#king Ixion

[dcbinges]

Wonder Woman #24 (1988) by George Pérez

[tylermileslockett]

"The Performance" (part 5 of my Orpheus and Eurydice series)

(From Ovid’s Metamorphosis)

“The bloodless spirits wept as he spoke, accompanying his words with the music. Tantalus did not reach for the ever-retreating water: Ixion’s wheel was stilled: the vultures did not pluck at Tityus’s liver: the Belides, the daughters of Danaüs, left their water jars: and you, Sisyphus, perched there, on your rock. Then they say, for the first time, the faces of the Furies were wet with tears, won over by his song: the king of the deep, and his royal bride, could not bear to refuse his prayer, and called for Eurydice. She was among the recent ghosts, and walked haltingly from her wound. The poet of Rhodope (Orpheus) received her, and, at the same time, accepted this condition, that he must not turn his eyes behind him, until he emerged from the vale of Avernus, or the gift would be null and void.”  

Tantalus (great-grandfather of Agamemnon) was a King who, after being admitted to dine with the gods, killed his own son (Pelops) to serve the gods to test their powers of perception. For this moral crime, he was cast into Hades where he endured the torment of everlasting hunger and thirst.  Ixion was a corrupt mortal, who after killing his father in law and attempting to seduce Hera, was punished by Zeus to be strapped over a an ever spinning, solar flaming wheel. Tityus was a giant who attempted to rape Leto; the mother of Artemis and Apollo. After being slain by Apollo, the giant was punished in hades by being staked to the ground and having two vultures peck out his regenerating liver. The Belides (Daenaeds/water nymphs) were fifty daughters who were ordered by their father to murder their husbands on their wedding nights. In Tartarus they were cursed to carry water jars for eternity to fill an ever-emptying tub. Sisyphus was a trickster mortal who cheated death, and was cursed to roll a boulder uphill for eternity; another fruitless labor. The Furies (or Erinyes) were dark deities who punished mortals who spilled familial blood.

Like this art? It will be in my illustrated book with over 130 other full page illustrations coming in march to kickstarter. Please check my links in my linktree in my bio to join the kickstarter notification page. 🤟❤️🏛

[kiwikipedia]

Now I’m Not Saying That I Should Be Allowed To Design Servants For Fate, But....

Summer Unit, Caster Chiron has Arrived! As the immortal Caretaker and Teacher of Mount Pelion, there’s little doubt that he knows all the tips and tricks to survive a coastal month in the sun. What’s that? The Constellation is wrong? Sagittarius? Don’t be silly, Chiron’s always embodied the Constellation Centaurus. Always.

Costume Dress(es), Individual Stills for the new Sprites (Asc 3), Notes, and Taglist below the cut :)

That "Always" bit is meant to be somewhat ominous which hints at the whole "rewriting and creating heroes" idea in my last post about this Eternal Summer Stage event.

And if i am to be 100% honest, I don't quite like the final result still in terms of the toga, however, I know that if I keep working on it it will never get done and that's just the way that artists are lol. The effects and everything else though? Beyond what I was even expecting for it to turn out as.

Anywho.

In terms of design, I was mostly just going for the "Dad who has the Cooler" with a casual look for the first two designs and the costume dress really isn't a drastic change either just being called Hatless. The final ascension was a more divine feel where you get that connection with the stars and space that Chiron has due to his constellations. The Costume change there is just "Divine Blessing". I honestly couldn't pick between the two colors so. Costume Dress.

So. Anyways. Each of the stars in the final ascension design are the major "Centauri" stars within Centaurus, the Constellation that Chiron/his NP is embodying here rather than Sagittarius.

The large star that Chiron has in hand is Theta Centauri, also called Menkent, and then the ones on the staff are Alpha-Gamma Centauri.

The top three stars are Alpha Centauri or Rigil Kentaurus and Toliman, and Proxima Centauri. The three make up the full Alpha Centauri as the two blue stars are a binary system that Proxima orbits

The middle two are Beta Centauri or Hadar and Agena, another binary star pair

The lower two are Gamma Centauri which is another binary star group but are unnamed

Actually, the myth of Centaurus is a little wonky because certain texts refer to Centaurus as the Father of all Centaurs and the constellation is because he put an image of himself in the sky where others point to it being the other constellation that Zeus turned Chiron into instead of Sagittarius. Honestly, I'm more inclined to the latter due to conflicting texts about mount Pelion and the Centaurs themselves as it's implied that Chiron was already on Pelion before the other Centaurs arrived in some texts

("The Kentauroi were spawned by the cloud-nymph Nephele after she was violated by the impious Lapith king Ixion. She deposited her double-formed brood on Mount Pelion where they were nursed by the daughters of the immortal kentauros Kheiron (Chiron).")

So at least in this/my version of Myth/Fate, Centaurus is Chiron as a Caster and Healer but no less a teacher, rather than the more combat-ready and "war-like" Sagittarius.

I don't have everything mapped out, but I do have skills and NP sorta created, if I actually ever get to the full thing, who is to say lmao.

1st Skill: Seaside Planning

Buffs Healing Skill (self), Attack up (all units)

2nd Skill: Teacher's Guiding Hand

Target Focus (1 turn), Invincibility (1 turn), Defense up for all units, Battlefield change to Forest

3rd Skill: Blessing of Artemis / Blessing of Apollo (costume change)

Applies "Blessings of the Moon" or “Blessings of the Sun” to all units ( Defense Up, Heal Per Turn, NP gain Up, Crit Up)

Noble Phantasm: Hunt of Lupus: Protector of Mount Pelion | Quick

Rank: A NP Type: Anti-Personnel Range: 5-99 Maximum Targets: 1

A single target Noble Phantasm much like Antares Snipe, however, while Sagittarius uses a bow, Centaurus uses his staff to sweep through and pierce the body of Lupus. This is the story of Chiron. However, here, his job is not finished. The slaying of "Lupis" ends, and thus the Teacher and protector of Pelion returns to those he protects and tends to them.

At its base, one could call it the Single Target version of Geronimo's Tsago Degi Naleya in which it deals damage and heals the party after.

"Entrust to me the stars and my Guiding hand shall lead you, o watchmen of the night. I encircle myself twice with the seven heavenly bodies so that I may continue my role among the stars. You who has woken me, fall. Hunt of Lupus."

Truth be told, still workshopping the Noble Phantasm, but it's fine, it's out there as a concept. It's a lot like Antares Snipe though, I guess? Because I did want to lean into the Greek and Constellation side of things and just. Oh well. Originally, though, I was going to make Chiron and Chariclo one Servant, and then have their Noble Phantasm be Chariclo's ("Lifeblood of Mount Pelion") but then split them up because idk I enjoy hell. They're both casters though, because I refuse to put more Rulers into the already bloated Ruler cast.

I do not have voice lines at the moment despite the fact that I have all of Chariclo and all of Agravain's finished lol

Taglist Form or feel free to ask me to get tagged (just DM!):

@jedifisto​​ @spaceydragons​​ @purgetrooperfox​​ @spacerocksarethebestrocks​ @insanelytomato @babygirljoelmiller @certified-anakinfucker @d3epfriedanger @thecodyagenda @babygirl-leon-kennedy​ @txtalnyx​ @jawajawas​ @ge-ge-ge-ge-genifer

Please tell me if you want to be taken off of the list as this is no longer just Star Wars art

Additional Tags for those who have been interested in Summer Chiron previously (i hope you dont mind):

@300iqprower @bitterrosebrokenspear

[astrologged]

Ixion in the signs and houses

Ixion (28978) is a minor planet in astrology, named after the king of the Lapiths in Greek mythology. Ixion represents the energy of obsession and reckless behavior, as well as the consequences that come from acting without regard for others.

Ixion in Aries: A tendency towards impulsive and reckless behavior, particularly in pursuit of personal goals or desires. There may be a need to learn how to balance individual needs with the needs of others.

Ixion in Taurus: A fixation on material possessions and physical pleasures. There's a tendency to pursue wealth and status at any cost, and a need to learn the value of moderation.

Ixion in Gemini: A tendency towards duplicity and manipulation. There may be a need to learn how to communicate honestly and openly, and to take responsibility for one's words and actions.

Ixion in Cancer: This placement can indicate a fixation on emotional security and a fear of being hurt or rejected. There's a tendency to hold onto grudges and resentments, and a need to learn how to let go of the past and move on.

Ixion in Leo: Can indicate a tendency towards arrogance and narcissism. There’s a need to learn how to work with others and share the spotlight, rather than constantly seeking attention and admiration.

Ixion in Virgo: A fixation on perfectionism and control. There's a tendency to be overly critical of oneself and others, and a need to learn how to accept imperfection and let go of the need for constant order and cleanliness.

Ixion in Libra: A fixation on relationships and a fear of being alone. There may be a tendency to sacrifice one's own needs and desires for the sake of harmony, and a need to learn how to assert oneself and set healthy boundaries.

