#in the realms of the gods

[checkoutmybookshelf]

The Immortals Quartet

Time to chat about another of Tamora Pierce's beloved heroines and one of her early quartets. This is also the quartet that--in my entirely subjective experience--catches a lot of guff for its romance subplot. But we'll get to that. These are some of my favorite books of Pierce's, and I'm pretty sure that I read these after the Alanna and Kel books, although they were her second published quartet, coming before Kel. Let's talk The Immortals Quartet.

Veralidaine Sarrasri, unlike Alanna and Kel, is not originally Tortallen. Our girl is Gallan, and when we first meet her in Wild Magic, she is recovering from bandits sacking her village, burning down her house, and killing her family and all their animals. She's also desperate to hide what she thinks is a form of madness from every human she runs across, which gets really complicated when Numair starts teaching her how to harness her wild magic. And for just a hot second, can I say how much I love Numair in this series? He has just as much character as Daine and I am never NOT here for phenonemally powerful mages who are also basically oversized puppies.

Getting to watch Daine develop relationships with Numair, Onua, Alanna and George, the royal family, and the Queen's Riders is such fun, and so well done that when Daine finally feels safe enough to explain why she sometimes seems recalcitrant about her magic lessons it feels immensely earned. These relationships also become immensely foundational to the rest of the series, as does Daine's b-plot but still really compelling arc about hating Stormwings.

The Stormwing arc really finds traction in Wolf Speaker. In my experience, most people say that In the Realms of the Gods is their least favorite Immortals book, but for me, Wolf Speaker takes that prize. Not at all because it's a bad book, but for me it's the most forgettable of the four. Daine and Numair are investigating sus nonsense in Fief Dunlath, and there are blood rain and shape shifting/mind riding shenanagins and Daine begins to have holes poked in her Stormwing prejudice courtesy of Rikash Moonsword. It's a fine book, and the subplots with the wolves and ogres are compelling, but for whatever reason this book does not stick in my head.

The book that does stick in my head and is unequivocally my favorite of this quartet is Emperor Mage. This book follows the Tortallen peace delegation to Carthak, and geopolitical and divine shenanagins ensue. Dain's relationships with Kaddar and Ozorne--and particularly how Numair and Ozorne's history colors both those relationships--are again central to the plot. The Graveyard Hag is also actively throwing broom handles between the spokes of Daine's wheels by giving Daine the power to bring skeletons to a seeming of life.

That gets absolutely amazing because the Graveyard Hag wants Daine to reanimate human skeletons, but Daine makes the PHENOMENAL point that humans forget literal walking nightmares really fast. What humans don't recover fast from is when you literally raze their centers of government to the ground, including food stores, records of all kinds, and the freaking treasury. So instead of making human skeletons dance through the streets, Daine reanimates DINOSAUR SKELETONS and wrecks absolute shop. It's amazing, I wouldn't change a thing.

The other thing I love about this book is Numair yo-yoing between being an experienced intelligence operative and black robe mage and a complete idiot. He is tangled up in plans to free slaves and overthrow Ozorne and yet he still somehow manages to forget all of that and swing at Ozorne when he suggests that Numair is banging Daine. Numair. Honey, sweetie, friend, you cannot be THAT much of an idiot. And the best part is, at least three other characters call him on that idiocy. This book is fantastic.

In the Realms of the Gods is the book that, in my experience, gets the most flak from fans. My experience has been that people object to the student/teacher dynamic between Daine and Numair deveoping into a romance and the significant age gap between the two characters as the romance develops. People also seem to feel that this book is too long and drags in places. I don't tend to find that the book is draggy and long, but that tends to be a very "your mileage may vary" thing for readers.

In terms of the age gap and student teacher dynamics, I want to start off very clear: In real life, student-teacher relationships are never ok, are always predatory, and I do not support. However, to paraphrase Red from OSP, not every book that shows things that aren't unequivocally morally good do not need a "Do Not Try This At Home" sticker on the cover. Books don't have to be morally instructive, they don't have to show the best possible healthy relationships, they just have to be interesting. And honestly? I find Daine and Numair interesting. On top of that, Tamora Pierce is aware enough as an author that Daine and Numair actually do (however briefly) discuss the potential pitfalls of the age gap between them. They don't address the student/teacher thing, but then I wouldn't expect them to because that's not the relationship they have in this book. They are more partners than student/teacher. All this to say, I can understand why people dislike this romance, but I'm not here to throw shade, because honestly I enjoyed it.

