#Queen Keth

[louthegothartist]

Laufey got his love of reading from his mother, he now likes to read to/with his children like how his mother use to with him.

#King Laufey #King laufey of Jotunheim #Loki Laufeyson #loki #Jotun Loki #helblindi laufeyson #bylester laufeyson #anda laufeydöttr #Queen Keth #history will always repeat itself #I spent almost the whole month on March drawing this

[dilemmadraws]

Posting my DnD character again because I realised I never posted this updated outfit version of her.

I love her so much, she’s called Aneska Keth and she’s half-orc ex-beauty queen Barbarian with identity issues 💋

Bonus:the song I listen to to get into character!

#it’s really fun playing a pink girly pop dumb beauty Queen as a Tom boy lesbian #my art #dilemmadraws #artists on tumblr #illustration #digital art #character design #procreate #my oc art #orginal character #dnd character #barbarian #half orc Barbarian #Aneska Keth #Spotify

[butchjesus]

oc verses / story tags (a-z) + characters:

dreamland: truffle, puffball, sandman, b.g., marina, ash, myke

gummysugar: puck, blinkie, xavier, faust, pru

eyeverse (eyetooth + eye for an eye): matteo, tiernan, clem, vio, goshawk, vulture, starling

freefallverse (bedevil + citadel + devotional): eli, keth, ben, father binaventure, pastor dana, bishop piardi | pandora, valoel, hunt | the demon princes, the archangels

fortunaverse (vocation + fnrf + angelpeak park): glasses, ocelot, cignetti, judge, buchanan, ronin, gil, dr. keys, the core team

the grey circle: prince sebastian, sir konstantine, gren, bain, ilean, cainiph, imogen, queen vera, king cyrus, wren jester, the knights of mirideth

subordinate dating sim: count masters, kevin, lady rivet, mortimer, eros, clara, reaper, pork rind, skullcrusher, fracture, hero, blur

sunset column: breaker, r60, lupe, riser, beau, dandelion, bloodhound, wyatt, win

toyhouse corners: postman basil, sir alfred, hannah, mac, blade, foster, leo bear, leslie mouse, tabasco, lemondrop

if you're looking for a specific charracter's tag, search their name :)

#oc directory #(posting this separately to streamline my pinned a bit!)

[pig-wings]

wip wednesday ft. an introspective naomi and some weird pern canon

(( cw for some unwanted touching in p6 ))

They were led to a sitting room, neatly decorated with tapestries from the weaver halls and intricate bits of metalwork from the smiths. The holder gestured for them to sit, and then turned sharply on his heel and left. It was quiet aside from the normal hubbub of the hold--farmers tending the orchards and fields, shepherds calling to livestock, a group of soldiers practicing drills. Naomi wandered over to a window and watched a group of holders learning how to use flamethrowers. She sighed.

When she had been a child, she hadn’t had any dreams about Impressing a dragon like her peers had. She had wanted to join the smithing or builder’s guild and put her hands to good work as a craftswoman. She had always been drawn to shapes and angles, the ways in which things fit together and fell apart. She loved the smell of a hot forge. She loved the feeling of a saw in her hands. But the riders had come on Search, and she could remember the hot breath of the blue dragon as it had studied her closely, the stink of raw meat and blood, the whirl of its bulging, faceted eyes.

The riders had taken her away from her home and whisked her away to what had been an alien and inhospitable environment. Her first ride on dragonback was spent crying. She remembered standing on boiling sands of the hatching grounds, searching desperately for her mother’s face, searching for anyone familiar. The eggs had rocked, shattering, and she remembered so clearly how afraid she had been as the baby dragons, grotesque with their clumsy movements and sharp claws, had crawled over the sands toward the gathered candidates. Leave me alone, she had chanted in her head as if she could ward the lizards away. If she didn’t Impress, maybe she could go home. But Keth had found her, purring and cooing, and her life had changed forever. To this day, she still couldn’t decide if they were good changes. She loved Keth--he was the kernel of her soul, a bright flame that sustained her--but she did not love the weyrs. They reminded her only of loss.

Worse still, she had been singled out again and again for promotions and recognition. Naomi never considered herself a braggart, but she had known from the start that she was too talented to fly under the radar. Too intelligent, too stubborn, too passionate about creating a kinder weyr, a more gentle generation of riders. Never content to let injustices slide. It had made her enemies--people were comfortable in the old ways, and would argue that the weyrs were far more progressive than they had been just years ago. She would have been content as someone’s wingsecond, hiding just outside of the spotlight and focusing on her work.

But then she met had Amos. Basuth had been so little then, inelegant and leggy, though growing fast. As they grew closer, Naomi learned that the only person who might belong in a weyr less than her was Amos. He had wanted this less than she had. He confessed that he hated feeling like he wasn’t in control, that he hated when Basuth’s emotions bled into his own. It was something that most riders struggled with at some point or another, but Naomi could tell that Amos’ wasn’t merely frustrated--he was afraid. She could relate to that. She had been afraid once, too, and she remembered clearly where it had led her.

The rider council hadn’t liked Amos from the start, enraged by the fact that the little queen had spurned their carefully chosen candidates in favor of some rough kitchen worker. They had discussed sending him away almost immediately despite the fact that Tycho Weyr was in desperate need of a younger queen to mother the next generation of dragons. Then, of course, came the incident during Basuth’s first mating flight. Naomi breathed in deep as the memory resurfaced, watching the holder’s flamethrowers roar to life with orange licks of fire. It hadn’t been Basuth’s fault--not really. Just one of those incidents that came from working with creatures as temperamental as dragons. But, she could still remember watching through Keth’s eyes as Basuth had wrapped her teeth around the neck of one of her bronze suitors, snarling with deep, primal fury, and ripped. Naomi learned later that the bronze’s rider--one of the more senior riders--had grabbed at Amos in his dragon-frenzied lust, and Basuth had reacted to his fear. When his bronze dragon’s body had cracked against the ground, blood still bubbling from his torn throat, the rider had fallen dead too, the psychic shock too much to bear.

Needless to say, the calls to remove Amos had grown louder. That was when Naomi had sworn to stay by his side, if he’d let her. The next mating flight was uneventful. The other riders gave Amos a wide berth, heightened emotion or no, Keth had flown Basuth, and Amos and Naomi had departed for their respective weyrs to ride out the dragonfever. Becoming weyrleader had felt like a death sentence to her, though she had known it was inevitable, that she would be able to help. And she had, or so she liked to think--the infrastructure was updated, the weyr was more welcoming to visitors, and she encouraged her riders to nurture their family ties rather than abandoning them. The younger riders liked her, while the older riders disapproved. She could live with that. In a way, it felt like a marker of success.

#my fics #my wips #pern au

[casualnepotism]

more lil free library reviews!

yes! i am back on my bullshit and left 37 books in lil free libraries today. this is what i left and my reviews (below cut obviously cause lord did i do a deep clean)

written in my own heart’s blood, by diana gabaldon. 2/10: honestly, i stopped caring about three books ago

oathbreakers, by mercedes lackey. 3/3: i think m.lack lowkey hates keth but at least jadrek’s a bro

the oathbound, by mercedes lackey. 2/3: we stan an ace queen but kethry... babe.

dragons of winter night, by margaret weis & tracy hickman. 3/3: Sturm Brightblade, my beloved.

dragons of spring dawning, by margaret weis & tracy hickman. 1/3: raist doesn’t deserve caramon. i love him, but he doesn’t.

upright women wanted, by sarah gailey. 5/5: all of them are wives; i am looking so respectfully

a light in the window, by jan karon. 5/10: utterly inoffensive

these high, green hills, by jan karon. 5/10: absolute beach energy. no brains. who needs em.

gideon the ninth, by tamsyn muir. 2/2: this incredibly slaps. amazing. no notes.

harrow the ninth, by tamsyn muir. 1/2: i’m sure it’s great i just simply can’t handle second-person narration

haunted, by chuck palahniuk. 9/10: if you’re trans, approach “Speaking Bitterness” with extreme caution. If you’re a woman, do the same. Ic you’ve survived abuse - bless you - do the same. Approach “Speaking Bitterness” with caution. Also, I have questions about Terry’s legs.

the readers of broken wheel recommend, by katarina bivald. 4/10: after 97 pages, i simply stopped caring

the masterpiece, by fiona davis. 8/10: honestly, just a charming delight

running with the demon, by terry brooks. 14/32: sinnissippi is the FUNNIEST NAME IN THE WORLD, thank you, terry

knight of the word, by terry brooks. 8/32: i feel like terry was going through some stuff but chill on the christianity, my man

angel fire east, by terry brooks. 7/32: i would fight john ross in real life. nest deserved so much better.

armageddon’s children, by terry brooks. 15/32: honestly this one is just a bummer

the elves of cintra, by terry brooks. 17/32: all the fantasy writers in the pnw are smoking something and i want in

the gypsy morph, by terry brooks. 16/32: insane.

bearers of the black staff, by terry brooks. 24/32: reading this series and then the ‘fall’ series is offensive

the measure of the magic, by terry brooks. 23/32: i don’t like phryne, but this... i like this.

ilse witch, by terry brooks. 20/32: by far the best of it’s trilogy

antrax, by terry brooks. 19/32: things really take a turn in this one

morgawr, by terry brooks. 18/32: if you’re planning on reading the prequels, read through this series first cause otherwise there’s no surprise elements

jarka ruus, by terry brooks. 9/32: ah. weka dart. my friend, my beloved, my enemy

tanequil, by terry brooks. 3/32: unironically, i think terry might hate women

straken, by terry brooks. 4/32: this isn’t a joke i hate the forbidding

wards of faerie, by terry brooks. 22/32: a glorious return to what it should be!! yes!!

bloodfire quest, by terry brooks. 5/32: men should never be allowed to be fantasy protagonists

witch wraith, by terry brooks. 10/32: let! grianne!! rest!!!

the high druid’s blade, by terry brooks. 11/32: somehow the most uninteresting book in the series, it’s weird

the darkling child, by terry brooks. 12/32: again? okay

the sorcerer’s daughter, by terry brooks. 21/32: i’m obsessed with leofur’s arc

the black elfstone, by terry brooks. 13/32: fun and flirty and sexy even though you know score

the skaar invasion, by terry brooks. 6/32: psych you don’t know the score

the stiehl assassin, by terry brooks. 2/32: how dare he

the last druid, by terry brooks. 1/32: not only is the worst in its quadrilogy, it’s the worst in the series and a disgraceful finale. a disappointing book on all fronts.

#book review #listen I had a lot of fun with these #really dug up a lot of emotions about the shannara books #terry brooks #shannara chronicles #outlander #diana gabaldon #mercedes lackey #dragonlance #margaret weis #tracy hickman #sarah gailey #upright women wanted #jan karon #gideon the ninth #harrow the ninth #tamsyn muir #haunted #chuck palahniuk #katarina bivald #Fiona Davis #truly insane that I got rid of so many books and I still have no room on my shelves #how’s that work #bookshelves explain yourselves #YES there’s a repeat NO I don’t want to talk about it

[artemiseamoon]

Opia

Chapter 1 “A bad harvest”

All chapters

Summary: Despite the feeling in her gut, Daya Zeji joins a fellow Harvester to fulfill a contract dig on an Alien Moon. Once there, the already troubled trip continues to intensify as they meet a man named Ezra in the forest.

Words this chapter: 5,470 | Fandom: Prospect (Ezra x OC)

Warnings: Mature content. This is an AU version, not exact, but i am keeping the major things. OC is in her 30’s! An anxiety attack, a stand off with weapons. 

GIF credits this chapter: I do not own the Gifs. Credit to owners GIF owners. | moodboards are mine

There’s something to be said about resisting your gut feeling, only to have things turn out as feared; or worse. As Daya sat in the crashed pod, she couldn’t help but review the day she agreed to this.

Before the draw of the Queen's Lair, Daya already had an impressive career under her belt, especially for her age. Prospecting wasn’t a trade of great pleasure for Daya Zeji, but she did have her reasons.

All the same, talk of the Queen's Lair died down over the years, the myth of the largest haul known to man went quiet. Despite never stepping foot on the moon herself, Daya was already familiar with its stories.

All the prospectors had a general idea of each other; some were closer than others. After rotations the Tavern was a popular hang out, a place they could drink and rest. Or, depending on the type, squander money away on drinks and affection.

This particular tavern was the largest on this planet,  a sprawling property, three stories high. The owner had a number of properties across the town, including rentals; homes and rooms traveling prospectors could rent and retire post-trip.

Daya had a handful of preferred work partners, one of them, a guy named Keth, sat at a table with a man named Damon. The latter speaking of a contract he took, and that he needed a partner.

Daya planned to just walk by, as she only came in for a drink and kept her time here to a minimum. Women prospectors were extremely rare, so being in a cramped place with a bunch of drunk men was not her ideal passtime.

Before Daya could fully pass them, her small nod of acknowledgment to Keth leads to an invitation to the table. Reluctantly, she does. It was hard to deny she wanted to hear a little more about this contract. No one had mentioned this spot in years. She would be lying if she said her ears didn’t perk up a little at the sound of the Queen's lair.

Daya didn’t know Damon personally, but was well aware of his reputation. This profession was filled with assholes, and Damon was one of them. Daya was a bit surprised to find a good-natured (this was rare), yet tough man like Keth talking to someone like Damon.

“Let me buy you a drink.” Keth offered.

“No, next time. I already had one.” Daya replies.

“Pod not fixed yet?”

She sighs, “No, waiting for a part,”

The part was a real pain in the ass, and if she could, Daya would throw the whole pod in the trash. Her transportation wasn't the worst of the lot, it was just older and needed harder to find parts.

Damon's eyes shifted to her, then back to Keth, some sort of tired desperation in them, “Hear me out, I signed on to do it. We leave tomorrow. I just need a partner.”

“I don’t know,  Daya, what do you think? The Infamous Queen's Lair?”

“It could be fake. Could be real.” She shrugs.

Keth laughed, pointing to Damon, “you won’t believe who this contract is with. Sure. I’m curious and who doesn’t want to be rich. But, fuck...tell her, you gotta tell her.” Keth shakes his head and finishes his drink, “ you are as crazy as they say man.”

“A group of Mercs found it,” he leaned in, attempting a hushed tone, “Karoclan.”

Keth and Daya look at each other sharing a knowing look.

“You’re crazy.” Keth laughed again. “Those guys will kill you on the spot, if this phantom deposit of aurillac is there, best bet they’ll let you dig, then kill you. They’re the worst out there. This is a fool's job.”

“I can handle them.” Damon replies defensively.

Keith put the glass down and slipped out from the other side of the table booth.

