#these could vary state by state and locality so keep that in mind!

[soupisjuice]

so i had an illegal stop / discrimination incident with the police (due to my partner being trans and our local PD having a history of transphobia) so i wanted to provide some tips / things we should have done! keep in mind this may not be accurate for your state/locality and this advice is US specific.

1. do Not exit your vehicle unless they say they “need” or you “must” exit! if they ask if you “can” exit or if you “will” exit then you do not have to.

2. they cannot search you unless they are given reason to. they must tell you why and have substantial reason to

3. ask if you are being detained! and why! ask if you are free to leave! leave if you are!!

4. GET THEIR NAME AND BADGE NUMBER!

5. body cam footage can be acquired through an open records request. many PDs have implemented body cams- check if yours has and what rules they have for when they must be recording

6. have a voice recorder/dash cam or start recording on your phone just in case! you never know when you will need this footage. in my state I don’t have to inform people of recording them but in some states you do so be sure to check your state laws.

7. if their vehicle blocks you from leaving - this is an illegal stop. For example, my partner and i were parked in a parking lot and surround by cars on all three sides and the officer’s car blocked the backside of the car so we could not escape

8. roll down your window when asked but you do not have to open your door (may be obvious but i made this mistake)

9. Check to see if their lights are on! If their vehicle lights are on and they haven’t told you you have done anything illegal - also an illegal stop.

10. check the time at the start of the interaction and at the end of the interaction! and state the time and date and location in any video you do!

[asha-mage]

WoT Meta: Feudalism, Class, And The Politics of The Wheel of Time

One of my long standing personal annoyances with the fantasy genre is that it often falls into the trap of simplifying feudal class systems, stripping out the interesting parts and the nuance to make something that’s either a lot more cardboard cut-out, or has our modern ideas about class imposed onto it.

Ironically the principal exception is also the series that set the bar for me. As is so often the case, Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time is unique in how much it works to understand and convey a realistic approach to power, politics, government, rulership, and the world in general–colored neither by cynicism or idealism. How Jordan works the feudal system into his world building is no exception–weaving in the weaknesses, the strengths, and the banal realities of what it means to have a Lord or Lady, a sovereign Queen or King, and to exist in a state held together by interpersonal relationships between them–while still conveying themes and ideas that are, at their heart, relevant to our modern world.

So, I thought I’d talk a little bit about how he does that.

Defining the Structure

First, since we’re talking about feudal class systems, let's define what that means– what classes actually existed, how they related to each other, and how that is represented in Jordan’s world. 

But before that, a quick disclaimer. To avoid getting too deep into the historical weeds, I am going to be making some pretty wide generalizations. The phrases ‘most often’, ‘usually’, and ‘in general’ are going to be doing a lot of heavy lifting. While the strata I’m describing is broadly true across the majority medieval and early Renaissance feudal states these things were obviously heavily influenced by the culture, religion, geography, and economics of their country–all of which varied widely and could shift dramatically over a surprisingly small amount of time (sometimes less than a single generation). Almost nothing I am going to say is universally applicable to all feudal states, but all states will have large swathes of it true for them, and it will be widely applicable. The other thing I would ask you to keep in mind is that a lot of our conceptions of class have been heavily changed by industrialization. It’s impossible to overstate how completely the steam engine altered the landscape of socio-politics the world over, in ways both good and bad. This is already one of those things that Jordan is incredibly good at remembering, and that most fantasy authors are very good at forgetting. 

The disparity between your average medieval monarch’s standard of living and their peasants was pretty wide, but it was nothing compared to the distance between your average minimum wage worker and any billionaire; the monarch and the peasant had far more in common with each other than you or I do with Jeff Bezos or Mike Zuckerberg. The disparity between most people’s local country lord and their peasants was even smaller. It was only when the steam engine made the mass production of consumer goods possible that the wealth gap started to become a chasm–and that was in fact one of the forces that lead to the end of the feudal system and the collapse of many (though by no means all) of the ruling monarchies in Europe. I bring this up because the idea of a class system not predicated on the accumulation of capital seems pretty alien to our modern sensibilities, but it was the norm for most of history. Descent and birth mattered far more than the riches you could acquire–and the act of accumulating wealth was itself often seen as something vulgar and in many countries actively sinful. So with that in mind, what exactly were the classes of feudalism, and how do they connect to the Wheel of Time?

The Monarch and their immediate family unsurprisingly occupied the top of the societal pyramid (at least, in feudal states that had a monarch and royal family- which wasn’t all of them). The Monarch was head of the government and was responsible for administering the nation: collecting taxes, seeing them spent, enforcing law, defending the country’s borders and vassals in the event of war, etc. Contrary to popular belief, relatively few monarchs had absolute power during the medieval period. But how much power the monarch did have varied widely- some monarchs were little more than figureheads, others were able to centralize enough power on themselves to dictate the majority of state business- and that balance could shift back and forth over a single generation, or even a single reign depending on the competence of the monarch. 

The royal family usually held power in relation to their monarch, but also at the monarch’s discretion. The more power a monarch had, the more likely they were to delegate it to trusted family members in order to aid with the administration of the realm. This was in both official and unofficial capacities: princes were often required to do military service as a right of passage, and to act as diplomats or officials, and princesses (especially those married into foreign powers) were often used as spies for their home state, or played roles in managing court affairs and business on behalf of the ruler.

Beneath the monarch and their family you get the noble aristocracy, and I could write a whole separate essay just on the delineations and strata within this group, but suffice to say the aristocracy covers individuals and families with a wide range of power and wealth. Again, starting from that country lord whose power and wealth in the grand scheme of things is not much bigger than his peasants, all the way to people as powerful, or sometimes more powerful, than the monarch. 

Nobles in a feudal system ruled over sections of land (the size and quality usually related sharply to their power) setting taxes, enforcing laws, providing protection to the peasants, hearing petitions, etc. within their domains. These nobles were sometimes independent, but more often would swear fealty to more powerful nobles (or monarchs) in exchange for greater protection and membership in a nation state. Doing so meant agreeing to pay taxes, obey (and enforce) the laws of the kingdom, and to provide soldiers to their liege in the event of war. The amount of actual power and autonomy nobles had varied pretty widely, and the general rule of thumb is that the more powerful the monarch is, the less power and autonomy the nobles have, and vice versa. Nobles generally were expected to be well educated (or at least to be able to pretend they were) and usually provided the pool from which important government officials were drawn–generals, council members, envoys, etc–with some kingdoms having laws that prevented anyone not of noble descent from occupying these positions.

Beneath the nobles you get the wealthy financial class–major merchants, bankers, and the heads of large trade guilds. Those Marx referred to generally as the bourgeoisie because they either own means of production or manage capital. In a feudal system this class tended to have a good bit of soft power, since their fortunes could buy them access to circles of the powerful, but very little institutional power, since the accumulation and pursuit of riches, if anything, was seen to have negative moral worth. An underlying presumption of greediness was attached to this class, and with it the sense that they should be kept out of direct power.

That was possible, in part, because there weren't that many means of production to actually own, or that much capital to manage, in a pre-industrial society. Most goods were produced without the aid of equipment that required significant capital investment (a weaver owned their own loom, a blacksmith owned their own tools, etc), and most citizens did not have enough wealth to make use of banking services. This is the class of merchants who owned, but generally didn’t directly operate, multiple trading ships or caravans, guild leaders for craftsfolk who required large scale equipment to do their work (copper and iron foundries for the making of bells, for example), and bankers who mainly served the nobility and other wealthy individuals through the loaning and borrowing of money. This usually (but not always) represented the ceiling of what those not born aristocrats could achieve in society.

After that you get middling merchants, master craftsfolk and specialty artisans, in particular of luxury goods. Merchants in this class usually still directly manage their expeditions and operations, while the craftsfolk and artisans are those with specialty skill sets that can not be easily replicated without a lifetime of training. Master silversmiths, dressmakers, lacquer workers, hairdressers, and clockmakers are all found in this class. How much social clout individuals in this class have usually relates strongly to how much value is placed on their skill or product by their society (think how the Seanchan have an insatiable appetite for lacquer work and how Seanchan nobles make several Ebou Dari lacquer workers very rich) as well as the actual quality of the product. But even an unskilled artisan is still probably comfortable (as Thom says, even a bad clockmaker is still a wealthy man). Apprenticeships, where children are taught these crafts, are thus highly desired by those in lower classes,as it guaranteed at least some level of financial security in life.

Bellow that class you find minor merchants (single ship or wagon types), the owners of small businesses (inns, taverns, millers etc), some educated posts (clerks, scribes, accountants, tutors) and most craftsfolk (blacksmiths, carpenters, bootmakers, etc). These are people who can usually support themselves and their families through their own labor, or who, in the words of Jin Di, ‘work with their hands’. Most of those who occupy this class are found in cities and larger towns, where the flow of trade allows so many non-food producers to congregate and still (mostly) make ends meet. This is why there is only one inn, one miller, one blacksmith (with a single apprentice) in places like Emond’s Field: most smaller villages can not sustain more than a handful of non-food producers. This is also where you start to get the possibility of serious financial instability; in times of chaos it is people at this tier (and below) that are the first to be forced into poverty, flight, or other desperate actions to survive.

Finally, there is the group often collectively called ‘peasants’ (though that term is also sometimes used to mean anyone not noble born). Farmers, manual laborers, peddlers, fishers- anyone who is unlikely to be able to support more than themselves with their labor, and often had to depend on the combined labor of their spouse and families to get by. Servants also generally fit into this tier socially, but it’s important to understand that a servant in say, a palace, is going to be significantly better paid and respected than a maid in a merchant's house. This class is the largest, making up the majority of the population in a given country, and with a majority of its own number being food-producers specifically. Without the aid of the steam engine, most of a country’s populace needs to be producing food, and a great deal of it, in order to remain a functional nation. Most of the population as a result live in smaller spread out agrarian communities, loosely organized around single towns and villages. Since these communities will almost always lack access to certain goods or amenities (Emond’s Field has a bootmaker, but no candlemaker, for example) they depend on smalltime traders, called peddlers, to provide them with everyday things, who might travel from town to town with no more than a single wagon, or even just a large pack.

The only groups lower than peasants on the social hierarchy are beggars, the destitute, and (in societies that practice slavery) slaves. People who can not (or are not allowed to) support themselves, and instead must either eke out a day to day existence from scraps, or must be supported by others. Slaves can perform labor of any kind, but they are regarded legally as a means of production rather than a laborer, and the value is awarded to their owner instead. 

It’s also worth noting that slavery has varied wildly across history in how exactly it was carried out and ran the gamut from the trans-Atlantic chattel slavery to more caste or punitive-based slavery systems where slaves could achieve freedom, social mobility, or even some degree of power within their societies. But those realities (as with servants) had more to do with who their owners were than the slave’s own merit, and the majority of slaves (who are almost always seen as less than a freedman even when they are doing the same work) were performing the same common labor as the ‘peasant’ class, and so viewed as inferior.

Viewing The Wheel of Time Through This Lens

So what does all this have to do with Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time? A lot actually, especially compared to his contemporaries in fantasy writing. Whereas most fantasy taking place in feudal systems succumbs to the urge to simplify matters (sometimes as far down to their only being two classes, ‘peasant’ and ‘royalty’) Jordan much more closely models real feudalism in his world. 

The majority of the nations we encounter are feudal monarchies, and a majority of each of their populations are agrarian farming communities overseen by a local lord or other official. How large a nation’s other classes are is directly tied to how prosperous the kingdom is, which is strongly connected to how much food and how many goods the kingdom can produce on the available land within it. This in turn, is tightly interdependent on how stable the kingdom is and how effective its government is.

Andor is the prime example: a very large, very prosperous kingdom, which is both self-sufficient in feeding itself via its large swathes of farmland (so much so that they can afford to feed Cairhien through selling their surplus almost certainly at next to no profit) and rich in mineral wealth from mines in the west. It is capable of supporting several fairly large cities even on its outskirts, as well as the very well-developed and cosmopolitan Caemlyn as its capital. This allows Andor to maintain a pretty robust class of educated workers, craftsfolk, artisans, etc, which in turn furthers the realm’s prosperity. At the top of things, the Queen presides over the entire realm with largely centralized power to set laws and taxes. Beneath her are the ‘great houses’–the only Houses in Andor besides the royal house who are strong enough that other nobles ‘follow where they lead’ making them the equivalent of Duchesses and Dukes, with any minor nobles not sworn directly to the Queen being sworn to these ten.

And that ties into something very important about the feudal system and the impact it had on our world and the impact it has on Jordan's. To quote Youtuber Jack Rackham, feudalism is what those in the science biz would call an unstable equilibrium. The monarch and their vassals are constantly in conflict with each other; the vassals desiring more power and autonomy, as the monarch works to centralize power on themselves. In feudalism there isn’t really a state army. Instead the monarch and the nobles all have personal armies, and while the monarch’s might be stronger than anyone else’s army, it’s never going to be stronger than everybody else’s. 

To maintain peace and stability in this situation everyone has to essentially play Game of Thrones (or as Jordan called it years before Martin wrote GoT, Daes Dae’mar) using political maneuvering, alliances, and scheming in order to pursue their goals without the swords coming out, and depending on the relative skill of those involved, this can go on for centuries at a time….or break apart completely over the course of a single bad summer, and plunge the country into civil war.

Cairhien is a great example of this problem. After losing the Aiel War and being left in ruins, the monarch who ultimately secured the throne of Cairhien, Galldrian Riatin, started from a place of profound weakness. He inherited a bankrupt, war torn and starving country, parts of which were still actively on fire at the time. As Thom discusses in the Great Hunt, Galddrian's failure to resettle the farmers displaced by the war left Cairhien dependent on foreign powers to feed the populace (the grain exports from Tear and Andor) and in order to prevent riots in his own capital, Galldrian choose bread and circuses to keep the people pacified rather then trying to substantially improve their situation. Meanwhile, the nobles, with no effective check on them, began to flex their power, seeing how much strength they could take away from each other and the King, further limiting the throne’s options in how to deal with the crisis, and forcing the King to compete with his most powerful vassals in order to just stay on the throne. This state of affairs ultimately resulted, unsurprisingly, in one of Galladrin’s schemes backfiring, him ending up dead, and the country plunging into civil war, every aristocrat fighting to replace him and more concerned with securing their own power then with restoring the country that was now fully plunged into ruin.

When Dyelin is supporting Elayne in the Andoran Succession, it is this outcome (or one very much like it) that she is attempting to prevent. She says as much outright to Elayne in Knife of Dreams–a direct succession is more stable, and should only be prevented in a situation where the Daughter Heir is unfit–through either incompetence or malice–to become Queen. On the flip side, Arymilla and her lot are trying to push their own agendas, using the war as an excuse to further enrich their Houses or empower themselves and their allies. Rhavin’s machinations had very neatly destabilized Andor, emboldening nobles such as Arymilla (who normally would never dream of putting forward a serious claim for the throne) by making them believe Morgase and Trakand were weak and thus easy to take advantage of. 

We also see this conflict crop up as a central reason Murandy and Altara are in their current state as well. Both are countries where their noble classes have almost complete autonomy, and the monarch is a figurehead without significantly more power than their vassals (Tylin can only keep order in Ebou Dar and its immediate surrounding area, and from what she says her father started with an even worse deal,with parts of the capital more under the control of his vassals than him). Their main unifying force is that they wish to avoid invasion and domination by another larger power (Andor for Murandy, Illian and Amadica for Altara) and the threat of that is the only thing capable of bringing either country into anything close to unity.

Meanwhile a lack of centralization has its trade offs; people enjoy more relative freedoms and social mobility (both depend heavily on trade, which means more wealth flowing into their countries but not necessarily accumulating at the top, due to the lack of stability), and Altara specifically has a very robust ‘middle class’ (or as near as you can get pre-industrialization) of middling to minor merchants, business and craftsfolk, etc. Mat’s time in Ebou Dar (and his friendship with Satelle Anan) gets into a lot of this. Think of the many many guilds that call Altara home, and how the husband of an inn owner can do a successful enough business fishing that he comes to own several crafts by his own merit. 

On the flip side both countries have problems with violence and lawlessness due to the lack of any enforced uniformity in terms of justice. You might ride a day and end up in land ruled by a Lord or Lady with a completely different idea of what constitutes, say, a capital offense, than the Lord or Lady you were under yesterday. This is also probably why Altara has such an ingrained culture of duels to resolve disputes, among both nobles and common folk. Why appeal to a higher authority when that authority can barely keep the streets clean? Instead you and the person you are in conflict with, on anything from the last cup of wine to who cheated who in a business deal, can just settle it with your knives and not have to bother with a hearing or a petition. It’s not like you could trust it anyways; as Mat informs us, most of the magistrates in Altara do the bidding of whoever is paying their bribes.

