Damascus mens wedding ring
Drafts
2023.06.07 13:39 CandlelightSongs Drafts
When the voices came on the radio, I was playing with my grandfather on the front lawn.
He was sitting in his rocking chair, and I was out on the lawn, when I heard it.
A long whistle on the radio, then
"Billy! Come here! BILLY, COME HERE NOW!"
My dad was running towards me.
Grandpa reached me first.
Hands clasped over my ears, so hard it left a ringing noise. He was a serious, stern old and I was always a bit afraid of him. Now, he yelled at me over and over.
"Don't listen to him Billy. Don't listen. Please, god, don't let him listen. I'm so sorry, I love him."
The old man was sobbing.
"I love you billy. Don't leave me. I love you."
We stayed like for a bit, grasping each other. When he let go, it was quiet outside.
Dad was standing over the radio
After that day, that old man and I were never close. He never said anything like that, before or after. I wonder if he got embarrassed.
It scared the shit out if him, and he didn't care.
In my town, there's a whistle in my town and it puts the fear of god in old men. It comes sometimes and it comes for us.
Reader then tells different stories throughout history or his life of the Whistle. The whistle is not limited to radio. But could come through any media
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2023.06.07 13:36 Perfect_Site_6294 usa best Mens Rings on Sale
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2023.06.07 12:52 DreamyDude2004_2 Episode titles are trash, here are more consistent ones:
I find this stuff pretty interesting so respond in the comments if you have better suggestions, or just wanna point something else.
My rules are that "Rick", "Mort" and "Morty" are the only puns that can be included for consistencies sake ("Jerry", "Beth", and "Smith" are sometimes included, but not always and not in the first two seasons, and other puns [eg
Claw and Hoarder: Special Rictims Morty replaces "Law" with "Claw"] will also not be included for the same reason). Only one reference to media (made before the episode released) can be made.
Season 1
Original Title | Better Title | Explanation |
Pilot | PiRick | Pun version of "Pilot". The network probably wouldn't allow this, but still. |
Lawnmower Dog | Lawnmower Mort | The original title references the movie "Lawnmower Man", but my rules say that another pun/variation besides "Rick", "Mort", or "Morty" is not allowed. |
Anatomy Park | MiRickle on Thirty-Mort Street | Same explanation as above. I can't do "JuRicksic Mort" because it will eventually be used in season six. So instead of focusing on the human body stuff, I've focused on the Christmas aspect, and chosen a classic movie. Also, just a note, Miracle on 34th Street is eventually referenced in dialogue in season six as well. |
M. Night Shaym-Aliens | The Rixth Sense | Same explanation as above, once again, but this episode title uses "Aliens" as a pun as well as the name of an actor (M. Night Shyamalan). I instead did a pun on one of the actor's most famous movies, The Sixth Sense. |
Meeseeks and Destroy! | Rick and Destroy | A better pun on the original reference, the song Seek and Destroy. |
Rick Potion #9 | Rick Potion No. 9 | The pun (on the song Love Potion No. 9) still sucks, because there's nothing to work with, but at least the grammar is like the original song name now |
Raising Gazorpazorp | VivaRickum | Pun on Vivariam, a movie about raising an alien |
Rixty Minutes | Interdimensional Cable | First exception to my rules. This title will now align with Interdimensional Cable II: Tempting Fate properly |
Something Ricked This Way Comes | Something Ricked This Way Comes | First one with no issues. |
Close Rick-counters of the Rick Kind | Close Rick-counters of the Rick Kind | No problems again. |
Ricksy Business | Ricksy Business | Yo we're on a streak! |
Season 2
Original Title | Better Title | Explanation |
A Rickle in Time | A Rickle in Time | We are on a rooooooooll!!! |
Mortynight Run | Mortnight Rick | Better pun of Midnight Run. We were on a streak guys this is so sad can we get -293 upvotes |
Auto Erotic Assimilation | Hive Mort | The original episode title had no pun and was based on auto-erotic asphyxiation (which was actually seen in Ricksy Business from Squanchy, just a weird coincidence), so I've based the new title on Hive Mind. I bet you can't guess what the movie's about. |
Total Rickall | Total Rickall | There kinda getting the hang of it now!!!! |
Get Schwifty | Mortsic and LyRicks | Based on the movie Music and Lyrics. If I wanted to go further the episode could have been called MortRick and LyRicks but that looks and sounds weird. |
The Ricks Must be Crazy | Rick Gods Mort Be Crazy | Better pun of The Gods Must be Crazy |
Big Trouble in Little Sanchez | The CuRickous Case of BenjaRick Button | Movie about a dude getting younger, like Rick in the episode. The name "Big Trouble in Little Sanchez" (title based on the movie "Big Trouble in Little China") is a pun because the name of the movie has been altered to reference the plot of the episode; but the plot of the actual movie is arbitrary. I have made it to be like the other episodes: so that the pun is on a movie which actually has plot similarity: in this case The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. |
Interdimensional Cable 2: Tempting Fate | Interdimensional Cable 2: Tempting Fate | - |
Look Who's Purging Now | The Purge: Anmorty | The title "Look Who's Purging Now" doesn't follow the format. Made it based on the movie The Purge: Anarchy. Was gonna do "Rick Purge: Amorty" but it would've been completely unrecognizable then. |
The Wedding Squanchers | AmortRickan Wedding | Based on "American Wedding" (2003). First famous wedding movie that came up, which I could work with pun-wise. |
Season 3
Original Title | Better Title | Explanation |
The Rickshank Rickedemption | The Shawshank Rickdemption | Better pun of The Shawshank Redemption |
Rickmancing the Stone | Rickmancing the Stone | Follows all the rules already!! |
Pickle Rick | Couples Ricktreat | This movie is about therapy. I would've preferred some bottle-episode-like movie taking place entirely in a therapists office, but this is the best I could get (based on Couples Retreat, only partly about therapy). Getting a movie about the subplot was the only choice because the main plot was so farfetched and unique. |
Vindicators 3: The Return of Worldender | Rickvengers: Age Mort UltRick | The pun (based on Avengers: Age of Ultron) is kind of a stretch, but basing it on The Avengers alone (making it The Rickvengers or Mort Rickvengers) would be too short. |
The Whirly Dirly Conspiracy | Adventrick-land | Based on Adventureland, a movie about a run-down theme park. There wasn't much to go off of, because its such a unique plot, similarly to Pickle Rick. This might actually be why some titles don't attempt an episode pun. |
Rest and Ricklaxation | - | I'm completely stumped. I couldn't find any movie, book, or TV show even remotely similar to any aspect of the plot. |
The Ricklantis Mixup | Ricklantis The Lost Contirick | Based on Atlantis, The Lost Continent. I kept the Atlanatis mislead because it is a very important part of the episode and title. |
Morty's Mind Blowers | Interdimensional Cable 3: Morty's Mind Blowers | To be consistent with the other two episodes. |
The ABCs of Beth | I Mort-ied a Mort-ster from OutRick Space | Again, the original title is likely unique because the plot has never been done before. But I found something kind of similar to the side-plot, a really old movie called I Married a Monster from Outer Space |
The Richchurian Mortydate | The Mortchurian Candirick | Much better pun on The Manchurian Candidate. |
Season 4
Original Title | Better Title | Explanation |
Edge of Tomorty: Rick Die Rickpeat | Edge of Tomorty | The original movie is Edge of Tomorrow, and the tagline is "Live Die, Repeat", but it is not needed in the title. |
The Old Man and the Seat | - | Again, another name based on title pun as opposed to the actual plot of the source material. I can't find anything remotely related to any of the three plots, so help me out here. |
One Crew over the Crewcoo's Morty | Ocean's Rickleven | Originally based on One Flew Over the Cucoo's Nest, also purely based on name pun and not plot contents. |
Claw and Hoarder: Special Ricktim's Morty | Rickvanced Dungeons Mort Dragons | Original episode title was bad for a number of reasons. If you get the new reference, you get it, if you don't, you don't. |
Rattlestar Ricklactica | Battlestar Ricklactica | "Rattle" can't be used in place of "Battle", per my rules for a good title. |
Never Ricking Morty | The Nevericking Morty | Better pun of "The Neverending Story". |
