#Eikon Collection

[starrysnowdrop]

Hali Aloke ~ Dominant of Nymeia, Eikon of Fate ✨

Glamour from Eorzea Collection

[mythriteshah]

Pg. 30 Pain is Beauty; Beauty is Pain (Addendum)

(MODEL: Silent Veil)

As part of a new initiative for the Higuri Regalia with the turn of the (2024) cycle, the option for collaboration has now been made available to any and all individuals looking to make their own mark in the realm of high fashion. Among the few who have thus far stepped up is none other than the opulent proprietress and owner of Wasshoi Entertainment: Silent Veil.

The mysterious Auri tycoon held a certain powerful creature in high regard - so much so that she's had several ideas pertaining to a design dedicated to its likeness. Said creature is, in fact, a Goddess esoterically known to be a symbol of pain and sorrow. This being is none other than Anima, appropriately dubbed the "Lady of Pain", and is said to maintain a lonesome vigil beneath the world, Her very presence a black mark of pain, destruction, and corruption.

Unlike the Anima known in Etheirys which was purported to be the remnants of the late Garlean Emperor Varis zos Galvus, this Anima is said to be the original incarnation, and the outfit inspired by Silent Veil's musings has been immortalized into what is now her signature dress. With no other fitting name to give the attire, Silent Veil settled on a phrase: "Pain is Beauty; Beauty is Pain."

"A pained and unfortunate goddess, bound into servitude by those seeking to tell their own truths..." -Silent Veil

Utilizing elements from previous works, this ensemble comes into its own with a unique flytrap-like cloak and diadem-veil combo. The cloud motifs along the skirt and pinion-like embellishments running along the spine reflect Anima's form. Its highlighted elements, however, are the chains which embrace the wearer's waist, and the coiled hands which protect the neck - two distinct symbols of the of Lady of Pain's visage - bring the entire set together to create an eerily beautiful masterpiece.

Anima exists as a teacher - an arbiter of the harsh realities many will doubtless face - in both the material plane and now the realm of high fashion. To embrace beauty is to accept pain, but like with many things on Etheirys, everything has a price. Those who gaze upon this garb will know of Power in Beauty, and those who don it will soon accept the underlying truth: that within Beauty... is also Pain.

(Credit and thanks to Stefany for the creation of this masterpiece!)

[sevi007]

FFXVI spoilers

I've been listening to "All as one" from FFXVI almost daily since finishing the game (wdym I'm obsessed, it's my daily energy boost) and I've collected some really nice details from the final Eikon clash Ultima and Clive have got going:

* Ultima calls out to the Eikon's powers, something unpersonal like "Gales unrelenting" or "Earth Unyielding", not the Eikon itself. Clive on the other hand always calls out the Eikon's name, making it seem more personal. Stays in tune with Joshua pointing out that different from Ultima, Clive chose to listen to the people who believed in him, no matter how much power he had accumulated.

Cid's encouragement is immediately followed by Mid's - father passing it onto the daughter, basically

(On that note, since Mid is used for an attack of Titan which is basically just throwing hands, I had the hilarious thought of her going to fistfight Ultima if she only had the chance XD )

I've seen some people laugh because we hear Byron's encouragement "that's my boy" over Bahamuth's attack, but I think it's a very nice companion-piece to hearing Elwin's voice over "onward my son" when we use Odin - one brother is used for the light, the other for the darkness, connecting them

This is probably farfetched, but on the same note - Elwin being used with "onward" when we use the Darkness we got from Barnabas (a enemy we struggled so much against) is quite nice, like "onward, defeat the Darkness, overcome it" you know?

And yes, I've seen people point out that in one sidequest around Elwin's grave, Clive also said he needs to "go on", so hearing Elwin say this is basically confirming Clive's words again. As if he heard his son and is agreeing and supporting him

Clive's final attack with Phoenix is "Flames of Rebirth" which is just. Such a nice finale?

The soundtrack times exactly right so that the final attack is delivered to the lines of "All as one, marching together" followed right after by the most upbeat, hopeful notes of the song.

All in all, the entire final fight was just a chef's kiss of cinematic, choreography and symbolism.

[barncultus]

Developing Local Cultus: A Companion Library

In preparation for the revamping of my Local Cultus series over on wordpress, I have begun to gather this small reference library for anyone who may be interested. Containing mostly works which inspired me to set out on the path of developing a localized religious practice, as well as some of my research materials. For those interested in the series, and the topic which it covers, I absolutely recommend giving these titles a flip through.

The first of this series, an introduction and mapping out of what is to come, will be up on the Barn Cultus website by the end of July.

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer Indispensable knowledge of ecological relationships as written by an indigenous woman and professor of environmental biology.

The Green Mysteries by Daniel Schulke An encyclopedia of the spiritual, magical, and folkloric qualities of plants. Written by the Magister of the Sabbatic tradition.

The Golden Bough by James George Frazer Frazer tracks the role of religion and magic up until the modern day, introducing along the way some of the key ideas behind my style of cultus developing (such as re-enchantment). This book is always on my reference shelf, close at hand, and while the anthropology is at times laughably outdated, it is a beautiful read with some interesting groundwork.

Viridarium Umbris by Daniel Schulke I'd be remiss to not include this in my list. Another Schulke work and a comprehensive grimoire of verdant magics. I personally view this book as overhyped, though a should-read, perhaps not a must.

Demons & Spirits of the Land: Ancestral Lore and Practices A foundational text of folkloric land spirits and the operations used by Pre-Modern Europe to interact with them.

Roman Cult Images: The Lives and Worship of Idols from the Iron Age to Late Antiquity In my own eyes, the finding of localized images. Images references the faces, attributes, and fauna of the region in which each divinity of the cultus is depicted. The crafting of cult images, in the forms of eikons and idols, is another aspect of this.

Idolatry Restor'd by Daniel Schulke Schulke speaks to the ensouled fetish, which connects greatly to the idea of the Living Statue and the cultic image. More of a sorcerous read, but worth it nontheless.

We Are In The Middle of Forever: Indigenous Voices of Turtle Island on the Changing Earth I hold the strong conviction that those of us in America who find our bloodlines here through the powers of colonialism absolutely must be listening to indigenous wisdom- full stop. Publications like this one are a huge boon to the mending of the rift between the descendants of colonialism and the land which they inhabit. I think this becomes doubly important to those practices land-based religions.

