#could make for an interesting source of conflict

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Types of Heroes in Literature

Hero - main character in literature. The hero character may possess great or admirable qualities and be forced to overcome obstacles in the course of the story.

Heroes can come in all shapes and sizes. Here are the 6 most common types of heroes found in literature:

Everyman hero: Everyman heroes are ordinary people without any apparent heroic qualities or characteristics. They are underdogs placed in extraordinary circumstances that force them to act heroically. Though lacking inherent heroic qualities, everyman character types often have a strong moral compass and act with extreme selflessness. Readers can easily relate to these types of heroes due to their ordinary nature. In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit—the prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy—Bilbo Baggins is a common hobbit without extraordinary abilities who nonetheless finds himself on an adventure to obtain the treasure guarded by Smaug the dragon.

Classical hero: A classical hero is a character who possesses a great talent or ability that separates them from the rest of their contemporaries. This could be a skill, such as the ability to fight, or it could be an internal quality such as bravery or cleverness. Usually, this hero type appears normal on the surface until their powers begin to reveal themselves, such as when Harry Potter learns he is a wizard with magical powers. This hero archetype is present in Star Wars when the seemingly normal Luke Skywalker begins to wield the extraordinary power of the Force.

Epic hero: Popular in Greek mythology, epic heroes possess otherworldly heroic qualities. These main characters usually come from noble birth and are viewed as legendary due to their seemingly superhuman capabilities and heroic deeds. Examples of heroes in this tradition date back as far as The Epic of Gilgamesh from 1800 BC. Other epic heroes include Achilles (from Homer’s The Iliad), Odysseus, Beowulf, King Arthur, and superheroes like Superman.

Tragic hero: A tragic hero is a hero who possesses a fatal flaw or makes an error in judgment that ultimately leads to their downfall. Tragic heroes evoke a feeling of fear or pity in the audience as they witness their protagonist’s ultimate demise. Perhaps the most well-known example of a tragic hero is Oedipus, whose tragic flaw is his excessive pride, which leads him to unwittingly kill his father and marry his mother. In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Romeo’s fatal flaw is his unrestrained passion and emotional impulsiveness, which leads to his own death and the death of Juliet. Brutus, from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, is able to be manipulated into killing Caesar because of his overwhelming loyalty to his country.

Anti-hero: Anti-heroes do not possess traditionally heroic qualities. In fact, they have qualities that seem more befitting of a villain, such as dishonesty, greed, or general immorality. The anti-hero’s struggle to overcome or reconcile these morally dubious qualities makes them relatable to an audience, emphasizing the very human conflict between right and wrong that we all experience. The Great Gatsby has an iconic anti-hero in Jay Gatsby, whose rise from poverty was accomplished through involvement in organized crime and theft. In Star Wars, Han Solo is an arrogant, roguish smuggler who eventually overcomes his own self-interest to help the Rebel Alliance.

Byronic hero: The Byronic hero—an archetype codified by English romantic poet Lord Byron—is known for being prickly, sullen and inscrutable on the outside, while possessing a rich inner life under the surface. These heroes are often profoundly flawed and wounded, but nonetheless possess strong morals and passions. They commonly question the beliefs and conventions of normal society, leading to their own social alienation. In Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy is a Byronic hero and an outcast who is driven by his passion for Elizabeth.

Source ⚜ More: Writing Notes & References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[rorydrawsandwrites]

Yoooo when we realize Johnny he actually becomes a good singer?? I'm so happy for him 🥰

Though, uh...

Aw darn

I've been asking the latter too, man

[pygmy--tyrant]

merlin's role in arthurian canon is very funny & interesting to me cause he seems to tick every stereotypical 'who will betray the king' box. royal advisor. sorceror. extremely morally questionable. literally half-demon. appears to have an incredibly dangerous level of influence over arthur to the point where he can tell him to enact his very own massacre of the innocents cause he isn't sure which may day baby is mordred and arthur just DOES. not to mention that contrary to modern popular canon he has basically zero personal beef with morgana and remains pretty tight with her despite her attacks on camelot. so you see all this and you think well your majesty surely he means you harm!! but NO it turns out this weird little wizard who the king keeps around for moral support is actually the single most loyal person in court. i mean king arthur is like betrayals georg the way he is collecting duplicitous individuals. guinevere lancelot mordred morgana briefly gawain truly ALL his nearest and dearest backstabbed him at some point but not his no. 1 magic freak. he's his only real ride or die. anyway bbc merlin is maybe the closest I've seen to really capturing this dynamic

[transhetanybodys]

I haven't read the books with Cloudberry super recently but I don't think it makes a lot of sense that Riverclan was willing to surrender one of their medicine cats to the clan that they're actively at war with and just lost a warrior to? It seems like Appledusk's body wasn't even cold yet when Cloudberry was packing her bags to go to her clan's biggest enemy. I don't think the clans cared as much as they do in the modern day about making sure all the clans survive either, considering that Skyclan being kicked out probably wasn't that long ago. Anyway she should get her own book, she could have some super interesting conflicts where she's basically expected to go from being enemies with Eurasia to East Asia at the drop of a hat but is still heavily scrutinized by her new Thunderclan clanmates while also having to deal with her medicine cat training and experience all being geared towards both Riverclan herbs and healing techniques and philosophy.

Maybe Riverclan warriors tend to be more chill about letting the medicine cat treat them after battles and border skirmishes while Thunderclan warriors resent the interruption to their discussions of the battle and the strategies they'll use in the next one. Maybe she had a complicated relationship with Appledusk because they're related in some way but also he's a dick and now she can't work through her feelings about him because her new clan is being super jingoistic about hating him. How did she feel about the Mapleshade situation? Who were her friends and family in Riverclan and how do her relationships with them change? What were her relationships with Ravenwing and Oatspeckle like? Did she have any non-medicine cat allies in Thunderclan before her clan switch? Does she feel resentful on any level that she was chosen for this? If Starclan sent a sign indicating that she should be the one who goes to Thunderclan in Ravenwing's place, does she feel hesitant to trust it after the disaster that Ravenwing's sign that drove Mapleshade and her kits out of Thunderclan caused? Does she wish that Starclan and Ravenwing hadn't acted in a way that had gotten him and so many others killed so she wouldn't have to go to Thunderclan but also because all these pointless deaths irrespective of clan weigh on her more as a medicine cat and healer than they would on an average warrior who can't see past borders to the tragedy of the deaths beyond them?

[garlic-sauc3]

versions of booster gold made by people who obviously dont know much about booster can be so infuriating because they tend to depict him as stupid or as a joke and then people who only know him from these depictions in more popular media have a skewed impression of him

[sysig]

Still normal don’t even worry about it (Patreon)

[prokopetz]

I apologise if you've already answered this, but I tried searching your blog and I'm unsure if you haven't or if it's another example of Tumblr's amazing search system.

I was talking with a friend recently about how much of a culture clash the Monk Class is compared to the rest of Dungeons & Dragons and was wondering if there is a coherent reason for their original inclusion. I'm aware that they're largely influenced by Shaolin monks as depicted in Hong Kong cinema in the 70's/80's as compared to the Sword and Sorcery stuff most of the rest of D&D takes influence from.

Basically, my question ultimately boils down to, "Is the Monk Class there purely because of an original player wanting to rule of cool their way into playing something wildly out of genre, or is there a stronger link between Sword and Sorcery and Hong Kong cinema that could have organically resulted in the Monk Class joining the rest of the classes?"

A lot of the link between the two was simply a matter of time and place. The kung fu craze hit North America at just about exactly the same time as the sword and sorcery revival that gave us films like Clash of the Titans and Beastmaster and The Sword and the Sorcerer and Dragonslayer and Krull – not to mention the Arnold Schwarzenegger Conan adaptation, which revived popular interest in first-wave sword and sorcery literature – so there was a lot of it going around. Analysis of early Dungeons & Dragons as a product of its media influences often overlooks that it was largely drawing on what was trendy in American popular media in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Even the tonally incongruous Lord of the Rings references weren't a deep cut; while the books were originally published in the 1950s, they'd experienced a strong resurgence in the 1970s, putting them firmly in the popular consciousness at the time that D&D was being developed. All this being the case, it's not surprising that early D&D was also substantially influenced by Hong Kong action cinema.

That said, the reason the monk character class in particular (i.e., as opposed to kung fu media influences more generally) is there is allegedly because one specific guy in one of the game's early playtest groups really, really wanted to play as Remo Williams from Warren Murphy and Richard Sapir's The Destroyer; several of the class's signature abilities are direct references to powers Williams exhibits in the course of the novels. Remarks from folks who worked at TSR at the time have pointed the finger at Brian Blume as the Remo Williams fan in question, though accounts are conflicted whether Blume was actually an uncredited contributor to Dave Arneson's Blackmoor (1975), in which the class makes its first proper appearance, or whether Blume's interest merely prompted its inclusion.

This is the case for the character archetypes in a lot tabletop RPGs of that era; instead of trying to work out what classes "ought" be be present, authors would simply start with the types of characters their playtesters actually wanted to play, often based on specific popular media characters, then work backwards to derive an IC rationale for why those were the setting's standard adventuring professions. Other examples from D&D in particular most obviously include the Ranger (based on Tolkien's Aragon, naturally), but also the Paladin (principally inspired by Holger Carlsen from Poul Anderson's 1961 isekai novel Three Hearts and Three Lions, also the source of D&D's goofy regenerating trolls), the Assassin, back when it was still a separate character class (probably mainly based on the Assassin Caste from John Norman's Gor), and even the Wizard to a large extent (less Gandalf than you'd think: a large portion of D&D's iconic wizard spell list is lifted directly from the 1963 Vincent Price film The Raven).

(I often think that modern indie RPGs could benefit from reviving this approach. Like, fuck textual consistency – just pick half a dozen of your favourite popular media characters without regard for the compatibility of the source material and work backwards to explain why these six random assholes are your game's playable archetypes!)

[plutosunshine]

How to Make Your Life Fulfilling? Venus in houses

Venus in the 1st house

Venus in the 1st house gives you a natural charm and warmth that draws people in effortlessly. You have a way of making others feel seen and appreciated, and this can open so many doors for you, both personally and professionally. To make your life more fulfilling, lean into that charm—but not just for the sake of getting along with people. Use it to genuinely connect, to create meaningful relationships that feed your soul rather than just your ego.

Since Venus is all about beauty, love, and harmony, surround yourself with things that bring you joy and a sense of peace. This could mean curating a beautiful living space, engaging in creative self-expression, or even just taking time for self-care rituals that make you feel good in your own skin. You naturally exude a certain magnetism, so embrace it—but remember, true fulfillment doesn’t come from how others see you. It comes from how you feel about yourself.

Also, with Venus in the 1st house, you may have a tendency to seek validation from others. It’s great to be liked, but don’t let it define your worth. The more you love and value yourself for who you truly are—not just for how you present yourself—the more you’ll attract people who genuinely appreciate you.

Venus in the 2nd house

With Venus in the 2nd house, your sense of fulfillment is closely tied to your values, possessions, and the way you experience comfort and pleasure. You have a natural talent for attracting resources, whether it’s money, beautiful objects, or people who support you. There’s an appreciation for quality over quantity, and you tend to seek out things that feel luxurious or aesthetically pleasing.