The Vat of Acid Episode | The Vat of Acid Episode | Perfect title already, the fact that there is no reference makes it better. |
Childrick of Mort | Childrick of Mort | Perfect pun already (based on Children of Men) |
Star Mort Rickturn of the Jerri | Star Mort: Rickturn of the Jedi | Don't know why the colon wasn't there already. "Jerri" isn't allowed because of my rules blah blah blah |
Season 5
Original Title | Better Title | Explanation |
Mort Dinner Rick Andre | Mort Dinner Rick Andre | - |
Mortyplicity | Mortyplicity | - |
A Rickconvenient Mort | A Rickconvenient Mort | A Rickconvenient Truth |
Rickdependence Spray | Rickdependence Day | "Spray" can't be used as a pun... i'm starting to sound like a broken record |
Amortycan Grickfitti | AmortRickan Grickfitti | A better pun of "American Grafitti" |
Rick & Morty's Thanksploitation Spectacular | A Morty Brown Thanksricking | Based on "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving". To my knowledge, this is a very famous Thanksgiving movie, but I wouldn't properly know; there might be a better one. Tell me in the replies if there is. |
Gotron Jerrysis Rickvangelion | Morton Gene-rick Evangelion | Improved pun on "Neon Genesis Evangelion". |
Rickternal Friendshine of the Spotless Mort | Rickternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mort | "Friendshine" can't be used because BLAH BLAH BLAH YOU ALREASDY KNOWEWFRGHTIUJ3Q |
Forgetting Sarick Mortshall | Forgetting SaRick Mortshall | Good, but the pun isn't obvious, so the "r" should be capitalised as shown |
Rickmurai Jack | SamuRick Jack | MUCH better pun based on "Samurai Jack". IT WAS RIGHT THERE GUYS. |
Season 6
Original Title | Better Title | Explanation |
Solaricks | Solaricks | THEY DID IT!! |
Rick: A Mort Well Lived | Rick Free Mort Die Hard | Based on "Live Free or Die Hard", because the original title casually breaks all the god-dang rules |
Bethic Twinstinct | BasRick Instinct | Better pun on "Basic Instinct". Tell me if the original movie is even related to the plot cause I have no idea and plot descriptions can be misleading. |
Night Family | Night Gallerick | Better pun of "Night Gallery" AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA THIS PAIN IS ALMOST OVER REPEATING THE SMAE JRTHING OVEVR OVER OVER OVER O VOER OVEOR OVEOR OVEOR OVOEVOR OOVEOROVOE OVOER |
Final DeSmithation | Final DestRickation | ALMOST THERE |
JuRicksic Mort | JuRicksic Mort | no complaints also ALMOST THEEEEEERE |
Analyze This | - | Again, this plot is so unique there's no movie I can reference. Comment if you know one. also ALMOST THERE SO CLOSE SO CLOSE SO CLOSE |
A Rick in King Morur's Mort | A Rick in King Arthur's Mort | better pun on "A Kid in King Arthur's Court'" ONE MORE ONE MORE SO CLOSE SO CLOSE |
Ricktional Mortpoon's Rickmas Mortcation | Natrickal Lampoon's Rickmas Vacation | YEEEEYEYYEYEYEYEYEYEYEYEYS PAIN ENDED YES LETS GOOOOOOOOOOO |
So yeah I just find this pretty interesting. Comment if you have any suggestions or disagree or agree or anything.
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2023.06.07 12:46 ForgottenWell Champagne on our Wedding Night
Maisie was brilliant, Maisie was kind, but unfortunately Maisie was not and never would be my girlfriend. She had been dating Craig since 8th grade.
I knew Maisie from the Debate Team, and I always had the biggest crush on her.
After a Debate Tournament, Maisie and I were waiting for our parents to pick us up when she asked what my plans were after graduation.
“No fucking clue.”
“I don’t know much,” she said, “but I know I’d like to get married.”
I was sad to hear that because I knew she’d probably marry Craig. “You’d make a great wife.”
“Let’s make a deal.” She leaned in and grabbed my hand. “If neither of us are married by the time we turn 40, we’ll marry each other.”
I laughed, “It’s a deal!”
High school finished; college came and went. I got a job that paid well, but I hated every second of it. Birthdays became something I dreaded, and forty-one was just around the corner.
Then I got an unexpected message on Facebook.
It was Maisie. She asked if I wanted to grab dinner!
When we met she was just as beautiful as I remembered—no, even more beautiful. I asked if she “ever got married?”
“Nope,” she said, “but… I still could.” She pulled out a small, black box, with a ring inside. She knew how crazy it sounded, but she “wasn’t getting any younger.”
She wasn’t going to get an argument from me, “Yes—a thousand times, yes.”
That night we got married in a 24-Hour Wedding Chapel called “The Cathedral,” and went right home to consummate the marriage. It was the happiest I’d ever been in my entire life.
Immediately after, Maisie said she was going to get some champagne to celebrate. “Or maybe some beer, something fruit flavored—hey, what kind of booze do you like?”
“Champagne sounds great,” I said.
She said she’d be back before I knew it.
An hour went by and she hadn’t returned. After two hours, she came home without any champagne. She said she went to four different stores and they were all sold out.
“Let’s just go to bed,” I said, “we’ll get champagne tomorrow.”
We went to bed, and consummated the marriage a couple more times for good measure.
In the morning I awoke to a pounding on my front door. I went downstairs and saw SWAT had decided to occupy my front lawn!
I opened the door, they came in guns drawn! They brought Maisie downstairs in handcuffs.
She managed to give me a kiss and she whispered in my ear, “I was with you all night,” before she was taken away
The commanding officer told me how a man named Craig had been murdered. He and Maisie had been dating for years. She couldn’t leave him because he was “very abusive.” Eventually she “snapped” and decided to “eliminate him from the picture.”
“So,” the commanding officer asked me, “did Maisie leave the house at any point last night?”
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2023.06.07 12:01 AutoModerator Women's Wednesday: Couple photos and date night stories
Please post couple photos, wedding photos, pictures of engagement rings, or tell us about your date night here! :)
Reminder: Imgur is a great hosting site for sharing images via links in threads. Please be mindful of your username if it is different than your reddit handle, and to choose whether you would like your post public or hidden.
We have started alternating the Women's Wednesday theme. Next week will focus on Singles and Selfies.
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2023.06.07 11:56 Crafty_Thought I am being harrassed by my co-worker. Help needed!
TW: Mention of sexual assault and depression
Hi, I am a 25F living in India and working at a wedding planning company.
So I have this senior colleague who used to work with us as a freelancer and joined as an employee recently a week back.
In December 2022, while at a wedding my collegue (let's call him D) started behaving a little too friendly and touchy touchy. I got a little scared and I didn't know what do so decided to just ignore it for the moment. The night we were leaving for home he kissed me, I initially tried to push him but then just let him continue. This thing went between us for a 2 months or so. Where we would just make out and max 2nd base since I have a traumatic past I didn't want to indulge in any sexual activity further than that as I was not comfortable. I didn't have any feelings/crush on him, i just let it continue for these few months also as I liked the attention I was recieving from him, which now I know was wrong, since it gave him the idea that I enjoyed whatever we had.
When I said no to sex the first time, he was disappointed and asked why, to which I explained to him in detail my past and the reason why can't indulge. He said he understood, however over the two months he would try and persude me to sleep with and each time that I said no would make him upset. Almost like a child throwing a tantrum when he didn't recieve what he wanted. It felt like each "no" was a attack on his ego.
In the month of March, D was away on a work trip for half a month. Just the night before he left,he came over to my place but didn't enter the house since he is sacred of animals (I have a cat), so we were chilling outside in the corridor of my building. This is what we have always done when he used to come over. He again tried to persuade me to have sex. By this point I was done with our extra curricular activities and I just wanted to end it. Me being a people pleaser I didn't want him to be upset or angry with me if I told him directly that it's over, so I told him that I am seeing a psychologist who is helping me and has suggested to heal myself before getting involved in anything.
