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grimweaver · 1 year

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Skyrim Dragonborn story and asks thingie that @lucien-lachance tagged me for a long time ago. I tag... um... I dunno lol Ethaniel LaChance is the son of Malkhai (Ale'Zandre) LaChance, The Hero of Kvatch, and Lucien LaChance, the Speaker of the Dark Brotherhood. Prior to the events of Skyrim, his wife and children were murdered by a Thalmor mage he could not identify, and Malkhai had gone missing. Hungering for revenge, and sure that the Thalmor had something to do with his mother's disappearance, he was determined to hunt the Thalmor down to the very last one, and save his mother if his suspicion about their involvement in her disappearance was correct. He managed to slay quite a few very powerful and skilled Thalmor, but there was one mage that proved to be too powerful for him-- he was defeated, strung up, and sent out to Helgen to be executed. ((blablabla--dragon showed up, "oh my there are dragons coming back to Skyrim--aaah!"--fire, blood,death, escape blablabla))

He's had the Blood of the Wolf since conception, but never considered becoming a full-fledged werewolf until the Companions' tantalizing promise of power that could give him the extra edge he needs to defeat his sworn enemies.

Soon after Ethaniel and Aela become lovers. Though Ethaniel becomes the Harbinger, though he always went to Aela for her advice before making big decisions for the Companions.

A voice begins to call to Ethaniel, usually at night. He dismisses it as the wind whistling through cracks in the home. Eventually, it gets the point he cannot ignore it any longer. He doesn't tell Aela that he is hearing a voice, just says he feels a calling to the north. He thinks he recognizes the voice-- but it couldn't be! He's been dead nearly two-hundred years! (no, I'm so not taking this from Frozen 2! This happened in my head before that movie existed!)

The voice leads him to a house in Windhelm, where he finds a boy named Aventus, doing some weird summoning ritual. He thinks Ethaniel's the Listener and tells him he wants an abusive woman at an orphanage killed. Ethnaiel, having soft spot for kids, does this for him (Blablabla, past the okay but kind of bleh parts of the questline, bla blabla) is reunited with Shadowmere, and then... given a scroll that summons an assassin spirit from the Void that Astrid does not name. She just says he was a great legend of his time (Player does some internal screaming and fangirling because she knows... AAAAAAAAAAH!) But Ethaniel, not realizing who the spirit is, is not anxious to summon him. He saves it for a time he might need help.

Ethaniel returns to Whiterun, tells Aela and the kids they adopted (Lucia and Aventus) that he has restored his family home in Falkreath (Not the Falkreath home you are thinking of, the one I made in Creation Kit that is still a WIP like everything else I ever started!), so it is safe and comfortable for them to live in. During the move, they are attacked by Thalmor. There are so many of them that Ethaniel thinks this is the best time to summon that "Spectral Assassin" (more internal fangirly screaming). The Spectral Assassin makes a dramatic appearance-- the entire area is ignited with red Void fire, which only consumes Ethaniel's enemies and doesn't even singe a hair on his or his family's body. Out from a portal leaps a human figure that wastes no time slicing and dicing through the Thalmor, like it was personal... BECAUSE IT IS EHEHEHEHEHEE! Then, when everything clears, Ethaniel approaches the spectre. He can make out the details of the spirit's face as he gets closer, and when he thinks he recognizes him he is moved to tears. "Father??" He cries The spirit smiles, nods, then says "I live... again." (AAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!) There is no mistaking. Though many imperials of his time sounded like him, for some reason, his had a distinct, gravely purr. It rolled like thunder, and had the power to chill as it turned bones into jelly.

"It is you! It is you!! FATHER!!" And they hug! AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!! Not many huge story bits I can think of past this point, except they do find Malkhai and all three of them destroy the Thalmor embassy. Ah, quality family time! Oh, and yes, there's the rest of the DB questline and the main questline, he says "screw you" to the Blades for asking him to kill his dragon friend, they kill Alduin, the end Wait, there is no end, cause Skyrim keeps going ON and ON and ON

Asks:

1. Favorite Tavern: Dead Man's Drink in Falkreath.

2. Favorite Drink: Hot white chocolate with orange/cranberry cream

3. Travel Companion: Lucien LaChance ("Da"), Aela ("

4. Wealthy or not?: Yes, but he doesn't flaunt it in any way, and most of it is spent on the home and warrior stuff.

5. Worships the Aedra or the Daedra?: Daedra, specifically Hircine.

6. Biggest Fear: Death of a loved one.

7. Pet Peeves: Snobbish and racist people.

8. Do they like being dragonborn?: Yes

9. Favorite faction: The Companions

10. An object of sentimental value: The enchanted black cloak that belonged to his father before he passed (the second time). It has a powerful quieting spell that helps him sneak around undetected, and it will not reflect any light so it's always pitch-dark-- very useful for hiding.

11. Hobbies: Cooking, woodcarving, leatherworking, singing, and playing the lute.

12. Favorite city: He hates cities. He prefers small villages, within heavily forested areas, like Falkreath.

#skyrim #lucien lachance #the elder scrolls #the elder scolls skyrim #storywriting with a head cold which feels like I had one imperial stout

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noxcorvid · 2 years

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character development via rambles 2

tags from previous post:

#meanwhile poor asmun is fighting for his soul trying not to give in the ordeal of wanting power/prestige/respect#man Does Not deal with change well#tried to follow the way of the voice to keep himself in check but he's been keeping himself in check his whole life to balance rowan's issue#*issues#yknow tries to live a relatively simple life after slaying alduin#spend time with the horses; Do What Is Right where he can; deescalate conflict#try to discover what he wants to do with the rest of his life! bc what he expected to happen vs what did happen after crossing skyrim's#border could not be more different#and pretty much his entire skyrim province life is dictated by being found as dragonborn#and all the bullshit that comes along#which can make it. very difficult for a demigod to play it cool#like. when he starts losing his cool it's not 'holy shit what the hell is wrong with me' (like ilgur's reaction when she gets uhh. wild) but#'shitshitshit i have to hide this. dont let them see dont let them know'#bc for all he's more social than rowan they're still very much twins. and he still very much has a certain difficulty with empathy#connecting with other people#and he's not necessarily gullible! he's just so In Denial about So Much that he refuses to let shit register as passive aggressive#or the insult it is#and one of the big reasons he loses his shit is the dual pressure of 'i cannot play it cool' and the dragon soul rage that wants to wild#after being let to rot for so long in the metaphorical basement#+ the dual desperation and hatred of being used/targeted disrespected but most major political players#but it's like if you don't use a muscle it atrophies and asmun hasn't stood up for himself in years#so when he finally tries he can barely stand it#and when he forces it it hurts like hell#like forcing yourself to walk on a broken leg carrying a heavy backpack#and collapses under the weight#i dont know how close lydia is to him#i think there's something very shallow there but they're alright with that. lydia is sworn to carry his burdens and sees he's very obviously#Not Okay#and she's like 'okay i'll do damage control' and that dynamic works for them#bc she's not asking him to mask and he doesn't feel pressure to fake a deeper connection

i think asmun stops meditating/following the way of the voice methods is either right after he slays alduin or sometime after wyrmstooth expedition; which is a uhh. bad sign

other things that make him go a little Cuckoo Bananas are: curing of lycanthropy, dark brotherhood assassins coming after him, whatever bullshit happens in cyrodiil, lydia’s death, miraak Existing, the civil war, and ultimately the blades putting the pressure on him to kill paarthurnax.

.start.

man nearly accidentally passed on his lycanthropy to one of balgruuf’s kids, has to uhh get that cleared up. didn’t really want to but because that’s what is Good and Right, it’s what he does. unfortunately that was his number one stress-reliever (go fucking Ham on some people and not have to worry about what people think of him)

assassins press his berserk button for obvious reasons: someone wants Him Specifically Dead, not just dragons or the world-eater or random bandits, and it both skeeves him out and gives him the excuse to go ham

and after working with the penitus occulatus he’s drawn into imperial scheming with general tullius. gets guilted/manipulated with the whole “you’re dragonborn, you defeated alduin, you could Do Good with the legion” and it both appeals to asmun’s restless dragon soul - a chance for recognition - and (like rowan, but she just doesn’t care to be involved and avoids being publicly clocked as dragonborn) a genuine sense of recognizing the weight of this situation.