However, true fulfillment with this placement isn’t just about accumulating things—it’s about aligning your resources with what truly matters to you. What do you value most? Is it security, beauty, love, or perhaps a sense of self-worth? The more you connect your resources and talents to those deeper values, the more content and abundant you’ll feel.

You also have a knack for making money through Venusian pursuits—art, design, beauty, or anything that brings pleasure to the senses. But watch out for the tendency to equate your self-worth with your net worth. Venus here can sometimes get too attached to material validation. Instead, focus on cultivating self-love and appreciating what you already have. That’s where the real sense of richness comes from.

Venus in the 3rd house

Venus in the 3rd house brings charm and grace to the way you communicate. You have a natural ability to connect with people through words, whether it’s through writing, speaking, or just casual conversation. You can make even the most mundane topics sound interesting and engaging, which makes you someone others enjoy talking to.

To feel truly fulfilled with this placement, lean into the art of communication. Share your thoughts, write, journal, or even engage in storytelling. You have a gift for making connections, not just between people but also between ideas. You could thrive in roles where you’re able to express yourself creatively—writing, teaching, marketing, or social media.

Relationships with siblings, neighbors, or people in your immediate environment can also be a source of pleasure and support. Venus here can bring harmony to these connections, but it can also indicate a tendency to avoid conflict or gloss over difficult conversations. Remember, true connection comes from being authentic, not just charming.

There’s also a love of learning with this placement. You’re drawn to beautiful words, poetry, art, or even music with meaningful lyrics. Feeding your mind with things that inspire and uplift you can be incredibly fulfilling.

Venus in the 4th house

Venus in the 4th house brings a deep love for home, family, and the feeling of emotional security. You’re someone who finds fulfillment in creating a beautiful, comforting, and harmonious living space—a place that feels like a sanctuary. Your home is likely a reflection of your personal style and values, and you might have a knack for interior design or decorating with a touch of elegance and warmth.

Relationships with family, especially with women or maternal figures, can be significant with this placement. There’s a desire to maintain peace and harmony within the family unit, and you may be the peacemaker, the one who smooths over conflicts or tries to keep everyone happy. But it’s important to ensure that your own emotional needs don’t get lost in the process of keeping the peace.

On a deeper level, Venus here suggests that you seek emotional security through close, loving connections. You thrive when you feel loved and supported at a core, foundational level. It’s not just about physical comfort—it’s about feeling emotionally safe and valued by those closest to you.

You might also have a love for nostalgia, family heirlooms, or anything that carries sentimental value. Surrounding yourself with things that evoke happy memories can be incredibly fulfilling.

Venus in the 5th house

With Venus in the 5th house, life becomes so much more fulfilling when you let yourself fully lean into joy, creativity, and self-expression. This placement is all about letting your inner artist come out to play. Maybe it’s painting, dancing, writing poetry, or just finding little ways to make everyday life feel more romantic and fun. You’re someone who thrives when you’re creating beauty or experiencing it, so make time for the things that light you up.

Love and romance are also major sources of fulfillment for you. But it’s not just about falling in love with someone else—it’s about falling in love with life itself. Date yourself. Treat yourself to little luxuries, whether it’s a spontaneous weekend trip, a fancy coffee, or a night out doing something you genuinely enjoy. The more you infuse your days with moments that feel special, the more alive you’ll feel.

And don’t forget to play. Venus in the 5th house is like the cosmic permission slip to embrace your inner child. Go do things just for the fun of it, without any expectation of being productive or impressive. Whether it’s a silly game night with friends or trying something new just for the thrill, those moments of pure, uncomplicated joy are what keep your spirit thriving.

You also have a gift for making others feel special, and that can be incredibly fulfilling. Compliment someone, write a love letter, or surprise a friend with something thoughtful. The love you give has a way of coming back to you tenfold, especially when it’s given without expectation.

Venus in the 6th house

With Venus in the 6th house, life feels more fulfilling when you find beauty and pleasure in the everyday routines. You’re someone who can turn even the simplest tasks into something enjoyable—like making your morning coffee a little ritual, organizing your workspace to feel cozy and inviting, or putting on your favorite playlist while you get things done. The more you bring a sense of grace and harmony to your daily life, the more content and grounded you’ll feel.

Work and service are big themes here too. You’re at your best when you’re doing work that feels meaningful, especially if it involves helping others or creating a more pleasant, harmonious environment. Maybe you have a knack for making things look beautiful, whether it’s arranging flowers, designing a workspace, or just bringing a calm, welcoming vibe to the office. The key is to find work that not only supports you financially but also feels rewarding on a soul level.

There’s also a desire for balance and harmony in your health and wellness routines. You might feel most fulfilled when you’re taking care of yourself in a way that feels good rather than just going through the motions. Think gentle movement, nourishing foods, or creating a relaxing bedtime routine that genuinely helps you unwind.

Relationships with coworkers or those you see on a day-to-day basis can be another source of warmth and connection. You’re someone who can make even mundane interactions feel pleasant and kind, and that energy tends to come back to you. Small acts of kindness, thoughtful gestures, or simply taking time to connect can bring a lot of subtle but lasting fulfillment.

Venus in the 7th house

With Venus in the 7th house, life feels most fulfilling when you’re deeply connected to others in a way that’s balanced, loving, and genuinely harmonious. You’re someone who craves meaningful, one-on-one connections—whether it’s a romantic partnership, a close friendship, or even a business collaboration. You naturally know how to make people feel seen and appreciated, and that energy tends to draw others to you like a magnet.

Romantic relationships are especially significant with this placement. You thrive in partnerships where there’s mutual respect, affection, and a sense of shared beauty—whether that’s creating a beautiful home together, going on romantic dates, or just finding little ways to make each other feel special. But it’s not just about having a partner; it’s about having a partnership that feels balanced and fair, where both people feel equally valued.

There’s also a talent for creating harmony and peace in your interactions. You’re a natural mediator, someone who can smooth over conflicts and help people find common ground. This can be a gift in both personal and professional relationships, but it’s important to be mindful of not over-compromising just to keep the peace. Your needs matter too.

Life also feels more fulfilling when you surround yourself with beauty and grace. Maybe that means planning intimate gatherings, visiting art galleries, or simply spending time with people who inspire you. The more you cultivate relationships that feel warm, loving, and aesthetically pleasing, the more fulfilled you’ll feel.

Venus in the 8th house

With Venus in the 8th house, life feels most fulfilling when you’re diving deep—into relationships, into your own psyche, into the mysteries of life. Superficial connections just don’t do it for you; you crave intensity, intimacy, and transformative experiences that feel almost soul-deep. You’re drawn to people and situations that make you feel seen in ways that are profound, raw, and real.

There’s a magnetic, almost hypnotic quality to your presence. People may find themselves confiding in you or feeling inexplicably drawn to you. But fulfillment doesn’t come from just any connection—it comes from those rare, all-consuming bonds where you can be completely vulnerable and still feel safe and valued.

Money and resources can also be areas of focus with this placement. You might find yourself drawn to situations involving shared finances, inheritances, or investments. You could even have a knack for attracting wealth through partnerships or strategic alliances. But the deeper lesson here is about not letting money or possessions define your worth. True abundance for you is about emotional and spiritual richness, not just material wealth.

Sexuality, too, can be a path to fulfillment. You’re someone who experiences love and desire intensely, and casual flings may leave you feeling empty. You crave the kind of connection where intimacy isn’t just physical—it’s emotional, psychological, even spiritual. When you find someone you can trust enough to let your guard down completely, that’s where the magic happens.

Healing and transformation are big themes here too. You have the potential to deeply heal yourself and others by facing your own shadows and helping others face theirs. The more you embrace the depths of who you are—the light and the dark—the more empowered and fulfilled you’ll feel.

Venus in the 9th house

With Venus in the 9th house, life feels most fulfilling when you’re exploring, learning, and expanding your horizons. You’re someone who finds beauty in the bigger picture—in new experiences, different cultures, and the pursuit of knowledge that opens your mind and heart. Routine and predictability can feel stifling; you crave the excitement of discovering new perspectives and connecting with people who inspire you to think differently.

Travel can be a major source of joy and inspiration. You’re the type who falls in love with distant places, foreign customs, and the feeling of being somewhere completely new. Even if you can’t physically travel, exploring new philosophies, spiritual practices, or higher education can give you that same sense of expansion and fulfillment.

Relationships often take on a more adventurous, expansive quality with this placement. You’re drawn to people who broaden your worldview—those who challenge you to see life through a different lens. Romantic connections might even come through travel, education, or shared beliefs, and you’re likely most attracted to those who have a bit of a free spirit or worldly vibe.

You also have a love for wisdom and meaning. Superficial small talk? Not your thing. You want conversations that go deeper, that explore life’s purpose or the nature of love and beauty. You might feel most fulfilled when you’re discussing philosophy, spirituality, or big-picture ideas that make you feel more connected to something greater than yourself.

Venus in the 10th house

With Venus in the 10th house, life feels most fulfilling when you’re recognized for your talents, beauty, or charm in a public or professional setting. You naturally know how to present yourself in a way that’s attractive and appealing, making you someone who can easily win people over in business, career, or social circles. There’s a magnetic quality to how you carry yourself, and people often notice your grace, style, or charisma.

You’re someone who finds purpose in being admired for what you do, not just who you are. There’s a desire to be respected, appreciated, or even loved for your work or contributions to the world. You might feel most fulfilled when you’re in a role where you can express your Venusian qualities—art, design, fashion, beauty, diplomacy, or any field where creating harmony and aesthetics is part of the job.

Relationships can also play a significant role in your career or public life. You may attract partners who can elevate your status or support your ambitions, or you may find love through work or professional connections. There’s a natural talent for networking and forming alliances that are both beneficial and pleasant.

However, the lesson here is not to get too caught up in appearances or external validation. It’s great to be admired, but true fulfillment comes from doing work that feels aligned with your values and brings a sense of genuine accomplishment. When you’re creating something that feels beautiful or meaningful to you, the recognition naturally follows.

There’s also a graceful, diplomatic way you handle responsibilities. You can be a natural mediator or someone who brings a touch of elegance to leadership roles. People may look up to you not just for what you achieve, but for how you achieve it—with poise, tact, and a genuine love for what you do.

Venus in the 11th house

With Venus in the 11th house, life feels most fulfilling when you’re surrounded by people who share your values, dreams, and ideals. You’re someone who thrives in groups, communities, and friendships where there’s a sense of connection and mutual support. You naturally attract people who are kind, artistic, or socially conscious, and you have a knack for making others feel welcome and included.

Friendships can be a major source of joy for you. You’re the type who genuinely enjoys connecting people, bringing different circles together, or planning gatherings that feel warm and inclusive. You have a way of making group settings feel more harmonious, and people are drawn to your easygoing, likable energy.

There’s also a love for causes, movements, or shared visions. You might feel most fulfilled when you’re involved in projects that bring people together for a greater purpose—whether it’s activism, charity work, or just creating a sense of community. You’re someone who can bring a touch of beauty or artistry to group efforts, whether that’s through creative collaborations, event planning, or just making things feel more pleasant and inviting.

Romance can also have a slightly unconventional vibe here. You might find yourself falling for someone who feels more like a best friend, or you could meet partners through social groups, online communities, or shared interests. The lines between friendship and romance can blur, and you’re likely drawn to people who share your hopes and dreams for the future.

