9

Zaradun Prison Cell

You're still trying to find a way out of your incredibly unfair imprisonment when an unfamiliar voice speaks up in the dark. "You're not from around here, huh?" You peer through the dim lighting and find a young dwarven woman reclining on the floor of the cell across from yours. Her eyes glow like the woman in the market's, framing her confident smile. Aerin smirks at her. "Whatever gave us away?" The woman gives a daring smile back. "You develop a sense for these things. Gotta say, I didn't expect to have any company tonight. It's refreshing. I'm Cherta, by the way." "I'm Raine, and these are my friends Tyril, Nia, Mal, Imtura, and Aerin." You catch the way Aerin's head turns toward you, his eyes wide. But his expression is neutral again before you can comment and Cherta continues on. "Well, Raine and friends, what are you in for?"

Chapter 10

Zaradun Crypts

As you all make your way through a thankfully undead-free section of hallway, Aerin turns to you with a teasing smile. "It seems I skipped right past 'acquaintance.' Or was it simply becoming too much of a hassle to introduce me separately?" Despite his tone, you can tell there's a real question under there. (Friendly Route) You smile at him. "Why so surprised? You've kept not betraying us. And you always struck me as ambitious. I can't see you settling for less than 'friend.'" Aerin smirks. "Ah yes, the ambition that has served us all so well." "You won't settle when things could be better. That's a good thing. We're trying to save the world here, Aerin." His smile turns somewhat genuine at that as he looks away. "I suppose I can take your word for it. You have done quite well for yourself, after all." (Romance Route) You lean in, smiling seductively as you run a finger across his jaw. "I think we're well past 'acquaintances.' Give me another performance like you did at the festival and we'll see what other titles you can work your way up to." Aerin shivers slightly, looking at you hungrily despite the faint blush rising in his cheeks. "Well if that's all it takes… I do believe I have some rather good ideas for how to further impress our indominable leader, when next they have time for me." "I think I can spare a little time now." You lean forward eagerly and press your lips to his. Aerin tangles his hands in your hair as his tongue brushes into your mouth. But far too soon, he pulls away. You pout at him. "What, that's all I get?" "Raine, we are in the middle of a haunted crypt." You grin at him. "Such lofty standards, your highness." Aerin laughs fondly, shaking his head.

Zaradun

As the group discusses if you should let Cherta go off on her own, Aerin subtly motions you aside. You follow him a short distance away before he turns to you with concern. “Raine, this may not be a good idea.” "You don't think we can trust her?" "Whether she is being honest with us about her intentions may not matter." Aerin lets out a shaky exhale, his eyes not quite meeting yours. "It’s… Cherta is desperate and about to use a very powerful magical artifact. Surely you can understand why that might be a disastrous combination.” You nod slowly, thinking back to last year. "Maybe I should go with her." Aerin looks relieved. “That seems like a wise idea.”

Chapter 11

Zaradun Temple

Tyril hasn’t relented at all, still glaring furiously at the dwarven elder. "We have seen the corruption Shadow magic has caused, among the Shadow Court and those they influenced." You try to soften Tyril's approach a little, though it doesn't seem like that's going to work. "We were warned that Zaradun had fallen to the same corruption." Elder Radimir regards you calmly. "Were you now? Do I appear corrupted, child?" Nia speaks up next. "I don't sense anything wrong with him. To be honest, I haven't sensed any Shadow corruption since we got here." Tyril gestures angrily. "There are ways to hide it. We saw that much with Aerin." Aerin stands his ground, clearly suppressing frustration. "Have you considered that they may not be corrupted? That there is some possibility things are a bit more nuanced than you were taught?" Aerin's got a point. "You said Shadow corruption was reversible, right?" He nods at you with certainty. "It is." Tyril turns on Aerin, rage still plain on his face. "But you can't tell us how." Aerin takes a deep breath before meeting Tyril's gaze. "Knowing what happened and being able to convey it are different." Tyril snarls. "How convenient." Aerin looks away at that, something brittle in his gaze as he seems to struggle with himself. When he doesn’t respond, you jump in instead. "If Aerin’s not ready to talk about it, we have to respect that.” Tyril looks at you for a moment before turning back on the dwarven elder. "And what about siphoning the Light from the prisoners to power your city's torches? How can you defend that?"