Ixion in Scorpio: A tendency towards obsession and possessiveness in relationships. There's a need to learn how to let go of control and trust others, as well as a need to examine and heal any issues around power dynamics and manipulation.

Ixion in Sagittarius: Can indicate a tendency towards recklessness and a disregard for consequences. There may be a need to learn how to think before acting, and to consider the impact of one's actions on oneself and others. Try to be less impulsive.

Ixion in Capricorn: Can indicate a fixation on power and authority. There may be a tendency to pursue success at any cost, and a need to learn the value of collaboration and teamwork.

Ixion in Aquarius: Indicates a tendency towards rebellion and a disregard for tradition and social norms. There may be a need to learn how to balance individualism with a sense of responsibility to the collective.

Ixion in Pisces: Indicates a fixation on escapism and a tendency towards self-destructive behavior. There’s a need to learn how to face reality and take responsibility for one's actions, as well as a need to examine and heal any underlying emotional wounds.

Ixion in the houses

Its placement in the houses can give insights into the areas of life where these themes are most likely to manifest.

1st House: Indicates a person who is ambitious and driven, but may also be reckless in pursuit of their goals. They may be seen as a maverick or outsider by others.

2nd House: Someone who is motivated by material success and financial gain, but who may also take risks that endanger their financial security.

3rd House: Someone who is highly competitive and driven to succeed in their intellectual pursuits, but who may also be prone to taking shortcuts or bending the truth to get ahead.

4th House: Someone who is highly ambitious in their domestic and family life, but who may also struggle with issues of trust and loyalty within the family.

5th House: Someone who is highly creative and ambitious in their artistic or romantic pursuits, but who may also take risks or engage in unethical behavior to achieve their goals.

6th House: Someone who is highly motivated to succeed in their work or health pursuits, but who may also take on too much and burn out or engage in unethical behavior in pursuit of success.

7th House: Someone who is highly ambitious in their partnerships and relationships, but who may also be prone to betrayal or deceit.

8th House: Someone who is highly ambitious in their pursuit of power, but who may also engage in unethical behavior to achieve their goals. They may also struggle with issues of trust and betrayal in their intimate relationships.

9th House: Someone who is highly ambitious in their spiritual or philosophical pursuits, but who may also be prone to taking risks or engaging in unethical behavior to achieve their goals.

10th House: A person who is highly ambitious in their career or public life, but who may also engage in unethical behavior or take risks that could damage their reputation or career.

11th House: Someone who is highly ambitious in their social and humanitarian pursuits, but who may also be prone to taking risks or engaging in unethical behavior to achieve their goals.

12th House: A person who is highly ambitious in their spiritual or creative pursuits, but who may also struggle with issues of self-sabotage or addiction. They may also be prone to betrayal or deceit in their private life.

[millenniumfae]

Hades Headcanons P.2: Life In The Underworld

As we know, death is cheap to every denizen of the realm. Including the natural fauna and the human shades. The pain of injuries isn't lessened, but the distress and panic associated with wounds are gone, 'cause there's no more consequences for the body to instinctively react towards. You can imagine mortal injuries to be nothing more than a rush. For Zagreus and his ADHD brain, it's probably one heck of a stim. No wonder he hints at liking pain.

Same with all the bosses you slay, all minor enemies eventually reconvene whole and hearty upon their death. Their respawn point is whatever they'd call their 'home' in the underworld, same with Zagreus and Megara in the House Of Hades. A Lout wakes back up in his cell. A Wavemaker finds themselves back in their (flooded) apartment. If pre-reunion Patroclus was slain, he'd pop back into his glen, but if he and Achilles eventually decide to find proper housing like we see in the distance of Elysium, his respawn point would change. Only administration like Hades himself can override this.

This respawn mechanic applies to the fish, too, 'cause they're natural to the underworld. The head chef cooks a Chlam, and that very Chlam would later respawn in the Lethe. Little known to Zagreus, but he's caught the same Scuffer 20 times in a row. Don't worry, they don't particularly mind.

And speaking of fish and food, sustenance in the underworld function like video game logic, through pure energy rather than as nutrition. Unlike us, who digest food and shit the waste, those gyros directly transfer their calories into an immortal/shade's energy, whether the energy is spent healing wounds or increasing their martial prowess. Zagreus downs a HydroLite Energy Drink and 10% of his wounds heal upon leaving a room. The Ignited Ichor Caffeine Shot make him run faster. But taste buds are still active, so bless Eurydice and her cooking skills.

But all those onions you see? Those aren't natural to the underworld. Or, rather, they're plain ol' onions, growing in the UV-emitting light of Ixion's Wheel. In fact, many underground root or bulb crops can be found naturally growing throughout the underworld, like carrots and turnips, playing to the idea that their bounties grow 'below the earth'. They don't particularly thrive, since there's less natural pollinators, but with Persephone's influence they can be plentiful. These vegetables naturally migrated below the Temple of Styx on their own, and throughout the centuries became part of the flora.

In the lore of Hades (2018), gods like Thanatos, Aphrodite, Nyx, even Chaos- they aren't pure embodiments of their domain. They're also individual people with personalities and obligations. But there's one exception - the Styx itself. Like a blood vein, the Styx endlessly flows through the afterlife and delivers its yoke upon the current. All afterlife rivers spawn from it, and hence its the same river no matter if its the calm and foggy Lethe of blessed, hedonistic Elysium, or the hot and churning Phlegethon of limbo Asphodel. Charon is Like That 'cause he's one step away from being a pure 'embodiment' because of his relationship to the Styx.

Following the artsy symbolism, the devs made Hypnos the first npc you see upon death because he's the god of sleep. The ancient Greeks liked to symbolize Sleep as Death's cousin, or sibling. That's why he has that weird admin job in the House of Hades, rather than his canonical abode up in Elysium.

All the immortals in-game wear leggings, which was unheard of in Classical Greece, whose textiles sucked. Life in the underworld introduces luxuries to shades they've never experienced in life - indoor plumbing, flawless glass and mirrors, clothing finer than anything a mortal king would have had. Hades, is, after all, the richest of the pantheon thanks to his domain including gemstones. A newly-dead shade is relocated to their new condo in Asphodel, and freaks the fuck out about the bed having a mattress stuffed with down, rather than just a blanket covering straw.

[myth-lord]

ALl greek myth characters I love

Achelous (Triton) Achilles Achlys Acmon (Dactyl) Actaeon (Stag) Adephagia Aeacus (Daemon Judge) Aello (Harpy) Aeolus Aergia Aethon (Caucausian Eagle) Agamemnon Aglaope (Siren) Agrius (Bearman) Aigle (Hesperid) Akheilos Alastor Alecto (Erinyes) Amethyste (Oread) Amphisbaena Amphitrite Antaeus Anteros Antiphates (Laestrygonian) Apate Aphrodite Apollo Arachne Ares Argus Panoptes Aristaeus (God of insects) Artemis Asclepius (Medicine/Healing) Askalaphos (owl) Atalanta Athena Atlas Atropos Attis Autolycus (Master Thief)

Basilisk Bellerophon Boreas (Anemoi) Briareus (hekantoncheirus) Brontes (Cyclops)

Cacus Cadmus Calliope (Muse, Poetry) Callisto Calydonian Boar Calypso (Nereid) Cassandra Cassiopeia Castor & Pollux Catoblepas Celedones (two) Cerambus (Beetle) Cerberus Cercopes (Passalus & Aclemon) Ceryneian Hind Ceto Cetus Chalcon (Telchine) Chaos Charon Charybdis Chimera Chione Chiron (Centaur) Chloris (Dryad) Chrysaor Chrysomallos Circe Clio (Muse, Art) Clotho Coronis (Maenad) Corvus (Raven) Cretan Bull Crocotta Cronus

Daedalus Deimos (Machai) Delphin Demeter Diomedes Dionysus

Echidna Echo (Oread) Empusa Epiales (Pet of PHobetor) Erato (Muse, Literature) Eris (Mania) Eros Erymanthian Boar Eurus (Anemoi) Euryale (Gorgon) Eurynomos Eurytion (Centaur) Euterpe (Muse, music) Evenor (Atlantis King)

Gaia Galatea Gegenees Geras Geryon Graeae (Deino, Enyo & Pemphredo) Griffon

Hades Harmonia Hecate Helen of Troy Helios Hephaestus Hera Heracles Hermes Hestia Hippocampus Hippolyta Hybris Hygieia Hypnos

Icarus Ichthyes (Aphros & Bythos) Indus Worm Iris Ismenian Drakon Ixion (Daemon)

Jason

Kampe Karkinos Keres Khalkotauroi (Colchis Bull) Kholkikos Drakon Kobaloi Kratos

Ladon Laelaps Lakhesis Lamia Leonidas Lernaean Hydra Limos Lotus (Lotus-Eaters) Lycaon