But the key to feeling truly fulfilled with this placement is to stay connected to what you love, not just who you love. What are the big dreams and visions that light you up? What kind of people make you feel inspired and uplifted? The more you surround yourself with those kinds of connections, the more your Venus shines.

Venus in the 12th house

With Venus in the 12th house, life feels most fulfilling when you’re tapping into the deeper, more subtle layers of love, beauty, and connection. You’re someone who experiences love in a soulful, almost otherworldly way. There’s a natural pull toward the mystical, the hidden, and the unspoken, and you may find yourself drawn to people or experiences that feel a bit like a dream or a secret.

There’s a deep, compassionate heart here. You’re someone who can love unconditionally, often seeing the beauty in people that others might overlook. But there can also be a tendency to give too much or to lose yourself in relationships, so finding that balance between self-sacrifice and self-love is key.

Solitude can be incredibly nourishing for you. Time alone, daydreaming, creating art, or simply getting lost in your own inner world can feel as fulfilling as being with others. You might find peace through spiritual practices, meditation, or spending time in nature—anything that allows you to connect with the intangible.

Love can be a bit elusive with this placement. There might be secret relationships, unspoken feelings, or attractions to people who are somehow unavailable or difficult to reach. There’s a romantic, almost fairy-tale quality to how you experience love, but it can also mean that you’re drawn to situations that are more fantasy than reality.

Art, music, and anything that allows you to express the deeper, more emotional parts of yourself can be incredibly healing and fulfilling. You have a gift for channeling your feelings into something beautiful, and the more you do that, the more your soul feels nourished.

[sunderwight]

Shen Qingqiu gets hit by a rare wife plot.

And it actually is a rare one because Airplane didn't even write this one down! He toyed with the idea before ultimately dismissing it as being too controversial for the tastes of his readers, and adapting only a few of the same elements for a subsequent chapter of PIDW.

But apparently the System can pull inspiration even from the author's thoughts, especially when there's nothing to contradict the concept and even a few threads of it still to be found in the original, and somehow Shen Qingqiu runs afoul of this previously-unwritten plot bunny.

The core concept was a cuck scenario, of all things. One of the Luo Binghe's wives gets afflicted by a poison that can only be cured by dual cultivation, but specifically can't be cured by by dual cultivation with anyone who has mastery over demonic qi. Something something conflicting energies, something bullshit something. Peerless Cucumber would have ripped the chapter to shreds if it had actually made it to publication, not just for the insult of implying that Luo Binghe should let one of his wives sleep with someone else, but also because why would Luo Binghe -- able to use both kinds of cultivation -- somehow not be able to keep his demonic energies from influencing the situation just in this one case?

Well it turns out that in his specific case it's because sex gets him too worked up to keep things strictly separate, and the degree of control required to treat the affliction whilst dual cultivating is extensive enough that even a little slip-up would be fatal.

Of course, in the actual chapter of PIDW, this same plot device was altered and used to create a harem orgy where Luo Binghe oversaw several of his wives "treating" one another's "afflictions", but Shen Qingqiu just had to go and get a fatal of dose of the more severe version (he didn't realize the risk, because again, this version didn't even make it into the novel).

Anyway, of course this ends up with Shen Qingqiu trying to figure out another way to cheat death, while Luo Binghe goes through the five stages of grief before accepting that he's just going to have to let someone else fuck his husband. This leads to an argument because of course Shen Qingqiu's not going to cheat on Luo Binghe, and he's especially not going to force one of his martial siblings to sleep with him, come on now, and Luo Binghe trying not to cry tears of blood while bringing himself to explain that a fair few of Shen Qingqiu's sect siblings would be happy volunteers for this task.

Shen Qingqiu's just like, well of course you think that, for some bizarre reason you think everyone wants to sleep with me. Bias is what it is. Really it's flattering Binghe but obviously every other person we know is straight, that's just statistics, and everyone in the entire cultivation world knows that Qi Qingqi would sooner chew glass than have sex with a man!

Luo Binghe, weeping now: Shizun please. This is serious. I need you speak words that make sense in the order you're saying them.

They argue, they reach an impasse, the clock is ticking. So Luo Binghe reluctantly turns to the most reliable source of information (outside of himself) on Manipulating Shen Qingqiu to Do Things That Are in His Own Best Interests -- Shang Qinghua.

At first Shang Qinghua is like, well I'm flattered Junshang but I don't think I could shoulder the baggage of fucking Cucumber-bro for you. But then Luo Binghe is like no I need someone who is way hotter and more capable than you, if Shizun is going to fuck someone else at my behest they're going to be TOP TIER so that when I fuck him better afterwards he's really impressed with me. Liu Qingge, obviously.

Not Yue Qingyuan, Shang Qinghua asks? (He'd take the insult a little more personally but honestly he's just relieved that he's not being asked to navigate this social minefield.)

No, Luo Binghe says. He's not 100% sure he could beat Yue Qingyuan in a fight even to this day, which in his mind also translates to not being 100% sure he could do sex better than him either, so Yue Qingyuan is an emergency last resort. He's way more likely to cry on Shizun too and Shen Qingqiu is into that shit, it's too risky.

Alright, says Shang Qinghua, and he thinks about it, and then he comes up with the beautifully simple solution:

Luo Binghe has to fuck Liu Qingge first.

Because of course the crux of the issue is that even with permission, Shen Qingqiu doesn't want to cheat on Luo Binghe. But in the twisted annals of his mind, Luo Binghe himself is still entitled to a harem, even if Luo Binghe is also happily monogamous in this life. So if he shacks up with Liu Qingge first then Liu Qingge essentially joins Luo Binghe's harem, at which point if Shen Qingqiu sleeps with him it's not an affair, it's the gay version of those fanservice-y 3P scenes that the wives in PIDW did. Shang Qinghua translates the concept as best as he can to Luo Binghe, who -- though slightly dubious -- must accept that so far Shang Qinghua's wisdom hasn't steered him wrong with regards to his shizun's eccentricities.

Luo Binghe's mission: seduce Liu Qingge, or at least convince him to have sex, or possibly to lie and (convincingly!) tell Shen Qingqiu that they had sex. That last one is the longest shot so he's probably going to have to just fuck him (Luo Binghe still underestimates how willing his husband is to believe that just about anyone would have sex with him).

Shang Qinghua's mission: convince Shen Qingqiu that he owes his husband steamy threeway gay sex or something so that this plan he pulled out of his ass doesn't backfire and get him killed.

[stellarsecrets86]

All About Venus In Natal Chart

{PS: These are my own interpretations. For entertainment purposes only. Have Fun💚.}

[Venus is the planet of love, beauty, harmony, relationships, values, and pleasure. Its placement in a birth chart offers insight into how one expresses affection, what one values in relationships, and one's approach to aesthetics and enjoyment. Venus demonstrates through which way you love, what you expect from a partner, and your style in romance. It rules your artistic nature, taste, and the way you appreciate beauty around you. Venus indicates something that is pleasurable to you, your values, and your attitude to possessions. This planet possesses grace, tact, and social skills.]

Venus in Aries

They  are bold, passionate, and fearless when it comes to matters of the heart. These individuals are driven by the thrill of the chase and are drawn into dynamic, energetic, independent partners. They enter their love connections with great enthusiasm and sometimes may get a little too spontaneous, as they prefer leading roles in all affairs. Their charm can be magnetic, while directness might be refreshing; often they appear as impatient and impulsive.The gestures are grand, quick, and heartfelt, though they may fight with consistency over time. For them, freedom in love is a quintessential factor, and they thrive in relationships where they get to be themselves. In creative interests, boldness usually shines through in innovative or competitive artistic expressions. The passion is one of the high sides, but they have to learn patience and balance for the endurance of long-term connections.Aesthetically, they are drawn to bright colors, energetic designs, and anything that reflects their fiery personality. Their confidence is contagious, often inspiring others to embrace their own passions. However, they might struggle with possessiveness, especially when their need for excitement is unmet. Growth comes from understanding that love, just like fire, needs careful tending to thrive.

Venus in the 1st House

Venus in the 1st House gifts them with an instinctive, gracious charm and beauty. This placement often makes them well-liked from the first meeting, since people generally see them as warm, approachable, and charismatic. They have a rather sophisticated taste in personal style and aesthetics, and it becomes another source of expressing themselves.They look for balance and harmony in a relationship. Admirers are easy to attract, and they fare well in relationships where they are built up. Their instinctive need to please could lead to over-accommodating, and that can bring boundaries into question. But again, their politeness and graciousness make them good in conflict resolution and reconciliation.They are inspired by beauty and harmony, often in fields of art, fashion, design, or performance. Love and relationships deeply affect their life as these themes help develop a sense of self and career direction. Of course, they do appreciate admiration from others, but the key to their growth would be toward self-love and inner acceptance.

                Venus at 1°, 13° and 25°

                    Venus in these degrees emphasizes pioneering love. These individuals are adventurous romantics who value courage and directness in partners. Their relationships often begin with an intense initial spark. They are the leaders in love. They often guide their partners emotionally or inspire them creatively, bringing a dynamic, take-charge energy to relationships. Magnetic and fiery, these individuals attract partners who admire their independence and boldness. They thrive in relationships where both parties encourage personal growth.

Venus in Taurus

Venus in Taurus is earthy, sensual, and attached to the physical world. Individuals with this placement want stability, comfort, and loyalty in a love relationship. They express love steadily and patiently, often creating long-lasting and profound connections over time. Their romantic nature is expressed through touching, giving thoughtful gifts, cooking for loved ones, or simply creating cozy environments.Sensuality is a hallmark of this placement, and they usually have an immense love for beauty, art, and luxury. While loyalty is one of their great strengths, at times they may resist changes or become overly possessive in relationships. Quite often, creative abilities are realized through hand work: craftsmanship, gardening, and cooking.They are attracted to earthy types, the natural beauty, and unobtrusive elegance. In love, they need consistency; they feel most comfortable when their relationships are secure and can be predictable. Growth for them involves embracing flexibility and learning that change is part of love and life, too.

Venus in the 2nd House

Venus in the 2nd house, on the other hand, connects love with self-esteem and worldly possessions. People with this sign feel secure in relationships that can offer them emotional and economic stability. They have a natural ability to attract abundance and may experience good fortune in financial matters-particularly when they align their passions with their work.In love, they are loyal, dependable, and deeply appreciative of their partners. They express their affection through tangible gestures, such as giving gifts or creating luxurious experiences. However, they must avoid the tendency to equate material possessions with emotional satisfaction or self-worth.They can easily combine functionality with aesthetics, and often find much success in interior design, designing jewelry, or even as a chef. They truly appreciate the aesthetic of their environment and like to be surrounded by things that give them comfort and joy. Growth for them is learning to experience self-worth without attachment to material possessions.

                Venus at 2°, 14°, and 26°

                    Venus in these degrees signifies a deeply rooted love for nature and beauty. These individuals often seek relationships that feel grounded and stable.A powerful creative energy emerges here. These people often possess a natural talent for art, music, or design, and their relationships reflect their appreciation for harmony.They are intensely loyal and may have a protective instinct in relationships. Their love is enduring, and they cherish meaningful commitments.