The Sacred and the Profane by Mircea Eliade I come with the bias of studying the anthropology of religion full time. This book has in many ways aided in bridging the gap between my academic studies and the building of my theologies, and is a profound read by an author with a storied collection of publications within the field.

Mystai: Dancing out the Mysteries of Dionysus An interesting look into the mystery cult of Dionysus during late antiquity. Mystery cults often operated regionally and with localized aspects to their mysteries.

Eleusinian Mysteries and Rites by Dudley Wright All literature on the Eleusinian mysteries is a boon- this is my recommendation. Following the ritual life of the local agriculture cult which has gone down in history as one of the largest surviving cults into the Christianization of Greece.

Walking the Worlds: Building Regional Cultus Less of an academic read than the others on this list, but one I found equally as inspiring. The articles speak to diaspora and tensions of modern polytheism, and I think without some kind of academic pre-knowledge of these topics the articles themselves would fall a little flat, but a worthy read for the genuine pursuant.

Mystery Cults in the Greek and Roman World by the MET

Kongo in Haiti: A New Approach to Religious Syncretism by Luc de Heusch This article explores religious syncretism through the lens of Vodou, an African traditional religion known for its syncretic relationship with Christianity here in the US and Haiti. De Heusch explores a little bit of the roots in West Africa, and how the religion operates in both syncretic and nonsyncretic ways across the African diaspora.

Why Cecropian Minerva?: Hellenic Syncretism as System by Luther H. Martin This article explores syncretism in a western context, from the other side of the isle. This is not syncretism brought on by oppression and colonialism, instead highlighting syncretism theologically proposed by the oppressors, a favorite of the Romans. Martin explores the theology of this, the politics of this, and offers interesting analysis of the historical evidence.

Epithets in the Orphic Hymns by W. K. C. Guthrie There's powers in names. You know it, I know it, Guthrie certainly knows it. Behind that power is meaning. While Guthrie does not particularly touch on regionalized epithets, I still find this to a be a great read to get one thinking about cult specific poetic titles.

[the-leyline-directory]

Have my current small collection of Aramis sketches. I'll have his blog up in a little bit to be sure but short rundown;

FF16 OC, Aramis Dantes, Dominant of the Lesser Eikon Nidhogg 'Shadow of Bahamut, Sleeping Guardian of Saint Graegor' ;; Once a Dragoon, now excommunicated due to Anabella's lies and then handed to Waloed for peaceful promises. (To the public the lies continued as his 'defection' and 'betrayal'). Spent a few years within Balmung Dark, until uncontrolled priming and escaping. The next handful of years were spent making it back to Storm, learning about his status as a convicted felon and wanted villain, being violently hands on about freeing bearers from servitude, and being a 'terrorist' to Anabella in any way he could. It's not until after the start of the narrative that he properly gives Cid a chance and begins visiting the Hideaway.

Sidenote; It's a bit more complicated than that, and his lore is tied with another character owned by my wife who assists to ground his motivations, and the status of his Eikon does not effect the story narrative and I'll explain that more on his pages as it has spoiler context. --- secondary note is that while Aramis is the Dominant of ‘Nidhogg’; this is not based on the FF14 Characterization, and more accurate to say he is formed around ‘Níðhöggr’ the original Norse mythology and such traits are evident.

[rosahope]

𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 : 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐱𝐯𝐢 .

✧ 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭 .

Legend has it that many millennia ago, when the planet was still new, Metia watched over the careful balance created by the Mother, Hydaelyn. That tiny, red pinpoint of light, always next to the moon, became prevalent in the lives of those on the planet as it thrived, revering it for what they believed to be its wish-granting capabilities through prayer. Hydaelyn was only the first god to embrace humanity, nurturing its survival as communities and kingdoms were created and populations flourished across the rich lands, but as the planet's life grew, so too did the need for other gods and thus a pantheon of Eikons was born, each cradling the planet and its people. All was peaceful, for a time.

It is said that the first seed of destructive chaos was planted in the hearts of humanity upon the first blood spilled. One god, Ultima, defected from the pantheon and slipped past Hydaelyn's watch, putting the planet and its people on a path that would lead to its own destruction for his own plan to recreate life completely. As events unfolded, Hydaelyn's hand was forced and she — along with the remaining Eikons — bestowed a small portion of their power unto individuals in hopes of destroying this chaos at the root. And thus, Dominants, were born. This did not last, however, and as the years stretched on, Hydaelyn grew weaker. Her final act was to give her everything — forming the Mothercrystals for which the planet became reliant upon for its magic. This final act of love did thwart Ultima's plans for a time and in that interim, the truth behind Hydaelyn and Ultima's conflict became skewed and distorted — only aided by the effects of the Blight.

Upon the signing of the Continental Accord, the world entered a new era.

✧ 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 .

Unfortunately, what Hydaelyn and the Eikons did not foresee was the impact their power would have upon a human individual or the land. As their strength was called upon again and again, and magic became commonplace, humanity's imperfect, fragile bodies were slowly petrified, becoming what would be known as The Crystals' Curse. While it had never been Hydaelyn's intention to harm humanity, her immense power — the power of the Mothercrystals — began to seem like an omen among some circles. Fearing that this would only incite further chaos in the realm and bring Ultima's plan of destruction to fruition, another Eikon stepped forward.

Tsukuyomi, the Eikon whom represented the moon and relayed the wishes of Metia.

Though Tsukuyomi was young in comparison to the original eight Eikons, she believed in Hydaelyn's original vision. Humanity was never supposed to rely on magic or the power of the Crystals for survival. Joining humanity on the continent of Valisthea, she assumed a human identity as Serenity, though her distinctly coloured hair and eyes made it difficult to blend in. Serenity's goal is to restore balance to the world by snuffing out Ultima and his collective for good, ridding the world of Hydaelyn's too-powerful magic and restoring abundance to the lands soiled by the Blight.

