#and people would have to become swords smiths and such

[howtofightwrite]

How good would a whip be as a weapon? I'm not interested in it being a lethal weapon but more of it being a weapon that can defend someone long enough to get away or at least disarm or disable someone. I don't see a lot of people or character or referrals on how to use it and that's probably because it's not good enough?

Not great. The whip, like the goad and cattle-prod, aren't really designed for use as weapons. They're designed to control animals. (...and, yes, that does sometimes include humans, but again, in a non-combat, control role.) Part of the problem with the whip is, it's not much use against someone wearing armor. Or, even, heavy clothing.

Now, whips do have a legitimate military history as discipline tools, but that's very different from trying to take them onto the battlefield.

The reason reason you'll still see characters using whips, when you've probably never even heard of a goad, is because the whip is visually dynamic. It looks cool. You don't see Indiana Jones using a whip because it's the best choice of weapon, you see him using one because it stands out, and as a result, it has become iconic. It's delivering a specific vibe.

At the same time, the goad is just a pointy stick.

Whip disarms are a neat trick. And, very doable in a controlled environment. However, successfully disarming someone who's actively trying to kill you is going to be a bit more challenging, and also raises the question, “If you're putting this much effort and attention into taking away someone's weapon, shouldn't you be spending that effort and attention taking their life instead?”

This is probably little thought experiment about combat disarms. There's no point in disarming a corpse. So, why not just skip the middle step and go straight to the corpse-making? A question that Indiana Jones famously answered when, instead of dueling a sword master, simply pulled out his .455 Smith & Wesson and dropped the guy. (The real reason was that Harrison Ford was ill from food poisoning, and in no condition to shoot a prolonged fight sequence. So instead we accidentally got a character defining moment of pragmatism.)

To be clear, if it seems that I'm a bit negative on the subject, I do think the whip is a neat weapon. It's visually dynamic. It's loaded with symbolism. I think it's fantastic in a fictional context. It's just not practical.

There are fantastical versions of the whip that are better options. William Gibson's use of monowire comes to mind as an immediate example. Where the whip itself is created from a monomolecular carbon fiber, and can, as a result, cut through basically anything it strikes. Similarly, I still have serious reservations about the Lightwhip from Star Wars' old Expanded Universe, but it would carve through anything pretty effectively (including the wielder.)

Even in those cases, the whip is a weapon you choose for the aesthetic, more than the practicality.

-Starke

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#writing reference #writing advice #writing tips #starke answers

[rosehipandroots]

if the links had YouTube channels what kind of content would they make

oh i can so get behind this

time: he’s too cryptid lol he appears in the background of Malon’s ranch vlogs. he makes his appearances stranger and stranger to mess with people bc he’s Like That 

warriors: all the beauty. makeup, skin routine, fashion, etiquette. this is however staggered by him and artemis’ impromptu sparring matches bc she likes to ambush him while he’s streaming 

twi: he’s just a little guy doin his farm things. he mostly talks about fishing and his goats and posts tutorials on how to properly herd and wrestle em. his audience is routinely shocked that he can haul 300 pound rams around. his most popular video is of illia roasting the shit out of him while talo and malo cheer her on (he left epona out overnight at the ranch on accident) 

sky: he knows all the birds. all of em. he’s like the rainbow macaw guy that was just walkin his birds lol. he does volunteer work at a zoo and vlogs about days in the life of a zoology student. he also skydives with his girlfriend all the time and he and wind happily talk about seagulls, and he often introduces his sword at the beginning of his videos. he’s got all the sunshine energy 

wild: he’s just Insane on social media. just a total gremlin. wind shows up in his videos a lot & they do crazy shit followed by a cooking tutorial from wild like nothing even happened 

legend: he’s a nerd. such a nerd lol. he didn’t post often but when he does it’s always an infodump on the most random of topics, esp things he shouldn’t really have the right to know/vaguely concerning bc he knows Everything (with an occasional jewelry interlude with wars) 

four: you never know what he’s going to post. smithing, pranking, breaking and entering; he gets away with the weirdest shit and no one knows how. wildcard fr

hyrule: he does those lil soft aesthetic videos with a lot of travelling, landscapes and rain. throughout the course of his videos he somehow becomes friends with increasingly more concerning animals until he’s just taking innocent selfies with a wolf pack in the middle of nowhere (which may or may not include twi) 

wind: had to think about this one for a minute! i think he’d do a lot of out-to-sea videos and chaotic boat manning stuff with tetra. plus bombs! aryll often steals the show bc of how cute she is and often steals the actual camera itself. she talks about seagulls and fencing. wind also does cartography occasionally with legend bc they’re all about maps 

this was really fun!! i think the tl;dr is that they're simply all too chaotic to not be entertaining XD twi and sky are the only vaguely normal ones

#linked universe #ask #legend of zelda #lu sky #lu time #lu warriors #lu legend #lu wild #lu twilight #lu wind #lu four #lu hyrule #linked universe gang

[ardafanonarch]

Hi omg I love this thank you for doing it! I have seen a lot about what named sword did or didn't or might have belonged to whom - do we actually know the names of any First Age swords and who wielded them? (other than Eol's cursed pair).

Thank you!

[Anon, this one got so long that I have divided it into 3 parts so people can navigate more easily to weapons that most interest them. Thanks so much for sending this ask, I went down many rabbit holes researching and learned some new things myself.]

The Iron Gang: Anglachel-Gurthang, Anguirel, Angrist

Swords of the First Age, Part 1 of 3

Anglachel

Meaning: Uncertain. Possibly a combination of ang “iron”, lach “flame” and êl “star” (Eldamo). Sindarin.

Maker: Eöl

Owned/wielded by: Eöl, Thingol, Beleg, (Gwindor), Túrin

Notable for: forged from meteoritic iron; given as fee to Thingol for leave to dwell in Nan Elmoth; slaying Beleg

Fate: Reforged in Nargothrond as Gurthang

Then Beleg chose Anglachel; and that was a sword of great worth, and it was so named because it was made of iron that fell from heaven as a blazing star; it would cleave all earth-delved iron. One other sword only in Middle-earth was like to it. That sword does not enter into this tale, though it was made of the same ore by the same smith; and that smith was Eöl the Dark Elf, who took Aredhel Turgon’s sister to wife. He gave Anglachel to Thingol as fee, which he begrudged, for leave to dwell in Nan Elmoth; but its mate Anguirel he kept, until it was stolen from him by Maeglin, his son. The Silmarillion, ‘Of Túrin Turambar’

Discussion

Anglachel and its mate Anguirel are remarkable weapons. Not only because they were forged from “star iron”, against which the mere iron ores of Earth were no match, but also — certainly in the case of Anglachel and probably likewise with Anguirel — they seem to have possessed a sort of dark power, even sentience.

When Thingol gives Anglachel to Beleg, Melian says:

‘There is malice in this sword. The dark heart of the smith still dwells in it. It will not love the hand it serves; neither will it abide with you long.’

Melian’s words, as usual, prove prescient: Anglachel goes on to be the instrument of Beleg’s demise, wielded against him by Túrin as Beleg attempts to cut the fetters holding his friend captive. Gwindor then briefly carries Anglachel, until he and Túrin come to the Pool of Ivrin and Túrin is released of the madness of his grief over Beleg. Túrin notes that the blade has blackened and become blunt, and Gwindor remarks:

‘This is a strange blade, and unlike any that I have seen in Middle-earth. It mourns for Beleg even as you do.’ The Children of Húrin, Chapter 9: Death of Beleg

The implication seems to be that Anglachel has weathered unnaturally after losing its master.

Presumably because of this damage, Anglachel is reforged in Nargothrond. We do not know who specifically reforged the swords, but it is popular fanon that Celebrimbor, who remained in Nargothrond following his father’s expulsion, may have been involved. After reforging, Anglachel becomes Gurthang.

Gurthang (Anglachel reforged)

Meaning: Iron of Death. Sindarin.

Maker: Eöl, reforged by smiths of Nargothrond

Owned/wielded by: Túrin

Notable for: slaying Glaurung, Brandir, Túrin

Fate: Broken under Túrin’s body in his suicide. Shards buried with him.

The sword Anglachel was forged anew for him by the cunning smiths of Nargothrond, and though ever black its edges shone with pale fire. The Silmarillion, ‘Of Túrin Turambar’ Then they lifted up Túrin, and saw that his sword was broken asunder. So passed all that he possessed. The Children of Húrin, Chapter 13: The Death of Túrin

Discussion

Anglachel’s seeming-sentience is amplified by its reforging as Gurthang. In this incarnation, the weapon frequently flickers and flames as if it houses a fire of its own. Most notably, when Túrin prepares to take his own life, Gurthang speaks:

Then he drew forth his sword, and said: 'Hail Gurthang, iron of death, you alone now remain! But what lord or loyalty do you know, save the hand that wields you? From no blood will you shrink. Will you take Túrin Turambar? Will you slay me swiftly?' And from the blade rang a cold voice in answer: 'Yes, I will drink your blood, that I may forget the blood of Beleg my master, and the blood of Brandir slain unjustly. I will slay you swiftly.' Then Túrin set the hilts upon the ground, and cast himself upon the point of Gurthang, and the black blade took his life. The Children of Húrin, Chapter 13: The Death of Túrin

A Tangent: The Enigma of the Sentient Sword

There is no explanation in the legendarium for why or how Gurthang speaks, but a speaking sword is an enduring feature of Túrin’s story that goes all the way back to the earliest version, Turambar and the Foalókë (c. 1917-19, published in The History of Middle-earth Vol. 2: The Book of Lost Tales Part Two). So why did Gurthang speak, and why was this feature so dear to Tolkien? Well, here’s a passage on the death of the hero of the Tale of Kullervo in the Kalevala, a Finnish epic that Tolkien read as a teenager and which was a major inspiration behind the story of Túrin.

Kullervo, Kalervo's offspring, Grasped the sharpened sword he carried, Looked upon the sword and turned it, And he questioned it and asked it, And he asked the sword's opinion, If it was disposed to slay him, To devour his guilty body, And his evil blood to swallow. Understood the sword his meaning, Understood the hero's question, And it answered him as follows: "Wherefore at thy heart's desire Should I not thy flesh devour, And drink up thy blood so evil? I who guiltless flesh have eaten, Drank the blood of those who sinned not?" Kalevala, Rune XXXVI, translated by W.F. Kirby (1907)

Very familiar, isn’t it? The existence of a talking sword in-universe provides opportunity for all sorts of imaginative explanations, but the influence of Kullervo offers, I think, a compelling Doylist one.

Finally, it’s common to read interpretations where Anglachel and Anguirel exhibit the same properties as Gurthang. But there’s not, to the best of my knowledge, explicit canonical evidence that “speech” was an ability these two swords had from the time of their forging by Eöl. (I was also fascinated to find, during research for this post, that Anglachel and Anguirel were probably not always black. I made a separate post about it.)

Anguirel

Meaning: Uncertain. Possibly a combination of Sindarin ang “iron”, (unattested) uir “fiery” (or Noldorin uir “eternity”), and êl “star” (Eldamo).

Maker: Eöl

Owned/wielded by: Eöl, Maeglin

Fate: Unknown; presumably lost in the fall of Gondolin

Discussion

Compared to Anglachel, we know little of the history of its mate Anguirel, save that it was stolen from Eöl by Maeglin, presumably at the time Maeglin left Nan Elmoth for Gondolin.

Angrist (knife)

Meaning: Iron Cleaver. Sindarin.

