The Weird Writer

[mermaidlovr]

Talida didn’t move as she heard someone else climb on the crow’s nest. “Shouldn’t you be asleep?

“Shouldn’t you be on watch?” Warrick retorted. Talida huffed and turned her face back up to the stars. “I can never sleep the night before a meeting.”

Talida hummed in response and turned to look at him. His face was extremely close on the small platform and Talida couldn’t help but think of what happened earlier. She looked away.

Warrick continued to stare at her. Her stark-white hair glowed under the moonlight. She looked more relaxed than he had ever seen her.

“Why did you volunteer tonight?” He asked suddenly. Talida looked at him confused. “You hate being up late at night. Said it made you homesick.”

Talida laughed breathily and looked out into the open ocean. “It’s a full moon. My mo-Diana and I used to stay up all night on full moons.”

“Diana’s the one who gave you that necklace, right?” Warrick asked, nodding to Talida’s necklace. She nodded. “May I see it?”

Talida hesitated a moment before lifting her arms and taking it off. Warrick took it gently and held it up to the light. It had a silver chain  and the pendant was of a black circle with a yellow ring around it. Warrick realized it was meant to be an eclipse.

“It’s beautiful.” Warrick handed it back to her.

“Thank you. Diana always used to tell me the story when I couldn’t sleep.” Talida told him. Warrick furrowed his eyebrows.

“Story?” He asked. Talida stared at him.

“Your parents never told you the tale of the Sun and Moon?”

Warrick chuckled. “In case you haven’t noticed, my parents aren’t exactly the bedtime story type.”

Warrick took her hand and threaded their fingers together before continuing.. “But, if you wanna tell me, I wouldn’t be opposed to hearing it.”

“I’m not the best storyteller but I’ll do my best.” Talida smiled and leaned back on her elbows. “Long ago, before life existed, the Sun fell in love with the Moon. And they spent years together in bliss. When the first humans and Syryns were born and night and day were needed, they had to separate. The Sun was so in love with the Moon that he chased her around the sky every day. But only every ten years does he catch up to her and they can be together again for the briefest of moments.”

Warrick smiled and glanced at her necklace before looking back at her. “During an eclipse.”

“Correct.” Talida said. She looked down at their hands. Warrick reached out and gently pushed a strand of hair away from her face causing Talida to look up at him.

They leaned in closer. Their face were merely half an inch apart when Talida felt the presence of another ship. She turned and pointed.

“Nesryn’s father. He’s back!”

***

Guess who decided to crawl out of my hole of writer’s block to share with you this scene of Talida and Warrick! Me!

taglist: @quilloftheclouds | taglist is open!

[mermaidlovr]

Daughter of Storms Worldbuilding: Syryn History

Alright, so, instead of outlining/writing DoS like I should be, I’ve decided to explain some things about Syryns! Here we go!

•••

So, Syryns used to be very friendly with humans, preferring to spend most of their time on land instead of in the ocean. They were highly respected and were treated like royalty until a certain ruler, whose name will not be mentioned (because I haven’t given one to him yet), felt threatened by the magical abilities of Syryns and began hunting them. All of the Syryns on land were killed. The only ones that survived, which was hardly any, were the ones that had been underwater. This group of Syryns disagreed on how to proceed. One half wanted to make the King pay for what he had done and the other half was content to hide underwater.

Eventually, the group split in half. One half went to the Alanii Ocean (ah-lah-nee) where they proceeded to drown every human ship that passed them by. The other half remained in the Carib Ocean (cah-reeb) and spent their days lounging peacefully in underwater cave systems.

The Alanii and Carib Oceans are very...different. The Carib is soft and tranquil and nothing remotely dangerous can be found in those waters. The Alanii, however, is cold, dark, and hostile. Nothing in those waters could even be mistaken as friendly. The Syryns who moved there had to...change. Their tails grew longer and leaner. Their scales darker. Their fins sharper. And, perhaps the most animalistic of all transitions, their nails grew into claws capable of ripping flesh to shreds.

But, of course, there’s nothing to fear. No Alanii Syryn would ever hurt a Carib Syryn, right?

Taglist!!: @quilloftheclouds | taglist is open!

[erinoddly]

WIP Introduction: Dove in the Demon’s Mouth

GENRE › NA fantasy of some kind STATUS › first draft (kinda) POV › 3rd person limited, Alden’s POV

Summary:

Alden Eldridge is the Crown Prince of the country of Edrus and the youngest member of the Edrusian Guard to hold a position of power. But even that isn’t enough to make him feel secure. Not when Edrus is under attack by creatures known as Malterras, Terras for short, that have driven humanity into their cities, protected only by large stone wards fortified by the priests and priestesses that have been blessed by the gods. The issue? Alden doesn’t believe in the gods. If Terras are living things that he can kill with his own two hands, then why rely on divine protection that hasn’t shown itself in 500 years?

