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darlingofvalyria · 8 months

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❝Dragons do not seek permission, niece of mine. Dragons take.❞

[ Betrayal clouds your judgement, for when Jacaerys' indiscretion takes the form of a child, your anger lands in the palm of the Rogue Prince. ]

[ +18 MDNI ] [ 3,412 ] | Daemon Targaryen x Targaryen Niece!Reader, Jacaerys Velaryon x Manipulative Aunt!Reader | this set in an au inside of in hightower green. | this is able to be read as a oneshot.

contains— canon divergence to the second power - an au of an au - targcest, use of 'bastard', infidelity, profanity, revenge, violence, pureblood Valyrian bullshit - thinking about death as a revenge but no suicide/suicidal ideation- angst, smut - two wrongs apparently make a right - mentions of children, pregnancy, childbirth - nsfw: rough sex, biting, degradation, breeding kink, smidge dacryphilia, creampie - no kinslayers, no kings, no betas.

a/n— special thanks to @ahristata and @hiraethrhapsody for kicking my pursuit of this thread!! i woke up (almost literally) to this line of inquiry, & though writing for daemon is difficult, i had a way, way too much fun with this one m'fraid. Ihad so much fun I started laughing at the absurdity. + comment, reblog & like at will, mi luvs, mwa!

You can't breathe.

You stand there, your daughters by your sides, no more than five or so name days, dutiful as ever, the princess of the realm— the heir's wife, blindsided. Betrayed. Lied to. And you can't show them your grief, your anger, your shock— you smile, not betrayed, not realised, stupid.

Your act of stupidity protects you, for you can just tell that others, sharp-eyed as they are owning of sharper tongues, calculate the similarities between your husband and the child he is cooing at, at the arms of the Warden of the North's sister.

His bastard fucking sister.

You can't blink away as the facts, the threads, make a beautiful web in front of you. The conclusion is unmistakable. Jacaerys' consistent travels to the North, despite the campaigning for his mother's seat had not required the frequent stretches of long travels. How Aemond had remarked that the bastard is doing twice as much work in doing so, "as he should," Aemond murmurs darkly. "He casts a disgusting shadow on the Iron Throne, 'tis the least he can do."

The insistent of personally greeting the delegates from the North, you thinking it is just his wondrously formed friendship with the Lord Stark, had you dressing up and bringing your girls with him. So that your daughters can meet their father's fucking friend, one that occupied his time when he could have been at home, tending to his duties, his heirs.

And the woman who follows after the Wolf, the bastard Snow, his beloved sister. Dyanna had told you beforehand, as Lord Stark adores his only sibling. Their parenthood is unmistakable, dark hair and sharp chins. A Northern Beauty.

And then you stop, as there is a babe in her arms, no more than two name days at least.

And you see Jacaerys in his gaze.

His beautiful, warm brown eyes in the child in her arms, and as he stands there, your Prince of the Realm, too close for comfort, too close for platonic friendship, a familiarity one cannot deny— and that fucking, sweet-edged, tender smile on his face...

The same one he wore when you had given birth to his daughters. Soiled sheets, bloodied babes— it didn't matter. He held them to his arms with the very same smile, thanking you for birthing his babes.

A gut punch, a sharp inhale, an anger that coils and burns and roars.

Your bastard of a husband had fucked another bastard, and made himself a bastard little fucking family.

Life can ever be so cruel as it is humorous.

Daemon could have laughed at the prediction you found yourself in.

He sits to the left of his wife, the Queen who— in enough of itself, the evidence of the turmoil the court is about to get under, amusingly is talking quick with her Lord Hand; Corlys and Rhaenyra had not stopped pointedly looking at her heir, words too fast but unmistakable what the topic is if their gestures, the knot between their eyebrows, and unmistakable sighs and determined noises.

He, on the other hand, is pointedly staring at you.

You, who tries so hard to piece together an armour of stupidity, an air of nonchalance. As if there is no anger in your visage at your husband's attention completely stolen by Wolf's little sister and her son... who looked completely like him. Dark colouring, the First Men blood thick in his nose, his hair, at the curled edges of his baby-cheeked giggles.

When standing so close, faces to each other, there can be no doubt a mirror.

Or the lovesick smile on the mother's face, watching the Prince of the Realm interact with her son.

Together, the trio of them don't hint as much as a bead of Targaryen blood. One is able to pretend they are nothing more than a small... brown haired family.

Daemon presses his lips, trying desperately not to laugh so loudly.

He admired the boy, truly. Rhaenyra loved each child from her bosom with equal fervor, and Daemon was prepared take him as purely one of his own... but after he broke the betrothal with his daughter (though Baela could give lesser of a shit, though mildly dissatisfied as she was to become Queen, and the girl held her duties between canines) to marry a Hightower cunt... he had distanced himself from the boy.

Daemon viewed it as a sign of weakness, for he knew you. You were just like your mother, prodding into softened parts of his family— that green whore with his brother, young as she had been, his good sister Aemma had not been cold in their memories before she had found herself weightily pregnant with new heirs, and then Jacaerys, new to womanly spells, new to cunt, and you had him making vows in the ways of the dragonlords.

Though he can surmise that much of your mother's movements had not entirely been her own... Daemon knew that calculative look you got in your eye. Blink and it's gone, but your gaze sharpens, your mouth curls in a winning, prideful little smirk.

You were Otto Hightower's granddaughter alright, and you had wanted the Heir's Heir.

But now, it seems like, once a vow broken, it didn't really matter if it was a betrothal or a marriage to Jacaerys.

It brings a sick pull of satisfaction in him, that tugs him to look at you. Every time.

You laugh, tither, still evermore the gem of the feast— a feast you organised with the Lord Hand for your husband's absolutely exceptional diplomatic achievements in the North, truly, Daemon is laughing in the sidelines as the jests and songs make themselves — but Daemon is overtly familiar with dragons. And anger. And you simply stink of it. The way your eye twitches, the occasional grind of your jaw to how your fingers dig crescent moons into your palm. He catches blood in one blink then smeared, then gone, in another.

Your hold onto your armour— the Darling of the Realm, curated so painfully by a young, sly girl moving about the cesspit they call a crown's court — is breaking in pieces and tatters at each hour the feast went on.

It snarls. Like a dragon locked in the pits, tugging at reins, wishing to burn cities.

Maybe you aren't just another Hightower cunt after all.

Not purely at least, he thinks in distaste, staring at the dark green of your gown.

It is a childish tantrum, more than anything, for what is your Hightower green will do now? A bastard has been made, worse, a son. And though Jacaerys himself has muddied blood, he is still a Targaryen. His mother is Queen, prepared to make him an Heir to the Iron Throne as he had been legitimised as Laenor's son. A Velaryon. He bears the name, the crest, and the support of its house.

What is stopping him from marrying the Snow Bastard, legitimising the boy as his own, surpassing your own daughters?

Targaryens marry siblings, they also marry multiple wives.

It is a thought that he can see it dancing in your head— raw, enticing rage and bloodlust that tightens his breeches.

It is an interesting thing.

The green is disgusting, but Daemon can appreciate a young, fertile, Valyrian beauty.

Something your mother had ingeniously provided you and your siblings with, reining in her muddied blood to produce unmistakable Valyrian children. And as a smart little tart, you understood what to do with it.

