#pedanticseal

[raayllum]

In regards to the post about people occasionally misunderstanding Callum and Viren's flaws, what have you seen people do with there characters that stood out to you as wrong? I only ask cause I'm very much a pantser of stories and write based of what vibes, so I want to know what kind of things to look out for.

Disclaimer: I am by no means an expert but I have been writing/analyzing for a long time, and now in a somewhat professional capacity, so here's just how I personally think of it / what I've personally seen in fandom. I also don't think pantsers are more inclined (from the writing friends I know, they tend to be more intuition based, which can serve you very very well) even if I am definitely a planner.

With all that out of the way, it basically boils down to ignoring all of Viren's virtues / good intentions, and modifying or ignoring Callum's vices and 'bad' intentions i.e. assuming that Viren's motivations are nothing more than being power hungry and selfish, and that Callum's motivations are always pure and good.

One of the things that I think that's really elevated my writing and analysis is digging my heels into like, examining things from a pyschological basis. What this means is looking not only at how a character's flaws or strengths manifest, but figuring out why and where they're stemming from. This is important for like, you can only write a character if you understand where they're coming from, as this process forms the basis for knowing character motivation (and therefore justification).

Because yes, Viren is power hungry and selfish, and we see in 4x02 he kind of knows that, but he's not admitting that or thinking that way for the bulk of the series. That may be how other characters / the audience sees his actions, but how does he see his actions? Understanding how a character can justify/rationalize things to themselves is important if you want to portray them as well rounded. Viren can say something contradictory like "We must be ready to sacrifice, even the things we love" about his family and "I have always been ready to do anything to protect my family, however dangerous, however vile" and have them both be simultaneously true, because most people — or at least, compelling characters — have contradictory notions or conflicts, and it's the war between opposing wants and desires that causes their internal arcs to well, happen.

Same thing for Callum. He doesn't mean to be a jerk to Ezran in either the beginning or ending of S1, we already know how much his little brother means to him and how nurturing he is, usually. But loving someone deeply isn't the same thing as always treating them kindly, as I'm sure most of us know. So Callum blows up, immediately regretting it in 1x02, and remaining far more of a jerk about it in 1x09 until he apologizes. If the takeaway is just that one of Callum's flaws is his temper, that's all well and good (and it very much is) but it fails to consider when and why his temper comes out. (Which, if you're interested on something more in depth, meta on that here.)

For example, for me, a lot (if not the bulk) of Callum's characterization comes back to a Core of wanting to protect/help his loved ones. Which sounds vague, but that's why the specificities are what matters. Callum's temper tends to come out, specifically, when he's frustrated that he can't do anything to help someone he loves, and he either lashes out at the person getting in his way or someone who is (unintentionally) reminding him of that helplessness. Callum's curiosity / ambitious pursuit of magic is also, to me, tied to that same core. He wants magic because he wants agency, and he wants agency because he wants to be helpful / useful.

If you understand why a character is doing something, it leads to being to extrapolate and place them in different / more intense scenarios, but still retain that main core.

For example, Claudia's primary core is to keep her family together. That's not a main motivation in S1, but it's shown in the way she takes care of her family (being Viren's listening ear and trusted with the more important task; trying to cheer up Soren and giving him hot brown morning potion) in ways that they don't really do for her (Soren goes along and helps out with her plans, but there's never an instance of him taking care of her in the same way, even if we still see that he cares and wants to protect her, i.e. doesn't tell her the truth about Viren). Then in S2 it becomes clear that Claudia's main motivation is to keep her family together, and that Core Want stays true even in increasingly insane or worrisome circumstances (S3, S4, S5) as well as explaining some of her more contradictory behaviour. Of course she's going to believe Viren over Soren with the gaslighting the second she's given an option to, because believing her father lets her keep them all together, and believing her brother means losing Viren.

Which is to say, maybe, that most of the mages we've seen in show (with the exception of Lujanne, perhaps, who's built a life among literal solitary ruins for the express purpose of leaving them as ruins) have a Fixer tendency. Magic allows them to fix the issues they see in the world - that's why they chase it.

Viren believes he has to fix the issue of an empty throne and the knife held at humanity's throat, and he's uniquely suited to know how to fix it (hence why he should be king); Claudia leans on her preparedness and perfectionist tendencies because if she's good enough, nothing bad ever has to happen to her family again, right? She can keep them together, she can fix this; Karim wants to fix the issue of humans and losing their way of life, "I will banish that darkness [...] We will be whole again"; and Callum wants to fix issues for his family (the assassination, the fake coup, Rayla's binding, Rayla's family, etc); "And he's my father. It's my duty to help him".