But that all might change when he meets Elijah and Roxana Yeardley, a pair of almost supernaturally strong priests from a small town in Edrus.

Perhaps not only do the gods exist, but they may just walk among humanity. And perhaps that revelation may cost things that are very precious to him.

[mermaidlovr]

This is so cool!!! Love the premise! Love the title! It sounds so interesting!

I’d love to be added to the taglist!

[mermaidlovr]

That moment when you haven’t even started writing the first book but you’re already planning all the plot twists in the sequel...

[mermaidlovr]

Nesryn Bledig | the wild rose

species: human

gender: Female

age: 24

appearance: thick red hair that’s often unruly, green eyes, tan skin from being out in the sun, scars on face and arms from childhood.

history: her mother died when she was very young. her father sold almost all of their things and bought a ship with the money. nesryn was raised by her uncle and was often (spoilers). she ran away when she was 15 and started working for captain ayers, warrick’s father. she became quite close to warrick and was made his first mate when he became captain.

taglist!!: @quilloftheclouds | taglist is open!

[mermaidlovr]

Warrick Ayers | the defender

species: human

gender: male

age: 25

appearance: curly brown hair, dark gray eyes, tan skin from being out in the sun most of his life, scar on his back from an incident when he was 10.

history: was born out at sea on his father’s ship. he was raised by his mother on land until he was nine when she died from (spoilers). he has lived with his father since and was given his own ship and crew when he was 20.

taglist!!: @quilloftheclouds | taglist is open!

[caphedenda-deactivated20201130]

Y’all active writeblrs out there, mind rb-ing this post? Dash is dying and could use some new mutuals of y’all are up for it 😉

[mermaidlovr]

Talida Dunkel | the dark pearl


species: syryn 
gender: female 
age: 18


appearance: white-blonde hair, bright blue eyes, pale skin despite spending hours in the sun, dark blue scales on her shoulders and legs, black tattoo on her left forearm. 
mer form: dark blue scales up her back and down her arms, large gills on her sides, dark blue tail twice the length of her torso, spiky fins with white tips.


history: when Talida was an infant, she was (spoilers). she was raised by her aunt along with her older brother. she was well liked by her entire pod and had no trouble manipulating others to get her way. she grew up very sheltered by her pod and excelled in every skill taught to her especially her Charming ability.

taglist!!: @quilloftheclouds | taglist is open!

[mermaidlovr]

Daughter of Storms | wip

genre: fantasy

status: planning

themes: found family, romance, adventure, trust

synopsis: Talida has never been to the surface world. She’s never need to. When she discovers the truth of her birth parents, she’ll need the help of a human ship to make the long journey. Too bad her ship gets attacked by pirates.

•••

alright so after a long hiatus, I decided to come back NOT to work on my long-neglected wips but to start a new one entirely!

[jessgoulder-deactivated20240724]

List of Greek Gods & Goddesses

THE OLYMPIANS - THE GODS & GODDESSES WHO RESIDE ON OLYMPUS

Zeus - King of the gods and mortals, king of the heavens who ruled over the clouds, winds, rain, thunder and lightning. God of law, order, justice, and divine witness to oaths. The eagle is his sacred animal.

Hera - Queen of the gods and mortals, protector of women, marriage, maternity, family, the sky and the stars of heaven. The peacock and cow are her sacred animals.

Poseidon - God of the calm and stormy seas, water, earthquakes, and horses.

Demeter - Goddess of growing and blooming plant life. Rules over agriculture, the harvest,the seasons, motherly relationships & the eleusinian mysteries. Pigs and snakes are her sacred animals.

Hades - God of the dead, ruler of the underworld and riches. His sacred animal is Cerberus, the three headed hound of the underworld.

Hestia - Goddess of the hearth fire, the home and domesticity. It is said she was the first to build a house.

Athena - Goddess of wisdom, war, generalship, battle strategy, invention, crafts, craftsmen, science, inspiration, reason and patron of Athens. Her sacred animal is the owl.

Hephaestus- God of fire, the forge, craftsmen, engineers, blacksmiths, metal, volcanoes, he fashioned the thunderbolts for Zeus.

Aphrodite - Goddess of love, sex, beauty, lust, desire, fertility, pleasure and sexuality. Her sacred animals are doves and swans.

