#isohm

[n7punk]

"freak occurrence: confluence" Fic Notes

“freak occurrence: confluence” is definitely the most meta (and the most ridiculous) fic I’ve ever done, so I’ve compiled some references, notes, and explanations to act as fic notes. If you’re opening before reading the fic, I recommend reading each scene before checking the references for it and absolutely don’t read anything after this first section before you’ve finished the fic.

Catradoras in order of introduction:

Scene 1: This is actually MToHL!Adora immediately post-canon but they haven’t figured that out because they’re similar enough that nothing has thrown them off.

Scene 2: Teenage Catradora from a canon-divergent reality where they run away from the Horde as teenagers and horses aren’t real.

Scene 3: toht!Adora.

Scene 4: slas!Catradora.

Scene 5: BFM!Adora, looking at slas!Catradora obviously, but the other Catra trying not to laugh is toht!Catra.

Scene 6 has no Catradoras, but the tattoo is from my OotW fic 'her heart on her sleeve.'

Scene 7: of course this has the Lone-Adora that isn’t from any other fic, but it also has another reference to slas and a reference to ISoHM.

Scene 8: strange disease!Catradora with mentions of my very first AU (and one of my first fics period) ‘in thundering realizations’!Catradora.

Scene 9: DITM!Catradora POV and Reflection!Catradora across from them, named for Adora turning into a magicat when she's She-ra (side note: shortly after arriving, Reflection!Catra asked if She-ra was a magicat in this universe specifically because she has always held that was because Adora was gay and when she was told ‘no’ that gave her all the ammo she needed for the next three years).

Scene 10: strange love!Catradora.

Scenes 11 and 12 are the Lone-Catra that isn’t from any fic. Well, I would say this is her origin fic, same for Lone-Adora.

Scene 13: Lone-Catra and LotD!Catradora.

Scene 14: WDtFD!Catradora POV and mentions of Knifepoint!Catradora. It’s very easy to think the couple where Catra’s hand was messed up was from AMLAIT, but I also kind of wanted to include allusions to some Catradoras from other fics, so you could read it as R&B!Catradora if you want. I thought about including an explicit mention of Catra’s boots to make that more clear, but when that ended up being the only pair not from one of my own fics, it felt kind of weird. I wanted to pay homage to some of my favorite AUs others have written in the fandom by including references to other Catradoras that were there, but it’s really hard when most of those fics are just modern AUs without much easily visible about their Catradoras to identify them, and I definitely didn’t want to write any scenes from the perspective of someone else’s version of the character without permission, so I just kind of left it at this ambiguous reference to a friend's fic that I asked them permission for first.

Scene 15: Mentions of catcher!Catradora, Superzero!Catradora, and IHtWCYN!Catradora.

Scene 16: Mentions of TFHFY!Catradora, strange disease!Catradora again, and the Greys!Catradora.

Scene 17: CotC!Catradora (for people following my Tumblr this was the entire scene that was just. missing after all my planning somehow).

Scenes 18 and 19 have nothing new.

Scene 20: SaD!Catradora.

Scene 21: This one is a tease for a future fic :)

And from here on it’s no one new.

Epilogue Life:

Okay I had to cut the fic off there because this could honestly go on forever BUT here’s some stuff about the fallout of this whole event:

This event is, as you would assume, completely non-canon to the rest of my fics. If you want to imagine each couple went back to right around the time they got taken and quickly their memories of the other reality melted away once in their own timeline again, sure, whatever. There are two dimensions permanently affected by all this however, and that’s Lonely-Adora’s and Lonely-Catra’s.

Adora’s universe splits off from canon at the Portal, whereas Catra’s splits off at Princess Prom. I think both universes could survive on their own without Catra or Adora, but there is a reason the couple needs to be in Adora’s universe, and it’s Prime.

Yes, I might be permanently locking one universe in Despondos either way. Oops. Listen, you win some you lose some. This is supposed to be a crack fic at the end of the day (remember that?) and I wasn’t too focused on implications like that. However, Adora’s universe has already signaled Prime thanks to the portal, so without her and Catra they would be locked in a pocket dimension with an apocalypse on its way, no leader in the Rebellion, and Entrapta on Beast Island.

In Catra’s universe, Entrapta never got left behind because the rescue mission went very differently, so Hordak’s portal project is basically doomed, and the Princess Alliance is intact, united, and extremely motivated to crush the Horde after what they did to Adora. They’re in a good position to fight them thanks the Best Friend Squad uniting the Princess Alliance again and the Horde (more specifically, Shadow Weaver) reeling from the loss of Adora and Catra. They’ll take them down in the end and they’ll do it Adora’s name, just like they would have if Catra stayed in their dimension. After having seen the brainwashing the Horde is willing to do, Scorpia eventually defects to join them when Entrapta manages to — completely accidentally — extend a hand to her just by being herself.

Adora’s universe needs Adora’s inside knowledge to save Angella and Entrapta quickly and face down the Heart and Horde Prime. They’ll find their feet, get Entrapta back, start working on their portal technology, and then get the Failsafe before they even get Scorpia and face the Heart. They’ll move Etheria out of Despondos, taunt Horde Prime to the surface as best they can, question their decisions, but ultimately lure him in and set off the Heart faster and with less loss along the way. No one on the Princess Alliance ever gets chipped in this universe and they rescue Angella not long after and reunite Glimmer’s family.

It takes a bit until after the war for Adora and Catra’s relationship to start shifting, but they do eventually get together, there’s just a lot to process first and fighting evil is a good thing to focus on instead while they do that. They need to become each other’s friends before they can become anything else.

Notes:

⦁ I mentioned a disclaimer in the fic end note. To elaborate on that: I first had this idea around August of 2020 (give or take a month) when my friend asked me which of my AU Catras/Adoras would fuck their alternate universe wife. IDK man, her mind is beautiful. Anyway, it gave me this idea, which was a fun crack scenario that I would turn over in my mind occasionally when I came up with a new AU that I thought would have an interesting pair to add to it. I had no intention of writing it, especially back then when I didn’t have enough AUs to fill out the roster. Since then I’ve thought about making a post explaining the idea just to get it off my mind so many times. In that time, a Spiderverse AU for Catradora was written (oh: I also didn’t watch the Spiderverse until 2023, to the point that the outline for this fic was titled “This Fic Is Older Than The Spiderverse” until I looked it up and realized that’s wrong and I’m just late to the party lmao, but I had no idea what the Spiderverse was about other than multiple Spidermans until I watched it so the death plot point really was just me being fucked up) that dealt with some similarities with the deaths between realities. The fic is good, it made me cry, and I actually read that before I watched the Spiderverse because I missed that tag and thought it was some kind of canon AU. I recommend the fic and wanted to acknowledge it since it shares a plot point. Honestly, when I read that fic I was like oh thank god someone did it, now I’ll seem like I’m copying if I do it too and the idea can leave me along, but the idea Did Not Leave Me Alone and I need to end this 🔫

⦁ Because I know someone will ask: This is absolutely crack and not canon to my OotW series at all. I still have no idea where I should really put it. Being in the AU collection makes sense because it’s relevant to a lot of them, being inside the OotW series but non-canon like ‘take care of each other’ and ‘You and I (and Me)’ makes sense, and it not being in any of those things because it kind of isn’t an AU and definitely isn’t canon to OotW makes sense. I still haven’t decided and I’ll probably move it around multiple times lol.

⦁ Ethereal!Catradora are from my upcoming fic "Lightbeam" and are just a fun little teaser because no one was better suited to sussing magic out. It was either her or Glimmer, who was busy laying magic alarm systems all over the castle for the new alternate universe couples to trip into when they arrived so they could be collected. This is how Catra knew to come running when the SLAS couple appeared.

