#random thoughts and speculation

[magnus-marmot]

"As above, so below" and what it might mean for TMAGP

As Hermes Trismestigus supposedly wrote in the Emerald Tablet:

"That which is below is like that which is above and that which is above is like that which is below to do the miracle of one only thing."

Alchemists took this to mean that everything that exists on the earthly plane must necessarily reflect something on the heavenly plane, because the two were inseparably linked. It's been applied to a variety of things. Paracelsus used it to claim that the human microcosm parallels the universal macrocosm, which meant that diseases affecting different body parts could be cured by finding their likeness in the nature. It's also why alchemists were so comfortable with giving metals direct parallels in the celestial bodies (gold=sun, silver=moon, Saturn=lead, etc.), and why they thought planetary movements had an effect on their alchemical work. In the most basic terms, it means that everything on earth and beyond it is linked and forms a single unity.

In TMAGP 39 (spoilers), we get the most explicit example of this in Alice's dream: she is both the dying body (the macrocosm) and the heart inside of it (the microcosm). When she tries to reach inside to remove the source of her pain, she feels her own hand tightening around the flesh she's trapped in. Because you can't remove something from the system without breaking the unity, and the unity can't be broken. As above, so below. (This entire statement is so incredibly rich in both alchemical and non-alchemical symbolism because it's a masterpiece of writing, quite possibly my favourite incident in TMAGP so far.)

We've also been getting hints that the different dimensions somewhat mirror each other. They're not quite the same, but they are similar enough that the same people have existed and had similar life experiences, the Magnus Institute has been founded on both sides and it's been dealing with the supernatural even though the metaphysics are clearly different, and in the latest episode we learned that Sam had appendicitis around the same time in both timelines. It seems that a lot of the same events will take place in some form, which makes me think that they're linked together or entangled somehow. As above, so below?

But these dimensions (and we don't know how many there are, probably an infinite number) seem to be parallel to each other rather than hierarchical. So either they live in a sort of morphing mass where every version and every dimension is simultaneously tugging and nudging at each other, or there's some interdimensional, liminal plane that's affecting all of them. Both sound like reasonable conclusions, though the latter is more compelling to me, since it would also be more compatible with the formation of the Fears. Because if all the "earthly planes" share an aetherial plane that they reflect, then it would make sense how some worlds would condense and actualise fears into entities, and how other worlds might do the same to other ideas. They would be drawing from the same pool of possibilities, but the resulting paranormal activity wouldn't necessarily be the same.

Either way, it seems to suggest that all of these worlds are united, in one way or another. Which makes it very likely that they're bleeding into each other at the points where the boundary is thin (such as liminal places/states). And it also explains why Celia's home world was pulling her back. If it's all connected as one, and if they all mirror each other, then her removal would be leaving a vacuum of energy that needed to be filled. And if that's how it works, then wouldn't the banishment of the Fears leave quite the vacuum to be filled by other types of horrors?

[cannibalspicnic]

Sometimes I wonder if the reason Daniel thinks he only slept with men to get drugs is because after Armand wiped their relationship from his memory, Daniel's encounters with men started to feel empty and disappointing, and not understanding why, Daniel came to the conclusion that maybe he never really liked men in the first place, and it must have just been the drugs.

[random-dragon-exe]

Okay now, I'm wondering if Peri's baby wand was transformed into his current wand.

I mean I know that the current one is supposed to merely resemble it as a reference, but I kinda like the idea that Peri transformed it into the current one himself to reflect his growth and personality.

You know the idea of holding onto a childhood item because of its sentimental value?

I imagine Peri held onto it because it reminded him of his childhood and his time with Timmy; it was his way of keeping a piece of him with him.

Besides, if Jorgen can change his wand from a peace sign to a regular star-shaped wand for later:

Then I don't see why Peri could transform his wand too.

Maybe the regular wands we see are like the standard look, but fairies could alter/transform their wands as they please if they want to. (But most if not all, fairies choose the standard look).