To this he decided he to make up a story based on my trauma to persuade me to sleep with him. I am a sexual assault survivor, he said that sometime back...he had met a girl in a club and had a one night stand. The girl apparently started crying right after they did the deed. The girl said to D that he is the first guy she slept with in a long time as she was sexually assaulted and has been afraid of sex, and then proceeded to thank him for helping her get over her fear. To me this sounded like a bullshit story as he could have told me this multiple times in the past when we spoke about my situation. How are you suddenly telling me this story, as your leaving for good number of days? And if you could help someone else with situation similar to mine you could have told me this to make me feel better or something idk. However I didn't react to this much as it was almost 4am and I had work that morning, so slowly and calmly and nicely I told him to go home. From that moment I knew I didn't want to be around a person like him who could make up such a story just to have sex.
The whole time he was away I didn't respond to his calls or messages, completely ignoring his existence. At that time I was going through a depressive episode so I was maintaining distance from almost everyone to get my head straight. Once he returned, I kept ignoring him, I had no worry since he was a freelance and to my knowledge he won't be coming to office, I'll be just seeing him during events. ignorance is bliss. When I wouldn't respond he came to my place one night after midnight. I was living alone in the house that and was unwell. Someone had and come rang the bell (I was a little supremosed since I knew no was supposed to come home for anything) and didn't stop for atleast 20 min. It was continuous and aggressive ringing of bell that scared me to hell as I didn't know who was out there...I couldn't see anything from the peep hole. During this moment I was on call with my friend who also got scared for my safety. Later he messaged me saying that he had come to place as he was worried. Usually in my experience if you're ignoring a person completely, they take the hint and stay, and I was baffled to see him continue to approach me and I found him incredibly insensitive for coming to hous late at night without anyinvitation and sort of harrassing me. I don't reply to his messaged and just ignored.
When he joined work a week ago or so, for 2 days he was very curt and standofish towards me. Then he again started behaving the way he used to with me before. Being friendly, teasing me, light touches here there, trying to have private convos with me at work place. I have maintained my distance from him, I don't indulge in any of his forward behaviours, I have instead asked my work girlfriends always be around me, not to leave me alone with him and I have been very much passive aggressive towards him to make him understand through my actions that I am not interested in him. Just yesterday while I was call with mom he grabbed my hand tried to pull me towards him to probably hug or something as he could see I was stressed on call but I instantly pulled my hand away slowly walked away whole talking to my mom. Now my boss has made him sit next to me, which gives him enough excuse to touch me innocently or interact with me. I am totally annoyed maybe even angry to be in his presence, his smell and touch annoys me and makes feel disgusted.
I have told my parents of the situation but just the his advances part since they are traditional Indian parents and can't tell them I was sexually active with a guy before marriage. They suggested i report to my boss and she'll help sort it out, but I know that's not a solution since I allowed myself to get involved in the beginning.
I just don't understand how to go about this. As this thing is going to make me slowly go crazy, give me anxiety and will end my fucking with head so much that I fuck up at work. I don't know how to make him understand to stay away from me, without hurting his ego or causing problem to our working relationship.
Please advice! Any advice is appreciated.
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2023.06.07 11:47 Gablepres Stanton Swann, Lord of Stonehelm
Discord Username: JB Allye#1218
Character Name and House: Stanton Swann
Appearance:
Stanton Swann is an older man, regal in bearing and strong-backed despite his mostly-grayed hairs and wizened eyes. He stands a bit shorter than the average knight, five foot and ten with a lean and powerful frame honed by constant exercise and battle. Scars line his body beneath plate, male and cloth, and a blade wound traces a white streak from the left side of his neck nearly to his ear.
Age: 45
Gift:
Leadership Skills: Strategist(e), Tactician, Cautious, Covert
Talents: Running, Horse breaking, Swimming
Starting Titles: Lord of Stonehelm
Starting Location: King's Landing, with Quentyn Baratheon.
Family Tree:
- Stanton Swann (MC) - 162 AC
- Carolei Estermont (spouse) - 169 AC
- Shirei Swann (AC) - 187 AC
- Serra Swann - 197 AC
- Sylva Swann- 206 AC
Biography
"Shelter Beneath Our Wing" Stanton Swann was born in the first moon of the year 162 AC to the Lord Ryger Swann and his wife, Lady Lynesse. He was the second born of their children, but the first to survive past his first year, and he bore his elder brother's name. An altogether normal child, at least by most standards, Stanton grew up healthy and mostly happy, though not without challenges. Ryger Swann was a harsh taskmaster and an equally stern father, and though Stanton would not be a man until his sixteenth year, he wasn't a 'boy' by his ninth.
Stanton took to his harsh instruction well, and though he was not the most skilled warrior in the Seven Kingdoms (not even the most skilled in his own keep), he was a very intelligent young man above all else, something that his father both appreciated and cultivated in the boy. In matters of state, he was competent, in matters of court, he excelled, but it was in tactics and warcraft that the boy showed his genius. His father, no slouch in command himself, was overshadowed by the son, and he hardly minded. Instead, he simply drilled the boy further.
By now, though, it was time for the future Lord Stanton to start doing the business of Lords, and part of that was squiring for a worthy knight. That worthy knight was Brus Baratheon, Lord of Storm's End, and while not as harsh as Ryger Swann, Brus didn't take it easy on the boy. In his own words, he knew 'the lad can take it'. Take it he did. Stanton proved a worthy second to the Lord Baratheon, and along the way would cross paths with, and befriend, his son, who he affectionately knew as 'Billy'. Though Billy himself would be afield as a squire, they spent some time together as children that would only become more common as they both stepped into lordship.
After his ascent to knighthood, and with it, his ascent to manhood, Stanton would return home a different figure than he was when he left. He walked with a newfound confidence and ease about him, with the look in his eye of a young man who had supreme faith in his own abilities and poise. Already a strapping young man, this made him something of a heartthrob within court, and he had no shortage of flirtations with various women of the realm in his wilder years. One such conquest, and the one nearest to his heart, was Carolei Estermont, second daughter of the Lord of Greenstone. Arranged to marry a Rosby man, Stanton would charm her into breaking her arrangements and eloping with him to be wed in Stonehelm, and through means that no man or woman in the House of Stonehelm can decipher to this very day, he was somehow able to convince the Estermonts that he'd done them a
favor. Alas, the marriage was far less eventful than the courtship. Despite...
vigorous attempts, the two could not seem to conceive, and Stanton worried that the troubles that plagued his own parents with their children had been passed down to him, after a fashion.
Sadly, the life of a lord is not all flirtations and dalliances. Soon enough, Theory would become Practice, and Stanton marched to war for the first time at the age of 24... alongside his friend, the Lord William Baratheon. Stanton was no warrior, or at least, not a particularly outstanding one, but as a tactician he was immaculate. Mostly an outrider for the Marcher forces accompanying the host, Stanton would claim few notable scalps of his own, but his men would demolish the flanks of the opposing force in concert with the royal army, and he would quickly acquit himself well as a leader of men, earning praise from his father and his fellow Lords alike. What few were willing to talk about openly, including Stanton, was his other, more...
unsavory activities in the war. Stanton was the leader of the forces ordered to flush the would-be-usurper out of hiding in the Dornish villages and countryside, and he took to the task with grim determination, hunting his quarry with a viciousness and ruthlessness that disturbed his men, though they followed their orders without much protest. Many scars still line the Boneway, and Stanton can claim credit for a troubling number of them.
Though his father would linger on for five more years after the Red War, he would abdicate his seat in favor of Stanton due to his advanced age, leaving the 25 year old as the Lord of Stonehelm. By this time, he had finally had a child, born while he was away at war. A hearty baby girl, who his mother named Shirei. Stanton, uncharacteristically, was rather miffed at the situation. Seven years he'd been wed, and after seven years of trying the gods saw fit to spite him with a daughter. He would never share his feelings with his wife and daughter, however, instead doting on her in the same fashion he doted on his wife. Despite his actions in the war, the image presented to the realm was one of a devoted husband, a devout knight, a fair lord, and a loving father.
All that would subtly begin to change.
As he aged, Stanton would continue trying for a male heir, but once again, a long drought would plague his line. In that time period, William would be blessed with a family of his own, something that caused no end of private envy in Stanton, though he dared not speak it aloud, out of love for his dear friend. He would quickly take to the heir to the house of Storm's End, Quentyn, and even at his young age Stanton treated the boy with the same love and respect he held for his father.