This is a rehash of my original xvi verse with notable canon-twisting and aspects taken from the lore of sailor moon and other final fantasy instalments. I've left Serenity's current position within the story itself open for plotting, so she can work with a multitude of characters and factions depending on who she meets. Whether anyone believes Serenity's true identity, or the truth behind Ultima and Hydaelyn is up for plotting as well! art credit.

[otherworldseekers]

"The Kiss in Your Eyes, The Touch of Your Hands" ~ Enemies and Lovers AU part 1

So! Scary as it is, I am committing to the dark and spicy au idea that I can't stop being obsessed with. It's going to get very NSFW quite fast (though not in this installment) so if you're not into that sort of thing you probably want to just give this au a pass. And later on down the line it's going to go into some pretty dark territory and Nero is going to do some very terrible things to Severia.

This is not a fic about a healthy Severia x Nero relationship. You have been warned.

Though I do promise at least that the ending will not be a tragedy. It will be (if I can pull it off) rather hopeful.

Nero tol Scaeva lingered atop the escarpment and watched as the adventurer fell to her knees, heaving deep breaths. His data was collected, his job done, but he couldn’t help watching her. This single small female had slain an Eikon. Beneath his elaborate helmet he seemed unaffected, but the truth was that his mind was reeling. True, the Eikon’s performance had not been up to up to par, but no single archer should have been able to lay the creature low. It made no sense. 

How did she do it? How had she known just where to hit? When to move out of the way? When to bide her time? When to go in for the kill? How had she taken down a god all alone? And most importantly, what might she do next?

Nothing and no one had ever so thoroughly exceeded his expectations as that little slip of an Au Ra. He couldn’t help but be curious. 

He leaned forward the better to see her, his foot casting a stray pebble rattling down the slope. The adventurer’s head whipped around in his direction. Nero leapt back from the edge, out of sight. Foolish of him to get so close in the first place. But he had wanted to see her. And for the barest fraction of a second his gaze had connected with her eyes. 

No doubt to her he was merely a smudge of red and black on the landscape. And she, at this distance, was a mere impression of ebony locks, eyes with a faintly red luminescence, lips pressed into a line of determination. But that brief glimpse had set his heart racing. 

A sensation that has become almost forgotten. How long had it been since he had encountered a person who truly excited him? He wanted to study her, to examine all her working parts, to tinker with them lovingly, to understand her inside and out. 

Smiling beneath his elaborate helmet, Nero knew there was nothing for it. His curiosity would need to be satisfied. 

Severia Zetsuen had decided to take the long way back. It had been another long and tedious day of performing mundane tasks but the night was lovely here in Thanalan. The stars were bright and clear. She walked along the road from Highbridge to Camp Drybone enjoying the moonlight and the solitude. And it was because her face was turned up to the sky that she failed to notice the man standing directly in her path until he spoke to her. 

“It’s dangerous to go about with your head in the clouds, Severia Zetsuen.”

As she lowered her eyes again, Severia felt something woosh through the air just beside her horn. Her gaze focused in on a tall man standing several yalms down the road, weapon held high in front of him, smoke leaking from the barrel. It was a Garlean gunblade. Instinct made her throw herself out of the way just before another bullet flew past her. 

She tucked and rolled along the ground and sprang back up to her feet, standing ready to run at a moment’s notice. 

“Who are you?” Severia demanded. She took precious seconds to survey him. The gunblade was regular, military issue, as far as she could tell. But the man was clearly no random foot-soldier. His posture oozed confidence, his weapon stance told of experience, his wide grin said he was enjoying himself. A silvery Third Eye stood out from his forehead, something few infantrymen possessed. An officer? But he wasn’t wearing the typical smothering armor. As he was he could almost pass for an Eorzean.

“Does it matter?” he retorted. “I’m the man shooting bullets at you. Defend yourself or die!”

Severia was ready to dodge another bullet, but to her surprise he lunged at her with the tip of his blade pointed at her heart. That was bad. She was a ranged fighter. If he closed the distance she would be nearly helpless. She waited until the man had reached his top speed then dashed directly past him, leaping up the slope behind him until she had both distance and the high ground. 

Now she took out her bow and knocked an arrow, drawing it back and pointing it at her unknown enemy below. It took a split second. 

The man’s smile hadn’t faded at the change in their situations, gunblade lowered at his side, he approached the base of the slope. Severia loosed an arrow within an inch of his neck and had another ready before the first had sunk into the ground. 

“Impressive,” the man smirked. He seemed oddly calm for someone who was now at her mercy. “As is to be expected from one who can fell a god.”

“Ifrit was just a monster.”

“True, and a disappointment.”

Severia glared at him. “Are you in league with the Amal’jaa?”

“Please. I was simply there to take advantage of the situation. And imagine my surprise when you showed up. You and your… curious ability.” He took a careful step forward, pausing when an arrow barely missed his toes. “Yes, your skills are impressive. But can you follow through? Can you kill a man while looking him in the eyes?”

“You think I haven’t killed?”

“I think I could have killed you while you were so charmingly distracted. You’ve no reason to hold back now, and yet you hesitate.” He sunk the tip of his gunblade into the earth and rested his hands upon it like a cane. “Shoot me, if you can.”

Severia’s lips twisted into a grimace. What was this stranger’s game? What was the point of nearly killing her and then taunting her to kill him instead? It made no sense. Still, what were her options? If she failed to take him down first, he was likely to attack her again and she couldn’t keep running for long. His powerful build and self assurance indicated that he was stronger than her. And he was waiting for her to make a mistake. 

Her eyes narrowed. Her fingers released the string. Blood soaked through the arm of his jacket.

The stranger laughed. “You think that’s enough to stop me?” he taunted. Then slowly his eyes widened and his head turned to look at the arrow sticking out from the meat of his shoulder, then back to her. “Poison?”

“Don’t worry, it shouldn’t kill you,” she told him as she stowed her bow away. “But it will keep you from following me. I suggest you get it looked after immediately.”

She jumped down the slope and passed by him at a leisurely pace, back to the road. Then the man’s sudden, brash laughter filled the night around them. She glanced back one more time. 

“Very good, Severia Zetsuen, very good,” he said with a grin. “This time you win, but don’t think you’ve seen the last of me.”

Severia’s lips pressed into a frown. “If you attack me again, I will kill you.”

Sitting down on a boulder, he cradled his injured arm. “We shall see.”