.timeline.

civil war - blades aren’t being cooperative, he’s tired of being ordered around, he can barely see straight, he’s having intrusive thoughts from the devil, sees demons everywhere is this right?? is this what is good?? asmun has ptsd

of course, lots of shit happens, he has to make more decisions that have some not-so-great consequences for others, more people who are out for him, specifically, and it turns out to be just a really ... unpleasant time. it’s definitely a slow slip from “genuinely trying to do right but acting funky under the pressure he’s under, isn’t afraid to turn violent but tries not to make it his first reaction” to “desperately trying grasp control of the situation even though he’s been letting others take control for years, will snap first”

he could definitely return to skyrim having to bury lydia and that would mess him up (both having lost a link to the rest of the world and someone whose welfare he cared about). feels very alone, and the blades could easily take advantage of this. lydia frequently drew first blood. now he has no one to base his actions on (lydia’s death is his fault? he acted to fight too rashly and she died overwhelmed, and with the path he’s chosen in cyrodiil he cannot avoid death in the future, he lashes out against opponents with frequency, and every time causes him to flashback)

returns to skyrim with his sister missing, leaving a message behind: solstheim, there’s another dragonborn, rowan is gonna go check it out. asmun speedruns the dragonborn dlc and ganks miraak before rowan can even explain. he’s angry and grieving and territorial. it’s the first major conflict between them and they simultaneously don’t understand each other; rowan is more reserved and is actually connecting with other people, and asmun is going to violence as his first response. they’re confused and frustrated. rowan is avoidant and asmun also slightly unnerved by the connections she’s made

some more time passes, something else passes? herma mora related? clavicus vile? either way man is having Visions. cannot see straight.

blades finally give him an ultimatum and he finally snaps and goes for the throat. does go for paarthurnax and rowan has to fight him down. odahviing is there

.VS.

of course, lots of shit happens, someone betrays him, he makes some decisions that have some not-so-great consequences for others, makes some decisions he feels like he has no other choice (lesser of evils), more people who are out for him, specifically, and it turns out to be just a really ... unpleasant time. it’s definitely a slower slip from “genuinely trying to do right but acting funky under the pressure he’s under, isn’t afraid to turn violent but tries not to make it his first reaction” to “desperately trying grasp control of the situation, will snap first”

returns to skyrim with his sister missing, leaving a message behind: solstheim, there’s another dragonborn, rowan is gonna go check it out. asmun speedruns the dragonborn dlc and ganks him before rowan can even explain. he’s angry and grieving and territorial. it’s the first major conflict between them and they simultaneously don’t understand each other; rowan is more reserved and is actually connecting with other people, and asmun is going to violence as his first response. they’re confused and frustrated. rowan is avoidant and asmun also slightly unnerved by the connections she’s made

civil war - blades aren’t being cooperative, he’s tired of being ordered around, he can barely see straight, he’s having intrusive thoughts from the devil, sees demons everywhere

#asmun tag

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millysaurusrex · 5 years

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I love your stories. Could you maybe write something about Gendrya naming their first born son Sandor? Thank you!

Father

Arya loved her father more than anything. Ned Stark was the greatest man who ever lived, if she had anything to say about it. She remembered gathering wild flowers from the fields in summer for him, and the smile that would crinkle his eyes as she presented him with her messy bouquets.

Her father never scolded her for playing with her brothers, and always laughed when she’d sneak away from her sewing lessons to best little Bran in archery, even when her mother would fix him with a stern look. He was the only person in the world who seemed to love her for who she truly was - well, except for perhaps Jon Snow - and Arya worshiped him for it.

He was kind and just and honorable. As a child, she had thought honor the most important trait a person could have, and Ned Stark was considered the most honorable man in the Seven Kingdoms. But the way that some men sneered the title, the honorable Ned Stark, made her think that not all were impressed by her lord father. She had never cared what they thought - what were the opinions of a few jealous lords compared to her beloved father?

But, in the blistering heat of the South, she learned that honor could very well get a man killed. It had killed her father. And with the swing of a massive sword, her faith in honor rolled down the steps of the Sept along with her father’s head.

—-

The journey up the King’s Road to the Wall was arduous and bloody. She often felt close to death each time a team of bandits decided to rob their little camp or a particularly daring prisoner took an interest in her. Yoren did he best to shield her.

“Until we reach the Wall, you’re no longer Arya Stark,” he hissed in that accent of his that reminded her so much of home. “You’d do best to remember that, lest you want to have every raper here seeing who could put their bastard in a high-born girl.”

He was not one of her father’s bannermen, instead a sworn brother of the Night’s Watch, and a close friend of her uncle Benjen. He’d been the one to smuggle her out of the city. He’d shielded her eyes as the Mountain took her father’s head before a cheering crowd. Yoren was certainly not her father, but he was as devoted to protecting her as a father might.

So when ser Amory Lorch drove a sword through the back of his neck, Arya mourned for him.

—-

Beric Dondarrion was once a bannerman of House Stark. It might be strange to think that the leader of the Brotherhood Without Banners was once a lord himself, but Arya had regarded him with the cold disinterest that befit a man who broke his vows to his liege lord.

He looked different, but Arya supposed that’s what happened when a man was killed and brought back to life over and over. She had known little about the lightning lord when she was a child. (She was always far more interested in the stories of knights and dragon riders to care what other lords got up to.) And anyway, any man who abandoned his honor to be an outlaw and had no qualms about abducting children was no true knight to her.

“You’re not our prisoner, little lady,” He repeated Thoros of Myr’s earlier declaration. “We will get you back to your lady mother.”

“For a price,” she sneered. Beric shrugged.

“We do what we must to survive, little lady. And we need gold to survive.”

Later, she’d been laying by the fire when she overheard Beric reminiscing over his numerous resurrections with Thoros.

“Can you revive a man with no head?” She’d asked softly.

“Each time I awaken by the flames, I’m a little less the man I was before. Lord Stark was a good, honorable man. I would never wish such a life on him.”

She’d wanted to ask what an outlaw could possibly know about honor, but she kept her mouth shut. She’d been right, of course, because a moon’s turn later, he sold off her only friend to a Red Witch.

His name was added to her list for that.

(But years later, in the darkest recesses of her ancestral home, she’d cry over his beaten, broken body.)

— -

The Hound was a miserable old shit. He stank of wine and piss half the time and never seemed to care that it bothered her, even as she struggled violently against his strong grip.

“You’re not going anywhere wolf-bitch. Not until I get my gold from that twat of a King you call a brother.”

He’d been on her list for a very long time. She often dreamed about running him through with Needle. He’d killed Mycah. It’d be poetic justice. Her father always said that the man who passes the sentence should swing the sword.

Robb would surely allow her the honor.

When they reached the Twins, she’d felt an almost ecstatic glee at the thought of seeing his head on a spike.

But, it wasn’t his head that would be lost that night. Robb had always looked so much like their mother…the sight of Grey Wind’s bloody head mounted onto her brother’s mutilated body would haunt her for the rest of her life.

She’d cried into the Hound’s armor that night.

He was there the first time she killed a man.

He was a Frey soldier. Some beady eyed fuck. She didn’t care what his name was or who he was, he’d been there with the others, had slaughtered her mother, brother and the good sister she’d never met. He’d declared war on House Stark by slaying Robb’s direwolf.

Had it not been for the Hound, she might have died at the hands of Frey’s, too. And when they sat eating the abandoned food surrounded by dead soldiers, he’d asked if that was her first kill.

(She told him that it was her first man.)

She returned the favor in a tavern some time later. The Lannister soldier who stole her sword was there and he joined them at their little table, cheerfully insisting that the Hound join them to raid and pillage their way through the Seven Kingdoms. She still hated him, but she couldn’t help the smirk when he told the twat that king could go fuck himself. When the Hound flipped the table onto the Lannister soldier, he easily killed each of his men. He was fighting the last of the men when Poliver snuck up behind him ready to strike. Before he could deliver he killing blow, she incapacitated him, snatched back Needle, and drove it into his throat.

They shared a love for killing, or so Arya quipped much to the Hound’s chagrin. He snapped that he no one liked killing and laughed when she told him that she would have killed King Joffrey with a chicken bone, had she gotten to him first.

The last time she spoke to him, before he journeyed to the North to fight alongside her brother, he’d been dying. He’d demanded that she kill him and taunted her when she refused. Instead, she took his coins and made her way to the nearest shipyard.

(She’d taken his name off her list long ago.)

—-

Traveling with the Hound was not the cleverest of ideas, but Arya knew she’d prefer no other companion. He wasn’t the chatty type and neither was she, so they mostly journeyed to King’s Landing in comfortable silence.

Three days ride from the Red Keep, she found herself regretting her decision.

“Did he ever find you?”

“Who?” She asked, biting into the leg of rabbit she’d caught.

“Who? That bastard blacksmith of yours.”

She hadn’t expected him to bring up that. “Gendry?”

“Yes, the new Lord Baratheon. The twat nearly was nearly out of his trousers trying to find you.” His laugh sounds cold in his gravely voice.

She refused to look into his eyes. “He found me.” And that was that and neither of them bring up the new Lord of Storms End again.

—-

Losing her father had been the hardest thing she’d ever went through. Seeing the downtrodden look on his face had broken her heart because she knew he was dying the worst kind of death - the death of a traitor.

She never expected to feel the loss of another as boldly as she did her lord father. But, as they stood there in the crumbling shell of the Red Keep, she knew that her heart was breaking again. Saying goodbye was never easy, and Arya was alarmed at how difficult it was to part with the Hound. They had shared so much of their journey together, from the death of her brother to the battle against the dead. It was with a heavy heart that she realized that she could remember the Hound’s many lessons more clearly than those of her father.

He’d become somewhat of a father somewhere along the way, she supposed. And so when he demanded that she live, she knew she had no other choice but to obey. They would never see each other again, she knew. She’d gotten her revenge and now it was his turn to cross a name off his list, the only name on his list - Gregor Clegane.

“Sandor, thank you.”

It was the first time she’d ever called him by that name, the first time she ever said it out loud.

It made him smile.

—-

When she was little, she had loved her father more than anything. He was the only man who ever allowed her to be herself, and never blamed her for not being a lady.

That is, until she meets Gendry. Gendry loves that she rides horses and wears breeches. He never scolds her for sparing in the training yard - he makes the weapons she uses. He laughs when she makes unladylike quips at the lords who feel bold enough to remark on her behavior. When a man makes a vulgar pass at her he smirks and tells the little lordling, who is cowering in his boots before the burly Lord of Storm’s End, that it isn’t he that the lord should fear, it’s the lady herself.