Chapter 12

Shadow Realm

Now that Valax is restrained, your party turns its attention to Nia's Shadow form. Mal looks at her in shock. "What the hells happened to Nia?" Before you can speak, Tyril takes an angry step forward, his sword still drawn. "It seems the Dreadlord has possessed her again." Aerin stares at Nia in horror, his face pale. "No. No, the Dreadlord is dead. But she is-" Nia interrupts him. "At least one of you can think straight." Imtura raises her axes. "You won't take her from us. Not again!" Then she charges! You and Aerin both throw yourselves in front of Nia. "Wait, wait!" "Stop!" Tyril doesn't relent, his tone commanding. "Both of you, get out of the way. We must deal with this!" Aerin turns to him, hands still raised. "Tyril, I can't imagine my word means much to you, but I understand corruption and the Dreadlord's influence very well. Nia is corrupted but she is still on your side." You immediately back him up. "It's just some lingering magic left over from the Dreadlord. Being in the Shadow Realm triggers it. It's still her, I promise."

Ironbreach

As you look up from your task to see how everyone else is doing fixing up Ironbreach, you spot Aerin staring at Nia as she stands off to the side, arms crossed petulantly. After a long pause, Aerin strides over to get her attention. “Nia?” She turns sharply to look at him, like he interrupted her doing something terribly important. “What?” “I wish to speak with you. About your corruption.” Nia practically growls at him in response. “Are you finally going to admit it's your fault? That all of this is your fault? That you dragged me crying and begging to the damn Dreadlord until Raine had to kill me?!" Despite the fury and Shadow radiating off of Nia, Aerin doesn't look scared of her. Just... sad. "I'm sorry, Nia. For everything I did. You're right. All of this started with me. And I am doing everything in my power to fix it, but... I know it may never be enough." The Nia you know would reassure him. Genuinely comfort Aerin that the trying is what matters and he can choose to be different. But this... is not that Nia. She leans in, snarling up at him. "Do you know what it's like to die, Aerin?" He flinches at that, but she keeps going. "I couldn't stop you then. But because of what you did to me, I'm not vulnerable anymore. I am not the weak one. So if you try to hurt me or anyone else, ever again, I will end you." The Shadow around Nia twists and flares as she speaks, reaching menacingly toward Aerin. His eyes flash with fear for a moment, but he doesn't move away. "I understand. But you should know that when I say you have always been strong, I am not speaking metaphorically. Of your character or your heart. The Dreadlord did not want me to take you because you were kind or trusting or vulnerable. It was because you were one of the most powerful magic users he'd ever seen." Nia looks surprised by that, the Shadow retreating slightly as she tries to judge if Aerin is telling the truth. "...Really?" He looks back at her intensely. "Yes. He was frightened of what you'd be if he couldn't control you. Of what you could do with Shadow if you chose. Just..." Aerin's face falls, his posture resigned and vulnerable, like there's an invisible weight on him that he can never put down. "I know this is impossible to ask. But try not to lose control of yourself. Hold tightly to what it is you truly care about, because if you don't... Well, I would hate to see you in my position. You don't deserve that." Nia looks at him for a long moment. "I am not some selfish idiot who thinks he knows better than everyone else. I've trained to use magic my whole life. So stay out of my way." Then she walks off. Aerin sighs, running a hand through his hair. He looks after her with concern for a moment before walking back toward Ironbreach's small garden.

Chapter 15

At Sea

Aerin is standing awkwardly near the back of the ship, like he can't shake the feeling he's in someone's way, when Nia approaches him pensively. “I want to apologize for what happened in the Shadow-” Aerin puts a hand up. “Nia, you really don’t have to. Certainly not to me.” She shakes her head. “I was cruel to you and you don't deserve that. I'm sorry. I didn't mean those things." Aerin gives her a searching look. "Really? You haven't been waiting over a year to say all that?" "I... No, I don't feel that way." Nia looks down. "Because nothing you said was wrong. I played a significant part in starting all of this. And you have suffered from my selfish mistake more than anyone else. You have every right to be angry with me." Nia's voice is small when she responds. "I hate how good it felt to be angry.” Aerin nods sympathetically. “I know.” “I’m sorry, Aerin. You tried to warn me but I lost control and people got hurt, just like you said." Aerin pauses to think for a moment. "You also bound Valax to Raine. If you hadn't..." A haunted look flashes across Aerin's face before he can return to his usual wry mask. "Well, I am certainly not a strong enough swimmer to think I could have done any good diving in after Raine during that storm." Nia nods slowly, conflict still clear on her face. Neither moves to speak again, the moment fading into almost comfortable silence. Then Nia brings her hand up toward a gash on Aerin's arm. "You don't have to-" She smiles slightly, Light glowing brilliantly at her fingertips. "I want to." "…Thank you." "You're welcome."