[thatguywhodoesstuff]

A Ninjago Legends: Monstrosity Theory

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Alright, so I’ve heard chatter regarding this particular moment in the trailer for Monstrosity:

Now, while others have speculated that this mural could foreshadow Kai somehow becoming part insect or otherwise come to blows with a giant centipede, I’d like to bring something up I haven’t seen anyone else mention or comment on, that being the fact that legends detailing giant centipedes are actually a part of Japanese mythology.

Specifically, I am referring to the relatively obscure yōkai called the Ōmukade. As the legends explain, the Ōmukade was an utterly massive centipede with legs that looked like lit torches that was so long it was capable of wrapping around entire mountains several times over. Moreover, these massive beasts were said to prey on humans, despite human saliva being a major weakness to it. It should also be noted that the Ōmukade was also noted as being so powerful and vicious that they were also capable of hunting, killing, and eating dragons.

Now, while most people have been focusing on the nightmarish situation Kai has found himself in after The Merge, I can’t help but wonder if the mini-series will have a far reaching effect on the greater story outside of what happens to Kai. Like, I get that season 3 of Dragons Rising has established what seems to be the overarching villain going forward, but I can’t help but wonder if events that will be shown in Monstrosity could allude to yet another existential threat posed to the Source Dragons and the Merged Lands as a whole, quite possibly with Kai himself serving as the epicenter of this threat in some form or fashion.

I get that this theory is next to completely baseless and it’s unlikely that an Ōmukade will actually show up let alone factor into the broader series. Whatever the case, I’m leaving this here for anyone that’s interested and I’m more than happy to hear what other people have to say about this.

[bitchcakegreen]

Let’s talk about the line “until he knows the real you, he can not possibly love you”

There’s a lot to unpack in that line because to a certain extent Eloise is talking about herself and not just Colin.

Colin does know the real Penelope. He’s the only one who truly does, maybe her lady’s mad Rae can be added to that list, but it’s really only Colin who does.

Eloise never truly knew Pen, despite their closeness and friendship prior to the LW reveal. Eloise didn’t really listen to Pen when she said she did want marriage. Eloise is and was a good friend and person, she just is a tunnel-vision focused person.

Colin, while not knowing Pen is Whistledown, does in fact know her, all of her to be more precise. That’s where the love comes from. For Eloise to not see that is pretty telling.

Eloise is somewhat shocked by realizing Pen has had feelings for her brother for a long time. This is also interesting. If Eloise had truly been paying attention she would have noticed from the jump. But again, Eloise has always been focused elsewhere. Also she’s angry because she might now believe that Pen used Eloise to get to Colin. But that again leads to Eloise having tunnel vision and not truly knowing Pen.

Don’t get me wrong. I love Eloise and I love her arc, I just need her to chill out for a movement.

[quotergirl19]

I am currently 100% convinced that if Cressida figures out that Penelope is Lady Whistledown, it’ll be because of Eloise’s Bridgerton’s impulsiveness & big mouth. Even though it wouldn’t entirely shock me if Eloise was only pretending to befriend Cressida specifically to upset Penelope.

I love Eloise but she is not only blind to how her actions affect others, she doesn’t bother to put herself in their shoes, despite both Daphne and Penelope outright saying this to her. She can’t seem to be bothered to consider the feelings of others or the repercussions of her actions, she does whatever she wants. It’s a big lesson I expect her to learn eventually, if only to understand why her closest friend Penelope was reluctant about sharing her secrets with her.

Eloise is a Bridgerton, she has no understanding of the money or power struggles of others because she has a wealthy, well-connected, loving and supportive if not extremely lenient family while other young ladies do not. It makes her a bit reckless and careless so being close to a viper like Cressida is a recipe for disaster.