Venus in Gemini

Venus in Gemini is curious, and mentally stimulating. These individuals crave variety and mental engagement in relationships, often being drawn to partners who can keep up with their quick wit and love for conversation. They are natural charming others with their humor and playful energy.To them, romance is natural, and where their intellect is kept interested, there they will be thrilled. Highly adaptable in love, they bring excitement and creativity to a relationship.Venus in Gemini obviously shines in creative pursuits somehow related to writing, speaking, and generally anything to do with communication and telling a story. Aesthetically, they like youthful eclectic styles that reflect the dynamic nature of their personalities. Growth for them involves embracing emotional control, learning to stay present in one's relationships, even through times of routine or predictability.

Venus in the 3rd House

Venus in the 3rd house emphasizes grace and eloquence in one's communication. These individuals express love through words-be it mushy letters, deep conversations, or an exchange of intellectual ideas. They are often skilled at diplomacy, using their natural charisma to navigate social interactions with ease.They find themselves drawn to people with whom they share mental stimulation in life and relationships. They just love engaged discussions and might make quite a few acquaintances through one's neighbors, siblings, schoolmates, and friends of the family. Creativity is often poured into writing, teaching or communication. Lively and light-hearted and can lean to wit and humor most readily through artistic expression.Growth would come through learning to share mental stimulation harmoniously with emotional, their relationship needing to be stimulating on every level.

                Venus at 3°, 15°, and 27°

                 Venus in these degrees is curious. These individuals thrive in relationships that feel youthful, deep and dynamic.A natural storyteller, they may express love through words or gestures, often finding joy in shared intellectual pursuits.Quick-witted and adaptable, they attract partners who enjoy their lively conversations and open-mindedness.

Venus in Cancer

Venus in Cancer symbolizes profound attachment, nurturing love, and strong attachment to family and home. Individuals with this placement are caring and empathetic in their relations, often putting their partner's needs before their own. They are sentimental and attach a lot of importance to emotional security, forming bonds that are profound and lasting.Their love language is all about acts of care: cooking meals, creating a cozy home, and offering a listening ear. They seek out partners who can provide stability for them and who share their family values. But their emotional sensitivity can make them moody or fearful of rejection, especially if they feel unappreciated.They would be brilliant in areas involved with nostalgia or the care of others, such as storytelling, culinary arts, or interior design. Their aesthetic will run toward classic, homely, and comforting styles. Growth for them lies in a balance of their nurturing with self-care, making sure emotional needs are met, too.

Venus in the 4th House

Venus in the 4th house reflects a very strong attachment to home, family, and tradition. They find their love and beauty in domestic life and mostly put their energy into making the home warm and hospitable. Relationships are deeply connected with their sense of emotional security, and they thrive in relationships that feel like home.The planets' nurturing nature makes them very caring, and they are attracted to activities that involve building and maintaining a peaceful family life. They may be interested in house decoration or investment in property. In love, they seek deep emotional connections and are happiest with partners who share their love for stability and tradition.They are very generous and giving; however, there is an issue with dependency or perhaps an overly strong need to please their family. The lesson that can be derived is related to a balancing between pleasing themselves and their commitment to others without losing one's identity in that relationship.

                Venus at 4°, 16°, and 28°

                 These individuals value emotional security above all. Their relationships are built on trust and mutual care.Romantic and artistic, they often channel their deep emotions into creative expressions.Highly intuitive, they form deep connections and seek partners who understand their inner world.

Venus in Leo

Venus in Leo is warm, passionate, and dramatic when it comes to love. They give out their affection liberally and many times shower their partners with grand romantic gestures. The thing they want and like in a relationship is admiration; thus, they like being the focus of attention. With magnetic charm, confidence, and flair for drama, this guy naturally attracts people.To them, romance is an art, and they simply adore being in a relationship where they feel special and appreciated. Besides this, their need for recognition sometimes causes friction when they are ignored or undervalued. They are attracted to a partner who can match their enthusiasm and shares their zest for life.They can be very proficient in the performance arts, fashion, and anything that displays their skills. Aesthetic-wise, they are often drawn to styles that are extravagant, plush, and king-like. Growth for them involves learning to balance a need for validation with honest self-love, and understanding what respect means in a mutual relationship.

Venus in the 5th House

Venus in the 5th house amplifies the love, creativity, and self-expression of a person. Individuals with this placement of Venus live life in a playful and romantic manner. Many are drawn to artistic and theatrical pursuits. They simply love to share their passions with other people and thrive under relationships that are fun and inspiring.They are passionate and romantic, usually wearing their hearts on their sleeves. They love the romance of it all and are usually drawn to partners who appreciate their creativity and zest for life. There may be ups and downs in their love life, but they will always remain optimistic about the same and stay enthusiastic in trying to derive joy out of it.They tend to excel in areas that require performing arts, music, or visual design. They surely have a keen sense that evokes beauty and creativity in others by using their vision. Growth for them is really about understanding that love and creativity are as much about giving as receiving, ensuring they stay grounded on the path of happiness.

                Venus at 5°, 17°, and 29°

                Bold and expressive in love. They seek partners who inspire them to be their best and reciprocate their devotion.Artistic and charismatic, they are often drawn to creative outlets and romantic partners who admire their talents.Exudes magnetic confidence in relationships and creative ventures, making them unforgettable lovers and artists.

Venus in Virgo

Venus in Virgo is practical, humble, and detail-oriented in love. These people show their love through acts of service and small gestures; most often, they attach much importance to being useful for their partners. They value stability and are drawn to relationships based on mutual respect and shared values.They are probably not the most expressive people in the world when it comes to showering love in grand dramatic gestures, but their loyalty and dedication scream volumes. They possess keen eyes for detail in noticing the little things within a relationship and thus appreciate such. At times this can be overdone-to be too self or partner-critical.They get attracted towards crafts, writing, or other forms of expression requiring precision and refinement. Their aesthetic taste is subdued and leans toward simple yet elegant designs. Growth for them involves learning to embrace imperfections and focusing on the emotional depth of their connections rather than perfection.

Venus in the 6th House

Venus in the 6th house shows love being expressed through service and routine. They find beauty in the mundane and often seek harmony in their work and relationships. They are committed and practical in love, showing their care mostly through helpful actions rather than words or grand gestures.They attract similar soulmates in relationships who can meet their growth-oriented focus head-on. They are only set to blossom in such relations when mutual support and cooperation in every situation come to the fore. Most probably, a similar approach toward health may extend in their interest in creative living: they especially will enjoy any activities benefiting both their bodies and their minds.While admirable in many respects, that sense of looking out for others should not get in the way of taking one's needs into consideration.The balance they need to learn is to tend the garden of themselves while nurturing and deepening the intimacy of their close relationships.

                Venus at 6°, 18°

                Focused on perfecting relationships. They value commitment and shared goals.Quietly romantic, with an appreciation for small, meaningful gestures. A healer in love, often inspiring their partners to grow and become their best selves.

Venus in Libra

Venus in Libra is the quintessential placement for love, beauty, and harmony. These individuals are charming, diplomatic, and deeply appreciate the aesthetics of life. Relationships are of utmost importance to them, and they often seek balance and equality in their romantic partnerships. They thrive in connections where mutual respect, intellectual harmony, and shared values are present.They can see both sides of an issue and go well mediating conflicts in their relationships. They are just, abhor conflict, and seek to avoid it at all costs. In love, they seek a partner who reflects their need for peace and who values cooperation rather than competition.They're drawn to art, design, and anything that promotes balance and beauty. They innately understand symmetry and often are found in fields such as fashion, interior design, or the arts. Aesthetically, they lean toward refined, elegant, and classical styles. Growth for them comes in learning to cultivate self-worth and independence rather than relying too much on others to define their happiness.

Venus in the 7th House

Venus in the 7th house really puts great emphasis on relationships, partnerships, and emotional balance. These people are just drawn into partnerships, personal or professional, and seem to attract harmonious relationships throughout their lives. They seek love and fulfillment with others, and their well-being tends to be linked with the dynamics of their closest bonds.They have a deep urge for justice and equality in relations and are mostly very adaptive, seeking to make peace and understanding. In love, they look for a soulmate who shares their values and aspires to long-term stability and commitment. Their diplomatic nature makes them skillful at resolving conflicts and creating harmony within partnerships.They may express themselves through projects done with others or artistic efforts with others. Their aesthetic tastes run to the balanced, the elegant, and the tasteful. Growth for them is in learning to balance a deep need for companionship with a healthy dose of self-sufficiency and independence.

                Venus at 7°, 19°

                Masters of compromise, they create harmonious and balanced partnerships.Romantic and idealistic, they seek beauty in all forms, from relationships to art.Deeply committed to fairness and aesthetics, they thrive in creative and relational harmony.

Venus in Scorpio

Venus in Scorpio loves intensely, passionately, and transforms. Individuals with this placement bring huge emotional involvement to their relationships and often experience their love on such a deep level it can change their life. They don't get excited about superficial contacts, and they are interested in partners who can return their intensity and share their longing for depth in their feelings.They are loyal and protective of the people they love, but sometimes struggle with trust issues or possessiveness. Their love life often consists of periods of transformation in which they want to transcend the ordinary by merging with their partners. The biggest strengths in their lives are passion, and yet, they have to learn about vulnerability and not allow their tendency to control or manipulate a relationship.They will be drawn to the deep, taboo, or trans formative subjects and usually excel in areas such as psychology or the occult or anything that has to do with the mysteries of life. Aesthetically, they like bold, dark, mysterious styles. Growth for them is to learn to trust and find healthy constructive ways to channel their emotional intensity.

Venus in the 8th House

Venus in the 8th house reflects a profound, trans formative connection with love and shared resources. People with this placement experience relationships at a very deep level; their relationships are usually intense, profound, and transforming. They can be drawn to powerful, magnetic partners who stir their emotions to a great degree.They may desperately want closeness in their romantic life and are usually attracted to mystery, secrecy, or complicated emotional dynamics. While they do well with passionate connections, they need to beware of over-identification with partners or loss of self to them.They often turn out to be those who can excel in the deeper aspects of human nature, such as psychology, research, and anything that deals with uncovering hidden truths. Their aesthetic: dark, alluring, or enigmatic. Their growth comes from learning to balance their emotional intensity with personal autonomy and self-awareness.

                Venus at 8°, 20°

                Intense and magnetic, they value deep emotional bonds and loyalty in relationships.Passionate and creative, they excel in emotionally charged artistic expressions.A healer in love, capable of profound emotional transformation and growth.

Venus in Sagittarius

Venus in Sagittarius is adventurous, freedom-loving, and optimistic in love. These individuals value independence and seek relationships that allow them to explore the world, ideas, and experiences without feeling constrained. They are drawn to partners who share their love for adventure and intellectual growth.To them, romance is playful, spontaneous, and an opening to more. They love the thrill of new experiences, be it traveling, learning new philosophies, or indulging in a variety of activities. While generous and loving, their need for freedom can sometimes make them gun-shy of commitment with traditional relationships.They are inspired by exploration, philosophy, and travel, often drawn to artistic expressions that reflect their broad interests and diverse experiences. Their aesthetic preferences are often eclectic, embracing a wide range of cultural influences. Growth for them lies in finding balance between their need for freedom and the stability that comes from deeper emotional connections.

