#forgiveness just by virtue of deciding to change. Forgiveness must be earned.

[insaneillusionist]

Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani is an incredible movie and I recommend you all watch it, and they have the perfect usage of a sequin shirt.

[erazonpo3]

It’s Era talks about topic of the day time, but I’m gonna do so in a way that’s more about our broader cultural perspectives on moral philosophy and how it relates to the narratives we tell. So

The topic of the Redemption Arc is one that’s come up in a big way pretty recently, and so the debate emerges- what makes a good redemption arc? I’m not really interested in answering that question. 

But what I will argue is that, as others have said before, a character should not have to endure suffering as a prerequisite for being redeemed; it is not necessary for their growth, it is not beneficial for their victims or the greater good, and encouraging it as a necessary part of a Redemption narrative (note that writers choosing to create conflict throughout a redemption arc can be a valid narrative decision) is just indulging in a sense of sadism that utilises a westernised conceptualisation of ‘justice’ to see a character they don’t like get put through the wringer before they can ‘earn’ love or compassion. 

I get it, the antagonist was an antagonist for a reason, and they probably did shitty things and you as an audience member are allowed to choose not to empathise with them (even though most narratives these days are driven by emotional character arcs that encourage empathy and compassion as a core value), or you can choose to empathise with them but still condemn them and their actions. However, what I’m going to go into in more detail is the fact that your personal feelings about an antagonist in a narrative don’t really hold any weight because the redemption narrative requires just as much empathy for the people who were affected by the antagonist’s actions just as much as it requires empathy for the antagonist themselves.

And if those characters choose forgiveness? You don’t get to argue the point because you prefer to frame justice as punishment for the wrongdoer rather than empowerment for the victim, in whatever form that may take. So here’s my extended take: if an antagonist suffering in order to earn their happy ending is more important to you than the good that comes out of a redemption, consider that no. 

Part 1 - We live in a society

There’s no easy way to break it to you, but I’m afraid we live in a society. Namely a Western society that is dominated largely by Christian cultural influences and authoritative bodies of governments with legal structures that are built on colonialism. Considering that western nations around the globe have historically dragged their feet in making changes like “human rights apply to all humans”, it’s fair to say this isn’t a great basis for our foundation of morality. 

I should also say that Christianity as a faith does not equal bad, but contemporary Christianity in modern society has an exorbitant focus on the fear of damnation, which goes hand in hand with the legal system as a form of coercive power. Furthermore I should clarify, I’m not saying laws are bad; I’m saying that a good thing is not good because it is law, and a law is not good because it is law. The authoritative bodies of western society rely on the fear of punitive justice for misdeeds rather than an encouragement of charity and cooperation because law and order is easier to maintain through fear than generosity. 

But I’m not here to make a statement about society, because that’s its whole own essay, but what I can say is that our moral codes are best made on our own terms and not by the people with a vested interest in keeping us lawful, because historically their idea of lawful is “you’re only human if you meet certain conditions”. Like, the government of my own country mailed me a non-legally-binding ballot to ask me if I thought letting people get gay married was a good idea. They’re not the people I’m letting dictate my morality to me, alright. 

Anyway the whole point of this section is to remind you that your ethical foundations likely come from institutional groups that encourage you to believe that justice = suffering, because people are scared of suffering, and people who are scared are easy to control. 

Part 2 - Redemption, and who gets to decide who gets it

I’m going to answer that right here right now- probably not you. That’s right! Even when we’re dealing with narratives, where the people are fake, it’s not really up to you to decide who gets to have their happy ending and who doesn’t if you’re not the person writing the thing. If you want that power… write the thing. 

But what you should also keep in mind is that redemption narratives usually start with a character recognising that they’ve done the wrong thing, expressing regret for that- which ideally leads to them never doing the thing again. From a purely pragmatic standpoint, this is the point in which everyone has to step back and remove their feelings from the situation and consider the bigger picture. You can give zero dogshits about an antagonist, but if you’re going to pretend to be a good and moral person you should probably consider their victims, be they direct or indirect. 

Starting with the indirect, we consider all the people who are part of this world’s society. I’m now going to introduce you to some fancy macroeconomics terminology called positive externalities and net social good. The principle is simple: when the government pays for somebody’s education and they go on to become a doctor, I benefit from this transaction despite having nothing to do with this because doctors good. The positive externality is that I benefit when the government pays for someone else’s education, and the net social good is that everyone else benefits as well.  

When it comes to crime, the general idea is that an offender who can be reformed and rehabilitated is less likely to commit future crimes once they’ve served their time, so any rehabilitation efforts contribute to net social good. Of course I have to state here that life is far more complicated than a simple black and white model of crime > reform > good, but the general idea is that where society can see improvement, an effort must be made to ensure said improvement. You don’t get to derail a net social positive in a demand for righteous justice because you said so.

Demanding righteous justice even when there’s no benefit to society is how you get the death penalty remaining in 28 US states- despite being incredibly inefficient and expensive compared to life-without-parole sentencing (and who knows how many incorrect verdicts that can never be reversed)- as a result. Yay. 

Moving on to the direct victims, you have to accept that these characters with personal stakes are likely going to have different reactions to their antagonist depending on the severity of the circumstances and their own characterisation, moral code etc. Reflecting real life, narratives give us an array of characters who have different ethical standpoints and responses to their situations. And if a character decides to forgive their antagonist? Hey ho you don’t get to be the one who says “actually, no-”. 

Forgiveness is a kind of forgotten virtue of mental health these days, in no small part due to misguided advice from people who have no idea what they’re talking about. Forgiveness means very different things to very different people. There are people who can forgive the murderers of their family. There are people who hold grudges about the pettiest shit imaginable. Forgiveness isn’t a slap-a-bandaid on answer to finding closure, but when it is applicable it is incredibly empowering. 

When you are an audience member projecting your emotions onto a protagonist, of course it’s easy to say “I’d just hate that person forever!” because you’re not the one who carries that burden. Hating people is exhausting. Unless they’re doing societal harm, it’s probably not worth the emotional investment to hate them. If you can find closure through forgiveness, it’s not up to anyone else to tell you that that person doesn’t deserve it or that you’re a pushover because of that. Mental health comes first. 

