#shadar may have shaped the world

[botslayer9000]

So I'm on a bit of a Ni No Kuni kick recently, and it seems like there's a small community of fans here on tumblr. So, has anybody else here ever lost themselves in thought about how Lucien was really just some guy? He wasn't a sage, or descended from one, or any kind of royalty. He was probably some peasant dude who decided "yeah sure I'll study magic and become a soldier to protect my country" and was dragged into a war of aggression because of it. Literally just some dude. He was a practical nobody from a village that doesn't exist anymore in a country that hasn't survived to the present day who became one of the most powerful, feared figures in the entire other world, partly because he was functionally powerless to do anything else before he got that power of hatred and despair level up. Anybody else think about that sometimes? Because I do

[crinosg]

The Bogeyman

A tall and imposing Shadar Kai astride a Nightmare, a Blue skinned hobgoblin in a fez and robe, a chalk white Satyr with an oversized head, a huge vaguely humanoid shaped burlap sack filled with all matter of bugs and vermin. There are but a few of the shapes taken by the most infamous of the Archfey, the Bogeyman.

The Bogeyman is the lord of fear, in particular nameless irrational fear. The fear there might be someone hiding under your bed or closet, the fear that the old furnace in your basement may spring to life and devour you, the fear of the nameless things that lurk in the dark that pulls children to their doom, never to be seen again.

And like most nameless, irrational feats, the Bogeyman turns out to be not so bad when you get to know him.

The Bogeyman has never been really respected as a Fae lord. A coward and bully by nature, most people aren't truly afraid of him despite his claims on being the lord of fear. Only children are truly afraid of him, and so the Bogeyman began to slowly develop a fondness for them, even as he lurked under their bed to frighten them.

One fateful night, while lurking under the bed of a young noble to frighten her, he was shocked to hear the sounds of violence and fear coming from up above. The Bogeyman investigated and was shocked to discover the poor girl being beaten by her mother over some perceived slight earlier in the day. This was a changing moment for the Bogeyman. As he immediately frightened the noblewoman off and spirited the girl back to his domain, not to harm her but to save her.

This was when the Bogeyman's entire paradigm changed. He became the secret protector of children. He lurked under their beds and in closets to watch after them, if he did frighten them, it was to teach them to be brave, to stand up to the realm monsters in the world. And if the Bogeyman did spirit children away, it was to get them out of terrible situations.

A natural shapeshifter, few people have seen the Bogeyman's true form. And in truth it is...not that impressive. In his true form he is a weathered, gaunt pale skinned figure with long boneless arms and a one eye, dressed in a ragged jesters outfit.

The Nighmare Palace

The Nightmare Palace is the Bogeyman's domain of delight, a huge gothic castle sitting atop a lonely hill on a mountain where its always night, and the full moon always hangs. Inside the palace is huge winding network of hallways, filled with beds and closets which contain portals to the real world. The floors are strewn with all manner of candy and toys, and the walls are patrolled by all manner of monsters; ranging from goblins ans skeletons, mummies and werewolves, ghosts and vampires, and others. Despite their monstrous appearance, these monsters are much nicer than their counterparts in other domains, not requiring the feeding methods they use on other plains. These monsters aid the Bogeyman in his job of "scaring" kids, and follow strict rules to make sure they don't accidentally traumatize their charges. Any kids brought to the Nightmare palace who opts to stay will eventually turn into one of these monsters, with a prime example being Ivana, the Bogeyman's adopted daughter (who is the young noble the Bogeyman saved all those years ago) now a Vampire who feeds on the color red instead of blood, and acts as the steward of the palace when the Bogeyman is away on business.

[sunevial]

Can you go a little in depth about genasi in your Eberron?

Genasi are a form of planetouched, or an individual that has been influenced by one of the many planes of Eberron. Generally speaking, genasi are regarded as neutral planetouched, though this is technically a misnomer. If the aasimar represents the good that fire can bring and the tiefling the destruction it leaves in its wake, the genasi represents fire as it manifests in the material plane. Some would argue that this means that a genasi would be a purely neutral force with neutral planar magic. Others would argue that a genasi's existence is to embody all the aspects of a plane, including the good and the bad.