But neither Altara nor Murandy represents the extreme of how much power and autonomy nobles can manage to wrangle for themselves. That honor goes to Tear, where the nobles have done away with the monarch entirely to instead establish what amounts to an aristocratic confederacy. Their ruling council (The High Lords of Tear) share power roughly equally among themselves, and rule via compromise and consensus. This approach also has its tradeoffs: unlike Murandy and Altara, Tear is still able to effectively administer the realm and create uniformity even without a monarch, and they are able to be remarkably flexible in terms of their politics and foreign policy, maintaining trade relationships even with bitter enemies like Tar Valon or Illian.  On the flipside, the interests of individual nobles are able to shape policy and law to a much greater extent, with no monarch to play arbiter or hold them accountable. This is the source of many of the social problems in Tear: a higher sense of justice, good, or even just plain fairness all take a back seat to the whims and interest of nobles. Tear is the only country where Jordan goes out of his way, repeatedly, to point out wealth inequality and injustice. They are present in other countries, but Jordan drives home that it is much worse in Tear, and much more obscene. 

This is at least in part because there is no one to serve as a check to the nobles, not even each other. A monarch is (at least in theory) beholden to the country as a whole, but each High Lord is beholden only to their specific people, house and interests, and there is no force present that can even attempt to keep the ambitions and desires of the High Lords from dictating everything. So while Satelle Anan's husband can work his way up from a single fishing boat to the owner of multiple vessels, most fisherman and farmers in Tear scrape by on subsistence, as taxes are used to siphon off their wealth and enrich the High Lords. While in Andor ‘even the Queen most obey the law she makes or there is no law’ (to quote Morgase), Tairen Lords can commit murder, rape, or theft without any expectation of consequences, because the law dosen’t treat those acts as crimes when done to their ‘lessers’, and any chance someone might get their own justice back (as they would in Altara) is quashed, since the common folk are not even allowed to own weapons in Tear. As we’re told in the Dragon Reborn, when an innkeeper is troubled by a Lord cheating at dice in the common room, the Civil Watch will do nothing about it and citizens in Tear are banned from owning weapons so there is nothing he can do about it. The best that can be hoped for is that he will ‘get bored and go away’.

On the opposite end, you have the very very centralized Seanchan Empire as a counter example to Tear, so centralized it’s almost (though not quite) managed to transcend feudalism. In Seanchan the aristocratic class has largely been neutered by the monarchy, their ambitions and plots kept in check by a secret police (the Seekers of Truth) and their private armies dwarfed by a state army that is rigorously kept and maintained. It’s likely that the levies of the noble houses, if they all united together, would still be enough to topple the Empress, but the Crystal Throne expends a great deal of effort to ensure that doesn't happen,playing the nobles against each other and taking advantage of natural divisions in order to keep them from uniting.

Again, this has pros and cons. The Seanchan Empire is unquestionably prosperous; able to support a ridiculous food surplus and the accompanying flow of wealth throughout its society, and it has a level of equity in its legal administration that we don’t see anywhere else in Randland. Mat spots the heads of at least two Seanchan nobles decorating the gates over Ebou Dar when he enters, their crimes being rape and theft, which is a far cry from the consequence-free lives of the Tairen nobles. Meanwhile a vast state-sponsored bureaucracy works to oversee the distribution of resources and effective governance in the Empress’s name. No one, Tuon tells us proudly, has to beg or go hungry in the Empire. But that is not without cost. 

Because for all its prosperity, Seanchan society is also incredibly rigid and controlling. One of the guiding philosophies of the Seanchan is ‘the pattern has a place for everything and everything’s place should be obvious on sight’. The classes are more distinct and more regimented than anywhere else we see in Randland. The freedoms and rights of everyone from High Lords to common folk are curtailed–and what you can say or do is sharply limited by both social convention and law. The Throne (and its proxies) are also permitted to deprive you of those rights on nothing more than suspicion. To paraphrase Egeanin from TSR: Disobeying a Seeker (and presumably any other proxy of the Empress) is a crime. Flight from a Seeker is a crime. Failure to cooperate fully with a Seeker is a crime. A Seeker could order a suspected criminal to go fetch the rope for their own binding, and the suspected criminal would be expected to do it–and likely would because failure to do anything else would make them a criminal anyway, whatever their guilt or innocence in any other matter.

Meanwhile that food surplus and the resulting wealth of the Empire is built on its imperialism and its caste-based slavery system, and both of those are inherently unsustainable engines. What social mobility there is, is tied to the Empire’s constant cycle of expand, consolidate, assimilate, repeat–Egeanin raises that very point early on, that the Corenne would mean ‘new names given and the chance to rise high’. But that cycle also creates an endless slew of problems and burning resentments, as conquered populations resist assimilation, the resistance explodes into violence that the Seanchan must constantly deal with–the ‘near constant rebellions since the Conquest finished’ that Mat mentions when musing on how the Seanchan army has stayed sharp.

The Seanchan also practice a form of punitive and caste-based slavery for non-channelers, and chattel slavery for channelers. As with the real-life Ottoman Empire, some da’covale enjoy incredible power and privilege in their society, but they (the Deathwatch Guard, the so’jhin, the Seekers) are the exception, not the rule. The majority of the slaves we encounter are nameless servants, laborers, or damane. While non-channelers have some enshrined legal protections in how they can be treated by their masters and society as a whole, we are told that emancipation is incredibly rare, and the slave status is inherited from parent to child as well as used as a legal punishment–which of course would have the natural effect of discouraging most da’covale from reproducing by choice until after (or if) they are emancipated–so the primary source for most of the laborers and servants in Seanchan society is going to be either people who are being punished or who choose to sell themselves into slavery rather then beg or face other desperate circumstances. 

This keeps the enslaved population in proportion with the rest of society only because of the Empire’s imperialism- that same cycle of expand, consolidate, assimilate, repeat, has the side effect of breeding instability, which breeds desperation and thus provides a wide pool to draw on of both those willing to go into slavery to avoid starvation, and those who are being punished with slavery for wronging the state in some manner. It’s likely the only reason the Empire’s production can keep pace with its constant war efforts: conquered nations (and subdued rebellions) eventually yield up not just the necessary resources, but also the necessary laborers to cultivate them in the name of the state, and if that engine stalls for any sustained length of time (like say a three hundred year peace enforced by a treaty), it would mean a labor collapse the likes of which the Empire has never seen before.

A note on damane here: the damane system is undoubtedly one of chattel slavery, where human beings are deprived of basic rights and person hood under the law for the enrichment of those that claim ownership over them. Like in real life this state of affairs is maintained by a set of ingrained cultural prejudices, carefully constructed lies, and simple ignorance of the truly horrific state of affairs that the masses enjoy. The longevity of channelers insulates the damane from some of the problems of how slavery can be unsustainable, but in the long run it also suffers from the same structural problem: when the endless expansion stops, so too will the flow of new damane, and the resulting cratering of power the Empire will face will put it in jeopardy like nothing has before. There is also the problem that, as with real life chattel slavery, if any one piece of the combination of ignorance, lies, and prejudice starts to fall apart, an abolition movement becomes inevitable–and several characters are setting the stage for just that via the careful spreading of the truth about the sul’dam. Even if the Seanchan successfully put down an abolition movement, doing so will profoundly weaken them in a way that will necessitate fundamental transformation, or ensure collapse.

How Jordan Depicts The Relationships Between Classes

As someone who is very conscious in how he depicts class in his works, it makes sense that Jordan frequently focuses on characters interacting through the barriers of their various classes in different ways. New Spring in particular is a gold mine for this kind of insight.

Take, for example, Moiraine and Siuan’s visit to the master seamstress. A lesser writer would not think more deeply on the matter than ‘Moiraine is nobly born so obviously she’s going to be snobby and demanding, while down-to-earth Siuan is likely to be build a natural rapport and have better relationship her fellow commoner, the seamstress Tamore Alkohima’. But Jordan correctly writes it as the reverse: Tamore Alkohima might not be nobly born, but she is not really a peasant either–rather she belongs to that class of speciality artisans, who via the value placed on her labor and skill, is able to live quite comfortably. Moiraine is much more adept at maneuvering this kind of possibly fraught relationship than Siuan is. Yes, she is at the top of the social structure (all the more so since becoming Aes Sedai) but that does not release her from a need to observe formalities and courtesies with someone who, afterall, is doing something for Moiraine that she can not do for herself, even with the Power. If Moiraine wants the services of a master dressmaker, the finest in Tar Valon, she must show respect for both Tamore Alkohima and her craft, which means submitting to her artistic decisions, as well as paying whatever price, without complaint.

Siuan, who comes from the poor Maule district in Tear, is not used to navigating this kind of situation. Most of those she has dealt with before coming to the Tower were either her equals or only slightly above her in terms of class. She tries to treat Tamore Alkohima initially like she most likely treated vendors in the Maule where everyone is concerned with price, since so many are constantly on the edge of poverty, and she wants to know exactly what she is buying and have complete say over the final product, which is the practical mentality of someone to whom those factors had a huge impact on her survival. Coin wasted on fish a day from going bad, or netting that isn’t the right kind, might have meant the difference between eating that week or not, for a young Siuan and her father. 

Yet this this reads as an insult to Tamore Alkohima, who takes it as being treated with mockery, and leads to Moiraine needing to step in to try and smooth things over, and explain to Siuan-

“Listen to me, Siuan and do not argue.” she whispered in a rush. “We must not keep Tamore waiting long. Do not ask after prices: she will tell us after we make our selections. Nothing you buy here will be cheap, but the dresses Tamore sews for you will make you look Aes Sedai as much as the shawl does. And it is Tamore, not Mistress Alkohima. You must observe the properties or she will believe you are mocking her. But try thinking of her as a sister who stands just a little above you. A touch of deference is necessary. Just a touch, but she will tell you what to wear as much as she asks.” “And will the bloody shoe maker tell us what kind of slippers to buy and charge us enough to buy fifty new sets of nets?” “No.” Moiraine said impatiently. Tamore was only arching one eyebrow but her face may as well have been a thunderhead. The meaning of that eyebrow was clear as the finest crystal. They had already made the seamstress wait too long, and there was going to be a price for it. And that scowl! She hurried on, whispering as fast as she could. “The shoemaker will make us what we want and we will bargain the price with him, but not too hard if we want his best work. The same with the glovemaker, the stockingmaker, the shiftmaker, and all the rest. Just be glad neither of us needs a hairdresser. The best hairdressers are true tyrants, and nearly as bad as perfumers.”

-New Spring, Chapter 13: Business in the City.

Navigating the relationship between characters of a different class is something a of a running theme throughout New Spring–from Moiraine’s dealing with the discretion of her banker (‘Another woman who knew well her place in the world’ as Moiraine puts it), to having to meet with peasants during her search for the Dragon Reborn (and bungling several of those interactions), to wading through the roughest criminal parts of Chachin in search of an inn, and frequently needing to resort to the Power to avoid or resolve conflict. Moiraine’s ability to handle these situations is tightly tied to her experience with the people involved prior to her time as a Novice, but all hold up and give color to the class system Jordan presents. It also serves as set up so that when Moraine breaks the properties with a different seamstress near the end of the book, it can be a sign of the rising tension and the complex machinations she and Siuan find themselves in.

Notably, Moiraine and Siuan’s relative skill with working with people is strongly related to their backgrounds: the more Moiraine encounters people outside her lived experience as a noble daughter in Cairhien, the more she struggles to navigate those situations while Siuan is much more effective at dealing with the soldiers during the name-taking sequence (who are drawn mostly from the same class as her–common laborers, farmers, etc), and the people in Chachin, where she secures an lodging and local contacts to help in the search with relative ease.

Trying to navigate these waters is also something that frequently trips up characters in the main series as well, especially with the Two Rivers folk who are, ultimately, from a relatively classless society that does not subscribe to feudal norms (more on that below). All of them react to both moving through a society that does follow those norms, and later, being incorporated into its power structures in different, frequently disastrous ways.

Rand, who is not used to the complicated balance between vassal and monarch (which is all the more complicated as he is constantly adding more and more realms under his banner) finds imposing his will and leading the aristocrats who swear fealty to him incredibly difficult. While his reforms are undoubtedly good for the common folk and the general welfare of the nations he takes over, he is most often left to enforce them with threats and violence, which ultimately fuel resistance, rebellion, and more opposition to him throughout the nations he rules, and has down-the-line bad ripple effects on how he treats others, both noble and not, who disagree with him. 

Rand also struggles even with those who sincerely wish to serve and aid him in this context: he is awkward with servants, distant with the soldiers and warriors who swear their lives to him, and even struggles with many of his advisors and allies. Part of that is distrust that plagues him in general, but a big element to it is also his own outsider perspective. The Aiel frequently complain that Rand tries to lead them like a King, but that’s because they assume a wetlander King always leads by edict and command. Yet Rand’s efforts to do that with the Westland nations he takes over almost always backfire or have lasting consequences. Rand is frequently trying to frequently play act at what he thinks a King is and does–and when he succeeds it’s almost always a result of Moiraine or Elayne’s advice on the subject, not his own instincts or preconceptions.

Perrin, meanwhile, is unable to hide his contempt for aristocracy and those that willingly follow them, which leads to him both being frequently derelict in his duties as a Lord, and not treating his followers with a great deal of respect. Nynaeve has a similar problem, where she often tries to ‘instill backbone’ into those lower in the class system then her, then comes to regret it when that backbone ends up turned on her, and her leadership rejected or her position disrespected by those she had encouraged to reject leadership or not show respect to people in higher positions.

Interestingly, it’s Mat that most effectively manages to navigate various inter-class relationships, and who via the Band of the Red Hand builds a pretty equitable, merit-based army. He does this by following a simple rule: treating people how they wish to be treated. He accepts deference when it’s offered, but never demands it. He pushes back on the notion he’s a Lord often, but only makes it a serious bone with people who hold the aristocracy in contempt. He’s earnest in his dealings, fair minded, and good at reading social situations to adapt to how folks expect him to act, and when he breaches those expectations it’s usually a deliberate tactical choice. 

This lets him maintain strong friendships with people of all backgrounds and classes– from Princes like Beslan to horse thieves like Chel Vanin. More importantly, it makes everyone under his command feel included, respected, and valued for what they are. Mat has Strong Ideas About Class (and about most things really), but he’s the only Two Rivers character who doesn't seem to be working from an assumption that everyone else ought to live by his ideals. He thinks anyone that buys into the feudal system is mad, but he doesn't actually let that impact how he treats anyone–probably from the knowledge that they think he’s just as mad.

Getting Creative With the Structure

The other thing I want to dig into is the ways in which Jordan, via his understanding of the feudal system, is able to play with it in creative and interesting ways that match his world. Succession is the big one; who rules after the current monarch dies is a massively important matter since it determines the flow of power in a country from one leader to the next. The reason so many European monarchies had primogeniture (eldest child inherits all titles) succession is not because everyone just hated second children, it’s because primogeniture is remarkably stable. Being able to point to the eldest child of the monarch and say them, that one, and their younger sibling if they're not around, and so on is very good for the transition of power, since it establishes a framework that is both easy to understand and very very hard to subvert. Pretty much the only way, historically, to subvert a primogeniture succession is for either the heir’s blood relationship to the monarch or the legitimacy of their parent’s marriage to be called into question.

And yet despite that, few of the countries in Jordan's world actually use primogeniture succession. Andor does, as do some of the Borderlands, but the majority of  monarchies in Randland use elective succession, where the monarch is elected from among the aristocratic class by some kind of deliberative body. This is the way things are in Tarabon, Arad Doman,Ghealdan, Illian, and Malkier, who all elect the monarchs (or diarchs in the case of Tarabon- where two rulers, the Panarch and the King, share power) via either special council or some other assembly of aristocrats. 

There are three countries where we don’t know the succession type (Arafel, Murandy, and Amadicia) but also one we know for sure doesn't use primogeniture succession: Cairhien. We know this because Moiraine’s claim to the Sun Throne as a member of House Damodred is seen as as legitimate enough for the White Tower to view putting her on the Sun Throne as a viable possibility, despite the fact that she has two older sisters whose claims would be considered superior to her own under primogeniture succession. We never find out for sure in the books what the succession law actually is (the country never stabilizes for a long enough period that it becomes important), but if I had to guess I would guess that it’s designated,where the monarch chooses their successor prior to their death, and that the civil war that followed the Aiel War was the result of both Laman and his designated heir(s) dying at the Bloodsnows (we are told by Moiraine that Laman and both his brothers are killed; likely one of them was the next in line).