[wingedshadowfan]

guys, was loris an enforcer from the undercity??

bcuz why was he was getting blackout drunk on the street in broad daylight after the council got blown up by jinx, meaning an armed conflict betw zaun and piltover enforcers was brewing?? //EDIT: he could've lost a loved one

was him being on the hellfire squad w/ caitlyn, vi and two rookie officers just a coincidence (we know caitlyn wanted the least damage done) bcuz if he's from zaun, he would know the lay of the land??

when ambessa declared martial law and caitlyn became commander to invade zaun, he was the first and only enforcer to fully up and leave the force, and the next time we see him he's in an undercity fight ring w/ pitfighter vi //EDIT: so unlikely he lost a loved one

then he's back in piltover, in caitlyn's house, taking care of injured vi but this only after caitlyn has officially severed ties w/ ambessa and called the enforcer invasion back from zaun, and later he's back on the force in the fight against ambessa

[fiona-fififi]

Everyone's talking about buddie grief sex post Bobby dying.

I proposed buddie relief sex after they find out Bobby's alive.

[sadistic-cardinal]

Sooo this is interesting. It seems that canonnically, looking back at the videos and just general proceedings, that the Papas are "made" and were not necisserily raised in the Ministry. In terms of how the whole thing works with the bloodline there probably is a Satanic bloodline (my father's father) and the Papas recieve the white eye when they come into their own/accept Satan? Something like that?

Looking at Dance Macabre - Nihil recieved the eye in the Ritual with Seestor. That doesn't mean he wasn't a part of the bloodline he might just have been ignorant of the fact he was, right? (Disregarding for a second that video is very 80s, let's just say it takes place before 1969 in the actual timeline). Seestor established the Ministry, found a descendent of "The Bloodline" and made him see the light of Satan.

This also tracks with From the Pinnicle to the Pit where we see a recreation/dramatisation/allegory of Terzo's ascension.

And now we have V who, from the video, could have been a monk who failed to quell his urges and ultimately turned to the dark side.

I know also in early interviews Special Ghoul said that there was a ritual where each Papa recieved "the voice." Lore that early has probably been retconned now but if you squint it does make sense, assuming it is easier for the Clergy to just choose a successor who you know for a fact is a part of the bloodline - a direct descendant of a former Papa - and then they recieve the voice / the eye / anything else that goes with it.

Anyway that's just some ramblings. I could be miles off with this theory and personally for fics and the like i tend to prefer the idea that they grew up as brothers in the Ministry, at least the original three Papas.

[hisbucky]

Buck: When did you know? Maddie: I know a lot of things, Evan. Buck: Why didn't you tell me I was in love with Eddie?! All this time I could’ve just - Maddie: I told you from the start. I spelled out that boy crush to you, to your face, and I don't want to tell you I told you so — Buck, groans: Then don't. Maddie: But I told you so.

[faislittlewhiteraven]

Been having some ISaT tech level and timeline (as in 'when backstory things happened') thoughts and want to ramble a bit:

Tech

ISaT's setting is based on your classic sword and sorcery fantasy JRPG so its easy to assume that tech wise everything is 'fantasy medieval' and call it a day but consider:

Body Craft is at bare minimum is magic sex changing surgery (earliest known equivent in our world dating to 1930) that any old person can learn to do safely on themselves in only a few months, and more likely has many many broader applications like regular old surgery, the 'combat healing' Mira and Sif use, etc.

Cameras and photos are rare enough that Odile comments on it (namely she's happy the group get a photo in the House due to them being 'so rare') yet are also common enough that everyone in the party knows about them and doesn't question the existence of a camera beyond being surprised that the mirror was one. (In our world cameras date back to the 19th century, with the earliest manufacturing of them being in 1839). 

Printing presses and ways to make plenty of paper to feed those presses given absolutely everyone in this game can read, expects everyone else to know how to, and both mass produced book series and newspapers are a thing. (Note: Printing presses have existed since waaaay back but it's the mass paper manufacturing that makes newspapers and The Cursing of Chateu Castle possible that really has my eyebrows raised here, especially since neither Siffrin or Odile find either odd in any way, indicating such things are common everywhere, and while newspapers have been around since 1604 in our world, mass produced fantasy books didn't really take off until the start of the 20th century).