When Daemon first met you, you were just one of the Hightower spawns that his brother had made to further his line. His brother's daughters—apart from Rhaenyra — were quiet things as babes and children. Odd the two of you were, but not really hostile. When you were introduced to him, your fat babe of a twin brother was teary-eyed and clinging to you, a quiet child with round eyes, staring at him inquisitively, as if challenging.

Then and there, Daemon disliked you so.

Even as you grew, the little of what he could see as he paid no mind of Viserys' other children, you grew up a fine royal, a princess of every word and sung note. Mentions of your progressive fight for the small folk, your charitable heart, your sweet nature that even his brother had made a note once or twice—

He thought it had been Otto Hightower who put you up to such machinations. Wouldn't be below him.

The night you bedded Jacaerys Velaryon, he was pleasantly surprised to find out it had been you all along.

And now here you are, betrayed as you had betrayed his daughter, delicious in your righteous anger and ripe (two babes before the year ended, Jace is an inglorious fool) for the taking. And youthful still. Smooth, soft skin, pretty lips and bright-eyed.

All your scheming, going as far as throwing your grandsire to Oldtown, it is obvious no one has wrangled the clever, spoiled little brat out of you.

As he sips his wine, amused and pleasantly hungry, he muses he might do a job or two of being the strong arm to do so.

He snorts, eyes straying back to the little First Men family.

There it is again. The jest that keeps on giving.

It was pride, truly, that kept you for most of the feast. That kept your gritted teeth to yourself, ducking into corners whenever your anger burned at your eyelids, stubbornly brushing stray tears away.

All is not lost, you stubbornly thought. You just had to plot.

But when Jace had taken your daughters, your Daenera and Aemma, gently tugging them to his bastard whore and his actual bastard to meet— finding your eyes, at that very moment as Daenera's precious, pureblooded hand shyly took the hand of her bastard brother, a fool's tender fucking simpleton of a smile on your husband's face —

Something in your head had snapped. A clean break.

And your armour had fallen. Like limestone from a fortress. Caved in ruins at the pool of your feet. Dark, furious loathe unfurled in your chest. Unable to handle it anymore, you had taken your dress and got out of the feast, for you could feel the urge of unsheathing a sword and going on a bloodied massacre, crowns and titles be damned.

You may not have a dragon, but you have its bloodlust.

Just as you are rushing to your chambers, you stop and make a different turn, knowing that if your husband had caught wind of such an ugly expression on your face, he would try and find you, talk to you, and you don't have the patience to cater to him at the moment— you find what you know of is an empty chamber, reserved for guests at the Keep.

It is a simple room with all the usual accruements. Most of the fanfare, the sheets, are in storage.

You start with a candelabra.

Raise it high before you are violently smashing it against the dresser, shrieks and guttural screams out of your mouth as you tear through the room like a typhoon, cursing Jacaerys, the North, and bastards to the Seven Hells.

None will be the wiser, for you had built your network well. Your spiders will pivot guards and strangers from this area, ensuring you a reprieve where your anger and grief can unfurl and manifest.

So you lose yourself, a dragon untethered. You get so into your rage, quiet in your thoughts, that you don't hear an intruder entering until there is a low, amused laugh too close for comfort.

You whirl around, tear-stained and rage-filled, and though the Rogue Prince expects you to fall into stutters, your eyes slit and you grip— when had you picked up a tome? — the tome tighter to your chest, snarling, "Get out."

Instead of surprise, or even offense, Daemon laughs as if you are the most amusing thing to him all night. Jesters and whores alike.

"I shall not." He makes a noncommittal hum around the dark room. "I rather like it here. It seems this chamber holds a much better entertainment than anything beheld at the feast."

You let out a dark, incredulous laughter. "I have no time for your toying, uncle, get out!" You toss the tome with fervour, but he's a warrior and he anticipates your anger, sidestepping easily before he's back to casual prowling.

"I do not have time to play jester for your entertainment," you hiss, unable to stop the hateful tears from spilling, brushing them away harshly as you watch him watch you.

He raises an eyebrow. "I am not asking you to."

"Are you here then for my humiliation? Press a bitter wound while it's still bleeding, is that it? Is that what would make the glory of your night?"

He snorts. "What would make the glory of my night is a warm body and a tight cunt."

Your face scrunches. "You are disgusting."

He barks out a laugh. "Not as disgusting as your brother."

"Aegon is no longer—"

"— or as stupidly naive as your husband."

A sharp intake of breath before you're once more cracking in broken rage and ghastly pain.

"Of course you would notice, who would not, he looks so much like his fucking bastard."

"Watch yourself, girl," he barks. "You are still talking about the Queen's heir."

A beautiful guard dog, you think, you snort. You push past him, gasping into the crisp, cool air, holding onto the balcony for dear life.

"His already diluted blood makes this conversation entirely hilarious to me I'm afraid." You look down and wonder how fast you will fall. How messy would such a death be? How much care there is left in your wake? Will your husband even care, now that he has his heir? Borne out of true love no doubt, despite such bastardly blood— or is that what makes it thrilling for them?

Mangled bone, spread thin blood— if you die such a way, it should be pretty. You hope it haunts the Keep of so many before you.

But if you die now, you will be replaced so easily. So prettily.

And your daughters—who will care for them? Will Jacaerys even care, if his bastards soon no doubt fill your once home, your mother, your brothers— your daughters pushed aside to make way for fucking dogs.

There is no satisfaction in such a plan.

There are many others.

The Rogue Prince makes his presence known by standing close to your back, close enough that you can smell him, that his heat is your own, as he hums, peering below as you have.

"Have you been drinking, zaldrītsos little dragon?" he whispers, tangling his fingers through your hair, running a lone finger down your neck, up and down in a tantalising movement. You can't help it, it feels comforting, leaning close to it despite such a breathy huff out of your lips.

"Since when am I dragon, kepus uncle? Haven't you always likened us muddied blood, filthier than dragonseeds?"

"I see that I am wrong," he says, almost idle as if he isn't devouring you in his gaze. How you feel soft, pliant under one finger after weighted in wine and the ruins of your anger, how you're almost purring and sweet like this, your fire alive but consistent. "Aōha perzys burns jehikagrī. Nyke hae ziry. Your flames burn bright. I like it."

"Hm. You've had sons, don't you uncle?"

"I have," he replies, amused.

"And many a children." You reach for his chin, your thumb rubbing his bottom lip. He's old, sure, but men don't have the same bodily issues as women. You know he could reach your father's age and be able to produce five more brats.

But his shoulders are strong, spry only as a swordsman can be.

And he isn't like he's loyal to Nyra, turning fully to you with a hand caressing your side.

His hand comes for your neck, halting your movement as he tests a squeeze. There is only much hatred as there is lust. And his cock is winning over his mind, for when your free hand, watching him intently, reaches for the hardness straining against his breeches, giving it a stroke, his breath stutters into a groan whilst his hips push into your hand.

"Dragons do not seek permission, niece of mine," he hums darkly. "Dragons take, or do you have too much of your Hightower cunt of a mother that you—"

You curl your hand over his cock until his breath hitches.

"I want a son. Surely you'd rather want for your true blood to sit on the Iron Throne? Your wife would remain Queen, her and her heir none the wiser. Any son of mine would be King regardless." Your voice is barely above whisper, stroking him as your squirm in his hold, his breath heavy by each promise, each tale you spin so tall. "Wouldn't you like that better? I am a Targaryen, as are you. Our blood would be pure."

"I have pureblooded sons, riñītsos little girl."

"But will they be king? With my husband as your wife's heir?" When his hold softens on your throat, you push yourself forward, pressing yourself against him. "Wouldn't you want your family's legacy, your legacy, unsullied with prettier blood?

