...

Collection of worldbuilding. Main blog is mr-gallows

[eithuad]

Probably one of the more unlikeable characters in the cast, and possibly the most among the main four, is Andel. Andel acts as both a politician and head of the military in the fledgling city-state of Atra. He is a war hero, known for saving lives during elven attacks. He continues to put his life on the line despite pleas from the Ministrat (Atran government) to stand down. This has given him a lot of support from the people, since it is clear to him that he values human lives above all others. Humans are tired of the oppression and genocidal actions taken by the Blay elves, and are tired of Ministrat officials attempting to keep the peace through appeasement. Andel, on the other hand, proposes that Atrans keep their territory- territory that the Ministrat is all too happy to give to Aeluad just to keep the peace, while the attacks are still continuing. Andel has drafted many successful policies surrounding infrastructure and defense that have benefited the people. His insistence and passion on human defense and preservation have earned him a very devoted base among the Atran citizenry. The Ministrat is not happy about it and see him as creating chaos (which is true, despite his obsession with order. Andel has a notable authoritarian/nationalist streak. He is known for his anti-Blay elven policies that are proposed as protection against invasion. Though his policies and attitudes come from real experiences with oppression and genocide, some have criticized them as extreme and hypocritical- most notable among his detractors is Marcé. Marcé and Andel are both sent as officials to different city-states in an attempt to get allies for the war effort. They work together rather begrudgingly. Other factoids: -Andel used to frequent La Maison des Lumieres before Aeluad ramped up its attacks. -Andel has daddy issues.

[eithuad]

Queen Beht concept sketch

[mr-gallows]

Paint is used in a ceremony itself, dye is used to mark a slower transition from one phase of life to another (or for other markings that someone desires to be more permanent).

1. Dye makeup: frequently worn by women, sometimes men. Purely cosmetic.

2. Inspired by the creation goddess, Ytya. this design is normally worn to commemorate her. 

3. Post-marriage dye: lasts longer than the paint, it is painted on by the bride/groom’s partner on their wedding night and signifies their bond. Can be any design. 

4. Ceremonial paint: What Saem wore when he became a knight in service to the Aeluac.

5. Post-ceremony dye: Unusual. The Temple marked Saem’s face in knighting markings, and used a dye after removing the paint, prolonging the mark. Statement implying a deeper importance of the ceremony or bond.

[mr-gallows]

OC-tober: As a child + Homeland!

[mr-gallows]

[mr-gallows]

full on patreon!

[mr-gallows]

There are three prominent families, each ruling their own province, but the Aeluac have ruled over the provinces and other families of The Blay for centuries. They consider themselves as having divine right to the throne, and this has largely gone unchallenged due to the family’s great feats, but they have long ignored the blood that stains their hands.

[eithuad]

Wyhc Religious/Clan garb. The Wyhc elves were a people in tune with the mysteries of existence. Many aspects of their clothing were meant to mentally shift them away from their corporeal forms and toward their spiritual one. Not all Wyhc clans participated in this, but it grew to greater and greater prominence. It started with a single movement by a handful of different members of clans, but they began to cover more and more of their bodies in search of connecting more deeply with the unknown and the spiritual. This movement eventually became known as 'Formlessness', and those who practice it today are known as 'The Formless'.

[eithuad]

Marcé

Marcé is a human who owns and operates an Atran brothel/love hotel/coffeehouse called La Maison des Lumières. The name of the brothel is tongue-in-cheek, but also earnest, because Marcé believes that virtue and enlightenment don't require abstaining from pleasure. Atra is a city-state founded by humans, and has a very austere society, made so by constant attack and persecution by the Blay Elves from Aeluad. Marcé's brothel and business symbolize pleasure and decadence, which have long been abandoned by a society focused on survival.