Severia huffed in irritation and finally summoned her chocobo. She left the strange Garlean behind in her dust as she made her way back to Camp Drybone for the night. If this was the sort of reward her new-found fame would earn her, she was not at all certain her current path was worth it.

If you made it this far, thanks for reading! Comments and feedback is always greatly appreciated.

[scrollsfromarebornrealm]

Prompt #6: Ring

CW: Blood, gore, violence. LOTS OF IT.

What was supposed to have been a day of glory, a day of righteousness, a moment in history...was now turning into a nightmare. Once organized, the True Brothers of Faith now found their ranks were being broken. The floors of the lowest ring of the Vault were now not only being stained with sacrificial blood, but the lifeforce of their people. A demon was heading for the upper levels, bathed in an unholy orange light.

"Demon! It's a demon! It's a d--" The martialist's words were cut off as the head of a barbed spear exploded through his chest, his body going limp. Reinhardt ripped his weapon free, uncaring of the blood and viscera that splattered across his face and armor. A gesture from his free hand, and the rest of the soldiers before him were engulfed in ice--before pillars of fire swallowed them whole. Reinhardt marched through the apocalyptic scene, the fire fading away as fast it had started, leaving only twisted and warped corpses behind. His gaze flicked to the left--another squad of troops had raced to meet him. Their weapons were already bright red.

"Get him! Kill the heretic!"

Innocent blood! Zurvan hissed. Reinhardt felt the flames of his rage burn even hotter--his vision was almost completely red. In this regard he and his new Eikon were of one accord. Innocents were never to be touched. They had no part in war. To burn people out of their homes, profess a false hand of safety and comfort, before chaining and slaughtering them...and for what? To bring back a neverending war? False hopes and promises?

"Heretic this!" Reinhardt snarled. Kicking his spear up, he leapt into the air, coming down with all his strength. The spear impaled the speaker in the skull--and Reinhardt followed through all the way down, splitting him in half. The gory demise of their leader was enough to make the other soldiers stop dead in their tracks, collectively reeling in horror. Satisfaction coiled in Reinhardt's stomach as he pulled his spear free.

"For this sin, you all shall die." He growled, pointing the tip of the barbed blade at the group. Blood dropped from it, pooling on the floor.

"You are marked with the cries of the innocents you slaughtered. This is their justice!"

"Halone--Halone have mercy!" One of the men screamed, dropping their sword.

"No." Came another voice. Reinhardt glanced past the group. Augustine was striding up from behind. His aether was unsteady, but his steps were sure. Blood covered his armor from neck to foot, it trickled from his sword and shield. His expression was merciless, and his eyes...

Reinhardt tilted his head. Then he offered a nod-- letting Zurvan come to the forefront. Now in control, the Meracydian god considered the other diety before him. Where his rage was both fire and ice, hers was the winds that howled from the deepest, darkest pits of the hells. And to be offered such insult, in her most holiest temple...

"Don't worry. You and I are of a like mind, Zurvan." Augustine's lips curved into a smile. "This justice will provide more than enough cleansing of this space."

[twsted-princess]

A New Flame, A New Beginning

This is a little gift to my dear friend @fumikomiyasaki as she got me into FFXVI and since it had an event with XIV I figured I can fuck around with this.

Pain racked his body, his head feeling like it may fall off his shoulders. It was too much. Too much. Ultima, the Eikons, the fate of his world, Clive, it all swirled and blended into one as he feel the fire burning his organs. Tearing his flesh asunder until he is nothing but ash to the wind. ‘Brother……please……..’ He thought about them, his family, perhaps they’re alright…..he can only pray but as he felt the flames lick at his soul the pain was no more. Like it was never there in the first place. Only now a dizzying feeling remains as he heard voices hovering around him. “Are- about this- ?” “He’s still breath- there’s no wounds though.” They went in and out, floating with his consciousness but he could feel the grass along his arms and the gentle wind blowing through the trees. He’s…….alive? Or maybe this is truly the afterlife. Slowly he opened his eyes, wincing only when the sun hit his blues only a shadow came over. “Are you ok? Stay with me, I can heal you.” It was a woman, her voice was soft and trying to help him relax. Her figure was still blurry but as his eyes adjusted he finally saw his savior. A maiden donned in a white and rose robe like gown, her long almost pinkish brown was down with a bright similarly rose ribbon adorn with a white flower. Beside her was a staff of wood seemingly carved from a great tree with healthy green leaves and floating around her was…….a moogle? “Oh thank the stars kupo!!” The little puffball cheered, a blue cape fluttering behind them as Joshua slowly moved into a sitting position with the girl helping him. His hand now resting on his head as he looks around. This…….wasn’t Valisthea. “Where….am I?” He wondered as the mage smiled. “Well, let’s get some things cleared first. Do you remember your name?"

His name? “I’m….Joshua. Joshua Rosfield.” A smile spread across her face. “Good! Wonderful even!” before resting her hand on her chest and bowing her head. “My name is Melanie Charment, at your aid. And this-” she gestured to the moogle, “is Louise. He’s my companion.” The creature huffed proudly. “And defender of righteousness!!” That caused him to chuckle only for a cough to quickly wreck his body. Melanie placed her hand on his back as he coughed, her face in concern before he was able to stabilize himself, so the sickness still lingers. “Ok now to answer your question since you’re definitely not from here. You’re in Eorzea.” Eorzea…..he pondered as he took in the lush green land with its tall tree and abundant fauna. This certainly wasn’t anywhere in any maps he collected but, why was he here? This had to be Ultima’s doing. “Well at least we found you first, wouldn’t want bandits to think you’re a corpse. “Melanie said as she picked up her rod and patted his back. “Can you stand? There’s an inn close by, we can rest there.” He moved to his feet only stumbling a bit before collecting himself. His red attire was striking as the sun itself and his hair looked rather luxurious, really he struck a balance between sweet boyish charms and a man straight out a romance novel from Ishgard as they walked to the carline canopy. Louise gave the  ‘Are you sure we can trust him?’ look but she patted his head. The man was armed with a blade but in all likelihood he was an adventurer.

