#igraine and gorlois

[oneshoulderangel]

I ripped out my heart and killed my drawing hand to finish this chapter. I have no regrets.

Episode 17 of King Arthur: Legends of Logres, Farewell, My Love is up!

[feelyoubehindmyeyes]

(it ends, it ends, it ends, it ends, you go a different way that is the same way and still it ends)

- morgana never speaks of her mother

my iteration of a merlin prequel, centred around the relationship between vivienne and gorlois

[salty-we-never-got-mergana]

So I decided to start this tumblr blog called "Still-Salty-we-never-got-mergana" just so I can rant about this and not seem like a crazy person here...which I kinda feel like I'm coming across as with other people.

Hell I'm pretty sure I'm coming across as that here in Tumblr but whatever. This is my place to ve crazy about Merlin and Mergana.

Hell I want to rewrite the whole fucking show with how frustratedI can be with it! At the same time I understand that perhaps my anger at the show for not going in an avenue I felt would've made the show better might be a little entitled maybe. Idk.

I feel like Jo-Anne Blanco's Fata Morgana series is kind of an almost rewritten of BBC Merlin only better because she utilizes the legends and history and clearly has done her research.

What's more is that in this, Morgana, who is called Morgan in the series (she seems to hate being called Morgana in the series lol) is the main character, and she has a mentor who reminds me of a female Gaius only much cooler because 1. she actually teaches her protege medicinal stuff and a bit about magic, too, even though her magic is nothing compared to Morgan's and 2. She doesn't justify a facist genocidal dictator's actions against her kind maybe to some extent if you count her explanation as to why her gods because looked at as demons by their followers because the gods were seflish, callous, and did not care for their worshipers. Her lesson to Morgan was this, power is power because it is given. The people give their power to gods and goddesses, and that power can be taken away when that belief is broken. Reminded me of leadership and how Arthur is known to be King because he championed the people. Anyway, you can say it's similar to how Gaius justifies Uther's actions against magical people maybe because people with magic abused their powers much like how Sebile's Gods abused their powers and this is why so many turned away from them in the end.

[thekingofthenameless]

I’M BACK

And I’m rebranding everything.

Profile picture change, username change (in a few days), etc.

talesofarcadiaforever -> thekingofthenameless

I took a long hiatus from writing and Tumblr in general because of bad burnout and putting expectations on myself that I shouldn’t have. Ha. But I’m back! And good news! I started writing again! Better news?

I decided to officially discontinue Emerald Embers and the Daylight’s Redemption series and write my own book.

I was already making everything so different from ToA that it was practically an alternate universe already: redesigning Merlin, making Merlin and Charlie familiars, adding magical species that weren’t explicitly in canon, completely changing other characters… I still love ToA, but I’m not hyperfixated on it anymore. And that’s okay. I was so scared of letting go for a long time, but I’m happy with my decision.

My wip is now called The King of the Nameless!

Currently, there are five main characters, and tidbits about each of them will be a little further down. (Except for one guy. He sucks.) Their attempted designs will also be down there.

In some aspects, it probably hasn’t changed too much. I’m still basing it off of Arthurian Legends, and Merlin is still the protagonist. But I redesigned him. Again.

The deuteragonist is Charlie; he and Merlin are still familiars. I tried several different names for him, but none of them would stick for him no matter how hard I tried; so Charlie the dragon he stays. But he now has the last name Ambrosius to reflect that he and Merlin are found family as well.

The other three characters in this stage of the story are Igraine, Gorlois, and Uther.

Igraine is Arthur and Morgana’s mother in the Arthurian Legends, (which I did not know at first and was wondering how Arthur and Morgana were half-siblings because they have different fathers…) and will stay the same here. I couldn’t find any official last name for her besides Pendragon from when she marries Uther? (Which is not going to happen here.) So I gave her and her husband the last name “le Fay” to match their daughter!

Gorlois is Igraine’s husband, and like I said, is Morgana’s father. However, unlike some media, he’s not going to be portrayed as a jealous and abusive husband. He’s the epitome of the “I love my wife” guy.

Uther is… a piece of work, to say the least. He’s the character who’s going to have a separate post because of triggering topics that I don’t want in this post.

I’m also going to make a separate post for upcoming characters, which include Nimue, Morgana, Arthur, etc.

Bear with me on lore and designs though please (I’m still working on the lore and I’m not sure if these will be their permanent designs except for Charlie). Some of it might be just random babble until I decide on something 😭 You’ll definitely be able to tell which characters I think about most ahaha.