“I must bow out of that one, Man.. As rough of a life we live, I don’t want it to end just yet. Daya, nice to see you. I have a date.” Keth looked toward the stairs smiling as the red-headed woman he frequently saw waited for him; batting her eyes at him from across the room.

Daya waved to him as Keth vanished into the crowd. A second later, she shifts her focus to Damon,“ How many people have you asked?”

“Just him so far. He’s a solid protector, one of the best.”

“That he is.” She agrees.

“And you? I heard about you. Are you in?”

Daya sat back mulling it over. From her little interactions with Damon, she already didn’t like him. But if the Queen's Lair was real, it would be the opportunity of a lifetime. Besides, she had nothing better to do at the moment, her pod repairs were taking forever.

“I’m in, but I have hard and fast ground rules if we work together.”

...

Her talk with Damon was brief. She encouraged him to keep his mouth shut and sober up since they were leaving in the morning. If word spreads any further, they may have uninvited guests waiting to hijack their harvest. Daya didn’t stay for his reply; she left him with her wishes and a place to meet tomorrow.

On her walk back to her rental, Daya contemplated her future and what a haul like this could mean. It would mean she could finally stop prospecting and live the life of her dreams.

Most of her savings went into ship repairs these days and staying in nice digs when she needed some rest. Daya didn’t have much left at this point. In all reality, despite the risk, she needed the Queen's Lair to be true.

To hit the jackpot would change everything; she could finally make it to Opia.  A utopia of a planet, Opia was a far fetched dream for most. Filled with artists, music, sustainable life, lush gardens, institutes, and universities. It was one of the first planets to master solar power and sustainability; making it one of the richest and most ethical places. Sure, there were other rich planets in the galaxy, but those riches were won in terrible ways.

Opia was a dream; one this trip could get her a step closer to. To miss the opportunity of a lifetime would be a shame. If the price to pay was catching a ride with Damon and maybe having to fight some Mercs, it was a price she was willing to pay.

Despite being at ease with her decision, sleep came hard that night. The anxious feeling stirring in her gut continued well into the next day.

Even when she reached Damons pod, the feeling didnt calm. But she shoved it aside as she did the final check for her things; her emergency pack, some food, water, and her trusty blaster and knives.

...

Damon's pod was a piece of shit.

It was like he picked the cheapest one possible. Part of her wondered if they’d even make it in the metal death trap, but Damon tried to assure her it was fine.

Damon didn’t have many weapons, which seemed foolish; there was only one thrower resting against the wall. If this man went alone, he would surely be overpowered and killed, no matter how experienced he was. Personality aside, he was good at his job, but, to Daya, it seemed he could have been better prepared.

En route, her worry wasn't so much about Damon; more so if anyone else heard him and was waiting for them. It was common to be on a job with someone you didn’t like, that was nothing. But inner team disputes, and worst, murder was common. In short, this was not a job for the spineless or faint of heart.

One of the few times they spoke in the pod, Damon made a stupid comment she heard all too often, “I’m impressed you have the stomach for this, as a woman.”

If he wasn't busy piloting, he would have seen the look in her eyes, the one that warned don’t go there.

He continued, “Is it true, Otto was your father? “

“Yes.”

Daya did learn from the best, her father, Otto Zeji was a legend in the field. A fact that did help to some extent; those who respected him respected her as well. But it was something she didn’t divulge to everyone. Not out of shame, she idealized her father. More so to make a name for herself outside of her fathers large shadow.

Not much more conversation happened that night. Soon it was time to switch, and Damon went to rest as she took over the wheel.

As the day came, so did another switch. Daya only napped lightly in the co-pilot seat. Soon, she was thankful she chose not to rest, as the pod suddenly spun off course, setting the alarms off. When they hit the ground, the seatbelts held up. It wasn’t in Kevvas plan to have them die just yet.

Damon, still a bit drugged out from the drops, jumped up first, frantically trying to do something. Daya’s heart was in her chest, she couldn't swallow, and now she had a map nearly tossed at her.

“Figure out where we are,” He barked.

Lifting the map, Daya moved to the computer screen to compare the coordinates and geography, quickly pinpointing their location. They were off-course, but it could have been worse.

After suiting up, they started on foot to the destination. Damon grabbed the thrower, leaving her to navigate the way via the map. This alien moon was just as her father described, in a way, the dance of the poisonous pollen was beautiful.

The air was noxious and she was thankful one thing she never ignored was the importance of quality filters. That would come in handy here.

Daya wondered if she walked the same steps as her father. Did he take this path? Somewhere, on this vast surface, did a footprint of his still remain? With Otto heavy on her mind, she was distracted when Damon stopped suddenly. They came upon a small clearing, an abandoned dig site.

Damon wasted no time stripping off his pack and preparing to evaluate their work. He muttered something about seeing what they left behind, and she knew he was set on doing this. Still, she didn’t think it was a good idea as they were running out of time due to the long trek.

“This is a waste of time, Damon.”

Damon didn’t reply, only blurted out another order, “Hand me the kit.” Begrudgingly, she does.  

A second later, Damon started rambling on about the last time he was here and how much of a half-assed job so many teams did. Daya doesn’t respond verbally, but she lends him a hand as he digs up missed aurillac. As he does, he takes it upon himself to explain how the job was done.

Damon only saw the total disinterest and annoyance on her face once he held up the now exposed gem, “What’s your problem?”

“This pit stop, it’s not worth it.”

“The Queen's lair is special, Daya. You of all people know that. You don’t believe it's total bullshit. Otherwise, you wouldn't have come.”

“Still,” she takes stock of their surroundings. The forest was so condensed they could be being watched and wouldn't know it until the person made themselves known.  “We don’t know who else is here. You weren’t necessarily quiet at the tavern. We should go.”

“We’ve been here too long anyway, “ he replies sharply, putting the kit back together. “I’ll start ahead that way, fill the bladders, catch up.”

Daya was sure he was deciding to be an asshole because she was so disinterested in anything he had to say. The faster this went the better, she was completely through with his presence.

...

After filling the bladders, Daya made her way back to the trail. The brief moment away from him was welcomed, she could better appreciate the odd beauty of this place and sort her thoughts. I’m actually here dad, she thought, as she glanced up at the sky to send her blessing to her father.

Moments later, her microphone crackles as Damon's voice came through, “Two men approaching…” he went on to tell her to stay hidden, he would contact her on channel 3.

Daya hid behind a large tree, listening as a man with an accent approached Damon. To hear his voice alone, one would think it was a friendly encounter. But, if you were around long enough, you could detect trouble and danger in the most pleasant of greetings and accents. This man had a danger in his voice.

Once Daya felt confident enough to peek, she could see two men.

One, standing very close to Damon, the other one very tall, looming a few steps away from them. His large square helmet added to his menacing appearance.

Seconds later, the large one stripped Damon of his pack forcibly, tearing his thrower from his hand as well. As if that wasn't enough, he wasted no time opening the pack, and going through Damons belongings.

The chatty one introduced himself as Ezra, what a name she thought, fitting to such an odd yet alluring accent. The second one was only introduced as his partner.

The tense conversation between Damon and Ezra seemed to go on forever. Eventually, the back and forth led to Damon getting knocked to the ground; Ezra pressing his heavy boot into his chest, affecting his breathing.

Daya’s eyes moved over the scene before her, taking in every detail she could, as her left hand moved back to the handle of her blaster. She could tell the two men had been here for too long. They had the sort of desperation stranded people had.

As this thought danced through her head, Damon was helped to his feet by Ezra; they accepted his counteroffer to lead them to the Mercs and take it all for themselves.  While they worked out the final details about thirds, Daya noticed Damons thrower was still on the ground, abandoned. The silent one didn't retrieve it.

...

Before long, Damon's voice met her ears again as he gathered his things. He whispers directions to her; when they took off, she was to follow, taking the thrower with her. Then, taking a shot at the larger one once he gave her the signal.

After retrieving the thrower and placing it on her back, she follows carefully, paying close attention to the conversation. Soon the men stop in a clearing; Damon turns in her direction and gives her the signal.

Daya stepped forward, the thrower aimed at the large one. In response, a mix of surprise and annoyance washes over Ezra's tired face. Damon uses the opportunity to gain control by taking Ezra's weapon. Ordering both the men to remove their packs and sit on the fallen tree trunk.

Ezra, with a fool's grin, sinks slowly into a seated position, hands raised in the air; so does the silent one.

Ezra’s dark down eyes meet Daya’s across the clearing, “Well, this is something I have never seen in all my time in the Green.” His amusement was almost distracting.

Ezra continues, “Damon, I have clearly underestimated you. I must stop doing that.”  

Damon was now rummaging through Ezra's pack, It seemed to last forever. Ezra took the opportunity to continue his monologue,

“Does this mean that the plan is off? You had me all up and bothered over the Queen’s Lair, Damon.”

Damon, now chuckling to himself, pulls out a worn white case, enclosed with a combination lock. Fuck, Daya thought, this was about to get even worst. Getting their shit back and away from these two was hard enough, but stealing their dig, that could lead to truly unfortunate events.

“Open it,” Damon demanded, holding the case before Ezra, who was not amused despite the grin on his lips.

“Alright,” Ezra started, “ you can have your fabled spoils all to yourself. But if your talk of the queen's lair is true, this is just a scratch.”

“Damon, we need to go.”  Daya urges.

Ezra's eyes shifted back to her, “Your bewitching associate is scared, you should listen to her.”

“I’m not scared, this is just unnecessary. Damon, now!” Daya yells.

Ezra's words ring in her ears.

Truth be told she was a little scared. Despite not telling anyone, she intended this to be her last Harvest, ever. The idea she might not get out of it? That scared her despite her poker face. A poker face that meant nothing, as Ezra was still able to discern her fear. Was it something in her voice?

“No harm done yet,” Ezra warned.

Damon shoves the pack in Ezra’s chest aggressively, “I said, open it!” In response, darkness washed over Ezra's face; one that made him, for the first time, look truly dangerous. A look that hinted at all this man had seen and done to still be alive today.

Unsurprisingly, Damon ignored her pleas; instead, he remains locked in a death stare with the now eerily silent Ezra.

Seemingly defeated, Ezra drops his gaze to the white case. It’s clear he worked hard for its contents. He slowly and broodingly starts to unlock it, “It’s a shame Damon,” he takes a deep exhale, “ we could have been rich together.”

Ezra hands him the unlocked case; Damon kneels down to open it, eyes, and barrel still on Ezra as he does. When the smile draws on Damons lips, Daya knows the greedy bastard found just what he hoped for. This fucker is going to get us killed over a case of gems.

“Damon, this is not worth it. We need to go, now!”

The bad feeling is now in her throat, well past her gut and she could taste it on her tongue. Daya was realistic, two against two was good odds, still, their window of opportunity for success was slim and fading fast. Damon, being the greedy bastard he was, was wasting on some kind of show of dominance.

Before she could think another thought, the tide turned just as quickly as she feared. As if her body knew before she did, Daya shifted her weight, better aiming at the large one as he jumped to his feet. Ezra picked up his rail gun and took a shot at Damon, who fired at him in return, the bullet bouncing off the helmet.

Daya’s quick reflexes kick in, shooting one shot at the large one and hitting him dead on. As he fell back, so did Damon, it seemed he was shot once more by Ezra.

As two bodies hit the ground, only Daya and Ezra were left standing, both pointing their barrels at the other, a good old fashion standoff.

To her surprise, Ezra didn’t shoot, he only aimed at her. Her brain told her to shoot, but for some reason, she couldn’t. As the tense moment grew, and neither shot, Daya did something she would never do; she turned on her heels and ran.

Running through the densest trees for cover.

Daya ran for so long she lost any concept of time; eventually stopping when the panic in her body became so bad she couldn't run any longer. Resting against a heavy tree she took sharp almost painful breaths in, attempting to gain more oxygen in her lungs. Sinking down into the grass, she took off the thrower and placed it near her feet with her blaster.

The green moon was spinning; an unwelcome yet familiar sensation washing over her, one she hadn’t felt in many years. All she had to do was catch her breath, and find the strength to keep moving.

It wouldn't stop it, but it would keep her moving until she returned to the pod at least. The last time Daya had an anxiety attack was years ago, she believed she had a handle on it, this proved otherwise.

Calling on her deepest reserves of strength, she stood up again, strapped in her weapons, and shakingly continued on her way.

...

Once inside, the hatch safely down, the panic washes in full force. After stripping off the exosuit and all the things attached to it, Daya laid down on the ground.

Shutting her eyes and letting it move through her. Daya had to come up with a plan, she had to get out of here. But, until this passed, she was nearly debilitated. It had to ride out on its own before she could come up with an exit strategy.  Eventually, the shaking stopped and the wave passed.

Able to move freely again, Daya makes her way around the ship to troubleshoot the damage post crash. After her third attempt at the radio, things seem real grim. She makes an adjustment to the station, only resulting in smoke coming from the pod.

Fuck.

The pod was done. Unless she could figure out which parts needed to be replaced, and Kevva blessed her with finding such parts abandoned from once used ships, this pod wasnt going anywhere .

After suiting up again, Daya steps outside to take stock of the pod; she finds three parts completely burned out. Feeling discouraged, she reminds herself at least they were common parts. Maybe this wasn’t the end, maybe she could scavenge for them? If an unstripped ship even existed here.

...

Back inside, Daya rummaged around for some food. There was barely anything left, except for some paste and dry packets. Not wanting to dip into her own reserves, she settled on Damon's grim selection and made a small meal.

As she ate, she couldn’t help but wonder; if Ezra and his partner were here, exactly who else was? She was also upset that she didn't make a run for Damons backpack. Hoping for the best was nice, but seeing as she didn’t know how long she’d be here, she needed all the supplies she could get.

As for Ezra, she did have a clear shot at him, her inability to shoot him still bothered her. All the same, he could have taken a shot too, but didn’t.

It was only moments later when the sound of footsteps neared the pod. Sounding closer with each step, whoever it was didn’t expect her to be there.

Daya was grateful she didn't put on her headphones as planned, otherwise, she wouldn't hear them coming.

Grabbing the thrower, Daya slipped behind one of the seats; low to the ground and aimed at the door. The hatch opened as Ezra made his way inside.

Without a second thought, Daya shoots him. Grazing him in the shoulder before he can orient himself. The hatch closes completely as he jumps toward her, taking the thrower from her hands and tossing it aside.

Ezra sinks back, sitting with his weight resting against the wall as groans of pain rise in his throat. Gripping his blaster tight in his left hand, Ezra tears his helmet off with the right.

Heavy breathing filled the pod as Daya remained in her crouched and alert position. She may have lost the weapon, for now, but she was going to get it back.