Soon the trio reached the tavern with its usual crowd of explorers and townsfolk all relaxing for a little. The elezen working the bar saw the girl and smiled. “Ah Miss Charment! Good to see you.” Melanie smiled as she approached with Joshua behind “And a fine day to you as well mother, we’ll just be taking a table if you don’t mind.” She laughed “Not a problem at all, take your rest Warrior. I’ll even throw in a mug on the house.” As the two took their seats Joshua looked around. There were so many people here, ones he could have only seen in stories as a child. Dwarfs, elves, draconic folk, even cat and rabbit beastman all living together. “This is incredible…..” he murmured as a dwarf male came over with a keg of water for each of them. Melanie took a drink before looking at him “I’m not sure if I should ask but, how did you get here?” The young man’s face fell slightly before shaking his head. “My apologizes but I cannot say. I remember I was at Phoenix Gate and then…..I was sent here.” He frowned, Jote must be worried to death…. She frowned with him. “So you’re looking for someone?” The blond nodded “Yes. I’ve been searching all over Valisthea, my homeland for my older brother. It’s been thirteen years, I know he’s alive but….my heart wavers. To make matters worse I’ve learned of my home’s history, that our world is under threat by a god and the eikons and mothercrystals are just their tools.” The mage and her friend looked at each other, Joshua noticed a few heads turning at the word eikon but she drew him back in. “I’m so sorry. You’ve clearly been through enough already. However, I feel like I must explain a few things…” So they talked. He learned about how the land Eorzea call eikons primals, how they’re living gods and that prayer has the power to manifest them into the world. That the mothercrystals of this world are forces of good and hold ties to a benevolent deity. And of all the races in this land so that he won’t accidentally refer to them wrongly. In turn he talked about the eikons, how he was blessed by the phoenix and became the dominant of flames. How his brother Clive is one of the most amazing man he’s ever known along with Jill and Torgal, they were his family. Really his only family left. As they talked he grew to smile more and soon he asked.

“The matron of this inn, she called you Warrior yet by all means you’re a healing mage so I’m quite puzzled.” She blushed, rubbing the head of her head embarrassed as Louise piped in. “Good sir you’ve been accompanying the Warrior of Light herself kupo!! Champion of Eorzea! Slayer of Zodiark! Proud member of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn! Hydaelyn’s mightiest ally! Shard of Azem the glorious su-!” Joshua laughed as she quickly grabbed the moogle and squished his face together. “Oh hush!!! There’s people here you know!!” He smiled, resting his hand on his chin. “My, you certainly have a reputation!” Melanie’s face was as pink as her garb but she sighed. “It’s not like that….but yes I have done many things but for now. I’m going to help you.” She laid her hands on top of his, warmth seeping into her. “We will find your brother. I promise, you can rely on me and all my friends. We’ll do whatever we can.” Her words touched his heart as he smiled. “Thank you my lady….I’m in your debt.”

[brokenbluebouquet]

1/xx unknown posthumous painting of Charles I based on the frontispiece of the Eikon Basilike, after 1660, artist and current location unknown. Purchased by Sir J.C. Robinson at Foster's, 22 July 1891 (89); purchased for the Royal Collection by Queen Victoria in 1892

According to the Royal Collections Trust page on this monster….

Ten days after his execution of 30 January 1649 Charles I’s spiritual autobiography was published – the ‘Eikon Basilike’ or ‘Image of the King’. It is not certain whether this work was written by the King himself or ‘ghosted’ by John Gauden, Bishop of Worcester, but it was an extremely popular piece of Royalist justification and a central part of the development of the cult of King Charles the Martyr (who remains the only Saint canonised by the Church of England). Milton’s riposte, the ‘Eikonoklastes’ (‘The Iconoclast’ or ‘Image-Breaker’) of 1649, did not prevent this work of popular piety from going into many editions. The frontispiece of the ‘Eikon’, designed by William Marshall, and filled with allegorical devices, has always been as famous as the book itself. While not actually copying its composition at all, this painting is entirely derived from Marshall’s print. The King is shown dressed in full earthly splendour - coronation robes, Garter chain, lace collar and so on – but kneeling and praying fervently to an altar upon which is placed a Bible and above which the heavens open. The King has placed a crown of thorns on a cushion at his feet as if offering it (or perhaps taking it up). All the same things happen in the ‘Eikon’ frontispiece except that the King here explicitly takes a crown of thorns labeled ‘Grace’ in exchange for an earthly crown, labeled ‘Vanity’. Many of the allegories which in the ‘Eikon’ fill a landscape outside the chapel in which the King kneels have, in this case, been crowded into a painting-within-a-painting in a fine Baroque frame including a skull. A rock resists some waves and some winds (puffing faces); the same thing is the ‘Eikon’ is labeled ‘Immota, Triumphans’ (‘Unmoved Triumphant’). A palm tree is hung with weights because this tree was said to grow straighter the more weight it bears; in the ‘Eikon’ the same image bears the rubric ‘Crescit sub pondere Virtus’ (‘Virtue grows under weights’, that is in adversity). Such a splendid and public image must have been commissioned after the Restoration, and probably quite soon after, while the matter was still current in people’s minds. A date from the 1660s would certainly fit with the painting’s style.

[avenger09]

Aspect Eikons

Eikons who embody not the eternal elements as the eight do, but instead are born from the collective concepts which have manifested in mankind. Strangly those conjured by humanity are just as potent as those seeded by the divine.

The Knights of the Round: Eikon of Valor

The dauntless paladin, clad in brilliant armor adorn with a red cape. Said to be the spirit of a legendary and tragic warrior king, able to summon the enchanted sword he wielded in life, and the shades of his fellowship of knights, as devoted to their liege in death, as he was to the ideals of justice he aspired to, even if it brought him personal tragedy. It is believed the Eikon resonates strongly with those who likewise accept the burden's a life of selfless leadership may wrought.

Diablos: Eikon of Blood

A lithe winged-demon with fanged teeth frozen in a sinister grin wielding a tall pitchfork. Though the burden of killing is something all things living must contend with when survival is at stake, Diablos represents those who took sadistic satisfaction in the violent demise of others. The red tinted claws of its elongated arms, a twisted reflection of the countless bloodstained hands of its dominants, be they bedevilled unfortuantes, unable to hold out agianst their bloodlust, or those who surrender freely, being as dead to the pain of their fellows as they are to the ending of their lives.