Maker: Telchar of Nogrod

Owned/wielded by: Curufin, Beren

Fate: Breaks in Beren’s attempt to cut a second Silmaril from Morgoth’s crown.

Then Beren did Curufin release; but took his horse and coat of mail, and took his knife there gleaming pale, hanging sheathless, wrought of steel. No flesh could leeches ever heal that point had pierced; for long ago the dwarves had made it, singing slow enchantments, where their hammers fell in Nogrod, ringing like a bell. Iron as tender wood it cleft, and sundered mail like woollen weft. But other hands its haft now held; its master lay by mortal felled. The Lay of Leithian, 3051-3063

Then Lúthien rising forbade the slaying of Curufin; but Beren despoiled him of his gear and weapons, and took his knife, Angrist. That knife was made by Telchar of Nogrod, and hung sheathless by his side; iron it would cleave as if it were green wood. The Silmarillion, ‘Of Beren and Lúthien’

Discussion

Although of a different maker (and of unknown metallic composition), Angrist has interesting similarities with Anglachel and Anguirel. Besides the initial ang- element, all three blades are noted for an ability to cut through iron, and both Anglachel and Angrist end up “turning against” their masters as a pivotal moment: Angrist by breaking as Beren tries to cut a second Silmaril from Morgoth’s crown, and Anglachel by being the instrument of Beleg's death. As Eöl is also noted to have learned from the Dwarves, some fans have imagined these three blades may have been forged from the same meteoritic iron, or at least to share some of the same “enchantment”.

Note that the quote from Lay of Leithian does not explicitly apply to Angrist, which is a name for Curufin’s knife that Tolkien first used in the 1937 Quenta Silmarillion.

Part 2 | Part 3

#weapons #anglachel #gurthang #anguirel #angrist #the children of hurin #the lay of leithian #kalevala #turin turambar #beleg #eol #maeglin #curufin #anon

[tossawary]

So, I started thinking about a Kuina Lives + Strawhat Kuina AU specifically because of a paragraph on the wiki page. I was looking up info on Shimotsuki Village while I was taking down notes for a potential Pre-Canon ZoLu fic inspired by the live-action show.

Allegedly, the infamous 4kids dub CHANGED things so that Kuina didn't die, she was PERMANENTLY DISABLED to the point of being unable to pursue her dream. And my brain went: "?!" I see no reason why (aside from a few very extreme cases of disability) a disabled Kuina could not become a Strawhat pirate and go on adventures anyway! (Franky is a CYBORG who looks increasingly like a MECHA and Chopper's pills are BONKERS.)

Relevant quote: "Per standard policies, the 4Kids-dubbed anime censored her death, stating that she had been permanently injured by the friends of a man she'd defeated (and removing all scenes depicting her funeral or grave)." Which is driving my brain UP THE WALL with possibility when Kuina and Tashigi also supposedly both have names referencing flightless birds. The THEMES. The SYMBOLISM.

Personally, I still prefer Kuina becoming injured in an innocuous fall rather than having people directly responsible for her physical disability. The degree of her injury depends on what story that a person is individually writing. I see two potential ways forward (of many) that both interest me.

OPTION A: Kuina is physically disabled to the point of being unable to fight well generally, especially with swords. She uses a wheelchair and crutches to get around, and has some other lingering issues. So, like, she can definitely still whack people with a sword and shoot a gun, but Zoro is wielding Wado Ichimonji because Kuina feels she cannot do it justice. (But she's still supervising!!! She's Zoro's coach.)

Kuina's grandfather was a swordsmith, so in this case, she would end up in a smith, weapons expert, and quartermaster role for the Strawhats. She, Usopp, and Franky can be the Crafting Team! Ship maintenance crew! Kuina takes Merry's sinking nearly as badly as Usopp does.

OPTION B: Kuina has "mostly" recovered from her injury, which set her back for several years, but is still struggling. A dedicated female fighter on the Strawhat crew is VERY tempting as an idea. Monster quartet, yes? Yes! She's wielding Wado Ichimonji and Zoro is still searching for his own dedicated swords.

She could still be a swordsmith and quartermaster in this case! In either case, A or B, I think it might be cool to give Kuina a hook? (Kuina @ Crocodile: "Compensating for something, huh?") She could get other prosthetics or just super cool assistive devices as the story goes on with Chopper and Franky's help.

KUINA'S POTENTIAL ARCS: I do really like the idea of Kuina (if she can still fight with a sword) and Zoro moving forward together, neck and neck, for the title of World's Greatest Swordsman. I think it would be cool to come to a resolution that the title is more or less something that they can share? Like, only one of them can beat Mihawk in a "fair" duel, so that's an issue in the competition between them, but I do like the idea of the two of them going back and forth beating each other in duels, at the top of the world together.

Arguably, when Zoro sacrifices himself at the end of the Thriller Bark Arc, he has come to the resolution that he'll give up his dream for Luffy and the crew, where he gives up the last remnants of being self-centred and throws himself completely behind Luffy's philosophy of friendship and enjoying the journey. He still wants to be the World's Greatest Swordsman, but his crew comes first. I don't recall after this point any reckless moments of a similar nature to him stabbing himself in Orange Town when fighting Buggy's crew to prove a point. Zoro's recklessness culminates in sacrificing himself with purpose.

It does feel a little weak, but... Kuina could decide that she's comfortable in her own skills and doesn't need to prove anything to anyone. She KNOWS she's as good as Zoro is. She can declare herself the World's Greatest Swordswoman and let Zoro fight Mihawk. (They did probably flip a coin over it or something.) Maybe she never really wanted to be the World's Greatest, maybe she just wanted to live her life the way that she chose, and felt like becoming the World's Greatest was the only way of permanently shutting up every sexist jerk who has ever talked down to her. (They will never shut up. Sexist jerks will always find something to nitpick.)

ALTERNATIVELY: Kuina could have a heartbreaking and healing story about having to give up your dream because it's not physically possible anymore. Even if this is a story where she's still fighting as a swordswoman with Wado Ichimonji and is monstrously dangerous, maybe her physical disability prevents her from now fighting on Zoro's level, which really fucking sucks for her when she feels like she has so much to prove as a woman.

Shounen manga has always had an issue where the solution to some fights is that the protagonist just needs to "fight harder, yell louder, and believe in himself more", even when the protagonist is bleeding from everywhere. "One Piece" is fun because there are plenty of fights and problems where the protagonists succeed due to being genuinely clever, but there are other fights where it's all about a manifestation of willpower (sometimes literally). And this often works thematically.

I think Kuina would be interesting as a character for how she could contrast against Zoro, so I'm leaning towards giving her a very different story rather than making her Zoro 2.0 (Female).

For example, where Zoro is reckless, I think Kuina might be cautious, especially if she's been badly injured before and is still struggling. In flashbacks, she's open about her problems and anger to Zoro because he's her friend and also a safe target - he's an outsider / outlier in the dojo and she can beat him in a fight. In a martial school that probably demands some level of respectful behavior, Kuina might not display the same bravado and unhappiness to her father, who is also her teacher and responsible for the sexism that she's internalized.

If she's a swordswoman still, I don't know that she would challenge Mihawk at the Baratie. For one thing, it's STUPID. Zoro had to KNOW that he was nowhere near Mihawk's level and he's lucky that Mihawk had some level of honor and curiosity to spare him. If Mihawk had been a little more of an asshole, that would have been the end of Zoro's dream. He was really stupid there (affectionate, that's my boy). The smart thing to do is keep your mouth shut and live to challenge Mihawk another day, but I think Kuina would also hate herself for this kind of "cowardice".

Her personal struggle as a character might be with reserve and fear of risk, whether this culminates in her ultimately overcoming all obstacles and succeeding in her dream with the help of her friends, or in her giving up her dream due to a physical disability (or multiple physical disabilities) that is no fault of her own in favor of a new dream. You could try your best to combine all of these different elements into Kuina's arcs and abilities. There's a lot of possibility.

#strawhat kuina au #tossawary one piece #shimotsuki kuina #roronoa zoro #fic ideas #long post #spoilers #character death

[bosozuku998]

Haganezuka blind date official story

Here is one of the official side stories of demon slayer about the sword smith village chef trying to wed Haganezuka in his 37 birthday hoping that having a wife will make Haganezuka easier to deal with

Cr to the author and transilator

This is vol 3 ch 2 :

(T/N: In modern times, we would have called it a blind date but I’m just gonna stick to matchmaking which is more time appropriate)

Haganezuka Hotaru was a superb sword smith.

Not only did he have the polished techniques that were passed down through the generations of the Haganezuka clan, he loved swords more than anyone else.

But there was a huge problem with his personality.

When he was only two years old, because of his difficult personality, he whittled down his parents’ mental spirit. Afterwards, he even grabbed a cleaver and chased after this youth from the Demon Slayer corps who had a custom sword made by him, yelling “I’ll kill you!!”, “You deserve a thousand deaths!!” and so on. He even choked another youth who had the same job as him and beat up a youth who was a Pillar and various other violent actions. It was already well known among others that he was a self-centered individual……

*

“Hotaru really gives people a headache.”

While seated in the living area and eating mitarashi dango, Tecchikawahara Tecchi let out a huge sigh.

Just to mention, the mitarashi dango was a gift to Haganezuka by the Demon Slayer Kamado Tanjirou. As Tanjirou had trampled on the result of painstaking effort that came from Haganezuka polishing a blade without rest, Haganezuka, in a fit of rage, demanded that Tanjirou “give him mitarashi dango till the day he dies”.

Tanjirou was really amazing* and he really followed the instructions obediently.

(T/N: Amazing – not in a good way. As in doing something to make people bewildered and so on)

Speaking of this thirty seven year old man with the maturity of a fifteen year old….

As the foster father who gave Haganezuka his name, Tecchin slumped his shoulders in low spirits.

“Did I go wrong in the way I raised him?”

“No no no. He’s already a man who’s close the forty. Right now it has nothing to do with how he had been raised.”

Kanamori brewed tea and said calmly.

“Right? Kotetsu boy?”

When his name got called, Kotetsu looked up from his mitarashi dango.

“Yeah. With a personality that’s antisocial and being a hot-headed loner, it’s all Haganezuka’s own fault. You don’t have to care.”

“Even so, I feel that I should take responsibility for it~”

Tecchin shrugged his shoulders lightly like a child.

“I really wish he could become more amicable. Isn’t there some good method for it?”

“Nope.”

Kotetsu answered harshly.

“Rather than changing that person, it’s definitely easier to teach a bear to shake.”

“……Well.” On the other hand, Kanamori who was older, and had more experience in life tilted his head. Then—

“How about setting him up for a matchmaking session?”

Kanamori said leisurely.

*

The plan “It’s about time to get Haganezuka married and create a family and become a changed man” raised by Kanamori progressed smoothly, which was unexpected, under Tecchin’s passionate fanning of the flames.

They had worried that Haganezuka would throw a tantrum……However, even though the person himself appeared to be reticent, he did not put up much protest and agreed to the suggestion. Therefore, the date of Haganezuka Hotaru’s matchmaking was set to be on the closest auspicious day.

And today was that auspicious day.

Kanamori, who made the suggestion, and Kotetsu were both staking out at the courtyard of the Ryotei* where the matchmaking was to take place. The goal was, of course, to spy on the situation.

(T/N: A luxurious traditional Japanese restaurant)

As the village did not allow outsiders, the location of the matchmaking was chosen to be in a town that was far enough from the village, in a time established Ryotei that was famous for its beautiful courtyard. The one was made the reservation was Kanamori so there was no need to sneak themselves in.