⦁ “The universe is as dumb as it is passionate, apparently.” C’mon Catra you can’t ask finesse from a celestial body that is no thoughts all vibes

⦁ The whole conversation around the cot/bed is just to show that yeah, they’re different Catras and Adoras, but they’re still Catra and Adora in every reality and this will work out eventually.

⦁ I mostly picked Catradoras based off when would be easy to reference or who I thought would be interesting in the scenario and basically nothing else. Making them distinct was the biggest challenge lmao.

⦁ Oh I know SaD!Catradora teleporting back near their original disappearance might make it seem otherwise, but Adora was missing from her reality for as long as she was in the Prime universe for (and yes, I did internally refer to it as the Prime universe, so I had to make jokes about it. And then I made the omegaverse canon - AS FICTION - to a few of the modern universes for a laugh). I think the people from other highly-similar Etheria's were gone for a 1:1 time or close to the same amount of time they were in the other dimension, but the further a dimension was from canon the less time passing in the Prime universe applied to their own. Or something. Again, none of this is canon.

⦁ They go to Lone-Adora's universe because Catra reaches out for Adora, opening herself up to her. They would have gone to Catra's if it happened the other way around.

⦁ Adora's room was a mess because the Princess Alliance kind of tore it up looking for a sign of her but of course found nothing.

⦁ "So even here I'm..." is "So even here I'm a killer."

⦁ I don't think I ever say specifically what Catra's cause of death was in this universe (because I wasn't sure myself for a while) but when the Fright Zone was kind of shaking apart post-Portal Catra fell and Adora wasn't able to stop it.

⦁ Glimmer is emerging from Bow's room because they actually made some progress on Glimmer healing and reaching out for her friends for support when Adora disappeared. Glimmer was afraid it was because of her and it caused her to do a little - a little - self-examining.

⦁ I've mentioned this a couple times but I spent most if not all of last year secretly hoping to get to 1% of the tag. It's a super pointless goal, but it is cool to have done it. This work is also the 50th in my AU collection (at least, as of now since I'm putting it in there for now) so that feels like a fitting number for a special as well.

⦁ This was supposed to be like 7k.

Upcoming:

I might do another OotW fic or two, but right now my plan for the next AU is “the Reverse AU.” Have fun figuring out what I mean by that, you probably won’t :)

#foc #ootw #ficmeta #fic notes #i know what i said about posting tomorrow but instead i stayed up way too late doing this yayyyyyyy #i have work tomorrow

[verykittenstudent-blog]

ZAUR USTACIN KİTABLARI:

  ZAUR USTACIN KİTABLARI:   “GÜNAYDIN” (“AĞÇİÇƏYİM”) Bakı – 2010. (Bu günə qədər bir  dəfə nəşr olunub və elektron variantı var.)  ZU — GAC “İSTƏMƏZDİM  ŞAİR  OLUM  HƏLƏ  MƏN”  Bakı – 2010. (Bu günə qədər bir  dəfə nəşr olunub və elektron variantı var.)  ZU — İSOHM “GÜLZAR” Bakı – 2011. (Bu günə qədər bir  dəfə nəşr olunub və elektron variantı var. )   ZU — G “MUM KİMİ YUMŞALANDA” Bakı – 2011.…

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#MƏQALƏLƏR #OTUZ ŞEİR - OTUZ FİKİR #XƏBƏR #YAZAR #YAZARLAR #YUBLEY #YUBLEY TƏDBİRLƏRİ #ZAUR USTAC HAQQINDA #ŞAİR #ƏDƏBİYYAT #زائور اوستاج

[gomedhabot]

isohm!??????

#bot #gomedhabot #computer generated

[n7punk]

When you write your fics do you have specific heights for Adora and Catra in your head?

sometimes, yeah! usually i just think of them as close enough in height it doesn't really matter (adora slightly taller), but sometimes i make the gap more quantifiable. I think you could make the case for their height gap ranging 0-3 inches canonically given 1) variation between panels, episodes, etc that just comes as a consequence of any handdrawn animation without a very rigid focus on maintaining things like this (something few TV shows have the production time to be even if they want to). 2) actual changes over the course of the show. all the characters "matured" in various ways through the seasons, which is partially down to the artists becoming more practiced with the characters, but there's also purposeful refinements and updates (seasons 4 and 5). 2) the visual complication factors of adora's boots and catra's hair. catra is (northern reach aside) always shoeless, so adora gets a slight boost she wouldn't have from her boots (but also this difference is usually still present in pretty much any scene or au i write, so whatever), but catra also has very big and fluffy hair (even when it's short it's still pretty fluffy) that might make her appear taller or shorter depending on how you mentally "correct" for that.

in addition to the canon case for it, there's also 4) au factors. i am generally of the opinion that any changes to characters should be genesis of the world setting and not feel like a deviation from the canon character but rather a variation of the canon character. some aus have more variance than others (for instance, things like lotd and isohm get closer to deviation because their world setup is just so damn different and i'm not satisfied with how those aspects of those AUs came out as a result). a great example would be strange disease, where i decided that by virtue of Being Werewolf™️Adora would be noticeably taller, not just from canon, but from how tall she was before the first time she wolfed out. she probably started like 2-3 inches taller, but by the time she comes back to catra she's more like four inches taller in that one. i think i decided to make her more like three inches taller in slas too? and probably a couple others.

anyway, you can usually assume adora is and inch or two taller in most of my fics, but sometimes i lean further towards one end. SYE adora is three inches taller so catra can make mental jokes about climbing her like a tree despite how it would be more like. stepping on a twig. standing on her toes. idk i ran out of metaphors

#Anonymous #anon #fic ask

[n7punk]

So uh. I was thinking about your royalty au on my way home from work yesterday, speculating on Adam’s biodad since you steer clear of cross-species kids and it occurred to me that if they stuck with people they knew, the only non-royal potential sperm donor (rip perfuma your genes are too important) would be… Sea Hawk. Which as I’m sure you can understand almost made me crash my car. Is that something you put any thought into beyond “old timey IVF”?

THANKS I HATE IT FSGKJNKNJFSGKNJ No, okay, I actually had a very specific plan for them. Basically, since this is a world where noble bloodlines are somewhat important while also being a "no homophobia" AU, there are actually acceptable processes for handling this. I didn't get into it in the fic notes because it would have totally derailed things, but fuck it, let's go, because I'm not leaving the possibility of the donor being Sea Hawk XD CW: gonna get into pregnancy and the process of getting pregnant here.

Some nobles may choose adoption of orphans. However, this is usually something that only lower-ranking nobles or rich commonfolk (for whom bloodline is less important, but they still need to pass on their wealth/titles to someone) choose. This might also be the choice of higher ranking nobles who cannot have children for one reason or another. However, the higher ranking the noble, the more likely it is to be an "off the record" adoption of a baby they just pretend is truly theirs, with hush money paid to the family who gave them the baby or the orphanage they got it from.

The more common tactic for the higher up in life is sperm donation, actually known in-universe as a fertility ritual which is overseen by a fertility doctor. This ritual transforms the donor "seed of life" and/or the woman's egg (if it's a surrogate rather than a sperm donor) into that of the partner(s) who are not actually contributing genetic material (not literally of course, but in the eyes of the couple, their culture, and the law, the ritual transforms it). Thus, the donor/surrogate is not considered to even be related to the child once they are born.