Regardless of the 'magical neutrality' of a genasi, it is often better to understand them as an embodiment of how the planes interact with the material. Their transitive nature is stronger than other planetouched. This can manifest in a wide variety of quirks, ranging from feeling coterminous periods more strongly to even dreaming in their plane of influence.

Additionally, for yet unknown reasons, every genasi born on Eberron has a mirror on their respective plane. Planar echoes are not unheard of throughout the orrery, often embodying a fragment of a person as a reflection. However, for a genasi, these echoes function essentially as a spiritual 'twin'—a planar being with a spark of the material to contrast the mortal genasi with a spark of the planes. The genasi and their planar twin are unique individuals and exist independently of the other, but they have similar appearances and may exhibit similar mannerisms. Most genasi will never meet their echoes, and vice versa, but many believe that when a genasi dreams in their plane of influence, they are seeing through the eyes of their twin—and perhaps their twin sees the same in the material.

The following planar echoes have been noted to exist throughout the planes of Eberron.

Daanvi. Planar echoes in Daanvi come in the form of Subjects, a humanoid creature that exists for the purpose of following Daanvi's laws. Echoes connected to a specific genasi have more form and personality than other Subjects, and they may challenge laws put into place by either angels or devils. They are not particularly concerned with their mortal counterpart.

Dal Quor. Given that Dal Quor is severed from normal planar interactions, the plane is not able to produce planetouched of any variety. It is unknown exactly what form these planar echoes would take, should they exist at all.

Dolurrh. While Dolurrh is often referred to as a planar machine, echoes do occasionally take form within the realm of the dead. This may come in the form of a shadar-kai-like creature, a particularly persistent ghost, or a coalescing memory. No one knows what these echoes truly are; some speculate they are the will of the plane made manifest, others say they are a manifestation of the Draconic Prophesy itself.

Fernia. Fernian echoes resemble humanoid elementals, filled with burning passion and purpose. Often far more excitable than their humanoid counterparts, they nevertheless may be driven to a similar profession or interest of their respective genasi. These echoes also are some of the most curious about their Eberronian counterpart and may choose to enter the material to find them.

Irian. Irian echoes come in the form of lumi, beings with fragments of mortals who have passed on from the world. Unlike normal lumi, lumi echoes preserve and protect the most precious memories of their counterpart alongside other memories. While devoted to their duties on Irian, many feel a familial bond with their respective genasi and may find ways of giving them aid. This could be an especially unique origin for a sorcerous origin or warlock pact as a genasi and lumi grow their bond.

Kythri. Echos from Kythri are ever changing, possessing a somewhat humanoid shape that never remains the exact same material for long. While elementals, as an echo, they are considerably more stable than other entities in the Churning Chaos, making them a rare possible ally for those within the plane. They rarely concerned with their mortal counterpart.

Lamannia. Lamannian echoes are primarily elementals, far more primordial and formless than on other planes. However, some Lamannian echoes may come in the form of an actual humanoid, making them much more akin to a true spiritual twin. This could take the form of a merfolk with similar facial structure to their genasi counterpart, a lycanthrope with eerie similarity in mannerisms, or any other sentient being. These echoes are full people in their own right, and they may be aware of their Eberronian counterpart from similar stories told by their people.

Mabar. Shadows are the planar echoes of Mabar, silent and often hungry for life energy. Those connected to a genasi, however, might have more personality and some resistance to the draining despair of the plane. They might be found mimicking the actions of their mortal counterpart, and while still possessing the draining hunger of the plane, may be one of the few sparks of light for a wandering soul.

Risia. While few things actively exist in Risia, planar echoes are one of the few things truly ignored by the Killing Cold. These elemental spirits can be found wandering the endless icy landscape, picking apart items left frozen in the ice. While quiet and not wishing to attract the plane's attention, echoes can be a spark of familiarity in such a desolate landscape.