In the middle of a hall that was the size of more than twenty tatami mats, a man and a woman sat facing each other. Even if it was not said, this pair was Haganezuka and the girl he was set to meet. Tecchin, who was short, sat between them like he was a piece of décor.

The young lady who was all dressed up was cuter than they had expected, with a petite slender frame that contrasted well with the gorgeous peony pattern of her clothes.

“The other party is really cute. How infuriating.”

“Ah, this completely reflects of village head’s preferences. Her face is exactly like Kanroji-sama’s.”

They heard that Tecchin chose the matchmaking partner seriously. Even though the village head usually had a calm and steady composure, there were occasions when he would emit a terrifying aura of intimidation. But when it came to women, he was just like any other lay person.

“Such a cute person was actually willing to come for matchmaking.”

“If we just go based on looks, Haganezuka-san is handsome. In this case, just the photo alone would be able to pass.”

“So in the end, it’s about appearances.”

“No, Kotetsu-boy. The important factor is love, love.”

Kanamori, who fell in love at first sight with his wife and tied the knot with her, was the number one in the village for doting on his wife and it felt like he would go on a long spew about his feelings for his beloved wife anytime.

At the same time, the matchmaking session continued in the hall.

“May I know what your interest is, Haganezuka-san?”

“……smithing swords.” (bo: this originally and everything Haganezuka says is in small letters indicating Haganezuka's low voice full with shyness through the whole conversation 😂)

Clack. The sozu* that was fixed in the courtyard made a clear sound.

(T/N: Bamboo water fountain that can be found in gardens. When one end fills with water, it will tip over and strike a stone, making a noise. Originally for scaring away animals.)

“Your first name is Hotaru? That’s an excellent name.”

“………thank you.”

“Isnt it? I’m the one who gave him that name. However this child keeps complaining that the name is too cute…”

“Fufufu, he must be embarrassed.”

The sozu made a knocking sound again.

“My interest is in cooking. If you don’t mind, may I find out what kind of dishes you like?”

“…….Mitarashi dango.”

The sozu made another clear noise.

“What do you like to do when you’re not working?”

“….Eat mitarashi dango.”

“Dear me, you really do love mitarashi dango.”

“….I wish I can eat that every day.”

“Haganezuka-san is really adorable.”

The loud clapping sound from the sozu seemed to finalise the conversation.

“Oh? It went pretty well? Also, isn’t the sozu too noisy?!”

“True, it did go better than expected.”

“Right? The atmosphere is quite good but that guy didn’t say much at all and his voice is so soft!!”

“He’s probably nervous, right? A big man like him is acting so coy……how gross.”

“Well, he has been living only for the sake of swords after all. He’s unexpectedly innocent. At least, for now, Haganezuka-san has not done anything strange and the lady seems to have good feelings for him. Maybe, just maybe, there’s a chance.”

As though he was the one participating in this matchmaking session, Kanamori was terribly excited.

“Alright, why don’t you two young people take a stroll in the garden?”

The village head used an old-fashioned method to temporarily wrap things up and the location for the match making moved to the courtyard.

*

A hunky man wearing a Hyottoko mask and a youthful beautiful lady were walking together in the courtyard. This scene was definitely difficult to describe.

“Haganezuka-san, you don’t really like to talk much, do you?”

“…….uh-huh.”

“I like men who are silent. It feels like they’re gentle and intelligent.”

“………………Is that so?”

“The next time, I’ll make Mitarashi dango and bring them to you.

“Thanks.”

Haganezuka still barely uttered a few words and his volume was strangely tiny, also, the contents of the conversation seemed to keep spinning around mitarashi dango. However, the atmosphere between the two could not be considered bad.

“This is a miracle, Kotetsu-boy.”

Kanamori lowered his voice even more to prevent themselves from blowing their cover, and at the same time, he made an action like he was wiping away tears.

“Haganezuka-san’s spring has finally arrived.”

“Ah, that girl actually proactively held his hand!! Oh, that Haganezuka-san is still squirming around, he’s just like an octopus!”

“Yeah, he’s shy, I suppose?”

“You call that shy?! That’s disgusting!”

“It is indeed disgusting but right now, we should be praying that this miracle can hold on until the end.”

Kanamori made the pose of a senior and spoke to Kotetsu in an even mannered tone.

Haganezuka and his potential partner got close to the tree the two were hiding behind. Kotetsu and Kanamori immediately held their breaths and shrank their bodies until they could not become any smaller.

The two stopped in their steps.

Then….

“—Haganezuka-san.”

The lady spoke in dead earnest.

“I have a request.”

Her tone was extremely serious as though she had made some kind of decision.

“ ………Ye, yes?”

Haganezuka was so nervous his shoulders stiffened up.

Was this finally the moment? The two sneaking a peek from their cover behind the tree both swallowed their saliva.

“After the chat we had just now, I have fully understood how high of a regard you hold for your sword smithing job, Haganezuka-san.”

“Is, is that so?”

Haganezuka’s voice suddenly became brighter. “However—” the lady continued to speak:

“Swords are already a thing of the past.”

The lady showed a pleasing smile.

“No one uses swords in this era already. So, why not make chef knives from now on, or even tools? I don’t wish for my dear husband to make barbaric objects such as swords.”

The lady said so in a straightforward manner and Haganezuka froze on the spot.

The two who were eavesdropping were also stunned….and the blood quickly drained from their faces.

“Crap!! This is bad!! She can’t say such a thing in front of Haganezuka-san!”

To that man – Haganezuka Hotaru – who loved swords more than anyone else, this was the most forbidden of forbidden statements.

In the worst-case scenario, he might even kill someone with his own hands.

Then the swordsmith village would be finished.

“Kotetsu-boy, if things go south, please take that woman and run. I will tickle Haganezuka-san’s armpits and use my utmost efforts to open a path for the two of you.”

“I understand. Kanamori-san, please do not die.”

Kotetsu and Kanamori became nervous.

Yet, after a long while, Haganezuka did not make any sound.

“Umm……Haganezuka-san?” Seeing that Haganezuka had quietly lowered his head, the woman opened her mouth to ask.

Then—

“….is someone.”

Haganezuka said in a whisper:

“There is someone using what you call barbaric swords, putting his life on the line to battle for the sake of people he does not even know.”

“………Eh?”

“Even if he was riddled with injuries, he continued to charge forward. No matter what kind of predicament he was facing, he still continued to fight without yielding. I am lucky I can make a sword that protects lives for that person. I am proud to be a blacksmith.”

“………………”

“Excuse me, please pretend this never happened.”

The woman could not speak.

A cold wind blew past between the two.

Haganezuka was very calm.

Even though the woman looked down on the swords he loved greatly, he did not scold her on impulse.

He only quietly rejected her.

The reason definitely involved his pride as a swordsmith as well as his bond with a certain Demon Slayer.

–Haganezuka’s matchmaking session quietly came to an end.

*

“Sigh, this is considered fate as well. Just try again next time.”

The village head was still optimistic.

“Let me see. Which girl should I choose this time~?”

He happily chose another matchmaking potential from a stack of photos.

“……forget it….I have my swords anyway….”

On the contrary, it had already been a few days since the end of the matching making session, but Haganezuka still lay on the tatami mats in a slovenly manner.

“You have a huge build, stop blocking the way. It’s annoying.”

Kotetsu retorted with his usual tone and then placed a plate full of Mitarashi Dango onto the table lightly.

“Here, Tanjirou-san sent Mitarashi Dango over again. Eat these and get your spirits back.”

“Yeah, Haganezuka. Isn’t it great that you can make swords for such a kind and caring Slayer? For a swordsmith, that is the greatest fortune.”

“Hmph, of course it’s something he should do….that guy did trample on my hard work.”

“Alright, stop making a fuss. Let me pour you some tea.”

Once he finished speaking, Kanamori poured tea into Haganezuka’s teacup.

“Wow, the tea stem is standing straight up. Haganezuka, this is a good omen.” Kanamori said happily. There really was a complete tea stem standing upright in the teacup.

“You definitely will be successful during the next matchmaking session.”

However, not long after the joyful moment, Haganezuka became angry for some peculiar reason.

“When the tea stem stands straight up, one has to secretly finish the entire cup! You have ruined it! How are you going to pay me back?!”

“Eh?!”

“If things don’t go well during the next matchmaking session I go for, it’s all your fault!! Take responsibility!”

That was far too unreasonable, wasn’t it? Kanamori could not help but be bewildered by the situation.

“….How did you raise such a rotten personality?”

Kanamori blamed the village head.

“Didn’t you say that he was almost forty so it has nothing to do with the way he was raised already?”

“I did say that but he’s ridiculous. If I had put it bluntly, he’s human scum!”

“It has nothing to do with me~”

Tecchin abandoned his responsibilities as the foster parent and turned away his face that was covered with a Hyokotto mask as though he was not part of the issue.

Kotetsu helplessly sighed under his mask.

(However….it’s not as though Haganezuka-san did not make any progress.)

Seeing how Haganezuka lectured the beautiful lady who looked down on swords, it made him delighted. It was too cool.

Those words were full of responsibility and honour as a swordsmith. As someone who was from this hidden village, from the same profession, Kotetsu could not help but feel deeply moved.

Getting to know that youth who believed in the sword he made and who entrusted his own life to him, could actually let this isolated man undergo such a huge change.

–Because of that.

(….Gods, when there is a day that Haganezuka-san can turn over a new leaf and rid himself of that rotten to the core personality of his, please bestow him with a gentle wife who can understand his love for swords.)

Even though that could be something that only happened many years later, Kotetsu still prayed within his heart that Haganezuka Hotaru can find his own spring–

(bo : manga readers know that he did 🙂)

#haganezuka x reader #haganezuka #demon slayer #Kny #kemitsu no yaiba

[ladye-zelda]

Which Links do you think have been to formal schools?

Oooo, good question

Sky without a doubt has a formal education; I am not sure what kind of teaching they do at the knight's academy, but I am sure they would teach some kind of math, science, or whatever was known in Skyloft at the time.

I think Four might've also had a formal education, as we can see a school in Minish Cap in Hyrule Town. Then when he was of age, he would've been taken under apprenticeship by his grandfather (or maybe taught smithing at an earlier age, who knows).

For Time, I think he relies heavily on experience. The Kokiri don't have a traditional school, and judging from the little training area and how highly they regard their deity, I think they have a sort of "figure it out" mentality when it comes to, well, figuring stuff out. I don't see Time (especially as a kid) to going to anyone for anything, but I think Talon would teach him some things, especially when he gets together with Malon as that's probably the only adult that Time trusts (since the Great Deku Tree is gone).

Legend is taught by his uncle during his childhood, and does try to go seek more places to learn (as apparently he does travel in pursuit of knowledge, hence why he got caught up in the oracle games/link's awakening). Then, afterwards, tries an apprenticeship with the blacksmith but then just decides experience is the best teacher and travels from there.

Much like Time, Hyrule is also a hands-on learner. I think the reason why he might be so insecure about his place in the Chain is because he wasn't taught properly like some of the other knights; one day he was just given a sword and was told to go save Princess Zelda. The only things that he were taught were magic spells by old people in Zelda 2 (though I am not too familiar with the game so I might be wrong on that) and that is about as much as he would learn. I like to headcanon that he tried to get a formal education in the 6 years in between games with Princess Zelda, but it didn't work out for him.

Twilight was most definitely taught by the people of Ordon. Probably not any formal education, as Ordon is a small village and probably not enough kids to have a proper school (like, you're telling me that Ilia is the only other kid in the entire village close to Link's age? And look at that age gap between Link, Ilia, and the other kids!). I think Fado taught Twilight all of the ranching aspects -- horse riding, animal tending, etc -- while Rusl taught him how to fight, other things a boy needs to know, and Uli taught him how to take care of himself and to help others.