"I want a son, uncle," you whimper, thickened with need and desire, willing him to bend and fold because men like Daemon are easy, because a loving marriage is one thing, a man who holds his house as his pride in another fist is another. "I want your seed to take root in me."

And it isn't like you're asking him to betray his Queen.

Daemon is surprisingly a soft lover, prone in a way to worshipping you even as you had gotten impatient and tried to get your way. His punishments are quick and precise, a hit on your thigh, a tighter squeeze in your throat, a firm bite in your breast enough to draw blood. He's soft but by choice, almost as if he is amusing you in each caress while one hand is holding you by your hair, fucking you down into the sheets.

His words aren't better, spun in hisses and spits, mocking laughter and groans.

"Do you want my seed, you little whore?"

"What would your husband say now, his pretty wife mewling for another? Or would he even care?"

"Your tears are pretty, if you want my seed, I think you need to be sobbing, hm?"

When he finally spills inside of you with nothing less of a broken, guttural roar, hips chasing the high, meeting your sensitivity once, twice, again— you are shattered in pieces and contradictions, floating and wide awake, pleasured and in pain.

He slaps your face gently after he's cleaned himself up, tucked his flaccid cock back in his breeches as he comes to your eye line. "Come to me again when you want my seed, hm? I shall prioritise your wants for the good of the realm but I dare say—"

He cocks his head with a smirk, feeling stirrings at the sight of your fucked out state, his seed spilling from your pretty hole that he can't help himself as he chases it with a finger, forcefully pushing it back in while your body trembles and twitches.

"— you may be with child soon enough, niece. I shall congratulate you and my son with the happy news."

Your eyes flutter close at the echoes of his disappearing footsteps.

Nine moons later, through a hearty, blood-soaked birth that rocked the keep with your wails of pure pain— much more painful than when your girls had come into the world — a baby boy is born of pure Valyrian colouring.

A fat babe who cried murder in his first seconds of life, and it is Caraxes who snarls and screeches into the high noon sky.

"I shall name him Daemon," you say to your husband beside you as you beheld the babe with a wondrous smile and a full heart.

"After your brother and my father," Jace says, smiling. "That is wonderful, my wife. He does look much like them."

Your smile curls, a finger rubbing your babe's fat cheek. "He does. And he will be strong swordsman." Your lashes flutter to Jace, poisoned vowels in each word that he blinks, startled. "Just like his father."

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utilitycaster · 7 days

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An ongoing theme, with regards to the gods (as opposed to Predathos and the Imperium) is that of free will. The gods are stringent in collecting on promises made, and the Betrayers will use initial consent as license to act freely, but it’s notable, in a campaign where nearly all the main player characters are shaped by entities that never once gave them a choice, the gods require an invitation. Except, worryingly, Predathos, a being of nigh-divine powers who does not seem bound by this limitation. And, of course, mortals can do as they will.

When Lolth overtakes Opal, the fact that Opal assumed both the crown, and the title of champion, willingly, is repeatedly mentioned, in DM narration and by Lolth herself. Lolth also mentions to Dorian, (perhaps untruthfully, though the events of EXU indicate this might be genuine), that she wished for him to become her champion instead - but he did not put on the crown, so she can’t have him. Obviously, Lolth takes many liberties with Opal once given entry, but she can only speak to people or act through someone who has permitted her. We see this too with Asmodeus: it is ultimately Zerxus’s choice not to walk away and face his death, but make good on his pact; some degree of initial consent is needed. K’nauth and Judicators are also both explicitly described as voluntary: once permission is given, they are bound, but this is no different than the contracts of warlocks and notably, with the gods, while we’ve seen them make deals under dire straits, we’ve never seen such unwitting participants in their pacts as Fjord with Uk’otoa or Laudna with Delilah among the gods. All entered in control of their faculties, to our knowledge, though not necessarily with the full knowledge of what it entailed.

The Prime Deities are differentiated from the Betrayers in that they continue to provide free will to their champions and their faithful. The Raven Queen accepts Vax’s trade of his life for Vex’s, given without any direct communication from her, but she quickly does begin to communicate clearly; when Vax communes with her in Duskmeadow, she tells him what she wishes, putting him much more at ease. Later, after his death, she gives him an option to either remain dead, or to have a little more time left with Keyleth, Vex, and the others of Vox Machina before he completes his task and returns to her, and he makes a choice. When Morrighan asks for guidance, the Raven Queen’s response is to ask “why are you fighting, and what are you fighting for?” and stresses that she wishes to lay out the exact terms before Morrighan agrees to anything. When Percy asks her what to do she, ironically enough for a goddess of fate, tells him he possesses the capacity to do great things of his own accord. All of Vox Machina’s divine favors come willingly, only after a conversation; the Wildmother first reaches out to Fjord before he decides to accept. And mortals have the capacity to resist even these promises; Opal is only partially successful but she does not give the Spider Queen two deaths and she does not leave alone. Fy’ra Rai finds herself able to go against Lolth’s wishes even when the Wildmother does not wish to intervene; it is her choice not to kill Opal but to go with her.

When mortals express doubt in the gods, it’s typically not their actions. It’s because they don’t think they meddle in the matters of mortals enough. As mentioned, Percy struggles with the open-ended nature of the Raven Queen’s advice. Essek, frequently considered an “anti-god” character is actually quite mild in his doubt and ultimately more frustrated at the clerics of the Kryn Dynasty than the Luxon itself (put a pin in that). Ludinus Da’leth states the gods should have prevented the Calamity, despite us knowing that the Prime Deities avoided intervention and that ultimately, while the Calamity had a number of causes, mortals (Vespin, Laerryn, much of the city of Avalir) were at the root. Ashton and Imogen’s frustrations with the gods have both ultimately been that they asked for assistance and did not receive it.

The extension of the Prime Deities’ belief in the free will of mortals is sufficiently strong that even during the Age of Arcanum, when many mortals rejected them, and when they did not require mortal intermediaries, they still chose to preserve it until the Calamity began. Each major action by the gods as a group is ultimately one to preserve themselves (the sealing of Predathos; the destruction of Aeor; the current campaign’s truce) or to preserve mortals (the Primes during the Schism and in creating the Divine Gate).

Contrast this with Delilah, who seizes control of Laudna and who is never stated to have asked permission for any of her actions. Compare to FCG, designed by Aeorians to lose control and kill. Compare to Chetney, bitten by a werewolf in the wilderness (and the others of the Gorgynei as well) - indeed, what control he has is the legacy of magic granted by the Raven Queen and by a nature spirit tied to the Wildmother. Contrast this now with Predathos, whose Ruidusborn had no say in this connection and indeed, many are motivated in service to Predathos with the goal of freeing themselves. Enforcers within the Kreveris Imperium refer to themselves as The Will, and Elder Barthie refers to those who oppose them as being made “pliable”. Chetney’s loss of control under Ruidus is deliberately triggered by the Weave Mind, with whom he made no deal.

If we (in my opinion, rightfully) reject any argument that denies the right of sentient entities to self-preservation, we are left with the following accusations of the gods: failing to stop wrongdoing by mortals (both in their name and unrelated); and acting in accordance with pre-existing agreements. The latter we can also reject; it is not perhaps kind of the gods to hold people to their contracts, but this is not unique to them and as discussed extensively above, they do require that, at least initially, the promise be made willingly.