Food production and storage: despite being in the middle of a national disaster that almost certainly cut off trade networks and access to most suppliers for literal months now, Bonnie, a small child, is able to easily get their hands on fresh Pineapple, curry ingredients (for samosa), potatoes, plantains etc with no issues or anyone commenting on this being unusual or lucky. Oh and the only character who even brings up the concept of potential starvation is the Fishing One, and only in a sort of 'we're not at risk now but sooner or later...' kinda way due to noticing that the fish they fish up for fun are disappearing and likely being frozen. So yeah, that heavily implies Vaugarde has very good food storage tech/Craft (possibly better than ours), and likely also good food production and harvesting tech/skills also.

The Island's incredible knowledge of the stars: while the oldest known orrery in our world is dated from around 205 to 87 BC (ancient Greek, earth centric model), the fact Sif -who would've learnt this as a child/teen- is so very certain that stars are big balls of fire made up of gas is interesting as that's something our world couldn't prove the theory of until around the 1900s (note: it'd been theorized a LONG time but Sif talks like its complete facts to them . Additionally the earliest existing record of a telescope in our world dates to a 1608 patent and we see one of those in game.

Post posting EDIT: A wonderful user qds-place pointed out that Mirabelle has anti-anxiety medication in her room. This is in both ISaT and SAaP and though we're not sure what form the medication takes (pills? Valium? Megitech esc Craft boosters???) the fact they specifically have 'anti anxiety' medication at all (as opposed to idk dragging Mira off and drugging her through the gills) is kind of impressive and if it IS modern anti anxiety pills those could be as recent in creation as the 1950s! So um. Some high levels of tech implied in chemistry there <3

So... yeah. All this, plus the fact that the highest tech implied area, The Island, literally specialised in the study/Craft of turning wishes into reality (for a long enough time period that Wish Craft is culturally so ingrained in the King and Sif that they do it without thinking and it seems intertwined with their nation's religion) has been completely erased from memory to the point anything heavily associated with them has been forgotten, and also we only ever see Dormont aka a little village well away from the cities, it's not hard to conclude that you can basically justify giving the ISaT world any level of tech you want, so long as you lock any of the truly 'setting breaking' stuff like planes and rockets behind The Island's forgetting curse (I would've said trains too but thinking about it trains were invented in 1802 so it's honestly easy to imagine that they totally exist in the ISaT setting/Vaugarde but aren't ever on screen because rail is way too dangerous to consider using while the Curse is active and potentially time freezing things on the tracks).

Side note: We know absolutely nothing about Vaugarde's transport system but as a fan of fantasy RPGs it is honestly a travesty I have yet to see a fic that has flying dragons/wyverns or other fantasy mounts in setting. Like, ok yes, the party would probably have wanted to use those but maybe they don't like the Curse and fled? Maybe the King's Curse targeted them first? Maybe all their handlers dropped the heroes off in Dormont and said 'Well Saviors it's been fun, but well me and Scales here are off to Poteria until things wrap up so best of luck to you' before buggering off?

This isn't really a serious complaint just. Me reminding myself/potentially other fanwork writers out there that there's a lot about the setting we just don't know about and limiting all travel to walking, horse drawn carriage and boat is not actually required. (Also please mix up travelling to the Island. Boats are a wonderful classic and have great thematic vibes for Sif's original leaving of the Island but like. Imagine the sheer in-universe wtf of the memories of The Island suddenly coming back and people on the north coast suddenly realising there's a massive bridge, subway or underwater tunnel leading there that everyone just forgot about - potentially filled with all kinds of Sadnesses that need taking down. Or Warp Panels in a House of Change, idk XD).

Timeline

Canon notes first:

Bonnie is a preteen (8 to 12), Mira and Isa are in their early to mid 20s (with Isa slightly older), Sif is late 20s to 30, and Odile is 40+ Nille is stated to be around 18 to 20.