I'm not too knowledgable about what goes in Wind Waker, but there is the old guy that teaches Wind how to sword fight, right? If I am thinking correctly, I think Wind's island would've had kind of like what they had in Moana and that the village elders would just teach the kids what they need to know, mainly stories as that's kind of what Link's grandma does in the beginning of the game.

I think Warriors was taught by some sort of school. After all, he had to become a knight in training and there had to have been some qualifications to get into that, right? Either that or he was taught at the knight training place, where he would've learned to strategize and make rational decisions. Maybe some heavy-duty military training.

Lastly, that leads to Wild. I kind of have a few headcanons with this, so stick with me.

Before the Calamity, Wild was definitely taught things when he was travelling with his father's knights, especially how to fight. He was probably under apprenticeship with his father, as it's sort of baffling to me why a four year old would be travelling with the knights instead of, I don't know, at a daycare or something? (But that raises the question of if whether or not his mom is alive, but she should be since Wild's sister is canon in LU, but then again his dad could've remarried and had his little sister a bit later. Actually, I kinda like that idea.)

Anyways, when Wild was old enough he could've further his training and education at the military camp right outside of the Lost Woods, which would've made it easier for him to find the Master Sword when he was twelve (plus with the village nearby, he and his father could've been living there as it is close to the castle, but not close enough at the same time). Then for the next five years, Wild just goes around Hyrule, doing natural hero stuff, developing his stoic personality as everyone sort of tells him what a hero should be; so it gives him plenty of time to mold that persona until eventually he becomes a Champion and... well, y'know the rest.

After the Calamity, Wild just sorts of takes the Time and Hyrule route and learns on his own. Though, I will say I think Wild is more open to asking how this are and what to do with things more than the former heroes because its quite easy in the game to have a tutorial on literally anything if you ask the right npc. So, he would just have an education from just random travelers he meets. Plus I guess it would make fighting easier since he still has muscle memory, due to his prowess with weapons right from the get-go.

#the ladye answers #amazing stormy!!! #whew this was a long one #sorry about that XD #let me know if I need to clarify some answers because I feel like I'm speaking a bit weirdly #linked universe #linkeduniverse #lu sky #lu four #lu time #lu legend #lu hyrule #lu twilight #lu wind #lu warriors #lu wild #lu chain #lu analysis #long post

[spotsandsocks]

Let me stay by your fire (for nothing warms me like you do) 4.5K M to E

A little birthday gift for @alyxmastershipper Ryan my lovely I hope you have a lovely day Let me stay by your fire (for nothing warms me like you do)

Big birthday hug 🥰

The sound of the anvil is loud; again and again metal on metal reverberates through the air. It’s a pattern that’s strong and sure, power and control combined just like the man inside. The man he’s come to see. The noise is almost loud enough to drown out the hammering of his own heart. 

Almost.

It’s been a month since he’s been here. A month since he’s seen them. Him.

The Knight waits; he’s known as the bravest man in the Kingdom, he’s fought battles and terrors most men would run from but the four walls of the Smith’s home are the most terrifying thing he’s ever seen. 

It’s just a building but it makes him want things, things he’d never thought he could have. He looks and he aches. It’s all he wants, a place to hang up his sword, a place to call home, people to call his, but does he have a chance? Does he dare try?  Buck knows he’s about to face his last battle, one between his fear and his hope. It’s the biggest challenge he’s ever faced.

The noise continues to echo and with each heavy clang the picture inside his head becomes clearer. Buck can easily imagine the scene inside the forge.  The man's arms, thick and strong, will be working tirelessly to lift the hammer and bring it down over and over again. All the strength he has in those muscles coiled then released to bend metal to his will but that’s not all Eddie uses his strength for. Buck’s seen those arms used to protect; to hold his child close, wrap him up and keep him safe, the action so gentle and tender that it hurts his heart to watch. He wonders if he’ll ever know how those arms feel wrapped around him.

The image inside his head shines brightly; untidy strands of brown hair damp with sweat sticking to his forehead, a tunic stretched tight over muscles visible even under the thick leather apron he’ll be wearing. Buck knows that the dark eyes that make his heart trip will be intense and focused on the fire and whatever miracle of metal he’s crafting.

The blacksmith is extremely skilled at his craft, it’s why Buck originally sought him out. The Diaz forge was well spoken of and he’d needed someone skilled to repair his armour. When he arrived he’d found so much more than he’d been looking for. After that first visit he returned again and then again and then again. Buck has spent considerable time and effort finding reasons that meant he had to visit the forge. It’s been years now. Eddie’s made new pieces of armour for him, he’s responsible for the sword that hangs on hip and several knives hidden on his body. One that saved his life once.  Eddie’s become very familiar with Buck’s horse, he’s had her reshod here so many times. He’s even had him make smaller items like the jewelry he’s sent to his sister. Eddie had been particularly pleased to be challenged  with something new and Buck smiles at the memory of the shy but proud twist of Eddie’s lips when the blacksmith had presented him with the bracelet he’d created out of two old spoons twisted and polished into something more beautiful and remarkable than the everyday item it had started as. 

His horse stirs restlessly beneath him, she’s waited too long now and is familiar enough with this place to know rest, water and apples await her.

He’s not even sure why he’s hesitant to go closer. They’ve known each other long enough that he doesn’t need an excuse to visit anymore, he's a family friend, a regular visitor. He knows he’s welcome. He’s not really a guest anymore at Eddie’s but it’s different today. He’s finished with his duty, he’s left his comrades behind him and he wants a new kind of life. He wants to come home. He wants to stay.

He really hopes he can.

Last time he was here he learnt something about himself. He should have already known of course, and maybe a part of him had.  It really shouldn’t have been the blinding revelation it had been but now he knows the truth he has to do something about it.

The moment of clarity that changed everything has been replayed in his head and dreams every night since he left here.

It had been just Eddie and him up late, talking in front of the fire. It had been simple, familiar; a mug of ale passed from one hand to another, fingers that brushed, eyes that held his, soft and warm with crinkles at the corner. Nothing new there. 

The moment had centred on lips that curved softly and the thought had appeared unexpected and startling. Four words followed by four more. 

I could kiss you. 

I want to kiss you. 

And Buck understood with blinding painful clarity that he didn’t keep returning to this place  because Eddie  was good at his job or that he had become his best friend or that Christopher was the cutest kid ever. 

No in that moment wrapped in the light from the dying fire, the warmth coming from the hearth and Eddie’s eyes  Buck had  known  the truth; he was in love, had always been, desperately, hopelessly, permanently. 

Lost in each other's gaze Buck easily accepted that he’d never felt love like this before and that he wouldn’t again. 

The fire cracked and the moment broke. Leaving a Knight and a Smith staring at the floor, cheeks red, hearts racing.

He’d left the next morning because Eddie could never be his, he’ll marry again one day, find someone to share his life with and be Christopher’s mother. Buck is his friend, that’s all. He knows that - except for the hope. He’s been fighting it and despite his victories and valor he’s losing the most important battle he’s ever faced.

So here he is. Maybe willing to try.

He  could have stayed away longer, tried to let the feelings die  but he’d missed them too much and he just wasn’t strong enough. Sir Buck searches for his last scrap of courage, aware that heartbreak might await him but he knows he’ll take what he can for as long as he can and when his heart finally does break he’ll still be grateful for the time he’s had here.

Buck dismounts and leads his horse towards the forge and the warmth he longs for but knows can’t ever really be his. 

continue on Ao3

#buddie fic #911fic #911 fic #buddie #evan ‘buck’ buckley #eddie díaz

[warrioreowynofrohan]

Silmarillion Daily - Of the Arming of the Sindar

And ere long the evil creatures came even to Beleriand, over passes in the mountains, or up from the south through the dark forests. Wolves there were, or creatures that walked in wolf-shapes, and other fell beings of shadow; and among them were the Orcs, who afterwards wrought ruin in Beleriand: but they were yet few and wary, and did but smell out the ways of the land, awaiting the return of their lord. Whence they came, or what they were, the Elves knew not then, thinking them perhaps to be Avari who had become evil and savage in the wild; in which they guessed all too near, it is said.

Therefore Thingol took thought for arms, which before his people had not needed, and these at first the Naugrim smithied for him; for they were greatly skilled in such work, though none among them surpassed the craftsmen of Nogrod, of whom Telchar the smith was greatest in renown. A warlike race of old were the Naugrim, and they would fight fiercely against whomsoever aggrieved them: servants of Melkor, or Eldar, or Avari, or wild beasts, or not seldom their own kin, Dwarves of other mansions and lordships. Their smithcraft indeed the Sindar soon learned of them; yet in the tempering of steel alone of all crafts the Dwarves were never outmatched even by the Noldor, and in the making of mail of linked rings, which was first contrived by the smiths of Belegost, their work had no rival.

At this time therefore the Sindar were well-armed, and they drove off all creatures of evil, and had peace again; but Thingol’s armouries were storied with axes and with spears and swords, and tall helms, and long coats of bright mail; for the hauberks of the Dwarves were so fashioned that they rusted not but shone ever as if they were new-burnished. And that proved well for Thingol in the time that was to come.

This is anothing thing that highlights that the Valar urging the elves to come to Valinor wasn’t something that was really necessary - prior to Melkor’s parole, the dangers of Middle-earth are something that the Sindar and dwarves working together are able to deal with.

It’s also worth noting that, dating from this time, the Sindar had a good 170 years of experience defending themselves before the Noldor arrived in Middle-earth. The Girdle of Melian doesn’t exist yet at this point; that only goes up when Morgoth returns to Middle-earth.

Interestingly, the Sindar - out of necessity - actually learn weaponsmithing and the making of armour well before the Noldor do, though they mostly don’t have the same level of interest or expertise in metalworking. And additional point is that, while Beleg’s speciality is archery, the Sindar as a whole are not mainly fighting with bows and arrows, but with axes and spears and swords.

It also means that Lúthien is not nearly as sheltered and insulated from the wider world as as is sometimes imagined. She’s met dwarves; she’s likely responsible for some of the tapestries in Menegroth; she’s likely seen most of Beleriand at various times; and she’s aware that dangers exist.

All of this is going on while, in Valinor, the grandchildren of Finwë are still growing up. Turgon and Finrod are still a little shy of adulthood.

#tolkien #the silmarillion #silmarillion daily #sindar #thingol #luthien

[dailyadventureprompts]

Monster hunt: I Bear Thee Unto Glory 

A shambling horse shape composed of battlefield pickings, this demon is a manifestation of slaughter, phyrric victory, and the folly of war. Unto Glory ever seeks more opportunities to spread violence and more fools to lead to their doom, sustaining itself off chaos and fear in between wars where it has the opportunity to gorge. Often seen bearing a rider, the thing which sits astride Unto Glory is more often than not an extension of its being, the worn down wreck of a former victim held aloft like a trophy, holding limply to the reigns and serving only as a distraction in combat. Occasionally it will seek out a new rider to drain dry, favouring those haunted by the toll of war or those who seek violence in the excess of reason. 

One of these would be riders was the Compt Duvialt, a would be warmonger who looked greedily upon the lands of his neighbours and heard rumour that any who manage to rein the demon horse would be undefeated in combat. Mustering allies, mercenaries, and a coven of dark mages to his service, the Compt had the beast summoned through blasphamous ritual only to be thrown from the saddle the night the battle was joined. Free of any bonds, the tarnished steed has roamed the lands since, sowing the seeds of conflict the party will inevitably find themselves caught up in. 