That said, Stanton's subtle descent continued. Conflicts with the Marchers of the Reach over their new conquests drove a wedge between former allies, and Stanton was quite vocal of his personal distrust of their former comrades-in-arms, a position he still holds to this day with much more vitriol. Once a gregarious and outgoing man, Stanton would slowly become reclusive and stern, much like his father. A public feud with Richard Morrigan drew censure from William, and similarly verbose and public displays of vitriol towards their Reachman neighbors only served to make it clear that something was very wrong with Stanton Swann.
That wrongness would only elevate further with time. As he grew older, Stanton became paranoid that the Marcher Lords of the Reach were spying on their Stormlander neighbors, a belief that he came to hold so closely that he would pace the floors at night, seeking anyone who acted suspiciously. A long-time family servant, Lyle, would be found to be acting 'suspiciously' one night, and rather than act reasonably,... Stanton would beat the elderly man to death with a fire iron...in front of his daughter. As it turned out, Lyle had been skimming from the Swann coffers to afford better accommodation for his family, but Stanton had no proof of such a thing, or even a suspicion of it, before killing the man.
Stanton's new demeanor was not a temporary fit, and his episodes have continued, though much more commonly in private now, as William was able to convince his longtime friend to ease his temper, if only somewhat, and the one thing that hasn't changed about Stanton in his later years is his love for 'old Billy boy'. Even going into his fortieth year, the man had no sons, only two more daughters to his name, which meant that unless there were some miracle, Shirei would be the executor of his will and estate, if not the Lady of the house, as he himself had only one brother, and that brother is a Maester. Atop all this, his daughter was hardly a 'catch', a plain, mannish woman much like her father in her stoicism but not nearly as intellectually inclined. If anything, he wished more that Quentyn Baratheon, or Damon Morrigen, the nephew of his hated rival Richard, could be his son, but alas, such a thing was impossible.
Now an aging, bitter man, Stanton Swann turns his attention towards his legacy, that of a good man turned a bitter, wizened butcher by war and time. Skirmishes alongside the Carons against the Dornish, border disputes with the Reachman, and the appointment of his dear friend William as Hand of the King loom large over his head along with the state of his house, and Stanton has come to a realization. He cannot die without a male heir. He mustn't. And he would do anything, and he meant
anything, to make that happen.
Even things that no sane man should consider.
AC
Character Name and House: Shirei Swann
Age: 21
Appearance:
Shirei is a tall and lean girl that looks much like her father when he was a younger man. with a slight figure, sharp features, and deep brown eyes. She has a few scars of her own from afield and minor accidents with the family sword, but otherwise remains an unassuming, if not particularly beautiful woman.
Gift:
Champion Skills: Swords (e), Defender
Talent(s): Swimming, Singing, Woodworking
Starting Title(s): Heir to Stonehelm
Starting Location: King's Landing, with the Hand.
Note: Shirei is the current bearer of
Swan's Song. Biography
Shirei Swann is the first of the three daughters of Stanton and Carolei Swann, and from birth she was always a strong, boyish little thing, though not as much so as she is now. Stanton and his wife doted on her, as any good parents would, and Shirei grew up loved and healthy, surrounded by care and comfort. Among her household servants, an old man named Lyle, who had seen her father reared, was her favorite, and the old man would constantly watch over the little Lady as she played in the yard or caroused around court.
Shirei never knew her father as the world had known him before his turn for bitterness and hatred, only seeing how others reacted to the man. With her, he was mostly gentle, though sometimes his temper got the better of him, or he was harsher with her than was warranted. The man never struck her, never abused her, the most he did was perhaps raise his tone to her a bit too harshly, and he would always apologize upon doing so, assuring her that it was not her fault that he was troubled so. She believed him, of course. She loved her father dearly.
Alas, this perception of her father was colored dramatically by the death of her first and oldest friend. She was hardly ten when Lyle was caught 'acting unusually' by her father and beaten bloody before her, her mother, and her then infant sister Serra. The beating was an uncomfortably long one- Lyle, an old and frail man by now, was dead long before Stanton stopped swinging the iron. The experience traumatized young Shirei, and she's never quite gotten past it. She also hardly believed the tale that Lyle had stolen from the family coffers.
Aside from that, however, her childhood was fairly typical, though not entirely so. Family friendship with the Baratheons meant that Shirei spent some time around Quentyn, and she envied the heir of Storm's End's skill at arms, learning the sword and shield to better accompany him in the yard and join in on his carousing, whenever he stayed in Stonehelm for a short time. The same would be said for Damon Morrigen, nephew of her father's most heated and hated rival at court, who she bore very little ill will towards. In fact, as they were both about the age where one begins to think of such things, Shirei quite fancied him, though as the heirs of their respective houses, such a match was all but impossible.
Stanton did not discourage his daughter's pursuit of arms, especially when she showed quite the knack for it, and grew into a rather tall and lean woman, taller than him in fact. He didn't encourage it, either. If anything, to Shirei's dismay, the man seemed utterly indifferent, passing off onto her the family sword,
Swan's Song, and telling her not to do something stupid.
Now a woman grown, unwed at twenty, and positioned that she may one day lead a House Swann that has alienated all but its closest friends, Shirei is uncharacteristically nervous under her mask of stoic acceptance. Fearing for her father's declining mental state and her own place in the wider world, Shirei nonetheless does what she sees as her duty. Currently, she's petioned her father to remain in King's Landing, partly out of loyalty to her 'Uncle Billy', and partly out of a desire to be away from her father for some time.
Timeline
- 162 AC, First Moon: Stanton Swann is born
- 170-174 AC: Stanton Swann is drilled relentlessly in warcraft and tactics by his father, Ryger. Ryger approves of the boy, and calls him a genius.
- 174-178 AC: Stanton Swann is squired under Brus Baratheon, and serves under him for a short time as a sworn sword, before returning home as a knight.
- 180 AC: Stanton Swann elopes with Carolei Estermont, and weds her, to a fair bit of controversy. Said controversy is resolved peacefully and without issue.
- 186-187 AC: Stanton Swann serves in the Red War under the command of his friend, William Baratheon, and while away on campaign, his daughter, Shirei, is born. Stanton commits to the massacre of multiple Dornish villages while on campaign.
- 190-195: Stanton Swann begins to noticeably change in demeanor, becoming more belligerent with fellow Stormlords such as Richard Morrigen and with the Marchers of the Reach, resulting in public censure from William Baratheon. He no longer causes public incidents after this, but outburts continue behind closed doors.
- 197: Stanton's second daughter, Serra, is born, after nearly a decade of attempting. Stanton, catching one of his servants 'acting unusually' in the small hours, beats him to death in full view of his family, who are awoken by the sound of shouting and a scuffle. Stanton's relationship with Shirei is permanently damaged by these events.
- 202: Stanton comes to the aid of Lord Caron during border skirmishes with the Vulture King, and fights alongside Quentyn Baratheon and his daughter. After these battles, Stanton bequeaths the family's Valyrian Steel blade, Swan's Song, to Shirei.
- 206: Stanton's third daughter, and likely final, Sylva, is born. Due to the strain of the pregnancy on the aging Carolei, she asks that they stop trying, and love their daughters. Stanton acquiesces. Stanton begins searching for means to extend his life.
- 207: Stanton and Shirei travel to King's Landing to celebrate Willian's appointment as Hand of the King.
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2023.06.07 11:41 Disastrous_Age7585 Hjælp en kvinde i nød
Hej monopolet!
Jeg har et dilemma, som jeg har brug for en straks-vurdering af.
Jeg er for meget nyligt blevet erklæret stresset. Jeg er ikke helt sygemeldt endnu, men starter et forløb hos en psykolog.
Jeg har en rigtig tæt veninde, som jeg har kendt siden jeg var barn, og som jeg indtil for ca. 1 år siden, snakkede med regelmæssigt. Vi har altid været meget åbne, og talt vidt og bredt om de problemer vi gik med - men det her er anderledes.