Shavarath. The most commonly known of al planar echoes are in Shavarath. They come in the form of Conscripts, manifestations of common soldiers in the command of fiends and angels, and Sword Wraiths, fragments of a particularly powerful warrior on the Material. Echoes connected to a genasi grow in power and prestige with their counterpart, often rising from a Conscript into a true Sword Wraith. Sword Wraith echoes have considerably more personality and memory compared to other sword wraiths, and they will almost certainly recognize their Eberronian counterpart.

Syrania. Syranian echoes are often part of the lowest tier of angels, serving as scribes and guides. However, unlike most of their fellows, Syranian echoes have more drive and personality. They might dedicate their life to studying and recording their counterpart, their family and friends, or even a subject the genasi particularly enjoys.

Thelanis. Echoes from Thelanis are the equivalent of a Supporting Cast member that has broken from its original story. Fully sentient and aware of its role, these echoes are perhaps the most driven of any planar twin. Many are fascinated by the idea of meeting their other half while others wish to use their newfound importance to rise within the fay courts.

Xoriat. Echoes in Xoriat are particularly alien. While still humanoid, these echoes rapidly change in appearance, reflecting their counterpoint at different stages in life. They might appear as a genasi when they were a child, or a possible future they could one day walk. While lost in time, they are not particularly hostile, and they may even warn their counterpart of things that have not yet come to pass.

[highladyluck]

Stealing Is The Way To Mat Cauthon’s Heart

This is intended to be part 1 of a series of essays elaborating on how “Tuon is Mat’s Replacement Shadar Logoth Dagger”.

In this one, I talk about the parallels between Mat’s free choices (both theft) and how they shape his narrative. (The title for this was almost “Book 1: Steal An Evil Magic Knife; Book 10: Steal An Evil Magic Wife” but I restrained myself. Sort of.)

Mat's two thefts- of the Shadar Logoth Dagger, and of Tuon, the Daughter of the Nine Moons- are his most thematically significant free choices in the series, and they both result in Mat falling in love. It's fairly clear that stealing the Shadar Logoth dagger is Mat's first thematically significant free choice in the series. I don't think Mat freely chose to leave the Two Rivers, at least not in the same sense that Egwene did; Egwene wasn't putting anyone in danger by staying, and she invited herself along, which is not the case for the boys, who were essentially leaving under duress.

But even if you count leaving as a free choice, it's not thematically significant for Mat the way that stealing the Shadar Logoth dagger is. It's very clearly Mat's choice to explore Shadar Logoth, Mat's choice driving the boys to follow Mordeth to the treasure, Mat's choice to take the treasure despite the clear risk that has the other boys literally dragging him out of the treasure room.

It's possible that Rand telling him Min's viewing of him, which involves the ruby dagger, influences Mat to pick it up once he sees it. However, at that point he's still willingly choosing to do that. If he's thinking about his 'fate'- which he may or may not be- he's thinking 'well, that dagger looks great and it's meant for me, sign me up!' It's the first (and last) time he's ever really excited about a free choice he makes regarding his fate. Which kind of makes sense, given that the consequences of the one free choice he was happy about haunt Mat for the rest of the story, in the form of personality change, memory loss, supernatural luck, and the specific shape of his future place in the Pattern.

While Mat makes further choices in the following books, they're all under duress of one kind or another and I wouldn't characterize them as 'free'. Mat doesn't go into the twisted stone ter'angreal in Tear until he thinks it's the creepy magic doorway or his life, ta'verenness is literally preventing him from saying things or tugging him in Rand's direction and putting him under Rand’s power, etc. Even all of Mat's rescues (and let's face it, they're all characterized as rescues for Mat, you won't see him putting his ass in danger otherwise) are (according to Mat) done under duress in that Mat feels compelled to save people, against his 'better judgement'. Are they actually free choices? Yeah, I think so. Does Mat want to think of them as a choice he’s deliberately making? Apparently not, so I don’t count them as a free choice either.

Mat is constantly propelled around by his instincts and his physical reactions; he doesn't make decisions, he reacts. The more he fights his fate, the faster he gets sucked in. He's not so much making choices as flailing around wildly trying to survive. Admittedly, 'flailing around wildly trying to survive' does eventually become a deliberate and calculated strategy for Mat, but not until the Tower of Ghenji, and possibly also in the Last Battle, which are both post-marriage.