Manticore Marsyas (Satyr) Medea Medusa (Gorgon) Megaera (Erinyes) Melaina (Thriae) Meleager Melinoe Melpomene (Muse, Tragedy) Menoetes (Daemon) Midas Minos (Daemon Judge) Minotaur Mneme (Muse, Memory) Morbus (Nosoi) Mormo Moros (DooM) Morpheus (Oneiroi)

Narcissus Nemean Lion Nemesis Nephele (Aurai) Nerites Nessus (Centaur) Nike Notus (Anemoi) Nyx

Odontotyrannus Odysseus Oedipus Orion Orpheus Orphne Orthrus

Pan Pandora Panotti Paris of Troy Pegasus Peisinoe (Siren) Peitho (Persuasion) Peleus (Myrmidon) Peloros (Spartoi) Penthus (Mourning) Periphetes Persephone Perseus Phaea (Crommyonian Sow) Pharmacea (Nereid, Poison) Philyra (Odor, Parfum) Phobetor (Oneiroi) Phobos (Machai) Phoenix Phorcys Phthisis (Nosoi) Plutus (Wealth / Chrysus) Polyhymnia (Muse, Silence) Polyphemus (Cyclops) Poseidon Prometheus Proteus (Triton) Psyche Pygmalion Pyrausta Pyrois (Sun Horse) Pythia (oracle of Delphi) Python

Rhadamanthus (Daemon Judge)

Sciron (Cercyon) Scironian Turtle Scorpios Scylla Selene Sisyphus (Daemon) Skolopendra Sphinx Stheno (Gorgon) Stymphalian Birds Sybaris Symplegades (Planctae)

Talos (Automaton) Tantalus (Daemon) Tartarus Terpsichore (Muse, Dance) Teumessian Fox Thalia (Muse, Comedy) Thanatos Theia (Sight, gems) Thelxiepeia (Siren) Theseus Tiresias (Shade) Tisiphone (Erinyes) Typhon

Urania (Muse, Astronomy)

Xanthus (Mare of Diomedes)

Zelos Zephyrus (Anemoi) Zeus

Shades / Myrmekes / Gadfly /

[jadagul]

Broke the seal on looking things up in FFXII. Looked up three things, and 1.75 of them were definitely "yeah I was never gonna find that" territory.

(Site 11 key I easily could have found; kept meaning to go back to that location and just never did. Ixion I spent a long time looking for but you have to do something very specific, and also it looked like the description specifically said it wasn't there, so I probably wouldn't have found it. And no way in hell I was gonna find the Stone Wyrm after I beat Behemoth King.)

Debating looking up where some of the abilities I missed are too, but I find it more palatable to ask "where is the extra content" than "where are the bonus items?" (Even though I realize stone wyrm is on the bonus items side of things somewhat.)

[merllis]

Percy Jackson Fic Recs

mother to mother by vivelalark

The Goddess of Marriage had no love for mortals – not anymore. Not with all their arrogance and pride and stupidity.

Io was the first to betray her, Jason broke her heart, Ixion was a disgrace, and so she had forsaken them all for her golden throne in the skies, detached and indifferent.

Sally Jackson was no exception. Hera had answered her prayer out of pity for the mortal woman, alone on her birthing bed, and put aside her disdain in a moment of mercy.

The only thing she hated more than mortals were demigods. 

(Or, an AU where Hera, the Goddess of Mothers, crosses paths with the Best Fictional Mother™ aka Sally MFing Jackson) 

Words: 30,086 Chapters: 5/?

An Undertow of Sand by Shujin1

"A half-blood child of the eldest gods, shall reach sixteen against all odds." Who decided the sons of Kronos met the criteria for eldest gods? There are older gods. Elder Gods. And They have been watching. See with the vision granted to your mind, oh Child of Prophecy. For reality is a lie. Your very existence is a flaw. An anomaly. A bend in Fate. And if Fate can bend, then it can break.

Everything is different. Nothing has changed.

Open your eyes…

Words: 260,726 Chapters: 31/?

The Hero Unsung by Sarcastic_Metaphor

“Oh gods,” Percy thought, “I got fucking isekai’ed.”

Thrown back in time and tossed onto the scorching shores of ancient Greece, Percy becomes the unwilling center of attention for an entire army. One destined to sail for Troy and wage a ten year war. If only they could appease the gods keeping them far from their destination first…

Meanwhile, Percy will have to make allies fast while navigating a pantheon of deities who have not yet been tempered by time. Because here, it’s not just the kings who have taken a terrible interest in him; Percy will soon learn just how painful the attention of a god can really be. 

Words: 83,614 Chapters: 15/?

Oh Yeah, No, I Totally Forgot by BlueberryLimoncello

Amphitrite really had only gone to that particular beach to see if there was something special about it. To see if the surf was softer, the wildlife nicer, if the nymphs were maybe prettier. She needed to see if there was a reason Poseidon went there so often.

But the stretch of sand she’d come to was truly pitiful, it wasn’t anything special or different, it was in fact boringly empty.

Or it was meant to be empty.

A small child stared up at her with big green eyes, a mop of dark curly hair, and an armful of various colorful buckets and a tiny shovel.

Oh.

Words: 76,841 Chapters: 33/?

Falling For You by 1967HogwartsGoddess

In an alternate series of events, Percy saves Annabeth from falling into Tartarus. Too bad he can't save himself. As Annabeth leads the Seven on a treacherous quest to meet him at the Doors of Death, Percy fights through a wasteland of pain, torture and difficult choices. Surrounded by monsters, alone in the darkest corner of the underworld, he starts to question whether he's a good kid anymore.

Final chapter is an AU following on from chapter 66. 

Words: 269,696 Chapters: 69/69

the winner takes it all by 5_m0re_minutesDaisy by hautepink

Hera messed up. Percy Jackson wakes up outside the Wolf House to a she-wolf goddess telling him that the Queen of Olympus wiped his memories. Even worse, Hera accidentally put him to sleep for an entire year instead of six months. It's December 2010, and without Percy's help in the war, Gaea and her giants claimed victory and drove the gods into hiding. With the Mist fallen and the world crawling with monsters, Percy must seek out the demigod survivors at Lupa's guidance as they prepare to make their final stand.

Or an AU, dystopian retelling of Heroes of Olympus with a lot of plot twists: the canon divergence is not what you think it is, and the original plot gets entirely upended. 

Words: 208,722 Chapters: 40/?

Daisy by hautepink

An unfortunate sophomore in college finds herself waking up after passing out in the midst of an all-night study session in the middle of a hospital. This would be concerning even without the fact that she seems to be in labor, and Sally Jackson is very much not her name.

Words: 40,341 Chapters: 9/?

Wrath of the Earthshaker by IStillPlayWithLegos

The Gorgons die screaming.

Stheno's wails are heard for miles as she burns from the inside out. The eldest begs for mercy, reminding her killer of his father's kindness. Will Solace thinks of mice and locusts and plagues. Of Apollo Smintheus and the mercy he showed in the Trojan War. He giggles at her pleas and summons more sunlight. The only thing left of her is a pile of golden ashes.

Euryale thinks fighting a daughter of Demeter is beneath her. She learns her lesson at the hands of Katie Gardner, who remains sitting at their table out in the stone garden. She whispers to the bushels of roses and firethorns around her and strokes their petals with a gentle touch. Katie smiles into her teacup as Euryale suffocates, sent back to Tartarus, swaddled in a blanket of thorns.

Percy Jackson guts Medusa, stomach to breast, with black claws, and watches her blood pool at his feet. If he closes his eyes, he can almost feel it pulsing. Riptide severs her head in one clean strike, and she dissolves into gold dust. For the second time, she is slain by one named Perseus. There's no Chrysaor or Pegasus to spring from her neck this time, but a child of Poseidon is present to haunt her all the same.

Words: 29,532 Chapters: 9/?

The law of change and the lack thereof by Irisinally 

After the Second Giant War, Percy just wanted a break. Because of that, his mom decided to visit her family back in Britain.

It was just his luck that his cousin was some other kind of special. With the discovery of wizards, a new mythological mystery that could very well be good or bad and Camp Half-blood taking part in some kind of magic games, Percy's break was completely ruined.

Absolutely perfect, isn't it?

Words: 113,002 Chapters: 32/32

My Golden Crown of Sorrow, My Bloody Sword to Swing by mrthology

He stepped forwards, Anaklusmos held out in front of him. No one else was in the throne room—not even Annabeth. It was just him and Luke's body. His feet crunched over shattered bits of marble and glass, the steps loud in the echoing silence. He looked up to the black sky above, terror suddenly clogging his throat. Something was wrong here. He had been sure his dreams would end with Kronos' defeat, that he would no longer be haunted by visions of what could be and would no longer have voices clamouring in his mind.

