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hardestgrove · 2 years

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THE MUNGROVE FILES: ELRIC/LOTR

Fantasy as a Means of Examining the Dynamic Between Billy and Eddie Or Why I Think You Should All Read Elric and Associate It With Billy

This is another unhinged essay from me and I will be doing a lot here, arguably the most, certainly too much. But fuck it it’s 2008 and I’m writing a shipping manifesto bc tbh I think LJ had it right and long ass metas are fun. In this essay I will be talking about why I think Billy would be a fan of the Elric Saga, how this works thematically with Eddie and why I think that the difference in which series mirror their character cores enhances the dynamic.

For starters, Elric of Melniboné — what even is that?

The Elric Saga is a series of about 7 books written by the English author Michael Moorcock from the 60s to 00s, the majority being written in the 60s-80s. They were printed in magazines and then novellas and then compiled into larger books so it can get a little confusing when you looking for information about them. The Elric Saga is a seminal piece of dark pulp fantasy that has been just as much of a foundational piece of western fantasy media as The Lord of The Rings if not as well known by the masses. It’s been referenced by countless bands including Blue Öyster Cult, given Edward Elric of Full Metal Alchemist and White Wolf Publishing their names, been one of the foundations of Dungeons and Dragons entire creation and is the inspiration for the Targaryens and Valyria in George R. R. Martin’s series A Song of Ice and Fire — just to name a few places where Elric has had an effect.

(Also the Eldar from Warhammer 40k are LITERALLY the Melniboneans. Almost to a T.)

The story of the series follows Elric of Melniboné, a sickly albino sorcerer king of a decadent and corrupt empire still clinging to it’s glory from when it ruled most of their world. Elric at first determined to somehow do something about their slow decline, not just in power but in humanity, exiles himself and sets out to travel the Young Kingdoms of the humans to learn more than he could from books and study. Because of Elric's introspective self-loathing and hatred of Melnibonéan traditions, his subjects find him odd and unfathomable. However, his cousin Yyrkoon (next in the line of succession, as Elric has no heirs) interprets this behaviour as weakness and plots Elric's death. Complicating matters is Yyrkoon's sister Cymoril, who is deeply in love with Elric; Yyrkoon covets her, and part of his plan for usurpation is to marry Cymoril himself.

Elrics greatest aids in his quests for peace for his people, and then later only himself when he realizes there is no hope for Melniboné, are his patron and master Arioch, a Lord of Chaos and Duke of Hell and the evil eldritch blade with a mind of its own bestowed to him by Arioch, Stormbringer. The sword confers upon Elric strength, health, and fighting prowess, allowing him to do away with his dependence on drugs, but it must be fed by the souls of intelligent beings. In the end, the blade takes everyone close to Elric and eventually Elric's own soul as well. This is the most constant element of the Moorcock’s stories, that anyone who is too close to Elric for too long shares in his tragic fate by Stormbringer’s or Elric’s hand. The other is that Elric is trapped as a pawn in the cosmic war between Order and Chaos (this is where the DnD alignment chart comes from).

Elric himself is a handsome but weak and miserable man forever fighting against his own depression and despair as he feels his situation in life becomes more impossible to bear. He also has a lot of sex for someone who’s so miserable to be around which is pretty impressive. He’s a byronic anti-hero, at times really even more of an anti-villain and literally everything about him is sexy and tragic. He comes from a cycle of cruelty and is considered somewhat impure of breeding, that impurity is also likely why he still has even scraps of basic decency left compared to many of his country men who revel in atrocities. Even with him being the least terrible he’s still cruel, arrogant, prideful, spiteful and generally apathetic to life and most joys.

You see, Elric and his people are doomed. There is truly no hope for them. Thanks to an ancient deal made thousands of years ago the Melniboneans are tied to Arioch and as Arioch is a Lord of Chaos this means he is a monstrous corrupting force and the source of all the depravity bastardizing Elric’s people over the generations. Elric as their king is in many ways little more than a slave to Arioch’s wishes. While Elric as a facet of the Eternal Champion inevitably works for Balance and works with agents of Order at times, he is an agent of Chaos because the pact with Arioch which cannot be broken and Arioch is happy to bring him back to heel when he sees fit. There is no peace or happiness or safety for Elric, his god —and his sword— do not wish it so and Elric cannot fight back.