The former, unfortunately, will not be stopped by destroying the gods. Ultimately, such people as Tuldus, Bor’Dor, and the people of Hearthdell were oppressed by their fellow mortals. In-world, we have seen zealotry in the name not just of the Prime Deities but that of countless lesser ones, notably Uk’otoa; if only the Prime and Betrayer gods are at stake, this simply creates a power vacuum to be filled by other entities vastly more powerful than mortals. On the other hand, should all power-granting entities be devoured, setting aside the upheaval this will cause in society, this leaves no shortage of room for oppression on the basis of race or political affiliation, both of which we’ve seen. The Tal’Dorei Campaign Setting’s original incarnation, prior to the further development of Wildemount for Campaign 2, even stated the Dwendalian Empire forbade all religion and was still an authoritarian one. Colonization is the end goal of the Weave Mind and indeed the motivation for killing the gods per Edmuda. It also is not unheard of on Exandria for reasons not attributed to religion, notably the settling of the Menagerie Coast by Marquesians, and Tal’Dorei (formerly Gwessar) by human settlers from Issylra. And, of course, as we know in our real world, you do not need provable deities for religion to develop nor for colonization and oppression. Mortals do these things in reality and Exandria, whether or not the gods exist, and destroying the gods in Exandria achieves no prevention, only carnage.

Returning, finally, to Essek: when we look at the major characters who are PCs or are aligned with them who have expressed frustration with the gods, the only one who has much of a case for being influenced by the actions of a deity is Percy, who is staunchly on the side against Predathos. One could split hairs and note that Vecna was not a deity at the time of the murder of Percy’s family, his own torture, and the destruction and occupation of Whitestone, but rather merely a power-hungry wizard extending his lifespan via unscrupulous means, but Percy’s own choices render this moot. Meanwhile, the gods simply did not alleviate Imogen and Ashton’s experiences, both of which were in part due to powers caused by entities the gods, in fact, failed to sufficiently destroy (Predathos and Ka’Mort specifically) and mostly perpetuated by mortals reacting to Imogen’s abilities or Ashton finding themself orphaned on the outskirts of a notoriously rough city and later, caught as the fall guy in a failed heist by a morally questionable wealthy collector.

It is my belief that Keyleth’s anger is, on some level, extended towards someone who can’t respond nor change and who she feels she cannot be angry at, and that is Vax. Vax made the deal and the Raven Queen collected; Vax decided to take the Raven Queen’s second offer. He was forced into neither, and as discussed later, he likely would have responded poorly to a True Resurrection attempt given his faith. Vax is dead because of Vecna, but neutralizing Vecna didn’t fix it. I think Dorian’s anger at Lolth meanwhile is valid, but it’s also something I’d imagine he feels he cannot direct towards Opal, even though her actions are a part of it. And I’m sure both Keyleth and Dorian blame themselves, to an extent, whether or not that is rightful. The gods make just as convenient a scapegoat for those hurt by mortals as they do an excuse for cruelty. But I don’t think killing them will bring back Vax, and certainly not Cyrus. Much as Derrig and Will and four other Ashari lie permanently dead at the hands of Otohan Thull despite her demise, and Orym’s trauma remains, killing the gods will not undo what happened to Imogen or Ashton. And since their main crime is considered to be inaction, killing them does not end suffering (and, indeed, should we dig into the infrastructures of Exandrian society and cosmology, may very well drastically increase it). It merely confirms that no one will receive their favor rather than only some; a bringing everyone down to your misery rather than striving to elevate all. An apt, if slightly tongue-in-cheek comparison to the real world is the fact that the cause of student loan forgiveness has been hamstrung and neutered by people furious that, since they didn’t receive help, no one else should - it is a self-centered and retaliatory mentality to lash out so far in jealousy that one would willingly destroy the life of another with the goal of increasing universal suffering.

Sources:

Timestamps available upon request but here are the episodes I’m drawing from. Printed works include pages.

Lolth, Opal, and Dorian: see 3x92-93; see also EXU Prime episode 8, EXU Kymal episode 2 for Opal willingly accepting and EXU Prime episodes 5 and 7 for the Spider Queen trying to get Dorian to put on the circlet.

K’nauth: EXU Calamity episode 2

Asmodeus and Zerxus: EXU Calamity episode 4

Judicators: 3x43

The Raven Queen and Vax: notably 1x44 (initial deal), 1x57 (Duskmeadow communion), 1x103 (her offering him the choice to pass or to become a revenant). Percy is also in 1x57.

The Raven Queen and Morrighan: 3x93.

Vox Machina’s divine favors: 1x104-1x106

Fjord and the Wildmother: 2x65; powers granted in 2x76.

Fy’ra and the Wildmother: 3x93

Essek’s feelings: see the final portion of this excellent post from essektheyless

Ludinus on the gods: 3x45

For causes of the Calamity, see EXU Calamity in its entirety, but Vespin specifically is episode 4, many of Avalir’s actions (including ignoring the hall of prophecy) are episode 2, and Laerryn denying the Arboreal Calix needed energy and casting Blight are in episode 3).

Ashton on the gods: 3x65

Imogen on the gods: 3x79

See page 12 of The Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount regarding the Prime Deities’ choice not to enforce their will during the Age of Arcanum.

Sealing of Predathos: 3x43; destruction of Aeor: EGTW 121; Truce mentioned in 3x67 and has appeared in 3x89 (Vezoden) and 3x92-93 (The Wildmother and Lolth).

Schism: EGTW 12; Divine Gate EGTW 13-14.

Delilah seizing control: 3x23

FCG’s design: 3x32 and 3x45

Chetney and Gorgynei (history and control): 3x40-41

Weave Mind control of Chetney: 3x91

Goals of Ruidusborn: multiple but see 3x48 and 3x89, 3x92 for a strong example with Liliana.

Imperium practices: 3x84

Tuldus: 3x44. Bor’Dor: 3x63. Hearthdell: 3x60-61.

Actions of Uk’otoa: much of Campaign 2 but notably 2x98 and The Mighty Nein Reunited.

Original description of the Dwendalian Empire: Tal’Dorei Campaign Setting (not Reborn) page 99

Goals of the Weave Mind: 3x85

Colonization of the Menagerie Coast: EGTW 17 (largely a peaceful one); Colonization of Tal’Dorei: Tal’Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn page 18 (explicitly stated to be against the wishes of the elves; led in part to the rule of Drassig and Scattered War).

Percy and Vecna: Vecna ascends in 1x106; the events of the Whitestone Occupation begin prior to campaign 1. Percy is in multiple war councils against the Vanguard and notably appears in the plans for a distraction to allow Bells Hells to take the Bloody Bridge in 3x81.

Imogen and Predathos: the revelation that Predathos may be within exaltants comes in 3x92; 3x83 and 3x87 both have involuntary experiences due to Predathos and see Liliana’s arguments in 3x48 as well as Imogen’s discussion of Gelvaan.

Ashton and Ka’Mort: emotional fallout most notably in 3x78; Evontra’vir’s description of what happened with the shard in 3x74. Memories of the Hexum Manor heist can be seen in 3x35.

