#just ranting about my blorbo

[dr-demi-bee]

A History of Miri (Tav)

I wanted to finally sit down and visually commit my headcanons for my Tav's background story. Much of this is told through my fanfic, Service and Worship are not Love - which POVs between Miri (afab wood elf tav) and Gale. My Tav is a Lythari - a reclusive subrace of wood elf that are true lycanthropes, with no wereform. This is not a curse, it is considered an inherent magical feature passed on to a willing mate or to lythari children. (be aware there are conflicting opinions on some facets by resource)

The Lythari are one of the oldest races of elves on Toril, but now live predominantly in the Feywilds. Some remain in Faerun - as is the case for Miri's pack, which live in the High Forest. Miri's pack serve the Goddess Mielikki, much like a chosen might, and come to her side when she summons wolves. (I detail all of this and more in my story, so if it interests you, I encourage you to give it a read!)

I love exploring human cultures and customs, so in my writing I like to think about what might make the High Forest lythari - who would be an ancient culture living in a unique, fae-influenced environment- unique, and how to show this. Below is an exploration of my Tav's history as a Lythari (using the character creator to generate visuals).

One way I have depicted this tradition is in hair: the lythari of Mielikki's pack communicate honor and status through their hair in elven form. A particularly skillful achievement or service to their goddess (e.g. bravery in the face of death), is symbolized by the addition of a braid into the hairstyle. The width of the plait might vary as a function of meaning/significance. Braids would be capped/decorated individualistically - with stone, or bone, or leather. Over time, a lythari's age and skill could be observed in the changes of their hair style. As a child, a lythari would likely have few/no braids in their hair.

Here is how I imagine my Tav as an adolescent. No makeup, no age lines, pale skin as a densely-forested denizen rarely in elven shape. One thick braid as a brave, effective warrior for her age.

The lythari in Miri's pack are named by Mielikki - the name (in elvish) represents the skill they most possess, and what role they serve in the pack. For example, Miri was called 'Fen'Mi' - blade of the wolf (yes, it's dalish) for her speed and expertise with short swords. They earn their names from the goddess after undergoing a trial, after which they receive tattoos marking their integration into the pack.

In her 20s, Tav has started to serve Mielikki as Fen'Mi - she has her pack tattoos, grows a bit more serious, and has started accumulating braids. She is an effective warrior serving at her Goddess's side.

As she matures and continues to serve her pack and her goddess, Fen'Mi (Miri affectionately) would come into her power as elf and wolf. At the height of her prowess (say around her 50s) she would be decorated with many braids. Not going to give any more spoilers, but I'm sure Miri would take pride in how she decorates her braids - and no doubt she would choose her decorations in direct relevance to how a braid is earned. At this point in her life, she has developed her sense of style, wearing dark eye makeup to match the dark rim of her eyes as a wolf, and wearing more self-fashioned jewelry. She's also gotten a few scars - being the blade of a goddess is dangerous work.

Unfortunately, that dangerous work caught up with her. Through a series of misadventures, Miri was taken captive by a drow house. They discovered she was a lythari and she was kept caged and mistreated for about 30 years while the house took advantage of her power - forcing her into bloodlust and using her as a weapon.

When she is rescued by siblings, she is unfortunately, feral. This results in an accident where Miri kills her sister. She is broken mentally and physically when she returns top-side to Mielikki. As a kinslayer, her braids are shorn away and she is expelled form the pack. She looks haggard and weak when she leaves the forest - nameless.

Miri, now nameless, leaves the High Forest in banishment. With no equipment, and no longer able to shift as a result of her trauma, she nearly freezes to death on the outskirts of Waterdeep. Thankfully she is found by a Song dragon of the Confluence - Talmeria. The Confluence take her in, and she starts to learn about civilization and other humanoids. But, being a Lythari can be a valuable asset (as she learned in the underdark) - so Talmeria enchants Miri's hair to help her blend in. A few years of adventuring in elven form gives her skin some color. Now around 90 years old, she takes on a new name - 'Tav'. (earned the classic way, a la not knowing a lick of common and being slapped with 'tavern')

For the next 30 years, Tav wanders the sword coast, mostly in the regions around Waterdeep. She seeks redemption - and tries to fulfill herself by aiding others. She takes contracts as a ranger, aids lost souls as a pathfinder, and sometimes aids the Confluence with fighting shapeshifters (a natural enemy for a faithful of Mielikki and a Lythari).

But mostly she wants to seek redemption with her Goddess and her pack. She is raising money to take a voyage to Evermeet, where she hopes to beg her father for forgiveness. She is on the Trade Way earning coin for the boat ride out of Waterdeep when we find her in 1492 and the nautiloid scoops her up.