It’s personal anecdote time, so here’s a small warning for mentions of sexual assault. Obviously I’m not going to go into the details because that’s weird and unnecessary, but what you need to know is that there were two different incidents with two different endings. Person A went on with their lives as I went on with mine and I don’t know how they feel about the incident but based on what I know of them, I’m not given reason to assume they regret it. Person B was a friend who hurt me in a pretty ugly way but immediately regretted what they’d done and gave me a very sincere apology both straight after and later again to assure me they understood what they’d done wrong. I forgave them, because I valued their friendship and I cared about them and I trusted that they were sincere, and I don’t regret that decision. 

Because between the person who worked to be in a place where I was comfortable to forgive them and the person who will never give me that chance, which do you think gave me any kind of satisfying closure?

The point of that anecdote isn’t to say every character has to be like me. It’s a perfectly valid reaction for someone to say “you’ve worked hard to be a better person and I’m glad for that but I’ll still never be able to forgive you for what you did to me” because I’ve been there as well. Forgiveness isn’t the key to a prior antagonist’s redemption arc because their self improvement should be entirely self-driven and not reliant on another person. However I argue that a prior antagonist should be allowed to work towards redemption to provide their victim a sense of agency- if forgiveness comes with conditions, they should strive to meet those conditions. 

And that’s the crux of the matter. 

A redemption for the sake of the character being redeemed is only one part of a big picture about recovering from trauma. They should strive to be a better person for their own sake and for the sake of others, so that their redemption serves as a net social good. They should strive to be a better person so that the people they’ve hurt might be able to find closure in the fact that they’re trying hard to be a person who can be forgiven, whether or not those victims actually choose forgiveness or not. 

Forcing a character to suffer for your own vindictive self-righteousness deprives this outcome, denies the victims their agency and closure, creates a neutral or negative externality in which the prior antagonist either performs no future good or goes back down a path of criminality, all because you believe they deserve to suffer more than you want actual justice. 

And that’s, like, bad.

[lgbtqiahistoricalromance]

YA & School Love in LGBTQIA+ Historical Romances

First off, I’m glad to say that the YA novels of today are teeming with LGBT characters, many of them MCs. That said, this is just a taste of a few that I really enjoyed or by authors you might not be aware of yet. @lgbtqreads is an excellent resource for more exhaustive lists, and also companies like Book Riot.

All Out: The No-Longer-Secret Stories of Queer Teens throughout the Ages. Short story anthology of LGBTQIA teenagers throughout history, from across the spectrum. Ed by Sandra Mitchell

- Take a journey through time and genres to discover stories where queer teens live, love and shape the world around them. Seventeen young adult authors across the queer spectrum have come together to create a collection of beautifully written diverse historical fiction for teens. From a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood set in war-torn 1870s Mexico featuring a transgender soldier, to two girls falling in love while mourning the death of Kurt Cobain, forbidden love in a sixteenth-century Spanish convent or an asexual girl discovering her identity amid the 1970s roller-disco scene, All Out tells a diverse range of stories across cultures, time periods and identities, shedding light on an area of history often ignored or forgotten.

Hayden Thorne novels are being reissued. She specializes in YA LGBT romance novels, many with fantasy elements, but all of them well constructed and inventive. I’ve read almost all of her novels in this genre, and several are mentioned elsewhere on this blog. Just, please, check out this amazing author’s work for some very creative takes on some of your favorite tropes, and ideas I’ve never read anywhere else.

A Place for Wolves by Kosoko Jackson

- Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe meets Code Name Verity in this heartbreaking and poignant historical thriller. (YA!!)

James Mills isn’t sure he can forgive his parents for dragging him away from his life, not to mention his best friend and sister, Anna. He’s never felt so alone. Enter Tomas. Falling for Tomas is unexpected, but sometimes the best things in life are. Then their world splits apart. A war that has been brewing finally bursts forward, filled with violence, pain, and cruelty. James and Tomas can only rely on each other as they decide how far they are willing to go—and who they are willing to become—in order to make it back to their families.

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzie Lee (Review)

- A young bisexual British lord embarks on an unforgettable Grand Tour of Europe with his best friend/secret crush. An 18th-century romantic adventure for the modern age written by This Monstrous Thing author Mackenzi Lee - Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda meets the 1700s.Henry "Monty" Montague doesn't care that his roguish passions are far from suitable for the gentleman he was born to be. But as Monty embarks on his grand tour of Europe, his quests for pleasure and vice are in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family's estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy.So Monty vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty's reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.Witty, dazzling, and intriguing at every turn, The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue is an irresistible romp that explores the undeniably fine lines between friendship and love.

Don't miss Felicity's adventures in The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy, the highly anticipated sequel!

Pantomine by Laura Lam (Micah Grey Trilogy Book 1)

- In a land of lost wonders, the past is stirring once more . . .

Gene's life resembles a debutante's dream. Yet she hides a secret that would see her shunned by the nobility. Gene is both male and female. Then she displays unwanted magical abilities - last seen in mysterious beings from an almost-forgotten age. Matters escalate further when her parents plan a devastating betrayal, so she flees home, dressed as a boy.

The city beyond contains glowing glass relics from a lost civilization. They call to her, but she wants freedom not mysteries. So, reinvented as 'Micah Grey', Gene joins the circus. As an aerialist, she discovers the joy of flight - but the circus has a dark side. She's also plagued by visions foretelling danger. A storm is howling in from the past, but will she heed its roar?

Ash by Malinda Lo

In the wake of her father's death, Ash is left at the mercy of her cruel stepmother. Consumed with grief, her only joy comes by the light of the dying hearth fire, rereading the fairy tales her mother once told her. In her dreams, someday the fairies will steal her away. When she meets the dark and dangerous fairy Sidhean, she believes that her wish may be granted. The day that Ash meets Kaisa, the King's Huntress, her heart begins to change. Instead of chasing fairies, Ash learns to hunt with Kaisa. Their friendship, as delicate as a new bloom, reawakens Ash's capacity for love--and her desire to live. But Sidhean has already claimed Ash for his own, and she must make a choice between fairy tale dreams and true love. Entrancing and empowering, Ash beautifully unfolds the connections between life and love, and solitude and death, where transformation can come from even the deepest grief.