Because of this, couples usually select someone they don't know very purposefully to avoid them having any influence or attachment to the child that isn't theirs. How couples go about selecting a donor varies based on many factors, though their wealth/status (and thus ability to find a donor easily) is a big one. Ideally you want to select someone of a comparable bloodline so the "framework" they provide in the ritual is better suited to transform and adapt to that which it is supposed to magically become, but usually it is far easier to find someone below you who is willing. Donors often also sign vows of silence in which they cannot say they were the donor/surrogate, partially for the couple's privacy and partially to avoid them trying to raise themselves up in the noble line this way. When they do this, the vows of silence are stored in the courthouse and are only to be viewed if a party has violated the vow. It is considered a breach of a legal contract and usually involves both fines and imprisonment if done. Donors/surrogates usually take part in these rituals purely for money, but sometimes out of a sense of duty as well.

In the case of Adam's donor, Adora and Catra decided together that they wanted a soldier who distinguished himself in the war, so Catra ended up being the one who put forward the man they eventually selected, a minor noble with brown hair and blue eyes who had led a few successful missions and then returned to his own estate. He wasn't important enough to come to court often, so he wouldn't have influence over Adam, but he seemed like a decent and capable man. When they asked, he was honored (plus, the money was far more than he normally earned), so he traveled to one of their estates and lived there with them for a month and a half until it was discovered they had been successful and Adora was pregnant. They avoided too much contact with him in that time, though they did hold a series of interviews beforehand to make sure he was a good match. At the end he signed his vow of silence and went on his way.

#yes this has all been sitting in my head for almost a year #my worldbuilding addiction can't be stopped #i initially wrote this all in the fic notes and then deleted it LMAO #but you asked so.... here y'all go #ask #isohm #ficmeta #fic rambling #clarenecessities

[n7punk]

ISoHM Ref #5: Catra’s outfits

A selection of Catra’s outfits just to give you an idea of her fashion. The first is what she arrived wearing, a traditional Halfmoon outfit for royalty (the extra fabric in the front is a sign of status) whereas the rest are the clothes that Adora had made for her. The final also shows the diadem that Adora orders for her in Chapter 4, inspired by both her mask and She-ra’s season five tiara.

#ISoHM #ficmeta #fic reference #drawing catra is 85% forgetting to draw the tail #but its just an outfit showcase so who cares really #i didnt draw eyebrows either i didnt intend to do a face at all but then the lack of one was a bit creepy lmao

[n7punk]

ISoHM Extra #6: Warrior’s Passage, the Trials of the Sages, & Catra’s Trials

Buckle up, this is a long one. I mention these in passing in the fic, and the details really aren’t important to the story, but I wanted to elaborate on them a bit. I went way off detailing Catra’s experience with the trials and outlining some more details about her relationship with her father that will never make it into the fic, so this ended up half meta and half backstory.

Warrior’s Passage:

A Warrior’s Passage is a mission, submitted to the crown, often involving going to the surface. Some of them involve pursuing smugglers through the hidden tunnels into Halfmoon and the like, but the majority of them require going to the surface for a period of time, usually to do something that will – or at least likely will - involve combat or a test of mental/physical strength. The crown also posts Warrior’s Passages that people can apply to if they can’t arrange one on their own. For instance, if they can’t get enough guards for a trade shipment, they might open up guarding it as a Warrior’s Passage.

To do a Warrior’s Passage, a magicat must pass at least one of the nine Trials of the Sages and then apply to the crown. Passages that are deemed worthy enough are approved. Those who pass their passage often must bring back some form of proof or have a trustworthy individual – usually a member of the crown or another warrior who has passed their own Passage – vouch that they watched them achieve it.

Every month on the half moon (that name didn’t come from nowhere, it’s important to magicats culturally), a ceremony is held at the Warrior’s Hall in Halfmoon, where those who have passed the passage are presented, given a medal, and have their name carved into the walls of the hall. It is a big thing that people hiring guards look for (as long as the person hiring can go check the Hall’s wall, no one can fake it. People usually give detailed descriptions of where their name is carved and if you don’t see it then you know they’re lying), but for the most part it is a cultural practice. It is a high honor to have completed one.

While it is called a “Warrior’s” Passage, you don’t have to be a fighter to complete it. The nine Trials all require physical or mental strength – or both – and thus there are openings for a variety of Passages. Catra’s mother, for instance, was a stone carver, but she passed the Fasting Trial and was thus eligible to complete her passage. However, due to the difficulty of the passage, it is not recommended that non-fighters undergo it. Passing one of the Trials of the Sages is an honor and challenge in itself, so many who do not intend to define themselves by their combat skills stick with just doing that – and many also don’t participate in any of these practices.

The Trials of the Sages:

The Trials of the Sages are a collection of nine trials designed to prove a magicat’s fortitude. Someone who can pass all of them is considered a prime example of what a magicat can be. The majority of people who pass them only attempt one or two. Some people spend years training for one, fail it, and try for what they perceive to be an “easier” one. You can only attempt each trial once, hence training for years beforehand.

Technically, you can just walk up to the Grandmaster Training Hall, located in the Cave of the Sages (these sages were nine exemplary warriors who founded the order and passed on teaching its lessons to one Grandmaster overseeing nine warriors, nine sages, nine teachers, and nine artisans, collectively referred to as the Nines, who all in collaboration would train future apprentices) and ask to attempt a Trial. However, usually you will not be allowed to do so without a letter from your mentor vouching that you are ready to attempt that exact trial. This is not strictly required to ensure that a mentor blinded by emotion or circumstance cannot hold back a student who is ready, but generally you need to prove you have undergone some kind of training or pass a smaller test decided by the Grandmaster before you will be approved for that trial.

Aside: Catra’s mother was obviously married to the Grandmaster, and thus could be potentially either granted favor or held back from the trial due to personal attachments. As such, she proved she was ready by inventing and passing her own test: She began the Fasting Trial on her own, installing herself outside the training hall and meditating there for a week, only stopping to drink water when it was offered to her by those visiting the hall who took pity on her (she never accepted anything from the Nines of the hall or any of its students). After a week, Tao approved her to undergo the Fasting Trial on the basis that she had proven herself. He always knew she could do it, but it was about publicly proving that this wasn’t a conflict of interest. She spent a month getting in the best shape she could again, and then underwent it once more.

The Trials:

There nine trials in total (because cats have nine lives. Yes, really). Most trials take place in the Hall of the Sages (a cavern where the Grandmaster training hall is located) so the Nines can observe those undergoing the trials and ensure they are completing them properly. They also are assigned to interfere if an individual is pushing themselves to complete a trial to the point where it threatens their life (people do die during the combat trials or as a result of injuries from them sometimes, but they try to minimize damage as much as they can).

The Fasting, Endurance, Grandmaster, and Fifty Trial all allow for anyone to observe. People aren’t allowed to “observe” the Agility Trial, though its path runs through Halfmoon, so many people see a few seconds/minutes of it. The rest of the trials can only be observed by those who have already attempted them before to avoid observers gaining an advantage for their own attempts. Being found cheating at any of the trials or violating the laws surrounding them results in the completion of any and all trials being stripped from you and your name removed from the wall of the Warrior’s Hall, as well as possible criminal punishments.

Fasting Trial: The individual must spend 27 days fasting from food (one moon cycle). They must collect and sterilize their water themselves from the underground river & spring located in the Hall of the Sages. The trick to passing this trial is to lick rocks. Yes, licking the rocks may seems unsanitary and gross, but it allows one to supplement things like minerals. This trial proves resourcefulness, mental fortitude, and endurance.