Deciding to steal Tuon from the Tarasin Palace, then, is the first free choice Mat makes since the dagger, and it is deeply thematically significant. Mat makes the decision to take her with him- when he could have stashed her in the stable overnight- *because* he decides to accept his fate of eventually being married to her. He decides to take on the responsibility/path he's been dreading (a very different choice from his other free choice, which was "I want to do something fun!") And you can tell he's accepted his fate because his thoughts change from 'how can I get out of this?' to 'how can I make the best of this?' By changing his perspective, he opens his mind to other changes, like falling in love. This happens naturally as he spends more time with Tuon, but it all flows from that first choice to steal her away.

And Mat falling in love after he makes a thematically significant free choice and has a perspective shift is a pattern. It's easy to see that Mat falls in love with Tuon, because we're in his head and we see him start describing her features in very flattering ways, we see him muse about how much he enjoys making her happy, we see his anger and fear when she's in danger. But this is not, in fact, the only romantic relationship Mat has had. This is not the only time we've caught Mat gazing lovingly at beautiful details, or enjoying spending time with the object of his affections, or freaking out when something threatens his beloved. And I'm not talking about Melindhra, and I'm certainly not talking about Tylin; Mat didn't consider himself in a relationship with either of them, and he wasn't in love with them. That's right, I'm talking about Mat and his feelings for the Shadar Logoth dagger.

To be clear, I'm not saying Mat wants to bone the dagger. (Padan Fain, another known dagger associate, is absolutely knifesexual, but I am willing to believe that is one of many Just Padan Fain Things, like being besties with Machin Shin or tying Myrddraal to trees.) However, Mat was *absolutely* in love with his sexy evil Shadar Logoth dagger, like to the point of whispering sweet nothings to it (paranoid ramblings = sweet nothings, if you're a sexy evil dagger.) It was of course a toxic and abusive relationship, complete with many abortive breakup attempts before Mat finally escapes, but it has strong shades of romantic obsession and it changed Mat's perspective on the world and how he interacted with it.

Mat even gets a truly alarming number of rebound daggers after he's broken up with the dagger for good and had a chance to be in one place for five seconds at a time. These 10+ daggers that he keeps on his person at all times are presumably from the Stone of Tear, but unlike all of Mat's other weapons, we never find out for sure where they came from. I think that's significant, as we see onscreen how Mat gets every other weapon he's ever used, but those daggers sneak in offscreen and Mat doesn't narrate how he got them. I think it's because if he did, he'd have to admit that he's compensating for the one knife that he can't have.

Finally, the anger and fear Mat felt when Aes Sedai kept trying to separate him from his precious dagger* are partially the dagger's influence, but partially Mat's own response to anything threatening to harm what he loves or take it away from him. When Tuon suddenly races him in the woods to test out her new mount, Mat 'couldn't have taken the roughness from his voice with a file' when he chews her out for putting herself in danger. Fear and anger are his genuine reaction to something or someone he loves romantically being in danger.

To conclude: Mat’s free choices lead into his romantic arcs, and his theft and relationship with Tuon is meant to be read in comparison to and contrast with his theft and relationship with the dagger. There are other ways (besides the implications of narrative structure) that Tuon is the successor to the Shadar Logoth dagger, which I plan to talk about in the next essay.

*(As an aside, this is also an important character note that I think explains Mat's weirdly strong aversion to channeling. While in fact the Power actually saved him, Mat was conditioned to associate it with fear and anger and terror. Mat of course has serious trauma from the dagger, which I think is lumped in with 'magic' in his head, even though it has nothing to do with the Power. But Mat also has major trauma from all of those de-daggerings- especially the last one, perhaps, which is the one we actually witness, where he's straight up getting an exorcism- and that fear of magic is what leads him to specifically request a way to be free of Aes Sedai and the Power. The freedom requested here is freedom to not be controlled/affected by Aes Sedai and the Power. It is of course significant that this is something that the Seanchan also want, though they tried to achieve it by dominating Power users and commandeering their magic, an approach embodied by sul’dam Tuon.)