To the left of Ezra rested her pack, her blaster beside it. At this moment, he had the advantage; until she could get the blaster or her bag, she would watch him like a hawk.

“You got a field kit?”

The pain in his voice was evident, although she only grazed him, it obviously hurt like hell. Then, there was the other problem, the poisons pollen from his suit seeping into the wound. That was the real threat.

Ezra waited for an answer that never came.

The two of them stare off; wild animals stalking each other's moves. Ezra grew impatient first, raising his voice as anger overtook his expression,

“Hey! Field kit.”

Taking her chance, Daya lunged forward, retrieving his blaster and kicking hers further away from him; closer to where she could reach it. Now, the ball was in her court as she aimed two barrels at him.

Ezra’s laugh turned into a groan, followed by a weathered breath, “You gonna shoot?”

Daya says nothing.

“Kevva waits! “ his tone raised as he grips his wounded arm, “just, make a move.”

“You and your partner robbed us, then you killed my partner.”

“That is technically true...” his voice fading as he looked down at his arm, pain in his brows.

“You stole from us!”

“That's the fringe. Look,” he leans forward, “ in regards to Damon. I'm apt to say he killed himself; a fact deep down, I know you are in agreement with based on your reactions. He was trying to steal my trophy case. A man's work is no petty thing, I truly apologize for my contribution to his passing. But he was stealing my entire harvest. And actions like these foment the threat of appropriate reactions. Damon knew that, and if he didn't, then he had no business in the Green.”

Ezra was right, Daya knew that. Still, she didn’t trust him.

Ezra speaks up, “Frankly, I unequivocally believe you were not fond of your associate. Ordinarily, if a person sees their partner killed, there is some element of shock or dejection in their eyes. Do you want to know what I saw in yours? Relief.”

“And, what does that say for you? You barely blinked when that tower of a partner of yours went down by my hand.”

Ezra shrugged and leaned back into the wall again, “Number two was merely a means to an end. Do not grieve his loss, Birdie.”

“Who said I was?”

“I doubt you are,” Ezra shifted, the smile returned to his lips. His brown eyes focused on her in a new way, it was like he was studying her, “Kevva above,” he sang, “ how appearances can deceive. I find it safe to wager you have seen far more ugliness of the world than your striking visage portrays. The variety rests in your eyes.”

Unsure of how to take his words or deal with the odd stirring his presence caused in her, Daya opted to stay silent. Instead, holding steady to the blasters, ready to shoot him again, if need be.

Daya watches the discomfort distort his features, she moves closer

“Ideally, at this point of our unfortunate meeting, I’d make you lead me to your ship so I can get the fuck off this moon and gift you with your life. However, seeing how desperate you were to take from us and locate this pod; I take it you don’t have transportation of your own, do you?”

Ezra's expression softens, so does his voice as it drops an octave, “get me a kit and we can talk.” The little smirk on his lips indicates he’s impressed.

Making her decision, Daya tucks one blaster in her belt and retrieves the kit. She shoves it his way before returning to her position.

Ezra hurriedly pulls what he needs from the kit. Proceeding to disinfect and seal the wound with healing foam, Ezra pushes through the process with a very understandable urgency.

All the while, a string of moans, winches, and grunts fell out of him. Once he was done, he pushed himself back into the wall; swallowing as many painkillers as he could take, choking them down.

After a moment with his eyes closed, Ezra clears his throat and speaks up, his voice more scratchy now,

“That offer would have been more than generous. One I'd be happy to sign and seal save for one glaring slip. One you have discerned from my actions today. I did have a ship. Then there was an event with my crew concerning a bit of aurualac, and words and metal flew. And now I don’t.”

Biting the inside of her cheek, Daya shakes her head. Although she suspected as much, it was still disappointing to hear.

Ezra continues, “We're in the same trough, you and I. can’t say I was pleased to find your mare all black and cockways, as she was supposed to be my redemption as well.” His eyes travel the extent of the pod, taking stock of it.

Daya inches closer with the gun, causing Ezra to jump slightly and raise his hands in defense,

“Whoa whoa...just slow down a beat there, little bird. Look, at least wait for the counter offer.”  

“I'm only listening because we’re both stuck here, but I will kill you if you try anything. Speak.”

“The mercs, they’re real, aren't they? And the queen's lair?” Daya didn’t respond to his questions, but Ezra could tell from her eyes, “ mmhmm... listen, I well know the allure of vengeance. I have frequently indulged, and I have not often found regret. But in this moment, right here, I'm afraid for both our sakes I must riposte. I say we go to your mercs, I play the prospector, and together we ravage the Queen. Let me help you. I can harvest, I can offer protection.”

“I don’t need protection.”

“I hold no doubts you can hold our own and vanquish the strongest of men. We tend to underestimate the force of the fairer species. A woman prospector, well, that ought to be one of the toughest around; A rare soul indeed. In spite of that, a seraphic sight as yourself, wandering into a camp of Frigeling mercs, raw at the end of tour. What happens? You appeal to their sympathies?” Shaking his head, “ Certainly, you are aware they have none. They are ruthless profiteers. You must have something to offer if not they will find a way to take from you.”

“You sure do talk a lot, all that to tell me what I already know.”

“I am of a loquacious nature,” he smiles and checks on his arm, it looks better, but not completely healed, they may have waited too long to treat it.

In a way, Daya felt bad for him, perhaps that led to her final decision,

“Even split.” She says.

Ezra’s smile returns, so does the light in his eyes despite the obvious battle with discomfort and pain, “Of course.”

Daya lowers the gun and moves closer.

Ezra stays still as she looks at his wound. “Look, Ezra, if we’re doing this I need you in one piece and by the looks of this, we need to get this torn fabric off your wound and completely close it. Only then are you useful to me out there.”

“Is that all you have?” He motions to the open kit, its contents scattered about the floor.

“For that, yeah but I may have something that helps. It counteracts most poisons, but seeing as this is my first time here, I can't make you any promises about the death-dealing pollen out there.”

“I’m in your hands. “ There’s a softness in his voice she had yet to hear until now.

Meeting his eyes she could more clearly see him now. The scar on his left cheek, the spottiness of his beard, the hawk-like shape of his nose, the unexpected blonde tuft of hair above his right temple.

Daya suspects she held his face in regard for too long and pulls her eyes away. She leaves him briefly to recover a small kit and extra suit.

“I need you to change suits, this is a backup Damon kept, it’s acceptable. The filters are okay. Better than the compromised one you're currently wearing.”

As she speaks, a grin teases his lips. Ezra stands and tries to get out of the suit himself. Feeling bad as he struggles, Daya helps him.

Once the suit safely removed, and he’s redressed, they returned to their seated positions.

Daya to the right of Ezra as she cleans his wound. Once she’s done, Daya covers it with a green salve that smells of the earth, then closes it off with a wide bandage.

The whole time Daya avoided his gaze, but she couldn't escape the feeling of Ezra’s eyes burning into her. The talkative man was oddly silent as she patched him up; this only added to the tension between them.

When the silence finally broke, Daya spoke,

“If your arm goes bad, you are no longer of use to me. At that point, I will kill you.”

Ezra chuckles, “Cryptic threats from such a delicate face. What a dance we find ourselves in. birdie.”

Ezra had called her twice now, and each time it caused a weird mix of feelings in her, “Don’t call me that.”

“What shall I call you then? Your name remains a mystery to me, as you’ve yet to reveal it.”

“Daya.”

“Daya,” he repeats like an old song lyric, “...like the hawk, it means, the bird of prey,”

A man with such a big vocabulary was likely in the habit of reading any book he found. Or course, he’d know some random facts such as this.

He continues, “Daya, it is my privilege to properly make your acquaintance.”  

chapter revised 7/21/2021! This fic turned 1 year on the 6th of this month! :)

Requested tags: (you all are the best, thank you for you support w/ the preview. I hope you enjoy this as well)

@rzrcrst @buckstaposition @holographic-carmen @scarlettvonsass @engineeredfiction @readsalot73 @voteforpedropascal​

...

New Ezra list:   @charming-merlin​ @readsalot73​ @cinewhore @waywardimpalawriter​  @phoenixhalliwell​ @tobealostwanderer​ @meanperegrine​ @over300books​ @silverwolf319​ @anaaaispunk​

New PP list: @idreamofboobear​ @anxiousandboujee​ @evyiione​ @mummifymecaptain​ @seasonschange-butpeopledont​ @agirllovespancakes​ @justanotherblonde23​  @bumblebee-moreno​ (GN) @salome-c​ @scarletsoldierrr​ @mswarriorbabe80​ @absurdthirst​ @dihra-vesa​ @mrsparknuts​ @absurdthirst

new everything list: @ladylothlorien​ @castiellawolfkissed​ @imaginesthatmakemehappy @itsnottilly​

#ezra prospect #i love ezra dearly #Ezra fic #my first Ezra! #prospect movie #Ezra x oc #By artemiseamoon #masterlist #Artemiseamoon list #OpiabyArtemiseamoon #opia by artemiseamoon #fc: andrea bordeaux #fc: pedro pascal

[kariachi]

Some Pern-xover Everybody Lives AU. Specifically I wanted Eva’s Keth to be alive for a little while.

~~

No fighting pair came away from their duty unscarred. Goldpairs might, flying low below where most strands of Thread were burned away and spending a fair chunk of the year on the Sands, but no one else. Just within the first year a fighting pair could expect to be scored several times, more often the larger the dragon, and you either were left scarred or left Between, with various forms of retirement between them.

Though of course, some individuals decided to speedrun the matter and ended up bypassing the entire job.

And other, stupider, individuals refused to be simply outdone.

‘What did I say?’

‘Hush you.’ Eva hissed at the sting of the healer’s needle stitching her side, prompting a soothing pat to the leg from her and a stern look from her brother.

“Duels now,” R’old asked, arms crossed. “Really?” She shrugged on her uninjured side.

“He was an asshole, somebody had to deal with him.”

‘Anybody else could’ve.’

“And it had to be you?” Fuck but she hated it when they were on the same wavelength.

“I was there, and it was my old classmate he was hassling, so yes.” ‘You’d rather I leave Merenth’s to it alone?’

‘If it stops you getting stabbed, yes.’ Keth’s concern and aggravation radiated over their bond and Eva could practically see him back at the Weyr, strewn out in the soothing heat of the empty sands with the other dragons besieged by bonedeep aches, good eye swirling in reds and yellows. And R’old was like an echo of the image, face stoney like he couldn’t decide whether to clutch her to him or punch her himself. Much as she hated to admit it, it did hurt to see and to feel.

‘I’ll try to keep my temper.’

‘No, you won’t. You’ve been a terror from Between as long as I’ve lived and it won’t end until we do.’ She could almost hear her brown’s huffed breath as fond exasperation bled through between them. ‘Come home.’ It was an order, one she didn’t need. Between the pain of her wounds and Keth’s worry she was beginning to feel the distance from Hold to Weyr like a knife’s edge against her throat.

‘As soon as I can, beloved.’ R’old heaved a sigh of his own, shaking his head as he watched the healer work.

“The queens are going to want a word with you,” he said, “be a damn fine way to lose the Weyr’s harper, to a duel. Because you weren’t finding enough trouble.” He sighed again. “How you’ve lived this long…. Qinerith and I’ll look out for Keth until you can hitch a lift back to the Weyr.” Making a note to write him a song or something, Eva flashed a smile.

“I’d appreciate it.”

#fanfic #i'm iffy on this one i'm not sure where i wanted to take it and it just sort;ve emandered #*meandered #but keth is alive if left pretty fucked up by the accident that killed him in canon #so yay #also casey's dad lives because why not

[lunadea-nox-arcana]

Ayleids

The Ayleids, also known as the Wild Elves,[1]Heartland High Elves[2] (or simply Heartland Elves),[3][4] and Saliache,[5] were a race of Mer who ruled over Cyrodiil during the First Era.[3]

King Laloriaran Dynar, an Ayleid.

History

Merethic Era

The Ayleids were one of the descendants of the Aldmer. The Aldmer were an ancient race of Mer who were the descendants of the Ehlnofey. During the middle of the Merethic Era, the Aldmer allegedly left their homeland, known as Aldmeris, and relocated to the Summerset Isles, which is southwest of Tamriel.[6] A short time after the Aldmer settled in the Summerset Isles, many explorers, which notably included Topal the Pilot, began venturing out towards the coastline of Tamriel to map out the area and explore the lands.[7]

The White Gold Tower.

Later, during the middle of the Merethic Era, some Aldmer groups departed from the Summerset Isles and relocated towards Tamriel. The ones who traveled to pre-modern-day Valenwood became the Bosmer; the ones who went to pre-modern-day Morrowind became the Chimer; the ones who stayed in the Summerset Isles eventually became the Altmer; and the ones who traveled towards pre-modern-day Cyrodiil became the Ayleids, where they established the first empire on the continent. During this time, the Ayleid civilization flourished and expanded.[6][8] In the Heartlands of Cyrodiil, the Ayleids constructed the White-Gold Tower.[6][9][UL 1] The White Gold Tower appeared to be used as a central council chamber that held significance over other capital cities of the Ayleid empire, as its defeat marked the end of the Ayleid civilization. The Ayleids prominently controlled a large swath of land in what is modern-day Cyrodiil. This included at least the forested areas around the Niben river basin, parts of the Valus and Jerall Mountains, and areas west into Colovia. However, they were not ruled, as is often assumed, by a single, powerful central government. By the start of the First Era, a powerful aristocracy had divided the region up into a number of small kingdoms. Modern scholars are aware of at least three, with their capital cities being Lindai, Nenalata, and Miscarcand.[10] The Ayleid empire expanded beyond Cyrodiil, where they established a massive, flourishing empire on Tamriel. This expansive empire existed throughout many parts of Tamriel, which included most of Cyrodiil, as well as different parts of Black Marsh, Valenwood, High Rock and Hammerfell. In Valenwood, great cities such as Haven, Woodhearth, Silvenar and Elden Root were established.[11] In Black Marsh, an Ayleid tribe known as the Barsaebic Ayleids built two great cities, known in the modern era as Gideon and Stormhold.[12]

First Era

Alessian Slave Rebellion

A statue of Saint Alessia in the Imperial City as it appears in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

About a century into the First Era, a slave woman was born to the humans living on Ayleid-controlled Niben. This slave, who eventually ended up at the now-sacred Ayleid site of Sancre Tor (Golden Hill[13]), would receive divine inspiration, and direct divine help, to rouse her fellow slaves and revolt against their masters. She became known to her people as Alessia, the Slave Queen.[14]