Apparently not.

———

Percy refused godhood standing in the ruins of Olympus, Luke’s body sprawled at his feet. Fate, however, has a different plan for him, and for them all. 

Words: 8,000 Chapters: 1/1

Camping By The Shore by withay for JadeStar

Estelle Blofis is too sick to go camping with the Girl Scouts, and this is the worst thing to ever happen in her six years of life. Luckily, her big brother is willing to create a camping trip for her. Told from their parents point of view.

Words: 5,628 Chapters: 1/1

Full Disclosure, I am a Monster by NOTTODAYARTT

It made a sound that sounded halfway between a growl and an exasperated sigh, "Kid. I really don't want to drag you out here, but I will if I need to. Now here's how this is gonna go, you could one, come out and," it shuffled around and grabbed something from its pocket, the object popped and then started hissing, "share this delicious cherry coke with me, or B I can drag you out by your arm and you'll start crying and I'll feel bad, because you're crying… So kid, what's it going to be?"

(In other words, monster!Percy because there's not enough of that in this fandom) 

Words: 10,235 Chapters: 4/7

Hired Hands by neighborhood_yogurt 

"A short, plump man in a three-piece suit stood over a costumed child wrapped in a small boat chain. The man had a smoking revolver in his hand leveled at a spot right next to the kid’s ear. His ridiculous top hat sat low over his eyes, but his hooked nose was just long enough to jut past the brim. The lighting in the warehouse wasn’t great, but Percy recognized him immediately. It was the Gotham supervillain Penguin, and Percy was on his godsdamned payroll."

Words: 50,325 Chapters: 12/17

Just Add Water by seasunwrites

“Don’t you feel it, Sal?” he said, pulling her closer.

She looked up at him and met his eyes.

“What?”

“The sea,” Poseidon explained. “It rises with the moon. Over and over. One of the only sureties in this world. Over and over, the tide will rise.”

Sally gave him a funny look. “Well, of course I know about the tides and that it’s a full moon—”

“Yes, but do you feel it?”

.

It's strange, how you add a bit of water and suddenly...Percy isn't human anymore.

(aka an h20 au that no one asked for) 

Words: 58,434 Chapters: 10/?

Inkspell. by youngjusticewriter

Because of a passing breeze the man’s trench coat and some fallen leaves drifted in the wind. “That reminds me - I suppose it’s rude of me not to introduce myself! It’s a pleasure to meet you my new friend. I’m Osamu Dazai.”

And that was how Percy’s new life began.

[\]

Or, Percy saves Dazai from drowning while underwater. Dazai is naturally curious how that worked considering Percy was holding his wrist.

Words: 34,420 Chapters: 8/?

After the Gates of Prophecies by mrthology

"They know something has irreversibly changed," Juno said.

"I'm Greek," Percy protested, ignoring the roaring in his chest, the pull the Roman demigods and legacies had on the very fibres of his being. He wondered if they even knew he existed, that there was a new God walking amongst them.

"You are something new, Perseus. There has never been a god like you before. You've terrified us all." Juno paused, allowing Percy to watch the thriving city. "You are going to change us all. I simply do not know if you will change us for better, or for worse."

—

Percy refused godhood standing in the ruins of Olympus, Luke's body sprawled at his feet. Fate, however, had a different plan.

Words: 41,000 Chapters: 12/30

Of Storms and Bloodlines by inkncoffee

When people thought of Poseidon they thought of the sea; Poseidon, Lord of the Seas, Commander of the Waves, the Stormbringer. Upon consideration they would add Earthshaker, for catastrophic events such as earthquakes were hard to forget. Few remembered, however, that Poseidon was also Lord of the Horses. Stormbringer and Earthshaker tended to squeeze that one out.

Percy had been able to talk to horses for as long as he could remember. He liked to think he understood them. Although he's not entirely sure why the new stallion thinks he's its foal.

Poseidon is not jealous that Percy thinks a horse makes a better father figure than himself. At all.

Words: 12,780 Chapters: 3/3

you with the sea in your eyes (you have the ocean at your fingertips) by SenjuMizusaya

(Fem!Percy)

After finally defeating Kronos, Percy had expected peace, not a flash of molten gold after which she found herself as a twelve year old girl in a village recently reduced to rubble, surrounded by forest and Ancient Greek.

A little too much Ancient Greek.

 (Or, Percy is flung back into the past and gets a hands-on history lesson when it comes to living during the Greek classism.) 

Words: 52,321 Chapters: 9/? 

my soul opposes fate (with daily will) by visiblyuncomfortablIf 

Percy Jackson rejecting godhood was not the plan, and so the Fates must act. So, as the Giant War ends and Gaea is defeated, the Moirai make a god out of the boy destined for it. No one but them is happy about this decision, but now Percy has to learn to navigate his new powers and new life whether he likes it or not.

there's one good thing to come out of it though, it's the new friendship he's somehow found himself in with a certain sun god… 

Words: 62,177 Chapters: 20/?

A Quarter Life Crisis by Butterflies_Stormclouds

Percy turned down godhood in the hope of having the white picket fence dream with Annabeth. Now he's in his early twenties, has the girl, his flat and midway through a degree and it's not quite as peaceful and fulfilling as sixteen year old Percy had imagined. But nothing in his life has ever gone smoothly and "retirement" doesn't quite fit into Percy's vocabulary all that well.

Words: 17,258 Chapters: 5/5

I've been here before by Butterflies_Stormclouds

Percy has been present when a lot of major deities have "died." Two months before getting married, Percy falls down the rabbit hole when parts of those deities left within him fills the missing pieces of his soul a little too well. 

Words: 44,283 Chapters: 17/19

bring the forgotten dawn by poisedwalrus

“What is it?” Grover asks, “What’s with that weird look on your face?”

“Just trying to figure out if turning me in will get us enough bounty money to buy our way to LA.” Percy says, craning his neck towards the news van.

“We are not turning you in to the police.” Grover presses his head back into the alleyway.

“Why not?” Percy says. They could use a bit of cash. “You guys can just break me out afterwards, right?”

Annabeth looks like she’s considering it.

“No, guys,” Grover says. “No.”

If Percy has to spend the rest of his life cleaning up after the gods, then he might as well start from the beginning. 

Words: 21,890 Chapters: 6/6

Symbol of the Ocean's Love by WardofWinters (QoLife)

Aphrodite doesn't use a dove to claim her kids, she was born of the sea. She rose from the depths of the ocean, crafted of seafoam. No, she doesn't use a dove to claim her children, her little pearls, she uses her sacred conch shell.

Problem is, so does Triton. 

Words: 11,963 Chapters: 2/5

Hold Tight and Pretend It's a Plan by Rynna_Aurelia

Olympus has fallen.

The second Gigantomachy has ended far differently than the first, and in Gaea's triumph, the world has been torn apart. But the Fates have seen what ends their failed meddling have brought, look on at the dead—and undo what should never have happened the only way they possibly can.

Perseus Jackson, son of Poseidon, is returned to his twelve-year-old self, memories intact and determined to save everyone he can. But he is not alone.

The Moirai underestimated the strength of the Lord of Time when stealing his power, and there is something about this particular demigod brat that intrigues him. . .

Perseus Jackson came roaring to life with a violent gasp, green eyes wild. After a moment of panicked flailing and struggling to breathe, his fear-filled gaze settled upon a girl with blonde hair and stormy grey eyes, her face stern and unimpressed.

"You drool in your sleep."

Words: 112,485 Chapters: 21/21

[arizonapoppy]

Tangled Web Book Club: Blindly Wise

I wanted to understand more about the "Blindly Wise" chapter heading, so I read the poem that I suspect LMM is making an epigraph of. It is called "The Two Voices," by Tennyson. And boy, is it a doozy.

The main character of the poem is someone who seems to have really screwed up their life. They appear in vague Victorian euphemisms to be considering suicide. I'm picturing a Prodigal Son situation (since LMM was a pastor's wife) or in a more recent metaphor, a George Bailey situation.

The Dialogue

Similar to George Bailey, the Person wishes they had never been born. Then a voice, whom we'll call First Voice, with very flowery words spends several stanzas telling the Person "Yeah, you messed up." First Voice makes references to the myth of Ixion, who broke the laws of hospitality twice (!) and was doomed to eternal torment on a spinning wheel in the sky or in Tartarus for it. First Voice also may imply that the Person has been deceived when it mentions a "cloud," which is when Ixion had sexual relations with a cloud that he thought was Hera, but wasn't. (This resulted in the race of centaurs.)

The Person mentions that they made a valiant effort, and did everything they could to earn the praise and renown of their peers. The Person says "everyone will hate me after I die and remember my disgrace. I just wish I could drink a draught of Lethe" (the ancient Greek underworld river that wiped away memories of the dead). The Person wants a clean slate.