Gendry is kind and brave and honorable. He stood by her side when they were children and he’d defended her even when he thought she was a little bastard boy named Arry. He’d gone beyond the wall with her brother and fought side by side with their allies when the dead came marching down onto Winterfell. He’d nearly lost his life during the battle of King’s Landing.

She once told her father that she’d never marry a lord, that it wasn’t her. And her father had smiled warmly and she’d felt loved. When she repeats the words again, it’s with a heavier heart, and the look on the newly legitimized Lord Baratheon’s face makes her feel like she’s run him through with her sword.

She tries not to think about that, though, because there is no use ruminating on the past anymore. Not when they’ve survived so much. Not when they have so much to live for.

(And so when she sees him again, standing in his new castle, with a new limp and a new name, she tells him she could be his lady.)

When they marry beneath the heart tree, she wants to weep, because it is Jon who takes her cloak from Gendry and not her father. She smiles happily at her beloved cousin anyway, and knows that he is watching down on her with pride.

House Stark has finally joined with House Baratheon.

—-

It takes a great deal of strength to be a good father. She’s met enough men and women to know what the loss of such a role model can do to a person. But, she also knows that a man does not have to be related by blood to be a good one.

However, Gendry will be a wonderful father. He dotes on her while she is heavy with child, and coos at her belly whenever their babe kicks. He never knew his father, Arya knows, but he is as loving and kind and honorable as her own. When she goes into labor, it is in the highest room of the single tower that is Storm’s End. Her dutiful husband refuses to leave her side, although his men insist that it is tradition for the man to go hunting during the birthing. He eagerly follows each and every one of her commands; even the most ridiculous, which makes him run up and down the stairs to and from the kitchens for fruits and honey.

He never complains, never argues, which makes her roll her eyes, because he’s never been afraid to tell her she can go shove it.

He will be a good father, she knows, because he stands there by her side and allows her to nearly crush his fingers in her deathly grip as they welcome their twin sons into the world.

(It is a surprise but a welcomed one, and Arya and Gendry clutch their babies to their chest.)

“We should name them after our fathers .” Arya says, staring into one of her son’s red screaming face. His eyes have not opened yet, but she hopes they’re Baratheon blue. “So, you’ll be little Ned.”

She smiles at her husband who is staring wide eyed at the screeching little bundle in his arms. “I never knew my father…it doesn’t feel right to name my son after him.”

She raises a brow and smiles. “Then what would you prefer his name be?”

Gendry looks at her then, those eyes she loves so much staring deeply into her own. “I think our sons deserve to be named after the brave men who taught their brilliant mother what honor is. He’ll be Sandor.”

“Sandor.” She whispers, and her heart feels like it’s going to explode.

#gendrya fanfiction #gendrya #father roles #Sandor

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jeffreystewart · 5 years

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Norsery Rhymes from A to Z Happy Thorsday - Brunhild

Well here we are another Thor’s Day and another 20 min sketch of a Norse (and Germanic) mythological character, along with a bit of story around them. This week it’s Brunhild (Brynhild, Brunhilde, Brunhildr, Brunhilda). Princess, Queen, Hero, and Valkyrie.

Her name essentially means “War Armor”, from brunia “armor” and hiltia “conflict” in old high German. Which makes sense considering her armor in the Norse and tales are often what is cursed to keep her asleep.

Brunhild’s story changes quite a bit depending on the sources.

In one she is a Princess, in others she’s the daughter of Wotan and Erda or Bundi, and the adopted Daughter of Hiemi. In some the Sleeping Valkyrie and even Brunhild are separate people entirely.

I’ve tried to separate them a bit by source and story points, but I’m sure I’ve mixed up a few things here and there, given the tales even by source have sub sources that disagree with each other. I guess that’s one reasons why it’s always been such a go to for storytellers to make it all make sense in a single narrative. As they are all taken together, they’re the Rashomon of Norse tales so be kind if I’ve mixed them together too much for your tastes. I really enjoyed breaking this all down and the drawings that came out of it. I’ll be posting a few more version over the next week.

In the Norse Icelandic tales, the very old Volsungs saga and shorter and newer Prose Edda, Brunhilde is the daughter of Budli, and sister to Atli. She grows up to become a Shield-maiden, a Valkyrie in the castle of King Heimir whos is married to her eldest sister Bekkhild.

She is tasked with deciding a fight between two kings. Instead of choosing the one Odin favours Halmgunnar, she sides with the Other Agnar, as she feels this is the more fair outcome. Odin enraged sentences her to live a mortal life alone. Cursed to perpetually sleep in a ring of fire, behind a ring of shields, in castle at the top of the alps on mount Hindarfjall.

The hero Sigurdr Sigmundson of the Volsung had already slain the dragon Fafnir before hearing of Bruhilde in her prison by Sigurdr’s hawk friend. Surmounting all barriers he awakening her by removing her Valkyries armour and helm, which held the curse. She was essentially imprisoned in the armor and obligation she failed to uphold. At least how Odin likely would have seen it. So Sigurd proposes with his magic ring Andvaranaut that he will return and marry her, and goes out to get her Brother Atli’s blessing.

Along the way he stops in at a castle in Burgundy. There the Queen Grimhild, a sorcerer and magician, creates a powerful potion for Sigurd to think he is in love with her daughter Gudrun. And then convinces Sigurd to help her son marry the fabled Valkrie Brunhilde. They find Atli, and he gives his blessing. Then return to the mountain. Gunnar tries several times to get past the ring of fire, but he alone or on a horse cannot pass. Sigurd transforms into Gunnar crosses the fire and marries Brunhild. Apparently it being dark when Sigurd woke up the first time and met Sigurdr. Some versions of this says that Sigurdr and Gunnar attack Atli’s castle and he only agrees to let one of them marry her to end the attack on his people. The fires gone upon her marriage, Sigurdr takes the ring from Brunhilds finger and sends Gunnar to her. Then takes the ring to Gudrun. I mean, why waste a perfectly good magical engagement ring.

So Brunhild and Gunnar, Sigurdr and Gudrun, and Queen Grimhild and King Gjuki are all now one big extended family at the castle. Gudrun, being the jealous type and insecure about her landing Sigurdr the old potion way squabbles with Brunhild and let’s slip that Sigurdr was the one who woke her, wooed her and and rode through the fire. Brunhild as you can image was a little angry.

She convinces Gunnar that Sigurd had taken marital advantage of her back at the ring of fire and urges Gunnar to kill him. Gunnar afraid to break an oath of brother hood he swore with Sigurd, instead calls on his other siblings, his brothers Gutthorn and Hogni to help him. Hogni was out as he’d also sworn the oath of brotherhood. But Gutthorn was apparently out of town and had made no oath. Gutthorn however was not the killing type and so Hogni and Gunnar got one of their mother potions. They gave it to Gutthorn and it caused him to fill with rage at Sigurdr. Either killing in his sleep at the castle or while out in the forest. Bruhilde then kills Sigurdr and Gudrun’s son and throws herself on Sigurdr’s funeral pyre. In some versions abandoning the daughter she had that was also Sigurdrs child.

The Volsunga Saga frames the whole story as a tale told to a giant Gygr, in Hel as Brynhildr goes to find Sigurd there after their deaths. In the Norse Icelandic tales like the old Poetic Edda, Brynhildr is a daughter of Budli. In one verse she is distinguished from the sleeping Valkyrie Sigrdrífa / Sigrun, and in others they are one and the same. Wagner and others have interpreted this to be two tales interwoven, or even a direct generational saga because of this.

As the same person Brynhildr is a Warrior Maiden, and Swan Sister. Valkyrie servant of Odin. Also called Hildr the Helmed. Who lived with her seven sisters all Valkyries.

She was disobedient with Odin when she took the soul of the old Goth king Hjalmgunnar, instead of taking Agnarr to whom she was forced to side with. Agnarr kidnapped her and her seven sisters when she was twelve by stealing their Swan robes or dress. An item that gave him power over her. Some sources say in marriage, and others just in powers, as he might have worried marriage might negate her station and thus her powers. It can’t hurt to have 7 Valkyries on your side. In other tales she disobeys Odin by not marrying Hjalmgunnar because she had already sworn she would not marry a man with fear.

She was punished by Odin, placed into a preserving unending sleep. Laid under her shield, with a ring wall of shields, and fire. Only the the person who carried Fafnirs gold could pass and wake her. She’s awoken by the hero Sigurd, who crossed the flames with the gold and wakes her by freeing her of her halberd and in some versions with a fairytale kiss.

We hear this last part in the form of a flashback with flash forwards of sorts, where a detailed prophesy of these events and more is told to Sigurd by his uncle Gripir. Outlining that he will defeat a dragon, learn to speak to birds from it’s blood, carry it’s gold, find love through birdsong, wake a Valkyrie, and find adventure, and eventual peril. With Sigurd asking lots of questions but kind of missing the bad parts.

In some interpretations she wakes immediately and leaves with Sigurd, and others she wakes slowly. Sigurd leaving thinking her dead, and having never seen her face under her helm. If taking the sleeping Valkrie as separate from Bryhildr then on her waking she thanks him with the gift of true wisdom, and rune knowledge, and go their separate ways. Sigurd and Brynhildr leave. Finding shelter and a foster father in King Heimi who adopts Brynhildr. They fall in love and become betrothed but unwed to each other. In the other interpretation she just kind of shows up at Heimi’s castle who takes her in as a daughter. I usually picture her waking up alone and wandering down the mountain until she finds kind shelter.