#critical role #long post #cr meta

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annabrainchase · 9 months

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the greens being snuffed out in the end doesn't matter so much as the damage they did by undermining rhaenyra and female rulers on the iron throne as a whole because what came out of this whole thing isn't that all targaryens are greedy entitled people who are warring for the sake of it and that dany is heir until she isn't. it's that people in westeros are still very much struck by the destructive note of this historical event, both on the smallfolk and on marginalised peoples in the nobility itself, like women and bastards. the dance cements the fact that there must be no straying from westerosi customs, that women should never inherit the iron throne (better the nephews than the daughters), that bastards must forevermore be treated as suspicious and naturally prone to betrayal. because although rhaenyra gets to sit the iron throne, she is traumatized and depressed and paranoid and many of her decisions as queen are the result of this and that is what lasts in the minds of everyone. the reason for all this matters to us as readers, that there was a hateful misogynistic campaign, a bloody war fought just so this one woman doesn't inherit... how much the personal destruction from this fighting affects her to the point that a previously cheerful "realm's delight" transforms into "maegor with teats". the dance matters, because the social and political ramifications from the reasonings behind it matter. because rhaenyra, the king's heir, matters. her line doesn't fix the problems that led to the conflict in the first place because she (or any future heir brought up in a time free of conflict) wasn't left free enough alone to do anything about it and the only decisions we see from her are during a period of intense strife and conflict, which themselves reflect her own views. it doesn't matter though, because the precedent that could have been set, never was, and the greens' greed and meddling led to queens like naerys, and rhaella, who have exactly zero power because the one thing that could have empowered them—dragon—was killed off either in the fighting or on the orders of a king who was reeling from the immense mental trauma of having seen his mother devoured by his uncle's dragon in front of his eyes. this is the result of that war. this is the outcome of a war fought because rhaenyra was a woman. the downward spiral of misery and pain continues, exacerbated and reinforced by the memory of destruction and fear. a woman must not sit the iron throne. a bastard must not inherit.

#asoiaf #house of the dragon #hotd #fire and blood #rhaenyra targaryen #aegon iii targaryen #*v

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duchess-of-oldtown · 1 year

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Crowns, Tiaras, Diadems of A Song of Ice and Fire

This is a comprehensive list of every crown, tiara and diadem mentioned in the entirety of A Song of Ice and Fire and related books, because I'm insane. This is a very long post so enjoy.

The Rights of Inheritance

Royal crowns, Tiaras and Diadems are usually inherited by the next monarch and destributed at their whim. Certain crowns in canon are symbolically important, lending credence to a claimant's claim to the throne. During the Dance, the crown of Aegon the Conqueror became of of two relics to confirm Aegon II's right to the throne throne at a time it was disputed. Even during the short Regency of Aegon II, Prince Aemond wore the circlet as an affirmation of his power.

The Fate of Royal Jewelry

Many of the Crowns on this list haven't been seen in a while. I suspect as in royal jewels in real life, many of the pieces have either been sold off to afford wars or lavish livestyles or have been broken down to create newer pieces. It may be that the families are still in possession of these crowns but they have taken a new shape.

Crowns of Westeros

Crown of Aegon I - The Conqueror's Crown

The Conqueror's Crown is an open circlet of Valyrian Steel and large square cut rubies. Aegon's crown was of the trappings of legitimacy for House Targaryen, worn by some of her more martial minded Kings. It's notable wearers are Aegon I, Aenys I, Maegor I, Aegon II, Daeron I "The Young Dragon" and unusually, Prince Aemond for a period during the Dance. The crown was lost in Dorne during the campaign of The Young Dragon.

Crown of Aenys I

The crown of Aenys I was a large, ornate circlet of yellow gold inlaid with pearls and jade. It also depicted the faces of each of the Seven gods. Aenys' crown was worn by Aenys and later, for a time, his son Jaehaerys I. It's current whereabouts are unknown, likely broken up for the gems or kept in storage.

Crown of Jaehaerys I

The crown of Jaehaerys I is an open circlet of gold set with seven coloured jewels to represent the Seven and the Seven Kingdoms. This crown was worn by Jaehaerys I, Viserys I, Rhaenyra I. It was sold by Rhaenyra during the Dance to pay for passage abroad a ship.

Consort Crown of Alysanne

Alysanne's crown is described as a more feminine and slender version of Jaehaerys' circlet. Its unknown if any other Queen Consort wore this crown or where it is now.

Tiara of Rhaenyra I

Described as a jade tiara once owned by the Empress of Leng and gifted by Daemon Targaryen. Worn by Rhaenyra, its whereabouts are unknown.

Crown of Aegon III

The crown of Aegon III is a an open circlet of gold. It was worn by Aegon III, Viserys II and Aegon V. Its current whereabouts are unknown.

Crown of Baelor I

The crown of Baelor was a crown of vines and flowers.

Crown of Aegon IV

The crown of Aegon IV was a large circlet of red gold with each point fashioned into the likeness of a dragon with eyes of gemstones. It was worn by Aegon IV, Daeron II, Aerys I and Aerys II. Current whereabouts unknown, very likely to have been destroyed after Robert's Rebellion.

Crown of Maekar I

The crown of Maekar was described as "warlike". It is an open circlet of red gold with large points of sharp black iron. Notable wearers were Maekar and Jaehaerys II. The whereabouts of this crown are unknown, likely in storage at the Red Keep.

Tiara of Daenerys I

Described simply as a tiara. Gifted by Illyrio of Pentos, worn at the Princess's wedding to the Khal. Its whereabouts are unknown, likely lost after the death of Khal Drogo.

Crown of Daenerys I

A crown featuring three dragons wrought of jade, onyx and ivory, with coils of gold and wings of silver. Daenerys is its first and current owner.

Consort Crown of Hizdahr zo Loraq of Meereen

Described as a gold crown, accompanied by a jewelled sceptre. First wearer and current owner is Hizdahr zo Loraq.

Crown of the Kings in the North

An open circlet of bronze inscribed with ancient runes with nine longsword-shaped points fashioned from black iron. Notable wearers include perhaps every King in the North until Torrhen who offered it up to Aegon. Whereabouts unknown.

Crown of Robb Stark

An open circlet of bronze inscribed with ancient runes with nine longsword-shaped points from black iron fashioned after the ancient and lost crown of the Kings in the North. Robb Stark was the original owner and it has since then been passed through many hands, now in possession of Lady Stoneheart, Lady Catelyn Stark (née Tully)

Consort Crown of Jeyne Westerling

Undesribed, only noted as small. Made for Queen Jeyne and likely offered up to House Lannister after the surrender of Riverrun. Whereabouts unknown.

Crown of the King of the Rock

Description unknown. Surrendered after the field of fire. Notable wearers include the Kings of the Rock.

Crown of the Kings in the Reach

A crown of fresh flowers in peace time and a crown of iron thorns and bronze during ear time. Notable wearers include Garth the Gardener and the Gardener Dynasty. Likely burned to ash on the field of fire.

The Falcon Crown of the Eyrie

Undesribed. Worn by the Kings of the Vale. Handed up to Visenya after the supplication of the Vale.

Sharra Arryn's Regent's coronet and Ronnel Arryn's Small Crown

Both undesribed. Likely the boy King's crown was a smaller version of the Falcon Crown. Both surrendered after the boy King's trip around the Eyrie on the back of the dragon Vhagar.

Driftwood Crowns of the Iron Kings

The traditional crowns of the Iron Kings were created on the ascension of each King and then destroyed after their death, always fashioned out of driftwood.

The Crowns of the Grey Kings

A tall pale crown fashioned from the teeth of the ancient sea dragon, Nagga. Worn by the legendary figure, the Grey King. Whereabouts unknown.

Crown of Euron Greyjoy

Breaking tradition, Euron Greyjoy wears a crown of iron with points fashioned from the teeth of sharks. Euron is the first and only wearer. It's origin is unknown.