Venus in the 9th House

Venus in the 9th house emphasizes love through exploration, intellectual growth, and the sharing of ideas. These individuals seek relationships that expand their horizons, whether through travel, education, or philosophical discussions. They are drawn to partners who stimulate their minds and share their curiosity for the world.They are drawn to expansive, open-minded relationships that allow freedom and growth. They may be attracted to people from different cultures or backgrounds, or even those who share their love for adventure and discovery. A relationship in their understanding is not just sharing emotions; it is learning, teaching, and growing together.They are inspired by philosophy, travel, and higher learning. They can find success in writing, education, or any field where they share knowledge or ideas. Their aesthetic sense tends to be eclectic and inclusive, incorporating elements from a wide variety of cultures and philosophies. Growth for them involves embracing the deeper emotional aspects of relationships while keeping their intellectual and adventurous spirit alive.

                Venus at 9°, 21°

                    Free-spirited and optimistic, they value growth and adventure in love.Philosophical and creative, they inspire others with their expansive vision of beauty.A seeker of wisdom in relationships, often using love as a path to self-discovery.

Venus in Capricorn

Venus in Capricorn is practical, reserved, and ambitious in love. These subjects approach relationships with a feeling of duty and responsibility; stability, commitment, and long-term goals are treasured by them. They seek those who share their values of hard work, ambition, and loyalty.The love life is serious and takes time to develop as they take all the time needed to weigh up the possibilities of longevity in a relationship. Once they choose a partner, they are deeply committed, though not always easy with showing their emotions or taking chances in love. Above all, they esteem loyalty and integrity.They might enjoy more structured or traditional forms of self-expression and often excel in business, design, or architecture. Their sense of beauty is classic, timeless, reflective of their responsible and ambitious nature. Growth for them would be learning to surrender their emotional vulnerability, letting the heart lead as well as their pragmatic side.

Venus in the 10th House

Venus in the 10th house links love with career and public life. The person may find a lover through professional life, or they express creativity and tenderness through their work. Recognition is important, and building a reputation based on one's ability to create beauty and harmony in the world will be striven for.In relationships, they seek out a partner who will fit into their future plans and goals. They are usually drawn to individuals who have the ability to facilitate the realization of their career or business plans or share in their vision regarding the future. Their personal and public life almost always merges and they find their success in the areas involving entertainment, art, or design.They find their forte in the areas of life which marry beauty and success, like fashion, business, or media. They can naturally present themselves with grace and poise in the public eye. Growth for them involves finding balance between personal ambition and emotional fulfillment in relationships.

                Venus at 10°, 22°

                    Serious and goal-oriented in love, they seek stability and mutual respect in relationships. A natural leader in creativity, often excelling in structured artistic projects.Loyal and enduring, they value partnerships that stand the test of time.

Venus in Aquarius

Venus in Aquarius is inventive, detached, and idealistic in love. These people come into relationships by asserting their individuality-strongly, and often just as much valuing friendship and intellect as emotional intensity. They are attracted to people with an unconventional approach to life and a new idea or progressive cause that interests them.For them, love often has much to do with freedom and mutual respect, and what they often look for in their relationships is the ability to be independent. They may not express their love conventionally but through shared ideas and objectives. They are tolerant and open-minded and enjoy diversity, finding themselves frequently involved with someone quite out of the ordinary or from a different walk of life.They could also be creatively drawn to avant-garde art, technology, or anything challenging the status quo. Aesthetically, their preferences may lie with everything modern, eclectic, or even from the future. Growth for them is in balancing their needs of independence against the emotional depths and intimacy that sustained partnerships require.

Venus in the 11th House

Venus in the 11th house emphasizes love, beauty, and friendship through social networks, groups, and shared humanitarian aspirations. These individuals seek out relationships that are intellectually challenging and often develop profound attachments with people of similar convictions and interests. Often, their romance starts from a very close friendship that gradually blossoms into something more serious.They lean towards social causes, and the feeling is mutual mainly with those people who know how to feel responsible and answer for social causes. The relationships that offer them development, friendship, and jointly pursued goals give them utmost satisfaction. They need much freedom and individuality within their relationships, which should be well understood by the partner, too.They are often involved with projects or causes that somehow help others or benefit society in general. They may be particularly good at social activism, team-oriented work, or any field that requires innovative thinking and collaboration. Their aesthetic tends toward the contemporary, progressive, or community-focused. Growth for them comes through learning to embrace the deeper emotional side of relationships and to balance that with their desire for social involvement.

                Venus at 11°, 23°

                   unconventional in love, they seek relationships that break societal norms.Charismatic and inventive, they excel in creative and social endeavors.Visionaries in beauty and relationships, they inspire others to embrace individuality.

Venus in Pisces

The Venus-in-Pisces person in love is dreamy, empathic, and deeply romantic. People with this placement approach relationships very idealistically, often seeking to attain a connection with someone that transcends the physical and touches the soul. They can be super empathetic and may even take on your emotional vibration like it's their own. Venus-in-Pisces is extremely generous in relationships. They seek a deep spiritual connection in love and often find themselves drawn to those who are understanding and sympathetic to the sensitivities of their nature. Their love life may be tinged with idealism regarding their partners, which may disappoint them when reality does not meet their dreams. Beauty in all its forms draws them, and they may find inspiration from art, music, or nature.They are found to be creatively excellent in fields that involve the expression of emotions or artistic works, such as music, poetry, or visual arts. The aesthetic preferences of the Venus-Neptune individual are soft, ethereal, and often inspired by fantasy or mysticism. Growth for them involves learning to maintain healthy boundaries in relationships and finding a balance between giving and receiving love.

Venus in the 12th House

Venus in the 12th house brings a profound and often hidden approach toward love and beauty. Individuals with this placement are highly sensitive and intuitive in their relationships and often experience love in a private or secretive manner. They may have a tendency to idealize their partners, sometimes seeing them through rose-colored glasses.Love for them can be a spiritual or transcendental experience, and they may seek out partners who offer them an escape or a connection with something greater than the mundane. They may struggle to express their feelings openly or are afraid of rejection or abandonment that makes them keep their relationships private.They could be drawn to spiritual, mystic, or occluded modes of artistic expression, such as poetry, dream analysis, or work with the subconscious mind. Their aesthetic sense tends to be soft and ethereal, delicate as the inner world they dwell within. Growth for them, basically, means learning to share love and affection fearlessly and being vulnerable but also finding ways to bring submerged talents into the world.

                Venus at 12°, 24°

                   Romantic dreamers who seek transcendent love and emotional depth.Mystical and artistic, they channel their emotions into beautiful creative expressions.Empathetic and intuitive, they often inspire others through their selfless approach to love.

All Aspects Of Venus In Natal Chart

Venus Conjunct Sun

This aspect combines love and self-expression. These people are naturally charming and sometimes admired for their beauty or charisma. A relationship somehow completes them, and they blossom in an atmosphere of harmony. They may be drawn to artistic fields or situations that allow them to showcase their creative talents. Yet, they still have to avoid overindulgence, conceit, or dependence on others' approval. Their warmth and ability to spread love make them appealing to other people, but they will also struggle to balance their own needs with the need to please.

Venus Conjunct Moon

Emotional security and romantic satisfaction go hand in hand. They possess a natural flair for the nourishment of others and beauty around them. They are in touch with their emotions and may attract loving relationships with ease. On the downside, they may cling to close relationships for comfort and reassurance. They have a natural talent for creating peace and harmony around them and may find ideal careers as artists or caregivers.

Venus Conjunct Mercury

In them, the energy of love and communication blend. They can express their affection and appeal with words, thus, easily be convincing and charming with words. Many gain artistic or literary talents through this aspect, which also can cause an attraction toward stimulation in romance on an intellectual level. While they are easily able to be friendly, over-intellectualizing a romance often happens.

Venus Conjunct Mars 

The combination of love and passion turns out to be dynamic and bold in personality. Individuals are quite aggressive in pursuing what they want, be it romance, art, or other creative pursuits. They have confidence and magnetism that draws intense relationships. While this aspect instills passion and creativity, the energy can become impulsive or conflicted when desires are not in a balanced state. Channeling this energy constructively could lead to incredible personal and artistic achievements.

Venus Conjunct Jupiter

This is a very fortunate aspect, bringing optimism, generosity, and love for life's pleasures. These people are generally surrounded by beauty and abundance and attract positive experiences and relationships without much apparent effort. Naturally romantic, they love giving and receiving love, though they do need to balance tendencies toward overindulgence or extravagance. Their charisma and warmth make them often popular, and they frequently find joy in creative or social endeavors.

Venus Conjunct Saturn

This aspect brings seriousness and discipline into matters of love and beauty. Loyal and enduring relationships are valued highly, and commitment often overrides transient connections. Delays or restrictions in love early in life instill important lessons in patience and self-worth. With time, a deep appreciation for enduring bonds develops, and structures of beauty, such as architecture or design, may be created with great talent.

Venus Conjunct Uranus 

This aspect electrifies love, making it quite unpredictable. People with this aspect are attracted to unconventional relationships, and they flourish in partnerships that allow freedom and independence. They might go through sudden, unexpected changes in their love life, often learning to embrace spontaneity. Their creativity is innovative, and they can excel in those spheres that combine artistry with technology. While relationships with them can be exciting, they will probably need to work at emotional stability and consistency.

Venus Conjunct Neptune

The most sensitive, imaginative, romantic idealistic, and enchanting aspect of them heightens. Dreamers on the inside, love or beauty may be regarded as more or less otherworldly for them. They are spiritually drawn towards the arts, music, poetry, or the art of painting. On the minus side, unrealistic expectations will bring disillusionment in love since idealism may run too high. Their compassionate nature makes them deeply empathetic, and they often inspire others with their vision of a more beautiful world.

Venus Conjunct Pluto 

This aspect creates powerful, trans formative experiences in love and relationships. These individuals are magnetic and deeply passionate, often attracting intense connections that challenge and change them. They have a profound understanding of emotional depth and may explore themes of power, control, and vulnerability in their relationships. While they can facilitate a lot of emotional healing, they must also avoid a tendency toward possessiveness or obsession. The same aspect also inspires creativity and fuels deep emotional release into creative resources. Trines represent an effortless expression of harmony between Venus and other planetary energies that energize love, beauty, and creativity.

Venus Trine Moon

The emotional and romantic energies blend well, creating a very loving and nurturing personality. The individual is naturally empathetic and easily creates supportive and harmonious environments. The relationships are very fulfilling, and mostly the people around them consider them emotional pillars.

Venus Trine Mars

The natural ease between love and passion equates to self-assuredness and magnetic charm. These individuals can be lively and creative in their personal or professional relationships, with a vivacity for life that makes them admired. They are, many times, at the forefront of community respect.

Venus Trine Mercury

These individuals have a communicative gift, especially in expressing love and creativity. Sweetness with words endears them as good poets, writers, or speakers. Their articulate affection and charm draw people to them. Relationships run smoothly, and they can resolve conflicts with ease through open dialogue. This aspect often indicates a talent for blending logic and beauty, such as in design, diplomacy, or storytelling.