In both versions Sigurd goes off. Sigurd becomes restless for adventure, or to prove himself, or to secure a title, and continues his travels set to return soon. Why she couldn’t go adventuring with him as she’s no longer tied to her Valkyr duties is left a mystery. One that it has been argued that makes a bit more sense if Brynhildr and the Sleeping Valkyrie are separate people.

Finding Giuki’s kingdom, the queen Grimhild casts a spell to make him forget Brynhilder so he can marry her daughter Gudrun who has fallen in love with him. In this version Gudrun does not know of the magic being cast on him and when he awakes from the spell bear her no ill will.

Sigurd assumes Gunnar’s form and woos Brynhildr. Likely starting with telling her of Sigurd’s new love. When they are all together and married the truth is revealed and the spell is broken. Sigurd is horrified by his part in the deception. Bryhildr not knowing of the spell convinces Gunnar that Sigurd took advantage of her in the wooing, and to satisfy the dishonor Giuki’s other sons slay Sigurd.

Bryhildr learning of the spell throws admits to everyone that Sigurd had never taken advantage of her, and her love for him returned throws herself on Sigurd’s funeral pyre to reunite with him in Hel. In some versions she blames her brother for allowing all of this to happen before she kills herself.

In the Germanic tales such as the Nibelungenlied. Brunhild is a Princess or Queen of Iceland or more likely Ironland (Isenland), and is not a Valkyrie, though she does have superhuman strength. She lives in Isenstein (Iron Stone) castle.

Her kingdom 12 days away from Burgundy and it’s Capital of Worms, where King Gunther has heard tales of her fierceness and beauty and is determined to marry her. Siegfried the Crown Prince the kingdom of Xanten warns Gunther of doing this. He knows of her and thinks this would be a bad idea. Because she’s super strong, a warrior queen, is quite bright, and has a bit of a temper. Gunther though promises Siegfried he can marry his sister Kriemhild if her helps him succeed. Which was the reason Siefried had gone to court in the first place. Kriemhild had never married because of a prophesy that her husband would die a horrible death. The reason Siegfried is so concerned is that Brunhild vows she will not marry any man who cannot best her in feats of strength and battle.

When they get to Isenstein Brunhild initially thinks it’s Siegfried who’s there to woo her, but is surprised that it’s Gunther who challenges her. As she was impressed by Siegfried and is surprised this man is only a vassal of Gunther. As the challenges of battle begin, she throws a giants spear, throws a boulder, leaps over that same boulder and fights Gunther. Sigurd devising ways to beat her in the war games and combat uses his cloak Tarnkappe that gives him invisibility, shape changing, and the strength of 12 men. He already had invulnerability everywhere but the back of his neck from bathing in dragons blood. He keeps giving Gunther the advantage. Helping avoid, and in some version throw the spear, avoid the boulder and toss Gunther over it. Then helped defeat her. Ensuring she’s fooled that it was Gunther who did all of these things all along.

She’s initially a bit suspicious of the whole thing and is hesitant to commit to marriage to Gunther. But he brings his whole army and parks it on her front porch. As an ‘escort’ back to his castle. In some sources Siegfried goes to the trouble to conquer all of Nieelungenland by himself and within a few days, just so he’ll have a nearby army to help Gunther with is ‘marriage escort’.

So they all get married together. Siegrfried and Kriemhild, and Gunther and Brunhild. Brunhild is upset during the wedding about Kriemhild marrying a vassal instead of a Prince. On the wedding night Gunther appears to have none of the strength he showed in the challenges. So she strings him up hanging from his belt all tied up hands and feet from a cloak hook on the wall. The next day after the servants likely find Gunther and let him down, Gunther goes to Siegfried to get his help again. Siegfried uses his cloak the next night to appear as Gunther and with the strength of 12 men is able to satisfactorily prove he can subdue Brunhild to her expectations. He then goes to hang up his cloak and switches places with the real Gunther who was watching from the wings. Brunhild either through her marital bed time with Gunther, or by Siegfried taking her ring and belt, loses her strength as well.

As time passes she has a child that they name Siegfried for some reason. We’ll call Him Little Siefried from now on.

Brunhild never gets over the feeling that original recipe Siegfried doesn’t act or seem like a vassal. So she and Gunther invite Siegfried and Kriemhild to the castle. But things get tense between them when they start arguing about how great their husbands are. Brunhild escalates things a bit too far, and Kriemhild responds that it was Siegfried who took her on maidenhood on her second marriage night. Showing her the ring and belt as proof. This sends Brunhild to confront Gunther about this. Gunther comes clean, and insists that Siegfried never lay with her.

She demands Siegfried’s death, and one of Gunthers vassals Hagen (Dazs was apparently unavailable) takes it upon himself and agrees to kill him to end her grief. Hagen makes up an incoming war that Siegfried and Gunther agree to help him with. When Gunther learns of the plot, he does nothing to stop it. Hagen gets Kriemhild to mark on Siegfried where his vulnerable spot it so he can make sure it’s protected she belies. Hagen then says the wars off, let’s go hunting to celebrate! Where he catches Siegfried unawares and hits him with a spear in his weak spot for massive damage.

Brunhild celebrates, and after Gunther dies Little Siegfried takes the throne.

In each there’s a tale of tragic love gained and lost, magic used, vows broken, and in some, deaths with the hope of two souls eternally being together.

If you’ve read this far and are looking for a little more reward than the sentiment I ended on above, here’s a terribly punny joke for you. ‘Brunhild, after everything she’d been through, made sure her betrayer was Sieg-Free’d from his body.’

#norse mythology #valkryie #brunhilde #siegfried #sigurd #brynhild #odin #drawing #sketch #line art #Character Design #character art

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beyondthecosmicvoid · 5 years

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TERMINOLOGY OF THE IMPERIUM (A-D)