Crown of Theon Greyjoy

A slim band of iron set with nuggets of gold and black diamond. It was made for Theon Greyjoy. Its whereabouts are unknown.

Crown of Princess Arianne Martell

Described as a band of copper suns worn across the brow. Owned by Arianne, Princess of Dorne.

Crown of Cersei Lannister

Described as a sparkling crown or spun of pale gold spun with emeralds. Worn by Cersei, origins unknown.

Crown of Cersei Lannister

A crown of gold described as heavy. Worn by Queen Cersei, origins and whereabouts unknown.

Crown of Margaery Tyrell

Described as a slim golden crown. Worn by Margaery, origins and whereabouts unknown.

Crown of Joffrey I and Tommen I

A golden crown of rubies and black diamonds. Worn by Joffrey I, possibly created for him. Worn later by Tommen I though it is said it is too large for him.

Crown of Stannis Baratheon

A crown in the fashion of flames cast from red gold. Made for Stannis and likely currently in his possession sonewhere outside Winterfell.

Consort Crown of Selyse Baratheon

A twin to her husband's, of red gold with points resembling flames. Currently in her possession at the Wall.

Crown of Renly Baratheon

Renly's crown is a circlet of golden roses with the head of a stag carved out of jade arising at his forehead. Made for Renly, whereabouts unknown, likely in the possession of House Tyrell or handed up in surrender to House Lannister.

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reignof-fyre · 3 months

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Book!Alicent: ambitious woman who wanted her son on the throne and emotionally and mentally abused a child to obtain her goals, began smear campaigns against Rhaenyra and rhaenyra's sons with absolutely 0 proof they were bastards, waved off Jace, Luke, and Joffrey's deaths as "bastard blood spilt in war" and wished rhaenyra would die in childbirth, demands lucerys' eye BEFORE Rhaenyra requests that aemond be questioned sharply about where he heard that jace, Luke, and joff were bastards

Show!Alicent: whitewashed victim-complex who had many traits that are, in actual fact, rhaenyra's. Boring. Bland. Religious fanatic.

Book!Rhaenyra: fully desires her birthright, the Iron Throne (and why shouldn't she?), delights in her feminism, never once wishes she was a boy to please her father, named heir at nine years old, adored by the smallfolk, best friends with laena velaryon, apple of her dad and uncle's eyes, is verbally abused and smeared by the greens because she has the audacity as a woman to know what she wants. Likely Jace and Luke are Laenor's with the Baratheon/Arryn looks because rhaenys has black hair and rhaenyra's grandfather was an arryn with brown hair *gasp* genetics is a thing

Show!Rhaenyra: indecisive about being heir, constantly wishes she was a boy, whitewashed and victimised and written blandly

Book!Daemon: morally grey anti-hero who loves his family and the targaryen Dynasty and does questionable things, loved by the smallfolk, adored by rhaenyra, raised a literal army to put his brother on the throne, had ample opportunity to overthrow viserys and never did, was thousands of miles away when rhea Royce died, loved laena, loved rhaenyra, loved his children, even rhaenyra's three sons, fought to the death for rhaenyra's claims

Show!Daemon: I am villain he-he

Book!Rhaenys: never held her not being named Queen against Rhaenyra, was disinherited by Jaehaerys, a bamf bitch who loved her family, openly and proudly supported rhaenyra, had black hair streaked with white

Show!Rhaenys: I shall take my anger out on an innocent party and hold onto my resentment for years and insist the succession crisis isn't my problem when my granddaughters are in danger by association because that makes sense

Book!Otto: plotted and schemed for years to have his blood on the throne and conspired with his equally conniving daughter to do so

Show!Otto: pretty much the same, yeah

Show!Aegon; drunk, sad-boy rapist chad

Book!Aegon: drunk, sad-boy rapist chad who refuses to take his sister's birthright

Show!Aemond: whitewashed victim sad-boy

Book!Aemond: cold, calculating sociopath who willingly and happily kinslayed his nephew Lucerys over an incident years in the past of his own making and went on to commit genocide in the riverlands and take Alys Rivers as his spoils of war

Show!Helaena: dragon dreamer baby girl

Book!Helaena; sorry, but she's actually pretty irrelevant but she's still a baby girl

Show!Daeron:...doesn't exist? Yet(?)

Boom!Daeron: just as sociopathic and murderous as aemond, also commits genocide by burning an entire village to the ground

Show!Laena: kind of just around???

Book!Laena: best friends with rhaenyra, also likely her lover, loved by Daemon and Rhaenyra both, did not die by ordering vhagar to burn her, actually died much more tragically, rider of Vhagar, all around bamf

#anti greens #anti hotd #anti house of the dragon #pro fire and blood #pro blacks #pro rhaenyra #pro daemon #pro daemon targaryen #pro Rhaenyra Targaryen #queen rhaenyra #anti aegon ii targaryen #anti aemond targaryen #anti Alicent Hightower

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jalwyn21 · 3 months

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So there are multiple Swiftie accounts on Tiktok and Instagram that I found constantly insinuating how Joe might have cheated on Taylor based on the songs she wrote and based on Joe's former co-star instagram post (the one where he rode a green bike I think). My question is, do these people really can't process the possibility that their "queen" might be cheating too? And also according to them, co-workers posting a picture of another co-worker must be because they are romantically involved. What about the tons of men that Taylor has posted on her instagram before? Swifties are really trying so hard to do a smear campaign on Joe Alwyn with whatever bits of brain they have left in their head. I've noticed too that the popular Swiftie accounts with a lot of followers tend to post things slandering her past relationships (mostly the one with Joe) and overhyping her current relationship with TK. Which is also hilarious because I can remember very well that some of them are the ones who used to hype her relationship with Joe. Talk about hypocrites.

Also what's actually ironic (and quite amusing I must say) is now there are quite the amount of people (and that includes some Swifties too) that came to defend Joe in the comment section haha. And we can see that the OP didn't reply to any comments defending Joe because they don't want to agree with anything that is not borderline worshipper their "queen" 😂

The only one with a consistent history of cheating, or at least overlapping relationships is TS. She even brags about in her songs 🙄Can't believe this needs saying but coworkers posting a picture of another coworker is not cheating.. spending time with coworkers is not cheating..

Also those scooter pics were clearly taken months apart. Not only is Joe's scooter a darker colour but you can still see Christmas lights in her pic which makes sense for a December or January pic. There are no Christmas lights in Joe's pic, just the normal traffic lights, which makes sense for a pic taken in March. 🙄

#joe alwyn #joealwyn #free joe alwyn #jalwyn #q&a #nonnie #anti taylor swift #shit swifties say #toxic swifties

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jackoshadows · 1 year

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It’s impressive the way GRRM has two characters make different decisions and still end up at the same place in order to highlight how there are no easy solutions to the hard choices these young leaders have to make.

As KITN, Robb Stark decides to put the North and his campaign above personal self interest and refuses to exchange a high-stakes hostage like Jaime Lannister for his sisters. He still ends up getting betrayed by his men and killed.

As LC, Jon Snow selfishly puts his personal interest above the interests of the Watch and decides to attack the Warden of the North to save his sister. He ends up getting betrayed by his men and killed.

As Queen, Daenerys tries to negotiate diplomatically and sue for peace with the powerful masters because their insurgency is killing people. She even goes so far as to marry one of them, Hizdahr, and stay in Meereen to help the people instead of leave for Westeros and Iron Throne. And still, the Slave Masters (and most likely Hizdahr) try to kill her.