Siffrin ran away from home when they were a teenager (13 to 17? 18?) and this is heavily implied to be when the Island was Forgotten.

Bonnie (in ISaT specifically*) says that Nille told them that when it happened all the adults were talking about it, hence why they think The Island is close to their village. *In Start Again a Prologue, Bonnie says that they themself remember the adults talking about the Island disappearing, which er. Is a bit impossible given they likely weren't even born yet when that happened but that can be explained away by AU differences, InsertDisc5 still finalising details between SAaP and ISaT, and/or OG Siffrin having been in the loops so long they weren't actually listening when Bonnie was talking and just 'scripted' in their head something 'close enough' to what Bonnie was saying to get the idea (note: mentioned that idea before in my post here on the differences between the House and King in Start Again vs In Stars and Time for anyone curious so er please feel free to give that a read if you haven't already).

Odile mentions remembering 'when it happened' as well and has been 'travelling for years'.

The King 'appeared out of nowhere' sometime in his adulthood, and lived in the city of Corbeaux for a few years before he became the King.

The King became the King as was freezing people in time long enough before his attack on the House of Dormont that everyone inside knew he was coming, there were a wall's worth of newspaper articles about him, and everyone was expecting Euphrasie to defeat him.

Mirabelle's quest began 'almost a year ago' and Sif lost their eye 'recently'.

Thoughts on the above:

Calculating when The Island was forgotten:

Sif being mid 20s to 30 and having run away from home as a teen means that The Island has to have been forgotten somewhere between 9 to 17 years ago with nine only possible if he ran away at age 17 and is only age 26 now, and seventeen being the far opposite if he ran at age 13 and is currently 30.

To narrow down the timeline: Given Sif ran away from home because he 'didn't want to eat his veggies' and 'just wanted to scare [his] parents a little bit' it's probably safe to assume Siffrin was likely on the younger end of the teen spectrum (teens run off all the time sure but with loving parents and over veggies? That screams 'kid who has not yet learned that freaking out the parents will get their ass grounded and/or yelled at a LOT and is therefore best saved for doing fun forbidden stuff that ideally the parents will never find out about' XD) Additionally given Siffrin can't remember his age/birthday etc but Isabeau outright says near the beginning of the game "But you're older than most of the people here?" meaning Sif must be visibly older than Isa or Mira, so he's probably closer to 30 than not.

Those alone would imply the Island likely disappeared closer to the '17 years ago' side of things BUT Nille (tops 20 years old) told Bonnie that "[the Island's disappearance] was all the adults would talk about for ages" and kids usually can't remember anything prior to 4 years of age so with that in mind...

I'd say The Island most likely disappeared between 13 to 16 years ago.

Nille stuff:

This is more a general mention but. Nille is tops 20 years old. Bonnie is between 8 and 12 and doesn't remember their parents at all.

This means Nille ran away with Bonnie and gained emancipation and custody of Bonnie (if Vaugarde has formalised that kind of legal stuff) while she was at most 12 years old herself and could have in theory been as young as 6..!

Regardless, it's very likely the original home situation was that bad, Nille deserves a ton of credit for raising Bonnie as well as she has and I'd say it's very VERY likely she had a lot of help from villagers in Bambosche and/or the local House of Change in doing so. ...But also Bonnie is very adamantly 'my sister and village' and not 'my sister and [specific names who live with us]' so there's clearly by the time Bonnie was 4 or so they were living in their own place so... Yeah. Lotta drive for independence there too it seems (so the party might have more trouble adopting Nille into their group post ISaT than Bonnie might expect).

King stuff:

Already an adult 13 to 16 years ago so at bare minimum 33. Given his vibe probably much older though.

