#and i like gwyn

[loquaxleemons]

Whiteboard insanity 2 electric boogaloo

With @abs0luteanarchy again :)

[the-darkestminds]

You know what I wanna see in Azriel’s book? A major emotional breakdown in which he openly cries his heart out. This man is stoic and angry and so closed off, even among friends. I’m begging him to show us even a sliver of vulnerability. Azriel, my guy, you can cry if you need to.

[oneirotect]

Thought I would post some of the character ref art from our ASOIAF campaign for your viewing pleasure!

I’m running a homebrew campaign with the official SIFRP system by green ronin, set in 207 AC between the first and second Blackfyre rebellions!

From left to right:

Tobiah ‘Toby’ Martell, 26 (Played by Nico): A legitimized bastard of House Martell, nephew of Maron and Daenerys.

Oswick ‘Redtusk’ Crakehall, 47 (NPC): A close ally of Daemon Blackfyre during the first rebellion, fled to Essos with Bittersteel in 196 AC.

Gwyndon ‘Gwyn’ Pyke, 26 (Played by @pigeon-princess): A bastard of House Farwynd of the Lonely Light, skinchanger and warg.

[wildbasil]

everyone say hello to creiddylad! 🥰👋🥳🥳🥳🥳

[teddyhoneybear]

Sometimes it's surprising to me that after the Azriel bonus chapter, people still think Elain and Azriel are endgame (it's ok to ship them though, I ship Azriel with Eris sometimes💀), but why force it on others? Why attack artist just because they choose to draw a ship you don't agree with (when they've already done yours several times)? Why hurt/insult others in the process? Go on AO3 and fantasize all you want (that's the point of the site after all, to quench your thirst - I mean... that's what I do🤕).

*I* was an Elriel (maybe not a strong one, I'm very open minded) before, but after reading that chapter I just gave up lmao (I sulked a bit while starring at gorgeous fanarts with them, wiped my tears and moved on). And I do understand how it feels to get very attached to a ship, I still think of Harry and Hermione for God's sake. Or Draco... 😶‍🌫️

Not only that his inner monologue gave me the ick, then his arrogance and entitlement when speaking with Rhys, but his gift compared to Lucien's was just... lame (and I really like Azriel, even if the way he behaved there dissapointed me).

And if it wasn't enough, after that dramatic *in a raspy male voice* "Oh babycakes, it was a mistake!" and Elain giving him back the necklace like a lost battle, out of absolutely nowhere Gwyn's character shows up! In the same chapter! It has to mean something, right? Not only that, but it's obvious she makes him curios, her character challanges his (I won't even mention his shadows making heart-eyes at her).

[venusin-aries]

“Gwyn will never be a main character.”

And e/riel will never have a mating bond. 

Like what has a bigger chance of happening here? 

Elain rejecting Lucien, a man who is letting her call all the shots, who is giving her all the power, who is giving her the space she needs to figure out herself without hovering or interjecting on her behalf, for Azriel, a man who thinks he can speak for her? 

Or Azriel saving and realizing Gwyn, a beautiful, cheeky, strategic Valkyrie is his equal and mate and still choosing her even if she was chosen for him because he has no reason NOT to choose the brilliant and loyal Gwyneth Berdara even if disturbing anti’s think she’s not “sexually compatible” for him?

Of those two things what do we think is more likely to happen, hm?

Because I know what Sarah’s modus operandi is. Do you?

[highladyjane]

The assault at Sangravah happened in early ACOMAF (before Elain's existence even came into picture for Azriel - 3 days before he even got to meet Feyre)... So I don't get how G and Az are supposed to be mates when he's had all that time to feel something?

There's the parallel of Rhys' father feeling his mating bond snap into place the moment he met his mother being assaulted.

"One look at her, and he knew what she was..." (ACOMAF, ch. 16)

Or Rhys himself feeling the bond when Feyre was being tortured by Amarantha...