Hermes - God of commerce, trade, profit, merchants, roads, travelers, athletes, dexterity, thieves, guardian of flocks, messenger of the gods. His sacred animals are the tortoise and hawk.

Ares - God of war, violence and bloodshed. His sacred animals are the boar and woodpecker,

Apollo - God of light, truth, music, poetry, healing, plague, prophecy, oracles, order and the protector of herds. His sacred animals are wolves, dolphins, ravens, crows and snakes. Twin brother of Artemis.

Artemis - Goddess of the hunt, wilderness, childbirth, protector of young, blooming nature, animals and maidens. Her sacred animals are deer, bears and hounds. Twin sister of Apollo.

Dionysus - God of wine, wine making, the grape harvest, viniculture, vegetation, ecstasy, ritual madness and theater. His sacred animals are leopards, panthers and tigers.

THE TITANS - THE FIRST GENERATION OF GODS

Aether - God of the upper air or sky.

Anchiale - Goddess who perhaps represented the warmth of fire.

Anytus - One of the younger Titans or Curetes. Anytus was an attendant of the goddess Demeter who fostered her Arcadian daughter Despoine.

Asteria -Goddess who presided over the night, stars and nocturnal prophecy. She was the mother of the goddess Hecate.After the fall of the Titans Asteria was pursued by Zeus and but leapt into the sea to escape him where she was transformed into the island of Delos. 

Astraeus - God of the stars, the winds, and the art of astrology. He was the father of the four directional winds and the five wandering stars (the Planets).

Atlas - God of astronomy and the revolution of the heavenly constellations. He was arrested by Zeus and condemned to bear the heavens upon his shoulders. Homer suggests he was later released from this torment and appointed guardian of the pillars of heaven.

Aura - Goddess of the breezes.

Clymene - Goddess of fame and renown. She was the wife of Iapetos and mother of Prometheus.

Coeus - God who presided over the axis of heaven in the north around which the constellations revolve. At the end of the Titan-War, he was confined by Zeus in the Tartarean pit. Coeus was sometimes described as leader of the Gigantes, who rebelled against Zeus. 

Crius - God of the heavenly constellations and the measure of the year. Associated with the constellation Aries. He was later cast into the Tartarean pit by Zeus. Crius was sometimes named as a leader of the Gigantes who rebelled against the rule of Zeus.  

Cronus - The King of the Titans, originally an agricultural god and a god of time. He led his brothers in the ambush and castration of their father Uranus, but was himself deposed and cast to tartarus from his own son Zeus. In one story he fled to Latium ( Rome ) and was worshiped as the god Saturn.

Curetes - A group of shield clashing Titan gods who came to the aid of Rhea to act as guardians of her son Zeus.

Dione - Prophetic goddess who presided over the Oracle at Dodona alongside Zeus.

Eos - The Goddess of the dawn. She was the mother of the wandering stars (that is, the planets) and the four directional winds by the Titan Astraeus.

Epimetheus - The Titan god of afterthought. He was appointed with the task of creating the beasts of the earth.

Eurybia- Goddess of the power of the sea.

Eurynome - Goddess of earth’s flowery meadows. She was the mother of the three lovely Graces by Zeus.

Hecate / Hekate - Goddess of the new moon, crossroads ( figuratively & literally ), protector of the home, childbirth, magic, spirits and potions. She supported Zeus in the Titan war and so retained all of her privileges. She was given dominion over all three realms: The Heavens, The Earth and Seas. Her sacred animals are dogs serpents, frogs, horses and black cats.

Helios - God of the sun. He rides across the sky in a chariot drawn by four fiery, winged steeds. He was an ally of Zeus in the Titan-War. The brother of Selene.

Hemera - Goddess of daylight.

Hyperion - Old god of light, and of the cycles of time measured by the lights of heaven – the sun, the moon and the dawn. Hyperion was one of the four brother Titans who held Uranus fast while Cronus castrated him with the sickle. At the end of the Titan War he was cast into the pit of Tartarus by Zeus.

Iapetos - God of mortality and the allotment of the mortal life-span. he was cast into the Tartarean pit by Zeus at the end of the Titan War.

Lelantos - The Titan god of the breezes of the air.

Leto - Goddess of motherhood, light, and womanly demure. She was the mother of the twin gods Apollo and Artemis by Zeus.

Melisseus- God of honey. He was one of the protectors of the infant Zeus. His daughters were the god’s nurses.

Menoitios - The God of violent anger and rash action as his name would suggest. Zeus blasted him into Erebus with a thunderbolt, where he became a bondsman of King Hades.