Anyways, in more good news, I don’t use Artbreeder anymore. I attempt to use Picrews, but sometimes they don’t have everything I want, so I also use character creators from video games. If I could use Baldur’s Gate 3’s, I definitely would, but I’d have to spend like $600-ish to get something to play it on and get the game. 😑 I could also play it with my boyfriend, but our schedules are so busy with both of us working that’s it not really a convenient option.

But there is a game called Dragon’s Dogma, and I’ve been using that one! It’s an older game, so it doesn’t really have many fantasy character options, but it’s good enough for human characters lol. I made Igraine and Gorlois with it, and a few other characters yet to be posted.

Design and lore time!

Merlin:

This is him at the beginning of TKN! Expect more art of him eventually.

• 6' 8"

• “my son crump he has every disease”: schizophrenia, C-PTSD, misophonia

• is still a cambion like in the Arthurian Legends (specifically half-human, half-demon)

• was supposed to be the Anti-Christ (also like in the Legends)

• is also a romance and sex repulsed, non-partnering aroace <3.

• usually excudes a regal, dignified presence, and his preference for flowing outfits helps

• may seem slightly formal with strangers, but on a good day where he can clock their personality, he’ll either warm up to them quickly, or distance himself, depending on the person

• has a strong sense of justice, which also makes him anti-authoritarian for the most part. (unless they’ve actually proven that they’re not just in their position for the power of it, or because of nepotism; and really do want to help people.)

• extremely loyal

• highly empathetic; cries easily

• has a lot of trauma, but is still kind because he’s not going to make people suffer just because he did

• adrenaline junkie in regards to flying with Charlie

• Doesn’t kill if not necessary.

• Is very punctual. If you tell him to come at 5 he’ll be there at 4:30. At most.

Charlie:

• 6' 6" (top of muzzle)

• 7' 3" (top of head)

• the marking on his leg is his familiar mark!

• still nice, seems a little rougher around the edges than Merlin

• says the things that his wizard thinks but won’t say, and doesn’t hide that he stares people down while gauging their character. he sometimes won’t care that he sounds mean or very direct either

• very protective of his familiar and is intensely loyal to him. isn’t really willing to leave the latter alone with people they don’t really know because of people attempting to take advantage of his schizophrenia in the past, gaslighting him into thinking that their actions weren’t real and were things he hallucinated/imagined

• Do no harm but take no shit

• Far more willing to kill than Merlin

• “Hey do you want me to kill that guy for you? Because it sounds like he sucks and I will totally kill that guy for you.”

• (I guess he technically counts as an emotional support animal but like. he’s sentient so idk 😭)

• is an omnivore (most dragons are, but he eats more human food than them from growing up and staying around them.)

Igriane:

• 6' 5"

• a wizard!

• was originally a red head before I realized that oh yeah. Morgana has brown hair, and a ginger and blonde would definitely not for the most part have a brunette kid

• purple eyes (haven’t decided if I’m gonna stay with this concept, but I like the idea of all wizards having some type of heterochromia, or technicolor eyes to show that they have magic)

Gorlois:

• 6' 0"

• he doesn’t have any type of unique eye color yet because I didn’t have the concept of that for wizards yet, and still not sure if I’m gonna keep it so. blue eyes for now

• again I say he’s the “I love my wife” guy!!

• also a wizard (which is where Morgana gets her magic when she’s born. You have two parents with magic you’re like. guaranteed to have magic.)

• maybe not really much of a fighter? Would probably use some type of sword if he was.

Wow that was so much lore. 👍 If anyone wants to talk to me about my ocs or suggest ideas, my ask box is always open! (And I love love love getting asks)

Artist credits!

Merlin:

Charlie’s original artist:

Charlie’s second artist:

Charlie’s saddle:

[dragonlordofmiddleearth]

Girl what did Arthur do in the legends

He got Morgana pregnant with baby Mordred

[the-king-and-the-druidess]

inspired by the fic of @feelyoubehindmyeyes

“This is a story about you but there's no one to tell it.

Two horses, two men and she feels she may be in a story.

Can I stop it now it has begun? One the story starts is there a way back?