The First Voice prevaricates and says maybe people will forget them, but maybe not. The First Voice points out that dead people will never be able to do anything again in the world of open possibilities. Even after death life goes on- bees will still visit flowers, the sun will still shine after rain. By dying the Person will be giving up their agency to strive to turn the situation around. The First Voice says that the key is to set one's eye on the horizon and goal and keep climbing or rowing or walking.

First Voice says that "there is one remedy for all" which I am assuming means faith in the Christian God. After a lot more back and forth, dawn breaks and it is Sunday morning and the Person sees a pious family going to church. The Person is knocked out of their self-pity, wishing the family well. (I'm picturing a full church bells and "Regina Coeli Laetare" from Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana here)

The Person speaks again, but the First Voice is gone.

dunt

dunt

DUNNN

Is the Person alone and comfortless?

Instead, there is a new voice. Second Voice is softer and sweeter. (Confer 1 Kings 19:12-13, where the voice of God is not in an earthquake or a fire but a "still small voice.") Where First Voice was cutting and negative, Second Voice gives encouragement. Where First Voice used flowery purple prose and thee/thou, Second Voice speaks simply using "you." It urges the Person to "Be of Good Cheer." (This seems very similar to the albatross in Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which was also a religious allegory.)

Person says "Who are you and what do you know anyway?"

To which the Second Voice replies, I don't. But I have hope.

From this the Person feels better after their spiral into depression and goes through the woods rejoicing. They regret listening to the one bad thought that sent them down a dark path. (But honestly, as one who struggles with depression, I sympathize with the Person and how quickly things can get bad and forgetting to hope.)

What Does Blindly Wise Mean Anyway?

I still don't fully understand the "blindly wise" part after reading it many times. I have a couple theories, neither of which I am settled on. One interpretation is that I think the First Voice is saying that the Christian God is the one who is blindly wise, reading the soul of each person and determining their overall balance of good and bad like Justice wearing a blindfold.

The other interpretation is that I think the one who is blindly wise is a human being, that people have an inner conscience that they can consult, if they are willing to listen. Even though a person might have "a baseness in his blood (a)t such strange war with something good" there is another option to choose good.

Where this comes into the story:

Several characters in this book have gone through Long Dark Nights of the Soul. Gay and Joscelyn have both suffered intense heartbreak and social humiliation. They both thought their lives were over with no hope of a second chance or future happiness. There are other things coming up that I won't mention because of spoilers. I think that LMM is making a reference to the various tribulations and revelations that the characters are going through. They have done foolish things and feel remorse, or awful things have been done to them, and feel that they are without hope. Now they are gaining new happiness out of sorrow, or at least Gay is. I won't say anything more, because

[dcbinges]

Wonder Woman #24 (1988) by George Pérez

[tylermileslockett]

"The Performance" (part 5 of my Orpheus and Eurydice series)

(From Ovid’s Metamorphosis)

“The bloodless spirits wept as he spoke, accompanying his words with the music. Tantalus did not reach for the ever-retreating water: Ixion’s wheel was stilled: the vultures did not pluck at Tityus’s liver: the Belides, the daughters of Danaüs, left their water jars: and you, Sisyphus, perched there, on your rock. Then they say, for the first time, the faces of the Furies were wet with tears, won over by his song: the king of the deep, and his royal bride, could not bear to refuse his prayer, and called for Eurydice. She was among the recent ghosts, and walked haltingly from her wound. The poet of Rhodope (Orpheus) received her, and, at the same time, accepted this condition, that he must not turn his eyes behind him, until he emerged from the vale of Avernus, or the gift would be null and void.”

Tantalus (great-grandfather of Agamemnon) was a King who, after being admitted to dine with the gods, killed his own son (Pelops) to serve the gods to test their powers of perception. For this moral crime, he was cast into Hades where he endured the torment of everlasting hunger and thirst. Ixion was a corrupt mortal, who after killing his father in law and attempting to seduce Hera, was punished by Zeus to be strapped over a an ever spinning, solar flaming wheel. Tityus was a giant who attempted to rape Leto; the mother of Artemis and Apollo. After being slain by Apollo, the giant was punished in hades by being staked to the ground and having two vultures peck out his regenerating liver.

Like this art? It will be in my illustrated book with over 130 other full page illustrations coming in march to kickstarter. Please check my links in my linktree in my bio to join the kickstarter notification page. 🤟❤️🏛

[kingsbride-a]

Traumerei

Summary: Theseus, former king of Athens, and Asterius, the bull of Minos, decide to make an afterlife-changing decision.

(or: a thesedia proposal fic)

Notes: This is a little headcanon heavy, so I’ll try to add notes about them at the end :~) also features some OCs I haven't drawn yet so imagine them however you'd like for now

I call this a “thesedia proposal fic” (because it is) but it also has a lot of other things. Like Theseus attending a lesbian wedding and Asterius having a sweet tooth. I’ll be writing one for Asterius too at a later date, since there’s no way I’d have both done in time for Vday 😭

~ 3821 words (sorry </3)

Warnings: some small scenes with alcohol, occasional suggestive / sexual humour, brief discussion of like misogynistic ancient greek traditions

🎵: Girlfriend (Acoustic Arrange) | Fullkawa Honpo ft. Riza

The constellations returned from the heavens to bathe within the waters of the Okeanos, and Ixion’s wheel soon joined them within the waters; it was nightfall within Elysium.

The pathway of Elysium’s main market center was lined with torches aflame, shining brightly within the darkness. A group of shades gathered near, dressed in their finest robes. Theseus himself was no exception, though he tried to keep his looks simple to avoid drawing too much attention. This event was not about himself, after all.

Soon a chariot appeared. Within it stood an Amazon from the distant land of Lydia, her muscular arms scarred from many difficult battles; Antiope, sister of Hippolyta, whom Theseus had befriended long ago . Besides her a shorter, meeker maiden wearing a veil; Anaxo, Theseus’ own childhood friend.

The couple stepped off the chariot, and towards the altar that had been prepared for them. Their eyes sparkled as they looked at one another, Antiope cupping Anaxo’s face within her palms.

“Traditional wedding vows don’t really work for a couple like us…” Anaxo eventually said, “So we both decided to create our own. My Antiope… I never expected to find love here, within the afterlife. You’ve shown me a number of new experiences, and I cherish every single one of them. ”

“Anaxo… You’re the most gorgeous fucking woman in the world” (a few chuckles arose from the crowd; Antiope was always very sincere… and very blunt) “ I feel extremely lucky we had a chance to meet, even if it had to be here in Elysium of all places. I wouldn’t trade it for the world!”

The two kissed to a round of cheers from their friends and family, and soon they all gathered elsewhere in order to share food, drink, and gifts for the brides.

"Theseus!! I'm so glad you could make it!" Anaxo barreled into Theseus with a hug, nearly knocking him over in the process.

"But of course! I would not miss this for the world." Theseus squeezed her in return, grinning all the while.

"Asterius couldn't come, hmm?"

"He feels uncomfortable at large gatherings such as this, but he did send along a gift! As did I! For you, dear Anaxo, may your days be evermore merry!"

Anaxo was quick to unwrap the gifts she’d been given; a bottle of vintage ambrosia from Theseus, and a miniature replica of Anitope’s signature poleaxe from Asterius.

Anaxo again gave Theseus a tight hug, before running off to show her gifts to her wife. It was then that a tall shadow suddenly loomed over Theseus; he turned, and was immediately met with bright red hair.

“Hippolyta?!” Theseus gawked.

“Theseus,” Hippolyta snorted, “What, did you not think I’d show up at my baby sister’s wedding?”

“Ah, no! Nothing of the sort! In fact, it’s so nice to see both you and your sister doing well! …Last I heard, you had found love with Lady Aegle! Is she here tonight?”

“She is. Last I saw, she was asking some Corinthians about the jewelry they wore. That girl loves some fashion…” Hippolyta sighed with a clear longing. Theseus’ eyes light up, seeing how obvious her affections were.

“I see! And may I ask… has tonight’s event made you think about proposing to Aegle? I’m sure she’d love an opportunity to design a dress—”

“Hey, hey. I’m the one who’s asking the questions here!” Hippolyta ruffled his hair, “Why worry about me an’ Aegle when you haven’t even popped the question to that nymph girl you’re seeing?”

At that, Theseus’ face flushed red. He had asked Dianthus to marry him, but that was so many years ago when they were both young. Nothing had come out of that promise; Theseus had returned to Oenoe far too late. But the idea did linger in his mind every now and again when he spent time with the lady in the present. Would his life be very different if he did manage to wed her back then? Or is their love made richer by the failures of the past?

“You’re thinking about it, aren’t you?” Hippolyta nudged him with her elbow, “I bet she’d say yes, if you asked.”

“Mistress Polyta, it is far too early to be thinking of such things!”