Metis - Goddess of good counsel.

Mnemosyne- Goddess of memory, words and language. She was the mother of the nine Muses by Zeus.

Nyx - Goddess of night.

Okeanos - God of the oceans.

Pallas - The Titan god of warcraft and the military campaign season. Some say Athena defeated him in battle and crafted her aegis-cape from his goatish skin.

Perses - God of destruction.

Phoebe - Goddess of intellect and prophetic goddess of the great Oracle of Delphi. She was the grandmother of the god Apollo and may have given him his prophetic gifts.

Phorcys - The old man of the sea.

Prometheus - God of forethought and the creator and benefactor of man.

Rhea - The Queen of the Titans and goddess of female fertility and the mountain wilds. She saved her son Zeus from his father Cronus by substituting the child for a stone wrapped in swaddling cloth. Her sacred animal is the lion.

Selene - Goddess of the moon. She rides across the sky in a silver chariot drawn by two white horses. Sister of Helios.

Styx - Goddess of oaths of allegiance and of the deadly, netherworld River Styx.

Tethys - Goddess of the sources of fresh-water. She was known as the great nurse of life and spawned the Rivers, Clouds and Springs.

Theia - Goddess of sight and the shining light of heaven (“aither”). She was the mother of Sun, Moon and Dawn.

Themis - Goddess of the natural order, divine law and tradition. By Zeus she was the mother of the Fates and of the Seasons, and had a seat by his side on Olympus as advisor.

MINOR GODS AND GODDESSES

Achelous - Oldest of the river gods.Son  of Oceanus and Tethys.

Acheron - A river god. Son of Oceanus and Tethys.

Adrestia - Goddess of the revolt and equilibrium between good and evil.

Aeolus - God of the four winds.

Afer - the south-west wind.

Agathodaemon - A spirit of vineyards and fields, providing luck, happiness and health.

Aidos - Goddess of modesty, shame, reverence and respect. A companion of Nemesis.

Alethia - Goddess of truth.

Alpheius - River god of Elis. He pursued the numpty Arethusa until she was changed into a spring by Artemis.

Amphitrite - Goddess of the sea. Wife of Poseidon.

Anteros  - god of passion, mutual love and tenderness. Son of Aphrodite and Ares.

Arte - Goddess of virtue.

Aristaeus - Protector of beekeepers.

Asclepius - God of healing and medicine. Son of Apollo. He was struck down and killed by Zeus for bringing the dead back to life. He became the constellation Ophiuchus.

Asopus - A river god.

Asterion - A river god. Judged the contest between Hera and Poseidon for the patronage of Argos.

Astraea - Goddess of justice.

Ate - Goddess of evil, mischief and moral blindness.

Boreas - God of the north wind.

Caerus - God of opportunities and favorable moments.

Calliope - Muse of epic poetry, telling of heroes and their deeds; was often portrayed with Homer.

Cephisus- A river god.Father of Narcissus.

Cer - Goddess of violent death.

Charis - Goddess of delight.

Chloris - Goddess of flowers.

Clio - Muse of History.

Corus - God of the north-western wind.

Crimisus - A river god. Son of Oceanus and Tethys.

Cybele - Anatonian mother goddess who was closely associated with Rhea and Gaia.

Deimos- God of terror. Son of Ares and Aphrodite.

Dike - Goddess of justice and the spirit of moral order and fair judgement

Doris - A sea goddess. Daughter of Oceanus and Tethys.

Dysnomia - The spirit of lawlessness.

Dysis - Goddess of the sunset

Eirene - Goddess of peace.

Elpis- Personification of hope.

Enyo- Goddess of war.

Eosphorus - God of the morning star.

Erato - Muse of love lyrics and bridal songs.

Eris - Goddess of discord and strife.

Eros -  Winged god of love. Son of Ares and Aphrodite. His gold tipped arrows caused god and mortal alike to fall in love.

Eunomia - Goddess of lawfulness and good order.

Euphrosyne - Goddess of joy and festivities.

Eurus - God of the south-east wind.

Euterpe - Muse of lyric poetry.

Gaea - Personified goddess of the Earth. Mother of the titans and wife of Uranus.

Granicus- A river god. Granicus was a river of Ida near Troy.

Harmonia -  Goddess of harmony and concord. Daughter of Ares and Aphrodite.

Hebe - Goddess of youth.

Hermaphroditus - Deity of hermaphrodites, unions, androgyny, marriage, sexuality and fertility.

Hesperia - Goddess of dusk.