The Unbinding of Mary Reade by Miriam McNamara

- A clever, romantic novel based on the true story of a girl who disguised herself as a boy to sail with the infamous pirates Anne Bonny and Calico Jack—and fell in love with Anne Bonny.

There’s no place for a girl in Mary’s world. Not in the home of her mum, desperately drunk and poor. Not in the household of her wealthy granny, where no girl can be named an heir. And certainly not in the arms of Nat, her childhood love who never knew her for who she was. As a sailor aboard a Caribbean merchant ship, Mary’s livelihood—and her safety—depends on her ability to disguise her gender.

At least, that’s what she thinks is true. But then pirates attack the ship, and in the midst of the gang of cutthroats, Mary spots something she never could have imagined: a girl pirate.

The sight of a girl standing unafraid upon the deck, gun and sword in hand, changes everything. In a split-second decision, Mary turns her gun on her own captain, earning herself the chance to join the account and become a pirate alongside Calico Jack and Anne Bonny.

For the first time, Mary has a shot at freedom. But imagining living as her true self is easier, it seems, than actually doing it. And when Mary finds herself falling for the captain’s mistress, she risks everything—her childhood love, her place among the crew, and even her life.

Breathlessly romantic and brilliantly subversive, The Unbinding of Mary Reade is sure to sweep readers off their feet and make their hearts soar.

Deviant Desire by Jackson Marsh (Just came out March 7th!)

- The Victorian East End lives in fear of the Ripper and his mission to kill rent boys. Silas Hawkins, nineteen and forging a life on the streets could well be the next victim, but when he meets Archer, his life changes forever. Young, attractive and rich, Archer is The Viscount Clearwater, a philanthropist, adventurer and homosexual.When Archer suspects the Ripper is killing to lure him to a confrontation, he risks his reputation and his life to stop the madman's murders. Every man must play his part, including Silas.A mashup of mystery, romance and adventure, Deviant Desire is set in an imaginary London of 1888. The first in an on-going series, it takes the theme of loyalty and friendship in a world where homosexuality is a crime. Secrets must be kept, lovers must be protected, and for Archer and Silas, it marks the start of their biggest adventure - love.

The Prince and The Dressmaker by Jen Wang

- Set in Paris, this graphic novel follows Sebastian, a prince with a secret. By day, Sebastian laments his parents' fervent search for his bride-to-be, but by night, Sebastian transforms into fashion icon Lady Crystallia! Sebastian's best friend and dressmaker, Frances, has kept his secret, but when the secret becomes too hard to keep, she may risk their friendship and Sebastian's trust for her own shot at the spotlight.

A Light Amongst Shadows (Dark is the Night series Book 1) by Kelley York and Rowan Altwood

This whole series is gold, but here is the information on the first novel...

James Spencer is hardly the typical troubled youth who ends up at Whisperwood School for Boys. Instead of hating the strict schedules and tight oversight by staff, James blossoms, quickly making friends, indulging in his love of writing, and contemplating the merits of sneaking love poems to the elusive and aloof William Esher. The rumours about William’s sexuality and opium reliance are prime gossip material amongst the third years…rumours that only further pique James’ curiosity to uncover what William is really like beneath all that emotional armor. And, when the normally collected William stumbles in one night, shaken and ranting of ghosts, James is the only one who believes him. James himself has heard the nails dragging down his bedroom door and the sobs echoing in the halls at night. He knows others have, too, even if no one will admit it. The staff refuses to entertain such ridiculous tales, and punishment awaits anyone who brings it up. Their fervent denial and the disappearance of students only furthers James’ determination to find out what secrets Whisperwood is hiding…especially if it prevents William and himself from becoming the next victims.

Originally, this list was going to include professors too, but they were already on a list and May/December romances will be on the list for May.

Adding a link for a list of best LGBT fantasy romances in the YA genre, because they have several novels with historical themes that I know friends/fellow readers I know, have enjoyed.

[xaligos]

The Dragon Lord and The Northern Dawn

It was another day in Stormwind, or at least that is no doubt how it seemed. Unbeknown to most denizens of Azeroth, a meeting between two noble orders was taking place. One that might greatly shape the course of the war between the Horde and the Alliance. The Dragon Lord Xamon of House Targaris had traveled from his home of Azurelight Sanctum in search of members from the Northern Dawn, a guild that was owned and financed by House Silverdawn. As far as he knew, their estate drew great wealth from a lucrative mine resting in the heart of their territory, and that they were a prominent force slowing down the advance of the Forsaken beyond Thoradin's Wall.

His own estate was not located very far from theirs, and Targian Dragon Magi had utilized Divination magic to locate a deposit of a particular mineral - a deposit located on Silverdawn land. This mineral would be crucial to the development of a massive project House Targaris was undertaking, and that deposit was the closest and most ideal location. Times had been incredibly trying in recent years, the Kingdoms of men had weakened considerably - many Lords were primed to look out only for their own borders. This made the idea of approaching the Silverdawn, a risky one - for they could have easily begun work to search for the material themselves, after being made aware of its existence. Yet, believing diplomacy would prevail it was decided that approaching them with some form of an arrangement would be the best course of action.

Stormwind was a large city, perhaps the biggest man had ever made - even nobility could be hard to track down, what with so many people concentrated in one area. Though his journey would bare fruit when a tip was received that a few members from the Northern Dawn had met outside the Stormwind Stockades, and were engaged in discussion. Following this new lead, Xamon made his way there, to find that his source had indeed spoken truth. 

Before him were three individuals, all armored in a variety of attire. He himself had come dressed fairly light, adorning familial targarian robes. They were made of fine fabrics, but modest in appearance. The Targarians were known for not drawing too much unwanted attention, and as the head of his House Xamon was perhaps a paragon of this virtue. As he neared the group, one among them took notice. It was a woman, and the only of her cohort to bare the crest of the Silverdawn. Why that was so, who could say? Though it certainly marked her as a leader among the party.

Xamon's posture and general body language did not change as she approached him. A dialog ensued, with him explaining that he had come in search of someone baring the very crest she wore. Naturally, she inquired as to why he sought them, and what he had heard about the order. To which he responded.