In 1E 242, the revolution began.[15][16] The rebellion coincided with a period of civil war within the Ayleid empire.[3] Alessia and the Nedes were given some help from the Nords and,[15][17] due to the Ayleid civil war, help from some of the more radical Ayleid nobles.[3] Many battles took place, including ones at Sancre Tor, Ninendava, Ceyatatar, Narlemae, Celediil, Vahtacen, Sedor, the Bridge of Heldon, and the event of the First Pogrom.[18][19]

The revolution eventually came to an end with the Fall of the White-Gold Tower in 1E 243. During the battle, Pelinal Whitestrake, one of the leading generals of the Nedic army, fought Umaril the Unfeathered. Both were killed in the fight.[18] With Alessia leading the Nedes, and with the help of the Nords and some of the more radical Ayleid nobles, they defeated the Ayleids and overthrew their kingdoms. They conquered the land in the name of the new Cyrodiilic Empire. The war ended in 1E 243.[3][15][20] As the newly formed Alessian Order began to eliminate the remains of the Ayleid empire, one famous battle that occurred was the Battle of Bravil.[21]

Late Ayleid Period

The Late Ayleid Period was one of the last sections of history for the Ayleids. The Late Ayleid Period lasted from 1E 243 to 1E 498.[3] Even with the Fall of the White-Gold Tower, the Ayleids showed little sign of being defeated. In 1E 361, the Alessian Order decreed and issued the Alessian Doctrines. The Alessian Doctrines enforced harsh policies upon the Ayleid people. Alessian armies slowly began to eliminate the Ayleid communities one by one. The balance of power between the two factions was upside down, with the Alessians owning complete dominance over the Ayleids. Most Ayleids decided to just pack up and leave Cyrodiil, as their lives were hard in Cyrodiil.[3] The Alessian Order was eradicating the Ayleids in Cyrodiil and forcibly taking down their empire. In addition to defeating the Ayleids themselves, the Alessian Empire destroyed many artifacts, relics and books that were of Ayleid origin.[22] There were some Ayleids who stayed in Cyrodiil who served as teachers and mentors for the human rulers.[23]

Ayleid Diaspora

The Ayleid Diaspora began when the Ayleids started to leave Cyrodiil. The Ayleids in Cyrodiil were abandoning their homes to find better lives elsewhere in Tamriel. The ones who traveled north were all killed by the Nords, led by Vrage the Butcher. The ones who went to Black Marsh to join the Barsaebic Tribe were denied admittance into Black Marsh, though most of those who went on the journey to Black Marsh died during the expeditions in Elsweyr. Some journeyed to the Iliac Bay in High Rock, where they joined the Direnni of Balfiera. The Ayleids who went to Valenwood happened to be the most successful of all of the departing Ayleids. The clans of Anutwyll, Vilverin, Talwinque, Bawn and Varondo all traveled to Valenwood to forge a new life for themselves. The native Bosmer of Valenwood welcomed the Ayleids with open arms, as long as the Ayleids adopted aspects of the Green Pact and refrain from harming the forests, which they did.[24]

Valenwood.

There were varying theories on how the Valenwood Ayleids disappeared from Valenwood. One theory, the Theorem of Disheritage, notably supported by Gelgarad the Velaspid, attempted to explain that the Valenwood Ayleids disappeared because they became unable to breed with each other and could only produce offspring by mating with the local Bosmer. A competing theory was proposed by Doctor Thetis of the Shimmerene Academy. Her theory attempts to explain that the Valenwood Ayleids disappeared because the Ayleids declined on the over-consumption of a beverage made by the Bosmer. The theory also stated that, as the Ayleids were quite vulnerable in their sadness and loss, fell to the Bosmers’ cultural drinks and simply gave up.[24]

Within about 400 years of their overthrow, the strongly anti-mer Alessian Order had driven out, or exterminated, most remaining Ayleid settlements. Scholars generally believe that the Ayleid immigrated en masse to Valenwood, and possibly Summerset Isles, where they were integrated into those mer races. There are persistent rumors, which cannot be rejected outright, that wild tribes of pure Ayleid still hide within the Cyrodiilic forests. In any case, the Ayleid abandoned their cities, which have fallen into ruin, though the magic and mechanical traps which were installed near the end of their history still function.

Second Era

“An Ayleid? I thought they were all, you know, dead.”―Darien Gautier, 2E 582[src]

Ayleid Crown of Nenalata.

Ayleids had lived into the Second Era, with credible sightings stating that they had lived in a reclusive tribal society.[1] One of the members of the University of Gwylim was a civilized Ayleid, Tjurhane Fyrre, who was one of the finest sages at the University. He wrote a text on his people, called The Wild Elves, though he died in 2E 227.[1]

The last known surviving pure Ayleid was King Laloriaran Dynar. He originally lived during the early first era, after Alessia’s slave rebellion. Dynar ruled over Nenalata after his father, when it served as a vassal-state of the Alessian Empire. After an ultimatum from the emperor, Dynar was forced to leave Cyrodiil.[25] When Dynar visited the Hollow City, it was attacked by Molag Bal and he was captured. Dynar remained in Coldharbour for over three millennium before being rescued by the Vestige. He took command of the Fighters Guild, but died in 2E 582 after defending the city. He gave the Vestige his sword as a symbol of trust and friendship in his dying moments.[26]

Third and Fourth Eras

In 3E 397, the Soul of Conflict met with an Ayleid ghost known as Captain Nym after having collected all seven Star Teeth. In life, Captain Nym commandeered an airship which had originally captured the Teeth, though it crashed into the glacier of Glacier Crawl long ago. After the hero ended Pergan Asuul and Jagar Tharn’s plans to control the Umbra’ Keth, Nym gifted the hero with the Star Coif, a very valuable lightweight helmet.[27]

During the Oblivion Crisis in 3E 433, the Auroran-Ayleid known as Umaril re-emerged. Umaril was later slain by the Hero of Kvatch after the Knights of the Nine were reformed.[28]

No living Ayleids have been seen or reported during the Third and Fourth Eras, and as of the Fourth Era, scholars presume that they are extinct.

Culture

“In the caverns of lore, ugly and obscure, shines the gold of truth.”―Raelys Anine[src]

Appearance

An Ayleid ruin found in Malabal Tor as it appears in Elder Scrolls Online.

Much like the Dwemer, what little is known about the appearance of the Ayleid comes primarily from their architecture and early writings. Most Ayleid Ruins include at the very least one statue, presumably of an Ayleid warrior, usually holding a sword aloft.[29] The general appearance looks similar to that of the Altmer, which most scholars consider fairly likely, given the Altmer’s concerted effort to maintain a “pure” Aldmeri appearance. A brief description given in volume 5, Second Seed, of 2920 describes them as “darker than Altmer, but lighter than Dunmer,” suggesting a complexion similar to that of the Bosmer.[30]

Ayleids in The Elder Scrolls Online are identical in appearance to Altmer, with skin tones ranging from white to dark yellow, though with eye colors such as blue, yellow and green.

Society

Ayleid society was heavily centered in magic/arcane arts, and their people were particularly skilled in the arcane. Even as all Mer were naturally skilled in the arcane arts, Ayleid society focused on the civilization’s advancement in magic.[31] Magic was an important part of Ayleid culture and society, and their people were particularly skilled in it.[31][32] The Ayleids were able to preserve many of the ancient runes, Dawn Era magic, and lore of the Ehlnofey.[6][33]

The Ayleids lived in a tribal society, with each “tribe” being different from the next. They were notable for building the Imperial City.

At one point, the Ayleids controlled the entirety of the Imperial Province of Cyrodiil, and enslaved the Cyrodiilic and Nordic populations (which at that point were both part of the same prototypical race of men). During this time, the Ayleids made great strides in the arcane arts. The downfall of the Ayleid civilization was a combination of cultural hubris and revolution fomented amongst their slaves. With the blessing of the Aedra, the slave Alessia led the revolt that resulted in the destruction of the Ayleid civilization. The surviving Ayleids frequently showed up as civil servants to the nobility in the Alessian empire, or fled to Valenwoodand interbred with the Bosmer. The last known King of the Ayleids was the ruler of the city of Nenalata who controlled eastern Cyrodiil.[34] During the height of their civilization, the Ayleid empire existed everywhere in Tamriel except for Skyrim, Morrowind and the Summerset Isles.[UL 2] After their downfall during the First Era, many of their cities fell into ruin. Many would-be treasure hunters have died trying to plunder these lost ruins of the Ayleids.[29] In Stros M'Kai, the Ayleids created a powerful relic powered by souls.[35]

By the First Era and Second Era, the Ayleids were driven into a state many would regard as “primitive,” hence the term Wild Elves, and lived deep within the forests of Cyrodiil, though little is still known of modern Ayleids and their culture. Their tribes apparently possessed wildly disparate cultures, but shared a thread of xenophobia, likely remaining from the Alessian Reformation when Ayleidic culture was nearly destroyed. The last reported sighting of an Ayleid occurred nearly a thousand years before the Third Era. It is unknown whether a few Ayleids still survive in the wilds of Cyrodiil, or whether their ancient race finally expired and passed into memory.[1]

Language and Writing System

Of the Ayleid language and writing system, much was known about it and many words, letters and ancient texts have been translated as a result of deep research and delving into Ayleid Ruins. The Ayleid language and writing system was very similar to the Aldmeri Language, just like the languages of the other races of Mer.[36][37]

Origins

The Ayleid language was extremely similar to other Mer languages and writing systems, due to the fact that all Mer descend from the Aldmer. Because of this, the Ayleid language shares many terms and words with other Elven languages, such as the shared Ayleid and Dunmeri word, “Bal,” which means stone.[38]

Religion

A statue of Meridia found in Skyrim.

The Ayleids held a close relationship with the Daedric Princes, and even worshipped them.[39] The Ayleids of Delodiil notably worshiped Meridia, who was commonly referred to as Merid-Nunda. Delodiil’s rival city-state was Abargarlas, whose people notably worshiped Molag Bal.[40] The Ayleids of Varsa Baalim notably worshiped Mehrunes Dagon, [4] and the people of Bisnensel worshiped Hermaeus Mora. [41] It was implied that they used the Daedric magic to increase their strength to the point where they could conquer the Cyrodiilic and Nordic races. This could have been a contributing factor to the Aedra giving their aid to the human races against the Ayleids to help destroy or otherwise cripple Daedric influence in Nirn. The Nefarivigum was an ancient Daedric artifact of Mehrunes Dagon. The Ayleids coveted this artifact, so a city was built around the artifact so they could use it.[4] There were some Ayleids who also worshiped the Aedra. The Ayleids worshiped Magnus, the god of Magic, as well as Auri-El. Statues were built in their cities to honor both gods.[32]

Architecture

“The marble benches of the central plaza faced out across the surrounding waters to tall columns and sharp arches supporting the high dome. From the central island, stately bridges spanned the still pools to narrow walkways behind the columns, with broad vaulted avenues and limpid ever-deeping gloom into darkness.”―Alexandre Hetrard[src]

Ayleid cities were built partly above and partly below the surface of the land.[41] Ayleid architecture appears to be a whitish rock,[42] similar to Snow Elf architecture. Ayleid architecture was also integrated with magical artifacts as well, including Great Welkynd Stones, which were large variations of Welkynd Stones, which were used to power cities and increase the power of the people’s enchantments.[31] Many statues were built by the Ayleids in their cities to honor the Gods they worshiped. This included statues dedicated to the Aedric Gods Magnus and Auri-El.[32]

The White-Gold Tower, one of the most impressive and most famous structures in all of Cyrodiil.

The White-Gold Tower, the central spire of the Imperial City in Cyrodiil, was originally the central temple of the Ayleids. After the fall of the Ayleid empire in the First Era, it served as the Imperial Palace for the Tamrielic Empire. The rest of their capital city was either razed or buried beneath the Imperial City. It was unknown why the Nedes left the White Gold Tower alone during the Alessian Slave Rebellion.

Magic

A Welkynd Stone.

Magic was an extremely important aspect of the Ayleids and of their society. They developed magics far more advanced and powerful than any other at the time. The Ayleids were notable for developing the arcane art of Alteration.[43] In terms of both science and magic, their people believed in the four elements of Altmer religion, which states that Nirn was composed of four basic elements: earth, water, air, and light.[31] While modern natural philosophy states that Nirn is composed of four basic elements: earth, water, air, and fire, which they recognized, they believed the most important form of light was starlight. The Ayleids regarded fire as a weak and corrupt form of light. Instead, the Ayleids regarded starlight as a fundamentally significant form of light. For Nirn and its people, it was common knowledge that stars were linked to the plane of Aetherius. Aetherius was the source of all magical power and all things magical, so light from the stars was the most powerful and grand of all magical powers.[31][32]

Sometimes, objects called Aetherial fragments come from Aetherius to Mundus, specifically Nirn. There were two known types of Aetherial fragments: Meteoric Iron and Meteoric Glass. Many, if not all, of the magical devices and technology created by Ayleid engineers and architects were made of meteoric iron and meteoric glass. One of the magical devices created by the Ayleids were Ayleid Wells. These Ayleid Wells were scattered across Cyrodiil, and were not associated with any Ayleid cities, settlements or other sites. Made from Meteoric Iron, Ayleid Wells were designed to harvest and collect magical power from starlight. The Wells were located at the meeting point of ancient lines of magical power, though this was merely theorized by modern Ayleid scholars. For mages, and even for anyone without any magical talent, they could draw magicka from the Wells to restore their own sources of magicka. When people worked with Ayleid Wells, no ritual, basic academic or arcane knowledge was required to harvest the magicka, and were designed to serve people who were not skilled in the magical/arcane arts. When they do finally drain, the Wells replenish at midnight when the stars are out. Once recharged, they radiate some of the magical power back into the sky. This was most likely a cultural, religious, or ritualized magical significance.[31]

A Varla stone.

Another Ayleid device is the Welkynd Stone. Welkynd Stones were designed and used as storage devices for magical resources and magicka reserves, and to power the magicka itself; Mages and enchanters could restore their own magicka reserves. The Ayleids had their own laws and knowledge for storing, removing and using Welkynd Stones. Currently, in the modern era, anybody who did not have proper knowledge of using Welkynd Stones would see these stones crumble to dust after use. A variant of the Welkynd Stones, known as Great Welkynd Stones, were exceptionally large Ayleid devices made of enchanted Meteoric Glass. At the heart of each Ayleid city, a Great Welkynd Stone was the source of the city’s power, magical resources and magical enchantments. These great, grand stones were directly connected to the lesser stones within a city, which restored and maintained their power as the stones worked together to power the city. Yet another Ayleid device were Varla Stones, which were made of Meteoric Glass and were used to enable trained and even untrained enchanters to add and restore magical energy to any enchanted items and magical artifacts. The Varla Stones were of great value and utility, and though they were quite rare, small and easily concealed, diligent, patient, careful and focused explorers could still come across these rare Ayleid devices in any Ayleid Ruin.[31]

Ayleid mages experimented with magic and technology that was capable of absorbing lightning bolts and converting them into magical energy. They possessed a specific way of absorbing magical energy from lightning, which was a spell known as the Finger of the Mountain. A magical pillar was also required to extract the magical energy from the lightning.[44]

Artifacts

The Ayleids produced many artifacts, both regular and unique, that were heavily based in magic and the arcane arts. The impact these Ayleid artifacts had in the future on the Ayleid scholar community was significant; many scholars and adventurers, both single and in groups, dared to go deep into ancient Ayleid ruins to discover these lost treasures.[39]

The Amulet of Kings.