Chapter 17

Whitetower Palace

Allies recruited, you find yourself back in the palace with the rest of your party, meeting with King Arlan. After confirming that you will have the support of Whitetower's armies, he looks Aerin over coldly. "When you asked that I release the prisoner, I did not anticipate you would bring him back." He has a faint look of disgust. You look at the king in confusion. "Why wouldn't we bring him back?" The king's response is matter of fact. "Surely you've realized the reality of the situation by now. The boy is quite useless without his brother. I assumed he would be eaten by some wild creature within a day or two." The king sounds almost... disappointed that Aerin is still here. Mal snarls under his breath. "So much for the 'Gentle King.'" Annoyance or concern flickers across your friend’s faces. Except Aerin. He just looks directly at his father, a perfectly neutral expression on his face. When he speaks, his tone is unquestionably polite, but you can hear the sarcastic bite under the surface. "Indeed, however would I have survived this long without the support of my generous and loving family?" The king turns on Aerin with a slight grimace, but Nia jumps in smoothly with a distraction. "Your Majesty, you must warn your forces that the enemy will be using a lot of Shadow Magic. The Temple will heal all we can, but..."

Whitetower Encampment

A small campfire flickers just beyond the treeline, and you're shocked to find Aerin and Willow with only a few other goblins. "Willow, where is everyone else? Did something happen?" They look at you sadly. "A toxin poisons our roots. Sourceless. Unknown. Many wither, too weak for a journey." Aerin looks at you, somewhat exasperated, like he's been trying to solve a puzzle with a missing piece for days. "It doesn't make any sense. The Deadwood is far less habitable than the Whimsywood in general, but nothing else is affected. Their trees are fine, as are the remaining flora. The goblins are so heavily tied into their environment, I don't understand why they would be singled out." Willow looks at Aerin with a sad small smile before turning back to you. "It seeps deeper each day, even in those who have come. But you are friends of the forest. We shall stand beside you." You give the goblins what help you can before continuing. "Just try not to overexert yourselves. Once the battle is over, we can look into what's making you all sick. I'm sure Aerin can help." Willow smiles brightly at you. "The spring of your kindness still flows strong as a river, Raine. And yours, Aerin." But Aerin looks sad. "Of course, I would love to help. But... I do have something of a prior obligation." Right, he's technically your prisoner. But... "You know, I imagine the battle will be pretty chaotic. Maybe we'll just... lose track of you." Aerin looks at you in shock, like he's sure he misheard you. "What?" You look at him seriously. "Aerin. No one benefits from you being locked away. You can do a lot of good in the world. You just need a chance to do it." He scans your face intensely before a smile grows on his face. "I certainly hope so."

(Romance Route) As you walk back toward the tents, Aerin calls out to stop you. "Raine, wait a moment." He quickly catches up, before turning his serious gaze on you. "I want to thank you." You smile at him. "Aerin, not sending you back to a cell is really not that big of an ask. Especially considering that it might be the end of the world." He smiles back fondly. "I am grateful for that, but I meant something else. You changed me, Raine. You and your friends." His cheeks flush suddenly, and he looks at the ground. "I spent so much of my life chasing power, and all it ever brought me was pain and bitterness. I know I still have a lot of work to do to even try to make up for the wrong of my past, but... I have been thinking a great deal about... us." The way he says the word fills your chest with warmth. "Us?" Aerin finally meets your eyes again. "Yes. I know there are a thousand things that require your attention and it's selfish of me to ask for more of your time. But if you would like, when the camp is quiet... Come see me. Please." He looks at you with intense longing. Like part of him is certain you'll say no, but he desperately hopes you won't. You reach out, taking Aerin's hand with a smile. "For you... I'll make time."