"Only that the order is in someway connected to the Silverdawn Mines. My House is currently underway with a massive project, and we are need of aid. We are willing to fairly compensate for such assistance, but I am afraid the details cannot be discussed here, and certainly not without the presence of the head of House Silverdawn. I've come a very long way to find them - if you know anything - please..."

Her suspicions must have been put to ease, for her response would be far better than he could have hoped for.

"I am the political council head of The Northern Dawn, and also the one you are looking for... I am Silverdawn, Countess of Silverdawn mines."

Just as she had formally introduced herself, another of the group approached. It was a Dwarf, a race whom Xamon, and indeed many humans held great respect for. Xamon acknowledged the dwarfs approach with a modest and respectful bow of his head.

"Master Dwarf."  He said. Attempting to articulate his respect for their race - for he knew not the Dwarfs rank or personal station.

The Dwarf merely responded with a grunt, crossing his arms as he did. The respect of Dwarfs was not easily earned, something Xamon knew all too well, and in truth - admired. The Countess took it upon herself to introduce him, giving further credibility to her claim of being the head of House Silverdawn.

  "This is Doffrag, a dear friend of mine. He knows me more than anyone else in Northern Dawn."

Doffrag let out a snort.

"I knoo ye more then I want ta...I'm jus' stuck with ye."

Xamon allowed an extended look to fall upon Doffrag. He would no doubt play a significant role in the near future. What's more, the question of how he became so close to the Countess sparked a measure of intrigue within him, and it would be something worth exploring - if time and circumstances allowed. He was not really one for small talk, and this made it hard for such details to ever come into his knowledge. Be all that as it may, his response did little if not nothing to allude toward these inner thoughts.

"Very Well, it would seem I am in good company then. Is there somewhere we can speak, less openly perhaps?"

The Countess motioned to the set of buildings nearby. "Will that do?"  She had very little time to pick a location, and Xamon's arrival had been unexpected. Thankfully the building she had gestured to was one of Stormwinds most prominent libraries, and but a stone's throw away from the common area just outside the Stockades where they currently stood. Xamon merely responded with a curt nod and the group made way for the entrance of the building. When they had entered they were greeted by the caretakers, with one of their party taking point at the door. The man who had stood guard had remained remarkably silent thus far. While Xamon had not passed any particular attention to him, his awareness of the man's presence was absolute. Who was he? What role did he play within the Silverdawn? Even more so than the dwarf, he had peaked Xamon's curiosity. Why had he not spoken thus far? For some reason the man's aura marked him as more than mere muscle for higher. Indeed, the way he seemed to carry himself suggested that there was more to his character than met the eye. Time would tell.

After finding a quiet location in the recesses of the library, the Countess, Doffrag, and Xamon took their seats.

  "Now then, what is it you wish to speak abou...."

The Countess rose from her chair, her sentence left incomplete and instead a new one baring different context took its place.

"Forgive me, but an urgent matter has called my attention and I must depart. Doffrag will finish this conversation in my stead."

"An' I'm nae as nice as her thoo."

Doffrag retorted.

Xamon believed the Dwarf was testing his resolve, or at least that it is how it seemed. "Is he trying to scare me?" He thought to himself. No, that likely was not the case. Dwarven humor was very gruff, it was possible that he was attempting to be a little funny. However, unsure if this was truly the case Xamon simply avoided feeding into the comment. He understood having a demanding schedule and didn't seem particularly or noticeably bothered by the Countess' departure. He had found who he was looking for, and she had seen him. Not to mention the company she was leaving him with. If Doffrag and her were indeed as close as she had lead him to believe, he was confident anything discussed between him and the Dwarf would reach her. If not, he had ways of ensuring she found out.

"Thank you for agreeing to see me."

Was all he said as she walked out, though whether or not she heard him was uncertain as she offered no response and was nearly out the door by the time he finished thanking her.

Doffrag casually moved into her seat in a manner that suggested he had done this before. "They are close." he said in an inner dialog he held with himself. They now sat across from one another, and both seemed uninterested in slowing down the pace of the conversation despite the Countess having to leave. 

"To the matter at hand then?"

Xamon had traveled a long way and was not one to waste time. Though, something subtly caught his peripheral attention. A second conversation had ensued, between the silent "guardsmen" who had taken up post outside the library, likely to stop prying ears and eyes. Someone had approached him, and finally words emerged, the silent guardsmen was silent no more. 

" Hello."

The newcomer said. With the Silent Guardsmen responding in kind.

"Afternoon. Can I help you?"

"Elf with a bow, told me to speak to you about adventure and employment."

The Silent Guardsmen nodded once, and a feint smile curled from his lips.

"Ahh, I see. I think we might be able to help you."

He stepped up to the newcomer, looking him over. After a moment of inspection he extended his right hand to the man in greeting.

"Gazrael Gnarledmane."

Alas, his name had been spoken. Continuing to focus on that conversation would have been rude, even if he was capable of splitting his attention evenly between the two. After hearing the name of the Silent Gaurdsmen Xamon allowed his ears to let the dialog between the newcomer and Gazrael fall into obscurity.

"My House has officially drafted up blueprints for the refurbishment and reconstruction of Thoradin's Wall. For generations we have specialized in designing some of the Alliances most sound fortresses. This project will combine Dwarven, Elven, and human Architecture. We believe that there is a particular mineral located near or under your mine. Our Scryers are quite certain of this. I've come to see if your order would help us mine it and in exchange we will refurbish your entire estate with this new mineral."

Doffrag let out a long sigh, propping his feet up onto the table,

"She had ta handle something with a comrade of ours. I'm takin' over noo.".

He smirked a little,

"So yer hoose made the blueprints fer the wall eh?"

Xamon nodded - he seemed to be quite understanding of the matter.

"Yes Master Doffrag. We assisted in its initial creation long ago, and we have created a new series of plans that will see Thoradin's Wall  remade into the greatest wall that has ever been built. To accomplish this though, we need a material that elven, human, and dwarven masons can work with and that will compliment each of our.... tastes. A huge deposit of said material is believed to be located underneath the Silverdawn Mine."

Doffrag raised a brow as he grabed a cigar from his pouch and put it between his lips. Mumbling through the butt of the cigar,

"So ye want the huge deposit under the mines eh? Well lad ye cannae get stuff fer free, what can ye offer in return? Cause ye understand we coold -sell- it an' make a profit ye knoo?"