Jeg har utrolig dårlig samvittighed over, at jeg ikke ses med flere af mine veninder i fritiden, men jeg får det simpelthen skidt bare ved tanken om, at skulle planlægge en aften ude. Jeg kan bare mærke at jeg har det bedre i øjeblikket, når jeg ikke har nogen planer. Jeg har talt åbent om det til min veninde før, og hun fortæller at hun godt kan forstå, at det kan være hårdt herhjemme, men at det jo også “handler om prioriteringen”.
Er der mig der er for følsom, og dvæler for meget i hvad jeg synes er mest komfortabelt? For jeg synes hun er begyndt at blive meget manipulerende når vi taler, fordi hun ikke mener at jeg prioriterer mig-tid, når jeg bare bliver hjemme, og det er som om hun ikke lytter når jeg siger, at jeg er typen som lader op alene, og ikke blandt mennesker.
Eks. Har hun spurgt mig 4 gange om jeg ikke havde lyst til at tage med hende, på en miniferie til Tyskland om en måned tid, og jeg har forsøgt at forklare, at jeg ikke har overskuddet. Jeg får også fornemmelsen af, at hun ikke forstår hvordan jeg kan blive stresset, når jeg har job, mand og barn, for det har hun ikke selv. Og jeg er da taknemmelig over hvad jeg har, men det betyder jo ikke, at jeg selv har det helt perfekt? I øvrigt sagde hun i den selv samme samtale, hvor jeg fortæller at jeg er delvist sygemeldt med stress, at jeg også lige skal finde en dag jeg har tid at ses med hende og en anden fælles veninde snart..
Jeg anerkender fuldt ud, at jeg er skyldig i, at trække mig i henhold til at mødes fysisk så ofte. Men vi har alligevel talt sammen minimum 3-4 timer i telefon i løbet af ugen indtil for ganske nylig, hvor jeg også er begyndt at trække mig fra at ringe hende op - simpelthen fordi min puls stiger til 150, bare ved tanken.
Jeg ved simpelthen ikke om jeg skal give slip på venskabet - om der overhovedet er et venskab tilbage? Eller er det mig, som skal begynde at prioritere anderledes?
Jeg har aldrig haft stress på den her måde før, og kender heller ikke nogen som har (åbent i hvert fald), så jeg ved heller ikke om mine følelser og observeringer er farvet af, at jeg har det skidt.
Gode råd søges ❤️
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2023.06.07 11:17 korea_viva Frivolous Wife
https://all-movi.blogspot.com/2015/01/movie-278.html#koz ( Korean Dubbing , English Subtitles )
Plot summary : Inspired by Shakespeare's classic of the same name. Yeon Su is a beautiful but naughty youngg woman whose family become millionaire overnight. All men fall in love with her at first sight, but Jeong Do, the only son of a respected family, has no regard for her. Yet despite this, the two fall in love and get married. However, their conflicting families shake up their wedded bliss.
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2023.06.07 11:13 Alternative_Law_2804 Not ok
I was Having a dream about Ethan and we were care free running and laughing, joking and it felt so real. I woke to my 5 year old yelling from the hallway "mom Ethans here!!" The confusion of sleep slowly lifting as my mind processed and the reality slamming back into me with the absolute weight of the world as I realize the light in the hall is just flickering again. I don't say much about this, and I haven't because there are no words and nobody wants to hear it. But I do want to get into it a bit on a different level. We look at people and think they look like they have these perfect lives, they look happy. You don't see the problems just under the surface. I had an older gentleman at the gas station hold the door for me- he had to have been about 80. His face a map of where he had been, kind eyes that smiled with his mouth. I'm sure I looked shell shocked, a blank expression on my face, in a daze and there was no way he had of realizing I had just held my dead son in my arms and seen his brains through the top of his head and his chest loosely stitched together. I'd had to sign a waiver to see him, but I had to. My brother had asked to go look first and asked me to not go myself if he thought it was too bad. I let him go in first and heard him beg me please don't go when he walked back in the room. A marine war vet who I'm sure had seen worse, yet his face looked pale, his lips pressed tightly together and his eyebrows were furrowed together and his eyes wouldnt quite meet mine as he came out imploring me no, "Ethan would not want you to remember him like this please, dont go in. Just trust me." I asked my brother if it was bad- was his face gone? Thinking about a 45 hollow point entering someone's head and just decimating it. He shook his head and said his face was ok. I remember needing to see Ethan, it still wasnt really real to me- i mean maybe they had a mistaken identity or he wasnt really dead or it was all a sick prank. I just had to see and nothing would have stopped me from walking in the room and actually seeing it was him. It was finally my turn. When you are ready i was told. I thought to myself, when would i ever be ready? Who wakes up and says they are ready to see the little boy that they rocked to sleep, that they watched take their first steps, say their first words, smile for the first time, who could be ready to see them dead. I was not entirely sure what i was about to see. I started to walk through the door and he was there on the other side of the empty room. The room was bigger then the one they gave you at other viewings and he was against the opposite wall laying on a gurney with a blood drop splattered sheet covering him up to his chin. I think of it and the feelings come rushing back to me. The way my knees almost buckled and the way I felt dizzy with bile coming up in the back of my throat. The way I could only choke out the words "oh, bubba.. what did you do?" As i felt the oxygen suddenly sucked out of my body. The room suddenly hot, the air too thin the silence so loud you could hear it. I walked over to him reaching out to smooth his hair off of his face. His head seemed oddly misshapen and his eyes were sunk into his head. I remember hearing a sound that sounded like a hurt animal as i stared down, into the sight that greets me now everytime I close my eyes. vaguely being aware that I was making the sound and willing it to stop. Then I just felt overwhelmed knowing that absolutely nothing I could say or do, could get him to stand up and smile at me. That I was helpless and this was definitely my child. There was no mistake. I could see the top of his skull was gone and tried not to look at the gore where the top of his head was missing. I saw bone and brains yet, I didn't feel grossed out as I touched him. Just helpless. This was a booboo I could not slap a bandaid on. I flashed back to a few days before he died when he had come to work with me and cut his finger and i teased him as i put a bandaid on my brave little guy at the same time i had been grossed out and couldnt look at the scratch. He had laughed and looked at me semi amused and semi appalled. I walked around searching and not seeing the entry wound on him so I when a mortuary employee came to check in on me i asked her if she knew. she knew right where it was and reached out and turned his head and I was honestly kind of shocked because I thought dead people were always hard after rigor mortise set in- I'd touched dead people before but never tried to move them. His head turned with kind of a rubbery, heavy, unnatural look and there it was. Smaller then the hickey next to it he had had that last day I saw him. The size of the tip of my pinkie and pretty anticlimactic to what I'd thought it would be. Just a tiny almost bruised looking dot- having done less damage at the entry site then the exit. Pulling the sheet down a bit and seeing him loosely stitched across his chest and seeing the image of sewing a chicken breast back together when cooking (just add the jalapeños and cream cheese and cranberries and stitch it closed then bake at 350).... The rest of the visit is really between me, him and God. But back to the guy at the gas station.. who while well meaning, told me smile, it's not that bad. And it's funny because I in no way, feel that I am alone. I know so many of us have had moments that just rocked their universes. So many of us have had moments whether it be personally, or while at war, that just broke us. Yet, on the surface looking people would never know. This stranger just trying in his way to spread happiness had no idea that yes, it was that bad. For me today, yes it was that bad and worse. It's been several months, but my suffering didn't end there. I still had to watch the news reports read the comments of strangers opinions that didnt know me, didnt care if his family read their judgements, still had to field phone calls from the detectives, the Investigators. Still had to watch the video of my son dying (obsessively over and over trying to find a clue). I still had to receive his clothing he wore (and im slowly working on opening each of the 27 bags of evidence i was given), read reports and cremate him and make his urn, go to the scene where he died that was poorly cleaned up with chunks of blood and flesh strewn around (in a very public spot so that people were walking and stepping unknowingly on chunks of him that had been missed , read the autopsy report where it described cutting out his tongue and calling after hours to the coroner for about the 25th time, crying and questioning.. for the love of God, why? And choking back rage- how? How did you get it out? Did you give it back? Doing full on obsessive research learning our eyes turn black shortly after we die, watching cremation videos and staring at the clock as he was being burned and mashed up and then trying to process it all. Past that the dreams. I dont dream often that i remember, but the dreams lately are frequent and vivid. But on the flip side I have not had one day off to grieve. Not one full day of help with the kids to process. Not one full day of my phone not ringing for work or not having to make dinner and take care of 4 smaller kids who are counting on me. Honestly, things are compounding and the more time goes