I also enjoyed meeting and learning about Daine's parents, exploring the literal Realm of the Gods and all the wibbly wobbly timey wimey chaos shenanagins, and the conclusion of Daine's Stormwing arc. (And how dare Pierce make me cry that hard over Rikash. That was uncalled for.)

Overall, I deeply loved this quartet, and Daine is a welcome change from the very martial Alanna and Kel. She also represents an evolution of the magic systems in Tortall, which was really compelling and refreshing.

#tamora pierce #the immortals #the immortals quartet #daine sarrasri #numair salmalin #wild magic #wolf speaker #emperor mage #in the realms of the gods #ya fantasy #tortall universe #tortall #books & libraries #books and reading #books and novels #book recommendations #books #fiction

[dr-dendritic-trees]

The Realms of the Gods has historically been my least favourite Tamora Pierce book... that being said, its been so long since I've read it (because it was my least favourite) that I can no longer remember why it was my least favourite...

#tortall #in the realms of the gods

[knightofleo]

#god of war #god of war: ragnarok #god of war ragnarok #God of War: Ragnarök #god of war ragnarök #the eternal campfire #across the realms #i've been thinking about this all week

[pinkiepig]

Baal and Aym for the soul

#I hc that the fog in Narinder realm is the dust of dead spirits and gods #perhaps #cotl #my art #aym and baal #cult of the lamb

[pyralart]

I don't think Belos is taking it very well

First part (You are here) >> Next Part

First batch of this little series, inspired by @petitprincess1's idea! I couldn't get this scenario out of my head so of course I drew it.

Get ready because it will have at least 8 pages! Probably my longest comic yet

There will be some angst but the violence will overall be canon-typical!

#the owl house #the owl house spoilers #toh #toh fanart #toh comic #luz noceda #emperor belos #philip wittebane #pyralart #Sooooo many backgrounds in those pages oh my god #Back to the Human Realm #<-- Guess that'll be my tag for it I just came up with it #Also it's my personal headcanon that The Collector would speak with emojis sorry not sorry it's too funny and fitting to me #Little ipad kid and his stars and moon emojis <3 #I need to do more with the collector too I love them #ok ok enough rambling #thanks for reading <3 I love u

[puppetmaster13u]

Prompt 167

Honestly, Danny is having such a good time right now. He gets to travel with Ellie, explore space, just have fun. Plus his secondary protector-instincts are having soothed despite him not technically doing any hero-ing anymore. Really his sister had the right idea when she decided she wanted to become a doctor, this is honestly a blast.

And if someone does end up passing away, well, Ellie is always happy to help soothe their spirit and guide them to the Realms where they can reach their respective afterlife. Or become a ghost. 

They are completely oblivious to the fact that there are now legends and entire temples dedicated to them now. Apparently accidental ascension is in fact a thing, as Dan later laughs at them about. 

#prompts #Dcxdp #dpxdc #Dan was already thought of as a god of destruction & change #He’s laughing at his ‘siblings’ for making them a trio #So many planets throughout time now include 3 gods/spirits/etc in their worship under different names but similar faces #One of those planets was Krypton #Clark’s parents prayed to Dan-El the Healer that their son would be safe and in good health wherever he went #They prayed to El-Nath the Guide that his journey would be safe & that she would not have to guide him to the afterlife instead #They prayed to Jor-Dan the Destroyer that they’re wrong and if not that their planet’s End is a merciful one #Clark finds this out when researching stuff from his ship/the Fortress #Hey that’s kind of funny he saw a similar looking being floating among the stars when he first tested leaving the atmosphere hehe #....... W a i t a minute- #Space Core Danny #Moon Core Ellie #Sun Core Dan #Look Jazz’s dream in canon is to become a brain surgeon and I think she deserves to be able to do that #Medical school is hard AF #Danny apprenticed under Frostbite & So Many Realms ghosts who are Very Eager to pass on their knowledge

[obsob]

beloved!!!

#neither of these characters r women >:3 #mine #fan art #rote #fitz and the fool #fitzloved #realm of the elderlings #i was screaming reading golden fool let me tell you that. 'you thought i was bringing you flowers?' fitz what if i bit you #i am on . fools fate now. oh dear #after this im gonna. wait a long time before reading fitz and fool trilogy...good lord #also. u would not believe the amount of GRIEF. this drawing gave me. ive been staring at colour variations for like an hour #th pose is based off an Artus Scheiner drawing i saw n was like. thats fitzloved #i hvent read liveship traders i know i know. smite me down. listen. i dont care for boats i really dont. #i started reading it n was like i dont respect any of these people and then. stopped skdfbsdk #anyway. why is it 30 degrees. relax. its cooler next week thank god. this better b th last of th heat or im gna start biting

[ghostbsuter]

John Constantine was in prison.