Elric became a very popular place to pull inspiration from for Hard Rock and Metal artists because of these darker themes. It’s noted that Elric’s relationship with Stormbringer is similar to an addiction. He relies on the sword to feel better/be healthier but it’s evil. It has it’s own agenda and frequently robs him of his own will or control over his own body, forcing him to cut down his own friends and loved ones. It fuels him by devouring the souls of others, damning them to a fate forever trapped inside the hell that is the sword. This dark parasitic/symbiotic relationship helped it hit home with musicians of the era.

Many people in the community consider Billy to be a secret bookworm or just more passionate about reading than you’d immediately think from seeing him. I throw in my hat for the Elric Saga being Billy’s favorite series. It’s fantasy, it’s metal, it’s got sex in it, it’s got a very handsome man absolutely going through it in conflicts he has largely no power over that get into questions of fate and self determination, all that shit. It reeks of Big Billy Energy™. You can even see parallels between his character in season 3 and Elric in what I just said about Elric and Stormbringer. Fun fact— The Eternal Champion always bears an aspect of the Black Sword as his or her weapon, though it may not always manifest as a sword (black veins anyone?).

I can see Billy finding Elric’s life and struggles much more engaging and emotionally resonant to his own than he ever could with say, The Lord of The Rings which as one of the biggest fantasy series of all time and present in this era I know many like to use when talking about what he reads. Elric is a miserable fuck, he hates himself and wants to die but he persists through everything. He curses the gods, picks himself back up, gets back into the pit and commits a few atrocities, fights a dude, saves a kingdom, accidentally kills his new best friend, saves the universe, weeps into his wine over his dead girlfriend, has sex with some lady, kills another dude—rinse, repeat. It’s honestly pretty impressive since he so clearly needs a therapist or 80.

The idea for many as to why Billy reads is for a certain amount of escapism from Neil and the abuse which I agree with. But I don’t think that LOTR has the kind of escapism Billy would resonate with because of its more optimistic and comforting tones. I don’t think that even in his escapism Billy likes to be “lied” to. He prefers stories where while it might not be the focus, the harsh realities are there. His escapism is in power fantasies, in stories set in rich and compelling worlds (which yes, LOTR also has), and in putting his pain into a character. I think many things that are baked into LOTR because of who Tolkien was don’t always sit well with Billy. Sometimes you win, but it’s a pyrrhic victory and you also kinda lose because the cycle of conflict continues. Sometimes the exiled king isn’t some stalwart dude who’s rule will fix everything with no good explanation as to why that would be, sometimes he sucks and there is no way out of the tailspin anyway. Sometimes you end up alone because of your own cruelty and selfless. Sometimes it takes the Apocalypse to finally get a chance to free yourself from your masters. Elric is as compelling as he is tragic and he’s only one facet of the Eternal Champion, a being that exists in different forms throughout the Multiverse. The Champion exists to uphold the Cosmic Balance, and could even be said to be an aspect or reflection of the Balance.

Most Champions don’t even know that they are a Champion and multiple can exist in the same place at the same time. I can see him fantasizing about being one. Billy is at his heart a protector, I can see him daydreaming about being a warrior for Balance, protecting the world from the war being Law and Chaos, and never even knowing he was. I think for Billy, who feels worthless and unwanted, the inherent fantasy of being just Built Different™ is more appealing than the “anyone can be a hero” vibes of LOTR.

With that let’s get into why The Lord of The Rings is Eddie’s favorite series and then the whole compare-y constrast-y “and that’s why they should kiss” part.