A ABA: loose robe worn by Fremen women; usually black. ACH: left turn: a worm steersman’s call. ADAB: the demanding memory that comes upon you of itself. AKARSO: a plant native to Sikun (of 70 Ophiuchi A) characterized by almost oblong leaves. Its green and white stripes indicate the constant multiple condition of parallel active and dormant chlorophyll regions. ALAM AL-MITHAL: the mystical world of similitudes where all physical limitations are removed. AL-LAT: mankind’s original sun; by usage: any planet’s primary. AMPOLIROS: the legendary “Flying Dutchman” of space. AMTAL or AMTAL RULE: a common rule on primitive worlds under which something is tested to determine its limits or defects. Commonly: testing to destruction. AQL: the test of reason. Originally, the “Seven Mystic Questions” beginning: “Who is it that thinks?” ARRAKEEN: first settlement on Arrakis; long-time seat of planetary government. ARRAKIS: the planet known as Dune; third planet of Canopus. ASSASSINS’ HANDBOOK: Third-century compilation of poisons commonly used in a War of Assassins. Later expanded to include those deadly devices permitted under the Guild Peace and Great Convention. AULIYA: In the Zensunni Wanderers’ religion, the female at the left hand of God; God’s handmaiden. AUMAS: poison administered in food. (Specifically: poison in solid food.) In some dialects: Chaumas. AYAT: the signs of life. (See Burhan.) B BAKKA: in Fremen legend, the weeper who mourns for all mankind. BAKLAWA: a heavy pastry made with date syrup. BALISET: a nine-stringed musical instrument, lineal descendant of the zithra, tuned to the Chusuk scale and played by strumming. Favorite instrument of Imperial troubadors. BARADYE PISTOL: a static-charge dust gun developed on Arrakis for laying down a large dye marker area on sand. BARAKA: a living holy man of magical powers. BASHAR (often Colonel Bashar): an officer of the Sardaukar a fractional point above Colonel in the standardized military classification. Rank created for military ruler of a planetary subdistrict. (Bashar of the Corps is a title reserved strictly for military use.) BATTLE LANGUAGE: any special language of restricted etymology developed for clear-speech communication in warfare. BEDWINE: see Ichwan Bedwine. BELA TEGEUSE: fifth planet of Kuentsing: third stopping place of the Zensunni (Fremen) forced migration. BENE GESSERIT: the ancient school of mental and physical training established primarily for female students after the Butlerian Jihad destroyed the so-called “thinking machines” and robots. B.G.: idiomatic for Bene Gesserit except when used with a date. With a date it signifies Before Guild and identifies the Imperial dating system based on the genesis of the Spacing Guild’s monopoly. BHOTANI JIB: see Chakobsa. BI-LA KAIFA: Amen. (Literally: “Nothing further need be explained.”) BINDU: relating to the human nervous system, especially to nerve training. Often expressed as Bindu-nervature. (See Prana.) BINDU SUSPENSION: a special form of catalepsis, self-induced. BLED: flat, open desert. BOURKA: insulated mantle worn by Fremen in the open desert. BURHAN: the proofs of life. (Commonly: the ayat and burhan of life. See Ayat.) BURSEG: a commanding general of the Sardaukar. BUTLERIAN JIHAD: see Jihad, Butlerian (also Great Revolt). C CAID: Sardaukar officer rank given to a military official whose duties call mostly for dealings with civilians; a military governorship over a full planetary district; above the rank of Bashar but not equal to a Burseg. CALADAN: third planet of Delta Pavonis; birthworld of Paul-Muad’Dib. CANTO and RESPONDU: an invocation rite, part of the panoplia propheticus of the Missionaria Protectiva. CARRYALL: a flying wing (commonly “wing”), the aerial workhorse of Arrakis, used to transport large spice mining, hunting, and refining equipment. CATCHPOCKET: any stillsuit pocket where filtered water is caught and stored. CHAKOBSA: the so-called “magnetic language” derived in part from the ancient Bhotani (Bhotani Jib—jib meaning dialect). A collection of ancient dialects modified by needs of secrecy, but chiefly the hunting language of the Bhotani, the hired assassins of the first Wars of Assassins. CHAUMAS: (Aumas in some dialects): poison in solid food as distinguished from poison administered in some other way. CHAUMURKY (Musky or Murky in some dialects): poison administered in a drink. CHEOPS: pyramid chess; nine-level chess with the double object of putting your queen at the apex and the opponent’s king in check. CHEREM: a brotherhood of hate (usually for revenge). CHOAM: acronym for Combine Honnete Ober Advancer y Mercantiles—the universal development corporation controlled by the Emperor and Great Houses with the Guild and Bene Gesserit as silent partners. CHUSUK: fourth planet of Theta y Shalish; the so-called “Music Planet” noted for the quality of its musical instruments. (See Varota.) CIELAGO: any modified Chiroptera of Arrakis adapted to carry distrans messages. CONE OF SILENCE: the field of a distorter that limits the carrying power of the voice or any other vibrator by damping the vibrations with an image-vibration 180 degrees out of phase. CORIOLIS STORM: any major sandstorm on Arrakis where winds across the open flatlands are amplified by the planet’s own revolutionary motion to reach speeds up to 700 kilometers per hour. CORRIN, BATTLE OF: the space battle from which the Imperial House Corrino took its name. The battle fought near Sigma Draconis in the year 88 B.G. settled the ascendancy of the ruling House from Salusa Secundus. COUSINES: blood relations beyond cousins. CRUSHERS: military space vessels composed of many smaller vessels locked together and designed to fall on an enemy position, crushing it. CRYSKNIFE: the sacred knife of the Fremen on Arrakis. It is manufactured in two forms from teeth taken from dead sandworms. The two forms are “fixed” and “unfixed.” An unfixed knife requires proximity to a human body’s electrical field to prevent disintegration. Fixed knives are treated for storage. All are about 20 centimeters long. CUTTERAY: short-range version of lasgun used mostly as a cutting tool and surgeon’s scalpel. D DAR AL-HIKMAN: school of religious translation or interpretation. DARK THINGS: idiomatic for the infectious superstitions taught by the Missionaria Protectiva to susceptible civilizations. DEATH TRIPOD: originally, the tripod upon which desert executioners hanged their victims. By usage: the three members of a Cherem sworn to the same revenge. DEMIBROTHERS: sons of concubines in the same household and certified as having the same father. DERCH: right turn; a worm steersman’s call. DEW COLLECTORS or DEW PRECIPITATORS: not to be confused with dew gatherers. Collectors or precipitators are egg-shaped devices about four centimeters on the long axis. They are made of chromoplastic that turns a reflecting white when subjected to light, and reverts to transparency in darkness. The collector forms a markedly cold surface upon which dawn dew will precipitate. They are used by Fremen to line concave planting depressions where they provide a small but reliable source of water. DEW GATHERERS: workers who reap dew from the plants of Arrakis, using a scythelike dew reaper. DICTUM FAMILIA: that rule of the Great Convention which prohibits the slaying of a royal person or member of a Great House by informal treachery. The rule sets up the formal outline and limits the means of assassination. DISTRANS: a device for producing a temporary neural imprint on the nervous system of Chiroptera or birds. The creature’s normal cry then carries the message imprint which can be sorted from that carrier wave by another distrans. DOORSEAL: a portable plastic hermetic seal used for moisture security in Fremen overday cave camps. DRUM SAND: impaction of sand in such a way that any sudden blow against its surface produces a distinct drum sound. DUMP BOXES: the general term for any cargo container of irregular shape and equipped with ablation surfaces and suspensor damping system. They are used to dump material from space onto a planet’s surface. DUNE MEN: idiomatic for open sand workers, spice hunters and the like on Arrakis. Sandworkers. Spiceworkers. DUST CHASM: any deep crevasse or depression on the desert of Arrakis that has been filled with dust not apparently different from the surrounding surface; a deadly trap because human or animal will sink in it and smother. (See Tidal Dust Basin.)

#Dune #Imperium terminology

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makerkenzie · 6 years

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The Hound: the Man, the Myth, the Helm

For my next thinky, I want to get into the Hound. For a character with no POV chapters in five books, no lines and only the most oblique presence in two books, he looms large in Feast/Dance. He may be only tangentially related to Zombie Catelyn and the Gang, but I err on the side of thoroughness so that’s good enough for me.

This is what we hear about Sandor Clegane in Brienne’s POV:

That was another shock. “How did he die?”

“By the sword, as he had lived.”

“You know this for a certainty?”

“I buried him myself. I can tell you where his grave lies, if you wish. I covered him with stones to keep the carrion eaters from digging up his flesh, and set his helm atop the cairn to mark his final resting place. That was a grievous error. Some other wayfarer found my marker and claimed it for himself. The man who raped and killed at Saltpans was not Sandor Clegane, though he may be as dangerous. The riverlands are full of such scavengers. I will not call them wolves. Wolves are nobler than that … and so are dogs, I think.

“I know a little of this man, Sandor Clegane. He was Prince Joffrey’s sworn shield for many a year, and even here we would hear tell of his deeds, both good and ill. If even half of what we heard was true, this was a bitter, tormented soul, a sinner who mocked both gods and men. He served, but found no pride in service. He fought, but took no joy in victory. He drank, to drown his pain in a sea of wine. He did not love, nor was he loved himself. It was hate that drove him. Though he committed many sins, he never sought forgiveness. Where other men dream of love, or wealth, or glory, this man Sandor Clegane dreamed of slaying his own brother, a sin so terrible it makes me shudder just to speak of it. Yet that was the bread that nourished him, the fuel that kept his fires burning. Ignoble as it was, the hope of seeing his brother’s blood upon his blade was all this sad and angry creature lived for … and even that was taken from him, when Prince Oberyn of Dorne stabbed Ser Gregor with a poisoned spear.”

“You sound as if you pity him,” said Brienne.

“I did. You would have pitied him as well, if you had seen him at the end. I came upon him by the Trident, drawn by his cries of pain. He begged me for the gift of mercy, but I am sworn not to kill again. Instead, I bathed his fevered brow with river water, and gave him wine to drink and a poultice for his wound, but my efforts were too little and too late. The Hound died there, in my arms. You may have seen a big black stallion in our stables. That was his warhorse, Stranger. A blasphemous name. We prefer to call him Driftwood, as he was found beside the river. I fear he has his former master’s nature.”

The horse. She had seen the stallion, had heard it kicking, but she had not understood. Destriers were trained to kick and bite. In war they were a weapon, like the men who rode them. Like the Hound. “It is true, then,” she said dully. “Sandor Clegane is dead.”

“He is at rest.” The Elder Brother paused. “You are young, child. I have counted four-and-forty name days … which makes me more than twice your age, I think. Would it surprise you to learn that I was once a knight?”

Martin, George R.R.. A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 4) (p. 530). Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

That the Elder Brother seems to understand so much of Sandor’s mentality is sufficient, without having seen Season 6, to suspect Sandor is very much alive in the Elder Brother’s care. The Elder Brother paints a picture of a man who is suffering more than sinning, who needs comfort more than punishment. That understanding is irrelevant to what the word on the road is now.

What happened to Sandor Clegane is a separate issue from what was done with his dog’s-head helmet. The helmet was seen on a man who killed, raped, burned and committed other atrocities at Saltpans, and thus, the Hound’s legend outlives his efforts:

“How do you fight a man like that? And there’s the Hound as well. He slew twenty men at Saltpans.”

Strongboar guffawed. “Twenty fat innkeeps, maybe. Twenty serving men pissing in their breeches. Twenty begging brothers armed with bowls. Not twenty knights. Not me.”

“There is a knight at Saltpans,” Ser Arwood insisted. “He hid behind his walls whilst Clegane and his mad dogs ravaged through his town. You have not seen the things he did, ser. I have. When the reports reached the Twins, I rode down with Harys Haigh and his brother Donnel and half a hundred men, archers and men-at-arms. We thought it was Lord Beric’s work, and hoped to find his trail. All that remains of Saltpans is the castle, and old Ser Quincy so frightened he would not open his gates, but shouted down at us from his battlements. The rest is bones and ashes. A whole town. The Hound put the buildings to the torch and the people to the sword and rode off laughing. The women … you would not believe what he did to some of the women. I will not speak of it at table. It made me sick to see.”

“I cried when I heard,” said Lady Amerei.

Jaime sipped his wine. “What makes you certain it was the Hound?” What they were describing sounded more like Gregor’s work than Sandor’s. Sandor had been hard and brutal, yes, but it was his big brother who was the real monster in House Clegane.

“He was seen,” Ser Arwood said. “That helm of his is not easily mistaken, nor forgotten, and there were a few who survived to tell the tale. The girl he raped, some boys who hid, a woman we found trapped beneath a blackened beam, the fisherfolk who watched the butchery from their boats …”

“Do not call it butchery,” Lady Mariya said softly. “That gives insult to honest butchers everywhere. Saltpans was the work of some fell beast in human skin.”

Martin, George R.R.. A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 4) (pp. 511-512). Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Those who dealt with Sandor know better than to buy into the rumors. Jaime, for example, knows well enough to say that doesn’t sound like something Sandor would do. To those who knew Sandor only by reputation, the rumors are good enough. The distinctive dog’s head was seen in the atrocities at Saltpans, therefore Sandor’s name is attached to the massacre.