Venus Trine Jupiter

Love and generosity flow. These people possess a type of optimism that makes being around them quite pleasant. They are mostly lucky with love and financial issues, since opportunities for growth and happiness find them. They have an expansive nature that makes them very generous with their time and their resources, although they should try not to overextend. Artistic pursuit is usually crowned with success; travel and cultural exploration satisfy them.

Venus Trine Saturn

Stability and loyalty define the relationships. The grounding nature of these individuals in an approach to love is to build connections that are long-lasting in nature and based on mutual respect and commitment; this makes them really patient and dependable, often a source of strength for their loved ones. The aspect nurtures a great appreciation for tradition and structure and may manifest in careers related to design, architecture, or management.

Venus Trine Uranus

Creativity and excitement run freely in their love life. They thrive in the most unconventional of relationships where freedom and individuality are allowed. They are usually ahead of the times in their artistic vision, bringing innovative ideas into being. Their relationships are thrilling and inspiring, though they may need to ensure they maintain emotional depth and consistency.

Venus Trine Neptune

Romantic and artistic energies blend harmoniously. Highly imaginative, these individuals usually find their place in the world of music, painting, or other creative activities. Their idealism in love is inspiring, though they remain sufficiently grounded not to be disillusioned. Compassionate and empathetic, they bring healing and beauty into their surroundings.

Venus Trine Pluto

Emotive depth and passion meet love and beauty in a harmonious balance. The individual is trans formative in the relationship with others, allowing others to grow while growing themselves. They possess a powerful charisma that attracts deep, meaningful connections. The creativity is often intense and impactful, and they may excel in areas involving psychology, art, or healing.

Venus Semi-Sextile Sun

This is a naturally charming and artistically talented individual. Love and admiration are drawn to them, but they need to make an effort to develop their talents in life fully. Artistic and social skills fall into place when encouraged.

Venus Sextile Moon

The emotional and romantic vibrations complement each other and work well in nurturing relationships. They are good at providing emotional security in relationships and may have a flair for interior decoration or looking after people.

Venus Sextile Mercury

They are fluent, expressive, and eloquent in relationships by nature. This makes them charming, convincing, and a pleasure to know. Many may find their calling in either the arts or sciences.

Venus Sextile Mars

Their affection and passion are nicely balanced, leading to satisfactory love and creative lives. Dynamic and inspiring, they get much done if their energies go into useful channels.

Venus Sextile Jupiter

Love, joy, and abundance are within easy reach. Naturally optimistic, they attract positive opportunities in relationships and finances. Their generosity brings mutual growth in return.

Venus Sextile Saturn

Hard work and discipline will pay off in long-lasting rewards in love and career. Loyal and stable, these individuals often shine in roles that require responsibility and attention to detail.

Venus Sextile Uranus

They innovate and excite their relationships, often thriving in non-traditional partnerships. Creativity is enhanced by embracing new ideas.

Venus Sextile Neptune

Artistic and spiritual inclinations thrive with effort. These individuals have a tender, compassionate approach to love, often inspiring others with their vision of beauty and harmony.

Venus Sextile Pluto

Love and creativity allow access to depth and transformation. These people can reach deeper layers and stimulate further growth in themselves and others.

Venus Combust Sun

This immediately sets up a tension-a push-pull dynamic-between one's need to be themselves and the desire for affection and connection. Venusian qualities get weakened or overpowered by the Sun's intense light and heat in that case. The planet's qualities are often less noticeable or can be obscured, making them more difficult to express. Individuals in such positions may feel torn between self-expression and people-pleasing, between their identities and others' approval of them. They might not find that right balance between their need for self-expression and their need for partnership. A romantic relationship can be likened to a mirror reflecting both one's strengths and insecurities.

Venus Square Moon

The emotional and relational needs may consistently feel antagonistic. There will be ups and downs in a romantic affair that may confuse or dissipate emotions. A person of such nature may easily idealize or fantasize about having perfect love, and finally, when things get practical, may end up disheartened. Balancing emotional security with romantic desires is one balancing that will be carried throughout your life. There could be stress in reconciling personal needs with the desire for love that might result in mood swings or turmoil.

Venus Square Mercury

There may be troubles in relationships concerning communications, specifically. Subjects may struggle in putting affection and love in ways other people understand. They are likely to misunderstand their love life or rationalize their love life so it creates space between lovers. Creativity is shut as your emotions will be off in one corner and then ways to effectively communicate down here. This may cause people to overthink romantic relationships.

Venus Square Mars

There is a lot of conflict between passion and love. This aspect may make them intensely emotionally and sexually attracted, but it also sets them up for a whole lot of friction in their relationships. These people are often prone to power or impulsive issues in the way they approach love, which makes finding a balance hard. They might have the desire for affectionate closeness but struggle to work out how to go about it in a healthy, grounded manner. There is the tendency to act impulsively in relationships, leading to arguments or misunderstandings.

Venus Square Jupiter

This aspect may create overindulgence or excess, though the natural optimism and generosity in love are well placed. These individuals may have to work against the tendency to idealize romantic partners or love as an idea. There might be a tendency to "overdo" love or beauty, setting one up for disappointment or non-alignment with reality. They may also face some problems in maintaining boundaries in relationships, at times putting way too much energy into the relationship without getting equal returns.

Venus Square Saturn

This square might speak about love and relationships being hampered in some manner or not allowing complete expression. There would come a time in one's life when one must suffer the coldness of heart, the distance from people, or just an impossibility of satisfying their urge in life. Love matters quite seriously and caution-processes that at times create an unrest and a sense of being dislocated to exercise freely the power to express. More simply said, in time, the connection can be deep based abidingly on commitment and loyalty, but it could be heavy and hard to win.

Venus Square Uranus

This makes relationships unpredictable and often unstable. These people may want freedom and excitement in love, which may make them seek unconventional or nontraditional relationships. Sudden and unexpected changes in romantic life can stress or raise uncertainty. The strong desires for novelty and excitement may be at odds with finding stability in relationships. There's this tendency to fight conventionality in love, and such can bring friction with other people who strive for stability.

Venus Square Neptune

Idealism in love can often come up against reality, leading to confusion or disillusionment. They may have fantastic expectations from love or a partner that may lead to disappointments or emotional disarray. A person with this placement may project an idealized version of love onto others and then be disappointed when a relationship doesn't live up to their ideals. There is also the possibility of losing themselves in dreams or escape mechanisms due to an inability to balance romantic ideals with the reality of their relationships.

Venus Square Pluto

The aspects are all about intensity and change of emotion. People having Venus square Pluto usually go through very intense, transformative relationships that may turn out to be overwhelming, manipulative, or abusive at times. Power struggles or jealousy may come up within a partnership due to some deeper fears or desires to gain control. This can definitely make a balance difficult between love, desire, and personal power. It is in this intense emotional experience that they may achieve profound self-awareness and healing.

Venus Opposite Moon

The pulls of emotional security and romance are opposite in direction. This position may bring internal emotional tension into your life, moodiness, or a confused feeling about love. Here, the emotional wishes contradict with the desire to be loved or acknowledged. They might also be torn between their own personal needs and the emotional requirements of their partners. This generally involves balancing one's private emotional life with one's public life of romance.

Venus Opposition Mercury

Hardly any ease in communication-especially about love matters-could be the case, and the poor thing cannot clearly state what's on his or her mind or what is desired, which might give way to misunderstandings in a love relationship. They might be prone to intellectualize feelings, set themselves apart from deeper contact. Learning ways to naturally express their affectionate and loving feelings will overcome this opposition.

Venus Opposition Mars

The tension between love and desire often makes for an intense and passionate relationship. The deep longing for affection might often turn to frustration or conflict. This is an aspect that may result in a battle of wills in partnerships: one will may be more forceful or dominating, while another yearns for affection and intimacy. There can be a fine line between desire and control, and this opposition often brings up issues of power dynamics in relationships.

Venus Opposition Jupiter

This opposition sometimes faces over-optimism and overindulgence in love. On most occasions, individuals with this opposition battle between ideal relationships and a reality check of their limiting factors. They always tend to overindulge in love or idealize their partners to the core, only to get disappointed in the end. Learning how to balance enthusiasm with moderation in relationship matters is important.

Venus Opposition Saturn

Love and emotional expression can be experienced as restricted with this opposition. These people can feel that they do not get the emotional support in a relationship or possibly feel that love has to be hard-earned. There is a tendency for these individuals to feel loneliness and a disconnection with others on an intimate level. While over time this opposition can give rise to long-term, committed relationships, they may feel to require a lot of effort and emotional discipline.

Venus Opposition Uranus

This position is known to generally make the relationships quite unconventional, thrilling, and unpredictable. There is an inborn longing for freedom in love that contributes to instability and tension in romantic relationships. Their love life may comprise sudden turnarounds and unexpected happenings, which give a roller coaster feeling both excitingly and disturbingly. A balance between freedom and togetherness in love has to be achieved as too much unpredictability in love can cause emotional exhaustion.

Venus Opposition Neptune

This romantic ideal can sometimes collide with harsh realities, and thus might create a kind of disappointment or confusion regarding love matters. There is a tendency to idealize the partner or project fantasies onto them and later get disappointed because reality cannot live up to expectations. They might not clearly understand the true nature of love and relationships; it takes introspection to differentiate fantasy from reality.

Venus Opposition Pluto

This is an intense aspect in relating, signaling transformation. There is a deep-seated desire for passion and connections, but it will often be associated with some kind of power struggle or emotional manipulation. These people are likely to find themselves in relationships that confront them with their own wounded psyche or deeply buried desires. The way to grow into this opposition is to allow the transformation without getting caught up in control or struggles for power.

[ohvenusxx]

vs

the best thing abt the sincaraz rivalry is not only how their narratives foil each other, their play styles have opposing dynamics; both aspects influence each other.

as jonathan liew once penned abt carlos: "tennis on the very edge of the world, tennis that moves people, tennis as dialogue". such is the essence of carlos' philosophy and play style. "it's about leaving the court happy" is a very interesting perspective bcs he treats tennis as his self-orchestrated spectacle; stade roland garros was his colosseum. it shows his egotism (and this is not a moral judgement here) bcs he is winning and he is having fun too; he wants to have both and he has them through his merits and disposition! the audience are drawn to his sheer magnetism! ppl say sinner is opaque bt to me, this is such a unique and almost twisted perspective. carlos really fits the heroic warrior archetype to the t. he lives and dies for the big stages in his own way! that, however, does not make him a milder man as he is tennis world's and the gods' blessed demigod and reign superiority over his bowed foes w such capriciousness. he toils w them, and relegate them to support characters status in his whole Protagonist Story.

on the other hand, jannik sinner does not elicit a similar level of affection within the crowd. even as their supposed crowned prince (no.1 itw), they do not bow their heads as his subjects. they may, in many occasions, be taken breathless at his brutal efficiency- bt his tennis strike them as trakl struck wittgenstein: such hawkish and merciless mastery seemed profound to them, bt its beauty eludes them completely. he may even dissatisfies them as their egon schiele-esque ruler sitting in the bloodied throne. it is a very different dynamic.

if carlos uses his tennis to connect w ppl (and hence, connected w the awkward italian and inspired this grand rivalry), then sinner does quite the opposite: there is no fanfare, no frenetic theatre to be found here. sinner severs himself from the audience and only focuses on the guillotine and his target (opponent) as his hand dutifully moves to sharpen the blade. such is the italian's essence: tennis as warfare, tennis as execution, tennis as a way to hurt. in mind, jannik could also be compared to the merciless executioner who locks up his opponents in his torture chamber in ragnarok.

tennis needs carlos alcaraz and it also needs jannik sinner in conjunction. without his archrival, the swashbuckling matador hailed from spain would loose one of his precious sources of motivation and who would bother with a play where there is no conflict? without his archrival, the methodical executioner forged in the alps would loose his beloved (even if he does not brazenly state it) pandora box. his claim on the throne would not be legitimatised without a great show of blood to his hungry subjects.