At the very end, it is Nimueh who comes„

[onceandfuturecourt]

QRV - Story of Merlin 4.1

preface | intro pt 1 | intro pt 2 | HHG merlin pt 1 | merlin pt 2 | merlin pt 3.1 | merlin pt 3.2

Ulfin the pickup artist / dudebro podcaster over here 😒 advising King Uther Pendragon on his "love" (lust) for Duchess Ygraine (who is visibly distressed by Uther's advances, btw. Enough so that the rest of the court notices she's upset):

So Uther asks Ulfin what he should do, and Ulfin says, "You groom her husband Duke Gorlois of Tintagel and the rest of the court by showing Gorlois so much favor, being his best friend, gifts, spending tons of time with him. Meanwhile I'll court Ygraine on your behalf and send her lots of gifts and compliments."

Which Ygraine refuses, because she's aware that Uther's stalking her, and she's not into it.

When Ulfin finally admits he's doing this on behalf of the king, she crosses herself and says, "God! what a traitor the king is to make a show of loving my husband and me, yet he means to shame him! Ulfin,” she went on, “take care not to let it happen that you should ever say such words to me! For I want you to know that I would tell my husband, and if he knew it, you would have to die!"

Ulfin: ::slides into Ygraine's DMs on behalf of Uther:: hey my king thinks ur hot

Ygraine: wtf no, he's been acting like a friend to my husband and me just to try to get me to cheat on my husband? Don't say anything like this to me ever again. I'll tell my husband next time and he'll kill you.

Ulfin: gladly :D

Ulfin: oh c'mon, what about a pity date, he's dying bc he wants u so bad, ur such a (expletive)

Ulfin: haha funny joke

Ulfin: fr tho, date the king

Ulfin: or else

(later)

Uther: omg of course! She's just saying that for appearances, I just have to be ✨ persistent ✨ and then she'll be into me

...

...y'all, some things haven't changed in 800+ years.

(and at the same time, the narrative of the Vulgate is explicitly calling out this behavior as Not Okay. Uther and Ulfin are being drawn as In the Wrong here. by french medieval monks or whatever in the 1230's. soooo .... recognizing that this behavior is Not Okay is also not a new thing!)

[avilionea]

Mark stands at 7'9" and Gorlois stood at 7'5". It is said the duchy of Cornwall descended from the giants that once roamed the hills of Dumonia. It's really just a poor medieval understanding of gigantism.

[caer-gai]

These Indifferent Stars

By: CharonsBudgetPsychopomp (@charonsbudgetpsychopomp )

Summary/Review:

Another reincarnation fic, this one's a longer form and larger cast one. It's very fun with a ton of interesting dynamics going on. I could talk about this fic for a very long time but I'll say my favorite dynamics were between Igraine, Gorlois, and Arthur; and between Kay and Arthur. =)

Warnings: Implied past abuse/rape/murder/violence, past homophobia and transphobia

Characters/Ships: Arthur, Uther, Igraine, Lancelot, Tristan, Palamedes, Dinadan, Bors, Percival, Gawain, Agravaine, Mordred, Gaheris, Gareth, Gorlois, Lamorak, Morgause, Guinevere, Galahad, Melion, Caradoc, Kay, Bedivere; bedikay, Igraine/Gorlois, Dinadan/Tristan, Dinadan/Palamedes, A/G/L

[oneshoulderangel]

Gorlois and Igraine, dancing in the snow under a starry sky.

Once again I’m just torturing myself by imagining these two happy and in love. They deserved to be together, dang it Uther!

Bonus:

Oh Gorlois, you may be a little dense, but all the best cinnamon rolls are.

[joemerl]

The Whumps of March 2024: "In Disguise"

A series of vignettes based on Arthurian legend, collected on AO3 here.

Please forgive me, Gorlois.

You must realize that I was fooled. I couldn’t have known it was him. If I had, you know that I never would have…

He looked just like you. I didn’t know.

But looking back—you weren't acting like yourself. Something about the way you moved, the words you said…I should have known. I know, I should have. But with the stress of the war, and the weeks that had passed since we were together—

Maybe I did know. I’m going mad, thinking of that. Did some part of me guess the truth? I knew what Uther was like, knew that he had that warlock to command—I should have guessed, I should have seen—!

I need you, Gorlois. Need to feel you stroke my hair and tell me that it’s alright, that I didn’t know, that you forgive me for not knowing.

I was so happy on our last night together. Until I realized that it was never even you.

[eynsavalow]

.

[thekingofthenameless]

Original TKN designs vs Current Designs!

I’m pretttty sure this is everyone I’ve changed a bit? There may or may not be a part two eventually though.