Hesperus - God of the evening star.

Himerus- God of desire. An attendant of Eros.

Horae - Goddesses who personified the passages of time.

Horcus - The personification of the curse that would befall upon any person that broke an oath they had taken.

Hygieia- Goddess of health.

Hymen - A god of marriage and the wedding feast.

Hypnos - God of sleep. Father of Morpheus and the dreams.

Iaso- Goddess of healing.

Limos- Goddess of starvation and famine.

Iris - Goddess of rainbows and messenger of Hera.

Kakia - Goddess of vice.

Ktesios- Spirit who guarded storerooms.

Melicertes- God of ports and harbours.

Melpomene- Muse of tragedy.

Morpheus - god of dreams.

Nemesis- Goddess of revenge and retribution.

Nike - Goddess of victory. A constant companion of Athena.

Nile - was the River-God of Aigyptos (Egypt) in North Africa.

Notus - God of the south wind.

Pan - God of nature, the wild, shepherds, flocks, beekeepers, goats, of mountain wilds, and is often associated with sexuality.

Peitho- Goddess of persuasion

Persephone - Queen of the underworld. Wife of Hades and daughter of Demeter.She was seen as the personification of spring.

Phantasos- God of surreal dreams.

Pheme- Goddess of rumour and report.

Phobetor - God of nightmares.

Phobos - God of fear and terror.

Phosphorus - God of the morning star.

Phyllis - God of escape.

Plutus - God of riches and wealth. Son of Demeter. Blinded by Zeus so he might favour both righteous and irreverent people indiscriminately.

Ponos - God of hard labor and toil.

Praxidice- Goddess of enterprises, evil deeds and their punishment.

Priapus - God of fertility, vegetables, nature, livestock, fruit, beekeeping, sex, genitals, masculinity and gardens.

Proteus - The old man of the sea. An ancient sea god, he had the power to change his shape and the gift of prophecy.

Psyche - Goddess of the soul.

Satyrs- Half-human woodland spirits, with the legs and feet of goats. Followers of Pan and Dionysus. They had hairy bodies with short horns on their foreheads. Older Satyrs were called Sileni.

Telesphorus- God of convalescence.

Terpsichore - Muse of the dance.

Thalia - Muse of comedy.

Thanatos- Personification of death.

Triptolemus - One of the original priests of Demeter, one of the first men to learn the secret rites and mysteries of Eleusinian Mysteries. When he died he was defied as the god who presided over the sowing of grain-seed and the milling of wheat.

Triton - The messenger of the sea. Son of Poseidon and Amphitrite.

Tyche - Goddess of fortune and luck.

Urania - Muse of astronomy.

Uranus - The first sky god. Husband of Gaea and father of the titans.

Zephyrus- God of the west wind.

The Seasons / Hours / Nymphs / Charities / Morai :

THE FOUR SEASONS:

Eiar (Spring)

Theros (Summer)

Phthinoporon (Autumn)

Cheimon (Winter)

THE TWELVE HOURS:

Auge, first light (initially not part of the set),

Anatolê or Anatolia, sunrise,

Mousikê or Musica, the morning hour of music and study,

Gymnastikê, Gymnastica or Gymnasia, the morning hour of education, training, gymnastics/exercise,

Nymphê or Nympha, the morning hour of ablutions (bathing, washing),

Mesembria, noon,

Sponde, libations poured after lunch,

Elete, prayer, the first of the afternoon work hours,

Aktê, Acte or Cypris, eating and pleasure, the second of the afternoon work hours,

Hesperis, end of the afternoon work hours, start of evening,

Dysis, sunset,

Arktos or Arctus, night sky, constellation (initially not part of the set).

THE NYMPHS:

- Minor female deities who represented different elements of nature:

Oceanids (nymphs of the ocean),

Nereids (sea- nymphs),

Dryads and Hamad Dryads ( nymphs of ash trees)

Oreads (Mountain Nymphs),

Epipotamides (river nymphs),

Naiads (nymphs of brooks, lakes and springs),

Crenids (nymphs of springs),

Limnades (nymphs of lakes, marshes and swamps),

Nyseides ( bacchant nymphs),

Potameides ( nymphs of fountains, lakes rivers, and springs),

Limoniades ( nymphs of meadows of flowers) ,

Napaeae ( nymphs of glens).

THE CHARITIES:

- The three goddesses of charm, beauty, nature, human creativity, and fertility.

Aglaea- Splendor

Euphrosyne- Mirth

Thalia - Good Cheer

THE MORAI / THREE FATES -

-The three goddess who controlled the thread of life of every mortal from birth to death.