"And I knew as I picked up that knife to kill her... I knew right then what you were. I knew right then that you were my mate." (ACOMAF, ch. 54)

Or Cassian simply meeting Nesta. "Say what I've guessed from the moment we met" he breathed. What I knew from the first time I kissed you. What became unbreakable between us on Solstice night." (ACOSF, ch. 62)

Bonus from Nesta: “‘From the moment I met you, I wanted you more than reason. From the moment I saw you in my house, you were all I could think about. And it terrified me. No one had ever held such power over me."

Or even Lucien after Elain was Made and maybe even while being thrown into the Cauldron... I don't even need a quote for them, but even Lucien knew and has tried seeking Elain out after the incident.

It's stated in the books and shown again and again that it's the males who are deeply affected by the mating bond. That they can know from the moment they meet. They all in one way or another sought after the females. Even Nesta and Feyre felt something before they knew or opened themselves up to it. And since they all met - They. Couldn't. Stay. Away.

But there's like... no hint of it from Az after stumbling upon G? Like he just literally stumbles upon her - never actually even actively seeking her out through all those years? He hasn't even actively tried to stay away? He's just... *crickets*

It's been Gwyn making noises and attracting his attention through all their scenes together. It was Gwyn asking for dagger lessons. It was 'Gwyn' making Az the new ribbon (whatever that means). And it's Az's shadows reacting to Gwyn, not Az himself. But there's no real hint that Gwyn feels anything romantic for him. There's barely any interactions between them without linking it to her assault in Sangravah and her growth from it.

Besides Az's shadows reacting to G, and that ribbon moment that everyone deems so pivotal when Az realises what it means for the Valkyries (that he's had a hand in training) and maybe even reflects upon Gwyn's character development and therefore what the ribbon means for Gwyn - which made me feel proud too, and that's how I interpreted it - but I can't see an undeniable sign of it being a mating bond anywhere.

I thought at first that mayhaps he was giving her space because of the assault, but then the BC came and he went "It was too late to bank without appearing like he was running," and then "He wouldn't go so far as to call Gwyn a friend,". (ACOSF, Azriel's Bonus Chapter)

Let's not even mention the part where Gwyn was actually in danger (no matter how capable she was at that point), while Cassian was going ballistic at Nesta being in danger, but Az is all like "Let's go save Eris". Eris who both he and Cassian hates. Eris who Az himself nearly killed during the HLs' pre-war meeting (before he exhibited actual mate behaviour and sought and risked his life to save Elain who's not even his mate). But no, he gave just as much or even less action and reaction about Gwyn as Tamlin gave when Feyre was UTM.

And I was like...

How are they mates? Where's the mate behaviour every male - mated or not - in Prythian has exhibited throughout the books? Why did I keep seeing things about them being mates and endgame?

The only hint between them that I could even begin to consider it from is the second to last sentence in Az's BC.

"But Azriel tucked away the thought, consciously erasing the slight smile it brought to his face. Buried the image down deep, where it glowed quietly."

But I basically have the same interpretation about that as this post from @merymoonbeam. (Although I'm still neutral about the lightsinger theory, it's the most interesting take.)

Because again.

Why hasn't Azriel felt/shown anything or actively sought her out or even actively stayed away if he's known Gwyn since Sangravah?

If they're mates, shouldn't he have felt and shown something - like that glow - and Gwyn be the one to snap him out of his 'love' for Mor before he even had the chance to meet Elain? If he's just lonely and jealous of his brothers having mates then... Why has he barely noticed or sought out Gwyn who's supposed to be his mate?

What, he had to wait until his shadows reacted to her to even think about her?

I'm not an expert at analysing things - I wouldn't even say I'm good at interpreting things especially when I've got my rose-tinted glasses on, so/but I'm always open to being wrong and changing my mind accordingly.

But/so convince me with actual canon and not just your biased opinions, delusions, self-insertions, or ships.

[guardian-angle22]

TK talking about himself vs. Other people talking about TK

[lucienvxnserra]

YA’LL!!!!!