“Early?? You started treating that Minotaur like he’s your husband within days of him being within Elysium. Why not be bold with her too?”

Theseus started to squeak in defense, but he could finish his sentence Antiope began to call out to her older sister, holding a bottle of ambrosia in one hand and a massive goblet in the other.

“Haha! Looks like I should be going. Think about what I said, alright?? We’re all already dead, so why not have some fun with it?”

And Theseus did think; here within Elysium, he’d again discovered the Bull of Minos within the depths of the underworld, and with him forged a bond stronger than any steel. Asterius was his friend, his partner, and lover all at once.

Not only that, but he’d been able to rediscover a bond with the maiden of spring, Dianthus, who now worked within Elysium’s own library. To think he would find her again here, after their chance meeting upon the surface! And she was even more gorgeous, more worldly, more ravishing than she was in their shared past.

…Asterius and himself had already promised their bodies and souls to one another. Though he had times where his insecurities gripped him like a vice, he knew within the depths of his heart that Asterius would never leave his side. And he, in turn, would never leave Asterius.

Perhaps, once he returned to their home, he would discuss his thoughts with the bull.

“If that is your decision, then I support it.”

Within their shared home, Theseus had told his bullish lover what was now weighing on his mind. Dear Asterius was always so willing to listen, and yet so shy when it came to sharing his own perspective. Instinctively, Theseus reached upwards. Asterius always had such sweet reactions to having his ear scratched, his oversized head coming to rest in Theseus’ own hand.

“I do not want this to be merely my decision, Asterius! I want to know your thoughts as well! Surely you’ve dwelled on this topic, same as I. I’ve seen the way you stare at her while she tends to her garden. Or how your eyes glimmer like the heavenly stars when she leans down before you and you can peer directly at the very cute mole upon her-”

“King.”

“The point is… I would only do this if it would make you happy as well, my friend!”

Theseus watched as Asterius’ long eyelashes fluttered close. His body language may be unreadable to some, but Theseus knew it well. Here, Asterius was taking his words into consideration, and soon his ears would perk up to indicate he’d reached a conclusion.

When his eyes opened again, he gave his king a sheepish gaze.

“I do not have the same history with The Lady that you do, but she has been nothing but kind to me.” Asterius’ ears gave a slight twitch, then flapped up and down quite adorably; he was embarrassed. “...And she is very beautiful.”

“Then it is settled! Surely you’re aware, my friend, that this means you must talk to her as well!”

“I have no experience in this manner, king…”

“So you think! But you have plenty of experience with me, do you not?!” Theseus climbed into Asterius’ lap, and wrapped his arms around his broad shoulders. It only served to fluster the poor bull further, though these days he was used to how physical Theseus was. “And besides that, I will speak to her first! So by the time you have your chance, dear bull, she will already be akin to a fresh, ripe fruit, just waiting to be plucked!”

“...Hmm.”

“What is with that expression?! Ah! You took some dirty meaning from my words, didn’t you, Asterius. Didn’t you!!”

“I did not…” Asterius fussed, even as Theseus kissed his jaw.

Though the bull tried his hardest to deny it, the fact that he refused to meet his king’s gaze was proof enough. And Theseus could not help but to laugh. How rare it was for Asterius to express his desires, even if indirectly. Just another example of what a nymph’s love could do.

Theseus had long ago given Asterius a gift in honour of their union; golden bangles to wear around his horns, created in the shape of the sacred herbs his ancestor Helios used for protection against the sun’s heat. He did not wear this accessory within the arena, concerned he may damage them if he did, but when they two were together within Elysium’s marketplace, or otherwise lounging, Theseus would see them upon his horns and his heart would swell with pride. They would need something equally splendid to give to the lady, then.

Theseus asked the bull, “what type of gift would best suit Dianthus?”

Asterius replied, “You are better at choosing gifts than I.”

Such words made Theseus pout, and soon a parchment and pen was thrust into Asterius’ hands so he may draft out a concept for a ring. Theseus himself did much the same, and once they'd both finished he dragged the bull to one of Elysium’s smaller market places.

There was a shade who set up shop here who’d worked with gemstones during his life. Theseus had made his acquaintance more than once, notably after he’d retrieved Asterius from the depths of the underworld. The shade had wanted to know if the rumours were true, if the Cocytus which flowed through Erebus was truly filled with glimmering diamonds (it was).

“Greetings my good shade!” Despite being the only people there at the moment, Theseus still felt the need to make his presence known.

“King Theseus.” The shade was not yet one of the faceless masses of Elysium, but was a ghostly flicker to his form all the same. “You’ve forgotten my name again, haven’t you.”

“Of course not!” Theseus scoffed. “You are, erm. Ahem.”

“...Antheus,” Asterius supplied.

“Antheus! Yes, of course, I knew that!” Theseus nodded. “Asterius and I are in need of your aid, O Great and Noble Antheus! We seek a gift for a most beauteous and noble lady—”

“The librarian?”

“Um. Yes.” Theseus felt strangely deflated. “How did you know?”

Antheus shrugged. “Rumours travel fast here in Elysium. What exactly did you come here to request, anyways?”

Theseus pulled from his chiton a sheet of parchment, where he’d messily scribbled out a design concept. Asterius did much the same, his paper delicately rolled and tied closed with a pink ribbon. Though he tried to keep his usual cool persona, Antheus’ curiosity was obvious.

“...Theseus, I’m going to have to simplify your… very unique design. Asterius, yours is perfect as is. I’ll send message when I have these ready for you, though it may take awhile. In the meantime, go on and do whatever it is you usually do.”

(The defensive King Theseus was sure to combat the claim that his design was too complicated to complete as is, but Asterius had the sense to grab him by the shoulder and pull him out of the shop before he had a chance to.)

Life continued as usual:

The champions fought within the arena each and every time Zagreus reappeared (they had their first victory in a while; surely a good omen.)

They visited with dear friends and family, and stopped at Elysium’s many shopping booths (Asterius’ younger brother, Glaucus, took them to taste a honey from a distant land. Its richness still had yet to leave Asterius; mind even since; he’d have to go back for more sometime).

They sat with Lady Chloris within the expansive fields of Elysium, where all life around her was kept fresh and green. (Theseus informed her of what he and Asterius intended to ask of her daughter, and her eyes glittered with a joy unlike any Theseus had seen before. Somehow, it put his restless heart at ease).

And most of all, they spent time with Lady Dianthus herself. They would dwell within the expanse of her garden, enjoying the light of Ixion, or travel together through some unexplored glade of the underworld where mysteries awaited them.

And sometimes they would watch her as she worked within her kitchen, bustling to and fro and roughly chopping up various fruits.

As a special reward for her champion’s recent victory, she crafted a cake for them all to enjoy together.

(Though Dianthus loved to cook, her skill with decorating was lacking. It was Asterius, who was always so precise in his movements, who decorated instead. Theseus gave unhelpful recommendations all the while, suggesting things such as “elaborate gold leafing” and “imported fruits from lands unheard of.”)

Soon they were enjoying their bounty together, waiting as the light in Elysium’s sky dimmed. And what joy it was, to be together in this way, to feel the love that surrounded their every word or touch, even when Dianthus fussed at Asterius for taking another slice of cake (“You’ll make yourself sick!”), or when she and Asterius laughed when Theseus, ever clumsy, nearly tripped over himself while attempting to make some dramatic gesture.

And hearing the lady’s sweet laugh, he and Asterius gave one another knowing looks. A day would come where they’d be doing this all over again with the lady as their cherished bride. And how exciting the very idea was, to be able to love her in the way that she deserved!

A day came where Antheus called the king and the bull back to the shop. Theseus felt so nervous he was nearly paralyzed, but his anxiety melted away when Asterius gave his shoulder a firm squeeze. He wasn’t doing this alone.

The design for Theseus’ ring had been simplified from his original concept (though, now that he thought about it, it may have been inconvenient for the lady to have a massive diamond on her hand as she worked), but it was still gorgeous. A ring made to resemble a laurel, connected by flowering vines to a bracelet of gold leaf and morganite (it was her favourite gemstone). Asterius had opted for a simpler design, a budding rose with a ruby, the same colour as the horn paint he wore, pressed into the center.

“Thank you, Antheus. Your work is beautiful, as always.” Asterius seemed hesitant to hold the ring for longer than necessary, as if it would somehow be damaged in his large hands.

Theseus beamed, and hugged one of Asterius’ strong arms in excitement. “Truly, my good shade, this is your best work yet! I shall be sure to reward you handsomely!!”

“Just tell me how it goes with that nymph and we can call it even.”

“...Really?”

“No.” Antheus held out a hand. “Pay me money.”

“Ah. Yes. Of course.”

Theseus entered Elysium’s library (banishment be damned), and asked Dianthus if she would like to spend some time with him this day or night.

“Of course, Theseus. …But you really should leave before anyone spots you here!”