Adventure Hooks

The party’s first blush with Unto Glory’s influence comes when they stumble across a village terrorized by a series of violent incidents. Apparently some weeks ago a ragged wanderer came into the tavern clutching a rusty sword and looking like he was barely holding on to life. He muttered something about seeing a horse before lashing out at the stunned onlookers, slaying two before several brave bystanders managed to put him down. A tragedy to be sure, but folk thought not much of it until the smith’s apprentice, who’d been sold the sword as scrap, started screaming about the sound of hooves and hacking at his teacher until the traumatized tradeswoman caved in his skull with a hammer. Now the sword sits locked behind the smithy doors and the people await a priest they’ve called to DO something about it. Do the party pretend they’re the ones that were sent? Wait for the authorities to arrive? Or lay their hands on an obviously cursed object because it might be valuable?

Any who frequent the tourney circuit could tell you of Lady Ruin, the daughter and heir of Duke Marsette who dominates the jousting lists wearing rusted armour to dishonour the showy expenditure of her rivals. What they couldn’t tell you is that Lady Endellise, despite being raised for years to be an exemplary rider and cavalry commander is infact terrified of death and violence, after nearly being killed in a pitch battle during an attempt by one of her family’s rivals to oust them from their seat. Expected to prove her worthiness as heir by continuing to perform martial pursuits, fearful Endellise unwittingly made a pact with the spectral horse that haunted her since they pulled her from the battlefield, earning for her trouble a dross-fit cuirass that eliminates all her fears when worn. Dreading  dishonour and increasingly addicted to the rush she gets when wearing the armour, Endellise risks losing herself to Unto Glory’s influence, becoming increasingly bloodthirsty every time she dons the cuirass

Foiled in war and stripped of many of his lands and titles, the now bitter Baron Duvilat convalesces in a small estate obsessing over riding unto glory once again, spending the dregs of his fortune supporting a few men at arms and paying for any information that might lead him closer to his errant steed, which the party may now possess. Somewhere down the years a few wires were crossed and the baron now also finds himself a fence for of a rotating crews of horse thieves, which the party will ALSO have to trifle with at some point during their hunt.

Further adventures:

Few know of the Duvilat’s dealings with the demonic, as the widespread rumor is that for the sake of his own machisnmo he chose to break a stallion on the eve of declaring war as a symbolic breaking of his enemy… earning a defeat and a broken back in the process.  Thinking that he will never mount unto Glory until he can walk again, the baron has had no luck in finding a healer to restore the use of his legs. As getting back into the saddle seems more and more likely, the baron will result to more and more desperate measures, perhaps kidnapping a healer familiar to the party or paying them to seek out the coven he once employed.  

Though corroded and thoroughly cursed, the metal that makes up Unto Glory’s hide has the ability to confer any bearer with the battle frenzy of dying warriors, making the demon a walking arsenal for those desperate enough to deal with it. Worse yet, the flakes and splinters of the rusting metal carry the very same curse, infecting victims with bloodlust if they survive the wound.  Should the Compt, Lady Endellise, or anyone else manage to ride the beast, they’ll find themselves the figurehead of a force that would see kingdoms laid to waste and possessed of a power to make for themselves an army of fearless berserkers.

#demon #fiend #warfare #haunting #noble #mid level #thief #monster hunt #mystery #Cursed item #Village #town #dnd #dungeons and dragons #d&d #5e

[qianqiancandyjar]

Ninjavember 2023!

Here's completed version with a bunch of explaining below each picture! Just scroll down if you don't want to see me blabbering. (I tried to go short as much as possible)

(I have a lot of AUs and headcanons that only exist in my head and my sketchbooks. Forgive me for wanting to spill them out.)

Day 2: Randy was listening to music with earphones so he didn't know Theresa was sitting next to him. Imagine how embarrassed he would get when he knows.

Day 8: Tech-Ninja AU. It's about machinist Randy being set up by Mcfist for murdering the town hero Ninja with his invention, the Tech-Ninja armor. Then the spirit of the destroyed Nomicon travelled to his armor and become an AI, choosing him to be the next Ninja. So Randy accepted it and was determined to make up for what he caused, when nobody except Howard, the boss of Weinerman industries, trusted him.

Day 10: Apocalypse AU. It's about Randy lost the battle at the end of season 2 and became the prisoner of the Sorcerer. The Nomicon was handed to Howard before that, and they later recruited survivors to form a resistance against the Sorcerer. Then Randy was stanked, but instead of turning into a monster, he was brainwashed and given the power of creating his own red and black stank. And- You know what will happen. (Inspired by the Darkness of Randy Cunningham)

Day 13: Elemental trial AU. You can say it's my take on what will happen in season 3. The Carp god was under the cover of a random carpfish as Norisville mascot. After a series of events it was awaken and gave Randy the power of Ice Rage.

Day 14: I think there's more than just the blood of First Ninja's brothers, since nobody knows how to destank people at the beginning...

Day 17: The Warrior might have been living or sleeping there, waiting for some ninjas to wake him up or consult him about his forbidden arts. (Ha, It's kinda like Eclipsa in Star vs. the forces of Evil)

Day 18: Or it can be called the New Generation AU. In the future, Randy took the place of Messager as well as the Ninja Guardian, while Brent became the new Sword Smith and Sorceress became their main villain. I am not really good at designing OCs so there's no next ninja yet.

However, I read a fanfic of another fandom in the form of CYOA, and it gave me new idea: just let the reader be the next ninja, it will be fun, too. (Also, this AU was inspired by an RC9GN fanfic titled from the past to the future, where future Randy became Ninja Guardian. But I couldn't find it on fanfiction.net any more. Has anyone read it? I didn't dream about it, right?)

Day 19: During that time I got even crazier after I read Enter the Nomicon. It's hard to believe I had a crazy period of shipping Randicon, even for myself. Especially weird for me since I now have a completely different view about Nomicon (peek at my Yokai Ninja AU comics). Time really can change a person, wow.

Day 21: Yes, a whole page just for this headcanon. I used the screenshots in the show because it's too hard to draw. The barrier thing is kinda like the one that held Bill's power in the range of Gravity Falls.

Day 23: Danny: the Walking Air-Conditioner. Inspired by a chapter of Secret Quartet. Danny phased his hand through the scarf. Just imagine your friend put a cold hand inside your scarf in winter. *shiver*

Day 25: Besides Ninja vine ball, there are also spike ball, gas ball, sonic ball, rainbow illusion ball, tear ball and so on. I just pick the most common one from my ninja balls headcanons to put in here.

Day 27: You may see I prefer using numbers to refer episodes, because that's how I track and rewatch them. To be more specific, I list some keywords here: NomiRandy, First Ninja, Debbie, Tengu. As fellow RC9GN Fans I'm sure you get it.

Day 30: It's a half-baked AU thing. The flowers I tried to draw are rosemary?

Wow! I actually finished all the prompts! Thank you for holding the big event! @evilspiritweek

(I don't mind sharing more details about my AUs or headcanons. *wink*)

#randy cunningham 9th grade ninja #rc9gn #ninjavember 2023 #ninjavember #randy cunningham #secret trio #rc9gn first ninja #howard weinerman #theresa fowler #rc9gn sorceress #rc9gn tengu #rc9gn theresa #fan art #rc9gn nomicon #nomirandy #rc9gn au #rc9gn fanart

[fourswords]

tell me ur thoughts on minish cap link plss. u have such good takes

oh my boy....i have so many of them. for starters i think his serious/angry demeanor is something he's had his whole short life. like do you know how there just seems to be a specific brand of children that are like little walking talking professional adults. i think he's been like that since the day he was born. i also think he lost his parents when he was too young to remember them (probably to a disease or smth that passed through hyrule town) and that's why it's just him and his grandpa and people tend to think that that's why he's so serious all the time but no. he's just like that. he doesn't even really care about not having parents outside of idly wondering what would be different if they were still there sometimes but i think he's one of those people who just has a sort of "if it's not something i can fix then there's really no use in thinking about it when i have other things i could be doing" mentality. he's got grandpa and that's always been enough for him.

since he and zelda canonically went to school together i really like to think it was one of those things where zelda basically just attached herself to him like a leech and refused to be shaken off because everyone but him was too intimidated by her princesses status to be her friend. and also because since grandpa smith and king daltus are good & old friends ("He and King Daltus are friends and enjoyed a pleasant rivalry as youths.") i think that she actually would have met smith before when he came to visit the castle (link didn't want to go because the thought of hanging around a castle while his grandpa hung out with his friend sounded boring) so she meets his grandkid and she's like "!!!!!! NEW FRIEND" and meanwhile link is just sitting there like. Get off my arm. What are you doing. which is so far removed from the "uhhh yes princess zelda no princess zelda bye princess zelda" treatment that she was getting that it just motivates her even more. and obviously eventually they do become great friends!

speaking of link and school though... in the game when you go to the school the teacher mentions that she hasn't seen link in a long time and that it was good that he came back which makes me think. okay either link is skipping school solely for the sake of this adventure, his grandpa is LETTING him skip school for some reason or another, or link is skipping school in general (maybe because of something like zelda getting pulled out to study more in-depth about princess things with her private tutors?) and grandpa decidedly Does Not know about it. and since link and smith live in south hyrule field instead of in hyrule town itself it may just be very easy for link TO skip school. either way i think it's hilarious. maybe he sneaks into the castle to visit zelda sometimes like how zelda sneaks out of hyrule castle to go visit him? that one sounds likely.

AND speaking of zelda sneaking out to drag him to the picori festival i think that this is something she continues to do for their whole lives. link is bound and determined to hole himself up and do nothing but work on swords sometimes when they're older (or he just forgets that he's a person who needs to Eat and Drink and whatnot) and zelda just kind of. kicks down the door like HEYYYYY YOU'RE COMING WITH ME TO GO LOOK AT THIS COOL ROCK I FOUND IN THE GARDENS <333 and link is like. couldn't you have just. brought it here? and zelda is like NO <333333333 and drags him there. like so

(the minish cap manga isn't something that i think really Adds anything to the story like the four swords adventures manga or the skyward sword prequel manga and as such i focus more on the game and its storyline instead, but it was nice to finally read through the manga and see So Many Of My Ideas For Link Reinforced. VINDICATION)

as for his adventure.... i really do think link took zelda getting turned into stone and him failing to do anything about it really really hard. especially since his grandpa told link before they left the house to look after her but mostly because she was his first and only friend and he failed her. his inner dialogue is so genuinely distraught when you (as the player) interacts with zelda-as-a-statue and it's genuinely so sad to see. like the equivalent of when ss link started crying when ss zelda sealed herself away to sleep for thousands of years. and tbh i think that's really when his angry-looking demeanor turned into more of an angry personality. or maybe not angry, per se, but definitely determined to a fault. i think he did all the game's sidequests but he always did so (at first at least) in kind of a rushed manner, y'know? and tbh i think ezlo kind of helped to slow him down a little bit despite the fact that ezlo was always the one to be urging him onwards—ezlo would be like "hurry up you lazy boy!" and link would get so irritated that he would slow down on purpose. like a sort of "WELL NOW THAT YOU TOLD ME TO SPEED UP I'M NOT GOING TO DO IT >:(" and it goes a long way for cooling his Rage levels down to just Grumpy levels.