But what fixing looks like, of course, is also a matter of perspective, and that's where you get variety.

But if you look at Viren's desire to fix things - in his case, to ward off weakness - you can understand the through line of his actions. He wants to fix the danger they're in of killing Avizandum and leaving an heir; his desire for more power and knowledge (tools he can use to create solutions and thereby inflate his self importance) tempt him away from killing Zym; he holds onto the egg so that elves and dragons can't 'use it' the way he would. "An empty throne is a beacon of weakness" "[A child king] will make weak choices!" And Viren is man of strength; a man who can get a grip and compartmentalize and repress and do whatever needs to be done to protect humanity. To fix the magical inequality and banish the Xadian threat.

Whereas when you look at our non-mage characters, they tend to have different cores. Rayla and Soren are clear cut Protectors, for better or for worse. Ezran and Janai both continually seek Change and healing. And often times these goals can go hand in hand! Wanting to protect someone can be a Fixer urge (Claudia, Viren, Callum); wanting to fix your mistakes by Protecting someone can also work (3x09 with Soren; Rayla with Zym). But that could be a whole dissection/analysis for another day.

Back to Callum and Viren.

I think sometimes stripping them down to more monstrous or angelic forms comes from people thinking only one thing can motivate a character at a time, even though we as humans obviously have multiple motivations or responses at a time, particularly for villainous characters.

Viren can turn back to help the Queens of Duren because he feels guilty (this was his plan), he wants to help and knows he can make a difference, and because he wants to feel like a hero. Callum can be accepting Rayla unconditionally and be hurt about it and still trying to protect himself a bit in 4x09 by saying "I know" while not going after her; the same action can be growth and regression simultaneously.

When you write a character, you have to approach them from an interior to exterior process - the old phrase "everyone is a hero in their own mind" is certainly true, or rather, "everyone justifies their actions some way or another" - which is largely the opposite of how you view a character as an audience member. Not that the two can't be conflated or overlap, they certainly do (and you do want to be aware of how your characters may or may not come off to well, your audience) but it is a different kind of process.

For example, for Viren, he genuinely believes that what he's doing is what's best for humanity > his own gain. And while he's clearly lying and doing a lot of things out of self importance / convenience, the fact that he Believes the lie means that the lie doesn't really matter, internally, because it's something he either dismisses or doesn't think about at all. And Viren does have admirable traits: loyalty (and I would say most people have conditional loyalty anyway), cleverness/intelligence, ambition, hardworking, globally minded, etc. But a lot of this stems from Wanting To Be Special/Important (his core, arguably, and one I think a lot of people would relate to) and when that doesn't often pan out, he crumbles. Him having an inflated sense of self importance means that he's used to thinking he probably knows better than other people (and gets very frustrated when they don't listen and/or agree with him) and thinking you know better than other people also bodes very well with, if taken to extremes, blatantly dehumanizing them (omg dark magic ideology hi!). He presents as being confident and smooth and knowledgeable, but every time we see him alone/internal he's almost always a hot mess or wracked with guilt/doubt, and he's not very good at adapting to shit, like at all, even if he's great at being cruel/brutal and pragmatic. He's also often times awkward when presented with openly joking/teasing affection, is a guy who waves to little kids, makes dorky jokes with his best friend, and genuinely loved (loves?) his kids once upon a time.

For Callum, a lot of his traits are a double edged sword as well. His attention to detail is born from his curious and observant nature. This allows him to be incredibly nurturing and considerate, but also lets him go for the jugular and what would hurt the most in a fight when his temper gets going. He wants to make his loved ones lives better/easier, but this can sometimes be at the expense of what they need or being overprotective. This can sometimes tie a bit into Viren's own "I know better than you" even if Callum doesn't usually go that far, as he has more self awareness. He has a strong sense of right and wrong but is willing to bend without defense if he thinks the ends justify the means (i.e. never defending his dark magic use, and unlike Claudia, believing/knowing that dark magic is wrong - whereas she doesn't think anything of the sort - but using it and being tempted by it anyway, even if he rejects it in 2x08). His determination is great but can lead to him being obsessive, even if he's also good at knowing his limits / when to yield and fold on things, and will often fold first. While this is great in his relationships and doing relationship repair, it's not so good for his goal setting, as it means he can have a defeatist attitude and then grow frustrated when that "I can't do the thing I want to do / do anything" comes in full swing. This makes him lash out because he hates feeling helpless, particularly when it comes to the people he loves, and all of that circles back to what I've said above, in that he loves his self proclaimed "inner circle" more than "anyone or anything". Just cause he's sweet and goofy and caring doesn't mean he doesn't have teeth (a temper, a ruthless side, etc).