Clotho spun the “thread” of human fate.

Lachesis dispensed it.

Atropos cut the thread (thus determining the individual’s moment of death).

 - - - > For a list of the Roman Gods Click Here

SOURCES: theoi.com / wikipedia.com / “Who’s Who of Greek and Roman Mythology” by David Kravitz

[roanoaks]

When I saw this I immediately thought that Rick Riordan probabky saw this and now I don’t know what to do like as a fellow writer I know research his hard so how did Rick do all the research he would have needed I DUNNO AND I NEED TO KNOW

[druzydabbles]

🎵 & 💐 for the 2K celebration giveaway, please? I’m using the same on for both of these but the song is Joan of Arc by Little Mix. Nebula - She’s a goddess (literally). She’s not afraid to stand up for what she believes in and will kill you if you get in her way or try to hurt her and her family. She is high-key manipulative ngl. Really best way to describe her is that she’s a snake.

She sounds like… fun… Uh. Please don’t let her kill me.

I did look at your oc intro for her to get a bit more context! It helped with coming up with the quotes and images, I hope it’s fitting~

And for a song, I’m definitely getting vibes of Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing by Set It Off! Definitely for the lyrics, but perhaps the overall vibes fit, as well?

Joan of Arc by Little Mix is certainly not like songs I typically listen to! Ohhhh stars I’m having difficulty here, uh… Maybe Rose? Let’s go with that. XD

[mermaidlovr]

Oh my god....I literally have no words to describe how perfect this is. I think some sort of inhuman squeal left my mouth when I saw this.

[thecollectibles]

The Mermaid of Lily Lake by Andy Ivanov

[capillaryspice]

writing is the worst

u wanna write a single, passing line of dialogue so u fact check it to make sure it’s historically accurate, then suddenly you’ve lost track of time, space,, urself

for instance: I wanted to know how frequently fighter planes were used in WWI and now I’m several pages deep into the history of witchcraft in ireland

[forever-lonely-stars]

this is it. this is what writing is like. 

[unmellowyellowfellow-deactivate]

one time i was trying to figure out when the first surgery was performed and then i ended up spending 2 hours looking at the galaxy to scale

[mermaidlovr]

One time I wanted to know the shelf-life of canned fruit and I ended up knee-deep in the history of dress-making.

[gigglygamer]

Your Simple Fantasy Name

Your first initial and the last two letters of your last name.

Tag yourself, I’m Ley.

[trying-to-fight-it]

Aon

[poore-choice-of-words]

Are

[karkkidoeswriting]

Ken

[alittle-fairy27]

Mri

[fragmentedink-archived]

Cng

[incandescent-creativity]

Err

[toboldlywrite]

Behold! I am the mighty

Can

[librarysilverfish]

Kin

[theprissythumbelina]

COS

[writerproject-deactivated202103]

Jns…

Or Bck…

Or Ite

[mermaidlovr]

*sigh* ...Ale

[sunnydwrites]

hey everyone! lately i’ve been super inactive here on tumblr and i’m trying to change that, and i’d like to start by getting (re)acquainted with everyone’s wips! give this a like or reblog and i’ll come check you out!

also don’t be afraid to come at me with full enthusiasm because that is pretty much what i live for. <3

[mermaidlovr]

Hi! So glad you’re back!

[inky-duchess]

War, Battles and Sieges: Causes of War

War is a staple of any fantasy or historical book. War is often at centre of plot. So in these set of posts, we will be discussing the different areas and aspects of writing war and battles. (If there are any other areas I do not cover, feel free to send a suggestion to the ask box.)

Wars in any genre must have a starting point and reasons leading up to the initial conflicts. These can be numerous. In this post we’ll discuss the eight accepted reasons for a war. These are as follows:

Economic Gain

Territorial Gain

Religion

Nationalism

Revenge

Civil War

Revolutionary War

Defensive War

1. Economic Gain

Some wars are often fought for money and assets. Really if we would break every war down to basics, money is always a factor. Countries, kingdoms and factions have been battling over gold, cattle and other things that equal wealth for centuries. Even today, wars for wealth and economic gain can be summed up in a single reason: oil.

Examples

First Anglo Dutch War (1652): The English states wanted a greater control their trading routes and their growing colonies. The Dutch wanted to keep control of their ports in and Portugal, allowing them to hold onto their emerging commercial power.

Anglo-Indian Wars (1766-1849) – These wars were were fought between the British East India Company, a trade conglomerate, and different Indian states. These wars were fought to bring India under English rule, to gain the vast wealth of India.