By Act 1, she has reclaimed some of her identity, but still does not braid her hair. She keeps the lower sections (from ear below) shaved short in self-reflection of her shame. Years on the road out of the forest and only as an elf have tanned her skin substantially, and she has developed a plethora of freckles. (not worried about fantasy skin cancer, i guess)

Whew, when Act 2 rolls around, Tav has really started to embrace herself again. She re-learns how to shift and accept her powers. (In no small part thanks to a particular verbose wizard). After the events at moonrise tower, Tav starts adding braids to her hair again. She has done quite a lot of good to help others, and a lot of it has been in the face of death. (Stay tuned for some cute af fluff where she adds a braid to Gale's hair for bravery in the face of death around then too.) It doesn't take long for her to start accumulating quite a few braids.

By the start of Act 3, Tav is on her way to healing a lot of old wounds. She has fully embraced her identity as a Lythari again. And while she's still struggling through the religious trauma of being cast out of Mielikki's pack, she is learning to like herself without the direction of the gods. She and Gale are really bonkers for each other at this point.

Post netherbrain, the future Mrs. Tav Dekarios is happy. She and Gale have worked through a lot of the religious trauma, and have found happiness together. She has really learned to love who she is again. And while she's still figuring out who 'Tav' should be in the wake of the tadpoles, she is enjoying herself in Waterdeep. This is how she looks at the epilogue giving bear-hugs to her pack - her found family. <3

After a few years enjoying a quiet life (and only occasional work as an adventurer) inside a lot more and lupine a lot more, Tav's skin loses much of the tan. But the freckles stick around. And, one day down the line, Gale convinces her to lose the hair-color enchantment. She is safe with him. She is safe in Waterdeep. And she doesn't need to hide from anyone. Mrs. Dekarios is happy (and so is Prof. Dekarios hehe)

Anyway thanks for reading my abbreviated history of Tav-Miri-Fen'Mi! hehe If you love this plz check out my work on Ao3 :) (yes I am always this verbose) https://archiveofourown.org/users/dr_demi_bee

[loomingtwilight]

i love neuvifuri’s dynamic and relationship. like. imo they are the epitome of “we are inseparable, we are in love in every way, we are soulmates not by birth or due to fate binding us inexplicably but because we spent those 500 years being the one constant in each others lives and weve come to know each other the best, but we are simultaneously strangers. we never truly knew each other during all that time.“

and neuvillette knew for so long furina was keeping a secret from him and it pained him to force that secret into the light, but he knew he had to in order to save fontaine, and despite that he still wanted to do it as gently as possible. to make the trial the last resort if the travelers conversation didnt work. after the final events of the archon quest, he let furina go wherever she wished, he (if im remembering correctly) gave her a nice house and enough funds to do as she pleased and live comfortably. he used his new authority over hydro to give her a vision made specifically for her, the very first vision he has given out. he has made it as clear as day that she is welcome to talk to him, to ask to have tea, to ask him for whatever or simply just to talk.

neuvillette using those actions to say “i hope you let me know who you truly are, and allow me to stay in your life for as long as you wish, but i love you so i will not force you.”

[wdwashere]

Just two besties who bond over the same crush (they're also lowkey crushing on each other)

[nirrvana]

why do all of my favorite characters keep getting impaled both literally and metaphorically by a thousand sword blows representing the eternal weight of hatred and pain they must carry all by themselves why does this keep happening (this is about anthy himemiya and xie lian)

[enhanced-operatives-division]

Junicrane/Starstruck Ramble

I will not be brief, all under the cut

To clear some things right off the bat:

No corpse, no proof with Juniper. Obligatory this is set in a canon where he's alive and adjacent to the agency in some way.

Reggie & Juniper are just gay to me, but I don't mind any interpretation of their sexuality

The games are set in 1967/68 to me (based on a couple bits in game) which is before it was legal to be gay in America at least (1971), which is relevant to how I interpret canon as being somewhat grounded in reality, despite unrealistic elements.

This is just an insane amount of headcanons/elements of and AU all culminated into one post. I will talk about some headcanons like they're just facts because they are established in my head, and it saves me over explaining literally everything, however I will explain some parts a little bit for clarity.