TLDR; characters contain multitudes in their internal psychology and if you can figure out what a character's psychological core is, you'll have a much larger but more cohesive range to write from, emotion / action(s) wise. Feel free to give your happier, more sunshiney characters an edge / claws and fangs (just because someone is nice doesn't mean they're good; external presented attitude is not everything and certainly not necessarily morality) and your edgier, evil characters some redeeming and/or admirable qualities.

[ghostselkie]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Nevermore - Red & Flynn (Webcomic) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Annabel Lee/Lenore (Nevermore Webcomic), Berenice & Lenore (Nevermore Webcomic) Characters: Lenore (Nevermore Webcomic), Annabel Lee (Nevermore Webcomic), Berenice (Nevermore Webcomic) Additional Tags: Constructive Criticism Welcome, probably the most self indulgent thing I've written, i didn't really edit, any spelling or grammar errors are because I'm dyslexic, I don't have the spoons to add more tags Summary:

Lenore is taken antiquing for the first time by Berenice. As is common in most antique stores, their finds are unique and meaningful. Not only to them, but their loved ones as well.

[nevermoreconfessions]

This is based on how you talk and the fact you said you're a patreon user plus being active on both the discord server and here apparently, plus the title is a little pointed to the other nevermore confessions blog so I'm assuming you were around while that can of worms got opened so my main guesses are:

RunePhoenix or PedanticSeal (discord users)

Honorary guesses: DeBibble (discord user)

At first, I was going to stay quiet.

Surprisingly, Anon, you're wrong! Good guesses, though. I talk to them on and off, I consider myself discord acquaintances with them.

Now that I'm thinking about it, it'd be funny if I was PedanticSeal. I reblog their posts every now and then. Imagine if that was me just, reposting my own blog. That'd be some master marketing tactic.

(Hi, RunePhoenix, PedanticSeal and DeBibble. You might be reading this. Shoutout. If you want your names off, let me know!)

Hint: my hiatus has extended to the discord. Maybe I should start being more active. Huh. My bad, Anon!

Keep guessing! I think I'll call you SherlockAnon.

[pedanticseal]

pedanticseal

nic

Imma do this because I’m fucking bored.

What’s your url?

Now take away any and all numbers (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,0), take away the letters F, Z, M, Q, L, H, B, T, P, E, A, Y, S, B, D, and X, take away all dashes (-),

What’s your new fucked up version of your url?

crustycreature

crucrur

[raayllum]

Do you have any rayllum proposal head canons? Plus what lead up to it (say how Callum got the horn cuffs) and the aftermath.

I don't have too much except

An old favourite of Callum proposing to her, just the two of them, in the hallway where they met

Both of them preparing to propose (and Ezran knew about each wanting to) but Callum usually gets to the punch first if it's like, remotely formal. Otherwise it's Rayla blurting it out while they're cuddling like "Marry me" tbh

Ethari either flat out makes or helps Callum make the horn cuffs

They have two weddings, one in Katolis and one in Xadia

Callum is very nervous/stammering in the days leading up to the proposal to the degree that Rayla knows something is up, she just doesn't entirely know what

They get engaged on Callum's birthday one year (probably 18th or 19th) and he goes to Opeli once he's close enough to marrying age (6 months to a year ahead) to let her know that it'll be happening lmao

They're both sappy saps when it comes to each other and cry

Callum gets an ear cuff and a ring, and Rayla gets horn cuffs and a ring, so they both have a mix of Moonshadow and Katolian customs

[raayllum]

If tdp went the aspec rout with rayllum, how do you think they'd go about it?

In terms of canonicity? I think the easiest way could be a couple nods in the novelization (maybe mentioning that their crushes before each other had been non-existent - in Rayla's case - or very limited - in Callum's case). Stuff that reinforces the deep emotional bond and platonic core is what lets there be any romantic/physical feelings at all. I feel like that's more easily shown in narration, so that'd be my vote

[raayllum]

In regards to the recent clip with viren in the coin. remember the scene where Soren's lying against the rock and Claudia dumps out the contents of her bag to find something to heel him. Well, one of the things that fell out was an empty coin. Do you think that Claudia will coin viren in an attempt to preserve his soul for a little longer?