As LC, Jon Snow refuses to meet his deputies half-way on their complaints and disagreements, he ruthlessly overrides their objections and instead depends more and more on the Freefolk to get things done. And still, those deputies end up killing him.

Which is why, as much as us readers can debate on what this or that character should have done and why this character is a terrible leader because they did action A instead of action B or why that character would have survived if they had only done action C, there are always external circumstances beyond the control of these characters and their other actions that push them to that ending.

All these ‘Well he would not have got killed if he had only talked to them more!’ critiques never made sense to me. Even when Daenerys conceded so much ground (There were literal slave markets outside the gates) to the slave masters in order for them to stop their attacks and insurgency, them being utterly terrible people means all that ultimately meant nothing. Daenerys did talk to the slave masters and they were still trying to kill her.

Even if Jon Snow had charmed his men with tea and crumpets, he would have still ended up breaking NW oaths and neutrality to save Arya, leading to the same conclusion of that being the straw which breaks the camel’s back for his men. Even when Robb refused to exchange Jaime for Sansa, his mother ended up freeing Jaime and his own marriage and breaking of promises doomed his campaign.

As GRRM himself puts it:

And whether it be Ned Stark or Tyrion Lannister or Tywin Lannister or Daenerys Targaryen or Cersei Lannister trying to deal with the real challenges that affect anyone trying to rule the 7K or even a city like Meereen and it’s hard. You know, we can all read the books or read history and say oh, so and so was stupid and made a lot of mistakes and look at all these stupid mistakes they make. But these kind of mistakes are always much more apparent in hind sight than when you are actually faced with the decision about, oh my God, what would I do in this situation. How do I resolve this thing? Do I do the moral thing? But what about the political consequences of the moral thing? Do I do the pragmatic, cynical thing and kind of screw the people who are screwed by it? I mean, it is HARD. And I want to get to all of that.

Even worse is when people go, well, character A did this wrong and that wrong and are therefore totally unfit to be a leader, but look character B who has never had to make decisions as a leader that affects thousands of lives would totally be an amazing leader because they haven’t done anything yet. The total lack of logic to make these kind of statements is just simply incomprehensible to me.

#Jon Snow #Daenerys Targaryen #Robb Stark #GRRM #ASoIaF

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sumerianlanguage · 4 months

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Hi, this seems like a really great blog! I was wondering if you could let me know the cuneiform used for the Bull of Heaven in the Epic of Gilgamesh; either Sumerian or Akkadian is fine (and both is preferable). I'm in a huge TTRPG campaign with a heavy Mesopotamian Iron Age inspiration and it just went on hiatus so I'm channeling my enthusiasm for it into fanart; I want to use the cuneiform for an anime-style title card in an illustration of the Queen of the Gods unleashing the Bull of Heaven.

Hello! The word for "Bull of Heaven" in Sumerian is Gudanna, written 𒀯𒄞𒀭𒈾 in cuneiform. It's derived from gud 𒄞 "bull, ox, cattle" and an 𒀭 "sky", with the (silent) sign 𒀯 in front - this sign elsewhere means mul "star(s)", which is very rare as a determinative. This term is used in, for example, the Sumerian Gilgamesh and the Bull of Heaven; a version of this story is retold in tablet VI of the Akkadian Epic of Gilgamesh.

In the epic (e.g. VI:94), the term is Alû, which is written (as often in Akkadian) the same as in Sumerian, 𒀯𒄞𒀭𒈾. Alû is also the name for the constellation we now know as Taurus, the bull, and is one of the earliest documented constellations that we still use today.

#replies #do send me the finished art if you like!#epic of gilgamesh #sumerian animals #sumerian mythology #akkadian #sumerian astronomy

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atopvisenyashill · 2 months

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Do you think comparisons can be drawn between Targaryens sharing the same name? Aegon. Rhaenys. Aemon. Viserys. Daeron. Rhaena. Others?

YES! I think they’re very purposefully characters in conversation with each other actually. @transdimensional-void has this great meta here about all the rhae girlies and the way that relates to the themes in rhaegar's story. i also think there's a clear link between aemon the dragonknight, maester aemon, and jon snow (which is why i think jon was named aemon) and i've kinda talked about that here (although a bit angrily, haha) and I have a "jon and the aemons" tag as well for that reason.

then there's the daerons who i think are really interesting - Daeron the Young Dragon who started a violent war of conquest against Dorne without reason, who gets himself murdered under a peace banner because he bungles the whole thing so badly, and his younger brother has to do an entire religious penance walk barefoot through the desert lasting months just to sort everything out again. Then Daeron the Good, who helps end that war by refusing to play into the cronyism of his father's court - his father who only got the throne because of Daeron I's folly - and refusing to allow the disrespect of Naerys or Myriah, who settles everything by marrying Maron to Daenerys and doing this amazing PR campaign of praying to Baelor's statue with Maron and claiming he's doing Baelor's work, not Daeron's or Aegon's. Daeron I whose unnecessary death leads almost directly to a lifetime of reproductive abuse and spousal rape for Naerys, and Daeron II growing up in the shadow of this horrific life where he's the only protection his mother has and he's never enough, until she dies and suddenly he's the only thing standing in the way of Daenerys and an equally horrific end.

I think it's kind of a fandom joke that all Viserys' are flops and I do think that's a theme in the series - men trying to be Visenya by literally invoking her name but they simply do not have the juice. Viserys I with his inaction and his drive to feel Good Things Only, Viserys II keeping his eyes firmly shut to the follies of the younger Targaryens around him, Viserys III slowly losing his mind to grief until he turns all that anger out at poor Daenerys. Something to be said with how highly they're all linked to a younger relative they fail to care for, and the fact that those women are all linked narratively as well - Viserys and Rhaenyra, Viserys and Naerys, Viserys and Daenerys.

I think there's something incredible in how the names Rhaenys and Rhaena completely fall out of favor after the Dance and are replaced by Rhae, Rhaella, and Rhaelle in popularity. Rhaenys the Conqueror, her namesake Rhaenys the Queen Who Never Was, but the Dance proves that there can never be a Rhaenys again because there can never be a woman sitting the Iron Throne again. Rhaena the Black Bride, named for her grandmother, a Queen because she's a consort and remembered for being a Queen in her own right (in a metaphorical sense), Rhaena of Pentos being a dragon rider who knows how to play the game in a smart but compassionate way, all leading to poor Septa Rhaena, locked up for a beauty she can't possibly understand when she is so young, driven to the Faith by the actions of the mad, lustful family members who would never see her as anything more than a pretty face and a convenient womb.

There's also the idea that Daena named Daemon Blackfyre after Daemon Targaryen, because she revered Rhaenyra and felt Rhaenyra was treated unfairly that I find very interesting. Daena's claim being put aside, and just like Aegon III (the beloved, "last" living son of Rhaenyra and Daemon), Daemon is forced to say his claim comes from a father who does not deserve his love instead of the mother he's really dedicated to.

This is also why I tag all the Aegon's with their epithets - I actually think Aegon VI is going to have some sort of "Aegon the U______" name because you have Aegon the Usurper, Aegon the Unlucky, Aegon the Unworthy, and Aegon the Unlikely. Then there's the play of Aegon the Dragon vs Aegon the Dragonbane as well there!

I could go on! There's so much here that's interesting and yes, I do think there are a lot of links between characters with the same name or similar names.

