#celetial dragons

[just-absolutely-super]

Garp having 0 filter and insulting Stelly and the Celetial Dragons is my jam

#i love garp okay? #super rereads op

[opbackgrounds]

Oooh can you do a post on the tenryubito?

So I feel like this is going to be an unpopular opinion, but I pity the Celestial Dragons. 

That isn’t to say that they aren’t all (mostly) abhorrently evil megalomaniacs with  an institutionally enforced god complex who treat the torture of human(oids) with the same blasé disregard as a kid pulling the wings off of a fly, but there’s a part of me that just finds them pathetic. The Celesital Dragons are a group of people who have the world as their silver platter, yet are so small-minded and infantile they literally trap themselves in a tiny bubbles because they’re too scared to breathe the same air as the so-called lesser races.

There was a time when I didn’t think much of the Celestial Dragons because I thought that Oda’s exaggerated storytelling had gone one step too far. They were too cartoonishly evil to be believable—nothing but a bunch of mustache-twirling villains too ridiculous to be taken seriously—and though I found Luffy punching one in the face very cathartic I wasn’t terribly invested in the World Nobility as a worldbuilding element. 

But if there’s something I’ve realized as I’ve gotten older, it’s that there is a depressingly-large number of cartoonishly evil people who through no merit of their own find themselves wielding enormous amounts of power, and the Celestial Dragons are more realistic than I ever thought possible. 

The Dragons are One Piece’s exploration of the idea that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Eight hundred years is a ridiculously long time to be in control of a single territory, let alone an organization as massive as the World Government. To put it in perspective a little, eight hundred years ago was when the Magna Carta was signed. Even real-world dynasties tend to have major fluctuations in power over the course of generations, but It seems that the World Government—and by extension the Celestial Dragons—have for eight centuries kept an iron hold over what they consider theirs. 

Which just happens to be everything. 

The actual origins of the CD tie into series lore and will probably play a big part in Robin learning about the True History, but I fall in the camp that believes that they originated on the moon because 1) they’re the Celestial Dragons 2) there’s gotta be some significance to Enel’s cover story, and 3) Oda clearly modeled their hairstyles and clothing off of the King and Queen of the Moon from the movie The Adventures of Baron Muchausen

Which, if true, makes them a foreign imperialistic force that used military might and a totalitarian regime that specializes in censorship and terror in order to turn the One Piece world into a giant colony while presenting itself as an egalitarian, unifying coalition where no single ruler is fit to sit on the Empty Throne. 

And to think, there are some people who don’t think One Piece is political.

What’s really fascinating is that most of the rank and file Celestial Dragons don’t seem to realize their own history. Their traditional enemy has become a bedtime story used to scare children, and they’re too preoccupied in their petty games and pleasures to even notice that they’re not really the most powerful people in the world. It’s like their freedom to commit atrocities is the world’s worst example of bread and circuses, because as long as their attention is held by the shiny new slave or fixated on bringing in another tribute then they can’t use their immense power to actually do anything, and for the most part they’re too stupid to realize they’re being used. 

Granted, I’m doing a lot of guesswork here, but we don’t really know where Im and his giant pointy crown fits into all this, or how aware the average Celestial Dragon is of his existence. Is he a world noble? Are the Elder Stars? I personally don’t think the latter are, but is it possible that there’s an even more secret and exclusive group within one of the most secretive and exclusive groups on the planet? And what in the world does the straw hat locked in a freezer have to do with any of it? Was that the treasure Doflamingo used to blackmail the Celestial Dragons into submission, and if so, who did he parlay with during his negotiations? Because I can’t see idiots like Saint Charlos or Mysogard before his character development giving two shits about any of it. Was it CP0, and if so, how much do they understand about the man who sits on the Empty Throne?

What I’m trying to say here, is that there’s a whole lot we don’t know. 

What isn’t guesswork is how little the Celestial Dragons understand about the real world, and this is where I go back to feeling sorry for them. Even the best-intentioned noble we’ve seen so far (Homing) has no idea of what it is to be “human”. 

This mansion is just...comfortable. It’s a downgrade. It’s how Homing thinks normal people live, and he thinks he can just plop his family out in the real world and live a quiet, normal life without blowback from a population that has suffered terribly at the Celestial Dragons hands. His ignorance and naivety, while well-intentioned, is staggering.

Because remember, slavery is technically illegal within the World Government.  Only criminals and people from nations not affiliated can be taken to auction. What initially seems like a kindness turns out to be sending pigs to the slaughter, because what nation wouldn’t react the way this one did once they found out the truth?

Because what the WG (and by extension the CD) have done is punish nations who don’t kowtow to their power in order to fulfill the demand for slaves. Even the bit about criminals is terrifying when this is a world where for some it’s a crime to even be born, to say nothing about the Celestial Dragon’s refusal to obey their own laws if it means they can get what they want, when they want it. 