Eventually we find out who brought Sandor’s helmet into the violence: it was Rorge in the Brave Companions. The slander of Sandor (pun acknowledged) doesn’t end with him. After Brienne kills Rorge, Lem Lemoncloak in the new-improved Brotherhood Without Banners rocks the dog’s head. Thus, the idea, separate from the reality, of Sandor Clegane’s reign of terror lives on.

The latest organization to associate themselves with the supposed depravity of the Hound is the Brotherhood Without Banners, under the leadership of Lady Stoneheart, exercising the vengeance of the Starks against the oppressive Lannister regime. How interesting, that the instrument of the Starks’ revenge is doing worse than the Lannisters’ attack dog ever did.

When Brienne tells Jaime “elsewise the Hound will kill her,” he’s already thought that level of brutality is well outside of what Sandor Clegane might do. What Brienne tells him is enough to get him out of earshot of his army. What conversation they have between then, and dealing with Lady Stoneheart, is anyone’s guess.

Well after Sandor Clegane has decided to cool off and spend some time dealing with his demons away from innocent people, the image of the Hound keeps on doing harm to the Riverlands. The menace of the dog’s head works independently of political affiliation; if someone wants to leave a trail of destruction in their wake, the Hound’s helmet is good enough, no matter whose regime benefits from the atrocities.

At this point, the Hound’s reputation has taken on a life of its own. If his name can be attached to hanging every Lannister/Frey/Bolton in sight from a tree, then what is the historical difference between the Lannister regime and the Stark legacy? Only time will tell.

#asoiaf meta #sandor clegane #brotherhood without banners #lady stoneheart #the lion the wolf and the sapphire #the hound #quiet isle #a feast for crows #a dance with dragons #brienne of tarth #jaime lannister

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vaultsofthefirstage · 6 years

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Brother-of-Myself (Black Jade Daiklave ****)

This and a few other artifacts I’ll be posting to start are going to be artifacts I wrote long before Arms of the Chosen came out.

Before the Usurpation, the Sidereal Kathar-Tsu-Ku forged five weapons of jade. Each represented a reflection of the ideal family who would stick together, thick and thin, even when warring against the Solar deliberative. More importantly, each blade strengthened the aspect who held it by refining their flaws in ways even the great Solars could not account for.

Brother-of-Myself was gifted to a Water-aspect who joined his sworn brotherhood in slaying the Solar tyrant Bastion of White Stone. While the name of the Dragonblooded name was lost in centuries between, he rose to the position of daimyo and handed the blade down through his line until it became enshrined in the Realm at some point after the Great Contagion. To this day, despite their best efforts, Chosen from the Forbidding Manse of Ivy have yet to find any of the other four relics of Kathar-Tsu-Ku.

Brother-Of-Myself was forged of Black Jade alloyed with a million dreams held in a single drop of silver water from the mirrored lakes of Kagami, fetich soul of the demon Szoreny. Shimmering starmetal threads weave through the blade’s core, integrating the reflected world and sealing its dangers. The black and silver flow together like a river on the blade that always reflects those who hold it perfectly. Like a brother to confide in, this reflection always seems to listen and the Water-aspect found his natural turnabout nature transformed into a deep conviction that his choices were right. Never would he betray the cause of the Usurpation once he saw what Brother-of-Myself showed him.

Brother-of-Myself holds two hearthstone sockets in its hilt.

Evocations of Brother-of-Myself

Brother-of-Myself confines a million ways the battle may go into a single streaming river pushing the Exalt forward. A Dragonblooded, Sidereal, or Solar who pays two additional motes when attuning finds her mind focused and rigid rather than flexible. If she attacks a single target and no other for three consecutive rounds, she gains a bonus on the third attack as if she had aimed at the target.

Silver River Reflection

Cost: 1m, 1wp; Mins: Essence: 1

Type: Simple

Keywords: None

Duration: One day

Prerequisite Charms: None

A look into Brother-of-Myself removes doubt from the Exalted’s mind, reaffirming what she knows and doubling her resolutions. The Exalted chooses a single intimacy, for the remainder of the day, her Resolve cannot be lowered by that intimacy and when it is used to bolster her resolve, it acts as if it is one Intensity higher (Minor to Major or Major to Defining). A defining intimacy chosen this way instead imparts a -1 penalty to the person trying to influence her when used to bolster her Resolve.

This evocation can only be used once per day.

Mirrored Thoughts Made Action

Cost: 5m, 2i; Mins: Essence 2

Type: Reflexive

Keywords: Counterattack, Decisive-Only, Perilous

Duration: Instant

Prerequisite Charms: Silver River Reflection

A river does not stop flowing, neither when a blade strikes into it nor when the thoughtful gaze at their own reflections. Even in combat, she who wields the daiklave Brother-of-Myself does not think “What would happen if I moved like this?” She instead act on those thoughts immediately. Whenever the Exalted fails to parry a melee attack, after the attack is made she may immediately make a decisive counter attack, using the Parry that failed to block the attack as her base damage. This does not count as her combat action for the round, nor does it reset her to base initiative.

Silver Ichor Brotherhood

Cost: 2m, 1wp; Mins: Essence 2

Type: Simple

Keywords: None

Duration: Indefinite

Prerequisite Charms: Silver River Reflection

The Exalt stares at herself in Brother-Of-Myself and realizes her reflection is not only a sibling, but herself. Each time Silver Ichor Brotherhood is, she may give the Daiklave a single intimacy that is the same as one of her own. She may store up to (Essence) intimacies in her Daiklave at any one time.

In addition, any time she would kill an enemy who directly opposes that intimacy, she may gain a point of temporary Willpower, even if this would put her above her normal maximum (though it may not raise her above (5 + Essence)). This can occur only once per scene and any Willpower over her maximum are lost if not used by the next time she sleeps.

Nothingness in the Lightless Mirror

Cost: 4m; Mins: Essence 3

Type: Reflexive

Keywords: None

Duration: Instant

Prerequisite Charms: Silver Ichor Brotherhood

If there is no light, a mirror cannot reflect, no matter how perfect its surface. This evocation hides the intimacies of the Exalt in the bottomless depths of its reflection. When an enemy overcomes her Guile, she may spend 4 motes to hide a single intimacy that he would learn.

This evocation cannot hide an intimacy that is shared with Brother-Of-Myself through its prerequisite.

Silver Mirror’s Edge

Cost: 8m, 1wp; Mins: Essence 3

Type: Supplemental

Keywords: Decisive-Only, Perilous

Duration: Instant

Prerequisite Charms: Mirrored Thoughts Made Action, Nothingness in the Lightless Mirror

Knowing the best course of action is only a powerful tool in the hand of those who will act on that knowledge. Much like a rivers inevitable flood, the Exalt overflows with the force of their cause, driving their blade with determination affirmed by their reflection. This charm supplements a decisive attack made in the name of a Principle stored in Brother-of-Myself through Silver Ichor Brotherhood. If her attack hits, the Exalt’s damage roll benefits from double 10s and bonus dice equal to the strength of the shared intimacy.

If her opponent takes a crippling injury to avoid death from this attack, then he must also accept the intimacy as if it were his own.

#Exalted #Exalted 3e #Homebrew #Artifact #Black Jade

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kirain · 7 years

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Hello, everyone! I’ve been playing Skyrim lately and, aside from my Dragonborn character, I thought I’d post the OCs I created to join and rebuild the Dark Brotherhood after its destruction. Here’s the lot of them, along with a short bio.

Name: Ellora "Elle" Decentus Race: Dovahkiin (Imperial) Age: 27 Class: Multi (mage/warrior/archer) Affiliations: Leader of the Dark Brotherhood, Arch Mage, Nightingale, leader of the Thieves Guild, leader of the Companions, member of the Dawnguard, bard of the Bard's College.

Bio: Elle is an Imperial who lost her parents at a very young age. She has no memory of who they were or even how they died, as she was barely an infant. She was raised in an orphanage just outside the province of Skyrim, but ran away when she was twelve due to the abuse she endured from the staff and other children. She lived on the streets and fended for herself for months, eventually catching the eye of an Altmer named Resaeus. Caught stealing from him, Elle was certain he'd report her, but to her surprise he gave her everything he had and more. Angered and confused by his kindness, she rejected his gifts, saying she didn’t need his charity. For days, however, she stealthily followed him around, curious about his strange character. Eventually he was captured by a group of other Altmer, who threatened to execute him for his “betrayal”. Through eavesdropping, it became obvious to Elle that Resaeus' only crime was rebelling against traditional Altmer views, and so she elected to save him. When the deed was done, Resaeus suggested fleeing to Skyrim, where he could live out the rest of his days in peace. Impressed by Elle’s skill and grateful for her help, he offered to find a home where she too would be welcome. She gladly accepted. For years they laid low, with Resaeus opening and working in an alchemy-based apothecary; but Elle soon grew restless and longed for adventure. While travelling across Skyrim, she honed her abilities and eventually worked as a mercenary, often accepting contracts that few others would, but also keeping her ethics intact. Eventually her travels landed her in Imperial custody, where she was mistaken for a Stormcloak and sentenced to the chopping block.

And that’s where the real story begins.

Name: Bogg gro-Lok Race: Orc Age: 37 Class: Warrior (blacksmith) Affiliations: Dark Brotherhood, Largashbur, Dawnguard.