I could definitely see Claudia doing so as a loop hole if she was really desperate (and there was a vacant coin). I do think given that the area surrounding the coin drop, though, matches what we've seen of Viren's dreams thus far, it's more him having guilt or being tormented with the coin imagery (especially if that is, indeed, what he did to Kpp'Ar).

[raayllum]

How do you get screen shots of tdp? Netflix doesn't allow me to.

i use netflix on firefox, click on the right mouse button to bring up options, select take screenshot, and then screenshot that with keyboard short cuts <3

[raayllum]

Why do you think so many aces like rayllum? I'm ace too, so I have idea of why, but I'd like to here your thoughts.

So this is actually one of my favourite fandom things to talk about, as in my thirteen years in fandom, Rayllum is the biggest aspec fandom I've ever seen — for a show in general, but particularly a ship. (And I was in the HTTYD fandom, which is as dragon-y as it gets). I myself am ace and arospec, I know quite a few prominent Rayllum writers are demisexual, many bloggers are aroace or along one or both of those spectrums, demiromantic Callum and demisexual Rayla are pretty widespread headcanons, etc etc.

Link to meme post here and reblog post here.

I have written a few different think pieces as to why which I'll link down below!

Why I think aspec people latched onto Rayllum as much as we did 

Big list of aspec Rayllum headcanons here

The importance of Rayllum’s platonic core at the end of all things

Smaller list of headcanons

Actually Platonic (aka not qpr, but I hope to have some of those soon too) rayllum headcanons

I think the ship is so aspec heavy is largely due immaculate friends to best friends and lovers dynamic, but also that they generally get along (with a few hiccups) and just flat out like each other from the beginning. They enjoy each other's company and aren't scared to show it, they work well off each other, work well as a team, etc. I've written about it here before, but Rayla and Callum have a very strong "platonic soulmates" vibe similar to what Ezran and Zym too. They just naturally complement each other in personality and as people.

But I think a lot of it has to do with how Rayllum is framed. They're two deeply lonely people who really needed a peer in their life, and they get everything they needed from each other in so many ways. They advocate for one another. Rayla calling Callum her Best Friend is framed and scored as this grand, sweeping moment of importance. It’s not a stepping stone. It’s a crucial aspect of their bond with one another.

Their love is rooted in mutual admiration and friendship. We get a whole episode of, after some romantically fuelled awkwardness, that showcases they'll always put their friendship first and foremost over any reciprocity and prioritize taking care of each other.

Basically, they have immaculate found family and QPR vibes, and while a bit of romance is fun, that's never the point of them or their dynamic. They're buddies, making their way through the world together, and love each other so much more than just as a 'teenage love.'

It's why the forehead touch is loved just as much as the kisses, and that the forehead touch in Through the Moon is three panels and the kiss is just one. They're best friends, always, before anything else. Romance is just a bonus

[raayllum]

Not to be morbid or any thing, and you can ignore this question if thinking about it makes you uncomfortable. But do you have any head canons about raylum's end of life plans? That is what they want to happen to there bodies after they die, and what they want there funerals to be like. I head canon them both wanting to be cremated and having there ashes put in the same earn, but I'd like to here your take.

I think Moonshadow burial rituals would probably be earth based - maybe at night, always - and have trees as markers. Something about growing life for the community, stuff about remembrance. Similar sort of speech and sentiment to the one Lujanne gives when reviving Phoe-Phoe at the Moon Nexus in TTM. I also think Callum and Rayla would take traditions from Katolian (royal) burials too. The royal family and Katolis is more Jewish coded (seven days of mourning fits neatly into the Jewish custom of Shiva) although I don’t think cremation is common for any sect of Judaism than Reform Judaism, so it could be a mixture.

But Rayllum would 100% want to be buried side by side if not more intermingled, if possible. They’ve almost died together in canon and passed out in 3x07, using their last bit of strength to hold hands. They’re dramatic and devoted lovebirds in that way.

[spacefinch]

My gender is in my opinion that is not the case of any other person

Tags: @scriptrix-eclectica @canonickero @pedanticseal @collidingmess @skarmoree

Type "my gender is" on your phone and let your phone finish the sentence, then tag your moots to keep the chain going, I'll go first.

My gender is a little bit more intense than I thought I could have done

@mirukosbitchywife @get-junpeid

[raayllum]

Half elf Callum is not a personal head canon of mine, but I still think it's fun idea to play with in fan-fic. I'm thinking of writing a half elf Callum fic myself and my question is: after finding out Callum is a half elf, do you think Claudia would see him as spell parts?

