#gladwyn

[esotheria-sims]

The noble Houses of Gladwyn and Blackbird are proud to announce the arrival of their newest heir!

Welcome to the world, baby Godric! 👶

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Tuesday 14 January 2025

In a shaded urban landscape by a carpark were these clumps of Iris foetidissima (stinking iris, gladden, gladwyn, roast beef plant, scarlet-seeded iris, stinking gladwin). In winter this evergreen perennial has large pods which open to reveal bright orange-red seeds. The leaves can look rather tatty but the seeds persist through the winter providing a display.

Jill Raggett

[theboarboyz]

[esotheria-sims]

In case anyone was wondering about the bedtime story Tabitha was reading to Arwan - here's the full thing!

Did I really slap together a whole-ass fake fairytale for the sake of one post? Yes. Was it really necessary? No. Will it become relevant at a later point? Maybe.

Transcript behind the cut!

THE PRINCE AND THE BEGGAR GIRL

Once upon a time, there was a prince who roamed the city's streets in disguise, without the mantle of royalty about his shoulders. The prince was dressed as a beggar, with tattered clothes that hid his true identity and a hooded cloak that concealed his royal ears.

One day, in a quiet corner of the magical marketplace, the prince met a beggar girl. She was pretty, with a heart as pure as starlight, yet as poor as a church mouse. In her eyes, however, gleamed a hidden purpose, a mysterious spark that captivated the prince's attention.

Curious, he struck up a conversation. They shared tales of their journeys, and as they grew closer, the beggar girl confessed her greatest wish - to find and reunite with her lost family.

Moved by her story, the prince pledged to help her in her quest. Together, they journeyed through enchanted forests, crossed shimmering rivers, and faced trials that tested their friendship. Along the way, the prince discovered her magic - she could mend wounds with a gentle touch, summon light with a whisper, and navigate hidden realms.

They met mythical creatures and sought guidance from wise sages who sensed the destiny weaving around them. With the prince's unwavering support, the beggar girl eventually uncovered the truth: she was the long-lost daughter of a powerful wizard lord. No longer a beggar, she was joyfully reunited with her family, who welcomed her with open arms.

In the midst of the celebration, the prince felt his heart swell. Gathering his courage, he revealed his true name, his royal heritage, and the disguise he had worn this whole time. The girl confessed that she had long suspected his secret - though it was his kindness, not his crown, that she cherished. She told him her heart had belonged to him from the moment he promised to help her.

Turning to the girl's father, the prince humbly asked for his blessing to stand beside her as partner and equal. Grateful for the prince’s role in bringing his daughter home, the wizard lord bestowed it gladly.

The prince then turned back to the girl and knelt before her - not as a royal claiming a bride, but as a friend, a companion, and a man in love - and asked if she would share her life with him. She said yes.

And so, beneath a sky alight with stars, the prince and the girl wed in a grand celebration, and lived happily ever after.

The End.

[esotheria-sims]

And thus, the Gladwyn rotation is completed! The round brought lots of exciting twists and turns for the noble family - not that we're not used to seeing drama from these guys!

I hope you enjoy this exclusive sneak peek of the family's official portrait as I go on to recap the highs and lows of their 4th week:

Little Arwan continued to be the star of the show: he was doted on by everyone in the family! (even Rosalind, though it wasn't long-lived). He learned to walk from Tabitha, was taught a nursery rhyme by dada Feanor, and picked up a few Creativity and Charisma points from playing piano, singing, and... wading through a barrel.

Phillip was also hard at work skilling: he learned Physiology and Couples Counselling! Was his extensive reading a preparation for his future career as a knight, or just a distraction from a strained love and friendship...?

Rosalind too worked hard, but unlike her studious sons, her goal was to rotate through as many lovers as possible: she continued to dally with Selina, kept on stoking Feanor's flames, and even acquired an enthusiastic new lover named Charlie O'Donnel. Her stint with Charlie resulted in a pregnancy scare, which Rosalind quickly dealt with thanks to some specialized tea.

Party time! Rosalind threw a lavish double birthday for her sons, which ended up a roaring success! Phillip grew into an adult, and Arwan into a child!

Understanding that Arwan needed to learn about his royal heritage, Rosalind and her family took a trip to the Royal Seat. The young elven prince got his first lessons in politics while mingling with the townspeople!

Phillip's dream (and Rosalind's nightmare) finally came true: he got accepted into the City Watch! But Phillip had no time to celebrate, because...

...the good news were overshadowed by a shocking revelation: having finally visited the Blackbirds, Phillip found out that he would soon become a father!

The Gladwyns paid their usual §10,000 in taxes to the Crown, and Rosalind saw to it that the castle staff got their hard-earned salaries!

[esotheria-sims]

The throne room was as opulent as the palace itself. Arwan had to remind himself to close his mouth as he looked around - it was unseemly for a prince to be seen slack-jawed!

People were milling about, but when the queen showed up everyone took a seat. Arwan settled primly into a gilded chair, looking up to the throne podium where his aunt - Queen Aruena, he corrected himself - stood in all her regal splendor. Elegant yet commanding, she looked every bit the monarch.

Once the queen's speech concluded, Arwan moved through the hall to meet his subjects. He'd never seen so many different people in one place: some were clever and charming, others a bit peculiar. Nearly all bowed deeply once they realized who he was. One man even had a cool metal arm!

At dusk, Arwan left the palace with a grin stretching ear to ear. It's been an eventful day, and his mind was still buzzing with all the incredible sights he saw and strange, wonderful people he met. If he'd known going out into society was this fun, he'd have insisted on going much sooner!

[esotheria-sims]

It's Arwan's turn now!

He squeezed his eyes shut, wishing for a mountain of sweets, for music to fill the world, and for Tabitha to let him stay up past bedtime forever. With great ceremony, he puffed out every last candle, growing into a happy and heathy child.

On a completely unrelated note, this crowd is SO horny for the Gladwyns, lol! 🤣

[esotheria-sims]

The day of the party dawned bright and bustling. Phillip and Arwan were still goofing around in their sleepwear, while Rosalind, already dressed and dolled up, stood ready to welcome the first guests.

The salon was as dressed up as its hostess: walls decked out in flowers and ribbons, decorative vases, and platters of scrumptious foods set out on polished tables. The furniture had been pushed back to make room for a dancefloor, and in the middle stood Rosalind’s latest stroke of genius: a bard booth, outfitted with mesmerizing magic lights.

Convincing the grand warlock to enchant their chandelier had not been cheap, but Rosalind felt the end result was worth every last coin.