Xamon nodded in agreement. What Doffrag had said was very true, however...

"Indeed, you could - and the alliance would be poorer for it. The deposit is on your land, in truth it belongs to you. Yet, my family aided in designing the Scarlet Enclave, a fortress that was only toppled by the full might of the Lich King and his greatest champions. In return we would redesign your order's outpost - to your specifications of course. However, with our Architectural expertise, it would easily become the marvel of the Alliance. There is a great deal located underneath you, enough to at least start the project. What we didn't use you're welcome to keep and sell, make your profit this way. The Forsaken have already breached the wall. It's only a matter of time before they reach your doorstep if they haven't already. "

Doffrag snapped his fingers and a thin ark of lightning hit the end of the cigar lighting it just enough,

"Mm...Design oor ootpost an' build a smaller defensie wall aroond it. If ye can do that? The deposit is yer hooses.".

The Dwarf took a long drag off the cigar, blowing the smoke away and allowing for a momentary pause between them.

"Does yer hoose want ta be within the ranks of the Northern Dawn?"

"I am glad this conversation has progressed diplomatically. Aye Master Doffrag, that is certainly within our power to do. In regards to your question about my House joining the ranks of the Northern Dawn. That is why I came personally. As the head of my family I also hold command over our martial forces. Aid us in building this wall, and you will have the full support of House Targaris and all her resources. I will subscribe myself under your leadership and follow the commands of your Guild, as per the Alliance Hierarchy. Unless the King himself came down for your arrest - I don't suspect you'd have a reason to question our loyalty."

Doffrag took another drag off his cigar, this time blowing the smoke out of his nose,

"Then we're at an agreement then. Jus' knoo soon enoogh I'm nae goin' ta be the one in charge of this stuff fer long...Fedra is bringin' the shark of Ironforge within' oor ranks...An' his wealth dwarfs, nae pun intended, hooses gold.".

He takes his feet off the table and extends his burly dwarvish hand, "Welcome ta the Northern Dawn...Dunnae do anythin' that has me on yer ars."

"Orders are orders. As long as this change in hierarchy does not impede the construction and we're allowed to use this mineral  - it shouldn't be a problem. Thank you Master Dofragg, I believe prosperous days for the Alliance are soon at hand. It was a pleasure to have met you, and I am certain we will soon be seeing much more of one another."

Xamon met the dwarfs hand with a respectful and firm grip of his own.

Doffrag nodded slowly,

"Aye. The Alliance will take back the North. Death ta the Horde an' their berasties."

  Xamon wasn't all too sure what he meant by "berasties". Dwarves could be difficult to understand, even for someone as versed in their language and culture as he. Though with their talk at its end, the two departed for the door.....

@the-royal-courier

[north-of-annwn]

Heathen Values

Something to remember when making friends with other Heathens are Heathen Values (or Virtues). Heathenry is a subculture with specific differences to the culture today. 

Differences: 

Boasting is normal Never shame or take offense to someone bragging, boasting, or being proud of an accomplishment or talent. This is normal among heathens and is not considered rude. Pride is not something to be ashamed of in Heathen Halls or circles.  In this same note, no one will be impressed by feigned humility or self-deprecation. If someone compliments you, accept it gracefully rather than arguing that you aren’t worthy. In addition, it is inappropriate to wave away thanks with comments like “it’s nothing”. If you are clearly going out of your way to do something for someone else and they say thank you, accept their thanks. You may add “you are welcome” or “I am happy to do it”, but do not dismiss it. 

Be Careful with Your Word In Heathen culture your word is your oath. Whether you are attesting to someone else’s character, making plans, making a commitment, it is the same as swearing an oath or making a promise. Today, people don’t think much about cancelling plans, going back on a commitment, or even gossip. It’s almost normal today to not be able to count on anyone’s word without a Contract or an RSVP, and even the latter is subject to “a good reason” in the mind of the person promising. Heathens do not take this lightly. Do not commit to things or make plans if you are unsure, do not say you will do something and then change your mind. And most definitely do not say something about someone else unless you are sure it is true. Oaths and Honor are entwined in Heathen culture, and if someone finds that your words don’t account for much, or you seem to “change your mind” often then you most likely will not be given much respect or trust.  This is very different in comparison with our modern culture. And mistakes could keep you from making friends or being trusted within the Kindred.  Respect and/or Insults For Heathens respect is earned, not automatically given. Now, respect, and human decency are different things for the concept of this discussion. All humans deserve to be treated as having a right to exist and have basic human inalienable rights. Respect is something else - and means to hold someone in high esteem. It means you believe they are an Honorable person, you trust their word and you find them capable. This does not come just by existing, and others must recognize this with time. And you must earn it with your character by demonstrating that you exhibit the virtues valued by the Kindred.  Likewise, insulting someone should not be done flippantly. Today, it is normal to sling insults for fun, for drama, or just because you like insulting others. But among Heathens insults are not taken lightly. Our ancestors might have solved an insult with the sword. To insult someone without proof of your words was to risk your life. Today, you may not risk your life, but you do risk your own reputation among the Kindred. Heathens do not appreciate insults, whether directed at them or another of their Kindred. I also would not put it past a Heathen to deck their insulter. ;) Either way, be careful with demanding respect you have not yet earned, or insulting others. You won’t make friends easily this way. (Friendly insults over drinks is something entirely different... and you should know the difference before deciding to deliver)