Agility Trial: The individual must prove their agility and climbing skills by making it from the roof of the Hall of Warriors to the Hall of the Sages without ever touching the ground, and within 30 minutes. This test is begun on the roof of the Hall of Warriors and involves leaping and grappling between Halfmoon’s buildings. Judges are posted on various rooftops and high points around Halfmoon to observe, and a warrior who has completed the trial and is still in good shape follows just behind the challenger to ensure they never touch the ground. This trial proves agility, as well as physical prowess.

Endurance Trial: The individual must prove their endurance via marathon. The marathon also involves non-lethal ammo being shot at the individuals and obstacles. It goes through a series of tunnels (with wrong splits being marked as incorrect, though not blocked off, so people can make mistakes and get lost) and includes a variety of terrain. Challengers are not allowed to bring food or water, but there are three water stations throughout the route. People may take breaks to rest, but they must follow the marked route and cross the finish line within three hours of the start.

Logic Trial: This trial involves a journey through a few tunnels. The path requires some physical prowess, but the main purpose of the trial is to reach a series of nine shrines. Each shrine represents a trial and has five objects. You must take the object that you think best represents that trial or that would help you during a stretch of the journey inspired by that trial. The objects may be used to help you pass the corresponding section (for instance, one of the objects on the shrine representing the Logic Trial is a metal staff, which is actually a lever, and can be inserted in the mechanism to lower a bridge in the coming stretch. If you didn’t choose the lever, you must jump the gap). Technically there is one right item for every section. However, when you reach the end, you explain to the Grandmaster which objects you chose, why, and how you used them (if you did. People have selected the lever, never realized what it was, and jumped the gap). You may also explain, if you chose the “wrong” object, what you realized the right object was and why as you continued on the path. Even if you chose nine wrong objects, if your logic is sound then the Grandmaster may pass you. Some of the objects are harder than others – the Weapons Trial shrine includes four weapons of various types, but one hammer. The hammer is the correct object as the trial is about selecting the appropriate tool for the job at its heart. However, many people choose the bow and arrow assuming they will have to shoot a target up ahead, or the spear thinking they will have to use it as a pole vault. Obviously, this trial is meant to prove one’s logical capabilities, as well as their knowledge and charisma (when they explain their choices).

Stealth Trial: The individual must prove their stealth, agility, and planning capabilities by passing through a mine without being captured by any of the guards. They are required to head to the center of the mine, retrieve a short staff, and then leave via any route or exit. Their goal is to deliver the staff back to a sage waiting outside the mine. They can be seen as long as they get away with the staff. The mine is an active one, where the guards are posted for this exact trial. The guards don’t know what day a trial is happening on, and can even have multiple trials happen in one day. This trial is designed to prove one’s stealth capabilities, but what it actually proves depends on how you complete it.

Weapons Trial: The individual must prove their capabilities with a variety of weapons. A total of 18 weapons are included in the trial, and the individual must pass tests involving all of them. They are always presented with all 18 tests at once and must select the best weapon for every test and then complete that test. Failure of even one test, or selecting the wrong weapon three times, results in failure. Some of these weapons may be well-suited to multiple tests, but one is considered the best choice for the task. Because this can be subjective, three “errors in judgement” are allowed. One must know how to effectively wield every weapon and the consensus on its best use to successfully pass this test. (However, when Catra did it, she purposefully swapped two weapons because she knew she was weaker with one and the trial it was designed for would be harder than the one for the weapon she swapped it out for. This is an allowed strategy, and as she only “mistook” two weapons, she passed the trial). This trial proves adaptability, judgement, knowledge, and physical prowess.

Weapon Trial (Singular): Remember those 18 weapons and tests? Yeah, now you must select one of the weapons and pass any 9 of the trials you choose wielding it. If it breaks because you used it poorly, then you fail. You cannot fail any of the tests either. Despite being the exact same tests, this trial takes an entirely separate set of skills. It proves resourcefulness, knowledge (although a different kind – how to successfully wield something improperly rather than properly), physical prowess, and adaptability (although, again, a different kind to allow you to use the same weapon in a variety of situations).

Grandmaster Trial: A one-on-one unarmed duel with the Grandmaster lasting 30 minutes. The trial is passed if the challenger defeats the Grandmaster. This can involve injuring them, knocking them unconscious, pinning them, etc and has a loose definition where basically the Grandmaster decides if they have fought worthy enough at the end, as no one is expected to outright defeat them (although, if they do, they automatically pass). The trial is failed if the challenger does nothing worthy, or loses and cuts the trial short (they’re knocked unconscious, badly injured, etc). Sometimes never landing a blow and managing to outrun the Grandmaster can be considered worthy enough if speed and agility are specialties of the current Grandmaster. Which skills this trial proves varies depending on the method used to win it.

Thirty Trial: This one is very straight forward, and yet considered by many to be the most difficult across the board. It is a trial by arena combat, in which a single challenger must face down 30 warriors. The 30 warriors are not to fight each other, though collateral damage is accepted. To pass, the challenger must either: a) defeat all 30 opponents (they are defeated if they are knocked to the ground so their back hits it, or if they receive a serious injury and a judge calls them defeated), b) outlast the opponents for 30 minutes, or c) avoid being hit at all for the first 5 minutes (this is a short time frame, but difficult given the volume of the fight in a relatively small arena. This is the strategy Catra implemented to pass the trial, relying on her speed and the agility of her youth). The challenger fails if they are defeated before the time limit (under the same conditions as one of the 30 warriors). Again, what this trial proves varies based on the method used to pass it. Catra used such a rare strategy to pass it – and did it so young – that it was all Halfmoon talked about for like a week.

Catra’s trials:

Catra is young to have passed all the trials, but in order to hope to do so, you need to get many of the physically challenging ones completed young. Her father did it in his 40s, which is the usual age that magicats who choose to pursue multiple trials stop their attempts because their body is slowing down.

Catra completed the Endurance Trial when she was fourteen, with Adora looking on at the finish line. She proved she was ready to take it despite her age by completing a marathon of the same length within the time limit (however, that marathon was on smooth terrain, and allowed water, so the trial was still its own challenge). She completed the Weapon Trial at sixteen when Tao realized, as her mentor, that she really was ready based on her performance in training. Adora was allowed to observe as she was an outsider who would never be allowed to attempt the trials (this is still unusual, as usually non-magicats aren’t allowed to observe since they don’t understand the importance of keeping the trials a secret, but she was a guest of the crown and a princess, so there were exceptions).

Catra completed her third trial as her test to release her from warrior’s training early. Typically one trains for around ten years before they are considered a realized warrior (though sooner is not unheard of, especially if you were unofficially training beforehand like Catra was back in the palace). Catra wanted to be released from her training alongside Adora on Adora’s eighteenth birthday (she was not training to be a fully realized magicat warrior and never could be as she was biologically incapable of meeting all the requirements and passing all the tests).

As such, Sir Tao agreed to declare her realized and graduated after six years of formal training if she passed the Weapons Trial. He thought her completing it was the only way he could release his daughter early without being accused of abusing his position to favour his family. The trial, especially combined with the fact that she had already passed two, would prove to anyone questioning that she was a worthy warrior. Catra agreed. And she passed. Adora was once again allowed to observe and was floored by Catra’s prowess. They had sex that night and Catra thought it was just a congratulatory/goodbye thing.

Catra completed her other six trials in the three years after her graduation. She threw herself into them with a vengeance after Adora left, training the only thing to distract her from how lonely she suddenly was (though nothing would have been worse than staying in their room in the training hall alone, so she was glad to be released). She passed three in the two years before Clawdeen was born, attempting one every several months, and then threw herself into the last three recklessly in the year after her birth.