One country that we know for sure uses designated succession is Seanchan, where the prospective heir is still chosen from among the children of the Empress, but they are made to compete with each other (usually via murder and plotting) for the monarch’s favor, the ‘best’ being then chosen to become the heir. This very closely models how the Ottoman Empire did succession (state sanctioned fratricide) and while it has the potential to ensure competence (by certain metrics, anyways) it also sows the seeds of potential instability by ensuring that the monarch is surrounded by a whole lot of people with bad will to them and feelings of being cheated or snubbed in the succession, or else out for vengeance for their favored and felled candidate. Of course, from the Seanchan’s point of view this is a feature not a bug: if you can’t win a civil war or prevent yourself from being assassinated, then you shouldn’t have the throne anyways.

Succession is far from the only way that Jordan plays with the feudal structure either. Population is something else that is very present in the world building, even though it’s only drawn attention to a handful of times. In our world, the global population steadily and consistently rose throughout the middle ages and the Renaissance (with only small dips for things like the plague and the Mongol Invasion), then exploded with the Industrial Revolution and has seen been on a meteoric climb year over year (something that may just now be stabilizing into an equilibrium again, only time will tell). This is one of the pressures that led to the collapse of feudalism in the real world, as a growing aristocratic class was confronted with finite land and titles, while at the same time the growing (and increasingly powerful) wealthy financial class of various countries were beginning to challenge the traditions and laws that kept them out of direct power. If you’ve ever read a Jane Austen novel (or really anything from the Georgian/Regency/Victorian eras) this tension is on display. The aristocratic class had never been as secure as people think, but the potential to fall into poverty and ruin had never been a greater threat, which had ripple effects for the stability of a nation, and in particular a monarch who derived much of their power from the fealty of their now-destabilized vassals.

In Jordan’s world however, we are told as early as The Great Hunt that the global population is steadily falling, and has been since the Hundred Years’ War (at least). No kingdom is able to actually control all the territory it has on a map, the size of armies have in particular shrunk consistently (to the point where it’s repeatedly commented on that the armies Rand puts together, some of no more than a few thousand, are larger than any ‘since Artur Hawkwing's day’), large swathes of land lay ungoverned and even more uninhabited or settled. Entire kingdoms have collapsed due to the inability of their increasingly small populations to hold together. This is the fate of many of the kingdoms Ingtar talks about in the Great Hunt: Almoth, Gabon, Hardan, Moredo, Caralain, to name just a few. They came apart due to a combination of ineffective leadership, low population, and a lack of strong neighbors willing or able to extend their power and stability over the area.

All of this means that there is actually more land than there are aristocrats to govern it; so much so that in places like Baerlon power is held by a crown-appointed governor because no noble house has been able to effectively entrench in the area. This has several interesting effects on the society and politics of Randland: people in general are far more aware of the fragility of the nation state as a idea then they would be otherwise, and institutions (even the intractable and mysterious White Tower) are not viewed by even their biggest partisans as invulnerable or perpetual. Even the most powerful leaders are aware, gazing out constantly, as they do, at the ruins of the hundreds of kingdoms that have risen and fallen since the Breaking of the World (itself nothing more, to their understanding, then the death of the ultimate kingdom) that there are no guarantees, no promises that it all won’t fall apart. 

This conflict reflects on different characters in different ways, drawing out selfishness and cowardice from some, courage and strength from others. This is a factor in Andor’s surprisingly egalitarian social climate: Elayne and Morgase both boast that Andorans are able to speak their minds freely to their leaders about the state of things, and be listened to, and even the most selfish of leaders like Elenia Sarand are painfully aware that they stand on a tower built from ‘the bricks of the common folk’, and make a concentrated effort to ensure their followers feel included and heard. Conversely it also reflects on the extremely regimented culture of the Borderlands, were dereliction of duty can mean not just the loss of your life, but the loss of a village, a town, a city, to Trolloc raids (another pressure likely responsible for slow and steady decline of the global population). 

The Borderlanders value duty, honor, and responsibility above all else, because those are the cornerstones holding their various nations together against both the march of time and the Blight. All classes place a high value on the social contract; the idea that everyone must fulfill their duty to keep society safe is a lot less abstract when the stakes are made obvious every winter through monsters raiding your towns. This is most obvious in both Hurin and Ingtar’s behavior throughout The Great Hunt: Hurin (and the rest of the non-noble class) lean on the assurance that the noble class will be responsible for the greater scale problems and issues in order to endure otherwise unendurable realities, and that Rand, Ingtar, Aglemar, Lan (all of whom he believes to be nobly born) have been raised with the necessary training and tools to take charge and lead others through impossible situations and are giving over their entire lives in service to the people. In exchange Hurin pays in respect, obedience, and (presumably) taxes. This frees Hurin up to focus on the things that are decidedly within his ken: tracking, thief taking, sword breaking, etc, trusting that Ingtar, and later Rand, will take care of everything else.

When Hurin comes up against the feudal system in Cairhien, where the failures of everyone involved have lead to a culture of endless backstabbing and scheming, forced deference, entitlement, and mutual contempt between the parties, he at first attempts to show the Cairhienin ‘proper’ behavior through example, in the hopes of drawing out some shame in them. But upon realizing that no one in Cairhien truly believes in the system any longer after it has failed the country so thoroughly (hence the willingness of vassals to betray their masters, and nobles to abandon their oaths–something unthinkable in the Borderlands) he reverts to his more normal shows of deference to Rand and Ingtar, abandoning excessive courtesy in favor of true fealty.

Ingtar (and later Rand) feel the reverse side of this: the pressure to be the one with the answers, to hold it all together, to be as much icon and object as living person, a figure who people can believe in and draw strength from when they have none of their own remaining, and knowing at the same time that their choices will decide the fates and lives of others. It’s no mistake that Rand first meets Hurin and begins this arc in the remains of Hardan, one of those swept-away nations that Ingtar talks about having been left nothing more than ‘the greatest stone quarry for a hundred miles’. The stakes of what can happen if they fail in this duty are made painfully clear from the start, and for Rand the stakes will only grow ever higher throughout the course of the series, as number of those ‘under his charge’ slides to become ‘a nation’ then ‘several nations’ and finally ‘all the world’. And that leads into one of the problems at the heart of Rand’s character arc.

This emphasis on the feudal contract and duty helps the Borderlands survive the impossible, but almost all of them (with the exception of Saldaea) practice cultures of emotional repression and control,spurning displays of emotion as a lack of self-control, and viewing it as weakness to address the pains and psychological traumas of their day to day lives. ‘Duty is heavier than a mountain, death lighter than a feather’, ‘There will be time to sleep when you’re dead’, ‘You can care for the living or mourn the dead, you cannot do both’: all common sayings in the Borderlands. On the one hand, all of these emphasize the importance of fulfilling your duty and obligations…but on the other, all also  implicitly imply the only true release from the sorrows and wounds taken in the course of that duty is death. It is this, in part, that breaks Ingtar: the belief that only the Borderlands truly understand the existential threat, and that he and those like him are suffering and dying for ‘soft southlanders’ whose kingdoms are destined to go to ruin anyways. It’s also why he reveals his suffering to Rand only after he has decided to die in a last stand–he is putting down the mountain of his trauma at last. This is also one of those moments in the books that is a particular building block on the road to Rand’s own problems with not expressing his feelings or being willing to work through his trauma, that will swing back around to endanger the same world he is duty-bound to protect.

I also suspect strongly that this is the source of the otherwise baffling Saldean practice of….what we will call dedicated emotional release. One of the core cultural Saldean traits (and something that is constantly tripping up Perrin in his interactions with Faile) is that Saldeans are the only Borderlanders to reject the notion that showing emotion is weakness. In fact, Saldeans in general believe that shows of anger, passion, sorrow, ardor–you name it–are a sign of both strength and respect. Your feelings are strong and they matter, and being willing to inflict them on another person is not a burden or a betrayal of duty, it’s knowing that they will be strong enough to bear whatever you are feeling. I would hesitate to call even the Saldaens well-adjusted (I don’t know that there is a way to be well-adjusted in a society at constant war), but I do think there is merit to their apparent belief in catharsis, and their resistance to emotional repression as a sign of strength. Of course, that doesn't make their culture naturally better at communication (as Faile and Perrin’s relationship problems prove) but I do think it plays a part in why Bashere is such a good influence on Rand, helping push him away from a lot of the stoic restraint Rand has internalized from Lan, Ingtar, Moiraine, et al.

It also demonstrates that a functioning feudal society is not dependent on absolute emotional repression, or perfect obedience.  Only mutual respect and trust between the parties are necessary–trust that the noble (or monarch) will do their best in the execution of their duties, and trust that the common folk in society will in turn fulfill their roles to the best of their ability. Faile’s effectiveness as Perrin’s co-leader/second in command is never hindered or even implied to be hindered by her temperament or her refusal to hide/repress her emotions. She is arguably the one who is doing most of the actual work of governing the Two Rivers after she and Perrin are acclaimed their lord and lady: seeing to public works projects, settling disputes, maintaining relationships with various official groups of their subjects.

The prologue from Lord of Chaos (a favorite scene of mine of the books) where Faile is holding public audience while Perrin is off sulking ‘again’ is a great great example of this; Faile is the quintessential Borderland noble heir, raised all her life in the skills necessary to run a feudal domain, and those skills are on prime display as she holds court. But that is not hindered by her willingness to show her true feelings, from contempt of those she thinks are wasting her time, to compassion and empathy to the Wisdoms who come to her for reassurance about the weather. This is one of those things that Perrin has to learn from her over the course of the series–that simply burying his emotions for fear they might hurt others is not a healthy way to go about life, and it isn’t necessary to rule or lead either. His prejudices about what constitutes a ‘good’ Lord (Lan, Agelmar, Ingtar) and a ‘bad’ one (literally everyone else) are blinding him, showing his lack of understanding of the system that his people are adopting, and his role in it.

Which is a nice dovetail with my next bit–

Outsiders And the Non-Feudal State

Another way Jordan effectively depicts the Feudal system is by having groups who decidedly do not practice it be prominent throughout the series–which is again accurate to real life history, where feudalism was the mode of government for much of (but by no means all) of Medieval and Renaissance Europe, but even in Europe their were always societies doing their own thing, and outside of it, different systems of government flourished in response to their environments and cultures; some with parallels to Feudalism, many completely distinct.

The obvious here are the Aiel who draw on several different non-feudal societies (the Scottish Highland Clans, the Iroquois Confederation, the Mongols, and the Zulu to name just a few) and the Seafolk (whose are a combination of the Maori and the Republic of Piracy of all things), but also firmly in these categories are groups like the communities in the Black Hills, Almoth Plain, and the Two Rivers.

Even though it’s an agrarian farming community made up primarily of small villages, the Two Rivers is not a feudal state or system. We tend to forget this because it looks a lot like our notion of a classic medieval European village, which our biases inherently equate to feudal, but Jordan is very good at remembering this is not the case, and that the Two Rivers folk are just as much outsiders to these systems as the Aiel, or the Seafolk. 

Consider how often the refrain of ‘don’t even know they’re part of the Kingdom of Andor’ is repeated in regards to the Two Rivers, and how much the knowledge of Our Heroes about how things like Kingdoms, courts, war, etc, are little more than fairy tales to the likes of those Two Rivers, while even places unaffected directly by things like the Trakand Succession or the Aiel War are still strongly culturally, economically, and politically impacted. 

Instead of deriving power and justice from a noble or even a code of law, power is maintained by two distinct groups of village elders (The Village Council and the Women’s Circle) who are awarded seats based on their standing within the community. These groups provide the day-to-day ordering of business and resolving of conflicts, aiding those in need and doing what they can for problems that impact the entire community. The Wisdom serves as the community physician, spiritual advisor, and judge (in a role that resembles what we know of pre-Christian celtic druids), and the Women’s Circle manages most social ceremonies from marriages to betrothals to funerals, as well as presiding over criminal trials (insofar as they even have them). The Mayor manages the village economics, maintaining relationships and arbitrating deals with outsider merchants and peddlers, collecting and spending public funds (through a volunteer collection when necessary, which is how we’re told the new sick house was built and presumably was how the village paid for things like fireworks and gleeman for public festivals), while the Council oversees civil matters like property disputes. 

On the surface this seems like an ideal community: idyllic, agrarian, decentralized, where everyone cares more about good food and good company and good harvests than matters of power, politics, or wealth, and without the need for any broader power-structure beyond the local town leaders. It’s the kind of place that luddites Tolkien and Thomas Jefferson envisioned as a utopia (and indeed the Two Rivers it the most Tolkien-y place in Randland after the Ogier stedding, of which we see relatively little), but I think Jordan does an excellent job of not romanticizing this way of life the way Tolkien often did. Because while the Two Rivers has many virtues and a great deal to recommend it, it also has many flaws.

The people in the Two Rivers are largely narrow minded and bigoted, especially to outsiders; The day after Moiraine saves the lives of the entire village from a Trolloc attack, a mob turns up to try and burn her out, driven by their own xenophobia and fear of that which they don’t understand. Their society is also heavily repressed and regressive in its sex norms and gender relations: the personal lives of everyone are considered public business, and anyone living in a fashion the Women’s Circle deems unsuitable (such as widower and single father Tam al’Thor) is subject to intense pressure to ‘correct’ their ways (remarry and find a mother for Rand). There is also no uniformity in terms of law or government, no codified legal code, and no real public infrastructure (largely the result of the region’s lack of taxes). This is made possible by the geographic isolation and food stability–two factors that insulate the Two Rivers from many of the problems that cause the formation or joining of a nation state. It’s only after the repeated emergence of problems that their existing systems can not handle (Trolloc raids, martial law under the White Cloaks, the Endless Summer, etc) that the Two Rivers folk begin adopting feudalism, and even then it’s not an instantaneous process, as everyone involved must navigate not just how they are going to adopt this alien form of government, but how they are going to make it match to their culture and history as well.

This plays neatly with the societies that, very pointedly, do not adopt feudalism over the course of the series. The Aiel reject the notion entirely, thinking it as barbaric and backward as the Westerlanders think their culture is–and Jordan is very good at showing neither as really right. The Aiel as a society have many strengths the fandom likes to focus on (a commitment to community care, a strong sense of collective responsibility, a flexible social order that is more capable of accounting for non-traditional platonic and romantic relationships, as well as a general lack of repressive sex norms) but this comes at a serious cost as well. The Aiel broadly share the Borderlander’s response of emotional suppression as a way of dealing with the violence of their daily life, as well as serious problems with institutionalized violence, xenophobia, and a lack of respect for individual rights and agency. Of these, the xenophobia is probably the most outright destructive, and is one of the major factors Rand has to account for when leading the Aiel into Cairhien, as well a huge motivating factor in the Shaido going renegade, and many Aiel breaking clan to join them–and even before Rand’s arrival it manifested as killing all outsiders who entered their land, except for Cairhienin, whom they sold as slaves in Shara.

And yet, despite these problems Jordan never really suggests that the Aiel would be better off as town-or-castle dwelling society, and several characters (most notably the Maidens) explicitly reject the idea that they should abandon their culture, values, and history as a response to the revelations at Rhuidean. Charting a unique course forward for the Aiel is one of the most persistent problems that weighs on the Wise Ones throughout the second half of the series, and Aviendha in particular. Unlike many of the feudal states faced with Tarmon Gai’don, the Aiel when confronted with the end of days and the sure knowledge of the destruction of their way of life are mostly disinterested in ignoring, running from, or rejecting that revelation (those that do, defect to the Shaido). Their unique government and cultural structure gives them the necessary flexibility to pivot quickly to facing the reality of the Last Battle, and to focus on both helping the world defeat the Shadow, and what will become of them afterwards. This ironically, leaves them in one of the best positions post-series, as the keepers of the Dragon’s Peace, which will allow them to hold on to many of their core cultural values even as they make the transition to a new way of life, without having to succumb to the pressures to either assimilate into Westlands, or return to their xenophobic isolationism.

The Seafolk provide the other contrast, being a maritime society where the majority of the people spend their time shipboard. Their culture is one of strong self-discipline and control, where rank, experience, and rules are valued heavily, agreements are considered the next thing to sacred, and material prosperity is valued. Though we don’t spend quite as much time with them as the Aiel, we get a good sense of their culture throughout the mid-series. They share the Aiel’s contempt for the feudal ‘shorebound’, but don’t share their xenophobia, instead maintaining strong trade relationships with every nation on navigable water, though outside of the context of those trade relationships, they are at best frosty to non-Seafolk. 

They are not society without problems–the implication of their strong anti-corruption and anti-nepotism policies is that it’s a serious issue in their culture, and their lack of a centralized power structure outside of their handful of island homes means that they suffer a similar problem to the likes of Murandy and Altara, where life on one ship might be radically different then life on another, in terms of the justice or treatment you might face, especially as an outsider. But the trade off is that they have more social mobility then basically any other society we see in Randland. Even the Aiel tend to have strongly entrenched and managed circles of power, with little mobility not managed by the Wise Ones or the chiefs. But anyone can rise high in Sea Folk society, to become a leader in their clan, or even Mistress of the Ships or Master of the Blades– and they can fall just as easily, for shows of incompetence, or failures to execute their duties. 