meeting with the minish helps him out as well to act less like a Haggard Adult and more like the kid he is! they're all so warm to him that he literally can't find it in himself to deny them when they invite him in for a cup of berry juice or something. one thing i liked about the manga is that it had link help out with the restoration of the broken pieces of the picori blade into the white sword, and i'm absolutely integrating that into my mc link belief system. i also think that he nags melari and his disciples like crazy because he doesn't know whether or not he'll ever get the chance to ask them about things again. immediately after his adventure, without ezlo around, he can't shrink down to their size anymore BUT he can still see them even when he gets well past the age limit. he's not called the hero of the minish for nothing! and i love to think that eventually he figures out a spell to shrink on his own.

as for him and the four sword....i think one big thing about the four sword that not enough people take advantage of in writing about it is that it's an elemental sword. the master sword is a sword of the divine but the four sword is made from the pure essences of the earth and wind and fire and water and even the gods themselves know the power of the elements and all that they bring (did demise not call down lightning from a storm of water and wind to aid him in his battle, instead of using his own dark powers? did the golden goddesses not use water to flood hyrule to wipe out the darkness staining the land? was the power of the master sword not granted by the sacred fires?). so i like to think that when link finally brought together all four elements and the picori blade finally became The Four Sword it was something he could feel all the way down to the core of him—the earth under his feet, the wind in his lungs, water in his blood and a fire in his heart. it's how he was able to get to vaati so fast when the time limit part happened—the elements themselves were aiding him, in their own way. and i like to think that some part of him can still feel that same sort of guiding sway even after sealing vaati away and leaving the four sword behind—it's more distant, but he always knows the moment his fires reach the right temperatures to work with in the forge, and if he closes his eyes while walking on land or on the cloud tops or while swimming in the water he always somehow finds himself at his intended destination no matter what.

but also, and i've brought this up before a few times (and it's an idea that isn't set in stone for me, just something fun to think about), but i reallyyyyy think it'd be so fucking interesting if the four sword's splitting of its later wielders came not from any interference with its magic from vaati but from it reacting to a wish from mc link: that he didn't have to fight alone. no matter how brave or scrappy or angry he is, he's still just one very young kid against all these monsters (and VAATI, who was, at that point, very close to matching the strength of a god as a result of absorbing so much of the light force. he even transported link to a Special Place that went on seemingly forever for the final battle, just like demise did with ss link). i think there would be some tiny part of him that wished that someone was there to watch his back, no matter how capable he might have grown to be. maybe he looked at the identical, transparent copies of himself while fighting vaati and went "why do they always have to disappear the moment they get hit?! why can't they be solid like me and actually help me FIGHT?!" and the four sword heard that and was like "you got it little man 👍" and then because it's just made up of the elements and doesn't actually have any sort of conscious spirit like the master sword and fi it just. split the four-who-are-one and fs and fsa link's entire souls into four HAHA

back to thinking about him and zelda, i think that they would be kind of nervous at the next annual picori festival because of the way things went down the year prior, but once the festival goes off without a hitch this time they start to relax again. i also think they hold hands the whole festival but it's not because of what the surrounding townspeople are thinking ("ooooh they're such a cute pair <3 the sweet little princess and her stoic little hero <33") and more because it's a reminder to both of them that zelda is no longer a damn statue lmao. i think it was as bad on zelda's side as it was on link's side because zelda literally admits she was having visions of link during his adventure in both the game and the manga. she was conscious for that whole thing to some degree. i think she gets even MORE energetic (which didn't seem possible to people before) after the whole shebang just because she can move around again and i think that link puts up a LOT less of a fight when it comes to letting her drag him around places too. and he smiles more often after his adventure! to the great wonder of the townspeople and the great relief of his grandpa LMAO. and i think zelda starts nagging him about wanting to go climb the giant vines that touch the sky and meeting zeffa and visiting the wind tribe and so that's exactly what they go do. one of the greatest joys in life is chasing your best friend around on top of a cloud with the wind at your back!

eventually he outgrows the hat ezlo made for him and i think he gets so so so sad about it (not outwardly but. zelda and his grandpa can still tell) so zelda asks him if she can turn the hat into another article of clothing for him instead and he agrees. and she makes him another hat in its place that actually fits him now and he gets so happy about it.

i do think he also wears that roc's cape of his all the time too because thinks it looks super cool. not that you can tell because. again. he's still got the world's angriest resting face <3

#ALRIGHT I'M STOPPING IT NOW BEFORE I WRITE A FUCKING ESSAY LMAOOOOOOOO #this was fun i love thinking about the hero of the minish. my favoritest boy in the franchise <3 #mc #minish cap #asks #txt

[cerastes]

Istesa, Lady of the Lake, and self-proclaimed “Interesting Times”.

“Istesa” is, in fact, a fusion of two beings: The Bloodless Queen, one of the former five Fairy Queens before the reforms that consolidated duties and power into one seat, and the blind Istesa, her royal smith and jeweler.

Less a person and more a phenomenon, Istesa is an ageless being that only resurfaces during times of turmoil and upheaval... Or rather, it’s more correct to say that she appears right before these chaotic times of great change, being the one to trigger them. By handing a legendary sword to this guy or that girl, Istesa makes sure that those with strong enough feelings and temperaments are properly equipped to carry out their “destiny”. While initially seen as benevolent figure of legend, scholars have since changed their opinion on her, as most every event she has influenced, regardless of the outcome, has tended to be immensely chaotic and gruesome. Pick any Ivarean history book, and most chapters have some relation to her... Among scholars, she’s also known as the Tideturner, as her powerful creations have shifted the tides of conflict and birthed many a victorious underdog, with no regard to the consequences afterwards...

A master smith, alchemist, and sorcerer. She’s worshipped as a goddess of change, progress, and blacksmithing in some parts in Ivarea, and she’s depicted with a large hammer in idols and effigies. However, those who are more familiar with her will also consider her a representation of calamity and crisis, and the Two Stars of Calamity are named after her (the Istesa Stars, or Twin Istesas). Thus, she is also sometimes represented with the visage of a collapsing tower as reference to the many dynasties and eras she’s suspected to have directly ended.

But, she’s simply a fictitious character in the folklore of the land, right...?

“Year 687: The legendary swordsman receives his sacred sword, and defeats the dark tyrant, becoming Hero King. In the following years, he, too, becomes a tyrant. Year 801: The Valkyrie of Esperkard pierces the Grand Chancellor of Atorrhia’s heart with the legendary spear she received from the Lady of the Lake. With the Chancellor’s death, Atorrhia is finally free, but all of its trade treaties collapse in the following months, and the people, now divided, massacre each other. Year 1301: The Bow That Never Misses is bestowed upon the the lad that would eventually become the Peerless Liberator. However, with the power to land a shot on absolutely anyone, no matter what, the Peerless Liberator became the Despot Ranger, who still holds the Great Glades of Insya as his own private land. No one dares venture into the glades, even today... A great swatch of no man’s land. Year 1498: An explosion so great that Ivarea shook completely took out the kingdom of [REDACTED]. No trace remains. In his dying words, the bomber said “Thank you so much, my Lady... My revenge... Is complete”, and the world lost its sole source of [REDACTED] that day. Year 1719: The sniper rifle that shot a bullet across the ocean, from one castle to another, and killed the king of Slionia, is said to have been given to the Empress of Grioccuvar by someone that perfectly fits the description of the Lady of the Lake. But the rifle had a single round, and upon the ascension of the king’s bloodthirsty daughter, the war only intensified, its repercussion still felt today.

This is all just a bit from the most comprehensive text we’ve found, from one of her worshippers, the Record of Calamity. Any questions?”

“Sir, is this all... True? This reads more like the ramblings of a madman, the sort that believes all those conspiracies.”

“Normally, I would agree with you, but... The truth is, I come from Grioccuvar, and... Look at this photo.”

“...That’s... Someone that fits the description of the Lady of the Lake, handing the rifle to the king?”

“Aye. My ancestor worked a post of honor at the castle, and he managed to snag this photo. It tormented for the rest of his life. She’s real, and if we don’t do something about her, she’ll keep shaping our history to her whims, writ in the blood of the masses, all while she simply laughs.”

-- Mission briefing at [-----]

Istesa, a native of Drathodia, was a blind artisan who made a living crafting jewelry and other such knickknacks. Drathodia is known for its boisterous adventurers and mercenaries, a hearty, strong people who love their fights as much as they love their celebrations. However, due to its main export being adventurers and mercenaries, it’s well known that those who cannot perform said roles, or assist in those roles tend to be discriminated in Drathodian society. One needn’t be a brawler, necessarily: Good cooks, explorers, blacksmiths, teachers and many more are appreciated fairly, but if you truly are alien to the culture, if you are an iconoclast to Drathodia born in the nation, then you’re likely not particularly happy within its borders. This was the case for Istesa, who was born with blindness and a feeble body, in contrast to her strong, charming older sister.

The sisters shared a deep bond, with the older caring for the younger in any way she could. A strong fighter with a seemingly bright future in front of her, the older sister was a shining star and even took apprenticeship with a famous martial master in Drathodia. Unfortunately, she met an early demise, and Istesa was left not only without the only person that truly supported her, but also without her beloved sister. Sinking into depression, Istesa gave her all into the creation of jewelry and trinkets, a discipline she was shockingly good at despite her blindness, as her sister taught her hands the basics, and from there, Istesa never stopped.

One day, late at night, Istesa got lost on her way home due to a temporary road closure changing her route, and ended up lost in the woods, where a tricky fairy spirited her away to the Realm of the Fairies. Scared for her life and confused, Istesa pleaded for mercy, but the Fairies, all of whom are capricious and some of whom are sadists, were not about to give her any quarter. That is, until the booming voice of one of the Five Queens ordered them all to stand aside. It was the Bloodless Queen, who happened to witness this on a stroll.

“What can you do?”

“I-I can make jewelry...”

“Then you will make for me a gorgeous necklace of silver, topaz as the main piece, and amethyst as adornments. Do you accept this commission?”

“Y-yes... Let me take your measurements...”

Istesa got to work in a secluded room in the Bloodless Queen’s castle, and in just one night and one day, produced the necklace: Brilliant silver with snowflake motifs of the adornments, wintry tones accompanying the purple hues of the amethyst, its main piece instead a plaque of hand-chiseled flame, where the brilliant topaz shone brightly. The Queen, whose breath had been taken away from the craftsmanship, immediately ordered any and all Fae that had their eyes on Istesa to back off, lest they wish to compete with her: The artisan was hers.

After becoming the Bloodless Queen’s personal artisan, the two grew close. Very close. They would talk at length about something the two of them were passionate about: Stories. Stories as a medium, stories as entertainment, stories as lessons... The Bloodless Queen always lamented that the Fae had very boring stories, always having predictably happy endings, clean endings, simple endings. Istesa simply wished she could see so she could read the books the Queen enjoyed so, that she could make a better conversation partner for her.

To celebrate Istesa’s first full year under her employment, the Queen told her to hold her hand and squeeze tightly. When Istesa inquired why, the Queen simply replied:

“It’ll hurt a bit less.”

The Queen then plucked Istesa’s blind eyes right out of their sockets, causing the artisan to faint.

When she woke up, however, Istesa found herself in a comfy, soft bed, a tall ceiling, look directly at the face of her Queen who sat next to her... Looking. Seeing. Watching. The shock almost made Istesa faint again. She could see. Hanging from the Queen’s neck was her necklace, which she immediately recognized, she had ‘seen’ it thoroughly with her hands. The Queen’s face was more beautiful than she imagined as well. Even though she ‘saw’ her through her fingers so many times, the real deal was definitely beyond what her mind could conjure. And right above the Queen’s head, she saw some words. They read “Istesa’s joy”.

