#Sarissa of the summer court

[eldstunga]

Whate'er seeming they may wear, know full well the Fey, and fear - Their fickle nature, dark and queer - For mortal laws no ken nor care, and 'neath their glamour sweet and fair - fell, their hearts,

and wild, their stare.

#Sarissa #Fey #Satyr #Faun #dungeons and dragons #D&D #ranger #my art #Sarissa of the summer court #tw: blood #Blood #remember - the fey are spirits. strange. amoral #dangerous and mercurial #I drew the blood on as a joke because I loved how manic she looked #but it fit so well #I may draw her primarily as a dumbass funny funny ha ha #but she's decisively inhuman #and I thought I'd draw the fell parts too

[jeannereames]

As Alexander conquered more territories, he seems to have widened his list of royal titles. So, aside from being king of Macedon, he also became pharaoh of Egypt and king/emperor of Persia (king of kings? King of Asia?). Did Alexander actually invest himself with these titles in any official capacity?

Also, based on his adoption of titles (or not), should we see Alexander's vast dominions as one articulated empire, as in, everything was kingdom of Macedon, or should we understand his domains more in the basis of a “personal union” of many countries united under the same monarch?

How Alexander understood his new empire is unclear, in part because he seemed to be figuring it out as he went. Also, because he’d made a second round of changes in the spring/summer of 324 BCE, after he’d returned from India, but these may not have been entirely done before Hephaistion died—then Alexander himself. (The first set of changes were the summer/fall of 330.)

I think it safe to say he saw it all as far beyond “Greater Macedon,” based on his modifications, starting with the spring Susa weddings (top Macedonian officers to Persian noblewomen). Then in the summer, while he was in Opis, he reorganized the army (again), including the introduction of a Persian unit of Companion Cavalry, as well as the 30,000 “Epigoni,” the young Persian (aristocratic) boys who’d been trained in the use of the Macedonian sarissa. This SO incensed the rank-and-file, it caused the infamous mutiny (together with the dismissal of older and disabled veterans). His formal court appearances also began to feature not only Macedonian guards (Hypaspists), but also Persian, albeit in separate units. This general period may also be when he formally appointed Hephaistion Chilliarch.

As for titles, as far back as 330, he began styling himself “King of Asia”—which wasn’t the title traditionally employed by Achaemenids: Kshayathia Kshayathiyanam (Xšāyaθiya Xšāyaθiyānām), “Great King” or “King of Kings,” Shahanshah in Middle Persian. He knew the title perfectly well, so it was a clear choice not to use it, and nothing in our sources suggest he went through the traditional enthronement for Persians kings … nor for the Egyptian pharaoh, either. There’s been some debate about the latter, but these days, I believe the majority opinion is that he simply wasn’t in Memphis long enough. He was in a hurry to chase Darius.

IMO, too much significance is given to his time in Egypt, his claim to Ammon’s sonship notwithstanding. It’s not that Egypt wasn’t important, but it later gained a disproportionate prominence due to hindsight. I do think he had high goals for Egyptian Alexandria, especially for trade (he knew a good port when he saw one), but I’d say he had an equal intention to elevate Babylon. One was a completely new city, the other, the heart of old Mesopotamia … but long enough outside the seat of power that he could return it to that status without appearing to sit in the shadow of the Achaemenids.

So he was trying to create something new, but with enough ties to prior kingships that it wouldn’t offend. Recall that in the ancient world, “new” was not a virtue. Today, the “fresh, new” approach is sought after, but back then, tried and proved and traditional was preferred.

#asks #Alexander the Great #Alexander the Great's Empire #“King of Asia” #Alexander's plans for his empire #Classics #ancient history #ancient Macedonia #ancient near east

[sideefandomblog]

Dresden Files BAT speculation

Stars and Stones

Faerie gets wrecked, Titania is the final boss due to nemesis infection or simply deciding to off Harry as shit hits the apocalyptic fan, Mab and Titania both die and Molly and Sarissa become the new Winter and Summer Queens of the decimated Courts who rally behind Harry for the rest of the BAT. There's a confrontation with Drakul as well but he survives till Empty Night (book 3). Ebenezer dies but Harry swipes the Blackstaff and returns it to Mother Winter who gets to take a stroll to the Outer Gates and sacrifice herself at the end of the book to deal a major blow to the Outsiders thus buying reality (and Harry) time to find a way to save the universe later in the trilogy.

Hells Bells

I'm not too sure about this one but it is confirmed Harry travels to Hell to retrieve Hell's Bells. Lucifer will also appear. I believe Skin Game was a test run for Hell's Bells and Harry will be accompanied by Nicodemus, Marcone, Butters, Sanya and whoever the Knight of Love (Murphy?) is. I think Nicodemus (and Lucifer) have some sort of plan in mind that involves binding and harming the White God. Lasciel will also show up again.