No, not a normal, mortal prison. Those wouldn't be able to hold him like this one does.

No, he's imprisoned in the Infinity Realm.

The warden of the establishment is Walker, someone whose blood sings Witch Hunter.

If that wasn't bad enough, with every second, it gets worse. Angels decided to interfere in a realm not in possession of their God.

Who's idea was it to go against the Infintiy Realm? Are they nuts?

"John Constantine," One of the messangers steps forward. There is no weapon in sight, yet.

"Under the scrutiny of Heaven, we were sent to retrieve you for a trial." Their voice clipped, blond hair shimmering a soft green and John is sweating buckets.

"Your deals with various demon folk and such shall be judged unter gods court and—"

A loud bang echoes through the hall, Walker's men are surrounding the beings of heaven and particular brave soul steps forward.

The lad is young, can't be older than Bat's Robin. He walks with an air of authority, white hair floating against gravity's rules and towering before the flock of messangers.

"How dare—"

The boy, the godling– growls.

He blocks their view of Constantine, staring them down.

Some of the angels fall back, wings arched and ready for a fight, weapons still not in sight however.

"I am Phantom, King of God's of the Infinity Realm." The child with a title too much for such small shoulders bear, introduces himself.

It sends the flock into mild panic. Constantine is just a bit satisfied at the change.

"Returns to your god and tell him this, every Constantine bearing the title Laughing Magician is under my protection."

For such a small stature, his voice is booming, the command thinly veiled as a threat and icicles forming around him.

"Tell him that if he ever dares to breach my territory once more, I will not hesitate to call war upon heaven."

The main angel of the flock, the one that had read out Constantines sentence, hesitated only for a moment before urging the others to leave.

Posture stiff and movements jerky.

They didn't expect to be told off like this, John muses.

He only slightly dreads when phantoms attention drifts to him finally, a light knock on the metal bars and the whole wall was gone.

"Follow me, John Constantine."

And John does.

He'll sweet talk himself out of this on the way to his doom. Like always.

—

("Unpopular belief, but I actually quite like you." Danny had stated once in the garden, sitting on a table and drinking tea. John hadn't touched his cup nor desert at all, cannot trust those of the infinite after all.)

(A rip into the green before them had created a portal, a gateway.

"Leave, Laughing Magician. Hold onto that necklace, it will ward off anyone with the intent to harm and deals as a warning to those working for the immortal."

And as John steps forward, his eyes meet toxic green.

"We will see one another again, sooner or later. Farewell, Jester."

The portal spat him out in his apartment in New York, if it wasn't for the protection charm, Constantine would have believed it to be a mere dream. A warning.)

#dcxdp #dpxdc #dp x dc crossover #fic prompt #writing prompt #dc x dp prompt #let me share my world builidng here #implied that god in constantine is one of the kings #there are many king of gods #theyre usually the leaders of a realm and together create the council of Yggdrasil #god wants to have words with Constantine #u guys can decide whats up with heaven to have beef with connie #connie is dannys favorite to watcg #this mans life is a shit show #dannys eating sm popcorn #wdym GOD wants his man??? aint no way hes getting whats MINE #-danny #god may have created everyhting they know #might be older than time itself #but they are not older than the infinite #the realms of the unruly #the glue between everything that is to exist and has already been done #god cant fight what is not theirs #every realms of king of gods is just a masisve dick measure contest tbf

[andr0nap]

ROAD TRIP 🚍❄️

#trigun #trigun stampede #ice planet au #vash the stampede #nicholas d. wolfwood #meryl stryfe #roberto de niro #berni the news van #andr0art #berni appreciation post tbh #she gets her own tag #our beloved #the whole gang is here #vash is ab to send nico to the shadow realm #meryl the truck queen god bless #kuronekos little winter coat can be something so personal #shes warm and cozy guys its very important

[nelkcats]

Be Not Afraid

Danny's forms were pretty stable in the Infinite Realms, and well, his own dimension. The problem was when he had to run certain errands elsewhere (Clockwork's fault) and the universes didn't know where to put him.

Despite having two defined forms in his original dimension. The other dimensions seemed to decide that Danny didn't need that, and his humanity had to go, or something. The halfa couldn't understand it.

So of course, he ended up looking very amorphous and strange when he traveled to other dimensions. Sometimes with multiple eyes, at other times his body was made of pieces of ice, there were times when he was just a toxic green eye that glowed and blinded whoever saw it. The only thing that remained constant was that he didn't look human. Which made most of his tasks difficult. People feared the unknown after all.