The whole Homing situation puts a different spin on Doflamingo’s speech during the Marineford War. People who have only known peace can’t understand those who have only known war, and that lack of understanding is what ultimately led to his undoing. 

That’s not to say that the Celestial Dragons are incapable of change on an individual level. One Piece is, ultimately, a very optimistic series, so while I was initially surprised that Saint Mysogard returned during the Reverie chapters as a good guy, upon later reflection it made sense with the points Oda was trying to make during the Fishman Island arc—that if different groups can try to understand one another, they can get along. 

But it took an extraordinary event in almost being killed by his own former slaves and an extraordinary diplomat in Queen Otohime to change the mind of one (1) Celestial Dragon, and it doesn’t look like Saint Mysogard has been able to bring anyone else around to his point of view in the 10 years since he realized he was, in fact, human. And when feel like you’re due everything because you’re a god, why would you want to lower yourself to the position of a lessor being?

 The Celestial Dragons are trained from birth to think of other human(oid) beings as less than animals, where sadism and torture aren’t only encouraged, but celebrated. The system has corrupted to the point where there’s no incentive to change and no oversight to prevent the abuse of power, and with the ability to call the admirals on anyone who pisses them off the average person has no hope of fighting back. It’s difficult to guess how noble the progenitors of the current Celestial Dragons were, but judging by what we know of the Void Century we can guess not very. At the same time, it’s hard to imagine them starting out as the mustache-twirling villains as we see in the current day. The only difference between the Nefertitis and the other kings was one man’s choice to stay with his people. In an alternate universe Vivi could have been a Celestial Dragon.

Now there’s an AU idea.

At the end of the day, the Celestial Dragons play an important role within the One Piece universe, but they are not, by themselves, important to Luffy. He hates their guts and enjoys punching them in the face, but he’s a pirate, not a Revolutionary. The future for One Piece is delightfully opaque, and it’s hard for me to see how the Natural Enemy of God ends up tearing the system to the ground. Will the Straw Hats end up going to space? I don’t know, but there are a lot of people who think it’s at least a possibility.

I personally find them at their most interesting when they’re playing the part of the outside influencer. The Celestial Dragons have only been the direct opponents to the Straw Hats a handful of times, but they’ve played a direct role in the lives of so many other characters—both heroic and villainous—that without them the series could not exist as it currently does. 

And that’s the power of good worldbuilding. I don’t need Luffy to face off against Im to be satisfied with the series. In fact, he was brought in so late that I’ll be a little disappointed if he ends up as the final boss fight. I’m okay with the Revolutionary Army storming Mariejois off-screen, because while those are important players and major chess pieces, that’s never been where Luffy’s focus has been. He’s the man who’s going to become the Pirate King, and until the Celestial Dragons somehow get in the way of that dream he’s not going to bother with them. This lack of focus allows the inherent darkness of the Celestial Dragons not to overshadow the more lighthearted, whimsical aspects of the series. They explore certain themes that are important to One Piece, but the story doesn’t dwell in the mire, and I think it’s all the stronger for it. . 

#long post #celetial dragons #world building #sarc talks

[bards-anonymous]

The Bard @ the Paladin:

#this is something Xyia would ask Addie to piss her off even though Xyia is a celetial warlock and prays everyday now. #the bard vs paladin vibes are very funny and some of my favorite #d&d #d&d 5e #dungeons dragons #ttrpg #dnd #d&d stuff #d&d shenanigans #d&d 5th edition #d&d story #d&d memes

[ncmvds]

::( I want Oda to confirm for me that the only reason the Celetial Dragons wear those crazy outfits is because everyone is too piss-terrified to tell them it looks dumb. )::

#::OOC Kay Speaking #::WISHLIST #(Hey- I’m going into character design. I’m allowed to throw shade lmao) #(in all seriousness I actually think it’s pretty well thought-out.) #(character-design wise... they are still wearing fishbowls on their heads because they think it makes them cool.)

[laws-hat-headcanons]

Blood, rain, pulse - sabo

Hi Anon! Thanks for the ask, hope you like it!!

SWP - Sabo - Blood, Rain, Pulse

Blood: How did they react the first time their S/O got badly injured?

. If it happens during abattle Sabo loses all sense of self preservation in order to make sure his partner doesn't get hurt any more.

. He will take on as many enemies as he needs to to protect his S/O

. And when the fighting is over he is there by their side, trying to comfort them even though he can see how much pain their in. See the blood leaking from their wound even through the blur of his tears.

. He will have to be forced out of the operating room while the doctors tend to his S/O. Sabo will pace outside the door for hours, anxious and full of self loathing for not being able to protect one of the people he cares about most.

. When he is finally able to see his partner again he refuses to be sent on any more missions, refuses to leave them until he knows they'll pull through.

Rain: What are they like when they're sad or upset?

. Quiet.

. It's a stark contrast to how Sabo usually is so it's really easy to pick up on.

. When Sabo is sad he tends to close in on himself.