If Billy looked at Elric and said “yeah I’m about to make this dude my whole personality” then Eddie did that with Frodo. Frodo is essentially the town eccentric who was raised by his uncle, the other town eccentric. He’s intelligent and kind and no one’s idea of a hero at a glance. But he is heroic and he takes on an incredibly heavy burden because someone has to and he cares too deeply to let someone else be stuck with it, even if he wishes anyone else could have it. LOTR at it’s core is a story of hope, of unlikely friendship and heroism that stands up against time, distance and unspeakable evil. It’s a story of faith in your beliefs and your friends. It talks about surviving through harrowing events and the darkest times and how love and friendship can do so much to help you continue on against the odds.

It feels like a no brainer why all of that would appeal to Eddie. Unlike Billy, Eddie has a loving uncle and has managed to build a support system. His life is by no means perfect but he’s certainly doing better than Billy is. Eddie prefers the story where good inevitably triumphs over evil in a pretty clear cut way because that’s what he feels is right. It’s his escapism. Frodo’s struggle hits him emotionally and the plot itself is likely part of the foundation of his belief system. When asked to go with the party he says they’re asking him to walk into Mordor which yeah, fucking stupid, was stupid in LOTR too. But it was also the only option and the only right/good thing to do. Even if they didn’t succeed they would have at least tried. So of course Eddie goes too.

“Man was not born to a world of justice. But he can create such a world!” ― Michael Moorcock, Stormbringer

“War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers

Their choices in favorite media are basically symbols of their philosophies, beliefs and aesthetics. Elric is one man’s quest to find his place in the world and failing that, making a new world. Of overcoming endless adversity in a harsh uncaring universe. It’s got all the aesthetics you think of when talking about 60s-70s pulp fantasy— scantily clad ladies, handsome sword boys, crazy shit, totally unpronounceable words, weird architecture etc. LOTR is the story of a group of people working together to end a war and save their world. They have total faith in each other and their friendship, love and humility is in the end what helps them win. It’s aesthetics are more classic because well— it fucking codified the classical fantasy genre look. Also like fucking 8 million poems and songs everywhere constantly.

Billy does not take pride in his softness, he takes pride in his resilience, in his anger. Eddie takes pride his creativity and his care for others and his kindness. He talks about how he saw the boys alone in the cafeteria and went out of his way to take them under his wing and he runs a whole club built on collaborative creativity. Billy has worked alone his whole life to find ways to deny Neil’s shrinking of him. He plants his feet when he’s hit and refuses to be someone you forget. He refutes a universe that would walk by his existence, he will not be denied his space. He’s miserable and arrogant like Elric— Elric who only wants to be at peace. Eddie has found is little niche and he’s content in it, but when pressed he will stand up to defend it even if he’s scared. Because it’s the right thing to do, because he cares, because he couldn’t bear putting someone else in danger just so he’d be safe. He’s adventurous and loving like Frodo— Frodo who saved the shire for everyone, but not for himself.

Billy and Eddie are complimentary forces. Their differences create a conversation between them which can lead to growth and change and their similarities ensure it happens on even footing. They’re both poor, from dysfunctional families with bad dads, they both love metal, they’re both unlike the people around them. Billy can say the world is shit and Eddie can say “is it really?” and a dialogue can be opened that gets them both thinking. Billy ensures Eddie’s kindness isn’t abused, that the Shire remains unscoured. Eddie gives Billy the affection he craves and gives him the space he needs to feel peace. Because Billy is a protector and Eddie is a carer. Eddie shows on multiple occasions his emotional sensitivity and compassion. Like Elric traveling the Young Kingdoms, most people look at Billy and see a threat, a villain, because of what he is (a Melnibonean/an abuse victim with unhealthy mechanisms). Like Frodo, Eddie has the big heart and open mindedness to show pity and compassion even to Gollum who would’ve absolutely loved to bash his head in with a rock. And that kindness is what allows what’s left of Gollum’s humanity to shine through as Sméagol, the man he used to be.

I’m losing mental steam here because I’ve been at this Billy/Elric shit all day but I feel like this quote from Moonglum, another aspect of the Eternal Champion, kinda says what I’m getting at here.