I commissioned my first ever piece of fanart! Isn’t it gorgeous?!!! I found a picture online of a girl in the water and it reminded me of Gwyn and her river nymph heritage. So, I had the lovely avoccatt_art on instagram create this gorgeous peace of art. Anyways, I hope you enjoy staring at this as much as I do. That is what I’ll be doing for the next hour. 

Do not repost without credit!

[skwtches]

Daisy sketch + my first attempt at designing one of our Rabbit’s sisters, Chrysanthemum (Chrystie)! Been trying to come up with designs for all of em, and my first draft for Chrystie’s ended up being my fave 💛

[silverlinedeyes]

A Court of Dancing Shadows

As Recorded by Gwyneth Berdara

A potential summary and description of the Azriel Gwyn Nesta book idea* that is floating around, the plot of which I can’t stop thinking about and trying to imagine:

Follow Az and Gwyn in dual POV as Az and Nesta go on a journey to revive dusk and establish Valkyrie HQ with Gwyn as their sidekick.

Gwyn is there as an official scribe, making sure this gets recorded for Prythian history (I mean what else is her role?), but also I guess as Az’s girlfriend? (I am refraining from continuing down this path of thought before I say something bad.)

Gwyn’s POVs focus on Nesta, what she does, how she uses the Starborn power or whatever to revive dusk (I know I know Nesta’s power is death, how are she and Az, whose power is shadows, going to bring the land back to life? It’s not my job to answer these questions. This is their story. But I digress.), and also how obsessed Gwyn is with Az and his shadows.

Gwyn almost gets eaten by a Wyrm. Nesta saves her with a Trove weapon Gwyn can’t wield.

And while they travel the land, at night, Gwyn sings around the campfire and Az’s shadows dance. Az sometimes joins in the singing. Nesta watches. And then Gwyn and Az sneak away from Nesta once she’s asleep to f*ck. Hopefully she doesn’t hear.

One brother, one sister, and a bestie (and the shadows who love her).

Cassian is…nowhere to be found on this journey lol. Nesta could leave him behind (and he let her apparently).

And we get more Valkyrie training scenes and get to see them ride the Pegasi after they free Dusk and establish Valkyrie HQ.

Oh, and Gwyn somehow heals Az (even though I thought Az needed therapy first?) and makes him love Illyrians again.

The end!

I can’t 🤣🤣🤣

*this is a shitpost and a joke but also…..someone please help me understand what the actual plot and romance and storyline of this book would be because I’m at a loss.

[the-darkestminds]

I think people are being disingenuous when they claim Gwynriel is a crack ship. Gwyn and Azriel are two characters who interact in the book, they have things in common/shared experiences (Sangravah, training, the blood rite), and Gwyn was included in Azriel’s bonus chapter in a positive light. A crack ship is one that is bizarre and extremely unlikely to ever be canon. For example: Mor and Lucien. It would be ridiculous and make zero sense. But to dismiss Gwynriel outright sounds like denial to me.

[gwyns]

I want a scene where Nesta is talking about wingspans and Gwyn is all confused like “what about wingspans” and Emerie just starts laughing and explains to Gwyn what they say about an Illyrians wingspan size, and Nesta adds “apparently Azriel has the biggest wingspan”. Even better if Az and Cassian are around to hear it, and then Cass goes in full defense mode about his wingspan is the biggest.

oh my god this is gold 🤭

imagine the next time gwyn is around az she's just silently trying to measure his wingspan with her hands, his shadows notice and obviously help her in this endeavor, flying up to his wings and slowly drawing themselves out to the length of his wings. it gets to the point that even azriel notices and maybe he plays into it by constantly stretching them out and lazily readjusting them as he takes his sweet time tucking them in

in addition to cassian defending his own wingspan, he starts basically "flexing" like az does, much to nesta's enjoyment. it gets so bad that all of the priestesses have to stop and ogle them for a good while. the valkyries tease cassian and azriel relentlessly after this

[fairdale]

justice for elriel

already said this, but i feel like some people haven’t read the same books as me regarding elriel. and i don't particularly mean them as a ship, i mean that because of ships some people refuse to acknowledge the amazing characters that are these two (and how well they go together). i love them so much.