They are also another society who is able to adapt to circumstances of Tamon Gai’don relatively painlessly, having a very effective plan in place to deal with the fallout and realities of the Last Battle. The execution gets tripped up frequently by various factors, but again, I don’t think it’s a mistake that they are one of the groups that comes out the other side of the Last Battle in a strong position, especially given the need that will now exist to move supplies and personnel for rebuilding post-Last Battle. The Seafolk have already begun working out embassies in every nation on navigable water, an important step to modernizing national relationships.

How does all this relate to feudalism and class? It’s Jordan digging into a fundamental truth about the world and people–at no point in our own history have we ever found a truly ‘perfect’ model for society. That’s something he’s constantly trying to show with feudalism–it is neither an ideal nor an abomination, it just is. Conversely, the Two Rivers, Aiel, Seafolk, and Ogier (who I don’t get into to much here for space, but who also have their own big problems with suffrage and independence, and their virtues in terms of environmental stability and social harmony) all exist in largely classes societies, but that doesn't exempt them from having problems or make them a utopia, and it certainly doesn't make them lesser or backwards either–Jordan expends a lot of energy to show them as complex, nuanced and flawed, in the same way he does for his pseudo-Europe.

Conclusion

To restate my premise: one of Jordan’s profound gifts as a writer is his capacity to set aside his own biases and write anything from his villains to his world with an honest, empathetic cast that defies simplification. Feudalism and monarchy more generally have a bad rep in our society, for good reasons. But I think either whitewashing or vilifying the feudal system is a mistake, which Jordan’s writing naturally reflects. Jordan is good at asking complicating questions of simple premises. He presents you with the Kingdom of Andor, prosperous and vast and under the rule of a regal much loved Queen and he asks ‘where does its wealth come from? How does it maintain law and order? How does the Queen exert influence and maintain her rule even in far-flung corners of the realm? How did she come to power in the first place and does that have an impact on the politics surrounding her current reign?’. And he does this with every country, every corner of his world–shining interesting lights on familiar tropes, and exploring the humanity of these grand ideas in a way that feels very real as a result.

The question of, is this an inherently just system is never really raised because it’s a simplifying question, not a complicating one. Whatever you answer–yes or no–does not add to the depiction of these systems or the people within them, it takes away. You make someone flat–be it a glorious just revolutionary opposing a cackling wicked King, or a virtuous and dutiful King suppressing dangerous radical dissidents, and you make the world flatter as a result. 

I often think about how, when I began studying European history, I was shocked to learn that the majority of the royalists who rose up against the Jacobins were provincial peasants, marching against what they perceived to be disgruntled, greedy academic and financial elites. These were, after all, the same people that the Jacobins’ revolution claimed to serve and be doing the will of. Many of the French aristocrats were undeniably corrupt, indolent, and detached from their subjects, but when you look closer at the motives of many of the Jacobins you discover that motives were frequently more complex then history tends to remember or their propaganda tried to claim, and many were bitterly divided against each other on matters of tactics, or ideals, or simple personality difference. The simple version of the French Revolution assigns all the blame to the likes of Robespierre going mad with power, and losing sight of the revolutions’ higher ideals, but the truth was the Jacobins could never properly agree on many of their supposed core ideals, and Robespierre, while powerful, was still one voice in a Republic–and every person executed by guillotine was decreed guilty by a majority vote.

This is the sort of nuance lost so often in fantasy stories, but not in Jordan’s books. The story could be simpler–Morgase could just be a just and good high Queen archetype who is driven by love of her people, but Jordan depicts her from the beginning as human–with virtues and flaws, doing the best she can in the word she has found herself. Trying to be a just and good Queen and often succeeding, and sometimes falling short of the mark. The Tairen and Cairhienin nobility could just all be greedy, corrupt, out-of-touch monsters who cannot care for anything beyond their own pleasures–but for every Laman, Weairamon, or Colavaere, you have Dobraine, Moiraine, or Darlin. And that is one of the core tenets of Jordan’s storytelling: that there is no system wholly without merit or completely without flaw, and no group of people is ever wholly good or evil.

By taking this approach, Jordan’s story feels real. None of his characters or world come across like caricature or parody. The heinous acts are sharper and more distinct, the heroic choices more earned and powerful. Nothing is assumed–not the divine right of kings, or the glorious virtue of the common man. This, combined with a willingness to draw on the real complex histories of our own world, and work through how the unique quirks of fantasy impact them, is what renders The Wheel Of Time such a standout as a fantasy series, past even more classic seminal examples of the genre, and why its themes of class, duty, power, and politics resonate with its modern audiences.

[bigjumpervibes]

Last piece for NanagoFest / GonanaFest24 on twtr

Day 7: Firefighter AU

Ficlet under Read More

To Nanami the role of firefighter had many responsibilities, some were obvious and others were more nuanced, often varying from location to location and based on demand.

They were relied on by their local community, a public service with a duty to look after the area they were assigned, most would think they revolved around reactive measures however on the odd occasion they supported proactive needs.

Such as attending schools to demonstrate their equipment and to state the importance of fire safety – Nanami was rather fond of this aspect of the job, he never considered himself as a teacher but there was certain satisfaction that came from educating a willing crowd. There was just one thing he never got quite used to about these visits.

“Okay everyone! Line up nice and quick, we don’t want to keep the busy firemen waiting!”

Standing before the gaggle of young children was their teacher, Satoru Gojo, a larger-than-life individual who had taken to Nanami like a stray cat – butting him for attention and causing a nuisance just to see if he’d react.

“He specially requested you again” His fellow firefighter and good friend Haibara sang in whisper to him while setting up beside him.

“I’d be more surprised if you said he didn’t”

Putting a little irritation into his voice, Nanami ignored the warm feeling that ran up his spine nor pondered its frequent appearance in connection to Gojo.

Beginning the demonstration, they covered their usual agenda and the children got to see the fire engine and try on parts of their uniform with help, a few kids mentioned their dedication to becoming firefighters in the future to which Nanami felt conflicted. While it was an honourable profession it was also dangerous, the idea of young people throwing themselves into the situations he had lived through always brought a complex feeling up in his mind.

“Ah but to be a firefighter you have to be very smart and strong, don’t you Nanamin?” Gojo settled the children with effortless ease “Make sure you learn a lot at school and you can make an informed decision when you’re older”

“How strong is Mr Nanamin?” A small boy Nanami recognised as Yuji peeped up with wide eyes.

“So strong! He has to lug around all that heavy equipment and his uniform! Right?” Gojo looked at him expectantly and a warmth settled in again.

“It does take strength to carry all the things Gojo mentioned, we also have to be prepared to pick up people if needed”

“Ah yes yes, Nanamin could probably pick me up with ease”

Chattering erupted with little ‘no ways’ and shocked statements like ‘but you’re so big sensei!’ being thrown out, Gojo looked ecstatic at the chaos his statement had caused and Nanami only sighed.

“You totally can, can’t you Nanamin?”

Rolling his eyes Nanami lowered himself slightly in preparation to show the kids he could in fact lift their teacher, it would be a princess carry rather than fireman carry but this wasn’t exactly an educational example.

Taking the bait, Gojo got into his arms in record time getting a grunt or two at his haste, and the children cheered as their teacher was picked up.

At some point one of the fellow teachers, Geto if Nanami remembered correctly, also joined the crowd and fondly shook his head as he corralled the children to the next section where Haibara was waiting.

“So wanna whisk me away Mr Fireman?”

“I’m fairly certain neither of our days are over yet”

“Ah but that’s not a no, is it?”

[silaswritesthings]

A special moment

Summary: Short cute drabbles (?) about spending time with the Lads boys.

Starring: Rafayel, Xavier, Zayn (from love and deepspace)

Genre: Romance, fluff

Warnings: none

Author’s note: Can you tell who's my favourite? Comment your guess, I'd like to see if I did well at writing them all equally without bias. (Ignore the fact that theres one visibly shorter than the rest, that’s because of writer’s block🧍‍♀️). Comments and reblogs will be greatly appreciated!

Word count: 1136

- Zayn -

“Zayn, come on.”

The man in question did not budge, and soon your attempt at paying him back for his kindness failed again. It had been one month since he assisted you with creating a presentation for a hunter’s guild workshop hosted with the intention of getting more people interested in becoming hunters, and your section would not have gone well if it weren’t for the help of your amazing physician.

Not only did he keep your health in check, so you were alive and breathing for the presentation, but he assisted you with gathering a lot of information- there was a number of other necessities you would have struggled to get because of your fear of social situations, if it were not for him.

Zayn was your hero.

You owed him your life, and you told him as such but he called you dramatic. The audacity.

“Zayn!” You yelled after him as he was already outside his office door. When did he start walking away?

He ignored you but this did not deter you. You rushed to catch up to him just outside his office and you had spread your arms to block his way forward. He sighed.

“There is no need for you to ‘make things up’ to me. I have already expressed this to you.”

“But you saved my life!?”

“I’m your doctor, is it not my job?” He spoke dryly.

“I’m not giving in.” You mimicked his dry tone, locking your eyes to his with determination. He pursed his lips before his shoulders slumped.

“Fine.”

Your eyes brightened, “I’d like to treat you at a local cafe.”

“…Fine.”

Your smile widened. “Like right now.”

“Isn’t it a bit….” He began, probably wanting to point out the fact that it was nearly 9pm but you did not relent.

“Fine.”

You laughed in victory. To think it took you ONE MONTH to get this stubborn man to agree to this. One. Month.

But it was worth every second you spent with Zayne at the local cafe that night, a night- like many others- you would find hard to forget.

(No you didn’t do the dirty, idk why it came off like that.)

- Rafayel -

The waves crashed onto the beach and receded with the sand that was previously trapped between your toes. The surface of the ocean shimmered under the late afternoon sun and reflected the varying orange and yellows scattered across the sky.

“It’ll be sunset soon.” Rafayel’s words snapped you out of your trance and you turned to look at him as he fiddled with his camera. You hummed in acknowledgment before looking at the view once again.

Your companion scoffed, “Seriously? You can see me struggling with the camera and you decide the sunset - which, mind you, happens every single day right outside your doorstep- is more important?”

You sighed and turned to address him but he was already walking away with his hands crossed in front of his chest. At that moment, an idea flashed in your mind and you had no intention of stopping your train of thought.

“Rafayel, wait!” You called out to him as you followed him away from the sight of the now approaching sunset. As you expected, he ignored you and walked faster which encouraged you to run after him and when you neared him, you only increased your speed so you could run into him and tumble onto the ground together.

You rolled onto your back laughing, and Rafayel grumbled to himself as he sat up before glaring at you. “Now I have sand in my hair.” He stated accusingly.

“So do I.” You smiled at him.

At your beaming expression, Rafayel could only sigh, his gaze shifting to the distance and away from you- perfectly hiding the smile that teased his own lips. You looked at the sky, various colours dancing before your eyes.

“Come on,” Rafayel began, taking your wrist and pulling you to your feet and toward the sea.”We have sunset reference photos to take.”

Your lips thinned. “Can’t you just take a normal picture of the sunset and then complete your painting, rather than-“

“As your employer, i’ve given you the job to be my muse. You don’t have much of a choice here- go stand over there.”

You sighed deeply, and walked toward where Rafayel instructed you to stand. The fading sunlight kissed your back and before you was Rafayel, with his camera held up in position. You did not quite know what to do with yourself, thus you stood stiffly as you awkwardly gazed at the camera lense.

Rafayel dropped the camera from his face, revealing nonchalance. “Seriously?”

You crossed your arms. “I just don’t know what to do with myself.”

“I heard smiling is a pretty popular gesture when it comes to posing for photos.”

“I can’t just force it!” You spoke, unappreciative of his sarcasm but before the argument could escalate, a look of awe crossed over Rafayel’s expression, his eyes fixed to behind you. You turned to the sight of the setting sun, the golden surface of water the ocean rose and fell as the sun settled over it’s horizon.

“Wow…” You managed to say, your voice carried away by the breezed that strengthened the longer you stood there.

Once again that day, Rafayel’s voice broke you from your daze induced by the ocean. “Perfect.”

You snapped your head to look at him. “You took a picture?”

“Pictures.” He corrected you with a smile that caused you to narrow your eyes.

“May I see them?”

“Nope.” He shut you down before walking away, with a joyful strut.

“Rafayel!” You began to run toward him, but he was already running from you in a fit of laughter.

- Xavier -

“Hello stranger.” A familiar voice sounded from a few feet away. You turned from the lanterns assorted along the pavement that illuminated the night with gentle yellow-ness, to meet Xavier's ever gentle gaze.

“I didn't expect to be seeing you here.” You smiled. Xavier walked to stand before you, a knowing look in his eyes.

“I had a feeling you would be here tonight.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

His eyes shifted to the lantern you were observing not so long ago, his lips upturned into a small smile.

“Everyone knows the least crowded day is the 5th after opening.” He began, explaining the typical ongoings after the opening of the light-show garden, “I thought you would like to avoid as many people as you can- hopefully, I'm not on that list.”

You chuckled. “Of course not. I’m very glad you’re here.”

Xavier’s smile brightened, his blue eyes shimmering under the gentle glow of the lanterns around you. “Then, shall we?” He extended his hand to you and you took it, allowing him to lead you further into the garden.

[bunnymajo]

Did an update design for Tiara B. She's definitely a sporty & adventurous character but I wanted to avoid workout clothes like Tangle's, I so I went for a jumper and did a scrunchie instead of a bow since I think Fiona pretty much owns big yellow bows imo. I also kept the wand because I like it, and decided to make more of a backstory for the giant rock on it & give it a name and explain I guess what she would be doing.

I broke it down into 3 parts & put it under a cut

1 - Harmony Diamond- Treasure of the Boobowski royal family. Only the royal family are able to wield it and the power level varies depending on it’s users state of mind (ie - if depressed or low on energy it’s not as powerful as when they’re determined & confident) It’s main ability is it’s able to heal or restore what’s broken. Including healing the sick. In combat it can absorb & nullify attacks, basically it becomes an OP shield. It’s encased in a scepter that can also be used as a blunt weapon. (I also kind of want it to look like a gymnastics ribbon while in motion. Like a beam of light that whips around whenever the wand moves) Tiara, as the last remaining member of the Boobowski family, is the only one left to wield it.

As a child her father told her to keep its power a secret because he didn’t want others coming for her, despite her protests that it could really help people in need. Gazebo starts to consider finding a way to duplicate the diamond. The real one to keep and the duplicate to try and use more publicly & possibly distribute throughout the world if duplication is successful. In his experiments of trying to convert a chaos emerald into another harmony diamond, this causes an unforeseen reaction and Gazebo suddenly vanishes without any remains. The diamond and emerald are repelled to the opposite sides of the room. Tiara witnesses the incident in horror. She disposes of the emerald and starts carrying the Harmony Diamond and Gazebo’s notes with her at all times in her quest to find him and answers on what exactly happened.

Notes: -Based on the “rings of order” concept from Sonic Xtreme of being opposites of the chaos emeralds. Shiny rocks are just more interesting than rings.

also inspired by the Silver Crystal from Sailor Moon (which culturally are the opposite of Dragon Balls, the inspiration for Chaos Emeralds)

also also tying in some of the original game drafts where Gazebo was trying to make a cure for a disease that Sonic had to transport(?)

2- The Boobowski Royal family & the Castle of Light - located in a northern region (in between Holoska & Spagonia) the Boobowski family had been its ruler for centuries, but in recent history the kingdom’s population & general well being declined. The King at the time had been more frugal with the Diamond’s use and kept its powers secret, when the people revolted to form a democracy, the royal family was cast out and lived among its citizens. The castle became public property as well but it suffered heavy damage from the revolt.

Gazebo is from the 3rd generation after the revolt. Even with the political change the population still dwindled, almost as if it was cursed. The royal family’s history remained a faint memory, and he & Tiara lived in the mountains (like the Mobian Alps) mostly staying outside of the world of politics, Gazebo as a local doctor. Tiara is a “princess” in family heritage only. Gazebo sometimes wonders what it would be like to restore the Castle of Light to its former glory. This is also what motivates him to duplicate the Harmony Diamond, so that he can get a boost of power to heal the castle & the surrounding area. Tiara has no interest in politics or being a pampered princess, but she did enjoy working alongside her father with patients and helping people.

Notes: -Castle of Light has been documented as Sonic Extreme’s hubworld & where Tiara was from so I wanted to utilize it.

Wanted to make the history distinct enough from Satam’s Acorn Kingdom (since Tiara looking for her father is already pretty similar to Sally’s story) and have its conflicts come from internal struggles vs. outside forces like Eggman attacks or whatever the heck was happening in Soleanna.