“He had never understood his friendship with the albino. It had always been a peculiar mixture of reserve and affection, a fine balance which both men were careful to maintain, even in situations of this kind.

Elric, since his passion for Cymoril had resulted in her death and the destruction of the city he loved, had at all times feared bestowing any tender emotion on those he fell in with.

He had run away from Shaarilla of the Dancing Mist, who had loved him dearly. He had fled from Queen Yishana of Jharkor, who had offered him her kingdom to rule, in spite of her subjects’ hatred of him. He disdained most company save Moonglum’s, and Moonglum, too, became quickly bored by anyone other than the crimson-eyed Prince of Imrryr. Moonglum would die for Elric and he knew that Elric would risk any danger to save his friend. But was not this an unhealthy relationship? Would it not be better if they went their different ways? He could not bear the thought. It was as if they were part of the same entity different aspects of the character of the same man.

He could not understand why he should feel this. And he guessed that, if Elric had ever considered the question, the Melnibonean would be equally hard put to find an answer.” —The Vanishing Tower by Michael Moorcock

#mungrove #billy hargrove #eddie munson #stranger things meta #meta #writing.doc #JUST FUCKING TAKE IT #no one is gonna read this why do i keep writing these things i know no one is gonna read lol

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gonegrove · 2 years

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THE MUNGROVE FILES: ELRIC/LOTR

Fantasy as a Means of Examining the Dynamic Between Billy and Eddie Or Why I Think You Should All Read Elric and Associate It With Billy

For starters, Elric of Melniboné — what even is that?

The Elric Saga is a series of about 7 books written by the English author Michael Moorcock from the 60s to 00s, the majority being written in the 60s-80s. They were printed in magazines and then novellas and then compiled into larger books so it can get a little confusing when you looking for information about them. The Elric Saga is a seminal piece of dark pulp fantasy that has been just as much of a foundational piece of western fantasy media as The Lord of The Rings if not as well known by the masses. It’s been referenced by countless bands including Blue Öyster Cult, given Edward Elric of Full Metal Alchemist and White Wolf Publishing their names, been one of the foundations of Dungeons and Dragons entire creation and is the inspiration for the Targaryens and Valyria in George R. R. Martin��s series A Song of Ice and Fire — just to name a few places where Elric has had an effect.

(Also the Eldar from Warhammer 40k are LITERALLY the Melniboneans. Almost to a T.)

The story of the series follows Elric of Melniboné, a sickly albino sorcerer king of a decadent and corrupt empire still clinging to it’s glory from when it ruled most of their world. Elric at first determined to somehow do something about their slow decline, not just in power but in humanity, exiles himself and sets out to travel the Young Kingdoms of the humans to learn more than he could from books and study. Because of Elric’s introspective self-loathing and hatred of Melnibonéan traditions, his subjects find him odd and unfathomable. However, his cousin Yyrkoon (next in the line of succession, as Elric has no heirs) interprets this behaviour as weakness and plots Elric’s death. Complicating matters is Yyrkoon’s sister Cymoril, who is deeply in love with Elric; Yyrkoon covets her, and part of his plan for usurpation is to marry Cymoril himself.

Elrics greatest aids in his quests for peace for his people, and then later only himself when he realizes there is no hope for Melniboné, are his patron and master Arioch, a Lord of Chaos and Duke of Hell and the evil eldritch blade with a mind of its own bestowed to him by Arioch, Stormbringer. The sword confers upon Elric strength, health, and fighting prowess, allowing him to do away with his dependence on drugs, but it must be fed by the souls of intelligent beings. In the end, the blade takes everyone close to Elric and eventually Elric’s own soul as well. This is the most constant element of the Moorcock’s stories, that anyone who is too close to Elric for too long shares in his tragic fate by Stormbringer’s or Elric’s hand. The other is that Elric is trapped as a pawn in the cosmic war between Order and Chaos (this is where the DnD alignment chart comes from).