#If anyone does other versions of these scenes or scenes they think I missed I would LOOOOOVE to see it! #I tried to worm it into canon as well as I could- including keeping a lot of existing writing in place #Some remixing of dialogue other places in the story and some of my own #Really hoping the way I've incorporated the facial expressions you'd get visually in game isn't too awkward #I was stuck on the Nia/Aerin confrontation until I remember Katara's 'You screw up one more time and you're dead' moment with Zuko in ATLA #Then it got much easier! #This'll go on AO3 eventually #fanfic #choices bolas 2 #choices bolas #blades of light and shadow book 2 #blades of light and shadow #aerin valleros #aerin valleros x mc #aerin x mc #nia ellarious #tyril starfury #imtura tal kaelen #mal volari #bolas mc

[bedtimegiraffe]

Oooooo I would love to read those! I can absolutely see an MC being too traumatized to stay with Nia, which she would probably accept way too easily. And with the missing year, Nia gets a year to (kind of) process and continue on with her life while it still feels like it was two days ago to MC.

Going from Nia to Aerin is so messy and I love it. Because she'd play nice about it. Be the most supportive out of everyone. But the second the Shadow comes out...

thinking of the way blades mc literally had to kill nia and book 2 barely acknowledges how greatly traumatizing that was for both of them especially on a mc/nia romance route.... imagine the angsty romance moments we could have gotten out of this

[bedtimegiraffe]

You are so right! There is something to the weight of knowing with absolute certainty that the person you love would kill you to protect everyone else. Even if it's what you wanted, to actually know...

And the guilt. It worked out, but MC had no possible way of knowing that. And they did it anyway.

thinking of the way blades mc literally had to kill nia and book 2 barely acknowledges how greatly traumatizing that was for both of them especially on a mc/nia romance route.... imagine the angsty romance moments we could have gotten out of this

#blades of light and shadow #choices bolas #nia ellarious #nia x mc

[bedtimegiraffe]

Platonic Moments in the Deadwood

They're really cute! I decided not to smooch Mal just for the hell of it and was so charmed I wanted to see all of these moments. Here is the group during the Book 1, Chapter 7 Diamond scenes if you go in for a hug instead.

Imtura

Mal

Nia

Tyril (who curls up like a cat to sleep!!)

#Why yes I felt a sudden desire to archive even more uncommonly posted things for myself #I love the way Mal stop flirting the second you don't kiss him #choices bolas #blades of light and shadow #imtura tal kaelen #mal volari #nia ellarious #tyril starfury #And Breila- my beloved competent MC

[bedtimegiraffe]

I'm suddenly struck with a desire for a Book 2 of Blades where MC comes back and the group is kind of... disappointed. Not that MC is back- they love their friend!- but that MC is not the person the group expected. Because no one could possibly live up to the version of MC they've created in their heads.

MC changed the trajectory of everyone's lives, saved the world kind of on accident while looking for their brother, then disappeared. It was an intense few weeks, but it was a few weeks. Maybe two or three months at most.

And then everyone had almost a year to build up the myth of MC in their head. They all devoted their lives to finding MC, self-destructively mourning MC, or trying to do all the good they thought MC would do.

So the person MC is, the fun-loving orphan from Riverbend who loves their friends and is doing their best in terrible circumstances, becomes the Hero of Morella. The hero who saved Nia from the Dreadlord. The hero who changed Mal's whole perspective on life. The hero who restored House Starfury and avenged Kaya. The hero who stared down Queen Ventra and told Imtura she can be whatever the hell she wants.

I want the party to be genuinely confused when MC shows that they're scared or having a hard time coping. Because the unstoppable hero they've been missing for a year wouldn't need that.

Maybe that's why the group never really realized MC was struggling. Maybe they didn't believe MC could struggle.

(Not even mentioning Aerin and Valax. They only get a few days of actual time with MC before book 2 ends. I feel like the first time MC breaks down or is genuinely vulnerable in front of them, it should fundamentally shift how they look at MC. "You need my support? ... Sorry, I'm just trying to process that you're not an unstoppable angel sent to save the world and make me repent. I'll... do my best.")

#choices bolas #blades of light and shadow #blades mc #aerin valleros #nia ellarious #tyril starfury #imtura tal kaelen #mal valori #princess valax #valax

[bedtimegiraffe]

Umm... Tyril, you wanna think about who you're talking to and try that again?

#Maybe he just means undead but if that's the case he's gotta rephrase #Because as far as I'm concerned Light magic 100% raised Nia from the dead #choices bolas #blades of light and shadow #blades of light and shadow 2 #tyril starfury #nia ellarious

[bedtimegiraffe]

Fun Things Blades Characters Can Do Based on Their TTRPG Classes

Not restricting myself to the skills listed on the sheets, because that's boring. Also, assuming they're DnD characters, because that's sure what it looks like.