Sylph: Eikon of Compassion

An otherworldly yet undeniably beautifull fae being with the wings of a butterfly. Born out of humankind endless acts of self-sacrifice and comfort which persist even in the darkest of times, or in direct defiance of them. Sylph can bring even the most infirmed of people back from thr brink, and call upon the fawna of nature to heal the needy as well as disarm the malicious. For, much like a flower, despite her delicate appearances, even she may bare poison and thorns to protect.

Alexander: Eikon of Perseverance

The impervious bastion. Perhaps the strangest of the Eikon's, rather than a dominant transforming into an empowered being like the others, the great fortress is instead summoned around the dominant, who can then command the flying complex from within a keep deep in the centre, through will alone, whether by mustering its many fortifications to protect any they wish to shelter within their domain, or unleash a barrage of fire and metal upon their impertinent foes.

By all reckoning, Alexander represents mankinds abilty to endure and adapt to even the harshest of times, to turn hostile environments into mighty shelters that persevere for ages to come, manifesting in either those who understand the important role community and cooperation play in these endeavours, or those willing to shun all else for survivals sake.

[browniefox]

BABY CLIVE AND TORGAL! In love with this, that Torgal spent so much time trying to find Clive before he was eventually taken care of by Cid.

Ah Dion, it's a shame you have so many death flags bc I feel like the best story is him having to grow with what he's done, to try and lead his people to a better world or fix things that have been broken. Also, love that the hideaway has so many different people from different lots and places in life.

GAV I LOVE YOU GAV BEST SIDE CHARACTER GAV (right next to Byron). I also love the detail - you get the vibes in an earlier scene, here, and later - that it's already been discussed that should anything happen to Clive, Gav is to take over as the next Cid, which I think is very interesting and neat.

I love how in love they are, but I does suck how little we've seen of Jill ever since the beach scene - criminal, even, when we know even if she can't prime she can still use ice magic. Especially bc it's shown that Jill can be such a badass! At least we've gotten to see that Clive and Joshua are thinking about and worrying over Jill.

Damn rip Dion, you deserved to live.

I go back and forth on Joshua's death. I'm glad it's given such a big moment, that Clive sobs and screams over his brother's death, but it does feel just a little weird, Joshua forcing the Phoenix on him, especially with how upset he is over Clive getting Shiva. But also, I get it? BUT ALSO, like, I get the vibe that Clive collecting all the eikons has to do with Ultima's plan, so wouldn't it thwart it to die without giving the Phoenix up to Clive? At least it looks cool.

[crossroadsdimension]

Final Fantasy 1 Overworld Theme in Final Fantasy 16 Represents a Character's Harmful Fantasy (Part 3)

(Part 1 here ; part 2 here )

This post will cover the last instances I noticed of the FF1 theme; do not touch this unless you have all the Eikonic abilities and are ready to go on to the final boss. Or, if you've beaten the game, which would probably be better.

So, let's get to Ultima and what he has fantasized, and how harmful it is to himself and the people around him.

Ultima's Best-Laid Plans

Like Barnabas, Ultima has 2 instances of the FF1 theme -- "Death Shall Me Devour" and " 'Neath the Pall," which not only has the slow, calm, certain, ominous beat of Barnabas' themes, but also the constant, upward-leading notes that are a staple to Ultima's themes.

They also throw in choirs singing the melody instead of instruments, because why not. All-male choir for "Death Shall Me Devour," and a haunting woman soloist for " 'Neath the Pall," after a very different introduction from the other songs mentioned before this point. They even play with the melody a little more with the latter of Ultima's FF1 songs.

They come one right after the other in the soundtrack and in the game, so let's talk about them!

"Death Shall Me Devour" is played when Clive and Joshua fight Ultima in the Rift, rather than having to make the climb all the way to the heart of Drake's Spine to take out the Mothercrystal (which, by the way -- how many people noticed that those things start screaming louder and louder depending on how many of them you've taken out? I thought those were Fallen sealing Ultima away and that we were taking out the seal until proven otherwise.)

Anyway, Mothercrystals aside, the fight has us going against Ultima after he's just explained what happened in his past and what he came here to accomplish: that his people destroyed their world by sucking it dry of aether after they learned how to do magic, causing Ultima to flee to a new world, set up shop, and plan to use the aether of this world to make a world where they don't have to worry about anything bad happening again. I'm paraphrasing, but anyone who's beaten the game knows what Ultima wants.

The song is slow, certain, and definitely pulls more of the ominous-divine idea than Barnabus' two did -- in fact, it adds layers, because now we're in the face of his god and he needs a choir to go with those strings, along with that simple inclining melody in the background just making everything more unnerving.

Ultima is confident in his fantasy. He is confident that everything will turn out as is required, and that he will be able to settle into his vessel as intended, whether or not Mythos wants him in there. The fact that Clive and Joshua both deny his right to be their god and claim they have every right to live free lives with the wills they have does not shake his resolve. No, that comes a little later, after the brothers have done their damndest to beat the snot out of Ultima.

I think it goes without saying that Ultima's fantasy is one that would hurt everyone in existence as far as Valestheia is concerned. Getting the snot beat out of him is the least of what he deserves.

" 'Neath the Pall" plays as the second phase of the fight in the rift, when Ultima powers up for a second go and the rift starts to warp around them. He isn't showing emotion here, but I imagine he's starting to become irritated with the two humans in front of him who refuse to bend the knee. This Ultima is only a fraction of the many pieces that make up the whole collective, as the lore entries call it, and he will show the brothers a fraction of what makes him a god to humans. The way this version of the song starts is very similar to "Logos," later, when the fight is between two Eikons and not two humanoid men. The beginning of " 'Neath the Pall," with the fight between Joshua, Clive, and Ultima, hints at what will come.

Ultima still believes that he is in the right, that his fantasy will become reality. However, his confidence starts to falter, even if he doesn't realize it yet. And it is this that hints at when his fantasy begins to fall apart.

He still plans to take Clive, yes, even when Joshua steps in and prevents Clive from being emptied out by Ultima's machinations. He merely plans to wait for the moment when Clive will be truly alone to try and beat the soul out of the body the old-fashioned way. He's waited a thousand years and more; what's a little longer to a god?