Forgiveness Here’s a tricky concept in Heathenry. Our culture sees Forgiveness from a Christian standpoint. And more often than not it is normal to hear it suggested that forgiveness should be handed out to those who have wronged us whether they are remorseful of their actions or not. Forgiveness is such a HUGE part of Christianity that it has shaped Western Culture as well: “To err is human, to forgive Divine” and all that. It’s also a concept that exists in many peaceloving religions like Taoism and Buddhism. Heathens just don’t see it the same way. Like respect, forgiveness must be earned. And forgiveness is a good deal harder to earn than respect. More often than not, Heathens will “let it go”, or consider it “water under the bridge” rather than offer forgiveness. Perhaps it’s pride, perhaps it is because a Heathen sees forgiveness as permission to be wronged again in the same way. This really was not the way our ancestors handled things however. Personally, I have redefined western culture’s idea of forgiveness as “being able to let go a wrong”, “to not be burdened by someone else’s betrayal or mistake” any longer.” In modern times more and more people are starting to redefine forgiveness as these things. But really it’s an extension of a much older mindset. Heathens do not often hand out forgiveness. It is not expected, and just because someone is “sorry” does not necessarily earn them back their honor in another’s eyes. The slate is not automatically whiped clean (like in christianity) with an apology. This is another reason you must watch your actions and your words.  Storytelling and “Big Fish” Storytelling is also a huge part of heathenry. Like our ancestors we love a good tale. It is quite normal for someone who is Heathen to launch into a lengthy recount of a personal story for entertainment or laughs. No one sees it as a time waster, and you should not find yourself bored (unless the person is a lousy storyteller, and even then... try to look interested). These stories may come in succession - when one person finished, another person might begin theirs immediately. While LONG stories aren’t necessarily normal in western culture anymore, they most definitely will be found when hanging out with kindred. Moreover, tales often get stretched, altered, and embellished with each telling to be funnier and more memorable. These are not really seen as “lies” but amusing tales. It is also quite normal for one “Big Fish” story to follow another as each in the party try to “one up” the other. It’s all in good fun. But DON’T EVER cut someone off in their tale to insert your own, and never shut them down as being disinterested or as if you have something better to do. To do so is extremely insulting. 

If anyone has some more to add, go right ahead. :) 

[linaje-bendito]

What if you like someone who is a nonbeliever? It's hard.

Hi :)

Forgive me if my english is not really too good.

I know it is. Believe me. Girls that have no God fear, are a little bit interesting.. huh? 

But remember, that if you are going to get marry with ther, what should she look like? 

The most important personal relationship that a man can have, outside of his spiritual relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ, is his relationship with his wife. In the process of looking for a wife, the highest principle is to look for a woman with a personal faith in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul tells us not to be "unequally yoked" with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14). Unless a man and woman are in full agreement on this most crucial issue, a godly and fulfilling marriage cannot take place.However, marrying a fellow believer does not guarantee the full experience of being "equally yoked." The fact that a woman is a Christian does not mean she is necessarily a good match for you spiritually. Does she have the same spiritual goals as you? Does she have the same doctrinal beliefs? Does she have the same passion for God? The qualities of a potential wife are crucially important. Far too many men marry for emotional or physical attraction alone, and that can be a recipe for failure.What are some godly qualities a man can look for in a wife? Scripture gives us some principles we can use to create a picture of a godly woman. She should first be surrendered in her own spiritual relationship with the Lord. The apostle Paul tells the wife that she is to submit to her husband as unto the Lord (Ephesians 5:22-24). If a woman is not surrendered to the Lord, she will not likely see submission to her husband as necessary to her own spiritual well-being. We cannot fulfill the expectations of anyone else without first allowing God to fill us with Himself. A woman with God at the center of her life is a good candidate for a wife.Paul also gives some character traits for a woman in his instructions about leaders in the church. "In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything" (1 Timothy 3:11). In other words, this is a woman who is not overly proud, knows when to speak and when to be silent, and is able to take her place beside her husband in confidence. She is a woman whose first focus is upon her relationship with the Lord and her own spiritual growth.The responsibilities of marriage are greater for the husband, for God's order places him as the head of his wife and his family. This headship is modeled after the relationship between Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:25-33). It is a relationship grounded in love. Just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it, the husband is to love his wife as he does his own body. Therefore, a man's personal spiritual relationship with the Lord is of supreme importance in the success of his marriage and his family. Willing sacrifice and the strength to choose to be a servant to the betterment of his marriage are the marks of a maturing spiritual man who honors God. Wisely choosing a wife based upon biblical qualities is important, but of equal importance is a man's own ongoing spiritual growth and his surrender to God's will in his life. A man who is seeking to be the man God wants him to be will be able to help his wife be the woman God desires her to be and will be able to build the marriage into the union God, he, and his wife desire it to be.

To be a godly wife, we must first consider what the word godly means. In 1 Timothy 2:2, Paul uses the word in conjunction with being “peaceful,” “quiet,” and “dignified.” The Bible says the Spirit, who is in every believer, produces visible and invisible acts of godliness, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness” (Galatians 5:22). The decisive definition of godliness would be “Christlikeness.” Godliness involves a genuine striving to imitate Christ, to be like Him in thought and action as the apostle Paul strived to be (1 Corinthians 11:1). These characteristics of a godly disposition apply to every believer, whether male or female. Fortunately, the Bible gives more specific qualifications as to what a godly woman—particularly, a godly wife—looks like.In the book of Proverbs, there is a beautiful word picture painted of a godly wife. The virtues of a godly wife have not changed, even over thousands of years. A godly wife is one who has the complete trust of her husband. He doesn’t have to worry she will be tempted by the wiles of another man, overcharge the credit cards, or spend all day watching soap operas. He knows she is dignified, wise, and devoted (Proverbs 31:11, 12, 25, 26). He is confident of her support and sincere love because she is not vindictive or critical. Her husband has a good reputation in the community, and his wife never speaks ill of him, never gossips about him. Rather, she is always lifting him up and giving him praise. She maintains the household thoroughly and is well respected herself (Proverbs 30:12, 21, 23).A godly wife spends less time in front of the mirror than in sharing her goods with the poor and needy because she is selfless and benevolent (Proverbs 31:20, 30). But she doesn’t neglect herself; she keeps her body and spirit strong and in good health. Although she works hard and keeps long hours, she is not haggard; she cares about beautiful things to enhance herself and her family (Proverbs 31:17, 21, 22).Contrary to what many believe a biblical portrait of a godly wife to be, Proverbs 31 reveals she is enterprising and ambitious. The Proverbs 31 wife is a small business owner—she makes and sells garments. She makes her own business decisions independently, and she alone decides what to do with her earnings (Proverbs 31:16, 24). Notice, however, her earnings do not go toward shoes or bags, but to buy a field where she can plant a vineyard—something that will benefit the whole family.Through all of her endeavors, service, and hard work, the godly wife maintains joy. She can discern all she is doing is profitable, which spurs her on to a sense of gratification (Proverbs 31:18). A godly wife doesn’t worry about what the future may bring. She smiles at the future because she knows her Lord is in control of everything (Proverbs 31:30). Verse 30 is the key to the entire passage because a woman cannot be a godly wife without first fearing the Lord. It is her pursuit of Jesus and her abiding in Him which bring the fruit of godliness to manifest in the life of a godly woman (see John 15:4).Finally, a godly wife should be submissive to her husband (Ephesians 5:22). What does a submissive wife look like? Not what you might think. The Bible teaches that Jesus submits to His Father (John 5:19). Yet Jesus is equal to the Father (John 10:30). Therefore, a submissive wife is not less valuable as a human being; her role is not less important—but it is different. Christians know that Christ is every bit as divine as the Father (and the Holy Spirit), but each plays a different role in redemption. In the same way, men and women each play a different part in marriage. So, for a wife to be submissive to her husband as Christ is submissive to the Father means she willingly allows her husband to lead. Jesus went willingly, although not without distress (Matthew 26:39). Christ knew the Father’s way was best. A godly wife may find the path of submissiveness painful at times, but following God will always result in spiritual rewards that last for all eternity (1 Timothy 4:7–8).The Bible equates submissiveness to one’s husband to submissiveness to God (Ephesians 5:22). In other words, if a wife cannot submit to her husband, it may be a reflection of her struggle to be submissive to Christ. Submission does not imply weakness; a submissive wife is not “unintelligent” or “unimportant.” Submission requires strength, dignity, and devotion, as we learn from the Proverbs 31 woman.Proverbs 31 presents the ideal. A woman can be a godly wife without being perfect (we know there is no such thing as human perfection). But as a wife grows more intimate in her relationship with Christ, she will grow increasingly godly in her marriage. Godliness goes in complete opposition of what secular society says a woman should aspire to. However, as women of God our first concern must always be what pleases God.