by, the further I am withdrawing and shutting down. The ability to deal with small stressors and something as simple as my phone ringing is throwing me back to the beginning where the voice on the other end started this nightmare with "ethans dead" . Logically I know that's not the case but I hear messages beep across, I hear it ring and anxiety and dread fill me and I just can't look. Nothing can force me to look. But it's funny how we have to be OK. NO one knows or wants to hear because it's too much, or they don't understand or it's been a week, a month... aren't you better yet? I see other people out there and know they've dealt with the same, and it changes you. You WANT to be OK. You would trade your life to have that particular situation not have happened. And I do. I want to be OK. I want to be the person people think I am. I want to be able to run my business or answer my phone but I can't be. I'll never be again and the dreams, nightmares and that hope as I wake up that it's not real, that will never fade. In some western cultures, after a death they will wear a black arm and to signify they are in mourning. I almost think it would be easier if we did that here. Then, maybe people would not be so quick to judge. You never should assume that just because someone looks normal that there is not a whole lot of trauma boiling up, I want to apologize to all my clients who haven't been able to make it through, that I haven't communicated well with and that don't or can't understand. This isn't a choice. This isn't what I want. This is what is pushed upon me and no words can change the fact that I am Stilll tired and confused and shocked at the loss of my son, and I am trying to be whole, I am trying to put on a smile and answer my phone and be the business people need but is it ever OK to be not ok? The answer I'm seeming to get is not during peak season its not! I'm processing kind of a lot and granted, I obviously need to work to pay my bills so am grateful for the work, on the flip side getting screamed at from a lady that our mow guy is a day late because it rained or the crew is not at their house we had said wed be there in the afternoon and its now 3:15, that compounds into me just staring blankly at the phone as it rings wondering how I can keep running a business if these small stressors are so debilitating right now, thinking of the past few years that my son worked for me as I realize I'm short staffed and how I started this company because of him. With him wanting to earn money so we shoveled together then he had people wanting weeding while he was at school so I jumped in and it went from there. So I am wondering what life I have now when such a huge piece of me is dead and I do blame myself because I didn't realize it at the time but my actions, parenting style and reactions had everything to do with his death and even though what I did made sense looking back- instead of calling the police on him when he showed me he had a gun- and knowing he'd run from his sober living, I just lectured him and told him I knew he'd make the right choice. I had a truck I wanted to give him but didn't because he had a gun and had run from sober living. If I'd given him the truck he would not have stolen the car. I could have traded gun for truck. If I'd called police they would have taken him to jail where he was safe. My version of natural consequences didnt factor in that I'd be the one alive to suffer them not him.
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2023.06.07 11:08 Eggs_Sitr_Min_Eight WFM's biggest problem.
I know, the title of this post sounds incendiary, so let me preface this by saying that, in no uncertain terms - I really like this show.
In fact, I can't really recall the last time a weekly release intrigued me so greatly. WFM is a new step for Gundam, a different kind of story, and in a lot of ways it's done what it's set out to do remarkably well. The cast is engaging, the mech designs are rock solid, the score can be absolutely spectacular, the setting is intriguing (though it could do with more world building) and the plot is relatively airtight. All good. But there's something about it that has gradually crept to the fore, especially as we approach the final arc, and that is: this show has an issue. And that issue, undeniably, is its pacing.
24 episodes is, on paper, more than enough time to tell the story most people want to tell, and that could well still be the case here. We have nothing in the way of insight regarding WFM's production aside from the two production-related delays it had and those happen, every now and then. Hardly a unique situation. But recent happenings, especially in this episode, have had me thinking (perhaps irrationally) that something's gone on behind the scenes. Maybe Okouchi got too wrapped up in inter-company jostling and character dynamics in the first season, and now the second feels massively backloaded. Maybe (though I doubt this, least of all because this isn't how production works) ratings percentages for the first part weren't rosy, and this was cut down from a four cour show to two, but that doesn't fly because I remember this show being announced with 24 episodes in mind. Anyway, whatever the case, it feels like aspects of this plot are moving along at an absolutely blistering pace, and I think episode 20 serves as a testament to that.
Take El5n and Norea, for instance. Sure, before they got punted off to the Plot Basement, they had interacted before, but very sparingly. Over the course of most of their time there, their dynamic consisted of El5n deliberately pushing Norea's buttons, and Norea violently lashing out at him in response. Even factoring in her meltdown in 19, Norea actually bothering to talk to El5n feels far too sudden, and El5n himself, contrary to his prior characterisation up until only an episode or two ago, is far too willing to immediately push past two of his major hang-ups - piloting a Gundam, and piloting at all because doing so puts him in harm's way - to try and save somebody that...really, on a personal level, he hardly knows. It's a good idea, of course, two broken kids finding solace (not love, that's not my stance) in each other, but the speed at which it was done blunts the impact, and also personally leaves El5n mostly directionless. Good idea, slapdash execution.
Likewise, Petra and Suletta. These two characters have barely said a word to each other. The two interactions I can recall are Petra laughing at Suletta's suitor joke all the way back in episode one, and Petra bullying Suletta again just before the Rumble Ring. Now, that's not to say that there aren't some visual giveaways - Petra looks visibly uncomfortable when Lauda goes along to the greenhouse after Miorine leaves Suletta, and as they're in a budding relationship themselves, and that as Holder and bride, Suletta's relationship with Miorine was known to the entire school, Petra would see that she was down in the dumps and offer advice. Something the show has proven is that even though the Jeturk gals were assholes, they're not bad people. Hell, just look at Felsi, who leapt several rungs up the best girl ladder for her courage despite being absolutely terrified. Again, a good idea - Petra showing insight and maturity and using her own connection with Lauda to pick up on Suletta's troubles and give her advice. But the execution is terribly hasty, and made worse by the fact that Petra spat all this out just before she possibly died, as though Okouchi decided that she just had to be used as a sudden plot-mandated source of inspiration before being hastily pushed off-stage. Good idea, slapdash execution.
Likewise, again, Guel and Shaddiq. These two are more characters who have hardly interacted with each other - their past connection aside, they have only had a grand total of one meaningful conversation prior to last week, and that was while Guel was busking it in the woods. The show then proceeds to depict this fight between them as a clash of core values, two men settling the score through vicious combat and the culmination of some deep personal rivalry, but with how little screen time they've shared it doesn't really carry any weight. I've seen people say it was like Amuro facing Char without any of the build-up, and I can't say that I'm inclined to disagree. It certainly could have felt otherwise - if the show spent more time on it. But alas, it didn't, and we have what we got.
I've always said, in my discussions with close friends of mine who watch this show, that its greatest enemy is time. Even leaving aside story developments, it's plenty guilty of leaving characters by the wayside. We barely know anything about Sabina and her team, for instance, and now that they're behind bars we likely never will. Lauda has been a virtual non-entity the entire show, and now there's a very real possibility that the show may actually give him something to do and just arbitrarily make him insane or kill him off in the process, disrupting the flow of the narrative as we desperately need to push towards the climax. We have only four episodes left, and so much ground to cover. We have the SAL presumably entering into open war against Benerit, we have however Suletta and Earth House will get to Earth (presumably), we have whatever effect Quiet Zero may have on the world, we have Delling, still comatose, expecting that he'll wake up and provide information on Nortrette because he's literally the only one who can. We have Nortrette herself, for that matter. We have whatever El5n will manage to do on his own, we have whatever response Lauda might have to knowing Guel accidentally killed Vim, we have whatever Miorine may do while all this is happening, sundry else. I suppose this message is born of concern - concern that maybe the show's story is kind of catching up to it. That in the end it might not be able to pull off its juggling act, and only trip up over itself as the balls fall in all directions. It's not what I want, certainly not. But depending on where we are a week or two from now, it might be how I feel.