3 - Tiara’s character- Since Gazebo’s disappearance Tiara has been traveling alone. In her home village she was always wandering off on her own so she’s used to being independent. She puts on a determined face & positive attitude through this whole ordeal but doesn’t let anyone get too close & won't ever admit to anyone that she’s felt lonely & scared. She’s pretty confident in her physical abilities so sometimes she can seem hot-headed, impatient or even arrogant on a bad day. She has short patience for people picking fights in particular (so like, Rough & Tumble she would absolutely yell at & fight them without hesitation)

At the end of the day she won't give up until she finds an answer as to what happened & where her dad went. She doesn’t mind if she has to sacrifice personal relationships for herself to get there. She’s put out missing persons reports in every town she’s visited. She usually stays in town for a week to a month, working odd jobs or helping citizens from badniks. She goes to the gym a lot (into gymnastics, aerobics, rock climbing) and likes following the local sports scene. Big jock energy.

[bonefall]

Herb Guide for Warrior Cats: Epilepsy

Requested by an Anon!

A guide to providing treatment to a Warrior Cat OC with epilepsy. Still requires a bit of a leap in logic as nothing can replace our friend phenobarbital, BUT, if you would like herbs and strategies for managing a Warrior’s epilepsy, this guide is for you.

I researched herbs historically used for epilepsy, chose plants growing wild in a ‘common’ clan biome (temperate Europe and North America), and removed things that a cat could not use. Because of the nature of epilepsy, I also delved into some other treatments and strategies your medics can use!

So, keep in mind, this guide is written for a Clan doctor treating an epileptic cat. NOT from the perspective of a patient who has it.

I would recommend doing extra research into first-hand accounts of what it’s like to live with epilepsy when creating your patient character.

Disclaimer Time! I tried to filter out as much ‘quackery’ as possible, but remember that I am not a vet nor do I have formal training in pharmacognacy. You are also not a vet. This is for fake battle cats. LOOK AT ME. YOU WILL NOT USE THIS ON YOURSELF OR A REAL ANIMAL.

Below the cut is:

What is epilepsy?

Diagnostics

Non-herbal treatments

Managing the different types of seizures

Preventative herbs

What is epilepsy?

‘Epilepsy‘ is the broad term for dozens of different disorders, resulting in recurring epileptic seizures. A warrior could be born with it, develop it over time, or get it after recovering from brain injury (stroke, infection, head trauma, etc).

Epilepsy also varies wildly, and can be so mild it’s hard to detect, or so severe it could put the cat in too much danger to do warrior duties at all. For most cases, however, the warrior would still be able to do normal tasks* as long as they don’t hunt or patrol alone.

* = Head injury and stress from fighting can worsen epilepsy. Going on battle patrols is a risk the warrior must be made aware of.

Diagnostics

So before anything else, your medic will want to identify what triggers the seizures, if anything. There isn’t always an identifiable trigger such as a flashing light/quickly moving object, but seizures can be made worse by stress, lack of sleep, or hunger. Taking note of the warrior’s state preceding a seizure would be extremely helpful for treatment.

Does Wheatwhisker seem to have more seizures when she’s doing certain activities? When she has one, did she sleep well the night before? What has she been eating lately? She may be able to feel it coming-- including sudden intense emotion, an oncoming headache, hot or cold sensations, so on.

Like dogs, cats can detect oncoming seizures. A good medicine cat would take note of all the behavior before its onset to reduce their frequency.

NON-herbal treatments

Once correlation and causes have been identified, the medicine cat should have some lifestyle changes to suggest.

For example, Wheatwhisker has more seizures when she is tired, so the medic prevents her from going on dawn patrol. They’re sometimes triggered by the fluttering of bird wings, so she’s been told to hunt small mammals instead.

A change in diet can also reduce the frequency of seizures. Fatty foods specifically, such as red meat, eggs, and large fish. Trout and carp would be the two easiest* things for a warrior to hunt on a regular basis-- though if the given Clan can’t catch those, it may be worth it to consider trade with another group.

* = If your warriors can cook with fire, fat drippings can be cooked back into the epileptic warrior’s meals. This would make the special diet much easier to prepare than always catching specific prey.

Managing the Different Types of Seizures

Generally there are three types of seizures- ones localized to a specific body part, ones that may seem like “daydreaming”, and ones that cause the well-known convulsions. Less severe seizures are more common.

Seizures do not usually cause pain on their own, except for fatigue in the muscle or headaches. Injury is sometimes caused by external forces, such as slamming against something during a convulsion, falls, tongue biting, or hitting sharp objects.

After any seizure, nausea or a headache may develop-- feverfew will soothe headaches, mallow or fennel will soothe stomachaches. Even if the Epileptic warrior does not take regular medication, the cannabis and valerian root mentioned in the ‘preventative herbs‘ section can be taken on occasion to help the warrior relax post-seizure.

-Localized

One part of the body (leg, head) seizes or convulses. Can usually be self-managed by the warrior, loss of conscious is uncommon. Rest in a quiet area would be the best treatment afterwards. If the muscle fatigue is bad, kneading the limb will help.

-Daydream

The warrior will seem suddenly ‘absent,‘ like they’ve left their body, for typically less than 15 seconds. They may simply wobble and stare ahead (even pausing mid-sentence), or seem to ‘faint‘ and fall over, but in any case they will not remember the seizure. Prevent them from falling on something dangerous, if this seems likely.

In many cases the warrior will just be able to keep going about their day in a few minutes, or even immediately. If not, just like before, let them rest in a quiet area.

-Convulsions

A panicked cat may make convulsions worse by fearfully running around as a seizure starts-- if a warrior MUST be prevented from doing this, it’s VERY important that they are not completely pinned or restrained. JUST kept laying down. Do NOT attempt to stop the convulsions themselves.

Such a circumstance will be extremely rare in a Warrior Cat setting, where the cats are capable of reasoning like a human. There may be a situation where an epileptic cat needs to be brought out of harm’s way-- that’s fine.

Clear the area of anything sharp or hard that the convulsing warrior could hurt themselves on, like stones, or brambles. Roll them onto their side, if they aren’t already. Lastly, cushion their head with something soft, like moss, if possible.

After the seizure is over, the warrior will probably be disoriented and confused. Don’t overwhelm them or offer food or water until they’re fully alert again. Once they do, they might have partial paralysis, nausea, muscle soreness, a bitten tongue, or any variety of symptoms. Just like before, bring them to a quiet area to rest.

If your warriors wear restrictive accessories, such as belts or collars, the medicine cat will remove or loosen them during a seizure if possible.

-what NOT to do

There’s some harmful ideas out there you may have encountered, so here’s some things to keep in mind your medics would NOT do to treat a cat having convulsions:

They would NOT pin them down (this even happened in the books once yikes) Why: This could cause injury to both the restrained, and the restrainer.

They would NOT put anything in their mouth Why: Could damage their teeth or jaw, it does not prevent them from biting their tongue. (also; while tongue biting is common, it is a total myth that an epileptic will choke on/swallow it)

They would NOT start firing out questions as soon as the seizure is over Why: The warrior will likely be disoriented, and not in a state to answer properly. Give them a minute.

Preventative Herbs

Once a seizure is happening, it will have to play out. Warrior cats do not have the medical capability to stop one once started. The anticonvulsant herbs here will help to reduce the frequency and severity of seizures... but they can’t eliminate them entirely.

Anticonvulsants will need to be taken on a regular basis. Stopping these suddenly will cause dangerous side effects; if the warrior’s epilepsy isn’t severe, or herbs are a scarcity for your Clan, it may not be the best choice to medicate them.

Chamomile

Common, and naturalized all over the world. In high doses, this herb will poison a cat. Careful preparation is required to make it safe for the epileptic warrior-- it needs to be steeped in water, like tea*. The leaves should not be eaten.

* = If your cats don’t have fire to brew tea, that’s fine, it can be soaked cold.

This herb also has a side effect of drowsiness. It may make the warrior lethargic and less responsive.

Cannabis

Cannabis is a golden herb for a thousand reasons, it can be made into rope, paper, cloth, oil... but, the thing of note here is CBD oil. Cannabis grows wild all over the world, but ESPECIALLY in North America-based Clans (where it’s called Ditchweed)

Ditchweed has high CBD content, and low THC content. This makes it safe for your warriors (and also prevents them from getting high). Your cats will NOT smoke it, which will damage their sensitive respiratory systems, they will eat it like a standard herb.

Because cannabis is a depressant, this treatment is best for warriors not involved in active tasks. Epileptic warriors that prefer calm, camp-related activities will use this herb. Den-building, tunnel digging, helping the medics, crafting if your Clan makes accessories, so on.

Valerian Root

Known as a sleep aid in humans, Valerian has VERY interesting effects on cats; this is the only Epilepsy treatment that can avoid lethargy entirely. However, in contrast to cannabis, valerian will mostly be found in Europe-based Clans.

(with both, however, it is possible to find each in the other continent.)

Valerian Root has catnip-like effects, perking a warrior up and often filling them with energy. There are some cats for whom this herb will act like cannabis, calming them down, but if there’s a choice, the Epileptic warriors who enjoy active tasks will prefer this herb. Hunting, fighting, patrolling, so on.

[mortuarywriting]

Wip Wednesday! I uh. Might've spent the latter half of last week making a silly thing that I'll eventually get back to but first. Dragons once again.

So yes, while a dragonslayer is a very unlikely title for someone to claim for themselves, the dragons that walk among the people will neither forget nor let their guard down for the scent that will send any dragon's instinct into certain wariness.

Ultimately the dragons want to live by their rules, be left well enough alone, and to support those in their weyrs that need the support and protection. A single dragon can be a valuable target, but a weyr has its own way of making itself impenetrable and invaluable.

Again, this is not saying dragons are bastions of moral purity. Regrettably there will be demographics where might makes right, or tradition dictates to the point of restriction. Most have embraced that humanity, more as a blanket name for the population, is prone to cycles.

A surge of innovation, a wave of luxury, a tide of oppression, the tempest of revolution, and once the fires are put out the cycle begins again- innovation in the wake of tragedy to try to fix what has been broken. Patterns, cycles, the cute phrase "history is doomed to repeat itself" thrown about but ultimately ignored. An individual can vary wildly but as a rule humanity?

Somewhat predictable.

And its in that prediction the draconic populace tends to temper themselves and hide in plain sight. Many dragons these days are bred out enough that their youngest grandchildren will have long lifespans for a human- and many humans don't know the hints of dragon blood that may flicker in their veins. Nothing that can spur any particular magic or draconic shift in itself, but enough that dragons may be more inclined to keep an extra eye out.

And that's where the dragons in power come in. Oh politics generally keep too close an eye and shift so regularly truly ancient or outed dragons work very hard to avoid the political stage. Dragons with the power and drive to protect tend to do so in ways they know will make impacts- maybe starting local support networks, maybe heading businesses, or maybe heading some flight of their own.

Here's the part where we discuss, more specifically, why dragons are so bad at dying for a cause.

In its most boiled down and concentrated essence, its really a simple answer.

Dragons are bad at dying.

A gross oversimplification, but as stated a dragon is not an insignificant target.

Many centuries ago (a few millenia really, but other than the mountains that walk among us who's counting?), when dragons were more complacent? A few industrious leaders of men marched their armies upon dragons.

Well, war is a great driver of innovation. Knowing your enemy means being able to devise a strategy around them.

Dragons known for being swift and staying in the skies for days at a time? Had to come down at some point, and catapult and trebuchet made that decision for them.

Where scales had been impenetrable by man, nature could be leveraged and tempered.

So it was determined that, perhaps, dragons should don human guise and enter these armies themselves. Make their way in and hide and keep the species off the chopping blocks.

And when something that good works? Others follow.

Bits by bit others followed suit. Humans... didn't need to know how much of their armies were actually human anymore, and the nonhuman population was safe enough, so that worked out.

But! I digress.

Dragons.

Causes.

Dying.

By all counts? They've had enough of it. If you're enlisted it's something of a gentleman's agreement- you've thrown your lot with a cause you chose and some may even defect if appalled enough with some strings pulled. Takes a lot to sway a dragon's mind, after all lives are a drop in the bucket and ends can justify the means easily when you consider the many against the few.

It's an easy path to tread. The ends justified the means. I was following orders. It's what was expected. What else could I have done?

There is a level of violence that cannot be ignored.

Dragons.

Wars.

Artillery.

There is a level of complacency that will never wash out.

Dragons.

Atrocity.

Bombs.

Scales can be hardened and tempered over time, but remember maps of where war planes have been repeatedly shot are only ever from the planes that managed to return.

Dragons.

Blood.

Screams.

Some sins may never be forgiven. How many sit at your feet, how do you know the call you made was right?

For everyone that depends on you, it just has to be enough, doesn't it. That it wasn't has to be unimaginable. To get lost in what-ifs is to meet your twilight and send your soul on from your body.

So.

Dragons are bad at dying for causes.

Because every dragon asked has had to live for theirs, haven't they.

And the military is so full of humans, isn't it?

[dr-spencer-reids-queen]

Children of the Dark: Part One

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Female!Reader

Word Count: ~1.9k

Warnings: canon violence, canon language, canon talk of death, methods of kill

Author’s Note: So sorry I keep forgetting to post. I’ve been so busy at work, I try to keep up with the schedule I’ve outlined. I do not own anything from Criminal Minds. All credit goes to their respective owners. If there is any warnings that exceed the normal death/kills from the show, I will list them. If you’ve seen the show, then it’s the same level of angst unless otherwise stated

"In the city, crime is taken as emblematic of class and race. In the suburbs though it's intimate and psychological; resistant to generalization; a mystery of the individual's soul." - Barbara Ehrenreich

"Sorry I'm late," you pant as you rush into the briefing room. Everyone is already there, waiting on you to start. You're only five minutes late, but late nonetheless. "The hotel I'm staying at is getting sick and tired of me being there all the time. They claim they are a hotel, not a home."

"Let's get started," Hotch nods, looking to JJ to start.

You catch Spencer's eyes as you get settled into your seat, but he looks away as soon as you look at him. You don't have time to analyze him, so you focus on JJ right now.

"The Halbert family. They were murdered in their home last night in the Denver suburb of Cherry Creek. It's the third home invasion like this in the last month. They kill everyone in the household--parents, kids, and pets if they have them. Always families in nice neighborhoods."

"What do they take?" you wonder.

"Nothing they can't fit in their pockets. Cash and some jewelry."

"Hundreds of ways to get cash and jewels without killing entire families. That's why home invasions are so hard to profile. They have multiple motives."

"National statistics show an uptick in home invasions over the last few years with 18% being in Colorado," Spencer says.

"You know it's bad if they're inviting us back."

"Back?"

"Well, things went bad after the JonBenet Ramsey case when a couple of agents publicly criticized local detectives."

"Well, they didn't need us to make them look bad," Derek scoffs, "and that was in Boulder."

"Yeah, but the statewide media ran with it, and it took on a life of its own."

"Well, I talked to Lieutenant Nellis. Trust me. They want our help," JJ says. "They need it. The first two invasions were twenty days apart. This last one was just nine days later."

"They're killing faster, which means they're getting better at it every time."

"Home invasions typically involve the elderly and single females. The fact that entire families are being targeted suggests multiple unsubs. Could mean gang-related, revenge motive, or even personal business," Spencer says.

"I don't think any of these victims are running in gang circles."

"Sewing circles, more like it," Emily jokes. "PTA moms and gray-flannel dads... These guys are killing the cleavers."

Spencer holds up the case file to take a closer look at something, frowning when he sees it.

"Strange."

"What is?"

"The cleavers. Of all the names for a 1950s idyllic tv family, it's rife with violent implication. Kind of makes you wonder how the writers really felt about suburbia, huh?"

"Focus, please."

"Uh, okay, what about, um, class-based uprising? Helter skelter?" Emily theorizes.

"There's no graffiti and no messages, at least not visible ones. There's no rituals. Manson's aim was to start a race war. There's no proof of any hate crime here."

"The parent murders are brutal and messy. The instruments vary from a golf club to a kitchen knife to even an iron. Household implements symbols of family. The kids were different. They died by injection--pentobarbital," you say.

"It's a barbiturate sometimes used as an anticonvulsant for epileptics, anxiety disorders, and state executions," Spencer explains for those who don't know.

"The invasions are well planned. Phone lines are cut. Ligature marks show the parents were bound and gagged. Looks like these guys had some robbery experience," Derek says.

"And then found their true calling," Emily sighs.

You stand outside the most recent crime scene with hints of tears in your eyes. Everyone else has gone inside with the exception of Spencer who is outside talking to the neighbors. Children were killed in this house, and you know that if you go inside, you're going to see the spirits of them running throughout the house. Just by being outside, it's enough to let the trauma wash over you.