Aerin

Perfectly match anyone's accent after talking to them for 1 minute ('Master of Intrigue' under Rogue: Mastermind)

Insult people into being less competent ('Cutting Words' under Bard: College of Lore)

Make an experimental elixir every morning that will have one of six random effects on the person who drinks it (which could be flight!) ('Experimental Elixir' under Artificer: Alchemist)

Cherta

Telepathically spy using her spellbook ('Manifest Mind' under Wizard: Order of Scribes)

Make boots that you can use to teleport up to 15 feet away ('Boots of the Winding Path' under Artificer)

Imtura

Literally can't be scared while raging (basically getting really in the zone in combat) ('Mindless Rage' from Barbarian: Path of the Berserker)

Kade

Be at least middling when persuading someone at all times ('Silver Tongue' under Bard: Class of Eloquence)

Make himself magically understood by anyone, even if they don't speak the same language ('Universal Speech' under Bard: College of Eloquence)

Mal

Attack faster because he's charming ('Rakish Audacity' under Rogue: Swashbuckler)

Make others doubt themselves with sass ('Unsettling Words' under Bard: Class of Eloquence)

Nia

Cause magical damage by punching people ('Hand of Harm' under Monk: Way of Mercy)

While in Shadow form, summon a screaming shadow wolf ('Hound of Ill Omen' under Sorcerer: Shadow Magic)

Tyril

Magically create a quill that doesn't need ink ('Wizardly Quill' under Wizard: Order of Scribes)

Create an area where it's really hard to lie to him ('Zone of Truth' under Paladin: Oath of Crown)

Willow

Summon a bear, hawk, or unicorn (!) spirit to support the group in combat ('Spirit Totem' under Druid: Circle of Shepherd)

#Aerin faking accent is 100% my favorite one #Some of these classes are definitely more useful in combat but less interesting outside of that #Some of these characters have overlap but I prioritized what was in character/funny #choices bolas #blades of light and shadow #aerin valleros #cherta #imtura tal kaelen #kade #kade of riverbend #mal volari #nia ellarious #tyril starfury #willow

[bedtimegiraffe]

Mal and Aerin are absolutely going to encourage each other in the best/worst ways. They're going to be so annoying (affectionate).

Sneak peak into a future post I'm working on- going by the TTRPG sheets, Aerin can in fact perfectly mimic accents! Which I would kill to see.

One of my greatest wishes for Book 3 is for Mal to start telling contessa stories again for a very specific reason.

Picture this- Mal is several minutes into a story about some contessa he made up and definitely seduced when he realizes Aerin is starting to smirk at him. That's when Mal remembers that (former prince) Aerin could absolutely fact check him. Mal quickly tries to end the story and redirect everyone's attention, but Aerin's got his number now and keeps asking very specific, leading questions about these definitely real contessas. Aerin eventually drops it, before quietly giving Mal shit about it for the rest of the adventure.

I also think that given the whole 'escaped criminal wanted for treason' thing, Aerin should at some point need to use a fake name. And I fully expect either Mal or MC to casually introduce him as Kelvin Gillbottle while everyone tries so hard not to lose it laughing.

[bedtimegiraffe]

One of my greatest wishes for Book 3 is for Mal to start telling contessa stories again for a very specific reason.

Picture this- Mal is several minutes into a story about some contessa he made up and definitely seduced when he realizes Aerin is starting to smirk at him. That's when Mal remembers that (former prince) Aerin could absolutely fact check him. Mal quickly tries to end the story and redirect everyone's attention, but Aerin's got his number now and keeps asking very specific, leading questions about these definitely real contessas. Aerin eventually drops it, before quietly giving Mal shit about it for the rest of the adventure.

I also think that given the whole 'escaped criminal wanted for treason' thing, Aerin should at some point need to use a fake name. And I fully expect either Mal or MC to casually introduce him as Kelvin Gillbottle while everyone tries so hard not to lose it laughing.

#I just love Mal's commitment to the bit #And the way that Aerin very specifically sets you up about Lord Gillbottle before cutting you off with 'with a snort' #I basically want the party to be 80% giving each other shit and 20% heartbreaking sincerity and vulnerability #I wrote snippets of all the LIs hooking up and now I kind of ship all of them- help! #I know that Mal has chemistry with everyone but damn I think he and Aerin would be so obnoxious together in the best way #choices bolas #blades of light and shadow #blades of light and shadow 2 #aerin valleros #mal valori

[bedtimegiraffe]

Tyril's Weird Stance on When to Use Light Magic

When Tyril will and won't use magic outside of combat is super interesting (particularly pre-revelations about the Realms being split in Book 2).