Catra’s father, when she went to attempt her eighth, cautioned that he would not allow her to try another that year. Catra grew furious and they had a major fight about how she had already proven herself, why does she keep having to do it. He said that hubris was going to make her fail the final trial and that she would never live up to his legacy. She snarled back that he just didn’t want her to achieve all nine before he did – that he was ashamed to be less than her. Her father was enraged by this. They both parted fuming, but Catra’s eighth trial had already been arranged – the Thirty Trial.

Catra passed what some consider to be the most difficult trial of all. A massive crowd gathered to watch and they were screaming for most of it. The cheers were so loud, it is said that they were heard throughout Halfmoon, and some claim they echoed for an hour after the fight. They were certainly heard from the palace – they infuriated Queen Cyra. Catra retreated to her duchy to fume. She had beaten 30 warriors - kind of - but her father still thought she wasn’t worthy of challenging him. Her father was furious with her as well. Shortly after, the Queen asked him to sign the marriage contract. He kept it a secret, as she asked, but he summoned Catra to the hall and told her she may attempt the ninth trial - the Grandmaster Trial - whenever she liked.

He was trying to give her the chance to match him before she was banished, even if he didn’t tell her that. He still thought she shouldn’t do it, but he knew he had to give her the chance. Catra immediately said she wanted to do it on the spot – he never apologized and she didn’t know if he would change his mind. He told her she could do it on the new moon, which was in a week. Catra agreed, preparing for the next few days. She passed it.

Anyone who passes all the trials gets their name carved on the Warrior’s Hall in a position of high honour, on a small monolith. Catra went through the ceremony to be added to it on the half moon, along with those who had passed their Warrior’s Passages. She was the guest of honour at the ceremony, outshining everyone else, even those who had accomplished great things on their passage.

The Queen summoned her just days after. She thought that she was finally being granted the Warrior’s Passage she had been petitioning for so she could fight in the war. She assumed the Queen could no longer publicly justify her obvious conflict of interest in denying it to Catra. Instead, she was sent to Eternia.

#isohm #ficmeta #fic extra

[n7punk]

ISoHM Ref #2: Catra and Adora’s Wedding Dresses

Both wedding dresses from Chapter 2 of ISoHM. I pulled on both fantasy and historical aesthetics. Adora’s tiara veil is basically her tiara from the Wish vision. Catra has the big ass train because she was the one walking slowly down the altar while Adora was already waiting for her.

Both gowns are made with expensive fabrics loaded with beading and applique details, but I am lazy by nature, so you get the idea.

#isohm #ficmeta #fic reference #catra's dress is WAY more my vibe than adora's #i do not condone the nonsense going on in Adora's gown #but it is what she wore lol #art tag

[n7punk]

In Service of Her Majesty Ref & Extra #3: Etheria’s map & countries

This is just a rough idea of where things are and what countries border each other. Etheria has been at peace (and continues to be, aside from the invasion, labeled as the Fright Zone) for a long time, so the borders are stable and the countries largely come to each other’s aid as needed. Below is a breakdown.

Eternia: Oblong(ish) country in the center of the continent, politically strong, about tied with Bright Moon for authority. Their major disadvantage is their small coastline. Part of their territory includes the Whispering Woods. Main export: Farming (Agriculture/Textiles)

Bright Moon: Upper right. Another politically strong nation. Mystacor is technically located inside Bright Moon but considered neutral ground. Part of their territory includes the Whispering Woods. Main export: Artisan goods.

Plumeria: A central country, but one in a good position as far as its borders go as their people are adapted to life within the Whispering Woods. Strong political allies with Eternia and the Arid Plains. Main export: Lumber, Agriculture.

Salineas: Far right. A collection of islands and underwater villages (inhabited by finfolk). Politically neutral and a bit more isolationist in nature as the land-dwellers are considered to have different problems. Allied with Bright Moon, however, for access to resources such as wood that are more scarce. Main export: Fishing, Naval Trade, all sea-related exports (Seaweed, pearls, etc).

Dryl: Lower right. A country beginning to go through industrial changes, but still in the early stages, and it will lead to a level of technology like there is in the show, not a factory revolution. Main export: Manufactured and artisan goods.

Arid Plains: Center bottom. The area invaded is called the Fright Zone, which currently encompasses the vast majority of the country. Main export: Refined metal. The Horde actually invaded into the Crimson Waste to a certain extent, entering along the coast, but they found the lack of resources (that they knew how to access/use at least) challenging and didn’t even realize it was inhabited. The Arid Plains were a much more attractive target. Currently they are working on invading all the open land available to them (into Dryl) before they will turn their attention onto the Whispering Woods.

Halfmoon: a large series of underground caverns where the magicats live, stretching beneath the Arid Plains and the Crimson Waste. They export fine minerals and jewels to the surface in exchange for things like plants, wood, etc and keep animals underground for meat (their primary diet) and fibers. They have underground rivers they get their water from. Though only the two main exits are marked, there are many smaller ones that allow travel in and out of the kingdom, some of which are known and others which aren’t. Main export: Minerals, gems, and unrefined metals. (Metals are generally mined, set to the Arid Plains for refining, and then sent to Dryl for manufacture).

The Crimson Waste: Far left. The region was once lush, but was ravaged by a volcanic eruption that left it as a desert. Magicats and their kingdom once resided here, but now it is home to a variety of tribes, mostly composed of hybrids and orcs. These tribes have adapted to life in the desert and compete with each other for resources, but the second an outside threat incurs of the Crimson Waste, they band together to expel it (currently they band together under Huntara as she leads the largest tribe) and then return to their own business once it is safe. As there is no kingdom/central government, it is also a popular place for outlaws to flee as they won’t be extradited back. Main export: None, largely self-sufficient.

Kingdom of Snows: Upper left. Another more isolationist country that has adapted to life in the mountains and snowy region of the continent. Main export: Ice (Drinking water, especially bought by Salineas and the Crimson Waste).

#isohm #ficmeta #fic reference #yes im still very much on my isohm bullshit too im working on them both

[n7punk]

In Service of Her Majesty Ref #1: The Royal Apartment

This is not meant to reflect the exact size or dimensions and rather just be a rough idea of the layout, but here is the floor plan for the royal apartment in Castle Grayskull in ISoHM. The furniture is not meant to be exact either and is just to give a sense of placement and scale.

The apartment is on the top floor of the residential wing and juts out from the rest of the castle so there can be windows on three sides. I envision the studies as more rounded-style tower rooms, but unfortunately the app I used to make this doesn’t have round rooms.

The steps in the first living room are shallow, just a slight rise up to the rest of the apartment.

#isohm #ficmeta #fic reference

[n7punk]

ISoHM Extra #4: Adora’s Inner Circle

Governing a monarchy takes a lot of people, in both inherited and appointed positions. Adora has a number of councils for a variety of purposes that she meets with, but she has the final say on any matter she chooses to involve herself in. Many of Adora’s councils can and do operate without her, though her signature (or Mara’s, as Mara is approved to act in her stead on many matters) is required to approve high-level decisions.

Adora’s country could, technically, operate without her. Adora could take a month off and only sign things brought to her, and things would keep going, at least barring any emergencies. However, this is war time, and she is very busy with her duties. Adora’s inner circle is not any official council, but rather a loose group of individuals whom Adora trusts and is close with. They are her confidants and advisors, regardless of if they are the best choice for that role based on their knowledge. At the end of the day, her inner circle are her friends who she trusts with her secrets and to give her good advice.

The inner circle is unofficial and fully at Adora’s discretion. Many rulers have similar inner circles, although in Salineas the inner circle has actual appointed positions. When people refer to Adora’s inner circle, it’s known who the group is, but it is subject to change based on who Adora is feeling close to.