Sending you a big hug.

[argonautsrpg-blog]

out of character information:

name: Christine age: 24 pronouns: they/them timezone: BST (GMT+1) activity level: fairly high -- I’m around on the dash every day, and do replies most days triggers: [redacted] past roleplay blogs: x, x, x, x

in character information:

skeleton name: -Murray full name: Flight Lieutenant Serra Isobel Murray faceclaim:  Dominique Tipper gender and pronouns: nonbinary, she/her  age and date of birth: December 26, 1999; 29 years old education: BSc in Physics with Astrophysics from Exeter University; Doctorate in Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics from Cambridge University (Newnham College) any requested changes to the current skeleton: none

personality:

+ creative: Serra Murray never met a problem she couldn’t solve, either through stubborn force or through working her way around the problem. she’s always been an adept thinker, quick to change directions and try something new rather than get stuck on an approach that wasn’t working. between that and her ability to grasp difficult and abstract concepts with ease, she’s always felt her best asset was her problem-solving. + patient/disciplined: once she sets her mind to something, she’ll see it through to its end, no matter how long it takes. her single-minded focus on a task is helpful for long nights spend calculating problems and long days staring at computer  screens to make sure everything is going the way it should be going. - stubborn/contrary: she doesn’t like to be told what to do, or to be questioned, and it can often impair her judgement. if someone tells her she can’t, it means, to her, that she must, no matter what the consequences, and that impulse has gotten her into trouble more times than she can count. - closed off: she’s never been the most open or the most personable person in her social circle, never had much in the way of close friends. and while the crew of the Argo have come to feel like family to her, she still has trouble expressing her emotions around them, sometimes, or fully opening up. x sarcastic: Serra’s usually fairly quiet, business-like, and too the point, but she has a wicked sense of humor that often goes unnoticed. sharp sarcasm used to be her best defense mechanism, and she often finds herself unable to help herself from it. x practical/realistic: Serra never expects anything to go perfectly. she’s good at rolling with punches but even better at looking things with a practical eye, not letting unrealistic hopes get in the way of her work.

biography:

Serra Murray was 17 the day Astronaut Helen Markey boarded the International Space Station. She watched with rapt attention the launch, the news coverage, and the woman’s first broadcast online from the station.  She was meant to be revising for her A-levels, and a hefty pile of notes say on the table in front of her as she curled up between her fathers on the couch and watched, feeling like a child again with the awe and excitement that filled her.

She hadn’t realized, until that moment, what she wanted. She wanted to represent her country like that, some day, to do something amazing on behalf of all of England. And even more than that, she wanted to be adored, the way Helen Markey was, loved enough to be chosen for something like that, the idol of thousands of little girls all over the country, the best of the best, respected by her coworkers and admired by everyone else.

See: Serra didn’t really have friends. She was a weird kid, more interested in maths and school than her peers, a quiet kid with a persistent stammer that left her feeling isolated and anxious. A litany of differences separated her from the majority of her peers – her stammer, her fathers, her skin color in a primarily white city, her gender identity. It didn’t bother her, per se, to be different, to not quite fit in. She didn’t care for fitting in, especially when it meant trying to change something about herself. She built up defenses of apathy and pride to stop the barrage of childhood bullying and teenage loneliness and she threw herself into her schoolwork.

And Helen Markey – though Serra knew nothing about her, personally, like whether or not she had friends, if she had a husband she’d be leaving behind for her work on the ISS – was proof. Proof that being good at what you did could be enough to earn you love. Or, if not love, than something like it.

She moved through school quickly, straight from three years of university to a three year doctorate at Cambridge, and by the time she was 25 she had an offer for a job that was something like a dream

As a subset of the Royal Air Force, the Queen’s Royal Space Agency offered here a twelve year contract and the title Flight Lieutenant, along with a crisply pressed uniform and a decent starting salary. A mostly interesting job in aeronautical cartography and flight planning.  But more than that, the Queen’s Royal offered her something else: it gave her a community, in a way she’d never had before. Sure, she wasn’t friends with all of her coworkers, wasn’t the type to go out to the pub after work with them. But people listened to her. People looked at her with something other than contempt or confusion.

It was one step closer.

And when she heard the Alpha Message – passed around the scientists of the Queen’s Royal like a juicy piece of gossip or maybe like a prayer – she knew that this was her chance. Her chance to do something, her chance for people to know her name and associate it with something good, her chance to work with like-minded people that she might at least be able to relate to, if not to hopefully come to care for. To find a home, if not exactly a family.