Empty Night

Harry vs Drakul is guaranteed due to both being Starborn who hold power over Outsiders. Lara and Thomas play big roles here as the White Court pre Cold Days/Battle Ground were the group that used the Empty Night curse most. Harry vs He Who Walks Behind.

General Speculation

Listens to Wind is a Black Council member and will kill Ebenezer. Cowl is Simon Petrovich and another candidate for killing Ebenezer. Harry does not kill Ferrovax himself but there is a scene with aircraft carriers Jim Butcher has had in his mind for ages. Harry may use the eye of Balor to kill one of his heavyweight enemies (Drakul, Titania, Ferrovax, A Walker). Harry will meet the original Merlin.

#jim butcher #dresden files #harry dresden #karrin murphy #molly carpenter #thomas raith #lara raith #queen mab #Mab #queen titania #Titania #Mother Winter #Blackstaff #Ebenezer mccoy #Listens to wind #Simon Petrovich #Cowl #Kumori #Elaine Mallory #Stars and stones #hells bells #Empty Night #Vlad drakul #Drakul #Ferrovax #He Who Walks Beside #Nemesis #He Who Walks Behind #He Who Walks Before #Summer Lady

[samwellwinchesterthebrave]

I was thinking about The Dresden Files earlier, as one does :p, and I had a few thoughts that I wanted to share. Specifically about Skin Game because I just reread that one a couple weeks ago. Under a cut because it got long

First off, in the beginning when Harry’s running around the tunnels in the prison, he stops to talk to a being trapped in crystal. This being has a British-sounding accent, sounds tired, and acts relatively human (well, human-ish. what i mean to say is that it doesn’t try to seduce Harry into letting it out or threaten him. the way other inmates have been doing). It got me thinking about who might be in that crystal. It’s gonna come up again. I know it is. So my theory is that it’s Merlin. THE Merlin, the original one who built the prison on the island in the first place. It fits the legend where Nimue traps him in a crystal cave, so there’s that bonus. Also, Merlin would have been in England at the time so maybe the British-sounding accent Harry notes is a nod to that (yes I realize the accent wouldn’t be the same historically but work with me here). And, if the being is really as tired as the voice sounds, maybe Merlin willingly put himself in the crystal to get a break. Wizards tend to be busy dealing with a lot of crap and he was probably the most powerful wizard ever. He might also have done it to escape enemies. Think about it, an island protected by a freaking powerful genus loci that can ward off Outsiders and just generally makes people dislike the island and wanna leave. Who would think Merlin would willingly trap himself there?

Second, when Harry summons Mother Winter, she pays him back for the pain he caused her in having to move without her cane by threatening to make him into dinner. Which probably would have happened had Harry not figured a way out. Or maybe Mother Summer would have come to his rescue. Either way, Mother Winter is without a cane and it hurts her badly to move around. Now, if I were in Harry’s place, I might consider giving Mother Winter a cane. Maybe not of wood as that seems more up Mother Summer’s alley. But maybe a cane of titanium alloyed with aluminum. It would be strong and light and wouldn’t burn a faery being. He could send it to her with his regards, maybe explain it is a gesture of amends for causing her hurt in the first place. That would neatly sidestep the gifting-creates-a-debt-on-the-part-of-the-giftee thing and would avoid seeming to curry favor with Mother Winter. It might also smooth things over if he ever needed to summon Mother Winter again. It might happen. You never know.

I’m a little worried that Sarissa might be infected with Nemesis. There’s a lot of her life we don’t see in the bits that she’s in the book. Maeve was. It’s possible that Maeve could have infected Sarissa at some point. Nemesis is smart and cunning. And with Sarissa as the new Summer Lady, it has an agent in a high position of power in a faery court. We, and Harry, would have no idea because there are no obligations and such that bind her such as bound Cat Sith. 

On the same note, I’m worried that Lea might have infected Molly. Yeah, Mab is supposed to have cured her but how do we know for sure? It is possible to trick Mab even though it’s damn hard. What if Nemesis-Lea played cured in order to be released and go back to her life? And if she was in on Mab’s plan to groom Molly to be a possible Winter Lady, that’s just adding a possible agent in a position of power for Nemesis. Imagine if she and Sarissa both are infected. Two Ladies both agents for Nemesis. Terrifying thought.

I wonder if the introduction of new weapons means a coming introduction of new big bads. With the Red Court gone, there’s a giant power vacuum that everyone’s been scrambling to fill. While we were just introduced to Nemesis and the Outsiders were fleshed out further, the biblical weapons Harry found don’t seem like the type of weapons that would be useful against them. Against the Denarians, undoubtedly. But Nemesis and the Outsiders are far older.

Speaking of Hades, I really liked him in Skin Game. I tend to be drawn to dark, silent, mysterious figures in stories and mythology so I’m not surprised I did. But I love what Jim Butcher did with him. He humanized Hades, made him relatable and understandable. Yes, he’s still a force of nature, a being of immense power. But he’s still human, for lack of a better word. He named his dog Spot. He married Persephone for love. He is responsible and dutiful, caring for his domain and treating those as they deserve. Like he mentions in the book, he’s very much like Harry. And I adore Harry a lot.