How you ever got into this field is beyond you.

This is part of the job, and you have to not let shit affect you after a certain point. It will, but you can't let it show that it will. You take a deep breath and head inside the house, trying to keep yourself objective about things. There is a whole color mess of energy here ranging from red to blue to yellow to even green. The energy takes form of the people who used to live here.

The children laugh as they run around the house chasing each other and getting in the way of the mother who is working hard. The father is cooking in the kitchen where he can provide his family with full bellies. This must be their final moments as a family because you don't see the destruction... yet.

However, you do see the two energies of both unsubs here, calling out for you to pay attention to them.

"Are you okay?" Hotch asks you.

"There's a lot of trauma here, Hotch. Especially with children. It's just a lot to take in all at once."

"Let me know if you need anything."

"I will," you nod.

"There is no sign of forced entry," Lieutenant Nellis says.

"It's the same as the other two houses, right?"

"Yeah."

"Y/N, can you paint a picture for us?" Hotch asks you.

You turn to the front door and focus on the past. When you open your eyes, you're brought back to the night of the murder. The house is dark, but the parents are watching TV together while the children are in their beds sleeping. There is a knock at the door, and the father gets up to answer it while the mother stays on the couch.

He flips on the light switch, but the porch light doesn't turn on. There must be a shortage or the unsubs made it so that the light wouldn't turn on. Regardless, the father opens the large peephole cover to look outside. You're unable to see who is outside, but the father must know who they are because he opens the door.

He invited them inside because he knew them--that's your theory anyway. The two men in the form of black shadows walk inside. Almost immediately, they start threatening and attacking the parents. One of them goes to the kids while the other stays with the parents.

"Y/N?" Hotch asks, putting a hand on your shoulder.

Your entire environment changes from last night to today, and you squint from the light shining into the house.

"The father answered the door, but the porch light wasn't on. He looked through the peephole and determined that the two unsubs were safe enough to invite inside, or they knew them. That's when they started attacking the family."

"Take a break. Why don't you join Reid outside?"

You didn't know that your cheeks were wet until he told you to leave. It sucks that you behaved this way in front of the person who asked you to be here, but there are some crime scenes that are just too powerful for you to be emotionless about.

With this much overkill, there's usually some kind of history. If it was just about eliminating witnesses, it never would have been as vicious as it was. This was rage upon the family. There's no way the unsubs don't know who these families are. However, while the parents suffered overkill, the kids went quietly. They were tucked into their beds, orderly, and controlled.

Two unsubs. One unstable and the other a submissive.

To take a break from all this, you join Spencer who is talking to one of the neighbors.

"I came by about 9:00 to return the pyrex. No one answered when I rang the bell, but the lights were on inside."

"Did you happen to look in the windows?" Spencer asks, looking at you when you join his side.

"Not then, no. I had my cell phone. I was gonna call, but I... I couldn't get a signal, which was strange."

"Why was that strange?"

"You always get a signal here. There's a tower on the next block. Uh, I left the dish. This morning, it was still here so I came over. Th-that's when I looked inside."

"And you called the police on your cell?"

"Yeah."

"Thank you." She walks off and Spencer turns to you with a concerned look. "Are you okay?"

"I will be the further I get from here."

"Luckily, you don't have to stay here long. Hotch wants us back."

You turn to see Hotch, Derek, and Emily head to the government issued car, and you sigh in relief. You and Spencer head to the car, and the entire team head to the police station using Nellis' directions. JJ is already at the office, and she greets everyone with a smile.

While you were at the crime scnee, she was setting up here, so the conference room is already good to go with every bit of evidence on display.

"These guys don't lack confidence. Targeting entire families is a high-risk endeavor," Hotch sighs.

"It's possible they're minimizing that risk by jamming cell phones inside the house. No one can call out."

"Doesn't that narrow the profile? With it being high tech?" Nellis asks.

"Not really. You can buy a hand-held jammer on Amazon for a hundred bucks."

"I could use one of those next time I go to the movies," Nellis chuckles.

The desk phone rings, and Derek answers it. You have a feeling it's Penelope because who else would call?

"Hey, girl. You're on speaker. Behave," Derek answers.

"Or what, you'll spank me?" You actually burst out laughing at her comment, but when you see the look on Hotch's face, you clear your throat and shake your head. "So, I've been searching the area for unsolved robberies. I found four with similar elements... Phone lines cut and the only thing stolen were small valuables."

"Were the occupants tied up?"

"Yes, but no homicides."

"Okay. Thanks, dollface. I'll call you back." He hangs up. "Well, if this is our guys, something made them graduate to murder. If we can figure out what that trigger was, it might tell us how they choose their victims. I've been looking into victimology, and so far, there's really nothing to connect the families. Different political affiliations, different careers, and different school systems. At this point, it simply appears the unsubs are targeting their victims at random."

"Nellis, can you gather everyone? It's time to give the profile."

"You got it boss."

You get up and approach Hotch before he has a chance to leave.

"Sir, I just want to apologize for laughing earlier."

"It was kind of funny," Hotch smirks slightly.

You gasp with a smile but let him leave your side. The entire team gathers into the main room where Nellis has gathered all of his men and women on the force. Hotch steps forward with the intent of beginning this meeting.

"We're looking for two men, probably white--given the neighborhoods that they hit--mid to late twenties, intelligent, and organized. These are career criminals. One or both has done hard time, but neither presents as a convict. They would appear clean-shaven, well dressed, and neighborly. This helps them talk their way into the homes. They may also be using a ruse."

"What kind of ruse?" Nellis asks.

"Given that the invasions have taken place in the evening, it could be anything. Could be door-to-door sales, people in distress, or car trouble."

"Uh, Derrick Todd Lee used a tape of a baby crying to get women to open their doors in Baton Rouge. Never underestimate their creativity," Spencer explains.

"These men share a very tight bond and a mutual compulsion to kill, but their signatures reveal two very distinct personalities," you state. "One brutalizes the parents. This is the dominant one--sadistic, remorseless, and extremely volatile. The other prefers a needle. His injections are consistent with an angel of death. He's more withdrawn, sensitive, and he has a warped sense of mercy."

"Agent Morgan is passing out a list of places where he might have access to the drug he uses. It's long, but it's all we have at this point," Hotch says while Derek passes out the information.

"Hotch," JJ interrupts, speaking close to Hotch, but you can hear. "There's been another one, and they're sending an ambulance."

"Ambulance?" Emily asks having heard her too.

"There's a survivor?"

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[xtrafluffyteddy]

Spotlight

this is part 2 to Well I do

pairing: Eddie munson x reader

Mentions: cursing, paparazzi, crying, heartbreak, happy ending maybe?

Eddie was sat in front of what felt like a thousand cameras in the process of having an interview with some reporter who had been asking about you. He looked over seeing a a picture of you leaving the dressing room tears rolling down your face his heartbreaks at the sight. “Yeah they look familiar we might’ve gone to high school together or something” he twists his rings around on his fingers a nervous habit he’s had since high school. “Cmon Eddie we caught them leaving your dressing room you must them a bit better than that?” The reporter asked.

“They must’ve snuck in there to try and talk to the band, and got disappointed when they weren’t there, happens a lot you know” Eddie laughs joylessly to masquerade the way he was lying through his teeth.

“According to our reports they came all the way from looks like Hawkins, Indiana” the reporter states reading over the paper in front of her pulling up another picture of you this time your crying in a phone booth just outside the venue Eddie can be seen in the background with the bimbo hanging off him he winces internally looking away from the photo and says “Damn to bad they didn’t find what they were looking for huh?” Off to the side the band and Steve are giving him varying looks from disappointed to upset at the way he’s talking about their friend.

“Your positive you don’t know them?” The reporter asks very suspicious of the story Eddie is telling. Eddie shakes his head putting on his most convincing smile he can “sorry no I’ve never met them in my life” with that Steve just walked out not wanting to hear Eddie keep slandering you.

A few days after your sitting on your couch not being able to leave due to the paparazzi swarming around your house “cmon dude they’re blocking the garage” Dustin grouched peaking out of the blinds “I’m gonna be late to hellfire if they don’t move” Dustin turned to look at you as you got up stomping to the door and swinging it open causing it to hit the wall before stepping outside immediately surrounded by paparazzi and reporters.

“Tell us tell us what happened that night!” A reporter said shoving her microphone in your face looking at you expectantly “we only want the truth” she continues.

Truth, ha, what a fucking joke you thought you scoff rolling your eyes “you don’t want the truth you want a story something that’ll sell” you glare at them all “you take someone like Eddie who is from this shithole of a town and put him on a pedestal just so you can embarrass him when you need to meet your quota” you continued glaring at all of them still deciding to defend Eddie even if he was a dick. “He has everything a kid who grew up in a closed minded town could want, fame, recognition, fans, but it cost him his true friends and privacy.” They all went silent for a moment before snapping more pictures of you “in your opinion who is Eddie munson really?” They pressured pressing closer to you.

“I don’t know, because the Eddie you all see and worship isn’t the same Eddie I met” you shoved past them all climbing into your car just wanting to get out of there.

“Congrats Ed’s you did it” Steve said turning off the tv after watching your interview “you them away to” he shook his head in disappointment getting up and leaving, Eddie stayed behind head buried in his hands knowing he’d fucked up big time.

You had gotten a job at the local bar working as a bartender. Yeah sure you’d get questions about what really happened between you and Eddie but you were always good at avoiding the question by asking if they wanted another drink or just simply walking away throwing yourself into your work was the best distraction there was.

Until one night it was a Friday which meant open mic night which usually brought in a bunch of local bands and small singers. All of a sudden a familiar metal head had stepped on the stage causing you to stop cleaning as he made eye contact with you starting to sing a song you had helped him write when corroded coffin had just started getting big. When had finished the crowd was going wild but the whole time he just kept his eyes on you.

All of sudden there was a bright light on you causing you to shield your eyes. “Hey sweetheart” Eddie called from the stage you glared at him “what’d you think Eddie? That you’d sing a little song and everything would be better! This is a fucking fairy tale Jesus Christ” you turned back to cleaning the glasses “no no I just-“ he had said when he walked up to the counter “you just what Eddie? You just what? Thought I’d immediately forgive you for all the shit you pulled and for what a dick you’ve been?” You scoffed and rolled your eyes “forget it Eddie”

“I just wanted to apologize for that night and for I treated you even though you were just looking out for me” he reached out taking your hand stopping you from your rough cleaning.

“Don’t you think it’s to late for that Eddie” you glared at the ringed hand on yours but didn’t move away. “Everyone thinks I’m some crazy stalker who’s obsessed with you” you rolled your eyes as a few reporters came in shoving their microphones into your face.

Eddie turned to them then back to you before taking the mic “the truth is everyone that I know them, they’re grouchy, and sometimes mean, but they always had my back always kept me humble when fame was gonna get to me and always called me out when I was going stupid shit” he stated referring to you who’s facial features had softened from a scowl to a small frown.

“Please forgive me sweetheart, please” he squeezed your hand giving you a pleading look. You stayed silent for a moment mulling it over before stepping out from behind the counter burying yourself in his arms “awww” the reporter said snapping a couple more pictures chasing Eddie’s head to snap towards them “get the fuck outta here. Now” he growled causing them to scatter like roaches before he turned back to you hugging you tight.

“How about I take you on a date sweetheart, corroded coffin got invited to a metal festival and I want no I need you to be there by my side” he looked down at you gauging your reaction.

“Mmm I dunno Ed’s will I have to worry about that little groupie who was clinging to you?” You joked looking up at him “nah she could’ve never compared to you sweetheart” he leaned down leaving a gentle to kiss to your lips.

You both shared a goofy smile when you pull away from the kiss the look in your eyes promising things would change for the better and that you’d always have each other’s backs.

[ayamari-no-goshi]

Can you share the lore of your cursed ancestor? Has there been anything historically or recently that happened that have curse vibes or have been attributed to the curse? I’d love to hear more about this!

So my dad’s mother’s family is not only old, but well documented. Through her side, I’m a descendant of the Fitzgeralds. Oh boy are there are weird legends surrounding them, and it’s hard to get some of the specifics on the legends in the US. I know the Welsh side has some legends too, but I’m not even gonna try with that due to how convoluted that section of the family tree is.

Please keep in mind, I don’t know if my branch of the family (which no longer carries that last name) did something in the US that worsened whatever bad juju was accumulated or we just somehow concentrated it.

With that out of the way, buckle in, this is gonna be a longish post

Firstly we have John Fitzgerald (1st Baron of Desmond). He was called “the ape” because his grandson was “rescued by such a creature.” I’m as stumped as anyone else on that.

Gerald FitzMaurice Fitzgerald (Gearóid Iarla) the 3rd Earl of Desmond mysteriously disappeared around the shores of Lough Gur, a lake with its own legends. In tales, Gerald had a romantic relationship with the Goddess Aine, who is sometimes called the mother of the Fey. Legends vary on how consensual it was.

In the legends where it was a more loving relationship, Aine has him sleeping under or near the lake where he’ll rise again to assist Ireland regain glory. In legends where their relationship wasn’t great, she cursed him to wander the shores of the lake as a ghostly horseman every 7 years. I should also mention one legend has him transformed into a goose and disappear in the river Maine. But there’s also a legend he and his warriors are in a suspended state near an old fort called Hacklim.

Now, this one is unclear. It could be in relation to the 3rd Earl of Desmond or a later Earl in the same family with the same name. He was rumored to be a magic practitioner. The legend goes his wife wished to know an arcane secret. Gerald, who deeply loved her agreed on the condition she didn’t make a noise during the rituals needed. She did eventually cry out which sunk the castle into the waters of Lough Gur. He is said to have become a vampiric revenant and occasionally abducts young women to drain their life.

(The Fitzgeralds were originally invaders to Ireland, coming over with Strongbow. They were not well-liked during their early history)

While I can’t find much information about it, Clíodna, who is stated to be the queen of the banshees, was reported to have affairs with various members of the Fitzgeralds, most likely due to her association with the lands of Desmond.

Now there is a legend of a man who’s name translates from Gaelic as John fitz-James Fitzgerald (this could be the 13th Earl of Desmond or someone unrelated), who dropped dead on his wedding day - the rumor was he was spirited away by the Fey, specifically Clíodna. The daughter of a local wise woman was able to bring him back after a poetry contest and talk about a dowry.

(As a fun side note, she is involved in the legend of the Blarney Stone - which I have kissed)

So, basically, family screwed around with a very powerful entity. The Fey are associated with death in some legends (Lough Gur is sometimes said to be an entrance to the underworld).

Weird crap just happens to us. It’s to the point where I know to expect weird if I’m traveling anywhere outside the US. Evacuations, injuries, accidentally making people fall in love with you, etc. weird crap.

It’s become a joke that you don’t officially belong to the family until you have your first near death experience (my official count for those is currently 7). Most of my cousins, aunts, uncles, of course my dad, and grandmother have all had them. Friends joke that death is flirting with us, but due to the associations between the Fey and death, it might be them trying to reclaim us instead.

It’s not normal things either. Example, my dad should have died in a car accident at 16, but he got out of it with a pinched nerve and some cuts. I’ve seen a photo of the truck he was in after he got rescued - the cabin was flattened. Another example, when I dealt with anaphylactic shock, the reason I was hospitalized as long as I was was due to my immune system rebooting itself like a computer. I still don’t know how it did that.

We don’t particularly like drama but we attract it. Oh boy do we attract it. I don’t want to get into that.

The family is weird about lying. Like, my dad has a physical response if he lies. It’s the weirdest thing. I don’t care to lie either, but I don’t have a breakdown over it. Dad will.

Nothing about us makes sense

[razieltwelve]

Re:Nope (Final Rose x Re:Zero)

Averia closed her eyes to enjoy a pleasant nap... and then opened them again to find herself in the middle of a busy marketplace with people in unfamiliar clothing all around her. Saviour stirred to life and confirmed what she already suspected.

She wasn’t on Remnant anymore.

For a moment, she could only look heavenward. This sounded exactly like the beginning of one of those different world stories that Diana liked. It would be just her like to be transmigrated while taking a nap to a world that needed saving because, clearly, helping to save one world wasn’t enough.

Sighing, she ran one hand over her face. Her Semblance was no longer at its full strength. Admittedly, it was extremely unlikely that anything on any world could threaten her with even a weakened Saviour at her disposal, but it was still aggravating that her Semblance hadn’t transmigrated with her in its entirety. She might not have unlocked the fourth level of Saviour yet, but the three levels she had already unlocked meant that nothing except her parents or her sister could face her and live.

“Relax, big sis. It’s because the game would be too easy otherwise. Think of it as bumping up the difficulty a bit.” Yes, she could practically hear Diana saying something like that.