It felt like this was what she’d been meant for all along.

psych eval:

2. Which do you fear more, being liked but not respected, or being respected but not liked? Why?

    “Being liked but not respected.”

    She said it simply, a matter of fact statement, like she hadn’t even needed to think of the answer before giving it. Which, in a way, she didn’t. If you spend enough time being disliked for things completely beyond your control, being liked stops seeming like a priority and starts seeming more like a trap.

    “You don’t care about being liked?” the woman pressed, looking up at her from her clipboard. Despite the question, though, she didn’t seem surprised that Serra hadn’t had to think too hard about it.

    “I don’t not care? But I can’t help whether or not people like me. There’s nothing I can do once someone’s decided they don’t like something about me, and there’s no point in changing a part of me that I like just because someone else doesn’t. It’s not so much that I care about being respected as knowing that there’s no point in making myself any less just so people like me.”

4. What do you consider the most overrated virtue? What about the most justifiable or forgivable vice?

    “Realistically?” she asked, after a second. “I mean, like, Catholic, seven heavenly virtues kind of thing? Because chastity seems kind of pointless, in this day and age.”

She sat back, smiling a little to show that it wasn’t her real answer, just a bit of a joke, the kind she couldn’t resist.

    “No,” she started again. “In all seriousness. I think the whole… like: humility, right? You can’t go your whole life refusing to acknowledge the things you’re best at for the sake of seeming like you aren’t bragging about it. You’ll never get anything done. You might miss out on the things you could’ve accomplished. I guess that’s not overrated, but it’s kind of a shame, isn’t it?”

   “And the most justifiable vice?” the woman asked, a slight smile on her face. Serra nodded back, picking a thread off her trousers and brushing it onto the floor before looking back up.

    “I think anger can be more useful than people give it credit for. I’m not, like– I’m n-not an angry person,” she amended herself, tripping over her words in the haste. “I don’t get angry much or anything. But, I think there are lots of things that it’s okay to be angry about? Injustice and all that. Anger can be productive, if you let it. Just like frustration can, if you lean into it and don’t let it beat you. I think people who never get angry probably don’t care about very much at all.”

5. What is the most convincing lie you’ve ever told yourself?

    “I try not to lie to myself,” she answered on an exhale – that wasn’t the answer, or at least, not the full answer, but she felt for some reason like it was a necessary precursor to the answer she was about to give. “I don’t mean that in a, like, oh, I never lie kind of way, it’s the opposite, really, I lie to myself every day, I just mean– I guess lying to yourself isn’t the word thing in the world, is it?”

She looked up, suddenly feeling, for a second, uncharacteristically insecure, a little bashful at the idea.

    “When I was a kid, I used to tell myself it didn’t matter what anyone else thought. And that was a good thing, yeah? I learned how to be independent, not to conform to what others wanted, all that. That was a good thing, right? Even when I didn’t believe it. When you wake up feeling like shite, but you tell yourself it’s going to be a good day, that you’re going to make it through even though you have to do that thing you don’t want to– that’s good. So I don’t think I have one that’s more convincing than all the rest. I just have one that’s more frequent.”

    “And that is?”

    “That I’m not lonely, I suppose.”

extras:

inspo tag– (includes any graphics, playlists, etc)

headcanons:

1. Serra never met her biological parents.

   She knew she was adopted from a young age, but if there was one thing Serra was more than anything it was contrary, and so when a young boy in her reception class asked her where her real parents were after her fathers picked her up from school one day, she staunchly refused to ever ask the question of them. They were her real parents – they’d raised her for as long as she could remember – and she wouldn’t hear a word otherwise.

   Contrary and stubborn, that’s what her da always said she was, in his strong Irish brogue. Something to be proud of, that fiery independent streak. Her da was a big man, dark dark skin and upright Catholic morals, a loud, kind man and a staunch pacifist; he always said the world should watch out for Serra Murray, because she’d get whatever she set her mind to. Her dad, smaller than her da in every way, with a shock of ginger hair, a wealth of freckles, and a quietly Scottish parlance, only shook his head from behind the morning paper and laughed. She always thought that even if she was adopted, it was as if the two of them had gone out of their way to find the child who would best emulate the child they would have had biologically if they could have.

    Even when she didn’t have friends, she always had her fathers, more supportive and loving than she ever could have asked for. Both university professors at the University of Sheffield, they always encouraged her academic pursuits. She misses them desperately, sometimes, but she knows they’re proud of her, and she knows they wouldn’t have wanted her to stay on Earth when she had a chance at this.

2. Despite its prevalence on the ship, Serra actually hates coffee. Oh, she’ll drink it, when she needs it, when she’s tired and needs the boost, but she won’t be happy about it, always reminding those around her just how unpleasant she finds the taste. In fact, she brought a few bags of tea in her box of personal effects – a small box, not enough to drink it regularly but enough to have a cup when she gets homesick. Barry’s Irish Breakfast, just like her da used to drink every morning back home.

3. Serra’s favorite constellation has always been Orion – in fact, she has a tattoo of it on her arm. While she isn’t overly attached to its mythological significance, she loves the idea of Orion being a hunter, loves the feeling of strength she derives from that thought, and from the sight of it in the winter sky at home.

4. While her stammer got better with time, practice, and patience – almost negligible by the time she got to university, and nearly non-existent by the time she defended her doctorate research – it still crops up when she gets stressed out, overly tired, or is under a lot of pressure. It’s not debilitating, but it does make her difficult to understand, and it frustrates the hell out of her to not be understood.

5. There is an ease, to life on the Argo, that suits Serra Murray just fine. A pattern to the routine that she’s grown used to just right, a casual and cooperative atmosphere that makes her feel more comfortable here than she ever believed she could. She might not have the brightest smile in the morning, might not be the type to indulge in small talk in the mess hall, but it’s better, so much better, than what she was used to at home. The way she can joke around with Narváez when she passes him in the tunnels, can trust Father Estrada with everything that worries her, can talk shop with Abdullah when things in the control room get slow. She doesn’t worry, so much, about people on the ship not liking her, or thinking she’s weird. No, instead she worries about how hard it will be to adjust again if they ever get home.