And yet, despite her words, the lady was more than willing to sneak away once she was alone. The library would survive without her, after all. Here in Elysium there was no need for her schedule to be set in stone as it may be upon the surface.

Theseus took her hand within his own, and led the way.

As if Elysium itself sensed his intentions, a gate opened up to somewhere they could be alone together. A small garden with a marble fountain bubbling with a rush of water, and several small waterfowl resting upon its gentle ripples. Dianthus sat at the fountain's edge, smoothing her skirt as she did so. Theseus sat beside her.

“My lady, I…” Theseus found himself growing nervous again. Why was this so difficult, when he’d done it many times before? What made Lady Dianthus so… different?

As he continued to be paralyzed, unable to speak, the nymph eyed him curiously. It was clear to him that she was beginning to grow concerned, which only made Theseus desperate for his usual ability to speak to return to him.

“Theseus, are you—”

“HOW. Um. H- how do you feel about marriage, Lady Dianthus?!” It was not the question he meant to ask, but he supposed it was an important one all the same. She’d spoken of it before, but never in deep terms.

He imagined she would be alarmed by his sudden question (and she was, if her expression was anything to go off of), but she soon calmed, her eyes twinkling with a smile.

"Hmm.. it's not something I've thought about for a very long time, I admit. When I was a young girl I used to dream of it. Myself, two small children, a strong and loving husband… I would never be able to picture my husband's face, though. I don't know why."

"I was proposed to in the past,” she continued, “By someone other than you, I mean, before I left Oenoe. A nobleman came from Marathon and asked my father for my hand. I was already well past marrying age, being nearly 25. It didn't take long at all for his proposal to be accepted, as I'm sure you can imagine. But I had no desire to marry him!"

Theseus nodded. "You abandoned Oenoe to avoid this union, and were thus taken in by the retinue of Dionysus!" Dianthus had told him this story before, of her time amongst the maenads. It was difficult to imagine the lady who stood before him now wearing a skin of leopard's fur and wildly thrashing about amongst satyrs and drunken spirits, but even Theseus himself had such a phase at one point. Abandoning Athens to go enjoy the splendors of Lydia's Amazons felt so childish now.

"Mhm. And that was an interesting part of my life, I admit. And now, well… it is not as if the idea of marriage has never crossed my mind. But it’s not something I ever see happening to me here within Elysium… I’ve never given it much thought.”

“My lady, I mean no offense- but that is absurd! Any shade would be fortunate to have you! A nymph who is gentle, bright, caring, and beautiful as well!”

It was with a sense of urgency that he took her hands within his own, squeezing them tightly. How he wished he would tell her the intensity of his desires! And yet, despite how his heart swelled with love, his nerves kept him from saying what he truly meant. But he would find a way- for his Lady Dianthus, he would be brave as he is within the arena.

“Erm… what I mean to say is… to have the opportunity to love you, and to do so in the way you deserve! It would be an honour. It is for this reason that I… that is, I would like to…”

It was rare for Theseus to become this quiet; usually such silence was reserved for times where Theseus felt either immense dread or immense contentment. This expression that was on his face now was not one Dianthus recognized of him; was it fear, or something else entirely?

“This is… hardly the proper way to go about this. But you, my lady, are hardly proper at all! I, um, mean that as a compliment. In fact, your improperness is why I feel able to do this, despite how much my head swims because of it!”

Theseus stood, then resettled in front of Dianthus. Her hand reached to smooth back an errant strand of blonde hair, and Theseus nearly shivered. He would not be a coward in the face of love, not when his lady had done so much for him up until this point.

“I often think of the great misfortune it was, that I could not make good on my promise to you while we were still alive. To find that kind of connection once by chance! And then even here in Elysium, to still feel it so intensely! And this time, I… I shall not allow such an opportunity to slip through my fingers! What I wanted to ask you, My Lady Dianthus is this… will you do me the great honour of becoming my bride?!”

“H-huh?! I— I mean— Oh, dear, I’m sorry, I just— I didn’t think that you’d— I mean… shouldn’t you be asking my father this, and not me?”

“Bah! Who cares what he thinks?! And besides, it is the bold, opinionated, and independent Lady Dianthus whom I desire!”

“Oh. Oh!”

Dianthus nearly melted off her spot on the fountain’s edge, joining Theseus in Elysium’s soft grass. Soon, she felt Theseus pulling her close, and found her chin resting within the crook of his shoulder. Despite his words of confidence, she could feel his hands trembling from where they rested against her body.

“It is only if you’ll have me, my lady. I… I would understand if my history makes you wary, it is true that I have been careless in the past. But I see now that my dedication to you has never once wavered, even while we were apart for those many long years. My love for you, for Asterius, for the joys Elysium has given me… it is what fills me with strength.”

Dianthus’ arms rose against him, clutching at the back of Theseus’ chiton. His shivering soon stopped as she held him secure in her soft arms.

“And you would truly take this stubborn old girl as your bride?” she whispered, soft as silk.

“Nothing would make me happier!”

“In that case… I accept.”

Dianthus didn’t think it would be possible for Theseus to hold her any tighter, and yet, as always, he found a way. His nose buried against the cockle shell of her ear, he kissed her first there, then her forehead, her cheek, before finally making his way to her lips, desperate and needy for her love, as always. When they both pulled away, he held her cheek against his hand, her gaze soft at him.

“It really is untraditional, you know. To ask a bride instead of her father.” she hummed.

“To hell with tradition!” Theseus grumbled in response, “And besides that, what fool would be opposed to his daughter being wed to a king?!”

“Former king.”

Theseus pouted in faux offense, even as Dianthus leaned forward to kiss him again. Even if Theseus was, by all technicality, no longer Athens’ king… he would still think of his lady as his lovely queen. And he would do right by her; despite the mistakes he may have made in the past, with Dianthus, he felt able to grow, and to move on. To be joyful for their future together.

A/N: The Okeanos is the star river which encircles the earth in Greek mythology. During the day, the constellations wade within the river, before their mist scatters to the sky at night. The Okeanos flows thru the underworld as well; I like to think that when the constellations are resting, it makes the underworld dark, and whenever they fly to the surface the underworld is light. Ixion is ah… a guy who got strapped to a flaming well as punishment for hitting on the goddess Hera. In addition to the thing with the constellations, his wheel dips into the Okeanos during Elysium’s “nights”

Hippolyta is Theseus first wife, an Amazon from Lydia, which is modern day Turkey

The cocytus is an underworld river. While the styx is the main river, there are several smaller ones which connect to it; the phlegethon in asphodel, the lethe in elysium, and the cocytus in erebus. Meanwhile the acheron connects the styx to the surface.

Also for clarity it was the father of the bride who gets asked about marriage and not the bride herself, thus Dia bringing it up </3

[jackhkeynes]

Science Quiz

from the 1930 book Prove your Knowledge!, a part of the series Games for Sorties and Excourses. This was a collection of casual party games compiled and published by Merch couple Anna and Ralph Highwater through the Royal Tommarth Castinghouse.

Theory X: Miscellanea (answers on sheet 256)

1. Which of the following children of Zeus does not give his name to any of the four greater jovial moons? (i) Minos, king of Crete (ii) Æacos, grandfather of Achilles (iii) Perseus, who slew the gorgon Medusa (iv) Zethos, one of the founding twins of Thebes

2. A span [wavelength] of five hundred scant-inches [127 nm] marks the legal limit of what sort of œculux [electromagnetic radiation]?

3. How many mora does an atom of the corporal [chemical element] 'killdark' [uranium] have? (i) 90 (ii) 92 (iii) 94 (iv) 96

4. What contemporary astronomical theory is instantiated by the sculpture I Meccanismi di Helio, carved by Lorenzo dell'Acchedia?

5. The Branwen Sanatory, the medical research facility where the painkiller zebdomaschal [ibuprofen] was first synthesised, is located in which polity? (i) Britain (ii) Hasiny (iii) Tavancy (iv) New Leudong

6. Elsebeth Sneider's 1795 work Through a Black Mirror sparked what literary craze with a theoretical bent?

7. Which celestial object did astronomer Coscatl bint Inám discover in the mid-nineteenth century? (i) Minerva [Uranus] (ii) Ixion [Ceres] (iii) Janus [Neptune] (iv) the cisjovial ring [asteroid belt]

8. Inspired by Rachel Desselut's work in early methodics [programming], the world's oldest self-describing book is kept in which university?

9. Gurjat theorist Manesh Camdar was the first person to observe the moment of fecundation [fertilisation]; which animal was he studying? (i) Sea hedgehogs (ii) Sea sponges (iii) Damsel flies (iv) Charon bugs

10. Which nineteenth-century Merch theorist wrote magnum opus Astraphor and Light, fully characterising plenty [charge] in a single equation?