Mara: The only daughter of the Duke of the Green Valleys. Lady Mara is the cousin (by marriage, her mother was the sister of Queen Marlena) of Adora, though she is not in line for the throne as it follows Randor’s bloodline (she could, through a lot of deaths, become queen, but it isn’t something foreseeable or likely). Mara grew up seeing Adora several times a year and they were good friends, though the age gap between them meant they didn’t click until Adora returned from Halfmoon and they were both adults. Adora was never that fond of her father’s chancellor and appointed Mara to the position the moment she returned to Eternia and took on royal duties (something she did immediately to lighten the load on her father, as he had been ruling alone for two years at that point and was dealing with the effects of the invasion, even though Eternia wasn’t directly involved in the war yet). Mara is Adora’s right hand, acting as the go-between between the Queen Regent and most anyone who would make requests of her. Mara organizes Adora’s schedule, executes orders for her, helps deal with all her councils, acts in her stead, performs secretarial duties, and is the individual that several members of the royal household report to. Her job is to ultimately report anything that Adora needs to personally oversee to her. Adora basically splits some of her duties with Mara.

Light Hope: Light Hope is Mara’s wife, the sister of a very minor Earl. Light Hope started as an informant for the monarchy and worked her way up the ladder until Randor appointed her as spymaster upon his wife’s death (Marlena died seemingly of illness, but Randor couldn’t cope and decided she must have been poisoned, so he fired his previous spymaster). Traditionally, any new monarch appoints their own spymaster to avoid them becoming entrenched and possibly conspiring against them, but Adora felt no need to appoint her own when she became regent. She trusts Light Hope, and the fact that she has given her wife an appointed position also helps to remind Light Hope who holds the ultimate authority over her position. Light Hope has spies throughout the continent, including within the castle itself. Nothing happens in the castle without her knowing about it.

Teela: Teela is the daughter of a knight (thus, she has no title, as Knighthood cannot be inherited). She is the Captain of the Royal Guard. Her father was part of King Randor’s guard (and is currently deployed alongside him in the war) so Adora played with Teela some growing up. Teela was the closest person in age to her that she knew then. Adora appointed her to Captain of the Guard at the start of the war when many people were deployed to active duty. She has no intention of reappointing the old captain after the war (she is quite fond of Teela), but Randor could upon his return. In that case, Adora would find a new position for Teela and she would remain in the inner circle.

             Aside: Teela is from the original He-Man and is not included in the reboot. Like most characters from the original, I am only loosely using her character based on my memories, and some things I actively choose to change.

Lonnie: Lonnie is the daughter of a Baroness. She and Adora are the same age but only met on occasion before Adora returned from Halfmoon. Adora appointed her the Master of the Arena after, once again, many people were deployed in the war. It allowed Lonnie to climb the ranks at a very young age. She gives Adora a lot of shit, which is why Adora likes her. Most monarchs wouldn’t accept the insubordination, but Lonnie reminded Adora of Catra, so they became fast friends. They met in earnest through Rogelio.

Rogelio: Rogelio isn’t noble. His father is a herbologist and he met Lonnie when she wanted a poison coating for her sword. Rogelio has been training in poisons and potions from birth, but after he impressed Adora with his poison knowledge upon her own poisoning, she appointed him to the position of poison taster, fired the Royal Master of Poisons (as he had been unable to identify what had been used to poison her), and appointed Rogelio to the position instead. Lonnie, Mara, and Light Hope can all translate for him.

Kyle: He’s not part of the inner circle, let’s be honest. Kyle takes minutes in any of her meetings, so he’s there, but no one really asks his opinion. Kyle is the son of a Duke, but he only got a job in the palace due to his father. He now writes the report summaries for Adora as well. Kyle is, somewhat surprisingly, good with secrets that he knows are important, but if you don’t tell him it’s a secret, he has a loose mouth. He knows not to repeat anything that he learns about/from Adora.

Catra: Catra is of course an instant addition to the inner circle, she just hasn’t settled into it or met all of its members yet.

#I meant to post this earlier today oops #isohm #ficmeta #fic extra

[n7punk]

“In Service of Her Majesty” Catradora fic

Fandom: She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018)

Pairings: Adora/Catra (Catradora).

Rating: E. Chapters: 1/10(ish). Words: 8.8k so far.

Summary: Catra wasn't given a choice. The Queen summons Catra from her duchy and tells her that her marriage has already been arranged. Allying Halfmoon with Eternia via marriage will allow the magicats to finally join the Princess Alliance and the Queen is unmoved by Catra's protests otherwise. Having no choice is hard enough, but it is made even worse by the fact that Catra not only knew Princess Adora once, but loved her. Catra enters a political marriage with a women that she loves, but who seemingly never cared for her the same way. (Duchess Catra/Princess Adora "Historical" Arranged Marriage AU)

Read it on AO3.

#catradora #catra #adora #she ra #spop #fanfiction #writing tag #isohm

[n7punk]

In Service of Her Majesty Extra #2: Marriage Standards

I talked a bit about how marriage and inheritance works in my first fic extra on Nobility & Marriage, but I wanted to elaborate on it. I touch on this in the fic, but I wanted to share all the details because it would really slow things down to get into them in the fic itself, even though I feel some of it can be extrapolated.

Throughout Etheria:

In all the kingdoms, legal marriages are a matter of inheritance. If you own property, then you are eligible to get legally married. Once you are married, you don’t necessarily need a will: Everything you own will automatically be transferred to your spouse (or the eldest of your children if you possess them and your spouse has passed) upon your death. Your spouse can then distribute things among your friends and family as necessary. However, most people with wealth or status still have wills. If you are unmarried upon your death and have no will, everything is transferred to your parents.

Despite legal marriage really being for the wealthy, people still “get married”. Couples decide to dedicate themselves to each other, often completing some form of wedding ceremony in their private home, and refer to each other as husband/wife/spouse from then on. The name and nature of this ceremony varies between countries and cultures (promise ceremony, dedication ceremony, wedding, etc) but typically it is a party in the couple’s place of residence with friends and family in attendance.

Halfmoon doesn’t have formal weddings even for legal marriages and only uses these dedication ceremonies. All the other countries have formal wedding ceremonies for legal marriages, though these ceremonies vary. In Eternia, it’s a ceremony with specific lines performed in a chapel. There are no rings exchanged, but the ceremony is ended with a kiss.

Once married, in all countries except Plumeria and Salineas, a couple is expected to be completely dedicated to one another. Infidelity is a huge scandal and people have actually had their titles stripped from them and given to their spouse that they were unfaithful as punishment in Eternia. In Bright Moon and the Arid Plains it’s a scandal to cheat, but it isn’t as big of a deal as it is in Eternia. Dryl and the Kingdom of Snows tend to view that more as private business between a couple so it’s less of a scandal.

Plumeria and Salineas both accept polyamory culturally. While cheating on partners without their knowledge and consent is still frowned upon, sex with someone other than your spouse isn’t considered bad on principal. Salineas also has multiple marriages (as mentioned in the other fic extra) whereas in Plumeria you only marry one individual (the one you intend to execute your estate on your death).

As can be inferred from the fic and its tags, homophobia does not exist in-universe and gay marriages are legal in all countries. Transphobia also doesn’t exist (as always, Princess Perfuma is trans).