First Opium War (1839-1842) - The British Empire had issue with trade with China as they wanted to import more exotic items such as silk, porcelain and tea which had become more and more on demand and China preferred to keep foreign trade to a minimum. After the East India Company sold off a large amount of Opium to other trade partners, China shut down trade with British Empire including seizing assets and arresting merchants.

Finnish-Soviet War or “The Winter War” (1939-1940) – The Soviets wanted to mine Nickel in Finland, which would turn a profit. However the Finnish refused the offer leading the Soviet Union to declare war.

2. Territorial Gain

Dreams of Empire have long been the aim of many combatants in war. Invasions and Acquisitions are always numbered as the most popular causes of war and conflict.

Examples

Campaign of Gaul (58-50BC): This was the wars fought by Caesar as he invaded Gaul. This war was seen as an “illegal” war as the Senate did not approve of it. The main aim of the war was the acquisition and maintaining of Roman rule in Gaul.

Arab-Israeli War or “Six Day War” (1967-1988) – Israeli invaded the territories of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, taking them from Jordan which led to the lengthy war.

Mexican-American War (1846-1848) – This war began shortly after annexation of Texas, where Mexico was forced to release the state of Texas to American hands. Mexico fought for the return of Texas but were defeated.

World War II (1939-1945): This war might have begun for a number of reasons but the inciting point was Hitler’s invasion of Poland and other surrounding nations.

Serbo-Bulgarian War (1885-1886) – After an act of nature, the river which marked the border between the countries of Bulgaria and Serbia was moved. After this, the two nations went to war over a disputed border town.

3. Religion

Wars have always been fought over who has the “real” god/s and who is in the right when it comes of values and customs. Wars of such have been fought for as long as men first found differences between different religions and believed themselves “righteous”.

Examples

The Crusades (1095-1291) – These wars were sanctioned by the Catholic Church in the middle ages. Popes and Kings alike all dreamed of retaking the Holy Land of Jerusalem. They wished to spread Christianity, destroy Islam and Judaism and win the land they believed theirs. The effects of these brutal wars can be felt today

The Troubles (1968-1998): The Troubles were a series of attacks and skirmishes between Protestants and Catholics in the North of Ireland. The two sides battled bloodily in streets and in attacks, claiming thousands of lives including the innocents.

Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) – The Lebanese Civil War was fought between the Sunni Muslim, Shiite Muslim and Christian Lebanese populations.

Second Sudanese Civil War (1983-2005) – This war was caused by the predominantly Muslim government imposing sharia law on all residents including those who were non-muslim.

4. Nationalism

Nationalism can be addressed as attempting to prove that your country is the greatest by invasion or harsh subjugation. The war is often a declaration of power, a “look at us, look how strong we are.” Look at the British Empire. Ancient Rome. America.

5. Revenge

This reason often walks hand in hand with Nationalism. Revenge is a common reason for war even if it doesn’t always take the top rung on the ladder of reasons.

Examples

World War II (1939-1945) – The rise of the Nazis and the Germanic invasions of Europe all culminated because of the Treaty of Versailles, which was written in such a way to prevent Germany ever reaching full power which crippled growth and led to a poverty stricken state.

War on Terror (2001- Present) – After the devastating attack on the World Trade Center, President George W. Bush declared war Iraq. These wars, which some argue as pointless, still are being fought.

The Third Punic War (149 BC – 146 BC): The third of these wars was enacted as revenge for the waste that the famous general Hannibal inflicted on Rome during the Second Punic war in retaliation for the First war. The Third however led to the utter destruction of the city of Carthage, ending the cycle of revenge.

Troy vs Greece (Unknown date/undecided reality): Though the famous war between the Trojans and the Greeks is well known, no historian can confirm it happened. The inciting event of this war was the elopement of the Spartan Queen Helen and the Trojan Prince Paris. The Greeks followed them, leading to a 10 year war and the annihilation of Troy.

6. Civil War

Civil wars are fought between two powers of the same land for control over the country. These wars are always the most devastating for the people of the land and often end by planting the seeds for the next conflict.

Examples

American Civil War (1861-1865) - The American Civil War divided America North and South over the issue of slavery. The war was the most bloody in American history, the total of deaths outweighing even the portion of American soldiers that died during WWII.

Russian Civil War (1917-1923) – This war was caused by the successful Russian Revolution. It was fought by the Red Army and the White Army who were battling over the future of Russia and its people.