When he arrived in the DC universe he didn't expect a welcoming committee. He even told them "Be not afraid" the moment he landed on a crowded street, but apparently that was counterproductive, since they classified him as some kind of avenging angel.

With a sigh, Danny kept exploring and the strangest things happened to him: Two glowing rings chased him everywhere (One was black and the other was white, but he had a feeling that taking them wouldn't be the smartest move, the ring and the crown were very jealous since he was crowned after all)

And a British magician... flirted with him? Danny was pretty sure the hellbazer was seeing him as eyes and ice floating but that didn't seem to stop him from trying. The halfa didn't know if he was flattered or worried.

Anyway, he couldn't find Dr. Fate, nor "Justice League Dark", whatever it was. But the wizard, Constantine, was willing to take him on a date. The rings continued to follow him while some people with green rings looked in the background (they looked strangely scared) and a new religion had been created for "The Great One" which reminded him of Frostbite.

Traveling was hard.

#dpxdc #ghost king danny #yes he's the King #but Clockwork still uses him to transport some things from the Realms to other dimensions #what's the use of your student being the ghost king if you're not going to take advantage of it #Plus Danny didn't want to be at his meetings either #Danny's form is unstable #The universe doesn't know where to place his scale of power #dp x dc #dc x dp #john constantine #The League is confused by the new religion #Constantine is determined to date that fucking God #The Lanterns are extremely concerned #The rings of life and death are chasing the thing as if nothing #and it seems to be ignoring them #Danny knows better than to make his own objects of power jealous #The Ghost King's crown and ring can be very vengeful #and revive some people if they want #Batman just wants to know what the fuck is going on

[breesperez139]

Dc x Dp Prompt #3

Immortal Ghost King Au:

Daniel Fenton was crowned as High King Phantom of the Infinite Realms on his 16th birthday. He knew many were opposed to him being crowned at such a young age (he was too), but the Realms had gone too long without a ruler and it was getting restless.

The Realms were sentient to some extent. It can not run itself as it has no form but it chooses a host, a King if you will, to fulfill its wishes. It may have lived on an entire millennia without a ruler, but it was only out of sheer luck and the contributions of countless gods that it had survived. The Infinite Realms needed a King and Danny Phantom was the only contender.

So the people were ignored and their boy king was crowned. However Phantom was young and naive, a child as both a human and a ghost. Even worse, he knew nothing about being a king. But the little godling would learn and learn he did.

Most kings were taught before they were coronated, but Danny had no such privilege. His coronation came and left with the wind. His private lessons overshadowed any thoughts he had left of mortal schooling. And Danny gave up on living a normal human life.

That last part was perhaps the easiest for Danny. Amity Park was already considered too liminal for them to have any “sentience”. The GIW had all but declared war on the Realms with their continuous violent actions upon his people and the land itself.

It wasn’t difficult for Amity to give up their “rights” and “humanity” either. They said good riddance to the world that never helped them, to the heroes that ignored their cries for help. And they bowed to Phantom, declaring him their King, just as he declared them citizens of the Infinite Realms.

He welcomed his liminals with open arms, vowing to protect them from any harm that would come their way, just as he would with any of his other citizens. He gave them a home in the Realms, an island- no a haunt of their own should they wish to truly reject the land of the living, and they accepted. Not many wanted to try their luck against the human government.

But with a God, no, their King on their side, they knew their safety and happiness was all but assured. After all, it was Phantom who protected them even as they turned their own backs at him. It was Phantom who fought against foes that could have erased him from existence.

And of course it was Phantom who would now receive any and all support he could ever want and need should he declare war against the humans of Earth. No, there was no need for people of the Infinite Realms to worry. High King Phantom was a God after all. It was only ever his right to exact divine punishment onto those who opposed and threatened his will. It was not their fault if the humans actively went against his will. No, the humans had no one but themselves to blame for whatever came for them.