[hologramblue]

lore fail: i'm not actually sure off the top of my head who althyk and nymeia are specifically worshipped by, i've been under the impression they're just kinda Background Gods

byregot is also pretty straightforward and like, you pray to him about making buildings that won't explode, yeah alright

but hhrhghghrhghghhhfg songs for rhalgr and azeyma and nophica. i'm frothing at the mouth thinking about it. rhalgr the breaker of worlds rhalgr the fierce rhalgr who broke ixion. the strength to stand in the storm, the power to shape mountains. the inevitability of conflict and the courage to face it and the resilience to survive it. to change the world. no king is immortal. cleanse your heart in levinlight, call a star down from the heavens, and strike down your tyrants.

nophica is conceptually very straightforward but gridania absolutely is not. i imagine a song that is simple on its face but subtly permeated with anxiety about the volatility of nature. wanting the approval of The Forest, claiming to live by its laws but not quite secure in that claim. we the matron's children live in harmony, it's fine, it's fine, and she doesn't have favorite children, right? right...?

azeyma would have been the single greatest opportunity for New Information bc there is not much out there about how she's worshipped by seekers of the sun. and seekers are a hugely widespread and diverse group too, there's not a single location they're primarily associated with like keepers and the black shroud, there are seeker tribes in thanalan and vylbrand and gyr abania and ilsabard and all over. which, like, the azeyma-azem connection might invite something about travel, which relates to seeking. inquiry, truth, hunting. chase the sun to the horizon, make your way across the land and see the truth of the world. etc.

[kazeofthemagun]

Espers - beasts from the Soil's dreams

The Summoner's Arsenal

The Espers are the original children of Bahamut, created before reality had fully solidified into what it is today. As such, they are formless beings, existing as invisible spirits and permeating their respective domains.

So, then, how did these incorporeal spirits become the living creatures we know? An Esper is born twice. First, through the dream of a creator god - Bahamut - or an event of sufficient cosmic intensity to briefly "liquefy" reality, making it malleable and thus bringing dreams and wishes into existence. The latter has notably been observed with the creation of Madeen from the collective dreams of the Moogles who died in Windaria's fall.

The Esper's second birth is their awakening to their name and domain. What element or concept an Esper governs largely depends on mortals' perception of them. For example, many Espers were born out of emotion - fear and reverence of lightning giving shape to Ixion, the gratitude for the sun's warmth giving rise to Phoenix. Some Espers even chose to assimilate or fuse with mortals that had inspired them. In this way, Espers are spirits observing the world around them before finally deciding on the form and name they would then bear for the rest of eternity. Doing so mirrors Bahamut's second awakening as the God of Destruction, born from the mass perception of the Architects.

Before reality had attained its final shape - word and belief itself was divine. To believe and wish strongly was to create. This power was reserved mostly to the God Siblings, though mortals managed to influence the world and even the very deities on their own. That is why the original world was oft referred to as the "Cradle" - not only because it was the birthplace of the Architects and the spirits of Soil and Mist, but because it was the place this malleable dreaming period took place.

Many of the Architects' technologies harnessed and amplified the power of this "dream" before the Soul of All fully delaminated into Soil and Mist. This is how some managed to glean the future or even defy death, existing in a perpetual pseudo-summoned state within crystal vessels. Such practice was looked down upon by Bahamut, the Dragon Lord taking it as defiance of his proper order of death and rebirth. In response, he wreaked havoc upon the Cradle, awakening two Espers to their role as warrior gods. Such deities became known as Odin, the Lord of the Wild Hunt, and Raiden, the Bladedancer, alternatively known in Windarian mythos as Lanmuarach and Barachevelt respectively.

Bahamut's order, as juxtaposed to Tiamat's Straight Line, is the Spiral. Portrayed as a spiral descending staircase, it is the means to rebirth. In Windarian mythos, spiral architecture and particularly staircases were thought of as sacred geometry and commonly utilized in temples. That is one of the reasons the Pillar of Darkness (Black Spear) became a holy symbol among the Wind cult.

Spiral motion is a known catalyst for Soil, bringing out its elemental properties. Most efficient Soil engines utilized rotors and drillers, powered by the Soil and powering it in return. The consistency of motion is a key ingredient, seeing as any fluctuation may destabilize the Soil and result in undesirable energy discharges and engine damage. The technology was first devised by the Architects, notably present in the design of the Magun, the Imhullu of Bahamut and Marduk.

The true form of Phoenix

The Espers answer to Bahamut as their King, but their power can be called upon by mortals with sufficient sacrifice. As spirits of Soil, they are closely intertwined with death and rebirth, the very process of summoning reflecting that truth. To call forth an Esper is to present an offering of three souls and one's own blood - their ritualistic mixing accompanied by song or poetry bringing out a corporeal shape for the beast, essentially dreamed up by the dead. In this way, the summoning is a brief second life for the departed, though bound by the summoner's will and the called beast's purpose. Willpower dictates the power of the summoning - both the mage's, and the triad of spirits. To successfully control the Esper, the summoner's willpower must match or exceed that of the beast, even if the creature chooses to obey willingly. This control is then exercised through the blood link estabilished during the ritual.

However; The act of offering the beast one's own blood is simultaneous with binding it to one's life essence. As such, the manifested monster will now drain the mage's energy, and prolonged summoning may render a person unconscious or even dead. Furthermore, any wounds the Esper suffers will strain that link - and any wounds the summoner suffers will also be felt by the Esper. Any lapse in concentration may prove to be the entire ritual's undoing. This is why simply attacking the person in control of the spirit is often the best idea when combating summoners.

The souls offered in the invoked beast's name must not be randomly selected - their color and essence, or personality, must match the Esper of choice. Souls of fire and steel may be used to invoke Ifrit, for instance, while spirits of water and persistence may be used to call Bismarck. There is a great deal of nuance in the process, which is why summoners usually spend years attuning to the ritual and contemplating the Esper's role in nature.

Kaze's Phoenix sygni

A Windarian summoner's sygni is an oath taken to their Summoner Order and Esper of choice. By custom, the sygni is represented by a tattoo underneath the mage's right eye, invoking the myth of Bahamut's right eyes being used to perceive justice and order and the left eyes being used to perceive chaos (not to be confused with the deity Chaos) and change. Notably, the Soil Missionaries accompanying the summoners (who were also referred to as Soil Adherents) wore their own sygni underneath their left eye, representing the inconstant nature of matter and the spirit's crystallization upon death. Doing so was symbolic of their own purpose as members of the martyr caste, readily offering their Soil - and with it, their life - to their summoner partner in time of need.

Their version of the sygni pattern was most often less complex.

Kupo's "lesser" Phoenix sygni

It was once believed that offering one's own soul to a summoning and thus, becoming part of the called beast was an entryway to Paradise. The act was known as "ascension" and widely idealized by the fanatical Wind cult. This is not true, seeing as souls sacrificed to Espers are eventually scattered and subjected to the Spiral just the same as all others.

[a-d-nox]

Can you talk about Ixion? Thanks 🤗

ixion, king of the lapiths (asteroid 28978)

Ixion was thought to be the son of Ares and Perimele. Ixion was a king of Lapith who was to be married to Deioneus's (sometimes referred to as Eioneus in history) daughter Dia (say that three times fast). He promised Deioneus to pay the bridal price set (some of Ixion's famed stallions) but the wedding day came and went and he had not paid. Deioneus then decided to pay himself by stealing horses from Ixion. Ixion learned what happened and was miffed - so he plotted a scheme to get his revenge. He invited his father-in-law to a dinner party and when they were speaking Ixion lead Deioneus over to the hearth where Ixion would then push Deioneus in (other sources say that Ixion created a concealed pit that was covered in a charcoal fire and Deioneus fell into to the fire). Deioneus died and Ixion was exiled for breaking kinslaying. Much later, Zeus saw the outcast king and felt sorry for him - in turn, he invited Ixion to Olympus. But soon Zeus came to regret his decision - Ixion would begin flirting with Hera and thus spiting his host. Zeus decided to trick him by shaping a cloud into Hera - this cloud became Nephele. Ixion, being fooled by the cloud and lead on by Zeus, had sex with the Hera look alike. In this union, the first centaurs were created (Ixion is referred to as Centaurus after this). After this Ixion's visit was over, he went back amongst the mortals and he spread word that he had slept with Hera. Zeus then punished the man to eternity spent on a spinning, burning wheel. IN MY OPINION Ixion represents a) where you may not be trustworthy, b) where you fall through on your promises, c) where you betray people to extremes, d) where your creations have a stereotype, and/or e) where karma catches up with you.

i encourage you to look into the aspects of ixion along with the sign, degree, and house placement. for the more advanced astrologers, take a look at the persona chart of ixion AND/OR add the other characters involved to see how they support or impede ixion!

OTHER RELATED ASTEROIDS: zeus (5731 / h42), eioneus (15440), nephele (431), and hera (103)!

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