I might make a seperate post for all the designs I have in general lol 👀 And a post of the Arthurian characters vs their original counterparts!

Merlin Ambrosius:

Charlemagne Ambrosius:

Original post about their design changes here!

Kennard Asheworthe:

Nimue:

Uther Pendragon:

Arthur Pendragon:

Guinevere Pendragon:

Morgana le Fay:

Original post about the latter four’s design changes here! A post for Nimue is definitely coming at some point, and Kennard might get one eventually! If anyone wants to send an ask about him to get me started that’s cool too lol; Nimue already has an ask.

Gorlois le Fay:

Igriane le Fay:

These two might get a post eventually as well!

Artist credits: Soberana Art (on Artstation) @cat-gh0ul, NaldThal (on Ko-Fi), @heropaws, sebreesi (on DeviantArt), Soberana Art (on Artstation), MuriWorks (on DeviantArt)

Picrew credits: malachitinous (Witchcrew), elenaillustrate (ElenaA's Kiss Crew), romanapologist/hotvanilla (Luce's Epic Cool Picrew), brightgoat (Bright's Picrew Hell), Djarn (character maker pt 2)

Links to their individual posts, if applicable: Current Merlin, Original Charlie (on Ko-Fi), Kennard and co. reveal, Current Nimue (on DeviantArt), Uther reveal, ADOPTABLE - Machine Amongst the Flowers (on DeviantArt). (also a couple more links throughout the post lol)

Taglist: @gaylightisminetocommand, @the-arson-author-gamer, @danhengsbestie, @falki-of-the-vanir, @figureitoutinthemorning

[thegrimmlibrarian]

Thank you to Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the ARC!

[dial-achos-gwenllian]

‘The Burial at the Giants’ Ring’ - Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia Regum Britanniae.

Like his brother Ambrosius, Uthr (anglicised as Uther) met his death after being poisoned, and both were buried within the Giants’ Ring near Salisbury. Geoffrey of Monmouth describes the removal of a ring of stones from Mount Killaraus in Ireland that had been placed there by giants to Salisbury to memorialise a massacre of Britons. Constantine, the king who follows Arthur after he is taken to Avalon after Camlann, was also buried here upon his death. I’ve only chosen to represent Ambrosius and Uthr here as I wanted to focus more on it as a location during what would have been Arthur’s lifetime. The editor of Geoffrey’s text, Lewis Thorpe, also notes that it is likely that Geoffrey could have been confusing Stonehenge and another stone circle at Avebury nearby, but I’ve chosen to use Stonehenge here.

I’ve always found him to be a complicated individual in the Welsh tradition as a modern person reading it. In Geoffrey’s depiction, he is both an incredibly successful warrior, it is prophesied that his son will have a great empire and his daughter’s descendants will retain the kingship of Britain, and he is the father of the greatest Welsh hero. But it is this last point which becomes a difficult part - his love for Arthur’s mother, Eigr (Ygerna or Igraine), and his decision and methodology when acting on it are, to a modern audience, quite obscene. He, with the help of Myrddin (Merlin), disguises himself as her husband, Gorlois, and they sleep together, conceiving Arthur that same night.

I think modern interpretations often follow this track of him being a complex (but generally quite a bad) person. In almost all the literature, he is heavily overshadowed by his son - my rather destroyed and heavily referenced copy of Geoffrey’s text sums his kingship up in around 9 pages. Although it wasn’t necessarily a long reign, it pales in comparison to the time given to Arthur, who takes up around 50 pages, around 20% of the text. Mentions of his beyond the Welsh tradition also leave out perhaps one of the coolest things about Uthr which is his ability to potentially shape-shift. The shapeshifting he does in Geoffrey’s text is magically induced by Merlin, but recent scholarship (including my own current research!) suggests that this is a run off from Uthr’s supernatural powers in other texts. The Trioedd Ynys Prydein records that Uthr taught a ‘great enchantment’ to Menw ap Teirgwaedd, likely the shapeshifting he performs in Culhwch ac Olwen when travelling to Esgair Oerfel. I would love to see this sort of stuff included in depictions of him, especially as they’re so absent in the English and Continental traditions!

Anyway, continuing with my inability to complete any artwork within the time limit given, this is again based on @mortiscausa ‘s #marchtocamelot, instead on the theme of ‘family’. Yet another information dump to go with it, but Lord knows doing two degrees in the subject means you have a lot to say in the long run!

[avilionea]

GORLOIS