Alright. Actual beginning of the ramble:

Juniper is a character to me who had gotten so lost in his job as an actor and a social presence that in the end his whole life revolved around that 'role'. Because of this, by the time he's put into the situation where he's around the Agency, he basically knows nothing about himself, though he doesn't realise at first. Furthermore, what little identity he had has changed in so many ways. He's no longer a beloved famous actor in the prominence of public light, he's legally dead and he tarnished his career just before he was supposed to die, with the bonus of that making him lose the majority of his estate. From that, he also has horrific facial scarring from the electrical burns from literally having his face fried. I believe a friend of mine made a post about this a while ago (I also think they were the first to think it up also), but, to me, Juniper has a permanent trimmer in his right arm (aka his dominant hand) from the electrical current and it is messing with his nervous system.

All in all, he's not doing great, but he's too proud to admit that he's not doing great, because if anything, what's left of his ego is all he has as a defense since he's deep in unfamiliar water.

Before ending up around the agency (I have multiple interpretations of this, so I'm just going to bring it up generally), he'd never actually seen Reggie, and his only impression of him is a single voicemail, which was his only reference he had to later impersonate him. Juniper probably has very little feelings other than the ones he projects onto him because of Phoenix and that, at the very least, he's physically attracted to Reggie to some degree (that's like the beginning of how everything else would tumble into place in this sort of interpretation at least).

And on Crane's side? His feelings towards Juniper are probably very intense and muddled. On the one hand, he adores musical theatre, and that's his now ex-favourite actor. The thought of just casually being around him blows the bit of fanboy in him away at first because THAT'S the GUY, plus the inklings of a celebrity crush which still poke at him. And then there's the rational side of him, which knows Juniper has committed absolute atrocities on the side of Zoraxis, and hates him for that. Then there's how much Juniper comes off as an asshole at first because he refuses to cooperate with anything the Agency tried to put in place. He finds Juniper endlessly frustrating, and yet he's stuck working with him since, afterall, he's the one who knows the Agency's history with Juniper the best. I imagine him acting a lot like how he does IEYTD 1 around Juniper.

At this point, I'm just describing the pitch for a romcom.

I think the start of their relationship with one another largely started with Juniper trying to wind Crane up. It was a way of getting his attention, and I don't think Juniper knows why he's so dead set on that at first, because I don't think he realises he has a crush on 'this grump' at first. (I think that's actually the fun part about these two, because it's almost like a role reversal of the celebrity crush dynamic. This ex-big name actor has a TERRIBLE crush on an average joe and it is KILLING HIM.) But of course the Agency keeps them together because Juniper is at least conversing with Crane, so it's a start.

Through one way or another, they actually get talking casually, at least mildly at first. It takes Juniper a long time to fully deconstruct the wall he's built, and the thing is, Crane isn't the one trying to deconstruct it, at least at first, because yeah, Juniper realises if he wants Reggie to actually like him in any way, he can't keep winding him up. So they talk. Small talk at first, something rhythmic and almost easy to keep to a script. And over time that turns into actual conversations. Genuine ones in which Reggie rips out the occasional one of his jokes which Juniper is endlessly endeared about. The way he smiles just before he makes them, like he wants to chuckle at what he's about to say before he says it. That's probably when Juniper realised that he does have some vague crush on him, and that it wasn't going away.

This is what kickstarts John I can't-buy-you-things-to-impress-you-so-acts-of-service-it-is Juniper to do little things for him. It mostly starts off as him trying to make Reggie his tea how he likes it. However, the nerve damage in his arm makes that hard, as the weight of the kettle and trying to pour is hard all of a sudden. And he refuses to accept that, so he tries for a very long while. Long enough that Crane would go to investigate what was going on. And when he does see Juniper leaning over a cup with the kettle as he uneasily tries to pour it, and when Crane asks Juniper responds so matter-of-fact that his intention is nothing but genuine. And it catches Reggie off guard because Juniper hadn't done anything like that up to that point, and his very apparent vulnerability is so clearly on show.

It shifts something between them.

From that point on, conversations are longer, more familiar. Both of their attitudes soften, and Reggie makes more jokes. Juniper learns how to better use his left hand while strengthening his right back to a point where it could be used again. Slowly, they're both spending time with one another not because they have to, but just because they can. Little bits at first, not too far outside what they already were doing, but those little bits turned into long bits to a point where the other person's company was genuinely desirable.

As time passes, Juniper probably realises that he doesn't genuinely know much about himself or what hobbies he's into, because he never really had the time when he got big, and his home life in his youth wasn't bad, but it wasn't picturesque. I think Reggie would pick up on it, and absolutely try to introduce him to some things he's into. Some things stick, other things don't (corn husking very much stays Reggie's passion, and John will go with him sometimes because it's him, but it's not something he strongly cares for). Crane introduces him to a lot of music, and it's something that becomes a staple between them, with tracks they listen to more than others (tragically, I know relatively little about 60s music so I couldn't really say what). Occasionally they dance, never anything intense, think slow dancing, but the closeness is nice.