With that let’s get into why The Lord of The Rings is Eddie’s favorite series and then the whole compare-y constrast-y “and that’s why they should kiss” part.

“Man was not born to a world of justice. But he can create such a world!” ― Michael Moorcock, Stormbringer

Elric, since his passion for Cymoril had resulted in her death and the destruction of the city he loved, had at all times feared bestowing any tender emotion on those he fell in with.

#mungrove #billy hargrove #eddie munson #stranger things meta #meta #writing.doc #JUST FUCKING TAKE IT #no one is gonna read this why do i keep writing these things i know no one is gonna read lol #the ancient texts #i'm tempted to someday do a revamp of this essay tbh bc i lost steam/track of my thoughts by the end so i feel i could conclude it better #but i need to let it rest for a bit more before i come back to it

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allianettemie5 · 1 year

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Hey there. This is a master post to this whole disaster. Is updating.

There is a fanfiction master post, where I keep track of all the fanfiction I published.

Let me finally do the introductions. My name is Tasha (she/her).

I would like to immediately provide my socials (there's currently one):

Archive of Our Own (AllianettemiE5)

I have sideblogs!

@batman-on-budget — Genshin Impact related stuff. Possible fanfiction in the future. @darthsnail (WIP) — for Star Wars content.

What am I doing here? There's a button to read more!

This Tumblr initially was meant for writing events, like #crewfuweek2022. Now I'm doing whatever comes to my mind, such as art, ficlets, some abstract things that my brain tells me to do at 2am.

For your (and my own) convenience I have put (and going to update) featured in this blog tags.

Some of them I want to mention here:

#allianettemie5 original. These are all the original posts from me (no reblogs). It's convenient sometimes to have this tag pinned somewhere. I DO NOT CLAIM that I am a hundred percent author of the original things that I posted about.

#allianettemie5 ask. Kinda shocked that I can add this tag atm. This makes me feel very professional, and I am scared.

#private recording 1. I'm trying to get this name some more recognition, for this CC group changed my life.

#private alignment charts 1. This is my own little thingy with me making various alignment charts with some content creators from #private recording 1. Check them out, it's been so much fun making them.

#fanfiction. I write a little bit. I mean, I have grand plans, and not all of them come to life. Still, I have an account on Ao3 where I come back to once in a while.

#crewfuweek2022. My first ever writing events and the only one so far. I highly recommend checking it out, there's a master post for ya.

#harry potter au. I also have this little side project. This is #private recording 1 Harry Potter AU. I don't know what it'll become in the future.

#genshin impact au. This one is #private recording 1 in the lands of Teyvat. For now it's posts about each of them getting their Visions.

Some more facts about myself:

I am a Ravenclaw, though I think I would be out of the Common Room 24/7, not being able to solve the riddles. I'm obsessive, not smart.

I'm not a native English speaker, but I think I've picked it up at a decent level.

I watched the entirety of Supernatural (pain).

I tried to learn Sindarin when I was 14.

I tried to learn Klingon when I was 17.

My favorite song to play on guitar is Hey Jude, and it totally has something to do with Supernatural.

Sometimes Imagine by John Lennon is hitting something deep inside of my chest.

I consider myself a Star Wars fan (pain).

Batman Returns (1992) is a Christmas movie, one of the best, and you won't be able to convince me otherwise.

My favourite cinematic moment of all the time was and will be the scene of Eorlingas riding down the hill at the Uruk-hai with the blinding sun rising behind their backs and the music so bright and inspiring and powerful; I haven't seen more beautiful (or even matching) moment in cinema in my entire life.

I listen to movie soundtracks a lot. Here are the top-3 movies I love the soundtrack from: The Lord of The Rings (the whole trilogy), the new Star Trek trilogy, and Pirates of the Caribbean 1-3. These trilogies rule.

I'm a space invader, I'll be a rock 'n' rollin' bitch for you

I want to end this post with a quote from Skadj, for some reason.

Totally about me

#masterpost #master post #2 am posts #the time has come #allianettemie5 original

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