Newspapers get printed pretty quick though for there to be so much speculation and research done into his background so quick, either Vaugarde has some form of fast messaging system (something like a Chappe telegraph on top of the Houses of Change? Odile I think does mention that they'll have a message sent to let Nille know they'll be returning Bonnie...) or the King was freezing stuff for IDK around a month or two before reaching Dormont? Alas can't find out how long it takes to walk across all of France out very easily (I'm sure the numbers are out there but my brain is pudding rn) but if we had those numbers we could probably make some guesstimates based off the rough sketched map of Vaugarde InsertDisk5 did... Which I would link but apparently the tumblr post I had it linked on has been deleted???? 'wails at this very unhappy development'

Mira's journey and Sif's eye:

We really don't know a lot but almost a year ago gives us somewhere around 9 to 11 months to spread the journey out along and after eye removal surgery the patient can out and about as soon as 2 to 6 weeks after, maybe sooner with magic healing (though full recovery/growing used to the changed spacial awareness -which Sif clearly does not have- probably can't be sped up and takes around 3 to 6 months) so um. I'd guestimate Sif's eye injury is really recent; like two months ago tops recent. ...Which sorta explains a lot of why Bonnie is not dealing with it right now and also why the others might be trying to avoid bringing it up (since Sif clearly loves avoiding the issue but they haven't yet realised that maybe they really should bring it up even if it annoys them anyway?)

Odile with some Ka Bue speculation:

When it comes to The Island, how did Odile, presumably living in Ka Bue at the time, remember 'when it happened'? Was the Island well known enough even on the other side of the world that it's disappearance made waves? Or was Odile herself or someone she's close to paying attention to the region? (Like maybe her dad or a friend is/was into politics or trade, keeping up with overseas news and got concerned it could happen to Ka Bue? I'd say 'I remember when it happened' line implies it was more immediate knowledge than being informed by a messenger much later though...)

As for Odile's 'years of travel' I have to wonder, what's left behind for her in Ka Bue? She brings up going back there quite a bit, might just miss home and possibly her father if he's still alive, but given it took her years to get here for something so personal rather than idk 'materially rewarding' I think Odile might have some kinda family estate or something back in Ka Bue... Something she wasn't worried about potentially losing while far away, but solid enough to want to return to, beyond her father who she'd definitely want to see again if he's still around. (...But given how open she is to chilling about Vaugarde a few more months with the others, I really don't think he is alive, since well, given their respective ages and travel between Vaugarde and Ka Bue apparently taking years, there'd definitely an uncomfortably high chance of him passing away while she's gone and that seems like the thing that'd stress Odile out so... Yeah. Probably got an estate in Ka Bue she'd like to take the Family to visit/possibly sell off if she decides she'd like to live with them in Vaugarde so... Just my off the cuff headcanoning here and hoping that gives others ideas or something).

---

Anyway that's all the ramble I've got in me so... yeah! Hope this was interesting and useful for those needing a bit of a 'possible tech'/timeline calcs breakdown for the Island + a few more vague things and um. Probably will post a long winding ramble about my attempt at a ISaT Selkie AU fic I've been working on next <3 (Not to be confused with looped-140-and-counting's already existing and quite wonderful Selkie Siffrin AU which already has a completed oneshot fic, a snippet of sequel, two snippets of prequel/Sif flashbacking and I believe a comic too, all of which I highly recommend <3)

[meep-meep-richie]

Hmmm this could happen next to each other; or it is the same scene?! Cause look at Grace; to whom is she looking at before turning her head? Is Benji still sitting next to her?! Cause she only turns the moment Ethan screams?! Or is Benji just running off the second Ethan screams and that’s why Grace is looking back? I mean what was Ethans plan? What’s Ethan saying to Benji?! You have to take care of the team? And Benji be like no i can’t; we need you and just running off to whatever Ethan was supposed to go too?! Honestly i have to many questions and no theory seems right!!

[random-dragon-exe]

Okay, so I've been rewatching the OG FOP and I'm noticing some things. So looking at Peri's design, I find it slightly odd (pun intended) that he has periwinkle hair. Although it does lean slightly more on the purple side if you ask me.