[elbiotipo]

Some notes on worldbuilding with carnivorous cultures:

Animals feed more people than you think. You don't kill a cow for just one steak, this is a modern misconception since we're removed from the actual animals we eat our meat from; a single cow has several kilos of meat. In fact, slaughtering a single cow often means a feast time for possibly dozens of people. Every part of an animal can be used, and you can see this in cultures that live by ranching and transhumance.

Here, you should look at the Mongols and the people of the Eurasian Steppe, the people of the North American Plains, the people of the Pampas (fun fact; Buenos Aires was called the "carnivore city"), European and Asian cultures that practice transhumance, and those of the Arctic circle.

There are many ways to cook meat, but arguably, the most nutritious way to consume meat is in stew, as it allows you to consume all the fats of the animal and add other ingredients. In fact, mutton soup and stew historically was one of the basic meals for the for people in the Eurasian Steppe, who are one of the people with the highest meat consumption in the world.

Of course, meat spoils away easily. Fortunately, from jerky to cured meats, there are ways to prevent this. In pre-industrial and proto-industrial societies, salted meat was the main way of consumption and exporting meat. This makes salt even a more prized good.

Often, certain parts of animals like eyes, the liver, the testicles, the entrails, are considered not only cultural delicacies but as essential for vitamins and nutrients unavailable in environments such as the poles. The Inuit diet is a very strong example.

Pastures and agriculture have often competing dynamics. The lands that are ideal for mass pasture, that is, temperature wet grasslands, are also often ideal for agriculture. So pastoralism has often been in the margins of agrarian societies. This dynamic could be seen in the Americas. After the introduction of cattle and horses, the Pampas hosted semi-nomadic herdsmen, natives and criollo gauchos. The introduction of wire eventually reduced this open territory, converting it into intense agriculture, and traditional ranching was displaced to more "marginal" land less suitable for agriculture. Similar processes have happened all over the world.

This also brings an interesting question to explore. Agriculture is able to feed more people by density. What about species that DON'T do agriculture, because they're completely carnivorous? The use of what human civilization considers prime agricultural land will be different. They will be able to support much higher population densities than pastoralism.

Pastoral human populations have developed lactase persistance to be able to feed on dairy products even in adulthood. This mutation has happened all over the world, presumably with different origins. In any mammalian species that domesticates other mammals such a thing would be very common if not ubiqutous, as it massively expands the diet. Milk provides hydration, and cheese, yogurth and other such products allows long lasting food sources.

What about hunting? Early humans were apex predators and we are still ones today. However, humans can eat plants, which somewhat reduces the hunting pressure on fauna (though not the pressure of agrarian expansion which can be even worse). An exclusively carnivorous species (for example some kind of cat people) would have to develop very rigid and very complex cultural behavior of managing hunting, or else they would go extinct from hunger before even managing domestication. These cultural views towards hunting have also arosen in people all over the world, so you can get a sense of them by researching it.

It is possible for pastoral nomadic people, without any agriculture, to have cities? Of course. All nomadic peoples had amazing cultures and in Eurasia, they famously built empires. But they traded and entered conflicts with agrarian societies, too. They weren't isolated. Most of nomadic societies were defined by trade with settled ones.

The origin of human civilization and agriculture is still debated. It would be probably completely different for a non-human carnivorous society. One possible spark would be ritual meeting points (such as the historical Gobleki Tepe) or trade markets growing into permanent cities. But in general, pastoralism, hunting and ranching favors low-density populations that would be quite different.

Fishing, on the other hand, is a reliable source of protein and promotes settled cities. One can imagine acquaculture would be developed very early by a civilization hungry for protein.

Other possibilities of course are the raising of insects and mushrooms, both very uncommonly explored in fiction besides passing mentions.

Of course, most carnivorous species have some limited consumption of plant matter and many herbivores are oportunistic predators. The main thing to ask here is what the daily meal is here. For most human agrarian cultures, it's actually grain (this is where the word meal comes from). What about species that cannot live with a grain-based diet? You will find that many things people take for granted in agrarian society would be completely different.

As I always say: the most important question you can ask is "where does the food comes from?"

I hope you found these comments interesting and useful! I would love to do a better post once I'm able to replace my PC (yes, I wrote this all in a phone and I almost went insane). If you like what I write and would love to see more worldbuilding tips, consider tipping my ko-fi and checking my other posts. More elaborate posts on this and other subjects are coming.

[echoekhi]

I’m Declaring War Against “What If” Videos: Project Copy-Knight

What Are “What If” Videos?

These videos follow a common recipe: A narrator, given a fandom (usually anime ones like My Hero Academia and Naruto), explores an alternative timeline where something is different. Maybe the main character has extra powers, maybe a key plot point goes differently. They then go on and make up a whole new story, detailing the conflicts and romance between characters, much like an ordinary fanfic.

Except, they are fanfics. Actual fanfics, pulled off AO3, FFN and Wattpad, given a different title, with random thumbnail and background images added to them, narrated by computer text-to-speech synthesizers.

They are very easy to make: pick a fanfic, copy all the text into a text-to-speech generator, mix the resulting audio file with some generic art from the fandom as the background, give it a snappy title like “What if Deku had the Power of Ten Rings”, photoshop an attention-grabbing thumbnail, dump it onto YouTube and get thousands of views.

In fact, the process is so straightforward and requires so little effort, it’s pretty clear some of these channels have automated pipelines to pump these out en-masse. They don’t bother with asking the fic authors for permission. Sometimes they don’t even bother with putting the fic’s link in the description or crediting the author. These content-farms then monetise these videos, so they get a cut from YouTube’s ads.

In short, an industry has emerged from the systematic copyright theft of fanfiction, for profit.

Project Copy-Knight

Since the adversaries almost certainly have automated systems set up for this, the only realistic countermeasure is with another automated system. Identifying fanfics manually by listening to the videos and searching them up with tags is just too slow and impractical.

And so, I came up with a simple automated pipeline to identify the original authors of “What If” videos.

It would go download these videos, run speech recognition on it, search the text through a database full of AO3 fics, and identify which work it came from. After manual confirmation, the original authors will be notified that their works have been subject to copyright theft, and instructions provided on how to DMCA-strike the channel out of existence.

I built a prototype over the weekend, and it works surprisingly well:

On a randomly-selected YouTube channel (in this case Infinite Paradox Fanfic), the toolchain was able to identify the origin of half of the content. The raw output, after manual verification, turned out to be extremely accurate. The time taken to identify the source of a video was about 5 minutes, most of those were spent running Whisper, and the actual full-text-search query and Levenshtein analysis was less than 5 seconds.

The other videos probably came from fanfiction websites other than AO3, like fanfiction.net or Wattpad. As I do not have access to archives of those websites, I cannot identify the other ones, but they are almost certainly not original.

Armed with this fantastic proof-of-concept, I’m officially declaring war against “What If” videos. The mission statement of Project Copy-Knight will be the elimination of “What If” videos based on the theft of AO3 content on YouTube.

I Need Your Help

I am acutely aware that I cannot accomplish this on my own. There are many moving parts in this system that simply cannot be completely automated – like the selection of YouTube channels to feed into the toolchain, the manual verification step to prevent false-positives being sent to authors, the reaching-out to authors who have comments disabled, etc, etc.

So, if you are interested in helping to defend fanworks, or just want to have a chat or ask about the technical details of the toolchain, please consider joining my Discord server. I could really use your help.

------

See full blog article and acknowledgements here: https://echoekhi.com/2023/11/25/project-copy-knight/

[mortalislabs]

Trigonelline is a methylated form of niacin and is a recently isolated molecule that could be the secret ingredient in your stack. This form of the B vitamin is involved in the generation of NAD+, a cofactor for over 500 metabolic processes in cells. Trigonelline promotes cellular repair and energy, and as we’ll see, exerts quite a few benefits that are specifically useful for anyone training seriously.

Trigonelline is found in several plant-based foods, notably coffee beans and fenugreek seeds. Green coffee beans contain trigonelline concentrations ranging from 0.6% to 1.0% by weight. However, traditional dietary sources don’t provide sufficient amounts to elicit significant physiological effects. For instance, the average trigonelline content in a cup of coffee is approximately 53 mg, and about 50-80% of trigonelline decomposes during the roasting process, leaving virtually nothing for your body to make use of.

Recent research published on this naturally occurring alkaloid highlights its potential in enhancing muscle function and combating age-related decline. A 2024 study published in Nature Metabolism identified trigonelline as a novel precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a molecule essential for energy metabolism and mitochondrial function. The study demonstrated that trigonelline supplementation improved muscle strength and reduced fatigue in aged mice, suggesting that it can head off the natural muscle decline seen in aging, even in those who are already training at capacity.

NAD+ gets discussed a lot in the longevity space because of its natural and steep decline over the years, tied to all the diseases of aging. It's a metabolic linchpin that determines how efficiently your cells convert fuel into usable energy. For athletes, that efficiency translates into faster recovery, better performance under load, and greater resilience under metabolic stress. Or, you know, complete lack of those things if you don’t have enough of it.

NAD+ is required for redox (oxidation–reduction) reactions in mitochondrial energy production and is a cofactor and substrate for longevity-promoting sirtuins and other enzymes involved in muscle repair and adaptation. During intense physical activity, NAD+ levels drop as demand for ATP surges. Replenishing intracellular NAD+ is critical not only for restoring mitochondrial output but also for initiating the cellular programs that rebuild and reinforce muscle tissue [1].

Trigonelline offers a direct path to NAD+—one that bypasses the liver and supports muscle tissue specifically. In a landmark 2024 study, researchers at EPFL and Nestlé Health Sciences (yes, that Nestlé, but there aren’t any conflicts of interest, we checked) demonstrated that trigonelline functions as a previously unidentified NAD+ precursor, rapidly taken up by skeletal muscle cells and converted into NAD+ via a salvage pathway independent of the traditional NR or NMN routes [2]. This muscle-specific uptake is particularly important for athletes, who require localized replenishment in the very tissues under stress.

Most NAD+ precursors—including nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)—undergo hepatic metabolism before entering systemic circulation. This creates a bottleneck at your liver for targeted muscle repair. Trigonelline appears to bypass that constraint by delivering precursors directly where they're needed most: the muscle fibers responsible for performance and endurance.

This shift in delivery has implications beyond simple NAD+ restoration. In the same Nature Metabolism study, aged mice supplemented with trigonelline showed significant improvements in grip strength and fatigue resistance—outcomes tightly linked to muscle NAD+ availability. Unlike systemic precursors that may elevate circulating NAD+ levels without improving localized bioenergetics, trigonelline drives changes in muscle mitochondrial density and function.