#house targaryen #asks #anons #valyrianscrolls

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theocannibalistic · 2 years

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traumatized goth girls will share a tender moment with their warlock patron then ask this out of character after the session

#my art #seilenna zenvarra #mabkha #the queen of air and darkness #dungeons & dragons #the iron queen campaign #seilkha #tiq #warlock 5e

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mylordshesacactus · 1 year

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Captain Olassa Appreciation Post

For uh....completely innocent reasons. She’s. She’s fine.

No, in all seriousness though--Olassa is the longest-running NPC in this campaign, she was one of the first characters I created who really made Suncrest feel alive to me.

(Ironically enough. She’s a paladin of the Raven Queen.)

At the end of today’s session, after acting as a rearguard to cover the party’s retreat, she sent them and their mage friend Arlette on a mission to find a way to close the breaches and cut off the invasion--something which cannot be done from within a besieged city, and if they’re going to get out of the city, it has to be done now, because by morning they’ll be cut off completely.

She gave them these orders while steadily braced and reforming a line of battle with the shattered, scrambling city guard. It was very clear that she did not intend to go with them. It was equally clear that every guard in that square is going to die.

Arlette and Nimbus both tried to convince her to live to fight another day; Andromeda, to whom she’s been a major mentor, just swallowed hard and thanked her, and promised to say a prayer for her to both her own god and to the Raven Queen.

(Andromeda, a book-dumb paladin of Pelor, has absolutely no knowledge of the long-running tension between their respective deities. She has no idea how deeply and profoundly touching--how significant--it is, what she just offered, or the fact that she burned one of her last spell slots to give Olassa Protection From Good And Evil keyed to the fae as one of their last interactions.)

Her last words were, as a quiet reassurance to Andromeda, “I am not afraid to meet my lady.”

Before that, to Nimbus, as he tried to convince her to run with them and try to regroup later:

“You are very young, Nim. Defiance in the face of hopeless odds is--is your birthright. But I am older than you, and wiser. I have oaths to uphold. I am guard-captain of Suncrest and a paladin of the Order of the Breaker of Chains, and there are things worth dying for.”

Last the party saw of her--and where we left the session--she was standing in a chokepoint, halberd levelled against the top of her shield, bracing for a charge.

#d&d #suncrest #boy is it ever #I'm feeling SUPER NORMAL can you tell

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jadeylovesmarvelxo · 2 years

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Hello! I love your work! Could I possibly please get an Eddie x popular!reader who knows absolutely barely nothing about dnd apart from it’s a game and it’s got dice. Like she’s supportive of him having his interests and hobbies and everything and wouldn’t say a bad word about it but knows nothing about it and isn’t into it herself. I don’t mind what happens in the story I just always read ones where the reader is part of hellfire or knows all about dnd and I know nothing as it’s not really my thing! If you could make the reader opinionated and sarcastic as well that would be my dream as I am a far cry from the sunshine and rainbows readers I always read! Thank you so much!! It’s absolutely okay if not as well!! :)

Request by anon ❤

Warnings; Fluff, No Vecna in this story, except in Eddie's D&D campaign ;)

Likes or reblogs are always welcome and appreciated ❤

I don't give anyone permission to copy my work

❤

"I think I could stay like this forever," she says cuddling into her boyfriend Eddie who smiles pressing a gentle kiss to her hair.

"We could princess? Call in sick and maybe we could just stay in bed all weekend?" he asks mischievously.

She smirks.

"Uh, I think your sheeples at Hellfire would have something to say about that baby" he sighs.

"Shit! yeah can't miss tonight sweetheart, we are knee-deep in a tournament including Vecna, it's so cool babe. Gonna be a rough tournament for the boys"

She feels a little tug in her stomach, not really versed in D&D and the lore she struggled to keep up with what he talked about but regardless he knew that and she was always supportive of his hobbies.

Sometimes she did worry that he would prefer a girl who was into D&D and understood everything he said.

"What's wrong princess?" he notices the look on her face and she pouts.

"Eddie, do you ever wish for a girlfriend who's into D&D and knows about it all and isn't completely clueless about it?"

She tries to hide how much it bothers her, she rarely feels insecure in this relationship, Eddie loves her as much as she loves him and treated her like a queen but this is a worry that's been lingering for a while now.

"Why would I want that when I have the most amazing girl already? I love you sweetheart and we have a lot in common, we both love horror movies, you love Metallica and Iron Maiden, you got me into Queen and they are fucking awesome. We both love reading and a lot more"

She relaxes and snuggles back into his arms.

"We don't have to have all the same interests princess it would be boring after a while if we did. I like that we are into different things, I don't know shit about Cheerleading but I know it's awesome and you work super hard and love it so it's important to me"

Her heart swells at his sweetness and she kisses him.

"God, you're disgustingly sweet" he laughs and she finally gets up groaning at the chilly air.

It was well into Autumn now and it was very chilly in Hawkins.

"You know I think we can skip one day after all don't you?" He whoops.

"Absolutely" then he pulls her back into bed and wraps his arms around her.

"But we have to go to Hellfire princess, can you stay and watch? You're my good luck charm" he pouts and she giggles.

"How can I resist those eyes and that pout" his big brown eyes were her weakness and he knew it.

"Fine, fine... Can I sit on your throne?" he grins.

"Baby, I love you but it's my throne, I'm the Dungeon Master". She frowns.

"But you weren't complaining about me sitting on it when I surprised you that time and took you to Hellfire early and we played Dungeon Master and his Mistress" she bats her eyes and he gets a glazed look on his face and grins at the memory.

"We really need to do that again sweetheart". she nods eagerly and relents.

"Fine, you can sit on it until I set up the campaign".

❤

Hellfire arrives quicker than she expects and then she and Eddie brace the chilly air to get to the Drama Club.

While he sets up quickly she takes a seat and Dustin and Mike are the first to arrive then Lucas.

"Hey, how come she can sit on your throne?" Mike complains.

"Because I am his adorable albeit sarcastic yet loving girlfriend Wheeler," she tells him with a smirk.

Eddie looks up annoyed.

"Do you have a problem with my girl sitting there butthead?" Mike splutters and shakes his head.

Dustin rolls his eyes at Mike and Dustin hugs her as Lucas shows her the new trainers he got for playing basketball.

She'd never admit it but Dustin, Lucas and Mike were her favourites in Hellfire, they were like her little brothers and she adored them, which meant she also loved teasing them along with Eddie.

"Princess, I need my throne now. Got to get to work" he tells her as the others arrive.

She might not know much about Hellfire but she sure does love watching Eddie play. He was so focused and intense and it made her stomach flutter with butterflies.

It also made her want to pounce on him but she would save that for when they were back home. It was just very hot watching him when he was in his element as The Dungeon Master.

He's so focused and magnetic that even she was enchanted by the story he was weaving.

She smiles when a character he's created, which he told her was based on her comes up.

An Elven princess, who could weave magic and heal injuries and had a wicked, sharp tongue.

Damn straight she thinks grinning as she hears the description and he briefly comes out of character to wink at her.

Once the session winds down with great victory for the team Eddie approaches her and pulls her in for a kiss.

"Told you that you were my lucky charm princess, now let's get home and continue our lazy weekend yeah? I'm thinking mac and cheese and you for dessert yeah?" he raises an eyebrow.

"You sure do know a way to a girl's heart, Munson, come on" she takes his hand and leads him to his van ready for the weekend.

❤

#eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x you #eddie munson fluff #eddie munson x female reader

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