I think it would depend on where she was with Callum at that point. If it’s pre-s3, I think Claudia could convince herself that Callum is an exception. He’s half human, after all, and her friend, and raised by humans. She’d only use a bit of his blood in a dire circumstance consensually of course. The human side cancels out the horrible elf side. A very “You’re a good guy Callum, you don’t have to be like them” type of deal of trying to ‘save’ him in some ways.

If it’s post season three - or really, because we’re in canon divergent territory, after something has happened to break her and Callum’s bond (a mutual betrayal or distancing like in 2x03 and 2x07) I could see Claudia being far more vindictive. She still wouldn’t be as careless / dismissive of him as with an ‘actual’ elf (like Rayla) but she’d be far more willing to use parts of Callum that she can take without caring if he’s okay with it, or to take him captive to do so. She probably wouldn’t be able to bring herself to ever kill or dissect him because like, that’s still a kid she grew up with, but she would absolutely have far less qualms about treating Callum’s personhood as ‘case by case’ basis of how convenient it is to her to care. Claudia doesn’t see elves as people, and that’s the most dangerous thing about her.

[riser793]

Thanks for tagging me!

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Last song: Death of Me by Royal & the Serpent

Currently reading: Small Talk (10 ADHD lies and how to stop believing them)

Currently watching: nothing, haven’t watched a show in months

Currently craving: water and ideas for fanfic scenes

Coffee or tea: coffee

@lost-in-frog-land @ihavenoideawhatiamdoingjustgay @swordsareprettydamncool @pedanticseal @raven-nerd4life @jitteryfool

get to know me game

rules: answer + tag six people u want to know

fav color: green (if u haven’t noticed hehe)

last song: heaven & back - chase atlantic

currently reading: king of sloth

currently watching: sofia the first lmao

currently craving: crab rangoons

coffee or tea: matcha tea

(ps thanks for the tag angie baby)

@yuenity @sceletaflores @kyletogaz @harpsinfinity @neoarchipelago @the-californicationist @mostly-imagines - this is lowkey humiliating bc I don’t talk to many of u, but i love ur writing so… 🤝 (also i did do seven… whoops)

[jockw]

Merci pour le tag!

Uhhh.. i dont listen to albums, think this should be the most reasonable one

Anyways uh,

No pressure taggies yall

@someweirdbirch @your-decadent-madam @tuxragboon @pedanticseal

9 albums I've been listening to lately tagged by @lesbianjudasiscariot 😻

Tagging @haledraws @hondayota @littlelesbianlegend @grieving4theliving @hauntedcamaro @the-gayest-tree-you-ever-did-see

[spacefinch]

Thanks for the tag!

Pal pile be upon ye:

@daiohficblog @magicschoolbusfan @canonickero @socialist-microwave-laser @saveatruckrideoptimusprime @kermits-cup-of-tea @dwayne-thespock-johnson @lonelymoonrambles @vazaez @kiwi-tmntfan @snowwtrapped34 @smallblueowl @sneakboots @massive-nerd-potential @thetimetostrikeislater @theniceandaccuratebookshelf @sarkycat @marlinspirkhall @zygodactylus @genderstarbucks @collidingmess @antihibikase @prettyhighforawhiteguyblog @drogonea @maswartz @pedanticseal @bella-but-not-hadid444 @r3m-ster @5ammexicanviolist @starlight-edith @scriptrix-eclectica @kalocart @bobolobocus @keeper-of-sparkly-things @pokegirl-group-therapy @stormears @skarmoree @chaotic-agender @ensign-spider

palentines pile everypony

@agropuff @mephilesthedork @juniperjellyfish @hyperfixation-or-death @finn-m-corvex @basicallyjaywalker @tornoleander @thesacredorb @mostdefinitelyahumanperson @randmwizard @marhan-writes-n-draws @irrelevantso @phantombasketofmuffins @captain-space-kin @inspectorghoul @cosmothealien358 @childdevourer1 @touchstarvedforbuckybarnes

[ghostselkie]

AHHHHH!!!

This would be amazing!

It's hard to believe that this silly little meme I made kinda inspired people too write.

And yes, linking my blog would be fine. I'm also on ao3 under the name PedanticSeal (though I have yet to publish anything), so I'll be sure to leave a comment.

Also you don't have to worry about the constant reblogs. I'm always happy when I see my posts get rebloged, especially when things are added :3

Fortunately I have yet to go tumblr viral though, if I ever do that view of things may change.

I had to