. He'll shut himself away is his room, refusing to speak to anyone - even Koala. And when she comes to badger him and try and cheer him up Sabo is very clear when he tells her he wants to be left alone.

. There isnt much that can get Sabo out of a funk like this. He just has to wait it out, let it run its course until he feels his rebellious spirit return.

. Then he has to go and make it up to everyone because hes been an insufferable asshole.

. It doesn't happen often though so he is forgiven fairly quickly. Everyone has days like that after all.

Pulse: What is the worst pain they have ever felt?

. Physically it would be the scarring he received from the Celetial Dragon on the day he lost his memory.

. Though in fairness he doesn't remeber the incident itself that well, only the intense throbbing pain that accompanied the healing skin.

. But his worst pain was the day he got his memories back.

. The day he remembered his brothers, but lost one in the same second.

. Sabo will never forget that heart twisting moment, where he couldn't breathe, couldn't speak, couldn't do anything but hear Aces name echo around his head.

. He still feels that pain too. Whenever a childhood memory resurfaces and he remembers.

#one piece #one piece sabo #sabo #one piece headcanon #one piece imagines #swp

[stressedoldnerd]

TAZ finale liveblog

spoilers under the cut

“you’re ready” cool story bro I am Not

This start is scaring me...

Kravitz mention!!! He is here!!!

Poloma!

all my favs are back wow

Am I cold or is Griffin’s voice giving me chills

Reunited and it feeels so goooooood

except it doesn’t - I am scared

sweet fips!!!! 

My good good magic boy! I am proud of Ango my son

Give my daughter, Lucretia, a break please

Taako is gonna make me cry and I’m not even 10 minutes in

Justin why are you doing this to my heart

Don’t leave them!!! Save my lovely NPCs!!!!

I love Merle give him back his Pan

“hell yeah! dungeons and dragons is back!” was pretty much my reaction to a dice roll too

fuck fuck fuck here comes the evil

Thanks griffin for that centaur disclaimer

give the hand a high five

“The third figure...is a fucking rhinoceros” me too griffin 

I like that everyone is calling dibs

Awww I’m so proud of Ango,

“gimme five” called it

Dang the folks are high level

gimme five more like gimme fire ammirite

LIES Magnus used animal handling in here there be gerblins with that bulldog they had at the very beginning and forgot about. Also steven and fisher. 

(illusions)

good good lightning boy

get ready to hear me comment on literally everything that ango does 

I love my boy

Nooooooo do not slap my boy

Merle: *says his attack plan*

griffin: “ummmm yeah let me come up with mechanics for that”

As a DM I relate haha

Magnus is adorable, making sure that the rhinoceros is evil before he attacks it

“Any level of stabbing is incompatible with sight”

I love this fight so much

The hand should’ve waved goodbye

These puns are after my own heart wow

ANGUS USING THE UMBRASTAFF I AM SO PROUD OF HIM

LUP IS IN THE UMBRASTAFF AND FIGHTING WITH THEM I AM DECEASED

YES LUP AND ANGO, FUCK UP THAT RHINO

OH MY

FUCK FUCK FUCK

PLEASE BE LUP

OH MY LORD

ITS HER SHES PUTTING THE ROMANTIC IN NECROMANTIC ITS MY GAL LUP

LET MY GAL FREEE

Lup feeling guilty about the macarons

date with Kravitz

music rising

same lup fuck him up just ficking murder edward

HERE SHE COME

SHE IS HERE

“YOURE DATING THE GRIM REAPER??????????”

YOU ALL DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH I LOVE LUP SHE IS HERE SHE IS BACK MY SKIN IS CLEAR MY BILLS ARE PAID MY CROPS ARE WATERED I AM COMPLETE

actually you probably do, everyone loves lup

shit this music is good

nice to meet you finale boy

I am, in fact, fulfilled

yes McElboys  throw spaghetti at me

please never say sex jazz again ever

griffin a bone groove is a groove on a bone not sex jazz my dude

SDCC - god I wish that were me

this is some high quality blupjeans

....Lucretia?

I love my team sweet flips

no no no no no no 

no one kills my voidfish

wait shit the 4 judges are important??

waaaiiiiiiit perfect circle

shall we, maybe....go into the astral plane? or celetial??

relationship goals honestly jump after your gf

“no its fine - I’ve got magic powers”

you’re a wizard taako

ummm

griffin whats with this elevator

oh shit here comes the parlay

fuck fuck fuck 

didn’t think John could get creepier but ok

the baby voidfish is adorable

no no no no no griffin mcelroy if you kill off fisher I will cry so much

this is so cute and so sad

tfw your mom calls you to dinner in the middle of an amazing moment

This slowed down theme damn

holy shit everyone will remember

oh and everyone in the world will know johan’s music :,)

I have chills Griff why I’m gonna try

Well fuck me ok that was amazing

See you in two weeks, I’m gonna try to liveblog every episode of the finale

#taz liveblog #taz spoilers #taz #the adventure zone