Possibly one of the most famous and renowned of all Ayleid artifacts was the Amulet of Kings. The Amulet of Kings, also known as the Chim El-Adabal, was an amulet worn by Cyrodiilic Emperors of the bloodline of Saint Alessia. The symbol of the Imperial Empires of Tamriel, the Red Diamond, stemmed from the amulet and became the royal seal of the Septim Dynasty much later.[45] Some theories report that the amulet is a Soul Gem of Ayleid origin.[46]

The Ayleid Crown of Lindai and the Ayleid Crown of Nenalata were two unique and powerful light Ayleid helmets bearing powerful enchantments. The Crown of Lindai could resist magic from 10%-35%, fortify Illusion from 5 to 15 points and fortify alteration 5 to 15 points. The Crown of Nenalata could reflect spells from 8%-25%, fortify alteration 5 to 15 points and fortify conjuration 5 to 15 points.[10]

Notable Ayleid

Hadhuul: Hadhuul, colloquially referred to as the Fire King, was the King of Ceyatatar in Cyrodiil. His armies were powerful and were never defeated until the Battle of Ceyatatar, when they suffered their first defeat at the hands of Pelinal Whitestrake and the Imperial slaves who were launching a rebellion against the rule of the Ayleids. Hadhuul was killed by Whitestrake during the battle.[18]

Celethelel: Celethelel, colloquially referred to as “Celethelel the Singer,” was an Ayleid during the First Era. In 1E 242, Celethelel killed Pelinal’s companion Huna with an arrow, driving the Whitestrake into a fierce rage.[18]

Umaril the Unfeathered, a half Ayleid.

Laloriaran Dynar, an Ayleid king and the last known surviving Ayleid.

Tjurhane Fyrre, an Ayleid author.

Captain Nym, an Ayleid ghost who collected Star Teeth in life.

Endarre, an Ayleid hero who led a band of four other members who destroyed the city of Abagarlas and hid the Prismatic Crystal.

King Anumaril, the king of Abagarlas who worshipped Molag Bal.

Curano

Lanath

Ostarand

Valasha

Prince Malyon, the king’s son.

Queen Palolel, the king’s wife.

Trivia

Like the Aldmeri, Snow Elves, Dwemer and Chimer, the Ayleids are one of the “ancient civilizations” of Tamriel.

Courtesy of  tesworldthink

#ayleid #elder scrolls #elder scrolls lore #text post #gaming

[psychspark]

Keth 8, Roscoe 31, Xarmus 41?

Keth, if they were given 1000 acres of land with no strings attached, what would they do with it?

Oh, wow. God I have no idea? They’d probably like. Learn about carpentry and build themselves a nice cabin, learn to garden, keep to themselves, invite their sister to live with them. And their parents and their brother but not that other brother. Simple stuff.

Roscoe, how would they conquer the Earth?

Well, gee. Probably just, like. Demonstrate her magic and assume the unified throne, and flip the Raven Queen off, probably? Like if she had to? And then she’d just spend the rest of her life reading, honestly.

Xarmus, what is the dumbest way they’ve ever been injured?

I don’t know if you recall the time they got nipped by a griffen at full health and nearly fucking died from it, but it’s that.

[tesworldthink]

Ayleids / Айлейды

The Ayleids, also known as the Wild Elves,[1] Heartland High Elves[2] (or simply Heartland Elves),[3][4] and Saliache,[5] were a race of Mer who ruled over Cyrodiil during the First Era.[3]

King Laloriaran Dynar, an Ayleid.

History

Merethic Era

The Ayleids were one of the descendants of the Aldmer. The Aldmer were an ancient race of Mer who were the descendants of the Ehlnofey. During the middle of the Merethic Era, the Aldmer allegedly left their homeland, known as Aldmeris, and relocated to the Summerset Isles, which is southwest of Tamriel.[6] A short time after the Aldmer settled in the Summerset Isles, many explorers, which notably included Topal the Pilot, began venturing out towards the coastline of Tamriel to map out the area and explore the lands.[7]

The White Gold Tower.

Later, during the middle of the Merethic Era, some Aldmer groups departed from the Summerset Isles and relocated towards Tamriel. The ones who traveled to pre-modern-day Valenwood became the Bosmer; the ones who went to pre-modern-day Morrowind became the Chimer; the ones who stayed in the Summerset Isles eventually became the Altmer; and the ones who traveled towards pre-modern-day Cyrodiil became the Ayleids, where they established the first empire on the continent. During this time, the Ayleid civilization flourished and expanded.[6][8] In the Heartlands of Cyrodiil, the Ayleids constructed the White-Gold Tower.[6][9][UL 1] The White Gold Tower appeared to be used as a central council chamber that held significance over other capital cities of the Ayleid empire, as its defeat marked the end of the Ayleid civilization. The Ayleids prominently controlled a large swath of land in what is modern-day Cyrodiil. This included at least the forested areas around the Niben river basin, parts of the Valus and Jerall Mountains, and areas west into Colovia. However, they were not ruled, as is often assumed, by a single, powerful central government. By the start of the First Era, a powerful aristocracy had divided the region up into a number of small kingdoms. Modern scholars are aware of at least three, with their capital cities being Lindai, Nenalata, and Miscarcand.[10] The Ayleid empire expanded beyond Cyrodiil, where they established a massive, flourishing empire on Tamriel. This expansive empire existed throughout many parts of Tamriel, which included most of Cyrodiil, as well as different parts of Black Marsh, Valenwood, High Rock and Hammerfell. In Valenwood, great cities such as Haven, Woodhearth, Silvenar and Elden Root were established.[11] In Black Marsh, an Ayleid tribe known as the Barsaebic Ayleids built two great cities, known in the modern era as Gideon and Stormhold.[12]

First Era

Alessian Slave Rebellion

A statue of Saint Alessia in the Imperial City as it appears in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

About a century into the First Era, a slave woman was born to the humans living on Ayleid-controlled Niben. This slave, who eventually ended up at the now-sacred Ayleid site of Sancre Tor (Golden Hill[13]), would receive divine inspiration, and direct divine help, to rouse her fellow slaves and revolt against their masters. She became known to her people as Alessia, the Slave Queen.[14]

In 1E 242, the revolution began.[15][16] The rebellion coincided with a period of civil war within the Ayleid empire.[3] Alessia and the Nedes were given some help from the Nords and,[15][17] due to the Ayleid civil war, help from some of the more radical Ayleid nobles.[3] Many battles took place, including ones at Sancre Tor, Ninendava, Ceyatatar, Narlemae, Celediil, Vahtacen, Sedor, the Bridge of Heldon, and the event of the First Pogrom.[18][19]

The revolution eventually came to an end with the Fall of the White-Gold Tower in 1E 243. During the battle, Pelinal Whitestrake, one of the leading generals of the Nedic army, fought Umaril the Unfeathered. Both were killed in the fight.[18] With Alessia leading the Nedes, and with the help of the Nords and some of the more radical Ayleid nobles, they defeated the Ayleids and overthrew their kingdoms. They conquered the land in the name of the new Cyrodiilic Empire. The war ended in 1E 243.[3][15][20] As the newly formed Alessian Order began to eliminate the remains of the Ayleid empire, one famous battle that occurred was the Battle of Bravil.[21]

Late Ayleid Period

The Late Ayleid Period was one of the last sections of history for the Ayleids. The Late Ayleid Period lasted from 1E 243 to 1E 498.[3] Even with the Fall of the White-Gold Tower, the Ayleids showed little sign of being defeated. In 1E 361, the Alessian Order decreed and issued the Alessian Doctrines. The Alessian Doctrines enforced harsh policies upon the Ayleid people. Alessian armies slowly began to eliminate the Ayleid communities one by one. The balance of power between the two factions was upside down, with the Alessians owning complete dominance over the Ayleids. Most Ayleids decided to just pack up and leave Cyrodiil, as their lives were hard in Cyrodiil.[3] The Alessian Order was eradicating the Ayleids in Cyrodiil and forcibly taking down their empire. In addition to defeating the Ayleids themselves, the Alessian Empire destroyed many artifacts, relics and books that were of Ayleid origin.[22] There were some Ayleids who stayed in Cyrodiil who served as teachers and mentors for the human rulers.[23]

Ayleid Diaspora

The Ayleid Diaspora began when the Ayleids started to leave Cyrodiil. The Ayleids in Cyrodiil were abandoning their homes to find better lives elsewhere in Tamriel. The ones who traveled north were all killed by the Nords, led by Vrage the Butcher. The ones who went to Black Marsh to join the Barsaebic Tribe were denied admittance into Black Marsh, though most of those who went on the journey to Black Marsh died during the expeditions in Elsweyr. Some journeyed to the Iliac Bay in High Rock, where they joined the Direnni of Balfiera. The Ayleids who went to Valenwood happened to be the most successful of all of the departing Ayleids. The clans of Anutwyll, Vilverin, Talwinque, Bawn and Varondo all traveled to Valenwood to forge a new life for themselves. The native Bosmer of Valenwood welcomed the Ayleids with open arms, as long as the Ayleids adopted aspects of the Green Pact and refrain from harming the forests, which they did.[24]

Valenwood.

There were varying theories on how the Valenwood Ayleids disappeared from Valenwood. One theory, the Theorem of Disheritage, notably supported by Gelgarad the Velaspid, attempted to explain that the Valenwood Ayleids disappeared because they became unable to breed with each other and could only produce offspring by mating with the local Bosmer. A competing theory was proposed by Doctor Thetis of the Shimmerene Academy. Her theory attempts to explain that the Valenwood Ayleids disappeared because the Ayleids declined on the over-consumption of a beverage made by the Bosmer. The theory also stated that, as the Ayleids were quite vulnerable in their sadness and loss, fell to the Bosmers' cultural drinks and simply gave up.[24]

Within about 400 years of their overthrow, the strongly anti-mer Alessian Order had driven out, or exterminated, most remaining Ayleid settlements. Scholars generally believe that the Ayleid immigrated en masse to Valenwood, and possibly Summerset Isles, where they were integrated into those mer races. There are persistent rumors, which cannot be rejected outright, that wild tribes of pure Ayleid still hide within the Cyrodiilic forests. In any case, the Ayleid abandoned their cities, which have fallen into ruin, though the magic and mechanical traps which were installed near the end of their history still function.

Second Era

"An Ayleid? I thought they were all, you know, dead."―Darien Gautier, 2E 582[src]

Ayleid Crown of Nenalata.

Ayleids had lived into the Second Era, with credible sightings stating that they had lived in a reclusive tribal society.[1] One of the members of the University of Gwylim was a civilized Ayleid, Tjurhane Fyrre, who was one of the finest sages at the University. He wrote a text on his people, called The Wild Elves, though he died in 2E 227.[1]

The last known surviving pure Ayleid was King Laloriaran Dynar. He originally lived during the early first era, after Alessia's slave rebellion. Dynar ruled over Nenalata after his father, when it served as a vassal-state of the Alessian Empire. After an ultimatum from the emperor, Dynar was forced to leave Cyrodiil.[25] When Dynar visited the Hollow City, it was attacked by Molag Bal and he was captured. Dynar remained in Coldharbour for over three millennium before being rescued by the Vestige. He took command of the Fighters Guild, but died in 2E 582 after defending the city. He gave the Vestige his sword as a symbol of trust and friendship in his dying moments.[26]

Third and Fourth Eras

In 3E 397, the Soul of Conflict met with an Ayleid ghost known as Captain Nym after having collected all seven Star Teeth. In life, Captain Nym commandeered an airship which had originally captured the Teeth, though it crashed into the glacier of Glacier Crawl long ago. After the hero ended Pergan Asuul and Jagar Tharn's plans to control the Umbra' Keth, Nym gifted the hero with the Star Coif, a very valuable lightweight helmet.[27]

During the Oblivion Crisis in 3E 433, the Auroran-Ayleid known as Umaril re-emerged. Umaril was later slain by the Hero of Kvatch after the Knights of the Nine were reformed.[28]

No living Ayleids have been seen or reported during the Third and Fourth Eras, and as of the Fourth Era, scholars presume that they are extinct.

Culture

"In the caverns of lore, ugly and obscure, shines the gold of truth."―Raelys Anine[src]

Appearance

An Ayleid ruin found in Malabal Tor as it appears in Elder Scrolls Online.

Much like the Dwemer, what little is known about the appearance of the Ayleid comes primarily from their architecture and early writings. Most Ayleid Ruins include at the very least one statue, presumably of an Ayleid warrior, usually holding a sword aloft.[29] The general appearance looks similar to that of the Altmer, which most scholars consider fairly likely, given the Altmer's concerted effort to maintain a "pure" Aldmeri appearance. A brief description given in volume 5, Second Seed, of 2920 describes them as "darker than Altmer, but lighter than Dunmer," suggesting a complexion similar to that of the Bosmer.[30]

Ayleids in The Elder Scrolls Online are identical in appearance to Altmer, with skin tones ranging from white to dark yellow, though with eye colors such as blue, yellow and green.

Society

Ayleid society was heavily centered in magic/arcane arts, and their people were particularly skilled in the arcane. Even as all Mer were naturally skilled in the arcane arts, Ayleid society focused on the civilization's advancement in magic.[31] Magic was an important part of Ayleid culture and society, and their people were particularly skilled in it.[31][32] The Ayleids were able to preserve many of the ancient runes, Dawn Era magic, and lore of the Ehlnofey.[6][33]

The Ayleids lived in a tribal society, with each "tribe" being different from the next. They were notable for building the Imperial City.