I can’t wait for Peace Talks. I’m really excited to see where the story goes. And I can’t wait for Sanya to meet Butters. That’s gonna be hilarious. Especially if Sanya is a Star Wars fan. :)

#sam rambles #the dresden files #harry dresden #jim butcher

[eldstunga]

Lineup pt. 7 - Sarissa of the Summer court

Goteposting on main

#Satyr #Faun #Sarissa #my art #Character lineup #dungeons and dragons #character portrait #ranger #Fey #Summer Court #I'm never happy with the amount and location and look of the fluff but I'll get there one day

[eldstunga]

Please tell me everything about Sarissa of the Summer Court(including build if you like) because she looks so very cool

I'd be delighted to tell you about Sarissa, who left the summer court five or seven years or weeks ago, and I might start with the fact that she struggles terribly with the concept of time. She has forgotten why the Summer Queen sent her to Faerûn, but it was probably important.

Like many of her kind she's impulsive, jovial and a tad hedonistic. She doesn't plan ahead and she doesn't deliberate for long, nor does she follow a creed or particular set of morals. She weighs everything in the moment and usually doesn't reflect or regret.

By trade she's a ranger, just a straight up ranger feywalker - with more wanderlust and curiosity than her sisters. Her build, abilities and powers all seem to center around, or even come from, the odd, ancient greatsword she carries. As far as she can recall, she found it amidst the old stones on the border of the Fey, and they 'got along'. She's carried it on her shoulder ever since and not just because it's far too tall for her to carry any other way.

She collects trophies, trinkets, baubles and bric-a-brac without any thought for a monetary value. She has a very poor understanding of currency and feels like the more identical pieces of something you have the less interesting and worthwhile they are. Tends to pay way too much or way too little.

According to some old custom, she grows her hair out once she's sworn to do something, and cuts the braid off once the task is done, whereupon she wears the braid as a trophy and a token of her accomplishment. As a fey, she values her given word immensely, but does not consider a written word to mean anything at all.

Thanks for asking, i'll gladly consider any more specific questions, like everyone else I LOVE answering questions about my characters, they help me build them and inspire me to draw. <3

#Sarissa #summer court #Fey #Satyr #Faun #D&D #my art #dungeons and dragons #asks #info dump lol #I haven't entirely gotten into the groove of playing her yet #but she's already pretty dear #god 've missed getting asks about my girls #thank you very much!

[eldstunga]

It’s tricky to draw a pin-up of Sarissa because she doesn’t have a sinful thought. The summer court’s just a wild place to party.

#Sarissa #satyr #faun #Dungeons and Dragons #ranger #fey #D&D #eldsmuts #local fey finds sword and makes it everyone's problem #my art

[eldstunga]

Sarissa of the Summer Court,

Now in colour

#Smells of thyme and rosemary #Sarissa #Satyr #faun #my art #dnd #dungeons and dragons #ranger

[eldstunga]

There she is, Sarissa - of the Summer Court. She was sent to do something important, but she forgot and that was like, five years ago...

#Satyr #Faun #Ranger #dnd #my art #oc #Sarissa #this fey bastard is already so dear to me lol #dungeons and dragons #watch me wisdom dumpstat a ranger so she can be a dumbass #goat lady #can't get enough goat ladies

[eldstunga]

Could you share a bit of lore and background to Sarissa and where she's from? I am very curious and interested, given the Fae Folk stuff I know is largely from Ireland where they're far more dangerous, lethal, and an all round threat to you than Sarissa seems. Plus learning more about your OCs is always a plus!

I'd love to, though honestly I'm largely just making stuff up as I go on this one. Primarily we're still just dealing with the D&D Feywild, 2'nd and 5th edition - with a chunk of Theros thrown in for good measure. The Fae you're thinking of are the Sídhe of the Seelie and (Unseelie) courts. Their schemes and rivalries are very much a part of the Fey realm, but as for Sarissa - she's just a dumb goat. ;)

She hails from Summer; lush, warm and vivacious - ruled by the court of the same name. Its inhabitants used to plenty and typically carefree and frivolous, none moreso than the satyrs.

There are other courts, as you may well imagine, but while Sarissa serves the Summer queen, it is as a border guard, patrolling the weird and ever changing edges of the fey, and she is blissfully ignorant of the politics and follies of the Sidhe. They're not entirely ignorant of her, however...

#God I miss getting character asks #thank you anon <3 #if it wasn't 3 am I'd draw something to go along with he wall of text #Sarissa #asks #not art #.txt

[eldstunga]

What's Sarissa's favourite beverage?

Summer court wine, but she finds quality mead absolutely delightful. She'll gladly trade what little wine she has left for strange new drinks.

#The sensorium would be proud #Sarissa out there collectin' experiences #not art #.txt #asks