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2023.06.07 11:04 lechatheureux The Tonpa Kingdoms Part 2 (The Kingdoms of Jangshun and Monyul)
Check out part 1 for context
The Tonpa Kingdoms Part 1 (Overview and The Gods) : worldbuilding (reddit.com) There are 5 connected Kingdoms that have Tonpa as their main religion these are.
Jangshun A Place of snow-capped Mountains and green Valleys, said to be built upon the ruins of the ancient Jungar people who controlled much of the area of Jangshun and the nearby kingdoms of Monyul and Taishigang.
Very little is known about the Jungar, their ruins are scattered throughout the landscape of Jangshun, and are often characterized by simple stone structures, pottery shards, and other artifacts. Based on these remains, it is believed that the Jungar were a relatively simple society, with a lifestyle that revolved around farming, herding, and other basic activities.
Despite their lack of sophistication, the Jugar are an important part of the history and culture of the region many myths and legends have grown up around them, the people of Jangshun often see the Jungar as a symbol of the enduring spirit of the region, and take pride in the fact that they were able to survive and thrive in a harsh and unforgiving environment. In addition to their physical remains, the Jungar have left a lasting impact on the people of Jangshun in other ways. Their language, customs, and traditions are thought to have influenced the culture of the later kingdom, and many people still feel a strong connection to the Jagun and their way of life.
The Capital of Jangshun is called Druktse, founded by Dragon Priests and the legendary Namgyal dynasty the city is known for its unique architecture, with buildings made of wood and stone, intricately carved and painted with colorful designs and motifs, the streets are narrow and winding, with prayer flags fluttering in the breeze and the sound of temple bells ringing in the air.
At the center of the city is the Royal Palace of Jigme Wangchuk, a majestic building that serves as the residence of the Royal Family, the palace consists of several wings and halls, each with its own specific function. The main hall is the center of political and ceremonial activities, where the king held court and received important guests. The royal family's private quarters were located in a separate wing, with opulent living spaces and lavish decorations.
One of the most impressive features of the palace is the Eagle Tower, a tall structure that houses the elite Eagle Guards, who were responsible for the king's security the tower is covered from top to bottom with intricate carvings of the bird of prey.
The palace is surrounded by lush gardens and fountains, and it is guarded by soldiers in traditional Eagle attire, the Eagle Guards of the palace of Jingme Wangchuk are an elite group of soldiers tasked with protecting the king and the royal family, known for their fearsome reputation and exceptional combat skills, the Eagle Guards are considered one of the most prestigious units in the Jangshun army.
The guards are named after the majestic eagles that inhabit the mountainous regions of Jangshun, and they were trained to emulate the hunting tactics of these birds of prey. They are adept at using the terrain to their advantage, and are particularly skilled at scaling steep cliffs and mountainous terrain to surprise and overwhelm their enemies. In addition to their exceptional combat skills, the Eagle Guards were also known for their loyalty and dedication to the royal family. They undergo rigorous training and were selected based on their physical prowess, intelligence, and character, to become an Eagle Guard, applicants must be graduates of both the School of the Father and School of the Dragon.
The Eagle Guards are outfitted in distinctive uniforms that featured a stylized eagle emblem, and they were armed with a variety of weapons, including bows, spears, and swords. They were also known to use eagle feathers and talons in their armor and equipment, as a nod to the unit's namesake.
Druktse is a hub of cultural and religious activities, with several monasteries and temples located throughout the city.
The most famous of these is the Tashicho Dzong, a stunning fortress monastery that serves as the seat of The Gyelpa (The Duke) the secondary ruler of Druktse and the center of Druk-Ta worship. The dzong is surrounded by high walls and towers, and is accessible through a grand gate that is guarded by soldiers. The interior of the dzong is a maze of courtyards, chapels, and offices, all connected by narrow passageways and staircases.
One of the most impressive features of Tashicho Dzong is its towering central fortress and monastery, which rises above the rest of the complex and can be seen from miles around. This fortress is home to the Dragon Priests and is one of the most important structures in Jangshun. The fortress monastery is also famous for its beautiful architecture and intricate artwork. The walls of the courtyards are adorned with colorful murals and paintings, while the chapels are filled with statues and other religious artifacts. Visitors to Tashicho Dzong can tour the complex and learn about Jangshun history and culture, as well as observe the daily routines of the monks who live and work there. The Monastery is open to the public during certain hours of the day, and visitors are advised to dress modestly and remove their shoes before entering the chapels. Even though the current royal family of Jangshun are connected to The Father, The Dragon holds a special place in Druktse.
The people of Druktse are known for their warm hospitality and their strong sense of community. They celebrate several festivals throughout the year, including the annual Tshechu festival, the 3 Gods Festival which features colorful dances and rituals performed by monks and laypeople.
To the north-east of the Kingdom lies the second biggest city in Jangshun, the city of Lhagyal, often called “The Fire-proof City”
Lhagyal is a mass of stone walls and buildings with precious little wood being used at all, the walls of the city are imposingly high and even the central palace is relatively flat and does not rise above the walls, there are 4 gates made of pure steel and those are the only entrances and exits.
Inside the city walls, the streets are narrow and winding, with tall, tightly packed buildings constructed from rough-hewn stone. The architecture is distinct, with flat roofs and ornate metal doors decorating the doorways and windows, many of the buildings are built into the city's walls, their backs resting against the ancient stones.
There is more to the city than what meets the eye. Beneath the streets lie a labyrinth of tunnels and catacombs, built for both practical and spiritual purposes. Some are used for storage or as escape routes, while others are filled with ancient artifacts and sacred relics. The catacombs are also home to a complex network of underground temples and shrines and busy streets that are home to underground residences and businesses.
Despite its rugged appearance, the city's architecture is a testament to its resilience. It has withstood numerous attempts at invasion over the centuries, including attacks by powerful enemies armed with the latest in siege weaponry. The city's fortifications are a marvel of engineering, designed to withstand even the most devastating attacks and yet, for all its defensive prowess, the city has never lost sight of its cultural heritage.
The most famous instance of this was when the neighbouring Confucian Kingdom of Jinyun attempted to invade Jangshun with its impressive military might, scores of loyal foot-soldiers hardened by decades of conflict and advanced siege technology that included weapons that used fireworks.
The city withstood months of warfare with Lhagyal earning its nickname of “The Fire-proof City” The stone structures withstood the fireworks and the hard rock of the walls withstood the Jinyun catapults, outside the city several guerilla efforts by the Eagle Guards, The Company of the Hand and The White Tigers from Monyul lending their support repelled attempted on-foot invasions by the hardened Jinyun soldiers.
In the south-west of Jangshun, near the borders of Monyul and Taishigang lies the town of Gyalpeling, a place revered by monks and pilgrims alike. Gyalpeling, meaning "Abode of the Victorious" is a small yet vibrant town located in a remote corner of the kingdom. Its strategic location, surrounded by imposing mountains and blessed with fertile lands, has made it a crucial hub for spiritual activities and monastic life. The town is centered around a grand monastery, which serves as the heart and soul of the community. The monastery, known as Samtenling Monastery, is a majestic complex of ornate buildings adorned with colorful murals, fluttering prayer flags, and the sound of chanting monks echoing through the air. It is a revered place of worship and learning, drawing scholars, practitioners, and seekers of wisdom from far and wide. The streets of Gyalpeling are lined with modest housing for monks, adorned with intricate woodcarvings and colorful paintings. The locals, known for their warm hospitality and deep reverence for Tonpa, every activity the townspeople engage in helps the monastery in some way, whether trading, farming or craftsmanship, every resident of Gyalpeling helps out the monastery in some way. The town also boasts natural hot springs, believed to have healing properties, which attract pilgrims and visitors seeking solace and rejuvenation. The pristine rivers and lakes surrounding Gyalpeling add to its enchanting beauty, serving as places for meditation, ritual ablutions, and scenic walks. Gyalpeling is not only a place of spiritual significance, but it also serves as a center of learning, with numerous scriptoria, libraries, and meditation caves where monks engage in intensive study, contemplation, and meditation, prospective monks come from all over the 5 Kingdoms to study in Gyalpeling, as monks educated within its walls are valued in any court of the Tonpa Kingdoms.