English Civil War (1642-1651): This war was fought between Parliament and the Crown. The war eventually brought down the Monarchy, lost Charles I his head and left the Purtian Dickhead Oliver Cromwell in charge. (More on this CUNT person later)

Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) – The Spanish Civil War was fought by Republicans loyal to the left-leaning Second Spanish Republic, and the Nationalists led by Franco.

Wars of the Roses (1455-1485): After Henry IV lost is mind, Richard of York decided that he would be king. This begun a chain of battles between York and Lancaster which culminated in a victory headed by a rank outsider.

7. Revolutionary War

When a faction rebels against the control of another, we get a revolution. Glorious or not, all revolutions end in in blood and spark major wars. Revolutions are popular in fictional wars and can be set off for many reasons such as tyranny or an excessively harsh ruling class or colonialism.

Examples

Russian Revolution (1917-1918)- After suffering through the harsh WWI and the reign of the well meaning yet incompetent and woefully unprepared Tsar, the people rose and overthrew Tsarist Russia. This revolution claimed the lives of thousands including all of the Tsar’s children, himself and his wife.

Portuguese Restoration War (1640-1668) – The Portuguese revolution ended the 60-year rule of Portugal by Spain.

American Revolution (1775-1783) – The American Revolution was incited by sugar taxes laud on by England. The American colonies fought for independence from the British Empire.

French Revolution (1789-1799) – The French Revolution occurred because of another incompetent monarch and a large and lavish aristocracy. The starving underclasses rose up and began slaughtering the rich and the noble and set about building a new France.

Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) – This revolution saw slaves rising up against their ruling class and masters and setting the groundwork for the foundations of the first free black republic the world has ever known.

Ireland (1169-Present?): Ireland was invaded by Henry II of England (a douche tho I stan his wife and mom), on invitation from an idiot king. Since then Ireland has been under English rule. Ireland has fought rebellion after rebellion, revolution upon revolution to save the land and her people the invaders who forbade our traditions and killed our language and literally starved half the population to death and forcing us to leave our homes, which we have never recovered from. Some say our rebellions are done, perhaps they are. But the spirit is always there. I think this line sums it up best. For 800 years, we fought you without fear and we’ll fight you for 800 more.

8. Defensive War

A defensive war is a war fought before one can be started by the enemy. Or to put it simple terms: Imma punch that guy sitting over there before he can punch me. This may seem a strange concept. It is.

Examples

Cold War (1947-1991) – This war, if it can be called a war, was fought between Soviet Russia and America over nuclear weapons and where they ought to be placed. The American invasion of Cuba can be classed as a defensive war strategy.

[mermaidlovr]

Moira

Of Light And Darkness - Character Introduction

It always made her stare. No matter how many times she saw it, her lungs always stopped working for a minute. The mural, of course, featured Moira at the very center of it.

Moira was in mid-twirl in the mural. Her snow-white skirt billowing around her as her rose gold hair fanned out around her face. Her glowing skin cast a rainbow of lights around the kneeling people surrounding her. Beautiful wasn’t the right word to describe her. Ethereal was a more fitting choice in Rosalìnda’s opinion.

Rosalìnda’s eyes swept over the mural again and she frowned. There was something new in the corner of the painting…

Name: Moira

Nicknames: Lady of Light, Light Goddess, Her Shining Radiance

Gender: Female, she/her pronouns

Sexuality: Pansexual

Age: 2000+

Species: God / Immortal

Powers: Immortality, light embodiment, power stripping, realm teleportation

Appearance: Rose gold, curly hair that goes down to her waist. Pale, almost white, skin that always has a faint glow. Bright, blue eyes. Dove tattoo spread across her upper back.

Background: Melded with the Crystal of Light shortly after the Original Planet was destroyed. Was the first to give life to humans and give them magic. Attempted to dissuade her followers from worshipping her but gave up in the end and decided to travel her Land. Spent almost 200 years amongst mortals before going back to the Crystal Palace. Most of her time was spent with either Aithne or Nebula. Was utterly heartbroken when Nebula’s betrayal was revealed. Has been in a catatonic state ever since.

Personality: ISFJ/Defender

Strengths: Supportive, reliable, patient, imaginative, observant, enthusiastic, loyal, hard-working, and good practical skills

Weaknesses: humble, shy, takes things too personally, represses her feelings, overloads herself, reluctant to change, and too altruistic

Extra:

Is literally the purest thing ever. Loves everyone and thinks everyone deserves a chance.

Favorite things that she created were fireflies, diamonds, and sugar

Once went to visit Nebula in her cage and things got a little...uh...heated

Once tried to make a sculpture of all six gods out of diamond…

...it didn’t go so well