Bio: Bogg is a renegade Orc from Fort Largashbur who left after a violent dispute with his leader. Scorned by the other strongholds for his insolence, he and his husband decided to join the Dawnguard. Due to their unprecedented skills in smithing, the faction of vampire hunters quickly welcomed them with open arms. For years they supplied the Dawnguard with exceptional weapons and armour, but Bogg grew weary after the siege of Castle Volkihar and slaying of Harkon. With the brunt of the vampire threat greatly reduced, he felt as though his talents were being wasted. Eventually he decided to lend his skills to the Dark Brotherhood, who had offered him and his husband a position in their ranks several months prior. Bogg is snarky, quick-witted and argumentative. Notoriously lazy, he can usually be found laying around the sanctuary, but he still remains one of the best blacksmiths in all of Tamriel.

Name: Caska Lu'et Race: Redguard Age: 25 Class: Multi (mage/warrior/archer) Affiliations: Dark Brotherhood, Alik'r Warriors, Dawnguard. Bio: Caska is an impressively skilled combatant and the daughter of Ka'vo. After her father fled with her from Hammerfell and joined the Brotherhood, he taught her the ways of the Alik'r. Surpassing all of her father's expectations, she mastered every technique and memorized the code before she was sixteen years old. She was also raised in the Brotherhood, thus exposing her to more tactics and teachings. Wanting to do more for the people of Skyrim, she later joined the Dawnguard, under the suggestion of her friends, Bogg and Oodagh. Unlike her father, Caska is only half Redguard, as her mother was an Imperial. This is why she, unlike her father, bears a surname. Next to Elle and Veezian, she is one of the most skillful warriors in the faction. Secretly, she has romantic feelings for J'juka, though she isn't certain how to express them. At times, Caska's own strength overwhelms hers (a typical problem in young Redguards), which occasionally causes her to break things accidentally. Having been raised in the sanctuary since childhood, she feels an enormous responsibility to the people she serves with, and she considers Elle and Liori to be her sisters.

Name: Faolan Bjørnsbane Race: Nord Age: 35 Class: Warrior (werewolf) Affiliations: Dark Brotherhood, the Companions.

Bio: Faolan is a Nord cursed by Hircine when he interfered with the Daedric Prince's hunt. Killing a wolf with his bare hands to save his younger sister, he soon found himself surrounded. He ordered his sister to run while he held them off, and as she fled he managed to slay every creature, getting severely injured in the process. Upon collapse, he was visited by Hircine, who was enraged by the man's impossible strength. Waking hours later, Faolan was shocked to discover that his wounds were healed and the wolves were nowhere to be found. He decided the whole ordeal was a dream and he headed home, only to transform into a werewolf upon arrival. In a blind rage, he killed his sister and every neighbour in his village. Horrified by his actions, he attempted to end his life, but as further punishment found that he was blessed (or cursed) with immortality. As such, he sought out the Companions, who eventually taught him how to control his transformation and murderous urges. However, his lust for blood must be inevitably quenched. So he joined the Dark Brotherhood to slake it.

Name: Faustus Race: Breton Age: 60 Class: Wizard Affiliations: Dark Brotherhood, Psijic Order.

Bio: Not much is know about Faustus, other than the fact that he is, or once was, a member of the mysterious Psijic Order. His knowledge of spells and incantations is unmatched by any other member of the Dark Brotherhood, which has made him a valuable commodity. He is a very soft-spoken man who avoids answering personal questions, either by changing the subject or telling obvious tall tales. His kind and calm demeanour is unsettling to some, but generally works as a powerful asset. He is probably closest to Ellora and Wendellyn, both of whom he loves very much. While he has sworn himself to the Brotherhood and devotes himself to them entirely, he has a habit of disappearing for days, and reappearing right when a contract becomes available. Whether or not he is actually sixty or even named Faustus is a popular debate amongst the younger members, with Liori insisting that's he's really several hundred years old and that he's figured out the secret to immortality. That is, however, just a rumour. Or is it?

Name: Haelyn Mosswood Race: Bosmer Age: 28 Class: Archer Affiliations: Dark Brotherhood, Thieves Guild.

Bio: Haelyn is a Bosmer who rejected the simplistic lifestyle of her fellow Wood Elves and longed for something materialistic. Determined to see the world and shape her own future, she left Valenwood and travelled from province to province until she ended up in Skyrim, where she eventually joined the Thieves Guild. Realizing that her skills were limited to archery and a quick silver-tongue, she committed herself to a life of crime. Haelyn is an ace archer, swift runner, and remarkably unapologetic. She takes whatever she wants whenever she wants it and holds firmly to the belief that that's how the world is run. When the opportunity to join the Dark Brotherhood presented itself, she took it up in a heartbeat. She is humorous, proud, shamelessly outspoken, and has no qualms about getting her hands dirty.

Name: J'juka Salani Race: Khajiit Age: 31 Class: Warrior Affiliations: Dark Brotherhood.

Bio: J'juka is an ex-merchant, having been run out of Elsweyr by his violent and jealous competitors. He sought vengeance after his home, store, and all of his belongings were burnt to ashes before his very eyes. He tried to retaliate, but was forced to flee when his younger sister, La'kisi, was severely injured during the attack. As La'kisi spent days recovering from her wounds, J'juka performed the Black Sacrament, pleading with Sithis to avenge them. Much to his dismay, his prayers were never answered. He and La'kisi spent the next few years travelling with next to nothing, working day and night to make ends meet. Eventually their luck improved and they were hired by a kind innkeeper in Markarth. Although La'kisi seemed happy, the permanent scar on her nose served as a constant reminder of J'juka's failure to protect her. As such, he trained himself to embody a living weapon and travelled back to Elsweyr, unable to forget the transgressions against him. While there, he hunted down his attackers and slaughtered them where they stood. A day later, he was surprised to receive a note calling him to the Dark Brotherhood. Angered by their audacity, he confronted the sanctuary and asked where they were when he needed them. When told of their troubles, and loss of influence in Tamriel due to the death of Alisanne Dupre, J'juka agreed to join; if only to make sure justice would always be served to those who prayed for it.

Name: Ka'vo Race: Redguard Age: 42 Class: Warrior Affiliations: Dark Brotherhood, Alik'r Warriors.

Bio: Ka'vo is a skilled swordsmen who denounced his Alik'r brothers. Though most Alik'r serve with a tight code of ethics, his particular band grew mendacious. They started to murder freely, and no longer followed the orders given to them by their nobles. The limit for Ka'vo was crossed when Haktu, Ka'vo's band leader, killed a general of the Hammerfell army for his gold. Ka'vo reached for his sword, but was shocked to see another blade pierce Haktu's chest. He immediately recognized the attacker as a Dark Brotherhood assassin, and when he inquired about her motive, she told him that someone performed the Black Sacrament; a woman whom Haktu had assaulted two days prior. Ka'vo immediately headed to the nobles to inform them of his band's corruption, but before he could reach his destination, he was intercepted by his fellow Alik'r, who held his daughter at knifepoint. They ordered him to leave Hammerfell forever, lest they murder his entire family. Defeated, Ka'vo fled the city with his daughter, but luck would put him right on the aforementioned assassin's path. Recognizing his skill, she offered him a position in the Dark Brotherhood, which he accepted with pride. Years later, after proving himself and teaching his daughter the trade, he returned to Hammerfell and exposed his still corrupt band to the court. Though his honour was restored and he was accepted back into the Alik'r, he had pledged himself to Sithis and the Night Mother. While still a member with various connections and a patriot of his homeland, Ka'vo is devoted to the Brotherhood. Although he knows that Caska will one day take his place, he is a slightly overprotective father and a stern but cordial man. He believes wholeheartedly that the Night Mother only calls for the blood of souls deserving.

Name: Kessaris Lytvi Race: Dunmer Age: 112 Class: Mage Affiliations: Dark Brotherhood, College of Winterhold.

Bio: Kessaris was a celebrated graduate from the College of Winterhold. For the majority of his studies he was treated poorly, as his age and race made him a target. He was older than most of the other students and often found himself a victim of their prejudice, but that only pushed him to work harder and surpass all of his classmates. Before graduating, Kessaris mastered and even invented several spell cast techniques, and gained a rather large amount of favourable recognition for it. Some mages, however, took offence, believing that Kessaris must have cut corners or involved himself in necromancy. When they couldn't find any evidence to that effect, they followed him home, drunk and belligerent. When Kessaris tried to force them out of his house, the spiteful students accidentally murdered his wife, an Imperial woman named Hamona. In a cruel twist of fate, the once respected graduate did turn to necromancy, desperate to bring her back. He spent years dabbling in the dark arts and drowning in his sorrow; but every spell, every experiment, proved unsuccessful. Three decades later, when nothing more than a wondering, homeless shell of a man, he collapsed outside Dawnstar, ready for death. Though unable to fully restore the soul of a dead being, he had become infinitely more powerful, which piqued the Brotherhood's interest. They quickly saved him and asked him to join, and he agreed under the condition that he be allowed to continue his research and be given the souls gems of their victims. Due to decades of isolation in the mountains with his wife's frozen corpse, Kessaris has gone slightly (yet understandably) mad. He can often be heard muttering to himself, spewing nonsensical algorithms, poetry, and incantations. He is also a chronic kleptomaniac with no sense of people's personal space or belongings. Ironically, he only listens to Elle, who is the only person who can pull him out of his stupors. Although it's never stated why, Liori believes it's because he thinks Elle is Sithis incarnate.