Oh well. Saviour would eventually return to its full strength - at least that’s what her Semblance was telling her - so she simply needed to continue to work on it while keeping an eye out for anything that could legitimately threaten her, unlikely though that may be.

In the meantime, she might as well do some exploring.

Naturally, that was when a group of thugs decided to threaten her. She took one look at them - scruffy, boorish, and lacking anything even remotely resembling skill - and dealt with them using the same contemptuous ease she would have shown lesser Grimm. Within seconds, they were all unconscious and in varying states of injury.

As she dragged the group toward one of the main streets - there had to be law enforcement here if there was a marketplace - she took a moment to consider her attire. Rather than one of her favoured suits or even more casual wear, she was wearing what appeared to be a modified version of the clothing she wore when Saviour was active.

Her lips twitched.

It was an outfit that Fraise had suggested. It played up the knightly aspects of Saviour, clothing her in armour that was much more functional in appearance, as opposed to Saviour’s default look that had clearly been designed with looking as cool as possible in mind. As Diana had said, after seeing it, Averia would have looked perfect if cast as a dashing lady knight tasked with saving a nation.

Given her luck so far, she might end up having to do exactly that.

After handing the thugs over to a patrol - she’d emptied their pockets, of course, because anyone trying to rob her deserved to get robbed in return - she spoke to some shopkeepers. The fact that she could understand them and they could understand her was frankly obnoxious and suggested that there was magic or something of the sort at work. Thankfully, learning to read the local writing was a breeze. Saviour bullshit was really the best.

She was in the midst of asking the shopkeeper where she could find books about magic - because magic was apparently real here - when someone approached her.

“Please!” the young woman with silver hair and purple eyes ran up to her. “I need your help!”

Averia tilted her head to one side. She’d been joking about the whole getting transmigrated to save the world thing, but this... this was exactly the kind of event that usually happened in those stories Diana read and in the games she played. It might start off with helping some seemingly random young woman, but that would would invariably turn out to be a princess, and then ‘help’ would inevitably spiral into saving the world.

Then again, Averia had never been one to shy away from a fight, and simply walking away from someone who genuinely needed help was not something she wanted to do. Besides, if she really had been transmigrated to another world, then she needed to find a way back. And the quickest way to find a way back was to make connections with other people who were native to this new world.

“If I may ask,” Averia began. “But why did you approach me?”

The girl blushed. “I... um... well.. I assumed you were a knight.” She gestured vaguely at Averia’s outfit. “Was I wrong?”

“You are...” Averia paused. “Correct, in a way. What seems to be the problem.”

“Someone stole something very important form me, and I need to find it.”

Averia was then treated to a brief description of events as the girl, who had called herself Satella, told her what happened. The name she’d given was a lie - lying to someone with Saviour was generally an exercise in futility, even without the Semblance active - but Averia let it pass. Instead, she focused on the problem at hand.

“I can track it down for you,” Averia said. “But I will need your help in return.”

“What do you need?” Satella asked.

“I’m not from around here. I need someone who can show me around the city and tell me more about this place.”

Satella smiled. “I’d be happy to do that.”

Tracking the object in question was not difficult. The ‘magic’ people had here seemed to be unique to each person, and it left an energy signature that Saviour could easily identify and trace. The pair followed the energy signature into the slums of the city and a building only to hear the sounds of a struggle inside.

“Stay behind me,” Averia ordered before simply kicking the door off its hinges and stepping inside.

There was a large man on the ground, badly wounded but still alive, and a girl crouched over him in a defensive stance. Their assailant was a woman using a pair of blades. She was attractive from a physical standpoint, but Saviour was quick to point out a host of inconsistencies.

First and foremost, the woman appeared to have an ability that allowed her to regenerate wounds at an incredible rate. She was also clearly skilled with her weapons. Both of these things were revealed by a combination of Saviour’s ability to glimpse the past and parallel timelines and by its ability to analyse anything within its range.

She could easily see how even someone as large as the man on the ground would have been defeated and overwhelmed. Her brief peek into the past and other timelines also revealed a rather bizarre habit involving her new opponent and guts.

“Oh?” the woman, Elsa, cackled. “Someone new? I can’t wait to see what your guts -”

It might have been the fact that the woman shared the same name as her teammate and was entirely the opposite sort of person, but Averia didn’t bother to let her finish. A blade materialised and then stabbed her in the head at speeds that would have put a rail gun to shame. The attack instantly vaporised her head, and some extra Saviour magic ensured that she stayed dead.

“...” Everyone else in the room fell silent.

“You there,” Averia said. “You have something that belongs to my friend here. Return it to her, and I’ll heal that man beside you.”

X     X     X

Author’s Notes

Nothing like having the equivalent of a thermonuclear weapon get isekaid into Re:Zero. Averia is still in her emotionally oblivious, extremely blunt stage, so she’s going to approach this situation with the view of simply killing all the bad people and trying to find a way home.

Watch out, villains! Saviour bullshit is headed your way.

[estatedekho23]

Apartments In Horamavu Krishnarajapuram Bangalore

Exploring Apartments in Horamavu Krishnarajapuram, Bangalore

Looking for an apartment in Bangalore can feel a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack. There's so much to choose from! But if you've narrowed your search down to Horamavu Krishnarajapuram, you're in for a treat. These neighborhoods are fantastic choices, blending the charm of suburban life with the convenience of urban amenities. Let’s dive into what makes apartments in Horamavu Krishnarajapuram so special.

Why Choose Horamavu and Krishnarajapuram?

The Best of Both Worlds

Horamavu Krishnarajapuram (or K.R. Puram as the locals call it) offer a delightful mix of modernity and tradition. Located in the northeastern part of Bangalore, these areas have witnessed rapid development while still retaining their old-world charm.

Great Connectivity

One of the biggest perks of living in these areas is the connectivity. Both Horamavu K.R. Puram is well-connected to major parts of the city. Whether you’re heading to the tech parks of Whitefield or the bustling markets of Indiranagar, you’ll find commuting a breeze. The K.R. Puram railway station and several bus routes ensure that you're never too far from where you need to be.

A Community Vibe

Unlike the more commercial parts of Bangalore, Horamavu K.R. Puram offers a strong sense of community. Here, you’ll find friendly neighbors who greet you with a smile, children playing in the parks, and plenty of community events that make it easy to feel at home.

Types of Apartments Available

1 BHK Apartments

Perfect for singles or young couples, 1 BHK apartments are in abundance in both Horamavu K.R. Puram. They offer just the right amount of space without being overwhelming. Plus, they’re usually easier on the pocket!

2 BHK Apartments

For small families or those who need a bit more space, 2 BHK apartments are a popular choice. They provide a great balance between cost and comfort. You'll find plenty of options with modern amenities like swimming pools, gyms, and children's play areas.

3 BHK Apartments

Got a bigger family or just love having extra space? Then a 3 BHK apartment might be just what you need. These apartments are spacious and often come with additional perks like larger balconies and extra storage space.

Luxury Apartments

If you're looking to splurge a bit, there are plenty of luxury apartments available. These often come with top-notch amenities like rooftop pools, concierge services, and state-of-the-art security systems.

Top Apartment Complexes in Horamavu Krishnarajapuram

Prestige Lake Ridge

Known for its luxurious living spaces and prime location, Prestige Lake Ridge offers residents a serene environment with all the modern amenities you could ask for. Think beautifully landscaped gardens, a clubhouse, and even a mini-theater!

Brigade Exotica

If you’re after something a bit more upscale, Brigade Exotica is the place to be. This complex boasts spacious apartments, a well-equipped gym, and stunning views of the city.

Sobha Dream Acres

Sobha Dream Acres is perfect for those looking for a blend of comfort and affordability. The apartments are well-designed, and the complex includes everything from swimming pools to tennis courts.

Amenities to Look Out For

When apartment hunting in Horamavu Krishnarajapuram, keep an eye out for these amenities:

Security: Gated communities with 24/7 security and CCTV surveillance offer peace of mind.

Power Backup: Bangalore can be prone to power cuts, so a reliable power backup system is essential.

Water Supply: Ensure that the apartment has a consistent and clean water supply.

Parking: Adequate parking space is a must, especially if you own a vehicle.

Recreational Facilities: Gyms, swimming pools, and children's play areas can greatly enhance your living experience.

Cost of Living

Renting vs. Buying

The cost of apartments in Horamavu Krishnarajapuram can vary significantly based on the type and location. Renting a 1 BHK apartment can start from around INR 10,000 per month, while a 3 BHK can go up to INR 35,000 or more. Buying an apartment will require a more substantial investment, with prices ranging from INR 50 lakhs to several crores, depending on the apartment’s size and amenities.

Other Expenses

Don’t forget to factor in additional costs such as maintenance fees, utility bills, and any one-time costs like the security deposit (if renting) or registration charges (if buying).

Living in Horamavu Krishnarajapuram: A Day in the Life

Morning

Wake up to the sound of birds chirping and the gentle hum of the city coming to life. Start your day with a brisk walk around the neighborhood park or enjoy a cup of coffee on your balcony, soaking in the morning sun.

Afternoon

Head out for work or, if you’re lucky enough to work from home, set up your workspace with a view of the lush greenery outside. Grab lunch at one of the many nearby cafes or order in from your favorite local restaurant.

Evening

Evenings in Horamavu Krishnarajapuram are perfect for unwinding. Take a dip in the pool, hit the gym, or simply relax with a good book. If you’re feeling social, there are plenty of community events and activities to get involved in.

Night

End your day with a peaceful stroll around the apartment complex or catch up with neighbors over a cup of tea. The calm and quiet of the neighborhood make it easy to unwind and prepare for the next day.

Pros and Cons of Living in Horamavu Krishnarajapuram

Pros

Great Connectivity: Easy access to major parts of Bangalore.

Community Feel: Friendly neighbors and a strong sense of community.

Modern Amenities: Plenty of apartments with top-notch facilities.

Green Spaces: Parks and open areas for recreation.

Cons

Traffic: Like most of Bangalore, traffic can be a hassle during peak hours.

Water Issues: Some areas may experience occasional water supply issues.

Construction Noise: With ongoing development, construction noise can be a disturbance.

Final Thoughts

Living in Horamavu Krishnarajapuram offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and urban convenience. Whether you're a young professional, a growing family, or someone looking for a bit of luxury, you’re sure to find an apartment that fits your needs. The strong community vibe, coupled with modern amenities and great connectivity, makes these neighborhoods a fantastic place to call home.

So, if you're on the hunt for an apartment in Bangalore, give Horamavu Krishnarajapuram a closer look. You might just find the perfect place that ticks all your boxes and then some. Happy apartment hunting!

Visit estatedekho.com for more information about Apartments in Horamavu Krishnarajapuram Bangalore. Estatedekho is an online platform that offers sellers, potential clients, buyers verified plots, and professional agents at service.

[worklicencebrisbane]

Navigating the Roads Safely: Essential Traffic Law Advice for Drivers

Driving is a privilege that comes with a significant amount of responsibility. Understanding and adhering to traffic laws is crucial not only for your safety but also for the safety of others on the road. Whether you are a seasoned driver or a new license holder, it's important to stay informed about traffic laws and best practices for safe driving. Here are some essential traffic law advice tips that every driver should keep in mind.

1. Know the Basic Traffic Laws

Understanding the fundamental traffic laws is the first step toward being a responsible driver. This includes knowing speed limits, traffic signals, right-of-way rules, and the importance of seat belt use. Always stay updated with any changes in traffic regulations, which can vary by state and locality.

2. Speed Limits and Safe Driving Speeds

Speed limits are set for a reason – to ensure the safety of all road users. Always adhere to posted speed limits, and adjust your speed according to road conditions, weather, and traffic flow. Driving too fast or too slow can be dangerous. Remember, speeding is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents.

3. Avoid Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a major cause of accidents. Activities such as texting, talking on the phone, eating, or adjusting the radio can divert your attention from the road. It's crucial to keep your focus on driving at all times. Use hands-free devices if you need to make a call, and if something demands your immediate attention, pull over safely before addressing it.

4. Understand Right-of-Way Rules

Right-of-way rules help prevent collisions and ensure a smooth flow of traffic. Familiarize yourself with these rules, such as yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks, giving way to emergency vehicles, and understanding four-way stop procedures. These rules can differ in various scenarios, so knowing them can help you make the right decisions.

5. Obey Traffic Signals and Signs

Traffic signals and signs are designed to regulate, warn, and guide drivers. Running red lights or stop signs is not only illegal but extremely dangerous. Pay attention to all road signs and signals and understand their meanings. This includes not only the obvious ones like stop and yield but also more specific signs like those indicating school zones, construction areas, and speed bumps.

6. Impaired Driving is a No-Go

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and highly dangerous. Impaired driving affects your judgment, reaction time, and overall ability to operate a vehicle safely. Always designate a sober driver, use public transportation, or arrange for a ride if you have been drinking or using substances that can impair your driving.

7. Proper Use of Lanes

Lane discipline is key to maintaining order on the roads. Use the appropriate lane for your speed and direction. For instance, use the left lane for passing and the right lane for slower driving. Always signal when changing lanes and check your blind spots to avoid collisions.

8. Parking Regulations

Adhere to local parking regulations to avoid fines and towing. Be mindful of no-parking zones, handicapped parking spaces, and areas where parking could obstruct traffic or emergency vehicles. When parallel parking, ensure your vehicle is within the lines and not blocking driveways or fire hydrants.

9. Be Cautious in Adverse Weather Conditions

Weather conditions like rain, snow, fog, and ice can significantly impact driving conditions. Reduce your speed, increase your following distance, and use your headlights appropriately. Be especially cautious on bridges and overpasses, which can freeze before other road surfaces.

10. Keep Up with Vehicle Maintenance

Regular maintenance ensures your vehicle is in good working condition, which is essential for safe driving. Check your brakes, tires, lights, and fluid levels regularly. A well-maintained vehicle is less likely to experience breakdowns and accidents.

[ao3-oner]

Which Longer Work Should I Embark on Next?

Hi everyone!

So now that I’ve wrapped up M.S.I. and its prequels (I do still need to write my chess theme analytical mini-essay - haven’t forgotten, just getting around to it), I’m staring down the better part of four months until I start my Worlds fic. As previously stated, in the next few weeks, I plan to drop a few one-shots, mostly G and T-rated (since I’ve written plenty of smut for rn lmao), but after that, I’ve been considering starting up another longer project for this summer. I have a couple of ideas for what that might be, since there are a few AUs I’ve been rolling around in my mind for a while now. The thing is, I’m not entirely sure which one I want to start first – ideally, I’ll get around to writing all of these eventually, but realistically who knows how long I’ll be in this fandom – so I thought I’d ask you all if you have opinions.

Naturally, at the end of the day, I’ll just write whatever I want regardless of what the result of this poll is, but for reasons of curiosity...

Brief Synopsis of Each AU Below:

BotB AU -  the least developed of the three ideas, but that sort of makes it the most exciting

This story would be told in the form of a single multi-chapter fic – Idk exactly how long but prob at least 30,000 words, might also be partial chatfic – with varying perspectives, i.e. one chapter would be told by one character, the next would be told by someone different. Set in the 2010s Philadelphia house show scene among a group of indie bands: old T1 fans are fighting with new T1 fans about whether the band can even keep its name after subbing out everyone but lead singer Sanghyuk, but no one’s complaining about their new sound. ShowMaker and the KIAs keep getting banned from venues because of dozens of noise complaints from local Karens, and are now struggling to find new gigs. Most people are pretty upset about Generation G breaking apart after power couple Jaehyuk and Siwoo split up, but goddamn did it lead to the most iconic break-up tracks of 2012. And they’re all competing for one record label at the end of the summer that might finally get them out of this piece-of-shit city.

Fantasy AU - by far the most challenging/longest of the three, so I’d need to really commit if I don’t want to abandon this partway through

This story would be a quartet of fics, one for each of my primary ships (GK, OZ, CM and RL) with the main plot being told in the GuKe fic and the other three essentially being spin-offs, specifically prequels. This kingdom/deities/magic AU has a LOT of worldbuilding, but I’d be excited to see if I could pull something of this scale off. The central focus would be on the Archer Prince Minhyung, heir to Unkillable Demon King Sanghyuk, and his encounters with a mysterious monster of legend called Keria. In other tales, we have flashbacks to Prince Heo Su of the Kingdom of Damwon as he begins teaching himself dark magics (much to the dismay of his loyal knight and chief captain Kim Geonbu) in a tragedy culminating in the kingdom’s demise, plus King Jaehyuk receives a concubine from a rival kingdom who’s maybe just a little too knowledgeable about poisons. Also, armored knight Hyunjoon might be fucking the literal God of Thunder??? More news at sundown.