At one point, the Ayleids controlled the entirety of the Imperial Province of Cyrodiil, and enslaved the Cyrodiilic and Nordic populations (which at that point were both part of the same prototypical race of men). During this time, the Ayleids made great strides in the arcane arts. The downfall of the Ayleid civilization was a combination of cultural hubris and revolution fomented amongst their slaves. With the blessing of the Aedra, the slave Alessia led the revolt that resulted in the destruction of the Ayleid civilization. The surviving Ayleids frequently showed up as civil servants to the nobility in the Alessian empire, or fled to Valenwoodand interbred with the Bosmer. The last known King of the Ayleids was the ruler of the city of Nenalata who controlled eastern Cyrodiil.[34] During the height of their civilization, the Ayleid empire existed everywhere in Tamriel except for Skyrim, Morrowind and the Summerset Isles.[UL 2] After their downfall during the First Era, many of their cities fell into ruin. Many would-be treasure hunters have died trying to plunder these lost ruins of the Ayleids.[29] In Stros M'Kai, the Ayleids created a powerful relic powered by souls.[35]

By the First Era and Second Era, the Ayleids were driven into a state many would regard as "primitive," hence the term Wild Elves, and lived deep within the forests of Cyrodiil, though little is still known of modern Ayleids and their culture. Their tribes apparently possessed wildly disparate cultures, but shared a thread of xenophobia, likely remaining from the Alessian Reformation when Ayleidic culture was nearly destroyed. The last reported sighting of an Ayleid occurred nearly a thousand years before the Third Era. It is unknown whether a few Ayleids still survive in the wilds of Cyrodiil, or whether their ancient race finally expired and passed into memory.[1]

Language and Writing System

Of the Ayleid language and writing system, much was known about it and many words, letters and ancient texts have been translated as a result of deep research and delving into Ayleid Ruins. The Ayleid language and writing system was very similar to the Aldmeri Language, just like the languages of the other races of Mer.[36][37]

Origins

The Ayleid language was extremely similar to other Mer languages and writing systems, due to the fact that all Mer descend from the Aldmer. Because of this, the Ayleid language shares many terms and words with other Elven languages, such as the shared Ayleid and Dunmeri word, "Bal," which means stone.[38]

Religion

A statue of Meridia found in Skyrim.

The Ayleids held a close relationship with the Daedric Princes, and even worshipped them.[39] The Ayleids of Delodiil notably worshiped Meridia, who was commonly referred to as Merid-Nunda. Delodiil's rival city-state was Abargarlas, whose people notably worshiped Molag Bal.[40] The Ayleids of Varsa Baalim notably worshiped Mehrunes Dagon, [4] and the people of Bisnensel worshiped Hermaeus Mora. [41] It was implied that they used the Daedric magic to increase their strength to the point where they could conquer the Cyrodiilic and Nordic races. This could have been a contributing factor to the Aedra giving their aid to the human races against the Ayleids to help destroy or otherwise cripple Daedric influence in Nirn. The Nefarivigum was an ancient Daedric artifact of Mehrunes Dagon. The Ayleids coveted this artifact, so a city was built around the artifact so they could use it.[4] There were some Ayleids who also worshiped the Aedra. The Ayleids worshiped Magnus, the god of Magic, as well as Auri-El. Statues were built in their cities to honor both gods.[32]

Architecture

"The marble benches of the central plaza faced out across the surrounding waters to tall columns and sharp arches supporting the high dome. From the central island, stately bridges spanned the still pools to narrow walkways behind the columns, with broad vaulted avenues and limpid ever-deeping gloom into darkness."―Alexandre Hetrard[src]

Ayleid cities were built partly above and partly below the surface of the land.[41] Ayleid architecture appears to be a whitish rock,[42] similar to Snow Elf architecture. Ayleid architecture was also integrated with magical artifacts as well, including Great Welkynd Stones, which were large variations of Welkynd Stones, which were used to power cities and increase the power of the people's enchantments.[31] Many statues were built by the Ayleids in their cities to honor the Gods they worshiped. This included statues dedicated to the Aedric Gods Magnus and Auri-El.[32]

The White-Gold Tower, one of the most impressive and most famous structures in all of Cyrodiil.

The White-Gold Tower, the central spire of the Imperial City in Cyrodiil, was originally the central temple of the Ayleids. After the fall of the Ayleid empire in the First Era, it served as the Imperial Palace for the Tamrielic Empire. The rest of their capital city was either razed or buried beneath the Imperial City. It was unknown why the Nedes left the White Gold Tower alone during the Alessian Slave Rebellion.

Magic

A Welkynd Stone.

Magic was an extremely important aspect of the Ayleids and of their society. They developed magics far more advanced and powerful than any other at the time. The Ayleids were notable for developing the arcane art of Alteration.[43] In terms of both science and magic, their people believed in the four elements of Altmer religion, which states that Nirn was composed of four basic elements: earth, water, air, and light.[31] While modern natural philosophy states that Nirn is composed of four basic elements: earth, water, air, and fire, which they recognized, they believed the most important form of light was starlight. The Ayleids regarded fire as a weak and corrupt form of light. Instead, the Ayleids regarded starlight as a fundamentally significant form of light. For Nirn and its people, it was common knowledge that stars were linked to the plane of Aetherius. Aetherius was the source of all magical power and all things magical, so light from the stars was the most powerful and grand of all magical powers.[31][32]

Sometimes, objects called Aetherial fragments come from Aetherius to Mundus, specifically Nirn. There were two known types of Aetherial fragments: Meteoric Iron and Meteoric Glass. Many, if not all, of the magical devices and technology created by Ayleid engineers and architects were made of meteoric iron and meteoric glass. One of the magical devices created by the Ayleids were Ayleid Wells. These Ayleid Wells were scattered across Cyrodiil, and were not associated with any Ayleid cities, settlements or other sites. Made from Meteoric Iron, Ayleid Wells were designed to harvest and collect magical power from starlight. The Wells were located at the meeting point of ancient lines of magical power, though this was merely theorized by modern Ayleid scholars. For mages, and even for anyone without any magical talent, they could draw magicka from the Wells to restore their own sources of magicka. When people worked with Ayleid Wells, no ritual, basic academic or arcane knowledge was required to harvest the magicka, and were designed to serve people who were not skilled in the magical/arcane arts. When they do finally drain, the Wells replenish at midnight when the stars are out. Once recharged, they radiate some of the magical power back into the sky. This was most likely a cultural, religious, or ritualized magical significance.[31]

A Varla stone.

Another Ayleid device is the Welkynd Stone. Welkynd Stones were designed and used as storage devices for magical resources and magicka reserves, and to power the magicka itself; Mages and enchanters could restore their own magicka reserves. The Ayleids had their own laws and knowledge for storing, removing and using Welkynd Stones. Currently, in the modern era, anybody who did not have proper knowledge of using Welkynd Stones would see these stones crumble to dust after use. A variant of the Welkynd Stones, known as Great Welkynd Stones, were exceptionally large Ayleid devices made of enchanted Meteoric Glass. At the heart of each Ayleid city, a Great Welkynd Stone was the source of the city's power, magical resources and magical enchantments. These great, grand stones were directly connected to the lesser stones within a city, which restored and maintained their power as the stones worked together to power the city. Yet another Ayleid device were Varla Stones, which were made of Meteoric Glass and were used to enable trained and even untrained enchanters to add and restore magical energy to any enchanted items and magical artifacts. The Varla Stones were of great value and utility, and though they were quite rare, small and easily concealed, diligent, patient, careful and focused explorers could still come across these rare Ayleid devices in any Ayleid Ruin.[31]

Ayleid mages experimented with magic and technology that was capable of absorbing lightning bolts and converting them into magical energy. They possessed a specific way of absorbing magical energy from lightning, which was a spell known as the Finger of the Mountain. A magical pillar was also required to extract the magical energy from the lightning.[44]

Artifacts

The Ayleids produced many artifacts, both regular and unique, that were heavily based in magic and the arcane arts. The impact these Ayleid artifacts had in the future on the Ayleid scholar community was significant; many scholars and adventurers, both single and in groups, dared to go deep into ancient Ayleid ruins to discover these lost treasures.[39]

The Amulet of Kings.

Possibly one of the most famous and renowned of all Ayleid artifacts was the Amulet of Kings. The Amulet of Kings, also known as the Chim El-Adabal, was an amulet worn by Cyrodiilic Emperors of the bloodline of Saint Alessia. The symbol of the Imperial Empires of Tamriel, the Red Diamond, stemmed from the amulet and became the royal seal of the Septim Dynasty much later.[45] Some theories report that the amulet is a Soul Gem of Ayleid origin.[46]

The Ayleid Crown of Lindai and the Ayleid Crown of Nenalata were two unique and powerful light Ayleid helmets bearing powerful enchantments. The Crown of Lindai could resist magic from 10%-35%, fortify Illusion from 5 to 15 points and fortify alteration 5 to 15 points. The Crown of Nenalata could reflect spells from 8%-25%, fortify alteration 5 to 15 points and fortify conjuration 5 to 15 points.[10]

Notable Ayleid

Hadhuul: Hadhuul, colloquially referred to as the Fire King, was the King of Ceyatatar in Cyrodiil. His armies were powerful and were never defeated until the Battle of Ceyatatar, when they suffered their first defeat at the hands of Pelinal Whitestrake and the Imperial slaves who were launching a rebellion against the rule of the Ayleids. Hadhuul was killed by Whitestrake during the battle.[18]

Celethelel: Celethelel, colloquially referred to as "Celethelel the Singer," was an Ayleid during the First Era. In 1E 242, Celethelel killed Pelinal's companion Huna with an arrow, driving the Whitestrake into a fierce rage.[18]

Umaril the Unfeathered, a half Ayleid.

Laloriaran Dynar, an Ayleid king and the last known surviving Ayleid.

Tjurhane Fyrre, an Ayleid author.

Captain Nym, an Ayleid ghost who collected Star Teeth in life.

Endarre, an Ayleid hero who led a band of four other members who destroyed the city of Abagarlas and hid the Prismatic Crystal.

King Anumaril, the king of Abagarlas who worshipped Molag Bal.

Curano

Lanath

Ostarand

Valasha

Prince Malyon, the king's son.

Queen Palolel, the king's wife.

Trivia

Like the Aldmeri, Snow Elves, Dwemer and Chimer, the Ayleids are one of the "ancient civilizations" of Tamriel.

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

Айлейдские руины Мискарканд

Общие сведения

Айлейды, дикие эльфы, салиачи или хартлендские высокие эльфы, они же эшмеры(по МК) — одна из эльфийских рас, ушедшая с островов Саммерсет и поселившаяся отдельно от других меров на территории современного Сиродила(Хартленда/Средиземья) и, частично, Чернотопья (барсебические айлейды) примерно в середине Меретийской (Меретической) эры. В Первой эре по ряду причин были вынуждены переселиться в Валенвуд, Хаммерфелл, Скайрим и Хай Рок.

Известно, что они были особенно высокомерным народом, отрицавшим возможность равного общения с другими расами, из-за чего и получили прозвание «дикие эльфы». Как и все представители эльфийского рода, айлейды имели хрупкое строение тела, но были очень ловкими. Выглядели представители данной расы как и все эльфы того времени (приблизительно как современные альтмеры), но отличительной особенностью этого народа был ещё более золотистый цвет кожи.

История

Появление. Ранний айлейдский период

История айлейдов как отдельной расы эльфов берёт своё начало ещё во времена начала Меретической эры, когда отдельная группа альдмеров под предводительством Топала Мореходаисследует и картографирует морские пути Тамриэля в частности — реку Нибен, находящуюся на юге материка. Он заплывает глубоко в центральный Сиродил, где получает в своё владение Восемь Островов на озере Румаре) — земли, где впоследствии будет расположена Башня Белого Золота. Этот дар преподнёс ему обитавший в тех краях звериный народ, который он и его команда обучили письменности (так же бытует мнение, что Топал и его флот просто-напросто уничтожили живших там людей-птиц и присвоили острова).

Со временем Топал и его команда, а также небольшие группы альдмеров, постепенно переселяются на вновь открытую территорию Сиродила, где начинают освоение джунглей вокруг реки Нибен и строительство первых городов-государств. Так появились первые айлейды.

Золотой век

Где-то в середине Меретической эры начинается и завершается строительство Башни Белого Золота, а также города вокруг неё, ныне известного как Старый путь. Башня и её окрестности становятся культурным и политическим центром айлейдских городов-государств до самого падения их империи.

В течение всего промежутка власти айлейдов (несколько тысячелетий) эта раса всё более и более расширяет свои границы, отстраивая все больше новых городов-государств. Постепенно они полностью подчинили себе местность вдоль побережья Нибена, а со временем и весь Сиродил. За его пределы айлейды предпочли не выходить, создав своё собственное, обособленное от других эльфийских народов, феодальное государство.

Падение

Так продолжалось примерно до 1Э 242, когда произошло восстание порабощённых недийских племен во главе с «Королевой рабов», также известной как Ал-Эш, что в переводе на наш язык значит «ваше высочество».

В начале войны удача была полностью на стороне айлейдских королей: восставшие люди были загнаны в угол и практически полностью истреблены. Однако произошло событие, в корне изменившее расстановку сил — пришествие Пелинала Вайтстрейка (очень таинственная и спорная личность). Ведомые Пелиналом (практически самолично истреблявшим целые армии эльфов) неды начали вытеснение своих бывших хозяев. Чуть позже племянник Пелинала Морихаус привёл за собой армии «Старого Королевства» нордов, принявших сначала Вайтстрейка за своего бога Шора.

Объединённая армия представляла собой несокрушимую силу, которая быстро завоевала все города-государства Сиродила. Последней целью их кампании стала Башня Белого Золота — самая могучая цитадель айлейдов.

В 1Э 243 Башня Белого Золота пала под натиском людских полчищ, что положило конец айлейдскому правлению.

Послевоенные годы. Поздний айлейдский период

Хотя некоторые из айлейдских королей и смогли заключить договор с новой Империей людей, поддерживая свои города ещё несколько столетий, однако постепенно эти города стали приходить в упадок, пока не были заброшены совсем. Известно, что некоторая часть салиачи покинула свои города и переселилась в другие эльфийские державы. Последним заселённым айлейдским городом Сиродила стала Неналата.

В 1Э 393 Алессианский орден, возглавляемый аббатом Космасом, производит зачистку древнего айлейдского храма Малада (что с эльфийского переводится как Высокий Собор). Сообщалось, что под сводами храма обитали «демоны», но они были все уничтожены при нападении. Вероятнее всего, это было последней масштабной попыткой эльфов вернуть себе утраченные позиции.

В дальнейшем некогда «дикие эльфы» были постепенно ассимилированы или вытеснены, что в конечном итоге привело к полному исчезновению этой расы.