Name: La'kisi Salani Race: Khajiit Age: 27 Class: Duel (mage/warrior) Affiliations: Dark Brotherhood, Thieves Guild.

Bio: La'kisi is a cautious but curious Khajiit and the younger sister of J'juka Salani. Not long after arriving in Skyrim, she immersed herself in the stories that bombarded the Sliver-Blood Inn. She loved hearing customers talk about their adventures, and through the grapevine, she became vastly interested in the Thieves Guild. The idea of skulking around in the dark, moving in shadows and hiding her face (which, at the time, she considered hideous) struck an appeal. Against her brother's wishes, she quit her job at the inn and travelled to Riften, where she was welcomed into the Guild after showcasing her potential. She was trained by Gallus Desidenius, but fell out of touch with the Guild after he died. Mourning the loss of her mentor, she returned to her old job in Markarth, but shortly thereafter found herself missing the mischief and freedom. Though happy and willing to move on from the tragedies of her past, she wasn't disappointed when J'juka returned to the inn as a full fledged member of the Dark Brotherhood. Noting his sister's newfound confidence, he extended an invitation to the faction, which La'kisi accepted with great determination. She even reunited with her guild members and opened new trading deals with Vex and Delvin. Unlike J'juka, La'kisi is lively, vivacious, and fun, but knows when it's time to be serious.

Name: Liori Lachance Race: Imperial Age: 19 Class: Archer Affiliations: Dark Brotherhood, Thieves Guild.

Bio: Liori is the youngest member of the Brotherhood, but hardly useless. Hailing from aristocracy, Liori denounced her rich heritage and fled to Skyrim after her father tried to arrange her marriage. Stealthy, cheeky, and shamelessly hedonistic, Liori looks out for number one. At least she did, until she met the Dark Brotherhood. Meeting Elle and Caska, as well as the others, changed her life forever. She now happily serves Sithis and the Night Mother, and takes great joy in archery, espionage, and manipulation tactics. She also remains one of the Brotherhood's hottest assets, as she has contacts all over Tamriel (some of them royal), that often provide useful information about targets. She's well aware that Faolan has feelings for her, but she's waiting for him to make a move. Upon Elle’s suggestion, she also joined the Thieves Guild for some extra, mindless fun.

Name: Mesar Rusenees Race: Argonian Age: 26 Class: Duel (warrior/mage) Affiliations: Dark Brotherhood.

Bio:Mesar is the newest addition to the Dark Brotherhood. Although not the youngest member, he is treated like the youngest member. Mesar lacks a level of maturity, as do many of the younger initiates, but he has a definite drive to prove himself. A bit of a libertine, a bit too conceited, Mesar takes pride in his ability to wield magic beyond the ability of most Argonians; though when distracted the outcome is often disastrous. He has a habit of running his mouth and he has botched more than one mission, but he has potential that Elle isn't ready to dismiss. While some of the Brotherhood members find him insufferable, he isn't hated. Much like Elle, he spent most of his childhood on the street, fending for himself and evading orphanages. For this, he earns some modicum of sympathy. Some. Although he would never admit it, Mesar truly admires Veezian and aspires to be his apprentice. He also has romantic feelings for Persilus.

Name: Oodagh gro-Maralg Race: Orc Age: 40 Class: Warrior Affiliations: Dark Brotherhood, Largashbur, Dawnguard.

Bio: Oodagh is a notoriously skilled blacksmith and the husband of Bogg. Disproving of their relationship, the leader of Largashbur attempted to banish Oodagh from the stronghold, accusing him of corrupting an Orc of a higher bloodline, which is forbidden. To save Bogg's livelihood he agreed to leave, but this lead to Bogg going berserk and attacking the leader. During this altercation, Oodagh was struck along his right eye, severely cutting and eventually blinding it. Blaming himself, Bogg declared himself a renegade and fled the stronghold, leading Oodagh along. He apologized over and over, despite the fact that Oodagh didn't blame him at all. Before joining the Dawnstar, Bogg and Oodagh married in the Temple of Mara and decided to use the names of their parents as surnames. Both he and Bogg are witty, crude, and outspoken, though Oodagh is a bit more personable and a better conversationalist.

Name: Persilus "Perdy" Adertheedus Race: Argonian Age: 26 Class: Duel (warrior/mage) Affiliations: Dark Brotherhood, Bard's College.

Bio: Persilus, AKA “Perdy”, is mainly the Brotherhood's sanctuary healer. She joined the Dark Brother after she was saved by Elle, who later taught her how to fight. Although Perdy mostly relies on magic, most of her expertise lies in healing and restoration. She is very supportive of what the Brotherhood does, as she believes only Sithis has the right to lay down a sentence of execution. When Elle is away, she also tends to Kessaris, which isn't usually a problem unless he has a psychotic episode, which she soothes by singing. Perdy is also a bard from the Bard's College and she has an amazingly beautiful voice, which is rare amongst Argonians. Ironically, she also has a very venomous bite.

Name: Armindor " Resaeus" Elsinious Race: Altmer Age: 300 Class: Duel (mage/warrior) Affiliations: Dark Brotherhood.

Bio: Resaeus, real name Armindor Elsinious, is a fugitive and traitor of the Aldmeri Dominion. His only crime, as far as Elle has ever been able to divulge, is defecting from the Dominion, openly opposing Thalmor supremacy, and starting a rebel movement against them. He supports the worship of Talos and religious freedom for all, but whether or not that's the whole truth is a mystery. He was a prominent father figure in Elle's life and in fact unofficially adopted her when he found her pick pocketing people on the streets. A free spirit with a troubled past, raising Elle proved difficult; even painful at times, but he loves her more than the world itself. Over the years, Resaeus' health has drastically declined, and so he mostly stays in the sanctuary, aiding the Brotherhood when he can and offering Elle tactical, edifying, and parental advice.

Name: Singer Race: Nord Age: 27 Class: Duel (mage/warrior) Affiliations: Dark Brotherhood.

Singer is the result of brutal experimentation conducted by several radical mages. Deep in the Skyrim mountains, many Nords were kidnapped in the night and forced to endure the effects of forbidden spells and remedies. Most victims died, but some like Singer developed special abilities, thought to originate from the Void. A powerful conduit for magic, Singer's body can project destruction spells at a far more powerful, long-lasting, and widespread level than most mages. Her voice, now cursed by whatever the mages did to her, produces a sound so high pitched that her whisper can burst the brain of her targets. Though it can be focused, this technique is very difficult to control, so she prefers to use it as a last resort. Singer was saved by the Brotherhood when several members stormed the hills and slaughtered the mages, answering several Black Sacraments. Sadly, she has no memory of her life before the cruel experiments and considers the Brotherhood to be her only family. Naturally, Singer prefers to live and identify as mute.

Name: Veezian "Vee" Chala Race: Argonian Age: 42 Class: Duel (warrior/archer) Affiliations: Dark Brotherhood, Shadowscale.

Bio: Veezian is a sacrosanct Shadowscale and devoted member of the Dark Brotherhood. The first Argonian to join since the death of Veezara (his cousin), he went above and beyond what was expected of him. On par with Elle herself, his skills as a warrior are terrifying and formidable. He takes it upon himself to train the new initiates and spar with every member, while also performing his own tasks with ease. Possibly the most nimble member, Vee is always called upon for the contracts that sound impregnable or heavily guarded. He is a master escape artist as well as infiltrator, and has therefore instructed initiates in all of the new sanctuaries around Skyrim. He has the utmost respect for Elle and the man who raised her. He often describes himself as Elle's sword and shield, devoting himself to her and the Night Mother entirely. Vee is sly, cunning, loyal, and astonishingly good friends with Cicero.

Name: Wendellyn "Wen" Lavahni Race: Imperial Age: 65 Class: Witch Affiliations: Dark Brotherhood, College of Winterhold.

Wendellyn is and old mage who has happily embraced the superstitious title of "witch". Coming from a backwards village where magic was regarded as evil, Wen was abused and neglected by her family when she started showing signs. At the age of ten she hit her limit, and in a rage ignited a wildfire that spread through the town like a twister. When the neighbouring village came to investigate, they found Wen alone, crying, and devastated. From there the child's remarkable grasp of magic only grew. Each tantrum sparked another disaster-- and another and another-- until Wen became a sought after bounty. Terrified, the child responded to every hunter, every traveller, every bandit with violence, regardless of their intentions. Eventually the mages from the College of Winterhold made contact, but Wen saw them as a threat and ran. For years she lived alone, hiding, living off the land and practising self control. To her surprise, animals took kindly to her and became her only friends. Years past, and Wen, age seventeen, found peace. She thought she could live in the middle of nowhere forever, until one day poachers arrived. Desperate to stop them, she grabbed their weapons, only to be recognised as "the little witch who went missing". The men attacked her, holding her down and cutting her face. Once again the fury raged inside her and she burned the men alive. Sadly, much to her dismay, she did the same thing to the forest, and everything in it. Traumatized, she headed for the College of Winterhold, where they welcomed her with open arms. After much hardship, Wen was able to hone her abilities, once again finding peace. At the age of twenty-five she left the college, despite being asked to teach. She returned to her little patch of nowhere, where she lived contently for another fifteen years; save a few visits from the odd "witch hunters". By the time the Dark Brotherhood found her, she had become a notorious pacifist, but they convinced her to join as a teacher for initiates and a herbalist. Lonely, tired of living in a shack on some cindered land, she agreed. When talking to the initiates, Wen will sometimes say, "You're very beautiful. I was beautiful once." To which Faustus will reply, "You still are."

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