#dc x dp #dp x dc #dc x dp prompt #dp x dc prompt #the infinite realms is home to more than just ghosts #like demons and other things too #it uses the king as its host to ensure its people’s survival and in turn makes the king a god #pariah dark went against the realms will #so he was sealed away and not killed because you can not kill an already dead god #the people of the realms were skeptical of having such a young king #but Danny’s a quick learner and turned out to be really good #amity park vs GIW wouldn’t be the first war he’s led #Danny gave himself a god complex bc people respect him more that way #it’s a mask he only uses outside of the realms #he’s acts normally when he’s with citizens of the realms #can a god even have a god complex?? #amity park moved to the infinite realms after the GIW tried killing them all #JL and JLD are struggling trying to find a way to negotiate a peace agreement #but amity park feels abandoned and spiteful so they refuse #lucky for the JL that it’s Phantom who’s in charge #or maybe that’s the reason they’re not so lucky #amity found out Danny was a god and ran with it #this might be a good way to like make this into an arranged marriage au with a person of your choice #make Danny as old or as young as you want #Danny will do what he needs to make sure his people are safe and happy

[crispytubes]

nightmare before christmas mayor lookin motherfucker (will delete later <3)

im kinda surprised people still draw him like a yellow onceler like I figured y’all would’ve moved passed all that by now

but whatever I’m not here to tell people what to do so I just did my own interpretation for fun (mainly based on Alex’s hypothetical canon design)

#fan art #art #shitpost #gravity falls #gravity falls fanart #bill cipher #gideon gleeful #humanization #im usually not one to do humanizations because im usually not good and translating designs very well lol #im one of those fucked up people who’s attracted to the ugliest creations to ever exist in gods realm #bernard cipher

[dr-dendritic-trees]

So, I'm one of those certified weirdos who writes down quotes from books that catch my eye (or ear), and the one I just wrote down was Daine's quip to Weiryn that gods might be kinder if more things hurt them.

Well we are now at the bit in Realms where the explaining happens, about how the Gods just... didn't bother communicating about Uatose (or however you spell it) to the mortals... because of course, it had never occurred to them that a mortal would do anything that dangerous...

Because that's the whole thing. The Gods never saw Ozorne coming, not because he's just that evil (he's evil but the evil shit he does is just garden variety tyranny) or because his magic is especially unusual (he's an excellent magician but that's all he is), but because he is totally, all-consumingly desperate and they just don't get it.

#they seem totally put out that humans sealed the divine realms too #but like its pretty obvious why from a standard of living perspective #in the matter of ozorne v the gods i am on his side frankly #ozorne v literally anyone else he's an asshole #but the gods had it coming #tempests and slaughter #in the realms of the gods #emperor mage

[cerealboxlore]

Do you think Billy Batson is allowed to enter Olympus???

Would Zeus vouch for him and let him in?

Is there a door in the Rock of Eternity that opens up to Olympus?

Just imagine. This small boy in a red sweater, walking into Olympus, surrounded by ethereal and immortal gods and goddesses, just to like, pick some nice flowers for his adopted mom on Mother's Day. Or, maybe he's having lunch with some gods or deities, like that one comic panel where Billy is eating ice cream on the moon with powerful mages/people.

Would Billy Batson share a pizza with Hades? Would he have lemonade with Hera? Would Billy invite Mary to have breakfast with Artemis and Apollo?

There are so many questions, and not enough time in the day to write a cute little domestic fic about Billy Batson and his adventures in Olympus.

#billy batson #dc captain marvel #shazam #mary bromfield #greek gods #mount olympus #I often wonder about how the other gods feel about Billy Batson #Do they also wish to sponsor the boy and aid his journey in protecting the realms? #do they see a small child given the powers and responsibilities of a god or do they see themselves in his eyes like a mirror #Do these gods respect him as an ally or do they pity him #Late night talks and thoughts

[illjustpretend]

always hungry for more

#gale #gale of waterdeep #gale dekarios #bg3 #baldur's gate 3 #my art #sketch #I’m making him an evil god king of magic in my playthru #I will give u the world and all the realms babygirl #he’s really terrible

[puppetmaster13u]

Who wants a prompt entirely in memes.

#dcxdp #dpxdc #prompts #danny fenton #klarion the witch boy #billy batson #would they be called chaos trio or feral trio lol #they're all realm denizens #lil baby godlings of chaos space and magic respectively #Danny and Billy are halfas but Klarion is a Neverborn #Fawcett just shrugs whenever they see Billy run around #He's that feral child they've seen ride a tiger before #Though it's nice he's got a friend even if they're all riding tigers now #Oh well #Danny: Why am I the youngest >:/ #Billy: Because you're tinier than us #Danny: Having an adult form is cheating #Klarion: You're baby tho #Klarion: Omg we should go play with the justice league babies! #Danny: Omg friends yes! #Billy with the gods chanting Do It in his ears: This surely cannot go wrong #Billy: Let's bring them all kitties too so they have friends to snuggle with after playing #They might have run into Jason on the way and omg it's another undead bby who is older than them #Which isn't fair but also omg he should join them in their playing #Jason seeing glowing eyes in the shadows after reading several horror stories: NopeNopeNopeNopeNope #memes #meme