I was wondering if you ever made a post talking about ladle's idea of meritocracy?
I don't think I did?
Watch out, it will be long lol
Let's take the Flayn'n'Ferdie ending - of course unavailable on Tru Piss, because Flayn is a Nabatean :
Assuming people are extra horny and start to breed like rabbits, because Flayn and Ferdie are extra “loving” and all, a nabatean blooded baby pops up (half or quarter nabatean, it depends on your hc about Flayn herself) from their "extra loving" shenanigans : that baby will obviously have a crest, since it is a nabatean (or part nabatean).
Assuming that baby will have his mom’s crest, baby will still be able to heal “better” than seasoned healers or trained ones, because of the power-up the crest gives them + baby, with their nabatean genes, might have a longer lifespan and be sturdier than a “regular human”.
So, if someone should become a healer, baby will obviously be picked, because baby can heal better than anyone else (save for their mom) in that situation.
Which makes me think about the Holst’n’Goneril house issue :
Thanks to Nopes, we have the hard confirmation Holst has no crest, and is so OP that he still manages to defend the border because he’s just that awesome. So yes, potentially, someone can do the work a crested dude can do, if that someone is exceptionnally good at doing what he does - Holst is a strong warrior, so he can protect the border, even if he doesn’t have a crest - meaning Hilda is free to live the life of leisure she wants even if she has a crest and can use Freikugel.
But 2 points :
First, iirc, from their supports, in Nopes, Holst actually says Hilda is amazing, and might be even stronger than him, she just doesn’t realise it yet. Is it because Hilda is also super strong on her own, or because Hilda… has a crest?
Second, checking weapon ranks again - Relics have a E rank. Meaning a crested person, without even having to train, can use them to unlease mighty artes and destroy people. To say it better, base Marianne, with her shit E-rank in swords and laughable physical attack stat, can kill people just as fine as Holst - a seasoned warrior - if she picks up Blutgang.
And it’s kind of sad because realising this, no matter how awesome Holst is - to be able to defend the border when it was usually thought only a person with a crest could do so - if a crested random comes with a relic, even without any prior training, they can kick ass as much, if not even more, as Holst, who graduated from a military academy and most likely spent the last 5 years of his life on a battlefield.
That’s not fair!
But that’s precisely the point - Relics and Crests are cheat codes! They make a few “ones” better at some things than others.
Randolph wants to be “successful” in battle to show how useful he is to guarantee his position? Sure, but when Sylvain, by flexing with his shiny lance, can do everything Randolph does in battle, but better, how can Randolph be successful? How can he guarantee his position? Why shouldn’t Sylvain’s achievements be rewarded with, say, the position Randolph was eyeing?
Back to Flayn’n’Ferdie’s kid Baby is a Nabatean hybrid.
If they have their mom’s crest, fine, Baby can heal better than anyone else on the continent, save for mom. If they have dad’s crest, they can be inherently better fighters than Randolph, due to that crest, but also to their Nabatean body (Rhea can eat 3 nukes and still be alive, a quarter nabatean hybrid might be able to tank 1 when a human, uh, is not be able to tank any!).
Even for governance, Baby will be long lived, they will have +100 years of experience and wisdom, compared to John the random human who might also want to become a governor.
Battle wise? Governance wise? Baby will always have more “facilities” and boons than “regular humans”.
I developed it a little in one of the “Lycaon the half-nabatean AU post” - no matter what angle you look from, Baby will have opportunities and chances to be “better” than any human around.
So if positions of power, or jobs, or whatever, are given to the most “competent” people, Baby will obviously be given all those jobs offers, positions and whatnot.
Does it automatically mean doom’n’gloom for the crestless humans out there? No, because there are things being a Nabatean or having a crest or being able to use a relic doesn’t impact, like, say, Bernie’s dad’s job, or being in charge of foreign affairs, or trying to develop new tech (even if Constance’s gift for magic is implied to be due to her familial crest), or being in charge of engineering bridges, cities, canals, etc etc…
But in the other domains, like fighting and healing and whatnot (performing magic)?
If everyone should rise and fall by their own talents and merit, then what about the ones born with cheat codes, who rise through the ranks by snapping their fingers?
They will of course parasite the “rise and fall by their own talent”, since no one else, no matter how hard they work, will be able to match them.
Which is why the solution is either to remove crests from crested people (and erase nabateans from Fodlan because I don’t think they can survive exsanguination), or to get rid of that “by their own merits” system - but what system should be put in place then?
Good question!
We know the original noble “someone who knows, seek knowledge, leads and protects people” definition ended up being distorted in the current Adrestia, so, again, what should be put in place?
The game… doesn’t answer.
Bar a milquetoast “everyone should accept each other with or without crests” it’s radio silence.
Only in some endings we have clues, Hanneman making tools to make crests obsolete (but it would just move the debate from who has magic blood to who has enough money to get those kick ass tools), or Sylvain wanting to find a way to stop fighting at the border.