some talk of elain as plain, boring girl who is fragile and useless and i just don't get it. the poor girl has her life turned upside down not once, but twice. and yes, she doesn't react the same way feyre or nesta do, but she also fights. she helps them in the war. for the love of god, nesta and cassian are alive because she stabbed the king (with azriel's most special dagger that he never lent anyone but her, mind you). i'm sorry but that don't you touch my sister was one of the top moments for me.

and not only that, but i've seen people hate her. how can you hate her?? i just don't get it. she's growing out of her shell, she's blossoming into a strong, fearless woman. feyre herself said she believed elain to be the strongest because she remained hopeful even in hard times. and she sees the good in people.

sure, in acowar she was still processing everything, but in acofas and acosf you can see her being comfortable around everyone and more sure of herself, bolder, as cassian said. her hobbies may be quieter than her sisters', but that doesn't make her less interesting. plus it's obvious that she doesn't wanna be babied. she was willing to scry and help them fight the queen. she's ready to fight, to use her powers. to show who she really is.

and talking about azriel, i just can't believe some people talk about him as the "sad guy" and nothing else. they talk as if the whole inner circle and the archeron sisters weren't in love with him. he fights with everything he has for his people. he didn't care about the bad condition his wings were in during the last battle, he wanted to fight along his brothers.

he taught feyre how to fly because he understood the fears she may have. he never once judger her. he's always there for everyone. he may not be expressing himself with words easily, but you can see it in his actions how much he cares about his family.

he's also so smart and i love that. for me, he's one of the most interesting characters in the whole series, maybe even the most interesting one. he has such a hard past, but he overcame it. he despises the illyrians, but he loves his brothers and is one of the best three fighters they have. he has a lot of control, but he didn't hesitate to defend mor against eries or to go rescue elain. he cares, a lot.

(and please don't even get me started on the be careful how you speak about my high lady. this man is HOT)

and last but not least, elriel. these two have so many moments, even if they are subtle. you can't deny the connection they have from the second they met. elain inmediately felt more at ease in his presence and she asked him multiple questions. and he was so so kind to her, making sure she didn't feel uncomfortable. and let me remind you her dress was the color of azriel's siphons. i can't let that go.

in acowar, azriel is the one who says elain doesn't need anything when others talked about her as if she needed to be fixed. and he's the one who understands what is happening with her, that she's a seer. i think it's so important that he didn't doubt her. he trusted that she was capable enought to help, to grow, to be.

when elain gets kidnapped, he's the first one to say i'm getting her back. he didn't hesitate for one second, even when the rest told him he would die. he was getting her back. and he did, and they didn't want to let go of each other.

and elain kissed his cheek without caring about whoever or whatever that was going on around them.

and as i said before, azriel lent her truth-teller so she would be able to defend herself. he doesn't cut her wings. i feel like some people misunderstand his words acosf when he didn't want her near darkness. he was worried, but he never, once, tried to order her or tell her what she could or couldn't do.

he's also one of the few people who treats her as a capable, adult woman who is strong and clever. he encourages her, and so does she.

i also need to talk about elain saying his hands are beautiful. his hands, that he feels are always dirty and unworthy of touching something precious. she has never judged them or him.

oh, and please let's talk about them getting each other gifts for the winters solstice. multiple times. they're whipped. they're just so so cute to me.

offer and permission.

and no, i don't think azriel would be bad for elain or stop her growth. i don't think he would slow her down because he also needs to grow in his confidence.

and no, i don't think elain is bad suited for azriel because she may not be interested in fighting as her sisters are. elain is ready to fight her battles, to be an active part of her court. just because she chooses to do so differently, it doesn't mean is not important.

so, basically, these two are iconic and they're wonderful characters who deserve all the love and appreciation and i honestly think they have crazy chemistry and could have an epic (love) story. they're awesome, together and individually and i can't wait to be inside their minds. i really hope the next book is about them because the possibilities are endless.

they are that good.

[wildbasil]

group therapy (they make each other worse)

[watmalik]

He signed his vows as Tyler!