Through all of it, Juniper is battling the worst crush of his life, and he can't stand it, because I think he struggles to read people since he doesn't have anything like a script or a director to refer back to, so he has no idea if Reggie likes him back or if he's just desperate for that to be true. I think because of that any sort of confession between them would be incredibly raw, not only because of the time they live in making it hard for them to be truthful about how they love, but because it's a complete show of Juniper who's worked to be this better person. I don't exactly know how that would go, mainly because I don't have one set version of their dynamic, this post is just a generalisation of main consistent points.

Reggie does like him back, because he's gotten used to Juniper being just this guy, not a figure in the public eye, not a Zoraxis lackey, and not any sort of Agency operative (despite being under their care to some degree). He's someone he genuinely cares for, because they've given one another the time of day to learn one another, and I think because Reggie was a field agent, he was a lot better at reading Juniper than Juniper was at reading him. Eventually Juniper's company becomes something he could see around him for the rest of his life, and I think he accepts that he likes Juniper a lot more gracefully.

I think any affection directed at Juniper would at first be met with him feeling a little muddled. Reggie was a very physically affectionate person when he could be, and sure the initial flirting with one another came with the occasional little touches, but everything now was so deeply intentional. I also don't think Juniper would almost ever get over the novelty of being able to kiss him, or many other gestures, because it made the fact that they were together so very real, and it was great. I do think it comes easier to Reggie, and it's a big way of showing how much he cares, so it's important for Juniper to try and show it back because he knows how much it means to the other.

I like the idea of them eventually living with one another, too. I think Juniper would have always had a quiet little daydream of sorts where he does just live a domestic quiet life, and he can with Reggie (well, as close as they can get between the Agency and Zoraxis always being at odds), and he loves that, and he loves him, and it's immense.

I think they cook for one another a lot, it helps Juniper work on his dexterity in a controlled environment, which means a lot because it's a huge point of insecurity (that and his scars). He does improve, and Crane is proud of that and shows it and it's great. I also think they'd probably cook together too, because they can deal with being in the kitchen together and they work well with one another. It's probably a good way for them to unwind because over time they can do it in relative silence.

As I said before, I also think music is a staple in their household, and that Reggie listens to things on vinyl almost all of the time because he likes the background noise. Sometimes Juniper will catch him chuntering along to the music which he finds endlessly endearing. I wouldn't put it past his dramatic ass to also join in to fluster Reggie, but I also don't think Reggie would mind that terribly because Juniper has listened to the music enough to know the lyrics, and that's huge to him.

I don't think they are without rough patches, no relationship is, but I think the good part about them is that they're willing to talk about it (... eventually). They're used to long conversations, and while they're often less fun conversations, they're needed and they know that, and it works out.

Alright. I think I'm done for now. I haven't mentioned everything, but this definitely got the worst of it out of my system. If you ever want to hear any specific thoughts my ask box is open but other than that, behold my general dynamic for these two which has been festering in my head for years. I think they're great

[occasionallyprosie]

Okay I'm supposed to be studying but like I'm having thoughts about the song that's playing right now.

But Eight by Sleeping At Last? Major Legend vibes

"I was just a kid who grew up strong enough To pick this armor up And suddenly it fit God, that was so long ago, long ago, long ago"

He was a child and has been doing this for (in my hc) a decade now. He did not choose this life, but the moment Fable called out to him and he found his Uncle dying? No going back.

"Now you won't see all that I have to lose And all that I've lost in the fight to protect it I won't let you in, I swore never again I can't afford, no, I refuse to be rejected"

This is especially perfect for anyone who wants to go into Legend learning to love again with the Chain, be it after Marin or anyone else he's loved and lost. He won't let himself do it, and if you (like me) subscribe to the idea that he's a sweetheart at his core, he can't afford to keep losing people because at some point he's going to break.

"I'm just a kid who grew up scared enough To hold the door shut And bury my innocence But here's a map, here's a shovel"

He's hidden himself under the mask of a gruff, harsh, grizzled veteran, but the kid who was buried since he took up that sword and shield is still there... and if you want, if you like, he's given the Chain the map (glimpses of his true self) and the shovel (his trust) to find it and help him... I don't know, be a kid again? Be himself again?

"For the innocent, for the vulnerable And I'll show up on the front lines with a purpose And I'll give all I have, I'll give my blood, give my sweat An ocean of tears will spill for what is broken"

Though this part is actually more like two different stanzas, which individually are still great, these together describe him as a hero so well. Again and again, he's gone to the front lines and he's given everything he has to protect the innocent and the vulnerable. At least in the Oracles manga, we see his determination to protect those who can't fight their battles and he gladly fights beside those who can.