Omegaverse AU - Perhaps the most appealing one to start first because it’s more developed than BotB but less ambitious than Fantasy

Also it fits well with most of what I’ve previously written because the core of it is still set in a modern-day e-sports environment. Don’t be mistaken, though: not only is this an alternate universe, but it is full-on dystopia that thoroughly explores the sociopolitical implications of the omegaverse. Y’all do realize how dark and primal this trope is, right? I mean, is it hot? Obviously – that’s why I’m down to write it – but there’s so much more depth to it, too. This story would also be told in a quartet of fics, each one approximately 10,000 words in length (there is no “central narrative” for this one; just four different explorations) with the possibility of a fifth multi-chapter fic with shifting perspectives afterward and/or maybe a drabbles collection of miscellaneous short ideas I had for this AU that don’t cleanly fit into their own fics. The start of this series will likely just be a worldbuilding doc explaining my vision of everything, then diving right in with the first fic (GumaKeria).

[pghjunk]

How to Get Cash for Junk Cars: What to Know

Owning a junk car can be a hassle. These vehicles take up space, often become an eyesore, and can even be an environmental hazard. Fortunately, there are ways to turn this problem into profit. This guide will provide you with detailed steps and important considerations on how to get cash for your junk car.

1. Understanding the Value of Your Junk Car

The first step in selling your junk car is understanding its value. Junk cars can still have considerable worth, depending on several factors:

Make and Model: Certain brands and models have parts that are in higher demand.

Condition: The state of the car, including whether it runs, its mileage, and the condition of its parts, significantly impacts its value.

Age: Older cars may have less value due to parts scarcity or degradation.

Location: Scrap prices can vary by region, and proximity to junkyards or scrap yards can affect offers.

2. Documentation and Preparation

Before you can sell your junk car, you need to ensure you have the proper documentation and have prepared the vehicle for sale.

Title: The car’s title is crucial. It proves ownership and is required by most junk car buyers.

Condition Assessment: Make an honest assessment of your car’s condition. Note any missing parts, damages, or issues.

Clean the Car: Remove all personal belongings and any trash from the car. While this doesn’t increase its value, it is a common courtesy.

Remove Valuable Parts: If possible, remove any valuable parts that could be sold separately, such as the battery, tires, or stereo system.

3. Research and Get Quotes

One of the most critical steps in getting cash for your junk car is researching potential buyers and obtaining quotes. Here’s how:

Local Junkyards and Scrap Yards: Contact local junkyards and scrap yards to get an idea of what they will pay. Prices can vary, so it’s worth calling several places.

Online Buyers: There are many online services and companies that buy junk cars. Websites like Junk Car Medics and Peddle offer online quotes based on your car’s information.

Private Buyers: Sometimes, private buyers might be interested in your car for parts or a project. Listing your car on platforms like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace can yield private buyer offers.

4. Avoiding Scams

Unfortunately, the junk car market has its fair share of scams. To avoid being cheated, keep the following tips in mind:

Verify Buyer Legitimacy: Ensure the buyer is legitimate. Check reviews and ratings if available.

Avoid Upfront Fees: Reputable buyers won’t ask for upfront fees.

Payment Method: Be cautious about payment methods. Cash or a certified check is preferred.

5. Environmental Considerations

Selling your junk car to a reputable buyer is not only profitable but also environmentally responsible. Many parts of a junk car can be recycled, reducing environmental waste. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recycling a car can save the equivalent of 85 million barrels of oil annually. Proper recycling includes:

Fluids: Ensure that hazardous fluids like oil, coolant, and brake fluid are disposed of correctly.

Battery: Car batteries are recyclable but need to be handled properly due to their lead content.

Metals: Steel and aluminum from the car body can be recycled, reducing the need for new metal production.

6. Legal Requirements and Transfer of Ownership

Once you’ve agreed on a price with a buyer, the next step involves legal formalities:

Transfer of Title: Sign over the title to the new owner. This step is crucial for relieving yourself of any future liabilities related to the vehicle.

Bill of Sale: Provide a bill of sale that includes the date of sale, the buyer’s and seller’s names, and the vehicle’s details. This document serves as proof of the transaction.

Cancel Insurance: Don’t forget to cancel your car insurance after the sale is completed.

7. Top Tips for Maximizing Your Cash Return

To get the most cash for your junk car, consider the following tips:

Timing: Metal prices fluctuate, so timing your sale when scrap metal prices are high can yield better returns.

Compare Offers: Don’t settle for the first offer. Compare multiple quotes to ensure you get the best price.

Negotiate: Don’t be afraid to negotiate with buyers. Some may offer more if they know there’s competition.

8. Benefits of Selling a Junk Car

Selling your junk car offers several benefits:

Space: Free up valuable space in your garage or driveway.

Environmental Impact: Contribute to environmental sustainability through recycling.

Financial Gain: Earn money from a car that was otherwise a liability.

9. Case Study: Success Story

One success story involves a family from Ohio who had an old, non-running vehicle taking up space in their garage. After researching and obtaining multiple quotes, they sold the car to a local junkyard for $600. They used the cash to help fund a family vacation and enjoyed the extra garage space.

10. Conclusion

Selling a junk car might seem daunting at first, but with the right information and preparation, it can be a straightforward and rewarding process. Understanding the value of your car, preparing it properly, and finding the right buyer are key steps in ensuring you get the best cash return. Additionally, by selling your junk car to a reputable buyer, you’re also contributing to environmental sustainability.

If you’re ready to turn that old vehicle into cash, start by assessing its condition, gathering your documentation, and researching potential buyers. With a bit of effort, you can transform your junk car from a problem into a profit.

Resources

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Recycling and Reuse

Junk Car Medics: Get a Quote

PGH Junk Car: Sell Your Car

Selling your junk car can be an easy and profitable experience when done right. Follow these steps, and you’ll be on your way to cashing in on that old clunker.

[vapehk1]

How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy Kratom?

Kratom, a tropical tree that is originally from Southeast Asia, is now being considered for its mood and pain relief properties. But as kratom becomes more prevalent, many people are asking: how old do you have to be to buy kratom? This article is aimed at giving the right answer to this question by focusing on various aspects of kratom use and legislation. We will delve into the legal age requirements for purchasing kratom, scrutinize its legality across different regions, and discuss responsible usage practices. Furthermore, we will examine the role of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) in safeguarding minors and explore the various forms of kratom available in the market, such as powders, capsules, extracts, gummies, and tea. Join us as we navigate through the complexities surrounding how old you have to be to buy kratom, ensuring you are well informed and aware of the necessary precautions. What Is the Legal Age to Buy Kratom? The legal kratom buying age may vary considerably based on the jurisdiction (where different places have different laws) which is primarily because the kratom regulation is still evolving. In the United States of America, there is no federal rule determining the minimum age for buying kratom.  This fact causes each separate state to make its own decisions. Generally, most states that have legalized kratom have decided to allow anyone who is 18 years of age or older to purchase and own it. On the other hand, some states require those aged 21 to be the ones who are legally entitled to open these establishments. For example, states like Illinois (except for Jerseyville), New Hampshire, and Tennessee have stipulated that only individuals who are 21 or older can legally purchase kratom. On the other hand, states like Florida (except for Sarasota County), Mississippi (except for Union County and other local regions), and Colorado (with the exception of specific cities like Monument and Parker) permit the sale of kratom to anyone over the age of 18. It is crucial for potential buyers to not only check their local state laws but also be aware of any county or city-specific ordinances that might affect the legality of purchasing and possessing kratom. The evolving nature of these regulations highlights the importance of staying informed through reliable sources to ensure compliance with local laws. Is kratom legal? The laws on kratom have become complicated and there are differences in kratom’s legal status both inside a country and among regions in a single country. In the United States, kratom is not regulated by the federal government; it is only due to its non-federalization; Kratom is not banned or approved by the federal government, but it is rather left to states to decide on its legality. Kratom is approved at the moment in almost all the nations, nevertheless, there are regions with huge restrictions so it is essential to get properly informed about this matter. At the state level, some states have implemented regulations specific to kratom because the laws cover different degrees of restrictions. On the other hand, Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont, as well as Wisconsin have classified kratom or Mitragyna speciosa, an indigenous tropical plant, as a controlled substance, thus making it illegal to buy, sell, or possess.  Some states have also adopted the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) to control the sales, production, and distribution of kratoms with a view to ensuring purity and safety, keeping in the minds of those who could consume it as adults. Internationally, the legality of kratom also varies. In countries like Australia, Thailand, and several European nations, kratom is either restricted or outright banned. However, after recognizing its traditional use and potential benefits, Thailand lifted its ban on kratom in 2021, reclassifying it to allow legal use. For those willing to buy or adopt kratom, in addition to being aware of legal status on a regional basis, it is cautiously wise to dynamics of laws evolution. Whether it's regulating kratom use or labeling it as an herbal supplement, these laws often fluctuate because of the existing discussion about the safety of its use, its efficacy, and its abuse potential. Always ensure compliance with current laws to avoid legal consequences. How to Use Kratom Responsibly? Responsible use of kratom is crucial for ensuring safety and minimizing potential risks. Here are key practices to consider: Educate Yourself With kratom usage, one should be aware of what the herb is all about and its consequences, including the side effects. Finding a reliable source and reading scientific research to get a balanced point will be helpful in knowing more about kratom. Seeing how different strains impact you can often sharpen your experience so that you can choose the one your body can fit into perfectly. Know Your Local Laws As discussed, the legality of kratom varies widely. Being aware of and compliant with your local and state regulations is crucial to avoid legal issues. This includes knowing age restrictions and whether kratom is allowed in your area at all. Start with a Small Serving Size Remember, start with a tiny amount if you're new to kratom and assess your reaction to it. The effects that may result from kratom use depend on the dosage; the smaller dose gives stimulating effects while the large dose gives sedating effects. Carrying out a regime starting small and then increasing the dose is an important piece in finding the proper amount safely. Avoid Mixing Substances Kratom combined with other substances like alcohol, prescribed medications, and illegal drugs cause side effects. Combining several drugs simultaneously can result in negative reactions or the formation of mixed side effects. If you are thinking of mixing kratom with any other substance, then it would be better to consult with a medical professional. Seek Professional Guidance If you’re unsure about how to use kratom safely or have underlying health conditions, seeking advice from a healthcare provider is wise. They can offer guidance based on your health history and current medications, helping ensure that your use of kratom is as safe as possible. What Is The KCPA and How Does KCPA Protect Minors? The KCPA is a law that some United States states have adopted for the purpose of governing the cultivation, shipping, purchase, and ownership of Kratom. The core intention of the KCPA is the kratom products regulation by standardization of rules aiming to stop contaminated and adulterated kratom from reaching consumers. Similarly, KCPA, through these rules, makes the vital contribution of protecting minors from exposure to the potential dangers that might be associated with uncontrolled utilization of kratom. How KCPA Works The KCPA mandates all kratom producers and vendors follow the specified rules on how kratom products should be tested and labeled. Through the KPA, items ought to list all their components, which are excluded all harmful substances(e). Furthermore, such legislation generally calls for labeling of kratom products as completely free of contaminants, including pathogens as well as heavy metals, among others, and for observance of the maximum acceptable levels of mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine which are the main alkaloids in kratom. Protecting Minors One of the key components of the KCPA is the enforcement of age restrictions on the purchase of kratom. This is intended to protect young individuals, whose developing brains can be more susceptible to the psychoactive effects of substances like kratom. The KCPA typically prohibits the sale of kratom products to individuals under the age of 18 or 21, depending on state regulations. These age restrictions are enforced through penalties and fines imposed on vendors who sell to underage consumers. Additional Benefits The KCPA not only safeguards the minors but also, through the standardization of the kratom products' safety, boosts the consumers’ trust and creates an enabling environment to support legitimate businesses. It deprives marketing of the product and makes consumers sure that they have the real kratom instead of the adulterated one, which can be harmful. Additionally, the law provides a chance to educate the public on kratom by requiring all the sellers to make accurate and transparent labeling and encouraging them to share the right way to use it and the potential dangers. What Is The KCPA and How Does KCPA Protect Minors? The Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) represents a pivotal development in the regulatory landscape surrounding kratom, a botanical substance derived from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree native to Southeast Asia. The KCPA is designed to ensure the safety and purity of kratom products through state-level legislation, offering consumers peace of mind while addressing public health concerns. Key Features of the KCPA The KCPA establishes a regulatory framework that includes several critical components: - Product Labeling: It requires clear labeling on kratom products, specifying contents, dosages, and a declaration that the product is not mixed with any dangerous non-kratom substances. - Quality Control: Manufacturers must ensure their products are free from contaminants such as heavy metals, pathogens, or synthetic substances. Regular testing is mandated to ensure compliance. - Banning of Adulterants: The act prohibits the sale of adulterated or synthetic kratom, focusing on natural, unadulterated kratom leaf extracts. Protection of Minors A significant aspect of the KCPA is its protection of minors. The act explicitly includes provisions to: - Enforce Age Restrictions: The KCPA mandates that no kratom products can be sold to individuals under a specified age, typically 18 or 21 years, depending on the state. This helps mitigate the risk of adolescent exposure to kratom, which could potentially affect their health due to their developing brains and bodies. - Penalties for Non-Compliance: Vendors who violate these age restrictions face severe penalties, including fines and possible revocation of their license to sell kratom. This enforcement ensures a high level of compliance. Broader Impact The KCPA not only safeguards minors but also benefits the broader community by promoting a responsible and safe kratom market. It helps eliminate the sale of unsafe products and reassures users about the quality of kratom they purchase. This regulation supports legitimate vendors by creating a more trustworthy marketplace and discourages the operation of unscrupulous sellers. What Are the Different Forms of Kratom Available for Purchase? Kratom, derived from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, is available in various forms to suit different preferences and uses. Each form offers unique benefits and ways to consume kratom. Understanding these can help you choose the right product for your needs. Kratom Powder The powder of kratom is a very popular type of kratom that is obtained by extracting and crushing the leaves of the kratom tree. This has the advantage that the variety of options for how it can be employed is increased.  User can always choose how to mix and mold kratom powders to go well with their flavor of tea or smoothies, or even add them to foods. Some individuals tend to "toss and wash" with water, which involves just swallowing the powder fast, followed by a swallow of water straight away. Kratom Capsules It is for those who are complaining that they do not like kratom powder because it is very bitter that capsules offer an option of a tasteless one. Kratom capsules are compressed into powdered kratom and packed into any usual gelatin or vegetarian capsule. They make life easier and operator with pinpoint accuracy while getting rid of the necessity to count spoons. These are also inconspicuous and taken with much ease when one wants them as may be needed. Kratom Extracts Kratom extracts are potent forms of kratom made by boiling down the leaves to concentrate the active compounds, primarily mitragynine, and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Extracts can come in liquid form or as a resin. They are typically more potent than regular leaf powder, so a smaller dose is often enough, making it cost-effective for frequent users. Kratom Gummies Kratom gummies represent a smart way to consume kratom, particularly if the exact taste of kratom is not your best choice. These candies have kratom extract inside, the easy and private way to plow in kratom, which comes with a controlled dose. In addition, drugs derived from natural sources such as medical plants are known to have the advantage of a slow-release action that lasts longer. Kratom Tea Kratom tea is also one of the common kratom varieties, especially with a view to the kratom tea origins. The way to brew kratom tea is to either put your leaves or powder in hot water or let them steep. This technique helps in the gradual extraction of the active compounds, and the user has the freedom of dialing in the strong level by way of proportionately varying the amounts of leaf or powder. Kratom tea can be flavored with honey, lemon, or other herbs to enhance its taste. Conclusion In this article, we have explored the key aspects surrounding the question: “How old do you have to be to buy kratom?” We have determined that the legal age to buy kratom is usually from 18 to 21, depending on local and state laws. We also reviewed the legality of kratom in different states as well as the role that the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA) plays in keeping the product safe and ensuring minors are protected. Additionally, we discussed the different forms of kratom available, such as powders, capsules, extracts, gummies, and tea. For more detailed information and safe purchase options, visit the reputable websites of the brands mentioned. Always ensure compliance with local laws and consult healthcare providers when necessary. Frequently Asked Questions Where Can I Buy Kratom? Kratom can be purchased from online vendors, specialized health stores, and some smoke shops. Ensure you buy from reputable sources to guarantee purity and quality. Are Kratom Supplements FDA Approved? Kratom supplements are not FDA-approved. The FDA warns against its use due to concerns about safety, effectiveness, and potential health risks. Is Kratom addictive? Kratom can be addictive due to its opioid-like effects. Prolonged use, especially in large doses, may lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms similar to opioid addiction. How should Kratom be stored? Kratom should be stored in a cool, dry place away from sunlight to maintain its potency. Airtight containers are ideal to prevent contamination and preserve freshness Can Kratom be detected in drug tests? Standard kratom drug tests typically do not screen for Kratom. However, specialized tests can detect Kratom compounds like mitragynine, though they are less commonly used. Read the full article