Религия

В первую очередь салиачи почитали даэдра. Частое упоминание Меридии (например, в «Трактате о Мерид-Нунде») позволяет предположить, что она считалась покровительницей данной расы. С другой стороны, из исторических источников становится ясно, что по крайней мере в Поздний айлейдский период один из кланов салиачи (беженцы из Неналаты) был служителем Даэдрического Принца Знаний — Хермеуса Моры. Есть также сведения и о том, что айлейды из города Абагарлас были служителями Молаг Бала. Так же в некоторых айлейдских городах можно обнаружить статуи некой личности, поднимаемой орлом; бытует мнение, что это Аури-Эль. Из всего это можно сделать предположение, что каждое из айлейдских городов-государств почитало своего, отдельно взятого бога.

Стоит также отметить барсебических айлейдов Чернотопья. Есть вероятность, что данные племена салиачи поклонялись не даэдра, а аэдра.

Быт и культура

Стихией айлейдов была магия, поэтому почти каждый представитель диких эльфов был искусным магом. Они создали то, что позднее стало называться школой Изменения. Подробнее об их умениях в области этой магии можно прочитать в книге «Дитя Нибена».

Политическое и государственное устройство

Особенностью айлейдского государственного устройства (как и у других эльфийских рас, ушедших с Саммерсета) являлась политическая раздробленность. Вся их территория была поделена на области, каждая из которых была подконтрольна своему городу, управляемому королём-магом, который и определял внутреннюю политику области. Это разделение в конечном итоге сыграло с айлейдами злую шутку, так как непрекращающиеся гражданские войны между кланами в конечном итоге послужили не меньшей причиной падения цивилизации салиачи, чем восстание рабов. Самым крупным городом, а также политическим и культурным центром, являлся уже упомянутый выше Старый путь, в котором находилась Башня Белого Золота.

Отношение к другим расам

Как уже говорилось ранее, айлейды свысока смотрели на представителей других народов. Поэтому недийские племена людей, также проживавшие на территории Сиродила, были обращены в рабов.

Жизнь людей в городах-государствах эльфов во многом зависела от правителя. Если в некоторых поселениях людям жилось довольно сносно, то во многих других их низводили до уровня рабочего скота. Городом, где было сосредоточено наибольшее количество людей, был Сард, ныне известный как Сардавар Лид (именно в этом месте родилась Перриф). В Сарде не было свободы ни в чём, даже в сохранении семьи и выборе имени. Условия содержания тоже были ужасными — люди спали на холодном полу, месяцами не мылись, недоедали… Их заставляли корчевать камни и осушать поля, держать в порядке часовни и дороги, могли подвергнуть пыткам просто из прихоти своих хозяев, а тела использовать в качестве скульптур из плоти, которые были популярны у диких эльфов.

Но наиболее худшим образом для людей складывалась ситуация в городе Сейа-Тар (в наши дни — Сейататар), в котором правил король-маг Хадхул, более известный как «Огненный король». В его царстве производились снадобья путем введения даэдронов в живые организмы, позволявшие зреть новые образы пыток. По выходным ночью на специальных аренах устраивались различные забавы, одной из которых было поджигание детей и травля их тиграми.

Вероятно, айлейды продолжили морские путешествия, начатые ещё Топалом, и существует огромная вероятность того, что они достигли даже берегов Акавира. В подтверждение этого можно привести один необычный факт — в конце Третьей эры, в руинах города Трамб, расхитителями гробниц был найден хорошо спрятанный и надёжно защищённый меч явно акавирского происхождения, а если быть точным — цаэски. Это говорит о том, что раса айлейдов, вероятно, контактировала и с жителями других континентов (вполне возможно, что они были в этом первыми).

Знания и достижения

“Из огня — жизнь, из света — магия” — Айлейды

Айлейды полагали, что Нирн создан из четырёх основных элементов: земли, воды, воздуха и света. Изо всех видов света звёздный свет они считали тончайшей его формой, так как именно звёзды связывали айлейдов с миром Этериуса — источником всей магической силы. Привычный нам четвёртый элемент «огонь» салиачи считали слабой и искажённой формой света, который, как уже говорилось выше, айлейдские философы отождествляли с первичными магическими принципами.

Иногда на земле можно найти его частицы, известные людям под названием «метеор». Наиболее часто встречающиеся состоят из «метеоритного железа» — металла, который высоко ценится у кузнецов и магов за магически�� свойства; именно из него создавались эльфийские доспехи и оружие для отличившихся айлейдских воинов.

Также метеоритное железо является главным компонентом для айлейдских колодцев — древних магических артефактов, найти которые можно по всему Сиродилу. Закономерность их расположения остается загадкой, но ученые полагают, что колодцы стоят на пересечении древних магических потоков, тем самым они неведомым способом черпают магическую силу из звёздного света. Естественно, колодцы не просто так стоят — с их помощью любое разумное существо может восстановить и повысить свой запас магических сил.

Другой, менее распространенный вид частиц Этериуса, носит название «метеоритное стекло», из которого изготавливались велкиндские камни и камни варла.

Также стоит отметить, что айлейдские мастера смогли создать особые приспособления — охранные статуи. Они охраняли айлейдские города от нежелательного вторжения извне.

Внутренняя жизнь городов

Современному исследователю сейчас довольно трудно представить повседневную жизнь айлейдов. Это связано с тем, что практически все айлейдские постройки были разграблены, вероятно, ещё в период конца Первой эры. На сегодняшний день в городах можно увидеть лишь голые стены да каменные предметы интерьера (столы и скамейки), которые не могут быть вынесены наружу или сгнить. Вся эта мрачная картина слабо освещается светом светильников, сделанных из камней варла.

Подземные комплексы айлейдов являлись лишь малой частью городов (вероятнее всего, дворцы или жилые кварталы богатых особ), а большая часть населения могла проживать и на поверхности земли, в обычных домах. Эту теорию подтверждает практически полное отсутствие разделённых, тупиковых комнат в руинах айлейдов. Однако против этой теории говорит внешнее обустройство городов: на территории комплексов нет ни одного строения, из чего следует, что все жители проживали в подземной части городов.

Также имеет право на жизнь версия, что те части руин, которые сохранились до момента прохождения игры, были изначально предназначены для неких ритуалов и/или захоронений. Большое количество саркофагов и ниш в стенах, массово встречающиеся привидения, скелеты и зомби характерны для склепов. Скамьи и трибуны, часто встречающиеся тут, вполне могли использоваться в неких массовых обрядах. Также в пользу этого варианта говорит то, что на поверхности нет ни одного айлейдского кладбища или чего-то подобного.

Так или иначе, многое из жизни айлейдов до сих пор остается н��понятным для нас.

Айлейдский алфавит

Айлейды, как и все остальные народы, имели свой собственный язык. Надписи на айлейдисе можно найти во многих руинах городов, а также в книгах.

Артефакты айлейдов

Велкиндские камни

Велкиндский камень

Самые распространенные айлейдские артефакты — велкиндские камни. Это крупные прозрачные кристаллы цвета морской волны в металлической оправе, способные полностью восстанавливать магическую энергию использовавшего камень существа, при этом безвозвратно исчезая. В книге «Магия, рождённая небом» говорится о том, что велкиндские камни — это айлейдские колдовские артефакты, изготовленные из метеоритного железа и метеоритного стекла.

Примечание: Надо заметить, что к концу своего правления айлейды научились выращивать кристаллы велкинд.

Известно, что в крупных поселениях айлейдов существовали так называемые «Великие велкиндские камни». Предполагается, что «великий велкиндский камень, сердце каждого древнего айлейдского города, отвечал за всё магическое обустройство жизни поселения». Все эти артефакты к настоящему времени утрачены. Последний великий велкиндский камень играет важную роль в основной сюжетной линии The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

Камни варла

Камень варла

Камни варла — куда более редкие и драгоценные артефакты. Несколько крупнее велкиндских и белого цвета, камни варла способны полностью заряжать любое количество зачарованных предметов, также исчезая при использовании. В книге «Магия, рождённая небом» также предполагается их космическое происхождение, иных свидетельств нет.

«Чёрные камни варла» — охранные артефакты. Встречаются практически во всех айлейдских руинах. Средних размеров, висят на специальных постаментах или под потолками. Как ясно из названия, эти камни имеют тёмный оттенок, однако незадолго до того, как поразить нарушителя, камни начинают светиться красным. Способны накапливать и отдавать достаточно большие сгустки магической энергии.

Броня и оружие

Несмотря на обширные знания в области магии, айлейды не боялись и ближнего боя. И хотя они сами не экспериментировали в создании брони и оружия, благодаря использованию знаний своих предков, альдмеров, айлейды создавали для своих бойцов великолепное снаряжение, называемое сегодня эльфийским. Простые воины, не имеющие никаких знаков отличия, пользовались стандартными вариантами этой экипировки. Отличившиеся же вознаграждались зачарованными доспехами и оружием, которыми гордились и дорожили.

Эльфийское оружие и броня, оставшиеся в большом количестве по всем уголкам Сиродила, сами по себе произведения искусства. Эльфийские доспехи и щиты на вид состоят из мелких золотых чешуек. Однако это не самая дорогая и лучшая защита в игре. Наиболее подходящей для себя её найдут лучники и маги. Одно из её главных достоинств — малый вес. Не случайно для обучения у мастера лёгкой брони в Сиродиле необходимо найти именно эльфийскую кирасу.

Другие артефакты

Иногда в разрушенных руинах айлейдских поселений можно отыскать айлейдские статуи, которые высоко ценятся коллекционерами древностей.

Также существует два поразительных артефакта, известных как Корона Неналаты и Корона Линдаи. Особо стоит отемить Чим-Эль Адабал — древний и могущественный артефакт салиачи, ныне известный большинству как Амулет Королей.

Известные айлейды

Умарил Неоперённый — айлейдский король-маг, правивший в Золотой век айлейдского владычества. Умарил является эльфом лишь наполовину — мать-айлейдка родила его от божественного отца. Был убит Пелиналом Вайтстрейком при осаде Башни Белого Золота, которой он и правил. Однако, благодаря своей полубожественной сути, позднее смог вернуться в мир живых. Вокруг этого события и его последствий построен сюжет дополнения The Elder Scrolls IV: Knights of the Nine.

Хадхул — король-маг, правивший в Золотой век айлейдского владычества. В его владениях находился город Сейа-Тар (Сейататар). Был убит Пелиналом Вайтстрейком при осаде Сейа-Тара.

Лалориаран Динар — король-маг, правивший в Поздний айлейдский период городом Неналата. В истории более известен под прозвищем «Последний король айлейдов».

Тьюрхан Фирр — айлейд, живший в период Первой и Второй эры. Являлся автором многих книг, в которых подробно рассказывает о традициях, обычаях и культуре своей расы.

#TESO #tes #tes lore #teslore #The Elder Scrolls #the elder scolls online #ayleid #ayleids #древние свитки #древние свитки лор #айлейды #айлейд

[ocean-in-my-rebel-soul]

Mateo! “It’s amazing how fast the world can go from bad to total shit storm.”

Introducing Mateo! Rivaini-Antivan half-elf rogue. He’s adorable, and I love him. For @dadrunkwriting, and tagging in @lyriumyue

“Look, there, on the horizon—!”

“A storm?”

“Maker preserve us.”

Mateo’s jaw fell at the sight, a sickly green flash on the horizon that swept across the clouds. “What the absolute fuck. That’s not how the sky works.”

A thud hit the deck beside him, tearing his gaze from the sky. “Yshari?” Mateo knelt down to feel for a pulse, his own quickening in his ears as he wrangled her from the floor. “Yshari, you’ve got to get up, there’s no good falling asleep here,” he muttered nervously. “Are you… are you mana-less or something? Talk to me.”

She groaned, slowly raising her hands to her temples. “Not a storm,” she gasped out. “It’s… something’s wrong, Teo, I—” Her eyes rolled back, showing their bright whites, and she went limp in his arms.

“Braska.” He looked up toward his companions. “Well, don’t just stand there, make yourselves useful!” he barked. “Get her to her cot, I’ll chat with the captain.”

“Admiral,” Keth corrected, hauling the unconscious mage over his shoulder. “And make sure to compliment her hat, it’s new.”

Mateo nodded, biting his lip as he watched his crewmates wobble away. Right. Just an ordinary talk. With the Admiral. A terrifying woman. He turned toward the quarter deck, where the Queen of the Seas was currently sunbathing.

By the Void, he hated to be the one to interrupt her.

==

They called it the Breach, this “inquisition,” the supposedly not-Chantry response to the newest crisis. Some people blamed the hole in the sky on the mages, accusations that made his jaw ache with tension whenever they had docked into a port town. It wasn’t until some drunkard called it payback—”for killing the male—mali—the robes at days-mood, but that was jus’ because they were heathens,” the man hiccuped with a conspiratorial nervousness—that Mateo had considered leaving his service with the Admiral.

That he had gotten them all kicked out of the piss-poor Antivan tavern for nearly breaking the man’s jaw had no bearing on the situation.

But he was out, for now. It had taken him months of saving and wheedling to buy out his contract with Admiral Isabela. She was a fair yet terrifying mistress, but she knew a decent crew when she saw them, and told him as much.

“You check it out, get a feel for… whatever is going on, and then you come back,” she ordered him as he walked down the gangplank in Amaranthine, pressing a sealed letter into his hand. “Tell Varric I sent you, if you see him, and give him this. Last I knew, he’d been taken prisoner by the Chantry, but he hasn’t sent another letter. He’d better be there.”

He smiled at the memory, the uncharacteristically soft set of her features. Proud as a demon, she was, but her crew was her family.

Mateo tossed back the dregs of his lukewarm ale and gestured to the serving girl for another, listening to the voices around him. His long hair hid his ears well enough, if he didn’t draw much attention to himself; and the muted lighting of the tavern provided a fine cover for eavesdropping.

“I heard the Herald has been moving further into Ferelden.”

“Yeah, well I heard she fights demons with her bare hands.”

“That’s so fucking stupid, Eddin, who would fight demons without a sword?”

“Well, why would the Herald of Andraste be a mage-loving knife-ear?”

It wasn’t the first time he’d heard rumors about this Herald, each seemingly more fantastical than the next, but this took the cake. Too bad it also wasn’t the first time he’d heard her called a ‘knife-ear.’ His own ears burned at the slur.

But she was a mage sympathizer—that was new information.

Mateo nursed his ale long after it grew warm before paying and making his way to the stables. There was a long way between this podunk drinking village and the Inquisition, and that hole in the sky wasn’t getting any better the longer he took to make it there.

==

“It’s amazing how fast the world can go from bad to total shit storm,” a voice drawled from behind him. “If you don’t want to see exactly how fast that can be, you’ll drop your daggers, kid.”

Mateo stilled, his fingers flexing unconsciously around the leather grips of his blades. “I am—was—hunting,” he said evenly. “You snuck up on me.”