In Eternia:

In Eternia, their marriage standards are stricter for historical reasons. They always placed a lot of cultural importance on dedication in marriage, but a few hundred years ago, a king of Eternia married a princess of Salineas for political reasons. Over the years he became enraged by her lack of interest in the marriage, “unfaithfulness”, and refusal to have sex with him outside of procreation. This was because she entered the marriage with the Salinean understanding of marriage as a political matter, where they were married on paper but she could find someone she actually loved to be with. He was enraged by the idea of sharing his wife, who was supposed to “belong to him.” He passed a law that a marriage can be nullified if one partner is not dedicated to the other. Needless to say, the political marriage did not end up helping trade relations between the countries.

This action ended up having long term cultural impacts as parents of children who had been married off but hadn’t produced heirs with their partners would try to get the marriages nullified because they clearly weren’t having sex and it wasn’t ‘real’/they weren’t dedicated. They needed the heirs to keep their titles and family lines, so there were a lot of bullshit expectations placed on young people who were, in some cases, just meeting for the first time. Eventually, laws were added, changed, revoked, added in a new form, etc until it became legal for either spouse to initiate divorce if their partner has “failed in their duties as a spouse” (this is loose terminology but historically interpreted as cheating, refusing to produce an heir, or taking actions to harm the spouse/their reputation).

No one but the two people in the marriage can initiate this process now (their families used to be able to), but the judgement and possible political damage done to Adora’s reputation if she were found to be violating any of these things would be bad. Adora is “married to Eternia” as their queen, so she would never consider doing something that could allow this law to be enacted as it would be disregarding the definition of marriage in Eternia.

I’m not saying any of those things do or should define a modern marriage – or even marriage in this fic, really – and it’s mostly inspired by the king of England who found out his wife wasn’t a virgin and then passed a law making it illegal for non-virgins to marry the king. Polyamory is technically legal in Eternia, because it isn’t cheating if all parties agree to it, but it’s a very dangerous thing for someone to engage in.

In regards to the wedding night “legitimization”, this became custom as a way to safeguard against the nullification law. Truthfully, it’s not necessary in anyway. A couple can have sex whenever they are ready for it. However, in the time before then, it is possible for one of the spouses to initiate nullification on the basis that they are not having sex. Of course, neither Adora nor Catra have any intention of ever getting divorced, so whether they have sex or not doesn’t matter.

However, it does matter to Queen Cyra. Because the nullification of the marriage would also nullify the entire marriage contract, Queen Cyra wants it legitimatized immediately so she can a) be free of Catra and b) begin fighting in the war and defending her kingdom.

Nullification is different from divorce. Divorce can be initiated for any reason. However, all parties are still required to fulfill their ends of any marriage contracts if the couple gets divorced unless everyone agrees to the release of the contract (they are under no legal pressure to do). If Catra and Adora got divorced, it wouldn’t be great, but Queen Cyra could still benefit from it (and even justify staying in the war as something she is required to do based on the contract, though there would be some backlash).

A final note on dowries: dowries are paid to the individual in a marriage who will be “responsible for the care” of their partner. It has nothing to do with the gender of the spouses. As Catra is being married off to Eternia and will be supported by Adora/the crown from now on, Halfmoon paid a dowry to Eternia. However, since it is a political marriage, this dowry wasn’t just in the form of material wealth.

Catra’s dowry included: her personal effects (Cyra believed this was because Adora didn’t want to have to deal with the expense of acquiring magicat furniture, clothes, etc when really Adora just wanted Catra to have things that reminded her of home), an assortment of gemstones (Adora will use some of these to create Catra’s tiara, but they are also payment), favourable trade negotiations between Eternia and Halfmoon, essentially “gave” Catra to Eternia, and necessitated Halfmoon joining the war effort.

#isohm #ficmeta #fic extra

[n7punk]

ISoHM Ref #4 & Extra #5: Eternian Clothing and Undergarments

An illustration of Adora’s “bra” from Chapter 4 of ISoHM. The bra is built from heavy fabrics and reinforced with stitching. It is designed to contain the chest and prevent pain from it moving during physical activity, but it is not capable of producing the shaping of a corset. This particular one is a bit more “fashion” focused, so its neckline doesn’t go up as high (AKA it doesn’t contain the chest as well to allow for a little flaunting) and it isn’t as compressed as one made for a soldier would be.

Each kingdom has its own clothing standards and trends, which I wanted to talk about a bit below.

Eternia is in a Medieval-transitioning-to-Renaissance style at the moment, leaning towards fantasy aesthetics, whereas Halfmoon has had a relatively unchanged standard of simple pants and tunics for a long time. Bras, or nothing at all, is standard in Halfmoon and no one wears corsets. In Eternia, corsets are standard with some wearing bras more recently.

Note: bras aren’t the standard bras we think of today and are more similar to a sports bra or a binder (or, more accurately, the original patent for what led to the modern day bra). They cover the chest and a bit below it, stopping a few inches (or centimeters, depending on the person’s height and dimensions) above the waist. They are made from sturdy fabric and lace up the front to contain the chest. They are basically halfway between a corset and a chest binding.

I don’t get too deep into it because of the classic “don’t describe what your character is wearing unless it tells you something” (seriously, it’s a great rule, especially in fanfic where we already know what the character looks like), but in general Adora wears tight pants, billowing shirts/sleeves, and tight doublets. Catra wears much the same once her new clothes arrive. I have some drawings I’ll post eventually, probably around Chapter 7.

Before the war, Eternian fashion was starting to get more billowing (more fabric means you have more wealth) and the fabric was intricate, embroidered, etc. The war has put a standstill on movement in that direction, and it won’t resume afterwards largely because the monarchs and royalty have a lot of influence over fashion, and Catra and Adora both prefer things that they can practically live, work, and fight in, so they set a different standard. Intricate fabric, beading, embroidery, etc stick around, but the overall volume of dresses, sleeves, puffy shoulders, etc all lessens once again in response.

For an outfit featuring a dress in Eternia, typically one wears underwear, a chemise slip (which may be gathered between the legs and more akin to a romper, or open), a corset if necessary for the individual (over the chemise, can be subbed for a bra if appearance is not the primary concern), and then perhaps further foundations such as a kirtle, petticoats, or an under dress depending on the final outfit. A pocket belt is tied around the waist and objects are put inside, and then the dress is put on over it. The dress may be multiple parts such as a top/skirt or feature an over skirt, apron, etc. There are slits in the fabric to reach under and access the pockets. Both men and women wear dresses or long garments such as tunics or jackets ending around the knees, however dresses are far more popular among women and considered “proper” for them.

For a pants outfit in Eternia, typically one wears underwear, and then maybe an undershirt (a “chemise top”) and a corset, or just a bra depending on the individual (corsets are more historical and favoured fashion-wise, but bras are new and have been adopted by individuals for whom maneuverability is more important than appearance. They also can be washed more easily than corsets so they don’t require a foundation garment, meaning they are more favoured in warm temperatures). The pants that are in fashion are tight (all clothes are tailored to the individual), whereas peasants or workers may wear looser pants that might be passed down and simply gathered at the waist, or meant to be repaired and reworn over a period of time. Tops could be a variety of tunics, cavalier shirts, shirts paired with vests or doublets, long jackets, etc. Pants are worn by all classes and both men and women, though they are worn more often by men.

In Halfmoon, it is totally acceptable for women to be shirtless in any situation where a man might be shirtless (warriors, workers, etc). Nakedness is not considered offensive in the private home (couples sleep together naked, young siblings sleep together in just their underwear, walking in on someone naked isn’t that big of a deal). Skirts are extremely rare.

On the other hand, Salineas favours skirts over pants due to a number of races not having legs (or, having many of them). Nakedness is not offensive for a number of finfolk races even in public. Fabric is made from some materials used on land and others that are totally unique to Salineas as it only behaves like fabric when wet and becomes stiff/brittle when dried out on land. Tops constructed entirely from jewelry (thus providing 0 modesty, but flaunting wealth) are also quite popular. Skirts constructed similarly are popular for finfolk races, and even for humans when worn in combination with something covering.