One of the most valuable cities in Jangshun isn't far from the capital, a short 1 hour horse ride east of Druktse stands the city of Jangtse, a jewel in the crown of the kingdom. Jangtse, meaning "Silver Peak" in the local tongue, owes its fame and prosperity to the rich veins of silver that run through the nearby mountains, making it a thriving center for mining and trade. At the heart of Jangtse rises a magnificent conical palace, known as Jang Potrang, or the "Silver Palace." The palace, glistening like a beacon atop the tallest hill in the city, is adorned with silver-plated roofs, walls, and pillars, reflecting the sunlight and casting a mesmerizing glow over the surrounding landscape. It serves as the royal residence, where the Count holds court and conducts affairs pertaining to the area between Jangtse and Druktse. The streets of Jangtse are lined with buildings that boast silver-plated facades, creating a surreal and shimmering sight as one walks through the city, often shining gold from reflecting the sunlight, the wealth of the city is evident in the intricate silver filigree work that adorns windows, doors, and rooftops of temples, mansions, and markets alike. The silversmiths of Jangtse are renowned for their craftsmanship, producing exquisite silverware and jewelry that are sought after by collectors and traders from distant lands. The city is a bustling center of commerce, with a vibrant market square where merchants from across the region gather to trade in silver, gemstones, textiles, and other precious goods. The sounds of bartering, laughter, and the clinking of silver coins fill the air.
The Armies of Jangshun are known for their ferocious foot-soldiers, the every-day rank and file soldiers of the Jangshun armies are regarded as the best in the region and are a feared prospect to face on any battlefield.
The soldiers of the army of Jangshun are highly disciplined and skilled in the art of warfare, and are renowned throughout the region for their courage and loyalty. They are trained in a variety of weapons and fighting styles, including archery, swordsmanship, and hand-to-hand combat.
It is said that the success of the army comes from the fact that many men and women who fight in it are from mountainous regions and are conditioned from a young age to move over mountainous land with ease, their armies can easily traverse land that would be impossible for normal armies to travel over, due to the fact that the soldiers know the land.
The army of Jangshun is led by a commander-in-chief, who is appointed by the common foot-soldiers and is responsible for the overall strategy and tactics of the army. Under the commander-in-chief, there are several generals and officers who oversee different units of the army, each with their own specific roles and responsibilities. The soldiers of the army of Jangshun are equipped with a variety of weapons and armor, including shields, helmets, and chainmail. They are also skilled in the use of traditional weapons, such as the da and the gochu, which are types of swords. In addition to their skills in battle, the soldiers of the army of Jangshun are also highly respected for their loyalty and devotion to their ruler and country. They are known for their strong sense of duty and honor, and are willing to lay down their lives in defense of their homeland. The army of Jangshun is often called upon to defend the kingdom against invading forces, and has a long history of successful battles and campaigns. Their reputation for courage and skill has earned them the respect of their neighbors and allies, and they are a source of pride and inspiration for the people of Jangshun.
One of the most famous regiments from Jangshun is the “Wheel of Steel” A heavily armored longsword unit founded by Princess Jamyang Daughter of King Kunga and Sister of King Yangchen of the Yeshe Dynasty after she travelled to Europe and witnessed people fighting in full suits of armor, this was a foreign concept in the areas around her and she implemented the idea with her Father's (And later Brother's) full support they were first deployed in aid of Taishigang who were experiencing an invasion from a nearby Dharmist Kingdom. The longswords cleaved through the invading forces lack of armor and their steel plates deflected blows.
Monyul Monyul is a land of vast open spaces and stunning natural beauty. The kingdom is home to a proud and fiercely independent people, who have built a rich culture and a strong military tradition, its plains are green and warm during the summer but snow is not uncommon in winter. Dharmaling is the capital city of Monyul and is nestled in the hills, surrounded by winding rivers and vast grasslands. It is a city steeped in tradition and culture, with a rich history that stretches back centuries.
Dharmaling was built as the northern most outpost of the Dharmist Indraprastha Empire but was conquered by Tonpa forces from a tribe that would eventually become known as the Monyul. The city is built around a central marketplace, where merchants from all over the known world come to trade their wares. The marketplace is a bustling hub of activity, filled with the sounds of bargaining and haggling, and the aromas of exotic spices and perfumes.
The Company of the Wind have their main offices in Dharmaling and use the bustling 10 storey wooden building to plan its operations throughout the known world. The streets of Dharmaling are relatively wide due to the constant horse carts that pass through them. The buildings are made of stone and wood, with intricately carved facades and ornate balconies. Many of the houses have flat roofs, which are used as outdoor living spaces during the warmer months. At the heart of the city lies the great monastery of The 3 Gods, unlike in other cities which have separate monasteries for the three Gods, this temple combines them as a display of unity between the three sects. The massive structure dominates the skyline, with its towering walls and intricate carvings. The monastery is home to a community of monks, who dedicate their lives to the study and practice of Tonpa. Surrounding the monastery are the homes of the nobility, who are known for their wealth and power. These grand estates are filled with beautiful gardens and courtyards, and are often adorned with intricate carvings and colorful murals. Outside the city walls, the landscape is dotted with small villages and nomadic encampments. These communities are home to herders and farmers, who make their living tending to the region's yaks and sheep. Despite its remote location, Dharmaling is a city of great importance, both culturally and politically. It is a place of pilgrimage for Monks, Merchants and laypeople from all over the world, and is also a hub of trade and commerce. The people of Dharmaling are proud of their heritage and their way of life, and are fiercely protective of their city and its traditions.
A 30 minute walk to the west of Dharmaling lies the Temple of Tong Thang, the Beehive Temple, as visitors approach the temple, they are greeted by the gentle humming of bees that buzz around the entrance, seemingly inviting them inside, the entrance is adorned with ornate wooden doors intricately carved with depictions of bees in flight, the temple is home to hundreds of bee colonies. The interior of the temple is a marvel of craftsmanship.The walls are adorned with honeycomb patterns carved into the stone, creating a mesmerizing visual display. Soft light filters through small openings in the dome-shaped ceiling, the centerpiece of the temple is a large altar made of honey-colored stone, adorned with intricate carvings of bees and honeycombs, where devotees offer their prayers and offerings. The Temple of Thong Tang is a place of worship dedicated to the reverence of bees and their significance in nature and the cycle of life, every day priests and priestesses of The Mother make their way to the temple to tend to the bees, bringing them water and sliced fruits, every year there is a festival outside the temple where priests and priestesses of Caihong distribute honey gathered from the bees.
Monyul is home to a large lake called Jangchub Tso, the lake is bordered by lush green forests and snow-capped mountains to the south-east, a product of Monyul's border with Taishigang.
On the edge of the lake there is a large city called "Gangri Thang", which is known for its fish markets and skilled boatwrights, nobles from the surrounding Kingdoms often commission boatwrights from Gangri Thang to build grand freshwater barges for them.
Several villages surround the lake, mostly fishing and farming communities, every spring fishermen from these villages make their way to Gangri Thang with hundreds of fish, hoping to hock their catch to fishmongers, tourists and Company of the Wind officers.
The fish they carry is mainly the several species of trout that live in the lake but a few of the lucky ones carry the Golden Mahseer, a gleaming fish variety that is said to be very difficult to catch, although the taste of the fish pales in comparison to the trout, the Golden Mahseer is revered for its scales that give off a vibrant golden glow, these scales are often used in ceremonial dress of the region adoring clothing and jewellery.
The people of Monyul are also skilled artisans, known for their intricate weavings and pottery. The kingdom is home to many workshops and marketplaces, where merchants sell their wares to buyers from all over the region. The people of Monyul are known for their skill at horsemanship, and the kingdom is home to some of the finest cavalry units in the region. The army of Monyul is also composed of archers and spearmen, who are trained in the art of mounted combat and guerrilla warfare.
The most prestigious regiment of Monyul is a cavalry unit called the White Tigers, the horsemasters of the White Tigers are known as the strictest in the Tonpa Kingdoms, if a horse fails a single training drill both the horse and rider are deemed unworthy. The White Tigers main weapon is a thick spear, painted red with a bronze spearhead, it has a heavy counterweight at the back that also doubles as a blunt weapon. Their secondary weapons are a heavy sword and a short bow.
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