And yet, the main issue remains : Nabateans.
They are people who can, without tools, do superhuman stuff (at least lore wise!). Why should Jack pay for an automatic lamp 100 gold if Rhea can lit hers by snapping her fingers, for free?
Ultimately, given how the main character - Billy - is the reincarnation of the Goddess herself, and part nabatean, I don’t think the game wanted us to reach the solution that one day everyone will have the same lifespan and be able to use magic normally and everyone will one day stand on the same starting line.
Just like I don’t think Tolkien wanted to give a… message, when he designed Numénoreans - the most Noble of all Men - and the Lesser Men who lived in Middle Earth. Some people have magic powers, and some don’t and that’s the setting.
Is it annoying because it’s again a story of a chosen one?
Maybe.
Is it kind of a downer because it means the most basic random will never be able to swing a sword like Aragorn does, or in FE16, emulate Billy’s prowesses and be able to go back in time too?
Maybe.
What does it mean then, if a character’s leitmotiv is to change the world so all should “rise and fall by their own merits”?
The game tries to give an answer to this riddle - having the main hub being an orphanage and a place to shelter “those who have no status in the world” or the ones who fell, and with the “parley” - some people cannot rise on their own, they need support. If a name or a family line should dictate whether someone is going to be great or if they’re going to suck, ditto for their “merits or achievements”, it’s not because someone fumbled at life that they should just die and be “weak”.
It’s like an exam, if you’re first, yay good for you, you are received, but if you are last? What are you going to do? Re-sit? And if you’re last again, then what? Is it just the end of the road for you?
Sure it’s kind of cliché “together we can be stronger and survive” or “the strong must protect the weak, and the weak make the strong strong” but I feel like this was the kind of answer the game - that is a game that purposedly is left vague to make the world “feel larger” - wanted to give.
Nakama power, power of friendship, you name it! But imo, it’s always the same message in the series : it’s not the king that makes the country, but the country that makes (and can unmake!) the King.
It’s not the answer you’d like if you are looking at real life history or to make real life parallels but…
No matter how many “real life parallels” you might be tempted to make regarding FE16���s system of ruling/social system, FE16 and the world of Fodlan is still a world where some people have magical dragon blood that gives them superpowers.
It’s not supposed to be a mirror of the real world. It’s a fantasy setting - with interesting questions - but ultimately questions raised in that fantasy setting.
....
i don't even know if i replied to your question lol
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❝ i have a better idea. i will do as i please. ❞ ( zelimir for oak casket, i think it's time she met the unhinged thot clown )
@sortilegii
Oak Casket does not immediately respond to the words spoken by Chief. If anything, Zelimir's decisions are his own and she has no interest in ordering him around. She is a watcher, a listener, an observer. The contract between them continues as his life and death belong to her, but what he does with his own life matters little to her as long as he abides by the laws placed for his security from the past.
It seems that his talk with Langley and Nightingale ends with a selfish wish to do what he pleases. It's natural, it's a human emotion to want to o against authority and to want to do what one wishes. Oak finds herself only softly chuckling at the words brought out by the impish leader of the MBCC. He continues to act as a gremlin, causing headaches to many around him, but the one operating the Romanesque Hall doesn't find it irritating, more amusing than anything.
With a book on her lap and a silent offer of company, the once-grave keeper thinks to herself that Zelimir can vent all of his frustrations out in her room. There is no issue here, he and Dudu are the only ones who come often and stop by to alleviate this silence that surrounds her. Might as well lay down in the coffin provided to her so she can listen to his worries or his irritations, offering a listening ear and a presence to know he's not speaking at a wall. Even now, this tirade he's gone through ends with his own decision without any output from the silverette.
If anything, Oak closes her book with a soft 'flop' before looking at the other with her eyes of gold. He's long since been allowed to see her gaze without any contacts in place.
"Follow through with what you deem to be the best. It is your life, not anyone else's, yes?" Her voice is a silky smooth melody despite its depth of notes as she responds to him, supporting the decision of the living. It's rare for her to be intrigued by the world of the living more than wishing to cause mayhem, destructions all across Syndicate. His voice and his presence are a noise essential enough to not lead her into a mentally stagnant state. "It seems I will not be able to follow through with you on the next mission, so enjoy yourself to the fullest outside in the world of living. The spider wishes to see me this evening."
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One Line One Fic
Rules: pick any 10 of your fics, scroll somewhere to the mid point, pick a line, and share it! Then tag 10 people.
Tagged by @captainjimothycarter thx <3
1. I Feel Good (The X Files)
He was holding her close, whispering the lyrics into her ear. Squeezing her tighter, but still, lovingly he planted a kiss on her neck. Muffling the lyrics he was saying.