“W-what’s going on, why can I see...?”

“It’s my gift to you, Istesa: The eyes of a djinn. I grant you sight, and the ability to discern the desires of those you see. This way, you’ll always know what I want.”

Though a seemingly selfish gift, it was anything but. This way, Istesa would not be taken advantage of, or at least, she would be able to know more about the true nature of any Fae that wasn’t the Queen that interacted with her. Fae are capricious, and some can be very cruel, but with these eyes, she could immediately tell if they had ill intent towards her. Moreover, Istesa could now read all the books the Queen herself loved. This couldn’t be better.

All was fine in the Citadel of the Bloodless Queen... Until the Civil War of the Fae erupted.

See, the Five Queens of eld had very specific, very strict roles: With a love for theatrics, the Five Original Fae, the Queens, established a system of governance for the ever-growing Fae population that would ensure peace: Each Queen had a role to fulfill in order to maintain the status quo: One of would be the Righteous Queen, who could do no wrong, and another would be the Bloodless Queen, who was behind everything wrong, no matter what. This would give the Fae an easy hero to follow, and an easy villain to blame, and all matters could be resolved simply. If the Righteous Queen made a mistake, then it was not, in fact, her mistake, it was a ploy of the Bloodless Queen, in an attempt to humiliate the Righteous Queen. Then, the Bloodless Queen would receive a token sanction, and everyone would move on. This worked wonders when the Fae were few and many of them knew this was merely a system of theatrics to put the water under the bridge as smoothly as possible while the true culprit reflected on their mistake and improved themselves. But as the Fae increased in number, the theatrics came to be understood as a reality. It wasn’t just a few dozen of Fae needing guidance and to focus on the right tasks for survival, now, the Fae were prosperous, numerous, and yet, the old ways never changed. Instead of being seen as a selfless martyr who took the blame, no matter what, in order for the many to focus on the right task, the Bloodless Queen came to be seen as a true villain. Every story needed a good ending, a clean ending, an easy to understand ending, and when there’s a designated villain, then it’s to find the culprit for everything.

Eventually, the Civil War of the Fae erupted, starting with conflict between the Righteous Queen and the Harvest Queen. Each urged the other Queens to join their side: The Studious Queen joined the former, while the Festival Queen joined the latter. Who would the Bloodless Queen join, then?

None. They all deserved the highest penalty for letting their egos get to this point in the first place. The Bloodless Queen took to the battlefield on her own. With remorse filling every inch of her heart, she addressed her smith and jeweler:

“Istesa... Can you make... Weapons for my soldiers?”

Istesa didn’t answer, and for the first time in her life, her hammer created a sword. Ornate, light, and deadly. The Queen herself wielded it. The blade only dulled after the thousandth kill.

At the end of the war, the Festival Queen finally seized her final victory via pure subterfuge after having believed to have been killed, the seeming sole survivor of the conflict. The Bloodless Queen lie on her deathbed, clutching Istesa’s worn fingers tightly.

“At least this is a better ending than all those flimsy acts we put on in the past, Istesa... I don’t hate happy endings, you know...? But... Where’s the sense of urgency when the bad guy is always so apparent... Where’s the sense of danger when you know every single time the good guys will win...? Fae stories are horribly bad... Haha... Look at me! The Bloodless Queen betrays expectation and bleeds out... Isn’t that simply funny, my Istesa...? Ah... Istesa... Please make sure that this world has more exciting stories... Make a world that would entertain me, would you...?”

Unable to handle the grief of losing her, Istesa broke in tears as life left the Queen’s body, but the Queen’s essence, too immense after so many lifetimes, was thick and palpable. As it glowed xanthous and violet in front of her, Istesa, without thinking, absorbed all of it. Absorbing the essence of a Fae is said to be a death sentence, that’s simply too much raw, undiluted magical power for any physiology of Ivarea to handle. Istesa intended to die with her lover that day... But the essence would not harm her. It would not hurt her. It would not pose any danger to Istesa. Istesa and the Bloodless Queen, at the very height of their emotions, fused.

And the world would become a more interesting place forever after that day. Whether it wanted to or not.

All that is done, is done for that. That. That perfect, entertaining ending, that heart-gripping development, that crescendo...

“Istesa” would give Ivarea the most interesting stories, forged in fire, printed in upheaval, writ in blood.

“Istesa” is not evil. She is not good, either.

All she wants is a good story.

And she’ll do anything for it.

#Ivarea #Istesa

[asongofstarkandtargaryen]

JON SNOW DAY 15 : Jon & The Smith  (Faith of the Seven)

If you were told to associate Jon Snow with one of the seven deites of the Seven you would probably draw comparisons between him and the Warrior.

When Catelyn prays to the Seven, she sees Jon's face among those who resemble the Warrior.

"The Warrior stands before the foe...[...] He protects the little children"; as a popular song of the seven kingdoms informs us. And what are the Black brothers if not protectors of the realm?

I'm not denying the connection between the Warrior's image and Jon Snow. I just wanted to talk about his less explored connection to the Smith.

So, who is The Smith?

Meribald turned back to Podrick. "I have never known a boy who did not love the Warrior. I am old, though, and being old, I love the Smith. Without his labor, what would the Warrior defend? Every town has a smith, and every castle. They make the plows we need to plant our crops, the nails we use to build our ships, iron shoes to save the hooves of our faithful horses, the bright swords of our lords. No one could doubt the value of a smith, and so we name one of the Seven in his honor, but we might as easily have called him the Farmer or the Fisherman, the Carpenter or the Cobbler. What he works at makes no matter. What matters is, he works.

AFFC, BRIENNE V

According to Septon Meribald, the Smith is someone who works and his labor is used to help other people.

Jon is the only character on a position of power  (being Lord Commander) who has also working experience. Unlike the rest of lordings/kings & queens who simply inherit their title, he had to earn his own. When he first joined the Night's Watch, he had to work, like eveybody else who was a newcomer. Jon being the previous Lord Commander's steward means that he was used to serving - and giving his personal labor- before he started to rule and give orders.

Here are the tasks of the stewards, the order in which Jon belonged before he became Lord Commander:

Chett gave an angry scowl. "I'm a steward. You think it's easy work, fit for cowards? The order of stewards keeps the Watch alive. We hunt and farm, tend the horses, milk the cows, gather firewood, cook the meals. Who do you think makes your clothing? Who brings up supplies from the south? The stewards."

AGOT, JON V

Also, according to Brother Narbert, the Smith gave horses to men in order to help them to do their work:

The jest did not sit well with Brother Narbert. "You are a knight, ser. Driftwood is a beast of burden. The Smith gave men horses to help them in their labors."

Here the Smith is presented as the asoiaf universe Prometheus from greek mythology. Just like Prometheus gave fire to men to aid them, the Smith gave them horses.

Does Jon Snow has any Prometheus - Smith moment? Tha answer to this question is, more than one. At the beginning of the first book, he gave his little sister a sword so she could learn to protect herself. He asked an actual smith to make that sword and when he presented it to Arya, he also gave her the first fighting lesson: stick them with the pointy end. Both the sword and that first lesson are significant on Arya's journey and help her survive (along with the swordsmanship skills she received later on).

During the Night's Watch journey beyond the Wall, Jon found - thanks to his direwolf- dragonglass at The Fist of First Men.  Unlike other Black Brothers who are skeptical of dragonglass, Jon believes that those materials were buried due to their importance and decides to make weapons out of them and give them to his friends and Jeor Mormont. He becomes a sort of literal smith offering weapons to those who are dear to him in order to help them protect themselves.  Sometime later, Sam will use one of those daggers Jon made to kill an Other.  Jon Snow as Prometheus - Smith served his purpose to aid men with his gift.

#jonsnowfortnightevent2023 #asoiafcanonjonsnow #canonjonsnow #jon snow #valyrianscrolls #a post of ice and fire #asoiaf meta #jon snow meta #mymeta

[notmoreflippingelves]

Personally I feel Kristoph just regrets having killed Zak so suddenly on an impulse. Reminder that the locks appeared when asked why he killed Zak specifically. He hated him for turning him down and probably never saw himself capable of murder. Once he killed him he probably felt glad he got revenge and didn't get exposed, but then had that sudden clarity of "oh shit, I actually killed someone", which combined with his paranoia, stressed him out immensely. He tragically traumatized himself.

Zak's murder has always screamed unplanned, desperate "crime of passion" to me, given how dramatically different to the other murder we know Kristoph committed (and set in motion 7 years earlier). Criminology-wise, it's already very unusual for a criminal to change their modus operandi so dramatically without a good reason. And it becomes immediately more striking when we look at the weapons: blunt object in Zak's case vs. poison for the Mishams'.

Poison has long held the stereotype of being a "woman's weapon" rather than a man's. Which yeah, it is a pretty unnecessarily gendered and heteronormative way to look at it. But like what the stereotype is actually saying by this is that poison--regardless of the gender(s) of the person using it--is almost always the method preferred by people who would prefer not to use psychical forms of violence even once they have determined that they "need" to enact violent ends.

These sorts of killers may lack the physical strength or athletic skill to wield a gun/sword/bat/spear,/blunt instrument, they may not be able to summon the adequate aggression to do so, they may want to avoid a bigger "mess" w/ more pieces of evidence, or they may just lack the "sadistic urge" to directly use their hands to enact another's pain. All of the above seem that they could apply to Kristoph given what we know of him.

Even though he has determined that he's going to go through with the murder plot, Kristoph vastly prefers a more detached, less messy, and (in his mind) quicker and less cruel method. Because his heart may not really be in it in the long run. Like do you really think he'd want to get actual blood on his pretty little nails if he didn't have to? He's not killing for the fun of it like some of the other AA killers; he's killing because he's convinced himself he has to.

(Unlike a lot of other fans, I tend to hc that Zak and Drew were actually the *only* deaths that Kristoph was responsible for. Because I maintain that that there was something much more specific and important about the Gramarye case to Kris than simply "wah, I was fired from my first big case and now I'm gonna be petty af about it." No like, this case in particular--besides just "an important case that could make my career"-- was personal to Kris for reasons we may never know).

Even though he knew that this could very well come back to bite him in the derriere, Kristoph was probably secretly relieved that the poison didn't work right away for the Mishams--or that if it had worked, he wouldn't have to find out about it. Out of sight, out of mind and he wouldn't have to face his conscience. And in the worst case scenario, the murder plan was still in place should Kristoph need to enact it later. (Which he did by writing to Drew *during* (and not before) Kristoph's incarceration following Zak's murder.)

So with all that in mind, Kristoph's murder of Zak just seems more and more of a desperate, impulsive act. It's not his style at all, and yet he did it. He saw Zak, realized he was at risk, and panicked.

And yeah, I would imagine that even if we assume he had no regrets/second thoughts about Drew Misham's murder, Zak's murder would psychologically feel really really different to Kris. And I imagine that it could potentially prove even more psychologically damaging to him.

Because braining "Shadi Smith" with a grape juice bottle is an act that is sudden, violent, impulsive and totally out-of-character for Kristoph Gavin--coolest defense in the West ,whose intellect is his weapon of choice and who prefers to keep his pretty nails (if not his soul) clean.

#kristoph gavin #ace attorney #this ask has been in half-written and unanswered in my drafts for over a year #but given my sudden desire to word vomit re: omitb and elena of avalor earlier this week #i guess i'm in the right headspace for meta #shu takumi; show me the forbidden gavin backstory please and thank you #aa meta #ace attorney meta

[logo-comics]

Katarina Termina

As promised, the AU that was inspired by THIS thread, but I'm going more in-depth on this here.