Except he isn't a god, and he can't create a new world with the aether of another. And he certainly can't do it alone.

It's when Clive and every ally he's made on his journey stand up to Ultima that his plans truly fall apart. Because Ultima thought he could do this alone, and thus has to face them alone.

We don't get to see Ultima's fantasy truly fall apart until the final boss fight, but considering he's been the one being the curtain or the entirety of the game, that's to be expected. I'm sure if Barnabas had lived long enough to witness this himself, he would become a broken man, lost in the reality that his god was beaten by the very vessel meant to house him. There's some good, sweet irony in that.

[innerbeast]

CHARACTER SHEET REPOST, DON’T REBLOG !

basics !

FULL NAME. dar'khol moshantu TITLE. warrior of light / darkness, eikon slayer, champion of eorzea, worldcleaver, raging sun, war's favored beast, etc. NICKNAME. dar GENDER. transman! PRONOUNS. he /him HEIGHT. 173 cm / 5'8" ft AGE. 29 ZODIAC. aries SPOKEN LANGUAGES. english, technically

physical characteristics !

HAIR COLOR. auburn brown EYE COLOR. cyan right, amber left SKIN TONE. a warm, russet brown BODY TYPE. lean with a partial triangular figure VOICE. confident & slightly breathy; partial roughness in tone DOMINANT HAND. right POSTURE. decent, but has a tendency to lean back SCARS. plenty. (neck, shoulders, arms, chest, abdomen, back, hip, thigh, hands, calves, ears) TATTOOS. the white stripes along his jaw&cheeks, as well as a lion within red gardenias on his back BIRTHMARKS. the slanted checkmarks on either side of his nose, as well as a cluster of three tear-shaped marks beside each eye MOST NOTICEABLE FEATURE(S). everyone really likes his ears and tail here, does that count? but i like to think his eyes and facial markings.

childhood !

PLACE OF BIRTH. black shroud HOMETOWN. gridania, in a sense. he'd visit it frequently enough. SIBLINGS. his older brother, khol'a! PARENTS. his mother, khol & an unamed/forgettable father

adult life !

OCCUPATION. adventurer / sellsword & owner of skullrenderCURRENT RESIDENCE. townhouse 206 in cotes CLOSE FRIENDS. (strictly in isola) oliver, yuri, eiden, aurelius(kind of?) -- he's still working on making more, can never have enough RELATIONSHIP STATUS. single FINANCIAL STATUS. ... good enough! DRIVER’S LICENSE. no! CRIMINAL RECORD. we don't talk about it. VICES. pride, his temper, reckless, self-sacrificing

sex & romance !

SEXUAL ORIENTATION. pansexual LOVE LANGUAGE. physical touch & acts of service RELATIONSHIP TENDENCIES. he'll treat his partner like he would his best friend, only now he'll have his moments of getting close for a dose of attention. crawling in their lap, latching onto their waist, random kisses or resting his head on their shoulder. more frequent moments of "i saw this and thought of you" gifting, urging his partner to go places/travel with him. extra doting on personal health & well being, even if he might sound hypocritical.

miscellaneous !

CHARACTER’S THEME SONG. heart of a hero - club dangerHOBBIES TO PASS TIME. exercise, fishing, aimless exploration, trinket collecting, organization PHOBIAS. athazagoraphobia, thalassophobia ( slightly ), thanatophobia SELF CONFIDENCE LEVEL. he's got a fairly high level of confidence; both in himself and his skills. perhaps even over-confident depending on the situation, but he absolutely holds his doubts here and there. VULNERABILITIES. he wears his heart on his sleeve, becomes easily attached, his own confidence&pride can easily be used against him, explosive temper, he cares too much about everything

[rasenkaikyo]

⛩ HINAKO DAIGO ⛩

Full Character Sheet

https://hinako.crd.co/

imgur + art collection

sheet text below cut

大 悟 の 日 和 子

HINAKO DAIGO

HEIGHT: ~63 ILMS NATIONALITY: YANXIAN GENDER: FEMALE AGE: 26 NAMEDAY: 16TH SUN, 3RD UMBRAL MOON BIRTHPLACE: IWAMURA, NORTH YANXIA OCCUPATION: SHRINE PRIEST DISCIPLINE: SHUGENDO

DEFAULT ATTIRE PRINCESS PEACH’S CORSAGE DAI-RYUMYAKU NECKLACE DALMASCAN DRAPED TOP HIGH SUMMONER’S ARMLETS EIKON CLOTH CULOTTES OF HEALING GUOC

THE FAMILY CREST (KAMON) OF THE DAIGO CLAN, HINAKO’S BLOODLINE, ORIGINATING IN HINGASHI AND CONSISTING OF VENERATED WARRIORS AND ONMYOJI.

HINAKO IS ANGELIC; FEW THINGS WAVER HER SAINTLY DISPOSITION OR SUNNY AURA. SHE STANDS UNDAUNTED IN THE FACE OF THE UNKNOWN AND THE UNSEEN. THE PRIEST AIMS TO ALWAYS BE A FRIEND WHEN REASONABLE AND LOVES TO SHARE A FRESHLY BREWED POT OF TEA, AND SHE IS KNOWN TO BE MORE RATHER OUTGOING TO THOSE WHO HAVE BUILT CLOSER BONDS WITH HER. DESPITE THIS, SHE IS NOT SOMEONE WHO SHOULD BE TRIFLED WITH, AS A SKILLED MAGE AND, WHEN BACKED INTO A CORNER, A FIERCE COMBATANT.

ALSO TRAINED IN HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT AND SWORDPLAY, AND ALLEGEDLY LENDING TO HER AURI HERITAGE, HINAKO HAS A MORE PRONOUNCED PHYSIQUE THAN MAY BE EXPECTED AT A GLANCE FOR A PRIEST OR CAREER HEALER.

BURN SCARS AROUND SCALES ON THE TORSO

SLASH SCAR NEAR THE SHOULDER

LITTLE HORNS! (CHARM POINT)

THE LIMBALS OF HINAKO’S EYES GLOW WITH AN INTENSITY WHEN CHANNELING A SURFEIT OF AETHER (QI).