For athletes, this is the difference between feeling recovered and actually being rebuilt.

Mitochondria Make Muscles Move

Endurance Starts in the Electron Transport Chain

Every sprint, every lift, every set depends on one thing: mitochondrial output. The ability to generate ATP on demand—efficiently and cleanly—is the defining line between sustained power and early fatigue. Trigonelline’s value lies not just in elevating NAD+ levels, but in what that elevation enables at the level of mitochondrial performance.

NAD+ drives oxidative phosphorylation, the mitochondrial pathway responsible for converting nutrients into ATP. When NAD+ is depleted, electron transport slows, reactive oxygen species accumulate, and mitochondrial output tanks—resulting in performance collapse and prolonged recovery. Replenishing NAD+ restores mitochondrial throughput, enhances metabolic flexibility, and allows cells to switch between carbohydrate and fat oxidation with minimal friction [3].

Trigonelline’s role as a direct NAD+ precursor in muscle tissue makes it especially powerful in this context. By bypassing hepatic metabolism and restoring NAD+ where it's most needed, it kickstarts mitochondrial biogenesis—activating pathways like PGC-1α that drive the formation of new mitochondria and increase the efficiency of existing ones [4]. This isn’t theoretical: in the 2024 Nature Metabolism study, trigonelline supplementation significantly boosted mitochondrial content and activity in aged mice, restoring performance metrics typically lost with age and overtraining [2].

This cellular shift translates directly to the field, the track, and the gym. More mitochondria means more ATP per unit of oxygen consumed. This is the underpinning of higher VO₂ max, improved lactate clearance, and extended time-to-exhaustion. Trigonelline supports this adaptation at the source, which means athletes can train harder, go longer, and bounce back faster—without relying on stimulants or sketchy ergogenics.

More NAD+ in muscle equals better mitochondrial kinetics, which equals better athletic output. Period.

Strength and Muscle Health

Preserving Power, Not Just Mass

Strength isn’t only about size—it’s about contractile quality, neuromuscular precision, and the cellular capacity to resist breakdown under stress. Trigonelline’s impact on muscle tissue reaches beyond endurance. It supports structural integrity, performance output, and resilience across multiple pathways—especially in the context of aging or chronic training demand.

In the 2024 Nature Metabolism study, trigonelline supplementation restored muscle grip strength and improved fatigue resistance in aged mice, with outcomes exceeding those observed in control groups receiving traditional NAD+ precursors [2]. This effect was tied to increased NAD+ availability in skeletal muscle, which reactivated SIRT1- and PGC-1α-dependent pathways responsible for mitochondrial biogenesis, inflammation control, and protein maintenance—all critical for contractile performance and mass preservation [5].

NAD+ also plays a protective role against muscle wasting. It regulates the balance between anabolic and catabolic signaling, modulating FoxO transcription factors and suppressing atrophy-related genes like MuRF1 and atrogin-1 [6]. This anti-catabolic signaling becomes especially important during periods of calorie deficit, illness, or overreaching, when muscle degradation accelerates. Trigonelline, by supplying NAD+ directly to muscle cells, may help maintain lean mass even under systemic stress.

One overlooked aspect of muscle performance is neuromuscular junction (NMJ) stability, or, the connections between nerves and muscle fibers. These connections go both ways, with afferent signals carrying sensory feedback from muscle to brain, and efferent signals delivering motor commands from brain to muscle. Maintaining the integrity of this bidirectional communication is essential for coordination, strength, and rapid recovery from fatigue. NAD+ is required for the function of enzymes that protect NMJ architecture—particularly in aging or disease models where synaptic decline contributes to strength loss [7]. Trigonelline’s direct muscle delivery may therefore preserve the electrical signaling fidelity needed for explosive power and motor unit recruitment.

Muscle Fiber Type Preservation

Emerging evidence suggests that NAD+ availability influences muscle fiber type composition. High NAD+ levels favor the maintenance of fast-twitch (Type II) fibers—those responsible for strength, speed, and power—by enhancing mitochondrial support without triggering full transition to slow-twitch oxidative profiles [8]. This has implications for athletes seeking to maintain peak force output without compromising endurance. By elevating muscle NAD+ directly, trigonelline may help preserve this delicate fiber balance.

Trigonelline is formulated not to just support general energy—but to protect the architecture of athleticism at the cellular level.

For a reliable, pure form of trigonelline with zero additives, you can trust Mortalis Labs.

[ohnoitstbskyen]

re: Somerton

Not for nothing, but I think we should remember that James Somerton's fans and subscribers are normal people, just like you. They are people who received his output in good faith, and extended to him a normal amount of grace and benefit of the doubt, which he took advantage of.

I don't think it's helpful to respond to the exposé on Somerton with sentiments along the lines of "wow, how could anyone ever think THIS GUY'S videos were any good, ha ha ha, how did he ever get subscribers?" because 1) you have the substantial benefit of hindsight and a disengaged outsider perspective, and 2) it's a rhetoric that creates a divide between you (refined, savvy, smart, sophisticated) and Somerton's audience (gullible, unrefined, easily taken advantage of, terrible taste), which is a false divide, with a false sense of security.

Somerton's success happened because he stole good writing. He found interesting, insightful, in-depth work done by other people, applied the one skill he actually has which is marketing, and re-packaged it as his own. He targeted a market which is starving for the exact kind of writing he was stealing, and pushed his audience to disengage from sources that conflicted with him.

Hbomberguy makes this point in his exposé video: good queer writing is hard to find and incredibly easy to lose. The writers Somerton stole from were often poor or precarious, writing freelance work for small circles under shitty conditions, without the means or the reach or the privileges necessary to find bigger markets. And, as Hbomb demonstrated, when people did discover Somerton's plagiarism, he used his substantial audience to hound them away and dissuade anyone else from trying to hold him accountable.

He stole queer writing by marginalized people, about experiences and perspectives that people are desperate to hear more about, and even if his delivery and aesthetics were naff, his words resonated with people because the original writers who actually wrote them poured their goddamn hearts and souls into it.

Somerton also maintained a consistent narrative of persecution and marginalization about himself. He took the plain truth, which is that queer people and perspectives are discriminated against, and worked that into a story about himself as a lone, brave truth-teller, daring to voice an authentic queer perspective, constantly beset by bigots and adversaries who sought to tear him down. As @aranock, who works with some of the people he targeted, writes in this post, Somerton weaponized whatever casual bias and bigotry he could find in his audience to reinforce his me vs them narrative (usually misogyny and various forms of transphobia), which is what grifters do. They find a vulnerable thread in a community and pull on it. And while you may not have the particular vulnerability that he exploited, you do have vulnerabilities, and they can be exploited too.

People felt compelled to support him, even if his work was sometimes shoddy, because he presented himself as a vulnerable, marginalized person in need of help, he pulled on that vulnerable thread.

Again, he has a degree in marketing, and just like propaganda, nobody is immune to marketing.

YouTube as a system is set up to push for more, constantly more. More content, more videos, more output, more more more more, and part of Somerton and Illuminaughty's success was their ability to push out large amounts of content to the hungry algorithm, even if it was of inferior quality. The algorithm rewarded their volume of output with more eyeballs and attention, and therefore more opportunities to find people who were vulnerable to their grift.

It is a system which quite literally rewards the exact kind of plagiarism that they do, because watch-time and engagement are easily measurable metrics for a corporation, and academic rigor is not. There is pressure to deliver, and a lot of rewards to gain from cutting corners to do it.

Somerton and Illuminaughty and Internet Historian are extreme and very obvious cases, so blatant that you can make a four hour video essay exposing what they've done, but the vast majority of this kind of plagiarism isn't going to be obvious - sometimes it might not even be obvious to the people who are doing it. Casual plagiarism is endemic to the modern internet, and most people don't get educated on what the exact boundaries are between proper sourcing and quoting vs plagiarizing. We had an entire course module at my university aimed at teaching students the exact differences and definitions, and people still made good faith mistakes in their essays and papers that they had to learn to correct during their education.

All of this to say: it is extremely easy in hindsight to call Somerton's work shitty and shoddy, his aesthetics flat and uninspired, and to imagine that as a sophisticated person with good taste and critical faculties, you would never be taken in by this kind of grifter. It is extremely easy to distance yourself from the people he preyed on, and imagine that you will never have to worry about your fave doing your dirty like that.

But part of the point of Hbomberguy's video is that plagiarism is extremely easy to get away with, and often difficult for the average person to spot and call out, and with the rise of AI tools blurring the lines even further, it is not going to get any easier.

So I think we should resist the temptation to think of Somerton's audience as people with bad taste and poor faculties. We should resist the temptation to distance ourselves from the perfectly normal people he preyed on. Many times in your life, a modestly clever man with a marketing degree has fooled you too.

On a personal note, by the same token, I am resisting the temptation to assume that I am too good to be vulnerable to the systemic pressures that produced Somerton and Illuminaughty. No, I've never made a video by word-for-word reciting someone else's work, but I know for a fact that I could do a better job of double-checking my work and citing my sources. I feel the exact same pressure to get a video out as fast as possible, I have the exact same rewards dangled in front of me by YouTube as a platform, and I can't pretend it doesn't affect my work. To me, Hbomb's video felt like a wake-up call to do better.

[burst-of-iridescent]

kat.aang fails as a friends to lovers dynamic for multiple reasons, but one of the most egregious is that katara’s friendship alone is never once valued by either the narrative or aang.

a good friends to lovers romance bases the will-they-won’t-they on the potential consequences of rejection. what if confessing ruins your friendship? what if by trying to be something different you lose what you already have? not only is this a relatable and interesting conflict that maintains romantic tension without making it seem contrived, it also does something more important: it denotes the importance and meaning of the characters’ existing bond, thus making it a worthwhile, believable framework upon which to build a romance.

but this is never the case in kat.aang. not once does aang worry about what confessing his feelings might do to his friendship with katara, or even entertain the possibility that their relationship could be strained or ruined as a result. rather, the romantic tension in kat.aang is driven by the fear of rejection itself: the worst outcome of this situation is not the loss of aang’s supposedly close friendship with katara, but the dreaded confirmation that friendship is all that will ever exist between them.

katara and aang don’t work as a friends to lovers ship because their platonic/familial relationship is framed as an obstacle to their romance, not a stepping stone. this is made most evident in the ember island players, when actress katara’s re-affirmation of her sisterly feelings for aang (coupled with her interest in zuko) is the catalyst for aang’s confrontation and subsequent violation of katara. katara’s platonic love here is a source of frustration to aang, not comfort; a reminder of what he does not yet have instead of what he stands to lose.

aang wanting “more” than friendship is not inherently bad, and his desire for a romance with katara does not, on its own, invalidate their relationship. but you cannot predicate a romance on friendship all while disparaging the continuation of said friendship in its current state as the worst thing that could happen to the dynamic of these two characters! doing so not only cheapens kat.aang’s platonic bond, it also reinforces the idea that the only type of relationship worth having with women is a romantic one; that friendship is nothing more than a poor consolation prize for the romance women rightfully owe their male friends. it’s a leaf taken right out of the good old Nice Guy misogyny and amatonormativity playbook.

and if even the narrative can’t be bothered to respect or buy into kat.aang’s friendship as the foundation of their romance, why exactly should i or anyone else be expected to do so?