This AU is going with the idea of the Monkey Girl being reincarnated into someone who isn't integral to the plot of Fortune Lover. As I said in the linked thread, the name Katarina Termina came from my fanonical name for a rough draft of Katarina Claes being Tatiana Terni, a romanceable character borrowing the surname from @azure-wolf-227's name for the Queen's family.

Since I like that concept, I decided to not attach Katarina to that name, in order to give the harem an officially fair chance, even though my endgame is always the same ship when given the option.

The Termina Family:

Duke Odin Termina of Termina:

Portrait of a northern barbarian with fire magic. Despite Sorcier having a rather nice climate in general, his island some how manages to be permanently covered in snow, which necessitated the development of greenhouses and a massive keep that the people of his Duchy occupy. Looks much, much older than he is, and comes off as only slightly less intimidating that Luigi. Adores his family and has a love of the macabre that comes off as threatening to some. He and Luigi Claes have shared maybe ten words in court and tend to sit in the same general vicinity. He would call the man his close friend, if asked. He's also related to Miridiana through their great grandparents and knows Viscount Coleman by reputation, so he quickly figured out the Keith situation, but has never actually seen the family together, so he doesn't know about the family issues.

Duchess Tatiana Termina nee Smith:

There was quite a stir at court when Odin married his personal blacksmith, an orphan apprenticed to the blacksmith of the previous Duchess Termina, Odin's mother Belladonna (from whom he inherited his title), but they'd grown up together and fallen in love, and the northerners don't rightly care who marries whom unless agreements are being abruptly broken. Tatiana is a cheerful woman who will happily go on about how which weapons she designed are capable of doing what amount of damage to people. She also has a fondness for creating new weapons and has been working on what Bakarina would recognize as a flamethrower for years. There's a rumor in court that she's the result of one of the previous King's affairs due to her having golden hair and bright blue eyes behind her goggles, but there's no proof of that one way or another.

Katarina Termina:

Prior to Catarina Claes's accident and the subsequent scar on her forehead, Katarina Termina was one of the frontrunners for Prince Geordo's fiancee. She actually didn't have an opinion about that one way or another, being more interested in improving the greenhouses and her weapons training, as well as her interest in her mother's designs. She does have quite a fondness for sweets born from sweets being uncommon in Termina, and she doesn't have the most courtly of manners, but she was actually considered rather refined in the mead hall in Termina's Keep. She also later manages to "invent" the ice cream maker after regaining her past life memories. By sheer coincidence, she and Catarina Claes were born on the same day and look similar, save for Katarina having slightly darker hair and lighter eyes, as well as darker clothes in general and a sword that's always present on her hip. She has fairly weak fire magic, and unknowingly has moderately strong Dark Magic.

Anne Shelley:

She was sent to Termina, instead of the Claes land because Baron Shelley thought it would be best to send her somewhere that most people didn't know and also because, from an in-universe meta perspective, Katarina Termina is the cut content for Katarina Claes, so she gets the positive relationship with Anne that I give FL Katarina. Her relationship with Katarina was a slightly more professional version of her relationship with Bakarina, up until the training accident, when Katarina becomes notably more friendly and Anne winds up adapting. Her time in Termina actually let her become more of a free thinker, and Baron Shelley didn't even make it to the door of the keep before he was chased off. Despite not being related by blood, they treat her like part of the family, and, though she doesn't know it, Odin, Tatiana, and Katarina agreed that, if Katarina winds up engaged to someone who has to maintain their family title, Anne will be made the heiress to the ducal title.

The Training Accident:

During Katarina's first year at the Academy, she was in a friendly duel with a wooden sword with her sparring partner and best friend, Lady Penelope Blancarosa, whose family is allied to her own, with Sienna Nelson and Astrid Grimnir as their witnesses, only for a momentary distraction to cause her to drop her guard at exactly the wrong time, getting a blow to the head that woke up her Monkey Girl memories.

The Harem:

Geordo:

I feel like Katarina was someone he found interesting early on, which was why she was one of, if not the frontrunner prior to Catarina's injury. Since she lives on an island in the north, she only really visits during social functions, so he didn't notice all of the changes, since she was basically just a slightly more disciplined version of herself as Bakarina. He's still trying to figure out how to broach the subject of potentially leaving his fiancee to be with her specifically due to the fact that, as a northerner, she might take offense to him trying to break his engagement like that.

Keith:

Keith wound up developing into something just shy of being an actual playboy, but it's very close. While his relationship with the Claes is... strained, to say the least, he actually managed to meet and befriend Katarina Termina during a ball, causing him to be infatuated because of how kind she was to him. Alas, she has noted on occasion that's she's somewhat disappointed in him for all his flirting with pretty much every girl he meets, which hits hard enough that he never goes further than flirting and the occasional cafe date with his target du jour.

Mary:

As something of a horticultural hobbyist, Katarina, upon a social visit to the Hunt manor, finds herself musing upon how the person who tended to the field has a green thumb, not knowing Mary was in earshot. By sheer chance, she and Mary don't get to properly meet until another social event, when Alan directly tells Mary that she has a wonderful green thumb. Cue Mary having a Crisis when she properly meets the mysterious garden lover at that same event. Now she's trying to figure out a good way to get both of them, by whatever means she can scheme up.

Nicol:

Nothing much changes, to be honest.

Sophia:

No one is quite sure how she keeps managing to get to Termina, given that it's on an island, but she inevitably appears there to hang out with the girl who saved her from those bullies when she was little, who she feels oddly comfortable with in a familiar sort of way.

Alan:

Not much actually changes. Timeline shifts a bit and, due to Mary not messing with him to try to neutralize him as a rival, he has a surprisingly healthy understanding of his feelings for everyone around him. Geordo breaking decorum by showing his interest in Katarina despite his engagement to Catarina also helped him see Geordo as fallible and human, helping him feel more comfortable with his brother.

Raphael:

Due to Marchioness Dieke not letting Sirius go many places and Raphael having no real basis for comparison, he spent an unfortunate amount of time thinking that Katarina Termina and Catarina Claes were the same person. He's actually a bit embarrassed about it when the trial starts and he sees the two of them in the same place.

Maria:

Since the Training Accident happens prior to the Academy days, then Maria's life actually isn't all that different from canon. The only real change for Maria is that her beloved Lady Katarina has an evil doppelganger named Catarina Claes, who Maria has seen her chase off.

Other Noble Ladies:

Sienna Nelson:

As with Anne, this relationship is being transferred from Catarina to Katarina because Katarina is all of the positive traits that the developers cut from Catarina Claes. Her family is subordinate to the Termina family, so she grew up in Termina's Keep with Katarina, giving her more confidence.

Penelope Blancarosa:

Her family's lands are the closest mainland territories to Termina, so she and Katarina are very close friends, and a fellow lover of the art of swordsmanship. Katarina has seen her with Astrid Grimnir enough times to know they have feelings for each other, but Katarina wonders how any girl can be as oblivious as Penelope when it comes to realizing one's friend is in love with them.

Astrid Grimnir:

Daughter of the Baron Grimnir of Seithr, the self-proclaimed Young Wolf is an avid hunter, like her father, and loves seeing innovations in any technology. She's also completely in love with Penelope and quickly befriended Katarina after having met her while she was tweaking the systems of one of the greenhouses.

Marsha Catley:

Funnily enough, she gets along rather well with Katarina, though she does assume that Katarina was devastated by the fact that she wasn't chosen to be Geordo's fiancee.

Noelia Flores:

She and Katarina hate one another. No one is entirely sure why, and most are too afraid to ask.

Catarina Claes:

Katarina and Catarina are natural enemies as a result of their opposing views on various topics. The only thing they can agree on is their disdain for Noelia's purposeless, boring malice. Like I said in the original thread, paraphrasing Terry Pratchett is the best way to describe how they feel about one another: Catarina and Katarina shared a look. It said: While I loathe you and every aspect of your personal philosophy to a depth unplumbable by any line, I’ll credit you at least with not being Noelia Flores.” Despite this, Katarina is still trying to figure out a way to stop Catarina from ruining her own life and that of those around her out of pity for what her foreknowledge showed her of her possible fates. This, funnily enough, got Catarina to stop bothering Maria after the first week because she was getting concerned by Katarina looking disappointedly at her with her hand on her sword.

*Edited because I forgot to include Penelope and Astrid.

#hamefura #bakarina #my next life as a villainess #fortune lover meta post

[heehoothefool]

Mmmm I'm bored and it's almost 6 am and I cannot sleep.

I'm gonna assign the Empires SMP s2 cast DnD classes for the fun of it.

Joel: He's a Sorcerer for sure, but idk if wild magic or blue draconic bloodline is more fitting. On one hand, he dipped into a magic fountain to become a God which is very wild magic leaning. On the other hand, blue dragon ancestry would give an obvious affinity to lightning, and an excuse for his obsession with gold and the common teal/blue themes of his Stratos builds. You also can get wings. Idk, I like both a lot here.

Fwhip: Have you seen those funky Redstone signs? This little guy is an artificer all the way. After he made that sick mace? I'm gonna say he'd run the battle smith archetype. Idk funny little goblin tinkerer is just fun to me.

Jimmy: Fighter, gunslinger archetype. He's a cowboy, look at him. What else could he possibly be? I know he doesn't have a gun (yet) but I think he deserves it with all the gunpowder. He's also Just Some Guy and sadly fighter is the most Just Some Guy class there is.

Pixlriffs: The archivist artificer subclass was literally made for this man. Tinkering around with insane redstone, litematica, the obsession with the past and knowing things he shouldn't necessarily know, like it's all there. It's perfect for him. I love him.

Sausage: Oath of Devotion paladin, for sure. He's the protector of Sanctuary, it's his duty to protect his friends and his people, to stay true to them no matter what. He will protect his people and those he cares about. Also you literally get access to the spell Sanctuary as part of the extended spell list. Come on.

Scott: Wild magic Sorcerer. If a wizard gives you a glass eye that is SO going to have random magical consequences, and with how often Owen goes between human and Llama I wouldn't be shocked if it was related. They're also charisma casters and look at him. Look at him.

Joey: Gunslinger fighter again but this time with the pirate background specifically. He literally has a gun. What else could he be?

Oli: The man is literally a college of glamor bard. Like this isn't even a question. Come on now.

False: Oh an artificer all the way, look at the steampunk aesthetic going on here. I wanna give her artillerist because she definitely seems like the type to develop a flamethrower, but I think alchemist fits her lore (the whole amnesia potions thing) a bit better. Another one I'm a little torn on.

Gem: What else could she be but a light cleric? She is the princess of the sun and she started a church for the sun. Light cleric. Boom.

Katherine: Definitely barbarian, but the subclass isn't clear. I might need to homebrew a monster hunter subclass here because while that would normally be a ranger thing I guess, this isn't the first time I've wanted to build a monster hunter with a big sword or big axe. For now, I'll say wolf totem warrior.

Shelby: Wild magic Sorcerer with really bad luck who decided to multiclass into the actual alchemist class on the side, but not enough to pick an archetype. Her spells go wrong all the time, often on accident, she doesn't learn from a book, she's having a great time. Sorry you got polymorphed into a frog lol.

Lizzie: Another wild magic sorcerer except she stopped trying after she turned herself into a cat and decided to instead become an arcane trickster rogue. She is not a cat, she prommy. She totally will not steal from you the moment you aren't looking. She enchanted her mask to make her look human. She is human. Worry more about your chests. Don't ask about the amethyst. She has expertise in deception.

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