“And you snuck up on an Inquisition camp. Shit. Now I’m gonna have to bring you to the Seeker and she’ll make me do paperwork, and I’m already up to my ears in reports. So,” the man said, and Mateo could hear the distinct click-scrape of metal on metal, “you’re going to try that excuse again. Seekers of Truth get a little antsy about lies, you see.”

Mateo dropped the daggers, wincing at the impact with the rock-strewn earth, and slowly raised his hands above his head, palms open and empty. “I was looking for the Inquisition,” he admitted. “I heard you have the answers.”

“To what?”

“To everything, if rumor’s to be believed. Is it true the Herald is an elf?”

“You got a problem with that?” The voice dropped, just a little, just enough to be dark and a touch threatening. Not quite enough to scare him off, that wasn’t the point, but to prod. He hoped.

Rivain and Antiva had already proven to be so much more logical than the south.

“No.” Mateo flicked his head, his hair moving to reveal gently tapered ears. “I am, too. Partly.”

A noncommittal huff sounded behind him, followed by heavy footsteps, but the man didn’t come very close, or anywhere near Mateo’s line of sight.

“Well, that’s touching, but being an elf isn’t exactly a reason to be sneaking around a camp of heavily armed, very nervous soldiers with your daggers drawn. That’s one of the surest ways I know of to a not-so-friendly game of ‘stab me.’”

“I’d rather you didn’t, if I get a choice,” Mateo said. “I heard that the Herald likes mages. What’s her stance on the war?”

He could almost hear the eye-roll that accompanied the sigh. “How about this, kid: we talk like civilized gentlemen, you don’t go for the dagger that’s probably hidden in your hair, and I won’t have Bianca shoot you?”

Mateo stilled. Did he not hear a second person? He strained his ears for any signs of this Bianca, but heard nothing over the heartbeat in his ears and the general noise of the forest around them. “That seems… fair?”

He turned, quietly, slowly, and faced the speaker. A dwarf, fair haired and complected, carrying a—

“Is that a crossbow?”

The stranger nodded to his weapon and gave it a little wave. “This? Say hello, Bianca.”

“Bianca.” Not a second person, then. Why did the name sound familiar? “I’m Mateo.”

“No last name, huh?”

“None needed on the sea.”

The dwarf snorted. “Sounds like a pirate I know,” he muttered, more to himself than anyone.

Mateo shrugged. “Can’t all be somebodies, I guess.” He lowered his hands, drawing a sharp eye from the dwarf, but no attack. “But you’re somebody, I think, aren’t you? Varric Tethras?”

That brought the crossbow a little higher. “Depends on who’s asking.” The words were strangely even and all the more threatening for it.

“You are, then. Isabela said you wouldn’t shoot me. Probably. Always room for chance.”

Varric visibly relaxed, his brow furrowed. “You’re with Rivaini? Is she here?”

Mateo shook his head. “No, but I worked on her ship for the last two years. Here,” he said, dropping his travel sack to retrieve a wrinkled envelope. “That should, hopefully, be a letter to get me in your mostly-good graces. From the Admiral herself.”

He waited with bated breath as Varric tore open the envelope, reading and rereading the letter. A soft, incredulous smile broke over his face and he pocketed the letter before gesturing to Mateo.

“Okay, kid, you’re coming with me. And pick up your daggers—you’ve been looking like you’re gonna cry since you dropped them.”

Mateo sniffed and darted to retrieve them, wiping the stray loam from the blades before sheathing them at his back. He had been, too, but he wasn’t going to let Varric have the satisfaction of knowing it. 

#Mateo #Lessons in Dexterity #Dragon Age: Inquisition #SoulRebel Writes #DA Drunk Writing Circle #tk-duveraun

[louthegothartist]

Queen Keth (soft E sound) was Laufey's mother and was the Blood ruler of the realm, she was born to the Throne and had rule over everyone. She was a kind hearted and forgiving Queen that all loved and once she was married her husband Batin, he became a King that was equally as kind. But once their 6th and final child was born, Laufey, Batin became cold and cruel to not only Keth herself but to Laufey and only Laufey. Because Keth was the Ruler by blood even her own husband had to obey to her commands and she commanded him to leave Laufey alone once he became abusive to him.

After Laufey ran away to be with Farbauti (the man Batin forbade him to be with because he was a commoner even though they where soul bonded) Keth had to go across the realm to attend to things, she saw Laufey from across a town, he saw her and they both smiled and waved, without getting closer Laufey lifted his sleeve to show his wedding band to show he was married, safe and happy. Keth blew her son one final kiss then Laufey turned and walked away while pulling his hood on.

Once she got back to the palace she confronted her husband by slapping him in the face, a fight broke out with Keth being killed by her husband making him the Ruler of Jotunheimen until his eldest was ready to take the Throne. Batin started the war between realms that Aagard had won but he and the rest of his children all died by trying to hide and not fight leaving Laufey the only one left to take the Throne. Once he and Farbauti moved back into the palace Laufey ordered every painting of his father and older siblings to be burned, only paintings of his mother and past rulers could stay up.

Helblindi looks a lot like Keth, because she had to stay and rule inside no one really remembers what the past Quenn looks like so people thing that Helblindi isn't Farbauti's son.

#laufey #Queen Keth #Laufey was very close with his mother #and learned everything about ruling from her #she had always wanted him to take the throne #people who remember the queens ruling see that laufey is just as kind and caring as she was #marvel jotun #jotun oc

[junaketh]

Jonahketh, 7th King of Lalty-Malsax is a fair king. He holds reservations for his son Junaketh, as he's not much of a "man" he expects him to be. His wife, Josaaketh is the Queen. Josaaketh loves Junaketh dearly, she offers him advice and consoling! The family line runs through as a held name, starting with J and ending with Keth. The King holds a true name whole the queen holds a anointed name. Josaaketh's unanointed name was Rosaa. It is rare for a princess to be born in this line, which it is celebrated to bare a princess of a natural name. Junaketh is a prince of the 8th generation, meaning his father is of the 7th generation. If Junaketh becomes king, his title would be Junaketh of the VIII, King of Lalty-Malsax.

#character design #indie games #lore #worldbuilding

[shadowofmoths]

Kethra!

smy GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Full Name: kethra naï’lo

Gender and Sexuality: female adn shes a lesbian!

Pronouns: she/her

Ethnicity/Species: shes a half elf

Birthplace and Birthdate: i have no idea!! she was probablyyyyy born in like a little. wooded area. little village or smth? idk the very beginning of her life iiis a lil foggy fr me still 

Guilty Pleasures: being…fucking creepy…….

Phobias: i think it would ve REALLy ironic if prior to her deal w her patron she was terrified of like. frostbite or dying of freezing, or smth? bc her patron is an ice goddess. but i think on a deeper level she is both terrified of being alone and terrified of letting herself trust anyone. 

What They Would Be Famous For: uh i wrote an au campaign where she was the queen of the criminal underground and had an undead gf so…that??

What They Would Get Arrested For: what WOULDNT keth get arrested for. is being an asshole a crime? bc shes def guilty of it. no but jk she def does murder and stealing and shit shes…she doesnt have, like, a lot of morals?

OC You Ship Them With: her as of yet unnamed gf!! kethra’s been around for like 3 years i gotta flesh out her backstory

OC Most Likely To Murder Them: like…..anyone with morals…….or anyone with less morals than kethra……keth isnt in the business of making friends or allies or anything she cares about one (1) person and her familiar and thats it so like. no one likes her alksdjfh

Favorite Movie/Book Genre: horror

Least Favorite Movie/Book Cliche: bad horror alksjdhf

Talents and/or Powers: shes got a lot of freaky ice shit and also necromancy, and she does like the…creepy charming thing, too? her charisma is p high

Why Someone Might Love Them: i………i dont know………………..really the only reason someone would like kethra is if she cast charm person or suggest or friends on em or smth…her gf would love her bc kethra is literally willing to sell her soul for her but other than that…

Why Someone Might Hate Them: where do i START…shes just an Asshole……shes just freaky and weird and doesnt care about anyone, really, and she has very low morals and will only do good things for people she really really really cares about but she doesnt let herself care about anyone. shes just kind of. fanatical and like, vaguely possessed and cold hearted! i love her so mu hc

How They Change: well i think …she needs a lot of therapy……….so hopefully she can overcome her shit….but in-universe really i just feel like she’ll continue to spiral and spiral and spiral because shes not in control of herself anymore and its just. someone find kethra’s gf and get her to come save keth from like…..self destructing…… 

Why You Love Them: she was my first baby!! my first dnd girl!!! and shes changed a lil over the years and ive only played her twice but i really really just. im attached to her! i think she’s a really interesting character! and even though i designed her to be different from me she really is just a representation of a time when i was younger adn just…really going through shit, and so i feel like i have a lot of sympathy for keth bc of that? and she just. man yall can probably tell from all the meta here how much she means to me…uhh if anyone needs a warlock in their campaign hmu i gotta play this GIRL aksdjfh

#long post #kethra naï'lo #ocs #d&d

[dianaleaghmatthews]

Hymn Story: All People That on Earth Do Dwell

Hymn Story: All People That on Earth Do Dwell

All People That on Earth Do Dwell was written by William Kethe. Kethe was born in Scotland and fled to the continent during Queen Mary’s persecution in the late 1550s. While living in Geneva he traveled to visit other English refugees. It is believed he was one of the translators of the Geneva Bible–which was favored by the Pilgrim fathers. He died in 1594 Dorset, England. Mary, Queen of…

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#All People That on Earth Do Dwell song story #behind the hymn #hymn story #Old Hundredth hymn #William Kethe

[dangermousie]

Book Rec - it's a high fantasy this time!

I am very picky about my high fantasy if for no other reason that it tends to be a huge time investment, being usually multi-volume, with each book the size of a brick. Well, that and the fact that the flavor du jour appears to be grimdark and that’s not my thing at all. 

So coming across a series I love is an awesome thing and one I pretty much must share. So here we are, with me about to gush about a five-volume (it’s complete) series by Phil Tucker called Chronicles of the Black Gate. 

Set in a very imaginative and well-developed world that follows the doctrine of Ascension (think castes and reincarnation, taken to extremes), we watch over the course of the series how this world (already brutal, strained and unfair) slowly and inexorably falls apart due to a kragh (think troll) invasion and then awakening of demons… Interestingly, the one series it reminds me of (though the settings are completely different) is Jim Butcher’s Alera. Think beautiful world building, characters driven by extraordinary strength of purpose, epic battles (battle descriptions are one of the books’ major strengths), tragedy, magic, revolts and redemption. And of course (you know me) love. Even though romance is not primarily or even secondarily focus of the series, the two OTPs are basically everything I ever wanted and then some.

The story has six narrators and I list them in order from most to least fave though I like all of them.

Asho - do you like Spartacus? So do I. Asho is a Bythian which, in that society’s belief system is the lowest caste, enslaved and treated little better than animals. Yet Asho gets taken out of Bythos by Lord Enderl Kyferin, a monster of a man who disregards society, on a whim, and made a squire. As the story starts he gets knighted by Ascendant’s Grace (think the Pope’s second in command) for battlefield heroics creating pretty much an impossibility in that religious system - a Bythian knight. Throughout the books, Asho discovers he’s a sorcerer (if there is one thing worse than Bythians in that belief system, it’s sorcerers), embraces atheism, fights to free his people, to save the world. He has more raw power than anyone else in that universe but what drives him is his will and his sense of justice. He has never met an oppressed person or group he doesn’t want to save. Basically think Jesus, if Jesus had a giant sword and was 1000% done with your shit. Oh, and his magic forms a bond with Kethe Kyferin, daughter of Lord Kyferin, who derives her power from what that society views as a heavenly force. Hmmm. Asho x Kethe 4evah. Seriously if you like OTPs that express their bond through battling evil together, this one is for you!

He kissed her back, but softly, and then broke the kiss and rested his brow against her own. “After this is all done,” he said, his breath mingling with hers, “are we going to be together?” “Yes,” she said. “A house, perhaps. You and me, lying naked in our bed. Sunlight coming in through the window. Endless afternoons doing nothing but being together. No danger. No death. No pain. No - no suffering.”

“No suffering,” she echoed, growing more scared.

“Yes. Together. Yes.” He traced the line of her jaw. “Far from this Empire. Far from the Virtues and White Gates and Black. Far from your mother and the Ascendant. From the cycles of Ascension. From all this madness that makes us hate and kill and hurt and maim.”

“Yes,” she whispered.  

Lady Iskra Kyferin - Lord Kyferin’s widow, she has no magic, no sword skills, but she can still take you apart. She is amazing. As the story starts, Iskra revels in her husband’s death, ready to be master of her own life at last. That goes sideways and Iskra continues to fight everything that comes along for her family, for the world. Along the way she becomes a rebel countess, a heretic empress and Ascentant’s Grace (aka military leader of the empire.) She is basically the queen of everything that is awesome. 

Ser Tiron - he used to be one of Lord Kyferin’s best knights but Lord Kyferin annihilated his entire family for something so incredibly petty and pointless, I cannot even describe. Tiron basically went nuts and Kyferin locked him up in a dungeon as a way to torment him even worse than death. At the start of the series, Iskra, desperate for support, releases him from the dungeon for a promise to support her. Through the books, Tiron struggles with loss and madness, grief, rage, and a sense of meaning and emerges a complete badass on the other side. Also, he rides a freaking dragon! Oh, and Iskra x Tiron is everything. It’s one of my all time fave ships now. 

“Iskra,” he whispered, hands hovering over her, unsure what to do, whether he should touch her. Then he leaned down and enveloped her and pulled her into a tight embrace, burying his face against her neck. “You came back. You came back.” The snarling animal that has been raging at his core retreated by slow degrees.

Iskra breathed in deep, raw gasps, then her arms moved around him and she hugged him back, deep sobs wracking her frame, sounds of outrage and horror. “Tiron,” she whispered, her voice a rasp like his own. “Tiron.”  

 Lady Kethe Kyferin - Iskra’s daughter, Kethe’s lifelong dream is to be a knight, something no women do in that society. Through the books she has a crisis of faith (or two), discovers she is a “virtue” (someone who is considered holy for being able to channel certain kinds of power), defeats hordes of enemies and becomes Asho’s soulmate. Pretty darn cool. 

Magister Audsley - he is a scholar who discovers all sorts of abilities and truths about society. Can’t really say more without major spoilers. Oh, and he has a flying cat.

Tharok - the kragh leader, the one who spearheads the invasion into the human world and who may be controlled by a demonic power. Or not. I started out bored with him and ended up liking him.

Anyway, go read, now! It’s on Kindle Unlimited.

#books #fantasy books #book recs #fantasy recs #phil tucker #chronicles of the black gate