Tyril is over here telling Nia not to use her Light to clean... while peeling potatoes with it?

And he's pretty sassy about Nia using Light to make a fire in the Deadwood. Even though it's good for morale and no one wants to go back out into the nightmare forest for wood.

This all suggests that Tyril is against using Light unless it's necessary. But that's not true. He tells you than his opinion changed radically after learning the Realms were split and that's why magic has a cost. It's only after the reveal that Tyril feels weird using Light for mundane things.

So why does Tyril scold Nia about how she uses magic?

Well, he gives us two different explanation in the Deadwood.

I think he's second explanation, that Light is sacred, is partially true. We know religion is highly woven into people's lives in Undermount and Tyril is fairly devout.

But I think the 'hefty price' is the most honest answer.

Tyril lost one of his mothers to Light magic use, which is clearly still painful for him. I'm sure the cost of using Light feels very real to him.

And remember, Tyril is not as worldly and experienced as he pretends to be, especially not at first. He admits he'd never even been on a boat before! So he's probably read a bit about humans and orcs, but likely never formed any kind of connection to one of them. Tyril's world has almost always been exclusively elves.

But then he started making his first real friends (after Kaya) and none of them are elves (with the possible exception of your character).

And Tyril must have the terrible realization that he is going to outlive all of them, unless he falls in battle or manages to burn through over a hundred years of Light.

So now here's this human he really cares about, who is kind and passionate and understands Light like he does, who is trading moments of her tragically short life when she doesn't have to. So he scolds her for using her Light, but doesn't ever really say why.

Basically, Tyril is a very sweet guy who loves his friend Nia and can't quite put the words to why it makes him so nervous to see her use the magic he's been surrounded with his whole life.

#We love an initially stoic and prickly character who is actually full of love for others #choices bolas #blades of light and shadow #blades of light and shadow 2 #tyril starfury #nia ellarious #Light magic

[bedtimegiraffe]

The Temple of Light Chose an Interesting Secret to Keep

I think we can say decisively that it isn't common knowledge that using Light magic drains your life.

Your character doesn't know that, but no one follows the Light in Riverbend.

And Imtura doesn't know that, but orc mages are 1 in 10,000. And they worship the Elements, so even if she knew magic shortened your life, she wouldn't necessarily attribute that to using Light.

But Mal also doesn't know. Mal, who grew up in Whitetower and makes it his business to know everybody's motivation and secrets as much as possible. Even if he doesn't like or trust the Temple, if the average person had any idea that their use of magic drained their lifeforce, Mal would know. I'm inclined to think Mal would know if it were even possible for him to know.

So... why keep it a secret?

It seems like a great way to drum up sympathy and make yourselves look even more pious. 'Look at us selflessly giving up our lives to help you unfortunate people.'

Theory 1: Given that the Temple forcibly takes children from their homes, people might get even more upset about it if they knew the kids would be trading their lives away to do magic.

Theory 2: The Temple doesn't want people asking why their most prominent priests lived to an old age.

Solerne is not a young man. It could be that using magic makes you look older as well, but I'm inclined to think it doesn't. 1) That seems like a thing people would notice and comment on. 2) Nia uses a huge amount of Light during and between books and she's as baby faced as ever (assuming the corruption isn't shielding her from the effects somehow).

So how is the head priest living to a ripe old age when he should theoretically be using more Light than anyone?

Well... we learn the answer to that toward the end of book 1. It's all the sacrifices.

Solerne says they started looking through the ancient scrolls when they got word about the Shards from Nia. He implies that's how they know how much Light it will cost to cleanse the Shards.

But they did already have a sacrificial pit like, ready to go. Which very much suggests that for any significant use of magic, the priests are pulling light from prisoners.

So I'm inclined to think the human Temple of Light intentionally hid and misdirected regarding the cost of Light magic so no one would think to ask how they're all living so long.

#More theories? I'd love to hear them! #Nia- teaching MC magic and not telling them about the life drain is truly one of the only bad things you've ever done #I will try and make things make sense in-universe rather than citing writing choices 100% of the time #choices bolas #blades of light and shadow #blades of light and shadow 2 #nia ellarious #Light magic #Lore analysis