Really I just have thoughts about this song and how well it fits Legend.

[riraro489]

"It's too soon for farewells!"

"You two... are coming with me!"

@heropartnerweek Day 2: Home | Flowers | Favorite Scene

This scene is burned into my brain because 7 year old me was so frightened by Dusknoir and getting dragged to the future that I just completely gave up on my first Explorers of Time save :(

[that-was-anticlimactic]

no but like can we talk about how jun'ichiro is like... an amazing actor? i mean... atsushi's entrance exam, the whole lets himself get taken hostage by the port mafia in cannibalism arc thing... jun'ichiro has RANGE. and like if you think about it, he acts more than he realizes. like... his ability kind of requires him to act and pretend. or he'll need to pretend he's not using it or that it's real... idk i just think jun'ichiro is such an interesting character ahhhhhhhhh

[coffinsister]

give us a random coffincest hc that you have!

Heyyy thank u :3

I headcanon that Ashley actually really enjoys drawing and she makes crappy little doodles for Andrew from time to time.

In exchange Andrew writes her sappy long winded poems. He just leaves the notes around for her to find randomly.

[raylin-creates]

Me when I see a post about how First is useless to the lore: I. respect. your opinion. (internally raging) (fists shaking) (teeth gritted) (body trembling) (breathing ragged) (mind shook) (eyes wild) (mentally holding myself back from replying with the force of a blue whale being dropped to the ground at terminal velocity)

[writeouswriter]

Started watching a show with one character that my friends just absolutely hate, like truly despise, they think he's shallow and see no sense of redeeming qualities or characteristics or anything, they cannot *stand* him, but I... think he's so far the most complex and compelling character of the series.

Like, sure, he's done some questionable things, he's very much the product of his terrible upbringing, perpetuating the cycle of abuse; he's not quote unquote "good," but he's interesting *as a character,* you see how he cycles between doing good things and bad, you understand why he is the way he is, you see how he digs himself deeper, and my friends said well, they prefer characters who *break* the cycle, who dig themselves out of it, which, yeah, that's fine, sure, but... you do realize it doesn't always work like that, right? Some people don't break the cycle, some people can't, and not always for lack of trying. And even if it did work like that, you do realize the difficulty of that task, right? Breaking that cycle doesn't just happen overnight (or over the length of a single episode or even several), it's messy, it's ugly, it's gradual, it takes time, and this particular show is still very much in its infancy.

Even then, if that really is their caveat, in this case, in the little details, even if he screws up more often than not and isn't directly shunned, even if it's not in conventional, accepted or huge ways, you can clearly see this character actually *is* trying? To be a better father, to care for his friends, amidst his own issues and his fear of being seen as vulnerable or taken for granted, underneath a very obvious mask *designed* to make people see him one way or be disgusted by him, but audiences have no patience anymore... and no ability to sense when a mask *is* a mask, even when it slips, even when presented on a stage.

I mean, I'm not saying they have to *like* this character, to each their own, he's weird, he is occasionally awful, I understand the distaste on that front, but it's genuinely disheartening to see all the other details of his personality just completely fly under the radar or over everyone's heads because no one wants to look beyond the surface, and no one wants a "damaged" character anything less than pure or palatable in specific ways. No one wants a less than perfect victim.

And yeah I know I'm overreacting a little, again, I reiterate, you can like or dislike any character you want for whatever reasons you please, god knows I hate plenty of characters and some don't have any redeeming qualities even writing wise, but... sometimes looking at things just a little longer or through a different perspective can give you a whole new respect or understanding you might never have thought of.

Characters are complex. People are complex. And sometimes, it really *is* that deep, and you can't expect every character or piece of media to hold your hand and directly spell out its moral code for you like it's made for children.

[flyolai-brainrot]

i am normal and can be trusted with fandom activities

(i started actually using tumblr less than a month ago)

[lgbtlunaverse]

My friend has given me a very passionate recommendation of epic: the musical and it sounds so interesting but since that recommendation i've encountered the online fandom for it and they've all been the most insufferable people alive 😔 I try not to let fandom influence my enjoyment of a work but that's usually AFTER i've already consumed and enjoyed it, not before. You fuckers are gonna make me get a bad grade in friendship media resonance.

[antennatoheaven]

every few years i just need to explain in great detail to someone why i love the ice king/simon as a character you know how it is

[cowboyskeletons]

*insane about media voice* i am normal about media

[gl1tchi]

i feel such intense kinship with this sequence of panels i feel like this so often