2. The complication of getting a prescription refill (The X Files)
She turned to look at him, realizing he didn’t care she saw him shirtless. She shrugged saying ‘‘Well, yeah, I suspected it for a while now. I just figured you would tell me when you're ready. It didn’t feel right to ask. It’s not of my business, as long as you’re happy Mulder.’’
3. Jim The Fish (DW 11xRiver)
‘Sweety, you can’t just take a fish out of a pond and keep it.’ She looked at the poor creature who was clearly struggling. She gently took it from his hands and released it back into the water. The fish gladly swam away, but then returned holding his head out of the water.
4. Take me as you found me or leave me to die (The X Files) (yes the title is super dramatic)
She knew the distance between them had been slowly growing to the size of a canyon. She hated having to push him away, but it seemed like her only option to keep herself from breaking her own heart. Like she was letting herself down slowly.
5. He Chose Me (Steggy)
So he was surprised when she said his name. First, he was surprised she was still awake, they had been lying in bed for about half an hour. And then when the words registered in his brain, he wasn’t sure he heard her right
6. Mulder's birthday gift (The X Files)
As per usual, when Emily spotted her parents from the playground, she ran to them and demanded a piggyback ride back to the car, which Mulder obliged. He helped her buckle up as Scully started the car. The drive home was pleasant, Emily recounted how she learned that a caterpillar could become a butterfly. And said they had to draw butterflies, so she had a new artwork for Mulder’s art gallery.
7. Nobody warned you about me? (DW 11xRiver)
Finally, they saw it, the big blue box. Like a beacon in the sea of all the people. The Tardis was standing exactly where they left it. River thanked god it was because she was not ready to drag The Doctor around the town to look for his box.
8. A Well-Devised Plan (The X Files)
Everything was going to perfectly until the was a knock at the door.
9. White Christmas (Steggy)
One day he hoped to work up the courage to go up to her and tell her how he feels. But just because she doesn’t mind his staring, it doesn’t mean that she feels the same way. So for now he will be content with watching from afar. Admiring her determination, her strength, her heart, her soul, everything about her.
10. Your smile fades in the summer (The X Files)
‘‘This is my sister I was telling you about, the smart one’’ Melissa started.
‘‘Dana, right? My name’s Fox Mulder, but everyone calls me, Mulder.’’ He put his hand out to her but she just stared at it.
Not tagging anyone but if you want to do it concider yourself tagged
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Mattheo Riddle with a shy girlfriend 🫠🫠
Obsessed with Mattheo Riddle with a shy girlfriend. I got you.
Of course you knew who he was. Everyone knew he was the Dark Lord's son. And you were already so shy, you'd never talk to him.
He never really noticed you until 5th year. He had a class with you and the way the classroom was set up, you two were facing each other, but on opposite sides of the room.
He thought you looked stunning once he first looked at you. He had a major staring problem. Major. The whole class period, he'd be staring at you. You'd catch him every now and again and blush and that only made him want to stare more.
He'd try to find out things about you. He'd look for you around the castle, see if maybe he could spot you reading or studying in the library, or hanging out with your friends in the courtyard, or try to catch you before and after dinner.
He would find any excuse to talk to you. You dropped something? He's snatching it up quickly to hand it to you. Shoes untied? He's come up to tell you. Reading a book? He's asking about it, even if he's already read it.
He'd be the type to try to befriend your friends so he could spend more time with you. You'd almost think he was stalking you or doing this on purpose if he wasn't so smooth with it. He doesn't like lying to you, but he didn't want to tell you he was absolutely doing all of this to get closer to you.
He'd be thrilled when you agreed to go out with him. He's running to his friends giggling and kicking his feet like a school girl.
He'd be so so protective of you. He knew you had a hard time speaking up for yourself, so he'd do it for you.
Someone's running their mouth about his sweet girl? He's showing up to your dorm covered in blood with a smile.
You were shy about physical touch. The first times he touched you made you blush and embarrassed. He loved it, but didn't want to make you uncomfortable, so he'd go slow. Holding your hand or having a hand on the small of your back. He'd work his way up to more. Wrapping his arm around your shoulder, making you lean against him when sitting, giving gentle touches to your face.
When you let him kiss you, he was over the moon. He wanted to kiss you aggressively and passionately, but he kept it soft, keeping his hands on your cheeks. It was sweet and made your head spin.
He'd never push you to do anything you didn't want to do, but would encourage you to get out of your comfort zone if it was safe.
He'd make sure if you're around his friends, that you're comfortable. He'd be attached to you completely. He trusts his friends, but he knows they can be idiots and cross boundaries at times.
He'd always make sure you're comfortable. Once you started becoming less shy around him and he became a safe space for you, he'd always be checking on you in public, holding your hand, brushing his thumb over it to ease your nerves.
The way this man dotes on you isn't even funny. He loves you so much, he just wants you safe, happy, and comfortable.
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