These are just some of the examples of the differences in not only fashion, but acceptable social standards. Though the exact style of tops/bottoms/dresses that are in fashion vary around the continent, most the surface kingdoms have similar standards with Salineas and Halfmoon as outliers due to their different environments. The standard fashion in the Kingdom of Snows tends to be similar to winter fashions in the other surface kingdoms.

#isohm #ficmeta #fic reference #fic extra #one day i will figure out how to do jewel tones without using like five layers of colour #but today is not that day

[n7punk]

ISoHM Extra #1: Nobility

The first chapter of ISoHM just went up, so have an extra right away! I’m posting this to give context, even though most of the titles I’ve used are drawn from real life and thus their authority can be inferred. I have made some changes, however, so I wanted to have this as a handy reference. The exact rank of every nobility title isn’t really important to the fic, but I wanted to have it here. The royalty system is consistent across all the countries for simplicity in titles. The ranks are mostly based off the British monarchy system, though I don’t follow it exactly.

Monarchy ranks:

The King/Queen rules and has command of the army. In some countries this means the King or Queen is literally out planning battle strategies and maybe leading the charge themselves and in others this means they have commanders who handle that aspect for them. In Eternia, Bright Moon, and Salineas, the King commands the army on the front lines (this could fall on the Queen, depending on the couple ruling, it just currently falls on the King for all of them). Halfmoon, Plumeria, Dryl, and the Kingdom of Snows all use commanders and military officials. Royals or nobility are often appointed to those roles. In Halfmoon, the Queen’s second son leads her army. The other three kingdoms don’t have any excess princes/princesses to appoint to such roles.

The Prince/Princess is either a) a direct child of the current monarch or b) the next person in line for the throne (if the monarch has no suitable children). They take on royal duties, assisting the monarch in their duties as well as assisting the lesser nobility and resolving disputes between them. This is also a good time to mention someone is usually referred to by their highest role, thus Catra has been both a Duchess and a Princess, but she was referred to as Princess. However, Mara is nobility but referred to by her role as chancellor as it is more important than the fact that she is the daughter of a Duke.

Dukes/Duchesses rule a portion of the land (a duchy) in the King/Queen’s stead so they can see to national matters, though the monarch can always intervene as they see fit. Their children are generally referred to as Lord/Lady, but as Catra’s mother was dead and her father had become the grandmaster, upon her graduation from warrior training she became the acting Duchess of their duchy. When she left, the third-youngest prince took it over.

I then skip to Barons/Baronesses, who rule baronies within the duchies, reporting to the Duke/Duchess and ultimately to the monarch above them.

Earls/Earlessas are essentially members of the monarch’s court that oversee details of governing on more local levels than a central figure can achieve. Yes, there can be female Earls, that’s the Earlessa, bite me Britain.

So you have the kingdom, divided into a few duchies run by Dukes/Duchesses in the monarch’s name, and those duchies have smaller baronies within them that report to their duke/duchess and ultimately to the monarch. Earls assist in governance within towns and cities and the such.

The final two titles are slightly different. One is Knight, referred to as Ser. The title is nontransferable to spouses or children and must be appointed by the current monarch. Ser is also used to refer to anyone holding an honourable title or an important position in governance, even those outside the nobility.

Count and Countess are the final titles, and actually refer to non-royals. Basically, though most titles are hereditary, the monarch may at any time appoint of more benefiting person to a position. For instance, if a duke is failing his duties, a monarch might appoint a Baroness to rule the duchy instead. If they give the existing Duke no replacement title, they become a count. Counts/Countesses are still considered perfectly acceptable spouses for royals and may be heirs to any titles for which they were once eligible (for instance, that same Duke would become a count, but if the Baroness has no heir or spouse, he would become the Duke again upon her death).

One can also be completely stripped of royal titles and may not be allowed to inherit any titles, in which case they become commoners and have no special name.

Marriage:

For most titles, in most countries, if you marry someone with a title, you then possess that title and it will be passed down to the children you have with your spouse when you both pass. A man marrying the Queen will become the King, though the royal lineage line will favour those related by blood to the Queen (or the monarch before her) if there is anyone in the bloodline who can take the throne before they will turn to the King or his sole descendants.

There are exceptions to this, however. Princes/Princesses are the biological children of the current monarch or, if there is no one suitable to take the throne, the next in line for the throne/appointed heir. You cannot marry a princess and become a princess unless that marriage puts you in line for the throne as well. As Princess Adora is the sole heir of Eternia, should she die before she becomes queen, Catra would become the ruler instead, and thus Catra becomes a princess upon marrying her. If Randor had a sibling, especially one with children, or more than one child himself, one of those individuals would become the heir instead to carry on the bloodline, but Randor was also the sole heir.

Most countries pass down leadership based on the closest, eldest relative of the current monarch, irrespective of gender. Thus, the eldest biological child of the current monarch becomes the next ruler. If the monarch has none, it instead turns to the monarch’s biological siblings. If they have past, it then turns to their eldest child.

Exceptions can be found in Halfmoon, where they only have a singular queen. The line of succession is the closest female relative (usually her child) of the current queen. The Queen has a consort(s) which may be her husband/wife, but because they do not want the monarchy to get used to dividing duties, any wife of the queen still isn’t allowed to take on duties related to ruling lest that becomes standard and a man possesses the power next time around.

Aside: This is because magicats firmly believe that if you want decisive action, you turn to a woman. There are historical reasons for this related to a terrible King whose indecision led to them being driven from their homeland and completely underground, but they have thrived under their Queen-only model and aren't looking to change it. This is what led to the situation with the Queen detesting Catra, but being unable to appoint one of her sons as the heir because it would cause an instant revolt in the people. Magicats once ruled the Crimson Waste and they are not losing another kingdom, especially not one so profitable.

Another exception is Salineas, which allows for multiple marriages. Any individual may have one wife and one husband. You could be married to woman who is your sole wife, but she also has a husband, who has his own husband, etc. As a result, marriages lines and family trees are a fucking disaster. As such, titles are passed down to the closest blood relative of the current holder. So, when King dies, the next monarch would be his eldest child (by blood). If he had a husband and wife who had produced a child together that was older, that child wouldn’t be in line unless there were no blood-relative options (or the king declared them as his heir). Princess Mermista has both a wife and husband, but if the wife were to get pregnant, her child wouldn’t be in line for the throne. On top of that, affairs are common and not at all secretive affairs. If you have a child with your mistress before you have one with your wife, that child will be first in line for your title. It’s a clusterfuck over there, but so is lineage in most countries.

The reason that Salineas and Halfmoon cultures are so divergent is that they are physically separated from the rest of Etherian, with Salineas spread under the ocean and across several islands and Halfmoon beneath the Arid Plains/Crimson Waste, so they have had some isolation in which to develop their own divergent cultural norms that may seem a bit odd to the other countries.

A final note, nobility is expected to marry people of similar social stature, but this does not necessarily mean other nobility. It is perfectly acceptable to marry a non-noble mayor, or a non-noble merchant, etc. It is also perfectly acceptable to marry citizens of other countries of similar stature. This helps prevent the in-breeding problem of European monarchies. Also, while your family may be disappointed, marriages with the lower class happen all the time, at least outside of Salineas where marriage is almost exclusively a matter of title and inheritance. Especially in Eternia, if someone takes up a lower class mistress, they usually end up married to them.

#isohm #ficmeta #fic extra