Marcé grew up poor in Yuitebha (Yeh-Tev-Uh), a Blay Elven city that is the most human-friendly. In his young adulthood, he became a sex worker to support himself. Marcé found an admirer in a wealthy Blay merchant named Nossas, and essentially became his sugar-baby. Marcé had an astute mind, and studied how Nossas ran his business, made deals, and created diplomatic ties. Nossas always had Marcé at his side, despite the strange looks from Yuitebhan polite society. Marcé ended up forming connections with Blay Elven members of the elite and Nossas's business contacts. Nossas took occasional trips to the fledgling human city of Atra, where Marcé saw the poor conditions of the city, as well as the possibilities for commerce. Atra (formerly Ithaiel), had many particular goods that had been cut off from the rest of Blay Elven cities for centuries (most blay elves don't venture to Ithaiel/Atra because it is considered cursed). When Nossas died, he left his fortune to Marcé, as he had no family and nobody else he considered as worthy of having it. Marcé had to advocate for themself to receive the inheritance, as there were 'concerns' about the propriety of a human receiving inheritance from an elf (it was very common for Yuitebhan elites to indulge in human companionship in secret, and it was considered socially taboo). Marcé attempted to continue the business left by Nossas in Yuitebha, but it was difficult due to them being human. Frustrated, Marcé decided to branch out into the struggling city of Atra. He started with establishing a business in Atra, making long-lost goods that were unique to Ithaiel, like scents, herbs, pigments, and fabrics. He sold these to businesses in Yuitebha, with great success, since they were very rare. This brought him success, and he was able to bring money into the struggling human stronghold. Marcé expanded his business to open up a La Maison des Lumières- a business that contains a brothel, love hotel, coffeehouse, and a perfume/fine goods shop.

[eithuad]

Diot

(Pronounced 'Dio'. Full name is Alcadiot Vellamont)

Introduction: Diot is a sex worker working in Marcé's La Maison des Lumíeres. He specializes in dominance and submission, preferring to dominate men and submit to women specifically.

Backstory: Diot grew up in the wealthiest family in Atra; Vellamont. The Vellamont family owns much of the farmland and irrigation systems in Atra (formerly Ithaiel, before human settlement). The land had been salted a century prior to the arrival of the Vellamont family. The ancestors of the Vellamont family (and others) worked to restore Ithaiel's destroyed irrigation systems and soil. A few centuries later, the Vellamont family has created a lot of wealth for themselves, often by claiming ownership of land around their irrigation systems, loaning land and other resources, buying out struggling farms, and other underhanded means. The Vellamonts see themselves as nobility who are wrongfully shackled by the Ministrat (Atran government). The young Alcadiot felt stifled by his family, who seemed more interested in respectability and prestige than connection, joy, and expression. When he traveled to Yuitebha for study, he got a taste of pleasure in their sacred brothels. Upon his coming home, Alcadiot yearned for pleasure and frivolity. He yearned to return to Yuitebhan decadence. The family quickly noticed the development of Marcé's fledgling business focused on pleasure la Maison des Lumíeres. The Vellamonts scoffed. For Alcadiot, Marcé's presence made him feel like he could finally breathe. He quickly found himself entranced by the fine silks, perfumes, dyes, food, and other sensual delights. He asked Marcé if he could join his business as a prostitute (Marcé was the only one offering those services at the time). Marcé was hesitant, but eventually allowed Alcadiot to join. Alcadiot changed his name to 'Diot' as a prostitute. He went from someone who commodified, to commodity. Diot was confident in himself and his vision. With Marcé, both began growing the wealth of the brothel. Diot's family are disgusted and disappointed in him, and continually try to persuade him to do something more 'respectable', and say that he is tarnishing their name. He doesn't care. Presently, Diot chooses which clients he beds. He enjoys the position of being at the head of the brothel (Marcé stopped his own sex work as the other parts of the business grew). Diot provides guidance to those who are new to sex work, and teaches classes on 'technique' in la Maison's salon on special occasions.

[hellwatermelon]

Visit Original Link

[inkafterdark]

uhm sketch of their dynamic

[inkafterdark]

almost forgot to post this sketch!

[armthearmour]

A beautifully blued, silvered, and gilt elbow Gauntlet,

Length: 21.5 in/54.6 cm

Germany, late 16th century, housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

[inkafterdark]

I'm going to post the Hamilton ripoff here if anyone is interested in picking apart the design and insulting me I'm curious to hear if anyone has suggestions/comments, but I might still go along with my original design if I like it best LOL

[eithuad]

an added a table and chair for Marcé's enclosure!

[mr-gallows]

Would you trust them?