I mean yeah, he had that hair as a baby so that tracks and makes sense. Plus, he needs to have his own distinguishable color to visually separate him from his parents.

But genetically, how does that work? I know I'm probably thinking way too much about it, but I found something interesting upon rewatching some OG FOP episodes.

Jorgen had purple hair when he was younger, and one thing of note is that he and Cosmo are cousins (which is revealed in an episode) which means that this may be where Peri got his colored hair from. Not to mention periwinkle is a subset of violet, which is a subset of purple. So maybe it's a recessive trait that Peri inherited from that side.

As for his eyes, some family members of Wanda's have purple-ish and bluish eyes.

Considering that periwinkle is basically a mix of light purple and blue, I think this is how he got his eye color.

Again, I know that this is a bit of a long shot, but I just think it's an interesting set of details.

[thatguywhodoesstuff]

A Random Doey The Doughman Thought

—————————

Okay, so I’ve been listening to the Doey Commercial Jingle on repeat today and one verse in particular stood out to me:

So many toys in one(Woah)Triple times the friend and triple times the fun(Times the fun)

Now, aside from this particular verse and this image from the in-universe commercial:

Being subtle foreshadowing to the nature of Doey’s creation, a thought occurred to me:

Was this commercial made before or after the Bigger Bodies version of Doey was created?

Like, if we take this commercial into account Playtime Co. either:

A. Added the concept of “triple times the friend and triple times the fun” to the tagline of their Doey toy and Playtime Dough as a cruel nod to their crimes.

Or

B. Playtime Co. deliberately added Matthew and Kevin into the mix JUST TO MIRROR THEIR PRODUCT’S TAGLINE.

[magnus-marmot]

It's very curious to me that Starkwall uses fire to burn down any alchemically dangerous locations and projects (such as the Institute, the Oxford People's Trust and maybe others I'm forgetting).

Sure, fire is deeply destructive and efficient, but in the alchemical worldview it's also a source of life. Solar fire is what keeps everything rolling in the world, and its impure form in sulphur is associated with souls in humans. On a less philosophical level, fire is also required for almost all alchemical work because of its transformative qualities. The Great Work begins with burning matter down to ashes so that something new can be created (which is why the Philosopher's Stone is often symbolised by a phoenix). Some alchemists even thought that sulphur (or the principle of combustibility) was needed to coagulate mercury to give it form (a task they repeatedly failed at).

So it seems like a considerable risk that their protocol involves indiscriminate arson. In fact, it's starting to seem more and more likely to me that the Archivist was created because of the fire. It could've been the spark that coagulated all of the Institute's mercurial ideals and goals into a physical form, possibly tying them to a host (who would be the salt in this formula). But this is pure speculation. The fact remains that the Starkwall guys seem either incompetent and uneducated on what they're actually dealing with, or actively malicious. (Or the secret third option, which is that it's not that deep bro)

[quotergirl19]

I know because of the mask in front of Penelope on the table, it seems likely that she’s trying on her costume for the masquerade, but I actually think she may just be coming out of wearing black from mourning Marina. It’s very possible that season 4 will pick up some time after Marina passed away.

I also don’t think it’s Penelope‘s masquerade dress because the sleeves are different on the dress that we see Penelope wearing when she’s in her pirate costume talking to the queen.

I feel like this would allow for Eloise to have begun her correspondence and penpal friendship/relationship with Phillip off camera so that by the end of season four, we have known for most of the season that Eloise has a mysterious penpal whose letters she particularly looks forward too. Maybe we’ll see her opening up letters that have dried flowers pressed into them so we suspect she has an admirer or a special someone writing to her who she met while spending time in Scotland.

Then by the end of the season it’s a cliffhanger because maybe we last see Eloise running off with packed bags after receiving a letter from her mysterious correspondent.

Then we would find out in the opening of season five that she was actually running off to the country to Phillip, without a chaperone.

Just my two cents.✌🏼💜