CONVERSELY, IF HINAKO IS SIGNIFICANTLY DRAINED OF ENERGY OR DEPRESSED, THE LIMBALS MAY APPEAR DARKER, MORE SUBDUED.

HINAKO IS A SHRINE PRIEST (SHINKAN) VERSED IN SHUGENDO, A SYNCRETIC DISCIPLINE THAT CAN BE LIKENED TO WESTERN CONJURY AND WHITE MAGIC, WHILE EMPLOYING LOCAL PRINCIPLES OF GEOMANCY AND ONMYODO. KEY TO HER PANOPLY ARE OFUDA - PAPER TALISMANS THAT CAN SERVE MYRIAD FUNCTIONS INCLUDING FORMING BARRIERS. IN COMBAT, HER OPEN HAND IS USUALLY POISED FOR SEQUENTIAL GESTURES (MUDRAS) AND TO EQUIP OFUDA.

MAGATAMA - A SOUL CRYSTAL OF JADE BEARING AN ANCIENT SYMBOL AND THE WISDOM OF THE PAST. IT IS GRANTED TO EVERY OFFICIATED SHINKAN. OFTEN PLAYING AN ACTIVE ROLE IN VARIOUS RITUALS AND DIVINATIONS, HINAKO TYPICALLY KEEPS HERS ON A STRING OF JUZU BEADS.

MASAKAKI - ADORNED WITH THE LEAVES OF THE SACRED SAKAKI TREE, THE SIGNATURE SHAKUJO OF HINAKO WAS ADAPTED FROM TRADITIONAL RITUAL DISPLAYS, BEFORE COMING TO A MORE ACTIVE USE IN THE HANDS OF SHRINE PRIESTS - AN INFLUENCE OF TRAVELING ASCETIC MONKS.

THE PRINCIPLES OF OFUDA WILL VARY. IN THIS STYLE THERE ARE “ANCHORS” AND “BRIDGES”, GREATER AND LESSER OFUDA. THE ANCHORING OFUDA BEARS THE NAME OF A PATRON KAMI, AND STAMPS WITH THE NAMES OF THE SHRINE AND THE USER. THE BRIDGING OFUDA ARE OFTEN WRIT PLAIN WITH THE SYMBOLS “TEN”, “CHI” AND “JIN”.

“CLASSIC” ATTIRE - NON LA, PEACH BLOSSOM CHOKER, HIGH SUMMONER’S DRESS (MASHUP BY CLEF), EASTERN JOURNEY ARMLETS, LADY’S KNICKERS (BLACK), LITTLE LADY’S CLOGS

HTTPS://HINAKO.CRD.CO CREDIT TO BIZU/ILLYRIANA/TSAR, RUTA, CLEF BENITOS88, MUGI @DAINTYDROPKICKS FOR THE “LITTLE HORNS” DOODLE

ASK ABOUT MARE SHARING

TWITTER @DUCHESSDYNAMIC TUMBLR @DUCHESSDYNAMIC/RASENKAIKYO FINALRESPITE

[archivumesoterica]

Clashing Steel

She shoved the throttle forward hard and fast, eliciting a loud mechanical click as it violently rammed into the edge of its housing. A short confirmation beep sounded out and the cockpit pitched downward a few degrees as the machine began to lurch forwards. Step by lumbering step, the hulk of plating and pistons advanced towards the target. A low growl built up in the miqo’te’s throat as she leaned forward, pressing her weight on the hardware under her hands as if doing so might will even an ounze of extra speed out of the war machine.

A faded purple light began to gather in her opponent’s hands, and hers quickly set to work trying to turn her machine to strafe out of the path of clearly building attack. It wasn’t enough however: as the waist section began to twist, the blast of lightning aether flew out and ran a streak across her chest. A guttural scream bellowed out from deep within her as the internal speaker clicked on.

“Direct hit to reactor section, warmachina immobilized. Ejection sequence initiated.” The dry, half-bored voice over the radio cut out just as a hiss of air sounded out behind her, the cockpit doors opening as mech powered down. Kahyy tore at the straps of her safety harness, leaving some of them in shreds before she sprinted out the dilating door. She leapt out, one hand gripping at one of the machine’s legs to slow her descent and not break her own upon landing on solid ground. She wrenched the helmet off her head and pitched it at the source of the voice, a tiny Flame Captain that had been administering the training exercise. 

“What in the spirits’ name-” she began before being cut off by hands grabbing at her arms. She tore her burning gaze from the lalafel and bounced it between the raen and other miqo’te that were holding her back. “Get the fuck off of me!”

“Hey, hold on, giving him a concussion isn’t going to do anything for you,” the other miqo’te, Ard, began.

“Yes. It is not his fault that the training machina cannot match the speed of your machine,” came the cold and almost flat voice of the raen.

“Truely, it is only your own fault that you must use a substitute machine for the training after what you did to it yourself in our last confrontation.” The most annoying, smug voice of the lot, coming out of an elezen who’s drive suit didn’t even dare to wrinkle under his gaze. 

“Fuck you Roch,” she began as she tore an arm free of Fukume’s grasp to then wrest the other miqo’s hands off her other arm. “We shouldn’t have even had this fucking training in the first place. If you fools hadn’t gotten in my way in that battle my Pale Moon would have finished the fight without a godsdamned scratch! Your slow fucking machines can’t even keep up with me!”

“Look, you were headed right into the eikon’s strike, and I know you knew that. But that would have killed you. It doesn’t matter how fast you are if you’re just going to charge a rock spike right through your reactor,” Ard insisted. 

“Oh fuck off, I would have been fine! I could have smashed that damn thing out of my way and then knocked Titan’s fucking head off!”

Roch raised a hand as if to start to refute her assertion, but before even a syllable could slip from between his lips the woman retrieved her helmet from the heap that was the now-unconscious lalafel and trudged off to a collection of large rocks in the distance, tired of the conversation already. The remaining three were left to simply stare at each other as if to say ‘well, we’ll just have to try next time,’ and then carry the Captain to a nearby medical tent. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oh, hey, look, I finally actually did one of those writings I said I'd do! Anyways uh, here's at least one prompt! Hopefully I can keep the juices flowing and hit all the prompts I chose~